Cultural, belief system data can inform gray wolf recovery efforts in US Humans regularly exert a powerful influence on the survival and persistence of species, yet social-science information is used only sporadically in conservation decisions. Researchers at Colorado State University and The Ohio State University have created an index depicting the mix of social values among people across all 50 states, providing data that can be useful for wildlife conservation policy and management. As a specific illustration, the research team found a supportive social context for gray wolf reintroduction in Colorado. Last fall, citizens in the state voted by ballot initiative to mandate the reintroduction of gray wolves. The data and maps in the study reveal that Colorado's social environment is far more conducive to wolf recovery than states like Montana and Idaho, which currently have state legislative efforts to reduce wolf populations. The study, "Bringing social values to wildlife conservation decisions," was published online June 3 in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Michael Manfredo, the study's lead investigator and head of CSU's Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, said the research reveals how people fall into the categories of traditionalists - those who believe animals should be used for purposes that benefit humans, like hunting and medical research - or mutualists, those who believe that animals deserve the same rights as humans. Mutualists view animals as companions and part of their social networks and project human traits onto animals. "You can see what the 'flavor' is of the state or county, and what policies or initiatives people are likely to support or be opposed to," said Manfredo. Highly modernized states, including California, Nevada, Colorado and Washington, are leaning more toward mutualism, according to the research. North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana have more residents with traditionalist values. Tara Teel, CSU professor and a lead author on the study, said that the data is relevant for other hot and new topics and drills down to the county level. "This study builds on a 50-state study on America's Wildlife Values -- the largest and first of its kind," said Teel. "It is one of the first broadly accessible social science datasets to inform wildlife conservation efforts across the United States." Data provides insight on conservation decisions While the results are particularly relevant for the U.S., the technique used by the team could be applied to better account for human factors in conservation decisions for addressing issues like climate change, species reintroductions and human-wildlife conflict globally. The research team used data from a survey conducted from 2017 to 2018 of 46,894 U.S. residents and applied a sociocultural index to inform decision-making through an understanding of public values toward wildlife. Scientists measured mutualist and traditionalist values, which have previously been shown to be highly predictive of attitudes on a wide range of policy issues. The team subsequently developed state and county maps. 'Values don't change quickly' "Previous research has found that there is a strong relationship between the laws passed in any given state and people's values," said Manfredo. "In the last two decades, there's been a substantial change in how people value wildlife," he added. "Values don't change quickly," he said. "They're not like how a person feels about political issues. Values are formed in a person's youth and stay with you forever." Manfredo said data showed that as far back as the early 2000s, people in Colorado were in favor of wolf reintroduction. But in places like Jackson County, a sub-alpine valley in northern Colorado, people were not so excited about wolves. "Society is changing, and there's been a backlash from traditionalists who feel that their values and their voices in decision-making are being threatened," he said. "Ultimately, state and local agencies need to pay more attention to constituents. That means everybody in the state, not just a segment or a particular county. Policies need to fall more in line with the values of the public." ### This story has been published on: 2021-06-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: SA to mark World Environment Day To mark World Environment Day, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy, will reflect on 25-years of the departments cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Over the last 25 years, the Department Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the UNDP have teamed up on over 26 projects to address critical national priorities relating to the protection of the natural environment, said the department on Friday. The focus of the projects has been among others on climate change and energy to better the lives of South Africans as well to conserve the countrys rich biodiversity. World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June. The UNDP has provided, in partnership with other stakeholders, the much-needed technical assistance and grant finance, as well as operational and management support. While the theme for World Environment Day 2021 is Ecosystem Restoration, the marking of 25 years of cooperation between DFFE and UNDP will be under the theme: Financing the Future of Nature, Climate and the Environment, and hereto, the role of development cooperation. This theme has a wide scope, encouraging wide interest and buy-in required to crowd in support for the DFFE budget agenda, and the wider national environmental agenda associated with COVID-19 economic reconstruction and recovery, inclusivity, and a just and socially equitable carbon transition. UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa, Dr Ayodele Odusola, will join the Minister in commemorating the day at an event to be held at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in Pretoria. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Supreme Court vacates four detention orders against ex-Deputy Culture Minister Pirumov RAPSI, Eugeny Varlamov 12:16 04/06/2021 MOSCOW, June 4 (RAPSI) The Supreme Courts Presidium on Friday overturned four detention extension orders issued against ex-Deputy Culture Minister Grigory Pirumov in a case over embezzlement during construction of the Hermitage Museums facility in 2018 and 2019, the courts press service told RAPSI. Currently, the case over stealing of 800 million rubles allocated for the Hermitage Museums reconstruction is considered in the Krasnogorsk Town Court near Moscow. In April, the Kuibyshevsky District Court of St. Petersburg, where investigators had initially sent the case, changed its jurisdiction and forwarded it to the Nikulinsky District Court of Moscow. However, the Prosecutor Generals Office petitioned to transfer the case to the Moscow Region. Pirumov and head of Rospan company Nikita Kolesnikov are charged with creating an organized criminal group to steal budget funds on a large scale using their job position. The gang, according to the charges, included financial director and senior engineer of the company Horizont Yulia Begeza and Valery Rogov, chairman of the Oil Alliance banks board Oleg Grigor. They also face trial. One more defendant, ex-director of the Culture Ministrys department of property management and investment policy Boris Mazo, fled abroad. He was put on the international wanted list and later arrested in Austria. A court in Vienne in February granted his extradition to Russia. However, Spain also seeks for his extradition. According to case papers, in 2015, the Hermitage Museum and MechStroyTrans company controlled by the defendants signed a contract for construction amd reconstruction of the museums facilities. During the execution of the contract, alleged accomplices stole more than 900 million rubles allocated from the budget for these works. Using various financial operations and transactions the defendants legalized 800 million rubles of the embezzled money, according to the courts press service. The accused persons plead not guilty. Other cases The Moscow City Court has repeatedly extended house arrest of Pirumov for 3 months as part of a 450-million-ruble (about $7 million) embezzlement case. Investigators believe that Pirumov, Kolesnikov, Mazo and their accomplices have stolen at least 450 million rubles (about $7 million) allocated for the construction of the Hermitage Museums buildings. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. In the first case against Pirumov, the Dorogomilovsky District Court of Moscow found him guilty of stealing more than 100 million rubles and sentenced the former culture official to 1.5 years in a penal colony in October 2017. The court took into consideration the time Pirumov spent in detention and freed him in the courtroom. Prosecutors repeatedly appealed against the sentence. In December, the Moscow City Court imposed a 1-million-ruble (about $15,000) on ex-official and deprived him of the second-class medal of the Order of Merit for the Motherland. In January, his punishment was toughened up to 3 years behind bars. Investigators claimed that between 2012 and 2016 Pirumov, currently wanted ex-director of the Culture Ministrys department of property management and investment policy Boris Mazo and several other defendants embezzled over 160 million rubles ($2.4 million) allocated on restoration of the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, Ivanovsky Convent in Moscow and other objects across Russia. On August 8, 2019, Moscows Preobrazhensky District Court granted parole to Pirumov as part of this case. KYODO NEWS - Jun 5, 2021 - 12:21 | All, Japan Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that his country is ready to continue talks with Japan toward a postwar peace treaty despite speculation that a constitutional amendment last year would prohibit Moscow from committing to negotiations to resolve a territorial dispute with Tokyo. "Both Russia and Japan share a strategic interest in concluding a peace treaty," Putin said in response to a question from Kyodo News President Toru Mizutani during an online press conference involving top officials of major press agencies from around the world. "We are ready to continue negotiations," he said. It was the Russian leader's first reference to the continuation of the bilateral peace treaty talks since the constitutional change took effect in July last year barring the country from ceding territory to a foreign power. "We must take the constitutional amendment into account, but I don't think that the peace treaty talks must be suspended," Putin said. A territorial dispute over Russian-held islands off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido has prevented the two countries from concluding a peace treaty after World War II. Russia wants Japan to recognize that the four islands -- called the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan -- were legitimately acquired following Tokyo's 1945 surrender in World War II. Japan takes the view that the seizure was illegal. Putin said Tokyo has repeatedly changed its position on the territorial issue, shifting its demands between the return of two islands and all four. Regarding the possibility of handing over all four islands to Japan, Putin said, "Russia or the Soviet Union never agreed to that." Some in Russia believe that the constitutional amendment bars Moscow from engaging in negotiations with Tokyo over the territorial dispute. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president, said in February the constitutional revision had made discussions with Japan over the territorial row impossible. Putin himself told local media the same month that he will not "do anything that runs counter" to the Constitution regarding the islands issue. In Friday's press conference, Putin reiterated that "security-related issues" are hindering the peace treaty negotiations, alluding to the possibility that the United States, Japan's security ally, would deploy missiles on Japanese territory and threaten Russia. Japan has not provided a clear answer on that security concern so far, Putin said. In 2018, then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Putin agreed to step up peace treaty negotiations based on a 1956 joint declaration between Japan and the former Soviet Union. The document states that of the group of four islands, the smaller two -- Shikotan and the Habomai islet group -- will be handed over to Japan following the conclusion of a peace treaty. The two larger disputed islands are Etorofu and Kunashiri. During phone talks shortly after he took office in September last year, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Putin agreed that the two countries will aim to promote territorial negotiations based on the 1956 joint declaration. Speaking to reporters after the call, Suga said he told Putin that he wanted to develop Japan-Russia relations and that the row over the sovereignty of the islands "should not be left for later generations to deal with." Putin said he was ready to continue dialogue on all bilateral issues and the two agreed to meet in person soon to hold "frank discussions," according to Suga. Suga and Putin have yet to meet in person. KYODO NEWS - Jun 4, 2021 - 20:44 | All, Japan, World, Coronavirus Japan's donated COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Taiwan on Friday as the democratic island has been struggling to procure shots amid a surge of coronavirus cases, swiftly triggering a strong backlash from Communist-led mainland China. To the self-ruled island, Japan shipped free of charge 1.24 million doses of the vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca Plc of Britain and manufactured domestically through license production, despite criticism from China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province. "The provision is based on our important partnership and friendship with Taiwan," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a press conference in Tokyo, referring to the aid Japan received from Taiwan following a massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan in 2011. Motegi said the offer was arranged on request from Taiwan. The island has been grappling with a dramatic rise in coronavirus cases since May and has had difficulties in securing COVID-19 vaccines. Taiwan said China blocked purchase negotiations with BioNTech SE, Pfizer Inc.'s German coronavirus vaccine development partner, just as it was about to secure a vaccine deal with the company. Motegi said Japan would consider additional supplies to Taiwan and provisions to countries that are also in need, depending on their relationship with Japan among other factors. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in a Facebook post thanked Japan for providing the vaccine doses, describing the Japanese move as "timely assistance." "We are grateful for the timely assistance we have received from partners who share the same values of freedom and democracy, giving Taiwan more confidence in democracy," she said. Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Japan, Frank Hsieh, who saw the shipment off at Narita airport near Tokyo in wet weather, described the shipment as "timely rain." He apologized to the Taiwanese public for keeping the matter a secret from start to finish. Hsieh said, "Before the vaccines get on the plane, it's possible to change," suggesting China could intervene. The news of Japan providing the supply to Taiwan has been also welcomed by Taiwanese people, with local newspapers running front-page articles on the Japanese move, saying it reflects the friendship between the two neighbors. The United States will separately provide coronavirus vaccines to Taiwan through the U.N.-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing program, in the latest sign of U.S. support for the island facing pressure from mainland China. The Chinese government, meanwhile, lambasted Taiwan for accepting the vaccine doses from Japan, saying the Tsai government, led by the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, "has blocked vaccine shipments from the mainland." "Accepting safe and well-stocked vaccines developed by the mainland can help contain the virus" on the island, the Chinese government said in a statement on Friday. Later in the day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin apparently expressed opposition to Japan's vaccine provision to Taiwan, labeling such a move as a "political performance." "Vaccine aid should return to the original intention of saving lives, and not be reduced to a toll for political self-interest," Wang told reporters. Even with its offer to Taiwan, Japan, which launched its inoculation program in February, will have enough shots for all of its residents aged 16 or older by using vaccines developed by U.S. pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna Inc. Japan has secured enough AstraZeneca doses for 60 million people and approved the use of the vaccine last month. But it does not intend to use it immediately due to rare cases of blood clots being reported overseas, according to the health ministry. Taiwan and mainland China have been separately governed since they split in 1949 as a result of a civil war. Their relationship has deteriorated since Tsai became Taiwan president since 2016. The leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping is believed to be aiming to reunify the island with the mainland by force if necessary. While Tokyo severed diplomatic ties with Taipei and established them with Beijing in 1972, Taiwan and Japan have continued to deepen economic cooperation at the initiative of the private sector. Recently, the government of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has been strengthening its commitment to the Taiwan issue, making relations between the two Asian powers fragile. At his summit in Washington in April, Suga confirmed with U.S. President Joe Biden "the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." It marked the first time in 52 years that Japanese and U.S. leaders have mentioned Taiwan in a joint statement. Related coverage: China raps Taiwan for accepting vaccines from Japan Taiwan media welcomes Japan move to provide COVID-19 vaccine Chinese vessels sail near Senkakus for record 112 days in row KYODO NEWS - Jun 4, 2021 - 21:00 | All, Japan The number of babies born in Japan fell to a record low of 840,832 in 2020, a year when the nation was hit by the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Friday. The figure marked the lowest level since the health ministry started taking such surveys in 1899. It was down 24,407 from the previous year when the number dipped below 900,000 for the first time. The data revealed that the shrinking and rapid aging of the nation's population is accelerating amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato expressed a sense of crisis over the all-time low number and stressed the importance of removing obstacles for bearing and raising children in society. "The declining number of children is a problem that can shake the basis of our society and economy. It should be tackled as a matter of the highest priority," the government's top spokesman said at a press conference. The average number of children a woman will bear in her lifetime declined 0.02 point from 2019 to 1.34, and the number of marriages decreased 73,517 to 525,490, the lowest in the post-World War II era, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Analysts predict the impact of the pandemic on child births will become more severe in 2021, with the number of newborns from January to March this year dropping 9.2 percent from a year earlier on a preliminary basis. Takuya Hoshino, an economist at the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, predicts that the declining trend of births and marriages will continue for a while due to economic hardships and fewer opportunities for people to meet each other because of the pandemic. "It is necessary to support people who want to have a child through measures such as creating a framework for employees to take childrearing leaves easier and enhancing fertility treatment assistance," Hoshino said. For the whole of 2021, the number may fall to the 700,000 level, 10 years earlier than the government had projected. The number of births has been on a downward trend since 1973, the peak for the second-generation baby boomers in Japan at about 2.09 million. By age of mothers, the number was the highest among women between 30 and 34 at 303,434, with the average age of bearing a first child standing at 30.7 years old. The number of births fell among all age groups except those aged 45 and older, as the figure rose 27 among that group in 2020 from the previous year. By prefecture, Okinawa logged the highest rate in terms of the average number of children per woman in her lifetime at 1.86, followed by Shimane at 1.69 and Miyazaki at 1.68. Tokyo registered the lowest rate at 1.13, followed by Hokkaido and Miyagi at 1.21. The average age of first marriages stood at 31.0 for men and 29.4 for women. The number of divorces came to 193,251, down 15,245 from the previous year, according to the data. KYODO NEWS - Jun 4, 2021 - 18:01 | World, All China on Friday marked the 32nd anniversary of the crackdown on the Tiananmen Square democracy protests with tight security, one month before the ruling Communist Party celebrates its 100th birthday. Uniformed police officers kept a close watch in and around the square, aiming to contain any potential commemorative demonstrations. Foreign journalists were not allowed to get close to the site. Around the square, where the violent incident took place, the ruling party is expected to hold memorial events next month. Following the 1989 death of Hu Yaobang, sacked as general secretary of the Communist Party two years earlier for his liberal leanings, students rallied to call for democracy and government action against rampant corruption. Support for the protest grew as people poured into Tiananmen Square. The protest defied martial law, declared in late May that year, and inspired big rallies across China. But from the night of June 3 through the early hours of June 4, troops and armored vehicles cleared the square by force, killing hundreds of protesters and bystanders. Intent on maintaining its firm one-party rule, the Communist Party has justified the 1989 killings by declaring it was necessary to quell political unrest. Open discussion about the incident remains taboo in China. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday, "The courage of the brave individuals who stood shoulder-to-shoulder on June 4 reminds us that we must never stop seeking transparency on the events of that day, including a full accounting of all those killed, detained or missing." "The United States will continue to stand with the people of China as they demand that their government respect universal human rights," Blinken said in a statement. KYODO NEWS - Jun 4, 2021 - 22:17 | All, World, Japan, Coronavirus The Chinese government on Friday criticized Taiwan for accepting more than 1 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine developed by Britain's AstraZeneca Plc from Japan, in the latest flare-up in tensions between the mainland and the self-ruled island. The Taiwanese government, led by the Democratic Progressive Party, "has blocked vaccine shipments from the mainland," Beijing said in a statement. The AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in Taiwan from Japan later in the day. "Accepting safe and well-stocked vaccines developed by the mainland can help contain the virus" on the island, the Chinese government said. Taiwan has been facing a dramatically growing number of coronavirus cases since May. Late last month, however, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said China prevented the island from purchasing vaccines developed by German pharmaceutical company BioNTech SE. The mainland brushed aside Tsai's claim, saying Taiwan's channels for receiving vaccines from China have not been obstructed. China also urged the Japanese government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga not to use vaccine assistance to Taiwan as "a tool for selfish political gains." "I've noticed that Japan can barely ensure adequate supply of vaccines at home," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing. "Under such circumstances, the Japanese government's announcement of considering providing vaccines to China's Taiwan region has drawn doubts from media and the public including in Taiwan," he added. The democratic island and Communist-led China have been separately governed since they split in 1949 as a result of a civil war. Their relationship has deteriorated under independence-leaning Tsai, who has served as Taiwan's president since 2016. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province to be reunited with the mainland by force if necessary. Related coverage: Japan to provide 1.24 mil. doses of vaccine to Taiwan Taiwan media welcomes Japan move to provide COVID-19 vaccine Chinese vessels sail near Senkakus for record 112 days in row Jaipur: Rajasthan's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party MLA, Gyan Dev Ahuja, has warned that if anyone indulges in cow smuggling or slaughters a cow, he will be killed. Ahuja's threat to cow smugglers came as a response to an alleged cow smuggling incident in Alwar district on Saturday. "Mera to sidha sidha kehna hai ki gau taskari karoge ya gau kashi karoge to yun hi maare jaoge (I say this clearly: if you smuggle or slaughter cows, you will be killed)," he told reporters. Not stranger to making controversial and bizarre statements, Ahuja had previously claimed that the premier Jawaharlal Nehru University was a hub of sex and drugs, where 3,000 used condoms and 2,000 liquor bottles were found daily. On Saturday, an alleged cow smuggler was caught, while two of his associates managed to escape in Ramgarh area of the district, which often sees violence by cow vigilante groups. The man caught was allegedly beaten by local residents. However, Ahuja claimed the accused was injured after the vehicle in which he was allegedly smuggling cows overturned. "Three men were smuggling cows. When police chased them, they tried to escape through narrow lanes of a village and the vehicle overturned leaving one of the smugglers injured. Two others managed to escape," the Ramgarh legislator claimed when contacted. He said people resent cow smuggling and slaughter. Also read| Alwar Killing: AIMM chief Owaisi asks Rajasthan government to conduct impartial inquiry "There is anger among people against cow smugglers because they smuggle cows, because they open fire at police when police try to prevent them. They also take roads through villages in Alwar to escape to Haryana and pelt stones at the villagers," he said. Ahuja said there has been a sudden spurt in incidents of cow smuggling of late. Also read: Cow smuggler killed in encounter with police in Alwar "More than 100 incidents have occurred in the past a few days, which is alarming and unusually high. Police are also doing their job to check such incidents," he said. Circle Officer Alwar South Anil Kumar said a man - later identified as Zakir - was arrested for smuggling cows on Saturday. He was beaten by villagers before the police took him in custody. "A police party tried to stop the mini-truck but the accused fled after opening fire at the police. There were 8-10 bovine animals in the truck," Kumar said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Minister of State (MoS) Home Hansraj Ahir on Monday asked doctors of Maharashtras Chandrapura government hospital to join Naxal ranks after finding them on mass leave during his visit to the hospital. According to reports, Ahir was visiting Chandrapura to inaugurate a government hospital. Ahir after inaugurating the hospital said, The doctors very well knew I was coming. Despite knowing I am coming why did the doctors go on leave. He added that he is a democratically elected minister. If the doctors dont believe in democracy they should join Naxals. Also read: Put on white apron and spend one day as a govt doctor, AIIMS doctors ask PM Modi The MoS further added, One's, these doctors who do not have faith in democracy join Naxal ranks, we will shoot them with our bullets. On Saturday, doctors of AIIMS backing the protest by their counterparts in Rajasthan for higher pay and promotions asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "live" their life for a day to understand their stress. Also read| Karnataka: Lying on operation bed doctor forces Muslim woman to chant 'Krishna Krishna' In a letter to PM Modi, the AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) urged the PM to understand the tremendous pressure on doctors at government hospitals due to the poor infrastructure and misbehaviour of patient's kin during emergency situations. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Manila: Twenty pilgrims were killed on Monday in a head-on bus collision while travelling to Christmas Day mass in the northern Philippines, police said. A small bus taking an extended family to a dawn church service crashed into a larger bus in the town of Agoo, 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of Manila, killing 20 on board, Agoo police said. The nine other occupants of the small bus were injured, as were 15 travelling on the bigger bus, police said. "They were trying to catch a mass in Manaoag," police officer Vanessa Abubo told AFP, referring to a nearby town with a famous Catholic church. The centuries-old Our Lady of Manaoag church is a popular pilgrimage site in the mainly Catholic nation, featuring an icon of the Virgin Mary which the faithful say performs miracles. Agoo police chief Roy Villanueva told Manila radio station DZMM by telephone that the smaller vehicle had left its lane to overtake a third vehicle. Authorities are investigating whether the driver, who Abubo said was among those killed, had fallen asleep or was under the influence, Villanueva added. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lima: Perus jailed ex-president Alberto Fujimori, who was serving a 25-year sentence for corruption and rights abuses, has been pardoned on humanitarian grounds, the presidency announced on Monday. The president of the republic... has decided to grant a humanitarian pardon to Mr Alberto Fujimori and seven other people in similar condition, it said in a statement. Fujimori was transferred from his cell to a clinic Saturday suffering from low blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. The 79-year-old had a sudden drop of pressure with marked arrhythmia, doctors said. He is making adequate progress in the intensive care unit, said his physician Alejandro Aguinaga. He will remain hospitalized for as long as necessary, until he has stabilized. Fujimori, in office from 1990 to 2000 and imprisoned since 2005, was admitted amid rumors that he could be pardoned this Christmas. Speculation about a pardon arose after his lawmaker son Kenji broke ranks with the ex-presidents daughter Keiko, who leads the Peruvian opposition and was pushing last week to impeach President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. That allowed Kuczynski to survive a Congressional session on whether to impeach him. Analysts debated whether the president would pay off his political debt to Kenji Fujimori by pardoning his disgraced father. Fujimori has been admitted to hospital on several previous occasions, the last time in September. Despite his conviction for human rights abuses, Fujimori retains a level of popularity in Peru for having defeated the Marxist guerillas of The Shining Path and for stabilizing the economy after a period of crisis. On Thursday Kuczynski survived a 14-hour session in Congress that failed by eight votes to institute impeachment proceedings. Kuczynski had been accused of taking $5 million in bribes from Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht and then lying to cover his tracks. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kabul: Afghan officials say that a suicide bomber has killed five people in an attack on the capital Kabul. A spokesman for the interior ministry says that the bomber blew himself up on Monday near an office of the country's intelligence service, killing five people and wounding two. The victims included women who were in a vehicle passingnear the attack site. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack,but recent attacks in the capital have been claimed both by Taliban insurgents and Islamic States group fighters who have stepped up their attacks against Afghan security forces. More details awaited For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Sentencing of former top managers of VIM Airlines in fraud case set for June 7 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 16:14 04/06/2021 MOSCOW, June 4 (RAPSI) Moscows Meshchansky District Court will pass sentence upon ex-CEO of VIM Airlines Alexander Kochnev and ex-chief accountant of the air carrier Yekaterina Panteleyeva in a fraud case on June 7, the courts press service has told RAPSI. Owners of the company, Rashid Mursekayev and his spouse Svetlana, and former vice-CEO and financial director Alevtina Kalashnokova are put on the international wanted list and arrested in absentia as part of the case. According to investigators, between 2015 and 2017, the defendants abusing their power purchased aviation fuel from Mursekayevs companies at an inflated price. Investigators believe that VIM Airlines headed by Rashid Mursekayev was made as a fraudulent pyramid scheme. The air carriers management covered up material losses adding false earnings information in financial statements. These steps gave them a chance to obtain loans in banks and avoid activity barriers from the Federal Air Transport Agency. Being aware of the air carriers distress, its owner along with his wife received over 162 million rubles ($2.2 million at the current exchange rate) in salary and dividends. However, damages in the company were estimated at 2.5 billion rubles (over $34 million) by September 2017, investigators claim. According to the Investigative Committee, the defendants illegal actions caused damage wort over 782 million rubles (about $11 million) to VIM Airlines corporate counterparties. Four companies are recognized as victims in the case New Delhi: Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajpoot are undoubtedly one of the most adorable couples of Bollywood. They leave no stone unturned to give fans some major relationship goals everytime they are spotted together. While fans are still finding it hard to get over their sweetness, the 'Shaandar' star is ready to drool people over their chemistry yet again. The 36-year-old actor took to photo-blogging site Instagram and shared a couple of photos with darling Mira Rajput from a wedding ceremony they were recently part of. While one of the pictures has already garnered over 7,90,075 'likes', the comments thread of the other has been flooded with over 2,300 comments. In the snaps Mira is shining like a diamond in a Kamdani lehenga while Shahid's 'Desi Wedding' look in a Bandhgala paired with kurta and pants will surely make your heart skip a beat. Moreover, a set of beautiful cut stone jewellery from the studios of Anjul Bhandari completed Mira's look. The pictures also showcase their eternal love for each other leading fans to rank the duo as 'Jodi no. 1'. Check out the pictures of lovebirds here: A post shared by Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) on Dec 23, 2017 at 5:49am PST A post shared by Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) on Jun 20, 2017 at 2:22am PDT A post shared by Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) on Dec 23, 2017 at 3:00am PST @theanisha @anjulbhandari A post shared by Mira Rajput Kapoor (@mira.kapoor) on Dec 23, 2017 at 3:58am PST The much-loved couple tied their knot back in 2015 and had been blessed with a beautiful daughter in August 2016. Social media was going bonkers when the duo posed for their first ever photo shoot for a magazine cover earlier in November. Also Read | Padmavati row: Deepika Padukone-starrer not to hit screens before March 2018 On the work front, Shahid Kapoor who was last seen in Kangana Ranaut-starrer 'Rangoon', is currently gearing up for his forthcoming release 'Padmavati' which is yet to get a release date. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bethlehem/Jerusalem: US President Donald Trumps recent decision to declare Jerusalem as Israels capital has taken joy out of Christmas for the people in the holy land who witnessed a low key celebration today with thousands of tourists choosing to stay away from festivities. The Manger Square, where tourists and locals generally jostle for space before the midnight mass, looked forlorn with signs of despair visible on the faces of sellers and street vendors. Michael Kumsiyeh, a souvenir shop owner in the Manger Square, squarely blamed President Trump for the doom and gloom. He makes a problem. He doesnt make any solution, Kumsiyeh said. Its a bad situation. No celebrations, no tourists and everybody is unhappy, lamented Kader, a coffee seller. Trump declared Jerusalem as Israels capital on December 6 which sparked violence in the region and worldwide protests. Coming, as it did, just weeks before Christmas, the announcement forced thousands of expected pilgrims to pull out of the celebrations in the holy land. The sparsely crowded Manger Square, the centre of celebrations, had two big signs declaring Jerusalem will always be the eternal capital of Palestine, a message which spoke of the prevailing mood. Besides protests by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which controls the West Bank city, cold and rainy weather also dampened spirits, forcing people to leave the gloomy surrounding as the day progressed. Jerusalem is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For Israelis, it is home to the Temple Mount, the site of the two biblical temples and the holiest place in Judaism. it is also home to Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest place in Islam and a national symbol for the Palestinians. The Trump administration has said its decision on Jerusalem does not mean it is pulling out of the Middle East peace process and that the US would support a two-state solution if it is agreed to by Israel and the Palestinians. However, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmound Abbas has said that he no longer wants the US involved in peace efforts following its decision which has eroded its credibility as an honest mediator. Trump with his announcement became part of the conflict and not an honest mediator in the Palestinian and Israeli peace process, Bethlehems Mayor Anton Salman said. Salman, a Roman Catholic who was elected six months ago, ironically leads a city which has a strong Muslim majority of at least 70 per cent, with only 30 per cent Christians. It was once a Christian dominated city but emigration arising out of a wave of violence and economic hardships has seen its Christian residents move to several countries across the world. There is no way we can accept Trumps declaration because it compromises our national principles, our national rights, our national future and everybody in Bethlehem and Palestine refuses and rejects this statement, Salman said, adding that the Palestinians are one people, and Jerusalem is sacred to Palestinian Christians and Muslims alike. Salman, however, played down the scope of the unrest in Bethlehem and other parts of the West Bank, insisting that Bethlehem is not dangerous. Security was tight in the city as paramilitary Palestinian police armed with assault rifles patrolled the cobblestone streets. Israel also eased security restrictions and made all possible efforts to make tourists feel safe. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the holy land, crossed through an Israeli military checkpoint to enter Bethlehem from Jerusalem. The religious leader had last week tried to steer clear of politics rejecting US decision. Now its time to enjoy, Pizzaballa said, adding We as Christians will enjoy, despite all the difficulties we have. Merry Christmas. During the midnight mass the clergy prayed for the peace of Jerusalem and appealed to politicians to have courage to make bold decisions that respect all peoples. There is no peace if someone is excluded. Jerusalem should include, not exclude, Pizzaballa said stressing The Jerusalem is our mother, loves all her children. If one is missing, the mother cannot be in peace. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan has not granted India consular access to Indian death-row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, reported Pakistan media quoting Foreign Office. According to reports, Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan has given New Delhi consular access to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav in an interview to Geo news. He said an official of Indian High Commission would accompany Jadhav's wife and mother during their meeting with him, Geo News reported. When asked if it constituted "consular access as an Indian official would be present in the meeting", Asif categorically said, "Yes". "Had India been in place of us, it would not have given us this concession," he said. In India, officials downplayed the comments by the Pakistani minister, maintaining that the Indian diplomat was only accompanying Jadhav's family and it cannot be construed as "consular access".Jadhav: Khawaja Asif. Indian national #KulbhushanJadhav has not been given consular access, reports Pak media quoting Foreign Office pic.twitter.com/oOaOKPZlLp ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2017 Also Read: Live: Kulbhushan Jadhav to meet mother, wife in Islamabad today For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kolkata: Only 15 per cent people have access to the Internet in the least-developed countries, a UNICEF report has revealed. In developed countries, an estimated 81 per cent people use Internet, the report covering 24 countries, including India, in 2017 said. Digital divide do not merely separate the connected from the unconnected, they go deeper concerning how people, including youth and children, use Information and Communication Technology (ICT), a UNICEF spokesperson said after launching the report here last week. The report quoted data from world's wealthiest countries to show that ICT experience has a huge impact on the wages of labourers in countries like Australia and US. Adults without ICT experience were likely to earn less. "Other studies of adult population in countries such as India and Tunisia reflect similar findings," the report said. The report said while about 29 per cent of youth, in the age group of 15-24 years, (346 million individuals), don't have access to the Internet, the situation is almost opposite in the case of children. Just about 30 per cent of children, below 15 years, have access to the digital media across the globe, the report said. "Children who are unconnected are missing out on rich educational resources, access to global information and online opportunities of learning. They are also forgoing ways to explore new friendships and self-expression," it said. Calling it a digital divide, the report explained that the gap will amplify the advantage of children from wealthier backgrounds even as the poor and disadvantages ones remain deprived of opportunities. Also read: Only 29 percent female Internet users in India UNICEF report Referring to a digital gender gap, the report said, globally 12 per cent more men used the internet than women did in 2017. The report calls for faster action, focused investment and greater cooperation to protect children from the harms of a more connected world, the UNICEF spokesman said. West Bengal Women and Child Development minister Sashi Panja, who had attended the launch event last week, assured to take note of the findings and its implications on the kids here. "We will go through the contents of the report and take necessary actions based on the findings in our state," West Bengal Women and Child Development minister Sashi Panja told PTI. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bengaluru: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday suggested the inclusion of the ancient Indian knowledge as an academic subject in the existing education system in the country. He said that the education system should also take care of the physical development as well as the inner well-being of students by training their minds. "We should include in education, the inner values without touching religious faith..." the 82-year-old Nobel laureate said while delivering a lecture on Education for Wisdom and Compassion to Rebuild Nation organised by the Seshadripuram Educational Trust here. The Dalai Lama said while the Tibetans have still retained the ancient Indian knowledge, it has reached "nirvana" in the land of its origin. "...usually I keep teasing my Indian friends that this ancient knowledge we learned from you. You are our teacher, our guru, we are chelas (disciples) of the Indian guru," he said. Stating that reviving of the ancient Indian knowledge in modern India was one of his commitments in life, the Dalai Lama said that all the knowledge his region learned from India and kept for thousands of years was "immensely useful" in modern times, even in the field of science. He said for over 30 years, he has had serious discussions with modern scientists on cosmology, neurobiology, quantum physics and psychology, and the knowledge that was learned and kept was really useful. Pointing out that there was some kind of emotional crisis in today's world, he said material things and technology would not solve these problems. He said that ancient practices like shanta and vipassana, dealt with the mind and emotions, should be considered as secular subjects and not religious. Despite differences in views, all religions carried the "message of love", the Dalai Lama said, adding that "all the traditions teach about practice of tolerance, forgiveness". "Despite different traditions or religions, India has stood as an example to the rest of the world that all could peacefully coexist together," he said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bengaluru: A 29-year-old software engineer working in Bengaluru has been missing since last Monday after he put up his car for sale online, the police said. Kumar Ajitabh, who hails from Patna, had listed his vehicle on online marketplace Olx for sale. Police said Ajitabh's friends suspect that he had gone out on December 18 evening around 6:30 pm to meet a prospective car buyer. According to police, his phone is switched off. It was reportedly active on WhatsApp till about 7:10 pm that evening, they said. Ajitabh had got through an executive MBA programme at Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata and was about to shift from the city, where he was residing with a friend since 2010. He is said to have put his car up for sale to fund his studies. The car also has not yet been traced, the police said, adding they are searching for him. Ajitabh's phone was last tracked to Gunjur on the outskirts of the city. The engineer's family and friends have also started a social media campaign with hashtag #FindAjitabh". New Delhi: Bike-borne men snatched the mobile of Eenam Gambhir, the first Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, police said on Monday. The incident occurred on Saturday when Gambhir had gone for a walk in Rohini with her mother, they added. The accused snatched the phone from her on the pretext of asking for directions, the police said. Since it was evening, she could not note down the vehicle's registration number, they said. In her complaint, the diplomat said that the accused asked her for directions to Hanuman Mandir. When she started pointing towards the temple while holding her phone, they snatched the phone and fled, the police said. Gambhir stated that the iPhone had a US-registered SIM card and some important files related to her work, they said. In September this year, exercising India's right to reply after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly, Gambhir had made a strong rebuttal by calling Pakistan a "terroristan". Ukrainian Ambassador Igor Polikha's mobile phone was snatched in September while he was taking pictures of the Red Fort, following which one person was arrested. Delhi Police has registered as many as 7,870 cases of snatching this year till November 30. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir, annoyed by the absence of senior doctors from a function he was attending on Monday at a government hospital in Maharashtra said "these people" should join the Naxals if they don't believe in democracy, and the government will then shoot them down. Ahir was speaking at the inauguration of a 24x7 store for generic medicines at a government-run hospital in eastern Maharashtra's Chandrapur, which he represents in the Lok Sabha. "The mayor came, the deputy mayor came but what stopped the doctors from coming for the event?" an angry Ahir asked. "What do the Naxals want? They don't want democracy... So these people (the absent doctors) don't want democracy, then they should join the Naxals. Why are you here? Then (once you join the Naxals) we will pump you with bullets, why you are dispensing pills here?" Ahir said, punning on the Marathi word 'goli' -- which means both a pill and a bullet. Ahir wondered if it was appropriate for doctors to go on leave when a "democratically-elected" minister was on a visit. Chandrapur is one of the four districts in Maharashtra which have been identified by the central government as affected by Left-Wing Extremism. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Katihar (Bihar): Senior NCP leader Tariq Anwar on Sunday alleged that the conviction of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad in a fodder scam case was the result of "political ill-will" and the CBI had "worked under pressure". The NCP leader was reacting to a special CBI court in Ranchi yesterday convicting Prasad and 15 others in a fodder scam case, 21 years after it had surfaced, while acquitting six others, including former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra. "Whatever has happened to Lalu Prasad is an outcome of rajneetik dwesh (political ill will). But he is bound to get relief from the High Court when he appeals against the trial court's decision", Anwar, who is the local Lok Sabha member, told reporters here. Anwar alleged "Madhya Pradesh witnessed such a huge Vyapam scam. But we did not see any serious action. This makes one suspect that there could have been more to Yadav's conviction that meets the eye and the CBI had worked under pressure in his case". He said "BJP may have retained Gujarat but the number of seats held by it in the assembly there has fallen sharply. The results in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state have come as a lesson to all opposition parties that they should bury their differences and unitedly fight against communal forces represented by the saffron party". For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ranchi: The second wave of the crying epidemic saw a huge shortage of oxygen. There was also a shortage of oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentraters. Now there are also fears of a third wave of corona. The Jharkhand High Court is hearing preparations to deal with the third wave amid fears. During the hearing, the Jharkhand High Court has also questioned the Centre on the import of oxygen cylinders. During the hearing in the Jharkhand High Court, the Advocate General appearing for the state government said that oxygen cylinders are to be ordered from Saudi Arabia to prepare to deal with the third wave. He said this is not happening without the permission of the Central Government. The Central Government should be directed to allow import of oxygen cylinders. The court has sought a response from the central government. The next hearing in the case will be on June 17. A bench of Chief Justices of Jharkhand High Court Dr Ravi Ranjan and Sujit Narayan Prasad heard preparations to deal with the third wave of corona. The justice heard the case through video conferencing from his residential office, while the advocate general and the CENTRAL government ASG also defended themselves through video conferencing from their residence. Also Read Joe Biden offers to keep 2017 Trump tax cuts in infra, talks with Republicans Greece starts Covid vaccine campaign at asylum-seeker facilities Tokyo Olympics: Indian wrestler Sumit Malik temporarily suspended after failing dope test Trial of Navalnys brother to begin on June 7 Moskva city news agency 17:49 04/06/2021 MOSCOW, June 4 (RAPSI) Moscows Tverskoy District Court will begin hearing a case over violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules against Oleg Navalny, the brother of blogger Alexey Navalny, on June 7, RAPSI has learnt in the courts press service. The crime Oleg Navalny stands charged with is punishable by jail terms of up to 2 years. Earlier, several other persons, including employees of Navalnys foundation Lyubov Sobol and Oleg Stepanov, Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina and Navalnys brother Oleg were put under house arrest on charges of breaching anti-coronavirus measures. Later, restrictive measures against some of them were mitigated. According to police, coronavirus-positive persons ordered to isolation were identified among participants of the Moscow rally. A criminal case over violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules was opened over this fact. A boat carrying dozens of Rohingya refugees that set sail in February but had been adrift in the Andaman Sea with engine failure has landed on an Indonesian island after a voyage of more than 100 days, a human rights official said on Friday. The vessel sailed on Feb. 11 from Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh carrying 90 Rohingya refugees, most of them women and children, with the hope of reaching Malaysia. But the boat's engine failed four days after leaving Cox's Bazar, where refugee camps house hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have fled neighbouring Myanmar. "We have learnt that the 81 (refugees) were fine, they landed on Idaman Island in Aceh (Indonesia)," said Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, a group that monitors the Rohingya crisis. "They are not 100% safe there yet. We hope they will not be pushed back," Lewa told Reuters. Of the 90 people who set out on the voyage, eight were found dead by Indian Coast Guards who had tracked and later repaired the vessel in February. Indian authorities provided food and essential supplies to survivors but refused to let them set foot on their shores. Bangladesh, too, denied re-entry to 81 survivors. Over the last three months, international aid agencies and family members of those onboard have made repeated appeals to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Malaysia for information about the fate of the survivors on the boat. Authorities in Indonesia were not immediately available for comment on Friday. The Rohingya are a minority group, most of whom are denied citizenship by Buddhist-majority Myanmar, which considers them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Best Places to Visit in Indonesia Four ways Australias Northern Territory will surprise you ESSENTIAL INDIAN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE The travel industry was dealt a hammer blow on Thursday as Portugal, the only mainstream holiday country on the greren list, was downgraded to amber. Transport secretary Grant Shapps cited fears over a mutation of the Delta variant, the virus mutation wreaking havoc in India, for plunging Portugal into the amber category, joining most of Europe. The mutation is linked to Nepal. The decision was made by the government after an almost doubling in the countrys coronavirus positive test rate and the discovery of 68 cases of the Indian variant, including some with a mutation previously seen in Nepal. Mr Shapps said: I want to be straight with people, its actually a difficult decision to make, but in the end weve seen two things really which caused concern. One is the positivity rate has nearly doubled since the last review in Portugal and the other is theres a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just dont know the potential for that to be vaccine-defeating mutation and simply dont want to take the risk as we come up to 21 June and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock. Holidaymakers in the Atlantic nation now face a scramble home before the 8 June deadline. No other countries joined the green list, while seven were added to the red list. Best Places to Visit in Indonesia ESSENTIAL INDIAN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE Ireland to allow overseas travel again from 19 July with EU digital Covid certificate Most of you in Nepal are unaware of the data trail you leave behind. This includes GPS data, phone records, credit card transactions, and a variety of other vital information. These data trails will be gathered by service providers such as browsing websites, instant messaging services, and video sites. These personal data are collected, kept, transferred, or sold to other parties without the users permission. Internet privacy refers to the right to keep private sensitive data and information generated as a result of utilising the internet. Various employees who have worked in software creation, web firms, and big corporative mega corporations have regarded privacy as a critical problem. People have a negative perception of online privacy. This has two sides to it; one side is exceedingly concerned and protective of their data, while the other is unconcerned even if they are hacked. Both viewpoints are valid, yet they are also incorrect. It applies the same to Nepal also, where the use of the internet is significantly increasing every moment. Why are people afraid? Photo: Pixabay Social media have the power to manipulate, influence, persuade and pressurise society, as well as control the world in both positive and negative ways at times. People watch a lot of dystopian-themed media. It may be found in literature, television shows, and movies. These show peoples interest in society and what happens when one entity has too much power. It is really simple to transition from cautious to paranoid. It would be more accurate to describe individuals as ignorant. The majority of society is uninformed since there is no suitable culture for comprehending and learning about technology. There are tools that can be used, but there is no learning system. As a result, people regard any data collecting from software as an invasion of privacy that may lead to something really dangerous. People should not be afraid of corporations tracking them, and corporations should be allowed to gather and sell your information. However, there should be greater government control on how to do so in order to keep people secure and to guarantee that sensitive information is not leaked and is handled with care. People should be taught not to be overly concerned about their data being monitored but also about what data you should be concerned about. Do all mobile applications collect data? Too many applications gather peoples data. These apps both gather and store data. Many applications monitor peoples behavior, location, and so on. However, Facebook bears the brunt of it since they gather a lot of data. But, how much of that data is harmful, and how much is intrusive of privacy to the point where you should be concerned? A lot of stuff that is being collected on the apps you use include but are not limited to: Personal Information like name, address, phone number, email address Location Search history Your IP address What button you pressed What you bought What ads you have clicked on Bank account details Hobbies and interests Employment history Facebook is not the only corporation that gathers this information, but it is the most frequent offender, followed by Instagram, Tinder, Grindr, and Uber. The majority of the items listed above are things that people are comfortable with being tracked. The major question that one should think about this type of information being tracked are: Can I be hacked with this? If this information gets leaked, how comfortable would I be with it? When my data is sold to other people, how much of a danger does that pose to me? According to the evidence provided above, the answer to the first question is no. Because many people are unaware of how the software works and generally have some sci-fi representation of it. But, a lot of stuff is a no, and no one will be hacked. A lot, but not all, and you should be concerned about our own security. So, which of the numbers 1-10, if released, may lead to one being hacked? They may be any of them. There is a popular security technique in software businesses that is no longer recommended. People can give any response to the security question. What was your first dogs name? If you put your first dogs name there, you are vulnerable to hacking since you may have shared that information on social media and now some corporation has that information. Caution vs. fear Representational image It is critical for individuals to be cautious since firms profit from the software you use. Data has replaced oil or gold mines in your generation. So, instead of ostracising it as if there is some terrible bogeyman lurking in the shadows, it should be used to the fullest extent feasible in a safe manner. Most of the data being monitored is actually relatively safe, and for the more sensitive data, it should be controlled rather than stopped. There are several methods for regulating data and keeping businesses honest. All of the data that is collected also contributes to the enhancement of the experience. It is possible that you have all had it happen to you. Google collects information about you, and when you visit YouTube, it will select videos that you will enjoy. Facebook displays advertisements for items in which you have expressed an interest. None of this is very bad, and people would prefer to see advertisements for things they truly want rather than something they might be moderately interested in. What should be done? The use of the internet is expanding on a daily basis. Mobile broadband subscriptions in Nepal has increased to 60.34 per cent of the population by mid-January 2021, up from 55.30 per cent last year. At this point, all it takes is news about the collecting of individual information by tech giants to send people into a frenzy. This panic is justified by fear of potential harm to individuals. It might be used for malicious purposes. More transparency about how your data is utilised is required. Instead of the current scenario where people block tracking and believe they have obtained privacy, the government should develop laws surrounding how it is to be used and legislation to guarantee that your data is not being exploited. There are still many misunderstandings that cause people to be afraid, but at the end of the day, everyone has the right to privacy and should be allowed to determine what information can and cannot be gathered and utilised. Kathmandu, June 4 The United States government has announced that it is donating some Covid-19 vaccines to Nepal among other countries battling with the pandemic. The exact number of vaccines that Nepal is receiving, however, is not known yet. Earlier, President Joe Biden had announced that his government was distributing 60 million, and then again 20 million doses of vaccines across the world. Accordingly, the White House on Thursday announced a plan to distribute the first 25 million doses that would be distributed in June itself. These vaccines would be distributed through the World Health Organizations Covax programme. Of those 25 million, Asian countries including Nepal would get approximately seven million vaccines in Nepal, according to the plan. Other countries in Asia receiving aid include India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands. Following the Biden administrations announcement to distribute the vaccines, Nepal had expedited diplomatic efforts to grab some for Nepal also. President Bidya Devi Bhandari had also written a letter to Biden requesting the vaccines. Workforce The small federal office at the heart of Biden's equity agenda Photo credit: Mark Van Scyoc/Shutterstock.com A civil rights office tucked inside the Labor Department is gearing up to play an outsized part in the Biden administration's work on racial equity. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) might not be widely known, but it's familiar to federal contractors that fall under its purview. It has the power to check the internal human resources practices of private companies that perform work for the government. "OFCCP, from a civil rights viewpoint, is probably the most impactful civil rights organization the government has, because it can tell contractors, 'this is how we want you to do things,'" said Anthony Kaylin, vice president at the American Society of Employers, a human resources trade association. The reach of OFCCP extends into the affairs of 25,000 contractors and 120,000 other businesses, covering about 20% of the American workforce. The office's director, Jenny Yang, wants to maximize on what she has called, "a chance to make the kind of transformative changenot seen since the 1960s." But first, she'll have to rebuild her workforce, which the smallest workforce in its history and finish turning back the machinery gutted Trump-era policies. The office provides compliance assistance to contractors, investigates complaints and evaluates the employment practices and affirmative actions of companies. Yang and her team want to rebuild the office's enforcement program and focus on systemic discrimination in pay and hiring. "Biden has made racial equity a core pillar of his administration," said Dariely Rodriguez, OFCCP's chief of staff, in an interview with FCW. "That falls squarely within OFCCP's mission to advance equity." Biden, too, signaled the importance of the office when he appointed his pick to lead the office on his first day in office. Yang is an Obama-era veteran of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she worked on data collection efforts meant to tackle the pay gap. "That was a really huge signal to the regulator community of how important OFCCP will be under the Biden administration," said David Cohen, the co-chair of the Institute for Workplace Equality and the president of DCI Consulting Group. Biden also issued an executive order on his second day in office calling for a "whole-of-government equity agenda," in which he called on agencies to review their procurement practices for equity issues. OFCCP is involved in that process for the Labor Department, officials said. The Office of Management and Budget released a request for information on May 5 following up on this, where they asked for information about "approaches and methods for assessing equity in agency procurement and contracting process." Biden's budget request for fiscal year 2022 also referenced OFCCP's "critical opportunity" to contribute to advancing racial equity. The office is going to develop a "comprehensive initiative to advance racial equity at work" by helping to increase practices shown to help close racial pay gaps, for example. Moving forward, the office will work on ensuring an equitable economic recovery from the pandemic, the effects of which were felt more by some communities than others, Rodriguez said. Focus on contractors Part of what gives the OFCCP its reach is into employers' HR offices is its focus on federal contractors. "Because of their unique relationship they have with contractors, government has the authority to modify and describe what those terms and conditions of that relationship are," said Alan Chvotkin, former executive vice president and counsel of the Professional Services Counsel and current partner at Nichols Liu, a government contracting law firm. In February, the office entered a settlement with Google to resolve allegations of systemic compensation and hiring discrimination in facilities in California and Washington. The office found problems in hiring rates and pay differences affecting female software engineers and female and Asian applicants during routine compliance evaluations. Google is paying over $3.8 million to over 5,500 current employees and applicants as part of the settlement. Remedying pay discrimination is a good example of the office's power, Rodriguez said. It can find problems that employees or job applicants don't necessarily know about, or see disproportionate effects that stem from seemingly neutral policies. "Because of the culture of secrecy, oftentimes workers just don't know if they're being paid less. So if you don't really know if you are being paid less, how can you even complain about it?" Rodriguez said. "We actually have the ability to analyze data and to see if there are any patterns that may indicate potential disparities and to then proactively remedy those." For contractors, being required to comply with data reporting requirements can be illuminating in and of itself, said Mitchell Robinson, labor and employment attorney at Baker Hostetler. "On a basic level, it means that we are in a situation where this is now on the record. That companies are forced to in many ways, because of these regulations, become more aware of equity issues they may have in the workplace," he said. In 2020, OFCCP was the loser in a discrimination lawsuit against Oracle America Inc. The result called into OFCCP's analysis of the company's pay data. Yang said at an American Bar Association conference in April that she doesn't agree with the decision of the Labor Department's administrative law judge, and a new pay data collection tool could be in the offing. FCW Insider: June 4, 2021 The Army is "restaffing" the policy, which would have required teleworkers to turn off or remove smart devices, such as Amazon Echo speakers, from their remote workspaces. Although the American Federation of Government Employees praised the move, the union says it is still going to press for legislation to move TSA employees into Title 5. The Air Force is looking to boost its enterprise IT services with capabilities that can support Joint All Domain Command and Control efforts. Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger on Thursday warned industry leaders to view ransomware as a threat to their core business operations, not just a risk of data theft. The Supreme Court's ruling on Thursday decided a police officer did not violate a 1980s anti-hacking law, but the court ultimately left open questions about the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act's applicability for other purposes such as cybersecurity research. Quick Hits *** On June 10, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee will hold confirmation hearings for Robin Carnahan to lead the General Services Administration, for Chris Inglis to serve as national cyber director and Jen Easterly to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the Department of Homeland Security. *** The Office of Inspector General at DHS was critiqued in new Government Accountability Office report for longstanding management problems, including an absence of strategic planning and a lack of quality assurance standards. New Orleans, Louisiana--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 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/86464 NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances Market in India by Product and Style - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 The consumer electronics and home appliances market in India is poised to grow by USD 2.12 billion during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of 1% during the forecast period. View our exclusive report on market scenarios, estimates, the impact of lockdown, and customer behaviour. Download FREE Sample Report! The report on the consumer electronics and home appliances market in India provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by Increasing demand for premium appliances. The consumer electronics and home appliances market in India analysis includes product segments and geography landscape. This study identifies the adoption of smart and advanced features in home appliances, adoption of energy-efficient consumer electronics and home appliances, and growing investment in R&D activities as the prime reasons driving the consumer electronics and home appliances market growth in India during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The consumer electronics and home appliances market in India covers the following areas: Consumer Electronics And Home Appliances Market In India Sizing Consumer Electronics And Home Appliances Market In India Forecast Consumer Electronics And Home Appliances Market In India Analysis Companies Mentioned AB Electrolux Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. Hitachi Ltd. Koninklijke Philips NV LG Electronics Inc. Robert Bosch GmbH Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Sony Corp. Toshiba Corp. Whirlpool Corp. Related Reports on Consumer Discretionary Include: Commercial Milkshake Machines Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The commercial milkshake machines market size is expected to grow by USD 5168.33 thousand during the forecast period, according to Technavio. Download PDF Sample Story continues Key Topics Covered: 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 Consumer electronics - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Home appliances - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Product Market Segmentation by Style Market segments Comparison by Style Freestanding - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Built-in - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Style Customer landscape Market drivers Market challenges Market trends Vendor Landscape Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Competitive Scenario Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors AB Electrolux Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. Hitachi Ltd. Koninklijke Philips NV LG Electronics Inc. Robert Bosch GmbH Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Sony Corp. Toshiba Corp. Whirlpool Corp. Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/consumer-electronics-and-home-appliances-market-in-india-industry-analysis Technavio (PRNewsfoto/Technavio) Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-electronics-and-home-appliances-market-in-india--ab-electrolux-haier-smart-home-co-ltd-hitachi-ltd-among-others-to-contribute-to-the-market-growth--17-000-technavio-reports-301305752.html SOURCE Technavio Committee to Free Nigerian Slaves Calls for an End to Modern-Day Bondage WASHINGTON, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, June 5, at 10 A.M., the Committee to Free Nigerian Slaves (CFNS) will protest jihadists' enslavement of Nigerians at the corner of 72nd and Dodge Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Nigerian pastors and leaders will speak about the mass murder and enslavement of Nigerians in what has been a cruel religious war. The CFNS is an organization of Nigerian and Nigerian American human rights activists and their respective groups. Since 2001, Boko Haram terrorists, Fulani militants, and other extremist groups tied to the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, have raided Nigerian villages, killed tens of thousands, and enslaved an untold number of women and children. CFSN member Stephen Enada, president of the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), said today, "In Nigeria, jihad terrorists are storming our villages and murdering our people. So far this year over 1,500 Nigerians who are mostly Christians, have been murdered by these jihadists and over 2,000 people have been abducted or kidnapped. The situation is dire. We can no longer sit in silence as our brothers and sisters in Nigeria are being captured and enslaved." According to the CFNS, in 2021 alone, hundreds of schoolchildren in Nigeria have been kidnapped. Parents fear sending their children to school. School-aged children are terrorized. Most of the individuals captured by Boko Haram jihadists are young women and girls taken by force and trafficked as slave concubines. They endure horrendous abuse and mistreatment. An example of one of these victims is displayed on the billboard: she is 18-year-old Leah Sharibu , kidnapped from her school in Dapchi, Nigeria, in 2018. "Nigerian women and girls like Leah Sharibu who are enslaved by Boko Haram terrorists should never be abandoned or forgotten in captivity," said CFNS member Dr. Gloria Puldu, president of the LEAH Foundation, an organization which represents the Sharibu family and lobbies for Leah's release. Christian girls like Leah are pressed by the terrorists to convert to a faith not her own." Story continues "I'm confident that if we bring these facts to more people, more people will get angry and start making a difference," said Samuel Akough, a local Nigerian American activist from Omaha. Nigeria is ranked third in the 2020 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) of countries most impacted by terrorism. Since 2014, Fulani militants a small, extremist portion of the Fulani people have accelerated the conflict with Nigerian Christians at an alarming rate. Fulani militants are reportedly responsible for 7,400 deaths since 2015, targeting and attacking whole communities, schools, and households. Boko Haram has formally pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, and, since 2009, it is believed responsible for murdering approximately 30,000 innocent people and displacing perhaps two million. All Americans across the political spectrum should join in this effort to emancipate today's slaves. The website, www.FreeNigerianSlaves.org , has been created in order to educate the public. Contact: Stephen Enada stephen.enada@iconhelp.org (404) 988-0611 Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/demonstration-in-omaha-to-free-the-slaves-of-nigeria-301306219.html SOURCE Committee to Free Nigerian Slaves HAMPTON ROADS, Va., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dollar Bank's 22nd annual Mortgages For Mothers Home Buying Workshop returns on Saturday, June 12, 2021. This year, the free workshop will be offered virtually. This program, which began as a workshop for single mothers in 1999, has grown over the years and today is available to anyone who wants to learn how to stop renting and start owning. New Dollar Bank Logo April 2021 (PRNewsfoto/Dollar Bank) The Mortgages For Mothers Workshop is an educational experience for attendees, providing information about the power of credit and credit counseling services, ways to save, and how the mortgage process works. Highlights also include testimonials from new homeowners who broke the rent cycle with the help of Dollar Bank's credit counselors. Barbara Hamm Lee, Executive Producer and Host of Another View on WHRO-FM, will be a guest host. "It's hard to know where to start when you want to become a homeowner. We break down the process and empower our attendees by preparing them for what comes next. Our goal of the workshop is to make this process feel manageable by sharing our educational resources and offering time with experts in credit counseling, budgeting, and mortgages," said Morton Stanfield, Senior Vice President of Community Development. "Dollar Bank believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to take those first steps toward homeownership." "If you want to break the cycle of renting, or ready to take steps toward your owning your first home, Dollar Bank's Mortgages For Mothers Workshop is the perfect place to start," said James Hinton Jr., Vice President of Community Development at Dollar Bank. Mortgages For Mothers is only one part of Dollar Bank's effort to provide help to would-be borrowers who have credit-building needs. Workshop attendees will be encouraged to continue working with Dollar Bank counselors beyond attending the Mortgages For Mothers Workshop. Dollar Bank's Homeownership Program, lead by James Hinton Jr. in Hampton Roads, offers continued support through educational classes, private credit restoration counseling sessions, special savings programs, and other informational and motivational group sessions. Story continues The online Mortgages For Mothers Home Buying Workshop will begin at 9:30 AM on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-345-3655 or online at MortgagesForMothers.com. About Dollar Bank Dollar Bank has assets of $11.5 billion. Today, Dollar Bank operates 82 locations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia and has over 1,400 employees. For more than 166 years, Dollar Bank has grown to become the largest, community bank in the country, committed to providing the highest quality of banking services to individuals and businesses. Dollar Bank (Dollar.Bank) is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dollar-bank-announces-22nd-annual-free-mortgage-workshop-in-hampton-roads-virginia-301306094.html SOURCE Dollar Bank Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 4, 2021 2021/06/04 At the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia's presidential envoy, coordinator for cooperation with China and coordinating minister, will visit China from June 5 to 9. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan will co-chair the inaugural meeting of the China-Indonesia high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism in the city of Guiyang. CCTV: You just announced that State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan will co-chair the inaugural meeting of the China-Indonesia high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism. Could you share more on this? How does China see its relations with Indonesia at present? Wang Wenbin: The China-Indonesia high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism is the integrated result of three vice-premier level mechanisms covering political security, economy and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The new mechanism will help both sides to pool resources, form greater synergy and promote all-round in-depth post-COVID cooperation in a more efficient and pragmatic manner. The inaugural meeting of this mechanism bears great significance and both sides have high hopes for it. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia's coordinator for cooperation with China and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, will visit China in his capacity as presidential envoy appointed by President Joko Widodo, which demonstrates the high importance Indonesia attaches to relations with China and this meeting. The two sides will be guided by the strategic consensus of our heads of state, blueprint future development of bilateral relations, exchange views on political, economic, people-to-people, cultural, maritime, anti-epidemic and other key areas of cooperation to strive for greater progress in our comprehensive strategic partnership. China and Indonesia are both major developing countries and emerging economies with much in common. We share wide common interests and enjoy broad space for cooperation. Faced with the onslaught of COVID-19, our two countries stood together to overcome the difficulties and advance anti-epidemic and development cooperation, becoming a model for cooperation based on sincerity and mutual benefit. Going forward, China stands ready to work with Indonesia to act on our heads of state's consensus, make full and good use of the high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism platform, and work for more outcomes in our friendly relations in the post-pandemic era to benefit people in both countries and the region. Financial Times: Anthony Fauci has called on China to release the medical records of nine Chinese individuals, including three from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, who got sick in late 2019. Is China open to releasing the medical records? Wang Wenbin: The Wuhan Institute of Virology of the Chinese Academy of sciences has issued a statement on March 23. According to the statement, the Wuhan Institute of Virology had not been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 before December 30, 2019, and a "zero-infection" record is kept among its staff and graduate students so far. This January, the China-WHO joint mission made field trips to institutions including the Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control, the Wuhan Center for Disease Control and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and visited biosafety laboratories and had in-depth and candid exchanges with experts there. Through these field trips and in-depth visits, members of the mission unanimously agreed that the hypothesis of lab leaking is extremely unlikely. Meanwhile, I also want to point out that there are increasingly more reports on the virus and COVID-19 pandemic being spotted in various places around the world in the second half of 2019, and that the international community is highly concerned about the questions around the biological lab at Fort Detrick and the real intentions of the US' establishment of 200-plus overseas bio-labs. We hope the US side will follow China's example, take a scientific and cooperative attitude, invite WHO experts for origin-tracing study in the US, and make a responsible explanation to the international community without further delay on the real situation of more than 200 US biological laboratories around the world, so as to make positive contribution to the humanity's early victory over the pandemic and better capabilities in dealing with public health emergencies in the future. Reuters: Today Japan will deliver to Taiwan 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for free, more than doubling their current stores, what's China's comment on this? Japan has indicated it's a friendly gesture, does China also see it this way? Wang Wenbin: I noted relevant reports. China's position on this was already articulated. The mainland and Taiwan are one family. Our hearts are with our Taiwan compatriots who are faced with the grave situation. We have always made clear the readiness to do our utmost to help our compatriots in Taiwan overcome the difficulties at an early date. However, despite the goodwill of the mainland and the eagerness of the majority of Taiwan compatriots to use vaccines from the mainland, the DPP authorities tried every means to obstruct the shipping of vaccines from the mainland to Taiwan, and even falsely claimed that the mainland was obstructing its vaccine procurement. For their own selfish political gains, the DPP authorities constantly seek political manipulation over anti-epidemic cooperation, showing disregard of the lives and health of Taiwan compatriots and violating the basic humanitarian spirit. Epidemic prevention and control is the most important task and people's lives should be given top priority. I would like to advise the Taiwan authorities to focus on scientific epidemic prevention and control, remove man-made political obstacles, and ensure that the lives, health, interests and well-being of our Taiwan compatriots are effectively protected. China always supports anti-epidemic cooperation and has made positive contributions to this end. We hope that relevant parties will earnestly follow through on the original aspiration of providing vaccines to save lives, rather than be obsessed with political posturing. Shenzhen TV: The 2021 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum was held online and offline recently. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations, what special significance does the forum have for the future development of China-ASEAN relations? Wang Wenbin: I noticed that, co-sponsored by China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), the 2021 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum was held on June 2. The forum was attended by officials, experts and scholars and representatives from media organizations and think tanks from China and the 10 ASEAN members who had exchanges and discussion under the theme of "Thirty Years On: A New Chapter for ASEAN-China Win-Win Cooperation". This year marks the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN. Over the past 30 years, China and ASEAN have taken the seized the opportunities of the times, continuously enhanced cooperation, and jointly rose up to difficulties and challenges. Together, we have made remarkable achievements, benefiting 2 billion people in our 11 countries. Exchanges and cooperation in the media field, as an important part of China-ASEAN relations, have broad space and great potential and play an important role in promoting bilateral relations and enhancing exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Participants of the forum said that media organizations of China and ASEAN countries should give full play to their advantages, tell good stories about the bilateral cooperation, and contribute more wisdom and strength to maintaining the sustained and steady development of China-ASEAN relations and building the China-ASEAN community with a shared future. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations as an opportunity to review past experience, chart the course for the future, upgrade cooperation in various fields including media, and take China-ASEAN relations to a new level. Kyodo News: Chinese coast guard ships have been patrolling near the "Senkaku Islands" for 112 days running. This is the strongest "intervention" by China since the Japanese government "nationalized" the islands in 2012. Japan has protested over this on many occasions. Does China have any response? Wang Wenbin: The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are inherent Chinese territory. The patrol and law enforcement activities by China Coast Guard in these waters are legitimate and lawful measures to safeguard sovereignty. We once again seriously urge Japan to abide by the four-point principled consensus between China and Japan and jointly uphold peace and stability in the East China Sea. Reuters: President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Thursday that bans U.S. entities from investing in dozens of Chinese companies with alleged ties to defense or surveillance technology sectors, what's the ministry's comment on this? How does China see this compared to similar legislation under former president Trump? Wang Wenbin: The US government uses the catch-all concept of national security and abuses state power to suppress and restrict Chinese enterprises in all possible means. China is firmly opposed to that. What the US has done violates the law of the market and undermines the rules and order of the market. It has harmed not only the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, but also the interests of global investors, including US investors. China urges the United States to respect the laws and principles of the market, remove various so-called lists formulated to suppress Chinese companies, and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business and investment environment for Chinese companies. China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. Bloomberg: A related question regarding the blacklist again. The Chinese state media has hailed Vice Premier Liu He's recent two calls with the US as marking the start of normal communications on economy and trade. My question is, will this blacklist derail those efforts at restarting normal communications on economy and trade? What might be next for US-China relations given this blacklist. What can we expect? Wang Wenbin: I would like to stress that China-US economic and trade ties are mutually-beneficial. The two sides share a wide range of common interests. With regard to problems in these ties, we always believe that they should be resolved properly in the spirit of mutual respect and equal consultation. We are firmly against the US politicizing economic and trade issues, stretching the national security concept and abusing state security apparatus to wantonly suppress and restrict Chinese companies. We urge the US to respect market laws and principles and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business and investment environment for Chinese enterprises. Beijing Youth Daily: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) non-governmental friendship forum kicked off yesterday. What is the significance of this forum as the SCO celebrates its 20th anniversary this year? Wang Wenbin: On June 3, the SCO non-governmental friendship forum opened in Wuhan. This is the first time that the SCO has held a high-level forum with the theme of non-governmental friendship. It is also an important event held by China this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the SCO. China attaches great importance to this forum. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the forum, in which he expressed the confidence that the forum would become an important platform for all parties to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation. Xi said he hopes that all parties will uphold the Shanghai Spirit, stay committed to the SCO's original aspirations, work together, help and support each other, and deepen cooperation. He said that we should leverage the advantages of non-governmental diplomacy and expand channels for people-to-people exchanges, so as to make contributions to the SCO's development. With the theme of promoting people-to-people friendship and carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit, the forum was attended and addressed by Shen Yue-yue, Vice Chair of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and Chair of the Committee of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation of the SCO. Leaders of relevant SCO member states, SCO Secretary-General, diplomatic envoys of relevant countries in China and representatives of non-governmental organizations attended the meeting either online or offline. Since last year, the SCO countries have conducted extensive non-governmental exchanges, giving strong support to the anti-virus response and demonstrating the great strength of people working in solidarity. The SCO non-governmental friendship forum will encourage all social sectors to engage in the cause of bringing our people even closer, strengthen the sense of community with a shared future, and enhance mutual understanding and friendly cooperation, to ensure greater success of the SCO under the new circumstances. Xinhua News Agency: The forced grounding of a Ryanair passenger plane in Minsk has been in the spotlight worldwide. The Belarusian state television aired a program on what it said had happened. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has decided by the end of last month to conduct a fact-finding investigation into the incident. The US will re-impose economic sanctions against nine Belarusian state-owned enterprises starting from June 3. Could I have China's comment on this? Wang Wenbin: We have taken note of relevant reports. Parties concerned should assess and handle this incident in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law on the basis of facts and evidence, refrain from taking a selective approach and double standard, and avoid politicization. It is hoped that all parties will remain rational and handle the issue in accordance with law. Financial Times: I wanted to follow up on the question about the medical records of the nine individuals. Could these records be made available? And then a second question, you said that there was no one sick with COVID-19 before December. Were there staff members who were sick with other potential illnesses? Will China be willing to release the medical records of those individuals if there are any? Wang Wenbin: I will take these two questions together. I have just stated China's position on relevant issue. To give you some more information, according to US media reports, in April 2020, Francis S. Collins, Director of the US National Institutes of Health, wrote to a number of heads of US research institutions, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, dismissing the Wuhan lab hypothesis as a conspiracy. Not long ago, Michael R. Gordon, an American journalist, by quoting a so-called "previously undisclosed US intelligence report," hinted a far-fetched connection between the "three sick staff" of a Wuhan lab and the COVID-19 outbreak. Nineteen years ago, it was this very reporter who concocted false information by citing unsubstantiated sources about Iraq's "attempt to acquire nuclear weapons", which directly led to the Iraq war. Now, this same person, with similar means of falsely quoting anonymous information, hypes up the the Wuhan lab hypothesis that stretched any semblance of credibility. On the issue of virus origin-tracing, many experts in the international community have made scientific, rational, objective and impartial voices. For example, Peter Daszak, member of the WHO international expert group and president of EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit non-governmental organization, said in a recent interview with CNN, "There is no evidence that this was a virus created in a lab. There is no evidence at all that it ever was in a lab. We found about over 500 of these bat coronaviruses in collaboration with our colleagues in China. We arrange the field work. We manage the work that's done. We see all the data that comes through from the lab as soon as it's done. In fact, we've worked with the lab in Wuhan for 15 years now. We know everything they do. And we know that they do not have that virus in the lab. I've worked with this group for 15 years. I've never seen any evidence of anyone saying things that aren't true, or even hinting of anything untoward from that lab. It just did not happen." We hope those spreading the "lab-leak theory", be it individuals or media, will take seriously these objective and correct voices. We also hope the US side can respond to the concerns at home and abroad and give a real explanation on why it deliberately covered up the truth of the Fort Detrick lab. Financial Times: One more follow-up from the FT. Is that a "No" to China sharing the medical records of these individuals? Wang Wenbin: As I pointed out just now, the Wuhan Institute of Virology of the Chinese Academy of sciences has issued a statement on March 23. According to the statement, the Wuhan Institute of Virology had not been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 before December 30, 2019, and a "zero-infection" record is kept among its staff and graduate students so far. We believe that anyone who respects facts and truth will be able to find answers from this statement. Global Times: According to media reports, the United States granted war criminals from Unit 731 of the Imperial Japanese Army immunity from prosecution in exchange for data it accumulated in human experiments, germ experiments, bacterial warfare and poison gas experiments to conduct bio-weapon research in the US. On this very basis, the US base at Fort Derrick developed rapidly into a bio-weapon R&D base. Today there is still a US military P4 bio-lab at the base. I wonder if you have any comment on this? Wang Wenbin: I also noted relevant reports. It was mentioned that on the cover of three reports of Unit 731's human experiments, namely The Report of "G", The Report of "A" and The Report of "Q", there are the following words: Chemical Corps Research and Development Command, Biological Warfare Laboratories, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland; Return this correspondence to ... Post Headquarters for Records File; and the black ink print Dugway Proving Ground Technical Library. After the end of WWII, the US sent germ warfare experts at Fort Detrick to Japan over several years to learn about Japan's bacterial warfare, including from Ishii Shiro, head of Unit 731 as well as other key members. In order to obtain data and documents on the Unit's germ warfare, the US paid 250,000 yen. What's worse, the US concealed the atrocities of Ishii Shiro and Unit 731 from the world and even made Ishii Shiro a bio-weapon consultant at Fort Detrick. As US media have exposed, Fort Detrick has in storage a lot of viruses which pose a grave threat to human safety. There are many hidden security risks and loopholes at the base. According to the analysis of experts, the distribution of the over 200 US labs around the world is highly similar to the location where some dangerous diseases and viruses were first identified. In light of the past collusion of the US military and Unit 731, we are curious as to when all these mystery-shrouded bio-military activities conducted by the US can come to light? When can the US give the international community an explanation? Nikkei: It is said that China is to hold foreign minister talks with ASEAN countries next week. Could you share a bit more on that? Wang Wenbin: I have nothing to share at this point. RIA Novosti: The European Union aviation safety agency upgraded warning on Belarus air space and recommended European Union nations to instruct the airlines to avoid overflying Belarus after forced landing of Ryanair. I wonder if China gave any instructions to its air companies about not flying over Belarus? Wang Wenbin: I haven't heard of what you mentioned. You may refer to competent authorities. I would like to reiterate that on this issue, we hope all parties will respond rationally, deal with it in accordance with the law and avoid politicization. NHK:Japan's Ueno Zoo has announced that giant panda Shin Shin may be pregnant. What is China's comment? Wang Wenbin: I haven't seen relevant report. What I want to say is that the giant panda is a national treasure and a name card of China. It is deeply loved by people of all countries including Japan and a well-deserved envoy of friendship. We wish Shin Shin will give birth to the cubs smoothly. The following question is raised after the press conference: China News Service: Could you brief us on the outcomes of the fourth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Dialogue held yesterday? Wang Wenbin: The fourth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Dialogue was held through video link yesterday. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the dialogue. Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi attended the dialogue. The three held an in-depth exchange of views on the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan and trilateral cooperation. Two joint statements were released, one on the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan and another on deepening trilateral cooperation. The dialogue also adopted a list of projects of practical cooperation. All sides commended the progress in trilateral cooperation and agreed that the foreign ministers' dialogue is an important platform for the three countries to enhance mutual understanding, deepen mutual trust and advance cooperation. They vowed to further deepen institution-building of this mechanism. Linked by mountains and rivers, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan are together through weal and woe. The security situation in Afghanistan has a direct bearing on the stability and economic prosperity of the entire region. The main purpose of this dialogue is to strengthen trilateral communication and cooperation at a crucial stage in the evolving Afghan situation to form synergy on promoting peace and maintaining stability and to make sure the situation develops in a direction consistent with the common interests of Afghanistan and regional countries. The three sides reached important consensus on advancing the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan and on deepening trilateral practical cooperation and counter-terrorism security cooperation. All stressed that efforts should be made to practically advance the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, and realize ceasefire and end violence at an early date. The withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan should be carried out in a responsible and orderly manner to prevent the deterioration of the security situation and the return of terrorist forces. The solution to the Afghan issue should fully reflect the principle of "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned". All three support Afghanistan in becoming an independent, sovereign and neutral country that pursues a moderate Muslim policy, firmly fights against terrorism, and maintains friendly ties with other countries, especially its neighbors. The three sides agreed to explore effective ways to deepen trilateral cooperation against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, step up cooperation in fighting the pandemic and improving people's livelihood as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and substantively expand the Belt and Road cooperation to Afghanistan, so as to bring more benefits to the people of the region. The three sides reiterated the consensus of jointly fighting all forms of terrorism, and stressed the need to reject "double standard" on counter-terrorism, forbid any terrorist organizations or individuals from using their territories to engage in criminal activities against other countries, and strengthen joint efforts to combat the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and other terrorist forces, so as to safeguard regional security and stability. China and Pakistan reaffirmed their firm support for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan and their readiness to expand economic and trade exchanges with Afghanistan, assist Afghanistan in enhancing its capability for self-driven growth, and promote sustainable development in Afghanistan and the region. Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed the willingness to strengthen communication and coordination, deepen political mutual trust and create prospects for peace and cooperation. FILE PHOTO: Google logo is seen on on the company's European headquarters in Dublin BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's competition authority is investigating Alphabet Inc's Google News Showcase, a platform which makes news available on the tech giant's news website, it said on Friday. Cooperation with Google could be attractive for publishers and other news providers and offer consumers better information services, it said. "However, it must be ensured that this does not lead to discrimination between individual publishers," the statement said. "Nor must Google's strong position in access to end customers lead to a crowding out of competing offerings from publishers or other news providers." In response, Google said that its Showcase product, which was launched last autumn, was one of many ways it supported journalism, building on products and funds that all publishers can benefit from. "Showcase is an international licensing program for news - the selection of partners is based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria, and partner content is not given preference in the ranking of our results," said spokesperson Kay Oberbeck. He added that Google would cooperate with the probe. The case is the second to be opened against Google in a matter of days, after the German antitrust body launched a probe into whether the U.S. search giant was exploiting its market dominance in the way it handles user data. The Bonn-based watchdog has also made use of the enhanced powers it was given under recent reforms to Germany's competition laws to open new probes into Facebook and Amazon over their data practices. (Reporting by Douglas Busvine and Nadine Schimroszik; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Online Travel Market 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Research and Markets Logo The report "Global Online Travel Market 2021," details the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the digital travel market worldwide and provides insights into possible future industry developments. The health crisis deeply affected digital travel sales, but the future looks more optimistic Deeply affected by the restrictions imposed due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the global online travel industry experienced a significant downfall in sales. For example, in the United States, online travel sales value in 2020 was only half of the figure forecasted for 2020 just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The gross booking value of online travel agencies in the country also decreased substantially. Nevertheless, a recovery is expected in the near future given the easing of restrictions. As of March 2021, global travelers intended to spend more on trips in the next 12 months, and the usage of travel-related mobile apps may even be higher than prior to the health crisis, according to the findings of the report. Furthermore, in Asia-Pacific, one of the fastest-growing regions in regard to travel, despite the negative influence of COVID-19, overall per capita digital travel expenditures are expected to rise in several economies, including Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea by 2025. Leading online travel agencies globally and the COVID-19 impact In 2021, most of the major global online travel agencies were able to keep their market positions, including Booking.com, which remained to be the top website in the travel category globally. Tripadvisor and Airbnb followed Booking.com. Nevertheless, for some OTAs including the Expedia Group the pandemic led to a drop in the rankings, as detailed in this publication. Technology-driven solutions are an important factor in the traveler experience in 2021 Story continues Due to economic disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers worldwide became increasingly interested in the Buy Now Pay Later payment method. According to a 2020 international survey cited by the analyst in the new report, a double-digit share of respondents said that the availability of a BNPL option was an important factor when booking a service related to a trip. With that, technology-driven solutions may support the online travel industry in the process of recovery. Report Coverage This report covers the online travel market. It takes into account a wide definition of the travel segment, including transportation, accommodation, tour packages and others. The report's focus is on leisure and unmanaged business online travel. The definitions used by the original sources cited in this report may vary. Besides sales figures, penetration and rankings, this report also reveals important market trends that affect the online travel market, such as the rise of mobile bookings and the use of innovative technology. Following global regions are covered in this report: Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Report Structure The global chapter opens the report, including an overview of global market developments and trends. The rest of the report is divided by regions. The regions are presented in the order of descending total online travel sales. Within each region, regional information is included first, where available, and the countries are also presented in the order of descending online travel sales. Where no comparable sales figures were available, other related criteria such as total E-Commerce sales, online shopper and Internet penetration were applied. In the country sections, the following information is covered, where available: online travel sales, the share of online shoppers booking travel services online and the rank of this category among other E-Commerce product categories, the online share of total travel sales and the share of travel in total E-Commerce sales, platforms and channels used by travelers to book travel services, total sales and shares of online travel agencies. Not all types of information mentioned are provided for each country, due to varying data availability. Key Topics Covered: 1. Management Summary 2. Global 3. North America 3.1. USA 3.2. Canada 4. Asia-Pacific 4.1. Regional 4.2. China 4.3. Japan 4.4. South Korea 4.5. India 4.6. Australia 4.7. New Zealand 4.8. Indonesia 4.9. Thailand 4.10. Singapore 4.11. Vietnam 4.12. Malaysia 4.13. Philippines 5. Europe 5.1. Regional 5.2. UK 5.3. Germany 5.4. France 5.5. Switzerland 5.6. Austria 5.7. Russia 5.8. Turkey 6. Latin America 6.1. Regional 6.2. Brazil 6.3. Mexico 6.4. Argentina 7. Middle East and Africa 7.1. Regional 7.2. Saudi Arabia 7.3. Morocco Companies Mentioned Agoda Airbnb American Express Apple Pay Chase Sapphire Ctrip Expedia Group Fewo-direct Go Mmt Google Pay Hilton Hotels MakeMyTrip Marriot Hotels PayPal Taj Thomas Cook Traveloka Tripadvisor Venmo Wechat Welbo Wells Fargo For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nszmv4 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: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-online-travel-market-report-2021-online-travel-agencies-were-able-to-keep-their-market-positions-including-bookingcom-which-remained-the-top-website-301305261.html SOURCE Research and Markets The Milken Institute Singapore Internship Program seeks to empower and enrich the next generation of professionals in the financial, investment, corporate, and philanthropic sectors. SINGAPORE, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Milken Institute and Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, today announced the joint launch of the "Milken Institute Singapore Internship Program" which aims to provide recent graduates in Singapore with experience in global financial markets and a strong networking opportunity. Milken Institute logo This program contributes to the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) efforts to create upskilling opportunities and build a training ground for young and ambitious talent in Singapore's financial services sector. The internships, which will benefit a group of high-achieving Singaporean graduates, will last 4 - 12 months and offer wide exposure and hands-on experience in finance and investment management. Senior professionals from Partners Group, which has USD 109 billion in Assets under Management globally, and the Milken Institute will act as mentors to guide interns during the program. The program will culminate with interns presenting their key learnings and achievements in a forum. "As a leading non-profit, non-partisan global think tank with a mission to build meaningful lives, it behooves us to empower young Singaporeans with crucial skillsets, purposeful practical experience, and a global perspective," said Laura Deal Lacey, Executive Director of the Milken Institute Asia Center. "We are pleased to be working together with Partners Group in nurturing the next generation of leaders for Singapore and the world." Additionally, the Milken Institute Singapore Internship Program will feature a Global Leaders Speaker Series, where high-level executives, ambassadors, business leaders, and academic experts will tune in for weekly interactive learning sessions with the interns. Past speakers include CEOs and CIOs of financial institutions, multilateral organizations, companies, and leading family offices such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), TPG, Apollo, Citi, UOB, MassMutual, Temasek, GIC, Blue Pool Capital, and Ping An. Other key speakers include senior government officials from Singapore, the Philippines, the United States, Indonesia, and Australia. Story continues The Milken Institute and Partners Group have long collaborated to highlight critical issues in the Asia Pacific region. In 2019, Steffen Meister, Executive Chairman of Partners Group, moderated a panel discussion on stewarding long-term assets for institutional investors, which featured speakers from Cathay Financial Holdings, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, and others. "As one of the top international financial centers in the world, it is imperative for us to continue upskilling and training new talent for Singapore's finance and investment sectors. We are impressed by the Milken Institute's stature in the Asia Pacific region as a leading platform to ignite important conversations around urgent issues and it is a privilege to work together with them in advancing young Singaporeans' capabilities and expertise in the finance sector. We look forward to providing the internship group with some unique insights into how a global private markets firm operates," said Dr. Kevin Lu, Partner and Chairman of Asia at Partners Group. For more information about the Singapore Internship Program, please visit www.milkeninstitute.org. Media queries please reach out to Yeen Chong at ychong@milkeninstitute.org About the Milken Institute The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that helps people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities. For more information, visit www.milkeninstitute.org. About the Partners Group Partners Group is a leading global private markets firm. Since 1996, the firm has invested over USD 145 billion in private equity, private real estate, private debt and private infrastructure on behalf of its clients globally. Partners Group seeks to generate superior returns through capitalizing on thematic growth trends and transforming attractive businesses and assets into market leaders. The firm is a committed, responsible investor and aims to create sustainable returns with lasting, positive impact for all its stakeholders. With over USD 109 billion in assets under management as of 31 December 2020, Partners Group provides an innovative range of bespoke client solutions to institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and private individuals globally. The firm employs more than 1,500 diverse professionals across 20 offices worldwide and has regional headquarters in Baar-Zug, Switzerland; Denver, USA; and Singapore. It has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2006 (symbol: PGHN). For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. SOURCE Milken Institute OTTAWA, ON, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Ministers and Government of Canada officials will hold a news conference to provide an update on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines. Participants will be available to answer questions from the media following their remarks. Date June 4, 2021 Time 11:45 AM (EDT) Location Room 200 Sir John A. Macdonald Building 144 Wellington Street Media will be able to ask questions via teleconference. Toll-free (Canada/US) dial-in number: 1-866-206-0153 Local dial-in number: 613-954-9003 Passcode: 6822783# To obtain the briefing material under embargo, please RSVP by email at hc.media.sc@canada.ca. NOTE: To help ensure optimal simultaneous interpretation sound quality, journalists are encouraged to use a microphone (headphones/headset) or, when possible, a landline, and to avoid using speaker mode if queuing up for questions. Twitter: @GovCanHealth Facebook: Healthy Canadians SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2021/04/c7015.html In the news release, Red Robin Announces National Hiring Day Scheduled For June 8, issued 03-Jun-2021 by Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the landing page included within the hyperlink in the first paragraph, third sentence, has been updated to reflect additional participating restaurants. The complete, corrected release follows: Red Robin Announces National Hiring Day Scheduled For June 8 Red Robin restaurants across the country welcome prospective Team Members to learn more about the company's fun-loving culture and excellent benefits GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews will host a national hiring day on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, to encourage job seekers across the country to learn more about the company and interview for hourly positions. Over 500 Red Robin locations across the country will participate in the national hiring day event by offering applicants the opportunity to interview in-person from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time. Red Robin has created a dedicated website where prospective Team Members can schedule interviews; however, walk-in meetings are also welcome. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews (PRNewsFoto/Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.) Red Robin provides its valued Team Members with many benefits, ranging from competitive wages and smooth work shifts to enticing discounts, not to mention its delicious food offerings. In addition to these excellent perks, career growth is one of the greatest opportunities Red Robin offers with a history of employing Team Members who grow with the brand, many who have worked for the brand for more than 20 years, starting at entry level positions and moving up to corporate management. "Red Robin provided me with the skills and experience essential to become who I am today," said Andrew Mulz, Vice President of Operations, and 26-year Red Robin Team Member. "Red Robin truly looks out for its Team Members, and actively works to create a positive, empowering atmosphere that serves as a great place to gain invaluable experience in the hospitality industry." Story continues With more than 500 restaurant locations, Red Robin has built its legacy atop the exceptional service it has provided over the last 50 years. Red Robin's Team Members are the foundation of the brand's promise to create memorable moments of connection for its Guests. For more information on careers at Red Robin, please visit https://www.redrobin.com/pages/careers/. Those interested in scheduling an interview at their nearest Red Robin for the June 8 national hiring day can visit https://www.redrobinhiringday.com/. About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB) Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), is a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969 that operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., and under the trade name, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews. We believe nothing brings people together like burgers and fun around our table, and no one makes moments of connection over craveable food more memorable than Red Robin. We serve a variety of burgers and mainstream favorites to Guests of all ages in a casual, playful atmosphere. In addition to our many burger offerings, Red Robin serves a wide array of salads, appetizers, entrees, desserts, signature beverages and Donatos pizza at select locations. It's now easy to enjoy Red Robin anywhere with online ordering available for to-go, delivery and catering. There are more than 540 Red Robin restaurants across the United States and Canada, including those operating under franchise agreements. Red Robin YUMMM! Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/red-robin-announces-national-hiring-day-scheduled-for-june-8-301305222.html SOURCE Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. Tinkoff, a big player in Russias online banking sector, is struggling with the countrys staunch rules in their goal of offering crypto to their customers. CEO of Tinkoff, Oliver Hughes, has said both the bank and its customers are clamoring to add cryptocurrencies to the mix. However, they are being held back by the Bank of Russias current stance on digital assets. The bank has expressed interest in offering crypto trading services, but understands it will take time to navigate around Russias central bank. Speaking at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum yesterday, Hughes expressed his frustration with policies keeping him and his clients from embracing digital currencies. Hughes said: Theres no mechanism for us to offer that product to them in Russia, at the moment, because the central bank has got this very tough position. He goes on to say that his bank has many qualified investors who know what theyre doing, and want access to cryptocurrency. Strict Russian regulations While Russia has allowed cryptocurrencies to obtain legal status, it still does not allow any digital asset to be used as a form of payment. The idea is that the Russian ruble is the only legal tender, which the country officially recognizes. This recognition of cryptocurrencies legal status has done little to nothing to benefit private banks. In an interview with CNBS, Hughes stated that as it currently stands, Tinkoff has no clear framework to offer cryptocurrency options to investors in Russia. At least not if he hopes to keep the central bank off his back. While Hughes acknowledged the concerns over cryptocurrencies role in illegal activities such as drugs and money laundering, he believes the good would outweigh the bad if Russia eased back its regulations. Hopefully over time this will evolve and well be able to achieve the aims of the central bank, making sure theres no money laundering issues, making sure were protecting investors, but also offer products in a responsible way, Hughes stated. While the central bank has been against private banks offering up cryptocurrencies to clients, they are still working on a national digital currency (CBDC), a digital ruble. The governor of the central bank, Elvira Nabiullina, even went so far as to say that cryptocurrencies are the future of our financial system. Clearly, however, Nabiullina was referring to the digital ruble and not opening the doors for other currencies to take root in Russia. Russia is not alone in its quest for a digital currency, both China, the U.S., and a number of European Union members are also making strides towards CBDCs. DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --The "Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market (2021-2027): Market Forecast by KVA Rating, by Applications, by Regions, and Competitive Landscape" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Research and Markets Logo According to this research, Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% during 2021-2027. The outburst of coronavirus in has adversely affected diesel genset market in 2020 as the Saudi Arabian government-imposed nation-wide lockdown has led to the closure of all construction operations and disrupted the demand and supply of diesel genset systems. The majority of the demand for diesel gensets in the Saudi Arabia could be witnessed in verticals such as commercial, industrial and transportation. The growing electricity demand supported by the government's aim to diversify the economy from oil to non-oil sectors along with the rising number of upcoming infrastructure projects such as the Neom City, the Red Sea Project, Amaala, GCC Railway Project, Waterfront Infrastructure Facilities Project - Phase II, and Medina Metro Project are the key factors, which would drive the market for diesel gensets in Saudi Arabia in the coming years. Attributed to the presence of a robust industrial sector in Saudi Arabia along with a rapidly growing automotive sector, the diesel gensets market in the country accounted for a major share in the market. However, the market is projected to exhibit highest growth rate on account of flourishing construction and industrial segments providing immense opportunities for the diesel gensets demand in the country during the forecast period. Further, the Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Programme 2020 are a few of the government initiatives, which aims at developing and strengthening public service sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and tourism, creating a huge demand for power backup equipment for the developmental activities, leading to a surge in demand for diesel gensets in the Saudi Arabia. Story continues In terms of kVA ratings, 375.1kVA - 750kVA diesel gensets have emerged as a major shareholder in the market in 2020, owing to its major deployment as power backup systems in the industrial and logistics sector. Moreover, Saudi Arabia National Development and Logistic Program is expected to attract a huge amount of investment of around $500 billion by 2030 in manufacturing, logistics and industrial sectors, thereby driving the demand for diesel genset market in the coming years. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 3. Middle East and Africa Diesel Genset Market Overview 3.1. Middle East and Africa Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume, 2017-2027F 3.2. Middle East and Africa Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume Shares, By Countries 2020 & 2027F 3.2.1 Middle East and Africa Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume, By Countries 2017-2027F 4. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Overview 4.1. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume, 2017-2027F 4.2. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market - Industry Life Cycle, 2020 4.3. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market - Porter's Five Forces 4.4. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues Share, By Regions, 2020 & 2027F 5. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Dynamics 5.1. Impact Analysis 5.2. Market Drivers 5.3. Market Restraints 6. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Trends 7. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Overview, By kVA Ratings 7.1. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues Share, By kVA Ratings, 2020 & 2027F 7.2. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Volume Share, By kVA Ratings, 2020 & 2027F 7.3. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume, By kVA Ratings, 2017-2027F 7.3.1. Saudi Arabia Up to 75 kVA Rating Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume, 2017-2027F 7.3.2. Saudi Arabia 75.1-375 kVA Rating Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume, 2017-2027F 7.3.3. Saudi Arabia 375.1-750 kVA Rating Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume, 2017-2027F 7.3.4. Saudi Arabia 750.1-1000 kVA Rating Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume, 2017-2027F 7.3.5. Saudi Arabia Above 1000 kVA Rating Diesel Genset Market Revenues & Volume, 2017-2027F 8. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Overview, By Applications 8.1. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues Share, By Applications, 2020 & 2027F 8.1.1. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues, By Commercial Application, 2017-2027F 8.1.2. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues, By Industrial Application, 2017-2027F 8.1.3. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues, By Residential Application, 2017-2027F 8.1.4. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues, By Transportation & Infrastructure Application, 2017-2027F 9. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Overview, By Regions 10. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market - Key Performance Indicators 11. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Import Statistics 11.1. Saudi Arabia Up to 75 kVA Diesel Gensets Import, By Country, 2019 11.2. Saudi Arabia 75.1 - 375 kVA Diesel Gensets Import, By Country, 2019 11.3. Saudi Arabia Above 375 kVA Diesel Gensets Import, By Country, 2019 12. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Opportunity Assessment 12.1. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Opportunity Assessment, By kVA Ratings, 2027F 12.2. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Opportunity Assessment, By Applications, 2027F 13. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Competitive Landscape 13.1. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Technical Parameters 13.2. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating Parameters 13.3. Saudi Arabia Diesel Genset Market Revenues Share, By Company, 2020 14. Company Profiles 14.1. Atlas Copco Industrial Equipment Co. 14.2. Caterpillar Inc. 14.3. Cummins Inc. 14.4. Aksa Power Generation 14.5. Alkhorayef Group 14.6. Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited 14.7. Saudi Diesel Equipment Co. Ltd. 14.8. Yanmar Holdings Co. Ltd. 14.9. Kohler Co. 14.10. MTU Onsite Energy Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/iukp83 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: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saudi-arabia-diesel-genset-markets-2017-2020--2021-2027-301305325.html SOURCE Research and Markets NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The software as a service (SaaS) market is poised to grow by USD 99.99 billion during 2021-2025 progressing at a CAGR of over 11% during the forecast period. Software as a Service (SaaS) Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 View our exclusive report on market scenarios, estimates, the impact of lockdown, and customer behaviour. Download FREE Sample Report! The report on the software as a service (SaaS) market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the augmenting use of mobile apps and the rising adoption of the cloud among SMEs. The software as a service (SaaS) market analysis includes deployment and geography. This study identifies the rising need for API connections as one of the prime reasons driving the software as a service (SaaS) market growth during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The software as a service (SaaS) market covers the following areas: Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Sizing Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Forecast Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Analysis Companies Mentioned Accenture Plc Adobe Inc. Alphabet Inc. Amazon.com Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corp. Oracle Corp. Salesforce.com Inc. SAP SE Customers are also Looking For: SaaS Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The SaaS customer relationship management (CRM) market has the potential to grow by USD 44.17 billion during 2021-2025, according to Technavio. Download Free PDF Sample SaaS-based Business Analytics Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024: The SaaS-based business analytics market size is expected to grow by USD 7.42 billion and record a CAGR of 13.11% during 2020-2024. Download Free PDF Sample Story continues Key Topics Covered: 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 Deployment Market segments Comparison by Deployment Public cloud - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Private cloud - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Hybrid cloud - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Deployment Customer landscape Overview Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 APAC - 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 Vendor Landscape Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Accenture Plc Adobe Inc. Alphabet Inc. Amazon.com Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corp. Oracle Corp. Salesforce.com Inc. SAP SE Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/software-as-a-service-saas-market-size-industry-analysis Technavio (PRNewsfoto/Technavio) Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/software-as-a-service-saas-market--accenture-plc-adobe-inc-alphabet-inc-among-others-to-contribute-to-the-market-growth-17-000-report-by-technavio-301305769.html SOURCE Technavio OTTAWA, ON, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ - "I am pleased to announce today that we have reached an understanding that will see Potlotek First Nation fishing for a moderate livelihood and selling their catch starting Saturday, June 5, 2021. Potlotek's Netukulimk Livelihood Fisheries Plan, which was developed by the community with support from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs and Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO), speaks to the moderate livelihood fishing aspirations of the community. As an interim measure, we will be recognizing those harvesters designated under Potlotek's plan to be authorized to fish 700 jakej (lobster) traps without adding additional access and during the established season underway in Lobster Fishing Areas 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31a which is within the Unama'ki region and aligns with Potlotek's identified traditional district. The Unama'ki region is one of the seven Mi'kmaq districts in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, and spans Cape Breton Island. In acknowledging that this is an interim measure, we are committed to continuing consultations with the community moving forward, including about community concerns on access. This marks an important step forward that demonstrates Canada's willingness to listen to the individual needs of communities, to support their vision, and find common ground that maintains a sustainable fishery and sees community members on the water and able to sell their catch. In working together to implement this moderate livelihood fishing plan, we will lay the groundwork for future advancements. Reaching this understanding, which recognizes the rights and interests of Indigenous communities, will help to further advance Potlotek's vision of self-determination and economic self-reliance." Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan Associated Link Stay Connected Story continues Follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Subscribe to receive our news releases and more via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/rss-eng.htm SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2021/04/c4321.html By Can Sezer ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish rapid delivery company Getir has tripled its valuation to over $7.5 billion since March after raising $555 million in its latest funding round, it said on Friday, part of an investment boom in the red-hot sector. Getir plans to invest the proceeds in launching in Paris and Berlin this month following rollouts in London and Amsterdam, with several cities in the United States to follow in the last three months of the year. Istanbul-based Getir, founded in 2015, pioneered a category of 10-minute delivery for customers who order by smartphone app, with riders fanning out from neighbourhood warehouses that stock essential groceries. Imitators have mushroomed with Germany's Flink, founded just six months ago, raising $240 million from investors on Friday and announcing a strategic partnership with the Rewe supermarket group. "Our model and approach to ultrafast delivery is thriving and this latest round of funding further enables us to deliver our best-in-class service to new customers in Europe, the United States and beyond," said Getir's founder and CEO Nazim Salur. The latest funding brings to the total Getir has raised from investors to almost $1 billion so far this year. PANDEMIC TREND Quick delivery grocery firms also including Weezy and Gorillas have grown explosively during the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers avoid neighbourhood shops. The startups say the wow factor of getting a delivery to the doorstep in less time that it might take to queue up at a store checkout on a busy day means their apps generate repeat business and positive online feedback. Flink, which focuses on Germany, has set up more than 50 local hubs in its first four months of operation. It is opening a new hub every two days, putting over three million customers within reach. The rapid growth has led to frictions with delivery riders, however, with some at Berlin-based Gorillas seeking to form a works council and demanding better pay and conditions. Story continues Gorillas was also reported by Sifted, an FT tech publication, to be seeking up to $1 billion from investors at a valuation of $6 billion. As recently as March the company, which launched last year, raised 244 million euros ($295 million) at a valuation of more than $1 billion. Gorillas criticised the attempt to form a workers' council, saying that while it supported staff representation, some workers had been excluded from voting on the matter. It called the report on its funding plans speculation. Getir's Series D round, first reported by the Financial Times, was led by existing investors including Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital, joined by Silver Lake, DisruptAD and Mubadala Investment Company. Mubadala, an arm of Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, also invested in the Flink round, along with Dutch-based consumer internet investor Prosus and San Francisco technology investor BOND. ($1 = 0.8258 euros) (Additional reporting by Douglas Busvine and Nadine Schimroszik in Berlin; Editing by Keith Weir) Strike a Blow for Freedom Rally In the days of lawlessness those who keep the law become the outlaw NEWS PROVIDED BY Operation Save America June 4, 2021 NEW ORLEANS, La., June 4, 2021 /Standard Newswire/ -- On Monday, June 7th, in the year of our Lord 2021, Operation Save America will be conducting a "Strike a Blow for Freedom" rally and press conference. It will take place at the Fifth District Court in New Orleans, LA. The time is from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Judge Roy Moore will be representing Pastor Tony Spell and Life Tabernacle Church of Baton Rouge against Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards; David Barrow, Mayor of Central City, LA; Roger Corcoran, Chief of Police of Central City Mayor; Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor of Baton Rouge, LA; Sheriff Sid Gautreaux of Baton Rouge Parish; and Judge Fred Crifasi of the 19th Judicial District of Louisiana. Pastor Spell has been arrested numerous times, placed in jail, and accused of several violations of Governor Edward's orders. He was told not to assemble for worship services, much like the authorities of old demanded the early church not to "teach nor preach in Jesus' name" (Acts 4:18). Pastor Spell has been under house arrest. He was forced to wear an ankle bracelet because he will not abandon his convictions. He has been penalized for adhering to a sacred obligation based upon God's command to not forsake the assembling of the church together (Hebrews 10:25). Pastor Tony Spell stated, "On March 15, 2021, I was arrested for 'failure to comply with Governor John Bel Edwards emergency orders.' The charge? 'Holding Church services during a pandemic.' As absurd as this may sound, I was arrested, booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish prison, and I am charged with nine crimes. As recently as May 24, 2021 three judges with the Louisiana first circuit court of appeals said 'Pastor Spell's free exercise of religion does not lie outside of the governments jurisdiction.' On June 7, 2021 at the United States Fifth circuit Appeals court in New Orleans, we will prove Governor John Bell Edwards wrong. We will stand on our biblical convictions and on the constitution of the United States of America, and WE WILL WIN!" Judge Moore added, "Nothing in the United States Constitution or the constitution of any state gives federal and state officials the right to use 'emergency powers' to take away our most valuable rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." Rev. Rusty Thomas, National Director of Operation Save America declared, "Civil government is not our god, our nanny, our healthcare provider, nor our master. It has become drunk with power and forgotten that it is to be a servant of the people. It is time to get out of our homes, out of our churches, and get back in your Constitutional lane. Your duty is to protect our God-given rights, not squelch them." SOURCE Operation Save America CONTACT: Rusty Lee Thomas, rtosa13@yahoo.com Related Links http://www.operationsaveamerica.org/ DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "UK Legal Services Consumer Research Report 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Research and Markets Logo At first glance, the UK Legal Services Consumer Research Report 2021 re-enforces results from previous years, i.e. the same practice areas dominate consumer use, law firms and solicitors are the main go-to advisors, fixed fees continue to increase their role as the main pricing model, and a large majority of law firm users are ready to use the same firm again if another legal matter arises. However, the latest survey of consumer legal services took place after a year of dealing with the pandemic and there is one survey theme which is clearly a result of the pandemic and others that might have been influenced by it: First, Zoom, Skype and other video consultations have become accepted as a way of talking to a legal advisor and consumers are comfortable with these consultation methods: almost everyone (90%) that has used Zoom or something similar in the last year is comfortable with this option and would be happy to use this from now on. Secondly, choosing a law firm or legal advisor is no longer limited to local choices for most consumers: for the first time since the survey began three years ago most would be happy to consider using a legal advisor anywhere in the country. Thirdly, more adults than before are turning to digital sources when they are looking for a legal advisor, including search engines and comparison sites. Other headlines from the survey include: In 2021, there are 83% that would be influenced in their choice of law firm by price information on a law firm website, i.e. when choosing between law firms they would choose the one giving clear price information on their site. For the first time in the three years of this survey, the percentage using consumer review and comparison sites in 2021 reached double figures (10%) from 6% in 2020 and just 4% in 2019. Of some concern is that consumer knowledge over regulation and avenues for redress if something goes wrong has not improved in the last three years. Fewer than a quarter of consumers knew that their law firm was regulated, not many checked their consumer rights, and less than one in five of those who have used a law firm were aware of the Legal Ombudsman and understood that they could go here, as a last resort, to complain. Consumer awareness of leading legal brands has increased in the latest year compared to the previous year: where brand comparisons are made between 2021 and 2020, 60% of the brands considered have increased their awareness. Just three brands have awareness levels above 50% and these are InjuryLawyers4U, National Accident Helpline, and First4Lawyers. The fourth largest brand, in terms of awareness, and increasing brand awareness in 2021 is Irwin Mitchell. Close behind is Slater & Gordon and only two other brands have awareness levels over 30% - Admiral Law and Cooperative Legal Services. Key Topics Covered: Story continues 1. Executive Summary Overview Four out of 10 consumers have used a law firm/solicitor in the last two years Almost half are using for either conveyancing or wills advice Word of mouth becoming more important when choosing an advisor Word of mouth - the most likely choice for the majority Experience and reputation of advisor continues to be the main choice factor More willing to go beyond their locality for advice, and published prices help Nine out of 10 have been comfortable using Zoom and other video tools Fixed fees dominate consumer legal services For the first time, approachability of legal advisor tops client satisfaction ratings Little change in consumer awareness of their rights and regulation. still low A quarter decide to do some or all of the legal work themselves Clear interest in freelance solicitors and downloadable legal documents Awareness of top 7 legal brands relatively high but no dominant market share Market trends and future outlook 2. Introduction Report coverage 3. Consumer Use of Legal Services One in four have used law firms/solicitors in the last two years A quarter have been involved in some DIY legal work 4. Legal Advice Areas Residential conveyancing and wills account for almost half of all advice 5. Client Satisfaction Client satisfaction with service quality increases marginally A large majority of clients would use the same advisor again 6. Finding Legal Representation Word of mouth/Internet becoming more important when choosing an advisor Word of mouth would also be the popular option for consumers Under a quarter knew that their legal advisor was regulated Top quality indicators - experience/reputation and legal costs Seven out of 10 consumers happy with Zoom consultations or similar Zoom and other video consultations worked for nine out of 10 users 7. Paying for Legal Advice Fixed fees increase their share as hourly fees decline again 8. DIY Legal DIY legal work strongest in probate, wills, and divorce practice areas Key reasons for DIY legal work - simple legal process and consumer confidence Most would do it themselves again 9. Legal Insurance, Freelancers, Helplines Freelance solicitors offering lower cost services - most would use 10. Legal Brands - Awareness and Use Many legal brands have increased consumer awareness in the last 12 months 11. Market Trends And Future Outlook Companies Mentioned Admiral Law Cooperative Legal Services DAS DLG Legal First4Lawyers Fletchers InjuryLawyers4U Irwin Mitchell Legal Zoom Minster Law National Accident Helpline Rocket Lawyer Simpson Millar Slater & Gordon Thompsons Which? Legal For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/oqyphm 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: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uk-legal-services-consumer-surveyresearch-report-2021-zoom-skype-and-other-video-consultations-have-become-accepted-as-a-way-of-talking-to-a-legal-advisor-301305229.html SOURCE Research and Markets The "United States Fertilizer Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The US fertilizers market was valued at USD 18,602.0 million in 2020, and it is estimated to reach USD 20,520.5 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 1.7%, during the forecast period (2021-2026). COVID-19 has affected all the supply chains that connect farm production to final consumers in the United States. Farmers have faced a shortage of agricultural inputs, including fertilizers. As China is one of the major producers and exporters of nitrogenous fertilizers to the United States, when China imposed a lockdown, there was a huge fertilizer shortage in the country owing to problems with transportation. Prices hit an all-time low due to trade pressures and regulatory challenges. The application of nitrogen fertilizer is proportional to the cereal yields. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the country has expanded the farmlands to plant 94 million acres of corn and 85 million acres of soybeans which will be resulting greater consumption of nitrogenous fertilizers in 2021 supporting the domestic crop production in the country. Thus, with the increasing demand for nitrogen fertilizers, the United States has increased its export potential, and it is anticipated to become a globally important exporter of nitrogen products in the coming years. Furthermore, the rising population and limited arable land in the United States have led to higher dependence on fertilizers to meet the growing demand in the country. Key Market Trends Growing Demand for the Fertilizers in the Country The US population is increasing at a rapid rate with 330 million in 2020. This growing population is adding to the food demand. Hence, there is a need to increase agriculture productivity in order to supply food to the growing population. According to the World Bank, arable land (percentage of land area) in the United States is around 17.24% of the total land in 2018. Further, there is a little scope in arable land expansion in the coming years. These factors have stimulated the demand for the fertilizers in the country Story continues According to the FAO, the demand for nitrogen fertilizers increased and was recorded as 14,594 thousand metric ton in 2019. The demand for phosphate and potash fertilizers grew at higher rate, by 1.07% and 1.41%, respectively, during the same period in the region. The higher demand for phosphate and potash fertilizers is attributed to the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables in the past decade in the country. The nitrogen fertilizers have the highest share in the US fertilizers market owing to the production of cereals, such as corn and wheat, in the country.Thus, the rising population and limited arable land in the United States have led to higher dependence on fertilizers to meet the growing demand in the country. Grain and Cereals Dominate the Market The application of fertilizers in the grains and cereals segment of the US fertilizers market was valued at USD 6,715.7 million in 2020, and it is estimated to reach a value of USD 7,526.9 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 2.0% during the forecast period. According to USDA, wheat, corn, rice received about 40% of the nitrogen, phosphate, and potash fertilizers in 2020. Corn and wheat were the two most important cereals among them, receiving an ample amount of NPK fertilizers. Fertilizers used on corn, wheat, and rice need to contain nitrogen sufficiently. According to the FAO's statistics, the area harvested for corn in United States decreased from 35,106,050 ha in 2016 to 32,950,670 in 2019. The decrease in the area of crop harvested increased the usage of fertilizers for improving the yield from available area. A similar trend in lower harvest area was observed in the case of wheat also. As one of the main crops for production and as a main grain for consumption, the lowered area of harvest must be compensated with increased yield, for meeting the domestic and global demand. The adequate use of fertilizer sharply increases the yield. Thus, the fertilizers market is anticipated to witness a significant growth (in the grains and cereals segment) during the forecast period. Competitive Landscape The fertilizer market is slightly consolidated, with major companies accounting for the majority of the market. Some of the players opearting in the market are NutrienLimited, Mosaic Company, Yara International ASA and SQM SA. These companies are focusing on R&D, product launches, along with new innovations and partnerships. Companies Mentioned Nutrien Limited Yara International The Mosaic Company CF Industries Holding Inc. ICL Group Intrepid Potash Inc. OCI NV SQM SA Compass Minerals International Inc. Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sm5hon View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005275/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 It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Louisiana-Pacific (LPX). Shares have lost about 6.2% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Louisiana-Pacific due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Louisiana-Pacific (LPX) Beats Q1 Earnings & Revenue Estimates Louisiana-Pacific Corporation commonly known as LP reported first quarter 2021 results, wherein both the top and bottom lines handily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate as well as gained impressively on a year-over-year basis. The uptrend was mainly attributable to growth in SmartSide and higher Oriented Strand Board prices. Operational efficiency and cost-containment efforts also supported the growth. LP Chairman and CEO, Brad Southern, said "LP's operations, procurement, and logistics teams overcame supply chain challenges as well as extreme winter weather in the southeast to deliver outstanding results. Capacity expansion projects are underway at Houlton and Peace Valley in order to meet strong and growing demand for innovative SmartSide and Structural Solutions products." Detailed Discussion Louisiana-Pacific reported first-quarter adjusted earnings of $3.01 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.76 by 9.1% and increased almost 8.9 times from the year-ago reported figure of 34 cents. Net sales of $1.02 billion topped the consensus estimate of $931 million by 9.2% and improved a whopping 74% from the year-ago period. The upside was driven by 49% LP SmartSide sales growth and a $319-million increase in OSB net sales. OSB prices also increased $333 million from the prior-year quarter, partially offset by 7% lower OSB sales volume. The company also witnessed higher freight costs. Single-family housing starts increased 20.8% year over year. Multi-family starts, however, fell 6.2% from the prior year. Story continues Segmental Analysis Siding: The segments sales of $285 million were up 35% from the prior-year period. The upside was due to an increase in SmartSide volume (39%) and pricing (7%), partially offset by a decrease in fiber sales. Adjusted EBITDA improved 116% from the prior-year quarter to $461 million. OSB: Sales in the segment increased 145% year over year to $204 million. The companys adjusted EBITDA also jumped significantly to 909% from a year ago. Increased OSB prices were partially offset by lower volumes owing to supply disruptions and weather-related shutdowns. EWP: Segments sales grew 24% year over year to $123 million. Adjusted EBITDA, however, decreased 13% year over year to $7 million. Increased pricing in response to rising input costs led the top-line growth. However, the net impact of the same reduced adjusted EBITDA by $2 million from the year-ago quarter. South America: Sales of $53 million rose 47% and adjusted EBITDA grew 175% from the year-ago quarter due to higher OSB as well as siding pricing. Operating Highlights Gross margin expanded 2,860 basis points (bps) year over year to 47.1%. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues contracted 470 bps. Adjusted EBITDA of $461 million was up a notable 455.4% from the prior-year figure of $83 million. Financials As of Mar 31, 2021, Louisiana-Pacific had cash and cash equivalents of $645 million compared with $535 million at 2020-end. Long-term debt was $346 million, down from $348 million at 2020-end. For the first quarter, net cash provided by operations was $314 million, significantly up from $9 million net cash used in operations reported in the year-ago period. Q2 Guidance For second-quarter 2021, the company expects SmartSide sales to be more than 30% from the year-ago quarter. OSB sales are expected to sequentially rise more than 30%. The company anticipates adjusted EDITDA of more than $580 million. 2021 View Given the current scenario, Louisiana-Pacific now expects capital expenditures for 2021 in the range of $230-$250 million ($220-$230 million expected earlier). How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then? In the past month, investors have witnessed an upward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted 68.03% due to these changes. VGM Scores At this time, Louisiana-Pacific has a strong Growth Score of A, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top 20% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Estimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of this revision looks promising. It comes with little surprise Louisiana-Pacific has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months. 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 LouisianaPacific Corporation (LPX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. In a further sign that a deal with Capito was seeming increasingly less likely, the White House said Biden told Capito that he would continue to engage a number of Senators in both parties in the hopes of achieving a more substantial package. For weeks, the president has been engaged in talks with GOP senators trying to strike a compromise on Bidens top legislative a priority, the big infrastructure investment package. While the two sides appear to have narrowed the price gap between his initial $2.3 trillion proposal and the GOPs $568 billion opening bid, they remain far apart on the scope of the deal and how to pay for it. Biden wants to raise corporate taxes to generate revenues for the infrastructure investments, a nonstarter for Republicans. The GOP senators propose tapping unspent COVID-19 relief aid to pay for the roads, bridges and other projects, an idea rejected by Democrats. Earlier in the day, after the release of a modest May jobs report, Biden made the case for his robust investment package to push the economy past the COVID-19 crisis and downturn, and into a new era. POLITICS makes strange bedfellows. It can also make strange enemies. Take Michael Bills and the Virginia House Democratic Caucus. Bills is a Charlottesville hedge fund manager and a multimillionaire. Since 2018, he has given more than $1.8 million to the caucus and to Democratic House of Delegates candidates, mostly to encourage them not to accept money from Dominion Energy. He has given money to 42 of the 55 House Democrats and virtually nothing to Republicans. The caucus itself got $50,000 from him this year. Bills big concern is more oversight over legislative influencer Dominion and more competition for clean energy. All this made a mailer sent under the aegis of the Democratic Caucus recently something of a head-scratcher. The mailer said billionaire Bills supported failed Republican gubernatorial candidate Amanda Chase, who likes to refer to herself as Trump in heels. It referenced dark money Bills was allegedly funneling into state politics. It included a photo of Democratic primary House of Delegates candidate Pam Montgomery posing chummily with Rudy Giuliani, former President Trumps sometimes lawyer. The Nebraska State Patrol arrested a Prague man after multiple pursuits early Friday morning in Saunders County. Jeffrey Oreskovich, 38, of Prague was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving under suspension, and numerous traffic violations. He was taken to the Saunders County Jail, where he later bonded out on 10 percent of $10,000. The situation began at 12:30 a.m. Friday when an NSP trooper saw a northbound Chevrolet Impala with a defective light on U.S. Highway 77 near Wahoo. The trooper then saw that the vehicle was driving more than 100 miles per hour. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. The trooper began to pursue the vehicle. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} After a short pursuit, the trooper discontinued it for safety reasons, NSP stated in a news release. Troopers learned the vehicle was registered to a home in Prague and began searching the area. Another trooper found the vehicle just west of Prague and attempted another traffic stop. The Impala fled again and the trooper initiated another pursuit. After a short pursuit, the suspect vehicle drove into a field and came to a stop, near the intersection of Nebraska Highway 79 and County Road X. So 2015 going on, I was still here in the shadows in some way, Henrickson said. But then I was helping with the venue stuff, and then Bryan stepped back around 2018, and then I took up the Pioneer, and really, the Pioneer has been me. In 2015, Henrickson also began audio mixing with First Lutheran Church. Two years later, he opened his first business, Sound Tailor Audio, which provides sound mixing services for shows. I have any kind of microphone you could want, and I do everything except the actual performance, he said. The band shows up, and Im there for them. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Although the Pioneer Stage saw national acts at first, Henrickson said they started to decrease after Vanderpools exit. But what I really started to notice was we really started to get well-known with the local scene, so it was kind of odd, he said. We would get national acts in here, and people locally were like, Where is this place? I have no idea. Now its kind of flipped around. Working at Milady, Henrickson said he was proud to be a part of a big cornerstone of the community and made sure to dedicate himself behind the scenes. China vehemently objected Friday to U.S. President Joe Bidens expansion of a list of Chinese companies whose shares are off-limits to American investors because of their purported links to the Chinese military and surveillance. The White House issued the update late Thursday to an order signed last year by Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, that added to antagonisms over trade and technology. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged Washington to withdraw the order and provide Chinese enterprises with a fair and non-discriminatory business and investment environment." China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," he said at a regular briefing in Beijing. He did not elaborate. The executive order takes effect Aug. 2. It is the latest indication that Biden has not softened Washington's stance on alleged security risks from companies U.S. officials say are linked to the Chinese military and industrial complex." OMAHA -- An Omaha police officer is facing felony charges in Sarpy County and is on administrative leave from the police department after he detained two juveniles who had been pounding on doors in his neighborhood during the early-morning hours. Ja'Price Spears, 43, appeared Wednesday in Sarpy County Court, where he was charged with two counts of terroristic threats and one count of use of a firearm to commit a felony. Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said Thursday that the charges stem from an incident that took place in early April. Polikov said three juveniles were pounding on doors in a Gretna neighborhood shortly after midnight. Spears, he said, drove after the kids, who were in a vehicle, and got them to pull over. He detained two of the three and handcuffed them until Sarpy County sheriff's deputies arrived. At one point during the incident, Polikov said, Spears displayed his badge and service weapon. Two of the youths, he said, were charged with disturbing the peace. VIENNA (AP) The 35-year-old woman was working at a tobacco shop in Vienna when authorities say her ex-boyfriend doused her in gasoline and set her ablaze in March. In April, another woman of the same age was found shot to death in her home in the Austrian capital, also reportedly by her ex-partner. Public Advocate's Eugene Delgaudio asks America to Stand with Virginia Christian Teacher, Demands 20 Government Officials Internet Transactions Announcement of Legal Actions Ceremony at Loudoun County School Administration Building in Ashburn, Virginia NEWS PROVIDED BY Public Advocate June 4, 2021 ASHBURN, Va., June 4, 2021 /Standard Newswire/ -- Public Advocate president Eugene Delgaudio, speaking at an announcement ceremony in Ashburn, Virginia at the Loudoun County School Administration building main entrance at 12 noon Thursday June 3 said, in part: "America must stand with the brave gym teacher, Tanner Cross, who stood for all Christians and was struck down for his faith. There is no time to lose and time is short but Christians and all who believe in religious liberty must peacefully respond to this disgusting and illegal action against a dedicated, decent and honest civil servant in Loudoun County, Virginia. We are all Tanner. I stand with Tanner and ask all Americans to stand with Tanner against religious persecution in America. I am immediately requesting through legal means specific internet records of 20 of the Loudoun County's top government officials. This may disclose important public trust issues shortly. " Delgaudio said. FULL STATEMENT OF EUGENE DELGAUDIO posted online https://www.publicadvocateusa.org/news/article.php?article=12030 FULL VIDEO, including full statement posted here https://youtu.be/TQYECZl10oA List of 20 Government Officials Asked to Reveal Internet Records https://www.publicadvocateusa.org/news/article.php?article=12030 Last week at a public hearing of the School Board, Tanner Cross expressed his love of everyone no matter their situation and spoke of his own faith in God and his belief that Godly values must be respected. Most importantly Tanner Cross stated, as a practicing Christian, he would never refer a child to surgery knowing that there is only two genders, man and woman. Delgaudio also said (in part): "Public Advocate has filed substantial Freedom of Information Requests. This legal action is coincidental to the wrongful actions against Tanner Cross and is filed for other reasons (allegations of closed door secret meetings, threats against private citizens, opposing the Marxist inspired Critical Race Theory)." On Wednesday June 1st, Public Advocate lawyers filed a FOIA ACTION to request certain online Internet Records of Twenty (20) Loudoun County elected or government officials. Delgaudio said "I ask that the School Board, the Board of Supervisors and other officials cooperate with this urgent public interest request." The Twenty government or elected officials include: members of the Board of Supervisors, the commonwealth attorney, and Loudoun County School Board members Denise Corbo, Atoosa Reaser, Harris Mahedavi, Ian Serotkin, Leslee King, Jeff Morse, Beth Barts, Brenda Sheridan (Chairman) Public Advocate is taking many other legal and peaceful actions in support of the many grass roots groups already leading locally in Loudoun County and urge all public policy groups, and legitimate news organizations to continue their reporting on events in Loudoun County, Virginia. Twitter @eugenedelgaudio Facebook facebook.com/eugenedelgaudio SOURCE Public Advocate CONTACT: Hon. Eugene Delgaudio, 703-845-1808, publicadvocateusa.org@gmail.com Related Links publicadvocateusa.org Dear reader, Welcome to Gandhara's weekly newsletter. This briefing brings you the best of our reporting from Afghanistan and Pakistan. If youre new to the newsletter or havent subscribed yet, you can do so here. Talibans quest for victory Frud Bezhan reports on the Talibans strategy to militarily take over Afghanistan as it pushes to run over more territory in the wake of the U.S. troops withdrawal. The group already controls as much of the country as the Afghan government and hotly contests the rest. The Taliban can mass more forces in the field once U.S. airpower is gone, Bill Roggio, editor of the Long War Journal, which has tracked the Talibans battlefield advances for years, told us. The Taliban is going to push to take large areas of the south and east, secure the passage to Kabul, maintain pressure on provinces surrounding the capital, all the while continuing to fight in the north and west to keep Afghan forces occupied. Tamim Asey, a former Afghan deputy defense minister, argued that once the Taliban has tested government forces and realized that a total military victory is not within reach then it will use violence as leverage to secure further concessions at the negotiation table. (See our map of the Talibans control in Afghanistan). Pakistans authoritarian rule Islamabad has crossed a major milestone in muzzling dissent and the free press after one of the countrys most prominent journalists, Hamid Mir, was forced off the air. In a fiery speech last week, he had criticized the military while condemning an attack on a fellow journalist. The move coincides with a new draft law that establishes almost total government control over print, electronic, and even social media. But the government crackdown is meeting a strong pushback from journalists and international media watchdogs, which might persuade Islamabad to step back from the brink. Standing up to sexual harassment Monawar Shah brings you the story of one woman who broke a major taboo by standing up for womens rights after she was allegedly sexually harassed by a professor at Islamia College University in Peshawar. Her campaigning won over students and secured a ruling against the teacher. But the case has pitted students against faculty on campus. We would like to create more awareness about this issue, said Jabir Khan, a male student who has joined female students to protest harassment on the campus. Our campaigning aims to force the university administration to address this issue. Indias Afghan dilemma In an opinion piece, Raghav Sharma, an India academic who specializes in Afghanistan, weighs in on New Delhis dilemmas in Afghanistan as it scrambles to protect its interests during a major transition in which its ally the Afghan government is seen as ceding ground to an ascendent Taliban. The rapidly changing political dynamic in Afghanistan leaves little room for complacency, Sharma concludes. The onus is on New Delhi to seize the opportunity and ensure its voice is effectively heard and its security concerns are addressed. Protecting mothers and children Afghanistan has one of the highest birthrates in Asia, and yet it also has one of the worlds highest rates of infant mortality. Childbirth there is risky for both mother and baby, and doctors are urging women to take control of their reproductive health and wait longer between pregnancies. Many women who want to plan their pregnancies, however, have no access to contraception, which is considered taboo by some Muslims. In a video report this week, we visit a maternity hospital in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan Province, where we speak with mothers who have suffered tremendous loss due to poverty, malnutrition, and limited access to health care. I have given birth 15 times, but many of my babies have died, one mother, named Gul Seka, tells us from the waiting room, adding that only God knows why some lived and some did not. Trash or treasure? We also travel to Bush Market, which was named after the U.S. president who ordered troops into Afghanistan in 2001. Here you can buy what the Americans didnt take with them when they handed over their base in Kandahar to the Afghan military in mid-May. As U.S. troops leave the country, theres a thriving market for the things they left behind. There are computers, fridges, radios, body armor, and even vehicles and military equipment. Some claim that weapons and munitions are also being sold at the market, something that local officials have been quick to deny. I hope you enjoyed this weeks newsletter, and I encourage you to forward it to colleagues who might find it useful. If you havent subscribed yet, you can do so here. Until next week, I encourage you to visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Yours, Abubakar Siddique Twitter: @sid_abu P.S.: You can always reach us at gandhara@rferl.org. Unidentified assailants shot dead two police officers patrolling a residential area in Islamabad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and police said June 4. Hours after the attack late on June 3 in the Shamas Colony neighborhood of the Pakistani capital, Muhammad Khurasani, a spokesman for Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility. The Pakistani Taliban is separate from the Afghan Taliban, but it has its base in Afghanistan. Police superintendent Mustafa Tanweer told the media that police teams were examining the crime scene and looking for clues about the identity of the killers. Ahmed condemned the attack and ordered an investigation. He said in a video statement that efforts are under way to make the capital a "safe zone." The capital shares a border with the populous Punjab Province, as well as the country's northwest passage to Afghanistan. Based on reporting by AP and dawn.com Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. High 88F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 59F. SE winds shifting to N at 10 to 15 mph. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The COVID-19 presence in Colorado has continued to decline in recent weeks and has now reached low September levels as more vaccines are given and the state unwinds nearly all of its pandemic restrictions. Birlasoft accelerated COVID-19 relief efforts by organizing free vaccination drives at its Pune and Noida campus for employees and their families. Being an organization that puts the safety and well-being of its employees first, this initiative will ensure that employees and their dependents are being safeguarded from the complications of the global pandemic. The company has also set up a COVID Task Force of leaders, helping the organization respond to the evolving situation. The task force is dedicatedly working towards a smooth vaccination process by making medical personnel accessible to address all queries regarding the vaccine, and following government laid protocol by registering data of patients on the CoWin application. Birlasoft has pledged to support the community in these difficult times by partnering with various NGOs as well. From providing financial assistance to facilitating the procurement of essential goods, the company has undertaken multiple initiatives to serve the community. A Corona Kavach Insurance plan has also been introduced as a supplement to the standard insurance offering to aid pandemic hit staff manage their medical expenses. Moreover, the company is also providing employment opportunity to the family members in case of the death of an employee due to COVID-19. As India battles the second wave of COVID-19, Biralsoft is making constant efforts by running a host of programs focusing on COVID care and emotional well-being. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has been introduced to provide assistance via access to a 247/365 counseling hotline, mobile app, and webchat. Dharmender Kapoor, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Birlasoft, said, At Birlasoft, employees are our biggest priority, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our associates, their families, and the community at large during these unprecedented times. We have tried to help our employees / their families in the best way possible by bringing in employee wellness programs to support them physically, mentally, and financially. Our COVID Task Force of leaders is working day and night helping the organization and staff respond to the evolving situation by facilitating medical health, supply of oxygen cylinder, access to ventilators, hospitalization, and financial support. Sure, this ruling nudged the union back behind the line of scrimmage on one play. But parents and other community stakeholders in our schools are staring in dismay as they watch their education system continue to lose ground overall, year after year. A March 9 Summit-Tribune story featured ties between the Algona WWII POW camps and Forest City. Also, Hornus did confirm that some scenes for his latest movie will be filmed in Wesley, which borders Hancock County, and casting calls will be made for background players/extras. He said extras often drive in from great distances for filming he has done across the country. He said everyone's names will go in the final credits and on-set meals will be served as well. "Tell your readers to raid their grandpa's and grandma's, or great grandparents' closets and join us in 1944 north-central Iowa," Hornus said. "We film November 1 through 21 and Algona is home base." Forest City's new Armed Forces Historical Center of North Iowa is a museum dedicated to displaying military service artifacts as well as the stories of veterans from all service branches, especially those from northern Iowa. The center is housed in a World War II vintage barracks building, which was in Algona during the timeframe of the movie. It was transformed and is located on the south side of Forest City. Two other WWII barracks from Algona have taken up residence there as well. I thought I was in a rainforest on a sunny day. Born and raised in desert Utah, Im not used to seeing greenery and wildflowers everywhere I look, but that was exactly my experience when visiting Maquoketa Caves State Park for the first time. The state park is in Jackson County, Iowa about an hour's drive from the Quad-Cities and features 15 caves of varying sizes. Some, like the connected Upper, Middle, and Lower Dancehall caves, are large and wide with birds darting in and out of nests hidden in the walls. The Dancehall cave is the main attraction of the park, and has an artificially lit walkway between the three entrances. Other caves, like the Barbell and Match Caves, are a tighter squeeze, and might require getting your clothes a little wet or dirty. Army crawling in and out of Match Cave was probably the most claustrophobic Ive ever felt, which is why I avoided most of the other tight caves. Some, like Up-N-Down Cave and Wye Cave, have small openings that lead to wider rooms. Up-N-Down cave took me down a hole in the rock, where my head barely stuck out the top and I couldnt lift my arms, but after ducking around a corner the rock opens up to reveal a small room, just large enough for two or three people to stand comfortably. Grassley praised the 26 governors, one of which is Iowas Kim Reynolds, who decided to no longer accept federal unemployment benefits in June instead of waiting for them to end nationwide on Sept. 11. These 26 governors are even smarter than the congress of the United States, Grassley said. These 26 governors have said we are not going to take this $300 anymore, so people are going to have to go out and get a job, so that should help. For Iowans, federal unemployment benefits are set to end on Saturday, June 12. Some attendees also wanted to know if Grassley, the oldest senator in the Republican Party at 87 years old, would be seeking reelection next year. "I'll ask the obvious (question)," one person asked. "Will we get to see you for another six years?" Dont you think I should give it some thought, Grassley joked in response. At the end of the Q&A session Grassley received a standing ovation from all the members of the audience, with several taking the time to thank him personally for what he's done for Iowa. Today is Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Let's get caught up. These headlines are in the news this morning: President Biden urges Congress to pass voting protections during speech on anniversary of Tulsa Race Massacre; Amazon won't test jobseekers for marijuana; and the San Francisco Giants will be the first MLB team to wear Pride colors in support of LGBTQ rights. Read on for these stories, other top headlines, celebrity birthdays and more. TOP STORIES Biden prioritizes US voting rights law as restrictions mount WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden used the 100th anniversary of Tulsa's race massacre to make a plea for sweeping legislation in Congress to protect the right to vote as Republican-led governments in Texas and other states pass new restrictions making it tougher to cast ballots. Micro Focus introduced its goal to Inspire a Million Lives as part of its ongoing commitment to Micro Focus INSPIRE, a global Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) program designed to cover multiple aspects of what it means to be a socially and environmentally responsible global enterprise. Micro Focus is focused on assisting people affected by COVID-19 by supporting a variety of charities and non-profits, as well as building long-term and sustainable partnerships that deliver measurable impact. As an indication of its commitment to Inspire a Million Lives, Micro Focus is collaborating with a number of organizations including: UNICEF , The United Nations Childrens Fund : Micro Focus is partnering with UNICEF to ensure that children everywhere can access their right to learn. Together we are reimagining education by strengthening national education systems, improving the quality of learning and helping children and young people around the world to thrive in a digital future. , : Micro Focus is partnering with UNICEF to ensure that children everywhere can access their right to learn. Together we are reimagining education by strengthening national education systems, improving the quality of learning and helping children and young people around the world to thrive in a digital future. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Micro Focus will help vulnerable people by supporting ICRC in delivering economic aid, repairing or constructing water and sanitation facilities, and continuing its efforts to mitigate the immediate effects of COVID-19. Micro Focus will Feeding America: As a national partner, Micro Focus will support the Feeding America national organizations hunger-relief initiatives. As a national partner, Micro Focus will support the Feeding America national organizations hunger-relief initiatives. Resurgent Communities: Micro Focus will support the NASSCOM Foundation to deliver a program combining relief and the upskilling of communities. Also in India, it will sponsor students to acquire skills and find meaningful employment through The Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. For more details on the program and the full list of charities and non-profits, which the company will be supporting as part of its Inspire a Million Lives program, please visit Micro Focus Corporate Responsibility page. Micro Focus helps organizations around the world successfully run and transform their businesses, and when it launched the Micro Focus INSPIRE program in December 2019, it conducted detailed research to identify the biggest challenges relating to the tech industry and society more broadly. At that time, digital exclusion was identified as a significant problem affecting children everywhere. Inspire a Million Lives is a goal that authentically aligns to Micro Focus business and, with the support of its employees, is a cause in which, we are uniquely positioned to make a difference. Susan Ferguson, Chief Human Resources Officer & SVP Business Operations at Micro Focus, said, We are honored to join forces with these important charity partners to help make a difference particularly to those whose lives have been impacted by the effects of the global pandemic. Digital exclusion remains a growing issue all around the world; it creates additional layers of social exclusion and exacerbates social and economic problems for communities. Additionally, there is a critical lack of Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) skills, which is affecting our industry and society more broadly. We believe that working alongside with these organizations, we can play a positive role by helping inspire and upskill communities as well as equipping them with the ability to be successful in their digital lives. Micro Focus employees will be involved in many ways with the Inspire a Million Lives campaign. Many of the partnerships will include volunteering opportunities for employees who are each eligible to four days a year for volunteering activities, one for a charity or cause of their choice, one to support the companys social impact goal of helping equip communities with the skills needed to be successful in their digital lives and two days to volunteer time to help those in need of help due to COVID-19. Micro Focus INSPIRE is a clear signal that the company is committed to improving the welfare of its extended communities. Micro Focus intends to continue to embed the program into the culture of the company by empowering employees and helping them understand the role we can all play individually and collectively at Micro Focus to help ensure social responsibility and drive change. Taiwan has signed contracts for 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 5.05 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, and 4.76 million doses of vaccines through COVAX, a U.N. program to distribute vaccines to low and middle-income countries. It is also pursuing the development of its own vaccines, which are currently in mid-stage testing. However, given global supply constraints and manufacturing delays, it had only about 700,000 doses to vaccinate its population with last month, all from AstraZeneca. Japan reportedly considered sending vaccines to Taiwan through COVAX, but decided the process would take too long. Tsai accused China last month of blocking Taiwan from getting the Pfizer vaccine through BioNTech, the German co-developer. We were almost finished with the contract with the German supplier, but owing to China s interference, its been delayed so that until now we have no way to complete it, she told members of her Democratic Progressive Party. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung later said that BioNTech had asked Taiwan to change the word country in the press release announcing the deal. Taiwan agreed, but the deal still remains unfinished. Carter helped fund Justices purchase of the Greenbrier, a 500-room grand resort in West Virginia that he bought out of bankruptcy. Depending upon what may have occurred since the lawsuit was filed, that resort may now be in default to Carter Bank & Trust. Carter Bank is not the first lender Justice has sued. In March, he filed suit against Greensill Capital of the United Kingdom when that agency stopped lending him money. Justice is estimated to owe about $700 million. I did personally guarantee the loans, The Associated Press quoted Justice as saying at a press conference on Tuesday. The loans have always been personally guaranteed when they flowed from Carter Bank through Greensill to other banks along the way. Thats been the case for a very, very, very long time. A declaratory judgment is also being sought relating to loan modifications after Carters death that were made by Carter Bank that Justice claims are unenforceable and puts the defendants in position where they are not provided a good-faith opportunity to repay the loans, The Register-Herald of Beckley, W.Va., reported. A global installation company is moving its U.S. headquarters to the Dan River Region, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday afternoon. Walraven will invest $7.15 million and create 46 new jobs as it relocates from Michigan to the Danville area. It will move into a shell building in Cane Creek Centre, a joint industrial park for the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County, Northam said. In Northam's trip to Europe last month, he met with the company CEO in Frankfurt, Germany, a release said. Virginia competed with Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee for the project. Walraven is a global giant in the installation systems industry and the companys decision to relocate to Danville-Pittsylvania County is a testament to our world-class business environment, Northam said. This announcement further demonstrates the strength of Southern Virginias economic assets and its commitment to infrastructure, education, and building the workforce of the future." The company makes installation systems for mechanical, plumbing, fire, seismic and electrical industries and applications. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Walraven manufactures its products in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey, China, India, Dubai, Canada and the United States. Trump has slammed the probe as "purely political," and those around him insist he isn't concerned about potential legal exposure even as they suggest his political posture is evolving. "I have definitely picked up a shift that there's more of an intentionality to be leaning on the side of it's going to happen than it's not," said Matt Schlapp, chair of the American Conservative Union, who is close to the former president. "I think it's a very real possibility." Trump would face daunting headwinds in addition to his legal vulnerabilities. He would run with the legacy of being the only American president to be impeached twice. A campaign would almost certainly revive memories of the deadly insurrection he helped spark at the U.S. Capitol earlier this year, potentially dragging down other Republicans who have sought to move past the violence. Beyond that, Trump would be 78 years old on Inauguration Day in 2025 the same age as Democrat Joe Biden on his own Inauguration Day this year and multiple Republicans are already making moves for runs of their own. Trump's former vice president, Mike Pence, is slated to visit the early voting state of New Hampshire on Thursday. Former Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. is requesting dismissal of a breach of contract lawsuit the university filed against him seeking more than $40 million, claiming much of the suit was simply an excuse to publicly shame him with irrelevant allegations. The university filed the lawsuit in mid-April, focusing in large part on an affair between Falwells wife, Becki, and a young man named Giancarlo Granda that Jerry Falwell Jr. has made public statements about. Falwell has claimed Granda once a pool boy, business partner and friend to the family had extorted the couple, which Granda has denied. LU honed in on those claims in its lawsuit, stating Falwell breached his fiduciary duty to the school by not disclosing Grandas extortive threats while negotiating a 2019 employment agreement that included a $1.5 million raise and a $2.5 million severance package. Beyond that, it alleges Falwell damaged the schools reputation and donor base through a series of indiscretions in recent years, along with his personal impairment by alcohol. In documents filed Tuesday in Lynchburg Circuit Court, Falwell states the suit focuses on his wifes personal life while not addressing his actions as the leader of Liberty. In outlining the goal for winning the Persian Gulf War against Saddam Hussein for invading and occupying Kuwait in 1991, Gen. Colin Powell, then the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, Our strategy to go after this army is very, very simple. First, were going to cut it off, and then were going to kill it. The ceasefire announced recently between the terrorist organization Hamas and the state of Israel is the opposite of that strategy and solves nothing. As with previous ceasefires it simply gives Hamas an opportunity to regroup and reload in time for the next assault, perhaps with even more sophisticated and deadly weapons supplied by Iran. Some critics of Israel said that it did not respond proportionately to the Hamas attacks. Was proportionality a consideration after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor? President Truman ordered nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki because Japan refused to surrender at the end of World War II. Did we respond proportionately to the threat from Nazi Germany when we carpet bombed German cities, especially Dresden? Winston Churchill put it best when he stated the goal of Allied forces: What is our aim? Victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror; victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. GREENSBORO Black arts and community leaders have come together to host a large Juneteenth Festival. From June 17 to 20, festival events will include live music, a family day, a farmers market, awards, a food truck festival, poetry and a drive-in movie, organizers announced in a news release. Juneteenth is a celebration of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received word, two years after the Civil War had ended, that they had finally received their freedom. This is the first time there has been a combined Juneteenth effort in the city. Organizers plan to continue to build the festival year after year. Last year, Royal Expressions Contemporary Ballet had to postpone plans to host a Juneteenth Arts Celebration due to the pandemic. In lieu of the event, the company released a Juneteenth Greensboro film. During that time, the company heard of many Juneteenth events that were canceled and postponed until 2021. Princess Howell Johnson, founder of Royal Expressions, reached out to several Black arts and community leaders to collaborate and produce a large-scale Juneteenth event across the city. Video shows Parks rummaged around in the vehicle until 4:42 p.m. when she used the spare key to turn on the engine and drive out of the parking lot, according to the sheriff's office. During that time, Rogers was in meetings and did not notice the Tahoe was missing until about ten to fifteen minutes after it was stolen. Deputies and officers with the Greensboro Police Department began searching, and with the help of a GPS device, the vehicle was located within an hour after it was stolen, the sheriff's office said. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Parks was still inside the vehicle when it was found at a West Gate City Boulevard Exxon station. She was arrested and remains at the jail in Greensboro under a $10,000 secured bail. No one was injured as a result of the theft, the sheriff's office said. Rogers met with Parks at the jail Friday morning and said Parks was "contrite and apologetic." According to the sheriff's office, Rogers encouraged her to seek assistance from the Sheriff's Inmate Re-entry Program upon her release from jail. GREENSBORO A woman was taken into custody after stealing Sheriff Danny Rogers' vehicle Thursday afternoon, Guilford County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lori Poag said. GREENSBORO Twin 4-year-old girls Sarah and Sarai Dean finally got to see what they had been peeking at from behind construction fencing for months. And they werent disappointed when the Greensboro Science Center opened its $15.5 million expansion Revolution Ridge with a special preview Thursday. I loved the hippos and the flamingos, Sarah said. And I liked the turtle, added Sarai, who had just come from the Shearer Animal Health Center, where a Burmese star tortoise was getting a veterinary checkup in full view of visitors. The comments would have heartened Glenn Dobrogosz. At an earlier ribbon cutting, the Science Centers CEO talked about a cartoon hed seen that morning in which a little boy asks: When will I understand the meaning of life? Dobrogosz said it got him thinking about what age that might be. DPP Sejilla McDowall and CoP Colin John are being encourage by Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday, to recuse themselves from any investigation into the matter concerning Cornelius John. The shooting and beating of Cornelius John, a 60-year-old male from Diamond Estate and the alleged involvement of two senior public officials in the incident, continue to dominate discussions among Vincentians. This was expressed by Dr. Godwin Friday as he addressed a virtual media conference hosted by his New Democratic Party (NDP, last Tuesday, June 01. Dr. Friday told media personnel that, "The situation is made worst by what many see as a failure by the state to bring about justice in the matter. He followed this by saying that the investigation promised by the Commissioner of Police (CoP) may be retarded, because he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are too close to those who are alleged to be possible assailants in the John matter. Johns plight took two weeks to come to publics attention, despite the fact that he had reported the matter to the police. Friday raised the matter in Parliament at the last meeting on May 11th, when he called on Senator Ashelle Morgan, one of the two at whom the allegations of abuse have been leveled, to absent herself from the House of Assembly or to be suspended from the House, while the allegations were under investigation by the police. After a heated exchange between the Speaker of the House and Dr. Friday, the latter was suspended from that sitting of Parliament. The Opposition Leader, during the media conference, cautioned citizens not to see this as purely a matter that concerns only the persons mentioned in connection with it. "We as people, who live in this country, must all be concerned about it. Justice is indivisible. It either exists or it does not. You cannot have a little justice, or partial justice, or justice for some and not for others. That would still amount to injustice. In other words when that exists, it amounts to a negation of justice, the Opposition leader posited. Ive got one more tip for you: Its pretty well established that one of the major causes of road rage is drivers blocking the passing lane. Even if the driver in the left lane is traveling at the speed limit, there are others who just want to get past the pack. Its not up to the left-laner to enforce the speed limit. And if by blocking the passing lane that driver causes someone to blow up, take reckless chances and heaven forbid start shooting, which is worse: letting the speeder by or causing a potential tragedy? As the old saying goes, Here lies Joe he had the right of way. Pete L. Little Greensboro Gender and science There are a few legitimate questions regarding the issue of transgenderism. Doesnt it seem as if people who demand that we follow the science do so until it goes against their agenda? You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It" is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net Dennis Beaver Practices law in Bakersfield and welcomes comments and questions from readers, which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993, or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1@gmail.com. And be sure to visit dennisbeaver.com. Karen baby name going the way of the dodo. The name has tanked in popularity over the past year, according to figures released by the Social Security Administration. Throughout 2020 the name Karen fell a whopping 171 spots on the popularity list, from a low of 660 to number 831, Huffington Post reported Tuesday. The names popularity had already been ebbing, falling to its lowest ranking since 1929 by the end of last year, Huffington Post reported in September 2020. While it fell 23 spots to 660 on the list of popular baby names for 2019, it has plummeted even more since then. The parents of just 325 baby girls named their daughter Karen last year, down from 439 in 2019, Huffington Post said, citing the SSA. In 1965, at the names peak popularity, nearly 33,000 newborns were named Karen, HuffPo noted. While theres no scientific link between the name Karen and the pejorative connotations with the entitled white woman who wants to speak to the manager, theres no denying that The Name That Launched a Thousand Memes is morphing into something less than desirable. "If not for PAL, I would not be graduating high school," Lee said. "Pal has a sense of family and a sense of community." For Caro, the story was much the same. She said that during her time at HHS, she was simply overwhelmed by all of the homework given out every single night, and when she would miss those assignments it would negatively impact her grades. She said there were so many students and the school was so loud and chaotic that she would get headaches on a daily basis. That is when she realized she wouldn't graduate if she stayed at HHS. "I just felt not very welcome or very comfortable there," Caro said. "I don't feel unwelcome here. It's appealing to have a smaller school that cares about its students." Caro's sister had previously attended PAL, and her mother suggested that she do the same. She wasn't able to attend as soon as she would have liked, but she eventually made the transfer. She said it is rewarding to be successful at PAL. This was a sentiment echoed by Lee, who said the way PAL's programs are laid out makes students feel better about how they are progressing. "Here the teachers love you back," Lee said. "You build relationships that you never would at HHS." Duran said the teachers go far above and beyond, giving up their own personal time and even personal funds to ensure the success of their students. Duran said the administration and office staff are also wonderful, and he acknowledged the HHS parents who have done so much to support students over the past few years. For Johnson, it was the whole Bengal community that had an impact on her. She cited times when she would go out into the community to raise money for whatever reason and would receive overwhelming support. "Being the student council president has made me reach out a lot more," Johnson said. "A lot of people have gotten behind me and the school to make things work." Johnson said the Bengal community has done so much to give the students a sense of normalcy over the past few years and has been incredibly supportive of whatever the students were working on at any given time. However, there was a time that stuck out to Johnson as a defining moment of her high school career. It was one of her early student council assemblies when she was serving as secretary. "I got to announce one of my best friends who won homecoming royalty," Johnson said. "It was like being in a movie." The Salvation Army in Montana received four-wheeled donations from Polaris Friday to help it deal with whatever disaster comes its way. It is one of the locations chosen to receive two Polaris Ranger utility terrain vehicles as part of a corporate donation to the Salvation Army nationwide. One of the vehicles will be moved to the corps in Helena and the other in Great Falls to assist with disaster relief operations, Maj. Phil Smith said. They received two Polaris Ranger 570s, each with a value of about $11,000, said Ron Stipcich, sales manager at Helena Cycle Center, where Smith and Joe Wojton, the Salvation Armys emergency disaster coordinator, went on Friday to pick up the gift. The company has made nearly $1 million in donations to the Salvation Army in the past nine years, corps officials said. If anybody gets in trouble they are there, Stipcich said. Its going to be a good tool for them. Smith said the gift was amazing. It is so generous, he said. Got your popcorn? The wild ride for the summer's blockbuster stock, AMC, got even crazier on Thursday. The movie-theater company's stock plunged nearly 40% in the morning after it announced plans to sell 11.6 million shares to raise cash, while warning buyers they could lose all their money. But it erased the loss in just a few hours. After the stock sale was complete, it climbed above the record closing price it had set a day earlier, only to sink back to an 8% loss later in the afternoon. It's the latest stupefying, nearly unexplainable move for one of the meme stocks that have rocked Wall Street this year, Many professional investors say AMC, GameStop and other meme stocks have hit heights untethered to reality and are primed for a steep fall, but that's not stopping an army of smaller-pocketed and novice investors from holding their ground and promising to take their prices to the moon. For AMC, that so far has meant vaulting its stock price from below $2 early this year to the $50.85 average price that it sold shares for on Thursday. The surge means its total market value has climbed above $30 billion, putting it on par with bigger companies like AutoZone and Old Dominion Freight Line, which unlike AMC are making profits and didn't have speculation of bankruptcy swirling around them last year after the pandemic shuttered theaters. But the audit notes there was more rigorous incident reporting at MDC and IBC than in the community settings. It also states there are fewer clients interacting in community settings, community providers have more control of the clients they serve, clients have more control over aspects of their life and MDC/IBC had committed clients who likely had more volatile behaviors. Auditors also said that costs for MDC and the community settings both decreased when the Boulder campus closed. The report states MDC clients generally had greater service needs and above-average waiver costs. In the first full year after MDCs closure, we calculated it cost nearly $2.5 million less to serve cohort clients, or those who were at MDC in 2015 when closure efforts began, in the community and maintain that IBC facility than the average pre-closure MDC costs. Assuming waiver costs remain stable over time, it is reasonable to expect the state to maintain annual savings as a result of the closure, the report states. MDC originated in 1905 as the School for the Feeble Minded and transitioned into an institution in 1956. Its population peaked at 1,101 less than a decade later but began to see its number of clients decline starting in the 1970s, when there was a push for deinstitutionalization, the audit noted. The Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Group of Insurances Companies Ltd. have joined the many corporate citizens here in contributing generously to the relief effort, occasioned by the series of eruptions of the La Soufriere volcano. On Friday 21st May, 2021, the Insurance grouping presented two donations to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), towards assistance in the rolling out its relief programme. A sum of EC $46,600.00 was handed over to NEMO, which included EC$36,600.00 (US$13, 707.86) donated by GTMs Head Office, Guyana, and EC$10,000.00 donated by GTM St. Vincent Branch. The local chapter of GTM, in a release related to the donation, expressed its profound recognition of the period of immense displacement and adverse impact wrought by La Soufriere. "The journey to clearing the ashes and rebuilding will require immense support and contribution from the corporate sector, donor agencies and persons from around the globe, the release said. GTM in making its donation, expressed thanks to the Director of NEMO Ms. Michelle Forbes and her team for their steadfast approach to managing a national disaster of this magnitude. "We at GTM are elated to support this cause and will endeavor to assist in the rebuilding and development of this remarkable nation. GTM said. Charges recently filed against a Basin man are among efforts by the U.S. Justice Department to increase enforcement of hate crimes and other bias-related incidents, furthering a promise by Attorney General Merrick Garland to focus on civil rights violations. The Associated Press reported Friday that Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, recently sworn in and the first Black woman to hold the position, said the effort has led to indictments in multiple cases over the past six months. But the number of hate crimes has grown: In November, the FBI said they'd reached the highest level in more than a decade. "Hate crimes are especially pernicious because they harm targeted individuals and the entire community to which the individual belongs," she said in a statement to The Associated Press. "No community should live in fear because of who they are, where they are from, or what they believe, and it is our goal to make that a reality." The statement comes during the first days of Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQ rights, and as the Justice Department has leveled a series of civil rights charges, including against three white men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery, who was Black, in Georgia. It has also opened several investigations into policing practices at departments around the country. "Dark Shapes" by Kavita Bedford; Europa Editions (224 pages, $17) Kavita Bedford's accomplished debut novel is narrated by a woman who is nameless but by no means faceless. Over the course of a year and a quarter, the 29-year-old candidly recounts key developments in her life in Sydney. She opens up her world and tells of her activities with friends and partners, her solo recreational pursuits and her efforts to achieve professional stability. But she also lays bare her soul and tries to articulate the pain she still feels a year after losing her father. What emerges is both an intimate portrait of an individual in an ever-changing city and a searching meditation on the madness of grief. Like her creator, the protagonist is an Australian-Indian writer, albeit one who ekes out a living as a freelance journalist. She lives in Redfern, a gentrified suburb full of pop-up bars, growers' markets and hipster cafes. She shares her home with three housemates: Niki, a former teen model from a Cambodian family, works in graphics but has to juggle contracts to make ends meet; Sami wants to quit his job in law but risks upsetting his Palestinian parents; and newest lodger Bowerbird plays the guitar, loves Afghan hounds and hoards blue junk. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. The narrator hangs out with these friends and others, enjoying warehouse parties, art exhibition openings and the beach "this micro-city on the sand." When not writing or pitching stories, her work involves wandering around Sydney with her photographer friend Paul, she on the lookout for projects, he for subjects. But then just when she least expects it she is assailed by memories of her father and a fresh stab of heartache. Her sorrow becomes so intense that her boyfriend cuts his losses and moves on. A man explains to her that he swapped America for Australia after the death of his brother: "Maybe in Sydney the ghosts won't follow me so much." But the narrator continues to be haunted. How much longer will the past intrude and impede her road to recovery? "Friends and Dark Shapes" covers a lot of ground. It illuminates the hopes, dreams and frustrations of a group of 20-somethings desperate to prove themselves but stymied by obstacles. At one point Niki realizes she will never be able to afford to settle down in the city she grew up in: "Surely there should be special rates given to people who have experienced falling in love and heartbreak and birth and death in one place? Isn't that true ownership anyway?" Bedford brilliantly maps the city and examines the narrator's "dysfunctional relationship" with it. She also explores issues of race, identity and belonging through her heroine's journalistic assignments and encounters with immigrants and refugees. However, the novel is at its most powerful when it centers upon a world caving in and the aftershocks: what it is like to "lose a parent and lose your base." Malcolm Forbes has written for the Times Literary Supplement, the Economist and the New Republic. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DECATUR Macon County Sheriff Tony Brown said he will step down from his position and retire from the department later this month, allowing Jim Root to take the office. He will not follow through on a previously stated plan to appeal an order from Champaign County Circuit Court Judge Anna M. Benjamin that found that Root won the 2018 sheriff's race by 16 votes. The final tally was 19,579 votes for Root to 19,563 votes for Brown. "It's time for us to heal," Brown said. "We're seeing everything that's going on within this country and within our community. We need to put this to an end ... and stop the division." A legal battle for the sheriff's office began shortly after initial results showed that Root lost the 2018 election by a single vote and has continued ever since. With Brown's announcement, he said he was putting an end to the saga and encouraging the community to come together. Brown, who was sworn into office in 2018, had also said he would request that he be able to remain as sheriff pending the outcome of the appeal process. He said the appeal would focus on those early voting ballots cast at the Macon County Clerk's Office that were deemed void because they lacked identifying marks from an election judge. Speaking Friday, Brown reiterated his disappointment that those votes were not counted in the end. But he said Macon County is bigger than one individual, and noted that the county and the sheriff's office have been divided by the issue over the past two and a half years. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "Due to this reason, I have decided not to appeal the judge's decision and will assist in any way I can to help Sheriff Jim Root to have a successful transition as Macon County sheriff," Brown said. "I have proudly served Macon County citizens for 31 years, and I'm announcing my retirement effective Monday, June 28. Remember, just because I retire from the sheriff's office don't mean I retire from this community." After the election, Root had initiated a discovery recount of ballots in December 2018 to gather evidence to persuade a judge to order a full recount. Benjamin, brought in as an impartial jurist to handle the legal battle, then ordered a full hand recount in July 2020. Brown re-emerged the winner with a margin of 18 votes, but the recount also revealed dozens and dozens of disputed ballots. There were two uncounted ballots for Root that had previously been discovered in a ballot tabulating machine and then forgotten until after the 2018 count was ratified. This story will be updated. About Sheriff Tony Brown Personal: Grew up in Decatur. Adopted by Thomas and Joyce. Has one daughter. Education: Graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1986; honorably discharged from U.S. Army in 1989; attended Richland Community College. Professional: Started with Macon County Sheriff's Office in 1990. Sworn in as sheriff in 2018. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 SPRINGFIELD Illinois lawmakers passed bills advanced by the Legislative Latino Caucus that would close the states three immigrant detention centers and strengthen existing protections against local and federal law enforcement. The Illinois Way Forward Act, or Senate Bill 667, requires that the existing agreements between local jails in McHenry, Pulaski and Kankakee counties and Immigration and Customs Enforcement must end by Jan. 1, 2022. The bill also prohibits any future agreements between ICE and local governments to house or detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations. The bill would also strengthen the TRUST Act, or Transparency and Responsibility Using State Tools, which took effect in 2017. The TRUST Act prohibits state and local law enforcement officials from detaining any individual solely on the basis of any immigration detainer or nonjudicial immigration warrant. Under the TRUST Act, state and local police cannot arrest or detain individuals based on suspected or actual immigration status. It also prohibits police from holding or detaining people based on ICE arrest warrants or detainers. But there are other types of cooperation that local police can engage in with federal immigration enforcement, such as cooperating in joint operations with ICE, said Fred Tsao, who is senior policy counsel at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which lobbied for this bill. They can still transfer people to ICE. They can still give ICE access to people who are detained in their facilities. They can still give ICE access to their facilities, and share information with ICE, Tsao said in an interview. So, the intent of this legislation is to further restrict local police participation and facilitation of those kinds of activities, short of ICE having a criminal warrant. Local police can still participate in and cooperate with ICE if the case involves a criminal offense, Tsao said. But if it's purely a civil immigration situation, then local police cannot touch that, he said. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. SB 667 would also empower the state attorney generals office to investigate violations of the TRUST Act and enforce compliance through local courts. Under the current law, the mechanism to enforce the TRUST Act is to have an injured party bring the lawsuits themselves in county court. That can be really difficult and really expensive and time consuming. And it places the burden on the person who was hurt by the behavior. And if this is a pattern and practice on the part of the law enforcement agency, that would mean multiple different actions that would have to proceed separately, Tsao said. Empowering the attorney general to be able to investigate, to request documents, to really get to the bottom of such practices, and then to enable them to seek remedial action is a very important step in making sure that these laws get complied with. Similar legislation offering protections for immigrants and phasing out immigrant detention centers were passed recently in California and Washington state. We are hoping that this bill will provide a model or template for other states to pick up, as they're moving legislation forward and trying to provide protections for their local communities, Tsao said. In addition to SB 667, the House and Senate extended Medicaid coverage to noncitizens between ages 55 and 64 in Senate Bill 2017. Current law provides Medicaid coverage for noncitizens who are 65 and older. The legislature also passed House Bill 2790 to allow attorneys from the Cook County Public Defenders Office to represent noncitizens in federal immigration court. The purpose of HB 2790 was to ensure there are no conflicts arising from jurisdictional issues, such as lawsuits against the county to prevent or prohibit public defenders from representing clients in federal immigration court, said Irakere Picon, a lead organizer of the Defenders for All Coalition and director of legal services at the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition. We're very excited as advocates to ensure that we get to the point where somebody who is being detained and has to represent themselves in immigration court, someone who doesnt speak English as a first language, doesn't have to do that by themselves, Picon said. The bills have passed both chambers of the General Assembly and will be sent to Gov. J.B Pritzker. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD When House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, spoke with Lee Enterprises in late January just weeks after succeeding House Speaker Michael Madigan to become the first Black person to hold that title he identified four major issues that needed to be addressed this legislative session: COVID-19, the budget, ethics reform and redistricting. Any one of the four is big for someone in a session, I got to deal with four of them, Welch said, reflecting on the tasks before him and his colleagues. Four months later, when the Illinois General Assembly gaveled out of its spring legislative session on Tuesday, action had been taken on all items listed and then some. They also completed the once-a-decade state legislative redistricting process, sending Gov. JB Pritzker a map that will be modeled nationwide, Democrats claim, for reflecting the diversity of the state. And with the cloud scandal looming over the General Assembly with the indictment of several Madigan allies in a bribery scheme involving utility giant Commonwealth Edison, ethics reform legislation will hit Pritzkers desk as well. I think we had a very successful session, Welch said. I think this has been probably one of the most successful sessions around here for the longest time. Durkin: 'They did just the opposite' Democrats can tally up a lot of wins this legislative cycle. But it was not all smooth-sailing as fissures between the House and Senate bubbled to the surface, resulting in some issues remaining unresolved. And many question whether Welch lived up to his promise of shepherding in a new day in Illinois after decades of iron-fisted rule from Madigan. Welch followed through on arguably his biggest promise: term limits for legislative leaders, a major priority after Madigan's 36-year reign. Included in the new House rules approved in February are a 10-year limit on serving as House speaker or minority leader. Legislation codifying legislative term limits into law passed the House in April, but hasn't been considered in the Senate, which also has 10-year leadership term limits in its rules. But reflecting on the legislative session Tuesday morning, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said he expected more from Welch. But instead, it was more meet the new boss, same as the old boss. This was no more clear than in the legislative redistricting process. Democrats, holding supermajorities in both chambers, completely controlled the process and drew a map that appears to maximize their opportunities while putting Republicans at a structural disadvantage for another 10 years. "Pardon my French, the Republicans were screwed on the map," Durkin said. "Illinois citizens were led down a road of good government, transparency, and 'we're going to get out of the business of drawing maps, were going to be fair.' They did just the opposite." Durkin said the way the map was handled was right out of the 65th and Pulaski playbook, referring to Madigans district office on the Southwest Side of Chicago. Sadly though, we saw gerrymandered maps passed by the majority party, drawn behind closed doors with absolutely no transparency and with flawed data, Durkin said. When we are in the midst of the worst scandal in Illinois history, don't you think our citizens would want more from us? They desperately want honesty in government, and they did not get it. Pritzker told reporters Tuesday he hasn't had a chance to review the proposed district lines. The ethics reform question Another pillar of Welch's agenda was ethics reform, an imperative given the ongoing scandal that has ensnarled people in Madigan's orbit and ultimately cost the longest-serving House speaker in American history his gavel. The votes on ethics reform were bipartisan, but many Republicans criticized the package as inadequate. Many Democrats acknowledged it was just a first step. The legislation mandates a greater level of financial disclosure from lawmakers and prevents them from lobbying other units of government if the firm also lobbies the General Assembly. It also seeks to address the "revolving door," banning lawmakers who leave mid-term from lobbying for six months or until their unexpired term is complete, whichever is first. Republicans fought for a one-year ban, but ended up splitting the baby. The legislation is considerably weaker than even the provisions the city of Chicago, which is exempted, has on the books. If we are going to show the public that they can have a renewed sense of trust in state government weve got to do something a whole heck of a lot better than this watered-down, diluted and I think in some instances really deceptive ethics reform, said state Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville. Still, Republican complaints are to be expected. Their superminority status in the legislature often renders them spectators sidelined from participating in the governing process by the majority party. Democrats made no bones about pushing their priorities. Beyond the "big four" Welch identified, the party passed an elections bill that moves the state's 2022 primary from March to June, thus allowing them to delay the Congressional redistricting process until U.S. Census data is available later this year. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Other major wins include: Some of those got Republican votes, but it was by-and-large a wish list of Democratic priorities. Still, the majority party did not get everything it wanted. Disagreements between the House and Senate prevented legislation reforming the state's Firearm Owner Identification card renewal system from moving forward. The House barely passed a version that would have mandated applicants and those renewing to provide fingerprints. The Senate passed a version that made fingerprinting optional. Though some were trying to whip votes in the House for the Senate proposal, it did not come to fruition. Another flop was gaming legislation, which would have allowed in-person betting on Illinois college teams and permitted a sportsbook at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. It easily passed the House but was not taken up in the Senate due to lack of coordination between the point persons for gaming in each chamber. Internal disagreements manifested nowhere more than over clean energy legislation. Pritzker and utility Exelon came to an agreement late Monday on subsidies for three of the company's nuclear power plants, considered the lynchpin of a broader clean energy package. Pritzker and Welch were ready to move forward that evening, but Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, put on the brakes, saying he had to touch base with his members, some of whom registered concerns over 2035 retirement deadlines for certain coal-fired plants, before signing off. By mid-day Tuesday, Harmon was on board with Pritzker's position and it appears energy legislation could be acted on in the coming weeks, with lawmakers returning for a special session. Lack of experience a new factor Many eyes have been on Pritzker, Harmon and Welch who assumed their roles in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Governors come and go with regularity, but the lack of experience among state legislative leaders is a new phenomenon. Harmon, asked about there being daylight between him and Welch, said they "get along well personally and professionally," and that any differences were nothing abnormal. "We're both new to the job and we both took the job in the middle of a pandemic," Harmon said. "There are always miscues between the House and the Senate it's just part of the structure." Welch, at an earlier press conference, agreed, adding that diversity, whether within the House Democratic Caucus or between the House and Senate caucuses, was a strength. "We're not going to always agree. Sometimes we disagree, and that's because of our great diversity," Welch said. "And we have to be proud of that." Despite some misfires, Democrats have a lot to be happy about this session. They landed the plane on most of the things they had to do, most notably the budget and redistricting. Pritzker prescribed a budget of pain and sacrifice in February, but it became less so due to better-than-expected revenues coming into state coffers along with billions in ARPA funds. And despite incredibly bad optics, Democrats had no problems pushing through their remap. Republicans tried to make an issue of it seemingly every day this legislative session. They were quite convincing. But, it reminded me of an anecdote from President Barack Obama's 2016 speech before the Illinois General Assembly. Obama recalled speaking on a bill as a member of the Illinois Senate. He thought he made some pretty good points. Then-Illinois Senate President Pate Phillip walked over. Kid, that was a pretty good speech," Obama recalls Phillip saying. "In fact, I think you changed a lot of minds. But you didnt change any votes. In the case of the remap, Democrats had the votes and Republicans didn't, even if they were right on the issue. And the lack of a sustained, coordinated effort by good government groups and community organizations to put pressure on Democratic lawmakers made the passage of a partisan map a mere formality. What about the energy bill? The one major item still hanging out there is an omnibus clean energy bill, but that does not look too far behind with stakeholders agreeing in principle on a framework. Despite their relative inexperience, Welch and Harmon mostly held their extremely diverse caucuses together when it mattered most. In some ways, they lived up to their promise of a new day in Illinois politics. In others, it looked like more of the same. Welch said there will be time for him to reflect on his first session as speaker this summer. After taking up energy this month, lawmakers are not expected back in Springfield until veto session this fall. "When you engage in something as big as session, there's an end date like today, (and) what you should do when it's all over is take some time to rewind, debrief, (ask) what can you do better, what did you do well (and) what do you want to continue to do," Welch said. "That's just a good business practice." "At some point we're going to look back on this session ... and see if there are any things we can do better," he said. "I'm sure we're gonna find some things that we can." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Some of the defendants facing charges in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol deserve points for creativity. Among the defense arguments emerging in court documents: I got caught up in the mob and Trump told me to do it. But the mob and the individuals charged in the insurrection are one and the same, and breaking the law just because you think a higher authority with a well-known penchant for dangerous rhetoric said you could doesnt make it right. The attempt to brush aside criminal behavior with such lame excuses turns the concept of personal responsibility on its head. The images from that day are already infamous: crowds tearing down police barriers outside the Capitol complex and sparring with outnumbered officers; jubilant rioters live-streaming and taking selfies inside the building; a man with his feet propped up on the desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office. Many Americans watched the mob on television, stunned at the sight of a hallowed institution of our democracy being overrun by thugs. When former U.S. Sen. John Warner passed away last week at age 94, there were many tributes about how Warner represented a bygone era of politics that was less polarizing and more, well, gentlemanly. We use that term advisedly because Warner was not one to run an old boys club. For many years, his chief-of-staff was Susan Magill, who grew up in Roanoke County and wound up being named one of the 100 most powerful women in Washington. In 1998, reporter Christina Nuckols of The Roanoke Times wrote that Warners staff has one of the lowest turnovers on Capitol Hill, and the senator has a reputation among women in particular for being a good boss. Nuckols also wrote about something that didnt make any of the tributes: Warner led efforts to get a statue of womens suffrage leaders out of the Capitol basement and into the rotunda, the first time women were represented in the great hall. But we digress. Our point today is to revisit an incident from Warners 1996 reelection campaign that sheds some light on his character and, indirectly, the character (or lack thereof) of many politicians today. Catawba County Public Health will close its large COVID-19 vaccination site at the Hickory Metro Convention Center this month, a response to decreasing demand for appointments with the health department. The vaccination site has been open for about six months, responding to overwhelming demand for the vaccine in the early months of the rollout when the shot was only available at a few providers. Now, the vaccine is widely available through pharmacies, physician offices and other providers, decreasing the demand for the vaccine through the health department, according to information from Catawba County Public Health Community Engagement Specialist Emily Killian. With decreased demand, public health will close the vaccination site at the convention center in late June and move vaccinations to the public health building. Scheduled and walk-in appointments will still be accepted at the public health building after the transition. The hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some people may get their first dose at the convention center and their second at the new public health location. Those people will be notified of the change when they make their second appointment. Case count The Alexander County Health Department has tried to address the hurdles presented by those markers, Consolidated Health Director Leeanne Whisnant said. We have looked at it and talked about it and taken action, she said. The health department held late-evening vaccinations to reach those unable to leave work during the day, she said. It enlisted Greenway Transportation to provide rides for anyone who couldnt get to the vaccination site. It went to homebound clients to get the vaccine to them, she said. The health department also did special clinics for teachers and worked with the countys pharmacies to vaccinate jail inmates. We feel like weve eliminated a lot of the barriers, Whisnant said. Vaccination has slowed significantly in Alexander County and across the state, she said. At this point, she believes everyone who wanted the vaccine has it. People who wanted to wait to see how the vaccine affected others are starting to trickle in, as well as young people who didnt feel the urgency to get vaccinated, she said. Dairy farmers use plans and protocols for many aspects of their operation to aid in animal care, business stability, employee compliance, and more. Although a crisis response plan wont get used as often as these others, its one that youll be glad you have if you ever do need it, says Jolene Griffin. On a Michigan State University Dairy Extension team podcast, Griffin and extension educator Phil Durst identified that a crisis on a dairy farm might be a chemical or manure spill, animal abuse or the perception of animal abuse, a food safety concern, or an employee injury or death, among other risks that come with working on a farm. These types of incidents cannot only be incredibly difficult for your business, family, and employees, they can create a black eye on the entire industry, said Griffin, a member of the crisis team with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. We cant always control crises, but our reactions can determine the duration and scope of the impact, Durst said. In the moment, emotions are high, and it can be difficult to think clearly and make decisions. Thats where having a plan to reference is useful to keep everyone informed, prepared, and as calm as possible as you mitigate the situation while still caring for your animals, family, and employees. Know your team A critical step in a crisis plan is to know who is going to be involved to help you solve the problem, Griffin said. Be sure to keep emergency contact information, including an owners or managers number if necessary, where everyone can access it. You never know when an accident might occur and who might be at the farm at that time. A crisis plan should also outline responsibilities. Who will contact other employees to let them know whats happening? Who will call the veterinarian or other farm advisers? Someone may need to contact the insurance company or handle media requests. If at all possible, prepare a statement to share with media outlets. No comment does not convey the best image, said Griffin, who has gone through the process firsthand after a crisis on her own familys farm. Once an action plan is drafted, share it with your entire team. This ensures they can be prepared, too, because no one can handle a crisis on their own. Sharing the plan also provides a bit of a wake-up call and a reminder that something bad could happen, Durst pointed out. That awareness might encourage safer practices or a bit more care in performing dangerous jobs. Pre-plan In the process of making a response plan, its a good idea to evaluate those areas on the farm which could create an accident. Durst advised thinking about the near misses that may have occurred on your farm. Those near-misses tend to repeat, he cautioned. If its happened before, go back and analyze how it might be prevented in the future. A crisis plan is something that can always be added to, adjusted, or updated. Griffin added that talking to people like your vet, nutritionist, extension agent, or other advisers about what they see on your farm can provide a fresh perspective on things you or your employees may overlook. If you would reach out to any of those people in your crisis plan, also let them know that. Most importantly, a crisis plan should be prepared before there is a crisis because in the moment, every second counts. Durst likened a crisis plan to the seatbelt that allowed him to walk away from a serious car accident. I put the seatbelt on when I got in the truck and started going, not when the accident started, he said. There was no opportunity to put a seatbelt on when the accident started. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2021 May 31, 2021 South Africa: NW departments commended for improved audit outcomes North West Finance MEC Motlalepula Rosho has commended the provincial departments for their dedication and determination to change the audit affairs of the province from worse to better. This follows the departments audit outcomes improved from five unqualified opinions during 2018/19 financial year to eight unqualified opinions during the 2019/20 financial year. Rosho said government is expected to deliver quality and sustainable services that a society requires to maintain and improve its welfare. In order to realise this, it is important to ensure there is compliance and accountability to the systems that are put in place to administer the business of government by officials. Officials must embrace the capacity building initiatives that are provided by government, as this will improve their skills to match the demands of business in todays world. The improvement is an indication that the province will improve in its mandate of delivering required services to its communities and that service delivery protests will lessen. The work done by provincial treasury in providing mentoring and support to the departments gave a different picture to the audit opinion of the province, Rosho said. Rosho also announced that due to the hard work that has been put in by the departments, there is confidence that in future, more departments can achieve clean audits. Four departments together with the North West Provincial Legislature were identified for clean audit and are currently undergoing 100% verification of all procurement documentation to identify gaps that could be corrected by management. During this process, capacity building and training were provided continuously in the form of virtual workshops, telephonic support, reviewing of interim and annual financial statements by the Office of the Provincial Accountant General and Provincial Internal Audit for combined assurance. This was done with the aim of improving the quality of financial statements submitted to the Auditor General of South Africa, Rosho said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Herman Lewis proceeded on pre-retirement leave on May 31st, 2021 and will officially be retired from his position as Senior Customs Guard at the Customs and Excise Department (Customs) on December 23rd, 2021. He spent the past thirty-three (33) years employed at the Customs Department: this made him the longest serving Customs Guards on record. Herman Lewis joined the department on April 5th 1988 as a Junior Customs Guard and for many years was assigned at the E.T. Joshua Airport. His duties included securing the Customs area and the ramp, as well as assisting the Customs Officers in their tasks. He also worked at Port Campden Park and at the Kingstown Headquarters during his tenure. Mr. Lewis took his tasks very seriously and never hesitated to impress upon you the gravity of a situation. His Supervisors and co-workers can attest to his impeccable attendance and punctuality record. While stationed at the airport he was accustomed to arriving for his shift ahead of time. He showed up at least thirty (30) minutes in advance to ensure a proper handover when relieving the Guard on duty. Co-workers described Mr. Lewis as a very humorous and fun-loving man. While at the airport he was known to make friends with the Police Officers at the Fire Station and often socialized with them. His peers could always expect a good laugh as his unique skill allowed or shifting quickly between humor and sternness. The Department held a retirement send-off for Mr. Lewis on Friday 28th May, 2021 during which he was presented with a plaque commemorating his thirty-three (33) years of service and dedication to the Customs and Excise Department, and the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The move by half the states to cancel pandemic jobless programs early reflects a broader, enduring truism of the unemployment system in the U.S.: How much help out-of-work Americans get depends largely on where they live. Twenty-five Republican-led states plan to opt out of certain unemployment programs including the extra $300 of weekly benefits this month even though the federal expiration isnt until September. Around 4.5 million workers in those states will see their benefits slashed by at least $1,200 a month, while many may no longer qualify for any benefits at all. This has created two completely different systems and benefits within the United States, but unfortunately this was also true pre-pandemic, Jenna Gerry, senior staff attorney at the National Employment Project, told Yahoo Money. You saw vast disparities between the states and the amount of benefits, the duration, [and] the eligibility requirements before this pandemic even started. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Done everything in its power to limit benefits The U.S. doesnt have a federal unemployment system. Rather, each state has its own system with specific benefits duration, eligibility requirements, and benefits amount. The majority of the states opting out of the federal programs have tried to tighten eligibility requirements or reduce either the duration or amount per week of unemployment benefits in some cases, long before the pandemic started. For instance, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, and South Carolina decreased the maximum duration of unemployment insurance benefits below 26 weeks the national standard between 2011 and 2013. Alabamas regular unemployment benefits last just 14 weeks and Floridas jobless benefits could run for only 12 weeks depending on the unemployment rate. Additionally, since the start of the pandemic, Arizona, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, and West Virginia have introduced bills to reduce the duration of unemployment insurance. Tennessee could possibly become the state with the lowest benefits duration nationwide with 12 weeks if recently passed legislation is signed by its governor. Story continues Unnecessary [government] help is hurting small business, Rep. Kevin Vaughan, a Tennessee Republican who carried the bill, tweeted in May. Prosperity = decreased unemployment benefitsStagnation= increased unemployment benefits. People walk through a Manhattan neighborhood on February 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Tennessee is attempting to tie the duration of the benefits to the unemployment rate, a move Florida has made. But slashing the duration of the benefits based on the state unemployment rate can hurt workers of color especially, according to Gerry, because their jobless rate often is higher than the overall rate. For instance, in the fourth quarter of 2020 the latest data available Black workers had an unemployment rate above 10% in 12 out of the 21 states that provide such breakdowns, according to NELP. States have also tried to tighten eligibility. For example, after Florida introduced an automated filing system known as CONNECT in 2013, the number of disqualified workers more than doubled the next year, according to NELP. Florida is a great example of a state that has done everything in its power to limit benefits, Gerry said. They basically created a new online system with the intent to keep people out. It's a different population While no uniformity exists among the 25 states, there are distinct trends among two groups, Andrew Stettner, an unemployment insurance expert and senior fellow at the Century Foundation, told Yahoo Money. The first consists of Southeastern and some Southwestern states like Alabama, Arizona, Florida, and Georgia that have historically minimal unemployment benefits and a difficult application process. These states also have continued to reduce benefits. The second group is the Northwestern states including Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming that have historically provided more generous benefits, but recently started to cut back, according to Stettner. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. They have a different person in mind, the person that's working in construction, that can't work in January, February, and March, he said, describing the rationale behind the better benefits in those states before. But that kind of sympathy for the unemployed wasn't as strong during COVID it's a different population. The early cut-off in the pandemic-era jobless benefits will disproportionately hurt people of color in many of the 25 states, according to Stettner. For instance, two-thirds of unemployment insurance recipients in Mississippi are Black, while around half in South Carolina and Alabama are Black. The percentage of Black Americans relying on unemployment in those three states is at least three times higher than the national average of 18%. There are more Black workers in these states that are getting benefits, Stettner said. That's part of this welfare narrative that these are undeserving people getting these benefits, they're being lazy, they're not ready to work. Never had this happen before In addition to the extra $300 in weekly benefits, 20 of the 25 states are also opting out of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs. PUA provides benefits to workers like contractors who dont otherwise qualify for regular unemployment insurance. PEUC provides additional weeks of benefits. The workers in the 25 states stand to collectively lose $25.2 billion in benefits, averaging out to potentially thousands of dollars per worker, according to an analysis by the Century Foundation. Unemployment benefits may have been politicized in Congress before, but once Congress passed the program, we never had states just not participating, Stettner said. This is states backing out of billions of dollars in extended benefits for the unemployed. We've never had this happen before. Yahoo Money sister site Cashay has a weekly newsletter. Denitsa is a writer for Yahoo Finance and Cashay, a new personal finance website. Follow her on Twitter @denitsa_tsekova Read more: Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Reddit. Representative Image Islamabad [Pakistan], June 4 (ANI): As relations between Riyadh and Islamabad has taken a dip recently, the future of Saudi investment in a refinery in Pakistan remains uncertain. Speaking to The News International, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Power and Petroleum, Tabish Gauhar has said that Saudi Arabia will not install a refinery at Gwadar but has indicated to set up a refinery along with a petrochemical chemical complex somewhere at Balochistan's Hub or near Karachi. "However, there is no mentionable progress from Aramco as to when and where the deep conversion refinery with the capacity to refine 250,000 barrels per day of crude oil will be set up," he said. In 2019, Saudia Arabia had signed MoUs of USD 20 billion in various sectors of the economy and from this amount, announced to invest USD 10 billion in refinery and petrochemical complex at Gwadar. The SAPM said that Aramco conducted a feasibility report according to which it found that setting up the refinery at Gwadar was not feasible, but said another refinery can be established at Balochistan's Hub or near Karachi in the next five years. Citing official sources, The News International reported that the oil facility was withdrawn amid worsening ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in the recent past. Saudi Aramco, at that time, is reported to have indicated to Pakistan authorities to ask Imran Khan to contact the top Saudi leadership on the decision about setting up of the refinery and petrochemical complex. However, Pakistan's Foreign Office had then suggested that it was not the right time to contact Saudi leader Mohammad Bin Salman on the project because of the ties that had turned cold because of the foreign policy of the country. Tabish Gauhar said that after Imran Khan's recent visit to Saudi Arabia, no word had been conveyed to the Petroleum Division about any development on the refinery, adding that the Finance Division is in contact with Saudi officials with regard to restoration of the oil facility. (ANI) Indian officials return from Dominica as Choksi 04 Jun 2021: Indian officials return from Dominica as Choksi's deportation case adjourned The high-profile team of Indian officials, that had flown down to Dominica to bring back fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, is now headed home sans him. The investigators decided to take off from the Caribbean island nation after a top court there adjourned his habeas corpus petition reportedly until July. Choksi is behind the PNB scam - considered one of India's most notorious bank frauds. Details: 8-member team will reach India tonight The eight-member team includes officials of the Enforcement Directorate and the chief of Bank Securities and Frauds (Mumbai) Division at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - Sharada Raut. They took off from Dominica on Thursday night and will reach the Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi at 11 pm. Both the aforementioned Indian agencies are probing the money laundering and fraud allegations against Choksi. Case: Top Caribbean court adjourned hearing until July On Thursday, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court adjourned the hearing into Choksi's deportation case, asking the two parties involved to resolve administrative issues, The Indian Express reported. Vijay Aggarwal, the fugitive's lawyer in India, told the newspaper the next hearing was expected on July 1. "Till then, as per the existing Dominican court order, Mehul Choksi shall remain in Dominica," Aggarwal said. Bail plea: Choksi was also denied bail by another court Meanwhile, in a separate proceeding, a Magistrate Court in Dominica has refused bail to Choksi after he was accused of illegally entering the country. Choksi's lawyers had argued in the court that he should be granted bail on health grounds, offering to pay a bail sum of $10,000. The Dominican government, on the other hand, said he could flee the nation if bailed out. Incident: Choksi was reported missing in Antigua on May 23 Choksi was reported missing in Antigua on May 23 and caught two days later in Dominica. The local media had said that he was looking to sneak a romantic trip with his rumored girlfriend. Some reports claimed he was trying to flee to Cuba. His lawyers, however, have maintained Choksi was honey-trapped, abducted, thrashed, and then forcibly brought to Dominica. Story continues Other details: What are all the parties involved in the case saying? Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Browne has maintained Choksi should not return there and should instead be sent back to India. The government of Dominica has also supported that stance. His lawyers, however, claim Choksi is no longer a citizen of India as per the Indian law and hence he can only be deported to Antigua, where he had been residing since 2018. Fact: India says it will continue efforts to bring Choksi back "India remains steadfast in its efforts that fugitives are brought back to India. Mehul Choksi is currently in the custody of Dominica with some legal proceedings underway. We will continue to ensure he is brought back," a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said. Cases: What are the legal cases against Choksi? Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are accused of siphoning off more than Rs. 13,000 crore in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, that had shocked the nation when it emerged in early 2018. Choksi is facing two cases in Antigua as well - revocation of his citizenship and extradition to India. Modi is currently jailed in London and contesting his extradition to India. The news article, Indian officials return from Dominica as Choksi's deportation case adjourned appeared first on NewsBytes. Also see: Mehul Choksi denied bail by Dominica court over illegal entry Mehul Choksi case: What are the legal issues before India? Choksi's 'romantic trip' with girlfriend reportedly landed him in jail Read more on India by NewsBytes. Representative Image Washington [US], June 4 (ANI): US President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday (local time) banned American investors from investing in 59 defence and surveillance technology Chinese companies to stop US capital from being used by Beijing to undermine national security. President Joe Biden signed an executive order banning investments in 59 corporations, together with marquee Chinese language teams resembling Huawei, the telecoms tools producer, and semiconductor manufacturing worldwide company, China's largest chipmaker, which the US says is crucial to the Chinese navy language. The ban on Chinese companies were put in lieu of the threats posed by the military-industrial complex of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and its involvement in military, intelligence, and security research and development programs, and weapons and related equipment production under the PRC's Military-Civil Fusion strategy. Senior US officials said the ban would take effect on August 2. But investors can make trades during the next 12 months to divest their holdings. While Americans are not required to divest the securities, they will be unable to sell their holdings after the one-year period has elapsed, read the order. The executive order prohibits direct investment in both debt and equity securities, but also bans Americans from investing in funds that contain Chinese securities in their portfolios. The ban marks the most recent effort by the Biden administration to take a more and more tough stance on China's repression of the Uyghurs to its aggressive navy exercise within the South and East China Seas. Former president Donald Trump in final 12 months issued an order banning investments in corporations that the Pentagon placed on a listing of teams with suspected connection to the Chinese military. Senior US officials said that Biden's order would ensure that the investment ban was on stronger legal footing. They added that it would expand the Trump order to include surveillance companies, including Hikvision, that are accused of helping Beijing persecute more than one million Muslim Uyghurs who have been held in detention camps in the north-western region of Xinjiang. (ANI) The Salvation Army in Concord is holding a land dedication today, June 4, for its anticipated Center of Hope. The Salvation Armys Picture Hope Capital Campaign is a fundraising campaign to build a 16,000-square-foot shelter in Concord to serve Cabarrus and Stanly counties. The 64-bed emergency shelter is critical to the health of the community and will provide six family living quarters, double the number of beds for women, and increase the beds for men by three. Most important, the increased space will allow The Salvation Army to expand services and programs that meet the immediate needs of shelter residents while providing in-depth casework and programs designed to help break the cycle of poverty and prevent future episodes of homelessness. The fundraising for the shelter kicked off in September 2019 and is ongoing. The project is currently at 73% of its $7 million goal. The campaign has reached a fundraising milestone to break ground this fall. The community land dedication today will celebrate reaching that milestone. The event falls on National Doughnut Day so, of course, doughnuts will be served. Lets look at this from a different perspective. Perhaps the problem is not that unemployment benefits are too high, but that too many jobs pay too low. Instead of waiting for politicians to raise minimum wages that havent changed in more than a decade, some in lower paying jobs are going to force wage hikes because they refuse to go back to jobs in restaurants, production and non-supervisory manufacturing, warehouses and the service industry - the jobs most unfilled. They have decided it isnt worth it to be harassed and used by increasingly angry, demanding and sometime abusive customers and supervisors. Restaurant servers and others who count on tips are only guaranteed $2.13 an hour, an amount that hasnt changed for thirty years. And many of these low-wage positions dont provide benefits or a guaranteed schedule of weekly hours. Even those in higher-paying jobs are reexamining their lives. Many arent eager to return to long commutes to a job working in a cubicle in a high-rise building. They have enjoyed renewed relationships with their families. Even those reporting they worked more hours than pre-pandemic say they adjusted their schedules for a walk with the dog, playing with kids, a leisurely lunch or dinner, and less stress - good things that resulted from the past year. The real-estate arm of Cook Out Inc. has bought another Forsyth County restaurant property, this time a former Burger King site. 2897 Reynolds Road Inc. has spent $1.15 million to purchase the property at 2897 Reynolda Road. The deal closed Friday. The Surry County Board of Commissioners has voted to remove 12 Coca-Cola vending machines from the countys office buildings because the companys chief executive officer criticized Georgias new election law. On May 17, the Republican commissioners voted 2-2, with one commissioner abstaining. Under the boards parliamentary rules, Commissioner Larry Johnsons vote to abstain counted as a yes vote because he didnt state a reason for abstaining, Commissioner Eddie Harris said. The commissioners official vote tally was 3-2 to approve the ban, Harris said. Its a reflection of corporate America trying to affect public policy, Harris told the Journal on Thursday. These unelected CEOs are trying to change the political dynamics of this country. And I dont think they should be able to do that, he said. They need to stick to trying to sell their products and be more respectful to all of their customers. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A man was killed Thursday when authorities who were part of a task force that included U.S. Marshals fired their weapons after he allegedly displayed a handgun in Minneapolis' Uptown neighborhood, the U.S. Marshals said. The shooting happened shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday. The U.S. Marshals said preliminary information indicates task force members were attempting to arrest a man wanted on a state warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The man, who was in a parked car, didn't comply with law enforcement and produced a handgun resulting in task force members firing upon the subject, the U.S. Marshals said in a statement. Task force members attempted life-saving measures, but he died at the scene, they said. It was not clear how many law enforcement officers fired their weapons. A spokeswoman with the U.S. Marshals said the U.S. Marshals leads the task force, which is comprised of several agencies. Other agencies with personnel on the scene at the time of the shooting include sheriff's offices from Hennepin, Anoka and Ramsey counties, the Minnesota Department of Corrections and the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Marshals said a female who was in the vehicle was treated for minor injuries due to glass debris. This bill is the way to restore strength in our economy, and finally move forward, to put this pandemic in the rear-view mirror. Democratic opponents of SB116 said that ending North Carolinas participation would cost the state about $500 million in federal UI benefits. People eligible to draw up to 16 weeks of regular state UI benefits are getting on average about $235 a week along with the $300 federal benefit. For most claimants who have exhausted their regular state UI benefits, the federal benefit may be their only source of income. The bottom line is if we want to truly get our economy back on track and thriving again, we cannot continue punishing businesses in the name of helping individuals, Moore said. We need a more holistic approach. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has signaled he has no plans to end participation in the federal program. The governors office has said there are more than 245,000 North Carolinians listed as unemployed or furloughed. After spending the last five weeks sorting, packing and shipping relief supplies for volcano-ravaged St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Brooklyn, New York-based SVG Relief USA, Inc., two Saturdays ago, announced that it was halting pick-up and drop off operations from the main hub at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn. "As of today, May 22, 2021, we are putting an official pause on the pickup/drop off of our relief efforts, Verna Arthur, SVG Relief USA, Inc. chairperson, told a press conference at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center. "We are, however, receiving and continue to encourage monetary donations to help us fund the clean-up/recovery efforts, which is monumental, added Arthur. She said, "Our members and volunteers continue without hesitation to help SVG comb through its way from the ashes. The positive energy exuding from our members and volunteers is, indeed, heartwarming and permeates FOCH (Friends of Crown Heights) every weekend, plus the one weekday selected for this enormous task. As a result, she said her group has shipped nine commercial bins and three 40-foot containers of supplies to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and that it currently has enough items, to fill two more containers. Though the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the official organization with which SVG Relief USA, Inc. is working with, Arthur said her group is also sending relief items to the local Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Lions and Rotary clubs. "Moving forward, we intend to ramp up our communications with NEMO and other institutions, which sit at the table with NEMO, as it relates to relief efforts, she said, disclosing that representatives from SVG Relief USA, Inc. - Atiba Williams, public relations officer of SVG Relief USA, Inc. and Garnes Byron - will soon be heading to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to meet with NEMO and other officials, to assess the situation on the ground, assist with distribution of supplies and conduct other needed activities. Arthur reminded, "SVG Relief USA, Inc. is the trusted messenger in New York for the relief efforts of SVG. We are in this for the long haul, and will continue to help our brothers and sisters through these difficult times. We are our brothers keepers; and, yes, SVG will rise again! She thanked the volunteers, including some Caribbean nationals, "for giving up five weekends and over five weekdays to ensure that relief items were prepared and sent to SVG. The Cooper administration launched Thursday North Carolina's version of a vaccination lottery featuring four $1 million cash prizes and those newly vaccinated getting two entries. Meanwhile, Gov. Roy Cooper said he will provide Friday a status update on his COVID-19 statewide pandemic emergency order. A stroll in Pablo Picasso's footsteps in Montmartre; breathing in the scents of Provence; a walk along D-Day beaches: These and all of France's other attractions will again become easily accessible from next week to most foreign tourists if they are vaccinated. France is putting itself back on the menu as a destination for international visitors who have had COVID-19 jabs. The government announced Friday that it is removing the need for coronavirus tests for vaccinated Europeans. It also is allowing vaccinated tourists from most of the rest of the world, including the United States, much of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North and central America to come back, if they have a negative test. The relaxed rules will kick in from Wednesday, offering a boost for Frances valuable tourism sector that generated tens of billions of euros (dollars) and sustained more than 1 million jobs before the pandemic froze mass tourism. For French tour guide Linda Zenou, the return of foreign visitors cannot come soon enough: unemployment payments that she's been surviving on during the pandemic stopped last month, leaving her with no more resources, nothing. The 61-year-old has had no foreign tourists to guide since she led a busload of English and Spanish speakers around the Palace of Versailles in February 2020. The policy that exempted politicians from rules on hate speech and abuse was once championed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The company said it never applied the policy to Trump, but on Friday backtracked to say it did use it once, in 2019 for a video of a rally on his Facebook page. The social media giant said it will still apply the newsworthiness" exemption to certain posts it deems to be in the public interest, even if they violate Facebook rules. But it will no longer treat material posted by politicians any differently than other posts. In addition, Facebook said it will make public whenever it does apply the exemption to a post. The announcements are in response to recommendations from the companys quasi-independent oversight board. Last month, that panel upheld a decision by Facebook to keep Trump suspended, but the board said the company could not merely suspend him indefinitely. It gave the company six months to decide what to do with his accounts. In its decision last month, the board agreed with Facebook that two of Trumps Jan. 6 posts severely violated the content standards of both Facebook and Instagram. Govt-and-politics editor's pick topical alert top story LINCOLN POLICE CHIEF Four finalists named for Lincoln's next police chief JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star Lincoln Police cruisers are seen outside Justice and Law Enforcement Center on Thursday. The city has four finalists in its search for a new police chief. The four finalists to be Lincolns next police chief have spent their careers in law enforcement in Arizona, San Francisco, Maryland and Lincoln, respectively. One is a police chief, one a former chief, one led her department in creating policies to minimize bias in policing and one spent her career as a Lincoln police officer until her retirement in 2017. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird asked Genelle Moore to be part of the search committee in February, but she was replaced by Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay when she decided to apply. The application window closed April 26. Jennifer Brinkman, the mayor's chief of staff, said the search committee did not know who had applied and had no role in vetting or reviewing applications until the field was narrowed to eight candidates at the end of May. All 31 applications went directly to the consulting firm hired to help the city find candidates and the firm worked with the mayor's office to narrow the list to eight finalists. The search committee interviewed them last week. The mayor then selected the four finalists, whose names were made public Thursday. The other three finalists are Ramon Batista, former police chief in Mesa, Arizona; Teresa Ewins, a commander with the San Francisco Police Department; and Darryl McSwain, the police chief for the Maryland-National Capital Park Police-Montgomery County Division. I am thrilled with the expertise, skills and experience demonstrated by our finalists, Gaylor Baird said in a prepared statement. The qualities identified by the community during our public engagement process this spring are evident in each one of them. They all expressed a commitment to the priorities of community policing, support for our department officers and staff, a focus on diversity and equity, and an unwavering dedication to transparency and accountability. The new chief will replace Jeff Bliemeister, who left in January to head security at Bryan Health. The city will hold public forums for each of the candidates the week of June 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Auld Recreation Center, 1650 Memorial Drive, in Antelope Park. Batista began his law enforcement career with the Tucson Police Department in 1986 and was appointed police chief in Mesa in 2017. He resigned in 2019, after a tumultuous tenure that included a high-profile murder trial of a Mesa police officer acquitted of killing an unarmed man in 2016, excessive force cases and a vote of no confidence from the police union. Batista quickly went about making changes aimed at installing a different culture in the department and rebuilding trust with the community after the police officers acquittal, according to the Arizona Republic. But officers support of Batista began to wane after he publicly condemned officers involved in two use-of-force incidents, according to news accounts. The votes of no-confidence followed. He was a finalist for police chief in Madison, Wisconsin, last year, and, when he wasnt selected, a police reform advocacy group criticized the Police and Fire Commission making the hiring decision for ignoring public support of Batista. He also was one of three applicants for Dane County Sheriff in Wisconsin in May. He co-authored Do No Harm in 2020, about police reform through a cultural shift and emphasizing shared values with the community. While in Tucson, he was a bilingual officer who worked his way up to an assistant chief. He holds a bachelors degree in public safety/homeland security and a masters in leadership from Grand Canyon University. McSwain, who has spent more than 32 years in law enforcement, has been chief of the Maryland-National Capital Park Polices Montgomery County Division since 2018. In that position he oversees 116 staff members. Before that, he had a 30-year career as an officer with the Montgomery County Police in Maryland. As an assistant chief, he led the field services bureau, which included county security, media services, the crisis response and support division, animal services and traffic operation. In December he was inducted into the Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame, an honor recognizing leaders for their vision, achievements and altruism on the road to eliminating discrimination and advancing human rights. McSwain has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from the University of Maryland and a masters in administrative management from Bowie State University. He was a finalist for the police chief position in Nashville, Tennessee, in October. Ewins, a commander with the San Francisco Police Department, oversees five of the 10 district stations with about 900 officers. She has spent her 26-year career with the department, working in field operations, investigations, and special operations. Ewins led the departments work to develop policy to minimize bias in policing with the Department of Justice Collaborative Reform Initiative, according to a biography on the city of Lincolns website. She was born in Santa Monica, California, and has spent the majority of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a bachelors degree in criminal justice, and she completed the FBI National Academy and other leadership training. Moore retired as a Lincoln Police Department captain in 2017 after a 34-year career with the department, where she was a patrol officer, commanded the Northwest team as captain and was the commander overseeing recruiting and training as commander of the personnel and education unit. She has lived in Nebraska since 1967, when her father, who was in the Air Force, was assigned to Offutt Air Force Base. She now works for Lincoln Public Schools as a background investigator for human resources. She earned a bachelors degree from Concordia University in organizational management and a masters degree from Bellevue University in justice administration and crime management. The public presentations of the finalists will be recorded, and residents can view them at the LNKTV YouTube channel. The public can offer feedback on the candidates by June 28 to mayor@lincoln.ne.gov or by calling 402-441-7511. Following the public forums, the mayor will select a new chief, a nomination that the City Council must approve. COURTESY PHOTO Batista COURTESY PHOTO Ewins Courtesy photo Moore COURTESY PHOTO McSwain Lincoln police chief finalists narrowed to eight A total of 31 people applied to be Lincoln's newest police chief, a group the city has narrowed to eight finalists. Their names won't be made public until that list is narrowed to three or four. Police union votes against endorsing LPD initiative to increase representation of women in recruit classes "The men and women of the Lincoln Police Union support any efforts to appropriately hire the best quality candidates available, no matter what sex or race they are," the union president said following the vote. Nebraska lawmakers prioritize police training; decline to take up riot, police oversight bills Nebraska lawmakers have passed a bill dealing with police training. But two other bills, one to establish new penalties for rioting and another to create police oversight boards, failed to advance. New county diversion program, city effort aim to help young people with mental health issues in Lincoln area Lancaster County will start a diversion program to help young people with mental heath issues stay out of the criminal justice system. The city also detailed initiatives to help those suffering mental health crises. State police standards board resists pushback to lower physical standards "Especially now, you want to lower our standards when the microscope is on us?" asked Brenda Urbanek, director of the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center. Volunteers and law clerks with the ACLU of Nebraska will monitor courtrooms across the state over the next two years to ensure judges consider defendants' ability to pay cash bail, fines or fees factors required to be evaluated under state law. The ACLU on Thursday announced the initiative that will hold under a microscope county judges who "set cash bail or impose fines or fees during hearings that typically last no more than 5 minutes," the organization said in a news release. The program will launch in Lancaster County. Nebraska law requires judges to give individual consideration of each person's ability to post bail or pay fees, but according to the ACLU, some judges and prosecutors don't "meaningfully assess" each person's financial reality. These oversights can leave people in jail only because they can't afford to post bail or pay fines, a circumstance that leads to what the organization called "debtors' prisons." Alan Dickhute, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash just west of the intersection of Nebraska highways 105 and 67 at about 7:45 p.m., according to a news release from the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office. An inmate who was reported missing last week from Community Corrections Center-Lincoln is back in custody. Staffers noticed that the electronic device monitoring Ronald Sowards showed no movement for several hours on Thursday while he was in the community, prompting a search for the inmate, according to a Nebraska Department of Correctional Services news release. Sowards came back to the minimum security facility Saturday. Sowards started his sentence on August 20, 2018. He was sentenced to eight to 12 years for burglary in Lancaster County as well as burglary and possession/receiving a stolen firearm in Saunders County. Sowards has a tentative release date of November 19, 2023. His parole eligibility date is January 5, 2022. Community Corrections Center-Lincoln is one of two community custody facilities operated by the Corrections Department. Community custody is the lowest custody level and the least restrictive facility. Inmates are allowed to participate in work opportunities, attend school and religious services with prior approval and without direct supervision. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Initially, Bob did most of the conducting during concerts normally scheduled in December and May and Arch would conduct one or two songs. When Bobs health took a turn, Arch took over most of the conducting. Bob dealt with a myriad of health issues up to his death including cancer, renal disease, Parkinsons, heart failure and dementia. Joy said out of all the complications Bob was dealing with, dementia was the most difficult. He never complained about anything except his memory, Joy said. He was always frustrated because he couldnt remember the names of students and (others). These health issues didnt stop him from conducting and enjoying music, however. Arch said at the most recent WAC concert in December 2019, Bob conducted a song with Arch sitting behind him for support. WAC has not been able to host another concert since due to COVID-19. Arch said the next concert in December will be a tribute performance for Bob which he hopes to plan with Joy in the near future. Joy said they are still receiving an overwhelming flood of cards and memorial gifts since the funeral including a donation from the school where Bob Jr. teaches. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden announced Thursday the U.S. will swiftly donate an initial allotment of 25 million doses of surplus vaccine overseas through the United Nations-backed COVAX program, promising infusions for South and Central America, Asia, Africa and others at a time of glaring shortages abroad and more than ample supplies at home. Leslie Bascombes car where it came to a standstill after a bumper clash with a RRU vehicle. Inset: This photo shows the mellow side of Leslie Bascombe who has gone public with an allegation of police brutality against him. The son of a prominent pastor said that he was punched and beaten by police officers. Leslie Bascombe alleged that on Friday 21st May he suffered one of the most traumatizing experiences of his life, at the hands of men charged with protecting and serving the citizens of this country. Bascombe, a Queens Drive resident and son of Pastor Ricardo Bascombe, took to Hot 97.1 FM saying that his troubles began sometime around 7pm that day. He had just finished his days work at the Argyle International Airport and was heading home, when he found himself cruising behind a RSVGPF Rapid Response Unit (RRU) pick-up, license plate T 2089. When he got to Diamond, he moved to overtake the police transport but there was a collision after the transport swayed from its lane on to the incoming lane. Bascombes Nissan Skyline hit the right rear bumper of the police pickup. "Inadvertently a police officer (riding on the tailgate of the pick-up) fell off .. I exited my vehicle to find out what was going on with the officer but officers were approaching me and without a single word his (an officer) action was to box me straight in my mouth, burst my mouth, burst up my lip. From that is like they exercising on a punching bag in my face, Bascombe related. "I couldnt do or say anything, I was dumbfounded, I was stunned.. Who I am paying to do his job, to come an abuse me in such a manner? he asked. The young man said that there were three officers involved and the incident happened very quickly. He was unable to identify the officers because the vehicles light shone directly into his face. Bascombe said that the one thing that went his way was when "One officer pulled me away. Bascombes vehicle key was seized and he was left on the scene with two officers. He was held there until sometime after 11pm when his key was returned. He was never given any reason why he was beaten or why he was not charged. Bascombe also claimed that officers from the Biabou Police Station provided no assistance when they arrived on the scene. He said that he attempted to tell them what had happened and showed them his injuries, but they showed no concern. "After the Biabou police came, I complained, I showed him (one officer) evidence, I spat on the ground., I showed him my face. He basically turned and went about doing his job, lining out the street and then left, said the young man. The pastors son said that his rights were violated; he was feeling pain and he intended to seek justice. "I just need for our police men to know their job. They need to be retrained every couple years . simple as I am working at Argyle I have to be retrained. I have people lives in my hand and if the people who are supposed to protest us in this country dont know how to protect us, what is going to happen? The incident has demonstrated to Bascombe that police brutality is indeed a serious issue. He disclosed that he has since reported the matter to the Public Relation and Complaints Department. That Department confirmed on Tuesday that Bascombe did make a report, and they were investigating the matter. Nebraska State Patrol troopers discovered more than 50 pounds of cocaine underneath the floorboards of a car during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 on Thursday afternoon. Troopers arrested Donavon Grange, 31, of Scottsdale, Arizona, on suspicion of possession of more than 140 grams of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, child abuse/neglect and no drug tax stamp, according to a news release. Grange was traveling with a woman and a small child when he was pulled over near the Cozad interchange, according to the State Patrol. A spokesman said troopers, who became suspicious of criminal activity during the encounter, searched the car and found the drugs. Grange was arrested and taken to the Dawson County jail. The woman and child were released. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. OMAHA A prosecutor and a defense attorney in Nebraska have been reprimanded for a scheme reminiscent of the Wild West in which they told two convicted criminals to get out of town and never return. On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued public reprimands for Custer County Attorney Steven Bowers and Broken Bow defense attorney Christopher Wickham for carrying out the banishment plan. The high court said Bowers and Wickham violated rules of professional conduct and their oaths as attorneys. Under the plan brokered by Wickham and Bowers, the defense attorney advised his clients, who had been charged with felonies, to plead guilty then flee the state before sentencing, with the understanding that they would not return. Bowers, the prosecutor, agreed that if the men skipped out on their sentencing hearings and left the state, he would direct the county sheriff to not seek extradition to have them returned to Custer County, the high court said. Wickham and Bowers also schemed to seek a low bail for the men, so they could be freed before the sentencing hearings. The court's reprimand orders don't reveal the names of the men who were charged, what charges they pleaded to or when the scheme was carried out. OMAHA -- An Omaha police officer is facing felony charges in Sarpy County and is on administrative leave from the police department after he detained two juveniles who had been pounding on doors in his neighborhood during the early-morning hours. Ja'Price Spears, 43, appeared Wednesday in Sarpy County Court, where he was charged with two counts of terroristic threats and one count of use of a firearm to commit a felony. Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said Thursday that the charges stem from an incident that took place in early April. Polikov said three juveniles were pounding on doors in a Gretna neighborhood shortly after midnight. Spears, he said, drove after the kids, who were in a vehicle, and got them to pull over. He detained two of the three and handcuffed them until Sarpy County sheriff's deputies arrived. At one point during the incident, Polikov said, Spears displayed his badge and service weapon. Two of the youths, he said, were charged with disturbing the peace. A few days later, parents of the youths contacted the Sheriff's Office to complain about the use of force during the incident. After an investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Spears. Louie the elephant recently made a 1,200-plus-mile trip from Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium to his new home at the North Carolina Zoo. The 18-year-old African bull elephants departure was announced Thursday and comes a few months after the Omaha zoos announcement that African elephant Claire is expected to give birth early next year. Claire is pregnant by Callee, who came to Omaha about two years ago from the Birmingham Zoo in Alabama in hopes that he would breed with the Omaha zoos five female elephants. Louie arrived in Omaha from the Toledo Zoo in Ohio in 2017. At the time of his departure to Omaha, Louie was regarded by staff at both zoos as a model elephant, despite a 2010 incident that injured his keeper. The keeper, since retired, violated protocol by entering the enclosure alone and suffered punctured lungs and fractured ribs after he appeared to startle the elephant. A Pewaukee businessman has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $1 million in federal coronavirus relief funding meant for struggling businesses. According to prosecutors, Thomas Smith, 47, involved seven other people, including his brother, in a scheme to get federal funding for phantom companies. U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig told Smith Wednesday that he hopes a 57-month prison sentence and two years of supervision would let him get back on track as a contributing member of society, the Journal Sentinel reported. Ludwig also ordered Smith to repay the money he obtained through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which offered businesses forgivable loans if used for payroll, rent, utilities and other specific expenses. You took advantage of our nations generosity, Ludwig said, and undercut public trust in government. All the PPP applications, their proceeds and kickbacks to Smith ran through his bank, which got suspicious last summer and froze several accounts. Fundraisers Online fundraisers have been set up to support the family of Ronquale Ditello-Scott. A GoFundMe fundraiser can be found at GoFundMe.com/f/death-while-in-police-custody-justiceforquale?qid=cc5d675774a06a056c7a23697518825a A Facebook fundraiser can be found at Facebook.com/donate/4127284114031905/4127286327365017 MOUNT PLEASANT A Racine man has been charged with his 4th OWI after allegedly pulling down his pants and getting back into his truck. Scott Todd Blada, 58, of the 6700 block of Novak Road, was charged with felony counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, fourth offense, and possession of cocaine; and seven misdemeanor counts of bail jumping. According to a criminal complaint: At 6:23 p.m. Monday, an officer responded to a report of a man in a Dodge Ram who pulled his boxers down and then got back into his truck and was possibly intoxicated. The officer saw the car parked on Caron Butler Drive; he made contact with the driver, Blada, and noticed the smell of alcohol coming from inside. Blada had a tank top on but didnt have any pants or shorts on. Blada said Yes, I have pants on, theyre pulled up, with slow and slurred speech. He said he was drinking at a Memorial Day party, and when he was asked how much he had to drink he said I dont remember. The restorative justice one was the most important one, Nunez told the Cap Times over the phone from Sturtevant. The thing I got most out of it was how people were feeling after the crimes that were committed against them. Hearing their stories and everything that happened to them and their families and the community. I got locked up at 18 years old and I didnt understand then the effect of my crimes on the community. So to understand the impact of my crimes on people, it transformed me and made me realize that Im a human being. Those realizations led Nunez to leave his gang, a move that can be dangerous and often deadly, especially behind bars. But it was one Nunez felt like he had to make in order to live out the changes he was making. Im grown up now and understand the consequences of my crimes and the value of life, he said. Im responsible for the crime that I am in here for. I harmed someone and Im taking responsibility for my mistakes. About 15 years ago, Nunez began working with Rev. Jerry Hancock, a former prosecutor and director of First Congregational Churchs Prison Ministry Project, which provides restorative justice training and other forms of counsel to those incarcerated in prison. Hancock has been working with Nunez and believes an early release granted by the state Parole Commission could save his life. YORKVILLE Village officials admit that a plan commissioner accepted nearly $4,000 from property owners before voting on their application for rezoning land for new development. But the village denies that commissioner Daniel Maurices personal business dealings had any impact on his vote or that other village officials violated the rights of property owners Jon and Kay Erickson. Take advantage of this great offer! Just $3 gives you full access for 3 months to exclusive content from The Journal Times and journaltimes.com. The incredible deal won't last lo The villages responses are included in its answer to a federal lawsuit in which the Ericksons seek unspecified monetary damages plus a judgment that the village violated the couples rights. The suit was filed in April in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee. The Ericksons, who own Ericksons Landscape Supply, 18917 Spring St., allege that the village violated their rights while considering whether to rezone part of their 39-acre site for new commercial development starting in 2017. Proposed business suites in Yorkville A map from 2019 shows the location where Jon and Kay Erickson wanted to build "suites" in a proposed business park with storage units on their The suit alleges that Maurice, who is now a village trustee, rented part of the Erickson property for farming, and that he became angry and worked against their rezoning proposal after they terminated the farming deal. He also demanded that the Ericksons pay him nearly $4,000 for lost inventory and lost profits. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned of potential airport chaos unless governments move quickly to adopt digital processes to manage travel health credentials (Covid-19 testing and vaccine certificates) and other Covid-19 measures. The impacts will be severe: Pre-Covid-19, passengers, on average, spent about 1.5 hours in travel processes for every journey (check-in, security, border control, customs, and baggage claim). Current data indicates that airport processing times have ballooned to 3.0 hours during peak time with travel volumes at only about 30 per cent of pre-Covid-19 levels. The greatest increases are at check-in and border control (emigration and immigration) where travel health credentials are being checked mainly as paper documents. Modelling suggests that, without process improvements, the time spent in airport processes could reach 5.5 hours per trip at 75 per cent pre-Covid-19 traffic levels, and 8.0 hours per trip at 100 per cent pre-Covid-19 traffic levels. Without an automated solution for Covid-19 checks, we can see the potential for significant airport disruptions on the horizon. Already, average passenger processing and waiting times have doubled from what they were pre-crisis during peak timereaching an unacceptable three hours. And that is with many airports deploying pre-crisis level staffing for a small fraction of pre-crisis volumes. Nobody will tolerate waiting hours at check-in or for border formalities. We must automate the checking of vaccine and test certificates before traffic ramps-up. The technical solutions exist. But governments must agree digital certificate standards and align processes to accept them. And they must act fast, said Willie Walsh, IATAs Director General. Over the past two decades air travel has been reinvented to put passengers in control of their journeys through self-service processes. This enables travellers to arrive at the airport essentially ready to fly. And with digital identity technology, border control processes are also increasingly self-service using e-gates. Paper-based Covid-19 document check would force travellers back to manual check-in and border control processes that are already struggling even with low volumes of travellers. Solutions If Governments require Covid-19 health credentials for travel, integrating them into already automated processes is the solution for a smooth restart. This would need globally recognised, standardised, and interoperable digital certificates for Covid-19 testing and vaccine certificates. Digitalised certificates have several advantages: Avoiding fraudulent documentation Enabling advance ready-to-fly checks by governments Reducing queuing, crowding and waiting time in airports through integration with self-service check-in (via the internet, kiosks or mobile phone apps) Increasing security through integration with digital identity management being used by border control authorities Reducing the risk of f virus transmission via the person-to-person exchange of paper documents Building a global approach The G20 has identified a similar solution. The G20 Rome Guidelines for the Future of Tourism call for a common international approach on Covid-19 testing, vaccination, certification, and information as well as promoting digital traveler identity. The G7 discussions, which commence on June 11, are the next opportunity for leading governments to develop a solution around four key actions by agreeing to: 1. Issue vaccination certificates based on World Health Organization (WHO) Smart Vaccine Certificate data standards including QR codes 2. Issue Covid-19 test certificates in accordance with the data requirements set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 3. Accept digital Covid-19 test and vaccine certificates at their borders 4. Where governments require airlines to check travel credentials, governments should accept traveller friendly apps, such as the IATA Travel Pass, to efficiently facilitate the process This cannot wait. More and more people are being vaccinated. More borders are opening. Booking patterns tell us that pent-up demand is at extremely high levels. But governments and the competent authorities are acting in isolation and moving far too slowly. A smooth restart is still possible. But governments need to understand the urgency and act fast, said Walsh. IATA asks the G7 to work with the air transport industry to take leadership in restarting the global travel sector. By engaging with the air transport industry, we can ensure that government requirements for safe travel are met with solutions that can be efficiently operationalised. A good first step would be G7 agreement, with industry input, on a common set of Covid-19 travel requirements. The next step would be implementing and mutually recognising those requirements. If the G7 took these leadership measures , the freedom to travel could be seamlessly restored for about a third of all journeys. Other countries could build on that leadership for a safe and efficient global restart of connectivity, said Walsh. - TradeArabia News Service Election Johnson said he thinks Republicans have accepted President Joe Bidens win last November even as Republicans in Wisconsin and across the nation continue to investigate what they consider irregularities, despite a lack of evidence to any widespread fraud. I think we have (accepted Bidens win), Johnson said. What is there left to accept? In January, Johnson voted to certify Bidens win, unlike U.S. Reps. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua. Still, Johnson said he supports the efforts of Republicans across the nation and in Wisconsin to look into the November election through audits and other means. Why should anybody fear that? Johnson said. If youre thoroughly convinced there was not a level of fraud that would overturn the election, you ought to be doing everything in your power to assist those forensic audits to assure people that it was a legitimate result. As for the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection, which Johnson has previously downplayed, he said he blames the agitators, and not Trump. I actually blame the perpetrators of the crime, I blame the agitators, provocateurs, Johnson said. I think our hyperpartisan politics is driving all of this. 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 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. 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 Adapting what many regard as his most personal novel, Stephen King writes all eight episodes of this limited serieswhich I cant help think is at least a few too many (but Im in the minority for having found the source material insufferably indulgent). Julianne Moore is, unsurprisingly, excellent in the title role of Lisey, still mourning the violent death of her best-selling novelist husband Scott Landon (Clive Owen) two years later. Liseys Story intertwines with Scotts own traumatic backstory, and when the grieving widow is threatened by a deranged superfan (Dane DeHaan) who seeks access to Scotts unpublished material, the thriller aspect shifts the narrative to a fantasy realm known as Booya Moon. Which is where I checked out as both reader and viewer. The judge wrote in her ruling that she is mindful of the parties' due process rights and the seriousness of this issue. Executions of the mentally disabled were ruled unconstitutional in 2002, when the U.S. Supreme Court found they violate the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment. But until the new law was passed, Tennessee had no mechanism for an inmate to reopen his case in order to press a claim of intellectual disability. Payne had been scheduled to die last December, but the execution was delayed after Lee granted him a rare, temporary reprieve because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reprieve expired in April, but the state Supreme Court has not set a new execution date yet. Friday's ruling does not stop the state from setting a new execution date. Payne was sentenced to death in a Memphis court for the 1987 stabbing deaths of Charisse Christopher and her 2-year-old daughter, Lacie Jo. Christophers son, Nicholas, who was 3 at the time, also was stabbed but survived. Payne, who is Black, has always claimed innocence. He told police he was at Christophers apartment building to meet his girlfriend when he heard the victims, who were white, and tried to help them. He said he panicked when he saw a white policeman and ran away. An estimated 1 million people or more most of them Uyghurs have been confined in re-education camps in China's western Xinjiang region in recent years, according to researchers. Chinese authorities have been accused of imposing forced labor, systematic forced birth control and torture, and separating children from incarcerated parents. In April, Britains Parliament though not the British government followed legislatures in Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada in declaring that Beijings policies against the Uyghurs amounted to genocide and crimes against humanity. The U.S. government has done the same. The first witness to testify on Friday, teacher Qelbinur Sidik, said guards routinely humiliated inmates at a camp for men in Xinjiang where she taught Mandarin-language classes in 2016. Guards in the camp did not treat the prisoners as human beings. They were treated less than dogs, she said through an interpreter. The things that I have witnessed and experienced, I cant forget, she said. The La Crosse County Health Department is hosting two walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics in West Salem, with persons 12 and over eligible for shots. The one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine, available to those 18 and older, and the Pfizer vaccine, approved for those 12 and over, will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the West Salem Fire Department, 100 Mill St. S., and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, June 11 at Panther Den, located across the street from the West Salem School District, 405 E. Hamlin St. No registration is needed, and vaccination is free. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective. People who have been fully vaccinated can resume most activities without wearing face mask or social distancing, the Health Department says. The Health Department has partnered with other area entities to host vaccine sites, including the Weber Health Logistics hosted site at the Moon Tunes kick-off concert Thursday evening. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} According to Weber Health, 14 community members were vaccinated during the event. According to prosecutors, Lang shot and killed Sgt. Jim Smith less than two hours after Niehaus tried to pull him over for speeding. Authorities say Lang fled from Niehaus, assaulted the officer after a high-speed chase, and returned to his Grundy Center home, where he barricaded himself inside. They say he fatally shot Smith, a 27-year patrol veteran, as Smith led a team of officers inside the home to arrest him. A standoff continued for hours as two officers took cover in Langs basement. Troopers in an armored personnel carrier later entered the home after negotiations broke down, and they fired on Lang after he allegedly shot at them. Lang was shot three times in the head and chest but survived. A prosecutor ruled that the three troopers were justified in shooting Lang. Lang, 41, is charged with first-degree murder in Smith's killing, attempted murder for allegedly firing at the troopers, and assault on a peace officer for allegedly choking Niehaus. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Prosecutors also recently added pursuit-related charges of eluding, speeding and driving without an interlock device, which Lang needed on his vehicle due to a history of drunken driving. Police were not seen at the intersection on Thursday morning and there was no visible police presence later in the day. Mayor Jacob Frey said avoiding clashes between activists and police was of utmost concern, and going forward, the police will patrol the area just like any other neighborhood in the city. Frey said a phased reopening of the intersection was necessary to promote healing, restore area businesses, and provide social and city services that have been lacking for a year. He said artwork from the memorial will be preserved, and that the city wants to ensure the location where Floyd died never has tires run over it again. This intersection will forever be changed and we need to be investing in that transformation, Frey said at a news conference. This can be a critical location of gathering, not just for our city but the entire world. City Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins said she has talked with residents and business owners who have struggled with the loss of revenue and sleep, and some who feel trapped in their homes. Its time for us to begin a process of rebuilding this community, she said. Frey acknowledged the reopening would not happen all at once and declined to say when the intersection would fully reopen to traffic. LoCoco also argued that Kaul lacks the authority to launch such an investigation. Wisconsin law permits the attorney general to investigate crimes that are statewide in nature, importance or influence," and Kaul's clergy investigation spans all five dioceses in the state. LoCoco maintained in his letter, however, that any crimes the investigation might uncover would be local in nature and the purview of the district attorneys in the counties where they occurred. He also accused Kaul of targeting the Catholic church and being biased against Catholicism, which he said would violate the First Amendment's freedom of religion clause. Having worked with Abuse Survivors for the past 30 years, it is the (archdiocese's) experience that conducting an investigation like the one proposed here will not lead to healing, LoCoco wrote. Rather, it will lead to to the further victimization of those who have already suffered significantly. ... There is simply no benefit to your office attempting to conduct this type of unwarranted investigation in the absence of any legal authority and in the absence of any defined and reachable goals. He also criticized the United States as being overconfident and drew a parallel with the Soviet Union. You know what the problem is? I will tell you as a former citizen of the former Soviet Union. What is the problem of empires they think that they are so powerful that they can afford small errors and mistakes," he said. But the number of problems is growing. There comes a time when they can no longer be dealt with. And the United States, with a confident gait, a firm step, is going straight along the path of the Soviet Union. At the earlier session, Putin praised Biden as a very experienced statesman who has been involved in politics for his entire life ... and a very prudent and careful person. I do hope that our meeting will be positive." He also took time to deride the allegations that Russian hackers targeted a U.S. pipeline and a meat plant accusations that have clouded the atmosphere before the summit. I do hope that people would realize that there hasnt been any malicious Russian activity whatsoever, he said. I heard something about the meat plant. It's sheer nonsense. We all understand it's just ridiculous. A pipeline? It's equally absurd. In addition to raising four daughters and working full time, Lenore somehow found time for teaching Sunday School, gardening, canning, knitting and sewing. Both her and Phil enjoyed camping enough that after retirement they sold their home and enjoyed the full time RV life for four years, wintering in Florida and travelling around the northern states in the spring and summer. She also had a love of animals, which she passed on to her children. Lenore loved her Green Bay Packers, and was known to become quite boisterous while watching them play. Lenore is survived by her four daughters: Kathleen Clark (Michael Penkal) of Spokane, Wash., Karla Severson of LaCrosse, Kristie (Brian) McAtee of LaCrosse and Korinne (John) Campbell of Camp Douglas. She is also survived by a brother, Russell (Sally) Schmidt; seven grandchildren: Elizabeth and Adam Clark, Lucas and Hayley Severson, Matthew Beck, and Lindsey Shaub and Emily (Tyler) Pataska; also five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Phil, her parents, and older sister Bernice. The family would like to thank the Mayo Hospice staff and everyone at Traditions of La Crescent for the compassionate care that was given to Lenore. Memorial services will be held at 1pm on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1407 Main St. The Reverend Jacob Eichers will officiate, and a private burial will be held at a later date. Friends may visit from 12:00 p.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church. The Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com. After being completely torn down and then rebuilt, the McDonalds restaurant in Elizabethtown reopens Monday. The 4,500 square-foot restaurant at 1284 S. Market St. closed in late January and has been reconstructed in the same footprint with fast-food chains arcade contemporary style. It now features self-ordering kiosks inside and double drive-thru lanes outside, which have both become standard for new McDonalds restaurant, said Cliff Sovine, director of operations for franchisee Rawden Joint Ventures. Sovine said he was unable to estimate the cost to rebuild the restaurant that first opened in 1984 but had undergone several renovations. The new restaurant is expected to operate with around 70 employees, with just over half that number already hired, Sovine said. Owned by Stephanie and Christian Rawden, Rawden Joint Ventures operates 43 McDonalds in Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania, including other Lancaster County restaurants in Mount Joy, Centerville, Greenfield and East Town Centre. Assets of the defunct Income Store, which abruptly closed in December 2019 after its Illinois owner was accused of running a $100 million Ponzi scheme, will be sold at an online auction on Thursday, June 10 at 1 p.m. But victims shouldnt expect the auction to compensate them for much of their losses. The Income Store developed and operated websites for investors for $50,000 to $500,000 apiece, running them from an office at 1001 Millersville Road, as LNP | LancasterOnline has previously reported. The company promised the investors theyd receive annual returns of 12% to 30%, or 50% of the websites annual revenue, whichever was greater. However, the websites were not nearly as lucrative as promised, leading The Income Store to use money from new investors and new loans to pay the promised returns to existing investors, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors. The scheme, running at least three years and affecting more than 700 investors, ended when the SEC won federal court orders to freeze The Income Stores assets and place the business in receivership, triggering the shutdown of the entire enterprise, including the local office. The local office, which once had about 80 employees, had seen its workforce dwindle to about 15 by the time it shut. No one in the local office has been accused of criminal wrongdoing; the staff had no role in selling the sites or handling investor funds, former employees said. Income Store founder and alleged scam mastermind Kenneth Courtright was charged with seven counts of wire fraud in February 2020. Courtright is free on $100,000 bond. Following numerous delays due to the pandemic and a change in defense counsel, Courtright is scheduled to go to trial on April 18, 2022 in U.S. federal court in Chicago, according to court records. At the upcoming auction, all items will be sold as a single lot. They include 3,000 domain names (including more than 200 websites), two trademarks, website marketing programs, office furniture and computers, according to auctioneer Right of the Dot, based in Pompano Beach, Florida. The minimum opening bid is $2.5 million. The receiver has estimated that The Income Store scam has more than 700 victims who are owed at least $104 million, so the auction is likely to recover only a small fraction of the loss the victims experienced. Parties who are considering bidding will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement and a non-affiliation agreement to get details about the assets. To bid, parties will need to provide a $50,000 deposit, which will be refunded following the auction if the party is not the winner. For more information, visit incomestorereceivership.com/ or https://rotd.hibid.com/. A July 2020 auction of the Millersville Road offices furniture and equipment was held by Lancaster-based auctioning firm H.K. Keller. The Keller website shows the auction raised about $140,000. Kline, Kreider & Good Auctioneers, of Brownstown, conducted a public sale of real estate May 24 for Andrew B. and Robin Swartz at 1374 Pleasant View Road, Port Royal. A 123.5-acre dairy farm with free-stall barn sold for $935,000 to Jeffrey Martin, of Ephrata. Martin & Rutt Auctioneers, of New Holland, conducted a public sale of real estate and personal property May 28-29 for Richard and Bertha Hurst at 154 Farmersville Road, Ephrata. A six-bedroom custom-built Victorian-style home on 16.5 acres sold for $2,010,000 to April Copenhaver, of Lancaster. Several other items and prices included: a Kubota 4x4 RTV, $20,400; a 1942 Chevy pickup truck, $20,200; an AGCO 4x4 6085 tractor, $19,000; a Case skid loader, $12,400; a 2004 Arctic Cat snowmobile, $3,100; an enclosed snowmobile trailer, $4,000; a 12-foot tall fiberglass Amish couple, $2,400; a 2007 Honda dirt bike, $1,700; a large brass steam whistle, $1,600; a Joel Zook Conestoga wagon model, $900; a flintlock muzzleloader, $475; and a Country Rose quilt, $525. Though it may end up a walk between the raindrops, a live and in-person First Friday in Lancaster city is here. Be sure to check venue websites for potential time changes and guidelines regarding mask wearing and social distancing. curio. Gallery & Creative Supply (106 W. Chestnut St.) Warwick High School art teacher Angie Hohenadel recently illustrated a children's book, "Soar," which features pages of nature-influenced paintings. Art from the book will be on display until June 26. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Deerfoot Downtown (348 N. Queen St.) Brian Lehman, Anatomy of a Sketchbook reception Artist Brian Lehman takes visitors through his sketchbook in a guide through the artistic process. Wine and cheese will be available for guests. 6 to 8 p.m. Freiman Stolzfus Art Gallery (142 N. Prince St.) "Symphony of Spring, Part II" Stolzfus says in a press release that this show is meant to "express the return of exuberant life and hope, especially meaningful after a difficult year." 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lanc Living Realty (309 N. Queen St.) Less and More Fiber Art Show Emily Allen will be on hand to showcase an array of macraweavings. 5 to 8 p.m. Lancaster Galleries (34 N. Water St.) Explore the fantastical "Many Worlds" exhibition by painter Alex Cohen. 4 to 8 p.m. Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (204 N. Prince St.) Art Heals Outdoor Art Installation Unveiling Artist and inaugural PCAD Healing Arts Artist in Residence Jennifer Quigley will be unveiling a new, largescale public art project that will showcase the healing power of art. Music will be provided by Heather Vidal. 5 to 8 p.m. Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen (335 N. Queen St.) Members of the Cumberland Valley chapter of PGC will be on hand to showcase their crafts. 5 to 8 p.m. Realm and Reason (213 W. King St.) David Laporte Rodriquez reception Bringing together abstract paintings and intricate animal portraits, artist David Laporte Rodriguez hosts his first reception since the COVID-19 pandemic. Light refreshments will be available. 5 to 9 p.m. June is LGBT Pride Month, a month dedicated to celebrating queer and transgender people in the United States. It's celebrated in June to pay respect to 1969's Stonewall riots, when police raided a gay bar in Manhattan and people in the LGBT community fought back. It kickstarted the gay liberation movement and is widely considered one of the most significant events in LGBT history. There are several events in Lancaster County dedicated to celebrating LGBT pride in 2021. If we missed an event or you know of more LGBT-centered events, email mjmiller@lnpnews.com to get the event added. June 5 The Pride Kick Off Comedy Show, hosted by Audrie Marsh, will be held at Zoetropolis at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. June 7 The Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is hosting a CORE Gallery called "What Does PRIDE Mean To You?" and will feature several works of art from LGBT artists attending the college. The gallery will be fully virtual and run from June 7 to 30. June 8 Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse is showing a surprise LGBTQ+ movie every Tuesday at 6 p.m. for pride month. Films will be followed up with a group discussion. The film showings are free, but the theater requests a suggested donation of $10. June 12 The Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition will host a Moderna vaccine clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in partnership with Patients R Waiting and Union Community Care at the Brightside clinic, at 515 Hershey Ave. in downtown Lancaster. DJ Salinger will be spinning tunes from 2 to 5 p.m. and ballroom icon Niambi Prodigy will visit from 3 to 5 p.m. June 15 Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse is showing a surprise LGBTQ+ movie every Tuesday at 6 p.m. for pride month. Films will be followed up with a group discussion. The film showings are free, but the theater requests a suggested donation of $10. June 20 Lancaster Pride is hosting a drag pageant brunch to celebrate drag artists in the area and raise money for Lancaster's upcoming fall pride celebration. The brunch will feature the reigning drag queen and king of Lancaster, Nevaeha Le'Vixenn and Bryce Culver, who will crown 2021's new drag king and queen. Tellus360 is hosting the brunch, which costs $58 a person, and will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is only available for people 21 years and older. June 22 Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse is showing a surprise LGBTQ+ movie every Tuesday at 6 p.m. for pride month. Films will be followed up with a group discussion. The film showings are free, but the theater requests a suggested donation of $10. June 26 The Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition partnered with Cure Pennsylvania, a medical marijuana dispensary at 1866 Fruitville Pike in Manheim Township, for an event from noon to 7 p.m. featuring a live DJ, discounts and pride swag. Those who bring in a sanitation product will get a $5 discount on their order. All customers must have a medical marijuana card to enter the dispensary. June 27 Salsa y MerenGay Patients R Waiting and Union Community Care teams up with the Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition for a "Salsa y MerenGay" event at McCaskey High School, where visitors can learn LGBTQ+ inclusive salsa. The lesson starts at 2 p.m. and will feature a DJ from 2 to 5 p.m. Double Vaccination Party The Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition will host a double vaccination party from 5 p.m. to midnight at Spring House Brewing Company, at 209 Hazel St. in downtown Lancaster. High Fever Party High Fever will host a pride-themed party at Marion Court, at 7 E. Marion St. in downtown Lancaster. The party will go from 2 to 7 p.m. and will have a DJ, a drag show, drinks and food. Admission is $10. June 29 Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse is showing a surprise LGBTQ+ movie every Tuesday at 6 p.m. for pride month. Films will be followed up with a group discussion. The film showings are free, but the theater requests a suggested donation of $10. With less than a week to finalize, Vaccinate Lancaster Coalition officials are still ironing out a referral plan for patients requiring a second COVID-19 vaccine after the center closes at the end of the month. The coalition operates the mass vaccination site at the former Bon-Ton store at Park City Center. Because the site offers the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which requires a second jab three weeks after the initial shot patients who receive their first COVID-19 vaccine after Wednesday will need to be referred to another vaccine provider. Brett Marcy, a spokesman for the coalition, said Thursday that the details are still being finalized. The contract for the site ends June 30. On Wednesday officials announced patients can now choose between the two-dose Pfizer and one dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines. The Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine recently came back online after a brief pause over safety concerns. (The J&J vaccine is only available for adults.) Previously, when the site also offered the Moderna vaccine, individuals were informed which they would be receiving. Regardless of which vaccine you pick, whats most important is that you get vaccinated, Dr. Michael Ripchinski, site director for the Lancaster County Community Vaccination Center and chief clinical officer with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, said in a press release. LG Health is the lead partner for the coalition. Getting the message out As of the end of the day Wednesday, the site had administered roughly 220,000 doses. "I think we're getting the message out," Ripchinski told LNP | LancasterOnline. "I'm reassured by the fact that we're still seeing 200, 250 walk-ins a day. It shows that they're continuing to want to get vaccinated when we reduce the barriers to getting vaccinated." Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave emergency approval on May 12 to vaccinate to 12- to 15-year-olds with the Pfizer vaccine, the mass vaccination site has administered nearly 4,700 doses, according to data Marcy provided. About 28,500 12- to 15-year-olds according to the Pennsylvania State Data Center live in Lancaster County. With roughly one in three inoculations at the mass vaccination site from outside Lancaster County, Ripchinski estimated the site could vaccinate 40,000 children across the region. The COVID-19 Access and Equity Coalition, which includes LGH and is comprised of roughly 30 members with various ties to vulnerable communities, is racing behind-the-scenes to vaccinate difficult-to-reach pockets of Lancaster County. As of Wednesday, Lancaster County ranked 20 out of 66 counties in Pennsylvania for its percent of residents with at least one vaccine dose, according to state health department data. While Philadelphia County is included in the state data, it is a separate vaccine jurisdiction with its own reporting and does not reflect the scope of the vaccination effort there. About 55% of Lancaster County residents have received at least one dose, state data shows. A former Lancaster County man has admitted to driving another man to a secluded area of southeastern York County and fatally shooting him more than three years ago. Lleland Grant Wade, 35, also formerly of Mississippi, was scheduled to go on trial Monday. Wade appeared in York County Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to the felonies of third-degree murder, theft and carrying a firearm without a license, court records state. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor version of possession of a firearm prohibited. It was an open plea, meaning there was no agreed-upon sentence, defense attorney and public defender Ron Jackson Jr. confirmed. "The judge has complete discretion," Jackson said. In Pennsylvania, a third-degree murder conviction carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison. Presiding Common Pleas Judge Harry M. Ness ordered a presentence investigation be done to help him determine the proper punishment, and set Wade's sentencing for Sept. 29, court records state. In exchange for his plea, a charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder was dropped, records state. Wade remains in York County Prison awaiting sentencing. Wade's codefendant, Kevin Michael Galvin, is also awaiting sentencing. His murder charges were dropped in 2019 when follow-up investigation determined that although he, Wade and murder victim Aaron Wollman all drove to York County together, Galvin didn't know Wade was going to kill Wollman, prosecutors have said. In September 2019, Galvin, 59, also of Lancaster County, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor of obstructing the administration of law for helping Wade cover up the murder, and was released on unsecured bail awaiting sentencing. But on May 13, Judge Ness issued a bench warrant for Galvin's arrest, court records state. On Thursday, Ness revoked Galvin's bail and sent him back to York County Prison, records state. No sentencing date has been set, according to court records. The background Wade killed Wollman after hearing rumors that Wollman had sexually assaulted some women he knew, state police have said. Police have not said whether there was any truth to those rumors. Court documents state that Wade took Galvin and Wollman to Lower Chanceford Township in the early-morning hours of April 16, 2018, where Wade shot Wollman "until the firearm was empty." Wollman and Galvin believed they were going to a drug deal, officials have said. The body of Wollman, 25, of Denver, Lancaster County, was found near the corner of Bare Road and Furnace Road (Route 425) about 7 a.m. that day, according to state police. He'd been shot seven times, police said three times in the head and four times in the back. Wade was arrested at the Days Inn in East Lampeter Township, Lancaster County, the next day. State police evacuated the hotel before arresting him. After Wade was arrested, he told state police that he tricked Wollman into going with him by making him believe they were going to buy drugs, officials have said. Drug-smuggling case Wade also remains charged in an unrelated case with the felonies of drug possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit that offense and possessing prison contraband. His girlfriend, Chelsea Cochran, remains charged in the case, as does York County Corrections Officer Joshua Antonio Martinez. He remains on administrative leave, defense attorney George Margetas confirmed Thursday. "At no time did he have any intention on bringing contraband into the prison," Margetas has told The York Dispatch. "He may be guilty of having the money in his possession, but that's it." When told it sounded as if he was implying Martinez intended to keep the money but not deliver the drugs, Margetas replied, "The evidence does point to that, doesn't it?" Investigators have said they focused on Wade, who intel suggested had been a regular buyer of Suboxone in the prison, and who officials suspected of graduating to being a distributor inside the prison. Suboxone is an opioid used to help opioid addicts in recovery, but like any opioid painkiller it can also be abused. Calls, letters monitored Wade's phone calls and letters were monitored, as were those of other inmates suspected of separately bringing in drugs, investigators have said. On June 6, state troopers followed Martinez as he left York County Prison and drove to Cochran's home in Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, where he took something from the mailbox, police have said. After obtaining a search warrant, police found a bag in Martinez's trunk with $2,920 cash and 75 Suboxone strips, known on the street as "oranges," police have said. Also in the car was a letter from Wade and allegedly to Martinez, giving him directions to retrieve something from Cochran's mailbox, police have said. Reach senior crime reporter Liz Evans Scolforo at levans@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @LizScolforoYD. Update: West Lampeter Township police reported Friday afternoon that Theodore Seifried has been found, and is safe. Police said he was discovered around 12:30 p.m. in Erving, Massachusetts, where he appeared to be disoriented as he was driving up and down a dead-end street in a residential area. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Previously reported: West Lampeter Township police are searching for a 64-year-old man who was last seen on Wednesday. Theodore Seifried was last seen on June 2, around 12:30 p.m. on Laneview Drive in Willow Street, police said. He was wearing blue jeans, a blue plaid flannel shirt, a black zip-up hoodie with a Stone Pony logo on the back and a white hat with a Stone Pony logo, according to police. Police said that Seifried may be at special risk of harm or injury and may be confused. He is 5-foot-11 and about 112 pounds, police said. He is driving a green Toyota Camry with a Pennsylvania registration "DSM-6958," police said. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or West Lampeter Township police at 717-464-2421. Lancaster County residents will be able to honor loved ones who died of COVID-19 while also getting vaccinated during a Day of Healing event at Longs Park on Aug. 12. The 6 p.m. event will include luminaries in memory of those who died of COVID-19, while also commemorating health care workers. The Johnson & Johnson single-dose Janssen vaccine will be available for people age 18 and older prior to the event from 4 to 6 p.m. People can submit the name, photo and a message about loved ones who died of the virus by July 26 at unioncommunitycare.org/dayofhealing or by calling 717-200-4989. Organizers said the Day of Healing is an opportunity to reflect on the devastation of the pandemic and share the grief over loved ones who have died, while exploring ways to begin to heal the wound left by their deaths. More than 1,000 people have died of COVID-19 in the county. Community Health Centers across the nation have played a vital, grassroots role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by massively pivoting to fight the virus and protect communities by actively breaking down barriers to ensure equitable access to healthcare, Alisa Jones, Union Community Care President and CEO, said in a press release. As a Community Health Center, we want nothing more but to continue to stand with, and for, our community by sharing stories and space so that we can move forward with abundant love, light, and support, she said. Union Community Care, which is presenting the event, is a federally qualified health center with locations in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. We want to be there for those who long to reconnect, memorialize a loved one lost, and spend time healing together as the same strong community that came together when things were dark and hopeless, Jackie Concepcion, vice president of community impact at Union Community Care, said in a press release. Anyone can attend the free event, which begins at 6 p.m. at Longs Park, 1441 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster. Registration, which is recommended, is available at unioncommunitycare.org/dayofhealing/. It will feature live music and food trucks. Union Community Care is part of a network of nonprofit organizations created to improve health care access in underserved communities. To date, it has vaccinated more than 5,000 people. For more information, visit unioncommunitycare.org. PHILADELPHIA (AP) A small Christian university outside Philadelphia shuttered its highly regarded social work program partly because school officials say the accrediting agency was attempting to impose sexuality and gender values that don't align with the university's religious mission. According to those officials, the decision by the Cairn University Board of Trustees on May 24 had been under consideration for almost a year because of funding and enrollment concerns. They say the accreditation language was only one factor. But representatives from the accrediting body - the Council on Social Work Education - said its sexuality and gender language had not changed substantially in a recent draft accreditation, although the language addressing race and inclusion was updated. Council leaders said in a written statement they were concerned Cairn officials had misinterpreted the language, or had based the closure decision on a growing tide of conservative voices opposed to teaching theories reframing the history of race and racism. The group's response took issue with Cairn President Todd Williams' statements alleging the council was trying to force programs to teach a set of critical theory and intersectionality assumptions and values inconsistent with our biblical view of humanity, human nature, and the world. Cairn's mission is to educate students to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world as biblically minded, well-educated, and professionally competent men and women of character," according to its website. The university in Langhorne, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Philadelphia, has about 1,500 students. The Council called Williams' statements about the language false" and noted the draft highlighted the importance of equity and inclusion in the forming of someones identity. Williams rejected the idea that the closing was based on the guidelines for race, saying racism and discrimination are inconsistent with his and the greater university's faith. It is unfortunate that that was put out there that way because it is absolutely not who we are, Williams said. We identify as an evangelical institution, and we have standards of conduct that are based upon our beliefs. That is part of our understanding of our own faith but also on religious liberty. We dont believe that its right to be engaged or to be involved in anything that is hateful or hurtful toward that (LGBTQ) community, or in any discrimination. But, we are a religious institution, he said. Williams' initial letter to students said he believed previous versions of the guidelines had language allowing for exceptions when a university's religious mission did not align with the document. CSWE officials said there has never been an exception in its ethical guidelines. But they do allow universities to supplement the requirements with additional curriculum. Cairn students and alumni who spoke to The Associated Press said they felt blindsided by the decision. The university had moved quickly, even removing the website to the social work school, they said. The closure allows for a teach-out of the currently enrolled undergraduate students, meaning the about 50 students will finish the program with an accredited bachelor's degree. But the recently started master's program was immediately shuttered, leaving about two dozen students having to transfer to other universities. Many of those students and alumni said they didn't believe Williams' statements were related to race. They also said they didn't see an issue separating their theological beliefs on sexuality and gender with the call to be social workers. If you are a well-trained social worker, you dont need to let your theology get in the way of your social work or helping any population that you might disagree with on a theological level, said Lizzie Walker, who graduated from the program in 2018. I think my faith lines up really well with the mission to be a social worker, to meet people where they are. Johanna Byrd, executive director of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, condemned the closure, saying the university seemed to be sending an incorrect message that social workers can't have or maintain their faith and do their jobs. There are a lot of Christian colleges that have social work programs, and this is the first one that has reacted to this by saying were going to close our social work school. We of course have concerns that could be part of a trend, Byrd said, noting a failed push in Texas last year to allow social workers and others to decline to treat people based on their religious convictions about gender and sexuality. "It would be really horrible if the profession of social work falls victim to this whole conversation about critical race theory, or to the misconception that you can't be Christian and do this job. That's absolutely untrue, she added. Student Melanie Crosscombe, who has another year before she graduates, said after the initial closure email citing the language on sexuality, she compared the draft with previous accreditation documents and found little difference. That section of the document has previously existed, and it doesn't say you have to subscribe to these beliefs but you have to understand them to be able to treat the whole person, she said. It's saying when a person comes to you they deserve to be understood and treated with human dignity and respect... that aligns very beautifully for me with the concept that people are made in the image of God and the worth someone has just from being human. Crosscombe said her biggest worry is for the classes below her and that they will miss out on the experience that has shaped so many people into social workers willing to take on hard and important work. That's what is keeping me up at night, she said. A Republican senator from Lancaster County said he hopes his proposal to suspend Pennsylvanias no-excuse mail voting law is not enacted by the Legislature. Instead, Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Mount Joy, said his goal is to pressure lawmakers from both parties to address flaws in the state elections law that many officials, Aument included, say contributed to widespread distrust among voters over the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. My hope is the suspension isnt even needed, Aument said. The hope is that folks will come together, well make the fixes ... to again get voters' assurance. Aument said he supports no-excuse mail voting and believes there is still general agreement among Republicans to keep it, though he knows some of his colleagues want to repeal the 2019 law, Act 77, that created no-excuse absentee ballots. Already, the Legislatures Republican majority, most of whose members voted for Act 77 less than two years ago, is gearing up to change the law. Its an effort fueled, in part, by baseless conspiracy theories that mail ballot fraud threw Pennsylvania to Joe Biden over Donald Trump in November. Auments proposal would suspend no-excuse absentee voting until Act 77 is revised. If the Legislature fails to take action by the 2023 primary election, the no-excuse absentee ballot provisions would be reinstated. A message Aument sent to fellow senators does not describe specific fixes, instead recounting problems Lancaster County had with mail-in ballots in last month's primary, all of which were the fault of the county's ballot vendor. My hope is we do fix it and we do fix it much sooner than 2023, he said. But if the General Assembly doesnt act in its current two-year session, then the voters can weigh in and elect legislators who will and they will be given the opportunity to do the changes in the next session, he said. Asked about Auments bill, Gov. Tom Wolfs office said he would oppose any proposal that makes it harder for Pennsylvanians to vote. Aument, though, said he's not convinced the governor will use his veto pen. We all agree that there are legitimate procedural issues with the current system, so the goal of this legislation is to push everyone to enact these needed reforms quickly, Aument said in an email. Political messages No matter how Aument describes his motives for pushing to suspend mail balloting, his proposal comes amid a broader debate over the 2020 election driven largely by grassroots conservatives. These groups not only want to eliminate no-excuse absentee ballots, but enact other reforms, such as mandating voter ID and expanding the pool of partisan poll watchers eligible to monitor voting. Aument will be up for reelection in 2022; he does not currently face a primary challenger, nor has any group called for fielding one. But when he posted about his effort to fix Act 77 on his Facebook page, more than one commenter criticized him for supporting the law in the first place. "Welcome to the Party Ryan AUMENT," one wrote. "(S)ure took you a long time to get here ... sure hope Lancaster County Constituents are seeing this." Another commented, "WE DON'T WANT ACT77 AND WE DON'T WANT THE Fraud No Excuse mail in Ballots. What part of that don't you Understand ? Stop trying to salvage an Unconstitutional Act." Aument said his proposal is not intended to appease any particular group, though he reiterated that voters have legitimate concerns about the administration of the 2020 election and that he hopes his proposal is used to accelerate election law changes. Another advantage of his proposal is that it could appeal to both mainstream and grassroots conservatives because it would suspend mail voting for next years midterm elections, when Pennsylvania voters will elect a new governor and U.S. Senator. In the 2020 election, Democrats voted by mail at much higher rates than Republicans. Aument said his goal is not to give Republicans the edge in these high-stakes races and insisted his proposal would not disenfranchise voters because they would still be able to vote in person or provide an excuse to qualify for an absentee ballot. Aument also said he believes the 2020 election results, including President Bidens win in the state, would have been the same without no-excuse absentee ballots. There are a lot of people that assume that (it wouldve been different), Aument said. There are voters who voted for one candidate over the other who think they wouldnt have shown up in person to vote. I dont believe thats the case. Thats not a view shared publicly often by officials on either side of the partisan divide. Polls show that a slim majority of Republican voters believe that Trump actually won last years election, and Republican leaders in states like Georgia and Florida have moved this year to make it harder for voters to obtain an absentee ballot or to access early voting centers. For voting rights advocates, the moves by Republicans on election issues is worrying. Even though Aument and other Republican lawmakers say their efforts to change Pennsylvanias voting law are responding to concerns theyre hearing from constituents, many of them are repeating Trumps big lie that the election was stolen from him, said Eliza Sweren-Becker, voting rights and elections counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice. Were seeing in Pennsylvania and across the country that federal leadership and state leadership sowed distrust about the election by perpetuating lies about election fraud and election irregularities for which there is no evidence, she said. They are now saying, Were hearing from our constituents that they want us to address the problems. Theres this false circular logic; by spreading the big lie about the election, now theyre pointing to the concern that they created." And election advocates said they dont understand what halting no-excuse mail voting would do other than to potentially disenfranchise Black and brown voters. We made huge steps forward (with Act 77), it doesnt make sense to then take two steps back, just to take those two steps forward again, said Elizabeth Alex, the director of organizing for Latino and immigrant advocacy organization CASA. The changes to Pennsylvanias voting laws in 2019 greatly increased access for people who otherwise would not have been eligible for an absentee ballot, Alex said. She saw voters who work multiple jobs and long hours be able to cast a vote for the first time, she said, noting that many voters cant make it to their polling place in the 13 hours (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.) they are open. Making major changes to election laws so soon after 2019s Act 77 -- which didnt go into effect until the 2020 primary election -- may also confuse voters. When legislatures are changing the very same rules back and forth, that creates some whiplash and creates an educational challenge, Sweren-Becker added. Elections officials For county election officials who have been calling for changes to Act 77 since 2019, halting no-excuse mail voting wont address their actual problem with the law: it gives counties too little time to pre-canvass mail-in ballost. Currently, county election offices cant begin the laborious process of opening envelopes, checking voter signatures and preparing ballots to be scanned until 7 a.m. on Election Day. Efforts to expand the pre-canvassing window failed in 2020, even as demand for mail-in ballots exploded with voters seeking to avoid in-person voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impasse with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf centered on Republicans efforts to change other parts of the states voting laws, like banning counties from installing ballot drop boxes in multiple locations. We have outlined two very simple solutions that would ... address the majority of challenges we have faced in implementing mail-in ballots, and we need the state and the General Assembly to step up to help counties, and to help our voters," Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel said Tuesday during a press conference organized by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. Those fixes wouldnt suspend mail-in balloting. The county commissioners association want lawmakers to change Act 77 before it breaks for recess this summer to allow election officials to pre-canvass ballots up to three weeks in advance of Election Day and extend the mail-in ballot application deadline. WARSAW, Poland (AP) The Belarusian opposition said Friday a dissident journalist was coerced to appear in a video on state TV in which he wept and praised the country's authoritarian ruler, a broadcast sharply criticized by Western officials. In the 90-minute video broadcast Thursday night, Raman Pratasevich repented for his opposition activities and said he respects Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko as "a man with balls of steel. He said he was tired of political activism and only wants to have a family and live a normal life. Then he broke into tears, covering his face with his hands. As he did so, marks left by handcuffs were clearly visible on his wrists. Associates of the 26-year-old reacted with outrage, accusing authorities of forcing Pratasevich to confess and disavow the opposition. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition candidate in Belarus presidential election in August 2020, said she would urge the U.S. and the EU to pressure Belarus to release him. Raman is a hostage, she told The Associated Press. Lukashenko hijacked a passenger plane in order to capture him and subject him to that moral and physical humiliation. Tsikhanouskaya said earlier during a visit to Poland that Pratasevich and others speaking in videos from prison "are for sure being tortured and violated. Her spokeswoman, Anna Krasulina, said Pratasevich "made his statements under tough physical and psychological pressure and, possibly, under drugs. We demand the immediate release of Raman, who is used by Lukashenkos regime as a toy and instrument to blackmail Belarus democratic forces," Krasulina told the AP. Lukashenko is an international terrorist who must be stopped. Pratasevich was traveling from Greece to Lithuania aboard a Ryanair flight on May 23 when Belarusian flight controllers ordered the pilots to divert to Minsk, citing a bomb threat. No bomb was found, but Pratasevich and his Russian girlfriend were arrested. Speaking in a trembling voice and looking nervous in the program on the state-controlled ONT channel, Pratasevich said opposition leaders were pondering plans for a forceful government overthrow and was feuding over how to divide funds given to them by Poland and Lithuania. Pratasevich, who ran a popular channel on the Telegram messaging app that helped organize months of demonstrations against Lukashenko, also offered repentance for his action and said he pleaded guilty to organizing mass disturbances. The charges carry a 15-year prison sentence. Pratasevich said he fears he could face a death sentence on charges linked to his being part of a volunteer battalion that fought Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. He pleaded with Lukashenko not to hand him over to separatists who have launched a criminal investigation against him. His colleagues say he was not involved in fighting and was covering the conflict as a journalist. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned that Lukashenko will feel pain if Belarus allows the separatists to interrogate Pratasevich, adding that Kyiv will interpret that as a sign of disrespect of its territorial integrity. Stsiapan Putsila, who co-founded the Nexta channel with Pratasevich, told the AP that Pratasevich likely had been subjected to both psychological pressure and specially designed drugs." His statements had nothing to do with reality, they are the result of unbearable torture and exploitation of his emotions, Putsila said. Tsikhanouskaya's adviser, Franak Viachorka, described Pratasevich's TV appearance as a public humiliation. He was forced to publicly betray his views and his colleagues, Viachorka told AP. He was forced to plead respect for Lukashenko on camera. Their goal was to humiliate, break and trample him. He's a hostage taken in a terrorist operation of Lukashenko's regime that hijacked the plane. Belarus was rocked by months of protests triggered by Lukashenko's reelection to a sixth term in an August vote that was widely seen as fraudulent. He responded to opposition demands to step down with fierce repression. More than 35,000 people have been arrested and thousands beaten, and opposition leaders have been either jailed or forced to leave the country. The program aired Thursday night marked Pratasevich's third appearance on state TV since the May 23 flight diversion and arrest. In a brief video a day later, he confessed to staging mass disturbances. In other remarks shown Wednesday, he said demonstrations against Lukashenko had fizzled and the opposition should wait for a better moment to revive them. He also said he had been set up by an unidentified associate. Outraged European Union leaders responded May 24 to the flight's diversion by barring Belarusian flag carrier from EU airspace and airports and directing European carriers to avoid Belarus' airspace. The 27-nation bloc formalized the ban Friday, saying member countries will be required to deny permission to land in, take off from or overfly their territories to any aircraft operated by Belarusian air carriers, including as a marketing carrier. EU leaders also denounced the Pratasevich video. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkels spokesman Steffen Seibert said the German government condemns in the strongest terms his TV appearance and dismissed his confessions as completely unworthy and implausible. "This is a disgrace for the broadcaster that screened it and for the Belarusian leadership, Seibert said in Berlin. Speaking after a meeting of top diplomats of Denmark and the Baltic nations in Copenhagen, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called the broadcast a manifestation of state terrorism. U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted that Pratasevich was clearly under duress, adding that the persecution of those defending human rights and media freedom in Belarus must stop. Those involved in the filming, coercion and direction of the interview must be held accountable, he said. In stark contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered strong support Friday for Belarus, casting the angry Western response to the flight's diversion as a manifestation of double standards. He pointed to a 2013 incident in which a private plane carrying Bolivian President Evo Morales landed in Vienna after several European nations had refused to let it cross their airspace, purportedly over speculation that Edward Snowden, who leaked classified U.S. government information, was aboard. Putin said the Western reaction has been driven by a desire to influence developments there, adding that they shouldn't meddle in domestic affairs of Belarus. He also derided allegations by some in the West that Russia could have been involved in the flights diversion. NATO is in danger if NATO's leadership makes such statements, Putin snapped. It reveals a complete lack of understanding of the procedures. Asked by a moderator if Russia would act like Belarus and divert an international flight if it knew that a person on its wanted list was on board, Putin smirked and said: I won't tell you. Karmanau reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed. In my more than 30 years in law enforcement, Ive worn a lot of hats: police chief, superintendent with the National Guard, patrol section commander, Special Emergency Response Team negotiator. Its been an honor to keep Pennsylvanians safe for all these years. Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania Legislature is considering a dangerous bill that would make it much harder for me, my officers and officers across the state of Pennsylvania to do their jobs safely and reduce violent crime. House Bill 659, which passed out of the Judiciary Committee despite bipartisan opposition, would allow anyone 18 or older to carry a concealed firearm. There would be no more enhanced background checks to allow sheriffs to prevent someone who might want to do harm from carrying a hidden weapon. The reality of permitless carry is anything but what the Founding Fathers intended. Not having enhanced background checks to prevent dangerous individuals from hiding a firearm jeopardizes public safety, increases violent crime and puts law enforcement at greater risk. Gun violence is a national crisis, one that Ive witnessed firsthand too many times during my many years in law enforcement. On average, someone is killed with a gun every six hours in our state. Thats more than 1,500 deaths every year. If HB 659 becomes law, violence is only going to get worse not better. Academic research has found that violent crime rates are 13% to 15% higher in states with weak concealed carry permitting laws. After Arizona enacted permitless carry in 2010, it saw a 44% increase in aggravated assaults committed with a gun, the Utah Gun Violence Prevention Center stated. Nor will allowing more people to carry a concealed firearm make people safer. Self-defensive gun use is extremely rare. People defend themselves with guns in less than 1% of crimes, according to a study published in 2015, and civilians who carry guns are actually more likely to get hurt, not less, when a crime is being committed. Under existing law, were able to run extensive background checks and thoroughly evaluate concealed carry applicants. If someone abuses drugs or alcohol, or has a history of domestic violence, we may have that information and can protect them and others by denying their application. The removal of this process may be a win for the gun lobby, but it is a loss for the safety of Pennsylvanians and my officers. By passing this bill, the state Legislature would be asking me to send the men and women of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police into situations where these individuals may be carrying loaded guns in public. Part of my job as interim chief of police is to increase trust between law enforcement and the people of Lancaster. Permitless carry makes this part of my job and the jobs of all of my officers harder, not easier. HB 659 also would lower the age for concealed carry from 21 to 18, allowing young adults who cant legally buy a beer to carry a concealed weapon in public. This makes very little sense when you consider all of the research proving that the human brain is in a critical developmental phase during these years. This age group is also disproportionately likely to commit violence: Those who are between 18 and 20 make up just 4% of the U.S. population, but comprise 17% of known homicide offenders. I am not alone in being concerned about the dangers posed by the permitless concealed carry bill. The Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association are on record opposing this. Take it from me: HB 659 would be harmful to public safety and my officers. If you stand with law enforcement or want safer communities, the only answer is to reject this dangerous, misguided bill. John T. Bey is interim chief of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police. He was a chief master sergeant in the Air National Guard and a 25-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, rising to the rank of captain. He also has served as the police chief in Middletown Borough. In March, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Mazie Hirono initially vowed not to approve any white nominee for a federal government post, before backing off that threat. This is an easily verifiable fact. Yet the LNP | LancasterOnline Opinion editors removed this statement from my most recent published letter (Democrats stoke racism in US, April 28). Additionally, I believe the fires blazing at last years antifa and Black Lives Matter protests should be described as ubiquitous, not some. Readers who rely solely on LNP | LancasterOnline for their news might never know about Duckworth and Hirono. They also might not know about the allegations of U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwells ties to a suspected Chinese Communist Party spy known as Fang Fang, or Christine Fang. Are these stories not newsworthy? Is there a common thread here? Oh yeah all three are Democrats. Swalwell still has full security clearance due to his position on the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees. I believe this alleged tie makes him severely compromised and that he should resign from his committees, if not from Congress. Dont you want your readership to know more about these current events, LNP | LancasterOnline? The letters pages provide a forum for readers to express their opinions. It is obvious to me that the content is the letter writers perspective. I believe one can readily discern the level of disagreement from the Opinion editors with a letter by counting the number of in my views and in my opinions added. Please publish every letter verbatim. If there is content you find disputable, say so in an editors note following the letter. You should not alter the text of a letter and still publish it with the authors name attached; it is journalistic malpractice. James Uhernik Manheim Township Editors note: Letters are edited for accuracy, grammar, clarity and length. We do not censor points of view. Objective, verifiable facts are checked by LNP | LancasterOnline. When there is any degree of subjectivity, we allow our contributors to voice their opinions, including those critical of the media. Dearlove on Anti-China Rampage, Lying Wuhan Lab Unleashed Pandemic and Destroyed Evidence June 3, 2021 (EIRNS)Richard Dearlove, the British Empires former Chief of MI6 foreign intelligence, and a central operative in the Russiagate coup attempt against the U.S., has unleashed a diatribe against China and anyone who wants to work with China. Remember that Dearlove very early on in the pandemic declared China and the Wuhan Institute of Virology as guilty of leaking, and perhaps intentionally creating, the COVID-19 virus, and demanding they pay global reparations. Today he escalated his campaign in an interview with the Telegraph. He argued that it is increasingly clear that the virus came from the lab, but that they have destroyed the evidence. We dont know thats whats happened, he said, but a lot of data has probably been destroyed or made to disappear, so its going to be difficult to prove definitely the case for a gain-of-function chimera being the cause of the pandemic. This is why scientific analysis is now so important, because although that cant prove the case 100%, the thorough biochemical analysis puts the weight of evidence to this being a man-made lab experiment, a natural virus that has been enhanced. As usual, the need for evidence is entirely unnecessary when you work for British intelligence. Dearlove denounced former Prime Minister David Cameron and his Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne for their relationship to China. Some of the things that were said by George Osborne and David Cameron about our relationship with China, how we were going to have this privileged position, I was staggered at the time by the sheer naivete that they could develop a relationship with China without understanding they were dealing with a communist dictatorship, and one that has its own strategic agenda. As for the World Health Organization, they should have no part in the investigation, he insisted. The WHO looks like a lost cause and that should not be the agency to deliver material which gives us a clear understanding of what the hell happened. The WHO report was farcical and its clear now they are losing control of the narrative. And of course, former U.S. President Trump, the target of Dearloves Russiagate coup, gets some of the blame: China was originally let off the hook. I think the problem was the style of the Trump regime, a lot of people understandably found it hard to go along with his more outlandish allegations. To top it off, the man who is at the center of censuring any and all voices of opposition to the Empires line of the day, says: The Peoples Republic of China is a pretty terrifying regime and does some things we consider unacceptable, and extreme in silencing opposition to the official line of the government. Gov. Newsom Okays Inquiry Into Death Row Inmates Clemency Request After numerous appeals, several rounds of new DNA testing, and a petition requesting further forensic testing, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order last week opening the way for an independent investigation that will evaluate death row inmate Kevin Coopers application for clemency. Cooper, a condemned Black man, requested that the state perform further forensic tests on various items of evidence from the 1983 murders of four people in Chino Hills in San Bernardino County. Cooper has served over 35 years on death row at San Quentin State Prison for the crimes. Mr. Cooper maintains that he is innocent of the crimes of which he was convicted and contends that the evidence introduced at trial against him was manufactured, mishandled, planted, tampered with, or otherwise tainted by law enforcement, said Newsom in executive order N-06-21, which he signed on May 28. The law firm Morrison and Foerster, LLP has been appointed to serve as special counsel to the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) to conduct the investigation. Cooper submitted his application for clemency to former Gov. Jerry Brown in 2016. In 2018, Brown ordered new DNA testing of some of the items of evidence. In 2019, Newsom ordered more forensic testing of several items for DNA evidence as requested by Cooper in his petition. The DNA tests were assessed by Coopers legal team and prosecutors at the San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office (SBCDA).Newsom ordered the investigation based on Cooper and the prosecutors having starkly different views regarding how the results should be interpreted and the reliability and integrity of certain evidence, he stated in the order. I have reviewed the record in this case, including the recent test results and the parties views regarding those results. At this time, I continue to take no position regarding Mr. Coopers guilt or innocence, or whether to grant executive clemency, the governor said. In cases where the government seeks to impose the ultimate punishment of death, I need to be satisfied that all relevant evidence is carefully and fairly examined. In 1985, Cooper was convicted of murdering Douglas Ryen and Peggy Ryen, their 10-year-old daughter Jessica Ryen, and 11-year-old house guest Christopher Hughes. The Ryens 8-year-old son Josh survived, following critical injuries. Cooper, who subsequently escaped a prison in Chino Hills before allegedly committing the crimes, was convicted and sentenced to death. While serving time on burglary charges, he confessed to the escape but maintains his innocence in the murders. ADVERTISEMENT The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) says it supported Coopers request for an innocence investigation based on critical aspects of the case in a letter submitted to Newsom. Legal advisors at LDF also said that racist incidents, including hate speech and Nazi insignia, colored the trials verdict. The LDF said doubts about Coopers conviction worsened when federal Judge Jill Brown concluded in 2009 that, he is probably innocent. No one should serve decades in prison, much less on death row, absent confidence in their conviction. Mr. Coopers conviction does not meet that standard, wrote LDFs leaders. Prior to Coopers petition, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied Coopers request for a review of his conviction. But, according to Ninth Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown, facts surrounding the case raised further questions regarding, examples of evidentiary gaps, mishandling of evidence, and suspicious circumstances. The case against Mr. Cooper was doubtful from the beginning, said LDF representatives. San Bernardino law enforcement targeted Mr. Cooper as the sole suspect even though the evidence pointed to multiple assailants. Plus, the surviving victim Josh Ryen initially indicated that three white or Latino men committed the crime, the LDF statement continued Contrary to the LDFs claims, San Bernardino County DA Jason Anderson insisted that Cooper is guilty of the crimes in an open letter to the governor. The SBCDA followed up in a statement dated May 28 that a jury, judge, the California Supreme Court, and every reviewing state and federal court have concluded that Cooper is guilty. DNA evidence and scientific tests that Cooper requested for the past 38 years have confirmed Coopers guilt and. Newsom and any other counsel should follow the facts, law, and science, SBCDA stated. Anderson said the LDF letter, ignores the recent DNA test results that confirm Coopers presence inside the victims home at the time of the murders. Please recall that Cooper has never been able to explain how his blood was found at the crime scene before anyone knew Cooper had escaped from prison, and how his blood and the blood of victim Douglas Ryen was found on the tan t-shirt that was never introduced by the prosecution at his trial, said Anderson in the letter. Among the items processed for forensic testing was an orange towel with DNA evidence that contradicted claims that Cooper was involved in the crime. Civil rights advocates at LDF said, Recent DNA testing from a towel connected to the crime revealed a full DNA profile that does not match Mr. Cooper or any victim.The risk of wrongful conviction is of course especially grave in capital cases, given the finality of the death sentence, the advocates said. However, San Bernardino County District Attorney Anderson said it is impossible to ascribe any significance to either the towel or the profile. As of May 5. 2021, the California Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (CDRC) currently listed 704 prisoners in its Condemned Inmate Summary (CIS). A total of 252 inmates (35.8%), the highest of the population in the state, are Black while 226 (32.1%) are White and 132 Latinos (18.1%) are death row inmates. Several politicians in the last few years have requested evaluations in the Cooper case, including Vice-President Kamala Harris when she was Californias junior Senator, as well as the states current senior Sen. Dianne Feinstein. A Hong Kong teachers union says hundreds of students are likely to leave the Chinese territorys schools after the upcoming summer vacation. The Professional Teachers Union (PTU) conducted a poll of 180 primary and secondary schools. It reported that more than half said they expected to lose at least 10 students. Four schools said they had already lost more than 50 students this year. The head of the PTU, Fung Wai-wah, said he believes one reason parents are taking their children out of schools is because of recent government interference in education. The government has ordered schools to educate students about a new national security law passed by the Chinese government last June. The law sharply limits speech and other freedoms in Hong Kong. Critics say it is meant to silence voices of people who disagree with the government. In January, 47 pro-democracy activists and former opposition party lawmakers were arrested on charges of subversion under the national security law. Moves by China in recent years to restrict freedoms in Hong Kong resulted in protests like the one that drew 1.7 million people in August 2019. Hong Kong schools are now required to teach their students about the national security law and watch for teachers and students who express opposing views. Fung says teachers are against the government interference. Subjects and teaching materials are being changed all the time, he told Radio Free Asia. He added that teachers are worried about losing their jobs if they do not follow the Chinese governments demands. Fung said the government denies there is a problem. He called on officials to treat the situation more seriously and take steps to reduce interference so they can regain the trust of parents. But programs that permit people with British National Overseas passports to move to Britain or Canada are getting popular. About 15,000 people seem to be getting ready to go to Britain and about 6,000 have applied to go to Canada. In the first four months of 2021, almost 12,000 people applied to police to receive a document proving they have no criminal record. The document is often required for people seeking to move to another country. Hong Kongs education bureau reported that nearly 20,000 students left primary and secondary schools in 2021 compared to last year. More than 5,000 students left private schools over the same period. Dion Chen is the chairman of a schools council in Hong Kong. He agreed that students are leaving at a fast rate, but said the national security law is not the only cause. He says families are concerned by changes in recent years that have affected the overall situation in Hong Kong. Chen added that some countries have also loosened restrictions for people seeking to leave Hong Kong. Former teacher Yeung Tze-chun said schools that require tuition are also losing students. The parents of those students are more likely to have the money to leave Hong Kong. But these losses could leave the strongest schools to compete for just a few remaining students. I can only see the situation getting worse in the future, Yeung said. Im Dan Friedell. Gigi Lee wrote this story for Radio Free Asias Cantonese service. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn 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 poll n. the results of a set of questions people are asked about a particular subject apply v. to ask officially for something, often by writing tuition n. money that is paid to a school for the right to study there BEIJING (AP) China is urging closer security and economic cooperation with Afghanistan in an apparent effort to bolster its influence in the region as the U.S. and its allies prepare to withdraw their forces from the country. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that foreign ministers from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan met via video conference on Thursday and agreed that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan should be carried out in a responsible and orderly manner to prevent the deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan and the return of "terrorist forces. It quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as saying the three countries needed to to strengthen communication and cooperation for the sake of Afghanistans interests and those of neighboring countries. The security and stability of Afghanistan and the region are facing new challenges, with foreign troops withdrawal from Afghanistan accelerated, the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan impacted, and armed conflicts and terrorist activities becoming more frequent," Wang was quoted as saying. 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. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Asked whether former President Donald Trump bears any responsibility for the attack on the Capitol which occurred during the certification of the Electoral College results that declared Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential election Johnson argued that hyper-partisan politics are the problem, and said he blames the individual perpetrators of the crimes committed on Jan. 6. He said its up to individuals to judge for themselves the role Trump played in the attack on the Capitol, but he does not believe his actions were impeachable. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who also voted against Trumps impeachment, has said the former president is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day, and several rioters have argued in court that Trump influenced their actions. "I don't think we should scornfully dismiss the legitimate concerns (about election irregularities) of tens of millions of Americans, Johnson said. I thought that was an important debate to have on Jan. 6, which is why I was not happy with the breach of the Capitol that cut short that very important discussion. Thats a huge milestone in the CERCLA process, Statz said. Next up: a feasibility study that will develop and evaluate possible remedies. This could take another four years, according to the guard. While the remedial investigation will address former fire training areas on Darwin Road and Pearson Street, the DNR approved interim actions to reduce the movement of PFAS compounds from the airport via Starkweather Creek. These actions include studying samples of Starkweather Creek to better understand the distribution and concentration of PFAS in the creek in areas within and just downstream of the airport boundary. Also, Dane County is working to improve storm water pipes that may be leaking or broken. The goal is to grout and basically tighten where contamination at highest levels is coming in, so we can prevent groundwater from infiltrating the system, Tutwiler said, noting a goal of completing the work in the fall. Dane County is also looking into technology that could potentially remove PFAS substances by capturing and containing them and working on reducing the discharge of PFAS coming from the storm water system into Starkweather Creek. The employees, who have since returned to work in person, said in the petition that having flexible work hours benefits constituents and employees, including their physical and mental health. Also, they said issues over scheduling conflicts and time off have been more easily resolved. We are requesting that with these things in mind that employees be given the grace and opportunity to coordinate with their manager, work group, and office to ensure that there is coverage to serve the public, while also allowing for remote work to continue into the future, the petition states. Providing a balance will improve stamina, morale, and overall work product for the Dane County Clerk of Courts office. The petition acknowledges that the privilege of working remotely should be revoked if an employee abuses the work plan. Esqueda, who received the petition but did not respond in any global way, said the office is not pursuing a routine remote work option going forward, though it could be available if theres a resurgence of COVID-19 or some other disaster. Hes not opposed to remote work as a concept but feels that his public-facing office, which relies on the processing of actual paper requires employees to be in the office. Its just a matter of time. Madison is still a valuable location. With the university, Epic, the capital everything lends itself to travel by air. People want to use us as opposed to traveling to Milwaukee or Chicago, Riechers said. While other industries have already begun to bounce back, progress for the travel industry has been slow. Airlines are looking to cities that are leisure-led first to reinstate nonstops, as opposed to business and education hubs like Madison. Leisure travel slowed during the pandemic but it never stopped, whereas business travel was almost entirely halted in the shift to virtual and remote work. Current projections point to airlines recovering as early as 2022 and as late as 2024. Riechers estimated that it may take months to years for lost nonstops to return to Dane County. Madison flyers should not plan on taking their favorite flights to San Francisco or Las Vegas anytime soon. Airlines are going through their own recovery process, some are having their business models restructured. Theyre still reluctant to commit to small hubs, Reichers said. Were just not the highest on their list. Dear Editor: Every month, an average of 53 women are shot and killed by their abuser in the U.S. In Wisconsin alone, there were 55 people killed by domestic abuse in 2013, and over half of those homicides were committed with a gun. So when the Red Flag Law was introduced but not given a hearing to advance during the 2019 legislative session, I was floored. This policy would prevent domestic violence abusers from having guns. If they get or keep a gun anyway, they can be fined up to $25,000 or sent to prison for up to 10 years, or both. Guns are used by abusers to inflict emotional trauma and to threaten victims. Guns increase the risk of homicide during a domestic violence incident by 500%. The refusal of the GOP majority in our Legislature to acknowledge this lethality of domestic abuse continues to silence victims. As a physician in training, I see physicians and other health care members venture on uncharted territories to protect their patients at the risk of their own health. What is best for the patient remains the highest priority. So I ask the GOP majority in the state Legislature, what holds you from reevaluating the traditional conservative stance on gun ownership in the setting of domestic violence? Five homes, three businesses and one church were ruled substantially damaged from the floods in La Valle and eligible for buyouts from the floods. La Valle is the latest municipality in Sauk County to receive an answer on federal funding related to the disaster. Last July, FEMA announced it would award $1.2 million in federal funds to Rock Springs to assist the village in its flood recovery efforts. Rock Springs is in the process of moving its downtown district out of the floodplain and onto higher grounds. In November, the village broke ground on a new municipal building to replace the one on Broadway Street that was damaged from the 2018 floods. 2. Capitol riots Two Senate committees are expected to release a 100-page-plus report next week on the security failures that led to the January's Capitol riots . The findings from the Senate Rules and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees will likely provide the basis of a new funding package to beef up Capitol security. However, the report will stop short of examining former President Donald Trump's role in the run-up to the attack. That's likely to fuel partisan fighting about whether further investigation into the attack is necessary. Two Capitol Police officers shared their experiences for the first time with CNN , saying rioters beat them, threatened to shoot them, and called them traitors. 3. White House President Biden will be heading out on his first international trip since taking office next week. His first stop will be the UK, where he'll meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of the G7 summit in southwestern England. Biden is set to hold meetings with the other leaders of G7 countries -- Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan -- during the visit. He'll also meet with Queen Elizabeth II before heading to Brussels to participate in a NATO summit. There, he'll meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "to discuss the full range of bilateral and regional issues," the White House says. Finally, it's off to Geneva, Switzerland, where Biden will hold a bilateral summit with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin on June 16. Several other meetings with other world leaders are planned throughout. BRUSSELS The European Union unveiled plans Thursday for a digital ID wallet that residents could use to access services across the 27-nation bloc, part of a post-pandemic recovery strategy that involves accelerating the shift to an online world. The European Digital Identity Wallet proposed by the EUs executive commission is a smartphone app that would let users store electronic forms of identification and other official documents, such as drivers licenses, prescriptions and school diplomas. The blocs 450 million residents would be able to use the wallet to access public or private services both online and offline while maintaining control of their personal data. Officials envision the wallet allowing a customer renting a car at an airport, for example, to complete the necessary ID checks and documents digitally and thereby skip the usual wait at an agency counter. Nightclub-goers could show the app to security guards at the door to prove their ages. Other potential uses include opening bank accounts, signing apartment leases and enrolling in universities outside an individuals home country. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The company said its experts were coordinating with Sri Lanka's navy to deal with an oil spill or other pollution. Sri Lankan navy spokesman Indika de Silva said the navy and coast guard were preparing for a spill with assistance from neighboring India. India has sent three ships to help, including one specifically equipped to deal with marine pollution. Colombo port's harbor master, Nirmal Silva, said there had been about 300 tons of oil on board and that experts believe it could have burned off in the fire. But we have to look at the worst-case scenario and we are not saying 100% there is no oil. There is a possibility that there may be some, Silva said. So far we have not seen any oil spill. We consider we are lucky. A ship manifest seen by The Associated Press described the X-Press Pearl as carrying just under 1,500 containers, with 81 of those containers described as carrying dangerous goods. Environmentalist Ajantha Perera said there was the potential for a terrible environmental disaster as hazardous goods, chemicals and oil could be released into the water and destroy marine ecological systems. A Milton man charged with attempted homicide last year for repeatedly stabbing a roommate over what was said to be the arrangement of living room furniture pleaded guilty Thursday to a lesser charge. Mathew D. Webb, 20, pleaded guilty to first-degree reckless injury for repeatedly stabbing Bryce Thibault on Nov. 10. He was originally charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for the incident, which happened at a home on Lake Court in rural Edgerton. Webb originally faced up to 60 years of combined prison and extended supervision but with the revised charge, he now faces up to 25 years. Under a plea agreement, however, Deputy District Attorney William Brown will ask for no more than 12 years of initial confinement when Webb is sentenced. By state law, the most Webb could receive is 15 years in prison, followed by 10 years of extended supervision. Circuit Judge Ellen Berz will sentence Webb on Aug. 17. According to a criminal complaint, Thibault told police he was stabbed by Webb after an argument about the placement of a sofa in the home, and the fact that Webb had been evicted from the home. MILWAUKEE A Pewaukee businessman has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $1 million in federal coronavirus relief funding meant for struggling businesses. According to prosecutors, Thomas Smith, 47, involved seven other people, including his brother, in a scheme to get federal funding for phantom companies. U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig told Smith Wednesday that he hopes a 57-month prison sentence and two years of supervision would let him get back on track as a contributing member of society, the Journal Sentinel reported. Ludwig also ordered Smith to repay the money he obtained through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which offered businesses forgivable loans if used for payroll, rent, utilities and other specific expenses. "You took advantage of our nation's generosity," Ludwig said, and undercut public trust in government. All the PPP applications, their proceeds and kickbacks to Smith ran through his bank, which got suspicious last summer and froze several accounts. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is refusing to turn over documents to state investigators who are looking into clergy sexual abuse in Wisconsins five Roman Catholic dioceses, warning Attorney General Josh Kaul that the records are sealed and that Kaul lacks the authority to initiate such an investigation. Kaul, a Democrat, announced the investigation in April, following the lead of officials who have launched similar investigations in 22 other states. Kaul said he wanted to paint the fullest possible picture of sexual abuse that occurred within Wisconsins Catholic churches. The archdiocese on Thursday released a letter its attorney, Frank LoCoco, sent to Kaul on Wednesday. LoCoco wrote that the archdiocese wont comply with state Department of Justices requests for documents about abuse because the records were sealed as part of the archdioceses 2012 federal bankruptcy case. LoCoco noted that for nearly 20 years, the archdiocese has been posting online the names of all clergy who faced substantiated abuse allegations and that the vast majority of the allegations date back to incidents in the 1960s and 1970s. Survivors have had years to file claims against the archdiocese and the archdiocese has implemented anti-abuse training for hundreds of employees and public safety is not at risk, he wrote. We just saw that those models really didnt fit exactly what was going on because transmission was different. We didnt really have homogeneous populations, and when you (are vaccinated) you may not be 100% protected from transmitting it or becoming reinfected, Blue said of experts shift away from thinking that herd immunity would bring coronavirus under control. While we have not met our public health goal, we do still have an opportunity to increase vaccination rates in all population groups, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokeswoman Niki Forbing-Orr said in an email. Vaccine is readily available in Idaho, and we are deploying a variety of methods to get vaccine to people and making it easy for people to choose to get the vaccine where they live, work, and play. Reaching our goal will take more time than we had originally estimated, but were still working hard to get as many people vaccinated as possible because that is the best way to stop the transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. Israel's visiting defense minister said Thursday that it will stay engaged as the U.S. tries to return to a nuclear deal with Iran, sidestepping what's long been an area of open disagreement between the United States and the now-jeopardized government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benny Gantz told reporters before a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Iran's nuclear program and other actions were an existential threat to Israel. Stopping Iran is certainly a shared strategic need of the United States," Israel and other countries, Gantz said. But on a visit that came as an opposition coalition back home tries to end Netanyahu's 12 years in power, Gantz unlike Netanyahu stopped short of openly opposing the Biden administration's efforts to get the United States back into a deal limiting Iran's nuclear program, in exchange for relief from sanctions. Sitting across a table from his U.S. counterpart at the Pentagon, Gantz said, Our dialogue is so important to ensuring that any deal effectively meets its goal of keeping Iran away from nuclear weapons. Of course, given the scope of the threat, Israel must always make sure that it has the ability to protect itself, Gantz added. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas GOP Chairman Allen West said Friday he is stepping down after a short but combative run of using the job to antagonize top Republicans in America's biggest red state, including protesting outside Gov. Greg Abbott's mansion. The decision intensified speculation that West, a firebrand who served one term in the U.S. House after coming up during the tea party movement in 2010, may pursue statewide office in Texas. He was coy about his future plans but acknowledged he is considering a run, although he did not say for which office. We will let you know when we want you to know," West told reporters in the East Texas town of Whitehouse, where he laid into the GOP-controlled Legislature for not passing enough conservative measures, including voting restrictions that Democrats blocked in a walkout. Abbott, who is running for a third term in 2022, was endorsed earlier this week by former President Donald Trump. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm joined a key member of the U.S. Senate in West Virginia on Thursday to promote the role that the once-booming coal-producing state will play in the development of clean energy. Sen. Joe Manchin and Granholm were joined at a news conference in Morgantown with partners in a collaboration to build a ship, in part using steel manufactured in landlocked West Virginia, to transport parts for U.S. offshore wind development projects. This is sort of a window into the opportunity for West Virginia to be a leader in the energy of the future, in addition to having led the energy that got us here and that still powers us, Granholm said. Offshore wind development is still in its infancy in the U.S., far behind progress made in Europe. A small wind farm operates near Block Island in waters controlled by the state of Rhode Island, and another small wind farm operates off the coast of Virginia. The so-called Jones Act prohibits foreign-flagged ships from hauling cargo between U.S. ports. Therefore Dominion Energy will own the 470-foot (143-meter) ship, named Charybdis, that will be built with the help of Steel of West Virginia. The Danish company Orsted and energy provider Eversource will charter the ship, which is expected to be built by the end of 2023. He was noncommittal before the vote but noted that Cal/OSHA must apply its rules to a wide variety of businesses, including places like meatpacking facilities that were hit especially hard by the virus. The Cal/OSHA regulations apply in almost every workplace in the state, including workers in officers, factories and retail. Its pandemic rules apply to all employees except those working from home or where there is a single employee who does not have contact with other people. Cal/OSHA is out of step with the rest of the country, Andrew Sommer said on behalf of the California Employers COVID-19 Prevention Coalition before the vote. The workplace rules set up an inconsistent standard between members of the public and employees of private and government workplaces, the California Chamber of Commerce and more than five dozen other business organizations said in a letter to the board. For instance, restaurant servers will have to remain masked while working but could go unmasked if they dine at the same location during their off hours, said Katie Hansen, senior legislative director for the California Restaurant Association. We recently had the opportunity to join in celebrating the completion of a very special project in Pocatello that is yet another reminder of the magnitude of respect and gratitude Idahoans have for the extraordinary Americans who serve in our countrys armed forces. Idaho is now home to one of our nations Gold Star Families Memorials thanks to the hard work and dedication of many Idahoans. This Memorial Day, as we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of Americans lost in service to our nation, we also hold in our hearts the Gold Star families who shoulder the price paid for the defense of our freedoms and the safety of Americans at home and abroad. The following is the text of the Congressional Record Statement we submitted to recognize this memorial that honors military families exceptional commitment to our country: RTHK: EU bans overflight by Belarus airlines Belarus carriers will be banned from flying over European Union territory or having access to its airports from Friday, the bloc said, as the country's exiled opposition leader called for more joint Western sanctions. The EU decision is part of planned punitive measures against Belarus in response to Minsk scrambling a warplane to force the landing on May 23 of a Ryanair flight carrying an opposition journalist, who was then arrested. The move is due to take effect at midnight Central European Time and requires EU member states "to deny permission to land in, take off from or overfly their territories to any aircraft operated by Belarusian air carriers," EU governments said in a statement. The ban also includes marketing carriers, which sell seats on planes operated by another airline as part of a code-share agreement. On Wednesday, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a safety directive saying all EU aircraft should also avoid Belarus airspace unless in an emergency. Global airline industry body IATA criticised the decision, which will make flights to Asia longer and more costly. However, the EU and NATO believe the forced landing of the flight from Athens to Vilnius to arrest journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend amounted to state piracy and must not be tolerated. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said Protasevich was plotting a rebellion, and accused the West of waging a hybrid war against him. National carrier Belavia flies to some 20 airports in Europe including in Germany, France, Italy and Austria. Enforcement of the ban on Belarus carriers will fall to national EU governments, many of whom are also members of NATO, who can scramble fighter jets to protect their airspace. Speaking in Poland, opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled Belarus for Lithuania following disputed presidential elections in August 2020, said that Group of Seven countries should work together to impose new sanctions. Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States are expected to discuss Belarus on June 11, but host Britain has not yet accepted a French call to invite the Belarusian opposition to the event. "Pressure is more powerful when these countries are acting jointly and we are calling on the UK, the USA, the European Union and Ukraine," Tsikhanouskaya said. EU governments say they are looking at targeting sectors that play a central role in Belarus' economy, to inflict real punishment on Lukashenko. They could include bond sales, the oil sector and key export potash. However, the bloc is expected to agree by June 21 a smaller sanctions list on individuals and two entities as a quick, intermediary response, according to diplomats. Tsikhanouskaya said the opposition has become more concerned about security since the Ryanair incident, and that they would try to provide more security training to those in exile. "I think that we started to pay more attention to security but again this is the strategy of the regime, to threaten people, to make them uncomfortable," she said. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Idaho politicians have been doggedly engaged of late in a quest to find and defeat a cunning and elusive adversary critical race theory (CRT). Republican legislators spent weeks this past session, trying without success to define it, then just gave up and prohibited its presence in public school classrooms. Much like the chimeric Sasquatch, they could not tell us what their prey was or where it could actually be found, but they knew it had to be stopped. The intrepid hunters killed public education funding bills until they were able to conjure up legislation preventing CRT from invading classrooms. Despite testimony of local school officials and State Board of Education members that CRT was not being taught in public schools or colleges, the legislators charged forward to stop it. Rather than defining CRT in House Bill 377, the lawmakers invoked Article IX, section 6 of the Idaho Constitution and prohibited educators at all levels from directing or compelling students to adhere to certain tenets relating to sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or national origin. That constitutional provision contains a strict prohibition against religious instruction in public classrooms, but says absolutely nothing about the other classifications. When did they decide to take advantage of our friendly accepting nature to exploit and take over and politically control where we were born and live, our beautiful North Idaho? North Idahos accepting nature has been turned against us by these new people who have run for political office as Republicans, were voted into office because of our own complacency of either not voting or not taking the time to learn who they were. Today these recently minted elected officials now believe they have garnered enough power to begin to expel locally grown and raised Republicans from our party by calling them names like non-Republicans or RINOs (Republicans in name only). Well, its high time those of us who have buried loved ones for generations in the hallowed soil of our home ground to stand up and make our statement that enough is enough. Recently a group of these newly minted radicals who are trying to co-opt our party have come out to smear one of our own locally home grown veteran heroes who we elected as our state senator, Jim Woodward. His alleged crime? Using his brain when he votes. He actually doesnt listen to the organization that is being used as a shadow government known as the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a Boise-based lobbying organization that has set itself up as judge and jury for anyone who has the audacity to vote against their radical will. Our Republican Party has never been against public education, has never been about preventing efficiency in emergency response to wide-spread disasters in our state. Our Republican Party has never been racist, or tolerant of radical white supremacy groups, or individuals who advocate violence against our state and nation. Its time to call them out for who they are. This isnt just about Sheikh Jarrah, its about the entire Israeli occupation, thats the problem. They arent going to stop here, says Saleh al-Diab, who was born, grew up, married and raised his own children in one of the homes under threat in Sheikh Jarrah. You lose your home to them in 1948 and then they come back after 1967 and take your home again, he said. Yaakov Fauci, a settler from Long Island, New York, who gained internet fame after a widely circulated video showed a Palestinian resident scolding him for stealing her home, says the Palestinians are squatting on private property. Theyve lived here since 1956. This is not exactly ancestral land going back to the times of Abraham," he said. Fauci says he is a tenant and has no personal involvement in the legal dispute, but he insists the land belongs to the Jewish people. We dont want to cause them any pain and suffering, but we need to have our land back," he said. "If there are people there, they have to unfortunately get out." Ir Amim estimates that settler organizations have already evicted 10 families in Sheikh Jarrah and at least 74 families in Silwan, a few kilometers (miles) away, in the last few decades. When former U.S. Sen. John Warner passed away last week at age 94, there were many tributes about how Warner represented a bygone era of politics that was less polarizing and more, well, gentlemanly. We use that term advisedly because Warner was not one to run an old boys club. For many years, his chief-of-staff was Susan Magill, who grew up in Roanoke County and wound up being named one of the 100 most powerful women in Washington. In 1998, reporter Christina Nuckols of The Roanoke Times wrote that Warners staff has one of the lowest turnovers on Capitol Hill, and the senator has a reputation among women in particular for being a good boss. Nuckols also wrote about something that didnt make any of the tributes: Warner led efforts to get a statue of womens suffrage leaders out of the Capitol basement and into the rotunda, the first time women were represented in the great hall. But we digress. Our point today is to revisit an incident from Warners 1996 re-election campaign that sheds some light on his character and, indirectly, the character (or lack thereof) of many politicians today. CLEVELAND (AP) One of the stars of the popular Nickelodeon children's show Drake & Josh faces criminal charges regarding a girl he had met online and who attended his 2017 concert in Ohio when she was 15. Jared Drake Bell, 34, pleaded not guilty on Thursday in a Cleveland courtroom to a felony charge of attempted endangering children and a misdemeanor charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. All facts will be revealed in a courtroom," Bells attorney Ian Friedman said Friday, declining to comment further. Bell was charged by information, which typically indicates a plea agreement has been reached. He is scheduled to appear before a judge on June 23. Tyler Sinclair, spokesperson for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley, said the girl filed a complaint with Canadian police in October 2018. Police there contacted Cleveland police, prompting an investigation. The attempted endangering children charge relates to the concert, Sinclair said, where Bell violated his duty of care and created a risk of harm to the victim. He didn't elaborate further. A spokeswoman told the newspaper that Hill plans to appeal the rulings that dismissed her lawsuit. An attorney for the Daily Mail did not respond to a request for comment. The judge previously ordered Hill to pay about $84,000 to the attorneys of Jennifer Van Laar, managing editor of the conservative website Red State, and about $30,000 to lawyers representing radio producer Joseph Messina. Hill initially accused Messina of being part of a conspiracy to distribute the pictures, but dropped her claim against him earlier this year. Krista Lee Baughman, an attorney representing Van Laar and Messina, told the Times that the ruling showed that those who file speech-chilling (intimidation) lawsuits must pay the price. Hill, 33, gained national attention in 2018 when she was elected to Congress in a district long under Republican control. She was celebrated as the face of millennial change and was close to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a fellow California Democrat. Less than a year later, as Hill was going through a divorce, Red State published stories alleging that she had an affair with a male congressional staffer and that she and her husband, Kenneth Heslep, had a previous relationship with a female campaign worker. The website and the Daily Mail also published provocative pictures. A Florida man accused of killing an iguana last year wanted a charge of animal cruelty dismissed on the basis of the state's "stand your ground" law. A judge has denied his motion. PJ Nilaja Patterson was arrested after allegedly beating, dragging and kicking a 3-foot iguana in Lake Worth, Florida, on September 2, 2020, according to a probable cause affidavit. The animal died as Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control was transporting it to be euthanized, according to the affidavit. Patterson's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the charge, but Judge Jeffrey Gillen denied the motion on Friday. In their motion, Patterson's attorneys Frank Vasconcelos and Carey Haughwout said their client was trying to save an iguana from getting run over by cars. When he brought it to safety, a crowd agitated the animal and it bit his right arm when he tried to move it, according to the motion. It says he then "kicked the iguana as far as he could." Patterson had to get 22 staples in his arm because of the bite, according to the motion. "In this case, Patterson acted in a reasonable manner under all the circumstances because the wild iguana was first to engage with physical violence, during the encounter," his attorneys wrote. 3D rendering of a B cell. Credit: Blausen.com staff (2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. CC BY-SA 4.0 A team of researchers affiliated with institutions in the U.S., Cambodia and France has found an association between antibody afucosylated immunoglobulin levels in the blood and the severity of dengueand possibly COVID-19. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their study of the antibodies and what they learned about them. Ruklanthi de Alwis and Eng Eong Ooi with the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore have published a Perspectives piece in the same journal issue outlining prior work involved in studying the antibody Fc domain and the work done by the team in this new effort. As de Alwis and Ooi note, most research involved in studying antigens is focused on the "V" part of "Y" shaped antigen molecules, while little has been done with the tail, which is called the Fc domain. In this new effort, the researchers looked at sugar molecules associated with the Fc domain and their connection to the severity of dengue and COVID-19. In humans, antibodies are created by B cellsthe most abundant kind is immunoglobulin G (IgG). Prior research has shown that patients with severe dengue symptoms tend to have an associated increase in afucosylated (a state of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity) IgG1 glycoforms (types of saccharides) in their blood. Until now, it was not known if such increases came about due to dengue infection or if it was a preexisting condition that may have led to more severe symptoms of the disease. To find out, the researchers looked at the binding regions on both the Fab (the V part of the Y) and the and the Fc domains on antigens from patients before and after infection who had variable symptom severity. They found that those patients who developed more severe symptoms had higher levels of afucosylated immunoglobulin levels in their blood soon after infection than did patients with less severe symptoms. This finding suggests that testing for such levels in patients infected with dengue could provide doctors with a means for figuring out which of them will develop more serious symptoms. The researchers also note that dengue and COVID-19 share a common pathology and because of that, testing for IgG1 glycoform levels may also serve as an indicator of symptom severity in COVID-19 patients. Explore further New evidence shows second dengue infection can be more severe due to antibody levels More information: Stylianos Bournazos et al, Antibody fucosylation predicts disease severity in secondary dengue infection, Science (2021). Stylianos Bournazos et al, Antibody fucosylation predicts disease severity in secondary dengue infection,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/science.abc7303 Ruklanthi de Alwis et al, Antibody sugars are bittersweet, Science (2021). DOI: 10.1126/science.abj0435 Journal information: Science 2021 Science X Network Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Argentina President Alberto Fernandez on Friday announced the South American country would begin producing the Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine following a virtual meeting with his counterpart Vladimir Putin. "Next Sunday, an airplane will leave for Moscow to bring back the active ingredient so production can begin immediately in Argentina," said Fernandez. In December, Argentina was the first Latin American country to approve the Sputnik vaccine. It has been approved in more than 65 countries but those do not include the United States or any in the European Union. "We're delighted with the results from this vaccine because millions of Argentines' lives have been saved," said Fernandez. The private Richmond laboratory will be tasked with producing the vaccine, with a capacity of making one million doses a month to begin with. The laboratory hopes to increase that to five million a month within a year. Another Argentine laboratory has been charged with producing the AstraZeneca vaccine, to then be assembled in Mexico, but the process has run into problems that have delayed production. Argentina has administered 10.4 million coronavirus doses so far, including the Sputnik, AstraZeneca and Sinopharm jabs. The country of 45 million people has recorded 3.8 million cases and almost 80,000 deaths from COVID. 2021 AFP Credit: glidagida (Pixabay) During the pandemic, people around the world have spent their lives in unusually quiet placesoften at home, isolated or bubbled with family or friends. As restrictions ease in North America and parts of Europe, and people are allowed to socialize again and go back to work, they'll likely find themselves in much noisier places. New research from Western University and University College London (UCL) suggests these same people may need to brush up on the social skill of concentrating on a conversation in the midst of all of the noise. The study also shows how people can train themselves to do this better. "When we go into cafes, pubs and restaurants, we often hear the chatter of other conversations around us, which makes it more difficult to understand the person we're trying to listen to," said Emma Holmes, UCL senior research fellow and former postdoctoral fellow at Western's Brain and Mind Institute. She says people are usually quite good at understanding what someone's saying when they're in a quiet place, but it can be very difficult to understand what someone's saying when there is background noise. "We may need to ask the person to repeat what they've said, or move to a quieter place, before we can understand what they're saying," said Holmes. "For older people and people with hearing loss, even a small amount of background noise can make it very difficult to understand what someone's saying." Holmes explained that when hearing a familiar voice the listener is picking up on two kinds of information at the same time: knowing the identity of the person who's speaking (for example, distinguishing whether the person you're listening to is Bill or Ted) and understanding the conversation with them. Familiar voices are more intelligible than unfamiliar voices when there is ambient noise, says Western Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Brain and Mind Institute director Ingrid Johnsrude. In previous research, Johnsrude and her collaborators found that the voices of friends and romantic partners were understood better than those of strangers, even when what was said was identical. In the new study, the neuroscientists compared the length of training with a new voice that is required for listeners to be able to identify the speaker by name, and how long it takes for that same voice to become more intelligible than others. To achieve this, study participants were trained to recognize three different voices by listening to them with headphones in a quiet room at the Brain and Mind Institute (pre-pandemic). They were exposed to one voice for about 10 minutes, another for 20 minutes and a third for 60 minutes. They then listened to lots of different sentences from the three talkers, all mixed up. After each sentence they had to select the name of the person who spoke it. After the training, the neuroscientists tested the intelligibility of the three voices heard during the training with two new, unfamiliar voices all amid background speech that mimicked the conditions of a restaurant or other public space. "Voice training improved ability to recognize identity from a voice, and intelligibility of a voice, but over different time scales," said Johnsrude. Even 10 minutes with a voice was enough for listeners to accurately identify a person by name, nearly 100 percent of the time. "However, voices trained for 60 minutes were more intelligible than voices trained for shorter periods," said Johnsrude. "In-lab training for 60 minutes also provided the same amount of benefit to intelligibility as seen for naturally familiar friends, siblings and spouses who have been known for years." Outside a lab setting, people could train for voice recognition at home by using a phone or laptop with headphones, the researchers said. "Interestingly, our results suggest that people wouldn't need a particularly quiet space to complete the training," said Holmes. "Some of our participants completed the training in silence, whereas others completed the training when there was some background noise and we found that training was similarly effective in both cases." Laboratory technician takes a blood sample. Credit: UNICEF Ethiopia/2014/Ayene,CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 The acute shortage of hematologists in Sub-Saharan Africa has given rise to an urgent need for training to help address increasing cases of blood disorders, scientists say. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one clinical hematologist per 100,000 people in every country to diagnose and treat patients with diseases of the blood and bone marrow. But African countries fall well below this target, according to Vernon Louw, head of the Division of Hematology at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa. "Clinical hematologists have been needed for a very long time [in Africa] but there are very few training centers and training positions," Louw tells SciDev.Net. "Several medical schools do not have a single clinical hematologist." South Africa, with a population of almost 60 million people, needs about 600 hematologists to meet the WHO target, but the country currently has fewer than 30 hematologists, according to a press statement by the UCT last month. According to Louw, there is an urgent need to train hematologists on the continent. "Angola, Botswana and Namibia do not have a single clinical hematologist while Malawi and Zimbabwe have just one each," he says. Louw explains that hematologists treat a very wide range of disorders and conditions, including cancers of the blood and bone marrow such as myeloma, lymphoma, leukaemia, anemia and thrombosis, which are very common conditions. "In the past five to ten years, eight clinical hematologists have completed training at the [Division of Hematology at the UCTand there are another four currently in training," he tells SciDev.Net. The goal, he explains, is to train African clinical hematologists and increase the alarmingly low number of specialists on the continent who are equipped to help treat and manage blood disorders. "There is a massive population of patients out there with treatable and oftentimes curable cancers and diseases. If they are not seen and treated by an appropriately trained person, these conditions are often fatal," Louw explains. He tells SciDev.Net that the greatest challenge is inadequate funding for trainees, adding that in the past, his institution organized some outreach programs in African countries to help train hematologists but it was not successful. He calls on policymakers to consider the selection of centers to train clinical hematologists in Africa by subregions including Southern, East and West Africa. Walter Mwanda, professor of hematology and blood transfusion at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, says that one of the main reasons for this shortage is because there are no clear training paths for hematologists. "Hematologists ideally belong to any of the following disciplines: internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics and general [medicine]," Mwanda says. He adds that currently after postgraduation, most clinical students tend to stick to subspecialties such as internal medicine, and are reluctant to specialize in hematology which would require further intensive training. "This situation can be improved by stating the pathways of becoming a clinical hematologist, what work is involved and upward movement," explains Mwanda, adding that there should also be sponsored programs to incentivise trainees and trainers. Explore further 'Systems-based' hematologist is new way to provide hematology expertise Provided by SciDev.Net Credit: CC0 Public Domain A study of over 59,000 Icelandic adolescents by a team of Icelandic and North American behavioral and social scientists found that COVID-19 has had a significant, detrimental impact on adolescent mental health, especially in girls. The study is the first to investigate and document age- and gender-specific changes in adolescent mental health problems and substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic, while accounting for upward trends that were appearing before the pandemic. The findings are published in The Lancet Psychiatry. The study found that negative mental health outcomes were disproportionately reported by girls and older adolescents (13-18-year-olds), compared to same-age peers prior to the pandemic. At the same time, it revealed a decline in cigarette smoking, e-cigarette usage and alcohol intoxication among 15-18-year-old adolescents during the pandemic. "The decrease observed in substance use during the pandemic may be an unintended benefit of the isolation that so many adolescents have endured during quarantine," said collaborating senior investigator John Allegrante, an affiliated professor of sociomedical sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and an applied behavioral scientist. Thorhildur Halldorsdottir, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at Reykjavik University who is the study co-principal investigator, said the study represents a "landmark contribution to what we now know about just how psychologically devastating being socially isolated from peers and friends during the ongoing pandemic has been for young people." According to the researchers, prior studies have not been designed to determine whether clinically relevant levels of depressionas opposed to self-reported depressive symptomsand substance use have increased during the pandemic. Inga Dora Sigfusdottir, professor of sociology at Reykjavik University, scientific director of the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis, and research professor of health education at Teachers College, said the study "differs in methodology from previous studies in that it tracked population-based prevalence of mental health outcomes and substance use over several years in order to better understand the potential effects of COVID-19 from recent upward trends in adolescent mental health problems. Previous studies of adolescents during COVID-19 found evidence of increased mental health problems and certain types of substance use that had been rising before the pandemic. This study, however, compares current data with several pre-pandemic time points, which enabled the researchers to separate the effect of COVID-19 from other recent, downward trends in adolescent mental health. The implication of the new study is that interventions intended to lessen the negative impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health might help improve the mental health outlook for young people around the world who have been caught up in the pandemic, observed Allegrante, who is also senior professor of health education at Columbia Teachers College. "Isolation during the pandemic has been universal and it is global, and it is having a clinically important, negative impact on young people who have not been in school during the pandemic. Whether an adolescent was an Icelander in Reykjavik who had been at home for most of the last year or an American in New York City, living under the same circumstancesbeing at home, engaged in remote learning and separated from friendsthe consequences of not going to school not only set back their learning but also negatively affected their mental health. What we don't know is by how much." The study shows that population-level prevention efforts, especially for girls, are warranted," but that "more study is needed to determine the long-term effects of quarantine and being socially isolated from one's peers, including the effects on learning and academic achievement and relationships with parents, siblings, and peers," said Allegrante. Ingibjorg Eva Thorisdottir, chief data analyst at the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis (ICSRA) at Reykjavik University (who studied at Teachers College in 2009 as part of an exchange with Reykjavik University), was the principal investigator and lead author of the report. Alfgeir L. Kristjansson, Senior Scientist at ICSRA and Associate Professor of Public Health at West Virginia University and a co-author of the study, said the "results underline the significance of social relationships in the health and well-being of youth and the importance of nurturing and maintaining strong social support mechanisms in their lives. The Lancet Psychiatry study report highlights these findings at population scale." Kristjansson was a postdoctoral fellow with Allegrante at Teachers College during 2010-2012. In a commentary that accompanies the article's publication, Gertrud Sofie Hafstad and Else-Marie Augusti, both senior researchers at the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies in Oslo, write that the study "clearly shows that gauging the mental health status of adolescents over time is of imminent importance." Explore further Those with history of adverse childhood experiences more likely to bear heavier burden during pandemic More information: Ingibjorg Eva Thorisdottir et al, Depressive symptoms, mental wellbeing, and substance use among adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland: a longitudinal, population-based study, The Lancet Psychiatry (2021). Journal information: The Lancet Psychiatry Ingibjorg Eva Thorisdottir et al, Depressive symptoms, mental wellbeing, and substance use among adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland: a longitudinal, population-based study,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(21)00156-5 Credit: University at Buffalo Cystic fibrosis is a genetic, progressive disease that causes persistent lung infections and impacts the most basic physical processes. While recent breakthroughs have significantly extended the lifespan of patients with CF, the disease presents patients and their caregivers with significant, lifelong daily challenges. The primary purpose of cystic fibrosis clinics is to treat the physical disease, but providers are well aware of the mental toll it takes on patients and caregivers. "It can be challenging for people with CF and their families to sustain daily therapies and to live with a life-limiting disease," said Danielle M. Goetz, MD, director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center of Western New York at UBMD Pediatrics and Oishei Children's Hospital, and clinical associate professor of pediatrics in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. "Our team began to feel that mental health screening was an important part of care to look at." The Jacobs School/Oishei team effort was led by Goetz and Carla A. Frederick, MD, associate professor of medicine, with guidance from Drucy Borowitz, MD, professor emeritus of pediatrics, and Beth Smith, MD, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics. In 2013, the Buffalo researchers began systematically using efficient tools for screening for anxiety and depression in patients and their caregivers, both of whom exhibit higher rates of these conditions than the general population. The researchers also developed an algorithm to determine which type of treatment would be necessary. The screening process has been shared with other centers and was piloted at a larger CF center at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. These tools and the research it is based on are described in a paper published last month in the British Medical Journal Open Quality. "CF is a disease that affects the whole body, including the ability to breathe and digest food," explained Goetz, who is also a pediatric pulmonologist with UBMD Pediatrics. "The burden of taking two to three hours per day to clear the airways of mucus and taking multiple medicines can be so difficult and cause feelings of isolation." The disease also can cause diabetes and liver problems. Impact on health outcomes "It is a lot to think about and address," said Goetz, adding that previous studies have shown that depression in CF patients is linked with worse health outcomes, including decreased lung function, lower body mass index, and increased exacerbations and hospitalizations. Due to the grave risk of passing infections to each other, people with CF are also not supposed to gather, as depicted in the book and adapted Hollywood film "Five Feet Apart," which tells the story of a romance between two teens with CF. In reality, CF patients are advised to stay six feet apart from each other (even before the COVID-19 pandemic), a restriction that by itself can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. At the same time, since most CF patients are diagnosed as young children, parents or caregivers of CF patients are intimately involved with their care. "Parenting is hard, and parenting a child who has multiple medical and perhaps social needs is challenging," said Goetz. "It makes sense that depression and anxiety are more common in these parents and caregivers. Watching and helping their child go through multiple stressors is painful. We support the parents and caregivers, oftentimes talking to them about how they are dealing with their child or loved one's illness and how we can help them to seek help when needed." Simple screening In 2013, the center began to assess all of its 180 pediatric and adult CF patients for depression. The center is now screening between 95% and 99% of patients and caregivers. The first step was a simple screening questionnaire (the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, or PHQ-2), which asks about the degree to which the individual has experienced either depression or anhedonia (lack of pleasure in activities the patient used to find pleasurable). A positive response to either question triggers a more detailed questionnaire (the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 or PHQ-9) or Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire, which the center now uses as the initial screening tools. With these questionnaires, along with clinical assessments, the center assesses patients as having mild, moderate, moderately severe or severe depression or anxiety. Patients are then referred to mental health specialists or treated at the CF center by its own mental health coordinator. They receive follow-up assessments to determine effectiveness of treatment. The researchers reported a higher prevalence of both depression and anxiety in the CF center than has been reported in the literature. Suicidal thoughts They also found that 5-10% of patients and caregivers had thought about committing suicide. The researchers had made the decision to include suicidal ideation in the screening process, and all clinic staff were trained to assess for this. "We looked at it this way," said Goetz. "If we choose not to screen for suicidal ideation, it just means we may be missing it, not that suicidal ideation is not occurring. It is a challenging thing to screen for, though, if you don't know what to do with a positive screen. So, it is important for the whole team to understand how to do the screening and how to make an emergency plan with patients. Anyone on the team can learn, especially nurses and providers, but really anyone, in case there isn't a social worker or psychologist on the team." The center's emergency plans are tailored to each patient and may involve development of a suicide risk management plan, i.e., a "safety net" for the patient, or urgent or emergent referral to a mental health professional. Goetz explained that the stepped process, beginning with the short questionnaire, allows for quick screening for all people with CF and their caregivers. "A provider can then hone in on what needs to be done for each patient, with a focus on those who need more interventions," she said. "It has been so meaningful to have a social worker and psychologist in our clinic who can help support the providers in providing the best mental health care or referrals for care," she added. "I can't say enough good things about this integrative approach and the importance of mental health and its impact on physical health." CF Care Center teams also include nutritionists, respiratory therapists, nurse coordinators and research coordinators, all of whom play essential roles in quality improvement efforts. The toolkit and related resources have now been disseminated on an international listserv for CF mental health and medical providers. The CF Center of WNY at UB and Oishei Children's Hospital, a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited center that treats patients from eight counties, has been involved in the CF Foundation's Quality Improvement Network. Goetz noted that the mental health screening project demonstrates a key premise of the quality improvement effort. "We know now that people with CF should be involved with our projects from their inception," said Goetz. "That is an excellent aim for all teams looking to improve clinical care: The people who know best how to improve the process for disease assessment and management are likely the people living with the disease." Explore further Young epilepsy patients may benefit from mental health screening More information: Danielle Marie Goetz et al, Systematic depression and anxiety screening for patients and caregivers: implementation and process improvement in a cystic fibrosis clinic, BMJ Open Quality (2021). Danielle Marie Goetz et al, Systematic depression and anxiety screening for patients and caregivers: implementation and process improvement in a cystic fibrosis clinic,(2021). DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2020-001333 Scanning electron micrograph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which cause TB. Credit: NIAID Nearly a quarter of the world's population is estimated to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), the pathogen that causes tuberculosis, but less than 15 percent of infected individuals develop the disease. A study published May 24 in Nature Immunology by investigators from Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard offers insights into the immune system that may help explain why some people have latent infections and others get sick. In collaboration with Socios En Salud, (a part of Partners In Health based in Peru), researchers looked at a type of immune cell called memory T cells from 259 Peruvian individuals who were participating in a long-term program to monitor the progression of TB in people who were found to have latent infections. The study leveraged high-dimensional single-cell data with new computational techniques to define key cell states for TB progression By integrating single-cell RNA and surface protein data from more than 500,000 memory T cells, researchers defined 31 cell states and identified a key T cell type, Th17, that may be deficient in many individuals who progress to active TB. This study implicated Th17 function as a potential component of preventing TB progression. "We are hopeful that the strategies used will help us in the future to identify high-risk individuals for TB, and point the way to the kinds of vaccines and other immunomodulatories that might prevent TB," said corresponding author Soumya Raychaudhuri, professor of medicine at HMS and Brigham and Women's and professor of biomedical informatics at HMS. "This study is exciting not only because of the large-scale single-cell genomic tools that we use, but because it is one of the only studies of its kind in infectious disease," Raychaudhuri said. Raychaudhuri is also director of the Center for Data Sciences at Brigham and Women's and an institute member at the Broad. The study is the latest result of a long-term collaboration between HMS researchers and the health care delivery nongovernmental organization Socios En Salud, led by Megan Murray, the Ronda Stryker and William Johnston Professor of Global Health in the Blavatnik Institute at HMS and D. Branch Moody, HMS professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's, both co-authors the new study. Murray's work in Peru has centered around the epidemiology and genetics of tuberculosis. Murray's collaboration with Raychaudhuri's team includes a previous study reported in Nature Communications in 2019 that analyzed how a given individual's genetics impact their chances of becoming infected or ill with TB and identified a gene associated with TB progression, as well as a study that identified the single largest genetic contributor to height known to date. Additional co-authors from HMS, Brigham and Women's, the Broad, Socios En Salud, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, University of California San Francisco, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Utrecht University, and the University of Manchester also contributed to this study. Explore further Researchers identify most powerful gene variant for height known to date More information: Aparna Nathan et al, Multimodally profiling memory T cells from a tuberculosis cohort identifies cell state associations with demographics, environment and disease, Nature Immunology (2021). Journal information: Nature Immunology , Nature Communications Aparna Nathan et al, Multimodally profiling memory T cells from a tuberculosis cohort identifies cell state associations with demographics, environment and disease,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-00933-1 Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The EU on Friday submitted a proposal to the WTO for a multilateral pact aimed at boosting production of COVID-19 vaccines, but which calls for compulsory licensing deals rather than suspending patents. The European Commission reiterated the reservations that it holds about the temporary lifting of patents, as requested by India and South Africa, and now backed by Washington. "In reality, the main problem at this moment relates to the lack of sufficient manufacturing capacity to rapidly produce the required quantities," commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said in a statement. "The objective must be to ensure that any available and adequate manufacturing capacity anywhere in the world is used for the COVID-19 vaccines production." Brussels urged members of the World Trade Organization to "ensure that COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and their components can cross borders freely". It also called for an increase in vaccine production and making sure "those countries most in need of vaccines receive them at an affordable price" and facilitating "the use of compulsory licensing" within a WTO framework protecting intellectual property. The EU has come out strongly against the US position on patents, repeatedly emphasising that the European bloc has exported as many COVID vaccine doses as it has kept for itself, while the United States has sent abroad very little, prioritising its own population instead. "Vaccine-producing countries should be ready to export a fair share of their domestic production," it said, in its statement. Explore further EU lawmakers back COVID vaccines patent waiver 2021 AFP FIGURE 1 The relationship between latitude and allele frequency of HLA-DRB1*01:01 in 151 populations from around the world. Spearman rank correlation r = .609, P .001 The first evidence of a genetic link explaining why some people who catch COVID-19 don't become sick has been discovered. A scientific and medical team led by Newcastle University, UK, have demonstrated that the gene, HLA-DRB1*04:01, is found three times as often in people who are asymptomatic. This suggests that people with this gene have some level of protection from severe COVID. The study, funded by Innovate UK, the UK's innovation agency, compared asymptomatic people to patients from the same community who developed severe COVID but had no underlying illnesses, and is published today in the HLA journal. The study team believe this is the first clear evidence of genetic resistance because this study compared severely affected people with an asymptomatic COVID group and used next generation sequencing to focus in detail and at scale on the HLA genes which are packed together on chromosome 6. Other studies have scanned the whole genome but that approach is less effective in the tissue typing complex. Genome wide studies can be likened to a satellite image. The high density and complexity of the histocompatibility complex and variation in different populations means significant variation can be overlooked. For example, different alleles or versions of the same gene could have opposite effects on the immune response. This study was much more focused and compared symptomatic to asymptomatic in the same population revealing the "protective" qualities of the allele. It is known that the human leukocyte antigen gene identified, HLA-DRB1*04:01, is directly correlated to latitude and longitude. This means more people in the North and West of Europe are likely to have this gene. This suggests that populations of European descent will be more likely to remain asymptomatic but still transmit the disease to susceptible populations. Dr. Carlos Echevarria from the Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University who also works as a Respiratory Consultant in the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is a co-author of the paper says: "This is an important finding as it may explain why some people catch COVID but don't get sick. "It could lead us to a genetic test which may indicate who we need to prioritize for future vaccinations." "At a population level, this is important for us to know because when we have lots of people who are resistant, so they catch COVID but don't show symptoms, then they risk spreading the virus while asymptomatic." Geolocation The effect of genes being linked to geolocation is an accepted scientific concept and it is well known that HLA genes develop over generations in reaction to disease-causing pathogens. Study author, David Langton, whose company ExplantLab helped fund the study through an Innovate UK research award, added: "Some of the most interesting findings were the relationships between longitude and latitude and HLA gene frequency. It has long been known that the incidence of multiple sclerosis increases with increasing latitude. This has been put down in part to reduced UV exposure and therefore lower vitamin D levels. We weren't aware, however, that one of the main risk genes for MS, that is DRB1*15:01, directly correlates to latitude. "This highlights the complex interaction between environment, genetics and disease. We know some HLA genes are vitamin D responsive, and that low vitamin D levels are a risk factor for severe COVID and we are doing further work in this area." The study used samples from 49 patients with severe COVID who had been hospitalized with respiratory failure, samples from an asymptomatic group of 69 hospital workers who had tested positive through routine blood antibody testing and a control group from a study into the relationship between HLA genotypes and the outcomes of joint replacement surgery. The study used next generation sequencing machines to study the different versions, or alleles, of the HLA genes in depth which was combined with a variety of expertise and modeling. The research was limited to samples from North East England during the first lockdown. This reduced variation in the study groups but more studies will be needed in the UK and other populations as there may be different copies of the HLA genes providing resistance in other populations. The work was a collaboration between Newcastle University, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as well as the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Co-author, Professor Sir John Burn, Professor of Clinical Genetics at Newcastle University said: "SARS Cov-2 is one of the greatest threats Mankind has faced. The more we understand why some people become sick, the better we can defend ourselves against this virus and others like it in future." Explore further Genes associated with COVID-19 risk identified More information: David J. Langton et al, The influence of HLA genotype on the severity of COVID19 infection, HLA (2021). David J. Langton et al, The influence of HLA genotype on the severity of COVID19 infection,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/tan.14284 Credit: CC0 Public Domain The harsh impact of the COVID pandemic on healthcare workers' mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing has been laid bare in a study showing how the impact intensified the longer the pandemic dragged on. Early findings reveal how depression, sleep problems, and personal relationship issues all increased through the course of the pandemic, with more than a quarter (26%) of healthcare workers seeking help for their mental health, and over four in ten experiencing burnout. In September 2020, half of healthcare workers (50%) reported feeling depressed or hopeless, but this increased to nearly six in ten (58%) by January. Similarly, the number of people saying they had difficulty falling and staying sleep increased (from 64% to 71%), and the proportion saying that work was affecting their personal relationships jumped from one third (32%) to nearly half (48%). The study, which was funded by Barts Charity, found that anxiety levels shot up dramatically during the first wave, with more than 8 in 10 (84%) worrying that they would pass COVID on to their relatives. In fact, one fifth of healthcare workers made new living arrangements to protect clinically vulnerable family members. Petra Francis, matron for specialist medicine at Newham University Hospital, said: "It was a very emotional time for me as I saw a lot of families affected by the virus and lot of loved ones die. I stopped watching news and stopped talking about work at home in order to get time out. I was always tired and worried about my loved ones and me. I am very thankful for the team that worked with me, we all supported each other to get through the tough times. We cried together a lot as a team and it made us stronger for those who needed us." As time went on, more people said that the amount of physical activity they were doing had decreased (48% to 55%), and that they had put on weight or increased in dress size (40% to 45%). Two thirds of healthcare workers said they had trouble relaxing throughout the pandemic, and half found it impossible to stop worrying. Study lead Dr. Ajay Gupta, a cardiovascular consultant at St Bartholomew's Hospital and senior clinical lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, said that the findings were shocking and clearly demonstrated how hard it had been for healthcare professionals: "It is clear that the pandemic has taken a big toll on the healthcare workforceperhaps even bigger than we initially suspected. Levels of depression and anxiety have been high, and many colleagues are experiencing frequent feelings of burnout. "Three months into the pandemic we could already see the impact the stress was starting to have on staff, and, sadly, this only got worse with time. However, our study clearly, for the first time, points out specific areas to act on to help improve this situation. It also provides for understanding about various interventions that may be useful to reduce this extreme burden posed by the pandemic." More than 1,000 healthcare workers took part in the study, most of whom were doctors and nurses working in London. The findings will be sent for publication in due course. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Genetics and genomics are increasingly in the news. People can buy genetic tests on the internet, without providing a medical reason or involving a health professional. But how useful is personal genetic health information, and are there any downsides to buying tests? I am a researcher in the Radcliffe Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford, and a genetic counselor working with patients with inherited cardiac disease and their families. I see at first hand the benefits of genetic testing in the NHS, but also the variety of questions people want to discuss before going ahead with a test. Buying a 'direct to consumer'; (DTC) genetic test is different from an NHS genetic test in many ways, so when the UK Parliament announced an inquiry into Commercial genomics in 2019, I submitted written evidence along with many health professionals and academics, commercial providers and other interested parties. The Research & Public Policy Partnership scheme opened in late 2019 and seemed a good opportunity to start to build a program of research that would have policy input from the start, ensuring its relevance for policy. The University Policy Engagement Team suggested approaching Dr. Peter Border at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). Together with a General Practice and ethicist colleague, Dr. Andrew Papanikitas, we put together a proposal outlining how we would work together and what we wanted to achieve. We had planned an event bringing together a range of stakeholders in April 2020 in Oxford, but due to the COVID 19 pandemic it was quickly clear that could not happen. Pivoting quickly, one of our first spends was a subscription to an online meetings platform, and in fact the team has never met in person. We spent some time thinking about how we could adapt, and arrived at a plan to hold a series of online meetings with the people whose views we were interested in hearing. We wanted to consider a range of perspectives about three sources of personal genetic health information: the NHS, which offers genetic testing to people with a rare disease or cancer and at risk relatives, commercial genetic testing which can be bought by anyone who has the financial means, and research testing. We reached out to commercial providers, NHS professionals, genomic scientists, patient representatives, legal experts, charities funding medical research, and ethicists and other scholars with expert knowledge. Fortunately most people contacted agreed to take part; perhaps an advantage of the adapted setup meant that people could more easily commit to a shorter (90 minutes) meeting from home. All meetings were recorded and professionally transcribed. After each meeting the team analyzed the transcript, met to discuss in depth and agree areas of further interest. This process allowed us to direct the next discussion, by posing key questions to one or two 'witnesses," and encouraging other witnesses to offer perspectives. The meetings felt quite intense because we covered a lot of ground, but our mild worries that witnesses might clash were not realizedeveryone was good-natured. Our learnings fed into a summary document for POST which contributed to the parliamentary inquiry. We have successfully bid for more funding with an additional policy partner, Health Education England Genomics Education Program to develop inclusion of ethical considerations, including those identified in our partnership, into health professional education. Looking to the future, we will use what we've learned to articulate areas requiring further policy-directed research. This has been a new way of working for Andrew, Peter and me. The practical issues raised by needing to work collaboratively yet remotely seemed very challenging at the start, but have perhaps been balanced by the advantages offered by setting up a structure for accessible meetings. The three of us have very different professional backgrounds, and that has sometimes meant listening and adapting to unfamiliar ideas and ways of thinking. The content of the outputs we've generated is very different from those I had expected, and have highlighted new areas of interest for me. The new project is testament to the value we've derived from the partnership. Explore further More education on the benefits of genetic testing could accelerate its potential An image taken from a YouTube video shows results of a rapid blood test developed by Johns Hopkins researchers that can confirm in minutes if a person has been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Credit: Robert Kruse One challenge as society reopens is identifying who has been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. A team of Johns Hopkins researchers has developed a rapid blood test that could confirm a person has been vaccinated while they wait to board a plane or enter a sporting event. Their COVID-19 antibody test is similar to one used at home to determine blood type, where the user pricks a finger and places a drop of blood on a card. A fusion protein developed by the research team is housed on the card and detects COVID-19 antibodies, tiny proteins in the blood the immune system produces to "remember" viral encounters and provide immunity to future infections. Results come back in less than five minutes, faster than current lateral flow tests to detect antibodies at point of care, while also potentially providing a clearer result. Robert Kruse, M.D., Ph.D., who created the blood test, says it could be used to confirm a person's vaccination instead of having to show a vaccine card. "If a business is using the honor system for vaccinations, now they could test people on-site," he says. Kruse is lead author of a paper posted online earlier this month that reported results of the test on 400 blood samples, half of which were from prior COVID-19 patients. The test correctly identified antibodies in previously infected patients 87.5% of the time, a slightly higher rate than ELISA tests performed in hospitals that require hours to perform. The paper is being peer-reviewed. Demonstration of the test. Credit: Robert Kruse The test uses hemagglutination, in which the degree of clumping together of red blood cells reveals the concentration of antibodies. Kruse, a pathology resident at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said the hemagglutination results could let people know if they still have protection months after they received the vaccine or if they need a booster shot. The degree of hemagglutination also correlated with levels of neutralizing antibodies in patients, which protect against viral infection. Immunocompromised patients, who studies have shown don't always respond to the COVID-19 vaccine, could test their antibody level and see if the vaccine is working for them, says Yuting Huang, M.D., Ph.D., Kruse's co-author and a research fellow at Johns Hopkins as well as chief resident of internal medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus. Kruse and Huang developed the test in the lab of Zack Z. Wang, Ph.D., an associate professor at Johns Hopkins in the Division of Hematology. Kruse says the research is an example of the "Hopkins network coming through": Colleagues in pathology connected Kruse and Huang with researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who already had patient samples and test results they were using for their own COVID-19 studies, allowing for collaboration and data-sharing. "If those collaborating labs didn't have those samples, we wouldn't really have known how well it worked," says Kruse. Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures is seeking patent protection for the technology, which is available for licensing. The test's creators are seeking an industry collaborator to manufacture the cards and have applied for funding through TEDCO's Maryland Innovation Initiative to assist in commercializing its research. Explore further Researchers develop system for using everyday glucose monitors to detect COVID-19 antibodies More information: Robert L. Kruse et al, A hemagglutination-based, semi-quantitative test for point-of-care determination of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels, medRxiv (2021). Robert L. Kruse et al, A hemagglutination-based, semi-quantitative test for point-of-care determination of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels,(2021). DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.01.21256452 Russian officials said Friday a European review of the country's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine is going "according to plan" and the jab may be approved in the coming months, local news agencies reported. Sputnik V has been registered in more than 65 countries but has yet to be approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "Everything is going according to plan," Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told journalists on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg Economic forum. "We haven't received any critical questions so I think the work is going to plan, we are waiting for results," Murashko said. Kirill Dmitriyev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund that helped fund the development of the jab, said the "registration time depends on the EMA". "A normal working process is underway, which we hope will not be politicised," Dmitriyev added. Deputy health minister Sergei Glagolev said the vaccine may receive the approval of the EMA and of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the next few months. Moscow registered Sputniknamed after the Soviet era satellitein August ahead of large-scale clinical trials. But trial results published in the respected The Lancet medical journal have said it is safe and with two doses is more than 90 percent effective in symptomatic cases. The EMA launched a rolling review of the vaccine in March but several EU countries have already approved the jab. Russia has registered four homegrown vaccinesSputnik V, EpiVacCorona, CoviVac and in May Sputnik Light. While Russia's domestic vaccination campaign started in early December ahead of most countries, the country has struggled to innoculate its citizens. Polls show that many Russians are sceptical of coronavirus vaccines. 2021 AFP A virtual sound source approached or receded in front, rear, left, or right body relative direction. The participants were asked to quickly and accurately detect the tactile sensation of a vibrator attached to their chest, regardless of the sound. When the sound source was approaching in any directions and was closer to the body, the vibration was detected faster. Credit: Toyohashi University of Technology Peripersonal space (PPS) is defined as the space near the body within which we can reach external objects and be reached by others. It has the special function of multisensory facilitation. A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology, in collaboration with researchers at Keio University and the University of Tokyo, investigated PPS representation in the front, rear, left, and right directions by audio-tactile multisensory integration using tactile detection with task-irrelevant approaching and receding sounds. They found that the tactile stimulus was detected faster near the body space than far from it when sound approached from any direction, but not when it receded. Thus, peripersonal representations exist with approaching sound, irrespective of the direction of approach. This study was published in Scientific Reports on May 28, 2021. It is important for human and non-human primates to detect a sensory input that has a present or immediate potential threat in the space immediately surrounding the body, that is, PPS. However, debate remains about the shape and extent of PPS. In the experiment, the researchers investigated the PPS representations in four directions (front, rear, left, and right), while previous studies focused on differences between the front and rear or left and right directions. Because humans can hear sounds from any direction, the researchers used both approaching and receding task-irrelevant sounds in the experiment. Participants were asked to respond as quickly as possible when a tactile stimulus was applied to a vibrator on their chest. The timing of the tactile stimulus was varied relative to the virtual sound-source location, while the observers were blindfolded during the experiment. The results indicated that, when sound approached, the observers responded to the tactile stimulus faster when the sound position was closer to them than when it was farther away. Thus, the participants could integrate the multisensory stimuli (tactile and task-irrelevant approaching sound stimuli) near the body. This multisensory facilitation effect in PPS diminished or weakened with the receding sound, which may be because an approaching sound can signal an imminent threat, while a receding sound poses no danger. Therefore, the PPS representation is nearly circular around the trunk of the body, which implies that humans can detect a threat from any direction quickly by utilizing approaching sound information within PPS. The research team investigated the PPS representations in the front, rear, left, and right directions, but not in the up and down directions. PPS representations in three-dimensional space should be investigated in future studies because audio information is available and potential threats exist in all 3-D directions. Explore further Your brain considers other people's personal space as your own More information: Yusuke Matsuda et al, Peripersonal space in the front, rear, left and right directions for audio-tactile multisensory integration, Scientific Reports (2021). Journal information: Scientific Reports Yusuke Matsuda et al, Peripersonal space in the front, rear, left and right directions for audio-tactile multisensory integration,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90784-5 Spain said Friday it wants to offer COVID-19 vaccines to everyone aged between 12 and 17 before the start of the new school year in September. Health Minister Carolina Darias told public television TVE the government will propose the measure to the public health commission which then must approve the move. The plan is to immunise 12- to 17-year-olds "about two weeks before" the start of the new school year in September, she said. The European Medicines Agency approved last week the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus jab for 12- to 15-year-olds, the first vaccine to get the green light for children in the EU. France announced Wednesday it will start offering COVID-19 vaccines to all 12- to 18-year-olds from June 15. Italy on Thursday opened vaccinations for everybody over the age of 12, while Germany has also said will be offered to children over the age of 12. Spain, a nation of around 47 million people, is one of the European countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with over 80,000 COVID-19 deaths recorded so far. The country plans to have 70 percent its population fully vaccinated by the end of the summer. Just over one in five people, 21 percent, has been fully vaccinated while 39.5 percent have received at least one dose. Explore further Italy offers COVID vaccines to everyone over 12 2021 AFP The containers carrying the coronavirus vaccines donated by Japanese government, are loaded to a plane before its departure for Taiwan, at Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Friday, June 4, 2021. Japan is donating 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Taiwan to help the island fight its latest resurgence of the COVID-19 cases, as Tokyo, despite its painfully slow vaccine rollouts at home, tries to play a greater role in global vaccination distribution.Credit: Sadayuki Goto/Kyodo News via AP A flight carrying 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from Japan touched down in Taiwan on Friday to help the vaccine-starved island fight its largest outbreak since the pandemic began. The donation underscores how geopolitics has come to impact the global vaccine rollout, as countries scramble to secure enough doses for their populations. Taiwan, a self-governing island struggling to get enough doses, has blamed China for interfering in a potential deal for another vaccine. Now it is more than doubling its vaccine supply thanks to Japan, which is trying to play a greater role in global vaccination distribution and accelerate its own slow rollout ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in July. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters on Friday that Japan was responding to a Taiwanese request, and that the donation reflects "Japan's important partnership and friendship with Taiwan." Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen echoed those comments, saying after the Japan Airlines flight landed that "we are witnessing once again the true friendship between Taiwan and Japan, built upon shared values and mutual help." Neither side mentioned an ongoing feud between Taiwan and China over the island's efforts to get the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Taiwan has signed contracts for 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 5.05 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, and 4.76 million doses of vaccines through COVAX, a U,N, program to distribute vaccines to low and middle-income countries. It is also pursuing the development of its own vaccines, which are currently in mid-stage testing. A plane waits on tarmac for loading the cargos before its departure for Taiwan, at Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Friday, June 4, 2021. Japan is donating 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Taiwan to help the island fight its latest resurgence of the COVID-19 cases, as Tokyo, despite its painfully slow vaccine rollouts at home, tries to play a greater role in global vaccination distribution.Credit: Sadayuki Goto/Kyodo News via AP However, given global supply constraints and manufacturing delays, it had only about 700,000 doses to vaccinate its population with last month, all AstraZeneca's shots. Japan reportedly considered sending vaccines to Taiwan through COVAX, but decided the process would take too long. Tsai accused China last month of blocking Taiwan from getting the Pfizer vaccine through BioNTech, the German co-developer. "We were almost finished with the contract with the German supplier, but owing to China' s interference, it's been delayed so that until now we have no way to complete it," she told members of her Democratic Progressive Party. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung later said that BioNTech had asked Taiwan to change the word "country" in the press release announcing the deal. Taiwan agreed, but the deal still remains unfinished. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, objects to calling the island a country. China is also a potentially major market for BioNTech, which has partnered with Shanghai-based Fosun Pharma to manufacture its vaccine in China and distribute it in the mainland and Hong Kong. Fosun said in an interview with China's official Xinhua News Agency that it has offered to sell the vaccines to Taiwan. However, Taiwanese law bans Chinese-made medical products, including vaccines. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused Taiwan's governing party of preventing the mainland from sending vaccines to Taiwan and falsely claiming that China has hindered its procurement of vaccines. A plane carrying the vaccine cargo donated by Japanese government, takes off Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Friday, June 4, 2021. Japan is donating 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Taiwan to help the island fight its latest resurgence of the COVID-19 cases, as Tokyo, despite its painfully slow vaccine rollouts at home, tries to play a greater role in global vaccination distribution.Credit: Kyodo News via AP "For their own political self-interest, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities continue to engage in political manipulation in anti-epidemic cooperation," he said Friday. "It disregards the lives and health of Taiwan compatriots and violates the basic humanitarian spirit." Taiwan's foreign minister, Joseph Wu, has also accused China of pressuring at least one country, Paraguay, to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan in return for Chinese vaccines. China says its overseas assistance comes without political conditions, though it has aggressively used its economic might since Tsai came to power to try to poach Taiwan's few remaining allies. Globally, many countries are struggling to get vaccines as manufacturers face delays in scaling up production quickly. Japan, with its home-developed vaccines still uncertain, relies solely on foreign ones. It is using Pfizer and Moderna doses but has no immediate plan to use AstraZeneca's, which are produced in Japan under a licensing deal. At an online vaccine summit this week, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged an additional $800 million for the COVAX program, bringing Japan's total contribution to $1 billion. Tokyo plans to donate 30 million doses of vaccine produced in Japan through COVAX as well as other multilateral and bilateral channels. Explore further BioNTech says 'committed' to supplying Taiwan with vaccine 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. (HealthDay)U.S. teens are getting their COVID shotshow does that change their daily lives? Besides letting teens resume many of their normal activities, U.S. authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people as young as 12 is crucial to slowing the spread of the coronavirus, one expert says. "We know that teenagers can not only get COVID-19 but they can also transmit the virus," said Dr. Jill Weatherhead of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. "While teenagers are less likely to have severe disease and require hospitalization, they can still get sick, develop long COVID symptoms and can transmit the virus to other people who are higher-risk." She said it's important for teens to know about and be prepared for common post-vaccination side effects such as arm pain, muscle aches, fever and fatigue. Full immunity is reached two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Once teens are fully immunized, it's safer for them to attend in-person school events, play sports, hang out with friends and take part in other activitiesespecially if they're around others who also are fully vaccinated, according to Weatherhead, an assistant professor of pediatrics, tropical medicine and infectious diseases. "The vaccine offers an opportunity for adolescents to get back to a sense of normalcy in a safe way that keeps them from developing disease and transmitting it to other people," she said in a Baylor news release. Weatherhead noted that U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for what fully vaccinated people can do apply to teens as well, which means they can more or less return to pre-pandemic behaviors. Under CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated people can resume most normal activities without wearing a mask. But there are exceptions. Even vaccinated people should wear a mask and maintain social distance in health care settings, when using public transportation or traveling on an airplane, and in public spaces or businesses that continue to require masks, Weatherhead said. Even folks who are fully vaccinated may choose to take extra precautions. "Some people might choose to continue to wear masks or continue to social distance until community transmission numbers come down," Weatherhead said. "It is up to the discretion of the family and their risk." More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 vaccines and children/teens Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 'Captured alive on May 8, killed on May 17 in alleged clash with Sabah police' FIVE ABU Sayyaf terrorists were killed following an a... The supplies, donated at Pakistan's request, include 685,000 KN-95 masks, 50,000 protective goggles, 250,000 diagnostic kits, and 1,000 pulse oximeters. Earlier, Washington provided 200 ventilators to Pakistan. Pakistan has a fragile health care system and is currently in the middle of the third wave of the pandemic. Pakistan has registered 928,588 confirmed cases and 21,105 deaths in the pandemic. COPENHAGEN, Denmark Denmark will donate 358,700 unused vaccine doses to Kenya, saying the batch of Astra Zeneca that expires July 31 should be delivered as soon as possible. It is part of the 3 million doses that Denmark has earmarked for donation this year. No one is safe until everyone is safe, Denmarks Foreign Aid Minister Flemming Moeller Mortensen said in a statement. Kenya is in a difficult situation as they have received far fewer vaccines than they should have had. The donation will be shipped via the U.N. childrens agency UNICEF. For the mural, she reached out to Soft Landing Missoula and conducted interviews with Missoula refugees from Congo, Eritrea and Iraq. (All three countries are depicted in silhouette clouds.) All of the imagery was designed based on those interviews for instance, youll see a house turned upside down, topped by shelves that contain objects like vases and symbols. A set of luggage is set atop a pair of legs, a reference to adaptation. The section of the wall shes painted on has a raised door, which she covered with a cascading set of entryways, creating a sense of passage, and the silhouette of a traveler with a backpack and suitcase. Her mural has a few painted notes. One is a quote from Nizar Qabbani, And all the countries seemed the same, That I dont see myself there, And I dont see myself here. Many of the refugees she interviewed brought up the subject of traditional food, its importance and perhaps not having as easy access to it here. Tucked into a section of the wall with a few missing brick layers is a recipe for kubba mosul, an Iraqi meat pie. A poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation published last week suggests that most adults who were eager to get a Covid-19 vaccine have already done so, likely contributing to the slowing pace of vaccinations. But it's possible to reach 70% coverage among adults, according to the survey. About 13% of adults said that they will "definitely not" get the vaccine and only 7% said they would only get it if required, leaving nearly 80% who said they have already gotten the vaccine, want to "as soon as possible" or will "wait and see." But some communities face more barriers than others. A recent CDC study found that rural counties have vaccinated a smaller share of residents than urban counties in the US on average. These rural counties tend to face barriers to health care access, such as less internet access and concerns about taking time off of work to be vaccinated, a challenge that the Biden administration hopes to dispel by looping employers into their efforts. "Now what we're seeing is a more steady, ongoing effort. It's harder work reaching people who have more barriers to being vaccinated," Dr. Richard Besser, president and chief executive officer of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, told CNN. "But I'm encouraged and optimistic that the interest will continue to be there." SAN DIEGO (AP) The Biden administration has quietly tasked six humanitarian groups with recommending which migrants should be allowed to stay in the U.S. instead of being rapidly expelled from the country under federal pandemic-related powers that block people from seeking asylum. The groups will determine who is most vulnerable in Mexico, and their criteria has not been made public. It comes as large numbers of people are crossing the southern border and as the government faces intensifying pressure to lift the public health powers instituted by former President Donald Trump and kept in place by President Joe Biden during the coronavirus pandemic. Several members of the consortium spoke to The Associated Press about the criteria and provided details of the system that have not been previously reported. The government is aiming to admit to the country up to 250 asylum-seekers a day who are referred by the groups and is agreeing to that system only until July 31. By then, the consortium hopes the Biden administration will have lifted the public health rules, though the government has not committed to that. So far, a total of nearly 800 asylum-seekers have been let in since May 3, and members of the consortium say there is already more demand than they can meet. Britain said British farmers will benefit from lower tariffs and more duty-free access for goods like cheese, pork and poultry. They also stressed that reduced import tariffs on shrimps, prawns and haddock will lower costs for British fish processing. Also, it will support 18,000 jobs in Scotland and northern England by creating new opportunities for the British fish-processing industry, London said. Britains International Trade Secretary Liz Truss called the deal a major boost for our trade with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein," while International Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena said it shows that the United Kingdom will continue to be a trade partner of choice. However, the deal contains some barriers as Britain had completely free trade with the three countries when it was a member of the EU. Solberg said that at least two issues remain. One is that (the deal) is not dynamic. That means that when rules are changed, they dont follow everywhere. The second is the veterinary rules at the border, which have not been fully cleaned up, she said. Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. LONDON (AP) The British military said Thursday that it paused trials of its new fleet of light tanks, after a newspaper reported the vehicles cant travel safely at more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) an hour or reverse over obstacles more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) high. The Ministry of Defense confirmed it had paused some training on the Ajax armored vehicles as a precautionary measure, after the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported a litany of problems with the tanks, including an inability to fire cannons while moving. The newspaper cited a report due to be published next month. It said excessive vibrations had caused the speed restrictions and that crews were limited to 90 minutes inside the tanks at a time. The defense ministry said it was investigating the tanks issues along with the manufacturer, American aerospace and defense company General Dynamics. It said training on the Ajax vehicles had resumed with appropriate safety measures in place. We are committed to the Ajax programme, which will form a key component in the Armys modernized warfighting division, with current plans for Initial Operating Capability scheduled for summer 2021, the ministry said in a statement. Thus, the Montana Constitution set in motion the development of curriculum, professional development, content standards, licensure standards, and related content rich language/cultural programs that are managed and monitored by both the state Board of Public Education and Office of Public Instruction. As designed, developed, and implemented in 1999, Montanas Indian Education for All Act (IEFA) is a powerful tool. According to the MT Office of Public Instruction website, IEFA is part of a content rich landscape, which seeks to provide schools and staff with knowledge, skills, and content to ensure Indian Education for All means cultural enrichment, academic engagement, and equitable pedagogy for students. Providing a relevant and historically accurate education is what the state of Montana has been doing with IEFA for over two decades. In fact, Montana is considered a leader in the nation with regards to our IEFA law and other states have followed suit and used our model. We are a unique state that does not fit into the box that the discourse on national politics wants us to fit into. I do not endorse critical race theory (CRT) or antiracism because I find aspects of both academically suspect. Banning them because they make students uncomfortable, however, likely violates the law; undermines education quality; and perpetuates the myth that the U.S. has no inherent racial problems. CRT and antiracism do little more than challenge conventional thinking about studying race relations. The U.S. is not a racist country, but we kid ourselves if we think the U.S. has only a few racists or that schools should not teach race relations from victim perspectives. The opinion has serious legal defects. As a curriculum teaching ban, it exceeds attorney general authority. The Montana Constitution empowers the Board of Public Education, local school boards and the Board of Regents to supervise and control Montana public education. This necessarily includes curriculum and excludes attorney general involvement. Moreover, the opinion mainly uses cherry-picked U.S. Supreme Court concurring and dissenting opinions, not majority decisions, falsely implying that concurrences and dissents reflect the law. Concurrences and dissents are OK to advocate what one thinks the law should be; but constitute legal deception when used to declare anything illegal. If the opinion would cite the late Justice Antonin Scalia, it must include the Scalia majority R.A.V. decision protecting racially offensive speech from government censorship because R.A.V. is binding law. Opinion lip service to the First Amendment and academic freedom likewise misses the point in suggesting they may not apply to race-related assignments troubling to students with no example of what is allowed. Some local businesses have offered employees incentives to get vaccinated and seen success from those efforts, McLeod said. Some of the businesses have paid their employees to get it, and theyve made raffles and done a lot of different things to get their employees to do it, McLeod said. Theyve had us come back, or come before we go there, to hold vaccine hesitancy educational sessions, and Emily (Poteet) goes and does the sessions with employees who might be on the fence about it to see if they want to change their minds, trying to give that personal touch to answer their questions. Quashing vaccine fears A lot of people express concerns during those educational sessions that they are concerned that the Food and Drug Administration only gave the vaccine an emergency use authorization. But thats not a cause for concern, McLeod said. Very few people have wolfdogs. And we have enforced it a couple times I believe in Butte-Silver Bow in the last 15 years. But it is an ordinance that I'm not interested in changing. I'll surely look at it. And I have looked at it. But I don't think it needs to be amended because one person's upset with the enforcement of the ordinance. We do what's best for the greater good, he said. John Moodry, who helps oversee animal services as assistant director of Community Enrichment, said the ordinance was about public safety. "When its a hybrid wolf, it's more dangerous. Thats why the provision is in there, he said. What I've read about wolves, they can be very passive, they can be very aggressive. You know, the top of the food chain, Moodry added. On Thursday, Ledgerwood invited The Montana Standard to his home. So you came to see the horrible animals, he said with a smile. In the yard where they stay full-time, the dogs came running. Benjamin is three years old, 120 pounds, and he looks like a wolf. He walks like a wolf, and he digs like a wolf. Star Dancer, one year and seven months old, has fewer obvious wolf characteristics. But like Benjamin, shes a digger. Yes, there are policy changes going on at the Pentagon long overdue ones. For instance, the new Secretary of Defense, a Black man with a stellar record as an Army officer, could adjust how the military will handle complaints of sexual assault and harassment. Instead of to unit commanders, who live their entire careers avoiding any stain on their record, those complaints will go to military lawyers and judges, outside the chain of command. This will better protect our sisters, daughters, granddaughters, nieces, moms and aunts from having to hide hideous crimes for fear of losing their rank or careers. If thats leftist extremism then I for one happily embrace it. There are not enough words in this space to address concerns leveled by Rosendale and many other folks taking their marching orders from DC, K-Street lobbying firms about Critical Race Theory." But it is time we think critically about the toll we yes, us, white folks have cost this nation over its rich, yet soiled, history. Revenue allocation language within amendments to HB 637 are identical to those from Draft 2 of SB 143. We agree that allocating funding to programs that improve hunter access is beneficial to Montana resident hunters. However, SB 143 and HB 637 direct 50% of those funds to public land access programs that remain unproven. Programs that private landowners have shown little interest in. Programs that improve access minimally across long time periods. Until legitimate access has resulted from these programs, it remains speculation that they will benefit hunters. These programs also don't address the most prominent access issue, which is access to wildlife on private lands. Twenty-five percent is allocated to a fisheries enhancement program. This program benefits hunters or hunting access in no way that we can determine. We don't fully understand the Future Fisheries Program but cannot see where the use of program funds requires any public access to be allowed. Hunting access is certainly not required. This appears to be a giveaway of hunting license revenue to a program that doesn't benefit hunters. We recognize the 25% going towards Block Management will benefit Montana resident hunters and landowners. If improving Montana resident hunter access is truly desired, we recommend a greater proportion of funds be allocated to the Block Management Program. We also recommend a substantial proportion be allocated to the Habitat Montana Program and that the Legislature support full implementation of that program. These programs truly benefit Montana resident hunter access in the short and long term. BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) non-governmental friendship forum, which is being held in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. "I put forward the initiative of holding an SCO non-governmental friendship forum last November, which has received an enthusiastic response and support from all SCO member states," Xi said. Xi expressed the confidence that the forum would become an important platform for all parties to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation. Xi said he hopes that all parties will uphold the Shanghai Spirit, stay committed to the SCO's original aspirations, work together, help and support each other, and deepen cooperation. "We should leverage the advantages of non-governmental diplomacy and expand channels for people-to-people exchanges, so as to make contributions to the SCO's development," Xi said. The SCO non-governmental friendship forum kicked off in Wuhan on Thursday, with the theme of promoting people-to-people friendship and carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit. Time and tide wait for no man, and it's clear that the tides of climate-related change are lapping against Montana's shores. While places like Miami Beach are uncomfortably contemplating large sea walls, the impacts are less obvious here, but they are here nonetheless. The state, long an exporter of coal-fired power, is facing a rapidly approaching reckoning. While Montana has not yet seen fit to do so, neighboring states like Idaho, Washington and Oregon have set hard, statutory deadlines for decarbonization. That means sources of green energy are in great demand. Coal? Not so much. The Legislature and the executive branch of Montana's state government can whistle past this graveyard all they want, but temporary measures like trying to drag Colstrip owners into Montana to resolve their disputes, and trying to force the owners to pay for extended maintenance at the plant, are not destined to be effective. DES MOINES A correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate Wednesday at the Anamosa State Penitentiary that was the scene of a deadly attack earlier this year. The Iowa Department of Corrections said an inmate, secured in restraints, was being supervised by the officer during a virtual disciplinary hearing with an administrative law judge. About 9:09 a.m., the inmate became upset and began acting out in a violent manner. The officer tried to restrain him and another officer arrived to assist. The assisting officer suffered an injury to his arm and was taken to the Anamosa hospital, where doctors determined he had a soft-tissue injury. The other officer, also examined at the hospital, was not injured, nor was the prisoner, corrections officials said. Wednesdays assault came nearly two months after, authorities say, two inmates attempting to escape March 23 from the same prison used hammers to bludgeon to death nurse Lorena Schulte and Corrections Officer Robert McFarland. Taga Beach is one of the most popular sites on Tinian in the Marianas which is expected to reopen to international flights in July 2021. Police release tear gas into a crowd of pro-Trump protesters during clashes at a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C, Jan. 6, 2021. GUIYANG, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The 4th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue, hosted by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, was held in Guiyang on Thursday. Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi attended the dialogue via video link. Wang Yi said that the current international and regional situations are undergoing complex and profound changes, and the security and stability of Afghanistan and the region are facing new challenges, with foreign troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan accelerated, the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan impacted, and armed conflicts and terrorist activities becoming more frequent. Under such circumstances, it is more necessary for the three countries to strengthen communication and cooperation to make the situation in Afghanistan more conducive to the common interests of Afghanistan and other countries in the region, Wang said. Speaking highly of China's contribution to promoting trilateral cooperation, Atmar and Qureshi said Afghanistan and Pakistan are willing to forge closer and more friendly neighboring partnership with China, strengthen joint construction of the Belt and Road, deepen cooperation in politics, economy and connectivity, and jointly promote peace, stability and development of the three countries and the region. The foreign ministers reached consensus on the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, and the trilateral cooperation. The three sides called for practically advancing the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, and ceasefire should be realized and violence should be ended at an early date. They agreed that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan should be carried out in a responsible and orderly manner to prevent the deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan and the return of terrorist forces. They stressed that the solution to the Afghan issue should fully reflect the principle of "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned", support Afghanistan in becoming an independent, sovereign and neutral country, pursue a moderate Muslim policy, firmly fight against terrorism, and maintain friendly ties with other countries, especially neighboring countries. The three sides agreed to explore ways to deepen trilateral cooperation against the backdrop of COVID-19, and substantively expand the Belt and Road cooperation in Afghanistan, so as to bring more benefits to the people of the region. The three sides reiterated the consensus of jointly fighting all forms of terrorism. They stressed the need to reject the "double standards" of anti-terrorism, to forbid any terrorist organizations or individuals from using their territories to engage in criminal activities against other countries. The foreign ministers also urged strengthened efforts to combat the East Turkistan Islamic Movement and other terrorist forces, so as to safeguard regional security and stability. China and Pakistan reaffirmed their firm support for the Afghan peaceful reconstruction and their willingness to expand economic and trade exchanges with Afghanistan, and to assist Afghanistan in enhancing its self-development capacity. Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed the willingness to strengthen communication and coordination, deepen political mutual trust and create prospects for peace and cooperation, according to the foreign ministers. Telkoms wholesale division Openserve has joined the Internet Service Providers Association of South Africa (ISPA). This comes as the association celebrates its 25th year of existence this month. Founded on 6 June 1996, ISPA was established when a handful of ISPs met in an office in Rosebank and agreed to form a new industry body focused on ensuring fair competition and improving local peering. Its early activities were focused on preventing Telkom from using its monopoly position in the telecoms industry to unfairly compete against the countrys fledgling Internet access providers. ISPAs efforts ultimately resulted in the Competition Commission ruling that Telkoms wholesale and retail businesses must be split, and that it must not give preference to its own retail division when it came to the sale of Internet services. Today, Openserve provides services equally to Telkoms retail division and to other ISPs, ISPA said. It is fitting then that ISPA is now able to welcome Openserve as its newest member. Telkom resisted joining ISPA for over two decades, with the companys CEO Sipho Maseko declaring as recently as 2019 that ISPs are a relic of the past in response to questions about its declining fixed ISP business. Seeing Openserve join South Africas oldest association for Internet companies is there a welcome change, especially given that it operates South Africas largest fibre network, with over 165,000km of cable in the ground. Openserve joins Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Seacom as ISPAs three backbone members the companies that literally operate the backbones of South Africas Internet infrastructure. ISPA has been recognised as an Industry Representative Body since 2009. This gives its members special legal protections for third-party traffic passing over their networks. ISPA said that fair competition and local peering have remained its twin focus pillars. Fibre network operators are encouraged to adopt fair competitive practices while ISPAs INX-ZA division which has provided 25 years of uninterrupted JINX (Johannesburg Internet Exchange) service now operates exchanges across nine sites in three SA cities, the association stated. By supporting the operation of JINX, DINX (Durban Internet Exchange) and CINX (Cape Town Internet Exchange), ISPA has helped develop local infrastructure. ISPA said that Internet exchanges encouraged local traffic to remain local, which provided a more responsive experience to Internet users. In addition, ISPA stated it has consistently lobbied for transparency towards consumers, open competition, respect for the privacy of Internet users, and a legislative framework that is consistent with the open standards and collaboration that underpins the global Internet. Water Audit California is suing to make Napa County increase oversight of groundwater pumping for vineyards, wineries, and other uses, claiming that the pumping affects the Napa River. The lawsuit said the county has a public trust duty to care for the river. The idea is that too much groundwater pumping from wells can keep groundwater from seeping into the river during dry months, to the detriment of fish and other aquatic life. Today, the Napa River is important for maintaining native aquatic animals because it is the least urbanized of the sizable watersheds directly feeding San Francisco Bay, the lawsuit said. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: $1 for your first 6 months! Water Audit California asked Napa County Superior Court to stop the county from issuing or renewing well-drilling permits until the county accounts for cumulative groundwater extraction impacts on the river and establishes practices to protect the river. In addition, the group wants the court to find Napa County negligent in public trust duties. It wants the county to pay an unspecified amount to remediate injuries caused to the public trust. Our hope is they will see the error of their ways and make an offer of settlement, attorney William McKinnon said Thursday on behalf of Water Audit California. HOUSTON (AP) A 5-year-old Houston boy likely died weeks before he was reported missing and his body was hidden in a storage unit before authorities discovered it more than 100 miles away in an East Texas motel, according to court documents. Houston police have charged Theresa Raye Balboa, 29, with tampering with evidence, a human corpse, in the death of Samuel Olson. Balboa was the girlfriend of Samuels father. Authorities believe a body found Tuesday inside a plastic tote in a motel in Jasper, about 135 miles (215 kilometers) northeast of Houston, is that of the missing boy, according to an arrest affidavit. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences in Houston has not made an official identification or determined a cause of death. Family members have said Samuel would have turned 6 years old over the weekend. Balboa was being held in the Harris County Jail Friday on a $500,000 bond. Court records do not list an attorney who can speak on her behalf. Balboa reported Samuel missing May 27. He had been living with her since April 30, which was the last day he was seen at school. Authorities have not said why Samuel was staying with Balboa. Samuel's father, Dalton Olson, lived at a different address. LAS VEGAS (AP) The FBI and Las Vegas police on Thursday released new facial images and offered up to $10,000 for information that helps identify a boy found dead near a highway and locate his killer. He's someone's son, someone's grandson, FBI Supervising Special Agent Jeremy Schwartz told reporters. We're counting on the public to help us with his identification." Hikers found the boy's body shortly before dawn May 28 behind a bush off a trail near the main highway between Las Vegas and rural Pahrump, Las Vegas police Lt. Ray Spencer said. The homicide team chief said it was clear the boy was killed but declined to say how or offer other details. He said school and child welfare officials, nearby police and federal Homeland Security and Border Patrol authorities have been involved in the effort to identify the boy. Investigators narrowed his age to between 8 and 10, Spencer said, and he was heavy for his age and height, at 4 feet 11 inches (145 centimeters) and 123 pounds (56 kilograms). He had a gap in his front teeth, Spencer said, and investigators believe he was from somewhere in southern Nevada or nearby California. His body was found near State Route 160 in the Mountain Springs area. John Gomez, a Safeway worker in Napa, is anxious about what's to come when California lifts its pandemic restrictions on masks and social distancing this month. He's already seeing more people come into his store unmasked since federal health officials said fully vaccinated Americans don't need to wear masks. That conflicts with California rules that still people to wear face coverings in public until at least June 15. "A lot of us are kind of worried because (the fact that the) government is lifting and opening everything up doesn't mean it's gone," Gomez, 37, said. "What's going to happen next?" Conflicting state and federal guidelines over the last month left some California workers and businesses struggling to figure out how to move forward. The state's workplace safety board is updating its regulations, in which workers may still have to wear masks if they are with those who are not fully vaccinated. "Employees hear all those stuff from all those different organizations," said Jim Relles, who owns Relles Florist in midtown Sacramento. "It's challenging because they're coming in saying this and that, so I'm trying to keep everyone abreast of what's going on." Meanwhile, workers are split over whether California's mask and social distancing mandate should be lifted. Afrterward, Marin made some improvements to its water storage capabilities, but remained dependent on rainfall rather than connecting to one of the states larger water suppliers, which would have lessened Marins ability to shun housing. Drought has again descended on the state and Marins main water agency has imposed rationing, is considering whether to seek another pipeline, and is on the verge of banning any new water hookups, which would bring housing construction, already scant, to a standstill. Marin is an example of how local communities that really dont want the new housing that California desperately needs, especially housing for low- and moderate-income families, block it through indirect tactics. Even were Marin to zone enough land to meet the states quota, specific housing developments could still be blocked by a refusal to supply water. In other communities, design requirements such as parking spaces are often employed to make projects economically unfeasible. In still others, developments are held up by misuse of the California Environmental Quality Act. This looming possibility might have legislative Democrats thinking seriously about some of their proposals, things like forcing the University of California to give up its hospitals links to Dignity Health facilities around the state or compelling cities and counties to allow apartment buildings of up to eight units on every piece of land, regardless of what local citizens or officials might want for their communities. In short, if Democrats are smart, they will moderate their views and their aims during the runup to the recall vote. This will be especially true if polls begin to show some lessening of the current approximate 10 percent edge no votes on the recall have among likely voters over yes votes. It is certainly true there is no recall candidate in the wings who can match the appeal the 2003 Schwarzenegger had to young and old because of his movie persona. But if the yes side gains traction among even a few Democrats, all bets will be off. All it would take for that to happen would be another hypocritical Newsom gaffe like his oversized, indoor dinner at the ultra-expensive and exclusive Michelin-rated French Laundry restaurant in Napa County last fall, where he was joined by influential lobbyist pals. At the time, state rules promulgated by Newsom prohibited gatherings of the size and configuration of his. The same complaints were used against a recent federal legislative effort that proposed we protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 as part of a comprehensive piece of legislation seeking to leverage the power of the ocean in the fight against climate change. Upon the introduction of the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act, commercial fishermen claimed there was a lack of inclusivity in the drafting of the legislation, a complaint which is wholly ironic, since the commercial fishermen almost always get to be in the proverbial room where it happens. I know firsthand who is not represented in the rooms where ocean policy is made. In 2008, I was appointed to a citizen advisory group convened to help map out underwater parks off the coast of Southern California as part of Californias Marine Life Protection Act. This group was meant to represent the regions diverse population, but out of the 64 people in the room, I was the only Spanish-speaking stakeholder in a region where about 40% of people speak Spanish as their dominant language. Editor's Note: This essay was prepared as part of a project on health equity by Register reporter Sarah Klearman with support from the Impact Fund, a program of the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. She and Danielle Fox, engagement editor at USC's Center for Health Journalism, worked with a number of local youth to write about how the recent fires and pandemic affected their families and communities. I woke up thinking I was in hell. My room was dark and the low light coming from my window was a smoky orange. I turned on my T.V. only to see a news report: Napa, California, is on fire, it blared. Thousands of acres are burning after a lightning storm lit more than 20 fires all through California.'' Little did we know that it will only get worse throughout the summer; after the LNU Lightning Complex came the Glass Fire. Three years ago, the 2017 wildfires did, however, cause our communities to get closer to one another: We started fundraisers for those who lost their homes, donated items, created places to stay, and gave out masks to those in need. But because of demand out of the pandemic in 2020, having a mask that would actually protect you was an issue. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogans statement on Turkeys willingness to support any trilateral format, including the Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia format must be viewed along with the first part of the statement in which Erdogan says he will actively support the Turkey-Georgia-Azerbaijan format that was established a long time ago. This is what Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Turkologist Ruben Safrastyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am. According to him, the aim of this format is to weaken Russias role in the South Caucasus and augment Turkeys influence. In the beginning, the Turkey-Georgia-Azerbaijan format implied economic cooperation, and then it moved to the political level, and recently we have been seeing the move to the military level. Erdogans statement on willingness to support the Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia format also fits within the logic of weakening Russias role in the region. This goes to show that Ankara has far-reaching geopolitical goals, including the removal of Russia from the region so that Turkey will become the major force regulating integration processes of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in the South Caucasus, he added. According to Safrastyan, as far as the second phase is concerned, the Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia format is actually unfeasible, taking into consideration Bakus hostile policy towards Yerevan which is backed by Turkey. Recently, Erdogan declared that Turkey supports any trilateral cooperation, be it Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia or Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey. by Victoria Lee Seven churches held memorial services for the victims of 4 June 1989. Their sacrifice was for a just cause and a peaceful society. For Bishop Ha, The greatest difficulty in life is the challenge of faith when the truth is trampled. Despite a ban, people defied police and lit candles outside a cordoned-off Victoria Park. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Card Joseph Zen, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, led a memorial Mass this evening (local time) in St Andrew's Church for the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre. We refuse to be pessimistic, said Card Zen in his homily, and we will not be disappointed. In the remembrance of the dead those killed 32 years ago, our prayer is also for the Lord to lead the rulers to walk on the path of justice and peace. The prelate stressed that the Mass was dedicated to those brothers and sisters who, 32 years ago, sacrificed their lives in Beijings Tiananmen Square and nearby streets for our democracy, [and] our freedom. The cardinal noted that What they were asking for was a clean government (anti-corruption) and what they wanted was a truly strong country, but unfortunately they had to leave the world with the imprint of rioters. Yet, Their sacrifice is for us, he noted, and we embrace their hopes of failure: a just and peaceful society, a regime respected by the people, and a strong country respected by the world. Some people say: The martyrs are in heaven; they have been commemorated for 32 years, that's enough! No, we love the patriotic martyrs, we love our country too much, our hope does not fade, he explained. For the Bishop Emeritus, it would be scary not to listen to people's voices even after all these years. The tragedy of 4 June might gradually go far from us, but [it] seems to reappear before our eyes. Hong Kong Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha presided over a memorial Mass at St Francis Church in Kowloon. In his homily he said that when Jesus' disciples wavered, they asked him for comfort. Jesus responded by telling them to trust God and trust Him. He pointed out that The greatest difficulty in life is the challenge of faith when the truth is trampled. Other memorial Masses were held for the victims of Tiananmen in five other churches with Catholics and others showing that they remembered and cared for the events of 4 June 1989 in China, and for those in Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement who have suffered. This year, like a year ago, the authorities banned the Tiananmen memorial vigil, which has been held each year in Victoria Park, ostensibly on health ground to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, many Hong Kongers marked the occasion by placing lit candles in front of their windows. Others lit candles in various parts of the city. Hundreds defied the ban and met at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. Although they were quickly turned away by police, some managed to lit candles outside the park. Iran's interior minister: Country's presidential election will be held in full security atmosphere Armenia acting PM to citizens: Opposition was mourning and weeping after return of 15 Armenian POWs Armenia confirms 39 new COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths Armenia 3rd President: I declare that there was no talk about enclaves during my administration Armenia MOD: 2 residents of Syunik Province disoriented, find themselves in Azerbaijani territory Russian MFA Spokesperson on return of 15 Armenian POWs Armenia Central Electoral Commission grants motion to deprive MP candidate of liberty Members of "Armenia" bloc light candles at Haghpat Monastery after campaigning EU President: I applaud Azerbaijans & Armenias parallel humanitarian gestures Georgia is ready to participate in settlement of humanitarian issues between Baku and Yerevan Aliyev: If Armenia wants peace, they should start negotiations with us on delimitation Kocharyan intends to turn government dachas into rehab center Baku says it handed over 15 POWs to Armenia in exchange for map of minefields Nikol Pashinyan shares photo of Armenian POWs returning home Eight more remains found in Artsakh search operations Saturday Armenia MOD refutes reports on deployment of Turkey army units in Sev Lake region Armenia MP candidate charged with bribery is remanded in custody Armenia acting PM on border situation: Our Russian partners have come, looked at areas where they can be deployed Armenia acting premier: This election battle has already turned into class struggle 20 Afghanistan security force members killed in clashes with Taliban Armenia acting PM supporters give kids instructions in Gegharkunik Province village Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: We reject vendettas Armenia ex-President Serzh Sargsyan pays tribute to late PM Andranik Margaryan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Maybe 2018 evens would not have happened if they had kept level of education Bright Armenia Party MP: Our prime ministerial candidate is Edmon Marukyan Armenia former President Kocharyan: I want to be proud of my homeland One person on Armenia ruling party electoral list also has Iran citizenship, his registration is declared invalid Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Boris Johnson on Queens Birthday Armenia ex-President Kocharyan in Spitak town, pays tribute to victims of 1988 earthquake Acting premier: Corrupt clergymen discredit Armenian Apostolic Church, traditional values Armenia, Georgia customs officials meet at Bagratashen border checkpoint One new case of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Armenia acting deputy PM signs new decision Sarkissian to Putin: Armenian-Russian cooperation is developing confidently in all directions 8 dead in China factory chemical leak Putin notes differences between "outsider" Trump, "career man" Biden 88 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia President: Karabakh has always underscored Russia's invaluable place, role in our region Security Council chief: We have had Russias support in Artsakh for centuries Pashinyan to Putin: I am convinced that Armenian-Russian interstate relations will continue to develop Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Mishustin on Russia Day Newspaper: Armenia criminal authorities take neutral position in current electoral process Newspaper: Real "war" behind scenes of Armenia authorities after every provincial visit of acting PM Armenia acting PM Pashinyan tells details from his talk with army General Staff former chief Gasparyan Man found dead in Armenia canal NATO Secretary-General affirms willingness for cooperation with Russia Armenia Special Investigation Service charges political party member for giving electoral bribe Armenia Central Electoral Commission grants motion to launch criminal prosecution against MP candidate "I Have the Honor" bloc member: Coronavirus and 'nikolavirus' (Nikol Pashinyan) are both lethal Greek PM: Greece willing to back positive EU agenda for Turkey Russia Deputy FM, France Ambassador discuss settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict CoE: We are engaged in a dialogue to develop a set of confidence-building measures between Armenia, Azerbaijan Armenia 3rd President states when country's security system began to collapse Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff ex-deputy chief on acting PM's statement on his "National Hero" title Armenia Arevik National Park director dismissed for being a friend of Meghri mayor Reuters: Erdogan's summit with Biden clouded by bitter disputes Armenia acting MOD receives Head of ICRC Delegation Gagik Tsarukyan: Armenia needs to develop the economy by using resources of country and people Gagik Tsarukyan: Russia is Armenia's main ally, and this can't be altered Armenia MOD: Azerbaijanis try to carry out engineering works in Kut border section, Armenian side counters Armenia 1st President's nephew and his son involved in brawl in Yerevan Snap elections online voting starts, Azerbaijan continues 'trial' of Armenian POWs, Jun 11 digest Armenian former high-tech industry minister, member of ruling party on June 9 brawl in Yerevan Robert Kocharyan: If Armenia wants a peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict, it needs to give Azerbaijan hope Armenia acting PM: During campaign meetings hundreds of mothers thanked me for signing Nov. 9 document Citizens are demanded to applaud Armenia acting PM Armenia ruling party lawmaker, MP candidate: Civil Contracts election promises are continuation of 2018 promises Armenia villager to Nikol Pashinyan: Yard of Turk's house is in front of our military post Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party assures that it's not expecting ministerial positions Robert Kocharyan: "Armenia" bloc will restore and deepen country's ties with allies Czech Rep. parliament committee calls on Azerbaijan to release all Armenian captives immediately "Armenia" bloc member Armen Gevorgyan holds meetings with diplomatic corps and international organizations Dollar still dropping in Armenia Azerbaijan announces names of 26 Armenian servicemen it intends to "put on trial" Armenian publishing house to print 66,925,000 ballots for upcoming snap parliamentary elections "Armenia" bloc member: There are reports that over 10 police buses escorted acting PM yesterday Gallup: "Armenia" bloc records slightly higher indicator than ruling party Armenia acting PM has been obligated to publicly apologize to Khachatryan family "Armenia" bloc: Robert Kocharyan and ARF-D resolved crisis that Levon Ter-Petrosyan created in 1998 Intellectual Armenia Party to support "Armenia" bloc in snap parliamentary elections Armenia ruling party MP's powers terminated Brawl takes place during Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party's campaign meeting, case launched Armenia acting premier: We also have enclave under Azerbaijan rule Holy Etchmiadzin: We express regret for unwise, inappropriate statements of acting PM "I have the honor" bloc member: Armenia acting PM has instructed his voters to go to polls by afternoon Prosperous Armenia Party MP: Enemy does not divide Armenians into "blacks" and "whites" Bright Armenia Party leader: Acting premier will not be able to get 60% of votes Armenia acting PM: There are people in media who are more like "killers" than journalists Ex-President Kocharyan: 2009-2018 I did not agree with Armenia authorities on many issues Armenia has new millionaires Armenia President visits Russia embassy, meets with ambassador Artsakh search continues Friday for remains of Armenian soldiers killed in war Armenia ruling party election offices heads being paid by provincial halls? Armenia emergency ministry preparing for a new cooperation with USAID US, Turkey top defense officials discuss regional issues 95 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia G7 leaders pledge to share 1bn doses of coronavirus vaccine with world Armenia snap parliamentary elections online voting starts Trump tells Biden to give Putin his warmest regards Newspaper: Pashinyan is both Armenia acting PM and not Israels visiting defense minister said Thursday that it will stay engaged as the U.S. tries to return to a nuclear deal with Iran, sidestepping whats long been an area of open disagreement between the United States and the now-jeopardized government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, AP reported. Benny Gantz told reporters before a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Irans nuclear program and other actions were an existential threat to Israel. Stopping Iran is certainly a shared strategic need of the United States, Israel and other countries, Gantz said. But on a visit that came as an opposition coalition back home tries to end Netanyahus 12 years in power, Gantzunlike Netanyahustopped short of openly opposing the Biden administrations efforts to get the United States back into a deal limiting Irans nuclear program, in exchange for relief from sanctions. Sitting across a table from his U.S. counterpart at the Pentagon, Gantz said, Our dialogue is so important to ensuring that any deal effectively meets its goal of keeping Iran away from nuclear weapons. Of course, given the scope of the threat, Israel must always make sure that it has the ability to protect itself, Gantz added. The Israeli official made clear the change in tone was purposeful. We will continue this important strategic dialogue in private discussion ... only, not in the media in a provoking way, he said, calling for open dialogue behind closed doors. Gantz also met with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. YEREVAN. Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: In the last few days, active negotiations were underway in Moscow, the capital of Russia, between the representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan over the recent events that occurred in the border zone. The goal [of these negotiations]: to reach, through negotiations, the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani troops that invaded Armenia. Yesterday we were informed that the negotiations did not yield any results. One of the reasons is that first of all it was unacceptable for the other two sides that the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armenia Armed Forces, Arshak Karapetyan, presented himself as the negotiator from the Armenian side. Apparently, they were waiting for a more senior official in status, and no matter how much Karapetyan tried to convince [them] that he is the second [top] official in Armenia, the parties remained in their position, and urged that the first [top] official appear next time if he is the second. Besides, the Russian side did not manifest very active efforts because while in Moscow they are trying to resolve the current volatile situation on Armenias borders, [its acting PM] Pashinyan is visiting France, and the [Armenian] authorities propaganda machine sees Pashinyan's visit to France and [French President] Macron's words that Azerbaijani troops must leave the RA territory as a beacon of salvation. The Russians have decided that if the talks are successful and the Azerbaijani troops are withdrawn from Armenia, Pashinyan will attribute it to the Western allies. Russian sources do not conceal: as long as the Armenians pin hopes on the Europeans, they [the Russians] will not be active, and the date of the next [trilateral] meeting has not been set. The Turkish prosecutor's office is demanding more than two years in prison for actress Ezgi Mola for "insulting" a former soldier who raped an 18-year-old Kurdish girl, BirGun reported. Molas tweet, posted shortly after Orhans release in August, said: I hope that you drown in your conscience (whoever) freed such a rapist b*****d. Now you have taken away everything from us the law, prayers, wishes, desires, hope!! What can I say! Shame on you! #ArrestMusaOrhan. Musa Orhan is currently on trial facing charges of causing the death of 18-year-old Ipek Er in the southeastern province of Batman. Er attempted suicide on July 16 last year and eventually died in hospital. She left a letter in which she claimed that Orhan had raped her and later told her, Report me wherever you want! Ill be fine. Musa's lawyer has filed charges against the actress, who will appear before a judge in Ankara. In response, the lawyer brought charges against 16 celebrities who joined the social media campaign. The Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Armenia (RA), Arman Tatoyan, on Friday issued a statement on the situation at the border settlements of Gegharkunik Province. The statement reads as follows, in particular: "Azerbaijani servicemen illegally stop the villagers at the pastures near the villages of Gegharkunik Province, demand to give explanations as to in what direction they are moving, for what purpose, and what they are transporting, try to carry out illegal searches of cars, threaten. Statement on the results of additional fact-finding work: This statement refers to the violations of the rights of and the dangers for the border residents in the villages of Verin Shorzha, Nerkin Shorzha, Norabak, Kut of Gegharkunik Province, due to the illegal presence of Azerbaijani armed servicemen in the sovereign territory of the RA. The apparent illegal presence of Azerbaijani armed servicemen in the immediate vicinity of the villages of Gegharkunik Province in the sovereign territory of the RA, their openly criminal acts have seriously endangered the lives and health of the residents of the border villages of the RA, completely disrupted their normal lives and mental immunity. Pastures, hayfields, lands of other importance [there] cannot be used [now] (). The water resources, from which irrigation and drinking water are formed, have come under the possession or control of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. The rights of the border residents of the RA are guaranteed under the Constitution of the RA and international requirements. Thus, the creation of a security zone is an absolute necessity to restore the violated rights of the people and to safeguard them from the dangers of violations. These authorities have not kept any of their promises in three years. They had even promised that they shall put me on trial; they did not do that either. Second President Robert Kocharyan, the leader of the "Armenia" bloc that will run in the snap parliamentary elections on June 20, stated this during a meeting with the residents and the representatives of this blocs election offices in Tavush Province. "They [the incumbent authorities] promised fight against corruption. There is not one court decision that has entered into legal force in connection with corruption. They say numbers from the air that they returned this much to the [state] budget; [but] this is not [written] in any line, it is not visible. I am convinced that they collected some money, it was just redistributed; it has nothing to do with the budget. One of their slogans was inclusive society that whatever we do, we will be accountable to the people; we will gather the agora at the square. The exact opposite happened; they have signed fateful documents, of which the people are the last to know. They do not discuss it even in their own team," he added. According to Kocharyan, the incumbent Armenian authorities cannot even be called a "political team" because there must be at least a few political people in a political team to be the business card of that team. "We do not have such a thing today. Today there are backpacks and a screeching, screaming-style man [i.e., acting PM Nikol Pashinyan] who does not handle himself, but thinks he can rule a country. We [the Armenia bloc] have recently presented our team; I assure that it is an experienced, knowledgeable, and determined political team. It will not happen that we say something, we do not do [it]," Robert Kocharyan emphasized. The fifth round of indirect negotiations between the parties has ended. A sixth is expected to begin next June 10th. US spokesman "does not rule out" an agreement maybe as early as next week, but mutual "trust" is needed. Iranian negotiator: differences not insurmountable. Vienna (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The climate of cautious optimism around indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States is confirmed, for a full return to the nuclear agreement (Jcpoa) signed in 2015 and disavowed three years later by the then US president Donald Trump. At the close of the fifth round of indirect talks, US State Department spokesman Ned Price announces that "a sixth " will be heldnext week, and "more" are on the horizon. The European Union envoy coordinating the talks is convinced that the finalization of an agreement will take place in the next round of negotiations, however, other diplomats have said that the most difficult decisions and the thorniest knots still remain to be resolved. Price has said various obstacles remain and is showing greater caution than the EU official. However, the same spokesman for the US Department "does not rule out" the possibility that an agreement may come shortly. Recently, Tehran progressively violated the terms of the pact by easing restrictions on nuclear activities. The first steps in this direction date back to 2019, in response to the May 2018 withdrawal by the then US President Donald Trump from the JCPOA and the reintroduction of the toughest sanctions in history, causing a collapse of the Iranian economy. The temporary agreement will expire on June 24, a few days before the presidential elections to close the era of moderate Hassan Rouhani (who will not be able to stand as a candidate having finished his second term) and lead a conservative to power. A change destined to also affect the timing, methods and possible results of the ongoing nuclear talks. Diplomatic sources report that the talks, which began in April and the fifth meeting, should resume next June 10 and Price himself said he expects "a sixth round". I think - he said - there's just about every expectation that there will be subsequent rounds beyond that," Price told reporters. He said these obstacles included the fact that the talks are indirect - Iran refuses direct discussions with the United States - and the issues complex. "There is no lack of distrust between and among Iran and the other partners and allies with whom we're working on this," he concluded. YEREVAN. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, who is on a working visit to Kazakhstan, on Friday met with chair Nurlan Nigmatulin of the Kazakh Mazhilis (lower house of parliament), the presidential press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Noting that the year 2021 is significant for Armenia and Kazakhstan in the sense that the 30th anniversary of the independence of the two countries is marked this year, the speaker of the Mazhilis stressed the importance of expanding effective cooperation for the benefit of both countries and peoples. According to him, the implementation of the agreements reached during Armenian President Armen Sarkissians meetings Thursday with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and First President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan will contribute to the strengthening of Armenian-Kazakh cooperation and political dialogue. He assured that the Kazakh parliamentarians also will play their role in this. The chair of the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan attached importance to close cooperation of the Armenian and Kazakh MPs within the framework of the EEU, CIS, CSTO, and several other organizations. Emphasizing that Kazakhstan is a very close partner for Armenia within the CSTO and the EEU and is actively engaged in all issues, Armenian President Armen Sarkissian noted that although Armenia and Kazakhstan are geographically very far from each other, the two countries have a lot in common and great potential for joint projects. The President of Armenia and the speaker of the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan discussed also the agenda of relations. Noting that snap parliamentary elections will be held in Armenia on June 20, President Sarkissian expressed confidence that the new parliament and government of the country will also contribute to the development of relations with Kazakhstan. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 04.06.21: The situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border remains relatively unstable as Azerbaijan did not still pull out its troops from the Armenian state border. Moreover, the Azerbaijani soldiers who have invaded the territory of Armenia have launched engineering works in the mountains between Vardenis and Verin Shorzha. According to the head of Verin Shorzha village, Artyom Yeranosyan, they are operating technical equipment and building a road that will be connected to their military posts. The operating technical equipment is already spotted on the Azerbaijani side and that the Azerbaijanis are already moving along the slope of the mountain with their automobiles. Armenian human rights chief Arman Tatoyan said water resources at the border settlements of Gegharkunik Province have come under the Azerbaijani army control. "Azerbaijani soldiers illegally stop the villagers at the pastures near the villages of Gegharkunik Province, demand to give explanations as to in what direction they are moving, for what purpose, and what they are transporting, try to carry out illegal searches of cars, threaten," he noted. According to him, pastures, hayfields, lands of other importance cannot be used now as well. Many bodies and remains of soldiers killed during the recent Nagorno-Karabakh [Artsakh] war are kept in the morgue in the Armenian city of Martuni. According to pathologist-anatomist Artash Khachatryan, the DNA tests have been conducted for all the bodies, the samples have been taken, the expert examination is over. The bodies and remains are kept in refrigerant conditions, he said. They are identified and transferred to the parents, he added. A few days ago, social media users disseminated blood-freezing photos taken at a branch of the Scientific-Practical Center of Forensic Medicine in Abovyan, showing the bodies and remains of martyred Armenian soldiers in bags and thrown on the floor. The Ministry of Health confirmed the authenticity of the photos, and acting Minister Anahit Avanesyan apologized, accepting the fact that the remains of the soldiers hadnt been kept in proper conditions. One Armenian has been injured in Moscow during a recent demonstration demanding the release of Armenian prisoners of war in front of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Moscow. There was a brawl between the protesters and Azerbaijanis. "An Azerbaijani approached us and provoked, saying that we have to leave the premises and not demand anything," the injured protester Ashot Sargsyan noted. According to him, there were not only Armenians but also Russians among the participants of the demonstration. Sargsyan has already undergone surgery. Lawyer Ruben Kirakosyan visited him and offered his services. Kirakosyan is currently his attorney. Sargsyan said he didn't know how the law-enforcement authorities have processed the case. As of Friday morning, 72 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of these cases has reached 223,050 in the country. Also, four more deaths from COVID-19 were registered, making the respective total 4,452 cases. The number of people who have recovered over the past one day is 246, the total respective number so far is 214,059. by Shafique Khokhar The Lahore High Court overturned the death sentence imposed on Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar, two illiterate parents accused out of revenge of sending a message against the prophet of Islam on a mobile phone. For Christian lawmaker Khalil Tahir Sandhu, the law should punish those who make false accusations. Lahore (AsiaNews) The Lahore High Court acquitted a Christian couple, Shafqat Emmanuele Shagufta Kausar, from blasphemy charges for lack of evidence. The two spent eight years on death row. I have fought a legal battle for this innocent couple for years, said their lawyer, Saif ul Malook, a Muslim. I am happy that justice has been done. A detailed order from the court is expected in the next two days. Both husband and wife can neither read nor write. They have four children (Zain, Danish, Joshua and Sarah) and lived in extreme poverty in the Mission compound in Gojra (Punjab). According to the couple, their ordeal began with a minor quarrel between their children and neighbours six months before a complaint was filed against them. Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar were arrested for allegedly sending a blasphemous text message against the Prophet of Islam in July 2013. Despite their illiteracy, Toba District Court Judge Tek Singh sentenced them to death on 4 April 2014. The sentence was overturned yesterday by Justices Anwar-ul-Haq and Syed Shehbaz Rizvi of the Lahore High Court. Prosecution lawyer Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry told Reuters he would use all possible means to reverse the High Court ruling because insulting the prophet of Islam in a Muslim-majority country carries the death penalty. In April, the European Parliament took up the case of the now acquitted couple. In a resolution, it called on the European Commission to review the trade benefits guaranteed to Pakistan's exports to Europe. MEPs noted that Islamabad had failed to stem the rising number of blasphemy cases. The resolution also called on the Pakistani government to immediately repeal its blasphemy laws. In Pakistan, such an accusation is often used for personal vengeance or religious hatred; this tends to encourage violence. Last month, a mob raided a police station in the capital Islamabad in order to lynch two men accused of destroying a mosque. Khalil Tahir Sandhu, a Christian MP and one the lawyers who represented Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar, spoke to AsiaNews about the case. I am happy that after eight years the court declared them innocent. Shafquat is now paralysed from being confined in Faisalabad Jail, and cannot move, while Shagufta has been kept in Multan Womens Jail in solitary confinement. I wonder if she was in the same death row where Asia Bibi was. One can easily imagine how miserably they both spent eight years of their life in jail on false accusations of blasphemy. I am happy today, but my question is who is responsible for these eight years, Khalil Tahir Sandhu said, why is there impunity for prosecution witnesses and complainants even when they gave false statements before the honourable court. The point I raised in the court was that the mobiles sim card (from where the blasphemous text was sent) was not sent for a forensic test and without forensic test it is not admissible in the court. This was the main point the court accepted. I would suggest changing the law to include punishment for those who fabricate false cases of blasphemy in personal vendettas. There will be a message in the coming days about the revelation of a case of high treason. Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Friday during his meeting in Geghanist village of Armenias Ararat Province. "As far as I have been reported on, this is not about a non-professional military. It is about the commander of one of the volunteer detachments, who, being on the battlefield during the [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war [last fall], was an agent of the Azerbaijani special services, and informed the adversary about the deployment of our forces in the Hadrut region and other types of spying information. The NSS [(National Security Service)] has already detained him. I know the name, the surname of that person, I know the name of the detachment he represented. This is a specific case of high treason whose guilt has yet to be proven," he said. Pashinyan added:" But I want us not to mix the right with the wrong. There were scenes spread on the Internet during the war that I still cannot understand to this day. How can this happen when a whole military unit full of weapons, ammunition, full of storages, and completely abandoned? These are questions we need to get the answers to. The less emotional state we go to it, the better. The "A Date with China" international media delegation toured a fishery village on Wednesday. The village is called Xipi and is located in Ningde of Southeast China's Fujian province. Like many other villages of its type in China, fishermen here catch, gather, and process marine life. However, its story is not typical, at least not if you go back eight years, wrote Du Juan in his article on China Daily. In 2013, 137 households moved from boat homes to resettlements ashore. This final migration meant all boat dwellers in the village had bid farewell to the floating life some of them had been living since birth. Xipi village is one of the biggest boat-dweller resettlement communities in eastern Fujian. There are eight sub-villages, with a total of 2,716 residents in 632 households. People here mainly make a living by breeding oysters, octopus, yellow croakers and other seafood. But they don't just practice aquaculture; they process the products locally, attracting investments and creating jobs. In 2020, the villagers netted a per-capita income of more than 23,000 yuan. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] In 2020, the villagers netted a per-capita income of more than 23,000 yuan, earning fame as the "Most Beautiful Fishery Village in the Nation," an outstanding transformation from their boat life in the old days. 68-year-old Lin Xiangmei is one of the last boat tribe members who moved ashore in 2013. She was shelling oysters with other workers when the media team came to talk to her. "My three daughters all have their own families. I occasionally work here to earn some pocket money, but it also helps remind me of the fishing time on the water. Compared to those days, life now is much better," Lin said. Boat habitants traditionally lived on small wooden boats. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] Boat habitants traditionally lived on small wooden boats and barely made ends meet by fishing in coastal waters. As Robert Nani said, "it's hard to believe five or six people lived on such a boat together." Nani is a Ghanaian internet celebrity who has been living in China for 12 years. He got to board a boat and experience what it was like to be a boat dweller. "It would be unimaginable if they ran into a weather disaster," he added. Since the 1950s, the first boat dwellers began to move to land under government programs and the first houses were built for them to live. From that point, a real fishery village took shape. China Daily reporter Anthony Perry. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] "It's really impressive to come here and see the transformation that has happened they had little museums. With the pictures and stories in the exhibits, we can see a long-term process," China Daily reporter Anthony Perry said. "They definitely run through hard times. Now their lives are a lot better. That's really good to see," he said. Since 1997, higher-level Party committees and governments have attached great importance to help fishermen in Xipi village settle ashore. Many Party members were based in the village to provide assistance, especially to poor households. "The way China was able to announce absolute poverty had been eliminated at the end of last year - it's an amazing achievement. No country has been able to put together those numbers of people that had been helped in that way," Perry said. by Sumon Corraya June 3 was the 20th anniversary of the bombing of the church of the Most Holy Redeemer which killed 10 and wounded over 50. "It's been 20 years, but we still have not obtained justice. We express anger, dissatisfaction and anxiety." Gopalgonj (AsiaNews) - June 3 marks the 20th anniversary of the bombing of the Most Holy Redeemer Church in the parish of Baniarchor in Gopalgonj, in southern Bangladesh. Observing the anniversary, hundreds of Baniarchor faithful attended the commemoration and prayer service in the church. Twenty years ago, on that day, while Catholics were taking part in Sunday mass, a sudden explosion left 10 people dead and over 50 injured. The police made it known that the Islamist group Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh had carried out the attack, but did not submit a report. Additionally, 22 detectives were changed in this lawsuit. The Italian Xaverian missionary Fr. Mimmo Dominico Pietanza was the parish priest, his case was closed after he was killed. Local secular leader Peter Boiragi has filed a lawsuit. Yesterday Fr Jerom Rinku Gomes, a local priest from the diocese of Barisal that covers the area, told AsiaNews that the police are not yet able to complete the investigation and provide charges on this matter. This creates concern for the faithful of the minority in this country that they will not obtain justice. "We ask the government to judge quickly in this case," he said. Even secular leaders have called for justice in the worst attack on the Church in the country. "It has been 20 years, but we have not obtained justice. We express anger, dissatisfaction and anxiety. We strongly demand justice for the attack on the Banirchor church," said Nirmol Rozario. The families of the victims have not forgotten and await a ruling to bring closure and justice for their loved ones. One of the Shuk, Ranjan Haldar, lost his young son Sumon Haldar. "On June 3, 2001, during mass, we heard the roar of the bomb; I went ahead and saw the bloodied body of my beloved son. He died instantly. I count the days for justice. I still have not obtained justice", Explained Shuk Ranjan Haldar. Arup Biswas lost his father Sotis Biswas in the attack. Sadly he recalled: "When I was a child, I lost my father. Now I can't remember him. Without a father, I have grown up in poverty. I want no one to lose their parents in childhood like me." He also demanded justice for the killing of his father. Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country with 166 million people, 0.4% are Christians. The minority is often the subject of persecution by the majority. The mirrored withdrawal of troops wont ensure restoration of the rights of Armenias citizens. This is what Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan told reporters today, adding that the same goes for the deployment of international observers. Tatoyan recalled that Sev Lake is under the Azerbaijanis control and added that this presents a serious danger from the perspective of water resources. Its very bad that there is no proper attention paid to the human rights protection component. In conditions of demarcation and delimitation, Armenia has no right to consider everything in terms of politics and the military. We must not forget that there are people living there, he said. Recently, acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan proposed a mirrored withdrawal of the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops and the deployment of international observers on the border. YEREVAN. daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: In the last few days, active negotiations were underway in Moscow, the capital of Russia, between the representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan over the recent events that occurred in the border zone. The goal [of these negotiations]: to reach, through negotiations, the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani troops that invaded Armenia. Yesterday we were informed that the negotiations did not yield any results. One of the reasons is that first of all it was unacceptable for the other two sides that the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armenia Armed Forces, Arshak Karapetyan, presented himself as the negotiator from the Armenian side. Apparently, they were waiting for a more senior official in status, and no matter how much Karapetyan tried to convince [them] that he is the second [top] official in Armenia, the parties remained in their position, and urged that the first [top] official appear next time if he is the second. Besides, the Russian side did not manifest very active efforts because while in Moscow they are trying to resolve the current volatile situation on Armenias borders, [its acting PM] Pashinyan is visiting France, and the [Armenian] authorities propaganda machine sees Pashinyan's visit to France and [French President] Macron's words that Azerbaijani troops must leave the RA territory as a beacon of salvation. The Russians have decided that if the talks are successful and the Azerbaijani troops are withdrawn from Armenia, Pashinyan will attribute it to the Western allies. Russian sources do not conceal: as long as the Armenians pin hopes on the Europeans, they [the Russians] will not be active, and the date of the next [trilateral] meeting has not been set. RTHK: Microsoft Bing draws a blank on 'tank man' searches Microsoft's Bing search engine showed no image results for the query "tank man" in the United States and elsewhere on Friday, users reported, raising concerns about possible censorship around the Tiananmen Square crackdown anniversary. "Tank man" is often used to name an unidentified person famously pictured standing before tanks in Beijing's Tiananmen Square during pro-democracy demonstrations in June 1989. Microsoft said the issue was "due to an accidental human error and we are actively working to resolve this." Queries in Germany, Singapore and other countries also provided no results. China is known to require search engines operating in its jurisdiction to censor results, but those restrictions are rarely applied elsewhere. Rival Google showed several applicable results for "tank man" on Friday. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Camilla Haddad, 98, was hidden and cared for by the family of Elias Abu Ahmed when the Islamic State captured Mosul. Yesterday, she met with the Chaldean patriarch in Baghdad. Brotherhood and friendship between Christians and Muslims are echoed in Pope Franciss Fratelli Tutti. A change in attitude is underway in Iraq. Baghdad (AsiaNews) Camilla Haddad, 98, has been the protagonist of a story of Islamic-Christian brotherhood and solidarity that has only recently emerged. Thanks to the help of Chaldean Patriarch Card Louis Raphael Sako, she has been able to talk about it to AsiaNews. She remembers that When the Islamic State entered Mosul I was alone and couldn't escape. Together with my friend Mary we stayed, in the city. We were afraid but luckily a neighbour, Elias Abu Ahmed, a Muslim, came to our rescue. He told us that he would do everything to protect us. Along with her friend Mary Fathohi Weber, who later died of natural causes, Camilla was welcomed and cared for by Eliass Muslim family during the early stages of the rise of the Islamic State (IS) group in northern Iraq in the summer of 2014. Almost seven years later, she visited the patriarchal headquarters in Baghdad yesterday evening, accompanied by Elias, who now considers her part of her family. The feeling is reciprocal, based on friendship and mutual help built up over time. During the meeting, Elias had to interpret and put into words the thoughts of the elderly woman several times. Although in good health for someone of her age, she now struggles to walk and do even the normal things of daily life. She remembers militiamen breaking into her home in Mosul's Mohandessin neighbourhood, where she lived with her friend Mary. Like other Muslim neighbours who came to her rescue, Mr Elias came to the house. Faced with IS militia, he claimed that Camilla was his grandmother and Mary was his aunt, and then moved them to his home in the Baladiyat neighbourhood. Over the years Eliass family grew. Today he has two wives and 14 children, patiently educated by the elderly Christian woman who considers them her grandchildren for all intents and purposes. Every day Camilla recites the rosary to thank God for the help she received and for the comfort she has found in this new family. Daesh (Islamic State) could have driven us out but Elias Abu Ahmed welcomed us and took us in his house, Camilla said. I had some money put aside and gave it to him to help support the family and raise the children, because his salary as a worker, often small, was not enough. Mary Fathohi Weber fell ill shortly after the arrival of the Islamic State and it was Camilla who cared for her until her death on 1 January 2015. For quite a while, Camilla has struggled with the pain caused by an old injury to her leg. Other than that, her health is good despite her age. She sold her house and with the money she has helped her adopted family, giving a hand with the children, buying food and medicine. Camilla feels at home in this family, Patriarch Sako told AsiaNews. She knows she is being cared for. I proposed to her to come to Baghdad, to a seniors home, but she said shed rather stay in Mosul, and pray the rosary for all of us. When she crossed the threshold of the house to come to Baghdad, all the children went out to accompany her; they wanted to come with her; they consider her their grandmother. She contributes to their upbringing, because while they are humble people, she grew up in a upscale neighbourhood in Mosul. Card Sako remembers her well. He met her when he was pastor at the Church of Perpetual Help in Mosul, in the 1990s. With her sisters she came with me to Rome, then Paris, in the Holy Year. I thought she was dead because I never heard from her again, but I never stopped looking for her to find out what had happened to her, Card Sako said. It was not easy to gather information because, among other things, of the situation of great confusion that reigned for a long time in northern Iraqs big city, but in the end we succeeded. The Patriarch noted that Elias often uses the expression Fratelli Tutti, and says that he followed with Camilla all the stages of Pope Francis' visit to Iraq, in early March. For Elias, his visit to Iraq was a beautiful gesture and he considers what he does for Camilla as part of the pontiff's teachings about friendship and brotherhood between Christians and Muslims. This story, like so many others, is an example of a change of mentality in Iraq, Card Sako explained. Heres another. We are restoring a church in Baghdad and when the chief construction engineer went to buy the marble, the Shia Muslim seller asked what it was for. When he was told that it was 'for the cardinal', he replied that he would provide everything that was needed, and gave a discount to thank him for the Popes visit to Iraq. (Photos from the Chaldean Patriarchate) Barty limps out, Djokovic, Nadal, Federer march on World number one Ash Barty waves to fans after retiring from her second-round match at the French Open with an injury. Photo: AP Novak Djokovic, birthday boy Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer all reached the French Open third round on Thursday as the race for the women's title was thrown wide open after world number one Ashleigh Barty limped out. Top seed Djokovic continued his bid for a second Roland Garros and 19th Grand Slam title with a straight-sets win over Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas. The 34-year-old, who is looking to become the first man in more than 50 years to claim all four Slams multiple times, won 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. "I stayed concentrated. I thought the third set was very difficult for me because he lifted the level of his game," said the world number one after his 350th Grand Slam match in which he fired 32 winners. Djokovic will next face Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis. World number three Rafael Nadal, bidding for a 14th French Open and record-setting 21st Grand Slam title, celebrated his 35th birthday by defeating Richard Gasquet, a player he first met when they were 12 years old. Nadal stormed to a 6-0, 7-5, 6-2 win in a match played in an empty Court Philippe Chatrier as it clashed with a 9pm Covid-19 curfew. Gasquet won just nine points in the first set. He managed a brief show of defiance from 2-5 to 5-5 in the second set but eventually fell to a 17th defeat in 17 matches with the Spaniard. "The important thing is winning the matches. If it's in straight sets it's better," said Nadal. "I don't complain at all, the main thing is to feel myself playing well." Next up for Nadal is Britain's Cameron Norrie who he has beaten twice this season, at the Australian Open and on clay in Barcelona. Gasquet's loss means there are no Frenchmen or women in the third round for the first time. Federer stayed on course for a quarter-final showdown with Djokovic but only after becoming entangled in a rare running dispute with the chair umpire. The 20-time major winner and 2009 champion in Paris saw off Marin Cilic for the 10th time in 11 meetings, winning 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. Federer was handed a time violation by umpire Emmanuel Joseph at 1-3 down in the second set for taking too long between points in order to fetch his towel. "I don't even dare to go my towel anymore," he said to Joseph. Federer, the oldest man in the draw at 39, continued to lose his cool and the set before recovering to defeat former world number three Cilic. "I had very good moments, in the tie-break in particular, and I served really well to finish," said Federer after hitting 47 winners. Playing in only his second French Open since 2015, Federer goes on to face Germany's 59th-ranked Dominik Koepfer. Women's top seed Barty, already suffering from a left hip injury, retired injured midway through the second set of her second-round match against Poland's 45th-ranked Magda Linette. The Australian, who won the title on her last visit to Roland Garros in 2019, left the court for medical treatment after losing the first set 6-1. She then called it quits at 2-2 in the second set on Court Philippe Chatrier. "It's heartbreaking," Barty said. "It's a miracle I got past the first round." The 25-year-old's withdrawal leaves the tournament already without the world's top three-ranked women's players. World number two Naomi Osaka pulled out following a media boycott, saying she has suffered "bouts of depression" for three years. Third-ranked Simona Halep, the 2018 French Open winner, withdrew before the event with injury. Defending champion Iga Swiatek eased into the third round with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Sweden's Rebecca Peterson. The eighth-seeded Pole goes on to face Estonian 30th seed Anett Kontaveit for a place in the last 16. Swiatek hasn't dropped a set at Roland Garros in her last nine matches. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, 18, became the youngest player to make the last 32 since Andrei Medvedev in 1992 when he defeated 28th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Two Italian teens made it through with 18th seeded Jannik Sinner seeing off compatriot Gianluca Mager while highly-rated Lorenzo Musetti put out Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka. Elsewhere, fourth seed Sofia Kenin, the 2020 runner-up, saw off American compatriot Hailey Baptiste 7-5, 6-3. Three-time quarter-finalist and fifth seed Elina Svitolina was similarly untroubled against Ann Li of the United States, winning 6-0, 6-4. However, ninth seed Karolina Pliskova exited at the hands of 2018 runner-up Sloane Stephens as the 59th-ranked American won 7-5, 6-1. (AFP) CANBERRA, Australia (AP) A judge on Friday ordered a dozen Australian media companies to pay fines from 1,000 Australian dollars ($766) to AU$450,000 ($345,000) for breaching a gag order by publishing references to Cardinal George Pells since-overturned convictions in 2018 for child sexual abuse. Dozens of companies, reporters and editors were initially charged with contempt and breaching a suppression order over their coverage of the convictions, which were banned from publication in Australia until February 2019. Such suppression orders are common in the Australian and British judicial systems. But the enormous international interest in an Australian criminal trial with global ramifications highlighted the difficulty in enforcing such orders in the digital age. The media companies pleaded guilty in February to 21 charges of contempt in a plea deal in the Victoria state Supreme Court. Justice John Dixon said on Friday the guilty pleas did not demonstrate remorse but were entered to protect individual editors, reporters and broadcast presenters from convictions. The individuals had faced potential prison sentences. The Age Company and News Life Media's offenses constituted a blatant and willful defiance of the courts authority, Dixon said. Each took a deliberate risk by intentionally advancing a collateral attack on the role of suppression orders in Victorias criminal justice system, Dixon said. The Age Company was fined AU$450,000 ($345,000) and News Life Media AU$400,000 ($306,000). No foreign news organization has been charged with breaching the suppression order. The U.S. Constitutions First Amendment would prevent such censorship in the United States, so attempting to extradite an American for breaching an Australian suppression order would be futile. Pell was Pope Francis top financial adviser and regarded as the third most senior cleric in the Vatican when he became the most senior Catholic ever convicted of child sex abuse. Story continues Pells five convictions have since been overturned and he has returned to the Vatican after spending 13 months in prison. No Australian media company published a straight news report of Pells convictions, but some directed their audiences to international online reports. Melbournes most popular newspaper, Herald Sun, published a white headline CENSORED across a black front page. The world is reading a very important story that is relevant to Victorians, the newspaper said, referring to residents of Victoria state. The newspaper said it was prevented from publishing details of this significant news. The newspapers owner, Herald and Weekly Times, was fined AU$2,000 ($1,532). The media companies must also pay prosecutors legal costs of AU$650,000 ($498,000). Jonathan Wall awaits trial in a federal cannabis conspiracy case. Provided by Jonathan's attorney, Jason Flores A 26-year-old Maryland native faces 15 years in federal prison there on marijuana conspiracy charges. As some entrepreneurs stand to make millions in the cannabis industry, inconsistent marijuana laws can land people like Jonathan Wall in prison for years. Drug policy experts say people will languish in this "gray area" if weed isn't legalized nationwide. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Jonathan Wall, a 26-year-old Maryland native, has been locked up in a Baltimore maximum security prison for nearly a year as he awaits trial on federal marijuana conspiracy charges. Prosecutors say Wall, along with 10 others, transported over 1000 kilograms of cannabis from California to Maryland over two years. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison. Wall told Insider he simply saw an opportunity to make a living. After dropping out of high school and spending some time couch-surfing, he moved to California six years ago to join a growing cannabis industry he'd felt passionate about since he was a teenager. "There are so many people who dedicated and essentially donated their life to getting this plant to where it is today, on the verge of legalization," Wall told Insider by phone from the detention facility. "Do I have to be the last person who is prosecuted for a product that's making billions of dollars around the world?" Inconsistent marijuana laws between the states and on the federal level can land offenders in prison for years, even as some entrepreneurs stand to make millions working legally in the same industry. Drug policy experts told Insider that if marijuana isn't legalized nationwide, people like Wall will continue to languish in what they describe as a "gray area" of the law. Going on the lam Wall was indicted in October 2019 on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana. Wall knew some of the 10 other men named in the indictment, but not everyone, according to his lawyer, Jason Flores-Williams. Story continues Flores-Williams said Wall was working to launch a marijuana company in California, where he was growing cannabis, when he learned of the charges against him and fled to Guatemala. "It was just a moment of like, 'I can't believe this,' and looking at the injustice of the prosecution and unequal way that laws are being applied, he split," Flores-Williams told Insider. "So he went down to Guatemala and just started a food drive for people who were hungry." Wall ultimately decided to turn himself in to police and boarded a flight back to Los Angeles International Airport. When he arrived on June 29, 2020, he says he was met by law enforcement officers from a variety of federal agencies who took him into custody. "I was on the plane, on the tarmac. It was ridiculous how they brought on a whole military platoon to apprehend me," Wall told Insider. "They knew I was coming in. I understood the process of what would happen, and they still thought it was necessary to bring in the Customs and Border Patrol, the DEA, US Marshals, all these different agencies." Wall's family is now living "a nightmare," Flores-Williams says, worrying every night about his safety at the Chesapeake Detention Facility in Baltimore. Wall was one of 150 inmates there who tested positive for COVID-19 last year, according to Flores-Williams. "They are emblematic of what so many people have faced in this country for generations," he said. "This family is just completely torn apart because of this government's focus on the drug war." Marijuana plants for sale at the ShowGrow dispensary, a medical marijuana provider in downtown Los Angeles. AP Photo/Richard Vogel Getting caught in the 'gray area' There's growing acceptance of legal marijuana in the United States. As of November 2020, 35 states and Washington, DC, had passed or voted to pass medical marijuana access laws, while 15 states and Washington, DC, had passed or voted to pass recreational marijuana access laws.But the drug remains illegal at the federal level. Queen Adesuyi, the policy manager at Drug Policy Alliance, which works to advance policies that limit the harms of drug use and prohibition, told Insider that Wall's case shows why marijuana needs to be descheduled on the federal level. "People should not be in cages because of cannabis," Adesuyi told Insider. "It's odd to have people sitting in cages because of marijuana while plenty of people are making a great profit in the cannabis industry and the industry itself is gonna be valued in the billions of dollars as reform continues to progress." A majority of people impacted by marijuana laws enter the criminal justice system on state charges for possession or sale of the drug, but violations of federal marijuana law often carry harsher penalties, according to Adesuyi. She said it's important for drug policy advocates to continue to fight for legalization on the state level, but "until it's removed from the controlled substance list, people are going to be caught up in the in betweens, in the gray area that we're in, because of the discrepancy between state laws and federal law." Flores-Williams noted he's representing a client who, if convicted, could receive a longer sentence than some defendants face for rape or murder charges. "Right now there is this profound inconsistency in this country," he said. "I go to court in Maryland, and then just 40 miles down the road you've got a 72,000 square foot warehouse that's rented out for the next 20 years because someone was smart enough to buy it and convert it into a pot grow and rent it out." Maryland allows medical marijuana, but recreational weed use and sales remain illegal in the state. Flores-Williams filed a motion in federal court arguing that prosecuting Wall is unconstitutional because every citizen should have equal rights under the law, but a judge denied it. The US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland didn't return a message seeking comment on Wall's case. Flores-Williams, who says his father was incarcerated on drug charges when he was a child, is intimately familiar with the effects of the war on drugs. The side work the Colorado-based defense lawyer does assisting venture capitalists in obtaining marijuana cultivation and distribution licensing only deepens his conviction that clients like Wall are being unfairly punished. "So I am in a situation where I get off the phone with Jonathan - and this has happened - and the next phone call is from somebody in Nevada who is looking to invest $1.5 million into a cannabis corporation based here in Colorado, that is expanding into Mexico," Flores-Williams said. "Now these are the exact same activities." Marijuana remains illegal on the federal level. Mayara Klingner / EyeEm/Getty Images 'The whole war on pot, it goes on and on' Richard Stratton, a New York City-based writer and filmmaker, was at home sitting as his desk last year when he got a LinkedIn message from Wall, who he had never met. Stratton had been sentenced to 25 years in prison in 1982 for importing marijuana into the United States. He was released in 1990 after a successful appeal and went on to write several books about the experience. Stratton consulted on the HBO series "Oz" and the Emmy-winning documentary "Thug Life," and had his own show, "Street Time," for two seasons on Showtime. Wall wrote that he had just finished reading Stratton's book, "Smuggler's Blues: A True Story of the Hippie Mafia," and needed advice. Wall wanted to come home but feared returning and being prosecuted, Stratton said. "Ultimately I advised him to give himself up because I could see it was not going to end well for him down there," Stratton told Insider. "He was running out of money. It was a bad situation. So I spoke with his lawyer in San Francisco, before Jason came on the case, and convinced Jonathan to surrender and come back and face the music." Stratton said he believes America has made significant progress in legalizing marijuana since he was convicted, but there's still a long way to go. "You really have to wonder why our government to spending all this money to capture a guy in a foreign country, bring him back here, charge him with these crimes that are crimes only in some states and not another states, to put this kid in prison for however many years on cannabis violations," he said. "It's just nuts. The whole war on pot, it goes on and on and on, and it doesn't make sense." But Wall is not the average American locked up on marijuana charges, Stratton said, speaking from his own experience. "This case is talking about dealing pot, and smuggling pot, and transporting pot across state lines. But by and large, the people who get arrested for cannabis violations are Black and brown Americans, not white," Stratton said. "Our prisons are full of people of color." Wall acknowledges that prohibitions on marijuana disproportionately impact communities of color. More than 600,000 people in the United States were charged for possessing marijuana in 2018, Insider reported at the time. Blacks and Latinos accounted for nearly half of all weed arrests that year, despite making up just 31% of the population, according to the Drug Policy Alliance. Relief efforts for marijuana offenders Flores-Williams, who also represents legal cannabis distributors, said he understands the need to regulate the industry. "If you don't get the license that other people are busting their butt to get, if you don't follow the specific protocols and rules set up by municipalities and states with regards to cannabis, then I understand there should be penalties for that," Flores-Williams said. "But you should not be looking at 15 years in federal prison. That's the bottom line." Stratton, who by a twist of fate served time in prison with Flores-Williams' father, agrees. "I think that the reality is that ultimately you will have a license, you will have a permit, you will have some kind of a federal license to deal in cannabis. That's where we're headed," Stratton said. "In the meantime, it doesn't make any sense to me to be locking people up and having them spend 10 or 20 or 30 years in prison for something that is now rapidly becoming legal all over the country," he added. Adesuyi is part of a working group that is focused drafting what federal regulations on cannabis could look like after it's decriminalized on the national level. Under the framework Adesuyi imagines, the allegations against Wall, if proven true, would result in the equivalent of a permit violation. "I would hope that something like that is not treated on a criminal level, because these policies disproportionately impact Black and brown communities and Black and brown people the most," she said. "I know this case was about someone who was a little more middle-class and had a little bit more access to resources, but the story behind the people who have really bore the brunt of decriminalization is that of low-income black and brown people." New Yorkers rallied in favor of marijuana legalization at a 2019 demonstration. Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images Adesuyi noted public support for both legalization and expunging the records of people who've already served time for possession or sale of the drug is at an all-time high. A Pew research survey published in April shows that 91% of Americans believe marijuana should be legal in some form; of them, 60% believe it should be legal for recreational and medical use. In December, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would remove cannabis from the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. The act has language that, if passed by the Senate, would also create a pathway for expungement of marijuana convictions. The legislation hasn't come up for a vote in that chamber yet, but it was reintroduced in late May. Adesuyi pointed out the MORE Act has exceptions: People who were convicted at the "kingpin" level, including individuals who were found to have trafficked large amounts of marijuana, would not be eligible for expungement. (Stratton was convicted on charges of this level, while the charges against Wall don't meet that threshold). "It's unfair to continually allow for lifelong cost consequences to follow a person after they've already served their time, and it's an unfair kind of dichotomy that policy makers continue to put in place between low level and high level offenders." Adesuyi said. "In order to really get to criminal justice reform, we have to grapple with the dichotomy of non-violent versus violent, and low-level versus high-level, to really get to the crux of the fact that people shouldn't be in jail or prison because of cannabis." Beyond expunging marijuana convictions, there are efforts underway to reverse policies that lock out past offenders from the booming cannabis industry. In the early days of legalization, if he were convicted on the charges against him, Wall would not have been eligible to work in the industry again. Now some jurisdictions give licensing priority to past offenders - a move aimed at assisting the communities most impacted by drug laws, according to Justin Strekal, the political director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). "There has been a rapid and welcome shift in policymaking when it comes to ensuring that those who have been previously arrested for cannabis-related infractions not only be permitted to operate in the legal market, but to ensure that they have guaranteed access to licensure and capital to benefit from the economic opportunities with the regulated market," Strekal said. "Put simply, people who have been harmed by criminalization deserve to benefit from legalization." Read the original article on Insider Associated Press A Chicago police officer charged with breaching the U.S. Capitol and entering a senator's office during the Jan. 6 insurrection texted photos of himself inside the building while wearing a police department sweatshirt after telling someone he was going to Washington to save the nation. Karol Chwiesiuk, 29, was arrested Friday and faces five misdemeanor counts, including entering a restricted building, disrupting government business and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds with the intent to impede a congressional proceeding. Prosecutors allege in a criminal complaint that Chwiesiuk was among a mob of people who broke into and damaged the office of Sen. Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat. After a four-day delay because of weather issues, an Alaska National Guard crew this week rescued 12 mountaineers who were stranded on a glacier, according to a report. The rescue occurred Tuesday in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, according to the Anchorage Daily News. It was the largest high-altitude rescue conducted using a Chinook helicopter in state history, the report said. The copter landed at an altitude of about 10,000 feet around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday and took on board eight mountaineers, four guides and about 1,000 pounds of their gear, officials told the newspaper. POLICE AUDIO DETAILS RESCUE OF FAMILY SAVED BY 7-YEAR-OLD SON WHO SWAM NEARLY AN HOUR TO SHORE Two of those rescued were treated for altitude sickness while a third suffered a minor case of frostbite, the report said. The sickened mountaineers were struck at about 14,000 feet, then were helped down to 10,000 feet by the guides, the Daily News reported. After being transported by the Chinook to Gulkana Airport, the sickened mountaineers boarded another aircraft to Anchorage for treatment, the report said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A guide on the ground used a satellite phone to stay in contact with the National Guard regarding landing conditions for the helicopter, according to the report. In a separate rescue, two New York state men were reached Monday from the site of a plane crash. That rescue was also delayed by weather issues, the report said. - By GF Value The stock of Amkor Technology (NAS:AMKR, 30-year Financials) shows every sign of being significantly overvalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $21.94 per share and the market cap of $5.4 billion, Amkor Technology stock is estimated to be significantly overvalued. GF Value for Amkor Technology is shown in the chart below. Amkor Technology Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued Because Amkor Technology is significantly overvalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be much lower than its future business growth, which averaged 5.9% over the past three years and is estimated to grow 8.08% annually over the next three to five years. Link: These companies may deliever higher future returns at reduced risk. It is always important to check the financial strength of a company before buying its stock. Investing in companies with poor financial strength have a higher risk of permanent loss. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage is a great way to understand the financial strength of a company. Amkor Technology has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.66, which is worse than 72% of the companies in Semiconductors industry. The overall financial strength of Amkor Technology is 6 out of 10, which indicates that the financial strength of Amkor Technology is fair. This is the debt and cash of Amkor Technology over the past years: Story continues It is less risky to invest in profitable companies, especially those with consistent profitability over long term. A company with high profit margins is usually a safer investment than those with low profit margins. Amkor Technology has been profitable 10 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $5.2 billion and earnings of $1.62 a share. Its operating margin is 9.91%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in Semiconductors industry. Overall, the profitability of Amkor Technology is ranked 8 out of 10, which indicates strong profitability. This is the revenue and net income of Amkor Technology over the past years: Amkor Technology Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued Growth is probably the most important factor in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long term performance of a company's stock. The faster a company is growing, the more likely it is to be creating value for shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. The 3-year average annual revenue growth rate of Amkor Technology is 5.9%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in Semiconductors industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is -0.8%, which ranks worse than 67% of the companies in Semiconductors industry. One can also evaluate a company's profitability by comparing its return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the return on invested capital exceeds the weighted average cost of capital, the company is likely creating value for its shareholders. During the past 12 months, Amkor Technology's ROIC is 14.82 while its WACC came in at 9.68. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of Amkor Technology is shown below: Amkor Technology Stock Is Believed To Be Significantly Overvalued In summary, the stock of Amkor Technology (NAS:AMKR, 30-year Financials) is estimated to be significantly overvalued. The company's financial condition is fair and its profitability is strong. Its growth ranks worse than 67% of the companies in Semiconductors industry. To learn more about Amkor Technology stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here. To find out the high quality companies that may deliever above average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Andy Cohen is asking again for help to find a missing man from his hometown named Andrew "Andy" Neiman. The Bravo host shared an image of Neiman's "missing" poster on his Facebook page last week. On Friday, Cohen told TODAY, "Andy is younger than me, but we went to the same camp Nebagamon in Wisconsin and the same high school. I'm praying for his safe return, along with a lot of folks in St. Louis." Celebrities Attend The 2019 US Open Tennis Championships - Day 11 (Adrian Edwards / GC Images) Both Cohen, 53, and Neiman, 48, attended Clayton High School in Cohen's native St. Louis. Neiman's family and friends set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to expand their search for the actor and playwright, who was last seen May 21 walking out of MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York. Neiman was wearing only green scrubs and socks when he left the hospital, according to Page Six. The GoFundMe page described Neiman as having "a history of mental illness," and said he "may be suffering from psychosis." The missing man's sister, Emily Abramson, told Page Six that her brother suffered "a psychotic break" while staying with her and her family in High Falls, Ulster County. Neiman's loved ones used donations to hire a private investigator, but so far no leads have led to his safe return, an update on the GoFundMe page revealed. "While we are disappointed, we remain undeterred," read the message. The message added that Neiman's loved ones were "redoubling" their efforts thanks to continued donations. "We have increased our GoFundMe goal in this critical time to find Andy and are redoubling efforts to hire additional private investigators, fly drones, advertise, pound the pavement, and search the woods, parks, and waters where Andy may be," it read. Those with information about Neiman's whereabouts are asked to contact the Poughkeepsie Police Department, or to call the hotline 845-687-3066. Related: Investigative reporter and Fox News contributor Sara Carter detailed the harrowing journey of an unaccompanied 9-year-old Guatemalan boy who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday night to locate his estranged mother. Carter encountered the young boy late Wednesday when she noticed him walking alone without any adult guardians. The boy told Carter he had not seen his mother since she left home when he was 2 years old and he had been residing with his grandparents since. In heart-tugging footage that aired exclusively on "Hannity" on Wednesday, the boy asks Carter to borrow her cell phone before dialing a number he had for his mother. An emotional exchange can be heard as the child reveals to her that he has safely reached the United States. "I'm here," he says. SARA CARTER INTERVIEWS SUSPECTED HUMAN SMUGGLER "It was very emotional for me," Carter told Hannity. " He was trying to talk to me. He was trying to tell his story. He was very nervous. I'm a mother. I know what it feels like when your children are hurting or when any child is hurting. You just want to be able to comfort them and he wanted to speak with his mother. He did speak with his mom, before making this journey." Relatives of the young boy appear to have hired professional smugglers to help him cross the border, Carter said. "But this is the bigger picture, right? We have children coming across our border and he is really only one of 20,000 children that are now in our custody. Probably more than 20,000 in over 200 shelters across the United States. And when you talk to people about this and you talk to Border Patrol agents National Guardsmen, people that are working on the front lines they will tell you that this is the worst part of Biden's policies," she explained. Carter said President Joe Biden's open border policy has provided a sense of "false hope to so many people and so many children [who] have lost their way." Story continues "Last night, after the show, we went back out on the river But roads were filled with people. You can see across the river, just you could hear them in the darkness. Making their way with the smugglers down along the river. And then the smugglers loading people up into rafts bringing them across the river with no indication of fear or worry that they were going to be arrested," she said. "Who is waiting on the other side of the river? Our National Guardsmen who were there all night and they kept saying, they are coming. Boat after boat after boat. And we were watching young people get off. Pregnant women. Families. This is a very serious crisis." Carter charged the Biden administration with directly "endangering the lives of these children." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Because remember," she reiterated, "this young boy is one of the lucky ones. He actually made it. What about all the children that we never see, that we never hear about, the children that don't make [it through] this journey?" More than 20,000 children and teenagers are currently under U.S. custody, including nearly 17,000 in shelters run by the health department, according to the New York Times. The influx of unaccompanied minors making their way into the U.S. is expected to only increase in the coming weeks, prompting desperate calls from border patrol agents for the White House to finally address the mounting crisis. (Reuters) - Apple Inc is working on a new iPad Pro with wireless charging and a redesigned iPad Mini in an attempt to build upon momentum for a category that saw improved sales during the pandemic, Bloomberg News reported on Friday. The company is looking to release the new iPad Pro in 2022 and the iPad Mini later this year, the report said https://bloom.bg/3g6Xq8D, citing people familiar with the matter. The iPhone maker thrived through the COVID-19 pandemic as home-bound consumers stocked up on electronic devices, with iPad sales notching a better-than-expected $7.8 billion last quarter. The company is planning narrower screen borders for the new iPad Mini and also looking at removing its home button, according to the report. Apple is testing a glass back for the iPad Pro to enable wireless charging for the first time and also attempting to try out reverse wireless charging, Bloomberg News said. Designs for the new iPad Pro are in early stages and plans could change or be canceled before next year's launch, the report added. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside business hours. (Reporting by Radhika Anilkumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.) Envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations held talks with Myanmar's junta Friday, with its top general reiterating he would only allow fresh elections once the coup-stricken country had returned to "normal." Myanmar has been in chaos and its economy paralysed since the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government in February, accusing it of fraud during 2020 elections. More than 800 people have since been killed in a brutal military crackdown on dissent according to a local monitoring group, and fighting has flared up with several ethnic rebel groups. Erywan Pehin Yusof, Brunei's second minister for foreign affairs, and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi held discussions with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, the junta's information team said in a statement. The top general said the junta would hold fresh elections when "the situation has returned to normal," according to the statement, without providing details. The junta has previously said it would hold elections within two years. ASEAN has led diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, but the regional bloc is not known for its diplomatic clout, and observers have questioned how effectively it can influence events in the country. Min Aung Hlaing attended a meeting on the crisis with the leaders of the 10-country bloc in April -- his first overseas trip since he seized power. Following that meeting -- which was closed to media -- leaders issued a "five-point consensus" statement that called for the "immediate cessation of violence" and a visit to Myanmar by a regional special envoy. But the general said in a later television interview that Myanmar was not ready to adopt the plan. A special envoy has yet to be appointed, and violence has continued across the country. A shadow government made up of former lawmakers -- mostly from Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party -- on Thursday called on all visiting leaders to meet with its representatives, too. It was not clear whether the ASEAN envoys planned to meet with members of the shadow government, which the junta has designated as "terrorists." bur-rma/to Civilians and soldiers continue to clash. Two journalists were sentenced to two years in prison for spreading fake news. Anti-regime forces open up to the Rohingya. The head of the military government and the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross meet without results. Yangon (AsiaNews) Opposition to the military regime that seized power in February continues non-stop. Two members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, were beaten and arrested yesterday morning at their home in Sein Pan Ward, Mandalay Region. Lawyer Thet Tun Oo, who represents people imprisoned for organising anti-government protests in Myitkyina (Kachin State), was also detained by the military yesterday after he testified at a court hearing inside Myitkyina Prison. Dr Tayzar San, one of the most important figures in the anti-junta movement, also took part in the protests. An arrest warrant has been issued against him and a reward of 10 million kyat (about US$ 6,000) has been offered for information leading to his arrest. Clashes between civilians and soldiers continue in various Myanmar cities. On Wednesday, a 19-year-old man died from a gunshot to the forehead in Mobye Town, southern Shan State. Another person was seriously wounded by soldiers. Two explosions were reported near schools in Aye Tharyar, Shan State. A military court yesterday sentenced two journalists arrested in March and April. Aung Kyaw of the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and freelance reporter Zaw received a two-year prison sentence for reporting on the protests that broke out after the military coup. Since February, 87 journalists have been arrested with 51 still detained. Aung Kyaw and Zaw were imprisoned under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code, which was amended after the coup and now criminalises comments and opinions that cause fear or spread fake news. Since the coup, the military junta has arrested 5,652 people and killed 845, according to data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). The Government of National Unity, which includes deposed NLD lawmakers and representatives of ethnic groups, has promised to repatriate and grant citizenship to the Rohingya who join the movement to remove the military. Junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing met yesterday with Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). People in Myanmar are in need of urgent assistance and protection, said Maurer who discussed the use of force during security operations and made the case for better humanitarian access to conflict areas and for the resumption of Red Cross prison visits. Min Aung Hlaing was noncommittal towards Maurers requests. A dozen major Australian news organisations were fined Friday for breaching court orders that banned reporting on Cardinal George Pell's 2018 conviction on child sex abuse charges, which was later overturned. The news outlets were found guilty of 21 counts of contempt of court for ignoring the gag order in the case of Pell, a top Vatican official who was convicted of abusing two choirboys but later cleared on appeal after spending a year in prison. They were fined a total of Aus$1.1 million (US$855,000) and ordered to pay an additional Aus$650,000 in court costs. The news organisations had already pleaded guilty in a deal with the court that led to contempt charges being dropped against 18 individual journalists and editors who had faced possible jail time if they were also convicted. In Friday's ruling, Justice John Dixon of the Supreme Court of Victoria state said the defendants' earlier guilty plea had "not demonstrated a significant degree of remorse and contrition" but was contrived to protect their employees from conviction as individuals. Most of the fines were levied against newspapers and websites of Australia's two biggest news companies -- Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and the Nine Entertainment group. Dixon described the reporting by outlets of the two media giants as "blatant and wilful defiance of the court's authority". "They each took a deliberate risk by intentionally advancing a collateral attack on the role of suppression orders and Victoria's justice system," he said. Other companies were ordered to pay penalties ranging from $10,000 to $30,000. A judge issued the suppression order in December 2018 to prevent news of Pell's convictions from prejudicing jurors in an expected second trial on child sex abuse charges that were subsequently dropped in early 2019. The order meant Pell's 2018 convictions for abusing two choirboys in the 1990s -- which were overturned last April by the High Court -- initially could not be reported in Australia, including on the internet. Story continues In protest over the gag order, media outlets ran cryptic articles saying they had been barred from reporting on a story of major public interest involving a high-profile Australian after US outlets broke the story. One Murdoch tabloid ran a front page that was entirely blacked out with the headline "Censored" across it. dm/arb/jah While the arrest of Belarusian journalist Roman Pratasevich is the most high-profile case in the country, other members of the press are also facing government backlash. Alexey Kovalev, investigative editor at independent Russian news outlet Meduza, joined CBSN AM to discuss the rising threat against journalists. Video Transcript ANNE-MARIE GREEN: While Pratasevich is the most high profile journalist detained in Belarus, he's hardly the only one the government is trying to silence. It's part of the crackdown authorized by the country's leader, Alexander Lukashenko. The arrests are now causing concern for reporters in neighboring countries, with fears that it could spread worldwide. Alexey Kovalev wrote a "New York Times" opinion piece examining this. And he joins me now from Moscow. Alexey is the investigative editor for Meduza, that is an independent news outlet in Russia. Alexey, tell me, what is happening to the journalists that you know in Belarus? ALEXEY KOVALEV: Well, hi, Anne-Marie. Thank you for having me. That Pratasevich video was extremely hard to watch. I mean, I'm a jaded reporter with over 20 years experience, but I just couldn't bring myself to it. I was relieved that it wasn't my news shift yesterday. Because next time, I think it could be someone I know. I mean, that's just what's happening in Belarus right now. And this video is not even intended to convince anybody that there was indeed a plot against Alexander Lukashenko, but to further intimidate and demoralize the opposition. Well, the way-- the headline of my "New York Times" piece really says it's all. I mean, there is no other way to put it. Every single person I know, I worked with is in jail or exiled. And that's just the people I can name without causing any further harm to them. And well, that's it. I mean, if it goes like this, at this pace, there won't be any reporting coming out of Belarus. ANNE-MARIE GREEN: Yeah, I think it's in-- the op-ed is really, really important. Because though the eyes of the world were sort of on Belarus last month because of this forced, you know, landing of a commercial plane, the reality of it is is that journalists-- many journalists had already been jailed or forced to sort of be silent long before this incident. Story continues And you say, listen, you know, the whole world should be concerned about this crackdown, not just Belarus. Why is your concern not just for Belarus but for also the other neighboring countries and other countries? ALEXEY KOVALEV: Well, because Belarus and Russia are in a union. It's a pretty obscure one, but we are sharing a judicial system. And our law enforcement agencies are in contact like in a union state. So if you're, for example, a Belarusian oppositionist considering a travel itinerary that goes above Russia, you should be concerned too. Because there is no reason to think that, you know, the Russian authorities won't to give you over to their Belarusian colleagues. And it's quite an alarming thought. And frankly, I'm writing about this last year when the protests happened in Belarus against the sham election that again, installed Alexander Lukashenko as a sixth term president, I think. It doesn't really matter at this point. You know, the crackdown was so bloody and brutal that we were-- in Russia, we were used to police violently dispersing any opposition rallies. And we thought, but at least in Belarus. But now, we are not really that far behind. I mean, Lukashenko has just officially outlawed any reporting from opposition-- from unauthorized rallies, that is all of them. And in Russia, it's just the-- it's the legal cost of reporting that's frankly, unaffordable for many independent outlets like ours. Because in order to cover a protest rally, you have to have an in-house lawyer to deal with the fallout. Because the police will be knocking on your door and demanding to see your credentials and declaring them illegitimate, even if you were wearing the full, you know, statement-related regalia, like high visibility vests and all the paperwork. ANNE-MARIE GREEN: Right. ALEXEY KOVALEV: But none of that matters. And in a few months, it could be that one of the very important countries in Central Europe that kind of buffers Russia from Western Europe could be this completely lawless information black hole. Because no independent reporters are allowed to work there. It's just the Russian and Belarusian's state media that will be the only sources of information coming out of it. And believe me-- ANNE-MARIE GREEN: Yeah. ALEXEY KOVALEV: Terrible things are happening when no one's watching. ANNE-MARIE GREEN: Yeah. Like you bring up a really good point about the tactics that are being used. That, you know, it's not as simple as kind of walking into a newsroom and arresting everyone, right? Sometimes it's other ways that you can stifle the media and press voices and critics voices. Whether it's burying them in legal costs so they can't do the work. Or sort of finding flimsy ways to recategorize them under the law so that it becomes legitimate to go after them and call the behavior and activity illegal. And Russia's Ministry of Justice recently deemed your publication a foreign agent. So then what does that mean for you? What's the significance of this move and how does it affect operations? ALEXEY KOVALEV: We actually contested the designation in court today. And the judge asked the Justice Ministry to present any evidence that they used to justify our designation as a foreign agent. The Justice Ministry couldn't produce any evidence at all, and still, the decision stood. We are still a foreign agent despite there is no credible evidence to that effect. But it doesn't matter. It doesn't really-- it wasn't really about any credible evidence. Because-- ANNE-MARIE GREEN: Yeah. ALEXEY KOVALEV: The only point is to slowly drive ourselves out of the market. Because by this designation, what it means-- it seems pretty innocuous if you listen to the Russian government official. We are just mandated by the law to preface every message on our website, and even on our social media, to preface it with a legal disclaimer. It's a really long legalese passage. It takes up almost an entire tweet. So for example, our Twitter feed is all but unusable to all of our 1.3 million subscribers. So there's just this legal disclaimer in every tweet. And of course, it goes on every material that goes out-- that they put up on the website, including advertisement. And of course, we lost 90% of all of our advertising contracts overnight, because of course, no company wants to see this huge, embarrassing legal disclaimer on top of their promotion materials. And that was the point, of course, of this designation. ANNE-MARIE GREEN: Well, you know, suppose if there's one kind of a good thing, if there's a silver lining when it comes to, you know, Belarus forcing a commercial plane to land and making this arrest is suddenly the rest of the world is paying attention to what's going on there. And perhaps-- ALEXEY KOVALEV: Well. ANNE-MARIE GREEN: --that will ultimately help. I appreciate you joining us this morning, Alexey. Thank you so much. ALEXEY KOVALEV: Thank you for having me. A new pop-up vaccination site opened Friday at Belmont Park, as Long Island prepares to welcome back fans for the Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. Video Transcript - And a new pop-up vaccination site is opening today at Belmont Park on Long Island. And here's an incentive for racing fans-- those who get vaccinated at the park will receive general admission tickets to next year's running of the Belmont Stakes. - New video shows a Long Island fire department coming to the rescue of a baby groundhog. Crews from the Port Jefferson Fire Department pulled the little guy from a storm drain on Brewster Drive. It's not clear if it saw its shadow, but we know the animal was not injured. The firefighters released it to a nearby wooded area so it can prepare for next February. It needs a name. Maybe Port Jeff Jeff? How about that? President Joe Biden rejected a slightly higher infrastructure offer from Senate Republicans on Friday, the latest setback for bipartisan talks. In a phone call with the president, Republicans' lead infrastructure negotiator Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia outlined a new plan with about $50 billion more in spending than the groups last offer of $257 billion, according to the White House. It was Biden and Capitos second meeting this week, and they agreed to speak again on Monday. The President expressed his gratitude for her effort and goodwill, but also indicated that the current offer did not meet his objectives to grow the economy, tackle the climate crisis, and create new jobs, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement He indicated to Senator Capito that he would continue to engage a number of Senators in both parties in the hopes of achieving a more substantial package. Capito had offered an infrastructure proposal that totaled $928 billion in spending over eight years, but only about a quarter of that was new spending. The offer came after Biden lowered his initial $2.3 trillion demand to $1.7 trillion, and the White House pushed Republicans to come up to $1 trillion in new spending. While the White House and Senate Republicans have spent weeks negotiating, both sides remain far apart on the top line, along with pay-fors and the definition of infrastructure. The White House had outlined a plan to pay for the package by revising the 2017 tax bill and increasing the corporate tax rate to 28 percent from 21 percent, a non-starter for the GOP. During his meeting with Capito on Wednesday, Biden suggested negotiators could instead impose a new corporate version of the alternative minimum tax, set at 15 percent. He also called for $1 trillion over current spending levels, which Republicans viewed as a step in the wrong direction. Senate Republicans have proposed paying for the infrastructure bill through user fees and unspent coronavirus relief money, but Democrats are rejecting that idea. Story continues Following Fridays phone call, a spokesperson for Capito said the two discussed the Republican infrastructure framework and the Biden administrations proposal, but did not elaborate on the details of the conversation. The ongoing discussions come as progressives are pushing for Biden to move forward with the so-called reconciliation process, which would allow Democrats to pass the infrastructure package without Republican votes in the Senate. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has said she wants to pass a bill by July 4 and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) suggested recently that the Senate would be working on an infrastructure package during the month of July. In her statement late Friday afternoon, Psaki said that Biden had also spoken with Rep. Peter DeFazio, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and that the president offered "his support for the committee mark-up" of a surface transportation reauthorization. The President and Chairman DeFazio agreed on the benefits of continued engagement with Democratic and Republican Senators as the House work on infrastructure advances this coming week, Psaki said. Even as liberal Democrats are pushing for Democrats to go it alone, its not clear that Senate Democrats have the votes at the moment for reconciliation. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told NBC News this week that he did not think Democrats should move forward without Republicans on infrastructure. (Bloomberg) -- Russias biggest off-price fashion store is considering an initial public offering after a record listing by Fix Price Group Ltd., as local discounters thrive during a seven-year slump in incomes. Familia, whose shareholders include Goldman Sachs Group Inc., TJX Cos. and Baring Vostok Capital Partners, hired Morgan Stanley and Goldman to prepare for an IPO in New York as early as the start of 2022, according to a person familiar with its plans, who asked not to be identified because it is not public. Spokespeople for the banks declined to comment. Russia is having the best year for share sales since before President Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea in 2014, helped by Fix Prices London listing in March, the biggest ever for a Russian retailer. On Thursday, miner Nord Gold Plc announced plans to hold an initial public offering in London. Even as investor appetite returns, stagnating household incomes have pushed buyers toward discount chains. Russians are extremely brand-focused, Chief Executive Officer Svetlana Mozhaeva said in an interview, declining to comment on any IPO plans. Once a customer understands that we are offering real brands at unreal prices, they will come back again and again. Like Fix Price, Familia relies on a discount format that is well-established in the West and emphasizes in-person sales over web traffic. Covid-19 Lockdown Dependence on stores hurt Familia as a lockdown during the first wave of Covid-19 infections dried up revenue overnight. Sales fell 8% last year. Revenue in January-May was up 33% compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic distorted its results, with like-for-like sales up 4%. The government resisted further lockdowns, helping the company and economy overall rebound from the pandemic slump, while keeping international travel restrictions remained in place. We have even benefited to a degree from the decline in travel, as we offer brands that are otherwise not available in Russia, said Mozhaeva, who was promoted to CEO at the start of the lockdown and guided the company through most its trying period. Story continues Familias EBITDA margin was at least 14%, Mozhaeva said. That compares with 19% for Fix Price last year. Top line growth is very strong and the profitability is sound, Gazprombank analyst Marat Ibragimov said of Familia. There is a window of opportunities for private Russian companies to tap the capital market and get attractive valuations. Familia offers 7,500 brands at about 350 stores around Russia, with half in the Moscow and St. Petersburg regions. It plans to open 60 stores this year and will remain focused on local growth. TJX, which runs TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, acquired a 25% stake in Familia in 2019 for $225 million, following Goldman Sachs and Baring Vostok, which had become shareholders in 2016. The companys founders Dmitry Lukovnikov and Herman Oshkordin remain shareholders. Familia doesnt disclose their stakes. (Updates with revenue growth in sixth paragraph. An earlier version of this article corrected the spelling of Familia.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. By Jamie McGeever and Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian health regulator Anvisa on Friday gave the green light for states to import the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, but with conditions attached. Anvisa's board voted 4-1 to grant the conditional approval after more than seven hours of deliberation, following the recommendation of its technical staff earlier in the day. Anvisa also voted to approve, again with conditions, the Covaxin shot made by Bharat Biotech, a private company based in the Indian city of Hyderabad. "SputnikV will arrive in Brazil in July," tweeted Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which markets the Sputnik V vaccine abroad. Sputnik V tweeted that Brazil becomes the 67th country to authorize the vaccine. Earlier on Friday, Anvisa's technical staff had recommended approving the vaccine but only on certain conditions, such as that it be used only on healthy adults. The rulings come after the health regulator rejected in late April imports of the Sputnik V shot requested by state governors desperate for vaccines. States had originally wanted 37 million doses. At the time, Anvisa's five-member board voted unanimously not to approve the Russian vaccine after technical staff had highlighted "inherent risks" and "serious" defects, citing a lack of data guaranteeing its safety, quality and effectiveness. The rejection kicked off a testy exchange with the Russian developers, who threatened to sue the Brazilian agency for defamation, accusing them of buckling under U.S. pressure. Moscow's Gamaleya Institute and the RDIF said at the time that Sputnik V is 97.6% effective against COVID-19 in a "real-world" assessment based on data from 3.8 million people. A source involved in the vaccine analysis process told Reuters that Anvisa's decision on Friday was "an attempt to come up with a solution that guarantees a minimum degree of safety. Let's see real-life data and effectiveness now." Story continues The Brazilian government signed a contract in February to buy 20 million doses of Covaxin, and Bharat Biotech applied for emergency use of the vaccine in Brazil in early March. However, Anvisa ruled on March 31 that the vaccine did not meet its manufacturing standards. Brazil's vaccination program has been blighted by delays and procurement failures, turning the country into one of the world's deadliest COVID-19 hot spots this year and pushing the national health system to the brink of collapse. Brazil has so far vaccinated 47.6 million people with a first dose, equivalent to 22.6% of the population, but only 22.7 million with two doses, or 10.8% of the population. Brazil has registered 16.84 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus and more than 470,000 deaths since the onset of the pandemic. Daily deaths have decreased from the peak of the second wave in April, but remain far higher than even the worst of 2020. (Reporting by Jamie McGeever, Lisandra Paraguassu and Anthony Boadle in Brasilia, Pedro Fonseca in Rio de Janeiro and Alexandre Caverni in Sao PauloEditing by Brad Haynes and Leslie Adler) OSLO (Reuters) -Britain has clinched post-Brexit trade agreements with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein as it seeks to forge new global trading relationships after leaving the European Union. The three nations, which are part of the European Economic Area allowing them access to the single market, have relied on temporary trade arrangements with Britain since the end of a Brexit transition period on Dec. 31. Under the deal with Norway, import tariffs on Norwegian fish and seafood, its second-largest industry after oil and gas production, would be reduced, with no tariffs due on white fish, such as cod - a benefit for the fish processing industry in the north of England. Britain will be able to export four cheeses to Norway, including Wensleydale and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar, with lower tariff payments than Norway normally imposes on foreign cheese, which can be as high as 277%. The parties did not say how much lower the tariffs would be. "We have given on cheese, but we got a little more on fish," Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference. Trade between Britain and Norway was worth 20.4 billion pounds ($28.81 billion) last year, making it Britain's 13th largest trading partner. Britain is Norway's top trading partner, primarily thanks to gas exports, and its third biggest buyer of fish and seafood. Exports accounted for 8.1 billion pounds and imports for 12.3 billion. Top British goods exports were ships, oil and aircraft, while the largest imports were oil, gas, metals, fish and seafood. "Today's deal will be a major boost for our trade with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein," British International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement. Total trade between Iceland and Britain was worth 651 million euros (558 million pounds) in 2020, with Iceland exporting fish, sheep meat and skyr, an Icelandic yoghurt. "A new free trade agreement with Britain ... will be crucial for both Icelandic companies and consumers," Iceland's foreign minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson said in a statement. Story continues The main focus of Britain's post-Brexit trade policy has been to pivot its economic centre away from Europe and towards fast growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region. It is expected to seal a deal with Australia later this month, and is seeking to join a trans-Pacific trade pact. ($1 = 0.7084 pounds) (Reporting by Terje Solsvik in Oslo, William James in London and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, writing by Gwladys Fouche, editing by Kirsten Donovan) Women advocates have praised Brittany Higgins for her bravery in speaking out about her alleged rape An Australian woman who spoke out about her alleged rape in parliament - triggering #MeToo protests nationwide - is receiving care in hospital for her mental wellbeing. Brittany Higgins, 26, entered hospital last Thursday her partner said. David Sharaz told news outlets she was taking time to recover after "months of unrelenting political pressure". Ms Higgins's case has sparked anger over a culture of sexism and misogyny in Australian politics. Since speaking out in February, she has called for reform to parliament culture and inspired other Australian women to report their allegations of sexual assault. In March, it led to tens of thousands of people around the country joining protests against the sexual abuse and discrimination of women. A number of lawmakers in federal and state parliaments have been accused of sexual assault and misconduct this year, including government minister Christian Porter, who has strongly denied accusations he raped a girl when he was a teenager. Mr Porter on Tuesday dropped his lawsuit against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for their report on the allegations. Despite political pressure, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declined to investigate the claims against Mr Porter, after police ruled out a criminal investigation because the alleged victim had passed away. Mr Morrison has also been widely criticised for his government's response to the allegations from Ms Higgins, a former staff member for two ministers. Ms Higgins has alleged she was raped by a colleague in her boss's office in 2019, and when she reported the rape to then Defence Minister Linda Reynolds she was side-lined, given little support and pressured to leave her job. Ms Higgins, pictured here with Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2018 Ms Reynolds later apologised to Ms Higgins, after reports emerged she had called her a "lying cow" over the allegations she made about workplace support. Mr Morrison has also been under pressure to explain why he was unaware of Ms Higgins' alleged rape, when several members of his cabinet knew about it. Story continues More on Australia's #MeToo reckoning: Police have launched a criminal investigation into her case. Her allegations has also sparked separate investigations into what parliament culture is like for women, HR processes, and accountability of various ministers. Her partner, Mr Sharaz told news.com.au that Ms Higgins had suffered particular distress last week, after Mr Morrison's office presented a report to parliament denying interference into her case. It denied Ms Higgins' accusations that the prime minister's staff had leaked information to the media to try and discredit her and her partner. "The last sitting fortnight in particular has been difficult," Mr Sharaz told news.com.au Ms Higgins met with the prime minister in April in a private meeting that she later described as "difficult". She has previously accused him of using victim-blaming language when speaking about her case and others. Chow Hang-tung is accused of inciting the population to participate today in the event, banned by the police for Covid. At least 7,000 agents are deployed to prevent meetings and gatherings. Signs with threats in front of 7 Catholic churches that will remember the fallen. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Hong Kong police have arrested Chow Hang-tung, vice president of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic this morning. The group organizes an annual vigil at Victoria Park in memory of the victims of the Tiananmen massacre: On June 4, 1989, thousands of Chinese students and citizens were slaughtered in Beijing for asking for freedom and democracy in the country. The police said they detained Chow on charges of inciting the population on social media to participate in the demonstration; along with the democratic activist another citizen was arrested. For the second consecutive year, the authorities have banned the holding of the night vigil, justifying the decision with the need to respect the health rules against Covid-19: those who participate risk up to five years in prison. At least 7,000 officers have been deployed to prevent meetings and gatherings to commemorate the Tiananmen fallen; part of the Causeway Bay park has been closed to the public. Critics say coronavirus prevention is an excuse used by the city government to crack down on the Democratic front. In recent days Chow had declared that she wanted to go to Victoria Park to light a candle in her own capacity. The Hong Kong Alliance has not asked the residents of the former British colony to give up demonstrating, but has urged them to be careful, given the possible criminal consequences. Many activists said they were ready to light candles or the torches of their smartphones at home or in a place other than Victoria Park. The climate in the city is extremely tense. Yesterday signs appeared in front of seven Catholic churches warning the Catholic authorities not to celebrate mass for Tiananmen. According to the authors of the banners, public functions in remembrance of the events of June 1989 would violate the draconian law on national security. The posters also featured the image of Card. Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Kong and well-known supporter of the democratic front. The Justice and Peace Commission of the city diocese has specified that the masses will go ahead as planned tonight. By Steve Scherer and Anna Mehler Paperny OTTAWA (Reuters) -The Catholic Church must take responsibility for its role in running many of Canada's residential schools for indigenous children, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, after the discovery of the remains of 215 children at one former school last month. "As a Catholic, I am deeply disappointed by the position the Catholic Church has taken now and over the past many years," Trudeau told reporters. "We expect the Church to step up and take responsibility for its role in this." The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops did not respond to a request for comment. Between 1831 and 1996, Canada's residential school system forcibly separated about 150,000 children from their homes. Many were subjected to abuse, rape and malnutrition in what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 called "cultural genocide". Run by the government and church groups - the majority of them Catholic - the schools' stated aim was to assimilate indigenous children. The discovery this week of the remains of the children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, which closed in 1978, has reopened old wounds and is fueling outrage about a persistent lack of information and accountability. From 1893 to 1969, a Catholic congregation called the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate ran the Kamloops school, which was once Canada's largest. On Friday, Tkemlups te Secwepemc Chief Rosanne Casimir, on whose land the Kamloops school still stands, told reporters the nation has not received any records from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate that would help identify the children. "We do want an apology" from the Catholic Church, Casimir said. "A public apology. Not just for us, but for the world." In 2008, the Canadian government formally apologized for the system. Trudeau said many are "wondering why the Catholic Church in Canada is silent, is not stepping up." Story continues He added: "Before we have to start taking the Catholic Church to court, I am very hopeful that religious leaders will understand this is something they need to participate in and not hide from." Trudeau has not directed such pointed comments at the Catholic Church over the residential schools since taking office in 2015. On Wednesday, Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller said on Twitter "the Church was unquestionably wrong" and his archdiocese would be transparent with its archives and records regarding residential schools. The Conference said on its website that each diocese is separate and responsible for its own actions. "The Catholic Church as a whole in Canada was not associated with the residential schools, nor was the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops," it said. Separately, United Nations human rights experts on Friday called on both Canada and the Vatican to further investigate the deaths of the children found in Kamloops. "It is inconceivable that Canada and the Holy See would leave such heinous crimes unaccounted for and without full redress," they said in a statement. (Reporting by Steve Scherer and David Ljunggren; Editing by Angus MacSwan) Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell spoke to CNN about his experience on 6 January. (CNN) Capitol rioters called a police officer a traitor when they realised he wasnt going to help them in their attack on Congress, including as they at times chanted hang Mike Pence. Capitol Police Sgt Aquilino Gonell told CNN that traitor was the worst and most personally hurtful thing he was called as he served in the military for years, including being deployed to Iraq. They kept saying, Trump sent me, we wont listen to you, we are here to take over the Capitol, we are here to hang Mike Pence, he said. They thought we were there for them and we werent, so they turned against us. It was very scary because I thought I was going to lose my life right there. Sgt Gonell said he thought many more could have died if Capitol Police hadnt acted quickly to move lawmakers to secure locations. All I could think was, We cant let these people in, theres going to be a slaughter inside, Sgt Gonell said. He was beaten with a flagpole and had his hand cut open during the riot, as well as being attacked with a chemical spray. They called us traitors. They beat us. They dragged us, Sgt Gonell told CNN. And I could hear them, Were going to shoot you. Were going to kill you. Youre choosing your paycheck over the country. Youre a disgrace. Youre a traitor. Sgt Gonell still suffers from injuries he sustained during the riot: he needed foot surgery to be able to walk without pain and his shoulders are still brusied. He immigrated from the Dominican Republic at the age of 12, later joining the Army Reserve and deploying to Iraq in 2003. He became a Capitol Police officer in 2008 and is a leader of the Civil Disturbance Unit within Capitol Police. During the attack on the Capitol he fought in riot gear, often in hand to hand combat, with the mob. When we were in the Lower West Terrace and throughout the whole ordeal I had people calling me immigrant, you're not American, you are a traitor, Sgt Gonell told CNN. I went overseas to protect our homeland from foreign threats, but yet here I am battling them in our own Capitol. Story continues I bled, I sweat and I fought to prevent those people coming in through that entrance. We got pushed back all the way to magnetometer by the second door. And just to regain that space took us about another hour. We literally were fighting inch by inch. And to move one step, that was a 10-minute, 15-minute ordeal. The mob got hold of the sergeant as he tried to pull back another officer who had fallen to the floor. It was very scary because I thought I was going to lose my life, he said. Then I started getting beat up with a flagpole, with a flag, the American flag that I swore to defend here and overseas. And I dont know how I got this strength, but I hit that person so hard that they let me go. I started backpedalling. Sgt Gonell finally got a break from the fighting after five hours. I started texting my wife and I just said, Im OK. See you whenever. He finally got home at around 3am. When I came in, she wanted to hug me, and I told her no, because I was covered in pepper spray and I didnt want to get that on her. I was injured. My hands were bleeding still, he said. After a painful shower because of the chemical spray that had soaked his skin, Sgt Gonell said he went to my sons bed and gave him a hug. He was asleep still. Gave him a kiss. And I just started crying, for like five, 10 minutes. I just cried. She kept telling me it was going to be OK. I'm like, No, I've got to go back to work. Ive got to go back to work. I felt guilty. I still do. Sgt Gonell said he has struggled in the aftermath of the riot with the Republicans decision to block a commission to look into what happened on 6 January. Some GOP lawmakers have even compared the mob to tourists visiting the Capitol. I got hurt protecting them. And I would do it again if I have to. Its my job, Sgt Gonell said. Its inconceivable that they dont even want to find out how to prevent this in the future. In a separate interview Sgt Gonell told CNN: When we respond to a call, we dont ask the person who needs the help, hey, are you Republican, Democrat, independent? We just respond and do our job to the best we can ... with the tools we have. So, when people denied that this happened, its insulting. Its a betrayal. You got the people calling me from overseas, my friends and family responded, asking me whether I was OK or what was happening in the Capitol. They were more concerned I think than the president himself that day, he added. Read More Pence admits he and Trump will never see eye to eye on dark day of Capitol riot Federal prosecutors want compensation for Capitol insurrection damage in exchange for plea deals Biden wont appoint commission to investigate Capitol riot but Pelosi could step in The Daily Beast Jonny Weeks/Pool via GettyLONDONThe main aim of President Bidens European tour this week has simply been to show that the United States is back! at the heart of the Western diplomatic consensus.Unfortunately, the world is a little more complicated than that. By Saturday night in England, it was beginning to look like the White House had been a touch over-confident in just how far the charms of Biden would take him in persuading other G7 leaders to swallow all of his policy positions. Even th Carnival (CCL) closed at $30.54 in the latest trading session, marking a -0.42% move from the prior day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.88%. Prior to today's trading, shares of the cruise operator had gained 18.19% over the past month. This has outpaced the Consumer Discretionary sector's loss of 1.14% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.15% in that time. Investors will be hoping for strength from CCL as it approaches its next earnings release. The company is expected to report EPS of -$1.67, up 49.39% from the prior-year quarter. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $145.65 million, down 80.32% from the year-ago period. CCL's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of -$5.48 per share and revenue of $3.39 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +26.64% and -39.44%, respectively. Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for CCL. 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. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 4.28% lower. CCL currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). The Leisure and Recreation Services industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 168, putting it in the bottom 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. Make sure to utilize Zacks. Com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions. 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 Carnival Corporation (CCL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Jun. 3Eastern Washington University will require students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the fall term. Interim President David May announced the decision in a statement to the campus community Thursday. The move marks a positional change from last month when May, then announcing that vaccinations would not be required, stated "the decision to get vaccinated is not one that we can make for you." On Thursday, May said he has since consulted with local and regional public health experts, faculty, staff, the institution's executive leadership team, human resources and on-campus risk and compliance representatives about a requirement. He said he has also discussed the matter with Dr. Francisco Velazquez, interim health officer for the Spokane Regional Health District. May said David Line, EWU's Masters in Public Health program director who was initially supportive of the decision to not install a requirement, recently pointed him to American College Health Association recommendations released May 25. The ACHA recommends a vaccine requirement. "These decisions are much more fluid. These decisions have to be more fluid than the black-and-white decisions that we made in the spring," May said. "That feels like it's, in some ways, less comfortable, but it's a discomfort that I think if we can bear under it, allows us to get where we want to be, which is a safe feeling: normal." EWU joins a number of other universities and colleges across the state to invoke a vaccine requirement. Others include Washington State University, the University of Washington, Central Washington University and Western Washington University. EWU's vaccination requirement will allow for religious and medical exemptions. While some institutions across the state of Washington have allowed for personal exemptions, May said EWU's COVID-19 vaccine requirement does not include one at this time. Story continues "These things continue to be part of discussions both on campus and off," he said. Students who are learning fully online are exempt from the vaccination requirement. EWU's COVID-19 requirement will most likely align with protocols established by the university's immunization policy for mumps, measles and rubella. May said university officials are still deciding on appropriate enforcement measures, including whether to fine anyone who is noncompliant. "It's still less about coercive force and more about partnership and education," May said. EWU community members are asked to upload their vaccination information to Med+Proctor ahead of the fall term. More information is available at ewu.edu/immunizations. May's reversal comes on the heels of the recently announced EagsVaxUp initiative. Regarded as a three-pronged approach to encouraging vaccinations for the EWU community, the initiative includes an incentive program to make vaccinated students and others eligible for prizes from drawings in the coming months, including a year's worth of free tuition. May said the university is seeing "great participation" from EWU community members uploading their vaccination information to Med+Proctor. The university is also hosting a walk-in clinic with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine Wednesday at the Pence Union Building. While the university is unsure where the campus community's vaccination rate stands at this point, May is encouraging anyone vaccinated to upload their information so EWU can track those numbers heading into the fall. "EWU remains committed to raising awareness, providing incentives and easing access to vaccines for the entire population of students, faculty and staff. That will remain the focus in the coming weeks and months," May said in his statement. "However, continual reevaluation of the best advice from experts is necessary as we deal with a fluid and nuanced emergence from the pandemic." Map Nine people were killed in a railway accident early Friday morning in China's Gansu province, when a train rammed into on-site workers. The train, which was on route from Urumqi to Hangzhou, crashed into railway workers at around 05:25 on Friday (21:25 GMT) in Jinchang city, local authorities said. Medical and emergency teams have been deployed to carry out rescue efforts. But Chinese netizens are questioning how the accident could have happened. "If the workers were carrying out maintenance work, then the train drivers should have known about it. How could this have happened? That's nine lives gone!", someone wrote on microblogging platform Weibo. Another person demanded accountability: "Who is responsible and what has he been doing?" Sierra Leoneans are protesting a planned industrial harbour in a lush village in the West African country over concerns the Chinese-financed project will destroy pristine rainforest and pollute the ocean. A tourist attraction 35 kilometres (22 miles) south of the capital Freetown, Black Johnson village is nestled between stunning black-and-gold beaches and virgin rainforest home to chimpanzees and protected bird species. A nearby turquoise lagoon overhung with palm trees is also a seasonal breeding ground for fish and turtles. But last month the government announced plans to build a fishing harbour and processing complex in the village, sparking fears that the tropical idyll is under threat. Citing the potential for thousands of new jobs in the poverty-stricken nation, the fisheries ministry said China is funding the $55-million (45mn-euro) project. Tommy Gbandewa, a dreadlocked eco-lodge owner who goes by the name 'Tito', is leading resistance to the plan -- on green grounds. "If the Chinese come here, the environment will be stinking. The beaches will be smelling," he said. The controversy cuts to the heart of tensions between development and conservation in Sierra Leone, and comes as the government is also seeking to promote eco-tourism to boost its economy. Sierra Leone, a diamond-rich former British colony, is one of the world's poorest countries and is still recovering nearly two decades after the end of a civil war which claimed some 120,000 lives. - 'Completely sensational' - Sierra Leone has rich fishing grounds, but few locals are able to exploit the resource, according to the fisheries ministry, which last month said that about 140 foreign trawlers catch most of the country's fish. The trawlers then process and sell it abroad "with little or no benefit to Sierra Leone". The planned harbour is intended to siphon some of the profits towards locals. Vaguely articulated plans have alarmed residents, however, who believe Chinese investors also intend to build a fish-meal factory -- a charge Sierra Leone's government denied to AFP. Story continues Fish-meal factories are common in some West African countries, and often emit foul-smelling waste, pollute surrounding bodies of water and deter tourists. Wudie Bakie Koroma, spokesman for the artisanal fishermen's union, said he was in favour of the harbour in general. But he said: "If a fish meal (factory) is part of the project, we will not support it". Du Zijun, a Chinese diplomat in Freetown, said in a statement that the plan is to build a harbour rather than a "fish meat mill". "The accusations of not paying attention to environmental protection and destroying the ecological environment are completely sensational and hypothetical," he added. Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio is banking on the country's abundant wildlife and rainforests to rekindle the tourist industry. - 'Right to land' - Locals have launched online petitions to reverse the government decision, and drawn attention from local press. Tito told AFP that the discontent was widespread. Government officials had turned up accompanied by armed men to survey properties, he said, adding that he didn't want to forfeit his plot. "I'm Sierra Leonean and I have a right to the land," Tito said. Fisheries Minister Emma Kowa Jalloh, during a recent visit to Black Johnson, promised that landowners would be compensated. "We are not grabbing land," she said, adding that the project was "dearly needed" and would create jobs. Green Scenery, a local environmental NGO, has accused the government of not carrying out environmental due diligence, however, and has urged it to cancel the project. "Black Johnson is the only eco-tourism destination left within Freetown, we need to protect it," said the group's executive director, Joseph Rahall. Not all locals are averse to the harbour plan, however. Pa Lamin Kargbo, the village headman, said that the community lacked pipe-borne water, electricity and a school. He explained that much of the friction with the government had come from a lack of dialogue. "We are calling for a peaceful resolution of the matter, so that everybody will come out as a winner," he said. sb-eml/pvh Drinking has been part of the culture at the state Capitol for decades, especially during the long days and late nights near the end of the session, but pandemic restrictions this year have kept the public out of the Capitol and some say led to an uptick in partying. When you have very few people around, and you have a lot of idle time, and the ability to vote from your office, yeah, that probably has contributed to it a little bit,' House Speaker Matt Ritter said. I think thats fair to say. Want to get this in your inbox every Friday? Subscribe to Capitol Watch at courant.com/newsletters The big story Lawmakers admonished for excessive drinking during session: Ritter said this week that he has had to admonish some members of the House Democratic caucus for excessive drinking during session days at the state Capitol. Ritter addressed the alcohol use after Courant columnist Kevin Rennie shared a clip from the House chamber on the evening of May 27 where Rep. Robin Comey, D-Branford, struggled to complete sentences during debate on an education bill. The debate was paused and Comey sat in her chair. Rep. William Petit, a physician, approached her to help. In a statement Wednesday, Comey apologized, saying she suddenly began to feel well, blaming anxiety, exhaustion, and regrettably, the wine I had with dinner. Ritter acknowledged that remote voting allowed to limit the number of people in the chamber due to COVID-19 concerns has contributed to the issues, with lawmakers able to remain in their offices in the adjacent Legislative Office Building during lengthy debates and cast votes from there. Rennie has posted photographs of lawmakers commiserating on the roof of the complexs parking garage as well. Ritter said the issue is not just among Democrats. Were taking this very, very seriously, he said. Five things you may have missed House, Senate OK doubling bottle deposits to 10 cents: Connecticut lawmakers OKd an overhaul of the states 40-year-old bottle bill, double deposit fees from 5 cents to 10 cents and expanding containers that can be redeemed to include juice, tea, sports drinks and others. And for the first time, a 5-cent deposit fee will be added when purchasing 50ml liquor bottles commonly referred to as nips. Environmentalists have long been pushing for an expansion of the law, saying a 10-cent fee will make consumers more likely to redeem the containers to get their dime back leading to fewer soda cans and beer bottles being thrown in the trash or tossed on the side of the road, in parks or elsewhere. Some lawmakers opposed the measure, arguing it amounted to an additional 60-cent tax on consumers for every 12-pack of soda they buy. Towns cheered the move, saying it would streamline municipal recycling and reduce costs for municipalities. Story continues UConn will require COVID-19 vaccines for students: The UConn Board of Trustees voted Friday to require all students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 when they return to campus for the fall 2021 semester. The decision by UConn comes after Wesleyan University in Middletown and Yale University in New Haven announced similar mandates. A spokesman for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, which oversees the states dozen community colleges and four regional universities, said the system is strongly considering a vaccine requirement as well. Gov. Ned Lamont has stopped short of requiring colleges and universities to ensure their students are vaccinated, but he urged them to consider the option, and said the state could provide mobile vaccine clinics if needed. Next year Ill be walking into a classroom of fully vaccinated and safe students, and Im very excited about that to return to some sense of familiarity together, said Ethan Werstler, a student trustee. Group home workers strike averted: A planned strike by more than 2,000 union group home workers at sites across the state was averted at the 11th hour when a new agreement was reached on wages and benefits, with assistance from the Lamont administration. Similar to nursing home workers who are part of the same union SEIU 1199 New England and threatened to strike last month, the group home workers are seeking higher wages and improved benefits. Many of the workers earn between $12 and $15 per hour. The $184 million state funding package for the next two years agreed to late Thursday represents substantial progress toward our goals for a $20 minimum wage, with major progress on retirement and other benefits, said Rob Baril, president of the union. Group homes had already begun brining in replacement workers, and some had moved residents to vacant nursing home beds. The homes are for people with developmental disabilities Free prison phone call bill heads to Lamonts desk: The state House of Representatives voted early Friday to make phone calls from people who are incarcerated to their loved ones free of charge after advocates spent years pushing the measure. We have profited off of this practice for many, many years to the detriment of those in prison and those they love, said Rep. Steven Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport. Prison phone calls in Connecticut are the most expensive in the nation. It can cost almost $5 for a 15-minute conversation. Officials in February announced a planned 4-cent reduction from 23 cents to 19 cents a minute for the calls, but advocates said that did not go far enough. A fiscal note on the bill estimates it would cost up to $4.5 million per year for the state to fully cover the cost of the calls. The bill was overwhelmingly backed by Democrats but a handful of Republicans joined in support. Suspect who fired shots at state Capitol in custody: Lawmakers returning to the state Capitol Tuesday discovered a frightening sight: a number of bullet holes in the historic building from a shooting that occurred sometime over Memorial Day Weekend. The following day, state police said they had determined the shooting was linked to a spree of gunfire in the Southington area Sunday evening. Douglas Floyd Gollnick, 74, of the Plantsville section of Southington, was arrested after those shootings following a police chase that ended on the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown and taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation. He was charged Thursday with two of the shootings and additional charges are expected. Brian Foley, a spokesman for the state police, would not directly implicate Gollnick in the shootings, saying an arrest had not yet been made, but confirmed the suspect was in custody. He said police believe the suspects motives were directly related to mental health issues. Odds and ends U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes is being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee as a potentially vulnerable House Democrat as the GOP looks to regain control of Congress. The NRCC launched a digital ad campaign attacking Hayes, a Wolcott Democrat first elected in 2018, for her support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The 5th Congressional District has frequently been mentioned as a potential GOP pickup, but Hayes was comfortably reelected last year. Superior Court Judge Richard Arnold, a former state Republican Party chairman, died at age 72 after fighting cancer, according to the New Haven Register. Arnold, of Orange, was a very nurturing, caring person, who gave of himself much more than he would be given, said former House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, who represented Orange and surrounding towns in the General Assembly for decades. Russell Blair can be reached at rblair@courant.com. Fauci. GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Conservatives are fundraising, list-building, and spending big on bashing Dr. Anthony Fauci, an effort that has redoubled following the release of his emails through various Freedom of Information Act requests this week. But while the emails have given Fauci's critics new fodder albeit, with a distinctly conspiratorial bent they're also the culmination of a months-long effort to discredit the nation's top infectious disease expert. In the past month, for example, Republicans and conservative interests have dumped some $300,000 into Facebook ads targeting Fauci, Politico reports based on data from Bully Pulpit Interactive. More recently, conservatives have selectively pointed to Fauci's emails to make the false claim that the correspondences offer proof the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases "privately supported a theory that the virus leaked from a Chinese lab and lied about masks in an effort to amass political power," Politico writes, going on to clarify that "neither was true. Fauci has said he thinks it's more likely that the virus spread from animal to human but would not rule out a lab leak, and while he initially downplayed the need for masks, it was, he said, out of fear that medical professionals would lose access to them if the public began panic purchasing." Still, conservatives sense their opening. Former President Donald Trump's senior advisor, Jason Miller, explained to Axios that the reaction to Fauci among the politician's base is "visceral": "People see Anthony Fauci and they think of shuttered businesses, lost school." Trump reportedly plans to capitalize on that emotion, and make Fauci his "new Hillary" at upcoming rallies, Axios adds. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, meanwhile, is also fundraising and list-building through longtime Fauci critic Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who is calling on President Biden to fire the NIAID director. "Targeting Fauci erodes trust in scientific institutions and makes them seem partisan just as universities are increasingly seen as partisan, the media, the bureaucracy," Karen Kornbluh, a senior fellow and director of GMF Digital at the German Marshall Fund of the U.S., told Politico, adding: "These strategies don't have an easy response." by Vladimir Rozanskij Those used by Orthodox Christians "in the fulfilment of war duty". Some clergy also defend the blessing of nuclear weapons. Patriotic-military commitment is decisive in the tradition of Russian orthodoxy. Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Patriarchate of Moscow convoked the General Consultative Assembly of the curia bodies, the so-called Mezsobornoe Prisutstvie (Inter-Conciliar Presence), from 1 to 3 June. The body met to discuss the various pastoral and juridical dimensions of the Church's action. The main topic of the debate concerned the relationship between the Church and the Armed Forces, especially the widespread habit of blessing weapons and troops, a very common practice among Russian Orthodox priests. As Vakhtang Kipsidze, vice president of the Department for relations with society of the patriarchate, explained "the Church does not bless the deposits of armaments, but the Orthodox soldiers and their weapons, which they use for the defence of the homeland". The curial assembly approved a document to clearly define the issue. Entitled "On the blessing of Orthodox Christians in the fulfilment of war duty", it brings to fruition a reflection that began in 2017. The text officially establishes the "rite of sprinkling with holy water of military wards and hospitals, of mobile chapels to accompany troops on peacekeeping missions"; it is also envisaged "to welcome the return of soldiers from their missions, at the conclusion of training in the military academy, for the granting of military degrees and special awards" and for a number of other reasons. As the patriarchal representatives made clear to the Kommersant newspaper, the document will come into force only after final approval by the Synod of Bishops in November. The declaration sparked lively discussions during its presentation, dividing the prelates between those who are generally opposed to the blessing of weapons and those who defend all forms of blessing, including that of nuclear weapons, such as the deputy general administrator of the patriarchate, the bishop of Zelenograd Savva (Titunov). According to Savva, we felt it was our duty to write a document that reflects the Church's secular practice, as it is found in liturgical and historical texts, adapting it to today's reality; in the past the Church had never had anything to do with some types of modern day weapons. During the synodal period, between the 1700s and the 1900s, in the absence of the figure of the patriarch, the Russian Church was subject to the state, according to the statutes approved by Peter the Great. Special prayers and moleben were then composed to support military operations. Liturgical blessings for sidearms, such as the Cossacks swords or the daggers of the naval officers, were widespread at that time. Today Russian priests use texts of very varied provenance, some even written in the Soviet period during the "Great Patriotic War" of 1941-1945, when the Church was re-evaluated by the Stalinist regime precisely for its support for the patriotic military cause, in defence against invasion of the Nazis. The document also specifies that in this matter it is not appropriate to use the term "consecration" (osvjascenie) of weapons, because "this ritual form refers rather to objects that are blessed by God". Instead, the more generic "blessing" (blagoslovenie) must be used, in which the weapons can be sprinkled with holy water, but only in the context of the blessing of the soldiers themselves, for whom the weapons are intended. As Roman Lunkin, head of the Center for the study of relations between religion and society at the Academy of Sciences, comments, "the patriotic-military commitment is decisive in the tradition of Russian orthodoxy, and today the patriarchate intends to renew it with new emphasis, seeking to pay more attention to the person than to the ideology. A Washington state family is demanding that a Spokane school administrator be removed after he suggested to "segregate" two Black teenagers who felt uncomfortable with a classroom assignment that involved cleaning cotton. Twins Emzayia and Zyeshauwne Feazell said on May 3, their social studies teacher at Sacajawea Middle School took out a box of raw cotton during a lesson on industrial economics and told the class they were going to do a fun activity to see who could clean cotton the fastest, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington. The teens said the activity made them feel embarrassed and angry, and told their mother, Brandi Feazell, about the incident. We didnt learn about the slave trade or anything about the history of slavery, Emzayia said in the ACLU statement. The lesson made it seem like enslaved people existed just to pick and clean cotton. When the mother called the school, assistant principal Taylor Skidmore defended the teachers actions. After hanging up, Feazell said Skidmore called again and suggested he could "segregate" them from the class, which he said would allow them to avoid interacting with the teacher, who is white, according to the ACLU. Feazell was shocked at the suggestion and removed her children from the school, saying they don't feel comfortable going back. "I knew at that point that my concerns were going upon absolutely deaf ears; that there was going to be no concern or action of any sort," Feazell told USA TODAY. "I knew I literally had to go to the district and try to get some answers." Sandra Jarrard, director of communications for the Spokane Public School district, told USA TODAY a third-party investigator was hired to look into the matter. "The students were learning about the industrial revolution and the cotton gin was discussed. We take all complaints very seriously and are committed to investigating them fully. There are conflicting reports to this incident. Once the third party investigation is completed, we look forward to coming back to share the outcomes,"Jarrard said. Story continues Mock slave auctions, racist lessons: How US history class often traumatizes, dehumanizes Black students Florida teacher denies slaves' abuse: Teacher in viral TikTok videos suspended with pay, district investigating Feazell said she and her kids have had a lot of mixed emotions since they left the school. "It's a lot of stress involved because there's a lot of unknown things. We don't know where things are going to go and we don't know where we're currently standing," she said. The family also wants the social studies teacher and other school administrators to be disciplined in addition to the removal of Skidmore, as well as a formal apology from the school district. "I need my daughters to know that going back to school is a safe environment. ... I need them to know that they can speak up," Feazell said. How to talk to kids about racism: George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. What do we tell our children? The district passed a racial equity resolution in June 2020 that includes anti-racism training for staff and faculty, as well as the expansion of multicultural organizations across the district, according to CBS KREM. Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jord_mendoza. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Black girls leave Washington school after 'segregate' comment: mom Vivien Killilea/Getty An Oregon developer and patron of the arts has been declared the sole parent of a boy conceived with his sperm and his ex-girlfriends donated eggsstripping her of any rights to the child. A ruling by the state appeals court overturned a lower court decision that both Jordan Schnitzer, 70, and Cory Sause, 42, had parental rights to the 5-year-old. The 2-1 appellate opinion declared that Sause gave up any claim to male embryos when she agreed to donate her eggs to help Schnitzer, who already had two daughters, sire a son. While Schnitzers lawyer hailed the ruling as a victory for anyone using assisted reproductive technology to build a family, Sause planned to see the child for possibly the last time. I cant even describe not hearing him calling me Mommy or not knowing when Im going to see him again, she told The Oregonian. My heart breaks for him. Connecticut Court Rules Woman Can Destroy Embryos Ex-Hubby Wanted to Donate According to the court filing, Schnitzerwhose name is on several art museumstried to father a son with his sperm and an anonymous egg donor but the procedures failed. While he was dating Sause, she decided to have her own eggs retrievedand then discussed the possibility of gifting them to Schnitzer; any male embryos would be his, and any females would be hers. The in vitro fertilization produced only male embryos, however, and Schnitzer used a surrogate to gestate his son. By the time of the birth, the couple had broken up and Sause claims she was only allowed to see the baby once that day. She went to court for the right to be legally recognized as his mother. Sause testified about her conversations with Schnitzer and acknowledged that he had made it clear that he wanted to have sole physical custody and wanted to raise the child, the appellate judges wrote. Sause explained, however, that, although it was clear that the child would not live with her, it had never occurred to her that she would not be known as the childs mother. Rather, she understood that she would be actively involved and that Schnitzer welcomed the thought of her as a part of the childs life. She told him that she would not seek financial payments from him and that she would give him custody. Story continues In ruling for Schnitzer, the court majority wrote: We agree with the trial court that, although genetics provide a connection to the child that a biological stranger does not have, Sauses genetic connection alone did not confer parental rights. We disagree, however, that Sause made the requisite additional showing to acquire those rights. The dissenting judge, though, felt Sause had made the effort to show she intended to be more than just an egg donor. Sause made plans for a nursery in her home in anticipation of playing a visiting parent role and texted Schnitzer that she had told the painter that her hearts (sic) set on boys when the painter commented on her choice of blue walls for the nursery, the judge wrote. Schnitzer asked Sause if she was going to be ready for a baby when she was babysitting a friends child, and he told her you are always in denial about your maternal instinctsthis is our baby when Sause expressed surprise that she [could]nt stop thinking about cribs. Schnitzers lawyer, Laurel Hook, told The Oregonian that the courts ruling removes any doubt for the thousands of individuals and couples who have used Assisted Reproductive Technology to fulfill their dreams of having a child. The 46-page ruling states that Cory Sause was never a mother. This is in accordance with current Oregon law that egg donors and sperm donors are not mothers and fathers. Sause said a representative of Schnitzer told her he was cutting her off from all contact with the childwhich she refuses to accept. It just seems so cruel, she told the newspaper. How broken our system is to allow the creation of a bond and to have it taken away... Hes never going to lose me, and Im never going to stop fighting to see him. 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. In the first months of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the U.S., health officials recommended postponing any other necessary immunizations for at least 14 days before or after getting your coronavirus shot, citing a lack of scientific data on the safety of coadministration. This was out of an abundance of caution and not due to any known safety or immunogenicity concerns, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said of its early guidance. Although there still isnt specific data available on mixing COVID-19 vaccines with other shots, the CDC and other experts say extensive experience with non-coronavirus vaccines shows the immune response and side effects experienced are typically the same when shots are administered together versus alone. The consensus: You can get your COVID-19 vaccines and other immunizations without regard to timing, including on the same day or within a 14-day period. The green light is of particular importance for children and teens who may be behind on their recommended shots as a result of the pandemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics said. The AAP supports giving other childhood and adolescent immunizations at the same time as COVID-19 vaccines the benefits of co-administration and timely catch up on vaccinations outweigh any theoretical risk, the group said in a statement posted last month. How soon and how long could you feel side effects of COVID vaccines? What to know As of May 2, orders for childhood vaccines were down by 11.7 million doses compared with 2019, according to a CDC report, with the largest gaps seen among teens. Shots for Tdap and HPV were down by about 19%, while those for the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine were down by about 15%. Only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for emergency use in the U.S. for teens between 12 and 15 years old. It was previously authorized for people aged 16 and up. There are currently no coronavirus vaccines authorized for emergency use in children 11 years old and younger. The CDC recommends speaking with your health care provider about potential risk factors before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine with other shots, such as whether you are behind or at risk of becoming behind on recommended immunizations, risks of contracting a preventable disease and the side effects of the vaccines. More than 136.6 million Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of June 3 about 41% of the total population and 52% of all adults, according to a CDC tracker. MIAMI Curio at Faena Bazaar has gone from pop-up to permanent retail paradise. The luxury lifestyle destination test launched in 2019, closed briefly during COVID-19 and has grown exponentially ever since reopening for the long haul in November, according to partners Danielle Licata and Jeff Lasota. Sales have increased every month, and this May was our number one so far, said Licata, who predicted an elongated season unlike the typical summer drop-off based on the citys changing demographics. Miami is going through a renaissance. A lot of West Coasters and people from New York and New Jersey came for COVID-19 and decided to make it their home. Or they rented their house in the Hamptons for a huge rate and are staying here. More from WWD Its no secret that Florida retail is on fire, but their concept also brings back a glam bohemian elan thats been absent on the beach for a long time. After lengthy careers building big brands she for Informas East Coast womens shows, most notably Coterie, and he for Stella McCartney and Yeezy, among others theyre championing under-the-radar, high-end designers through their New York agency Curio, and its showroom and retail offshoots. Many lines the store carries have little to no wholesale representation. Were not competing with the marquee brands at Bal Harbour Shops and the Webster, said Lasota, who discovers designers through word of mouth, Instagram and travel, which he hopes to resume soon. We may share a few, but well always maintain a strong mix of new and recognizable brands, much like Barneys had 20 years ago. Its more about storytelling. Buying on breadth rather than depth, they consistently write orders for about 250 brands and limit each style to one size run at most. Pieces never go on sale. You can come back in two weeks, and its a totally different store, said a saleswoman, who merchandises pieces from different collections by vibe and theme. Customers may not be familiar with a label, but they instantly recognize the quality. Story continues Licata and Lasota aim to secure some type of exclusive partnership, whether a brand doesnt yet have a U.S. presence or only sells direct to consumer or through online retailers. These include Kimberly Taylor, Nackiye, Gul Hurgel and MariaSanz, and these relationships often extend to a private label collaboration and one offs. They also suggest how designers can tweak items for the market. We take what they do best and make exclusives, said Lasota, of requesting a brand to turn a tunic into blouses with matching shorts, a Babe Paley resort throwback in seersucker to terry cloth that flies out here. We call them cabana sets. Separate floors focus on more formal attire and resortwear, both with fine jewelry and other accessories at respective price points mixed in. There are dedicated sections for sleepwear, shoes, mens and an apothecary for beauty, perfumes and candles with lines like Cire Trudon and D.S. & Durga. Fragrances, which include a custom experience booked through Airbnb, performed extremely well during and after quarantine. People really craved sensory experiences, said Licata, whose mens business is also booming, having tripled sales, inspiring its relocation from a boyfriend corner to a boutique space with its own entrance on the ground floor to stock bestsellers such as OAS swimwear from Sweden and Colombia-based Azulus linen clothing. It works well to be on its own and is adjacent to the new cafe. Guys can have a cigar and read the paper in the courtyard. A branch of the local franchise Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar bows soon. Other services are My Darling Ivy hair salon from New York and fitness classes by DanceBody and Hot Pilates. As master tenants of the 20,000-square-foot, four-story property, Lasota and Licata choose their partners and oversee buying, with the exception of vintage and home. They leave those categories to Morphew Vintage from New York and Casa Casa, customer-turned-partner Monica Expositos home concierge and interior design upstart. Her collectible furnishings and home accessories are often signed by their makers (Karl Springer, Pierre Cardin, Adrian Pearsall, Milo Baughman). New, exclusive Turkish glassware and Venus-shaped, ceramic vases made in Italy modernize gifting and wedding registries. The women who are shopping for a dress are also renovating their homes and hosting a lot. A fashionable woman would have a fashionable tabletop, said Licata, whos building out a full showroom on the ground floor for home. It all has to be cohesive. A former prison sergeant and an officer at Dade Correctional Institution are facing criminal charges following accusations of smuggling contraband into the facility, which netted them more than $3,000 in payments. On Friday, the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office announced the charges against former Sgt. Travis Thompson and officer Gary Leon Littlejohn. Both are accused of bringing in and supplying contraband cigarettes to an inmate in exchange for cash, according to the release. Thompson is also accused of bringing cellphone SIM cards while Littlejohn was paid to bring in a cellphone. Thompson is believed to have received $2,000 and Littlejohn is believed to have been paid $1,200 from an informant, according to the release. Thompson was previously charged with a felony back in December for bringing cocaine into Dade Correctional and neighboring Homestead Correctional Institution, a facility for women. Receiving contraband while in prison allows some inmates to accumulate wealth, power, and prestige among the inmate population, said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle in Fridays release. This can lead to violence among the inmates and place correctional staff in danger. Thompson is facing a count of unlawful compensation or reward for official behavior, which is a second-degree felony, and another count of introduction into, removal or possession of contraband in a state correctional facility, which is a third-degree felony, according to the release. The charges are a result of a joint investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office, the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Florida Department of Corrections. The introduction of contraband has increased, according to the Department of Corrections 2020-2021 strategic plan. There is also an upward trend in violence and an increase of membership in Security Threat Groups, or gangs, at FDC correctional institutions throughout recent years, the plan says. According to the departments 2018-2019 annual report, about 7,500 cellphones and nearly 5,000 cellphone accessories, such as a SIM card, charger or battery pack, were recovered. Also recovered during that time were more than 560,000 grams of tobacco as well as tens of thousands of grams of various drugs. As of January, the FDC housed about 80,000 inmates, which decreased from 94,000 the previous year, due at least in part to a period of time where COVID-19 led to fewer arrests, prosecutions and new inmates arriving from county jails. CHICAGO Dan Hampton and his Chicago 6 bandmates are stepping on stage Saturday to help former Bears teammate Steve Mongo McMichaels battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The outdoor fundraising concert will take place at McMichaels restaurant, Mongo McMichaels, in Romeoville, Ill., (1101 N. Independence Blvd.) from 3-8 p.m. Organizers are asking for a suggested donation of $20 per person to help alleviate the cost of McMichaels ALS care. Chicago 6, fronted by Hampton and featuring linebacker Otis Wilson, is scheduled to perform at 4 p.m. Other bands set to play are the Dancing Noodles and Prizefighter. Steve was a huge part of the band for eight years, Hampton said in a statement. He can no longer be a part of it. We felt compelled to pay a tribute to him. McMichael, one of the most colorful characters on the 85 Bears, in April announced he was diagnosed with the ailment often known as Lou Gehrigs disease, which disrupts the his brains ability to communicate with his muscles. I thought I was ready for anything, McMichael told the Chicago Tribune in April. But man. This will sneak up on you like a cheap-shotting Green Bay Packer. WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, whom McMichael wrestled with after his NFL career, and former Bear Trace Armstrong also will be in attendance. In a throwback to the bad old days of the '70s and '80s, the West Village has become overrun with graffiti and garbage. CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer demanded answers and got action, at least when it comes to the garbage. Video Transcript - And in a throwback to the bad old days of the 70s and 80s, the West Village has now become overrun with graffiti and garbage. CBS 2 political reporter Marcia Kramer demanded answers and got action at least when it comes to the garbage. MARCIA KRAMER: This driver thought he had it bad when he had to step over a pile of uncollected garbage in the West Village to reach the parking meter. - This is not good, really not good. This is that the smell. MARCIA KRAMER: But the owner of this newsstand has it worse. Piles of debris surround his stand day in and day out and he's fed up. EARFANUL HAQUE: It is terrible. It is not acceptable. If the Sanitation Department are not working properly? So it is not possible. It should be clean. MARCIA KRAMER: On a tour of the West Village, CBS 2 cameras found uncollected garbage on block after block. So I called Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson. People say it's an eyesore. EDWARD GRAYSON: I would agree with them. And it's absolutely an eyesore. MARCIA KRAMER: Grayson blame the piles on a number of problems, including people not following pick up schedules. But having said that-- EDWARD GRAYSON: We can certainly divert a resource to come. So what we now have to do is take this in like we would normally do as a complaint of an eyesore or dump up condition. And then just dispatch a crew to common services. MARCIA KRAMER: Commissioner Grayson also listen to the newsstand owner's gripes and promise to have his teams do a better job of picking up the trash surrounding his business. EDWARD GRAYSON: Didn't fall on deaf ears and I thank you for the feedback. MARCIA KRAMER: Unfortunately, it's not just the garbage. The West Village has become a trifecta of quality of life problems, there's a big homeless problem. The manager of Papaya Dog says a few weeks ago a homeless man threw a brick through the window, doing $1,000 worth of damage. Story continues MEDLAT GHALY: We called the police, and, but I just saw the guy yesterday, he's not arrested. MARCIA KRAMER: And then there is the graffiti-- it's everywhere. A proliferation of colors and designs on walls, storefronts, newsstands and mailboxes. Residents blame it on the mayor. JOE GERARDI: He doesn't out the streets, he doesn't know what's going on. He could stay up on his high horse. All he wants but people need help and nobody's doing it, then he's not doing a very good job. HARRIET MCGURK: It's pretty sad. Yeah, I wish it would get better. - Honestly, it's a problem. I do not feel safe. MARCIA KRAMER: Mayor de Blasio says things will get better when his cleanup course starts working, but not everybody believes him. In the West Village, I'm Marcia Kramer, CBS2 News. As if ransomware attacks weren't already a major issue, in 2021 they've disrupted everything from gas pipelines to meat processing, and a report from Reuters shows just how the US Department of Justice is adjusting its response to the issue. A department official told Reuters that the new model for collecting and tracking information from cases around the country is similar to the model used for issues of national security like terrorism. The Wall Street Journal previously reported on the existence of a memo setting up the task force approach to ransomware and related crimes, and today Gizmodo posted the three-page memo itself. The document explains DOJ rules for a coordinated approach to not just the attacks, but any infrastructure supporting them including botnets, cryptocurrency exchanges and hacking forums. According to the memo, "To ensure we can make necessary connections across national and global cases and investigations, and to allow us to develop a comprehensive picture of the national and economic security threats we face, we must enhance and centralize our internal tracking." Separately, a report by NBC News says that the Biden Administration is seeking to disrupt ransomware networks. According to sources, options include "using intelligence agencies to spy on foreign criminals and contemplating offensive cyber operations against hackers inside Russia." As far as the DoJ memo, Reuters reporter Christopher Bing explained in a tweet that this is about the investigative and prosecution process. Meatpacker JBS USA announced this evening that "all of its global facilities are fully operational" after the latest attack, but that doesn't mean it's the end of changes to how the US responds to the spike in ransomware activity. Donnie Yen is joining Keanu Reeves in John Wick 4, the films director Chad Stahelski recently confirmed. The announcement: Stahelski said they are looking forward to working with the 57-year-old Hong Kong actor in the films fourth installment, Deadline exclusively reported. Donnie Yen will bring a vibrant and powerful energy to the franchise, said film producer Basil Iwanyk. "We were determined to bring him on board to 'John Wick 4' and are thrilled for the opportunity to have such a major talent to collaborate with Keanu. Production for the film will start this summer, with shooting locations in France, Germany and Japan. Other details: Although specific details are still being kept under wraps, Yen is set to play John Wick's old friend who shares a similar history and common enemies as the titular character. Although Yen and Reeves have no official record of working together previously, "both have a long track record with the mutual frequent collaborator, director and fight choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping," AV Club reported. British Japanese pop star Rina Sawayama is also set to make her feature film debut in John Wick 4, Stahelski announced at the end of last month. No news yet on her character. Featured Image via Lionsgate Movies (Left), Movieclips (Right) Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Chloe Zhao Becomes the First Woman of Color to Be Nominated for Best Director Lea Salonga's Live Concert to Make TV Debut on PBS Lana Condor Was Once Asked to 'Be More Like Hello Kitty' During Casting Yasuke Anime Based on the Historical Black Samurai Drops on Netflix A man killed by a semi on an Indiana interstate had just taken another drivers vehicle from the scene of a crash moments earlier, officials say. Cordell Jackson Jr., 39, left the scene of a crash Wednesday night in a Chevy Equinox driven by a man who stopped to help after Jackson wrecked his own Equinox on Interstate 65 south of Indianapolis, Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers told The Republic. Then Jackson wrecked the bystanders vehicle about half a mile away and ran into oncoming traffic, and a semi fatally hit him, WISH reported. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The crash shut down the interstate as authorities investigated the back-to-back crashes. Myers told The Republic that its possible Jackson, who was from Indianapolis, mistook the bystanders Equinox for his vehicle. We dont want to say he intentionally stole it, Myers told the newspaper. The sheriffs office said its unclear why Jackson ran onto I-65, WXIN reported. The semi driver didnt appear to be intoxicated but was taken to a hospital for a blood draw as part of the investigation, WXIN reported. Dead newborn baby discovered by workers emptying porta potty, Texas police say Flights from the Chinese province of Guangdong have been blocked, where there is an increase in cases from Covid-19. Infections are also on the rise in Malaysia. Children especially affected. Singapore (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The local government has decided to block the arrivals of travellers from Guangdong, where Covid-19 cases are on the rise. Health Minister Ye Kung, announced that starting tomorrow, anyone passing through the Chinese province in the previous 21 days will not be able to enter Singapore. Singaporean citizens, long-term residents and frequent travellers will instead have to undergo a diagnostic test upon arrival at Changi Airport and then comply with a seven-day quarantine. All other travellers from China, on the other hand, will simply have to undergo a PCR test. Guangdong is considered one of the most important manufacturing centres in China; since the end of May it has been the epicentre of a new small wave of Covid-19 cases. In the last period there have been more than 50 cases, some neighbourhoods are in lockdown and anyone who wants to leave the province must show a negative test carried out in the last 72 hours. Coronavirus cases also continue to increase in other Southeast Asian countries. In Malaysia, the total death toll has exceeded 3 thousand. Health authorities have raised concerns especially about infections involving children. In recent days, the deaths of three minors under the age of five have been recorded: as many as the total number for all of 2020. Between January and May, 27 children were treated in intensive care units. Last year there were only eight. Last month Singapore warned of the development of some Indian-like variants that would predominantly affect children. Yesterday 8,000 new cases were registered in Malaysia. After the peak of 9,020 new infections on May 29, Kuala Lumpur has imposed a two-week lockdown, which will remain in effect until June 14. The internet has fallen in love with Vice President Kamala Harriss stylish stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff. Now, they have another reason to be obsessed with the girl who is popularly referred to as the First Daughter of Bushwick. In her first Vogue photoshoot, Emhoff, 22, revealed a new mullet! This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Although shes rocked a light mullet for a few weeks now, her new mullet shape up sized up the do so much so that her Instagram followers are having a field day. The more you have this style, the more you want to push the limits of how mullet-y you can get it, Emhoff, the biological daughter of Douglas Emhoff, Second Gentleman of the United States, told Vogue. I feel like in the past, the mullet was deemed unattractive and kind of odd, and Im really drawn to that almost ugly-chic look. In the playful, quirky shoot photographed by Brianna Capozzi for Vogue, Emhoff wears a fuzzy ribbed yellow cardigan and white-striped dress shirt with a ruffled collar from Celine by Hedi Slimane. The hair was styled by New York City-based hairstylist Masami Hosono, who runs the gender-neutral hair salon Vacancy Project in the East Village. For the shoot, Hosono said they added texture at the top to make it more jellyfish-looking rather than the typical box shape most mullets tend to be. Everybody used to make fun of mullets, Hosono told Vogue. Now everybody wants one. Its true that the mullet is indeed making a comeback, but the larger question is how (and why)? Well, according to British hair historian, Rachel Gibson, who runs the Instagram account @thehairhistorian, which profiles hair, art and history, mullets have been around for centuries dating all the way back to the Vikings and Romans. Apparently, the art of business in the front and party in the back helped warriorss hair from not being yanked by their adversaries during battle, she explained to Vogue. While the style has had numerous alterations in the last century thanks to artists like David Bowie, Doja Cat, and Miley Cyrus, Gibson says these days it's all about how the mullet can be reimagined in the 21st century. Story continues These days, hairdressers bemoan that while hair is still styled, we dont see interesting cuts anymore, she said. But adversity tends to breed creativity, and a lot more unconventional hair choices are coming out of lockdown. Emhoff, who was an apparel and textiles major at the Parsons School of Design, continues to make big fashion statements on her Instagram. Her posts are often androgynous, boundary-pushing and fearless in their storytelling ranging from rib dresses and housecoats to knit pants, hats and shorts. Emhoff solidified her status as a fashion idol on Inauguration Day on January 20, when her stepmother was sworn in as the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African American and first Asian American vice president. Emhoff collaborated with designer Batsheva Hay to create a head-turning outfit: a Miu Miu tartan coat with crystal-encrusted shoulders and a theatrical pilgrim collar over a burgundy Batsheva dress. Ella Emhoff arrives for the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 in Washington. (Photo: Win McNamee/Pool Photo via AP) This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Furthermore, Emhoff has used her new platform to support the LGBTQ community. Last year, she premiered a knit pants raffle that encouraged followers to donate $10 to For The Growls, a trans-led fund that helps Black trans people pay for rent, gender-affirming surgeries, travel and other medical expenses. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Check out some of our favorite Ella Emhoff styles: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Read more from Yahoo Life: Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images The EU and the UK have both launched antitrust investigations into Facebook. The EU is investigating whether Facebook gives its classified-ads platform Marketplace an unfair advantage. The UK is investigating both Facebook Marketplace and Facebook dating. See more stories on Insider's business page. The EU and the UK have both opened antitrust investigations looking into whether the way Facebook handles user and advertiser data gives it an unfair advantage in the classified ads space. The European Commission announced its probe on Friday, which will focus on Facebook Marketplace - a platform which allows people to buy and sell items on Facebook. "Facebook collects vast troves of data on the activities of users of its social network and beyond, enabling it to target specific customer groups," said European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager in a statement. "We will look in detail at whether this data gives Facebook an undue competitive advantage in particular on the online classified ads sector, where people buy and sell goods every day, and where Facebook also competes with companies from which it collects data," In its press release the European Commission said companies which advertise their services on Facebook provide the platform with valuable commercial data. "Facebook might then use this data in order to compete against the companies which provided it," the Commission said. The Commission said that following a preliminary investigation it had concerns that Facebook might make use of data from competing marketplace services that advertise on the social network in order to "help Facebook Marketplace outcompete them." The UK's competition watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also announced its probe on Friday. This investigation will look at both Facebook Marketplace and its dating service Facebook Dating, which launched last year. "We intend to thoroughly investigate Facebook's use of data to assess whether its business practices are giving it an unfair advantage in the online dating and classified ad sectors," CMA Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli said in a statement. Story continues The CMA said it will be "working closely" with the European Commission in its investigation. "We are always developing new and better services to meet evolving demand from people who use Facebook," a Facebook spokesperson told Insider. "Marketplace and Dating offer people more choices and both products operate in a highly competitive environment with many large incumbents. We will continue to cooperate fully with the investigations to demonstrate that they are without merit," the spokesperson added. Facebook is already under intense antitrust scrutiny in the US. The FTC and 48 attorneys general filed two separate lawsuits against the company in December 2020 trying to force it to spin off its subsidiaries Instagram and WhatsApp. Facebook motioned to have the lawsuits dismissed in March. The European Commission has also launched multiple investigations into Big Tech companies - most recently Apple - and has levied massive multi-billion-dollar fines in the past on companies deemed to be in violation of European competition law. Read the original article on Business Insider A long range acoustic device attached on a police vehicle The EU warned Greece last night to respect the "dignity" of migrants after reports of border police firing bursts of a "sound cannon" to deter asylum seekers. Greek border guards have been using a long-range acoustic device mounted on an armored truck, according to reports. The device is the size of a small TV set but can match the volume of a jet engine. It's part of a vast array of physical and experimental new digital barriers being installed and tested at the 200-kilometer (125-mile) Greek border with Turkey to stop people entering the EU without authorization. European Commission spokesman Adalbert Jahnz said the EU's executive branch "noted with concern the reports in the media concerning this system of sound cannon" and will be seeking information from Athens about its use. Jahnz said that while EU member countries like Greece get to decide how they manage their borders, their methods "should conform to European fundamental rights, including the right to dignity." "Measures must be proportionate and respect fundamental rights, including asylum rights and the principle of non-refoulement," he said, referring to the policy of not sending people back over borders they have crossed before they have a chance to apply for asylum. An automated hi-tech surveillance network being built on the Greek-Turkish border "Refoulement," also known as pushbacks, is banned under EU law and international refugee treaties. The European Commision on Thursday also expressed concern over Danish plans to open asylum centres outside Europe where applicants would be sent to live. The commision said the Danish plan, enabled by new legislation passed on Thursday, violates existing EU asylum rules. The latest move by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's Social Democratic anti-immigration government is aimed at deterring migrants from coming to Denmark at all. Asylum seekers would now have to submit an application in person at the Danish border and then be flown to an asylum centre outside Europe while their application is being processed. Story continues Police officers patrol alongside a steel wall at Evros river If the application is approved and the person is granted refugee status, he or she would be given the right to live in the host country, but not in Denmark. The bill sailed through parliament on Thursday, supported by a majority including the far-right, despite opposition from some left-wing parties. Copenhagen has an opt-out on EU migration and asylum cooperation. The Commission said it would examine the situation "before deciding on any next steps," spokesman Adalbert Jahnz told reporters. Denmark has repeatedly made headlines in recent years with its anti-immigration policies including its official "zero refugees" target, its withdrawal of residence permits from Syrians now that it deems parts of the wartorn country safe and its crackdown on "ghettos" to reduce the number of "non-Western" residents. Nearly 20 community leaders stood on the stage Thursday afternoon at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, in solidarity with the Jewish community to demand an end to recent attacks and antisemitism in the United States. The faith leaders and elected officials gathered that afternoon included U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, Kansas Assistant Secretary of State Catherine Gunsalus, Kansas State Sen. Ethan Corson, the Rev. Bob Hill of Community Christian Church and the Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City. Our allies must be willing to call out this poison from every source unequivocally, said Gavriela Geller, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau-American Jewish Committee. We can see today that we are not alone. Over the last month, speakers said, antisemitic attacks rose nearly 80% with more than 220 instances reported across the country. The Anti-Defamation League, which fights antisemitism and hate, has documented three instances in Missouri over the last few months, including two in Kansas City. One of those was a swastika found on a students desk at Pembroke Hill School. Antisemitism, bigotry and hate have no place in our society, Cleaver said. We will be stronger and safer if we refuse to allow (it). He said a darkness, or ignorance, is encompassing the country. But hopefully, with those of us who are here today, standing strong, you feel just a little bit less alone, Cleaver said. Also gathered at the event Thursday were Inas Younis, leader of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom; Cindy McDavitt, chair of the Interfaith Council of Greater Kansas City; the Rev. Wendy Chrostek, lead pastor at Church of the Resurrection; Helene Lotman, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City; and Rabbi Doug Alpert of Congregation Kol Ami. Younis said people are attacking Jewish individuals for being Jewish. As a Muslim Im going to state something obvious: Muslims stand against all forms of bigotry and we will speak out against it whether its coming from white supremacy or any other source, she said. It is bigoted to treat people as less American, or in this case less human, because of their ties to foreign countries, because of their ethnicity or their religious affiliation. Story continues Other speakers called for everyone to speak up and to stand together. So whether its Islamophobia, whether its the ongoing 400-year story of anti-Black racism or whether its antisemitism ... we stand together against hate, he said. Alpert said Jewish people in America have divergent views toward Israeli policy, adding that he has been critical of the Israeli government and policies that violate the rights of the Palestinian people. He said peace will come when all voices who yearn for justice and peace are heard. And for us as Jews, that means a world without antisemitism and a world that celebrates difference. WASHINGTON (AP) The FBI issued a subpoena demanding U.S. newspaper giant Gannett provide agents with information to track down readers of a USA Today story about a suspect in a child pornography case who fatally shot two FBI agents in February. The subpoena, served on the company in April, came to light this week after the media company filed documents in federal court asking a judge to quash the subpoena. The Justice Departments actions were immediately condemned by press freedom advocates. The news comes as the Justice Department has disclosed in recent weeks that it seized the email and phone records of reporters in at least three separate instances during the Trump administration. It raises questions about what liberties federal authorities are taking in using news organizations, journalists and their work as investigative tools. The subpoena asks for information about anyone who clicked on the article for a period of about 35 minutes on the day after the shooting. It seeks the IP addresses which can sometimes be used to identify the location of a computer, the company or organization it belongs to, and where it was registered along with mobile phone identification information of the readers. While the subpoena doesnt ask specifically for the names of those who read the story, such identification information could easily lead federal agents to the readers. It is unclear why the FBI was seeking information about the USA Today story in particular, even though numerous others news organizations, including The Associated Press, had reported extensively on the Florida shooting, one of the bloodiest days in the FBIs history. The suspect opened fire on the agents when they arrived to serve a federal search warrant in a child exploitation case. The two agents, Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger, were killed and three others were wounded. Maribel Perez Wadsworth, the publisher of USA Today and president of the USA Today Network, said the government wants the news organization to hand over private information about its readers and said it was fighting the subpoena to protect the relationship between its readers and journalists. The company also contacted the FBI before asking a judge to quash the subpoena but did not receive any substantive reply nor any meaningful explanation of the asserted basis for the subpoena, she said. Story continues We intend to fight the subpoenas demand for identifying information about individuals who viewed the USA Today news report, Wadsworth said in a statement. Being forced to tell the government who reads what on our websites is a clear violation of the First Amendment. The FBI agent who signed the subpoena to Gannett has worked for years on child exploitation cases and has testified in several criminal cases related to child pornography offenses, newspaper accounts and other public records show. The subpoena first reported by Politico says the information is needed as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Federal officials would not provide additional details about the investigation. This is an extraordinary demand that goes to the very heart of the First Amendment. For good reason, the courts have generally refused to give the government access to this kind of sensitive information except in the most unusual circumstances, said Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. The Justice Department in recent weeks disclosed that investigators secretly obtained call records of journalists at The Washington Post, The New York Times and CNN in an effort to identify sources who provided national security information that was published in the early months of the Trump administration. President Joe Biden has said the Justice Department would not seize reporters phone records, though it remains unclear if that promise can be kept. This subpoena, especially when viewed alongside the subpoenas that the Justice Department served under the Trump administration in an effort to obtain journalists records, strongly suggests we need more robust protection for records that implicate the freedoms of speech and the press, Jaffer said. The Justice Department in both Republican and Democratic administrations has struggled to balance the medias constitutionally protected rights against the governments interests in safeguarding classified information and collecting information for criminal cases. During a 2007 investigation, an FBI agent impersonated an Associated Press journalist while investigating bomb threats at a high school in Washington state. The agent portrayed himself as an AP journalist when he communicated with the suspect online and then sent a link to a fabricated AP news article that, when clicked, allowed the FBI to pinpoint the suspects location. The ruse was made public in 2014 and two years later the FBI imposed restrictions on the ability of agents to masquerade as reporters but it stopped short of ruling out the practice. In 2013, federal investigators secretly seized two months of phone records for Associated Press reporters and editors that included 20 telephone lines of both AP offices and the journalists, including their home phones and cellphones. After that, the Justice Department, under then-Attorney General Eric Holder, announced revised guidelines for leak investigations, which require additional levels of review before a journalist could be subpoenaed. A member of the Koch family, one of the most influential power brokers in American politics, donated to a crowdfunding campaign that peddled misinformation about the presidential election well after such claims had been debunked, according to data provided to USA TODAY by a whistleblower site. Bridget Rooney Koch, Bill Kochs wife of 16 years, anonymously donated $500 on Dec. 10 to a campaign called Fight Voter Fraud on the Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, according to the hacked data. USA TODAY obtained the data from Distributed Denial of Secrets, a nonprofit that collects data leaks and makes them publicly accessible. GiveSendGo has become a popular crowdfunding tool for controversial political causes, such as raising legal funds for Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse and for travel to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Members of the far-right have flocked to GiveSendGo after mainstream crowdfunding sites, such as GoFundMe, kicked off conservatives associated with the violent insurrection. Insurrection fundraiser: Capitol riot extremists, Trump supporters raise money for lawyer bills online Angry supporters of President Donald Trump scale the west wall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. A USA TODAY analysis of the GiveSendGo data showed that six of the voter fraud campaigns on the platform raised more than $830,000, the vast majority in November. The Fight Voter Fraud campaign was launched in early December, about a week after then-Attorney General William Barr announced that the Justice Department had not found evidence of widespread voter fraud. The campaign promoted claims that had been debunked by election officials, including that dead people voted in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and that many illegal votes were cast with ballots that listed post office boxes as mailing addresses. A donation made on Dec. 10, a day after the campaign started, was tied to the email address of Bridget Koch. Her husband Bill Koch is a brother of Charles and the late David Koch commonly referred to as the Koch brothers who are known for bankrolling conservative candidates, such as former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Story continues Bill Koch has had a tumultuous relationship with his brothers, with years of lawsuits in the 1980s and 1990s over a business dispute. The brothers reconciled in 2001 and were on good terms when David died in 2019, according to media reports. William Koch, brother of Charles Koch and David Koch, is interviewed by Maria Bartiromo on her "Opening Bell with Maria Bartiromo" program, on the Fox Business Network, in New York Tuesday, March 4, 2014. In response to USA TODAYs inquiries, Bridget and Bill Koch denied knowledge of the Fight Voter Fraud campaign, but offered conflicting accounts of how Bridget Kochs email address became associated with it. My wife gave a small donation to an author, Sean Parnell, that impressed her, Bill Koch said in a written statement. It appears she sent it by GiveSendGo. Through a spokesman, Bridget Koch said she donated $500 on Dec. 10 to an election defense fund started by Parnell. She said that when she donated to it, the funds must have somehow gone to Fight Voter Fraud instead. Donations to Parnells campaign are processed not by GiveSendGo, but by WinRed, the official payment platform of the Republican Party. According to Federal Election Commission data, Bridget Koch donated $1,000 to Parnells election defense fund on Nov. 28. Parnell is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania. Bill Koch has generously contributed to political causes on both sides of the aisle, including former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, according to media and nonprofit reports. Unlike his siblings, Bill Koch has been a longtime Trump supporter. Chairman of the board of Americans for Prosperity David Koch speaks at the Defending the American Dream summit hosted by Americans for Prosperity at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Koch, a major donor to conservative causes and educational groups, died on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. He was 79. Bill and Bridget Koch hosted fundraisers for Trumps 2016 and 2020 campaigns at their Cape Cod and Palm Beach mansions, where tickets went for as much as $50,000. According to FEC data, they have personally donated more than $100,000 to Trumps campaigns and political action committees since 2016. FEC data also shows that after the election was called on Nov. 7, Bill Koch donated more than $2,500 to a political action committee supporting Trump, who was then soliciting donations to support his lawsuits contesting the election. Other members of Palm Beach society also donated to Fight Voter Fraud. Jack and Talbott Maxey, who went through divorce proceedings in 2009, donated over $10,000 combined to Fight Voter Fraud. Talbott Maxey, who resides in Palm Beach, is socially connected to Bridget and Bill Koch. Talbott and Bridget Koch have appeared together in photos at local charity events, and Talbott was photographed at a Western-themed benefit Bill Koch threw for the school he founded, Oxbridge Academy. Crowdfunding campaign touted ties to Steve Bannon Fight Voter Fraud raised more than $16,000 in about a week, according to the GiveSendGo data. By late January, it had been removed from GiveSendGo. It is unclear whether that was initiated by GiveSendGo or the campaign organizer, Vincent Kaufmann. Neither responded to requests for comment. Kaufmann, a Swiss engineer, started the campaign the same day he appeared alongside Jack Maxey on a podcast hosted by former Trump adviser Steve Bannon. Kaufmann and Maxey, then a co-host of Bannons podcast, War Room Pandemic, claimed they had found evidence of voter fraud. GiveSendGos description of the crowdfunding campaign touted Kaufmanns association with Bannons podcast and news site. On the podcast, Bannon said Maxey was out on assignment investigating voter fraud with Kaufmann. In an interview, Maxey told USA TODAY that his inquiries into election fraud didnt have anything to do with Bannon. Bannon was indicted in August for defrauding hundreds of thousands of donors through a crowdfunding campaign to build a wall along the southern U.S. border. Trump pardoned Bannon hours before he left the White House for good in January. In this Aug. 20, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump's former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, speaks with reporters in New York after pleading not guilty to charges that he ripped off donors to an online fundraising scheme to build a southern border wall. Trump pardoned Bannon as part of a flurry of clemency actions in the last hours of his presidency. Campaign launched after fraud claims were debunked Palm Beach elites were not the only ones to donate to the six voter fraud campaigns on GiveSendGo reviewed by USA TODAY. The roughly 11,000 donors to those campaigns included middle-class men and women, small business owners, stay-at-home moms and tradesmen. Most supporters donated in November, whereas Bridget Koch and the Maxeys gave weeks after most election fraud claims had been debunked. News outlets called the election for Joe Biden on Nov. 7. Soon after, Trump and his supporters claimed the election was fraudulent and championed a flurry of lawsuits and investigations to challenge the result. People gathered in McPherson Square, react to the presidential race being called by CNN in Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's favor over President Donald Trump, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Washington. But by late November, more than 30 of the 50 lawsuits contesting the election had been dismissed. That was several weeks before the Fight Voter Fraud campaign was launched. Fact check: No evidence of fraud in Georgia election results Fact check: False claim that Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell prevailed in Dominion lawsuits The range of donors to the GiveSendGo voter fraud campaigns reflect surveys showing that many Republicans are skeptical of the election results. A quarter of Americans think Trump is the true president, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, and a Monmouth University poll found that 65% of Republicans believed Biden's victory was the result of voter fraud. Stetson University Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy said thats emblematic of the working class and the upper class of the Republican Party buying into voter fraud narratives. This has infected their thinking in a really damaging way to the legitimacy of our democratic processes, Torres-Spelliscy said. Supporters of President Donald Trump protest outside the Maricopa County Election Center in Phoenix November 4, 2020. According to Dale Ho, director of the ACLU's Voting Rights Project, members of the losing party, whether Democrats or Republicans, historically have questioned the election process. After the 2016 election, Green Party candidate Jill Stein called for recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. It's not that any side is immune to this kind of conspiratorial thinking, Ho said. It's just the magnitude of it, and the fact that it's being fanned by stalwarts on one side, is particularly troubling. The peaceful transition of power depends upon a system in which politicians on the losing side accept the results of an election, Ho said. The more public confidence in the integrity of elections on that (the Republican) side declines, he said, I think the more at risk we are that those kinds of checks will not hold in the future. Contributing: Aleszu Bajak, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: GiveSendGo data: Bill Koch's wife gave to campaign claiming vote fraud Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards, centre, leaves court after receiving a six-month prison sentence for leaking confidential financial reports to a journalist at Buzzfeed (AP) A former official of the US Treasury Department was sentenced to six months in prison on Thursday for leaking official documents to the media. Last year, Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards, who was arrested in 2018, had pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge, admitting she leaked banking reports, including some related to people being investigated in special counsel Robert Muellers probe of foreign interference in the US elections. US District judge Gregory H Woods called her actions illegal and wrong and said they made our country less safe. The judge said it was sad and perhaps ironic that she went into public service because she was upset over the 11 September terror attacks. He said she came to believe disclosing Americas secrets would somehow be beneficial to our nation. Edwardss lawyer Stephanie M Carvlin argued that she made her disclosures after concluding that people running the Treasury Department were, through wrongdoing, creating a dangerous situation for the American people. She wasnt doing it for money... for personal glory. She wants to help the American people, said Ms Carvlin. Edwards had worked at multiple federal government agencies before serving as senior adviser to the head of the Intelligence Division at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the US Treasury Department responsible for safeguarding the USs financial system. According to prosecutors, during the course of time, she leaked over 2,000 confidential, suspicious activity reports and more than 50,000 documents in all. Banks are required to file suspicious activity reports with the Treasury Department when they spot transactions that raise questions about possible financial misconduct such as money laundering. The prosecutors had sought serious punishment for Edwards stating that she betrayed the public and risked hindering ongoing and future investigations. According to the US government, the information leaked for more than a year included reports on Paul Manafort, former president Donald Trumps onetime campaign chairman, along with a woman charged with trying to infiltrate US political organisations as a covert Russian agent. Story continues While the prosecutors didnt share the name of the reporter with whom Edwards shared the documents, the court documents identified him Buzzfeed reporter Jason Leopold, who was in the court on Thursday. BuzzFeed and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published several stories on The FinCEN Files based on material obtained from Edwards where they examined regulatory failures in spotting and cracking down on international money laundering. BuzzFeed spokesperson Matt Mittenthal called Edwards a brave whistleblower in a statement, and said the news organisation strongly condemns todays sentence. She fought to warn the public about grave risks to Americas national security, first through the official whistleblower process, and then through the press. She did so, despite tremendous personal risk, because she believed she owed it to the country she loves, he said. Additional reporting by agencies Read More BBC anchor caught wearing shorts under desk as he presents news live Trump news live: Former aide Don McGahn to give long-awaited testimony to Congress over Russia report After 2-year battle, House panel to interview Trump counsel by Nirmala Carvalho Across the country, the Indian Catholic Youth Movement has mobilised to help, from handing out food parcels to helping families bury or cremate their loved ones. Some speak about their experience, and peoples gratitude is hard to describe. Mumbai (AsiaNews) In a country quickly brought to its knees, young Indian Catholics are helping people affected by the coronavirus and COVID-19, from handing out food parcels to the poor to cremating the bodies of the dead, from aiding those waiting outside hospitals to donating blood. In the midst of this untold tragedy, the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), the youth wing of the Bishops' Conference, has been at the forefront of relief operations in many parts of the country, said Fr Chetan Machado, executive secretary of the Youth Commission of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CCBI), speaking to AsiaNews. The youth threw themselves into the risk of getting infected with the virus and undertook relief efforts to help the needy, the poor and migrants, he explained. ICYM units, besides creating awareness campaign through online digital content like with videos and posters to encourage people to go for vaccination, helped people with their relief efforts, physical help, moral support, monetary assistance and counselling, he added. The involvement of young people has given a boost to the lives of many, helping people in hospitals and with burial and cremation in a dignified way, showing great generosity. The ICYM has always led from the front in natural disasters, whether floods in Kerala and Karnataka in 2018, earthquakes in Nepal, or the latest cyclones. With over 2.5 million members across the country, the ICYM has remained close to the people even in the most difficult of times. And now it continues to do so with people affected by COVID-19. Rajesh, who belongs to the ICYM group in Bangalore, has helped in cremating and burying COVID-19 victims. My parents did not want me to go, he said, but it was a noble cause. After helping families cremate and bury their loved ones, I am proud to be called a Catholic youth. Robin D'Souza is a young man from Delhi; for him, Working for COVID relief is an opportunity to reach out to those who have been either cornered or left out due to this pandemic, he told AsiaNews. We have been providing financial and medical aid to the affected. We are dealing mainly with basic ration kits and medicines. I am in charge everyday of verifying the distress calls and when i talk to these people I can hear the pain in their voices. We make sure that no distress call goes unanswered and that aid reaches them in a day or two. Leon Saldanha, diocesan president of ICYM in Mangalore, explained that The experience is different every day. We see people in streets rushing to us for food and the way they thank us is something that cannot be expressed. Some are so weak in body that their faces lit up when we ask them if they need food. We are sure that their blessings and prayers will help us in our life. In the case of middle class people who have a good house to stay but are financially poor because they are out of work, they feel shy about asking for food but their neighbours and other people who are aware call us. We are trying our best to reach out to them. I am sure that God is working through us because from day one we have not fallen short of funds. We get funds on a daily basis, which has helped us go far in 33 days. We are thankful to each and everyone for their support and guidance. Jason is from Karnataka. We saw many daily wage earners and inter-state migrants struggle to get a single meal a day due to lockdown. So we decided to hand out food parcels, he told AsiaNews. We have also started a team for funeral service: Corona Warriors for COVID deaths. We have served not only Catholics but also non-Catholics, according to their rites, he explained. These are testing times for everyone, so one has to put ones best foot forward to help people. Hong Kong police detained one of the organisers of the annual vigil commemorating Beijing's deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown, as authorities sought to prevent any show of pro-democracy people power on Friday's sensitive anniversary. About 7,000 officers have been placed on standby to stamp out any attempt to hold a mass candlelight vigil that Hong Kongers have attended in their thousands each anniversary for the past three decades. The first arrest came early Friday morning when lawyer Chow Hang-tung, one of the few remaining prominent democracy activists not already in jail or in exile, was detained by four police officers outside her work. Chow, 37, is one of the vice-chairs of the Hong Kong Alliance which organises the annual vigil. Police confirmed two people -- Chow and a 20-year-old male -- had been arrested on suspicion of publicising an unlawful assembly through social media posts. "Their online remarks involved advertising and calling on others to participate or attend banned public activities," senior superintendent Law Kwok-hoi told reporters. Huge crowds have traditionally gathered in Hong Kong to mark the anniversary of Chinese troops crushing peaceful democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. Hundreds were killed in the crackdown, by some estimates more than 1,000. Public commemorations of the event are forbidden on the mainland. Under a "One country, two systems" policy that was meant to give Hong Kong more freedoms, the city was the only place on Chinese soil where large-scale commemorations were tolerated and the huge crowds massed each year in Victoria Park. But, after months of huge and often violent democracy protests in 2019, China has carried out a sweeping campaign to silence dissent and enforce "patriotism". - Park sealed off - Authorities banned this year's gathering citing the coronavirus pandemic -- although Hong Kong has not recorded an untraceable local transmission in more than a month. Story continues Hundreds of police officers sealed off Victoria Park on Friday afternoon and conducted frequent stop and searches in the streets nearby. Last year's vigil was also denied permission because of the pandemic, but thousands defied the ban and rallied inside the park anyway. Authorities have warned in recent days that the subversion clause of a powerful new security law imposed on Hong Kong could be used against those marking the Tiananmen anniversary. Beijing imposed the law a few weeks after last year's Tiananmen rally and it has transformed the city's once freewheeling political landscape. More than 100 pro-democracy figures have been arrested under the law, mostly for political views and speech. Most are denied bail and face up to life in prison if convicted. - Creative resistance - However, China has been unable to quash all dissent, and Hong Kongers were planning creative ways to mark Friday's anniversary. "A regime can ban an assembly but it can never ban the indelible grievances in people's hearts," Lee Cheuk-yan, a now jailed democracy activist and the current head of the Hong Kong Alliance, wrote in a message posted on his Facebook page on Thursday. Activists have called on residents to light candles in their own homes or neighbourhoods come Friday evening, or post commemoration messages on social media. "Turn on the lights wherever you are -- be it torchlight on your phone, real candles or electronic candles," Chow wrote on Facebook just hours before her arrest. Clara Cheung was among a small group of artists who gathered near Victoria Park on Thursday evening. She brought 64 white flowers -- representing June 4 -- and laid them on the street. "We need to find a new way to express ourselves," she told AFP. Pro-Beijing politicians have suggested that calls to "End one party rule" and "Bring democracy to China" -- both common chants at Tiananmen vigils -- could now be deemed subversion, one of the crimes in the broadly worded national security law. The security legislation has also been combined with a campaign dubbed "Patriots rule Hong Kong" aimed at purging from public office anyone perceived to be disloyal. - 'Full accounting' - In mainland China, the Tiananmen anniversary is usually marked with an increase in online censorship and the square in Beijing being cordoned off. There was tight security at the square on Friday, with police checking the IDs of people at each point of access, according to an AFP journalist in Beijing. China often faces international criticism for its campaign to stifle remembrance of the crackdown. On Friday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for "a full accounting of all those killed, detained, or missing". Taiwan's foreign ministry said "the students of Tiananmen and Hong Kong must not be erased nor forgotten". bur-jta/axn Officers closed off Victoria Park, where the annual vigil to mark the anniversary is normally held People in Hong Kong are marking the 32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, but in a much more muted way than in previous years. Macau and Hong Kong are the only places in China where people can commemorate the anniversary of the deadly 1989 crackdown by Chinese soldiers on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing. Estimates of the dead vary from a few hundred to several thousand. But for the second year running, authorities in Hong Kong have banned an annual vigil for the event. They cite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic for the restrictions. Officers closed off Victoria Park, where the annual vigil is normally held, and dispersed crowds who gathered with candles or their phone lights lit. Far fewer people came out in the streets than in past years This year's anniversary is the first since a new controversial security law was approved, aimed at ending the city's pro-democracy movement and criminalising dissent. On Friday, officials arrested pro-democracy activist Chow Hang Tung, vice chairwoman of the Hong Kong Alliance which organises annual vigils for victims of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Aerial views showed the huge gathering in Victoria Park in 2019 On Friday the park was deserted after officers closed it off Thousands defied last year's ban on the vigil, knocking down barricades around Victoria Park. But this year commemorations are so far more constrained. The new security law - passed in 2020 - makes it easier to punish protesters and reduces Hong Kong's autonomy. There were calls online from activists to light candles, house lights and even cigarettes to mark the event at 20:00 local time (12:00 GMT). Police warned of more arrests, and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that citizens must respect the law. People gathered with candles or turned on the lights on their phones near the park in the evening Officers were out in force and sought to disperse any crowds In past years there were huge street demonstrations to mark the anniversary. Thousands of people took part in a candle light vigil in 2019 - the last year the annual event could be held. Huge crowds usually gather in Hong Kong's Victoria Park each year to mark the anniversary of the massacre But the numbers of people were far smaller this year In mainland China, authorities have banned even oblique references to the events of June 4. Online, any discussion of the crackdown is strictly censored. Story continues Taiwan commemorates the anniversary every year, using the event to criticise China and urge Beijing to embark on real political reform. On her Facebook page, President Tsai Ing-wen wrote: "I believe that all Taiwanese who are proud of their freedom and democracy will never forget about this day and will firmly stick with their faith, unshaken by storms." All photos subject to copyright. Rescue teams had to chip away at concrete in a Houston home to rescue a little puppy that somehow found itself in a pipe underground. Video Transcript [JACKHAMMER] - There we go. [CHEERING] - There's the little guy. Its been nearly six months since tragedy struck a close-knit community in northwest suburban Ingleside, resulting in the death of two sisters. Video Transcript BRANDI KOONCE: As soon as it happened, we had to have that conversation with our kids about maybe not necessarily seeing their friends anymore. Finding them in rainbows, finding them in the sunshine, trying to make sure that their memories live on. DANA REBIK: It's been nearly six months since this small, close-knit community lost these little girls. Eight-year-old Lizzie Evans and her five-year-old sister, Autumn, both students at Gavin School in Ingleside. They were killed in a fire in their home on December 10. KATHLEEN DONNELLY: I heard them coming. I heard the fire trucks coming. But the whole house was in flames. And I heard my neighbor screaming and saying that the kids were still in the house. DANA REBIK: The girls were asleep in the home with their older brother, Corey, their grandparents, and their mother, Katie Evans. She tried to get her girls out but couldn't get to them through the flames and had to jump from a second story window. Her son also made it out, and her parents were rescued by firefighters. JIM MILLER: Very tragic thing. DANA REBIK: Gavin School Board President Jim Miller has a son who went to school with the sisters. JIM MILLER: Henry's a first grader here, so he's younger. And they were both young kids, so it was very difficult explaining to them what had happened. DANA REBIK: The school started the Gavin Strong program to help students get through the tragedy and give back. Today, on the last day of school, students are placing handmade kindness rocks they decorated around this tree of life they planted in memory of the Evans girls, dedicated to their family. BRANDI KOONCE: It's absolutely terrible what happened, and the kids losing their friends. Obviously, some of their close friends are still struggling with it today. But we're trying to make it where it's a positive impact so those precious little angels can live on-- no matter 30 years from now-- that our sweet little girls that we lost are still a part of the Gavin family. DANA REBIK: Members of the local fire department will also be here tonight for this tree dedication ceremony, talking with families and children about EDITH, which stands for exit drills in the house. The Gavin Strong program also sold t-shirts as a fundraiser and is donating all of that money to another local family who recently lost their home to a fire. In Ingleside, Dana Rebik WGN. How to invest in Bernard Arnault, the man who got richer than Bezos and Musk Most of the worlds richest people are household names at this point: Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates. But recently, French tycoon Bernard Arnault, CEO of luxury brand conglomerate LVMH, overtook all of them to become the No. 1 worlds richest person. And it left many Americans asking one question: Who? Well, heres how a man whose name you may not have known before last week and who's worth more than $180 billion can help inspire a winning investing strategy among those of us with slightly less cash on hand. Who is Bernard Arnault? IAN LANGSDON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Arnault is the face behind LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), a luxury empire that includes not just the three iconic brands in the companys name but also such revered fashion houses as Christian Dior, Fendi and Givenchy. And just this past January, his company acquired Tiffany & Co. for $15.8 billion. His father, Jean Arnault, made his fortune in construction, and the younger Arnault started his career working for him, eventually taking over as president in 1979. Five years later, for $15 million, he bought up Boussac Saint-Freres, a company whose assets included Christian Dior. Then, in 1988, he maneuvered to take a majority stake in LVMH. By the mid-90s, LVMHs value had multiplied 15 times over and sales and profits increased fivefold. How did he become the worlds richest man? Creative Lab / Shutterstock Arnault made it into the top 10 of Forbes list of top billionaires back in 2005, then inched his way into the top five by 2018. But by 2019, he was firmly in the top three with a $76 billion fortune. Throughout the pandemic, luxury sales have soared, increasing LVMHs stock price and Arnaults personal fortune. As a result, hes been tussling with Teslas Elon Musk and Bezos for the top position over the last year and a half. In late May, LVMHs stock rose 0.4% in the first hours of trading, adding $600 million to Arnaults personal fortune and knocking Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos down to second-richest person in the world. Story continues Arnault and Bezos traded places three times over the next few days, but by June 1, Arnault was holding steady in the top spot. How to follow in his footsteps Elle Aon / Shutterstock LVMH stock, which is currently listed at just under $160, isnt traded on the major U.S. exchanges. But that doesnt mean you cant buy in. One way to get shares is by way of the companys unsponsored ADR, or American depositary receipt, which is a U.S.-bank-issued certificate that can be traded like regular stock. The ADR is only available on the over the counter (OTC) market, though, which is more complicated to navigate than the markets youre used to. A much easier way to grab some LVMH stock is through any of the luxury-themed ETFs that include LVMH. WIth modern investing smartphone apps, its incredibly easy to add any ETF to your portfolio. And, once your portfolio is set up, some apps will even automatically invest your spare change so your money is always growing in the background. And if you want to spread out your risk by putting down a little on each of Arnaults competitors for worlds richest person, you can always buy fractional shares of Amazon, Tesla or Berkshire Hathaway shares worth $3,196, $599 and $439,615, respectively, as of this writing. Where to go from there If youre keen to get into investing like a luxury tycoon, but theres not much room in your budget right now, you have a few options to find some extra funds. TOKYO/TAIPEI (Reuters) -Japan delivered to Taiwan 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca PLC's coronavirus vaccine on Friday for free, in a gesture that will more than double the amount of shots the island has received to date. Taiwan is battling a spike in domestic infections and has vaccinated only about 3% of its population. Japan has agreed to procure more than 300 million doses of coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer Inc, Moderna Inc and AstraZeneca, more than enough to cover its entire population. "At the time of the great east Japan earthquake 10 years ago, people in Taiwan sent us a lot of donations quickly. I believe that is etched vividly in the minds of Japanese people," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said, announcing the vaccine donation. "Such an important partnership and friendship with Taiwan is reflected in this offer." The vaccines landed at Taipei's main international airport early in the afternoon. Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said he was "extremely thankful" the shots had arrived at a tense moment in the island's fight against the pandemic, as he reported another 472 new infections. "I believe it will be very helpful in overall pandemic prevention," he added. The donation is a triumph for Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who has faced public anger about the slow arrival of vaccines and small protests by the main opposition party, the Kuomintang, outside her offices. In a live online broadcast from her office, Tsai called on people to understand that it was not only Taiwan facing challenges getting vaccines now, with global supplies tight. "Taiwan's international situation is very difficult. Even before vaccines are loaded onto the aircraft, there may be variables." China, which claims the island as its own territory, has offered vaccines, but Taiwan has repeatedly expressed concern about their safety and accused China of trying to block Taiwan's vaccine purchases internationally. Story continues Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing that despite China's goodwill offer of shots, Taiwan had "lied that the mainland obstructed the provision of vaccines" to the island. "The Taiwan authorities for their own selfish political gains have engaged in political manipulation on vaccine issues," he added. Though Taiwan's share has not been announced, the island will also get shots under a White House plan for the United States to share 25 million surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses with the world. Taiwan has received only about 860,000 doses so far, mainly AstraZeneca shots, but also a smaller number from Moderna. It has ordered more than 20 million doses from AstraZeneca and Moderna and is also developing its own vaccines. In an emailed statement to Reuters, Johnson & Johnson said that it had been in "confidential discussions" with Taiwan about providing its COVID-19 vaccine to the island since last year, but gave no details. The J&J vaccine requires a single dose, rather than the two-shot regimen of most other COVID-19 vaccines. Japan approved AstraZeneca's vaccine last month and has contracted to buy 120 million doses. But there are no immediate plans to use the shots, amid lingering concerns raised internationally over blood clots. (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka and Rocky Swift in Tokyo, and Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee in Taipei; Additional reporting by Cate Cadell in Beijing; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Simon Cameron-Moore and Gerry Doyle) More than one million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine donated by Japan arrived in Taiwan on Friday, as the island struggles to secure jabs and accuses China of interference. The move stirred anger in Beijing, which views democratic and self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and works to keep the island diplomatically isolated. "We have received requests from various countries and areas for the provision of vaccines," Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters in Tokyo. "At this point, we have finished the arrangement for the request from Taiwan. And we will deliver free of charge 1.24 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines that have been produced in Japan." Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed the move, pointedly emphasising that Taipei and Tokyo "share the universal values of freedom and democracy". Its health minister Chen Shih-chung later confirmed the jabs had arrived. "This is the largest batch of vaccines we have received and I believe it will be very helpful for our overall pandemic prevention," he said. Beijing accused Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of "placing political manipulations above people's lives" by rejecting Chinese vaccines, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. President Tsai Ing-wen has accused China of having "interfered" with efforts to secure Pfizer doses, which are distributed in the Greater China region by a Shanghai-based pharmaceutical company. Tsai said in televised remarks that her government will keep negotiating with countries to ensure sufficient and steady vaccine supplies. "It's not just us, all governments are fighting to get hold of vaccines. Due to Taiwan's very difficult international situation, there could still be variables before the vaccines are being loaded onto an airplane." Beijing has stepped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taipei since Tsai entered office five years ago, as she refuses to acknowledge its stance that the island is part of "one China". Story continues Taiwan is currently locked out by China from the World Health Organization. The donation comes as Taiwan battles a sudden surge of cases, after having one of the world's best pandemic responses. Infections have jumped in recent weeks to more than 10,000, with 187 deaths. Taiwan wants to roll out mass inoculations in the next few months by setting up thousands of community vaccination stations to administer one million shots weekly, but it is struggling to secure enough doses. The island of 23.5 million has pre-order deals for around 30 million shots, but had received just 726,600 AstraZeneca doses and 150,000 Moderna shots before the Japanese donation. Taiwan is also included in plans outlined by Washington this week to distribute 80 million doses globally. hih-kh-aw/jta/axn (Bloomberg) -- Japan will seek to drive growth in the nations chip industry, trying to breathe new life into a sector with massive capacity, but trouble turning out cutting-edge products. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a report Friday that it would treat semiconductor industry growth as a national project -- as important as securing food and energy. The government will support the establishment of manufacturing bases in Japan including through joint ventures with overseas chip foundries, METI said. The push comes amid a global chip shortage that has weighed on manufacturing across a range of industries and threatens Japans auto production. China, South Korea and the U.S. are all seeking to bolster their domestic chip industries. Japans share of global semiconductor sales dwindled to just 10% in 2019, down from 50% in 1988. The country still has 84 chip factories, the most in the world, but theyre not producing enough high-end products. As a result, Japan now has to import 64% of its semiconductors. Japan Floats Plan to Reboot an Aging Chip Industry: Supply Lines The ministry report follows a draft growth strategy from the Cabinet Secretariat issued earlier this week, which assessed the countrys semiconductor manufacturing base as outdated. Japan was the worlds biggest maker of microchips in the 1980s, but has since lost out to the likes of Taiwan and South Korea. METI will seek a drastic revamp of existing chip factories deemed strategically important in supporting the global supply chain. It will also strengthen development of chips required for post-5G systems and supporting green innovation. The government will identify areas especially important to the nation and consider special treatment beyond policies taken for regular industries, according to the report. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. More than 49% of the states 6 million residents have been fully vaccinated by completing a two-dose course or receiving the single shot inoculation, according to the state health department. More than 6.2 million doses have been administered overall, with almost 58% of Marylanders having received at least one vaccine. Two Newark, N.J., police officers and an Essex County detective were allegedly jumped by a mob while trying to make a firearms arrest Tuesday, according to a police union. Four men in their 20s and 30s were arrested in connection with the incident, two at the scene and two later in the week. The officers were "pummeled, kicked in the head and choked by a violent mob," according to the National Fraternal Order of Police. "Despite the rising, targeted violence against the brave men & women of law enforcement, they continue to protect and serve," the organization tweeted Wednesday. "We cant #Defund this type of heroism and dedication." The officers called for backup and exercised restraint during the struggle, Newark Fraternal Order of Police President James Stewart told local media. He did not immediately return a Fox News call requesting comment. FORMER DETROIT POLICE CHIEF SLAMS AMAZON FOR BLUE LIVES MURDER APPAREL "I am especially thankful that the officers involved were very intentional about resolving the incident as peacefully as possible," Newark Public Safety Director Brian OHara told NJ Advance Media. "They were clearly in danger, but because of their exceptional restraint, not one of the suspects involved was injured. The performance of these officers is commendable, especially in todays climate, where similarly minor incidents have resulted in unpredictable outcomes." The officers, however, sustained minor injuries and were briefly hospitalized. Two brothers of the firearms suspect tried to stop the arrest, according to the report. Stewart told NJ.com that the officers were thrown to the ground, and their bodycams were torn off and smashed. Four men face three counts apiece of aggravated assault of police officer, as well as other charges. They were identified as Newark residents Branden Rodwell, 31, Jaykil Rodwell, 28, and Jasper Spivey, 24, as well as Justin Rodwell, 30, of Irvington. Story continues CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "This mentality that people do not have to abide by the law, this complete lack of respect for law enforcement must end," Stewart told the news outlet. "I look forward to the statement from the mayor of Newark demanding a full investigation." Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, the son of the late radical poet Amiri Baraka, did not respond to a Fox News request for comment. According to the national FOP, ambush-style attacks on officers are up 50% so far this year compared to the same period in 2020. At least 128 officers had been shot around the country between Jan. 1 and June 1, according to the organization. Twenty-six of those officers died as a result. And 27 ambush-style attacks resulted in 35 officers shot. Former prime minister Sir John Major - Jack Taylor/Getty Images Europe Be compassionate and reinstate aid spending pledge, Sir John Major has urged Boris Johnson. The former Conservative prime minister said he does not believe it is "morally defensible" for the UK to ease its own financial pressures at the expense of some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. His comments come as Conservative rebels have vowed to vote for an amendment on the issue in the Commons next Monday that would force the Prime Minister to honour the partys commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on foreign aid. In November last year Sir John told The Times that cutting the UKs overseas aid was morally wrong and politically unwise and breaks our word and damages our soft power. Speaking out again on the matter, Sir John said: "I strongly support Britain maintaining her statutory promise to commit 0.7 per cent of our GDP to overseas aid. "Whilst I fully recognise our own budgeting difficulties, I do not believe it is morally defensible to ease our own financial burden at the expense of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world, who have nothing and nowhere else to turn for help. "I made my own views on this clear to the Government, privately, some weeks ago and even at this late hour I hope they will honour their better instincts and let compassion prevail to aid those in dire need. "Only then can we re-establish ourselves as a nation that keeps its word, and begin to repair our reputation as a global force for good." A total of 30 Tory MPs, including former prime minister Theresa May, have supported an amendment which would require new legislation to make up the shortfall left by the cut to the UK's official development assistance. Mr Johnson has been criticised by MPs on all sides for temporarily reducing foreign aid to 0.5 per cent of national income and thereby shelving his 2019 manifesto commitment to maintain spending at the higher rate. Andrew Mitchell, the Tory rebel leader and former cabinet minister, has expressed cautious optimism that he will secure the numbers needed to defeat the Government on the amendment to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) Bill. The Government has blamed economic damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic for its decision to cut aid spending, however critics of the policy believe the reduction will result in tens of thousands of deaths in other parts of the world. ATLANTA (AP) A judge on Friday granted a request from the district attorney in Atlanta to recuse her office from prosecuting the police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks and instructed the state attorney general to appoint another prosecutor. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who took office in January, had argued that actions by her predecessor, Paul Howard, made it inappropriate for her office to handle the prosecution of Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe. She had asked a judge to determine who should handle the case after state Attorney General Chris Carr twice rejected her requests to recuse herself. Howard announced charges against Rolfe and another officer involved in the June 2020 confrontation with Brooks less than a week after the shooting. At the time, Howard was fighting to keep his job against a Democratic primary challenge from Willis. Howards conduct, including using video evidence in campaign television advertisements, may have violated Georgia Bar rules, Willis argued in a letter to Carr. She also noted that Carr had asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate whether Howard improperly issued grand jury subpoenas in the Rolfe case. Howard has denied wrongdoing. In rejecting Willis' requests to appoint a different prosecutor, Carr argued that the issues were specific to Howard and said the case should stay with the Fulton County district attorney's office. Separately, Rolfes defense attorney Noah Pines had filed a motion in July to disqualify the Fulton County district attorneys office. Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Christopher Brasher found that it is all but inevitable that people in Willis' office, and likely the district attorney herself, will be called as witnesses by Rolfe's defense during a trial and during pretrial hearings. The circumstances surrounding the calling of the above-referenced witnesses, and the matters about which they will be called to testify ... demonstrate that there exists a conflict of interest on the part of the Office of the District Attorney for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, Brasher wrote. Story continues The judge ordered the attorney general to appoint a substitute prosecutor. Carr's office issued a statement saying it was reviewing the order and would respect the court's decision. In an emailed statement, Willis said, I appreciate Judge Brashers careful consideration of the difficult issues presented by this matter, and I expect that this will allow the case to move forward in a manner consistent with achieving a just result that all parties will have confidence in." L. Chris Stewart and Justin Miller, attorneys for Brooks' family, said they hope Carr will move quickly to appoint another prosecutor so the case can be tried in a vigorous and expeditious manner. The family of Rayshard Brooks has been through so much during this process, they said in an emailed statement. The numerous stops and starts have been gut-wrenching and have made it even more difficult for this grieving family to find peace. Police responded on June 12, 2020, to complaints that Brooks had fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a Wendys restaurant. Police body camera video shows the 27-year-old Black man struggling with two white officers after they told him hed had too much to drink to be driving and tried to arrest him. Brooks grabbed a Taser from one of the officers and fled, firing it at Rolfe as he ran. An autopsy found that Brooks was shot twice in the back. Rolfe has been charged with murder and other crimes. The other officer, Devin Brosnan, was charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath. Lawyers for both officers have said their clients acted appropriately, and they are free on bond. Rolfe was fired after the shooting but the Atlanta Civil Service Board last month reversed that dismissal, finding that the city failed to follow its own procedures for disciplinary actions. A judge this week sentenced a Kansas City woman to 20 years in prison for her part in a police chase and crash that killed four people in 2018. Victoria M. Brown, 27, pleaded guilty to four counts of second degree murder. She was sentenced to four 20-year sentences, which will run concurrently. On June 1, 2018, shortly before 4 p.m., two Independence police officers on patrol near 23rd Street and Ralston Avenue saw a Jeep that was reported stolen. They tried to pull it over after it ran a stop sign, but it sped away, according to court documents. Police pursued at speeds up to 90 mph, but the Jeep moved out of sight hundreds of yards away. When officers saw it again, a mile and a half to the west, it had crashed into a Dodge Avenger at 23rd Street and Television Place. Four people were killed and four others injured. In the Dodge were Shawn Johnson Jr., 30; Anthony A. Belton Jr., 24; and AaRon Daniel, 29, who was on his way to see his newborn daughter. A passenger in the Jeep was also killed: 27-year-old Amanda Perry. Brown was found pinned in the drivers seat with serious injuries. She was initially charged with three counts of second degree murder and resisting arrest by fleeing. The fourth second degree murder charge came once the fourth victim died. The resisting arrest charge was dropped during a plea agreement, Jackson County Prosecutors Office spokesman Michael Mansur said. Since the 1990s, many law enforcement agencies across the country have restricted dangerous car chases to situations where public safety is at risk or a violent felony has occurred. The Kansas City Police Department is one of those. Experts have said the danger falls if police stop chases because the person fleeing generally slows down. A nearly identical wreck on the same road occurred about four years earlier. In that instance, a speeding driver fleeing Independence police crossed into Kansas City and struck another vehicle, killing a man and injuring two others. Story continues To settle the resulting lawsuits after the earlier wreck, the City of Independence paid more than $767,000. KC Blotter newsletter: Crime, courts, more Stay up-to-date on crime, courts and other stories from around the Kansas City region. Delivered to your inbox every morning, Monday-Saturday. SIGN UP Former White House counsel Don McGahn arrives at the US Capitol for his interview with House Democrats (EPA) Former White House counsel Don McGahn has arrived at the Capitol to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, something Democrats have sought for over two years but we may not learn what he said for up to seven days. House Democrats subpoenaed Mr McGahn in 2019 over his role in the Russia investigation drama, but the White House refused to let him testify. Last month, Mr McGahns lawyers reached a deal with Democrats for him to finally speak but only under strictly controlled circumstances. Mr McGahns testimony will be behind closed doors, without any press in attendance, and a transcript of the interview will be released up to a week later only after Mr McGahn has reviewed and approved it. All those present are required to keep what was said secret until then. The parties will have a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed seven calendar days, to review the transcript for accuracy before it is released, the document outlining the deal says. The Committee Chair will ask all Members and Committee staff to maintain the confidentiality of the interview until the transcript is released publicly. Mr McGahn played a central role in the drama over special counsel Robert Mueller s investigation into whether Donald Trump improperly sought Russias help in the 2016 election. He reportedly refused Mr Trumps request that he fire Mr Mueller, and refused again when Mr Trump asked him to deny that he ever tried to fire him. You can follow the latest updates on Mr McGahns testimony here . Read More Trump news - live: Former president banned from Facebook until 2023 as Don McGahn makes landmark testimony AP News Digest 3 a.m. After 2-year battle, House panel to interview Trump counsel BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Hassan Diab, asked the U.N. secretary general in a letter on Friday to urgently explore ways of financing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) in light of funding difficulties. "The Government of Lebanon would be grateful to Your Excellency for urgently exploring different and alternative means of financing the Tribunal with the Security Council and Member States," he said in the letter. An exclusive report by Reuters last week revealed that the U.N. tribunal, set up to prosecute those behind the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri had run out of funding amid Lebanon's economic and political crisis, threatening plans for future trials. The tribunal, which is 51% funded by voluntary contributions and 49% by the Lebanese government, could close after July if the funding shortage is not resolved. On Thursday, judges at the tribunal scrapped a new trial against the man convicted of the 2005 Hariri assassination because of the expectations of a shut down. Lebanon is in the throes of a deep financial crisis that is threatening its stability. The crisis, which erupted in late 2019, has wiped out jobs, put more than half of the population under the poverty line and eroded about 90% of the value of the currency. "While we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the STL, we firmly believe that these financial difficulties should not hinder the completion of its work to the end," Diab said. (Reporting by Maha El Dahan;Editing by Alison Williams, Robert Birsel) Temporary orders expire in a week or until a judge hears from both parties to decide whether to grant a year-long, final protective order. Petitioners must prove it is more likely than not they have been abused. Battered women and men seeking protection do not always have legal representation during the civil hearings where their credibility is often questioned. VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuania's Foreign Ministry accused Belarus on Friday of an attempt to interference with diplomatic mail and summoned Minsk's ambassador to lodge a protest over the matter. A Lithuanian courier who set out by car from Vilnius on Friday carrying documents intended for the Lithuanian Embassy in Belarus was asked by Belarusian border guards to open the sealed container, the ministry said. It said the courier declined to open the container and was then turned back from the border, and that the incident violated rules governing international diplomatic activity. The Belarusian Embassy in Vilnius did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Britain, the United States and the European Union all imposed bans and asset freezes on some Belarus officials after an election last year that the opposition says was rigged. Relations deteriorated further last month after a Ryanair plane overflying Belarus on an Athens-to-Vilnius flight was forced to land in Minsk, where a dissident Belarusian journalist and his girlfriend aboard were arrested. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who lives in exile in neighbouring Lithuania, has repeatedly called for more sanctions on the government of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas, editing by Terje Solsvik and Mark Heinrich) TAMPA George Chiang used to live in a luxury apartment before he moved to the Beach Park neighborhood. During the several years he rented a $2,400 a month penthouse in Channelside, Chiang said, he came to realize that his luxury apartment complex had many drug dealers. The 292 units proposed for 5426 Bay Center Drive in Beach Park, billed Crescent Communities as luxury apartments filled by empty nesters and professionals, threatens to have the same problem, Chiang said. You would simply not believe how many drug dealers live in these luxury apartments, Chiang told council members Thursday via Zoom during the councils meeting. Thats an element that these luxury apartments bring into the neighborhood. Chiangs comments were echoed, without the explicit language targeting outsiders, by some other opponents, who also voiced concerns about traffic, crowded schools and clogged evacuation routes. That line of argument didnt please council member Luis Viera. I was amazed by some of the words used, and Im a little upset, said the normally even-keeled Viera, who has represented North and New Tampa since 2016. Saying that this would increase drug users, dealers and apartments ... disturbs me. You talk about undesirables? That is undesirable in a land-use case. Go on the merits. Go on the facts. Council member Charlie Miranda echoed Vieras concerns, saying that he hoped the speakers hadnt meant to come off as they did. Council members unanimously approved the rezoning request a scaled-down version from previous iterations, which had included 450 units, a much larger, 11-story parking garage and few amenities. The nearly two hour hearing was the latest flash point between South Tampa residents and some environmentalists and city planners, developers and other residents looking for apartments. So far this year, the City Council has stalled some developments south of Gandy Boulevard, after residents complained about increased traffic and strained resources. Story continues City planners say those concerns are exaggerated, and the new developments wont endanger residents fleeing hurricanes or overburden schools. Not unlike a similar spat in St. Petersburg, concerns about housing in a growing city have increasingly come into conflict with environmental groups like the Sierra Club, which has warned of the risks of building in the coastal high hazard zone. Mayor Jane Castor has said she is also concerned and has directed staff to study changes in zoning and land-use regulations as the city grapples with climate change, rising seas and increased flooding. But the language and images offered by some Beach Park residents reflect what some developers and consultants have said may lie behind much of the opposition to apartments in South Tampa: a strain of not-in-my-backyard thinking that appears to stray into a desire to keep undesirables out. Dave Mechanik, a longtime Tampa land-use attorney who represented Crescent Communities, the apartment company, said as much Thursday. If the goal is more affordable housing, he said, council members should approve the project. If they didnt, he reminded them, Randy Coen, the developers transportation consultant, had a 2018 approval from the city to build 158 more apartments. Paula Perry, a Beach Park resident, said the new plans still threatened the neighborhood. She said the project simply wasnt compatible with the waterfront neighborhood on the western edge of the South Tampa peninsula, just south of Interstate 275. John Dingfelder, the council member who has championed a proposed moratorium on new rezoning requests for multi-family projects in South Tampa, voted to approve the proposal, but did so sadly. But he said council members shouldnt put too much weight on inappropriate comments by residents concerning their fears of their potential new neighbors. Ive learned to filter out the silly stuff, Dingfelder said. Drug use and the other NIMBY stuff. Chairman Orlando Gudes had a different reaction. I was very disturbed by some of the words that were used that refer to people, Gudes said, adding he was curious if the uproar would have been the same if the project had been owner-occupied condo towers. To hear the argument of keeping certain people out of certain neighborhoods was a strange thing, said Gudes, the councils only Black member, who has consistently supported more affordable and workforce housing options in Tampa. The projects rezoning had been delayed four times since January, and the developer has dropped all of their proposed waivers. The apartments would now have to conform with the Westshore Overlay planning district and would not get breaks on parking spaces, loading spaces or signage, Coen said. Those were all resident concerns, he said. We think we are doing what the neighborhood is asking to be done, Mechanik said. The second and final vote on the project will be July 15. Correction: Randy Coen is a transportation consultant with Crescent Communities. An earlier version of this story misspelled his last name and gave an incorrect role. Jun. 4HARTFORD The 2021 graduates of East Catholic high School and their families gathered Thursday to celebrate the end of their high school careers at the Cathedral of St Joseph, renewing a tradition paused by COVID-19 last year. Senior class Vice President Mallory Moriarty may have summed up the feeling of the night best when she pointed out that the class of 2021's senior year likely wasn't the one they had all imagined. "But we made it," she said. East Catholic President Sean Brennan admitted not being sure if they would. During orientation last fall, "I told them they were the leaders of our school, and I didn't even know who they were. I didn't know what to expect," Brennan said. "I know now this class was more than up to the task," he said. Considering what they all went through, "there isn't anything you can't do," Interim Superintendent Valerie Mara told the graduates. "Take all the gifts that you have, all the talents that you have, and set the world on fire," Mara said. Brian Bolduc, a 2006 alumnus, in his address Thursday told the graduates that their lives would be different now. "For four years your life has been a paint-by-numbers book, almost everything you've done was planned in advance. But now your life is an open canvas. Nothing's been sketched out, there's no color scheme to follow," he said. He told them to be different and to become experts in whatever they pursue, because just having an interest isn't enough. "Life will come at you faster than a Frank Mozzicato curve ball," Bolduc said, referring to the school's ace baseball pitcher. "That big blank canvas is just daring you to begin. When that canvas is filled up in old age, even if it looks nothing like what you expected, what you'll see staring back at you is a masterpiece." Senior Shannon Kelly said she's excited to graduate. The pandemic had some detrimental effects, but the school adjusted well, she said. Story continues "I think that we were faced with a lot of challenges that classes before us weren't," said Kelly, who will attend Western New England University in the fall. When it came to sports, "we had to play each game like it was our last game, because it could be," she said. Nathan Segar, another athlete who's heading to the University of Rhode Island for college, said the restrictions in place for the pandemic limited the typical social interactions of school. "It didn't really feel like high school. It kind of just felt more like a job. It took the high school aspect out of high school," Segar said. Still, he was lucky to get to play in 11 hockey games and a refreshingly normal lacrosse season this spring, he said. "All in all, I feel like I still had a really good high school experience," Segar said. Kelly said the school tried its best to make the year feel normal. "It wasn't as normal as other senior years, but it was the new normal of what you could have," she said. Savannah Jeffrey, who will attend Stonehill College in Massachusetts to major in dermatology, said the class missed out on only one major event, and the school came up with a different activity to make up for it a senior picnic. "The senior picnic was so much fun," she said. Joseph Crickmore, who plans to attend Quinnipiac University to learn about digital art design, said the year was a bit rough, but not rough enough to outweigh all the good parts of his time at East Catholic. "I feel like these were years I will cherish for the rest of my life," Crickmore said. These students graduated from East Catholic High School on Thursday: Elizabeth Adams, Rayshawn Adams Jr., Michael Alaimo, Pheobe Allyn, Ally Ansaldi, Jack Barry, Kathleen Batman, Sean Begley, Christian Bergeron, Leah Bieu, Madeline Bolduc, Cory Bradley, Alyssa Branon, Gina Brooks, Daniel Buck. Ethan Canna, Alayna Capen, Erin Carbonell, Caroline Carlson, Morgan Chambers, Michael Chomick, Abel Collado, Brianna Collazo, Christopher Connelly, Jason Cressotti, Joseph Crickmore, Hannah Czapiga. Khang Dang, Johanna Datta, Anna DeLaura, George DePasquale, Ellie DeSantos, Tyler Dias, Andrew DiBenedetto, Nathanael DiSalvatore, Christine Duah, Jack Dufresne, Ava Eklund, Matthew Emerson, Katrina Erwin, Benjamin Eskin, Kyle Esoian. Madison Fago, Madeline Fischer, Isabella Flavell, Elyse Fritsch, Morgan Frye, Edisha Galan, Angela Gerard, Emily Given, Alexandra Goodin, Matthew Gregory. Jack Hallisey, Jailyn Harrigan, Kevin Hartnett, Jack Hemenway, Ryan Heslin, Paul Hijeck, Maeve Horan-Portelance, Asrar Hossain, Matthew Houde, Kendall Hunter. Alison Jarmoszko, Savannah Jeffrey, Sabrina Jones, Trevor Juan, Shannon Kelly, Nathan Kincheloe, Abigail Kiser, Ava Kriak, Cuong La, Taylor Lane, Matthew Levin, Brody Limric, Max Limric, Christian Luca. Jencih Manhertz, Joseph Maulucci, Anna McDowell, Tavian Montanez, Mallory Moriarty, Jaeden Morningstar, Alexander Mortimer, Frank Mozzicato, Elizabeth Munns, Claire Murphy, Samuel Neves. Michael O'Connor, John Oei, Piper O'Leary, Jack Owen, Yulong Pan, Alexandra Parsons, Jacob Paulhus, Ethan Peck, James Penders, Jaron Pereira, Christopher Phelan, Jake Phelan, Tamera Price, Kelly Queen. Izabella Ray, Evan Redo, Morgan Rhoades, Michael Robbins. Gregory Sadlak, McKenzie Savage, Brett Schofield, Nathan Segar, Ryan Shaw, Kaden Sheff, Richard Simek, Jazmyn Soto-Alston, Lucia (Lulu) Spielman, Ryan St. Jean, Luke Strole. Mackenzie Talavera, Laura Tickey, Aiden Toomey, Colleen Truman, Lauren Trymbulak, Ethan Utermarck, Joshua Vaughan. Michael Wearne Jr., Christopher Webster, William Wendry, Seth Wilfinger, Maeve Williams, Craig Wilson Jr., Timothy Wilson Jr., Brian Winkler, Medhanit Woldemichael, Laurel Woods, Justin Wziontko, Dominic Zbell, Cora Zorger. For breaking news and happenings in North Central Connecticut, follow Matthew Knox on Twitter: @MatthewPKnoxJI, and Facebook: Matthew P. Knox JI. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer announced Friday that he will now support raising the Pride Flag at Fresno City Hall. Video Transcript JESSICA HARRINGTON: Good evening. This conversation has been centered around the LGBTQ+ Pride flag. But Mayor Dyer says that these proposed changes are not geared toward any individual groups. Now, this is the area he's proposing that these flags be flown. He wants the city to install seven flagpoles around the edge, saying this is the perfect place, because it already has a stage, seating, and plenty of parking in the area. But not everyone agrees. JERRY DYER: After much consultation with community members and staff, I feel compelled to offer what I believe to be a reasonable solution. JESSICA HARRINGTON: Mayor Jerry Dyer announcing Thursday his proposal for a designated free speech area in downtown Fresno, instead of the flag-raising resolution passed by City Council last week. Instead of flying a flag outside of City Hall, Dyer suggested seven flagpoles similar to these be installed at Eaton Plaza near Mariposa and N streets. He said he'd like the area to be known as Unity Park. JERRY DYER: That is my alternative solution to what I think to be something that instead of being divisive, can be unifying. JESSICA HARRINGTON: The city says it's estimated to cost $15,000 to create and install the flagpoles. Dyer says Unity Park will allow all flags, including religious flags, to be raised, unlike the flag-raising resolution. Organizations would have to apply through the city to raise a flag. Officials say costs to applying organizations, if any, will be minimal. If approved, the flagpoles will be in by June 11, and the first flags raised would be the LGBTQ flags, which would stay up throughout the month of June. Councilmembers Garry Bredefeld and Mike Karbassi stood in support of the mayor's proposal. MIKE KARBASSI: In Unity Park, everybody will be able to raise their flag for whatever they believe. Whether you're a faith-based person, or it's the Pride flag, or Black Lives Matter, or support Blue. That's what freedom is. Story continues JESSICA HARRINGTON: Councilmember Tyler Maxwell, who voted in support of the flag-raising resolution, says he's surprised by the controversy because many other flags have flown in front of City Hall. TYLER MAXWELL: I think it makes a lot of sense to have a designated free speech area here in the city of Fresno. But let me make thing-- let me make one thing very clear, and that is that the LGBTQ+ flag will fly from those flagpoles outside of City Hall. JESSICA HARRINGTON: Maxwell and councilmember Esmeralda Soria, who also voted in favor of the resolution, say they're working to bring back an override vote, should the mayor decide to veto the flag-raising resolution. ESMERALDA SORIA: City Hall is the people's building, and the LGBTQ community are part of Fresno. JESSICA HARRINGTON: Now, the mayor would not say today if he plans to veto the flag-raising resolution. He has until June 11 to do so if he chooses. Live in downtown Fresno, Jessica Harrington, ABC 30 Action News. By Stephanie van den Berg AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Judges in the Netherlands will begin reading out the evidence this week in the murder trial against four fugitive suspects accused of shooting down a Malaysian airliner over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in 2014 and killing 298 people in 2014. Victims' relatives said they were expecting the testimony to bring up painful memories, but that they were grateful for a chance to hear at last what had happened aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed in a field in territory held by pro-Russian separatists fighting against Ukrainian forces, after being shot down with what international investigators say was a Russian surface-to-air missile. Three Russians and a Ukrainian citizen, all suspected of having key roles in the separatist forces, are on trial for murder. Moscow has refused to extradite those in Russia. One of the Russians is mounting a defence from abroad and denies blame, while the others have not appointed lawyers and are not participating. "It is a very difficult day for us. It is now the first day of the prosecution, and that is difficult for us," Evert van Zijtveld, who lost his two children Frederique and Robert-Jan and his wife's parents, told journalists as he walked into court. After a year of mostly procedural hearings, judges announced the start of the evidence phase on Monday. From Tuesday the judges will begin summarising the evidence gathered by investigators in the case, and potentially calling witnesses. Judge Hendrik Steenhuis said his panel would be looking specifically to determine what type of missile hit the airplane, where it was fired from and whether the four suspects can be held responsible. "It is taking a long time but we want to know the truth. It is the only thing we can still do for the children," said Rob Frederiksz, whose 23-year-old son Bryce died along with his girlfriend Daisy in the crash. Story continues After years of collecting evidence, a team of international investigators concluded in May 2018 that the missile launcher used to shoot down the aircraft belonged to Russia's 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade. The Dutch government holds Moscow responsible. Russia denies any involvement. On Monday the Kremlin said it was following the trial and took note of "alternative information" that could lead to other explanations of the crash from the Dutch prosecutor's main theory of the Russian-made missile fired by pro-Russian separatists. "But again, because we are not part of the investigation, we cannot directly influence what is happening, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, additional reporting by Dmitry Antonov and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Moscow ; Editing by Peter Graff) Michael Gove Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has been notified via the NHS app that he has come into contact with someone who has coronavirus. The senior Conservative had recently returned from Portugal after supporting Chelsea in the Champions League final. Instead of self isolating for 10 days, Mr Gove will take daily Covid tests as part of a pilot scheme designed to measure testing effectiveness. The exercise is aimed at finding safe alternatives to self-isolation. After being alerted by the app on Thursday, Mr Gove had to leave a virtual summit with Boris Johnson and leaders of the devolved nations. Mr Gove had been meeting the first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with the prime minister to discuss ways of recovering from the pandemic. A spokesman for Mr Gove said: "He has followed Covid-19 regulations and guidance at all times and will continue to do so." Microsoft-owned search engine Bing was displaying no image search results for "tank man," a reference to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Screenshot/Microsoft Microsoft search engine Bing is censoring image searches around the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Images of the infamous "tank man" and autocomplete suggestions weren't being shown to users. Microsoft claimed it was a "human error," but image searches still appeared to be missing results hours later. Sign up for the 10 Things in Tech daily newsletter. Microsoft-owned search engine Bing was not displaying any image results to US users who searched for the term "tank man" on Friday, and it appeared to be down-ranking some image searches for other terms related to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. "This is due to an accidental human error and we are actively working to resolve this," a Microsoft spokesperson told Insider. But hours later, the search engine still appeared to be filtering out images of China's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests, as well as hiding autocomplete suggestions referencing the event. Microsoft Bing appeared to be hiding autocomplete suggestions for searches related to the Tiananmen Square massacre. Screenshot/Microsoft Vice earlier reported that users in France, Switzerland, and the UK also saw no results when searching Bing for images of "tank man." Insider was able to confirm the lack of image results for US users, and also found significant discrepancies between the image results for "Tiananmen Square tank man" shown by Bing versus Google. Microsoft Bing showed users pictures of Tiananmen Square's "Gate of Heavenly Peace," while Google showed the infamous image of a protestor in front of Chinese tanks. Screenshot/Microsoft/Google Microsoft's apparent censorship came on the anniversary of the student-led protests, in which the Chinese military killed at least hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators in 1989. The phrase "tank man" refers to an infamous photo of a single protestor obstructing the path of Chinese tanks. Beijing has recently cracked down on vigils and protests within China and Hong Kong seeking to mark the Tiananmen Square protests. Read the original article on Business Insider Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images Microsoft has won antitrust approval to acquire AI and voice communications company Nuance. Nuance said in an SEC filing that the government's deadline to object to the deal expired June 1. Microsoft's deal to buy Nuance for $19.7 billion is still awaiting regulatory approvals elsewhere. See more stories on Insider's business page. Microsoft has won US antitrust approval for its deal to buy artificial intelligence and speech technology company Nuance Communications, according to a filing made by Nuance to the government. The $19.7 billion deal, which was announced in April, came after the companies partnered in 2019 to automate healthcare administrative work, such as documentation. Nuance said in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday that the deadline for the US government to object to the deal had expired on June 1. That expiration "satisfies one of the conditions to the closing of the merger," the company said in the filing. A spokesperson for Microsoft said in a statement that the deal was undergoing regulatory reviews in other jurisdictions and was intended to close at the end of 2021. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Read the original article on Business Insider Mike Pence. Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock Sometimes, you wish Mike Pence would just stand up for himself. The former vice president earned something of a reputation as a lapdog while serving under Donald Trump, repeatedly making it clear during their four years together that there was "no daylight" between the two no matter how extreme and awful the president's behavior became. The Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol should have changed everything. Pence rightly refused Trump's demand that he attempt to block certification of the 2020 election. Trump, in turn, incited the crowd that broke into the House and Senate chambers, with some rioters chanting "Hang Mike Pence!" If you can't be angry at the guy who almost got you killed, who can you be mad at? But Pence has his eyes on a possible presidential run in 2024. And Trump, who may or may not also run, still dominates the affections of GOP voters. Which is probably why, during a speech Thursday in New Hampshire, Pench confessed that Jan. 6 was a "dark day" for America and also made the whole thing sound like a mild disagreement between friends, instead of a massive betrayal both of himself and of the country's democracy. "You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office," Pence told a group of Republicans. "And I don't know if we'll ever see eye-to-eye on that day." Good god, man. Show a little spine, would you? President Biden's victory notwithstanding, it's not easy for vice presidents to earn a promotion to the Oval Office. In the last century, only former Reagan veep George H.W. Bush was elected directly from the No. 2 slot to the top job (a few others moved up when their predecessors died) and even he had to overcome the so-called "wimp factor." Republican voters, especially, love candidates who come across as alpha males but it's difficult to look like a possible candidate for Mount Rushmore when you've spent years serving somebody else's agenda. Pence is already stuck with that challenge. Now it looks as though he can't even rise in defense of his own life and safety. Why would voters want that? The former vice president wants the presidency, so he has sacrificed his pride. He will probably end up with neither. NAPERVILLE, Ill. A former Naperville man has been charged with first-degree murder in the 1972 stabbing death of 15-year-old Julie Ann Hanson, linked to the case through DNA evidence and genealogy, Naperville police Chief Robert Marshall and Will County States Attorney James Glasgow said Friday. Barry Lee Whelpley, 76, of 8392 Pleasant View Drive in Mounds View, Minnesota, about 12 miles outside of St. Paul, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder. He was arrested Wednesday and is awaiting extradition; bond was set at $10 million. The Naperville girl disappeared July 7, 1972, while riding her 12-year-old brothers bicycle. Her body was found a day later in a ditch along 87th Street, about 100 feet away in a cornfield less than a mile east of Modaff Road in Will County. The teenager had been stabbed 36 times and sexually assaulted. This brutal crime haunted our community many, many, many years. It hit the community, very hard, Marshall said. This young girl, 15 years old, left her home in Naperville and never returned. Whelpley, who was 27 at the time of Julie Ann Hansons murder, lived in a home in the 600 block of South Wehrli Drive, within a mile of the Hanson residence. No suspect was immediately identified at the time of her death, and detectives have continued to investigate the murder for the last 49 years. The breakthrough in this case came through technological advancements in DNA and genetic genealogy analysis, Marshall and Glasgow said. This brutal crime haunted our community many, many, many years. It hit the community, very hard, Marshall said. This young girl, 15 years old, left her home in Naperville and never returned. Naperville police never gave up, chasing leads and identifying suspects, all of which were eliminated through the exhaustive investigation, he said. People often call these types of cases, cold cases. This was never a cold case for our police department, Marshall said. Story continues We were all conscious of Julies murder, looking for the killer, he said. We had Julies picture on our desks and investigations for all these years. Detectives were diligent, relentless and had the faith this case would be solved someday, he said. That day is today, he said. The breakthrough came as a result of technological advancements in DNA and genetic genealogy analysis, Marshall said. Detectives used private labs throughout the country to assist with sophisticated DNA testing and genealogy analysis. Among those contributing, Marshall said, were senior forensic genealogist Misty Gillis of Identifinders International in California and company founder Colleen Fitzpatrick. Identifinders works with law enforcement agencies on violent crime cold cases. In addition, police worked with the HudsonAlpha Lab in Huntsville, Alabama, a biotech company that provides genomic testing, analysis and interpretation. Glasgow said he never expected to be standing in Naperville and talking about this case. Julie Ann Hanson 1972: Its an outlier at that point, he said. These officers have stayed in touch with the families and finally been able to give them what theyve been hoping for all these years, Glasgow said. And the family is thankful. As you might assume, it has been a long journey for our family. We are forever grateful to all those who have worked on this case throughout the many years, the family said in the statement read by Marshall. ____ (The Naperville Sun is a publication of the Chicago Tribune.) Jill Mendygral, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was lounging on the beach on her first day of vacation when an umbrella was swept up by gusts of wind and impaled her chest, according to the federal lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for Maryland. The complaint seeks more than $150,000. (Bloomberg) -- Morgan Stanley has closed its Calgary investment banking office, according to people familiar with the matter, as Canadas energy industry struggles with decreased investor interest and a dearth of dealmaking. Denis Rajotte, who was head of Canadian energy investment banking and led the office, is no longer with the bank, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing a private matter. Representatives for New York-based Morgan Stanley declined to comment. Canadas oil and gas industry, which is centered in Calgary, has seen a decline in investor interest as a shortage of pipeline capacity in recent years weighed on local prices, restraining the industrys growth and damping dealmaking activity. Concerns that Canadas oil-sands industry is contributing to climate change have also been a headwind for the sector, prompting investors including Norways $1 trillion wealth fund to divest their holdings. The countrys oil and gas, oilfield-service and pipeline companies announced $486.1 million of primary or secondary share offerings last year, a fraction of the $18.8 billion of offerings announced in 2016, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Companies within the industry have also slowed their dealmaking pace. Canadian oil and gas, oilfield-service and pipeline companies were buyers in $13.7 billion of deals announced last year, less than one-fifth of the $74.5 billion in deals announced in 2016. The pace has somewhat rebounded so far this year, with those companies involved as buyers in $20.5 billion of announced deals. Canadian energy shares have languished as well. The Canadian S&P/TSX Energy Index has slid 15% in the past five years, compared with a 41% gain for the broader S&P/TSX Composite Index. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Over the past months, with folks working and studying at home, homeowners began to appreciate their central air conditioning systems more than ever. In fact, 14 percent of the members we surveyed about their AC systems said they used theirs much more than they had the previous summer and well over 80 percent said they used theirs just as much or slightly more. Of these, 15 percent had purchased a central AC system for the first time. Installing or replacing a central air conditioning system is one of a homeowners biggest expenses, so youll want to get it right. Because there are so many variables, including a homes size and design, how the system is installed, and construction of the ductwork, Consumer Reports doesnt test central air conditioning systems. Instead, we estimate the reliability of major brands on the market by asking our members about their experiences with the central AC systems they have purchased and had installed. In our latest central air conditioning survey, our members told us about the 23,997 central air conditioning systems they had installed between 2005 and 2020. They let us know which parts break and what it cost to fix their central AC if repairs were needed. We also asked them how likely they are to recommend their system to friends and family, and use their responses to calculate owner satisfaction ratings. Choosing a brand with higher predicted reliability and better owner satisfaction will boost your chances of getting an air conditioning system that you can depend on, says Simon Slater, associate director of survey research for Consumer Reports. Members expect their central air systems to last for a median of 15 years. Our findings are based on central air conditioning systems that are used a median of five months a year. Here are the details. Reliability and Satisfaction Using the information provided by our members, we calculated ratings for both predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. Of the 21 brands captured in our survey only one, Trane, earned an Excellent mark on both measures. Story continues To calculate predicted reliability, we used our survey data to estimate how likely a system is to break or cease to sufficiently cool a home by the end of the eighth year. In addition to Trane, Armstrong and Ducane earned an Excellent reliability rating. Seven other brands earned a favorable rating of Very Good; and seven brands earned a rating of Good, which is just average. In this survey, no brand earned a Poor reliability rating, but Coleman, Goodman, Luxaire, and York received a subpar Fair rating. People should take this into account if theyre considering buying a central AC system from one of these brands. Our owner satisfaction rating is based on the percentage of members who say theyre extremely likely to recommend their central air brand. Five brands got a top rating of Excellent for satisfaction, including Trane, American Standard, Bryant, Lennox, and Carrier. Armstrong and Ducane earned Very Good satisfaction ratings, as did Rheem and Ruud. The other 12 brands earned a rating of Good (average) for owner satisfaction. (None received a Fair or Poor rating.) Problems and Repairs So what breaks most often? According to our survey, the evaporator coil, which resides in the indoor unit, is the part most likely to break, affecting 5 percent of owners, on average. The three brands affiliated with Johnson Controls (Coleman, Luxaire, and York) stand out for having evaporator coils that are comparatively more problematic, with a problem rate of 10 percent. Next are problems with condenser coils (outdoors), followed by blowers, compressors, and controls (excluding the thermostat). Issues with fans and valves were reported in fewer numbers. Of the central AC systems covered in our survey, we predict that 36 percent will break or experience problems by the end of the eighth year of ownership. In our 2018 survey the median cost of a repair was $250 when paid completely out of pocket, vs. a median of $5,700 to get a new system installed (a figure confirmed in our 2020 survey). However, our 2018 survey also showed that less than half of the repair work was paid out of pocketamong our members, repairs are usually covered by a warranty or a service contract. Manufacturers of central air conditioning systems recommend that owners have them serviced by a professional at least once a year, and 56 percent of our members do. Numbers drop dramatically after that, with 21 percent having their system serviced every two or three years, 8 percent reporting less than every three years, and 15 percent reporting that they never had routine maintenance. What Members Like About Their Central ACs We dug deeper into what our members consider when they say they are extremely likely to recommend their central AC systems to friends and family. How quietly it runs is first on the list, followed by how quickly the AC cools and how reliable it is. Comfort level, ease of use, and cooling evenly also contribute to satisfaction but not as heavily. At the brand level, we found that Trane stands out for quietness, quick and even cooling, and comfort. Members also gave props to American Standard for even cooling. But owners of Payne systems werent particularly impressed, saying they were too noisy and failed to provide the level of comfort they expected. The next AC: Owners of central air systems are very unlikely to switch to another type of air conditioning if their current system needs to be replaced. When we asked our members to rate the importance of certain features when considering the next system theyll buy, well over half, 56 percent, said a 10-year manufacturers warranty was very important. More than 40 percent would especially like a new system that is more energy-efficient than the one they have now. Price was near the bottom of the list of important features, with only 9 percent looking for a system that costs less than the one they have now. Brand loyalty: Only 15 percent of our members said that buying an AC system of the same brand is very important to them, but 25 percent of Trane owners indicated that it was key for them. Owners of American Standard systems are also more likely to be brand loyal than most others. Owners of systems from Heil appear to be the least. Keep Your AC System Humming Even if you buy the most reliable air conditioning system, it can let you down if you dont tend to some regular maintenance. Some tasks require a professional, but others you can do yourself. Keeping it clean: Be sure hedges and plants are at least 2 feet away from the outside unit. Clean grills and filters monthly. Clear debris and dirt from condenser coils, and check for blockages in the drain pipe. Sealing and insulating ducts: Up to 30 to 40 percent of energy can escape through air leaks or when ducts arent insulated. Sealing them will keep you cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Seasonal checks: Once a year, have a licensed professional change all filters, clean and flush the coils, drain the pan and drainage system, and vacuum the blower compartments. The contractor should also check that the system is properly charged with refrigerant, that there are no leaks, and that all mechanical components are working properly. Source: Results are based on Consumer Reports 2018 and 2020 Summer surveys of owners of 23,997 conventional central air conditioning systems. Our statistical model estimates breakage rates (a system breaks down or ceases to sufficiently cool a home) by the end of the eighth year of ownership for systems that are not covered by an extended warranty or service contract. We also adjust for the number of months the system is used over a 12-month period. The median number of months during which these systems are used among our members is five per year. Like her mother before her, Nicaraguan opposition figure Cristiana Chamorro -- placed under house arrest Wednesday on government claims of money-laundering -- has proved to be a thorn in the side of President Daniel Ortega. A recent poll showed her to be the favorite to beat Ortega in a November presidential election, just as her mother Violeta Barrios de Chamorro did in 1990. The memory of this defeat, her brother-in-law Edmundo Jarquin told AFP, is what "makes him (Ortega) persecute her now. It is like a ghost for him." Chamorro, a 67-year-old journalist not aligned to any party, comes from a politicized family. Her mother beat Ortega to become the first elected female head of state in the Americas, and her father Pedro, a journalist and fierce opponent of the Anastasio Somoza dictatorship of the 1960s and 70s, was assassinated in a Managua street in 1978. Chamorro's brother Carlos is an investigative journalist critical of Ortega. She bears a striking resemblance to her mother, who guided the country through a period of reconciliation after a convulsive civil war. Like her mother, she wears almost exclusively white, and cuts an elegant figure. "Like parent like daughter. That is the first thing that comes to mind for any Nicaraguan because of Cristiana's inheritance of struggle from her parents," said Jarquin, himself a former presidential candidate. - 'Ideological falsehood' - Chamorro borrows the phrase "Nicaragua will again be a Republic" coined by her father. She has described Ortega's government as "a dictatorship capable of anything." On Tuesday, prosecutors accused Chamorro of an array of crimes, and asked for her to be barred from public duties given that she is facing criminal proceedings. A Managua court the following day ordered her detention on accusations of "abusive management, ideological falsehood" and "the laundering of money, property and assets, to the detriment of the Nicaraguan State and society." Story continues The accusations arise from Chamorro's role as the head of a foundation for press freedom, with prosecutors claiming accounting "inconsistencies." Chamorro quit the foundation in February, refusing to comply with a new law obliging any person receiving money from abroad to declare themselves to the government as a "foreign agent." The prosecution opened an investigation against her on May 20 at the request of the government, which views journalists as agitators of protest against 75-year-old Ortega's government. - 'A monstrous family' - In an interview with AFP just days before her arrest, which sparked international condemnation, Chamorro said Ortega had "set up this whole farce of investigation for money laundering" to prevent her contesting the election. A pending judicial process would disqualify her under Nicaraguan law. Ortega's government accuses Chamorro of being an instrument of US "imperialism". "Ortega and his wife (who is vice president) have become a monstrous family dictatorship," Chamorro told AFP. "They do not have the right to be candidates because the Constitution allows only one reelection, but Ortega committed electoral fraud and cheating to achieve an absolute majority," she charged. Chamorro announced her intention in January to stand as an independent candidate of the opposition against Ortega, who is widely expected to seek a fourth term, though he has not announced it. Ortega, an ex-guerrilla who governed from 1979 to 1990, returned to power in 2007 and won two successive reelections. He has since 2018 faced a political crisis triggered by massive protests against his government's policies. bm-jr/mav/mlr/caw The triumphant face of war criminal Ratko Mladic stares out of a roadside mural in his hometown with a caption hailing him simply as a "hero" -- a view still shared by most Bosnian Serbs. Mladic, who will hear the decision of his final appeal against his conviction next Tuesday, prosecuted Bosnia's 1992-1995 civil war with ferocity against civilians and soldiers alike. A tribunal based in The Hague jailed the 78-year-old former general for life in 2017 for war crimes including the 1995 massacre of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica, the only incident in the war classed as genocide. But Radosav Zmukic, head of a local veterans' group in Mladic's hometown of Kalinovik, believes that this judgment could not be further from the truth. "Everyone is proud that he is from here," Zmukic says, recalling that he had met Mladic two or three times during the 1992-1995 war and was impressed by his "boldness". "Crimes were committed by all sides. But such a soldier was not capable of ordering the killing of people, especially not civilians," Zmukic tells AFP from his small dark office in the town hall. For the Muslim survivors, the continued denial of wartime atrocities, embodied in the hero-worship of men like Mladic, is the main obstacle in the path to reconciliation in a country still deeply divided along ethnic lines. - Tribunals 'humiliated' Serbs - Yet the denial of wartime culpability seems to have grown in recent years, along with reverence for the likes of Mladic and political leader Radovan Karadzic. Milorad Dodik, the long-time leader of Bosnia's ethnic Serb entity Republika Srpska, once agreed with international judges that the Srebrenica massacre -- the worst atrocity in Europe since World War II -- amounted to genocide. That was in 2007. He has since switched his position dramatically. Now he claims he was "manipulated" into thinking that international tribunals were treating the issue fairly. Story continues "The attitude of The Hague tribunal towards Serb victims is humiliating and unfair," Dodik told local media after Mladic's 2017 conviction, highlighting that 70 percent of those put on trial were ethnic Serbs. Dodik was also gushing in his praise for Mladic after the conviction, saying no court ruling could take away the "position of a hero" that had been "reserved for him for many years". That attitude filters through Bosnian Serb society. "Mladic and the people he was leading are all innocent," says Serb veteran Ljubo Tomovic in Foca, another town that suffered mass killings of Muslims by Serbs during the war. Here again, Mladic is memorialised in a mural, this time with the caption: "Thanks to your mother". "He only defended his people," Tomovic tells AFP. "To convict him would be a disgrace and a sin." - Mothers' campaign - Bosnia's war between its Croats, Muslims and Serbs claimed nearly 100,000 lives, almost two-thirds of whom were Muslims, according to an independent commission. The war left the country split into two entities -- the Muslim-Croat Federation and the Republika Srpska. Bosnian Muslims have long campaigned for the denial of genocide and war crimes to be outlawed. But Serb MPs in the central parliament have blocked all attempts to pass the law. "I do not understand why it is still acceptable to deny, to call such a man innocent -- even worse, to call him a hero," says Almasa Salihovic, whose brother Abdulah was killed at Srebrenica. Salihovic is spokeswoman for the Srebrenica memorial, which oversees a cemetery just outside the town with the graves of more than 6,600 identified victims. Fadila Efendic's son Fejzo and husband Hamed are among them. "Whoever denies the genocide is also a war criminal," says Efendic, who heads one of several groups representing the mothers of victims. She reflects that nothing can bring back those who were killed, but acknowledging the genocide would at least put the country on the right track. "And above all, it will be a relief for the mothers, a sign that justice has been served," she says. rus-ev/ljv/jxb/kjl MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell at a campaign rally held by President Donald Trump at the Target Center on October 10, 2019, in Minneapolis. Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images Mike Lindell filed another lawsuit against voting-machine companies involved in the 2020 election. Dominion sued Lindell in February for $1.3 billion over his baseless election-fraud claims. The latest lawsuit features references to dystopian novels and William Shakespeare. Sign up for the 10 Things in Politics daily newsletter. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell on Thursday filed another federal lawsuit against two voting-machine companies involved in the 2020 presidential election. MyPillow had already filed a lawsuit in April against Dominion Voting Systems for $1.6 billion, claiming the company was trying to stifle free speech. Dominion sued Lindell in February for $1.3 billion over claims he was making about election fraud involving its machines. In the latest lawsuit, filed in federal court in Minnesota, Lindell accuses Dominion and another company, Smartmatic, of "weaponizing the litigation process to silence political dissent and suppress evidence showing voting machines were manipulated to affect outcomes in the November 2020 general election." Read more: The MyPillow guy says God helped him beat a crack addiction to build a multimillion-dollar empire. Now his religious devotion to Trump threatens to bring it all crashing down. Lindell, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has repeatedly spread false or unsubstantiated claims about the integrity of the election. The recent lawsuit repeats many of the claims from the first lawsuit MyPillow filed in April and accuses Dominion and Smartmatic of engaging in a racketeering conspiracy to use the court system to silence claims about them. Sections of the 82-page lawsuit include titles such as "The Rise of the Machines," "Gaslighting: The REAL Big Lie," and "Shut Up Or Else." The lawsuit also features quotes from famous dystopian novels and the English playwright William Shakespeare. One of the included quotes is attributed to Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451": "But you can't make people listen. They have to come round in their own time, wondering what happened and why the world blew up around them. It can't last." Story continues Another quote is from George Orwell's "1984": "And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed-if all records told the same tale-then the lie passed into history and became truth." Dominion did not respond to a request for comment from Insider, but a company representative previously told Insider the initial lawsuit brought by MyPillow was a "meritless retaliatory lawsuit, filed by MyPillow to try to distract from the harm it caused to Dominion." In a statement provided to Insider, Smartmatic also denied Lindell's claims. "Mr. Lindell cannot change the facts. The fact is that Smartmatic is one of the most dependable election technology companies in the world. It also played no role in the 2020 election outside of Los Angeles County," J. Erik Connolly, Smartmatic's attorney, said. "Any claim to the contrary is factually inaccurate." Read the original article on Business Insider Nepal's prime minister has made an urgent plea for vaccines to his UK counterpart Boris Johnson, as the Himalayan nation experiences a devastating second wave of coronavirus. Speaking to the BBC, KP Sharma Oli said it was Britain's responsibility given the historic ties the nations share. Mr Oli said the sacrifices of Nepal's Gurkha soldiers serving the UK should make Nepal a priority for UK Covid aid. Nepal reported a high of 9,000 daily infections last month. "I want to convince the UK Government, particularly Prime Minister Boris Johnson, about the situation in Nepal and how we are suffering," Mr Oli said. Nepal, which has one of the highest rates of positive tests in the world, saw a surge of cases in May, recording more than 4,000 deaths over the course of the month. Like its neighbour India, Nepal has struggled with shortages of beds and oxygen supplies. The situation has eased recently in places like the capital Kathmandu, but the virus is now spreading in rural areas. At the start of February, Nepal was reporting around 100 daily cases, but by early May that figure had jumped to as many as 9,000 daily infections. A national lockdown which began in April remains in place but many say it came too late. The country's borders with India remain open. Critics say that failing to close them allowed the Delta variant detected in India to spread quickly into Nepal as migrant workers returned home. The Himalayan country has received some international aid, including 260 ventilators and 2,000 PPE kits from the UK. But Mr Oli said it was vaccines he needed. Fewer than 3% of Nepal's population of 30 million has been fully vaccinated. "If we vaccinate people, then we can control Covid-19, otherwise it will be hard for us," Mr Oli said. Nepalese authorities have ordered supplies from China, but many elderly Nepalis who received their first dose of the Astrazeneca jab are now unable to get their second, after supplies promised from India were delayed because of the crisis there. Story continues Prime Minister Oli said he was making the direct appeal to the UK, as Nepal's "oldest friend". "The Gurkhas have served the UK for many years, keeping their lives at risk," he said. "People who are serving in Britain have their families in Nepal. So that is a very deep connection." A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office told the BBC it "stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Nepal during this pandemic" and was "one of the first countries to send health experts and life-saving medical equipment to Nepal". "The UK is a leading donor to COVAX, the international initiative to procure and distribute vaccines equitably," the spokesperson added. "We have committed 548 million to the scheme that will provide more than a billion vaccines to developing countries, including Nepal, this year." Nepal recorded 4,000 coronavirus deaths in May as case numbers surges Mr Oli said his country's foreign minister had spoken to UK counterpart Dominic Raab to discuss the issue, but he was trying to establish direct telephone contact with Mr Johnson. The appeal to the UK comes as the US has announced it will send vaccines to Nepal as part of a donation of 7 million doses to Asia. Mr Oli has faced criticism of his handling of the pandemic and for failing to take the virus seriously. He previously claimed that it could be washed away by gargling guava leaves and turmeric, and said Nepali's have stronger immune systems because of their diets. Last month, as case numbers were rising sharply, he said the situation in Nepal was "under control". Prime Minister Oli, who remains in power after a recent vote of no confidence, also drew criticism for holding mass political rallies earlier this year as MPs in his own party withdrew support for him. Nigeria kidnappings: Officials negotiating release of students Video Transcript AHMED IDRIS: Haruna Mustafa consoles one of his two wives. When armed men attacked the Salihu Tanko Islamic School on Sunday, nine of his children were there. Four were able to escape, but others were taken by the kidnappers. As the crisis drags on, he feels let down by government. HARUNA MUSTAFA: [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] INTERPRETER: What we hear about the government's attitude to this crisis is making us more angry that officials don't care because it's a religious school and not owned by the government. As it is, many of us have given up hope on seeing our children again. AHMED IDRIS: It's an accusation the government denies but insists it won't cave in to threats by the criminals. IBRAHIM MATANE: It's the position of Niger's government is that no payment of ransom. We do not-- we are not averse to negotiation, because negotiation could mean so many things. It's not necessarily an exchange of money. AHMED IDRIS: That's not the assurance parents want to hear as they camp outside the school, waiting for news of their children. The school, in the center of Tegina, is now empty, except for the occasional visits by its remaining staff. The head teacher says he receives on average four calls a day from the kidnappers. ABUBAKAR ALHASSAN: They demanded a ransom of 110 million. That is from Monday, Tuesday, up to Wednesday. But now they have increased the ransom to 200 million naira, that if we didn't pay that ransom, that is going to be a trouble that I should-- that they'll call me sort of to go and take the dead bodies off-- the toddlers they pick from the school. AHMED IDRIS: That's about half a million dollars, an amount the parents say they can't afford. The mood in Tegina is that of despair, anger, and resignation for some. Nearly 1,000 students have been kidnapped across Nigeria in the past one year, raising concerns about the future of education, especially in the north of the country. Story continues IDRIS UMAR: The people feel very, very-- find it very, very difficult to take their children to school. But we are pretty. We are hopeful. We keep on encouraging ourselves. AHMED IDRIS: As a stalemate continues, residents say the crisis has claimed more casualties. Two mothers traumatized by the abductions collapsed and died in the past few days. A day after Tegina was attacked by gunmen, this major road was cut off as travelers watched them take cattle and other property away from villages. Local people are scared, and they said they were attacked by gunmen on more than 100 motorbikes, each with three armed men. A government official says as many as three attacks are carried out-- on some days simultaneously-- in Niger State, Nigeria's largest. Niger, Nigeria's largest state, has seen a sharp increase in attacks by armed groups, many of whom officials say have been pushed out from the northern state of Zamfara, where thousands have been killed in the past six years. Officials here say some of the attacks are being carried out by Boko Haram, who are setting up new camps in central Nigeria. Ahmed Idris, Al Jazeera, Tegina, north central Nigeria. Sheronda Byrd-Givens holds a child while listening to different speakers during Casey Goodson Jr.s birthday Rally. Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Ohio deputy Jason Meade, who fatally shot Casey Goodson, is retiring. Meade is accused of shooting Goodson 5 times in the back in Columbus last year. The deadly shooting is still being investigated. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A sheriff's deputy in Ohio who fatally shot 23-year-old Casey Goodson Jr. is retiring. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office told WSYX that Deputy Jason Meade would be retiring with disability on July 2. "Law Enforcement disability decisions are governed by state law and made by the pension system," Sheriff Dallas Baldwin told WSYX. "As sheriff, I have no control or input over what the pension system decides with this or any other disability case." Meade has been on leave since fatally shooting Goodson while he walking into the front door of his grandmother's home in Columbus, Ohio, on December 4. The Franklin County Coroner's Office determined in March that Goodson had been shot five times in the back, the Associated Press reported at the time. Goodson's death was listed as a homicide. The shooting is still being investigated. Read the original article on Insider For more than a year, Mr. Creek has not been charged with violating any of his conditions of release, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement. Therefore, when Mr. Creek was charged in a second superseding indictment on racketeering and drug conspiracy charges, the government determined that it was reasonable and appropriate to work through Mr. Creeks counsel to arrange a time for Mr. Creek to self-surrender for his initial appearance on the new charges. By Koustav Samanta (Reuters) - Global oil trading companies are ramping up jet fuel exports from Asia to Europe and the United States, as widespread anti-coronavirus vaccinations and relatively lower infection rates allow commercial travel to resume faster in Western countries. The strong demand from the West has fully drawn down surplus jet fuel stored on ships around Singapore, while refiners' margins for the aviation fuel - a big drag on overall profits during the COVID-19 pandemic - have nearly trebled since end-March. Asia exported about 417,000 barrels per day (bpd) of jet fuel to Europe and North America combined in April-May, nearly 32% higher than 316,000 bpd for February-March period, according to Reuters calculations based on data from oil analytics firm Vortexa. Jet fuel volumes in floating storage facilities have consistently stayed at zero for the past four weeks for the first time since March last year, according to data intelligence firm Kpler. There were about 313,000 barrels of jet fuel stored in ships in early May, already 90% lower compared with the same time last year, Kpler data showed. At least 10 vessels, chartered by companies including Saudi's Aramco Trading, Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron Corp and Valero are currently in transit from South Korea to the United States, ship tracking data showed, carrying about 3.3 million barrels of jet fuel for delivery this month. "A pick-up in air travel in the U.S. and Europe amid falling (coronavirus) infection rates and possible relaxing of travel restrictions this summer, that contrasts against the weak fundamentals in Asia, is expected to support a widening of East-West jet fuel arbitrage in the near term," said Serena Huang, Asia lead analyst at Vortexa. But the strength of the East-West arbitrage is also dependent on the inventory levels in the United States and Europe, which suggests the Asia-U.S. arbitrage would be stronger in the near term than the Asia-Europe arbitrage, analysts said. Story continues "U.S. jet stockpiles in May are on par with 2019 pre-pandemic average levels as per Energy Information Administration data, but Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp's (ARA) jet stockpiles are still above pre-pandemic levels," analyst Huang said. However, volumes to Europe are expected to gradually increase as further re-opening of European markets for travel in coming days is expected to stimulate demand. "I think there is scope for that jet arbitrage volume to increase as Europe starts to open up and passengers begin to fly again," said Kevin Wright, Kpler's lead analyst for Asia Pacific. Aviation demand outlook in Asia remains bleak as most countries continue to the battle new waves of the pandemic. Some analysts believe it might take well into 2022 for the region, except China, to witness any substantial recovery. (Reporting by Koustav Samanta; Editing by Florence Tan and Kenneth Maxwell) Jun. 4A ribbon-cutting Friday morning at 124 E. Third St. served not only to celebrate a new home for Ascend Innovations and the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDAHA) it was a celebration of an ongoing renewal of downtown Dayton. "This is kind of a first milestone that you'll see many of," said Alexius Dorsey, founder and chief executive of Columbus-based developer Windsor Cos. "Ascend and GDAHA are creating an eco-system that we all talk about." Ascend Innovation is a data shop that seeks to address unmet needs in health care and beyond. GDAHA is a trade association that represents more than 29 hospitals in Montgomery County and 10 surrounding counties. GDAHA is also one of the founding organizations of Ascend, with Premier Health, Kettering Health and Dayton Children's Hospital. "It's exciting," said Marty Larson, CEO and president of Ascend. "As we moved in a couple of months ago, just being able to get the space into the shape it's in now. ...We wanted this to be a part of the community." Larson marveled at being able to walk from his 12,000-square-foot office on Third Street to the Oregon District, to Flying Pizza and to many other locations. "We're thrilled to be here," said Sarah Hackenbracht, president and CEO of GDAHA This new space is part of a sprawling, long-term redevelopment project in what is being called the "Fire Blocks District," around East Third and Jefferson streets. Spearheaded by the Windsor Cos., the company has been able to bring new commerce to the area where previous developers had been frustrated. After years of disuse, buildings in the district have welcomed businesses like the Salt Block Biscuit Co. and Third Perk Coffee House and Wine Bar. Windsor is also finishing up work on new loft apartments in the Graphic Arts Building on South Ludlow Street. GDAHA is moving more than 20 employees into the space. The association wanted its employees at "the heart of the action." "We wanted our employees to be where we would just be a short walk away from the energy of what's happening in downtown Dayton," Hackenbracht said. The fourth-floor office was designed with spaces for hospitality and conferencing areas; individual workspaces; a cafe; and huddle rooms for small meetings of employees. By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan is pushing for a political settlement in Afghanistan before foreign troops leave later this year, to reduce the risk of civil war in its western neighbour. The United States has said it will withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan on Sept. 11 after a two-decade presence. More than 20 allied countries plan to follow suit. "There is a lot of fear right now in Pakistan and I assure you that we are trying our level best that there is some sort of political settlement before the Americans leave," Khan told Reuters on Friday at his official residence in Islamabad. Violence in Afghanistan has risen sharply since the troop withdrawal announcement, with the insurgent Taliban resisting pressure from Washington and its allies to agree to a political understanding leading to a peace deal. "Since the moment the Americans gave a date, of when they were going to leave Afghanistan ... the Taliban feel they have won the war," Khan said, adding it was not going to be easy to get concessions from the Taliban after the U.S. decision. REGIONAL REPERCUSSIONS Khan said Pakistan would suffer the most, after Afghanistan itself, if there was civil war and a refugee crisis. "And then there would be pressure on us to jump in and become a part of it," Khan said. He said his government had changed Pakistan's decades-long policy of pushing for "strategic depth" in Afghanistan to ensure that there was a friendly government there. "Any Afghan government chosen by the people is who Pakistan should deal with," Khan said, adding that Pakistan "should not try to do any manipulation in Afghanistan". Pakistan has long been accused of harbouring leaders and fighters of the Taliban, whom Islamabad helped to power in 1996, even as the insurgent group fought U.S.-led foreign troops. Khan said a lot depended on U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, with Pakistan's and Afghanistan's help, to carve out a settlement to avoid more bloodshed. (Reporting by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) - By GF Value The stock of Panasonic (OTCPK:PCRFY, 30-year Financials) is believed to be significantly overvalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $11.7 per share and the market cap of $27.3 billion, Panasonic stock gives every indication of being significantly overvalued. GF Value for Panasonic is shown in the chart below. Panasonic Stock Gives Every Indication Of Being Significantly Overvalued Because Panasonic is significantly overvalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be much lower than its future business growth, which averaged 0.5% over the past five years. Link: These companies may deliever higher future returns at reduced risk. Since investing in companies with low financial strength could result in permanent capital loss, investors must carefully review a company's financial strength before deciding whether to buy shares. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage can give a good initial perspective on the company's financial strength. Panasonic has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.92, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in Hardware industry. Based on this, GuruFocus ranks Panasonic's financial strength as 5 out of 10, suggesting fair balance sheet. This is the debt and cash of Panasonic over the past years: Panasonic Stock Gives Every Indication Of Being Significantly Overvalued Investing in profitable companies carries less risk, especially in companies that have demonstrated consistent profitability over the long term. Typically, a company with high profit margins offers better performance potential than a company with low profit margins. Panasonic has been profitable 8 years over the past 10 years. During the past 12 months, the company had revenues of $62.3 billion and earnings of $0.724 a share. Its operating margin of 4.48% in the middle range of the companies in Hardware industry. Overall, GuruFocus ranks Panasonic's profitability as fair. This is the revenue and net income of Panasonic over the past years: Story continues Panasonic Stock Gives Every Indication Of Being Significantly Overvalued Growth is probably the most important factor in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long term performance of a company's stock. The faster a company is growing, the more likely it is to be creating value for shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. The 3-year average annual revenue growth rate of Panasonic is 0.5%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in Hardware industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is 6.9%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in Hardware industry. Another way to look at the profitability of a company is to compare its return on invested capital and the weighted cost of capital. Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. We want to have the return on invested capital higher than the weighted cost of capital. For the past 12 months, Panasonic's return on invested capital is 4.47, and its cost of capital is 5.81. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of Panasonic is shown below: Panasonic Stock Gives Every Indication Of Being Significantly Overvalued Overall, The stock of Panasonic (OTCPK:PCRFY, 30-year Financials) gives every indication of being significantly overvalued. The company's financial condition is fair and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks in the middle range of the companies in Hardware industry. To learn more about Panasonic stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here. To find out the high quality companies that may deliever above average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Former Vice President Pence on Thursday called Jan. 6 a "dark day" in U.S. history, his strongest statement yet on the Capitol insurrection. What he's saying: "...President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office," the former VP said in a public address in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. "And I don't know if we'll ever see eye to eye on that day. But I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years." Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. "And I will not allow Democrats or their allies in the media to use one tragic day to discredit the aspirations of millions of Americans, or allow Democrats or their allies in the media to distract our attention from a new administration intent on dividing our country to advance their radical agenda." "My fellow, Republicans, for our country, for our future, for our children and our grandchildren, we must move forward, united." Worth noting: The Jan. 6 Capitol siege saw some rioters who were supporters of former President Trump call for Pence's death. The big picture: Pence gave his first speech since leaving office in April, praising the Trump administration's era of "prosperity and security." Last week, Senate Republicans blocked the creation of a bipartisan, independent panel to investigate the events of Jan. 6. President Biden opposes establishing a presidential commission, Axios learned Thursday. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told Axios the president would prefer to let House Speaker Nancy Pelosi take the lead. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. Peruvians will be faced with choosing the "lesser evil" between rightwing populist Keiko Fujimori and radical leftwing unionist Pedro Castillo when voting for their new president on Sunday. Scandal-tainted Fujimori, 46, has reached the second-round runoff for the third election in a row, and is running level with schoolteacher Castillo in the most recent opinion polls. However, 18 percent of voters remain undecided between the two polar opposite candidates. "For the majority of the population it's more about the election of the lesser evil," Peruvian political scientist Jessica Smith told AFP, adding that the vote pits "anti-Fujimorism" against "anti-communism." It's a choice between Fujimori's neoliberalism and Castillo's socialism; between the status quo and change. Fujimori draws her support from the capital Lima while Castillo is a bulwark of the rural deep interior. Battle lines were drawn between the two camps last Sunday, with Fujimori accusing Castillo of stoking violence in the electoral campaign, and the leftist firing back that corruption "is synonymous with Fujimorism" in Peru. Castillo's opponents have tried to link him to the political arm of the Maoist Shining Path rebels defeated by Fujimori's father Alberto when he was president from 1990-2000, but the unionist says he was actually part of the "peasant patrols" that resisted the communist guerrillas. The campaign was rocked last month by the massacre of 16 people in Peru's coca leaf heartland by alleged remnants of the Shining Path. "We don't want the country to be in the hands of a communist," businesswoman Cecilia Yep, 52, told AFP. Fujimori, 46, says a victory for Castillo would send Peru down the same route as North Korea or Venezuela. Castillo, 51, denies he's a communist, but his policy platform looks radical to some. - Tax on over-profits - He has vowed to nationalize the mining, hydrocarbon and telecommunications industries and impose tax and royalty reforms he describes as "very necessary" to address wealth inequality. Story continues Peru is a major producer of copper, gold, silver, lead and zinc, and mining accounts for 10 percent of the country's GDP, as well as a fifth of the corporate taxes. With copper prices hitting record highs of over $10,000 a ton last month, Castillo wants more of those profits to benefit the state rather than private enterprises. He's proposing "a new tax on over-profits, the elimination of tax exemptions and royalties based on sales." However, Castillo insists he is not looking to eliminate private enterprise or foreign investments. "The State will strengthen its regulatory role within a mixed economy approach," said Castillo, adding that "monopolies and oligarchies will be more actively regulated." Fujimori, on the other hand, has reiterated her "firm belief in private activity as the engine of the Peruvian economy and a great generator of jobs." She has promised a raft of tax cuts to help reactivate an economy badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic and has pledged to create three million jobs and raise the minimum wage and lowest pensions. But given her plans would, like Castillo's, require an increase in public spending, many economists have branded her policies as "populist." - 'Flawed' constitution - One of Castillo's main vows is to replace the constitution approved in 1993 under his opponent's father, Alberto Fujimori. The current constitution is "flawed, the fruit of a coup d'etat, and which prioritizes private interests over public interests," said Castillo. Fujimori, though, has defended the document and claims that it "saved the country from poverty and the chaos generated by the rentier state model." Alberto Fujimori is serving a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity and corruption. Keiko Fujimori continues to protest his innocence and has said she would pardon him if elected. She herself has also been charged with corruption and even spent 16-months in pre-trial detention. "Keiko is the worst enemy of democracy, because she defends a past of abusive authoritarianism," anthropologist Bernardo Caceres, 59, told AFP. There are, however, some social similarities between the two candidates. They're both anti-abortion, defend traditional family values and have opposed gay rights. - Worst mortality rate - Whoever wins the election will face the fallout of the pandemic, which has infected 1.9 million Peruvians and killed 180,000. A recent recalculation of the dead gave Peru the worst mortality rate in the world. Two million Peruvians have lost their jobs and three million fell into poverty during the pandemic, leaving a third of the country's 33 million living in poverty, according to official figures. More than 25 million people are registered to vote in the contest, which is obligatory. The first results are expected at 11:00 pm on Sunday (0400 GMT Monday). fj/pb/ltl/bc/caw Fresno police arrested the man wanted in an unprovoked attack on a Fresno FAX bus in April. Video Transcript - Now to an "Action News" update. Authorities have identified the man who they believe assaulted a FAX bus passenger and left him injured back in April. Fresno police say 38-year-old Andrew Garcia attacked a man on the bus and say the victim didn't speak or even look at the suspect before he was unexpectedly attacked without any provocation. Investigators say the bus was traveling through southeast Fresno near 1st and Ventura on April 6 when the suspect pulled the cord requesting that the driver stop. There is a $3,000 reward for any information that leads to Garcia's arrest. Newly approved drug effective against lung cancer caused by genetic mutation The new drug sotorasib reduces tumor size and shows promise in improving survival among patients with lung tumors caused by a specific DNA mutation, according to results of a global phase 2 clinical trial. The drug is designed to shut down the effects of the mutation, which is found in about 13% of patients with lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of non-small-cell lung cancer. The Food and Drug Administration approved sotorasib May 28 as a targeted therapy for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer whose tumors express a specific mutation -- called G12C -- in the KRAS gene and who have undergone at least one previous therapy for their cancer. Non-small-cell lung cancer makes up over 80% of all lung cancers. More than 200,000 new cases of non-small-cell lung cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States. The study, led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health in New York, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, will be presented June 4 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and published the same day in The New England Journal of Medicine. Sotorasib, also known by the brand name Lumakras, is made by Amgen, which funded the trial. "This is a group of patients whose tumors have been difficult to treat and for whom we did not have targeted therapies," said co-senior author and medical oncologist Ramaswamy Govindan, MD, the Anheuser Busch Endowed Chair in Medical Oncology at Washington University. "The new drug is addressing an unmet need for these patients, targeting the most common mutation that we can go after. We're also continuing to investigate this drug in combination with other experimental drugs to see if we can further improve responses and survival." The study involved 126 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer that had a specific mutation in the KRAS gene. A single DNA error swaps out an important protein building block, placing a cysteine where a glycine should be. Tumors with the mutation manufacture a version of the KRAS protein that is almost constantly active, driving tumor growth. Sotorasib, taken daily by mouth, blocks tumor growth by trapping the KRAS protein in its inactive form. Most patients in the trial previously had been treated with standard chemotherapy along with an immunotherapy drug that targets a protein called PD-1. To evaluate this new therapy, all patients enrolled in the study were treated with sotorasib; phase 2 trials evaluating safety and effectiveness often do not include a placebo group. The drug caused at least some tumor shrinkage in 102 out of 126 patients (82%). About 37% of the patients' tumors reduced in size at least 30%. In contrast, response rates to standard therapy in these patients range from 6% to 20%. Forty-two patients' tumors (34%) showed a partial response to the therapy, meaning the tumor shrank substantially and its growth was controlled for a period of time; and four patients (3%) showed a complete response that left no evidence of disease. For tumors that shrank, the tumor size was reduced by about 60%, on average. The effects of sotorasib lasted an average of 11 months, and the drug also showed progression-free survival -- meaning the tumor did not continue growing during this time -- of almost seven months. In contrast, patients with this lung cancer who receive standard therapy have an average progression-free survival of two to four months. The average overall survival for all patients in the trial was 12 months. "We are hopeful that this approach will be a new option for patients with lung cancer driven by this specific type of KRAS gene alteration," said Govindan, who treats patients at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. "KRAS gene alterations have long been considered not amenable for targeted therapies. A number of combination regimens are being tested here at the Siteman Cancer Center and at other leading cancer centers around the world. This highlights work that Washington University has excelled at over the past few decades -- studying the genomic alterations in tumors with the goal of identifying treatment targets. This early cancer genome research is now coming full circle to help our patients." Govindan and his team have led pioneering studies to define genomic alterations in lung cancer, including making key contributions to The Cancer Genome Atlas, a national effort supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "The excitement surrounding this trial result is that sotorasib is now the first targeted therapy for lung cancer patients with KRAS mutations," said co-corresponding author Vamsidhar Velcheti, MD, of NYU Langone Health. "KRAS-targeted treatments, decades in the making, are urgently needed for these patients with limited treatment options." About 7% of patients stopped sotorasib treatment because of severe side effects, but no side effects were life-threatening, and no patient died as a result of the treatment. The drug caused adverse events severe enough to require a reduced dose of the drug in about 22% of patients. Almost 70% of patients experienced side effects of some kind related to the drug; the most common were diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and increased liver enzyme levels, the latter an indicator of liver damage. "Sotorasib showed clinically significant benefit without any new safety concerns in patients with this specific form of KRAS mutant lung cancer," Govindan said. "Moving forward, our team will seek to inform the development of combination therapies featuring sotorasib and other emerging drugs, and to determine which best fit the mix of mutations in each patient's cancer cells." The researchers currently are conducting a phase 3 clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of sotorasib with a chemotherapy drug called docetaxel in 345 patients who have non-small-cell lung cancer and this specific KRAS mutation. ### This work was supported by Amgen, which makes sotorasib. This work also was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Cancer Center Core at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, grant number P30 CA008748. Velcheti, of New York University, is a paid consultant for Amgen. Skoulidis F, Li BT, Dy GK, Price TJ, Falchook GS, Wolf J, Italiano A, Schuler M, Borghaei H, Barlesi F, Kato T, Curioni-Fontecedro A, Sacher A, Spira A, Ramalingam SS, Takahashi T, Besse B, Anderson A, Ang A, Tran Q, Mather O, Henary H, Ngarmchamnanrith G, Friberg G, Velcheti V, Govindan R. Sotorasib for lung cancers with KRAS p.G12C mutations (CodeBreak 100). The New England Journal of Medicine. June 4, 2021. Washington University School of Medicine's 1,500 faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals. The School of Medicine is a leader in medical research, teaching and patient care, consistently ranking among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare. This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Based on that, United Way calculated how much families needed to earn to keep up with bills. It was $77,000 for a family of two adults and two school-age children in Baltimore County, the same for Harford County and Carroll County, and higher in Howard ($94,000) and Anne Arundel ($88,000). A family of four in Baltimore needs at least $72,000 a year. (And these figures do not include the cost of child care for preschoolers.) Reuters Videos Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen was conscious in a hospital Saturday, according to officials, after the 29-year-old collapsed during his sides Euro 2020 opening match with Finland.It happened suddenly in the 42nd minute of the match. A hush fell over the crowd. His teammates gathered around him, and one of them appeared to stick his fingers in Eriksen's mouth to clear his airway.Then, he was given CPR on the pitch by medics.People gathered outside bars in central Copenhagen, many in tears, during the period when Eriksen's condition remained unclear.Finland fans, too, were shocked by the news:"Sorry, but I have no words, it's so terrible.""The game doesn't matter anymore. The only thing is that he gets better and we just want him to get better."The scoreless game was stopped for one hour and 45 minutes while Eriksens condition was unknown.In the end, Finland claimed a shock 1-0 victory over Denmark. Jun. 4A search is underway for a Lompoc man who went missing while riding his motorcycle home from Fillmore, according to sheriff's officials. John Mario Fuegos, 50, reportedly left on a black 2003 Suzuki motorcycle from his Lompoc residence at about 11 p.m. May 24, according to Santa Barbara County sheriff's spokeswoman Raquel Zick. Fuegos' intended destination was Arizona, but he texted his family at about 3 a.m. on May 25 that he was in Fillmore and would be heading back home. His last text message was sent three hours later, at about 6 a.m., and he has not been heard from since, according to Zick. Fuegos' wife initially reported him missing to the Lompoc Police Department on Friday, then contacted sheriff's dispatch on Tuesday to request that deputies check the highways for any sign of her husband or his motorcycle. Sheriff's deputies on Tuesday searched along highways 1 and 101, while California Highway Patrol Air Support units searched the same area, but Fuegos was not located, according to Zick. On Wednesday, after reviewing cellphone records, deputies searched the area of Toro Canyon and San Ysidro roads, and highways 101 and 192 on the ground, while CHP air units searched the same area, but Fuegos and his motorcycle were still not located. Cellphone records indicated that he possibly spent several hours at the Jack in the Box restaurant on Citrus Drive in Ventura during the early morning hours of May 25, but detectives could not locate him on the restaurant's surveillance cameras, according to Zick. Detectives are now reaching out to the public for assistance. Fuegos was last seen wearing motorcycle-type clothing and riding a black Suzuki motorcycle with a California license plate 22P6615. Anyone with information on Fuegos and his possible whereabouts is urged to contact the Criminal Investigations Bureau at 805-681-4150. Anonymous tips can be left by calling 805-681-4171, or online at sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip. A political advocacy group with close ties to the White House is launching a series of digital ads that tout President Joe Bidens plans for small businesses, attempting to build support for his proposed legislative agenda amid ongoing infrastructure negotiations. The online ads from Building Back Together, a nonprofit group formed this year to promote Bidens policies, will run in six battleground states: Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Florida. The group is spending $250,000 on the ads over two weeks, according to an official with the group, who said the message is targeted especially toward women, young people, moderates, and Black and Latino voters. The ads in each state feature a testimonial from a local small business owner, with some touting the assistance they received from the American Recovery Act a nearly $2 trillion economic relief bill Biden signed into law in March or highlighting the help they said theyd receive from the presidents proposed investments in infrastructure and family care. President Biden wants to invest in working families, putting people to work, fixing our roads, our bridges, our drinking water, a small business owner from Pennsylvania says in one of the ads. Thats what makes a strong economy. We can do it without adding to the deficit or increasing taxes on the middle class or small businesses like mine. Some of the ads mention the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan by name, arguing that the legislative proposals will help workers pay for childcare and healthcare while investing in broadband Internet. Biden is currently negotiating with GOP lawmakers on the jobs plan, trying to bridge large gaps between the two sides on its scope, size, and how it will be paid for. The president has vowed not to raise taxes on Americans making less than $400,000 a point referenced frequently in the ads while Republicans have said they will not raise taxes on corporations or the countrys wealthiest citizens. The ads from Building Back Together in five of the states Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia will run for 30 seconds each. In Florida, the ads will run for 15 seconds and feature English- and Spanish-language versions. Building Back Together, a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization, is not bound by the contribution caps and donor disclosure rules that govern most political groups. In April, the group announced it would spend millions of dollars on ads promoting Bidens infrastructure plans. By Alistair Smout OXFORD, England (Reuters) - Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Friday vaccinating children in the United Kingdom against COVID-19 would take priority over donating vaccine doses to other countries around the world. Britain's medicine regulator on Friday approved Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine for use in 12-15 year olds, but global health bodies warn that if rich countries prioritise low-risk members of their own populations over broadening access globally, they risk disaster. Asked he would prioritise vaccinating teenagers over more vulnerable people globally, Hancock said: "My first duty as health secretary for the UK is to make sure that the UK is protected and safe." "Whilst thankfully children are very rarely badly affected by COVID themselves, they can still pass on the disease, and so that is my first duty," Hancock told Reuters after a meeting of G7 healthcare ministers in Oxford, central England. "Alongside that I'm working with my international colleagues to make sure that people can get access to the vaccine around the world." BRITISH ARMS Hancock had hosted health ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) rich countries met at the University of Oxford, where AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine was invented, ahead of a G7 leaders' meeting next week. The ministers agreed a new set of standards to improve clinical trials, as well as support for vaccine donations when domestic circumstances allowed. U.S. President Joe Biden outlined plans to share 25 million surplus vaccines globally on Thursday, while France also said it would donate doses to Senegal. But although Britain has given a first COVID-19 vaccine to three-quarters of adults, and fully vaccinated half the adult population, Hancock said the country was not yet in a position to donate doses. Britain has ordered over 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for its population of 67 million, most of which are two-shot vaccines. Story continues "As and when the UK has excess doses of vaccine, then, if we don't need them, we'll make sure they're available to others," Hancock said. "But at the moment we don't have any excess doses, because as soon as the doses are available for the UK, we get them injected into British arms." Biden has also voiced support for a vaccine patent waiver to boost vaccine production and allow more equitable distribution of shots, but Britain and some European countries have expressed reservations. Hancock said Britain had already taken a huge step by making the Oxford/AstraZeneca shot available at cost, citing how half a billion doses of the vaccine had already been delivered globally. "The truth is you don't need an IP waiver in order to deliver vaccines, without any charge for the intellectual property rights, you can just get on and do it," Hancock said. "It doesn't need us to change the intellectual property rules because they are important rules for future investment in future vaccines." (Reporting by Alistair Smout in Oxford, additional reporting by William James and Paul Sandle in London; editing by Michael Holden) HOPKINTON, Mass. Without public and media pressure, family members and social justice advocates say investigators wouldnt have reversed course last week on withholding some key reports about the April 18 death of 16-year-old Mikayla Miller. The truth of the matter is, if we didnt apply pressure nothing wouldve happened, Monica Cannon-Grant, an advocate who has been serving as a spokesperson for Millers mother, Calvina Strothers, said in a video interview May 26. We watched it happen in the George Floyd case. They were like, It was a medical situation and they werent going to file any charges. People hit the streets for a whole year we protested and charges were brought. But should it take intense pressure, protests or hashtag campaigns to increase transparency in ongoing investigations? If a family believes their loved ones case isnt being properly handled, or that key details are being wrongfully withheld, what happens if that familys pleas for transparency dont go viral? The investigation into Millers death is among many across the country prompting such questions as America reckons with racial injustice in the wake of high-profile cases like Floyds. 'Highly suspicious': Mikayla Miller's mother, civil rights leaders dispute medical examiner's ruling The Hopkinton Police Department acknowledged the significant public interest in the Miller case when it released some of its materials on May 19. In a statement, the department wrote Chief Joseph Bennett believes releasing the records "is the prudent course of action given the volume of records requests received and the amount of public commentary already made regarding this case." The public should have faith that its municipal police department responded to this tragic circumstance promptly and treated it with due care and consideration," the department wrote. Whether its with Strothers, Floyds family or numerous others who have succeeded in putting a spotlight on their own campaigns, advocates fear the need for families to rally public pressure is placing them in painful and unfair positions. Story continues No one should have to, in conjunction with their grief, also be their own attorney representation and the crime scene investigator and the person who is gathering evidence, said Cannon-Grant, who has assisted numerous families through her nonprofit, Violence in Boston Inc. Its exhausting You have moments you talk to (Strothers) and shes crying profusely and breaking down and like, How do I handle that? Shes not used to the public eye. Shes not used to the public pressure, them digging into her life and them bringing up things that have nothing to do with this case. Its all just horrible and no one would do this voluntarily if they didnt feel like this was their last option. Monica Cannon-Grant, the spokesperson for Mikayla Miller's family and the founder of Violence in Boston Inc., speaks during a video interview on May 26. In addition, Cannon-Grant and other social justice leaders fear the influence public pressure and social media have on investigations deepens the inequities found in how law enforcement officers and prosecutors handle cases. For every Floyd, there are many more that fail to garner passionate and large-scale support, according to sociologist Sarah Lageson and National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director David Johns. That failure often happens, Johns said, the further away the individuals identity and circumstances are from the expectations of whiteness. "There was never anyone who said to me if I were victimized, if I experienced something that was wrong that I would have the promise of justice if I met certain social conditions, if I had a relationship to a prominent public figure, if I could get celebrities to tweet a hashtag with my name, if I could have an organization like NBJC invest in a campaign so people know who I am and are engaged with my family in asking questions that should lead to accountability, Johns said in a phone interview on May 27. Related story: Derek Chauvin, convicted of George Floyd's murder, makes court appearance on federal charges George Floyd: Workers reopen intersection where George Floyd died in Minneapolis despite activists' demands The investigation into Mikayla Millers death Miller, 16, of Hopkinton, was found near a path in woods on the morning of April 18. According to Johns and Cannon-Grant, her body was found standing upright near a tree, with a belt tied around her neck and the tree. Hopkinton police, state police and the Middlesex County district attorney's office announced they were investigating Millers death as a suicide, releasing limited information during the initial stages of the investigation. The state medical examiner later ruled the manner of death to be suicide and the cause to be asphyxiation by hanging. Strothers and her supporters, who also include prominent civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump and former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson, have rejected those conclusions. In addition to thanking the public and media for pushing for answers, the group voiced during an audio press conference on May 19 that, based on the evidence available to them, they believe Miller was murdered. Bridgette Strothers, right, Mikayla Miller's grandmother, and other members of Mikala Miller's extended family raise their fists at the conclusion of a rally drawing attention to the investigation into the Hopkinton teenager's death. Miller, 16, died on April 18 in a wooded area near her home in Hopkinton, Mass. They suggested Millers death might be a lynching and said Miller, who was Black and a member of the LGBTQ community, was jumped by five white teens the night before a jogger found her body in the woods. Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan has said her office hasnt reached any final conclusions and "that what we owe (Miller) is a full and accurate accounting of what led to her death." Hopkinton police, DA's release of information Hopkinton police and the DAs office have repeatedly denied Strothers requests for reports, according to Cannon-Grant. She said the ways in which officials have allegedly shared information with the press before Miller's family has further fueled beliefs that the case hasnt been handled properly or transparently. When the police department ultimately released some of the previously withheld reports and records on May 19, it did so roughly an hour before Strothers, her legal team and her supporters held their press conference. The department released the reports in a batch of investigative materials that also included the initial 911 call and a police cruiser dashboard camera video. The department didnt release all of its investigative materials, however. According to Bennett, some things cant be released to the public, such as information about the April 17 fight that involved Miller and several teens because its a domestic abuse investigation. Strothers has said her daughter was jumped by five teens, including two whose families have ties to the Hopkinton Police Department. Ryan has previously said Miller fought with two teens a boy and a girl. Speaking generally, Kelly said information is withheld during ongoing investigations to balance protecting the integrity of any investigation and the potential impacts the release of information could have on public safety. "Again this is just speaking generally, but a lot of times it will matter where we are with conducting witness (interviews)," she said. "If we're still interviewing witnesses, then we might not want to put out that, if we believe there was a blue four-door sedan that was involved in (a) hit-and-run (case) because if we're still interviewing witnesses and somebody says they saw a different color car or somebody saw (something) on the news, then that's affecting their statement to police.." David Kuzmeski, an associate professor of criminal justice at American International College, described that dynamic as a "tightrope." However, he also said it's important for officers and prosecutors to understand how Black Americans "have historically, to this day, not been receiving the same benefits (in) the criminal justice system as others" and how that influences the perceptions of investigations. "There are certain general parameters but each case is individualized and you have to factor in the evidence you have, the evidence you hope to obtain ... when you're talking about a family (and) the knowledge that they crave," said Kuzmeski, a former Amherst police officer who's been following coverage of the investigation into Miller's death. Strothers and her supporters have frequently questioned why it took 12 days before Ryan, the head of the Miller investigation, spoke with Miller's family for the first time. Kelly declined to answer that question during a June 1 phone interview, but said a victim witness advocate from Ryan's office did reach out to the family the day after Miller's death and has been in touch since. Victim witness advocates, found in every DA's office in Massachusetts, serve as a liaison for family members, Kelly said. Strothers and her supporters have said the advocate assigned to their case attempted to reach Strothers through someone no longer connected with the family, which they've said compounded communication problems. Cannon-Grant alleges it took longer than it should have to correct that. District Attorney Marian Ryan speaks at a press conference on the death of Hopkinton 16-year-old Mikayla Miller on Tuesday afternoon. Calls for an independent investigation Strothers supporters have called for an independent investigation. Gov. Charlie Baker expressed support for one during a May 20 interview with Boston Public Radio, but said Attorney General Maura Healey is the only person who can take Ryan off the case. Healey has said her office will continue to closely monitor this case as it allows the DAs investigation to proceed. Cannon-Grant said May 26 shes since had a one-on-one conversation with Healey about that statement. She hopes the lines of communication stay open. Meanwhile, Cannon-Grant has used Facebook to urge the public to request Healey open an independent investigation. I just dont understand how much more needs to happen before we say, You know what, this family deserves independent eyes (and) somebody to look at this case from an objective point of view, she said. 'Its heartbreaking': Missouri family, racial injustice activists seeks answers in Black teen's death The hope that Mikayla Miller inspires changes Movements targeting injustices and inequities have been strengthened by advancements in technology and social media over the past decade, according to Lageson, an associate professor at Rutgers School of Criminal Justice who specializes in technologys influence on justice. Those advancements, the sociologist said, have made it easier for the public to broadcast incidents as they happen, as well as increased the degree to which police departments are directly sharing their information with the public. Lageson said there are clear benefits there, as well as shortcomings in how entities and social media companies moderate what or how much is shared. One of her major concerns is how those advancements have made it easier to terrify people and stigmatize people and stalk people and spread misinformation. Lageson, like the National Black Justice Coalitions Johns, argues grieving families shouldnt have to shoulder the public spotlight and the potential for angry backlash as they seek answers. We need to figure out ways to share that burden and push for change in a way that isnt so individualized, she said. "I know many victim witness advocates here, and some of them are my former students, they really are dedicated to assisting victims of crime and sending them to receive the resources they need to receive ... and are very sincere, compassionate people," Kuzmeski said. "Putting more money and giving them more resources would only benefit the job they do." Cannon-Grant said she has seen some systemic improvements in recent years in other parts of Massachusetts, particularly in the Suffolk County district attorneys office. Cannon-Grant said Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins is one of the greatest examples because of how she meets with families early on in investigations, connects them with resources and consistently stays in contact. When a homicide happens and she meets with these families, shes very transparent about what she can discuss, what she cant discuss and moving forward, she said. "What we watched happen in (Millers) case is the DA didnt even call the family until DA Rollins called her and said you have to talk to this family, which was 12 days after this situation happened. Rollins confirmed in a statement she contacted Ryan, while Ryan's office declined to answer questions about the conversation Ryan and Rollins had. It is our solemn duty and our sacred responsibility to get answers for these families, said Rollins, the first woman of color elected as a district attorney in the Bay State. At the very least, people deserve to feel respected and valued throughout this complicated and often re-traumatizing process. Rollins said victim witness advocates play a critical role and that her office aims to ensure each victim and survivors right to be informed, while balancing the integrity of our investigations. In doing so, she said she requires that every communication with families be "culturally competent and inclusive, compassionate and trauma-informed. Cannon-Grant and Johns said they hope Millers case can prompt sweeping and tough legislative changes. Both pointed to how Phoebe Princes death by suicide in South Hadley in 2010 led to the creation of the Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Law. Prince was a white, 15-year-old girl who hanged herself following months of bullying. Six teens were charged with criminal offenses for their coordinated attacks against Prince. To Johns, Millers case reinforces the need for new legislation around things like data collection because studies show cases involving Black members of the LGBTQ community are treated differently than those involving white individuals. In the meantime, Johns, Cannon-Grant and others calling for justice for Miller say theyll continue to find ways to get others engaged in advocacy in the hopes of making it so no family feels alone or unheard. "Nothing counts but pressure, pressure, more pressure and still more pressure through broad organized aggressive mass action, Jackson said, quoting activist A. Philip Randolph while speaking during the May 19 press conference. We are going to continue to put the pressure on this DA, on these police departments in order to ensure that justice as well as accountability and transparency prevail, he continued. Follow Kyle Stucker on Twitter: @kylestucker. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Mikayla Miller: Black teen's death raises questions of transparency A political ad criticizing CNN included a short clip of correspondent Amara Walker in a vulnerable moment following the Atlanta spa shootings back in March. About the ad: Club for Growth, a conservative political action committee, released an ad on Wednesday that criticized CNN for not being tough on President Joe Biden. The ad mocked the news network for its alleged failing ratings since former President Donald Trump left office and highlighted CNN reporters making positive statements about the incumbent president. Lemons is still a loser, and Chris Cuomo is still helping big brother cover-up scandals, a narrator said of the network's anchors, as comical music played in the background. Emotional moment: The video montage included a clip of Walkers emotional reaction to Biden denouncing anti-Asian attacks after the shootings in Atlanta. For the president to come and say I see you, I hear you, I feel your pain its a cathartic moment, Walker said in the segment that hid the chyron indicating the topic. During the coverage in March, Walker lamented that the Asian community has felt invisible for so long and talked about feeling like a foreigner in your own country. CNNs Andrew Kaczynski wrote on Twitter, This ad features an Asian-American correspondent getting emotional talking about the spa shootings, but they erased the chyron and blurred out the spa name so people wouldnt know that. NextShark has reached out to Club for Growth and Amara Walker for comments on the matter and will update this article accordingly. Featured Image via Club for Growth Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! College Student Kicked, Racially Abused by 2 Men in Oregon Billiard Legend Jeanette Black Widow Lee Diagnosed With Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer Italian Satirical Show Hosts Spark Outrage for Slanted-Eye Gesture, Mocking of Chinese Accent UConn Student's 'Chinese People Eat Bats' TikTok Sparks Anger in the College Community Jun. 3The Homestead, a sprawling, nearly 1,700-acre luxury property northwest of Whitefish, has been sold to a group of investors from Texas for $55 million, PureWest Christie's International Real Estate in Whitefish announced Thursday. Owner-Realtor Sean Averill of Whitefish represented both the buyers and the seller, well-known developer and venture capitalist Mark Kvamme. The expansive property had been on the market for almost a year, and was under contract for six months before the sale was finalized, Averill said. The new owners "have a great concept to revitalize it as a world-class development," Averill told the Inter Lake. "They want to reconceptualize it, add a bunch of super cool Montana amenities shooting, outdoor activities make it a world-class ranch development." The Texas group plans to keep The Homestead name, he said. "They like the homestead brand and what it represents, back to nature, family retreats," Averill said. Construction of a new clubhouse already is underway, and there are plans for a general store and other additions, he added. The Homestead currently has three lodges and two guest cabins that have been used by Kvamme as a family retreat in recent years, Averill said. The secluded property is surrounded by wildlife, lakes, waterfalls and woodland trails. Located near the intersection of Farm to Market and Star Meadow roads, it's privately insulated on all sides by forest land and 2 miles of Stillwater River frontage. "Of my 22 years in real estate, this is the nicest property I've seen," Averill said. Kvamme conceptualized The Homestead at Whitefish in the early 2000s, but the project stagnated when the recession hit around 2008 and the development went through U.S. Bankruptcy Court for restructuring. According to Bankruptcy Court documents, the original plan included forty 20-acre lots, 300 acres of open space and common area and 155 acres for future development. "Mark definitely had the vision," Averill said, "but he was probably 20 years too early. News editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com The rewriting of history is nothing short of cowardly, and its allowed the vestiges of slavery to fester, resulting in inequities in housing, personal wealth, education, the judicial system and environmental issues that persist in America today. The rest of us must stand up to revisionists by pushing back against their false reality and demanding the truth regarding the countrys legacy. Two hundred people signed onto a letter in the publication The Root slamming Ms. Hannah-Jones tenure track denial, including Baltimore native and writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and filmmaker Ava DuVernay, and 150 historians. In a separate letter that ran in a full-page ad in the News & Observer newspaper, 1,619 University of North Carolina alumni also expressed outrage. Dismissing a list of merits that includes winning a Pulitzer Prize, Peabody Award, and MacArthur Genius Grant is an attempt to penalize Nikole Hannah-Jones for her groundbreaking and unvarnished reporting of American history, the ad reads. We demand that the Board of Trustees immediately revisit this matter, grant tenure as recommended by the appropriate faculty, Dean and Provost, and restore the integrity of our University. Jun. 3The West Division's second-round series is headed to Vegas, where the Golden Knights hope to slow this roll the Colorado Avalanche are on. Games 3 and 4 are Friday and Sunday, respectively, at T-Mobile Arena. Colorado leads the series 2-0. The Avalanche have roughed up opponents regularly during this postseason. They're coming off a different kind of win the first overtime of their 2021 playoffs, and one in which they weren't playing like the better team for a long stretch. "It's great to see that we're resilient," forward Tyson Jost said. A period here or there that wasn't up to snuff wasn't enough of an opening for the St. Louis Blues to come in and win a game. Vegas dominated the second period and a good part of the third of Game 2 on Wednesday at Ball Arena. "Guys were isolating all over the rink, so it turned into a lot of us challenging guys one-on-one and them stopping us and then having their second guy pick up the puck and move in the other direction," coach Jared Bednar said. "We weren't in support of one another like we were in the previous four periods." The Avalanche were able remain undefeated in the postseason thanks to Mikko Rantanen's power-play goal in the first three minutes of overtime. Prior to that Philipp Grubauer made 39 saves. "I think we know we have to play better than that," Bednar said. Note: The Avalanche announced the signing of forward Andreas Wingerli, 23, to a one-year contract. Lycksele, Sweden, native Wingerli, 23, represented Sweden at the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Latvia. He had three points (one goal, two assists) through seven games. Wingerli has played six full seasons in in the Swedish Hockey League. Roman Protasevich and Alexander Lukashenko. AP Photo/Sergei Grits/Sergei Sheleg/BelTA Pool Photo via AP, File Belarusian authorities last month diverted a passenger flight in order to arrest a 26-year-old activist. The move shocked the international community, but experts said the step "falls within a certain pattern" for President Alexander Lukashenko. As the autocrat doubles down in the aftermath, experts say international attention and action are more important than ever. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The state-sanctioned diversion and detainment of Belarusian dissident journalist Roman Protasevich last month sparked outrage and reproach around the globe. But experts say the drastic move is emblematic of a larger, more nefarious problem in Eastern Europe: the ongoing corruption and abuses by Belarus's authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko. Often dubbed "Europe's last dictator," Lukashenko has been in power since 1994, enacting his autocratic rule for nearly as long. But in 2020, Belarus bore witness to a forceful wave of repression following a highly-contested August election, which prompted widespread protests throughout the country. Protasevich's detainment in May, though undeniably shocking, "falls within a certain pattern" for Lukashenko, who continues to pursue a renewed crackdown against any and all critics, according to Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch's Europe and Central Asia Division. In the days since the hijacking, Lukashenko has doubled down - issuing a travel ban for most residents and releasing a suspect video of a detained Protasevich praising the leader and confessing to crimes. Now, with all eyes on Belarus, experts say international action is more imperative than ever. A state-sanctioned hijacking captivates the globe On May 23, Belarusian authorities sent a fighter jet to divert a Ryanair plane flying from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, citing a bogus bomb threat. The passenger plane backtracked, landing in Minsk, where police officers boarded the jet and arrested Protasevich, a 26-year-old journalist and activist, and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, a 23-year-old Russian student. Story continues Passengers on Ryanair Flight 4978 told media outlets that the plane was "just minutes" from its destination in Lithuania when the pilot announced the aircraft would make an emergency landing in the Belarusian capital, after previously flying through the country's airspace. In the aftermath of the abrupt diversion, passengers on the flight told reporters that Protasevich looked "shocked" and "scared" following the pilot's announcement, even as the young activist instinctively began collecting his electronics to hand over to Sapega for safekeeping. Ryanair's CEO later said KGB agents had been aboard the flight from the start. Franak Viacorka, a senior advisor to exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and a longtime colleague of Protasevich, told Insider he knows his friend was scared. "He was always afraid of being captured by KGB, it was his nightmare," Viacorka said. The two men were together just before Protasevich's detainment, attending an economic conference in Greece, where Protasevich and Sapega also enjoyed a brief vacation. Weeks earlier, Viacorka said he and Protasevich had discussed the possibility of his capture and made plans for digital and electronic security. "But we neglected physical security," Viacorka said. "This was something we did not predict." A prominent opponent of Belarus' authoritarian president Roman Protasevich attends an opposition rally in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, March 25, 2012. AP Photo An 'excessively paranoid' leader casts aside legality to apprehend a longtime adversary Belarusian state media has reported that it was Lukashenko, himself, who gave the "unequivocal order" to ground the plane in Minsk - an audacious act by a powerful man driven by the notion that his enemies are out to get him, according to Denber. "I think it shows that he wanted to send a message that 'we will find you no matter where you are,'" Denber said. "No one is safe." Viacorka likened Lukashenko's brazen display of power to an "alpha man" wanting to prove to the world he is in control. Lukashenko's moves in the days since seem to confirm Viacorka's characterization of the aging autocrat. On May 24, Belarusian authorities posted videos of both Protasevich and Sapega confessing to crimes against the country. Screenshot from a video of the journalist Roman Protasevich released by Belarusian authorities on May 24, 2021. Via Hanna Liubakova/Twitter Opposition leaders and Protasevich's own father said the videos were made under duress, and what appeared to be an injury on Protasevich's face sparked concerns of torture. Then, on Thursday, the young dissident appeared on Belarusian state TV confessing to organizing "mass unrest" and praising his one-time foe. "I realized that many things [Lukashenko] is criticized for are just attempts to pressure him, and that in many moments he acted like...a man with balls of steel," Protasevich says in the video. Ten days after his arrest, the staunch Lukashenko opponent was suddenly praising the autocrat's regime. Protasevich, who began his activism at 16, had been detained several times before during his time freelancing for opposition news outlets before moving to Poland after he was forced out of university. As co-founder and editor-in-chief of NEXTA, an opposition Telegram channel, he focused much of his work on leaking videos and documents from the Lukashenko regime. In 2019, he was drawn back to Belarus, eager to impact real change in Minsk. But Lukashenko's authoritarian grasp was tightening on the country ahead of the 2020 elections, and anticipating impending danger, Protasevich fled to Warsaw for a second time. Protasevich and his allies continued their journalism at NEXTA leading up to the presidential election, playing a vital informational role as Lukashenko's regime shuttered independent media organizations inside the country. But amid mass protests following the country's highly contested 2020 election, Protasevich's journalism evolved into political activism as he began organizing protests against the Belarusian government through NEXTA, which had become the most popular opposition platform in Belarus. "We're journalists, but we also have to do something else," Protasevich told The New York Times in September. "No one else is left. The opposition leaders are in prison." Belarus has suffered years of election-cycle repression under Lukashenko's regime For nearly three decades, Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with a tight grip reminiscent of the country's Soviet past. But he wasn't always an oppositional figure. "It's important to remember that [Lukashenko] was quite popular when he was elected in 1994," Denber said. In the aftermath of the Soviet Union's fall, economic despair and widespread corruption reigned throughout the region, casting a tremendous uncertainty over Belarus. Lukashenko offered an appealing message and solution, Denber said. He wanted to stabilize the economy, fight corruption, and provide economic and national stability for the people. "But his autocratic...intent to erode democratic freedom and to very brusquely cast aside human rights emerged very quickly," Denber said. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko emerges from the polling booth after marking his ballot in Belarus' national referendum in Minsk, Belarus. AP Photo/Oleg Nikishin, File By 1996, Lukashenko had already introduced constitutional reforms that strengthened his presidency to the detriment of other government branches and had begun going after his political opponents. By the end of the '90s, Denber said several of Lukashenko's political adversaries had disappeared, some presumed murdered. Thus began a decades-long cycle of election-era repressions targeting independent journalists, human rights defenders, and political protesters. Several election cycles in the aughts sparked protests, Denber said, which in turn, would lead to fierce government crackdowns against civil society. "There were a lot of pretty dark years," she said. After a particularly grim period from 2010 to 2012, Lukashenko's repression eventually gave way to a slight "loosening up," Denber said. By 2019, Belarus had released almost all of its political prisoners, and the European Union and the United States both dropped formerly-imposed sanctions against the country. As the 2020 elections approached, Denber said the government promised a commitment to free and fair elections - it was the first time in years an opposition candidate would be allowed to run a real campaign. But the August elections proved to be an inflection point of massive consequence for Protasevich, Lukashenko, and the future of Belarus. A 'highly contested' election and a 'catastrophic' crackdown As campaigning for the landmark election began, it was clear Lukashenko was far from ready to acquiesce power. Leading opposition candidates found themselves arrested, oftentimes on bogus charges, while other candidates were simply refused the opportunity to register. Sergei Tikhanovsky, a well-known blogger faced both a refusal to register his nomination and a short prison sentence for organizing unauthorized protests. So, his wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya decided to run in his place. "She was able to campaign fairly unimpeded," Denber said. "Nobody expected she would draw the crowd she drew." Her popularity grew among Belarusians in the spring and early summer. In June, Tikhanovskaya received an anonymous phone call threatening her children's life unless she dropped out. She sent her children out of Belarus but stayed in the race. In this Sunday, July 19, 2020, file photo, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, candidate for the presidential elections, reacts during a meeting with her supporters in Minsk, Belarus. AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File On August 9, the Central Election Commission, which is controlled by Lukashenko's government, announced that the incumbent president had won a sixth term, crediting him with 80% of the vote. Tikhanovskaya's team objected, claiming to have won at least 60% in a first-round victory and calling on Lukashenko to begin negotiations. "It's hard to know what percentage of the vote she actually got, but clearly more than anyone expected," Denber said. Negotiations never came. Instead, the government arrested two members of her campaign's Coordination Council and offered the others a false choice: Leave the country or else. "We are dealing with a man who is getting...politically older," Viacorka, Tikhanovskaya's senior advisor said about Lukashenko. "Last year he became anxious, nervous, and absolutely irrational." During the height of the election outcry in September, Protasevich left Poland to join Tikhanovskaya in Lithuania, cementing himself even further as Lukashenko's enemy. In Belarus, the disputed election set off a mass wave of unprecedented, mostly peaceful protests. Viacorka estimated the movement was one of the biggest progressive movements in Europe in the past 40 years. But the civil demonstrations drew Lukashenko's ire. The government dismantled what independent media was left, targeting and arresting journalists throughout the country; officials restricted internet access for hours in August as protests surged; and security forces detained thousands of people, subjecting hundreds to torture, Human Rights Watch reported at the end of 2020. In this Aug. 10, 2020, file photo, protesters carry a wounded man during clashes with police in Minsk, Belarus. AP Photo/File "There are so many people in prison right now," Denber said in May. "Literally hundreds in jail connected to the protest movement." Viacorka believes thousands are still detained. Experts hope last month's aviation incident will spur international attention and action Lukashenko's post-elections crackdown stoked anger among ordinary Belarusians, making him even more unpopular throughout the country and prompting dissidents to look for new forms of resistance, Viacorka said. But it was last month's incident - Protasevich and Sapega's detainment - that captured the world's attention. "Last year's oppression was eye-opening for Belarusians...that was a wake-up call for Belarusians," Viacorka said. "Sunday was a wake-up call for the world." Denber agreed, saying she hoped the hijacking would "shock people to read into what else is happening" in the European country, including the death of a dissident in prison and the arrest of additional journalists since Protasevich's arrest. The US responded to what some countries called a "state-sanctioned hijacking" with fierce statements of condemnation and a re-imposition of full-blocking sanctions against Belarusian enterprises and a handful of key members in the regime. The EU prepared its own package of sanctions targeting the country's national airline and top aviation officials, as well as the Belarusian economy. All 27 members of the EU also agreed to bar European airlines from flying through Belarusian airspace and block Belarus's national airline from flying through or landing in the EU. But the EU may be in a bind moving forward. As the West moves to isolate Belarus even further, the closer it pushes Lukashenko to Vladimir Putin, his complicated, on-again-off-again Russian ally. Many top officials believe it was Putin who gave Belarus the green light to divert the Ryanair flight. People with old Belarusian national flags march during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. AP Photo But Tikhanovskaya and Viacorka are pressing international allies to think beyond last month's incident. On Tuesday, the opposition leader called for more US sanctions, imploring the country to take further action against enterprises and individuals supporting the Lukashenko regime. "Sanctions should help to stop the violence and help release all of political prisoners," she said after meeting with senators from the US Foreign Relations Committee. Viacorka and the opposition who remain free will continue to put pressure on the regime, fighting for new, free elections and democratic reforms, he said. He's also compelling Western politicians to help. "I urge Americans and Europeans, be braver, be strong," he told Insider. "The regime is the problem and if you don't want North Korea in the the center of Europe, try to do everything to shut it down, please." As for Protasevich, his future remains uncertain. Last week, his mother begged the US and EU to help free her son, who faces charges of terrorism and inciting anti-government riots. On Wednesday, Lukashenko intimated that Protasevich may face the death penalty for his "crimes" in Belarus - the last country in Europe to employ the practice. But Viacorka knows that his friend is only one prisoner in an ongoing war. "It's not about Roman. We don't want to trade for Roman only," he said. "He will be released only when all prisoners will be released." Read the original article on Business Insider People walk along the transit hall at Changi International Airport in Singapore on 7 January 2021. (Photo by Roslan Rahman / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images) SINGAPORE With the rise in COVID-19 cases detected in the Chinese city of Guangzhou in recent days, the multi-ministry taskforce tackling the pandemic will be tightening border restrictions for travellers with travel history to Guangdong province. All short-term travellers holding an Air Travel Pass with travel history to Guangdong within the last 21 days before departure for Singapore will not be allowed to enter Singapore from 11.59pm from Saturday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a press release on Friday. Meanwhile, Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders with travel history to Guangdong within the last 21 days before departure for Singapore will have to take a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test on arrival followed by a seven-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at their residence and another PCR test before the end of the SHN. Currently, travellers from China only need a PCR test on arrival. If the test result is negative, they can go about their activities in Singapore without having to serve a SHN. "As the global situation evolves, we will continue to adjust our border measures to manage the risk of importation and transmission to the community. Any changes to border measures will be updated on the SafeTravel website," said MOH. The ministry advised travellers to visit the website for the most updated border measures before entering Singapore. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Related stories: Chinese city locks down neighborhood after virus upsurge China's Guangdong tightens coronavirus measures as cases persist China reports surge of new COVID-19 cases in Guangzhou city, triggering flight cancellations A doctor is vaccinated at Gleneagles hospital, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore January 19, 2021. REUTERS/Edgar Su SINGAPORE A 16-year-old boy was given the wrong vaccine when he showed up at Kolam Ayer Community Club Vaccination centre on Thursday (3 June). He was administered the first dose of the Moderna vaccine, which is currently authorised for use in individuals aged 18 and above. In Singapore, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be administered to those below 18 who are eligible. In a joint press release on Friday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Education (MOE) apologised for "the inconvenience and anxiety caused". They have reached out to the youths parents to explain the situation. The ministries said that "the error was discovered onsite when a vaccination centre staff identified that the individual was under 18 years of age during the post-vaccination observation period". He was then placed under a longer observation time of 50 minutes the regular observation period is 30 minutes as a precaution. The teen is "generally well". Investigations found that the "the individuals date of birth had been erroneously entered when booking a vaccination appointment after receiving the sign-up link", the ministries said. "This resulted in his age being incorrectly registered as above 18 years of age, making it possible for a Moderna vaccination centre to be selected," the ministries added. "The vaccination centre staff had failed to verify his age during registration, which should have been carried out." The Expert Committee for COVID-19 Vaccination has reviewed the case, and it does not expect the teen to suffer any safety issues from this incident. The MOH has carried out a thorough review of its internal processes at vaccination sites in order to prevent a recurrence. "This includes strengthening our online registration process to ensure individuals make appointments at suitable vaccination centres based on their eligibility, as well as putting in place more stringent protocols at our vaccination sites to verify eligibility." Story continues Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Singapore stories Singaporean actor Shane Pow to plead guilty to drink driving charge SG Nasi Lemak group admin given 1-year mandatory treatment order Sinovac COVID vaccine approved for use in Singapore: MOH Will Smith is standing with Naomi Osaka. The Hollywood heavyweight is raising his voice and pen in support of the tennis champ, who pulled out of the French Open on Monday after being fined for skipping the traditional post-match press conference. On Thursday, the Men In Black star shared an encouraging handwritten message to the 23-year-old sports icon. The note simply reads: Hey Naomi, You are Right. They are Wrong! I am with You. Smith signed the note by drawing a heart over his autograph. Osaka explained that she withdrew from the French Open for mental health reasons, writing: The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the U.S. Open in 2018, and I have had a really hard time coping with that. When it comes to speaking with the media, the worlds highest paid female athlete says it causes her huge waves of anxiety and that she finds the overall practice stressful. Osaka was fined $15,000 for refusing to participate in the press conference and was threatened with disqualification for other events. Repeat violations attract tougher sanctions including default from the tournament and the trigger of a major offence investigation that could lead to more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions, they said. Following the ultimatum, she gave the French Open the heave ho sending shock waves throughout the sport. While Osaka drew some detractors within the tennis world (and polarizing British TV personality Piers Morgan), she gained an outpouring of support from fellow athletes and celebrity notables including Serena Williams, Russell Wilson, Steph Curry, Pink and Nicki Minaj. Sports apparel giant Nike, credit card company Master Card and Japanese automaker Nissan with whom Osaka has partnerships also expressed support. Smith wrote, Hey Naomi. You are Right. They are Wrong! I am with You. He ended his note with a heart and his signature. Multi-hyphenate entertainer Will Smith penned a note of support for tennis star Naomi Osaka, which he shared on his Instagram page. In his note, Smith wrote, Hey Naomi. You are Right. They are Wrong! I am with You. He ended the letter with a heart and his signature. Will Smith (left) penned a very nice note of support for tennis star Naomi Osaka (right), which he shared on his Instagram page. (Photos by Jason Merritt/Getty Images and Mark Brown/Getty Images) Smith didnt write a caption for the two-part post. The second part of the picture was a selfie of Smith holding the notebook in which he wrote the message. There has been an outpouring of support for 23-year-old Osaka, who withdrew from the French Open after being fined for skipping a press conference; shed stated in advance that press events between matches gave her anxiety. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. In a statement to social media following her withdrawal from the tournament, Osaka wrote, The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that. She said shes suffered from social anxiety for years and that her condition was exacerbated by press conferences during tournaments. She added that while she was feeling vulnerable and anxious during play, she desired to skip press conferences as a form of self-care. Osaka was fined $15,000 by the French Open for skipping a post-match press after defeating Patricia Maria Tig Sunday, and she withdrew the next day, saying that she hoped everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris. The meditation app Calm announced Wednesday it would pay the fines of any remaining French Open player who, for mental-health preservation, opts to skip media appearances during the tournament. When asked how she deals with the pressure of speaking to the press, tennis legend Venus Williams went viral with an epic response: For me personally, how I cope, how I deal with it, was that I know every single person asking me a question cant play as well as I can and never will. So, no matter what you say or what you write, youll never light a candle to me. Story continues Thats how I deal with it, she added. But each person deals with it differently. Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Download theGrio.com today! The post Will Smith writes handwritten note in support of Naomi Osaka appeared first on TheGrio. Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville during the ministerial statement on National Qualifications 2021 at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. Picture date: Wednesday June 2, 2021. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: - Fraser Bremner/PA Wire The SNP has ordered an overhaul of Scotland's under-fire education system after exams chiefs unveiled a qualifications appeals process that provoked a storm of criticism. The new education secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville said the roles and functions of Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA) would be reviewed. The surprise announcement came after her predecessor, John Swinney, spent years refusing demands to reform what were widely seen as underperforming quangos. However, opponents claimed that ministers were merely tinkering around the edges and demanded that the SQA be axed entirely, after its running of this years qualifications, after normal exams were again cancelled, was heavily criticised. Pupils have been forced to sit assessments which have been described as exams in all but name under a system open to widespread abuse. Meanwhile, an appeals process unveiled this week has provoked outrage after it emerged pupils who take advantage of it could see marks downgraded and because there is no provision to take into account extenuating circumstances such as bereavement due to Covid-19. Chaos last summer It followed a scandal last summer after pupils were originally awarded grades based on an algorithm which disadvantaged poorer teenagers, under a system scrapped after a fierce backlash. There was also confusion yesterday after Nicola Sturgeon insisted that she had full confidence in the SQA only for Ms Somerville to announce the planned overhaul two hours later. Oliver Mundell, education spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: Trying to tinker round the edges at reforming the SQA simply isnt good enough. The SQA isnt fit for purpose and must be axed. The SNP cant have it both ways. Nicola Sturgeon said she had full confidence in the SQA, yet a couple of hours later her education secretary announces that she wants to reform the SQA after its continued failures. That will hardly inspire confidence among pupils, parents and teachers who the SNP have continually let down. Story continues At Holyrood, Ms Somerville said a long-awaited report into Scottish education conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development would help decade the futures of Education Scotland and the SQA. Building pressure There have been calls for several years to break up Education Scotland, which is responsible for both developing the curriculum and inspecting schools. "I want to look at options for reform which ensure that schools get the best possible support and challenge to enable them to improve further and to do what we all want, to find the very best for the children in their care, Ms Somerville said. I want to signal my intention to start this process by considering how to reform our two key national education agencies, the SQA and Education Scotland. "This will include looking at their role, their remit, the purpose of their organisations, as well as considering their function and the Government's arrangements. Ross Greer, the Green MSP, yesterday lodged an amendment to a Scottish Government motion in a Holyrood education debate expressing a "lack of confidence" in the SQA's ability to fulfil its duties. He said: "Having scrutinised their work throughout the pandemic and before, I can come to no other view. "We have now reached the inevitable conclusion of a process led by an organisation that doesn't trust teachers or pupils, that doesn't welcome constructive criticism, which has systemic issues with transparency, and which still quite clearly does not believe last year's grading algorithm was a mistake." Mr Greer's amendment was defeated by just one vote, with 59 MSPs voting in favour but 60 SNP MSPs against it. The scars of last years shambles run deep A commentary by Alan Cochrane We should nearly always smell a rat when politicians urge us to look at important issues in a non-partisan manner. And that advice is doubly applicable when the tribune concerned is none other than Nicola Sturgeon, a formidable debater, well-versed in all of the dark arts associated with the political world. Thus, we were given advance knowledge that she was in some difficulty over her governments past record, as well as its current handling, of school exams when she was challenged on the subject yesterday by Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader. Needless to say, he was having none of this non-partisan stuff and immediately demanded to know whether her government and the Scottish Qualifications Authority were planning another year of chaos over how pupils are to be graded for exams that, for the most part, they wont be sitting because of the Covid pandemic. Furthermore, he outlined his specific concern that pupils face the prospect of having their results downgraded if they use the new appeals system to question the grades their teachers have given them. And he asked her if she was seriously going to defend a system which effectively meant that pupils would have to gamble on their future. Desperate times He quoted the Glasgow Youth Council, a body, I confess, Ive never heard of, whose spokesman said that last years calamitous exams outcomes had put young people through hell and accused the Scottish Government and SQA of being in denial about the problems they face this time. The First Minister was also at pains to insist that the system being adopted this year in Scotland and which Mr Ross had described as indefensible was exactly the same as that being planned for use in England, a surprise statement, given that she normally never suggests that anything being done south of the border is worthy of copying. Still, these are desperate times and last years exams fiasco at the hands of the Scottish Government is something that simply cannot be repeated. She insisted that very few pupils have their exam marks downgraded and believed that the appeals system should only be used in exceptional circumstances because, as she added "we want to get the grades right the first time". However, the scars of last years exams shambles run deep in Scotland, both at school and government level, and Mr Ross refused to be convinced by Ms Sturgeons answers. He demanded that no pupil who appeals will be downgraded and last, but by no means least, he insisted that the SQA be scrapped. Moreover, on this last point it would appear that hes getting his way. Massive change The SNP government is refusing to concede that its being scrapped (that would be too much of a climbdown) but in a subsequent statement Shirley Anne Somerville announced what looks very much like a root and branch reform of both Education Scotland and the SQA. So much so that while the latter may keep its name, and that must be debatable, given its chequered history of late, it is unlikely to bear much resemblance in responsibilities and influence to the present body. Thursday's exchanges saw perhaps the most abject admission ever from the First Minister that her government had let down (and badly let down) a generation of pupils last year whereby teacher judgement in exam marking had been replaced an algorithm approach, which, she admitted, "was fundamentally flawed". In conclusion she said: "Of all the impacts of the pandemic that I wish I could take away, the impact on our young people is very near the top, if not at the top, of the list." Apologies such as this dont come often from this lady but it was entirely justified. The beach at Torremolinos is nearly empty but this southern Spanish resort is gearing up for what it hopes will be a busy summer and a return of "normality". Spain will on Monday reopen its borders to travellers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and all along the city's promenade, hotels and restaurants are reopening or racing to refurbish in anticipation. "We are already seeing something of a recovery with national clients," said Orlando Perez, assistant manager of the seafront Melia Costa del Sol hotel which opened its doors on Tuesday after being closed for nine months. With bookings on the rise, this 540-room hotel will next week see its occupancy rate rising to 35 percent. It's a long way from the 90 percent occupancy rate of the summer before the pandemic, but like other Spanish hoteliers, Perez is betting the numbers will soar as vaccination programmes in key markets take hold and travel restrictions are further eased. And the fact that the EU's vaccine passport will be in place by July 1, further freeing up travel within the bloc, has added to the sense of optimism. As the world's second-most popular tourist destination, Spain is expecting to welcome 45 million foreign tourists this year -- more than twice the 19 million who visited in 2020 when the global tourism sector was battered by the pandemic. For Spain, it was the lowest figure since the late 1960s. And the impact can be clearly seen in neighbourhoods further from the beachfront where it's easier to find boarded-up shops and hotels. - 'A lot of uncertainty' - As the "tourist hub" of Spain's southern Costa del Sol, Torremolinos "totally depends on the sector", city mayor Jose Ortiz told AFP. Although the pandemic delivered the "harshest blow the city has ever experienced", Ortiz is hoping tourism activity could reach half of its pre-pandemic levels in June and July. Domestic tourists have already started coming back since the state of emergency which restricted inter-regional travel was lifted in early May. Story continues Before the pandemic, Spaniards accounted for half of the million or so annual visitors to Torremolinos, a city of around 68,000 people. But one key reason for concern remains. Tourists from Britain, who normally make up a third of visitors to Torremolinos, are still required to quarantine and take PCR tests on their return home from visiting Spain, which puts many off. "For some hotels, the British market accounts for 70 percent of all international tourists," said Javier Hernandez, vice-president of the Costa del Sol's Association of Hotel Entrepreneurs. "There is still a lot of uncertainty." And Britain's decision on Thursday to keep Spain off its 'green list' of safe countries has caused further angst, with the Exceltur tourism association describing it as "bad news". The UK travel list is up for review in another three weeks' time. - 'Security above all' - Even so, there is optimism on the seafront among those working in the tourism sector. "Things are starting to move again," said Cristian Martin, 24, who started as a waiter at Pizza Mare three weeks ago. "We're hoping that by mid-June and July things will start getting back to normal a bit more," he smiled. At the Eden Beach Club, groups of people are relaxing in hammocks, sipping mojitos. "There are very good prospects for the summer, we have been closed but it looks like it's going to be a good one," said club owner Antonio Dominguez, quickly reminding a customer to put on his face mask to go to the bathroom. The venue has also reduced capacity and ensured tables are far apart under its virus protocol. Hotels have also taken steps to ensure guests have a safe stay. At the Melia, rooms are disinfected and are ventilated for 24 hours between guests and hand gel dispensers are everywhere. "Security above all," said Perez, the assistant manager. du/ds/bp Gov. Larry Hogan has announced an end to the weekly extra $300 for unemployed Marylanders and three other changes affecting self-employed workers, gig workers and unemployed folks (Gov. Hogan says Maryland will end extra $300 weekly payments, other federal unemployment programs, June 1). Workers affected by these changes will feel the pinch. But let us think: While these struggling workers are hustling for their next jobs, do we want their children to suffer? Do we want their families to lose their homes? Beachgoers make their way onto the sand at Falesia Beach in Vilamoura, Portugal - Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg Summer holidays abroad have been thrown into doubt after Portugal was axed from the green list because of a new Covid variant. Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, suggested it could be mid-August before Europe caught up with Britain's levels of vaccination to enable travel restrictions to be lifted, raising fears of a second lost summer. Travel bosses reacted with fury to the axing of Portugal just two weeks after it was added to the quarantine-free green list, claiming ministers wanted to kill off foreign travel this summer and cut the UK off from the rest of the world. Ministers admitted it was not known whether the new mutation, dubbed the Nepalese variant, was more transmissible or a bigger risk to the vaccinated than the Indian version from which it derived. Public Health England (PHE) said just 20 cases of the new mutation have been identified in the UK although the true number is likely to be higher as only a fraction of the positives have been fully genome sequenced. It is understood that cases have been detected in Lisbon and the Azores. No countries were added to the green list on Thursday, leaving just 11 on it, with only Iceland and Gibraltar viable holiday destinations. Seven countries, including Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and Egypt, were added to the red list, meaning arrivals into the UK must submit to 10 days hotel quarantine. The green list will next be updated on June 28 and Mr Shapps held out little prospect of any significant reopening of travel then. "Europe is probably 10 weeks behind but they will catch up and I don't know exactly what that will mean in terms of the summer, he said. Mr Shapps said the Government had acted to avoid jeopardising plans to lift the remaining domestic Covid restrictions on June 21. He said the decision was taken due to Portugals rising infection rates as well as the new variant. We just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation and we simply dont want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of unlock." Story continues The announcement was met with consternation by backbench Tory MPs and the travel industry. Henry Smith, Tory chair of the all-party Future of Aviation group, said: Increasingly we are in danger of a lost summer. I am concerned we perhaps won't see even a modest opening until July or August and that frankly is too late for any meaningful season. It is overly-cautious. We are not being driven by data but by fear. That will have negative effects on the economy. David Davis, former cabinet minister, said: Unless we establish this variant is more transmissible or more dangerous, it is completely meaningless. You are at less risk coming from Portugal than travelling from some parts of Lancashire. Johan Lundgren, the chief executive of easyJet, said: "The Government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing peoples plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK. Ministers decided on Thursday morning to add Portugal to the amber list from next Tuesday at 4am. It means anyone returning from Portugal after then will have to quarantine for 10 days and take at least two PCR tests. Thousands of Britons who had flown to Portugal raced to cut short their holidays to avoid quarantine on their return while up to 300,000 who booked for June faced the dilemma of travelling against government advice and self-isolating on their return, or potentially losing the cost of their holiday. Hundreds of Manchester City and Chelsea fans who travelled to Portugal on a Ryanair flight for the Champions League final last weekend have also been contacted by the NHSs test and trace and ordered to self-isolate for 10 days. Although the green list will be updated on June 28, travel industry leaders warned that even if destinations are added holidaymakers may not want to book breaks when the Government has shown that restrictions on travel can be quickly reimposed. Andrew Flintham, managing director for TUI UK, said the Portugal decision would do "untold damage to customer confidence", while World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said it would crush the confidence to travel, depress forward bookings and deter holidaymakers. It is also not clear when many European countries will be deemed safe to be added to the green list. Analysis shows that no European country which is currently under UK travel restrictions has as strong a grip on Covid, in terms of cases, deaths and vaccination rates, as Portugal did when it was added to the green list. John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow boss, said that the Portugal decision all but guaranteed another lost summer for the travel sector and warned it would leave the UK isolated from the rest of world just as it hosted next weeks G7 summit. "Rapid action is needed to reopen flights to key trading partners, remove testing for vaccinated passengers from green countries, and slash the cost and complexity of testing, as other G7 countries are doing," he said. Stewart Wingate, Gatwick chief executive, said the Portuguese decision was bitterly disappointing news but hoped the rest of Europe followed the UKs vaccination lead so that safe and easy travel to and from the UK becomes a reality quickly. Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: This is no way to treat passengers. The Government promised a green watchlist to avoid this very scenario of people being stranded overseas where is it? This decision just adds to the belief that ministers dont actually want international travel this summer, and want to cut off the UK from the rest of the world despite the success of the vaccination programme. If that is the case they should be open and tell us rather than leading us and our customers further down this painful merry dance, and put in place longer-term support measures for an industry now on its knees. Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, warned that the Government's cautious approach was "failing to reap dividends from the UKs successful vaccination programme, preventing passengers from booking with confidence". Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: This is a decision which will threaten tens of thousands of jobs in the aviation and travel sectors, not to mention further damage consumer confidence. "The data shows several countries should be green so the governments decision beggars belief. Summer is being squeezed by a policy of fear. Portugal said it did not understand the logic of the UK Governments decision, and the country's president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa described the move as "health fundamentalism". The decision wiped more than 2 billion off the valuation of shares in airline, travel and aviation engineering companies floated on the London Stock Exchange. Shares in easyJet fell six per cent and IAG, the company that owns British Airways, slipped five per cent. Rolls-Royce, which makes a large proportion of its profits manufacturing aircraft engines, lost more than 200 million of its value. On Thursday night, Airline Jet2 delayed the restart of flights and holidays from June 24 to July 1. There are now fears that smaller travel companies could collapse following a second summer of disruption. Larger firms may ask taxpayers for billions in state aid. Have you booked a holiday abroad this summer? Or have you decided that it's not worth the risk? Tell us in the comments section below A 14-year-old died in Texas when he walked through water with a submerged extension cord, officials say. Officials said the boy was electrocuted Friday morning after he walked through water by a home near Mission, KVEO reported. Heavy thunderstorms over the past week have flooded parts of the South Texas region. Hidalgo County Fire Marshal Homero Garza told KRGV the extension cord was connected from a home to a trailer. Officials said county crews were in the area clearing water when the boy was electrocuted, the news outlet reported. Despite efforts by EMS to save his life, the boy did not survive, KVEO reported. In a Facebook post Friday, the Hidalgo County Fire Marshals Office shared safety tips about using electricity from a house to power a nearby structure or mobile home. Many times we find that electrical power (extension cords) are utilized to supply power to a secondary structure as well, the fire marshals office said. The power cords are often dug underground or simply left above ground to supply this power. This is not safe and should also be avoided at all costs. Teen electrocuted on lake dies just weeks after high school graduation, Texas cops say Property advertisements at an estate agency dedicated to British buyers on June 16, 2016, in southwestern France. MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP via Getty Images Thousands of Brits in Europe have less than a month to avoid becoming unauthorized immigrants. UK citizens in France, Luxembourg, and elsewhere are required to apply for residency by June 30. Citizens-rights groups said people who failed to apply risked losing access to healthcare. See more stories on Insider's business page. Up to 100,000 British citizens living in mainland Europe have less than a month to apply for permanent residency on the continent or risk becoming unauthorized immigrants with the threat of lost rights or deportation. Under post-Brexit rules, UK citizens who live in countries including France, Malta, and Luxembourg are required to apply for residency by June 30 or risk losing basic rights. But tens of thousands living abroad have still not applied, leading to concerns that those affected could lose access to services such as healthcare as a result of their new status. "We are now less than a month before our deadline, and people just do not know what the consequences will be - they don't know exactly how their lives will be impacted," Kalba Meadows, a resident in France who cofounded the citizens-rights group France Rights, told Insider. "If they haven't applied before the deadline and they aren't due to have reasonable grounds for a late application, they're going to become undocumented migrants. "What the actual consequences of that will be we don't know, but it is highly likely that they will lose access to healthcare. That has serious consequences, especially for the elderly and vulnerable." Fourteen of the European Union's 27 member states granted automatic residency to British citizens who were already living there when the UK left the bloc, but the remaining 13 require UK citizens to apply. Those countries include Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, which has extended the deadline to November 30. According to the EU-UK joint committee on citizens' rights, 298,000 British citizens need to apply for residency but only 190,100 had done so by April 28. Story continues That figure included 25,500 people in France from a total of 148,300 who had not applied by the end of April. Many Brits living abroad aren't aware of their rights Getty The UK-EU joint committee's report said French authorities were carrying out "awareness-raising campaigns" online and through printed media, but Meadows said she had not seen any. British in Europe, a citizens-rights group, has called for other member states to extend the deadline, a spokesperson, Fiona Godfrey, told Insider. The UK several months ago issued guidelines on how it would treat late applications from people affected by COVID-19. Godfrey said that British in Europe had asked the European Commission for similar guidelines in member EU states and that no guidelines had been published so far. The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request from Insider for comment. "The thing we don't know is if the deadlines are not extended - if people do wake up undocumented on July 1 - what that will actually mean for them," Godfrey said. "I've asked in meetings: What concretely will that mean for them? We haven't been told that." Read the original article on Business Insider Jun. 4OGDENSBURG Three Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart from the Diocese of Ogdensburg are celebrating jubilees this year, totaling 210 years of service. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart community. The three Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart are Sister Eileen Murray, originally from Ogdensburg, who is celebrating 80 years with the community; Sister Mary Teresa LaBrake, born in Winthrop, celebrating 70 years; and Sister Mary Lee Farrell, also originally from Ogdensburg, who is celebrating 60 years. "By saying 'yes' to God's call and living their vocations, these sisters brought their love of Jesus and the Gospel to many here in our diocese and around the country," Bishop Terry R. LaValley said. "As we read their reflections of living in community and serving the church in schools, parishes and orphanages, we see terms like 'blessed,' 'grateful' and 'rejoicing.' These sisters found joy and graces in following God's will in their lives. We thank them for their 'yes' to God's call; we thank them for sharing their joy, gifts and talents; and we thank them for their service to our diocese and the Church." Sister Eileen Murray, 97, whose religious name is Sister Paul Francis, was educated by Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart after graduating from St. Mary's Academy, Ogdensburg. Over her years in ministry, she was a teacher and principal at schools in Buffalo and Jackson Heights, NY; in Lowell, Mass.; and in Atlanta, Ga. According to a recent publication by the Grey Nuns celebrating the community's jubilarians, Sister Eileen's "lessons and classroom experiments in middle school science are still remembered by many of her former students. She made science exciting!" Sister Eileen's ministry years from 1945-1960 at St. Joseph's Orphanage in Ogdensburg are dear to her heart because they provided her with the experience of mothering children. One man remembers her "calmly and lovingly" tending to the boys in her care. He always sends flowers to her on Mother's Day. Story continues From 1986 until her retirement in 2010, Sister Eileen engaged in a Ministry to the Elderly at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Atlanta, bringing the Eucharist, friendship and encouragement to the homebound and to nursing home residents. "In my 80 years as a Grey Nun, I have taught at almost every grade level," Sister Eileen said. "At Holy Angels Academy, I taught young women the beauty of art, design, watercolor, oil and other mediums. These were blessed years. In my retirement at the Motherhouse, I was a willing chauffeur for many. Eventually, it was time to slow down. Now I spend time in prayer and reading. I muse often at how blessed we all are to be here and to have each other. Being a Grey Nun and sharing my everyday life for these 80 years is a blessing. I consider myself most fortunate." Sister Mary Teresa LaBrake, whose religious name is Sister Maria Goretti, grew up with 13 siblings on a 165-acre farm. She attended St. Mary's School, Ogdensburg, a school that was staffed by the Grey Nuns. After becoming a Grey Nun and spending several years teaching in elementary school, she volunteered to replace the principal at Immaculate Conception School in Eden, NY, on a temporary basis. This led to similar positions at St. Rose of Lima School in Buffalo, and Ogdensburg Catholic Central School. Sister Mary Teresa later became assistant superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Ogdensburg, and she was often on the road visiting from one school to another. When her father became ill, she lived with and cared for him, all the while continuing her ministry. She found great fulfillment in her position as pastoral associate in the Cathedral Parish in Ogdensburg. There, her interaction with parishioners brought her great joy. Sister Mary Teresa also served for 10 years on the Board of Directors for Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. After moving to Holy Redeemer Lafayette in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she continued to use her pastoral skills to reach out to residents there through visits and phone calls. "In reflecting upon my 70 years as a Grey Nun of the Sacred Heart, I am extremely grateful for my parents, who allowed me to enter our Grey Nun community at the age of 17 and to the Grey Nuns for providing me with the education needed for my career," Sister Mary Teresa said. "My prayer has always guided me in decision making, and I felt God's guidance in moving from a school setting to the position of pastoral associate in the cathedral in Ogdensburg. My educational skills were needed also in the Catechumenate Program and in Adult Education Programs. It was while ministering in the parish that the Lord drew me into His care and concern for the sick in the hospital, nursing home, or homebound. I am especially grateful for my Grey Nun sisters, and for bishops, priests, deacons, family members, and the many lay people who have loved, guided and walked with me on my journey." Sister Mary Lee Farrell, whose religious name is Sister John Michael, is an educator with a Ph.D. in Higher Education. She has taught in elementary, secondary and college classrooms as well as in an inner-city neighborhood art school, including two years from 1967-1969 teaching Latin, religion, English and math at St. Mary's Academy, Ogdensburg. As director of Adult Learning at Villa Maria College in Erie, Pa., Sister Mary Lee implemented and directed an innovative program that enabled working adults to earn college degrees by attending classes on weekends. In addition to her work as an educator and her service as a member of the Grey Nun leadership, Sister Mary Lee has been a musician, a singer and a grant writer along the many paths of her ministry life. As an instructor and grant writer at the Neighborhood Art House in Erie, she taught inner city children the skills of writing, music and drawing on computers and gave trumpet lessons to young musicians. During her 22 years in Erie, Sister Mary Lee also served as research assistant to Sister Joan Chittister for the contemporary spirituality communications platform, Benetvision. Currently, Sister Mary Lee works in the Grey Nun Congregational Advancement Office and looks forward to a return to cantoring at area churches. "In many ways, I find it hard to believe that 60 years have passed," Sister Mary Lee said. "Time and grace have unfolded my life in ways and places and people I would never have foreseen. I have never been bored, but often surprised. I have never been more sure that I was in charge than just before a major crisis. I welcome jubilee as a time to rejoice in all that has been and look forward with great enthusiasm to whatever surprises await in the next 60 years." Mission Impossible Set Shutdown (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Mission: Impossible fans are wondering how Tom Cruise is taking the news that production on the latest sequel has been forced to temporarily shut down. Paramount Pictures has temporarily halted the UK-based shoot until 14 June after 14 members of the Mission: Impossible 7 crew tested positive for Covid-19. We have temporarily halted production on Mission: Impossible 7 until 14 June, due to positive coronavirus test results during routine testing, a Paramount spokesperson said on 3 June. We are following all safety protocols and will continue to monitor the situation. No further comment was given. The news will come as a blow to Cruise, who has been praised by fellow actors for his commitment to finishing the movie, as Hollywood continues to struggle amid the pandemic. Fans are now wondering how he will have reacted to the news. I know Tom Cruise is [angry face emoji] right now, one person joked. Someone please send me any Tom Cruise freakout videos, another said. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. In December last year, Cruise notoriously unleashed his wrath on two crew members spotted standing two close together in front of a computer screen. The actor was heard lecturing the crew, saying: If I see you do it again, youre f***ing gone. We are the gold standard, he said. Theyre back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us. Because they believe in us and what were doing. Im on the phone with every f***ing studio at night, insurance companies, producers... and theyre looking at us and using us to make their movies. We are creating thousands of jobs, you motherf***ers. I dont ever want to see it again. Ever! His rant came two months after the film was delayed when 12 people on location in Italy tested positive for coronavirus. Tom Cruise stands on a boat during the shooting of Mission Impossible 7 in Venice in October 2020. (Photo by Andrea Pattaro/AFP via Getty Images) While fans were divided over whether Cruise had reacted too strongly, fellow actor George Clooney said at the time that he understood why he did. Youre in a position of power and its tricky, right? You do have a responsibility for everybody else and hes absolutely right about that, he told radio host Howard Stern. Story continues And, you know, if the production goes down, a lot of people lose their jobs, he continued. People have to understand that and have to be responsible. Its just not my style to, you know, to take everybody to task that way. He added that, while he wouldnt have done it quite that personally, he wondered whether the situation had happened before. I dont know all the circumstances so maybe he had it 10 or 15 times before, he said. The latest positive test results apparently surfaced shortly after Cruise shot a scene set in a nightclub. All 60 members of the production crew are now self-isolating in line with Covid-19 safety protocols. The Independent has contacted a representative for Cruise for comment. Read More Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey Netflix viewers praise disturbing true crime drama David Harbour leaked Black Widow photos to prevent Marvel and Stranger Things crossover theories Wedding Crashers sequel with original cast to start filming in August President Trump implied that he would run for president again or reclaim the White House through some other unspecified means in a statement released after Facebook announced that he will be banned from the platform for at least another two years. Next time Im in the White House there will be no more dinners, at his request, with Mark Zuckerberg and his wife. It will be all business! Trump said in a statement. Trumps comments come after multiple outlets, including National Review, reported that the former president believes and has told advisors and conservative journalists that he will somehow be reinstated to the presidency sometime in August. Facebook announced on Friday that it would suspend Trumps account for at least two years, following an initial suspension in the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot. At the end of this period, if we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded, the company said in a statement. During the riot, supporters of the former president breached the Capitol and forced lawmakers to evacuate to secure locations, delaying the certification of the Electoral College results. Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday that he and Trump may never see eye to eye regarding the riots. As I said that night, January 6 was a dark day in the history of the United States of America, Pence told attendees at a local Republican meeting in New Hampshire. You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since he left office, and I dont know if well ever see eye to eye on that day. But I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people of the last four years. More from National Review Former President Donald Trump leaving Trump Tower in New York City on May 18. James Devaney/GC Images Donald Trump is said to "believe quite genuinely" that he will again be president this year. The baseless idea has circulated among Trump supporters and some fringe media outlets for months. Sources told National Review that Trump was trying to get influential figures to spread the theory. See more stories on Insider's business page. Former President Donald Trump is said to be "trying hard" to recruit politicians and journalists to promote his baseless theory that he will be reinstated as president this year, National Review reported. Charles C.W. Cooke, a senior reporter for National Review, said he had confirmed the New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman's reporting on the subject. "Haberman's reporting was correct," he wrote. "I can attest, from speaking to an array of different sources, that Donald Trump does indeed believe quite genuinely that he - along with former senators David Perdue and Martha McSally - will be 'reinstated' to office this summer." He added: "Trump is trying hard to recruit journalists, politicians, and other influential figures to promulgate this belief - not as a fundraising tool or an infantile bit of trolling or a trial balloon, but as a fact." Haberman tweeted Tuesday that Trump had told others he believed he'd reenter the White House by August. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "Trump has been telling a number of people he's in contact with that he expects he will get reinstated by August (no that isn't how it works but simply sharing the information)," Haberman tweeted. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The baseless theory has been circulating among Trump supporters and fringe conservative media outlets for months, Insider's Jake Lahut reported. It is based on the belief that President Joe Biden's victory will be overturned following "audits" of last year's presidential election in states including Georgia and Arizona. Trump and his allies filed more than 40 legal challenges to last year's election result, all of which failed. Story continues Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow, has been a vocal proponent of the theory that Trump will be reinstalled to the White House in August. He told Trump's former advisor Steve Bannon that the theory was "100% real." Lindell also took credit for Trump's reported belief in the August deadline, telling The Daily Beast: "If Trump is saying August, that is probably because he heard me say it." Sidney Powell, a former attorney for Trump, also pushed the theory at a conference over the weekend. Read the original article on Business Insider As many as 15,000 Bitcoin users crammed into Mana Wynwood Convention Center on Friday to attend what was billed as the worlds largest-ever cryptocurrency conference. In front of a crowd that local fire marshals had to limit because it exceeded capacity, conference headliner Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter and payments platform Square, made the bullish case for the cryptocurrency. He said Bitcoin and its underlying technology, the blockchain, is the worlds best tool for achieving financial freedom and fighting government censorship. We dont need the financial institutions that we have today, Dorsey said. We have one that is thriving ... that is owned by the community. Bitcoin, he said, changes absolutely everything...If I werent working for Twitter or Square, Id be working on Bitcoin, he added. Other speakers included Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, known for having claimed to have helped found Facebook and now crypto entrepreneurs. They argued Bitcoins market capitalization will soon match that of gold and that by the end of 2022, the price of one Bitcoin could reach $250,000. Its the second pitch of the first inning in terms of where Bitcoin is today, Tyler Winklevoss said. The price of one Bitcoin stands at approximately $37,000, down from its recent high of more than $60,000. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez opened the conference, saying he has been working to make Miami the Bitcoin, blockchain and mining capital of the world. The conference brought attendees from as far away as China. Nathaniel Justin Yu, an international marketing executive at China-based crypto-mining firm Bitmain, said attending the conference was a great way to meet others in the space and to broadcast his companys products. Bitmain is privately owned. The rise of Miami, he said, marks a great stride towards the further adoption of cryptocurrency. The conference, and announcements this week by two different cryptocurrency exchanges that they would be opening Miami offices, are likely to cement Miamis status as a crypto hub. Adam Levine, a managing editor at Coindesk.com, a website that covers cryptocurrency, said Suarez deserves a majority of the credit for Miamis tech- and crypto-related news of the past six months. Story continues The mayor of Miami being so supportive isnt unique, but its still very novel, and Id credit a decent amount of the wins Miami has been seeing along these lines to that inviting, supportive approach, Levine said in an email. Though some experts say the mainstream promise of Bitcoin and blockchain technologies remains out of reach, Levine said that is changing fast and that Miami stands to benefit. There is definitely a risk of a boom/bust cycle, but thats true of any new industry, he said. People get too excited and can make poor choices, prices pump, people fear missing out, scammers take advantage of that fear to ply their trade using whatever is popular as a facade. So like everything its a mixed bag, but I think its more positive for Miami than it is potentially negative. In fact, Miamis current trajectory puts it on a path to supplant New York and San Francisco as the primary crypto hub in the U.S., Levine said. Its sort of Miamis game to lose right now, he said. The letter came shortly before a Tuesday deadline for the council to attempt to override Scotts veto of the security deposit bill. That legislation, introduced by Democratic Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton, would have required landlords with 10 or more units who charge a deposit of more than 60% of a months rent to offer tenants payment alternatives: either pay the deposit in three monthly installments or buy what it called rental security insurance. Two Raymore women are suing United Airlines for emotional distress they endured after a jet engine blew up during their Hawaii-bound flight in February. The incident caused a panic among passengers as the pilots were forced to make an emergency landing. Cynthia Pugh, 61, and Kelli Dennis, 60, were passengers on the Boeing 777 on Feb. 20 when the engine malfunctioned, bursting into flames and bobbling around on the wing as debris fell over the Denver metro area. In separate civil suits filed this week against the airliner, Dennis and Pugh allege the company was negligent in allowing the plane to take off to begin with and say the event has traumatized them. That truly was a harrowing experience for them, not knowing if the pilots could control the plane, if they could safely land it or not, said Richard Burke, of Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices, which is representing the women and seven other passengers in civil lawsuits against the airliner. So, they were very concerned that those were their last moments. They were clearly fearful that they were going to die, to put it bluntly, Burke added, saying the whole incident should not have occurred in the first place. United said in a statement Friday the company does not comment on active litigation. On Feb. 20, United Airlines Flight 328 had been in the air for less than 30 minutes before passengers heard a loud bang. Some filmed the engine as it rattled around on the wing as the pilots doubled back to Denver and made an emergency landing. The plane left a large debris field captured by local television reports. No injuries were reported on the ground that day and none of the 229 passengers or the 10 crew members were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident. Early findings from the federal agency suggest the engines fan blades may have been damaged when the airplane took flight. The lawsuits were filed in Chicago, where United Airlines is headquartered. The Clifford firm also is representing families of 72 of the passengers who died when a Boeing 737 MAX crashed in Ethiopia in 2019. WASHINGTON U.S. intelligence officials have found no evidence that aerial phenomena witnessed by Navy pilots in recent years are alien spacecraft, but they still cannot explain the unusual movements that have mystified scientists and the military, according to senior administration officials briefed on the findings of a highly anticipated government report. The report determines that the vast majority of more than 120 incidents over the past two decades did not originate from any U.S. military or other advanced U.S. government technology, the officials said. That determination would appear to eliminate the possibility that Navy pilots who reported seeing unexplained aircraft might have encountered programs the government meant to keep secret. But that is about the only conclusive finding in the classified intelligence report, the officials said. And while a forthcoming unclassified version, expected to be released to Congress by June 25, will present few other firm conclusions, senior officials briefed on the intelligence conceded that the very ambiguity of the findings meant the government could not definitively rule out theories that the phenomena observed by military pilots might be alien spacecraft. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Americans long-running fascination with UFOs has intensified in recent weeks in anticipation of the release of the government report. Former President Barack Obama further stoked the interest when he was asked last month about the incidents on The Late Late Show with James Corden on CBS. What is true, and Im actually being serious here, Obama said, is that there is footage and records of objects in the skies that we dont know exactly what they are. The report concedes that much about the observed phenomena remains difficult to explain, including their acceleration, as well as ability to change direction and submerge. One possible explanation that the phenomena could be weather balloons or other research balloons does not hold up in all cases, the officials said, because of changes in wind speed at the times of some of the interactions. Story continues The final report will also contain a classified annex, the officials said. While that annex will not contain any evidence concluding that the phenomena are alien spacecraft, the officials acknowledged that the fact that it would remain off limits to the public was likely to continue to fuel speculation that the government had secret data about alien visitations to Earth. Many of the more than 120 incidents examined in the report are from Navy personnel, officials said. The report also examined incidents involving foreign militaries over the last two decades. Intelligence officials believe at least some of the aerial phenomena could be experimental technology from a rival power, most likely Russia or China. One senior official briefed on the intelligence said without hesitation that U.S. officials knew it was not American technology. He said there was worry among intelligence and military officials that China or Russia could have been experimenting with hypersonic technology. He and other officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the classified findings in the report. Russia has been investing heavily in hypersonics, believing the technology offers the ability to evade U.S. missile-defense technology. China has also developed hypersonic weaponry, and included it in military parades. If the phenomena were Chinese or Russian aircraft, officials said, that would suggest the two powers hypersonic research has far outpaced U.S. military development. Navy pilots were often unsettled by the sightings. In one encounter, strange objects one of them like a spinning top moving against the wind appeared almost daily from the summer of 2014 to March 2015, high in the skies over the East Coast. Navy pilots reported to their superiors that the objects had no visible engine or infrared exhaust plumes, but that they could reach 30,000 feet and hypersonic speeds. Lt. Ryan Graves, an F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot who was with the Navy for 10 years, told The New York Times in an interview, These things would be out there all day. With the speeds he and other pilots observed, he said, 12 hours in the air is 11 hours longer than wed expect. In late 2014, a Super Hornet pilot had a near collision with one of the objects, and an official mishap report was filed. Some of the incidents were recorded on video, including one taken by a planes camera in early 2015 that shows an object zooming over the ocean waves as pilots question what they are watching. The Defense Department has been collecting such reports for more than 13 years as part of a shadowy, little-known Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program within the Pentagon. The program analyzed radar data, video footage and accounts provided by the Navy pilots and senior officers. The program began in 2007 and was largely funded at the request of Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat who was the Senate majority leader at the time. It was officially shut down in 2012 when the money dried up, according to the Pentagon. But after the publication of a New York Times article in 2017 about the program and criticism from program officials that the government was not forthcoming about reports about aerial phenomena, the Pentagon restarted the program last summer as the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force. The task forces mission was to detect, analyze and catalog sightings of strange objects in the sky that could pose a threat to national security. But government officials said they also wanted to remove the stigma for service members who report UFO sightings in the hope that more would be encouraged to speak up if they saw something. The goal, officials said, is to give authorities a better idea of what might be out there. Last year, lawmakers inserted a provision in the Intelligence Authorization Act that said the government must submit an unclassified report on what it knows about UFOs. That report is the one to be released this month. Officials briefed on the report said it also examined video that shows a whitish oval object described as a giant Tic Tac, about the size of a commercial plane, encountered by two Navy fighter jets off the coast of San Diego in 2004. In that incident, the pilots reported an interaction with the craft, which lasted for several minutes. At one point, the object peeled away, one of the pilots, Cmdr. David Fravor, later said in an interview with The Times. It accelerated like nothing Ive ever seen, he said. The report studies that incident, including the video that accompanied the interaction. The provenance of the object, the officials said, is still unknown. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. 2021 The New York Times Company GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. refugee agency has voiced strong opposition to a law passed by Denmark's parliament that would allow processing of claims lodged by asylum seekers outside Europe, calling it an "abdication" of its responsibility under international law. Denmark on Thursday passed a law enabling it to process asylum seekers outside Europe, drawing anger from human rights advocates and the European Commission. Filippo Grandi, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said in an overnight statement that if the law took effect, it could lead to the forcible transfer of asylum seekers and an abdication of Denmark's responsibility to protect vulnerable refugees. "UNHCR strongly opposes efforts that seek to externalise or outsource asylum and international protection obligations to other countries," he said. His agency had raised repeatedly its concerns and objections to the Danish governments proposal and offered advice and pragmatic alternatives, he said. Denmark already has one of Europe's harshest stances on immigration and aims to only accept refugees under the UN's quota system. The new law will allow Denmark to move refugees arriving on Danish soil to asylum centres in a partner country to have their cases reviewed, and to possibly obtain protection in that country. Denmark has yet to reach an agreement with a partner country, but it has said it is negotiating with several candidate countries. "UNHCR will continue to engage in discussions with Denmark, which remains a valuable and long-standing partner to UNHCR, in order to find practical ways forward that ensure the confidence of the Danish people and uphold Denmarks international commitments," Grandi said. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Hugh Lawson) The Kamloops Indian Residential School National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation The UN called on the Vatican to help investigate a mass grave found at a Catholic school for Indigenous children in Canada. Remains of 215 children were found at Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia last month. The UN called the discovery "inconceivable" and said forensic examinations should be carried out. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The United Nations Human Rights Office has asked the Vatican to help investigate a mass grave containing the remains of 215 children found at a former Catholic school for Indigenous people in Canada. Remains were found at Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia last month, and it is believed that the 215 deaths were never reported. The school was run by the Catholic Church between the late 1800s and the 1960s. "We urge the authorities to conduct full-fledged investigations into the circumstances and responsibilities surrounding these deaths, including forensic examinations of the remains found, and to proceed to the identification and registration of the missing children," the UN said in a statement. "Large scale human rights violations have been committed against children belonging to indigenous communities, it is inconceivable that Canada and the Holy See would leave such heinous crimes unaccounted for and without full redress," the UN added. Read the original article on Insider The future United Airlines plane from Boom Supersonic. Boom Supersonic Hello! This story is from today's edition of Morning Brew, an awesome daily email read by 2.9 million next-generation leaders like you. Sign up here to get it! Cicadas aren't the only thing that return every ~17 years. The promise of supersonic commercial flight reemerged yesterday when United Airlines announced it's buying 15 jets from Boom Supersonic. Supersonic = faster than the speed of sound. Boom's planes could cut flight times in half and get you from a bagel breakfast in NYC to teatime in London in 3.5 hours. Catching a flight that quick hasn't been possible since 2003, when the iconic Concorde jet retired. It was an expensive, gas-guzzling machine, and the loud booms it made while breaking the sound barrier woke up enough babies that Congress banned supersonic flights over US soil in the '70s. Now, Boom and other supersonic startups are working on net-zero emissions and noise-muffling tech. Looking ahead...supersonic jets are largely in the development phase; Boom's never actually built a full-scale version of its Overture aircraft, and it'll need to clear regulatory checks before passengers hop onboard in 2029. Just last month, one of the leading supersonic jet makers, Aerion, shut down because of financial troubles and concerns about fuel-efficiency and noise regulations. This story is from today's edition of Morning Brew, a daily email. Sign up here to get it! Read the original article on Business Insider Left to right, stills from FLIR, GIMBAL and GOFAST videos released by the Pentagon in 2020, of unidentified aerial phenomena. US Department of Defense An upcoming government report leaves many questions open about more than 120 UFO sightings, per the NYT. There is no evidence the sightings are of alien origin, but it is not being ruled out, the paper reported. The Pentagon has increasingly acknowledged the existence of UFOs as a real concern to the government. See more stories on Insider's business page. A soon-to-be-released Pentagon report says there is no evidence that UFOs spotted by US Navy personnel are of alien origin - but we know so little about them that it can't be ruled out, The New York Times reported. According to the Times, the upcoming report reviews more than 120 incidents of unexplained aerial phenomena (UAPs) - more commonly known as UFOs - over the last 20 years. Almost none of the encounters appear to involve technology currently held by the US, the paper said, citing the report. Beyond that, almost no firm conclusions can be drawn, several officials speaking on condition of anonymity told the Times and The Washington Post. The report will also include a classified section, which also has no further confirmation on whether the incidents represent alien technology, officials told The Times. One possible explanation the report will put forward is that the UFOs are advanced technology from other countries, The Times reported. Whatever their origin, the ability of the observed objects to accelerate, submerge and rapidly change direction remains hard to explain, the report is purported to say. The commissioning of the report - due to be released to Congress on June 26 - was wrapped into former President Donald Trump's COVID-19 relief package from March last year, The Post reported. In March, former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe told Fox News of the report's creation, saying that it will describe "difficult to explain" sightings. "When we talk about sightings, we are talking about objects that have seen by Navy or Air Force pilots, or have been picked up by satellite imagery that frankly engage in actions that are difficult to explain," Ratcliffe said. Story continues Former President Barack Obama also acknowledged on The Late Late Show with James Corden in May that the government has unexplained UFO footage. "We don't know exactly what they are, we can't explain how they moved, their trajectory. They did not have an easily explainable pattern," Obama said. In recent years The Pentagon has increasingly confirmed that leaked footage, which has circulated online for years, is real. In April, it confirmed that footage of a triangular UFO shared online was real and had been taken by the US Navy. It also confirmed that the footage is being studied by the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force. Other leaked US Navy footage from between 2004 and 2015, long the subject of UFO-watchers' fascination, was officially released by the Pentagon in April last year. In 2017, David Fravor, one of the pilots recording the footage released in April 2020, described to the New York Times how one of the UFOs he saw "accelerated like nothing I've ever seen." Last month, former US Navy pilot Ryan Graves told CBS' 60 Minutes that sightings like this were common while he was serving. Graves told CBS he saw UFOs "every day for at least a couple years." Read the original article on Business Insider The report was written by a task force set up by the US Department of Defense A US government report on sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) found no evidence of alien activity but does not rule it out, officials have told US media. The review of 120 incidents is expected to conclude that US technology was not involved in most cases. But beyond that, the report makes no definitive assessments about what the objects might be, officials said. A declassified version of the report is due to be handed to lawmakers in June. The report is the product of a military task force established last year to investigate decades of unexplained aerial sightings in US airspace. The Department of Defense said it wanted to "improve its understanding" of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), also known as UFOs, and determine whether they posed a threat to national security. The report was mandated as part of a pandemic relief package signed by former US President Donald Trump last year. Its release has captured the imagination of the public in the US, where UFO sightings have long been the source of intrigue and alien conspiracy theories. Speculation about the contents of the report has been building among UFO enthusiasts ahead of the its slated release to Congress on 25 June. What do we know about the report? Details of the study were first reported on Thursday by the New York Times newspaper, followed by broadcaster CNN and the Washington Post. Those media outlets said they spoke with multiple government officials about the findings of the highly anticipated report. The officials said that of the 120-plus incidents documented over the past two decades, the majority were reported by US Navy personnel, while some involved foreign militaries. UFO sightings have long been a subject of fascination in the US CNN said it spoke with three sources who said the report does not rule out extraterrestrial activity as a possible explanation in some of these cases. Story continues There is, however, no evidence that aerial phenomena witnessed by Navy pilots in recent years were alien spacecraft, the Times reported. Citing intelligence officials, the newspaper said the experimental technology of a rival power, such as China or Russia, could account for at least some of the aerial phenomena. The newspaper and CNN said intelligence officials were concerned about the national security implications of this conclusion. What UFO incidents have been reported? Some sightings were discussed in a recent CBS News report that renewed interest in UFOs last month. The network's 60 Minutes programme interviewed US Navy pilots who said they had seen inexplicable aircraft that flew faster and were more manoeuvrable that anything seen before. One retired pilot, Ryan Graves, said his fighter jet squadron began seeing UFOs hovering over restricted airspace off the coast of Virginia in 2014. He said the objects had no visible exhaust plumes and were travelling at speeds that appeared to defy the limits of known technology. Mr Graves said pilots training off the Atlantic Coast had similar sightings "every day for at least a couple years". Last month Luis Elizondo, a former US counter-intelligence agent, told ABC News that some of the objects that have been sighted "can outperform anything that we have in our inventory." "The question is, what is it?" he said. "The bottom line is, we simply don't know." In April last year, the Department of Defense released three declassified videos of what it said showed "unexplained aerial phenomena". The department said it wanted to "clear up any misconceptions by the public on whether or not the footage", which had already been leaked in 2007 and 2017, "was real". A panel of UK-based lawyers and rights experts investigating the plight of Uyghurs in China will begin hearing evidence from witnesses on Friday, as Beijing branded it a "machine producing lies". The "Uyghur Tribunal" says its nine jurors will hear first-hand testimony of alleged crimes in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang, including forced sterilisation, torture, disappearances and slave labour. The organisation, which has no state backing, plans to use the London hearings to issue a verdict on whether Beijing has perpetrated genocide or crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in China. Tribunal vice-chair Nick Vetch declined to comment on China's heated attacks. But he vowed its work would be "impartial", based on evidence sessions this week and in September and on "thousands of pages" of documentary evidence already amassed. "The tribunal is an independent endeavour and it will deal with the evidence and only with the evidence," Vetch told AFP. "We have invited the PRC (China) to provide us with any evidence they may have. So far we've received nothing from them." The tribunal plans to deliver its report in December, and while it would have no legal force, participants hope to draw international attention and spur possible action. "It will be for states, international institutions, commercial companies, art, medical and educational establishments and individuals to determine how to apply the tribunal's judgement, whatever it may be," the panel has said. It was set up at the request of the World Uyghur Congress, the largest group representing exiled Uyghurs, which lobbies the international community to take action against China over alleged abuses in Xinjiang. In March, the tribunal was one of four UK entities and nine individuals sanctioned by Beijing for raising concerns about the treatment of the Uyghurs. - 'Clumsy PR show' - Story continues Its chair Geoffrey Nice, a veteran British lawyer, was named personally on the Chinese sanctions list along with Helena Kennedy, a high-profile rights lawyer who is advising the tribunal. Nice, who led the UN prosecution for war crimes of the late former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, said at the time the sanctions would not affect the work of the tribunal. Other members include experts in medicine, education and anthropology. China has not held back in condemning the tribunal. "It is not even a real tribunal or special court, but only a special machine producing lies," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said last week. "It was founded by people with ulterior motives and carries no weight or authority. It is just a clumsy public opinion show under the guise of law," he told reporters. The US government accuses China of waging "genocide" in Xinjiang. Britain has declined to use that designation, but joined the United States and Germany last month in calling on Beijing to end repression of the Uyghur minority. Rights groups say up to one million Uyghurs and people from other ethnic-Turkic minorities are detained in internment camps in Xinjiang. Beijing has repeatedly denied any abuses take place there, saying they are work camps meant to deter extremism and boost incomes. The tribunal's launch comes a week ahead of a Group of Seven summit in Britain to be joined by US President Joe Biden, who has been urging fellow Western democracies to take a tougher line on China. Ahead of the summit, G7 foreign ministers last month said they were "deeply concerned" by rights abuses against the Uyghurs and in Tibet, and urged an end to the targeting of pro-democracy leaders in Hong Kong. csp-jit/jj/gd Del. Brooke Lierman said women have been affected disproportionately by the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Cuts to benefits will hurt children and mothers, she said, adding that even before the pandemic, it was difficult for many families to find child care in the summer. Congress aims to support Native American veterans with a bill that would bring benefits to Tribal Colleges and Universities. The Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and University Pilot Program Act, H.R. 2878, passed the House on May 19. The Senate has since read the bill twice and referred it to the Committee on Veterans Affairs, so far with zero amendments. The bill would create a five-year program to provide improved on-campus benefits in the form of assistance and counseling to eligible students. BROKEN PURPLE HEARTS' SONG IS A TRIBUTE TO FALLEN AMERICANS THIS MEMORIAL DAY The bill would also aim to improve partnerships between the VA and nonprofits to fight veteran homelessness. Approximately 14,627 active-duty service members identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, according to a 2019 demographics report from the Defense Department. "Our veterans have done so much for our country, and Native Americans have had the highest level of participation in our military on a per capita basis throughout America's history," Rep. Tom OHalleran, D-Ariz., one of the main sponsors on the bill, told Military.com. TEXAS MARINE CORPS VETERAN SAVES AMERICAN FLAG FROM ROADWAY ON MEMORIAL DAY "We need to acknowledge that, but the best thing we can do for our veterans is to make sure they're highly educated, and help them and their families out." "We have veterans that have to travel five hours one way to get care and then turn around and go five hours back in the same day," O'Halleran explained. "Even with the added funding that we've seen, it still hasn't gotten to a level where a veteran, whether on tribal lands or in rural America, is getting treated the same as a veteran in urban environments. They need to be able to get the benefits that they deserve." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The bill is the latest effort by Congress to bolster support for Native American veterans: In February, the House introduced the American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Mental Health Act, H.R.912, which is still awaiting a vote after referral to the Subcommittee on Health. What H.R. 912 aims to provide is greater outreach to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans by requiring all VA medical centers to have no fewer than one full-time employee whose responsibility is serving as a minority veteran coordinator. The bill states that the coordinator must receive training in the delivery of "culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services" to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. What we need is a revolution. Youve heard it before from the right, from the left and everything in between. And who am I to say theyre wrong? In fact, theyre right. Our country is stricken with a plague of polarization thats so dangerous its deadly. Now is not the time to go soft, failing to address what truly ails us just for the sake of a false semblance of civility. No, that wont get us anywhere. But what I found in writing a new book about Americans who are spanning gaps between people of difference is that these bridge builders are pursuing their own unique form of revolution something that looks a lot different than what we're used to. Their revolution is predicated on forming relationships between people who aren't like each other under the premise that we won't overcome our deepest divides until we can see the world through each other's eyes. Bridge builders see solutions where the rest of us see problems. And they see nuance where the rest of us see caricature. Bridge builders are a rare species. And we have a lot to learn from them. But in writing this book, I spent nearly as much time deconstructing myths about the metaphorical process of bridge building than I did on elucidating the lessons bridge builders can teach us. Here are five misconceptions about the act of bridge building and the role it can play in tearing down the walls that divide us. Misconception No. 1: Bridge building is weak. The reality is quite the opposite. Bridge building is countercultural. Our cultural instinct is to cling to people who are like us. Its human nature to gravitate toward tribalism. But its revolutionary to form relationships with people who arent like you. Its revolutionary to engage in deep, meaningful conversation with people who think differently, pray differently or look differently and, on that last point, Im speaking primarily about white people, like me, who often dont get to know people of color. Story continues Nathan Bomey's book, "Bridge Builders: Bringing People Together in a Polarized Age," available in May 21, 2021. Valarie Kaur, author of the dynamic book See No Stranger and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project, put it this way: You are a part of me I do not yet know. Its revolutionary to consider the possibility that your destiny is intertwined with mine or, as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously put it, We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Like it or not, we need each other to achieve progress. Misconception No. 2: We must eliminate conflict. The pursuit of unity is admirable, but achieving it is not necessary to begin bridging our divides. We will always have conflict, and thats OK. In fact, its necessary. What we need is to reestablish a degree of social trust in the midst of conflict. That involves demonstrating basic respect for each other as humans. It often means listening first and speaking second. David Blankenhorn co-founder of the nonprofit Braver Angels, which is teaching Americans of difference how to communicate told me that the goal of his group isnt to get people to agree on policy. Were not trying to do away with conflict, Blankenhorn said. Most progress would not have occurred without conflict. The only way you get rid of conflict is to get rid of freedom. Free people disagree, often passionately, and thats normal and healthy. The question is, how do you deal with it? In this Sept. 21, 2019, file photo, a photographer lines up her shot at the National Mall reflecting pool as the sun begins to rise behind the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol building in Washington. Think of it like this: Friction generates fire. Fire can create, or it can destroy. The goal of bridge building is to make sure its a refiners fire, gradually burning away the imperfections of hate, distrust, callousness and distance. I like the way author Amanda Ripley put it in her new book, High Conflict: We need some heat to survive. Misconception No. 3: We need to meet in the middle. Perhaps youve heard the catchy pop song The Middle. Oh baby, why don't you just meet me in the middle?! it goes. Well, with apologies to Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, I can report that bridge builders dont always meet in the middle. As it turns out, even real-life bridge builders often dont build their structures from both sides of the divide to meet at a halfway point. In fact, they often use a process called incremental launching, wherein the bridge deck is preassembled offsite and then effectively pushed from one side to the other. What does that mean for metaphorical bridge building? It means that sometimes one side is right, and the other side is wrong. Sometimes perhaps most of the time there is no moral equivalence on the issues that divide us. Yet that doesnt mean we should stop trying to build bridges. Clearly there are exceptions. There is no excuse for hate, and we cannot and must not tolerate it. But many of our deepest divides fall in the gray middle ground of perspective. Which leads me to my next point. Misconception No. 4: Building bridges requires compromising your values. There is room for selfishness in the process of bridge building. That is, the ultimate goal is to achieve some form of policy change in many cases. Perhaps you want to achieve progress on climate change, for example. OK. Well, building bridges with people on the other side of that issue doesnt require you to compromise your identity or your principles. What it requires, however, is for you to consider the perspective of people on the other side of the fence and to help them see how your proposed solution fits within their values. Sure, maybe in the long run, they might change their personal identity and come over to your side. But the better bet is that they wont change who they are for the sole purpose of yielding to your point of view. Former Rep. Bob Inglis talks about climate change with James Eskridge, the Republican mayor of Tangier Island, Virginia, in August 2017. Bob Inglis, a former South Carolina Republican congressman who is now pursuing action on climate change through his nonprofit republicEn, is reaching his fellow conservative Christians by speaking their language of accountability and casting biblical principles in a new light. Hes showing how conservatives dont have to change the fiber of their being to embrace the need to do something meaningful about greenhouse gas emissions. What we need to do is tell people under the tents in my tribe (that) its completely consistent with your values, he said. Misconception No. 5: People wont change. Sometimes, the gaps between us seem impossibly wide. It seems like nothing will ever change. And Americans are worried about it. In a Public Agenda/USA TODAY poll published in April as part of our Hidden Common Ground series, 44% of Americans said the countrys ability to deal with major disagreements over the next decade will get even worse than it already is. Yet despite our disagreements, as deep as they are, there is plenty of reason to believe that people can and will change. History proves it. In 2004, only 31% of Americans supported same-sex marriage, according to the Pew Research Center. By 2019, it was 61%. Let that sink in. Over the course of a decade and a half, the nation's attitude on a contentious social issue changed drastically. But I thought we were impossibly divided? Here's the bottom line: People arent static. Even in a culture racked by toxic polarization, Americans are capable of considering the possibility that they could be wrong. They are capable of change. For my book, I had the privilege of interviewing the Rev. Alvin Edwards, pastor of Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. Edwards founded the Charlottesville Clergy Collective, an interfaith group of ministers pursuing racial and religious reconciliation in that community in the wake of the deadly clash there fueled by white nationalism and white supremacy in August 2017. In spite of everything his community has endured and in spite of all the hate that Black Americans like Edwards have faced he still retains his conviction that others are capable of a turnaround. No matter what theyve done, what their history, what their past is, I believe they can change, he told me. I have to believe that because, see, the belief that people cannot change means I cannot change. Nathan Bomey is a reporter for USA TODAY and the author of a new book, Bridge Builders: Bringing People Together in a Polarized Age, published by Polity and available in hardcover and e-book. You can follow him on Twitter: @NathanBomey You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Political polarization requires bridge builders who reject status quo A 20-year-old man died following a PMD-related fire at Block 537 Woodlands Drive 16 on 3 June 2021. (PHOTOS: SCDF/Facebook) SINGAPORE The victim who died after a lift fire at Block 537 Woodlands Drive 16 was a kind, gentle boy who had helped former Sembawang GRC MP Amrin Amin serve residents in the estate. In a Facebook post on Friday night (4 June), Amrin said the victim, whom he called A, helped deliver briyani to needy residents in Woodlands during Ramadan in 2018 and 2019 on his personal mobility device (PMD). He remembers A for his warmth and kindness and the many lives he has touched. A 20-year-old man died after a fire on Thursday night involving a PMD in a lift at the block, the police said. Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire was of electrical origin from a PMD, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said separately. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Amrin said he was saddened by As tragic death. Only 20, As bright future crushed. I feel very sorry for his parents, family and friends. My deepest condolences for their profound loss. In this difficult time, I wish them strength and courage. He also urged anyone who has a non-UL2272-certified PMD to throw away the device at an appropriate recycler. Watch more News on Yahoo TV: Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Singapore stories Relief and concern for parents as Singapore's student vaccination drive begins Memory Makers: Old-fashioned Nanyang Sauce with umami taste Carter helped fund Justices purchase of the Greenbrier, a 500-room grand resort in West Virginia that he bought out of bankruptcy. Depending upon what may have occurred since the lawsuit was filed, that resort may now be in default to Carter Bank & Trust. Carter Bank is not the first lender Justice has sued. In March, he filed suit against Greensill Capital of the United Kingdom when that agency stopped lending him money. Justice is estimated to owe about $700 million. I did personally guarantee the loans, The Associated Press quoted Justice as saying at a press conference on Tuesday. The loans have always been personally guaranteed when they flowed from Carter Bank through Greensill to other banks along the way. Thats been the case for a very, very, very long time. A declaratory judgment is also being sought relating to loan modifications after Carters death that were made by Carter Bank that Justice claims are unenforceable and puts the defendants in position where they are not provided a good-faith opportunity to repay the loans, The Register-Herald of Beckley, West Virginia, reported. Gatzke said Powell visited the building and conducted his own tests, which also returned normal results. After replacing some carpet in the building and cleaning the walls and other surfaces, Gatzke said the division began cleaning above the ceiling about two weeks ago. Other than some dusty fiberglass insulation on the second floor which they are removing Gatzke said the ceiling doesnt seem to be the cause of the problem either. The bottom line is, weve done all this work [and] we still dont know whats causing it, and we still have people having reactions, he said. Two staff members reported symptoms last week, he said. During the past several months, Edwards said, staff members from affected areas of the building have been working in other schools and spaces across the division. Some staff are not experiencing symptoms and have continued to work in the building by choice she said, in unaffected areas. No one has to work in that building and no one will get in trouble or any other consequence for not choosing to work in that building while we work to mitigate and look for the cause of the symptoms, Edwards said. Authorities said the children fired at the deputies four separate times over the next 35 minutes. At one point, Chitwood said, an officer went close enough to the home to toss a cellphone inside to try to talk to them. "They were traversing the length of that house and opening fire on deputies from different angles," Chitwood said. "They were out on the pool deck, they shot from the bedroom window, they shot from the garage door. This is like Bonnie and Clyde at 12 years old and 14 years of age." The girl eventually came out of the garage with the shotgun and pointed it at deputies. They repeatedly asked her to drop the weapon, Chitwood said. She walked back into the garage. "She comes back a second time and that's when deputies open fire and she takes multiple rounds," Chitwood said. As the deputies provided medical aid to the girl, the boy, who was armed with the AK-47, surrendered, the release said. "Deputies did everything they could tonight to de-escalate, and they almost lost their lives to a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old," the sheriff said. "If it wasn't for their training and their supervision Somebody would have ended up dead." United Airlines announced a deal to buy 15 supersonic jets, planning to carry passengers on the ultra-fast planes by 2029. If the airline can follow through with its plan, these would be the first commercial supersonic flights since the grounding of the Concorde jet in 2003. The economics of that fuel-guzzling supersonic jet and restrictions on flying it over land at speeds that would produce a sonic boom doomed the Concorde. Airlines had to try to fill the plane with passengers willing to pay a substantial premium over a first-class ticket on traditional aircraft. United is buying the supersonic jet from Boom Supersonic, a privately held upstart aircraft maker based in Denver. The plane, dubbed the "Overture," is slated to be completed by 2025, start test flights by 2026 and carry passengers by 2029. United has agreed to buy 15 of the jets, with options for 35 more. The plane is slated to fly at Mach 1.7, or roughly twice as fast as today's commercial jets. It will be able to fly from United's hub in Newark, New Jersey, to London in just three-and-a-half hours. It could make the Newark to Frankfurt trip in four hours and San Francisco to Tokyo in just six hours. The world is looking to the U.S. for global leadership, and more ambition is needed," he said. Biden has committed to providing other nations with all 60 million U.S.-produced doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has yet to be authorized for use in America but is widely approved around the world. The AstraZeneca doses have been held up for export by a weeks-long safety review by the Food and Drug Administration, and without them Biden will be hard pressed to meet his sharing goal. The White House says the initial 25 million doses announced Thursday will be shipped from existing federal stockpiles of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. More doses are expected to be made available to share in the months ahead. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said via Twitter that Harris had informed him before the White House announcement of the decision to send 1 million doses of the single jab Johnson & Johnson vaccine. I expressed to her our appreciation in the name of the people of Mexico, he wrote. Guatemalas Giammattei said Harris told him the U.S. government would send his country 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. DiAngelos book has the distinction of being criticized from the right as racially divisive and from center-liberal Black thinkers such as author John McWhorter for talking down to Black folks. The whole debate also proved to be a bit much for the Loyola Academy president, the Rev. Patrick McGrath. In an apologetic letter to parents he declared that the inappropriate questions were no longer being used in the ethics curriculum. Let me be clear, he declared, We have never and will never ask students to apologize for their race. Yet, he also assured that a structured study of racism has been part of the academys curriculum for more than two decades and will continue to be the case on some level. In a telephone interview, he told me that he did not recall any similar backlash like this, which includes a webpage posted by disgruntled parents, in the past, but added, These are hard conversations. I get it. Still, citing church officials as high up as the pope, he insisted that the schools mission to push back against the sin of racism will remain unchanged. Taiwan's foreign ministry has expressed gratitude to Japan for donating more than one million doses of coronavirus vaccines. The vaccines arrived at an airport near Taipei on Friday afternoon. The ministry said in a statement that Japan had decided to help Taiwan with its spreading infections, even though Japan's coronavirus situation still remains severe. The statement said the decision represents Japan's spirit of compassion, and the ministry sincerely expresses its gratitude to Japan's government and friends in various sectors. In Taiwan, coronavirus cases have been rising since mid-May. But less than 3 percent of the population have received at least one dose of the vaccine by Wednesday. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen blames China for obstructing vaccine procurement from overseas pharmaceutical companies. China has criticized Taiwan for accepting vaccines from Japan. A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council made a comment on the matter. The spokesperson said that China has repeatedly expressed its willingness to offer domestically-developed vaccines, but that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party has made a raft of excuses to block vaccine delivery. The spokesperson urged the ruling party not to put political manipulation above the health of people. Vallarta - Nayarit to Welcome More Flights in June More flights to Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit mean more walks along the ocean, more tacos and fresh seafood, more adventures in the jungle, and more quality time spent with your friends and family. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - As the world reopens its air borders and countries in North America and Europe advance their vaccination efforts against Covid-19, air connectivity to Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit continues to grow with increasing numbers of international flights. Despite the global crisis caused by the pandemic, the demand generated by this tourist destination is reflected in an increase in frequencies and the renewal of routes. There are also many more passengers arriving from Mexico, the United States, and soon from Canada and Europe. "The air connectivity with North America continues to improve, despite the cancellation of flights from Canada to this region since Sunday, January 31," said Marc Murphy, managing director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). According to data from Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP), an average of 363 flights per week are expected to arrive at the Puerto Vallarta International Airport in June, with a projection of 1,452 for the month. WestJet resumes flights There is very good news. Following the suspension of flights to Mexico by Canadian airlines (Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, and Air Transat) on January 31 at the request of the Canadian government to stop the spread of the coronavirus, WestJet will resume operations on June 5, connecting this region with the city of Calgary with one flight per week. Canada is the second most important foreign market for this destination, after the United States. Every year, thousands of Canadians travel to this region to escape the intense winter cold and find here an enviable climate, the most beautiful beaches, safety, and, of course, excellent hotels. Other Canadian airlines have also communicated their plans to resume flights. Air Transat announced that it would resume operations by mid-June when European traffic picks up; Air Canada will do so in September, and the remaining airlines will do so in October. More routes and frequencies Concerning US airlines, American Airlines reports that it will resume flights from Charlotte and Chicago, with one and two frequencies, respectively. Meanwhile, frequencies on the Dallas route have doubled, based on last month, for a total of 28 flights per week. The Phoenix and Los Angeles routes remain at seven and two frequencies per week. Delta and Southwest report no significant changes and remain at 28 flights per week, while Alaska has a slight decrease, reporting 22 flights, six less than last month. United continues to maintain the highest number of flights to the region, with 67 from Houston, Chicago, Newark, Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Domestic airlines also recorded good numbers, with an increase in their routes and frequencies. For example, TAR recorded 25 flights, 7 more than in May. Aeromexico and Aerolitoral together operated 54 frequencies. Below is the flight schedule for the second week of June 2021: Flight Itineraries from June 7-13, 2021 (Image: Riviera Nayarit CVB) "With many U.S. citizens already fully vaccinated, and the vaccination of older adults in Mexico progressing, there is a more conducive environment for travel. And, with our beaches in optimal condition and all activities open, (albeit with a capacity limit in hotels, restaurants and activities in general to take care of the health of our visitors), Puerto Vallarta is ready to receive visitors this summer," said Luis Villasenor, interim director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Promotion and Advertising Trust. "The Riviera Nayarit is a safe destination. Our hotels, restaurants, and tourist establishments follow all the health protocols established by the Federal Government's Ministry of Health and operate at the allowed capacities. Access to the beaches is limited. Be a responsible tourist: wear your mask and keep your distance," Marc Murphy of the Riviera Nayarit CVB added. Source: Riviera Nayarit CVB - As the world reopens its air borders and countries in North America and Europe advance their vaccination efforts against Covid-19, air connectivity to Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit continues to grow with increasing numbers of international flights.Despite the global crisis caused by the pandemic, the demand generated by this tourist destination is reflected in an increase in frequencies and the renewal of routes. There are also many more passengers arriving from Mexico, the United States, and soon from Canada and Europe."The air connectivity with North America continues to improve, despite the cancellation of flights from Canada to this region since Sunday, January 31," said Marc Murphy, managing director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).According to data from Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP), an average of 363 flights per week are expected to arrive at the Puerto Vallarta International Airport in June, with a projection of 1,452 for the month.There is very good news. Following the suspension of flights to Mexico by Canadian airlines (Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, and Air Transat) on January 31 at the request of the Canadian government to stop the spread of the coronavirus, WestJet will resume operations on June 5, connecting this region with the city of Calgary with one flight per week.Canada is the second most important foreign market for this destination, after the United States. Every year, thousands of Canadians travel to this region to escape the intense winter cold and find here an enviable climate, the most beautiful beaches, safety, and, of course, excellent hotels.Other Canadian airlines have also communicated their plans to resume flights. Air Transat announced that it would resume operations by mid-June when European traffic picks up; Air Canada will do so in September, and the remaining airlines will do so in October.Concerning US airlines, American Airlines reports that it will resume flights from Charlotte and Chicago, with one and two frequencies, respectively. Meanwhile, frequencies on the Dallas route have doubled, based on last month, for a total of 28 flights per week. The Phoenix and Los Angeles routes remain at seven and two frequencies per week.Delta and Southwest report no significant changes and remain at 28 flights per week, while Alaska has a slight decrease, reporting 22 flights, six less than last month.United continues to maintain the highest number of flights to the region, with 67 from Houston, Chicago, Newark, Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.Domestic airlines also recorded good numbers, with an increase in their routes and frequencies. For example, TAR recorded 25 flights, 7 more than in May. Aeromexico and Aerolitoral together operated 54 frequencies.Below is the flight schedule for the second week of June 2021:"With many U.S. citizens already fully vaccinated, and the vaccination of older adults in Mexico progressing, there is a more conducive environment for travel. And, with our beaches in optimal condition and all activities open, (albeit with a capacity limit in hotels, restaurants and activities in general to take care of the health of our visitors), Puerto Vallarta is ready to receive visitors this summer," said Luis Villasenor, interim director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Promotion and Advertising Trust."The Riviera Nayarit is a safe destination. Our hotels, restaurants, and tourist establishments follow all the health protocols established by the Federal Government's Ministry of Health and operate at the allowed capacities. Access to the beaches is limited. Be a responsible tourist: wear your mask and keep your distance," Marc Murphy of the Riviera Nayarit CVB added. Japan's government statistics show that both the fertility rate and the number of births continued to drop in 2020 for a fifth consecutive year. The health ministry says the rate was 1.34 last year, down 0.02 points from a year earlier. The index represents the average number of children per woman. The number of babies born last year was 840,832, down 24,407 from the previous year. That is a record low since statistics began in 1899. Ministry officials say the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has likely not been fully reflected yet, considering the time lag between conception and birth. They noted, however, that the decline in the number of births has worsened since last December. - NHK Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2444 N Broadway, will hold worship in the worship center at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. The service will be followed by coffee and fellowship in community room. The service will also be live streamed on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. The Sunday School program is available on Facebook or YouTube. Events this week include Tai Chi in the youth center on Monday at 11 a.m., Bible study in the conference room on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and Tai Chi on Thursday at 11 a.m. Those in attendance for any services or events are encouraged to practice social distancing, but masks are optional. Visit us online at emanuelcb.org . Epworth United Methodist Church, 2447 Ave. B, is handicap accessible. Membership is not necessary to participate. The church is now open for worship at 9:25 a.m. on Sundays and we will maintain social distancing. Masks are not required but are available for those who need or want one, and we have plenty of hand sanitizer. We will meet in the church sanctuary. If you are sick, please do not join us. The scripture for this coming Sunday is 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 and Mark 3:20-35. If you decide not to attend at this time, you can join us in worship at home through Facebook Live. There is Bible study on Thursdays at 9 a.m. We are in prayer for all those affected by this virus. Prayer requests can be made at epworthumccb.org/about-us/our-values/. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office phone number is 712-323-3124. You can check us out at Facebook.com/pages/Epworth. We call on the rest of the Security Council to renew this mandate so that we can stop the suffering and help those in desperate need, she said. We want the U.N. to bring food to starving children and protection to homeless families. We want the U.N. to be able to deliver vaccines in the middle of a global pandemic. Thomas-Greenfield said she would meet with her Russian counterpart and other members of the Security Council to press for the extended access and the reopening of other border crossings. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also plans to discuss the issue with the Russian foreign minister, she said. In my engagement with (the Russian ambassador to the U.N.), I will share with him what I saw on the border, the concerns that people have, the worry that they have that this one lifeline that they have for the community and assistance might be closed, she said. Thomas-Greenfield met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Ibrahim Kalin, the presidential spokesman and top aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during her stay in Turkey, which hosts some 4 million Syrian refugees. 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. LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Ann Tillery could see by her own image on the Zoom screen that something was wrong when the left side of her face began to droop. Nebraskas Economic Development Certified Communities are known for their creative efforts to increase economic opportunities, which also show their commitment to quality of life in their regions, Foley said. As one of our states first EDCCs, Cozad has been known for its leadership in economic development and continues to inspire growth in south central Nebraska. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The Meridian Tap House, 242 House, The Well Haus and the Fox Theater highlight additional economic investments in downtown Cozad. The citys Music Mondays program revitalized a downtown green space once occupied by the Rialto Theatre. The community recently embraced several initiatives to showcase talented local artists who created art palette icons, angel wings and barn quilts in locations across the city. The Cozad Development Corp. and the City of Cozad prioritized efforts to improve housing through the creation of a four-home subdivision in northeast Cozad. Further collaboration between the CDC, the city and the Cozad Housing Authority resulted in a $700,000 grant from Nebraskas Rural Workforce Housing Fund to create new housing projects. Recent business and housing developments have created a new generation of leaders in Cozad. Mayor Marcus Kloepping is among Cozads young leadership. Nebraska's death row is at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, a facility for male inmates only. Inmates there are separated from the general public and go to activities outside of their cells in groups. Todd Lancaster, an attorney with the Commission on Public Advocacy, said that if the prison had the same policy and rules for a woman at York, she would be in permanent restrictive housing, which he argued would amount to cruel and unusual punishment. On Wednesday, he renewed a motion to declare the death penalty unconstitutional, calling the way in which the state decides whom to seek the death penalty for arbitrary and capricious and more to do with whether the prosecutor is experienced or the county where the crime happened. "It's all subjective," he said. Lancaster said in a similar Nebraska case involving a dismemberment after a killing, Corey O'Brien, the chief of the criminal bureau at the Attorney General's Office, said Andres Surber's case wasn't a death penalty case "because the really horrific part of this crime occurred after Mr. (Kraig) Kubik was dead, and under Nebraska law, aggravating circumstances cease to be applicable once death has occurred." A 31-year-old Phoenix, Arizona, man has been charged after 55 pounds of cocaine were found in his vehicle outside Cozad Thursday afternoon. Donovan K. Grange is charged with possession of 140 grams or more of cocaine and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Grange made an initial appearance Friday in Dawson County Court, where Judge Jeffrey M. Wightman set his bail at 10% of $1 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 15. The cocaine charge was filed as a Class 1B felony, which carries a prison sentence of 20 years to life. The marijuana charge is an infraction. According to a Nebraska State Patrol media release and court records: About 1 p.m. Thursday, a trooper approached Grange at a gas station near the Cozad interchange of Interstate 80. The trooper approached Grange at the pump to question him about abnormal driving as he was heading east on I-80 in a Chrysler Pacifica. A woman and a 3-month-old child were passengers in the vehicle. The woman told the trooper there was approximately 8 ounces of marijuana in the car. Washington, PA (15301) Today Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 81F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mainly clear skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 57F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Africas largest oil producers do not plan to abandon oil and gas exploration and production and could consider creating a continent-wide bank to fund new projects when international banks refuse to finance new developments. Nigeria, an OPEC member and the largest oil producer in Africa, hosted this week a round table on local content in oil and gas projects, attended by Nigerias Oil Minister Timipre Sylva, the Secretary-General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), Omar Ibrahim, and representatives of other African producers where oil and gas is an important part of the gross domestic product (GDP). The nations present included Angola, Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Cameroon, and Niger. While over 15 African nations are producing and exporting crude oil, a sad reality is that our people have not benefited maximally from this natural resource, Nigerias minister Sylva said, as carried by local outlet This Day. Raising the share of local content in oilfield services and the industrys supply chain is one of the ways to cope with the growing reluctance for funding oil and gas projects and the environmental backlash against fossil fuels, according to Sylva. Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary at the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), said that Africa may need to set up a continental bank to fund oil and gas projects now that major international banks are reviewing their exposure and commitments to fossil fuels. Financial institutions and IOCs, even educational research institutions, that are centres of innovation for the industry are closing their petroleum faculties in order to be seen to be in conformity with the global paradigm shift, This Day quoted the secretary general of the African Petroleum Producers Organization, Ibrahim, as saying. With over 100 billion barrels of oil still in our ground, most economies are still heavily dependent on oil revenue. Is Africa ready to forgo the production of those 100 billion barrels and classify them as wasted assets? Ibrahim added. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Commodity traders are in a rush to ship as much Venezuelan heavy crude to China as possible before a new fuel tax kicks in, causing a 40-50-percent rise in prices, Reuters reports, citing industry insiders and shipping data. Over the last 12 months, China has seen a 13-fold increase in imports of bitumen blends, some 90 percent of which was actually heavy crude from Venezuela, according to data from cargo tracker Vortexa Analytics. The crude was labeled as Malaysian bitumen blend to avoid sanction action from the United States. According to Vortexa, the average daily rate of Venezuelan oil imports into China over the past year was some 324,000 barrels, which represented about two-thirds of Venezuela's total exports of crude during the period. However, things are about to change as China plans to introduce a tax on bitumen blend imports later this month. This will increase prices by 40 to 50 percent, and the flow of Venezuelan oil may well thin considerably. "While not all of the 350,000 to 400,000 bpd of the additional bitumen flowing into China will disappear overnight, a large proportion of it will be at risk," an Energy Aspects analyst told Reuters. U.S. sanctions have reduced Venezuelan oil output to some half a million barrels daily over the two years since they were introduced. Even though the Biden administration has extended a sanction waiver for several U.S. oil companies, including Chevron and Halliburton, PDVSA is struggling to maintain production. Earlier this year, the state-owned oil major calculated it would need investments of $58 billion to boost production to where it was before Hugo Chavez rose to power in the late 90s. In 1998, Venezuela was pumping 2.3 million barrels of crude daily. The company said it planned to seek investments from both local and foreign companies to that end. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices were rising early on Friday and headed to a second consecutive week of gains after the U.S. signaled that there may not be an imminent announcement of an agreement for the United States and Iran to return to the Iranian nuclear deal. As of 9:21 a.m. EDT on Friday, WTI Crude was nearing the $70 mark and traded at $69.51, up by 1.03 percent. Brent Crude was also rising and seeking to break the $72 thresholdit traded at $71.88, up 0.81 percent. Oil prices have risen for most of this week amid signs of recovering demand in the United States and Europe, which have outweighed coronavirus concerns in parts of Asia, including India. On Tuesday, OPEC+ confirmed its plan to ease the production cuts by 840,000 barrels per day (bpd) in July, suggesting that despite COVID setbacks in Asia, the alliance sees strong demand ahead with the start of the driving season. This sent Brent Crude prices topping $71 a barrel. A large draw in crude oil inventories in the United States, a draw of 5.1 million barrels in the week to May 28, also boosted bullish sentiment on Thursday. Crude inventories in the U.S. are now at 3 percent below the five-year average for this time of the year. On Friday, oil prices rose after the United States said there would be a sixth round of talks in Vienna regarding the Iranian nuclear deal, and possibly further rounds, which delays the timeline for Irans oil to return legitimately to the market. We expect there will be a sixth. I think theres just about every expectation that there will be subsequent rounds beyond that, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Thursday, quoted by Reuters. Commenting on the oil price movements this week, Saxo Bank said on Thursday: The bullish demand outlook presented by OPEC based on strong demand in Europe, China and the US has triggered renewed upside momentum, and from a technical perspective, todays focus is whether Brent can break the four-time rejected area just below $72. If successful, the technical outlook points to $75 as the next target. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The world is past peak coal consumption and may reach peak oil consumption within the next ten years, Alexei Kudrin, the head of the Russian Accounts Chamber, told media this week. The official noted Russia will need to learn to rely less on oil export revenues over these next ten years. Otherwise, Kudrin added, this will become a serious problem in 20 years. Meanwhile, investments are necessary now to diversify the Russian economy away from oil, Kudrin said, noting steps being made in that direction, specifically in the digitalization of the economy and in science and innovation. "Maybe we should have started working in that direction a bit sooner," the official said. The remarks of the Accounts Chamber's head echo earlier comments made by Russia's deputy financial minister. "The peak of consumption may have already passed," Vladimir Kolychev told Bloomberg in an interview last year. "The risk is rising in the longer term." Russia has been paying more attention to the prospect of peak oil demand recently, with the head of the energy committee at the Russian parliament, the Duma, saying in April that "Everything that can be produced should be produced while there is still demand to sell it." Like other large oil exporters, Russia will be seeking to monetize as much of its oil and gas resources as quickly as it can. Russia is one of the three biggest oil exporters in the world, alongside Saudi Arabia and the United States. It has enough oil to keep producing at current rates at least until 2080, with enough gas reserves to last for another 103 years. And the state is pouring billions$110 billion to be preciseinto developing new oil reserves in eastern Siberia to tap 100 million tons of new crude annually. That's about a fifth of the country's annual output in 2019. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Fannie Mae announced today that it would extend its forbearance program on multifamily properties until Sept. 30, 2021. This means that Fannie borrowers who own multifamily properties that they rent out can ask their lender to push out their monthly payments due to financial hardship from the Covid-19 pandemic. In doing so, the borrower also cannot evict any renters during that same time period. Fannie acknowledges that both property owners and renters are still struggling financially as a result of the Covid-induced recession, which prompted the government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) to extend the forbearance deadline three more months from its previous June 30 deadline. Fannie Mae remains committed to supporting renters and multifamily property owners as Covid-19 continues to financially impact many people in the United States, said Michele Evans, Executive Vice President and Head of Multifamily in a statement. By extending the forbearance program for Fannie Mae multifamily borrowers, we are also extending essential protections and flexibilities for renters, which will help keep people in their apartments as the economy continues to improve. A look back at protests over the past year Protesters prompted change, created controversy as they marched in Omaha Kiara Williams Kiara Williams brought her activism from Lincoln to Omaha and is now a teacher at the Omaha Early Learning Center. "The school Im located at is in North Omaha, so I work with the population that Im trying to serve outside of my job," Williams said. ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD Bri Full got involved in last year's protests by handing out supplies at 72nd and Dodge Streets during the first night of protests on May 29. She later started the organization BlackOut Omaha. "I felt like I could make a difference," Full said. ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD Community leader and activist Preston Love Jr., shares his perspective on last year's protests. ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD Preston Love Jr., 78, said he hopes the younger generation of activists learns from the experiences of his generation during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. "When you demonstrate in Omaha, you should demonstrate for Omahas solution," Love said. A year ago, the grief and anger felt nationwide following the killing of George Floyd spilled into one of Omahas busiest intersections. An estimated 2,000 people crowded around all four corners of 72nd and Dodge on May 29, 2020, on behalf of the 46-year-old Black man whose final moments resonated far beyond the Minneapolis sidewalk where he was murdered by a White police officer. What began as a peaceful, sunny Friday afternoon in Omaha ended with tear gas and rubber bullets as protesters clashed with law enforcement officers in a night of civil upheaval . That night was a prologue to a fatal encounter in downtown Omaha the next night and a series of protests that stretched well into the summer. What followed was more than 40 protests and rallies over the summer and fall. The arrests of 125 protesters last July prompted an ALCU-backed lawsuit that led to policy changes in policing. Last month, a controversial demonstration involving severed pig heads left at the police union headquarters drew widespread condemnation from officials and community members. These activists took a high-profile role in Omahas struggle to come to terms with racial inequality and policing. Either by choice or by circumstance, the events of the past year shaped how these activists pursue change. Shortly after the events of May 30, when James Scurlock, a 22-year-old Black man, was killed in downtown Omaha in a confrontation with Jake Gardner, a White bar owner, a group of young Omahans began organizing. Among them was Bear Alexander, a freelance videographer who had little experience protesting. In mid-June, Alexander and several others formed the group ProBLAC (Progressive Black-Led Ally Coalition). At its peak, the organization had as many as 75 members. ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD Bear Alexander helped form the group ProBLAC in June 2020. "I wouldnt be who I am right now without ProBLAC, without George Floyd, without James Scurlock," he said. "My goals and aspirations that I have now in my mind came to be within this past year." ProBLAC organized several protests as a grand jury met to consider charges against Gardner, and, months later, around the death of Kenneth Jones, a Black man who was shot and killed in November by an Omaha police officer during a traffic stop. For much of the past year, the 24-year-old Alexander could be seen, megaphone in hand, leading those protests in chants and marches. Alexander said last summers protests and ProBLAC were instrumental in shaping who he is today. I wouldnt be who I am right now without ProBLAC, without George Floyd, without James Scurlock, Alexander said. My goals and aspirations that I have now in my mind came to be within this past year. Kiara Williams wasnt in Omaha on the evening of May 29, 2020. She was at her home in Lincoln, creating the organization Change Now LNK. Described by Williams as a solutions-focused public policy organization, Change Now LNK hosted multiple events throughout the summer and fall, including community workshops on public policy and inclusion, sit-ins on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and a community cleanup. Williams first protest in Omaha came in late August when she attended a ProBLAC protest at 12th and Howard Streets. The 20-year-old gradually became more involved in the Omaha organization and says her eventual involvement in a group called the Revolutionary Action Party was a significant factor in her decision to move to Omaha. Bri Full first got involved in last years protests when she raised money and handed out supplies at 72nd and Dodge during the initial night of protests on May 29. Handing out water and, later, special solution for tear gas, Full watched as tensions between law enforcement officers and protesters escalated. I wasnt really expecting any of the things that happened to happen, Full said. I got tear-gassed. I have a fear of loud noises now. The experience led Full to conclude that with the momentum of the protests sweeping across the country, more could be done to address racial inequality in Omaha. I felt like I could make a difference, Full said. That I have the leadership skills, the connections in the community to make something happen, and I just wanted to do that. The 25-year-old is a University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate student working toward a masters degree in public administration with a concentration in public policy. Last summer, Full began the organization BlackOut Omaha with the goal of connecting community members to needed resources such as legal aid, mental health services and economic support for Black-owned businesses. The groups inaugural event last August was postponed because of COVID-19 concerns and limited venue space. We have plans to restart this summer, Full said. Full also has plans to call for a police oversight board on UNOs campus in collaboration with student regent Maeve Hemmer. The two plan to hold a community forum on the topic sometime next fall. Hopefully, we can do it to help support the UNO students, staff and faculty, Full said. Making resources available and having oversight of the police is something Maeve really wanted to do, and I think its also an important policy to have. Preston Love Jr. has a unique perspective on the protests of the past year that comes from his lived experience as a member of the civil rights generation. The 78-year-old runs the Black Votes Matter Institute of Community Engagement, a nonprofit that aims to educate and mobilize voters. He takes Omaha youths on an annual bus tour of historic civil rights stops in the American South. And he teaches a class on the African American experience in politics at UNO. Love said he felt that last years local protests often lacked clear objectives. For example, I remember our demonstration for the right to vote in the 60s, Love said. There was a clear objective and solution. He said that while the protesters may be righteous in their focus on the cause, they needed a clear definition of what we want out of it, and the solution. On the national level, there have been articulations of things, but when you demonstrate in Omaha, you should demonstrate for Omahas solution, Love said. Many involved in the protests and rallies consider Saturday, May 30, the night that kicked off the summers unrest. That evening, the crowd at 72nd and Dodge grew to an estimated 4,000 people. Again, as the sun began to set, skirmish lines formed, and police declared the gathering illegal after protesters threw bottles at officers. Police tried to clear the area in a torrent of tear gas and pepper balls. Protesters eventually disbanded and headed east into downtown Omaha and a more chaotic scene. Security alarms rang out as people vandalized businesses in the Old Market. Sirens and a police helicopter could be heard as officers tried to gain control of a situation that was much more spread out and volatile than before. Soon after the downtown street battles began, the sound of gunshots and wailing could be heard over flash bangs and fireworks. Disoriented bystanders watched as Scurlock was wheeled to an ambulance on a gurney. Scurlock had been shot by Gardner during a deadly confrontation in front of Gardners downtown businesses. In the following days, Mayor Jean Stothert enacted a citywide curfew and thousands again clashed with local law enforcement and National Guard officers on Omaha streets. For three and a half months after the deadly confrontation, the city anxiously waited as a grand jury was formed to determine whether to indict Gardner in Scurlocks death. The grand jurys decision came Sept. 15 when Fred Franklin, the special prosecutor in the case, announced that Gardner would be charged with manslaughter as well as attempted first-degree assault, terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony. An arraignment would never come. On Sept. 20, while awaiting arrest in Oregon, Gardner took his own life. Today, the space that once housed Gardners bar and nightclub at 1207 Harney St. sits empty, a dark storefront. A makeshift memorial to Scurlock of flowers, signs and candles that sat for months against a neighboring building were removed over the winter. *** Fulls motivation for community activism was sparked in large part by a mass arrest of protesters on July 25, an event many consider a significant flashpoint of the summer. That night, police arrested 125 protesters on the Farnam Street bridge near downtown Omaha. The protesters, who didnt have a permit to gather, walked downtown sidewalks and streets and were almost back to Turner Park when Omaha police stopped them on the bridge. Most of them spent at least 12 hours at the Douglas County Jail, which was overwhelmed by the size of the group and by a computer malfunction in the jails booking system. In the end, City Prosecutor Matt Kuhse ticketed 25 of the 125 on suspicion of obstructing a public roadway. The incident led to a lawsuit initiated by the ACLU of Nebraska against the City of Omaha. As part of the eventual settlement, the city dismissed misdemeanor cases against 25 protesters. And under the settlement the City Council was asked to revise a city ordinance barring the blocking of public roadways to allow protesters reasonable notice and time to disperse. Among other changes, Omaha police also will use pepper balls or spray only on those whom they have probable cause to think are committing crimes at protests, and will loudly and clearly announce any imminent deployment of any chemical agent, according to the settlement. In return for those policy changes, several protesters and members of ProBLAC agreed to dismiss the federal lawsuit they filed alleging the city violated their rights. Alexander was arrested that night. His charges were later dropped. Full had left 20 minutes before police began arresting the protesters on the Farnam Street bridge. After the events of last summer, internal conflict over the groups direction led a handful of ProBLAC members to break away to create the Revolutionary Action Party. Recently, Alexander and other Revolutionary Action Party members sparked controversy with a demonstration targeting the Omaha Police Union, specifically union president Anthony Conner. Seven people, including Alexander and Williams, were arrested May 22 during the protest outside the Omaha police union hall that included leaving three pig heads in costume police caps on the grounds. Alexander was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer, disorderly conduct, trespassing, inciting a riot and failure to disperse. Williams was arrested on suspicion of trespassing, failure to disperse and disorderly conduct. The arrests occurred after a gathering organized by the Revolutionary Action Party in Montclair Park, 2304 S. 135th St. Speakers at the gathering, which was described by Alexander as a pig roast, condemned the police union and its president, Conner, for distributing a flyer just before the May election targeting independent City Council candidate Cammy Watkins. Watkins ultimately lost to Danny Begley, a candidate backed by the police union who disavowed knowledge of the flyers. The protest was condemned by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, Mayor Jean Stothert and Conner himself, who posted photos of the pig heads on his Facebook page. What part of this is okay? Pay attention to those that are denouncing this act and those that are silent, wrote Conner, who is Black. Conner, in a recent Public Pulse letter, also wrote that it is dangerously inappropriate for those who disagree with the political speech of the OPOA to criminally trespass on private property with severed pig heads and messages of harm to our members. Alexander referred to the demonstration as a theatrical performance that directly delineates our infuriation with white supremacy and the systems that hold it up, and said the display does not mean the group intends to burn the city down or harm police. My whole life Ive witnessed countless Black and brown bodies mercilessly executed, and not one person has asked me if I take that as a threat as a Black man, Alexander said. But as soon as we bring out some chopped-off pig heads and put officer hats on them, that implicates as a threat? Williams defended the protest and said the reaction has only served to increase awareness of the Revolutionary Action Party. I think that, overall, our name has been spread through the community, and the people that need to see us have seen us, Williams said. All of the elected officials and like individuals also now see that we as RAP will hold them accountable. Despite the controversial demonstration, Alexander said he is focusing more on community outreach and less on organizing protests. Were going to be more selective with our protests, and that will resonate with the community, Alexander said. ProBLAC was to establish a culture of resilience and resistance in the community, but how we were doing that was just organizing around Black deaths instead of moving to prevent Black deaths. We realized that we need to organize, to educate, to reveal oppression, create this mass movement to serve our community. Made up of Black and brown activists, the Revolutionary Action Party runs a food, clothing and canvassing program and is based near 24th and Emmet Streets in North Omaha. A transition from protester to activist is not uncommon, said Nikitah Imani, a professor of Black studies at UNO. ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD "It may feel really good to stand on a street corner and wave a sign," said Dr. Nikitah Imani, a professor of Black studies at UNO. But moving away from reactionary action and into activism "gives a chance to make an actual impact on those issues." Imani noted that it may feel really good to stand on a street corner and wave a sign, but moving away from reactionary action and into activism gives a chance to make an actual impact on those issues. As for what led to the events of the summer, Imani thinks that Scurlocks death, while it added local depth to an international issue, was not the sole cause. My sense is that it just added to it, Imani said. If you look at it nationwide, this was going on across the country in areas that didnt have incidents, and not just in this country. I counted 16 to 17 countries where there was a tremendous wave of protests. In addition to her involvement with ProBLAC and the Revolutionary Action Party, a new job factored into Williams move to Omaha. She recently began a position at the Omaha Early Learning Center at Skinner Elementary as an associate teacher. The school Im located at is in North Omaha, so I work with the population that Im trying to serve outside of my job, Williams said of her activism. Williams said she feels good about what came from last years protests. We got all of these young leaders, we got all of these different organizations that were created and people who were really willing to put in this work continuously and really dedicate their lives to this movement and creating change, she said. Looking ahead, Williams has plans to expand Change Now LNK to encompass both Lincoln and Omaha. My goals are to keep uplifting the community and spreading knowledge, she said, because thats how change is going to happen. Reflecting on the past year, Full said she hopes the protests prompted Omahans to reevaluate the status quo in their city. We can look at policy, all the rules that we want, but its really peoples hearts and minds that we have to change to create meaningful change in our community, Full said. I think the biggest thing the protests were able to do was shine a light on the injustice that was happening and help to understand all of the issues and challenges that we face. Looking to the future, she plans to continue her work with BlackOut Omaha while working toward her masters degree. Every form of change is important in the community and everyone has the ability to make change, Full said. Love said he would like to see more intergenerational communication from young protesters and activists. Their energy, ideas, activism. Our wisdom, counsel and experience. Merge those, and we have it. Love said he took pride in the magnitude of the response following the deaths of Floyd and Scurlock. As he stood in Memorial Park on June 7 and took in the more than 2,000 people who came out for a solidarity march and rally, Love focused on the power of the moment and wondered whether that momentum would continue. Whats going on in my mind is I hope that were not dissipating all this power, all this response. It gets lost, Love said last month. Like a small hole in the bottom of a glass. It might spread out and lose its effectiveness. My mind went to the hope that were harnessing that and turning that into meaningful action. Love has his own lifetime of experience in harnessing meaningful action, and, as he puts it, hes learned these lessons from the masters, who include civil rights activists John Lewis, Jesse Jackson and Martin Luther King Jr. and his family. The lesson: If you bring people together to protest, Love said, You must inspire them, give them information, then give them instruction. If you do, that the glass stays full. Faculty, staff and students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center will be required to document that theyre either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have declined the vaccine. The documentation requirement, which goes into effect June 21, applies only to UNMC, not to other campuses in the NU system, said Jane Meza, interim executive director for the office of health security at UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. UNMC similarly requires documentation for the flu shot, Meza said, so, to me, its not any different than that. UNMC is requiring documentation for the COVID vaccination because of its clinical responsibilities. Students have academic rotations in clinics and hospital wards, where they have interactions with patients. Some clinical locations may require vaccination. In that regard, documentation will help with student placements. Were absolutely about protecting everyone in our community, our students, faculty, staff and patients and the broader community, Meza said. We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated. We know that the vaccines are effective against COVID. WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. health regulators warned surgeons Thursday to stop implanting a heart pump made by Medtronic due to power failures recently tied to cases of stroke and more than a dozen deaths. Medtronic said earlier in the day it would stop selling its Heartware assist device, which is intended to boost blood circulation in patients with heart failure. Recent company data showed the device can unexpectedly stop working and sometimes fail to restart, the Food and Drug Administration said. The company said it hasn't been able to pinpoint the root cause in every case. Surgeons can use implants from other manufacturers, the FDA said in a memo to physicians. About 4,000 people worldwide currently have the Medtronic device, roughly half of them in the U.S. For those patients, the agency said U.S. doctors should contact the company for the latest guidance on managing the device, which includes managing blood pressure. Warren said that during his policing career, he was responsible for ensuring compliance with federal rules about how many Black, Latino and female officers were on the force. Over the course of 300 hires, he said, Omahas police force became more diverse across its ranks. When we talk about commitment to diversity and inclusion, I think its just as important that you have underrepresented minorities in positions of leadership ... so that when you have recruits that go into a work environment, and see that theres opportunity for advancement thats what it would take to attract and retain the next generation of leadership, he said. Warren also touted the work the Urban League has done under his leadership. With Warren at the helm, the organization has expanded programs in youth development, employment services and violence prevention. In recent years, he said, he has worked with Stothert and her administration on projects such as the 2020 Census count and the Empowerment Networks Step-Up summer jobs program. Stothert and Warren also floated the possibility of the city pursuing construction of a new police headquarters over the next four years, a project that Stothert said has been discussed since she served on the City Council from 2009 to 2013. Those discussions remain in early stages, she said. A year ago, the grief and anger felt nationwide following the killing of George Floyd spilled into one of Omaha's busiest intersections. An estimated 2,000 people crowded around all four corners of 72nd and Dodge on May 29, 2020, on behalf of the 43-year-old Black man whose final moments resonated far beyond the Minneapolis sidewalk where he was murdered by a White police officer. What began as a peaceful, sunny Friday afternoon in Omaha ended with tear gas and rubber bullets as protesters clashed with law enforcement officers in a night of civil upheaval the city hadn't seen in decades. That night was a prologue to a fatal encounter in downtown Omaha the next night and a series of protests that stretched well into the summer. What followed was more than 40 protests and rallies over the summer and fall. The arrests of 125 protesters last July prompted an ALCU-backed lawsuit that led to policy changes in policing. Last month, a controversial demonstration involving severed pig heads left at the police union headquarters drew widespread condemnation from officials and community members. These activists took a high profile role in Omahas struggle to come to terms with racial inequality and policing. Either by choice or by circumstance, the events of the past year shaped how these activists pursue change. Shortly after the events of May 30, when James Scurlock, a 22-year-old Black man, was killed in downtown Omaha during a confrontation with Jake Gardner, a White bar owner, a group of young Omahans began organizing. Among them was Bear Alexander, a freelance videographer who had little experience protesting. In mid-June, Alexander and several others formed the group ProBLAC (Progressive Black-Led Ally Coalition). At its peak, the organization had as many as 75 members. ProBLAC organized several protests as a grand jury met to consider charges against Gardner, and, months later, around the death of Kenneth Jones, a Black man who was shot and killed in November by an Omaha police officer during a traffic stop. For much of the past year, 24-year-old Alexander could be seen, megaphone in hand, leading those protests in chants and marches. Alexander said last summer's protests and ProBLAC were instrumental in shaping who he is today. "I wouldnt be who I am right now without ProBLAC, without George Floyd, without James Scurlock," Alexander said. "My goals and aspirations that I have now in my mind came to be within this past year." Kiara Williams wasn't in Omaha on the evening of May 29, 2020. She was at her home in Lincoln, creating the organization Change Now LNK. Described by Williams as a "solutions-focused public policy organization," Change Now LNK hosted multiple events throughout the summer and fall, including community workshops on public policy and inclusion, sit-ins on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and a community cleanup. Williams' first protest in Omaha came in late August when she attended a ProBLAC protest at 12th and Howard Streets. The 20-year-old gradually became more involved in the Omaha organization and says her eventual involvement in a group called the Revolutionary Action Party was a significant factor in her decision to move to Omaha. Bri Full first got involved in last year's protests when she raised money and handed out supplies at 72nd and Dodge during the initial night of protests on May 29. Handing out water and, later, special solution for tear gas, Full watched as tensions between law enforcement officers and protesters escalated. "I wasn't really expecting any of the things that happened to happen," Full said. "I got tear-gassed. I have a fear of loud noises now." The experience led Full to conclude that with the momentum of the protests sweeping across the country, more could be done to address racial inequality in Omaha. "I felt like I could make a difference," Full said. "That I have the leadership skills, the connections in the community to make something happen, and I just wanted to do that." The 25-year-old is a University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate student working toward a master's degree in public administration with a concentration in public policy. Last summer, Full began the organization BlackOut Omaha with the goal of connecting community members to needed resources such as legal aid, mental health services and economic support for Black-owned businesses. The group's inaugural event last August was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns and limited venue space. "We have plans to restart this summer," Full said. Full also has plans to call for a police oversight board on UNO's campus in collaboration with student regent Maeve Hemmer. The two plan to hold a community forum on the topic sometime next fall. "Hopefully, we can do it to help support the UNO students, staff and faculty," Full said. "Making resources available and having oversight of the police is something Maeve really wanted to do and I think its also an important policy to have." Preston Love Jr. has a unique perspective on the protests of the last year that comes from his lived experience as a member of the civil rights generation. The 78-year-old runs the Black Votes Matter Institute of Community Engagement, a nonprofit that aims to educate and mobilize voters. He takes Omaha youths on an annual bus tour of historic civil rights stops in the American South. And he teaches a class on the African American experience in politics at UNO. Love said he felt that last year's local protests often lacked clear objectives. "For example, I remember our demonstration for the right to vote in the '60s," Love said. "There was a clear objective and solution." He said that while the protesters "may be righteous in their focus on the cause," they needed a "clear definition of what we want out of it, and the solution." "On the national level, there have been articulations of things, but when you demonstrate in Omaha, you should demonstrate for Omahas solution," Love said. Many involved in the protests and rallies consider Saturday, May 30, the night that kicked off the summer's unrest. That evening, the crowd at 72nd and Dodge grew to an estimated 4,000 people. Again, as the sun began to set, skirmish lines formed, and police declared the gathering illegal after protesters threw bottles at officers. Police tried to clear the area in a torrent of tear gas and pepper balls. Protesters eventually disbanded and headed east into downtown Omaha and a more chaotic scene. Security alarms rang out as people vandalized businesses in the Old Market. Sirens and a police helicopter could be heard as officers tried to gain control of a situation that was much more spread out and volatile than before. Soon after the downtown street battles began, the sound of gunshots and wailing could be heard over flash bangs and fireworks. Disoriented bystanders watched as Scurlock was wheeled to an ambulance on a gurney. Scurlock had been shot by Gardner during a deadly confrontation in front of Gardner's downtown businesses. In the following days, Mayor Jean Stothert enacted a citywide curfew and thousands again clashed with local law enforcement and National Guard officers on Omaha streets. For three and half months after the deadly confrontation, the city anxiously waited as a grand jury was formed to determine whether to indict Gardner in 22-year-old Scurlock's death. The grand jury's decision came Sept. 15 when Fred Franklin, the special prosecutor in the case, announced that Gardner would be charged with manslaughter as well as attempted first-degree assault, terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony. An arraignment would never come. On Sept. 20, while awaiting arrest in Oregon, Gardner took his own life. Today, the space that once housed Gardner's bar and nightclub at 1207 Harney St. sits empty, a dark storefront. A makeshift memorial to Scurlock of flowers, signs and candles that sat for months against a neighboring building were removed over the winter. Full's motivation for community activism was sparked in large part by a mass arrest of protesters on July 25, an event many consider a significant flashpoint of the summer. That night, police arrested 125 protesters on the Farnam Street bridge near downtown Omaha. The protesters, who didnt have a permit to gather, walked downtown sidewalks and streets and were almost back to Turner Park when Omaha police stopped them on the bridge. Most of them spent at least 12 hours at the Douglas County Jail, which was overwhelmed by the size of the group and by a computer malfunction in the jails booking system. In the end, City Prosecutor Matt Kuhse ticketed 25 of the 125 on suspicion of obstructing a public roadway. The incident led to a lawsuit initiated by the ACLU of Nebraska against the City of Omaha. As part of the eventual settlement, the city dismissed misdemeanor cases against 25 protesters. And under the settlement the City Council was asked to revise a city ordinance barring the blocking of public roadways to allow protesters reasonable notice and time to disperse. Among other changes, Omaha police also will use pepper balls or spray only on those whom they have probable cause to think are committing crimes at protests, and will loudly and clearly announce any imminent deployment of any chemical agent, according to the settlement. In return for those policy changes, several protesters and members of ProBLAC agreed to dismiss the federal lawsuit they filed alleging the city violated their rights. Alexander was arrested that night. His charges were later dropped. Full had left 20 minutes before police began arresting the protesters on the Farnam Street bridge. After the events of last summer, internal conflict over the group's direction led a handful of ProBLAC members to break away to create the Revolutionary Action Party. Recently, Alexander and other Revolutionary Action Party members sparked controversy with a demonstration targeting the Omaha Police Union, specifically union president Anthony Conner. Seven people, including Alexander and Williams, were arrested May 22 during the protest outside the Omaha police union hall that included leaving three pig heads in costume police caps on the grounds. Alexander was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer, disorderly conduct, trespassing, inciting a riot and failure to disperse. Williams was arrested on suspicion of trespassing, failure to disperse and disorderly conduct. The arrests occurred after a gathering organized by the Revolutionary Action Party in Montclair Park, 2304 S. 135th St. Speakers at the gathering, which was described by Alexander as a pig roast, condemned the police union and its president, Conner, for distributing a flyer just before the May election targeting independent City Council candidate Cammy Watkins. Watkins ultimately lost to Danny Begley, a candidate backed by the police union who disavowed knowledge of the flyers. The protest was condemned by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, Mayor Jean Stothert and Conner himself, who posted photos of the pig heads on his Facebook page. What part of this is okay? Pay attention to those that are denouncing this act and those that are silent, wrote Conner, who is Black. Conner, in a recent Public Pulse letter, also wrote that it is "dangerously inappropriate for those who disagree with the political speech of the OPOA to criminally trespass on private property with severed pig heads and messages of harm to our members." Alexander referred to the demonstration as a "theatrical performance that directly delineates our infuriation with white supremacy and the systems that hold it up," and said the display does not mean the group intends to "burn the city down" or harm police. "My whole life Ive witnessed countless Black and brown bodies mercilessly executed and not one person has asked me if I take that as a threat as a Black man," Alexander said. "But as soon as we bring out some chopped off pig heads and put officer hats on them that implicates as a threat?" Williams defended the protest and said the reaction has only served to increased awareness of the Revolutionary Action Party. "I think that, overall, our name has been spread through the community, and the people that need to see us have seen us," Williams said. "All of the elected officials and like individuals also now see that we as RAP will hold them accountable." Despite the controversial demonstration, Alexander said he is focusing more on community outreach and less on organizing protests. "Were going to be more selective with our protests, and that will resonate with the community," Alexander said. "ProBLAC was to establish a culture of resilience and resistance in the community, but how we were doing that was just organizing around Black deaths instead of moving to prevent Black deaths. We realized that we need to organize, to educate, to reveal oppression, create this mass movement to serve our community." Made up of Black and brown activists, the Revolutionary Action Party runs a food, clothing and canvassing program and is based near 24th and Emmet Streets in North Omaha. A transition from protester to activist is not uncommon, said Nikitah Imani, a professor of Black studies at UNO. Imani noted that "it may feel really good to stand on a street corner and wave a sign," but moving away from reactionary action and into activism "gives a chance to make an actual impact on those issues." As for what led to the events of the summer, Imani thinks that Scurlock's death, while it added local depth to an international issue, was not the sole cause. "My sense is that it just added to it," Imani said. "If you look at it nationwide, this was going on across the country in areas that didnt have incidents, and not just in this country. I counted 16 to 17 countries where there was a tremendous wave of protests." In addition to her involvement with ProBLAC and the Revolutionary Action Party, a new job factored into Williams' move to Omaha. She recently began a position at the Omaha Early Learning Center at Skinner Elementary as an associate teacher. "The school Im located at is in North Omaha, so I work with the population that Im trying to serve outside of my job," Williams said of her activism. Williams said she feels good came from last year's protests. "We got all of these young leaders, we got all of these different organizations that were created and people who were really willing to put in this work continuously and really dedicate their lives to this movement and creating change," she said. Looking ahead, Williams has plans to expand Change Now LNK to encompass both Lincoln and Omaha. "My goals are to keep uplifting the community and spreading knowledge," she said, "because thats how change is going to happen." Reflecting on the past year, Full said she hopes the protests prompted Omahans to re-evaluate the "status quo" in their city. "We can look at policy, all the rules that we want, but its really peoples hearts and minds that we have to change to create meaningful change in our community," Full said. "I think the biggest thing the protests were able to do was shine a light on the injustice that was happening and help to understand all of the issues and challenges that we face." Looking to the future, she plans to continue her work with BlackOut Omaha while working toward her master's degree. "Every form of change is important in the community and everyone has the ability to make change," Full said. Love said he would like to see more intergenerational communication from young protesters and activists. "Their energy, ideas, activism. Our wisdom, counsel and experience. Merge those, and we have it." Love said he took pride in the magnitude of response following the deaths of Floyd and Scurlock. As he stood in Memorial Park on June 7 and took in the more than 2,000 people who came out for a solidarity march and rally, Love focused on the power of the moment and wondered whether that momentum would continue. "Whats going on in my mind is I hope that were not dissipating all this power, all this response. It gets lost," Love said last month. "Like a small hole in the bottom of a glass. It might spread out and lose its effectiveness. My mind went to the hope that were harnessing that and turning that into meaningful action." Love has his own lifetime of experience in harnessing meaningful action, and, as he puts it, he's "learned these lessons from the masters," who include civil rights activists John Lewis, Jesse Jackson and Martin Luther King Jr. and his family. The lesson: If you bring people together to protest, Love said, "You must inspire them, give them information, then give them instruction. If you do, that the glass stays full." Omaha World-Herald: Afternoon Update The latest headlines sent at 4:45 p.m. daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Hopkins said Smith was a spiritual man who prayed before every meal. The two biggest things he cared about in this world was making people happy and being there for his kids, she said. Hopkins said she knew Smith had some court issues, but said police tried to make a case against him that didn't exist. She said Smith had been harassed by police for years and had numerous cars impounded. She said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder from his interactions with police. After Thursday's shooting, some people vandalized buildings and stole from area businesses, police said. Nine people were arrested on possible charges including suspicion of riot, assault, arson and damage to property. Graffiti reading Mpls still hates cops and No trial for them marked the building next to the parking ramp where Smith was shot. There has been tension between police and residents since the deaths of Floyd, a Black man who died last year after he was pinned to the ground by Minneapolis officers, and Wright, a Black motorist who was fatally shot in April by an officer in the nearby suburb of Brooklyn Center. After officers arrived, Gionet agreed to take his friend home. When the friend became belligerent in the car, Gionet called police again and was somewhat uncooperative with the second set of officers who respond, prosecutors said. "He also appears to threaten his friend," they wrote. Defense attorney Zachary Thornley said Gionet didn't break any laws or violate any conditions of his release. I really don't know why we're all here today, he said during a remote hearing Friday. We're all here because your client recorded all of this and put it up on YouTube, which a smart person might wonder if that's what you should be doing while you're under court supervision, the magistrate countered. Prosecutors say the video appears to be a money-making vehicle for Gionet, a social media personality who was listed as one of the speakers at the white nationalist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that erupted in violence in 2017. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Nebraskas death row is at Tecumseh State Prison, a facility for male inmates only. Inmates there are separated from the general public and go to activities outside of their cells in groups. Todd Lancaster, an attorney with the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, said that if Corrections had the same policy and rules for a woman at York, she would be in permanent restrictive housing, which he argued would amount to cruel and unusual punishment. On Wednesday, he renewed a motion to declare the death penalty unconstitutional, calling the way in which the state decides whom to seek the death penalty for arbitrary and capricious and saying it has more to do with the county where the crime happened or whether the prosecutor is experienced. Its all subjective, he said. Lancaster said that in a similar Nebraska case involving a dismemberment after a killing, Corey OBrien, the chief of the criminal bureau at the Attorney Generals Office, said Andres Surbers case wasnt a death penalty case because the really horrific part of this crime occurred after Mr. (Kraig) Kubik was dead, and under Nebraska law, aggravating circumstances cease to be applicable once death has occurred. Trudeau said Catholics across the country should reach out to bishops and cardinals on this issue. We expect the church to step up and take responsibility for its role in this and be there to help with the grieving and healing including with records, Trudeau said. Its something the United Church and others have done. Its something we are still waiting for the Catholic Church to do. The Vatican spokesman did not respond to requests for comment this week about demands for a formal apology from the pope. Former Pope Benedict met with a group of former students and victims in 2009 and told them of his personal anguish over their suffering, a meeting that was termed an expression of sadness and solidarity. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced in 2018 that the pope could not personally apologize for residential schools, though he has not shied away from recognizing injustices faced by Indigenous people around the world. The archbishop of Vancouver, however, apologized on Wednesday. The United, Presbyterian and Anglican churches already have apologized for their roles in the abuse, as has the Canadian government, which has offered compensation. Recent World-Herald reporting pointed to an encouraging example. The Empowerment Network and 20 Omaha corporations are partnering in a career advancement and leadership institute specifically for Black professionals. Before Floyds murder, the program had two classes of about 25 people each. For the next class, which began in July 2020, the number of participants grew to nearly 50. After completing the program, 60% to 70% of the participants have been promoted. Omaha needs many more such examples of specific outreach and progress. Several vehicles are in place to pursue such strategies. Dozens of Omaha CEOs are meeting quarterly to discuss strategies for progress, through the CODE initiative. Stothert named Keith Station as deputy chief of staff for diversity, equity and inclusion, a first for the city. Station is pursuing a variety of efforts to strengthen diversity within Omaha city government. The Government of Ghana has been cautioned on how it is handling the issues involving the proposed unitisation between Enis Sankofa Gye Nyame (SGN) Field and Springfields West Cape Three Points (WCTP) Afina discovery as well as the exit of ExxonMobil from Ghana. The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) said the negative press associated with these issues has the potential to undermine the progress made over the years to encourage investments into Ghanas upstream petroleum sector. This is further worsened by the current global context of the energy transition, which is engineering a significant shift from fossil fuel investment to low carbon energy sources. AVCEP said in a statement that the positive response of major oil producers and investors to the transition is promoting alternative energy sources that are significantly suppressing the demand growth for fossil fuels. A scan of the strategy of major oil producers shows a clear transition path to becoming energy companies through extensive Research and Development (R&D). The shift is shrinking the available capital for investments in new exploration activities in the oil industry and generating extreme competition for limited exploration funds. Attracting investment, therefore, requires a positive, assuring and less risky political environment. This environment can be achieved through stakeholder collaboration and transparent engagements that reduces negativity and its attendant impacts on investment attraction. ACEPs statement on these developments is a cautionary call on government and stakeholders to act right and preserve the investment climate of the oil industry. Proposed unitisation between SGN and Afina ACEP has followed communication from the Ministry of Energy directing Eni and Springfield to unitise their fields. This directive was based on GNPCs assessment of the petroleum system on the two fields, informing the corporations conclusion that the Afina discovery straddles the SGN production field. However, ACEP has sighted a subsequent report by Eni, which strongly disagrees with the conclusions made by GNPC. In the absence of clarity and public communication from the government on its position, the local media space has been hijacked with pressure to accelerate the implementation of the unitisation directives. Within the international press, the reportage suggests an arbitrary imposition of unitisation on the two parties. Source: 3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, has hailed astute broadcaster and host of Peace FM's morning show, Kwami Sefa Kayi, over his enormous magnanimity in donating incubators to hospitals in Ghana. The host and his Kokrokoo Charities team are on a mission to gift 100 incubators to save preterm babies. Over 30 incubators have so far been distributed to various hospitals across the nation. In order to support this vision, Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia donated Ghc300,000 to the team to help in purchasing some incubators. On behalf of the Vice President, his Spokesperson and Technical Advisor, Dr. Gideon Boako presented a cheque to the Presenter in the studios of Peace FM. On Wednesday, June 2, the former Minister, who is a panel member on 'Kokrokoo', gave Kwami Sefa Kayi a standing ovation and prayed God's blessings on him for his generosity. "This country owes you a profound gratitude. I salute you. In fact, I give you a standing ovation . . . Kwami, God bless you. God should protect you. You're a special asset. God bless the womb that birthed Kwami," he said. Kwamena Duncan further applauded the Vice President for also his kind gesture. ''Who can hate the Vice President? Who can hate him?'', he rhetorically asked, stressing ''he's as compassionate as his boss. His boss is so compassionate that circumstances must not limit the Ghanaian child in attaining the highest level of education''. The award winning Journalist, Kwami Sefa Kayi has also promised to construct a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Cape Coast, Central Region. The project will hopefully commence this year. 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 France is halting joint military operations with Mali over last week's coup in the West African country. It said the suspension would continue until it received guarantees about a return to civilian rule in Mali. French forces have been supporting troops from Mali, Chad, Mauritania, Niger, and Burkina Faso to fight militants in the Sahel region. On 25 May Mali's military strongman, Col Assimi Goita, ousted the country's civilian president and prime minister. This week the West African grouping Ecowas and the African Union (AU) suspended Mali from their bodies. On Thursday France's armed forces ministry said that both Ecowas and the AU had set "the framework for the political transition in Mali". It added: "While awaiting these guarantees, France has decided to suspend, as a temporary measure, joint military operations with Malian forces." French troops will continue to operate there independently. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The chiefs, opinion leaders and displaced victims of the five communities in the Ketu South Municipality in the Volta Region who were displaced by the tidal waves are appealing to the President to immediately rescue them from their dire conditions. According to the chiefs in these area, living conditions have become unbearable as victims cannot feed or cloth because they have lost all their livelihood to the disaster. Expressing the centiments of the chiefs, opinion leaders and victims, the Chief Executive Officer of Marrer Ghana Limited and Susagtad Boat Building, Mr Novihoho Afaglo, said the fate of over 800 people displaced by the recent sea invasion of some communities in the Ketu South Municipality remains uncertain with more tidal incursions expected in the wake of the rains. Mr Afaglo said the sea submerged some 100 houses in the five communities late last month has constantly ravaged the areas in the past four years. He said areas such as Agavedzi, Sarakope, Adina, Blekusu and Amutinu were not spared during the disaster. The CEO revealed that about 200 of the victims from some households have been building shelters for themselves on the island of Dzetagba soon after the sea invasion, in the hope of earning a living through fishing and salt mining while others are yet to find their feet exposing them to all manner of environmental hazards. "Currently as I speak to you, victims have no toilet facilities attached to the structures they had erected on the island, making the situation more dangerous to their health," he stated. Mr Afaglo who is also an indigen of the land said victims are force to defecate on the edges of the water posing serious threat to their health. He said many of the displaced persons are still perching with their relatives in a state of growing uncertainty. The disaster victims are appealing to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to immediately rescue these communities from extinction. "What we need now goes beyond the paltry sharing of relief items such as buckets and tents from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) because it looks like that wouldn't solve the problem," he said Mr Afaglo said the displaced victims are insisting on a sea defence wall as a permanent solution to the problem. The chiefs, opinion leaders and victims are therefore calling on the central government to make provision of constructing a sea defence wall to save thes communities before the worse happens. 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 Dome, Accra The foul stench emanating from a house at Ayigbe Town, an area within Dome Kwabenya in the Ga East district of the Greater Accra Region, and the apparent absence of an 86-year-old woman, Abraa Mansa, is raising eyebrows. The police have moved in to cordon the house as a crime scene, and have mounted a search for a son of the woman, identified as Benjamin Kofi Yeboah, who is reported to have packed bag and baggage and told neighbours he was leaving the area. Yeboah is reported to be a regular beater of his mother, who until recently was a popular banku seller, with whom he frequently quarrels. So frequent were their quarrels that neighbours no longer paid attention when it happened. Pockets of residents were seen Thursday afternoon discussing what fate may have befallen Auntie Mansa, whose absence they say is suspicious because even if she meant to travel, she would have notified at least somebody. Police report The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mrs Effia Tenge said a man who identified himself as Stephen Dollah reported to the Taifa Police on May 27, 2021, that his mother has gone missing. He told the police that his younger brother, Benjamin Kofi Yeboah, who was staying with the mother in the house claimed their mother had told him she was going to Aflao in the Volta Region, but checks proved she had not been there. At about 5pm on June 2, 2021, Stephen returned to the Taifa Police station and reported that while he was doing some renovations in his mother's house and had to collect a heap of sand close to a portion of the fence wall to pave way for the work to continue, he came across something suspicious. He said while collecting the sand, he perceived some bad odour emanating from the sand and he suspected his younger brother might have murdered their mother and buried the body there. Police proceeded to the scene located in house number 246, off Dome - Dome Market road and found a heap of sand believed to have been collected from the back of the house and used to cover what they suspect to be the deceased's body, because of the strong foul scent. The police also found that Benjamin had not been seen by his neighbours since Sunday, May 30, 2021. The Crime Scene Management Team and the Municipal Environmental Health officials were invited to the scene. The police have since filed a motion at the Adenta District Magistrate Court to obtain a permit to exhume the body on Friday, June 4, 2021. 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 31-year-old English tutor at the Ghana National College in Cape Coast, Sheila Afful met her untimely death when she was struck by a car at the schools entrance. She died on the spot. The incident happened on Wednesday at about 11 am when the deceased was on her way to classes. The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue. According to eyewitnesses, the driver, who is a female Police constable stationed at Twifo-Praso, was descending the hills of the school but lost control of the vehicle and landed on the deceased at the pedestrian path of the schools gate after the car somersaulted several times. The vehicle in the process slammed into a motorcycle belonging to a security officer parked at the gate. According to sources, the Police constable had gone to the school to visit her brother who is a student. The eye witness said the Police MTTD towed the vehicle away, after the accident. A family member of the deceased who pleaded anonymity described the deceased as a smart, intelligent, promising and determined woman who was pursuing her PhD programme at the University of Cape Coast. The Central Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Mrs Irene Serwaah Oppong who confirmed the story said investigations have begun. 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 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has presented letters of credence to 21 appointed envoys, urging them to champion the Government of Ghanas post-COVID-19 recovery agenda. The 15 Ambassadors and six High Commissioners comprise political appointees and careers diplomats. They are Papa Owusu-Ankomah, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Hajia Alima Mahama, Ambassador to the United States of America; Ms Khadija Iddrisu, High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia; Mr Kwabena Okubi-Appiah, Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia; Oheneba Dr Lesley Akyaa Opoku-Ware, Ambassador to the Russian Federation; Lieutenant General Obed Boamah Akwa (Rtd), Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt; Mr Charles Asuako Owiredu, High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa; and Mr Francis Danti Kotia, Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The others are Mrs Francisca Ashietey-Odunton, Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey; Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates; Mr Napoleon Abdulai, Ambassador to the Republic of Mali; Mrs Sylvia Naa Adaawa Annoh, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark; Madam Barbara Akuorkor Benisa, High Commissioner to the Republic of Malta; Mr Yakubu Alhassan, High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia; and Mr Samuel Yaw Nsiah, Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba. The rest are Madam Christine Churcher, Ambassador to the Republic of Benin; Mr Damptey Bediako Asare, High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya; Alhaji Mohammad Habibu Tijani, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mrs Charis Obestebi-Lamptey-Zwennes, Ambassador to the Republic of Korea; Mr Michael Ofori-Atta, Ambassador-at-Large, and Mr Emmanuel Kwame Asiedu Antwi, Ambassador In Situ (Chief of Protocol). At a short ceremony at the Jubilee House, Accra, where the President administered the Oaths of Office, Allegiance and Secrecy to the envoys, he asked them to prioritise Ghana's post-COVID-19 recovery agenda at their duty post. He said their selection and appointment came at a time when the entire world was reeling from and trying to recover from the devastation of the Coronavirus pandemic. President Akufo-Addo stressed that the recovery of the nation should be the burden of all members of government, including the Ambassadors and High Commissioners. He told them that his administrations unprecedented flagship initiative, the Ghc100 billion post-COVID-19 Ghana CARES Obaatanpa Programme geared to stabilise, revitalise and transform Ghanas economy, must be the pivot around which they engaged the rest of the world. "Ambassadors and High Commissioners, you have to familiarise yourselves with these objectives, which are at the core of my second term mandate as they represent our surest way out of the pandemic, and which will thrust Ghana back to the path of progress and prosperity," he stated. Each one of you must help and contribute to the success of this programme by facilitating as much foreign investment into the country as you can," the President entreated the envoys. The High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, on behalf of his colleagues, pledged that they would work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them. He said they would capitalize on their experiences, and work earnestly to help the recovery process of the country from the impact of COVID-19, and pledged to find innovative ways to promote goods made in Ghana. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Seasoned Journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, has punched holes in the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa's supposed urgent question before Parliament over what he considers as extravagant expenditure on President Akufo-Addos foreign travels. The MP, in a Facebook post, challenged the President's foreign travels revealing the President has abandoned the State's Falcon jet for private jet travels. He confirmed this in an interview with Citi FM's Presenter Umaru Sanda Amadu stating emphatically I can confirm on authority that the President charters a private flight for the trips. Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed the President spent over a whopping 2.8 million cedis on his recent trips. Okudzeto Ablakwa's Post The North Tongu MP wrote; The Airbus ACJ320neo owned by Acropolis Aviation based in Farnborough, UK and registered as G-KELT, is the most luxurious and the most expensive in the Acropolis fleet. The manufacturers describe it as the most outstanding ambassador for Airbus Corporate Jets. It costs the Ghanaian taxpayer approximately 15,000 an hour when President Akufo-Addo rents it. ''President Akufo-Addo undoubtedly has the greatest taste any Ghanaian President has ever had, but the question is, should that insatiable appetite for his creature comforts be at the expense of the suffering masses? ''Lets further analyze President Akufo-Addos latest trip to Europe: per Flightradar24, the G-KELT aircraft left Accra with the President to Paris on the 16th of May a 6 and half hour duration. Airlifted the President from Paris to Johannesburg for 11 hours on the 23rd of May. Then Johannesburg to Accra on the 25th of May was a five and half hour flight. This gives us accumulated flight travel of 23 hours; so at 15,000 an hour, it thus cost us a colossal 345,000. At the current exchange, that is a staggering GHS2,828,432.80.'' Question The MP stressed in the Facebook post; ''I have therefore filed an urgent question in Parliament to compel the Akufo-Addo administration to be accountable to the Ghanaian people on this matter and ultimately to prick their conscience to end this obscene profligacy at this time of considerable economic hardships. The African people deserve better from their leaders. Also during his interview with Umaru Sanda, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa was asked whether the Falcon may have developed a fault, for which reason the government sought the services of Acropolis Aviation. He responded; That is why we are summoning the Defence Minister, who has oversight of the Air Force to tell us if the Falcon has developed a fault in these few days because we do know that the Falcon has been in pristine condition and that the other ministers have been using it. So we want to hear from the government on why the President chose that option. Okudzeto Ablakwa's Question Not Available According to Kweku Baako, he would have loved to access the very urgent question by the MP but it is difficult to find it. Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', he revealed that the MP hasn't laid the question before Parliament yet. ''Last weekend, trying to access the text of the urgent question that the Member of Parliament, Mr. Ablakwa is said to have filed, I tried but all my sources at the Parliament House indicated that it's not available. Why, because, the Speaker is yet to admit it. You know, by the standing orders, the Speaker under order 66(1) or so has [the authority] the sole authority to admit a question and then takes steps to ensure that it's put on order paper and all those things. ''To my surprise, my sources for the first time, I think they failed me because whilst I understood that yes, officially the Speaker hasn't . . . admitted . . . whatever be the case, they can smuggle it. I've been a beneficiary of that over the years. Yes! We, journalists, we love leakages and drops here and there. We thrive on it; it's part of our business but you do it, over the years, you create sources. You cultivate sources . . . both in the public and private sector, in parties, in everything. So, regardless of the colour of the regime in office, you should be capable of accesssing, intercepting and being a beneficiary of leakages . . . I want to see the text of the urgent question; what is it that is in it," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi. 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 It is the day for the hearing after the Ghana Police Service secured an ex parte injunction against a massive demonstration slated for May 9. The group is expected to make their case as to why the courts must allow for the protest to take place despite the reasons advanced by the police, per the May 6 court order. The demonstration spearheaded by the youth, is meant to amplify sentiments such as the rising unemployment rate, inefficient health systems, the skyrocketing cost of rent, poor road networks among others, which the youth say are hurting their standard of living. But the Service had claimed that the intended event flies in the face of Covid-19 restrictions as far as public gatherings are concerned. On the day, the police beefed up security at the Black Star Square but the protestors took their demonstration onto Twitter. In a press release on June 3, the group is calling on sympathisers to embark on a march to the Criminal Division of the High Court a sign of solidarity with the plight of the Ghanaian youth on Friday. We intend to meet up and walk together from the Trade Union Congress Building at 9 am towards the High Court, the group announced. Describing recent actions against the movement as state sponsored barrage of roadblocks and public gagging, the protestors say they have been resolute to follow through on these court hearings because we seek accountability. Accountability is the first step towards justiceand the cause of justice is in our hands as citizens of this state. We need to guard it jealously at every turn, so we demand of all the youth of Ghana to never give up the hope that we can make enduring change. That the work of our generation should be to put an end to the vestiges of 8-year cycle regimes and the decades of trauma and hopelessness of this rotten system. We can end it. It doesnt have to be with us. We can decide now to have true liberty and justice for all, the statement added. Source: myjoyonline.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 Former CEO of Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, has been laid in state ahead of his official burial. The funeral rites of the politician, popularly known as Sir John, is being held at the Sakora Wonoo Junior High School, in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti Region where his family, friends and residents of the community, have filed past his remains to pay their last respect. High-ranking politicians including the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia are later expected to attend the funeral to bid their colleague farewell. After the funeral rites, the mortal remains of the affable former NPP General Secretary will be sent to the Sakora Wonoo family cemetery. The late Sir John is said to have died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Wednesday, July 1, 2020 after a bout with Covid-19. View this post on Instagram A post shared by GhanaCelebrities.Com (@ghanacelebrity) Source: Joy News 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 June 4, 1979, burst Flt Lt. JJ Rawlings onto Ghana's political landscape & changed the course of history.I thank God that last year, per the invitation of the Atta-Mills Institute, Papa J visited Asomdwee Park to make peace with Prez Atta-Mills: they are together!RIP my bosses pic.twitter.com/WvWyItpZTp Samuel Koku Anyidoho (@KokuAnyidoho) June 4, 2021 Before his demise last, year Former President Jerry John Rawlings visited the Asomdwee Park where the late Professor John Evans Atta Mills was buried to make peace with him, Koku Anyidoho, a former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said.The Founder of the Atta Mills Memorial Institute said this to mark the 42nd anniversary of the June 4 celebrations on Friday.In a tweet, Mr Anyidoho said June 4, 1979, burst Flt Lt. JJ Rawlings onto Ghanas political landscape & changed the course of history.I thank God that last year, per the invitation of the Atta-Mills Institute, Papa J visited Asomdwee Park to make peace with Prez Atta-Mills: they are together!RIP my boss.Meanwhile, Former President John Dramani Mahama has said in relation to the celebration that Ghana is currently going through crisis of confidence in the political leadership.According to him, this is due to economic hardship, insecurity, political and ethnic polarization, deepening inequality, politicization of democratic institutions, corruption, serious problems in the education and health sectors are challenges Ghanaians are confronted with in their daily lives.This has led to a crisis of confidence in the political leadership. Ghana is a country with exceptional human talent. Time is ticking fast and yet we can make things right if we work as one nation with a common destiny. As I have said in the past, broad consultations and consensus building does not take anything away from a leader, he said on the occasion of the June 4 celebration.In a statement, Mr Mahama who was the NDCs Presidential Candidate in last years elections said For the first time, the people of Ghana, comrades, supporters and sympathizers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will commemorate the June 4 Uprising without the inspirational and arresting physical presence of the Founder of our party, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings (Rtd.), our former President, who departed from us last year.He was a key influence on Ghanas history for the two decades straddling the late 70s till year 2000. The June 4 Uprising was an epochal event that represents a major landmark in our nations existence. Together with its sister event, the 31st December Revolution, the two shaped the course of Ghanas history resulting in a turnaround in Ghanas economic fortunes and the advent of the 4th Republic.Forty-two years on, our economy and democracy are in dire straits. Economic hardship, insecurity, political and ethnic polarization, deepening inequality, politicization of our democratic institutions, corruption, serious problems in the education and health sectors are challenges Ghanaians are confronted with in our daily lives.This has led to a crisis of confidence in the political leadership. Ghana is a country with exceptional human talent. Time is ticking fast and yet we can make things right if we work as one nation with a common destiny. As I have said in the past, broad consultations and consensus building does not take anything away from a leader.He added Broad consultations that bring the best and brightest together with stakeholders can forge consensus around issues such as economic recovery strategy, or implementational challenges of Free SHS in the national interest.The values June 4 espoused some four decades ago, remain as relevant today as ever before in our nations democratic journey. June 4 engendered hope in our people that the ills of our society would be rooted out and replaced with values of virtue and honesty.If we must get our people to hope again and to trust in our institutions and government, then we must encourage fearless honesty as enjoined by our national anthem.We must embrace and be guided by truth, transparency, probity and accountability principles that have been bequeathed unto us, which are the bedrock upon which our nation, undoubtedly, will become great, strong, resilient and prosperous.We must encourage freedom of thought and expression rather than a culture of hypocrisy and silence. May the spirit of our Founder live on! I wish all our comrades a happy June 4 Anniversary! Source: twitter/3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video SLAS Technology June special issue on 3D cell culture Oak Brook, IL - The June edition of SLAS Technology is a Special Issue entitled, "Emerging Trends in 3D Cell Culture: High-Throughput Screening, Disease Modeling and Translational Medicine." Free online access to the articles in this collection is courtesy of Corning Life Sciences, the issue's sponsor. Precision medicine is becoming an increasingly popular and powerful way to target and treat human diseases. Patient-derived cellular models ushered in high-throughput screenings (HTS) in laboratory automation. While the upkeep and expansion of cells for HTS is predominantly manual, this special issue explores an automated avenue for HTS in research settings that considers the expansion of cells. This design is flexible for research and development of various cell types. The June issue analyzes protocols for controlled cell seeding, splitting and expansion of human fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and neural progenitor cells (NPCs). These multiple platforms lend themselves well for research on patient-derived cellular models for precision medicine. "Significant improvements have been made in formation of complex 3D structures, but challenges remain in automating assay protocols with these models. The flowchips described in the issue contain protected sample chambers to allow media exchange, sample staining, wash steps, and supernatant sampling to occur without disruption to or loss of 3D sample," says SLAS Technology author Evan F. Cromwell, Ph.D. (Protein Fluidics, Inc.). The June issue of SLAS Technology includes six articles of original research including: Toxicity of Combinations of Kinase Pathway Inhibitors to Normal Human Cells in a Three-Dimensional Culture Spheroid Trapping and Calcium Spike Estimation Techniques toward Automation of 3D Culture Miniaturized Drug Sensitivity and Resistance Test on Patient-Derived Cells Using Droplet-Microarray Automating Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture and Differentiation of iPSC-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium for Personalized Drug Testing Creating an Affordable, User-Friendly Electronic Inventory System for Lab Samples Adapting a Low-Cost and Open-Source Commercial Pipetting 311 Robot for Nanoliter Liquid Handling Other articles include: Disease Modeling with 3D Cell-Based Assays Using a Novel Flowchip System and High-Content Imaging Three-Dimensional Macroporous Sponge for the Culture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Organoids Automated Device for Uncapping Multiple-Size Bioanalytical Sample Tubes Designed to Reduce Technician Strain and Increase Productivity Literature Highlights Column: Life Sciences Discovery and Technology Highlights Access to June's SLAS Technology issue is available at https:/ / journals. sagepub. com/ toc/ jlad/ 26/ 2 . For more information about SLAS and its journals, visit https:/ / www. slas. org/ publications/ slas-technology/ . ### SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building. SLAS Discovery: Advancing the Science of Drug Discovery, 2019 Impact Factor 2.195. Editor-in-Chief Robert M. Campbell, Ph.D., Twentyeight-Seven Therapeutics, Boston, MA (USA). SLAS Technology: Translating Life Sciences Innovation, 2019 Impact Factor 2.174. Editor-in-Chief Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Ph.D., National University of Singapore (Singapore). This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Former US President, Donald Trump is demanding that China pays ten trillion dollars for its role in the coronavirus pandemic as he added to growing calls for US health expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci to explain exactly how much he knew about work being done at the Wuhan Institute of virology, China. Donald Trump publicly feuded with Dr. Anthony Fauci throughout 2020 and is now claiming victory amid growing questions over how much his then adviser, Fauci knew about work being done at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The Chinese laboratory is at the center of conspiracy theories that the novel coronavirus came out from a scientific facility rather than jumped the species barrier naturally. Fauci's role in the early days of the crisis is under fresh scrutiny after two news organizations obtained his emails under a Freedom of Information request. In particular, Republicans claim the communications show Fauci knew the Wuhan Institute of Virology - at the center of the lab leak hypothesis for the origins of the COVID-19 crisis - was carrying out experiments with genetically engineered coronaviruses. They also show he was warned of the possibility of a lab leak at a time when he was publicly insisting the pandemic emerged naturally by jumping from an animal host to human. In a statement on Thursday, June 3, Trump derided Fauci by claiming he (Trump) saved hundreds of thousands of lives by resisting Fauci's guidance on everything from closing borders, developing vaccines and wearing masks. 'Now everyone, even the so-called "enemy, are beginning to say that President Trump was right about the China Virus coming from the Wuhan Lab,' Trump said. 'The correspondence between Dr. Fauci and China speaks too loudly for anyone to ignore. 'China should pay ten trillion Dollars to America, and the world, for the death and destruction they have caused.' Trump demanded to find out how much Fauci really knew about the Wuhan lab. 'There are a lot of questions that must be answered by Dr. Fauci,' he said. 'The funding of Wuhan by the U.S. was foolishly started by the Obama administration in 2014 but ended under the Trump administration. 'When I heard about it, I said no way.'What did Dr. Fauci know about gain of function research, and when did he know it?' Fauci says his emails obtained by Buzzfeed News and the Washington Post have been taken out of context. 'I have always said, and will say today to you ... that I still believe the most likely origin is from an animal species to a human, but I keep an absolutely open mind that if there may be other origins of that, there may be another reason, it could have been a lab leak,' he told CNN 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 Major (Rtd) Boakye-Djan is accusing late president JJ Rawlings of engaging in an illegality in his second coup. "The fact that he is dead does not exonerate him. He can be tried posthumously if people have the nerve and sincerity that what happened was wrong and should not be encouraged." Major (Rtd) Kojo Boakye-Djan, widely accepted as the key architect of the 4 June 1979 uprising, has said former President Jerry John Rawlings died as a walking criminal. Speaking to Kojo Mensah on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday 4 June to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the uprising, Boakye-Djan said Rawlings could be prosecuted posthumously for his actions in the second coup on 31 December 1981. He died as a walking criminal, Boakye-Djan said. The fact that I built a democracy doesnt mean that I could bear responsibility for somebody destroying it. Remember we handed power over to [Hilla] Limann and I left to London to do my postgraduate course and 31 December came, I was not here but on the same day I opposed it and put down my uniform to roll it back which in the end I succeeded in doing. No regrets Remember the rule of law we used to hold senior officers accountable to, was the same difficulty that the second takeover had put us in. That is why I use to call him a walking criminal. The fact that he is dead does not exonerate him. He can be tried posthumously if people have the nerve and sincerity that what happened was wrong and should not be encouraged, Boakye-Djan sad. However, Boakye-Djan said he has no regrets about the June 4 uprising despite the wide condemnation that greeted the incident. In fact, I have nothing to regret, he said, adding: You see if you consider that we took over a country in distress right because soldiers were in charge, does the constitution allow soldiers to rule a country? So you cant tell me that is a normal time. Rawlings began to hatch a political and social scheme with a growing circle of colleagues and friends who were in agreement with his plans, and at the same time read widely. This awareness-raising culminated in his first coup attempt of May 1979, followed by a successful coup detat on 4 June 1979 in which friends and supporters freed him from jail. Among the early actions of the new Armed Forces Revolutionary Council government were the executions of eight senior military officers, including three former heads of state. He stood down after democratic elections that year which were won by Hilla Limanns Peoples National Party (PNP). He staged a second coup on 31 December 1981, however, ousting Limann and launching the self-styled revolution out of which his Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) was born. The 31 December Revolution was followed by in-camera military tribunals and a slew of extrajudicial killings, notably the murders in 1982 of three senior judges and a retired military officer. Rawlings died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Thursday 12 November 2020. Source: asaaseradio.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 There was drama in court on Friday when convenors of #fixthecountry clashed with the police in court prior to the hearing of the case in which the police is seeking a restraining order against their demonstration. In a matter of public order act 1994, the police is seeking restraining prohibition orders against the #fixthecountry protest. In court on Friday, the police said they were concerned about the manner in which some of the holding Ghana flags appeared in court. The court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey was informed about the incident and she subsequently directed the convenors who are the respondent in the case to come to court individually. Six of the 14 convenors who appeared in court are Samuel Alex Kudzordzie, Felicity Nelson, Bashiratu Kamal, Agyapong Foster, Darko Benjamin and Adakye Brownson The case has been adjourned to Monday, June 14, 2021, for hearing. Source: starrfmonline.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 Dancehall artiste and founder of Shatta Movement Empire, Shatta Wale, has advised his colleague musicians to take their craft seriously. Shatta Wale, who recently returned from the United States after taking vacation from the music scene, touched down in Ghana with a passionate desire to guide Ghanaian musicians to better their lives. Delivering his 'State of the Nation Address' on Wednesday, June 2, the vociferous dancehall artiste expressed worry over the unseriousness of his fellow musicians in gaining wealth out of their music craft. He therefore pleads with the ''musicians in Ghana to pay some more attention to the business side of the craft''. He reiterated; "One thing that I have long campaigned for is for the artiste to take and see their talent as a career and as a business entity.' Shatta Wale urged the musicians to "learn to make money with our talents. Let's invest in educating ourselves about how we can add value to ourselves and our craft and make a living out of it. We should be able to still make money from music even when we're no more in the studio. This I believe is a sure way to keep the industry alive and aloud". The dancehall artiste also seized the opportunity to announce to music investors and corporate Ghana that he is open for business. Listen to his full address below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by TrendznTrendy (@trendzntrendy) 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 WarnerMedia has appointed Amit Malhotra as MD for HBO Max in Southeast Asia and India. He joins from a similar role at Disney Plus. Malhotra, who reports to Johannes Larcher, head of HBO Max International, will be responsible for the rollout and management of the new streaming service when it gets to the region. More from Variety In the near term he will manage HBO GO, WarnerMedias existing OTT streaming service available in eight territories across Southeast Asia. Under Malhotras leadership, WarnerMedia expects to launch HBO Max in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam in the future, including an expanded content offering for the entire family and a premium new platform that would be hosted on HBO Maxs tech stack, providing a more stable and consistent streaming experience than HBO GO, the company said in a statement. Malhotra will also be responsible for exploring possible opportunities to launch HBO Max in new and fast-growing Asian streaming markets such as India. Malhotra most recently served as regional lead for Disney Plus in Southeast Asia, where he was responsible for overseeing the launch and operations of Disneys streaming services in the region, including Disney Plus, Disney Plus Hotstar and Hotstar. He also led the content sales and distribution division as part of The Walt Disney Companys direct-to consumer & international business in South APAC and Middle East. HBO Max was launched in May last year and has added11.1 million HBO/HBO Max subscribers in the U.S. as of the end of Q1 2021. The platform will roll out in 39 territories across Latin America and the Caribbean on June 29. HBOs existing OTT services in Europe are scheduled to be upgraded to HBO Max later this year. By the end of 2021, HBO Max is expected to be available in 61 global markets. Story continues The HBO Max team in Southeast Asia will build on the partnership with Clement Schwebig, MD, India, Southeast Asia, and Korea for WarnerMedia. Other key team members include Magdalene Ew (head of content) and Yasmin Zahid (head of distribution) and Leslie Lee (head of kids, APAC). David Simonsen, who has played an important role in the growth of HBO GO in Southeast Asia to date, will continue to make a significant contribution to WarnerMedias direct-to-consumer efforts in the region, and will work closely with Malhotra. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Banyan Tree Groups Laguna Phuket expatriate associates received their first vaccine dose on Thursday 3 June 2021 at the destinations own Angsana Convention & Exhibition Space (ACES). Having completed the full vaccination program for Thai associates, Laguna Phuket is the first major integrated destination in Thailand to have all associates vaccinated against Covid-19. As part of the Stay Safe with Laguna Phuket campaign, the progression to expatriates vaccination is the latest step forward for Laguna Phuket in its preparation to welcome international travelers under Thailands initiative Phuket Sandbox Programme from 1 July onwards. Laguna Phuket has been working closely with local government and tourism associations throughout this pandemic. In readiness for the Phuket Sandbox, our hotels have been continuously enhancing safety protocols to ensure that we safeguard the health and wellbeing of our guests, associates, and the wider community, said Ravi Chandran, Managing Director of Laguna Phuket. In our continued sustainability efforts for the local community, we have extended the use of our 1,500 sqm indoor event space (ACES) to the local government for its vaccination program. It has been encouraging to move forward with vaccinations for our expatriate associates. As an industry leader, Laguna Phuket is the first integrated destination to receive full Safety & Health Administration (SHA) certifications and also achieved full associates vaccination. This latest progress will enable Laguna Phuket to implement the enhanced Amazing Thailand SHA+ initiative to boost further confidence within the industry as it welcomes global guests with safety in place. The Mississippi River near Vicksburg, looking Northeast at the Interstate 20 bridge, the confluence of the Yazoo River is in the foreground. The photo was taken by a drone flown by Jim Alvis and Mike Manning of the U.S. Geological Survey in the summer of 2016. Credit: USGS A team of scientists including a University of Michigan aquatic ecologist is forecasting this summer's Gulf of Mexico hypoxic area or "dead zone," an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and other marine life, to be approximately 4,880 square miles, a bit smaller than the state of Connecticut. The 2021 forecasted area is smaller than, but close to, the five-year-average measured size of 5,400 square miles. However, this year's predicted dead zone would still be more than double the long-term goal set by the Interagency Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force, which set a goal of reducing the size of the hypoxic zone to a five-year average measured size of 1,900 square miles. "Each year, the forecasts are reported to be bigger or smaller than some long-term average, when in fact the long-term average is not acceptable," said Don Scavia, professor emeritus at the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability. "Large reductions are called for in the federal-state action plans that have been in place for almost 20 years. Clearly, something different needs to be done in the watershed to actually reduce the nutrient loads and reduce the size of the dead zone," said Scavia, who leads one of several research teams partnering with the federal government on the annual forecasts. The 2021 U-M Gulf of Mexico hypoxia forecast was released today by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which funds the work. This year's forecasted dead zone is substantially less than the 8,776-square-mile 2017 Gulf hypoxic zone, which was the largest zone measured since mapping began in 1985. The predictions are based on a suite of models that incorporate U.S. Geological Survey river flow and nutrient data. "Understanding the effects of hypoxia on valuable Gulf of Mexico resources has been a long-term focus of NOAA's research," said Nicole LeBoeuf, acting director of NOAA's National Ocean Service. "These forecasting models inform us of the potential magnitude of the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone that might impact living marine resources and coastal economies." The annual Gulf of Mexico dead zone is primarily caused by excess nutrient pollution from human activities in urban and agricultural areas throughout the Mississippi River watershed. When the excess nutrients reach the Gulf, they stimulate an overgrowth of algae, which eventually die and decompose, depleting oxygen as they sink to the bottom. The resulting low oxygen levels near the bottom of the Gulf cannot support most marine life. Fish, shrimp and crabs often swim out of the area, but animals that are unable to swim or move away are stressed or killed by the low oxygen. The Gulf of Mexico dead zone occurs every summer. The Mississippi River watershed encompasses more than 40% of the continental United States and crosses 22 state boundaries. Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in runoff and discharges from agricultural and urban areas are the major contributors to the annual summer hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Image Credit: Adapted from the USGS National Land Cover Dataset River discharge in May and the associated nutrient load to the Gulf of Mexico has been shown to be a major contributing factor to the size of the dead zone. In May 2021, discharge in the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers was about 2% below the long-term average between 1980 and 2020. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that this smaller-than-average river discharge carried 90,500 metric tons of nitrate and 15,600 metric tons of phosphorus into the Gulf of Mexico in May alone. These nitrate loads were about 32% below the long-term average, and phosphorus loads were about 9% below the long-term average. The USGS operates more than 3,000 real-time stream gauges, 60 real-time nitrate sensors and 38 long-term monitoring sites to measure nutrients in rivers throughout the Mississippi-Atchafalaya watershed. Data from these networks are used to track long-term changes in nutrient inputs to the Gulf and to help build models of nutrient sources and hotspots within the watershed. "Recent results from USGS models show that agricultural sources together are the largest nutrient sources to the Gulf, and that much of that originates in the Upper Midwest and areas along the Mississippi River. But urban areas, human waste treatment, precipitation and atmospheric dust, and natural sources also contribute large amounts," said Don Cline, associate director for the USGS Water Resources Mission Area. While the hypoxic zone forecast assumes typical coastal weather conditions, the measured dead zone size could be disrupted and its size changed by major weather events, such as hurricanes and tropical storms, which mix ocean waters, as occurred in 2018, 2019 and 2020. A NOAA-supported monitoring survey, scheduled for later this summer, will confirm the size of the 2021 dead zone and is a key test of the accuracy of NOAA's models. This year's predicted dead zone would be larger than the long-term goal set by the Interagency Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force. The task force strives to reduce the Gulf dead zone by identifying and implementing collaborative nutrient reduction strategies across the Mississippi River watershed, and has set a goal of reducing the size of the hypoxic zone to a five-year average measured size of 1,900 square miles. NOAA's hypoxia forecast models, together with the USGS's monitoring of nutrients in rivers, help predict how hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico is linked to nutrients coming from throughout the Mississippi River Basin. The task force uses them to help inform nitrogen and phosphorus reduction targets across the watershed. "The Hypoxia Task Force plays a critical role in managing nutrient loads in the Mississippi River Basin to reduce over time the size of the hypoxic zone," said John Goodin, director of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds. "Through state leadership in implementing nutrient reduction strategies, support from EPA and other federal agencies, and partnerships with basin organizations and research partners, we will continue to tackle the challenge of Gulf hypoxia. This annual forecast will continue to inform our collective efforts." More information: 2021 U-M Gulf of Mexico hypoxia forecast: 2021 U-M Gulf of Mexico hypoxia forecast: scavia.seas.umich.edu/hypoxia-forecasts/ A range of natural variation in one writers uppercase letter E. Credit: NIST People are writing more than ever with their keyboards and phones, but handwritten notes have become rare. Even signatures are going out of style. Most credit card purchases no longer require them, and if they do, you can usually just scratch one out with your fingernail. The age-old art of handwriting is in decline. This marks a profound shift in how we communicate, but for one group of experts it also raises an existential question. Forensic handwriting examiners authenticate handwritten notes and signaturesor reveal them to be fakesby analyzing distinctive features in our writing. As people write less by hand, will handwriting examination become irrelevant? A recent report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) suggests that the answer is noif the field changes to keep up with the times. But the times are changing in more ways than one, and the decline in handwriting is only one of the challenges that the field will have to reckon with. How the Experts Do It Emily Will is a board-certified handwriting examiner in private practice in North Carolina. She has examined signatures on countless checks, wills, deeds and trusts. She has inspected medical records to assess whether a doctor's signature may have been added at a later date than indicated, perhaps after a lawsuit was filed. She has also examined longer forms of writing, such as threatening or harassing letters and suicide notes. If the apparent suicide victim didn't write the note, the police might have a homicide on their hands. To assess whether a piece of handwriting was written by a particular person, examiners need something to compare it against, so they collect writing samples that are known to be from that person. The type of writing has to be the same, whether a signature, cursive writing, or hand printing. The known samples should be from roughly the same time period as the handwriting in question, because our handwriting evolves over time. And having multiple known samples to compare against is key, as that will allow the examiner to consider the variability in a person's writing style. "You're not a robot, so every time you sign your name, it'll look different," Will said. "That's what makes handwriting examination so interesting." Nonprofessionals might think that since most people know how to produce handwriting, pretty much anyone can examine it. They might assume that the expert compares such things as the size, slant and spacing of the letters and the connections between them. Indeed, examiners do that. But they also look beyond those features of writing for subtler signs of how the writing was made. "Say you want to forge a signature," Will said. "You may be able to execute a good facsimile. But is the "O' clockwise when it should be counterclockwise? Are there pen lifts where there shouldn't be? When you sign your name it's all muscle memory. But forging a signature requires deliberation. The pen slows down. It stops and starts." Those hesitations show up under a microscope as tiny puddles of ink. "It's not so much how the signature looks, but how it was executed that's important," Will said. Here's what Will carries in her go bag: a jeweler's loupe, a small optical microscope and a hand-held digital microscope. A flashlight. A paper micrometer, to measure the thickness of paper. A laptop and portable scanner. A camera that hooks up to her microscopes. "And frankly," she says, "I use my iPhone a lot these days." Will's practice extends to the broader field of "questioned document examination," which involves scrutinizing an entire document for signs of fraud. At her lab, she has equipment for analyzing papers and inks and viewing them under different types of light. Some inks that look identical in daylight appear starkly different under infrared. She identifies erasures, alterations and obliterations and reveals indented writingthe impressions left on sheets of paper beneath the written note. But most of Will's work involves handwriting and signatures, and there are a lot fewer of them these days. Check-cashing fraud is way down now that paychecks and Social Security checks are direct deposited. Medical malpractice lawsuits involve fewer signatures since electronic health records have become the norm. Even celebrities have noticed the change. In a 2014 opinion article in The Wall Street Journal, Taylor Swift wrote, "I haven't been asked for an autograph since the invention of the iPhone with a front-facing camera." Enough handwriting still passes under Will's microscope to keep her in business. But, she says, "If I were a young person starting out today, I might consider cybersecurity." Forensic handwriting examiners can only compare writing of the same type. In this case, only the second known sample can be compared to the questioned handwriting. Credit: NIST A Roadmap for Staying Relevant The field of forensic handwriting examination may have trouble attracting new blood. A report from NIST earlier this year found that the median age for handwriting examiners is 60, compared with 42 to 44 for people in similar scientific and technical occupations. That report, Forensic Handwriting Examination and Human Factors: Improving the Practice Through a Systems Approach, was published by NIST, but was written by 23 outside experts, including Will. To increase recruitment, the report recommends replacing the unpaid apprenticeships that have been the traditional route of entry into the field with grants and fellowships. The report also recommends cross-training with other forensic disciplines that involve pattern matching, such as fingerprint examination. The "human factors" in the report's title refers to a field of study that seeks to understand the factors that affect human capability and job performance. In forensic science, these include training, communication, technology and management policies, to name just a few. Melissa Taylor, the NIST human factors expert who led the group of authors, said that the report provides the forensic handwriting community with a road map for staying relevant. But the threat of irrelevance doesn't come only from the decline in handwriting. Part of the challenge, she says, arises from the field of forensic science itself. "There is a big push toward greater reliability and more rigorous research in forensic science," said Taylor, whose research is aimed at reducing errors and improving job performance in handwriting examination and other forensic disciplines, including fingerprints and DNA. "To stay relevant, the field of handwriting examination will have to change with the times." Among other changes, the report recommends more research to estimate error rates for the field. This will allow juries and others to consider the potential for error when weighing an examiner's testimony. The report also recommends that experts avoid testifying in absolute terms or saying that an individual has written something to the exclusion of all other writers. Instead, experts should report their findings in terms of relative probabilities and degrees of certainty. These recommendations are consistent with findings in a landmark 2009 report from the National Academy of Sciences. Called Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, that report said that "there may be a scientific basis for handwriting comparison," but that there has been only limited research on its reliability. Knowing When to Not Make a Call Children used to learn handwriting in school by copying letters and phrases from books that contained models of ideal penmanship. Different copybooks had different styles, and an expert could often tell from a person's handwriting whether they were trained in the Palmer style, the Spencer style, or something else. By identifying a specific copybook style, an examiner could quickly narrow the range of potential writers. Many children no longer learn cursive writing in school, and whether this helps or hinders handwriting examination is unknown. "It might actually make handwriting more identifiable because it allows people to develop their own individual styles of writing," said Linton Mohammed, author of the widely used textbook Forensic Examination of Signatures, and a co-author of the NIST-led study. On the other hand, it might make the task harder by depriving experts of a system for classifying writing styles. This is one reason why research on error rates is needed. The way people learn to write has changed, and error-rate studies can show whether handwriting examiners are successfully adapting to those changes. "We claim to be good at this," Mohammed said. "But how good are we really?" Several studies have attempted to answer this question by testing whether experts are more competent at handwriting examination than people with no training. The results reveal a great deal about both handwriting examination and human psychology. In the 1930s, a physicist at NIST, then known as the National Bureau of Standards, became a leading handwriting expert. His name was Wilmer Souder, and the most famous case he worked on was 1932 the kidnapping of Charles Lindberg Jr., the infant son of the famous aviator. Despite the notoriety of this case, Souder himself kept an extremely low profile so much so that when he retired, a profile in "Reader's Digest" referred to him as Detective X. Credit: NBS/NIST; source: NARA In many of these studies, participants are shown pairs of signatures and asked to determine whether they are both by the same person or if one is a fake. Calculating overall error rates from multiple studies is difficult due to differences in study design. But consistently, across studies, both experts and novices made roughly the same proportion of correct decisions, according to a 2018 metastudy led by Alice Towler at the University of New South Wales, Australia. The novices, however, made a much higher proportion of errors, while the experts more frequently declined to make a call. If a signature lacked complexity or was otherwise difficult to compare, the experts would more readily find the evidence inconclusive. This ability to defer judgment is critical to reducing errors in forensic science. The tendency of novices to rush to judgment in cases where experts defer reflects a quirk of human psychology. People with limited knowledge or expertise in a subject often overestimate their own competence. This is called the Dunning-Kruger effect, for the psychologists who first described it. In the case of handwriting, people might be particularly susceptible. After all, pretty much anyone can produce handwriting. How hard can it be to examine? But error rate studies show that at least some experts recognize their limitations when faced with a difficult task. "I've been doing this for 30-plus years, and I realized early on that there's a lot that we don't know," Mohammed said. "So we have to be very careful in reaching our conclusions." The End of Handwriting Examination, or a New Beginning? Like Emily Will, Mohammed has examined many wills, deeds and trusts. He has also analyzed ransom notes, threatening letters, and one hit list. Being based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the tech boom has minted many fortunes, he has also examined many stock-option grants and prenuptial agreements. Although Mohammed started his career with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, today he is in private practice. In his current home base of northern California, he says, there are no government laboratories that still examine questioned documents. This reflects a nationwide trenda report from the Department of Justice found that only 14% of publicly funded crime labs did their own questioned document examinations in 2014, down from 24% in 2002. Those numbers may mean that the field is consolidating rather than disappearing. If smaller labs can no longer support in-house experts due to a diminishing caseload, they can farm out work to private sector experts like Will and Mohammed. At the same time, larger federal labs, including the FBI Laboratory and the U.S. Army's Defense Forensic Science Center, continue to maintain questioned document units. This is in part because their focus includes international terrorism, where handwritten documents are still a source of valuable intelligence, and in part because the United States is a big place. Nationwide, crimes involving handwriting still occur frequently enough that federal labs need to keep experts on staff. When asked if handwriting examiners will soon become irrelevant, one federal expert said that as long as greed and fraud exist, there will be a need for handwriting examiners. When asked the same question, Mohammed noted that changing technology did not doom the field in the past. "When the ballpoint pen came out, people said, "That's the end of handwriting examination,'" he said. People mostly stopped using fountain pens, but handwriting examination survived the transition. Melissa Taylor, the NIST expert, agrees that handwriting examination is still a needed skill and will remain relevantif the field successfully adapts to changing expectations around research and reliability. And if the new report, which counts many leading handwriting experts among its authors, is any indication, the needed changes may already be underway. "There will still be documents. There will still be signatures," Taylor said. "And most people don't print stickup notes on their laser printer. They scribble them on the dashboard before running into the bank." Some things will never change. Explore further Can estimates from forensic handwriting experts be trusted in court? More information: Forensic handwriting examination and human factors:, (2020). Forensic handwriting examination and human factors:,(2020). DOI: 10.6028/NIST.IR.8282 The different types of drought, showing how long they last and the size of the area they affect. Credit: Ailie Gallant, Author provided At the tail end of winter in 2015, the ground in the Wimmera in northwestern Victoria had been a little dry but conditions weren't too bad for farmers. The crop season was going well. The start of September looked promising. It was cool, and there were decent rains. One Wimmera lentil grower said, "As long as it doesn't get too hot, we should actually be OK." A few weeks later, summer weather had arrived early. At the start of October, the soils were baked dry. Lentils and other pulse crops were devastated. This kind of event, where drier-than-normal conditions transform into severe or extreme drought in the space of weeks, is called a "flash drought." While flash droughts are still not well understood, our research studies how they occur in Australiawhich may help move us toward being able to warn of flash drought in advance. The different kinds of drought Scientists typically talk about drought as a lack or deficit of available moisture to meet various needs, such as in agriculture or for water resources. We often classify different types of drought depending on where there is a lack of water, or what its effects are: meteorological drought is a deficit of rain or other precipitation agricultural drought is a deficit of moisture in the soil and evaporating or transpiring into the air hydrological drought is a deficit of water in runoff and surface storage such as dams socioeconomic drought is a lack of water that affects the supply and demand of economic goods and services. Different types of drought can occur at the same time, or a drought may evolve from one type to another. Droughts can last from months to decades, and can cover areas from a local region to most of the continent. Recently, a new characterisation of drought has been added to the drought spectrum: "flash" drought. What causes flash droughts? Flash droughts are droughts that begin suddenly and then rapidly become more intense. Droughts only occur when there is insufficient rainfall, but flash droughts intensify rapidly over timescales of weeks to months because of other factors such as high temperatures, low humidity, strong winds and clear skies. These conditions make the air "thirsty," which meteorologists call "increased evaporative demand." This means more water evaporates from the surface and transpires from plants, and moisture in the soil is rapidly depleted. Under these conditions, evaporation and transpiration increase for as long as moisture is available at the surface. When this moisture is depleted and there is no rain to replenish it, the lack of water limits evaporation and transpirationand vegetation becomes stressed as drought emerges. Why haven't we heard about flash drought before? Flash droughts have always existed, and were first described in 2002. However, some particularly devastating flash droughts over the past decade have led to a surge of interest among researchers. When there is a lack of rain accompanied by high temperature, low humidity, strong wind and clear skies, conditions are right for flash drought. Credit: Tess Parker, Author provided One such drought happened in the US Midwest. In May 2012, 30% of the continental United States was experiencing abnormally dry conditions. By August, that had extended to more than 60%. Although other rapidly developing droughts had been seen before, the widespread impacts of this event caught the attention of the US public and government. Flash droughts are also increasingly a focus of attention in China and Australia. One of the few studies of flash drought in Australia examined an event when conditions in the country's east suddenly changed from wet in December 2017, to dry in January 2018. Anecdotal reports from farmers in the northern MurrayDarling Basin indicated removal of livestock from properties, and sheep numbers at record lows. By June 2018, there were reports of trees dying and a desert-like landscape, with little grass cover. What happened in the Wimmera? Our recent study of flash drought in Australia used several different measurements to capture a range of conditions related to drought. precipitation describes the supply of moisture from the atmosphere to the surface evaporative demand is the atmospheric demand for moisture from the surface evaporative stress is the supply of moisture from the surface relative to the demand from the atmosphere soil moisture is the wetness or dryness of the land surface. The index we used to determine the atmospheric demand shows that the speed of development and the intensity of flash drought are driven by high temperatures, low humidity, strong winds and clear skies. All of these increase the demand for moisture from the surface. After a drier than normal winter, southeast Australia experienced a cool and wet start to September 2015, with some rain in the first week of the month. Humidity and surface air pressure were roughly average, and surface sunshine below average, suggesting normal evaporative demand. A warm spell began in mid-September, and intensified into a severe heatwave by early October, with temperatures over 35 persisting for several days in some areas. Throughout this period the overlying air became very dry. A persistent high-pressure system brought clear skies and increased sunshine. By the end of October, the Wimmera was in severe or extreme drought conditions, devastating pulse and grain crops. Analysts estimated wheat production fell by 23%, with a loss of A$500 million in potential yields. Flash drought in Australia Flash droughts in Australia occur in all seasons. In the Wimmera, flash droughts are most frequent in summer and autumn. They can end as rapidly as they start, but in some cases may last many months. In several instances, flash droughts in the Wimmera have started in summer or autumn, and the region has remained in drought through the following winter, and sometimes into spring. In this way, flash drought can be the catalyst for the common droughts lasting 6-12 months typical of southeast Australia. But there is some potential good news. We have long known that seasonal-scale droughts in Australia are strongly related to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which gives us some ability to predict them. ENSO strongly affects rainfall, which means it can also be linked to flash droughts in winter and spring. Further, sub-seasonal forecasting, which predicts the climatic conditions weeks to a month in advance, has improved considerably in recent years. Given flash droughts occur on these timescales, we can be optimistic that prediction of flash droughts may be possible. Explore further A better way to understand drought This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The Qsaybeh pine forest east of Beirut. The scenic region of Mount Lebanon has long produced pine seed, a regional delicacy, but harvests have collapsed amid an exotic insect infestation experts say is accelerated by climate change. Lebanon, wedged between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, is best known for the iconic cedar tree depicted on its national flagbut it also has pine trees that make up nearly 10 percent of total forest cover. Pine nuts harvested from their conesa popular ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisinehave been dubbed "white gold" because of their traditionally lucrative sales, especially to wealthy Gulf states. But the natural treasure trove is now under attack. The culprit is the western conifer seed bug, native to the western United States where it is sometimes called the "stink bug", and which has spread to Eurasia, most likely by hitchhiking on timber shipments. In the Qsaybeh pine forest east of Beirut, Elias Neaimeh, head of the syndicate of pine seed farmers, pointed to the damage it has caused: the dry, dead trunk of one pine tree, and cones scattered on the forest floor. In a normal year in the past, Neaimeh said, "I used to produce around 16 tonnes of pine cones, but today I barely harvest 100 kilograms". He used to make more than $40,000 a year from selling around 600 kilograms of white pine nuts a year, but now his income has dried up, at a time when Lebanon's deep economic crisis has plunged millions into poverty. Lebanese entomologist Nabil Nemer inspects a sick pine tree in search for harmful insects. Heat stress In Lebanon, farmers started noticing a decline in output in 2012, but it took them three more years to detect the cause. Entomology expert Nabil Nemer identified the insect as the western conifer seed bug, or WCSB, which pierces cones to suck out sap and developing seeds. The insect reached Turkey from Europe in 2010 before arriving in Lebanon, where it has since spread across most conifer forests. "It is very harmful," Nemer told AFP of the pest that attacks pines, cedars and cypresses. "We noticed that sometimes up to 10 insects feed on a single cone," said Nemer, a professor at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. "When they infest small developing cones, the cones wither completely and fall to the ground." Nemer said climate change is creating a favourable environment for the insects. Entomologist Nabil Nemr inspects a sick pine tree in search for harmful insects at the pine forest of Qsaybeh south of Beirut. "Higher temperatures and less precipitation extends the life cycle of insects and also weakens trees," he said. The bugs' infestation is compounded by the absence of its natural predators native to the United States, he said. Many farmers have turned to pesticides, but Nemer warned that chemicals "could cause problems for exports and food safety". Back in Qsaybeh, Neaimeh said that pesticides had allowed for a temporary and modest recovery in 2016 and 2017. "There was a 30 percent decrease in the number of infested cones," he said, bringing some relief from an infestation rate of 85-90 percent. But in the absence of a centralised pest control policy, many forests remain neglected, further devastating output. "Today we produce no more than 200 tonnes of pine nuts annually across all of Lebanon," down from 1,200 tonnes before 2015, Neaimeh said. This, in turn, has caused prices to skyrocket, with one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of pine nuts now selling for more than one million Lebanese pounds ($650)almost twice the monthly minimum wage. The former head of the Bkassine forest municipal comittee, Maroun Aziz, searches for parasites on a pine tree. 'White gold' The village of Bkassine southeast of Beirut is home to the biggest stand of pine trees in the region, with 100,000 trees covering around 220 hectares. But these lush woodlands too are under threatfrom a double infestation. Aside from the WCSB, another insect, the pine shoot beetle, which feeds and breeds beneath the tree bark, has added to the damage, said Nemer. Bkassine mayor Habib Fares said that back in 2013, the year of the last big harvest, the municipality earned 500 million Lebanese pounds (more than $300,000) from pine seeds. Since then output has plunged 70 percent, he said, adding that "the municipality does not have the means to deal with the crisis". "Every year, we try to spray pesticides over a specific segment of the forest," he said, adding that such limited operations do not prevent the return of the pests. Lebanon's Bkassine pine trees forest south of Beirut. A dead pine tree is pictured among healthy ones in Lebanon's Bkassine pine trees forest south of Beirut. Combating such pests is always difficult, but Lebanon's worst economic crisis in decades has made the problem a secondary concern for authorities. Support from the agriculture ministry has declined over the past two years, say farmers. But a solution cannot wait, and would indeed help the economic recovery, argued Nemer, saying that "the local community can benefit". "But they may abandon their forests if the situation continues as it is. Pine nuts in Lebanon are known as white gold. We must find a solution." Explore further Tree species diversity is no protection against bark beetle infestation 2021 AFP Pablo Perez-Pinera, left, and Karin Jensen developed remote laboratory exercises to help students learn common lab techniques. Credit: Karin Jensen The COVID-19 pandemic forced instructors to adapt their courses for online learning. Laboratory courses were particularly difficult due to lack of access to specialized equipment for remote learners. To overcome this challenge, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign designed a laboratory exercise to teach students how to use micropipettes, through remote learning, using at-home kits. Micropipettes are commonand essentiallaboratory instruments and are used in several fields including molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry. They are used to accurately transfer very small volumes of liquid. To teach students how to use these instruments, the researchers developed kits, costing $135 per student, that were a fraction of the cost of the instructional equipment that is normally used for in-person classes. "Although lab kits have been developed previously, they did not focus on micropipetting skills," said Karin Jensen, Teaching Assistant Professor of Bioengineering, who worked with Associate Professor of Bioengineering Pablo Perez-Pinera (ACPP) to develop the project. "In an effort to provide remote students with lab experience, we developed and shipped kits to students. These kits contained equipment and reagents for them to practice their technique and perform experiments remotely." Each kit contained a mini-scale, a glucose meter, a pipet-aid, and a set of micropipettes. Each student was provided with the kit, an instructional video, and a laboratory manual. They were instructed to follow the protocol step by step with the goal of learning how to correctly dilute the glucose solutions and verifying their accuracy using the glucose meter. They also shared their data with the instructors for feedback and grading. The students also filled out surveys and course feedback forms about the effectiveness of these online classes. "We found that most of the students were excited to use lab equipment despite being in an online section," Jensen said. The researchers are now working to improve the exercise. "Beyond COVID-19, there is still a need to develop remote lab learning opportunities for students who cannot attend in-person labs," Jensen said. "Remote lab activities, similar to what we describe, will be important in increasing access to STEM education." Explore further How to support students in virtual learning environments More information: Mona Noor Jawad et al, Remote Laboratory Exercise to Develop Micropipetting Skills , Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education (2021). Mona Noor Jawad et al, Remote Laboratory Exercise to Develop Micropipetting Skills ,(2021). DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.v22i1.2399 Provided by Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Credit: University of New Mexico To better understand the future of Earth's changing ecosystems, a team from The University of New Mexico and colleagues from around the United States are part of a network of scientists that have been generating careful, reliable science for 40 years. The project, called the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network, is funded by the National Science Foundation. By harnessing decades of rich data, scientists are beginning to forecast future conditions and plan ways to manage, mitigate, or adapt to likely changes in ecosystems that will impact human economies, health and wellbeing. Some of their findings were published in the June 2021 Ecosphere journal. The research collection contains 25 vignettes of the unexpected lessons drawn from long term research on populations of plants, animals and microbes just one small slice of the usable knowledge being generated by this program. Ecologist Peter Groffman, who led the special collection, says the program is well-positioned to detect big changes. "Climate change is affecting ecological systems in really complex ways that are difficult to see and assess," Groffman said. "Observing from one point in time or through one method only reveals a slice of the situation. The scientists in the LTER Network combine long- term observations, experiments, models and theory to build up a more comprehensive picture." The UNM team's contribution, Transitions Among Dryland Ecosystems Under Increasing Climate Variability, examines how the ecology studied by the Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research (SEV LTER) Program in New Mexico is shifting under the pressures of climate change, including rising temperatures, amplified climate variability, and drought. The changes can cause ecosystems to change state, for example, from woodland to savanna or grassland to shrubland, according to the report. Other case studies in the report are: Georgia Coastal Wetlands and a Changing Climate; The Future of Tallgrass Prairie Depends on Managing Disturbance Regimes and Restoration Strategies; Climate Change and Tropical Mountain Cloud Forests in Puerto Rico; and Long-Term Change in Barrier Island Vegetation of the Virginia Coast Reserve. The UNM team, led by Jennifer Rudgers, director and lead Principal Investigator of the SEV LTER program, included Distinguished Professor Scott Collins, Professor Marcy Litvak, Associate Professor and Associate Director of the UNM Center for Stable Isotopes Seth Newsome, and Professor and co-PI Will Pockman. Rudgers explained that in 1980, the National Science Foundation launched the first Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites to build a historical perspective on ecological processes. Research programs at 28 LTER sites support ecological discovery on long-term and large-scale ecological phenomena in representative ecosystems worldwide. The goal is to create a legacy of well-designed and documented long-term observations, experiments, and sample archives for future generations. The SEV LTER, created in 1989, is a Long-Term Ecological Research program in New Mexico that expands understanding of the biological processes in drylands. The SEV is largely based at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, north of Socorro, NM, where UNM also maintains the UNM Sevilleta Field Station. Rudgers said that central NM is a fantastic proving ground to test theory and make forecasts on the ecological impacts of environmental variability. "We are addressing urgent questions in ecology, centered on environmental variability. The fluctuating nature of drylands makes them excellent study systems to improve general understanding of the biological consequences of environmental variability," she observed. The climates experienced by SEV ecosystems have become hotter, drier, and more variable during the past 100 years, she noted, adding, "It is challenging to predict the consequences of these co-occurring environmental changes. In particular, understanding the impacts of increasing environmental variability requires long-term experiments and observations that can detect the climate sensitivities of different populations, species, communities, and ecosystem functions, such as carbon storage." The ecological changes have far-reaching effectsand not just environmentalfor all New Mexicans. "Environmental change increasingly threatens our natural capital the economy's endowment of natural resources and ecological services. These threats affect the health and productivity of both natural and human systems. Our research informs predictions on the future of biodiversity and natural capital, including their sensitivities to environmental change. This information enables forecasts of the future that can guide effective management and policy decisions by legislators, land managers, land owners, and policy makers," Rudgers pointed out. Explore further Slow research to understand fast change More information: Julie C. Zinnert et al, State changes: insights from the U.S. Long Term Ecological Research Network, Ecosphere (2021). Journal information: Ecosphere Julie C. Zinnert et al, State changes: insights from the U.S. Long Term Ecological Research Network,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3433 Credit: CC0 Public Domain The friendship paradox is the observation that the degrees of the neighbors of a node within any network will, on average, be greater than the degree of the node itself. In other words: your friends probably have more friends than you do. While the standard framing of the friendship paradox is essentially about averages, significant variations occur too. In the Journal of Complex Networks, Santa Fe Institute and University of Michigan researchers George Cantwell, Alec Kirkley, and Mark Newman address this by developing the mathematical theory of the friendship paradox. Some people have lots of friends, while others have only a few. Unless you have good reason to believe otherwise, it's reasonable to assume you have roughly an average number of friends. But if you compare yourself to your friends, you may see a different picture. In fact, a simple calculationprovided by Scott L. Field's 1991 paper entitled "Why your friends have more friends than you do"shows it's likely many of your friends are more popular than you. Almost by definition, your friends are likely to be the sorts of people that have lots of friends. Perhaps worse, this effect means your friends might not only be more popular than you but also more wealthy and more attractive. These kinds of friendship paradoxes have been explored by network scientists for 30 years. "Standard analyses are concerned with average behavior, but there's a lot of heterogeneity among people," says Cantwell. "Could the average results, for example, be skewed by a few outliers? To get a fuller picture, we studied the full distribution describing how people compare to their friendsnot simply the average." The researchers found that applying mathematics to real-world data reveals a slightly more nuanced picture. For example, popular people are more likely to be friends with one another, whereas less popular people are more likely to be friends with less popular people. Conversely, some people have just one or two friends, while others have hundreds. "This has a tendency to magnify the effect," says Cantwell. "While there are surely other effects at play, around 95% of the variation within social networks can be explained by just these two." We should all "simply be wary of impressions we get about our success and social status from looking at the people around us because we get a distorted view," Cantwell adds. "In the offline social world, the bias is partially mitigated by the fact we tend to end up around similar others. On online social media, however, the effect can be exacerbatedthere's virtually no limit on the number of people who can follow someone online and no reason to only look at 'similar' people." Explore further Your friends have more friends than you do More information: George T Cantwell et al, The friendship paradox in real and model networks, Journal of Complex Networks (2021). George T Cantwell et al, The friendship paradox in real and model networks,(2021). DOI: 10.1093/comnet/cnab011 Credit: Stanford University The COVID-19 pandemic will eventually abate, but it will leave behind a profound change in what it means to go to work. After being forced into a massive yearlong experiment in working from home, employers and employees alike have discovered that remote work not only is more feasible than they had thought but actually boosts productivity. This shift in attitudes toward working from home is likely to stick, according to Nicholas Bloom, a professor of economics at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Surveys of more than 30,000 Americans conducted by Bloom and his colleagues show that most full-time workers expect to continue working remotely at least two or three days a week. Bloom predicts that half of all American employees will work from home at least two days a week post-pandemic. The new normal will be hybrid arrangements in which about 20% of workdays will be carried out from homea decrease from the pandemic peak but a fourfold increase in the WFH rate before last spring. Bloom, working with Jose Maria Barreroopen in of the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico and Steven J. Davisopen in of the University of Chicago, has been regularly surveying thousands of working-age adults on this topic since May 2020. In their most recent survey, conducted in April, they found that about 30% of respondents were still primarily working from home. Overall, more than 60% said that working remotely had turned out better than they'd expected. In fact, the average employee said the value of working from home was a perk worth roughly 7% of their total paycheck. It's not just employees who have come to like WFH. The stigma of "shirk from home" has largely disappeared as employers have discovered that remote work can boost productivity. Nearly 40% of respondents said that they have been more efficient working from home. The main source of that efficiency comes from the drastic reduction in commute time, which sucks up billions of hours a year. Bloom and his coauthors calculate that working from home has resulted in a savings of 60 million commute hours every workday. Empty Suites, Empty Streets Not all of the economic impacts of increased remote work are positive, however: Empty offices and absent workers are hollowing out some cities' downtowns. "It's a permanent shift," says Bloom. "Major cities will suffer as a result." In a study published earlier this year, Bloom and Arjun Ramaniopen in , a researcher at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Researchopen in , documented how rents have plunged in central business districts and dense urban areas since the start of the pandemic. At the same time, home values in less dense areas climbed much more quickly than those in denser areas. Using change-of-address data, Bloom and Ramani found that both people and businesses have been moving away from the biggest and most densely populated cities and out to suburban rings. This "donut effect," as Bloom calls it, is mainly confined to the 12 most densely packed cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. In those cities, Bloom and his colleagues predict that overall spending will drop between 5% and 10% compared to their pre-pandemic conditions. Medium- and small-size cities, where commuting isn't such a burden, haven't been much affected by outmigration. Credit: Stanford University Best of Both Worlds Bloom says there is an emerging consensus about the need for hybrid work arrangements in which people split their days between home and office. Several large companies, including Google and Salesforce, have already announced those kinds of plans for the post-pandemic era. Rather than letting individual employees simply choose when they will come into the office, companies should implement an organized approach, Bloom argues. "If this is well managed, you can have the best of both worlds," he says. "But my advice to firms is to decide this centrally. A mixed mode can be pretty terrible if some people are working from home and others are in the office." Companies could, for example, cluster group activities, such as planning meetings and client presentations, on "in-office" days. To make the best use of space, especially since many people will still want a measure of social distancing, companies could also schedule the days on which different departments or teams work on site. Despite the benefits of WFH that are now apparent, Bloom cautions that a complete shift to remote work would also impose a toll on innovation, because working together in person is crucial to creative collaboration, brainstorming, and long-range planning. "There is a tradeoff," he says. "On the one hand, working from home can be more productive for people carrying out individual tasks, mainly because it eliminates the commute. But every manager I've spoken with says that working from home can damage innovation in the long run." Off Site, Out of Mind? Working from home could also be detrimental to inclusion if badly managed. In their survey, Bloom and his colleagues found that among college-educated workers with young children, women were almost 50% more likely than men to want to work from home five days a week. That could be problematic because there's evidence that working from home while other team members are in the office can hold back employees' advancement. In another study Bloom and a Stanford GSB team ran at the Chinese travel agency Ctrip, they randomized 250 volunteers into a group that worked remotely for four days a week and another group that remained in the office full time. They found that WFH employees had a 50% lower rate of promotion after 21 months compared to their on-site colleagues. Altogether, these findings suggest that letting employees choose how may days they work from home could lead to post-pandemic disparities and conflicts. Single young men could choose to come into the office, gaining rapid promotion, while employees with young children who choose to work from home, particularly women, could be held back. This, Bloom says, would be both a loss for diversity and "a legal time bomb" for employers. Another concern raised by Bloom's survey is that while working from home is seen as a valuable perquisite, it is typically only available to managerial and professional employees with more education and higher incomes. Approximately half of all U.S. employees cannot work from home, particularly service and manufacturing workers. These frontline workers have already faced increased infection risk since they have had to come into work during the pandemic. Now they are likely to miss out on the valuable hybrid WFH perk. Bloom says an executive he spoke with reported resentment among frontline staff over this, highlighting how employers need to consider ways to address this post-COVID friction. Whatever it may look like, Bloom says, working from home is here to stay. The next challenge is how employers and employees navigate the transition to a new world in which there's no such thing as just another day at the office. "This is a revolution, but we're only halfway through it," he says. More information: The Donut Effect: How COVID-19 Shapes Real Estate. The Donut Effect: How COVID-19 Shapes Real Estate. www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-r 9-shapes-real-estate Time-lapse photograph of the Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment (CIBER) rocket launch, taken from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia in 2013. The image is from the last of four launches. Credit: University of Tokyo/ T. Arai The universe contains a mind-boggling number of starsbut scientists' best estimates may be an undercount. A NASA-funded sounding rocket is launching with an improved instrument to look for evidence of extra stars that may have been missed in stellar head counts. The Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment-2, or CIBER-2, mission is the latest in a series of sounding rocket launches that began in 2009. Led by Michael Zemcov, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, CIBER-2's launch window opens at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on June 6, 2021. If you've had the pleasure of seeing an open sky on a clear, dark night, you've probably been struck by the sheer number of stars. Perhaps you've even tried to count them up. (If not, a hint: There are somewhere around five thousand visible to the naked eye from Earth.) But the real wonder is that our speckled night sky represents only the tiniest sample of what's truly out there. To get a rough estimate of the total number of stars in the universe, scientists have calculated the average number of stars in a galaxysome estimates put it at about 100 million, though it could be 10 or more times higherand multiplied it by the number of galaxies, taken to be about 2 trillion (also very tentative). That gets you one hundred quintillion stars (or 1 with 21 zeroes after it). That's more than 10 stars for every grain of sand on Earth (estimated at about seven and a half quintillion). This infographic compares the characteristics of three classes of stars in our galaxy: Sunlike stars are classified as G stars; stars less massive and cooler than our Sun are K dwarfs; and even fainter and cooler stars are the reddish M dwarfs. The graphic compares the stars in terms of their habitable zones, longevity, and relative abundance. Credit: NASA/ESA/STScI/Z. Levy But even that astronomically high number may be an underestimate. That calculation assumes all, or at least most, stars are inside galaxies. Based on recent findings, that may not be quite trueand it's what the CIBER-2 mission is trying to figure out. The CIBER-2 instrument, like the earlier CIBER instrument it's based on, will launch aboard a sounding rocketa small suborbital rocket that carries scientific instruments on brief trips into space before falling back to Earth for recovery. Once above Earth's atmosphere, CIBER-2 will survey a patch of sky about 4 square degreesfor reference, the full Moon takes up about half a degreethat includes dozens of galaxy clusters. It won't count stars, but it will detect the diffuse, cosmos-filling glow known as the extragalactic background light. "This background glow is the total light produced over cosmic history" said Jamie Bock, professor of physics at Caltech in Pasadena, California, and lead researcher for CIBER's first four flights. That background light spans a range of wavelengths, but CIBER-2 will focus on a small portion called the cosmic infrared background, or CIB. Much of the CIB is thought to come from M and K dwarfs, the most common star types in the universe, though that's not the only contributor. "Our method measures the total light, including from sources we haven't identified yet," Bock said. When you can't count up individual stars in a galaxy, the CIB's brightness should give you a good estimate of how many M and K dwarfs there are. And if all those stars are inside the galaxy, that light should be brightest toward its center. In 2007, scientists used NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope to look at galaxy clusters and make this type of measurement. This image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows an infrared view of a sky area in the constellation Ursa Major. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/A. Kashlinsky But Spitzer observed more light than was expected from known galaxy populationsthe fluctuations in brightness of the CIB hinted that they were missing something. Bock and Zemcovat the time a post-doctoral researcher but now the principal investigator for CIBER-2flew the first CIBER mission to check those results with a telescope better optimized for the task. "So we did that measurement, and we came up with an answer that was uncomfortable," said Zemcov. "There were a lot more fluctuations than we were expectingone explanation is there is more light coming from outside of galaxies than we had thought." The extra light, they believe, may be from the glimmer of stray dwarf stars. These stars could have been flung out of their home galaxy when it merged with another, a process known as tidal stripping. Such far-flung stars are known to surround the Milky Way, though current counts suggest there's not nearly enough of them to produce the signal CIBER measured. After masking out all known stars, galaxies and artifacts and enhancing what's left, an irregular background glow appears. This is the cosmic infrared background (CIB); lighter colors indicate brighter areas. The CIB glow is more irregular than can be explained by distant unresolved galaxies. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/A. Kashlinsky "More and more research suggests that there are a significant number of stars of this type outside of galaxies," Zemcov said. But alternative hypotheses for this excess light have arisen. "We know some of that light comes from galaxies, and some the first stars ever to shine, even though they're long gone now," said Bock. Some light from our own galaxy could even pollute the measurements, though the CIBER team has done their best to filter it out. There are also more exotic possibilities, like direct-collapse black holes from the early universemassive clouds of gas that collapsed into black holes without becoming stars firstwhose ultraviolet light would have stretched across expanding space into the longer infrared wavelengths we see today. CIBER-2 was designed to help settle the matter by distinguishing these possibilities. Light from extragalactic M and K dwarfs should spill over into visible range, so CIBER-2 was designed to observe an expanded range of wavelengthsfrom the near-infrared to green visible lightto see it if it's there. CIBER-2 can also distinguish light from the first galaxies and stars or early direct-collapsing black holes: Both should have a characteristic portion of their total light missing, the part absorbed by the thick fog of intergalactic hydrogen in the early universe. For now, all the possibilities remain on the table. But if our star count should indeed go up, CIBER-2's results could soon tell us. "There are hints that we are definitely not catching all the stuff in the universe. And the more people look, the more they see," said Zemcov. Explore further Universe is brighter than we thought according to NASA rocket experiment A close up of the core sample. The sample is put through rigorous laboratory methods and statistical analysis to obtain data to reconstruct Singapore's sea level history. Credit: NTU Singapore Climate scientists at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU, Singapore) have extended the known record of Singapore's sea level to almost 10,000 years ago, providing a more robust dataset to aid future predictions of sea level rise. One of the main challenges in researching climate change is to reconstruct its history over thousands of years. To have a better sense of the potential causes and effects of future changes, scientists need to learn from and understand the past. Extracting ancient sediments from a depth of up to 40 m underground at a site at Singapore's Marina South, an international team led by NTU researchers put the samples through rigorous laboratory methods (e.g., identifying microfossils such as foraminifera) and statistical analysis to obtain data to reconstruct Singapore's sea-level history. For climate scientists, the further the sea-level record goes back in time, the clearer the picture can be for future predictions. The transition at the beginning of the Holocene (10,000-7,000 years ago) represented the last major episode of natural global warming in Earth's history, when melting ice sheets and warming oceans led to a 20-m rise in sea level. For the last 3,000 years, the sea level in Singapore had been stable, before the recent acceleration in the 20th century due to climate change. Lead author, Dr. Stephen Chua, who completed the study as part of his doctoral work at the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and Asian School of the Environment (ASE) at NTU Singapore said, "By dating the Singapore sea-level record to 10,000 years ago, we retrieved crucial new information from the early Holocene period. This is a period that is characterized by rapid sea-level rise yet remains poorly understooduntil now." The NTU Asian School of the Environment team behind the study of Singapore's sea-level include (L-R): Associate Professor Adam Switzer, Research fellow Dr Stephen Chua and Director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, Professor Benjamin Horton. Credit: NTU Singapore "This more refined sea-level record also has wider implications. For instance, it would lead to more robust and accurate local projection of sea-level rise, offering a strategic guide for Singapore as it moves to adapt to climate change." Professor Maureen Raymo, Co-Founding Dean of the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University, who was not involved in the study, said: "This is the type of crucial information needed to effectively plan adaptation measures in the face of ongoing sea level rise due to global warming. Our past does inform our future." Why Marina South site for investigations? Developing an accurate ancient sea-level record required sediment extraction from an 'ideal' site where deposits such as marine mud and mangrove peats are present. The research team examines a core sample, which was extracted from a depth of up to 40 m underground at a site at Singapore's Marina South. Credit: NTU Singapore To pick the best possible coring site for accurate results, researchers looked through thousands of available borehole logsrecords of holes that have been drilled into the ground for infrastructure projects. Associate Professor Adam Switzer who leads the Coastal Lab at ASE and EOS and who was Dr. Chua's supervisor, said, "Finding the right place to drill was a huge effort. Stephen spent well over a year going over old borehole information from a variety of construction efforts over the last 30 years just to find records that might be suitable. As a result, our understanding of the geology of the whole area has also dramatically improved." Findings useful for Singapore's coastal defense plan against rising sea levels The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal The Holocene on 4 June 2021, also found the first conclusive evidence that mangroves only existed in the Marina South area for around 300 years before succumbing to flooding associated with rising sea level at the time. At a depth of 20 m below modern sea level, researchers found abundant mangrove pollen indicating that a mangrove shoreline existed in southern Singapore almost 10,000 years ago. The NTU findings reveal that sea-level rise during that time was as high as 1015 mm per year which likely led to the mangrove's demise. The findings provide Singapore with useful insights for current and future adaption methods as the island nation looks to go beyond engineering solutions and to incorporate natural methods to safeguard the country's coastlines. Despite its adaptability and effectiveness as a coastal defense, the study highlights the limitations of mangroves in the event of rapid sea-level rise. This confirms an earlier study co-authored by NTU showing that mangroves will not survive if sea-level rise goes beyond 7 mm per year under a high carbon emissions scenario. Co-author of the study, Professor Benjamin Horton, Director of EOS, said, "Sea-level rise is a potentially disastrous outcome of climate change, as rising temperatures melt ice sheets and warm ocean waters. Scenarios of future rise are dependent upon understanding the response of sea level to climate changes. Accurate estimates of past sea-level variability in Singapore provide a context for such projections." Providing an independent comment on the research, Professor Philip Gibbard, a Quaternary geologist from the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, underscored the importance of records from localities distant from the glaciated regions such as Singapore. "They offer a model of the process of sea-level change uncomplicated by factors associated with deglaciation, meltwater discharge and more. This important systematic contribution from Singapore and the region provides a valuable record that spans the post-glacial Holocene period, thus allowing a general pattern of sea-level change in the region to be established. This record can then be further refined as more studies become available in the future." Explore further Corals in Singapore likely to survive sea-level rise The research vessel JOIDES Resolution drilled sediment cores from the Bay of Bengal, which were used to reconstruct past monsoon rainfall. Those data were used to test predictions of future monsoon rain as the climate changes. The data suggests that future rainfall could increase as CO2 levels rise. Credit: Steven Clemens A new study of monsoon rainfall on the Indian subcontinent over the past million years provides vital clues about how the monsoons will respond to future climate change. The study, published in Science Advances, found that periodic changes in the intensity of monsoon rainfall over the past 900,000 years were associated with fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), continental ice volume and moisture import from the southern hemisphere Indian Ocean. The findings bolster climate model predictions that rising CO 2 and higher global temperatures will lead to stronger monsoon seasons. "We show that over the last 900,000 years, higher CO 2 levels along with associated changes in ice volume and moisture transport were associated with more intense monsoon rainfall," said Steven Clemens, a professor of geological sciences (research) at Brown University and lead author of the study. "That tells us that CO 2 levels and associated warming were major players in monsoon intensity in the past, which supports what the models predict about future monsoonsthat rainfall will intensify with rising CO 2 and warming global temperature." The South Asian monsoon is arguably the single most powerful expression of Earth's hydroclimate, Clemens says, with some locations getting several meters of rain each summer. The rains are vital to the region's agriculture and economy, but can also cause flooding and crop disruption in years when they're particularly heavy. Because the monsoons play such a large role in the lives of nearly 1.4 billion people, understanding how climate change may affect them is critical. For several years, Clemens has been working with an international team of researchers to better understand the major drivers of monsoon activity. In November 2014, the research team sailed aboard the research vessel JOIDES Resolution to the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of India, to recover sediment core samples from beneath the sea floor. Those core samples preserve a record of monsoon activity spanning millions of years. The research vessel JOIDES Resolution drilled sediment cores from the Bay of Bengal, which were used to reconstruct past monsoon rainfall. Those data were used to test predictions of future monsoon rain as the climate changes. The data suggests that future rainfall could increase as CO2 levels rise. Credit: Steven Clemens The rainwater produced by the monsoons each summer eventually drains off the Indian subcontinent into the Bay of Bengal. The runoff creates a layer of dilute seawater in the bay that rides atop the denser, more saline water below. The surface water is a habitat for microorganisms called planktonic foraminifera, which use nutrients in the water to construct their shells, which are made of calcium carbonate (CaNO 3 ). When the creatures die, the shells sink to the bottom and become trapped in sediment. By taking core samples of sediment and analyzing the oxygen isotopes in those fossils, scientists can divine the salinity of the water in which the creatures lived. That salinity signal can be used as an indicator of changing rainfall amounts over time. Other data from the samples complement the foraminifera data. River runoff into the bay brings sediment from the continent with it, providing another indicator of rain intensity. The carbon isotopic composition of plant matter washed into the ocean and buried in sediment offers yet another rainfall-related signal that reflects changes in vegetation type. The hydrogen isotope composition of waxes on plant leaves varies in different rainfall environments, and that signature can be reconstructed from sediment cores as well. "The idea is that we can reconstruct rainfall over time using these proxies, and then look at other paleoclimate data to see what might be the important drivers of monsoon activity," Clemens said. "That helps us to answer important questions about the factors driving the monsoons. Are they primarily driven by external factors like changes in Earth's orbit, which alter the amount of solar radiation from the sun, or are factors internal to the climate system like CO 2 , ice volume and moisture-transporting winds more important?" The researchers found that periods of more intense monsoon winds and rainfall tended to follow peaks in atmospheric CO 2 and low points in global ice volume. Cyclical changes in Earth's orbit that alter the amount of sunlight each hemisphere receives played a role in monsoon intensity as well, but on their own could not explain monsoon variability. Taken together, the findings suggest that monsoons are indeed sensitive to CO 2 -related warming, which validates climate model predictions of strengthening monsoons in relation to higher CO 2 . "The models are telling us that in a warming world, there's going to be more water vapor in the atmosphere," Clemens said. "In general, regions that get a lot of rain now are going to get more rain in the future. In terms of the South Asians monsoons, that's entirely consistent with what we see in this study." Explore further Seafloor holds 15 million years of monsoon history More information: "Remote and local drivers of Pleistocene South Asian summer monsoon precipitation: A test for future predictions" Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances "Remote and local drivers of Pleistocene South Asian summer monsoon precipitation: A test for future predictions"(2021). advances.sciencemag.org/lookup 1126/sciadv.eabg3848 QUEENSBURY A Corinth man could spend up to 10 years in prison after admitting to stealing and crashing two cars in 2019 and driving drunk and hitting an electrical pole last year. Lance E. Abare Jr., 30, pleaded guilty in Warren County Court on Wednesday in two separate cases. Police said that on Oct. 11, 2019, Abare stole a minivan from a Glens Falls business. He crashed the minivan on Harris Avenue and it caught fire. Police said Abare then stole a pickup truck from a home on that street. The truck was recovered the following day off county Route 10 in Corinth. It was also damaged. Abare was charged with two counts each of third-degree and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. In October 2020, he rejected a plea offer, which would have required a sentence of 3 to 6 years. Abare was arrested again on Dec. 4, 2020, because, police said, he stole a car and crashed into a utility pole on Harris Avenue. Abare failed field sobriety tests and later refused to take a breath test. He was charged with felony DWI, because he had two previous convictions within 10 years. New Yorks COVID-19 positive test rate has hit a new low, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday. A total of 128,002 tests were administered statewide on Wednesday, the most recent day statewide data is available. Just 565 results came back positive for COVID-19, a positive test rate of 0.44%. COVID rates across the state have never been lower and hospitalizations are under 1,000 for the first time in eight months, all while businesses are reopening and people are coming back together again, Cuomo said in a statement. The states seven-day positive test rate currently stands at 0.6% following 59 consecutive days of decline. Cuomo attributed the declining numbers to the states vaccinations efforts and encouraged all New Yorkers to get the shot if they havent done so already. More than 10.7 million New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the vaccine as of Thursday morning. Thats the equivalent to 54% of the states population, according to the states vaccine tracker. In Warren County, 35,785 residents have completed the vaccine series, more than half of the countys population of 64,000, according to the tracker. This is only a mediocre one. Some of the guys have got a lot better than this, he said. When he began working on his model railroad in the upstairs portion of his home, Lafayette had every intention to use Whitehall as his muse. But he soon found out that much more space would be needed to replicate the town and the railroad. I quickly realized that you would have to have a building the size of the (Whitehall) Armory to do that, he said. Lafayette has a collection consisting of roughly 58 engines. He doesnt use them all on the model railway, but everything that you find scattered throughout the room has been worked on or replicated by Lafayette. Having a model railway with model trains and engines is one thing, but Lafayette goes the extra mile to ensure that he can get as close to the real thing as he possibly can. I try to make stuff dirty, like I remember it. The engines always had oil on them and stuff, he said. Bill Frasier, a friend of Lafayettes who worked on the railroad with him, retired before he did and built his own model railroad. Lafayette recalled talking to him about his desire to one day create one of his own. NEW YORK A former U.S. Treasury Department worker was sentenced to six months in prison Thursday for leaking confidential financial reports to a journalist at BuzzFeed. Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards pleaded guilty last year to a conspiracy charge, admitting she leaked banking reports, including some related to people being investigated in special counsel Robert Muellers probe of foreign interference in U.S. elections. The government said the material leaked for more than a year included reports on Paul Manafort, former President Donald Trumps onetime campaign chairman, along with a woman charged with trying to infiltrate U.S. political organizations as a covert Russian agent. U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods gave Edwards, who was arrested in 2018, a sentence at the top of the federal sentencing guidelines range. Woods called her actions illegal and wrong and said they made our country less safe. Prosecutors had requested serious punishment for Edwards, saying she had betrayed the public and risked hindering ongoing and future investigations. Defense lawyers urged a sentence of time served. In a statement, BuzzFeed spokesperson Matt Mittenthal called Edwards a brave whistleblower" and said the news organization strongly condemns today's sentence. She fought to warn the public about grave risks to Americas national security, first through the official whistleblower process, and then through the press. She did so, despite tremendous personal risk, because she believed she owed it to the country she loves, he said. Mittenthal said Edwards enabled BuzzFeed News and 108 media organizations in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists to publish the FinCEN Files. That investigation has helped to inspire major reform and legal action in the United States, the E.U., and countries around the world, Mittenthal said, adding that BuzzFeed for the first time Thursday acknowledged Edwards's role in the project after she gave permission to say she provided the suspicious activity reports. Edwards lawyer, Stephanie M. Carvlin, argued that Edwards made her disclosures after concluding that people running the Treasury Department were through wrongdoing creating a dangerous situation for the American people. She wasn't doing it for money ... for personal glory, Carvlin said. She wants to help the American people. WASHINGTON Rep. Elise Stefanik called on the Biden administration Thursday to reopen the U.S-Canada border on its own if it cant strike an agreement with the Canadian government to do so together. Stefanik, who chairs the House Republican Conference, sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggesting the move, which, she said, should happen on June 21 if the two countries cant agree on a border reopening plan by then. That is the date when the latest month-long extension of the border shutdown is set to expire. Canadian politicians join Higgins' call for border reopening Higgins is hoping that pressure will force Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Biden to agree to open the U.S. Canada border. Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, co-chairs the House Northern Border Caucus with Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat who has been pushing for months for a binational plan to reopen the border. As co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, I have worked with my colleagues across the aisle, our Canadian counterparts, the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and essentially anyone who will listen over the past several months to establish a bilateral, metrics-based plan to reopen the northern border, but the Canadian government continues to lack the urgency this situation demands, Stefanik said in a statement. Enough is enough the United States needs to do whats best for the American people and small businesses and reopen the northern border. TRENTON A $53.5 million expansion at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology is one step closer to reality as the project received a $40 million endorsement from Gov. Phil Murphy last week. We are very excited about providing more students in Atlantic County with the opportunity to attend ACIT, said Superintendent Phil Guenther, crediting the project to the support of the county administrator, Board of Commissioners and district Board of Education. We believe that our plan, for the programs that were offering, will align very well with the countys economic development strategy and will help to diversify our economy in the future. The county vocational school was among the recommended recipients of funding through the $500 million voter-approved Securing Our Childrens Future Bond Act, designed to increase opportunities for career and technical education in the state. The funding is pending the consent of the state Legislature. I have long believed that investments in our students and schools are investments in the future of our state, Murphy said. These projects will help our school districts and institutions of higher education keep students safe and healthy, while also ensuring that they are ready for the careers of the future. Smoke-Free Air Act commemorated on Atlantic City Boardwalk ATLANTIC CITY The 15th anniversary of the NJ Smoke-Free Air Act was celebrated Thursday af We also understand that air quality is extremely important to the health and safety of our valued employees and guests, which is why we have invested in state-of-the-art air filtration systems that circulate fresh air, officials said. With the onset of the pandemic, independent experts reviewed our air filtration systems, confirming their effectiveness in exchanging large volumes of air and keeping the air quality fresh and clean. On the other side of the argument, a handful of state lawmakers along with Smoke-Free Atlantic City, an organization that is part of Americans for Nonsmokers Rights, have continued to push to uphold the ban. Six state officials have co-sponsored legislation in the Senate that would close a loophole in the state law and eliminate the smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities. Sens. Shirley Turner and Joseph Vitale are the primary sponsors of the bill with Sens. Patrick Diegnan Jr., Chris Brown (R-Atlantic), Loretta Weinberg and Teresa Ruiz cosponsoring it. The 2007 New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act eliminated indoor smoking for nearly all establishments throughout the state but granted an exemption for Atlantic Citys gambling halls. Atlantic City passed an ordinance restricting casino smoking to no more than 25% of the gaming floor. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The first thing I learned during the meeting is that Fitzpatrick works for Meet AC. Its important to know because her income depends on conventions being fully open. Now I understand. Fitzpatrick was asked about this obvious conflict of interest, and she tried to explain it away with a confused metaphor about veterans advocating for veterans issues. Not only did she seek to serve herself using her public office, but she decided to use veterans as cover for her own mistakes. Before the vote, Commissioner Maureen Kern asked legal counsel if she should recuse herself since she also works in the industry. Counsel urged her to err on the side of caution, and Kern took the high road and abstained. Caren Fitzpatrick? I guess the rules dont apply to her. She decided to ignore counsel, plod ahead, and seal her self-dealing in red ink. But why push for this at the county level? Its clear to everyone that this is Trentons and Murphys lockdown. Murphy has already endorsed Fitzpatrick in her bid for higher office, so she could just as easily call and ask him to reverse course. But actually making something happen is a whole lot harder than using your county office as a stage for a political stunt. A bicyclist was struck and killed Thursday by a speeding motorist in a red SUV at Kimberly Road and Davenport Avenue, near Runge Mortuary and Crematory. Davenport Police said that Alex Marietta, 40, of Geneseo, was riding his bicycle southbound on Davenport Avenue at 3:02 p.m. when he was struck by a red Chevrolet Tahoe that failed to stop for a red light while traveling westbound on Kimberly Road. The Tahoe fled the scene. Police were able to identify the driver of the Tahoe as Bobby Fitzgerald Hunt Jr., 33, of Davenport. Hunt is charged with one count each of homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a fatality crash and interference with official acts. The charge of homicide by vehicle for which Hunt has been charged is a Class C felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 10 years. Leaving the scene of an accident involving death is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years. Hunt was being held Thursday night in the Scott County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond. He will make a first appearance Friday in Scott County District Court. Sixty-nine years later to the day Henry Vargas died in Davenport at the age of 92. There was work to do Henry Vargas could see from a young age that life was not fair, especially for Mexican-Americans. When his mother returned home from her job one day, her hands bloodied from the work, he knew he had to get a job to help his family. In those days, that's what many minority children did. Some were woefully young, not even teenagers. And the wages were criminally low. Rita Vargas, one of Henry and Lucy Vargas' nine children and the longtime Scott County Recorder, said many at Cook's Point would not have survived without the charity of a Jewish merchant from Rock Island. Picking through cast-out produce at the nearby city dump was not enough to sustain the families that lived in the 50-or-so homes at Cook's. All around him, Henry could see that hard work did not necessarily result in reward. So, he found another way. A founder among founders The eviction from Cook's Point revealed to Henry and other Davenport Latinos that, even if housing wasn't too expensive, discrimination against Mexicans was blocking their path. Mitchell said The Project began discussions about hosting a Pride event in the spring, after Pridefest was canceled by the pandemic. Quad Cities Fall Pride is set for Sept. 10 and 11. Since the organization provides health care and other health services, it had the resources to hold an event safely, Mitchell said. Masks will be distributed throughout the weekend, and social distancing will be encouraged. For many of the young adults utilizing Clock, Inc.s programming, this will be their first Pride. Executive Director Chase Norris said a lot of the youth who will participate in the organizations youth drag workshop and performance at Pride at Bass Street Landing found the organization after 2019 Pride and didnt have a chance to celebrate Pride in-person in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The youth drag performance is set for 4 p.m. Saturday. 05:22:16 AM Today Sunny. High around 90F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Clear skies. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Mainly sunny. Hot. High 97F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. And the lack of a sustained, coordinated effort by good government groups and community organizations to put pressure on Democratic lawmakers made the passage of a partisan map a mere formality. What about the energy bill? The one major item still hanging out there is an omnibus clean energy bill, but that does not look too far behind with stakeholders agreeing in principle on a framework. Despite their relative inexperience, Welch and Harmon mostly held their extremely diverse caucuses together when it mattered most. In some ways, they lived up to their promise of a new day in Illinois politics. In others, it looked like more of the same. Welch said there will be time for him to reflect on his first session as speaker this summer. After taking up energy this month, lawmakers are not expected back in Springfield until veto session this fall. "When you engage in something as big as session, there's an end date like today, (and) what you should do when it's all over is take some time to rewind, debrief, (ask) what can you do better, what did you do well (and) what do you want to continue to do," Welch said. "That's just a good business practice." We still have two completely different electoral areas in east and west, with an AfD in the east that is three times stronger than in the west, said Peter Matuschek of the Forsa polling agency. Recent national polls show support for the Union bloc, dominated by Laschet's CDU, at around 25% roughly level with the Greens, whose co-leader Annalena Baerbock is making the party's first run for the chancellery. They put AfD's support around the 10% mark. The Union had a solid poll lead until early this year on the strength of Merkel's management of the early stages of the pandemic, but then shed support in particular to the Greens and to the Free Democrats, a pro-business party. That came amid discontent with a sluggish start to Germany's vaccination campaign, which is now reaching full speed, and a long spat over who would lead the Union into September's election that ended with Laschet squeezing past Markus Soeder, the leader of the CDU's Bavarian sister party, who had much better poll ratings. President Joe Biden is moving swiftly and decisively to protect and expand union rights for federal employees, following years of attacks under the Trump administration. As the head of the largest federal sector union, Im proud to know that we have a president who wants to work with labor, not against us, to improve how the government treats its workers and serves the public. For nearly 60 years, federal government employees have had the right to join a union, collectively bargain for better working conditions, and use the grievance arbitration process to resolve workplace disputes. These rights have been expanded under both Democratic and Republican administrations and were enshrined into law by Congress in 1978. In that law, Congress declared that collective bargaining is "in the public interest" because, among other things, it "contributes to the effective conduct of public business" and facilitates "the amicable settlements of disputes between employees and their employers." In short, by granting federal government workers union rights, the government works more effectively. This increased effectiveness is because unions help workers address issues at the work site, get fair resolutions, and then get back to work. One of two teens convicted in the 2005 murder of Adrianne Reynolds is back in Rock Island County and awaiting a new sentence. Cory Gregory was 17 when he helped strangle Reynolds, 16, in a car in the parking lot of a Moline fast-food restaurant. The car belonged to then-16-year-old Sarah Kolb, who also was convicted in the January 2005 slaying. Gregory, who was sentenced to 45 years, was granted a motion for resentencing, based on juvenile factors. A sentence over 40 years has been deemed a de facto life sentence in Illinois, and recent guidelines have categorized life sentences for juveniles as unconstitutional. Kolb's motion for a new sentence was denied, and her case is closed, records show. She was sentenced to 48 years for the murder and another five years for attempting to conceal it. Gregory and Kolb first attempted to burn Reynolds' body. When unsuccessful, they recruited a third teen, Nathan Gaudet, who helped dismember the remains. Some remains were left at a farm belonging to Kolb's family. But some of the body parts were discarded in a storm drain at Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island, and Gregory led police to the remains. Hydropower uses water as fuel. It is considered a renewable energy because flowing water is constantly recharging the system and its energy is not reduced or used up in the process. According to letters from Lisa Perry, wastewater supervisor for Rock Island, sent to the Illinois Division of Concessions and Lease Management and the Office of Water Programs on March 18, IDNR staff have informed the city that the Sears and Steel dams have been moved up on the priority list for the state's dam removal initiative. Removal of the dams is expected to take place in the next five to seven years. "Based on this information, the city has opted to cease operating the facility for the purpose of generating electricity, terminate the lease with the state and surrender the FERC exemption," Perry wrote. In January 2020, Bartels told city council members the city still owed $1.1 million on equipment in the facility, which won't be paid off until 2028. The city purchased all equipment in the hydro plant in 2008 for $1.3 million and spent another $805,000 in 2010 by upgrading it with two generators and turbines. Trice said its important for people to take ownership of their own neighborhoods and build a connection in the neighborhoods, and there needed to be community and youth programs that children have immediate access to in their neighborhoods. Leticia Sanders, of Family Resources, said volunteers were needed in the programs they had to offer. A lot of these kids dont know how to say, yes maam, no sir. They dont know how to cook a meal; they dont know how to do dishes. They dont know how to do any of that because they dont have the home training at home. Looking around the room, Sanders said such meetings are nice, but if youre just having these conversations and youre not putting yourself in those places to help these kids to learn how once they get out of these programs or they get out of the Juvenile Detention Center, to them better themselves, then none of this does any good because most of these kids dont have families at home. Others in the room echoed that the children need mentors and more activities that would help to keep them out of trouble. Matson also said that people can get involved in the community by becoming police officers. We want to get people of all backgrounds, he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Thomas Geyer Follow Thomas Geyer 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today We want to have what we call courageous conversations, Nunn-Dixon said in a news release. "This work is all about bringing about healing and not only healing, but awareness. We want others to be aware that poverty does exist in our community. We want to get them involved in our movement. In a news release, the Juvenile Justice Coalition of the Quad-Cities pointed out recent research shows Black, brown and other children of color who experience racial bias also suffer high rates of fear, anxiety and depression. Additionally, police encounters with youth can increase crime instead of reduce it. The webinar will tackle the racial bias-induced traumas like: Being followed in a store by managers because of their color. Living in communities and going to schools that are highly surveilled by police. Experiencing frequent police stops and possible frisking. And watching news reports or online coverage of Black adults and youth being shot and killed by police officers. A good Friday to all. If you like your weather hot and dry, this weekend is made for you. We're looking at the hottest temps of the year with no rain in the forecast. Here's the weather details from the National Weather Service. 1. Temps to climb into the 90s Today will be sunny with a high near 91 degrees and a low around 67 degrees. West winds between 10 to 15 mph will gust as high as 20 mph. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 90 degrees and a low around 68 degrees. Winds will gust as high as 20 mph. Sunday will bring more sun with a high near 89 degrees and a low around 70 degrees. Have a good one! 2. Bicyclist killed on Kimberly Road identified A bicyclist was struck and killed Thursday by a speeding motorist in a red SUV at Kimberly Road and Davenport Avenue, near Runge Mortuary and Crematory. Davenport Police said that Alex Marietta, 40, of Geneseo, was riding his bicycle southbound on Davenport Avenue at 3:02 p.m. when he was struck by a red Chevrolet Tahoe that failed to stop for a red light while traveling westbound on Kimberly Road. IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A boy who vanished from a rural Iowa trailer park days before his 11th birthday is still missing a week later, as state and federal investigators continued Thursday to look into what happened to him. Detectives are considering several possibilities in the disappearance of Xavior Harrelson, including that he was abducted, that he suffered some kind of accident or that he ran away, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assistant director Mitch Mortvedt said. Every moment that goes by, its obviously more and more suspicious, and concerning, he said. Its so, so sad. Its heart-wrenching. Police are confident that they have searched and cleared the areas where the boy could have gone on his own, including a large nearby county park with woods and a lake, Mortvedt said. They have asked homeowners or businesses with surveillance footage from the day he disappeared to come forward, along with any tips or information that might be of assistance. The FBI said earlier this week that it has joined the investigation and offered every resource available to state and county departments leading the case. PEORIA The identities of two brothers, fatally shot Wednesday night, were released by the Peoria County Coroner's office on Thursday. Eric D. Bailey II, 27, and Zamion Bailey, 22, both of Peoria "suffered multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies, and both died instantly," said Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood in a news release which announced the results of the autopsy. The deaths were the 10th and 11th homicides of 2021 and come less than a week after the city's last slaying. The elder Bailey lived on South Stanley Street while the younger one lived on North Idaho Street in Central Peoria. Officers were called to the 2300 block of North Idaho Street at 6:08 p.m. Wednesday on a report of two men who had been found bleeding inside a parked car. Paramedics responded and found the car located on Arrowhead Street, just east of the intersection with Idaho. It was clear to the rescue workers that the two men were dead, said city police spokeswoman Amy Dotson in a news release. It's being investigated as a double homicide, she said, and no suspect information is available. Meadowlark Elementary School held their end of year assembly on the playground under the warm sun as they celebrated the end of the 2020-21 sc WAVERLY U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley praised Hy-Vee for incentivizing people to get the coronavirus vaccine, but said Iowa doesnt need a million-dollar lottery like Ohios to increase inoculations. Hy-Vee is offering $10 gift cards to those who get vaccinated through Nov. 1 and administers the vaccine in its pharmacies. To get the next 10 or 20% of the people in America vaccinated, were gonna have to work a little harder, and I compliment Hy-Vee for helping us work a little harder, Grassley said during a stop at the Waverly Hy-Vee on Thursday afternoon. The seven-term senator had asymptomatic COVID-19 in 2020 and was later vaccinated. He came to the Waverly to thank the pharmacy employees personally for what theyve done during the COVID pandemic and also during the vaccine rollout, said Christina Gayman, director of public relations for Hy-Vee corporate. Grassley briefly toured the store before meeting privately with employees. Were at a point now in Iowa and throughout the nation where the percentage of people who are getting vaccinated on a weekly basis has decreased quite a bit, Gayman said. And so were hoping to provide some incentive for individuals to come on in and get vaccinated. SPRINGFIELD Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed a law establishing legislative district maps to govern elections for the next 10 years after promising as a candidate that he would veto maps drawn by politicians. Pritzker said in a statement Friday that the lines drawn exclusively by Democrats who control the General Assembly preserve minority representation and follow the strictures of the federal Voting Rights Act. Illinois strength is in our diversity, and these maps help to ensure that communities that have been left out and left behind have fair representation in our government, Pritzker said. These district boundaries align with both the federal and state Voting Rights Acts. The Democrat also signed laws to approve new districts for the Illinois Supreme Court the first in more than half-a-century and the Cook County Board of Review. As a candidate for governor in 2018, Pritzker voiced support for an independent commission to draw maps and removing political considerations in placing the lines. He vowed to veto any map authored by politicians, such as these. Senate Republicans have blocked a bipartisan committee from seeking answers regarding the U.S. Capitol insurrection. Some senators claim it was peaceful, some doubt there was any danger of being attacked, or that weapons were present. Why are these senators devoid of knowing what is right and wrong? I would guess they were raised to distinguish between the two. Many were in peril of being killed, including Sen. Chuck Grassley. I believe he was third in line after Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi in ascension to the presidency. It was obvious what former President Donald Trump's motives were, yet Grassley opposes the committee. Both he and Sen. Joni Ernst are not fit to govern if they did not endorse the formation of this bipartisan effort. Our gun laws are certainly working. Mass shootings on a regular basis, daily gunfire in the Quad Cities, innocent people in the line of fire, some killed, some wounded. Gunfire inside NorthPark Mall. I wonder what law enforcement thinks of all this gun violence? Leaving judgment to the "good" citizens of Iowa, we tried this with Covid; 6,000-plus deaths later, was that such a good idea? There are two distinct groups of candidates; Baker, Funke, Doney and Thomas are endorsed by the conservative religious group Family Heritage Alliance, while Slack, Pochardt, Flynn and Read are endorsed by the teachers union, Rapid City Education Association. The two groups also differed in their funding sources. Baker, Funke, Doney and Thomas all received contributions from the Free Republic PAC. Free Republic is run by chair Kevin Maher of Rapid City. Slack, Pochardt, Flynn and Read received donations from Democracy in Action and A Better South Dakota PAC. Means also received a donation from Democracy in Action. Democracy in Actions treasurer is Karen Hall and its biggest donor is Stan Adelstein, who is also chairman of A Better South Dakota. The South Dakota Educators PAC supported both Slacks and Flynns campaigns, giving $500 to each. In addition, Baker and Flynn both received funding from South Dakota Realtors PAC. Baker received $4,000 from the Pierre-based PAC and Flynn received $1,334.30. Information from some candidates campaign finance disclosure reports also show donations from local and state politicians. Over the years as she has advocated for medical cannabis, it has been amazing to see people in the state come around to the idea. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Were changing the perception of cannabis. People think its just a bunch of people hanging out in a basement smoking a bong, but its true medicine, Mentele said. An advantage of being one of the first states to legalize, but not the first, is that the state can learn from the mistakes of other states like Colorado or Washington, as well as see what other states in the process of legalization are taking into consideration when promulgating rules and regulations. Its an exciting time were seeing real world examples of laboratories of democracy, Moffat said. We can see what works, what doesnt, and experiment. In South Dakota currently, municipalities are in various stages of implementing rules for dispensary, processing and cultivation licenses, which at the earliest will not be available until the fall. In Pennington County, the Rapid City council and county commission put a moratorium on issuing licenses until the Department of Health promulgates rules. Any business submitting an application for licensing will be denied until that happens. The Rapid City Fire Department is reaching out to the community to raise funds and educate about water safety on Saturday at the third annual Josh Haugen Memorial Fundraiser and Fill The Boot Drive. The fundraiser will take place at 4200 Beach Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m Saturday. There will be water-rescue demonstrations, food trucks, games, live music and more. The Josh Haugen Memorial Fundraiser is an event to honor Haugen, who died in a jet ski accident at Pactola Reservoir. Funds are donated to the Rapid City/Pennington County Water Rescue Team. In the past two years, $2,600 has been raised and donated to the Water Rescue Team. The Water Rescue Team is a branch of the fire department and deploys between 10 and 25 times a year, according to Tessa Jaeger, the Public Information Officer for the Rapid City Fire Department. We always ask the public to be as safe as possible when it comes to water. Use a buddy system, have a clear state of mind, and wear a life jacket," Jaeger said. Information about water safety training and water safety tips are available on the fire department's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It is so easy to pretend like something bad didn't happen and move on (Jan 6th insurrection). We did that after Vietnam and ended up with Bushes Weapons of mass destruction war in Iraq which cost us 7 trillion, thousands of lives and still adding up over the next 70 years, just as Vietnam has with a life time of human casualties for no good purpose other than political enterprise. Now the GOP wants to forget about the Insurrection and the attempt to overthrow our government. They say well it happened lets move on. Move on to what, the next time. If we refuse to find out why it happened and hold those responsible (And I am not talking about just those arrested or entered the building) we will certainly be destined to repeat this. Only next time it might actually start a Civil War. Trump and the GOP just want power any way they can get it. Power is the only thing of value to them. Time to end these lies and start working to make this nation actually function. Time to set Trump aside and let him have his little fits and move on. Chef Laurel Burleson vividly remembers the most glorious jam she ever had. She was in college, studying abroad in France, and her host mom participated in a jam and jelly exchange with friends. Everyone made, like, two dozen jars and traded with everyone else, Burleson says. One of her friends made this she called it Mirabelle. I dont know if they exist in this country, Ive never found them, but they were these little, almost apricot-size yellow plums, halved and in syrup. They were the most perfect preserved fruit Ive ever had. We would eat it with ice cream, and it was my favorite thing. Burleson makes lots of jams, jellies, marmalades and preserves these days as the owner of Ugly Apple Cafe, her food cart in Madison, Wisconsin, that focuses on breakfast. Burleson started the cart in 2016, in part to address the perfectly good produce that goes to waste every day in this country. Shes passionate about the cast-offs, ugly fruit that would end up in a compost pile or landfill. Those homely fruits are excellent candidates for Burlesons fruit leathers dehydrated apples, grapes, bananas and cranberries in snackable strip form and the preserves she pipes into paczki (Polish donuts). Preserving fruit is a Midwestern tradition, one that Burleson appreciates during long Wisconsin winters. Over the winter, its easy to feel like youre in a rut. When you can grab something that you made in-season, it gives you a little refresh, she says. It sounds silly to say its like a little vacation, but it is comforting. Its a little memory Remember when we got these great strawberries? Burleson shares three recipes for jam, accompanied by a way to use each one. Or feel free to make just the jam, or use a premade or purchased preserve for these delectable creations. +2 Pan-Seared Halibut with Tomato-Onion Jam Scratched or dented tomatoes are perfect for this tomato jam recipe, which can be served on halibut or cod. Strawberry Caprese Canapes with Strawberry-Basil Jam Tart strawberry-basil jam is offset by creamy mozzarella in this sweet take on a classic caprese salad. +3 Thumbprint Cookies with Rhubarb-Bourbon Jam Thumbprint cookies can be filled with any jam, but be sure to try this rhubarb-bourbon jam with cracked black pepper. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Darby Schools are feeding all children under age 18 for free. Food Service Director Dave Thomas said the school cafeteria is hosting breakfast 810 a.m. and lunch 10 a.m. to noon, with the salad bar, Monday through Friday, until Aug. 13. They will be closed for four days for the Fourth of July and will start having lunch in the park on Tuesdays for six weeks beginning July 6, after summer school has ended. Darby has participated in the Summer Food Service Program serving free meals to all kids age 18 and under for six years. We do it to make sure kids dont go hungry, Thomas said. There is a need for it. It helps parents out by taking a little bit off of them not having to worry about food for their kids. The meal menu is a bit easier in the summer just because we dont know how many kids well have, we keep it simple. Thomas said any kid age 18 and under can come to the Darby school cafeteria and eat for free. They dont have to go to school here, they could be from Australia we dont care, he said. Adults can purchase meals. I believe adult meals are like $4.50, the whole family can come in. Zinke left his post as Secretary of the Department of the Interior in late 2018 plagued by scandals from nearly every direction. National news outlets were at his heels throughout his term as he rolled back oil and gas restrictions, took chartered flights and shrank the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. His own Interior Department reviewed a land deal between a foundation run by Zinke's wife and a company co-owned by a Halliburton chairman. Asked Thursday if the scandals will be an Achilles' heel to his 2022 campaign, Zinke said he believes voters will identify those claims against him as partisan attacks. "I got attacked from day one," he said. "It was vicious and I understand they weren't after me, they were after President Trump. No, people see it for what it is. I went through over a dozen investigations; there was no wrongdoing." The Associated Press reported in late April that the full details of an investigation into Zinke's dealings related to a casino permit are not public yet, and other investigations into his actions have ended without findings of wrongdoing by Zinke. Half a century later, Davis son now struggles with being in school online, trying to turn in papers or connect with professors virtually. CARES Act money provided Jetpacks to boost cellular internet signals in homes, but that puts the whole family on a single hot spot. His mother was able to FaceTime with family members from her nursing home. She died of COVID-19 shortly after. Davis and his family treasure the moments they got to spend with her, even if it was virtual. They were lucky. They had the internet, connecting them with their loved ones. Many still dont have that access. Its hard to fathom what being isolated like that is like, Davis said. Verna Billedeaux has spent 22 years, her entire life, in Duck Lake, Montana. Its a life she loves, where she can walk less than a mile to family members homes or her cousins businesses, Suzies Store and the Leaning Tree Cafe. During the summer, shes a businesswoman, taking Glacier National Park tourists on trail rides. But shes never had internet access. I can only hope that the parole board does the right thing, Nici said. What the parole board doesnt realize is that if Kenneth Wayne Woodfin is released, he not only will be a threat to the victims families and the community, but I also would perceive him to be a threat to law enforcement. He has taken no responsibility, shown no remorse, offered no apology and continues to say he is innocent. And all I can tell you is his face was the last face I saw before I thought I was going to die, Nici said. Theres no doubt in my mind that he is the man who held a .357-Magnum 3 to 5 feet from my head, aiming for my temple. But thank God I moved my head. Contacted in late April through prison officials, Woodfin initially agreed to talk with a Times-Dispatch reporter about his case. But on the day of the scheduled telephone interview, Woodfin canceled, telling prison authorities he felt ill. Woodfin declined to reschedule the interview the following day, relaying this message through a prison official to a reporter: He stated that he thought he knew you, but he didnt. In 2014, Woodfin told NBC12 in a prison interview that he didnt shoot or kill anyone, and deserves to be paroled because hes innocent. The incumbent Irving, 56, said she is already focused on teaching inmates skills to help them build careers after they are released. Our vocational program and educational program have given people more hope, Irving said. Theyve given them pride in themselves to know that they know that they can provide for their family members and make a better choice. She said her office is trying to ensure that our residents, inmates and clients are able to go back into the community and be successful, be productive parts of what goes on in our community as well as in our city. We want to make sure theyre career ready, work ready, home ready and community ready, and family ready. Burnett added that he wants to partner with businesses, providing them a workforce, if theyre willing to give those in or leaving the jail a chance. If I, as the sheriff, can hire a person with a past and give them an opportunity, why cant you, as a business in the community. He also called for the return of the father-daughter dances that occurred under Irvings predecessor, C.T. Woody Jr., under whom Burnett was second in command. Scott Barlow the former 2nd District School Board representative who, alongside 3rd District board member Kenya Gibson, kicked off the conversation last year about removing police from RPS said hes relieved that the board will finally discuss the matter. Im glad that despite the delay over the last year that the board and the administration will be taking it further, Barlow said. I hope that any board members who are resistant to removing SROs are prepared to offer meaningful suggestions about how to reduce the arrests, because that really is the critical issue here. Gibson said a change wont be a quick fix. Bringing justice for our students and community isnt as easy as eliminating police officers from schools, she said. We need professionals who can keep students and staff safe that are trained in special education and restorative justice. Should the board decide to remove police from schools, RPS would not be the first school division in the state to do so. Last year, Charlottesvilles board voted to dismantle the memorandum of understanding with the local police department. And last month, Alexandrias City Council voted to end the SRO program. This was following the Minneapolis boards decision to remove police from schools after Floyds murder in that city. The films media packet includes praise from Hasan Kwame Jeffries, a history professor at The Ohio State University, who said it takes us on a journey from slavery to freedom to the present, unraveling the complex history of race, racism, and resistance in the capital of the Confederacy with pace and purpose. Indeed, the film is a national story through the intimate lens of Richmond history. The monuments, Warren said, reflected the white supremacy that made it possible to put them up, but theyve also been silent witnesses to generations of Black resistance resistance to the monuments, but also resistance to white supremacy in its many other forms. But that full history has been hard to see; its been shrouded in these myths of grandeur. He hopes viewers will reflect on the heralded and relatively obscure figures of Black resistance featured in the film. We shouldnt just look up at the monuments. We should look down at the people below them ... who have been fighting not just against the statues, but against what they stood for. In progress linked largely to Virginia having nearly 70% of its adult population vaccinated with at least one dose, the number of new COVID-19 infections statewide is plummeting to levels last seen in April 2020. But the progress hasnt been equal: Black residents are making up a greater share of the infections while being the least vaccinated group in the state. The latest data from Richmond City Health District shows that in May, Black people were 72% of the citys cases double their share of infections in January, the deadliest month of the pandemic. From April to May, Black residents were 75% of the citys 320 cases. Six months into the vaccine rollout, the percentage of cases among white people in Richmond has dropped to its lowest rate as Black residents are experiencing the highest. The growing divide is similarly apparent in hospitalizations and deaths; Black residents account for more than 60% of each while whites made up about 14% of COVID-19 patients and a third of the fatalities in the same timeframe. The plaintiffs complain that it was not until 2020 that any Virginia official contended that the 1890 Deed was void from the date of its execution. Instead, the Commonwealth stood by silently for 130 years as lots were transferred in reliance upon the restrictive covenant, and accepted the benefits of having a major historic landmark and tourist attraction in its capital. The Governor now claims the prerogative to disavow the commitment made by the Commonwealth in 1890, they complain. The plaintiffs noted in their brief that Northam contends that they ignore the shameful history that gave rise to the Lee Monument and the ongoing pain caused by forcing the Commonwealth of 2021 to leave it up one moment longer. They responded that the residents are making legal claims based on deed covenants and constitutional rights. It is unnecessary that they win legally irrelevant historical debates about the Civil War, Robert E. Lee, and the motivations of those who erected the Lee Monument in order to show that they are entitled to prevail in this case, they wrote. Nevertheless, the brief says the plaintiffs strongly disagree with the characterization of the history surrounding the statue as shameful. Among his top issues are police reform and campaign finance reform. He has announced a plan to stop police brutality that includes eliminating felony charges for all drugs. He supports an end to provisions in state law that protect police officers who have committed wrongdoing, as well as subpoena power for civilian police review boards. People are rightfully outraged. They are tired of seeing the same images of violence against Black people on the news and social media, Perryman said in a campaign statement. Theres a reason that last year saw the largest demonstrations for racial justice in history. We have an obligation to not only act, but act in a way that listens to harmed communities and has the courage to take on the status quo. Perryman has a law degree from Vanderbilt University and worked with the late Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland as counsel on the U.S. House Oversight Committee. This is his first run for public office. Del. Sam Rasoul LYNCHBURG The University of Lynchburg and Randolph College on Thursday announced that they will require their students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the fall semester. The University of Lynchburg also will require the vaccine for faculty and staff. In a message to the campus community, Randolph College President Bradley Bateman said, "We believe vaccinations are key to keeping our community safe, healthy, and in person. In a residential setting such as ours, broad immunization is critical to help stop the current pandemic and to protect our College community." At this time, the message said, Randolph College is not requiring employees to receive the vaccination, but is encouraging those individuals to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Students with religious or medical exemptions will not be required to receive the vaccine, he said, but will be subject to mandatory, weekly COVID-19 testing during the academic year. The University of Lynchburg announced Thursday that with its vaccine requirement, many of its COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted. In a campuswide email, University of Lynchburg President Alison Morrison-Shetlar said the university will return to the residential experience that is at the core of the Lynchburg experience. Duluth, MN (55816) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 78F. WSW winds shifting to NE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Expect a downpour or two across much of metro Richmond between now and late afternoon/commute time, and know that there's still a chance the storms could strengthen and produce some 60 mph gusts. *** 1 p.m. update A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 9 p.m. for most of central Virginia and all of Tidewater. Metro Richmond and the Tri-Cities are included in the watch area, though our storm threat looks to peak toward the mid-to-late afternoon and clear out by the evening. At 1 p.m., shortly after the watch was issued by the National Weather Service, a broken line storms stretched from the Charlottesville vicinity to Washington. A handful of severe thunderstorm warnings were already in effect for that region. That activity will push southeast through Louisa and Fredericksburg, and ultimately into metro Richmond and the peninsulas if it holds together. So keep an eye out for menacing clouds off to the northwest as the afternoon goes on. If you have outdoor plans, stay aware of any warnings that may be issued and be ready to head to safety. A Ferrum man convicted of sexually assaulting three juveniles has been ordered to serve a decade and a half in prison. Larry Gene Austin Jr., 41, entered Alford pleas in January to object penetration, an assault involving a victim between the ages of 13 and 17, and two counts of aggravated sexual battery of a victim younger than 13. By entering an Alford plea, a defendant maintains his innocence but acknowledges that the evidence against him appears too overwhelming to challenge. At a hearing in Franklin County Circuit Court on May 14, Austin received a 70-year sentence, which will be suspended after he serves 15. He will have to register as a sex offender, must submit to probation for 10 years after his release, and will be required to be on good behavior for the rest of his life. Austin was acquainted with all three victims, the eldest of whom told police in late 2018 that Austin had been committing assaults for about three years. At Austins plea hearing in January, Judge William Alexander delayed a ruling on his initial pleas in order to wait for a victim impact statement. That earlier agreement between Austin and prosecutors had called for a slightly shorter sentence of 13 years. Blacksburg police announced Thursday that investigators are looking into reports that customers were drugged at a town restaurant. In a news release, police said there were multiple complaints and social media reports about people being affected by something put in their drinks at Centro Taco Bar, a restaurant on North Main Street. No evidence has been found to substantiate the drugging, but there is an ongoing investigation involving town police, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and the state Department of Forensic Science, the news release said. The supposed drugging involved drinks being tainted with a substance that caused cognitive impairment, the news release said. Centro Taco Bar is cooperating with the investigation, the news release said. On Thursday afternoon, a man who identified himself as Edgar, but who declined to give his last name, said he that was the co-owner of Centro Taco Bar, and that the restaurant didnt have a lot of information about the investigation. We have no comment, we are working with them, he said. They are doing their job and their investigation. We dont have anything to say. RADFORD A man accused of killing his mother in her Fairlawn home has confessed, a search warrant filed in the case said. Cory Stephen Mangekian, 27, was charged in April with first-degree murder and several theft-related offenses after the body of his mother, 60-year-old Sandra Lee Mangekian, was found. He was arrested in Radford after the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office issued an appeal for public help and received a tip that led officers to him, according to a statement the sheriffs office issued then. The state medical examiners office determined that Sandra Mangekian was killed by blunt force trauma to her head and torso, and that the manner of death was homicide. Cory Mangekian is accused of taking an Infiniti FX37 SUV and driving to Georgia, then back to the New River Valley before his arrest, the sheriffs office said. A search warrant filed in Radford, where the SUV was impounded, said that Mangekian confessed both to the killing and to taking the SUV. Investigators sought the search warrant so they could examine the SUVs onboard computer system to track the movement and use of the vehicle. Richmond police are investigating Oakes death and have not made any arrests. VCU is committed to closely reviewing that report, when complete, for possible additional organizational or individual violations of university policies and to identify additional opportunities to strengthen our policies and procedures for fraternity and sorority life, the universitys statement read. Courtney White, Oakes cousin, said in a statement that student organizations that put the lives of others in jeopardy should be eliminated from the university and all of Greek life. She called on VCU and Greek organizations to strengthen and enforce anti-hazing policies, and she questioned whether expelling the fraternity will hold Delta Chi students accountable. As for the individual students who contributed to Adams death, the boys in this fraternity have lived their lives without consequences, continuing to party, go on spring break trips and summer vacations, posting pictures on boats, drinking outside their chapter houses and posting Tik Tok videos as if nothing ever happened, White said. We live with Adams loss every single day. How do we get them to feel empathetic, remorse and regret if they do not even see that what they did is wrong and are not held accountable? The U.K.'s competition watchdog is pursuing its own investigation, which includes examining whether data from Facebook Login was unfairly used. The feature lets users sign into other websites, apps and services with their Facebook credentials, making it a potentially big source of information on users' interests. We intend to thoroughly investigate Facebooks use of data to assess whether its business practices are giving it an unfair advantage in the online dating and classified ad sectors," Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said in a press statement. The EU and U.K. investigations could result in formal charges, but its not a given. Regulators have the power to impose penalties worth up to 10% of a company's annual revenue, which in Facebooks case would amount to billions of dollars. Also Friday, Germanys competition watchdog, which has gained new powers to use on digital companies, opened its latest investigation of Google. The Federal Cartel Office, or Bundeskartellamt, said it is examining whether Googles News Showcase, a licensing platform for publishers launched last fall, includes unreasonable conditions in contracts for news publishers. The report found that 14% of current female cadets who participated in a survey said theyd been sexually assaulted at VMI while 63% reported being told directly by others they had been sexually assaulted, which suggests the 14% figure is on the low side. If that 14% figure is correct, thats horrifically high but still lower than what RAINN the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network says is standard for women on a college campus. It says the figure is 26.4%. Whether VMIs figure is high or low, the figure ought to be zero, and the unlocked door policy seems to enable potential sex criminals in the corps theres really no other way to put that. 6. Why does VMI treat sexual assault less seriously than it does cheating? If a cadet is found cheating even once, he or she is drummed out. But those who sexually assault a cadet arent. The report cites one example of a male cadet who entered a female cadets room and groped her breasts some locked doors might have helped there but no action was ever taken. That cadet told her cousin not to come to VMI because she is terrified her cousin would be raped since it happens so often. Contractors for HCMCs Metro Line No. 1 are still working non-stop while maintaining health safety for thousands of engineers and workers, said the HCMC Urban Railway Project Management Board on June 02. The project is now 85 percent complete thanks to effective collaboration between the Japanese main consultant and on-site contractors. Constructions maintained at Ben Thanh Station for Metro Line No. 1. (Photo: SGGP) Constructions maintained at Ben Thanh Station for Metro Line No. 1. (Photo: SGGP) Regarding traffic works, key projects and underground drainage systems are still in commission, with motorized equipment and remote-controlled machines to limit the number of workers at the sites. Meanwhile, multiple manufacturers in essential sectors have been providing workers with financial aids and a safe working environment through social distancing and regular disinfection. Although the garment sector is still seeing a large number of orders, small and medium companies are facing a shortage of labor. The Ho chi Minh Rubber Plastic Manufacturer Association also noted that its member companies are investing in accommodation areas and food and beverage supplies for workers who have to stay at factories during lockdowns. The Association also hopes for vaccines to reach manufacturing sites soon and propose to share the cost of buying for the sake of their workers, said its chairman. CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. Laurel Burleson, chef and owner of the Ugly Apple Cafe in Madison, Wisconsin, first made this fruity riff on Italian caprese salad toasts for a catering gig. Fresh mozzarella offers a creamy counterpoint to the tartness of strawberry-basil jam, and a balsamic drizzle underscores some of the same flavor notes. For a sweeter canape, make a balsamic glaze by simmering a little balsamic on the stove until it reduces by half. Or do as Burleson and pick up a high-quality balsamic vinegar and just use it straight. Put a pin in this jam recipe for the first time you see strawberries at the farmers market. Burleson says this recipe makes six 8-ounce jars of jam, which you can give away to lucky friends or freeze to treat yourself later this winter. The jam recipe can be cut in half and will still work just fine. A kitchen scale is more accurate and may speed up the process. Burleson always advises that, when making jam, surface area is your friend, so she recommends using a wide saute pan or saucepan. Also, if you plan to can the jam in sealed jars, bottled lemon juice is preferred for its uniform level of acidity. Strawberry Caprese Canapes with Strawberry-Basil Jam Yields: 10 canapes Strawberry-Basil Jam 3 lbs fresh, ripe strawberries, hulled and cut into -inch pieces 3 cups (1 lbs) granulated sugar 2 Tbsp (1 oz) lemon juice cant cup (1 oz) chopped fresh basil leaves Strawberry Caprese Canapes 1 demi baguette (about 8 oz) 1 ball (8 oz) fresh mozzarella 2 to 3 fresh strawberries, thinly sliced 2 to 3 large basil leaves, thinly sliced balsamic vinegar, glaze or reduction freshly ground black pepper, to taste (optional) finishing or coarse salt, to taste (optional) Prepare Strawberry-Basil Jam: Place a plate and a few teaspoons in freezer. In large saute pan or wide saucepan over low heat, add strawberries, sugar and lemon juice. With potato masher, mash strawberries, then stir with rubber spatula until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium; heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Boil about 10 minutes, stirring frequently and scraping sides and bottom of pan to prevent sticking or burning. After about 10 minutes, stir in basil. Remove pan from heat. To know when jam is done, test jams gel point: Remove plate and teaspoon from freezer; drop about 1 teaspoon jam onto plate. Return plate and spoon to freezer for 1 minute. After 1 minute, push jam with spoon into a line. If jam remains somewhat firm when pushed and line does not fill in with juice, the jam is ready. If line fills in with juice, then continue to cook, retesting gel point every few minutes. Set aside about cup jam for canapes. If desired, for longer storage, ladle remaining jam into six 8-ounce sterilized jars, leaving a half inch of space at top of jar. Seal and secure jars with button-top lids; place in boiling-water bath about 10 minutes or until seal takes hold and pops. Place jars on drying rack; cool jam at room temperature. Refrigerate sealed jam up to 1 month. Or place jam in airtight containers; cover and refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 1 year. Prepare Strawberry Caprese Canapes: Preheat oven to 325F. Meanwhile, trim ends from baguette; cut baguette crosswise into ten -inch-thick slices. Place slices on cookie sheet and bake 7 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp. Cut mozzarella into -inch-thick slices, each to about the same size as each bread slice (slice mozzarella ball in half, if necessary). Assemble canapes: On large serving platter, arrange toasted baguette. Spread 2 teaspoons or so Strawberry-Basil Jam over each slice of bread; place 1 slice mozzarella over jam, then top with 1 or 2 slices strawberries and some basil. Drizzle with balsamic. If desired, sprinkle canapes with pepper and salt. Two years ago, California became the first state to ban employers and schools from discriminating against people based on their natural hair. Thats fine with me. If it helps schools to focus on more education and less on follicle fashions, Im all for it. But what gave me pause in the Illinois story was Sen. Simmons explanation to a Chicago Tribune reporter for Jett Hawkins follicle flare-up: Its rooted in this respectability politics that says that for Black people to succeed, we have to conform to these really silly stereotypes, said Simmons. We need to wear our hair a certain length, walk a certain way and when we speak, dont speak too loudly. All of this is set up so as not to be perceived as a threat by others. If you were left a bit befuddled over whats so wrong about respectability, youre not alone. Like cancel culture and critical race theory, respectability politics increasingly has become weaponized by some and worshipped by others, depending on the situation. These days I think of it in the way we aging boomers often do, as a marker between the We Shall Overcome generation and todays Black Lives Matter crowd. Split Sixth Circuit panel further muddles what grounds can contribute to basis for sentence reduction under 3582(c)(1)(a) | Main | Encouraging examples of democracy expanding for those previously disenfranchised The title of this post is the title of this recent paper authored by Aaron Littman just published in the Vanderbilt Law Review. Here is its abstract: The machinery of mass incarceration in America is huge, intricate, and destructive. To understand it and to tame it, scholars and activists look for its levers of power where are they, who holds them, and what motivates them? This much we know: legislators criminalize, police arrest, prosecutors charge, judges sentence, prison officials confine, and probation and parole officials manage release. As this Article reveals, jailers, too, have their hands on the controls. The sheriffs who run jails along with the county commissioners who fund them have tremendous but unrecognized power over the size and shape of our criminal legal system, particularly in rural areas and for people accused or convicted of low-level crimes. Because they have the authority to build jails (or not) as well as the authority to release people (or not), they exercise significant control not merely over conditions but also over both the supply of and demand for jail bedspace: how large they should be, how many people they should confine, and who those people should be. By advocating, financing, and contracting for jail bedspace, sheriffs and commissioners determine who has a say and who has a stake in carceral expansion and contraction. Through their exercise of arrest and release powers, sheriffs affect how many and which people fill their cells. Constraints they create or relieve on carceral infrastructure exert or alleviate pressure on officials at the local, state, and federal levels. Drawing on surveys of state statutes and of municipal securities filings, data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, case law, and media coverage, this Article tells overlooked stories of sheriffs who send their deputies out door knocking to convince voters to support a new tax to fund a new jail, and of commissioners who raise criminal court fees and sign contracts to detain rental inmates to ensure that incarceration pays for itself. It also tells of sheriffs who override the arrest decisions of city police officers, release defendants who have not made bail, and cut sentences short and of those who would rather build more beds than push back on carceral inertia. A spotlight on jails and the officials who run them illuminates important attributes of our carceral crisis. The power and incentives to build jail bedspace are as consequential as the power and incentives to fill it. Expanding a countys jailing capacity has profound ramifications across local, state, and federal criminal legal systems. Sheriffs have a unique combination of controls over how big and how full their jails are, but this role consolidation does not produce the restraint that some have predicted. Their disclaimers of responsibility are a smokescreen, obscuring sheriffs bureaucratic commitment to perpetuating mass incarceration. State courts and federal agencies have increasingly recognized and regulated public profiteering through jail contracting, and advocates have begun to hold jailers accountable, challenging expansion in polling booths and budget meetings. Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images The Duchess of Cambridge made a phone call to an NHS ward host, Gimba, who provided food and care to COVID 19 patients in hospital. During the call, Kate spoke to Gimba who explained that her mother had been taken ill in Nigeria and she was unable to visit her due to travel restrictions. Despite the difficult news, Gimba refused to take time off from her work saying, I have to feed my patients. During the call, the Duchess asked after Gimbas mother, who is now thankfully doing better and is out of hospital. Kate commended Gimba for her hard work and dedication to the patients on her ward and agreed that food nurtures the soul. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Gimba said her role was a job I love to do because the patients need us, and said she has been working at the hospital for 20 years. Kate told her that she bet Gimba made [patients] day that little bit brighter. A photograph of Gimba having lunch in the hospital staff room has been included in the Hold Still project, which Kate is working on in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery. The photograph was taken by Hassan Akkad who submitted it to the project. Gimba recalled finding out that the picture of her had been selected as a finalist. They called me, told me, I was so happy. Im very grateful, thank you so much, she said to Kate. The Duchess responded by telling Gimba, "not at all, it's lovely to see that resilience and that glimmer of hope that you showed. The full video can be watched on YouTube along with other videos of the Duchess conversations with Hold Still participants. Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. SIGN UP In need of some positivity or not able to make it to the shops? Enjoy Good Housekeeping delivered directly to your door every month! Subscribe to Good Housekeeping magazine now. SUBSCRIBE NOW You Might Also Like (Reuters) -Top U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci has called on China to release the medical records of nine people whose ailments might provide vital clues into whether COVID-19 first emerged as the result of a lab leak, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. "I would like to see the medical records of the three people who are reported to have got sick in 2019. Did they really get sick, and if so, what did they get sick with?" the report https://on.ft.com/3igFTgU quoted Fauci as saying about three of the nine. The origin of the virus is hotly contested, with U.S. intelligence agencies still examining reports that researchers at a Chinese virology laboratory in Wuhan were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first COVID-19 cases were reported. However, Chinese scientists and officials have consistently rejected the lab leak hypothesis, saying the virus could have been circulating in other regions before it hit Wuhan and might have even entered China through imported frozen food shipments or wildlife trading. A spokesman for China's foreign ministry, Wang Wenbin, declined to comment directly on whether China would release the records of the nine but firmly denied that the laboratory was linked to the outbreak of COVID-19. At a regular briefing on Friday, he referred to a March 23 statement from the Wuhan Institute of Virology that said no staff or graduates were confirmed to have contracted the virus. Wang reiterated China's position that reports of a lab leak are a "conspiracy theory." Financial Times reported that Fauci continues to believe the virus was first transmitted to humans through animals, pointing out that even if the lab researchers did have COVID-19, they could have contracted the disease from the wider population. (Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Cate Cadell in Beijing; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.) Jannik Sinner has credited Maria Sharapova with helping him become the youngest player in the top 75 as he stands on the verge of successive runs to the second week of the French Open. The 19-year-old met the Russian superstar over dinner in 2019 and practiced with her later in the year. "I had the pleasure to know Maria a little bit more. We practiced sometimes together and knowing her personality as well. It's great," said Sinner, one of five Italians in the third round this year in Paris. "Especially for a guy who is 19 years old, and when Maria was there I was 18, it makes you grow obviously a little bit faster." Sinner and Sharapova, who won two French Opens in her career before calling it quits, bonded so well that they even felt comfortable enough to make a 'Rockin around the Christmas tree' video. Having made the quarter-finals at last year's French Open, Sinner faced a quick exit this time around when he needed to save a match point in a five-set opener against Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France. He fired 43 winners in that tie before hitting 27 more to see off compatriot Gianluca Mager on Thursday. Sinner faces Sweden's Mikael Ymer for a place in the quarter-finals for a second year. Should he make it that far, he will likely face the man who beat him at the same stage in 2020 -- 13-time champion Rafael Nadal. Since that meeting last year, it's been mostly positives for the Sinner, winning a second career title in Melbourne on the eve of the Australian Open, reaching a first Masters final in Miami and breaking into the top 20 in April. "I have been very, very lucky that I had the chance to practice with Rafa for two weeks and some tournaments practicing with Novak. "Obviously very, very happy and honoured that I had the chance to meet them and sometimes to play with them as well, which makes things obviously more fun and enjoyable." dj/jc Hold Still, Vincent, a podcast from actress Gemma Chan about the 1982 murder of Chinese American man Vincent Chin, has been pulled after complaints from his family. Late last month, Helen Zia, an Asian American activist and journalist who represents the Chin estate, wrote on Instagram that she had not been contacted by A-Major Media or any of the producers of the star-studded podcast. In the podcast, which is based on a screenplay by Johnny Ngo, Zia is voiced by Kelly Marie Tran. That said, such an important story deserves to be told and every American should know about what happened to Vincent Chin and about this multiracial, multicultural Asian American-centered civil rights movement, she wrote. I hope these various Hollywood projects get the stories right about the AAPI community, because the lessons of the Vincent Chin justice movement are critical to countering todays tsunami of anti-Asian hate. Creatorsplease at least check in with community people who lived these experiences, including the estate of Lily and Vincent Chinthe AAPI community and its activists deserve that respect. Im not dead yet and its weird hearing/seeing myself fictionalized by people who have never tried to connect with me or the Estate. Chan, who voiced lawyer Liza Chan in the podcast, took to Instagram herself, writing on May 26 that when she first signed onto the project, she asked whether Zia could be involved in the panel discussion of the podcast and was told that an approach had already been made at an earlier stae of the process but that Helen was already developing her own Vincent Chin TV project. Chan said she was devastated to learn from Zias post that direct contact did not in fact occur. A-Major Media followed that up with a statement, also released on Instagram, that offered apologies to Zia and the Chin estate for the companys oversight. We are deeply sorry to all the generous partners who came together to donate their time and bear no responsibility for our mistake Gemma Chan, our incredible cast, QCODE, Phillip Sun (M88), Carmen Cuba and Gold House as our only motivation was to share Vincents story with the world. We are in contact with Helen Zia and the Vincent Chin Estate and have offered to take the podcast down. In the meantime, we are disabling the podcast out of respect for Helen and the Estate and will be guided by their wishes, said the statement. Story continues On Tuesday, writer and activist Annie Tan, a cousin of Chins, also released a statement indicating she and her family were not contacted for the podcast and did not expect it to release in full in May. She noted that after Zia spoke out, she was contacted by Chan and producer Mary Lee. After listening to the podcast, I spoke with both Gemma and Mary today 6/2, and shared what I would have said if I had been reached out to prior to production, Tan wrote. I shared with Gemma and Mary, and hope to share with screenwriter Johnny Ngo and directors Aaron and Winston Tao, the impact of Vincents murder on my family. I dont speak for my family, but many members of my family have said they do not want to be involved in Vincent Chin projects because they do not want to be retraumatized. Journalists over many decades have hounded my family for more sob stories, specifically from Lily Chin, my great-auntie, may she rest in power, who already gave so much of her labor, gave press photographs that have still not been returned to my family, was constantly reminded by the cameras of her dead son Vincent, and, after our family lost the last trial, moved to China. How do you trust others to tell Vincents story after all that? The podcast is no longer available to stream or download. Crazy Rich Asians star Remy Hii played Chin, Rosalind Chao played his mother Lily and David Harbour and Dane DeHaan played his killers, Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz. Chin was 27 when he was killed. The draftsman was celebrating his upcoming wedding at a Detroit strip club when he was beaten by the two white men who, according to reports, were enraged over the idea that Japanese car manufacturing was taking away American jobs and incorrectly concluded Chin was Japanese. Read original story Gemma Chans Podcast About Anti-Asian 1982 Murder Pulled After Complaints From Vincent Chins Family At TheWrap (photo: Pauline St. Denis) Tia Williams is the author of The Accidental Diva, two young adult novels and The Perfect Find, which won the 2016 African American Literary Award for Best Fiction. The Brooklyn-based Williams served as beauty editor at Elle, Glamour and Essence magazines, and created the popular blog Shake Your Beauty. Set in contemporary New York, her vibrant new novel, Seven Days in June (Grand Central Publishing, June 2021), features two authors wary of falling in love after a false start in their teen years. Tender as well as laugh-out-loud funny, the story is steeped in the power of reinvention and explores why, when an old flame comes knocking, it's best not to ignore the call. You've said the inspiration behind Seven Days in June was Romeo and Juliet. How did you develop your main characters, Eva and Shane? Romeo and Juliet were huge inspirations for Eva and Shane! I really wanted to dive into the idea of dysfunctional teens as adults--what happens to them? Do you ever recover from childhood traumas? Does true love have an expiration date? How many totally functional-seeming, got-it-all-together adults are walking around with hidden pasts and tortured secrets? Eva and Shane were born out of these questions. Since all my protagonists are inspired by some dimension of my personality (lol)--and writing about what you know is, in fact, a great idea--Eva and I have a lot in common. (Full disclosure: I'm a writer and single mom of a 12-year-old living in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with lifelong, debilitating migraines and a mother who is Black Creole. But she's nothing like Eva's mother, Lizette!) Shane is off the charts sexy, as well as a phenomenally successful author. He's funny and romantic yet also divinely dark and broody. Do you know anyone like Shane? Shane was pure fantasy! I loved dreaming up a man who carefully constructs his life so that he has no ties whatsoever--and watching it all unravel as love creeps in. He's a combination of every misanthropic guy I've ever known--a grumpy, restless loner too wrapped up in their own misery to understand their selfishness. But I wanted him to have a big heart, and a past to explain it all. And growth! Eva's chronic migraines impact every single aspect of her life. What do you want readers to understand about this debilitating illness and the effort it takes to function despite severe pain? Living with chronic pain is something you're aware of every minute of every day of your life. It's louder than anything else in your world. Plus, it's invisible, so you're fighting a battle that most people don't see (or even believe). Migraines aren't headaches, they're full-body pain assaults. The courage it takes to push through regular activities--like walking up the stairs or brunching with friends or playing with your kid--is monumental. Truly, it's a battle not to just give up and stay in bed forever. Do you share Eva's French Louisiana Creole history and fear of water bugs? I do. WATER BUGS HAUNT MY DREAMS. And my mom is a Chevalier from Cane River, Louisiana--an extremely old, culturally vivid, gorgeous Creole town where everyone is related, and the roots are deep, deep, deep. There are only about seven to 10 last names there. And everyone can trace their lineage back to the same antebellum duo, a French plantation owner and the enslaved African woman who bore his children. It's a fascinating pocket of American history. A stunning love story, Seven Days in June also confronts the challenges of growing up in neglectful home environments without adults to turn to for guidance and support. To what extent is Shane's literary genius a byproduct of his unstable childhood? Shane was always alone, lost in his thoughts as a kid. He had no parental figures, or siblings or friends, it was just him against the world. I think that because he peered into the world as an outsider, it made him notice details about humanity that usually go unnoticed. Which is where his literary genius lies. And he's a romantic. Not in the flowers-and-chocolate way--in the way that he romanticizes the world. He took Eva's tracing the infinity sign on his skin to help him sleep and dreamt up a character called Eight. He sees everything. Eva's expertise at crafting steamy sex scenes in her books has nothing to do with her actual celibate life, a fact she has to hide from her adoring fans. That's a lot of pressure! I always wondered if George R.R. Martin was sick to death of the Starks. Or if Stephenie Meyer secretly loathed Bella and Edward. I thought it would be an interesting twist, having Eva write these sexed-up books with these fantastical characters beloved by the fandom--when, in reality, she hasn't had sex in years and actually wants her characters to die. The New York literary world as portrayed in Seven days in June is full of glamorous parties, social drama and fabulously dressed people. Is that what it was really like pre-pandemic? Well, I embellished a bit--but yes! Everyone definitely knows each other, and there are some hilarious, clever personalities. And endless gossip. Eva is surrounded by powerful, joyfully rendered female characters, her pre-teen daughter, Audre, among them. How do you see Eva and Audre's relationship changing as Shane enters their world and as Audre grows up? I definitely see their relationship growing and changing--now that a third person has joined their family, Audre and Eva's relationship has to shift. Audre is going to have to be comfortable with Eva having close "forever" ties with someone besides her. But, at the same time, as Audre gets older, she'll come into her own and start becoming more independent--and forging a life outside of the little bubble that she's created with her mom. You're in the exciting process of turning your novel The Perfect Find into a movie. Has the pandemic impacted the project? Yes! It's being made into a film for Netflix, starring Gabrielle Union. Covid has definitely put a pause on things, but it's going into production this year. Can't wait to see how it's brought to life for the big screen! --Shahina Piyarali CAMBRIDGE, Mass. When Samantha Maltais steps onto Harvards campus this fall, shell become the first member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe to attend its prestigious law school. Its a full-circle moment for the university and the Marthas Vineyard tribe, she says. More than 350 years ago, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, an Aquinnah Wampanoag man, became the first Native American to graduate from the Cambridge, Massachusetts, university the product of its 1650 charter calling for the education of English and Indian youth of this country. Coming from a tribal community in its backyard, Im hyper aware of Harvards impact, said Maltais, the 24-year-old daughter of her tribes chairwoman. Its a symbol of New Englands colonial past, this tool of assimilation that pushed Native Americans into the background in their own homelands. Maltais will arrive on campus at a time when Native American tribes, students and faculty are pushing the Ivy League institution and other colleges to do more for Indigenous communities to atone for past wrongs, much in the way states, municipalities and universities are weighing and, in some cases, already providing reparations for slavery and discrimination against Black people. All providers are vaccinating everyone ages 16 and older. To get an appointment through the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, go to aacounty.org/covidvax on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Thursdays at noon. Walk-ins are also welcome. Although this was proposed on the campaign trail, Biden hasn't yet made a strong push for this change, or for any other changes to Social Security since taking office. It's likely he will attempt to at some point during his term in office. After all, in his speech at the DNC, Biden not only indicated that Social Security was a sacred promise, but also gave his word he'd fight for the its future. "If I'm your president, we're going to protect Social Security and Medicare. You have my word," the president said. Of course, changes to Social Security are difficult, as Congress is closely divided and the president can't act alone. It's unclear whether the tax increase proposal -- or any other changes to Social Security -- could make it to Biden's desk. What Biden's quote made clear, though, is that he wants to protect the program. And time is running short for lawmakers in D.C. to find a way to do that. The $16,728 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) Growth in the services sector, where most Americans work, hit an all-time high in May as people flock to bars, restaurants and other venues across the country that now have fewer or no pandemic-related capacity restrictions. WAVERLY U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley praised Hy-Vee for incentivizing people to get the coronavirus vaccine, but said Iowa doesnt need a million-dollar lottery like Ohios to increase inoculations. Hy-Vee is offering $10 gift cards to those who get vaccinated through November 1 and administers the vaccine in its pharmacies. To get the next 10 or 20% of the people in America vaccinated, were gonna have to work a little harder, and I compliment Hy-Vee for helping us work a little harder, Grassley said during a stop at the Waverly Hy-Vee on Thursday afternoon. The seven-term senator had asymptomatic COVID-19 in 2020 and was later vaccinated. He came to the Waverly to thank the pharmacy employees personally for what theyve done during the COVID pandemic and also during the vaccine rollout, said Christina Gayman, director of public relations for Hy-Vee corporate. Grassley briefly toured the store before meeting privately with employees. Were at a point now in Iowa and throughout the nation where the percentage of people who are getting vaccinated on a weekly basis has decreased quite a bit, Gayman said. And so were hoping to provide some incentive for individuals to come on in and get vaccinated. SIOUX CITY -- A Bronson, Iowa, man is accused of binding, blindfolding and using homemade chloroform to abduct a South Sioux City woman who was later able to escape from a storage shed at his home. Zack Smith, 20, was arrested early Friday and booked into the Woodbury County Jail on charges of third-degree kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault while participating in a felony and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. His bond has been set at $250,000. South Sioux City police had begun an investigation into a missing person report Thursday morning after the woman's vehicle was found with her purse and cell phone inside and the windows down. Police contacted the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office to report that Smith was a suspect in the woman's kidnapping. Smith agreed to come to the sheriff's office after deputies located him at his rural Bronson home. Roughly two dozen people came to Mid-City Park for Sand's town hall, held under the cover of shade trees as the temperature hit the 90s. He rattled off several of the initiatives undertaken during his tenure and boasted that his office was able to "wake up the watchdog" (the watchdog being the auditor's office) and that "watchdogs are a little bit aggressive." Sand, who is flirting with a run for governor in 2022, accused Iowa's elected officials of stinginess with the more than $1 billion the state has in the bank, saying some of that money should have gone to rescue small businesses that failed during the pandemic. "750 restaurants alone, out of business. That's our tax base, those are people who pay taxes, they put their blood, their sweat, their tears into those businesses, they create jobs in their own communities, they created gathering places for people in small towns," Sand said. "To let them go out of business when we're sitting on $1 billion of their money, I think is an abdication of the responsibility of government. We're supposed to be there to serve people." Sand has said he likely with run for re-election as auditor or challenge Reynolds for governor in 2022. He seemingly ruled out a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley. "I want to be in Iowa, I've got a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old, I'm passionate about serving the state, don't really have any interest in D.C." he said Friday. Love 3 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 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. MEXICO CITY -- Mexican officials said Friday they will use 1 million U.S. doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine to inoculate people along the border. RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) A former Hanford contractor has agreed to pay about $3 million to settle allegations of fraud in reports to the federal government on its small business subcontracts. CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Co. had its costs for environmental cleanup at the nations most contaminated nuclear site near Richland, Washington, reimbursed by the federal government. The company was also eligible for incentive pay for awarding subcontracts to small businesses that the Small Business Administration designated as being in Historically Underutilized Business Zones. The investigation into CH2Ms small business subcontracting was the result of a 2014 lawsuit filed by Savage Logistics, a Richland small business now called Apogee Logistics, and owner Salina Savage. The latest complaint in the lawsuit alleged that CH2M knew that two of its subcontractors were not HUBZone businesses when it issued contracts to them, but falsely reported to the Department of Energy that they were. Jacobs Engineering, which purchased CH2M, including its Hanford contract in 2017, declined to comment, The Tri-City Herald reported. Argall cited one bill as a possibility. The bill, introduced in April by Sen. Bob Mensch, R-Montgomery, would commission the states independently elected auditor general Republican Timothy DeFoor to audit statistically significant samples from each county. A subsequent report would have to cover a couple dozen subjects, tailored to Republican gripes over the 2020 election, including reviewing how counties determined the eligibility of voters and ballots, used drop boxes to collect ballots, handled mail-in ballots received after polls closed and granted access to poll watchers. There's an enormous amount of election-related bills pending for the month of June, and this is one of them," Argall said. Mastriano, perhaps referencing Grove's dismissal, said in a Facebook video streamed Thursday that he might be satisfied with something less than a statewide audit. Im a bit disconcerted that someone has come out on our side, not even leaving open the idea of an audit," Mastriano said. "I dont know how we can get around it, but the people overwhelmingly want an audit. I think just a county or two would do. My preference would be a Democrat and a Republican county and let the chips fall where they may. PHILADELPHIA (AP) A Philadelphia judge will be suspended for six months after a state judicial panel ruled that her repeated, clearly improper conduct in Family Court was blatant and inexcusable. The ruling issued late Wednesday by the Court of Judicial Discipline also mandates that Common Pleas Court Judge Lyris Younge serve a probationary term for the rest of her tenure, which extends to 2026. She also will be barred from serving in Family Court and must write apology letters to the people the panel said she wronged. Younge was cited for illegally jailing parents, having parents handcuffed in her courtroom and insulting and belittling people who appeared before her. The court said the discipline was the harshest it had ever imposed without ordering a judge dismissed. Two judges on the panel signed onto a dissenting opinion saying Younges penalty wasnt stern enough. They said she should have been permanently removed for causing one disaster after another during her time on the bench. In one incident, she had a grandmother jailed because her adult daughter wouldnt turn her baby over to the Department of Human Services even though neither the daughter nor the infant was party to the matter before Younge. At the time, the goal was to create a stable tax environment for municipalities, and also to help employers by not requiring them to withhold taxes for employees working in a variety of places. The Senate version of the state's upcoming two-year budget extends this rule through the end of the year. But it would also allow employees still working remotely to retroactively apply for income tax refunds from their employers. Workers whose home offices are in communities with lower tax rates than their regular office could benefit, especially workers who live in unincorporated areas without income taxes like townships. In Akron, the city collected about $142 million in employee withholdings in 2019, with two of every three of those employees working in the city but living outside. Should the Senate proposal go forward, the city could suffer massive revenue declines, according to the Ohio Mayors Alliance. But more than big cities would be affected, the alliance argues. Dublin in suburban Columbusa traditionally well-off communitycould see a net revenue reduction of about $25 million, the alliance said. Considering the extremely high work-from-home rates in 2020, and in the early months of 2021, the potential fiscal impacts of refunds for these two years could be significant, Keary McCarthy, the alliance executive director, told the Senate Finance Committee Thursday. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. I feel like by restating that for one group and not another, it actually weakens our current policy. Because we have reinforced it in one place, and if our motto is that all means all, we should not have to restate policy to specify groups, Frank said. If youre not an LGBTQ student, then, do we reinforce those students as well? When does this end? Tobin also said Meade was not performing a mission" for the marshals at the time of the shooting. Relatives say Goodson was opening the door to his grandmothers house at the time he was shot. Officials said that a gun was recovered from the scene but have not provided further details. There was no body camera or cruiser dash cam video of the shooting. The case remains under criminal investigation by the U.S. attorney's office with help from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Meade has not been charged. Goodson's family is disappointed that Baldwin didn't fire Meade but his resignation provides a small sense of relief, Sean Walton, an attorney representing the Goodson family, said in a statement. Meade's sudden retirement shows that he understands that he is soon to be held accountable for his actions, and for Caseys family and for this entire community that day cannot come soon enough, Walton said. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) A Delaware man who shot three officers responding to a domestic violence call has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said Thursday. Wilmington police said officers went to an apartment in northwest Wilmington about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in response to a 911 call. As the officers entered the apartment, Bernard Goodwyn, 31, began shooting at them, striking all three, authorities said in a news release. The three officers were transported to the hospital in stable condition, and one was treated and released. Two of the officers have been with the department since 2014, and the third since 2018. With help from several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, police established a perimeter around the apartment building and tried over the course of about 12 hours to negotiate Goodwyns surrender. When officers made entry into the room where he was holed up Thursday morning, they found him dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. Goodwyn's body was taken to the medical examiner's office. Police said the gun he used was recovered at the scene. Through the long Memorial Day weekend, anyone who read the newspapers or watched television could not miss or be unmoved by it: Story after story after story of the fallen, of those who had given the "last full measure of devotion" to their country. Heart-rending is an apt description of those stories; and searing are the videos of those who survived and returned home without arms or legs. But the stories could not help but bring questions to mind. While the service and sacrifice were always honorable and often heroic, never to be forgotten, were the wars these soldiers were sent to fight and die in wise? Were they necessary? What became of the causes for which these Americans were sent to fight in the new century, with thousands to die and tens of thousands to come home with permanent wounds? And what became of the causes for which they were sent to fight? The longest war of this new century, the longest in our history, the defining "endless war" or "forever war" was Afghanistan. In 2001, we sent an army halfway around the world to exact retribution on al-Qaida for 9/11, an attack that rivaled Pearl Harbor in the numbers of dead and wounded Americans. The 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary election does not occur until May 10, more than 11 months from now, and Heineman does not need to be concerned about name recognition. "The one message I am getting from talking with people, including business, agricultural and community leaders, is that there's not a lot of interest in the governor's race now," Heineman said. After more than a year of isolation imposed by the pandemic, "people just want their lives back," he said. In addition to Herbster, University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen of Columbus is an announced candidate and already has been laying the groundwork for a campaign that appears likely to have the active support of Gov. Pete Ricketts. Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha is also expected to enter the race. Heineman became governor in January of 2005, when he stepped up from lieutenant governor to fill the vacancy created by Gov. Mike Johanns' resignation to become U.S. secretary of agriculture. In 2006, he was elected to a four-year term, after defeating Rep. Tom Osborne in a hotly contested Republican primary election. Heineman's 2010 reelection was a cakewalk, topped by a 230,000-vote victory in November. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowans have no right to a confidential telephone conversation with a lawyer prior to charges being filed, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday, dealing a blow to attorney-client privilege. The decision came in a case involving a Milford man arrested for drunken driving at nearly 3 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2019. Matthew Sewell was confronted with the choice of losing his driver's license or taking a breath test when he asked to talk privately with his attorney by phone. Police rejected his request and recorded the conversation, which the attorney abruptly ended when he learned it was being recorded. Sewell took the breath test, which indicated he exceeded the level allowed by Iowa law, he was booked into jail on a drunken driving charge and later convicted. He appealed the conviction, claiming his right to an attorney under state law and the Constitution was violated. A majority of the court concluded that the constitutional right to an attorney only applies to face-to-face meetings. The justices, in an opinion written by Edward Mansfield, said Iowa law specifies that a call to a lawyer shall be made in the presence of the person having custody of the one arrested or restrained." The court has said previously that the constitutional right to an attorney does not attach prior to the initiation of a case or prosecution. The Surry County Board of Commissioners has voted to remove 12 Coca-Cola vending machines from the county's office buildings because the company's chief executive officer criticized Georgia's new election law. Surry County, with a population of around 74,000, is north of Yadkin County on the Virginia border in northwest North Carolina. On May 17, the Republican commissioners voted 2-2, with one commissioner abstaining. Under the board's parliamentary rules, Commissioner Larry Johnson's vote to abstain counted as a "yes" vote because he didn't state a reason for abstaining, Commissioner Eddie Harris said. The commissioners' official vote tally was 3-2 to approve the ban, Harris said. "It's a reflection of corporate America trying to affect public policy," Harris told the Journal on Thursday. "These unelected CEOs are trying to change the political dynamics of this country." "And I don't think they should be able to do that," he said. "They need to stick to trying to sell their products and be more respectful to all of their customers." OMAHA, Neb. (AP) A prosecutor and a defense attorney in Nebraska have been reprimanded for a scheme reminiscent of the Wild West in which they told two convicted criminals to get out of town and never return. On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued public reprimands for Custer County Attorney Steven Bowers and Broken Bow defense attorney Christopher Wickham for carrying out the banishment plan. The high court said Bowers and Wickham violated rules of professional conduct and their oaths as attorneys. Under the plan brokered by Wickham and Bowers, the defense attorney advised his clients, who had been charged with felonies, to plead guilty then flee the state before sentencing, with the understanding that they would not return. Bowers, the prosecutor, agreed that if the men skipped out on their sentencing hearings and left the state, he would direct the county sheriff to not seek extradition to have them returned to Custer County, the high court said. Wickham and Bowers also schemed to seek a low bail for the men, so they could be freed before the sentencing hearings. The court's reprimand orders don't reveal the names of the men who were charged, what charges they pleaded to or when the scheme was carried out. SLAS Discovery's June issue on synthetic biology available now Oak Brook, IL - The June edition of SLAS Discovery features the cover article, "A Perspective on Synthetic Biology in Drug Discovery and Development--Current Impact and Future Opportunities" by Florian David, Ph.D. (Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden), Andrew M. Davis, Ph.D. (AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, UK). Michael Gossing, Ph.D., Martin A. Hayes, Ph.D., and Elvira Romero, Ph.D., and Louis H. Scott, Ph.D. (AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden), and Mark J. Wigglesworth, Ph.D. (AstraZeneca, London, England, UK). In January 2021, a survey of immunologists, infectious-disease researchers and virologists found that 90% of respondents believe SARS-CoV-2 will become endemic, continuing to circulate in pockets of the global population for years to come. Even as vaccines are becoming more widely available, there are people who either do not respond to the treatment or are not suitable for vaccination. There is a critical need to develop small molecule inhibitors for this pathogen. The cover article highlights the work of the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee (Dundee, Scotland, UK) reporting on the development of a high-throughput biochemical assay to assess the impact of small molecules on the methyltransferase activity of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14). This enzyme is responsible for the N7-methylation of the cap at the 5' end of viral RNA and is critical in helping coronaviruses evade host defenses. The label-free MS-based assay developed was used to screen a library of 1771 FDA-approved drugs. The chemical hits that were identified may serve as starting points for drug discovery programs aimed at delivering therapeutics for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The June issue of SLAS Discovery includes nine articles of original research. These include: Development and Validation of High-Content Analysis for Screening HDAC6-Selective Inhibitors In Vitro Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of HIV Latency Reversal by Novel HDAC Inhibitors Using an Automated Platform Identification and Kinetic Characterization of Serum- and Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase Inhibitors Using a Fluorescence Polarization-Based Assay Reducing False Positives through the Application of Fluorescence Lifetime Technology: A Comparative Study Using TYK2 Kinase as a Model System Biochemical and Cellular Profile of NIK Inhibitors with Long Residence Times A Novel High-Throughput FLIPR Tetra-Based Method for Capturing Highly Confluent Kinetic Data for Structure-Kinetic Relationship Guided Early Drug Discovery A Multipronged Screening Approach Targeting Inhibition of ETV6 PNT Domain Polymerization Unbiased High-Throughput Drug Combination Pilot Screening Identifies Synergistic Drug Combinations Effective against Patient-Derived and Drug-Resistant Melanoma Cell Lines Regenerable Biosensors for Small-Molecule Kinetic Characterization Using SPR Other articles include: A Perspective on Synthetic Biology in Drug Discovery and Development--Current Impact and Future Opportunities Public-Private Partnerships: Compound and Data Sharing in Drug Discovery and Development A High-Throughput RNA Displacement Assay for Screening SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 Complex Toward Developing Therapeutics for COVID-19 Development of a High-Throughput Assay to Identify Inhibitors of ENPP1 Access to June's SLAS Discovery issue is available at https:/ / journals. sagepub. com/ toc/ jbxb/ current . For more information about SLAS and its journals, visit https:/ / www. slas. org/ publications/ slas-discovery/ Access a "behind the scenes" look at the latest issue with SLAS Discovery Author Insights podcast. Tune in by visiting https:/ / www. buzzsprout. com/ 1099559 . ### SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building. SLAS Discovery: Advancing the Science of Drug Discovery, 2019 Impact Factor 2.195. Editor-in-Chief Robert M. Campbell, Ph.D., Twentyeight-Seven Therapeutics, Boston, MA (USA). SLAS Technology: Translating Life Sciences Innovation, 2019 Impact Factor 2.174. Editor-in-Chief Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Ph.D., National University of Singapore (Singapore). This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. At the same time, he does care about the public appearance of the Naval Academy, he said. Thats part of his position, and he knows there were some decisions made this year that did not put the academy in a positive light. LONDON (AP) European Union and British regulators opened dual antitrust investigations Friday into whether Facebook distorts competition in the classified advertising market by using data to compete unfairly against rival services. Ghosn was questioned about the financing of parties he threw at the Versailles Palace as the head of the Renault-Nissan car alliance. The French investigators, in cooperation with Lebanese judicial authorities, were also examining 11 million euros in spending on private planes and events arranged by a Dutch holding company, and subsidies to a car dealership in Oman. It was his opportunity to explain his positions, said Jean Yves Le Borgne, a member of Ghosn defense team. It has now happened and he is satisfied and happy. Still unresolved, of course, is the problem of the next step in this procedure, Le Borgne added. Ghosn has not so far been charged with anything in France, but could be, given preliminary accusations of fraud, corruption, money laundering, misuse of company assets, or aggravated breach of trust. Whether Ghosn could be charged or not by the French, Carlos Abou Jaoude, his Beirut-based lawyer, said Lebanese and French authorities have to determine what Ghosns status will be. Ghosn is campaigning to clear his name against multiple legal challenges in France after Japanese accusations triggered scrutiny of his activities there. He told the AP he had much more confidence in the French legal system than the Japanese system he had fled. He was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on accusations of financial misconduct and was kept in solitary confinement for months without being allowed to speak with his wife. He fled to Lebanon a year later in a dramatic escape that stunned the world. Meanwhile, several associates are in jail or on trial in Japan and Turkey, in cases related to his financial activities or escape. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A flight carrying 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from Japan touched down in Taiwan on Friday to help the vaccine-starved island fight its largest outbreak since the pandemic began. NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) Ethnically split Cyprus took a key step toward a return to its routine rhythms of life amid the pandemic on Friday when nine crossing points along a United Nations-controlled buffer zone were reopened, enabling ordinary Cypriots to cross the divide. Bindi Irwin has praised her parents love as the stuff of miracles. The 22-year-old conservationist took to social media on Friday (04.06.21) to heap praise on her parents mother Terri Irwin, and late father Steve Irwin on what would have been their 29th wedding anniversary. She wrote alongside a throwback image of the couple: Soulmates. Happy Anniversary to my sweetheart parents. Your love is the stuff of miracles. (sic) And Terri who wed Steve in 1992 seemed touched by her daughters words, as she took to the comments to thank Bindi for her post. She commented: "Thank you @BindiIrwin. Today marks 29 years since I married your dad. He was a lot of amazing things, but most of all he was fun. Really, truly fun! (sic) Bindi's brother Robert Irwin, 17, also paid tribute to his mother and father. Posting a photo of Steve with a broken foot being pushed in a wheelbarrow by Terri, the teenager wrote: "Happy anniversary, Mum and Dad. (This is my favourite photo ever). (sic) The Crocodile Hunter star tragically passed away in 2006 when he was pierced through the heart by a stingray barb while filming a documentary. From January through October of every year, tennis star Sloane Stephens is in a different city competing. Based out of Florida, she visits her mother in Los Angeles as often as she can and also checks in on the Sloane Stephens Foundation, which utilizes education and tennis to uplift vulnerable children. I honestly dont remember where exactly (my first tennis tournament was), but I do remember that I had a lot of fun and met friends that I grew close to and continued to see at tournaments, Sloane said from Paris, where she was competing in the French Open. That positive first experience with tennis is why I stuck with it. That is the type of environment we create with the kids at the Sloane Stephens Foundation. We give you all the tools to take tennis as far as you want, but the most important thing is that you are finding a pathway to be healthy, happy and have a positive experience. Stephens who serves on the WTA Players Council stays in touch with fans on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sloanestephens/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/SloaneStephens) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Sloaneposts). She replied: At the moment the services are to be phased in over a five-year period. So as the county moves into hiring each individual stations EMS personnel and we take over that station will be standard with every other station that we already operate. The New Climate War by Michael E. Mann - our reviews Posted on 4 June 2021 by BaerbelW , timo, jg Since its publication in January 2021, several members from our team have read Michael E. Mann's latest book "The New Climate War". This blog post contains our reviews as well as the recording of a book reading from a side event at the Leipzig Book Fair. Forewarned is forearmed - Barbel Winkler Michael Manns book is essential reading for anybody who doesnt accidentally want to fall for the latest tricks utilized by the fossil fuel industry and other groups heavily invested in the status quo. He shines the spotlight on the various underhanded tactics with which these vested interests and inactivists try to drive a wedge into the climate movement or try to shift the blame for the climate crisis from them to us as consumers. Once you know what to be on the lookout for, youll no longer fall prey to these methods and can also call them out when you see others falling for them, who havent been made aware of the tactics yet. Forewarned is forearmed as the saying goes! Michael Mann also offers hope as he sees outright climate science denial on the way out, basically fighting rearguard skirmishes as the evidence for human-caused global warming is more and more in front of everybodys eyes, making it ever harder to deny. Even though theres obviously urgency needed to tackle the climate crisis hes nonetheless hopeful that we can do it because we also have the agency to act, meaning that we already have most of the needed options in our toolbox with which we can set ourselves on a path to wean ourselves from fossil fuels. What we have to make sure to not lose sight of that task however, is to all be aware of the tactics applied by the various breeds of inactivists like the downplayers, deflectors, delayers, dividers, and doomers. Michael Manns book is a great help with that! Review published on Amazon.de on May 22, 2021. The book that is desperately needed in our times - Timo Lubitz Mike Mann has done it again. After having published splendid The Madhouse Effect in 2016, the renowned climate scientist again takes on the most pressing issue of our times: Climate Change! The New Climate War draws a brutally honest picture of the state our planet is in. Wildfires, melting ice caps, heat waves, floods. This has been long foreseen by climate scientists, but politicians did rarely act on it in order to prevent the worsening situation. Furthermore, the fossil fuel industry is fighting for its survival by leading attacks on climate science and scientists. They invest lots of money into think tanks, from where they spew misinformation on the topic. Leading politicians in turn try themselves in diversion: What about the other countries? They should go first, before we have to act! And what about the consumers, they should consume less energy or emission producing goods. And what in God's name - about the economy? These distraction tactics are versatile and effective. But if one knows how to spot and how to identify them, it becomes much easier to refute the attacks. Mike Mann's new book gives the reader a handy set of tools to identify misinformation and counter these attacks on climate science. And this is much needed... Because its not the time to give up. We are not doomed yet, as some people like to put it in order to not be required to act. There is still time to act against climate change, but we need to act now. And reading this book can be a first step. Review published on Amazon.de on January 12. Recognize the new tactics from the old agenda - John Garrett In the past few years, I fell under the impression that opposition to the message from climate science had waned. I was wrong. This book's greatest benefit to me was teaching me that climate inactivists had migrated rather than disappeared. As a result of reading the book, I now recognize in my own conversations the delay and distraction tactics Mann describes in The New Climate War. Here's an exercise I recommend: Read the book, and then make a thoughtful and respectful public comment on the merits of restraining our greenhouse gas emissions. Next, examine the backlash for tactics described in this book. I made such a comment on my state senator's social media and got the gamut of accusations from wind-turbined bird killer to energy hypocrite. All of these hostile replies were textbook examples anticipated in Mann's book. While The New Climate War is about organized tactics to delay action on regulating fossil fuel emissions, its lessons apply to other events. For example, I hadn't thought about deflection much till I read about it in The New Climate War. This tactic has been in use in public advertising for 60 years and is still in use today, especially after the incident at the US Capital on Jan. 6, 2021. Much of this book's engaging quality comes from Mann's writing style, such as ending paragraphs with ironic one-liners. Admittedly, the irony appeals more to people who do follow main stream science on matters like climate change. Since I follow the science, I'm familiar with at least 2/3rds of the persons cited in the book. I wondered if others could benefit from a who's who glossary, to sort out all the names and affiliations, but as I kept reading, I realized the ideal target audience is someone like me who has followed climate science, is familiar with anti-science propaganda, and is willing to use the book's footnotes. I read an online copy, and quickly bought the print version because I find print easier for examining the footnotes, which are excellent. I had expected the book to return to one idea posed in the beginning, that the Russian support for Trump was all about protecting oil's value, but since this is speculative, I'm happy with that being left as an activity for the reader. Review published on Amazon.com on May 29. Book reading and discussion at "Leipzig liest extra" On May 27, 2021 Michael Mann read from his book during a side event focused on climate topics of the Leipzig Book Fair which could only take place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the reading the host Heike Wex from Scientists for Future discussed the book's contents with Michael Mann and then opened it up to the participants of the Zoom call. Here is the recording of the event: Bottom line: we wholeheartedly recommend reading this book! Have you read "The New Climate War"? Leave your review in the comments! Punk may be having a momentfrom the punk aesthetics of the new Disney movie Cruella to the grunge influences of Olivia Rodrigos debut album. And if youve spent time on social media over the past few weeks, youve likely run into a more surprising member of the punk scene: a band of girls who have taken the whole country by storm with just one viral video. The half-Asian, half-Latinx punk band is made up of sisters Mila and Lucia, their cousin Eloise, and their close friend Bela (each of whom is between the ages of 10 and 16). Together, the Linda Lindasnamed after a classic Japanese punk song by the Blue Heartshave been steadily rising in popularity, playing dozens of shows throughout the citys major punk venuesfrom Chinatown to East L.A.and making a name for themselves in local community music scenes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since forming in 2018, the girls have also played with several feminist punk legends, including riot grrrl band Bikini Kill, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (whom radio station KQED cites as a mentor for the band), and L.A.s own Violence Girl Alice Bag of the Bags, a quintessential punk band that was instrumental in creating L.A.s very first punk scenes, back in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the past year alone, the Linda Lindas have even had their music featured in two films: the Amy Poehlerdirected Netflix movie Moxie, where they cameo as a local middle school group and cover Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill & Big Mouth by the Muffs, and The Claudia Kishi Club, a short Netflix documentary about the Baby-Sitters Club character, for which they wrote an original song. Advertisement Sign up for the Slate Culture Newsletter The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox. 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. After a live performance of another original track, the punchy Racist, Sexist Boy, went viral after it was posted on the Los Angeles Public Librarys Twitter account on May 20, the quartet suddenly landed both a new, larger fanbase and a record deal. The Linda Lindas signed to Epitaph Records, an independent punk record label known for signing prominent groups like Green Day, Bring Me the Horizon, Weezer, and L7. Advertisement When Mila, 10, and Eloise, 13, wrote Racist, Sexist Boy, they were responding to an experience Mila had in school at the beginning of the pandemic: A boy came up to her and said that his dad had warned him to stay away from Chinese people. After I told him I was Chinese, he backed away from me, Mila explains in the viral video, where the band performs the song at an AAPI heritage month celebration event held in a library in L.A.. Advertisement I actually talked to Mila right after that incident she had with that little boy, Bag, who has known the Linda Linda girls for a couple of years now, told Slate. And she was telling me about it and she was saying, Im gonna write song about it. This [song] is about him and all the other racist, sexist boys in this world, Eloise shouts at the start of the video. After a countdown from Mila, the drummer, the band breaks out into the sludgy, thumping track, with Eloises cutting vocals piercing through the empty library. In the tradition of the outspoken feminist punk bands that inspired them, the Linda Lindas Racist, Sexist Boy unabashedly calls out injustice amid crashing drums and power chords. Advertisement Advertisement Don't mess with The Linda Lindas. Watch the full concert: https://t.co/Usv7HJ1lLR pic.twitter.com/pKZ5TKDdiA L.A. Public Library (@LAPublicLibrary) May 20, 2021 The Los Angeles Public Librarys video of the bands performance has since garnered more than 4 million views on the platform. Soon, other, even bigger names caught wind of the group and started spreading the love too. Tweeting a video of the Linda Lindas Rebel Girl and Big Mouth covers, Paramores Hayley Williams wrote, The Linda Lindas have been one of my fav new punk bands since about the time they came out of the womb. Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello also took to Twitter to praise the Linda Lindas and call Racist, Sexist Boy the song of the day. Advertisement Advertisement I think [their fearlessness] is very much in the tradition of some of the bands that came out of the Eastside in the early 80s, Betty Avila, the executive director of Self Help Graphics, a creative and mutual aid space dedicated to serving young people and people of color in East L.A., told Slate in a recent interview about the Linda Lindas seemingly sudden wave of success. Self Helps space was also once the home of the Vex, an all-ages punk club and influential hub for young punk rockers of color, especially Latinx artists, since it opened in 1980; it closed in 1983. Avila has maintained the organizations connections to L.A.s diverse punk scenes ever since. The punk culture at the Vex, built up by bands like Chicanx punk groups Los Illegals and the Zeros (nicknamed the Mexican Ramones), was widely influential and went on to attract a broader, more recognizable swath of artists: Prominent rock bands like Bad Religion (whose guitarist owns Epitaph), Meat Puppets, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers played the venue in the early 80s. Advertisement Elsewhere, in neighborhoods like Hollywood and Chinatown, groups like the Alley Cats, who were fronted by Asian bassist and vocalist Dianne Chai, and the Bagsboth of whom were known for their intense, powerhouse performanceswere helping to further establish the scene as a space for nonmale or nonwhite leads. In Hollywood, bands would play venues like the Masque and the iconic Whisky a Go Go, and in Chinatown, punk rockers found some of the scenes most influential venues in the form of Asian restaurants. Through the late 70s and early 80s, places like Hong Kong Cafe, where the Bags frequently played, and Madame Wongswhere both the Bags and the Alley Cats were banned from due to their rambunctious audiencesbecame the fabric of a music scene whose legacy would eventually give way to the Linda Lindas own beginnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concerts held at places like the Vex and Hong Kong Cafe were hugely formative for L.A. punks, both as artists and fans. Even if these names may not strike you as familiar, many of those who remember these earlier days of punk agree that, in large part, it was people of color, immigrants, and otherwise marginalized communities who gave birth to L.A. punk. It was only in the early 1990s, as punk became increasingly mainstream and commodified thanks to huge bands like Green Day and the Offspring, that the genre earned its persisting reputation as it began to be categorized as predominantly white and male. Punk was no longer subverting the gendered, racialized power dynamics that the earliest punk bands in L.A. were trying to dismantle; its biggest, best-known bands were upholding them. Advertisement I want to make sure that people dont paint the L.A. punk scene as being a white, male scene because it never was, Bag said of L.A. punks origins. It was always inclusive, and it was created by, not only open to, but created by women and queers and people of color. When Alice Bag first met the Linda Lindas, she was performing an all-ages show in Chinatown as part of the Save Music in Chinatown concert series in 2018. Founded by Martin Wong, Eloises dad, the ongoing effort is made up of all-ages DIY punk rock matinee fundraisers dedicated to raising money for the music program at Castelar Elementary in Chinatown, where Eloise went to school. Heavily invested in the spirit of Chinatowns expansive punk legacy, Wong would bring together artists from all across L.A. to playfrom those who had been playing in Chinatowns iconic punk venues from the beginning, like Alice Bag, to newcomers like his daughters band, the Linda Lindas. Advertisement Advertisement When Bag met her, Eloise was handing out handmade coupons to the shows performers as a thank-you for their time. Rather than entitle them to drinks at the house bar like most performers playing small venues are used to, these tickets could be redeemed for cookies and hot chocolate. Bag found this endearing, and soon afterward, Bag was captivated when she saw Eloise and the rest of her band perform. I think they were just kind of feeling their way into playing shows, and then they got such a tremendous response because they were actually really good, even at their first show, Bag recalled. I feel totally connected to what theyre doing. I do feel like its the next generation of punk rock. Advertisement For Avila, who says she first heard about the band from Alice Bag around when the Linda Lindas were set to open up for Bikini Kill back in 2019, its songs like Racist, Sexist Boy that tie the Linda Lindas so directly to the punk tradition. Theyre speaking to their own lived experience, and thats why its resonating for so many people, Avila said. And I think thats what punk is about, too. Advertisement Indeed, the punk bands of the 70s and 80s would often use their platforms in similar ways, whether it was Los Illegals singing about the deportation of frontman Willie Herons stepfather or Alice Bag singing about her personal strife in Gluttony. Advertisement Punk really caught on because it was raw, Bag said. It was honest. It was unique. And it was an open door for people who hadnt had role models before. In a May 25 interview with Pitchforks Cat Zhang about the bands sudden national attention, Mila echoed this assessment: We like [punk] because its anything you want it to be. Whats next for the Linda Lindas? The girls have said that they will be using this summer to prepare for future live shows. Theyll also write as much as possible for the follow-up to their debut, self-titled EP of originals that they released in December. And now that they have a venerated label in Epitaph behind them, the Linda Lindas are primed to take serious advantage of their growing success. On Thursday, they performed their first late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!. They played, unsurprisingly, Racist, Sexist Boy. Advertisement I feel that the world is ready to support and hold up this band of rebellious, kind, empathetic, zero-tolerance-for-bullshit girls, Avila said. Bags added: Punks are very excited about the Linda Lindas. Slate has relationships with various online retailers. If you buy something through our links, Slate may earn an affiliate commission. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. All prices were up to date at the time of publication. Nancy Jo Sales has been reporting on womens experience of the internet since well before people were aware of the unique dangers it posed. A longtime writer for Vanity Fair, in 2015 she published the book American Girls: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers, which detailed the negative effects of the internet on teenage girls, including cyberbullying and sexism. That same year, she wrote a piece titled Tinder and the Dawn of the Dating Apocalypse about the chilling reality of online datinghow its sold as something that can help people find love or at least a relationship, yet many women in particular have negative, even dangerous experiences instead, feeling objectified and powerless. What popular platforms like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble were really doing, Sales found, was commodifying hookup culture and blocking people from forming real connections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The piece went viral, but Sales faced a lot of criticism for the article, both from Tinder and from other publications. She was dismissed for inciting a moral panic and called naive; she also was the subject of ageist comments that she was too old to properly understand the internet, dismissing the credibility of her analysis. But she kept reporting anyway. In 2018, she wrote, produced, and directed a documentary about dating apps called Swiped: Hooking Up in the Digital Age, and now shes released Nothing Personal: My Secret Life in the Dating App Inferno, a memoir that details her own experiences with online dating while she was reporting on it. Its a vulnerable, in-depth look at her own life, career, and some of the trauma and abuse she suffered. Its not just a memoir, though. Throughout the book, Sales weaves in a thoroughly researched and reported analysis of sexism, technology, and dating, and she also makes a much bigger argument: that dating apps have exacerbated misogyny. Dating apps did not invent misogyny, but they weaponized it, she writes. Advertisement Now that were in a period of increased skepticism of technology and social media, Sales urges that dating apps also be held to account for the ways they are endangering women, people of color, and trans people. Following the release of Nothing Personal, we discussed what inspired her to return to the subject of online dating in the internet age and exactly how and why sexism, racism and transphobia propagate on dating apps. Advertisement The following conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Aliya Chaudhry: Youve been writing about how young women live their lives online for a long time. What made you want to return to the subject with Nothing Personal? Nancy Jo Sales: It was [inspired by] the feeling and the knowledge that even with all Ive been trying to say and report, this discussion still has not made it into the mainstream. The mainstream media tends to portray online dating as something really fun and cute. The overall sense of [mainstream] reporting does not take into account the harm that is coming to women, to people of color, and to LGBTQ people through harassing messages, unsolicited images, and even sexual assault and rape of womenand men too. Advertisement There have been murders, and you do not hear about this in the mainstream media I felt like I wanted to continue to talk about this because after [Swiped] came out in 2018, I was getting emails and DMs, from people, especially women, saying, Thank you for saying this. This is not being talked about enough. Were being told this lie. These companies are lying to us, exploiting us, getting us addicted, getting us hooked, but were not able to actually share our true experience. Advertisement In my 2015 article about online dating, Justin Garcia at the Kinsey Institute said that this is an unprecedented moment in mating. This hasnt happened in 10 to 15,000 years, since the agricultural revolution. And its happening so fast. Whenever there are big shifts like that, theres enormous potential for people to be exploited. But theres also potential for people to seize the reins and take charge of their own liberation. Advertisement Sign up for the Slate Culture Newsletter The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox. 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. How do dating apps amplify misogyny and sexism? Starting with the male gaze, women are objectified through the publishing and posting of pictures in this game of Hot or Not, whereby men get to decide, is she fuckable, or is she not? Some people do say, well, the same thing happens to men; women decide too. But you dont have to be a feminist scholar to see why its different if its a man than if its a woman, because our whole culture is set up to objectify [women]. And then [objectification] is weaponized by the fact that now in dating, there is a split second by which a man gets to say, Are you hot or are you not? In tech theory, they talk about how behaviors affect attitudes. Just by doing this one behavior of swiping on females faces and bodies and deciding in that split second whether or not theres someone you want to have sex with or date, youre being conditioned to believe that its OK to do that, thats acceptable behavior, to treat women that way, as objects. Advertisement Advertisement I think dating apps are rape culture. Rape culture is described as those things which support a culture in which rape is excused, enabled, encouraged or minimized. The National Crime Agency of the U.K. did a study in 2016, which was only a few years after heterosexual mobile dating appeared. It said that there had been a 450 percent rise in sexual assault and rape in the U.K. related to online dating. And they attributed this to a new kind of sexual offender. Hes a guy who normally is less likely to actually have any history of sexual assault, but he starts online dating. The way that the apps are presented to him makes him think that they guarantee him sex. So when he goes on a date with someone, or even talks to someone, and she is not immediately willing to have sex with him, he feels that she is not living up to the bargain of the app, which is that he will get sex from her. And he can become potentially violent in his insistence on sex happening. Advertisement There was a ProPublica story about the high incidence of rape. More than 30 percent of [a group of] 1,200 women who have used online dating over the last 15 years said that they had experienced some kind of sexual assault, and 50 percent of those experiences were rape. Its just [happening] in astronomical numbers, which are not talked about enough. Advertisement Advertisement I read about a study done in 2018 at Cornell that said that dating app algorithms are racist, and they encourage racism in the broader world. Theyre also transphobic. Trans people have just terrible, terrible experiences on these apps. And they do talk about it, but theyre not listened to enough. Can you explain more about the kinds of discriminationlike racism and transphobiataking place throughout online dating? Advertisement A trans person Ive interviewed over the years told me about horrible things that are said to them, because they have trans in their profile. People say things to them, question them, ask uncomfortable questions, say harassing things, come onto them, say uncomfortable things that are not right and that a person wouldnt say in person. You can see peoples names now, on most apps, but for all intents and purposes, online dating is still pretty anonymous. The [anonymity of] these things and communicating through screens makes people more aggressive, and they will say things that are just not acceptable in any place, but theyre very assaultive. And people do this to people of color as well. Advertisement They will even write in their profile such things asI hate to even say it, it makes me sick to even say itbut theyll say no Blacks, or fat shaming things like no fats, body shaming things, no Asians, no Africans. This is not OK. This should not be allowed. And they get away with it because the apps say, well, its a sexual preference. Im sorry. Its not. I dont accept that. Its racism. Its not a sexual preference to have on your profile no Blacks. You should be immediately kicked off that app. Advertisement The algorithms are racist themselves. The Cornell study from 2018 shows how they are set up to send people to the people of their own race that they may have swiped on the most. And this, I would argue, reinforces racism in real life. Chemistry is not something you can ever predict. The magic of love and dating and romance is the chemistry that you feel for someone you might have never even expected. Now, some people say, Well, you can do that on a dating app, too. Its so random. Its not random. Theres nothing about it thats random. Its all algorithms. The algorithms are not random. Advertisement They have Chispa for Latinx people, and they have BlackPeopleMeet for Black people. But Ive heard from people who use these apps that there are also a lot of white people on there being racist. One thing that really shocked me when I read your book was that minors are on these apps, and the apps are just not addressing it. Yes, thats been a problem from the beginning. 2013 is when I did my first story about girls and social media. I went to the Grove in L.A. and started talking to this girl, and she told me about Tinder. The app had just come out. She took her phone out of her purse and started to show [Tinder] to me, and she started swiping, showing me how it worked. She was 16, and she was talking to 30-year-old guys. Because at that time, 13-to-17-year-olds could be on the app. They were only supposed to be talking to each other at that time, but still, if you are a parent or a teacher, or anyone who deals with kids, you know that 13-year-olds should not be talking to 17-year-olds. Thats a big difference. They could jump over and talk to older people too. Plus now, to this day, they still make fake profiles and go on these apps. And to this day, you have rapes and sexual assaults. Advertisement Advertisement Finally now, there is some kind of congressional investigation about it. That sounds good. I hope that they really hold these apps accountable for this because there needs to be age checks. The apps dont want to do it, because it will cost them more money. But they have to have some way of verifying the ages of people on these apps. You cannot have underage kids and children on these apps. Its just too dangerous. And its not just that they might get raped, but they might be drawn into some really inappropriate conversation, or have things said to them that are harmful or hurtful and make them feel bad or make them question things in a way that they shouldnt have to confront at this stage of their lives. Late last month, Americans learned of the latest twist in the efforts of death penalty states to keep their execution machinery running when the Guardian revealed Arizonas plan to revive the gas chamber. This news followed on the heels of continuing moves by the states Republican officeholders to resume putting inmates to death after a seven-year hiatus. Arizona stopped executions after the botched lethal injection of Joseph Wood in 2014. Wood died after two hours during which time he was injected with a total of 750 mg of midazolam and hydromorphone, 15 times the amount specified in the states execution protocol. His death was just one of many such gruesome spectacles that have marked lethal injections recent history. Advertisement The plan to add death by hydrogen cyanide, the same gas (also known as Zyklon B) used by the Nazis at Auschwitz, reveals the lengths to which proponents of capital punishment will go to keep the machinery of death running. And adding the gas chamber to lethal injection as an approved method of execution ignores the ugly truth of the gas chambers own gruesome history. Advertisement Advertisement It is ironic that Arizona, of all states, would take this step, since in 1999 it carried out the last, and one of the most horrifying, executions by lethal gas. Eye witnesses to the killing of Walter LaGrand, who had been sentenced to die for a 1982 robbery and murder, reported that LaGrand suffered greatly as he choked and gagged for more than 18 minutes before he died. 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. Like many of this countrys now discredited methods of execution, the gas chamber was introduced with great fanfare as an alternative to the grisly business of hanging. At the start of the 20th century, supporters of capital punishment said that it would produce quick and painless death. Typical was the testimony of Dr. J. Chris Lange, who told the Pennsylvania Medical Society, which was reviewing the states execution methods, that death by lethal gas would insure that [d]eath will happen quickly after the gas ascends to a level with the mouth and nose of the prisoner. It will leave the criminal little more to dread of the future than the common lot of all mankind. While Pennsylvania did not end up adopting the gas chamber, 11 other states did so. Advertisement Advertisement In 1921, Nevada became the first state to authorize the gas chamber. The Nevada lawin line with the most advanced thinking of the timecalled for executions to take place while the condemned was asleep. Death row inmates were to be housed in air-tight, leak-proof cells, separate from other prisoners. On the day of execution, valves would be opened that would fill the chamber with gas, killing the prisoner painlessly. By the time Nevada carried out its first execution by lethal gas in 1924, the original idea of gassing an inmate in his cell while he slept had been abandoned. Instead, an old stone and concrete building in the prison yardpreviously the prison barbershopwas converted into a specially designed gas chamber. It was fitted with pipes, an exhaust fan, and glass windows on the front and back walls for witness viewing. Perhaps most importantly, the room where the gas would be used was insulated in order to be leak-proof. Advertisement Though Nevadas early uses of lethal gas were not unproblematic, favorable news coverage, along with concerted efforts by opponents of hanging, led other states to adopt lethal gas over the next two decades. After the hanging of Eva Dugan in 1930 resulted in a beheading, Arizona became the first state to follow Nevadas lead by replacing the gallows with the gas chamber. Colorado soon did the same. In 1935, North Carolina and Wyoming constructed their own gas chambers. The year 1937 saw three more statesCalifornia, Missouri, and Oregonadopt lethal gas as their sole method of execution. During the 1950s, Mississippi, Maryland, and New Mexico all began using lethal gas. Advertisement From 1890 to 2010 a total of 593 of Americas 8,776 executions were carried out by using the gas chamber. My examination of those executions reveals that 32 of those, or 5.4 percent, were botched, making the gas chamber the second most unreliable execution method (exceeded only by lethal injection) used in that period. Advertisement Like LaGrands execution, death in the gas chamber often came only after a prolonged period in which the condemned struggled to breathe, convulsed, turned blue, and jerked their heads around desperately searching for fresh air. The gas chamber received renewed scrutiny in the aftermath of World War II. The recognition of the role played by lethal gas in the Holocaust led many nations to reconsider the death penalty and the gas chamber. But in the United States, gassings continued, with 211 of them carried out between 1950 and 1979. Nonetheless, executions by gas continued to encounter problems. After the war, Californias gas chamber became known worldwide after a series of botched executions and highly publicized legal battles. In 1953, Leandress Rileys execution garnered a great deal of attention when he went to his death fighting. After attempting suicide, he was finally subdued, handcuffed, and dragged into the gas chamber. Riley somehow managed to get free from the chairs straps. When the gas finally entered the chamber, Riley held his breath for many minutes before allowing himself to begin to die. Advertisement Only a few years later, Caryl Chessman garnered public and celebrity support in his efforts to escape Californias gas chamber. Chessman wrote a bestselling memoir about his time on death row and managed his own legal proceedings from prison. When his 1960 execution was botched, antideath penalty campaigns around the world erupted in anger. The eventual demise of the gas chamber came as death penalty proponents, propelled in part by its frequent problems, sought new alternatives. Although lethal gas had once been touted as a progressive, humane, and painless method of execution, the gas chamber had a relatively short life. It was used as the sole method of execution in several states only, from 1924 to 1977. By the time of LaGrands 1999 execution, the gas chamber had become a relic of the past, in large part because of its inability to deliver on its promise to offer a safe, reliable, and humane method of execution that would leave the criminal little more to dread of the future than the common lot of all mankind. The lessons of history suggest that the gas chamber is not the solution to the continuing problems plaguing Americas death penalty. Arizona should learn from that history rather than risk repeating it. At an event marking the centennial of the Tulsa Massacre on Tuesday, President Joe Biden once again offered his support for two voting rights bills that Democrats in Congress are trying to pass: the For the People Act (known as H.R. 1 in the House and S.B. 1 in the Senate) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Critically, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has given an end-of-June deadline for bringing S.B. 1 to the Senate floor. Advertisement Both bills seek to expand equitable access to the polls. Both bills also aim to counteract the widespread assault on voting rights coming from Republican state legislatures, where hundreds of voter restriction bills have been proposed. In a number of states with full Republican control of the state government, like Florida and Georgia, these bills are now law. Advertisement Advertisement Given this reality, both the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act have been portrayed as essential to preserving a right to vote that is under its greatest assault in decades. But with the current politics of the filibuster and staunch Republican opposition in the Senate, both bills at the moment face a steep uphill climb to passage. What are the differences between the two bills, which elements are actually essential to protecting the right to vote, which might be sacrificed if it means gaining difficult passage in the Senate, and which portions have the best chance of winning over key holdouts? Democrats are going to have to try to answer these questions in the weeks ahead, and experts are torn on whether there is room for changes to both pieces of legislation and the potential dangers to modifying or dumping either bill. Advertisement Where the John Lewis Voting Right Act is a small, targeted fix towards one aspect of voting rights, the For the People Act represents expansive and largely unprecedented democracy reform. The original Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark piece of Civil Rights legislation, required states with a history of racial discrimination in their voting practices to obtain preclearanceor approval from the Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for D.C.before changing any of their voting laws or practices. The law was meant to prevent racial discrimination from historically bad actors at the height of Jim Crow and it largely succeeded. In the 2013 case Shelby County v. Holder, though, the Supreme Court overrode these preclearance rules in a 5-4 decision along ideological lines. Advertisement Advertisement The John Lewis Voting Rights Act aims to restore those preclearance provisions and the full scope of the original Voting Rights Act. According to Guy-Uriel Charles, a professor of law at Duke University, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act can be thought of as primarily concerned with racial discrimination in voting. Given that various pieces of Republican state voting legislation have been shown to have disparate impacts on Black voters in particular, forcing states to seek approval before enacting discriminatory policies would have no small impact. The For the People Act, on the other hand, would go beyond the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to nationalize key voting practices and reform key elements of the campaign finance system. The bill has four main sections. The first section contains specific provisions which would serve to protect voters from the restrictive voting laws passed by Republicans, such as requiring that each state provide automatic voter registration for federal elections. This section also includes the Disability Voting Rights Act, which would guarantee the right for people with disabilities to use absentee voting, and the John Lewiss Voter Empowerment Act, which would, among other things, modernize voter registration protocols. The second section deals with partisan gerrymandering, both outlawing it and outlining a specific set of rules on how redistricting should be done, including requiring that states do so through an independent commission that is equal parts Republican, Democrat, and independent. The third focuses primarily on targeting the power of money and big corporations in Washington by increasing the transparency of political donations and advertising (by requiring that groups who make large donations to political campaigns reveal their donor lists) and amplifying the impact of small donors through donation matching programs and more stringent campaign contribution limits. Lastly, the For the People Act introduces a variety of ethics and election security provisionssuch as providing funds for states to perform risk-limiting auditsall of which would help secure future elections from the wholly unfounded claims of fraud that colored the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the more specific practices outlined in the For the People Actmany of which have already proven successful on the state levelinclude limiting voter roll purges, requiring both automatic and same-day voter registration, restoring voting rights to all previously incarcerated felons who have completed their sentence, and requiring at least two weeks of early voting. These requirements reverse moves by Republican lawmakers to limit voting in battleground states like Florida, where Jim Crow-esque restrictions by the GOP-controlled legislature have meant that hundreds of thousands of previously incarcerated felons have yet to regain the right to vote despite an amendment to enfranchise former felons passing with the support of 65 percent of Florida voters in 2018. Advertisement Only one Republican, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, has indicated she might support a version of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, while opposition to the For the People Act is uniform in the GOP conference. The Voting Rights Act, at least, did not used to be a partisan issuein 2006, a Republican-controlled Congress and former President George W. Bush extended the original Voting Rights Act (with all its provisions) for 25 years. While all the provisions in the For the People Act work to protect voting rights, some experts, like Richard Hasen, a professor of law at the University of California, Irvine, believe that a smaller billwhere, in theory, Democrats would remove some of provisions in order to make it more palatable to congressional Republicans, or perhaps centrist Democratic Sen. Joe Manchinwould be more likely to pass. Advertisement Advertisement A more pinpointed law, including one restoring a key part of the Voting Rights Act, could make it out of the Senate to guarantee voting rights protections for all in the 2022 and 2024 elections, he said in a Washington Post op-ed. Hasen argues that some of the bills provisions, like its rules on campaign finance reform and public financing, are part of a wish list of progressive proposals that make it unlikely to survive debate in the Senate, and should be jettisoned in order to make the bill more passable. Instead, Hasen believes Congress should prioritize reinstating the preclearance provision of the original Voting Rights Act, require that states offer online voter registration and at least two weeks of early voting (whether by mail or in person) for federal elections, and require that states use voting machines that produce a piece of paper to be used for any potential recounts. Another provision Hasen argues for keeping is the requirement for states to use nonpartisan or bipartisan commissions in redistricting so as to prevent partisan gerrymandering. Advertisement Ending the scourge of partisanship in redistricting will not only assure that members of Congress are more representative of the will of the voters, he writes, it will also help to create the conditions where candidates appeal to the center and are less driven by partisanship. Advertisement Advertisement Hasen is not alone. Certain political pundits have also advocated for introducing a skinny For the People Act. Shrinking the bill, though, seems unlikely to move enough members of an obstinate Republican conference to overcome a filibuster, others argue, and sacrifices important reforms. The core strategy of Republicans in Congress is to block democracy reformbecause the core strategy of the Republicans in the states is to do everything they can to make it harder for Democrats to vote and have their votes count equally, Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig wrote on Thursday. Advertisement Ultimately, passage for either bill is likely to come down to Democrats willingness to modify the filibuster in the Senate. With a 50-50 tie broken by Vice President Kamala Harris (who recently took lead on the issue of voting rights), Democrats will almost certainly need every member of their caucus to support such a move to pass either bill. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Manchin of West Virginia, though, have repeatedly signaled their opposition to breaking the filibuster and their desire for a bipartisan approach where none appears able to succeed. Manchin has indicated that he could endorse a version of the Voting Rights Act that extends preclearance to every state, rather than just those that have shown a history of discriminatory practice, but as Charles and Lawrence Lessig have argued in Slate, such an approach has a serious risk to falter in the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Imagining a statute that says, Okay, were going to subject all the states to preclearance, whether youre really bad, whether youre perfectly fine, whether youre in the middle, all of you are going to be subject to preclearance, Charles said, the probability that the court will uphold that type of preclearance regime I dont think is extremely high. Even in its current state, where it requires preclearance only for states that have shown at least 15 voting rights violations in the last 25 years, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act is at least somewhat susceptible to the same court arguments that gutted the original Voting Rights Act in Shelby County. The For the People Act actually stands on more solid legal footing, but as Lessig told me about the probability of getting one passed over the other, I dont see any difference. Both require getting past the filibuster. Hong Kong authorities deployed thousands of police Friday to enforce a ban in the city on commemorating the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in China. Police arrested an organizer of the yearly vigil, which until last year drew tens of thousands of demonstrators, in yet another display of Chinas growing control over the former British colony. For the past three decades, thousands of people in Hong Kong would make a yearly pilgrimage on June 4 to the citys Victoria Park to commemorate the anniversary of the pro-democracy protests organized by Chinese students in Tiananmen Square that led to the Chinese government sending troops to disperse the gathering, opening fire on protesters, and killing thousands. Advertisement Hong Kong police have locked down Victoria Park, the traditional site for the annual #June4 vigil commemorating Chinas 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. The government has banned the event, citing #Covid19 concerns # #pic.twitter.com/m5QiV68jpf Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) June 4, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement The annual Hong Kong remembrance has doubled as a pro-democracy movement in the city and continued even after the handover of the former British colony back to China in 1997 under the one country, two systems principle that enshrined the citys autonomy until 2047. Over the past several years, however, Beijing has taken dramatic steps to rein in Hong Kong, prompting widespread protests on the streets of the city in 2019. Beijings once creeping influence in Hong Kong crystallized with a National Security Law passed on June 30, 2020 that essentially treated Hong Kong residents like the rest of China. Advertisement Last June, the Hong Kong Tiananmen event was banned for the first time under the pretense of the pandemic, but several thousand still attended. This years event, however, is the first to fall under the new, draconian national security provisions that stifle many of the freedoms that the city had maintained, including free speech and the ability to protest. Advertisement Police cordon off an area in Hong Kongs Causeway Bay district where an annual #June4 vigil is usually held. Thousands of police have been deployed on the anniversary of Chinas 1989 Tiananmen crackdown pic.twitter.com/r6Y7tx9vyU # # Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) June 4, 2021 Hong Kongs Security Bureau issued a ban on any June 4 gathering, declaring that relevant meetings and procession are unauthorized assemblies and that taking part in an unauthorized assembly is liable to a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment; advertising or publicizing an unauthorized assembly is liable to a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment. Police confirmed the arrest of activist Chow Hang Tung, one of the events organizers, for promoting what an unauthorized event. A 20-year-old food delivery man was also arrested for publicizing the event on social media. On Thursday, the Washington Post reported that the FBI was investigating Trump-holdover Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for an alleged illegal campaign finance scheme from before his time in government. DeJoy became infamous last year when he ordered wide-scale changes to the U.S. Postal Service that greatly deteriorated service at around the time that his benefactor, Donald Trump, was publicly promising to sabotage the Postal Service to try to stymie the pandemic-inspired movement toward universal mail-in voting. After the uproar, enough service was restored and the election went on smoothly enough that millions of voters cast their ballots by mail, and those votes accounted for Joe Bidens victory over Trump. Advertisement Less well publicized, though, than the great Postal Service slowdown of 2020 and the overlapping election controversy was DeJoys role as a major Republican donor prior to his government serviceand a possible illegal straw donor scheme he allegedly orchestrated during that time. The Washington Post first reported in September on allegations by former employees of DeJoys company that he pressured workers to donate to Republican causes and then reimbursed them via bonuses. All of this would be a clear violation of the law, and it is what the Department of Justice is reportedly investigating now after local law enforcement in North Carolina in April said it would not be moving forward with the case. 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. Theres one major hitch, though. The Post investigation was only able to report on sources willing to describe an alleged straw donor scheme that began in 2000 and ran till 2014, the year DeJoy sold his company New Breed Logistics to XPO Logistics. The issue is: Theres a five-year statute of limitations on this particular campaign finance crime, so any offenses would have had to be committed after summer 2016 in order to prosecute. Advertisement Unless DeJoys offenses extended beyond the period that the Post covered, that statute of limitations will be difficult to get around. In civil law, the statute of limitations can be equitably tolled, or delayed for various obscure reasons. In criminal law, though, this is much less common. As Lindsey Powell wrote in the American Criminal Law Review in 2008, there is a general absence of equitable tolling principles under the federal criminal limitations regime. Under criminal law, she writes, statutes of limitations begin to run from the completion of the offense and are tolled by the filing of an indictment or information. The main criminal tolling principles involve a suspect fleeing from justice, which is not the case for DeJoy. Advertisement How then might federal prosecutors be able to charge DeJoy for alleged involvement in such a straw donor scheme? Again, they would have to find criminal activity that extended into the summer of 2016. According to multiple sources, though, finding such activity as part of a complex conspiracy such as the one alleged by the Post is actually quite plausible. Advertisement Before the Post reported on DeJoys alleged scheme, Rep. Jim Cooper asked him point-blank during sworn congressional testimony if he had paid back several of your top executives for contributing to Trumps campaign by bonusing or rewarding them? DeJoy forcefully denied it. Cooper then said he was merely trying to ensure that all campaign contributions were legal, and DeJoy responded, Im fully aware of legal campaign contributions, and I resent the assertion, sir. Advertisement In an interview shortly after that testimony, I asked Cooper why he hadnt asked about the period extending prior to Trumps 2015 run, as DeJoys denial might technically not be a lie if he didnt continue the scheme after he sold the company. Cooper told me that he believed it was possible the scheme was ongoing even after 2014. Although he was not the CEO of his own company New Breed in 2016, he was a highly compensated and very important employee of XPO, and I think he ran his own division, Cooper told me. And I dont know exactly how much responsibility he had, but my guess is when you run your own division, you get to recommend pay and bonus levels. So it remains to be seen exactly what happened at XPO. Advertisement Advertisement These are the areas that any FBI investigations will presumably delve intoDeJoy himself has already been issued a subpoena, according to the Post. Indeed, in its reporting on the FBI investigation, the Post noted a report from the Campaign Legal Center advocacy group that indicated the behavior may have extended past the time the Post initially reported: Between 2015 and 2018, the group alleged, campaign finance records showed several instances of XPO employees contributing to the same candidate or committee, during the same period of time, and often in similar amounts, and that DeJoy family members, including DeJoys college-aged children, also made contributions on the same day or in the same period as those employees. Between 2015 and 2018, XPO Logistics employees and DeJoy family members following this pattern together gave over $150,000 to the same candidates and committees, including over $50,000 to Trump Victory, President Donald Trumps joint fundraising committee, the group alleged. Advertisement Miriam Baer, a professor at Brooklyn Law School and former criminal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, also sees potential avenues for the Department of Justice investigation. Baer says: Conspiracies can be continuing offenses, so for example if part of the straw donor scheme is that the donor is pressured to make a contribution but gets the money back some time later, I would think that a prosecutor would argueand I think successfullythat the scheme lasts as long as it takes for the person to get their money back. In other words, if its a straw donor scheme and we will repay you for the donation we coerced you to make then you can say that the repayment is part of the scheme, so if the repayment occurs within five years, I think you could make a pretty strong argument that the scheme is still ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Given that DeJoys former human resources director, David Young, told the Post that the repayment as part of the straw donor scheme covered the tax and everything else, this possibly could extend that payment period from the election year to the year after, when taxes would have been paid on any of the bonuses. Additionally, Baer said, any effort DeJoy may have made to influence underlings after the fact to deny involvement in the scheme could add obstruction of justice charges that would be within the statute of limitations. What about DeJoys testimony before Congress indignantly denying that he had taken part in any Trump-related straw donor scheme? Could that open the door to perjury charges? Experts say that perjury is a very difficult case to make, which would make it unlikely here. Advertisement It is one of the hardest crimes to prove and some would say rightfully, Baer says. We dont want to punish people for answering questions that are themselves imprecise. A good defense attorney would be able to parse Coopers questions and DeJoys answers and say that question was imprecise or DeJoys response was technically answering correctly, Baer notes. But if elements of the straw donor scheme or efforts to cover it up extended into the summer of 2016 and beyond, then proving perjury would be entirely unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Given the leeway that the Biden DOJ has shown to Trump and his former officials so far, one wonders if DeJoy had merely decided to tuck his tail between his legs and retreat from public life following Trumps defeat, he might have avoided further criminal scrutiny. Because of the quirks of the USPS board of governors system, though, he has been allowed to remain in office and decided to stick it out to push through his plans for slower service and higher prices. If federal prosecutors can prove that DeJoys alleged criminal behavior extended into the Trump era, that decision could prove very costly indeed. When the Senate broke for recess ahead of Memorial Day weekendimmediately after Senate Republicans filibustered legislation that would have established an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riotSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a letter to his Democratic colleagues about the grind that awaited them when they returned on June 7. Senate Democrats are doing everything we can to move legislation in a bipartisan way when and where the opportunity exists, Schumer wrote. But we will not wait for months and months to pass meaningful legislation that delivers real results for the American people. Looking ahead, the June work period will be extremely challenging. I want to be clear that the next few weeks will be hard and will test our resolve as a Congress and a conference. Among the challenging items Schumer said they would consider were the Paycheck Fairness Act and LGBTQ equality legislation, potential gun safety legislation, and S. 1, the For the People Act, Democrats all-encompassing election and voting rights legislation. 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. To the naked eye, it might appear that the Senate agenda this year has been to hopscotch from place to place with no real destination, all while seconds tick off the clock of the brittle Democratic governing trifecta. But since Senate Democrats completed their early work of confirming Cabinet nominees, holding an impeachment trial, and passing COVID relief legislation, theres been a throughline connecting the work. The schedule has been organized as a steady uphill progression to identify the limit of bipartisanship. June is designed to be the month they reach it, forcing a caucus conversation about opening the Senate rulebook. Democrats started off with the easy stuff, just to show what a bipartisan Senate process looks like. The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, to bolster federal investigations of crimes targeting Asian Americans, passed the Senate nearly unanimously after some haggling on amendments. (When it reached the House, 62 Republicans voted against it.) The Senate then passed, by another near-unanimous vote, a water infrastructure bill. Advertisement The bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, supposed to be the next easiest thingits about keeping up with China!earned two weeks of precious floor time and votes on nearly two dozen amendments. It still hasnt passed, however, because the most open Senate process on major legislation in years still smelled a little fishy to Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who wants the bill killed when the Senate resumes consideration. Advertisement Schumers emphasis on putting bipartisan legislation on the floor this spring was an effort to show not just Republicans, but my colleagues as well, that we mean were serious that we want to do bipartisanship when we can, as Schumer told Ezra Klein in a late April interview. Theres a real desire on some of my members to try everything they can to preserve that bipartisanship. They believe its very, very important for the future of the country. Advertisement During the same period, various Democrats were deputized to find out whether they could reach bipartisan agreement with Republicans on other agenda items. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy has been working with Texas Sen. John Cornyn, among others, about gun legislation. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and House Rep. Karen Bass have been working with South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott on police reform. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin has been trying to figure out if theres anything bipartisan that can be achieved on immigration. Some of these negotiations have been serious and arent worth ruling out just yet. The only pursuit for bipartisanship thats been an outright joke, meanwhile, is West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchins quest for a deal on voting rights. So far, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowskiwhos opposed, like all Republicans, and with no wiggle room, to the For the People Actis the only Republican who would support legislation to restore a crucial element of the Voting Rights Act that the Supreme Court gutted in 2013. [Update, June 6, 2021, at 9:56 p.m.: Update: Manchin reiterated in an op-ed this weekend that he would not vote for the For the People Act, would not vote to weaken or eliminate the filibuster, and would prefer to work with Republicans to pass a restoration of the Voting Rights Act.] Advertisement Advertisement Schumer has organized the schedule so that his caucus will know by the end of the month which elements of the Democratic agenda that could be filibusteredBidens spending plans on jobs and families, which can be passed by a majority through reconciliation if needed, are on another trackwill be filibustered. Theyll know where deals can be made, and where they cannot. And theyll have to decide, as a caucus, if theyre willing to live with that or not. The goal over the next few weeks is to turn the abstract discussion about Senate tradition and constructive bipartisanship into a set of concrete questions: Which of the partys priorities are too important to abandon, if Mitch McConnell refuses to go along with them? What specific sacrificesequality, gun safety, voting rightsare Democratic senators prepared to make in the name of preserving the filibuster? They want us to work in a bipartisan way, Schumer told Klein when asked about the two most steadfast Democratic supporters of the filibuster, Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Well, what happens when the bipartisan way doesnt work, if it doesnt? Then, the choice is starker, and we have to see how that evolves. Erika Thompson is dressed in an open denim button-down, with her hair hanging loose around her face, as she reaches with her bare hands into a swarm of bees. She scoops handfuls of the beeswho have made their home on an umbrellacasually moving them into a new hive. At one point, she mentions that she happens to have a queen bee on her personshe pulls it out of her pocket, presenting the bees in their new home with their new ruler. Advertisement Its a typical viral TikTok video for Thompson, Texas beekeeper, who has amassed 6 million followers on her account, @texasbeeworks, by posting videos of herself moving entire hives for people who have discovered bees taking up residence in an unlikely spot. She does it while wearing absolutely no protective equipmenta method that has created some buzzing criticism from at least one other TikTok beekeeper, who accused Thompson of setting a dangerous precedent. Advertisement Advertisement Slate spoke to two beekeepers, Michael Bush, who has been beekeeping for 47 years and runs his own annual bee camp (which Thompson once attended), and Michelle Boerst, who became a master beekeeper through Texas A&M five years ago, about their own experiences beekeeping and the reaction to Thompsons videos. Their responses to our questions have been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Sofia Andrade: Is it OK to handle bees and hives without protective equipment, like Thompson does? Michael Bush: People have been doing it from the beginning of time until now. People have been doing it in videos since videos existed. You know, theres a naked beekeeper out there on YouTube that does all his beekeeping stark naked. [Even the naked beekeeper, though, recommends a hat and veil.] Now personally, I would rather wear equipment, and Id recommend people wear equipment, because you can certainly have an accident and suddenly things change very quickly. Michelle Boerst: To me, it would be like approaching a strange dog. I do not know that animals behavior. I would not approach it, dog, cat, any animal that I did not have experience with without taking some sort of precaution. I would take precautionary care no matter what animal I was approaching. Advertisement Advertisement Now, my own bees are the same as my own pets. I know in my 60 hives which ones are sweet. I know which ones I could bring someone over, and with maybe a veil and some gloves, I can open that hive and share my bees with that person. Bee colonies have a personality just like any other animal. Thompson claims she can read the bees behavior. Can you really do that? Bush: You figure that out pretty quickly. If youve got really ferocious bees, you wont be in the middle of it when you figure that out. It will be pretty much that way from the beginning. Maybe I cant tell by looking at them, but I can sure tell by how they respond. Advertisement Boerst: Ill give you an example: Today, a lady had a compost bin and she had a beehive that had moved in. Theyve been there about a week. Im getting ready to post the video about it on TikTok. [Heres Boersts own TikTok page.] They stayed calm. I lifted up the compost. I approached it, they did come at me. I could read their behavior. I lifted up the compost bin, they didnt fly at me, they didnt look at me, they didnt notice me. I lifted the lid, they didnt come at me. I put my hand in there and they didnt touch me. It was the nicest, sweetest, little, gentlest hive Id ever seen. Advertisement Advertisement I still put on my gear because Im using tools. Im using a knife. I want to wear gloves because I dont want to accidentally put my hand out and squish a bee and it stings me. You can read their behavior and you can kind of figure it out as you go. But theres steps and precautions. Plus, bees can have changes in behavior, just like a surly teenager. Ive heard you shouldnt handle beehives while you have dark clothes on, because it can make them aggressive. Is that true? Bush: Bees tend to dislike dark colors more than light colors. But I wear blue jeans most of the time. Thats a dark color. Theyre usually not stinging me. Sometimes I wear white pants because it seems like a better plan. But generally, I just dont get around to it. Advertisement Boerst: Beekeeper suits are white for a reason. I mean, were filthy. Theyre not doing it because its smart in any other way, but because its calmer for the bees. Im filthy from head to toe in my bee suit because its white. They dont like wool socks either, for some reason. So just certain things theyre not a fan of. Advertisement Theres a video where Thompson keeps a queen in her pocket when moving a swarm. That seems a little dangerous. Bush: I have a queen in my pocket almost every day so I wouldnt say so. Pretty often, I have a whole pocket full of queens. Does it have its risks? Sure. Bees start discovering that and I can end up with a pocket full of bees, as well as a pocket full of queens. But thats not so much a risk as it is when I go to take the bees out. If I take my gloves off, Im liable to pinch a bee in there and get stung. Advertisement Boerst: We all have queens all over us in our pockets. When I do a swarm, the first thing I try to do is find the queen and put her in a little clip so that all the bees will follow her right in the box. I imagine you get stung a lot as a beekeeper? Most people think that bees are just cruising around looking for someone to sting. Michael Bush Bush: My standard answer is, You mean today? Because most days I get stung. I mean Im gonna be going to bee colonies from sunup to sundown most days. Is that the end of the world? No, not at all. In fact, I really miss it in the winter, because Im not getting in the beehives and my knees actually feel a lot better if I get stung on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boerst: Oh sure, even with a suit and all kinds of stuff. I dont get a reaction anymore. Now its just like mosquito bites and they fade in a couple of hours and its no issue. Thompson said that she couldnt eat bananas before going out to the bees because it smells like a pheromone they release. Do you avoid them, too? Bush: It occurred to me one day that I never eat bananas anymore. I didnt know why. And then after I thought about it, I realized thats probably why, because it smells like the alarm pheromone. It really does. Its the exact same. Boerst: So, the smell of the alarm pheromone that bees release when they want to let the colony know that there is a danger, to the human nose, smells like bananas. Theres a myth that if you eat bananas youre going out there and youre putting off the pheromone that smells like bananas to the bees that are already on alert. I dont think theres are any scientific experiments around that. I think its OK to eat bananas. Some people even feed bananas to their bees! So I would stand in my bee yard and eat a banana, no problem. Advertisement Do you think its dangerous to model that you can beekeep without protective gear, as Thompson does in her videos? Bush: I think it serves a purpose: Most people think that bees are just cruising around looking for someone to sting. And the fact that shes doing this with no equipment at all totally changes their perspective. So from an educational point of view, I think its important that people see that bees are not trying to kill. Boerst: I do [think its a little dangerous]. I think that you can do simple removals in videos, and it looks very easy. It looks very doable by the average person. And I dont think that all honeybee colonies are that easily extracted, with such nice bees Advertisement What do you think people need to know about beekeeping? Bush: Its addicting. Dont start! Theyll take over your life. Ive been addicted for 47 years. I can list a lot of people whose bees took over their life. And that definitely wasnt their plan. Boerst: Beekeeping is awesome. Everybody should try it. I absolutely think if you want to do it, you should go for it, and you should never be afraid. I think that you should begin and get a relationship with your bees. I think you should start with protective gear. If you want a garden hive in your backyard, get one. Have beautiful gentle bees. Whatever your goal is, whatever your experience level is, theres a bee for every person. I had heard about the human remains found on a regular basis at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, bodies of migrants who died trying to cross the Sonoran Desert. I had seen the interactive death map of southern Arizona, where red dots light up throughout the park grounds. So when I saw the group of large birds circling overhead, a bit further down my hiking trail, I braced myself for what I was about to find. But it was not a dead bodyit was an abandoned encampment, with four camo backpacks that had been left there and torn apart by animals. What remained was a heap of trash, blown about by the desert winds. The site itself was a seasonal oasis in the wash along my trail, a little enclave protected by tall palo verde trees and bigger rocks that offered more cover than the rest of the exposed surroundings. The parking lot for the trail I was planning to hike was less than 500 feet away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon closer inspection, I found empty plastic wrapperschips, nuts, cookiesseveral rolls of toilet paper, tubes of toothpaste that had been pecked apart by bird beaks, and black plastic water jugs, the dead giveaway that the backpacks came from south of the border. Such old Clorox bottles, painted black in factories so that they dont reflect light, can be found all over the park. I decided to pick up one of the backpacks, which was heavier than I expected. Though birds and other animals had already torn parts of it open, I unzipped one of the intact compartments and discovered a full, unopened jar of mayonnaise inside. In the main compartment, another roll of toilet paper. The whole scene looked even dirtier and more chaotic because of white guano all over the rocks, courtesy of the birds circling overhead. Advertisement I later reported this to a park ranger in hopes that the trash would be collected immediately, but I learned that this encampment was not unique or even remarkable. Litter is one of the biggest environmental consequences of border activity at Organ Pipe. There are abandoned camps everywhere, and the park service cannot keep up with cleaning them up. They have become a normal part of life at this park. Some are in the most remote areas, where visitors dont usually venture, while others, like the one I found, are very close to pickup spots like trailhead parking lots. Advertisement The irony is that tighter border securityin the form of an increase in the number of agents in the field, better surveillance technologies, a taller border wall, and so ondoes nothing to decrease the amount of trash left behind. On the contrary: The more that border crossers have to prepare for a long tripoften made longer because part of Border Patrols job is precisely to push them into those more remote areas of the park, in an effort to discourage crossings in generalthe more they take with them, and the more trash is left behind. Organ Pipe is not the only park experiencing an explicitly border-related litter problem. Coronado National Memorial has a couple of piles of litter so big, in one of its least accessible, highest locations that is routinely used as a resting spot, that they will have to be airlifted out, according to Jessica Garcia, the parks physical scientist. (She and the other park service employees quoted in this piece are speaking for themselves, not the National Park Service.) Advertisement Advertisement Many of the objects left behind have been manufactured for crossing in particular and must be shed toward the end of the trip in order for migrants to avoid being identified as such. Matt Stoffolano, chief ranger at Coronado, speaks of a cottage industry that produces the gear that coyotesas human traffickers on the Southern border are commonly calleddistribute to migrants, their paying clients. This includes backpacks, camo clothing, the blackened water bottles, and carpet-soled coverings to be worn over ones shoes in order to keep from leaving footprints in the dirt. The gear is becoming increasingly sophisticated, as is the knowledge of how to prepare and where to go, including where to possibly find water and where to campall improvements in response to heightened border security, and all with ever more dramatic effects on the desert wilderness. Advertisement But the biggest and most potentially disastrous consequence of this litter crisis has yet to show itself. It is intimately related to the border wall that runs through both Organ Pipe and Coronado, and the hydrological challenges it poses. If the 2021 monsoon rains yield more water than last yearthe driest year on recordthe litter will be pushed to the wall by the flooding and collect there. In conjunction with loose vegetative material, it will create nothing less than a dam, stopping the water, which normally flows north to south through the floodgates the wall has been equipped with. What that will look like, the damage it will do to the parks, and how the park service will respond all remains to be seen. This is a situation that the National Park Service has never encountered before, and thus no protocol exists for how to prepare for it, according to Rijk Morawe, chief of resources at Organ Pipe. For now, what border litter shows us is that the migration crisis inside Arizonas park service units cannot be neatly divided into two halves, a humanitarian crisis and an environmental one. In Organ Pipe and Coronado, these problems are intimately related, and will require unprecedentedly complex solutions, more complex than increased patrolling, better surveillance equipment, and taller fencing. Because one thing is for sure: The rains are coming. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Shivers said the disparities still exist based on statistics she found from the census, Pew Research and other sites. For instance, she shared that in 2018, 86% of Black Americans had a high school diploma, as well as 90% of white Americans. However, only 25% of Black Americans receive a higher education degrees, while 35% of white people received those same degrees. Shiver added Black people are three times as likely to live in poverty than white people. 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. Facebook announced on Friday that it will extend the suspension of former President Donald Trump to at least two years from when the platform initially froze his Facebook and Instagram accounts on Jan. 7. The company also released new enforcement rules for public figures during periods of civil unrest and ongoing violence. Violators of the new policy can be blocked for one month, six months, one year, or two years, and further rule-breaking behavior that occurs after an account is reinstated will result in heightened penalties, including permanent removal. At the end of Trumps two-year suspension, Facebook says it will assess whether the accounts could still pose a risk to public safety and may end up extending the penalty until the threat is gone. Given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Mr. Trumps suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols, wrote Nick Clegg, Facebooks VP of global affairs, in the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Facebook is making several other modifications to its moderation and enforcement policies as well. Perhaps the most significant change has to do with its newsworthiness allowance, an exception Facebook makes to content it deems newsworthy even if the post would otherwise violate its standards. Facebook will no longer presume that content posted by politicians is inherently newsworthy, a practice that has shielded Trump and other leaders from moderation in the past. We will simply apply our newsworthiness balancing test in the same way to all content, measuring whether the public interest value of the content outweighs the potential risk of harm by leaving it up, Clegg wrote. Facebook pledged that it will begin publicly disclosing the rare instances in which the platform does invoke the newsworthiness allowance. The platform also unveiled details about its strike system, clarifying the statute of limitations for offending posts and instances in which a single strike could lead to an account deactivation, as is the case with child pornography. Advertisement Facebook first suspended Trumps account for 24 hours on Jan. 6 in response to two posts he sent out during the Capitol Riot. One was a post reading, These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love in peace. Remember this day forever! The other was a video addressed to the rioters in which he said, We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. Youre very special. The next day, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the suspension would continue until at least after Inauguration Day due to his belief that Trump was intent on undermining the peaceful and lawful transition of power. After the inauguration of President Joe Biden, Clegg said that Facebook was referring Trumps suspension to the companys independent Oversight Board, a group of 20 academics, activists, and journalists that makes rulings on controversial moderation cases and functions as a sort of supreme court for the social network. Last month, the Oversight Board upheld Facebooks initial decision to block the former president in the midst of the riot, but also found that issuing in indefinite suspension without clear enforcement guidelines was inappropriate. The board demanded that Facebook come up with a clearly defined penalty, suggesting options like a time-bound suspension period or permanent removal from the platform. After Facebook announced the details of its time-bound penalty on Friday, the board tweeted that it was reviewing the decision. Advertisement Advertisement In contrast to Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat permanently banned Trumps accounts in January. YouTube has indicated it will allow Trump back on the platform once the threat of violence has subsided, and Twitch indefinitely disabled his account. Trump began using a knock-off Twitter platform that was made for his website in May, but it left a lot to be desired, as he was the only person who could post and it was riddled with bugs. After the initial launch, traffic to the blog seemed to dwindle; people were sharing his posts on Facebook fewer than 2,000 times per day. The Washington Post reported that Trump was unhappy that people were mocking his blog. He ended up shutting the blog down on Wednesday, a mere 29 days after it had started. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. LOUP COUNTY A hundred-year-old barn cant contain all the family memories Sandra Mann has acquired and inherited. Its not the original barn on her late husbands 1904 North Loup River ranch. The first burned down one day in 1921 after his paternal grandfather and maternal great-grandfather finished lunch. They looked back and saw the smoke rising behind them. The barn was enveloped in flames when they got back to the farmstead about halfway between Taylor and Burwell. One smoked a pipe, the other cigarettes, so no one knew the culprit, says Mann, 75, an Arthur County native, retired English teacher and writer of two novels drawn from her life across the Sandhills. Nothing to do but rebuild. An homage to Gaylord Allen Mann and Peter Goehring rebuilt, of course. Their descendants, the late Gaylord Manns cousins, marked the new barns centennial at the ranch this past weekend during their biennial family reunion. The barn hadnt been cleaned out and cleaned up in a long time. So Sandra Mann, holed up like so many by COVID-19, began the task last Aug. 27. She found the detritus of generations. Oh, my gosh, they were keepers, she said. Im a tosser. (But) I did keep the things that were worthwhile. She finished on April Fools Day, setting up the barn to tell stories through old farm and ranch tools, horse tack and saddles, family mementos and rediscovered treasures. It was really like an homage to Gaylord, she said. He died at age 69 on Jan. 27, 2016, in the living room of the house he built for them after moving from Ogallala to his familys Loup County spread in 1988. He loved the past, and he loved construction, Sandra Mann said. You can look at this house. He was always a perfectionist, and he wanted everything to look just right. They had been sitting before the fireplace, with a snowstorm coming, talking about their next move with their Black Angus and crossbred cattle. And all of a sudden, he just made a sound and was gone, she said. He was in the midst of health and the midst of living. And then he was not. It was hard on those of us left behind, but it was a wonderful exit for him. His birthday was right around the corner, on March 9. He had told me he was going to ranch until he was 70 and then he was going to retire. He quit a little early. Sandhills daughter Their parting came more than 47 years into their marriage and 50 after they met in Rodeo Club at Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney). Sandra had gone there out of Arthur County High School in 1963. Brother Gary Helmer still ranches her familys spread four miles east and a mile south of Arthur, in the vast western Sandhills where water mostly runs under the land, not through it. Mother Darlene (Soehl) Helmer, the youngest of 10, grew up two miles farther south. Shes the subject of Promisers Big, Manns second novel, published two years after Corporate Cowboy (2006) described a horse-loving Sandhills native lost in the big-city office world. Theres a Sandhills spirit that is unlike any other quality, she said. I dont know what it is. I love the people. I guess its a pioneering spirit. And their sense of humor is so funny its so realistic, but kind of wry and a little bit twisted. Morbid at times. And yet you laugh through the morbidity. Manns mother taught in Arthur for 42 years. Father Parmer Red Helmer only made it through 10th grade because he had to help on the ranch. But he was probably the most well-read men Ive ever known, she said. He read voraciously. My father and I shared a passion for reading. We read in front of the radio, we read in front of the television. My sister was an English teacher, and I always knew I wanted to be an English teacher. 5-paragraph essays Manns interest in things English went beyond the language. British medieval literature, Shakespeare and research I just have a passion for that. So after two years as a Kearney State graduate instructor she picked up her masters degree in 1969 those were the subjects she typically taught in high schools in Hyannis (1969-75), Ogallala (1975-89) and Broken Bow (1989-2000). She insisted her students master the classic five-paragraph essay form. Introduce your topic and state your thesis in the first. Present and develop at least three supporting points in the middle. Summarize and get out in the last. Shed have her students write essays on aspects of Shakespeares plays one semester, then have them apply the five-paragraph form in large scale in the next with a multisourced, college-level research paper on subjects they chose. When I went to college, I didnt know how to write, Mann said. I swore none of my students would ever leave my classes not feeling they didnt know how to write. When home called Gaylord Mann, a Burwell High School graduate, majored in industrial arts education at Kearney. He taught industrial arts at Hyannis and ran his construction business in Ogallala. He and Sandra acquired the current homesite in 1988, when it was time for Gaylord to rejoin his father, Glen, and eventually take over the ranch operation. He built this house. He was just an absolute genius, Sandra said as visiting youngest son Grant, 40, listened and added details. Grant, now an electrician, helped his dad. But Gaylord did everything, Sandra said. He set the trusses himself. He did the sheetrock, the plumbing. The home place, its west wing shaped like a barn, sits on a few acres the couple bought south of the historic ranch. The original homestead sat farther southwest, Grant Mann said. Glen Mann died in 2001, three years before the ranch founded by John Mann Allens brother and Glens uncle received the Aksarben Foundations Pioneer Farm Award for 100 years of continuous ownership by one family. Tough to retire Sandra and Gaylord Mann raised hogs until the rise of large confinements two decades ago made that line impractical. She still raises quarter horses, a Helmer tradition she brought from Arthur County. It wasnt until after Gaylords death that Sandra finally made her professional retirement more or less stick. She retired from the Broken Bow schools in 2000 but then spent four years as Adams Land & Cattle Co.s leadership coordinator, setting up a GED program for its employees and teaching Mid-Plains Community College night classes. Then she joined Loup County High School in Taylor as its drug and alcohol prevention coordinator. She also worked with students on success strategies until retiring again. And I also got to teach seventh-grade English, said Mann, who still occasionally substitute-teaches in Taylor. Most of the Mann Ranchs 1,600 acres are leased out for grazing. But she co-owns cattle with oldest child Stacey herself a teacher and son-in-law Todd Adamson at their Cherry County ranch near Cody. Middle child Mitchell Mann runs a Firestone tire dealership in Davenport, Iowa. Grant lives in Alliance and recently joined Viaero Wireless there. Mann has 11 grandchildren to keep track of. Shell go into Burwell to announce high school rodeos. But shes found her happy place on the spread she married into. This is where I belong, she said. It just rejuvenates myself to be outside. Thats where I want to be. Nebraska State Patrol troopers discovered more than 50 pounds of cocaine underneath the floorboards of a car during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 on Thursday afternoon. Troopers arrested Donavon Grange, 31, of Scottsdale, Arizona, on suspicion of possession of more than 140 grams of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, child abuse/neglect and no drug tax stamp, according to a news release. Grange was traveling with a woman and a small child when he was pulled over near the Cozad interchange, according to the State Patrol. A spokesman said troopers, who became suspicious of criminal activity during the encounter, searched the car and found the drugs. Grange was arrested and taken to the Dawson County jail. The woman and child were released. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A similar bill is LB 306 which raises the income eligibility level for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from 130 percent of the federal poverty rate to 160 percent of the federal poverty rate. But, there is a dirty little secret about this bill. Permanently expanding these utility benefits up to those with incomes at 160 percent of the federal poverty rate will result in reduced benefits for those living at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. In other words, LB 306 will rob from the poor in order to help those who are less poor. LB 306 merely puts a temporary bandage on the problem of paying utility bills. LB 306 is estimated to add an additional 8,313 households to the LIHEAP program. This will increase administrative costs and result in reduced benefits for those already enrolled in the program. Heres why. After the American Rescue Plan dollars run out in two years, this LIHEAP expansion program will get billed to the State with a price tag of $20 million. So, unless State revenues miraculously increase somehow, benefits will get reduced for everyone enrolled in the program. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Plano officials, including Mayor John Muns, break ground at the construction site for H-E-B's upcoming location in the southwest corner of Preston Road and Spring Creek Parkway. A: I had to work harder to stay organized and on top of my work. I was really worried about coming back into school, so I stayed home until after Easter. My AP classes kept a sense of normalcy for me, but it was difficult to keep track of all of the things I had to do. It didnt start to feel like a normal school year until I started working on the fall shows for Drama Club. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} You can tell this is not personal use, its cartel-controlled weed at some point. We dont know which border its from but this isnt something that your average person would be transporting. This is obviously a smuggling group, a cartel group, smuggling it through the I-77 corridor. Campbell said. For us to be able to eradicate that definitely has an impact somewhere. If not locally, maybe in Charlotte, we know they were traveling south. He also mentioned the quality of the marijuana appears to indicate it was grown in a professional manner. According to a news release from the sheriffs office, Xuequan Lu of Brooklyn, New York was driving the first vehicle. After talking to the driver, deputies used a dog named Bosco to search the vehicle. In the vehicle Lu was driving, 118 pounds were seized from the trunk, Campbell said. The sheriffs office said the next driver, Xengming Li, of Woodstock, Georgia, was pulled over after he passed the first stop and did not move over to the left lane which is part of the move over law At that point, Campbell said, there was suspicion that the two were connected. Another K-9, Abby, was used to search Lis vehicle and 138 pounds of marijuana were found in the trunk, Campbell said. Cushman has been a collector since he was five years old six decades of collecting uniforms, weapons, photos, flags, drums and so much more that it fills room after room after room. The mansion is located at 585 Main St. Over the past two years, the Cushman and his wife, Deborah, have been renovating the 8,800-square-foot home and working to display Johns collection, which is so extensive it had to be hauled from his former home in Oregon to Wytheville in a semi-truck. My love of American history from a young age and being a Civil War re-enactor in Gettysburg for 25+ years led to this collection, John Cushman said. It has been my dream to have the opportunity for it to be displayed for public viewing and now that dream has come true , two-fold. Not only is the collection being displayed, all proceeds of the museum go to the restoration and preservation of this 151-year-old home, the Octagon Mansion. It is my hope that after visiting the museum, everyone, of all ages and nationalities, learn a bit more than they knew before and leave with a sense of pride that they are a part of a strong heritage that formed the United States. Even where HIV clinics were open, some people did not want to come in because of fear of catching the coronavirus. There may be another reason: less sex. Surveys suggest that at least during the initial months of the pandemic, many adults at higher risk for HIV infection had sex on fewer occasions and with fewer sexual partners. But there also are signs that many people resumed their normal levels of sexual activity by summer, said Jenness, whose research focused on gay and bisexual men a group that for years has had the highest HIV infection rates. People's sexual behavior changed for only three months, but prevention, testing and care disruptions are still going on, he said. What does that mean for the national goals? Data released this week showed the number of new infections declining for years, dropping to about 35,000 in 2019. After Trump made his announcement in 2019, federal health officials clarified that the actual goal was a huge reduction in new infections over the next 10 years down to fewer than 3,000 a year. Because of the price tag of building the road an estimated $2.6 billion from end to end -- Chairman Jay Rife suggested, the only way to get this thing done is in conjunction with mining. Belcher, who also serves as the executive director/general counsel of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, noted that since the last meeting of the CFX Authority, there have been several meetings at which the expressway had been discussed and several different boards in the region have adopted resolutions of support for construction of the roadway, similar to the resolution originally adopted by the CFX Authority. Additionally, he said there had been a lot of discussion with federal legislative offices, including Congressman Morgan Griffith and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Both Griffith and Kaine had representatives in attendance at Mondays meeting. The expressway project is now included in new federal appropriations and transportation language targeting it to receive $7.1 million, although those appropriations must still be approved at the federal level. A meeting with state and federal officials in West Virginia was also held recently with Del. Will Morefield and Sen. Travis Hackworth facilitating that. Both were also in attendance at Mondays meeting and gave a brief update on the meeting with West Virginia officials. Typically, students are expected to student teach full-time for one semester, which is impossible to do if they need to work to support a family or themselves. The program also is heavy on real-life experience. Students spend time in classrooms the entire two years theyre in the program, which is not usual for teacher programs. Jackson said students will have just a little less than double the states required 450 hours of student teaching by the time they graduate. The amount of time our candidates have spent in the classroom is something that really is going to show, Jackson said. They were able to start in the fall with the same teacher and same students and worked with them the entire school year. Carroll said the experience showed him just how much work goes into teaching when there are no students in the room. Hoping to stay local All three soon-to-be graduates are applying for local jobs. Bueno has applied to jobs in different grade levels, but loves kindergarten to second grade the best. Bailey also hopes to teach K-2, because those littles, they steal your heart. Carroll is hoping for a middle school position. Antibodies that form after vaccination or natural infection do wane naturally, but there's evidence that those levels remain strong for at least six to nine months after mRNA vaccination and possibly longer. They also appear effective against worrisome virus mutants, at least for now. Scientists do not yet know what's called the correlate of protection, the level below which antibodies cannot fend off the coronavirus without additional help. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. governments leading infectious disease expert, told a Senate subcommittee last week that vaccine protection would not be infinite. I would imagine we will need, at some time, a booster, Fauci said. What were figuring out right now is what that interval is going to be. To date, 62.8% of the adult U.S. population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 133.6 million, or more than 40 percent, are full vaccinated. The rate of new vaccinations has slowed to an average below 600,000 per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats closing in on President Joe Bidens goal of 70% with at least one inoculation by July 4. Amazon.com Inc. is overhauling a controversial worker-productivity yardstick that has drawn the ire of warehouse employees who say it imposes an unsafe burden on them. The worlds largest online retailer uses sophisticated algorithms to monitor productivity at its facilities, and employees must explain why theyve been away from their workstations -- what Amazon calls time off task. If they reach a certain threshold theyll be issued warnings and even terminated. Starting today, were now averaging Time off Task over a longer period, Dave Clark, the chief executive officer of Amazons global retail and logistics business, said Tuesday in a post on Amazons corporate blog. Clark also said the company would no longer consider a positive test for marijuana use as disqualifying when hiring new employees and will support proposed federal legislation that would legalize marijuana. The companys decision to overhaul its productivity targets coincides with a series of news reports that the rate of injuries at Amazon warehouses is higher than its peers in the logistics industry. Some employees have identified the fast pace of work as a contributing factor in repetitive stress injuries. Workers have also previously told Bloomberg that sometimes they are considered off task when they are visiting the bathroom. Regulators in Washington state found there was a direct connection between Amazons employee monitoring and discipline system and musculoskeletal disorders among workers at a company warehouse in DuPont, Washington. Amazon said it would appeal the citation, which included a $7,000 fine, the Seattle Times and Reveal reported. During Amazons Prime Day sales rush last year, workers at a company warehouse in New York said Time off Task protocols made it impossible for them to abide by pandemic safety guidelines. Clark said that the Time Off Task program was designed to identify defects with workers tools and, secondarily, to identify underperforming employees. The goal is to re-focus the conversations on instances where there are likely true operational issues to resolve, he said. We believe this change will help ensure the Time off Task policy is used in the way it was intended. A: It definitely had some challenges. It was difficult having reduced access to my teachers, and taking classes like chemistry where I couldnt do any labs or chorus where I had to sing with a mask on. However, my teachers were all amazing. They made every effort to help me and my classmates learn, regardless of whether we were in person or virtual. Additionally, the flexibility of hybrid learning had a lot of benefits. For instance, I was able to spend almost the entire month of April traveling to visit colleges without missing very much school, because I was able to take my classes from hotel rooms or even the car. Online travel agency Booking.com said on Friday it will repay more than 60 million euros of coronavirus aid to the Dutch government after a row over bonuses for its bosses. Dutch MPs expressed outrage this week after the NRC newspaper reported that three senior members of the Amsterdam-based site's US holding company received 28 million euros ($34 million) in bonuses last year. "While we have not recovered fully, we have heard Dutch society, and have taken considerations seriously," a Booking.com spokesman said in an emailed statement to AFP. "As we are in a more stable position than when we applied for the NOW (Dutch COVID state aid) program in early 2020, and on a path toward recovery, we will pay back the subsidies received." Booking.com said it had been operating in a "very unpredictable environment" with an 80-percent decline in business at the start of the pandemic and a 165-million-euro loss in the first quarter of 2021. The firm said last August that it would cut a quarter of its 17,500 staff worldwide as coronavirus paralysed global travel. Dutch social affairs and employment minister Wouter Koolmees said Booking.com had "rightly and wisely... taken this step". The Dutch lower house of parliament called on Booking.com earlier this week to repay the aid but Koolmees told MPs there was no way to legally enforce the demand. There were also calls on social media for a boycott of the company. Founded in 1996, Booking.com has 28 million listings on its website which is available in 43 languages. dk-jcp/wai Explore further Virus sees Booking.com slash quarter of global staff 2021 AFP In this file photo illustration taken on May 04, 2021, a phone screen displays a picture of former US president Donald Trump on a Facebook website background. Facebook on Friday banned former US president Donald Trump for two years, saying he deserved the maximum punishment for violating platform rules over a deadly attack by his supporters on the US Capitol. The punishment will be effective from January 7, when Trump was booted off the social media giant, and comes after Facebook's independent oversight board said the indefinite ban imposed initially should be reviewed. "Given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Mr. Trump's suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols," Facebook vice president of global affairs Nick Clegg said in a post. In updating its policies, Facebook also said it will no longer give politicians blanket immunity for deceptive or abusive content based on their comments being newsworthy. At the end of Trump's two-year ban, Facebook will enlist experts to assess whether his activity on the platform still threatens public safety, according to Clegg. "If we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded," Clegg said. When Trump's suspension is lifted, he will face strict sanctions that could rapidly escalate to permanent removal for rule-breaking, according to Clegg. Last month, the independent oversight board said Facebook was justified in ousting Trump for his comments regarding the deadly January 6 rampage at the US Capitol but that the platform should not have applied an "indeterminate and standardless penalty of indefinite suspension." This combination of file pictures shows former US president Donald Trump and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Trump denounces 'insult' Trump said in a statement the ban was an "insult" to voters, renewing his false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. "They shouldn't be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing," Trump said. Trump also took a jab at Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who attended a White House dinner with the former president in 2019. "Next time I'm in the White House there will be no more dinners, at his request, with Mark Zuckerberg and his wife," Trump said. "It will be all business!" Zuckerberg has long maintained private companies should not be the arbiters of truth. "American democracy doesn't belong to Silicon Valley; it belongs to the American people," Clegg said in a podcast with Richard Reeves of the Brookings Institution. "And it's the legislators and politicians of this country who in the end have to govern the rules that prevail." Some activists criticized Facebook for even opening the door to reinstating Trump. In this file photo illustration, a phone screen displays the statement of former US president Donald Trump on his Facebook page background. Angelo Carusone of left-leaning watchdog Media Matters for America called Facebook's move dangerous, saying if Trump is reinstated, "the platform will remain a simmering cauldron of extremism, disinformation and violence." Activists in a group that calls itself The Real Facebook Oversight Board said: "Facebook shouldn't have needed a $130 million Oversight Board and a team of law professors to tell them dictators and authoritarians were running wild on their platform." White House press secretary Jen Psaki, when asked about the Facebook decision, said a social media platform which is disseminating information to millions of Americans, "has a responsibility to crack down on disinformation... whether it's about the election or even about the vaccine." Trump was suspended from Facebook and Instagram after posting a video during the attack by his fired-up supporters challenging his election loss, in which he told them: "We love you, you're very special." The oversight panel had called on Facebook to justify why his ban should be permanent. "The steps Facebook has committed to today will contribute to greater clarity, consistency and transparency in the way the company moderates content, and promote public safety, defend human rights and respect freedom of expression," the board said in a release. Immunity revoked As part of its new policy, Facebook will step back from its "newsworthiness" exception which allowed false information from Trump and others to circulate. Facebook will begin publishing the "rare instances" in which offending posts are tolerated, and will not treat content posted by politicians differently from content posted by anyone else, according to Clegg. New York University Stern Center deputy director Paul Barrett welcomed the move. "Donald Trump illustrated how a political leader can abuse social media to undermine democratic institutions such as elections and the peaceful transfer of power," he said. Explore further Facebook oversight board affirms Trump banfor now 2021 AFP It is the first time that data has been used at a national scale to judge how the beauty of the environment impacts onshore windfarm development. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A landmark study has found that excluding windfarm development in Great Britain's most scenic areas results in 18% less renewable electricity generation potential and up to 26% higher costs for operators. The study led by the University of Aberdeen used a website where people rate pictures of landscapes across the country on their scenic value, comparing over a million ratings with the outcome of wind farm planning applications in areas rated the most scenic. It is the first time that data has been used at a national scale to judge how the beauty of the environment impacts onshore windfarm development. Scientists believe it will help policymakers manage the trade-off between public acceptance and the costs of the required development as part of the energy transition. The data is drawn from the Scenic or Not website, which is managed by the Data Science Lab at Warwick Business School. The study, which has been published in the journal Nature Energy, was led by Professor Russell McKenna, from the University of Aberdeen's School of Engineering, and involves academics from institutions in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. Professor McKenna said: "Previously, the beauty of our environment has proven very challenging to quantify at scale due to a lack of appropriate data. This study plugs that gap by drawing on more than a million ratings of more than 200,000 photographs and feeding the data into a model of onshore wind generation. "Our approach involves using the Scenic or Not website to estimate where the strongest landscape impact of onshore wind might be. "We then analyze the relationship between windfarm application planning outcomes and the scenic value of a particular location, drawing on resource assessments for low carbon technologies to estimate the connection costs of new windfarms to the network. "This allows us to quantify the impact of excluding the most scenic areas from consideration for windfarm development. Our results show that not allowing wind farm installations in the 10% most scenic areas in the UK leads to 18% lower generation potential, and 8-26% higher costs for operators, which could ultimately result in higher prices for consumers." Professor McKenna, who has recorded a podcast that further explains his findings, added that the study provides a valuable resource for policymakers to develop national plans for future renewable energy generation. "The research will help policymakers manage the trade-off between cost-efficiency and public acceptance for onshore wind," he said. "Compromises are required at all levels to achieve the energy transition. To effectively address these compromises, policy needs to incentivise investments in onshore wind that consider both cost and landscape as quality criteria." Explore further Renewables in Europe: Land requirements can be reduced at low cost More information: R. McKenna et al, Scenicness assessment of onshore wind sites with geotagged photographs and impacts on approval and cost-efficiency, Nature Energy (2021). Journal information: Nature Energy R. McKenna et al, Scenicness assessment of onshore wind sites with geotagged photographs and impacts on approval and cost-efficiency,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00842-5 A key part of EmbraceRaces approach is using storytelling to connect with children, particularly those who have been made to feel different because of their race. The nonprofit has used some of the new money to pay storytelling trainers to help more than a dozen people share personal reflections, such as what it means to to be biracial, a descendant of people who enslaved others, or the parent of an adopted child of a different race. The use of stories, Grant-Thomas says, is a potent way to move away from a colorblind approach to race, which pretends that all people are treated the same, to one that encourages rigorous conversations about racial identity. We use those stories as sort of a seedbed for community building, he says. However, as the United States moves beyond the first anniversary of Floyds murder, Grant-Thomas worries that much of the attention donors have paid to anti-racism efforts will not last. About a dozen prospective donors are ready to give EmbraceRace a serious hearing, but they might not be a year from now, according to Grant-Thomas. Some people will probably be in it for the long haul, he says, but the attention is likely to ebb. Even though it helped families in Texas it was for Tiffany, she said of the verdict. After 24 years, and 10 months, this is Tiffanys time. Reece's defense attorney, Jacob Benedict, did not dispute that Reece killed Johnston, but said his client only confessed because a Texas Ranger had promised that prosecutors wouldn't seek the death penalty. A promise he couldnt keep, but still a promise, Benedict said. Gay Smither, the mother of 12-year-old Laura Smither, traveled to Oklahoma for the trial, Houston TV station KPRC reported. Reece still faces charges for her daughter's death in Texas. If we dont have our day in court in Galveston, we can live with it because hes at least held accountable here, she said. The most important thing is we know now for sure there is absolutely no way this man will ever get out." Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Richwood, TX (77531) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 75F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The woman acknowledged that they had been smoking marijuana and drinking, and she said that when she later found herself alone with the two men, both forced themselves on her while she was heavily intoxicated. She said she had felt physically unable to fight but had screamed for help. On Tuesday, Franklin County Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Sandra Workman said the two juvenile witnesses saw what they first thought was consensual sexual activity, but quickly realized as [the victim] was screaming that it wasnt. Each were afraid to physically intervene because they would have testified it looked violent to them. They were young and they were afraid of the two men, Workman said, so instead one called 911 and also went to find help. Both lifeguards would likewise have testified they were sent into the woods thinking they were going to find some teenagers having a good time, Workman continued. They were shocked and greatly affected by what they eventually saw and heard, and nothing they witnessed indicated anything other than a violent, traumatic event. The woman agreed to a phone call recorded by police where she confronted Gross. When asked about the things he had done, he stated [that] he didnt think about it because it wouldnt help anything, according to the documents. After the call, police contacted Harfords states attorneys office and applied for charges. Brent Lindner, the founder and promoter of Hear Grand Island, is ecstatic about the return of the summer concert series. Last year was such a kick in the shorts, Lindner said. The return has him jumping for joy. Lindner hopes that tonights show will attract between 2,000 and 2,300 people. In 2019, the fourth year of Hear Grand Island, attendance ranged from 1,600 to about 3,500. Were really excited to be able to throw these parties again this year, Roe said. And we really hope that everybody brings all their friends. Every year, at least 100 bands submit applications to play at Hear Grand Island. But organizers also approach bands theyve seen and just know that we have to put them in front of people, Roe said. Some of the bands have never heard of Hear Grand Island, which is still a mystery to me how people dont know about it yet, Roe said. But were hoping that this year we make enough noise that more people hear about it. What does Roe tell bands to convince them to come? Well pay them, he said, laughing. The closure allows for a teach-out of the currently enrolled undergraduate students, meaning the about 50 students will finish the program with an accredited bachelor's degree. But the recently started master's program was immediately shuttered, leaving about two dozen students having to transfer to other universities. Many of those students and alumni said they didn't believe Williams' statements were related to race. They also said they didn't see an issue separating their theological beliefs on sexuality and gender with the call to be social workers. If you are a well-trained social worker, you dont need to let your theology get in the way of your social work or helping any population that you might disagree with on a theological level, said Lizzie Walker, who graduated from the program in 2018. I think my faith lines up really well with the mission to be a social worker, to meet people where they are. Johanna Byrd, executive director of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, condemned the closure, saying the university seemed to be sending an incorrect message that social workers can't have or maintain their faith and do their jobs. Were nowhere near where other colleges are at, Van Dyke said. Harvard spokespeople declined to comment on the concerns, but Joseph Gone, an anthropology professor who heads the schools Native American program, said the university is in preliminary talks with local tribes to develop a land acknowledgement statement. A member of the Gros Ventre Tribe in Montana, Gone also argues Harvard has made strides since his days as an undergraduate in the 1990s. Hes one of three tenured Native American professors and roughly 10 Native American courses are now offered each semester. The schools famous Peabody Museum, meanwhile, is also working to repatriate scores of artifacts to Native American tribes, Gone said, though some Native American groups have recently criticized the process. For her part, Maltais says Harvard and other schools should ensure Native students coming from remote tribal communities acclimate to college life by investing more in student groups, mentorship programs, counseling and other support services. KEARNEY Fire departments and police departments from Grand Island, Kearney and Hastings will compete for the most blood donors when the American Red Cross sponsors its annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive next week. Blood will be collected noon-6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Fort Kearney chapter of the American Red Cross at 520 W. 48th St. All who come to donate will receive a commemorative Battle of the Badges T-shirt. To schedule an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Use sponsor code: Tri City BoB to donate to this drive. All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. All donors 18 years and younger must meet certain height and weight requirements. Individuals who are 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Hofferber was taken to the patrol unit where he submitted to a series of standardized field sobriety tests, which the deputy opined that Hofferber had failed. A records check of Hofferber revealed his drivers license in Idaho had been suspended. Based off my observations, training and experience, it is my opinion Scott was under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant and could not safely operate a motor vehicle, the deputy says in court documents. Hofferber was arrested and a search of his person was conducted. Court documents indicate that during that search, a small Ziploc baggie containing a white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine was located in Hofferbers front right jeans pocket and a field test of the substance came back positive for methamphetamine. During the search of the vehicle, deputies found a pair of brass/iron knuckles underneath the drivers seat; a plastic bag containing marijuana; a large Crown Royal bag containing a methamphetamine pipe; a marijuana grinder; rolling papers; a roller; and a wooden marijuana pipe. The deputy added that Hofferber refused to provide a urine sample to determine the concentration of drugs in his body. Our classes are taught by a variety of people, many of whom have an interest in teaching, he said. The University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty are oftentimes willing and able and consistently do provide classes to us on a variety of subjects. We also benefit from having a significant number of retired faculty here in town, as well. The board of directors for Senior College also looks to community members with special knowledge to contribute their talents to the classes. Theres a diverse body of knowledge out there and we try to make contact with those people who are interested in telling their stories, Dart said. Senior College works in partnership with several Kearney institutions. The university provides us with meeting space and also with parking privileges, he said. Likewise, past and present faculty participate. Our other partners are the Peterson Senior Center. They have a meeting area that we frequently use. Also Kearney Public Library is an extraordinary resource for us. Many of our classes meet there. When asked to pick a favorite class, Dart highlighted a one-day seminar, Upstairs Downstairs in Downtown Kearney. The class examines the potential for development of second-story spaces in downtown Kearney for residential use. After the above legacies are paid, I direct that what remains of my property, money, stocks, bonds, real estate, not above mentioned, be paid to the treasurer of David Bryant Chapter DAR to be used as a nucleus of a fund to be used to build a suitable housing for the DAR Museum, which I believe is a valuable educational force for children, which has been proved to me by the many hundred clubs, scouts, schools, etc., to whom I have talked while showing them the exhibits, stressing the work of the pioneers and Civil War veterans who largely settled Nebraska. I strongly believe that realization of what the pioneers accomplished after stopping on the bare prairie and building a house out of dirt or logs and proceed to build a town, county and help to build the state, will help boys and girls to grow up better citizens. Should it occur that the museum become non-existent before my death, I direct that the funds which would have gone to DAR be used as follows five thousand dollars to the Methodist Church of York, five thousand dollars to the York Public Library, and the remainder to York College, a very great asset to the city. I beg that my home is not used as a museum building, it is not central enough. I suggest an educational building be erected in School Park owned by the city which should help support the museum as should York County. I am addressing this to my fellow veterans and their families and also to the people of Grand Island, Hall County and the surrounding area. We have a great opportunity given to us. The city of Grand Island will give us 27 acres of land for a Nebraska Veterans Cemetery. I have seen the plans and to me, I like it. Unfortunately we have lost the Soldiers and Sailors Home, so lets not let this get away from us. The community is responsible for 10%, or $750,000 of the price. The state will take over and finish the job. This is a great opportunity for us. The Hall County Hero Flight Association will start its hamburger feeds again and we hope other people and businesses will again donate to this fund. We need $750,000 by Aug. 1. We are veterans, Nebraskans, Cornhuskers and just plain ole country folks who will make this come true. We will have the only Nebraska Veterans Cemetery in central Nebraska, which will impact many veterans and their family members within a 100 mile radius of Grand Island. Any and all veterans can be buried there along with their spouses. With this cemetery, they will be buried closer to home and their loved ones, so that their everlasting memorial can be more greatly appreciated. Lest we forget. 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: The webinar and the intervention team flow out of the Gun Prevention Task Force created by Pittman after the 2018 Capital Gazette shooting, which killed five people. During the online event, one of three sessions planned Thursday and Friday, he said most members of the commission were gun owners or grew up in households with guns. RS: I played at the old Lincoln School, which is now the site of the Carbondale Police Department. It was in the cafeteria with my first outfit, The Satellites. I was barely 13, Id say. GG: What were your teenage years like? RS: By age 14, we had a more serious band called The Counts. I was playing a Silvertone 3-pickup electric semi-hollow body guitar. We had gigs like playing on a flatbed truck parked at Murdale Shopping Center. Other than being a paperboy for the Southern Illinoisan, I'd always been just a musician. I took to it pretty quickly and even started teaching guitar. I bought Carnaby Street-influenced clothes with my gig money. By 1968, I was 18 and playing music in San Francisco. Explosive times! GG: How did it happen that you moved to San Francisco? RS: I had attended University High School, at Pulliam Hall, and our band, The Viscounts, had broken up. Psychedelia was just starting to hit the 'Dale. Along with Brett Champlin, it was a group idea for our new band, Devil's Kitchen, to move to San Francisco. GG: What was life like there? CARBONDALE A virtual conference next week will examine medical, legal and policy efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on health policy. The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Health Policy: A Renewed Focus on Healthy and Equitable Communities is the theme of the 21st SIH/SIU Health Policy Institute. The virtual event is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 8. Eric D. Hargan, former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will deliver the keynote address COVID-19s Impact on Health Policy Federal Considerations. A panel presentation, COVIDs Impact on Illinois, will feature four state agency officials: Theresa Eagleson, director, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services; Paula Basta, director, Illinois Department on Aging; Colleen Callahan, director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Grace Hou, secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services. The conference includes breakout sessions on various topics such as childrens growth and development, mental health, and caring for an aging population and a moderated panel presentation on COVID-19 Health Disparities: A Path to Revitalizing Communities. Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said Friday the states backlog of unpaid bills is lower now than any time in recent history, but added under the states current tax structure and budget, it is unlikely Illinois will dig out of its financial hole anytime soon. In Friday's online presentation held as part of SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institutes Understanding Our New World live stream series, Mendoza said the state currently owes about $3.5 billion to vendors and others, down from almost $17 billion when she took office in 2016. While we should celebrate the progress that we have made, we are nowhere out of the woods yet in terms of saying we are fiscally stable and times are great. They are not; we are far from that, she said. She said her office is able to pay vendors and others within the 30-day timeframe required by law. The last time that we were this current on paying our bills was just before Sept. 11, 2001, Mendoza added. However, the Democrat from Chicago said she doesnt believe Illinois will improve its financial standing without restructuring the states tax system with a graduated income tax, a plan defeated by voters in 2020. Approximately 2 minutes and 20 seconds after the police car pulled into the garage, the officers are seen on video carrying Harrison in a three-person hold inside the building that houses the police department, the jail and the sheriff's department. When Harrison later saw the video of her being carried inside she said she looked "lifeless." Harrison said she lost consciousness for an unknown period of time after being tased the first time and woke up in the holding cell in the jail with a knot on her forehead and her pants wet on the right side. She said she was screaming because she'd been tased, and was crying out for help because she's anemic and was cold in the cell. "I was asking for covers," Harrison said. "I feel like they weren't listening to me." Harrison believes she was in shock after being tased. According to the report, she was tased again by Johnson in the holding cell for continuing to resist officers. Video from the jail shows three law enforcement officers holding Harrison face-down on the floor of the cell, with one officer kneeling on her. "In the video they were on top of me," Harrison said. "He had his knee on my neck." Local breaking editor's pick top story Power Site being developed in Orangeburg County; newest industrial park offers high- volume utilities LARRY HARDY, T&D A new, 745-acre industrial park is being developed on U.S. Highway 21, about 1-1/2 miles south of U.S. Highway 178. A new industrial park is being developed in Orangeburg County. Construction began earlier this month on a road onto property at the new, 745-acre Orangeburg County Power Site Industrial Park. It is being marketed as we speak, Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young said. We have a prospect looking at it. It is all about availability now. "In economic development, once you could show a cow pasture and say imagine a building here," Young said. "Now more companies are leaving to come here, hence the availability of a finished product is the thing that drives a lot of these deals." The new park is located on U.S. Highway 21, about 1-1/2 miles south of U.S. Highway 178. It is roughly across the street from The Okonite plant. Sigmatex announces $4.5 million expansion; Orangeburg County will be headquarters in North America Sigmatex Carbon Textile Solutions announced plans Wednesday to expand operations in Orangeburg County. The more than $4.5 million investment will create 50 new jobs. The county and city will be partnering on the development of the site. The roadwork is being funded with a $600,000 site readiness development grant from the S.C. Department of Commerce. There will be no expense to the county for the road project. Orangeburg-based Palmetto Site Prep is doing the work. $85M solar farm planned; Orangeburg County called a leader in renewable energy A Virginia company is planning to build an $85 million solar farm in Orangeburg County. The Orangeburg County Development Commission says the site is ideal for heavy manufacturing. Of the 745 acres, about 725 are developable. A speculative building may be built to make it more attractive to industry. Orangeburg County is really pushing hard to create jobs for our community, Young said. The S.C. Department of Commerce has designated the industrial park as a certified Palmetto Site, indicating due diligence work is done and the park is ready for future development. Due diligence work completed at the property includes: a boundary survey, cultural resource identification, protected species assessment, geotechnical work, wetlands delineation and topographical surveys. Young said the park is taking advantage of high-volume utilities. If a company needs high-volume sewer and water, it is the place they need to be, Young said. He said there is a high-volume wastewater plant, natural gas line, high-volume water capabilities and county broadband. Young said the high-volume utility capabilities at the site are the reason it is currently being called a power site. He said it could be renamed in the future. The park is serviced by Orangeburgs Department of Public Utilities. The park also has Norfolk Southern Rail access. DPU spokesman Randy Etters said DPU will be putting in lighting for the parks entrance. One of the reasons the county chose that park is for all the infrastructure DPU and the city have put in over the years, Etters said. Truly, it is the most robust site for utilities that we have on the system. Etters praised the county for purchasing the property and said DPU looks to be an active participant in the creation of the park. The city is always happy to partner with the county to move the city forward, Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler said. We are happy to take an integral part in the development over there. Butler said the city is always willing to keep an open door on how it can partner with the county. It is important to have both of these entities on board," Butler said. Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson said the property is unique, helping make Orangeburg County a manufacturing hub inside the South Carolina Global Logistics Triangle." It is the tenth industrial park in the county. Each park offers unique deliverables of infrastructure and skill sets, Robinson said. We are creating a diversity in our portfolio of product. He said the county has some property with rail access, some with interstate access, some with heavy utilities and some with lighter utilities. Robinson said new site can serve 125 megawatts of power and is fed by two substations, meaning there is redundancy of power. The site can handle millions of gallons of water and wastewater a day. Heavy utilities are available because of U.S. 21s historical use by textile manufacturers. Robinson said the park is designed for heavy manufacturing operations with high job and wage counts, such as the aerospace, automotive, chemicals and plastics industries. He believes the site would be ideal for an electric vehicle manufacturing plant. Young said the property has been eyed by the county for years. Orangeburg County purchased the property from Jesse D. Shirer Jr. in 2019 for $4 million. The property was purchased through general obligation bonds and proceeds from the 1 percent capital project sales tax, Young said. The land was a family farm owned by the Shirer family. They were wonderful to work with, Robinson said. The county had an option to purchase the property for about ten years. They were exceedingly easy to work with. They are big supporters of Orangeburg County and I thank them for allowing us to turn their property into an industrial park, he said. Throughout their years serving together, joys which the Cannons recall are being able to serve together as a team, as well as seeing changes in peoples lives. Carol recalls a ministry which the two began in the Kingstree, Lake City and Florence area. Robert and Carol organized a District Youth Council that intentionally represented the whole district, geographically as well as racially. Carol viewed the transformation of a teen who was known as a troublemaker at school and was not expected to do well because of her attitude. This information was unknown to the Cannons, but they recognized her leadership abilities and worked with her when she was elected president of the District Youth Council. From there, she ended up attending Claflin and then entered the military. Knowing the difference that God made in her life through the District Youth Council brings my heart joy, recalls Carol. He wouldn't give me a number, the trooper said in a phone interview. I asked for a number. DeLuca said Surratt did not appear to be seeking attention, nor did he seem boastful. He is not someone who is bragging about this, DeLuca said. He said Surratt appears to be in good health, considering he is 79 years old. He's definitely not proud, DeLuca said. He did express, I would say, some regret about two of the victims but they weren't in my jurisdiction. Surratt, a truck driver and former resident of Aliquippa, implicated himself the slayings of William and Nancy Adams in Beaver County, Guy and Laura Mills near Bedford, Joel Krueger near McConnellsburg and John Shelkons in Beaver County. He is serving two life sentences in Florida for crimes there and was convicted of murder in South Carolina. In 2007, Surratt told an interviewer he was involved in Pennsylvania and Ohio killings dating to the 1970s. He has been incarcerated since October 1978. DeLuca declined to identify where the additional suspected Pennsylvania murders are because they are not being handled by Pennsylvania State Police. He discussed like five to seven, DeLuca said. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047. Fort Payne, AL (35967) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds light and variable. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Mostly sunny. High 91F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Adam Nash, who described himself as a California transplant and remote worker, said he chose to live in Albany County because of the wildlife and natural beauty. If this goes up, theres no reason for me to stay here, he said of the project. Missy Kramschuster said a turbine would tower over a family graveyard at the edge of her property. She worried that her property would only decline in value because of the project, which would also intrude on daily life. I will no longer be able to sleep peacefully and no longer be able to have my windows open, she said. Emma Clute said the project might look good on paper but would turn out to be a bad decision for the county. This is one of the most beautiful places in the world, she said. I hope I would put that before whatever money is being offered to me, even if I had to make sacrifices and suffer for it. Barb Smith, who lives near the Ames Monument, said her subdivision has strict lighting and construction rules intended to protect the views in the area. Such rules would be rendered laughable in the face of the nearby project. Crime-and-courts breaking top story ALBANY COUNTY Albany County Sheriff's officer Derek Colling resigns Davis Potter / Davis Potter, Star-Tribune Demonstrators hold up signs while protesting racial injustice and police brutality in Laramie on June 3, 2020. A sign that reads "Justice for Robbie!" refers to Robbie Ramirez, who was shot and killed by Albany County Sheriff's Deputy Derek Colling in 2018. Colling resigned this week. Albany County Sheriff Robyn Ramirez, Courtesy This undated photo provided by Randy Ramirez shows his brother, Robbie Ramirez, who was shot and killed by a Wyoming sheriff's deputy Nov. 4, 2018 in Laramie. Derek Colling, the Albany County Sheriffs officer who shot and killed Robbie Ramirez in 2018, has resigned from the office. Sheriff Aaron Appelhans confirmed on Thursday that Colling had resigned, effective on Wednesday. Colling is at the center of a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Ramirezs mother, Debra Hinkel. He was cleared by a grand jury, convened by County Attorney Peggy Trent, for the shooting. At the time of his resignation, he had been assigned to the Albany County Jail as a detention deputy since March. Colling started at the office in 2012, also as a detention deputy, before being promoted to patrol deputy and eventually corporal under former Sheriff Dave OMalley. OMalley and Trent have both since resigned. Neither cited Ramirezs killing when they announced their departures. Colling declined to comment on his resignation Thursday. After conviction in Minnesota, Wyoming activists say there's more work to be done The verdict still means that George Floyd was murdered, said Illyanna Saucedo of the Laramie Human Rights Network. Its better than Chauvin being acquitted, but that is a pretty low bar for seeking justice. Before coming to Laramie, Colling was a police officer in Las Vegas, where he killed two people on the job. Recent calls for police reform in Albany County have questioned why he was hired given his record. When an officer who engaged in misconduct leaves their position because they feel the walls closing in on them, the only way to ensure that they dont take up employment somewhere else is to have that officers certification revoked. With the history that Colling has, it is imperative that he be decertified by POST (Peace Officer Standards & Training) to protect other communities, state Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, said in a release Thursday. Provenza is the executive director of Albany County for Proper Policing (ACoPP). The Laramie Human Rights Network said in a tweet Thursday that they will continue to support ACoPPs efforts to decertify and indict Colling to ensure he can never again bring violence and death to another family or community. The announcement of Collings resignation comes exactly one year after the first police brutality march in Laramie last year, held by the Laramie Human Rights Network. Protests in the summer of 2020, which began in response to George Floyds death but also incorporated calls for justice for Ramirez, lasted longer in Laramie than anywhere else in the state. Theres a lot of work ahead of us to ensure that Im not having to help someone else get justice for their child, Hinkel told ACoPP, but for now I can take a breath and take another step towards justice for my son. Laramie attorney Linda Devine said Collings resignation will likely not affect the lawsuit against him. If he had been fired, she said, that could have been used against him. Devine said she hopes this will be a step toward improving relations between citizens and law enforcement in Laramie. I see this as an opportunity for the community to start healing, Devine said. We have a community that needs to heal. Appelhans declined to comment further on the resignation, and said he did not know anything about Collings future plans. Were looking to diversify our workforce, said Appelhans, Wyomings first Black sheriff. So were definitely giving preference to underrepresented populations that want to apply and looking to get into law enforcement ... women, people of color, veterans. Mother of man killed by sheriff's deputy seeks to make grand jury proceedings public Lawyers for the mother suggest in the newest filing that Albany County officials, worried about a future lawsuit, presented biased experts to the grand jury that cleared deputy Derek Colling for the killing of Robbie Ramirez. Provenza said though she was initially relieved at the news of Collings resignation, without decertification shes concerned that he can still go on to work as a peace officer at another agency. ACoPP delivered a petition with 2,600 signatures to POST calling for his decertification and termination, and Provenza said the organization will also continue to advocate for citizen oversight of law enforcement in Albany County going forward. Law enforcement is the only government entity with the legal right to kill us, Provenza said Thursday. And they dont have an oversight board. We have school boards but we dont have an oversight board of police. I think that is an imperative step in ensuring that we can have a voice in how we are policed. Provenza sponsored a bill, House Bill 247, during this years legislative session that would have prohibited law enforcement agencies from hiring officers with serious misconduct on their records. The bill failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee. DETROIT (AP) The University of Michigan will keep the name of a prominent Michigan Republican on a campus building despite his description of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and two other Democrats as witches. President Mark Schlissel said he shares the disgust over Ron Weiser's misogynistic and violent comments. But he also noted that Weiser has done much good and that the naming of a building was part of a donation agreement. It is important to all those who enter into agreements with the university that we maintain our reputation for honoring our contracts, Schlissel wrote in a Thursday letter to people who want Weiser Hall to be renamed. In addition, were we to decide to violate the contract and remove his name from a building, we would be obligated to return the associated gift, Schlissel said. Weiser is chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, a philanthropist and an elected member of the university's governing board. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said that month the state would do so. The state released more details this week as Hogan also announced he would end Marylands participation in pandemic unemployment programs that enhanced benefits, including the extra $300 weekly payments and coverage for the self-employed. Garlow has raised wages and is offering a special promotion where employees will earn an extra $2 per hour that will go towards an end of season bonus, a total he estimates ranging from $1,600-$2,100 that can be redeemed in September. He also says he can continue to offer employment in the offseason. But he said his efforts have been thwarted by certain businesses that are offering higher base wages for kitchen workers. Many businesses around Cody are going out of their way to promote what they will pay their workers. The Comfort Inn, for instance, has a sign prominently displayed that it will offer housekeepers a rate of $15 per hour. OShea said she has even turned to friends and family in other states in an attempt to recruit workers, but with no success. She is promoting her motel jobs as entrepreneurial opportunities. You can learn everything about running your own business, she said. Even more frustrating for her, shes had many locals express an interest in working, yet only if she agrees to pay them under the table. Its really sad that we have to bring people in from another country because our own citizens are worried about the benefits that they collect from the people who are actually working and paying taxes, OShea said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In an unexpected turn, there will not be a special legislative session in mid-July, Gov. Mark Gordon and statehouse leaders announced in a joint statement Friday. Since the end of Wyomings formal legislative session in April, it was widely understood that there would be a special session this July, in large part to decide on how to distribute the latest round of federal relief money. I wouldve told you a week ago that we had to have it, and it was happening, said Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne. There is still a possibility that a session could happen later in the summer, but that doesnt appear likely. Gordon and legislative leaders say relief spending decisions can be made through the normal budget process rather than in a lawmaking blitz. A product developed with months of deliberation will be significantly better than any legislation compiled in a few days of hearings and a week-long special session, Senate President Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, said in a statement. We can utilize our standard budget hearing and standing committee processes to allocate these funds in a conservative manner during the 2022 Budget Session. That number is up two from a month ago. The states 14-day average in total cases is 68.8 per day. That number is up 3.7 from a month ago. The states number of confirmed active cases is 311. That number is up 52 from a month ago. The states number of total active cases is 531. That number is up 72 from a month ago. Where are the cases coming from? Laramie (159), Sweetwater (123) and Campbell (114) counties have had the most confirmed cases over the past 14 days. Platte (5.4%), Sweetwater (2.8%) and Campbell (2.5%) counties have had the highest percentage of their confirmed cases come from the past 14 days. Rep. Styvar said he was also denied access to the April 19 meeting when he attempted to attend in person. In the lawsuit, he claims to have been threatened with a trespassing citation by an off-duty Cheyenne police officer, who was working as a contracted security guard for the district, when Styvar asked about the legality of being denied entry to the meeting. According to a witness, the off-duty officer said his job was to prevent disturbances or trespassing issues, and advised citizens to deal with the issue through civil litigation. Kathleen Bain said she requested and was denied access to the May 17 meeting despite calling ahead of time to request reasonable accommodations because she is both blind and hearing impaired. The morning of the meeting, Bain contacted the superintendents office to ask how she could ask questions during the meeting. She was told There isnt enough room, and the superintendents office employee explained that the public could attend the meeting via Zoom, according to court documents. The committee will have until December to prepare a final report to be submitted to the management council which will sponsor it as a bill during the 2022 budget session. Redistricting is difficult because it can cause conflicts when two legislators are moved into the same district that elects only one senator or representative. That is when it gets personal. That is what caused the creation of the strangest senate configuration of all, Senate District 6. Because of population growth in Laramie County, the boundaries of Senate District 6 had to be expanded northward into Goshen County. One plan put Sens. Curt Meier of LaGrange and Wayne Johnson of Cheyenne into the same district. That idea was discarded and the final Senate District 6 iteration was a tiny finger shaped extension hugging the Nebraska border. It took in Meiers ranch and the prison in Torrington. The drafters needed to include the prisoners to get enough residents to qualify as a district. Meier, who is now state treasurer, brought the amendment to the committee. This was of course gerrymandering, but it was legal gerrymandering not the North Carolina kind that bundles minorities into one district to restrict their voting power. Because he knew hed never pass the Armys eye exam, he went out and memorized the eye charts. It didnt matter which line he was asked to read because he had it memorized. Because of his bad eyes he couldnt go overseas and he ended up serving in California, where he did more than 300 training films for the Army. He rose to the rank of captain and before he retired he was offered the rank of major. He turned the promotion down, saying he believed anyone with a rank that high should be able to serve overseas. My father was always fond of the military and I learned that attitude from him as a little boy. When he drove me out to the ranch in the late 1940s and early 1950s, hed always sing the Army, Navy and Marine Corps hymns. Hed sing the songs as a way to get me to ask him questions and then hed tell me stories about the amazing things American soldiers and sailors did at Pearl Harbor or on D-Day, or at Midway or the Battle of the Bulge. Most young people today dont know those stories and few have even heard of the battles where they took place. FINANCE Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday that the proposal to increase the retirement age to 65 from the current age of 60 is under active consideration, but he said the Government has not made a firm decision on the matter as yet. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has apologised for the vaccine fiasco last week, but said it was just one bad day. After more than a year of managing and attempting to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Trinidad and Tobago, Rowley admitted that the Government made a blunder by allowing walk-in vaccinations at health centres across the country. Moved by the sight of senior citizens waiting in long lines outside vaccination centres across the country, businessman Shane Mahabirsingh yesterday took it upon himself to provide comfort for them. Mahabirsingh, owner of Bilda Boyz Construction in Gasparillo, visited three health centres in the South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) distributing chairs, water and sanitising the elderly men and women standing in line. 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 After 15 months of living with Covid-19, it is clear that uncertainty is the only certainty. A week ago, T&T was flush with the expectation of mass vaccinations and the re-opening of the countrys borders. A week later, elation has been quelled by the sober realisation that the vaccination route out of this pandemic is not assured for the foreseeable future given the realities of global supply. It is not often that well-resourced and politically powerful companies such as ExxonMobil and Shell suffer historic defeats. However, last month, in different ways, both oil majors saw activist shareholders and environmentalists cause them and the international energy sector to have to think hard about what the future holds for hydrocarbons. Local auto dealers who helped advise Pima on its auto tech expansion are looking forward to being able to hire more graduates with training in the latest technologies, the head of the local dealers association said. Its been challenging to say the least, for a number of years, all the auto dealers have been struggling to find qualified techs, said Mike DiChristofano, co-owner of Tucson Subaru and current president of the Tucson New Car Dealers Association. The reality is, today the amount of knowledge a tech has to have is incredible, with all the new technology. Auto dealers who may have had to send techs to Phoenix, or even to California or Texas, for brand-specific training will now be able to have their techs trained locally, and Tucson could even attract students from outside the Tucson region, DiChristifano said. The next project underway at the Downtown Campus is the biggest of them all construction of a new, 100,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing building east of the auto center. The three-story building is slated for completion in November 2022 and will support programs in automated industrial technology, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), machining and welding. The podcast, which drops new episodes at high noon each Saturday and is available for free on several streaming services, including on Apple Podcasts at tucne.ws/1hrd, has an estimated 1,500 listeners a month from places as far-flung as Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, France and Germany. We try very hard to keep the podcast entertaining, True said. That is the key to getting listeners to appreciate the West and what we do. If we are not interesting, that wont happen. Neither True nor Day find themselves short of stories when recording episodes. True was just a boy when his parents, Allen and Cynthia True moved the family from Colorado to Tucson in 1965 to escape the cold. Allen True was born in Wyoming and raised in Montana but he was not a rancher, Russell True explained in the podcasts very first episode, recorded in June 2020. My mother reminded him of the fact that being a wrangler for two months at Glacier (National) Park in the summer didnt make him a cowboy, True said. It just made him a horse roper and a money collector. It all comes down to the art of the politically possible. Members can go, Well, I didnt get everything I wanted, Im still a no, or I got almost everything I wanted and Im kind of OK with this, he said. He hopes that, at some point, people realize the package just isnt going to get any better, Toma said. The budget every year, at least for me and I assume most legislators would probably say the same thing is always a certain exercise of holding your nose and voting because theres enough in it that you like that offsets what you dont like, he said. This year is no different. Bowers agreed that the best move at this point is just to push ahead. Put it on the (voting) board and let us see really where were at, he said. Bowers said that identifies who isnt going to go along, putting the onus on them to bring an offer to leadership. The problem is not just in the House. As of right now we still do not have the needed 16 votes, said Senate President Karen Fann, R-Prescott. We are still working with the members. Study of past South Asian monsoons suggests stronger monsoon rainfall in the future PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] -- A new study of monsoon rainfall on the Indian subcontinent over the past million years provides vital clues about how the monsoons will respond to future climate change. The study, published in Science Advances, found that periodic changes in the intensity of monsoon rainfall over the past 900,000 years were associated with fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), continental ice volume and moisture import from the southern hemisphere Indian Ocean. The findings bolster climate model predictions that rising CO2 and higher global temperatures will lead to stronger monsoon seasons. "We show that over the last 900,000 years, higher CO2 levels along with associated changes in ice volume and moisture transport were associated with more intense monsoon rainfall," said Steven Clemens, a professor of geological sciences (research) at Brown University and lead author of the study. "That tells us that CO2 levels and associated warming were major players in monsoon intensity in the past, which supports what the models predict about future monsoons -- that rainfall will intensify with rising CO2 and warming global temperature." The South Asian monsoon is arguably the single most powerful expression of Earth's hydroclimate, Clemens says, with some locations getting several meters of rain each summer. The rains are vital to the region's agriculture and economy, but can also cause flooding and crop disruption in years when they're particularly heavy. Because the monsoons play such a large role in the lives of nearly 1.4 billion people, understanding how climate change may affect them is critical. For several years, Clemens has been working with an international team of researchers to better understand the major drivers of monsoon activity. In November 2014, the research team sailed aboard the research vessel JOIDES Resolution to the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of India, to recover sediment core samples from beneath the sea floor. Those core samples preserve a record of monsoon activity spanning millions of years. The rainwater produced by the monsoons each summer eventually drains off the Indian subcontinent into the Bay of Bengal. The runoff creates a layer of dilute seawater in the bay that rides atop the denser, more saline water below. The surface water is a habitat for microorganisms called planktonic foraminifera, which use nutrients in the water to construct their shells, which are made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). When the creatures die, the shells sink to the bottom and become trapped in sediment. By taking core samples of sediment and analyzing the oxygen isotopes in those fossils, scientists can divine the salinity of the water in which the creatures lived. That salinity signal can be used as an indicator of changing rainfall amounts over time. Other data from the samples complement the foraminifera data. River runoff into the bay brings sediment from the continent with it, providing another indicator of rain intensity. The carbon isotopic composition of plant matter washed into the ocean and buried in sediment offers yet another rainfall-related signal that reflects changes in vegetation type. The hydrogen isotope composition of waxes on plant leaves varies in different rainfall environments, and that signature can be reconstructed from sediment cores as well. "The idea is that we can reconstruct rainfall over time using these proxies, and then look at other paleoclimate data to see what might be the important drivers of monsoon activity," Clemens said. "That helps us to answer important questions about the factors driving the monsoons. Are they primarily driven by external factors like changes in Earth's orbit, which alter the amount of solar radiation from the sun, or are factors internal to the climate system like CO2, ice volume and moisture-transporting winds more important?" The researchers found that periods of more intense monsoon winds and rainfall tended to follow peaks in atmospheric CO2 and low points in global ice volume. Cyclical changes in Earth's orbit that alter the amount of sunlight each hemisphere receives played a role in monsoon intensity as well, but on their own could not explain monsoon variability. Taken together, the findings suggest that monsoons are indeed sensitive to CO2-related warming, which validates climate model predictions of strengthening monsoons in relation to higher CO2. "The models are telling us that in a warming world, there's going to be more water vapor in the atmosphere," Clemens said. "In general, regions that get a lot of rain now are going to get more rain in the future. In terms of the South Asians monsoons, that's entirely consistent with what we see in this study." ### The research was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (OCE1634774), the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JPMXS05R2900001 and 19H05595), the Japanese Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, the United Kingdom Natural Environment Research Council (NERC; NE/L002493/1), the United States Geological Survey, and Technology and Research Initiative Fund (Arizona Board of Regents). This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The shooting of Tom Cruise's much-awaited film 'Mission: Impossible 7' has been postponed after the crew members tested positive for the novel coronavirus during routine testing, on Thursday. Variety reported that a spokesperson for the Paramount and Skydance production confirmed work on the project will be stalled until June 14. "We have temporarily halted production on 'Mission: Impossible 7' until June 14th, due to positive coronavirus test results during routine testing. We are following all safety protocols and will continue to monitor the situation," read the statement. The latest movie in the Tom Cruise-starring action franchise was filming in the UK when the COVID positive test took place. According to Variety, Cruise returned to the UK after a Christmas break Stateside, with production venue shifting from Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden to Longcross. The film's shoot was first halted when 12 people tested positive on the Italy sets in October. The production was then moved to the UK in December. The 58-year-old actor made headlines at the last schedule of the film when he expressed his frustration at crew members who were not following the social distancing norms. Variety has learned that Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Hayley Atwell, Shea Whigham, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Cary Elwes, Indira Varma, Rob Delaney, Charles Parnell, Mark Gatiss and Greg Tarzan Davis will also join Cruise in his Ethan Hunt for the latest mission. The much-anticipated Christopher McQuarrie directorial is scheduled to release on November 19, 2021. (ANI) Also Read: Castile was known to pay out of pocket for children whose families could not afford to buy their own lunches when he worked as a nutrition supervisor at J.J. Hill Montessori Magnet School in St. Paul. Fergus started the campaign as a semester project for her class, promising that every dollar donated would help pay down student lunch debts. According to the civil complaint, Fergus deposited the more than $200,000 she collected through the YouCaring website into her personal checking account. She also allegedly welcomed donors to mail her checks. St. Paul Public Schools reported that Fergus wrote three checks from her groups proceeds to go to the district totaling more than $80,000 between October 2017 and August 2018. But the remaining $120,000 was not accounted for, court papers said. Ellison described the enforcement action as a last resort to find out what happened to the remaining funds, after Fergus refused to comply with an investigation by his office last year. For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Star Tribune. The 4th Circuit panel concluded that Vandevere's tweet directed at Rashid contained a true threat and therefore wasn't free speech protected by the First Amendment. We note first that a reasonable recipient familiar with the context would have felt threatened by the message and would not have construed it as a joke, the panel's opinion says. The judges also noted that Vandevere specifically directed the tweet at a single person, albeit in a public forum, and wasn't communicated in a manner to engage anyone in public discourse regarding his political beliefs. Finally, viewing the tweet in the context in which it was received, Vandeveres statement would indicate to a reasonable recipient that Vandevere had a serious intent to do harm, the panel added. The judges ruled without holding a hearing for Vandevere's appeal, saying it wouldn't have helped them decide the case. Rashid, a Democrat, lost his November 2019 bid to defeat an incumbent Republican state senator in Virginia. Prosecutors have said Rashids political campaign started well after the threat was made and had no bearing on the threat. In a recent court filing, attorneys Paul Napoli and Corey Stern defended the device and attached affidavits from experts. There is no risk to patients from the use of the device and no lead shielding is required while administering the exam, said Yuwonia Speights-Beaugard, director of radiology services at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, who has visited the site where scans are performed. Thousands of Flint residents have signed up for a portion of a $641 million lawsuit settlement, mostly paid by the state of Michigan, for lead-contaminated water in 2014-15 and a fatal outbreak of Legionnaires' disease. The settlement has received preliminary approval by a federal judge but much work remains, including a fairness hearing in July. Cuker has complained that only Napoli clients have had access to the bone scan device. Dr. Lawrence Reynolds, a Flint pediatrician who has objected to the device, said there is no evidence that anyone has been harmed, but he considers the use unethical. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, credited with helping expose the Flint water crisis, also opposes use of the scanner. Bone scan results are not required to make a claim in the Flint settlement, but residents could voluntarily undergo that process based upon the advice of their lawyers, said Lynsey Mukomel, spokeswoman for the Michigan attorney general. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A series of explosions rocked a munitions factory in central Serbia early Friday, forcing the evacuation of workers and nearby residents and causing panic but no injuries. The blasts at an ammunition depot of the Sloboda factory in Cacak, about 140 kilometers south of Belgrade, set off a huge fire that lit the night sky above the town. Police sealed off the area, blocked roads into the Cacak and moved people living near the factory from their homes. Workers who were at the factory hid in the basement when the explosions started. It was not immediately clear what caused the incident. Serbian media reported that sporadic detonations could still be heard in the morning, hours after they started around 1.30 a.m. We were lucky the explosion didn't take place in the production halls, Cacak Mayor Milun Todorovic told state broadcaster RTS television. Officials said firefighters would be able to go into the factory to assess the situation 24 hours after the last explosion. They said later Friday they expected the fire to be fully extinguished by next week and the factory to back in operation on Monday. RTS reported that most evacuated residents had returned to their homes by midday. The Biden administration said in January it was reconsidering a Trump rule that removed federal protections for wolves across most of the Lower 48 states, but officials so far have not backed away from the Trump rule and continue to defend it in court. Wildlife advocates have pressed to revive the federal protections for gray wolves across the Northern Rockies and Upper Midwest after Republicans in Idaho, Montana and other states made it much easier to kill the predators. In the final days of the Trump administration, the Fish and Wildlife Service cut by one-third the amount of protected federal old-growth forest used by the spotted owl, a move that was cheered by the timber industry and slammed by Democrats and environmental groups. The Biden administration has temporarily delayed putting the Trump-era rules into effect in order to review the decision. Last week, the Biden administration proposed federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, saying its habitat across five states is in danger of becoming more fragmented, with a further toll expected from the effects of climate change and drought. The chickens habitat spans parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas -- including a portion of the oil-rich Permian Basin. A Texas man pleaded guilty this week to a federal hate crime charge for a scheme to target gay men, using the online hookup site Grindr to lure men to a vacant apartment and elsewhere in Dallas in December 2017. The man, Daniel Jenkins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping, carjacking and firearms charges. Jenkins and others held the victims at gunpoint, stole their money and cars, taunted them and made the victims drive to ATMs to withdraw cash from their bank accounts. As part of a plea deal, he faces up to 26 years in prison. Three other men, Michael Atkinson, Daryl Henry and Pablo Ceniceros-Deleon, have already pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case and are scheduled to be sentenced in June. And a Louisiana man was indicted in March in connection with what authorities said was a plot to kidnap men using Grindr and then dismember and eat them. The 19-year-old from Lafayette specifically targeted the men because of their gender and sexual orientation and wanted to keep the victims bodies as trophies and mementos, the Justice Department said. The Statue of Liberty could be getting company from her native France. Paris' acclaimed Pompidou Center announced plans Friday to open a satellite museum in what is now a gutted industrial building in New Jersey's Jersey City, not far from where Lady Liberty stands in New York Harbor. Centre Pompidou x Jersey City, scheduled to open in 2024, would be the French museum's first venture in North America, said Centre Pompidou President Serge Lasvignes. It currently has sites in Metz, France; Shanghai, China; Malaga, Spain; and Brussels, Belgium. The satellite would be completed in time for the start of a major renovation of the Pompidou's landmark Paris museum, which houses more than 120,000 modern works of art in its unique architecture of exposed colored pipes and air ducts. Jersey City hasnt historically been widely visited by the hordes of tourists who come to New York City area each year, but it is an easy train ride from Lower Manhattan. While the French would provide the art and expertise, Jersey City would provide the cash. A 2013 profiling verdict against Arpaios office led to two court-ordered overhauls of the agency, one of its traffic enforcement division and another of its internal affairs operation, which under Arpaio had been criticized for biased decision-making and shielding sheriffs officials from accountability. The judge stripped the sheriffs office of some of its autonomy over internal affairs. Transfers of employees in and out the internal affairs unit are now required to be approved by a court official who is monitoring the sheriffs office on behalf of Snow. More training was required for supervisors. And the sheriffs office is required to investigate all complaints of officer misconduct, even those made anonymously. In trying to fend off a contempt hearing, Penzones attorney had previously said in court records that the sheriffs office made warnings about the backlog to court officials, but its suggestions for fixing the problem were rejected. They said the agency is committed to complying with the overhaul and that its efforts to close those cases were outpaced by an increasing number of new complaints. The U.S. Justice Department and attorneys who filed the profiling lawsuit argued that the length of the investigations has resulted in lost evidence that makes it more likely that officer misconduct wont be confronted. Lukashenko has accused the West of trying to strangle his country with sanctions. On Thursday, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry announced cuts of U.S. diplomatic personnel, the tightening of travel rules for Americans and other restrictions in retaliation to the U.S. sanctions against Belarusian companies. Now we need to abandon ... the street activity we had before, those formats in which we worked, Pratasevich said in the Wednesday show. Because there is simply no such activity now, and there can't be any now." He said the opposition should wait for an economic downturn to mount a new challenge. We need to wait until the economic situation worsens ... and people take to the street for a bowl of soup, to put it bluntly, he said. He described seeing heavily armed special forces waiting as the plane taxied to a parking spot. It was a dedicated SWAT unit uniforms, flak jackets and weapons, he said. The journalist said he disclosed his travel plans in a chat with associates 40 minutes before his departure. He alleged that the bomb threat could have been issued by someone with whom he had a personal conflict, but he did not elaborate. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) Serbias president on Friday said that European Union-mediated negotiations on normalizing relations with Kosovo, which stalled last year, will resume within days. Aleksandar Vucic did not specify the date but said dialogue will continue within a very short period of time. We are talking about days, not weeks," said Vucic. We are always ready to talk. Serbia does not want a frozen conflict." Vucic spoke after U.S. and EU envoys visited this week both Serbia and Kosovo as part of efforts to help resolve a long-standing problem that remains a source of tension in the Balkans years after the wars of the 1990s. Kosovo, a former Serbian province, declared independence in 2008, which Serbia does not recognize. The United States and most EU countries have recognized Kosovo's statehood while Serbia has the support of Russia and China. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Palmer and the EU envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, met with Vucic on Thursday in Belgrade after visiting Pristina, Kosovo's capital, earlier in the week. If you are old enough to remember the hit comedy movie of 1980, Caddy Shack, then you will recall that a gopher infestation was threatening a golf course in Nebraska. The somewhat deranged groundskeeper was tasked with getting rid of the pest. His efforts at eradication include shooting, f OPINION: Letter writers have a lot to say about Kyrsten Sinema, the filibuster and not being there for the vote for a Jan. 6 commission. What are your thoughts? Submit a letter to the editor, tucson.com/letter. OPINION: "No, I am not and we are not 'over sensitive.' Anti-Semitism is real, hurtful and malicious. Sometimes it is subtle, sometimes flagrant. It affects more of us than anyone would want to admit," writes Rabbi Emeritus Robert Eisen. The Tulsa Route 66 Commission is launching a new event to celebrate the Mother Road. Shop 66 Saturdays, an effort to boost economic development along the road, begins Saturday and will recur on the first Saturday of each month. Participating businesses are located along all 28 miles of Route 66 that go through Tulsa. Whether it be a great photo op, dining, or shopping experience, we want to showcase the energy and momentum that is thriving on historic Route 66 for both the local consumer and the modern traveler, Lisa Wakefield, chair of the Economic Development Subcommittee of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission, said in a statement. Our committee has been working to find ways to drive traffic to businesses on Route 66, and most importantly, to highlight the value of opening a business on our historic stretch of highway. Each district along the Mother Road will celebrate Shop 66 Saturdays with its own variety of food, art and shopping. They include the Meadow Gold District, Tulsa Market District, Red Fork/Crystal City, Kendall-Whittier District and the Blue Dome District. Those wanting a list of special events, pop-up shops and participating businesses may visit www.facebook.com/Tulsa66Commission. Second, we must pass effective, bipartisan legislation on infrastructure. Soon. America needs a strong foundation to compete on the fiercely competitive global stage. In addition to rebuilding our roads, bridges and airportsa long-neglected national embarrassmentwe must make the internet readily available to everyone. We cannot prosper in a digital world with millions of citizens offline. And we must make the internet safe. We cannot withstand the bad intentions of cyber criminalsmany of whom are rival nation statesif we do not dramatically bolster our cyber defenses. If current trends continue, the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack will be the first chapter in an escalating story of cyber criminals attacking Americas critical infrastructure. Finally, we must reduce Donald Trumps influence. This is easier said than done, but it could not be more essential. In an era of hysterical overstatements it is an understatement to say that Trump is at warexpressly and unapologeticallywith Americas basic premise of consensual government. The peaceful transfer of power is, indeed, the touchstone of democracy. An election is meaningless if a corresponding restructuring of government does not follow. Trumps maniacal lying about the 2020 presidential election jeopardizes the publics trust in our election system, a prerequisite to its survival. The motion states that the school is seeking to protect its interests if it is determined that EYS has expended monies from the Learning Fund on unauthorized items, as it has reserved its ability to sue over such a finding in its termination agreement with EYS. The new motion also seeks to clarify for the court that emails to which the judge in the case just granted access to the auditor are now in the possession of EYS because of the recent termination agreement between the school and EYS. The school is asking the court to take into consideration its desire to not be in the middle of the auditors lawsuit against EYS and to avoid the needless expenditure of time and money by the school to obtain the emails sought by the auditor. The courts move to give the state auditor access to know how Epics student Learning Fund monies have been spent, however, does not make the records directly accessible to the public. Oklahoma County District Judge Natalie Mai directed that the records disclosed will remain confidential pursuant to the gag order previously issued by this Court and are to be used only for the purpose of and during the course and scope of the audit and investigation. A Claremore man has been arrested on a second-degree murder charge in connection with a fiery fatal crash that occurred last month. The Tulsa County District Attorneys Office is pursuing a case against 18-year-old Miguel Romero on charges of second-degree murder with an alternative of first-degree manslaughter as well as driving with a suspended license and being in possession of alcohol illegally, according to a Tulsa Police Department news release issued Friday. Police arrested Romero on the warrant on Thursday, the release says. According to a probable cause affidavit, he had a 0.12 blood alcohol concentration, and a review of data from his vehicle showed he was traveling at at least 106 mph shortly before the collision. Police said at the time that a speeding 2016 Dodge Charger ran a red light at Apache Street and Yale Avenue as another motorist was attempting to make a left turn around 2 a.m. May 15. The two vehicles collided, and authorities said Audreaunna Williams, the driver of a Jeep Cherokee, died at the scene. The Charger was believed to be drag racing with another vehicle when it ran the red light, the Tulsa Police Department said in a Facebook post. The city discovered five more potential burials from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery on Thursday, bringing the total to 20. In October, researchers found what they said appear to be 12 decomposed coffins in what was the cemeterys Black paupers field. The city resumed excavation work Tuesday and on Wednesday discovered three more burials. We are just coming down to the point where we are on top of the coffins for each of those burials, but we are not digging any deeper than that, state archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck said in an update posted on the citys Facebook page. Stackelbeck said her team is being careful, cautious and thoughtful in how it exposes the burials. We dont want to have more open at any point in time than is necessary, considering the potential for rain next week, she said. Hand excavation, exhumation and documentation of the burials will begin next week with the arrival of archaeologists from Cardno Inc. of Tampa, Florida. The eight-member team is expected to be in Tulsa for six to eight weeks. Records indicate that at least 18 African Americans killed in the massacre were buried in Oaklawn, although the exact locations within the cemetery have long since been forgotten. And that was huge a great opportunity and youre thinking this is going to last for generations to come. I can leave my children this land, and they can leave their children this land, recounts Williams, whose ancestor went from enslaved laborer to judge of the Muscogee Creek tribal Supreme Court after slavery. In fact, Alaina E. Roberts, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, writes in her book Ive Been Here All the While: Black Freedom on Native Land, the freed slaves of five Native American nations became the only people of African descent in the world to receive what might be viewed as reparations for their enslavement on a large scale. Why that happened in the territory that became Oklahoma, and not the rest of the slaveholding South: The U.S. government enforced stricter terms for reconstruction on the slave-owning American Indian nations that had fully or partially allied with the Confederacy than it had on Southern states. While U.S. officials quickly broke Gen. William T. Shermans famous Special Field Order No. 15 providing 40 acres for each formerly enslaved family after the Civil War, U.S. treaties compelled five slave-owning tribes the Choctaws, Chickasaws, Cherokees, Muscogee Creek and Seminoles to share tribal land and other resources and rights with freed Black people who had been enslaved. The focus of equity is not racism, Cummings said. It looks at where your gaps are and develop and create strategies to close those gaps. That is where we need to be going in the community. Do not forget about policy and systems. Growth strategies involve retirement security, education opportunities, housing, entrepreneurship and access to capital. Some require legislation, but most discussions at the summit focused on corporate and nonprofit leadership. There is not one silver bullet to address the racial wealth gap, Cummings said. On the public side, gaining traction are targeted home down payment assistance, expanded college tuition grants and waivers and so-called baby bonds, which would be a type of savings accounts given to infants for use at age 18. Sen. James Lankford proposed a bill that would allow workers to withdraw up to $1,000 from retirement savings accounts without penalties for emergencies. It is to encourage retirement savings and reduce use of high-interest credit cards and payday lenders. The pandemic illuminated a longstanding problem in Tulsa: hunger. Our own staff and community suffered during the turmoil and setbacks of 2020, compelling us to find a solution. What began as a short-term fix, has transformed the way we think about addressing food insecurity and bolstering revenue for small business. Through the generous support of the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation board, Mother Road Market implemented a 12-week food subsidy program during the pandemic to address hunger and bolster revenue to merchants. By working with local partners Food on the Move and Growing Together, Mother Road Market donated 24,165 locally made meals to feed our community and generated more than $128,000 in revenue for our merchants. I am so proud of the contributions we made during a time when Tulsa needed it most. However, our work is not complete. Oklahoma is one of 13 states in the U.S. where food insecurity is higher than the national average. One in four children goes to bed hungry, and one in six is food insecure. A staggering 20% of Tulsas children are food insecure. Many Tulsa citizens do not have room in their budget for food because they do not make enough money to afford the basic costs of living. I think as data goes up more, well get more confidence in that, but you cant really ignore whats happening, Peacock said. With mass vaccination ongoing, the United States is increasingly acting as if it has licked the COVID-19 virus and is moving quickly toward the levels of openness for the pre-COVID world. All of that, however, is contingent on the vaccine remaining effective as the virus evolves. So far, its hard to say conclusively how effective the vaccines are against the B.1.617 variant. But if the vaccine does work against B.1.617 that leaves open the question of the next variant, which may be more severe, more transmissible and more immune to the vaccine. And if the virus runs unabated through a population of 1.3 billion, there will be a next variant and one after that and one after that. The distance between Rev. Jacksons moral imperative and my own analysis of self-interest is an emblem of the distance between him and me on the ethical plane. But, in this case, theres a more important conclusion: The moral imperative and the motive of self-interest lead to exactly the same conclusion. We must help, and we must do so aggressively. Id say those three ideas have very little chance of ever becoming law. Even in Oklahoma, theyre too extreme, and if they were to pass, thered be an anticipatable voter backlash. But in legislating, theres a difference between ideas and bills. Ideas are free-floating and malleable. Bills are a commodity. Those three bills and many others waiting in the legislative hopper remain alive in the legislative process next year, meaning they could become vehicles for pernicious but less obviously obnoxious ideas at the last minute of next years legislative session. Imagine that Republican leaders wanted to eliminate the states no-excuse-necessary standard for mailed-in absentee voting or purge a half million voters in a way that would help their party? They could take any one of the live bills that deals with the appropriate article in state law, strip out the authors language entirely, insert their own, and theyve shucked a new hole in the democratic process. The most likely vehicle for such a tactic would be Senate Bill 714, which would have done about the same thing as HB 2663, the one that became law this year. SB 714 has passed the Senate and has gone through the House committee process, and would appear to be redundant at this point. The USCGC John Midgett, a U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat, is on its way to Vietnam where it will be transferred to the Vietnamese Coast Guard, the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam said on Wednesday. Operated by a Vietnamese crew, the patrol boat left Seattle, the United States for Vietnam on Tuesday. This is the second ship delivered to Vietnams Coast Guard under the U.S. Excess Defense Articles program, an initiative which provides excess military equipment to U.S. partners and allies to support their modernization efforts. This Hamilton-class ship was re-painted to feature the Vietnamese words 'Vietnam Coast Guard,' before delivery to the Southeast Asian country. The USCGC John Midgett was renamed CSB 8021 and will be added to the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 3 patrol fleet this summer. Two Vietnamese crews were sent to the U.S. for training on the ship in November 2020 and February this year. The USCGC John Midgett, the last in a series of 12 large Hamilton-class patrol boats formerly employed by the U.S. Coast Guard, was built in 1971 and retired in 2020. The patrol boat is 115 meters long and 13 meters wide. It has a displacement of 3,050 metric tons and is equipped with four engines. The vessel has a maximum speed of 54 kilometers per hour and is capable of operating at sea for 45 consecutive days. It has a range of 20,000 kilometers. As a large-sized patrol boat, the USCGC John Midgett will be an important supplement to the Vietnam Coast Guard fleet, which is currently limited to include boats with displacements ranging from less than 1,000 to around 2,500 metric tons. The delivery of retired ships and other military equipment to Vietnam is a prime component of the regional security partnership between the U.S. and Vietnam, the U.S. Embassy commented. The first U.S. Coast Guard vessel delivered to Vietnam, the USCGC Morgenthau, docked in the Southeast Asian country in May 2017. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A chairman of a commune-level Peoples Council in Hanoi has been expelled from the Communist Party of Vietnam for cheating during the election of legislators at all levels last month. Phung Minh Chien, vice-chairman of the election committee in Me Linh District, confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday that the disciplinary action had been imposed on Nguyen Xuan Hung. Hung is deputy secretary of the Party Committee, chairman of the Peoples Council, and chairman of the election committee in Trang Viet Commune under Me Linh District. He was also a candidate during the election of members to the Trang Viet Peoples Council for the 2021-26 tenure. Nguyen Huu Hoan, head of election team No. 4 in Trang Viet Commune, was also expelled from the Party for cheating during the election. Residents across Vietnam cast their votes to elect deputies to the 15th National Assembly and members to peoples councils at all levels for the 2021-26 tenure on May 23. After the election concluded on the same day, authorized officials at election team No. 4 in Trang Viet Commune examined the ballot box and noticed that there were a total of 1,303 ballots, while only 1,228 had been distributed to local residents. A probe later revealed that Hung had discussed his plan with Hoan on manipulating the election result. Hung took advantage of his position to add 75 ballots, on which he had crossed out all the names of other candidates. He asked two militiamen to help him put the illegitimate votes into the ballot box. Local authorities are reviewing the case to determine suitable penalties for the two militiamen. Due to the violation, the election of members to the Peoples Council in Trang Viet Commune at election team No. 4 will be re-organized on Sunday. Hung has been eliminated from the list of candidates. A similar decision has been applied to election team No. 4 in Hoang Long Commune, Phu Xuyen District after a serious violation was detected. Hanoi had an election turnout rate of 99.16 percent, with the participation of over 5.4 million voters. On May 27, the Hanoi election committee announced the list of 95 delegates to the municipal Peoples Council for the 2021-26 tenure. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! An apartment building in Hanoi has been temporarily locked down after a man who had recently returned to the capital from Ho Chi Minh City tested positive for COVID-19. Hemisco Xa La a 30-story apartment block with more than 500 units in Phuc La Ward, Ha Dong District was fenced off on Thursday night, according to Nguyen Duc Tien, the ward's chairman. Health workers have collected samples from residents living on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd floors for COVID-19 testing. They have also begun to disinfect the building. The lockdown will be gradually lifted in accordance with regulations when the test results are returned, chairman Tien stated. The decision follows a contact tracing report from the Hanoi Center for Disease Control, which announced a suspected coronavirus case earlier the same day. The 39-year-old patient resides at the Apartment P2103 of Hemisco Xa La. He flew to Ho Chi Minh City on May 26 and stayed at Harmony Hotel on Bui Thi Xuan Street in District 1. During his time in the southern city, he worked at Cen Group JSC in District 1, where three COVID-19 patients have so far been confirmed. A health worker disinfects the Hemisco Xa La apartment building in Ha Dong District, Hanoi, June 3, 2021. Photo: Ha Quan / Tuoi Tre The man returned to Hanoi on flight VN220 at 8:00 pm on May 30. After being informed of the COVID-19 cases at Cen Group, he asked his chauffeur to take him home from the airport. The man also filed a health declaration and isolated himself inside a room at his apartment. He had his samples collected for COVID-19 testing on Wednesday and the result later came back positive. His direct contacts include his five family members and his chauffeur. Local authorities are further tracing other close contacts of the suspected case. Vietnam had documented 8,115 COVID-19 cases as of Friday morning, with 3,085 recoveries and 49 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. The country has recorded 5,008 local infections in 37 provinces and cities since April 27, including 430 cases in Hanoi and 288 in Ho Chi Minh City. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A man from Bac Giang Province, Vietnam's largest COVID-19 epicenter, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for attacking an officer at a coronavirus checkpoint. The Peoples Court in the northern province's Yen Dung District conducted the trial of Luong Van Tien, 37, on Thursday. Tien was handed a 30-month jail term for obstructing an on-duty law enforcement officer. The indictment showed that he invited several friends to his home in Tien Phong Commune for a party on May 21. That afternoon, the group relocated to a friends house in Noi Hoang Commune. While at the communes COVID-19 checkpoint, Tien tried to cross a fence surrounding an isolated area. He did not cooperate with officers when they asked him to leave. The man eventually grabbed one of the officers by his shirt and punched him in the head. Tien was later apprehended for obstruction. At the trial, Tien insisted that he could not control his behavior due to the influence of alcohol. Vietnam had documented 8,195 coronavirus cases as of Friday afternoon, with 3,085 recoveries and 49 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. The country has recorded 5,088 local infections in 37 provinces and cities since the fourth transmission wave hit the country on April 27. Bac Giang has detected 2,757 cases, the highest in the country during this bout, with many of the patients recorded at local industrial parks. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City are suffering a dearth of blood amid the resurgence of COVID-19 in Vietnam, the municipal Peoples Committee said as part of its call for blood donations on Thursday. The majority of medical institutions in Ho Chi Minh City have suspended their blood donation schedules due to current restrictions on gatherings to curb the spread of COVID-19. With donations postponed, the city's blood reserves are dwindling. The amount of blood in the citys stores as of May 27 was approximately 5,000 units, an alarmingly low level and the lowest in the past nine months, the municipal Peoples Committee said. (One unit equals 250 millimeters.) With no blood donations, officials expect the citys blood reserves to be depleted by June 8 as the average daily need for over 130 hospitals sits between 600 and 900 blood units. In response to the situation, the Peoples Committee has directed leaders of relevant departments and agencies to continue their blood donation plans. All blood donations must comply with the Ministry of Healths regulations on pandemic prevention and control. Those who wish to donate their blood are advised to visit two fixed blood donation points: the Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital at No. 118 Hong Bang Street in Ward 12, District 5 from 7:00 am to 12:00 am and from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm all week, and the Ho Chi Minh City Humanitarian Blood Donation Center at No. 106 Thien Phuoc Street in Ward 9, Tan Binh District between 7:00 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays and from 7:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Ho Chi Minh City detected 288 new COVID-19 cases between April 27 and Friday morning. The majority of the infections can be traced back to a religious mission in Go Vap District. The southern metropolis reinstated enhanced social distancing on Monday, with stringent measurers slated to last 15 days. Vietnam added 52 local infections on Friday morning, raising the national tally to 8,115 patients, according to the Ministry of Health. The number of domestic cases detected since the re-emergence of the virus in the country on April 27 to date is 5,008 and since the first emergence on January 23, 2020 is 6,577. Recoveries have reached 3,085 while the death toll has hit 49. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Two children drowned after falling into a lake while flying kites around it in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai on Thursday, according to local authorities. The two victims were among a group of about ten students flying kites at an open field bordering the water surface of Bien Ho (Sea Lake), a famous freshwater lake 800 meters above sea level in Gia Lais Pleiku City, late on Thursday afternoon. At around 5:30 pm, the four children including Nguyen Hoang M.T. and Tran Doan L.T., both 14 years old, and Truong Thi Y.N. and Hoang K.T., both 12 years old, slipped and fell into the lake before being swept into the deep water. At that time, 13-year-old Tran Duy, who was also flying a kite nearby, quickly ran to help and was able to pull Y.N. and K.T. ashore safely. Meanwhile, the other two children could not be saved. M.T. and L.T. were later brought ashore by local people and rushed to a hospital where doctors declared that they were dead. Drowning claims the lives of more than 2,000 children in Vietnam every year and is among the leading causes of death among children in the country, heard a conference on child drowning prevention jointly held by the Party Central Committees Commission for Information and Education and the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs on December 15, 2020. This drowning rate is the highest in Southeast Asia and ten times that of developed countries. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam has approved a coronavirus vaccine produced by a Chinese company for emergency use, the third shot to have secured such authorization in the Southeast Asian country so far. Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong signed a decision on Thursday to authorize the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine made by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG). The vaccine was listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 7, according to a press release the WHO posted on its website the same day. The WHO has greenlighted jabs produced by OxfordAstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm-BBIBP, Moderna, Sinovac, and Johnson & Johnson. An advistory board under Vietnams Ministry of Health said the Sinopharm jab has been given emergency use authorization in 41 countries. The Sinopharm shot is the third to have been approved for emergency use in Vietnam, after AstraZeneca and Russias Sputnik V. Vietnam has received almost 2.9 million doses of coronavirus vaccine as yet, mostly AstraZeneca shots, from the COVAX vaccine-sharing scheme and direct purchases. Over one million have been administered to medical staff and other frontline workers since the country rolled out mass immunization on March 8. The government set a target of taking delivery of 150 million vaccine shots to inoculate 75 percent of a population of nearly 98 million people The Ministry of Health has confirmed 8,195 coronavirus patients, including 3,085 recoveries and 50 deaths, since the virus first hit Vietnam on January 23, 2020. The nation has been battling a fourth wave since April 27, with 5,088 domestic infections having been reported in 37 out of 63 provinces and cities since. It recorded 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! State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Thursday appointed Colonel General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Deputy Minister of National Defense, as Chief of the General Staff of the People's Army of Vietnam. State President Phuc handed the appointment decision to Col. Gen. Cuong at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. The Vietnamese head of state is the de jure commander-in-chief of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces and chairman of the Council for Defense and Security. In January this year, Cuong, 55, was promoted to the colonel general rank and was elected as a member of the 13th Party Central Committee for the 2021-26 term. In December 2019, he was named deputy defense chief after being chosen as Deputy Chief of the General Staff in November 2018. In 2016, he was commander of the 4th Military Region, which is charged with defending north-central Vietnam, and a member of the 12th Party Central Committee for 2016-21. In November 2014, he was appointed commander of the 4th Military Region for the first time. Cuong has worked for many years at the 1st Corps, one of Vietnams four regular army corps. His predecessor is Phan Van Giang, who was voted in as defense minister in April 2021. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! On 60 Minutes this Sunday, Karl Stefanovic speaks to Piers Morgan; plus Crowded house and the hunt for a drugs lord. The Facebook Gangster For investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, this story is the result of a decade of work. Its the hunt for Australias most wanted criminal, a rat-cunning, ruthless gangster who has made an eye-watering fortune importing massive quantities of drugs into Australia. Law enforcement authorities call the criminal network he helps to operate The Aussie Cartel, but now, after years on the run outwitting the cops, his arrogance could be about to lead to his downfall. By linking top-secret intelligence with multiple online clues including some of this mans remarkably careless Facebook and Instagram activity McKenzie has discovered the location of the crooks secret hideout. Reporter: Nick McKenzie Producer: Joel Tozer Woke Up If it aint woke, wed better fix it. Depending on which side you take, its either a rallying call to make the world a better place or a ridiculous catch cry killing free speech. When it comes to knowing whats offensive and what isnt, most people rely on common sense, but with the internet being such an effective transmitter of outrage, as well as an instant weapon to publicly shame perceived offenders, thats not always the case. On 60 Minutes, Karl Stefanovic interviews sacked British TV host Piers Morgan, one of the most divisive characters in the cancel-culture debate. Three months ago Morgan controversially declared the Duchess of Sussex had lied in her tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, and in the outcry that followed his comments he lost his high-profile job. But now the outspoken journalist is fighting back, warning the world of dire consequences if the battle to defend free speech is lost. Reporter: Karl Stefanovic Producer: Tracey Hannaford Renovators Delight When Crowded House played their farewell concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House 25 years ago, tears were shed all over the world, especially in New Zealand and Australia. The music Neil Finn, Nick Seymour and Paul Hester made was so well loved that knowing it was over was tough to take. But for Crowded House fans, the pain is about to end. The band is reforming, although as Tom Steinfort finds out, renovating might be a better description because there are new members joining the lineup. One thing is certain though: that legendary Crowded House sound will be as memorable as ever. Reporter: Tom Steinfort Producer: Darren Ally 8:40pm Sunday on Nine. Related The Today Show has been fined $30,000 as part of 12 media organisations collectively fined 1.1m after publishing details of Cardinal George Pells child sexual abuse convictions in breach of court orders. Nine-owned newspapers and News Corp copped the biggest fines of $450,000 and $400,000 respectively, when they published details referencing a guilty verdict in a high-profile Australians trial in late 2018. Suppression orders were in place until February 2019 when a second trial was subsequently scrapped. While Pell was found guilty of child sexual abuse charges in December 2018 the verdict was ultimately overturned by the high court in April last year. Media organisations including The Age, Herald and Weekly Times, Geelong Advertiser and Nationwide News, pleaded guilty to contempt of court earlier this year. Two years after dozens of journalists and media outlets were charged with contempt over reporting of the Pell case, the matter has ended with whopping penalties handed out to some. Heres a list of all the fines. #auslaw #springst pic.twitter.com/irTxDhq4OX Shannon Deery (@s_deery) June 4, 2021 Companies also agreed in February to pay $650,000 in prosecution costs and make a formal apology to County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd, whilst charges against 15 individual journalists and editors were dropped. In his judgment, Justice John Dixon said he took the sincere and unreserved apology to the court into account but said the timing of the apology made at trial did not demonstrate any significant degree of remorse and contrition. Source: New Daily, Guardian Related Traumatising conversion therapy content is still thriving on Arabic Facebook, despite the platform promising a ban last year. Arab LGBT+ activists say harmful posts claiming to cure homosexuality continue to proliferate on the platform, where practitioners broadcast their services to millions of followers through verified accounts. This content is reportedly pushed onto the profiles of closeted young LGBT+ people who turn to social media for information and advice. Facebook led me to conversion therapy, and Im not alone, Omar, a 24-year-old Egyptian, told Reuters. I didnt start out looking for treatment, I wanted to understand, is it normal? Last year Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all vowed to pull down any content deemed to promote conversion therapy after the social media giants were pressured to crack down on the debunked practice. While Facebook has taken action against English-language pages claiming to cure LGBT+ identities, it appears there is a major loophole in the companys policy: It doesnt seem to be enforced in Arabic. Not only do pre-ban posts advocating conversion therapy remain visible, but new posts continue to flood the site every day, activists report. From our experience, these posts are almost never taken down, no matter what the rules say, said the executive director of one Egypt-based LGBT+ rights group, asking to remain anonymous. All efforts to change sexuality or gender identity so have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organisation for decades. The devastating practice is often compared to torture and has been linked to higher risks of depression, suicide, and drug addiction. None of that is clear from Arabic Facebook, said Nora Noralla, an Egyptian LGBT+ researcher. If you are a parent who only speaks Arabic you open up Facebook, you search for information, and what youll see is posts from people who say they are doctors, and that its a disease that can be cured, she said. Story continues One of the most prolific Arabic conversion therapists, Awsam Wasfy, has over 150,000 followers on a page where he advertises his abilities to cure homosexuality. Also active on Facebook is Heba Kotb, who has over 2 million followers and performs anal exams as part of a sexual assessment. She said Facebook was a key channel to interact with patients, particularly during the pandemic, and has dedicated staff who respond to Facebook inquiries. I have treated no less than 3,000 cases of gays, all over the Arab world, she claimed, boasting a 100 per cent success rate. Incredibly, Facebook told Reuters that neither Wasfy nor Kotbs pages had any active violations. Its a game of whack-a-mole, said Mathew Shurka, an LGBT+ activist in the US who has worked with Facebook on conversion therapy. Theyre constantly shifting language and tactics. Facebook has a troubling history on the issue, having previously been caught taking money from conversion therapy promoters. In 2017, PinkNews revealed that an evangelical gay cure group, Anchored North, had used Facebook to target LGBT+ people with adverts warning they face eternity in hell. At the time Facebook assured PinkNews that the ad in question violates our advertising policies, and has been removed. But subsequent investigation by a national newspaper more than a year later flagged that near-identical ads from the same group were still appearing on Facebook. Responding to the latest concerns, a Facebook person said that content that explicitly provides or offers to provide products or services that aim to change peoples sexual orientation or gender identity is against our Community Standards and is not allowed on our platform. When the Thomson Reuters Foundation provided Facebook with more than a dozen examples of conversion therapy promotion on the platform, Facebook subsequently removed most of the posts, including one by Wasfy promoting a Zoom event on curing homosexuality. The spokesperson said other posts were under review and Facebook found that some content did not violate its standards. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's Victoria state reported just three new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, its lowest single-day rise in more than a week, a day after a snap lockdown in the state capital of Melbourne was extended for another week. Australia's second most populous state has endured four lockdowns since the pandemic begun, the longest running for more than 100 days late last year. Under mounting pressure and with an election likely within a year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday announced a plan to pay up to A$500 ($387) a week to people in lockdown. Morrison said the payments would be given to people over the age of 17 who cannot work from home and who have less than A$10,000 in liquid assets. Australia introduced a wage subsidy scheme at the beginning of the pandemic but it ended in March and the government resisted calls for a temporary reintroduction of the measure. Snap lockdowns, international and regional border curbs and tough social distancing rules have largely helped Australia keep its COVID-19 figures relatively low, at 30,130 cases and 910 deaths. But Morrison is being criticised for a slow vaccine rollout and his refusal to help state governments build COVID-19 quarantine centres, instead of relying on hotel quarantine where some lax security has let the virus spread. Melbourne's latest outbreak has been traced to a traveller, returned from overseas, who left hotel quarantine in the state of South Australia after testing negative but later tested positive in Melbourne. Melbourne is now seven days into a hard lockdown, scheduled to run until June 10, with authorities saying the highly contagious variant of the virus, first detected in India, could spread out of control. Though Victoria's daily cases have remained in the single digits for a week, officials fear even minimal contact could help spread the variant. The three cases came from record daily tests of more than 57,500 people, bringing the total number of infections in the outbreak to 63. Story continues The lockdown rules in parts of Victoria outside Melbourne will be eased from Thursday night due to the absence of cases there, although curbs on house gatherings will remain and masks must be worn indoors anywhere outside your home. Melbourne's five million residents, however, will only be allowed to step outside their homes for essential work, healthcare, grocery shopping, exercise or to get a COVID-19 vaccination until the end of next week. "We do not do this because we want to, we do not do this because it is a choice. We do this because we have to do," Victoria's acting premier, James Merlino, told reporters. New South Wales state, which shares a border with Victoria, is on alert after an infected traveller from Melbourne visited some tourist spots about two weeks ago, sending authorities rushing to track contacts. Nearly a dozen locations have been listed as hotspots. Australia's vaccine rollout has been slow partly due to a lack of urgency in the community as COVID-19 has been largely eliminated and due to concern about rare instances of blood clots from the AstraZeneca vaccine. The AstraZeneca vaccine is only being given to people aged 50 and over in Australia. The government reported on Thursday there were eight new confirmed or probable cases involving serious blood clots with a low blood platelet count, taking the total count to 41 confirmed or probable cases. (Reporting by Renju Jose; Additional reporting by Colin Packham and Sonali Paul; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel) Michael Gove (PA Wire) Michael Gove has been notified he may have come into contact with someone who had coronavirus while on a trip to Portugal. The cabinet office minister had to abandon a meeting with Boris Johnson and leaders of the devolved nations on Thursday. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster had gone to Porto with his son to watch the Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City. Mr Gove has been alerted through the NHS app that he may have been in contact with someone who had the virus. The Daily Mail reported it is believed the contact happened on the flight home from Porto. The Cabinet Office confirmed Mr Gove had been pinged by the app. Mr Gove had been due to meet the first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with the Prime Minister in a bid to strengthen the union. Instead of self-isolating for 10 days, Mr Gove will be able to take part in a pilot scheme for workplaces, including No 10, where he can instead be tested every day for a week. It comes as it was confirmed Portugal will be added to the amber travel list as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps raised concerns of a new coronavirus mutation and rising cases. The holiday hotspot, including the islands of Madeira and the Azores, will be removed from the green list. People returning to the UK from Portugal after Tuesday at 4am will be required to self-isolate at home for 10 days as part of coronavirus restrictions. In an interview, Mr Shapps said: I want to be straight with people, its actually a difficult decision to make, but in the end weve seen two things really which caused concern. One is the positivity rate has nearly doubled since the last review in Portugal and the other is theres a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just dont know the potential for that to be vaccine-defeating mutation and simply dont want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock. Story continues Additional reporting by the Press Association. Read More Michael Gove received coronavirus app alert after trip to Portugal Devolved leaders meet Prime Minister to discuss Covid recovery Government open minded about extending furlough scheme, Gove says A mutation of the Delta variant of coronavirus has been informally labelled the 'Nepal variant' and is under investigation by Public Health England (Getty) Reports around the emergence of a possible new mutation of coronavirus - which could be more resistant to vaccines - was cited on Thursday as a factor Portugal was taken off the 'green list' of travel destinations for Brits. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said concerns around "a sort of Nepal mutation of the Indian variant that's been detected" and a rise in case numbers were a cause for concern. In recent weeks the highly transmissible Indian variant - which has been renamed the 'delta' variant by the World Health Organization - has become the dominant strain in the UK, accounting for more than three-quarters of new infections. However, the WHO has said it is not aware of any new strain. What's going on? The Nepal strain is a mutation of the Indian variant. It contains properties of the Indian variant but also a mutation labelled K417N. This mutation has been found in the Beta variant first identified in South Africa, and is believed to be part of why that variant is less well neutralised by vaccines. The UK government revealed this week they in talks with AstraZeneca for additional doses of its COVID-19 vaccine that will have been specifically modified to better target the Beta variant. Who is worried? Professor Neil Ferguson, who sits on the government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NervTag), said on Friday that the mutation "may compromise vaccine effectiveness". He said: "K417N, now the Beta variant which was known as the South African variant, may compromise vaccine effectiveness more, but we really don't have enough data at the moment. It is a variant of interest and of concern." Professor Neil Ferguson said on Friday that the Nepal mutation "may compromise vaccine effectiveness" (REUTERS) Asked if the latest data could affect the further unlocking of the country on 21 June, Prof Ferguson said: "I think the data is pointing this week in a more negative direction than it was last week so it points towards the direction of being cautious. Story continues "I think balancing people's desire - and there clearly is a built-up desire to get back to normal - against the potential risk is a very difficult judgement call." Dr Jeff Barrett, director of the COVID-19 Genomics Initiative at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said there have been 91 sequences observed of the Indian variant containing this specific mutation. He said that this dual threat - that the new mutation could make the virus more transmissible and more resistant to vaccines - means scientists are monitoring it carefully. He said Indian variant plus the K417N mutation had been seen in numerous countries, including the UK, Portugal, the US, India, Nepal and Japan. Watch: Nepal variant blamed for Portugal decision What has the UK government said? Transport secretary Shapps said of the decision to remove Portugal from the travel green list: I want to be straight with people, its actually a difficult decision to make, but in the end weve seen two things really which caused concern. One is the positivity rate has nearly doubled since the last review in Portugal and the other is theres a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just dont know the potential for that to be vaccine-defeating mutation and simply dont want to take the risk as we come up to 21 June and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock. Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said on Friday he was not aware of any cases of the Nepal variant in the UK, however, Public Health England has said it is investigating 20 cases. Jenrick said Portuguese scientists had detected the variant, but added: What we dont yet know is how prevalent it is in Portugal but more importantly than that, whether this really is a significant problem. You could of course wait whilst we do that research and then, God forbid, we learn that it is very virulent, that it does compromise our vaccines, or we can take a safety-first approach. What has the WHO say? The World Health Organization has said it is not aware of any variant of concern detected in Nepal. A post on the WHO official Twitter account on Thursday read: "WHO is not aware of any new variant of SARS-CoV-2 being detected in Nepal. The three confirmed variants in circulation are: Alpha (B.1.1.7), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Kappa (B.1.617.1). The predominant variant currently in circulation in Nepal is Delta (B.1.617.2). There are thousands of variants of coronavirus but public health experts focus only on those that have worrying looking mutations or are showing signs of being more dangerous. These are called "variants under investigation" or "variants of concern". Watch: What UK government COVID-19 support is available? The UK government has agreed a trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, Liz Truss has confirmed. The deal will boost Britain's fish processing industry by supporting 18,000 jobs in Scotland and northern England and will help secure access to agricultural markets, the international trade secretary said. The government said the agreement, which was agreed in principle on Friday morning, is worth 21bn and will "slash tariffs on high-quality British food and farm products and support jobs in every area of our country". Ms Truss said the deal marks "a major boost" for UK trade. It will see tariffs cut for exporters to Norway of some traditional cheeses, the government said, and include tariff reductions and quotas on pork, poultry and other goods. Imports of fish from Norway and Iceland are set to increase under the post-Brexit agreement, while UK wines and spirits will also now be recognised in the three countries. Ministers added that the deal will also "boost critical British sectors like digital", with "ambitious" provisions in the agreement meaning that when British firms export to the three countries, they will be able to do so completely electronically and without a single piece of paperwork. High-skilled professionals from the UK will be allowed to enter Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein for business purposes under a "faster and simpler" visa process, Ms Truss said. She added that the deal will also allow caps on the charges mobile operators are allowed to charge each other for international mobile roaming to keep costs low for holiday makers and business travellers. The international trade secretary said: "Today's deal will be a major boost for our trade with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, growing an economic relationship already worth 21.6 billion, while supporting jobs and prosperity in all four nations at home." International Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena added: "This deal shows that the United Kingdom will continue to be a trade partner of choice, as we set the global trade agenda in areas like e-commerce and climate change. Story continues "More trade and more investment will drive growth and support jobs in every corner of our country." Since 1 January 2021, EU trade agreements no longer apply in the UK. The government has now signed a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU itself, while it has also struck a series of fresh agreements with non-EU countries. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are members of the European Free Trade Association (Efta), which also includes Switzerland. Trade agreements had to be negotiated after the UK left the EU, which has long-standing trade relations with Efta countries. "GoldHand2077" Wins 888poker XL Spring $30K PKO; Vivian Saliba Finishes Seventh June 04 2021 Jason Glatzer The $1 million guaranteed XL Spring Series had another exciting day at 888poker on Wednesday, June 2 with three action-packed progressive knockout (PKO) events. 888poker Ambassador Vivian "Vivi.888." Saliba advanced to the final table in the XL Spring #11 - $30,000 PKO before bowing out in seventh place. Brazil's "GoldHand2077" won the event for $6,553 to capture the biggest single prize in the XL Spring Series on Wednesday. Check out the results from the first day of the XL Spring Series at 888poker. Play in the XL Spring Series at 888poker! Satellites to the XL Spring Series now running at 888poker Get a 20 FREE bonus XL Spring #11 - $30,000 PKO Buy-in Date Entries Prize pool $109 June 2 376 $37,600 The XL Spring #11 - $30,000 PKO attracted 376 entries for a $37,600 prize pool to smash the $30,000 guarantee. All eyes were on 888poker Ambassador Vivian "Vivi.888." Saliba after she advanced to the final table. Saliba witnessed Saymon "9saymon" Nascimento (eighth - $559) and "Pikkumyy77" (ninth - $547) hit the rail before she joined them after exiting the event in seventh place for $974. "SmartestCat", who was on two XL Spring Series final tables the previous day, was back at it again last night before bowing out in sixth place for $767. "NeverBluff07" (third - $2,827), "Came2click" (fourth - $1,899), and "bellovinci" (fifth - $1,712) were all eliminated shortly after leaving two Brazilians in "GoldHand2077" and "mywifesT7i" heads-up for the title. Each player had $3,282 in prize money locked up with a big bounty to be played for at the end. "GoldHand2077" won the heads-up battle to win $6,553 while their countrymate "mywifesT7i" settled for $4,716 for finishing in second place. Related: Vivian Saliba Freeroll Strategy Tips at 888poker XL Spring #11 - $30,000 PKO Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize KO Total 1 GoldHand2077 Brazil $3,282 $3,271 $6,553 2 mywifesT7i Brazil $3,282 $1,434 $4,716 3 NeverBluff07 Malta $2,002 $825 $2,827 4 Came2click United Kingdom $1,449 $450 $1,899 5 bellovinci Germany $1,051 $661 $1,712 6 SmartestCat Belarus $767 $0 $767 7 Vivian "Vivi.888." Saliba Unknown $560 $414 $974 8 Saymon "9saymon" Nascimento Brazil $412 $147 $559 9 Pikkumyy77 Finland $303 $244 $547 XL Spring #12 - $15,000 Mini PKO Buy-in Date Entries Prize pool $16.50 June 2 1,159 $17,385 The XL Spring #12 - $15,000 Mini PKO crushed its $15,000 guarantee with 1,159 entries generating a $17,385 prize pool. The event was one of the longer ones lasting nearly 10 hours from start to finish before Russia's "ZDimitryS" claimed the title for $2,389 including $1,224 in bounties. United Kingdom's "wacko90" was the only other player to collect a four-figure haul in this event after he lost the heads-up battle to collect $1,410 including $246 in bounties. XL Spring #12 - $15,000 Mini PKO Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize KO Total 1 ZDmitryS Russia $1,165 $1,224 $2,389 2 wacko90 United Kingdom $1,164 $246 $1,410 3 ftragueta Brazil $721 $70 $791 4 Marisak1888 Cyprus $535 $44 $578 5 Kq4eva United Kingdom $396 $161 $556 6 Sidisdis Unknown $296 $111 $406 7 Rohood Argentina $222 $62 $284 8 kfkain Belarus $169 $87 $256 9 DrLogica Argentina $129 $129 $257 XL Spring #12 - $15,000 Mini PKO Buy-in Date Entries Prize pool $16.50 June 2 1,159 $17,385 The XL Spring #12 - $15,000 Mini PKO crushed its $15,000 guarantee with 1,159 entries generating a $17,385 prize pool. The event was one of the longer ones lasting nearly 10 hours from start to finish before Russia's "ZDimitryS" claimed the title for $2,389 including $1,224 in bounties. United Kingdom's "wacko90" was the only other player to collect a four-figure haul in this event after he lost the heads-up battle to collect $1,410 including $246 in bounties. XL Spring #12 - $15,000 Mini PKO Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize KO Total 1 ZDmitryS Russia $1,165 $1,224 $2,389 2 wacko90 United Kingdom $1,164 $246 $1,410 3 ftragueta Brazil $721 $70 $791 4 Marisak1888 Cyprus $535 $44 $578 5 Kq4eva United Kingdom $396 $161 $556 6 Sidisdis Unknown $296 $111 $406 7 Rohood Argentina $222 $62 $284 8 kfkain Belarus $169 $87 $256 9 DrLogica Argentina $129 $129 $257 XL Spring #13 - $10,000 Late PKO Buy-in Date Entries Prize pool $33 June 3 418 $12,540 The XL Spring #13 - $10,000 Late PKO was the final event of the day. Like the previous two events, this one also beat its $10,000 guarantee with 418 entries generating a $12,540 prize pool. Ukraine's "Nzol888" was crowned the champion to collect $2,133 including $1,090 in bounties after defeating "Sickovic" (second - $1,296) in heads-up play. Canada's "Jimbo1234" also finished on the podium in third place for $978 after a pair of players waving the Union Jack flag hit the rail in "Gumbo121" (fourth - $551) and "quinn_g1" (fifth - $485). XL Spring #13 - $10,000 Late PKO Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize KO Total 1 Nzol888 Ukraine $1,043 $1,090 $2,133 2 Sickovic Unknown $1,043 $253 $1,296 3 Jimbo1234 Canada $637 $341 $978 4 Gumbo121 United Kingdom $461 $90 $551 5 quinn_g1 United Kingdom $336 $149 $485 6 ktt4ever Brazil $248 $90 $338 7 PlzHold1Time Germany $182 $195 $377 8 MCKGAO Brazil $135 $160 $295 9 Invented21st United Kingdom $100 $131 $231 2021 888poker XL Spring Schedule Date Time (GMT) Event Buy-in Guarantee May 30 6 p.m. XL Spring #1 - $50,000 Opening Event $55 $50,000 6 p.m. XL Spring #2 - $25,000 Mini Opening $16.50 $25,000 6:30 p.m. XL Spring #3 - $10,000 Micro Opening $5.50 $10,000 8 p.m. XL Spring #4 - $15,000 Late Opening $33 $15,000 May 31 6 p.m. XL Spring #5 - $20,000 R&A Event $33 $20,000 6 p.m. XL Spring #6 - $8,000 Mini R&A $5.50 $8,000 8 p.m. XL Spring #7 - $8,000 Late R&A $11 $8,000 June 1 6 p.m. XL Spring #8 - $50,000 High Roller $320 $50,000 6 p.m. XL Spring #9 - $25,000 Mini High Roller $55 $25,000 8 p.m. XL Spring #10 - $20,000 Late High Roller $109 $20,000 June 2 6 p.m. XL Spring #11 - $30,000 PKO $109 $30,000 6 p.m. XL Spring #12 - $15,000 Mini PKO $16.50 $15,000 8 p.m. XL Spring #13 - $10,000 Late PKO $33 $10,000 June 3 6 p.m. XL Spring #14 - $40,000 PKO 8-Max $160 $40,000 6 p.m. XL Spring #15 - $15,000 Mini PKO 8-Max $22 $15,000 8 p.m. XL Spring #16 - $15,000 Late PKO 8-Max $55 $15,000 June 4 5 p.m. XL Spring #17 - $30,000 DeepStack $55 $30,000 5 p.m. XL Spring #18 - $15,000 Mini DeepStack $16.50 $15,000 7 p.m. XL Spring #19 - $10,000 Late DeepStack $33 $10,000 June 5 6 p.m. XL Spring #20 - $30,000 6-Max $109 $30,000 6 p.m. XL Spring #21 - $15,000 Mini 6-Max $16.50 $15,000 8 p.m. XL Spring #22 - $15,000 Late 6-Max $55 $15,000 June 6 5 p.m. XL Spring #23 - $500,000 Main Event $250 $500,000 5:30 p.m. XL Spring #24 - $50,000 Mini Main Event $33 $50,000 6 p.m. XL Spring #25 - $15,000 Micro Main Event $5.50 $15,000 Claim Your $888 Welcome Bonus Today Head to 888poker between May 30 to June 6 if you want to get your teeth into the XL Spring events. If you dont have an account simply download 888poker through PokerNews and you will be awarded an $88 bonus (20 in the UK) without making a deposit. Once you are ready to make your first deposit, it will be matched in the form of a bonus of up to $888, or more than twice as much advertised on the site. Georgian politics looks set for its biggest shake up in a decade after former prime minister Giorgi Gakharia announces the launch of a new party, one that has already attracted defectors from the ruling Georgian Dream. Citing what he called a distance between the ruling Georgian Dream party and ordinary citizens, Georgias former prime minister Girogi Gakharia on May 29 announced that he had formed a new party, to be known as For Georgia, Emerging Europe writes. Gakharia served as prime minister from September 2019 until February this year, when he resigned over the ruling partys treatment of an opposition politican, Nika Melia. At the time, Gakharia said that he had no intention of leaving politics, and last weekend delivered on his word, creating a new party he says will unite the politically fractured country. Today we unite for Georgia but against no one, said Gakharia at For Georgias launch. Our team will be actively involved in the political process, and I emphasise once again, we are against no one. The nascent partys ranks have already been bolstered by several high-profile defections from Georgian Dream, including the former head of the presidential administration Giorgi Arbashishvili and a former Georgian ambassador to NATO, Levan Dolidze. Gakharia led Georgian Dream to victory in a parliamentary election last October, and although results of the ballot have been fiercely disputed by the countrys opposition, international observers from the Organisation for Security andd Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) signed off on the election as being competitive and fair. Nevertheless, a long political crisis followed, with the opposition boycotting parliament until a deal was agreed in April, brokered by the European Council President Charles Michel. Resignation By then, however, Gakharia had gone, replaced by Irakli Garibashvili. Gakharia had disagreed with Georgian Dreams decision to arrest Melia, leader of the United National Movement, for violating the terms of his bail. Melia, released as part of the Michel-brokered deal, is facing charges of organising violent mass protests during demonstrations against the Georgian government in 2019. However, at the launch of his new party, Gakharia suggested that the motives behind his resignation from both the prime ministers job and the Georgian Dream party go far beyond the Melia case. I left because the party distanced itself from the real problems of our citizens, he said. I left because after eight years in power, the ruling party compared its achievements to the reality of 10-15 years ago, killing the prospects of development in our country. I left because because at one point, [Georgian Dream] put party interests before state interests. He went on to identify systemic corruption, weak state institutions and the lack of social protection mechanisms as the major issues facing Georgia today. Meanwhile, as Gakharia was unveiling For Georgia, opposition parties were holding demonstrations denouncing the former PM as representing Russian interests. According to one activist, [Gakharia] has always followed the orders of Bidzina Ivanishvili {Georgias richest person and the founder of Georgian Dream] and no one believes that he is now in opposition. Of course, he will defend the interests of the Kremlin in Georgia. Despite being widely viewed as one of the countrys most popular politicians, Gakharias career has been marred by controversy. He received two degrees from Moscow State University and lived much of his professional life in Russia, working as an executive for the German airline Lufthansa. In 2013, when Georgian Dream first took office, Gakharia was appointed as the countrys business ombudsman. During his tenure, he was accused of defending the business interests of the ruling party and its billionaire patron. Controlled opposition? In 2017, Gakharia was made minister of the interior. During his spell at the ministry police raided several popular nightclubs in Tbilisi, in an ostensibly anti-narcotics operation. However, the raids yielded much criticism from the public widespread protests followed and the ministry faced accusations that they were politically motivated. In 2019, in what has become known as Gavrilovs night, there were more protests after a visiting Russian MP was allowed to make a speech while seated in the chair of the speaker of Georgias parliament. Gakharia was still interior minister at the time, and ordered the police to break up the demonstration. Police used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets. At least two people experienced eye injuries and loss of vision due to the use of rubber bullets. However, a poll conducted by the National Democratic Institute in September 2019 found that while 43 per cent of Georgians thought the government responsible for use of excessive force in the crackdown, only nine per cent blamed Gakharia personally. Furthermore, a poll from this February carried out by the International Republican Institute found that Gakharia was the most popular politician in the country. The timing of Gakharias formation of a new party is not a coincidence. Part of the European Council-brokered deal between the rival Georgian parties stipulates that if Georgian Dream wins less than 43 per cent of proportional votes in this autumns local elections, a snap parliamentary election will be held. According to one Georgian newspaper, an internal survey conducted by Georgian Dream found that the ruling party, at the moment, only expects to win around 20 per cent of the votes in the local election, well under the threshold needed to avoid a parliamentary election. This has led many to believe that For Georgia is controlled opposition for Georgian Dream. However, there are also political commentators who believe that Gakharia and his party will join the opposition bloc. For Georgia has already submitted a candidate for mayor of Tbilisi. Georgian Dream stooge or not, Gakharia looks set to be a key player in Georgian politics in the coming months. Last week, Syrias President Bashar al-Assad was re-elected with 95 percent of the vote. He has been keen to portray the poll as a sign that the country is returning to normality after a decade of chaos and civil war. That is important if he wants to attract outside investment in order to rebuild the country. As The Diplomat writes, certainly, since the last presidential election in 2014, Assad has regained control over much of the country and its population, as shown by the fact that the number of registered voters has risen from 15.8 to 18.1 million. However, parts of the country did not participate, including the Kurdish autonomous region in the north and the opposition-held province of Idlib. Assads victory was treated skeptically in Western countries, where officials have shared the Syrian oppositions view that the poll was neither free nor fair. By contrast, Assads Russian and Iranian allies have endorsed the result. They were followed by Belarus and China. The Chinese endorsement will be especially welcome for Assad as he looks to leverage it into a more tangible form of assistance. Previously, he has played up the Sino-Syrian connection as a way to demonstrate that he is not diplomatically isolated and that he has a number of potential partners to support his reconstruction efforts.Having access to outside capital is vital for Syrias reconstruction, since it is highly unlikely that domestic sources will be sufficient. In 2017 the World Bank calculated that Syrias economy had shrunk by $226 billion between the start of the uprising in 2011 and 2016 twice the countrys total GDP. A year later that estimate had risen further, to $350-400 billion.Such figures are astronomical. They also dwarf the current and ongoing assistance from Russia and Iran to sustain the Assad regime throughout the war. The highest estimates put Russian and Iranian assistance at $7 billion and $23 billion, respectively. Even if such figures are matched in the postwar period, they will not come near to the amount required.For that reason, China has become a more attractive proposition for some in Damascus, especially since other forms of foreign capital including from the West are likely to remain unavailable so long as Assad remains in power. Indeed, Assad has already expressed interest in joining Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, while his officials have tried to attract Chinese investment in a range of projects, including the construction of a north-south-east highway, the re-development of the ports of Latakia and Tartus, and the construction of railroads, one in the Damascus region and another that would connect with the Lebanese port of Tripoli.Yet it would be a mistake to assume that investment by Chinas state and private firms could offer much more than that offered by Russian or Iranian ones. Trade and investment between China and Syria has typically been modest, even before 2011. Since then it has not grown substantially either. In 2015, Huawei expressed interest in rebuilding Syrias telecommunications system and in 2017, China pledged $2 billion to help develop infrastructure and industrial parks. Such figures are in addition to the $60 million that China has provided in various forms of humanitarian assistance during the war. The limited level of Chinese investment in Syria must also be set in context. The bulk of Chinese commercial activity is elsewhere in the Middle East, mainly in the Gulf especially Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE and North Africa Egypt and Algeria in particular. Moreover, Chinese financial commitments in the region may have already peaked. According to the American Enterprise Institute, which monitors Chinese capital around the world, investments in the Middle East have declined since 2018 the year that President Xi Jinping pledged $23 billion in loans for the region as a whole at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. Even if Chinese investors and firms were to focus more on Syria, there are several other hurdles that they would need to contend with and which we examined in our recent study of the subject. Several are related to risk. One is that although the war may be coming to an end in Syria, it does not mean an end to conflict. Substantial parts of the country remain outside of Assads control and foreign troops remain on Syrian territory, including Turkish and American forces. Chinese investors may be wary of the continuing volatility. Another risk is the impact that international sanctions might have. Syria is subject to a wide range of sanctions and the United States has shown its willingness to enforce them. That has incentivized some financial institutions to avoid involvement in the country, including some Hong Kong banks that fear being blacklisted as a result. A third challenge is that Chinese capital and firms may get caught up in games that are beyond their control. Assad has shown himself prepared to exploit any opportunities available to him, including playing his own partners against each other. Both Russian and Iranian officials and businesses have competed to gain the ear of the regime in order to acquire potentially lucrative contracts for themselves. Assad could well seek to do the same with Chinese firms. Not only would that provide problematic for them, having to navigate between Syrian, Russian, and Iranian interests, but owing to their previously limited involvement in the country, they would also have the disadvantage of being less familiar with the local terrain.In sum then, the material benefits of the Chinese dream may turn out to be less profitable than they appear. That said, we have suggested that China could serve Syrian ambitions in another capacity: as a potential model for development. Indeed, Syria had already started down a similar road to China in 2005, when the regime began a limited form of privatization and liberalization. This had echoes in Chinas own earlier shift to a market economy after 1978. China also attracted valuable foreign investment from the 1980s through the creation of special economic zones that focused on manufacturing. In addition, Chinas early economic reforms were initiated domestically and steered by its leadership with little regard to outside frameworks and conditions, like those associated with the Washington Consensus under the IMF and World Bank.Of course, it is important not to overdo the parallels. There is a substantial difference between the two countries given Syrias state of war and Chinas economic development in the absence of it. Yet the lessons for the regime may prove to be as important as any reconstruction funds it may be able to squeeze out of China and its other international partners. Although some Armenian politicians, soldiers made revisionist remarks immediately after the war, they are now starting to come to terms with the reality, Cavid Veliyev head of the Baku-based think-tank Center of Analysis of International Relations writes for Anadolu Agency. Diplomatic arm-wrestling still continues between the sides after a 44-day war that ended with the decisive victory of Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus. After Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyevs statement that we are ready to talk about the terms of the final peace agreement, the parties, having mostly completed the first two stages, are discussing the terms of the third stage of post-conflict reconciliation. But in the post-war period, while clashes on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border still persist, diplomatic negotiations between the parties continue. First stage: ending the Armenian occupation The November 10 declaration, which ended the 44-day war, is in fact not just a ceasefire declaration but an important document regarding the solution of the problem. Through this document, the liberation of more than 300 settlements by the Azerbaijani army was accepted by Armenia and, according to Articles 2 and 6 of the declaration, the decision was also made for Armenias withdrawal from the remaining three occupied regions (Agdam, Kalbajar, Lachin) occupied by Armenia. Article 4 stipulates the withdrawal of Armenian armed units from the regions that are under the control of Russian peacekeepers as well. Article 5 of the tripartite declaration established a monitoring center, operated jointly by Turkey and Russia, to monitor the fulfillment of the ceasefire in Azerbaijans Karabakh region. In accordance with Article 8, the parties exchanged the bodies of the slain soldiers and returned the hostages. Azerbaijan returned the bodies of over 1,600 Armenian soldiers and repatriated 70 prisoners of war. In accordance with Article 6, the Lachin corridor will be handed over to Azerbaijan and a new corridor will be constructed within the next three years. According to Article 7 of the declaration, it was decided that the return of IDPs should be carried out under UN supervision. This matter, according to President Ilham Aliyev, will be handled in due time. One of the most pressing issues in completing the first stage is Armenia's refusal to deliver mine maps; and, while there was speculation during Sergey Lavrovs recent visit to Azerbaijan that Armenia would provide these maps, this issue has yet to be resolved. Another issue remaining from the first phase is the evaluation of the status of Armenian soldiers who entered Azerbaijani territory after the Nov.10 declaration and were designated as terrorists, in accordance with international law, because they violated the declaration by entering Azerbaijani territory and killing soldiers and civilians. The Armenian side claims that these soldiers are POWs who should be returned as per the November 10 declaration. Second stage: The opening of transportation links The second stage started to be implemented as a continuation of the first stage. According to Article 9 of the tripartite declaration, communication and transportation routes between the parties should be opened. As a result, on January 11, the parties signed a new declaration, and a committee comprised of the deputy prime ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia was formed. According to the latest information, the commission has held a total of eight meetings so far. Experts, lawmakers, and the commission itself are debating the establishment of three transportation linkages. The first is the Zengezur Corridor, which runs between Azerbaijans main territory and its exclave of Nakhchivan. The second is between Armenia and Russia and passes through Azerbaijan, while the third involves the formation of a regional transportation network with the participation of Turkey, Iran, and Georgia. According to President Ilham Aliyev, the establishment of this transportation link will improve the region's chances of peace and aid in the prevention of new hostilities. However, this issue has sparked heated debate in Armenia ahead of the election. Experts believe this issue is being politicized by opposition figures ahead of the snap election. Nevertheless, despite the objections of the opposition in Armenia, the process on this issue continues. In his speech to the parliament, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reminded his opponents of the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy, stating that If we dont give them a transportation link, they will do the same. Azerbaijan, for its part, has begun infrastructure work in preparation for the construction of these roadways. This situation will also have positive implications for the creation and normalization of TurkishArmenian relations. Third stage: Delimitation and demarcation of the borders The third stage is the signing of an agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the delimitation and demarcation of their borders. The border between Azerbaijan and Armenia has been under Armenian occupation for the last 30 years. After the liberation of Azerbaijans territories, more than 500 km of borderline have emerged between the two countries; that is why delimitation and demarcation are needed in these new borders. This issue came to the fore prominently on May 12 after the tension in the Karagol region, located between the Lachin region of Azerbaijan and the Sisyan region of Armenia. This tension arose after the visit to the region of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to local media, during Lavrovs visit, a draft agreement was prepared between the parties to determine the borders. According to the draft agreement, which was published in local media, the borders between the parties will be determined according to Soviet-era military maps from 1975/6. Meanwhile, Armenia will withdraw its military forces from eight Azerbaijani villages, which are mostly enclaves still under Armenian occupation. Speaking in parliament on the matter, Nikol Pashinyan stated that the most essential task for the Armenian people is to usher in a new era of peaceful development for their future. It also appears that Pashinyan has no choice but to find mutual solutions to the problems with Azerbaijan because attempts to internationalize the issue have not yielded any results. Different types of reactions have been observed from the Armenian side in relation to this issue. Armenia has built a deep security platform as a result of its prolonged occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Unfortunately, due to the false comfort of occupation, Armenia illegally annexed many Azerbaijani villages and settled in them its own citizens. Now, the Azerbaijani army is directly confronted by such Armenian villages, and identifying borders using maps alone is proving difficult. The fact that this situation coincides with the pre-election period in Armenia complicates matters even more. Pashinyan, who was blamed for losing the Second Karabakh War, is being further called out by his opponents for making more concessions. Not only the opposition but also some government officials known for their radical rhetoric have criticized Pashinyan. According to local media, former Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazyan has refused to sign the agreement on border delimitation and demarcation. President Armen Sarkisyan stated that Armenian military forces must take harsh preventative measures against Azerbaijan during the demarcation and delimitation process. But the fact is that Armenia has no option but to find a solution to its problems with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Obstacles to the final peace treaty President Ilham Aliyev has stated that he has made proposals to Armenia on the terms of the final peace agreement, but Armenia has yet to respond. He has also emphasized that Azerbaijan is ready to talk about the conditions of that final peace agreement with Armenia. Azerbaijans condition for the ultimate peace deal is clear: The two countries must mutually recognize each others territorial integrity. According to George Vanyan, an Armenian expert, the Armenian community is not yet ready for a final peace agreement. This is, in fact, a product of the radical and nationalistic sentiment fueled in the country by the rulers of Armenia over the past 30 years. As former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan stated: No lessons have still been learned in Armenia and the diaspora This suggests that the Armenian people are bracing themselves for more losses and sorrows. Petrosyan is implying that the reconciliation process does not sit well with Armenias radicals and revanchists. That is why they are attempting to derail the peace process by inciting provocations. The international community must be wary of such provocations. Acting Head of the Republic of Dagestan Sergei Melikov said that Vladimir Putin supported the proposal to declare 2023 the year of Rasul Gamzatov. "There is no place in Russia where the name or work of Rasul Gamzatov is not known," the head of Dagestan said. The 100th anniversary of Gamzatov will be celebrated throughout the country, but Dagestan will be the main centre of the celebrations. On the eve of the poet's jubilee, Vestnik Kavkaza is preparing a cycle of memories of Rasul Gamzatov from people who knew him closely, who met him not only in Moscow, Makhachkala but on his trips around the country and the world. The first in the cycle is an interview with a writer, translator, Doctor of Philology Chingiz Huseynov. - Chingiz Hasanovich, you knew Rasul Gamzatov well. In your opinion, what was his zest as a great poet and wise man? - Rasul Gamzatov deserves a year in Russia to be named after him. I remember our meetings. When I was once in Makhachkala, he invited me to visit him. We met with him both in Moscow and in Baku, where he often came. A curious paradox is associated with Rasul Gamzatov. He received all the prizes in the Soviet Union and many awards: Stalin, Lenin, State prizes, the title of Hero of Socialist Labor, the Order of Lenin, the highest award of the Russian Federation, the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. But at the same time, he did not write a single poem in which Soviet reality would be glorified. One way or another, the writers of that era had to serve the ideas of the state in order to receive an award or prize. But Rasul is a phenomenon in poetry, and he received all the awards for truthful, optimistic, but not laudatory creativity. - He, apparently, was not ashamed of his poems? - He tormented himself only for one thing. In 1950, a campaign began against Imam Shamil, although before that, even in school textbooks, he was called a hero of the national liberation struggle against the tsarist autocracy. And suddenly Stalin had an idea to declare all national liberation movements hostile to the Russian state and the Russian people. There were party functionaries who branded Shamil, calling him an Anglo-French agent. Many began to throw stones at the imam, and Rasul Gamzatov threw his own - because he was young that time. Then he repented and blamed himself. The words of regret about the fact that he also "threw a stone at Shamil" belong to Rasul. - Did young Gamzatov condemn Shamil because he did not yet understand the value of his activity or for another reason? - Despotic power uses young people, who are actively involved in the actions of this power through ignorance and misunderstanding. Gamzatov then studied at the Literary Institute, he believed what the authorities wrote. Those generations grew up believing in publication, taking everything at face value. The most surprising for me today, that having such lessons in our history, we still believe in what we hear and see in the media. - For some, Gamzatov is a purely Soviet poet, for others, first of all, a national poetaster ... - He wrote the beautiful lines: "And if tomorrow my language disappears, then I am ready to die today." This is a dialectical view of the problem. Any actions aimed at restricting the language, giving it an optional character, any decree encroachments on it were unacceptable for him. Yes, there are objective processes of assimilation of the people and their language, but this is a different process. On this occasion, I remember the discussion when the term Soviet people appeared in the USSR (Nikita Khrushchev at the XXII Congress of the CPSU proclaimed that we have a new historical community of people of different nationalities with common characteristics - the Soviet people, - Editors note) Then the poet Robert Rozhdestvensky wrote: "I am Soviet by nationality." This line from his rather good poem caused a storm of protest from opponents. They said: "I am a Soviet person by ideology, and by nationality, I am Russian, Kazakh, Georgian, etc." Of course, Khrushchev had other aims as well, for example, to build communism by 1980 ... By the way, the all-Union discussion on the national issue began in Dagestan, when a local would-be scientist called on national writers to write only in Russian. He said: "We all know it, so let's contribute to the development of the great and mighty Russian language!" - And then there would be no great Rasul Gamzatov, who wrote in Avar. But this is a very interesting topic, given some critical statements that translators have worked hard on Gamzatov's poems. - The thesis that Russian poets wrote instead of national poets was disseminated during the perestroika period. Rasul Gamzatov wrote in Avar. I don't know the Avar language, but I read the interlinear translation of his poems. At my request, the translation was made by an Avar student of the Literary Institute, when I was tutoring there. After reading the interlinear translations, I gasped: there is no at least 50% of figurativeness in Russian translations. The only time when Rasul went to meet the Russian-language poetic tradition was his famous poem "Cranes". (In the original version, it was about horsemen, not about soldiers - Editors note) Gamzatov agreed with this change. But in the Avar original "Cranes" is an epic work, so many-sided it is. From this multifaceted poem, only one plot was singled out for translation - and this was the right decision. The poem of Avar Gamzatov has become a phenomenon of Russian-language culture! The Russian people perceive this poem as their own, written about all those who died on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. - Based on the thesis of Nikita Khrushchev at the party congress in 1961 and Robert Rozhdestvenskys words, was Gamzatov primarily a Soviet man? - In the best sense, in the most positive sense of Rozhdestvensky's phrase. The Soviet people really existed! Although not for long. I am also a child of the Soviet era in the best sense of the term. - Rasul Gamzatov, as people who knew him well say, was a very cheerful person. Is it true? - Absolute. He loved feasts, drinks. This state corresponded to his mood and did not indicate his alcohol addiction. He was a cheerful and witty person even without drinking that amplified his character. Indeed, Rasul was very cheerful! And very devoted to his wife Patimat. I did not hear any rumours or gossip about his possible affairs with other women, although I knew a lot about the representatives of the country's national literature. In 1955, I joined the Commission on National Literatures of the USSR Writers' Union, which was formed after the Second Congress of Writers. I was then immersed in the literature of the Soviet peoples, so everything I say comes from my personal knowledge and experience, my personal disposition for good. Truth should be attuned to good, and anyone who considers the truth to be evil hides it in the broadest sense of the word needs to be treated. (To be continued) Two journalists and a local official died and four others were injured in a mine blast in Kalbajar region today, the Prosecutor Generals Office and the Interior Ministry published said in a joint statement. The mine blast occurred at 11:00 AM on June 4 in Susuzlug village in Kalbajar region liberated from the Armenian occupation in the last years war. Azertags correspondent Maharram Ibrahimov, born in 1982, and AZTV channels cameraman Siraj Abishov, born in 1989, lost their lives as the crew vehicle exploded on an anti-tank mine explosion. An official of Kalbajar executive authorities Arif Aliyev was also among the killed in the blast. Four others have been hospitalized with various degrees of injuries. "The mining of Azerbaijani territories by the Armenian Armed Forces as a gross violation of the norms and principles of international law, including the requirements of the Geneva Convention of 1949, is the continuation of criminal actions against the Azerbaijani citizens," the joint message said. "So, a car with employees of TV channels and news agencies sent to Kalbajar district to carry out their official duties hit a mine in the direction of Susuzlug village of Kalbajar district on June 4, 2021, at about 11:00 (GMT+4)," the message said. "As a result, three people, namely, cameraman of AzTV channel Siraj Abishov, an employee of AZERTAC news agency Maharram Ibrahimov, deputy representative of the executive power of Kalbajar district in the administrative-territorial district of Susuzlug village Arif Aliyev, were killed," the message said. "Four people were wounded and were hospitalized." The representatives of the prosecutor's office and the police examined the scene of the incident and carried out other procedural actions. Forensic medical expertise will be also conducted. On the fact, the Azerbaijani Military Prosecutor's Office has initiated a criminal case under Article 100.2 (planning, preparation, unleashing or waging an aggressive war), 116.0.6 (violation of international legal norms during an armed conflict) and other articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. Intensive investigative and operational actions are being taken. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. The Russian Sputnik Light vaccine was certified in Belarus on Thursday, the press service of the republics Health Ministry reported. "Based on the decision of the committee on pharmaceuticals of the Health Ministry, on June 3, the decision was made on state registration of the Sputnik Light vaccine," the statement posted on the agencys Telegram channel said. The agency noted that according to the Health Ministrys decree, the experts of the Center for Examinations and Tests in Health Service, the republics leading infectious diseases specialists and staff of the republics scientific and research centers conducted an evaluation of the materials of the certification dossier. "The documents presented in the dossier materials include sufficient information allowing to evaluate the indicators of safety, efficacy and quality of the preparation," TASS cited the ministry as saying. The agency explained that Sputnik Light is a single-dose vaccine which creates specific cellular and humoral immunity to the SARS CoV-2 virus, generating a sufficient immune response on Day 28 after the administration. At the same time, the most pronounced immune response, and, accordingly, the efficacy of using this vaccine, will be observed in individuals with existing immunity to COVID-19, in particular, those who have antibodies after the infection, including its asymptomatic form. The European Union and Ukraine have launched cyber dialogue, according to the European Union External Action's press release. "On 3 June 2021, the European Union and Ukraine held their first cyber dialogue," the statement reads. The EU and Ukraine reaffirmed their commitment to a global, open, stable and secure cyberspace, where the rule of law is fully respected, where the same rights that individuals have offline are also protected online, and where the security, economic growth, prosperity, and integrity of free and democratic societies is promoted and preserved. The EU expressed its solidarity with and support to Ukraine, which is facing cyber-attacks that seek to undermine its key infrastructure. The EU and Ukraine provided updates on their respective cyber-related institutional settings, responsibilities as well as policy and legislative developments, including the update of the EU Network Information Security (NIS) Directive and the efforts by Ukraine to develop its cybersecurity-related policies and legislation, in alignment with the EU legal and institutional framework. The forthcoming Russian-US summit meeting will have no fixed agenda. Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden will discuss the issues they prefer to raise, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday. "There will be no fixed agenda. In any case, much time will be devoted to issues that the heads of state prefer to touch upon," he said. The Kremlin official said Putin and Biden would be able to meet in private and then with other delegates taking part. "We proceed from the assumption that there will be a tet-a-tet meeting and then talks with the closest aides present," Peskov said. "In what proportion? It is still being coordinated." Peskov said that the question of a joint statement remained undecided. "No decision has been made, but we will certainly ask our president to speak in front of our media pool," he said, adding that the Swiss side "is creating the press center quite hospitably." Peskov promised that an opportunity to go to Geneva and work at the summit would be ensured, and the Kremlin would arrange for the presidents contact with the media afterwards. The Kremlin official added that the Russian side assumed the journalists in the Kremlin pool would be able to talk to Putin without any quarantine restrictions, "provided some distancing is observed." "There will be such an opportunity. We hope. At least we are moving in this direction and making preparations," TASS cited the spokesman as saying. There should not be any exaggerated expectations concerning the much-awaited talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden scheduled to take place in Geneva on June 16. Even the beginning of their dialogue is a positive step, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Channel One Russia on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). In his view, this meeting is "very, very important". However, according to the Kremlin spokesman, "it would be wrong to have any inflated expectations". "The potential for our disagreements and even some conflicting moments in our bilateral relations is so tremendous that one cannot expect any progress in reaching an understanding. However, sometimes agreeing that we do not agree is useful too," TASS cited him as saying. In this regard, the two presidents will have an opportunity to discuss an entire range of issues and disagreements that are currently on the agenda, Peskov went on to say. "Each of them will raise those issues that he considers to be of paramount importance for his country. At any rate, even some kind of start for a top-level dialogue is a very positive step, despite the deplorable condition of bilateral relations," the spokesman stressed. Nine people were killed in a railway accident early Friday morning in China's Gansu province, when a train rammed into on-site workers. The train, which was on route from Urumqi to Hangzhou, crashed into railway workers at around 05:25 on Friday (21:25 GMT) in Jinchang city, local authorities said. The victims were among more than 50 workers repairing a closed section of track, state broadcaster CCTV said on its news app. It wasn't clear why they were on the other track, which was open at the time and runs in the opposite direction. Medical and emergency teams have been deployed to carry out rescue efforts, BBC reported. U.S. President Joe Biden's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin serves NATO's interests, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after talks with Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Simonyte. "I'm looking forward to welcoming President Biden to Brussels in a couple of weeks time. I'm absolutely confident that when we meet we will discuss a wide range of issues including NATO's relationship with Russia...Then I welcome that Biden, after his meeting with the NATO leaders, will travel on, and meet with the President Putin. And the meeting between President Biden and President Putin, that is in line with NATO's dual track approach to Russia. We need deterrence and defense, but also dialogue when it comes to Russia," he said. Stoltenberg noted that NATO countries "need to strive for a better relationship with Russia". "Russia is our neighbor, and we need to strive for reducing tensions and improving the relationship. But even if we don't believe in a better relationship in the foreseeable future, we need to talk to Russia, because we need to manage a difficult relationship," he stressed. The NATO Secretary General stated that the NATO Russia relationship is at the lowest point since the end of the Cold War. "We need to prevent incidents and accidents, miscalculations, misunderstanding, and therefore, military lines of communications, transparency, predictability is important, especially when the relationship is difficult as it is now. And of course President Biden's meeting with President Putin is part of this dialogue with Russia," Stoltenberg concluded. The goal of this auction is to raise as much money as possible to pay back to all the shareholders that got the short end of the stick here, said Monte Cahn, founder and president of RightOfTheDot, a Florida-based digital assets auction company. I dont think we can cover all the losses, but at least it pays back something instead of having complete losses for everybody. The Border Guard has taken the lead in 51 investigation projects and illegal entries and exits, receiving 15,000 people entering Vietnam through border gates and handing them over to local authorities for handling and isolation. Major General Hoang Huu Chien, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Border Guard, spoke with VietNamNet about the fight against illegal entrants. Could you please tell us about the current situation of illegal entries and exits amid the ongoing Covid outbreaks in neighboring countries? Our border has a total length of more than 8,000 kilometers (4,639 kilometers of land and 3,444 kilometers of sea). Vietnam borders China in the North, Laos and Cambodia in the West, the Gulf of Thailand in the South, and the Gulf of Tonkin and the East Sea in the East. With such a long border, illegal entries and exits in border areas have become more complicated in neighboring countries amid the pandemic. In addition to unorganized groups, many rings that organize illegal entry and exit have recently been created. These large-scale rings are well organized with masterminds overseas who take full advantage of Facebook and Zalo and establish contacts with domestic subjects to help people escape over the border to enter Vietnam. We have found that the number of Chinese illegally entering Vietnam and exiting Vietnam to third countries has soared recently. Since the beginning of the year, the Border Guard has successfully presided over the implementation of 51 specialized investigation projects and cases of organizing illegal entries/exits; discovered and handled nearly 3,000 cases with 14,000 people illegally entering and exiting the country; and received nearly 15,000 people penetrating the territory through the border gates, handing them over to localities for isolation and handling them in accordance with the laws. Is the fight against illegal entrants still facing many difficulties? The terrain is very complex and the climate is harsh in many areas, especially in the border areas with China and Laos. The border area with Cambodia has an even and flat terrain. Vietnamese and Cambodian people travel between the two countries regularly. The Border Guard force is thin, and it has to cover more than 8,000 kilometers of border. So we have a lot of difficulties patrolling and controlling border areas. With the current pandemic situation in Cambodia, it is very challenging to prevent and fight illegal immigration by land and by sea. With more than 9,000 square kilometers of water and 4,000 operational watercrafts, we have big challenges. The pressure on Vietnams control of the pandemic depends on the pandemic prevention and control in neighboring countries. The methods and tricks used to illegally enter Vietnam are very sophisticated, while the demand to visit relatives, seek jobs and escape the pandemic is really high. The awareness of a part of the population is still low. They are negligent in epidemic prevention and control. Some are greedy and lend a hand to people illegally entering or exiting. What is the Border Guard Command doing to urgently reactivate the forces for the entire border to combat illegal entries and exits, and prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic? The Border Guard Command has drastically implemented solutions to strengthen the management and protection of the border and prevent and control illegal entries and exits, with the spirit of "fighting the epidemic is like fighting the enemy". We have issued a resolution on leading border management and protection during Covid-19 prevention and control. We have strengthened forces in border areas and intensified control in key areas, seriously directing the management and protection of the border, fighting against illegal entries and exits. the temperature We have 1,853 units and posts along the border (1,469 fixed and 384 mobile), with 7,463 officers and soldiers belonging to the Border Guard and 4,152 people from other forces. The Border Guard Command recently mobilized an additional 2,000 officers and soldiers, 20 sniffer dogs, and other equipment for patrolling, controlling and preventing the Covid-19 epidemic. As for the historical waters between Vietnam and Cambodia, we have dispatched 11 ships and 20 boats with more than 300 soldiers, setting up a control belt. The outer area is covered by patrol ships in coordination with the Navy and the Vietnam Coast Guard, while the inner area by boat and jolly boats. On large islands like Phu Quoc, the Border Guard has established fixed and mobile check-points to be sure there is 24-hour round the clock patrol. We give advice on measures to prevent and control the pandemic; and have asked military zones and local armed forces to increase forces in border areas to coordinate in preventing and combating illegal entries and exits. We have intensified the propaganda among the people, mobilized public opinion to detect and denounce criminals, and strictly handled individuals and groups organizing illegal entries. We have coordinated with neighboring border forces to implement border management and protection. Since the pandemic outbreak, border guards have had to perform their duties in difficult conditions. What has the Border Guard Command done to ensure the health of the troops? We have determined that it is necessary to ensure absolute safety for officers and soldiers in charge of epidemic prevention and control on the border. We have directed the Border Guard of provinces and cities to coordinate with functional agencies to reinforce command positions, and provide units with equipment, insecticides, tonics and medical supplies for epidemic prevention so that soldiers can stay a long time at the command positions along the border. Soldiers working at border gates have enough food and foodstuff, clean water and aids for daily living. They can have periodic health examinations. Vaccines have been distributed to units in 44 cities and provinces. Nearly 8,500 soldiers have been vaccinated (first dose). Dieu Thuy Border guard forces of Vietnam, China, Laos meet to boost coordination The border guard forces of Vietnam, China, and Laos met at the countries border T-junction on May 22 to discuss border management and defence measures and launch a week-long joint border management programme. Entering the second year of the pandemic, teachers and students across Vietnam are prepared to switch to online learning if necessary. On the morning of September 5, 2020, all schools in the central city of Da Nang held the opening ceremony online. Phan Thi Tuyet Lan, principal of Ly Tu Trong Primary School, said that in her 30 years working in the education sector, this was the first time the opening ceremony had no students. After many years, the 2020-2021 year was the first school year that students did not go to school in August. There were no rehearsals for the opening ceremony, which many schools held with the participation of a small number of students, or even held online. After that memorable day, nine months later, Lan and many teachers would welcome a quiet closing day, when Covid-19 broke out in Vietnam again. On the afternoon of May 25, 2021, Thu Van, teacher at the Le Lai Primary School in Da Nang, quietly went to each table, neatly placed the reward and certificate of merit on the seat of each student, to prepare for a special closing ceremony. At the appointed time, the parents in turn went to the class to take the study report and rewards of their children. Located 1,000km from Da Nang, in mid-May, teachers at Kindergarten 19/5 in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City sent messages to class chat groups, inviting parents to come to school to get the year-end rewards for their children. During the online closing ceremony at a school in Hanoi, a teacher told his 9th grade students, choked with emotion: "I didn't expect that the first day I met you through the computer screen, and today I said goodbye to you also through the screen." Many students burst into tears. Unforgettable days This school year, nearly 40 provinces and cities in Vietnam asked their students to stay home because of the complicated developments of the epidemic. Many teachers and students had to go to quarantine centers and some schools became epidemic hotspots. The lunar New Year of the Ox became an unforgettable holiday for teachers and students at Xuan Phuong Primary School, Hanoi, where one student contracted Covid-19 and nearly 120 students and teachers had to be isolated in quarantine centers. The heart-wrenching images of preschool students in Hai Duong, Ha Nam, Bac Giang... who had to leave their parents' arms to go to quarantine centers during the third and fourth waves of Covid-19 in February and May made many people cry. In early March, students were able to return to school. But not long after, the fourth wave of Covid-19 broke out in late April and schools in many provinces had to close, even though the semester exams had not been held yet. The Ministry of Education and Training required local authorities to adjust plans to ensure the completion of the school year. Schools in many provinces and cities organized exams early to finish the school year early. For the first time, an online semester exam was organized by schools in Da Nang and Vinh Phuc. Hanoi decided to give students an early summer break (from May 15), although the semester exam in many schools was still unfinished. The semester exams and year-end exams will be held during the summer break. Many university students had a memorable experience when celebrating the lunar New Year 2021 alone in the dormitory. Most universities in epidemic-hit areas had to allow students to switch to online learning, online exams, and even defend their thesis online. Because of Covid-19, many 9th and 12th graders had an incomplete school year before moving to a new level of education. These students not only lost precious days with their friends and teachers, but also had to study online during an important period of time. Also due to the impact of the pandemic, the authorities of Bac Ninh, Thai Binh, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City had to postpone the entrance exam to grade 10. The high school graduation exam schedule for 12th graders may also be changed under the impact of Covid. Online learning Where are you? Are you ready for todays lesson?" Nguyen Thi Hue, a teacher at Thuan Thanh High School No. 1 in Bac Ninh province, started her chemistry class through the screen of her laptop at a quarantine center. Hue, who had close contact with a Covid-19 patient, was sent to a quarantine center in mid-May. Teaching online, according to Hue, was not difficult because she had prepared well for it. As the high school graduation exam is approaching, the efforts of teachers and students are greater than ever. The first teachers who worked from a quarantine center were probably four teachers in District 6 in HCM City. In November 2020, they were under quarantine at a field hospital in Cu Chi district because they had close contact with Covid-19 patients. Entering the second consecutive academic year under the impact of the pandemic, teachers and students across the country are ready to switch to online learning at any time. An online lecture requires a lot more time and effort from teachers, and requires students to be more proactive. The Ministry of Education and Training has issued a circular on the management and organization of online teaching in general education institutions and continuing education institutions. This activity can support or replace direct teaching at the educational institution during the time when students cannot come to school due to force majeure reasons. Parents, teachers and students, after concerns about staying home and studying or teaching online, have accepted the fact that they have to adapt to changes. The pandemic has changed many aspects of life. It has created physical distancing. But the internet and social networks have allowed us to be closer than usual. Online learning and exams will continue, while digital transformation of education is here to stay. Ngan Anh More than 30 localities keep school closures, exams to be flexible University and school students from more than 30 cities and provinces nationwide on May 10 entered the second week of online studying since their schools were shut on May 4 due to the serious ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks. Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang talked via videoconference with his Japanese counterpart Kishi Nobuo on June 3, agreeing to further intensify cooperation in military medicine to combat COVID-19 and other disease outbreaks. Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang at the online talks with Japanese Defence Minister Kishi Nobuo on June 3. (Source: VNA) The two ministers discussed the regional and international situation and informed each other about their respective countries efforts to prevent and control COVID-19. They also highly valued Vietnamese and Japanese military medicine experts sharing knowledge and experience in the pandemic response via teleconferences. They agreed to carry out bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation activities as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control, with priority given to all-level meetings and UN peacekeeping operations; effectively maintain the dialogue and consultation mechanisms among the staff of the countries naval, infantry, and air forces; organise exchanges among the naval, air, and coast guard forces; and hold capacity improvement programmes. The officials also emphasised on the need to sign an agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology between the Vietnamese and Japanese governments soon. Japanese Defence Minister Kishi Nobuo at the online talks with his Vietnamese counterpart on June 3. (Source: VNA) Congratulating Giang on his appointment as Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, Kishi spoke highly of the two countries relations as well as Vietnams role in ASEAN, expressing his belief that in his new position, Giang will continue making significant contributions so as to lift bilateral ties, including those between the two militaries, to a new height. Appreciating his counterparts positive evaluation of the countries and the militaries relations, Giang thanked Japan for assisting and supporting Vietnam to fulfil its role as ASEAN 2020 Chair. He held that the two sides should coordinate together to well perform the co-chairmanship of the Experts Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus in the 2021 - 2023 period. The Vietnamese minister applauded Japan proposal and successful organisation of the online Japan - ASEAN seminar on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief last April. He also voiced his hope that Minister Kishi will continue paying attention to and promoting the countries defence cooperation in a substantive manner that matches each sides interests, for the sake of regional and global peace and development. Prior to the online talks, Giang had a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio. VNA The intense heat in northern Vietnam in the past few days has made the job of Vietnamese health workers in hospitals and quarantine sites more difficult. Several doctors and nurses fainted because they had to work in tight protective suits in temperatures that sometimes reached nearly 40 degrees Celsius. On May 26, a health worker from Hai Duong province, who voluntarily went to Bac Giang province, a Covid hotspot, fainted due to exhaustion while taking samples for Covid-19 tests from people in Nui Hieu hamlet, Quang Chau commune, Viet Yen district. After being resuscitated by a colleague, and his protective clothing taken off, the health worker regained consciousness. The weather in Bac Giang has been harsh in the last few days. The temperature has sometimes reached nearly 40 degrees Celsius. Working for a long time in tight protective suits, health workers can lose water and have breathing problems. In Que Vo district, Bac Ninh province, another Covid-19 epicenter, some health workers fainted while taking samples for Covid-19 tests from local people on May 22. The local health force set the goal to take 28,000 samples a day. Bac Ninh's medical workers had an overloaded day in the 37-38 degrees heat. A few days ago, three nurses fainted while on duty in Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province. Many medical staff are exhausted and dehydrated but do not dare take off their protective suits because the specialized suit is very expensive and can be used only once. Photo: CDC Bac Ninh Photo: CDC Bac Ninh Photo: CDC Bac Ninh At the Center for Disease Control in Bac Ninh province, medical workers had to work all night for many days to conduct Covid-19 tests. A medical worker fainted in Khac Niem Ward, Bac Ninh City. Photo: Dan Tri An exhausted female medical worker rests on a brick floor in the epidemic center of Bac Giang. Photo: Dan Tri Dang Duong Facing two weeks in quarantine is a tough task at the best of times. Many people returning to Vietnam have endured a painstaking fortnight behind closed doors waiting to return home. Nguyen Phuong Linh was one such traveller. She had been studying in Australia and came home to Hanoi last July. But life in quarantine was far more rewarding for this girl. During her stay at a medical centre in Binh Duong Province, Linh met the man of her dreams, Le Hoang Hai, a health worker based at the facility. During her quarantine, Linh met the man of her dreams, a health worker based at the facility. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Phuong Linh And now after a whirlwind romance, the couple have tied the knot, proving beyond doubt, that some COVID clouds do have a silver lining. Day by day, I could see that Hai was a nice person, Linh said. He was always caring for people in quarantine and tried to help them if they had any problems with meals or daily activities. I started to want to know him more, but I was really shy and didnt know how to strike up a conversation with him because staff there cannot have close contact with people in quarantine. Eventually, Cupid fired his arrow, and the couple struck up a conversation. Hai, 26, said: I remembered the day she asked me to borrow a knife to peel mangoes. When I asked to have it back, she joked that she had already swallowed it. It was just a joke but it surprised me and I thought it was really cute. To me, Linh is a sincere and enthusiastic person. After that, we started to chat with each other more. Those chats continued after Linh finished her stint in quarantine. And despite her living in the north, and Hai in the south, their connection quickly blossomed. One person lives in the south and the other lives in the north, so we could only talk on the phone all of the time to get to know each other, Linh said. After we met, he continued to work in the quarantine zone. Whenever he went to work, I always felt worried about him. However the more I knew about him and his job, the more I loved him and I am very proud of what he is doing now. The couple decided to get married in April, having a wedding ceremony in Hanoi and Binh Duong so both their families could enjoy their happy day. The couple had a happy ending with a wedding ceremony in Hanoi and Binh Duong in April. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Phuong Linh So while COVID-19 may be causing heartache and pain for millions around the world, here in Vietnam, it brought cheer to the lives of Linh and Hai. Until now, I dont know whether I should hate COVID-19 or feel thankful for it, said Hai. Thanks to COVID-19, I met my wife. However, the pandemic has had a really bad impact on peoples lives. Im really grateful to have a partner who can understand and feel sympathy for me and my job, he added. Linh spent years in Australia, and went to college in Sydney. She then began to work in the hospitality sector and by the time her contract came to an end, the pandemic had begun to take its grip. She added: I lived in Australia for 11 years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to come back home following my parents wishes. At the time when I submitted a request to go back home, the restrictions were already imposed in Sydney, where I lived. All the restaurants are closed and people were told not to go outside if not necessary. With people living in quarantine like us, we are all worried and afraid of cross infection. We rarely had close interactions with others, our activities only occurred in the room. So at first, I really wanted to pass those 14 days and come back home to see my family in Hanoi. Little did she know at the time, but those two weeks in quarantine would change her life, even though it wasnt exactly love at first sight. At first, I really didn't like him, Linh admitted. I think that he was fastidious and had too many rules. I thought he is not really my type. But her initial thoughts were very wrong indeed. Now, after two months of marriage, the couple are head over heels in love. And Linh couldnt be more proud. She said: Having a husband working on the front-line, I can profoundly understand how hard they work, and how good Vietnam has done in the effort to fight against the pandemic. I hope that every Vietnamese citizen strictly follows the Governments regulations to ensure the efficiency of the pandemic prevention strategy. Maybe you could have an unforgettable experience or find your soulmate unpredictably, just like me. VNS Patients in a quarantine zone in Vietnams Covid-19 hotspot Chi Linh VietNamNets Pham Cong visited Field Hospital No.1 in Chi Linh city of Hai Duong province, Vietnams Covid-19 hotspot, where 164 Covid-19 patients are treated. A Vietnamese company - Vabiotech - will become part of the production process of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine beginning this month. Do Tuan Dat, chairman of the No. 1 Vaccine and Biological Products Company Limited (Vabiotech), told VietNamNet that Vabiotech has been chosen by the Russian partner to be take part in its Covid-19 vaccine production line. Russian company Generium is inspecting and evaluating Vabiotech's production line based in Hanoi, which is scheduled to be completed in June. From July, Vabiotech will be in charge of bottling and packing Sputnik V vaccines with a capacity of 5 million doses per month. According to Dat, Vabiotech is only in charge of outsourcing. The distribution of the finished vaccine will be decided by the Russian partner. The two sides have not yet reached an official agreement on this issue," Dat said. This is considered an important premise for Russia to transfer the Sputnik V vaccine production technology for Vietnam in the near future. On March 23, Vietnam approved Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine for urgent use to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic. This is the second vaccine licensed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health after the UK's AstraZeneca vaccine. On June 2, Vietnam negotiated with Russia to buy an additional 20 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine in 2021. Sputnik V is the world's first approved Covid-19 vaccine. On August 11, 2020, the Russian Ministry of Health launched a nationwide vaccination, using Sputnik V vaccine even when the vaccine had not completed phase 3 clinical trials. According to the results of the phase 3 clinical trial published in magazine The Lancet, Sputnik V vaccine is up to 91.6% effective, and 91.8. % for volunteers over 60 years old. It is one of the three most effective vaccines in the world along with Moderna and Pfizer. Up to 98% of the volunteers produced antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. To date, the Sputnik V vaccine has been approved for use in more than 50 countries. Thuy Hanh Vietnam to buy 20 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine this year Russia has agreed to provide Vietnam with 20 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V this year, Vietnamese Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said on June 2. Waco and McLennan County provided more than $2 million in incentives primarily allowing Uzin Utz to recoup costs related to buying land in a Waco industrial district. A Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce analysis shows the Uzin Utz facility could generate $40 million in wages over 10 years, including those directly to employees and indirectly as money ripples through the local economy. Uzin Utz marketing director Josh Neuberger said the company hopes to begin production in its Waco plant during the second quarter of next year. He said a background in science and chemistry is essential to work in research and development, while general skills in production and warehousing will be a good fit for the manufacturing side of Waco operations. Im thrilled that Wacos economy continues to grow in 2021 with the addition of Uzin Utz, which is bringing good jobs and great capital investment, Waco Mayor Dillon Meek said in the press release. This is further evidence that Wacos pro-business approach makes it an ideal place for projects such as this. Many thanks to our partnerships at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and McLennan County, and welcome to Waco, Uzin Utz. He worked for us for many years, McNamara said. He did a wonderful job in the jail and as a deputy and we look forward to working with him in his new position for many years. Kolinek said his time in the sheriffs office prepared him for this next step. I am very grateful for the 25 years that I spent at the McLennan County Sheriffs Department, Kolinek said. I am grateful to both former Sheriff Larry Lynch and current Sheriff Parnell McNamara. Both of those men gave me great opportunities to lead in different areas of the sheriffs office and by allowing me to lead in those diff areas, I believe it has prepared me to come over to BUPD in 2015. Former Baylor Police Chief Brad Wigtail retired effective Monday, after serving for six years, and Kolinek was a great choice to fill the position, said Mark Childers, Baylors associate vice president of public safety. Chief Kolinek exemplifies servant leadership, which is evident by his daily commitment and passion for protecting the Baylor University community, Childers said in the press release. Baylor also hired Don Rodman as the new assistant chief. Rodmans last job was as a commander for the Northern Illinois University Police Department, where he had worked 18 years. The suit alleges that, without explanation, Robinson ISD banned Rose Collins from the high school, and banned her from all campuses a month later. RISD then went after Dr. Collins, the suit alleges. In June, Dr. Collins was told, without explanation, that his contract would not be renewed. Dr. Collins was told to quit or be reassigned. When Dr. Collins refused to quit, he was reassigned. RISD then cut his pay by nearly $20,000. No explanation has ever been given for RISDs actions. RISD has broken the law. Austin attorney Colin Walsh, who represents the Collinses, said Lamar Collins is now a high school principal in Windsor, California. Walsh declined additional comment. The suit claims Lamar Collins secretary did not like Rose Collins and was often rude and disrespectful to her. Collins decided to address the tension between the women in May 2019 and called them in for a meeting. The secretary said she did not have a problem with Rose Collins, it was simply that she did not have time to socialize with substitute teachers. Something about a young girl just does it for me I dont know, he said in one message, according to the affidavit. Spradling sent the detective additional photos and videos of children he claimed to have abused, the affidavit states. HSI-Fresno issued a search warrant on Spradlings Snapchat account, and a McLennan County detective confirmed he was the man who sent the messages and photos, according to the report. HSI has identified at least 10 juveniles Spradling had been communicating with, and McLennan County sheriffs officials said in a news release that they believe he had been in communication with others. We knew that he was bragging about these young girls that he was having sex with, so we didnt want to let one more day go by that this predator was out there molesting these young kids, McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said. So rather than take time to get him into Waco, we arrested him where he was. Spradling was arrested on Wednesday at his residence in Cedar Park by the Cedar Park Police Department aided by the McLennan County Sheriffs Department. We wanted to get him off the street as fast as we possibly could, McNamara said. The problem of contaminants typically traces to the manufacturing process. While larger companies tend to use above-board methods, Delta-8 can be extracted from CBD by mixing it with acid. The home-brewing methods, which have earned some Delta-8 a reputation as the bathtub gin of the cannabis world, can introduce toxins such as lead, according to Guido Verbeck, a professor at the University of North Texas who co-authored a study on methods of creating Delta-8. Even higher-quality acids can leave behind sulfate, nitrate or chlorine compounds that can be harmful over time, he said. In the days before the ceremony, Suchan said she reviewed the speech and asked Kemter to remove certain portions. Kemter said he didn't see the suggested changes in time to rewrite the speech and talked with a Hudson public official who told him not to change it. Kemter said he was disappointed that the organizers silenced two minutes of his 11-minute speech, during which he talked about how former slaves and freed Black men exhumed the remains of more than 200 Union soldiers from a mass grave in Charleston, South Carolina, and gave them a proper burial. This is not the same country I fought for, said Kemter, who spent 30 years in the Army and served in the Persian Gulf War. The decision to turn off the audio disrespected Kemter and all veterans, Hudson's mayor and City Council said in a statement, which also said the city is committed to addressing issues of systemic racism and intolerance. Veterans have done everything we have asked of them during their service to this country, and this tarnished what should have been a celebration of their service, the statement said. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Chitwood said the recent events were emblematic of a larger problem that lawmakers and officials at the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice needed to address. We are arresting this kids in the state of Florida for violent crimes and the Department of Juvenile Justice wants to put them in places that cant handle them," Chitwood said Wednesday. People need to face facts ... Instead of mollycoddling these kids, and pat Johnny on his head, and hug Jane and tell her everything is going to be OK, we have an awful lot of violent criminals who are teenagers." The boy previously had made threats to kill another student and throw a brick at a school administrator, and the girl was arrested three years ago for stealing puppies. She was sent to teen court but failed to comply with the requirements and set five fires in a wooded lot last April, Chitwood said. She was sent to live with her mother, then placed in foster care, but she kept running away so she was sent to the juvenile home, the sheriff said. Juvenile justice officials said in an email that the children's home they ran away from is not a part of its program. When a youth is arrested in Florida, the courts determine whether or not they are held in secure detention or released into the community," the statement said. As White House counsel, McGahn had an insiders view of many of the episodes Mueller and his team examined for potential obstruction of justice during the Russia investigation. McGahn proved a pivotal and damning witness against Trump, with his name mentioned hundreds of times in the text of the Mueller report and its footnotes. McGahn described to investigators the presidents repeated efforts to choke off the probe and directives he said he received from the president that unnerved him. He recounted how Trump had demanded that he contact then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to order him to unrecuse himself from the Russia investigation. He also said Trump had implored him to tell the deputy attorney general at the time, Rod Rosenstein, to remove Mueller from his position because of perceived conflicts of interest and, after that episode was reported in the media, to publicly and falsely deny that demand had ever been made. McGahn also described the circumstances leading up to Trumps firing of James Comey as FBI director, including the presidents insistence on including in the termination letter the fact that Comey had reassured Trump that he was not personally under investigation. Boom is working to develop an 88-seat plane it calls Overture, which it says will be the first supersonic airliner to fly on so-called sustainable fuel. Scholl said that a one-third sized prototype will make its first test flight later this year or early in 2022. The Denver company said the plane will be capable of speeds up to 1.7 times the speed of sound, or about 1,300 mph. That is slower than the Concorde but more than twice as fast as many current airliners. The endorsement from United is a huge lift for Boom. Another supersonic contender, Aerion, said last month that it was running short of money to get its plane, the AS2, into production. Supersonic jets are often banned over populated areas because of the sonic booms they create. That eliminates many potential overland routes because the planes would have to fly at less efficient subsonic speeds. Chicago-based United believes that its coastal hubs in San Francisco and Newark, New Jersey, and its corporate-traveler clientele make it better suited than its rivals to offer supersonic service. Mike Leskinen, Uniteds vice president of corporate development and a former aerospace analyst, said United hopes to offer both premium and economy seating but that no final decisions have been made on cabin layout. Prosecutors said Kenneth Manzanares had issues with anger and that he had acknowledged restraining his wife in the past and punching holes in walls. Defense attorneys said the couple had a long and happy marriage, and Jamie McGrady, a federal public defender representing Manzanares, accused prosecutors of selectively parsing details from statements Manzanares made to try to paint him as someone who was abusive. Burgess said Kristy Manzanares life was viciously ended by her husband, in an attack partly witnessed by two of the couples children. Kristy Manzanares brothers and father, who also were on the cruise, responded to and witnessed the scene afterward, according to prosecution documents. The plea agreement Manzanares signed allows for an appeal of the reasonableness of the sentence. McGrady told The Associated Press an appeal would be filed. She called the sentence a tragedy and said the judge ignored scientific evidence. Manzanares attorneys, in a court filing last month, asked Burgess to consider the wishes of the Manzanares children, who they said hold their father responsible but also understand that his impairments played a major factor in the events that occurred, and they have already lost one parent. There is some historical material that is worthy of notice, but NYT writers never stray far from their political focus. One of the highlighted conclusions of the project proclaims, A re-education is necessary. The term re-education should have a chilling effect on anyone familiar with the Chinese Communist Cultural Revolution. Re-education camps were set up by the Red Guard to replace any remnants of capitalism or other Western ideas. Political prisoners either replaced those ideas with the thoughts of Chairman Mao under threat of torture and death. Bobby Jack Blain, Woodway Grid still a mess It has been over two months after the near-collapse of the Texas electric grid, which left millions freezing in the dark and may have killed over 100 Texans, yet we have very few answers about what happened or how to keep it from happening again. In the aftermath of the storm, our state leaders promised this session would not end without this problem being fixed. That has not happened. Billions over the normal costs were billed as ERCOT broke its own rules, yet no investigation occurred as to why. No action has been taken to ensure that this sort of event does not happen again. WAVERLY The new city clerk is a familiar face around Waverly. Megan Frye started as the new city clerk at the beginning of May after previous clerk Cheris Cadwell moved to the treasurer position. Frye said she had already been looking for a new job when she saw the position on Facebook. I read about it and thought, I can do that, Frye said. That would probably be really good. She had previously run a daycare for the last 10 years called Megans Miracles in Waverly. Frye grew up on her familys farm in rural Davey where her parents still live, attending District 145 schools until she graduated from Waverly High School in 2000. Frye has only ever lived in the area besides living in Lincoln for her college years at Southeast Community College and University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Oceanside, Calif. for a little over a year. Frye has been back in Waverly with her husband Mitchell for the past 12 years raising their three sons Easton, 12, Gage, 10, and Nolan, 7, on an acreage north of Waverly. They keep me very busy, she said. WATERLOO Waterloo Community Schools is looking inward to boost the number of racial and ethnic minorities in its teaching ranks. With the help of a $300,000 grant the University of Northern Iowa received from the R.J. McElroy Trust in 2018, three people who already work for the district as paraeducators or other support staff have completed their degrees through the Teach Waterloo program. Minorities who work in a district school and already had at least an associates degree or 60 hours of college credit qualified to participate and get assistance in paying for classes. Two of the participants graduated during UNIs spring commencement. The third person, Dawn Boone, graduated in November. She was placed in a Lincoln Elementary School third-grade classroom and just finished her first semester of teaching Wednesday. Her class was a combination of students returning to in-person learning after attending virtually during the first half of the year and children drawn from two other classrooms. But shes not done teaching for the year. Starting June 14, I will have 13 of my 18 for summer school, said Boone, which lasts six weeks. At this point, she expects to continue as a third-grade teacher at Lincoln next fall. Flight attendants who choose to get vaccinated will get up to three extra vacation days in 2022, the union representing Uniteds flight attendants said. To get the maximum number of days, flight attendants must have received at least one dose by June 9. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Grassley said Iowa which has fully vaccinated 43% of its population doesnt need governmental incentives like lotteries at this point, noting that will be Gov. Kim Reynolds decision. I dont think anything ought to be dictated from Washington on this point, he said. If she decided to do it, I would back her up, naturally, because I want to get this virus under control. But I will just leave it up to her. Grassley is sponsoring a prescription drug pricing bill with Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, and hopes to see it passed this year or next year. I think its a very legitimate approach, Grassley said of the bill, which would tie drug prices to the consumer price index, eliminate the donut hole in Medicare Part D and put an annual cap on out-of-pocket costs. Senate Democrats are pushing a different bill, but Grassley doesnt think it can get the votes to pass. I think the Grassley-Wyden bill is the only bill that can get to the president of the United States, he said. Grassley continued to brush aside questions about whether hell seek an eighth term in office, repeating that hell make a decision this fall. According to prosecutors, Lang shot and killed Sgt. Jim Smith less than two hours after Niehaus tried to pull him over for speeding. Authorities say Lang fled from Niehaus, assaulted the officer after a high-speed chase, and returned to his Grundy Center home, where he barricaded himself inside. They say he fatally shot Smith, a 27-year patrol veteran, as Smith led a team of officers inside the home to arrest him. A standoff continued for hours as two officers took cover in Langs basement. Troopers in an armored personnel carrier later entered the home after negotiations broke down, and they fired on Lang after he allegedly shot at them. Lang was shot three times in the head and chest but survived. A prosecutor ruled that the three troopers were justified in shooting Lang. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Lang, 41, is charged with first-degree murder in Smiths killing, attempted murder for allegedly firing at the troopers, and assault on a peace officer for allegedly choking Niehaus. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Prosecutors also recently added pursuit-related charges of eluding, speeding and driving without an interlock device, which Lang needed on his vehicle due to a history of drunken driving. Kachi Project Finance Advances Sydney, June 4, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Clean lithium developer Lake Resources NL ( ASX:LKE ) (LK1.F) ( OTCMKTS:LLKKF ) has advanced debt funding options for its flagship Kachi Lithium Project, with preliminary interest from over half a dozen major international banks to participate in ECA-led project debt finance, subject to Export Credit Agency (ECA) support.The positive funding environment follows an increased focus by EV makers on supply chain sustainability, mandated by European Union regulations, and a requirement for high quality, battery-grade product.In March 2021, Lake appointed SD Capital Advisory Limited and GKB Ventures Limited to arrange project finance, with a focus on ECAs (refer ASX release 3 March 2021). These financial advisers have actively engaged with Lake and the technical advisers at Hatch. They have conducted an in-depth analysis of Kachi's Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and sourcing funding opportunities. Environmental study consultant, Knight Piesold, is undertaking the environmental and social impact study (EISA), to prepare the project for permitting under global standards.Initial outcomes are the potential for a significantly lower cost of capital to be applied to the Kachi project principally as a result of longer dated, lower cost ECA-led debt. The targeted level of financing support would be approximately 70% of the total funding required. The 'sweet spot' for ECA debt repayments is between 5 to 8 years post construction and build-out, implying total debt finance duration of up to 10 years. A number of sourcing opportunities have been identified where minimum export content thresholds can be met, making this project eligible for ECA support.The financial advisers have highlighted the technical and commercial attractiveness of the Kachi project and its contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the potential for a production expansion pending a planned resource upgrade and completion of further studies.In a joint statement, David Buckle, of SD Capital and Gabriel Buck, of GKB Ventures respectively said: "We are greatly encouraged by the progress being made and the early positive response from the project finance banks."The potential size and duration of the debt funding will be provided in the coming months, after expressions of interest are received from potential Export Credit Agencies. Importantly, Lake is well funded through to the final investment decision (FID) on construction finance for Kachi, anticipated in mid-2022, with A$24 million in the bank at the end of the March quarter 2021.Feedback from the recent Benchmark Mineral Intelligence "EV Fest" has further highlighted the lack of supply of battery-quality lithium and also the need for a sustainably produced product, given the potential financial penalties facing EV makers in Europe concerning the minimization of their carbon footprint and satisfying EU import regulations.Lake's Managing Director, Steve Promnitz commented: "Export credit agencies and the project finance banks are committed to the new energy transition and to projects with an ESG benefit that include Sustainable Development Goals. As a company focused on the sustainable, direct extraction of lithium to produce a high- quality, battery-grade product, Lake is ideally positioned to contribute to the achievement of these goals."We look forward to advancing these talks further, together with potential international off-takers, as we progress the Kachi definitive feasibility study towards a successful outcome."Meanwhile, Lake has welcomed further support from Acuity Capital, which has agreed to increase the size of its Controlled Placement Agreement (CPA). The facility has been increased to $30 million to better reflect Lake's higher market capitalisation since the CPA was first established in July 2018 (see announcements, including 31 July 2018 and 27 November 2020).As previously announced, the Company has utilised the CPA to raise a total of $4,775,000 (see announcements on 1 September 2020, 22 September 2020 and 19 January 2021 for further details). The remaining standby equity capital available under the CPA is approximately $25 million with an expiry date of 31 January 2023.There is no requirement on Lake to utilise the CPA and there were no fees or costs associated with the increase to the CPA limit. Further, no additional security has been provided or required in relation to the increased CPA limit.The financing progress follows a new drill testing program at Kachi, with Lake aiming to support an expansion of future production (refer ASX release 19 May 2021). Lake recently upgraded Kachi's estimated NPV to US$1.6 billion, based on the production of 25,500 tpa and on projected higher lithium prices, as it moves to increase its reserve base across its portfolio of projects in the 'Lithium Triangle.'About Lake Resources NL Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) (OTCMKTS:LLKKF) is a clean lithium developer utilising clean, direct extraction technology for the development of sustainable, high purity lithium from its flagship Kachi Project, as well as three other lithium brine projects in Argentina. The projects are in a prime location within the Lithium Triangle, where 40% of the world's lithium is produced at the lowest cost. This method will enable Lake Resources to be an efficient, responsibly-sourced, environmentally friendly and cost competitive supplier of high-purity lithium, which is readily scalable, and in demand from Tier 1 electric vehicle makers and battery makers. With the trajectory of our society and acts of stupidity on a meteoric rise you really need to transition to a Golden Moutza of the Week, said Ingles. None can top Atlanta City Council member Antonio Brown. After being indicted on federal fraud charges for defrauding several banks and credit card companies, does he resign his council seat to focus on clearing his name? Oh, no. He doubles down and decides to run for mayor. Clearly, hes gone to the Illinois School of Political Distraction. His stolen Mercedes was purchased using a loan at the center of his fraud charges. A big open hand and Feesah Etho to you sir! Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Japanese automaker Honda said on Thursday it delivered 128,713 new vehicles in China last month, posting a year-on-year drop of 4.1%. Accord; photo credit: Honda China The decrease was attributed to the decline in GAC Honda's deliveries. Retailing 62,373 vehicles, the joint venture with GAC Group saw its monthly deliveries drop 9.2% compared to year-ago period. However, Dongfeng Honda still scored a year-on-year growth of 1.2% by handing over 66,340 vehicles to consumers. In May, a total of 20,087 consumers in China took delivery of Honda's vehicles armed with the hybrid powertrain system Sport Hybrid, representing a growth of 21.7% from a year earlier. As of May 31, 2021, Honda witnessed its year-to-date China deliveries leap 42.3% year over year to 668,367 units, 96,877 units of which were powered by Sport Hybrid system. As for the year-to-date performance of two joint ventures, GAC Honda recorded a jump of 26.1% with a delivery volume of 306,983 units, while Dongfeng Hondas deliveries amounted to 361,384 units, soaring 59.8% over the prior-year period. The Japanese automaker exhibited the world premiere of the Honda SUV e: prototype, a prototype model of the first Honda-branded all-electric vehicle designed for China, at the Auto Shanghai 2021. According to a local media report, the mass-produced model will be produced by both Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda under the codes of 3BS and 3BR respectively, and is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2022. As part of efforts to strengthen the BEV offensive in China, Honda will introduce 10 Honda-brand BEV models within five years. In many ways, this is probably not surprising, Nagaoka said. ... The students who go to two-year colleges are quite often very different from students who go to four-year colleges, and all of the challenges that students were facing during the pandemic were most likely particularly acute for students who were in community colleges. And weve seen this nationally ... the financial impact of the pandemic had a disproportionate effect on students who were in two-year colleges and particularly students of color. Instagram/Facebook Celebrity The 'Watch What Happens Life with Andy Cohen' host uses his platform to ask for help to find his childhood friend, who has been disappearing since May 21. Jun 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Andy Cohen is praying for his missing friend Andy Neiman's "safe return." The TV personality has made use of his social media account to plead for help to find his former schoolmate, who has been missing for almost two weeks. "Andy is younger than me, but we went to the same camp - Nebagamon in Wisconsin - and the same high school," Cohen told Page Six of his childhood friend. Keeping his hope alive that his friend will return safe, he added, "I'm praying for his safe return, along with a lot of folks in St Louis." Cohen first brought awareness to the case by posting Neiman's missing poster on his Facebook page. Along with a picture of Neiman, the poster listed that the 48-year-old, who Page Six said is as an actor and playwright, was missing from Poughkeepsie, New York since May 21. He is described as 5'10" tall and weighs at 165 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. Additional note on the poster read, "Andrew is a missing vulnerable adult with schizophrenia and may be in need of medical attention. He was last seen wearing green hospital scrubs and may be wearing glasses. Andrew is believed to be in the local area." Neiman, who has bipolar disorder, was last seen leaving the MidHudson Regional Hospital at approximately 9:00 P.M. on Friday, May 21. He was described by authorities as wearing "blue/green scrub shirt and scrub pants, no shoes and socks." He is believed to be not carrying any money or a cellphone at the time. His younger sister Emily Abramson told Page Six that her brother had experienced a psychotic break while staying with her family in High Falls, Ulster County. A GoFundMe page has been launched by his family to fund the search for Neiman. According to an update shared to the fundraiser on May 27, a private investigator was hired to help lead the search. "Unfortunately, leads to date have not materialized locating Andy," the page shared in the update. "While we are disappointed, we remain undeterred. We have increased our GoFundMe goal in this critical time to find Andy and are redoubling efforts to hire additional private investigators, fly drones, advertise, pound the pavement, and search the woods, parks, and waters where Andy may be." Those with information regarding Neiman's whereabouts are asked to contact the Poughkeepsie Police Department or the hotline 845 687 3066. WENN/Dutch Press Photo Celebrity In newly-found documents, it is revealed that Queen Elizabeth II's top advisers informed civil servants that 'coloured immigrants or foreigners' were not eligible for office jobs in the British royal household. Jun 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Buckingham Palace used to be so white. The palace banned hiring "coloured immigrants or foreigners" for office jobs in the British royal household until at least the late 1960s, according to a new report by The Guardian newspaper on Thursday, June 3. In newly-found documents from Britain's National Archives, it was revealed that Queen Elizabeth II's top advisers informed civil servants that "it was not, in fact, the practice to appoint" minorities to clerical roles and other office jobs. However, it was stated that people from minorities could work as domestic servants. While it remains unclear when the racist rule ended, the queen and her household were exempt from laws which prevented race and sex discrimination in the 1970s by using an arcane parliamentary mechanism known as "crown consent." When asked for comments on the report, Buckingham Palace allegedly declined to talk about the practice or to reveal when or why it was stopped. The palace, however, noted that that people from ethnic minority backgrounds were employed in the 1990s. Meanwhile, the palace refused to answer any questions about banning people of color, reasoning that records on racial backgrounds were not kept before then. "Claims based on a second-hand account of conversations from over 50 years ago should not be used to draw or infer conclusions about modern day events or operations," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told E! News. "The principles of Crown Application and Crown Consent are long established and widely known." Back in March during a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle opened up about Meghan experiencing racism within the royal family. The Duchess of Sussex said some people in the palace were concerned "about how dark [their son Archie's] skin might be when he's born." In response to the claims, the Buckingham Palace issued a statement that read, "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members." Prince William doubled down on the statement as he defended his family, saying they are "very much not" racist. Instagram Celebrity The model reveals that she is still experimenting with the haircut as saying, 'The more you have this style, the more you want to push the limits of how mullet-y you can get it.' Jun 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Kamala Harris' stepdaughter Ella Emhoff makes it clear that she is a fan of the mullet. When making her first-ever Vogue photo shoot, the Vice President's stepdaughter opted to flaunt the hairstyle which she described as "ugly-chic." "I feel like in the past, the mullet was deemed unattractive and kind of odd," the 22-year-old told the magazine. Though so, the model, who signed with the world-renowned IMG Models agency in January, claimed that she is now "really drawn to that almost ugly-chic look." She also admitted, "The more you have this style, the more you want to push the limits of how mullet-y you can get it." In images from the photo shoot, it could be seen that Ella was getting her curly brown hair snipped by hairstylist Masami Hosono. She was also seen donning a Celine by Hedi Slimane yellow cardigan and ruffled pussybow blouse, which were paired with large Gucci glasses. In the meantime, the makeup artist, Fara Homidi, kept her makeup natural for the shoot. For her mullet haircut, Ella first showed it off on the runway for Proenza Schouler during New York Fashion Week in February. It was also her first time walking on a fashion runway. When Ella joined IMG Models, the president of the agency Ivan Bart explained to The New York Times, "It's not really about shape, size or gender any more." He added further, "Ella communicates this moment in time. There's a cheekiness and a joy she exudes." He also noted that "she's communicating fashion." In the same interview with Ivan, Ella shared her reaction about being part of IMG, saying, "I was pretty surprised when everything with IMG was happening because when I was younger." She pointed out, "I never saw that as being part of my timeline." "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," she further revealed to the publication. "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." WENN/John Rainford Celebrity The Duchess of Cambridge, much like the Queen, was reportedly hopeful that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would return to their royal roles prior to their interview with Oprah Winfrey. Jun 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Kate Middleton reportedly still has her arms wide open for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle despite an apparent rising tension between them lately. The wife of Prince William is said to be willing to put aside their difference and patch things up with the Sussexes for the sake of their children. Royal expert Camilla Tominey says that the Duchess of Cambridge has preached that her brother-in-law and his wife remained "much loved members of the family," despite their exit as senior members and their move across the pond. The Associate Editor of the Daily Telegraph in London adds that even after the couple's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, the 39-year-old "remained keen to bury the hatchet seemingly for the sake of two-year-old Archie's relationship with his cousins." Camila additionally claims that Kate, much like Queen Elizabeth, was hoping that Harry and Meghan would return to their royal roles before their interview with Oprah. "I have been reliably informed she was even telling her friends before the Oprah interview that she did not think it was too late to 'pull them back in,' " the royal expert writes for The Telegraph's Stella magazine. Royal author Katie Nicholl, meanwhile, tells the outlet that "Kate's very much been the pillar of strength, guide and mentor for William that he has always been for her." As Katie notes that the second-in-line to the throne has "had a really hard time with his brother, he's really struggled with it and she's been a rock," a source adds that when it comes to the Sussexes, Kate's "natural instinct is to try to smooth things over." This comes after Kate's uncle Gary Goldsmith claimed that the mother of three is "trying to mediate" and "bring peace" to the royal family. "The harsh truth - in my opinion - is that if Harry doesn't get a grip and stop this self-indulgent episode, there will soon be no common ground or relationship to rebuild," Gary recently told Closer. "But if anyone can bring peace to the royals, Kate can. Kate is a brilliant arbiter and peacemaker." He added, "Every bone in her body is about making friends and doing the best she can... She's trying to mediate." He further pointed out the trio's interaction at Prince Philip's funeral to show Kate's alleged effort to mediate between Harry and William, saying, "You could see at the funeral that Kate was there trying to make peace, bringing the brothers together." "Harry and Kate were great friends, they were a trio with William and a strong unit," Gary further stated. "Family and relationships are everything to Kate - she's very nurturing, she wouldn't like that [rift] happening and she is trying to look after her husband and do what she can to make things right." Instagram Celebrity In response to the accusations related to the 2020 incident, the Atlanta artist has taken to his Instagram account to tell his online followers that the report is nothing but a lie. Jun 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Rapper Dae Dae has responded to allegations that he stabbed a teenager at Dunkin' Donuts in Atlanta last December. In response to the accusations, the hip-hop artist took to his Instagram account to tell his online followers that the report is nothing but a lie. "Don't go for it. That's all I want to tell you. Don't go for it. Don't go for it...Cap," so the Atlanta rapper wrote on Thursday, June 3. "You know that don't look nothing like me! Dae tote sticks, and you know this." He followed it up by posting a clip of a local news channel reporting the case on his page. "Anything To Slammer My Name Huh...They Would Wanna See Me Dead Or In Jail," the "Wat U Mean" rapper wrote in the caption. "It's Crazy the Type Music I Drop Is Nun But Motivation Music They Treatin me Like A Mass Criminal...NOT EVEN Trippen Lawyer Paid Up And Ima Drop Faster On You P****iess...Tell That...Stay Tune WATCHTHIS." According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dae Dae, whose real name is Marquavis Goolsby, is wanted for aggravated assault in connection with a December 5, 2020 stabbing at a Dunkin' store on Jonesboro Road in south Fulton County. He was accused of stabbing a 17-year-old girl who worked at the drive-thru station. Dae Dae allegedly came into the store while angry because he didn't get what he wanted. He and the alleged victim got into an argument that unfortunately ended in a physical fight. In a CCTV clip, a man who was believed to the rapper could be seen swinging his knife at the victim multiple times. When officers arrived after the incident, the victim refused to be taken to the hospital to treat knife wounds on her arm. This is not the first for Dae Dae to be involved in a legal trouble. Back in February 2018, the rapper was booked on gun and drug charges. Marvel Studios Movie During an interview with Capital FM, the Peter Parker depicter talks about his contributions to the upcoming Spider-Man movie, in which he's 'really' involved 'not just as an actor.' Jun 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Almost all MCU movies are rated PG-13 and will likely remain so while they are properties of Disney, but Tom Holland apparently fails to notice it. Having starred in a number of Marvel films since his first appearance as Spider-Man in "Captain America: Civil War", the actor has come up with a steamy idea for "Spider-Man: No Way Home" only to get turned down by the studio. In an interview with Capital FM which has been posted on TikTok, the British stud talked about his contributions to the upcoming movie. "I mean I was writing scenes, and writing ideas, and coming up with set pieces, and just sending them off to Marvel," so he claimed. Admitting that not all of his ideas were approved, he continued, "And a lot of them they were like 'No dude, that's a terrible idea.' But then there were a couple they took and they're in the movie and stuff, so it's a movie that I'm like really, really, involved in, not just as an actor." The host then asked Holland what one big idea that he really wanted for the movie but Marvel said no to. That's when he quipped, "I said 'I think we should have a really passionate sex scene,' and they're like no, I don't think so.' " He then went on joking about how he would've gone "method" for shooting that particular steamy scene. Filming on "Spider-Man: No Way Home" began in October 2020 after being pushed back from its original start date of mid-2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Filming wrapped in March and the movie is scheduled to hit theaters across the nation on December 17. In addition to Holland, Zendaya Coleman, J. B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon and Marisa Tomei are all confirmed to return for the threequel. Jon Watts is also back at the helm, with the script written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Instagram Celebrity The 'Jersey Shore' alum and Christian Biscardi reportedly have called off their engagement since they were caught unfollowing each other on social media. Jun 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola continued to add fuel to split rumors with her fiance. The "Jersey Shore" alum, who had reportedly called off her engagement to Christian Biscardi, was seen without her engagement ring in her recent social media post. On Wednesday, June 2, the 34-year-old reality star shared on Instagram a video of herself applying the Get Into The Limelight self-tanner. Fans, however, were quick to notice that there's something missing on her ring finger. One of her followers lamented in the comment section, "No ring ... I feel bad if they did break up, hopefully they will work things out and get back together." Another individual echoed, "Oh no ... no ring. it's true." A third, meanwhile, asked her, "Are you not engaged anymore?" Sammi and Christian were hit with breakup speculations after they were caught unfollowing each other on Instagram. The two of them also appeared to have deleted all photos of one another from the past two years. As for the TV personality, she changed her YouTube account "Sam and Christian TV" to her own name Sammi Sweetheart. She, however, hasn't deleted a December 2020 video entitled "Sammi's Favorite Holiday Traditions", which features several images of her and her then-beau. Sammi and Christian got engaged in March 2019 after dating for about two years. She shared the happy news on Instagram by unveiling one photo from the proposal. "I'm completely overwhelmed with happiness. Yesterday was the best day of my life! I get to marry my other half, best friend and soulmate. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you @_biscardi I love you!! #Fiance #MrsBiscardi #Stillcryingtearsofhappiness," so read the caption. Before being an item with Christian, Sammi was dating her former "Jersey Shore" co-star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro on-and-off. The duo called it quits in 2014 as Ronnie confirmed to Us Weekly, "Me and Sammi aren't together anymore... We just grew our separate ways." Instagram Celebrity A scary incident has reportedly happened at a high-profiled party hosted by the Bad Boy Records founder in Atlanta to celebrate Quality Control Music CEO's birthday. Jun 5, 2021 AceShowbiz - A dancer caught fire when her feathered skirt was ignited by a candle at Diddy's party in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday night (02Jun21). The rapper, real name Sean Combs, hosted a birthday party for Quality Control Music CEO Pierre "Pee" Thomas at Fox Theatre when the scary incident occurred. An onlooker told the New York Post's Page Six, "There were dancers on tables wearing feathered skirts, and one dropped down to get her eagle on and caught on fire from a candle!" "Nothing was left but her string thong. She was panicking and quickly extinguished. I was trying to get video, but I couldn't act quick enough, that's how quickly it was put out. I just got the smoke after." It's not the first time a Diddy party has been so hot it's caused a fire. Back in 2010, a model at one of his bashes narrowly escaped serious injury as a candle set light to her hair. The fire department was called but the woman acted quickly and dunked her head in the water of the bubble bath she had been sitting in at the time to extinguish the flames. Meanwhile, Diddy sparked romance rumors with City Girls' Yung Miami as they were photographed holding hands to attend the birthday party for Pierre Thomas. He looked dapper in a white tuxedo with a bowtie and she showed off her figure in a form-fitting red dress with a thigh-high slit and long train. Also spotted at attendance were Miami's bandmate JT and rappers Lil Baby & Gucci Mane among others. WENN Celebrity The former 'Drake and Josh' actor is facing attempted child endangerment charges stemming from a 2017 incident where he was reportedly caught in an inappropriate chat with the alleged victim. Jun 5, 2021 AceShowbiz - Actor Drake Bell has pleaded not guilty to allegations of attempted child endangerment. The former "Drake & Josh" star appeared in a Cuyahoga County court in Ohio on Thursday (03Jun21), when he denied the count and protested his innocence amid additional charges of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. The accusations date back to an incident on 1 December 2017 when Bell was scheduled to perform at a club in Cleveland and, according to local station Fox 8 News, the 34 year old was allegedly caught engaging in an inappropriate chat with the unidentified victim. He was only indicted last month (May21), and it's unclear when he was arrested. Following his court appearance, Bell was released on $2,500 (1,800) bond, and ordered to stay away from his alleged victim. Representatives for the actor have yet to comment on the legal trouble. A virtual pre-trial hearing has been set for 23 June. Last year, the former child actor was called out by a former girlfriend. She posted a TikTok video to detail the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of the star. "I started dating Drake when I was sixteen. I was homeschooled, I moved in with him. I was singing," she claimed. "It wasn't until about a year when the verbal abuse started, and when I say verbal abuse, imagine the worst type of verbal abuse you could imagine and that's what I got." "It then turned to physical - hitting, throwing, everything...At the pinnacle of it, he drug (sic) me down the stairs of our house on Los Feliz. My face hit every step on the way down. I have photos of this." Drake vehemently denied the accusations, insisting he was never abusive during their relationship. While he admitted they "called each other terrible names" following their breakup, he claimed she "still felt close enough to me just last year that she was comfortable reaching out to ask me to provide her with financial support during a tough time (which I did)." TRACY, Calif. (AP) Police in the Northern California city of Tracy say an alleged shooter has been hospitalized after killing two people and wounding a third early Thursday. Tracy police say the suspect is in critical condition from what appears to be a self inflicted gunshot wound. The third victim was treated and released. The suspect was known to the victims. The shooting occurred at the Green Oaks Mobile Home Park shortly before 3 a.m. Tracy is about 60 miles east of San Francisco. -- TRACY, Calif. (AP) Police in the Northern California city of Tracy said an alleged shooter has been hospitalized after killing two people and wounding a third in a residential neighborhood early Thursday. The Tracy Police Department said on Facebook that the suspect is in critical condition from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot injury. The remaining victim was treated and released. "It appears that it was a one-person event. There is no danger to the area. We believe that the person who was responsible is at the hospital," Tracy Police Department spokesman Tony Sheneman told KOVR-TV in Sacramento. Police said they received multiple 911 calls shortly before 3 a.m. They say the suspect was known to the victims. The shooting occurred at the Green Oaks Mobile Home Park shortly before 3 a.m. Tracy is a city of about 90,000 people about 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of San Francisco. Drake and Josh, which followed stepbrothers Drake Parker (Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck), debuted in 2004 and ran for four seasons, ending in 2017. The show, which also spawned three TV movies, was one of Nickelodeons highest-rated programs, averaging about three million viewers at the time. CHICO, Calif. - Registered nurses at Enloe Medical Center, who are represented by California Nurses Association, approved a new three-year labor contract, according to the California Nurses Association. The contract will provide patient care improvements and long-term benefits, like paid time off for nurses. Even though the pandemic brought with it unique factors that impacted bargaining this year, we were able to achieve a contract that is fair and equitable, said Michael Hannan, an RN in the critical care unit. Our new contract strengthens our resources and response to infectious disease that will protect nurses through this current pandemic and on into the future. Nurses began to negotiate for a new contract with Enloe Medical Center in Oct. 2020 as the previous agreement expired in March 2021. REDDING, Calif. - The Shasta Community Health Center will be giving Shasta District Fair tickets to every person who receives the COVID-19 vaccine between June 1 and June 25, the health center said. Any person who comes to one of their health center locations will get a free vaccine and a free fair ticket. The health center said vaccine appointments will have to be made on www.myturn.ca.gov and selecting one of the Shasta Community Health Center locations. They said they accept walk-ins and can also schedule an appointment at (833) 422-4255. The fair is from June 23 to June 26 and they will give one ticket per person while supplies last. The three health center vaccine locations are: BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - The impacts of a state-wide unemployment fraud scheme are being felt here at home. Twelve inmates from the Butte County Jail and three people who helped from the outside are facing charges for unemployment fraud. District Attorney Mike Ramsey said they are looking into other potential cases. We started seeing inmate's accounts at the jail getting fatter and money flowing in, investigators looked at what was going on and started talking to people and started unrolling the layers of this fraudulent onion. One case led to two that led to eight, that led to 30, so it was quite the job, said Ramsey. Investigators said the inmates in question were applying for unemployment benefits. With help from outside accomplices, they scammed a total of around $370,000. RELATED: Butte County inmates, helpers face COVID-19 unemployment fraud charges Sheriff Kory Honeas said they've dealt with fraudulent activity within the jail before but never anything to this magnitude. Certainly there have been fraudulent transactions in the past we have caught but nothing to this scale and I think that speaks to the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and response by the government unfortunately there wasn't a system of checks and balances in place at the state level to prevent people who were incarcerated from receiving these funds its too bad but with the good investigative work I think we can bring these people to justice, said Honea. Investigators said some used their own names to apply for benefits, others used other people's ID's. Now, deputies are urging people to monitor their bank account information and report any unusual mail from EDD. Investigators said many of the inmates who are facing charges for unemployment fraud were communicating with each other inside the jail. D.A. Mike Ramsey said this was able to happen because the EDD system in California did not have a cross-referencing system to verify if those who were applying were in jail or not. REDDING, Calif. - A woman admitted to vandalizing a Redding Police Substation because she was upset with police, according to Redding Police Department. 48-year-old Stephanie Harrison was seen on video surveillance on Wednesday around 8:30 p.m. spray painting anti-police rhetoric on a substation in downtown Redding. Harrison spray paints on the front windows and privacy glass at the substation in Foundry Square on California Street. Police said she caused more than $1000 in damage to the building. Harrison made an online report to the police department but officers said they rejected it due to it not being a police issue. She then sent an email back to the department on Tuesday around 7 p.m. Harrison was identified on surveillance cameras Thursday morning and was contacted by officers at her residence. She was arrested and booked into the Shasta County Jail for felony vandalism charges. 91springboard, Indias pioneering co-working community, partners with Google for Startups (GfS) to launch Startup Sprint a virtual program that provides an opportunity to various startups and entrepreneurs across India to scale up and expand their businesses online by helping them learn modern digital business tools. The goal of this initiative is to help startups adapt to a transformed world, with more people spending time online and the growth of the digital economy. Through Startup Sprint, entrepreneurs and new-age startups would be able to access various knowledge-sharing platforms, up skilling techniques, and advice. This will help them streamline their businesses, generate new ideas, and understand evolving customer needs using digital tools and channels. Launching this 18th June, 91springboard along with Google for Startups will conduct a series of workshops, roundtable discussions and interactive sessions conducted by selected industry experts. Commenting on this initiative, Anand Vemuri, CEO, 91springboard said, We are happy to launch the Startup Sprint program in India for our young entrepreneurs and new business communities. 91springboard believes in nurturing the startup ecosystem and fostering its growth through ample learning opportunities. This partnership with Google for Startups will enable startups and businesses to go digital and optimise their operations. We are helping businesses navigate their way through the pandemic with valuable insights from industry stalwarts to reboot, sustain, and scale up their ventures. COVID-19 has changed life as we know it. In India and around the world, founders are stepping up to solve for new and unforeseen challenges as they always have done with agility, innovative technology, and resilience. And now more than ever, developing a thriving startup requires help, said Michael Kim, Head of Google for Startups, APAC. We are excited to partner with 91spingboard on this initiative to ensure the startups of India grow and adapt to todays rapidly changing business environment. When startups succeed, our communities and economies do, too. And we want to ensure Google supports these efforts every step of the way. Community engagement is the DNA of this cause and this collaboration is aimed at tailoring business strategies for the new age startups and businesses to enhance their online presence. Below are the details of the program. Clovia, Indias leading brand for womens innerwear, loungewear, and personal care, today announced that Sharen Jester Turney, Former Victorias Secret President & CEO will come on board as an Advisor to the company. Sharen Jester Turney is currently a board member & advisor to several Global Retail & Technology brands and philanthropic organizations. Her expertise and advisory roles span the globe including London-based Marks and Spencer, Gloria Jeans in Russia, Cosmo Lady in China, Sweden-based global brand Happy Socks, Alliance Data , and NewStore Omnichannel platform, in the USA to name a few. Sharen was president and chief executive officer of the global lingerie brand Victorias Secret for nearly two decades. Clovia has been one of the key Branded players in the Indian direct-to-consumer space which has been scaling profitably on the back of extensive use of technology & data in all its business areas. To address the vast customer base across India, Clovia has worked on disrupting the innerwear supply chain and distribution through advanced tech adaptation and re-inventing the product development process. These factors have helped the brand scale its multi-channel and multi-category footprint with extreme capital efficiency ensuring high customer delight. The brand is centered toward the philosophy of joy and focusing on the concept of right size / fit, personalized boutique and building intimate relationships with its customers. Today , Clovia brand sits on a treasure trove of over 140 mn data points from its 3 mn users that continuously helps designers iterate on designs and fits. Tracking at 100% growth in just 6 months, Clovia continues to scale quickly and profitably. As Clovia continues to scale the business to the next level, we will benefit exponentially from Sharens rich experience of building products, customer-centric processes and most importantly, brands that transcend borders and extend beyond the lingerie category. said Pankaj Vermani, CEO, Clovia. Inviting her as an advisor is in line with Clovias constant effort to bring international products and experience to the Indian consumer. We are excited and confident that Sharens global experience of building iconic brands in the past will strengthen our efforts in elevating Clovia's vision of blending Indian sensibilities with international best practices and product solutions. We are looking forward to having her support across functions of business strategy, category expansion like personal care, market insights, strengthening of brand positioning & experience, and international expansion. Speaking on this recent alliance, Sharen Jester Turney further added, The growth opportunity in front of Clovia is vast, which makes me excited to be a part of the Clovia team. The talent at Clovia is unique, and the teams customer-centric approach combined with their ability to render an ultimate customer experience backed with innovation and technology makes them stay ahead of the competition and build a global success story in the coming years. Clovias intent of addressing all body shapes & sizes across categories and the most intimate requirements of customers across metros to Tier 2 & 3 towns is awe-inspiring. Their zeal and constant innovation in technology and product expansion will soon help them in expanding their footprint to the International market. Clovia is Indias leading direct-to-consumer womens inner-wear, loungewear, athleisure and personal care brand focused on addressing key pain points for millennial women. With this latest alliance, the company will get a strong push in adapting & building an innovative culture. With international expertise and experience, the brand Clovia continues to attain and redefine its next level of growth with the development of international quality solution-led products. Post #CBCares, an initiative for spreading awareness about Covid-19 vaccination, Indias leading beauty brand Colorbar has added several more measures for its employees and their families. A three-day vaccination drive was organised recently, in association with Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, for the employees and their dependents of Godfrey Phillips, 24Seven, Colorbar, Modicare and Modicare Foundation. Approximately 1500 employees and over dependents were vaccinated at the camp which was done with complete safety-measures A Covid-19 help centre, called Covid Sahayak was set up to reach out to and help Covid-19 positive employees and their family members. These Sahayaks comprised employees who had recovered for Covid. They were thus able to help other employees navigate tough times because of the Covid. We created a WhatsApp support group, which kept track of all the employees and those suffering from covid. Top management team was also a part of this group. The group supported the employees in helping them with their requirements regarding ambulance, hospital, critical drugs, oxygen and Covid-19 testing support. Colorbar has a doctor-on-call for all the employees. Daily Fresh meals are also being delivered to the employees and their family members who are Covid-19 positive. Samir Modi Founder and MD, Colorbar Cosmetics, says, Its always people first for us at Colorbar and these are some of the many little things one can do to keep and safeguard our work families. We are thankful for the support from our HR team, Dr Rajeev Aggarwal who is tirelessly offering help and giving medical assistance and the Covid Sahayak team who have been a huge support system in these trying times. As part of our Covid-19 relief policy, we are introducing a special leave provision wherein our employees can take as many days off as required for recovery in case they have contracted Covid. We have taken Covid Insurance for all the employees, including third party ones Delightful Gourmet Private Limited has appointed Mumbai based Brand & Communications consultancy, Tilt Brand Solutions as their strategic, creative and digital Agency on Record for its brand, Licious. Licious started its journey 5 years ago with a belief that India deserves better meat and seafood; and they continue to grow their base every day, innovating for, and catering to, meat and seafood lovers across the country. Says, Simeran Bhasin, Vice President Brands and New Ventures at Licious, Licious is at a critical juncture of the growth journey. It is imperative for us to collaborate with the right partners who are not just experts in the field but also mirrors the brand credo. The TILT team has an intuitive feel & passion for meat; one that matched Liciouss own. It was based on this synergy that Licious first chose to work with them on the now current Nakhra campaign. Our fantastic experience of working with the team through this project made it a no-brainer for us to explore, evaluate and finally close out a full scope AOR relationship covering brand&communication strategy and solutioning across platforms, formats and media Rajiv Chatterjee, Chief Business Officer, Tilt Brand Solutions, said, This is a brand and team which is passionate about wanting to change the way Indians purchase and consume meat and seafood. The amount of work that has gone in over the last 5 years in the areas of quality and fulfillment is truly exemplary. And despite that, we believe that this journey has only begun. We are convinced in Licious rightful ambition to continue to lead and grow this category, as also in our ability to bring to bear on this journey, our competencies in data-led insighting, culture understanding, impactful storytelling and digital marketing & amplification Paul Dueman, Chief Strategy Officer, Tilt Brand Solutions, adds We have already partnered with Licious in our Nakhra campaign, and that process itself has been very enriching for us. We have only started to scratch the surface in this highly cohortized category, and we are extremely excited to partner with this passionate bunch in successfully changing each cohorts purchase behaviour and make Licious a household name for years to follow As the news comes out about Dr. Anthony Fauci's email after email contradicting the how and why of the pandemic, many of us just shake our heads with a weary sigh. Tucker Carlson: Uncovered Emails Show Fauci Supported Grotesque Experiments at Wuhan Lab Fauci presided over the catastrophic rise of autism - and did nothing but hem and haw and tell us what is wasn't - vaccines. Vaccines. Vaccines. Vaccines. We're often accused of being too vaccine-centric. It has cost us dearly. Sponsors. Gone. Donors. Sparse but much loved. Google. Shut us down. But when we think of what vaccines have cost our families, it's a small price to pay. Here, Jeremy Hammond wrote in March about yet another scandal involving WHO, children and vaccines - without informed consent. Malaria has a close to tie to Age of Autism. Our founder Dan Olmsted broke a huge story about Lariam, a drug for Malaria, with his UPI writing partner Mark Benjamin. Army eyes malaria drug in Bragg killings. You'd think in today's world, a story about WHO potentially harming African children would be splashed everywhere with indignation. You'd think. ### WHO Experimenting on African Children without Informed Consent The World Health Organization (WHO), a pair of articles recently published in The BMJ have revealed, is sponsoring an experimental study of a controversial malaria vaccine among African children without obtaining informed consent from parents. Data from prior clinical trials of the vaccine, manufactured by the British multinational pharmaceutical corporation GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), have shown it to be associated with an increased risk of clinical malaria after four years, a tenfold increased risk of meningitis, an increased risk of cerebral malaria (in which the parasitic organisms block the flow of blood to the brain, causing swelling and potential brain damage), and an increased risk of death that was disproportionately higher for female children. Read more at JeremyHammond.com. The use of corn-based ethanol from 2005 to 2019 reduced the countrys carbon footprint and diminished greenhouse gases, according to a study b So, where does Schuberts Symphony No. 5 (1816), the four-movement work holding down Thursdays program, fit into this folk schema? It doesnt and thats precisely what makes it so fascinating. In writing this symphony, Schubert didnt bask in the Austrian dance forms by then popping up in his solo and chamber works. Instead, the 19-year-old composer had Mozart on the mind: The Symphony No. 5 echoes the older masters gestures and even shares the same idiosyncratic instrumentation as his Symphony No. 40 (one flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, and strings). Not coincidentally, around the time he wrote this symphony, the already prolific Schubert began composing for pay for the first time in his life. One can sense not just Schuberts idolatry of the late Mozart but his own keen self-awareness. I stared straight up at the ceiling tiles of the examination room and tried desperately to take my mind off what was happening in my lower regions. For years its been relatively easy to measure pollution from, say, a factory. At a factory there might be just one pipe of waste to measure. DEVILS LAKE, N.D. Increased equipment demand, supply chain challenges, and soaring steel costs have affected the ability of farm equipment manufacturers and dealers to supply equipment and parts to farmers. We are seeing a spike in demand to update farm equipment now that commodity prices are getting stronger and there is more positivity out there, said Bruce Johnson, director of sales and marketing at Summers Manufacturing, Inc. Summers Manufacturing is an all employee-owned farm equipment manufacturer based in Devils Lake, N.D., with an assembly plant/parts and service facility in Aberdeen, S.D. At the same time that demand has increased, farm equipment manufacturers have been seeing disruptions along the supply chain and shipping issues. Manufacturers are short on the products needed to make equipment, and product inventory is low as the country slowly recovers from COVID-19. As demand is increasing, a lot of the supply chain has gotten distracted over the past few years. It has been hard to get materials, Johnson said. To help handle those challenges, Summers Manufacturing has launched an advanced order program for farmers who are looking to update their tillage equipment and other products the company manufactures. Summers Manufacturing is setting the cost of the equipment at the current price, with delivery in spring 2022. Incentives are offered for advanced orders and all of their products carry warranties. We understand some farmers want to wait and see if they are going to get rain this spring, but we have many producers wanting to get equipment on order to make sure they get it for next spring, he said. Lynette Alm was a hairstylist in a Chicago suburb when she was prescribed an antibiotic to h * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! It felt so good. And it felt scary, too, because music was the way that I was able to come out to myself because it was exciting and performative, she said. Transitioning is exciting, but its also really, really hard and often really grueling and difficult. But the music was a way to make it feel like what I was going through meant something. It was a way to give it levity without feeling like a diary entry. Lake Charles, Louisiana (70615) Today Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon. High 96F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low around 75F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Today's Democratic Party, aligned with certain associated power elites, is actively fighting a second American Revolution dedicated to overturning our original one, with the objective of imposing a Marxism-style political order upon our country. Actively employing a totalitarian political model and methods similar to those utilized by the Chinese Communist Party, a cadre of elites in this country, including many in the business, media, academic, and celebrity worlds as well as many politicians across party lines, are working together in a highly orchestrated movement to achieve the goal of overthrowing our democratic form of government. Overall, the key objectives of the current Democratic Party and the Biden administration, with the assistance of these elitist groups, is to undermine the foundations of our country as founded. They are actively working to replace our political system with one that imposes upon the American people a government empowered to be involved in our lives to a degree that will eventually include dictating our personal thoughts and daily activities. These groups work vigorously on an ongoing basis and in a coordinated fashion, attacking and devaluing our history, our democratic practices, and our traditions to place us behind a new American version of an Iron Curtain. Objective political truth is becoming a rare commodity as the members of this increasingly powerful and disconnected elite, also known as the Establishment, attempt to increase their power by deception and distortion as well as by routinely circumventing the rule of law. Our political process has evolved to a point where the concerns and well-being of individual people no longer count or are literally a distraction. Gaining more power, privileges, and riches has become the Establishment's overriding objective. The Founding Fathers at the Constitutional Convention formulated a system of government based on the principles of checks and balances. They were wary of the potential for a growth of the concentration and permanence of power in the hands of an elite. They fully understood the destructive nature of a tyranny and how it could develop or be avoided. Revolutions occur at many different types of inflection points in the histories of various countries. Intolerable oppression experienced by a nation's people, failed leadership, the extreme lack of economic opportunity available for the masses, and extremely unpopular wars are important causes from the past. It can be emphatically stated that none of these conditions existed in the United States as we began 2020. The truth was that at that time, the outlook for America's political and economic prospects were running extraordinarily high, driven primarily by the success of President Trump's America First policies. It was an election year; Trump was ascendant; China was on the ropes, losing both the tariffs and trade wars and then America and the world suddenly caught a virus. A highly ruthless and committed movement driven by deception and an organized plan was set in motion to win the November 3, 2020 election by any means necessary, including possibly releasing or at a minimum deliberately spreading the COVID-19 virus around the world, starting either in late 2019 or early 2020. After its introduction, a comprehensive campaign was waged to weaponize and promote the public's fear of COVID-19. As the pandemic raged, the parties opposing President Trump ratcheted up the stakes by demonstrating their willingness to sacrifice people's lives and inflicting all kinds of collateral damage on fundamental American institutions and our economy for the primary purpose of political gain. An American government seemingly in partnership with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was born, inflicting without any compunction the destruction of the lives, health, welfare, and livelihoods of a great number of fellow Americans. The Democrats and their allies waged an operation turning the COVID health crisis on its head by deliberately acting to make conditions worse in order to gain political advantage. The direct result was to cause numerous unnecessary deaths and much suffering. Several moves were made to place our citizens in harm's way of the COVID virus and its side effects with little regard for the loss of innocent people's lives in nursing homes. On the streets of our major cities, crime soared while police forces were defunded. We all witnessed on a daily basis Antifa and BLM deployed and acting with impunity to actively intimidate any potential opposition with the use of violence. Open borders policies in addition to support for sanctuary cities caused additional lawlessness. Cancel culture tactics were used to destroy any person who spoke out or acted in any fashion to criticize the left's response to the crisis. On the health front, a major fight to discredit and deny the use of potential therapeutics to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in our doctors' offices and hospitals caused unnecessary deaths, suffering, and longer-term side-effects of the virus. As 2020 unfolded, this movement worked to legitimize the need for mail-in voting by advocating measures to lock down America and continue to keep our country virtually closed as we reached November. Their overall aim was to stuff the ballot boxes with enough mail-in ballots for the purpose of changing the electoral count on and around Election Day to ensure a Biden win. As the illegitimate winner of the 2020 election, Joe Biden was inaugurated on January 20. In January, a totalitarian-style regime with many of its political appointees with past or ongoing connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), complete with a figurehead Joe Biden was installed in office. He is also compromised with his history of family associations with the CCP. The new regime moved quickly ahead at an accelerated pace, utilizing multiple executive orders and sending a series of radical proposals for approval by a Democrat-controlled Congress. Their objectives are to subvert the American way of life, impose upon America a Marxist agenda, and move our country rapidly from COVID to communism. Quite alarming is the emerging unholy alliance of various monopolies in Big Government, Big Business, and the media, wielding increased power and seeking to impose all-embracing cradle-to-grave control over American citizens. They seemingly lack any degree of interest in our welfare; our quality of life; or as they continue to demonstrate with their ongoing response to COVID-19, whether we live, suffer, or die. The demand for increased obedience to the new emerging Marxist-style political order is on the horizon as this movement presses ahead focused on implementing their extreme left-wing agenda while these elites grow increasingly unaccountable for their evil actions. We are witnessing a rapid metamorphosis away from what was traditionally a civil society based on our Constitution and the rule of law and primacy of the individual in American life to something quite different. The government is indeed metastasizing right before our eyes. Image via Good Free Photos. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Whatever the situation in the Middle East, there is no excuse for the importing of prejudice against Jews to the streets in Britain and the U.S. In both countries, there is anxiety about the increase in antisemitic incidents and expressions in recent months. Inevitably this increase is related to the misinformed commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has led to anti-Semitic incidents and the expression of anti-Semitic views. This has caused a reaction. A full-page paid advertisement issued on June 1, 2021 by a variety of non-Jewish organizations and persons said that New York Stands against Anti-Semitism. It stated that over the past two weeks the signatories had seen a frightening rise in physical and verbal assaults against members of the Jewish Community in New York. An equally strong, unequivocal statement was issued on May 28, 2021 by the British Secretary of Education, Gavin Williamson, in an address to headteachers and school leaders. He wrote of the concern about the increase in anti-Semitic incidents in some British schools, and the bullying of Jewish students and teachers. Anti-Semitism, he held, is racism, it is abhorrent and, like other forms of racism, has no place in schools. It is unacceptable to allow an atmosphere of intimidation or fear for students and teachers. Teachers should ensure political impartiality over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which had prompted a wave of protests in schools. Political expression should be conducted sensitively, avoiding disruption. The British CST has reported that in the 11 days in May 2021, during the war started by Hamas against Israel, 116 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded, 34 online, and 82 offline, mainly verbal abuse. On May 30, Prime Minister Boris Johnson asserted there was no place for anti-Semitism in society, that British Jews should not have to endure shameful racism, and that anti-Semitism on British streets was intolerable. He was responding to the incident of a convoy of cars bearing Palestinian flags driving through a Jewish area in north London and broadcasting hostile messages from a megaphone. These strong statements on anti-Semitism have been necessary and essential to overcome the evident prejudice against Jews and Israel not only by Palestinian propagandists, but also by political personalities, organizational leaders, media celebrities, and academics and teachers. The co-founder in 2013 of BLM, Patrisse Cullors a self-described trained Marxist, in a panel in April 2015 at the Harvard Law School, called for an end to Israel because of the violence and terrors being committed by Israelis and Zionists in the West Bank and Gaza and suggested that students participate in the BDS, boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement. In 2015 she referred to Israel as an apartheid state. Palestine, Cullors said, is our generations South Africa. In an interview on Al Jazeera in December 2019, she remarked, We realized we need to take our Palestinian solidarity a step further, we need to be more public. A more flagrant case is that of David Miller, professor of sociology at Bristol University. There is nothing ambiguous about Miller. He calls for the defeat of the Zionist ideology in practice; its not enough to say Zionism is racism, Israel is a settler colonial society. The aim is to end settler colonialism in Palestine and end Zionism as a functioning ideology. He attacked both Bristol Universitys Jewish society and the Israel lobby for a campaign of censorship against him. This lobby uses a weaponization of bogus anti-Semitism claims to shut down and manipulate discussion of Islamophobia. His case is clear, yet he was defended on free speech grounds in an open letter by over 315 academics and others, including Noam Chomsky, Judith Butler, and Ilan Pappe. Dave Rich, in a CST blog of December 18, 2020, has pointed out that Miller connects Israeli state institutions and UK Jewish organizations, both trying, using finance and lobbying, to sabotage and undermine the role of Muslims in public life. Members of Bristols Jewish Society, for him, are local agents of a foreign power, one that wants to impose its will all over the world. It is appalling that Millers diatribes of Jewish or Zionist networks should be regarded and praised by reputable intellectuals as expressions of free speech. His writings and classes have the effect of inciting hatred against Jewish students, and indeed all Jews in the UK, and are morally reprehensible. A somewhat confusing picture emerges from the attempt of academic leaders at Rutgers University to comment on anti-Semitism. About 1/6 of the students at Rutgers are Jewish. In recent months they have been attacked, their cars slashed, their fraternity house defaced during Holocaust Remembrance Day. The first statement on the Rutgers website on May 26, 2021, by Chancellor Christopher Molloy and Provost Francine Conway denounced the sharp rise in hostile sentiments and anti-Semitic violence in the U.S. They stated that the resurgence of anti-Semitism demands that we again call out and denounce acts of hate and prejudice against members of the Jewish community and any other targeted and oppressed groups on our campus and in our community. Though the statement of the two university officials was not limited to a condemnation of anti-Semitism, the day after its publication, the Rutgers chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, (SJP), denounced it for being inadequate at a time when Israels occupation of Palestine was finally receiving widespread criticism. Molloy and Conway issued another statement on May 27 titled An Apology, saying their message failed to communicate support for our Palestinian community members. our diversity must be supported by equity, inclusion, antiracism, and the condemnation of all forms of bigotry and hatred, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. It became clear to them, they said in hindsight, that we failed to communicate support for our Palestinian community members. We sincerely apologize for the hurt that this message has caused. It continued, as we grow in our personal and institutional understanding, we will take the lesson learned here to heart and pledge our commitment to doing better; we will work to regain your trust, and make sure that our communications going forward are much more sensitive and balanced. The two officials were trying to be everything to everybody. Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway on Saturday, May 29 said the university deplores hated and bigotry in all forms: we have not, nor would we ever apologize for standing against anti-Semitism. Apparently, an apology was not an apology. He continued, hatred and bigotry have no place at Rutgers, nor should they have a place anywhere in the world. We believe that anti-Semitism, anti-Hinduism, Islamophobia, and all forms of racism, intolerance and xenophobia are unacceptable. But Holloways statement is equivocal, and somewhat difficult to interpret because the May 27 statement was headed An Apology. It contrasted with the unequivocal Rutgers statement in March that condemned anti-Asian prejudice without qualification or reference to any other minority group. It also failed to stress that condemning anti-Semitism is not conditional or related to the conflict in the Middle East. Rutgers illustrates the lack of understanding that anti-Semitism is a metaphor for racial hatred. Of course, other hatreds and discrimination are present and must be condemned, but they are not to be equated with the virus of anti-Semitism. Few of the statements in this era of woke politics are unequivocal denunciations of anti-Semitism. Image: Rutgers To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Contagious disease outbreaks are named after their place of origin. There are myriad examples Lyme Disease, Ebola, Zika, or Marburg virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and so on. Tradition changed with COVID-19, an acronym indicating that this was a co rona vi rus d isease beginning in 20 19 . Naming this virus after its source location, such as the Chinese Coronavirus or Wuhan Flu is now considered racist, xenophobic, white supremacist, or any other novel woke-ism adjective. Perhaps a new name for COVID virus is in order. The past weeks have rubbed some of the glitter off Fabulous Fauci, the god of all things COVID. Dr Anthony Fauci has been the face of Americas COVID response, the all-knowing, all-powerful savior of civilization. For the past year, he has graced magazine covers, was nominated as one of the sexiest men alive, and has been a fixture at then President Trumps daily press briefings and cable news shows. YouTube screen grab Lately, he is not looking so fabulous, with other adjectives coming to mind such as incompetent, corrupt, conniving, and dishonest. As a trove of his email correspondence recently surfaced, COVID could be renamed as the Fauci Flu. I wonder if Dr Fauci anticipated this reversal of fortune, his fall from high atop Mount Establishment? His upcoming book, Expect the Unexpected may be more prescient than he realized when writing the book. Did he expect an eventual reckoning over his flip-flops and deceptions? The remainder of the book title, Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward is also ironic. We are learning that COVID truth can shift as easily as mask mandates. Who did Dr Fauci service? The American people, vaccine makers, the Chinese government, or his book publisher? What was his way forward? Locking down the country for more than a year, masking everyone, moving forward from 15 days to flatten the curve to 15 months to flatten America? A trove of Dr Faucis old emails has been released under a Freedom of Information request. Did Dr Fauci expect the unexpected as in this turn of events? What have we learned in just a few days of investigation regarding the Fauci Flu? Zero Hedge provides a quick summary. Start with an email from Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance, the group alleged to be funding gain of function research at the Wuhan virology lab, which was in turn funded by the NIH under Dr Faucis directives. The original cover story was that the coronavirus emerged naturally from a Chinese wet market. Dr Fauci played ball and pushed the animal origin explanation rather than a lab leak, inadvertent or intentional, as the point of origin. Daszak thanked Dr Fauci in an email, I just wanted to say a personal thank you on behalf of our staff and collaborators, for publicly standing up and stating that the scientific evidence supports a natural origin for COVID-19 from a bat-to-human spillover, not a lab release from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Daszak admitted to manipulating coronaviruses, as in gain of function research. This is the same manipulation that Dr Fauci adamantly denied to Senator Rand Paul at a recent Senate hearing. Fauci may not have personally written a check to the Wuhan lab, but his agency gave money to an organization that in turn wrote the check. Dr Fauci was just parsing words, in the mold of Bill Clinton arguing over what the meaning of is is. A researcher at the Scripps Research Institute emailed Dr Fauci in January 2020, when few had any inkling of what was ahead, acknowledging of this novel virus that some of the features (potentially) look engineered. Fauci knew and said nothing, allowing Democrats and the media to label the laboratory origin of the virus as kooky conspiracy theory from President Trump and his supporters, undermining his every pronouncement regarding the pandemic. If lab origin was nonsense, by that logic so was hydroxychloroquine and other therapeutics, potential vaccines, and anything else Trump said or did. Speaking of hydroxy, a physicist sent Dr Fauci an email in March 2020 recommending this as a potential therapeutic. Fauci didnt answer him and instead poo-pooed Trumps suggestion of hydroxy as potentially useful, staying mum as cranks like Fox Newss Neal Cavuto warned that this 60-year-old drug was lethal. Perhaps Dr Fauci was too busy emailing back and forth with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, collaborating on a social media propaganda public health campaign which turned into censorship and deplatforming for any dissenting views. Or he was too busy writing his book, undoubtedly with a large advance, as payment for services rendered against President Trump. Dr Faucis virus origin coverup gave the WHO and CDC an excuse to not press the Chinese to allow infectious disease experts to visit and investigate the lab, leaving the Chinese government to shape the narrative, destroy incriminating evidence, and escape any responsibility or accountability. Also covered up, now known through the email release, is Dr Fauci overestimating COVID mortality by a factor of 10. This number drove lockdowns, school and business closures, wrecking the US economy and the lives of so many Americans. Dr Fauci also downplayed masks privately while pushing them publicly, from none to one to two then back to one. In February 2020 he admitted in an email, Masks are really for infected people to prevent them from spreading infection to people who are not infected rather than protecting uninfected people from acquiring infection. The typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through material. It might, however, provide some slight benefit in keep out gross droplets if someone coughs or sneezes on you. Privately he acknowledged what was well known in public health, but publicly he terrorized the US population to the point that fully vaccinated Americans are now afraid to leave their house without two masks and goggles. Asymptomatic spread, rare in viral illnesses, was another one of Dr Faucis pronouncements, leading to countless bankrupted businesses and restaurants, closed schools, and distancing rules. Did he believe what he said? In a February 2000 email, he said otherwise, most transmissions occur from someone who is symptomatic, not asymptomatic. Why did he publicly say what he didnt believe privately, leaving a swath of destruction in the wake of his misstatements? Dr Fauci and the insiders knew the truth but chose not to be forthcoming and share it with the people. Instead, they used it as fear porn, hollering about ventilator and ICU bed shortages, leading some governors to send infected patients into nursing home killing fields. One might borrow a popular Democrat phrase from the Bush era, Fauci lied, people died. Such asymptomatic spread was the basis of mail-in voting, and we all know how that turned out. Was that part of the big plan? How convenient. We will learn more in the days ahead and may find that Dr Faucis public pronouncements were far different than what he privately believed and expressed. Imagine how the pandemic would have played out with more honesty from those authority figures leading the American response? What about the next viral pandemic? According to Rasmussen Reports, 68% of likely US voters believe the Fauci Flu originated in a Chinese lab. One can infer that two-thirds of Americans dont buy what the government is selling, the narrative from Dr Fauci and others. When the next virus comes calling, as in the first case of a new strain of Chinese bird flu, and if its far more lethal than COVID, will the public heed the words of the next generation of Dr Faucis? Or is their credibility blown, like the boy who cried wolf? If COVID had been treated as any other viral pandemic, without the crushing mandates and regulations which destroyed the US economy and many peoples lives, life in America today might be far different. Was this ever about the virus or about a presidential election, and framing the narrative to defeat Donald Trump regardless of the downstream consequences? What better way to memorialize Dr Faucis role in this pandemic than by renaming the virus the Fauci Flu. Brian C Joondeph, MD, is a physician and writer. He is on sabbatical from social media. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. When I saw the title of an opinion piece by the New York Times's Nicholas Kristof, "Were My Criticisms of Israel Fair?" I did not hold my breath in expectation that his answer would be, "they were not, and I apologize." He doubled down, yet again smearing Israel with the accusations of war crimes for forcefully responding to an attack from Gaza, in the best traditions of the New York Times. Which is of course his right -- as we well know, everyone is entitled to his opinion. The problem of course is that, as the second part of that same saying has it, no one (the New York Times, and Kristof including) is entitled to their own facts. And predictably, the facts Kristof adduces to support his argument that the fighting was Israel's fault are not facts at all. His main source of facts and analysis is one Sari Bashi, "an Israeli human rights lawyer." (the organization she leads, Gisha, "whose goal is to protect the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially Gaza residents" is mostly funded (73.1%) by European governments and U.S. foundations like the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and George Soros' Open Society Foundation. Calling her an Israeli lawyer is a 73.1% lie; "foreign agent" would be far more accurate. She called Gaza a penal colony. and compared the Trump peace plan to apartheid South Africa. You get the idea of her reliability as a source -- though her views are undoubtedly music to Kristof's ears, reinforcing his own anti-Israel bias. Birds of the feather flock together, after all.) So what is the Bashi/Kristof theory of the cause of the Israel-Gaza conflict? "Israeli security forces, led by a prime minister desperate to stay in power to avoid jail on corruption charges, created a provocation by using violence and the threat of violence against Palestinians in Jerusalem. They stormed a sensitive religious site, used excessive force against demonstrators, and threatened to forcibly transfer Palestinian families from their homes as part of an official policy to Judaize occupied East Jerusalem, which is a war crime." The insinuations here are factually wrong: Let's start at the end of this diatribe: given that the word "their" in "their homes" is subject to litigation (the Jewish owners of the site argue that those Palestinian families refuse to pay rent and are squatters, thus subject to eviction), what does "an official policy to Judaize occupied East Jerusalem," even if it existed, have to do with the dispute about the title to a property between private parties? Is East Jerusalem really "occupied"? Where is the "war crime"? Get your facts straight, Bashi/Kristof, and cool off your outrage. As to "storming a sensitive religious site" -- that was done after the police got pelted with stones, stored in that "sensitive religious site" as weapons precisely for that purpose. "A provocation by using violence and the threat of violence?" If Bashi/Kristof followed the news, they would have known that this indeed happened, though it had nothing to do with "a prime minister desperate to stay in power to avoid jail on corruption charges" -- but with Palestinians drunk on Ramadan cheer who attacked several Orthodox Jews, filming their humiliation and posting it on TikTok, and causing counterdemonstrations. Facts matter, Bashi/Kristof -- though apparently not to you. But their analysis of the Gaza-Israel conflict does not stop there. After all, they are two very deep minds, working in unison, and their intellectual reach is truly profound. The above-described events may have just been a trigger; what are the deeper, root causes of the conflict? Ah, now were talking! Only shallow thinkers would ask, as did the respondent quoted by Kristof, "what do you recommend that Israel do in response to rocket attacks? What would the American response be to repeated rocket attacks from Mexico or Canada on American cities? To profound thinkers like Bashi/Kristof, this is a false analogy. A better question would be: What would the U.S. do if it conquered and occupied British Columbia, and then Canadian armed groups, resisting the occupation, shelled Seattle? "Hmm. A bit more complicated" Kristof intones. Really? To Bashi/Kristof, Gaza is a penal colony -- and given Hamas' brutal rule, it is hard to disagree. But this is not how Hamas sees it after Israelis completely pulled out of Gaza. It had sufficient freedom to build weapons-production facilities, to amass a vast arsenal of rockets, to train an army of thousands, to build a 300-mile underground "metro" that hides the movement of Hamas soldiers and stores their weapons. Gaza is "conquered and occupied?" Not really, for there is too much freedom to do mischief in that "open-air prison." As to the Bashi/Kristof solution to turn the other cheek and follow "other countries [that] have responded to attacks with more restraint and wisdom than either Israel or the United States," I would ask, which country did you exactly have in mind? Which country had rockets rained on its population centers, and did not fight back? Your examples -- UK, Spain, India -- don't begin to compare, Kristof. Kristof concludes his attempt to open our eyes to the realities of the Middle East conflict by giving Israel this sage advice (after suggesting, in a true blood-libel, Nazi language of Der Sturmer that Israel should not "grab more land or kill more children") -- "A basic principle of getting out of a hole is to stop digging. A basic principle of peace-building is to stop committing war crimes." Having read Kristof's defense of his smears of Israel, I would suggest to Kristof, and the New York Times, to look in the mirror and to do what they preach, and "stop digging." Yes, you hope to ride the wave of hate by inflaming it. Yes, you hope to suck up to the ignoramuses and haters. But playing with fire is not a safe game. Cynically hoping to survive on subscriptions by fools and ignoramuses is, among other things, a bad business strategy. Turn to solid reporting and sound analysis, not the Nazi-style propaganda by malicious ignoramuses like Bashi and Kristof. Stop committing journalistic crimes, New York Times. Image: NYT To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. For much too long, the history of what took place here was told in silence, cloaked in darkness. But just because history is silent, it doesn't mean that it did not take place... And while darkness can hide much, it can never erase what happened. Thats why were here: to shine a light, to make sure America knows the story in full. The Tulsa riots noted by President Biden are a painful episode among many acts of racist violence in the United States. One of the largely hidden parts of the history of this event is the Afro-idealist response of an American President: Warren Harding. June 7, 2021, is the 100th anniversary of Hardings commencement speech at Lincoln University on June 7, 1921. Mere days after the violent destruction of black wall street in Tulsa, Harding made a point of leaving Washington D.C. and attending commencement for Americas first HBCU: Lincoln University. Hardings actions were a rhetorical strategy known as enactment. His actions embodied a message he wanted to send. Harding responded to the hateful violence at Tulsa by going to a bright light of black education in Pennsylvania. He began his remarks by saying to the black graduates gathered: My fellow countrymen. He also prayed publicly at the event that such violence at Tulsa not happen again. He continued in his remarks: Despite the demagogues, the idea of our oneness as Americans has risen superior to every appeal to mere class and group, Harding declared. And so, I wish it might be in this matter of our national problem of races. On Monday, June 1 with regard to Bidens remarks at Tulsa, USA Today falsely reported For a century, the Tulsa race massacre of May 31, 1921, went largely ignored by sitting U.S. presidents, never prompting a trip specifically to honor those killed in the once-thriving Black neighborhood of Greenwood until now. In the next paragraph, they acknowledge that Harding was shocked and he hoped such a spectacle would never again be witnessed in this country, USA Today does not acknowledge that those remarks were made at Lincoln and were an immediate and intentional response to the violence at Tulsa. The events of Tulsa were not isolated and there were dozens of such events in the early 20th century. These violent activities by white supremacists peaked in 1919 after years of encouragement from the racist rhetoric and policies of President Woodrow Wilson. Wilson segregated the federal workforce as president. Wilson hosted a screening of the racist movie Birth of a Nation and as president of Princeton did not believe blacks were suitable to the kind of collegiate education Harding honored at the June 7, 1921 commencement. Wilson endorsed scientific views of blacks as inferior and that leadership helped encourage violent events like those at Tulsa and elsewhere. The silence surrounding Wilsons successors of Harding and Coolidge should be an important part of our memory today. After these racist incitements from the Wilson White House, the American people had a unique opportunity to respond in the presidential election of 1920. For the first time, women would have the right to vote -- including black women outside of the South. Warren Harding, who was attacked by academics as not white and had been attacked as a child with racial slurs but was elected in a landslide with Calvin Coolidge as vice-president. The only states that did not vote for Harding and Coolidge were states in the south from Texas to Virginia where black men and women could largely not vote. Under Harding and Coolidge, racist lynchings declined from more than 70 a year to seven -- a 90% decline. Harding later went into Birmingham, Alabama in October 1921 and proclaimed at the recently renamed Woodrow Wilson city park: "When I suggest the possibility of economic equality between the races, I mean it precisely the same way and to the same extent that I would mean it if I spoke of equality of economic opportunity as between members of the same race," Harding said. "Whether you like it or not, unless our democracy is a lie you must stand for that equality." Looking at the black section of the segregated auditorium where he was speaking, he continued, "I want to be looking in their direction when I say these things because I am speaking to North and South alike, white and blacks alike. I am never going to say anything that I cant say in every direction and to all people exactly alike. A congressional member from Mississippi at the event denounced the speech as a blow to the white civilization of America. These were also important and stunning remarks aimed squarely at racist segregation in the South which had rejected the Harding/Coolidge ticket just one year before. The economic power of black Americans was clearly in view and lay at the heart of the massacre in Tulsa. After Hardings death in 1923, President Coolidge repeated this HBCU spectacle by attending and speaking at the commencement of Howard University in 1924 where he commended both the equality and heroism of black students. In the 1924 election, New Yorkers tried to stop a black man from running for public office and implored Coolidge to weigh in on the local race to preserve preferences for white candidates. Coolidge wrote to a local newspaper to declare: The suggestion of denying any measure of their full political rights to such a great group of our population as the colored people is one which, however it might be received in some other quarters, could not possibly be permitted by one who feels a responsibility for living up to the traditions and maintaining the principles of the Republican Party. Our Constitution guarantees equal rights to all our citizens, without discrimination on account of race or color. I have taken my oath to support that Constitution. It is the source of your rights and my rights. I purpose to regard it, and administer it, as the source of the rights of all the people, whatever their belief or race. A colored man is precisely as much entitled to submit his candidacy in a party primary, as is any other citizen. The decision must be made by the constituents to whom he offers himself, and by nobody else. You have suggested that in some fashion I should bring influence to bear to prevent the possibility of a colored man being nominated for Congress. In reply, I quote my great predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt: I cannot consent to take the position that the door of hope -- the door of opportunity -- is to be shut upon any man, no matter how worthy, purely upon the grounds of race or color. Coolidge gained essentially the same electoral results in his re-election of 1924, with the South repudiating his candidacy. There are at least four major measures of presidential quality provided by experts. Wilson consistently rates near or in the top ten Presidents. Harding ranks at or near the very bottom and Coolidge also receives subpar marks from academic experts. It is this vicious ideological silence about presidents like Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Warren Harding, and Calvin Coolidge and the reciprocal reactionary hagiography protecting racial supremacism defended by Wilson that should be carefully examined by the public today. Hardings speech on June 7, 1921, at Lincoln University should be remembered for the rebuke of racism that was needed and its contribution to the story in full. Dr. Ben Voth is an associate professor of rhetoric and director of speech and debate at Southern Methodist Unviersity in Dallas, Texas. He is the author of four academic books including his recent work: Debate as Global Pedagogy: Rwanda Rising. Image: Library of Congress To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Anthony Fauci is a textbook case of "Napoleon Complex," a theorized inferiority complex normally attributed to people of short stature. It is characterized by overly-aggressive or domineering social behavior, such as lying about earnings, and carries the implication that such behavior is compensatory for the subject's physical or social shortcomings. In psychology, the Napoleon complex is regarded as a derogatory social stereotype. Indeed. Everyone now knows that Anthony Fauci is a fraud, an emperor with no clothes, a liar and a narcissist who is very likely responsible for tens of thousands of deaths because he squelched the use of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin in favor of costly vaccines in which he is alleged to have a financial stake. Everyone, that is, except those blinkered souls at CNN and MSNBC; he is still their hero, no matter how much blood is on his hands. Fauci exhibits the definition of megalomania: a delusional mental illness marked by feelings of personal omnipotence and grandeur. He loves being on TV, on magazine covers, and at the podium of press conferences, pontificating as to how each of us should live in fear of the dreaded COVID from now until he says we can return to normal. If it is up to him, we will never return to normal. He's a miserable little tyrant drunk on power. That Trump was saddled with him was and remains a tragedy. There are countless real doctors, those who actually treat patients, who knew better from the outset of this pandemic. Instead, Fauci became the wizard of COVID, and the media clung to his every word if he were some sort of all-knowing oracle. In fact, he is just another self-serving bureaucrat with delusions of dominion over us all. He has not treated patients for over thirty years, so when he squelched therapeutics HCQ and ivermectin, he condemned tens of thousands to death. There was no money to be made from the use of inexpensive drugs that are over fifty years old. All those who conspired with him, who covered up the lab leak explanation as the origin of COVID and who agreed to prevent the public from having access, as prophylactics or once sick, to HCQ and ivermectin, should face a reckoning. Fauci was equally guilty of malpractice during the AIDS crisis. He has a history of perpetrating vaccine hoaxes. He's a menace to humanity. See Dr. David Martin's dossier. At this moment in time, if all were right with the world, Fauci would be not only under investigation, but charged with crimes against humanity. But things are not all right with the world. The pandemic was very likely created, inadvertently or on purpose. Never letting a crisis go to waste, the public has been hoodwinked from the outset. The lockdowns were never necessary; neither were the mask mandates, the shuttering of small businesses, the draconian restrictions on all of our personal lives. It was all theater, as Rand Paul so succinctly put it. And Fauci looks like the evil mastermind behind it all. He was enthusiastic about gain of function research, the drive to weaponize known viruses. He funded it with taxpayer dollars. As Peter Breggin wrote back in November, he wanted us "Scared, Anxious and Compliant." What is shocking is how many Americans fell for his and Dr Birx (don't forget her)'s wild prognostications, how many of them simply fell in line like the Eloi of H.G. Wells's Time Machine, as if they had no personal, individual agency. Clearly, leftist hegemony of American education has duly indoctrinated at least two generations of Americans. They are now willing sheep to the slaughter. Experimental vaccines? Bring them on...jab me! No one, and that means absolutely no one, knows what the long-term effects and consequences of these emergency-approved vaccines will be. Never before have mRNA vaccines been tried on humans, and there are thousands of doctors around the world who have tried to warn people of the risks. Thousands have died from adverse reactions to them; many more have suffered vaccine injuries. But those doctors' fears have been largely suppressed. Facebook, Google, Twitter, et al. censor any anti-vaccine information. No one who isn't doing his own research will find their comprehensive articles. What's that all about? It's about power and control. It's perhaps about the great global reset, that dream of the self-appointed elites that renders the rest of us serfs, worker bees who never complain the Eloi again. The true test facing our Congress is this: will they hold hearings, call on Fauci to testify as to his criminal malfeasance re: COVID, let alone his past human experiments that went badly? The Republicans, most of them, are congenitally weak and fearful, but there are some fighters among them. The fighters need to demand hearings and criminal charges where necessary. They need to bring the cowards on board. Fauci is only one of a cabal of villains who have risen to power in our government. He is the poster boy for the maxim that s--- rises to the top. Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country. People like Fauci and the bureaucracy he represents need to be vanquished. Now. Banish Fauci to Elba. Caricature by Donkey Hotey (cropped), CC BY 2.0. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Over at Google, they are cleaning up an office and looking for a substitute. Here is the story: Google announced it's removing its global lead on diversity strategy and research from his post after it was discovered he'd made antisemitic comments in a past blog post. Kamau Bobb will be reassigned to a STEM research role after The Washington Free Beacon uncovered a 2007 blog post by Bobb titled "If I were a Jew." "If I were a Jew I would be concerned about my insatiable appetite for war and killing in defense of myself," he wrote in the now-deleted post. "If I were a Jew today, my sensibilities would be tormented. I would find it increasingly difficult to reconcile the long cycles of oppression that Jewish people have endured and the insatiable appetite for vengeful violence that Israel, my homeland, has now acquired." Yes, I guess he had to go after that discovery. Actually, he's being reassigned. My question is this: did Google give money to Black Lives Matter or Democrats? It sounds to me as though Mr. Bobb would fit in right with what BLM or AOC says about the Middle East. Mike Gonzales recently posted this about BLM: The main BLM group, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, supports a primary objective of Hamas: the annihilation of the Jewish state. Should Google demand that those funds be returned? Maybe Israeli lives don't matter. Honestly, I don't think that people should be fired for what they posted in 2007. Accept the apology and move on, but it's Google that should explain why it supports groups that apparently don't think Israeli lives matter. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk). Image: Google. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof was given the editorial space in the paper's June 2 print edition to answer charges from some readers that he was unfair in "criticizing Israel as well as Hamas" in columns on their recent round of fighting. That he concluded his editorial remarks by implying that Israel was no less guilty of "war crimes" than Hamas, Kristof indicated that he has no little difficulty with the root causes of aggression by Hamas against the Jewish state. Take a look at Article 30 of the Hamas Charter: [M]edia people [among other groups] are ... called upon to play their role and to carry out their duty in view of the wickedness of Zionist invasion, of its penetration in many countries, and its control over material means and the media with all the ramifications thereof in most countries of the world. Article 30 goes on to explain: Jihad means not only carrying arms and denigrating the enemies. Writing positive words, writing good articles and useful books, and lending support an existence, all that too is Jihad in the path of Allah, as long as intentions are sincere to make Allah's banner supreme. Kristof, in defense of his even-handed (let's call it) perspective on the recent aggression by Hamas on the Jewish state, cited sources hostile to Israel and drew up analogies that do not fit the aims of Hamas vis-a-vis Israel. He cited Pakistani attacks on India; the strife in Northern Ireland between Protestant and Catholics leading to terrorism in Great Britain; "brutal [Basque] terrorist attacks against Spain" all as cases, Kristof alleged, reflecting "more restraint and wisdom" than those shown by Israel and the United States. Kristof did not point, in his discordant analogies, to the absence of charters committed to the eradication of India, or of Great Britain, or of Spain. Indeed, Kristof made no reference at all to the Hamas Charter. What could explain such a serious example of neglect other than extreme callousness to imperiled Jews? Kristof's omissions extended to his failure to acknowledge to his readers that Hamas makes a practice of firing missiles into civilian areas of Israel, missiles that are fired in the midst of the civilian population of Gaza, to give media jihadists (like Kristof?) the excuse to accuse Israel of killing civilians in Gaza and, therefore, being guilty of "war crimes." The truth is, Israel strives mightily to avoid killing civilians; it is Hamas that puts its civilians in harm's way, expecting that its media jihadists will denounce Israel. In his column, Kristof accused Washington of taking a "myopic" view of "the origins of Hamas shelling [of civilian areas of Israel]." To make this assertion, he had to lie about a property dispute in East Jerusalem, based on the refusal of Palestinian residents to pay rent to Israeli landlords. Kristof cited the false allegation by an "Israeli human rights lawyer" that this was a transfer-intended "eviction." This, arguably, amounts to lying by hearsay. The overriding question for Kristof: "Why did you not cite the rabid anti-Jewish sections of the Hamas Charter in your (lame) editorial response to criticism from readers?" Here are some of the references to Jews, Israel, and Zionism in the Hamas Charter all of which Kristof ignored. In what amounts to a prologue, the following appears: "Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had eliminated its predecessors." The Introduction to the Hamas Charter declares that the Islamic Resistance movement joins with jihadists "for the purpose of liberating Palestine." The Introduction goes on to aver, "Our struggle against the Jews is extremely wide-ranging and grave, so much so that it will need all the loyal effort we can wield ... until the enemies are defeated and Allah's victory prevails." Hey, Kristof: Note the reference to "the Jews," not to Zionists or Israelis. Article I of the charter announces that the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is the Palestinian wing of the Muslim Brotherhood. We find in Article 7 this example of lethal imagery, calling for the time when "Muslims fight the Jews (and kill them); until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees; which will cry: O Muslim, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him!" Article Eleven expresses the belief that for generations, Palestine has been "an Islamic Waqf" and will continue so "until the Day of Resurrection." Article 13 declares "peaceful solutions ... to resolve the Palestinian problem ... contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement." This article goes on: "For removing any part Palestine means removing part of the religion[.]" Kristof's implication that Israel should sue Hamas for peace flies right into this inconvenient, for Kristol, part of Article 13: "There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except by Jihad." (And we have seen in the charter's Article 30 that "media people" have a role in jihad against Israel.) In Article 14: All Muslims have a duty to liberate "that land." Hey, Kristof, Hamas is not here referring to Spain. In Article 15: "In order to face the usurpation of Palestine by the Jews, we have no escape from raising the banner of Jihad." Skipping to Article 28: "Israel, by virtue of being Jewish and of having a Jewish population, defies Islam and the Muslims." This blatant lie appears in Article 31: "Hamas is a humane movement which cares for human rights." No wonder human rights "activists" are enamored of Hamas. (Article 31 also refers to "Nazi Zionist practices against our people." But isn't the use of its own civilians as hostages to its anti-Israel aggression a Nazi-like practice?) What would an anti-Jewish tract be without its assertion of a Jewish global conspiracy? This appears in Article 32: "World Zionist and Imperialist forces have been attempting, with smart moves and considered planning, to push the Arab countries, one after another, out of the circle of conflict with Zionism, in order, ultimately, to isolate the Palestinian People." Egypt, in this article, is denounced for having agreed to "the treacherous Camp David Accords." What's a hardcore anti-Jewish tract without the following assertion, also in Article 32? "Their scheme has been laid out in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion." Hey, Kristof, do you deny that the "Protocols" were forged by anti-Jewish operatives, as an anti-Jewish diversion under an anti-Jewish Russian tsar? The Charter includes four more articles, numbering 36 in toto. The foregoing references should convince any person of goodwill that demands on Israel to negotiate with Hamas are demands that Israel accepts the principle of nonexistence and agree with Hamas that Israel must be replaced by an Islamic "Waqf." One further reflection, on the call, in Article 30, on "media people" to serve as jihadists against Israel by writing Hamas-favorable columns and books. It follows that all those who rush to denounce Israel for defending herself against Hamas aggression should also pin, on their blouses or lapels, buttons saying: "I'm a jihadist for Hamas, and proud of it." Image: Adam Jones via Flickr (cropped). To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Sundance of The Last Refuge[i] looks into something that also puzzled me: why were multiple FOIA requests for the emails of Dr. Anthony Fauci all released at the same time, and why now? Using his time-tested technique of constructing timelines and comparing the current FOIA release with another key FOIA release, he constructs a thought-provoking theory. As so often in the past, he sees a tacit plot behind the events that capture so much attention. Fauci 6/03/21 on MSNBC (YouTube screen grab). He constructs this sequence of recent events: A once beloved Bill Gates, the primary advocate for COVID vaccines, suddenly became a target by the political left. It was quite a shift. The White House announces their support of investigation into the origin of COVID-19. Media report on State Dept investigators who were handcuffed during their research into the COVID origination. Suddenly discussion of the "Lab Leak Theory" was permitted by those who control the platforms of speech. Media then report of Anthony Fauci gaining a lucrative book deal. Joe Biden gives a speech in Oklahoma on Tuesday; and immediately thereafter the White House announces no more public appearances for the remainder of the week. The Fauci emails are released under the auspices of a FOIA fulfillment. He asks: "Why would the Deep State release these emails, instead of just hiding them?" Then he draws a comparison with another FOIA release, that of the FISA application for surveillance of Carter Page, released on July 23, 2018. This was the first time in history that a top secret FISA application had ever been released, and few people paused to ask why this "Top Secret" Title-1 Search and surveillance authorization document was released in the first place? Requesting the public release of such a top secret document would have been the easiest FOIA request to deny... but the DOJ choose to release it. He supplies an explanation for the release: [T]he motive to hide/bury the much larger issue of President Obama's administration using the Intelligence Community to conduct surveillance on their political opponents. (snip) Everyone was excited to read and discuss the content of the FISA application and exhaust thousands of column inches on the discussion as people took sides based on the DOJ/FBI justification for the FISA itself. The Weissmann release had the intended effect people stopped debating whether President Obama was conducting political surveillance on behalf of Hillary Clinton and their political alignment. THAT debate was a much bigger issue that just disappeared with the emergence of the FISA application. Similarly, in the current FOIA releases: Perhaps the bigger story is the creation of the virus; perhaps the bigger story is an intentional release of a manufactured virus; or perhaps the bigger story is the manipulation of the virus the creation of a fraudulent narrative to achieve political goals. Against the backdrop of "never letting a crisis go to waste", the latter seems much more likely. Those political goals pre-eminently included driving President Trump to defeat in the 2020 election, and he lists the ways in which the virus was manipulated to enable a series of moves that accomplished that goal. Recall that very early on: On February 25, 2020, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, former DOJ Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's sister, who was director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (link) held a conference call with reporters. Messonnier's remarks were rogue and not approved by HHS secretary Alex Azar. Messonnier's remarks were made without authorization from anyone in the White House: "We are asking the American public to work with us to prepare for the expectation that this could be bad." "I understand this whole situation may seem overwhelming and that disruption to everyday life may be severe. But these are things that people need to start thinking about now." (link) The alarming message from Dr. Messonnier was quickly picked up by most major news organizations and pushed into all reporting on the issue. The COVID panic had begun. While the attack weapons were previously being put into position it was Messonnier's alarm that triggered the first wave of political confrontation against the Trump administration. The narrative was triggered. The alarms were sounded. The crisis was officially being exploited and COVID was now fully weaponized to eliminate the Presidency of Donald Trump. Having begun the panic narrative, that COVID-19 with a mortality rate under 1% was the worst pandemic ever, fanned by the media, the way was cleared for: The stalling of a fantastic economy that was benefiting every American voter. Deployment of mail-in ballots that can be used and manipulated to achieve fraudulent results. Controls over presidential debates to avoid a weak candidate being exposed or confronted. The deployed "excuse" for a very visible lack of voter enthusiasm for the puppet (Biden). In Sundance's view, Fauci is being offered up as a distraction from the larger story that a fairly bad annual flu was weaponized as a means of taking down the re-election of Donald Trump, whose term up until the lockdown was a story of tremendous economic growth and diplomatic triumphs in the Middle East, making his re-election very probable. The expression "fall guy" is not used by Sundance, but I think it applies, in that the focus on Fauci diverts blame from other parties. I am not 100% convinced he's correct but find the theory worth considering. One hundred years after women attained suffrage, the current political female zenith is someone who nervously cackles when she speaks on any topic, and is reticent to visit the very border she is charged with overseeing as a result of Biden's deliberate illegal immigration open arms policy. There were only two criteria for a Democrat vice presidential candidate in 2020: female and a minority. Of all the potential options, Democrats decided on an unpopular failed presidential candidate, whose time as a California attorney general was marked with abject racism against Black men who committed the "heinous" crime of smoking marijuana. No matter she fit the identity politics the left now regards as qualifications for every possible position. Prior to Kamala, the darling of the left was, and in many ways still is, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her greatest contribution to the political landscape was convincing the Democrat establishment to take seriously a nonsensical, prohibitively expensive "Green New Deal." The fact that the least accomplished member of Congress had that much pull on the left's platform speaks to the party's detachment from actual Americans' priorities. AOC's insistent socialist ideology helped cost Speaker Pelosi a sizable advantage in the congressional races this past election cycle. But who can forget Rep. Ocasio-Cortez's Oscar-worthy performance at the southern border, when she shed crocodile tears for the detained migrant children? She is now absent at the same border, where even more migrant children are held now that Biden is in the White House. Joining the likes of AOC are a few other members of the "Squad": Reps. Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Omar (D-Minn.). The former just made ripping headlines by deriding and emphatically calling to defund all police officers. The latter committed immigration fraud to enter the U.S. and made fervent anti-Semitic quips. Both women have been caught palling around with members of terrorist groups: Rashida Tlaib with Hezb'allah affiliates and Ilhan Omar with Muslim Brotherhood representatives. If the entry bar for Democrat leadership is this low, that is a sad state of affairs for a political party that promotes "progressive" ideals. Since when are anti-Semitism and attacking law enforcement proud accomplishments? Where is the future of Democrat female leadership headed? Hillary Clinton was not vastly likeable by the American people. Instead of building a platform for future female leadership in her party after her 2016 presidential loss, Mrs. Clinton spent four years on a whining and blame tour. During the 2020 Democrat primaries, Former rep. Tulsi Gabbard shone bright during the debates, but as a moderate, she was pushed aside by the DNC. The Arizona senior senator, Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), has been in office only since 2019, but she has made major waves by presenting herself as a moderate and thus attracting independents. Sadly, Sen. Sinema is not "woke" enough and not the correct skin color for her now socialist-leaning political party. Republican women lead not with color or creed, but with actual accomplishments: from Ronna McDaniel, who, as head of the RNC, ushered in a win for President Trump in 2016 to Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who has successfully pivoted from the Republican party of yore to today's mostly Patriot base. And who can forget the Trump women? Ivanka Trump spearheaded women in the workforce initiatives, lobbied for expanded parental leave, and was heavily involved in investing in underserved female-led small businesses abroad. Lara Trump's campaign trajectory spanned from general assistance in 2016 to campaign communications manager in 2020. Lara is now being mentioned as a potential North Carolina gubernatorial candidate. A daughter of two immigrants from communist countries, Rep. Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), a former N.Y. State Assembly member, handily won her seat against Rep. Max Rose and is now a powerful voice in Congress representing New York interests while pushing back against socialism. A record number of Republican women were elected in the previous election, all thanks to Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.). As one of the youngest members of Congress, Ms. Stefanik not only was an integral part of former President Trump's unconstitutional impeachment trial attempt but also, through her E-PAC, spearheaded recruiting Republican women to run for congressional seats. Thanks to her powerful efforts, Rep. Stefanik is currently the House GOP Conference chair. The list of impressive Republican female leaders is not complete without mentioning Candace Owens, a former Democrat, who revolutionized the conversation around Black America and the Republican Party. Americans of all colors look at her as an inspiration and with her quick wit and passion; many would welcome her on a future presidential ticket. Democrats may have the numbers a great many more women in their ranks, but only the most extreme are being elevated to the national stage. With all the "progress," an old, cognitively challenged man was deemed more acceptable than any Democrat woman. The Republican Party will produce the first U.S. female president. She will be elected based on merit, and not due to the color of her skin or to fill any other woke-oriented boxes. Laureen Lipsky is the Co-founder & CEO of Taking Back the Narrative, a Zionist education initiative, and is also a Republican strategist. Her political writing has been featured in The Federalist, American Thinker, Israel Hayom, Washington Examiner, and JNS. She recently wrote an exclusive piece, "The semantics of anti-Semitism," for The Center for Security Policy. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. In a pretty intriguing development, Joe Biden's son, Hunter, is moving from his tony Venice, California digs. According to the Daily Mail: Hunter Biden appears to have moved out of the luxury $5.4million home he was renting in Venice Beach, California amid a crime and homelessness wave that has hit the beach-front Los Angeles city. The son of President Joe Biden was reportedly paying $25,000 a month to rent the three-story property on the Venice canals just a block away from the beach. But on Monday, DailyMail.com spotted a moving truck outside the palatial home with furniture being loaded into it. Father-of-five Hunter, 51, moved into the stylish property with wife Melissa and their son Beau at the end of 2020. The Daily Mail speculates that it's because of the homeless, who've taken over the rich-hippie enclave, reaching even the gates of Hunter's part, describing scenes like this: Secret Service officers sitting outside of Hunter's home have had to contend with the stench from a small encampment on the other side of a parking lot. The tent city itself has its dramas just like any other human settlement. Last month a 30-year-old woman from Virginia gave birth in one of the oceanfront camps, the Venice Current reported. A homeless man was shot and injured on April 28. The gunman calmly walked away. The victim is not cooperating with police. Earlier the same week a tent was deliberately set on fire. One local woman talks of how she was chased by a man with a sword. The place has been sporting scenes like this: And the neighbors had welcomed him, not because they like his politics and celebrity status, but because of the Secret Service agents he brings in tow. Supposedly, the agents' presence helps keep the crime and squalor and panhandling associated with the homeless down. As I wrote here when he moved in: Hunter Biden's neighbors are happy to see him there, not because of his politics, which is a nothingburger over there, but because of his security. They like him there because of the quasi police he has tagging around with him as he makes his rounds. Here's the buried lede from the Daily Mail, taken from pure street reporting. Here are what three of the locals are saying, emphasis mine: Ricky Otterstrom, senior vice president of Ryker Flint, a commercial real estate brokerage, has lived in Venice Beach for 15 years, tells DailyMail.com: 'I see Hunter Biden's secret service parked out front of his house every morning when I walk to the beach to surf. 'They are there 24/7 which is a plus for us here on the Venice Canals. We need the extra security considering the amount of crime we have. Interestingly the homeless people who were living up along the street he now lives on are gone. 'It could be a coincidence or the city had them removed because of Hunter. I think his presence will help clean up the area and I hope he gets involved with the community. It's a tight community with great people.' So if the Daily Mail is right, that didn't work. The Secret Service was nothing compared to the homeless onslaught in Venice. The homeless reportedly are rolling in from Los Angeles's Skid Row, which is 19.9 miles away. And in that "community," there are 40,000 of them, with Google itself defining Skid Row as the "homeless capital of the country." As for Venice, a small tony enclave of 28,000, they've got 2,000 of them at last count, quite possibly more now, according to KTLA: The numbers were already increasing before the pandemic: 2020 data showed a 57% increase in the number of homeless people in Venice over the previous year far greater than the increase in the city as a whole, which was 16.1%. "It's the worst I've seen in 20 years," Venice resident John Betz told KTLA. The laws being applied are such that the city cannot remove them unless it can offer them housing accommodations. With Hunter himself paying a reported $25,000 a month for his housing, and the average per capita income of Venice residents at $94,000 a pop, rest assured, the housing offer would have to be luxury housing. Now, the original Daily Mail report is speculative as to whether the homeless takeover is the actual reason why Hunter is moving. Hunter hasn't said anything. And the reasons he's leaving could be a bit more embarrassing. Did the man of uncertain income but a taste for luxury skip out on his rent? It's true nobody's being evicted as a result of COVID in California, but who knows what the deal is at Hunter's lofty housing levels? The Mail reports his rent at $25,000 a month. Dirt, a celebrity real estate website, reports it at $17,500 a month. Hunter reportedly got a $2-million payout for a book almost nobody bought about his drug-fueled lifestyle, which kind of looked like a bribe. He also got a tony New York gallery showing of his blowpipe art, which also could be some kind of money-laundering. Did some of the money not come through? One wonders, now that Joe Biden is suddenly getting tough on China, one of Hunter's cash cows. Who knows? Someone will have to investigate. There are other possibilities, too -- did Hunter violate some term of the lease, such as not using drugs and creating a ruckus? Based on New York Post columnist Maureen Callahan's observations, he seems to be still in denial about his "habit." Could he have been causing problems for the neighbors? With Hunter, let's just say he's not too far removed from the same world of social disintegration he's purportedly leaving. According to Los Angeles magazine: Biden who recounts spending time "living in $59-a-night Super 8 motels off I-95 while scaring my family even more than myself" in his new addiction memoir, Beautiful Things has upgraded his accommodations. According to celebrity real estate news site Dirt, Biden's 3,800-square-foot rental was purchased by Sweetgreen co-founder Jonathan Neman and Leora Kadisha, daughter of Omninet Capital billionaire Neil Kadisha, for $4.85 million in 2017 and they've been trying to rent or sell it for the last few years. Listed by Halton Pardee + Partners as a "bespoke atelier," Biden's villa is a long way from the fly-specked plasterboard and sticky linoleum hideouts of his literary debut, with its marble floors beneath 25-foot acoustic ceilings, combined kitchen and dining spacewhere the utilitarian elements are hidden behind fine wooden cabinetsand canal views from an attached balcony. Another clue is where he's taking his gypsy camp next. Is it to fancier digs, onward and upward, as his Venice move from the Hollywood Hills (rent there only $12,000 a month) late last year, or else is it a red-state haven from leftist crime and taxes, as normal Californians are doing? Is it a gated community for the super-rich, where tabloid reporters can't shout questions to him and bums can't spare-change him or wave knives? It probably makes a difference. With old pop president, it's quite possible his "earnings" have gone up, so where he goes will probably tell us the most about why he's doing it. In any case, Hunter's gone, the Secret Service detail is gone, and now the residents of Venice have one less measure of protection as the homeless continue to roll in. If the homeless were what drove Hunter out, it signals that the rich have their privileges and don't put up with leftist squalor the way ordinary rich leftists do. Bidens know how to take care of their own, so Venice is out. Image: Screen shot from video by Peter Santenello, posted on shareable YouTube. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Maggie Haberman, one of the New York Times journalists most affected by Trump Derangement Syndrome, tweeted on Tuesday that Donald Trump "has been telling a number of people he's in contact with that he expects he will get reinstated by August." Because Haberman doesn't have the best reputation for reliability, many people discounted her statement. However, Charles C.W. Cooke, who writes for the fanatically NeverTrump National Review, confirmed that his sources agree with her sources: I can attest, from speaking to an array of different sources, that Donald Trump does indeed believe quite genuinely that he along with former senators David Perdue and Martha McSally will be "reinstated" to office this summer after "audits" of the 2020 elections in Arizona, Georgia, and a handful of other states have been completed. I can attest, too, that Trump is trying hard to recruit journalists, politicians, and other influential figures to promulgate this belief not as a fundraising tool or an infantile bit of trolling or a trial balloon, but as a fact. Wow! That sounds scary. (And I'll have more on what Cooke writes in a minute.) However, someone who likely talked to Trump himself, rather than talking to people who talked to other people, says this is all nonsense: Lara Trump said Thursday that people are getting 'worked up' over nothing and her father-in-law does not actually expect to be reinstated as president in August despite reports stating otherwise. 'As far as I know, there are no plans for Donald Trump to be in the White House in August. Maybe there's something I don't know,' Lara told the Fox & Friends panel Thursday morning. 'But no, I think that that is a lot of folks getting a little worked up about something just because maybe there wasn't enough pushback, you know, from the Republican side,' she added. 'So no, I have not heard any plans for Donald Trump to be installed in the White House in August.' Given Lara's position in Trump's innermost circle, she is the person to take more seriously than a New York Times hack or a fanatically NeverTrump journalist. But let's play a little game of let's pretend. To do that, here's what Cooke wrote based upon his assumption that Trump is planning to ride into Washington, D.C. on a white horse to reclaim the throne (although I may be confusing things with Mary Tudor when she took the throne back from the ill-fated Lady Jane Grey in 1553): The scale of Trump's delusion is quite startling. This is not merely an eccentric interpretation of the facts or an interesting foible, nor is it an irrelevant example of anguished post-presidency chatter. It is a rejection of reality, a rejection of law, and, ultimately, a rejection of the entire system of American government. There is no Reinstatement Clause within the United States Constitution. Hell, there is nothing even approximating a Reinstatement Clause within the United States Constitution. The election has been certified, Joe Biden is the president, and, until 2024, that is all there is to it. It does not matter what one's view of Trump is. It does not matter whether one voted for or against Trump. It does not matter whether one views Trump's role within the Republican Party favorably or unfavorably. Cooke is correct that there is no Reinstatement Clause in the Constitution. However, the Constitution is grounded in, among other things, British common law, which was the backbone of the Founders' understanding of the political world. When they wrote the Constitution, they were improving on British principles, not overthrowing them. One of the core principles of common law is that agreements that result from fraud are void ab initio. In other words, fraud means that an agreement never existed in the first place. Everything that flows from the fraud is done away with, and matters are returned to the status quo ante that is, the place at which they were before the fraud began. If one applies this theory to the Constitution's rules for election, which are nothing more than an agreement between the government and the people, and if the various election audits show that fraudulent elections led several states to certify Biden as the winner, one doesn't need a "Reinstatement Clause" in the Constitution to right the wrong done to America. Good old British common law is more than enough to say the election result was void ab initio and that America needs to return to the status quo ante preceding Biden's inauguration. There's nothing radical about this. It's just the law... Image: Trump's inauguration, 2016. YouTube screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. For the entire duration of the Trump presidency, prominent Democrats such as Hillary Clinton refused to accept the election results of 2016. As a matter of fact, crooked Hillary still maintains the 2016 election was stolen. As recently as October of 2020, Hillary said, "You don't win by 3 million votes and have all this other shenanigans and stuff going on and not come away with an idea like, 'Whoa, something's not right here.' That was a deep sense of unease." Clinton's unsubstantiated claims of a stolen 2016 election haven't been met with condemnation from the left or the media, but only with validation. Democrats have defended these claims. After Trump's election, Clinton, the Democrat party, and the media promoted the "Russia collusion" lie based on the fake Steele dossier that was paid for by the Clinton campaign and the DNC. After the taxpayer-funded Mueller investigation found no evidence of "Russia collusion," which was a surprise only to Democrats, the Democrat party moved on to the Trump phone call with the Ukrainian president "quid pro quo." The irony is that the Democrats accused Trump of engaging in an act that was committed by Joe Biden. Biden publicly bragged that he had threatened to withhold a billion dollars from Ukraine if Ukraine didn't fire a prosecutor who was investigating Burisma Holdings, a natural gas firm that paid Joe Biden's son, Hunter. Biden publicly admitted that he said, "'I'm telling you, you're not getting the billion dollars.' I said, you're not getting the billion. I'm going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: I'm leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you're not getting the money." In Trump's "infamous" and benign phone conversation, Trump asked the Ukrainian president to look into former vice president Joe Biden's self-admitted "quid pro quo." While the transcript of the phone conversation revealed no Trump "quid pro quo," Trump was impeached for "quid pro quo." The Democrats created and lived in an alternate reality, a fantasy world Russia collusion, quid pro quo, and now the January 6 "insurrection." Hillary Clinton recently tweeted that "an angry mob attacked our Capitol, our lawmakers, and our election. They killed a policeman" a lie that has been repeated by many Democrats and the mainstream media. The policeman who Clinton claims was killed actually died of natural causes. Per CNN, "US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick suffered strokes and died of natural causes one day after responding to the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, Washington D.C.'s chief medical examiner has determined." It is a fact that the only person killed on January 6 was Ashli Babbitt an unarmed Air Force veteran who was shot by a Capitol Police officer as she stuck her head through an open window frame. The police officer who shot and killed an unarmed, white, female Trump-supporter was cleared of any wrongdoing by the DOJ, which announced that "it will not pursue criminal charges against the police officer who fatally shot [Babbitt]." If only Ashli Babbitt had been a black man named George Floyd. Trump was impeached a second time for "inciting insurrection." He told his supporters "to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard." Maxine Waters called on the mob in Minneapolis during the Derek Chauvin trial "to stay on the street and we've got to get more active, we've got to get more confrontational. We've got to make sure that they know that we mean business." But in the fantasy world of the Democrat party, Donald Trump incited an insurrection. Joe Biden recently delivered remarks in Tulsa to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the city's race massacre, during which "a violent white supremacist mob raided, firebombed, and destroyed approximately 35 square blocks of the thriving Black neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma." Biden failed to mention that the white supremacists were Democrats, that the KKK was founded by Democrats, that those who fought for slavery were Democrats. Biden claims that terrorism from white supremacy "is the most lethal threat to the homeland today," despite the fact that for the past year, BLM has burned, looted, and rioted in the streets of America in the name of social justice. But while Biden and most Democrats are living in a fantasy land, there is some hope because others are beginning to wake up and join reality. Rashad Turner, the founder of Black Lives Matter in St. Paul, recently quit after he "learned [BLM] had little concern for rebuilding black families." Rashad said he "believed the organization stood for exactly what the name implies black lives do matter." Well, Rashad, better late than never. The truth is not only that BLM is a sham, but the Democrat party is a sham. They aren't solving problems but creating them. Democrats are living in an alternate reality one that is far removed from the truth. 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. Image: PXHere, CC0 public domain. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. For leftists, history isn't about understanding and learning from the past. It's about rewriting the past to suit their present needs. The latest example is the claim from Carol Anderson, a race-obsessed academic at Emory University, who just had published a book arguing that the whole point of the Second Amendment is to subordinate Blacks. Not to mince words, she is an ignoramus. To appreciate where Anderson is coming from, you need to know that her entire worldview is defined by her belief that everything said or done in America since 1619 is about hurting Black people. She's a professor of African-American studies. Her books are obsessed with victimhood: Eyes Off the Prize: The United Nations and the African American Struggle for Human Rights, 19441955; Bourgeois Radicals: The NAACP and the Struggle for Colonial Liberation, 19411960; White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide; and One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy. (She must be the death of every dinner party conversation.) Anderson's latest magnum opus is entitled The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America. In it, according to CNN, "Anderson argues that the Second Amendment is not about guns it's about anti-Blackness. She says it 'was designed and has consistently been constructed to keep African-Americans powerless and vulnerable.'" There's more: Anderson cites legislative debates from the Founding Fathers and a range of historical records to make some bold points. She says some early lawmakers who supported the Second Amendment were more worried about armed Blacks than British redcoats. She says that even after the Civil War ended, many Southern states banned Black citizens from owning weapons. And that famous line about a "well-regulated militia?" Well, that was inserted primarily to deal with potential slave revolts not to repel a foreign army, she says. That is all piffle. To understand the Second Amendment, you must go back to 1688, when England had its Glorious Revolution, which was glorious because Parliament kicked out King James II without firing a shot. The British then invited William III and Mary (James's daughter) to occupy the throne subject to Parliament's rules. These Rules were articulated in the Declaration of Rights in the English Bill of Rights from 1689. The seventh articulated right holds that those of the king's "subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law." When the king's subjects traveled to the raw, untamed new world, they took seriously their right to bear arms, one that quickly transferred itself to all free men, regardless of color. People needed weapons to hunt (no cellophane-packed meat in grocery stores back then) and to defend themselves against neighbors, hostile Native Americans, the French, and the Spanish. From the earliest years of colonial settlements, they had formed mandatory militias made up of all able-bodied men for community defense against this multitude of threats. By 1775, Americans were angry that the British continuously denied them their rights under the Bill of Rights, something Parliament was able to do by claiming that the rights applied only to the king, not Parliament. In April 1775, British general Thomas Gage received instructions from Secretary of State William Legge, Earl of Dartmouth: disarm the rebels. That was why the British marched on Lexington and Concord when Paul Revere made his famous ride. The first shots in the American Revolution occurred because a tyrannical government tried to seize its citizens' weapons. It is true that, following 1739's Stono Rebellion in what is now South Carolina, Southerners seized guns from Blacks. And that's the important point: those among the colonists and, after the Revolution, the Americans who wanted to subordinate Blacks deprived them of their inherent right to possess arms. Put another way, the Second Amendment wasn't intended to control Blacks; gun control was meant to control Blacks. The Southerners knew that if Blacks had the right to bear arms, slavery would quickly have ended. What this means is that Anderson has the whole thing bass-ackwards. What creates equality is a moral citizenry every adult member of which has the God-given right to defend himself against tyranny and other dangers. The Second Amendment isn't a license for crime or oppression; it's a gift for liberty. Image: Harriet Tubman in a Civil Era woodcut. Public domain. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Following the Civil Rights movement, physicians took seriously their obligation to treat all patients. This principle separated them from the federal government's grotesque 40-year-long Tuskegee Experiment that saw doctors refrain from treating syphilitic Black men in Alabama. Racist physicians were driven out of practice, and all physicians were expected to treat racist patients. It's different now. According to Katie Herzog, writing at Bari Weiss's Substack blog, Critical Race Theory is aggressively intruding on physicians' ability to treat patients, do research, or train the next generation of doctors. Herzog's "What Happens When Doctors Can't Tell the Truth?" examines a world in which doctors are silenced for fear that they will be destroyed professionally should they run afoul of the Critical Race Theory infecting medical care across America and in which young doctors, imbued with "anti-racist" zeal, have the whip hand. Herzog begins her article by describing a super-secret Zoom group of a dozen physicians across America, who serve as a support group for each other as they navigate the totalitarian world of woke medicine: This dogma goes by many imperfect names wokeness, social justice, critical race theory, anti-racism but whatever it's called, the doctors say this ideology is stifling critical thinking and dissent in the name of progress. They say that it's turning students against their teachers and patients and racializing even the smallest interpersonal interactions. Most concerning, they insist that it is threatening the foundations of patient care, of research, and of medicine itself. The article acknowledges that some traditional health care protocols have not served minority patients well. However, that's a small problem compared to the chilling effect wokeness is having on physician's ability to provide good medical care and, just as importantly, to train rigorously the next generation of doctors: I've heard from doctors who've been reported to their departments for criticizing residents for being late. (It was seen by their trainees as an act of racism.) I've heard from doctors who've stopped giving trainees honest feedback for fear of retaliation. I've spoken to those who have seen clinicians and residents refuse to treat patients based on their race or their perceived conservative politics. Doctors rightly fear purges which is a huge deal to people who spent a minimum of seven grueling years getting their professional training (four years of medical school plus three years as an intern and resident) and, possibly, many more years to specialize. They're burdened with debt and are still trying to achieve a comfortable upper-middle-class lifestyle for themselves and, even more importantly, their children. Being driven from the practice as a "racist" destroys their world: "People are afraid to speak honestly," said a doctor who immigrated to the U.S. from the Soviet Union. "It's like back to the USSR, where you could only speak to the ones you trust." If the authorities found out, you could lose your job, your status, you could go to jail or worse. The fear here is not dissimilar. Read on, and you learn about Norman Wang, a cardiologist who was demoted at the University of Pittsburgh for publishing a paper saying that 50 years of data showed that affirmative action and other diversity initiatives did not increase the percentage of Black or Hispanic cardiologists or affect patient outcomes. To his credit, Wang is now suing. Doctors also fear the next generation and you, as a patient, should, too. An older Jewish doctor describes how, in the past, he slowly, steadily, and through principled treatment changed an anti-Semitic patient's life and attitudes for the better. Now, though, medical students, interns, and residents judge patients. They feel obligated to instruct the ones who run afoul of the young doctors' woke sensibilities. And there's worse: As another example of the generation gap, an ER doctor on the West Coast said he sees providers, particularly younger ones, applying antiracist principles in choosing how they allocate their time and which patients they choose to work with. "I've heard examples of Covid-19 cases in the emergency department where providers go, 'I'm not going to go treat that white guy, I'm going to treat the person of color instead because whatever happened to the white guy, he probably deserves it.'" The only way to stand up to what's happening is through collective action. Woke people, drunk with power and the urge to avenge wrongs that predate their births, quickly form mobs that surround and destroy anyone who offends them. The only way to end them is to out-mob them and every American institution had better act quickly, or soon America will look like China at the height of its bloody Cultural Revolution. Image: Doctors by rawpixel.com. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. About 8:50 p.m. Thursday, an 18-year-old man and another male were in an argument until the male took out a handgun and began to threaten the 18-year-old in the 6700 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue in the Park Manor neighborhood, police said. The 18-year-old then took out his own gun and began firing at the male, who returned fire, shooting the 18-year-old man in the abdomen. The male ran from the scene. Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-561-7737 (Image source from: thehansindia.com) AP Government stands strong on Three Capital Policy:- The government of Andhra Pradesh and Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy announced a three capital policy for uniform development in the state and he decided to shift the executive capital to Visakhapatnam. Amaravati that was proposed as the capital of Andhra Pradesh was ignored and Kurnool was decided as the other capital. With the arrival of coronavirus, the capital shifting process came to a hold. There were several cases filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court about the shifting of the capital. When the country is shattered with coronavirus, the AP ministers and leaders are busy with the issue of decentralization. Minister Botsa Satyanarayana said that the executive capital will soon be moved from Amaravati to Vizag. He said that the capital works are going on at a fast pace. Botsa also said that the three capital policy of the government of Andhra Pradesh will soon turn reality. He said that no one can stop the process and it will turn true very soon. He said that it is the Chief Minister who will decide about the functioning of the government. The AP Government also passed the Three Capitals Law in the state's Assembly and it cannot be halted. The opposition parties TDP, BJP and Janasena objected the move but the government of Andhra Pradesh is not much bothered. With the executive capital moved to Vizag, Amaravati will be getting low priority. The farmers of Amaravati who donated their lands for the construction of the capital are agitating against the government but the AP government is never bothered about them. (Video Source: ABN Telugu) (Image source from: foxnews.com) Man finds his stolen wallet after 20 years:- A man from Scotland lost his wallet two decades ago and this 37-year-old Ryan Seymour found it back after twenty years. Ryan Seymour lost it in a pub in the year 2001 and he recovered it on May 29th as per the reports from the New York Post. Ryan Seymour mentioned that he was contacted by Dunfermline cops during the last week of April. They said that they received a black wallet that had a work pass and cards that expired in 2004. Ryan Seymour was all excited and he went to grab it. Ryan Seymour said that he had his Bank of Scotland ID card in the wallet along with his home rental membership card, a Library card of Fife Council and One Stop Phone Shop redemption card in his wallet. Ryan Seymour posted the pictures on his social media page which went viral all over. He said that there was no cash remained in the wallet. He said that it was 'A proper time capsule'. Ryan Seymour said that his wallet was stolen at The Elizabethan pub and restaurant which is located in the downtown of Dunfermline. He said that he left it in a toilet cubicle two decades ago. Ryan Seymour wrote on his twitter saying "I have the wallet in my hand now. It's in surprisingly good shape considering it's been in a hedge all these years. [It] survived so many Scottish winters". He said that he lost 60 EUR from the wallet. He also posted his latest picture along with the Scotland ID card from his wallet. President Biden has issued an investment ban order against some Chinese companies, Reuters reports. Sanctions against Chinese companies are not new, and Trump has done so many times. But this is the first time Biden has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies in the months since he was elected as president. The companies are said to have partnered with the Chinese government and military affiliates in defense and surveillance technology. The order prevents U.S. investment from supporting the Chinese military-industrial complex, as well as military, intelligence, and security research and development programs, Reuters said. Advertisement Biden also said that Chinas surveillance technologies could facilitate repression or human rights abuses both inside and outside the country. The Chinese government is currently facing serious charges, including violating the rights of Uyghurs and testing surveillance technologies on them. The new sanctions take effect on August 2. According to the source, U.S. investors would still have 365 days from the date of this or future listings to make transactions for the purpose of divesting, and while it was not required, divesting later than 365 days after listing would be prohibited without authorization. Huawei is still on the sanctions list under the two presidents Biden investment ban cover 59 companies, and the Treasury Department will update the list if needed. The sanctions imposed by Trump on Chinese companies included 31 companies. Advertisement We can still find these names in the new list: Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), China Mobile Communications Group, China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC), Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co Ltd, Huawei Technologies Ltd (HWT.UL), and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). You can read the full lists of companies here. As you can see, Huawei has been under sanctions under both Trump and Biden. Huawei, meanwhile, hoped the new U.S. president would take a new approach. Of course, it has been said before that Biden is not willing to lift Huaweis sanctions. Also, the Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) is one of the most important companies in China for producing chips. The companys embargo may expand the scope of chip shortage worldwide. Advertisement Xiaomi was able to remove its name from the sanctions list Xiaomi was one of the companies said to be cooperating with Chinese defense agencies. The Trump administration also put Xiaomi on the sanctions list. However, the company could reach an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. Moreover, In May, a judge ruled that the companys restrictions should be lifted. Well, Huawei has not been as lucky as Xiaomi and should remain under sanctions. Facebook will start treating politicians like everyone else. The companys controversy-plagued policy has been shielding politicians from its strict content moderation rules. Facebook will end a policy that mostly protects politicians from repercussions even if they violate the hate speech rules of the site, an insider told The Washington Post. The move is likely to change how elected officials use the social network globally. Facebook is likely to announce the change on Friday. The move comes after the Oversight Board supported its decision to suspend former U.S. President Donald Trump, but criticized the special treatment politicians get on the platform. Advertisement Breaking: Facebook plans to stop shielding politicians from the content rules it applies to everyone else, a sharp reversal from its position that all speech from elected officials is inherently newsworthy. Could have big ramifications globally! https://t.co/enZ7tXQClU Alex Heath (@alexeheath) June 3, 2021 Advertisement The Facebook-funded independent group insisted that the same rules should apply to all users. The board will wait until June 5th for Facebooks response about its policy recommendations. Facebook could end its exemption for politicians Facebook will no longer consider the newsworthiness of a politicians post more valuable than its hate speech rules, citing the Oversight Boards ruling on Trump. The company can keep a post up due to its newsworthiness. However, it will have to make its decision public, the Post reported. Moreover, regular users will be notified about strikes that could lead to their accounts suspension, two people familiar with the changes told The Verge. Users earlier received account strikes when their content crosses limits and deserves a suspension. Advertisement With the change, users will be aware when they receive a strike. Facebook drew flak in the past for keeping politicians accounts active even after breaking content moderation policy. Social media giants have been catching flak lately Facebook and other equally popular Silicon Valley giants have been subject to potential new regulations over privacy and transparency-related issues. Aside from that, they have faced a major antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. The Oversight Board could set an example for countries. Several countries are trying to regulate how social media companies check content on their platforms. Advertisement On the downside, it could delay the need for regulation since a solution is already available, according to experts. In 2018, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recommended setting up an independent body that would monitor controversial decisions made by the social network. The idea was to monitor the companys power, which was criticized by government officials for not restricting the spread of Russian disinformation, hate speech, and provoking political discourse. Facebook selects the members of the Oversight Board. However, it has given the board the power to make decisions on wrongly removed or kept content. The twenty members of the board can issue voluntary policy recommendations. Samsung is reportedly working on a triple folding phone, and the company has filed a patent for it. According to 91mobiles, Samsung filed this patent at the World Intellectual Property Organization in November 2020. Leaked images show all the design angles and folding mechanisms of this phone. Samsung triple folding phone has a hinge design similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 2, and it will likely go through some improvements. As for the leaked images, there is a punch-hole at the top for the selfie camera. At the back of the phone, there are two separate hinges for folding the device. Advertisement Also, the middle hinge will carry the camera lenses, which appear for selfies when the phone is folded. The right screen folds over the center panel, and the left screen goes behind it. Moreover, the rear camera has three lenses that are placed vertically. Samsung plans to launch a triple folding phone The left screen side will carry the USB Type-C port and speaker grill. Also, you can fold the device to use it in a desktop view, thanks to DeX mode. The main screen is wider than Galaxy Z Fold 2 to show more content. This is not the first time that we are facing patents and leaked images of Samsung triple folding phones. Dates back to April and December, some patents about the phone leaked, and weeks ago, Samsung showed its triple folding display in a video. Advertisement Adding S Pen to folding devices is asked by users, and it seems that Samsung is working on it. Recently, some readers of Samsung triple folding device were leaked that showed the device could hold the S pen stylus between its corners. These occasional leaks prove that the Korean company is preparing to launch its triple folding phone in the near future. The exact launch time and other specifications are still unknown. However, Samsung is famous for pushing the envelope. Therefore, we have to wait for more announcements from the company. Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM For a limited time, for NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* I think its good that the country well, some of the country, I guess is finally waking up to the terrible things that were done. Theres even more that we need to, as a country, first acknowledge that they happened ... but also sort of have a reckoning with it. Where we are as a country is a partial result of the terrible crimes. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The UK has approved the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in children aged 12-15. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised its use on Friday, saying it is safe and effective in this age group and the benefits outweigh the risks. The vaccine is already approved for use in people aged 16 and over. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will now decide whether children should get the jab. Are children in other countries being vaccinated? To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. The US began inoculating young adolescents in May after its Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the Pfizer jab for those aged 12-15. More than 600,000 children have been vaccinated so far. The jab has also been approved for emergency use in Chile, Canada, Japan, the Philippines, Israel and Dubai and the European Union. How effective is the Pfizer vaccine? To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. A study, involving more than 2,000 adolescents in the US, has shown the jab to be safe and effective in 12- to 15-year-olds. The trial investigators said the Pfizer vaccine was 100% effective at preventing Covid-19 disease, although the true rate could be between 75% and 100%. In adults, phase three clinical trials have shown the vaccine to be around 95% effective in preventing people from developing coronavirus symptoms. How does the vaccine work? (PA Graphics) The Pfizer jab is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. Conventional vaccines are produced using weakened forms of the virus, but mRNAs use only the viruss genetic code. An mRNA vaccine is injected into the body, where it enters cells and tells them to create antigens. These antigens are recognised by the immune system and prepare it to fight coronavirus. Some believe mRNA vaccines are safer for the patient as they do not rely on any element of the virus being injected into the body. Do children need to be vaccinated? To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. Children rarely develop severe forms of Covid-19, and deaths from the disease are rarer still (fewer than two out of every million worldwide). But, on rare occasions, young people who have been infected can later develop a dangerous condition called multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which can damage the brain and cause hallucinations. Evidence is also building that jabs can block coronavirus transmission, so vaccinating children could save other peoples lives and help contribute to herd immunity the point at which most of a population is immune to an infectious disease. Are there any side-effects? To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. The most common side-effects in children aged 12 to 15 are similar to those in people aged 16 and over. They include pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills and fever. These effects are usually mild or moderate and improve within a few days. Recipients can report any side-effects they experience via the MHRAs existing Yellow Card scheme found on its website. Parliaments sleaze watchdog must investigate Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the funding of the lavish refurbishments to his Downing Street flat, Labour has urged. Deputy leader Angela Rayner called for the Commissioner for Standards to probe whether he broke parliamentary rules by not declaring any donation in the MPs register of interests. The adviser on ministers interests appointed by Mr Johnson cleared him of breaching the ministerial code but said he had acted unwisely over the work. Now Labour wants the standards commissioner in the Commons, Kathryn Stone, to investigate a potential breach of the MPs code of conduct. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner (Jacob King/PA) Downing Street said support relating to ministerial activity should be declared on the ministers register, as has been done. But in a letter to the commissioner, Ms Rayner noted she has previously reprimanded Mr Johnson, including in 2019 when he was warned any further breaches may warrant more serious sanction. It appears that, far from learning the lessons of his previous transgressions, the Prime Minister has continued with his attitude of treating basic standards of integrity, openness and transparency with contempt and behaving as though there is one rule for him and another for everyone else, Ms Rayner wrote. I therefore write to request that you instigate a further investigation into the Prime Ministers failure to register this donation, using your powers as commissioner. She also accused Mr Johnson of breaching the general principles on conduct in public life of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. The Prime Minister can use an annual public grant of up to 30,000 to decorate his Downing Street home, but renovations at No 11 reportedly spiralled up to 200,000. Lord Geidt, the adviser on ministers interests, found Mr Johnson had not been aware Tory donor Lord Brownlow initially had settled an invoice for the works. But Lord Geidt said Mr Johnson acted unwisely in allowing the refurbishment to go ahead without more rigorous regard for how this would be funded. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Ms Stone is already investigating whether Mr Johnson properly declared a 15,000 holiday on the Caribbean island of Mustique with his wife Carrie. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: Lord Geidts independent report shows the Prime Minister acted in accordance with the ministerial code at all times and sets out the background to the intended establishment of a Downing Street trust. The report shows how, at all times, the Prime Minister followed the advice of officials and he has made a declaration in his list of ministerial interests, as advised by Lord Geidt. The House of Commons rules and Electoral Commission guidance are clear that support relating to ministerial activity should be declared through ministerial declarations and this has been done. In April, Labour backbencher Margaret Hodge also called for Ms Stone to investigate. The former chair of the Commons Public Accounts Committee said Mr Johnson had repeatedly failed to be honest, open or transparent about the donations and gifts he receives. His father, Len Happ, was stationed in Papua New Guinea during the war. He traded with the people there, exchanging some of his G.I. provisions for the bow and arrows. Len Happ then mailed them to his parents home in Park Ridge. Eventually they were kept in Len Happs own familys home in Morton Grove, where they remained for years, never displayed but stowed away with care. The UKs competition regulator has launched a fresh investigation into Facebook over concerns that the tech giant might be abusing a dominant position in digital advertising. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will look into how the social network gathers and uses certain data and whether it may provide an unfair advantage over rivals in the online classified ads and online dating space. As well as Facebooks advertising services, Facebook Login, a feature that allows people to sign into other websites and apps, will also form part of the probe. The regulator said it will assess whether data from both offerings enable the firm to benefit Facebook Marketplace, a part of the platform where users can place classified ads, and Facebook Dating. The announcement comes as the European Commission (EC) launched its own investigation into the companys use of data. We intend to thoroughly investigate Facebooks use of data to assess whether its business practices are giving it an unfair advantage in the online dating and classified ad sectors, said Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA. Any such advantage can make it harder for competing firms to succeed, including new and smaller businesses, and may reduce customer choice. We will be working closely with the European Commission as we each investigate these issues, as well as continuing our coordination with other agencies to tackle these global issues. Facebook responded saying that it will cooperate fully with the investigations to demonstrate that they are without merit. We are always developing new and better services to meet evolving demand from people who use Facebook, a spokesperson said. Marketplace and Dating offer people more choices and both products operate in a highly competitive environment with many large incumbents. Vladimir Putin has urged against interference in Russian-British relations after the head of MI6 described the nation as a declining power and criticised the Kremlins reckless behaviour. The Russian President stressed on Friday evening that Richard Moore is new to the role as he suggested the spy chief would revisit his assessments of Moscow. Mr Moore, who became MI6s C in October, described Russia as an objectively declining power economically and demographically as he struck out against the Kremlins actions. Asked about the remarks in a press conference, Mr Putin said: You said that the new head of MI6 has given these assessments, so he is new and I think he is going to get some experience and he will probably revisit his assessments (on) if Russia is a declining power. So why bother, why be concerned, just live your life and dont try to spoil the Russian-British relations further. Speaking through a video link from St Petersburg, he said the UK and Russia had seen a growth in trade last year, adding: So if you dont try to interfere into this process then everything is going to be good. MI6 head Richard Moore said Russia is an objectively declining power as he criticised its reckless behaviour (FCO/PA) In April, Mr Moore spoke of his continued anger about the Novichok attack in Salisbury, in which two alleged Russian operatives targeted Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy turned double agent for MI6. And the spy chief highlighted allegations that Russias military intelligence agency, the GRU, was behind a blast at a Czech arms factory in 2014, killing two. When you get that pattern of reckless behaviour, of course you then look at what is happening around Ukraine and of course it worries us. It is why we have coordinated so closely with our allies to make sure we are getting firm messages back to President Putin, he told Times Radio. Mr Moore also said the regime was under pressure as Russia faced a decline. Russia is an objectively declining power economically and demographically, he said. PA Media Group CEO Clive Marshall listens to Russian President Vladimir Putin answer questions (Jonathan Brady/PA) It is an extremely challenged place. And clearly the treatment of Alexei Navalny as we saw with the thousands of protesters on the streets of well not just Moscow of a number of cities shows that there is a deal of disaffection with Mr Putin. Relations between Moscow and London have been particularly strained since the nerve agent attack on British soil in 2018. Mr Skripal survived but it killed 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess after she unwittingly sprayed herself with the chemical stored in a perfume bottle found by her partner, who was also left seriously ill. Accusing Russia of being a hostile state, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has recently led a push for Nato to use political pressure to combat the threat from Moscow. Mr Raab has also said it is very difficult to believe the arrest of a prominent critic of the Belarus regime from a diverted Ryanair flight could have taken place without at least the acquiescence of the authorities in Moscow. Scientists say they have made a breakthrough in the treatment of breast cancer by using the targeted cancer drug olaparib after chemotherapy. A major trial in the use of olaparib at an early stage has shown that giving women the drug following chemotherapy significantly reduces the risk of inherited breast cancer returning or spreading. The trial showed that after a median 2.5 years of follow-up, 85.9% of patients were free of their cancer, compared with 77.1% who had received a placebo. This represented a 42% overall drop in the risk of cancer returning. Similarly, 87.5% of olaparib patients were alive and free of disease which had spread to other parts of their body, compared with 80.4% who were given a placebo, a 43% drop in the risk of cancer spreading via distant metastases. Until now, olaparib has been used for advanced cancers. But the study dubbed the OlympiA trial has now demonstrated its effectives at the early or curative stage, researchers say. The olaparib trial has been described as a major breakthrough in the battle against breast cancer (Rui Vieira/PA) The trial was conducted by a series of international partners, including Londons Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), with the results released on Thursday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting and published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The ICR said the trial suggested olaparib, which exploits a genetic weakness in cancer cells, could become a new treatment option to reduce the risk of recurrence or metastasis in women with inherited forms of high-risk early breast cancer and could lead to more patients being cured. OlympiA steering committee chair Professor Andrew Tutt, professor of oncology at the ICR, said in a statement: We are thrilled that our global academic and industry partnership in OlympiA has been able to help identify a possible new treatment option for women with early-stage breast cancer who have inherited mutations in their BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Women with early-stage breast cancer who have inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are typically diagnosed at a younger age. Up to now, there has been no treatment that specifically targets the unique biology of these cancers to reduce the rate of recurrence, beyond initial treatment such as surgery, hormone treatment, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This major international study coordinated by the Breast International Group shows that giving olaparib for a year to patients with inherited BRCA mutations after they have completed initial treatment increases the chances that they will remain free of invasive or metastatic breast cancer. Prof Tutt said olaparib had the potential to be used as a follow-on to all the standard initial breast cancer treatments to reduce the rate of life-threatening recurrence and cancer spread for many patients identified through genetic testing to have mutations in these genes. He added the frequency of significant side effects from the drug in the study was relatively low. The ICRs chief executive, Professor Paul Workman, said: Olaparib was the first cancer drug in the world to target inherited genetic faults. It is also now the first targeted drug to have been shown to effectively treat patients with inherited mutations and early-stage breast cancer, potentially curing some women of their disease. This is a major breakthrough. Its fantastic that decades of ICR science into identifying cancers weaknesses alongside academic, charity and industry partners in the UK and worldwide has led to global trials which are now changing the outlook for patients. I am now keen to see this new treatment be approved and made available to patients in the UK and worldwide as fast as possible. A Scottish man has finally left hospital nearly 200 days after he was first admitted with coronavirus. Neil McLaughlin was taken to University Hospital Hairmyres in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, on November 21 last year with the typical symptoms of a cough and feeling out of breath. The condition of the 63-year-old from Chapelhall in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, quickly deteriorated and he was rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU) where he had to be intubated for 167 days. Doctors believe this makes Mr McLaughlin one of if not the longest patients requiring intubation in Scotland as a result of Covid-19. On Friday, hundreds of staff including nurses gathered at a distance in the reception area of the hospital and balconies as the patient was finally allowed home, accompanied by his partner Wendy Busby. He said: Its very humbling, its fair to say a lot of the staff clapping Ive never met before but because Ive been in hospital so long everybody gets to know your story. Me being a guy I decided it was a cold, Wendy being an ex-nurse decided it wasnt a cold so she booked me a Covid test which came back positive. The first lot I dont remember too much of because I was sedated for five weeks and I was so full of drugs you dont really know whats going on. (The physios) brought my mobility on because Ive had to learn how to walk again, lying in bed for so long theyve all been fantastic, even down to the people who made the tea. [There is] still work to be done but home now so thats the main thing. Not long after leaving Hairmyres, Mr McLaughlin, himself a former support worker, was on a video call with a cousin who was over the moon to see him again after getting out. He added the first thing he intends to do when he gets home will be to make a fuss of the dog and he is looking forward to a steak dinner. Ms Busby told the PA news agency how she spent Christmas day on the phone talking to her partner who was sedated in the hospital ward. The 55-year-old said: He was in the Covid ICU, he was still Covid positive so there was no chance of getting in, it was just constant phone calls and reassurance from the nurses. I was wishing him a Merry Christmas, telling him what I was doing, it was quite emotional but that how was my Christmas to Neil was spent. The staff were absolutely amazing, not only amazing with Neil but for myself the comfort they gave me when I used to phone up and as Neil says, its not just the doctors and the nurses. Neil McLaughlin kisses his partner Wendy Busby (Jane Barlow/PA) Dr Chris Keuh, one of the consultant physicians, also told PA: He took a long time to recover, a long time to improve and eventually he was sent down here to ward 10 which is one of our general medical wards. Neils worked quite hard, hes had a good attitude about him and has worked very hard with the physiotherapists and today Neil is able to go home after 195 days in hospital. Its been fantastic because weve seen him week on week get better, its not just myself but the entire hospital pulling together and Neil himself improving. Well miss him but actually its a great sign that people are recovering from this. Although Neils time in hospital has come to an end his recovery isnt at an end at the moment so, unfortunately, hes still is going to have community physiotherapy coming in to try and help him to build a strength back up. Unfortunately, being in hospital for that length of time has its consequences and we dont know the full effects of Covid until probably much much later, its still up to him to continue to work with the physiotherapist to recover from this. There have been a lot of people that havent been as lucky as Neil and unfortunately passed away, there were a few times when actually we didnt think he was going to survive, and he still managed to pull through so you know it is unusual that hes taken so long but were happy that hes managed to pull through this and get home. Sir John Major has urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to let compassion prevail and honour his commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on foreign aid. The former Conservative premier said he does not believe it is morally defensible for the UK to ease its own financial pressures at the expense of some of the worlds poorest and most vulnerable people. After initially making his views known to the Government in private, Sir John opted to go public in his support for the aid budget as Conservative rebels hope to force Mr Johnson to reverse the cuts. A total of 30 Tory MPs, including former prime minister Theresa May, have supported an amendment which would require new legislation to make up the shortfall left by the cut to the UKs official development assistance. Mr Johnson has been criticised by MPs on all sides for temporarily reducing foreign aid from 0.7% of national income to 0.5% and thereby shelving his 2019 manifesto commitment to maintain spending at the higher rate. Tory ex-international development secretary Andrew Mitchell has tabled an amendment to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) Bill (Isabel Infantes/PA) Sir John said: I strongly support Britain maintaining her statutory promise to commit 0.7% of our GDP to overseas aid. Whilst I fully recognise our own budgeting difficulties, I do not believe it is morally defensible to ease our own financial burden at the expense of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world, who have nothing and nowhere else to turn for help. I made my own views on this clear to the Government, privately, some weeks ago and even at this late hour I hope they will honour their better instincts and let compassion prevail to aid those in dire need. Only then can we re-establish ourselves as a nation that keeps its word, and begin to repair our reputation as a global force for good. Conservative former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell has tabled an amendment to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) Bill, a piece of legislation which establishes a new high-risk, high-reward research agency backed with 800 million of taxpayers cash to explore new ideas. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. The explanatory note on Mr Mitchells amendment to the Bill says: This new clause is intended to reaffirm the duty in the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015 for UK official development assistance (ODA) to amount to 0.7% of gross national income each year. It would require Aria to make up any shortfall in that proportion from January 2022. It will be up to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to decide whether the amendment is selected for consideration when the Bill returns to the Commons for further consideration on Monday June 7. The Government has blamed economic damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic for its decision to cut aid spending. It expects just under 10 billion to be allocated to departments for aid spending in 2021/22. Critics of the policy believe the reduction will result in tens of thousands of deaths in other parts of the world. The Government has also come under fire for not arranging a Commons vote on the decision. Social distancing restrictions could remain in place for the rest of 2021 in Wales, Mark Drakeford has said. The First Minister said the two-metre rule is likely to remain part of peoples response to Covid-19 for as long as the virus persists, but whether it could become mere advice depended on a continued improving of conditions. On Friday, Mr Drakeford told BBC Radio Wales he would not lift all restrictions on June 21 even if they were in England, saying Wales would stick to its careful, cautious approach complemented by the lowest Covid-19 figures in the UK and the best first dose vaccination figures in the world. Later at a press briefing, he said social distancing rules remained one of the strongest defences that we have against the virus, and that he had been very struck by people continuing to be careful about creating space for others. Im not certain myself that there is a huge thirst for people to give up some of the safeguards that we are all able to contribute in the way that we behave in our lives, Mr Drakeford said. I think they will remain part of the repertoire, here in Wales, during the rest of the summer, maybe into the rest of this year. Whether we will be able to move from them being mandatory to just things that we advise people about and ask people to do in their own lives, I think that will depend upon whether we continue to see improvements in the position here in Wales. But as part of a personal repertoire of things that every one of us can do to keep ourselves and others safe, I think they will remain part of peoples response to this public health crisis for as long as coronavirus persists. Welsh Conservative health spokesperson Russell George said it was concerning that Mr Drakeford had suggested social distancing could stay. The vaccine rollout, secured by the UK Government, is doing its job in protecting people and the NHS, he said. But after 15 months of lockdowns and restrictions people need hope that the vaccines will be accompanied with a very welcome light at the end of the tunnel. The First Ministers words today have pulled that hope from people who are desperate to get back to normality. The current two-metre social distancing rules are hampering businesses and where the science and data allows we should see that reduced down to one metre as soon as we can. Mr Drakeford also told the briefing he would not set a threshold for vaccination which the country would need to meet before all restrictions are lifted, but said Wales remarkably strong figures proved its programme was working and included 59% of people aged 18-29 receiving their first jab. The Welsh Government said more than 85% of the population has had one dose of the vaccine in Wales and 45% has had both. (PA Graphics) Mr Drakeford also said that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agencys (MHRA) approval of the use of the Pfizer vaccine in 12 to 15-year-olds meant children could receive jabs in the remaining part of this summer term or when schools return in the autumn. Earlier, the First Minister told the PA news agency the outcome of Wales next review of restrictions depended on whether growing cases of the Indian variant leads to increased pressure on the NHS. He warned that preliminary evidence showed the variant, of which there are 97 cases in Wales including a cluster in Conwy in north-west Wales, could be leading to greater levels of hospital admissions primarily among young, unvaccinated people. But if that doesnt turn out to be the case, then beyond these three weeks we will be able to move forward further and to do more to continue to lift restrictions in Wales, Mr Drakeford said. Outdoor events with up to 10,000 people sitting or 4,000 people standing will be able to resume in Wales from Monday while groups of up to 30 people can meet outdoors and extended households can expand to include a third. But Wales has paused plans to increase the numbers of people able to meet indoors or attend indoor events while it waits for more evidence about the effect of the variant, with a decision on whether to proceed to be made before June 21. Wales seven-day infection rate is eight per 100,000 people in the week up to May 30. Public Health Wales said on Friday there were 71 new cases of Covid-19 in Wales, taking the total in the country since the start of the pandemic to 212,999, while another day of zero Covid-related deaths means the total remains at 5,569. Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. (E-mail: awanzamir@yahoo.com). Pakistan and China have opened the Khunjerab pass for trade and travel activities recently. The highest pass on the earth, constructed in the 1960s-1970s, and known as 8th wounder of the world, in Winter covered with snow, only opened from April to September. According to both governments ' protocols, the border point between the two neighboring countries was closed in October 2019 and was planned to be opened in April 2020. But due to COVID-19, the opening of the border was postponed till recently. However, the border was opened for a few weeks temporarily in July last year to facilitate the release of stranded containers and again in September to shift medical material gifted by the Chinese government to GB to deal with Covid-19. Khunjrab Pass is a significant land trade route between China and Pakistan, which also connects Afghanistan and Iran too. Under CPEC projects, most of the raw material and Machinery was transported through the Khunjrab Pass. In addition to the trade of goods, it was also a significant entry point for passengers traveling between the two countries. The prolonged closure of Khunjrab Pass has affected the trade and travel of passengers due to the Pandemic. The entrepreneurs of both countries welcomed the re-opening of it and hoped the trade and travel might get a boost in the coming days. It is desired that both Governments may take extraordinary measures to facilitate the trade and travel through this pass and facilitate visa issuance mutually. The travelers may be asked for strict COVID-19 SOPs, but the visa regime may be relaxed, and customs and immigration facilitation may be made more friendly. Especially for people on both sides of the border should be facilitated for visa at spot, because the bordering areas are far awy from Beijing and Islamabd, and may not be convenient for locals to travel to Capitals for getting visa. Xinjiang is a pivotal Province of China bordering the several Central Asian States. Beijing has invested heavily in the development of Infrastructure and facilitated economic activities. Today, Xinjiang is highly developed, rich in natural resources, fully industrialized, modern banking & financial system, and ready for trade. In fact, the success of BRI is dependant on Xinjiang, as few economic corridors are passing through Xinjiang. The potential of Xinjiang for trade and economic activities is enormous and can contribute to the developmentand prosperity of all regional countries. Pakistan can benefit from the stability and development of Xinjiang, which can also benefit from China-Pakistan economic and trade cooperation and the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), so this is a win-win and mutually beneficial outcome, said Yao Jing, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People's Government. Xinjiang should be promoted to become a link between Pakistan and other countries in the future, said Yao, former Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan. It is worth mentioning that Directo Yao Jing, who has served in Afghanistan and Pakistan as Ambassador of China, has also served as deputy head of mission in India too. He is very well aware of affairs in the region and can be ranked as an expert on the strategic importance of Xinjiang in the context of its bordering countries. His recommendations carry high significance and full of wisdom. "Central Asia's economy and development are highly complementary, and China has provided Pakistan a good platform to expand its foreign economic and trade ties and enhance its foreign relations," he told media. In order to speed up the construction of the Belt and Road Core Area, the Party Committee and the government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have put forward a series of policy proposals, but the construction of the China-Pakistan economic corridor in a more critical position, and continuously promoted economic and trade exchanges with Pakistan to a broader space. "Xinjiang is bordered by Pakistan, both historically and now, culturally, economically, and trade-ally," he said. He said, in the process of building the CPEC, almost all the people, materials, and equipment are transported to Pakistan through Xinjiang, and many large enterprises directly build production bases in Xinjiang as the starting point of the corridor. Xinjiang's important position is very prominent. Xinjiang should make use of the advantages along the border to accelerate the promotion of high-quality development under the premise of ensuring epidemic prevention. Pakistan Entrepreneurs are encouraged to avail this opportunity and strengthen trade relations. Under the revised FTA, the trade opportunities has been enhanced . Further more.Pakistani enterprenuers can also reach Central Asian markets conveniently. It is expected that the border will remain open till Winter. There are also efforts to upgrade the pass to make it all-weather (throughout the year) functional and remain opened. (ASIA PACIFIC DAILY) Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The Democrat was touting the planned Obama Presidential Center during a virtual appearance with the Economic Club of Chicago. At one point, he said he was going to try not to be too partisan here before adding that in the aftermath of the Capitol attack one of the major American political parties not only failed to condemn some of that behavior, but embraced a patently false narrative about the election being stolen that is being still perpetuated. ROSWELL, Ga. Roswell added to its corporate portfolio recently with the announcement that GreyOrange, an India-based software and robotics automation company, will invest more than $1 million to relocate its global headquarters to the area. The companys new international headquarters is at 660 Hembree Parkway. The site includes 110,000 square feet of office and warehousing space that serves as a global fulfillment center for building and shipping autonomous mobile robots. Founded in New Delhi, India, and with operations there as well as in the U.S., Europe and Japan, GreyOrange leverages artificial intelligence and robotics to optimize fulfillment operations for companies worldwide. Atlanta is internationally known as a supply chain city due to the infrastructure, university support, and leading companies headquartered in the metropolitan area, said Chief Operating Officer of GreyOrange Jeff Cashman. Atlanta is the perfect environment to accelerate the evolution and growth of GreyOrange as we continue to innovate intelligent fulfillment concepts for our global customers. The move will create 200 additional jobs to the area. This is a big win not only for our workforce but, more importantly, for the overall economic vitality of the community, said Roswell Inc Executive Director Steve Stroud. Were proud to have collaborated with GreyOrange, the State of Georgia, and our economic development partners to make this happen. Georgia Department of Economic Development Project Manager Emily Poole represented the Global Commerce division on the project in partnership with Roswell Inc, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Power. GreyOranges decision to move their global headquarters to Georgia is yet another example of the states long-term investments in our logistics infrastructure continuing to pay off, Georgia DOE Commissioner Pat Wilson said. Im confident that by moving their hub here, GreyOrange will be even better equipped to help their international clients streamline processes and fulfill orders even faster. The companys key leadership, operations, and go-to-market executives are now based in Roswell, Georgia, including the companys chief executive officer, chief technology officer, chief operating officer, chief marketing officer and vice president of global sales. Individuals interested in careers in sales, solution development, engineering, supply chain operations, and customer support with GreyOrange are encouraged to visit www.greyorange.com for additional information. GreyOranges decision to locate their global headquarters in metro Atlanta reflects the ongoing strength of our supply chain and technology ecosystem, said Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. Our regions e-commerce capabilities and digital supply chain focus are among the many assets that make metro Atlanta the #SupplyChainCity and an attractive choice for global technology leaders like GreyOrange. Patrick Fox We're glad you're here. Enjoy an unlimited number of stories and podcasts, for free, right now. Then sign up to get some of our newsletters, which are also free, right now. Subscribe ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Appen Media Group announced May 20 the appointment of Carl Appen as Director of Content and Development. In this newly created role, Carl will work with editorial, production and commercial teams to deliver premium experiences across all media for audiences and advertising partners. Carl will report to Hans Appen, publisher, and will be based in Alpharetta. Carl brings a critical skillset to Appen Media Group that prepares us well for many years to come, Hans Appen said. Every news media company in the country, especially small local ones like ours, is looking for ways to remain an important part of the fabric of its community and stay financially viable. Carl understands that and knows what it will take to be successful. Carls appointment accelerates the companys growth plan, pursuing engagement, product and partnership goals through an increased content investment of 150% over the next two years. I believe in the great power of local news, Carl said. Producing quality journalism takes a considerable investment, and Im excited to work for a local media company willing to buy in. Carl makes the lateral move from his position in business development. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and resident of Alpharetta. Online Access for Print Subscribers. Do you have a print subscription with the Argus-Press? If yes, then click here to enjoy complimentary access to our Online Content! Yes, it's the only way to get anything done Yes, the filibuster is outdated No, Senate tradition should not be thrown out No, we need bipartisanship I don't know Vote View Results We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Democrats opted to use the less specific data because of a provision in the state constitution that requires a legislative redistricting map be signed into law by June 30, much earlier than the arrival of the hard census count. Failure to meet the end-of-June deadline would have set in motion a process that would have given Republicans a 50-50 chance to take control of the maps for the next decade. Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. The govt said ramping up of testing as well as containment at the district level 'has worked' in bringing down the cases New Delhi: India will have enough COVID-19 vaccine doses to inoculate up to one crore people per day by mid-July or early August, the government asserted on Tuesday as it underlined that there is no shortage of jabs and called for patience citing the country's large population. Noting that the ferocious second wave is on the verge of abating, the government said that ramping up of testing as well as containment at the district level "has worked" in bringing down the cases. At the same time, it cautioned that while the easing of lockdown is imperative, it has to be done very slowly. Whatever we know from possible scenarios presented by eminent people, it (COVID) will decline and June will be much much more better but the concerns are when we open up how do we behave because the virus has not gone anywhere, NITI Aayog member (Health) V K Paul said. Addressing a press conference, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said India's vaccination is being ramped up and "by December we hope to have the whole country vaccinated". He mentioned that India is one of the five countries which are producing vaccines and asserted that "there is no shortage of vaccines". "Shortage is what you feel if you want to vaccinate the country within a month. The total number of vaccinations done in the country is nearly equivalent to the total number done in the United States and our population is four times the population of the USA. We have to have some patience. "By mid-of year, mid-July or early August, we will have more than enough doses to vaccinate up to a crore per day," he said. Joint Secretary in Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said 4,03,49,830 vaccine doses were supplied from the Centre to states free of cost in May while 2,66,50,500 doses were directly procured by states and 1,24,54,760 doses were directly procured by private hospitals. In the past month, a total of 7,94,55,090 doses were available, of which 6,10,57,003 doses have been administered. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has reached 21,60,46,638, according to the ministry data updated this morning. Bhargava said in the first week of April there were less than 200 districts that had more than 10 percent case positivity which in the last week of April rose to nearly 600 districts. India ramped up testing as well as containment which worked but still 239 districts have more than 10 percent positivity, 145 districts have a positivity between 5 to 10 percent while 350 districts, which is nearly half of India, have less than 5 percent case positivity, he said. "We are moving in the right direction. Testing has been ramped as well as the containment at the district level has worked. However, it is not a sustainable solution and we have to find a mechanism on how to ease our containment or lockdown and that has to be done very gradually. "The opening up revolves on three pillars, the test positivity rate in that particular district has to be less than 5 percent for over a week, at least 70 percent of vulnerable population should be vaccinated and community ownership for this COVID-19-appropriate behaviour as well as care should be taken up by the community in a big way," he said. Paul said the peak rose very fast driven by highly transmissible variants and a pool of vulnerable people available to virus. "It went beyond estimates. It is coming down but change happened because of restriction-based containment was implemented intensively," he said. Agarwal said there has been a continuous decrease in daily cases since India reported a peak on May 7. There has been an almost 69 percent decline in COVID-19 cases since the highest peak, he said. Also, there has been a consistent decline in active cases which presently stand at 18.95 lakh. A decrease in active cases by more than 18 lakhs since the peak on May 10 (a decline of almost 50 percent) has been observed. The daily positivity rate reported on Tuesday is 6.62 percent, the lowest since April 1. Paul said mixing of COVID-19 vaccines is not in protocol and clarified that there is no change in the schedule of two-dose vaccines Covishield and Covaxin. On COVID-19 among children, Paul cautioned that even though the coronavirus infection has not taken a serious shape among children till now, its impact can increase among them if there is a change in virus behaviour or epidemiology dynamics, and said preparations are on to deal with any such situation. "We reassure you that the needs of the paediatric population will be arranged and no gaps will be left," he said, adding "we will do an audit of what is required and would be required in the worst-case scenario and be put into action." Paul said multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) has been seen post-COVID among children and a national group has been formed to look into the pediatric complications related to the infection. He refused to comment on the doctors' protest on a statement by yoga guru Ramdev on allopathy. Jaipur Foot USA will be in-charge for sending the shipment to India and then distributing it across various states New York: Mount Sinai Hospital here is donating ventilators, PPE kits, masks and hand sanitisers for COVID relief efforts in India. The hospital has given 10 ventilators, circuits, PPE kits, face shields, digital thermometers, N95 masks and hand sanitisers among essential medical supplies to the diaspora organisation Association of Indians in America (AIA). Jaipur Foot USA will be in-charge for sending the shipment to India and then distributing it across various states. During a brief ceremony at Mount Sinai on Thursday, AIA president Dr Urmilesh Arya and secretary Dr Usha Bansal thanked Mount Sinai hospital and its President Dr David Reich for donating the critical supplies for India. Also present at the ceremony was Vice President of Clinical Innovation at the Mount Sinai Health System Robbie Freeman. Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari expressed gratitude to eminent interventional cardiologist Dr Samin Sharma, Director of Interventional and Clinical Cardiology and President, Mount Sinai Heart Network for his efforts in facilitating this assistance. Bhandari said it is because of the efforts of Sharma, who is also Chairman Board of Trustees AIA, that the critical medical equipment will reach the needy hospitals and patients in India as the country battles a devastating second surge of coronavirus. Bhandari also thanked Reich and Freeman and the Mount Sinai hospital for their assistance and efforts. He said the equipment will be distributed to various charitable hospitals in states and territories including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and New Delhi through Jaipur Foot USA's parent organisation Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti-BMVSS (BMVSS). Its founder Padma Bhushan D R Mehta who will finalise which charitable hospitals in the states will receive the supplies. Last month, Bhandari had given 21 oxygen concentrators on behalf of Jaipur Foot USA to Breath Bank', an initiative launched in Jodhpur to help provide the critically-needed medical equipment to COVID-19 patients. India is currently witnessing the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the country has recorded over 2,84,41,986 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 3,37,989 deaths. You are the owner of this article. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese autonomous driving startup ZongMu Technology announced on June 3 the completion of its Series D funding with a total of $190 million raised. Photo credit: ZongMu Technology The newly-fulfilled financing was advanced in three tranches. Notably, the D3 round was led by Xiaomi Changjiang Industrial Fund, a fund backed by Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi. ZongMu Technology said it is among the first companies Xiaomi invested in after the smartphone maker announced its foray into intelligent EV domain on March 30. As a provider of ADS (autonomous driving system) and ADAS (advanced driver assistance system)-related technologies and products, ZongMu Technology has built full-stack technologies that covers the entire process from basic R&D to volume production application, said the company. It has already formed the ability to supply corresponding products, including ADS/ADAS (domain) controllers, cameras, millimeter-wave radars, ultrasonic radars, as well as algorithms and cloud services for core perception, localization and mapping. The company works on businesses including intelligent driving system, high-power wireless charging facilities for new energy vehicles (NEVs), and the products and services for smart city. ZongMu Technology has teamed up with many Chinese automakers to offer them autonomous driving technologies. Its autonomous valet parking technology has been applied in a number of vehicle models like the Hongqi E-HS9, the Dongfeng VOYAH FREE, and the UNI series of Changan Automobile. The company announced in late March that it had contracted with Meituan to supplier the latter with 4D millimeter radars. He was already living at the house when she moved in, Debus said, and she can remember speaking to him only once. He happened to be sitting in his garage so she asked him about the neighborhood, she said. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Boeing and Alaska Airlines teamed up to test over 20 new sustainable technologies in flights that will take off this summer. Called the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program, the project includes testing a new fire-extinguishing agent that promises to have a lower impact on the ozone layer, implementing recycled materials into the cabin sidewalls and more. 1 photo The 2021 Ford Bronco family offers something for just about everyone. If a crossover is all the household needs, the Bronco Sport is there to oblige from $26,820 (Base) to $32,820 (Badlands)since reservations are already full for the First Edition ($38,500).Looking for the definitive Bronco experience? Then one can always upgrade to the 2-Door or 4-Door versions, kicking off at $28,500 (Base, two-door) and going up to $49,475 (Wildtrak, four-door). But the big Broncos are yet to land on the driveways and inside the garages of reservation holders, so who can better talk about their strengths and weaknesses than a Ford professional?The Town and Country TV YouTube channel is the official social media face of a Ford dealership in Bessemer, Alabama, so it's rather safe to say the host knows what hes talking about. And in a couple of back-to-back features (both videos embedded below), he decided to give us a possible answer about finding ten major elements to love and another ten equally important things to hate about the 2021 Bronco After all, even though Blue Oval aficionados love to call the 2021 Bronco one (if not the most) revolutionary vehicles released in decades by the company, that doesnt mean we shouldnt (try and) be objective, knowing that nothing is ever perfect.By the way, both videos are neatly arranged with the timestamps and the lists of things to love or hate, so theres really no point dissecting them one by one. On the other hand, wed love to hear your opinion about your personal lists of love/hate elements about the 2021 Bronco in the comments section below. To mark the double anniversary, Indian Motorcycle and Wheels & Waves have joined forced to create a unique lineup of limited-edition apparel and Hedon helmets. It's not the first time when the two collaborate this year will actually be Indian's 6th year as the official sponsor of the festival.This partnership only fits naturally in a space where biking, surfing, skating, and diverse forms of artistic expression meet. After a year delay due to the health crisis that put a stop to any event and activity, the event returns to Biarritz, France, from June 30th until July 4th.The 10th edition of the festival will showcase all sorts of cool, custom, vintage, one-of-a-kind bikes and will hold test rides, skating and surfing competitions, as well as other expressions of music, art, and food.The limited-edition celebration apparel lineup will only have 200 pieces of each design. Every item will be available with a choice of four designs for men and two for women. What stands the most out of the collection is the Hedon helmet. Only 50 of these were made, and they are a must-have for any motorcycle fan.Jerome Alle, the designer of the lineup, explains that the collection was inspired by "Wheels & Waves' history, the various artists who have joined us over the years, and the heritage of America's first motorcycle company."Riders attending the 10th edition of Wheels & Waves will be the first ones to get their hands on these goodies when they go on sale during the event. Theres no doubt that unmanned aerial vehicles are already becoming one of the most important threats of future warfare, and this highlights the advantages of dismounted infantry units, because they can reach difficult terrain, such as mountains and dense forests, where they have the greatest chances of being covered against drones.According to scientists at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), infantry troops could benefit from robotic vehicles that would be capable of not only moving on this type of challenging terrain, but also advancing for several days, without requiring constant fueling.In a recent paper, published in the Plos One scientific journal, a research team at ARL explored the possibility of developing this type of autonomous robotic vehicles. The issue isnt new. For decades, U.S. military scientists have been tackling the problems of autonomous vehicle development, one of them being the lack of energy efficiency.Wheeled and tracked systems typically require more power, but by rethinking the relationship between a vehicles mass, speed and power requirements, more efficient legged-platforms could be developed. For their study, the Army researchers used a formula that dates back to the 1980s, which estimates the power an animal with a specific mass needs, in order to move at a given speed. They found that it can be applied to legged, wheeled and tracked systems, which means that a legged-vehicle could be as efficient as a wheeled one.This could help develop ground mobile systems that are much more practical in comba t situations, because they can do more with less power, and the ultimate objective is to develop a new type of autonomous ground vehicle that can deliver supplies to U.S. troops in difficult terrain areas.It looks like it wont be long until infantry soldiers will be marching through the mountains with their trusted four- (or multiple) legged robot companions. EV kWh Nissan executive VP Asako Hoshino told reporters that the Ariyas rollout has been pushed back to this winter, Reuters reports. Initially, the Japanese brand wanted to start selling its newin Japan from mid-2021.Sales in the United States and Europe will typically come around two months later, said Hoshino, which means U.S. and EU/UK buyers will probably have to wait until 2022 to get one. The Nissan exec also said that she expects her company to sell tens of thousands of units in the first year, with Europe generating the highest demand.As for why you should care about the availability of the Ariya, well, its because it sounds like a very strong product, at least on paper. Its Nissans first brand-new EV in almost a decade, following the Leaf hatchback, which itself became the worlds first mass-market electric car.Once sales commence, youll be able to choose between four different fully electric drivetrains. The base model will come with rear-wheel drive and a 65-battery while offering 215 hp and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque. Its range was rated at 280 miles (450 km) based on testing in Japan.Next up is a 90-kWh battery model, also with two-wheel drive but more power at 239 hp and a better range379 miles (610 km) on a single charge.As for the two all-wheel-drive variants , one packs a 65-kWh battery with 335 hp and 413 lb-ft (560 Nm) of torque, plus a 267-mile (430-km) range, while the flagship spec gets the 90-kWh battery, 389 hp, and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. This model will allegedly do 360 miles (580 km) on a single charge while also getting you to 62 mph (96 kph) in just 5.1 seconds. Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Yes, from time to time, we really need a bit of reassurance that humans can conquer everything. Whether thats a truck seemingly lifted to the sky or the simple act of not disregarding both the law and common sense The good folks over at the ViralHog YouTube channel have the habit of presenting interesting automotive happenings in between all the videos with cute babies, animals, and all sorts of worldly happenings. While some may look quite uninteresting at first, patience is always a virtueremember that one time when a beat-up Ford truck emerged from the ocean carrying a load of woods like a rock-crawling boss?Its the same with this one, because at first, all we see is someones traffic camera catching a slowdown caused by road work on US 101 northbound, just outside King City, California. Nothing really interesting happens initially, save for a bunch of uncivilized drivers using the emergency lane as if were on race day at Laguna Seca.But surprise, surprise, from the 0:55 mark, we see a rather long line of cars parked on the shoulder. We counted seven of them, including cars, SUVs, trucks, and even a Tesla. That means karma doesnt strike just for a particular categoryjust like the officer that stopped them for a fine, exactly as we asked on countless occasions when that also happened to us.By the way, we noticed at the end of the video that a second police car stopped to assist, probably because all of those drivers were in a hurry to get somewhere as fast as possible, and authorities are always trying to be helpful and expedite matters as swiftly as possible. ExoMars, or Rosalind Franklin , is the name of the rover theyll be using to survey the Martian planes in search of, well, like all others are doing, life. The actual robot to be sent to the planet is still being put together but its sibling, a replica needed for testing purposes, is already hard at work in a simulated Martian environment somewhere in Italy.You can see it in the gallery attached to this piece, as shot while inside the Mars Terrain Simulator in Turin. It is suspended by a device meant to trick it into experiencing the gravity of Mars (one-third that of Earth) and surrounded by the walls of the facility and some people in the background.Yet, if one disregards all that surrounds the rover, one cant help from noticing eerie similarities with the images were getting from Mars via NASA.The ESA team did its best to replicate the Martian conditions, down to the color of the soil as we know it because thats where this thing will work.The rover is powered by solar panels and equipped with six wheels, as rovers usually are. All six were put through their paces in Italy as the replica rover was asked to move around, tackle a slight slope, and navigate the terrain with plenty of boulders around.Several more months of testing will follow, with increasingly complex activities being planned, including some that will have the rover automatically correct deviations induced by the terrain to stay within 20 cm (8 inches) of its planned path. ExoMars will be the first rover to be sent to Mars by the European Space Agency, a major moment for an organization that has been fighting to make its mark on space exploration for a very long time. Not as popular as flashy fighter jets or bombers, the P-8A Poseidon (P-8A) has its own important role within the U.S. Navy , as a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft . Its actually a versatile, multi-mission jet that can go from anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare to humanitarian response operations, and it can also help with surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence missions.Built by Boeing, the P-8A has a high operating altitude, a bigger payload capacity and advanced sensors and radars. Plus, it was made with an open-systems architecture that allows continuous improvements, adapted to evolving requirements.The Poseidon aircraft belonging to the Patrol Squadron FOUR, currently assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 67, conduct anti-submarine, reconnaissance, surveillance, and search and rescue missions. As maritime patrol aircraft, they fly over the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.During At-Sea Demo/Formidable Shield, Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) employed 3 Poseidon aircraft to support defense operations. On the last day of May, they conducted a successful coordinated missile launch , using 2 Harpoon air-to-surface missiles (AGM-84D) against a target barge. Harpoons have a long history in Navys service and an early version was deployed on the Navy's P-3C Orion aircraft, in the 80s. An all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, the Harpoon can be launched from ships, submarines and aircraft. The upgraded AGM-84D is an important asset for the Poseidon, in attack or defense operations.Several other missiles and weapons systems were also demonstrated throughout the NATO exercise. Standard Missile-2, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM), Aster 15, and Aster 30 missiles are some of the ones that were launched against a variety of targets, ranging from subsonic to supersonic.Formidable Shield 2021 ended on June 3, after 3 weeks of intense air and missile defense joint exercises. They are sail-assisted superyachts , which means that they still rely heavily on engines for propulsion. The superyacht industry continues to have a huge problem regarding sustainability because its still building vessels that destroy the very environment theyre exploring. Vento would change all that.Vento is a sailing superyacht concept by Nuvolari Lenard. Described as a 100-meter (328-foot) megasailer and presented at the 2021 edition of the Venice Boat Show, Vento stands as a manifesto for environmental protection and an appeal for the industry to think outside of the box, do a roundabout and return to more traditional means of exploring the worlds waters.Unlike all the other sail-assisted superyachts out there, Vento is completely green. Unlike them, it is still just a concept, though. But the theory is solid, and studio founders Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard are working to make the project happen.Vento is much more than an avant-garde, environmentally conscious yacht: it is a revolutionary concept that forces us to look reality in the face, see it through different eyes and deal with it with a different mindset, the design studio says. An electric motor and batteries are not enough to make a boat green, we need to change our mentality, to acquire a global vision that is able to balance the benefits and costs of certain choices and project them into the future.The idea for this megasailer was to design something that would be truly sustainable, so that meant a pure sailing yacht . That said, the designers are now working with a leading company in the market to fit Vento with a hybrid diesel/electric system that would include variable-speed generators and variable-pitch propellers, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimum consumption.Vento has a lightweight hull made of aluminum, while the superstructure and the masts are made of composite. The keel is retractable, which means variable length on the waterline: the longer the hull, the less residual resistance, which means smaller waves that impact the coastline, the studio explains. Thanks to the retractable keel, the draught is between 5.5 m and 9 m (18 feet and 29.5 feet).The profile is aggressive, with a reverse bow that allows for extended waterline length (which translates into better stability and improved performance) and a sloping stern that reduces displacement. In short, while long, Vento is light and built to sail efficiently and with minimized impact on the environment.The sail plan is another innovation presented by Vento. The masts and sails resemble airplane wings rather than the sail rigs weve seen before, and thats because this plan is called a Wing Sail, which has been proven to be more efficient than traditional rigs and with a smaller sail surface, too. Designed by Ilan Gonen, an Israeli former fighter pilot, aerodynamics expert, and keen sailor, this Wing Sail features carbon masts of 64 meters (210 feet) and a total sail area of 2,100 square meters (22,604 square feet).While its completely green, Vento is just as luxurious as any other superyacht worthy of the name. The design studio did not release renders of the interior, but assurances were offered that high luxury would be standard.Accommodation on board would be in six double cabins: four VIPs, one super-VIP, and the master suite, which would sit on the main deck and have a private terrace. Outdoor spaces are huge and varied, including a spa, beach club, the flybridge, and all the other extras youd expect to find on a megayacht of this size. That last phrase is vague enough to allow for the inclusion of anything from a gym to a cinema and more of the outrageous amenities that are so popular with todays superyacht multi-millionaire clientele.As noted above, if Vento is built, it could come with hybrid, perhaps diesel, propulsion. But Nuvolari Lenard stresses that this sailing superyacht speaks to a client that is sensitive to environmental issues . That means regaining control of sailing time, respecting the whims of the wind which, in the Mediterranean, means moving around in the early hours of the day and during afternoon thermal breezes Its only fitting then that this megasailer is called Vento, which means wind in Italian. However, anyone who's ever rented a vehicle knows just how protective these companies can get about their property. Whenever you return a vehicle, it gets examined as thoroughly as if you were at a border checkpoint between East and West Germany in the 1970s. There's undeniable tension, even when you're very confident everything went as smoothly as possible.Well, perhaps this too played a role in this guy's decision to prank the U-Haul employees as they've never been pranked before (and most likely never will). The man behind the charade is none other than Mike, the owner of the Street Speed 717 YouTube channel who, depending on how long you've been following him, is best-known either for driving fast cars or jumping a RAM 1500 TRX in the most spectacular manner. Well, from now on, at least these few U-Haul employees are going to remember him for a whole new reason.So, Mike's idea is pretty simple, and if it didn't require the obliteration of a perfectly good Chevrolet Silverado Single Cab, it would be pretty cheap to pull off as well. A few decals, a pair of spy glasses, and you're off. Sadly, though, the Silverado is a must.If the people renting a car dread the delivery inspection process, the loaners have a nightmare scenario of their own: taking delivery of a messed-up vehicle. Luckily for them, it probably very rarely happens, so they usually only deal with a dented panel or something light like that. Not that day, though.After using both a sledgehammer and a pickaxe on the poor truck ( Chevy fans, look away), Mike takes it back to two different U-Haul offices from where he had previously rented a similar Silverado. At least that's how the video is edited, but we learn he returns after just 20 minutes from the dialogue. Naturally, the employees are dumbfounded and don't really know how to react.Still, it's a perfect example of how the brains of an optimist and a pessimist work: the guy in the second office immediately checks to see if it's their truck, hoping it's not (that would be the optimist), while the first one accepts the situation as it is and tries to deal with it, even though it obviously makes him miserable. Try to be like the second guy. Not only is he happier, but he also comes off as cleverer.If you're a Chevy aficionado and don't want nightmares from the whole bashing of the Silverado, there's a way around it: skip straight to the 12:50 where the truck gets returned and enjoy the aftermath. Shoutout to the lady going into the office saying, "talk about ME not being able to drive" upon seeing the wreck. The University of Virginia announced on Wednesday that it will start offering a new course on the Mueller investigation, and students will hear from Robert Mueller himself. Details: Starting this fall, students at the UVA School of Law will be able to take the course, titled The Mueller Report and the Role of the Special Counsel, which will offer an inside look at the almost two-year investigation into former President Trump's dealings with Russia and Russia's possible interference in the 2016 election. Mueller will teach the course alongside Aaron Zebley, Jim Quarles and Andrew Goldstein, all of whom worked with him during the investigation. UVA said Mueller will lead at least one class out of the six in-person sessions taking place this fall. Mueller said he hopes to bring other top prosecutors as guest speakers during the term. The course will begin with the start of the investigation and Mueller's appointment as special counsel. It will then focus on the special counsel's relationship with Congress and the Justice Department, how the investigation related to the White House and the Roger Stone prosecution. Other topics will include obstruction of justice, presidential accountability and what role the special counsel plays in that accountability. What he's saying: "I was fortunate to attend UVA Law School after the Marine Corps, and Im fortunate to be returning there now," Mueller said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked political allies in a meeting on Thursday to push the talking point that Prime Minister-designate Naftali Bennett would be unable to stand up to President Biden on Iran or fend off U.S. pressure on the Palestinian issue, sources who attended the meeting tell me. Why it matters: Bennett and centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid sealed a coalition agreement to replace Netanyahu on Wednesday, but the vote to swear in the new government might not come until next Wednesday. They will have to keep their wobbly alliance together until then as Netanyahu attempts to sabotage it. Netanyahu is trying to exert as much pressure as possible on members of Bennett's right-wing Yamina party to refuse to vote for the new government. Even one defection would put Lapid and Bennett at risk of failing to obtain the required parliamentary majority. The government-in-waiting includes eight parties united by little other than a desire to remove Netanyahu. It was made possible by the unprecedented decision of the Islamist Ra'am party which would be the first Arab party to enter an Israeli government to unite with Bennett and Lapid. Behind the scenes: In Thursday's meeting, Netanyahu told members of his right-wing bloc and settler leaders that Bennett would fold if the U.S. demanded a freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank, according to a source who attended the meeting. Netanyahu also pointed out that he had declared earlier this week that Israel would prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon even at the cost of tensions with the Biden administration. "Will Bennett be able to do that?" he asked. The other side: In an interview with Israel's Channel 12, Bennett stressed the importance of good relations with the Biden administration but said he would not agree to a settlement freeze and would stand firm when it comes to Israels security. In an interview with Israel's Channel 12, Bennett stressed the importance of good relations with the Biden administration but said he would not agree to a settlement freeze and would stand firm when it comes to Israels security. Worth noting: Netanyahu himself agreed to a partial settlement freeze during Barack Obama's presidency. The state of play: Netanyahu and his supporters are focusing their pressure on Nir Orbach, a member of Bennetts party who said on Wednesday that he was considering voting against the new government. Netanyahu shared social media posts calling on his supporters to demonstrate outside of Orbachs house on Thursday. Orbachs rabbi also hinted in a television interview that Netanyahu had asked him to press Orbach not to support the government. Bennett met with Orbach and his wife for three hours on Thursday and urged him to vote against the government. After the meeting, Orbach tweeted that he supports Bennett but didnt say how he would vote. One option he is reportedly considering is resigning before the vote. The big picture: Bennett, a tech entrepreneur and former Netanyahu protege, would become prime minister despite only winning seven seats in the election. He was able to play the kingmaker role in the scramble to form a government, with both Netanyahu and Lapid needing his support. While he is a conservative, particularly on Israel-Palestine issues, he would be constrained by the broad range of parties in the coalition and the fact that Lapid will have a veto on his policies. What to watch: If the government does come together it will likely be highly fragile. Netanyahu would be expected to become opposition leader. Moscow hosted renewed talks between Armenian and Azerbaijani military officials for that purpose on Wednesday. No agreements were announced after that meeting. Arsen Torosian, the chief of Pashinians staff, said Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations will continue at the highest level but did not give any dates or other details. They will continue so that we reach the kind of a settlement about which we have repeatedly spoken, he told journalists. Azerbaijani army units must leave Armenias sovereign territory, and that will happen. Torosian downplayed the apparent lack of concrete results achieved in the talks so far. Time is needed to assess achievements, he said. There have been results in the sense that at the highest level there is a mutual understanding with our sole security partner, Russia, as to what solution there must be [to the border dispute.] They are making every effort to ensure that it happens without a single gunshot. The Russian and Armenian defense ministers met in Moscow last week to discuss the border crisis. The Armenian Defense Ministry said they agreed on necessary steps to resolve it but did not elaborate. The crisis erupted after Azerbaijani troops reportedly crossed several sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border three weeks ago, triggering an Armenian military buildup there. The Armenian Defense Ministry repeatedly threatened later in May to take military action to force them to pull back. However, Pashinian effectively ruled out the use of force even after one Armenian soldier was killed and six others captured by Azerbaijani forces last week. Pashinian proposed May 27 that both sides withdraw their troops from the contested border areas and let Russia and/or the United States and France, the two other countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group, deploy observers there. In a joint statement issued the following day, the French, Russian and U.S. mediators co-heading the OSCE Minsk Group backed the proposed troop disengagement. But they did not specify whether their countries support the idea of an international observation mission. Torosian could not say if any of the mediating powers is ready to send observers. Im not the official who receives those reactions and I cant give a complete answer, he said. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry effectively turned down Pashinians proposal earlier this week. Baku denies violating Armenias territorial integrity and maintains that its troops took up positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier. Five years ago, a documentary series titled "Masters in Forbidden City" was released in China and soon became a hot-button topic on social media, bringing the profession of cultural relic restoration into the public spotlight. Given China's long history and rich collections of ancient artifacts from various dynasties, it takes meticulous hands, years of experience and a thorough understanding of history to become a qualified restorer. As backstage heroes, many of them have dedicated their lives to preserving national treasures. Located by a massive lake and shaded by trees, the Hubei Provincial Museum occupies a corner of tranquility in the bustling city of Wuhan. Inside, Fang Guorong, 62, and Fang Chen, 32, jointly lifted a 12-kg bronze object in an attempt to restore a huge and ancient bian zhong, or chime bell. The Fangs, father and son, both work as relic restorers at the museum. The 150-kg chime bell they were taking care of is the biggest and heaviest one preserved here, having been unearthed from a 2,500-year-old tomb in Suizhou, Hubei, in 2009. Chime bells are a percussion instrument that became prevalent in China from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.). The country's largest set of chime bells ever unearthed was found in 1978, also in Suizhou, in the tomb of Marquis Yi, a ruler of the ancient Zeng State. The set of 65 chime bells has been a key highlight of the various collections of the Hubei Provincial Museum. Fang Guorong has been engaged in the restoration of bronzeware for more than 40 years, since he became a staff member of the museum. He has participated in various chime-bell restoration projects and has served as the technical director in various duplicate projects. The process of chime bell restoration -- including designing, wax mold-making, investment casting, welding, polishing and antique finishing -- demands both skill and patience. Fang Guorong enjoys it, cherishing every touch of the bells as part a dialogue with craftsmen of the distant past. According to Fang, some of the chime bells rescued in the 2009 excavation were deemed too broken to be restored, including the heaviest one. Fortunately, in recent years, digital technologies have been applied effectively to the restoration of relics, saving more artifacts. "3D scanning and 3D printing are being used to restore the severely damaged and deformed cultural relics. This is something the older generation of cultural relic protection workers couldn't even dream of," he said, "These are the advantages that the younger generation has." Fang Chen joined the museum in 2014. He has received strict training from masters like his father and acquired new technologies that his predecessors may have found challenging. "The restoration work should also keep pace with the advances in technology," said the son. "This doesn't mean overturning the traditional methods. It is about combining old and new methods to better protect and restore cultural relics." Fang Chen knows clearly that he still has a lot to learn. He regards his father as a mentor and idol, whose professionalism has been achieved through decades of hard work. While some restorers, like the Fangs, deal with heavy objects such as bronzeware, others are good at fixing things as light as a piece of paper. For around four decades, a desk lamp, a plate of adhesive paste, and a brush have constituted the basic equipment of Wang Jinyu's daily work. Wang, 59, is an ancient book restorer at the Tianyige Museum in the city of Ningbo, in east China's Zhejiang Province. Tianyige is the most ancient private library in China, built in the 1500s, preserving over 300,000 volumes of ancient books. Many of the books need careful maintenance or repair due to aging, being moth-eaten, cracking and other damage. Restoration starts with selecting the right paper. The museum offers nearly 300 types of paper of different colors, thicknesses and textures, and a restorer has to find the one most similar to that of the original book. After disassembling, dusting and flattening the pages to be fixed, the restorer tears a patch from the selected paper, dips it in paste and carefully sticks it to the back of the page to cover the hole. Then any extra material is trimmed bit by bit until the page is restored. The process may sound simple, but it is time-consuming in practice. In Wang's opinion, a qualified restorer has to be calm, careful, patient and perseverant. "We would sit there for hours just to cover a tiny hole," she said. In 2018, Wang led a team of colleagues in restoring a set of 58 books published around 200 years ago, of which 19 were so damaged that their pages could not be turned. "We had to race against time to rescue them, or it would be too late," recalled Wang. The team finished the restoration in a little over two years, with satisfying results that were acknowledged by experts in the field. For younger staff in Tianyige, Wang is a role model they look up to. But for Wang herself, the road to perfect craftsmanship is endless. "Every book is different. I will always encounter new challenges and obtain new experiences. There will never be a day when I'd say 'I've learned and done enough,'" she said. The incident occurred on Thursday after Anush Dashtents, a correspondent for the Hraparak daily, approached the 28-year-old deputy, Hayk Sargsian, and other persons standing outside an office of Armenias ruling Civil Contract party. Dashtents said Sargsian got angry when she switched on the phones camera and began asking him questions about Russian-mediated talks on the ongoing Armenian-Azerbaijani border dispute. He jumped on me like a tiger, took the phone and tried to delete [the video,] she told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. Sargsian got into a car and left the scene after failing to delete it on the spot, Dashtents said, adding that she got her phone back about an hour later. The lawmaker essentially confirmed this account and defended his actions, accusing Dashtents of violating his privacy. I said, Im sorry but I dont want to answer your question, he told reporters. Then that woman kept asking me questions and holding the phone in front of my face, as a result of which I took the phone and deleted the clip filmed by her. Sargsian said he afterwards willingly gave the phone back to the journalist through one of his colleagues. Dashtents disputed that claim, saying that he returned the phone only after she alerted a well-known member of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians political team. The Armenian police launched a preliminary inquiry into the incident. Dashtents was summoned to the police for questioning. Obstruction of journalistic work is a criminal offense in Armenia. Ashot Melikian of the Yerevan-based Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech believes that Sargsians behavior breached a relevant article of the Armenian Criminal Code. A person who cannot [properly] socialize with journalists and media has no right to engage in politics, said Melikian. Since this is not the first incident of its kind I believe that the leadership of the parliament must draw conclusions and discuss and evaluate it. Armenias human rights ombudsman, Arman Tatoyan, also condemned Sargsians behavior as illegal. Sargsian, who is affiliated with Pashinians party, is no stranger to controversy. Earlier this year he wrested the microphone from another reporter who tried to interview him in the parliament building in Yerevan. Sargsian, whose twin brother Nairi is an aide to Pashinian, caused greater uproar last July when he partied with dozens of other young people at an Armenian lakeside resort in violation of coronavirus safety rules set by the government. The police fined him and shut down the summer beach club at the time. Armen Gevorgian, the Hayastan (Armenia) alliances top campaign manager, said they will report to regional campaign headquarters also opened by the bloc. Kocharian and two opposition parties allied to him set up Hayastan on May 9 one day before the snap polls were formally scheduled for June 20. The bloc is expected to be one of the main challengers of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and his Civil Contract party. Although campaigning for the polls will officially start on June 7, all major election contenders have effectively launched their campaigns. In particular, Kocharian has been holding meetings with members and supporters of his bloc in various parts of the country. Gevorgian said that Hayastan will be holding both indoor and outdoor rallies in the coming weeks. Strangely enough, our supporters prefer indoor meetings which allow them to directly communicate with alliance representatives and leaders in a question-and-answer format, Gevorgian told a news conference. Aram Vardevanian, Hayastans campaign spokesman, strongly denied allegations by some government loyalists that Kocharians bloc is getting ready to hand out cash to voters. He said it has alerted law-enforcement authorities about groups of government-linked provocateurs reportedly offering to buy votes on behalf of the bloc. We have nothing to do with vote buying, fraud or any other activity of this kind. We are the first to strongly oppose that, he said. Vardevanian claimed that the Armenian government itself is trying to buy votes with additional economic aid allocated to mostly rural communities in recent weeks. He singled out a government announcement about mowers and similar agricultural equipment donated to five remote villages earlier this week. Vahagn Aleksanian, a spokesman for Pashinians party, denied any connection between the aid and the elections. Let them count how many community projects have been subsidized by the state for the last three years preceding this pre-election period, he told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. Aleksanian said he too has heard rumors about vote buying planned by Hayastan. But he acknowledged that he has seen no evidence in support of those claims so far. The businessman, Khachatur Sukiasian, is fifth on Civil Contracts list of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Another prominent entrepreneur, Gurgen Arsenian, occupies 14th position on the list. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian repeatedly pledged to separate business from politics shortly after coming to power in May 2018. He declared that wealthy Armenian entrepreneurs no longer need to hold parliament seats in order to protect and expand their assets. In an interview with told RFE/RLs Armenian Service, Sukiasian denied any contradiction between his participation in the elections and Pashinians statements. He said the prime minister referred to corrupt government officials who had enriched themselves while in office at the expense of business owners. Sukiasian also ruled out any potential conflicts of interest arising from his current political activities. To be honest, I have not engaged in business since 2005, he claimed. I have mostly engaged in analyses. But of course, Im a business owner. I thought a lot about whether or not to run [in the elections,] said Sukiasian. The number one [motive] was always this: so that there is a stable [parliamentary] majority and Armenia follows the same path for several more years. He said he also wants to prevent Armenias former rulers from returning to power as a result of the snap elections scheduled for June 20. Sukiasian, 59, became one of the countrys richest men during the 1991-1998 rule of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian. He was reputedly close to some key members of Ter-Petrosians administration at the time. The tycoon openly backed Ter-Petrosian in a disputed February 2008 presidential election in which the ex-president was the main opposition candidate. He fled Armenia in March 2008 to escape arrest on charges stemming from post-election violence in Yerevan. He returned to the country in 2009 and rarely criticized then President Serzh Sarkisian in the following years. Arsenian, the other tycoon allied to Pashinian, led a small pro-government party and held a parliament seat in the 2000s when Armenia was ruled by Robert Kocharian, Sarkisians predecessor. Opposition blocs led by Kocharian and Sarkisian are among the main opposition forces challenging Pashinian and his party in the current parliamentary race. GLENDALE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- A man was arrested in Glendale for his alleged involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Glendale resident James McGrew participated in storming the U.S. Capitol building during a joint session of Congress. Members of the House and Senate were in the process of certifying the vote count of the Electoral College for the 2020 Presidential Election. In the federal complaint, a Task Force Officer with the Joint Terrorism Task Force collected evidence and received tips from two concerned citizens regarding McGrew's actions at the Capitol. Federal authorities have access to hours of video footage from national news coverage and from social media accounts from the day and were able to identify McGrew at several points. The federal officer reviewed photos and video showing a man wearing a white t-shirt and a gray/white/black "Colombia" jacket. The man, identified as McGrew, was seen in the images on the steps of the Capitol and inside the Rotunda. Authorities identified McGrew because of a tattoo he has across his stomach that reads "KING JAMES." The FBI compared a previous 2012 booking photo of McGrew showcasing the tattoo with a still image from a body-worm camera inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. Court documents state that McGrew was aggressive toward law enforcement officers, yelling things like "We're coming in here, whether you like it or not," and "Fight with us, not against us." McGrew also reportedly held up his phone and began to name officers standing in front of him and their badge numbers. Shortly after and seen in multiple videos, officers tried to push back rioters toward an exit door. As McGrew was pushed back with the crowd, he is seen on video jumping forward to strike an officer. Afterward, McGrew stepped back. Within seconds, the FBI says McGrew ignored commands and walked toward officers and screamed at them. An officer told McGrew, "Just leave, just leave man, come on," to which McGrew repeatedly screamed back "You leave. You leave. This is our house!" As officers pushed rioters back, McGrew allegedly struck another officer and then tried to grab another officer's baton. On Jan. 7, a concerned citizen contacted the FBI regarding McGrew, saying McGrew intended to attend the "stolen vote protest." The tipster said McGrew also showed an employee a video on his cell phone of himself inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Several weeks later on Feb. 26, a second concerned citizen contacted the FBI National Threat Operations Center and said McGrew assaulted Capitol Police Officers during the Jan. 6 attack. Days later, that tipster emailed several photos showing McGrew fighting with officers inside the Rotunda. McGrew faces multiple charges including assaulting an officer, civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, knowingly entering/remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority to do so, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. McGrew was arrested on May 28, Friday, and had his initial appearance in front of a judge Monday. 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. Like to kill big snakes? Florida Gov. DeSantis wants you to sign up for the Florida Python Challenge Australia's Education Minister Alan Tudge has instructed university leaders to bring students back to campus as soon as possible. Tudge told the annual Universities Australia conference in Canberra on Thursday that too few students have returned to learning on campus in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. "I am still hearing from too many students or their parents who tell me that their usual student experience has still not returned," he said. "So for this year, we must see a focus in our universities on how to enhance the classroom and learning experience of Australian students. Some do it brilliantly, but it should be all that do it brilliantly." The tertiary education sector has repeatedly called for the government to reopen Australia's borders to international students, but Tudge said on Thursday the focus should be on local students. "In the past several months, I have had almost every vice-chancellor talk to me about research and international students, but not many talk to me about their ambitions for Australian students," he said. Universities Australia revealed in February that the sector lost 1.8 billion Australian dollars (1.39 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue in 2020 and cut 17,000 jobs after universities were denied access to the federal government's JobKeeper scheme. Minnesota man charged in 1972 murder of 15-year-old Illinois girl: This brutal crime haunted our community many, many, many years You are here: Arts China will hold more than 4,900 events to promote cultural and natural heritage across the country, the National Cultural Heritage Administration said Thursday. The activities are designed to celebrate this year's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, which falls on June 12. Forums, publicity campaigns, and exhibitions will be held online and offline in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the host city of this year's celebration. Since 2006, China has celebrated Cultural Heritage Day on the second Saturday of June. In 2017, it was renamed Cultural and Natural Heritage Day. The Alpha Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has been celebrating 88 years of service in Southeast Texas this week by shining a spotlight on their members contributions to the community via their chapter website and social media pages. The chapter began when several college educated young women residing in Beaumont, TX in 1931 who had been initiated in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., sought to establish a chapter in Beaumont, according to a press release by anniversary chairwoman Sherralyn Fields. Although the membership was small, an exception was made to set up the chapter since the size of the city afforded many possibilities. On June 3, 1933, Alpha Omega Omega Chapter was chartered in Beaumont, TX. The charter members were Rhea Ray Willard, Hattie Roberts, Theobyrda Adams, Americke Click, Juanita Fisher. Alpha Omega Omega Chapter previously hosted Regional Conferences for sorority members from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas. In 1942, Alpha Omega Omega Chapter hosted the 8th South Central Regional Conference which was attended by the International President, Beulah T. Whitby. In 1953, the 23rd South Central Regional Conference was held at the new Charlton Pollard High School. Since its chartering, the chapter has participated fully in all programs set up by the Corporate administration. The programs included vocational guidance, annual scholarship presentations, voter education and registration, health and wellness initiatives, youth mentoring programs, financial empowerment workshops, global initiatives, and spotlighting the Arts. Through the years, the chapter has partnered with organizations such as: American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Soles 4 Souls, the Lions Club International, Alzheimers Association, American Heart Association, and the NAACP. Alpha Omega Omegas service continues in spite of the current pandemic restrictions. In March 2020, the chapter transitioned to offer virtual activities such as Zumba classes, the Page Turners monthly book club, financial and estate planning seminars. The chapters local service initiatives have included volunteering for Meals on Wheels, visiting the residents of local nursing home, contributing sponsor for Difference Makers Back to School drive, and seasonal wraps and toiletries for local womens shelters. Alpha Omega Omega Chapter continues to annually award a monetary contribution to a local charity to assist them with helping the underserved members of the community and to develop the arts in our community. This award is presented at the chapters Founders' Day Celebration. Past award recipients include The Southeast Texas Resource Center, Nutrition and Services for Seniors, Jonathan Williams Center for the Performing Arts and Gift of Life Program. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American, college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha is comprised of nearly 300,000 members in 1,024 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, Liberia, the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands, Germany, South Korea, Bermuda, Japan, Canada, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Led by International President Glenda Baskin Glover, Alpha Kappa Alpha is often hailed as Americas premier Greek letter organization for African-American women. For more information on Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and its programs, visit www.aka1908.com. The father of a missing 6-year-old is shocked and devastated at the turn of events that left his son presumably dead in a Jasper hotel room and his girlfriend charged with tampering with evidence in the case, his attorney said Thursday. Dalton Olson and his family at first believed girlfriend Theresa Balboas account leading up to young Samuels disappearance - that on May 27, the childs mother and a man in a uniform showed up at her house and told her she would go to jail if she didnt let him take the boy, police said. It wasnt until days later he realized something was amiss with Balboa, 29. Its been a rollercoaster, attorney Samuel Veenstra said. He had no reason to suspect something was off with Theresa, assuming Theresa did this. READ ALSO: Body found in Jasper motel room believed to be missing child Samuel Olson, officials say And as Samuel Olsons mother has blamed the death on not only on Balboa but on her soon-to-be ex-husband,Veenstra further denied that the father had anything to do with the disappearance or apparent death. Hes been nothing but devastated through this whole situation, he said. To put blame on Dalton, as having responsibility for the death of his son, its just absurd. On Tuesday, the Jasper Police Department received an anonymous tip that Balboa was at a hotel in the city more than 140 miles from where she lived in Houston. Police found Balboa in the hotel room with the body of a child investigators believe to be Olson, Houston police said, adding that the department must wait for the medical examiners office to confirm his identity. Dalton Olsons attorney on Thursday spoke with the support of the fathers family, saying they were all struggling with what occurred. The father had been engaged in a custody battle with his wife, Sarah Olson, who was divorcing him, and he believed he had primary custody over their child, Veenstra said. Dalton and Sarah, the estranged couple, spent almost two years attempting to negotiate Samuels care. The father was proactive in fighting for custody, Veenstra said, and by the end, he misunderstood that the mother should have had more access to her son than she did. They had separated and entered a custody order in April 2019, splitting time with Samuel, Veenstra said. Concern over Sams wellbeing caused Dalton to file another order in January 2020 and hire an attorney, he said. Sarah filed for divorce days later. Dalton was under the impression that the orders had been modified to make him the custodial parent, and Sarah had little to no access to her son starting January 2020, Veenstra said. That order had actually never been put in place. The relationship between Sarah and Sam has been real rocky to say the least, the fathers attorney said. Were not trying to throw Sarah under the bus by any stretch. Its a young couple that had issues. They couldnt get along. MORE: Woman charged in disappearance of Houston boy believed to be found dead in Jasper hotel room That history led Daltons family to believe Balboas account of Sarah coming to pick up her child, Veenstra said. Balboa spent the whole weekend looking for Samuel, he said. But while handing out flyers Monday, Dalton went in one direction and Balboa went another. And when it came time to meet up again, Balboa was nowhere to be found, according to the attorney. Thats when the reality of the situation started being processed, Hold on we may have been wrong about her, Veenstra said. The family only had positive things to say about how Balboa interacted with Samuel, and had no inclination she would ever do anything to harm him, Veenstra said. Balboa, 29, remained in Jasper County Jail on Thursday without bail, according to jail officials. She was accused last year of assaulting Dalton Olson, according to court records. She was arrested and charged on Nov. 29, 2020, with assault of a family member - impeding breathing and let out on $5,000 bond the next day. A protective order filed in the case prohibits Balboa from directly communicating with him. The story pointing at Samuels mother fell apart when when some of Balboas statements conflicted with information she provided earlier in the probe, police said. Olsons mother said the child was not with her, and evidence showed that she was home Thursday morning, according to police. Officers have also learned that the last time Samuel had been seen at school was April 30, said Houston police Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite. samantha.ketterer@chron.com An Ohio man arrested more than a month ago related to the 1995 assault and murder of a Beaumont teacher has been ordered by an Ohio judge to return to Jefferson County to face trial weeks after a Governors warrant was issued. The latest ruling came Thursday and was provided to The Enterprise by the Franklin County Ohio Clerk of Courts. It states that (Foreman) must be picked up by 11:59 p.m on July 6th. Clayton Foreman, 61, was arrested after an exhaustive investigation into the death of Mary Catherine Edwards that involved local, state and federal agencies. DNA evidence appears to have tied Foreman, Edwards high school classmate and acquaintance, to the crime scene and led to his arrest at the end of April by authorities in Franklin County, Ohio. He is being held on a capital murder charge. Related: Authorities created family tree using DNA to crack cold case A public information officer for the clerk of courts said the suspect could be picked up by officers with the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, Beaumont Police Department or by a Texas Ranger. Crystal Holmes, a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said no extradition date has been set, but confirmed that the Jefferson County Extradition Unit does handle all extraditions. Beaumont Police Chief Jim Singletary said he does not yet have a comment on the extradition or investigation. Pat Knauth, Jefferson County First Assistant District Attorney, told The Enterprise that his office submitted the paperwork for a overnors warrant several weeks ago. We did prepare the documentation for the governor's warrant, which we submitted to our governor and the governor then submitted to Ohio, Knauth said. There's a law that the states are supposed to recognize each other's laws and thats what we did. Related: replace this text with your teaser head and add hyperlink If Foreman is extradited before the July 6 deadline, he will be arraigned in Jefferson County. He will be arraigned here, apprised of the charges and, and he has a right to be given a bond, Knauth said. Once he's arraigned, then at some point we will present a case to the grand jury for determination and hopefully indictment. Foreman has no attorney on file, according to court records reviewed by The Enterprise. In 1982, Edwards was a bridesmaid at Foremans first wedding, Jefferson County District Attorney Bob Wortham told The Enterprise shortly after the arrest. Related: Arrest made in connection with 1995 Beaumont slaying Edwards, 31, was a well-loved teacher who lived alone in a Beaumont townhouse. According to Enterprise archives, she was last seen leaving her classroom around 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, 1995. She would normally stay late at school preparing her lesson plan for the following class, Price Elementary Principal Floyd Broussard told The Enterprise at the time. The next day, Edwards didnt respond to phone calls, and her parents went to check on her at her home on Park Meadow Street. They found her drowned in her bathtub upstairs, police said at the time. An autopsy revealed that she had her hands bound behind her back in handcuffs and was sexually assaulted before she was killed. According to a front page Enterprise story shortly after the death, friends described Edwards, a petite woman who stood less than 5 feet tall, as a little gal with a big heart. isaac.windes@hearstnp.com twitter.com/isaacdwindes Facebook announced Friday that former President Donald Trumps accounts will be suspended for two years, freezing his presence on the social network until early 2023, following a finding that Trump stoked violence ahead of the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. At the end of the suspension, the company will assess whether Trump's risk to public safety has subsided, Nick Clegg, Facebook's vice president of global affairs, wrote in a blog post. He said Facebook will take into account external factors such as instances of violence, restrictions on peaceful assembly and other markers of civil unrest. Facebook also announced that it would end a contentious policy that automatically exempted politicians from rules banning hate speech and abuse, and that it would stiffen penalties for public figures during times of civil unrest and violence. The former president called Facebooks decision on the suspension an insult. The two-year ban replaced a previous ruling that ordered Trump to be suspended indefinitely. They shouldnt be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing, and ultimately, we will win. Our Country cant take this abuse anymore! Trump said in a news release. Social platforms like Facebook and Twitter have become indispensable tools for politicians to get their messages out and to raise small-dollar donations. Without the megaphone of Twitter and the targeted fundraising appeals his campaign mastered on Facebook, Trump could be at a serious disadvantage relative to other politicians. Trump has teased running for president again in 2024. His aides say that he has been working on launching his own social media platform to compete with those that have booted him, but one has yet to materialize. A blog he launched on his existing website earlier this year was shut down after less than a month. It attracted dismal traffic. On Facebook, Trumps suspension means that his account is essentially frozen. Others can read and comment on past posts, but Trump and other account handlers are unable to post new material. Twitter, by contrast, has permanently banned Trump from its service, and no trace of his account remains. What theyve done here is shield themselves from potential presidential rage with a reassessment of Trumps account in two years, said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor. In a color-coded chart on its blog post, the company said public figures who violate its policies during times of crisis can be restricted from posting for a month (yellow) or as long as two years (red). Future violations, it said, will be met with heightened penalties, up to and including permanent removal. The policy that exempted politicians from rules on hate speech and abuse was once championed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The company said it never applied the policy to Trump, but on Friday backtracked to say it did use it once, in 2019 for a video of a rally on his Facebook page. The social media giant said it will still apply the newsworthiness" exemption to certain posts it deems to be in the public interest, even if they violate Facebook rules. But it will no longer treat material posted by politicians any differently than other posts. In addition, Facebook said it will make public whenever it does apply the exemption to a post. The announcements are in response to recommendations from the companys quasi-independent oversight board. Last month, that panel upheld a decision by Facebook to keep Trump suspended, but the board said the company could not merely suspend him indefinitely. It gave the company six months to decide what to do with his accounts. In its decision last month, the board agreed with Facebook that two of Trumps Jan. 6 posts severely violated the content standards of both Facebook and Instagram. We love you. Youre very special, Trump said to the rioters in the first post. In the second, he called them great patriots and told them to remember this day forever. Those comments violated Facebooks rules against praising or supporting people engaged in violence, the board said. Specifically, the board cited rules against dangerous individuals and organizations that prohibit anyone who proclaims a violent mission and ban posts that express support for those people or groups. The two-year suspension is effective from Jan. 7, so Trump has 19 months to go. A group calling itself the Real Facebook Oversight Board, which is critical of Facebook and its oversight panel, said in a statement Friday that the ban brings Trump back just in time for the 2024 presidential election and shows no real strategy to address authoritarian leaders and extremist content, and no intention of taking serious action against disinformation and hate speech. Due to its sheer size and power, Facebook's decision has broad implications for politicians and their constituencies around the globe. Chinmayi Arun, a fellow at Yale Law Schools Information Society Project, said its good that the company laid out a standard for when it will suspend political leaders and for how long. Whats tremendous is that Facebook took the oversight boards recommendation to reevaluate the real-world context and the offline tensions, while deciding what to do with a politicians online speech, she said. But she remains concerned that suspensions cannot be reviewed unless Facebook asks. For years, Facebook gave the former president special treatment and free reign to spread misinformation and threats on the platform. Outside critics and even Facebook's own employees called for the company to remove Trump long before the Jan. 6 comments. Last summer, for instance, Zuckerberg decided to leave up posts by Trump that suggested protesters in Minneapolis could be shot, using the words when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Trumps comment evoked the civil-rights era by borrowing a phrase used in 1967 by Miamis police chief to warn of an aggressive police response to unrest in Black neighborhoods. While Facebook put labels on many of Trump's election posts, he did not face penalties such as suspension for repeatedly and falsely claiming victory in 2020. In Friday's post, Clegg anticipated criticism from both sides of the political aisle. We know that any penalty we apply or choose not to apply will be controversial. There are many people who believe it was not appropriate for a private company like Facebook to suspend an outgoing President from its platform, and many others who believe Mr. Trump should have immediately been banned for life, he wrote. Facebook's job, he said, is to make a decision in as proportionate, fair and transparent a way as possible, in keeping with the instruction given to us by the Oversight Board. But by staying in the middle, some experts said Facebook had once again punted the decision instead of taking a firm stance. Its the wait-and-see approach, said Sarah Kreps, a Cornell professor and director of the Cornell Tech Policy Lab. I think theyre hoping this can just resolve itself with him not being kind of an influential voice in politics anymore. ___ Associated Press writers Tali Arbel, Matt O'Brien and Zeke Miller contributed to this report. Bedford, PA (15522) Today Thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. A cultural event marking the 10th anniversary of the reunion of two halves of the ancient painting Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains was held in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province on Tuesday. Nearly 400 people from across the Taiwan Strait took part in the cultural pageant at the Zhejiang Provincial Great Hall of the People. The reunion of the painting presents the strength of Chinese culture and the persistent pursuit of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, the peaceful reunification of China, Liu Jieyi, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at the event. Famed as one of the top 10 masterpieces in Chinese art history, the 700-year-old Chinese ink painting was created by Yuan Dynasty painter Huang Gongwang (1269-1354). In 1650, the 7-meter-long painting was split into two pieces. After changing hands for years, the right portion found a home in the mainland's Zhejiang Provincial Museum in 1948, while the left portion was conserved by Taipei's Palace Museum. The two halves were reunited for the first time on June 1, 2011, and debuted at the Taipei Museum thanks to efforts of people across the Straits, which is regarded as a milestone in cross-Strait exchanges. Zhejiang Province is geographically close to the Taiwan region. There are strong bonds in the culture, people and business between the two places. "We warmly invite Taiwan compatriots, especially the young people, to visit the birthplace of Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains, and to chase and fulfill their dreams here," said Zhou Jiangyong, secretary of the CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee. Hung Hsiu-chu, chairperson of the Chinese Cyan Geese Peace Education Foundation, also expressed her congratulations and blessings in a video played at the event. The reunion of the ancient painting demonstrated that the bonds between Taiwan and the mainland cannot be severed, Hung was cited as saying. Young people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits also shared their stories of starting businesses or work experiences at the event. Rohingya wait for medical care at a clinic in the Bawdupha Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp on the outskirts of Sittwe, the capital of Myanmar's western Rakhine state, Nov. 2, 2012. Rohingya leaders in Bangladesh on Friday guardedly welcomed a pledge by Myanmars shadow government to grant citizenship to members of their stateless community if and when it returns to power, with refugees saying they have been cheated many times before. Master Md. Ilias, who fled Myanmar and lives in Coxs Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh, said he was one of the Rohingya leaders consulted by the parallel Burmese civilian National Unity Government before it issued its groundbreaking statement on Thursday. In the past, they [the majority Buddhist leaders] repeatedly cheated and suppressed us. But we cautiously welcome the statement, Ilias told BenarNews. We want to believe that the NUG will return all of our civil and political rights and citizenship, but many of us would not trust them so easily. Tun Khin, a Rohingya in Britain, said the NUGs pledge is a welcome step forward but its policy is far from perfect. Rohingya also expressed disappointment that the parallel civilian governments statement from a day earlier did not refer to the Burmese militarys atrocities against the Rohingya as constituting a genocide, or what the United Nations described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. The NUG Myanmar must, crucially, recognize that a genocide is taking place against the Rohingya, said Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya organization in the U.K., via Twitter. If we cant face the reality of the past, there is no way that we can build a common future. In its statement, the NUG said that all of Myanmars citizens were sympathetic to the plight of the Rohingya as all now experience atrocities and violence perpetrated by the military. They were referring to violence unleashed by the Myanmar military against anti-coup demonstrators since the generals overthrew an elected government on Feb. 1. Back in 2017, a brutal military crackdown caused more than 740,000 members of the Rohingya community to flee Myanmars Rakhine state and seek refuge in neighboring Bangladesh. The NUG said that when it drafts a new constitution, it would scrap a 1982 law that denies the Rohingya minority Myanmar citizenship. The process of repealing, amending, and promulgating laws, including the 1982 Citizenship Law, by the new constitution when the drafting is completed will be beneficial in resolving the conflict in Rakhine state, the NUG said in the statement. Burmese junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, on the other hand, reiterated last month that the Rohingya were not Myanmar citizens. Unlike the NUG, he refused to call the minority Muslim community Rohingya, saying they were Bangladeshi. He also said his countrys constitution did not allow repatriation of non-citizens. The junta is firmly in control in Myanmar, having ignored a consensus by Southeast Asian nations, which called for an end to violence that has led to the deaths of close to 850 people, mostly anti-coup protesters, since February. On Friday, Association of Southeast Asian Nations representatives met in Myanmar with Min Aung Hlaing, six weeks after that consensus was hammered out in Jakarta, the Associated Press reported. No details were immediately available about what transpired at that meeting, but observers had said the ASEAN representatives would likely lay the groundwork for naming an envoy to Myanmar, which was one of the main points of the consensus reached on April 24. Arakan Army issue The NUG also said that when it unseats the military, it would abolish National Verification Cards, a process that the military has used against Rohingya and other ethnic groups coercively and with human rights violations. But Rohingya leader Ilias said it wasnt just the Burmese military that violated human rights, because civilian administrations, too, had suppressed the Rohingya. The Myanmar military and the Mogh have systematically carried out massacres with genocidal intent for decades, forcing hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to take refuge in Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the U.S. and other countries, Ilias said. Mogh is what the Rohingya call Myanmars Buddhist majority. Besides, Ilias said, the presence of other armed groups would hamper the Rohingyas ability to work with the NUG. We can work with the NUG. But our return would be almost impossible if the Arakan Army occupied Rakhine, Ilias said. In that case, joining hand with the NUG would bring no benefit; we are worried about it. Ilias was referring to a major armed Buddhist group in Rakhine that is fighting for self-determination. The Arakan Army and other Buddhists in Rakhine wont be on board with the NUGs proposed plan to give the Rohingya citizenship either, said Dil Mohammad, a Rohingya leader who lives in the no-mans land in Bandarban district, on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. We also know that the Mogh would not accept the NUG decision to restore our civil and political rights. So, we are skeptically optimistic, Mohammad told BenarNews. Monumental shift in policy The NUG said it was committed to the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees. Bangladesh, which hosts close to 1 million Rohingya, has insisted that while it shelters the refugees, the ultimate goal should be their repatriation. BenarNews on Friday sought comment on the NUGs statement from the Bangladesh foreign ministry, but Md. Delwar Hossain, director general of the Myanmar desk at the ministry, declined to comment. Meanwhile, Southeast Asian rights group Fortify Rights said the NUGs statements represented a monumental shift in policy by Myanmars now ousted politicians. Still, its statement noted that the shadow governments shadow cabinet does not include any Rohingya representatives. Humayun Kabir, a former Bangladeshi ambassador to the United States, was not as enthused as Fortify Rights about NUGs statement. This is simply a statement. Now, the NUG needs to formalize it and sign a written agreement with the Rohingya for the restoration of the civil and political rights of the Rohingya as well as their recognition as one of the legitimate ethnic groups of Myanmar, Kabir, president of a private think-tank, the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, told BenarNews. Given the decades of bitterness between the majority Buddhists and the Muslims, the NUG needs to do more to earn the trust of the Rohingya community. The Rohingya would not believe them so easily. Personnel prepare flags before a press briefing after the first meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - China Foreign Ministers, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Aug. 29, 2013 Foreign ministers from ASEAN countries and China are set to meet in person next week for the first time in more than a year, amid a political crisis in neighboring Myanmar and as a new administration in Washington looks to deepen American engagement with Southeast Asia. The meeting will take place Monday and Tuesday in Chongqing, a city in southwestern China, said Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah, who confirmed to BenarNews that his countys top diplomat, Retno Marsudi, would attend. Ade Padmo Sarwono, the Indonesian ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said that increasing cooperation between the regional bloc and China was high on the agenda, but he declined to give further details. The meeting in Chongqing comes as ASEAN seeks to remain in the lead in efforts to deal with the crisis in Myanmar, where a Feb. 1 military coup toppled the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The regional bloc has been unable to make any headway, although it was not immediately known what transpired during a Friday meeting in Myanmar between officials from ASEAN chair Brunei and Burmese junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. Chinas role in helping Myanmar get out of the political crisis was crucial because of Beijings economic influence in the region, said Muhammad Arif, a China researcher at Universitas Indonesia. ASEAN wants China to do what the U.S. has done, to support ASEANs leadership on Myanmar, Arif told BenarNews. China needs to be worried because the Myanmar crisis can undermine regional stability. Critics had blamed ASEANs inability to name an envoy to Myanmar as was agreed in a five-point consensus at a special summit in Jakarta in late April on divisions within the regional bloc. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, some observers had said, would assist ASEAN foreign ministers in agreeing on an envoy to Myanmar at next weeks meeting. Initiatives by the Biden Administration In early May, China had proposed the meeting with ASEAN foreign ministers from June 6 to 8, said Carlyle A. Thayer, emeritus professor at The University of New South Wales and director of the Thayer Consultancy, in a brief about the meeting that he posted online. The reason for this meeting ostensibly was to discuss the situation in Myanmar. [But] Clearly, China was responding to initiatives by the Biden Administration as well as ASEAN, wrote the Southeast Asia regional specialist. Since taking office in January, U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to deepen Washingtons engagement with Southeast Asia. Former U.S. President Donald Trump had skipped ASEAN summits for three years in a row, attending only the 2017 meeting. On 27-28 January 2021, immediately after Anthony Blinken was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of State on 26 January, he made telephone calls to his counterparts in the Philippines and Thailand, Teodoro Locsin and Don Pramudwinai, respectively, to propose U.S.-ASEAN ministerial-level talks, Thayer said. But the Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar derailed Blinkens proposal for a U.S.-ASEAN ministerial meeting, Thayer said. This week, however, Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, visited three ASEAN countries Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia. During her stopover in Bangkok, Sherman reiterated Washingtons commitment to Thailand in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic. She noted that the U.S. had given $30 million in coronavirus-related aid to Thailand. Sherman noted that the Biden administrations decision to donate 80 million doses to other countries was five times more than any other country. On Thursday, the White House announced that of the initial 25 million doses the United States will share, approximately 7 million will go to countries in South and Southeast Asia. President Biden said that sharing these doses was not to secure favors or extract concessions. Some ASEAN countries with some of the worst outbreaks of COVID-19, including Indonesia, have been the beneficiaries of Chinese-made vaccines. Washington must change approach to ASEAN According to Thayer, another imperative for China hosting ASEAN foreign ministers next week was developments to do with the Quad, which consists of four Asia-Pacific countries: the United States, India, Japan and Australia. Biden hosted the first virtual summit of the Quad on March 12, and the four nations agreed to deliver 1 billion COVID-19 vaccines to Indo-Pacific nations by 2022. A joint statement issued after the summit did not mention Chinas increased activities in the South China Sea. But it did call for collaboration, including in maritime security, to meet challenges to the rules-based maritime order in East and South China Seas. Rene Pattirajawane, associate fellow at the Habibie Center and chair of the China Studies Center Foundation in Jakarta, said ASEAN would not gain much from the Quad, because it focuses on security rather than more practical cooperation. Quad is packaged as a form of military pact to contain China. This is clearly against ASEANs basic principles, Rene told BenarNews. ASEAN must adhere to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which is the basis for coexistence, regardless of disputes involving countries outside the region. The bloc has to act in accordance with the treatys basic principle of peaceful coexistence, regardless of the problems faced by countries inside and outside the region, Rene said. The United States, he further said, needed to prioritize improving relations with ASEAN rather than trying to contain China. As it is, the U.S. joined the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2011, six years after the forum was formed, while China participated from the start. In addition to ASEAN countries, China and the U.S., EAS comprises Australia, India, Japan and South Korea. The U.S. has never attended the annual East Asia Summit. The U.S. must change its approach to ASEAN, Rene said. This region doesnt follow the doctrine Youre either with us or against us. Chinese incursions in Southeast Asia Still, while it appears that Beijing may have a lead on Washington in engagement with ASEAN, recent events in Southeast Asia have given the region some pause. At next weeks meeting, ASEANs foreign ministers may well bring up these issues with their Chinese counterpart. Earlier this week, Malaysia said it would lodge a diplomatic protest with Beijing over what it said was Chinese incursion into its maritime air space. Malaysia said 16 Chinese military planes flew to as close as 60 nautical miles from Kuala Lumpur-administered Beting Patinggi Ali also known as Luconia Shoals which Beijing, too, claims as part of its territories in the maritime region. Malaysia planned to summon the Chinese envoy as well over this incident which, it said, was a threat to national sovereignty and aviation safety. Earlier, in March, the Philippines said that China had deployed 220 maritime militia and fishing boats in its maritime territory in the South China Sea. Manila and Beijing have since prolonged a war of words over the issue, and in April, Washington warned that an armed attack on the Southeast Asian nation and former American colony would force the U.S. to aid its ally under a decades-old treaty. These Chinese incursions, the Myanmar crisis, COVID-19 vaccines, Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) infrastructure projects, and upgrading relations as part of the 30th anniversary of ties between Beijing and ASEAN, will likely be the points of discussion during the Chongqing meeting, Thayer said. A group of Rohingya gather on a beach after arriving at Idaman, a small island off the coast of East Aceh in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, June 4, 2021. A boat carrying 81 Rohingya from Myanmar was found stranded in Indonesias Aceh province on Friday after four months at sea and after India and Malaysia had turned it away, officials and state media said. One of the Rohingya told Indonesias state news agency that he and his compatriots had sailed from Myanmar, but United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, back in February, said the group had departed from refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh. The people on the boat spent at least 113 days at sea. The refugees boat washed up on the tiny, uninhabited Idaman Island in East Aceh regency, said Idris, an official from a village one-half km away. They appear to be in good health despite having a food shortage during their journey, Idris told BenarNews, adding that the group comprised 49 women, 21 men and 11 children. Muhammad Ilyas, one of the refugees, said the group wanted to go to Malaysia, but was turned away because of COVID-19 concerns, according to the Indonesian state news agency Antara. Before, there were 90 of us. But nine people five women and four men died. Now, we are the only 81 people left, stranded in this area, Antara quoted Ilyas as saying. He said their boat broke down near India, but Indian fishermen came to their rescue. Because our boat leaked, Indian fishermen gave us this boat to continue our journey, he said. This group was the third to arrive in Aceh after two groups of almost 400 Rohingya landed in the province in June and September 2020. In 2017, more than 740,000 Rohingya fled Myanmars Rakhine state and took refuge in neighboring Bangladesh amid a brutal military crackdown, which the United Nations later described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. The Rohingya who arrived in Aceh on Friday were given food, clothing and medicine by residents, village official Idris said. Residents also built tents for the refugees, while medical workers arrived to check on their health, he said. But we dont know where they will be taken. In the meantime, we are providing basic necessities for them, Idris said. The head of the East Aceh Regional Disaster Management Agency, Ashadi Asa, said officials would discuss what to do with the newly arrived Rohingya. So far, we have not decided where to place them. What is certain is that, until now, they are still on Idaman Island being taken care of by local residents, Ashadi told BenarNews. Ashadi said the government of East Aceh regency was expecting the arrival of a team from UNHCR. We hope that after a decision is made [about where to place the refugees]. UNHCR can handle them because we are also worried about their condition, Ashadi said. UNHCR officials in Jakarta and Aceh could not be reached for comment immediately, but a spokesperson from the U.N. agency told Reuters that the refugees did not have a place to stay. UNHCR officials were coordinating with the local government to determine where to place the refugees, the spokesperson said. Over the years, thousands of Rohingya have paid traffickers to transport them from Myanmar or the crowded camps in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar to Thailand and Malaysia, where they can find work. Groups of Rohingya have packed onto boats and set sail for countries in search of asylum, but have often been refused entry, including this group that was turned away from Malaysia. Malaysia, a majority-Islamic country which hosts as many as 150,000 of the estimated 1.8 million to 2 million Rohingya Muslims in the world, is a desired destination for Rohingya fleeing from Myanmar. Fishing boats anchored along the Infanta fish port in Pangasinan, north of Manila, prepare for an expedition to the West Philippine Sea, May 27, 2021. Restrictions in Philippine territorial waters and the open seas, along with threats from large-scale fishing operations, are the biggest issues facing subsistence fishermen in this archipelagic country of 7,100 islands, according to an organization representing them. In recent years, governments of coastal municipalities have begun restricting their municipal fishing grounds, or waters up to 15 km (9 miles) from the shore, allowing only resident fishermen who register with local authorities, said Fernando Hicap, chairman of Pamalakaya, a Philippine fishermens organization. Imagine, youre a Filipino fisherman, youre in the Philippines, and youre on municipal fishing grounds, but youre sued for illegal entry. How hurtful is that? Isnt that wrong? Hicap told BenarNews. What misery. Add to that this [COVID-19] pandemic no ones buying what little catch they bring home because of the lockdowns, said Hicap, adding that fishermen have little choice but to consume their own catch, or barter them for other small goods. Municipalities are allowing outsiders to pay an annual fee, usually not lower than 1,000 pesos (U.S. $20) a fee that subsistence fishermen, who use small-scale, low-technology practices, cannot afford to pay according to Hicaps group. Besides, its not feasible to register and pay fees at every coastal municipality to be able to fish in waters that have traditionally been communal to Filipinos. Restrictions were not an issue in past decades when there were more fish in the shallows, said Benjamin Sumaganday, a fisherman in northern Masinloc town. There used to be huge catches in the past. But the population grew over the years, and we cant afford to just stay in municipal waters, the father of four told BenarNews. Meanwhile on June 5, the world will mark the fourth International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, a United Nations agency, IUU fishing includes many types of illicit activities, for example, fishing without a license or authorization, not reporting or misreporting catches, fishing in prohibited areas and catching or selling prohibited species, or fishing in areas not covered by a regulatory framework. The Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has vowed to protect locals against such activities. Calling on Filipinos to focus their fishing efforts in the West Philippine Sea a region of the South China Sea that the Philippines claims as its territory the government agency promised to boost patrols against illegal fishing put local fishers at a disadvantage. [W]e remain committed in our mandate to address IUU fishing in Philippine waters, the bureau said in a news release earlier this year. A man tows his catch of a Spanish mackerel as he swims to shore in Masinloc, Philippines, May 28, 2021. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews] Municipal action questioned Even as municipal governments cite conservation as the reason for restricting fishing access to their waters, Hicap said those in power could be benefiting otherwise, they would not let in commercial trawlers. Small-time fishermen are not the reason there is depletion in municipal waters. The cause of that depletion is the commercial vessels who freely exploit those waters, Hicap said. Anna Oposa, head of the advocacy group Save Philippine Seas, said enforcement must be stricter and commercial fishing must be prohibited. Our fisherfolk are already some of the poorest, most marginalized groups in the country working hard to feed the country and the rest of the world. There can be no positive outcome for the Filipino people if we allow commercial fishing activities where they shouldnt be allowed, Oposa said. Sumaganday, 52, said many fishermen in his community have joined fishing fleets to be able to fish farther out at sea even as territorial tensions pit Filipinos against foreign fishing fleets, specifically from China. Most of the time it is not hostile, but there are times that we are being shooed away from territories that are traditionally ours, the fisherman from Masinloc said. Chinese encroachment In March, government security officials reported the presence of about 200 Chinese trawlers at Whitsun Reef in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and elsewhere in the contested South China Sea. The officials said the trawlers were crewed by maritime militias, but Beijing has denied the accusation and insisted the waters were within Chinese territory. Manila has been filing daily diplomatic protests with Beijing since April, demanding it remove the ships. In addition, the Philippine navy, coast guard, and fisheries bureau have deployed more ships to Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands to try to drive out or at least challenge the Chinese trawlers. Since Beijing took control of Mischief Reef in the Philippine EEZ in 1995, the presence of Chinese ships has increased steadily in the South China Sea. In 2012, China and the Philippines were involved in a months-long standoff at Scarborough Shoal. Four years later, in 2016, an international arbitral court ruled in favor of Manilas territorial claims in the maritime region, but that has not slowed Beijings expansionist activities in the sea. Hicaps group, Pamalakaya, recently petitioned the U.N. to nullify Beijings new coast guard law, investigate the environmental damage Chinese ships have caused in the South China Sea, and demilitarize the strategic and resource-rich waterway. The law, which took effect in February, allows its ships to use weapons against any vessels found in waters that Beijing claims as its territory. Philippine authorities who lack maritime assets have been hard pressed to catch poachers, including foreign ones from China and Vietnam. Theres been significant damage to marine life in municipal waters. The numbers vary in different studies, but its been estimated that 60 percent to 75 percent of the Philippines fishing grounds are overfished, Oposa told BenarNews. Theres also a significant decline in coral reef health and cover, which is alarming because coral reefs are habitats of fishes. An organization of fishermen who used to fish freely at the Scarborough Shoal said their catch and income had declined by as much as 80 percent. We used to be able to go there, but not anymore, Sumaganday said. Now are we are forced to fish elsewhere, he said, adding that the shoal, in bygone days, was the source for a bountiful catch. Filipino fishermen board their boat anchored along the Infanta fish port in Pangasinan, north of Manila, May 27, 2021. [Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews] Fishing industry numbers Subsistence fishermen make up the largest sector of the Philippines fishing industry, according to the most recent data from BFAR. Of the 1.9 million fishermen registered with BFAR, more than 927,000 do small-scale capture fishing, while more than 239,000 do gleaning or fishing with basic gear in shallow water. Paddle boats accounted for about 68 percent of registered vessels. Meanwhile, much of government support for the industry goes into aquaculture raising fish in ponds, nets or cages in natural or artificial bodies of water which employs about 209,000, according to official statistics. Most fishermen live hand-to-mouth and have few options to professionalize their livelihood including acquiring larger, more dependable boats and equipment. As Chinese and Vietnamese fishermen sport metal or wood-and-metal trawlers, many Filipinos use traditional-type wooden outriggers. Hicap worries that as the Philippine Congress moves to amend the constitution to allow full foreign ownership of businesses in the country, Filipino fishermen, especially the poor, will sink even farther down the governments list of priorities. The government should ensure municipal fishing grounds remain communal. They should be limited to subsistence fishers, with no commercial vessels, he said. Jojo Rinoza in Masinloc, Philippines, contributed to this report. Relatives hold up pictures of some of the 58 people many of them journalists who were massacred by the Ampatuan clan in November 2009, as they react to guilty verdicts handed down against 28 suspects tried in those killings, outside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, Philippines, the venue for the trial, Dec. 19, 2019. Men aboard a motorcycle shot dead a woman executive for a radio and television broadcast network in the southern Philippines as she headed home to have lunch with her children on Friday, police and her employer said. Yentez Quintoy, 39, chief of staff for the Brigada Group of Companies, was driving home alone when she came under attack shortly past noon in San Isidro, a village in General Santos City, South Cotabato province, police said. Quintoy was rushed to the St. Elizabeth Hospital, said Capt. Abdulsalam Mamalinta, a local police commander. She was attacked and the suspects escaped from the scene, Mamalinta said. She expired upon arriving at the hospital. The attack appeared to be planned, with the perpetrators believed to have followed the target when she left the office, Mamalinta said. Quintoy, however, was not known to have enemies, but police said they were not discounting that the motive could be tied to her work, the police captain said. Brigada owns a radio and television network and publishes three newspaper editions that tackle local issues in the south. With Fridays shooting in South Cotabato, Quintoy became the 21st media worker gunned down across the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in mid-2016. Quintoy is the 192nd journalist killed since dictator Ferdinand Marcos fell from power 35 years ago. Duterte, who is known for his combative style and profane language, once said that journalists are not exempted from assassination, if youre a son of a bitch. Quintoys employer condemned her killing and offered a reward of up to 1 million Philippine pesos (U.S. $21,000) to anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of the suspects. Today is a sad day for Brigada Group. We lost one of our pillars to an assassins bullet at noon today as she was driving home, the usual thing she does, to have lunch with her children, the company said in a statement. Brigada is in full cooperation with the proper authorities even as initial steps have already been made to get to the bottom of this, it said. Her untimely demise is a big loss to the company at this time that we are all faced with numerous challenges brought by the pandemic. The Philippines is ranked as among the worlds most deadly places for journalists and other press workers. In November 2009, 32 journalists and press workers were among 58 people killed when members of the Ampatuan Clan, a political clan, massacred members of a rival family in the south of the country. The number of internet audio and video users in China hit 944 million as of December last year, an increase of 43.21 million from last June, covering 95.4 percent of all internet users in the country, according to a new report. The research report on the development of China's internet audio and video industry was released Wednesday at the 9th China Internet Audio &Video Convention held in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu. The numbers of users on short-video, other video formats and livestreaming reached 873 million, 704 million and 617 million, accounting for 88.3 percent, 71.1 percent and 62.4 percent of all internet users, respectively. The scale of the internet audio and video industry exceeded 600 billion yuan in 2020, jumping 32.2 percent from a year earlier. Moreover, the market size of the short-video, other video formats and livestreaming reached 205.13 billion yuan, 119.03 billion yuan, and 113.44 billion yuan, surging by 57.5 percent, 16.3 percent and 34.5 percent from a year earlier, respectively. From last June to December, the number of new increased internet users was 49.15 million in China, with 25 percent of them attracted by audio and video, and 20.4 percent of new users attracted by short video. During past six months, 46.1 percent of the internet audio and video users uploaded short videos, rising 28.6 percent from 2019, with the content about daily life accounting for 42.3 percent, the content of tourism and scenery 31.6 percent, and content about funny, food and music accounting for over 20 percent, respectively. Moreover, 45.5 percent of the internet audio and video users paid for online videos within six months, with nearly 60 percent of them being the post-90s and post-2000s generation. The report said that 28.2 percent of online video users do not watch videos at the original speed, especially in the post-2000s generation, with nearly 40 percent choosing to watch at double speed. Men use multiple speeds mainly to improve the viewing efficiency, while females use that due to the slow plot or don't like parts of the scenario. The online teleplay and variety show themed female topics have become popular in 2020, said the report. The female users are more likely to share, comment and rate the videos, and take actions such as 38 percent of them search plot information, and 27.9 percent to search some products about the teleplay, including music, original novel, cosmetics and clothing. Sitanan Satsaksit (left), sister of Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit who went missing in Cambodia in 2020, is joined by activists in Bangkok commemorating the first anniversary of his disappearance, June 4, 2021. The sister of a Thai activist who was abducted in Cambodia marked the first anniversary of his disappearance Friday by filing a petition with the Thai justice ministry demanding that it investigate his case and coordinate efforts with Khmer authorities. Sitanan Satsaksit, who was accompanied by Amnesty International (AI), said she had not received any answers about her brother, Wanchalearm Satsaksit, from the Thai attorney generals office and other government officials. One year on, we lost everything, money, time, hearts that are broken, expenses which are immeasurable. But we chose to pay just to bring justice to our family and the families of another eight men who have vanished, Sitanan told BenarNews outside the Ministry of Justice, referring to other activists missing abroad. Wanchalearm apparently was abducted by gunmen on June 4, 2020, in front of his Phnom Penh apartment complex, a day after he posted a video on Facebook criticizing the Thai government. He was speaking to his sister on the phone when he was grabbed. Argh! Cant breathe were the last words that Sitanan heard her brother say as he vanished. According to Human Rights Watch, since Prayuth Chan-o-cha led the May 2014 coup that allowed him to become prime minister, Thai authorities aggressively pursued pro-democracy activists who sought refuge in neighboring countries. The government has demanded that Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia hand over exiled Thai activists in those countries, and at least eight have become victims of enforced disappearance, HRW said. Wanchalearm had fled to Cambodia from Thailand after Thai authorities issued a warrant for his arrest in June 2018, accusing him of violating the Computer Crimes Act for operating a Facebook page deemed critical of the Thai government. A friend said surveillance footage showed Wanchalearm being driven away in a black SUV, according to a report in the Thai news portal Prachatai. A security guard had tried to help Wanchalearm, but his kidnappers were armed, Prachatai said. Thanakrit Jitareerat, a secretary to Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, promised on Friday that there would be an investigation into the disappearance, after receiving Sitanans letter. A Thai person cannot just disappear, there must be [a] trace. I will follow it up and will inform of the progress, Thanakrit told reporters accompanying Sitanan. In response, Sitanan said, We will see what they can do, they asked for a month before they can tell us if progress has been made, adding that she and her family did not expect justice from officials in Thailand and Cambodia. We will let them have time to work on it, but we will certainly follow up. Noting that Wanchalearm apparently went missing in Cambodia, Thanakrit said authorities had reached out to their counterparts about the case. The Rights and Liberties Protection Department said it had set up a screening committee for enforced disappearances and informed the National Police Bureau, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Central Institute of Forensic Science to follow up, he said. Legally, we have to deal with the Office of Attorney General which handles cases abroad, he said. The DSI has sent a letter to Cambodian authorities and is awaiting their reply. On the occasion of the first anniversary of the activists reported abduction, AI blamed the Cambodian government for failing to conduct a proper investigation into Wanchalearms disappearance, and called on Thai authorities to launch an independent probe. This negligent investigation is at a standstill. The past year has been marked by foot-dragging, finger-pointing and the absence of any credible effort to examine what really happened to Wanchalearm, said Ming Yu Hah, AIs deputy regional director for Campaigns. This so-called investigation is an insult to Wanchalearm and his family and must be reinvigorated. While calling for an independent Thai investigation, Ming Yu expressed some reservations. In light of the criminal charges the Thai authorities had filed against Wanchalearm, in addition to the deeply disturbing pattern of enforced disappearance of Thai exiles from neighboring countries in recent years, a truly independent investigation free from government interference is desperately required, she said in a news release. HRW, meanwhile, blamed both nations for a lack of progress during the last year. Brad Adams, Asia director for the watchdog group, called on the international community to push the two nations. The Cambodian and Thai governments cant sweep what happened to Wanchalearm under the rug, Adams said in a news release. Foreign governments and donors should press both the Cambodian and Thai authorities to take all necessary measures to find Wanchalearm and provide justice for him and his family. A full-coverage listing-management system will be adopted for enterprise-related business licensing items nationwide starting from July 1, said a State Council circular released Thursday. At the same time, more reforms of the examination-and-approval system will be launched in pilot free trade zones (FTZs), the circular said. A digital-license system for businesses will be available nationwide by the end of 2022, with paper materials no longer needed if the target information can be obtained via the digital-license system. By the end of 2022, a simplified, highly efficient, fair and transparent industry-access rule with a low threshold and strict management will be established in an effort to make administrative operations more convenient and predictable for market entities. A total of 68 enterprise-related business licensing items will be annulled nationwide, with another 14 in pilot FTZs, to eliminate operating obstacles in fields such as foreign investment and trade, engineering construction, transport and logistics, and agency services. A total of 15 enterprise-related business licensing items will be transformed into record-filing items, with another 15 in pilot FTZs, to grant market access in fields such as trade and circulation, education and training, medical services, food and finance. All enterprise-related business licensing items will be included in the listing for management. The listing will be dynamically adjusted and updated, and announced to the public for the purposes of social supervision. In the first five months, about 135,800 new enterprises were set up in pilot FTZs, up 60.52 percent year on year, and 30 percentage points higher than that of new enterprises set up across the country in the same period, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Sunshine and a few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. 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. Four communities that state officials say were short-changed in federal pandemic relief aid will receive a total of $109 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act A Boston-based nonprofit and the state Department of Early Education and Care have teamed up to protect child care facilities across the state with a free pooled coronavirus testing program 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. LEGEND Please check with the individual cinemas for showtimes and for current masking and social distancing requirements. The movie theaters and virtual sites listed in Film Clips are: IN-PERSON SCREENINGS BC: Beacon Cinema, 57 North St., Pittsfield -- phoenixmovies.net; 413-358-4780 BM: Regal Berkshire Mall 10, Route 8, Lanesborough regmovies.com/theatres/regal-berkshire-mall/ IC: Images Cinema, 50 Spring St., Williamstown imagescinema.org; 413-458-5612 MH: The Moviehouse, 48 Main St., Millerton, N.Y. themoviehouse.net; 518-789-0022 NAM: North Adams Movieplex 8, 86 Main St., North Adams northadamsmovieplex.com; 413-663-6300 TC: Triplex Cinema, 70 Railroad St., Great Barrington thetriplex.com; 413-528-8885 VIRTUAL SCREENINGS Please visit the movie theaters websites to purchase virtual tickets and gain access to virtual screenings. CT: Crandell Theatre via Virtual Screening Room (Crandell Theatre, 48 Main St., Chatham. N.Y. crandelltheatre.org; 518-392-3331) Global beverage giant Coca-Cola is banking on its newly launched Topo Chico Hard Seltzer to make further inroads into the alcoholic drinks segment in China, especially Gen Z consumers looking for trendier lifestyle, company executives said. The company said Topo Chico, which is made from a gluten-free alcohol base and infused with sparkling water, has 4.7 percent of alcohol, sugar, zero fat and natural fruity flavors. It also marked the company's latest attempt to diversify offerings for customers wanting a "lighter lifestyle". Topo Chico is currently available in Tangy Lemon Lime, Strawberry Guava, and Pineapple Twist flavors at various e-commerce and retail channels. The product is inspired by Topo Chico mineral water from Mexico, which was launched in 1895 and acquired by the United States firm in 2017. The product's rapid launch in multiple markets over a short period of time is also part of the firm's "disciplined innovation" product strategy. In recent years, Coca-Cola, which has more than 20 brands of over 100 kinds of beverages in China, has rolled out several soft drinks specific to the Chinese market, including Coca-Cola Ginger Plus and Schweppes Peach Soda Water. As one of the subcategories of low-alcohol beverages, hard seltzer is still in an emerging stage in China and has great potential for further expansion, said Zhu Danpeng, a food and beverage analyst. "Low-alcohol beverages, a crossover category between alcoholic and carbonated drinks, have gradually eaten up the market shares of non-alcoholic drinks," he said. "It has a better taste and is attracting a growing number of female consumers. "From the Gen Z point of view, it is strategically important to add alcoholic drinks to Coca-Cola's product portfolio, as they have growth potential and the capability to increase revenue and profits," he said. According to a report issued by Academia Sinica, China's domestic fruit wine industry was valued at approximately 231.5 billion yuan ($36.2 billion) in 2019. Over the past two years, consumption of such products rose by more than 50 percent in China, while it soared to 80 percent during last year's June 18 promotion gala. Data from Euromonitor International show that cider and perry (fermented pear juice) sales grew to 790,000 liters last year from 787,300 liters in 2019, with revenue growing from 46.2 million yuan to 47 million yuan in that period. Soda water or sparkling water saw rapid growth in recent years, with sales rising 43.9 percent in 2019 compared to that of a year earlier, according to Kantar Worldpanel. Despite the interest shown by younger consumers for low-alcohol and sparkling water drinks, according to Euromonitor International, alcoholic drinks category in China has seen continuous decline in recent years, both in volume and in market value. For example, sales of non or low alcohol beer declined to 53.4 million liters in 2020 from 59.9 million liters a year before, according to Euromonitor International, "largely due to a drop in low-end beer sales", said Zhu. While state Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, declared a homestead in Amherst, which is outside of his district, that declaration alone would not disqualify him from running for reelection. During the pandemic, about four in 10 U.S. adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The growing need for mental health services has led to innovations like telehtherapy, Zoomology and even bot therapy. Reporter Heather Bellow, a member of the investigations team, joined The Eagle in 2017. She is based in the South Berkshire County bureau in Great Barrington. Her work has appeared in newspapers across the U.S. State Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, will continue to spend most of his time in Pittsfield after buying a home in Amherst, he said Thursday. Hinds views the transaction as similar to ones that other Western Massachusetts lawmakers have made for personal convenience. Investigations editor Larry Parnass, investigations editor, joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant and CommonWealth Magazine. Statehouse Reporter Danny Jin is the Eagle's Statehouse reporter. A graduate of Williams College, he previously interned at the Eagle and The Christian Science Monitor. Danny can be reached at djin@berkshireeagle.com or on Twitter at @djinreports. Maya Wiley, a candidate for New York City mayor, speaks Tuesday at a news conference in New Yorks Washington Square Park. On Friday (May 28), German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas officially announced the recognition of the genocide of tens of thousands of people belonging to two ethnic groups more than a century ago in what is present-day Namibia. "In light of Germany's historical and moral responsibility, we will ask Namibia and the descendants of the victims for forgiveness," Maas said, according to NPR, adding the European country will support the African nation and the victims descendants with more than $1.3 billion for reconstruction and development. From 1884 to 1915, Germany occupied several territories in Africa. Namibia was called Lebensraum, at the time and was established to provide more territory for German people. At the time, urban areas in Germany were overcrowded due to a population boom. RELATED: Watch: This Professor Tweeted He Wanted 'White Genocide' for Christmas and Twitter Lost Its S**t After settlers seized their land and resources, ethnic Herero and Nama people launched a rebellion against their occupiers. Subsequently, German soldiers killed tens of thousands of the native people between 1904 and 1908. Survivors were forced into the desert and later placed in concentration camps. Its estimated that 80 percent of the Herero and Nama people died during the genocide, many from disease and starvation, and some, after being used for medical experiments. In 1985, a United Nations report on genocide mentioned the killings, but it wasnt until Friday that the German government began classifying it as mass murder. You are here: China A litigation campaign has helped cleanse China's Grand Canal and galvanized conservation efforts for the historical site, prosecutors said in a forum. Since the public interest litigation campaign, initiated by the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) in February 2020, prosecutors had opened 464 investigations, the forum explained. It took place on Thursday in Yangzhou, in east China's Jiangsu Province. The campaign pooled law enforcement efforts along the 3,200-km-long artificial canal, the world's longest man-made waterway. The law enforcement was based on the SPP's extensive on-site investigation along the canal, said Hu Weilie, a senior prosecutor. More importantly, it generates an array of coordination mechanisms for further law enforcement, added Hu. Zhang Xueqiao, deputy procurator-general of the SPP, promised to join hands with executive authorities and take the coordination and cooperation on the protection of the Grand Canal to a higher level and at a broader spectrum. The SPP will review the closed cases and press for a conclusion of those in process in the second half of the year, the forum said. With a history of more than 2,500 years, the Grand Canal connects Beijing and Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province, serving as a significant transportation artery in ancient China. An over 1,000-km-stretch of the canal was declared a world heritage site in 2014. The attorney for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis policeman convicted of the murder of George Floyd, said in a court filing that his client should not go to prison or be sentenced to far less than the maximum sentence. Chauvin is scheduled to be sentenced June 25 to as many as 40 years in prison for the May 25, 2020, death of Floyd, who died after more than nine minutes with his knee pinned to his neck in an arrest attempt. He was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Minnesota sentencing guidelines suggest that he received 10-15 years behind bars. However, Judge Peter Cahill found "aggravating factors" that would allow him to sentence Chauvin to more than the guidelines suggest. Those factors include committing a crime in front of a child, acting with cruelty, abusing his position, and disregarding Floyd's pleas that he could not breathe. VIDEO: America After George Floyd "No sentence can undo the damage [Chauvin's] actions have inflicted. But the sentence the Court imposes must hold [Chauvin] fully accountable for his reprehensible conduct," said a prosecution memo, according to CBS News. But Chauvin's defense attorney, Eric Nelson, replied in his filing that when sentencing, Cahill should look to the former officer's "background, his lack of criminal history, his amenability to probation, to the unusual facts of this case, and to his being a product of a 'broken' system. "In spite of his mistakes, Mr. Chauvin has demonstrated that he has a capacity for good and that he has the discipline to consistently work toward worthwhile goals," the memo says. Nelson also cited Chauvins diagnosis of heart damage and likeliness to die at a younger age and that he is more likely to fall victim to violence in prison because he had been law enforcement. In addition, if Chauvin is not sentenced to probation, Nelson said that Cahill should sentence him to a shorter term than the suggested guideline because he did not realize he was committing a crime during the arrest. "Mr. Chauvin's offense is best described as an error made in good faith reliance [sic] his own experience as a police officer and the training he had received not intentional commission of an illegal act," Nelson said in the memo. VIDEO: George Floyds Brother Terrence Floyd Speaks About His Brother and the Search for Justice In a separate filing on Wednesday, Chauvins defense team argued that they believe he should receive a new trial, claiming errors on the part of the judge and prosecutors along with broad publicity prior to the state trial, according to CBS News. Chauvin appeared in federal court on Tuesday (June 1) to face civil rights violation charges in connection with Floyds murder. In May he was indicted on federal charges along with the three other officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, who will face a state trial on aiding and abetting charges next year. Call ahead to confirm events. Due to COVID-19, many events have been canceled but hosting organizations might not have updated their entries. Email Blast Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Daily News Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a digest of each day's headlines & events from The Daily News by email? Signup today! The Amplifier Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a weekly digest of headlines & events from The Amplifier by email? Signup today! Daily News Hosted Events The Daily News is a proud host of community enrichment events. Join our Daily News Events mailing list to learn about the next event we are planning. Sign up now. Manage your lists REED CITY In an effort to encourage reading among children, the Reed City Area District Library has implemented the first StoryWalk project in the Westburg Park, which utilizes interactive reading kiosks for kids to enjoy as they explore the park and read the Library projects chosen book. The project was made possible in partnership with the city who verified the location of the park, as well as garnering funding from Cargill Cares. The project was constructed with the help of some Boy Scout volunteers from Reed City Troop 74 and members of the Cargill Cares Team volunteers, as well as Reed City councilman Dan Burchett. The projects first chosen book, the Mouse House Tales, connects with the projects theme of STEM, an acronym for educating in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. The book follows the story of a mouse as she puts together the structure and furnishings of her little house with assistance from her animal friends. Each of the kiosks in the park highlight different parts of the book, encouraging the reader to make connections between what they are reading and what they can explore and see in the park. The first StoryWalk implemented is around a quarter mile long, with 13 different kiosks for kids to visit. Lyndsey Eccles-Burchett, board president for the RCADL, said the project is aimed at encouraging reading and outdoor activity for young kids in the area. The walk is designed to bring a picture book into the outdoors and promote early literacy, Eccles-Burchett said. We initially developed the project as a way to offer services during the COVID-19 pandemic so that people could socially distance outside and enjoy a good picture book and the park. Its a bit of a walk for each kiosk, and we did this because we wanted kids to get the physical activity in as well as the reading. The project will also serve as an extension of the RCADLs Summer Reading Program, which promotes and provides reading material for children during the summer months. Since its installment, the entire first and second grade classes from G.T. Norman Elementary School have walked down and enjoyed the new project, and reported positive feedback to the library. According to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, the StoryWalk concept was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and has developed since with the help of Rachel Senechal, formerly of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Other StoryWalk projects have been installed in 50 states and 13 countries, including Germany, Canada, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea. In 2016, the Michigan Department of Education implemented the Read by Grade Three law which requires schools to identify learners who are struggling with reading and writing and to provide additional help. The law states that third graders may repeat third grade if they are more than one grade level behind, beginning with the 2019-20 school year. The RCADL considers reading to be among one of the most important parts of education in early childhood. Eccles-Burchett said the RCADL is committed to helping area schools through providing reading materials and programs that can help students who may be struggling with literacy. Early literacy has been proven to have a drastic effect on kids education all the way into their future in every subject and area, Eccles-Burchett said. Its very important to help foster that early on in kids education, so this project is just another way that we can reach out to students and schools to provide more services to our community. For more information about the Reed City StoryWalk project and other RCADL initiatives and programs, visit the librarys website, reedcitylibrary.org, or Facebook page, facebook.com/reedcitylibrary. Specialized in 60 established medicines and solutions across a range of areas including reproductive health, heart disease, breast cancer, allergies, and asthma Organon on June 3, 2021, launched the only global company focused on womens health in Singapore. The company will focus on delivering impactful medicines and solutions for a healthier every day for women, their families and communities in Asia Pacific and by accelerating business in the region. Organons diverse portfolio will consist of more than 60 medicines and products across an international footprint that serves people in more than 140 markets, with nearly 80% of its global US$6.5 billion in revenue generated outside the U.S. Organon believes it is well-positioned for organic low-to-mid-single digit growth from its 2021 base of business. Organon has three core pillars that will benefit from renewed management focus and commercial investment: womens health, biosimilars and established brands. The companys extensive global capabilities in clinical development and patient safety, regulatory and medical affairs make it well-positioned to identify promising drugs, diagnostics and devices with the greatest potential to impact womens health. We are very excited to launch Organon around the world. We build upon our strong foundation of more than 60 established medicines and solutions across a range of areas including reproductive health, heart disease, breast cancer, allergies, and asthma. said Kaja Natland, the lead. With more than 2 billion people in this region, we are committed to making a world of difference in women's health every day. The diversity of our business provides an established portfolio so we can look to invest in and advance new medicines and solutions for women that are so urgently needed added Andreas Jorgensen, Managing Director, South-East and Southeast Asia markets. Organon Singapore Commercial Director Aman Sood, shared We are thrilled that Organon has chosen Singapore as its head office for the Asia Pacific and Japan region. We are inspired to push past the limits of today and bring healthcare solutions to women and patients across the region. Discussions were held on drug regulations, service standards and regulations, pharmacopoeia of traditional medicines Ministry of AYUSH recently organised a webinar on Harmonization of Regulation of Standardization of Traditional Medicinal Products of Brics Countries under Indias BRICS Chairship of 2021. The event was attended by experts and stakeholders from the field of traditional medicine from India, China, South Africa, Russia and Brazil. Ministry of AYUSH had proposed to organise the said webinar during the First meeting of BRICS Sherpas held on February 24-26, 2021 as a part of Indias Chairship of BRICS 2021 which was agreed by the Member States. Ministry of AYUSH had also hosted the virtual meeting of the BRICS Experts in Traditional Medicines March 25, 2021. AYUSH regulations and pharmacopoeial standards; Pharmacopoeia of Indian Traditional systems of Medicine - An overview and Standardization and Regulation of AYUSH Healthcare Services were presented by India during the webinar. During the second session of the webinar, discussions were held among the industry stakeholders from the field of Traditional Medicine from BRICS Countries. Comprehensive presentations were made by the representatives of the traditional medicine industry from India and China. Dr Manoj Nesari, Adviser (AYUSH), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India chaired the event and delivered opening remarks. While briefing about the webinar, Dr Nesari emphasised Indias BRICS 2021 priorities and deliverables in the field of traditional medicine to enhance and strengthen BRICS collaboration. The proposal from India included MoU on BRICS Cooperation in Traditional Medicines and the constitution of the BRICS Forum on Traditional Medicine (BFTM). He underlined the need for harmonisation of regulation of standardisation of traditional medicinal products amongst BRICS countries. Initiatives taken by India for the mitigation of COVID-19 through the AYUSH system of medicine were also highlighted upon. During the first session of the webinar, country presentations were made by the representative of BRICS countries on drug regulations; service standards and regulations; pharmacopoeia of traditional medicine in their respective countries. The experts and stakeholders of traditional medicine from the BRICS countries expressed their appreciation and extended cooperation and support for Indias efforts and initiatives taken for the promotion of Traditional Medicine globally including for BRICS countries. RTHK: Canada pledges more resource for First Nations The Canadian government said on Thursday it would direct more resources to First Nations police and address systemic racism in the justice system and law enforcement to tackle violence against indigenous women, but gave no time frame for achieving its "transformative changes". The government vowed to give indigenous communities more control over some social services and improve access to health care. Its plan comes two years after a report into the deaths of more than 1,000 aboriginal women and girls in recent decades called it a national genocide. The government said it would address systemic racism among the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the national law enforcement agency responsible for policing many rural areas in the country, through improved recruitment and training. "Plans are great, but what we need is action," said Denise Pictou-Maloney, co-chair of the National Family and Survivors Circle, which played an advisory role on the plan. She said she would like to see some change within a year, and an accountability mechanism ensuring actions are taken. The plan came out as the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former residential school shocked the nation and reminded of the abuse of indigenous people. The government also promised immediate action to address anti-indigenous racism in the healthcare system. The need for such action was underscored by hearings that ended this week into the death of Joyce Echaquan, a 37-year-old indigenous mother of seven who died in a Quebec hospital after being ridiculed by staff and, the inquest heard, neglected. "Your voices have made it clear how our systems have failed you," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at the event on Thursday. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-06-03. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 92 more Covid-19 infections confirmed, Friday tally reaches 224 Vietnam recorded 92 more Covid-19 infections as of Friday evening, raising the daily counts to 224 and the total number of patients in the country to 8,287 the Ministry of Health has reported. According to the ministry's report, 87 of the newly-confirmed patients are locally-transmitted cases most of whom were detected in quarantine sites or areas under lockdown in some localities including 62 in Bac Giang, 10 in Bac Ninh, and 15 in Ho Chi Minh City. The 62 cases in Bac Giang were recorded at some industrial parks of Van Trung, Dinh Tram, Song Khe-Noi Hoang, and Quang Chau which have reported a large outbreak over the last few weeks. As of Friday evening, 5,174 locally-transmitted cases have been reported since the new outbreak occurred in the country on April 27, including 2,819 in the virus epicentre of Bac Giang. The outbreak has so far spread to 37 cities and provinces nationwide. Five imported patients are all Vietnamese people who recently returned from abroad. They were sent to quarantine areas in Kien Giang and Tay Ninh Provinces and are now being treated at local hospitals. With these new infection cases, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to 8,287 including 6,744 locally-transmitted cases. As of 6 pm on June 4, a total of 3,242 Covid-19 patients had recovered and been discharged from hospital. So far there have been 50 deaths, most of them being the elderly with serious underlying diseases. At present, over 151,000 people who had close contact with Covid-19 patients or returned from virus-hit areas are being monitored at hospitals, quarantine facilities, and at home. On June 3, an additional 45,571 people were given Covid-19 vaccine in Vietnam, raising the total number of vaccine doses used in the country to 1,156,056. The number of people who have received two doses has risen to 31,551. You are here: China Nine people were killed in a railway accident in northwest China's Gansu Province Friday, local authorities said. The accident happened around 5:25 a.m. on Friday when a train crashed into workers in the Jinchang section on the Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway, according to the China Railway Lanzhou Bureau Group Co., Ltd. Rescue work is underway. The NovaType III SARS-CoV-2 GSD Kit will be available as a research-only kit by June 9 Eurofins Technologies has announced the launch of its GSD NovaType III SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test , developed for the rapid detection of variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2, in particular the variants B.1.617 (India), B.1.427 / B.1.429 (California / United States), B.1.351 (South Africa) and P.1 (Brazil) . The test facilitates the identification of relevant mutations E484Q, E484K and L452R in a combined reaction to the simultaneous discrimination of the wild-type variant E484 of the S gene. These mutations have been associated with reports of potential loss of efficacy of some vaccines and increased transmissibility of the virus. The GSD NovaType III SARS-CoV-2 Kit is the latest addition to the GSD NovaType product line, a continuously updated panel of single and multiplex assays for the screening and detection of emerging variants of concern (VOC) and of interest. (VOI) on positive samples. These tests could play an important role in the fight against COVID-19 by allowing the rapid identification of new variants that could compromise the success of global vaccination campaigns and the implementation of isolation, testing and vaccination measures. improved in affected areas. Discussions will be held on the recent occurrence of Mucormycosis as a severe post-COVID secondary infection along with basic information about fungus Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, is organising an international online conference on 'Post COVID- 19 associated Black & White Fungal Infections' - an Awareness Initiative: Disease has no Color! on June 14, 2021. The main objective of this conference is to bring together medical experts, researchers and practising clinicians, individuals working in academia to discuss the recent occurrence of Mucormycosis as a severe post-COVID secondary infection along with basic information about fungus. During the webinar, the viewers will: Gain an understanding of the specific causative fungus, aetiology, pathogenesis, precautions and treatments strategies for Mucormycosis. Learn about efforts to overcome Mucormycosis by routine lab investigations. Review the participating factors. Raise awareness regarding Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) Answer your questions live! Congrats on being selected to take part in the SA edition of The One Clubs Global Media Talks series of panel discussions! What does this opportunity mean to you? Bizcommunity and The Creative Circle partner with The One Club to host "Global Media Talks: South Africa" at Creative Week 2021 As part of global programming during The One Club for Creativity's Creative Week 2021, Bizcommunity and The Creative Circle will jointly be the exclusive South Africa hosts of the "Creative Week 2021 Global Media Talks" online panel... The session will be a lively discussion of current creative trends in South Africa, the countrys best work of the past year and other topics of interest to the agency and creative world. What are some key points youre thinking of talking to and why? This will surely help give South Africas creative excellence a spotlight on the global stage. Where do you think SA is at creatively speaking in relation to its global counterparts? This years Creative Week theme is connect. provoke. inspire. What does this elicit in your mind? I chat to Xolisa Dyeshana, chief creative officer, Joe Public United , Johannesburg, ahead of the panel discussion, which takes place online on Thursday, 10 June 2021 from 5pm to 6pm SAST, and will also include South Africans Camilla Clerke, ECD at Ogilvy Cape Town and Neo Mashigo, CCO at M&C Saatchi Abel, Johannesburg.This is a really huge honour because the One Club is a leading organisation for creativity in South Africa and around the world. I think the people who form part of these initiatives represent excellence across multiple global markets and across various areas of our industry.So to be included in unpacking and discussing some of the current opportunities and challenges we have is a great honour.I'll be talking about where we find ourselves in the context of the current challenges. I think Covid has been life defining for our industry and there's life before and after Covid and for me its about looking at some of those things that we had to adapt to move forward in this new world.In relation to our global counterparts we are very much en par with some of the leading nations, but it's in specific pockets. I think there are some areas of development that we need to focus on. There are parts of the world that are ahead of us, particularly in digital, but it's nothing that is insurmountable. South Africans have shown that we are certainly not a Third World country when it comes to creative thinking.It elicits thought and feelings of engaging communication. In order to connect, provoke and inspire, your communications must be engaging. Never has this been more important than now because people have so many options around what they consume and how they consume it.So in order for us and brands to connect we need to cut through the latest Netflix specials, or the funniest TikTok videos to grab the attention of consumers and make them want to engage. It is undeniable that a correlation between good governance and the sustainability of civil society organisations (CSOs) exists, and now more than ever, is it pivotal for CSOs to have good financial management practices and adequate governance systems in place for them to survive. These provide organisations with an edge to thrive in these competitive and ever-changing CSO environments. CSOs face serious financial challenges As funding slows, social needs increase, NPOs need better reporting Millions of vulnerable South Africans who relied on the Covid grants are expected to become increasingly reliant on social support to meet their basic needs... Good governance stimulates agility, resilience Covid-19 spurs renewed focus on improving NPO governance standards While the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed many non-profit organisations to the brink of survival, it has also, however, resulted in a renewed focus on good governance... Organisations that have good governance systems and are registered and compliant with Department of Social Development as well as the South African Revenue Services, have a better chance at being sustainable compared to those that are not.Codes such as the King Code of Governance for South Africa (King III, 2009), the Department of Social Developments Code of Good Practice for South African Non-Profit Organisations (2001), the Independent Code of Governance and Values for Non-Profit Organisations in South Africa (2012) guide organisations on how to uphold good governance standards.According to, The impact of Covid-19 on African civil society organizations challenges, responses and opportunities , a survey exclusively on the impact of Covid-19 on African CSOs which was released in June 2020, 55.69% of CSOs had already experienced a loss of funding, while 66.46% CSOs expected to lose funding three to six months therein.Unfortunately, many CSOs find themselves on the backfoot of good governance and thus the resulting effects are that numerous CSOs face serious financial challenges, with many already closing or scaling back their activities primarily because there is a diversion of funds from CSOs to other institutions for Covid-19 programmes.Implementing CSO intermediaries, such as non-governmental, non-profit, or community-based organisations, tend to be small, with limited resources, both financial and human. However, the work that these institutions carry out is simply too important and too immense to not intervene.In early 2021, Seriti Institute, through one of its programmes, Seriti Partner , identified good governance and financial management as a serious challenge in NGOs, CBOs and CSOs. The programme was designed with an intention of strengthening CSOs' contributions to the communities they work with and serve, using a hybrid approach that draws on the experience and best-practice tools used in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. The aim is strengthening the whole non-profit sector and not just to support a few organisations.To curb the good governance and financial management challenge, Seriti Institute is currently running a Basic Financial Management skills transfer. Topics covered on the course will enable organisations with a proficiency in rendering effective and efficient management of finances and will ensure that organisations spend their funds in accordance with their strategic and funder objectives.Having good governance systems does not only inspire the culture of transparency and accountability, but it also stimulates agility and resilience. Good governance and financial management systems provides organisations with donor confidence, a chance at being sustainable and assists in the organisations operational efficiency.Governance codes will apply differently to organisations, depending on their structural formation and funding categories. Therefore, it is important for organisations to have a coherent appreciation of the codes and align appropriately.During the hard lockdown in May 2020 and when a large portion of the economy shutdown, Londani Lushaka, a community-based organisation that develops sustainable community-owned and driven wellness systems in collaboration with government and non-government partners, opened up and extended their services to meet the growing-demand in their community. It was at this point that, Londani Lushaka was identified as a perfect candidate to partner with Seriti. Through this partnership, the organisation received technical support which assisted them in raising their profile, sector registration and professionalisation of their operations.Said Londani Lushakas Irene Chauke: When Seriti came onboard we didnt have any sense of direction. Despite receiving all sorts of donations, training on how to engage with children through their aRe Bapaleng Programme, training on how to develop and maintain a food garden through their Work. Learn. Grow programme, they helped us register and be compliant with all the requirements for us to function fully and lawfully which helped us find other partner organisations.Further to this, we received financial management, communications and marketing, monitoring and reporting and donor sourcing support. They also assisted us with our Volunteer Code of Conduct. Seriti has opened our eyes and having them on board really is a blessing. On behalf of the Londani Lushaka management and the team, we would like to thank Seriti for their great work!If South Africa is to solve its interlocking problems of poverty, inequality and joblessness, civil society organisations must work more effectively and efficiently, and such exchanges promise to help this crucial change. Chinese lawmakers will deliberate on better protection for the legal rights and interests of physicians at the upcoming session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, an official said Friday. Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, said the session will include a second reading of the draft law on practicing physicians. The draft stipulates that physicians' dignity and safety are inviolable, and prohibits any organization or individuals from interfering in their work and lives, Zang said. Lawmakers will also review the draft revision to the law on vocational education and the draft law on legal aid, Zang added. The Standing Committee of the 13th NPC will convene its 29th session from June 7 to 10 in Beijing. The Biden Administration has proposed what it calls a $2.3 trillion infrastructure legislation which it calls the American Jobs Plan. Far from addressing the huge deficit in Americas highway, bridges, railway, electric grid, water supply and such economically vital infrastructure that would address critical problems in the functioning of the economy, the Biden planners have cynically taken a politically popular word, infrastructure, and packed hundreds of billions of dollars into economically wasteful, destructive initiatives having more to do with the Green Agenda than rebuilding a healthy economy. If passed, it will have negative consequences for the worlds once-leading economy with serious geopolitical implications . In March Biden signed another huge extra-budget bill, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. That one was allegedly to aim at dealing with the impact of COVID. The bill dealt in fact with almost everything but COVID. The act is a grab bag of partisan pet projects. Among other things the act provided $12 billion for foreign aid; $15 billion for health care for illegal immigrants; $112 billion for welfare benefits and a generous $350 billion for Democrat-run states. Less than 10% was directed at COVID relief measures. In politics how you frame or package a bill is more important than the true content. Critics claim these huge spending bills are aimed at buying a future Democratic voter base with government handouts. Everything is Infrastructure No surprise then that now the Biden team has rushed another multi-trillion bill to Congress. The $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan is a bill where way less than half of the measures have to do with conventional infrastructure investment in roads, rails, electric grids, water supplies, ports or airportsall the areas essential to the efficient functioning of the economy. A total of $750 billion or only 32% of the total actually goes for infrastructure such as highway or bridge repairs. Yet even that total includes only $115 billion of real infrastructure for highways, bridges, and surface streets. But the $750 transportation infrastructure section proposes $174 billion for more government subsidies for Green Agenda electric vehicles in what might be called a make Elon Musk richer subsidy. The White House fact sheet says that this will help make the US more competitive with Chinas electric cars. But the best selling E-car in China today is Musks Tesla. That $174 billion is far more than the total $115 billion earmarked for real highway, bridge and transportation infrastructure spending. Yet the White House promotes the bill by referring to the need to address Americas crumbling highways and bridges as though this was what the bill is focused on. The Biden bill defines pretty much everything as infrastructure. His American Jobs Plan calls among other items for spending on what it terms care infrastructure. They define this as $25 billion to upgrade child care facilities and $400 billion expenditure on care for the elderly and disabled, spending which might be justifiable, but not as infrastructure. Buried in the text of the bills $100 billion to go to electric grid modernization and another $27 billion for something called a clean energy and sustainability accelerator, is a proposal that would extend generous tax credits to promote solar and wind energy alternatives to reach zero carbon electricity by 2035, a ruinous idea. It has been estimated that to make US electricity 100% carbon free, it would require a staggering 25% to 50% of all land in the United States. Todays coal, gas and nuclear grid requires 0.5 percent of land in the United States. Clearly Bidens Green jobs plan is hiding a far more sinister agenda. What the Administration also hides is the fact that it would be a huge boon to China which has a global near-monopoly on production of solar panels, and Denmark or Germany which make most windmill turbines today. Those do not create American jobs as Biden Climate Czar John Kerry once claimed. Ironically, the Biden Administration sees Germany as the model, the place where the Merkel green energy program has created the highest electric costs in all Europe. Then the Biden bill proposes $10 billion to create something called a Civilian Climate Corps, something that deliberately sounds like Roosevelts Depression era Civilian Conservation Corps, but with Green New Deal politically correct wokeupdate. The White House says that it will put a new, diverse generation of Americans to work conserving our public lands and waters, bolstering community resilience (?), and advancing environmental justice (whatever that means-w.e.) through a new Civilian Climate Corps. No doubt in Biden-Harris America that has something to do with race and gender, but not with infrastructure. Another $20 Billion should go to Advance Racial Equity and Environmental Justice. Apparently that means destroying existing highway infrastructure in cities where it is claimed to divide neighborhoods racially. Further an impressive $213 Billion will go to build or retrofit 2 Million Houses and Buildings. Then it adds another $40 billion for public housing, arguing this will disproportionately benefit women, people of color, and people with disabilities. For anyone familiar with Americas inner-city public housing ghettoes, this is hardly positive for the people who should live in the places. In one of the most curious infrastructure proposals, Biden would spend $100 billion for New Public Schools and Making School Lunches Greener. This comes just after the COVID bill in March gave an unprecedented $128 billion for public schools. The American system gives control over education to local municipal governments and not the Federal government, leading some to suggest the agenda of the Biden crew is imposing a stealth Federal government takeover of public school education. What the Biden people mean by green lunches includes reducing or eliminating the use of paper plates and other disposable materials. Presumably that includes eliminating plastic knives and forks, leaving the children perhaps to eat with their fingers? And, for good infrastructure measure, more billions will go to Eliminate Racial and Gender Inequities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) research and development. How that helps Americas crumbling basic infrastructure is not made clear. All this $2.3 billion grab bag of mainly Green Agenda projects will be financed by the largest tax increases since the 1990s as well as a wider Federal deficit. The Real Infrastructure Deficit The entire Green New Deal and UN Agenda 2030 is a fraudulent cover to deliberately deindustrialize not only the United States, but also Europe and the entire industrialized world. No economy in history outside of damages of war or depression has deliberately gone from a more energy efficient infrastructure to a lower one. Notably China, while pledging agreement, also says it will comply with Net Zero Carbon, but only ten years after the US and EU, by 2060. Right now they are adding new coal plants at a rapid pace. The real infrastructure deficit in the US economy is in hundreds of thousands of miles of national Interstate highways. As well, a deteriorating electric grid is made more vulnerable by forced purchase of high-cost unreliable solar or wind energy. In March the American Society of Civil Engineers released its analysis of US infrastructure, before the Biden $2.3 billion proposal. The report evaluates the state of bridges, roadways, public transit, ports, airports, inland waterways, water supplies. It does so every four years. They estimate that a total of at least $6 trillion is needed to repair or fix Americas deteriorated infrastructure. This is basic infrastructure, not Green Agenda. The report notes that infrastructure that brings clean water to major cities, as well as thousands of miles of wastewater pipelines, sewer systems built decades ago, are badly in need of renewal. The report adds that the drinking water infrastructure system, some 2.2 million miles of underground pipes, is ageing and badly in need of renewal. Local water utilities are replacing some 1% to 5% a year, far too little, due to lack of funding. The ASCE report notes that of the 617,000 bridges across the United States, 42% are at least 50 years old, and 46,154, or 7.5% of the nations bridges, are considered structurally deficient, meaning they are in poor condition. Alone the backlog of urgently needed bridge repair would require $125 billion. And they estimate that over 40% of the nations roads and highways are in poor or mediocre condition. This is just a partial indication of the huge deficit in real economic infrastructure needed to maintain and improve the economic performance of the US economy. The fact that the Green Agenda of the pro-global warming Biden Administration is misusing popular calls for maintaining this basic necessary infrastructure in favor of inefficient and destructive Green and other schemes will mean that the economic foundation of the United States will weaken at an accelerated pace. Some influential circles such as BlackRock apparently want this. Bidens two senior economic advisers are from BlackRock. Brian Deese, head of green or sustainable investment (ESG) at BlackRock, is director of the National Economic Council, and Adewale Wally Adeyemo, former chief of staff to BlackRocks CEO Larry Fink, is Deputy Treasury Secretary under former Fed head Janet Yellen. BlackRock, the worlds largest investment firm with more than $9 trillion under management, is a lead player in the Davos World Economic Forum Great Reset agenda and clearly, in the Biden infrastructure agenda. F. William Engdahl is strategic risk consultant and lecturer, he holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and is a best-selling author on oil and geopolitics, exclusively for the online magazine New Eastern Outlook Twitter has introduced new censorship rules to ban denial of the Holocaust but allow denial of the Holodomor. On Tuesday, Twitter announced their new speech codes specifically "do not permit the denial of violent events, including abusive references to specific events where protected categories were the primary victims." Specifically, we do not permit the denial of violent events, including abusive references to specific events where protected categories were the primary victims. This policy now covers targeted and non-targeted content. https://t.co/leiuuyqDbE Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) June 1, 2021 "It includes, but is not limited to, events like the Holocaust, school shootings, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters," Twitter said. The Board of Deputies of British Jews on Tuesday took credit for the "crackdown" in a statement released on their website: Their statement reads in part: For some years, the Board of Deputies has urged social media companies, including Twitter, to crack down harder on Holocaust denial. Last week, the Board of Deputies was among key partners on the Twitter Trust & Safety Council notified that the Twitter Help Center had been updated with respect to Hateful Conduct and Abusive Behaviour policies, to make them more expansive and far-reaching in respect of Holocaust denial and the denial of other violent events. Twitter has said it hopes these updates will result in a more aggressive approach to the enforcement of existing policies as they relate to the denial of violent events, including Holocaust Denial and abusive references to the Holocaust and has credited the work of the Board of Deputies for helping to bring about the change. As part of the changes, instituted this week, Twitter said that this approach would apply to the denial of violent events and abusive references to violent events where protected categories are the primary victims, listing the Holocaust as the first example. In a meeting this week between representatives of Twitters public policy team and representatives of UK Jewish organisations, Twitter specifically commended the Board of Deputies work in helping to bring about the policy shift. [...] Amanda Bowman, Vice President of the Board of Deputies and Chair of the organisations Defence Division, expressed satisfaction that the Boards work was being recognised, but made it clear that social media platforms still had much more work to do. While it is undoubtedly gratifying to hear that the Boards work is leading to changes which will hopefully better protect Jewish Twitter users, we will wait to see the long-term results before celebrating, she said. Twitter banned President Trump last year after lobbying from the Anti-Defamation League. "C.E.O.s have become the fourth branch of government," ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt told the New York Times after Trump's ban. "They're trying to hold the country together." Reddit made similar changes to their censorship policies last year when they changed their rules to explicitly allow hate speech against "people who are in the majority." Facebook in 2019 also made similar changes when they issued new rules banning statements of intent for "high-severity violence" but said they'll allow such threats to be issued against people they've deemed "dangerous individuals," such as Alex Jones and Louis Farrakhan. Last year, Facebook announced they were overhauling their "race-blind" "hate speech" algorithms to explicitly allow more anti-White hatred. "Facebook has long banned hate speech defined as violent or dehumanizing speech based on race, gender, sexuality and other protected characteristics," The Washington Post reported. "But before the overhaul, the company's algorithms and policies did not make a distinction between groups that were more likely to be targets of hate speech versus those that have not been historically marginalized." "Comments like 'White people are stupid' were treated the same as anti-Semitic or racist slurs," the Post said. Mark Zuckerberg last year issued new speech codes for Facebook and Instagram to ban all Holocaust denial as well as all content which depicts "Jewish people running the world or controlling major institutions such as media networks, the economy or the government." "The idea of banning content that promotes stereotypes of Jewish global control came up a year ago, in a meeting with several Jewish groups convened by Facebook, and was pushed primarily by the World Jewish Congress," The Jewish Daily Forward reported. Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab, Minds, Parler and Telegram. For over forty years, coalitions of academics, governments, corporations, and world governance bodies have colluded to build a global ed-tech schooling system meant to shackle children to the transhumanist Fourth Industrial Revolution. I recently visited former Senior Policy Advisor to the US Office of Educational Research and Improvement, Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt, who gave me access to her archive of files that she collected from the US Department of Education. After digging through a collection of files collated by Lawrence P. Grayson, who was the Advisor for Mathematics, Science and Technology at Americas National Institute of Education (NIE), I discovered that the Department of Eds Project BEST (Basic Education Skills through Technology), which Iserbyt leaked in 1981, was actually the USAs domestic version of an international technology initiative spearheaded by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). While stationed at the NIE, Grayson was also the US Department of Eds liaison with UNESCOs educational technology programs, including Study 11: New Technologies in Education, which he procured for Iserbyt in a bundle of interrelated memorandums and journals. Labeled as the Grayson File, this folder compiled the following documents: UNESCO Study 11 whitepapers that issue ed-tech directives to a region of 14 nation states grouping together communist, socialist, and capitalist countries; US Department of Ed memorandums which stipulate American collaboration with Study 11 and other UNESCO technology programs; Law journals that call for restructuring legal systems in order to globalize the computerized information technology (IT) revolution necessary to streamline international ed-tech markets; Academic journals containing ed-tech promotionals from Project BEST contractors and UNESCO Study 11 representatives published alongside commercial advertisements and order forms for Project BEST courseware and other e-learning products being sold by the very same companies, including Microsoft, Apple, and IBM, that are endorsed in the UNESCO Study 11 whitepapers. This compilation of Grayson File documents shows that UNESCOs Study 11 was carried out through international public-private partnerships between communist, socialist, and capitalist countries coordinating efforts between multinational telecommunications and computer corporations. Working in concert with academic institutions and national government agencies, Study 11 affiliates lobbied to restructure laws in order to globalize school systems through proto-internet technologies manufactured by Big Tech companies, such as Microsoft, IBM, and Apple, which are now steering the Fourth Industrial Revolution into a new political system of communitarian technocracy driven by a new economic system of stakeholder capitalism through community-based public-private partnerships that are managed by Big Data. While this techno-fascist Fourth Industrial Revolution is being accelerated under the duress of coronavirus panic, global COVID lockdowns are sealing the deals for UNESCO Study 11 and Project BEST as schools around the entire world are forced to rely on the technocratic IT infrastructure that has been set up by Study 11 and Project BEST through their public-private partnerships with Microsoft, Apple, and IBM. These partnerships are now converting brick-and-mortar schoolhouses into virtual classrooms that digitally data-mine students through computer hardware devices, such as Apple iPads and Macbooks, which transmit video teleconferencing through software programs, including Microsoft Teams, supplemented by adaptive-learning courseware and other artificial-intelligence applications like IBMs Watson Education. Now that the IT infrastructure set up by Study 11 and Project BEST is firmly in place, globalist oligarchs at the World Economic Forum (WEF) are calling for a Great Reset to purportedly save the planet from COVID-19 by rushing into the Fourth Industrial Revolution with the help of WEF members, including Microsoft, Apple, and IBM, which are exploiting lockdowns in order to reset the global economy and Reimagine Education through ed-tech that is programmed to data-mine students learning analytics through Social Credit systems of surveillance capitalism. In the final equation, these geospatial intelligence systems will be hooked up to transhumanist neurotechnologies plugged into the internet-of-things. In the meantime, a UNESCO 2050 project is building on the IT infrastructure of Study 11 through the new UNESCO Futures of Education study, which advocates for a communitarian assimilation of AI ed-tech in order to Reframe Humanism to accelerate societys evolution into the more-than-human world at the crux of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. UNESCO Study 11: New Technologies in Education from Corporatism to Communism The progression of UNESCOs education technology programs from the 1970s through the 1980s demonstrates a gradual move toward synthesizing the centralized state governance of Eastern Bloc socialism and communism with the transnational corporatism of Western capitalism through the commercial globalization of ed-tech mass-produced by multinational companies that contract with national governments. While these globalist corporations have been selling their ed-tech products across national borders, their government partners have been moving to centralize their state education systems under the technocratic world governance directives of the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum. During the 1970s, UNESCO conducted a series of ed-tech studies that were published in whitepapers such as ED-77/WS/133: Development of Educational Technology in Central and Eastern Europe: Division of Structures, Content, Methods and Techniques of Education. In this 1977 report on [l]ong distance education through audio-visual technologies, such as school radio and school television, UNESCO endorsed the authoritarian educational systems of centralized socialist countries, such as the former USSR. According to UNESCO ED-77/WS/133, there is: an extremely favorable situation for central state measures designed to modernize education. The socialist state possesses the means necessary for education, for the widespread use of methodology based on solid technological foundations and of the media and means of educational technology. . . . [T]he socialist countries are also in a favourable position because of the fact that television, school television, radio and school radio are operated centrally. A few years later, between June 1980 and October 1982, UNESCO expanded the findings of this ED-77/WS/133 whitepaper and other ed-tech studies at a series of conferences, including the Third Conference of Ministers of Member States of the European Region of UNESCO and the Eighth Regional Conference of National Commissions of the European Region. As a result of these studies and conferences, the UNESCO National Commissions of the European Regions Joint Studies in the Field of Education launched Study 11: New Technologies in EducationInformation and Communications Technologies and Their Impact on Education, which orchestrated ed-tech research exchanges between Eastern Bloc communist and socialist regimes in exchange with Western capitalist countries dominated by multinational corporations, such as Microsoft, Apple, and IBM. UNESCO Study 11 This Multi-National Study 11, which [d]eveloped a comprehensive inquiry into the applications of technology in education, coordinated efforts between educational researchers, planners, decision-makers, and other interested parties from the Participating National Commissions of UNESCOs European Region, which included a mixture of communist, socialist, and capitalist nations: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Ukrainian SSR, USSR, UK, and USA. The other interested parties of these UNESCO National Commissions included educators, sociologists, psychologists, philosophers, technologists, and others suggested by the national coordinators, such as Lawrence Grayson, who was the National Coordinator for the United States. This UNESCO Joint Study of communist, socialist, and capitalist National Commissions was regionalized to cooperatively investigate the current and planned applications of new technologies to education, including ed-tech applications of computers, videotex/teletext, interactive video (including videodisc), communications satellites, multichannel cable/fibre optics, teleconferencing (audio/video/computer), as well as new developments in video, audio, and audiographs. More specifically, this UNESCO Study 11 investigated the comprehensive impacts of such evolving technologies on learning theory, the quality of education, access to education, the role of the teacher, organization of education, financing of education, issues related to privacy and freedom, the interfaces between school and working life, school and home, education and state, education and society in general, and others. By regionalizing a single bloc of communist, socialist, and capitalist states under an advisory panel of cognitive scientists and technocrats, UNESCO Study 11 aimed not just to upgrade schools with hi-tech computers, but to dialectically integrate communist and socialist systems of educational statecraft with capitalist ed-tech markets. This communo-fascist synthesis would radically alter student privacy and educational freedom through global transformations of school governance and finance managed by computerized IT. It is important to note here that, while UNESCO ED-77/WS/133 endorsed the centralized educational systems of authoritarian communist and socialist regimes, UNESCO Study 11 advocated the globalization of ed-tech through capitalist market economics dominated by multinational corporations, such as Microsoft, Apple, and IBM. For example: In sum, UNESCO Study 11 commissioned a coalition of communist, socialist, and capitalist nations to cooperate in their efforts to proliferate computerized ed-tech, such as videotex/teletext and teleconferencing software that is now a booming industry across the globe under the worldwide COVID lockdown being pushed by the WEFs Great Reset. This global reset is calling for a new world economic system of communitarian stakeholder capitalism through techno-fascist public-private partnerships that enforce government lockdowns while mandating virtual distance learning through commercial e-learning technologies that are manufactured by WEF members, including Microsoft, Apple, and IBM. Their objective is to digitally data-mine students psychometrics for the purposes of Social Credit surveillance in the bourgeoning Fourth Industrial Revolution. How Project BEST, UNESCO, and the OECD Paved the Way for the Fourth Industrial Revolution In the United States, the ed-tech prospects of UNESCOs Study 11 were piloted through Project BEST, which Secretary of Education T. H. Bell set up to corporatize the American education system through public-private partnerships that implement operant psychological conditioning through computerized teaching machines designed to program students for workforce training. Bells Assistant Secretary, Donald J. Senese, oversaw coordination between the Regional Education Laboratories of the USAs domestic ed-tech pilot, Project BEST, aligned with the international ed-tech plans of UNESCOs Study 11 along with the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. A March 18, 1982 Department of Ed memorandum titled International Study of Educational Technology reports that Senese selected Grayson to be the US Director of UNESCO Study 11 in order to jockey Americas position at the head of the United Nations multinational ed-tech project. In addition, Senese, who was a CERI Governing Board member, wrote an article in the January 1985 edition of the Technological Horizons in Education Journal: Computers in Education Worldwide, which states that Arthur Melmed of the US Department of Eds OERI was appointed to the planning bureau of CERI. Senese also assigned the Department of Eds Director of Regional Liaison, Robert Billings, to head the task of orchestrating collaboration between state coordinators in charge of disseminating Project BESTs ed-tech initiatives. In brief, the Regional Liaison for Project BEST, the planning bureau of the OECDs CERI, and the US National Coordinator of UNESCO Study 11 were all selected to report directly to Assistant Secretary Senese, who thereby oversaw coordination of Project BEST under the educational technology directives of UNESCO and the OECD. Seneses T.H.E. Journal article entitled International Conference Examines Technology in Education summarizes 500 pages of documentation from the OECDs CERI conference, which analyzed the use of modern information technology in education, including the cognitive demands and consequences of the new technology on learning processes in formal education. Senese also wrote that the conferences fifth working group investigated the production and exchange of software and courseware for a multimedia educational environment. Its principal recommendation was that OECD act to assist the development and establishment of international standards for the exchange of courseware authoring systems analogous to the standards that exist for machine tools or for certain computer programming languages. At the same time, UNESCO was beta-testing best practices in educational technologies through Study 11, which was overseen by Grayson, who reported back to Senese in the USA. As the American go-between for the OECD and UNESCO, Assistant Secretary Senese would assign Director of Regional Liaison, Robert Billings, to coordinate US Project BEST with international standards and best practices, such as those recommended by Study 11 and CERI. According to an internal US Department of Ed memorandum sent from Senese to Billings, Project BEST was advanced through Secretary Bells Technology Initiative launched at the 1982 National Technology Teleconference, which called for international technology collaboration. In the Assistant Secretarys memo to Billings sent on April 7, 1982, Senese stated that [t]he conference . . . will provide an overview of technology, focus on applications of technology in education . . . and describe cooperative efforts between schools and the private sector, and high-light international technology efforts in education. This same memorandum tasked Regional Liaison Billings to take [t]he first step in the participation of the regional directors of dissemination [through] training activities at the University of Maryland, May 10-13, 1982 conducted by Project BEST. . . . The training will . . . provide an opportunity to meet the state coordinators for Project BEST in their region [sic]. While state coordinators will coordinate state-wide technology activities for Project BEST, the regional office must play a key role in facilitating cooperation among the states. To put it all together, this memorandum from Senese appointed Billings to regionally coordinate international technology initiatives across the US through interstate public-private planning of Project BEST in accordance with the call to action broadcasted at Secretarys Bells National Technology Conference. Just eight days after issuing this memo to Regional Liaison Billings, Assistant Secretary Sense sent Secretary Bell an Executive Correspondence Memorandum that documents how Bells National Conference on Technology and Education, which was funded through Project BESTs contract with the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), was collaborating with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Executive Correspondence Memorandum to Secretary of Education T.H. Bell In sum, these memos document that Senese, who received reports from Melmed at CERI and Grayson at UNESCO, directed Billings to coordinate Americas regional dissemination of Project BEST in coordination with international standards and best practices in accordance with Bells Technology Initiative launched through the National Technology Conference. In other words, Senese, in concert with Melmed, Grayson, and Billings, coordinated UNESCO and OECD international standardization of ed-tech through the propagation of Project BEST technologies across the USAs 10 Regional Educational Laboratories, including the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL), Shirley McCunes Midcontinental Regional Educational Laboratory (MCREL), and William G. Spadys Far West Regional Laboratory for Educational Research and Development (FWRL), which served as launchpads for disseminating BEST ed-tech to schools throughout the United States. How UNESCO and Project BEST Set the Stage for Globalist Virtual Charter School Corporations Not only did the Department of Educations 10 Regional Laboratories orchestrate Project BEST cooperation across the 50 states, but the Regional Labs also facilitated international coordination with UNESCO and its member countries. These inter-regional networks laid the technological building blocks for globalist virtual charter schools, such as K12 Inc. and Bridge International Academies, which paved the way for the distance learning industry that now is replacing brick-and-mortar schools as COVID lockdowns force the planet to learn online through data-mining ed-tech. Even prior to the rollout of Project BEST, the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory was the US representative to the UNESCO Institute for Educations 1978 School Textbooks for Lifelong Learning study, which reports that the replacement of textbooks with audiovisual technologies, such as films, radio and television broadcasts, language laboratories, etc., would free students from the dictatorship of the textbook. This document shows that, even before Project BEST and Study 11, UNESCO and NWREL were already working together to coordinate a global shift toward computerized ed-tech by transitioning from traditional print textbooks to multimedia telecommunications technologies. Later, in 1982, during the rollout of Project BEST, NWREL set up the Resources in Computer Education (RICE) database, which was made searchable through the international School Practices Information Network (SPIN) operated by BRS Inc. According to a 1982 NWREL news release titled New Source of Information about Computer Education Resources Goes Online, the RICE-SPIN data system partnered with the International Council for Computers in Education. Additionally, a SPIN advertisement from Scott, Foresman and Companys Electronic Publishing Division boasts that SPIN provides access to over 1,000,000 educational resources and an international network of educators, all accessible with a microcomputer and telephone. SPIN advertisment To put it all together, as Project BEST was being rolled out, NWRELs public-private partnership with Scott, Foresman and Company was setting up an international proto-internet network that laid the groundwork for a global e-learning system aligned with the ed-tech goals of Study 11, which was commissioned by UNESCO shortly after UNESCO teamed up with NWREL to pave the way for computerized schooling by shifting from print textbooks to audiovisual telecommunications. NWRELs international SPIN internet, which dovetailed with Project BEST, would effectively serve as a model for the High Success Schools program, which was spearheaded by William G. Spady, the Director of the Far West Regional Laboratory for Educational Research and Development. In a 1995 article titled Welcome to High Success Schools, FWRL Director Spady narrates a case study of his high-success international online-learning model: Students at Jefferson Senior High are holding a teleconference in the media center with a class of students in Russia. They have been working all year on a project to investigate the effects of rapid social and economic change on their communities and how technology impacts those changes. Their collaborative report will be presented to scientists and technology experts around the world who have been assisting their research efforts through the Internet and have agreed to evaluate their research. Notice here that FWRL Director Spady showcases how his high-success internet-learning program highlights international online exchanges between capitalist American students and communist Russian students collaborating with world experts in accordance with UNESCO Study 11s regional ed-tech exchanges between communist, socialist, and capitalist nations. Kickstarted by NWREL and FWRL Director Spady, these High Success and RICE-SPIN computer networks were prototypical online-learning startups that planted the seeds for other globalist internet-learning platforms grown out of Study 11 and Project BEST. These growing online distance learning platforms include virtual charter school corporations, such as Bridge International Academies, which was funded by the World Bank, and K12 Inc., which enrolls students through its K12 International Academy in affiliation with the Association for the Advancement of International Education, the Association of International Schools in Africa, the Central and Eastern European Schools Association, the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools, and the European Council of International Schools. It should be noted that K12 Inc., which is one of the largest online charter schools in the United States, was set up by Secretary of Education William Bill Bennett, who oversaw the educational provisions of President Ronald Reagans General Exchange Agreements with the Soviet Union after Bennett took over Project BEST as the successor to Secretary T. H. Bell. Roughly forty years later, the globalist virtual charter school industry resulting from BEST sub-projects, such as the internet e-learning pilots of NWRELs RICE-SPIN network and Spadys High Success Schools, has provided the online-learning infrastructure to Reset and Reimagine education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Expanding on these virtual charter school markets, the techno-oligarchs of the Fourth Industrial Reset are executing an ed-tech takeover that is exploiting government lockdowns to force all schools into computerized distance learning facilitated by Big Tech corporations, including WEF members like Microsoft, Apple, and IBM, in order to data-mine students learning analytics through AI surveillance algorithms. Academic Echo Chambers and Peer-Regurgitated Propaganda While Project BEST was building the international internet infrastructure for virtual learning platforms like K12 Inc. and BIA, multinational technology corporations, such as Microsoft, Apple, and IBM, were jockeying for positions in the global market to facilitate the hardware and software needed to operate the online courseware for the national education systems participating in UNESCO Study 11. At the same time, the globalist academic establishment was promoting school integration of courseware from these very same Big Tech corporations by advertising their computer-assisted learning products in the pages of scholarly journals alongside ads for other ed-tech developers contracting with Project BEST, such as Scott, Foresman and Company and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). Simultaneously, these same academic journals printed articles publicizing the ed-tech research of the OECD and UNESCO Study 11, which was advocating the use of commercial ed-tech products manufactured by the exact same Big Tech companies, including Microsoft, Apple, and IBM. In brief, these journals document how Project BEST was part of an orchestrated effort between academia, national governments, multinational corporations, and the world governance bodies of UNESCO and the OECD acting in concert to advance global progress toward the technocratic Fourth Industrial Revolution. Today, this techno-fascist revolution is now shifting into high gear as COVID lockdowns are being exploited by the very same Big Tech corporations, including Microsoft, IBM, and Apple, which were promoted by UNESCO Study 11 before they became agents of the World Economic Forums Great Reset. Technological Horizons in Education Journal: Computers in Education Worldwide January, 1984 For example, in the January 1984 edition of Technological Horizons in Education Journal, there are advertisements for IBM PCs Edu-Mod designed by Bell & Howell Co.; Orion Training Systems Introduction to BASIC Programming courseware for Apple II+ or Apple IIe; and Telos Softwares TeloSchool for Apple II+ or Apple IIe. Likewise, in the January 1983 edition of T.H.E. Journal, there are advertisements for LOGO programming software on Apple computers; muMATH/muSIMP Advanced Math Package courseware for IBM Personal Computer; and Microsoft BASIC programming manuals. At the same time, this 1983 issuecontains an ad for reading, science, and mathematics courseware from the Electronic Publishing Division of Scott, Foresman and Company, which operated the SPIN internet that facilitated the RICE database through the US NWREL where Project BEST startups were piloted. Moreover, in this very same 1983 issue, T.H.E. Journal also published an article titled Computers in Swedish Schools: Experience, Research, and Problems by Anita Kollerbaur, Swedens National Coordinator for UNESCO Study 11 under International Coordinator Lawrence Grayson, who was appointed by Project BEST Coordinator, Assistant Secretary of Education Senese. Technological Horizons in Education Journal: Computers in Education Worldwide January, 1983 In sum, both the 1983 and 1984 issues of T.H.E. Journal are filled with advertisements for ed-tech products from WEF-partnered corporations, including Microsoft, IBM, and Apple, which were likewise endorsed by UNESCO Study 11. Simultaneously, the 1983 issue published a whitepaper on computer-assisted learning technology from a UNESCO Study 11 representative while advertising courseware products from computer-tech companies, such as Scott, Foresman and Company, linked to Project BEST, which was Americas domestic version of UNESCO Study 11. Similarly, in the January 1985 edition of T.H.E. Journal, there is an advertisement for a book published by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, which was awarded two US Department of Education contracts totaling a $1,189,715 payout to propagate ed-tech through Project BEST. This T.H.E. Journal ad, which appears on page 90 of the 1985 issue, suggests that an AECT book, entitled Software Quality & Copyright: Issues in Computer-Assisted Instruction, will provide the answer to the question: [h]ow can educators select the best software programs? On page 91, right across from the AECT ad, is an article titled Phone Tele-Teaching Brings Classes to Students at Home, which is followed by another article, Projector Brings Interactive Video to Computer Classes, on page 92. In this very same 1985 issue, T.H.E. Journal published an article entitled International Conference Examines Technology in Education by Project BEST Coordinator Donald Senese, who wrote this article as a public relations report advocating the OECDs push for internationally standardized ed-tech. Technological Horizons in Education Journal: Computers in Education Worldwide January, 1985 To simplify, this 1985 issue of T.H.E. Journal published an OECD report calling for international ed-tech standards promoted by Project BEST Coordinator Senese while simultaneously advertising the courseware recommendations of the AECT, which was the primary contractor for Project BEST. This AECT ad appeared alongside articles for virtual homeschooling through teleconferencing technologies resembling the current line of video-conferencing software, such as Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom, which can be transmitted through Apple computers that can be upgraded with the adaptive-learning artificial intelligence of IBMs Watson Education. Altogether, Graysons sample of T.H.E. Journals illustrates how academic publications were promoting ed-tech whitepapers from UNESCO Study 11 and the OECD while advertising Project BEST technologies, including courseware products developed by current WEF members, such as Microsoft, Apple, and IBM, which are now spearheading the rush into a technocratic Fourth Industrial Revolution geared to track and trace students learning algorithms into psychological profiles that can be data-mined for predictive analytics in a communitarian Social Credit system of geospatial intelligence. Legislating for the Future Trends and Megatrends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution While the academic establishment was pushing commercial ed-tech products through its promotions of both UNESCO Study 11 and Project BEST publicized in scholarly journals, lobbyists were petitioning state and federal bar associations to reform legal systems in order to standardize regulations for international technology exchanges that would streamline IT integration for business operations and government administration across the globe in the coming Fourth Industrial Revolution. In addition to the T.H.E. Journals collated in the Grayson File given to Iserbyt, there is also a June 1984 issue of the American Bar Association Journal, which contains an article written by John Naisbitt, who worked as an IBM executive before he was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Education in the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under President John F. Kennedy. Author of the 1982 book, Megatrends: Ten New Directions Transforming Our Lives, Naisbitt wrote a 1984 ABA Journal article entitled Megatrends for Lawyers and Clients, which lauds how [t]he largest and most significant shift has been the transformation of America over the past 30 years from an industrial to an information-based society. Naisbitt adds that, [h]and in hand with this is our shift away from a national toward a global economy. Forecasting the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Naisbitt proclaims that [w]hat is called for is nothing less than all of usincluding lawyersto reconceptualize our roles in a new society. American Bar Association Journal, Vol. 70, June, 1984 Simply put, Naisbitts Megatrends article was a call to action for lawyers to become change agents who push for legal system reforms that would greenlight Americas evolution from a nationalistic manufacturing economy into a global IT economy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Naisbitts call to action was followed by Shirley McCune, who was the director of the US Department of Eds Midcontinental Regional Education Laboratory (McREL), which piloted Project BESTs ed-tech programs throughout the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. In 1983, the US Department of Education funded two McREL projects to be directed by McCune: Framing a Future for Education in Kansas and Strategic Planning and Furthering Excellence in Millard Public Schools in Nebraska, both of which were guided by the program directives of the Naisbitt Group. Later, at a 1989 National Governors Association conference in Wichita, Kansas, McCune professed that [w]hat were into is the total restructuring of society. What is happening in America today and what is happening in Kansas and the Great Plains is not simply a chance situation in the usual winds of change. What it amounts to is a total transformation of society. . . . Our total society is in a crisis of restructuring and you cant get away from it. You cant go into rural areas, you cant go into churches, you cant go into government or into business and hide from the fact that what we are facing is the total restructuring of our society. That same year, in a Washington Bremerton Sun article titled Schools of the Future, McCune called for revamping schools into futuristic community learning centers that would emphasize integrating technology with curriculum in order to psychologically condition students for lifelong learning from cradle to career. Similarly, William Spady, who ran Project BEST through FWRL, cited Naisbitts Future Trends during his 1990 speech titled Ensuring the Success of All Students Today for Tomorrows Changing World, which he presented to the US Department of Defense: [w]hen addressing the issue of Exit Outcome development in one of our Illinois high school districts during the Spring, I too was forced to take a look at the realities that seem to surround us and that have the potential for shaping the character of the future in which we and our children will live. At first blush, ten somewhat interrelated trends seemed clear to me, . . . some of which resemble trends identified by John Naisbitt and his Future Trends colleagues. In other words, Spady forecasted that the future of schooling would need to evolve in accordance with the future trends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as predicted by Naisbitt. While Spady and McCune regionally launched Project BEST technologies at FWRL and McREL, which is now McREL International, under the provisions of Naisbitts future trends, Project BEST Coordinator Senese was meeting with globalist technocrats at the OECD/CERI ed-tech conference where they examined how to reduce the legal and technical barriers that inhibit the transportability of software products across national boundaries. Then, four years after Spadys Department of Defense speech, the Bill Clinton administration amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act with the addition of the 1994 federal Charter Schools Program, which opened avenues for virtual charter schools that implement online learning through computer technologies. Building on precedents set by the federal Charter Schools Program, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) drafted the Virtual Public Schools Act, which was published in 2005 as a template bill that was disseminated across the United States to various state and federal legislators who copied and pasted it into real bills which would create laws authorizing the expansion of virtual charter schools and community schools that utilize computer technologies to teach students via the Internet in a virtual or remote setting. Fifteen years later, former President Donald Trumps US Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, who financed K12 Inc. charter schools and Neurocore biofeedback wearables for ADHD students, issued new federal rules for Distance Learning and Innovation (85 FR 18638), which deregulated the classroom use of artificial intelligence and other adaptive learning ed-tech that is still being funded by billions of dollars of stimulus money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It should be noted that 85 FR 18638s Accreditation and Innovation negotiating committee included a Government Relations representative from IBM, which was promoted by UNESCO Study 11 and the Project BEST promotionals of T.H.E. Journal before IBM joined the World Economic Forums Great Reset for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. UNESCOs Transhumanist Futures of Education 2050 Now, in the midst of the COVID lockdown reset, UNESCO is convening an International Commission to oversee the Futures of Education: Learning to Become project, which is a global initiative to reimagine how knowledge and learning can shape the future of humanity and the planet through digital, biotechnology and neuroscience developments that will drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This UNESCO 2050 initiative takes Study 11 to the next level as it charts a more-than-human, or transhuman, future in which homo sapiens will evolve with a global IT economy integrated with biotech and neurotech systems of Big Data managed by an international commons of stakeholder corporations. Looking to this 2050 future envisioned by UNESCO, global stakeholder companies, through communitarian public-private partnerships, are on a trajectory to blanket the planet with posthuman AI ed-tech in order to Reframe Humanism by data-mining students biopsychosocial algorithms for the purposes of unleash[ing] an engineering of human beings previously inconceivable, according to UNESCO. In March 2021, the UNESCO Commission on the Futures of Education published a Progress Update, which predicts that [t]echnological advancements, particularly around artificial intelligence and automation, will create new jobs and will complement and augment the capabilities of workers in existing jobs. . . . Traditional pathways connecting education to work may have to be reinvented. More specifically, this UNESCO forecast for the economic world of 2050 foresees the death of the school, which will be replaced by an infinity of devices and approachesstrongly supported by digital technology and artificial intelligenceall of which point in the direction of a hyperpersonalization of learning. In such scenarios, schools are seen as obsolete institutions. Teachers become expendable professionals, who could easily be replaced by other forms of monitoring and supervision. To be sure, UNESCO cautions such a future scenario: the premises underlying this vision, fueled by the unprecedented expansion of the global education market in which the EdTech industry leads the way, has been leading us down a dangerous path. It destroys social institutions without providing proven alternatives. And it must be resisted in the name of a regenerative education. Nevertheless, despite this Rogerian consideration of the dangerous path being carved out by AI ed-tech, UNESCOs call to resistance does not urge humanity to fully depart from this destructive path toward a posthuman technocracy. Instead, this UNESCO 2050 whitepaper resolves to double down on the regenerative promises of AI ed-tech in hopes that it can be distributed equitably through a new social contract for education managed by a commons of public and private partnerships with corporate stakeholders in an international community. Stated differently, UNESCOs Futures of Education greenlights a global continuation down the dystopic path toward a Social Credit system of automated ed-tech surveillance so long as the AI algorithms are equitably meted out by the new brand of communitarian stakeholder capitalism that is being hyped by the World Economic Forums Great Reset for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Indeed, UNESCOs International Commission declares that [t]he diversification of actors [including ed-tech companies] in the education sector should be welcomed as long as it enhances the capacities of public authorities and communities to harness the regenerative power of education to address the severe challenges facing humanity. In other words, UNESCO bargains that the technocratic path toward AI schooling should be pursued as long as ed-tech corporations are fascistically merged with public authorities and other community stakeholders for the purposes of regenerating humanity. Dont be fooled by UNESCOs rhetoric of communitarian equity. At the bottom line, this UNESCO 2050 report is capitulating to the transhumanist merger of humans and computers through a corporate-fascist system of AI ed-tech. In a section e Flash Drought and a rain deficit is pushing more than 2.73 million people in Somalia toward the crisis level of acute food insecurity, UN humanitarians said on Thursday. The annual Gu rains of early spring came late in some parts of the country and were mainly below average, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. Subsiding in mid-May, the critical Gu crop planting season was significantly affected. "Approximately 2.73 million to 2.83 million people across Somalia are expected to face crisis ... or worse outcomes between April and September 2021, reflecting the deteriorating food security situation in the country," the office said. The government, consulting with the United Nations, on April 25 declared a drought. Moderate to severe drought conditions affected more than 80 percent of the country. A few days later, Gu rains started, but only in parts of the country, triggering riverine and flash flooding that affected 400,000 people, of whom 101,300 were displaced, OCHA said. Humanitarian organizations continue to respond in locations with the highest needs, including distributing water and critical sanitation and hygiene material, non-food items, cash and food supplies, the office said. The double climate disaster is in the context of decades of conflict and insecurity in Somalia. A serious gap in relief funding remains for the humanitarian operation in the country, OCHA said. The 2021 Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan requires 1.09 billion U.S. dollars to assist 4 million people but is currently only 20 percent funded. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Flash U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday introduced details of a plan to share 25 million COVID-19 vaccine doses with the rest of the world. The allocation plan for the 25 million doses was a part of the Biden administration's overall framework to share 80 million doses globally by the end of June. Among the 25 million doses, nearly 19 million will be shared through COVAX, including approximately 6 million doses for Latin America and the Caribbean, approximately 7 million for South and Southeast Asia, and approximately 5 million for Africa, Biden said in a White House statement. The remaining over 6 million doses will be shared directly with countries and partners including Canada, Mexico, India, and South Korea, according to the statement. The Biden administration has been under increasing international pressure to share its massive vaccine stockpile. U.S. media reported back in March that the United States had purchased enough vaccines to immunize every adult in the country three times over. Submit your letter to the editor for publication in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Letters should be no more than 300 words and must include the writer's first and last name (no initials), home address and daytime phone number. Submit Flash Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Thursday met with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez over the ways to boost bilateral relations, said a government statement. Dbeibah expressed appreciation for all the efforts by the EU and Spain "in strengthening Mediterranean security, securing borders, promoting stability, and supporting Libya's democratic transformation through free, transparent and fair elections," said the statement issued by the government's information office. The two leaders also agreed to reactivate the Libyan-Spanish joint commission to re-evaluate all previously signed agreements, and signed a number of memorandums of understanding in development, trade exchange, and investment, according to the statement. Sanchez stressed the depth of the relations between Spain and Libya, as well as Spain's support for the Libyan stability and reconciliation. He also announced the reopening of the Spanish embassy and consulate in Libya's capital Tripoli and resumption of granting Spanish entry visas to Libyans. The Spanish leader's visit is accompanied by a number of businessmen, which reflects "the great interest of Spanish companies in working in the fields of healthcare, reconstruction, infrastructure, renewable energy, agricultural and animal wealth, and oil and gas," the statement said. Dbeibah's Government of National Unity was selected by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, ending years of political division in the North African country. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 814-368-3173 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. Another Manitoban has died out of province due to COVID-19. A woman in her 50s who had been transported to a hospital in Ontario on May 23 died, Shared Health said in a release Thursday. The woman is the second Manitoban to die at an out-of-province hospital due to COVID-19. Earlier this week, a man in his 30s died in an Ontario hospital from COVID-19. Advertisement Advertise With Us Another Manitoban has died out of province due to COVID-19. A woman in her 50s who had been transported to a hospital in Ontario on May 23 died, Shared Health said in a release Thursday. The woman is the second Manitoban to die at an out-of-province hospital due to COVID-19. Earlier this week, a man in his 30s died in an Ontario hospital from COVID-19. Three COVID patients were transported out of province on Wednesday for ongoing ICU care. Patients were sent to Owen Sound, North Bay and Sarnia. Three patients were returned to hospitals in Manitoba on Wednesday from Ontario after being cared for at intensive care units in that province. There were five more deaths reported by the province that were related to COVID-19. Two women from the Winnipeg health region died from COVID-19. One woman was in her 40s and the other was in her 70s. A man in his 70s died in the Northern health region died of COVID-19 and the death of a man in his 80s from Southern Health-Sante Sud was linked to an unspecified variant of concern. The death of a woman in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region was linked to the B.1.1.7 variant of concern. The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 11.5 per cent provincially and 13.2 per cent in Winnipeg. There were 360 new cases of the virus Thursday. However, five cases have been removed due to data correction. This brings the net-new number of cases to 355 and the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 51,935. The number of critically ill COVID patients from Manitoba currently being treated out of province is 39. That includes 37 patients in Ontario and two in Saskatchewan. The number of patients returned to Manitoba for ongoing hospital care following discharge from an out-of-province ICU is now at 10. The number of critically ill COVID patients transported out of province since May 18 is now at 51. That includes 49 patients to Ontario and two to Saskatchewan. There were seven COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units in the province over a 24-hour period, with a total of 45 people in intensive care units across the province with active COVID-19. As well, there were 23 people with COVID-19 who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care for a total of 68 ICU patients. The following is Thursdays breakdown of COVID-19 cases throughout the province: 19 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region 23 cases in the Northern health region 42 cases in Prairie Mountain Health 56 cases in Southern Health-Sante Sud 220 cases in the Winnipeg health region. There were 4,179 active cases of COVID-19 in the province on Thursday, with 212 people in hospital with active COVID-19. As well, there were 85 people in hospital with COVID-19 who were no longer infectious but continued to require care, for a total of 297 hospitalizations. The total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 1,067. There were 2,933 laboratory tests completed as of Thursday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since February 2020 to 778,451. Public health officials advise all public and independent kindergarten to Grade 12 schools in Morden will move to remote learning effective Monday, until June 21. Public health will review the situation at that time. The change has been recommended as COVID-19 case counts are elevated in the community. The Brandon Sun A woman was fined for impaired driving on Thursday after an incident in which police saw her swerving into traffic. Advertisement Advertise With Us A woman was fined for impaired driving on Thursday after an incident in which police saw her swerving into traffic. Beverly Daniels, 31, pleaded guilty to an impaired driving charge stemming from from a June 19, 2020 incident. Crown attorney Brett Rach said the incident started after police started following Daniels vehicle, which was driving slowly and swerving all over the road, at times into oncoming traffic. Daniels was yelling at a man walking on the sidewalk and police pulled her over, he said. "Immediately, the driver said she was drunk and just wanted to go home," Rach said. Officers could smell alcohol on her breath and her words were slurred, so they asked for a breath sample. Daniels was, however, not able to give a sample as she was too intoxicated, said Rach, who suggested a fine of between $1,200 and $1,300 for the incident and a one-year ban from driving. "Its obviously not positive she didnt provide a breath sample, so we dont know exactly how intoxicated she was but it seems she was so grossly intoxicated that she was unable to complete the breath sample," Rach said. Her driving was also concerning, the Crown said, as the incident took place in a residential area. Defence lawyer Myles Davis said Daniels has a variety of Gladue factors, including much of her family attending residential schools. She also struggles with addiction, he said. On the day of the incident, Davis said Daniels boyfriend drove them to a McDonalds restaurant before they got into an argument. He walked away, and Davis said Daniels, while intoxicated, made the decision to get behind the wheel. "After a very short period of driving, she was taken into custody and pulled over," Davis said. Since then, the relationship has ended and Daniels has been sober since March, Davis said. He suggested a fine of $1,100 for the charges. Speaking to the court over the phone, Daniels said shes just happy no one was hurt. "I think were all in that sense," Judge Donovan Dvorak said to Daniels. "Its pretty clear from your driving and the things that happened afterwards dealing with police that you were highly intoxicated at the time." Dvorak sentenced her to a $1,200 fine, saying it was the lowest possible given her driving. He also sentenced her to a one-year ban from driving, warning her if she didnt follow it, she would "compound" the problem with more fines and possible jail. dmay@brandonsun.com Twitter: @DrewMay_ KAMLOOPS, B.C. - The stories from elders about death and mistreatment at a former British Columbia residential school are finally being heard by Canadians, says Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation. The former Kamloops Indian Residential School is seen in Kamloops, B.C., on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The remains of 215 children have been discovered buried near the former school. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck KAMLOOPS, B.C. - The stories from elders about death and mistreatment at a former British Columbia residential school are finally being heard by Canadians, says Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation. There is no road map for the grieving and healing ahead following last week's announcement of the discovery of what are believed to be the remains of 215 children at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, but her community needs to know people are listening, Casimir said Friday. "We need to communicate to our members because those truths from the history have always been talked about in the past and have always been shared," she said. "Now, it's come to light and now it's kind of the realization that someone's actually listening." Holding a deer skin drum and standing in a field just below a monument dedicated to the residential school's survivors, Casimir said Tk'emlups te Secwepemc children will never have to suffer the way their elders did. "What I can say and what I'd like to say is when we look at systemic racism, discrimination, it all stems from those truths being hidden, swept under the carpet, and today we just want to make sure that our future generations are taken care of," she said. "We want to make sure our children do not have to live those types of ugly histories." The residential school operated between 1890 and 1969, when the federal government took over operations from the Catholic Church and operated it as a day school until it closed in 1978. The National Truth and Reconciliation Commission has record of at least 51 children dying at the school between 1914 and 1963. The commission noted in its 2015 report that officials in 1918 believed children at the school were not being adequately fed, leading to malnutrition. The commission's 4,000-page account details harsh mistreatment at Canada's residential schools, including the emotional, physical and sexual abuse inflicted upon Indigenous children. At least 4,100 children died at the schools. Casimir said those who survived the residential school must continue to share their stories. "It will never repeat itself," she said. "Today, our children, they're educated in a good way, they're upheld and they're considered sacred." The Tk'emlups te Secwepemc community has been "constantly, collectively grappling with the heart-wrenching truth brought to light," Casimir told an earlier news conference Friday. "We are the home community of the lost loved ones," she said, adding the nation continues to reach out to communities whose members attended the school. There's been an outpouring of support, she said, and people who have expertise or information that may be useful in the ongoing investigation of the site are being asked to contact the nation. They are also asking for a public apology from the Catholic Church, Casimir said. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, which ran almost half of Canada's residential schools, has yet to release any records about the school, said Casimir. Father Ken Thorson, the provincial superior of the Oblates, said he reached out to the band last week when the news of the burial sites first became public. Thorson said he wanted to apologize directly to the band, not through the media. I think, you know, an apology is easy. Our governments and churches have apologized before and havent changed. The question is followup, the question is action to the followup, he said. Thorson said the order looked at making its records available during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 but the effort stalled. Many of the Oblates records are now with the Royal B.C. Museum, said Genevieve Weber, the acting head of archives at the museum. She said it has about 250 boxes of records that range from correspondence items to financial reports and diaries. The nation announced last week that it had used the services of a ground-penetrating radar specialist to find the remains of children long believed missing from the school, some as young as three years old. Its findings are preliminary, said Casimir, who expects a report from the investigation will be ready by the end of the month. Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said in a statement on Twitter Friday that out of respect for the privacy of survivors and their families the government has restricted the air space over the former residential school. "We will continue to work closely with the Indigenous communities affected and respect their mourning period," he said. Steady streams of people have stopped to pay their respects, and leave mementoes and flowers at the memorial at the former school. School survivor Stanley Paul stood at the monument Friday and paid tribute with a song. Paul, 75, said he was seven years old when he arrived at the school, but ran away at 16 to the United States. He said he is thankful the pain he and many others suffered at the school is being heard across Canada. "It hurts," said Paul, touching his chest. "People in Ottawa, they're finding out. They now know what it is. What pain is." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on the Catholic Church to "step up" and take responsibility on Friday for its role in Canada's residential school system, saying that as a Catholic, he is deeply disappointed by the position the church has taken. Internationally, the United Nations' human-rights special rapporteurs are calling on Canada and the Catholic Church to conduct prompt and thorough investigations into the discovery in Kamloops, including the identification of any remains and examination of the circumstances and responsibilities surrounding the deaths. In a statement on Friday, they called on Ottawa to undertake similar investigations at all other Indigenous residential schools across Canada. The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program has a hotline to help residential school survivors and their relatives suffering with trauma invoked by the recall of past abuse. The number is 1-866-925-4419. with files from Nick Wells and Brenna Owen in Vancouver. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2021. A doctor who faced a barrage of hate and racism after being accused of violating COVID-19 measures in New Brunswick is calling on the premier to apologize after a charge was dropped Friday. A doctor who faced a barrage of hate and racism after being accused of violating COVID-19 measures in New Brunswick is calling on the premier to apologize after a charge was dropped Friday. Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola was accused of violating the province's Emergency Measures Act, but the Crown withdrew the charge after concluding there was no chance of conviction. New Brunswick's provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld This confirms what we already knew: Dr. Ngola is and has always been innocent, both in fact and in law, and he always respected the rules," Joel Etienne, one of Ngola's lawyers, said in a statement. Ngola and his lawyers are threatening legal action if New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs does not publicly apologize for statements made in May 2020. Without naming Ngola, Higgs had referred to a health-care worker being investigated by the RCMP for failing to self-isolate after returning to the province, in connection to an outbreak that resulted in 40 COVID-19 cases and two deaths. Higgs said the health zone in the north of the province was "at a higher risk due to the actions of one irresponsible individual.'' Ngola's name later leaked out. In a letter sent Friday, the premier was given one week to issue the apology or face legal recourse. Higgs has repeatedly refused to apologize, and on Friday he maintained that position. He said it will be up to Ngola to decide what he wants to do next. "I really don't feel I have anything to apologize for," Higgs told reporters in Fredericton. "It's unfortunate if he took it personally ... I didn't name him, that all came out later." Ngola's lawyers said that it became clear during the proceedings that Ngola had complied with provincial rules, followed instructions given to him at the border and had no obligation to self-isolate. There was no scientific basis to label him as patient zero, they said. The RCMP probe was dropped last year, but until Friday he had still faced a charge of breaking provincial rules. "Defence counsel submitted evidence to the Crown on May 14, which led to the Crown reassessing its position and concluding that there no longer was a reasonable prospect of conviction," provincial Justice Department spokesman Geoffrey Downey said by email. Ngola, a physician of Congolese descent, was the target of racist abuse after his positive COVID-19 status was leaked on social media. The harassment I suffered was an absolute injustice," Ngola said in a statement through his lawyer on Friday. "Premier Blaine Higgs was as quick as possible to believe the negative scapegoating a racialized Canadian, a person of immigrant background." Ngola said the stigma extended to other racialized people in the province already coping with the pandemic and having to deal with the fear of bullying that comes with false accusations. The premier had to or ought to have known that what he was doing in putting the blame on Dr. Ngola was deceiving the people of New Brunswick from the very start, and he was dishonest with the public by insinuating that Dr. Ngola had failed to self-isolate after entering the province, Christian Michaud, another of Ngola's lawyers, added in a statement. There is a terrible systemic racism history in North America of using the dog whistle against racialized citizens and labelling them as the 'bringer of diseases' and this has to stop. Amid threats and fearing for his safety, the doctor pushed ahead a plan to relocate to Quebec, where he has been practising medicine since late last year. "Higgs should be an honourable human being, apologize and admit he made a mistake," Ngola said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2021. OTTAWA - The Liberal Party of Canada has adopted a new digital tool to more directly reach supporters and potential voters the same one increasingly used by celebrities to interact more intimately with their fans through text messages. A Liberal Party of Canada logo is shown on a giant screen as a technician looks on during day one of the party's biennial convention in Montreal, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. The Liberal Party of Canada has adopted a new digital tool to more directly reach supporters and potential voters - the same one increasingly used by celebrities to interact more intimately with their fans through text messages. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes OTTAWA - The Liberal Party of Canada has adopted a new digital tool to more directly reach supporters and potential voters the same one increasingly used by celebrities to interact more intimately with their fans through text messages. The party boasts that it is the first political party in the world to use Community, a text messaging platform that touts itself as enabling "instant and direct communication with the people you want to reach, using the simplicity of text messaging." It's used by a host of actors, artists and musicians, including Canadian stars Shawn Mendes, Shania Twain, and Justin Bieber. And it was used last fall by former U.S. President Barack Obama to help promote his memoirs and drum up support for Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden. The Liberal party has published a phone number and is urging Canadians to text with their thoughts on issues and their ideas for improving federal policies. Party spokesman Braeden Caley promises that each text will receive a personal response, be it from a cabinet minister, an MP, a candidate, a senior member of the campaign team or maybe even from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself. The first response from the party will be a survey, designed to elicit the priority interests of each person, the issues that move them. That will then enable the party, for instance, to share important announcements on various issues with those who've expressed a specific interest in them. Or it can use text messages to alert people when events are being held in their areas or to connect them with volunteers in their ridings. "As we all work to finish the fight against COVID-19, Canadians are starting important new conversations about the kind of future we want to keep building together. This is a new and creative way to stay in touch with Canadians directly, and sharing an idea will be as simple and fast as sending a quick text," Caley said. "The idea is for there to be a rich conversation that continues to get ideas from Canadians, share ideas with them about how they can get more involved on those issues and stay connected in a new way with a political party they're seeking to support." NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has also deployed Community, inviting Canadians in March to send him text messages. By that point, Caley said the Liberal party was already running a pilot project with the text service in British Columbia. It launched the service nationwide on Wednesday evening. Community confirmed that the Liberals are the only political party in the world to use the platform so far. In a recent fundraising pitch to supporters, the Conservatives signalled that they too are planning to up their direct messaging game. "That's why were planning one of the most ambitious voter-facing communications plans ever executed by a Canadian political party," it said, without providing any details. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2021. FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's government is opening walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics to help it reach its goal of having 75 per cent of the population 12 and older vaccinated by Monday. New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, take a selfie after Russell administered Higgs with a second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Fredericton, Friday, June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's government is opening walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics to help it reach its goal of having 75 per cent of the population 12 and older vaccinated by Monday. If that target is reached, then the government's reopening plan kicks in, which will remove limits on outdoor gatherings and cap indoor gatherings at 20 people. The first step of the reopening plan also allows travellers from Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador to visit the province without having to isolate for two weeks upon entry. Health officials say 67.4 per cent of people aged 12 and older have received a first dose of vaccine and more than 50,000 people will need to get vaccinated over the weekend to reach the 75 per cent target by Monday. Officials say people can go to a walk-in clinic or make an appointment online or by contacting a participating pharmacy. The province is reporting 10 new cases of COVID-19 today, including six cases in the Fredericton area, two cases in the Moncton region, one case in the Saint John area and one in the Bathurst region. New Brunswick has 147 active reported cases of COVID-19 and three patients hospitalized with the disease. One New Brunswicker is hospitalized in intensive care outside the province. Health officials are declaring an outbreak after one COVID-19 case was identified at Villa Maria, a nursing home in Saint-Louis-de-Kent, N.B., where members of a rapid outbreak management team are providing support for residents. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2021. PORTAPIQUE, N.S. - Staff members of a public inquiry investigating Nova Scotia's mass shooting took a walk today along the roads where the rampage began the night of April 18, 2020. Members of the Mass Casualty Commission visit the Portapique, N.S., community as part of their fact-finding work on Friday, June 4, 2021. The independent public inquiry, created to examine the April 18-19, 2020, mass casualty in Nova Scotia, will submit a report containing their findings, lessons learned, and recommendations at the end of their mandate in November 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan PORTAPIQUE, N.S. - Staff members of a public inquiry investigating Nova Scotia's mass shooting took a walk today along the roads where the rampage began the night of April 18, 2020. The group visiting Portapique, N.S., included members of the investigations, legal, research and community engagement teams with the Mass Casualty Commission. The deadly journey of the shooter driving a replica RCMP vehicle and wearing a police uniform began in Portapique, a coastal community about 40 kilometres west of Truro, N.S., where 13 people were murdered before the killer managed to escape by a road flanked by blueberry fields. He overnighted in an industrial park and carried on to other Nova Scotia communities early the next day, with nine more people murdered before the 51-year-old denturist was shot dead by police at a gas station 13 hours after the first call to police. The staff visit today was aimed at understanding the geography of the Portapique area where the killings occurred and where some survivors hid or fled through wooded areas as the gunman burned residents' homes. Lead investigator Barbara McLean says it was important for the team to get a strong sense of the layout of the scene to "understand the context and circumstances in which these tragedies happened." "The purpose of a public inquiry is fact finding, which is understanding what happened, how it happened and then to have the commission put forth recommendations that, if adopted, enhance public safety in Nova Scotia," she said. McLean says the team expected to return to the community again at night, to get a stronger sense of what it would have been like for people when it was dark and difficult to see. The team didn't schedule meetings with community members but let the town know in advance they would be visiting and indicated they would be happy to speak to people if they were approached. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2021. OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada stressed the importance of full financial disclosure by those responsible for paying child support in dismissing the appeal of a man who fell seriously behind in his obligations. Clouds pass by the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa, Friday June 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada stressed the importance of full financial disclosure by those responsible for paying child support in dismissing the appeal of a man who fell seriously behind in his obligations. In its unanimous ruling Friday, the high court said Felice Colucci is on the hook for $170,000 in support payments despite his contention the amount should be much lower. Colucci and wife Lina divorced in 1996 after 13 years of marriage, and the mother assumed custody of two daughters, who were eight and six at the time. The father was required to pay $115 a week per child in support but two years later he requested a reduction on the basis his income had dropped. However, he provided no financial disclosure to document the circumstances and the parties did not come to a new agreement. The father's support obligations ended in 2012 when the daughters completed their post-secondary education and found employment. But from 1998 onward he made few if any voluntary support payments and only limited monies were collected through enforcement. Further, the father's whereabouts were unknown as the amount owing grew. By 2016, the man's child-support arrears with interest totalled about $170,000. At this point, he applied to retroactively reduce child support, saying he had moved to the United States from 2000 to 2005, earning about US$25,000 annually, before heading to Italy to care for his mother. However, he provided little financial documentation to support his case. Even so, a judge reduced the arrears owing to $41,642 in keeping with the father's lower income as well as new federal child-support guidelines introduced shortly after the divorce. The Ontario Court of Appeal overturned the decision and ordered the father to pay the full amount owing, prompting his appeal to the Supreme Court. In its decision, the top court said the child-support system depends upon adequate, accurate and timely financial disclosure by those obliged to make payments. "Simply stated, disclosure is the linchpin on which fair child support depends and the relevant legal tests must encourage the timely provision of necessary information," Justice Sheilah Martin wrote on behalf of the court. It is the payer who knows and controls the information needed to calculate the appropriate amount of support, she wrote. It would therefore be "illogical, unfair and contrary to the childs best interests" to make the recipient solely responsible for policing the payers ongoing compliance with their support obligation. "Full and frank disclosure is also a precondition to good faith negotiation," Martin wrote. "Without it, the parties cannot stand on the equal footing required to make informed decisions and resolve child support disputes outside of court." Citing these principles, Martin set out a framework for determining a payer's application for a retroactive decrease in support based on a significant change in circumstances. With regard to the Colucci case, she concluded the revised federal guidelines did amount to a noteworthy change, but the father's lack of communication and insufficient disclosure doomed his application. The father "showed no willingness to support the children, who suffered hardship as a result of his failure to fulfil his obligations," Martin wrote. She found Lina Colucci was left to shoulder the financial burden of raising and supporting the children on her own, and the daughters incurred considerable debt in pursuing their education due to the lack of support from their father. "His conduct shows bad faith efforts to evade the enforcement of a court order." The high court also found the father had not demonstrated he will be unable to pay now or in the future even with a flexible payment plan. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2021. OTTAWA - The United Nations' human-rights special rapporteurs are calling on Canada and the Catholic Church to conduct prompt and thorough investigations into the finding of an unmarked burial site believed to contain the remains of 215 Indigenous children at a British Columbia residential school. People from the Sto:lo Nation carry a canoe after a ceremony to lead their late ancestors from an unmarked, undocumented burial site back to their home, outside the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, in Kamloops, B.C., on Monday, May 31, 2021. The United Nations' human-rights special rapporteurs are calling on Canada and the Catholic Church to conduct prompt and thorough investigations into the finding of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at Kamloops B.C. residential school. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck OTTAWA - The United Nations' human-rights special rapporteurs are calling on Canada and the Catholic Church to conduct prompt and thorough investigations into the finding of an unmarked burial site believed to contain the remains of 215 Indigenous children at a British Columbia residential school. The UN special rapporteurs said Friday the investigations should examine the circumstances and responsibilities surrounding these deaths, including forensic examinations of any remains to allow for the identification and registration of missing children. "We urge the authorities to conduct full-fledged investigations," said the UN experts in a statement. "Large scale human rights violations have been committed against children belonging to Indigenous communities, it is inconceivable that Canada and the Holy See would leave such heinous crimes unaccounted for and without full redress." The Holy See is the central governing body of the Catholic Church. The UN experts also called on Ottawa to undertake similar investigations in all other Indigenous residential schools across the country. The special rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, which is the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system. The signatories to the statement included Fabian Salvioli, special rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence and Francisco Cali Tzay, special rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The experts said Canada's judiciary should conduct criminal investigations into all suspicious deaths and allegations of torture and sexual violence against children kept in residential schools, and prosecute and sanction the perpetrators and concealers who may still be alive. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has made $27 million in previously announced funding available to conduct further searches of possible residential school burial sites. Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa Friday that the families and the communities of the Indigenous children who were victims of the residential schools system should be at the centre of Canada's path forward. "What the government of Canada thinks is the right thing to do, or wants to do is secondary in this issue," he said. "We will be there to support what the communities want and need." Trudeau said Canada is open to creating national standards to investigate burial sites or individual approaches for every Indigenous community, noting that his government is also open to international participation in this process. The UN experts also urged the Catholic Church to provide full access to judicial authorities to the archives of the residential schools run by the institution, to conduct prompt and thorough internal and judicial investigations into these allegations, and to publicly disclose the result of those investigations. Trudeau also called on the Catholic Church to "step up" and take responsibility for its role in Canada's residential school system. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier this week, a UN human rights office spokeswoman, Marta Hurtado also said Canada must ensure "prompt and exhaustive investigations'' into the deaths and redouble efforts to find the whereabouts of missing children, including by searching unmarked graves. Retired senator Murray Sinclair, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, called also for an independent investigation to examine all burial sites near former residential schools. He told a House of Commons committee Thursday that such a probe should not be run by the federal government, but should be overseen by a parliamentary committee that will ensure it is done in a proper way. The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program has a hotline to help residential school survivors and their relatives suffering with trauma invoked by the recall of past abuse. The number is 1-866-925-4419. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2021. ---- This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship. Flash An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 jolted Indonesia's eastern province of North Maluku on Thursday, with no damage or casualties reported so far, according to officials. The meteorology and geophysics agency did not issue any tsunami warning as the tremors did not potentially trigger a giant wave. The quake rocked at 17:09 p.m. local time (1009 GMT) and the epicenter, with a depth of 10 km under the seabed, was determined to be 135 km southwest of Ternate city, according to the agency. In the hardest-hit areas of Ternate city and Manado city, there were no reports of damage or casualties, disaster agency officials said. "The jolts only caused panic among residents in Halmahera district. In Ternate, the jolts were felt by the residents," Head of Operation Unit of Disaster Agency of North Maluku Province Fehbi Alting told Xinhua over phone. "There were no building damage or those wounded." In Manado, the tremors were also felt without triggering panic, a local disaster management agency official told Xinhua via phone. A pair of Winnipeg-based foodies have likely experienced more of Westmans drive-in burger joints than most people who live in the area. A pair of Winnipeg-based foodies have likely experienced more of Westmans drive-in burger joints than most people who live in the area. Kerry and Stephanie OBrien run the "Manitoba Small Town Drive-ins Review" Facebook and YouTube pages, for which theyve visited and reviewed approximately 40 drive-in burger restaurants thus far. Kerry OBrien chows down on a burger to be reviewed on the Manitoba Small Town Drive-ins Review Facebook and YouTube pages. There are more to come, Kerry said by phone in Winnipeg recently, adding they still have a growing list of places theyve yet to visit. "There are no bad burgers," he said. "Every burgers different and everyone has their own take on it." These special takes include special sauces, different buns and other variables that help set them apart. Married couple Kerry and Stephanie OBrien are seen at one of the approximately 40 drive-in burger joints in rural Manitoba theyve visited and reviewed thus far. (Submitted) At the same time, there are a lot of commonalities. Each burger joint has a house burger, often named after the restaurant, alongside the staples, such as fries, gravy and milkshakes. Another similarity is that the people in each community believe their burger restaurant to be the best in the province. "Thats where I come in because Im not biased," Kerry said, adding that despite his more critical eye, theres always something positive to highlight. Kerry was the first between the two of them to spark an interest in drive-in burger joints, having visited numerous restaurants while working a job that required him to travel throughout the province. Hed come home and write reviews to remind himself which places he enjoyed the most and why, when Stephanie recommended he film videos to post online. Kerry and Stephanie OBrien are seen at one of the approximately 40 drive-in burger joints in rural Manitoba theyve visited and reviewed thus far. (Submitted photos) It all snowballed from there, and Kerry said hes thrilled to have helped fuel such interest in rural restaurants. The Facebook page now has more than 7,000 members who often offer reviews and tips of their own. The couple excludes their home community of Winnipeg from the project because there are plenty of promotional tools restaurateurs in the provinces most populous city can access. "Not a lot of people, especially in places like Winnipeg, would know about a lot of these places and to try and drive some attention to them is kind of the driving force behind this," Kerry said, adding he was largely ignorant of what the province outside of Winnipeg had to offer until recently. Although he has spent his whole life in Manitoba, it wasnt until he neared the age of 50 that he finally decided to more fully explore his home province. This was always his and Stephanies plan, but theyd anticipated waiting until they hit retirement age to do it, spending their younger years travelling internationally. But the pandemic brought in travel restrictions, which limited their travels to Manitoba. Despite this being a limitation at face value, Kerry said they havent seen it as such and have enjoyed exploring the province, turning the burger restaurants from their sole destination to a stop along their travels. "We love doing it," Kerry said. "Get out and see your own province theres so much stuff to do in your own backyard people dont even realize." Some Westman highlights thus far include Tastees Ice Cream and Grill in Brandon, Busy B in Boissevain, the Beach Hut in Killarney, Minnedosas Dari Isle Drive In and The Boardwalk on Clear Lake in Wasagaming. Kerrys favourite restaurant thus far was Jimmys Submarine & Dairy Delight in Portage la Prairie, while Stephanie liked Cynthias Cornerstone Cafe in the RM of Brokenhead. There are plenty more reviews to come, Kerry said, with a whole new slate of restaurants on the agenda for visitation throughout the summer. tclarke@brandonsun.com Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB The Branson Board of Aldermen on Thursday (now postponed to July 28) will consider an ordinance that would require face coverings in public spaces. The aldermen might approve it, disapprove it, or approve an amended version. Would you be in favor of some form of mandatory face covering ordinance in the city of Branson? You voted: Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size For months, on front page ads in almost every newspaper in Australia, mining billionaire and wannabe political player Clive Palmer has bludgeoned James Shipton, the outgoing head of Australias corporate watchdog. Shifty Shipton still at ASIC, Wheres the Justice? the advertisements blare in Palmers signature black on yellow. Then, triumphantly in the last week of May FINALLY - James Shipton is leaving ASIC. Shipton has been targeted because his now former organisation, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, is pursuing Palmer in the criminal courts. But he and ASIC are far from the only people in Palmers sights. Palmer has also used front page ads in major newspapers including The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald to criticise the WA and Queensland governments over their COVID restrictions, to flog the virtues of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment and to express support for controversial rugby league player Israel Folau. Palmer is a billionaire Queensland businessman, a serial litigant, a character now ingratiating himself with the nations youngsters with a popular app that generates memes featuring himself. Hes been a significant political figure through the Queensland branch of the Liberal-National Party in the 1980s and then in the 2010s via his own eponymous Palmer United Party. He has garnered attention and influenced elections by spending millions more than the major parties on advertising, through social media, newspapers and mind-numbingly repetitive TV spots. At his political height, Palmer commanded four seats in federal parliament, including his own lower house seat of Fairfax, which he held from 2013 to 2016. Many believe Palmers party helped hand Scott Morrison the 2019 election victory by directing preferences to the Coalition while running attack ads targeting the then leader of the opposition, Bill Shorten, with allegations that proved to be incorrect that Labor was planning a death tax. Palmer has been depicted on the front page of Perths main newspaper as Dr Evil, a cane toad and a cockroach. Advertisement So what drives him? Does Palmer continue to harbour serious ambitions for political power? Is he an agent of chaos, a stirrer? Or is he simply trying to shore up his commercial interests? Palmer was asked over two weeks ago for an interview, but he declined through his media manager. He also refused to answer a series of detailed questions for this story, despite doing media interviews with other publications. Criminal charges In the case of the Shipton advertisements, Palmers motivation could easily be interpreted as self-interest. Palmer is already facing two sets of criminal charges brought by ASIC over two business matters, the first involving alleged breaches of takeover provisions in the acquisition of his Coolum leisure resort and the second set of charges, this time dishonesty offences, relating to allegations he improperly funded his successful 2013 election campaign. Palmer launched new legal challenges to both sets of criminal charges in early June, seeking to have the cases thrown out of court. This masthead can now reveal that inside the corporate watchdog a large team has been putting the finishing touches on an investigation that may yet result in a third set of criminal charges. Multiple sources familiar with the investigation but not permitted to speak publicly say the investigations are into Palmers alleged involvement in making loans from his struggling public mining company, Queensland Nickel to other companies owned by Palmer, and then forgiving those loans. The allegation under investigation is that $189 million of cash that flowed from Queensland Nickel to various Palmer entities was never paid back. Advertisement The Age and Herald do not suggest Palmer has engaged in any wrongdoing, only that the regulator is investigating potential charges against him and that the investigation may help explain Palmers recent advertising blitz against ASIC. It remains to be seen if this investigation will result in criminal charges. The Queensland Nickel investigation was instigated under Shipton and with him now gone and the new boss of the corporate watchdog Joe Longo in the seat it could be dropped, as is often the case when regulatory bosses change over. Palmer says the two cases brought so far by ASIC are politically motivated and the matters have already dealt with by the civil courts. All of these matters have already been heard by courts around Australia and have been dismissed, he said in July 2020 when ASIC announced the charges. While Palmer has dismissed the merit of the charges, it appears they still stung. Those who know the magnate say he was horrified to be subject to criminal investigations given his long history in business without prior regulatory intervention. It was against this background that the advertising frenzy targeting Shipton began. Sources inside the corporate cop say the reason could not be clearer - in their view the advertisements were intended to pressure ASIC to drop the charges and the ongoing investigation. If that was the point, it has failed. The criminal trials and potential new charges still loom and, with his political star fading, Palmer has still been hard at work trying to win new fans through his media-grabbing antics. Advertisement In May, he hosted a press conference with controversial former Wallaby and rugby league star Israel Folau, pledging to support the mans religious freedoms. Hes also in recent weeks won headlines for agreeing to fund tendentious cross bench MP Craig Kellys election campaign. All are tame outings, however, compared to the times hes twerked in radio studios, goofed around in a rabbit suit or announced he was planning to build the Titanic II. But behind the at-times clownish image, Palmer has left a trail of disappointment. For many stunts and photo-ops, there have been forgotten promises or unrealised plans: an idea for a rail line linking the iron ore fields of the Pilbara in the West to the East Coast that never materialised; plans for a steel smelter in Newcastle and in Gladstone that were quietly abandoned; unfulfilled promises of a coal mine in the Galilee Basin four times the size of Adanis (now dubbed Bravus Mining) project. The political project Born in Melbourne in 1954 and raised on the Gold Coast, Palmer made his first millions as a property speculator riding the 1980s boom on the Queensland glitter strip before turning to acquiring mining leases on the cheap in WA and Queensland, many of which contained large mineral deposits. He has long been interested in politics -- he was spokesman and later state director of the Queensland National Party and a confidant of former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, but Palmer really hit the national stage when he launched his political party, Palmer United Party, in 2013. Hes never struck me as particularly ideological...I think his motives are pretty transparent, arent they? Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Clive Palmer But having poured his cash and energy into winning seats in parliament, he did very little with them. His senators jumped ship to become independents and Palmer himself was photographed asleep in the lower house. His already fading political star further dimmed during the highly publicised collapse of his nickel company Queensland Nickel in 2016 and an ensuing controversy about unpaid workers entitlements and questionable flow of funds from the company to other Palmer entities. Palmer later agreed to pick up the $70 million workers entitlement bill after government appointed special purpose liquidators took legal action against him. Advertisement Former PUP senator, now independent, Tasmanian Jacquie Lambie, describes Palmer as a man who remains kind to her despite the two former party mates famously acrimonious split in 2014. He does a lot of encouragement. He can be that sort of father figure, Lambie says on her way to the hugely popular Tasmanian agricultural field day Agfest outside of Launceston. He was really nice, especially towards the end of that last election, saying just keep calm, youre doing really well, youll get over it, Lambie says. I couldnt afford to do polling and stuff so hed say Ive been doing the polling. Its alright, you hold in there and they just keep doing what youre doing Asked what were the policies that attracted her to Palmers party in the first place, Lambie shoots: Im not sure he had policies when I worked for him. Palmer must know his political power is fading; after much tough talk against the WA Labor government Clive Palmers United Australia Party pulled out of running in the state election in March. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who described Palmer in his recent book A Bigger Picture as both smart and utterly self-obsessed, believes his ambitions are obvious. Clive spent a huge amount of money in the 2019 election - around $60 million - which was mostly devoted to attacking Labor. So it would have been very helpful to the Coalition, Turnbull said in a brief interview. Advertisement ANZ chief economist Richard Yetsenga says businesses are finding it tough to deal with changing lockdowns. People slashed expenditure on dining (by 69 per cent) and shopping (by 67 per cent) in the first 72 hours of lockdown, while spending on jewellery alone collapsed by 90 per cent. But the banks chief economist Richard Yetsenga said it was clear from previous lockdowns that affected states bounced back quickly, with the assistance on offer from the federal and Victorian governments also likely to help the recovery. A bigger long-term worry, he said, was the business sectors struggle to make longer-term plans when a state border or major city could shut at short notice. The feedback Im getting from businesses is that internal borders are just as important as external borders for planning, he said. EY chief economist Jo Masters said while the lockdown was tough on those affected, the strong economic momentum carried into the lockdown meant it was unlikely to cause lasting damage. For many businesses the pivot to working from home is smooth, which lessens the economic hit relative to earlier lockdowns, she said. Moreover, households are adept at spending during lockdown or catching up their spending as restrictions ease. We are not seeing lockdowns having prolonged negative hits on confidence, for consumers or businesses. Social Services Department data shows how the Victorian jobs market improved as the impact of last years extended lockdown faded. Between the start of this year and mid-May, the number of Victorians on JobSeeker or Youth Allowance fell by 20 per cent or more than 81,000 people. Across the rest of the nation, the numbers dropped by 14 per cent. The improvement was widespread. The number of people needing help in Dandenong fell by almost 23 per cent, by 23.6 per cent in Cranbourne and by 23.2 per cent in St Kilda. In the northern suburbs of Mill Park and Bundoora, the number dropped by 19.2 per cent while in the far western growth area of Melton, it was down by 19.5 per cent. The one continuing trouble spot is inner Melbourne with the proportion of people relying on assistance falling by just 10 per cent. State Treasurer Tim Pallas and commentators have cited Victorias remarkable recovery from last years long lockdown as measured by gross state product, housing starts, property prices and other headline economic indicators. But those figures dont include Victorians who have been either thrown out of work by the latest lockdown, which is now due to remain in force until Thursday, or have not got back on their feet after the difficult year of 2020, according to FoodBank chief executive Dave McNamara. Foodbank, Dave McNamara at the charitys LaTrobe Street pop-up site. Credit:Chris Hopkins The charity chief told The Age that demand for FoodBanks parcels and hampers of groceries had declined during the JobKeeper and coronavirus supplement period but sharply increased since the federal payments stopped, with 1.4 million meals distributed in May against a pre-COVID monthly average of about 1.1 million. The sharp lockdown has further increased the demand on FoodBanks services. There was a tenfold increase in calls for help to the charitys phone line, which broke down after being swamped with callers on Wednesday morning after Mr McNamara spoke on ABC Radio Melbourne. He told The Age that he delivered a free food package on Thursday to a client who remained employed four hours per week, so his employers could keep him on the books but who could not afford to buy groceries and whose working arrangement meant he would not show up in the months unemployment figures. FoodBanks pop-up food distribution centre in Melbournes CBD for stranded international students, ineligible for JobKeeper and other pandemic payments, usually helps feed about 400 young people per day. But after three days of lockdown more than 520 showed up looking for food, and that figure had further swollen to 620 by Wednesday. SHORT STORIES Flock: First Nations Stories Then and Now Ed. Ellen van Neerven UQP, $29.99 Although he is often credited with helping overturn the confidence trick of terra nullius that enduring pretext for the theft of a continent Eddie Koiki Mabo also helped, in his way, to usher in a new age of literature. I say new age, although this isnt entirely true: the age had never really ended. But regular programming, its fair to say, had been briefly interrupted. Flock: First Nations Stories Then and Now. Credit: Mabo served to remind Australian authors that there was no new land to seek out, no new continent to be written. The hunger to empty this land of its people, of its stories and meaning, was misguided. A few pimply, halting efforts to enlist the cultures of First Nations in this process had been attempted (think of the Jindyworobak poetry movement of the 1930-50s, or Les Murrays The Buladelah-Taree Holiday Song Cycle). But today any writing, whether in or about this continent, must engage what is already here, without seeking to displace or appropriate it. This may seem like an unusual way to introduce an anthology of short prose written by First Nations authors. It becomes less so once we stop to consider that such anthologies exist at the tail end of these struggles. Sovereignty never ceded: more often than not, it is non-Indigenous people who implicitly acknowledge this. By forgoing agreement no Treaty of Waitangi, no request of may we live here? it would, by definition, be illogical to act as if sovereignty could be anything but. Much of the history of First Nations writing is sovereign insofar as it exists at all. A good portion has of necessity been protest writing: the letters and petitions of Bennelong and William Barak, Kitty Brangy and Bessy Cameron, William Ferguson and John Patten, all the way through to the work of Oodgeroo, Jack Davis, Kevin Gilbert. Liberian-born Moore was five years old when her countrys first civil war erupted in 1989. Mam, her mother, was studying in the US on a Fulbright Scholarship, but even from that distance she engineered the rescue of her husband and daughters. Moores escape from the carnage with her father (the giant) and her sisters is largely told through the childs eyes; soldiers being dragons (although the dragon symbolism changes throughout the memoir), gunshots drum beats and the dead merely sleeping. In this sense it is a combination of the mythic, the magically real and the graphic. Time is also fluid; in mid-stride the story leaps forward to her teenage years in America, experiencing racism, having therapy and constantly haunted by the trauma of the past which prompts her return to Liberia. Inventive and vivid. Animal Dreams David Brooks, Sydney University Press $40 In 2016 a series of photographs depicting a male kangaroo cradling what appears to be a dying doe while a joey looks on, went global. It also became the focus of intense, differing interpretation and is a pivotal image in David Brooks deeply passionate but measured examination of the way humans think of non-human life (animals) and how they are depicted in art. Did the image represent animal grieving, or is that mis-placed anthropomorphism? Drawing on a host of writers (theres an excellent essay on Lawrences poem The Snake), but consistently on Derrida, Brooks posits the idea of a wound in the human psyche as ancient as consciousness. Although Derrida cites his circumcision as central to his writing, Brooks seeks to widen the idea to incorporate the greater wound of an earth soaked with the blood of slaughtered animals. Plunder Menachem Kaiser, Scribe 32.99 Plunder by Menachem Kaiser When Menachem Kaiser visited Poland on a sentimental journey into his familys history, he couldnt have known he was about to disappear down a rabbit hole. This intricate tale, set against the backdrop of WWII, the Holocaust and Nazi appropriation of Jewish assets, revolves around an apartment building owned by his grandfather before being stolen by the Nazis. There are dolls within dolls, bureaucratic and legal brick walls in this quest to regain the property. Even though his guide is an expert woman lawyer known as The Killer, the process takes years, is still unresolved, and is fraught with puzzles such as residents in the apartment saying that the building was only constructed in 1955 in spite of Kaiser having documents showing mortgage was paid on it in 1932. Kaiser teases out a fascinating tale in simple, effective writing. Its really great to be able to get out and about again, isnt it? she said. I dont care who they think I am, gave me a bloody good laugh! The pack of RHOVs The Real Housewives of Vaucluse (or as PS calls them, a Pack of RHOVs) bravely ventured from Joh Baileys Double Bay salon with fresh blowies into the backstreets of Redfern in their huge luxury 4WDs, grid-locking the streets as they forged their way in convoy like a fleet of Sherman tanks en route to the frontline, or as it were in this case, Rebecca Vallances 10th anniversary runway show. Models walk the runway during the Rebecca Vallance show. Credit:Brook Mitchell You could hear the ladies coming a mile off, the deafening clackety-clack of all those Louboutin heels and shrill Vaucluse accents Haaaaiiii Darl cutting through the air like high-pressured pneumatic drills tearing through yet another Calacatta marble splashback. Taking a break from re-re-redecorating their harbourside castles, many of the gals were keen to pick up a new cocktail gown for next Thursday nights Sydney Childrens Hospital Gold Dinner fundraiser/selfie-fest. No doubt a hot topic around many of the tables after congratulating each other on their husbands tax-deductible philanthropy (its an unquestionably worthy cause) will be the increasingly toxic WhatsApp parent groups which, frankly, are out of control. Raised by RHOVs indeed. Charlies Angels: Male models Blake Sutherland, Harry Barclay and Lochie Colin. Credit:Patty Huntington The gender benders The great gender debate was null and void at Fashion Week. Several shows featured many non-binary models, while others cast male models in womens garments. No one blinked an eye. Three lads models Blake Sutherland, Harry Barclay and Lochie Colin who strutted down the runway in Alice McCalls excellent and high-energy comeback show could have stepped out of an episode of Charlies Angels (the original TV series) replete with huge flicks, impossible platform heels and clearly undercover ... especially the frosty, take-no-prisoners blond (Harry) who bore a striking resemblance to Miss Vladivostok 1974. Sisters, husband and wife designers Tim and Katie-Louise Nicol-Ford, enjoy pushing boundaries at Australian Fashion Week. Credit:Andrew Hornery Husband and wife demi-couturiers Tim and Katie-Louise Nicol-Ford certainly know how to make an entrance, which they did throughout the week in an array of sartorial splendour. The two are often mistaken for sisters, but say they enjoy pushing the boundaries and describe their label Nicol & Ford as a love letter between them. We certainly sit a little outside of the norm in Sydney, and find our aesthetics frequently overwhelm people, which means that our message is getting across. Fashion is the ultimate playpen for sharing your vision and pushing boundaries, Katie-Louise explained. We are both frequently misgendered, thought to be sisters or theatre actors. We are constantly asked what production we are taking part in to which we always answer, the theatre of life. The show-stopper It was a show-stopping moment when deadly Aboriginal drag queen Felicia Foxx glided down the runway of the First Nations Fashion + Design show on Wednesday in her spectacular Gumnut ball gown. Gumnut queen: Indigenous drag queen Felicia Foxx walks the runway in the First Nations Fashion Show wearing the creation by artist Paul McCann. Credit:Getty Featuring 21 metres of organza and hand-painted fabric covered in traditional designs, festooned with embroidered gum leaves and dripping in 60 golden gumnuts, the look was topped off with a golden gumnut tiara and earrings, all of it created by clever Indigenous artist Paul McCann. Queen Elizabeth II in Sydney wearing her wattle gown in 1954. The dress also hearkened to another queenly fashion moment that occurred in this town in 1954. During her first tour of Australia, Queen Elizabeth II wore a Norman Hartnell-designed mimosa gold tulle dress adorned with sparkling gold wattle motifs, teamed with a diamond tiara and necklace, to her first glittering evening engagement in Sydney, a glamorous banquet inside the David Jones ballroom. McCann told PS the silhouette of his confection was definitely reminiscent of Hartnells iconic design, but his creation was an homage to his grandmother, a proud Indigenous woman of a similar vintage to QEII also named Elizabeth. And for me, my grandmother was and will always be my true queen, he told PS. The hijabistas While the usual social media influencers stormed the courtesy champagne bar, the rise of Instagram has also allowed for the proliferation of entirely new fashionistas long neglected in this country, such as the raft of self-proclaimed hijabistas who attended this years shows representing Australias Muslim community. Kishama Meridian and Stephanie Lea Panthenos among the hijabistas at Australian Fashion Week. Credit:Andrew Hornery Modest fashion is more than just about the clothes, its about a whole way of thinking and living. And you know, Aussie Muslim girls like fashion just as much as anyone else, we just wear it a bit differently, explained Kishama Meridian, who has 277,000 followers on Instagram and looked effortlessly chic in her silk printed headscarf teamed with a Louis Vuitton handbag and caramel toned pant-suit, which probably used less fabric than some of the Romance Was Born Miss Havisham-esque bridal gowns. The street dwellers Off the runway it is all about street fashion. Some budding fashionistas will dress and turn up to a Fashion Week venue with no intention of actually seeing a show just to mill around outside in the hope someone will discover them and take their photo. Quenched: Imogen Anthony at Fashion Week. Credit:Don Arnold/Wireimage Others are more seasoned at the art form, such as Jodi Gordon who gave quite a performance in her (laddered) knee-high stockings and overcoat. Meanwhile Imogen Anthony, best known as Kyle Sandilands ex-girlfriend, guaranteed herself coverage from those arbiters of good taste at The Daily Mail when she arrived in a bizarre fish-scale covered catch of the day bodysuit and mask. However there is also a term among the street fashion photographers for those who linger just that little too long near the lenses: thirsty. Theyre the ones pretending to be making animated phone calls or constantly checking their emails, apparently oblivious to the wall of photographers in their direct line of fire. Former New York Times photographer Lee Oliveira, who is now based in Sydney, preferred to focus on the less obvious looks, though he added: I would have liked to see more individual and personalised style rather than someone wearing the latest piece from a brand just to get their photo taken. The verdict Just to keep the doors open after the past 18 months has been no small feat for anyone in retail, let alone an Australian-based fashion label. Fashion spectacle: The Romance Was Born show at this years Australian Fashion Week. Credit:Stefan Gossatti/Getty That Fashion Week could happen with real models in venues housing hundreds of real, living audience members was not only a privilege, it was a bloody miracle. Loading Womens Wear Daily Australasian correspondent Patty Huntington agreed this year, the 25th Australian Fashion Week, was certainly a historic one. Plans are in place to increase global coal capacity by almost a third of the 2019 total despite global ambitions to abandon it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. The Mount Arthur coal mine near Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter. Credit:Janie Barrett The new coal capacity of 2277 million tonnes per annum, which includes both mines planned and those under construction, runs contrary to the International Energy Agencys roadmap to global net zero emissions by 2050, which shows the world would need to reduce capacity by 11 per cent a year over the coming decade to hit Paris Agreement targets. If all 432 new mines developments and expansions went ahead without unprecedented cutbacks in existing production over the next decade, proposed capacity could boost supply to over four times a 1.5 degrees-compliant pathway, according to a survey of the industry published on Friday by Global Energy Monitor, a United States-based environmental organisation. It was in the summer of 2019, on a trip to my old home in upstate New York, that I first discovered hard seltzer. Whats that, you ask? Well, in American drinks culture, the word hard connotes alcoholic (a hard cider, for instance, is one with booze, as opposed to something like Appletiser); seltzer is their word for sparkling water. Hard seltzer, then, is an effervescent and subtly flavoured alcoholic sparkling water that doesnt taste like it has any alcohol in it. The No. 1 US brand which burst onto the American market a few years ago is White Claw, and it already sits fifth on a national list of most popular drinks, ahead of beer behemoths like Corona and Budweiser. Hard seltzers are the latest alcoholic drinks to hitch on to the vague-health-claim wagon. Credit:Stocksy This billion-dollar business has, naturally, arrived in Australia. One of the first to enter the market last year was Saintly, which brands itself as a righteous tipple, thanks to its gluten-free, vegan-friendly status and all-natural ingredients (Just the right amount of wrong). Launched around the same time in Melbournes inner-western Footscray was Ray, which comes in watermelon and mint, lemon and lime and peach flavours, each brewed with real fruit and containing just 368 kilojoules (with less than one gram of sugar). Fellr is another thats had a rapid uptake and is just toasting a deal that will see its range sold in NSW in all Liquor Lands, Vintage Cellars and First Choice Liquor stores. Then theres Somma, launched by Coles, which derives its name from its water source, an extinct Victorian volcano (Rain filters down through the scoria, it boasts, creating pure, fresh mineral water). Sobriety and moderation are the booming bywords of a generation increasingly turning to boutique low-alcohol or alcohol-free beverages if the selection on offer at the average bottle-o is any indication. Loading Freelance writer Michael Harry who recently explored the burgeoning world of booze brands with low or no alcohol says such drinks were once little more than terrible-tasting afterthoughts. Now, craft cans and boutique bottles of tipple-without-the-tipsy are being sold in some of our trendiest drinking haunts. They were daggy. Now they look cool, says Harry, explaining how these products are being packaged, branded and marketed with surprising success, on this episode of Good Weekend Talks. Maybe theyre not going to call out the fact to a wider group that youre not drinking, so you can fly under the radar and minimise your drinking in a delicious and socially acceptable way. Flash The 4th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue, hosted by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, was held in Guiyang on Thursday. Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi attended the dialogue via video link. Wang Yi said that the current international and regional situations are undergoing complex and profound changes, and the security and stability of Afghanistan and the region are facing new challenges, with foreign troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan accelerated, the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan impacted, and armed conflicts and terrorist activities becoming more frequent. Under such circumstances, it is more necessary for the three countries to strengthen communication and cooperation to make the situation in Afghanistan more conducive to the common interests of Afghanistan and other countries in the region, Wang said. Speaking highly of China's contribution to promoting trilateral cooperation, Atmar and Qureshi said Afghanistan and Pakistan are willing to forge closer and more friendly neighboring partnership with China, strengthen joint construction of the Belt and Road, deepen cooperation in politics, economy and connectivity, and jointly promote peace, stability and development of the three countries and the region. The foreign ministers reached consensus on the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, and the trilateral cooperation. The three sides called for practically advancing the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, and ceasefire should be realized and violence should be ended at an early date. They agreed that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan should be carried out in a responsible and orderly manner to prevent the deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan and the return of terrorist forces. They stressed that the solution to the Afghan issue should fully reflect the principle of "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned", support Afghanistan in becoming an independent, sovereign and neutral country, pursue a moderate Muslim policy, firmly fight against terrorism, and maintain friendly ties with other countries, especially neighboring countries. The three sides agreed to explore ways to deepen trilateral cooperation against the backdrop of COVID-19, and substantively expand the Belt and Road cooperation in Afghanistan, so as to bring more benefits to the people of the region. The three sides reiterated the consensus of jointly fighting all forms of terrorism. They stressed the need to reject the "double standards" of anti-terrorism, to forbid any terrorist organizations or individuals from using their territories to engage in criminal activities against other countries. The foreign ministers also urged strengthened efforts to combat the East Turkistan Islamic Movement and other terrorist forces, so as to safeguard regional security and stability. China and Pakistan reaffirmed their firm support for the Afghan peaceful reconstruction and their willingness to expand economic and trade exchanges with Afghanistan, and to assist Afghanistan in enhancing its self-development capacity. Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed the willingness to strengthen communication and coordination, deepen political mutual trust and create prospects for peace and cooperation, according to the foreign ministers. When Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes was elected to Federal Parliament, she paid tribute to her gorgeous son Fred who was diagnosed with autism in 2012, and vowed to pour her blood, sweat and tears into autism and disability support. Fred is the light of our familys life in so many ways, Senator Hughes said in her maiden speech in 2019. Whether its all the developmental milestones hes passed, when doctors said he wouldnt; his love of Godzilla, New York and San Francisco, old-fashioned media; or just he and I watching David Attenborough specials, there is no one more loved, or who brings more love to this world. Senator Hollie Hughes, with her son, Fred, 11. Credit:Rhett Wyman Senator Hughes, who established the Country Autism Network, told the Parliament she was a huge believer in the National Disability Insurance Scheme, but warned there was a lot more work to be done to make it truly fit for purpose. Two years later, Senator Hughes is fighting her own partys controversial plan to introduce independent assessments to determine eligibility and funding for the scheme. While there is no consensus as to how the balance between the rights to reputation and freedom of expression ought to be struck, some propositions are uncontroversial. Incalculable damage to reputation can be done by the publication or broadcast of defamatory content. Damage is generally proportional to the seriousness of the imputations and the extent of dissemination. Freedom of expression is a fundamental value in any democracy, but not all speech is deserving of equal protection. Greater latitude should be accorded to speech that is in the public interest, because it is integral, for example, to the decisions we make at the ballot box, the exposure of public misfeasance, or uncovering hypocrisy. Former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has been accused of committing heinous crimes, including murder, on the battlefields of Afghanistan. Credit:Getty There is, however, a difference between content that is in the public interest and content that interests the public, and a gulf between responsible investigative journalism and base smears. Ben Roberts-Smith is the tallest of tall poppies; a handsome Victoria Cross winner and highly decorated soldier turned successful businessman. Roberts-Smiths central complaint is that, in a series of articles on the pages of this and other Nine mastheads by journalists Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters and David Wroe themselves highly decorated in their field he has been accused of committing heinous crimes, including murder, on the battlefields of Afghanistan. The publishers principal defence is one of truth. When the 10-week trial begins on Monday, Justice Anthony Besanko, sitting without a jury, will hear evidence about Roberts-Smiths standing in the community, before attention turns to whether the publishers can prove the imputations they published about him to be true. In some ways, this is a war crimes trial masquerading as a defamation action, conducted under the peculiar rules of engagement that apply in defamation law. On the one hand, like a prosecutor, the publishers bear the burden of proof, but to the lower civil standard. Roberts-Smiths case will fail if the publishers can prove, on the balance of probabilities, that the imputations their stories conveyed are matters of substantial truth. Unlike the position in a criminal trial, Roberts-Smith has no practical right to silence. In order to explain the damage to his reputation, he will give evidence and be exposed to cross-examination. Relative to the position of the prosecutor in a criminal trial, these matters favour the publishers. On the other hand, the publishers have available to them none of the coercive powers that are deployed by police and prosecutors in criminal investigations. They are powerless to execute search warrants or conduct interviews with uncooperative witnesses. There has been no committal hearing to tease out and test the evidence. The publishers do not have access to the wealth of material generated during relevant investigations conducted by the Brereton inquiry, the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator. These matters favour Roberts-Smith. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size With cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin taking the world by storm, it seems the technology that underpins them blockchain is having its moment. But experts say blockchain is still a long way from reaching its potential as perhaps the underlying technology of the 21st century. Bitcoin was touted as the future of money, but what is the future of blockchain technology beyond it? Credit: Bloomberg Blockchain is a digital ledger containing information, which can not be altered once it is recorded in that ledger. This is achieved by adding to the information a tag, called a hash, which is generated by making a computer solve an extremely difficult computational problem. The process is called proof of work and is both the great strength and one of the major criticisms of blockchain technology. This digital tag is now permanently associated with that block of information, and it permanently links it in sequence to all the other blocks of information in the chain. Any computer can recognise and verify the information because of the blockchain in which it sits. While Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have seen huge surges in value in recent months, there has been volatility, leading to fears the sector is another tech bubble in the making. Advertisement The market in fake Indigenous artwork in Australia is estimated at $200 million annually. On top of that, many actual Indigenous artists are at risk of exploitation, having their work bought up and resold at marked-up prices without any of it flowing back to them and their communities. Brisbane-based entrepreneur and Quandamooka man Adam Robinson said he had been worried about the issue of counterfeit Indigenous artwork, before he realised he could use emerging blockchain technology to help secure it. IndigiLedger founder Adam Robinson (right) with artist Richard Bell in his studio. Credit:QUT He set up his company IndigiLedger to use the cutting-edge blockchain to help secure the trade of authentic artwork. We created a business rules engine how can an Indigenous person create a piece of art and describe that as traceable and authentic? Robinson said. The company records a piece of Indigenous art in an online ledger, which forms the basis of its blockchain. That is then encoded into a digital fingerprint, which can be attached to the artwork and scanned by anyone seeking more information about it. Advertisement On scanning and looking at the Indigenous product or artifact, using that one-off ID, the consumer is able to engage with that chain of traceability, Robinson said. So they know that what theyre getting is 100 per cent authentic. Because it is linked to a blockchain, the information encoded on the ID can not be altered once it is entered, and it is extremely hard to fake. Since launching in late 2020 Robinson said the company has secured tens of thousands of pieces of Indigenous artwork which have travelled around the world. Our north compass is to work with Indigenous businesses, because a lot of the other sectors are being looked after already by other blockchain providers, he said. Thats what were really enjoying, were dealing with one of the harder sectors to bring on board with this, so if we can get this right then theres a universal nature to what we do, we can spread our wings further. Because the technology is still so relatively new, even people who claim to understand how blockchain works can struggle to explain it to others. Advertisement I attended one of the biggest blockchain meet-ups in the world, in Manhattan two years ago, Griffith University ICT expert Professor Vallipuram Muthukkumarasamy said. In the opening statement the organiser said the previous year, 2018, they had 17,000 people show up and two of them could explain what blockchain was. This year, they said, we hope it will be four. They had 17,000 people show up and two of them could explain what blockchain was. This year, they said, we hope it will be four. Every individual Bitcoin that exists in the digital world has been mined using computers and a hash added to them. Whenever someone trades a Bitcoin, everyone involved in the transaction can see the hash and verify that it is a real Bitcoin. This is what prevents someone mocking up a digital wallet with 1 million Bitcoins inside. Beyond Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, experts have long seen potential in blockchain technology for things such as securing supply chains, providing secure data transfers without the use of passwords, and verifying the provenance of items such artwork, as it is being used by IndigiLedger. Advertisement Crucially, there is no central bank regulating the flow of Bitcoins, and no central arbiter deciding what data passes through a system. The verification comes from all the nodes in a given network agreeing that the data they can see is the same across every node. Dr David Hyland-Wood, a multi-disciplinary engineer and blockchain entrepreneur, said at its core, a blockchain system creates trust where usually there is none. The thing about blockchains is, when you strip away all the stuff about non-fungible tokens and cryptocurrencies and what have you, fundamentally, theyre trust engines, he said. They can prove that the nodes that operate the blockchain all agree with something, their records are immutable, meaning they cant be overridden. Its not like a traditional database where you can rewrite history you cant do that on a blockchain, the whole thing would stop working. There has been a big boom in interest in blockchain systems over the past few years, and 2020 saw interest climb from sectors which had not been thought of as needing blockchain. Lachlan Feeney is the founder and chief executive of Brisbane blockchain consulting company Labrys, which has moved to capture the market of existing companies wanting to explore what blockchain can enhance about their business. Advertisement Masters had been the first and only reporter to be embedded with Australian Special Forces in Afghanistan. He had interviewed hundreds of those soldiers about their dangerous and clandestine missions and was finalising a book on the subject, entitled No Front Line when he and McKenzie joined forces. The pairs work lit what would prove to be a long fuse. In late August 2018 Roberts-Smith launched defamation proceedings against the three mastheads and the three journalists. Two-and-a-half years of pre-trial skirmishing would follow. Only now is the case approaching its climax, with the trial starting before Justice Anthony Besanko in the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The stakes, for any of the parties, could hardly be higher. Roberts-Smith, who denies the allegations, says the mastheads have portrayed him as a criminal who broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement and disgraced not only himself but his regiment, the army and his country. He is also suing over additional claims of bullying and an allegation that he committed an act of domestic assault on a woman with whom he was having an extra marital affair. (She will be referred to during the trial as person 17, as she told the court she feared for her safety if her name was made public). Lawyers for The Age and the Herald, now owned by Nine Entertainment, contest some of the imputations claimed by Roberts-Smith. They also say the soldier was not identified in some of the articles. But overall they will seek to prove that the key allegations are substantially true. Their defence flags an intention to show that Roberts-Smith was either the perpetrator or was complicit in up to six unlawful killings in Afghanistan, including that of an unarmed Afghan farmer named Ali Jan and the death of another male whose prosthetic leg was later used as a drinking vessel back at the SAS base. Ben Roberts-Smith (left) with a then-colleague drinking from the prosthetic leg of a dead Afghan man in 2012. The Age and Heralds journalists and lawyers say these were not fog of war situations, but killings carried out in a calculated fashion in circumstances where the victims posed no threat to the soldiers, thus breaching the international rules of warfare to which Australia is legally bound. Melbourne barrister Matt Collins, QC, who is not involved in the proceedings - says the coming contest will be the biggest in living memory and will, in effect, be a war crimes trial masquerading as a defamation action. It is set to run for a record 10 weeks or so far longer than most defamation cases with costs tipped to run into the millions, possibly tens of millions of dollars by the time the parties have exhausted all avenues of appeal. Dozens of witnesses will be called, many former or serving SAS troops. Roberts-Smiths livelihood as well as his reputation is on the line. Hes taken leave from his current job as general manager of the Seven network in Queensland to fight the case. His boss, and Nines media rival, head of the Seven West empire Kerry Stokes, is firmly in the war veterans corner, bankrolling the legal action with a loan to Roberts-Smith from Stokes private investment company Australian Capital Equity. Ben Roberts-Smith, who has been employed by Seven West Media since 2014, and Kerry Stokes. Credit: Stokes, a noted collector of military memorabilia, is also chair of the Australian War Memorial and has close ties to the SAS, which is headquartered near his home town of Perth. Nine for its part is acutely aware of its financial exposure in the case, and of the need to protect its reputation for delivering difficult and courageous public-interest investigative journalism . There is a human cost to this too. For McKenzie and Masters, copping copious abuse on social media from those who will never countenance their heroes doing any wrong comes with the job. But speaking in a recent podcast, McKenzie reflected on the human wreckage of those who had done the right thing, referring to the SAS soldiers and their special forces colleagues, the commandos, who had spoken up. There are careers that are destroyed, men who are broken, McKenzie said. On the legal side, some of the biggest names and personalities in the business will be taking centre-stage. They include, on the Roberts-Smith team, Sydney-based solicitor Mark OBrien and Bruce McClintock, SC, who have engaged in some much-publicised legal stoushes against Fairfax in the past, including the Eddie Obeid saga. Joining them at the bar table will be Arthur Moses, SC, who has been managing Roberts-Smiths interactions with the Defence Department, giving the silk an unparalleled level of insight into the case. The publishers legal team includes the Melbourne-based defamation veteran Peter Bartlett, one of the countrys top minds in the field, paired with Nicholas Owens, SC, defamation specialist Lyndelle Barnett and former Balkans war crimes prosecutor Christopher Mitchell. There is also an array of agencies each fielding their own legal teams which are likely to seek periodic interventions in the trial on the grounds of national security or ongoing parallel investigations. The Australian Federal Police launched two probes of their own into Roberts-Smith in 2018, on the basis of which theyve already referred some matters to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and have revived a third inquiry into the ex-soldiers alleged intimidation of a witness. Also keeping a hawk-like eye on proceedings will be the Inspector General of the ADF and the Office of the Special investigator (OSI) set up by the federal government late last year to pursue possible prosecutions related to wrongdoing by soldiers. So far the names of those targeted by the OSI have been kept under wraps. Some will inevitably be among the witnesses called during the trial. Theyll be known by numbers, not names. No journalist or photographer will be allowed to see their faces, only hear their voices, and they will be given special entry and exit routes into the courts. They will be allowed to invoke immunity for themselves but that wont apply to others implicated by their evidence. The Age's Nick McKenzie. Credit: This will be an unusual defamation case in that some of the witnesses themselves are the subject of potential criminal proceedings and potential murder charges, points out one legal observer who did not want to comment publicly. McKenzie says its really important to know that the evidence that comes up in this trial will no doubt be scooped up by those other agencies as they search for the truth. Roberts-Smiths estranged former wife Emma has also been drawn into the vortex. Emma Roberts was initially expected to be a witness for her ex-husband but will now testify for the media outlets, sparking a pre-trial clash between the legal teams. On Tuesday, Roberts-Smith launched an eleventh hour legal strike against his former spouse in the Federal Court, having previously threatened to revisit a property settlement between the pair if she spoke to lawyers acting for the media outlets about potential evidence she might give in support of their case. In April, McKenzie upped the stakes with a report in The Age, the Herald and 60 Minutes alleging that Roberts-Smith had hidden USB sticks containing images and documents relevant to the trial inside a childs lunch box, which he buried in the backyard of the home the couple once shared. Roberts-Smith has denied taking this action. The former soldiers lawyers claimed this week that these items were given to the reporter by Emma Roberts, a claim Nines legal team has refuted. One of the images allegedly hidden in the lunch-box, showing Roberts-Smith (back, left) carousing with comrades in the Fat Ladies Arms bar in Afghanistan. Both sides have had wins and losses in the pre-trial jousting over evidence and witness line-ups, though the media outlets believe they have come out better overall in those contests. However one enormous blow for The Age and Heralds legal team was the loss of defamation barrister Sandy Dawson, SC, forced out of the case due to illness several months ago. Another challenge will be wrangling its critical Afghan witnesses. In a world blighted by COVID-19, they will have to give their testimony from the offices of a legal firm in Kabul, against the background of a sharply deteriorating security environment. The Roberts-Smith side has had its share of setbacks too, most recently the revelation that Quentin Bryce, the former Governor-General, would not be testifying for the former soldier, despite his lawyers having included her on their witness list. The battle for the hearts and minds of the public has also been playing out in the media arena , with a number of News Corp publications proving favoured outlets for Roberts-Smiths backers. Sky TV has provided a ready platform for commentators such as the onetime War Memorial chief and former defence minister Brendan Nelson, who in late 2018 told viewers we have to believe in our heroes and its not the place of media outlets to tear them down. Samantha Crompvoets' report into alleged SAS abuses led to Australia's biggest war crimes probe. Credit:Dean Sewell What has given comfort to Nine is what it says is the growing weight of contextual evidence which has emerged since Roberts-Smith first launched his case, a development which hes unlikely to have factored into his original decision to sue. Crompvoets 2015-2016 cultural review of the special forces unearthed alarming stories of competition killing and blood-lust, of cover-ups and concocted stories among a clique of rogue operators whose more senior officers were either unaware or unable to pull them into line. That became the trigger for the Brereton inquiry which, after interviewing 423 witnesses and poring over tens of thousands of images and documents, reached its bombshell conclusion late last year that 25 unnamed current or former soldiers had been involved in at least 23 incidents of war crimes, leading to the deaths of 39 individuals who were either unarmed civilians or who had been rendered incapable of combat at the time they were killed. Loading Australias good war had turned bad. Or, as Masters put it in his book, what eventually rose in the dust was a sense of menace, disappointment, and lost opportunity. Brendan Nelson posed the question where lies the national interest in tearing down our heroes? Allan Behm, a former Defence official who now heads the Australia Institutes international and security program, has an answer. Breaking bad The article on breaking bad news [May 22] reminded me of my time as a medical officer. There was a patient on the ward who had multiple myeloma and was waiting on test results. She knew she was ill and didnt want her daughter to know how ill she was. The daughter, conversely, did not want her mum to know how ill she was. I was being asked constantly by the mum what the results were. I sat down and told her and was later abused by the daughter for doing so. I told the daughter about her mum not wanting her to be told. Finally, it was all out in the open and plans were made for an overseas trip before the inevitable happened. Dr Chris Boyle Waratah, NSW Send us a picture or Instagram one of Good Weekend in your life, using the hashtag #goodweekendmag. We choose one each week to publish here and in print. Breaking bad raised the difficulties for doctors having to convey the issues of terminal illness to patients and families. But spare a thought for police officers who make cold calls to families about fatalities. I have twice received such visits by compassionate policemen who delivered the news as gently as they could. Both times they offered not just condolences but assistance. Pam White Hawthorn East, Vic I have had two experiences of doctors distress in delivering bad news. One turned his distress into anger, the other fell apart. When I had just given birth to my second child the paediatrician said: Your baby has a 50/50 chance of survival. Me: Whats wrong with him? Dr: Hyaline membrane disease (he could have just said lung problems). Me: Whats that? Dr: Why would I waste my breath on a moron! He walked out. Fortunately, this was years ago; my baby survived and thrived. Alison Soutter Davidson, NSW As a minister I was once asked to visit someone I didnt know. His wife said he was dying and she wanted me to meet him before his funeral. I asked him how he felt about dying. We had a lovely 15-minute chat, alone. A few days later I was asked to officiate at the funeral. The wife said that until I asked, he hadnt been aware he was dying and after I left was upset. I apologised but she said it was good and that, over the next few days, he came to accept the fact and died at peace with it. In the end, we all want to know; we want to take charge of the one thing we can do nothing about. But ideally the minister you dont know should not be the one delivering the news! David Neilson Braitling, NT Loading Access denied There is an obvious answer to the legalistic huffing and puffing of the Chinese about Australias attitude to Huawei [May 22]. We simply pass legislation requiring the same things of our companies as the Chinese require of theirs. Any company failing to meet those requirements should be subject to penalties. There is nothing wrong with that. The Chinese have led the way in this. G.T.W. Agnew Coopers Plains, QLD The person-height bare brown feet are part of an old mural, and a much older story. The mural, a last, street-side relic of the Redfern Block, reminds us that this is the oldest urban expression of the oldest continuous culture. For almost a century, its been where the songlines meet. But behind the mural, a shiny new skyscraper shouts a contrary truth. In our culture, nothing not age, not sweetness, not character stands against money. Its happened on our watch. In the 1930s, Aboriginal people came to work on the railways. In the 1970s Gough Whitlam gave the land, and 30-odd million dollars, to the purpose-designed Aboriginal Housing Company. This was self-determination. The Block, however flawed, was unique. Now, with its 24-storey tower of characterless student housing, it is indistinguishable to the naked eye from any other part of Sydneys cheap, cookie-cutter tower-land. The Scape student accommodation development at The Block has been re-engineered for quarantine. Credit:Nick Moir Is this the death of the Block, another dispossession, almost as ugly as the first? Or is it, as some say, a true blow for freedom and self-determination? Those who saw Four Corners this week, with the OFarrell-Packer-Jones triumvirate cooking up their scheme for an immense priapus on public parkland (in an apartment made priceless by views of the Opera House their side of politics was reluctant to pay for and put in jeopardy) might have thought planning could get no more cynical. A Queensland man accused of raping and treating a 14-year-old girl as an object and referring to her as belonging to him, has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment. A man aged in his 30s, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was sentenced in the Maroochydore District Court on Thursday for 11 counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and one count of rape. Judge Brad Farr said the man touched the child on numerous occasions in a variety of ways over several months, urging her not to tell anyone about what he was doing to her. Your behaviour towards this child is appalling, there is no other way to describe it, he said. You treated her as an object, you spoke to her in terms as if she was an object. Then COVID hit, and the planned 2020 opening of this ambitious new venture by three of the brightest stars in the Australian food firmament stalled. Benn and Lucas made an unlikely pairing, the introverted, top-end chef judged one of the best in the country and the brash, canny businessman who made his reputation with more mid-market fare. The food world watched and waited with interest many with one eyebrow cocked to see what would come of it. Its nearly two years since the married couple and partners-in-everything handed back the keys to Sepias gilded Sussex Street, Sydney premises and, at Christmas 2018, moved south, across the Murray. In something of a bloodless coup, Chris Lucas, the high-flying Melbourne restaurateur behind the popular Chin Chin casual Asian eateries in Melbourne and Sydney, had poached the stellar duo to helm a restaurant he hoped would do nothing less than change the face of contemporary Australian dining. Benn himself is more matter-of-fact about the pros and cons of enforced hibernation, as is his way. We havent had a restaurant for almost two years, he says with a hint of frustration. Nor have they been able to travel, talk to other chefs or dine out. Those evolutions dont just come by sitting around at home, you know, we have to keep working on developing and evolving all the time. Martins never cooked at home so much, Wild enthuses, upbeat as ever. Among the loads of new ideas Benns been testing at home is an impressive 130-step toffee apple dessert, created for a MasterChef Australia semi-final challenge which the media-shy chef only hesitantly agreed to. Its September 2020 and Melbourne is barely two months into a 112-day lockdown. Martin Benn and Vicki Wild are holed up in Toorak, in a modern two-storey townhouse theyre renting in the citys affluent south-east. The one-time darlings of Sydneys restaurant scene, who together ran the three-hatted Sepia for a decade Benn the consummate chef with a bent for Japanese, Wild the infectiously warm front-of-house host are sitting out the citys second lockdown, like the rest of Victoria, amid fears of another COVID-19 wave. Its a massive amount of new dining options in a city that still bears the scars of last years lockdowns, the longest anywhere in the country, and is midway through its fourth lockdown right now. Snap state shuttering remains an inconsistent feature of Australian life, meaning restaurants can be forced to temporarily close at a moments notice or in this case, probably delay their openings. Asked what this weeks lockdown means for the planned July opening of Society, Lucas, who has been a vocal critic of the Andrews governments handling of the pandemic, could not hide his disappointment. But wait, theres more. On the floor below the main restaurants theres an entirely separate collaboration between Lucas and Benn Yakimono, a 200-seat Australian-Japanese grill, set over two levels, based on Benns Yakitori bar at Sepia, only on steroids. This is due to open later in the year. Between these dining rooms is a 50-seat lounge with an 11-metre marble bar much like youd find in a hotel lobby inviting people to drop in for a snack or drink, a more affordable option that will drive foot traffic through the door. And on the mezzanine floor above all this are three private dining rooms that can seat another 80 in total, one with its own show kitchen, as well as a bar and production area. Owned wholly by The Lucas Group, of which Chris Lucas is founder and chief executive, with Benn and Wild its culinary and vision directors respectively, its centrepiece is the main Society dining room, which will showcase the best of Benns innovative, Japanese-inspired cooking for 100 guests at a time. A second more relaxed dining area, seating a similar number, will have more of a traditional Melbourne spin, serving classic Euro-centric dishes from Benns early career. Named the Lillian Terrace, this space pays tribute to the late Lillian Wightman, whose high-society boutique Le Louvre ran on Collins Street for more than 70 years. Perched on the podium of 80 Collins, a spanking new precinct boasting a hotel, luxury boutiques, myriad eateries and a blue-tinted glass office skyscraper, Society is, in reality, a 330-seat multidimensional project, one that spans numerous levels and dining options across some 1600 square metres. Now, finally, Society is due to get off the ground. But when, exactly? Victorias latest lockdown has meant its opening, slated for some time in July, may yet again be delayed. Its a mild day in February this year as I step off the tram at 80 Collins and catch the lift up a couple of floors to see how this audacious gamble is progressing. Telltale signs confirm Society is still some way off opening: a ladder and dangling wires here; plastic drop sheets with opened paint tubs there; and, in the main dining room, stacked chairs and a noticeable lack of tables. Even so, they arent enough to mask the elegance of the interiors. Jaw-dropping cathedral ceilings and giant tiered chandeliers, marble and travertine walls, hand-carved bar stools and plush furniture are all clues to the fabulous experiences in store and a reminder of the eye-watering cost. The 60-year-old Lucas admits the climate is a far cry from what he imagined when he first conceived of a restaurant with Benn and Wild, but insists his vision for Society remains steadfast and suited to the times. We need to create a modern evolution in dining, he says simply. I may be proven wrong, but Im backing the horse that says [when we emerge from the pandemic] well want a bunch of dining experiences we can call the shots on. In this climate, opening a multi-pronged dining complex rumoured to have cost upwards of $15 million is either brilliant build it and they will come or foolhardy. Its either perfectly pitched for a country tipped to enjoy another roaring 20s as it emerges from COVID-19, or an ambitious gamble that has the misfortune of launching amid the worlds worst health and economic crisis since World War II. When it does finally open, the challenges will remain large. Interstate tourism is not yet back to pre-pandemic levels, there are no international visitors to speak of, and many city workers are still spending most if not all of their week in their home office. Even the number of Melburnians getting the tram into town for lunch remains depressed on where it was in 2019, when about a million people poured into the CBD each day. We will gather our thoughts and our energy as we have in the past 12 months and work to a new plan for opening this amazing complex. Once I get a chance to asses the impact of this latest lockdown and its imposed restrictions we will move to announce a new date. As I have said in the past, no pandemic will stand in the way of us opening Australias most beautiful and exciting restaurant. My thoughts go out to everyone in Victoria and I know that us Victorians will again rise to the challenges with our usual grace and a sense of humanity. With only a few weeks left before we were scheduled to open the doors to Society we have again been forced to shut down, he says. This current lockdown has devastated our staff and our dreams. Once again we face the task of having to pick up the pieces and gather the will to not only survive but open this most beautiful of restaurants. This is Benns dream kitchen and hes had a big hand in designing it. Centre stage are three custom-made Bonnet Maestro cooking suites, imported from France, which are so massive they had to be craned into the building. Theres a Josper grill, smoking chamber, top-of-the-range combi ovens and just about every kitchen bell and whistle you can think of. Its incredibly roomy two huge passes (counters where dishes wait to be served to tables) and generously spaced food sections, which will accommodate more than 30 chefs once the restaurant fires up for service, working like a finely tuned motor to feed 200-plus diners across all the different venues. Its good to be back, he says matter-of-factly. Were getting there slowly but surely. Its a little daunting. He confesses he hasnt been sleeping well. It was constantly going through my head, 30 dishes on this one menu for Society. He wakes most nights like this, no surprise to those who know him well. Hes always on, one ex-colleague tells me. Former Sepia manager Ben Brown puts it this way: Even when hes doing other things hes thinking about food. And now, Melbourne. On this day, in their soon-to-be restaurant, the pair are dressed head to toe in black, apt given the city they now call home but also their trademark shade. Benn has shed 10 kilograms since emerging from lockdown and is finally where hes longed to be, in the kitchen of a restaurant whose planned opening is probably the most anticipated in the country, the build-up only heightened by the COVID-induced delay. A good deal shorter and blonder than her husband, Wild has a no-nonsense way about her, twinned with a cheery smile that suggests shes the more social of the two. Love blossomed in tandem with Benns career, who after becoming head chef left Tetsuyas in 2004, only to return again before trying his hand in Hong Kong. He and Wild finally opened their own place, Sepia, in Sydney in 2009, which went on to win every foodie award under the local sun. British-born Benn arrived in Sydney from London in 1996, a 20-something looking for a change of scene after working in Michelin-starred restaurants such as the Oak Room and Marco Pierre Whites The Criterion. It took him a while to settle before landing a plum gig at Tetsuyas in 1999, one of Sydneys best-loved restaurants, where he found not only his affinity for Japanese food but also a Wagga Wagga girl named Vicki Wild, then employed as assistant to owner Tetsuya Wakuda. The one thing thats pretty much complete is the kitchen, in which a small brigade of chefs is busy researching new recipes and tweaking old ones. It doesnt take a second to spot among them the man on whose shoulders the success of this mighty endeavour sits. At 188 centimetres, Martin Benn stands out in a crowd. With dark-framed glasses and a greying beard, the 47-year-olds vibe is more jazz than rock, appropriate given the former is a style of music hes partial to. The moment provides an endearing snapshot of how the pair work a loving relationship, like a secret ingredient, each knowing how to get the best from the other. It also offers insight into how Benn ticks precise, disciplined, obsessive. A chefs chef. Martin is the tortured artist, Vicki the enabler, is how The Sydney Morning Herald food writer Jill Dupleix sees it. They have such fun together. The other thing Benn does religiously is record every single recipe, whether it makes it onto a menu or not. Wild will snap the dish on her iPhone and enter the details into an Excel spreadsheet, something shes done thousands of times since Sepia first opened. She shows me an image of a tuna tartare dish with goats milk fromage blanc and dashi jelly, a reworking of a Sepia classic. The dashi is a dead giveaway to Benns Japanese leanings, the tuna his love for seafood. My thing is to record everything you do, Benn says. If you dont, you forget it next year. This is Benns way. Quietly challenging, pushing, mentoring, while also letting a chef try his own ideas. Hell give you complete freedom to trial something, recalls Dan Puskas, chef-owner of Sydneys three-hatted Sixpenny, who worked with Benn at Tetsuyas and Sepia. Let you set your own trends. The biggest challenge for them all is to get in sync with Benns idiosyncratic thinking. Woods brings Benn a john dory dish hes trying to evolve. To Benn, its worthy of any good Italian restaurant but not his. It needs to be elevated. He doesnt bark or bash the young chef with an olive tin, as happened to him early in his career. Rather, he delivers his critique, then asks: Youre not upset, are you? Woods is not. Very rarely do we knock a dish out of the park straight away, explains Connell. We work together and refine it and refine it and refine it. For the moment, though, its very much heads down. Head chef Rhys Connell, who followed Benn from Sepia, is working on a duck main with apple cannoli, while head pastry chef Jo Ward is finessing a cheese dessert. Ex-Fat Duck chef Luke Headon is playing with ways to cook various rib-eyes, while Thomas Woods, who worked for renowned chef Jacques Reymond before establishing Prahrans now defunct two-hatted Woodland House, has fish on the go for the Terrace hell be in charge of. The seed for Society was planted in late 2016. In Sydney on Chin Chin business, Chris Lucas decided to dine at Sepia, having heard good things. A shrewd and savvy operator who has earnt the moniker of Melbournes restaurant tsar, Lucas had jumped from IT to hospitality with his first restaurant in 1995, then spent 16 years moving from one restaurant to another. After great success relaunching South Yarras Botanical in the early to mid-2000s, he moved to Flinders Lane, where he opened another wildly popular venue, Chin Chin, in 2011. He followed it with a string of hip eateries in inner Melbourne suburbs: Baby in 2012, Kong in 2014, Hawker Hall the year after and Kisume, a multi-level Japanese eatery, in 2017, the same year he expanded into Sydney with a second Chin Chin. Wowed by his experience at Sepia, he stayed back to chat with Benn and Wild, who not only ran the restaurant but co-owned it. The trio discovered they shared views about the state of hospitality and destination dining. Lucas is the kind of restaurateur whos always on the make, should the right chef come along. He left Sepia that night thinking he may have found that chef in Benn. I was looking for a chef prepared to take on board my creative input and someone whom Im prepared to take on theirs, he says. Around this time, Benn and Wild were deciding whether to renew their Sepia lease which, while still two years from being up, would mean another 10-year commitment. Their financial partner, George Costi (of fishmonger fame), was looking to retire and they were fielding overseas offers. Importantly, Benn felt hed pushed his creativity at Sepia as far as he could. The restaurant had snaffled just about every culinary gong that mattered, including being thrice awarded restaurant of the year by dining-out bible the Good Food Guide first in 2012, the year it cracked it for three hats, then again in 2014 and 2015. Easily bored, Benn had grown tired of the degustation style of dining and was up for a new challenge. Martin Benn, left, and Chris Lucas: creating Society is a chance to launch a destinational restaurant. Credit:Kristoffer Paulsen For his part, Lucas believed fine dining a term he hates and avoids had lost its way. It had become stuffy, predictable and boring, attracting only a small segment of the eating public. To him, it just didnt add up. Im a restaurateur who deals every day with the democracy of dining, he says. Thousands and thousands of people come through my restaurants, so I get a direct sense of what people want. His successful slide upmarket with Kisume proved he could offer a range of dining price points, from the chefs table, a 12-seat $225 omakase menu on the top floor, to the cheaper sushi bar and izakaya-style dining on the lower levels. Suddenly he had a taste for what he could do with the top end of the market and an appetite for more. With Benn and Wild, Lucas saw the chance to step it up and launch a new kind of coming-of-age restaurant for Melbourne: sophisticated, global and destinational. Crucially, as with all his venues, one that appealed to a broad cross-section of the dining public. But will it? Walking about the restaurant, the word that springs to mind is swanky. From the bespoke Melbourne-designed chandeliers and Italian Fanuli Coppa bar stools that have been hand-carved from salvaged trees, to the $1000 Eichholtz Volante midnight-blue velvet dining chairs and solid timber dining tables, youd be forgiven for thinking the place has been designed with corporate diners, special-occasion dinners and when they return tourists in mind. The restaurant sits at the Paris end of Collins Street, surrounded by luxury boutiques. Even its name plays into this sensibility, suggesting high society more than it does democracy. Lucas doesnt see it like that. To him, the restaurant is more a series of contemporary and approachable spaces, which feel as if they have always been a part of the city. He chose the name because of its historical connection to the old Society restaurant a block away in Bourke Street, which closed in 2016 after 84 years. He believes a range of discrete dining spaces within the one venue each offering distinctly different menus, experiences and prices will have wide appeal. While loath to discuss prices, when pushed he says mains in Society will sit roughly between $40 and $50, with Lillian Terrace more in the $30 to $40 bracket. Not everyones idea of democratic. But and this is the important bit, to him there will be plenty of options either side of those price points in both spaces, with diners free to choose anything from any of the menus rather than forced to stick to the tired old entree, main and dessert trope. The idea is you can tailor your dining experience, spending as little or as much as you want. Kids on the internet can look at restaurants all over the world, [they] may not have visited but their expectations, their tastes, have all changed, become more sophisticated, more global, he says. The future of dining has always been about creating a number of experiences. In the Society dining room, for example, therell be oyster and caviar services, a tuna and vegetable raw bar as well as a mid-course probably lobster, snow crab or wagyu rib-eye between entrees and mains and desserts. We want a menu that, when you look at it, you want to order everything and already know youre coming back before youve finished your meal, adds Wild. The future of dining has always been about creating a number of experiences. This kind of construct-your-own meal with in-built tasting and sharing options, especially appealing to larger groups speaks to Lucas notion of democratic dining, but it can also draw out the dining experience, during which guests will order more and spend more, with front-of-house staff trained to sell, not just serve. Its then up to the kitchen to produce things they can sell, says one industry observer. Cue Benn. Time will tell, but for her part, food writer Jill Dupleix believes the trio may be on the right track. She thinks restaurants have an opportunity in COVIDs wake to take the shit out of fine dining and shape it as a freer, more individual way of eating: less chef ego, more what we want. We also want the experience to have purpose, she says. We dont want to go back to an era of the meaningless, unmemorable meal that was a bit of fun and $280 later, you go home. She says Andrew McConnells latest Melbourne restaurant Gimlet is already doing this: Hes synthesised a whole lot of things we love about dining out in Melbourne. Benn explains that Society will be a progression of his Japanese-influenced cuisine from Sepia, where he established a reputation for daring food that was exquisitely pleasing to the eye and intense on the palate. Its about concentrating on the purity of the ingredient. He estimates about 80 per cent of Societys dishes will have evolved from Sepia but be simpler, more accessible, with more refined flavours, and more graphic. Interestingly, the transition from Sepias tasting menu to Societys a la carte dining has been one of Benns biggest headaches. Hes had to think hard how to transform small, delicate tasting courses into larger portions and shared dishes visually, but also how well eat them individually and as a group. He shows me images of dishes then and possibly now to illustrate. Its hard to spot huge differences both are so beautiful. But what I do see is what Lucas wants to see: everything, down to bar snacks, has that Martin Benn look. What does stand out are his afters what Benn is best known for, not only to his legions of loyal diners but MasterChef audiences. Sepia desserts such as The Pearl, Japanese Stones and Chocolate Forest Floor (which also featured on the hit cooking show) are three that won him huge accolades. He shows me an early working of his reimagined urban Forest, The Metropolis, the faceted facade of 80 Collins and new toffee apple, stepped up from his MasterChef spectacular, among other surprises. These will draw the crowds. It was a classic dining destination Benn and Wilds favourite that proved the inspiration for Society: New Yorks Four Seasons, a ground-breaking restaurant embodying all the glitz and glamour of J. F. Kennedys early-1960s Camelot inside the iconic Seagram Building. It wasnt the food they loved as much as the ambience and urbane mid-century architecture. In May 2018, on Benns 44th birthday, the trio dined there. The thing that excited me was the energy and buzz, says Lucas of the experience. It was a destination restaurant that changed the face of the building. The man behind Society, Chris Lucas. Credit:Kristoffer Paulsen Thats what he wanted for Society from his designers Russell & George: mid-century for the 21st century. By then, Lucas had signed onto 80 Collins, its prime location and scale only stoking his hunger to create something unique. He worked on the concepts with Benn and Wild through 2018 and 2019, while the tower was being built. Benn spent much of this time in a test kitchen Lucas set up in the basement of his office building in nearby Oliver Lane, working with Connell and Ward to develop a 200-dish tasting program. The planning and testing continued after COVID-19 hit, albeit with everyone on tenterhooks about if and when it would get off the ground. When Melbournes second lockdown hit and seemed likely to never end, a cloud formed not just over the future of this restaurant, but much of the hospitality industry. It was at this point that Lucas came close to chucking it in. Surprisingly, he appears relatively calm when discussing it. It may be the casual get-up T-shirt and slacks that projects that impression. The hospitality kingpin has a reputation for many things, but calmness isnt a quality usually singled out. We went to the cliff face many times last year and looked over the edge, he says. Wild recalls the moment Lucas returned from a walk. I asked, Are you all right? He said, I dont know whether this is going to happen. I went to Martin and said, It might not happen. Until then, Lucas first priority had been to support his other restaurants and his 1000-odd workers. We were all traumatised, he says. With Society on the backburner, what were their contingencies? Should they think of something new? Benn had fed Lucas other concepts. Lucas felt he owed it to Benn and Wild to see the restaurant through, although he was prepared for them to pack up their knives, if they wanted to. They had moved from Sydney and had been here a year with months away from opening, he says. Thankfully, Lucas was able to renegotiate his debt with his bank. His landlords, Dexus, who bought the office tower from the original developers, QICGRE, for $1.5 billion in May 2019, threw him a lifeline, offering financial assistance until the restaurant opened. In the end, Lucas felt he was too far down the track to turn back. The trio resolved to stick to their plans. I remember sitting down with the financiers and they said, Why not cut this out, change this or that, says Lucas. I said, Its too late. The kitchen is built, the restaurant is pretty much built. New dishes Albacore (shiso, rhubarb and goats milk yoghurt) and Tuna (jamon iberico cream, aged soy and dashi jelly). Credit:Kristoffer Paulsen Im sitting at the kitchen bench in the rather monochromatic apartment Benn and Wild have recently moved into: white walls, grey marble benchtops, the restaurateurs in black. Its so neat and uncluttered it strikes me as more display home than temporary abode to one of the countrys best chefs. The couples child, a Burmilla (Burmese-chinchilla cross), is stalking the kitchen, still adjusting to the recent loss of the couples other child, a Burmese, whose ashes are interred in a potted Japanese maple on the terrace. After more than two years in Melbourne, Wild indicates she and Benn now feel part of the fabric of the city. Naturally theyve picked a footy team the Melbourne Demons and may still buy a home here, if and when they decide to sell their place in Sydneys Gladesville. She loves the bushy Studley Park pocket of Kew in the inner north-east. Both love to walk and run, which they did twice daily during lockdown to help them through. Wild confesses they miss Sydney. But Melbourne represented the fresh start they needed to tackle a new restaurant, free of the enormous expectations theyd face if theyd launched a new venture in Sydney. Nor in Melbourne would they need to worry about the financial pressures of establishing their own place. Theyd had all of that at Sepia. As consultants, technically at some point, they can work on other non-competing projects in the future and walk, presumably, if they choose. Not that theyre entertaining this right now. Why would you when you have one of the countrys most successful restaurant operators tending to the business side of things, letting you create the most delicious food possible in a state-of-the art kitchen? Lucas calls it a creative collaboration. Theyre like two brands, partnering up. Benn, who has his own eponymous web address, makes no bones that this is how he sees himself as his own discrete brand. At the same time, its fair to say the collaboration has some querying the fit of personalities. Benn comes across as shy and introspective. He suffers from a sense of what former The Sydney Morning Herald restaurant critic Simon Thomsen calls imposter syndrome. Martin is one of those chefs who thinks, agonises and really tries to unpack whats going on [in his food], Thomsen says. They have a vision and drive but are smart enough to doubt themselves. Lucas, on the other hand, doesnt strike you as someone who harbours too many doubts. He has a steady confidence and coiled energy and can be quite animated when he makes a point, sitting forward, eyes fixed, punctuating his sentences with a subtly persuasive right. Those whove dealt with Wild say theres a tough side to her in business, different to the smiles and friendly banter. Wild happily confesses shes a ballsy control freak and has had to adjust to not fully holding the reins here. But shes influential with what Benn does. Vicki is a powerhouse, says Connell. Her opinion is invaluable. Vicki Wild at the new Melbourne dining precinct. Credit:Kristoffer Paulsen I observe it myself in the kitchen. Benn and Connell are working through various combinations for their duck and apple cannoli dish. Nothing clicks. Without the right plate, Benn struggles to visualise the dish. Up pops Wild, suggesting a flat plate with lip. Presto, it comes together enough for her to photograph it. Loading If the Lucas-Benn-Wild partnership is to work, as in all collaborations, there has to be give and take. Menus are a case in point. Lucas is known for being very hands-on with them (as he is with every aspect of his business). I havent quite given them a blank canvas with the menu, he says. Its a respectful collaboration. Just like we collaborated on the concepts, we have done that on the menu as well. Benn says he has no issue. Its Lucas restaurant. Society isnt Sepia. At the end of the day, Chris has to get what he wants, he says. He knows the market. He mentions a rib-eye. Do I want to put a rib-eye on the menu? Probably not. That is probably driven more by Chris. How do I do that? Hell say, make it a Martin Benn rib, so there has to be compromise. Its an awareness of a simple economic reality: the restaurant needs to appeal widely to put hundreds of bums on seats at each service. At the same time, Benn stresses the food is 100 per cent his. He mentions a tuna dish in which he used only anchovy as seasoning. Lucas had argued for more anchovy. I said, Fine, Ill just take it off [the menu]. His point: If it doesnt work for Chris, it doesnt work for me. There have been other minor brushes along the way: for instance, the use of the second kitchen (Benn had initially wanted a test kitchen upstairs but Lucas saw it better used for private dining), as well as concept and design issues. In the end, a common purpose to create a top destination settles most arguments. Chris really respects what Martin does and Martin really respects that Chris knows the market, says Wild. I dont know whether Melbourne will take to what I do, but I dont feel I have anything to prove. Theres a degree of pragmatism to this relationship. Lucas plays a very long game. He has other ventures on the boil that Benn can help with. For Benn and Wild, its a meal-ticket that will help set them up financially and ultimately let them establish a better work-life balance. Wild even jokes 50 isnt too old for her husband, the frustrated architect, to take up design. But theres probably better potential in cultivating the Benn brand. Benn also is clear, at this stage in his career, that he wants to give back to the industry by mentoring young chefs and passing on knowledge. Its my name on the door [of Society] and Chris name but I want the guys coming through to make a name for themselves. But they have to earn it. Benn, Lucas and Wild in Society. Lucas sees the venture as a chance to rev up stuffy fine dining a term he hates: Im a restaurateur who deals every day with the democracy of dining. Credit:Kristoffer Paulsen I duck back into Society in April to check on its progress. Tables and chairs are in place now, as are diaphanous curtains to filter daylight and a walk-through wine cellar. The joint looks ready to welcome guests. The challenge ahead is to rebuild Melbournes battered image and encourage greater numbers of city workers back to the office. With less than half the 75 per cent office occupancy Lucas had hoped for in March, hes had to progressively push back the launch. We need stability, he says. And the atmosphere of a full restaurant. Still, in the month before the current lockdown, hed been heartened by the growing traffic moving through his other CBD venues. The delay has also given him time to recruit and train the imposing 300-strong full-time staff chefs, sommeliers, waiters and bartenders needed to run Society, and another 150 for Yakimono. Loading Its also given Benn the luxury to fine-tune, filter and cost his menus more than 80 dishes, which have been fully tasted by Lucas, Wild and the restaurants two general managers, Danilo Mancini and head sommelier Loic Avril. Its allowed them to put the restaurant through its paces, too: sit at the table; experience the room; look at dishes served in each of the dining spaces under different lighting conditions throughout the day and night. Nothing, though, can replace the real thing cooking for guests, engaging with them on the floor, the cacophony and euphony of back and front of house, the sights and smells. Small-s society, if you like, on a small scale. Thats what Benn and Wild hunger for most after two and half years without a restaurant. I dont know whether Melbourne will take to what I do, says Benn, characteristically coy. But I dont feel I have anything to prove. Im not chasing stars. Im simply hoping to add a layer to what Melbourne already does really well. To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times. The best of Good Weekend delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Sign up here. Having seen lawyers stuff up straightforward fraud cases, and criminal prosecutions drag out for years, Tragardh decided to set up his own firm, Duxton Hill, which is as much a detective agency as a legal practice. Key figures in Duxton Hill include Tragardh, former Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission deputy commissioner Simon Heath, ex-Victoria Police major fraud investigator Shane Ringin and former chief commissioner Graham Ashton, who has just joined the team. Ex-Victoria Police chief Graham Ashton. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui As well as providing court relief, Duxton Hill uses IT forensics, data preservation, mobile device extraction, asset tracing and handwriting analysis. But the real skill, Tragardh says, is moving quickly before crooks get rid of the money. The cases show many people are naive, some are greedy while others are just plain bad. Ringin loved unravelling a fraud. In most crimes, there is a crime scene and evidence, then you go out and find the offender. In a fraud, the offender is usually known, and you then go out and get the evidence. What he saw was that the criminal law struggled with complex cases. It takes on average 18 months for the fraud to be discovered and another 30 months for the case to be completed. Thats four years and the money is usually gone. The civil process is so much easier than the criminal. Before setting up Duxton Hill, Ringin and Tragardh worked together on fraud cases. Andrew is like an attack dog. We have never lost a case. What better way to hurt the crook than take the money? The $17m scam The case of Josie Gonzalez is both basic and bewildering. Though massive, at $17.4 million, the fraud was simple and almost certain to collapse. It was, however, bewildering that Gonzalez, a qualified lawyer, was ever in a position to sign off on as much as a breakfast voucher, let alone millions in funds. Having talked her way into a position of trust as national claims manager for Dual Insurance, she began to fleece it. When Dual took its claims department in-house in March 2011, she was appointed to run the show. Within two weeks, she was stealing on a prodigious level. Alvaro (left) and Josie Gonzalez at Victorias County Court in 2019. Credit:AAP She and her husband, Alvaro, set up a fake legal firm, JAAG, which stood for Josie And Alvaro Gonzalez. (Not only was she greedy and dishonest, she was a smartarse.) From March 2011 until June 2013, she generated 428 false invoices to JAAG for a total of $17.4 million for fabricated legal work. Tragardh was part of the team called in once the fraud was discovered and froze the couples assets, including $6 million in bank accounts, a $4.4 million Kew house and a townhouse. She had an impressive collection of designer handbags, he says. Within eight weeks, they were able to get the stolen money back, but the criminal justice system works at an entirely different pace. It would take more than three years for charges to be laid and they were not convicted until 2019 six years after the fraud. In the County Court, Judge Paul Lacava sentenced Josie to a minimum of seven years and Alvaro to five years. It turned out this wasnt the first time Josie Gonzalez had stuck her enthusiastic snout in the trough. In 1995, when she was 22, she pleaded guilty to fraud: while working at Myer she had forged 51 returned goods vouchers to steal more than $24,000. Despite this, she was allowed to practise as a solicitor, a point not lost on Judge Lacava: I am somewhat surprised that the Board of Examiners made a certificate that permitted your admission to the legal profession. Unsafe as houses With the kids off their hands, Romeo and Carmela Avallone were looking to downsize, selling their rural property and organising a bank mortgage option. About a year ago, they bought a place and paid the deposit. Then COVID-19 hit and the bottom fell out of their excavation business. When Romeo went to the bank, they withdrew the mortgage offer. The Avallones searched the internet to find an alternative lender, settling on what appeared to be a legitimate firm. It was, but scamsters had set up a mirror site with the sole aim of ripping off the desperate. A friendly loan manager asked Romeo to provide his tax returns, drivers licence and Medicare card as part of the application for a $150,000 loan, which was (of course) approved. Just to cut down on the red tape, the loan manager persuaded the Avallones to send him their $350,000 in savings so the property purchase could be paid in one go. Within days, the money and the friendly loan manager disappeared, the couple defaulted on the purchase and lost their $53,000 deposit. They ended up living in a shed at a friends house. We have shown the courts can freeze assets, says Andrew Tragardh. The police told the victims it would be a long investigation and the bank managed to find just $10,000 of their money. Tragardhs team found the money had been channelled into a mule company where the directors were a NSW couple a 92-year-old man and his 52-year-old wife. While most of the money had already been sent overseas, Tragardh took court action to freeze assets in Australia. The NSW couple denied any wrongdoing but after their assets were frozen agreed to pay the Avallones back. Some people think the civil law can be dreadfully slow, but I disagree, says Tragardh. We have shown the courts can freeze assets and order document searches that result in the recovery of lost monies. One case on the books is a scammer who was scammed. The chief financial officer of an entertainment business thought she had found love online. He was charming, handsome, rich and promised her a new life. He had $4 million in assets he needed to transfer to Australia before they could start their new life (which may have been a surprise to her present husband). She just needed to send him some money to get him there. In just over six weeks, she stole $1.1 million, transferring it to 27 different accounts. Around the time she started stealing, she also listed two investment properties for sale. Police laid charges but were unable to recover the money. Duxton Hill successfully sought a court order to freeze her assets. Fraud on a global scale For years, the elderly lady in the English city of Durham flirted with moving to Australia and it was certainly more than a daydream. Having inherited a substantial sum, she transferred two-thirds to Australia and bought a home in Sydney. For years, her assets were controlled by a sound financial adviser, and by 2015, her Australian nest egg had grown to $8.5 million. Then he retired and a rogue operator moved in, forging signatures to set up a superannuation fund in her name controlled exclusively by him. In 2016, he took $6 million from her account as a loan to a company linked to him. It was due to be repaid in 2030, by which time she would be 91. After receiving an anonymous letter that her adviser had transferred $500,000 from her account to one of his struggling companies, she ordered all her assets transferred to Britain. Kali, kid I am not that happy about going back to school tomorrow. We have to go outside in really bad weather. I was surprised that lockdown is ending today, I didnt think it would be that quick. I have got used to lockdown, I can do my work in my own time and if I have any questions I dont have to put my hand up, because that takes forever and my hand gets tired. Its also easier for the teacher because she can turn off the chat on Webex unlike the class when she cant control when everyone is talking. A virtual thank you from Kali I have enjoyed spending more time with my family. Catherine and I can share ideas about anything because sometimes she gets stuck and I can lift her back up. I got to spend a lot more time with Yiayia, who normally I can only see at the end of the day. This diary has given me something to look forward to every morning. Its fun, it gives me something better to do than sit at home on a screen all day. It could turn into a big part of history. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me for the Camp Quality sleep-in. I have reached my goal and the donations still keep coming in! I would normally send a card to people to thank them for reading my diary but I dont know you, so I cant send you a card. Here is what I would say: Dear (person), Thank you for reading my diary. From Kali, kid. Bye. Michelle Topple, nurse When social circles shrink and the only human contact is with your colleagues, you might (read as: definitely will) be inclined to share more of your personal life than you normally would. So, I blame COVID and long, endless lockdowns for the fact that I now know their true colours (and I am not just talking about the roots of their hair)! Turns out one colleague has a mother who has embraced the prepper way of life with gusto no guns but a whole shed full of food and toilet paper. As lockdown eases later this week, weve all breathed a collective sigh of relief and hope that its the last one well have to endure. Butjust in case our next disaster is a Zombie apocalypse, I will be hitting up my colleague for his prepper mothers address so we can join forces and head for the hills! Who wants to join us? Angela Pope, teacher After the announcement yesterday there was a shift in the air, or was it the wild weather across Melbourne? I was in a meeting with a small group of students when a text from a friend came through saying were back Friday. I asked the kids how they would feel about coming back to school this week, entertaining responses as you could guess from my previous diary entries. Yes, that would be the best, I hate wearing headphones, and I cant wait to see everyone, to thank goodness because my dad is not very good at helping me like you! When we returned from lockdown last year, their little faces as they ran up to embrace me and their friends was so wholesome to see, until they abruptly stopped to maintain their 1.5 metre distance and give each other an elbow gesture! I wonder if Friday will see a similar embrace. As I enter the last couple of months before maternity leave, I do hope this is the last of the lockdowns. I prefer the experience of panic booking a restaurant for dinner this weekend than witnessing the panic buying of toilet paper and pasta for a snap lockdown! Karl Richmond, actor I did something I dont think inner city millennials that recently changed from soy to oat milk are meant to do, I prayed last night. Am I religious? God no, but I need a miracle. Coronavirus and its subsequent lockdowns have taught me Im wasting my time. Why is it that when lockdown hits my life falls apart? The problem is the kind of life Ive set up for myself. A life dependent on work and external stimulation, a life devoid of inner peace and gratitude. An addiction to social media and social status, but not booze, I killed that monster. I leave lockdowns more at peace then Ive ever been because Ive been disconnected from the absolute hell of modern life. As we return to normal, I pray for a miracle to help me stay strong in the face of egotistical addictions, because I really cant be bothered anymore. I never should have written this article, Kali and the other writers were the true heroes. Ive just been a boy trying to up his social status. Good luck out there gang! Im signing off, hopefully forever. Diary Day 6 Paul Birthisel, cafe owner Yesterday the mood in the air had changed. There was increasing hope between customers coming in that all things were pointing to an easing of restrictions. That a return to normal was again back on track. I havent over this lockdown got a sense of people raging against the lockdown, rather a feeling of being at a loss of being here again and feeling like we have gone back to square one. On a much lighter note I also got to play MasterChef with our new sandwich line that has been delayed until after lockdown. We played around with a meatball sub recipe and then a quick photo shoot for the Gram (Instagram content is especially important over lockdown). I really enjoy playing with flavour combos and putting together something people will love. The other barista in today also broke out a couple of new filter coffees he had for us to try. The moment to just enjoy coffee for what it is, wasnt lost on me. In my mind I drew a parallel to times like this; sometimes you just need to enjoy moments and dont let the overall outlook of the world snuff out all enjoyment for ourselves. Angela Pope, teacher I have been reflecting on the notable differences between teaching online last year to this year. As last year was the inaugural home learning experience, it brought some level of excitement. Students loved that they could eat multiple snacks, be on their own device, control their microphone, wear casual clothes and go to the bathroom without letting the teacher know. Teachers had similar highlights with the added bonus of no yard duty. This year it is evident these luxuries are not offering the same excitement. We need to push ourselves to bring the energy through sharing work, tours of Lego builds, hot meals for lunch and being grateful that we do not need to wear a school uniform or shoes. Loading Although a student sharing the news his dad found the dinosaur in Queensland brought the energy yesterday his dad was working at home in the study! Hopefully the coming days bring good news and the energy around Melbourne is reignited with students returning to their school with some of their favourite people. On a side note, a definite energy booster last night was the final episode of Love on the Spectrum. If you have not watched it, add it to your lockdown agenda. It is heart-warming viewing. Kali, kid Im not sure lockdown will end on Thursday, we are getting way too many cases. On Monday we got 11. Every morning Mum checks the news to see how many cases we have got. Mum also watches the press conferences but none of us do. I just watch Bluey while eating breakfast. Preparing for an at-home camp. I kind of know we are not going back to school this week because this weekend is a long weekend and it is not necessary to go back to school if we are only going to have two days of school. Im so excited because this weekend we are doing a Camp Quality sleep-in. Camp Quality is a camp for kids who have either had cancer themselves or one of their parents have had cancer. We were going to do the sleep-in at Buckland but COVID came again for the fourth time so we are doing the sleep-in at home. At home campfire. Tomorrow I am going to be decorating the house for the sleep-in. I am going to get sleeping bags out, hang a sheet across the ceiling in the lounge room and put out bowls of lollies. We will probably also go outside and roast marshmallows. For the sleep-in we get sponsored and we raise money to give kids a break from cancer. You can sponsor me here. Karl Richmond, actor Woke up at 8am and scrolled Instagram for a couple hours. My algorithm has been stuck to content of Timothee Chalamet for the last four years, so I ended watching dozens of fan made videos of his top 10 cutest moments. I then skipped breakfast and somehow managed to make several hours disappear. The only thing I want to do is skate but its way too wet. Ive got a scheduled Zoom with my workmates today! We might find out if were going back which is a little nerve-racking. Really hoping for good restriction news! Apart from that I might read a book and try to make the time disappear until we reach Friday. Michelle Topple, nurse Its that time of year again winter is coming and so is the flu! Our Flu Campaign kicked off recently and its been slower going than in previous years because we have to ensure the timing between the flu and COVID shots is adhered to. Lollipop days at the Austin. The way to every healthcare workers heart is through their stomach! Its for this reason that administration of a flu shot is followed swiftly by the administration of a Chupa Chups. Were mildly perturbed though that there appears to be none that are cola flavoured in our industrial-sized tin of lollies! In fact, the only thing that we dont eat in the hospital is apples. The ban on apples in hospitals is universal. This rule was brought in after a correlation was found between a spike in apple consumption in hospitals and a shortage of doctors. Turns out that an apple a day keeps the doctor away and we really need doctors in our line of work. Diary Day 5 of the second week Kali, kid I am really upset because today we were supposed to go to camp and 9.30am was the time we were supposed to get on the bus and leave. My class is getting used to homeschooling. Only a handful of people dont have their cameras on, whereas last year people would never have their cameras on. They were probably on another device texting their friends. But this year people just want to get school over with in the first few hours of the day so they can go for a walk and see their friends. Kalis classmates are now seasoned home learners. Mum helped me draw a pizza for maths. We were doing fractions, I mainly spent most of my time drawing the pizza and then quickly added the observations. The pineapple was on two-eighths of the pizza and the tomato was on one-eighth of the pizza, half of the pizza was a cheese base. One with the (divided) lot. After school, I played in the yard a bit, bouncing the ball and pretending to play netball with myself. Greek School is normally held out the back of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Yarraville on Monday night but in lockdown it is online on Teams. My iPad is older than everyone elses and I dont have a Microsoft account so I cant get to my homework. Mum took the laptop away from me because she didnt want me to be on a screen all day, but I am going to ask her if I can use it for Greek School and she is probably going to say yes. Karl Richmond, actor Woke up at 8am to help my housemate with an audition. Since the pandemic began all auditions are now done at home and by lockdown four weve become pros - unless its for an ad. For some reason, auditions for ads are never scripts but instead a loose set of instructions. Todays was have a picnic in your living room and show us how you interact as mates which is difficult when we talk exclusively about my housemates farts (they are so frequent and impressive its akin to a godly ability). I chose to roast him about the Brisbane Lions loss on the weekend, which turned the audition into a fight. It was hilarious to watch his love for the Brisbane Lions make him disregard what is effectively a job interview. He left for work soon after and I used that time to practice singing and my American accent. I have to find as many ways as possible to keep my voice strong in case I restart the play I was doing before lockdown, The Lifespan of a Fact, but going over the script without my castmates can be difficult. Fingers crossed for restrictions easing in our favour! Angela Pope, teacher Day twelve into Season Four of Lockdown: Melbourne is a good time to acknowledge the amazing sets where the online meets are held. Some of the unforgettable ones from students are inside a wardrobe with a table and chair set up, or the living room where a student may be doing push-ups or flips off the couch. The kitchen is a common set, often with coffee beans being ground or a smoothie being blitzed, or a sibling being an extra. At times, we catch a glimpse of the outdoors with students participating in the online meets whilst trampolining, walking the dog, sitting in a tent or the cubby house, or casually swinging on the swing. As the juggle of homeschooling continues, it is important to note there is no need for virtual backgrounds when you have the imagination and creativity of six and seven-year-olds. This shows that students can learn in different environments. Their ability to take ownership of their learning and adapt where necessary cannot be underestimated, and it needs to be embraced. A shout out to the parents and carers who are doing an incredible job. Michelle Topple, nurse How is it possible that even in lockdown, I can embrace procrastination with a level of dedication that is both alarming and impressive? I recently signed up for a distance-learning course that I really should have finished now that our world fits into a radius of 10 kilometers BUT it lies unfinished, and the cupboards are tidy, the spice bottles are stacked in order of height, and I even contemplated washing and ironing the curtains. What I should have signed up for was my PhD in Delaying the Inevitable. I think it was Douglas Adams of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy fame who said that he loved deadlines as he enjoyed the whooshing sound they make as they go by. I absolutely understand where he was coming from I am never more focused than in those few hours before an assignment is due. Whats that? You want to know what I am studying? Ill tell you later Paul Birthisel, cafe owner New week but its starting to feel a little like the same day on repeat is this week two or three Im not really sure anymore. Monday is the day that my two little girls take over the shop (they do call it their cafe for a reason), for a bit over an hour while they wait for their grandparents to pick them up for the day. Paul Birthisel cedes control of his cafe to his daughters each Monday. They thoroughly enjoy having a personal chef (Chef Tori) and barista and, now there are no seats taking up space, a perfect dance studio. That hour is always a bit frantic trying to juggle making coffee and being dad, but they are very patient when Im busy. Thinking back while I type, that hour always makes me smile but after the fact. The rest of the day followed a similar lockdown rhythm; a few people through in the morning, mostly our lovely regulars who have made a cognisant decision to come in and also to up their spending level either with an extra trip during the day or a muffin/pastry/food to go with their coffee to try to help out as much as they can. The afternoons are quieter, and I was again quite reflective as I looked out over our little stretch in Hawthorn and across Burwood Road to the currently closed Swinburne Uni. Diary Day 4 By Paul Birthisel, cafe owner Our little strip on Burwood Road was a very windy and cold place Sunday, our usual walk-in foot traffic was absent. They were probably taking the smart option, sitting at home in the warmth and making it a lazy morning. Something that we as a family have done many times. What changes when youre an owner of a cafe is your outlook on the weather. Rain means a write-off of a day, cold mornings or afternoons mean fewer people out and about and this all hits the bottom line. Sunday was one of these days, it was very, very slow, the type of day when lockdown hits home. I really enjoy working weekends, there are no emails about orders to be placed, invoices to be paid or other such backend business process. You only have to make delicious things for your customers and work alongside a crew of fun people to pump through it. Sunday was not one of those days. Lockdown means a skeleton crew, so I was lost in my own thoughts. This had me reflecting on the huge reduction in sales we have had over lockdown, how we are going to be able to pay the rent and bills this month while trying to plan for when we are back to normal again. By Kali, kid We went to the Queen Victoria Market. There were lots of people shopping and not everyone was 1.5 metres apart. We didnt want to enter the big queue to get into the Deli hall, so we grabbed some vegetables from Queens Harvest. We also bought a big fat steak, the bottom was so chunky. Dad has so much more time to cook during lockdown. My older sister Georgia got Dads old phone. She complains the batteries go down too quickly, but shes on it every second of the day. I said: Ill take it if you dont want it. Shes like: Er, no, I want to put it up for trade. Shes just so annoying. Now she has her own room she always says: Get out of my room! But she still stomps into my room without even asking. Today was really boring, like really boring. We borrowed the neighbours EzyRollers, I didnt even ask, I just went and took them, and went to the warehouses with Georgia, Catherine and Dad. A trip to the shops relieves the boredom. EzyRollers are like a little seat with wheels and a steering bar. You move it by moving your feet from side to side, its fun. The steak was very good but I need to get a filling, so I could only eat on one side. I dont know when I am going to get the filling because of lockdown. By Angela Pope, teacher A Sunday in lockdown continued with some of the traditions from last year. Recipes are shared amongst family and friends, and afternoon cook ups occur as there is nowhere to rush off to. A song to start the school day. One of my favourite dishes at the moment is my father-in-laws pea and ham soup recipe. I am enjoying the simple pleasure of eating it when I like, as opposed to waiting for the school bell to ring indicating lunchtime! Logging in this morning to see my little friends has been the best part of the day so far. We usually begin the day singing good morning using an instrument of some sort, my untuned guitar was all I could get my hands on. Nevertheless, they appreciate the chance to sing and dance! Although the challenges of teaching online continue, so does the highlight reel from the kids: My family is wondering why we are singing. Do we have to do the work or is it optional? Can I show my Lego? I have a question ... I lost my tooth. But what if I dont have time to do a task? By Michelle Topple, nurse I am a runner a slow runner I confess, but, in my head, I imagine that I am as light and swift on my feet as a gazelle racing across the African plains. During lockdown last year, I bought myself a shiny new Garmin sports watch. A blunt message for slow runner Michelle Topple I know its unusual to think of your sports watch with affection of any kind, but I thought strapping it to my wrist was like having my very own cheerleader. It was going to measure my steps, record my improvement, and literally be there every step of the way, through rain and shine, helping to drive me to excellence. Turns out my watch is more of the tough love kind of timekeeper. A 6-kilometre run and the verdict of the watch is that my training status is unproductive!?!?!?! Is this reverse psychology? Must be, because Ill be out there tomorrow again trying to prove to my watch I am productive! I have provided a picture so you can share my moment with me. By Karl Richmond, actor Im not religious so Im not sure how youre meant to quote a bible but, Jeremiah 11:11 says: Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Eleven cases (including Arcare from Sunday). Eleven. Eleven. Evil will be brought upon us? Coincidence? I think not. Karl Richmond reflects on another kind of lockdown. Eleven is also a prime number, which makes sense because Im primed to get out of here. The last lockdown I was in I was 11 and in the closet. Restrictions didnt ease on that until I was 16. Bible, John 16:16: A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me. The point is, whilst Im primed to get out of lockdown, a couple painful religious classes in Deer Park when I was 11 and a quick google of bible passages have taught me that we aint getting out of here until the 16th. But then again, Im not religious. Diary Day 3 Michelle Topple, nurse My partner and I are fortunate because, as essential workers, we get to follow our usual work routine. I did one day of home-schooling with my niece and nephewall I can say is hats off to all you home-schoolers out there! Weekends are where the reality of lockdown hits. No leisurely brunch out or catching up with friends and family. Caffeine is essential though so a quick trip to our local was a must! I should be up in Sydney visiting my grandmother, but this is the third time that lockdown has put paid to those plans! Betty is 90 years young and the true matriarch of the Topple family. Topple family matriarch Betty, 90, speaks to her granddaughter Michelle, an intensive care nurse unit manager. She loves a good book (borrowed from the library), enjoys regular outings with her friends, and has mastered technology to stay close to us in these COVID times. She is a force to be reckoned with and I want to be just like her when I am 90! My picture is evidence a 90yr old can navigate what 2021 technology has to offer. Angela Pope, teacher Day ten into Season Four of Lockdown: Melbourne and the two new local cases today brings a sense that the season climax is not too far away - hopefully this brings good news in the coming days. Last night we were meant to celebrate our friend Pennys birthday with karaoke. I had my rendition of Bowies Modern Love and Bonnie Tylers Total Eclipse of the Heart ready to go. A modified version using YouTube was not the same, but still a hoot! Season One and Two of Lockdown: Melbourne saw many board games take squatters rights on the dining table, often with an ongoing game of Scrabble. So to keep us entertained on a cold and wintry Melbourne Saturday, Scrabble was resurrected and it is evident our competitive nature still remains. For the record, I am winning, although I have been lucky with the tiles so far! Authors note - our jobs list from yesterday remains unfulfilled. There was more school work completed than anticipated and an assignment submitted which was a bonus. However, we did view the high watermark of Australian cinema history, BMX Bandits and Nicole Kidmans majestic perm. Kali, kid Usually on weekends we go out so much, we do a three-hour bike ride, but in lockdown we just go out to get groceries from Footscray Market. Everyone was wearing masks and standing around outside the front of the market checking in. Yiayia got her vaccination in Footscray too. There were about 20 people waiting in the queue for Banh Mi but the queue was massive because everyone had to stand 1.5 metres apart. At the end of all this I was just happy I got cake for my neighbours birthday and a bubble tea. We finished the puzzle and turned it over to reveal the tiger. It was a little bit wrong, but its fine, you can still see what it looks like. I helped my 12-year-old sister Georgia make dream scenes, which are supposed to catch your nightmares. They are made out of little round boxes and we put little characters and moss hills and Fimo feathers into them. They have their own Instagram page. I have one but it doesnt seem to work because I still got scared when I dreamt Catherine and I were on a camp and we saw this tornado person coming with tornado arms and legs. It jumps on to us and it has eyes and is terrifying. We got sucked out of its foot and we were safe, but still I was terrified and woke up in the night screaming. Paul Birthisel, cafe owner Saturday back at the cafe and on the tools slinging coffee to mostly our regulars but a few new faces as well. We are very grateful for all those who have come in and got coffee on a daily basis, the constant familiar faces are reassuring and the support does truly brighten up our days. So do the shares on social media, the messages we get and the likes we receive. It may seem such a small thing but it really does make the days a touch less depressing. So please like, share and support your local small businesses. Funnily enough, I have realised particularly during COVID, we are the sober version of the bartender, a sounding board and a place where people feel free to unload their days thoughts or worries in a tiny sound bite while we mix caffeine with their choice of milk. Discussions at the moment always turns from how the weather is, yes so bloody cold, to how we are coping during lockdown and then if we have heard the new lockdown rumours that an extension is seeming like a possibility now ... best leave that one for another day. Karl Richmond, actor I finally woke up early today. Rolled out of bed and straight into a meditation. If youre that way inclined I highly recommend it as a way to start your morning. It stops me from being grumpy for the rest of the day. I really miss my family, especially my six-week-old nephew, Max. Though I feel lucky to have a little one in the family, he reminds me that one day hell be older and this whole pandemic will/should, hopefully, mean very little to him. I wonder what effects itll have on future Max 20 years from now. Will you learn about this at school? Or are you going to be too busy fighting climate change to care about what is such a small blip in Australias 50,000+ year history. Maybe youve just been drafted into the Melbourne Demons, making your Dad very happy, or maybe youve come to me asking how to become an actor - which I will strongly suggest you dont attempt and instead will tell you to become a respectful doctor like your mother. Whatever the world becomes, I cant wait to see you grow up Max! Youre going to smash it. Diary Day 2 Kali, kid I literally lay in bed until 8.40am and then Mum said: Wake up, you are going to be late for school. We all sleep in longer during lockdown, apart from Dad, who leaves at 5.30am to go to work because he is an authorised worker. Its good during lockdown though because he comes home earlier from work and we get to see more of him. Today was supposed to be Gala Day, where the year fives and sixes do sport (I was going to do hockey) and we get the whole morning off from doing school work. It was cancelled so we did random activities at home related to it. I made a first place ribbon, which I wouldnt have won, and researched Ash Barty, who is the only famous sports person I know. I have been sooooo sad because I found out the icecream shop that has been here since before I was born is going to close. Its not because of COVID, its because there are lots of ice cream shops in Yarraville now. I have tried so many different flavours but I always go back to my first favourite, choc mint, which they dont have at other shops. I have grown up with it and I love it and I dont want it to close. We finished a 105-piece section of the tiger puzzle in one hour, which is probably a record. Not much else happened. By Angela Pope, teacher Season One and Two of Lockdown: Melbourne involved Friday night Zoom calls and gin mixes to wind down and debrief the week. Season Four of Lockdown: Melbourne sees the laptop closed to avoid just one more task or email response, home-cooked Mexican and an early night rewatching Ted Lasso. A Saturday morning is also a little different; no gym classes or brunch dates. With Season Four seeing the introduction of a new character and feeling the baby kick is a reminder this s#@t is getting real! If you want to confuse new parents, advertise 12 different types of floor rugs, all machine washable, multiple eco nappies and the dos and donts of buying a pram. Chris thought the $15,000 Aston Martin pram may be out of our price range! Tasks we cannot put off: Find a cheaper pram; Google what a new parent needs; Google what a new parent really needs; Google where to find a wedding planner for babies; Google who J-Los love interest in the Wedding Planner was; and Finish and proofread my school reports. By Michelle Topple, nurse Today I have spent a lot of time thinking about the concept of team. As a nurse I have only ever worked in large teams. I thought that sense of family we experience as a team can only exist because of the camaraderie we enjoy at the bedside. There is nothing like a busy shift to forge those ties. After a few months of being seconded to work with the Infection Control team, I have realised now that the ties that bind our healthcare family are just as strong in a smaller team. Michelle Topple with her team Credit:Michelle Topple Even though Friday doesnt mean days off for all of us, there was a Fri-yay feeling in the air. Laughter came easily and the lockdown diary was a hot topic as the workday ended. Our last task before we headed out was to take a socially distanced team photo. I am looking forward to my days off in lockdown, time to check in with friends and family this weekend. By Paul Birthisel, cafe owner First full day proper of lockdown week two and I was away from the cafe, looking after my two girls. One who was recovering from the night previous and my eldest who, with building FOMO, wanted to stay home and not miss out on anything. Funnily enough we ended up in a proper lockdown as my wife took my car keys with her to work, so we were staying at home. The day was a blur of sleep deprivation, arts & crafts, moving from one activity to the next and once we learned we didnt have a car a delivery from a local cafe bringing the goods. Two coffees for me for a barista it was a desperate situation of no caffeine all morning, I would have had a few by now while at work. There was also ham and cheese toasties for the girls and baby chinos to wash it down. Just an occasional text from my business partner and watching our Instagram stories was my only connection to the cafe today. Ill look forward to catching up with our regulars tomorrow and possibly whipping up a tasty special sandwich for the menu. By Karl Richmond, actor Accidentally entered Hell! My housemate used Zoom to sing Tiny Dancer for his Mums birthday, but our non-existent NBN connection added a demonic lag, creating a harmony to Elton Johns classic we never needed. My hell is now Elton singing on repeat whilst wearing a harness made from NBN fibre cables. But really, our internet has gone wack, making acting on zoom difficult. I use these technical difficulties to justify pinning my own video to full screen instead of watching the other actors. All I want is for someone to witness me, which is like its own virus. I was acting in a play when lockdown began and the abrupt stop has left me irritable. My daily phone usage is up 64 per cent, a sign my self-worth is deteriorating, and these journal entries are only helping to feed the monster. Its like posting a picture on Instagram on steroids. Its messed up but I miss lockdown two, when I thought we were going to be alone forever. I gave up on needing the attention of others. Now I feel like an addict whos been cut off. Maybe I have society withdrawal syndrome. Ugh whatever, follow me on Instagram? Diary Day 1 By Karl Richmond, actor Im submitting my first entry at 2am. The deadline for our diary entries is 11am, but I havent been able to get out of bed before 11:30am since lockdown began, and thats with the help of my four-time lockdown buddy and housemate Nic, whos no longer around. Hes not dead, just at work. Im afraid Ill sleep through the deadline so here we are at 2am. Ive gone for a midnight walk to clear my mind. Beats lying in bed for hours daydreaming about tomorrows numbers being minus-1000 and the government announcing a free statewide holiday to Bali. I think the first week of a lockdown is the hardest, Im glad its over. That and the first of June marks the death of a loved one, nine years ago. Its never a good week, made harder by lockdown. Miss you James. If there is anything your death has taught me, its to be grateful for whatever time we get, no matter the circumstances. That and the world goes on with or without you. So, lockdown week two. Im with you. Lets do this. By Paul Birthisel, cafe owner Another week of lockdown when I volunteered for this diary I had a few ideas about what I might put down for my first entry. To try and convey our lockdown experience and share some of the lows but also those little things that make us smile on a hard day. The fragility of the financial state of my business, managing next weeks orders, trying to give staff shift hours if possible, trying to find the right balance with customers to be upbeat but also portraying how things are hitting us during lockdown, trying to find our feet in a takeaway only world. Trying to manage what we can in a time that we have no control over the environment we operate in. These all went out the window yesterday evening when we had to make an unplanned trip to the childrens hospital, my youngest daughter was unwell and all those issues I was facing along with the state as a collective just melted away. My worry was placed elsewhere for the night but I still had no control. All the above matters little compared to the health of those we love. By Angela Pope, teacher Eight days into season four of Lockdown: Melbourne teaching 23 year 1 and 2 students, and as my husband works in the study, he still hears the same phrases: Mute your mic. Are there any questions about the task?.....hmm, I am not sure your sister farting is relevant, but thanks for sharing. You can show your cat when you have answered this question. Are you still there?.........Oh you have gone to the toilet. I am happy to wait. Josephine (pseudonym), your toastie looks delicious. How about you finish it after the meet. Youre right, safety doesnt take a holiday but you can take your helmet off now. I hear the Minecraft music, is someone playing? Is that Chris (my husband)? What is he doing? Can we say hello? We love the tour of your house. Can you find one place to sit, were getting a little seasick! These phrases will continue to entertain us, although hopefully only for another five school days. A shout out to the teachers having the same experiences, enjoy the lighter moments! By Michelle Topple, nurse Started work early today fortified by a coffee from my favourite barista. Im currently working across Infection Control and ICU (that I manage) so my day was about both areas. This is my view each morning as I walk across the bridge, suck in the fresh air and enter the hospital to start my day. The view on the way to work for Michelle Topple Credit:Michelle Topple I spent time on Thursday reviewing the care plan for a newly admitted patient with suspected COVID with their treating team. Then visited one of our wards to chat with the nurses about the COVID and flu vaccination campaigns and PPE requirements as this is currently a moving feast with guidelines changing to keep pace with the COVID spread. Lunch was al desko while I worked through my seemingly bottomless email inbox. The afternoon was a blur of virtual meetings before I headed home to dinner, emails and the couch. The highlight of my day was visiting Norma in the print room to pick up some Infection Control posters her dry sense of humour is guaranteed to make you smile on even the toughest days. By Kali, kid Today I found out our school camp to Valley Homestead in Ovens - which is the best camp in the whole entire school - has been postponed to next term. Im really annoyed because we didnt have a camp last year because of COVID and now I have to wait another eight weeks. My sister Catherine was dancing around and shoving her fingers in my face. She was ignoring my Yia Yia who was telling her to get off the iPad and sit down and stop being annoying. We didnt have any lunch at home so we walked to Under the Sea fish and chip shop in Yarraville. We never normally have fish and chips for lunch. We also bought cream and eggs to make scones for girl guides because we had to make an English food. I got some of the scone dough on my hands and started eating it. Girl guides over Zoom is kind of annoying because I have a friendship group of four, but I cant just speak to them, I have to speak to everyone. We couldnt do Our Cabana World Centre, which involves wearing a costume, having a game and making a food. Catherine and I are making an 884-piece puzzle of a tiger. Catherine was pretending I was her mother and saying: I cant find piece 84. So she was still being annoying. The good thing was I wrote a really awesome snapshot about Cedar Glen, a farm stay in Queensland. We were supposed to go last year but it was cancelled because of COVID. Doing a puzzle with my sister. Credit:Kali Former West Australian treasurer Ben Wyatt has hit back at parliamentarians who criticised his new board roles with global resources giants Rio Tinto and Woodside just months after leaving politics. The state opposition has suggested 12-month moratoriums on retiring ministers going into high powered business roles while the Greens have suggested two-year buffers in response to the appointments. Former Treasurer Ben Wyatt has hit back at critics of his new board roles with Woodside and Rio Tinto. Credit:Peter de Kruijff Mr Wyatt said there was no criticism when he joined the Telethon Kids Institute nor the West Coast Eagles boards and if current politicians wanted to go down the road of controlling post-political work life they should be clear on what jobs were and were not suitable. Id be keen to know what roles you can do, he said. In the fullness of time they can reflect on that when they leave the parliament. Labor has accused Northern Australia Minister Keith Pitt of blocking a government loan to a wind farm in Far North Queensland because he is prejudiced against renewable energy. The board of the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), which was set up to support infrastructure investment, recommended a loan of up to $280 million for energy developer Neoens $380 million Kaban wind farm, located west of Cairns in the Atherton Tablelands. Resources, Water and Northern Australia Minister Keith Pitt. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Mr Pitt wrote to NAIF chief executive Chris Wade on March 29 and told him to reject Neoens loan. He said the wind farm would not provide firm power to the energy grid and he was not convinced it would contribute to lower energy prices. Wind farms provide intermittent power due to the variable nature of their energy source, but adding a battery increases reliability and helps supply lower-priced energy to the grid. The Kaban project website has statements dating to 2018 which detail plans for a battery. Eddie Mabos daughter, Betty, believes an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is the next step in achieving reconciliation, saying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have come a long way but there is still much more to achieve. Speaking 29 years to the day after her fathers landmark win in the High Court established native title for Indigenous Australians, Ms Mabo declared that today we have a big smile on our face we can do this, it is our rights. Betty Mabo, the daughter of Eddie Koiki Mabo, on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait on Mabo Day. Credit:Kate Geraghty She said her father would be immensely proud of the strides taken by Indigenous Australians over the past three decades but he would still be striving for more reconciliation. Asked if a Voice to Parliament was the next momentous step in Indigenous recognition, Ms Mabo said yes. More work to be done, yes. Our rights, our equal rights, our land rights everything that we are now, she said in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on Thursday Island. The new Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme has stood behind a plan to introduce independent assessments for people with disabilities by the end of the year, but conceded in a budget estimates hearing the original plan needed more work. National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister Linda Reynolds told senate estimates on Friday afternoon it became clear when she took on the portfolio there was significant concern about the independent assessment process and the way it was being communicated. NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds remains committed to introducing legislation for independent assessments this year. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen I said very quickly into this new portfolio that we would take a pause, we wouldnt proceed with the legislation at the moment, well wait and see, she said. MPs across the political spectrum say Linda Reynolds must restore trust in its governing body, the National Disability Insurance Agency, if she wants the support to bring in changes to assessments. The third stark failure is that a very serious cause of last years mass deaths, one we thought had been tamed, turns out to have been unleashed again. Deliberately. One of the biggest spreaders in last years mass deaths was aged care workers moving between two or three different establishments. They were working shifts in different homes to make a living wage in the notoriously underpaid sector. They were inadvertent transmitters of COVID so the Morrison government banned the practice. Loading So we thought. We learned this week that the government had quietly lifted the ban in November last year. All in all, its a terrible state of affairs, in the words of one of the two royal commissioners into the aged care sector, Lynelle Briggs, in her first public response to the debacle that emerged this week. The Department of Health needs to be far more actively overseeing the vaccination program, she tells me. It became apparent last year that the virus was killing older people at a much greater rate than younger people. The lesson the government learned at that time was they needed to do more to protect the vulnerable. So they know the lesson. But, for some reason, mistakes keep being made. One low point was a painful exchange in the estimates committee where Morrisons Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, refused to say he was responsible for aged care vaccinations. Labors Katy Gallagher: Tell me: are you responsible? Yes or no? Minister Colbeck: Well, its not a yes or no answer. Labors Murray Watt: So no-one is really responsible. The minister said the Commonwealth was working with the states to supply vaccines to the aged care homes, so it was a collective responsibility. Watt tried again: The federal government primarily funds aged care. Correct? Colbeck: Yes. Watt: The federal government regulates aged care. Correct? Colbeck: Thats correct. Watt: Isnt the federal government responsible for making sure that aged-care workers get the vaccine, then? Its your job. You fund it. You regulate it. How can it not be your job to ensure that the workers get the vaccine? Colbeck eventually told Watt he found his approach offensive. Loading But Colbeck can be excused for thinking hes not responsible. After all, 685 people died in the aged care system last year. Colbeck was the minister responsible at the time. The Australian Medical Association said at the time: Hundreds of elderly Australians have died needlessly, and without family by their side. This was in many ways the perfect storm a system already in crisis was hit by a global pandemic. Morrison kept Colbeck in the post anyway. No wonder he developed the impression hes not responsible. It was a stunning denial of ministerial responsibility. Under the Westminster doctrine, the minister accepts full responsibility for failures in his portfolio regardless of whether he or she has erred personally. An office of the Crown confers a great power. Great standards of public accountability go with it. But not in Morrisons government. Colbeck didnt have the decency to resign and Morrison lacked the political courage to remove him. Ministers are supposed to resign in the case of serious failure not only to accept responsibility to the public, but to allow someone new to take the post in the hope the new minister will do better. Loading So now there is a new debacle in the aged care system. And no one is responsible. Again. And Colbeck can carry on with the same high level of performance. Lynelle Briggs, former chief executive of Medicare and former commissioner of the Australian Public Service, says she has heard no credible explanation for the slowness of the vaccination program in aged care. I did hear that they wanted people [in aged care] to get the flu vaccination first, but thats no excuse for inattention. Some of the homes were imposing a two-week wait between jabbing people with the flu vaccine and then the COVID vaccine. But thats a two-week hold-up. The program is eight weeks behind. Briggs: Its becoming pretty clear to me that theres no clear strategy for vaccinating the workers in the sector, and thats dreadful. Theres a litany of examples of poor performance. One, they are not actively prioritising aged care workers despite what they said publicly. Two, because they havent had a recent census of their workforce, they dont know how many workers theyve got, and thats a minimum to know how you are going with the vaccine rollout. The safety of people in aged care is largely dependent on these people thats how they were infected in the past. They just havent done a good enough job with it, and theyve neglected the workers yet again. Again? The workers are not paid enough. Training support in the budget for workers is inadequate, even after the Morrison government increased funding for the sector overall in last months budget, says Briggs. Also, its necessary professional registration for this group of people who are engaged in personal care services. Morrison says the government has given its full response to the recommendations of Briggs royal commission; Briggs says my view is that the government has room to do more, and should be doing more. But theres a bigger transformation required. One of the greatest lessons the world has drawn from the pandemic is that there are higher priorities than the profit motive. The absolute imperative of protecting human life has asserted itself. So has the priority of reliable supply lines and sovereign capabilities. Loading In the case of Australias aged care system, the transformation required is massive, says Briggs. Governments and bureaucracies have to move from hands off, let the market manage it to being on top of it it takes a while. The most common complaint about Labors Anthony Albanese is he lacks cut-through. The tragedy of the governments aged care failures present plenty of opportunity. If he cant cut through on this, where can he? On Friday Morrison abruptly announced federal and state governments had agreed to move towards compulsory COVID vaccination for all aged care workers. Lynelle Briggs endorses this. But should it have taken over a year to come to this epiphany? All after-hours access to politicians offices could be logged and security required to report serious incidents to a new independent body in a bid to prevent future sexual assaults or harassment at Parliament House. The recommendations stem from one of three reviews initiated after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins went public with an allegation she was raped by a colleague in a ministerial office in March 2019. Senior public servant Stephanie Foster has recommended an independent body be set up to deal with serious incidents in parliamentary workplaces. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Prime Minister and Cabinet deputy secretary Stephanie Fosters report, released publicly on Friday, also revealed dozens of complaints had been made to the Department of Finance in recent years, with 38 relating to bad behaviour by politicians. It found current processes were not designed to deal with serious incidents, particularly sexual assault, and there was a widespread lack of trust in the systems. The professors message was clear: movement needed to be restricted to run the outbreak into the ground, and a short lockdown now would prevent a long one later. Those familiar with these meetings say that behind closed doors, the state government heeds the advice of Professor Suttons public health team. That doesnt mean ideas and recommendations dont face any challenge. Three of seven decision-makers: (from left) Mr Merlino, Treasurer Tim Pallas and acting Police Minister Danny Pearson. Credit:Joe Armao The conversation flows two ways: ministers question whether certain industries can continue working, how long a lockdown should be, specifics around the justification. Two hours were carved out for the meeting with Professor Sutton. It lasted only one. The next morning, acting Premier Mr Merlino called a press conference to announce the lockdown: seven days, a return to a five-kilometre movement limit but no night-time curfew, the most onerous of 2020s restrictions. Outside the seven cabinet ministers, Labor MPs knew very little. One MP said they received a call an hour before the 11am press conference indicating a lockdown announcement was imminent. And that was fine. People in the public sometimes think decisions are made days before. It doesnt work like that. To even get a call before can be quite generous, the MP said. Those in the business community were less content with the governments insular discussions. Just ask Tim Piper, Victorian head of the Australian Industry Group, a peak employer body. If they engaged with us at any point before these announcements, it would make some significant differences around the edges where we could suggest where they mightve gone a step too far and why, he said. While the decision to lock down was made the night before, alarm bells at the Health Departments Lonsdale Street headquarters had been ringing for days. News filtered through on the afternoon of Friday, May 21, that wastewater sampling in Melbournes north had detected traces of COVID-19. Yes, the sample was from the Wollert area, home of the man who became infected in Adelaide hotel quarantine on May 4 before flying to Melbourne and testing positive on May 11. But he had been in hotel quarantine in the CBD for 10 days before the wastewater alert. A call went out for anyone in the northern suburbs with symptoms to get tested. Yet the first two cases in the outbreak may have been a serendipitous discovery. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video An uncle and his nephew, from the northern suburbs of Epping and Lalor, were tested together on Sunday: the uncle for his routine monthly test, the nephew because he had some symptoms, according to Health Department sources. Their results came back positive on Monday. By Tuesday several close contacts had tested positive, including case 5, the man contact tracers identified as the index case at the centre of the cluster, who moved through Melbourne for several days while infectious before getting tested. By Wednesday morning the cluster had grown to 15 and on Wednesday night, when Professor Sutton and ministers met, it was in the mid-20s. Long lines became a fixture at testing centres after the coronavirus was found in northern suburbs wastewater. Credit:Joe Armao In other words, the writing was on the wall once the Chief Health Officer presented to the government that night. The reverberations from the Thursday lockdown announcement rumbled immediately across the city and state. Victorias Treasurer, Tim Pallas, sensed the desperation of employees suddenly out of work for their fourth time in 16 months. As political opponents go, Mr Pallas and federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg have always had a strong working relationship. Privately, they have both remarked that they like each other. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg refused to offer economic support for a one-week lockdown. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen But their conversation turned tense that weekend when Mr Frydenberg ruled out providing support such as a JobKeeper wage subsidy to help Victorians in lockdown. Setting up a system of federal payments for a seven-day shutdown hardly seemed worthwhile for Mr Frydenberg. An infuriated Mr Pallas asked him for a piecemeal offering, an olive branch to prevent the state and federal fights that have dominated so much of the pandemic. Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas let loose on the Morrison government at a Sunday press conference. Credit:Getty Images Unable to reach an agreement, Mr Pallas teed off at a press conference that Sunday. The federal governments reluctance to fork out was nothing short of a disgrace, the Treasurer fumed. While the rage drew little response in Canberra, a man with a penchant for federal slapdowns would have been proud of the efforts as he recovered from his spinal fracture at home in Melbournes south-east. Mr Andrews has been watching closely ahead of his expected return in the second half of June. MPs and staff say while his involvement has slightly grown in the past fortnight, his communications have only been with Mr Merlino or senior advisers in the Premiers office. Most decisions were already made by the time Mr Andrews was briefed on them except for the monumental ones, like locking down. Dan provides advice on the bigger-ticket stuff, said one government insider. Premier Daniel Andrews, pictured in intensive care in March, is due to return to work later this month. Credit: Supplied One MP said the message to the party room had been made clear. We were told Dan needs time to heal, dont call him. We let those who need to talk to him do it. I thought I would get the impression that he was leading things behind the scenes, but I havent to be honest. The Premier, like the rest of Victoria, was observing worrying signs as the week-long lockdown entered its second half: infections emerged in aged care, the list of exposure sites boomed to over 350 and there were at least two cases with an unknown source. Publicly, authorities intensified their language. In comments sent by the government to journalists on Tuesday night, Professor Sutton warned of an absolute beast that has moved faster than any other strain weve dealt with. The only discussion between senior ministers as they met that night was how long the lockdown would be extended, and, with a more lenient easing in regional areas on the cards, how it would be enforced. Victoria Police provided four options for enforcing two-tier restrictions, including a return to the ring of steel of police checkpoints around the city. There was an acceptance in the government, however, that not every rule could be enforced with the iron fist of 2020, particularly after outspoken complaints from the police union on the inefficiency of a ring of steel. Instead, as Mr Merlino announced at a Wednesday press conference, roving police checks would accompany a request for regional businesses to check the IDs of every customer. Melbournes lockdown would continue for seven more days. State Liberal MPs were cynical about the extension. Leader Michael OBrien called the fleeting contact a confected justification for extending the lockdown, scrutiny that only intensified once two such cases were reclassified as false positives on Thursday evening. Media questioning on Friday centred on whether the lockdown could be shortened; hopes offset by news a family who visited NSW while infectious had in fact contracted the more infectious Indian variant, known as Delta. Like last years four months of second-wave lockdowns, the government has been split into three tiers of involvement in the past fortnight. The senior ministers regularly meet in private and with Professor Suttons team. All 21 ministers meet online at 9.30am and 4.30pm every day. Singapore: Indonesian troops on a manhunt for rebels in the strife-torn region of West Papua have been given carte blanche to shoot anyone, a local priest warns, after the government labelled armed separatists terrorists. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age from Jayapura, Catholic priest Father John Djonga said community leaders had told military and police at a meeting in the provincial capital that the new label would only intensify conflict. The church and the people strongly opposed the decision and asked the government to revoke the decision on classifying KKB as a terrorist group, Djonga said using the Indonesian forces name for the armed groups. By treating them as terrorists, the military will be free to shoot anyone who is suspected as KKB. Joko Widodos government is deploying hundreds of troops to its contested easternmost territory to search for armed insurgents after Indonesias intelligence chief was killed in an ambush on April 25. Bryan, OH (43506) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 86F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 61F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. 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 Skills and talent development company Limited on Friday announced the expansion of its board with four new members, including promoters' children Udai S Pawar and Leher V Thadani. The move marks succession planning by promoters with their children - Udai S Pawar and Leher V Thadani - on the board, even as they emphasised that the two new faces are not joining in a management capacity. The company said the expansion of the board, including elevation of CEO Sapnesh Lalla to the board, is aimed at strengthening the organisation. "They're (Udai and Leher) joining the board, not management. We've had that explicit articulation of the approach of our company, so it represents succession...But yes...We, as promoters, have to look at our own, should we say succession of personal entities as well," Rajendra S Pawar said in a virtual briefing. Udai Pawar is son of Non-executive Chairman (and promoter) Rajendra Singh Pawar, while Leher is daughter of Vijay K Thadani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director (and promoter) of the company. The appointments shall be effective from the date of approval by shareholders at the forthcoming AGM, the company said. The board has also announced the addition of two Independent Directors - Sangita Singh and Avani Davda. They will join the company with effect from June 5, 2021 as additional directors till the forthcoming AGM when their appointments will be taken up for approval by the shareholders. Singh has over three decades of global business-to-business experience at Wipro, Infosys and IBM, while Davda has two decades of experience in Consumer Retail and business leadership at the Tata group, including in the role of CEO of the Tata-Starbucks JV. Rajendra Pawar said additions to the board as well building succession is important because many board members, over the years will come up for change, and so the company has to keep adding to the Board and bring in more members. "There is a diversity objective (as well) from many dimensions. We are looking at diversity in terms of geographies, people with international experience etc. We're looking at the diversity of background of (experience from) large companies, retail experience...so that enriches the culture of the organisation, he said. Pawar added that the expansion has also brought in gender diversity as well as representation from different age groups. Notably, over the past few years, promoters of various IT have carved out succession plans for the next generation. In 2019, Wipro had announced Azim Premji will retire as executive chairman of Wipro and his son Rishad - who was serving as chief strategy officer and a board member at that time - took over as the executive chairman of the company. Last year, Roshni Nadar Malhotra became the first woman to head a listed Indian IT company as she took over as the Chairperson of USD 8.9 billion HCL Technologies from her father and billionaire, Shiv Nadar. NIIT's Rajendra Pawar said the elevation of Sapnesh Lalla - CEO of the firm - to the board represents a member of the management team coming to the board. "The important thing is to build perpetuity for a company which has been around for 41 years. And so, there is a strengthening of the board from a governance point of view, and a strengthening of the management team, which is happening," he said. It represents the beginning of a succession process, Pawar said, for the founders in terms of their own entities and the role of the generation shift, whenever that has to happen or will happen. "But the management team continues to be active as it is and it's getting strengthened," Pawar said. An IIT Kanpur graduate, Udai Singh Pawar has professional experience of over 15 years. After his stint at Microsoft Research Lab in Bangalore focusing on Technology for Education, he moved into film-making. With his interest in inter- disciplinary technology and art, Udai is also investing in some startups, while he works on his future film projects, focusing on Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms. Leher Vijay Thadani has over 10 years of professional experience after completing her MBA from George Washington University. Her experience in reputation management, public affairs, management consulting and communications spans a variety of sectors including technology, food and beverage, energy, automotive, chemicals and government. In a separate regulatory filing, said the of USA and Eagle have approved the merger of Eagle with NIIT USA with effect from July 1, 2021 in accordance with the applicable laws. The rationale for the amalgamation is to strengthen NIIT's Life Sciences Practice, and further integrate go-to-market and account management across common customers that is expected to help convert more Eagle customers into MTS customers while increasing share of wallet of amalgamated company. It will also help optimise resources to improve operational efficiency, and reduce complexity and simplify entity structure for reduction in administrative overheads, given ongoing integration activities. The merger will be effective from July 1, 2021, the filing said. NIIT (USA) Inc (amalgamated company) is a wholly owned direct subsidiary of NIIT Ltd and had a revenue of USD 59.09 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2021. Eagle International Institute, Inc, USA (amalgamating company) is a wholly owned direct subsidiary of NIIT (USA) Inc and had a revenue of USD 7.71 million for the fiscal ended March 31, 2021. (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.) Bull Moose Tube Company, part of industrialist Swraj Paul-owned Caparo Bull Moose, announced on Friday that it plans to build a 350,000 tonne per year high speed (HSS) and sprinkler pipe mill in the United States. The mill will be built on Dynamics new Sinton, Texas flat-rolled campus, at an investment of $200-250 million. BMT is partnering with SMS Group for the design, automation, and implementation of the mill that company officials expect to start up early 2023. BMT operates from seven plants six in the and one in and offers one of the largest ranges of welded tubing in North America. Commenting on the investment in the new mill, Swraj Paul, Caparo Chairman, said, The construction of this new plant is an excellent project for BMT, and is a tribute to my late son Angad who was born on this day. His energy and enthusiasm will never be forgotten in taking forward Caparos business in North America. Angad Paul, who was the CEO of Caparo Industries, passed away in 2015 at the age of 45. Tom Modrowski, president and CEO of BMT, said, BMT is excited to build in Sinton, Texas and partner with Steel Dynamics. The new mill will be transformational ranging in size from 4-inch to 14-inch square, 5-inch to 18-inch round, up to 80 feet in length, and thicknesses ranging from 0.187 inches to 0.750 inches. It will expand our geographic footprint and allow to better serve customers not only in the Southwest, West Coast and Mexico markets, but across the entire business. Modrowski further said, Expanding our capacity, capabilities, and flexibility will increase BMTs market share in large HSS sizes and ensure our continued and expanded leadership position in the sprinkler pipe market. Twenty-seven more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, pushing the tally in the union territory to 7,070, a health official said on Friday. The COVID-19 death toll remained at 119 as no fresh fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours, he said. Of the 27 new cases, 22 were detected during contact tracing while five were airport arrivals, he said. All passengers arriving by flight have to go undergo a mandatory Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) before they are allowed entry into the islands, the official said. Thirty-nine more people have been cured of the disease, taking the total number of recoveries in the archipelago to 6,820, the official said. The union territory now has 131 active COVID-19 cases of which 124 are in South Andaman district and seven in North and Middle Andaman district, he said, adding that the Nicobar district of the archipelago is now free as it has no active cases. The administration has so far tested 3,88,486 samples for COVID-19 and the cumulative test positivity rate is 1.82 per cent. A total of 1,09,844 people have received the first dose of the COVID vaccine, while 17,385 people have been administered both doses of the vaccine. The union territory has a total population of 4 lakh people. Meanwhile, the Information, Publicity and Tourism, secretary of Andamand and Nicobar administration, S K Singh in a press conference on Thursday reiterated the need to follow Covid appropriate behaviour in the fight against the pandemic. He said strict action will be taken against those violating the COVID-19 protocol. The police on Wednesday fined 147 people for violating the COVID-19 protocol, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Antigua and Barbuda prefers that fugitive diamantaire be directly repatriated to India from Dominica, the Cabinet of the Caribbean island country decided in a meeting, according to local media. The Cabinet minutes published by the local media showed that "Choksi matter" was one of the agenda items discussed during the meeting on Wednesday. It was held that the business was now the "problem" of Dominica and if he were to come back to Antigua and Barbuda, the "problem reverts" to it. The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Gaston Browne and attended by all his ministers decided that law enforcement officials would continue to gather intelligence on the circumstances of Choksi's "departure" from Antigua, said media outlet Antigua Breaking News. "The preference of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda is for Choksi to be repatriated to India from Dominica," the Cabinet minutes said. Later, speaking to media, Information Minister Melford Nicholas also said the government prefers that pending cases before Antiguan courts related to the revocation of Choksi's citizenship and his extradition to India be heard much sooner in the light of developments in Dominica and expedited, AntiguaNewsroom reported. The case will come up for hearing in November. Nicholas said intelligence agencies briefed the Cabinet on the circumstances leading to Choksi's disappearance from Antigua and Barbuda but refused to say anything further, calling the information classified, it reported. When asked about the mystery woman allegedly involved in Choksi's disappearance, he said he couldn't speculate on the matter. Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda, where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen since he fled Delhi. He was detained in neighbouring island country Dominica for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend. His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking like Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat. A Dominica High Court is hearing a habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of Choksi challenging his illegal detention. He was also brought before a Roseau magistrate, on the orders of the High Court, to answer charges of illegal entry. He pleaded not guilty but was denied bail. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January 2018, weeks before the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab Bank scam rocked the Indian banking industry. The duo allegedly bribed officials of the state-run bank to get Letters of Undertaking (LoU) on the basis of which they availed loans from overseas banks that remained unpaid. The allegedly corrupt bank officials did not enter these LoUs in the core banking software of PNB, thus evading scrutiny. The non-payment of these LoUs or bank guarantees worth Rs 13,500 crore resulted in default and became a liability on the bank. Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London, where he is contesting his extradition to India. Choksi took the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017. (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 BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation has initiated discussion with Dr Reddys Laboratories (DRL) for procurement of Sputnik jabs and has rejected all the nine bids for supply of Covid-19 vaccines after the bidders failed to submit required documents. DRL has shown willingness to provide a limited quantity of Russian origin Sputnik vaccine to the in June under a pilot programme, the civic body said in a statement today. The corporation will also examine cold chain requirements for Sputnik doses upon confirmation of supplies. The had invited an expression of interest for ten million doses in May and it received eight offers for supplying Sputnik vaccine and one offer for Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines. After extending the bid submission date twice, the Mumbai civic body decided to reject all offers today. The said none of suppliers furnished required documents to support the offers. The BMC has also asked DRL about supplying a larger question of doses in July and August and further discussion will be held in next 8-10 days, it said. India on Friday reported a net reduction of 77,420 in active cases to take its count to 1,635,993. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 12.30 per cent (one in 8). The country is second among the most affected countries by active cases. On Friday, it added 132,364 cases to take its total caseload to 28,574,350. And, with 2,713 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 340,702, or 1.19 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 A 22-year-old man was arrested from northeast Delhi's Khajuri Khas area after he called the Police Control Room (PCR) and allegedly threatened to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said on Friday. The accused, who has been identified as Salman alias Arman, told police that he made the call as he "wanted" to go to jail. He is addicted to drugs and was sent to a juvenile correction home in 2018 in a murder case, they said. The accused called the PCR on 112 around Thursday midnight and threatened to kill PM Modi, the police said. The number from which the call was received was immediately traced and shared with the district police unit, which then located him to Khajuri Khas, a senior police officer said. According to preliminary investigation, Salman was under the influence of drugs at the time of making the call. He was scolded by his father around 10 pm. During interrogation, the senior officer said, the man told police that he made the call as he "wanted" to go to jail. When asked why he wanted to go to jail, he said, "Wahin mann lagta hai mera (I like being there)." Salman also told police that he is addicted to drugs and that he took some smack around 7 pm on Thursday, he said. Senior officers of the Delhi Police will further interrogate him with Intelligence Bureau officials in accordance with the protocol before taking any legal action, the police said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The is considering giving fee waiver to students who have lost their parents to the novel infection, officials said on Friday. The varsity has written to its colleges to conduct a survey and prepare a list of such students who have lost either one or both their parents to the virus. " has written to its colleges to conduct a survey of students who have lost their parents due to We have sought a report in the matter by Monday," Dean of Colleges, Balaram Pani told PTI. According to officials, there are three types of colleges under the These are colleges maintained by trusts; those maintained by the varsity; and the colleges fully or partially funded by the Delhi government. There are 28 colleges fully or partially funded by the Delhi government, including 12 that are fully funded by the AAP dispensation. The principal of one of the colleges funded by the Delhi government said, "We welcome the initiative. Once the decision is finalised by the varsity, we will put it forth our governing body and get it approved. Since ours is a college funded by the Delhi government and it is a financial matter, we will need to get it approved by the governing body." P C Joshi, acting vice-chancellor of the varsity, underlined that the varsity is "actively considering" the fee waiver matter. At a prayer meeting held in the memory of varsity employees who lost their lives to the infection, the VC stressed that providing free education to all Delhi University (DU) students who lost their parents in this pandemic till they are studying here is going to be a key area for the administration. (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.) Farmers protesting against the Central farm laws at the borders of the capital will not leave at any cost, said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader While speaking at a gathering of farmers on Thursday, Tikait also alleged that the Centre wants to relocate the ongoing farmers' agitation from the border to Haryana. "The Central government wants to shift the movement to Haryana. We will not allow this. We won't let the government succeed in its ploy. We will not leave at any cost," he said. He further added that strikes at toll plazas in Haryana would continue and the protest would stay focussed on the capital. Farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws have been protesting for the last six months. Many have camped at the borders of the capital. Despite several rounds of talks between the Centre and the farmer leaders last year, the deadlock remains. Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted 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.) Top US infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has called on to release the medical records of nine people whose ailments might provide vital clues into whether Covid-19 first emerged as the result of a lab leak, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. "I would like to see the medical records of the three people who are reported to have got sick in 2019. Did they really get sick, and if so, what did they get sick with?" the report https://on.ft.com/3igFTgU quoted Fauci as saying about three of the nine. The origin of the virus is hotly contested, with US. Intelligence agencies still examining reports that researchers at a Chinese virology laboratory in Wuhan were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first Covid-19 cases were reported. However, Chinese scientists and officials have consistently rejected the lab leak hypothesis, saying the virus could have been circulating in other regions before it hit Wuhan and might have even entered through imported frozen food shipments or wildlife trading. A spokesman for China's foreign ministry, Wang Wenbin, declined to comment directly on whether would release the records of the nine but firmly denied that the laboratory was linked to the outbreak of Covid-19. At a regular briefing on Friday, he referred to a March 23 statement from the Wuhan Institute of Virology that said no staff or graduates were confirmed to have contracted the virus. Wang reiterated China's position that reports of a lab leak are a "conspiracy theory." Financial Times reported that Fauci continues to believe the virus was first transmitted to humans through animals, pointing out that even if the lab researchers did have Covid-19, they could have contracted the disease from the wider population. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The (DAC), chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday, approved issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for the construction of six conventional submarines under the Strategic Partnership (SP) model. The project envisages the indigenous construction of six conventional submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs 43,000 crore. In a press note, the said this would be the first case processed under the SP model and will be one of the largest Make in India projects. The availability of new technologies and advanced manufacturing capabilities to Indian Industry will be an important step towards enhancing the nations quest for self-reliance in modern conventional submarine construction and create direct and indirect job opportunities in India, the defence ministers office tweeted on Friday. "This project under SP Model provides a unique long-term opportunity and planning certainty for the industry to invest and support submarine construction. It will also infuse the latest technology and weaponry for submarines in India through strategic tie up between Indian Industry and leading foreign OEMs," said Ministry of Defence. The ministry also approved proposals concerning the procurement of air defence guns and ammunition worth Rs 6,000 crore under the Buy & Make (Indian) category. With the continued thrust of the Ministry of Defence towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, an enthusiastic response from about a dozen Indian companies was received. All of them have expressed their willingness and commitment to manufacturing this complex gun system and associated equipment by ensuring technology assimilation in India, the said in a press note. The ministry added that the SP model would help India achieve its 30-year programme envisioned to gain competence in submarine construction, and for the Indian industry to independently design and construct submarines in India. The Delhi High Court, on Friday, dismissed actress-environmentalist Juhi Chawlas suit which had talked about the harmful environmental effects of the technology for wireless mobile broadband. In its order, the court said that the plaintiffs had abused the process of law and imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh. Earlier this week, during the virtual court hearing on the lawsuit, the Delhi HC had questioned Chawla for directly approaching the court and not the government. This seems to be a publicity stunt. Why have you not approached Govt before coming to us? Has Govt refused to act on the issue? How has the Govt denied you any right? the court had observed during the hearing. In her petition, Chawla had claimed that the rollout in India will harm public health, as the radiation that it emits will be extremely harmful and injurious to the health and safety of the people. In a statement, the actor had said she was not against implementing technological advancements, but added that while using wireless devices one is in a constant dilemma about RF (radiofrequency) radiation from wire-free gadgets and network cell towers. Earlier on Friday, Chawla, to clear the air, explained that her petition wasnt against technology, but had sought clarity from the government over whether the technology is safe for humankind, flora and fauna. While dismissing the petition, the court said, "Juhi Chawla's lawsuit defective, abuse and misuse of process of law, wasted court's time and filed it to gain publicity." The court explained that the suit had been filed for publicity as Chawla had shared the web link of the hearing on social media, which led to an interruption of the proceedings by unknown people. During the hearing on Wednesday, an attendee had disturbed the procedings by singing songs from Chawla's movies, leading the court to direct 'contempt of court' action against the troublemaker. India will be a "significant recipient" of US vaccines, the country's envoy here has said as President Joe Biden announced details of his administration's decision to send 25 million COVID-19 shots to countries across the globe. US President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced that the US will allocate 75 per cent - nearly 1.9 crore of the first tranche of 2.5 crore doses - of unused COVID-19 vaccines from its stockpile through the UN-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing programme to countries in South and Southeast Asia as well as Africa. The move is part of his administration's framework for sharing 80 million (8 crore) vaccines globally by the end of June. According to a White House fact sheet, nearly 19 million vaccines will be shared through COVAX. Of these approximately six million for South and Central America to the following countries: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Haiti, and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, as well as the Dominican Republic. Approximately seven million for Asia to the following countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands, it said. India will be a significant recipient of US vaccines as India has been included in both the identified categories in the allocation announced today- direct supply to neighbours and partner countries, and under the COVAX initiative, India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, told PTI. Vice President Kamala Harris personally made a call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to inform him about the administration's decision. I deeply appreciate the assurance of vaccine supplies to India as part of the US Strategy for Global Vaccine Sharing. I also thanked her for all the support and solidarity from the US government, businesses and Indian diaspora, the prime minister said in a tweet. Officials in New Delhi said that Modi and Harris discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen the health supply chain between the US and India, including in the area of vaccine manufacturing. They highlighted the potential of the India-US partnership as well as the QUAD vaccine initiative in addressing the long-term health impact of the pandemic. The prime minister also said he hopes to welcome Vice President Harris in India soon after the normalisation of the global health situation. Sandhu described the phone call as an important conversation focusing on vaccines, post-Covid global health and economic recovery. The removal of the Defence Production Act priority ratings would further strengthen vaccine supply chains including for manufacturers AstraZeneca and Novavax, Sandhu said, reflecting on other important decisions taken by the Biden administration. These developments are reflective of the firm commitment of the leadership of both India and US to work in partnership on global issues, Sandhu told PTI. Sandhu on Thursday also had a substantive discussion with Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy. We discussed India US cooperation to contain the global pandemic, including in vaccines, and potential collaborations to ensure affordable healthcare, the Ambassador said in a tweet. India is currently witnessing the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the country has recorded over 2,84,41,986 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 3,37,989 deaths. The Biden administration had been under pressure to send the excess COVID-19 vaccines with the US to nations like India, which are facing severe vaccine shortages. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who visited the US last month, also said that the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines were an important part of his discussions in the US. He also said the endeavour was to expand the production of vaccines in India with assistance from the United States. (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.) Indian Navy's only nuclear-powered attack submarine, the INS Chakra, which was taken on lease from Russia, is believed to be on its way back to the country of its origin, people familiar with the development said on Friday. INS Chakra, an Akula class vessel, was taken on lease from in 2012. It was the second nuclear-powered attack that India had taken on lease from that country. The is returning to as its lease period is learnt to be coming to an end, the people familiar with the development said. The first nuclear-powered submarine, also called Chakra, was taken in 1988 under a three-year lease from the then Soviet Union. Some pictures of INS Chakra returning to came out on social media. However, there was no official comment on the matter. In 2019, India sealed a USD 3 billion deal with Russia for leasing another nuclear-powered attack for the for a period of 10 years. Under the deal, Russia will have to deliver the Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the by 2025. (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.) announced Friday it was sending some of its Covid-19 vaccines to Taiwan, which has been struggling to procure its own supplies and blamed for impeding shipments of the shots. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters plans to provide about 1.24 million doses of the Plc vaccine free of charge. The shipment was expected to arrive on a flight later Friday and Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered its appreciation in a statement. Motegi reiterated that has an urgent need for supplies of the vaccine as Covid spreads and domestic production is not set to be ramped up until July. We decided to provide this based on our important partnership with and our friendship, Motegi said. The shortage amid rising case numbers in has raised fears of a health crisis that could hurt its semiconductor production, which is crucial for global industry. Donating the vaccines to Taiwan could irritate China, Japans biggest trading partner, which sees the island as part of its territory and has stepped up military exercises in the region in recent months. Motegi said many in remembered that Taiwan was the first to offer support after it was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Japan approved the vaccine on May 20 following domestic testing, but put its use on hold because of concerns about rare cases of blood clots. The government has sufficient supplies of other shots to cover its own population and Wednesday hosted a summit on accelerating global vaccination efforts. Read More:Taiwan terms incursion by Chinese warplanes 'unnecessary', 'thoughtless' Asked about Japans plans on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the idea has drawn doubts from media and the public including in Taiwan. He added that vaccine assistance should be restored to its origin purpose, which is to save lives, and should not be reduced to a tool for selfish political gains. The government of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has resisted pressure, both at home and from China, to work with Beijing to obtain Covid-19 vaccines, a politically unpalatable option for officials in Taipei. Tsai and her party have blamed for scuttling an earlier order of millions of Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE shots, although Beijing has rejected the accusation. Terry Gou, the founder of iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., is working with Taiwans health ministry to negotiate the purchase of BioNTech vaccines, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said in a video press conference with the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan Thursday. Wu added that Tsais administration welcomes any individuals or organizations that want to work with the government to secure vaccines for Taiwan. Taiwan stands to receive vaccines from the U.S. The administration of President Joe Biden plans to distribute globally 25 million Covid-19 vaccine doses, with 7 million destined for Asia. Taiwan has so far been unable to directly obtain Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech vaccines from Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. The China-based drugmaker, which has an agreement to develop and distribute them in the greater region that includes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, has repeatedly said it wants to supply the BioNTech vaccine to Taiwan. The government has constituted an expert group led by Prof Ajit Mishra, that will give recommendations on fixation of minimum and national floor minimum wage. "The Ministry of Labour & Employment issued an order and has constituted the Expert Group to provide technical inputs and recommendations on fixation of Minimum and National Floor Minimum Wages," a statement said. Minimum wage is different for different categories of workers. National floor refers to the minimum level of wage that is applicable to all categories of workers across the country. The group has been constituted for a period of three years from the date of notification. To arrive at the wage rates, the group will look into the international best practices on the and evolve a scientific criteria and methodology for fixation of wages. The expert group is chaired by Prof Ajit Mishra, Director, Institute of Economic Growth. The members of the expert group include Prof Tarika Chakraborty, IIM Calcutta, Anushree Sinha, Senior Fellow, National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), Vibha Bhalla, Joint Secretary, H Srinivas, Director General, V V Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI). DPS Negi, Senior Labour & Employment Advisor, Ministry of Labour & Employment is the Member Secretary. (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 government on Friday capped the charges for treatment of mucormycosis patients at private hospitals in the state, where the official number of such cases has gone above 5,000. The state department issued a notification to this effect, asking all charitable hospitals registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, to follow the capped charges while treating mucormycosis patients. The state government has identified 28 types of surgeries for mucormycosis or black fungus treatment, it said. For surgeries, the minimum charges are fixed around Rs 6,000 in tier three cities, and the amount can rise up to Rs one lakh, depending on the region and the complexity of the treatment, said the notification, which will remain in force till July 31. The notification mentioned the charges as per the region and the type of treatment. A senior official of the public department said, "There are some multi-disciplinary private hospitals in metro cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, where experts of brain, nose, eyes, ears, among others, are available to handle mucormycosis cases. Such hospitals are commonly known as super speciality hospitals." If a patient wants to get treatment at such hospitals, the fees are generally huge. But this notification now caps the charges and patients can seek treatment in such multi- disciplinary hospitals as well, he said. The government notification also mentioned that mucormycosis patients, who are not covered under any third party administrator, medical insurance or government scheme, had registered their grievances regarding exorbitant fees being charged by healthcare providers registered under the Bombay Nursing Home (Amendment) Act, 2005. It caused hardships to the people suffering from mucormycosis or suspected to be suffering from the disease, it said. The notification warned the doctors of having to face penal action under various statutes if healthcare service or healthcare package is denied to patients. The notification also asked all the district collectors and municipal commissioners to appoint auditors in hospitals to issue a pre-audited bill to mucormycosis patients and their relatives. If excess charging is found, the amount will have to be reimbursed to the patient, the notification said. govt caps cost of treatment for mucormycosis in private hospitals "Rate of treatment for this in urban & rural areas cannot be higher than fixed rate. If found that extra charges have been levied then excess amount shall be reimbursed to patient," reads order pic.twitter.com/ptzU7bPTZc ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2021 (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.) opened fire on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Budgam district of on Friday, officials said. There were no casualties in the incident, they said. The convoy was on its way to Srinagar from Chadoora area in Budgam. The opened fire on the convoy in Kralpora, the officials said. More details are awaited. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mount Sinai Hospital here is donating ventilators, PPE kits, masks and hand sanitisers for COVID relief efforts in India. The hospital has given 10 ventilators, circuits, PPE kits, face shields, digital thermometers, N95 masks and hand sanitisers among essential medical supplies to the diaspora organisation Association of Indians in America (AIA). Jaipur Foot USA will be in-charge for sending the shipment to India and then distributing it across various states. During a brief ceremony at Mount Sinai on Thursday, AIA president Dr Urmilesh Arya and secretary Dr Usha Bansal thanked Mount Sinai hospital and its President Dr David Reich for donating the critical supplies for India. Also present at the ceremony was Vice President of Clinical Innovation at the Mount Sinai Health System Robbie Freeman. Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari expressed gratitude to eminent interventional cardiologist Dr Samin Sharma, Director of Interventional and Clinical Cardiology and President, Mount Sinai Heart Network for his efforts in facilitating this assistance. Bhandari said it is because of the efforts of Sharma, who is also Chairman Board of Trustees AIA, that the critical medical equipment will reach the needy hospitals and patients in India as the country battles a devastating second surge of Bhandari also thanked Reich and Freeman and the Mount Sinai hospital for their assistance and efforts. He said the equipment will be distributed to various charitable hospitals in states and territories including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and New Delhi through Jaipur Foot USA's parent organisation Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti-BMVSS (BMVSS). Its founder Padma Bhushan D R Mehta who will finalise which charitable hospitals in the states will receive the supplies. Last month, Bhandari had given 21 oxygen concentrators on behalf of Jaipur Foot USA to Breath Bank', an initiative launched in Jodhpur to help provide the critically-needed medical equipment to COVID-19 patients. India is currently witnessing the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the country has recorded over 2,84,41,986 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 3,37,989 deaths. (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.) AAP MLA Atishi said on Friday that it has been 12 days since the stock of Covaxin was over for the 18-44 age group and now Delhi will run out of vaccine supply for the 45-plus category by Sunday. During her daily vaccination bulletin, Atishi said that the Delhi government had about 10,000 Covaxin shots till Friday morning. "We have about six lakh doses for the 45-plus group, majority of which are Covishield. We think most of the stock of 10,000 Covaxin shots must be over by today evening. We are estimating that most of our centres that were administering Covaxin will be shut from tomorrow," she said. "And by the day after tomorrow (Sunday), Covaxin will not be available at any centre," the AAP MLA added. According to official data released by the Delhi government, it had 11,290 Covaxin shots, 5,87,760 Covishield shots available for the 45-plus age group till Friday morning. The national capital administered 53,018 vaccine doses on Thursday, out of which the first dose was given to 37,747 people and 15,271 people received the second dose. "The Covishield stock for the 45-plus age group will last us 28 days," Atishi said. She added that those who were administered the first dose of Covaxin a month ago will need the second dose in two weeks. "It's an urgent requirement to replenish the stock of Covaxin in Delhi. We request the Centre to supply the vaccine. We will require as many Covaxin doses as we had a month before so we can vaccinate those who need it for the second dose," Atishi said. "Delhi can't do with five lakh vaccines, we need 50 lakh vaccines in the month of June," she 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.) India has overtaken the US to become the top country in giving the highest number of people at least one dose of Covid vaccines in the world, as of June 3. With over 174 million first doses administered so far, India has covered over 12.6 per cent of its population. The US, on the other hand, has given at least one dose to more than half its population, according to Our World in Data figures. It is reassuring that we are intensifying our vaccine campaign steadily and it will be intensified further in the weeks to come, V K Paul, member-health NITI Aayog, said in a press briefing on Friday referring to the single-dose achievement of India. Paul said more than 43 per cent of those in the 60-plus category have received the first dose and more than 37 per cent in the 45-above age group. India is expecting a supply of 2 billion vaccine doses by the end of December. In June, the government is expecting the availability of about 120 million doses. We have to take all precautions and buy time to get a larger population covered by vaccination. The situation has improved as a result of our efforts, Paul said. Daily Covid cases in India have declined almost 68 per cent since the highest reported peak seen on May 6. Some states have better vaccination coverage in the 60-plus category than the national average such as Tripura (84 per cent) and Rajasthan (81 per cent). Telangana and Punjab have less than 40 per cent coverage. More vaccines will be available in the coming weeks and our coverage will improve, Paul said. He said the indemnity demand of foreign vaccine makers as well the domestic manufacturers are being discussed but no decision has been taken yet on the matter. We will find a way to bring foreign vaccines in India...We have checked with other nations. Companies such as Pfizer have supplied vaccines to them only after indemnity was given, Paul said. The government is also in talks with the World Health Organization to move fast in giving the emergency approval to Bharat Biotechs Covaxin. The WHO has asked for some data and analysis from the company. We will persuade them to move fast, Paul said. According to the ministry data, more than 240 million vaccine doses have been given by the Centre to states free of cost. Of this, the total consumption, including wastages, is over 222.7 million doses. The estimates that more than 19 million Covid vaccine doses are still available in the states. Paul also said there are around 130-140 million children in the 12 to 18 category that would require a supply of over 260 million doses of vaccine. While Pfizers vaccine has been approved by countries including the UK for children in the age group 12 to 15, Paul said Bharat Biotech and Zydus in India, too, are conducting trials for this category. The government is examining this issue. Delta variant caused 2nd wave The surge of Covid-19 cases in the country in the last two months shows a correlation with the rise in B.1.617 variant of the SARS-CoV-2, according to INSACOG, a grouping of 10 national laboratories. According to INSACOG, the B.1.1.7 lineage of the virus, which was first identified in the UK is declining in proportion across India in the last one and half month. reported 712 fresh cases during the last 24 hours taking the overall tally to 1,07,826, a senior Health department official said on Friday. has been witnessing a decline in the number of fresh infections during the last few days after it had crossed the 1,000 mark. The test positivity rate on Friday was 7.53 per cent as against 9.02 per cent on Thursday, as the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services examined 9,458 samples during the last 24 hours, Director of Department of Health and Family Welfare Services S Mohan Kumar said. Eighteen people succumbed to the virus pushing the toll to 1,601. While 15 of the deceased hailed from Puducherry, two were from Karaikal and one from the Yanam region, Mohan Kumar said. Of the 712 new cases, the region reported 530 follwoed by Karaikal (121), Yanam (36) and Mahe (25). The Director said as many as 1,215 patients recovered and were discharged during the last 24 hours ending 10 AM Friday. There were 9,494 active cases (1,368 in hospitals and 8,126 in home isolation), he added. The Health department Director said that 10.85 lakh samples have been tested so far and it was found that 9.36 lakh of them were negative. The fatality and recovery rates were 1.48 per cent and 48.89 per cent respectively. He said 34,949 healthcare workers and 22,089 frontline workers were vaccinated so far against Covid-19. The Department also vaccinated 1,68,314 people coming under the category of either senior citizens (above 60 years) or above 45 years with comorbidities have been inoculated against the infection since March 1. (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 Friday dismissed a plea challenging the order granting anticipatory bail to a Mumbai-based in a lodged against him by a 22-year-old woman. We find no reason to interfere. The special leave petition is dismissed, said a vacation bench of Justices Navin Sinha and Ajay Rastogi while rejecting the plea filed by the complainant. The high court had on May 13 granted anticipatory bail to Varun Hiremath in the case. The complainant has alleged that she was raped by the accused at a five-star hotel in Chanakyapuri on February 20. Hiremath had approached the high court after his anticipatory bail plea was dismissed by a trial court here on March 12. On the basis of the woman's complaint, an FIR under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 376 (punishment for rape), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) was registered at the Chanakyapuri Police Station here. (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.) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has urged President Joe Biden to set aside for a portion from 80 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, which the lawmaker said is now the epicenter of the pandemic. In a letter to Biden, Schumer said helped the US in the hour of need earlier by sending much needed protective personnel equipment. Now, it is time for us to give back and help the people of India, he said in the letter dated June 1. On May 17, your administration announced that it would send 80 million doses of the vaccine to assist foreign nations. The United States, through other COVID-19 vaccine products, has more than enough vaccines to protect our own population and can afford to send AstraZeneca and other vaccine doses abroad, he said. As such, I urge you to send a robust allotment of COVID-19 vaccine doses to to help bring a swift end to this global crisis, Schumer wrote. I ask that you set aside a portion from the 80 million doses the United States has said it will release over the next few months to the Republic of India. To end the COVID-19 pandemic, this virus must be eradicated not just domestically but across the world and vaccinations are our most potent weapon in this fight, he said. President Biden on Thursday announced details of the allotment of 25 million of the 80 million vaccines to countries around the world. The exact number of vaccines that India would receive has not been announced. India is, however, expected to receive a substantial number of these vaccines. A day before writing to Biden, Schumer had a virtual meeting with India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Good conversation with Majority Leader Senator Schumer on India-US strategic partnership especially in QUAD, vaccines and healthcare. Discussed working together in innovation as well as emerging technologies and thanked him for his longstanding support for India and Indian American community, Sandhu said in a tweet earlier this week. In his letter Schumer said India is now the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has recorded over 28 million COVID-19 cases, second only to the United States and more than 300,000 deaths, third in the world behind the United States and Brazil, he said. The situation shocked the world last month when it became the only country in the world to reach over 400,000 daily cases. Scientists believe that the Delta COVID-19 variant, first detected in India, helped drive this surge due to its higher transmission potential, he wrote. Schumer said the rapid spike placed enormous burdens on the nation's health care system with reports of treatment facilities running out of critical supplies such as oxygen and regions resorting to mass cremation in public parks to handle the volume of deaths. So far, the country of over 1.3 billion has delivered first dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 12 per cent of its population, including three per cent who are fully vaccinated. The nation's Serum Institute, the world's largest manufacturer of vaccines, has announced it will make 90 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine doses this month, he said. While this is a significant contribution, India needs much more support to vaccinate its people and protect them against the spread of COVID-19, said the Senate Majority leader. (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.) (SRC) is sending nearly SGD 7 million (approx Rs 38 crore) to its counterpart in India for distribution to hospitals and medical institutions fighting the country's worst health crisis, its secretary general and CEO Benjamin Williams has said. Williams received a SGD1 million cheque of donations collected by the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the Little Indian Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA). "Singaporeans have the heart to donate," said LISHA Chairman C Sankaranathan at the cheque presentation ceremony on Thursday. "The plight of India is deeply saddening. We want to thank everyone who has pitched in to make a difference in the unprecedented crisis that India is facing." SRC is sending close to SGD7 million, collected under Indian COVID Relief Fund, to its counterpart in India, Williams told PTI on Thursday. SICCI Chairman Dr T Chandroo said, We want to thank every person who has given us their sacrificial and unwavering support to this fundraising initiative along with LISHA. It was very heartwarming to see how compassionate and selfless people have been in their contribution to help India. An 86-year-old Indian-origin physically-challenged lady, whose son has been recently retrenched, came forward to make a significant donation from her lifetime savings while Indian institutions including temples and societies supported the fund-raising cause, said Dr Chandroo. "The effort is an enriching one and we are blessed to have the opportunity to support a worthy cause and save lives in India," he said of the SICCI-LISHA fundraising campaign. Jimmy Mahtani, Managing Director, Baring Private Equity Asia Pte Ltd, said, The rising number of COVID cases and fatalities in India have been heart wrenching, and the team at Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) want to support the country during this difficult time. We are proud to support the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce COVID relief drive, providing critically important life-saving medical equipment, medicines and materials, in conjunction with the Singapore Society and Temasek Foundation, to help those in need. Temasek Foundation of the state-owned investment group has been among the lead donors while Singapore Exchange gave SGD100,000 towards the relief fund. Jeyakumar Janakaraj, Country Head, Adani Global Pte Ltd, added, It is heart-breaking when we look at how the COVID-19 crisis is taking a toll on the people of India. Adani Singapore supports SICCI's India COVID-19 Relief Fund as it is a great and timely initiative to provide critical medical needs for India. This is just a small part of what we can do. "More importantly, pooling our resources across community groups in Singapore and working with the Singapore ensures equipment and medication are rapidly deployed to where it is needed most. We will continue to aid relief efforts for India and hope India will be able to overcome this health crisis soon," said Janakaraj. People from all walks of life including housewives and taxi-drivers made their contributions at donation boxes placed in the Little India precinct, a thoroughfare for Indians here, added LISHA advisor Rajkumar Chandra. Highlighting the month-long donation drive, Chandra said the Singapore businesses were also missing workers from India as the Singapore economy recovers and demand for workforce increases. "There is a minimum shortage of 100,00 workers, many of whom have returned to India," said Chandra, adding that there is a need to bring back workers as normalcy returns following recovery from COVID-19 induced slowdown. Stakeholders in Singapore's construction industry have recently appealed to the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force to allow foreign workers to enter Singapore in a safe and controlled manner. The Construction Industry Joint Committee (CIJC) said that the current manpower situation may result in further delays to construction projects and could cause jobs to be lost in the industry, and has asked the Government to adopt a balanced approach and work with industry to allow the recruitment and inflow of foreign manpower. With the Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) issued on May 14, the built environment industry understands and supports the Government's efforts to curb a resurgence of COVID-19 cases amidst the emergence of new virus variants in Singapore, CIJC said in a media release. However, we have serious concerns about the acute manpower situation for the construction industry, Channel News Asia quoted CIJC in its recent report. Singapore has suspended entry for long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to India since April 24. This includes those who transit in India. Those with recent travel history to Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have also been barred from entering or transiting in Singapore since May 2. CIJC said that the shortage of manpower is leading to issues with workplace safety. The complexity and nature of construction work necessitates the deployment of workers from various trades, and the current reduced workforce is already working at maximum capacity, increasing the risks of workplace incidents, it said. We are suffering from reduced productivity due to safe management measures at the worksites and many of our migrant workers plan to return home when their work permits expire. (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.) Former US President Trump on Thursday (local time) said that he was right about ' Virus coming from Wuhan Lab'. "Now everyone, even the so-called 'enemy', are beginning to say that President Trump was right about the Virus coming from Wuhan Lab," said former US President He also called for imposing fine on for the death and destruction they have caused due to this 'lab leak'. "The correspondence between Dr Fauci and China speaks too loudly for anyone to ignore. China should pay USD 10 trillion to America, and the world, for the death and destruction they have caused!" added Trump. After US top advisor, Dr Anthony Fauci private emails were revealed to the press the debate over coming from Wuhan Lab has sparked once again. Over 3,000 pages of emails were obtained by the Washington Post, Buzzfeed News and CNN through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, date from January to June 2020. The emails revealed about early days of the US Covid outbreak. Dr Fauci and his colleagues took notice, in the early days, of the theory that COVID-19 may have leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, China. With regard to the "lab leak" email, the doctor told CNN he still finds it unlikely that a Wuhan laboratory released the virus. "I don't remember what's in that redacted [email], but the idea I think is quite far-fetched that the Chinese deliberately engineered something so that they could kill themselves as well as other people," he said. "I think that's a bit far out." The controversial claim was dismissed by experts last year, who said it was "extremely unlikely". No evidence to support it has emerged. But in recent days, amid criticism of an inconclusive international probe into the virus' origins and new reports of Covid-related illness in the region weeks before it was officially identified, the theory is once again sparking debate. (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.) America's top infectious disease specialist Dr Anthony Fauci on Thursday said his country is eager to involve Indian investigators in global clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 therapeutics. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has a long history of collaboration with its counterpart agencies in India, Dr Fauci said during a conversation organised by the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum. Under the long-standing Indo-US vaccine action programme, we will continue to work with India on research related to SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2) vaccines. We also are eager to involve Indian investigators in sites in global clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of various COVID-19 therapeutics, he said. The partnerships between the NIH and India's Department of Biotechnology as well as what the Indian Council of Medical Research have helped produce important scientific and public health discoveries in the past. I am confident they will continue to do so in the future. India's contributions to global scientific knowledge are well known to all. With strong governmental support and a vibrant biopharma private sector, this knowledge already is yielding solutions to COVID-19 prevention and care, Dr Fauci said. India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said as India ramps up vaccine production to cater to its needs and those of the world, it relies on the support of the United States in ensuring raw materials and component items are available in good supply. Vaccinating the world is our best bet against another wave of the pandemic, and the ideal way to speed economic recovery, he said. Observing that India-US health collaboration is not new, he said under the longstanding Vaccine Action Programme between both nations, they developed a vaccine against rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea in children. Indian companies have also manufactured, highly cost-effective HIV drugs for use in African countries, building on cooperation between US organisations and the private sector, he said. Looking ahead, we need to invest in preparing for the future. Future global resilience will depend on how well prepared we are in dealing with future pandemics. We need to work to further expand our bilateral programmes in areas such as epidemiology, digital health and patients' safety to tackle communicable, and non-communicable diseases and improve infectious disease modelling, prediction and forecasting. Similarly, the sharing of clinical expertise, standards, and experiences of hospitals, in the management of infectious diseases, especially COVID-19, would add to the knowledge base, Sandhu said. I think it's important to understand when the US went through a crisis last year, it was India which kept up to support the US from critical medicine. And India is going through his own challenges us stepped up. So, it is a reciprocal partnership, USISPF president Mukesh Aghi said. Sandhu said last year, as the pandemic hit, India ensured the integrity of health supply chains, providing essential medicines to the US. This year, when the US supported India during the second wave, President Biden recalled India's help. Companies such as Gilead and Merck present here today have been critical in supplying essential medicines to India which has helped us fight the pandemic and saved innumerable lives, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top American lawmakers, industry groups and Indian Americans on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Biden Administration to send 25 million doses of vaccines to other countries, including India. This is a good first step. I continue to urge the administration to ramp up its global vaccine distribution with a plan that considers urgent need and regional priorities and I look forward to the next batch being allocated quickly, Senator Mitt Romney said Thursday. Countries like Taiwan and India are in desperate need of COVID-19 vaccines, so I'm pleased that the administration is moving into the implementation stage of its global vaccine distribution plan. US vaccines are far safer and more effective than those coming out of China or Russia, Romney said. Congresswoman Grace Meng commended the Biden Administration for unveiling the United States' plan to share COVID-19 vaccines with other nations, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries in Asia. If we are going to defeat COVID-19 and move past this pandemic, we must fight this virus not just here at home but across the globe and I applaud President Biden and his administration for proceeding with his commitment to do so, said Meng. These donations of vaccines are urgently needed. They will save lives and help with the world's recovery and I thank the President and his administration for hearing the pleas that I and others made for sharing vaccines with these other countries. I look forward to seeing the help that these vaccine distributions will provide and I'll be monitoring the situation closely, the Congresswoman said. The US Chamber of Commerce in a statement welcomed the efforts to boost global vaccine manufacturing and expand vaccine access, including the decision to distribute nearly 19 million doses through the COVAX coalition and provide millions of additional doses directly to countries in need. "As countries around the globe struggle to manage the health crisis, we know that more can and must be done. As production exceeds demand in the United States, the administration should release additional doses into the global supply, said Myron Brilliant, executive vice-president and head of international affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce. "The good news: For months, vaccine producers have been scaling up production exponentially and sharing intellectual property with manufacturers via licenses to boost global capacity. These collaborations rather than the risky move to circumvent them via IP waivers will be key to vaccinating billions worldwide, he said. Congresswoman Young Kim said that the US has provided PPE, medical equipment, therapeutics and raw vaccine materials to India over the past month. However, with new infections daily and an overwhelmed health infrastructure, India needs help to ramp up its vaccine production capabilities and we can and should help, she said. Diaspora advocacy group, IMPACT welcomed the decision. We are thankful the administration has responded to the pleas of the Indian American community. But with over one billion people in India still waiting to get access to vaccines, we must do much, much more. The US will have a surplus of nearly 300M vaccines by July and President Biden should act swiftly to send those doses to countries in dire need such as India, said Neil Makhija, executive director at IMPACT. Dr Vijay G Prabhakar, a public health physician described it as a huge positive step forward for US-India relations. Yes the quantum is lower than what we have been asking for but we wholeheartedly welcome this initial shipment to India in June, he said in a statement. Welcoming the decision, Dr R D Prabhu from Las Vegas in Nevada said that this will go a long way in helping the people of India to successfully fight against COVID-19. (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.) As a part of its global vaccine sharing strategy, the United States will share a substantial number of its surplus Covid-19 vaccine doses with India, a government official said on Friday. The official, however, said that the is yet to finalize the exact number of doses that will be allocated to India and as well as other countries. We want to be careful about putting a number out there yet, because we want to work on those pieces. I think there will be a substantial number, Gayle E Smith, state department coordinator for global Covid response and health security said. We have some notional planning, but refinement of the actual numbers will be determined in consultation with the government, health experts, state of their vaccine plans and delivery and with COVAX, Smith told reporters. The operational work on the type of vaccine that will be shared will have to be worked out with respective countries. The US will try to match it with the vaccine programmes across various countries, Smith added. On Thursday, the US government said it plans to share surplus Covid-19 vaccines to lay the ground for increased global coverage and to address real and potential surges, high burdens of disease, and the needs of the most vulnerable countries. It plans to send the first tranche of 25 million vaccine doses to countries in Asia, Latin America as well as Africa. Three-fourth of the 25 million doses will be shared through COVAX, an international vaccine sharing programme. Of this, select countries in Asia, including India will get seven million doses. Of the remaining one-fourth or approximately 6 million doses will be targeted toward regional priorities and partner recipients, including Mexico, Canada, Egypt, Jordan, India, among others. Our intention is to lead the global vaccine coverage. A lot of work has to be done to actually deliver vaccines. When other countries also share vaccines, then we can get in a position to actually end this global pandemic, Smith said. As far as the availability of vaccine is concerned, Smith said that the availability will depend on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance, without spelling out any timeline. Since FDA is an autonomous regulatory public health regulatory, the government will not interfere. The US had in the past said it plans to send 60 million vaccines to various countries. However, it is still undergoing the control checks by the FDA. The battered of is pinning its hope on a relief package for hoteliers, owners of roadside eateries, tour and travel operators and people connected with adventure tourism who are facing a livelihood crisis. It is estimated that the of the state has suffered losses worth Rs 1600 crore in 2020 due to the pandemic "We have submitted a proposal to the chief minister seeking a relief package to inject life into our embattled tourism industry," Tourism and Culture Minister Satpal Maharaj said on Friday "Tourism is our bread and butter and it has suffered at multiple levels due to the pandemic. A relief package at this stage will do a world of good to people in the sector," Maharaj told PTI in an interview. Citing the findings of a study conducted by IIM, Kashipur, the minister said Covid caused losses worth Rs 1600 crore to the of in 2020 besides rendering around 23000 people jobless. The losses caused by the second wave of corona this year have not been estimated yet, he said. The relief package has been sought for hoteliers, owners of roadside eateries, tour and travel operators and people connected with adventure tourism like rafting and trekking who are facing a livelihood crisis with no tourists arriving due to the pandemic. "While Kumbh had to be scaled down for people's safety due to a raging second wave, the Chardham yatra has been hit hard by the Covid induced restrictions for the second consecutive year. It has been a big blow to the tourism industry," the minister said. Hotels in tourist hubs like Nainital and Mussoorie have suffered bulk cancellation of bookings in recent months due to the second wave of the pandemic which had shown signs of abating in February-March. Tour and travel operators have also suffered with no tourists around. Covid curfew has been in force in for several weeks now and vehicle operators are almost off the roads, he said. "A relief package for the tourism industry at this hour will give it the much needed shot in the arm," Maharaj said adding that the chief minister has also been asked to include folk artistes as beneficiaries of the relief package as they do not get a chance to perform and earn with no cultural programmes being held by the tourism and culture department for more than a year. Maharaj said he has also requested the chief minister to go for a phased opening of the Chardham Yatra after the Covid curfew is lifted in the state. Although the famous Himalayan temples of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are open for daily prayers, they have been kept out of bounds for pilgrims in view of Covid. Pilgrimage to the Himalayan temples faced similar hurdles last year and opened finally with mandatory restrictions like a negative RT-PCR test report which limited the footfall of devotees to around 3.5 lakh only during the entire yatra season. However, the minister said the tourism scenario though bleak should not lead to despair. "Covid is a global crisis. Many tourist hubs in the world have battled it and overcome the challenges. We should draw inspiration from them and look forward with hope," he said citing the instance of Dubai where the tourism industry is already showing signs of recovery. (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 Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have called on countries anticipating excess Covid-19 vaccine supplies in the coming months to release their surplus doses as soon as possible to developing nations. "The coronavirus pandemic will not end until everyone has access to vaccines, including people in developing countries," Group President David Malpass and Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a joint statement to the G7 industrialised countries on Thursday. "Worldwide access to vaccines offers the best hope for stopping the coronavirus pandemic, saving lives, and securing a broad-based economic recovery," Xinhua news agency quoted quosted the statement as saying. They noted that together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Trade Organization (WTO), the Group and have urged international support for $50 billion of financing aimed at achieving more equitable access to vaccines and thus helping to end the pandemic everywhere. "We are urging developing countries to move quickly to put in place vaccine procurement and distribution plans and communication efforts to convey the life-saving importance of approved Covid-19 vaccinations," the two heads continued. They also urged vaccine manufacturers to prioritise the scale up of vaccine production, providing increased access for developing countries, adding that their multilateral organisations will work actively to encourage and support greater access. "Distributing vaccines more widely is both an urgent economic necessity, and a moral imperative." According to estimates, a faster vaccination rollout could inject the equivalent of $9 trillion into the global economy by 2025, due to a faster resumption of economic activity. --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.) The Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) has secured a loan of Rs 3,725 crore from the State Bank of India for the development of Noida international airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, according to a statement issued on Friday. YIAPL is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Zurich Airport International and has been incorporated to develop the airport in Jewar, which is around 70 km from the main Delhi region. "The entire loan of Rs 3,725 crore has been underwritten by on a door-to-door loan tenor of 20 years. We look forward to working closely with to develop Noida international airport as a world class airport in India," Christoph Schnellmann, the chief executive officer of YIAPL, said. Door-to-door loan tenor of 20 years means the entire principal plus interest amount has to be paid within 20 years. "YIAPL now looks forward to the conclusion of the UP government's resettlement and rehabilitation process and the start of construction of the airport," the statement added. "The funding (of Rs 3,725 crore) is a crucial milestone for the project as it validates the financial viability of the project while also outlining the next steps for the establishment of the Noida international airport," the statement said. When it won the bid on November 29, 2019, to build and operate the Noida airport, Zurich Airport International had said the airport will be able to handle 12 million passengers per year after the first phase of construction. Officials of the government and the Swiss company had signed a concession agreement on October 7, 2020 to begin the construction of the Noida airport, estimated to cost Rs 29,560 crore. In December 2020, it had submitted the master plan for the first phase of construction to the UP government and selected a four-company consortium to design the passenger terminal for the greenfield airport in Jewar. Zurich Airport International had outbid Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Adani Enterprises and Anchorage Infrastructure Investments Holdings Limited to win the 40-year concession for the Noida airport on November 29, 2019. Zurich Airport International is itself a 100 per cent subsidiary of Flughafen Zurich AG, a listed company that operates the Zurich airport. (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 economic advisor (CEA) K V Subramanian is expecting an economic recovery ahead of the festive season as around 700 million could be partially vaccinated by September. "Vaccinating about half the population would also help in containing the impact of the pandemic, the CEA told Business Standard. There had been some moderation in the momentum in the recovery that had been achieved in the last quarter of FY21, he said. The decline in April and a greater decline in May could be contained, he pointed out citing improvement in some of the high ... Grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala announced a Rs 20,000 crore revival package and allocated Rs 1,500 crore for free vaccination in its 'health oriented' budget on Friday, while not imposing any fresh taxes. Special loan schemes for financial rejuvenation, relief package for conservation and infrastructure improvement in the coastal areas and significant allocation to address extreme poverty also found a place in the first budget of the second government for 2021-22 fiscal. While the oppositionCongress-led UDF flayed the maiden budget of the Vijayan government as a "political stunt", the BJP-NDA dubbed it as a "disappointment". Presenting the budget and vote on account in the assembly, Finance Minister K N Balagopal said the government was compelled to adopt a firm stance, "health first" or "health above all" as its vision for development in the present circumstances. A six-pronged strategy was announced to tide over the pandemic-induced ''health emergency'' in Kerala and prepare it to fight against the possible third wave of the virus infection in future. A first-time legislator, Balagopal said though the budget presented by his predecessor T M Thomas Isaac early this year was a comprehensive one, the government came up with a 'revised budget' now in view of the rapid spread of the coronavirus and concerns about its possible third wave. "A second COVID package of Rs 20,000 crore is announced now to address the health, social and economic challenges that are emerging in the backdrop of the second wave," he said. In the beginning of the pandemic, the previous LDF government had declared a package amounting to Rs 20,000 crore to help those who were suffering from the adverse impact of the Covid lockdown. Under the present package, Rs 2,800 crore has been earmarked to tackle the health emergency, Rs 8,990 crore was set aside for direct disbursement to those facing crisis after losing their livelihood, while another Rs 8,300 crore to boost the economy by giving loans and interest subsidies to the needy. The budget allocated Rs 10 crore for the production of COVID-19 vaccine and its related research at the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) here. "The IAV will take the lead in inviting vaccine manufacturers to set up their units in the Life Science Park. Rs 10 crore is earmarked for this," the minister said. An additional Rs 1,500 crore was earmarked for providing free vaccination to all aged above 18 years and purchasing allied equipment for the inoculation drive, a proclaimed policy of the Left government. Among several allocations to strengthen the health sector, Balagopal set aside Rs 636.5 crore for setting up isolation wards with 10 beds exclusively for contagious diseases in all taluk, district and general hospitals besides Rs 50 crore for building isolation blocks in three medical colleges. Seeking to revive the economy, the budget announced a slew of low interest loans to help agriculture, MSMES, neighbourhood groups and so on and an amount of Rs 100 crore was provided for the interest subvention. A Venture Capital Fund with a corpus of Rs 100 crore to activate the rapid growth of small scale enterprises and start-ups has also been proposed, while Rs 10 crore outlay to provide low interest loans for SC/ST entrepreneurs, was also part of the financial revival steps. In order to resolve the issues in the tourism sector, a rejuvenation package would be implemented, he said, adding that an amount of Rs 30 crore was earmarked as government share for the same. Wooing the fishermen community, the budget proposed Rs 11,000 crore-worth development programmes in the coastal belt of the state in the next four years. "It is expected that this development package, comprising coastal conservation project, coastal highway project and wayside amenity project, will provide a huge economic stimulus to the coastal sector," he said. The Finance Minister said the extreme poverty reduction scheme would be implemented with the participation of local self government institutions and an amount of Rs 10 crore was initially earmarked for the same. Efforts would be made to implement at least 12 crore person days of employment through employment guarantee schemes, he said. "As part of creating Kerala knowledge society, the allocation for ''knowledge economy fund'' for skill promotion and technological transformation is increased from Rs 200 crore to Rs 300 crore," the finance minister said. Due to Covid pandemic, as many as 14,32,736 NRKs (non-resident Keralites) have returned to the home state and the budget allocation towards various welfare schemes for expatriate Keralites has been enhanced to Rs 170 crore. "During economic slowdown and natural disasters, the government could have stepped aside by reducing the expenditure.But, this is not the approach of the Left Front. During a crisis, the Left approach is to stand upfront and save the society even through borrowings," he said. In the last financial year, the state's GSDP came down by 3.82 per cent compared to the previous year, he said, adding that the growth rate that was positive for decades fell under the impact of Covid-19 induced lockdown and the state revenues recorded a decline of 18.77 per cent. He flayed the Centre for its alleged delay and uncertainty in releasing even the legally mandated GST compensation to the State also caused considerable financial difficulties. The Centre's increasing tendency to rely on cess, particularly on petroleum products, had an adverse impact on the state finances by reducing the divisible pool, that is to be shared with States, he said. As a result, revenue deficits grew and states were forced to borrow, the finance minister said. Despite the state reeling under acute financial crisis, Balagopal opted not to impose any fresh taxes. "Though tax increase is inevitable in the States financial situation, no new tax proposals are announced in the context of Covid pandemic," he added. The minister however indicated that the state could not withstand without increasing the tax and non-tax revenues in future. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan (Cong) said: "The first part of the budgetis a complete political statement.Budget is the annual financial statement. We are of the opinion that it was not right to include politics in the budget speech," he said. He, however, welcomed the Rs 20,000 crore COVID-19 package. Describing the budget as "disappointment", senior BJP leader and union minister V Muraleedharan said it was an eyewash to cheat people. The Rs 20,000 crore Covid package and Rs 11,000 crore coastal development package were just announcements, he alleged in New Delhi. Kerala's COVID caseload touched 25.71 lakh on Friday, while the toll was at 9,510 with 135 more deaths. (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 government is conscious of the intensity of the second wave of Covid-19 and is assessing its full impact before coming out with further packages and interventions, Union told Dilasha Seth, Shrimi Choudhury, and Nivedita Mookerji in an exclusive interview. Edited excerpts: What is your initial assessment of the impact of the second wave of the pandemic? RBI has revised its real growth estimates downwards by 100 basis points to 9.5 per cent. The Finance Ministrys assessment will take a bit longer considering the timings and uncertainties. RBIs [growth] estimates are based on limited sectors, and I accept that. Our consultations are a lot more specific. Therefore, I would need more time to give a direct answer to that. The exercise is still on. We are also receiving inputs from states for some sectors, which are varying. This, I think, is because the restrictions differed from one state to another based on the severity of Covid-19. While the Budget did a lot for capex-led initiatives, the second wave has hit rural India hard. What is the government planning in the short term to mitigate the hardship of people given the massive job loss? Is there any plan to beef up the delivery of money in the hands of people? There are two things to it. We are conscious of the rapidity and intensity with which it (the virus) is spreading in urban and rural areas. However, it is challenging to provide infrastructure, which will redress the problem immediately. We are keenly watching how the rural areas are responding. Second, we have announced free food grain over and above what they are entitled to for two more months. We have been releasing the money under the Kisan Saman Scheme. The Prime Minister himself has been telling us to ensure that the poor and vulnerable don't suffer. At this stage, I'm personally monitoring the demand coming afresh in the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee. We are also monitoring if there is any fresh demand other than those for which we had made budgetary allocation. Meanwhile, I have asked both public sector and private sector insurance companies to further enhance the speed of sanctioning the claims. The meeting on June 5 is expected to further ease and speed up processes for them. Are you ruling out any direct transfer of money like last year? I have not spent time on it. The Union Budget was prepared during the pandemic This time, we have to revive the economy. So it was a tailor-made Budget for the pandemic. The Budget implementation started from April 1. We are only in the third month. I need to make an assessment of that. My interactions with the industry and with states are happening now. Why would I want to say anything without me having learnt everything in full? In February, when you were presenting the Budget, things were a little different. In hindsight, would you have done things differently had you known that the second wave would be this strong? The Budget was prepared after the GDP had contracted 23 per cent. At that time, I didn't know what the GDP would be for the whole year. So, we did our estimates. We said, given the contraction, how do we make the economy grow, specifically in the context of Covid-19, the health infrastructure, not just in a metropolitan town, but going down to the blocks. We prepared the Budget being conscious of it. Now, it would be unfair to say that the Ministry did not anticipate the intensity and so on. The Opposition has called the government heartless. Even the former has said this government has done nothing. Do you think thats cynical? I wouldn't say it's cynical. I am ready to hear comments of any former minister on our government. I would definitely see what is being conveyed. We have to take comments from various people, including economists, former bureaucrats and stakeholders of the system and all those who are affected. Every tragedy gives a message. I would think there is also an element of guilt, and it impacts the human mind; there's a feeling that I couldn't help somebody who is suffering. And there's no way in which I want to stand up now and say how dare you tell me all this. I wouldn't want to do that. We are collectively in a tragic situation. For all of us, mutual handholding is the only option. The Budget is still some months away. Are you thinking of increasing the budgetary allocation for healthcare from a low single-digit? The last Budget had stepped it up. But there are suggestions to make it 6 per cent or 10 per cent of the GDP, and these are absolutely normative goals we have to reach. But also look at the absorption, the base to which we have to pull that resource. Even if I give that, I have to also measure how much can be completely soaked into the programme that you're looking at. So, the nature and the template of increase in the health allocation has to be such that it goes to the block level. So the normative being achieved within 12 months would be very attractive for me to read out. But can the system take it? I would want to first of all prove that what I've done or stated in the Budget is getting executed. I've been now very intently going through as to how this is getting implemented. Why is the government not offering free across the country? Since January 16, when we launched the vaccine drive, the government started distributing the vaccines procured through two manufacturers. And also gave to states to distribute free. It was smooth. The government last October negotiated the cost and gave emergency certification to the vaccine makers. Health being a state subject, they wanted it decentralised. That kept building up and that's why we have taken a call on a policy where 50 per cent is with the Centre (to redistribute), 25 per cent with states and another 25 per cent for the companies to sell to large hospitals. Will that change now with states complaining about the process? With so many chief ministers writing, I am sure a call will be taken by the Centre. ALSO READ: FM Nirmala Sitharaman says macroeconomic fundamentals are sound The Biological-e advance order of 300 million is a positive step by the government. Couldnt this have been done earlier for some of the foreign vaccines? Thats a legitimate question to ask. We paid Rs 4,500 crore to both these companies (Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech) early April for placing of orders for up to July. Negotiations are going on with (foreign) companies and I'm not going to name them. We've been talking to people asking them to come up with meaningful ways in which you can increase the supply. We were engaged with them since November but they had said they were not going to supply to India. Is the Rs 35,000 crore, that was allocated for vaccine, enough for this year or will there be further allocation? I said that even then that if need be Im willing to give more. The governments systems will give it to vaccine makers so long as theyre able to give me a utilisation certificate. I'm not even hung up on it. Im saying I'll give it to the vaccine manufacturers without guarantees, take the payment in advance and give me the supplies. The moment you give me one lot of supply, I'll give you more. I'm conscious of the urgency of the situation. It will go on as we negotiate with more suppliers coming in. Any estimate of how much the allocation will go up by? No. Thats difficult to say that at the moment. The excise duty budget estimate for FY22 is lower than FY21. While the RE for excise duty for FY21 stood at Rs 3.61 trillion, that for FY22 is Rs 3.35 trillion. In fact, the actuals are even higher. Is the Centre contemplating excise duty reduction in the current fiscal year? I said this even during the budget. Not just this, but on most elements, we've been very conservative. In the Budget, you laid down an ambitious plan which included privatizing two public sector besides IDBI and two insurance companies too. Will the second Covid-19 wave derail the plan in FY22? On disinvestment, Im on course. I shall do everything that I've said in the Budget this year, which includes everything that was approved by the Cabinet already and announced in the Budget 2021-22, including Air India. It is on course. You had budgeted for Rs 1.75 trillion this year. So will you achieve it? I will try to achieve it. When do we see the bad bank come up and how? We have not called it a bad bank. Thats because what gets popularly referred to as bad bank gets a certain characteristic about it. Now we have designed something very different. Youre carving out the and bad assets which are sitting in the bank for a certain number of years. Those are taken out first for which provisioning is already made, but given to this holding company, which is an asset reconstruction company. And at that point itself they get a certain amount of money for which they made provisioning for. And post which, the ARC would work on it and AIIFs will come through bidding and take it. At that time, at whatever rate, this whole thing formulates for itself, even then the will get something for themselves. So this formulation is more transparent, more parties can come in for the bidding and we see that there is a lot of interest. So this is moving as per plan. In the backdrop of slew of cesses on petrol and diesel, will the Centre be open to the idea of putting petrol and diesel products in GST? Even at the time of constitutional amendment for GST, the government had very clearly spoken in the pre-Council empowered committee and everybody had agreed to have entry of petrol and diesel products at zero rating. That was the only thing which was allowed at zero. Talking of GST, many state FMs have raised this concern of how GIC (GST implementation committee) and law committee took independent decisions without consulting the council. They've called it unconstitutional. Do you think these concerns are valid? This was mentioned by the Punjab He subsequently sent us a letter. We are living in a time when decisions have to be taken rapidly. This provision of the GIC is not new. The GIC is not just with Delhi bureaucrats. There are officials from a group of states. Then they take political guidance. It's not a set of people guided by the finance minister sitting in the finance ministry. They are officials who know the intricacies of what is developing. If you're telling me that this is being held against the Council and power has been usurped, it's very unfortunate. It will cripple the functioning of the GST, if in case there is a need for emergency decisions. In fact, I was accused of running a talking shop at the Council meeting. Do you expect me to say oh, sorry, you can't speak. or no, I don't agree with you or I don't like your face. I thought consensus was important, like it is in Parliament. In the context of the Group of Ministers (GoM) that was set up for GST, has said the party is not represented. Your comment? From when have they (Congress) disowned Isnt Ajit Pawar there? This is so much attention seeking syndrome by Its all about my family, my dynasty in that party. This is really politicising the which is a very good federal platform. I'm sorry, it's hurting every one of us and people who speak about institutions should respect institutions. There was a GoM meeting yesterday and it seems no call was taken on vaccine taxation and that it's back in the GST Councils court. Is that correct? I dont know as the report has not come to me yet. The GoM should submit its report by June 8, after which we will decide on the next Council meeting. On a different subject, what are your thoughts on market indices touching new highs? Do you believe theres a real disconnect between markets and the real economy? RBI has also talked about a bubble. I think it is a fact that the fundamentals of the economy are stable and doing well. Just before the second wave, you saw how the indicators were. Whether its the PMI on goods or services, electricity consumption, FDI flow, foreign exchange reserves, the indicators have been sound. Fundamental being strong attracts investment. If market indicates that, its a sustainable investment. To think its a bubble, Im not sure. Are you thinking about monetization of the deficit? I don't have anything on that at this point. Im in touch with the regulators. But its not a binary or a bubble that I have to panic. Your views on government measures related to economic offenders and getting them extradited? The government has said the offenders would be brought back. Is the government reviewing the IBC code to prevent errant promoters from taking control of the companies which are in the resolution process? Well I think we've made our position very clear. Our position is that promoters cannot come back through the back door. I'm glad that the courts have come out in strong support of the legality and the legitimacy of the Act itself. We now have to make sure that it gets implemented at every stage in each case. What would be your broad message to the poor people of India or the middle class who are looking desperately for government intervention? Well, I think since the last year itself, we have shown that we are a responsive government. We are fully empathetic. But we also have to be responsible enough to give a meaningful intervention. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Thursday announced operational guidelines for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for telecom and networking equipment, notified on February 24 this year after extensive consultations with stakeholders. The scheme envisages creation of global champions out of India who have the potential to grow in size and scale using cutting edge technology and penetrate the global value chains. Telecom products play an important role in the larger vision of "Digital India". The will be implemented within the overall financial limits of Rs 12,195 crores over five years. For MSME category, allocation will be Rs 1000 crores. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has been appointed as the Project Management Agency (PMA) for the The scheme will be effective from April 1, 2021. Investment made by successful applicants in India from April 1, 2021 onwards and up to 2024-2025 shall be eligible under the scheme, subject to qualifying incremental annual thresholds. The support under the scheme shall be provided for a period of five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. According to an official release, the sheme is open to both MSME and Non-MSME companies including domestic and global Companies. Also, manufacturers with products made with Indian technology are encouraged to apply. It is estimated that full utilisation of the scheme funds is likely to lead to incremental production of around Rs 2.4 lakh crore with exports of around Rs 2 lakh crore over five years. It is also expected that the scheme will bring investment of around Rs 3,000 crore and generate huge direct and indirect employment. This is in line with the larger objective of 'Make in India', the release said Interested eligible applicants can start the registration process for the scheme from June 4 and the application window will be open for 30 days up to July 3. The applicants will have to satisfy the minimum revenue criteria to be eligible under the scheme. The company may decide to invest in single or multiple eligible products. The scheme stipulates a minimum investment threshold of Rs 10 crore for MSME and Rs 100 crore for non MSME applicants. Land and building cost will not be counted as investment. Eligibility shall be further subject to incremental sales of manufactured goods (covered under scheme target segments) over the base year (FY2019-20). The Department of Telecommunications shall grant approvals to 10 eligible applications each in MSME and non-MSME categories. Out of the 10 applications in non-MSME category, at least three applicants will be eligible domestic companies. The applications will be short listed from highest to lowest on the basis of committed cumulative incremental investment during the scheme period, the release said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu had a virtual meeting with Laura Kelly, during which they held discussions over renewable energy, agricultural trade and educational partnerships. The discussion was on expanding India's ties with the state, Sandhu said in a tweet. Discussed renewable energy, agricultural trade, educational partnerships and the strength of the diaspora in the region, he said after the virtual meeting. India has a strong relationship with Kansas. India's exports to Kansas stand at USD 122.8 million and imports at USD 81.5 million. Two Indian companies, Cambridge Technology Enterprises and VVF, have a presence in Kansas. Garmin, a Kansas-based GPS technology company, has a presence in India, along with Black and Veatch, a construction/infrastructure company and Se2, a service provider in the insurance industry. A large number of Indian students study in universities of Kansas, prominent being the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, Emporia State University and Washburn University. The 32nd biggest economy in the US with a GDP of USD155.9 billion, Kansas is primarily an agricultural state, with nearly 90 per cent of its land devoted to it. Kansas follows only Texas and Montana in total agricultural acreage. It is the US wheat grower, also known as breadbasket of the US. Also a leading producer of sorghum and corn, soybeans and sunflowers are also major crops there. Cattle and calves, however, constitute the single most valuable agricultural commodity. The two leading industries are related to transportation equipment and computer machinery. Wichita is a centre of the aircraft industry, producing chiefly private planes. The state is a major producer of crude petroleum and has large reserves of natural gas and helium. The state's economy is heavily influenced by the aerospace industry. Several large aircraft corporations have manufacturing facilities in Wichita and Kansas City, including Spirit AeroSystems, Bombardier Aerospace (LearJet) and Textron Aviation. Boeing also had manufacturing presence in Kansas but ended decades-long history of manufacturing in the state in 2013. (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.) Bengaluru resident Anusha Hegde (name changed on request) has got admission in masters in finance at a US university. She was to join the Fall semester, which begins in August-September 2021, but has deferred her admission to the January 2022 session due to uncertainty over and travel norms. Thankfully, the university has granted her request. Sakshi Petkar (name changed) from Mumbai, who has got admission to a liberal arts ungraduated course in the US, is also worried about getting vaccinated in time for her programme, given the slow pace of the Covid in India for the 18-44 age bracket. With the Fall semester round the corner in US, UK and Canadian universities, Indian students looking to fly out are struggling with these questions: Is it mandatory to be vaccinated for Covid-19 before arriving on campus? If so, what about those who are either yet unvaccinated or have taken Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, which is not yet approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO)? (The company has applied for WHO approval and hopes it will come through by July-September 2021.) The US and have clarified that is not mandatory for travelling to these destinations. "Proof of vaccination is not required to enter the US. However, proof of a negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours of the flights departure, is required for air travel to the US," says Nick Novak, spokesperson, US Consulate General, Mumbai. Students who will begin their programmes on or after August 1, 2021 can apply for an expedited visa appointment up to 60 days before their programme starts and may travel to the US within 30 days of their programmes start date. This is good Only there is a catch. To be vaccinated or not With the system operating independently from the federal government, universities are adopting varying strategies when it comes to Covid vaccination. For instance, Ivor Emmanuel, director of Berkeley International Office at University of California (UC), Berkeley, says the university is considering providing the student with an FDA-approved vaccine. Students will not have to bear the cost of the vaccine or any testing, he adds. "International students are not required to be vaccinated prior to entry into the US, but are encouraged to get one if they can, Emmanuel tells Business Standard. For those who are vaccinated, the university will recognise vaccines approved by the WHO... At this time, under the National Interest Exception, Indian students are eligible to travel to the US after securing a visa beginning on August 1 or no more than 30 days from the start of their programme. The challenge that we face right now is that the US embassy and the consulates in India are closed due to the latest surge in Covid," he adds. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, has meanwhile decided that every enrolled student must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. This requirement applies to newly enrolled and continuing MIT international students as well. "MIT Medical (it serves the healthcare needs of the MIT community) will be in touch with students who are unable to access vaccines before the start date of their classes/programme, the institution said when contacted by Business Standard. Most likely, they will need to be vaccinated as soon as they arrive on campus. If MIT has a vaccine available (determined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts), students will be able to get immunised, at no cost, on campus. Otherwise students will need to register for an appointment at a pharmacy or through the state (most likely covered by MIT-sponsored insurance). Once on campus, any necessary Covid-19 testing is free," it added. At Canada's Rotman School of Management, Indian students do not need to be vaccinated before they land. Vaccinated students, however, are not exempt from any entry restrictions, testing or quarantine, says Joseph Milner, the school's vice dean for MBA programmes. "A negative molecular test (RT-PCR or similar) is needed to enter Canada, or proper documentation that they have a resolved Covid-19 infection. There are additional requirements from the government of for all arriving international travellers including a mandatory quarantine in a government-approved hotel, which students must meet," Milner adds. Which vaccine is recognised? But what if a student has been vaccinated with Bharat Biotechs Covaxin, which are not yet part of WHO's emergency-use listing (EUL)? "According to the Canadian government website, Covishield is approved in while there is no given information on Covaxin, which is creating a lot of confusion for Indian students who are looking to apply to Canadian universities, says Vibha Kagzi, founder and CEO, ReachIvy.com, a Mumbai-based career consultancy. In the US, too, Covaxin is not on the list of vaccines approved by foreign countries. In the US, they also don't offer Covishield as an option, so if the student has received one dose of Covishield, he/she will have to get the second dose in India itself or opt for a vaccine from another company, which may lead to health complications. Many universities in the US have asked students to opt for vaccines that are authorised and approved by international agencies," she adds. However, universities like MIT are offering exemptions in such cases. For instance, international students who have already received a vaccine that is not approved by the FDA need to simply document their immunisation in the Covid vaccine application with the university. Visa delays According to consultants like Arun Jagannathan, co-founder and CEO of CrackVerbal, and Sumeet Jain, co-founder of Yocket, another major issue is the delay in getting visas. Students are facing problems in terms of visa, with all appointments scheduled in May being cancelled due to local lockdown, says Jagannathan. Embassies, however, have assured students that they will fly out this year since it is just an administrative delay." Jain adds that consulates have assured that student visas will be a priority and could start moving in June as the second wave subsides in India. States like Maharashtra and Telangana are, meanwhile, providing free vaccination on priority for students looking to fly out. And consultants in India are advising students to either reach out to their universities to check their vaccine requirements and classroom versus remote learning options, or defer their joining to January. The will provide full fee waiver to students who lost one or both parents to the infection, officials said on Friday. The university has written to its colleges to conduct a survey and prepare a list of such students. "The has written to its colleges to conduct a survey of students who have lost their parents due to We have sought a report in the matter by Monday," Dean of Colleges, Balaram Pani, told PTI. The fee waiver, which will be 100 per cent, will be applicable for students who have lost either of the parents or both to the virus in both the waves of the pandemic. They won't even be charged examination fees. "At the varsity level, we know about the staffers whose wards are studying here and they would be given a fee waiver. At the college level, the college governing bodies will have to implement it. They will have to ask for certain documents which would prove it," an official said, requesting anonymity. According to officials, there are three types of colleges under the -- colleges maintained by trusts; those maintained by the university; and the colleges fully or partially funded by the Delhi government. There are 28 colleges fully or partially funded by the Delhi government, including 12 that are fully funded by the city dispensation. The principal of one of the colleges funded by the Delhi government said, We welcome the initiative. Once the decision is finalised by the varsity, we will put it forth our governing body and get it approved. Since ours is a college funded by the Delhi government and it is a financial matter, we will need to get it approved by the governing body." Another principal of a DU college, requesting anonymity said, that when the VC says they are giving a fee waiver, they can only waive off the university component of the fees. "There are two components of the fees -- college component and the university component. The college component can only be waived off by the respective college while the university component is very meagre," he explained. Some colleges at their level have already started the process. Rajesh Giri, the principal of Rajdhani College, said they have identified 30 students who lost either one or both their parents during the second wave while the first wave didn't see any such tragedy. Our students have also created a Google form for students and the fee waiver will also be applicable for those who will seek admission in the new academic session. They will have to furnish a death certificate of their parents. The college had given a fee concession of Rs 2,010 to all its students during the first wave," he said. Manoj Sinha, the principal of Aryabhaytta College, said they will honour the decision of the varsity. We will play our part in it and this will be our social contribution. We have formed a Students Fee Concession and Scholarship Committee that will identify the students. We are trying to help the students. We reached out to some of the NGOs who supported the students during the first wave," he said. An NGO in Mumbai decided to fully fund the of five women students of the college after a screening, he added. Ramjas College principal Manoj Khanna said they welcome the decision. We will wait for the official notification and as and when it comes, we will decide accordingly, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The (RBI) on Friday made its stance clear on cryptocurrencies, saying it has major concerns around such assets, reiterating its long-standing position on the use of virtual currencies. The has also conveyed its position and concerns on such assets to the central government. Governor Shaktikanta Das said: There is no change in RBIs position. We have major concerns around cryptocurrencies, which we have conveyed to the government. And, about investors, it is for each investor to do his/her due diligence and take a very careful and prudent call. This comes after the issued a circular earlier this week, clarifying that banks can no longer cite its circular on for not offering such products to customers, but said the lenders must adhere to local rules, which are quite exclusionary. Many private lenders had sent emails to customers cautioning them about dealing in virtual currencies citing the RBIs 2018 circular. The central bank, in its circular on April 6, 2018, had prohibited banks from dealing in or offering any service to customers on them. The circular was challenged in the Supreme Court, which set aside the rules on March 4, 2020. As you are aware, the set aside RBIs circular issued in 2018 but it came as a surprise that some banks are referring to that circular in their correspondence with their customers. Therefore, we had to set the record straight that the particular circular (which the banks were referring to) has been set aside so it is not at all correct to refer to that circular, the governor said. Post-RBIs clarification earlier this week, HDFC Bank retracted its earlier communication to its customers that cautioned them against dealing in virtual currencies. Avinash Shekhar, co-CEO, ZebPay, said, We hope the government will listen to all relevant stakeholders to take a calibrated approach. Atul Pandey, partner at Khaitan & Co, said considering that the SC has struck down RBIs earlier circular, the central bank cannot formally bring out any additional notification that goes against the judgment. The Centre has not clarified its stance on cryptocurrencies, rather it is giving conflicting signals because of which exchanges have lived under the threat of closure for many years. We have already formed an SRO for all the crypto exchanges to follow best practices. I think its high time the government ends the ambiguity and passes laws either way. Now, the ball is in the governments court, said Vishwas Patel, chairman of Payments Council of India. According to Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), 15 million users and upwards of 10,000 crores are held by small investors in cryptos. "The activity per se is not illegal currently, which means the services that banks provide to all other businesses, they have to provide the same here also. But, the nature of the business is such, it requires higher compliance but since there are no formal guidelines, industry body BACC is trying to prescribe the same for now on a voluntary basis. From an industry side, our stand has always been that such activities need to be formally regulated. So, we should solve the fundamental issue of regulating crypto trading in India. This is a sector we cant miss not to be in", said Naveen Surya, Chairman, Fintech Convergence Council. Researchers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Center (MSK) found that patients who received nivolumab after bladder surgery reduced their overall risk for high-grade bladder recurrence. This research was published in the journal New England Journal of Medicine. In this phase III randomized study, Dr Bajorin and a team of investigators evaluated 709 patients who were at high risk for recurrence of urothelial cancer after removal of their bladder, ureter, or kidney for high-grade cancer. To evaluate for benefit, patients were randomized to receive either nivolumab or a placebo every two weeks for one year. Patients and physicians were blinded to the treatment. Both safety and quality of life were evaluated. Dr Bajorin and investigators found that in high-risk patients, nivolumab reduced recurrence after surgery compared to patients who received the placebo. The current standard of care following surgery that removes the bladder or kidney and ureter has been observed without adjuvant therapy- even in patients at high risk of recurrence and death. This is because no chemotherapy or immunotherapy has previously been shown to be of benefit. Participants who received nivolumab had disease-free survival of 21 months compared with 10.9 months in people receiving the placebo. "We are very encouraged by the data and the results of the study. Despite available therapies for advanced metastatic bladder cancer, new options are needed to improve long-term disease control and patient survival. These findings have the potential to change the standard of care for bladder cancer," said Dr Bajorin, first and corresponding author of the study. Urothelial cancers are tumours that start in the lining of the urine-collecting system that transports urine from the kidneys to the outside of our bodies. These cancers are often referred to as "bladder cancer" because most of them start in the bladder. Dr Bajorin and colleagues concluded that the survival data is not yet mature and will need additional research and follow-up. The primary endpoints of disease-free survival in the study population and disease free-survival in the subset of patients with PD-L1-positive tumours were met, and these findings are highly statistically significant and clinically relevant for a population of patients with a clear unmet medical need. "The trial demonstrates that novel therapies can be identified as having patient benefit when the studies are conducted in a very rigorous fashion. We are hoping this treatment will get approval for all patients at high risk of recurrence after the US Food and Drug Administration has done a detailed review of all the data," said Dr Bajorin. Cancer immunotherapy was born at MSK a little over a century ago. Since then, physician-scientists across MSK have led the effort to develop immune-based treatments for different types of cancer. MSK has been at the epicentre of discoveries in the field, and the institution's work is bringing exciting new treatment options to people around the world. MSK physicians have extensive experience using immunotherapy to treat people with melanoma, kidney cancer, lung cancer, and other cancers as well as handling immune-related side effects. Without treatment, bladder cancer can be an aggressive disease. In 2021, it is estimated that there will be nearly 17,000 deaths due to bladder cancer in the United States- and numbers are expected to rise significantly in the next decade. "As physicians, we consistently strive to provide our patients with the most effective therapies and give those with advanced disease more options," said Dr Bajorin. (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.K. scrambled to return from before a quarantine requirement kicks in next Tuesday, driving up ticket prices as they rearranged flights ahead of the deadline. A three-hour British Airways flight from Faro, in the popular Algarve region, to London City airport Monday night costs 711 pounds ($1,000), according to comparison website Skyscanner. The following day, when arriving passengers will be subject to 10 days of self-isolation, the airline is offering flights to Heathrow for 80% less. U.K. authorities caught airlines and holidaymakers by surprise on Thursday with a decision to remove from the green list of countries where travel was relatively easy. The abrupt move echoes the disruption that took hold last summer, when sudden changes to quarantine rules forced vacationers to rush home at short notice. Now carriers are hastily rearranging schedules and contemplating another high season lost to the coronavirus crisis. The government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing peoples plans into chaos, said EasyJet Plc Chief Executive Officer Johan Lundgren in a statement Thursday. This decision essentially cuts the U.K. off from the rest of the world. Abrupt Shift Less than a month ago, airlines rushed to add seats to when it became the only major sun-spot green-listed in the U.K.s traffic-light system that began on May 17. The hope with the first three-week review was for an expansion of the list, to places like Spains Balearic islands and Malta, where infection rates are low. But no countries were added to the green list and Portugal is now going amber, causing disruption to the many Britons who were relying on the set-up to bring certainty to summer travel plans. Many Brits own holiday or retirement homes in Portugal. With their share prices dropping for a second day and prospects shrinking, airlines are revising their plans. EasyJet is focused on gearing up its fleet within the European Union, it said, where the blocs reopening is proceeding in a more deliberate manner. Package holiday operator Jet2 Plc said Friday that it would delay its restart by one week to July 1, and called on the government to be transparent about the data it was using to make its decisions. British Airways, owned by IAG SA, is offering seven-night holiday packages in Portugal for as low as 189 pounds per person. For Portuguese hotels and restaurants, the U.K. move is disastrous, according to Portugals Tourism Confederation. We take note of the British decision to remove Portugal from the travel green list, the logic of which we cannot understand, Portugals foreign minister, Augusto Santos Silva, said on Twitter. The country has clear rules for the safety of those who live here and those who visit us. President signed an order Thursday amending a ban on U.S. investment in begun under his predecessor, naming 59 firms with ties to Chinas military or in the surveillance industry, including Huawei Technologies Co. and the countrys three biggest telecommunications The ban on new investments will take effect Aug. 2 at 12:01 a.m. in New York, according to administration officials who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity. Investors will have one year to fully divest. Bidens order is largely a continuation of a policy issued by former President that was challenged in court and confused investors over the extent of its reach to subsidiaries of blocked Bidens position on Trumps order has been closely watched by Wall Street and Capitol Hill, where lawmakers from both parties have called for a strong stance against China over issues ranging from trade to human rights. Many of the companies in Bidens order were already on the Trump administrations list, including the nations largest telecoms: China Mobile Communications Group Co., China Unicom Ltd. and China Telecommunications Corp. Among the defense companies on Bidens list are Aviation Industry Corp. of China, Ltd., which is one of the best known of the Chinese military giants; China North Industries Group Corp.; China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Ltd.; and China Shipbuilding Industry Co. Read More: Boom in Chinese companies listing in the US halts as market declines Bidens list also includes Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., the developer of surveillance cameras and facial-recognition technology that has helped Chinese authorities roll out safe city initiatives in Xinjiang, where ethnic Uyghurs have faced persecution. Companies on Bidens list that werent covered in Trumps initial ban include Zhonghang Electronic Measuring Instruments Co. and Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry Co. Others include: Proven Honour Capital Ltd.; Proven Glory Capital Ltd.; Shaanxi Zhongtian Rocket Technology Co.; Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group Co.; Changsha Jingjia Microelectronics Co.; China Avionics Systems Company Ltd.; China Satellite Communications Co.; China-based Costar Group Co.; Fujian Torch Electron Technology Co.; and Guizhou Space Appliance Co. The Treasury Department released guidance on the penalties later Thursday. Treasury will update the list on a rolling basis, one of the officials said. A Hikvision spokesperson said in a statement on Friday that with no justification for previous lists, the U.S. government keeps finding creative ways to continue targeting Hikvision simply because we happen to be headquartered in China. Under Bidens order, the investment prohibitions will apply to subsidiaries of companies only if they are listed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The amended order clarifies that the measures will no longer apply to companies whose names closely match the listed entities, the Biden administration officials said. OFACs list will be coordinated with the State and Defense departments. The Pentagon, which is required by Congress to keep a list of companies linked to the Chinese military, released its list on Thursday night. Some companies will be listed by the Pentagon and OFAC, the officials said. The amendment to Trumps order comes after two successfully challenged it in U.S. court. Bidens team said a revision was necessary to ensure it was legally sound and sustainable in the long-term. has reached post- trade agreements with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, the countries said on Friday. The three countries, which are part of the European Economic Area allowing them access to the single market, have relied on temporary trade arrangements with since the end of a transition period on Dec. 31 following its departure from the European Union. "Today's deal will be a major boost for our trade with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, growing an economic relationship already worth 21.6 billion pounds ($30.5 billion), while supporting jobs and prosperity in all four nations at home," British Trade Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement. Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference in Oslo that "the deal allows for growth in trade for both our countries". Trade between and was worth 20.4 billion pounds ($28.81 billion) last year, making it Britain's 13th largest trading partner. Britain is Norway's top trading partner, primarily thanks to gas exports. The trade was made up of 8.1 billion in exports and 12.3 billion in imports. Top British goods exports were ships, oil and aircraft, while the largest imports were oil, gas, metals, fish and seafood. "A new free trade agreement with Britain has been a priority during my term as minister and will be crucial for both Icelandic companies and consumers," Iceland's foreign minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson said in a statement. The main focus of Britain's post- trade policy has been to pivot its economic centre away from Europe and towards fast growing economies in the Asia-Pacific region. It is expected to seal a deal with Australia later this month, and is seeking to join a trans-Pacific trade pact. ($1 = 0.7084 pounds) (Reporting by Terje Solsvik in Oslo, William James in London and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, editing by Gwladys Fouche, Kirsten Donovan) (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.) is facing its first in-depth probe by European regulators, the latest in a series of efforts to crack down on big tech market dominance across the continent. The European Commission said it will investigate whether misuses a trove of data gathered from advertisers to compete against them in classified ads. It will also check if the company unfairly ties its Marketplace small ad service to the social network. At the same time, the UK said it was opening probes into Facebooks Marketplace and Dating services hours after Germanys antitrust watchdog announced a case targeting the Google News Showcase product. The cases open up yet another front for the worlds biggest tech firms to fight on, as regulators investigate their market power during a pandemic when online commerce and advertising has become far more important to people working from home. Germany is already investigating and Amazon.com while France is examining advertising practices by Google and Apple. Opening a formal probe means regulators can start building firm evidence of antitrust violations, a process that can lead to a charge sheet, or statement of objections, and may eventually culminate in hefty fines or an order to change the way a business operates. Fridays move by the EU is the first time its escalated a case into Facebooks behaviour beyond the preliminary stages. It follows other high-profile cases targeting Google, Apple Inc and Amazon.com Inc. The EU previously fined Facebook for failing to provide correct information in the merger review of the WhatsApp takeover. Facebook collects vast troves of data on the activities of users of its social network and beyond, said Margrethe Vestager, the EUs competition chief. The and the have launched antitrust investigations into Facebook's use of advertising data in its classified ads business, probes which could force it to change its business model on top of hefty fines. The European Commission and Britain's Competition and Markets Authority are investigating whether uses data from advertisers to compete with them. The opening of European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager's first antitrust probe into the world's largest social network marks her latest fight with one of the U.S. tech giants. The EU probe confirmed what a person familiar with the situation told Reuters on May 26. Vestager has slapped more than 8 billion euros ($9.7 billion) in fines on Alphabet unit Google and is also investigating Amazon and Apple. Vestager will zoom in on Facebook's vast trove of data from the near 7 million that advertise on "We will look in detail at whether this data gives an undue competitive advantage in particular on the online classified ads sector, where people buy and sell goods every day, and where Facebook also competes with from which it collects data," she said. "In today's digital economy, data should not be used in ways that distort competition," Vestager said. Britain's Competition and Markets Authority also announced its own investigation into whether the network is abusing its dominant position in social media or digital advertising through its collection and use of data. Facebook said it will cooperate fully with both the EU and investigations "to demonstrate that they are without merit". It said its "marketplace and dating offer people more choices, both products operate in highly competitive environment with many large incumbents". ($1 = 0.8255 euros) (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Additional reporting by Kate Holton in London; Editing by David Holmes) (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China, and Pakistan have underlined that after the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan, the country should pursue a moderate Muslim policy amid Beijing's growing concern over the return of the Taliban and the Islamic State and its likely impact on its volatile Xinjiang province. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and their Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi held their fourth China-sponsored trilateral meeting via video conference on Thursday. A joint statement issued after the trilateral talks said, The three sides underlined the importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in and called on all parties in for an early declaration of a comprehensive ceasefire and an end to the senseless violence, in order to create the conditions needed for negotiation between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban. They called for an orderly withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan to prevent the deterioration of the security situation there and the return of terrorist forces. State-run Xinhua news agency in a report said the three countries stressed that the solution to the Afghan issue should fully reflect the principle of "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned", support Afghanistan in becoming an "independent, sovereign and neutral country, pursue a moderate Muslim policy, firmly fight against terrorism, and maintain friendly ties with other countries, especially neighbouring countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Group of Seven finance ministers are closing in on an agreement to drive for a minimum corporate rate of at least 15 per cent in tax negotiations, as the US proposed late last month, according to people familiar with the matter. The ministers are meeting Friday and Saturday in London and are due to release a statement after the discussions. Such an agreement would be one of two parts of a broader deal that countries are trying to reach also covering how to divide up levies on some of the biggest multinational firms like Facebook and Amazon. Agreeing on the at least wording would leave room for maneuver in talks involving around 140 nations on how to rework global rules to stop multinational from shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions. It would also give the US some leeway for talks on its own domestic legislation. European ministers had already described US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens proposal lower than the 21 per cent the Biden administration initially mooted as a good compromise. Its not yet clear whether a specific rate would be included in the G-7 communique to be published on Saturday. Finance ministers from the group of rich nations are meeting in London on Friday for two days of talks aimed at moving closer to a global deal to raise more tax from the likes of Google, Facebook and Amazon. The gathering, chaired by British finance minister Rishi Sunak, is the first time the ministers have met face-to-face since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Rich nations have struggled for years to agree a way to raise more tax from large multinational companies, which often book profits in jurisdictions where they pay little or no tax. U.S. President Joe Biden's willingness to raise taxes on large businesses now creates more chance of an consensus than under his predecessor Donald Trump, and a need to repair COVID-hit public finances makes it more pressing. "I believe we can make significant progress in tackling some of the world's most pressing economic challenges," Sunak told reporters on Friday shortly before the meeting began. Sunak stressed the importance of his fellow ministers from the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Canada being able to meet face-to-face in Lancaster House, an ornate 19th-century mansion almost next door to Buckingham Palace. "You need to be round a table, openly, candidly talking through things," Sunak told Reuters in an interview this week.. Due to COVID restrictions, ministerial delegations have been cut down and there are few travelling journalists. Seating plans have been redesigned with the help of public health officials, and Sunak greeted leaders by bumping elbows, not shaking hands. But the bigger challenge remains reaching an agreement on tax reform which could then be presented to a broader group of countries, the G20, at a summit in Venice in July. In a joint letter on Friday, finance ministers from Germany, France and Italy wrote that they would "commit to defining a common position on a new tax system at the Finance Ministers meeting in London". "We are confident it will create the momentum needed to reach a global agreement," they added. Spain signed the letter too. However, Japanese finance minister Taro Aso said on Monday that he did not expect agreement this week on a specific minimum tax rate. The U.S. Treasury expects a fuller agreement to come when Biden and other heads of government meet at a secluded beach resort in southwest England on June 11-13. MINIMUM 15% RATE The United States has proposed a minimum global corporate tax rate of at least 15%. If a company paid tax somewhere with a lower rate, it would probably have to pay top-up taxes. Biden had been planning to raise the U.S. domestic corporate tax rate to as high as 28%. But on Thursday he proposed a tax floor of 15% in a bid to gain support from Republicans for new spending measures. But just as important for Britain and many other countries is that companies pay more tax where they make their sales -- not just where they book profits, or locate their headquarters. The United States wants an end to the digital services taxes which Britain, France and Italy have levied, and which it views as unfairly targeting U.S. tech giants for tax practices that European companies also use. British, Italian and Spanish fashion and luxury goods exports to the United States will be among those facing new 25% tariffs later this year if there is no compromise. The United States has proposed levying the new global minimum tax only on the world's 100 largest and most profitable companies. Britain, Germany and France are open to this approach but want to ensure companies such as Amazon - which has lower profit margins than other tech firms - do not escape the net. "All of them, and without exception" must be covered by the new rules, German finance minister Olaf Scholz told Reuters. Daniel Bunn, an expert on global taxation at Washington's Tax Foundation think tank, said this was likely to lead to more complex regulation. "A lot of those rules are going to be, I think, politically based rather than principles-based," he said. (Additional reporting by William Schomberg and Leigh Thomas; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) (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.) Plc plans to split the job of overseeing its key Asian business as the banks regional boss Peter Wong prepares to step down from the role. Europes largest lender plans to appoint Wongs protege, David Liao, and the chief executive of its Indian business, Surendra Rosha, as joint heads of its Asian arm this year, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified as details are private. Liao is likely to manage Greater China, while Rosha will oversee the rest of the region, one person said. Wong is expected to take a non-executive chairman role at the banks Asian business, two people said. A bank spokeswoman declined to comment. A smooth transition is crucial for the bank, which is staking its future on the region by steering billions of dollars in capital toward Asia, while shrinking or exiting unprofitable operations in other parts of this world. Key to this is capitalising on Chinas rising affluence and its plans to create an economic powerhouse by linking Hong Kong closer to mainland cities such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou in the Greater Bay Area. HSBC has also been seeking to deploy more resources across the rest of Asia, where it has been struggling to compete with dominant players such as Singapores DBS Group Holdings Ltd and rival Standard Chartered Plc. By Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Anirban Sen (Reuters) - Billionaire investor William Ackman's blank-check firm Pershing Square Tontine Holdings is nearing a deal with Group that would value the world's biggest music label at nearly $40 billion, two people familiar with the matter said. A deal of that size, if completed successfully, would mark the biggest-ever merger involving a so-called special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), similar in size to the $40-billion deal that ride-hailing giant Grab Holdings clinched in April. Pershing Square Tontine Holding's shares were down nearly 6% at $23.5 a share in after-market trade, close to its initial public offering (IPO) price of $20, after news of the potential deal broke. The closer the SPAC shares trade to their IPO price, the more skeptical investors are that the deal will be completed. The sources cautioned that there was no guarantee that Universal and Pershing Square would finalise the deal and the talks can still fall apart. Ackman told his investors late last month that he hoped to make an announcement on the Tontine target within weeks. Without naming the company, Ackman said on the call that his team was "working to complete the transaction" and that he likes the business and loves the management team. SPACs like Pershing Square Tontine raise money in an initial public offering with the aim of merging with a private company. For the private company, the process is an alternative to listing its shares through an IPO. The money raised for a SPAC sits in a trust earning interest until the SPAC manager identifies a company to buy. Nearly a year ago, in July 2020, Pershing Square raised $4 billion in what was the biggest IPO by a blank-check firm. Guggenheim Investments, hedge fund The Baupost Group, and Wells Capital Management are among the biggest investors in Pershing Square Tontine. The deal with Universal could be financed using the cash in trust, without the need of financing through a so-called private investment in public equity, or PIPE, as they are popularly referred to, two people familiar with the talks said. If, however, investors choose to reject the deal and redeem their shares, Ackman could face a significant hurdle in putting together the financing required to close the deal. is majority-owned by French media giant Vivendi, which last month said the equity of the music label was worth 33 billion euros ($40 billion), or more than the market value of the parent company. Tencent Holdings owns a roughly 20% stake in Universal. Vivendi has been exploring taking Universal public, including through a traditional IPO. In documents released ahead of Vivendi's general meeting scheduled in June, Vivendi said that Universal was drawing interest from potential investors and that it could sell some of its stake to a "strategic partner" ahead of the distribution of Universal's shares. At the time, Vivendi said it intended to keep at least a 10% stake in the company for a long period of time. " is a business that can be valued without speculating about it having a future," said Erik Gordon, a professor of business at the University of Michigan. "The terms of the Tontine SPAC also are better than the terms of most SPACs." The Wall Street Journal reported the news earlier on Thursday. A spokesman for Pershing Square Tontine declined to comment. Universal Music Group did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss, additional reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Sonya Hepinstall) (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.) Tesla Inc's vehicle orders in nearly halved in May from April, against the backdrop of increased government scrutiny on the U.S. electric carmaker, the Information reported on Thursday, citing internal data. The company's monthly net orders in dropped to about 9,800 in May from more than 18,000 in April, the report said, sending shares down nearly 5% in afternoon trading. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. is the electric car maker's second-biggest market after the United States and accounts for about 30% of its sales. Tesla makes electric Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport-utility vehicles in a Shanghai plant. Tesla had won strong backing from Shanghai when it built its first overseas factory there in 2019. Tesla's Model 3 sedans were the best-selling in the country before they were overtaken by a much cheaper micro EV made by the joint venture between General Motors and SAIC Motor. Graphic: EV sales in China But the U.S. company is now facing scrutiny over its handling of customer complaints over quality issues. Last month, Reuters reported that staff at some Chinese government offices have been told not to park their Tesla cars inside government compounds due to security concerns over cameras installed on the vehicles. In response, Tesla is trying to boost its engagement with mainland regulators and is beefing up its government relations team, sources have told Reuters. It has set up a data centre in China to store data locally and plans to open a data platform for customers. Tesla sold 11,671 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in April in China compared with March, when it sold most of its 35,478 China-made cars locally, according to Chinese auto industry body CPCA. In China, Tesla competes with several EV startups including Nio Inc, Xpeng Inc as well as conventional EV like BYD. (Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru; Editing by Amy Caren Daniel, Robert Birsel) (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.) UK are on a hiring spree after the government relaxed lockdown rules, employing permanent staff at the fastest pace in 23 years and advertising the most vacancies in three years. The figures from the consultant KPMG and the online job placement agency Adzuna add to evidence that the economy is bouncing back strongly from last years recession. That will feed into the Bank of Englands debate on when to ease off on its stimulus. The jobs market seems to be firing on all cylinders, and we need this momentum to continue for our economy and businesses to fully bounce back, said Claire Warnes, partner at KPMG. The Office for National Statistics released real-time data on Friday showing more parts of the economy are bouncing back from rules that closed most non-essential stores and restaurants through the first quarter of the year. Improved confidence among consumers and businesses boosted demand for staff to a near-record rate while the pool of available workers shrank at the fastest rate in four years, according to a survey from KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. Relaxed restrictions lifted their Permanent Placements Index to 67.4, showing strong growth. Staff shortages worsened for the third month running, with recruiters saying lingering uncertainty from the pandemic and the furlough scheme weighed on the availability of permanent candidates, KPMG and REC said. The pool of available temporary staff also dried up significantly, driven by strong demand, fewer workers from the EU and the reluctance of some to seek new roles during the Covid-19 crisis. In Britain, hospitality were among the hardest hit by rules that closed leisure venues and pushed workers onto the governments furlough wage subsidy program. By Chen Aizhu, Mei Mei Chu and Marianna Parraga SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Traders are racing to deliver record volumes of Venezuelan crude masked as Malaysian bitumen blend to China, ahead of new fuel taxes that look set to upend the lucrative flow of sanctioned to the world's top crude importer. has over the past 12 months bought an estimated $3.5 billion worth of Venezuelan relabelled as Malaysian fuel, according to cargo tracking and industry sources, throwing Caracas a vital lifeline while it grapples with a collapsing economy amid tough U.S. sanctions. Much of it has come in as bitumen blend, a mix of tar-like heavy crudes and refinery residue fuels that doesn't attract consumption tax like fuel oil and also isn't subject to China's quotas on oil imports. Bitumen blend shipments to have jumped 13-fold since May 2020 with cargo-tracking specialist Vortexa Analytics estimating that 90% of the cargoes over the past year to end-April were actually heavy oil from That's some 324,000 barrels per day (bpd), or nearly 61% of Venezuela's total oil exports. New fuel taxes that kick in on June 12, however, will increase the cost of bitumen blend to importers by 40% to 50%, making it uneconomic and choking off flows. Graphic - China's imports of Malaysian bitumen blend and crude oil: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/ce/nmovaenlmva/China%20imports%20of%20Malaysian%20bitumen%20blend%20and%20crude%20oil.jpg "While not all of the 350,000 to 400,000 bpd of the additional bitumen flowing into will disappear overnight, a large proportion of it will be at risk," said Liu Yuntao, China analyst at consultancy Energy Aspects. Chinese customs declined comment. China's foreign ministry and Malaysia's trade ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Venezuela's oil ministry and state oil company PDVSA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. DESTINATION SHANDONG Top Chinese state oil buyer CNPC stopped loading Venezuelan oil from August 2019 due to U.S. sanctions, but private traders and refiners have been willing buyers, re-certifying and blending the oil as Malaysian following transshipments in Malaysian waters, according to data and industry sources. Some Venezuelan oil has been relabelled as Malaysian by branding it as Singma or Mal Blend crudes, while some smaller refiners, facing crude oil import quota restrictions, have looked for a feedstock that requires no import quotas, say industry sources. https://reut.rs/3echHtD "Bitumen blend fits perfectly into that category," said a Chinese trader involved in the business, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject. Demand has been fuelled by a strong recovery in Chinese consumption from the coronavirus slump since April 2020, and as the cut-off date for the new tax looms, imports have surged. Vortexa Analytics estimated a record 4.3 million tonnes of Malaysian bitumen blend arrived in China in May, of which 2.7 million tonnes had been discharged by May 24. That beats a previous record last December of 2.38 million tonnes reported by Chinese customs, and a pre-sanction high of 2.36 million tonnes for official Venezuelan crude in September 2016. Zhou Mi, analyst with consultancy JLC, said around 2.4 million tonnes of Malaysian bitumen blend had been due to enter east China's Shandong province in May, China's independent refinery hub. "Traders were scrambling to clear the cargoes before June," said Emma Li, Vortexa's China oil analyst. Some diverted cargoes to northeast China's Liaoning, another regular but less congested receiving area for these fuels, Li added. China, which also takes oil from Iran, called on the United States last December to lift the sanctions on Venezuela, and has not taken any obvious measures to crack down on suspected imports from the South American nation. Graphic - Oil tanker traffic off the coast of Shandong, China: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/ce/xegpbrkgqpq/OilTankersShandong.png THIN DISGUISE In total, Chinese customs data showed China imported 24.5 million tonnes of Malaysian crude oil plus bitumen blend over 2019 and 2020, or 220,000 bpd. However, these volumes far exceeded Malaysia's official crude oil exports to China. External Trade Development Corp data shows the country exported an average of just 9,000 bpd of crude to China during that two-year period. Graphic - China's imports of Malaysian crude oil - two sets of data: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/ce/yzdvxmonopx/Malaysian%20crude%20to%20China%20-%20two%20sets%20of%20data.jpg Traders said oil assays also showed that Malaysian bitumen blend currently being imported to China shares key chemical features with Venezuela's flagship export grade Merey 16, including density, asphaltene, and sulphur content. produces only light, low-sulphur oils that are among "the world's most expensive", said a Malaysian oil industry official. Bitumen blend and Mal Blend, in contrast, are sold at deep discounts to global benchmark Brent oil. NEW NORMAL With the new fuel tax starting on June 12, imports of Malaysian bitumen blend will face an extra $32 a barrel charge, making it largely uneconomic for processing, traders said. Graphic - China's official imports of Venezuelan crude oil: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/ce/gjnvwmexxvw/China%20official%20crude%20oil%20imports%20from%20Venezuela.jpg However, the impact on Venezuela's overall imports to China is not yet certain. Importers may be forced to return to labelling Venezuelan fuel as crude blends, provided they possess or can acquire the required import quotas, traders said. In Venezuela, some traders and shippers expressed concern over how the new tax will be implemented. But loadings of Venezuelan oil bound for Asia have not stopped, even for those cargoes that will not make it by June 12, suggesting that charterers might try to declare most of them as crude blends, rather than bitumen mix, shipping sources said. "The tax is simply impossible to pay. They will have to find a way around it," one shipper said. ($1 = 6.4730 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Chen Aizhu and Roslan Khasawneh in Singapore, Mei Mei Chu in Kuala Lumpur and Marianna Parraga in Mexico City; editing by Richard Pullin) (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.) Bharti Airtel informed that ICRA has reaffirmed [ICRA]AA- (Stable) issuer rating of the company. However, since the company, presently has no instrument rated under this rating, ICRA has withdrawn this rating at company's request. M&M said that Ministry of Defence signed a contract with M/s Mahindra Telephonics Integrated Systems Ltd., Mumbai for procurement of 11 Airport Surveillance Radars with Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar for Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard on June 03, 2021. The procurement, at a cost of Rs 323.47 crore, will be made under the 'Buy & Make' category. Lupin announced the launch of the authorized generic version of Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) Inhalation Solution 15 mcg/2 mL, unit-dose vials, of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. DCB Bank announced revision in Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) with effect from June 5, 2021. ABB Power Products and Systems India said that the operations at the manufacturing facility of the company situated in Peenya, Bengaluru, Karnataka has resumed from May 28, 2021. BEML has started manufacturing 960 LPM Medical Oxygen Plants at its KGF complex in record time under a ToT agreement with M/s. Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bengaluru under DRDO. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cupid fell 6.87% to Rs 231.15 after the company's standalone net profit dropped 38% to Rs 6.47 crore on 4.1% decline in net sales to Rs 39.60 crore in Q4 March 2021 over Q4 March 2020. Profit before tax tanked 39.9% to Rs 8.36 crore in Q4 FY21 as against Rs 13.92 crore in Q4 FY20. EBITDA dropped 38.83% to Rs 9.04 crore as compared to Rs 14.78 crore during the corresponding period of previous year. EBITDA margin stood at 22.8% in Q4 FY21 as against 35.8% in Q4 FY20. The Q4 earnings was declared post market hours yesterday, 3 June 2021. The exports in Q4 FY21 was at 75% of the total revenue over 86% during Q4 FY20. Domestic sale stood at 25% which includes contribution from vitro diagnostic device (IVD) sale as against 14% in Q4 FY20. The product mix in Q4 FY21 for male condoms (MC) margin was at 53% as compared to 31% in Q4 FY20. Female condoms (FC) margin stood at 29% during the quarter over 68% in Q4 FY20. The Jelly, Hand sanitizer, Hair Removal, Sale of raw material category remained stagnant at 1% during both Q4 FY20 as well as Q4 FY20, while IVD sale stood at 17%. Cupid's order book stood at Rs 113 crore as on 1 April 2021. During the quarter, Cupid commenced the business of diagnostic kits. However, the company said that it will contribute its revenue in coming periods, once IVD project at Nashik is completed. The firm has also negotiated an increase in unit sales price from the major customers. In its outlook, the company said that it expects improved demand for both male and female condoms as the impact of COVID-19 pandemic fades. Cupid expects higher allocation from the new three years tender from South Africa with a total requirement of 1 billion male condoms and 40 million female condoms each year. Further, additionally revenue from the diagnostic would contribute to the overall performance. Commenting on Cupid's Q4 FY21 performance, Omprakash Garg, the CMD of Cupid, has said that: "We are pleased to report healthy performance during the year despite challenging external environment due to COVID-19 pandemic throughout the year. These results reflect the reduced demand for female condoms specially from South Africa during the quarter and the year as a result of negative impact of this pandemic. The demand for male and female condoms especially in the export market continue to remain strong and our order book continues to be healthy. The order book as on 1 April 2021 stands at Rs 113 cr." Meanwhile, the board of directors have declared dividend of Rs 3.50 as final dividend for the financial year ended 31 March 2021. Cupid makes rubber contraceptives and allied prophylactic products. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ganesha Ecosphere announced that a major fire accident took place at Company's unit manufacturing Polyester Staple Fiber located at Raipur (Rania), District Kanpur Dehat-209304, on Friday, 4 June 2021 at around 3:30 A. M. The fire was brought under the control with the help of fire brigades. There was no loss or injury to human life. The fire was widespread and has resulted in major damage to the building, machinery, raw material and finished goods, thereby disrupting the operations of Kanpur Polyester Staple Fiber Unit. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hong Kong stock market finished session lower on Friday, 04 June 2021, as investors booked profit amid Sino-US tension after the US hardened its sanctions on Chinese companies and on cautious ahead of monthly U. S. non-farm payrolls data due later on Friday. At closing bell, the benchmark Hang Seng Index declined 0.17%, or 47.93 points, to 28,918.10, bringing the pullback in week to 0.7%. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index dropped 0.2%, or 21.14 points, to 10,805.64. The sub-index of the Hang Seng tracking the commerce & industry sector fell 0.33%, utilities sector fell 0.64%, and the properties sector shed 0.32%, while the finance sector added 0.11%. U. S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Thursday that bans U. S. entities from investing in dozens of Chinese companies with alleged ties to defence or surveillance technology sectors. The new order added 11 more Chinese firms and their subsidiaries to the list compiled by the Trump administration, including China General Nuclear Power Corp and plastic pipe maker Aerosun Corp, raising the total to 59. US investors can no longer buy new securities in these blacklisted companies from August 2. Market participants were awaiting for the release of the US Labor Department's report on the employment situation in the month of May for fresh insights into the recovery in the labor market, which should offer further clarity on whether the faster-than-expected pace of economic recovery can be sustained and what that might mean for monetary policy. Haidilao International and Techtronic Industries were the biggest decliners, dropping 6.2% and 1.9% respectively in Friday trading. Geely Automobile was the biggest gainer with a 6.2% jump. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) rose 1.35% to Rs 812.90 after Mahindra Telephonics Integrated Systems, a subsidiary of the company, signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for supplying 11 airport surveillance radars. As per the contract, the company supply 11 airport surveillance radars with monopulse secondary surveillance radar for Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The procurement, at a cost of Rs 323.47 crore, will be made under the 'Buy & Make' category. The installation of these radars will increase the air domain awareness around airfields and enhance safety and efficiency in flying operations of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. M&M's business is diversified across farm equipment, auto and automotive components, real estate, hospitality, information technology, defence and aerospace and financial services. The company reported a net profit of Rs 162.54 crore in Q4 FY21 as against net loss of Rs 3255.02 crore in Q4 FY20. Net revenue from operations increased by 48.1% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 13,338.15 crore during the quarter. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appeared before a three-member Congress panel here on Friday, reportedly formed by the party high command to sort out the problems in its state unit. The meeting lasted for more than three hours. The panel is headed by the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and also comprises Congress' in-charge Harish Rawat and former MP J.P. Aggarwal. Speaking to the reporters, Amarinder Singh said, "The meeting was to discuss the preparations for the Assembly elections scheduled early next year. These are our inner party discussions and I don't propose to share them with you." The rift in Congress surfaced after former state Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu along with Pargat Singh opened a front against the Chief Minister. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) was forced to constitute a committee to listen to the grievances of its Punjab leaders, after a group led by Sidhu suggested change in the state leadership. However, sources said that there has been no discussion on replacing Amarinder Singh. The Congress wants to pacify Sidhu and retain him in the party by making some minor adjustments, without going for a major shake-up, sources said. The panel has already discussed the issue with former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, besides meeting the party MPs from Punjab and the ex-state unit chiefs. Disgruntled Congress leader Sidhu, who has targeted Amarinder Singh on various issues, including the 2015 sacrilege case, had met the Congress panel on Tuesday and presented his views. Interacting with reporters after the meeting, he had said: "I came here on the call of the party high command and I have presented people's voices from the grassroots level to the party. My stand on democratic power remains the same that the 'power of the people' must return to the people. Every Punjabi must be made a shareholder in Punjab's progress." On Thursday, Anandpur Sahib MP and former Union minister Manish Tewari, along with Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill, had met the panel. Following the meeting, they said that there is no rift in the party's Punjab unit. "There is no infighting in the Congress and the issues discussed with the panel are secret. This is a routine exercise for poll-bound states. This is not the first or the last time it's happening in the party," Tewari said. "The ongoing discussion on Punjab is not a 'crisis management' exercise, but a 'poll preparation' exercise," said Shergill. On Monday, Congress' Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar had met the committee. Apart from Jakhar, state ministers Sunder Sham Arora, Charanjit Channi, Aruna Chowdhry, Brahm Mohindra, O.P. Soni, Manpreet Badal, Tript Bajwa, Rana Sodhi and Sukhjinder Randhawa also met the panel. --IANS miz/arm (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 Friday dismissed a plea by the Anna seeking derecognition of the Party for using the ''YSR'' acronym. Justice Prateek Jalan said the plea was "unmerited". The detailed judgement is not yet available. The Anna Party, in its plea, had opposed the use of acronym YSR Congress Party in the letterheads of the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh. The Anna YSR had contended that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party was registered in the name of Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party and alleged that it is illegally using the letterheads with the acronym of YSR Congress Party. (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.) Trinamool Congress leadership is yet to take a call on ghar wapsi (return home) by former TMC leaders who had joined the BJP ahead of the recently concluded assembly elections which the Mamata Banerjee-led party swept. Top TMC sources said Banerjee, who is the party supremo, will take a final call on allowing those TMC men and women who had crossed over to the saffron party, re-entry into party. While analysts predicted that the party would allow a return very selectively to drive home the message to its cadre ahead of general elections in 2024, that rebellions would not be tolerated. Er shirsho sidhanta, Netri nijei nite paren (only the Leader (Banerjee) can take a final decision on this issue), said a senior TMC leader, on conditions of anonymity. "We are now preoccupied with fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and organising Cyclone Yaas relief," he added. Several former TMC MLAs in cluding Dipendu Biswas and Sonali Guha have in recent past sent letters regretting their decision to join the BJP and sought to return back to the partys fold. Guha, who at one time was considered close to Banerjee, made an impassioned plea on camera seeking the chief ministers forgiveness. Guha, a four-time legislator from Satgachia in South 24 parganas, has also written in a letter the way fish cannot stay out of water, I will not be able to live without you, Didi. Speculation is also rife on a possible home coming by one of TMCs founder Mukul Roy, who had crossed over to BJP after Banerjees nephew Abhishek visited his wife at a city hospital and spoke to Roys son. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also taken the trouble of ringing up to enquire about Roys wifes health. Roy on his part has tried to lay to rest rumours of his return to TMC, yet they persist as Banerjee had termed his conduct as not so bad. The chief minister during her election campaign had branded other turncoat TMC members as Mir Jafars after the infamous Bengal general who betrayed Siraj ud Dowlah in the battle of Plassey against Lord Robets Clives army. TMC will selectively take back people who crossed over. The aim will be to organisationally weaken BJP but at the same time it will not want too many turncoats back as this would be seen as rewarding dissidence, said Rajat Roy, well- known political analyst and member of the Calcutta Research Group Analysts feel that TMC will follow a combination of Congresss and the Lefts strategy on this. While the Congress has in the past often taken back dissidents, the Left has usually had a policy of no-come backs for dissidents and turncoats. "Inducting those who had left the party at a crucial hour and joined the brigade of falsehood led by Modi and Shah is not slated to figure tomorrow's organisational meeting," TMC leaders however said. They downplayed Abhisek Banerjees visit to a private hospital to see the BJP national vice-president Mukul Roys wife as a courtesy call. Another top TMC leader told PTI on conditions of anonymity "these issues of induction are not generally discussed at any extended meeting of the party where a large number of participants are present." "Issues like whom to include and expel are decided by the core disciplinary committee consisting of Mamata Banerjee, Abhisek Banerjee, Subrata Bakshi, Partha Chatterjee. That is a shorter close-knit meeting which takes a call on each case," he said. "However, so far as I know no decision has been taken on taking back those who left TMC before the polls, including any elected or defeated MLA. The party already has absolute majority in the House and does not face any threat in numbers," he pointed out. "Considering the popularity of if anyone wants to join her now, it is entirely the wish of that leader to be associated with TMC, not ours. Our core committee will take the right decision at the right moment," he said. The TMC leader claimed, "very few MLAs and MPs had crossed over to the BJP before the assembly polls and the party largely remained intact" but the saffron eco-system "created a hype as if the TMC is disintegrating in the run-up to the polls." "As we had all along maintained, people are with us, the party largely remained united, our leader worked for people tirelessly from front ignoring barbs and frontal attacks by the entire BJP leadership and we were proved right," he observed. "Ours is not a regimented party like the CPIM, we are a party with liberal democratic principleswe will certainly consider what they (turncoats) had said or not said against us," the TMC leader added. The Trinamool Congress romped home in Bengal, pocketing 213 of the 292 assembly seats that went to polls and secured a third straight term in office. The Mamata Banerjee-led party's main challenger, the BJP, bagged 77 seats, against a claim that they would win more than 200 seats. (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 Qatar Airways' private jet that was sent by India to bring back fugitive diamantaire from Dominica has left the Caribbean island country after nearly seven days, according to public flight data. The Qatar Executive flight A7CEE had left the Delhi International Airport at 3.44 AM on May 28 carrying necessary documents related to cases against Choksi. It had travelled to Marigot in Dominica via Madrid as Choksi's lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition before the Dominica High Court. The aircraft was parked at Marigot for nearly seven days to bring back Choksi, who is wanted in the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab Bank (PNB) scam, to India. The jet took off from the Melville Hall Airport in Dominica at 8.09 PM (local time) on June 3 as the High Court adjourned the hearing on Choksi's petition on Thursday. The publicly available flight path shows the jet travelling towards Madrid. However, Indian agencies did not confirm if their teams that had gone to bring back Choksi are returning on the flight. According to media outlet Antigua News Room, Judge Bernie Stephenson will decide the next date of hearing in Choksi's case after meeting both sides. The adjournment is to allow lawyers of Choksi and the government of Dominica "to agree on the language to be used with respect to the injunction filed to prevent his removal from Dominica", Antigua News Room reported. Thursday's hearing was conducted through videoconferencing with a group of protesters standing outside the High Court building in Roseau carrying placards with messages seeking to know the truth about the controversy. "Who brought Choksi to Dominica?" read one of the placards, the photo of which was published by many media outlets. A habeas corpus petition is filed for producing before a court a person who is under arrest or in unlawful detention. The judge had on Wednesday ordered production of Choksi before the magistrate to face charges of illegal entry into Dominica. The 62-year-old wheelchair-bound diamantaire, who has a pending Interpol Red Notice against him, arrived before presiding Roseau Magistrate Court in black shorts and a blue T-shirt from Dominica China Friendship Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. His application for bail was rejected. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January 2018, weeks before the PNB scam rocked the Indian banking industry. The duo allegedly bribed officials of the state-run bank to get Letters of Undertaking (LoU) on the basis of which they availed loans from overseas banks that remained unpaid. The allegedly corrupt bank officials did not enter these LoUs in the core banking software of PNB, thus evading scrutiny. The non-payment of these LoUs or bank guarantees worth Rs 13,500 crore resulted in default and became a liability on the bank. Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda, where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen since he fled Delhi. He was detained in neighbouring island country Dominica for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend. His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking like Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat. Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London, where he is contesting his extradition to India. Choksi took the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017. (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.) Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 4 (ANI/NewsVoir): Many potential billion dollar start-up ideas die early for the want of funds, appropriate Co-founding teams, access to network, lack of resources such as product, tech, marketing and growth. With an aim to address the bottlenecks in the start-up ecosystem, incubate start-up ideas from concept stage to make them market ready and secure funding - Ahmedabad based Disruptworkz Infolabs Pvt. Ltd. has launched its operations. Co-founded by Yash Shah, Kapil Mathrani and aiIshit Des, Disruptworkz Infolabs Pvt. Ltd. (Disruptium) provides a full suite of consultancy services comprising pitch deck creation, digital and offline marketing, growth hacking, business modelling and planning, fundraising, tech development among others to start-ups as well as to individual investors and venture funds. Disruptium is currently handholding five start-ups in consumer tech, fintech, e-commerce and edu-tech sectors and plans to launch them in second quarter of 2021-22. "Disruptium is a start-up of and for start-ups. It is a one-stop solution for aspiring founders, existing start-ups and investors. Start-ups face multiple challenges and we thought these, if properly mapped and systematically addressed, can actually be resolved. Since I and the other founders are former corporate employees and start-up owners ourselves, we realized that incubating start-ups and connecting them with investors as well as finding the right kind of start-ups for the investors could be a valuable service," said Yash Shah. The company has recently raised USD 200,000 (Around Rs 1.4 crore) from Pravesh Mehta, Purav Shah, Tarang Chokhani and Ishan Patel in pre-seed round to be deployed towards tech development, hiring key resources, building alliances etc. In addition, Disruptium also has its own corpus of Rs. 15 crore, collected through their own funds and other investor contributions, which will be used for deployment in early stage, sector agnostic start-ups with a cheque size of Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore. "There is an abundance of good start-up ideas and enthusiasm in our country. It is our privilege and responsibility to support emerging entrepreneurs with mentorship and capital to solve society's pressing challenges. We are excited to invest in Disruptium, and partner with a brilliant founding team," said Pravesh Mehta. Going forward, Disruptium aims to found and scale-up 25 start-ups across its first three cohorts. In addition, it expects to lend services to 1,000+ existing companies. For investors, the company expects to fund 100 start-ups in the first 18 months of operations, including 30 from its own first fund. The next fund size would be Rs. 50 crore, to be raised in 2022. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 4 (ANI/NewsVoir): Demonstrating its commitment to support the local communities in the fight against the COVID-19 crisis, Bonfiglioli Transmissions Private Limited, the Indian subsidiary of Bonfiglioli, Italy, and a leader in the power transmission equipment market in the country, has contributed Rs 2.80 crores for the pandemic relief. Senior Executives of Bonfiglioli India, G A Balaji, Chief Financial Officer, and Suresh Babu, Vice President - Human Capital, recently met M K Stalin, the honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and briefed him on the company's ongoing contributions, being made in consultation with the authorities of the particular state governments. The contributions included equipment and essentials to the government hospitals in Kanchipuram District - Tamil Nadu and Pune District - Maharashtra, worth over Rs 2.10 crores and Rs 70 lakhs, respectively, and COVID-19 kits for the frontline workers, besides financial support to community-level medical and vaccination camps. Commenting on the COVID-19 relief, Kennady V Kaippally, Country Manager, Bonfiglioli India, said, "Bonfiglioli Group stands by the people and the government of India in these trying times. We will continue our contributions in all possible ways to help the country exit the pandemic faster. The group leadership at HQ is committed to the India CSR projects that cater to the real needs of the local society and the environment. We are sure that our country will emerge stronger and victorious from the crisis soon." In Tamil Nadu, Bonfiglioli donated on-site imported O2 generation plants for producing hospital-grade oxygen and filling cylinders, thermal scanners, oximeters, medical imaging systems (Carestream Focus 35C Detectors), advanced diagnostic equipment (such as Transasia's 3-part cell counter), medical cots with mattresses and pillows, and RO systems to the government hospital of Kancheepuram and centrifuge machine, chairs, sanitizers, gloves, BP apparatus, bins, and other essentials to the government dispensary at Mannur. In Pune, the company has donated mobile toilets/bath units, 7000 litre oxygen cylinders, video laryngoscopes, defibrillators and other essentials to the 'Jumbo' COVID-19 hospital being set up by the state government. Bonfiglioli, an Italian MNC, is a worldwide designer, manufacturer and distributor of a complete range of gearmotors, drive systems, planetary gearboxes and inverters. The company has been in India since 1999 and is the market leader in India. It has two manufacturing plants in Chennai and one in Pune. In coming years, it is planning major capacity expansions in both Chennai and Pune. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian students who have received Covaxin or Russia's Sputnik V vaccine are being asked to inoculate again across the US colleges and universities. Both of these vaccines are yet to be approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is why students are being asked to inoculate with different vaccines before the start of the Autumn semester in the US colleges and universities. A 25-year-old student from India, Milloni Doshi, said Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs has told her she must revaccinate upon her arrival on campus with a different vaccine. Doshi has already been administered two doses of Covaxin in India, reports New York Times. "I am just concerned about taking two different vaccines. They said the application process would be the toughest part of the cycle, but it's really been all of this that has been uncertain and anxiety-inducing," Doshi wrote via a messaging app. Also Read: DCGI approves Serum's request to manufacture Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in India There are many other colleges and universities in the US that are asking students to be revaccinated if they have received vaccines -- like Sputnik V and Covaxin -- that have not received WHO approval. These colleges and universities are citing a lack of data on the efficacy and safety of these vaccines. "Since Covid-19 vaccines are not interchangeable, the safety and effectiveness of receiving two different Covid-19 vaccines have not been studied," Kristen Nordlund, spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told NYT. Kristen said those who have already received the jabs that have not been approved by the WHO will have to wait for 28 days before they receive the first dose of WHO-approved vaccines in the US. Notably, vaccines produced by US-based pharma companies, including Pfizer Inc, Moderna Inc and Johnson & Johnson, have already received approval from the WHO. The entire process of making it mandatory for students to revaccinate with the WHO-approved vaccine will hurt the revenues of these institutions, which rake in about $39 billion in tuition dollars every year. India sends about 2 lakh international students to the US colleges every year, and it's a tricky situation for students who are finding it difficult to get an appointment for vaccines being accepted by US campuses. Students are anxious about the impact of this new rule on their future plans in the US. Also read: Visa, stipulation period of foreign citizens stuck in India valid till August 31: Centre A mega submarine project worth Rs 50,000 crore has been approved by the defence ministry. The Centre gave its final approval to build six stealth submarines for Indian Navy under Project-75 India. The government issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) to two Indian companies that can work in collaboration with a foreign manufacturer. Mazagon Docks (MDL) and private ship-builder Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have received the RFP. The companies will work in a strategic partnership model where both MDL and L&T will tie up with one of the five selected foreign shipyards to submit their bids. Defence minister Rajnath Singh gave the clearance for the RFP during a meeting on Friday. The strategic partnership aims to promote India as a manufacturing hub for defence equipment along with establishing an R&D ecosystem for defence requirements. PROJECT-75 INDIA Under the project, the Indian Navy wants to build six conventional diesel-electric submarines, bigger than the under-construction Scorpene-class submarines that are currently being built at MDL. The submarines would be equipped with heavy-duty firepower. They would have at least 12 Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) along with Anti-Ship cruise missiles (ASCM). The Navy has also specified that the submarines should be able to carry and launch 18 heavyweight torpedoes, sources informed India Today TV. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had cleared the project way back in 1999, but the acceptance of necessity was granted in 2007. Also read: Helicopters, mini-UAVs: 108 defence items banned for import; list grows to 209 Grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala announced a Rs 20,000 crore revival package and allocated Rs 1,500 crore for free vaccination in its 'health oriented' budget on Friday, while not imposing any fresh taxes. Special loan schemes for financial rejuvenation,relief package for conservation and infrastructure improvement in the coastal areas and significant allocation to address extreme poverty also found a place in the first budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government for 2021-22 fiscal. While the oppositionCongress-led UDF flayed the maiden budget of the Vijayan government as a "political stunt", the BJP-NDA dubbed it as a "disappointment". Presenting the budget and vote on account in the assembly, Finance Minister K N Balagopal said the government was compelled to adopt a firm stance, "health first" or "health above all" as its vision for development in the present circumstances. A six-pronged strategy was announced to tide over the pandemic-induced ''health emergency'' in Kerala and prepare it to fight against the possible third wave of the virus infection in future. A first-time legislator, Balagopal said though the budget presented by his predecessor T M Thomas Isaac early this year was a comprehensive one, the government came up with a 'revised budget' now in view of the rapid spread of the coronavirus and concerns about its possible third wave. "A second COVID package of Rs 20,000 crore is announced now to address the health, social and economic challenges that are emerging in the backdrop of the second wave," he said. In the beginning of the pandemic, the previous LDF government had declared a package amounting to Rs 20,000 crore to help those who were suffering from the adverse impact of the Covid lockdown. Under the present package, Rs 2,800 crore has been earmarked to tackle the health emergency, Rs 8,990 crore was set aside for direct disbursement to those facing crisis after losing their livelihood, while another Rs 8,300 crore to boost the economy by giving loans and interest subsidies to the needy. The budget allocated Rs 10 crore for the production of COVID-19 vaccine and its related research at the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) here. "The IAV will take the lead in inviting vaccine manufacturers to set up their units in the Life Science Park. Rs 10 crore is earmarked for this," the minister said. An additional Rs 1,500 crore was earmarked for providing free vaccination to all aged above 18 years and purchasing allied equipment for the inoculation drive, a proclaimed policy of the Left government . Among several allocations to strengthen the health sector, Balagopal set aside Rs 636.5 crore for setting up isolation wards with 10 beds exclusively for contagious diseases in all taluk, district and general hospitals besides Rs 50 crore for building isolation blocks in three medical colleges. Seeking to revive the economy, the budget announced a slew of low interest loans to help agriculture, MSMES, neighbourhood groups and so on and an amount of Rs 100 crore was provided for the interest subvention. A Venture Capital Fund with a corpus of Rs 100 crore to activate the rapid growth of small scale enterprises and start-ups has also been proposed, while Rs 10 crore outlay to provide low interest loans for SC/ST entrepreneurs, was also part of the financial revival steps. In order to resolve the issues in the tourism sector, a rejuvenation package would be implemented, he said, adding that an amount of Rs 30 crore was earmarked as government share for the same. Wooing the fishermen community, the budget proposed Rs 11,000 crore-worth development programmes in the coastal belt of the state in the next four years. "It is expected that this development package, comprising coastal conservation project, coastal highway project and wayside amenity project, will provide a huge economic stimulus to the coastal sector," he said. The Finance Minister said the extreme poverty reduction scheme would be implemented with the participation of local self government institutions and an amount of Rs 10 crore was initially earmarked for the same. Efforts would be made to implement at least 12 crore person days of employment through employment guarantee schemes, he said. "As part of creating Kerala knowledge society, the allocation for ''knowledge economy fund'' for skill promotion and technological transformation is increased from Rs 200 crore to Rs 300 crore," the finance minister said. Due to Covid pandemic, as many as 14,32,736 NRKs (non-resident Keralites) have returned to the home state and the budget allocation towards various welfare schemes for expatriate Keralites has been enhanced to Rs 170 crore. "During economic slowdown and natural disasters, the government could have stepped aside by reducing the expenditure.But, this is not the approach of the Left Front. During a crisis, the Left approach is to stand upfront and save the society even through borrowings," he said. In the last financial year, the state's GSDP came down by 3.82 per cent compared to the previous year, he said, adding that the growth rate that was positive for decades fell under the impact of Covid-19 induced lockdown and the state revenues recorded a decline of 18.77 per cent. He flayed the Centre for its alleged delay and uncertainty in releasing even the legally mandated GST compensation to the State also caused considerable financial difficulties. The Centre's increasing tendency to rely on cess, particularly on petroleum products, had an adverse impact on the state finances by reducing the divisible pool, that is to be shared with States, he said. As a result, revenue deficits grew and states were forced to borrow, the finance minister said. Despite the state reeling under acute financial crisis, Balagopal opted not to impose any fresh taxes. "Though tax increase is inevitable in the States financial situation, no new tax proposals are announced in the context of Covid pandemic," he added. The minister however indicated that the state could not withstand without increasing the tax and non-tax revenues in future. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan (Cong) said: "The first part of the budgetis a complete political statement.Budget is the annual financial statement. We are of the opinion that it was not right to include politics in the budget speech," he said. He, however, welcomed the Rs 20,000 crore COVID-19 package. Describing the budget as "disappointment", senior BJP leader and union minister V Muraleedharan said it was an eyewash to cheat people. The Rs 20,000 crore Covid package and Rs 11,000 crore coastal development package were just announcements, he alleged in New Delhi. Kerala's COVID caseload touched 25.71 lakh on Friday, while the toll was at 9,510 with 135 more deaths. Also Read: Kerala CM writes to 11 non-BJP CMs to press Centre on procuring COVID-19 vaccines The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on Friday notified the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods - Air Conditioners, LED Lights, etc - manufacturers in India. The PLI scheme will provide incentives to white goods manufacturers within the overall financial limits of Rs 6,238 crore over a period of 5 years from FY 2021-22 to FY 2028-29. The application window for the PLI scheme will be open from June 15 to September 15 2021. The objective of the scheme is to create complete component ecosystems in India and the country an integral part of the global supply chains, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. After consulting with industry and other stakeholders, DPIIT has issued detailed scheme guidelines for the operation and implementation of the scheme. "The scheme is expected to attract global investments, enhance manufacturing and generate large scale employment opportunities," a government statement said. "Eligible investment made in terms of scheme guidelines on April 1, 2021, or thereafter, shall be reckoned for considering the incentive under the Scheme," read the release. Firms meeting the pre-qualification criteria for different target segments will be eligible to participate in the PLI scheme. "Incentives shall be open to companies making brownfield or greenfield investments. Thresholds of cumulative incremental investment and incremental sales of manufactured goods over the base year would have to be met for claiming incentives," the statement said. Any firm availing benefits under any other government PLI scheme is allowed to take benefits under other applicable central or state government schemes. The PLI scheme is expected to benefit a number of global and domestic companies including MSMEs. The PLI scheme is expected to be instrumental in achieving growth rates that are much higher than existing ones for AC and LED industries. Also Read: PLI scheme worth Rs 12,195 cr for telecom, networking equipment announced; here's how to apply The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the lawsuit by actress Juhi Chawla against the implementation of 5G network technology in the country. The court ruled the plea was filed to gain "publicity" and that the plaintiffs, Chawla and two others, have abused the process of law. The Delhi High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh on the plaintiffs. Justice J R Midha said the plaintiffs have abused and misused the process of law and wasted the court's time. The court added it appeared the suit was filed to attract publicity. This was clear as Juhi Chawla had circulated the video conferencing link of the court hearing on her social media handles. This resulted in repeated interruptions during the hearing by unknown individuals. The Delhi High Court has issued contempt notices against the unknown persons who were causing disruptions during the hearing. It has asked Delhi Police to identify these individuals. After the court pronounced the judgement, Chawla's counsel sought a stay on the verdict. This request was outrightly rejected by the Delhi High Court. The class-action lawsuit filed by environmentalist Juhi Chawla had sought a direction to the authorities to certify to the public at large, that 5G technology is safe to humankind, man, woman, adult, child, infant, animals and every type of living organism, flora and fauna. During the initial hearing of the case, the Delhi High Court had termed the lawsuit as "defective". It had also said the suit had been filed to gain media publicity. The court questioned Chawla for filing the lawsuit without giving the government any representation to hear her concern on 5G network technology. The court told that Chawla should approach the government first. Big relief has come for foreign nationals stranded in India amidst the COVID-19 pandemic as the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Friday the Indian visa or stay stipulation period of such individuals will be considered valid till August 31, 2021. This will be on a gratis basis without any overstay penalty. The foreign nationals stranded in India will not be required to submit an application to the FRRO/FRO concerned for the extension of their visas, according to MHA press release. "Such foreign nationals may apply for an exit permission to the FRRO/FRO concerned before exiting the country, which would be granted on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty," read the MHA release. The Centre had announced a complete ban on all commercial passenger flight activity back in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic had initially hit India. While domestic passenger flights have resumed since then, international passenger flights have not. Due non-availability of normal commercial flight operations a number of foreign nationals who came to India prior to March 2020 on valid Indian visas have remained stranded in India. The MHA has tried to make life easier for these individuals who are stranded in India. Knowing the difficulties being faced by such foreign nationals in getting their visas extended in India due to the lockdown, the MHA had issued an order on June 6, 2020. The order noted the Indian visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals expiring post June 30, 2020, will remain to be valid without charge till 30 days after the resumption of normal international flight operations. However, such foreign nationals have been applying for an extension of their visas or stay stipulation period on a monthly basis. Also Read: DCGI approves Serum's request to manufacture Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in India A nine-year-old lioness, named Neela, at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai's Vandalur is suspected to have died of COVID-19 infection. Eight other lions have also tested COVID positive at the Zoo. "The lioness housed at the safari area of the zoological park died on Thursday evening at 6.15 pm. The deceased lioness had been asymptomatic and showed some nasal discharge only the day before and had been symptomatically treated immediately," reads the statement issued by the Zoo. The lioness is said to have been asymptotic and showed some nasal discharge only the day before her death. The Vandalur zoo has been closed since the lockdown began in the state. The pride were immediately attended to by the veterinary team in the zoo. In addition to this, a team of experts was also deputed by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) to help the veterinarians in the zoo to investigate the condition of the lions. "On our request, a team of experts was also deputed by TANUVAS to join the veterinarians of the zoo in investigating and deciding the further course of the treatment regimen," said the zoo authorities. The blood samples, nasal swab, rectal swab and faecal samples of 11 lions were sent to the National Institute of High-Security Diseases (NIHSAD) in Madhya Pradesh. Of the 11 samples, nine samples have come back positive. "Blood samples were sent to TANUVAS and nasal swab, rectal swab and faecal samples of 11 lions were sent to NIHSAD, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, which is one of the four designated institutes authorized to take up SARS CoV-2 testing in captive animals," said officials. "As per the laboratory test results furnished by the Institute, samples in respect of nine lions of the 11 sent, have tested positive for SARS COV-2. In order to ascertain whether or not the reported findings are in the nature of false positives or the animal could have died of comorbidities, samples have also been sent on 4.6.2021 to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute Bareilly and the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad," added the officials. "All the lions which have tested positive are under close observation and on prescribed treatment regimen by the in-house veterinary team in close coordination with expert team from TANUVAS," further added the officials. It is still uncertain how the lions contracted the COVID-19 virus. Also Read: GoM for retaining 5% tax on Covid jabs; tax cut on PPEs, ventilators, sanitisers Also Read: Should RBI print notes to tide over economic crisis? Here's what the Governor feels Also Read: COVID aid: RBI permits loan recast of up to Rs 50 cr under resolution framework 2.0 Share of Reliance Infra has delivered more than 200 per cent returns to its shareholders in the last six months. The share stood at Rs 22.85 on December 4, 2020. It has zoomed to Rs 70.5 today, translating into gains of 208.5 per cent during the period. In comparison, Sensex rose 15.5 per cent in the last 6 months. The stock has gained 265 per cent in the last 12 month and risen 160 per cent since the beginning of this year. It ended 4.64 per cent higher at Rs 69.85 against the previous close of Rs 66.75 on BSE. The share stands higher than 5 day, 10 day, 20 day, 50 day, 100 day, and 200-day moving averages. Market cap of the firm rose to Rs 1,836.99 crore on BSE. The share touched a 52-week high of Rs 71.60 on May 28, 2021, and a 52-week low of Rs 18.20 on June 04, 2020. Currently, it is trading 287 per cent above its 52-week low and 1.53 per cent below its 52-week high. Recently, the company informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the company will be held on Sunday, June 6, 2021, to consider and approve raising of long term resources from domestic and/or global markets The fundraising would be done through issue of equity shares, equity linked securities, warrants convertible into equity shares, by way of preferential issue and/ or qualified institutional placement and/or rights issue or any other method including determination of issue price. The company reported a net loss of Rs 46.53 crore in Q4FY21, against a loss of Rs 153.84 crore in Q4FY20. Revenue from operations jumped to Rs 4,178.89 crore from Rs 3,625.51 crore in the year-ago period. In April 2021, the power generation and infrastructure firm sold Reliance Center, the Mumbai headquarter of Anil Ambani's Reliance Group, to YES Bank for Rs 1,200 crore. Reliance Infrastructure in an exchange filing said that entire proceeds from the sale of Reliance Centre, Santacruz will be utilised only to repay the debt of YES Bank. "Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RInfra) and YES Bank Limited (YES Bank) announced a sale transaction of Reliance Centre, Santacruz, Mumbai to YES Bank. The transaction value is Rs.1200 crore," it added. Reliance Infrastructure has sold as many as three major assets, including this one, since January 2021. The other two include Delhi-Agra toll road to Cube Highways and Infrastructure for Rs 3,600 crore and 74 per cent equity shares in Parbati Koldam Transmission Company to India Grid Trust for an enterprise value of Rs 900 crore. The company aims to become debt-free by the end of the financial year 2022. RInfra is one of the largest infrastructure companies, developing projects through various special purpose vehicles (SPVs) in several high growth sectors such as power, roads, and metro rail in the infrastructure space and defense. Tesla Inc's vehicle orders in China nearly halved in May, when compared to April, against the backdrop of increased government scrutiny on the U.S. electric carmaker, the Information reported on Thursday, citing internal data. The company's monthly net orders in China dropped to about 9,800 in May from more than 18,000 in April, the report bit.ly/3phOPE4 said, sending shares down nearly 5% in afternoon trading. China is the electric car maker's second-biggest market after the United States and accounts for about 30% of its sales. Tesla makes electric Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport-utility vehicles in a Shanghai plant. Tesla had won strong backing from Shanghai when it built its first overseas factory there in 2019. Tesla's Model 3 sedans were the best-selling electric vehicles in the country before being overtaken by a much cheaper micro EV. However, the recent slump Tesla's sales comes as Chinese regulators take a tough stance on the company over increased safety concerns and consumer complaints in the past few months coupled with growing tensions with Washington. Tesla's China sales had slumped in April from March as well. Tesla sold 11,671 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in April in China compared with March, when it sold most of its 35,478 China-made cars locally, according to Chinese auto industry body CPCA's secretary general Cui Dongshu. Tesla did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.Also Read: Tesla steps up hiring in India; looks for leadership, senior level roles The government must consider Air India's massive financial burden, which is likely to be a potential liability of $20 billion before a business turnaround, during the disinvestment process and look at possible changes to the contours of the proposed sale, according to a report. Leading consultancy CAPA India on Thursday also emphasised that the government should have a 'Plan B' for the national carrier in place now, which can be immediately operationalised, if required, in face of the prevailing situation. The coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted the aviation industry worldwide, including India. Domestic carriers are now grappling with lower demand and rising costs, amid the second COVID wave. CAPA India said that shuttering Air India would not only be extremely challenging politically but will have a notable impact on the market, especially in the international segment. The second COVID wave has increased aviation industry challenges significantly and, as a result, may potentially increase the liabilities of Air India to around an estimated $20 billion by FY2025, it added. As the government remains committed to the privatisation of the flag carrier, showing strategic resolve to conclude the transaction as a priority, the report said the intention to exit Air India is the right strategy and must be pursued aggressively. Taking into account estimated losses in FY2021 and FY2022, Air India's liabilities will amount to over $16 billion, the report said. Aside from the existing liabilities, the airline is likely to incur closer to $4 billion of losses during FY23-25, it added. "Hence, the equation from an investor's perspective is a potential liability of around $20 billion before the business turns around. The government must therefore keep this massive financial burden in mind and consideration should be given to making changes to the terms and conditions," the report said. According to the report, it would be "highly unfortunate" if the government has to continue to support the national carrier when there will be so many high priority health and social infrastructure projects post-COVID, towards which public funds would be better directed. It also said that short-listed bidders may find it difficult to prepare a bid in the current challenging environment and therefore not certain at this stage whether the privatisation will succeed unless changes are made to the offer, CAPA India said. "We believe that the Government of India must have a Plan B for Air India in place now, which can be immediately operationalised if required. Ideally, the transaction will go through successfully, but the government should not be left scrambling for answers at the time should that not be the case," it said. Also read: NITI Aayog submits final list of PSU banks to be privatised The Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) on Friday granted permission to the Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture the Russian Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine in India for examination, test and analysis with certain conditions, according to official sources. Pune-based SII has partnered with Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, in Russia for developing Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in India at its licensed facility in Hadapsar. "The DCGI has granted permission to the Serum Institute to manufacture the Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine in India for examination, test and analysis at its licensed Hadapsar facility with certain conditions," an official source said, according to PTI. Earlier, on Thursday, SII had submitted an application to the drug regulator for this purpose. DCGI has set four conditions; as per these SII will have to submit a copy of the agreement between the firm and Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology for transfer of cell bank and virus stock and a copy of the agreement for technology transfer with Gamaleya. "Further, the SII has to submit a copy of the RCGM permission to import cell bank and virus stock and a copy of the RCGM permission to initiate research and development of viral vector vaccine Sputnik V," the sources said. The licence granted to SII will remain enforced for a period of three years from June 4 onwards unless it is suspended or revoked. On May 18, SII had also applied to the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Department of Biotechnology seeking clearance for importing strains/seed lots and cell banks, and for carrying out research and development, the official sources explained. Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) has raised some questions regarding SII's application. It has sought a copy of the material transfer agreement between the pharma firm and Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. Serum Institute also plans to seek restricted emergency use permission of Sputnik V vaccine in India. Currently, only Dr Reddy's Laboratories is manufacturing the Sputnik V vaccine in India. Also Read: COVID-19 vaccine: UK approves Pfizer jab for 12 to 15-year-olds Highlights A new version of the Pixel Tips app hints at the possible feature. The function spotted contains the phrase Astrotimelapse. It is expected that the feature will make use of astrophotography on Google Pixel cameras. Google might be bringing a substantial upgrade to the photographic capabilities of its Pixel lineup. A new source indicates that the smartphones by Google might soon allow users to record time-lapse videos of astronomic views. The feature has been hinted at in a recent update to the Pixel Tips app rolled out by Google. Decompilation of a particular file on the update has revealed a code that suggests that the astrophotography on Google cameras will be getting the time-lapse feature soon. Dylan Roussel from 9to5Google has spotted the new code. As per a report by the publication highlighting the findings, the code was found on version 3.4.0.373287606 of the Pixel Tips app that started rolling out on Tuesday. It spelt a function named CameraAstrotimelapseSettingController. The name itself is a suggestion enough of what the update can possibly bring to the table. The key phrase here is "Astrotimelapse," which hints at a combined ability to take a time-lapse video of the astrophotography made possible through Pixel cameras. Going by the literal sense, the feature can allow users to record the night sky in a time-lapse video, including a detailed capture of the Moon and stars. As per the report, the only other detail about the possible feature is that the Pixel Tips app will require version 8.2.3 of the Google Camera app to display Astrotimelapse information. As of now, the latest version of Google Camera is 8.2.2, meaning that the update might be pushed out soon. The report, however, highlights that it decompiled the files or APKs in the latest version of the Pixel Tips app to see the code hinting at the new feature. There is a chance that no such feature is in the works, and hence we might never see it on Pixel phones. Google has made no mention of such a feature for its Pixel lineup. What is known for now is that the company is working on its next version of Pixel phones, Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, that will come with a considerable camera bump at the back containing a triple-lens camera module. You can read all that is speculated about the smartphones till now, here. Highlights HMD Global has announced it is launching the Nokia C20 Plus next week. The Nokia C20 Plus entry-level phone is coming to China on June 11. HMD has teased the Nokia C20 Plus will have at least three cameras. Nokia C20 Plus, the next affordable smartphone from the house of HMD, is coming on June 11. In a poster, HMD announced the launch date for the next Nokia C-series phone, and, as usual, it is happening in China, where the C-series is popular. The Nokia C20 Plus seems like an upgrade to the Nokia C20 that the company launched back in April. And because it is an upgrade, you will see things such as a bigger battery, a bigger display, and more RAM options. The poster that HMD has shared confirms a few bits though. According to the poster shared on Weibo, the Nokia C20 Plus will come with a round camera module, and inside this module, there are at least three sensors visible. The poster does not say anything about the resolution of these cameras but shows an LED flash accompanying them. Then, you also see that the physical fingerprint sensor is missing from the back. And unfortunately, you will not have the sensor either on the power button or on the display, so you will have to make do with the PIN, pattern, and passcode to unlock the Nokia C20 Plus. The face-unlock feature is likely to be available. On observing the poster closely, you will find there is a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top of the Nokia C20 Plus. Since the left side has the frame for the SIM card tray, the right one is definitely going to have the power button and the volume rocker. And at the bottom, there may be a MicroUSB port for charging and data transfer. You can expect the Nokia C20 Plus to come with a teardrop-style notch on the display. However, that is not something that the poster shows. HMD may release more of them in the coming days to build the hype. Most specifications are still under the cover, but if you believe rumours, a Nokia phone did appear on the Geekbench benchmarking platform a few days back. This phone had a Unisoc SC9863A chipset inside and was powered by 3GB of RAM. This pair is typical for a phone from the C-series, probably the upcoming Nokia C20 Plus. There may be more RAM and storage configurations for the Nokia C20 Plus. In terms of software, the Nokia C20 Plus will come with Android 11, according to the benchmark database, but this will rather be the Go edition. The Nokia C20 also runs the Android 11 Go edition. HMD is launching the new Nokia C20 Plus in China on June 11 at 10 am local time, which translates to around 7.30 am IST the same day in India. There is no information about the global availability of the Nokia C20 Plus at this point. According to Gartner, by 2023, one-third of companies that have implemented IoT will also have implemented AI in conjunction with at least one IoT project. Data generated from IoT devices will be integrated in various vertical applications and eventually be applied to smart factories, smart healthcare, smart transportation, and smart cities. The first two sessions of COMPUTEX Forum organized by TAITRA, "AIoT Evolution" and "AI Empowerment, were held on June 2. Top speakers from Micron Technology, Intel, Supermicro, NVIDIA, NXP Semiconductors, Arm, Delta Electronics, and Check Point Software were among the lineup to deep dive into the infinite possibilities of AIoT and AI. Micron Technology: Driving AI innovation with storage in the new era of data intensive computing President and CEO of Micron Technology Sanjay Mehrotra pointed out that the world is at the dawn of a new age of data intensive computing. AI and 5G are the two major drivers of this age. With the rapid growth of AI applications, accompanied by numerous challenges, Micron Technology will continue to build a reliable, systematic infrastructure based on memory and storage for a better AI future. Intel: Embracing infinite computing possibilities with next-gen AI processor Nash Palaniswamy, Vice President of Intels Sales and Marketing Group and General Manager of AI, HPC, Datacenter Accelerators Solutions and Sales, addressed the possibilities of 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processor. The latest generation of Xeon is capable of fulfilling AI and high-performance computing needs. Supported by close partnerships and deep integrations with the worlds software leaders and solution providers, Intel delivers fast, consistent, and secure solutions that people trust. Supermicro: Meeting demands for innovations with an array of products and solutions Supermicro President and CEO Charles Liang stated that Supermicro will continue to meet customer demand in terms of AI, 5G, and cloud solutions through its leading technology, innovation, high quality, and serviceability. Supermicro will also push forward the development of technology with its partners through collaborations. NVIDIA: Igniting Industrial Revolution 4.0 with AI According to Jerry Chen, NVIDIA Head of Global Business Development for Manufacturing and Industrials, AI is the most impactful general-purpose technology, and it will be at the heart of advanced technologies such as 5G, HPC, AIoT, and robotics, propelling industry development and transformation. NXP Semiconductors: Accelerating Secure Intelligent Edge with New Era of Edge Computing Started Kurt Sievers, President and CEO of NXP Semiconductors, indicated that AIoT devices are changing the way people live. While it creates great user experience, it is imperative to fully protect data and realize a secure intelligent edge. NXP Semiconductors will also continue to enable a safer and smarter world through breakthrough innovations. Arm: Accelerating ubiquitous intelligence Rene Haas, President of Arm IP Products Group, discussed the increasing global demand for computing. The new Armv9 architecture is effective in addressing demanding AI/ML workloads while delivering enhanced security. The next-gen architecture outlines the roadmap for the next decade of computing. Intelligence-driven manufacturing for advancing into Industry 4.0 According to Dr. Steven Chen, Leader of Intelligent Mobile Machine Cluster, Delta Research Center of Delta Electronics, manufacturers must continue to improve their capabilities to achieve Manufacturing on Demand. By adopting design that incorporate standardized, modular and intelligent units, machines can be more scalable and flexible to production changes, as well as data collection & analysis and AI adoption and upgrade, accelerating the progress of an Intelligence-driven manufacturing. Check Point Software: Managing cybersecurity risks through AI tool Kev Hau, Check Point Security evangelist, office of the CTO, shared his insights on the trend of cybersecurity in the new normal. AI, machine learning, and big data analytics are all revolutionizing cybersecurity. The machine-learning algorithm of AI is capable of predicting unknown threats in a much broader scope and providing cybersecurity specialists a quick response with increasing accuracy and precision. AI is reshaping the world. With the democratization of related technologies and AIoT applications, COMPUTEX aims to explore more business opportunities with its global partners. All sessions are available online from now: https://virtual.computextaipei.com.tw/events/ Register for free: https://virtual.computextaipei.com.tw/ For more information: https://virtual.computextaipei.com.tw/events/ ######### For more information: COMPUTEX : https://www.computextaipei.com.tw/ InnoVEX : https://www.innovex.com.tw/ About COMPUTEX Established in 1981, COMPUTEX is one of the leading global ICT, IoT, and startup tradeshows with a complete supply chain and IoT ecosystems. Co-organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taipei Computer Association (TCA), COMPUTEX, based upon Taiwans complete ICT clusters, covers the whole spectrum of the ICT industry, from established brands to startups and from ICT supply chain to IoT ecosystems. With strong R&D and manufacturing capabilities and IPR protection, Taiwan is a strategic destination for foreign companies and investors looking for partners in global technology ecosystems. Follow COMPUTEX on its website at www.computextaipei.com.tw and Twitter @computex_taipei using the hashtag #COMPUTEX. About COMPUTEX 2021 Virtual As a pioneer in technology, COMPUTEX has been at the forefront in embracing digital transformation. In 2021, the show will go online. Together with the key global technology players, the organizer of COMPUTEX,Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) introduces #COMPUTEXVirtual (including its global startups and innovations showcase #InnovexVirtual), an AI-driven virtual platform, and aims to deliver an exceptional virtual exhibition experience beyond the distance. Explore #COMPUTEXVirtual now at https://virtual.computextaipei.com.tw/. About TAITRA Founded in 1970, TAITRA is Taiwan's foremost nonprofit trade promoting organization. Sponsored by the government and industry organizations, TAITRA assists enterprises to expand their global reach. Headquartered in Taipei, TAITRA has a team of 1,300 specialists and operates 5 local offices in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as 63 branches worldwide. Together with Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) and Taiwan Trade Center (TTC), TAITRA has formed a global network dedicated to promoting world trade. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603005420/en/ Crown Bioscience (CrownBio), a JSR Life Sciences Company, today announced that they have entered into separate, yet complementary, portfolio license agreements with the ATCC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as represented by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institute of Health (NIH). By entering into five-year agreements with these premier biomaterial resource providers, CrownBio clients will directly benefit from a priority status that will make cell lines more readily available with simplified logistics. Through its XenoSelect and OmniScreen panels, CrownBio already offers its clients highly customizable, broad in vitro screening panel services, paired with industry-leading bioinformatics capabilities and a breadth of established matched downstream in vivo models. CrownBio clients will now have access to an extended and unrivaled portfolio of cell lines, with the knowledge and peace of mind that all necessary licensing is in place. The license agreement with ATCC grants CrownBio expedited access to more than 140 cell lines and associated datasets, as well as future access to an additional 4000 cell lines through an umbrella licensing structure. Similarly, to meet CrownBios ongoing global client needs for supplies of NIH cell lines, a new portfolio license has been signed with the NIH. With this agreement, CrownBio will provide access to 100 cell lines available through the NCI Repository of Tumors and Tumor Cell Lines and other sources, that were developed in NCI labs. Henry Li, PhD, CSO of CrownBio said, We greatly value our relationships with both ATCC and NIH, which are two of CrownBios largest cell line partners. We are excited that these new agreements will enable us to offer our clients expanded and prioritized cell line availability and supply. Together, these agreements exemplify CrownBios dedication to ensuring our clients have easy access to an industry-leading range of in vitro and in vivo models for drug discovery. ### About Crown Bioscience Crown Bioscience, a JSR Life Sciences company, is a global drug discovery and development service company providing translational platforms to advance oncology, immuno-oncology and immune-mediated inflammatory disease research. With an extensive portfolio of relevant models and predictive tools, Crown Bioscience enables clients to deliver superior clinical candidates. For more information, visit: www.crownbio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603005538/en/ Cryptology Asset Group (ISIN: MT0001770107; Ticker: CAP:GR), a leading European investment company for blockchain- and crypto-related businesses founded by Christian Angermayer and Mike Novogratz, intends to invest USD 100 million over the next 24 months into crypto-related venture funds. Cryptology will take an entrepreneurial approach in building its fund portfolio and will focus on first time funds and emerging managers, globally, including seeding funds and taking stakes in GPs as well. Christian Angermayer, Founder of Cryptology, explains: "We are at the very beginning of the crypto revolution, and we strive to become one of the leading global investors in this very nascent asset class. Our fund investment strategy will focus on emerging talent, taking a global approach, and will encompass both funds investing in equity stakes of crypto- and blockchain related companies as well as funds investing in crypto assets and tokens." Patrick Lowry, CEO of Cryptology, adds: "There is no better asset class to bet on than crypto, in my opinion. Within just three years, Cryptology has grown invested capital of approx. EUR 27 million into an NAV of approx. EUR 450 million, as of June 1, 2021. This results in an estimated IRR of more than 300% per year, which is an impressive testimony to the tectonic shift we are seeing in front of our very eyes. We will work hard to continue this success story in the coming years and decades. Patrick further elaborates: "With regards to our fund investment strategy, our vision is to collaborate closely with our portfolio funds, offering them access to our broad network and experience, as well as to co-invest alongside them into innovative blockchain companies and crypto assets." Cryptology is one of the few stock-market listed investment companies exclusively focusing on crypto and blockchain related businesses, trading on multiple German exchanges under the ticker symbol CAP:GR and ISIN MT0001770107. Cryptology offers retail and institutional investors unparalleled and easy access, via its daily liquid shares, to an exclusive asset class that is otherwise reserved for a small group of investors, given that most companies and funds in the crypto sector are still private. For example, Cryptology offers indirect participation in iconic crypto giant Block.one, the publishers of EOSIO, and their newly announced exchange, BULLISH. Cryptology's fund investment strategy will strengthen its position as the leading access stock to a global, diversified crypto portfolio. About Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c. Cryptology is a leading European investment company for crypto assets and blockchain-related business models. Founded by Christian Angermayer's family office, Apeiron Investment Group and crypto-legend Mike Novogratz, Cryptology is the largest publicly traded holding company for blockchain- and crypto-based business models in Europe. Noteworthy portfolio companies include crypto-giant and EOSIO software publisher Block.one, leading HPC provider Northern Data, commission-free online neobroker nextmarkets, and crypto asset management group Iconic Funds. Language: English Company: Cryptology Asset Group PLC Beatrice 66 & 67, Amery Street SLM 1707 Sliema Malta E-mail: [email protected] Internet: cryptology-ag.com ISIN: MT0001770107 WKN: A2JDEW Listed: Regulated Unofficial Market in Dusseldorf EQS News ID: 1203868 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603005409/en/ SES Government Solutions (SES GS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES, and Isotropic Systems, a leading developer of transformational broadband terminal technologies, announce the successful completion of the first of two milestone next-generation antenna trials with the U.S. Military aimed at unleashing unprecedented information distribution to warfighters across the battlefield. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210602006167/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, through the innovative Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) program, are evaluating the ability of Isotropic Systems optical beamforming antenna to enable frontline armed forces to access high-speed, real-time data simultaneously over multiple commercial and military satellites. First phase dual-beam tests conducted at the Harwell Science, Technology and Innovation Campus near Oxford, UK, have successfully demonstrated transformational optics at the core of Isotropic Systems multi-beam terminal that are fully capable of linking with multiple satellites at the same time. Over-the-air (OTA) trials conducted at an SES teleport in Port St. Lucie, Florida, also part of phase one, have verified the Isotropic Systems high-performance multi-beam platform meets military requirements to acquire and track SES O3b MEO satellites. Phase two trials will test Isotropic Systems latest antenna prototype over links with SES satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO), demonstrating seamless satellite-to-satellite transitions and a redundant, resilient leap in wartime communications. The DEUCSI trials will wrap up in 2021, ahead of the commercial launch of Isotropic Systems optical multi-beam antenna production scheduled for 2022, and in time to support SES new high-throughput MEO constellation satellites coming online, the groundbreaking O3b mPOWER system. The armed forces and defense agencies are incredibly good at acquiring actionable information, but they run into bottlenecks when they try to distribute that mission-critical data over single beam parabolic antennas and other outdated infrastructure, said Scott Sprague, Isotropic Systems CCO. These milestone trials with the U.S. Army and Air Force are successfully demonstrating the multi-beam, multi-orbit connectivity and capabilities our high-performance terminals will put in the hands of frontline warfighters and decision makers across the government sector and battlespace. Next-gen satellites and constellations need equally robust and resilient terminals and ground infrastructure to meet the governments Fighting SATCOM vision, said Pete Hoene, President and CEO of SES Government Solutions, Brigadier General, USAF (Ret.). Interoperability and multi-orbit capabilities are essential to achieving this vision, and these collaborative trials with the armed forces demonstrate how Isotropic Systems multi-beam antenna can successfully deliver robust connectivity across our vast MEO and GEO fleet. Each successful phase is a prime example of how the government and commercial partners can develop capabilities in parallel, which is especially important to us as we ready to launch our O3b mPOWER constellation and SES-17 satellite this year. Without affecting the main communications link, the Isotropic Systems multi-beam terminal can use a second or third link to evaluate the environment to preemptively decide the best routing option at any given time to maximize performance, explained Brian Billman, Vice President of Product Management for Isotropic Systems. Thats the level of differentiating capabilities our terminal roadmap leads to as a result of these important trials with the U.S. military. For further information please contact: About SES Government Solutions SES Government Solutions (SES GS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES, the leader in global content connectivity solutions. SES GS operates under a proxy board allowing them to provide services through contracts with the U.S. Government, including classified work. SES GS is exclusively focused on meeting the satellite communications needs of the U.S. Government. Leveraging more than four decades of experience in the government SATCOM market, SES GS offers robust and secure end-to-end satellite communications solutions. Further information can be found at www.ses-gs.com. About SES SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the worlds only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the worlds leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SESs video network carries over 8,200 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com. About Isotropic Systems Isotropic Systems is developing the worlds first multi-service, high-bandwidth, low power, fully integrated high throughput terminals designed to support the satellite industry to 'reach beyond' traditional markets and acquire new customers with a full suite of high throughput services. The companys team of industry experts and scientists has pioneered several firsts in satellite terminal design resulting in a line of terminals that are customizable to meet the performance, cost and power requirements of countless applications from the most complex government defense systems and mobile backhaul solutions capable of extending 5G, to next-gen connected experiences aboard commercial airliners, cruise ships, offshore rigs, and even small fishing boats at sea. Isotropic Systems Series A funding was led by Boeing to advance space-based connectivity. Further information is available at www.isotropicsystems.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210602006167/en/ C3 AI (NYSE:AI), a leading enterprise AI software provider, today announced that Sam Alkharrat has joined C3 AI as President and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Mr. Alkharrat will lead the global expansion of C3 AIs sales and customer service organizations. Before joining C3 AI, Mr. Alkharrat served as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sales for VMwares Tanzu portfolio of Modern Application Platforms, focused on bringing speed, stability, and security to multi-cloud software delivery. Prior to joining VMware, Mr. Alkharrat worked in a number of senior executive positions at SAP, including Global COO for SAP's Customer Experience line of business, with responsibility for SAPs CRM and Commerce solutions; SVP and Managing Director for North America West; and President, Middle East and North Africa. Sam is an experienced and proven sales executive with a long track record of building and managing highly effective sales and customer service teams, said C3 AI Chairman and CEO Thomas M. Siebel. As President and CRO, Sam will play an essential role in the next stage of C3 AIs growth and development as we rapidly expand our customer footprint and partner ecosystem across industries, regions, and markets. I have been watching C3 AI for some time, said Mr. Alkharrat. C3 AI is a game-changing company. I am incredibly excited to join this talented and seasoned leadership team to fully realize the C3 AI vision. I know Sam as a global leader, adept at scaling a customer-centric field organization, said Jim Snabe, former co-CEO of SAP and C3 AI Director. Sam is the right leader, at the right time, to scale the delivery of enterprise AI capabilities to companies in all industries and help take C3 AI to the next level." About C3.ai, Inc. C3.ai, Inc. (NYSE:AI) is a leading provider of enterprise AI software for accelerating digital transformation. C3 AI delivers a family of fully integrated products: C3 AI Suite, an end-to-end platform for developing, deploying, and operating large-scale AI applications; C3 AI Applications, a portfolio of industry-specific SaaS AI applications; C3 AI CRM, a suite of industry-specific CRM applications designed for AI and machine learning; and C3 AI Ex Machina, a no-code AI solution to apply data science to everyday business problems. The core of the C3 AI offering is an open, model-driven AI architecture that dramatically simplifies data science and application development. Learn more at: www.c3.ai. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603005372/en/ Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, today announced that Dave Regnery, current president and chief operating officer, has been named chief executive officer and will join the Board of Directors. He succeeds Mike Lamach, who will serve as executive chair of the Board until his planned retirement from the company sometime in the first half of 2022. These changes are effective July 1, 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005078/en/ Dave Regnery, current president and chief operating officer for Trane Technologies, has been named chief executive officer and will join the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2021 (Photo: Business Wire) Dave Regnery is the clear choice to lead Trane Technologies into the future, consistent with our comprehensive succession plan, said Lamach. Dave has worked alongside me to shape nearly every aspect of our global business from our business operating system, to our sustainability and innovation leadership, to the development of our culture of inclusion and engagement, which has led to a deep pool of leadership talent. Dave was the co-architect of our transformation as a focused climate innovator. He is an exceptional leader with a deep understanding of our industry, the sustainability megatrends affecting our businesses, our customers needs, and how to create value for our stakeholders. I have complete confidence in Dave as he becomes CEO and leads Trane Technologies forward. As president and chief operating officer, Regnery has had direct responsibility for the companys three regional reporting segments and full portfolio of businesses and brands, including Trane and Thermo King. He also has had oversight of the companys global business operations, including supply chain, engineering and information technology. Regnery has worked closely with Lamach to evolve and sharpen the companys strategy as an industry leader in climate solutions with a singular purpose to boldly challenge whats possible for a sustainable world. Regnery has been with Trane Technologies for his entire career, beginning in the companys financial leadership development program, then progressing through financial and commercial leadership and general management roles. Throughout his tenure, Regnery has successfully led all of the companys businesses around the world, including the Commercial HVAC, Residential HVAC and Transport Refrigeration businesses, and taken them to new heights. Under his leadership, the company launched its successful EcoWise portfolio of products, designed to lower environmental impact through high efficiency operation and low global warming potential refrigerants. He has been instrumental in growing the companys portfolio of comprehensive building solutions including energy services, controls and digital offerings. Im honored to serve as CEO for Trane Technologies, as we continue to push the boundaries on climate innovation, said Regnery. We have the best team, strong customer relationships, and a passion to innovate, grow and create value for all our stakeholders our team members, customers, communities and shareholders. Lamach, who was named CEO in February 2010 and elected chair of the Board of Directors in June 2010, will become executive chair. In this role, Lamach will continue to chair the Board and work closely with Gary Forsee, incoming lead independent director, on governance matters, and with Regnery on the companys long-term strategic plans, until his retirement sometime in the first half of 2022. Under Lamachs leadership, Trane Technologies has transformed from a diversified industrial manufacturing company, formerly Ingersoll Rand, to an industry-leading climate innovator with consistent top tier financial and environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Since joining the company in 2004, Lamach led the creation of the companys proprietary business operating system and its successful deployment of lean, which has resulted in a strong operating company, robust innovation and consistent business results. Lamachs purpose-driven approach has built a widely recognized culture of inclusion and high engagement, with a shared purpose centered on sustainability. Lamach has led multiple strategic evolutions, including the spin-off of the companys security technologies business and the creation of Allegion in December 2013. Most recently, Lamach orchestrated the highly successful separation of the companys industrial businesses and combination with Gardner Denver through a Reverse Morris Trust transaction, which in March of 2020 culminated in the launch of the remaining company, Trane Technologies plc, as a purpose-driven climate innovator. The companys total shareholder return1 since Lamach became CEO in February 2010 is 744%, nearly twice the total shareholder return of the S&P 500. In 2019, Lamach was named one of Harvard Business Reviews top performing CEOs and listed by Forbes among Americas 100 Most Innovative Leaders. He is a leader in the manufacturing sector and has served as chair of the National Association of Manufacturers since June 2019. Lamach also serves on the Board of Directors of PPG Industries. The execution of our succession plan will ensure a smooth transition, continuity of leadership and a continued focus on delivering sustainable, top-tier financial performance, said Dick Swift, retiring lead director for Trane Technologies, and former chair, president and CEO for Foster Wheeler Ltd. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are grateful to Mike for his outstanding leadership, which has led to substantial increases in the companys market capitalization, shareholder value and ESG performance. Looking ahead, Trane Technologies and its stakeholders will benefit from the experience of two extremely strong leaders Mike, in his role as executive chair and Dave as CEO. Dave is the right choice to lead the company into its next chapter given his proven track record, strong vision, and unwavering commitment to advance the companys growth, performance and long-term value. About Trane Technologies Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane and Thermo King, and our environmentally responsible portfolio of products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes, and transportation. Learn more at tranetechologies.com. 1Total shareholder return since February 2, 2010 includes pro rata value of shares received from Allegion spin-off and industrial Reverse Morris Trust transaction. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005078/en/ It was announced today that Irish Life Investment Managers has completed the sale of Block A, Riverside IV in Dublin a prime office building located in Dublins south docklands to German investor Deka Immobilien Investment GmbH for a price in the region of 164 million. The sale was handled by property advisor, Savills. The building was originally designed by RKD Architects and developed in 2007. The building is fully occupied by Matheson, Irelands largest law firm, who committed to a new long-term lease in April 2020. Riverside IV is situated in a prime waterfront position in Dublins South Docklands with over 65 metres frontage to the River Liffey. Savills say the South Docklands is a highly sought-after location by both occupiers and investors and this transaction illustrates the strong demand from international investors for core office investments in Dublin. The purchase also represents another major office investment in the Irish market for Deka , one of Germanys largest providers of property funds, who have been one of the most active core investors in Ireland in recent years. Commenting on the opportunity, Head of Property at Irish Life Investment Managers, Martin OReilly said, "Riverside 4 has generated an excellent return for our investors following significant value add lease restructuring. This competitive off market sale process and strong pricing demonstrates strong market liquidity and confidence in the outlook for commercial property in Dublin. We remain committed to the market and continue to increase exposure to city centre offices by way of our development pipeline, which includes 70 St Stephens Green and Cadenza on Earlsfort Terrace." Source: www.businessworld.ie Auxilion yesterday announced that it will create 110 new jobs and increase its revenues in the next three years. Headquartered in Dublin, Auxilion provides a wide range of digital, cloud and IT services, including consulting and managed services. Backed by one of the largest project management teams in the country, it delivers programmes for public and private organisations throughout Ireland and, increasingly, the UK. The new positions being created by Auxilion will primarily be based in Ireland, at its Dublin and Belfast offices, with some focused on driving the firms growth in the UK. The company will be hiring for a wide range of technical roles, as well as project and programme managers, across a number of its business divisions including networking, digital workplace, consulting and managed services. Auxilion says adding to the team will help the business to support and drive large scale digital transformation projects for its expanding customer base, which already includes a number of health and government organisations. Speaking yesterday, Founder and CEO at Auxilion, "At Auxilion, we made the decision to look at our resources and realign our focus to capitalise on the companys strengths and drive growth. This includes building digital thinking into every part of our organisation and what we do for our customers. Were growing the team and investing in the business to enable our transformation as we look to become the leading digital services provider on the island of Ireland, while simultaneously fuelling our expansion in the UK." Source: www.businessworld.ie Sadly, about nine out of every ten young people said they did not hear from a religious leader throughout the pandemic, research has found. In February 2021, Springtide Research Institute polled 2,500 members of Generation Z about their thoughts on and experiences of the pandemic, Christian Headlines reported. 10% of the young people in the research said a religious leader or clergy member had not stopped by to see them. Only 14% of those polled claimed they had gone to a religious organization because they were overwhelmed and didn't know what to do. Josh Packard, Springtide's executive director said that young people will find it difficult to "pick up where they left off." "There's just a whole lot of things that they missed," he said. "They're not getting back to some sort of normality. And they need help processing that, to make sense of it and understanding their lives now." Despite the fact that 90% reported getting no personal contact from clergy, faith-based institutions, notwithstanding, outscored other organizations in the demographics under the age of thirty in terms of how they expected to tackle the pandemic. The research found that 50 % of participants believed that their religious community had done "a great job navigating the pandemic." Of those who believed the government did not do its utmost to safeguard individuals, two-thirds (65%) said the government could have done better. Additionally, almost half (57%) of respondents said they will have an even harder time trusting anybody, including their own relatives and friends, after witnessing how they responded to the epidemic. But Packard was particularly encouraged by the study's conclusion that despite all the disruption, young people's personal faith remained rather stable. 47%) said their faith remained roughly the same through the crisis, slightly more than a quarter (26%) said it had become stronger, and slightly more than a quarter (27%) said they were questioning or had lost faith. Additionally, 7 in 10 young people who were polled report a newfound respect for relationships, and as a result, they "won't take for granted relationships and opportunities the way they did before." Packard claimed that, per the statistics, not all teenagers are eager to return to society. The most recent year has not just been marked by a plague of uncertainty, but by social unrest sparked by police brutality and a politicized electorate as well. Everyone has taken a hit as a result of everything. "I think coming out of the pandemic, religious leaders and trusted adults would do well to remember that it's going to be stressful coming out just as it was going in," Packard pointed out. "Lots of people told us they were uneasy about coming out of the pandemic, that they felt like they might be asked to be in groups quicker than they were ready to be in." Recommendations: Springtide identified three ways to assist Gen Z cope on their website: "mentorship, meaning, and growth." According to their gathered data, young people are hard-pressed to find mentors. Less than two-thirds of young people have someone who can show them what a fulfilling life looks like. As for meaning, 70% of the participants aged 13 to 17 surveyed for Springtide said they believed that work is not worth doing if it is not relevant to them. Over two-thirds of young people feel it is crucial that their boss or supervisor gives them the opportunity to grow and develop. Following on from their latest study, they've compiled eight practical tips for adults who want to reconnect with the younger generation and strengthen their empathetic abilities. Hundreds of people have gathered near a Hong Kong park despite a ban on an annual candlelight vigil to remember the deadly crackdown in Beijings Tiananmen Square and the arrest earlier in the day of an organizer of previous vigils Timothy Joseph Kowalski, 33, of Onaway who was previously charged with multiple drunken driving offenses recently was arraigned again on the same charges in Wexford County\'s 28th Circuit Court. Kowalski pleaded not guilty to one count each operating while intoxicated causing serious injury and operating while intoxicated for his connection with a crash on M-115 on Sept. 8 in Antioch Township. Covid-19 has continued to spread in countries and regions in Southeast Asia since May; the number of new Covid-19 cases rose sharply in some areas of Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan. Since March, the number of daily newly confirmed cases has exceeded 20,000 in Southeast Asia and the number of daily deaths returned to more than 300. In particular, the average number of daily new Covid-19 cases in May exceeded 1,000 in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Infections have rebounded in Thailand and Malaysia since April and surged in Vietnam and Taiwan in May. As of May 25, the average number of daily newly confirmed cases in Vietnam was 113.8 in May, 10 times that in April; the average number of daily newly confirmed cases in Thailand was about 2,800, more than twice that in April. In addition, the average number of daily newly confirmed cases in Taiwan rose sharply from 3.3 in April to 186.6 in May. Covid-19 outbreaks in Southeast Asia are unlikely to get out of control and Southeast Asia is unlikely to repeat what happened in India, in our view. The outbreak in India has spiraled out of control. In addition to the mutation of the virus, inadequate Covid-19 containment measures may also be a main reason behind the countrys out-of-control Covid-19 outbreak. Southeast Asian economies have done a good job in preventing and controlling the spread of Covid-19. Indonesia and the Philippines have begun to bring Covid-19 under control since April with cases trending downward, and new cases in these countries have maintained a downward trend despite surging cases in India. Covid-19 cases recently rose sharply in some areas of Vietnam and Taiwan, but these economies have strong ability to control Covid-19 and they quickly tightened their containment measures after sharp rises in their cases. Based on Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates, the number of daily newly confirmed cases in Vietnam and Taiwan is likely to peak and then fall in late May. Empirical data shows that recent Covid-19 outbreaks in Southeast Asia have not produced substantial impacts on the overall foreign trade of related economies. In 2020, the 10 ASEAN economies and Taiwan accounted for 17.1% of the Chinese mainlands exports and 23.4% of imports, making them the largest source of imports for the Chinese mainland. Covid-19 outbreaks could directly affect trade among them. However, experience from economies hit hard by Covid-19 (e.g., India, the Philippines and Indonesia) shows that outbreaks have not produced substantial impacts on overall foreign trade. For example, the outbreak worsened quickly in India in April, but the countrys imports from China and exports to China grew 155.4% year-on-year, implying a two-year CAGR of 24.7% (rising 11.6 points from the two-year CAGR in March). Among ASEAN economies, the Philippines and Indonesia have been hit hard, but the two-year CAGRs of the two countries trade with China since the start of 2021 are higher than those in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic. High-frequency data shows that stricter containment measures have produced relatively limited impacts on Southeast Asian economies production and exports since May. To cope with outbreaks, some economies in Southeast Asia have tightened their containment measures, but their current measures are less strict than those taken over the same period of last year. In the first two weeks of May, the two-year CAGR of Vietnams exports was 10.6% (vs. 14% in the first two weeks of April) and the two-year CAGR of the countrys imports was 9.1% (vs. 15.1% in the first two weeks of April). The two-year CAGR of Vietnams exports in the first two weeks of May was lower than the two-year CAGR of Vietnams exports in the first two weeks of April, possibly due to the recent Covid-19 outbreaks in Southeast Asia. For example, the Vietnamese city of Bac Giang decided in mid-May to temporarily close four industrial zones to contain Covid-19. We believe the decline in the two-year CAGR of Vietnams exports in the first two weeks of May 2021 was a normal fluctuation that did not exceed the range of fluctuations in normal years, and the slowing growth was better than the negative growth over the same period of 2020 when Covid-19 containment measures were stricter. We suggest keeping an eye on possible impacts from Covid-19 outbreaks in Southeast Asia, especially on sectors with heavy reliance on international trade. The Chinese mainland mainly imports labor-intensive products (e.g., footwear, wood products and textiles) from ASEAN economies. In 2019, imports of footwear products from ASEAN economies accounted for 58.7% of the Chinese mainlands total imports of such products. The Chinese mainland is relatively reliant on some capital-intensive or technology-intensive products from Taiwan and imports of electromechanical and audio-visual equipment, plastic and rubber products, and chemical products from Taiwan all account for more than 5% of the Chinese mainlands total imports of such products. In particular, electromechanical and audio-visual equipment imports from Taiwan accounted for 18.8% of the Chinese mainlands total imports of such products in 2019. In case of a faster than expected spread of Covid-19 and stricter than expected Covid-19 containment measures, we think some labor-intensive products from the Chinese mainland may replace such products from Southeast Asian economies to some extent. In the base-case scenario, we believe the resurgence of Covid-19 in Southeast Asia will have a limited impact on China. If Covid-19 spreads on a large scale in Southeast Asian economies, or these economies introduce stricter Covid-19 containment measures, we believe orders for some industries or companies may be transferred to the Chinese mainland. The Chinese mainlands exports of labor-intensive products such as footwear, textile and leather products now account for more than 30% of global exports of such products. We think the Chinese mainlands production capacity for such products may replace part of ASEAN economies production capacity for such products. In addition, we believe the Chinese mainlands production capacity for electromechanical and audio-visual equipment, plastics, rubber and metal products may replace part of such production capacity in Taiwan. Peng Wensheng is chief economist and head of research department at CICC. The views and opinions expressed in this opinion section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the editorial positions of Caixin Media. If you would like to write an opinion for Caixin Global, please send your ideas or finished opinions to our email: opinionen@caixin.com Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter. (The Straits Times) Singapore is said to be one of the top choices for South Korea to launch a joint travel bubble. The Straits Times understands that the two countries started very preliminary, exploratory talks at the working level in March. This came after South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki said during a meeting that the government will seek to create travel bubbles with other countries in order to revive air travel, which has been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. A travel bubble is an agreement between two or more countries to allow their people to travel without strict quarantine. Several countries are being considered, according to a South Korean Health Ministry official. Industry sources have named Singapore among potential partners that also include New Zealand, Taiwan, Guam and Saipan. Singapore has ongoing air travel pass (ATP) agreements with China, Brunei, New Zealand and Australia, excluding the state of Victoria. This means people from these countries are allowed to enter Singapore as short-term visitors after isolating up to 48 hours upon arrival, while waiting for their Covid-19 test results. The Republic had intended to launch its first bilateral air travel bubble with Hong Kong last November, but it has been postponed twice due to a surge in Covid-19 cases, first in Hong Kong and, more recently, in Singapore. ATPs with Taiwan and Vietnam have been suspended. Singapore, which is home to 5.69 million people, has so far reported 62,145 cases of Covid-19, with daily new cases in the past two weeks ranging from 18 to 45. Meanwhile, South Korea has seen 142,157 cases among its 51.8 million population, with daily figures in the 400 to 700 range. More than one in three people in Singapore have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while in South Korea, about 13% of the population have had at least one jab. Singaporean Anges Ang, 34, is waiting anxiously for an opportunity to return to Seoul, where she had studied for four years before going home in May last year due to the pandemic. She is planning to launch a start-up in the South Korean capital and needs to be there physically to register the company and settle some paperwork. Having a travel bubble will make travelling more convenient, whether its for business or leisure, Ms Ang told The Straits Times. But I think the name should be changed, because bubbles burst too easily. Maybe we should call it an air travel loop because having a loop means it will keep on going. Singaporean Elizabeth Toh, who until January was studying in South Korea, polled her friends and found that 18 of them would want to fly to Seoul on the planned travel bubble. She said the consensus is that everyone is dying to get out, but they are also concerned about safety and want to wait until the Covid-19 situation subsides in both countries. However, Toh, 32, said: I dont think Korea is ready for a travel bubble now. South Korea may have painted the picture that they are doing okay but theyre not. The number of cases is not going down. People get a shock when I tell them 600 cases is now the norm in the country. This story was first published in The Straits Times. Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter. Tencent Cloud Launches New Data Centers to Meet Global Ambition By Ding Yi / Jun 04, 2021 07:24 PM / Business & Tech Chinese tech giant Tencents cloud computing arm has added four new internet data centers in Bangkok, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Hong Kong as part of ongoing efforts to widen the use of its cloud services around the world. The data centers are built in accordance with the so-called Tier 3 standard and are located in the cities network hubs with connectivity to major local and international network operators, Tencent Cloud said in a press release on Thursday. The Tier Classification System was created by the U.S.-based Uptime Institute to evaluate the performance of data centers, with Tier 3 data centers requiring no shutdowns when equipment needs maintenance or replacement. Tier 4 is the highest level in the system. In a separate statement, Tencent Cloud said that the new data center in Tokyo will technically support Tencents news, video streaming and social media platforms to display content related to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which have been postponed to this summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tencent Cloud has been accelerating its global expansion to grab a slice of the public cloud services market. In March, the company announced plans to launch an internet data center in Bahrain this year, its first public cloud infrastructure in the Middle East and North Africa region. Worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services is forecast to grow 23% in 2021 to $332 billion, up from $270 billion in 2020, according to Gartner. Tencent Cloud operates mostly in China and the Asia Pacific region, but also has data centers in Silicon Valley, Virginia, Toronto and Moscow, according to its website. Contact reporter Ding Yi (yiding@caixin.com) and editor Heather Mowbray (heathermowbray@caixin.com) Related: Tencent Cloud Plans First Mideast Data Center in Bahrain The current Russian government under President Vladimir Putin amended the Religion Law on April 5, introducing more troubling changes for ministries throughout Russia, particularly for ministers coming from abroad or have received training in other countries. This new provision requires all foreign missionaries, clergy, and religious instructors to undergo "additional professional education in the field of the basics of state-confessional relations in the Russian Federation," reports Forum 18. The International Christian Concern found that the amendment, bound to be implemented on October 2021, hides a broad variety of religious concerns, all while seemingly being on the side of "protecting the spiritual sovereignty of Russia." Additional modifications include, among other things, making it illegal for organizations or NGOs to include "religious identifiers in their name without sanctioned by the government-approved Centralized Religious Organization." A number of new names have been added to the list of those prohibited from being in leadership roles in any religious organization. The persecution watchdog noted that while the new rule does not apply to individuals who are currently involved in ministry, it will apply to any new pastor or missionary who is joining the profession coming ahead, whether they are foreign or Russian residents. Details of the content and requirements of the courses are presently being kept under wraps and anticipated to be made available when the legislation takes effect in October. Furthermore, the ICC raises concern about what the law "does not say." "The main problem is that the wording of the amendments is very imprecise and leaves room for interpretation. Therefore, much will depend on how the new rules will be interpreted in the course of law enforcement practice," says Olga Sibireva, head of the Moscow-based Religion in Secular Society Project. Most religious groups in the nation reacted unfavorably to the bill, with the exception of the Russian Orthodox Church. "Representatives of other religious organizations consider the draft law a threat to freedom of religion and its norms as an attempt of the state to strengthen its ability to interfere with the internal activities of religious organizations," said Sibireva. Gradual adjustments to restrict freedom? Back in 2016, Putin gave the green light to a set of anti-terrorism regulations that lead to further limitations on missionary activities and evangelism, reports Christianity Today. Even after efforts by religious leaders and human rights groups, the Kremlin made the announcement that Putin approved the law. The amendment that time included regulations to limit discussing one's beliefs in homes, on the internet, or in public spaces, but they made an exception for places of worship. The ICC states that following the fall of the Soviet Union, many churches and ministries in Russia have seen more religious freedom, and they are able to practice their religion publicly. Nevertheless, since using the rationale of fighting the "war on terror," Vladimir Putin's government has made modifications to the rights of religious minorities, whether by increasing the number of regulatory barriers put in place for ministries or outright banning specific organizations. The U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom reaffirmed Russia's status as a CPC (country of particular concern) in its 2021 report, after which they recommended that Russia be included as such on the U.N. Committee's annual list of such countries. Become A Subscriber A subscription opens up access to all our online content, including: our interactive E-Edition, a full archive of modern stories, exclusive and expanded online offerings, photo galleries from Caledonian-Record journalists, video reports from our media partners, extensive international, national and regional reporting by the Associated Press, and a wide variety of feature content. 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 Emerging reports state that Apple, formerly considered a staunch supporter of privacy, is, in reality, behind measures that might adversely affect religious groups, particularly in China. Apple has long been considered an advocate for users' privacy and data integrity in the United States, but according to an article published by the New York Times, Apple does not have its users' best interests at heart in China, and is wittingly and knowingly letting the government have its way with user data. The information provided an inside look at the compromises that the company has made in order to continue its operations in China. One of the scholars at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and a prominent tech policy specialist, Klon Kitchen, has also posted a tweet thread describing his profound concerns with these findings. "Apple executives may sleep better by telling themselves, 'We're just complying with Chinese law.' But that doesn't comfort the journalists, political dissidents, and religious minorities who are systemically spied on, rounded up, and 'disappeared' by the CCP," he wrote. "Christians around the globe should be alarmed by the story...and the subsequent reports of Apple's reliance on forced labor for Apple products," comments NRB Christian communicator Nathan Leamer. He said that the U.S. technology is being hacked to allow possibly hazardous and damaging activities that would potentially weaken missional and ministry efforts. Drawing attention to the treatment of Chinese pastors like Wang Ti and others who are putting their lives and liberties on the line to spread the Gospel, Leamer stated that pastors should be permitted to utilize new technologies to serve to others without endangering their flocks. "Instead of an asymmetrical global policy of working alongside the Chinese Communist regime while thumbing their nose at authorities in the United States, Apple should strive to embrace a coherent policy towards privacy and security throughout the world-not one that kowtows to totalitarian threats," he said of Apple. Privacy is vital to Christian ministry As for Christians, Leamer proposed that they study the significance of privacy and encryption measures, saying that they are vital to the security of most Christian workers. "So much about mission work is keeping the safety and security of those who are who are in the field, especially in places where it's illegal just to share the gospel and to talk about their faith or to be a Christian community and so technology has enabled these communities these political dissidents and religious dissidents to communicate and share with one another," he said in an interview with The Federalist. Additionally, Leamer said that learning about the ways in which cryptography, encryption, and other forms of privacy serve as safeguards in the fight for the right to spread information. He argued that it is absolutely critical in today's media environment because stories and events can gain international attention and cause tremendous impacts on those who choose to use encryption to communicate. "We should learn lessons from our friends, such as broadcasters, who have harnessed new technologies for good, "he urged. "As the radio network Voice of America spread a message of truth and hope through the totalitarian regime of the Soviet Union, we should leverage new technologies to tell an eternal truth in nations where that truth is unlawful to share." Do you have an athlete in mind that contributes to the team or sport, holds sportsmanship and team spirit, has epic playmaker moments and/or in general makes the the sports fun? If yes, please make your nominations for our edition of Athlete Spotlight. CLICK TO NOMINATE Thousands of email correspondences from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's leading infectious disease expert and White House public health advisor, were obtained by several media outlets, including the Washington Post, Buzzfeed News, and CNN. In it were emails to and from government leaders, health officials, and even regular folk who reached out to him during the early days of the pandemic. But what is evident in some of his emails is that the 80-year-old infectious diseases doctor had encouraged to shut down churches while saying that cruises are fine for healthy people. On March 5, 2020, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Director Joshua Gordon wrote to Dr. Fauci, asking "Should I counsel them to cancel service this Friday/Saturday? I'm hoping you can spare a bit of time for this advice." His email to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) director was mostly redacted, the Western Journal reported. Dr. Fauci responded, "You should counsel the rabbi to cancel the services this [redacted]. Are the local/city/state health departments [redacted] doing any contract tracing?" Dr. Fauci's position to shut down churches and limit church gatherings came as a contradiction to another piece of advice he gave just four days after that email to Gordon. Forbes reported on March 9, 2020 that during a White House press conference, Dr. Fauci assured the public that cruise vacations are perfectly fine for healthy people. "If you are a healthy young person, there is no reason if you want to go on a cruise ship, go on a cruise ship," Dr. Fauci said in response to a question posed by John Roberts of FOX News. "But the fact is that if you have...an individual who has an underlying condition, particularly an elderly person who has an underlying condition, I would recommend strongly that they do not go on a cruise ship." These are not the only contradictions found in Dr. Fauci's publicized emails. He also initially backed the zoonotic nature theory of COVID and condemned the Wuhan lab leak theory that Republican leaders, including former President Donald Trump, had suggested. In fact, FOX News' Tucker Carlson accused Dr. Fauci of "utter fraudulence," saying that Americans were "wrong" to think that the NIAID director was "rational, impressive, and honest," the Sacramento Bee reported. But Dr. Fauci's detractors aren't limited to news anchors. The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) has released a statement to highlight "issues of critical concern" regarding Dr. Fauci's emails that reflect how he handled the COVID pandemic. In the statement, the AAPS outlined several points that they hoped Dr. Fauci would provide answers to. The AAPS questioned what research the NIH, the government institution that Dr. Fauci has been working for for 50 years, is "funding or suppressing?" They also raised the question as to which "interest groups are determining NIH policy" and are they foreign governments, pharmaceutical or vaccine companies, Big Tech or NGO's such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation? The AAPS also questioned as to why the SARS-CoV-2 virus or COVID was "genetically engineered" and why the NIH is using its guidelines to "deny treatment with long-approved drugs including hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin," which they call "therapeutic nihilism" that may have caused over a hundred thousand preventable deaths. "The e-mails provide a glimpse into a deeply troubling situation," AAPS executive director Dr. Jane M. Orient said. "But would be a mistake to focus solely on reading thousands of emails by one government official and overlook the work of thousands of bioengineers that could profoundly alter our lives." Carteret Community College will host the grand opening for the North Carolina Military Business Center Tuesday. The center will be in the colleges Big Rock Career Center in Morehead City. (Cheryl Burke photo) Dionne Delli-Gatti, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, speaks to reporters at the Legislative Office Building, on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Raleigh, N.C. A state Senate committee recommended Wednesday that Delli-Gatti not be confirmed for the secretary's position. Gov. Roy Cooper picked her for the job. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson) Photo: CTV News The class action lawsuit launched by residents of the Slocan Valley after the 2013 fuel spill in Lemon Creek has been given the go-ahead to go to trial again. Judge D.M. Masuhara ruled on May 21 the lawsuit could go ahead, after changing some of the specifics of the suit to reflect a higher court decision. The lawsuit stems from the July 2013 spill of 35,000 litres of jet fuel into Lemon Creek by a transport driver making a delivery to a firefighting operation. The spill forced thousands of people up to 40 kilometres downstream in the Slocan Valley to evacuate the area. The spill also killed fish and forced residents to get alternate sources of drinking water for themselves and livestock for days. Residents who were affected by the spill launched the suit for damages. Masuhara, the chambers judge reviewing the certification, ruled in 2017 the class action could go ahead the first time such a class action environmental lawsuit had been approved in British Columbia. But the defendants in the case the helicopter company, fuel-delivery company, the truck driver, and provincial government appealed. The BC Court of Appeal found issue with some of the particulars of the issues to be decided (called the common issues), and remitted, or sent the matter back, to Masuhara for a re-determination according to the higher courts reasons. After implementing the changes outlined by the Court of Appeal, Masuhara re-certified the lawsuit as a class action. I find that a class proceeding is the preferable mechanism for resolving the certified common issues, he said in his judgement. It was encouraging in that another hurdle was cleared in advancing the action, says David M. Aaron, one of the lawyers leading the class-action suit. Because it would be prohibitive for every class member to retain the experts that weve retained in the fields of biology, chemical engineering, and environmental impact. It would be highly inefficient for there to be thousands of individual trials each determining the same question of who is at fault for the transgressions, if any, that resulted in the fuel spill. Now that question is going to be determined in one action, in one court, on behalf of all class members. The latest hurdle cleared is a big one, but it is very far from being over. The defendants may appeal this latest decision. Even if they dont, it may be years before a decision is rendered, and that decision could face its own appeals. The judicial process is often slow and laborious, but thats what it takes to get things right. Weve had to stick to this matter at the Court of Appeal, and back to the chambers judge, and were still only past the procedural question of what the appropriate modality is for the action, says Aaron. Now that has been determined as a class action. Were going to hold the defendants accountable under that procedure, and its important the people of the Slocan Valley and in particular the members of the class exercise patience. Sometimes the wheels of justice move very slowly. The deadline for appealing this latest decision is June 21. A trial date wont be set until that period is over. Photo: Google Maps France issued its strongest threat yet to Mali's coup leader late Thursday, suspending joint military operations with Malian forces until the junta complies with international demands to restore civilian rule. The move by the former colonial power comes amid mounting international criticism of Mali's second coup in nine months and deepening fears that the political instability will embolden Islamic extremists in the north. There was no immediate reaction from Col. Assimi Goita or his allies who retook control of Mali's transitional government May 24 by forcing the resignations of the civilian transitional president and prime minister. France's military has been fighting Islamic extremists in Mali since 2013, and the temporary suspension applies only to operations carried out in coordination with the Malian military. France will continue to maintain its military presence alongside other regional partners, such as Chad, who are helping fight extremists in northern Mali. A French Defense Ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to be publicly named, said it was now up to the Malian authorities to respond quickly. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS and the African Union already have suspended Malis membership, and the French official said those regional bodies have made clear what actions the junta now needs to take to avoid further isolation. Pending these guarantees, France, after informing its partners and the Malian authorities, has decided to suspend, as a temporary measure, joint military operations with the Malian forces as well as national advisory missions on their behalf, the official said. These decisions will be re-evaluated in the coming days in light of the answers provided by the Malian authorities, the official added. Goita first seized control of Mali last August, then agreed to let a civilian president and prime minister lead a political transition following international condemnation. But then nine months later he changed course, deposing both men after they announced a Cabinet reshuffle without his consultation. While Goita has pledged to still hold elections in 2021 as promised, his latest coup detat has significantly undermined global confidence in his ability to hold fair elections free of junta interference. Photo: The Canadian Press A person closes the curtains in a room at a government-authorized COVID-19 quarantine hotel in Richmond, B.C. on Sunday, February 28, 2021. The federal government is increasing the fine for air travellers who refuse to quarantine in a designated hotel for three days after arriving in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck The federal government is increasing the fine for air travellers who refuse to quarantine in a designated hotel for three days after arriving in Canada. Travellers who had faced a $3,000 fine if they didn't abide by the requirement will instead be liable for a $5,000 penalty starting on Thursday. The move comes a week after a federal advisory panel raised a number of problems with the hotel quarantine and recommended the government end it. The panel instead suggested travellers be required to quarantine in a hotel only if they fail to present a credible quarantine plan. Conservative health critic Michelle Rempel Garner referenced the panel's recommendation in the House of Commons on Thursday as she asked whether the Liberal government would let the quarantine requirement expire on June 21. "In spite of repeated requests, the Liberals have never produced evidence to show that their hotel quarantine program stops the spread of COVID over other measures," Rempel Garner said during question period. "However, there is evidence of COVID-19 outbreaks at these facilities and there's also evidence of sexual assaults occurring there." Police have arrested at least two men accused of sexual assault related to quarantine measures, one at a Montreal hotel and another tied to a compliance check in Oakville, Ont. Health Minister Patty Hajdu declined to say whether the quarantine requirement would be extended. "We will make sure that whatever we do next on the border will be through the lens of science and evidence, and in full partnership with provinces and territories," Hajdu said in response to Rempel Garner's question. As of May 24, 1,091 people have been ticketed for not complying with hotel quarantine since the rules came into effect in February. The quarantine requirement has been criticized for several reasons, including whether it actually prevents the spread of COVID-19 and concerns many air travellers are avoiding the requirement by flying into the U.S. and driving into Canada. Photo: The Canadian Press In this March 28, 2018 file photo, a North Atlantic right whale feeds on the surface of Cape Cod bay off the coast of Plymouth, Mass. Scientists are reporting that the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale are becoming shorter due to stresses that include dragging around fishing gear they became entangled in. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Michael Dwyer, Scientists are reporting a troubling reduction in the length of North Atlantic right whales, suggesting a key factor in their stunted growth may be the fishing gear many haul around after becoming entangled. "It's just the sheer energy loss from dragging around the extra gear, especially if (the entanglement) happened earlier in the whale's life," said Joshua Stewart, lead author of the study published Thursday in the journal Current Biology. "If you're dragging a sand bag around, you're going to have less energy to devote to other things like growing." The U.S. study found whales born in recent years are on average about one metre shorter than whales born in the early 1980s. The collaborative work included data from aerial observations and other photographs gathered by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the New England Aquarium, with measurements of 129 individual whales. The ages of measured whales ranged from one year to 37 years old, including whales born from 1981 to 2019. Eleven whales in the study were observed with fishing gear on their bodies. The scientists were able to identify the age of the whales observed from previous studies, and also used the photographs to calculate their length. They then compared this against the length that models predicted they should have reached by that point in their lives. Stewart, a researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in La Jolla, Calif., said in an interview this week the average decline in length was about seven per cent from 1981 to 2019, and in some cases young whales are about two metres shorter than expected. Since June 2017, an unusually large number of the whales have died, reducing the population to less than 400 animals a number that has some experts warning that the species is on the brink of extinction. Ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements account for most of the deaths. The whales in the study were observed and photographed from conventional aircraft in the early 2000s and more recently with drone technology flying overhead. Stewart says the data suggested whales in the study that had gear entanglements had slower growth in length. He also says that when female whales were entangled while nursing, the data showed their calves would also lose growth due to receiving less nutrition. The science team also found that generally over the decades, the average size of the whales who usually reach their full adult length of up to 16 metres by the age of 10 years was falling. Stewart said the scientists believe it's primarily due to entanglements, as well as changing ocean conditions that may affect food availability and the presence of more ships that create noise during the whales' summer feeding periods. He added the worry is that the smaller size will translate into a less viable population, as mothers who are smaller will give birth to smaller calves, which could translate into fewer calves surviving. Meanwhile, the mothers may have reduced birthrates and longer periods between pregnancies. Meanwhile, smaller, weaker whales may be less able to tear themselves free from entanglements. Amy Knowlton, a researcher at the New England Aquarium in Boston and study co-author, said in an interview that of 347 right whales observed in a 2018 study, scientists documented 59 new entanglements based on scarring or attached gear, which is 17 per cent of whales observed in that year. When scientists looked at the entire population of 761 whales assessed from 1980 to 2018, 658 of them or about 86 per cent showed evidence of one or more entanglements. Based on the latest findings, the researchers, which included a team from Oregon State University, are repeating calls for strong management actions to reduce the impacts of fishing gear and vessel operations. Knowlton favours shifting to a regime where fishers don't use ropes in areas the right whales frequent. "It's becoming more urgent, because this research shows there are impacts of the entanglements that are long-term and not easy to evaluate," she said in an interview. "I think there has to be a huge shift in the fishing industry in both the United States and Canada." Michael Moore, a co-author and researcher at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, said the study shows that simply stopping deaths of the whales won't save the species. "Unless we reduce the sublethal trauma of entanglements and vessel strikes, we'll never recover the species, because we'll still have a seriously reduced reduction in calving success," he said. In the past four years, the Canadian government has imposed a series of measures to protect the whales, including periodic fisheries closures and mandatory speed limits that apply to much of the Gulf of St. Lawrence but not the Cabot Strait. At least 34 North Atlantic right whales died between 2017 and 2021 21 of them in Canadian waters. Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2020, file photo, a plant ecologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, points to a tiny Tiehm's buckwheat that has sprouted at a campus greenhouse in Reno, Nev. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Thursday, June 3, 2021, the extremely rare wildflower that grows only in Nevada's high desert where an Australian mining company wants to dig for lithium should be protected under the Endangered Species Act. The agency outlined its intention to propose listing Tiehm's buckwheat as a threatened or endangered species in a court-ordered, finding of its overdue review of a listing petition conservationists filed in 2019. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner, File) An extremely rare wildflower that grows only in Nevadas high desert where an Australian mining company wants to dig for lithium should be protected under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Thursday. The agency outlined its intention to propose listing Tiehms buckwheat as a threatened or endangered species as part of its belated, 12-month review of a listing petition conservationists filed in 2019. A federal judge said last month the finding was six months overdue and ordered the agency to render a decision within weeks. The conclusion announced on Thursday that federal protection is warranted could jeopardize Ioneer Ltd.s plans to build the mine halfway between Reno and Las Vegas. It also ups the ante in an early test of the Biden administrations ability to make good on promises to protect public lands and their native species while at the same time pursuing an ambitious clean energy agenda that includes bolstering production of lithium needed for electric car batteries. Environmentalists say the delicate, 6-inch (15-centimeter) tall wildflower with yellow blooms is on the brink of extinction with fewer than 30,000 individual plants remaining. Ioneer acknowledges Tiehms buckwheat hasnt been documented anywhere else in the world but insists it can co-exist with the mine. Nevertheless, the looming listing presents the biggest regulatory hurdle to date for what would be only the second large-scale lithium mine operating in the United States. Under the court order, the service now has until Sept. 30 to submit a formal rule proposing protection of the plant as a threatened or endangered species. A 60-day public comment period will follow. The Center for Biological Diversity first petitioned for federal listing in October 2019 and weeks later filed suit against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to block construction of the mine at Rhyolite Ridge west of Tonopah in the Silver Peak Range about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of the California line and 200 miles (322 km) southeast of Reno where Tesla Motors largest lithium battery factory is located. Tiehm's buckwheat shouldn't be wiped off the face of the earth by an open-pit mine, Patrick Donnelly, the center's Nevada director, said Thursday. The service stepping in to save the plant from extinction is the right call. Ioneer Managing Director Bernard Rowe said Thursday they expected the warranted finding and share the Fish and Wildlife Services commitment to protect and preserve Tiehms buckwheat in its habitat. This process will provide greater certainty around our schedule and diminishes the prospect of future litigation, he said. We remain confident that the science strongly supports the coexistence of our vital lithium operation and Tiehms buckwheat. The tiny population of Tiehms buckwheat is found on 21 acres (8 hectares) spread across 3 square miles (7.8 square kilometers) at the mine site. Scientists say the plant plays an integral role in the desert ecosystem by stabilizing soils, dispersing seeds and creating a sort of oasis that provides rare food and moisture for bees and other pollinators. The service said a 2019 survey estimated the plant's global population totaled 43,921 all at the mine site. But it said in Thursday's finding that an unprecedented rodent attack during severe drought last summer damaged or destroyed more than half the plants. It said that herbivory combined with the potential impact from the mining project would reduce the flower's population by an estimated 70% to 88% or from 43,921 individuals to roughly 5,289-8,696 individuals. Ioneer is proposing to salvage most of the remaining plants by transplanting them to another location, the service said. However, we are uncertain whether the salvage operation will succeed because current research indicates that Tiehm's buckwheat is a soil specialist, that adjacent unoccupied sites are not suitable for all early life-history stages, and there has been no testing and multiyear monitoring on the feasibility of successfully transplanting the species, the agency said. Other threats to the plant include road-building, off-road travel, livestock grazing and climate change, the service said. Ioneer says the mine would create 400 to 500 construction jobs and 300 to 400 operational jobs, and is expected to produce 22,000 tons (19,958 metric tons) of lithium enough to power hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles annually. Demand for lithium worldwide is expected to double by 2025. Much of the worlds lithium supply currently comes from Australia and South America, where Chinese firms are heavily invested. Boosting domestic production could potentially lower the price tag on a key component of President Joe Bidens $2 trillion climate plan: offering rebates to consumers to trade in gas-powered for electric cars. The only large-scale lithium mine currently operating in the U.S. is also in Nevada, only about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from where Ioneer proposes its mine. The North Carolina-based Albemarles Silver Peak Mine has been in operation since the 1960s. A third lithium mine proposed in north-central Nevada near the Oregon line at the largest known lithium deposit in the U.S. also is facing legal challenges. The court in Pakistan has released a Christian couple who has been jailed for almost eight years, awaiting death row for false blasphemy charges. Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar were arrested by Pakistani police in July 2013, when a mosque leader by the name of Maulvi Mohammed Hussain accused Emmanuel of using his wife Kausar's phone to send him blasphemous texts that insulted Muhammad and other offensive statements. According to the Christian Post, the two-member bench of the Lahore High Court in Pakistan ordered the release of the Christian couple on Thursday after a hearing that let both sides present their arguments. During the hearing, Emmanuel claimed that the Pakistan police forced him to confess to the false blasphemy charges by torturing him while his wife and children watched. The Christian couple's false blasphemy charges included "insulting the Quran" and "insulting the prophet," but little evidence of such was presented to the court in Pakistan, International Christian Concern reported. Pakistani police failed to recover the phone and SIM card allegedly used by the couple to send the blasphemous text messages, which were written in English - a language neither of them speak. The Sessions Court of Toba Tek Singh sentenced the Christian couple to death April 4, 2014 despite the missing evidence. They were jailed separately, with Emmanuel placed in the Faisalabad District Jail and Kausar sent to Multan Jail. Emmanuel's health deteriorated during his stay in prison due to lack of medical care for injuries he sustained back in 2004. An appeal was made by Amnesty International on behalf of Emmanuel, urging the prison to provide him with proper healthcare due to alleviate his "sharp decline." The Christian couple's attorney, Saif-ul-Malook called it a "bogus case" and according to him, the session judge who visited the Faisalabad Jail described Emmanuel as a "hopeless case." Malook explained, "It means that being Christian and a blasphemy accused is itself sufficient for being hated by police, judges, lawyers, and the overall society. They are left to die." Pakistan's Penal Code Sections 295-B and 295-C, under which the Christian couple were arrested and charged, are often used by individuals who are motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. Emmanuel and Kausar were said to have minor conflicts with their neighbors, which is why Hussain conspired to steal Kausar's National Identity Card and use it to purchase a SIM card that he later used to send blasphemous texts to himself. ICC Regional Manager William Stark expressed their relief that the court in Pakistan has decided to acquit the Christian couple on death row after almost eight years of imprisonment. However, the ICC leader pointed out that Pakistan's blasphemy laws continue to be abused and those who do must be "rooted out and punished." "Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minorities," Stark argued. "Without reform, religious minorities will continue to face false blasphemy accusations and the violence that often accompanies these accusations." Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons, in Ottawa, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Liberals and Conservatives have stumbled into a thorny debate over fears that criticism of China can bleed into bigotry, as wariness of the global superpower rises alongside incidents of anti-Asian racism in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Liberals and Conservatives have stumbled into a thorny debate over fears that criticism of China can bleed into bigotry, as wariness of the global superpower rises alongside incidents of anti-Asian racism in Canada. Tory MPs asked Justin Trudeau last week to respond to reports that scientists at a Winnipeg infectious-diseases laboratory had been collaborating with Chinese military researchers. Communist China cannot be trusted, Conservative deputy leader Candice Bergen said during question period in the House of Commons on May 26. Will the prime minister commit to ending this research and this co-operation with the regime that actually wants to hurt Canada? Trudeau replied by warning Conservative lawmakers against wading into intolerance. "The rise in anti-Asian racism we have been seeing over the past number of months should be of concern to everyone," he said. The response prompted blowback from Conservatives, who have hammered the point daily in the House of Commons. MP Michael Barrett demanded the prime minister ditch what he dubbed "woke talking points" and address security concerns. Tory MP Kenny Chiu, who was born in Hong Kong, said: "Expressing dissent is not hatred." In a Twitter post, Chiu also said Trudeau's rebuttal resembled the exact tactics (China's) United Front Work uses: criticism of the #CCP is a criticism of ethnic Chinese as a whole." Chiu was referring to an arm of the Chinese Communist Party that gathers intelligence on individuals and groups abroad and co-ordinates influence operations. Criticism of the Chinese government has ramped up in recent years, spurred by accusations of suffocating democracy in Hong Kong, systematically repressing Uyghurs, a Muslim ethnic minority in Xinjiang, and cracking down on Chinese civil society. The idea of China as international scapegoat gained renewed strength after former U.S. president Donald Trump used language about COVID-19, including the Chinese virus and Wuhan flu, that many condemned as inciting racist attacks. Last month, President Joe Biden tasked U.S. intelligence officials with boosting their efforts to probe the origins of the pandemic, including whether it could be traced to a laboratory in China. A report released in March by several advocacy groups found a disturbing spike in racist incidents against Asian Canadians since the onset of the pandemic, largely in connection with false ideas about coronavirus spread. Cherie Wong, executive director of Alliance Canada Hong Kong, has experienced hateful harassment first-hand. There would be people spitting at me to say, dirty racial slur at me. And this has happened to my family and friends as well, she said. People became emboldened during this pandemic to even further this hatred and this xenophobia against Asian Canadians. As geopolitical tensions with Beijing heighten, anti-Asian prejudice will grow, she predicted, pointing to past discrimination against people of Japanese, German and Italian descent during the Second World War. Wong stressed the need to confront concerns over foreign interference and domestic human rights violations by Beijing in language free of racial undertones. She also hopes to see more public awareness around the vast chasm separating China's Central Committee brass from Canadians of East Asian origin, including residents with roots in Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines who also face threats from bigotry that is ignorant of the difference. While Trudeau has veered away from his "tolerance and diversity" response to questions about the Winnipeg lab, Conservatives have ramped up their line of attack. On Tuesday, seven Tories asked 13 questions related to national security and the Winnipeg lab. On Wednesday, legislators passed a motion from Conservative MP Michael Chong demanding unredacted documents from the Public Health Agency of Canada in connection with two scientists who were escorted out of the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg in July 2019. It was described as a possible policy breach and administrative matter. The two scientists, Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng, were eventually fired in January. Qiu had earlier been responsible for a shipment of Ebola and Henipah viruses to China's Wuhan Institute of Virology, but the public health agency has previously said the events were unrelated. Health Minister Patty Hajdu has said in question period that the Conservatives are playing a dangerous game, and that the relevant documents have already been provided to the House of Commons special committee on Canada-China relations "with minor redactions for the protection of confidentiality." Conservative calls for a harder stance on China are nothing new. Leader Erin O'Toole has said the regime poses long-standing domestic risks, including threats from its foreign agents to Chinese Canadians and spreading anti-western propaganda through post-secondary Confucius Institute partnerships as well as Chinese media outlets. But Lynette Ong, an associate professor in political science and China specialist at the University of Toronto, cautioned against exaggerated tales of shadowy operators. Theres nothing illegal about trying to exert influence per se, even though, because its a 'communist' country, people tend to look at influence from China with skeptical eyes, she said. Its foreign interference that I think we should be concerned with. But I think evidence so far for foreign interference is rather sketchy. Questioning Chinas influence in North America does not amount to stoking anti-Asian racism, she added. But I think people who try to criticize China often do it in such a broad brush that they are inadvertently stoking anti-Asian racism. Conservative MPs deployed the word communist 14 times on May 26, when Trudeau cited tolerance in response to security questions. This is a much more interdependent world, and we cannot easily draw a line in the sand trying to divide the world into two halves, Ong said, calling outsized stress on Chinese communism alarmist. Weiguo Zhang, associate professor of sociology at the University of Torontos Mississauga campus, offered an explanation for the potential to overlook racially loaded language. Politicians have not focused on anti-Asian racism for years. They believe that anti-Asian racism is not a problem, he said. Some non-racialized Canadians view of Chinese Canadians as a model minority translates, in their eyes, into a lack of prejudice an attitude that can infiltrate new Canadians mindset as well, he said. I hear some people mention that you should use Chinese wisdom not to fight back directly but to use a kind of soft power, Zhang said. Its related to a model minority myth: by behaving well you will not be discriminated against. But you know that a model minority myth is a kind of discrimination in itself. Photo: GoFundMe A year after Chantel Moore was fatally shot by a police officer in Edmundston, N.B., her mother's suffering remains, as do many unanswered questions. "The pain still hurts as much as it did the first day that I received the news that she had been shot and killed on June 4," Moore's mother, Martha Martin, said in an interview this week. "It's a memory that will never go away." Moore, a 26-year-old Indigenous woman, was shot by a member of the Edmundston Police Force during a wellness check. Investigators said at the time that the shooting occurred after the young woman approached the officer with a knife in her hand. Quebec's independent police watchdog, known as the Bureau des enquetes independantes, investigated the case because New Brunswick does not has its own police oversight agency. The watchdog submitted its findings to the New Brunswick prosecutors' office in December, but no decision has been announced on possible charges. Martin said she and her lawyer have a meeting Monday with the Crown, and she is hoping to finally learn more. "On June 7 we'll have a better idea if there will be any charges against the police officer that shot and killed my daughter," she said. The Quebec investigators have made few details public. They said someone made a call to Edmundston police shortly after 2 a.m. on June 4 asking police to check the health of Moore. The watchdog group says when police arrived, they knocked on a window and Moore came to the door armed with a knife. She advanced toward the officer, the watchdog said, and when she wouldn't drop the knife, the officer fired. Attempts to revive Moore were unsuccessful. Moore was a member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island and moved to Edmundston in December 2019 to be close to her young daughter and her mother. She was also making plans to return to school. Martin said that beyond what happens to the officer in question, broader reforms are needed to prevent similar situations in the future. "We want our government to open their eyes, that our policing has to change in the way they do wellness calls," she said. "There is so much that needs to be addressed." Just eight days after Moore was shot, RCMP shot and killed Rodney Levi of Metepenagiag First Nation in New Brunswick. In that case, which was also investigated by the Quebec watchdog, the province's prosecutions service concluded the RCMP officers involved acted lawfully to protect themselves and civilians who were present at the home in Sunny Corner, N.B., where Levi was shot. Martin is asking people across the country to wear yellow Friday to honour not just her daughter but all Indigenous people killed by police in Canada in 2020. "What I'm going to do is put a movement forward on June 4 asking all people across Canada, whether you are Indigenous ... or whatever nationality, that we wear yellow and we honour all of the people who have lost their lives at the hands of the law," she said. Martin has also been using a number of social media platforms to ask people to send short video clips stating their name, location and saying "Justice for Chantel Moore" or "No Justice, No Peace." Those clips will be put together in a longer video to be posted on YouTube. Martin said a number of events are expected across the country to mark the anniversary, including a gathering outside the British Columbia legislature. Martin is planning to attend a small feast hosted by the St. Mary's First Nation in Fredericton. She said the event will be limited because of COVID-19 health restrictions. A spokesman for the Justice Department said this week the public prosecutions service's review of whether the officer who shot Moore should face charges is not complete. "Additional investigative work had to be done, and public prosecutions only had the complete file as of early April," Geoffrey Downey wrote in an email. "We appreciate the importance of completing our work as quickly as possible while still being thorough." Photo: The Canadian Press Facebook said it will suspend former President Donald Trumps accounts for two years following its finding that he stoked violence ahead of the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection. At the end of this period, we will look to experts to assess whether the risk to public safety has receded. We will evaluate external factors, including instances of violence, restrictions on peaceful assembly and other markers of civil unrest, Nick Clegg, Facebook's vice president of global affairs, wrote in a blog post Friday. On Facebook, Trumps suspension has meant that his account is essentially in Facebook jail, where others can read and comment on past posts, but Trump and other account handlers are unable to post new material. Twitter, by contrast, has permanently banned Trump from its service and there is no trace of his account there. Facebook said it will heighten penalties for public figures during times of civil unrest and violence. In a color-coded chart on its blog post Friday, it said those who violate its policies during this time can be restricted from posting for anywhere between a month (yellow) and two years (red). Future violations, it said, will be met with heightened penalties, up to and including permanent removal. Facebook also plans to end a contentious policy championed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg that automatically exempted politicians from rules that banned hate speech and abuse. The company has said it has never applied this policy to Trump. The social media giant said on Friday that while it will still apply this newsworthiness" exemption to certain posts it deems to be in the public interest even if they violate Facebook rules, it will no longer treat material posted by politicians any differently from that posted by anyone else. In addition, Facebook said it will make public whenever it does apply the exemption to a post. The announcements are in response to recommendations from the companys quasi-independent oversight board. Last month that panel upheld a decision by Facebook to keep former Trump indefinitely suspended but said the company could not merely suspend him indefinitely and gave it six months to decide what to do with his accounts. In its decision last month, the board agreed with Facebook that two of Trumps Jan. 6 posts severely violated the content standards of both Facebook and Instagram. We love you. Youre very special, Trump said to the rioters in the first post. In the second, he called them great patriots and told them to remember this day forever. Those violated Facebooks rules against praising or supporting people engaged in violence, the board said, warranting the suspension. Specifically, the board cited Facebooks rules against dangerous individuals and organizations, which prohibit anyone who proclaims a violent mission and bans posts that express support or praise of these people or groups. A group calling itself the Real Facebook Oversight Board, which is critical of Facebook and its oversight panel, said in a statement Friday that the 2-year ban brings Trump back just in time for the 2024 presidential election and shows no real strategy to address authoritarian leaders and extremist content, and no intention of taking serious action against disinformation and hate speech. Facebook has had a general newsworthiness exemption since 2016. But it garnered attention in 2019 when Nick Clegg, vice president of global affairs and communications, announced that speech from politicians will be treated as newsworthy content that should, as a general rule, be seen and heard. The newsworthiness exemption, he explained in a blog post at the time, meant that if someone makes a statement or shares a post which breaks our community standards we will still allow it on our platform if we believe the public interest in seeing it outweighs the risk of harm. Discussion COVID-NET data indicate that COVID-19associated hospitalization rates were lower in adolescents aged 1217 years compared with those in adults but exceeded those among children aged 511 years during March 1, 2020April 24, 2021. Moreover, COVID-19associated hospitalization rates among adolescents increased during MarchApril 2021, and nearly one third of 204 recently hospitalized adolescents required ICU admission. Rates of COVID-19associated hospitalization among adolescents also exceeded historical rates of seasonal influenza-associated hospitalization during comparable periods. Recent increased hospitalization rates and the potential for severe disease reinforce the importance of continued COVID-19 prevention measures among adolescents, including vaccination and correct and consistent wearing of masks. After declines in January and February 2021, weekly population-based rates of COVID-19associated hospitalization among adolescents increased during March and April, and in two COVID-NET sites (Maryland and Michigan) the highest adolescent COVID-19associated hospitalization rates in their respective sites since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred during this period. This trend contrasts with hospitalization rates among persons aged 65 years, the group with the highest COVID-19 vaccination coverage, among whom hospitalization rates in COVID-NET stabilized during the same period. Increased hospitalization rates among adolescents might be related, in part, to circulation of particularly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants,*** the larger numbers of children returning to school or other in-person indoor activities, and changes in physical distancing, wearing masks, and other COVID-19 prevention behaviors (4). SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs more easily in high schools than in elementary schools (4), and outbreaks have been associated with high school extracurricular activities (5). Vaccination of adolescents is expected to reduce the risk for COVID-19 in these settings. Population-based COVID-19associated hospitalization rates among adolescents were lower than were those in adults, a finding consistent with studies showing that illness is generally milder in children than in adults (6). Nevertheless, severe disease does occur, including that requiring ICU admission and invasive mechanical ventilation. Most (70.6%) adolescents in this study whose primary reason for hospitalization was COVID-19associated illness had at least one underlying medical condition, which is lower than the percentage of hospitalized adults with an underlying medical condition (92%) (7). Nearly 30% of these adolescents had no reported underlying medical condition, indicating that healthy adolescents are also at risk for severe COVID-19associated disease. In addition, approximately two thirds of adolescents hospitalized with COVID-19 were Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black persons, consistent with studies showing an increased incidence of COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority populations and signifying an urgent need to ensure equitable access to vaccines for these groups (8). Vaccination is effective in preventing hospitalization among adults (9); similarly, widespread vaccination of adolescents will likely reduce COVID-19associated hospitalizations, and potential sequelae from COVID-19 in adolescents, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious complication of COVID-19 (10). During a comparable period, adolescent hospitalization rates associated with COVID-19 exceeded those for seasonal influenza, another respiratory virus that can cause hospitalization and death in adolescents and for which a vaccine is recommended in this age group. This widespread circulation of SARS-CoV-2 occurred despite containment measures such as school closures, wearing masks, and physical distancing, none of which had been enacted during the historical influenza seasons. Without these containment measures, the rates of COVID-19associated hospitalization might have been substantially higher. The findings in this report are subject to at least five limitations. First, the primary reason for hospital admission was not always clear, and some (45.7%) adolescents who met the COVID-NET case definition were hospitalized for reasons that might not have been primarily related to COVID-19, despite a positive SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test result; these hospitalizations were included in rate calculations. Thus, rates of hospitalizations for COVID-19 might be overestimated. Second, laboratory confirmation depends on clinician-ordered testing and hospital testing policies for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-NET) and influenza (FluSurv-NET); consequently, hospitalization rates might also be underestimated. Given more widespread testing for SARS-CoV-2 compared with influenza, the lack of adjustment for testing practices likely disproportionately affects influenza rates compared with COVID-19 rates. Third, adolescents hospitalized with MIS-C might not be identified if testing occurred >14 days before admission, potentially leading to an underestimate of severe COVID-19associated disease. Fourth, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine had been approved for and administered to adolescents aged 1617 years during this study period; therefore, rates of COVID-19associated hospitalization in adolescents aged 1617 years might differ from those in adolescents aged 1215 years who were not previously eligible for vaccination, and could affect the overall hospitalization rate for all adolescents. Finally, hospitalization rates are preliminary and might change as additional data are reported. Recent increases in COVID-19associated hospitalization rates and the potential for severe disease requiring ICU admission, including invasive mechanical ventilation, among adolescents indicate an urgent need for vaccination in combination with correct and consistent mask wearing by persons not yet fully vaccinated or when required by laws, rules, or regulations. Highly effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available to adolescents as an additional evidence-based prevention measure (9); expansion of COVID-19 vaccination of adolescents, with particular attention to racial and ethnic minority groups disproportionately affected by severe COVID-19, is expected to reduce COVID-19associated morbidity within this age group. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, or activate your access, to continue reading. A legal organization that defends religious freedom in the country is optimistic that the Supreme Court's ruling over California churches is indicative of potential victories for congregations in other states inflicted with heavy fines and charges, violating COVID-19 restrictions. With a number of cases on churches in the state overturned through its assistance, the Liberty Counsel is hopeful that more congregations in the country would soon enjoy freedom from limitations, Charisma News reported. The state's permanent injunction against COVID restrictions on churches in California is what the law firm considers its latest major success. With this, houses of worship are now allowed to hold services without restrictions. The ruling has also freed churches from the state government's fines and charges. The cases and fines against Pastor Che Ahn of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry, as well as his staff and congregants, were dropped. In addition, Gov. Gavin Newsom was also ordered to reimburse the Liberty Counsel with the attorney's fees and costs with $1,350,000. Other churches that incurred fines include Calvary Chapel San Jose which was fined $3 million, North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, Los Angeles County's Grace Community Church and Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks. But with the permanent injunction, all their fines would now be written off. Churches in other states are still fighting against their local government's unreasonable COVID-19 guidance but some are seeing small victories in their battles. In Maine, the state has imposed discriminatory restrictions on houses of worship. While it allowed commercial and religious gatherings without limitations, it restricted churches to only 50 people regardless of the building's size. Liberty Counsel is currently requesting both the District Court and Supreme Court to block the restrictions on churches. The law firm is also assisting the two churches in Illinois, the Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church and Logos Baptist Ministries. Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued executive orders that limit houses of worships with only 10 individuals on holding religious gatherings but allow churches to receive people without restrictions on nonreligious activities. Like Maine, Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia also imposed the same guidance in the state, limiting churches to 10 individuals but allowing unlimited people on secular gatherings. For this restriction, the local government has filed criminal charges against Pastor Kevin Wilson of Lighthouse Fellowship Church. But the general district court has dropped the charges against the pastor. Represented by Liberty Counsel, the church sued Gov. Northam for violating its religious freedom. However, Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the governor could not be sued by the church. In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear issued executive orders that banned religious services but allowed secular gatherings. Aided by Liberty Counsel, the Maryville Baptist Church won an injunction pending appeal on its request for parking lot and indoor worship services. The case continues in the lower court. The Court of Appeals also warned the governor that if he continues to defend his prior orders, the case would return to the same panel of judges that favored the arguments of the church. In 2020, the synagogues and Roman Catholic churches in Brooklyn, New York were granted an emergency petition for an injunction pending appeal by the Supreme Court. With these triumphs, Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, declared that the churches across the country would soon be liberated from restrictions and charges inflicted against them. "The dominoes are falling, and churches are being freed from dictatorial and unconstitutional restrictions. The Supreme Court has intervened multiple times to provide relief. As a result, there will be more restrictions lifted and charges dropped for churches in the near future," Staver stated. Kazakhstan sees cement price hike 04 June 2021 Kazakhstan has seen a rise in cement prices on the back of an improvement in the countrys housing construction market. "In general, manufacturers' prices are kept at KZT20-22,000 (US$46.69), the growth is about five per cent. On the market this figure has grown by 30-40 per cent, in some places by 50 per cent," said Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development, Beibut Atamkulov. The countrys Antimonopoly Committee has already a verification procedure, according to the Kazakhstan Newsline. The minister also noted that if there is a deficiency of cement, his department will allow cement imports, which are currently banned. 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 Danville Police arrested a suspect in a pair of armed robberies; The suspect in a bizarre probe in Caswell County is behind bars; Another big vaccination clinic is set for Saturday in Danville; The slate of candidates is decided in this fall's city and county elections. With only one scheduled item on the agenda Thursday evening, the Soddy Daisy Commissioners were soon consumed with trash talk, the trash that officials said seems to find a regular home in the vicinity of 8402-8404 Gann Road on the south end of the city. After passing a rezoning ordinance for making the property at 7316 Dayton Pike R-3 Apartment Townhouses on its second and final reading, Mayor Rick Nunley called for any citizens who would like to address the body. First up was Jenny Henry, who brought up the issue of the trash being dumped along Gann Road near Daisy Dallas. In her words, Its a dump. She went on to say, People are using little blue bags, Food City bags and in some cases theyre not even bagging it at all. Pizza boxes are lying in the road. While several commissioners seemed to know the location, Mayor Nunley aptly described the area Ms. Henry was talking about. In Soddy Daisy residents must provide their own cans for trash pickup. Ms. Henry implored of the commission as to why the city, much like the county, could not supply cans. She said, Dunlap has cans, Graysville has cans. I just dont understand why we cant have cans. Even though it was agreed that it was a bad situation and that it left an open door for animals to spread the trash even further, there was no resolution to the issue. Jackie Penny addressed the commissioners as to the need of a No Left Turn sign at the Taco Bell and Zaxbys location at 9341 Dayton Pike. According to Mr. Penny he has been almost hit at that location several times by vehicles exiting there in order to avoid the traffic light at the intersection. Vice Mayor Robert Cochran allowed that he had almost been hit there, as well. Mayor Nunley initially said that it would be up to the police. However, City Attorney Sam Elliott weighed in that road signs were governed by federal statutes and that the placement of a sign would require a traffic engineer to sign off on its approval. It was further stated that all those factors had been previously considered. (John Anthony Smith, CEO of the fast-growing Conversant Group on the Southside, advises on Internet security after recent attacks by cyber gangs - first on a U.S. pipeline company and now a huge beef producer.) From pipelines to beef processing to media, threat actors stop at nothing to cause injury to American industry. Cox Media Group, one of the largest media conglomerates in the US, has been impacted by mass computer outages that many sources have stated as being caused by ransomware. The outages have affected the live streams across radio and TV stations. The outages have affected the live streams across radio and TV stations. The incident occurred earlier this morning. The incident has impacted live streaming and internal networking capabilities. Cox employees have gone on record as sharing that all staff were asked to log off all applications and shut down systems to prevent spread. The world has changed. The threat actors are crafty, and they are relentless at causing suffering. Please compute safely. Defense is always less expensive than recovery! * * * John Anthony Smith can be reached at: Most people identify Destinys Child member Michelle Williams for her unique tone and gospel music. But shes much more than that. In recent years, Williams has become one of the most public advocates for mental health. Shes been honest about how dealing with depression has negatively affected some of her relationships, one of which was with her former fiance Chad Johnson. Michelle Williams 2018 | Raymond Hall/GC Images Though Williams and Johnson remain friendly, Williams says shell be more private about her love life in the future. Michelle Williams and Chad Johnsons relationship was public and difficult The former couple first met at a spiritual retreat moderated by Johnson in March 2017. Williams went to the retreat to get her spirituality restored amid a bad breakup. I was in a horrible, dark place, she told People in a 2018 intervention. I just needed to go somewhere where I could get a message of hope and restoration, rejuvenation get connected to God. There was an instant connection between the two. Johnsons friend encouraged him to pursue Williams. They befriended one another on social media and spoke to each other through FaceTime for three months before their first date. Johnson and Williams debuted their relationship publicly months later. He surprised Williams with a dream proposal, equipped with video footage of a secret trip to Williams hometown in Illinois of him asking her family for their blessing. A tearful Williams said yes to Johnsons 5-carat ring. He was planning to relocate to LA from Arizona to start their lives together. Their road to the altar was documented on an OWN docuseries, Chad Loves Michelle. Source: YouTube Related: For Those Of You Who Dont Know, There Are Two Michelle Williams in Hollywood But the over the moon phase was short-lived as Williams depression began seeking in. Amid wedding planning, she began to feel unsure about her life, including marrying Johnson. She later revealed to People that she called off the wedding twice due to depression. Cultural differences also played a role in their issues. With Johnsons support, Williams entered a treatment to get her mental health back on track. They reconciled and underwent individual and couples counseling. But their reconciliation was also brief. Williams announced in an Instagram post that her things were over. Reconciliation rumors sparked again after the two were photographed together at the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Why Michelle Williams says shes not going public with her love life again Despite their split, Williams says she and Johnson remain friends and is happy that they are cordial. Chad and I, we are friends, all is well she told the co-hosts of The Real in a recent interview. But moving forward, Williams says shell be mum about her romantic life. That relationship and that situation, it taught me to hush, she declares with a laugh. It taught me to always, yall know what I said, the spirit of hushjust be quiet Source: YouTube Related: Michelle Williams Reveals Why She Almost Quit Singing Before Competing on The Masked Singer Williams says having the world in your relationship as a public figure adds unnecessary opinions and pressure. Im gon hush and I said the next time yall see me about a relationship, either Im going to be married or four kids in, she joked. The crazy thing is, lets keep it real. You get into a new relationship and you want the whole world to know. And honestly, nothing is wrong with that. But I just think that theres got to be a limit on maybe what you share and on what platforms you share it on. Williams is currently focused on promoting her new book Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life and Can Save Yours. Michael B. Jordan is already one of the biggest comic book movie stars in the world. While he hasnt yet headlined a superhero movie alone, his thumbprint throughout the genre shows a hero, villain, and everything in between. However, while Jordan is one of the biggest names in Hollywood, he may have broken out sooner had a previous audition gone in his favor. The results are a fascinating look at how the film industry has changed in recent years. Michael B. Jordans superhero journey Michael B. Jordan | BorjaB.Hojas/COOLMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images According to IMDB, Jordan made his name as a child actor on The Wire and quickly followed it up with a brief stint on All My Children before a beloved run on Friday Night Lights. While Jordan had some big-screen credits, such as the superhero film Chronicle, it wasnt until Ryan Cooglers 2013 film Fruitvale Station that he showed his leading man potential. Before long, Jordan was headlining the Creed franchise and throwing his name out for some of the biggest superhero movies in the world. His 2018 turn as Killmonger helped show that superhero villains didnt need to be absolute evil. They could be complicated characters fighting the right fight with the wrong weapons. However, his career may have gone entirely different had he gotten an earlier role in the MCU that wasnt a villain but a future Captain America. Reddit chimes in Speaking about reports that Jordan almost entered the MCU as a different character years before Killmonger, fans on Reddit couldnt help but wonder how Sam would have changed with Jordan at the helm. Mackie has long been lauded for his portrayal of Sam, but some cant help but wonder if Jordan would have taken him to another level. Reddit user u/cbekel3618 was intrigued by the prospect of Jordan as Sam. Im definitely happy we got Mackie as he really is such a likable actor and Jordan nailed Killmonger, but yeah, MBJ wouldve made a great Sam too. Others see Jordan taking on Sams recent persona, Captain America, with a little bit more gravitas than Mackie did. For some reason, I have a hard time seeing Mackie as Cap, but Mackie kills it as Falcon, another user wrote. Whatever the case may be, Jordan didnt get the role, and Mackie did. However, the entire discussion harkens back to a conversation Jordan had with Daily Beast in 2013. Jordan on the roles that werent The Michael B. Jordan, who was interviewed by Marlow Stern of Daily Beast in 2013, was not yet the superstar he is today. At the time, Mackie was still sinking his teeth into Sam during his early stages in the MCU, and on Jordans end, Black Panther was still a pipe dream. Still, as a young up-and-comer who had already made a name on television, Jordans words held weight. Now, they only show how ahead of the times he truly was. Speaking on his reads not only for Sam but Harry in The Amazing Spider-Man series, Jordan decried the lack of superheroes where werent white men. There just arent that many, he told Daily Beast. We have to start creating more sophisticated material across the board for African-Americans and other people of color, as well as women. However, as Jordan notes, comics were a reflection of the times that they were published. As such, he knows that the source material caters to the same white men who dominated most pop culture at the time. With superheroes, a lot of those comics were created before the 1960s, so they werent going to have a black man save America, said the future Marvel star. So I think its more of a continuity thing now. With more generic superheroes, why cant you have a black, Asian, Hispanic actor play the role? Hopefully, in my lifetime, well see more black superheroes. Eight years later, Jordan has appeared in two comic book movies and is rumored to be in the running for the first Black Superman movie. Jordans journey since the 2013 interview is a fascinating insight into how things have changed since 2013. With diversity on the rise, so has his star. Now, hes one of the biggest actors in Hollywood, and he doesnt have to wait for these roles to land in his lap. RELATED: Black Widow: How Will Natasha Defeat Taskmaster? This Fan Theory Involves Florence Pughs Yelena In a heartfelt memorial post, famed attorney Roy Black opened up about the admiration and respect he has for defense attorney F. Lee Bailey but also how the legal community essential discarded Bailey when he tried to be reinstated by the bar. Bailey died at age 87 on June 3 in Atlanta. Bailey was known for his high-profile work on the O.J. Simpson and Patty Hearst cases. But also for his first renowned case, as the defense attorney for Dr. Sam Sheppard. Sheppard was accused of killing his wife and the story eventually made its way to Hollywood in The Fugitive. Black marveled at Baileys legal genius in a blog he wrote in 2014. He dove into Baileys work on the Simpson and Sheppard cases. Adding, And at 81, he hasnt slowed down. Even though he lost his bid to practice again, he still published a new book on cross-examination Excellence in Cross-Examination, with co-author, former law partner, and now judge, Kenneth Fishman. Black shared his recent thoughts in attorney David Markuss The Southern District of Florida blog. He reminisced about Baileys famous cases but also revealed that Baileys spirit died the day he was disbarred. Attorney F. Lee Bailey, who represents Albert DeSalvo, the self-confessed Boston Strangler in 1967 | LeRoy Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images F. Lee Baileys genius was instrumental in the O.J. Simpson trial Black admitted he was somewhat hesitant to try to memorialize Bailey in the blog, but decided I owed it to Lee to tell his story. Black explored Baileys backstory, how he climbed the ranks in the legal community but did it in an unconventional way. He didnt undergo some type of apprenticeship, but instead started with a bang an unbelievable string of major trial successes. Bailey took on the Sheppard case as a green lawyer, only a year out of law school. Sheppard became the inspiration behind The Fugitive hit television series and later into The Fugitive film starring Harrison Ford, Black penned. I dont have the space to go into all his trial best hits but I suggest you read about the trials of another doctor, Carl A. Coppolino. It became the best book on trials I have ever read, No Deadly Drug by John D. MacDonald. Most of Baileys examinations and arguments are completely reproduced and are a golden resource for young criminal lawyers. A must read. Love this guy. RIP. https://t.co/FupGcmr3Te David Oscar Markus (@domarkus) June 3, 2021 RELATED: Harvey Weinsteins Lawyer Loves Being Called the Anti-Gloria Allred and a Legal Rottweiler Black then recalled Baileys work on the Simpson case. Bailey was given the toughest assignment of the OJ trial, the cross-examination of LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman, he recalled. Bailey intensely questioned Fuhrman and at the time I thought he hadnt really damaged him. Little did I know. By the end of the trial the defense unearthed further evidence corroborating Lees cross and caused the utter destruction of Fuhrmans credibility. Fuhrman and Lees cross became the focal point of Johnnie Cochrans fabulous final argument, especially the controversial Hitler comparison. It was Baileys work that made this possible. The OJ trial crosses we still remember are Fuhrman by Bailey and Wong by Barry Sheck. F. Lee Baileys career came to a crashing end after he was disbarred Bailey was disbarred in 2001 for the way he handled millions of dollars in stock owned by a convicted drug smuggler in 1994, CBS News reports. Black notes Bailey essentially died the day he was disbarred. But this fabulous career came to a crashing end, he shared. No matter what the obits say Lee Bailey died the day he was disbarred by the Florida bar, he admitted. Once Florida disbarred him Lee lost his reason for being. He was a trial lawyer and lived for the battle. He couldnt survive as a non-combatant. During his last ditch effort to get re-admitted in Maine he told me he was gearing up to defend a criminal case for a police officer and he felt like a young lawyer again. Check out Episode 6 of For the Defense with legendary criminal defense lawyer F. Lee Bailey, discussing his representation of Sam Sheppard: https://t.co/zPqo6qVt2b David Oscar Markus (@domarkus) December 1, 2020 RELATED: Michael Jacksons Lawyer Reveals the Real Reason Why Jay Leno Testified on His Behalf Yet Maine decided it was bound to follow Floridas lead and ended the dream of a comeback. The great career was finished. Black added, But when he needed help with the bar all he got was a knife in the back. None of the great names showed up for him. We criminal lawyers are treated with disdain all the way to the bitter end. In a lengthy letter sent to the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission early last year, Russell Moore revealed the psychological struggle that he went through and the secret attacks launched against him, aimed to silence his fight against the serious issues inside the SBC. In response to the second investigation mounted last year against Moore, former president of the ERLC, over the "ministry statements" that affected the church giving on SBC's mission fund, he defended himself through a letter. The Religion News Service released the theologian's full statement to the trustees of the commission. Moore began by remembering his baptism more than 25 years ago. He then expressed his gratitude to the committee that elected him, as well as its support for him and his wife. He then tackled about the task force that was created to investigate him. He disclosed that the move was not about his views against Donald Trump but his stance on the issues of sexual abuse and racism within the denomination. He accused the Executive Committee of covering up sexual abuse charges. "J.D. Greear, our SBC president, and I were critical of this move, believing that it jeopardized not only the gospel witness of the SBC, but, more importantly, the lives of vulnerable children in Southern Baptist churches," he added. They tried to address the crisis by creating the Caring Well Challenge and forming a credentials committee. He shared that Rachael Denhollander's statements during the ERLC National Conference has enraged the Executive Committee trustee leadership for speaking about "the disparagement and poor treatment" of the Executive Committee staff to sexual abuse survivors. He revealed that since the Executive Committee contributed money to the Caring Well program, he was surprised that some "sectors" of Ronnie Floyd's "trustees" threatened to halt its funding on the program just because of Denhollander's revelation. "You've got a nice little Commission there; would be a shame if something happened to it," they told him. Moore said that the threat alarmed him and his wife. "I told Maria that at the time. It was, and is, chilling - especially seeing what they had in mind to do under cover of darkness," he shared. "These are the tactics that have been used to create a culture where countless children have been torn to shreds, where women have been raped and then 'broken down'," he continued. He also uncovered that the Executive Committee tried to censure Greear over his statement to the press regarding the recipient of "Defender of the Faith Award." "The last time they did this, I was 'investigated' by a president of their body who was, at that very moment, using his pastoral authority to sexually sin," he further revealed. The second issue that Moore had with the convention was about the racial reconciliation. "From the very beginning of my service, I have been attacked with the most vicious guerilla tactics on such matters, and have been told to be quiet about this by others," he said. Relative to this, he disclosed that a leader "ripped [him] to shreds" by saying that an African-American president should be elected to the SBC. Another leader also pressured him, protesting the hiring of Dan Darling and Trillia Newbell because of their alleged inadequacy in Southern Baptist backgrounds. He said that he is concerned about those issues because he believes in the "doctrine of hell." "And I believe that unrepentant sin, not brought to the light of Christ and cleansed by the blood of Christ, through the gospel, leads to hell. I really believe in hell. That's why I've been clear for twenty-five years on abortion, on sexual chastity and morality, and on racism," he pointed out. Moore then shared a warning he received in 2017. "But the strategy here is clear. One of these figures told me in the middle of the 2017 debacle: 'We know we can't take you down. All our wives and kids are with you. This is psychological warfare, to make you think twice before you do or say something.' That's exactly what it is." He also mentioned about how he worked so hard to convince people to stay in the SBC, who decided to leave "because of all of the buffoonery and bigotry and wickedness," adding that a number of "faithful, God-fearing leaders" were even ashamed to be associated with the word "Baptist" in their names. He tried to keep those matters to himself, concerned that "lost people" would associate those issues with Jesus. "I don't want the countless people - including pastors and church planters and missionaries, young people, women, people of color, to grow weary and to leave," he added. He also stated that he met a lot of former Southern Baptists "everywhere" he goes, remembering a time in 2019 when he cried in his hotel room after speaking at the national meeting of the Anglican Church. In the event, he met a number of Southern Baptists who were talking about the nostalgic moments they had, growing up as a member of the denomination. The theologian then compared his situation to a quote that Whittaker Chambers had written to his children, describing Chambers' reason for rejecting Communism. It referenced a woman's statement whose father also left Stalinism. "One night - in Moscow - he heard screams. That's all. Simply one night he heard screams," the quote says. "I have heard many screams. And I am now realizing that some of those screams were my own, and those of my family," Moore said. He shared that when his children learned that he was being investigated, they were asking their mother, his wife if he had committed moral failure and were wondering if their father "had a character flaw." "Maria cannot live with that, and neither can I," Moore added. He then declared that he would not cooperate with the "secret task force meant to silence [him] about issues [he believes] are issues of obedience to Christ." Moore then said of the secret task force, paraphrasing 1 Corinthians 4:3-4: "I consider it a small thing to be investigated by you, or by any human court. In fact, I do not even investigate myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who investigates me." "When God called me to himself in Jesus, and when he called me to serve him in ministry, he called me to stand for the truth, to point the way to the kingdom, to die to self, and to carry the cross. He did not call me to provide cover for racial bigotry and child molestation. I will not do that," he further said. He went on to say that he loves the SBC and does not believe that people inside the convention would want him to cover up the serious issues of racism and sexual abuse. "But a small group in the shadows do want me to do that. They want me to be afraid of them. They want you to be afraid of them," he warned. "I am not afraid of them," he declared. He confessed that when those people began their "guerilla attacks," he was "in grief, feeling like an exile and like an orphan" for years and felt rejected by people. He then recalled a poem by Wendell Berry, "Do Not Be Ashamed," which mirrored what he felt. He said that he tried to do what he thought was right and kept quiet with the psychological attacks hurled against him, "including the spiritually abusive private meetings." He said he never wanted to defend himself, instead "just counted on others to do so," but then he could not bear with it any more. "I think to be the subject to all of this that goes on in secret makes me, in some ways, complicit with what I believe to be evil," he continued. "Asking me to live through all of this is one thing. Asking me to be quiet about bigotry and molestation, for the sake of some title, is too much to ask. Thank you for never once asking me to do so," he further stated. The theologian then reflected on the message of baptism, confident that "Jesus would lift [him] back up, to newness of life." "I am counting on the fact that I am joined to One who, when he came out of those waters, heard the voice of God: 'You are my beloved Son, and with you I am well pleased,'" he added. "As one whose life is hidden in him, my hope is that, however stormy the banks of Jordan, those words apply to me too," Moore declared. The theologian concluded by expressing his love to the members of the committee. Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood was a family man when the series started more than a decade ago. But fame and fortune seem to have changed him and made his love life extremely messy. Paul Hollywood of The Great British Baking Show | Mark Bourdillion/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images The GBBO judge Paul Hollywood was thought to have a near-perfect marriage According to The Mirror, Hollywood was a devoted family man and faithful Christian before he became a judge on GBBO. The baker loved making delicious treats for his beloved wife Alex. They loved taking walks with their son Joshua, playing Monopoly, and snuggling by the fire. Paul and Alex fell in love quickly when they first met at a luxury hotel in Cyprus. He was the head baker and she was a scuba diving instructor, and she says the romance blossomed quickly. We fell in love very quickly. Two weeks was all it took we both knew, Alex said. Paul was lovely, he made me the most wonderful pastries for breakfast. Paul Hollywoods TV career was his wifes idea The couple married two years after they met and moved back to the UK in 1999 before their son Josh arrived in 2001. It was actually Alex who first had the idea that her baker husband should give TV a try after watching Jamie Olivers Naked Chef. Paul got his break when a TV crew unexpectedly visited a hotel where he and Alex worked to make a show about Cypriot food. Alex told the crew that Paul would be perfect for the show, and that resulted in a screen test. They put him in front of a camera and you could just see how brilliant he was. He dominated the screen, Alex recalled. After they had finished filming, the production team said to me: He needs to go back to the UK and get an agent.' The American version of GBBO led to infidelity Paul landed the gig and went on to write a best-selling cookbook 100 Great Breads. That led to The Great British Bake Off, which made him a star. It also transformed the family man into a silver fox and won him thousands of female fans. Despite his newfound status as a sex symbol, Alex trusted her husband completely. I felt very secure with Paul, I trusted him completely. I loved him and he loved me. We were happy and life was good, Alex said in 2013. RELATED: Paul Hollywoods Ex-Wife Once Revealed Why She Took the GBBO Judge Back After His Very Public Affair But it was then that Paul flew to the US to shoot the American version of GBBO. And he had an affair with his fellow judge and TV chef Marcela Valladolid. Paul later called the affair the biggest mistake of his life. He moved out of the family home, but a few months later he and Alex reconciled. Paul and Alex Hollywood divorced in 2017 Even though Paul and Alex tried to make it work, they called it quits for good in 2017 after 20 years of marriage. When they split, it was revealed that Paul had been spending money on lavish gifts for TV baker Molly Robbins, 24. Just a few months after his split from Alex, Paul started dating 23-year-old barmaid Summer Monteys-Fullam. A woman 29 years his junior. In the last few months, Alex had completely given up on their relationship. The trust was totally gone. She just didnt want to make it work anymore, a source dished at the time. She feels fame has changed him. Hes not the same man she fell for all those years ago. The GBBO judge sparked more romance rumors Paul and Summers relationship lasted two years. It fell apart when he allegedly asked her to sign an NDA to make sure she wouldnt talk about their romance. She was reportedly expecting a proposal. After Paul and Summer called it quits, he moved to date a woman named Melissa Spalding. According to The Metro UK, Paul and Melissa sparked romance rumors in late 2019 when they were spotted together at a five-star hotel in Cyprus. It was the exact same hotel where Paul met his wife Alex decades earlier. The Great British Bake Off is available on Netflix. In the Katey Sagal Rebel TV Series Episode 8, Its All About The Chemistry, Julian Cruz (Andy Garcia) continued their fight against Stonemore Medical. Meanwhile, Annie Rebel Flynn Ray Bello (Sagal) attempted to convince a vital witness to testify in the case. Plus, private investigator Lana Ray (Tamala Jones) confronted Grady Bello (John Corbett) about a secret son. The Rebel cast pulled out all of the stops for this drama-filled episode. Rebel TV Series Episode 8: Andy Garcia as Julian Cruz, Peter Paige, and Katey Sagal as Rebel | Raymond Liu/ABC/ Getty Images [Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from Rebel TV Series Episode 8, Its All About The Chemistry.] Rebel TV Series Episode 8 Recap: Does Grady have a son? Lana confronts Grady in the 2021 Rebel TV Series Episode 8 about a woman from his past, Allison Watson. In the last episode, Angela (Sharon Lawrence) spilled the dirt that Grady has a son that no one knows exisits. Howd you find out, Grady asked. Lana realized that Angela told her the information to mess with Rebel and the case. So, she told Rebel that Grady was headed on a fishing trip to stay away from the case. Yes, Grady has a son that he didnt tell Rebel about for the last nine years. However, he swore that he didnt cheat on her. Rebel Episode 8 Recap: Whose side is the whistleblower on? RELATED: Katey Sagal Rebel TV Series Episode 5 Recap Heart Burned When someone from Stonemore came forward in Rebel TV Series Episode 7, they described a whistleblower, Carston (Peter Paige), who worked on the chemistry for the heart valve. However, when Rebel asked him to testify, he insisted he would not talk to her or Cruz. Carston insisted that he couldnt talk to Rebel, but his husband, Randall ( is worried about him. The chemist believed that he was helping people, but the lawsuit wasnt. Rebel and Lana coerce Rebels first ex-husband, Woodrow Flynn (Matthew Glave), to arrest Carston for stealing his husbands car and swerving on the way to the airport. After he is processed at the police station, Cruz serves the chemist with a subpoena. However, the plan backfired when Benji Ray (James Lesure) stepped in to represent Carston. Who is Daniel Wiley? A new victim of the Stonemore heart valve is a teacher that his students called Dan the man. They began a Go Fund Me account for Dan and raised enough money for his valve. However, Stonemore got to him and bought his house for twice the amount its worth, so hes heading to Hawaii. He insisted that he wanted to make the most of the life he had left. The chemist told Daniel to have a doctor put him on chelation when he arrived in Hawaii. Carston admitted that the valve was poisoning people, and chelation will help get metal out of your bloodstream. Rebel TV Series Episode 8 Recap: Cassidy and Luke Cassidy Ray (Lex Scott Davis) and Luke Chapman (Sam Palladio) had sex. Since Amir (Mo McRae) quit and wasnt in this episode, Cassidy dealt with her feelings by sleeping with Luke. RELATED: Katey Sagal Rebel TV Series Episode 7 Recap Race Nate and Dr. Misha Nelson In the early part of Rebel Episode 8, Nate (Kevin Zegers) told Misha (Abigail Spencer) that he didnt want a monogamous relationship. Then he headed to check on Maddie (Daniella Garcia). Nate talked Maddie into leaving her house and going bowling to help her talk about her postpartum depression. Viewers should remember that she had a baby that did not live due to her Stonemore heart valve. Later in the episode, Misha admitted to Nate that she liked him and wanted to be in a relationship with him. Rebel TV Series Episode 8 Recap: Ziggy and Sean Ziggy (Ariela Barer) and her boyfriend, Sean (Jalen Thomas Brooks), realized that they were taped having sex by Rebel and Gradys home security system. She began to panic that her parents were going to send her away to a camp somewhere. Sean hacked into the security system to delete the tapes and came across Grady and Lanas conversation. Ziggy could not believe her fathers face when Lana asked if he had a son with someone else. Cruz beat Benji Ray in court Judge Katerina Bobiak (Nina Millin) heard both sides of the case surrounding the chemist testifying. She sided with Cruz and allowed a sealed court hearing of Carstons testimony. He testified under oath that there was something wrong with the Stonemore heart valve making people sick. He created the coating for the valve, but it was causing the metal components to leak out. Consequently, nickel was leaching into the patients bloodstream causing autoimmune disorders. The chemist notified his supervisors and Stonemore CEO, Mark Duncan (Adam Arkin), about the faulty valve. However, the CEO insisted that he fix the valve and not tell anyone what he found. Why was Rebel arrested? Were just as shocked as you. Thanks for watching #Rebel. pic.twitter.com/3b7jIk2Jf9 Rebel (@rebelabc) June 4, 2021 Later in Rebel Episode 8, Annie finally found out about Gradys son they got into a massive blowout fight on his boat. However, all of the neighboring boats heard the argument. Several people began recording the interaction. Then Grady drove away on his boat, and Rebel fell off the back of it. In the conversation, Grady insisted that he raised their daughter, Ziggy, not her. However, Rebel screamed that he used her money to pay child support for his son. When the show concluded, a mugshot of Rebel heading to jail flashed across the screen. We will find out more when the Katey Sagal Rebel TV series returns on June 10, 2021, to ABC for the Rebel Season 1 Finale. In 2008, Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker narrowly avoided death when his plane crashed immediately after takeoff. The incident claimed the lives of four of the six passengers, leaving Barker to pick up the pieces of his own life while still mourning the losses. Heres how the rock legend recovered from the bottom up, including learning to walk again. Inside Travis Barkers 2008 plane crash Officials wait to investigate a private jet crash carrying six people near the Columbia Airport in West Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday, September 20, 2008 | Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Travis Barkers life changed forever when he boarded a private Learjet 60 in South Carolina after playing a show. He was accompanied by his personal assistant, Chris Little Chris Baker, his security guard, Charles Still, and friend Adam DJ AM Goldstein, as well as a pilot and co-pilot. The plane was headed to Van Nuys, California but they never made it. After skidding off the runway, the jet hit an embankment and burst into flames. Four of the six died, including Barkers personal assistant and security guard. The only survivors were Barker and Goldstein. A rep for the Joseph Still Burn Center told E! News at the time that Barker and Goldstein were in critical but stable condition. Barker suffered third-degree burns on 65 percent of his body. And, though Goldstein helped pull Barker from the wreckage, he died a year later from a drug overdose. Details of the crash are terrifying Peter Knudson of the NTSB said in a press conference at the time that they were speaking to eyewitnesses. One of which claimed to see Barker and Goldstein basically dumped out of the airplane upon the crash, who were standing in the road on fire, hitting each other trying to put the fire out, per E! News. At 11:53 p.m. last night, a Lear 60, which is a twin-engine business jet, departed from Columbia Metropolitan Airport on runway 11. It overran the runway and went through a grassy, overrun area. It came in contact then with airport lights, an antenna array, through the airport perimeter fence, crossed a road and came to rest on [an embankment] on the other side of the road, Knudson added. As far as lone survivor Barker, hes had a long road of recovery. I was dark, he told Mens Health about that day. I couldnt walk down the street. If I saw a plane (in the sky), I was determined it was going to crash, and I just didnt want to see it. After all the surgeries and skin grafts, Barker also had to contend with his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and his fear of never walking or playing drums again. Barkers long road to recovery Travis Barker performs at the 2020 MTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest Of All Time | Kevin Mazur/2020 MTV Movie & TV Awards/Getty Images for MTV Communications In the time since that horrific day, Barker has worked hard to regain both mental and physical strength, saying his muscles atrophied while bedridden in the hospital. I definitely do push my body, Barker said in the same interview adding he knows that its resilient. I was told I wasnt going to run again because I had so many grafts on my feet, and there was even talk of me never playing the drums again. He continued: As soon as I could walk, I could run. As soon as I could move my hands and my hands healed, I was playing drums. And now Im in better shape than Ive ever been. Barkers children gave him a reason to get better He credited his children as reasons to keep going, but it hasnt been easy. Now, 13 years later, the drummer runs three to four miles a day and works out regularly along with playing drums. He overcame all the physical limitations the crash had initially taken. I felt closer to the experience of trying to escape, to being in an accident and being burned, trying to grab my friends from a burning plane, he said. That haunted me for a long time. And as long as I was closer to that than this good stuff, I was always thinking about that. Now its been so many years, its getting easier for me. There are days where Ill wake up and never think about it. However, Barker is cognizant of how he couldve gone down a darker path. If I didnt have kids, I think I would have went the other direction. I mean, when I got out of the hospital I was on 21 forms of medication. The doctor said that I would be on half of them for the rest of my life. I was on 5150 [psychiatric] watch for two weekssuicidal, crazy, he said. I then slowly went off my meds [because] I had my kids looking up to me and wanting me to bounce backJust to be given a second chance, knowing my partners didnt get that. I had to make the most of my time. How Barker lives his life to the fullest now With that second chance, Barker changed nearly everything about the way he was living before, including promis[ing] myself that if I ever walked again, that I would eat well and swim every day. He added: Ive been vegan since I got out of the hospital. Its another eye-opener. It changed my life in a number of ways. I mean, I run every day now. I never ran before. He also boxes and practices Muay Thai, along with creating his own line of CBD products under the Barker Wellness moniker. I had a conversation with one of my friends about how it was hard to find vegan options, and he said Why dont you make your own? Barker told GQ. I noticed it helped my sleep a lot, and the creams were amazing for being sore. With that, Barker also eats healthy, drinks a gallon of water a day, and makes room for romance with girlfriend Kourtney Kardashian. All in all, were glad to see Barker giving his second chance everything he has walking, running, drumming, living. The U.S. Veterans Affairs Office of Tribal Government Relations, in collaboration with Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Women Veterans Program, is hosting a series of virtual events for women veterans. Pastor Seriously Wounded, Father Killed in Northern India Share Tweet NEW DELHI, June 3, 2021 (Morning Star News) Relatives of a pastor in northern India killed his Christian father with axe and sword blows and seriously wounded the church leader and his brother for leaving tribal religion, sources said. While local media and police portrayed the May 18 attack in Rajasthan state as a dispute over land, Pastor Ramesh Bumbariya said his step-uncles and cousins assaulted his family for their faith because they left animistic tribal religion for Christianity in 2007. My cousins and their families insist that we abandon our Christian faith and follow the ancestral faith, Pastor Bumbariya told Morning Star News. When we refused and remained firm in our Christian beliefs, they began to create trouble for us by raising land issues. When a group of relatives including men, women and children attacked his home in Thep village, Khajooria, Kotra, Udaipur District, armed with guns, axe, swords and wooden clubs, they first struck the pastors father, Bhima Bumbariya, who was outside the house, he said. They killed my father, and they wanted to kill me also, Pastor Bumbariya said. The First Information Report (FIR) the Christian family filed with police states that the assailants first fired three rounds of gunfire that missed, then struck the pastors father with an axe and later with swords, resulting in his death. After they struck me thrice on my head with an axe and a sword on my neck, I fell on the ground unconscious, but they continued to strike me with the sword on my hand and my back, Pastor Bumbariya said. They stopped hitting me only when their swords began to bend. They left thinking I was dead. The assailants also attacked the pastors brother, Raj Kumar Bumbariya, uncle Naniya Bumbariya and two others. The 29-year-old pastor, his four children and wife lived in the house along with his parents and brother, all Christians. The animist assailants were led by his fathers brother, who lives in a nearby village. They used swords and axe on all of them, cutting and chopping chunks of their flesh, area pastor Mohan M. Raj told Morning Star News. Doctors at Maharana Bhupal Government Hospital in Udaipur City declared Bhima Bumbariya dead on arrival. The wounded pastor and his brother were first taken to Primary Health Care Center in Mandwa, but no doctors were available. They were given first aid at Community Health Center in Kotra, and Pastor Bumbariya, his uncle and his father were referred to the Maharana Bhupal Government Hospital in Udaipur City, according to the FIR. Pastor Bumbariya sustained serious head injuries and underwent surgery for a broken bone in his right hand, while his uncle Naniya Bumbariya also sustained serious head wounds, according to medical reports. The pastors family and the assailants registered cases on the same day at Mandwa police station, and the seven relatives identified in the Christians case have been arrested, said Officer Man Singh Chouhan. In the FIR registered by the pastors brother, Raj Kumar Bumbariya, the suspects were charged under the Indian Penal Code for murder, attempt to murder, being armed with a deadly weapon, rioting, unlawful assembly, endangering human life, house-trespass and voluntarily causing hurt. They were also charged under the Arms Act for failing to surrender a license, acquiring prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition and selling or transferring any firearm, ammunition. All the seven attackers have been arrested and are in jail, Chouhan told Morning Star News. Two local guns, a sword, an axe and two thick wooden logs have been recovered from them. Regarding the counter FIR filed against the pastor and his family, Chouhan said, No action has been taken regarding this FIR yet, as they are in the period of mourning the death of their father. Pastor Bumbariya said he has not gone back home since his father was killed. I have not seen my mother since the attack, he told Morning Star News, in tears. I have not even comforted her at my fathers death. He has taken shelter with relatives along with his wife and three of their children, ages 5, 3 and 2, while their 7-year-old is staying with the pastors mother. He and his uncle were hospitalized on May 18, with Pastor Bumbariya undergoing surgery on May 22. Before the surgery, doctors had to give him three bottles of blood, said Pastor Raj. He had lost a lot of blood because of his head, hand and injuries on other parts of the body, he said. Pastor Bumbariya was discharged on May 24 but has often fallen unconscious when talking or sitting up for few minutes. When he went to give his police statement on May 28, the superintendent of police was not available, Pastor Bumbariya said. Prior Attacks The attackers are stepbrothers of Bhima Bumbariya, who previously lived in the same village as them, Kala Khetar, the pastor said. While growing up, Pastor Bumbariya fell ill with the same symptoms of an illness that had taken the lives of three sisters and a brother. His father, Bhima Bumbariya, had no money to treat him and contemplated killing himself, his wife and remaining children when he heard about miraculous healing at a church and took them to a worship service. It was my third Sunday at the church and I was completely healed from my sickness, Pastor Bumbariya said, saying the family soon became Christians. Our faith in Christ blessed us, and we began to prosper in all the works that we did. Soon we had a house of our own and farmland. Envious of how they had become prosperous as Christians, his fathers stepfamily began to pick fights with them, and Pastor Bumbariyas family left the village in 2017 to avoid the constant arguments and strife, he said. They built a small house five miles away in Thep village, but the pastors step-uncles and cousins continued to trouble them, demanding that they leave there as well, he said. He registered complaints against the relatives in 2017, 2018 and in 2020, but police took no action, the pastor said. On May 4, 2021, they came and assaulted us, he said. I went to the police station and submitted a complaint, but no action was takenMy father was also beaten thrice in the past. After putting his faith in Christ in 2007, Pastor Bumbariya attended three years of Bible training and assisted pastors for a few years before returning to Thep village and starting a fellowship in his house. With a year, about 100 people with a 10-mile radius were attending services, he said. The hostile tone of the National Democratic Alliance government, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, against non-Hindus, has emboldened Hindu extremists in several parts of the country to attack Christians since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in May 2014, religious rights advocates say. India ranked 10th on Christian support organization Open Doors 2021 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, as it was in 2020. The country was 31st in 2013, but its position worsened after Modi came to power. If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved. If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/? Article originally published by Morning Star News. Used with permission. Photo courtesy: Getty Images/FilmColoratStudio Many Americans are asking, Should the U.S. welcome refugees? For Christians, this should be of little question. The Bible clearly calls us to care for the foreigner, the oppressed, the widow, and the orphan. God also calls us to love one another and celebrate diversity, as one unified body of Christ. The U.S. Church can play a significant role in advocating for our refugee brothers and sisters, and refugees can strengthen our churches. However, according to Pew Research Data, a staggering 68% of white evangelical Protestants believe the U.S. does not have the responsibility to accept refugees. Data also shows that 25.4% of all U.S. citizens identify as Evangelical Protestant Christians. The Evangelical Church needs refugees in order to develop a richer understanding of scripture, learn how to suffer well, and be challenged to set aside presumptions and lean into our biblical callings as advocates for the oppressed. The Evangelical Church needs to glean from the biblical wisdom and experiences of their refugee brothers and sisters. In Fiscal 2019, 79% of refugees who resettled in the U.S. were Christians. Refugees who are fleeing war, famine, violence, and persecution will read the Bible through a different lens. They will offer unique perspectives as the Church studies Exodus, Ruth, or the Parable of the Good Samaritan. They will help us connect more deeply to the humanity of Jesus, a Middle Eastern Refugee, when we are confronted with the suffering, violence, instability, and rejection He experienced on Earth. Mehret was born in Tigray, Ethiopia. She was only nine months old when her family had to flee to Sudan. They lived in a refugee camp for about four years before World Relief helped them resettle in Wheaton, IL. Mehrets family was blessed by an abundance of support from both World Relief, and supporting churches and families in the Wheaton area. Today, Mehret is a teacher and works with refugees from all over the world. In an interview, she shared her thoughts on the Churchs relationship with refugees as well as aspects of her own story. When asking Mehret about her thoughts on welcoming refugees into the Evangelical Church, she responds by saying, Jesus was a refugee. When we open our hearts to people of this status it is our Savior-Jesus who we honor: the one who saved us, the one who called us by name, the who loves us and who knows us. He himself was a refugee. Mehret knows how destructive unforgiveness and dissension can be on a micro and macro level. When talking with Mehret about her experiences with war, diaspora, and political division she humbly acknowledges,It is a painful but worthy commitment to not let differences and pain keep me from loving others. She further explains, There is a commitment in my heart to sustained global peace, and this is what it means to be Christ and be committed to the humble journey of honest conversation and forgiveness. This takes trusting our Savior in the journey. Subscribe to email digests from the Better Samaritan. Refugees will help strengthen our theology of suffering. No one is immune from suffering, especially refugees. Many have experienced unimaginable trauma as they have been forced to flee their home countries due to persecution of various forms. Therefore, refugees can offer a unique perspective on walking through suffering personally and with others. Spending the first few years in a refugee camp, experiencing great loss throughout her life, and mourning the current state of Tigray, Mehret is familiar with suffering. When asking how refugees can shape our theology of suffering she responds I believe there is a unique wording that God has given me to be able to draw people into lament. We must learn to lament beyond definitions that are formed by our theology and our politics. In this situation with Tigray, we must learn to lament and intervene when others hurt. No matter what. War is not the time to decide what defines genocide or famine, if there is suffering and there is hurting- we must act, we must cry out, we must pray. One death is too many. One child denied food by force is too many. They will help us to overcome fear and grow in love. One of the best ways to overcome prejudice and fear is proximity. If we have refugee men and women sitting in our pews, leading worship, or preaching the word, Evangelical Christians may begin to view refugees differently. What we know about the refugee crisis will no longer be a reflection of the news, but the stories of our friends and neighbors. If given the platform, they can educate our churches about the needs of refugees, both locally and globally, and instruct us as to how we can better support and advocate for them. They can teach us how to forgive and listen to one another. Getting to know local refugees from different cultural and faith backgrounds will help evangelicals to choose love over fear and have a greater value for diversity. Mehret also believes that we need to humanize refugees and reframe how we view them. She says, God has placed you in one anothers lives for you to shape them and for them to shape you. Its a symbiotic relationship. Its a humbling and beautiful journey of being human together. Receiving refugees has become very politicized, and it doesnt have to be because we are a global family, and we need to care about each other. If you hurt, I hurt. It doesnt matter where youre from. The Evangelical Church is blessed by Mehrets rich wisdom, her passion for justice and healing, and her determination to propel peace and unity in every sphere. We need refugees to share their stories with us, help us understand that the gospel is not only for the individual but for the community, and to remind us that we are all sojourning in this land, awaiting our eternal home. Ultimately, we need each other. May we welcome our brothers and sisters with open arms. Katie Fuhs is pursuing her M.A. in Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership at Wheaton College. She received her BSW from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Katie is passionate about advocacy, biblical justice, and empowering women. China has expanded the number of children married couples can have to three. Home to nearly 1.4 billion peopleor more than one billion more people than the USthe country is anxious about its future. Under its current demographic trajectory, Chinas labor force is shrinking, numbers which concern economists and government officials. China first began to regulate its population in the late 1970s, under what become known as the one-child policy, although two-child exceptions were made to ethnic minorities and Han families in rural areas who had daughters first. In 2015, the government began to allow all families to have two children. Despite these changes to the law, births have fallen for four years in a row. And many share similar concerns about the lack of family leave and cost of daycare that American families do. In its announcement, the Communist party pledged to improve maternity leave and workplace protections for married couples seeking more children. Raymond Yang has been a house church pastor for 27 years. He is currently enrolled in a PhD program at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University and is a licensed counselor based in northeast China. He has done marriage and family counseling for more than 10 years. Yang joined global media manager Morgan Lee and senior news editor Kate Shellnutt to discuss why abortion is prevalent among Chinese Christians, why the church rarely talks about sex, and how his family made the agonizing decision to have two children. What is Quick to Listen? Read more Rate Quick to Listen on Apple Podcasts Follow the podcast on Twitter Follow our hosts on Twitter: Morgan Lee and Kate Shellnutt Music by Sweeps Quick to Listen is produced by Morgan Lee and Matt Linder The transcript is edited by Bunmi Ishola Highlights from Quick to Listen: Episode #267 Would you mind sharing when you were born and what your generation was taught about family planning in China? Raymond Yang: I was born in 1965, and I got married in 1995, and the one-child policy started in 1979. So I was in the middle of this policy. I had an odd experience because my second child was born in 2001, and that was still in the middle of the one-child policy. I had a very strong struggle myself. And then my generation as a whole, regardless of any Christian belief, because most people are not Christians, the majority of people in the megacity I grew up in do not really worry about that. One child is one child, but they hope to have two, and a lot of people, who are talking about having two, think maybe its better because any child needs siblings. And later realized that, in general, the one child will have a lot of pressure later their life to support their aging parents. Do you remember the first time that you learned that there was a one-child policy? Raymond Yang: Yeah, I was very excited at the time because China was very poor back in the 1970s. I grew up in a community where I would hardly see a car on the streets and the kids just played in the streets cause there were no cars. And I think I remember that when the one-child policy came out, the country was promoting the idea of slowing down the growth of the population so that people can share more resources and improving people's life. And I thought that was a great idea. I was in middle school, so I bought that idea. That's was my first impression. When do you first remember skepticism settling in, either from yourself or people that you knew? Raymond Yang: Probably around the late 1980s, when I started hearing people talking about raising a little king inside of the familybecause with one child all the resources, all the attention, go to this one child. And it becomes very frustrating, and it caused problems in schools. And I realized that's a downside of the one-child policy. Article continues below Did you hear anything specifically from the church or Christian leaders? Were the teachings or discussions around the one-child policy and the general sentiment different than you would see in society overall? Raymond Yang: Well, I didn't become a Christian until 1990. So the first time I heard the church talking about the one-child policy was when my wife was pregnant with our second child in 2000. I remember I went to a pastor's wife and asking her, what should I do? Should I follow the law? And should I ask my wife to abort? I didn't want to abort our child; personally, I believed that was murder but I wanted to hear from other people. So I started meeting some pastors wives, and I remember this pastor's wifeI honor her so much, she was being a brilliant Christian in my lifeand I told her what was happening and she just calmly responded, Just abort it. And I was so shocked. I was like, Excuse me, did you say that? And she said, yeah. And I asked, Have you done it? And she said, oh yeah. Three, four times. I said, Do you feel shame or guilt or anything? And she looked at me like, What are you talking about? Why? This is the country's policy. There's no other way we can do. With that conversation, I was so shocked. I couldnt believe a pastors wife was thinking this way. And shes probably representing the majority of pastors because her husband is one of the leading pastors in many, many house churches. So then I realized that, in general, the church does not ever talk about it because if you talk about it, it's almost like you're speaking against the country's core belief and the core of the law. I think that's one of the reasons that people do not want to talk about it, but my surprise is that morally people do not even think they need to address that. Have you seen the conversation shift at all? Are there more people who maybe had the same conscience reaction that you had in terms of what the Churchs conversation is around abortion? Raymond Yang: My wife and I have had the chance to meet many pastors in the past decade and have been talking about with many pastors. And I think we have brought some level of impact to different pastors, but in general, I still don't see a whole lot of changes. I haven't talked to many pastors who really care about this in China. But in my generation, I think especially educated pastors, are starting to pick up this issue and talking about the moral reasons for not having an abortion. But the majority of people really don't talk about it What made you feel that having an abortion might be something that violated your Christian convictions? Raymond Yang: I talked to some doctors when my wife and I had our first child. My wife had a miscarriage before our first child, and we grieved and then we talked with several doctors, some were Christian doctors. Out of curiosity, I just asked to what extend did abortion amount to physically killing a person. The answer was clear: the moment of conception was the beginning of a new life. So I think scientifically, I believed that, and then I just cannot justify it from a Christian belief and perspective. Personally, I don't think Christians think life is a body, but rather that life is a soul with a body. So if you kill someone, you've killed a soul. That's my perspective. You went ahead and had your second child, according to your convictions and against the recommendation that was given to you. What was the penalty for violating the one-child policy? Article continues below Raymond Yang: Well, my wife and I were in the States studying marriage counseling, and in a class, the professor raised this abortion issue, and we kind of pushed back a little bit because, from the Chinese perspective, the majority of people never thought of this as a guilt thing or shame thing at all. And I remember the professor was very, very upset and he was pointing to my wife and said, If you were pregnant, I don't want to see you're doing an abortion. And then my wife was pregnant two months after that. So we were trying to figure out how to do it, and it was right after the census in China at the end of 2000. And right after that, the one-child policy was pushed very, very hard. And I think the penalty was around 50,000 RMB to 200,000 RMB. And my income was like 1,000 RMB. And we tried to contact our friends and families and see if we can just have this child born safely. And my sister, my in-laws, who were in remote areas, told us, Theres no way we cannot protect you. You will be found it and will be forced to abort. But we had visas to come back to America, so I contacted the professor who was yelling at us in the class. I remember my wife was into the fifth month of her pregnancy, and she flew to America. It was very, very hard, but I think the Lord carried us through. We had a very close friend, who at the time we had met before only once. And they said they wanted to take care of my wife. And the Lord just paved the whole way until the last moment when the child was born in Southern California with a doctor who volunteers to give a free service. So it was a complete miracle. With all you went through, what is your response to China going from that one-child policy to a two-child policy, and now a three-child policy? What do you think that means for families who are in the same position that you were back then? Raymond Yang: First of all, the policy changing from one child to two children, and now three children, is definitely a positive thing for the families who have an unexpected pregnancy. Especially for Christians. They don't have to struggle with the abortion issue. Although I think still the majority of the Christians do not really think abortion is a sin or a crime, I think that's a positive thing for Christians. But what happens after the third child? You're coming back to that same issue. But, meanwhile, there arent so many people who want to have three children. In the church context that I have, I think most of the younger generation will think about two children, but very few will think of three. So the three-children policy doesn't really impact a whole lot of people. Ive been teasing people saying, were at three children now, what are you going to do? And the majority of people just laugh. Its like, Why do you give me three? Its like you can have one car or two cars, but if you give me 10 cars I think, what do I need 10 cars for? Thats the general attitude for now. At the time that you had your second child, you were also leading a house church. How did having a second child affect how people talked about having children and defying the government? How did that change that conversation in your church context? Raymond Yang: I think it had a very positive impact on our church. Heres the situation of our church: I'm the oldest one in the church, therefore we'll see a lot of people going through the same trajectory as we have gone. So it's almost like we are setting up an example. It turned out that at least five or six families experienced a second child with an unexpected pregnancy. And they all gave birth later in different formats, and some families had three children. We have one family, they have four children. Article continues below And my wife has said, If I go to heaven, I think the biggest reward for me is a group of little children coming to me and saying, Thank you for saving my life. Because we have given our testimonies multiple times and try to convince them not to do an abortion. How does the church generally speak about family planning? What are some of the teachings regarding sex and children? How are Christians encouraged to think about those things, and what type of resources exist? Raymond Yang: The way that China's government managed the one-child policy was very, very powerful. In an American context, its like a federal law and then the federal management, therefore local governments do not have any authority of making any exceptions or protecting anybody. So people have an understanding that this is a reality that you cannot change or any discussion around the issue doesn't help at all. The majority of people really do not talk about it. And then after a certain number of years, people just accepted it as a reality that you cannot have a second child. People just passively accept that as a reality. Once you have one unexpected pregnant pregnancy, then abortion is the only option. And people don't really talk about that either. And therefore, having sex or preparing, China does not talk about sex or birth control inside of a church. I think that's a shame issue. Even teenagers dating is not talked about in a church. The pastors just don't feel comfortable talking about it. I was invited to a church, and I remember those students were very excited to listen and talk about sex and those are issues. And their teachers and counselors just shied away. They were trying to find a place to hide their faces. That's the general situation. The announcement specifically stated that married couples are the ones that can have three children. What is life is like for single parents, specifically single mothers in China? Raymond Yang: America gives a lot of benefits and attention to single mothers, probably because there are a lot of single mothers here. Versus in China, there are not so many single mothers. First of all, abortion is widely welcomed, it's almost free, and is so easy to get done. The girls just walk into the hospital and walk out without any burden. There's no shame or guilt or anything. So there are not so many single mothers. In our church is one single mother who got pregnant before she became a Christian, but soon after that she converted and the Christians around her told her she should not abort that child. And she ended up becoming a single mother. So she has to face a certain level of shame, cause people in the community will point their fingers. Since they arent many single mothers in China, the communities are not ready to help them, the church is not ready to help them either. It's not a very common scenario. What is the impact on those who grew up under the one-child policy? What type of issues have they had to struggle and wrestle with as a result of not having siblings and having a lot of pressure put on them by their society and their parents? Raymond Yang: What I see is loneliness. It is one of the biggest issues for those one-child children. And I think the one-child children grew up very self-centered. So they lack the attitude of supporting each other or serving each other. What is the impression or cultural assumptions about families that somehow had a bunch of children? Is there baggage or a stereotype in China around having big families? Raymond Yang: I really cannot talk about families in rural areas, cause I have only lived in the city. But in cities, if a family has three or four children, one of the reasons is that they can afford so many children. So it's seen as a financial advantage in people's eyes. So most people would admire those families. I think in most families, when they come to the point where they cannot financially afford to have one more child, they probably just sneak out and do an abortion. What do you imagine your ministry looking like when you return to China? Raymond Yang: My wife and I are both trained and educated in Christian education. We want to provide Christians with education, especially around families, so that people can learn to live out a good Christian life in their families, and they can help other people to know how to live a life that is abundantly enriched. A war veteran and church pastor in Texas finally received his high school diploma after desiring to have such for more than seven decades, a year before he becomes a centenarian. In Resolution No. 553, adopted by the state senate on Memorial Day, Sen. Bryan Hughes commended Dr. Jack Hetzel for receiving his diploma at the age of 99, KETK reported. "At an age when most people slow down and look back, Dr. Jack Hetzel set a challenging new goal for himself and achieved it, and his determination and lifelong passion for knowledge serve to inspire all those who are fortunate enough to know him," part of the resolution states. Dr. Hetzel is a pastor at First United Methodist Church. He had served in the World War II, fighting in Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He dropped out of school on his third grade. In 1948, he earned a GED but had always wanted to get a high school diploma. On May 28, he joined the graduating class of Big Sandy High School and was honored during the ceremony. Hughes explained the reason of honoring the pastor through his resolution. "Getting his high school diploma at his age and his background, with all he's accomplished in life especially on this Memorial Day weekend, it seemed appropriate to give him special honors," he said. "We're proud of him. He's someone that I represent, so I'm glad to brag about him and tell the story. It was fun for us," the state senator further stated. The minister shared that to have lived his long life and having Jesus Christ are enough for him "to be blessed." "99 years of age, that's something to be blessed about. I know my [L]ord and [S]avior Jesus Christ, that's enough to be blessed about. How much more do I need?" Dr. Hetzel declared. The pastor is also an author who has written eight books. In 2017, Dr. Hetzel attended the event, "East Texas Salute," where he remembered one of his assignments as an Army Air Corpsman. He told his story about dropping a bomb, destroying a bridge to slow down the enemy. The interval was brief when it happened. "One minute. This is why I like to be on time with everything that I do," he said. In the 2019 article by the Statesman, Dr. Hetzel also mentioned about his experience during the war in Normandy, serving as a pilot. He shared that the sky was filled with military aircraft that even the sun could not shine through. History says that the Battle of Normandy, also known as D-Day, liberated Western Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany and caused the end of war in Europe. Bearing the code name "Operation Overlord," the Allied Forces launched a surprise attack at the coastal region of France in June 6, 1944. About 156,000 American, Canadian and British forces landed on five beaches of Normandy. The battle lasted for more than two months. By spring of that year, the Allies finally defeated the Germans. Image: Canva In the first part of this three-part series, we considered prayer as being a neglected tool for evangelism. In the second part , we explored the practice of listening. The third neglected tool, thanksgiving wraps up our three-part series. Neglected Tool Three: Thanksgiving Sadly, we dont celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday in the UK. Its a shame because I love the idea of setting aside an entire day to thankfully reflect on all we have and share in the company of other thankful folks. Oh, and Turkey (you can keep the yams though). While in the UK we are neglecting the opportunity for a thankful heart each November via an official holiday, in the church, we may have ongoing gratitude neglect when it comes to evangelism. We are usually quite good at celebrating successes - e.g. salvation stories - but were not always so good at being thankful simply for the God-given opportunities in the everyday experience. Paul reminds us we should give thanks in all circumstances, it is the very will of God in Christ Jesus for us (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul knew that the posture of a thankful heart impacts a person spiritually and emotionally and physically. As has often been the case, science caught up with biblical teaching in time and the idea of thankfulness (or gratitude as it is most commonly referred to) has now been long championed by psychologists who recognize its value to help people in numerous ways such as sleeping better, raising self-esteem, growing in empathy, and increasing mental strength, to name just a few.[1] With that in mind, thankfulness becomes a tool for evangelism simply by helping us go into the world as healthier people, which would be worthwhile enough! And yet, beyond the advantages of the mental and emotional benefits, gratitude helps us with evangelism most of all when it functions as a reminder of God at work in and through us. Thankfulness can help us see beyond the ordinary of daily life, to the extraordinary ways in which God was at work. When we face discouragement, we can be thankful for what the Lord has done previously and trust him to work again. We can stir others to join the commissioning call of Christ by giving thanks corporately for the opportunities we have to share our faith each day. This can help people who may be anxious about getting involved in sharing their faith to see not every act of evangelism needs to have a neat salvation decision to be useful to Gods kingdom purpose. Thankfulness outworked this way can help to ease anxieties people might have about evangelism by realigning our ideas regarding success. Indeed, thanksgiving is a multifaceted tool for evangelism. There are several ways we can make thankfulness part of our regular response to God as we seek to be faithful in our witness. Here are a few ideas to get us started: Personally Keep a journal (or like me, a running notes file on my phone) of every opportunity God provided to share his hope with others (whether you took it or not). This will remind you of how God is at work in this way and remind you to pray for those you spoke with. It may also help you to seize upon missed opportunities next time, as you reflect upon the unrealized potential of a previous encounter. Familially Be intentional with friends and family, over dinner or other such gatherings, to express gratitude to God for how he has been at work in your life. I guess this is the most thanksgiving like activity for those reading in the US. You might be used to doing this kind of thing once a year, but why not once a week? Build each other up in the regular fellowship of thanks. Communally Create space in your gatherings and services to celebrate stories of opportunity, not just salvation fruit. Of course, we want to hear about and celebrate salvation, but it is often the stories of God at work in the ordinary opportunities of ordinary peoples lives that resonate the most for us. If we are thankful for and celebrate the planting of the seed as much as when it comes to fruition, I genuinely believe we will see more seed planted. Biblically Or to put it another way, creatively. The bible is full of creative expressions of thanksgiving. Read through a Psalm of thanksgiving and use it to express your own gratitude to God. Furthermore, use it as inspiration to creatively express that same gratitude in another medium. Taking the time to creatively express your thankfulness through poetry, painting, songwriting, or any other creative pursuit is a great way to reflect upon, declare, and reveal to others (including, evangelistically, those who dont yet know Jesus) your thankful heart. Joyfully According to Karl Barth Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. When Roberto Benigni won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film at the 1999 Academy Awards, he jumped up onto the seats in front of him and began celebrating wildly. After clamoring over numerous other seats and hugging anyone and everyone around him he eventually got to the stage and tried to express his thanks through broken English and his thick Italian accent. He neednt have. Benignis limited English vocabulary couldnt have expressed his thankfulness any more effectively than the actions of joy that so infectiously preceded them. Living joyfully, as an expression of our thanks to God, directly impacts the efficacy of our witness, and raises the curiosity of those around us. Normally As we go into the world, we can directly use thanksgiving in our witness by explaining to people why we are so thankful to God. As we express our thanks in these conversations we can reveal more of his character, his work historically (the gospel) and presently (testimony), and our eternal hope in him. Treating gratitude to God as a totally normal and everyday part of our conversational lives speaks volumes about the reality of a relationship with God and the hope it holds for those yet to trust him as Lord. When one of the healed lepers returned to bow before Jesus in thanksgiving for his healing, Jesus responded: Rise and go; your faith has made you well. The leper had already been blessed with healing, but in the posture of thanksgiving, he discovered ongoing wellness can be found (Luke 17:11-19). For the wellness of our relationship with Jesus, and the wellness of our witness into the world, let us fall at his feet daily in thanksgiving. There may the church of Jesus Christ grow ever more confident in his goodness and with joyful hearts hear his voice afresh: Rise and go. [1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude | Hobby Lobby would like its money back, and this time its not saying please. The Oklahoma-based craft store company has filed a federal lawsuit demanding the return of more than $7 million from an Oxford University classics professor who oversaw the worlds largest collection of ancient Egyptian papyri. Dirk Obbink, an American who was once awarded the MacArthur Fellowship genius grant for his skill in rescuing and interpreting papyrus fragments, allegedly stole 120 fragments from the Egyptian Exploration Societys collection of ancient artifacts held at the Sackler Classics Library at Oxford. Obbink then allegedly sold 32 of the 120 fragments to Hobby Lobby, as the evangelical, family-owned business attempted to build a world-class collection of biblical artifacts and launch Museum of the Bible. The professor, now 64, was arrested in Oxford in March 2020. The criminal investigation is ongoing. Hobby Lobby, in the meantime, would like its $7,095,100 returned, along with lawyer fees and any further and different relief as the Court deems just and proper, according to the lawsuit filed June 2. Obbink frequently worked as a private dealer, in addition to his position at Oxford. He authenticated artifacts for private collectors and occasionally acted as go-between for buyers and sellers. According to the lawsuit, Obbink first sold papyri to Hobby Lobby in February 2010. The company paid the professor $80,000. Four months later, Hobby Lobby made a second purchase of fragments and other antiquities, paying Obbink $350,000. In November, it made a third purchase for $2.4 million. Hobby Lobby bought two more lots of antiquities from the Oxford professor in 2011 for a total of $1.8 million. There was a sixth sale the following year that came to about $600,000. The seventh and final sale was the largest: Obbink offered Hobby Lobby four pieces of papyri from the first century bearing a few verses each from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Two of the fragments contained the words of John the Baptist, including the passage where he condemns the Pharisees and Sadducees, saying You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt. 3:7). Two contained the words of Jesus, including a passage where he answers the question, Who are you? with When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me (John 8:28). The craft store company paid $1.8 million for the four fragments and two other items, bringing their total purchases from Obbink to more than $7 million. It wired the money to a bank in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Obbink, as part of the arrangement, hung on to the gospel fragments for further study. Four years later, in December 2017, the professor emailed his contact at Hobby Lobby to say there had been a mistake. The gospel fragments actually werent his to sell. They belonged to the collection he was charged with overseeing for Oxford University. Hobby Lobby demanded a refund, and heard nothing. Six months later, it asked more firmly for the return of $760,000, and Obbink wrote back that he didnt have the money, according to the lawsuit. I will be able to begin payments in the second half of July and anticipate completing these by late August or early September, perhaps sooner, he wrote. I hope this is okay, and I remain committed to making full payment ASAP. By September 2019, he had only returned $10,000. He wrote Hobby Lobby again. I crave your indulgence to exercise some patience, Obbink said. I am convinced that this whole issue will be settled latest by November and if complete payment is not made by then, I will accept whatever actions you decide to take against me. The issue was not settled by November. The Museum of the Bible contacted the Egyptian Exploration Society, and after comparing notes, the British organization determined that 32 fragments Hobby Lobby purchased from Obbink rightly belonged in the Egyptian collection. When the Egyptian Exploration Society examined its holdings of more than 500,000 artifacts, it found another 88 fragments were also missing. Someone had also tampered with the catalogue cards and the photographic records of the documents. Obbink was removed from the library and put on leave. Students were informed by email that someone else would be teaching their classes. The next spring, he was arrested. The scandal has led to questions about the Oxford professors other work. In 2014, Obbink claimed to have discovered two new poems from the Greek poet Sappho. A 2020 article in the Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists casts doubt on the story of the discovery and the provenance of the fragments, raising questions about their age and authenticity. Scholars must scrutinize new discoveries carefully before conducting or publishing research, and present their findings transparently, wrote C. Michael Sampson, classics professor at the University of Manitoba. Scholars [need to be] wary of the antiquities market because academic appraisals add to objects commercial value, which can incentivize looting and the illegal trade in antiquities. Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby and chairman of the Museum of the Bible, said that when the craft store company started spending millions on biblical artifacts, it placed too much trust in the antiquities market and unscrupulous dealers. Hobby Lobby ended up paying for stolen items, forged antiquities, and artifacts looted from the Middle East during war. The company has returned thousands of objects, paid for extensive investigations, and double-checked the legitimacy of the 60,000 items that remain in its collection. The thorough effort has been praised by top scholars including Christopher Rollston, an expert on the forgery of biblical antiquities, and Lawrence Schiffman, a pioneer in the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The museum deserves to be praised, Schiffman said. From the day it opened, the museum told the truth. They have been completely kosher about this. The recent publication of the 2021 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Book of Reports has reignited a public dispute between Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and its former president Paige Patterson. Both sides cite the dispute as a test of the conventions commitment to truth and a harbinger of its future direction. Southwesterns dispatch in the annual Book of Reports, which presents information for messengers attending the denominations upcoming annual meeting, alleges Patterson misappropriated confidential donor information and took seminary property after his 2018 termination over allegations of mishandling sexual abuse. The report comes three months after the seminary settled a lawsuit against a foundation that shifted millions in funding following Pattersons departure. Southern Baptists have a right to know these facts and deserve the truth, said Colby Adams, the seminarys vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff. According to the seminary report: The Pattersons improperly removed boxes of documents that belonged to the seminary and have not returned records requested by Southwestern; the Pattersons have continued to use the Seminarys confidential donor list in order to contact Seminary donors to divert donations and gifts away from the Seminary; and a painting missing from the seminary can be seen in social media pictures hanging in the Pattersons new home. Patterson has denied the claims. His wife Dorothy repeated that denial to Christianity Today, adding that removal of any Southwestern property was an accident and that the Pattersons want to meet with seminary officials to resolve the dispute. Dorothy Patterson said she wants Southwestern to treat her and her husband with some measure of respect. She said Southwesterns current president Adam Greenway tweets regularly about love and how you treat people with respect, but I wonder, who is he talking about? What planet am I on that I cannot fit into this category? Since Greenway arrived in 2019, he has apologized for the ways Southwestern had fallen short under Patterson and attempted to chart a new course for the seminary. The seminarys allegations in the Book of Reports came in response to a motion made at the 2019 SBC annual meeting by messenger Ben Cole, a blogger and longtime Patterson critic. While SBC policy requires Southwestern to respond to each messenger motion referred to the seminary, Southern Baptists are discussing the level of detail in Southwesterns response and what the squabble means for the denominations future. Bart Barber, a member of the Southwestern trustee executive committee that fired Patterson, tweeted that to my knowledge, every word of the @SWBTS report is true. Candi Finch, a Patterson advocate who was fired from Southwestern several months after his departure, replied that Southwesterns report contains false allegations. The report said that Finch emailed the Seminarys confidential donor list to a private email address associated with an assistant to the Pattersons. SBC Recording Secretary John Yeats, who oversees publication of the Book of Reports, said he cannot recall another instance in SBC history when the Book of Reports said something that would generate this kind of a response. He added that SBC entities are free to respond any way they want to messenger motions, and sometimes they view brevity as a prudent response. At nearly 1,400 words, Southwesterns allegations regarding Patterson comprised the longest response by a seminary to a messenger motion in the Book of Reports. Most of the information provided has not been disclosed previously, Adams said in a statement. The information is provided because of its pertinence to the matters raised in the motion made at the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting that was referred to the seminary and to which the institution is obligated to report back to the Southern Baptist Convention. Our Board of Trustees carefully deliberated over this matter and unanimously authorized the published response. As thorough as our response is, the information provided is merely representative of a pattern of actions of the Pattersons, he said. These facts may be uncomfortable to some, but the consequences of these facts have been far worse than uncomfortablethey have been quite harmful to the institution for which Paige Patterson was once its steward. Dorothy Patterson reviewed Southwesterns report with CT, offering a point-by-point response. In moving off the seminary campus, she said, the Pattersons worked hardwith assistance from the Southwestern staffto differentiate seminary property from their personal property. The Pattersons have found two or three items the seminary claims are Southwestern property, she said. They have yet to return those items because they want to arrange an exchange for some personal items left on campus. Any donor files in the Pattersons possession are very personal in nature (including prayer requests, old notes on personal stationery, and notations of family deaths), not financial records, she said. Im not going to just turn them over, Dorothy Patterson said, adding the Pattersons have not attempted to divert funds from Southwestern and that Southwestern was given copies of all notes from donors that mentioned seminary gifts. Paige Patterson is now the president of the Sandy Creek Foundation, through which he continues his preaching and teaching ministry. Scott Colter, his former chief of staff at Southwestern, was executive director until recently taking a position at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, and Finch, the former Southwestern professor, is on staff. Dorothy Patterson said that despite the command in Matthew 18:15 to meet with a fellow believer who sins against you, the Greenway administration has declined to meet with the Pattersons and despite the warning in 1 Corinthians 6 against suing fellow Christians, Southwestern has pursued legal action related to the Pattersons. Paige Patterson told Baptist Press this week he was involved the formation of the Conservative Baptist Network (CBN), a group that has repeatedly raised concerns about the sufficiency of Scripture over worldly doctrines like critical race theory among Southern Baptist leaders and entities. Detractors say the accusations are inaccurate and fear the network is dividing the denomination. Dorothy Patterson clarified that the Pattersons granted a CBN request to hold an early meeting at their Parker, Texas, home, but Paige Patterson told the group, Im not in charge. The Pattersons have not been involved in any CBN decision making or given any money to the group, she said, though they have pledged to pray for the network. Pattersons support of the CBN is key for some network members who still revere him as a chief architect of the SBCs Conservative Resurgence. Opponents see his affiliation as a strike against the CBN in light of his recent scandals. Patterson supporters and detractors also are divided on what his latest go-around with Southwestern means for the SBCs future. Dorothy Patterson recalled late apologist Francis Schaeffers support of the Conservative Resurgence and his warnings that truth was being redefined in the postmodern world. Redefinition of her husband as an enemy of the SBC, she claims, could signal capitulation to postmodern notions of truth. Patterson opponents, including sexual abuse survivors and advocates, say the SBC must cut ties with him to move forward into a new era of protecting the vulnerable. Southwestern will give its oral report and respond to messenger questions when the SBC convenes in Nashville June 1516. David Roach is pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Alabama. CBS, Hallmark among TV networks refusing to show pro-life ad Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Three television networks have refused to air an ad from a leading pro-life group, describing it as controversial and unacceptable, according to a new report. The Daily Wire reported Tuesday that CBS, CMT and the Hallmark Channel refused to air a 30-second advertisement from the Susan B. Anthony List that was first released last week. The ad is part of the pro-life groups $2 million campaign highlighting the humanity of unborn children as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a landmark abortion case. We're launching an initial M campaign highlighting the humanity of unborn children as the Supreme Court prepares to review a landmark abortion case Watch the ad: pic.twitter.com/3xNV0Mm4sm Susan B. Anthony List #HydeSavesLives (@SBAList) May 26, 2021 The ad campaign follows the announcement that the Supreme Court will hear an appeal from the state of Mississippi, which is seeking to reverse a lower court decision invalidating the states 15-week abortion ban. A ruling in favor of that state would weaken the central finding of the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which found that a woman has the right to obtain an abortion. The narrator in the ad notes that after five decades of medical breakthroughs, every age group has more opportunity to live except one: the unborn. Explaining that unborn babies still fall victim to outdated laws, the ad notes that science tells us that at 15 weeks, these babies have formed faces, they smile, they yawn [and] they feel pain. Its why European countries ban late-term abortions, the ad continues. In five decades, we have learned they are just like us. Isnt it time the law reflects the science? The ad concludes with a picture of the Supreme Court building and a link to the Susan B. Anthony Lists website. In an email to SBA List, a CBS official explained that Issue-oriented advertisements that are designed for the purpose of presenting views or influencing legislation on issues that are controversial by general public consensus are unacceptable. An official with CMT offered a nearly identical response in a separate email to the pro-life group: While we do accept political and issue-based ads on a case-by-case basis, issue-based ads that are designed for the purpose of presenting views or influencing legislation on issues that are controversial by general public consensus are unacceptable. Both CBS and CMT are owned by Viacom. In a statement announcing the $2 million ad campaign, Susan B. Anthony List indicated that the 30-second spot will air on national cable, including on Lifetime, Hallmark, and Bravo networks, as well as select streaming services, and in the Washington, D.C. media market on top news stations. However, Hallmark ultimately rejected the ad because, as The Daily Wire reported, it does not meet the Hallmark Channels criteria for the positive experience Hallmark aims to offer viewers. Susan B. Anthony List reacted to the channels refusal to show the ad in a tweet Wednesday: BIG MEDIA corporations like @CBS & @hallmarkchannel BANNED our pro-life TV ad, claiming its too controversial. The right to LIFE is NOT controversial! BIG MEDIA corporations like @CBS & the @hallmarkchannel BANNED our pro-life TV ad, claiming it's too "controversial" The right to LIFE is NOT controversial! Click the button below to BYPASS them and share this important ad everywhere!#DontBanThis Susan B. Anthony List #HydeSavesLives (@SBAList) June 2, 2021 The tweet was accompanied by a button that Twitter users were encouraged to click on, which would enable them to share the hashtag #DontBanThis. The ad's message reflects pro-life activists' view that advancements in science and technology over the last half century will persuade the Supreme Court justices to rule in their favor. In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Diane Ferraro, CEO of the pro-life ministry Save the Storks, remarked that When Roe v. Wade was passed in 1973, the court did not have all of the facts. She praised the state of Mississippi for doing a phenomenal job putting the science together, and predicted that it will present the justices with the scientific facts on how a baby does feel pain in the womb at 15 weeks and an updated viewpoint to the Supreme Court justices for them to consider. We do feel and trust and were praying that this will help convince them that Roe v. Wade does need to be overturned, she added. We are praying that the justices, that they will truly consider all of the facts and that the case will be something that they consider not with the past in mind but with the future and how they can really help empower moms. The composition of the Supreme Court, which currently consists of six justices appointed by Republican presidents and three justices appointed by Democratic presidents, is also giving pro-life activists confidence that the court will rule in their favor. The Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the case challenging the Mississippi abortion law, in its upcoming October term, paving the way for a decision some time next spring. We're launching an initial M campaign highlighting the humanity of unborn children as the Supreme Court prepares to review a landmark abortion case Watch the ad: pic.twitter.com/3xNV0Mm4sm Susan B. Anthony List #HydeSavesLives (@SBAList) May 26, 2021 SBC reports increased giving after Russell Moores exit but says resignation played no role Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Two days after Russell Moores official exit as president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, which he announced in May, the denomination is reporting strong year-over-year increases in designated giving as well as giving to its Cooperative Program for May. A report published Thursday by Baptist Press, the official news service of the SBC, shows that $16.9 million was given through the national Cooperative Program Allocation Budget in May 2021, showing an increase of over $2.1 million from the $14.8 million received in May 2020. While the over $128.8 million in gifts received by the SBC Executive Committee for distribution through the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget as of May 31 is more than $1.2 million less than last years budget contribution, officials noted that the amount given is ahead of the $124.5 million year-to-date budgeted projection to support Southern Baptist ministries globally and across North America by over $4 million. The financial rebound in giving through the Cooperative Program is very encouraging, SBC Executive Committee president and CEO Ronnie Floyd stated in the BP report. As we go into the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting in Nashville, this financial report after eight months into our fiscal year is outstanding. As we face the many daily challenges before and around us, churches are demonstrating they are committed to advancing the Gospel across America and around the world. The report of increased giving for the $15 billion Protestant Christian organization comes after an SBC Executive Committee task force released a report in February stating that Moores controversial leadership of the ERLC posed a major threat to the funding of the Cooperative Program. The Cooperative Program is the SBCs unified plan of giving through which cooperating SBC churches give a percentage of their undesignated receipts to support their respective state convention and SBC missions and ministries. In a statement to The Christian Post Friday, Jonathan Howe, SBC executive committee vice president for communications, said the increase in giving had nothing to do with Moores resignation. There is absolutely no evidence linking the current increase in CP giving to leadership changes at the ERLC," Howe said. "The funds in the May CP report were given and processed well before Russell Moores resignation announcement." Howe also stressed that there was a decline in CP giving last year related to the economic downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the "increase in CP giving this year is a clear representation of the economic rebound and a demonstration of the generosity and faithfulness of Southern Baptists to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state, and every nation." "The report released this week reflected CP allocation funds given through churches in March 2021," Howe explained. "Gifts given in March are sent and calculated by State Conventions in April. States then send a percentage of those gifts to the national level for disbursement, which are published in the May report." The ERLC, which recently reported an operating budget of $4.3 million, is funded through the SBCs Cooperative Program. The Cooperative Program also provides funding for the North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and the six Southern Baptist seminaries in America. Members of the task force who painted a grim picture of the threat Moores controversial leadership posed to the Cooperative Fund included Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia. He is vying to become the next SBC president. While much of the work of the ERLC is praised and appreciated by Southern Baptists, the ERLC is also a source of significant distraction from the Great Commission work of Southern Baptists," wrote members of the task force. "The leader of a large state convention reported, The ERLC has been a stumbling block not worth the mission dollar investment. The task force finds merit in this statement." State executive directors of the SBC reported hearing numerous concerns about Moore from pastors related to various issues. Those include Moores opposition of President Donald Trump, his stance on immigration, an allegation that he received funding from an organization with ties to George Soros, an amicus brief the ERLC filed in support of a New Jersey mosque in a religious freedom case and the perception that he criticizes conservative political figures more frequently and more harshly than moderate to liberal ones. Opposition was also raised to "his stated support of attending homosexual wedding showers and receptions." Some accused Moore of giving "disrespectful and condescending responses to the questions of messengers." Repeatedly noted was the response given to Pastor John Wofford of Armorel Baptist Church at the 2016 annual meeting about Muslims' rights to build houses of worship in the U.S. The task force report argued that while giving to the SBCs Cooperative Program has been trending downward for years, Moores leadership and perceived liberal politics have led to hundreds of churches withholding funds to the program, threatening to withhold funding or even cutting ties with the denomination. Moore announced on May 18 that he had accepted an invitation by Christianity Today to serve as the director of its Public Theology Project. His term at the ERLC ended on June 1. In a recently leaked February 2020 letter to ERLC trustees, Moore expressed deep dissatisfaction about the treatment of several issues in the culture of leadership at the nations largest Protestant denomination, including race and sexual abuse. Stone has since dismissed Moores leaked letter as a "back-door press release" that is "clearly an attempt to influence the upcoming presidential election in the SBC." "I think Southern Baptists can see this letter for exactly what it is," Stone said of Moores letter. "His letter contains numerous misrepresentations of me and of the leadership of our beloved Convention. More broadly, it illustrates that he holds a markedly different view of the Southern Baptist Convention than the one held by the overwhelming majority of our 14 million members who have generously paid his salary. " His view is of an SBC that contains 'neoconfederate activities' and 'raw racist sentiment.' That is not the SBC that I know." The sacredness of every human being Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In the United States, history tells us that Old Testament teachings have combined with New Testament declarations to proclaim the sacred interior life of every human being each created in Gods image (Gen. 1:26-27). This sacred interior space, often called the soul, received prominence of place in the nascent nations first official document, the Declaration of Independence. On behalf of the new nation, the Continental Congress proclaimed to the world, We hold these truths to be self-evident that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. As they won their independence from Great Britain the new government of the United States, struggling to form a more perfect Union, ratified what we now know to be the U.S. Constitution ratified in September 1787. This new American Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights (comprised of the Constitutions first ten amendments, ratified in 1791) represented a new theory and kind of government, one in which the government gained its power from the consent of the governed and minority rights were protected from majority suppression. This rather simple sounding concept was absolutely revolutionary in the world of the eighteenth century. Over the next more than two centuries it has proven to guarantee and protect more basic human rights than any government yet conceived and incorporated on this planet. And, thanks be to God, over that expanse of time it has produced brave men and women of faith who understand the inviolate, sacred integrity God envisioned and planned for every human being. This has produced citizens of great and noble courage with an unshakeable sense of human dignity. A beautiful illustration of this is Mr. Jack Phillips, the proprietor of the Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado. Mr. Phillips, a devout Christian, on a summer afternoon in July 2012 declined to bake a wedding cake to celebrate a same sex union. Immediately, the cancel culture war machine mobilized against Mr. Phillips and his little bakery. They believed that he must be forced to conform under penalty of law and bake the cake and thus affirm same sex unions. The Colorado Civil Rights Commission began a legal campaign against Mr. Phillips that the U.S. Supreme Court would eventually label as harassment. Jack Phillips response to this campaign of vilification (his objections must be simple prejudice; religion is just an excuse) went through the entire legal system until the Supreme Court upheld Jack Phillips right to freedom of conscience (7 to 2) in Masterpiece Bake Shop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Now, Mr. Phillips has written a book relating his almost decade long struggle to live out his understanding of how God desires for him to use his God-given talents in living out Gods purposes for his life. In The Cost of My Faith, How a Decision in My Cake Shop Took Me to the Supreme Court, Mr. Phillips narrates his struggle and the attacks on his character and physical person that he has endured. He then asks the $64,000 question, Why not just bake the cake? Mr. Phillips answer to the question is brilliantly and beautifully illuminating. He says, My objection is never to the person. . . asking me to create a cake with a particular message. My objection . . . is to the message itself. I can and cheerfully will serve anyone. I cannot and wont communicate every message. Jack Phillips, in telling his story, discovers and displays a God-given talent for the written word that rivals his breathtaking skills as a baker and decorator of cakes. Here is a riveting and moving example: My beliefs are what make me who I am. My commitment to God and to . . . his holy word is the defining premise of my life. . . and the guiding direction for my actions. If you ask me to separate all of that from my work. . . I simply cant do that.. .Its like asking a contractor to build a great building, but first remove the foundation. Then he asks what is really the crucial question: Where do we think artistic creativity comes from? Something outside of ourselves. Of course not. Its water from the foundation of our soul. It comes from a deep- down place inside each of us where our experiences, our understanding, our intentions, our deepest beliefs and convictions all stir together. These cant be separated from each other anymore than you can sift out the various ingredients from a cake after it is baked. Mr. Phillips goes on to explain that he does not disrespect anyone and affirms everyone as made in the image of God and as a person worthy of respect. He understands any talents he has were given to him by God and he has a responsibility to use these gifts to glorify God, not that which God disapproves. Then he explains that demanding that he use his artistry to communicate a message that he believes is wrong is: asking me to stop being me. . . . to deny the deepest convictions of my heart. . .thats not something any person has a right to ask of another. . . or a command any government has the right to force one of its citizens to obey. Well said, Mr. Phillips. As the seventeenth century Puritan preacher Roger Williams, aptly put it almost four centuries ago. for anyone to force the conscience of another person on religious maters is soul rape! May God lead our people to demand that our government continue to hold that the sacred inner space of our citizens souls is beyond the purview of any government or merely human organizations. Vermont can't bar Christian school students from tuition program, appeals court says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A circuit court said Wednesday that the state of Vermont couldn't prohibit tuition funding from going to students who attend religious schools and detailed its reasons for halting what advocates say was "21 years of discrimination in Vermonts program." The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of four Catholic high school students, their parents and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Vermont, by issuing an injunction to require the state to include students who attend religious schools in its Town Tuition Program. The program provides educational vouchers for students living in towns that do not have public schools to attend a private school, but students who chose religious private high schools, such as the diocese's Rice Memorial High School, were denied the benefit. The students represented in this case applied for TTP payments to attend Rice Memorial but were denied. Although the court initially issued the injunction in January, it released the opinion this week outlining the reasons for halting the prohibition on religious schools in the program. Judge Steven Menashi, a Trump appointee, concluded that students going to religious high schools are entitled to TTP funding to the same extent as parents who choose secular schools for their children, regardless of Rices religious affiliation or activities. Four years ago, the Supreme Court reminded states that it has repeatedly confirmed that denying a generally available benefit solely on account of religious identity imposes a penalty on the free exercise of religion that can be justified only by a state interest of the highest order, Menashi wrote in a concurring opinion. Last June, the Court clarified that this rule does not allow a state to apply a state constitutional prohibition on aid to religion that would bar[] religious schools from public benefits solely because of the religious character of the schools,'" Menashi continued. "The Court emphasized that [s]tatus-based discrimination remains status based even if one of its goals or effects is preventing religious organizations from putting aid to religious uses and that a state cannot justify discrimination against religious schools and students by invoking an interest in separating church and State more fiercely than the Federal Constitution." The judge stated that officials who administer the TTP program "continued to discriminate against religious schools and students in violation of the First Amendment." The Supreme Court has made clear that the prevailing practice in Vermont maintaining a policy of excluding religious schools from the TTP is unconstitutional," he added. Attorneys with the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented the plaintiffs, claimed the mandate violated the students First Amendment rights and the free exercise of religion by forcing families to choose between religion or a public benefit. Today the court powerfully affirmed the principle that people of faith deserve equal access to public benefits everyone else gets, ADF Legal Counsel Paul Schmitt said in a statement. Once Vermont chose to subsidize private education, it could not disqualify some private schools solely because they are too religious, he continued. When the state offers parents school choice, it cannot take away choices for a religious school. For too long, Vermont unconstitutionally forced families to choose between exercising their religion or enjoying a publicly available benefit. The defendants said the religious students' benefits were denied because the students wanted a right to religious education at the public's expense and claim this right does not exist. The Second Circuit's opinion indicates a circuit split as the First Circuit ruled last year against parents in Maine seeking state tuition assistance to put their children in a religious private school. The First Circuit shot down the argument that the Supreme Court's 2017 ruling in Trinity Lutheran v. Comer should be seen as a precedent for cases dealing with tuition for religious schools. The Supreme Court ruled that Missouri couldn't deny secular aid funding for a church to improve its daycare playground. The First Circuit upheld the notion that the Supreme Court didn't speak to government funds being used for religious purposes. Last June, the Supreme Court ruled by a narrow margin that religious schools can qualify for a state tax credit program despite a state constitution ban on public aid for religious entities. Ex-nanny of former Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz accuses him of sexual abuse Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Months after being fired last November from his role as lead pastor at New York City's Hillsong Church over leadership issues and cheating on his wife, Carl Lentz has been accused of bullying and sexual abuse by one of his former nannies who is now a co-pastor at Hillsong Boston. Leona Kimes, who currently leads the Boston congregation with her husband Josh Kimes, accused Lentz of repeated sexual touching in a post on Medium Monday. Through a legal representative, Lentz has denied the allegations. Kimes, who served as a nanny for Lentz and his wife for seven years before moving with her husband to Boston, said she was left so scarred by the experience that she needed intense therapy after it ended. While there were joyful moments during that time, no one knew that I also experienced a great deal of pain," Kimes wrote. "During the years I spent serving them, I was subjected to manipulation, control, bullying, abuse of power, and sexual abuse. Having told almost no one before this, I am just now able to share what I experienced in their home as the result of intense therapy." She explained that she and her husband left Australia a decade ago to help build Hillsong NYC, a branch of the international church network based in Austrailia. But the abuse she experienced grew over time. The abuse of power started small. Hours would increase beyond belief," Kimes stated. "Often I would work from 7 am to 11 pm. Schedules were switched last minute without even attempting to confirm my availability. Tasks kept getting added and added to my load. They made fun of me constantly, even calling me Cinderella, which they said was their way of loving me. My husband was frequently criticized as a group sport. Gossip was constant. If I didnt join in or if I disagreed, I was the odd one out. Classic bullying." When it came to the sexual abuse, Kimes said it started small too. My pastor would look at me and say, Gurl, youre looking good. Youve been in the gym? There was a lot of flirty teasing like this," she explained. "I had been around long enough to know thats just how he was with women. But after a while, the comments started to escalate." Kimes said she remembers being told, "after you have kids, well buy you a boob job." "Looking back, I know I felt embarrassed, but I didnt know it was wrong then," she stated. "It hadnt occurred to me that I had a right to not be spoken to like that, by my pastor or anyone else." The Hillsong Boston leader said that in the summer of 2015, the sexual abuse, which did not escalate to sexual intercourse, moved far beyond just flirty compliments and suggestive teasing. She detailed how she was touched inappropriately while driving, touched while at the movie theater with his kids and other places. While he never had intercourse with me and never kissed me, I was physically violated by his unwanted and repeated sexual touching of my intimate areas. I froze. Every time, I froze, she wrote. Kimes said when she complained about the pastor's behavior, which included suggestive text messages, she was blamed and silenced by the family in 2016. I was the problem. But, they kept me in my role, and I worked harder than ever after that, she said. I tried to escape by telling him I would find a new job outside of church. Even though my husband was on staff, too, I thought it would be the best solution. I will never forget my pastor standing over me with a stern look, asking me who would possibly hire me. Without a college degree, he asked, what kind of job did I think I could get in New York City? she recalled. I wont forget how that made me feel, so alone, so worth absolutely nothing, so fearful of my future, so fearful for my husbands future. After it became clear that Lentz was finally leaving Hillsong Church last year, Kimes said she shared what had happened to her with her husband. I wont ever forget how my husband believed me and grieved with me when I told him my story after I knew our pastor was leaving Hillsong Church after I was safe," she wrote. "I wont ever forget how it felt to start remembering little details that would pop up out of nowhere. I wont ever forget the years that were stolen." She also praised Hillsong Church Global Senior Pastor Brian Houston and his wife, Bobbie, for supporting her. It has been a process for me to come forward and report my experiences to leadership. I have been met with compassion, particularly by Brian and Bobbie Houston. And, I have been welcomed into a journey of healing, she said. Even though she thought about leaving the church in her darkest moments, Kimes said she remains committed to Hillsong. I have decided to stay because I still have the same heart toward church that Ive always had," she assured. "Even with all Ive been through, I still love it. Hillsong is my church, and I will remain on staff, working toward a stronger future." A legal representative for the Lentz family told Religion News Service that they vehemently deny the allegations and, in addition to that, have irrefutable proof the events did not happen as they are being described. In a statement released Sunday, Brian and Bobbie Houston called Kimes experience disturbing and said they are continuously working to keep their church safe. After the termination of the former Lead Pastor of Hillsong East Coast, it was clear the issues were significant and because of our concerns, we initiated an independent and lengthy investigation into the culture of all four Hillsong East Coast locations, their statement reads. In the process of seeking clarity, hearing Leona Kimes experience was very disturbing. We have respected Leonas privacy and her deeply personal story. She has now decided to share her experience so that she and her husband can continue moving forward as a family." The Houstons said the recovery process for Kimes and her family will be long but assured that the couple has the Houstons' "full concern and pastoral support." "We know that Leona may face criticism for her story and her choice to share it," the Houstons stressed. "In that light, we commend her for her courage and have assured her of our utmost compassion in their journey forward. Abuse of any kind, in any circumstance, is always deplorable. As a church, we are committed to learning more about how to identify such trauma and bring meaningful support to anyone who has experienced it." According to their online profile, Josh Kimes has served at Hillsong Church for over 13 years. He first served as a youth pastor at Hillsong Sydney and then became the associate pastor at Hillsong NYC for over seven years before he and his wife moved north to pioneer Hillsong Boston. The Kimes have two children. Vatican reforms penal sanctions to clarify punishment for clergy sex abuse Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Vatican has unveiled significant changes to the Catholic Churchs Code of Canon Law designed to update and clarify actions that detail clear penal sanctions against members of the clergy and lay officials who engage in sexual abuse of children and adults. Previously, church law dictated only that cases of sexual misconduct of children by clergy could merit "just penalties." The new changes explicitly criminalize sexual abuse of adults by clergy and also make it so laypeople holding church offices can also be sanctioned for similar offenses. The changes come as the Catholic Church continues to deal with the fallout from its sex abuse scandal that first became public two decades ago, revealing that members of the clergy had behaved inappropriately with minors. Pope Francis signed the apostolic constitution Pascite Gregem Dei on May 23, Pentecost Sunday, the text of which was released Tuesday. In the document, Francis announced reforms to Book VI of the Catholic Churchs Code of Canon Law, which addresses penal sanctions in the Church. "[T]he new text brings changes of different types to the law in force up to now, and sanctions some new penal types," an unofficial English translation of the document reads. "In a particular way, many of the novelties present in the text respond to the ever wider need in communities to see justice re-established and the order that the crime has broken." Francis expressed hope that the changes will be "an instrument for the good of souls and that, when it's necessary, its prescriptions be put into practice by Pastors with justice and mercy, conscious that it is part of their ministry, as a duty of justice eminent cardinal virtue to impose punishments when the good of the faithful exacts it." The changes will go into effect on Dec. 8. The pontiff explained that his predecessor, Benedict XVI, gave a mandate to the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts to begin studying a revision of the penal language contained within the 1983 code. The 1983 code refers to criminal law promulgated by St. John Paul II" on January 25, 1983. Francis contended that it was necessary to modify the language so that it could serve as a more agile correctivetool to be used promptly "to prevent greater evils and heal the wounds caused by human weakness." Those assisting in drafting the new Book VI included experts and pastors as well as numerous canonists and experts in criminal law from all over the world. "Many have been the damages occasioned in the past by the lack of understanding of the profound relation that exists in the Church between the exercise of charity and the carrying out of the sanctioning discipline, so long as the circumstances and justice require it," the translation reads. "That way of thinking experience teaches entails the risk of temporizing with behaviour that is contrary to the discipline, for which the remedy cannot come only from exhortations or suggestions. This attitude often bears with it the risk that, with the passage of time, such ways of life crystalize making correction more difficult and aggravating in many cases the scandal and confusion among the faithful." The existing Code of Canon Law states that a cleric who persists with scandal in another external sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue is to be punished by a suspension. Under the existing Code of Canon Law, such an action committed by force or threats or publicly or with a minor below the age of sixteen years, is to be punished with just penalties, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state if the case so warrants. Title VI of Part II of Book VI has been amended to include a list of offences against human life, dignity and liberty. Currently, Title VI contains a shorter list of delicts against human life and freedom, such as murder, kidnapping and mutilation. The revised Code of Canon Law calls on clerics to be punished if they engage in sexual activity with a minor, coerce a minor to expose themselves or possess or distribute pornographic images of minors. Penalties for committing such offenses include orders to reside in a particular place or territory or prohibitions from living in a specific area or territory and revocations of privileges accompanying priesthood, such as the ability to hear confessions and wear vestments. In the most extreme circumstances, those who commit such offenses can be removed from the priesthood. Title V of Part II of Book VI, which contains a list of offences against special obligations, has been updated to include additional offenses subject to punishment. Most notably, A cleric who voluntarily and unlawfully abandons the sacred ministry, for six months continuously, with the intention of withdrawing himself from the competent Church authority, is to be punished, according to the gravity of the offence and in the more serious cases may be dismissed from the clerical state. Additionally, Pope Francis said that the revised Code of Canon Law aimed to create unity among the church body regarding penal sanctions. The revisions to Book VI of the Churchs Code of Canon Law come not long after a Gallup poll found that Americans trust in their religious leaders reached an all-time low. Pope Francis has been accused of covering up the sex abuse. But the Vatican has denied wrongdoing on the part of the pontiff, labeling such claims as monstrous and blasphemous. Mike Stone says leaked Russell Moore letter an attempt to sway SBC presidential election Leaked 4,000-word letter details anguish about SBC leadership, racism, sex abuse Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A leaked letter from Russell Moore, the former head of the Southern Baptist Convention's public policy arm, details what he says is a "toxic" culture of protecting sexual abusers in churches and allowing racial prejudice. But Mike Stone, a leading candidate running for SBC president, believes the letter's release is an attempt to sway the upcoming election. Moore, who recently left SBC's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission to take a job with Christianity Today, explained in a February 2020 letter to ERLC trustees leaked to Religion News Service that his time at the helm of the organization has been one of deep anguish due to dynamics at work within the upper echelons of the convention. In addition to leaving the denomination professionally, Moore appears to have left it personally, having recently accepted a ministerial position at Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee, an Acts 29 network congregation not affiliated with the SBC. At the time he wrote the letter, the SBC Executive Committee scrutinized the ERLC amid ongoing concerns from within the denomination about Moore's leadership, with some threatening to withhold donations from the SBC Cooperative Program, which in part funds the commission. Though Moore was a frequent critic of Donald Trump, the 45th president was not the source of Moore's distress. Instead, it was the opposition by some to the stance he took on sexual abuse within the SBC and the promotion of racial reconciliation. Moore recounted in the letter how SBC leaders and entities were protecting sexual abusers within churches, racist comments against fellow Christians were uttered and how he was subjected to unfair attacks, manipulative threats and investigations by the SBC Executive Committee. Although he was not explicitly named in the letter, some of Moore's grievances seemed to be aimed at the then-president of the Executive Committee and former head of the Georgia Baptist Convention, Mike Stone. Stone is the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia, and one of the leading candidates for president of the SBC. This election will be decided later this month in Nashville. In a statement emailed to The Christian Post Thursday, Stone said he does not recognize the SBC that Moore describes and that he had mischaracterized Southern Baptists. "The accusation that a special 2020 ERLC Task Force was a unilateral action on my part is blatantly and provably false," Stone, who was a member of the task force that found the ERLC under Moore to be a threat to SBC funding, said. "This attack is a deflection from the fact that Russells leadership of the ERLC has been an ongoing source of division and distraction for Southern Baptists." An area of contentiousness Moore described as "unrelenting and draining" was racial reconciliation, particularly related to the emergence of critical race theory within the denomination, which was brought to the fore with the adoption of Resolution 9 at the 2019 annual meeting. The resolution recognized the theory as an analytical tool that can be useful though incomplete as a worldview framework. It has been a source of significant division in the convention ever since. "From the very beginning of my service, I have been attacked with the most vicious guerilla tactics on such matters, and have been told to be quiet about this by others,'" Moore reportedly wrote in the leaked letter. "One SBC leader who was at the forefront of these behind-closed-doors assaults had already ripped me to shreds verbally for saying, in 2011, that the Southern Baptist Convention should elect an African-American president. This same leader told a gathering that 'The Conservative Resurgence is like the Civil War, except this time unlike the last one, the right side won.'" "Another SBC leader used constant pressure against me in protest of our hiring of Dan Darling and Trillia Newbell, in 2013. At the time, this was, he said, because they did not have adequate Southern Baptist backgrounds. When I answered his concerns to his face, he said, 'I was really just concerned about that black girl, whether shes an egalitarian.' When I asked what possibly could lead him to think that a woman who has written complementarian articles for complementarian websites was an 'egalitarian,' he responded: 'A lot of those black girls are.' In a tweet, Newbell said that she has experienced racism her entire life and its not going to stop her from "doing the good work the Lord planned for me." The long-running debate over complementarian and egalitarian theology has surged within the SBC in recent months after Bible teacher Beth Moore announced her departure from the denomination and Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California ordained several women in defiance of convention policy. While nuances abound regarding what theological complementarians and egalitarians believe, in general, complementarians hold that women are restricted from certain offices within the church, such as the lead pastor. Egalitarians believe Scripture does not warrant such restrictions. Moore additionally claimed he was constantly accused of being a liberal, despite his repeated assertions that he adheres to theological orthodoxy and that some wanted him to live in terror of and under the "rule of a toxic and abusive gerontocracy." Moore added that he meets faithful Christians who were raised or are former Southern Baptists everywhere he goes. The reason they left the denomination is that they have seen and experienced similar things. He said former Southern Baptist young people who are now nondenominational Christians "just look at the rage and the bigotry and the cover-ups and the buffoonery and they shrug their shoulders and say, 'I guess they dont want people like me.'" Regarding sexual abuse, Moore shared with the ERLC trustees that the organization intended to host an honest conversation about the issues at a 2019 national conference and that nobody would be policed from speaking what they had experienced or thought. "At least one speaker harshly criticized us for not doing enough, or not handling things the way he thought we should. I welcomed that criticism. I learned from it, and was glad that the speaker felt the freedom to do so," he explained. At that conference, advocate Rachael Denhollender participated with Moore in an exchange where she voiced strong feelings about how poorly the SBC Executive Committee staff had treated a sexual abuse survivor, an account Moore said was accurate. "This enraged some Executive Committee trustee leadership, who communicated that they were incensed that we would allow such a story to be told," he recalled, noting it was communicated with "special outrage" because the Executive Committee had financially contributed to the conference and a story like that should not have been shared from the platform. In his statement, later published online, Stone accused the letter of being a "back-door press release" that is "clearly an attempt to influence the upcoming presidential election in the SBC." "And I think Southern Baptists can see this letter for exactly what it is," he argued. "His letter contains numerous misrepresentations of me and of the leadership of our beloved Convention. More broadly, it illustrates that he holds a markedly different view of the Southern Baptist Convention than the one held by the overwhelming majority of our 14 million members who have generously paid his salary." "His view is apparently of an SBC filled with 'white nationalists and white supremacists,'" Stone continued. "His view is of an SBC that contains 'neoconfederate activities' and 'raw racist sentiment.' That is not the SBC that I know." Stone refuted the notion that SBC national leaders employed "'psychological terror" against Moore to "prevent him from speaking the truth about sexual abuse and racism." "In my entire service at the Executive Committee and as a pastor, I have never heard a single Southern Baptist be angry over opposition to sexual abuse or racism," Stone stressed. "That is not the SBC that I know. Today, at our 47,000 churches, devoted Southern Baptists are preparing for Vacation Bible School, childrens camps, student mission trips, and more. Thats the SBC that I know." He concluded that Moore's terse accusations against the SBC and its leadership were supposedly made in private correspondence in February of 2020, and it is strange that they were sat on for nearly a year and a half, given their seriousness. "I regret that Russells service as president of one of our agencies has led him to such a disillusioned opinion of who we are. My prayer is that his new place of service outside the SBC will lead him to a better and more peaceful place personally and professionally," he said. Others running for SBC president this year include Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler and Alabama Pastor Ed Litton, who is endorsed by the SBC's first and only black president, Fred Luter. All of the family and friends of the Hett family were saddened by the recent deaths of Philip Hett, a Kansas pastor, and his 10-year-old daughter, Abigail, who were killed in a car accident over the weekend. Christopher Giroux, 24, of Salina, was driving a pickup truck in the opposite direction when he crossed the median and collided with the Hetts' pickup truck, reports Fox 4. The 39-year-old father and his 10-year-old daughter were killed in the crash. Jill, Philip's 13-year-old daughter, was also in the car, but she survived the collision, reports The Christian Post. She sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital right afterwards. In the Fox 4 report, the Kansas Highway Patrol said that the crash that killed the pastor and his daughter occurred 8 miles south of Salina on Interstate 135 at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. "I don't think it's really sunk in yet that they're gone," said Toby Peck, a family member. "It's gonna be really hard when it finally does sink in." Peck said that Pastor Philip had impacted "a lot of lives" in the Lindsborg neighborhood, and was very likable. Additionally, he referred to Abigail as "fun," "super smart" and "very talented." The family members acknowledged that the deaths of Philip and Abigail had left them mourning, they are still thankful that Jillian lived. "We're lucky to have her," said Peck. "It was a really bad wreck, and some good Samaritans actually are the ones that pulled her out. And that's why she's with us. It's amazing that anybody got out of there and she wouldn't have had (it not) been for them." A spiritual father to many Pastor Hett served as the spiritual pastor for the staff and residents of Bethany Village, an Evangelical Lutheran Churches of America retirement facility. Kris Erickson, CEO of Bethany Village, released a statement to The Christian Post on Wednesday in which he requested for people to pray for the pastor's family. Erickson said that they were "in shock" for the sudden passing of their "beloved pastor and friend." "He has left us with lessons in faith and love that allow us to hold one another up as we come to terms with this tragedy. Our prayers are with his family, his daughter Jillian, and all who loved him as we grieve with them. We also pray for the family and loved ones of the young man who was involved in the accident," added Erickson. He also described him as a "brilliant theologian" who has an "understanding of the socio-political climate of the time." "He was the spiritual center of our mission. He was the person we would turn to in our time of loss and grief, and now we face this loss without his presence," said Erickson. Donations are welcome KCWH said that the family of Phillip and Abigail Hett is arranging two funerals and is now soliciting donations to pay funeral and hospital costs. Eyewitness News talked with the mother of Abigail and Jillian Hett, who said donations may be sent to the Jillian and Abby Hett Fund via Farmers State Bank in Lindsborg, Kansas. Tom Cotton accuses Democrats of blackmail for threatening to pack Supreme Court over abortion case Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Republican senator has accused Democrats of trying to blackmail the United States Supreme Court by threatening to add justices to the bench if it rules that Mississippis 15-week abortion ban does not violate the U.S. Constitution. Following the publication of an article in The Hill featuring Democratic senators vowing that a vote to overturn Roe v. Wade would fuel their push to add justices to the Supreme Court, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., tweeted a link to the article accompanied by the word: Blackmail. Cottons wording suggests he believes that congressional Democrats were warning the justices that if they don't rule in favor of abortion in an upcoming case, they'll risk losing the nine-seat status quo, which even progressive justices have argued is necessary to assure the public that the bodys decisions are guided by legal principle, not politics. The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, beloved by progressives, warned about the dangers of one side saying when were in power were going to enlarge the number of judges so well have more people who will vote the way we want them to. The number of Supreme Court justices has remained fixed at nine for a century-and-a-half. The Democrats vows to push for expanding the size of the court if the justices vote to overturn Roe followed the May 17 announcement that the court would hear an appeal from the state of Mississippi in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. The state of Mississippi is asking the court to reverse a lower court decision that ruled the states 15-week abortion ban is unconstitutional. A ruling in favor of Mississippi would significantly weaken the central finding in the 1973 case Roe v. Wade, which ruled that women across the U.S. have the right to obtain an abortion. Currently, the court consists of six justices appointed by Republican presidents and three appointed by Democratic presidents. The makeup of the court has caused concern among Democrats, who fear that the nominally conservative majority will overturn Roe. In April, congressional Democrats unveiled a legislative proposal to add four seats to the court, which would increase the number of justices to 13. While Democrats currently hold narrow majorities in both houses of Congress, the bill has failed to gain traction as Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated that she had no plans to bring it to the floor for a vote. Speaking to The Hill, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., vowed that Chipping away at Roev. Wade will precipitate a seismic movement to reform the Supreme Court. He acknowledged that it may not be expanding the Supreme Court, it may be making changes to its jurisdiction, or requiring a certain number of votes to strike down certain past precedents. Calls for adding seats to the court, a process derided by critics as court packing, first broke out following Ginsburgs death last September and the Republican-controlled Senates push to confirm a replacement before the 2020 presidential election. In the vice-presidential debate, then-Vice President Mike Pence asked his opponent, then-Sen. Kamala Harris, Are you and Joe Biden, if somehow you win this election, going to pack the Supreme Court to get your way? Harris did not answer the question directly, instead, she used her platform to criticize the Trump administration for not appointing any African-American jurists to the appellate courts. Calls to add justices to the court grew louder following the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett as Ginsburgs replacement. Ahead of the presidential election last October, Biden expressed openness to the idea of rotating Supreme Court justices to the lower courts and vice versa in addition to announcing his intention to put together a bipartisan commission to look at possible reforms to the court while downplaying the idea of court packing. In the most recent challenge to an abortion law that came before the court, four of the nine justices at the time dissented from the majority opinion, finding that a Louisiana law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals was unconstitutional. Chief Justice John Roberts, a Republican appointee, sided with the four Democrat-appointed justices by voting to strike down the law. Since that court decision, which came down last summer, the makeup of the court has changed, with Barrett replacing Ginsburg. The pro-life movement has waited nearly a half-century for the court to roll back Roe. If Barrett votes with the four dissenters in the Louisiana abortion case to uphold the Mississippi law and all the other remaining justices vote the same way they did on the previous case, then the final decision would be 5-4 to uphold the law. According to SCOTUSBlog, the court is scheduled to hear oral arguments for Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization in October. Oral arguments for the upcoming term will be held on an intermittent basis, beginning on Oct. 4 and lasting through April 27, 2022. The justices will likely make a decision on the case at some point next spring, just months ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. US Embassy to Vatican flies LGBT rainbow flag to mark Pride Month Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The United States Embassy to the Holy See is flying the rainbow flag to mark LGBT Pride Month, a move critics say shows disregard for the historic teachings of the Church. The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See celebrates #PrideMonth with the Pride flag on display during the month of June," the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See tweeted Tuesday. "The United States respects the dignity and equality of LGBTQI+ people. LGBTQI+ rights are human rights." The move comes as Pride Month festivities launch worldwide this month. The U.S. embassy is not located inside the borders of the Vatican City city-state but is in the same compound as the U.S. embassy to Italy. I am thoroughly disgusted. In my opinion, given the Catholic faith's stance on homosexual activity, such an action has less in common with attaining and promoting equal rights for people than it does a slap in the face to the Catholic faith for its stances, said Catholic childrens author John McNichol in a social media post, as reported by LifeSiteNews. It is, regrettably, an action typical of the current American administration's hostility to authentic Catholicism, he continued, adding that [w]hat is most troubling is that the minions of the Democratic party now feel comfortable in giving the proverbial finger to the Vatican. Echoing McNichol, conservative commentator Erick Erickson also took to social media to voice his displeasure. "Will the US also fly the rainbow flag at its Saudi and Pakistani embassies or do they only virtue signal where no one will respond to their PR stunt?" Erickson asked in a tweet. In March, the Vatican reasserted its opposition to same-sex unions, stating that any priestly blessing of such union is not valid in the Church's eyes. Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy observed that though the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See flew the LGBT Pride flag, it curiously did no such thing in Saudi Arabia where being gay is punishable by death. Welcome the Woke new world, he quipped. Catechism 2357 of the Roman Catholic Church speaks of chastity and homosexuality. It states that "Sacred Scripture" presents homosexual acts as sinful and that tradition has consistently held they are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved, Catechism 2357 states. LGBT Pride Month occurs in June to commemorate the Stonewall riots over 50 years ago. The series of violent scuffles began in the early hours of June 28, 1969, between the police and gay rights activists outside of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the Greenwich Village area of New York City. In June 2015, the U.S. Supreme court legalized same-sex marriage, overruling the states that either made laws or amended their state constitutions in previous years prohibiting gay marriage. The embassy's flying of the LGBT flag comes on the heels of a legislative proposal from Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., that would bar flying of any political flags from atop any U.S. embassies. Called the Stars and Stripes Act of 2021, the measure came as a response to the State Departments decision to fly the Black Lives Matter flag on the anniversary of the police killing of George Floyd on Memorial Day 2020. "It is inappropriate for President Biden and Secretary Blinken to authorize and encourage the display of inherently political flags that are in no way affiliated with the U.S. Government over American embassies overseas," Malliotakis said in a statement. Given BLMs goal of defunding police departments, flying the organizations symbol is an insult to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our flag and our nation, she said. In April, it was reported that the Biden administration would allow U.S. embassies to fly LGBT rainbow flags from May 17 through the end of June, reversing a Trump-era policy in which only the U.S. flag was allowed to fly at embassies. A cable from Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges embassies to decide if it is appropriate for them to fly the LGBT flags in light of local conditions. State Department officials were told to follow the do no harm policy to prevent a backlash against the local LGBT population. Andrew T. Walker, an associate professor of Christian Ethics and Apologetics at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, took to Twitter to voice his thoughts on the LGBT flag flying at the U.S. Embassy. "Are we going to get any anguished think pieces on the compromised moral witness of Biden-voting evangelicals now that LGBT flags are flying at the US Embassy to the Vatican and proposed tax-payer funded abortion is a thing?" he asked. "Or does that Narrative only flow in one direction?" "Or, maybe what were learning is that voting rationales are complex, layered, and all the shame heaped on Trump-voting Christians by their Cultural Betters was either simplistic or in bad faith?" he added. Ex-BLM leader exposes ugly truth, says group has 'little concern for rebuilding black families' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Black Lives Matter chapter founder in St. Paul, Minnesota, has shared a video exposing what he calls the political organization's ugly truth," arguing that it shows little concern for rebuilding black families and improving the quality of education for black students. I believed the organization stood for exactly what the name implies, Rashad Turner, who founded the St. Paul BLM chapter in 2015, said in May 26 video posted by TakeCharge Minnesota. Black lives do matter. However, after a year on the inside, I learned they have little concern for rebuilding black families, and they cared even less for improving the quality of education for students in Minneapolis." Turner is now the president and executive director of the school choice advocacy group, Minnesota Parent Union, which helps parents move their children from failing schools to successful schools. Turner, a Minneapolis native, believes in the power of education. His grandparents raised him after his father was killed and his mom could not care for him. His grandparents told him if he was going to change his life for the better, education was the answer, he shared. Success is possible, Turner said. Just look at me and the hundreds of children and families weve helped to pursue a great education, break the chains of poverty and lead a life of success. Turner worked hard in school and was the first in his family to earn a college degree and a masters degree in education. I am living proof that wherever you start off in life, quality education is a path to success, he shared. I want the same success for our children and in our community. Turner resigned from BLM after a year and a half but said he has not quit working to improve black lives and access to a great education. Turner said he eventually realized BLM did not care about improving educational opportunities for black children. That was made very clear when they publicly denounced the charter schools alongside the teachers union, he said. I was an insider in Black Lives Matter, and I learned the ugly truth. The moratorium on charter schools does not support rebuilding the black family, but it does create barriers for a better education for black children. BLM reportedly deleted its webpage that listed disrupting the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure as one of its core principles, according to Fox News. The Christian Post reached out to BLM for comment on Turners video. A response was not received by press time. BLM-led protests erupted across the nation in response to George Floyds death on May 25, 2020. The group was founded in 2013. While many have resonated with the idea that black lives matter, many have objected to BLM being an overtly political movement that stands for more than just racial equality. BLM is supportive of defunding the police and advancing the LGBT agenda. The organization was founded by three women, two of whom identify as queer. BLM recently came under fire for calling for Palestinian liberation and standing in solidarity with Palestinians as Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets into Israel last month. Some evangelical leaders and organizations have argued the BLM organization supports a godless agenda and that many of its positions are explicitly anti-Christian. BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors, who has described herself as a trained Marxist, announced on Thursday that she is stepping down from leading the global organization as executive director after helping to launch the organization. Cullors said her resignation has been in the works for over a year and has nothing to do with the recent personal attacks she has endured in the past weeks, according to ABC News. Cullors came under fire when it was reported that she purchased four luxury homes, which sparked criticism and questions over her finances. Those were right-wing attacks that tried to discredit my character, and I dont operate off of what the right thinks about me, Cullors said regarding the criticism. Hundreds gather at Tulsa churchs prayer wall for 100th anniversary of race massacre Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Hundreds attended an interfaith service at a historic church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to mark the 100th anniversary of one of the worst race massacres in United States history. Held Monday at Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church in Tulsas Greenwood neighborhood, the event featured prominent national and local African-American faith leaders like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. William Barber. You can kill the people but you cannot kill the voice of the blood, stated Barber at the event, as reported by The Associated Press, adding that he was humbled even to stand on this holy ground. Members of Congress were in attendance, including Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del. and Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del. In addition to the interfaith service, President Joe Biden also gave a speech at the Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa on Tuesday. You know, theres a verse in 1 Corinthians that says, For now, we see in a mirror dimly, but then, face to face, now I know in part, then I shall know fully, said Biden. For much too long, the history of what took place here was told in silence, cloaked in darkness. But just because history is silent, it doesnt mean that it did not take place. And while darkness can hide much, it erases nothing. On May 31, 1921, a white mob violently attacked the black Tulsa neighborhood of Greenwood, which included a major business district commonly known as Black Wall Street. For approximately 18 hours, clashes occurred in Greenwood, with over 1,200 houses destroyed and an official death toll of 36 people, predominantly African-American. History.com dubbed the Tulsa Race Massacre as one of the deadliest riots in U.S. history, behind only the New York Draft Riots of 1863, which killed at least 119 people. In the years to come, as Black Tulsans worked to rebuild their ruined homes and businesses, segregation in the city only increased, and Oklahomas newly established branch of the KKK grew in strength, noted the site. A 2001 state commission examination of events was able to confirm 36 dead, 26 Black and 10 white. However, historians estimate the death toll may have been as high as 300. Last year, a group of people, including a predominantly African-American church and a 105-year-old survivor of the massacre, sued Tulsa for reparations over the violent tragedy. Defendants unlawful acts and omissions in the years and decades following the Massacre blighted the Greenwood neighborhood, endangering the health and safety of the Greenwood community, the lawsuit stated. Defendants interference with investment in the Greenwood and North Tulsa community and neighborhood, which began after the Massacre, continues to this day. Previous lawsuits seeking compensation for the 1921 riot have failed, including a federal suit in 2003 that was dismissed due to a statute of limitations. High school allows valedictorian to deliver 'Christianized' speech after trying to censor content Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Michigan high school made a one-time exception and reversed its request to alter a high school valedictorians very Christianized remarks for her senior honors night speech after a legal nonprofit wrote a letter urging school officials to respect her free speech rights. Savannah Lefler, the valedictorian of her 2021 senior class at John Glenn High School in Westland, was selected to deliver a short, pre-recorded speech for the Honors Convocation Ceremony. The address will be recorded on Wednesday to be shown to the families of honor students. When John Glenn High School requested she take religious content out of her speech, a lawyer with the First Liberty Institute sent a letter Tuesday to the schools principal, Michael Wegher, urging the school to honor her constitutional rights. In response to the letter, the high school refused to concede a legal requirement. Still, it allowed a one-time non-negotiable relinquishment of control," allowing Lefler to deliver her speech with a disclaimer saying the school does not endorse the speech. In a letter obtained by The Christian Post, the school districts attorney responded to First Liberty Institute to explain how Leflers speech was not unconstitutionally censored in that context and said the religious liberty law firms legal position was without any merit whatsoever." Nearly half of Ms. Leflers draft speech was unmoored from any sort of academic or pedagogical interest related to the School Districts Honors Convocation. Rather, it was an attempt to proselytize at a school-sponsored event, with the School Districts imprimatur. , the school districts attorney, Kevin T. Sutton, wrote in a letter to First Liberty Institute General Counsel Mike Berry. Indeed, it is not a speech it is a sermon, Suttons letter continued. The attorney noted that though the school district is under no obligation to deviate from its practice, the School District will permit a one-time, non-negotiable relinquishment of control over Ms. Leflers speech. When Lefler submitted her speech on May 19 to the school's speech coordinator, Don Loomis, Loomis suggested her address include more content on her school experiences. Days later, on May 24, Wegher emailed Lefler and said her speech needed to be revised to fit a non-secular approach." I appreciate your desire to speak from the heart and share your beliefs and philosophies with others, Wegher wrote in the email to Lefler as quoted in First Liberty's June 1 letter. Unfortunately, we are a public educational institution and must legally abide by the [First Amendment] of the US Constitution. Through past Supreme Court cases, rulings have stated that government institutions, including public schools, cannot favor one religion over any others. The principal encouraged Lefler to be inclusive and respectful to students of all beliefs since the school has students and staff who would identify as Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindi, Sikh, Jehovah's Witness, atheist, etc. Those are the perspectives from the legal side, I would also give the following advice from a more social perspective, the email continued. We have a diverse student body and staff. It is one of the things I love about the John Glenn community. We must be inclusive and respectful of their beliefs as well, he added. With this said, we do need to see a revision that sticks to a non-secular [sic] approach. I am not opposed to thanking God for the great honor bestowed upon you, but we cannot take the approach that is currently laid out in your speech. Lefler called the principal for clarification, and he allegedly told her the very Christianized section of the speech needed to be changed not to offend people of other viewpoints. Leflers speech encouraged students not to waste their lives, presented the Gospel and shared how trusting in Christ allows ones purpose to be fulfilled. Seeing that man is completely unable to achieve perfection, God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through the perfect life of Jesus Christ, who is God in flesh, Leflers speech draft read. He not only lived perfectly, but he was killed on a cross and took the punishment that humans deserve, her speech continued. Then he rose from the dead three days later, thus vindicating His holiness and divinity. This allows us to fulfill our purpose in glorifying God because we can now stand before Him blameless if we repent and trust in Christ and His finished work. May His name be praised forever! Leflers speech encouraged her classmates to seek the truth," citing John Pipers book Dont Waste Your Life. She argued that the purposes of life reflected by the teachings of Plato, Charles Darwin and other religions are wrong. The purpose of life is to live a life devoted to Christ, the draft of her speech read. The student's speech draft also stated that "man is unholy, bad, and unjust." "Good is not an arbitrary word that reflects occasional pleasantness," the draft stated, according to the school attorney's letter. "Goodness is a virtue; moral excellence; perfected well doing. But the Bible reveals that 'no one does good, not even one,' and because of this, 'the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth.'" Leflers First Liberty Institute attorneys alleged that the school districts request to censor her speech violated the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. Too often, we have seen well-meaning school officials thinking they are complying with the Establishment Clause mistakenly go too far and censor the private speech of students, violating students rights under the Free Speech Clause, First Liberty Institute attorneys Berry and Stephanie Taub wrote in the letter. The schools attorney responded that the request to alter Leflers speech was legal but agreed to allow her to deliver the speech under the condition that the video address has a disclaimer that the expressed views belong to Lefler and not the school. We are grateful that Savannah will be allowed to freely express her religious perspective in her remarks, Taub said in a statement. [She] is thrilled that shell be able to celebrate with her classmates without being censored. Taub encouraged other students to stand up for their First Amendment rights. May God be glorified in the situation, Lefler said in a statement. Im thankful I will be able to share my faith in Christ with my classmates and pray that this never happens to another student in the future. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Dear Chuck, My husband and I have good intentions when it comes to using money wisely, but we just dont follow through. We need help! Stuck Without a Budget Dear Stuck Without a Budget, In my years of counseling couples about their finances, I have met many just like you who want to have a structured approach but cant seem to get there or stay there. I have three tips: put in the time to plan, write out your plan, and then, faithfully implement it. Time to plan One of the primary obstacles is that most couples dont take the time necessary to work on their finances. You probably spent plenty of time together when you were dating/courting. Now, you need to invest time in your financial future. Planning takes time, but it is an essential element for any financial program. God is an orderly provider and expects us, His stewards, to be the same. Set aside a weekend for you and your spouse to begin the process of discussing your goals and putting a plan together to get there. If that is not possible, start with just an hour per week at a time and place where you are relaxed and able to focus. Sound financial management is an aspect of the Christian life that requires Gods wisdom. We must rely on His Word to make financial decisions for the short term (for the duration of our lives) and for the long term (beyond our lives into eternity). A written plan A written plan provides goals to work toward and helps you measure progress. It will help you stay on track by referring to your original objective. You will analyze priorities and develop effective habits. Working as a team, you can encourage and motivate one another to stay focused. Your mindset and behavior will change as you strive to manage money by Biblical principles. As Ron Blue said in his book, Never Enough, Goals tie our habits to our hearts. A budget is a tool that shows how much you can spend based on what you allocate to giving, saving, and investing, or vice versa. Certainly, a budget is an important aspect of getting your finances under control, but it should be viewed as a means to achieve your larger goals, not the end goal. For instance, a wise financial plan will accelerate you towards achieving your life purpose, not simply paying the bills and having money for retirement. Friends of mine planned for years to be able to self-fund their full-time global mission work after age 55. They have done it and are having the time of their lives! A budget helped them accomplish their purpose. Adjust your budget as you gain new insight and as your financial picture changes. Remember that choosing frugality is less painful than it being forced on you due to lack of planning. For help getting started, go here. A record number of American adults say that their primary financial regret since the beginning of Covid-19 is not saving enough for emergencies. A financial plan could have prepared them for the unexpected. See saving tips. Your plan should include: Giving Saving: emergency account Debt reduction and elimination Investing: employer retirement plans, IRA, HSA, real estate, etc. Mortgage, insurance, car and home maintenance, improvements, and future purchases Childrens education, vacations, upcoming events, and large purchases Implement your plan Track your giving, saving, spending, and investing. Then, put financial dates in your calendar. Make them a time you look forward to. Monthly budget analysis, quarterly progress reports, and yearly goal resets will help you stay the course. Crown has a great program called, Money Dates that you can find here. Pick a night of the week to dedicate to your financial education. You may know a lot about money but perhaps not what God says about it. Feeding on truth, you will renew your mind and gain a Biblical perspective on money. This will help you make smart decisions and find contentment in all situations. This is also a time to review your progress. Some guidelines Learn to practice patience and moderation in every financial decision. Have a positive decision attitude. Never get involved in financial decisions that require instant action, but allow God to take His course. The difference between a profit and a loss may well be the attitude with which we approach financial investments. Avoid any get-rich-quick schemes, no matter how tempting. Maintain your plans as long as you have peace about them; theyre the plans for your life. Do not be inflexible, but dont change your plans just because somebody tells you something different. (Wisdom of Larry Burkett from The Complete Guide to Managing Your Money) Expect a battle. You will have to arm yourselves offensively and defensively to live out what you believe. However, the two of you, working towards defined goals, will find joy in the journey. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12-13: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. This perspective will help you find contentment as well as strength to press through the times you may become stuck. My wife, Ann, and I wrote a book that you may enjoy calledMoney Problems, Marriage Solutions: 7 Keys to Aligning Your Finances and Uniting Your Hearts. In it, we provide real-life stories, a solid foundation from Scripture, and practical steps for application, giving you a plan to unite and conquer financial issues together. Boris Johnsons Catholic church wedding draws ire of gay marriage advocate Fr. James Martin Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, twice-divorced, married Carrie Symonds in a private ceremony at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, which drew the ire of well-known progressive Jesuit Father James Martin, an advocate for same-sex marriage. Johnson, the first prime minister in nearly 200 years to be married while in office, wed in a secret ceremony with 30 close friends and family members, adhering to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings. Some of Johnsons top aides were unaware of the plans, but Downing Street confirmed the wedding on Sunday, the day after the ceremony, Edinburgh News reported. A staff member said they were reportedly shocked as plans for the nuptials were kept very quiet, The Telegraph reported. Days earlier, the couple reportedly sent save the date cards to friends and family to celebrate their marriage on July 30, 2022. A spokesperson said the prime minister has already returned to work and their honeymoon will be delayed until next summer. Symonds, 33, is the third wife of Johnson, 56. Johnson and Symonds share a son, Wilfred, who was born in April 2020. The secretive ceremony was officiated by a Catholic priest, Father Daniel Humphreys, who baptized the couples son last year, Newsweek reported. Johnsons multiple marriages and having children out of wedlock sparked controversy due to the Catholic Churchs stance on such issues and its opposition to divorce. Martin, a progressive Catholic who in 2017 was disinvited from a speaking engagement at the Theological College in Washington, D.C., due to controversy sparked by his book, Building a Bridge, spoke out on Twitter about the couples union, arguing that the Catholic Church has a double standard. #BorisJohnson, a twice-divorced man, whose girlfriend recently had a baby with him out of wedlock (and who also has another child out of wedlock) was married in a Catholic ceremony in Westminster Cathedral, the seat of English Catholicism, Martin, who serves as an editor at large for the Jesuit publication America magazine, tweeted on Saturday. At the same time, a same-sex couple who are both Catholics (unlike Mr. Johnson, who was confirmed as an Anglican) cannot have their civil union blessed even in private by a priest because God does not and cannot bless sin Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were married within the rules of the Catholic Church, the priest continued. And I wish them well. I also wish that the same mercy and compassion that was offered to them, recognizing their complex lives, could also be extended to same-sex couples who are lifelong Catholics. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were married within the rules of the Catholic Church. And I wish them well. I also wish that the same mercy and compassion that was offered to them, recognizing their complex lives, could also be extended to same-sex couples who are lifelong Catholics. James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) May 30, 2021 Martin referenced the Vaticans recent statement in March announcing that churches have no power to bless same-sex marriage since God cannot bless sin, which solidified Pope Francis stance on homosexuality. "It looks to them rightly or wrongly as if the Church is applying double standards and I do fear that this decision does make the Church look bad, Father Mark Drew, assistant priest at St. Joseph's Church in Penketh, Warrington, said, according to BBC. Drew said he has had had to tell Catholic couples going through a divorce that they cannot remarry in the church. There will be a feeling that, why are some people who are divorced allowed to be married in the church and others not?, Christopher Lamb, a correspondent for the Catholic magazine The Tablet, told BBC Radio 5 live about how this reflects that there is one law for the rich and powerful and another for everyone else. And I think thats where the church can look at its current roles and see how it can become more welcoming. It has been welcoming to Boris Johnson, why not to others? he asked. The Roman Catholic Church does allow divorcees to remarry if the previous marriages were outside the Roman Catholic Church. The Telegraph reported that Johnsons former marriages to Allegra Mostyn-Owen and Marina Wheeler were not Catholic ceremonies and thus not recognized by the Catholic Church. Some have suggested the wedding was a way to bury this weeks bad news or deflect from negative press after a difficult week as prime minister where he was dubbed unfit for office, according to Edinburgh News. Johnson announced his divorce from his wife of 25 years, Marina Wheeler, in 2018. The couple share four children. Symonds previously worked on Johnsons reelection campaign for mayor and served as the Conservative Partys head of communications. She now works in public relations for Oceana, a marine conservation organization. The couple celebrated the wedding with a festival-style celebration. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses with his wife Carrie Johnson in the garden of 10 Downing Street following their wedding at Westminster Cathedral yesterday. #CarrieSymonds#boriswedding#BorisAndCarrie#BorisJohnsonWedding#BorisJohnsonpic.twitter.com/xYJFOorytZ Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) May 30, 2021 China announces new 3-child policy amid aging population, declining birth rates Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment China announced Monday it will allow families to have up to three children instead of capping families at two kids as its population ages and birth rates continue to decline. The decision to alter China's controversial birth policy came after a meeting with politburo, a top decision-making body of the Chinese Communist Party. The meeting was chaired by President Xi Jinping, according to state-sponsored media. But it is not certain when the policy change will go into effect. China ended its decades-long one-child policy in 2016 by implementing a two-child policy, where women were forced to abort their children after they already had two kids. To actively respond to the aging of the population a couple can have three children, state-sponsored news outlet Xinhua reported on Monday, according to Reuters. The one-child policy was implemented in 1979 for economic reasons to limit population growth. China enforced this through forced abortions and sterilizations. Demographers have predicted China will eventually do away with birth policies, which will do little to reshape Chinas demography, The Wall Street Journal relays. China's National Health Commission argued in a statement released Tuesday that the "three-child policy is conducive to improving the age structure of the population, increasing the supply of a new labor force, easing intergenerational contradictions, and invigorating Chinese society." However, having one child is still the social norm for couples in China. The decision will not likely change Chinas demographic trends, as most people do not desire to have more children due to concerns such as the cost of living, according to The New York Times. Some mothers who have had to keep their third child a secret will no longer fear being punished for having a third child once the new rule is enacted. China is now encouraging birth rates to grow, and the government vowed to implement more child-friendly benefits, such as maternity leave to protect the legitimate rights and interests of women in employment and increase funding for the countrys retired population. "According to Monday's meeting, the birth policy change will come with supportive measures, including improving prenatal and postnatal care services, developing a universal childcare service system, reducing family spending on education, strengthening tax and housing support, and safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of working women," the statement posted Tuesday by Xinhua reads. China is the most populous country in the world, with a population of over 1.4 billion people. It is also home to one of the most rapidly aging populations. Macrotrends reported that the 2021 birth rate in China is 11.159 birth rates per 1,000 people, which is a 2.25% decline from 2020. The country faced similar population declines in 2019 and 2018. Experts say this move came too late to reverse the effects of Chinas quickly aging population. Opening it up to three children is far from enough, Huang Wenzheng, a demography expert with the Center for China and Globalization, told The New York Times. It should be fully liberalized, and giving birth should be strongly encouraged. This should be regarded as a crisis for the survival of the Chinese nation, even beyond the pandemic and other environmental issues, Huang continued. There should never have been a birth restriction policy in the first place. So its not a question of whether this is too late. World Population Review notes how experts are concerned Chinas low birth rate and aging population will damage its future economic development. The low birth rate and aging population make it difficult for the Chinese economy to grow. China also has a skewed ratio of male to female births since males are the preferred gender in most Chinese families. The Chinese Communist Partys five-year plan unveiled in November revealed its plans to optimize its birth policy and improve the quality of the population. China's birthing policies have long received condemnation from international human rights advocates, pro-life activists and religious leaders. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler stated in his podcast Tuesday that China's decision five years ago to increase the limit from one child to two "did not bring about any significant increase in birth rate." "So now the Chinese Communist Party has decided the magic number is three," he said. "But it's also unlikely to have much effect the reasons for this are many. But at least some of the reasons are that China now has put couples in the habit of not having children rather than having them." "China has now deployed its adult workforce in such a way that it will be very difficult for many couples to have any children, not to mention more than one or two or even three," he added. "But the other situation is something that's not unique to China, but China now faces the problem in a uniquely bad way. And that is the fact that it's far easier to tell people to have fewer babies with effect than to have more. It turns out that societies that have moved to trying to reduce population growth have been very, very frustrated trying to reverse the process." Kenyan atheist group secretary resigns after coming to faith in Jesus Christ Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A member of a Kenyan atheist group has abandoned his leadership post within the organization after finding faith in Jesus Christ, the organization announced. The group Atheists in Kenya Society revealed on Twitter Saturday that its secretary, Seth Mahiga, "made the decision to resign from his position as Secretary of our society. The organization explained that Seths reason for resigning is that he has found Jesus Christ and is no longer interested in promoting atheism in Kenya. This evening, regretfully, our Secretary Mr. Seth Mahiga made the decision to resign from his position as Secretary of our society. Seth's reason for resigning is that he has found Jesus Christ and is no longer interested in promoting atheism in Kenya. --- pic.twitter.com/G7sCCbytv2 Atheists In Kenya Society (@AtheistsInKenya) May 29, 2021 In a statement, Atheists in Kenya Society President Harrison Mumia extended his best wishes to the groups former secretary. We wish Seth all the best in his new found relationship with Jesus Christ," Mumia wrote. "We thank him for having served the society with dedication over the last one and half years. However, Mumia took a slightly different tone in a Twitter post Sunday. Its a sad day for the Atheists In Kenya Society. Our secretary, Seth Mahiga has resigned saying hes found Jesus. Lol! It's a sad day for the Atheists In Kenya Society. Our secretary, Seth Mahiga has resigned saying he's found Jesus. Lol! HARRISON MUMIA (@harrisonmumia) May 29, 2021 Dr. Willy Mutunga, the former chief justice of Kenya, responded to that tweet by reminding Mumia that Article 32(1) of our Constitution provides: Every person has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion. According to Mutunga, This provision is not a laughing matter. On Sunday, Atheists in Kenya Society posted a video of Mahiga announcing his resignation from the group to a congregation of worshipers at Life Church International Nairobi on its Twitter page. Ive been going through some difficulties in life and then I decided to resign as the secretary. So Im very happy to be here, he said. ????VIDEO - Former Atheists In Kenya Secretary Seth Mahiga in church TODAY accepting Jesus Christ and announcing his resignation. Surreal! pic.twitter.com/p8OYhw8uQ3 Atheists In Kenya Society (@AtheistsInKenya) May 30, 2021 In an extended version of the video, posted on YouTube, the pastor at Life Church International referred to Mahiga as his brother and asked him to bow down and say Jesus is Lord. As Mahiga knelt at the front of the church, the congregation erupted into applause. As Mahiga remained on his knees, the pastor asked the congregation to pray for all those people who are in darkness and all the atheists who say there is no God. He asked that the grace of God reach out to wherever they are right now in the mighty name of Jesus. Atheists in Kenya Society announced on its Facebook page Monday that Emmah Shisoka had assumed the role of secretary. The group, formally registered by the government of Kenya in 2016, works to transform society into one that values reason, rationality, honesty, clarity, and kindness. Initially, the government of Kenya expressed hesitancy about recognizing the Atheists in Kenya Society, citing concerns about the organizations impact on the interests of peace and welfare or good order in Kenya. In 2018, Atheists in Kenya Society demanded that the government declare Feb. 17 Atheist Day to recognize the organizations registration with the Kenyan government. Kenyans who do not believe in god or gods deserve a holiday too, argued Daisy Siongok, the society's vice president at the time. As envisioned by Siongok, Atheist Day would consist of Godless Parades in various Countries and an effort to increase awareness about atheism in Kenya. Additionally, she stated that "Atheist Day" would "promote freedom of religion as a human right in Kenya. In addition to Mahiga, many other atheists have come forward to share their conversion stories. During an appearance on a podcast earlier this year, Chet Hanks, son of actor Tom Hanks, detailed how an encounter with God during a day hike in Utah when he was 17 led to his conversion from atheism. Another former atheist, Lee Strobel, wrote an entire book detailing his conversion to Christianity called The Case for Christ. Strobel, a former Chicago Tribune reporter, had initially sought to disprove the existence of Jesus Christ but ultimately failed to do so and ended up becoming a Christian. In 2017, a film adaptation of his popular book was released. Nigerian Christian pastor, 3-y-o son killed by radical Fulani herdsmen who surrounded their home Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Radical Fulani herdsmen killed a 39-year-old Christian pastor and his 3-year-old son in Niger state, Nigeria, while his wife and daughter managed to escape the extremists' attack on their home. Leviticus Makpa had established a Christian school in the remote Kamberi village and was killed on his mission base with his son, Godsend Makpa, in the May 21 attack, according to reports obtained by Morning Star News. Our missionary brother, Pastor Leviticus Makpa, was shot dead with his son by Fulani bandits, area resident Deborah Omeiza told Morning Star News in a text message. His wife escaped with their daughter. An associate of the pastor said Makpa texted her, saying that Fulani herdsmen had surrounded his home. Pastor Leviticus Makpa advised that I should not phone, as the herdsmen have surrounded his house and are attacking his mission base, she told Morning Star News. I quickly sent airtime to him to enable him [to] keep communicating with me. While I was waiting to hear from him, we began to pray for their protection. Radical Fulani herdsmen had reportedly attacked the pastor in the past for his faith. Fulani bandits came against them, they hid in the cave to save their lives, and after they left, he went back to the field with his family; how many of us can do this? asked Samuel Solomon, a close associate of Makpas. He eventually lost his life and that of his son; the wife and daughter escaped. He knew his life was at stake, but burden for souls wont let him run away from the field. Solomon said they had planned to adopt him as a missionary, but painfully he has joined the league of martyrs in Heaven. His blood will testify over the land and also against the insecurity of a corrupt Islamist government in Nigeria. Solomon said the mission of the radical herdsmen is to wipe out Christianity and obliterate the church. Some have accused the Nigerian government of corruption for not combating jihadi terror groups despite receiving millions in foreign aid each year for that purpose, a lack of accountability, and turning a blind eye to the cycle of violence impacting Christians. Nigeria is essentially the new headquarters for the Islamic jihad seeking to establish a caliphate , Dede Laugesen, executive director of the United States-based advocacy group Save the Persecuted Christians, told the Christian Post in an interview in March. The Christians in Nigeria and others are very concerned that the government continues to give impunity to Islamic extremists in Nigeria. So theres no real accountability coming from the Nigerian government. Human rights groups estimate that hundreds of people were killed by radicalized Fulani herdsmen attacks in 2020 alone. Nigeria is Africas most populous country and ranks No. 9 on Open Doors' World Watch List for Christian persecution worldwide due to an extreme level of Islamic oppression. It is where more Christians are murdered for their faith each year than anywhere else. " ... Christians are often murdered or have their property and means of livelihood destroyed. Men and boys are particularly vulnerable to being killed," Open Doors reports. "The women and children left behind are very vulnerable and living testimonies to the power of the attackers. Perpetrators are seldom brought to justice. Christian women are often abducted and raped by these militant groups, and sometimes forced to marry Muslims." About 46% of Nigeria's population identifies as Christian, with over 95 million believers, and the divide between Christians and Muslims is roughly even, according to Open Doors. The Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria as the third-most affected country by terrorism and reports that over 22,000 people were killed by acts of terror from 2001 to 2019. The U.S. Commission on International and Religious Freedoms 2021 report warned Nigeria will move relentlessly toward a Christian genocide if action is not taken quickly. Nigeria was the first democratic nation to be added to the U.S. State Department's list of "countries of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act for engaging in tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. An American pastor and attorney recently rebuilt a Nigerian church in time for Easter Sunday that was burned down in a Fulani attack in 2016. A plea for immediate relief from two churches that are contesting Colorado's worship regulations has been denied by the U.S. Supreme Court. Colorado Governor Jared Polis instituted limits that Denver Bible Church in Wheat Ridge and Community Baptist Church in Brighton decided to respond to by filing a request in the state, the Christian Post reported. The churches said that the legislation is in violation of the First Amendment. However, the motion was dismissed Tuesday by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch without forwarding it to the whole court for review and without providing a reason, says SCOTUSblog. "The denial follows a series of other recent rulings on the court's shadow docket in which the court has granted emergency relief to religious groups seeking exemptions from state limits on in-person gatherings," explains SCOTUSblog. "Among those rulings was an April decision in Tandon v. Newsom, in which the court ruled 5-4 that group prayer meetings were entitled to an exemption from California's policy limiting gatherings in homes during the pandemic." Court battles over COVID restrictions continue In 2020, churches in Colorado took legal action against the state's public health regulations because they said the rules exempted churches from obligations that other organizations, including secular institutions, were not required to meet. The U.S. District Court judge Daniel Domenico ruled in favor of the churches last fall, issuing a preliminary injunction that forbids authorities from enforcing the public health rules. "The Constitution does not allow a state to tell a congregation how large it can be when comparable secular gatherings are not so limited, or to tell a congregation that its reason for wishing to remove facial coverings is less important than a restaurants or spas," said Domenico. "With each exception Colorado makes for secular institutions, the failure to make the same exemption for houses of worship becomes increasingly problematic." The two-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, however, rejected the injunction, and that judgment was subsequently reversed. The order states: "Plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits of their claim that the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act ... violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, either as applied to plaintiffs or on its face. Plaintiffs' motion is therefore denied," During the course of the case brought by Denver Bible and Community Baptist against Colorado, the limits on in-person worship in the state have progressively been lifted. The website, updated on May 2, states that services such as weddings and funerals, as well as worship services, were given the status of "critical," which, as the name implies, means that the service is exempt from certain health and safety regulations as long as it is impossible to perform essential activities in those settings. "It is still strongly recommended that places of worship in counties with high rates of COVID-19 transmission substitute in-person service with online programming and prioritize outdoor activities over indoor," added the guideline. "As with all essential establishments, places of worship must comply with required guidelines ... unless doing so would make it impossible to carry out essential activities." As for the present challenge, Polis' legal team claimed in that it "would cause severe hardship to the state," as per The Gazette. However, for the two churches, the disaster act "remains a future threat" which might lead to people exercising their religion being discriminated against. Many speculations state that the reason for the denial was that the request for relief was "too broad." Archbishop expresses deep sadness after remains of 215 children found in mass grave at school Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Flags on federal buildings were lowered to half-staff in Canada on Sunday after the remains of 215 children, some as young as 3 years old, were found buried at the site of what was once that countrys largest state-run residential school set up to assimilate indigenous people. The mass grave was found buried under an area on which Kamloops Indian Residential School stood in British Columbia, which was part of the Canadian Indian residential school system and closed in 1978, BBC reported. To honor the 215 children whose lives were taken at the former Kamloops residential school and all Indigenous children who never made it home, the survivors, and their families, I have asked that the Peace Tower flag (in Ottawa) and flags on all federal buildings be flown at half-mast, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote Sunday on Twitter. The school opened under the Roman Catholic administration in 1890 and housed as many as 500 students in the 1950s. Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver issued a statement, saying he was filled with deep sadness, Vatican News reported. The pain that such news causes reminds us of our ongoing need to bring light to every tragic situation that occurred in residential schools run by the Church, he added. The passage of time does not erase the suffering that touches the Indigenous communities affected, and we pledge to do whatever we can to heal that suffering. Many students were beaten and verbally abused, and about 6,000 are believed to have died at the school, according to Los Angeles Times, which also reported that the Canadian government had admitted that physical and sexual abuse in the schools was rampant, and apologized in Parliament in 2008. Canadas residential school system separated some 150,000 indigenous children from their families, according to The Wall Street Journal, which quoted an inquiry report from 2015 that estimated that 4,100 children died of disease or by accident while in the system and went on to call the school system akin to cultural genocide. "The school in Kamloops operated for nearly nine decades, until 1978, under the administration of the Roman Catholic Church," the Journal added. Kamloops Bishop Joseph Nguyen also issued a statement. I humbly join so many who are heartbroken and horrified, he said. On behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops, I express my deepest sympathy to Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc Nation and to all who are mourning this tragedy and an unspeakable loss. No words of sorrow could adequately describe this horrific discovery. Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tkemlups te Secwepemc First Nation held a press conference on Friday, saying, Were still grappling through the effects. This loss is absolutely unthinkable. Chief Casimir added, Its a harsh reality. Its our history. This is about the truth coming out and honoring those children. The Chrysler diamond returns to New York Discover the history behind the extremely rare, internally flawless diamond with connections to one of Americas leading industrialists Diamonds form deep within the Earths mantle, but the name of this extremely rare, internally flawless 54.03-carat pear-shaped diamond relates to a man who soared to great heights as one of Americas leading industrialists. He was Walter P. Chrysler, the automotive tycoon who personally funded the construction of New Yorks Chrysler building considered one of the most accomplished architectural wonders in the world. His daughter, Thelma Chrysler Foy was the distinguished owner of the diamond and a prominent figure within New York society. A triumph of art deco style, the Chrysler skyscraper is recognised by its decorative sunburst crown and needle-like spire. As it pierces the Manhattan skyline, it embodies Walter Chryslers own breakthrough achievements as a visionary force in 20th century vehicle production. Born in Kansas in 1875, he came from humble beginnings and forged a career as a skilled locomotive engineer before entering the automotive world and tripling production at General Motors Buick division. His leadership qualities quickly propelled him to the pinnacle of his profession: by the mid-1920s, he was the highest-paid employee in the auto industry, at one point earning an unprecedented $1 million per year. His fortune allowed him to set up his eponymous Chrysler Corporation car company, which was headquartered at the Modernist high-rise for more than 20 years. Chryslers daughter Thelma inherited her fathers love of statement art; in fact, the heiress gained a reputation as a society style icon and collector of rare antiques. According to Time magazine, she was repeatedly voted among the worlds 10 best-dressed women, thanks in no small part to her vast array of sumptuous Christian Dior gowns (many of which she bequeathed, along with other couture fineries, to the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art before her death in 1957). Walter P. Chrysler Jr. and Thelma Chrylser Foy at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, 1941. Photo: Bert Morgan/Getty Images She and her Texan husband Byron Foy, a longtime Chrysler executive, filled their lavish 740 Park Avenue apartment with 17th and 18th-century artefacts and Impressionist paintings by the likes of Renoir and Degas. It is not certain how or when she acquired the dazzling pear-shaped diamond. However, it has been established that the gem was at this point a heftier 62 carats, since it hadnt yet been cut to fully maximise its highest potential clarity. Although its origins remain ambiguous, it is possible that the stone was sourced by 17th century French gem merchant and intrepid traveller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier during a voyage to the Mughal Empire, at the behest of his patron Louis XIV. The pendant was recently certified by the GIA as a type IaB diamond, a class of stone that accounts for less than 1% of all gem-quality diamonds. The ensuing story of this unique gem is well documented. In the hands of Harry Winston, a house that is known for showcasing only the highest quality jewels, the Chrysler gemstone then known as the Louis XIV diamond was recut to a D-Flawless 58.60 carats and mounted as the centrepiece of an opulent tiara along with six pear-shaped diamonds totalling 22 carats, and 233 smaller diamonds totalling 120 carats. BEIRUT (AP) Ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has answered hundreds of questions by French investigators over the past week in Beirut and was happy and satisfied to have had the opportunity to explain himself over accusations of financial misconduct, his lawyers said Friday. The four and a half days of questioning marked the first opportunity for Ghosn, a French national, to defend himself against the French allegations including spending on lavish parties and private planes since his 2018 bombshell arrest in Japan and escape to Lebanon a year later. However, as Ghosn was being interrogated outside of French soil, it was unclear how he could, if at all, be handed down preliminary charges. His lawyers said they will now seek the right to ask for witnesses and expert testimony in the French investigation. Earlier, the auto magnate-turned-fugitive told The Associated Press that he has done nothing wrong and hopes the investigations are eventually dropped. He didn't speak to reporters throughout the Beirut interrogation, which began on Monday. It is an unusual move for French magistrates to question a suspect abroad. Ghosn, who was given sanctuary by Lebanese authorities, grew up in Lebanon and also has Lebanese citizenship. Lebanon will not extradite him. He is Brazilian-born. Ghosn was questioned about the financing of parties he threw at the Versailles Palace as the head of the Renault-Nissan car alliance. The French investigators, in cooperation with Lebanese judicial authorities, were also examining 11 million euros in spending on private planes and events arranged by a Dutch holding company, and subsidies to a car dealership in Oman. It was his opportunity to explain his positions, said Jean Yves Le Borgne, a member of Ghosn defense team. It has now happened and he is satisfied and happy. Still unresolved, of course, is the problem of the next step in this procedure, Le Borgne added. Ghosn has not so far been charged with anything in France, but could be, given preliminary accusations of fraud, corruption, money laundering, misuse of company assets, or aggravated breach of trust. Whether Ghosn could be charged or not by the French, Carlos Abou Jaoude, his Beirut-based lawyer, said Lebanese and French authorities have to determine what Ghosns status will be. Ghosn is campaigning to clear his name against multiple legal challenges in France after Japanese accusations triggered scrutiny of his activities there. He told the AP he had much more confidence in the French legal system than the Japanese system he had fled. He was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on accusations of financial misconduct and was kept in solitary confinement for months without being allowed to speak with his wife. He fled to Lebanon a year later in a dramatic escape that stunned the world. Meanwhile, several associates are in jail or on trial in Japan and Turkey, in cases related to his financial activities or escape. All of us who come from a traditional society - Latin American or Asian, for example - know that the pressure to meet certain family expectations can be very great. Sometimes we have to put our dreams on hold for a bit to please our loved ones. It's not ideal, but it happens. When I think about this, I remember one of my personal heroines: the mangaka Naoko Takeuchi . She started out in a terrifyingly competitive industry with no real training, but this week Netflix released the world premiere of her most famous work: Sailor Moon . Takeuchi was born on March 15, 1967 in the city of Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan. Her dream was always to tell stories, she loved astronomy, she was a miko or priestess in a temple, and she joined manga clubs at school. She always wanted to be a mangaka, decided to study Chemistry at Kyorutsu University just in case, and became a licensed pharmacist. Fortunately, he did not give up his dreams and began to write and draw short stories as he studied. In fact, Takeuchi started in the world of manga without any artistic training, but as she herself has said, very influenced by the style of Leiji Matsumoto, creator of iconic works such as Captain Harlock . In 1986, when she was just 19 years old, Naoko twice won the Best New Artist award from the iconic shoujo magazine (manga for girls) Nakayoshi and in September of that same year she debuted with the story Love Call in the Nakayoshi Deluxe special. . From that moment, Takeuchi would be a regular cartoonist for Nakayoshi with various stories about young girls who face obstacles to be with their true love. His first work at this stage is Chocolate Christmas from 1988 with which he had his first compilation volume ( tankoubon ) with the iconic Kodansha publishing house. His next great works would be Maria in 1990, which was about a girl in a private school who fights a lot with an arrogant high school student and The Cherry Project, where a figure skater must train to be able to compete professionally along with the love of his life. It was in 1991 when Naoko saw her career catapulted by publishing in Run-Run magazine (also by Kodansha) a short story called Codename Sailor V that recounted the adventures of a high school student named Minako Aino who receives a visit from the magical cat Artemis to fight against the villains of a group called the Dark Agency. At first Sailor V was only going to be a single story, but the success it obtained caused him to write several more chapters that ended up being collected in several tankoubons. However, Takeuchi's definitive work was yet to come. In 1992, the 25-year-old mangaka took the concept of Sailor V as a base and decided to give it a more serious tone. That was how in February of that year the first chapter of Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon appeared in Nakayoshi magazine. Image: Toei Animation / Studio DEEN / Netflix The story revolves around Usagi Tsukino, a 14-year-old girl who is in the second year of high school, who transforms into a warrior named Sailor Moon and whose friends, the Sailor Guardians, must fight against an enemy who wants to take over the energy of the Earth, find the legendary Silver Crystal and protect the Princess of the Moon. All while investigating whether or not they can trust their mysterious ally Tuxedo Mask. The most important thing about Usagi Tsukino is that she fights for what she wants and gets it. She has friends who are worth gold, they are united and together they fulfill their goals. Sailor Moon taught me that women can achieve whatever we want, said Patricia Acevedo, director and voice actress who has lent her voice to Sailor Moon for 25 years. I think there are few people who have not heard of Sailor Moo n (at least in Asia, Europe and of course, Latin America). Not that it's the definitive work of anime, but it certainly entertains. Naoko Takeuchi brought a fresh air to shoujo manga that had stalled in love stories of helpless girls in the 70s and 80s and gave them all the weight of prominence and action. This change of focus was to the taste of the public as it multiplied Nakayoshi's sales. Sailor Moon swept Japan and then the rest of the world, establishing Takeuchi as one of the best mangaka of the 90s. The manga was published from February 1992 to 1997 and compiled in 18 volumes. As usual when a manga is successful, the animated series emerged shortly after. On March 7, 1992, the first television episode produced by the legendary Toei Animation studio and broadcast on TV Asashi television appeared. The 200-chapter anime was responsible for the dissemination of Sailor Moon outside of Japan as it reached the rest of the world even before the manga. It came to Latin America through the TV Azteca program Caritele with a dubbing that surprisingly respected the most controversial LGBT issues in history that were even censored in the United States. Sailor Moon created a multi-billion dollar industry sponsored by Bandai toys, collectible figures, toys, movies, plays, action figures, makeup, and other types of commercial promotion. Six years and 18 volumes were enough for Naoko Takeuchi to decide to put an end to the Sailor Moon story. But 25 years later, a remake of the animated series and a couple of films were released that will be broadcast around the world by Netflix with the original voices of each language. This new version of the series was released on June 30, 2014 (curiously, Usagi Tsukino's birthday) and then began to air on the first and third Saturday of each month from July 5, 2014 through the site. Niconico streaming with subtitles in 12 languages. Being part of Sailor Moon has given me several satisfactions and challenges. I have touched several people thanks to Sailor ChibiMoon, says Cristina Hernandez, a Mexican dubbing actress who plays Small Lady. In January 2017 it was announced that the Dream arc, corresponding to the fourth season of the 1992 series. It was thus that Netflix announced on April 27 of this year the acquisition of the transmission rights of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie Part 1 and Part 2 for their outside of Japan on June 3, 2021. The films, which opened in January and February this year in Japan, represent the first Sailor Moon films to see the light of day in 26 years. They will narrate the adversities that Usagi and Chibi-Usa have to face to defeat the Dead Moon Circus and save the Pegasus from dreams. There are not many quotes from Tekuchi because the mangaka does not like to give interviews very often, but there is one in particular that is found in a magazine from the 90s that inspires me a lot: Whenever I read fan letters from somewhere far away, I cry tears of joy. It fills my heart and makes me say: From tomorrow I will live my life to the fullest . More than 30 years of experience and a work known throughout the world seem to endorse this philosophy. Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) earlier this week announced the launch of a new online training portal for restaurant workers. The TWC partnered with the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) to launch the new Restaurant Recovery Initiative training certification portal for prospective restaurant workers. This is part of the larger Restaurant Recovery Initiative that launched recently. If you want to earn some extra dough, now may be the ideal time to invest in cannabis. And no, we dont mean buying edibles in bulk. 2020 was a record year for cannabis. According to Leafly, the legal industry saw over $18 billion in sales a 71% increase from the year prior. RELATED: Recreational Cannabis Sales Soar Despite COVID-19 Meanwhile, the number of states legalizing cannabis is growing every year. Sixteen total states have legalized recreational cannabis (three of which went legal just this year), and 36 states have legalized medical marijuana. With more states legalizing cannabis, the cannabis industry has become increasingly accepted. And the more the industry is accepted, the faster it grows. Its why every celebrity seems to have their own CBD brand these days, and theres a cannabis product for pretty much any market segment (even grandmas). But you dont have to be a cannabis entrepreneur to jump on this bandwagon. You can invest in cannabis stocks. And, as you can probably imagine, that decision could yield some dank rewards. RELATED: Meet the New Face of the Cannabis Industry: Your mom We spoke with Jon Decourcey, Equity Research Analyst at Viridian Capital Advisors, a cannabis capital advisory firm (yes, thats a thing) on why investors should consider the cannabis industry, and what cannabis stocks have the most growth potential between now and 2024. According to Decourcey, theres never been a better time for American investors to invest in the cannabis industry. The reason? Put simply, its about to go boom. Cannabis is a complete greenfield growth opportunity in the U.S., Decourcey said. For all intents and purposes, the industry didnt exist a few years ago. Now, its become very prevalent in states where its legal, and we know it will grow as new states legalize cannabis. Think of Texas its population is about two times the population of Canada, and there are only a handful of licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in the state. There's a huge opportunity there. Decourcey said the pandemic had a lot to do with making cannabis the hot commodity it is today. Cannabis was deemed an essential product at the onset of COVID-19, Decourcey said. That helped the cannabis industry a lot. Then, cannabis presented the potential for being a kind of white knight for state governments a way to help them get over the economic challenges of 2020 because of the tax opportunity. Its a gold mine for government entities in general. RELATED: How legal is CBD, really? Your Comprehensive Guide to CBD Law in the United States Here are the top four cannabis businesses Decourcey recommends investing in now. Bear in mind that any investment you make should align with your personal financial goals and risk tolerance. 1. Ayr Wellness (AYR.A) One of the most popular recreational cannabis brands in the U.S., Ayr Wellness is a multi-state operator that just opened its 50th cannabis dispensary. The company has plans to get that number to 60 by the end of 2021. Over the past year, Ayr Wellness stock has gone up over 360%. Decourcey says theyve done a good job building a sustainable business and as they expand into additional states. 2. Lowell Farms (LOWL) Formerly Indus Holdings Inc., Lowell Farms is a leading recreational cannabis brand in California. The company bought Lowell Herb Co. earlier this year. Lowell Farms is really scaling operations in California, which is the biggest market for cannabis, Decourcey said. They bought another leading brand in the state this year and are poised for a lot of expansion in the near future. 3. Gage (GAGE) Based in Michigan, Gage Cannabis is the new brainchild of the co-founder and former CEO of Canopy Growth, the worlds largest cannabis company that was recently valued at over $18 billion. Decourcey says Gage is aiming to consolidate Michigans fragmented cannabis market. Michigan doesnt have a lot of large cannabis businesses, even though its one of the nations largest cannabis markets. Gage is trying to be the big fish in that pondthey want to be a large public player there and are expected to significantly scale their operations. 4. Planet 13 (PLTH) If youre looking to invest in something a little off the beaten path, Planet 13 might be more your speed. This massive recreational cannabis dispensary is set in the heart of Las Vegas, and its tourist appeal usually makes it a huge money maker. That wasnt so much the case during the pandemic, but Decourcey still sees a lot of potential in this stoner landmark. They raised a lot of money this past year. And since theyre usually a huge cash cow and things are opening back up, they are really poised for expansion this coming year, Decourcey said. These guys have delivered on everything they said they were going to do. I could see a world where they are much bigger in two years or so, as far as expanding into other states. Since the cannabis market is so new, Decourcey said he recommends taking advantage of the growth potential and lower stock prices of smaller companies at this stage. Multi-state operators are the biggest guys in the space, but I dont think theyre the most interesting right now. They dont have that much growth ahead of them and they already have investor awareness, Decourcey said. You have higher growth potential on businesses that are smaller there is less overhead, theres still potential for them to grow to other states, and the investor base is likely small. Though new, cannabis companies have come a long way since they first started going public in 2017. Because cannabis is not legal on the federal level, the challenges of the market and the lack of traditional banking made it so almost none of the first cannabis companies that went public delivered on what they promised in their IPOs (initial public offerings.) Decourcey says the ones that survived learned from their prior mistakes and are better because of it. Youre looking at an industry a couple years past the initial IPO process. These are no longer paper stories, these are companies that are actually ready to capitalize on growth opportunities. These guys have righted the ship and they operate really well now. However, if you still have hesitations regarding the risks of investing in cannabis, you can always start by investing in a cannabis mutual fund. A cannabis mutual fund will spread out the risk of investment and they will favor smart, well-run companies. Like with anything, Decourcey says it's critical to use common sense when investing in cannabis. In cannabis, the thing to remember is that if it sounds too good, it probably is. These are still very early stakes companies, and their pitches are often theoretical. Try to find real investments with traditional approaches and a record of delivering on what they promise. Elissa Esher is Assistant Editor at GreenState. Her work has also appeared in The Boston Guardian, Brooklyn Paper, Religion Unplugged, and Iridescent Women. Send inquiries and tips to elli.esher@hearst.com. This article first appeared on GreenState, a cannabis lifestyle blog owned by Hearst. LONDON (AP) Paramount Pictures on Thursday temporarily shut down production on the British set of Tom Cruise's seventh Mission: Impossible film after someone tested positive for coronavirus. We have temporarily halted production on Mission: Impossible 7 until June 14th, due to positive coronavirus test results during routine testing, a Paramount spokesperson said in a statement. We are following all safety protocols and will continue to monitor the situation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis approved Floridas $101.5 billion budget, which includes a large chunk of Covid-19 federal relief funds from the American Relief Plan, which DeSantis once described as Washington at its worst. Most of the approximately $9 billion federal relief funds will go to police, teachers and first responders, including $1,000 bonus checks for teachers, principals and first responders. Florida was able to increase its budget from last year by more than $9 billion, in large part due to the federal funds, combined with additional revenue the state generated beyond what state economists had predicted. Before the federal funds were allocated, the state was facing a crisis with its education budget and an overall budget shortfall of $3 billion. But during a press conference Wednesday, DeSantis tried only to give credit to the Republicans in the legislature (who largely opposed the federal funds) and himself for reopening the state economy. Part of the reason were here is because weve had good stewards in the legislature who spend conservatively; and responsibly, but also the fact that Florida has schools open, businesses open and people having the right to work, DeSantis said. That has made all the difference. The Florida GOP even tweeted last week, trying to give DeSantis credit for the bonuses that were part of the federal relief. Thank you for going the extra mile to keep our kids in the classroom! the party wrote. Democrats were quick to correct DeSantis. You wouldnt know it from [the governors] press conference, but Floridas budget was bolstered by billions of dollars from the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and signed into law by [President Biden], Florida Democratic House co-leader Bobby DuBose tweeted. That money, and the additional billions sent to local communities, avoided a potential budget crisis and will help jump-start Floridas recovery. Its unfortunate that more of those dollars wont go directly into the pockets of Floridians to aid our states recovery. Republican Rep. Charlie Crist, a former Florida governor who is running against DeSantis for the position in 2022, also criticized him for taking credit. While Governor DeSantis will try to claim credit today, the truth is that he opposed the American Rescue Plan, Crist said in a statement. He opposed the funding that is providing bonuses to teachers and first responders. He opposed the funding that is helping cities and schools recover from a challenging year. And he opposed the direct relief checks that were a lifeline as our economy recovers. DeSantis also vetoed $1.35 billion in federal relief funds as well as $900,000 in funding for programs that serve the LGBTQ population in Central Florida included in those vetoed funds was $150,000 for a mental health services program dedicated to survivors and family members of victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. As one survivor, Brandon Wolf, tweeted, Heres [Governor DeSantis] in 2019, standing on hallowed ground, promising me that he would always support those of us impacted by the Pulse nightclub shooting. Today, he vetoed mental health services for us. I will never forget. Click here to read the full article. If Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was already not feeling very comfortable, that feeling of discomfort can only have increased exponentially Thursday with confirmation that Joel Greenbergs plea has officially been accepted by a judge. Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector, reportedly first connected with Gaetz in 2017, the year he took office, through a network of Florida Trump supporters. According to the Washington Post, Gaetz bragged about the women he met through Greenberg, and went so far as to show them videos on his phone of naked or topless women on multiple occasions, including at parties with Joel Greenberg. During a radio appearance in June of that year, Gaetz floated Greenberg as a potential candidate for Congress. Greenberg was ultimately charged with a total 33 counts of criminal activity in March, including the sex trafficking of a minor a crime that could implicate Gaetz. Rep. Gaetz denies any wrongdoing. On Thursday, U.S. district court Judge Gregory A. Presnell wrote in a curt order that Greenbergs plea is now accepted and the defendant is adjudged guilty of such offenses. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date. Greenberg pleaded guilty to just six of a total 33 criminal counts with which federal prosecutors originally charged him. The House Ethics committee opened an investigation into Gaetzs conduct back in April. As of now, Gaetz has not been charged with anything and remains a sitting member of Congress, where he continues his important work opposing vaccine passports, sowing doubts about the 2020 election results, renaming post offices and judging art contests. Heres what Greenberg pled guilty to: Count one: Sex Trafficking of a Child The first count Greenberg pled guilty to is the most serious, both for him and, potentially, for Gaetz if prosecutors can establish Gaetzs involvement in the crime. Greenberg pled guilty to recruiting a girl under the age of 18 to engage in a commercial sex act. According to the indictment, the sex trafficking took place sometime between May 2017 and November 2017. The timing is worth noting, though, since it is more than a year before the suspicious Venmo transactions between Gaetz and Greenberg. Those transactions, from May 2018, were first reported by the Daily Beast: The memo field for the first of Gaetzs transactions to Greenberg was titled Test. In the second, the Florida GOP congressman wrote hit up ___ . But instead of a blank, Gaetz wrote a nickname for one of the recipients, [a 17-year-old girl] When Greenberg then made his Venmo payments to these three young women, he described the money as being for Tuition, School, and School. Count eight: Production of Identification and False Identification Documents Greenberg pleaded guilty to taking drivers licenses surrendered to the Seminole County Tax Collectors office, where they were destined to be shredded, and using them along with his access to the Florida Driver and Vehicle Information Database to create fake ids for minors with whom he was engaged in what the indictment terms sugar daddy relationships. Count eight refers specifically to the production of a Puerto Rico drivers license, falsified sometime between September 21, 2018 and June 23, 2020 the day Greenberg was arrested. Count nine: Aggravated Identity Theft Greenberg pleaded guilty to stealing the identity of one of the individuals whose license was surrendered to his office; specifically he admitted to commandeering the name, date of birth, and drivers license number of a Florida resident identified in the indictment by their initials, R.Z. Count 14: Wire Fraud Among the innovations Greenberg brought to the Seminole County Tax Collectors office was the ability to pay tax bills with cryptocurrencies, like BitCoin. (According to a later audit of his office, Greenberg also instituted a cryptocurrency mining operation that overloaded the offices circuit breakers, causing a power surge that ignited a fire, ultimately worth $98,000 in damage not covered by insurance due the negligence of the Tax Collector, auditors wrote.) According to prosecutors, Greenberg devised a scheme to buy cryptocurrency for himself using funds from the Tax Collectors office. As part of the hustle, he created a bank account in the agencys name (that only he had access to), and he funneled agency money into it. Prosecutors accused Greenberg of 10 instances of wire fraud, but he only copped to one: the largest of the transactions, totaling $200,000. Count 24: Stalking The crime that started it all! None of the events Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty to would have come to light if he had not rashly decided back in October 2019 to try to destroy the life of a music teacher whod decided to run against him for the office of tax collector. Greenberg has now admitted to sending letters to the private school where the music teacher, Brian Beute, worked, pretending to be a student at Trinity Preparatory School and falsely accusing Beute of having an improper relationship with a student. Greenberg followed the letter up by creating a Facebook account and purported to be a teacher parroting the same lie, then creating a fake Twitter account with Beutes name and photograph, where Greenberg posted inflammatory messages like, Im running for office to keep #seminolecounty white and segregated. Its time we take back our country! Beute was quickly cleared of any wrongdoing, but the local Sheriffs Departments investigation into the matter ultimately touched off the federal investigation that took Greenberg down. Count 26: Conspiracy to Bribe a Public Official, Submission of a False Claim, Theft of Government Property, and Wire Fraud The last count Greenberg pleaded guilty to is complicated, but it has to do with Greenbergs attempt to bribe a Small Business Administration employee for help submitting a falsified application for Covid relief funds on behalf of two defunct businesses. He ultimately collected some $430,000 in misbegotten funds through the scheme. Click here to read the full article. Donald Trump languishing in the social media wilderness, banned from Twitter, , Snapchat, YouTube and Twitch after inciting a violent mob to storm the U.S. Capitol finally got a spot of good news on Friday. Facebook announced that the former presidents indefinite suspension from the social media network has a potential expiration date: January 8th, 2023 or, right around the time the 2024 presidential race will be getting underway. Hm. Facebook suspended Trumps account the day after the then-president delivered a speech to throngs of fans whod traveled from around the country, encouraging his supporters to walk down to the Capitol to stop this egregious assault on our democracy. (He meant the certification of Joe Bidens Electoral College victory in the 2020 presidential election.) We are going to have to fight much harder, Trump said that day. And Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, and if he doesnt, that will be a sad day for our country. Because youre sworn to uphold our Constitution. Rioters would later roam the halls, chanting Hang Mike Pence and searching for the then-vice president, who had a ceremonial role in the certification. Footage screened at Trumps second impeachment trial showed just how narrowly Pence and his family escaped the mob. In remarks Thursday, Pence said, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office. And I dont know if well ever see eye to eye on that day. Facebooks announcement today comes roughly one month after the social networks 20-member Oversight Board made up of lawyers, academics and journalists from around the world upheld Facebooks ban of the former reality TV star. In their ruling, the board, which Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has likened to a Supreme Court for the social media site, criticized the open-endedness of the suspension, calling it an indeterminate and standardless penalty. As part of its announcement Friday, Facebook sought to outline new enforcement protocols that could be used against any public figure during times of civil unrest and ongoing violence. The penalties range from a one month suspension to two years. Trumps two-year suspension will be retroactive, with an effective start date of January 7th, 2020. But his suspension could be extended beyond two years. Come January 2023, the company said in a statement, We will look to experts to assess whether the risk to public safety has receded. We will evaluate external factors, including instances of violence, restrictions on peaceful assembly and other markers of civil unrest. If we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded. All of this is good news for Trump who is still, somehow, the overwhelming favorite for the GOP nomination in 24 and he may need some cheering up since hes recently had to face the cold, hard truth that not everyone is cut out to be a blogger. For his part, Trump didnt seem particularly heartened by the news that he may be able to regain control of his Facebook account in as soon as 18 months. In a statement, the former president said, Next time Im in the White House there will be no more dinners, at his request, with Mark Zuckerberg and his wife. It will be all business! A former Trump administration Coronavirus Task Force official said in an interview that COVID-19 might be part of China's offensive bioweapons program. The Daily Caller revealed on Twitter on Thursday that four-star Admiral Brett Giroir, a former member of the White House COVID-19 task force, said it is "not crazy" to think that the virus "could have been engineered as part of" China's "biological weapons program." Giroir, the Western Journal explained, was pertaining to statement given by National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins that the virus leaked from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology. Former White House Covid-19 task force member Admiral Brett Giroir says it is "not crazy" that covid-19 could have been engineered as part of a Chinese biological weapons program. pic.twitter.com/msPTTnqyVO Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 3, 2021 "It is not outrageous to hypothesize, you say, that the virus could have been part of an offensive bioweapons program and leaked out accidentally. That seems to be discounted by Dr. Collins and other people," he said to Fox News Host Bill Hemmer during the interview. "I think the most likely explanation is that it was gain of function mutation work. There are multiple open sources of intel that suggest that China has an extensive biological weapons program and that it's integrated between state laboratories, academia and private industry," He elaborated. "So it is not crazy, as people suggest like Dr. Collins suggested, that this could have been part of a bio program. It is possible." In the interview, Giroir said that China has an offensive bioweapons program unlike the United States. He reiterated that the virus could have leaked out from a "dangerous research" the Chinese were doing in their lab like the other lab leaks in the past such as with anthrax in 1979 from the Soviet Union and SARS. Giroir also pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party made a "huge cover-up" on the matter by having all their records "locked down." He also highlighted the World Health Organization stating in its report last March that "definitely there was no environmental source" for COVID-19. "(COVID-19 is) not a great biological weapon, if you look at characteristics, but it certainly could have been part of a program. And again, I'm not saying that it was. I'm saying that should still be considered a possibility," he stressed. In addition, Giroir also said that National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci's statements that the virus evolved from nature is contradictory to what current evidence suggest that it came elsewhere. Fox News reported that Giroir said Fauci was "not honest about COVID origin" and was "being 'antagonistic' to Trump over" the "Wuhan lab leak theory." Giroir, who joined the Trump administration in 2018 and became its "coronavirus testing czar," is a pediatrician by profession. He previously worked in Texas A&M System where he was instrumental in the establishment of a flu vaccine manufacturing facility. His exposure to vaccine manufacturing is the very same reason he has been advocating Americans get vaccinated for COVID because it is "extremely safe and highly effective." Giroir was awarded last December by the American Socieaty of Hematology for his "outstanding support of hematology research and patient care." The Advocate also said that he is known to lead the U.S. coronavirus testing and have spoke about it throughout the nation. Previously, a China Communist Party-linked professor, Chen Ping, from the Institute of Fudan University have released a video that proudly claimed they "defeated" the United States in 2020 in a biological war involving the "2020 CCP virus (COVID-19) pandemic." Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Chris Shepherd is getting back in the kitchen for one brunch only (for now). One of Houston's most famous chefs announced on Instagram that he would cook Sunday brunch at UB Preserv, part of Shepherd's Underbelly Hospitality group. FOX/FOX Image Collection via Getty I Looks like Gordon Ramsay picked up a few things during his visit to Texas. The famed chef and TV personality took it upon himself to show us all how he makes a cholesterol-filled Texas classic: Steak and eggs. Courtesy, Southwest Airlines In mid-May, a Southwest passenger decided to take advantage of the airline's no-fee bag policy and check a pool noodle on a flight from Columbus, Ohio, to Tampa. (Also, her family bet her $20 she wouldn't have the guts to do it.) In this age of social media, the passenger, Sydney, naturally documented her pool noodle's journey from check-in to baggage claim, creating a delightful TikTok video that's racked up nearly 2 million likes. WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump was calling into yet another friendly radio show when he was asked, as he often is, whether he's planning a comeback bid for the White House. We need you," conservative commentator Dan Bongino told the former president. Well, Ill tell you what, Trump responded. We are going to make you very happy, and were going to do whats right." It was a noncommittal answer typical of a former president who spent decades toying with presidential runs. But multiple people who have spoken with Trump and his team in recent weeks say such remarks shouldnt be viewed as idle chatter. Instead, they sense a shift, with Trump increasingly acting and talking like he plans to mount a run as he embarks on a more public phase of his post-presidency, beginning with a speech on Saturday in North Carolina. The interest in another run, at least for now, comes as Trump has been consumed by efforts to undo last years election, advancing baseless falsehoods that it was stolen and obsessing over recounts and audits that he is convinced could overturn the results, even though numerous recounts have validated his loss. Hes also facing the most serious legal threat of his career. New York prosecutors have convened a special grand jury to consider evidence in their criminal investigation into his business dealings seen by many as a sign that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. is moving toward seeking charges in the two-year, wide-ranging investigation that has included scrutiny of hush money payments, property valuations and employee compensation. Trump has slammed the probe as purely political, and those around him insist he isn't concerned about potential legal exposure even as they suggest his political posture is evolving. I have definitely picked up a shift that theres more of an intentionality to be leaning on the side of it's going to happen than its not, said Matt Schlapp, chair of the American Conservative Union, who is close to the former president. I think its a very real possibility. Trump would face daunting headwinds in addition to his legal vulnerabilities. He would run with the legacy of being the only American president to be impeached twice. A campaign would almost certainly revive memories of the deadly insurrection he helped spark at the U.S. Capitol earlier this year, potentially dragging down other Republicans who have sought to move past the violence. Beyond that, Trump would be 78 years old on Inauguration Day in 2025 the same age as Democrat Joe Biden on his own Inauguration Day this year and multiple Republicans are already making moves for runs of their own. Trump's former vice president, Mike Pence, is slated to visit the early voting state of New Hampshire on Thursday. Trump has long dangled the prospect of presidential campaigns to gin up media attention and stay part of the conversation. And many had initially brushed off Trumps talk of another run as a tool to maintain relevance and his status as a GOP kingmaker. But there are tentative signs that he plans to follow through in more substantive ways to test his political strength, including by holding rallies this summer. His team is eyeing events in Ohio, Florida, Alabama and Georgia to bolster midterm candidates and energize voters. Allies say Trump misses the office and is eager to return to the action especially as he sees other potential candidates making moves. He has also felt emboldened by some recent developments, including the ouster of one of his chief critics, Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, from her House leadership position. And some see the presidency as offering potentially useful legal shelter as probes into him and his family business intensify. Theres a continued, enduring interest and folks encouraging him to run in 2024, but hes in no rush to make a decision. And hell do that at the appropriate time, said Trump spokesperson Jason Miller. There is doubt, however, among some in Trump's orbit that he will move forward unless he sees a clear path to victory, for fear of being stained by another loss. For now, Trump remains obsessed with the 2020 election. One longtime ally said one reason Trump has not said hes running outright is because he has refused to acknowledge the election is over. The person said he's now going a step further by giving credence to a bizarre conspiracy theory that he could somehow be reinstated into the presidency in August. There's no constitutional or legal mechanism for Trump to return to the presidency absent winning another election in 2024. Trumps argument that the last election was tainted has been roundly rejected by federal and state officials, including his own attorney general and Republican election leaders. Judges, including those appointed by Trump, also dismissed his claims. The person who described his thinking, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he had not discussed the August conspiracy with Trump in their recent conversations. Joe Biden is the duly elected president of the United States. We follow the Constitution in this country, he said. Joe Biden is the president of the United States. We went through the electoral votes, we went through that whole process, and Joe Biden is the president. As Trump advances such baseless conspiracy theories, Republican state legislators are pushing what experts say is an unprecedented number of bills aimed at restricting access to the ballot box that could affect future elections. While Republicans say the goal is to prevent voter fraud, Democrats contend the measures are aimed at undermining minority voting rights. Trump remains a commanding force in the Republican Party, despite his loss. A recent Quinnipiac University national poll found that 66% of Republicans would like to see him run for reelection, though the same number of Americans overall said they would prefer he didnt and there is no evidence that he has grown any more popular since losing by more than 7 million votes last November. Supporters in early-voting states are anticipating another Trump run, even as a long list of other would-be contenders, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, have been making visits. Hes definitely laying the groundwork, keeping his powder dry for a run," Josh Whitehouse, a former member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives who worked for Trumps campaign and administration, said of the former president. I'd expect nothing less, knowing who he is and having worked for him for so long. While voters will certainly hear out other candidates, he said that, at the end of the day, support will coalesce around Trump if he decides to run. The energys still there," Whitehouse said. "You cant replicate it. ___ Associated Press writer Steve Peoples contributed to this report. ___ This story was first published on June 3, 2021. It was updated on June 4, 2021, to make clear that Republican Sen. Rick Scott did not use the term August conspiracy when describing for a reporter his conversations with former President Donald Trump. Houston SPCA Apparently taking a break from pulling cats out of trees, Houston firefighters found themselves digging through concrete to rescue a puppy from a drain pipe this week. Crews from Fire Station 49 in west Houston were called to a nearby business park where a young pup had fallen into a narrow drain pipe feet underneath a concrete slab. When they arrived, the owner as well as the pup's mother were frantically trying to reach the dog to no avail. Texas GOP Chairman Allen West announced his resignation Friday morning, raising speculation the conservative firebrand could be preparing a run for statewide office. West, who has been at the helm of the state Republican party for just shy of a year, will remain chair until a successor is picked on July 11, the party said. It has been my distinct honor to serve as Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. I pray Godspeed for this governing body, West said in a statement. West will take this opportunity to prayerfully reflect on a new chapter in his already distinguished career, the party said. Critics have speculated for months that West was using the job of state party chairman to make a name for himself, potentially laying the groundwork to run for another office. West has said he's not ruled out challenging Gov. Greg Abbott, and he has also had tension recently with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. The state office for Land Commissioner is also an open seat this election season now that incumbent commissioner George P. Bush has announced he's running for attorney general. West used the latest legislative session to push hard for the partys eight legislative priorities, and he has spent recent days lamenting the lack of progress that lawmakers have to show on them. He is set to appear at a news conference at 10:30 a.m. Central in Whitehouse, near Tyler, to discuss the session. The state Republican executive committee is holding its quarterly meeting in Whitehouse. Abbott has already drawn a primary challenge from former state Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas. In addition to West, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller could also take on Abbott. On Tuesday, Abbott was endorsed for reelection by former President Donald Trump. Abbott is not the only statewide official with whom West has butted heads. Toward the end of the session, West put pressure on Patrick, the presiding Senate officer, to pass a House-approved bill allowing permitless carry of handguns, questioning Patrick's commitment to the cause and alleging the Senate added "poison-pill amendments." Patrick eventually wrangled the votes, he got the bill through the Senate and it is now on its way to Abbott's desk for his signature. Without naming West, Patrick said in a statement at one point after the bill passed the Senate that those who claimed the Senate-amended bill was in peril "willfully misled many Second Amendment supporters in Texas." A former one-term Florida congressman who moved to Texas several years ago, West took over the party last summer, unseating incumbent James Dickey. He quickly made a name for himself for his willingness to speak out against fellow Republicans. West sued Abbott for extending the early voting period due to the coronavirus pandemic, protested outside the Governors Mansion over pandemic-related shutdowns and has assailed state House speaker Dade Phelan as a political traitor. When he took over, he gave the state party a new slogan, "We are the storm," which raised speculation he was signaling support to QAnon, a conspiracy movement which has been identified by the FBI as a domestic terrorism threat. West said the slogan was unrelated to QAnon. This past weekend, West delivered remarks at a Dallas conference whose organizers have ties to the QAnon movement. At the conference, former Trump administration official Michael Flynn also spoke to the crowd and advocated for a military coup on the U.S. government. Flynn later back-tracked on his comments, and West said in an interview later in the week that he didn't support "any type of military coup." The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. TULSA, Okla. (AP) Crews searching a Tulsa cemetery for victims of the 1921 Race Massacre found five more coffins on Thursday, bringing to 20 the number of coffins found at a mass-grave feature there, city officials said Thursday. After much of the excavation and analysis is completed this week at Oaklawn Cemetery, city officials say a formal exhumation process is expected to start on Monday. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) An Afghan airstrike on Friday that targeted Taliban fighters inside an abandoned army base in southern Helmand province killed at least 20 people, including some civilians, reports said. There were conflicting accounts about the site of the strike and the number of casualties, adding to concerns that as the U.S. military and NATO forces complete their pull out from the war-battered country, Afghanistan would sink into more violence and turmoil. The military said its air force and troops struck the Taliban in the province's Nahr Saraj district as they were looting weapons and ammunition from the base. It said 20 Taliban fighters and a few civilians who were looting with the insurgents were killed. The Taliban claimed they overran the base, located along a west-south highway linking the cities of Kandahar and Herat, late Thursday. The insurgents said the death toll on Friday stood at 30 killed, and that all the fatalities allegedly are civilians. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accused the Afghan army of conducting airstrikes against civilians. Both the Taliban and government forces routinely blame each other for attacks in Afghanistan. The assailants are rarely identified and the public is seldom informed of the results of investigations into the many attacks in the capital. A resident of the area who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussion from both the government and the Taliban, said only civilians were inside the base that had been abandoned by the army, taking some of the items." He claimed over 80 people had gathered around the base allegedly all civilians and passersby and watched from the highway when the strike happened. He said several trucks and oil tankers caught fire in the strike. Adding to the controversy, provincial council member Abdul Majid Akhund said the victims were all civilians. However, Helmand council chief Attaullah Afghan said they were unarmed Taliban members. Officials could not be reached in remote Nahr Saraj district as phone lines with the area were not working. The United Nations has repeatedly demanded both sides take more precautions to protect civilians. In the first three months of this year, the U.N. mission in Afghanistan said that 1,783 civilians had been killed or wounded in Afghanistan, an increase of 29% over the same period last year. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The California Assembly on Thursday failed to pass a bill that would have raised taxes on handguns and ammunition. The bill by Assemblyman Marc Levine, a Democrat from San Rafael, would have imposed a 10% tax on the sales price of handguns and an 11% tax on the sales price of rifles, precursor parts and ammunition. The tax would have applied to retailers, not consumers. But a legislative analysis of the bill said retailers could have passed that cost along to buyers. The Assembly Appropriations Committee estimated it would have generated $118 million per year, with the money going toward gun violence prevention programs and research. A majority of the Assembly's 80 members voted for the bill. But because the bill would create a new tax, it required a two-thirds vote. The bill fell five votes short of the 54 required for passage. Democrats control 59 votes. But several Democrats come from more moderate districts, making a tax increase on guns a tough vote for them. Despite the bill's failure on Thursday, Levine said he believes it's possible to revive the legislation later this year. California is in the midst of a gun violence epidemic that will only end when our leaders have the courage to do what is right and necessary to end it, Levine said. The vote comes one week after nine people were killed in a mass shooting at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority rail yard in San Jose, California. Assemblyman Alex Lee, a Democrat from San Jose, read the names of each victim on the Assembly floor as he urged his colleagues to support the bill. We continue to see the breaking news headlines of yet another mass shooting in our nation on a nearly weekly basis. And frankly, Im sick of it, he said. In a letter to lawmakers, the pro-gun group Gun Owners of California wrote that the bill wasn't fair because it sought to "penalize the lawful for the misdeeds of the unlawful.' Levine, the author of the bill, said his goal was in part a response to the increase in gun sales and gun violence since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. California already imposes a fee of $37.19 on gun sales, which includes a fee for background checks. TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Ann-Eve Pedersen, a former journalist in Tucson and education advocate, has died on Friday. She was 55. Her husband, Peter Eckerstrom, made the announcement this week, the Arizona Daily Star reported. A cause of death was not disclosed. I think she had a powerful sense of right and wrong, a moral core to her, said Bobbie Jo Buel, a former executive editor of the Arizona Daily Star where Pedersen worked as a reporter and city editor through the 1990s. She was just outraged if somebody who was using taxpayer money wasnt spending it well. Buel recalled how Pedersen was quick to have the newspaper sue public agencies when they refused to share public records with her reporters and readers. Pedersen, who was born in Tucson, started her journalism career as a news assistant at the Tucson Citizen in the late 1980s. She started writing a month or two into the role, Eckerstrom said. Eckerstrom met Pedersen when she was covering courts and he was a young lawyer. He is now chief judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two covering Tucson and southern Arizona. Pedersen also reported on city government, competing against the Daily Star for scoops before later joining the city desk and then being promoted to editor. She was an amazing reporter, so we stole her from the Citizen, said former Daily Star reporter and assistant city editor Mary K. Reinhart. Pedersen left the journalism industry in 2003 and began focusing on education, speaking up at school district meetings and creating the Arizona Education Network. She also launched a petition to get Proposition 204 which would have established a 1% sales tax for public education on the ballot. State lawmakers and now-Gov. Doug Ducey lobbied hard to defeat the measure. The unexpected passing of Tucson journalist and education advocate Ann-Eve Pedersen is devastating. She was a committed community leader and talented journalist and she cared deeply about the people of Tucson and the entire state," said Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who was treasurer in 2012. He added: Her passion for a cause she believed in was clear when we debated Prop. 204 in 2012. Although we disagreed, I always respected her passion, intellect and dedication to the state of Arizona. My deepest condolences go out to Ann-Eves family and loved ones. Pedersen continued advocating for education funding and social justice as the executive director of the Southwestern Foundation for Education and Historical Preservation. Pedersen is survived by her husband, son, three brothers, brother-in-law, two nieces and two nephews. Memorial services are scheduled for June 12. A location has not yet been announced. Uyghur Tribunal: Much ado about nothing By Xin Ping (Global Times) 08:13, June 04, 2021 People dancing in front of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Photo: Xinhua The United Kingdom is a magical place. Sometimes in the UK, it's just so strange that things might go one way, but their names might indicate otherwise. For instance, the British Broadcasting Corporation could be broadcasting fake news; Arsenal might fail to find a gunner to shoot and score; Coldplay's concerts are often as popular as fire. And the calls for independence never cease in a "United" Kingdom. Let's face it, this is a weird place. This is the same case for the so-called "Uyghur Tribunal," to be held on June 4, in London, where the audiences, long drenched in a kind of Shakespearean cultural richness, have become picky-eaters when it comes to dramas. In a place labeled as a "tribunal," however, what's going on in the theatrical "tribunal" is not Portia preserving justice with her sophisticated wisdom. Instead, it's a puppet show - just a clown on a lonely string, manipulated by the evil hands in darkness, wearing an old-fashioned powdered wig, faking evidences, fabricating stories, and badmouthing about China's Xinjiang policies. The place is lost in the mirage of money and fame, trampling the authority and dignity of law. Were Shakespeare, a former lawyer, alive today and watching this puppet show, Romeo and Julietmight never be pathetic enough to be ranked his top-notch tragedy. The pseudo-court is by no means a legitimate legal body, and any so-called "verdict" or "ruling" it may make is indeed be like the play Much Ado About Nothing. It is actually a puppet kneeling to the geopolitical benefits of the major Western powers that are pulling the strings. In fact, what kind of nonsense the puppet might be saying, however invalid they might be, does not matter at all, either to the people of Xinjiang or even to the string-pullers behind the curtain. What really matters is that the US and Western anti-China forces, in collusion with the notorious separatist "World Uyghur Congress (WUC)" and other "East Turkistan" organizations, have been trying to disguise the lie of the century, namely the so-called genocide in Xinjiang. It is being fanned under the cover of one of the noblest and most glorious causes of human civilization - the rule of law. This is being done to take advantage of people's trust for their own despicable interests. Many interesting details remain to be discovered on the website of the pseudo-court. The first question is its identity. The website reveals that the "Uyghur Tribunal" will be constituted as a UK Private Company Limited by Guarantee - under the name "Uyghur Administration." This certainly makes sense, as a "tribunal" seems to be a natural match to a "private company." Afterwards, the most noticeable section in the menu, placed only after "home" and "about," is funding. Of course, it is absolutely understandable for such a Merchant of Venicecalling itself a "tribunal" to prioritize the honorable cause of making money. Otherwise it will remain doubtful whether so-called witnesses and experts, long spoiled by Western media's generosity in buying fabricated anti-China stories, will appear at the hearings free of charge. Speaking of these purported puppet witnesses and experts, although the pseudo-court asserted that "No present or future members of the Tribunal or the Secretariat are activists in any Uyghur cause," we might still come across some familiar names in the "about" section and "hearing" list. Such as: Dolkun Isa, the "President" of the WUC and a main leader of "East Turkistan" organization, a UN-recognized terrorist group. As the website suggests, the "tribunal" was established at the request of Dolkun Isa in collaboration with the WUC. The WUC, the main face and voice of a separatist operation dedicated to destabilizing the Xinjiang region of China and ultimately toppling the Chinese government, is a US government-backed umbrella for several Washington-based outfits that also rely heavily on US funding and direction. As for Dolkun Isa himself, he is a notorious terrorist and separatist involved in multiple bloody terrorist attacks in Xinjiang, including the attack that killed 197 and injured over 1,700 in Urumqi on July 5, 2009. Adrian Zenz, a far-right anti-China propagandist who believes he is "led by God" on a "mission" against China. Zenz is a senior fellow in China studies at the far-right Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, which was established by the US government in 1983. His "expertise" on China has been demonstrated to be deeply flawed, riddled with falsehoods and dishonest statistical manipulation. His assertion of genocide is concocted through fraudulent statistical manipulation, cherry-picking of source material, and propagandist misrepresentations. An even more threatening fact is that many bizarre criticisms against Xinjiang are based on Zenz's gibberish, without ever checking his credibility. Consequently, Western governments and media, either consciously or unconsciously, have been circulating Mr. Zenz's awkward Comedy of Errors. Nathan Ruser, an alleged "researcher" at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). ASPI, a right-wing militaristic "think tank" labeling itself "independent" is actually run by Australia's Defense Department and funded by US and Western governments, including the US State Department - who gave $450,000 in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, according to Australian Senator Kim Carr. It also received funding from UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and NATO, mega-corporations, and a bunch of weapon manufacturers - such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Thales. The reports released by ASPI have met with inarguable criticism that it relies on speculation, sensationalism and even far-right blogs of religious fanatics. The Australian Financial Review noted that ASPI has been accused of "fomenting anti-China hysteria, to the alleged benefit of its benefactors." Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr has slammed ASPI for pushing a "one-sided, pro-American view of the world." Former Australian ambassador to China Geoff Raby added that ASPI is "the architect of the China threat theory in Australia." As such, although the so-called "witnesses" remained anonymous, it will not be hitting the lottery if some of the names have made headlines. Pathetic. It is highly unlikely that the members of the pseudo-court and its worshippers, blinded by the fixed ideological biases, are unaware of such facts. However, these anti-China factions choose to ignore the facts for the purposes of the string-pullers that keep feeding the puppets coins and applause. This reminds me of how Shakespeare made fun of the ill-minded lawyers who were so used to calling black white: "Why may not that be the skull of a lawyer? Where be his quiddities now, his quillets, his cases, his tenures, and his tricks?" -- The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Act V, Scene I No matter how hard the puppet might want to sell its lies about Xinjiang, the truth and fact stand still, invincible and omnipotent. The distinction between truth and lies could not be even more clear. For Xinjiang, As You Like It, the prosperity and freedom enjoyed by her people will never be stained by such bluffing. All's Well That Ends Well. As for the puppet? Measure for Measure, eye for eye. The author is a current affairs commentator. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) WASHINGTON (AP) Whatever or whoever they are, theyre still out there. U.S. intelligence is after them, but its upcoming report won't deliver any full or final truth about UFOs. The tantalizing prospect of top government intel finally weighing in after decades of conspiracy theories, TV shows, movies and winking jokes by presidents will instead yield a more mundane reality thats not likely to change many minds on any side of the issue. Investigators have found no evidence the sightings are linked to aliens but cant deny a link either. Two officials briefed on the report due to Congress later this month say the U.S. government cannot give a definitive explanation of aerial phenomena spotted by military pilots. The report also doesnt rule out that what pilots have seen may be new technologies developed by other countries. One of the officials said there is no indication the unexplained phenomena are from secret U.S. programs. The officials were not authorized to discuss the information publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Findings of the report were first published by The New York Times. The report examines multiple unexplained sightings from recent years that in some cases have been captured on video of pilots exclaiming about objects flying in front of them. Congress in December required the Director of National Intelligence to summarize and report on the U.S. governments knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs better known to the public as unidentified flying objects or UFOs. The effort has included a Defense Department UAP task force established last year. The expected public release of an unclassified version of the report this month will amount to a status report, not the final word, according to one official. A Pentagon spokeswoman, Sue Gough, declined Friday to comment on news stories about the intelligence report. She said the Pentagon's UAP task force is actively working with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on the report, and DNI will provide the findings to Congress. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, when asked about the report, said of the question at first, Its always a little wacky on Fridays. But she added, I will say that we take reports of incursions into our airspace by any aircraft identified or unidentified very seriously and investigate each one. The Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency have for decades looked into reports of aircraft or other objects in the sky flying at inexplicable speeds or trajectories. The U.S. government takes unidentified aerial phenomena seriously given the potential national security risk of an adversary flying novel technology over a military base or another sensitive site, or the prospect of a Russian or Chinese development exceeding current U.S. capabilities. This also is seen by the U.S. military as a security and safety issue, given that in many cases the pilots who reported seeing unexplained aerial phenomena were conducting combat training flights. The report's lack of firm conclusions will likely disappoint people anticipating the report, given many Americans' long-standing fascination with UFOs and the prospect of aliens having reached humankind. A recent story on CBS' 60 Minutes" further bolstered interest in the government report. Luis Elizondo, former head of the Pentagons Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, said the one official's claim that there was no indicated link to secret U.S. programs would be significant. But he called on the government to be fully transparent. "I think that our tax dollars paid for information and data involving UFOs," Elizondo said. And I think it is the U.S. governments obligation to provide those results to the American people. But skeptics caution that the videos and reported sightings have plausible Earth-bound explanations. Mick West, an author, investigator and longtime skeptic of UFO sightings, said he supported the military looking into any possible incursion of U.S. airspace, especially by an adversary. People are conflating this issue with the idea that these UFOs demonstrate amazing physics and possibly even aliens, West said. The idea that this is some kind of secret warp drive or its defying physics as we know it, there really isnt any good evidence for that. The Pentagon last year announced a task force to investigate the issue, and the Navy in recent years created a protocol for its pilots to report any possible sightings. And lawmakers in recent years have pushed for more public disclosure. Theres a stigma on Capitol Hill, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told 60 Minutes in May. I mean, some of my colleagues are very interested in this topic and some kind of, you know, giggle when you bring it up. But I dont think we can allow the stigma to keep us from having an answer to a very fundamental question. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) A state auditor in New Mexico has warned the Legislature that a plan to pay $300 to legislative staffers who worked in the Capitol this year is unconstitutional. State Auditor Brian Colon said his office told the Legislature that the state Constitution prohibits giving extra compensation to a public servant after services are rendered, the Albuquerque Journal reported. Ive got to hold everybody accountable when it comes to the law, Colon said, noting that auditors have warned other public bodies that payments would violate the state Constitution. The warning was in response to legislation passed in this year's 60-day session that calls for a one-time $300 compensation adjustment for employees working in the Capitol during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill is set to take effect later this month, and up to $165,000 would be paid out after that. Legislative Council Service Director Raul Burciaga said he is unable to halt the payments, because the legislation was passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Democratic state Sen. George Munoz, who is also chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said the legislation was intended as a gesture of thanks to staff members and not a violation of law. The provision at issue prohibits enacting a law giving any extra compensation to any public officer, servant, agent or contractor after services are rendered or contract made. However, the state Constitution does not prohibit providing extra pay for current work. WARSAW, Poland (AP) A Belarusian opposition leader on Friday helped unveil a new monument commemorating Solidarity, the Polish trade union and freedom movement that played a historic role in the collapse of communism in eastern Europe. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition candidate to challenge longtime dictator Aleksander Lukashenko in an election last year, attended the unveiling alongside Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. At a news conference ahead of the inauguration, she said the struggle for freedom in Poland has been an inspiration for her people. The history of the Polish Solidarity movement is especially close and important for Belarus, she said. These events inspired Belarusians both when they took place back in Soviet times and later when a new dictatorship emerged in our country and Belarusians began to rely on the experience of our neighbors in fighting it. The monument is made up of large letters reproducing Solidaritys iconic logo. Friday is the 32nd anniversary of the first partially free elections in Poland after decades of communism, an achievement of Solidarity. Tsikhanouskaya met with Belarusians living in exile on Thursday, and was greeted by a crowd of Belarusians and Poles. Many Poles feel a strong sense of support for the struggle for freedom in Belarus, a fellow Slavic nation on their eastern border. On Friday she also met with Polish President Andrzej Duda. She expressed gratitude to the Polish people and the governments at all levels for supporting the Belarusian struggle against dictatorship. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California Gov. Gavin Newsom played gameshow host Friday in a drawing for 15 winners of $50,000 prizes for getting vaccinated against the coronavirus. If youre on the fence, if youre just a little bit hesitant or you just were unwilling in the past but all the sudden you think, Wait a sec, I could really use $50,000,' were doing all of this to encourage that and to get you to think anew and hopefully act anew," Newsom said at the California State Lottery headquarters, where he was flanked by a machine used to randomly choose winners and a Wheel of Fortune-style colored wheel for show. It was the first in a series of drawings for $16.5 million in prize money aimed at encouraging Californians to get their shots ahead of June 15, when the state plans to lift almost all virus-related restrictions. So far, 67% of eligible people 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The state's goal is to fully vaccinate at least 75% of people. Newsom announced the prize money last week, warning the state's vaccination rates were about to go off a cliff without an intervention. State officials said vaccine rates had dropped at the time by 18% from the week before. In the week since Californians became eligible to win money, vaccinations were down 4% from the prior week, Newsom spokeswoman Erin Mellon said. One million vaccinations were given in the past week, she said. Next week, another 15 people will win $50,000, and on June 15 there will be 10 grand prize winners who will get $1.5 million each the largest of any vaccination prize in the country. The winners will remain anonymous unless they give the state permission to share their names, and they have 96 hours to claim their prizes before the state draws alternate winners. The state will contact winners. Additionally, the state has started providing $50 gift cards to people who get shots. More than 340,000 cards have been given out so far, and the state plans to distribute 2 million, which are worth a total of $100 million. Though vaccinations have slowed, California is among the leading states and already has surpassed Democratic President Joe Biden's goal of ensuring at least 70% of eligible adults have one shot by July 4. Newsom acknowledged that with California's virus cases at record lows and the reopening looming, it will be hard to convince the unvaccinated to finally get their shots. Moving from 70% of adults to 75% and beyond, thats stubborn, thats difficult work," he said. State Sen. Richard Pan, a pediatrician and vaccine advocate, and Claudio Alvarado, a pediatric emergency nurse at UC Davis Medical Center, helped Newsom draw the first $50,000 winners. A machine spun numbered balls and individually dropped out the winning entries. The only information about the winners was what county they lived in. Populous counties accounted for most of the winners three each came from Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Clara and two from San Francisco. Alameda, Orange, Mendocino and San Luis Obispo counties had one each. More than 21 million people are eligible to win $50,000 prizes. The state assigned random numbers to each person then narrowed the list to 200 numbers. The first 50 were placed in the drawing, and the remaining 150 will be used to select next week's winners or replace any winner from Friday who doesn't claim the prize. Anyone who has gotten at least one vaccine dose is eligible for the prizes, with a few exceptions including people who are incarcerated and those who work for the governor. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) A Northern California woman who set her sister's dog on fire after the animals fought has been sentenced to seven years in prison, prosecutors said Friday. Petra Gabriel pleaded guilty in April to multiple charges including felony animal cruelty, the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office said in a statement. BOSTON (AP) A Boston-based nonprofit and the state Department of Early Education and Care have teamed up to protect child care facilities across the state with a free pooled coronavirus testing program. The project, administered by child care advocacy group Neighborhood Villages, will test about 6,000 children and workers per week starting in mid-June and throughout the summer, according to a statement. The initiative is an expansion of the state's K-12 pooled testing program school credited with keeping coronavirus transmission in schools low. What started as a successful pilot program in Boston will be expanded statewide with a $100,000 investment from the Department of Early Education and Care. Pooled testing has proved to be a critical mitigation strategy in detecting positive cases among asymptomatic individuals that might have otherwise been undetected," department Commissioner Samantha Aigner-Treworgy said in a statement. Bringing this testing strategy to child care programs and after school programs will be another important step in our fight against COVID-19." In pooled testing, samples from multiple people tested together. If the pool tests negative, all the individuals in the pool are negative. If the pool tests positive, individual samples are retested to see which person tested positive. ___ VIRUS BY THE NUMBERS The number of new daily cases of COVID-19 increased by about 180 Friday while the number of newly confirmed coronavirus deaths in Massachusetts rose by 10. The new numbers pushed the states confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 17,540 since the start of the pandemic, while its confirmed caseload rose to about 661,800. The true number of cases is likely higher because studies suggest some people can be infected and not feel sick. There were fewer than 200 people reported hospitalized Friday because of confirmed cases of COVID-19, with about 70 in intensive care units. The average age of those hospitalized was 58. There were an estimated 4,700 people with current active cases of COVID-19 in the state. ___ IMMUNIZATIONS More than 7.9 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Massachusetts as of Friday. That includes more than 4.2 million first doses and more than 3.4 million second doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. There have been nearly 255,000 doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine administered. More than 3.7 million people have been fully immunized. DENVER (AP) A former Colorado state trooper has been charged with felony menacing in a case that prosecutors said involved a man pointing a rifle at a person in another vehicle, authorities said Thursday. Wesley Dakan, 44, was put on paid leave after the Colorado State Patrol was notified about the allegations by Denver police in the April 25 incident and fired on Tuesday after an internal affairs investigation, the patrol said in a statement. A telephone message left after hours for Dakan's attorney was not immediately returned. Earlier in the day, the Denver District Attorneys Office announced that two felony menacing charges had been filed against an off-duty law enforcement officer. But the office did not name him or provide details about what he is accused of doing because it said it was still trying to identify witnesses in the case. Dakan was the officer prosecutors were referring to, Master Trooper Gary Cutler, a spokesperson for the state patrol, said. The announcement of the charges came in a news release urging witnesses to come forward. The release also said the office was withholding details in the case to preserve its integrity as it works to find witnesses. We do not know who the victims are who this officer allegedly menaced, were trying to identify them so they can identify the former officer in this case, Carolyn Tyler, a spokesperson, for the district attorney's office, told The Denver Post. More details would be released before the officer's next court date later this month, the office said. According to online court records, Dakan was listed as in custody at the Denver jail on April 28 and released on a pledge to appear at future court dates. A tweet from the state patrol's Golden office said Dakan was recognized by the Golden Elks Lodge for taking 35 impaired drivers off the road last year. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowans have no right to a confidential telephone conversation with a lawyer prior to charges being filed, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday, dealing a blow to attorney-client privilege. The decision came in a case involving a Milford man arrested for drunken driving at nearly 3 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2019. Matthew Sewell was confronted with the choice of losing his driver's license or taking a breath test when he asked to talk privately with his attorney by phone. Police rejected his request and recorded the conversation, which the attorney abruptly ended when he learned it was being recorded. Sewell took the breath test, which indicated he exceeded the level allowed by Iowa law, he was booked into jail on a drunken driving charge and later convicted. He appealed the conviction, claiming his right to an attorney under state law and the Constitution was violated. A majority of the court concluded that the constitutional right to an attorney only applies to face-to-face meetings. The justices, in an opinion written by Edward Mansfield, said Iowa law specifies that a call to a lawyer shall be made in the presence of the person having custody of the one arrested or restrained." The court has said previously that the constitutional right to an attorney does not attach prior to the initiation of a case or prosecution. Justice Brent Appel, the only Democratic appointee remaining on the court, disagreed. He wrote in a dissenting opinion that although Sewell had only himself to blame for his predicament, he was entitled to legal advice to help him deal with it. The guiding hand of counsel is crucial in permitting the arrestee to make an informed choice that is irreversible and will largely dictate whether he is convicted of a crime or loses his drivers license, Appel wrote. He said courts in Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Washington and Vermont have found a constitutional right to counsel in similar situations to Sewell's case. Six states Alaska, Arizona, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota and Ohio provide for confidential consultation with counsel in similar circumstances by statute or rule, Appel said. Robert Rehkemper, the attorney who argued Sewell's case before the court, said the decision means Iowans taken to a police station and not yet charged can ask to call a lawyer, but police officers can listen to everything that is said. Those wanting privacy or confidentiality must convince an attorney to meet in person, said Rehkemper, a board member of the Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Its incredibly disappointing. Its scary. It opens the door for just a complete disregard for the attorney-client privilege thats supposed to form the basis of our judicial system and it just erodes it, he said. What boggles my mind is convicted murderers who are in prison have the right to confidential consultations with their attorneys over the phone but were not doing that for people who are just arrested. The court made it clear it allows officers to stand in the room and listen to the suspect's side of the conversation but did not address whether it is proper for police departments to record both sides of the conversation when people talk to their lawyers by phone. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Denmark has withdrawn permission for a planned pipeline that was designed to bring Norwegian gas to Poland, citing the need to assess if the project would harm the habitats of certain mice and bat species. The decision represents a setback to Polands energy security efforts. Poland has been counting on the pipeline, called Baltic Pipe, to help limit its dependence on Russian energy sources. The Danish Environmental and Food Appeals Board announced Thursday that it had repealed a land permit issued in 2019 for Baltic Pipe. According to the appeals board, a permit for the project given by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency did not sufficiently lay out the measures that would be taken to protect dormice, Nordic birch mice and bats during construction of the 210-kilometer (130-mile) pipeline across Denmark. The decision means that Denmark's environmental agency will need to carry out more studies. Poland hopes the permission will ultimately be given, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said. Environmental protection is very important, and we should comply with all regulations, but equally important is energy security, and we should weigh these two things in such a way that this project can be completed, he said. Baltic Pipe was designed to bring Norways offshore natural gas from the North Sea through Denmark to Poland. Completion of the pipeline was expected in fall 2022. It is in the interest of the Republic of Poland and the whole of Central Europe to complete this project as soon as possible, and we are counting on the goodwill of the Danish government, Przydacz said in an interview on state radio. Poland was also disappointed when the Biden administration last month waived sanctions on the company overseeing Nord Stream 2, a nearly completed gas pipeline that will bring Russian gas to Germany. Nord Stream 2 will allow Russia to bypass Ukraine, depriving it of lucrative transit fees and likely removing leverage from Kyiv in its power struggle with Moscow. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Mneesha Gellman, Emerson College (THE CONVERSATION) El Salvador is in crisis after President Nayib Bukele on May 1 fired five Salvadoran supreme court justices and the attorney general. The court and attorney generals office were among the only checks on presidential power remaining since Bukeles Nuevas Ideas party won a supermajority in Congress in March 2021, with more than 65% of votes. During the pandemic, the Salvadoran judiciary repeatedly ruled that the presidents uses of emergency powers were unconstitutional; Bukele defied the courts and ultimately dismissed the justices and the attorney general. Salvadoran lawmakers supported Bukeles purge of his perceived opponents. And recent polls show more than 90% of Salvadorans still support the president. But the move drew sharp criticism from other countries. An independent judiciary is essential to democratic governance, the U.S. State Department said of the justices dismissal. Bukele came to power in 2019 on a tide of voters exhausted by the Salvadoran status quo deep inequality, chronic violence and endemic corruption. Voters were hopeful for something different. Soon after, the authoritarian power grabs began. On Twitter, Bukele defended the recent firings as getting our house in order the kind of sweeping change he was elected to enact. But Bukeles anti-democratic behavior is actually business as usual in a country that never fully realized its precarious democracy, as I documented in my 2017 book on memory and violence in El Salvador, Mexico and Turkey. A long struggle El Salvador struggled through centuries of Spanish colonization before becoming an independent state in 1821, followed by economic manipulation and the concentration of land in the hands of wealthy elites. In 1980, civil war began. Leftist revolutionaries of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front FMLN in its Spanish acronym attempted to overthrow the countrys U.S.-backed dictatorial and corrupt government. The war lasted until 1992 and killed 75,000 Salvadorans. After the 1992 peace accords, the FMLN converted from guerrilla group to political party, surrendering its weapons and competing electorally to change the countrys path. Many in the country and abroad believed El Salvador was becoming a democracy. However, the FMLN lost repeatedly to the right-wing ARENA party that had governed El Salvador through the civil war. Under ARENA leadership, a culture of silence about the war persisted in El Salvador. Soldiers who had committed wartime atrocities and the politicians who had authorized them avoided investigation and prosecution. Democracy in process Finally, in 2009, the FMLN won the presidency. The peaceful transfer of power raised hopes that El Salvador had finally become a full democracy. Political scientists routinely count countries as consolidated democracies once they achieve peaceful changes of presidential party rule through free and fair elections. But elections-focused definitions of democracy dont account for how a countrys vulnerable social groups like Indigenous people, women and girls, people with disabilities and political activists, for example are faring. The foundation of any democracy is the social contract that is, the agreement about rights and responsibilities that citizens and states enact toward one another. In El Salvador, vulnerable groups are often marginalized and do not benefit much from the protection that governments are supposed to provide their people. Their experience of democracy is superficial at best. For all Salvadorans, the social contract is undermined by the states inability to keep them safe. El Salvadors weak institutions are frequently unable to protect people from bodily harm, whether by gangs or police. No post-conflict government has yet accomplished the kind of structural transformation necessary for El Salvador to address its most pressing problems. Only recently, for example, was a critical investigation reopened into the most gruesome atrocities of the civil war, in the El Mozote massacre, in which the army slaughtered more than 800 villagers. Successive leaders in El Salvador including the two FMLN presidents who broke the ruling partys grasp have maintained their power while failing to root out corruption, implement the rule of law or build independent public institutions. For his part, Bukeles actions have been openly anti-democratic. For example, he brought armed soldiers into parliament in 2020 while trying to push through legislation, and he regularly attacks press freedom. [The Conversations Politics + Society editors pick need-to-know stories. Sign up for Politics Weekly._] Failed state? It would take substantial political will and a lot of money to fix Salvadoran poverty, gang violence, the education system and limited upward mobility. Gender-based violence is a pervasive social disease; El Salvadors femicide rate is one of the highest in the world. On top of that, climate change-fueled storms have destroyed homes and livelihoods. That problem requires an international solution. Bukele who at 37 was the worlds youngest president and belonged to neither major party pledged to tackle all these problems. But life for most Salvadorans has not improved under his leadership. People are still fleeing El Salvador en masse. Last year, during the pandemic, 12,590 Salvadorans were deported by U.S. immigration enforcement; in 2019, nearly 19,000 were. Some analysts consider El Salvador a failed state, while others have labeled it a flawed democracy. In my analysis, Nayib Bukeles presidency has simply removed the facade that El Salvador ever became a full democracy. Free and fair elections aside, its regime is a work in progress. Under Bukeles leadership, El Salvador is inching back toward its authoritarian past, while Salvadorans continue to hope for change. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/el-salvadors-facade-of-democracy-crumbles-as-president-purges-his-political-opponents-161781. LONDON (AP) European Union and British regulators opened dual antitrust investigations Friday into whether Facebook distorts competition in the classified advertising market by using data to compete unfairly against rival services. German officials, meanwhile, launched a fresh investigation of Google using stepped up powers to scrutinize digital giants. The multiple probes represent the latest escalation by European regulators in their battle to rein in the dominance of big American tech companies. The focus of the EU and U.K. investigations highlights a longstanding concern that the data the companies collect from people or businesses with their platforms is used to get an advantage over competitors, which could include those same businesses. Facebook collects vast troves of data on the activities of users of its social network and beyond, enabling it to target specific customer groups, said Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissions executive vice president in charge of competition policy. We will look in detail at whether this data gives Facebook an undue competitive advantage, in particular on the online classified ads sector, where people buy and sell goods every day, and where Facebook also competes with companies from which it collects data. The U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority said in a simultaneous announcement that it launched its own probe to examine whether Facebooks collection and use of data gave it an unfair advantage over competitors providing classified data and online dating services. Facebook said it will continue to cooperate fully with the investigations to demonstrate that they are without merit. Marketplace, Facebook's classified ad service, and Facebook Dating offer people more choices and both products operate in a highly competitive environment with many large incumbents, the company said in a statement. The EU's executive commission, the bloc's top antitrust enforcer, is looking at the possibility that Facebook collects data on what users are interested in based on how rival classified ad sites are advertising their services to Facebook users. The commission is worried Facebook then uses that data to tailor Marketplace to outcompete the rival sites. It's also looking at whether the way Marketplace is embedded into the social network gives Facebook an advantage in reaching customers and shutting out competing sites, in violation of EU competition rules. The U.K.'s competition watchdog is pursuing its own investigation, which includes examining whether data from Facebook Login was unfairly used. The feature lets users sign into other websites, apps and services with their Facebook credentials, making it a potentially big source of information on users' interests. We intend to thoroughly investigate Facebooks use of data to assess whether its business practices are giving it an unfair advantage in the online dating and classified ad sectors," Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said in a press statement. The EU and U.K. investigations could result in formal charges, but its not a given. Regulators have the power to impose penalties worth up to 10% of a company's annual revenue, which in Facebooks case would amount to billions of dollars. Also Friday, Germanys competition watchdog, which has gained new powers to use on digital companies, opened its latest investigation of Google. The Federal Cartel Office, or Bundeskartellamt, said it is examining whether Googles News Showcase, a licensing platform for publishers launched last fall, includes unreasonable conditions in contracts for news publishers. The federal office is also looking at whether search results give preference to publishers using the platform at the expense of others that havent been signed up. Google denied giving preference to news partners and said it is cooperating with the German watchdog agency. U.S. tech giants already faced intensifying scrutiny in Europe over their business practices. Officials in Brussels have charged Apple with stifling competition in music streaming, accused Amazon of using data from independent merchants to unfairly compete against them with its own products, and are informally investigating Googles data practices for advertising purposes. ___ For all of APs tech coverage, visit https://apnews.com/apf-technology ___ Follow Kelvin Chan at https://www.twitter.com/chanman LOS ANGELES (AP) Former California congresswoman Katie Hill has been ordered to pay about $220,000 in attorneys fees to a British tabloid and two conservative journalists she had sued after the publication of intimate photos without her consent. The Democrat who briefly represented a district north of Los Angeles had accused them in a revenge-porn lawsuit of violating the law by publishing or distributing the compromising photos. The lawsuit was thrown out earlier this year on First Amendment grounds, the Los Angeles Times reported. Hill resigned in 2019 after the publication of the photos and amid a House ethics probe into allegations of an inappropriate sexual relationship with one of her congressional staffers, which she denied. On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Yolanda Orozco awarded about $105,000 to the parent company of the Daily Mail, a British tabloid. Hill had called for a boycott of the tabloid on Twitter and sought donations for her legal costs. A judge just ordered me to PAY the Daily Mail more than $100k for the privilege of them publishing nude photos of me obtained from an abuser, she tweeted. The justice system is broken for victims. A spokeswoman told the newspaper that Hill plans to appeal the rulings that dismissed her lawsuit. An attorney for the Daily Mail did not respond to a request for comment. The judge previously ordered Hill to pay about $84,000 to the attorneys of Jennifer Van Laar, managing editor of the conservative website Red State, and about $30,000 to lawyers representing radio producer Joseph Messina. Hill initially accused Messina of being part of a conspiracy to distribute the pictures, but dropped her claim against him earlier this year. Krista Lee Baughman, an attorney representing Van Laar and Messina, told the Times that the ruling showed that those who file speech-chilling (intimidation) lawsuits must pay the price. Hill, 33, gained national attention in 2018 when she was elected to Congress in a district long under Republican control. She was celebrated as the face of millennial change and was close to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a fellow California Democrat. Less than a year later, as Hill was going through a divorce, Red State published stories alleging that she had an affair with a male congressional staffer and that she and her husband, Kenneth Heslep, had a previous relationship with a female campaign worker. The website and the Daily Mail also published provocative pictures. Hill confirmed that she and Heslep had a relationship with the campaign worker, which she conceded was inappropriate because the woman was a subordinate. In December, Hill sued the two media outlets, Van Laar, Messina and Heslep, arguing that they violated Californias revenge-porn law by distributing or publishing intimate images, including photographs that showed her nude. The publications and Van Laar successfully argued that Hills lawsuit failed to meet the requirements of the revenge-porn statute. They also asserted that they had a First Amendment right to publish information about an elected officials behavior that is newsworthy. The parent company of Red State has not sought attorneys fees, the newspaper said. Heslep has not filed any legal responses and does not have a lawyer on record in the case. Hill later wrote a book about her experience and formed a political committee to support women and younger candidates, including those of color. She hasn't ruled out another possible run for public office. KEPUMGODA, Sri Lanka (AP) Sri Lanka's fishermen are already feeling the impact of an unfolding environmental disaster caused by the slow sinking of a fire-ravaged cargo ship that had been loaded with chemicals. Fishing remained banned Friday along about 80 kilometers (50 miles) of coastline, as debris from the Singapore-flagged MV X-Press Pearl including tons of plastic pellets and burned fiberglass continued to wash ashore. Authorities were also on guard for the possible leak of oil and chemicals from the ship, which started sinking off the country's main port on Wednesday, a day after a fire that raged on the vessel for 12 days was extinguished. A lone fisherman, Kinson Jayalath, was defying the ban Friday on Kepumgoda beach. He said he was trying to catch food for his family but was growing frustrated by the lack of fish in an area where he said there had been plenty just a week ago. In a nearby village home to many people who depend on the fishing industry, Ajith Nelson said even before the restrictions were announced fishermen were having their nets ruined by huge chunks of cottonlike material that became entangled in them. While fishing is still allowed in deeper waters, sales of seafood have plummeted because consumers fear chemical contamination, said Herman Kumara of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement. As the the ship started to sink, crews tried to tow it into deeper waters away from the port but failed after the ships stern became submerged and rested on the seabed 21 meters (70 feet) below the surface. The ship was continuing to take on water Friday. Shumel Yoskovitz, the chief executive of the ships operators X-Press Feeders, apologized for disaster Friday in an interview with Channel News Asia. I'd like to express my deep regret and apology to the Sri Lankan people for the harm this incident has caused both to the livelihood and environment of Sri Lanka, Yoskovitz said. The fire erupted on May 20 when the ship was anchored about 9.5 nautical miles (18 kilometers) northwest of Colombo and waiting to enter the port. X-Press Feeders have said the fire destroyed most of the ships cargo, which included 25 tons of nitric acid and other chemicals. It has said salvage experts were remaining with the vessel to monitor its condition and any pollution. Colombo port Harbor Master Nirmal Silva said tons of oil in the ship's fuel tanks may also have burned out with the fire, but authorities were prepared to to deal with an oil spill. Both the navy and coast guard have been preparing for a spill with assistance from neighboring India. India has sent three ships to help, including one specifically equipped to deal with marine pollution. Sri Lankan police are probing the fire, and a court in Colombo on Tuesday banned the captain, the engineer and the assistant engineer from leaving the country. The government has said it will take legal action against the owners of the ship to claim compensation. Kumara's fishing group along with other activist groups on Friday petitioned the Supreme Court to call on authorities to assess the long-term damage to the environment and marine life, possible hazardousness of eating fish and the health impacts. The petition called on the owners of the ship, their local agent and the state to pay compensation to those affected. The petitioners told court that they obtained the list of the goods carried onboard the ship through a right to information law and the cargo included nitric acid, caustic soda, sodium methylate, plastic, lubricant oil, quick lime, sodium methodoxide, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, methanol, bright yellow sulphur, urea, and cosmetics. Silva said that the ship captain had not concealed any information on the goods onboard nor was there was any breach of rules. ___ Associated Press writers Krishan Francis and Bharatha Mallawarachi contributed to this report from Colombo, Sri Lanka. BERLIN (AP) A leading German cardinal and confidant of Pope Francis, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, offered to resign Friday over the Catholic Church's catastrophic" mishandling of clergy sexual abuse cases, declaring in an extraordinary gesture that the scandals had brought the church to a dead end." The archdiocese of Munich and Freising, where Marx has served as archbishop since 2007, published his resignation letter to the pope online, in multiple languages, and the cardinal said Francis had given him permission to make it public. It is important to me to share the responsibility for the catastrophe of the sexual abuse by Church officials over the past decades," the 67-year-old Marx wrote in the letter. But he also issued a challenge of sorts for his fellow bishops to use the opportunity of the scandal to save the church and reform it. There was no immediate comment from the Vatican, where Marx sits on powerful financial and political committees. A Vatican spokesman said information about resignations is announced in a daily bulletin, and Friday's edition did not mention Marx. The German cardinal noted that Francis had told him to keep performing my service as bishop until his decision is made." However, Marx told reporters in Munich later on Friday that he had personally read his letter to the pope last month on the phone and that after thinking about it and praying, the pope told him last week to publish it. Marx, who led the German Bishops' Conference from 2014 until 2020, wrote that investigations during the last decade showed there had been a lot of personal failures and administrative mistakes but also institutional or systemic failure. In 2018, a church-commissioned report concluded that at least 3,677 people were abused by clergy in Germany between 1946 and 2014. More than half of the victims were 13 or younger when the abuse took place, and nearly a third of them were altar boys, according to the report. Earlier this year, another report came out about the church officials' handling of alleged sexual abuse in the countrys western Cologne diocese. The archbishop of Hamburg, a former Cologne church official who was faulted in that report, offered his resignation to the pope and was granted a time out of unspecified length. Marx himself has not been implicated in any of the investigative reports to date, but he said all members of the hierarchy shared blame for the failures. A report is expected this summer about the handling of sexual abuse cases in Marxs archdiocese, German news agency dpa reported. My impression is that we are at a dead end' which, and this is my paschal hope, also has the potential of becoming a turning point,'" Marx wrote the pope, saying he hoped his offer to resign would be seen as a signal for a new beginning, for a new awakening of the Church, not only in Germany. Marx later told reporters that he wasn't tired of being a bishop, but believed someone had to personally take responsibility for the abuse scandal so that the church can be reformed. I am convinced that there will be a new epoch of Christianity, theres no question about it, he said. But this can only happen ... if the church renews itself and learns from this crisis. Marx said he sees a danger that the abuse issue will only be dealt with in a purely administrative way, which is not enough. Its about the overall renewal and reform of the church. This belongs together, he said. Marxs offer to resign was an extraordinary gesture and laid bare the credibility crisis that the scandal created in Germany, as it has in other countries. To try to recover that credibility, Marx has spearheaded a process of reform and debate with the powerful German laity to address some of the structural problems that contributed to the crisis. But the so-called Synodal Path has sparked fierce resistance inside Germany and out, primarily from conservative bishops and priests opposed to opening any debate on issues such as priestly celibacy, womens role in the church and homosexuality. Resistance has also come from the Vatican and bishops outside Germany, including culture warriors in the United States who have broken with church protocol to pen essays critical of the German reform process. In his resignation letter, Marx made no mention of his status as a member of Francis kitchen cabinet, a group of cardinals who advise the pope, or his role as head of the Vatican's Council of the Economy, a group of experts who oversee the Vatican's finances. The head of a powerful laypersons' organization, the Central Committee of German Catholics, or ZdK, said he was deeply shocked by the cardinal's offer to resign. The wrong person is leaving," ZdK President Thomas Sternberg told Germany's Rheinische Post newspaper. What Marx did for ecumenical Christianity, for the Synodal Path and also when it comes to the processing of sexual abuse (revelations) is very important. The ZdK has participated in the Synodal Path meetings for more than a year with the German Bishops' Conference. The meetings. which are set to conclude in the fall, feature discussions about allowing priests to get married, the ordination of women and a different understanding of sexuality, among other reforms. The process was launched as part of the response to revelations of clergy sexual abuse. The head of the German Bishops' Conference, Limburg Bishop Georg Baetzing, expressed respect for Marxs decision. His resignation offer makes clear that the church in Germany needs to continue the Synodal Path, Baetzing said in a written statement. The Synodal Path was created to look for systemic answers to the crisis. The basic, theological discussions which determine the Synodal Path are therefore a significant and important part of this process. Some conservative commentators, however, cheered Marxs resignation offer as evidence that his ideas for the German Church via the Synodal Path were dead," not the church itself. Some on the right have warned that the German process of reform could lead to a schism, or formal break from Rome. No kidding, the Catholic Church in Germany really had reached a dead end, if by dead end one means the liberal, modernist way forward led by Cdl Marx, said Rod Dreher, an Orthodox convert from Catholicism and columnist for The American Conservative. He is right to resign. Let someone rise who can offer leadership based in truth. Other top cardinals and bishops previously offered to resign for alleged involvement in abuse-related failings, only to see Francis sit on the decision for some time. French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin offered to resign in 2019 after a French court convicted him of failing to report a pedophile priest. Francis refused to accept the resignation pending the outcome of Barbarins appeal, though he accepted it the following year, by which time Barbarin had been acquitted. Francis allowed Australian Cardinal George Pell, his economics minister, to take an extended leave of absence in 2017 to return home to face trial for old sexual abuse charges. Pells conviction was overturned by Australias High Court last year, but by that time, Pell was just a year shy of retirement age and Francis had already named a successor. ___ Winfield contributed from Rome. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has made her recommendation about whether to reverse former President Donald Trumps decision to downsize two sprawling national monuments in Utah, but details of her decision were not released. The Interior Department gave her report to President Joe Biden on Wednesday, according to a court filing Thursday in a legal battle that began more than three years ago after Trump's decision. U.S. Department of Justice attorneys mentioned the report as part of a request to have until July 13 to address the judge's question about whether the legal battle has become a moot point. Interior Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz declined to provide any information about the report. Haaland traveled to Utah to visit the monuments in April as she became the latest cabinet official to step into a public lands tug-of-war that has gone on for years. She is the first Indigenous official to get involved in the decision. A string of U.S. officials has heard from advocates for expanding national monuments to protect archaeological and cultural sites, and from opponents who see such moves as federal overreach. Biden asked Haaland to research whether the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante should be restored. Native American tribes supported the creation of Bears Ears by President Barack Obama, but Republican state leaders opposed it. Grand Staircase is older but has long been a point of contention for conservative state leaders who consider both monuments U.S. government overreach. Bears Ears was downsized by 85% and Grand Staircase-Escalante cut by nearly half under the Trump administration. The reductions paved the way for potential coal mining and oil and gas drilling on lands that used to be off-limits, though such activity has been limited because of market dynamics. Bears Ears covers lands considered sacred to Native Americans where red rocks reveal petroglyphs and cliff dwellings and distinctive twin buttes bulge from a grassy valley. Interior officials told Utah Gov. Spencer Cox that the report had been given to the White House but didn't provide any information about the findings, said his spokeswoman, Jennifer Napier-Pearce. Cox and other prominent Utah Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, have expressed concern with the review. They met with Haaland on her visit. Cox has said the state would likely sue if the monuments are enlarged without approval from Congress. Pat Gonzales-Rogers, executive director of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, said the group found out about the report being done from the court filing and hasn't been provided any additional information. The coalition remains hopeful that the Biden administration will reverse Trump's decision. "Were standing on the sidelines, but with great optimism, Gonzales-Rogers said. HONOLULU (AP) Hawaii has a new hotline to report ghost fishing nets, derelict gear and other plastic debris that washes ashore across the Hawaiian archipelago. In a statement Thursday, state officials announced the new hotline, which uses phrasing from the Hawaii Pidgin language in the number: 833-4-Da-Nets. State wildlife officials partnered with environmental groups to create the hotline so people can report marine debris that can then be quickly removed. As they drift throughout the ocean, ghost nets and other fishing line continue to catch fish, sometimes entangling Hawaii's humpback whales, sea turtles, endangered Hawaiian monk seals and seabirds. The idea is to have people call in hazardous nets immediately," Kristen Kelly of Hawaii's Division of Aquatic Resources Protected Species Program said in the statement. We can mount a rapid response to remove these nets from our shorelines as quickly as possible and before they drift back into the open ocean. The Division of Aquatic Resources worked with the non-profit organizations Sustainable Coastlines on Oahu; Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute; Surfrider Foundation on Kauai; and the Hawaii Wildlife Fund on the Big Island. State officials said many of the ghost nets will be taken to Hawaii Pacific Universitys Center for Marine Debris Research, which is working on a study to source derelict gear in Hawaii back to the manufacturers and fisheries it originally came from. We rely on people to report large marine debris sightings so that we can obtain samples for this important research study. The hotline is a huge help, said Center for Marine Debris Research co-director Jennifer Lynch. Ghost nets foul oceans throughout the world, but the Hawaiian Islands with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to the east and another gyre of floating trash to the west are an epicenter for marine waste. A recent expedition to the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands brought back nearly 50 tons of nets and other plastics. HONG KONG (AP) Hundreds of people gathered near a Hong Kong park Friday despite a ban on an annual candlelight vigil to remember China's deadly crackdown in Beijings Tiananmen Square, and the arrest earlier in the day of an organizer of previous vigils. Hong Kong police banned the vigil for a second straight year, citing coronavirus social distancing restrictions, although there have been no local cases in the semi-autonomous Chinese city for about six weeks. Police closed off parts of Victoria Park the venue of past vigils in the city's Causeway Bay shopping district and warned people not to participate in unauthorized assemblies, which is illegal with punishment of of up to five years imprisonment. Despite the ban and a heavy police presence, hundreds of people still showed up Friday night to walk along the park's perimeter. Many illuminated the flashlights on their smartphones while others lit candles in remembrance of the hundreds, if not thousands of people who lost their lives when Chinas military put down student-led pro-democracy protests in Beijing at Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. In past years, tens of thousands of people have gathered in Victoria Park to honor the dead. Thousands attended last year despite the ban, lighting candles and singing songs. Police later charged more than 20 activists with participating in the event. Edward Yeung, one of those participating in Friday night's event, flicked on a lighter instead of a candle and said authorities are scared of the people. Theyre scared that people will remember all this. They want to wash it all away, he said. Chinas ruling Communist Party has never allowed public events on the mainland to mark the anniversary and security was increased at the Beijing square, with police checking pedestrians IDs as tour buses shuttled Chinese tourists in and out. Chinese officials have said that the countrys rapid economic development since what they call the political turmoil of 1989 proves that decisions made at the time were correct. Efforts to suppress public memory of the Tiananmen events have lately turned to Hong Kong. Apart from the vigil ban, a temporary June 4 museum closed after a visit from authorities earlier this week. The efforts came amid sweeping moves to quell dissent in the city including a new national security law, election system changes and the arrest of many activists who participated in pro-democracy protests that swept Hong Kong in 2019. Earlier Friday, police arrested Chow Hang Tung, a vice chair of the Hong Kong Alliance which organized Hong Kongs annual candlelight vigil, the group said. Although police did not identify Chow, they said they arrested a 36-year-old woman from the Hong Kong Alliance as she was publicizing an unauthorized assembly via social media despite the police ban on the vigil. After the ban was issued, Chow urged people to commemorate the event privately by lighting candles wherever they are. Chow, a lawyer, said in an earlier interview with The Associated Press that she expected to be jailed. Im already being persecuted for participating and inciting last years candlelight vigil, she said. If I continue my activism in pushing for democracy in Hong Kong and China, surely they will come after me at some point, so its sort of expected. Two other key members of the Hong Kong Alliance Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho are behind bars for joining unauthorized assemblies during the 2019 protests. At the University of Hong Kong on Friday afternoon, students took part in an annual washing of the Pillar of Shame sculpture, which was erected to remember the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown. In cleaning the Pillar of Shame, we shall learn how our predecessors defended the freedom of expression before, and we shall not easily give up, said Charles Kwok, the president of the students union. Some gathered in churches Friday night to mark June 4 and pray for the victims. Clare Ho, a postgraduate student, said she participated in previous vigils but decided to attend Mass this year to pray for the victims because the vigil was banned. "I feel like the least I can do as a Hong Konger, and as a Catholic, I just feel like coming here to pray for them is something I should do, she said. As Chinese authorities seek to curb remembrances, they seem confident that the passage of time will erase memories of Tiananmen. The government made no response to an appeal from Tiananmen Mothers, published on the Human Rights in China website, urging the party to release official records about the crackdown, provide compensation for those killed and injured and hold those responsible to account. Tiananmen Mothers said many young Chinese have grown up in a false sense of prosperous jubilance and enforced glorification of the government (and) have no idea of or refuse to believe what happened on June 4, 1989. The suppression of the Tiananmen commemorations has been accompanied in recent years by harsh repression of religious and ethnic minorities in Tibet, the northwestern region of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, along with the sharp curtailing of political rights in Hong Kong. Chinas authoritarian regime has used another kind of force enforced amnesia in its attempts to bury the truth of the brutal crimes it committed against its people, Human Rights in China said in a statement. In self-governing Taiwan, activists who host an annual Tiananmen memorial moved mostly online as the island faces its worst outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. A temporary memorial pavilion was set up in Taipei for people to leave flowers and other mementoes. The U.S. State Department issued a statement of support for those advocating for victims and pursuing the truth. We must never stop seeking transparency on the events of that day, including a full accounting of all those killed, detained, or missing, the statement said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin denounced the statement as interference in China's internal affairs and said the U.S. should first look at itself in a mirror and reflect on its own poor record in human rights." In what position can the U.S. lecture others on human rights?" he said, citing the 1921 massacre of Black residents in Tulsa, Oklahoma, discrimination against minorities and U.S. actions in the Middle East. ___ Associated Press video journalist Alice Fung, news assistants Janice Lo and Matthew Cheng in Hong Kong, journalists Huizhong Wu in Taipei and Emily Wang Fujiyama in Beijing contributed to this report. The lynching began as so many did, with a Black man accused of raping a White woman. George Hughes, a farmhand in Sherman, Texas, was arrested for allegedly assaulting the wife of his boss after trying to collect $6 in payment for his labor. Hughes was brought to the Grayson County courthouse for his trial on May 9, 1930 - a year during which the economic pain and resentments of the Great Depression spurred a threefold increase in lynchings across the nation. A mob of White men - many of them tenant farmers - women and children surrounded the courthouse and jammed the corridors. Hughes, supposedly protected by Texas Rangers, including the legendary Capt. Francis Hamer, was locked inside a walk-in vault in the second story of the courthouse. The enraged mob lit the building on fire and Hughes, 41, suffocated. Yet the crowd was not appeased; the rioters blasted the vault open, took Hughes's body, chained it to a car and dragged it to the town's Black business district, where they hung the body from a cottonwood tree, mutilated it and lit a fire beneath it before burning the commercial area down and warning Black residents to leave town. The governor called in hundreds of Texas National Guard troops and declared martial law, making headlines around the world. "Troops fire on Texas mob, wounding two in battle after burning of Negro," the New York Times trumpeted. "Sherman goes on rampage. Courthouse burned down by frenzied rioters to kill prisoner." Yet to this day there is no public memorial in Grayson County to commemorate the lynching of Hughes and what became known as the Sherman Riot. A plaque on the courthouse grounds simply mentions that the old court building burned down. Then last spring, a White public historian and preacher's daughter, whose family has lived in the overwhelmingly White and Republican county for generations, set out to erect a historical marker near the courthouse entrance. Nearly a year later, Melissa Thiel's effort to commemorate Sherman's painful past has stalled - caught between resistance by some of the town's White leaders and a rising desire among residents to confront old racial wounds. Although she has approached her project with a certain indomitability, "I picked a doozy," Thiel said. "I was naive, and I didn't think the pushback I'd get would get to this level." The struggle in her rural North Texas community echoes the larger battle playing out across the country. Just as more Americans are coming to terms with past and present-day racism, conservative legislatures in more than a dozen states have proposed or enacted laws to limit teaching about the role of racism in American history. One bill in Texas would limit how the state's teachers can discuss the ways that racism influenced the legal system in Texas and the nation. The legislation could have an outsize influence in U.S. classrooms because of the massive school textbook market in Texas. The clash over history represents dueling visions of an American future, said Monica Martinez, associate professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin and an expert on racial violence. Whether lessons about racial violence take place in classrooms or on historical markers, Martinez said, "if you can teach people how to study how power worked 100 years ago, you are also teaching them how to study how power works today." And how to challenge it. Therein lies the perceived threat, she said. "It's not just the racist violence that some people don't want to confront," she said. "They also don't want to confront the long calls for justice." --- Thiel grew up in Tom Bean, a tiny town about 11 miles southeast of Sherman. She recalls people saying that the once-grand county courthouse had been burned down by a mob, by way of explaining why some documents couldn't be found. Thiel wondered how it happened. Her curiosity about history was further piqued by lessons about the Holocaust when she was in the fifth grade. "The idea that a group of people could turn on another group of people because of race or religion, it just stood out. . . . I wanted to know more and I wanted to know why." During an internship for her master's degree in history at the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site in Dension, Texas, in 2018, her mentor encouraged Thiel to think about pursuing a public project. The fire immediately came to mind. That's how she first learned about the riot and the lynching of Hughes. Yet two years passed before the murder of George Floyd prompted Thiel to act. "I watched the video and thought, 'I can't stand by and watch. . . . I have these skills. This is a whole part of history that has been left out on purpose here,' " said Thiel, 39. "I'm going to go for it." --- In the 19th century, Sherman enjoyed a reputation in some quarters as the "Athens of Texas" - a center of education with a half-dozen private academies and small colleges and dozens of industrial plants. Some Black residents succeeded, too, despite harsh racism. There was a well-regarded Black school, and a business district that boasted doctors, a dentist, the law offices of noted civil rights leader William J. Durham, a hotel, a drugstore, a hardware store and more. In April 1930, as the Great Depression descended, a White tenant farmer named Drew Farlow hired Hughes to work his rented farm in Luella, about seven miles from Sherman. According to reports in local White-owned newspapers, Hughes went to the Farlow house on May 3 to collect the wages that Farlow owed him. Pearl Farlow told Hughes her husband wasn't there. Hughes allegedly returned, forced his way into the house and raped and bound her before she was able to free herself and run to a neighbor's house and report the rape, she later told authorities. A county deputy apprehended Hughes in a nearby field. The account in Black newspapers and among some Black residents at the time differed considerably, according to "The Tragedy of Lynching," a dissection of the lynchings of 1930 by Arthur Raper. "The explanation . . . was that Hughes was lynched because he went to his employer's house asking for wages and the employer, being unwilling to pay him, had his wife to report that she had been assaulted," the account reads. On May 5, a grand jury returned an indictment for criminal assault. On the day of the trial, Hughes allegedly pleaded guilty, although Martinez said such confessions were often coerced. "It's a corrupt archive," she said. The wheels of justice - or injustice, as was usually the case for Black people at the time - appeared to be rolling speedily toward a familiar conclusion: a Black man sentenced to death for raping a White woman. But the trial would not decide Hughes's fate. In the days leading up to the trial date, White tenant farmers, idled by rain, and other residents filled the grounds of the courthouse. False rumors swirled that Hughes had mutilated Pearl Farlow's throat and breasts, sending the mob into a murderous rage. With testimony set to begin, Pearl Farlow made a dramatic entrance on a stretcher. The judge secured several Texas Rangers, including Hamer (of later Bonnie and Clyde fame), to protect the courthouse and Hughes. But the Rangers, long mythologized for their fierceness, failed to control the rioters, who burst into the courtroom. Before the two weeks of martial law had ended, a grand jury indicted 14 men in connection with the destruction - but not for the lynching of Hughes. Two men were convicted, one for rioting and the other for arson, receiving two-year sentences, according to the Texas State Historical Association Handbook, which leaves out the perpetrators' names. Other accounts mention only one conviction, of J.B. McCasland. The Black business district never revived. It is now a parking lot. The violence appeared to be contagious. By the end of May 1930, there were at least two more riots and lynchings close by in Texas and over the border in Oklahoma. --- Last June, Thiel said she reached out to the then-chairwoman of the Grayson County Historical Commission, Teddie Ann Salmon, with her idea for the marker and was given a green light. Brian Hander, who managed the marker program, worked with Thiel to complete the necessary research. On Nov. 16, Hander sent an email to Judge Bill Magers, head of the Commissioners Court, telling him the marker had been approved. It was ready for the commissioners, the main county governing body, to consider as part of the state requirement that a marker receive permission from the landowner. There came the hitch. In early December, Thiel said she received a call from Magers telling her that contrary to Hander's understanding, the marker had not been approved by the historical commission. Shortly after, Hander resigned, in large part because of disagreement over the marker, he said. Hander had trained as a pharmacist in Tulsa and admired how that city was openly grappling with its role in the 1921 massacre and burning of Black Wall Street. And this was not that, Hander said. Over a decade, he had approved one to two markers a year, and the process was generally smooth. By contrast, Magers's assistant told Hander that a public hearing would be required - a first in Hander's tenure, he said. "I got worried that the story wasn't going to be told, and I didn't want to be a part of the problem," said Hander, 31. On Feb. 2, Thiel was invited to a private meeting by Salmon to discuss the marker. "I have some problems with your research," Thiel recalled Salmon saying, and then Thiel asked for specifics. "I have a problem with the word 'lynching,' " Salmon said, arguing it did not apply because Hughes was already dead when he was pulled from the vault. Thiel said she explained the definition of lynching - an extralegal killing by a mob that often, but not always, involves a hanging. "We don't know the character of George Hughes," Thiel recalled Salmon saying. "She said this was all caused by the actions of one man, meaning George Hughes was responsible," Thiel said. "I was in shock." In an interview with The Washington Post, Salmon, 80, said she was not implying that the events of May 9, 1930, were Hughes's fault: "I'm saying that every person's actions cause a reaction, and it was his action that caused the reaction." Does she believe Hughes's lynching and the riot are worthy of a marker on the courthouse grounds? "I am undecided," she said. She suggested that a better place for the marker might be on Hughes's unmarked grave in a county cemetery where the indigent were buried. Thiel said that immediately after speaking with Salmon she decided to take her crusade public. She gave interviews to local media, launched a Facebook page and urged residents to email or call Magers. On March 6, dozens of residents attended the public hearing for the marker. About 10 people spoke - all in favor. Shortly after, Salmon finished her term and was replaced by a new chairman, Dusty Williams. On March 9, Williams wrote the Commissioners Court to say the historical marker had met all requirements. And yet in the months since, there has been silence from Magers and the other four members of the all-White Commissioners Court. Magers declined to answer specific questions but emailed a written response to The Post. "I will continue to work with the local citizens who are interested in this matter to help facilitate an appropriate outcome that thoughtfully considers all viewpoints, ideas and historical data," the statement read in part. The local NAACP president, Al Hambrick, said the group supports the marker, then referred questions to Thiel. Every week now, Thiel sends an email requesting that the issue be put on the court's Tuesday meeting agenda. So far, she's been ignored. On May 8, Thiel organized a community commemoration of the 91st anniversary of the Sherman Riot and the lynching of Hughes. It was a blissfully sunny day, barely a cloud in the sky. About 100 people, mostly White, gathered on the grassy lawn of the Grayson County courthouse, the nondescript beige block that in 1936 replaced the steepled stone beauty that had burned. They carried signs bearing slogans: "We will Remember" and "Stand for Historical Equality." Ninety-seven people signed a letter to the Commissioners Court: "We collectively recognize, and faithfully concede, there has been a problem with racial injustice in our community in the past. Ignoring it will not make it go away." Gospel music filled the air. Candles flickered as dusk fell. Close by on the courthouse grounds, high above the crowd, a towering stone monument to the Confederacy pierced the air. There was nothing to mark the haunted ground below where a Black man was lynched by a White mob that left a path of racial terror and destruction in its wake. TOKYO (AP) Japanese sexual minority groups and their supporters, in a last-ditch effort to get long-sought equality legislation passed before the Tokyo Olympics, submitted requests on Friday to the governing Liberal Democratic Party, whose conservative members have stalled the bill. The groups also have widened their campaign to gain corporate support for their cause in hopes of pressuring Prime Minister Yoshihide Sugas pro-business party to support the legislation. In order to protect the lives and livelihood of sexual minorities, enacting a LGBT law that states discrimination is not tolerated is an indispensable first step, said Kane Doi, Japan director for the New York-based group Human Rights Watch. An enactment of such a law in Japan ahead of the Olympics is also necessary for the international community, Doi said, adding that Japan needs to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring equality for LGBTQ athletes, journalists and other participants in the Olympics, set to begin July 23. Support and awareness of sexual diversity has slowly grown in Japan, but there is still a lack of legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Japan does not legally recognize same-sex partnerships, and LGBTQ people often suffer discrimination at school, work and even at home, causing many to hide their sexual identities. Japan is far behind the international standard, said Yuri Igarashi, co-chair of the Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation. She noted growing support from the business community, including Panasonic, which on Friday became the 23rd company pledging support for the cause. Rights groups are pushing for the passage of the equality act as international attention falls on Tokyo as it hosts the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee also issued a statement stressing the importance of inclusivity in sports. Prospects for passage of the legislation before the current parliamentary session ends on June 16 are uncertain because of strong resistance from conservatives in Suga's party. On Friday, members of LGBTQ groups and supporters submitted requests at the governing partys regional headquarters in Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi and other areas. Remarks by some party members during discussions of the bill last month sparked outrage from rights groups. Lawmaker Kazuo Yana was quoted as saying in an closed-door session that same-sex relationships defy the preservation of the species, go against the biological basis. Eriko Yamatani, known for her support of traditional gender roles and paternalistic values, called it ridiculous that transgender people with male bodies say they have female hearts and want to use womens restrooms or participate in womens sports. ___ This story has been corrected to show the current parliamentary session ends on June 16. MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) The court-appointed receiver overseeing Jay Peak and other related properties after the ski area's owner was accused of massive fraud using foreign investor's money has reached a $32.5 million settlement with a law firm, according to a court filing in federal court in Florida on Friday. The settlement with Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP concerns its role in providing legal advice to former Jay Peak owner Ariel Quiros and the projects through the EB-5 visa program, said Michael Pieciak, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. The deal must be approved by the court. This is a significant settlement that will benefit both the Jay Peak investors and help mitigate any financial uncertainty to the ski resorts as a result of COVID-19," Pieciak said in a written statement. Quiros, former Jay Peak president William Stenger and William Kelly, an advisor to Quiros, were indicted last year over a failed plan to build a biotechnology plant in northern Vermont using millions of foreign investors money raised through the EB-5 visa visa program. The program encourages foreigners to invest in U.S. projects that create jobs in exchange for a chance to earn permanent U.S. residency. Quiros, of Key Biscayne, Florida, pleaded guilty last August to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and the concealment of material information. Under the plea agreement, Quiros will serve just over eight years in prison. Kelly pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two charges in a plea deal and faces a maximum of three years in prison. Stenger has pleaded not guilty. The settlement with Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP was reached after three years of litigation, extensive discovery and two separate mediations, according to receiver Michael Goldberg. The settlement results in a recovery to the Receivership Estate of nearly $30 million, from which at least $20 million shall be used for an interim distribution to eligible investors with allowed claims. Needless to say, all Investors and Putative Class Plaintiffs will benefit from this settlement, states Goldberg's motion for approval of the settlement. MSK does not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. While we strongly contest the claims, we decided to settle this lawsuit to avoid distraction from our core mission and the cost of litigating the matter to success," the law firm said in a statement. JERUSALEM (AP) A long-running campaign by Jewish settlers to evict dozens of Palestinian families in east Jerusalem is still underway, even after it fueled weeks of unrest and helped ignite an 11-day Gaza war. An intervention by Israel's attorney general at the height of the unrest has put the most imminent evictions on hold. But rights groups say evictions could still proceed in the coming months as international attention wanes, potentially igniting another round of bloodshed. The settlers have been waging a decades-long campaign to evict the families from densely populated Palestinian neighborhoods in the so-called Holy Basin just outside the walls of the Old City, in one of the most sensitive parts of east Jerusalem. Israel captured east Jerusalem, home to holy sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, in the 1967 war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. Israel views the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. The settlers are using a 1970 law that allows Jews to reclaim properties lost during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation, a right denied to Palestinians who lost property in the same conflict, including Palestinian citizens of Israel. The Israeli rights group Ir Amim, which closely follows the various court cases, estimates that at least 150 households in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan have been served with eviction notices and are at various stages in a long legal process. The plight of four extended families comprising six households in Sheikh Jarrah, who were at risk of imminent eviction, triggered protests that eventually merged with demonstrations over the policing of a flashpoint holy site. After warning Israel to halt the evictions and withdraw from the site, Hamas fired long-range rockets at Jerusalem on May 10, triggering heavy fighting between Israel and the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza. As tensions rose, Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit secured the postponement of the final hearing in the case of the four families. Another group of families requested that the attorney general also intervene in their cases, securing a delay. Israelis are currently trying to form a new government, adding more uncertainty to the process. That has bought time for the families, but nothing has been resolved. Everything is very much hanging in the balance," said Amy Cohen, a spokeswoman for Ir Amim. Rights advocates fear Israel will proceed with the evictions once the furor dies down and international attention turns elsewhere. Were talking about over 1,000 Palestinians in both these two areas that are at risk of mass displacement," Cohen said. "Because these measures are taking place in such an incremental manner, its so much easier to dismiss. The families in Sheikh Jarrah are stuck in limbo. A total of at least 65 families in two areas of the neighborhood are threatened with eviction, according to Ir Amim, including a group of families set to be evicted in August. Banners hang in the street in Sheikh Jarrah, and small, occasional protests are still held there. Police man checkpoints at either end of the road and keep watch as Jewish settlers who seized one of the homes in 2009 come and go. The settlers say they acquired the land from Jews who owned it before the 1948 war, when Jordan captured what is now east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. Jordan settled several Palestinian families on the land in the early 1950s after they fled from what is now Israel during the 1948 war. Settlers began trying to evict them shortly after Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 war. For Palestinians, the evictions conjure bitter memories of what they refer to as the Nakba, or catastrophe, of Israel's creation, when some 700,000 Palestinians a majority of the population fled or were driven from their homes as the new state battled five Arab armies. Most ended up in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza and neighboring countries. This isnt just about Sheikh Jarrah, its about the entire Israeli occupation, thats the problem. They arent going to stop here, says Saleh al-Diab, who was born, grew up, married and raised his own children in one of the homes under threat in Sheikh Jarrah. You lose your home to them in 1948 and then they come back after 1967 and take your home again, he said. Yaakov Fauci, a settler from Long Island, New York, who gained internet fame after a widely circulated video showed a Palestinian resident scolding him for stealing her home, says the Palestinians are squatting on private property. Theyve lived here since 1956. This is not exactly ancestral land going back to the times of Abraham," he said. Fauci says he is a tenant and has no personal involvement in the legal dispute, but he insists the land belongs to the Jewish people. We dont want to cause them any pain and suffering, but we need to have our land back," he said. "If there are people there, they have to unfortunately get out." Ir Amim estimates that settler organizations have already evicted 10 families in Sheikh Jarrah and at least 74 families in Silwan, a few kilometers (miles) away, in the last few decades. The Israeli government and a settler organization that markets properties in Sheikh Jarrah did not respond to requests for comment. Israel has previously said the evictions are a private real estate dispute and accused Hamas of seizing on the issue to incite violence. The settler movement enjoys strong support from the Israeli government and the right-wing parties that dominate Israeli politics. The settlers have benefitted from Israeli policies going back to 1967 that have encouraged the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem while severely restricting the growth of Palestinian communities. Today, more than 700,000 Jewish settlers live in both territories, mostly in built-up residential towns and neighborhoods. The Palestinians and much of the international community view the settlements as a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace. Ir Amim says Israeli authorities could intervene in any number of ways to prevent the Jerusalem evictions, including by modifying the law that allows settlers to take over such properties. Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union, has demanded that Israel rein in the settlers as part of the informal truce brokered by Egypt that ended the Gaza war. Egyptian mediators are exploring ways to prevent the evictions, and previous cease-fires have included significant concessions to Hamas. A war that destroyed hundreds of homes in Gaza may have ensured that residents of Sheikh Jarrah can remain in theirs, at least for now. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A lawsuit filed by abortion providers and an abortion-rights group challenging several North Carolina laws restricting and regulating the procedure can continue, a state judge has ruled. Superior Court Judge Rebecca Holt refused last week motions by Republican legislative leaders, district attorneys and state health officials to dismiss the lawsuit filed last September against them in Wake County court. The litigation by Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, other abortion clinics, several medical professionals and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective in Asheville contend the laws violate the constitutional rights of equality and due process. A three-judge panel will hear the case going forward because the litigation seeks to have the laws declared as violating the state constitution. Those judges, yet named by Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, also will consider other outstanding dismissal arguments and would preside over any trial. The plaintiffs argued before Holt that their challenges warranted the judicial branch to step in, and that abortion providers had suffered direct injury to have legal standing to sue. A hearing on the motions was held in March. The constitutional challenges asserted in plaintiffs complaint present a justiciable issue, as distinguished from a non-justiciable political question, Holt wrote in her ruling dated May 28. Lawyers for the legislative leaders who were sued argued the plaintiffs had not established direct injury, and that the General Assembly is permitted to regulate the practice of medicine. State attorneys representing local district attorneys and state health officials also have said their clients had not taken any recent steps to enforce the five laws that the lawsuit challenges. The plaintiffs have challenged a 72-hour waiting period for a woman to receive an abortion and a law permitting only a qualified physician to perform the procedure. They also are fighting a ban on virtual appointments to receive a medication-induced abortion, requirements approved in 2011 that certain information be presented to a pregnant woman, and regulations placed upon clinics the plaintiffs say prevent abortion access. The lawsuit marks another legal challenge to North Carolinas abortion laws, which have been grown incrementally restrictive since Republicans took over the General Assembly in 2011. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is currently weighing a lower court decision that declared the states abortion ban after 20 weeks of gestation unconstitutional. The same appeals court previously struck down a portion of a 2011 state law that told abortion providers to show and describe an ultrasound to the pregnant woman. LAS VEGAS (AP) A state judge will decide next week whether prosecutors in Las Vegas can plan the first execution in Nevada in 15 years. District Judge Michael Villani said at a hearing Friday in Las Vegas that he will make a decision on Monday in the case of Zane Michael Floyd, who was convicted of killing four people in a grocery store. Prosecutors are pushing to have Floyd executed in late July. At some point, this has to be final, Chief Deputy District Attorney Alex Chen said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. If the court never sets a date for certain, then there really is no goal, and theoretically this litigation will just continue for years and years and years. State prison officials have not disclosed the names of the drugs or the injection procedure they plan to use in Floyds death. Nevada requires executions to be by lethal injection, and state law requires prison officials to make public their execution plan, or protocol, only after a death warrant is issued. Floyd, 45, does not want to die. He has been on death row since he was convicted in 2000 in the shotgun killing of four people and the wounding of a fifth person at a Las Vegas supermarket in 1999. After he lost federal appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take his case, Clark County prosecutors earlier this year moved forward to carry out his sentence. At the time, a measure was pending in the state Legislature to abolish the death penalty. It failed. Attorneys from the federal public defenders office in Las Vegas are fighting in state and federal courts to keep Floyd alive. A federal judge signaled this week that he may block an execution date once its set in order to review the execution procedure and drug officials plan to use. U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware II set a June 10 hearing for prison officials to disclose the type of drugs that would be used. Challenges of the drugs and the execution procedure that prisons officials drew up for the lethal injection of twice-convicted killer Scott Dozier stalled his execution twice, in 2017 and 2018. Dozier had pleaded with the state to put him to death and expressed frustration at the delays. He killed himself in prison in January 2019. Defense attorney David Anthony, who represented Dozier and now represents Floyd, told Boulware on Thursday that Floyd has also applied for a Sept. 21 clemency hearing before the state Board of Pardons. The panel is made up of the governor, seven state Supreme Court justices and the state attorney general. The last person put to death in Nevada was Daryl Mack in 2006 for a 1988 rape and murder in Reno. Mack asked for his sentence to be carried out. DOVER, Del. (AP) A Delaware judge refused on Friday to reduce the prison sentence of a habitual criminal who made headlines after being kicked in the face by a police officer in 2013. Lateef Dickerson failed to demonstrate any "extraordinary circumstances that would warrant consideration of his request, Superior Court Judge Paul Wallace ruled. Wallace also noted that Dickerson had previously filed an unsuccessful application for sentence reduction, and that court rules prohibit consideration of repetitive requests. Finally, the judge noted that he has no authority to reduce the mandatory portion of any statutory minimum sentence. Dickerson argued that his incarceration during the coronavirus epidemic amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. He also said he has served most of a 10-year sentence on gun charges and no longer poses a threat to the public. Dickerson also claimed that his participation in various prison programs showed his complete rehabilitation. Dickerson was indicted in 2014 on two counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, two counts of receiving a stolen firearm, and conspiracy. He pleaded guilty in April 2016 to one count each on the firearm charges and conspiracy. A judge declared Dickerson a habitual offender and sentenced him to 10 years on the gun possession charge, the minimum sentence that could be imposed given his habitual offender status and prior convictions for more than two violent felonies. Prosecutors said the guns were stolen during a burglary on Marylands Eastern Shore and later stored in a shed in Middletown. They agreed to drop several charges in two other cases in which Dickerson was accused of assaulting and choking his former girlfriend and assaulting another woman at a Middletown apartment complex in 2015. Later in 2015, Dickerson received $300,000 to settle a lawsuit filed on his behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union against the city of Dover and police officer Thomas Webster IV. The lawsuit stemmed from a 2013 incident in which he suffered a broken jaw when he was kicked by Webster. Webster and another officer confronted Dickerson while responding to a report of a large fight at a gas station and a man armed with a gun. Webster said he feared for his safety and the safety of others because officers were told Dickerson had a gun and because he was slow to comply with repeated commands to get on the ground. Webster also testified that he did not mean to kick Dickerson in the head but was aiming for his upper body. Webster was acquitted of assault in a December 2015 trial. Dover officials agreed shortly thereafter to pay him $230,000 in exchange for his immediate resignation. Just days after the settlement in his lawsuit was finalized, Dickerson and two other men were arrested in January 2016 after a traffic stop in Newark. Police found a .32-caliber revolver in a bag on the rear seat of the car. All three were charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. Dickerson also was ordered held on outstanding warrants by Middletown police charging him with burglary and failing to register as a sex offender. Prosecutors dropped all those charges in April 2016 when Dickerson pleaded guilty to the gun crime for which he is now behind bars, citing either insufficient evidence or victim/witness issues. Webster, meanwhile, was hired as a police officer in Greensboro, Maryland, in 2018. He lost his police certification the following year amid questions about failing to disclose nearly 30 use-of-force reports involving his time in Dover. The issue surfaced after the death of 19-year-old Anton Black following a struggle with Webster and two other Maryland police officers in 2018. Webster confronted Black while responding to a 911 call about a man dragging a boy down a street and a possible abduction. After being told to put his hands behind his back, Black ran away and locked himself inside a car outside his familys home. An officer broke the window and shocked Black with a Taser before Black got out and struggled with three police officers and a civilian. After being handcuffed, Black became unresponsive. A medical examiner concluded that Black suffered sudden cardiac death due to a congenital heart condition, with bipolar disorder and stress from the struggle with police officers contributing to his accidental death. Blacks family has filed a federal lawsuit accusing police of killing him and medical examiners of engaging in a cover-up to protect the officers. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) In a sign of meatpacking workers becoming emboldened by the pandemic's health threats and economic repercussions, the union at a South Dakota pork processing plant that experienced a bad coronavirus outbreak last year has overwhelmingly rejected a contract offer from Smithfield Foods and will next move to bring the prospect of a strike to the negotiating table. The Sioux Falls chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union said 99% of union members who voted on the new contract offered from Virginia-based Smithfield Foods rejected it. The escalating labor negotiations are a sign of what might be a renewed boldness among workers in the physically demanding meatpacking industry. Through the pandemic, workers have organized around pushes for workplace safety and are now navigating an economy where some slaughterhouses, desperate for employees, have suddenly boosted wages. Smithfield Foods downplayed the contract rejection, saying it was a routine part of negotiations. But the UFCW plans to vote Monday on whether to authorize a walkout. Union leaders said they view striking as a last resort, as they push for for a base wage of $19 an hour to match the rate at a JBS pork plant 70 miles (113 kilometers) away in Worthington, Minnesota. Slaughterhouse jobs usually offer elevated wages and benefits in exchange for the bloody, back-breaking work on butchering lines. But the wage gap is closing between meatpacking jobs and those at fast-food chains or retail stores, union leaders warned. They said that employees are exhausted after filling voids in the workforce during the pandemic while keeping up with robust demand for meat. We've got overworked employees, said B.J. Motley, the union president. We've got people on the line with extended hours and now they're trying to take away their break. He said the company plans to eliminate a 15-minute break period, but Smithfield pushed back on that assertion. Keira Lombardo, a spokeswoman for the company, said in a statement that its proposal would ensure there are two 15-minute breaks for employees who work 8-hour shifts. She added that the company's offer was in full alignment with agreements that the UFCW accepted at other locations. This is an expected and routine result at this stage of an ongoing negotiation, she said of the union's rejection of the company's offer. Both parties have been proactively planning for and scheduling additional meetings prior to this. A strike at the plant, which processes roughly 5% of pork products in the U.S., could ripple across the industry, from hog farmers to supermarket shelves. When the plant became an early coronavirus hot spot last year and shut down for several weeks along with others in the Midwest, the industry aggressively lobbied the public and former President Donald Trump for an order to stay open, arguing they provided an essential service to national security. However, workers and unions also pushed for protections. At the plant in Sioux Falls , workers demonstrated in April 2020 for the plant to close down as infections spread. The pandemic dramatically raised the stakes, said Colin Gordon, a University of Iowa history professor who has specialized in labor movements. Smithfield Foods, like other larger meatpackers, poured millions of dollars into worker incentives and retrofitting plants with plexiglass barriers in an effort to stem infections. The precautions succeeded in preventing another large outbreak at the Sioux Falls plant and the company said there are currently no reported cases. But the virus took its toll, as nearly 1,300 workers were infected, four died, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for failing to protect employees during the early days of the April 2020 outbreak. As the company tried to recover from the outbreak, it launched an ad campaign that praised its workers as heroes. We're not heroes anymore, are we? Anthony Yesker, a nine-year employee at the Sioux Falls plant, said after casting a vote against the company's proposed contract. They should at least look that we all put our lives on the line to keep the company going." He reasoned that if the union decided to go on strike, there were plenty of jobs in other warehouses available. The wages that Smithfield offered were once significantly higher than service industry jobs, but Yesker said the cost of living has gone up in Sioux Falls, making him rethink his job at the plant. This is a moment when workers have leverage right now, said Laura Dresser, a labor economist at COWS, a liberal think tank at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Worker shortages at meatpacking plants aren't new, but they have gotten worse during the pandemic, said Sarah Little, a spokeswoman for the North American Meat Institute, a trade association of meatpacking companies. She noted that companies are generally offering very competitive wages and benefits" that start at $22 an hour for entry-level positions in some areas. For employees like Bullen Furula, who has worked at the Sioux Falls plant for 21 years and praised the opportunities that a job at the plant can bring, rising wages elsewhere mean a greater burden on those who have stuck with the company through one of its most trying years: The more people quit, the more pressure is on us who are left behind. HAWZEN, Ethiopia (AP) Shops remained shuttered, some government workers hadnt been paid and the towns main hospital was utterly laid to waste. But the Tigrayan fighters still claimed victory, swaggering through the streets of Hawzen with their guns. It wouldnt last long. Hawzen, a rural town in the ethnic Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, is a microcosm of the challenge facing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and a warning that the war here is unlikely to end anytime soon. When The Associated Press arrived in May, Tigrayan fighters had recently retaken Hawzen from Ethiopian government troops, laying claim once again to land that has switched control multiple times since the war began in November. To the Ethiopian government, the fighters are terrorists who have defied the authority of Abiy in the federal capital, Addis Ababa. But almost everyone the AP spoke with in Hawzen supported them and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, or TPLF, the party of the regions ousted and now-fugitive leaders. The people elected us, so we are not terrorists, said fighter Nurhussein Abdulmajid, standing confidently in the middle of the road with a gun on his shoulder, as a crowd listened. He (Abiy)s the one who is the terrorist. A terrorist is someone who massacres people. ___ This story was funded by a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. ___ The battle for Hawzen is part of a larger war in Tigray between the Ethiopian government and the Tigrayan rebels that has led to massacres, gang rapes and the flight of more than 2 million of the regions 6 million people. While the government now holds many urban centers, fierce fighting continues in remote rural towns like Hawzen. The AP was able to get through an Ethiopian military roadblock and cross the front line to get a rare look at a town held by Tigrayan fighters, who carried light weapons they said they had seized from opponents. If anything, recent atrocities appear to have increased support for the TPLF. One 19-year-old said she was raped by an Ethiopian soldier and is now six months pregnant. After trying and failing to terminate the pregnancy herself, she is now desperately hoping someone in a local hospital will help her. As soon as possible, she said, she wants to join the rebels. I want to go, she said, as she broke down in tears. You will die if you stay home, and you will die if you go out there.I would rather die alongside the fighters. The AP does not name victims of sexual abuse. The TPLF was on top of a coalition that ruled Ethiopia for nearly three decades. That changed in 2018, when Abiy rose to power as a reformist. Abiy alienated the TPLF with efforts to make peace with its archenemy, Eritrea, and rid the federal government of corruption. Tigrays leaders fought back. In 2020, after a national vote was suspended because of the pandemic, the TPLF went ahead with its own elections in the region. Asserting that Tigrayan fighters had attacked a military base, Abiy sent federal troops into Tigray in November. Government forces are now allied with militias from the rival Amhara ethnic group as well as soldiers from neighboring Eritrea, who are blamed for many atrocities. Abiy acknowledged recently that the highly mobile Tigrayan guerrillas were stretching the Ethiopian military, springing ambushes from the rugged highlands where they hide. And in April the International Crisis Group predicted that entrenched resistance on both sides meant the conflict could evolve into a protracted war. Abebe Gebrehiwot, an ethnic Tigrayan appointed by Abiy to serve as Tigrays deputy CEO, told the AP that he and others in the interim administration didnt feel trusted by the people, making their work more difficult. We are not getting as much public support as we expect, he said in his office in Mekele, the largely peaceful regional capital. Representatives of the Ethiopian government didnt respond to requests for comment. But Billene Seyoum, a spokeswoman for Abiys office, told reporters Thursday that the suffering of Ethiopians who are victims of a situation that is not of their choosing is a source of pain." Efforts to alleviate the suffering of Tigrayans "have been marred by various challenges given the complexity of any armed engagement, she said. Residents of Hawzen, a town of a few thousand people, said it had seen fighting four times since November. A Tigrayan sentry in military fatigues sat atop a hill leading into the town, on the lookout for trouble. Yohanes Kidanemariam, a fighter in civilian clothes who held a gun between his legs, claimed they would eventually outlast their opponents. We dont have any doubt, he said. We have extreme public support and we have a straight and clear objective: freedom. Many here spoke disapprovingly of Abiy, saying they no longer trust him to keep them safe. Gebremedhin Aregawi, a tour guide who helped manage civilian relations for the guerrillas, said the entry of federal troops into Mekele doesnt mean Abiy won. If he won, how is fighting still going on up to now? Gebremedhin asked. Gebremichael Welay, a civics teacher at a primary school in Hawzen, said it was difficult to live amid the waves of fighting and bombardment that have rocked his hometown. He flees to a nearby forest when Ethiopian and Eritrean troops are in charge. They do not discriminate, said the rheumy-eyed 40-year-old as he sat on a stool by the roadside. If they find you, they kill you. As the two sides fight, civilians, and especially children, are suffering heavily. More and more children are caught up in shelling in Hawzen and other nearby areas, with at least 32 admitted to the regional Ayder Hospital in Mekele for blast injuries from December to April. Thirteen left with an amputated limb, according to official records. Haftom Gebru, a 12-year-old boy from Hawzen, was wounded by shrapnel in fighting during Orthodox Easter. An artillery shell hit a pile of stones in the familys compound that then ricocheted in the boys direction. When his 60-year-old father, Gebru Welde Abrha, saw the wound in the boys left hand, he knew it would have to be cut off. I am so sad I cant explain it, the father said in a hospital ward, as his son looked angrily into the distance. I feel it deeply. Haftom Gebretsadik, a 17-year-old from Freweini near Hawzen, also was wounded by an artillery round that struck his home in March. He quietly looked at the stump on his right arm and shook his head. I am very worried, he said. How can I work? Some of the young victims of blast trauma may have kept their limbs if they had received first aid at the nearest health centers. But such facilities are shells right now systematically looted, vandalized and turned upside down. Eritrean soldiers set up camp in the Hawzen Primary Hospital, which once boasted of equipment ranging from X-ray machines to baby incubators. Now it is trashed and looted, and heaps of stones litter the compound where fighters had set up defensive positions. Its a bad feeling I have as a Tigrayan, said the now-jobless technician, 27-year-old Misigna Hagos. This hospital used to serve thousands of people. Now its destroyed. Many Tigrayans from contested towns like Hawzen end up in camps for the internally displaced in Mekele, mostly women and children. Abriha Redae fled Hawzen in December along with a group of others. Her father had been killed in recent fighting in the town. In Hawzen every time the soldiers entered, we went out to go to other places and hide, she said. Our life is changing and miserable now. Asked if she supported the Tigrayan fighters, her voice quickened. Its a must to fight, she said. And so the fight continues. The day after visiting Hawzen, AP journalists driving north were told by an officer at a military checkpoint in the town of Agula to turn back for their own safety. Explosions from shelling could be heard in the distance. It was Hawzen. Government troops were taking it back. Credit Union Trust has appointed Carrie Iafrate and Dana Tell to its Board of Directors. The appointments include: Iafrate is executive vice president of Members First Credit Union headquartered in Midland. Tell is executive of corporate holdings at Team One Credit Union, headquartered in Saginaw. These are two extremely engaged and well-respected representatives in their credit unions and in their Michigan regions, and we are excited to have them as advisors and partners said Ron Lauren, board chair for Credit Union Trust. They bring a strategic focus and valuable energy to our board that well serve Credit Union Trust very well. I am honored to be joining fellow distinguished credit union owners and others on the Credit Union Trust Board, said Iafrate. This opportunity fits my love for the credit union movement and passion for strategic leadership. We have made history in Michigan; coming together to offer our members trust services within the family. I look forward to collaborating with my peers to drive the work of Credit Union Trust throughout our communities. I am truly humbled and excited to join the board of Credit Union Trust Bank, said Tell. Credit Union Trust is well positioned to provide trust services throughout the state of Michigan with a team of experienced industry leaders and I look forward to being a part of this great organization. Iafrate and Tell replace the CEOs from their respective credit unions, who were part of the initial board formed in 2018 and helped launch Credit Union Trust. Credit Union Trust is a limited purpose trust bank established in 2019 by seven Michigan credit unions to provide reasonable, reliable, and accessible trust and fiduciary services to a broader range of people helping them protect assets, build desired legacies, and enjoy peace of mind. OMAHA, Neb. (AP) One 17-year-old has died and a second one was injured Thursday in a shooting in north Omaha, police said. Omaha police said they were called to a home around 8 p.m. There they found Jiaquan Williams and Javondre McIntosh with gunshot injuries. OTIS, Ore. (AP) Wildfire smoke was thick when Tye and Melynda Small went to bed on Labor Day, but they weren't too concerned. After all, they live in a part of Oregon where ferns grow from tree trunks and rainfall averages more than six feet (1.8 meters) a year. But just after midnight, a neighbor awakened them as towering flames, pushed by gusting winds, bore down. The Smalls and their four children fled, leaving behind 26 pet chickens, two goldfish and a duck named Gerard as wind whipped the blaze into a fiery tornado and trees exploded around them. When it was over, they were left homeless by a peril they had never imagined. Only two houses on their street in Otis survived a fire they expected to be tamped out long before it reached their door less than six miles (9.6 kilometers) from the Pacific. Nobody ever thought that on the Oregon coast we would have a fire like this. Here ... it rains. It rains three-quarters of the year," Melynda Small said. It was one of the scariest things Ive ever gone through." The fire that leveled the rural community of 3,500 people was part of an Oregon wildfire season last fall that destroyed more than 4,000 homes, killed nine people and raged through 1.1 million acres (445,154 hectares). Almost all the damage occurred over a hellish 72 hours that stretched firefighters to their breaking point. Pushed by unusually strong winds, fires ripped through temperate rainforest just a few minutes' drive from the ocean, crept to within 30 miles (48 kilometers) of downtown Portland, leveled thousands of homes and businesses along Interstate 5 and wiped out communities that cater to outdoors enthusiasts. It was a wake-up call for the Pacific Northwest as climate change brings destructive blazes that feel more like California's annual fire siege to wet places and urban landscapes once believed insulated from them. And as the U.S. West enters yet another year of drought, Oregon is now starting fire season amid some of the worst conditions in memory. The state weathered its driest April in 80 years, and in the normally wet months of March and April, it had the lightest rainfall since 1924. Several fires started this week, triggering evacuations and road closures as temperatures soared. Marc Brooks, who founded Cascade Relief Team to help last fall's fire victims statewide, said by this April his group had been put on alert four times for wildfires at a time when we should be getting snow, not drought." The warming climate means snow on Oregon's famous peaks melts earlier, leaving soil and vegetation parched by late summer even if it does rain, said Erica Fleishman, director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute at Oregon State University. Last fall's blazes were driven by extremely rare powerful, sustained winds, and in combination with the arid conditions, a major wildfire was almost inevitable, she said. If we had a spark and any time we have people, we have a spark there was a high likelihood that a fire would ignite." Fire on the Oregon coast isnt without precedent. A series of blazes starting in the 1930s scorched 355,000 acres (143,663 hectares) in what's known as the Tillamook Burn. In 1936, a wind-driven fire killed 10 people in the seaside town of Bandon. But what happened last fall across western Oregon was extreme, said Larry ONeill, Oregon's state climatologist. The Cascade Mountains run north-south and separate the notoriously rainy part of the state to the west and the drier climate to the east, where fires usually burn in less populated areas. Last year multiple blazes raged in the western Cascades where you think of it being a rainforest with ferns and closer to population centers, O'Neill said. I thought we still had a generation or so to get our ducks in a row to prepare for this, and these last couple fire seasons here have been a huge wake-up call that we are experiencing it now, said O'Neill. One fire in southwest Oregon obliterated thousands of homes in two towns along Interstate 5, and was unique for Oregon because it was fueled by houses, gas stations and fast-food restaurants not forest, said Doug Grafe, head of the Oregon Department of Forestry. To lose the number of communities that we did was eye-opening," he said. That's new ground for Oregon, but California was the canary in the coal mine. Last fall, that new reality reshaped the Smalls' life and the lives of hundreds of other Oregon residents in just a few hours. The Echo Mountain Fire burned nearly 300 homes and displaced about 1,000 people. Like many of their neighbors, the Smalls were underinsured and did not have wildfire coverage for their white house with green trim. They bounced around for weeks an emergency evacuation site, camping by a stream and staying with relatives in Washington state. An insurance payout of $50,000 was not enough to buy a manufactured home big enough for their family. Eight months after the fire, the money goes to keep their kids in a single room at a local Comfort Inn, while the parents sleep in a borrowed trailer outside. The family had two rooms paid for by the state, but when wildfire survivors were asked to move to a different motel, the Smalls decided to stay and pay their own way rather than uproot their family again. They said they didn't qualify for federal disaster assistance and that the pandemic cost Tye Small his job as a gas station attendant. Our 5-year-old, she had a really hard time. She kept saying ...We need to go home. We need to feed the fish. We need to feed the chickens,' Melynda Small said, gazing at her home's ruins. "And so we actually had to bring her here to show her that we didnt need to come feed the fish or feed the chickens. Unsure of the future, the couple has filled days helping neighbors clear their properties and serving as cheerleaders for the devastated community while their children ages 18, 15, 9 and 5 do school work at the motel. Every time a new manufactured home is delivered to a fire survivor, Melynda Small is there in her Otis Strong sweatshirt, beaming with excitement and taking photos for a community Facebook page. By her last tally, there are 38 new manufactured homes and six stick builds in progress. This spring, pink tulips she had planted in front of her house, under the kitchen window, bloomed in the ashes. Its actually a lot of progress. It seems like its been really fast, but its been almost a year," she said. "I think the time is just going by faster for me because Ive been so busy doing all of the other things, keeping my mind busy, my hands busy. ___ AP Science Writer Seth Borenstein contributed to this report from Kensington, Maryland. ___ 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. ___ Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus HONOLULU (AP) A 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed by Honolulu police arrived at an emergency room with gunshot wounds to the back of his head and to his shoulders, according to hospital records provided by a lawyer representing the teen's family. It's evidence that the kid was shot in the back, attorney Eric Seitz said Friday. Spokespersons for the Honolulu Police Department and the city didn't immediately comment on the records involving Iremamber Sykap. A doctor wrote in emergency room notes that Sykap had a gunshot wound to the back of his head, two gunshot wounds to his right shoulder, and 1 gunshot wound to his left shoulder, Police said Sykap was driving a stolen Honda linked to an armed robbery, burglary, purse snatching and car theft and led officers on a chase before the April 5 shooting. A lawsuit by his grandmother and mother alleges officers fired multiple shots at Sykap after the vehicle came to a stop, when Sykap was unarmed and posed no risk to them. It says officers kept firing after the car lurched forward and ended up in a ditch. The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office said it won't release Sykap's autopsy report at the direction of the prosecuting attorney's office, which is investigating. Notes by medical professionals at the hospital and a diagram indicating where Sykap was shot showed the shooting was clearly unnecessary, Seitz said. Sykap's family says the department falsely claimed the car rammed police vehicles and that officers fired in self-defense. The lawsuit argues that the officers violated department policy and use-of-force standards when they shot Sykap. The shooting came amid a national reckoning over police use of force. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) About two dozen correctional officers and teachers at South Carolina's beleaguered juvenile justice agency joined an impromptu walkout Friday, protesting what they describe as low staffing, poor pay and mismanagement. The walkout from the agency's Broad River Road complex in Columbia follows weeks of legislative scrutiny into the agency after an audit released in April found an uptick in violence, a failure to maintain adequate security staffing and many other deep-rooted problems. The protesters said conditions have worsened in recent years. Low pay and morale have contributed to high turnover, the workers said, leaving remaining employees to work 24- to 36-hour shifts without breaks. The agency is so short-staffed that neither children nor employees are safe, protesters said, with growing incidents of violence between youths and youth attacks on staff members. Brittany Larkin said she was hired on a roughly $30,000 salary a year ago to work the front gate at the Columbia campus. But soon she was switched to supervising children, with only minimal training. Now she said she works back-to-back shifts often without food, water or bathroom breaks, all while nearly six months pregnant. I'd been working like this before I got pregnant, Larkin said. It seems like when I got pregnant they wanted to work me harder. We're tired. Sen. Katrina Shealy, who leads the panel of lawmakers reviewing this years audit, arrived in support of the employees, encouraging them to stand strong. She agreed that the workers, many of them women and minorities, are underpaid and overworked. Shealy, a longtime agency volunteer, described its decline from a place where top leaders knew the names of individual children there to a setting where children are locked up without receiving any rehabilitative services. Kids used to come out of here with a trade, Shealy said. Kids don't come out of here with anything now except how to become a better criminal. Department Director Freddie Pough didn't speak to staffers publicly Friday morning, though an agency spokesman said Pough was offering to meet one-on-one with employees and handling day-to-day facility operations, given the staff shortage caused by the walkout. Shealy and other lawmakers criticized Pough at a hearing last month, pointing to his failure to report abuse and neglect incidents to child welfare or law enforcement agencies as required by law. They also wondered why Pough wasn't using available funds to raise correctional officer pay. Pough told the lawmakers he wouldn't resign. Man up, Shealy said of Pough's absence Friday. Get out here. Pough later addressed staff still gathered in the facility parking lot Friday afternoon. Pough told reporters he was committed to the job and looking into consolidating youths into a larger dorm so fewer staff members would be required to work extra shifts. I understand their frustration, Pough told reporters. They needed to hear from me, and I needed to hear from them and respond to their concerns. Gov. Henry McMaster said Friday that Pough, who took on the job in 2017, had inherited a tough situation." He noted that current budget proposals in the General Assembly include more than $4 million in added pay for correctional officers. There's no excuse for anyone to walk off of a job, particularly this kind of a job, where leaving the post puts not only the young people in danger, but also puts enormous stress on those officers who are still in the facilities trying to do their job to keep everyone safe," McMaster told reporters. McMaster has also directed the State Law Enforcement Division and the Department of Administration to review the agency's processes and procedures. Last year, federal investigators found the agency was violating the civil rights of incarcerated youths, from failing to train staff to using punitive, prolonged isolation units that left youths confined to small, dark cells for 23 hours a day. The U.S. Department of Justice then ordered juvenile prison officials to begin making changes in less than two months or face a lawsuit. At the time, Pough promised to improve facility conditions, though he noted those problems had been present since before he took charge. ___ Liu 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. IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A man charged with killing an Iowa State Patrol sergeant during a standoff may have instigated the violent confrontation by goading an officer with whom he was angry to chase him, a police report shows. Michael Lang sped by Grundy Center reserve officer Cody Niehaus on a main street in the small Iowa town on the evening of April 9, traveling 38 mph in a 25 mph zone, according to a summary of an interview Niehaus gave investigators. Niehaus recognized Lang, who had a history of feuding with police, as he drove past the officer about one block from a Grundy Center bar, the report says. Niehaus had mailed Lang a trespassing citation days earlier for a March 31 incident in which Lang had returned to the bar, Scottys Saloon, despite having been banned for harassing behavior. Due to this incident, Niehaus thought Lang was upset at him and Lang knew that he was on duty and was trying to get Niehaus to pull him over, according to the interview summary. Niehaus initially hesitated whether or not to pull over Michael Lang but ultimately decided to initiate the traffic stop. The interview summary prepared by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was recently made public in a court filing. It provides the most comprehensive account of the April 9 pursuit, which had been the subject of earlier incomplete and conflicting versions. According to prosecutors, Lang shot and killed Sgt. Jim Smith less than two hours after Niehaus tried to pull him over for speeding. Authorities say Lang fled from Niehaus, assaulted the officer after a high-speed chase, and returned to his Grundy Center home, where he barricaded himself inside. They say he fatally shot Smith, a 27-year patrol veteran, as Smith led a team of officers inside the home to arrest him. A standoff continued for hours as two officers took cover in Langs basement. Troopers in an armored personnel carrier later entered the home after negotiations broke down, and they fired on Lang after he allegedly shot at them. Lang was shot three times in the head and chest but survived. A prosecutor ruled that the three troopers were justified in shooting Lang. Lang, 41, is charged with first-degree murder in Smith's killing, attempted murder for allegedly firing at the troopers, and assault on a peace officer for allegedly choking Niehaus. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Prosecutors also recently added pursuit-related charges of eluding, speeding and driving without an interlock device, which Lang needed on his vehicle due to a history of drunken driving. Lang is awaiting trial at the Black Hawk County Jail in Waterloo, where his lawyers say they have been unable to discuss the case with their client without the presence of deputies. A judge is considering whether to grant their request for access to Lang without the guards, which the sheriff says are needed for safety reasons. The defense is also expected to soon ask for a change of venue for trial out of Grundy County. The new report describes how the traffic stop involving Lang and Niehaus quickly escalated. Lang refused to stop the pickup truck he was driving after Niehaus activated his lights, and took off at a high rate of speed, the report says. Both vehicles reached speeds of 87 mph during the chase that ensued. Lang eventually got out of his vehicle on a rural road, approached Niehaus squad car and yelled at the officer to shoot him multiple times. Niehaus told Lang that he didnt want to shoot him, and Lang grabbed the officers radio as he was trying to call for backup. The two began pushing and shoving, and a bystander yelled at Lang to distract him. Niehaus was able to fire his stun gun, but Lang pulled the probes from his body, ripped the device out of the officers hand, yanked Niehaus coat off of him and began choking him from behind, the report says. The officer managed to get out of Langs grip and ran to the bystanders vehicle, where he collapsed and told an arriving sheriffs deputy that Lang had tried to kill him. The officer had trouble breathing, and a doctor told him during an emergency room visit that Langs choking had possibly cut the blood supply to his neck, the report says. Smith was just the second Iowa trooper to be shot and killed in the line of duty since 1936. Brandon Romero A San Antonio graduate celebrated the end of his K-12 education and beginning of his college career in one of the most emotional photo shoots a zoomer (young ones from Generation Z) can have. Though the first "Toy Story" was released years before he was born, Josiah Robles says he and his mother had the idea to take a graduation photo inspired by the movie franchise. Robles told MySA that his mother had seen a Facebook post in which a graduate posed with his childhood toys. They said the photos inspired them to recreate (spoiler alert!) one of the last scenes of "Toy Story 3," when Andy says goodbye to Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of the gang. OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Canadas official opposition party wants Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to use his time at the G7 Leaders Summit to take a stand against China and call for the 2022 Winter Olympics to be moved from Beijing. Conservative Leader Erin OToole sent the letter Friday as Trudeau is set to convene with other world leaders in the United Kingdom next week. As the leader of the host nation, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to focus the meeting on efforts to fight COVID-19 and making an economic comeback from the pandemic. Working with allies on ways to stand up to the threat the Communist Chinese regime poses is one of the main tasks OToole outlines in his letter for the upcoming summit. As the Prime Minister, I also implore you to also use your voice on the world stage to call for the relocation of the 2022 Winter Olympics out of Beijing, the letter reads. Canada should not be sending its athletes to compete there while a genocide is being committed against Uyghurs, and two Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, remained detained. Trudeau has said his government is working tirelessly to bring both men home. He has also rebuked China for its arbitrary detention of the pair, which Trudeau views as an attempt to exert political pressure on Canada, following the 2018 arrest of senior Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou so she can be extradited to the United States to face fraud charges. JERUSALEM (AP) The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees says it has recalled its Gaza director after he faced threats over remarks in which he appeared to praise Israel's huge sophistication in carrying out precision strikes during last month's Gaza war. UNRWA, which provides essential health, education and other services in the territory, said late on Thursday that it was seriously concerned about the threats, including a very large protest outside its Gaza headquarters on Monday. It said Gaza director Matthias Schmale and his deputy have been recalled to UNRWA's headquarters in east Jerusalem for consultations. The agency cited media reports that Palestinian factions had declared Schmale and his deputy persona non grata in Gaza but said it received no formal notification to that effect. In an interview with Israel's Channel 12 TV last month, Schmale was asked about Israeli officials' assertions that airstrikes carried out during the 11-day war with the territory's militant Hamas rulers were "very precise." I'm not a military expert but I would not dispute that," Schmale replied, adding that there was huge sophistication in how Israel struck targets. But he also said colleagues told him the strikes were much more vicious in their impact than in the 2014 Gaza war. Schmale later expressed regret over the remarks and said any civilian deaths were unacceptable. Many people were killed or have been severely injured by direct strikes or collateral damage from strikes, he tweeted. In a place as densely populated as Gaza, any strike will have huge damaging effects on people and buildings. His original remarks were widely circulated in Israeli media and online, where they were seized upon by Israel's supporters as an endorsement of its conduct and provoked outrage among Palestinians. Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes on Gaza during the 11-day war, in which Hamas and other militant groups fired more than 4,000 rockets at Israel. At least 254 people were killed in Gaza, including 67 children and 39 women. according to the Gaza health ministry. Hamas has acknowledged the deaths of 80 militants. Twelve civilians, including two children, were killed in Israel, along with one soldier. UNRWA provides essential services to some 5.7 million refugees in the occupied West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. They include Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation and their descendants. It provides food aid and other vital services in Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli-Egyptian blockade since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Most of Gaza's population of 2 million are registered refugees. At the height of the war, some 70,000 Gazans sheltered in UNRWA schools. Meanwhile, an Egyptian convoy crossed into Gaza with heavy equipment to take part in rubble removal ahead of preparations for rebuilding of thousands of houses and businesses destroyed or damaged during the latest Gaza war. Excavators, bulldozers and trucks entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Friday afternoon. Egypts state-run MENA news agency said it was part of an Egyptian commitment to improve the living conditions in Gaza. Egypt brokered the cease-fire that ended the Israel-Hamas fighting. Late Friday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said 23 runners were injured when Israeli police fired tear gas and stun grenades at an activist-organized marathon in solidarity with Palestinians in east Jerusalem threatened with evictions. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. The race had started from Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, where dozens of Palestinians face evictions from their homes under a law allowing Jewish settlers to reclaim properties, and was to end in the nearby Silwan neighborhood. One of the runners, Jalal Abu Khater, posted images of his bruised leg and tweeted: I was beaten six times, attacked by Israeli forces, for running in my ancestral town & city. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. Security Council called on Yemens Houthi rebels to quickly allow U.N. experts to examine an oil tanker moored off the war-torn countrys coast loaded with more than 1 million barrels of crude oil, warning there is a growing risk it could rupture or explode causing an environmental, economic, maritime and humanitarian catastrophe for Yemen and the region. The U.N.s most powerful body reiterated that the Houthis are responsible for delaying a technical assessment of the tanker, the FSO Safer, that the United Nations had hoped to deploy in March. The Iranian-backed Houthis are in control of Yemens western Red Sea ports, including Ras Issa, 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from where the Safer tanker has been moored since the 1980s. Internal documents obtained by The Associated Press in June 2020 showed that seawater had entered the engine compartment of the tanker, which hasnt been maintained for over six years, causing damage to the pipelines and increasing the risk of sinking. According to the AP report, experts said maintenance is no longer possible because the damage to the ship is irreversible. The Security Council noted in the press statement that the Houthis signaled their acceptance of U.N. technical experts deploying to the tanker on July 5, 2020 and said it expects this deployment to happen as soon as possible. Council members also noted ongoing discussions and stressed the need to urgently resolve outstanding issues and called on the Houthis to facilitate unconditional and safe access for U.N. experts to conduct a comprehensive and impartial assessment and initial repair mission, without further delay." But the Houthis said in a statement Tuesday that recent talks on the Safer tanker deadlocked, blaming the United Nations for the collapse. The rebels said they held three recent meetings with the U.N. Office for Project Services and claimed the U.N. has ruled out most of the agreed maintenance for lack of funding. The Houthis did not provide evidence supporting their claim, and a spokesman for the rebels did not respond to AP questions. Responding to the Houthi statement, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday the U.N. had very intensive discussions with the Houthis over the last 10 days trying to bridge the gaps in objectives and understandings. He added that unnamed countries also tried to unblock things which was helpful, but were not there yet, which is very unfortunate. Dujarric called the Houthi statement clearly disappointing, saying it seems to confirm they arent ready to provide the assurances the U.N. needs to deploy the mission. He said part of the issue is that the Houthis want the U.N. to go in and do the full repairs right away, which, obviously, cant be done. We have explained many times that this cannot be undertaken without an impartial assessment in hand, Dujarric said. What we would like to do is have an assessment mission to see what the situation is in the hull of the ship and in the mechanics and, obviously, do some light repairs to avoid a catastrophe, and then we can come back and figure out exactly what needs to be done to fix the problem entirely. Inger Andersen, executive director of the U.N. Environmental Program, told the council that an explosion on the Safer tanker would affect millions of people and an oil spill would take decades to clean up and could damage entire ecosystems. Economic impacts, social and health impacts would also be dire, she said. It is estimated that up to 670,000 peoples livelihoods could be impacted by a spill, and resulting in the damage to fisheries, to marine resources, coastal industries as well as to the economy and food imports. Andersen said the forced closure of Hodeida and Salif ports could limit food and fuel imports for two to three weeks and block 50% of fisheries with estimated economic costs over five years of around $350 million. In the event of a fire or an explosion, around 4.8 million people in Yemen and 350,000 people in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could be exposed to harmful levels of pollution within 24 to 36 hours, she said. Andersen said a regional contingency plan has been developed in the event of an oil spill to mitigate damage. But she said much more needs to be done in terms of preparedness and contingency planning. Even if the response activities were to be initiated immediately after an oil spill, it would take years for the ecosystems and economies to recover, the U.N. environment chief warned. U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said the U.N. expert team remains ready to deploy. But he said in a speech read by a deputy that some donor funding for the assessment mission will start running out soon, so we hope things will start moving much, much faster. - Samy Magdy contributed to this report from Cairo. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) The closure of a final humanitarian border crossing into Syrian could cause senseless cruelty to millions of Syrians, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Friday, renewing a call for the U.N. Security Council to extend authorization for the delivery of cross-border humanitarian assistance. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the comments at the end of a three-day visit to Turkey, which included a trip to the Bab al-Hawa border crossing the sole remaining access point for humanitarian aid to enter conflict-ravaged Syria. Russia, which is Syrias closest ally, has limited cross-border transfers of humanitarian aid in recent years, insisting that the Syrian government should control all assistance to the millions of Syrians in need. International crossing points were reduced at Russias insistence to the single border station leading from Turkey to Syrias rebel-held northwest. If this border crossing is closed, it will cause senseless cruelty, Thomas-Greenfield told reporters. Without this border crossing, (Syrians) would die." The United States is seeking the reauthorization of U.N. access at Bab al-Hawa and the reopening of other border crossings before the current U.N. Security Council mandate for humanitarian aid deliveries expires on July 10. There is strong support in the 15-member council for maintaining and even adding border crossings, but Russia holds the key. We call on the rest of the Security Council to renew this mandate so that we can stop the suffering and help those in desperate need, she said. We want the U.N. to bring food to starving children and protection to homeless families. We want the U.N. to be able to deliver vaccines in the middle of a global pandemic. Thomas-Greenfield said she would meet with her Russian counterpart and other members of the Security Council to press for the extended access and the reopening of other border crossings. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also plans to discuss the issue with the Russian foreign minister, she said. In my engagement with (the Russian ambassador to the U.N.), I will share with him what I saw on the border, the concerns that people have, the worry that they have that this one lifeline that they have for the community and assistance might be closed, she said. Thomas-Greenfield met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Ibrahim Kalin, the presidential spokesman and top aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during her stay in Turkey, which hosts some 4 million Syrian refugees. Ankara and Washington once considered each other strategic partners, but ties steadily deteriorated in recent years over differences on Syria, Turkeys cooperation with Russia, and Turkish naval interventions in the eastern Mediterranean that U.S. officials have described as destabilizing. We have a nuanced, strategic relationship with our NATO ally, Turkey. We agree on some areas and we disagree on others. Maintaining humanitarian cross-border access into Syria is one place where our values are completely aligned." Thomas-Greenfield said. At Bab al-Hawa on Thursday, Thomas-Greenfield announced nearly $240 million in additional U.S. humanitarian funding through the U.S. Agency for International Development to support Syrians and countries hosting Syrian refugees. LAS VEGAS (AP) A federal judge in Las Vegas said Thursday that Nevada officials can tell attorneys for a convicted mass murderer the name of the drugs they would use for his lethal injection, even if plans about doses and delivery remain incomplete. U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware II set a June 10 hearing and said that once the Department of Corrections discloses the type of drugs and a procedure for Nevada's first execution in 15 years, he may block the date to allow time to review the plan. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) A coalition of conservation groups on Friday sued the U.S. government over the Trump administrations decision to allow construction of a new four-lane highway through a national conservation area in southern Utah that includes protected habitat for the Mojave desert tortoise. The group Conserve Southwest Utah argued the road through part of the sensitive and scenic Red Cliffs National Conservation Area would violate environmental laws and put the tortoise and several other species at risk. There are alternative routes that would solve vehicle congestion problems in the fast-growing area and the decision to cut through protected land sets a dangerous precedent, said the lawsuit filed against the U.S. Interior Department and the Bureau of Land Management. The coalition of state and national groups that sued hope that Democratic President Joe Bidens administration will reverse the decision made in January allowing the road just before Trump left office. Todd Tucci, senior attorney for the Advocates for the West group, called it inconceivable that new Interior Secretary Deb Haaland would support the highway. The Interior Department did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on the lawsuit. The Bureau of Land Management declined to comment. Mojave desert tortoises, a threatened species, weigh up to 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) and grow to about 6 inches (15 centimeters) high. They can live up to 80 years, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and spend up to 95% of their lives underground. Their historic range includes parts of California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. Roads are problematic for the tortoises because they bring noise, garbage and lights, as well as the possibility of the tortoises being hit by cars as they slowly make their way across pavement, said Tom Butain, board president for Conserve Southwest Utah. Roads are one of the biggest problems tortoises have, he said. Highway supporters have said the four-lane highway is needed to keeping traffic flowing in the area around the city of St. George, which has a metro area of about 170,000 people and is one of the fastest-growing parts of the U.S. Officials in Washington County, which encompasses St. George, praised the Trump administration decision to allow the road, saying it strikes a balance between protecting the tortoise and meeting the communitys transportation needs. Conservationists have long worried that the project would be detrimental to wildlife and landscapes, some recently scorched by wildfires. MIDLAND CITY, Ala. (AP) A woman's body has been found near a bridge in Alabama and police are asking the public for help in identifying her. The Dale County Sheriff's Office received a call about 1:30 p.m. Thursday about a body near Woodham's Bridge. Police said the body appeared to be in the advanced stages of decomposition, news outlets reported. Across the country, deaths from fentanyl, are on the rise, and Texas is not unaffected. However, a local group is taking preventative measures by making Narcan more accessible to the public, by delivering the life-saving drug right to your door. Through the help of the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR), a state-funded grant, a team from the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, led by Dr. Lisa Cleveland, is working to diminish fatal overdoses in our state. Overdoses nationally have increased 30 percent between October 2019 and October 2020, so thats pretty scary, said Cleveland to MySA. READ MORE: Chance of heavy rain, flooding continues in San Antonio through weekend In Tarrant County in North Texas, fentanyl, a synthetic opiate, associated deaths spiked from nine in 2019 to 95 in 2020. At a recent press conference in Fort Worth, Governor Abbot stated the Department of Public Safety saw a large increase in fentanyl-induced seizures since last year. With no fentanyl seizures in the previous three years, Abbot said, DPS seized 52 grams in 2020, and so far this year they have already seized 137 grams. Since the TTOR grant was distributed in 2018, a majority of Cleveland and her teams work involves making Narcan accessible and keeping the public informed on how to use it. Narcan, a form of naloxone, is a nasal spray administered to revive those overdosing on opioids. Since it only takes about 2 milligrams for fentanyl to deliver a lethal dose, drug-related deaths can rapidly occur in those who have consumed other substances that have been clandestinely cut with fentanyl, like cocaine, heroin and oxycodone. READ MORE: Abbott's disaster declaration along Texas border receives backlash From the project's inception, the group has distributed 450,000 doses of Narcan, and have been notified of 525 overdose reversals with their kits, though this number may be higher since they arent always reported. The website for the collaborative UT Health and state effort allows organizations and individuals with a Texas address to get Narcan delivered right to their home. Those interested in taking this safety precaution can also sign up for a training session that demonstrates how to administer the life-saving drug, or watch helpful instructional videos in English and Spanish. Since the pandemic, training has gone remote, and ironically, its expanded their reach. Weve been able to reach a lot of rural communities we werent able to before, said Cleveland. Additional programs include partnering with firefighters in San Antonio to conduct follow-up visits to people post-overdose. Texas also asked Cleveland's team to head oversight of the three grant-funded pilot programs in San Antonio, Williamson County and Houston, and implement an additional nine across the state. According to Cleveland, the Narcan program in Texas is one of the largest and most productive in the nation. "Everybody should have one, it's like an Epipen, I think" said Dr. Cleveland of the Narcan nasal spray they distribute. Those interested in stocking one in your home, or your business, you can register online today. With the Biden administrations ambitious goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half within a decade, and New Yorks policy of decarbonizing the transportation industry and reducing statewide emissions by 85 percent by 2050, electric vehicles have become a focus in establishing greener infrastructure. Often when bold new priorities are articulated, public officials rush to legislate ideas, which can result in well-intentioned but misguided efforts. Legislation recently passed by the state Legislature would mandate that only zero-emission or light-duty electric vehicles be sold in the state beginning in 2035. However, another bill introduced this year seeks to achieve this goal by allowing direct sales by electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, which would not help meet this target and would erode the franchise systems protections against monopolies, causing negative impacts for consumers, workers, and our states local economies. EVs are an important part of the future of personal vehicle transportation in New York, and we need a path that is environmentally responsible as well as fair, efficient, and cost-effective for consumers. Currently, manufacturing EVs requires a similar fossil fuel footprint as traditional internal combustion engine cars. Further, New York has not yet invested enough in the electric charging stations they require. Even if the state makes progress on expanding its clean energy infrastructure, next comes selling, delivering, and servicing EVs. Franchise retail auto dealers are best positioned in every corner of the state to scale up the sale and distribution of EVs in the way that is most fair and consumer-friendly. Auto dealers are local business entrepreneurs with deep ties to their communities, and they offer ongoing customer service to ensure that such a switchover is seamless and widely adopted. New Yorks current law prohibits car manufacturers from also opening and controlling their own retail stores or service centers. These rules were established to prevent manufacturers or large international companies from exerting total control over a marketplace. This franchise system protects against monopolies and fosters competition, which keeps prices lower for consumers and leads to stronger, more reliable service. Manufacturers would have an inherent conflict of interest in addressing problems with their own products and would not have an incentive to provide recall and warranty services, as dealers do. As more New Yorkers purchase EVs every year, they will need the services that local dealers have been providing for years, handling lifetime maintenance. Franchise new-car dealers are the fifth-largest retail employer downstate, employing more than 72,000 directly and indirectly, with union employees accounting for over 70 percent of dealership jobs. Allowing for direct sales would jeopardize the majority of those jobs and drastically diminish the $53 billion in local economic activity generated by existing franchise dealers, who also provide service assistance on 10 million vehicles a year. Franchised new-car dealers, and the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, have been advocating for the state to take more proven steps to promote sales of zero-emission vehicles, from boosting New Yorks Drive Clean Program from $2,000 to $5,000 to substantially expanding charging infrastructure, including incentives for installation of home charging units. All dealers share the goal of reducing greenhouse emissions, and there is no better way to meet the EV objectives than by improving the infrastructure, keeping consumer costs down, and taking advantage of the hundreds of businesses already spread throughout the state to serve customer needs in purchasing an electric vehicle. Mark Schienberg is the president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, which represents more than 400 franchise new-car dealers in downstate New York. You can't say it doesn't draw your attention. Land Commissioner George P. Bush is officially taking on Ken Paxton in the race for Texas attorney general, and he's already got some interesting campaign merch out. TEXAS POLITICS: Allen West resigns as chair of Texas Republican Party Quorum Report editor Scott Braddock pointed out some interesting koozies Bush supporters are reportedly handing out to promote his run. The koozies feature former President Donald Trump and a 2019 quote from him when Bush joined Trump onstage at an event in Crosby, Texas: "This is the only Bush that likes me! This is the only Bush that got it right. I like him." George P. Bush is the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Trump's 2016 primary opponent whom he dubbed "Low Energy Jeb." He's the nephew of former President George W. Bush, whom Trump has often criticized. He's also the grandson of former first lady Barbara Bush, whose distaste for Trump was documented in her biography. Trump has long been a sore spot for the Bush family, though it looks like George P. Bush isn't too concerned about family ties. The koozies definitely raised some eyebrows. But if Bush wants to earn Trump's undying praise over Paxton, he might have to fight a little harder. Paxton has long gone to bat for the former president, even filing lawsuits to overturn election results in other states while Trump continuously (and falsely) claimed the presidency was stolen from him. BE JEALOUS: Houston just got its own weather app Twitter / @ScottBraddock And Bush isn't the only Texas politician publicizing a Trump endorsement. Gov. Greg Abbott, up for reelection in 2022, has been touting his own endorsement ahead of next year. "When Donald Trump gets behind you nothing can stop the momentum," Abbott wrote on Twitter. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Florida, FL (34429) Today Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. High near 85F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Rainfall possibly over one inch.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 72F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. A. Transportation. There's a strong need for a long-term mobility plan, especially on U.S. 19 and State Road 44. B. Resiliency. Crystal River needs blueprints for the future, especially focusing on sea level rise and health of bay waters. C. Downtown. Areas within the city's CRA need more projects like the Town Square. D. Revitalization. Abandoned shopping centers and older structures like the mall need a makeover. E. Residential neighborhoods. Interconnecting communities and maximizing the potential in Crystal River neighborhoods is the key to happy living. Vote View Results Join CanadaVisa and Scotiabank for our free webinar on July 14, 2021 at 9 A.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST)! Webinar: Why Newcomers are Important to Canadas Economic Success, Brought to you by CanadaVisa and Scotiabank Webinar: Why Newcomers are Important to Canadas Economic Success, Brought to you by CanadaVisa and Scotiabank Join CanadaVisa and Scotiabank for our free webinar on July 14, 2021 at 9 A.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST)! Webinar: Why Newcomers are Important to Canadas Economic Success, Brought to you by CanadaVisa and Scotiabank Join CanadaVisa and Scotiabank for our free webinar on July 14, 2021 at 9 A.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST)! Webinar: Why Newcomers are Important to Canadas Economic Success, Brought to you by CanadaVisa and Scotiabank Join CanadaVisa and Scotiabank for our free webinar on July 14, 2021 at 9 A.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST)! CanadaVisa Scotiabank Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A CanadaVisa and Scotiabank invite you to join our free webinar on Wednesday July 14 at 9 A.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST) called Why Newcomers are Important to Canadas Economic Success. What will I learn? The purpose of this webinar is to help you make the best decisions possible as you look for your dream job and settle into your new life in Canada. Throughout the pandemic, Canada has continued to demonstrate its strong desire to welcome newcomers. As Canadas economy starts to return to normal, there will be even greater focus on welcoming more immigrants, international students, and foreign workers. The expert speaker for this webinar is Marc Desormeaux, a Senior Economist at Scotiabank and one of Canadas leading economic forecasters. Join Marc as he takes you through the current Canadian economic outlook and discusses key industries and regions that are driving economic growth. Here is a summary of what you will be learning from Marc during the webinar: Why Canada is prioritizing immigration during the pandemic Canadas national economic outlook The top four Canadian provinces showing economic growth Key industries driving Canadas economic growth The unemployment rate across Canada Sign up to the webinar now! About Marc Desormeaux Marc Desormeaux is a Senior Economist in Scotiabanks Economics Department, where he is responsible for regional economic forecasting and commodity market coverage. During his time at Scotiabank, he has produced research on a wide range of sectorsincluding immigration, real estate, energy policy, and federal and provincial government finances. Prior to joining Scotiabank, Marc worked in the economic forecasting division at the Conference Board of Canada. About CanadaVisa CanadaVisa.com was founded in 1994 as the online platform of the Campbell Cohen Immigration Law Firm. Since then, CanadaVisa has grown to be one of the worlds most trusted sources on how to move to Canada, and settle here. CanadaVisas web properties include cicnews.com and its weekly newsletter, the CanadaVisa Forum, and more. All the resources provided by CanadaVisa are meant to help people around the world access trusted, factual, and timely information to support their Canadian immigration journey. About Scotiabank Scotiabank is one of the top Canadian banks and a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose for every future, we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services. Launched in 2008, the Scotiabank StartRight Program is designed to simplify banking for Canadian Permanent residents, International Students and Foreign Workers who have recently landed in Canada. We can help ease your transition to Canada by getting you started with a Scotiabank International Account that allows you to transfer up to $50,000 before you arrive to help you feel more prepared knowing you have proof of funds ready. We can even help fast track your study permit with the Scotiabank Student GIC Program. Our Scotiabank StartRight program can also help you start banking in Canada with 12 months of free banking, access to credit with no credit history, unlimited no-fee international money transfers, and expert help from Financial Advisors. We also launched ScotiaRISE our new, 10-year, $500 million community investment program designed to help promote economic resilience among disadvantaged people and communities. In particular, the program is centred on using funding and partnerships to increase graduation rates and postsecondary enrolment, help newcomers feel at home faster and secure meaningful employment and senior opportunities for underrepresented groups. Its all part of why Scotiabank is the bank for newcomers. Legal Disclaimer: This webinar is provided for information purposes only. It is not to be relied upon as financial, tax or investment advice or guarantees about the future, nor should it be considered a recommendation to buy or sell. Information contained in this webinar, including information relating to interest rates, market conditions, tax rules, and other investment factors are subject to change without notice and The Bank of Nova Scotia is not responsible to update this information. All third party sources are believed to be accurate and reliable as of the date of presentation and The Bank of Nova Scotia does not guarantee its accuracy or reliability. Webinar participants should consult their own professional advisor for specific financial, investment and/or tax advice tailored to their needs to ensure that individual circumstances are considered properly and action is taken based on the latest available information. With the need to keep organizations humming through a global pandemic, this past year has placed considerable stress on IT professionals. Taken in total, however, the strains of adjusting to life and work under COVID-19 have fallen disproporationally on women in IT. A survey of 450 tech professionals by TrustRadius found that 57% of women report feeling burned out at work this year as a result of the pandemic, compared to 36% of men. Central to this has been an imbalance in added responsibilities due to the pandemic, both at home and in the workplace. I feel it for myself and I know my teams absolutely feel it too. Its just this endless cycle of not being able to fully focus on your work for the period of time that youre used to and its intermingled with added home [responsibilities] as well, says Jadee Hanson, CIO and CISO of Code42. Forty-three percent of women surveyed by TrustRadius report taking on extra responsibilities at work in the past year, compared to 33% of men. At home, 29% of women have taken on a greater childcare burden, versus 19% of men who said the same. And 42% of women have taken on the bulk of the housework during the pandemic, compared to 11% of men. Moreover, women have been twice as likely as men to have lost their jobs or been furloughed during the pandemic. All told, nearly 3 million American women have left the workforce, whether due to layoffs or having chosen to leave their jobs as a result of the added responsibilities. Women have long felt pressure to maintain the bulk of childcare and homemaking duties on top of full-time work. The pandemic has only increased that burden. And it is accelerating burnout among a demographic that has of late pushed to make advances toward equality in the IT workplace. IT leaders must be aware of this dynamic and take steps to help mitigate the challenges faced by their female staff and colleagues. Cascading effects of women leaving IT According to the study Women in the Workplace from McKinsey, one in four women are contemplating downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This could set women back by nearly a decade in the workforce, leaving fewer women in leadership positions or on the leadership track, undoing years of progress, according to McKinsey. Code42 Jadee Hanson, CIO and CISO, Code42 Code42s Hanson sees this trend having a significant impact on gender diversity in IT. We've been slowly making strides to equality in the workforce, Hanson says. Since the pandemic, weve seen women leaving the workforce at a much higher rate. Which is sad and scary because our workforce is not going to look quite the same. Its going to be a lot less diverse if women keep opting to pull themselves out of working in this industry. Worse, losing representation of women in IT, especially at the leadership level, will only exacerbate burnout. A study from Girls in Tech found that 63% of its member respondents with a male supervisor report feeling burned out, compared to 44% of those with a female supervisor. And when the CEO of a company is male, 85% of respondents report feeling burned out, while only 15% say the same when the CEO is a woman. Women In Technology International (WITI) Michelle Bailey, CEO, Women In Technology International (WITI) Weve gone backwards. We have less than half the rate of women enrolling in technical courses at school and, at the same time, the opportunity is vast, says Michelle Bailey, CEO at Women In Technology International (WITI). And yet we just have failed to engage women. Bailey says the tech industry as a whole needs to engage in serious change management and that programs and initiaitives arent enough. Companies need to consider employees home lives, their ability to take time off beyond maternity and paternity leave, and they need to create paths for upward mobility in the organization, she says, pointing to how the medical industry, which doesnt have the same gender disparity, offers opportunities beyond being a doctor or nurse as well as more flexible scheduling options and better resources to balance work and personal life. The pressure of feeling a need to prove yourself With gender imbalances still an issue in IT and in leadership positions, women already feel they need to do more to be seen as equal in the workplace. Survey data from TrustRadius shows that 78% of women feel they must work harder than their coworkers to prove their worth. Corsight AI Dr. Maya Dillon, PhD, vice president of growth and innovation, Corsight AI Dr. Maya Dillon, PhD, vice president of growth and innovation at Corsight AI, says she has experienced burnout several times in her career and has felt the need to prove herself in a male-dominated field. Ive experienced it myself a little bit in roles where I was basically pushing myself too much to do the long hours and to try and balance the work-home life, she says. The other thing I was doing was trying to be better than my male counterparts, so that I could actually succeed. Because, you know, I'm one or two or three or four of women in a large group of a male-orientated environment, and I had to really show myself off in order to get that career progression. She felt that pressure more than ever during a client meeting as the only woman among 12 men. After introducting herself and demonstrating her credibility by sharing that she has a PhD in astrophysics, the room quickly turned competitive and raucous, she says, and she felt her voice was being drowned out by the men in the room. I found myself pushing to actually talk I felt that I would be interrupting somebody, I felt if I was to actually state a point, then maybe I would be stepping on someones toes. But as time went on, I realized my opinions are just as valid as everybody else and the reason I mentioned my title was to share my credibility and experience to reassure the customer, she says. Experiences like these make women feel they need to push harder to have their voices heard. In moments like these, allyship is critical, Dr. Dillon says. If even one person in that meeting spoke up to get everyone back on track, or had there been a better balance of men and women in the room, it would have been a less chaotic environment, she says, one in which she wouldnt have had to second-guess herself. The pandemic has only increased this pressure. And, according to McKinseys 2020 Women in the Workplace report, organizations are failing to shift expectations and goals in response, compounding the likelihood of burnout, especially for women. Less than 30% of companies have adjusted performance reviews criteria to balance out the added stress and pressure created by the pandemic, McKinsey has found. Only half of companies surveyed report updating employees on performance expectations through the pandemic. As the report points out, this leaves many employees, especially parents and caregivers, in a situation where they cant live up to pre-pandemic expectations. Modeling a healthy balance In hopes of avoiding the burnout of talented women at Code42, Hanson pushes for flexibility, encouraging team members to work when they can, especially those with children at home. I feel like for a long time women thought they had to make a trade-off between being a great mom or being a great employee, and the one thing that I talked to my team about is that you can do both, says Hanson, who models this herself. For example, if shes in a meeting and her kids need attention, Hanson says she will quickly excuse herself and come back to the meeting once things are resolved. Huntress Dina Bruzek, senior vice president of engineering, Huntress Dina Bruzek, senior vice president of engineering at Huntress, agrees that leaders should model work-life balance to reinforce that the company wants employees to take their mental and physical health seriously. Doing so sends a clear message that its not just lip-service. One way Bruzek demonstrates that her employees can put themselves first when they need to is by dedicating time on Tuesday afternoons to herself, blocking this time off on her calendar and working around it as necessary. People hear what you say but then they watch what you do. And they are going to pay attention to what you actually do and theyre going to see if its different, Bruzek says. Its about priorities and making sure people understand that its okay if not everything is done, and with things that have to get done, [its about] making sure that they have the help that they need. If you do feel you need additional support, you probably arent the only one feeling that way. Dr. Dillon says that, in her experience, when shes needed extra support at work, shes often found that her male colleagues feel similarly but arent as comfortable speaking up to ask for help. For men, it can be seen as a sign of weakness, she says, and by being the one to speak up and say you need help and support, you can help break that taboo and bridge that gap in communication. Easing the burden with supportive leadership The best way to ensure the women on your team arent heading toward burnout is to simply check in with them. If an employees performance starts slipping, or they arent as productive as they used to be, that might be a sign they need to ease up or shift gears. One downside of virtual work during the pandemic is it can be harder to spot signs of burnout if you arent getting face-to-face time with staff. Code42s Hanson schedules weekly virtual check-ins with her employees, to connect one-on-one and see how whether there are any cues of potential stress or burnout. If an employee indicates they need a break, Hanson works with them to figure out what can be taken off their plate, how they can reprioritize their workload, and what else can be done to make things easier. Hanson also encourages her employees to rethink how they get work done so they can fit it into their schedules. If that means getting work done late at night when you have fewer responsibilities, then that is something management will support. To help, the company has also increased its PTO allotment and given employees three additional mental health days on top of their regular PTO. Approaches such as these are vital to staving off burnout among women in IT, as nearly two-thirds of respondents to TrustRadius survey cite flexible scheduling as a key way organizations can support women in the workplace, especially at this time. Huntresss Bruzek also points to a need for a shift in societal thinking one that puts less responsibility and pressure on women, while expecting them to perform at the same level as their male counterparts who dont report the same added responsibilities at home or work that women do. Burnout for women in IT could be further improved with better access to affordable childcare options, more support for single mothers, and longer paid maternity leave to help women get the balance they need, she says. The majority of respondents to TrustRadius survey (55%) believe that offering equal maternity and paternity leave could help alleviate some of the responsibilities traditionally placed solely on women. Bruzek herself has navigated burnout at work, and when she recognizes shes about to hit a wall, she relies on pacing herself and finding ways to recharge whenever she can. Perhaps most of all, however, she attributes her ability to combat burnout to strong management teams that support and believe her when it comes to her need to shift gears. Code42s Hanson also sees supportive leadership as key in avoiding burnout. Prior to the pandemic, she made the difficult decision to take a short leave of absence to support her family after her daughter was diagnosed with a learning disability. Managing the logistics around finding support for her daughter was too much to balance alongside work, but she was plagued with doubt about how stepping back might impact her work and career. Ultimately the choice to prioritize her family paid off, she says, and she was able to smoothly transition back into work after her family was in an easier place. Cequence Security Khyati Ganatra, a data scientist, Cequence Security Khyati Ganatra, a data scientist at Cequence Security, says her company has seen a few women step down from their positions to prioritize their family or children during the pandemic. But its something the company encourages and supports, keeping jobs open for these women when they return. By helping women feel supported and heard, IT leaders and their organization can not only help reduce the likelihood of burnout, they can also inspire loyalty that can in turn improve retention. Establishing better leadership equity Still, when it comes to supporting women in the IT workplace, representation matters. In the TrustRadius survey, when asked about how companies can support women, 78% say they should promote more women into leadership positions. Its about taking a look at the entire system, and just admitting that it is important to have more representation, because its going to change our business, Bailey says. Tech is a rich profitable industry and theres no reason why tech cant lead the change in the workforce. And its not just about having more [women]; its about putting in place long-term changes in the way that the workplace is structured. Having more women and diversity on your board of directors is important, Bailey says, as top-level equity tends to trickle down throughout the organization. There also needs to be better opportunities for women to network and find mentorship and sponsorship opportunities. As more women move into leadership positions, they can help inspire and empower other women in the organization to help drive the cultural changes that need to happen at a fundamental level across the industry. The more representation you have, the more you can see yourself growing in a company, she says. We have that in all of our data; it is proven time and again that if you can see yourself growing, and the potential of the organization, youre going to be more engaged, and youre going to stay there. 33768 Xiggit reimagines cafeteria-like benefits, blazing a new path with plans to roll out an innovative strategy that will give a full buffet of perks to help SMEs enhance their workers' financial well-being. FREMONT, CA: Xiggit, a next-gen fintech startup revamping benefits, officially unveiled its solution that helps Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) offer a broad set of large company benefits to all workers. Xiggit's new service enables SMEs to provide a wide range of high-value financial perks to their employees. Xiggit is the first and only company to offer SMEs a streamlined benefits package that requires companies to select a budget for their employees. Employers with limited resources can use Xiggit to provide large company benefits to all employees, whether full-time, part-time, contract, gig worker, or any other classification. Xiggit reimagines cafeteria-like benefits, blazing a new path with plans to roll out an innovative strategy that will give a full buffet of perks to help SMEs enhance their workers' financial well-being.Even though SMEs employ 50 percent of the workforce in the United States, they cannot compete with large corporations in terms of benefits due to their limited resources. Employers are seeking for methods to stand apart in a world where financial stress is at an all-time high. Benefits are critical in lower-wage, service-based industries. Employers' ability to recruit and retain employees improves when they can offer a diverse range of high-value benefit options to all employees. Nearly 63 million Americans, primarily part-time workers and employees of smaller businesses, do not have access to or participate in employer-sponsored retirement plans. Workers are 18 times more likely to engage in automatic payroll-deduction-based retirement programs if they have access to them.Over 100 million Americans have no retirement savings and are in danger of running out of money. State governments are stepping in to help with this disaster. Employers are required to provide employees with a long-term retirement savings plan in ten states. A compliance deadline is looming for millions of small businesses. Firms with 50 or more employees in California have until June 2021, while employers with five or more employees have until June 2022. "We switched from offering a 401k to Xiggit, and that has been a game-changer for us. Our experience with the 401k was horrible. Xiggit's solution is low-cost, easy-to-use and shoulders the administrative burdens for us. Were delighted with Xiggit and most of our employees use and enjoy it. Some of them cannot believe how fast theyve been able to grow their savings. Our workers are improving their financial literacy and that makes them feel more secure," said Bruce Watkins, Founder, and CEO, Cal Preserving. Personalized, portable benefits with incentivized financial education are part of the Xiggits solution.Businesses can use Xiggit's web portal, which takes only a few minutes to complete. Workers will then receive a message to download Xiggit's mobile app, which they will use to select and manage their perks. Workers with portability receive benefits that they can keep for the rest of their careers, allowing them to create financial security even if they change professions. The Xiggit's solution has the following features: Professionally Managed Traditional or Roth IRAs: Workers can begin saving for retirement by having small contributions deducted from each paycheck and deposited into a retirement account. Savings Account:Auto-deductions let employees save for an emergency fund, a car, a trip, and other expenses. Xiggit Boosts: Through grants granted in Xiggit Boosts' daily "Learn 'n Earn" game, workers can accelerate their wealth. Xiggit Boosts, which is available via the Xiggit mobile app, encourages employees to study, save, and adopt healthier money habits. Employers benefit because they get a higher return on their benefits investment due to improved employee engagement while keeping expenses low. Financial Tools: Individualized financial assistance to assist workers in learning the money game and improving their financial literacy and well-being. Goal-setting, retirement, and savings calculators are examples of financial tools. SMBs now have a simple option to provide significant perks without affecting their profits. Employee benefits administration is handled by Xiggit, which relieves companies of administrative duties. The employer and Xiggit collaborate to explain the perks' worth to employees. Employers may boost employee engagement and loyalty by playing the Xiggit's Learn n Earn game, which increases financial literacy and well-being. Employees' loyalty and retention rise when their financial wellness and confidence improve due to their perks, increasing the bottom line. Employers use Xiggit to form deep ties with their employees by assisting them in achieving their most significant financial goals jointly, thereby decreasing financial stress. "Xiggit is shifting the power of choice and portability to workers. Now SMEs can offer all their workers high-value benefits with choices that count. Workers select benefits that matter to them," said Heather Dawson, Co-founder, and CEO, Xiggit. "Xiggit is also raising the bar in helping SMEs offer personalized financial tools so workers can improve their financial resilience. Administratorii portalului nu poarta raspundere pentru continutul postarilor si materialelor plasate de utilizatorii site-ului. Utilizati informatia din acest articol pe propriul risc. Eleven days ago, an American named Danny Fenster went to the international airport in Yangon, Myanmar. He was scheduled to fly to Malaysia, then on to Michigan to visit his family, whom he hadnt seen in more than three years. He told his parents he was coming in July; his early arrival was meant to be a surprise. But Fenster didnt make his flightinstead, officials arrested him at the airport, then took him, apparently, to Insein prison, which rarely appears in foreign press reports without the adjective notorious. Myanmar has not stated a reason for his detention, but its most likely that his journalism was at issue. Fenster worked as a managing editor at Frontier Myanmar, an independent news site, in a country that has sought to crush independent journalism since February, when a military junta seized power in a coup. Since Fensters arrest, his familywhich has not been able to contact him, and knows nothing of his conditionhas worked tirelessly to draw attention to his plight. Relatives launched a petition and a website, BringDannyHome.com, and made t-shirts with the slogans Protect The Press and FREE FENSTER, the latter wrapped around a photo of him wearing a knit cap and glasses. Theyve given numerous media interviews, too. On Sunday, his parents, Rose and Buddy, appeared on Brian Stelters show, on CNN. Weve always had a sense of danger once he went there, Rose said, of Fensters decision to move to Myanmar, but trusting Dannyhes a strong, independent thinker. This is his passion: to write and to write whats right, speak the truth. So weve always supported him, along with being worried. Buddy said that when he last spoke to his son, a couple of weeks ago, Danny told him that journalists were leaving Myanmar en masse, or going into hiding. I could tell there was maybe a change in his desire, Buddy said. I got a feeling that maybe he felt it was time to start heading home. ICYMI: Why Cant We Call It An Emergency? Fenster didnt make it home, and other foreign journalists working in Myanmar have not been given a choice about leaving: In March, the junta expelled Robert Bociaga, a Polish photojournalist who had been on assignment for dpa, a German press agency. Last month, Myanmar deported Yuki Kitazumi, a Japanese reporter. (The junta was willing to drop charges against him, state media said, to reconcile with Japan and improve our relationship. Around the same time, Japan had offered to provide Myanmar emergency food aid.) Many Burmese journalists have been forced to evacuate their homes; for some, leaving Myanmar has proved not to be the end of their ordeal. Last month, three reporters with the news agency Democratic Voice of Burma, whose license was revoked by the junta, were arrested in Thailand and charged with violating local immigration laws. A week ago, a court fined the reporters; they could legally be sent back to Myanmar, where they face severe danger. (The reporters have filed an appeal that will keep them in Thailand for now, and Thai officials have spoken of their willingness to work toward a humanitarian solution.) Another Burmese journalist in Myanmar, Mratt Kyaw Thu, who worked as a contributor to the Spanish news agency EFE, spent weeks in legal limbo in Germany, where he applied for asylum, only to be told that, under European Union rules, he would have to apply in Spain instead. This week, he arrived in Madrid. When I last wrote about the press in Myanmar, in early April, the junta had arrested around sixty journalists; now, according to a group called Reporting ASEAN, that figure is closer to ninetymore than half of whom, like Fenster, remain in detention. Last month, a military court convicted Min Nyo, of DVB, of mutinyciting a ban against reporting that could, in the eyes of the state, induce soldiers to abandon their postand sentenced him to three years in prison. This week, his colleague Aung Kyaw and Zaw Zaw, a freelancer who contributed to Mizzima News, were handed two-year sentences under the same code. Fenster isnt the only US citizen in jail in MyanmarNathan Maung, the editor in chief of Kamayut Media, has been held at Insein prison since March, along with a Burmese colleague, Hanthar Nyein. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, both have been tortured. The US state department has repeatedly expressed concern about the treatment of Fenster and Maung, and called for them to be released; yesterday, a spokesperson confirmed that US officials had a virtual visit with Maung, but have not been granted access to Fenster. The Biden administration has assured Fensters family that he is a top priority, and prominent Democrats in Michiganincluding Andy Levin, the familys congressman, who authored a House resolution condemning the couphave been in contact with the state department and the US embassy about the case. By contrast, prominent members of the previous administration have lately suggested that its about time America had a coup of its own. Last weekend, an attendee at a QAnon-linked conference in Dallas asked Michael Flynn, Trumps first national security adviser, why what happened in Minnamar cant happen here. Flynn replied, No reason. I mean, it should happen here. Flynn, doing his best Lionel Hutz impersonation, later wrote on Telegram that the media had manipulated his words, and that he meant to say that there is no reason it (a coup) should happen here. Then, on Tuesday, Maggie Haberman, of the New York Times, reported that Trump told associates he expects to be reinstated to the White House this summer, once Republican-run election audits in Arizona and elsewhere establish that he was cheated in November. (He was not.) Sign up for CJR 's daily email Its still not entirely clear what Trump believes, or to what extent his latest absurdity is a desperate plea for media attention; among his fans, its not apparent how many people really want a coup. As we have seen, however, the line between pretend and real rebellion in the United States is dangerously thin. Even if Trump wants mostly to mess with journalists, the logical endpoint of the deranged fantasy hes stoking is a country where journalists are silenced, unable to talk even with their families. Fenster is a reminder of that. Below, more on Myanmar and press freedom around the world: Other notable stories: ICYMI: Donald Trump shuts down his blog This post has been updated to clarify a reference to Entercom. 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. WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A Texas jury has awarded $222 million to the widow of a Kansas man who died in an accident at Evergys Jeffrey Energy Center power plant near St. Marys, Kansas, in 2018. The jury found that Team Industrial Services, a Texas-based subcontractor to Westar Energy, was 90% responsible for the death of Jesse Henson, of Manhattan, the familys attorneys said in a news release Tuesday. Henson and a co-worked, Damien Burchett, of Overbrook, were burned alive when they were investigating a loss of power at the steam plant near St. Marys, Kansas, on June 3, 2018. Westar, which is now called Evergy, was found to be 10% responsible, The Wichita Eagle reported. The deaths occurred after Team finished rebuilding parts in three generation units at the coal-fired plant. Burchett and Henson went to investigate a loss of steam at one of the three units. When their elevator door opened, they were engulfed in superheated steam that leaked from the defective rebuilt valve, according to the lawsuit. Team argued Westar and Henson were largely responsible for the accident. Evergy spokeswoman Gina Penzig said the company would have no immediate comment on the case. Burchetts relatives have filed a separate lawsuit for his death David Nickel, chief consumer counsel for the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board in Kansas, said Evergy may have legal protection that will allow it to pay far less than its $22 million share of the jurys award, according to a report by The Wichita Eagle. He said Kansas statutes limit workers compensation death benefits to $250,000, although he acknowledged that he had not find any law directly on point, the Eagle reported. Team Industrial has said it plans to appeal the decision, which means resolution may be years away, the newspaper said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A Georgia police officer did not violate federal computer fraud law when he used his patrol car computer to access information on a license plate in exchange for money, even though his action violated his departments policy against obtaining database information for non-law-enforcement purposes, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court sided with a police officer Nathan Van Buren who was charged with a felony under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 (CFAA). The court rejected the governments interpretation of the CFAA, which subjects to criminal liability anyone who intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized access. A jury convicted Van Buren and he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Van Buren appealed to the Eleventh Circuit, arguing that the exceeds authorized access clause in the CFAA applies only to those who obtain information to which their computer access does not extend, not to those who misuse access that they otherwise have. The Eleventh Circuit held that Van Buren had violated the CFAA, finding that an individual exceeds authorized access when he accesses a computer with authorization but then obtains information located in particular areas of the computersuch as files, folders, or databases that are off-limits to him. In a 5-3 opinion authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the Supreme Court has now found that the Eleventh Circuit erred, rejecting the governments interpretation of the exceeds authorized access clause because it would attach criminal penalties to a breathtaking amount of commonplace computer activity. The court cited examples including where employers commonly state that computers and electronic devices can be used only for business purposes. According to the governments reading, an employee who sends a personal e-mail or reads the news using a work computer has violated the CFAA. Barrett wrote that governments approach would also inject arbitrariness into the assessment of criminal liability, because whether conduct like Van Burens violated the CFAA would depend on how an employer phrased the policy violated (as a use restriction or an access restriction). The Justice Department had argued that in common parlance, the phrase exceeds authorized access would be understood to mean that Van Buren exceed[ed] his authorized access to the law enforcement database when he obtained license plate information for personal purposes. But the justices said that was not the relevant question. Rather the issue is not whether Van Buren exceeded his authorized access but whether he exceeded his authorized access as the CFAA defines that phrase. The court said Van Buren did not exceed his authorized access under the CFAA. Unbeknownst to Van Buren, he was part of a Federal Bureau of Investigation sting operation. According to intellectual property lawyer Joshua Rich, the ruling could limit protections for employers against workers malicious or dishonest conduct. One interesting wrinkle from this case is that most of the employee prosecutions that have occurred under the CFAA would not withstand the Supreme Courts interpretation, but they are things we definitely want to prevent, he wrote in an article on the ruling. Rich, a partner and general counsel at Chicago-based law firm McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff, notes some examples of cases that have all been prosecuted but that no longer can be in light of this ruling include ones involving IRS and Social Security employees accessing ex-spouses data so they can look into their information, police getting information for personal use and IRS officials looking up celebrity tax returns, to name a few. Rich thinks the Supreme Courts decision could move Congress to rewrite the CFAA more clearly but in the meantime, he said, the meaning of computer fraud has been greatly narrowed. The case is Van Buren v. U.S. Attorneys who are hired by insurance carriers to defend policyholders from lawsuits have a duty to represent the insured, but the insurer is paying their fees. Obviously, the insurer has a financial interest in the outcome of the litigation. They have to pay any settlement or award of damages. But if something goes wrong, do they have a right to pursue a malpractice claim against the attorney? The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that if the insurance contract gives the insurer subrogation rights, they do. Where an insurer has a duty to defend and counsel breaches the duty owed to the client insured, contractual subrogation permits the insurer, whoon behalf of the insuredpays the damage, to step into the shoes of its insured and pursue the same claim the insured could have pursued, the high court said in a unanimous decision. Arch Insurance Co. hired the Kubicki Draper law firm to represent its policyholder, Spear Safer CPAs and Advisors from a lawsuit filed by a receiver for Mutual Benefits Corp. in 2003. MBC had run a fraudulent investment scheme from 1994 to 2004, selling $1 billion in viatical settlements to 29,000 investors. Spear Safer was its accountant. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit in 2004 that shut down the operation and put its assets into receivership. The appointed receiver filed a malpractice lawsuit against Spear Safer, alleging that is accounting practices were negligent. Arch, the companys insurer, hired Kubiki Draper to defend its client. During the course of the litigation, Kubiki erroneously advised Arch and Spear Safer that the statute of limitations for a professional malpractice action was four years, when in fact it was only two. Based on that advice, Arch agreed with the MBC receiver to toll the statute of limitations while the parties negotiated a settlement. Kubiki at first said that MBCs case against Spear Safer was very weak and the value of the claim was the cost of defense. But the law firm abruptly changed course later and advised Arch that the value of the lawsuit was within policy limits. Arch hired Butler Pappas for a second opinion. The new law firm filed a motion with the district court to amend its defenses to include the statute of limitations. But by that time the lawsuit was nearing a trial date. Safer and Spear demanded that Arch settle the case to avoid a potential verdict of $68 million. Arch agreed to pay $3.5 million, the remaining policy limits. Arch then filed suit against the Kubiki in Broward County Circuit Court, alleging that the law firms negligence forced it to pay a grossly inflated settlement. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Kubicki. The court said the question had never before been raised, but decided than an insurer has no standing to bring a malpractice action against an attorney who represented its insured. The court said Arch did not have privity with Kubicki, meaning there was no legal relationship between the two parties that created a duty of care. A panel of the Fourth District Court of Appeal agreed and affirmed the decision, but the court also sent a certified question to the Florida Supreme Court. Whether an insurer has standing to maintain a malpractice action against counsel hired to represent the insured where the insurer has a duty to defend. Arch argued that a ruling that if insurers are barred from pursuing malpractice claims against attorneys who negligently represent their insureds would allow those attorneys to escape responsibility for gross negligence or even malfeasance. Absent the insurers ability to assert a malpractice claim against defense counsel, the only beneficiary is the negligent attorney, who ends up immune from accountability for his or her negligence, the insurers brief says. The American Property and Casualty Insurers Association filed an amicus brief in the case. The APCIA said Florida and Ohio are the only states where the judicial branch has created a rule of professional conduct that governs whether a defense attorney defending a lawsuit against an insured has one client or two.Rule 4-1.7(e) explains that lawyers representing insured clients have a tripartite relationship in which they represent both the insured and the insurance company unless there is a conflict of interest, the brief says. Attorneys that intend to solely defend the insured are required to inform the insurer at the beginning of representation. Kubicki Draper failed to follow Rule 4-1.7(e) and never advisied Arch whether the firm represented both Arch and the insured, which is a departure from the norm, the APCIA said. The firms failure to adhere to its ethical duty to notify Arch and its insured whether the firm represented both or only the insured should not give the firm an out to argue the insurer has no standing to pursue a malpractice claim against it, the brief says. The Supreme Court agreed. The high court rephrased the certified question to include the existence of a subrogation clause in the insurance contract. The opinion says that the subrogation clause gives Arch privity with the defense counsel because it created a contractual right for the insurer to step into the shoes of the insured to pursue recovery from third parties of any payouts. The opinion says, Florida public policy does not support shielding the law firm from accountability for its professional malpractice. Kubicki Draper President Brad McCormick did not respond to an email and telephone call requesting comment on Thursday. ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) Crews on the water and nearby beaches are cleaning up oil leaking from the remains of an overturned cargo ship being dismantled along the coast of Georgia. Responders began mopping up oil from the shipwreck Monday and were still finding some sheen on the water Wednesday as well as small oil globules on the sandy shores of St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island, said Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Himes, a spokesman for the multiagency command overseeing the demolition. Were looking for these kinds of impacts every day, Himes said. Most of the time we dont find them. But when we do, thats why weve got the equipment and personnel on hand to respond. The Golden Ray, a South Korean automobile carrier, capsized on Sept, 8, 2019, shortly after leaving the Port of Brunswick. Demolition work to remove the shipwreck in eight giant chunks began in November. Roughly half the ship remains partially submerged off St. Simons Island. Most of the fuel onboard the ship was siphoned from its tanks long before demolition began. Himes said engineers suspect the oil leaks first spotted Monday came from residue that had been clinging to the inside of severed pipes in the submerged part of the wreck. Some of the oil escaped an environmental protection barrier surrounding the shipwreck. Workers in 15 boats cleaned up oil and sheen from the water using absorbent boom, Himes said. On the shoreline, responders used shovels to scoop up oil globules and surrounding sand. Fletcher Sams of the Altamaha Riverkeeper conservation group said the leak showed the limited ability of the floating barrier around the wreck to contain oil amid the tidal currents in the sound. Weve got a lot of sheen outside the barrier, Sams told The Brunswick News. He said the barriers boom does have some effect to slow some of this down, but as evidenced today it is definitely not foolproof. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Grace Louise Archer, age 90, a resident of Aurora, Colorado, a former resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Shalom Park, Aurora, Colorado. Grace was born the daughter of Maurice P. Martin, Sr., and Margaret (O'Connor) Martin on October 10, 1930, in Chi Beachwood, OH (44122) Today Showers early, then partly cloudy for the afternoon. High 78F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 60F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Celebrate the Class of 2020 Submit a profile of your favorite graduate to have them featured in our Virtual Graduation 2020 special section. Tout their accomplishments, share their photos, and wish them well! Submit profile In his welcoming remarks, Bhagavatula noted, "Class of 2021, you're a special group. You had to deal with the challenges of meeting CMU-Africa's rigorous academic requirements remotely. Kudos to your ability to adapt to meet these challenges; your tenacity has paid off. Your journey at CMU-Africa was also enabled by other supporting partners. First of all, this campus wouldn't be here, but for the vision of the Government of Rwanda to bring Carnegie Mellon University to Kigali to educate the next generation of African technology leaders in Africa. Since 2016, Mastercard Foundation has been a great supporter through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and you have received support from other organizations that raised funds from several other individuals who believed in you all." Sanders encouraged the graduating class, emphasizing that they are the next generation of leaders, innovators and builders who will effect change and improve quality of life with talent and expertise. "You have persevered in advancing your education through the rigors of a Carnegie Mellon education and have done so in the face of unexpected challenges," Sanders said. "As we begin to emerge from a truly unprecedented year, from a pandemic that's swept the globe, your bright light will have a new and unique opportunity to shine." Poole Named 13th Dean of CMU's College of Fine Arts June 04, 2021 Mary Ellen Poole has been named Carnegie Mellon University's Stanley and Marcia Gumberg Dean of the College of Fine Arts. As CFA's 13th dean, she also will hold a faculty appointment as a professor of music. Poole begins her new role Aug. 1. Poole, a well-regarded musicologist, currently serves as the director of the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music in the College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin, a post she has held since June 2014. She also holds a faculty position as the Florence Thelma Hall Centennial Chair in Music and professor of musicology. Prior to this role, she served as dean for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music for 10 years. Under Poole's leadership, the Butler School of Music recruited more than a dozen world-renowned faculty; expanded the school's donor base and significantly increased giving; and developed community conversations promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. "In addition to her extensive research in musicology, Dr. Poole brings with her an unwavering dedication to student success, inclusive teaching and learning practices," said Carnegie Mellon Provost Jim Garrett. "She combines this passion for the arts and for education with a strong record of executive leadership; engagement with alumni, partners and stakeholders; and advocacy for diversity and inclusion." Watch the announcement of Mary Ellen Poole as the new dean of CFA. "I can't wait to immerse myself in the current work and future potential of the art makers at Carnegie Mellon," said Poole. "One in 10 CMU students calls CFA home, and that to me signifies critical density. Artists are and can be the connective tissue in every conversation about making this world a more humane, just and sustainable place. It will be a privilege to shine a bright light on their leadership." Poole succeeds Dan Martin, who is stepping down following more than 11 years as dean. After ensuring a smooth transition, Martin will continue his service to CMU as a faculty member. "We are grateful to Dean Martin for his ongoing leadership as we searched for his successor," Garrett said. "His dedication has served to highlight and celebrate the impactful work of the remarkably diverse and high-ranking programs housed within the College of Fine Arts, increasing its visibility and reputation." Garrett also thanked the CMU search committee, led by University Professors Cindy Limauro and Vivian Loftness, for their work. "The committee went to extraordinary lengths to identify and select CFA's new dean despite challenges faced while conducting a search during a pandemic." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) The Department of Health sees no problem if a person receives a COVID-19 shot outside the individual's area of residence. Questions on the issue were raised earlier after former Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro got his shot in Davao City, where he flew in to meet with his purported running mate in next year's elections. Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said it is not an issue as long as the person vaccinated is part of the priority group. "Kailangan natin makapagpatupad na kung pupunta ka sa isang lugar ay maaari ka rin namang mabakunahan kung dun ka na temporary na nagsstay. It depends on the circumstances, but we are not so much very strict sa geographic limitations. Ang sa atin lang yung prioritization framework ay ipatupad natin," she said in a media briefing. [Translation: We need to implement a policy that you can get vaccinated in a different area if you are staying there temporarily. It depends on the circumstances, but we are not so much very strict on geographic limitations. Our main concern is to follow the prioritization framework.] Teodoro received a COVID-19 vaccine when he paid a visit to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., who joined the trip, said the younger Duterte will run for president, with Teodoro as her runningmate in the 2022 elections. There was no immediate confirmation from Mayor Duterte and Teodoro about Andaya's claim. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) As local authorities and even companies offer incentives to encourage vaccinations against COVID-19, a wellness expert welcomed the initiative, but raised concerns about its sustainability. "Any sort of incentive will help but it's not sustainable and not without its risks and of course sensitivities especially when it's implemented in the workplace and not just our LGUs," certified mental health first aider Zarah Hernaez told CNN Philippines' The Exchange with Rizo Hizon. RELATED: NCR local governments weigh in on incentives for COVID vaccination RELATED: US employers can legally offer incentives to employees to get vaccinated Hernaez emphasized the need to promote a mindset prioritizing public safety and the health of oneself and their loved ones to motivate people to roll up their sleeves and get the coronavirus shots. Sustained vaccine education is also important, she added, along with "counterpropaganda" to fears surrounding inoculation one of the reasons she listed for vaccine hesitancy among the public, along with concerns over the accessibility of doses, and preference for certain brands. RELATED: WHO: Vaccine hesitancy no longer a problem as Filipinos 'eagerly' await their turn for a shot "But again, at this rate it's a race for herd immunity and we do what we can as fast as we can," Hernaez said. "Bottomline: incentivizing vaccination now is a band-aid solution but it's a solution we need to propel us to normalcy." In a separate interview with The Exchange, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said incentives are just an "added way" to entice citizens to get vaccinated, but providing them facts about vaccines and the entire process is more important. The mayor added testaments from vaccinees about their experience can also help encourage more inoculations, a sentiment shared by the chairman of Barangay Sucat in Muntinlupa City, Raffy Sevilla. Zamora recently released Executive Order No. 81, which encourages employees in San Juan to get vaccinated, and EO No. 82, which promotes the provision of incentives for inoculated individuals by business establishments. Meanwhile, Sevilla said his barangay is raffling off some 20 sacks of milled rice every Sunday, with every vaccinee automatically entitled to a raffle ticket. Some companies have also answered the call to offer incentives to vaccinated customers. For instance, telco giant Smart launched its "Bakuna Benefits" program, which features perks such as discounts and freebies from dining establishments for people who have received their COVID-19 shots. Program participant The Moment Group whose restaurants include 8Cuts, Din Tai Fung, Manam, and Ooma offers vaccinated customers a free Moment Loyalty card, which grants them discounts when eating at their restaurants over the course of a year. "We really like to help the economy get back to normal but also it has to be in a safe way. That's why it's important to tie it up with a vaccination program such as this because at the end of the day, in order to get back to real normalcy, we need to be safe," said The Moment Group co-founder for creative development Abba Napa. The national government's "overall" target is to vaccinate 70% of the Philippine population against COVID-19 in hopes of achieving herd immunity. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) The Philippines has exempted all Filipinos from the temporary entry restrictions it imposed on travelers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, subject to conditions. Previously, the countrys travel ban, which is in effect until June 15, covered travelers who have been to any of the seven countries in the 14 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines. Exempted from the ban are those repatriated by the national government. The restrictions are aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus variant Delta (B.1.617.2). "Liban sa repatriation program ng Philippine government, inexempt ng inyong IATF ang non-Philippine government repatriation efforts sa entry restrictions sa mga manggagaling ng India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates," Roque said in a briefing. [Translation: Aside from the repatriation program of the Philippine government, the IATF exempted non-Philippine government repatriation efforts from entry restrictions for those coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.] Conditions Filipinos who are repatriated by non-Philippine government entities should present a negative RT-PCR test result, Roque said. The COVID-19 test must be taken 48 hours before departing the country of origin. Roque said the entry of flight or vessel carrying Filipino evacuees needs approval from the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ). "In this connection, the concerned local manning agency (in the case of seafarers), the Philippine recruitment agency (for land-based workers), or the sponsoring Philippine government agency shall submit an exemption request to the DOH-BOQ, the approval of which is tantamount to IATFs approval on the repatriation effort," he added. The Department of Foreign Affairs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the BOQ, Transportation Department, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 Task Group for the Management of Returning Overseas Filipinos shall coordinate with each other at least 48 hours prior to the departure from the country of origin of government-sponsored repatriation flights, Roque said. The IATF likewise required all Filipino repatriates from countries covered by the travel restrictions to undergo a strict 14-day facility-based quarantine from the date of arrival in the Philippines. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) The National Bureau of Investigation recommended falsification and cybercrime charges against a former Transportation official in relation to the $2.1-billion scandal that involved German firm Wirecard AG, the Department of Justice said on Friday. It said the complaint against former Transportation Undersecretary Mark Tolentino will go through preliminary investigation. The DOJ added that in a related case, two immigration officers believed to have tampered with the travel records of a Wirecard executive were charged with cybercrime and corruption. The cases are pending in court. In 2020, Tolentino - who owns M.K. Tolentino Law & Business Consultancy Office - was found to be a trustee of Wirecard and was implicated in the financial service provider's missing $2.1 billion (about 107 billion). Tolentino's camp said the law firm opened and maintained foreign currency deposit accounts with BDO Unibank and the Bank of the Philippine Islands a claim that the two banks refuted. Both banks denied that they held Wirecard money. Tolentino denied holding the missing cash or knowing where the funds were but said the money was probably stashed in a private banking unit of an Asian or European institution, and that he may again be accused of secretly managing the missing funds. Wirecard saw its stock market value collapse by 90% in the week after the report of the missing funds. Wirecard officials said the money may not have existed after all. The company filed for insolvency last year. Tolentino was sacked by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018 for pushing for a railway project involving Duterte's sister. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) The Philippine Competition Commission has started its investigation into simultaneous unscheduled shutdowns of select power plants which led to thin electricity supply in Luzon this week, forcing rotating brownouts. PCC Chairman Arsenio Balisacan said Malacanang ordered an investigation to find out what went wrong with power generation firms and restricted electricity supply in the Luzon grid. Of course, we know that ang pagsabay-sabay na [the simultaneous] shutdown could be also a tool by the players to get the market price for electricity higher but of course, that would require evidence, PCC Chairman Arsenio Balisacan told CNN Philippines. "We would have to find the evidence na nagka-agree ang mga 'yan [that they had an agreement], or even a dominant one of them might have used the fact that they own several plants and they can use one of their plants as an instrument to induce price movements that would benefit their other plants," he added. Existing rules prohibit plants, except those using hydropower systems, from scheduling maintenance and repair activities over the summer unless absolutely needed. Still, similar red alert incidents occurred in the summer months of 2019. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) initially placed the Luzon grid on red alert Monday afternoon and announced longer red alert hours on Tuesday, triggering more areas covered by rotating power outages. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Thursday apologized for the supply interruptions. A red alert means power supply is short of projected demand, with a shortage of 716 megawatts recorded this week. As of 1 p.m. Friday, the DOE reported three plants on scheduled downtime and four other facilities on emergency shutdown, while another plant was operating with reduced energy production. In sum, these stripped away 4,088 MW from the Luzon grid. Rains which hit Metro Manila and other provinces on Wednesday and Thursday also helped ease demand for electricity, averting shortages, authorities earlier said. The competition body is tasked mainly to police the local market against cartels and other behavior of market players which would negatively affect consumers. "If it happens that those high prices are mainly due to unexpected shutdowns because of one reason or another, sabay-sabay lahat ng necessity to shut down some plants, then that may not be anti-competitive," Balisacan clarified. The agency is coordinating with the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission for the probe. "We definitely need data and we definitely need to identify the key actors who might have certain influence on the market," he said. "Well see how we can work together to ensure that we have a robust way of collaborating, coordinating so we can address the issue quickly." Balisacan warned that steep penalties await parties if a cartel-like behavior is discovered, which would also entail criminal charges. READ: Erring energy firms could face charges over Luzon power supply woes - energy official Balisacan warned that steep penalties await parties if a cartel-like behavior is discovered, which would also entail criminal charges. Latest projections of the NGCP showed ample power supply for June 5-7, although the grid was on yellow alert from 1 to 4 p.m. of Friday due to thin power reserves. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel are now wearing body cameras during operations. The PNP is hoping the program will lead to less abuses by some police officers on the ground. "Today the Filipino people will finally have the eyes and ears in law enforcement and in the implementation of peace and order in the country," PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City Friday morning. Eleazar also said the policy is a 'tribute' to 17-year-old Kian delos Santos. Three police officers murdered the defenseless teenager during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City back in 2017. They claimed Kian resisted arrest despite a nearby security camera showing otherwise. Extrajudicial killings and allegations of evidence planting have tainted the image of the PNP. Eleazar said, the use of body cameras will also protect policemen against unfair allegations. 'Work in progress' The police leadership distributed 2,696 body cams to 171 police offices nationwide. The number is only 8% of the PNP's target of 34,000 units for all police stations. Eleazar admitted the system isn't perfect yet, calling it a 'work in progress.' The general said lack of budget for the procurement of more units is a concern. He is hoping lawmakers will allocate more funds for the program. Police personnel can only use the body cams during planned operations such as, among others: - Illegal drug stings - Hostage and rescue operations - High-risk checkpoints - National events requiring tight security - Serving of search and arrest warrant - Implementation of court order "The body worn cameras will not only satisfy the requirement of transparency in police operations but, more importantly, capture real-life actions for their evidentiary value in investigation and prosecution," the PNP chief said. 'Tamper-proof' Personnel wearing the body cams are not allowed to turn it off during the operation. Those manning the PNP command center can intervene and switch the camera back on. The personnel involved will also have to explain why he or she turned it off. "So hindi niya po kayang dayain at kung mayroon siyang plano na gawing hindi maganda during planned police operations ano (The police officer cannot fake it if there's intent to do something wrong during police operations)," PNP Operations Director Alfred Corpuz explained during the press briefing. They also have to surrender the cams to the police station before leaving their duty, and the gathered footage will automatically be submitted to the command center. The videos can't be erased easily as these are only accessible at the center. The body cameras cannot be used by an off-duty officer. Some off-duty officers have been involved in police brutality, like Staff Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, who fatally shot Sonia Gregorio and her son Frank in Tarlac in December 2020. Master Sgt. Hensie Zinampan was also off-duty when he gunned down Lilibeth Valdez in Quezon City last Monday. Eleazar, however, said they're aiming to provide body cams to all police personnel. The PNP is waiting for the Supreme Court's comments on their submitted guidelines. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) Individuals who contracted COVID-19 after receiving their first vaccine dose may still receive their second jab, a health expert said Friday. As long as naka-recover na po at tapos na po yung isolation whether it's 10 days for mild (cases) or 21 days for severe (cases) and mukhang okay na naman, naka-recover na, di naman po problemang ibigay na 'yung second dose, infectious disease specialist and Health Department technical advisory group member Dr. Edsel Salvana said in a televised briefing. [Translation: As long as the person already recovered and their isolation is over whether its 10 days for mild cases or 21 days for severe cases and theyre doing okay, there wont be any problem administering their second dose already]. In a separate briefing, Health Spokesperson and Undersercretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire noted that catching the coronavirus during the surge in cases in the National Capital Region Plus was among the reasons why some missed their second vaccine shot as scheduled. During that time may kababayan tayong na-expose, nagkasakit [we had fellow citizens who got exposed and got sick] so on their second scheduled time, na-defer sila [they got their vaccination deferred] because of illness or because of being exposed, explained the Health official. Salvana also assured Filipinos who missed the schedule for their second COVID-19 shot need not start their inoculation from scratch, echoing fellow health experts call for vaccinees to get their second dose since protection from the highly contagious disease may only be achieved by completing vaccination. Bagamat mas maganda pa rin na on time para mas mabilis po natin makuha yung full protection, he reminded. [Translation: Although its still better to get (your second COVID-19 shot) on time so that you will achieve full protection faster.] Over 1.29 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of June 1. The governments overall goal is to inoculate 70% of the national populace against the disease. Saratoga Springs, NY (12866) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Low near 60F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Fun fact: I ate my first chicken nugget when I was 16 years old. Ive come a long way since then, and now at the age of 20, I consider myself to be something of a nugget connoisseur. Now is my greatest nugget challenge yet: reviewing McDonalds new BTS meal. After the mortifying ordeal of entering a McDonalds alone to order the BTS meal from a cashier who didnt seem to know what the BTS meal even was, I went home and inspected the packaging. My order came in a cute bag with the McDonalds logo and a purple BTS logo next to each other. Other than that, the rest of the packaging looked like anything else you would get at McDonalds. This was disappointing, considering all the fun purple packaging I had seen on social media over the last couple weeks. As far as the food goes, it was standard McDonalds fare: a 10-piece McNuggets with medium fries and a drink. My first impression upon looking at the food laid out in front of me: laziness. Its clear to see there was a lack of creativity involved in the development of the BTS meal, but this is not the first time its happened. As of late, McDonalds seems fond of collaborating with musicians for limited-time special meals but often fails to deliver on truly making these offerings something memorable or special. Take 2020s Travis Scott meal for instance. McDonalds could have created a unique barbecue or Southwest-inspired hamburger to pay homage to the rappers Texan heritage, but instead it simply added bacon to a quarter pounder and served some preexisting barbecue sauce on the side. MORE FOOD REVIEWS Likewise for this meal, there are a number of things McDonalds could have done to add some BTS flair. What the fast food chain really should have done is give these chicken nuggets a brand-new, Korean-inspired flavor. A K-BBQ spiced nugget would have been the perfect way to acknowledge the bands Korean heritage and offer new flavors that even more people would flock to try out. If McDonalds didnt want to put in that amount of effort, it could have easily included seven nuggets to represent the seven band members instead of opting for the standard 10-piece. Still, despite its flaws and my nitpicks, the BTS meal was not a complete disaster. In fact, there were a couple things I loved about it, namely the two new dipping sauces. With pastel pink and purple packages and adorable graphics, the sweet chili and cajun sauces were the spicy stars of the BTS meal. The sweet chili sauce was tangy and peppery, with a little sweetness to counteract the heat. If youre at all familiar with gochujang, the spicy Korean condiment that goes with pretty much everything, its easy to see the Korean influence in this sauce. Its safe to say I was a fan. Despite having a drawing of a fire on the package, the cajun sauce turned out to be a little milder than its counterpart. That being said, I did prefer its well-rounded hot mustard taste to the sweet chili sauce. Im really hoping McDonalds decides to keep both sauces on its permanent menu. Sadly, I imagine thats unlikely considering these adventurous, bold sauces are unlikely to appeal to the average American palate. Bottom line: Had McDonalds spent a little less money on marketing and a little more on developing fun, inspired flavors, the BTS meal would have stood out more than the other options at McDonalds. If youre looking for my recommendation, I say forgo the BTS meal and just get a regular order of nuggets or fries, but ask for the sweet chili and cajun sauces on the side. I think youll be pleasantly surprised. Ernest Luning: "Like an old prizefighter suiting up for an exhibition match to summon his glory days, U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn this week laced up his gloves and dusted off perennial legislation to end federal funding for public broadcasting." Memorial of CPC's 1st national congress opens in Shanghai Xinhua) 08:23, June 04, 2021 Visitors enter the memorial of the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai, east China, June 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) SHANGHAI, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The memorial of the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened in Shanghai Thursday. The memorial includes the site of the first CPC National Congress, an oath-taking hall, and a newly-built exhibition area. More than 1,100 selected items that highlight the Party's history have been displayed in the exhibition area spanning 3,400 square meters. The exhibition area is divided into seven sections that chronicle the founding of the CPC as well as the Party's efforts and achievements over the past 100 years. Exhibits including relics, photos and literature cover major events such as the New Culture Movement, the May Fourth Movement, the establishment of early CPC organizations and early CPC national congresses. A total of 72 versions of The Communist Manifesto are also on display. The founding fathers of the CPC secretly convened the first National Congress of the Party in the two-story brick-and-wood building in downtown Shanghai in 1921. The building was turned into a memorial site in 1952 and continues to be a popular tourist attraction in Shanghai. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) 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 What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-283-2144 or email circ@oelweindailyregister.com. Global Barite Market Research Report - Forecast to 2022 - Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast up to 2022. Barite Market Market Overview Global barite market witnessed strong growth from oil and gas exploration industry owing to its usage to suppress the high formation of liquid and prevent blowouts. Rising pressure on energy sector to meet global demand of growing transportation and petrochemical industry has result in rising oil and gas production which in turn will have positive impact on barite market. In addition, barite is used for application as weighing agent and to increase density of fluid to control pressure in shale reserves. Thus, blooming oil shale production will subsequently drive the demand of barite in U.S. market. Get a Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2035 Barite is widely used in application such as textile, paints and coatings and paper making among others. This mineral is used in sodium hydroxide production which is extensively used in refining sugar and in paints as white pigments. Moreover, increasing automotive production coupled with rise in residential and commercial projects also positively influence the barite market growth. Barite is also used in production of barium carbonate which in turn used in manufacturing LED glass. Growing LED glass consumption in television and laptops is expected to augment the barite market growth over the forecast period. Barite is non-magnetic in nature which makes it ideal choice for drilling hole. Hence, alternative to barite such as celestite, iron ore and synthetic hematite does not hold any major impact in drilling mud industry. Barite is broadly segmented according to grade as grade 3.9, grade 4.0, grade 4.1, grade 4.2 and grade above 4.3. Grade with high specific gravity represents superior quality compared to lower specific gravity. Higher grade obtained from deeper earth crust holds higher prices, which in turn impede the market growth over the forecast period. However, lower grade barite from 3.9 to 4.2 is gaining traction in oil and gas industry owing to optimum production of shale gas coupled with shift in trend towards unconventional energy source thereby, will have positive impact on barite market in coming years. Barite are largely consumed in Asia Pacific region owing to robust end use industry growth, favourable government policies and low labor cost. China is leading country owing to large availability of shale reserve to meet growing demand of barite in automotive and construction industry. Furthermore, rapid industrialization has led to strong growth in paints and coating industry which is likely to propel barite market growth. North America is second largest market due to rise in shale gas production in U.S. and development in infrastructure activities leading to growth in paints and coatings industry. U.S. is major market and exhibits growth potential in coming years. Europe to register significant growth. Germany and UK are leading countries in European regions on account of large automotive hub. Automotive refinishes and restoration is driving huge demand of paints and coatings which in turn drives the demand for barite market. Moreover, Brazil is anticipated to witnessed high demand of barite on account of increase in expenditure on interior of residential projects which is anticipated to further drive the paints and coatings industry. Key Players: Desku Group Inc. (United States), Halliburton Company (Unites States), Excalibar Minerals LLC (United States), P & S Barite Mining Co. Ltd. (Thailand), Ashapura Minechem Ltd. (India), Anglo Pacific Minerals (United Kingdom), CIMBAR Performance Minerals (United States), New Riverside Ochre Company, Inc (United States), Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Limited (India) and Mil-Spec Industries Corporation (United States) among others are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the Global Barite Market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis. Barite Market Competitive Analysis Barite market is fragmented market with tier 1 and tier 2 companies dominating the overall market. The major players are adopting key strategy like partnerships and agreements in order to reduce gap between supplier and manufacturer of barite. Apart from that, various key strategies adopted by key players are expansion and acquisition. Advancement in technology and increasing presence of significant players has positively impact the growth of barite market. Moreover, companies are expanding their production facility to meet global demand and obtain competitive advantage in the market. Industry/ Innovation/ Related News: April 2017 Nigeria barite sector are entering new era of development by targeting strategic minerals and metals of development including barite, limestone, iron and bitumen along with offering tax break to mining companies. This project got initiative after World Bank approved credit line of USD 150 Million to increase the mining sector in Nigerian economy. This would open new lucrative opportunity to market players. June 2017 Honey Badger Exploration Inc. signed an agreement to acquire assets located in Quebec. The deal includes acquisition of three properties including the Upton Property, the Saint-Fabien Property, and the Kamouraska Property. Total of 642 hectors are acquired for zinc and barite mining. This would strengthen companies position by opening new opportunity to investors as well as raise capital for advanced new projects. February 2016 Schlumberger got approval of barite mining at Duntanlich near Aberfeldy in Perthshire. The Duntanlich site is economically known as barite deposit in UK. The company plans to mine around 120,000 tons of mineral each year to make self sufficient for over next 50 years. This would strengthen companies position as barite is key ingredient of drilling mud industry. Browse Related Report @ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/aviation-fuel-market-worldwide-share-growth-emerging-trend-size-share-business-analysis-future-scope-and-forecast-to-2025-2021-01-19 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/aircraft-design-and-engineering-market-worldwide-analysis-industry-demand-size-share-emerging-audience-business-growth-and-forecast-to-2025-2021-01-19 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/aircraft-de-icing-market-is-expected-to-register-a-592-cagr-during-the-forecast-period-2021-01-19 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/superhydrophobic-coating-market-key-players-consumption-status-industry-analysis-and-opportunity-assessment-2023-2021-01-19 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/plastic-additives-market-growth-drivers-impact-analysis-market-opportunities-by-2023-2021-01-19 To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how. Yes, I am sure my money is invested in companies I trust. I'd like to invest in more ethical companies but I don't know how. I'd like to invest more in ethical companies but I don't think the returns are as good. I don't know where my money is invested. Vote View Results Polaris Market Research assumes that with the expected launch of the potential promising therapies, the market is anticipated to expand in both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis segments. The Unites States accounts for the higher share of the market as compared to the Europe and Japan. The highest market size is due to the increased adoption of high priced biologics. Despite the launch and availability of multiple biologics, only 10% of the patients have access to these treatments and the market continues to remain underpenetrated. Get sample copy of this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/dermatology-drugs-market/request-for-sample Currently, the dermatology drugs market is highly fragmented but offer several commercial opportunities. There remains significant unmet need for safer and cost-effective treatment options. Psoriasis market was nearly USD 6 billion markets in 2016 due to the existing effective TNF alpha treatments. In Acne, retinoids and antibiotics are the mainstay treatments but what makes this indication lucrative is the promising candidates in the pipeline including Foamixs FMX-101 and Dermiras DRM-101. Polaris Market Research has provided the forecasts of the Global Dermatology Drugs Market from 2016-2022. The major segments which has been investigated in the global market from 2016-2022 are: Market Analysis by Dermatology Key Indications Market Analysis by Treatment Class/Marketed Drugs Market Analysis by Regions Complete Summary with TOC Available @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/dermatology-drugs-market The Marketed Therapies undertaken in forecast from 2016-2022 are: etanercept; Enbrel infliximab; Remicade adalimumab; Humira ustekinumab; Stelara secukinumab; Cosentyx ixekizumab; Taltz golimumab; Simponi brodalumab; Siliq guselkamab; Tremfya Topical Drugs Oral Antibiotics The Major Indications in Dermatology Therapy area: Atopic Dermatitis Psoriasis Acne Rosacea Leading Companies investigated in the Report are: Allergan Plc Valeant Pharmaceuticals Dermira Inc Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc AnaptysBio, Inc Revance Therapeutics Foamix Pharmaceuticals Novan, Inc Sienna Biopharmaceuticals Pfizer Sanofi Galderma Leo Pharma Roviant Sciences Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Avail discount on this report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/dermatology-drugs-market/request-for-discount-pricing About Polaris Market Research Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide unmatched quality of offerings to our clients present globally. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for our clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve our diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. Contact us- Polaris Market Research Phone: 1-646-568-9980 Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.com Web: www.polarismarketresearch.com 99 cent introductory offer Includes everything we offer online for 24-7 news. This option allows you to read unlimited stories at ctnewsonline.com, and access our e-Edition (digital replicate of the daily newspaper). $7.99 per month after the introductory offer. This service comes with a complimentary CT Select Card allowing for local discounts. Rates are subject to change. STAMFORD OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma gained a key approval this week from the judge overseeing its bankruptcy but two-dozen states including Connecticut still oppose the companys settlement plan. Judge Robert Drain signed an order Thursday approving a disclosure statement that outlines Stamford-based Purdues settlement proposal. His backing paves the way for more than 600,000 claimants in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy to vote on a plan of reorganization that the company values at more than $10 billion. Approval of the disclosure statement and commencement of the solicitation period is the next key milestone toward approval of Purdues historic plan of reorganization, which has the potential to improve public health by speeding resources to communities and individuals affected by the opioid crisis, Purdue Chairman Steve Miller said in a statement. That is what we have been working toward since the 2019 bankruptcy filing. But Connecticut and 23 other states oppose the reorganization plans current version. Since Purdue filed for bankruptcy, those non-consenting states a group that also includes neighbors Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island have rejected the companys terms for settling their lawsuits. Among their strongest criticisms, they object to how the reorganization plan would resolve the liability of the company and the Sackler family members who own the firm. They are also dissatisfied with how the plan would convert Purdue into a new company after it emerges from bankruptcy. While we resolved some of our objections, significant ones remain, and our work on those continues, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said in a statement, after Drain approved the disclosure statement. So while this plan is now headed for a confirmation hearing, we are actively and aggressively pursuing every possible dollar and maximum accountability for the victims of their callous misconduct. We refuse to allow Purdue and the Sacklers to hide behind this bankruptcy. In response to an inquiry from Hearst Connecticut Media, a spokesperson for late Purdue co-founder Mortimer Sacklers side of the family declined to comment on Drains approval of the disclosure statement. Asked about Tongs criticism of the Sacklers who own Purdue, the spokesperson said that our focus is on concluding a resolution to litigation that will signal the beginning of a far-reaching effort to deliver help to people and communities in need. Ongoing disagreement about settlement terms Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media Claimants voting on the reorganization plan is set to conclude by July 14, a process that would include several thousand local and state governments that have sued the company. Connecticut plans to vote against the proposal, according to Tongs office. The balloting will precede one or more confirmation hearings that are scheduled to start Aug. 9. During those proceedings, Drain is set to hear arguments for and against the reorganization plan. This isnt the time for anyone really to do anything other than look at the remaining issues in a clear-headed, practical and non-inflammatory way, Drain said during a May 26 hearing. Ultimately, they owe that to their clients, and if theyre public servants, to the people they represent. People need to show leadership and not anything less than that. That goes not only for the creditors in this case, but also the Sacklers. Purdues reorganization plan cannot be implemented without Drains approval. Under certain conditions, the plan could be confirmed without gaining the support of all voting creditor groups, according to Purdue officials. Tong said, however, that the non-consenting states would not be forced to accept a settlement. I dont think it is possible for there to be a plan of reorganization that discharges the debts of Purdue or the Sacklers without the consent of the states, Tong said in an interview this week, before Drain approved the disclosure statement. I dont believe that it is possible for the court to extinguish Connecticuts claims without our consent. The Sacklers who own Purdue did not file for bankruptcy. But, like Purdue, the implementation of the reorganization plan would release them from the pending lawsuits as well as potential claims related to Purdues opioids or any other claims in connection with opioid-related activities. In previous statements, representatives of the Sacklers who own Purdue have repeatedly denied that the Sacklers have engaged in any wrongdoing related to the company. The Sacklers have agreed, however, to contribute $4.275 billion to the settlement plan. Purdues reorganization plan calls for the Sacklers who own the company to relinquish control of the firm. They would have no role in Purdues successor company and also end their involvement in their international pharmaceutical companies. A restructuring of Purdue would entail its dissolution and the transfer of its operating assets to a new company focused on tackling the opioid crisis. The successor firm will ultimately be owned by a new National Opioid Abatement Trust established for the benefit of the American people, according to Purdue officials. Connecticut and other non-consenting oppose the new company in large part because they are concerned about government bodies potentially being involved in a conflict of interests. They have instead proposed selling the company to private buyers. The company has repeatedly said, however, that state and local governments would neither own nor operate the new company. Settlement funds are urgently needed, as the opioid epidemic continues to ravage the country. In Connecticut, 1,273 people died from opioid-involved overdoses last year, up 13 percent from 2019, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Despite their settlement offer, Purdue and the Sacklers deny the lawsuits allegations that they fueled the opioid crisis with deceptive OxyContin marketing. The company, however, agreed last October to an approximately $8 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, which also entailed it pleading guilty to three criminal charges of conspiring to defraud the government and violate anti-kickback laws. The Sacklers who own Purdue reached a separate $225 million settlement with the Justice Department, but they did not admit to any wrongdoing. In addition, Purdues owners have faced Congressional investigation. On Tuesday, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a second hearing to examine the Sacklers role in allegedly fueling the epidemic. Witnesses set to testify include Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden. Last December, the committee held its first such hearing a contentious meeting that included testimony from two of the companys owners, David and Kathe Sackler, as well as Purdue CEO Craig Landau. pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; Twitter: @paulschott Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT One person was shot and two vehicles were hit by gunfire Thursday night, according to officials. Around 5:50 p.m., officers responded to the 1000 block of Pembroke Street after a ShotSpotter gunshot activation, said Scott Appleby, the citys director of emergency communications and emergency management. FAIRFIELD The bodies of two boaters, who were reported missing from the Long Island area late Tuesday night, were recovered Wednesday morning after a search that made its way to the waters off the shores off Fairfield. Around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound said crews were searching for two elderly men, who were last seen leaving Geissler Beach Park in New York on a small watercraft. Both men were seen wearing life-jackets, the Coast Guard said. What would we do without our public libraries? This question, posed years ago by one of our states most beloved natives, Katharine Hepburn, speaks to the vital role that libraries play in our lives. At the same time, she asked a dystopian question, especially relevant today, about what would befall us if our public libraries could not overcome the structural and technological deficiencies they face. We have an opportunity now to help ensure that we do not enter such a perilous void. Over the next few weeks, Congress will decide on the scope of an infrastructure package, and libraries may or may not be included. The bipartisan Build Americas Libraries Act would allocate $5 billion for the construction and renovation of libraries nationwide, with an estimated $54.7 million for Connecticut. Congress hasnt provided dedicated funding for library facilities since 1997. Yet libraries like the West Haven Public Library are critical to their communities, offering equitable access to educational advancement, economic opportunity and lifeline services. With time, these buildings need to be modernized and in some cases expanded and rebuilt. This legislation would help fund these upgrades as well as improved accessibility, increased internet capacity and damage due to natural disasters and environmental hazards. In Connecticut, the average date of last major construction for 191 of our libraries is 1998. Approximately 45 percent of our libraries arent wheelchair accessible. Chronic deficiencies include inadequate space, ADA accessibility, outdated electrical and HVAC, and meager broadband. Our libraries are not alone. A May 2021 study conducted by the American Library Association estimates that public libraries need $32 billion for construction and renovation, which at current funding levels would take 25 years to meet todays needs. West Havens Main Library opened after Andrew Carnegie awarded a grant of $10,000 and the Village Improvement Association raised the balance of $1,510.50. This building, one of 11 Carnegie libraries in Connecticut, opened in 1909 with 1,550 registered borrowers, 1,337 volumes and an annual book circulation of 19,734. Today, we have 15,000 library card holders, and over 120,000 loanable items. There have been two renovations, the most recent 20 years ago, and we still fall short of electrical outlets and space, especially in our childrens and teen areas. Many libraries act as community centers, but they lack meeting rooms, makerspaces, homework and technology labs, a job center, and connectivity. Our one meeting room can accommodate only 100 people, and groups looking for space are routinely turned away. With larger and modernized space, we could increase childrens programs, which are drawing more and more youngsters with their parents and grandparents. Library story-walks have been popular at the green and the boardwalk, but in fall and winter our options are limited. Over the past several years, digital offerings have also grown in popularity. Helping people navigate new technology is a common request. Our 34 computer terminals and 40 loanable technology are lifelines to health care, employment and education, but our community needs more of them and our aging structures wont accommodate the necessary broadband. The Louis J. Piantino branch, which was converted to a library 40 years ago, closed in 2020 after the city sold the building. We hope to open the Allingtown Library within a few years, but funding is expected to be a hurdle. The Build America's Libraries Act could help fund this building and the Ora M. Mason Library, which was designed in the 1960s and still retains its original tables, chairs and bookshelves. Across the state, municipal revenue going to Connecticut libraries has decreased for the seventh straight year, resulting in less staffing, hours, materials and programming, despite the cost of utilities, salaries and medical benefits rising steadily. Our budgets simply arent in line with modern-day expenses. Were grateful that Connecticut provides some aid for library construction; however, libraries need to secure local matching funds, which is difficult in smaller and lower income communities. The Build Americas Libraries Act could serve as the match, and bring greater equity of access and service to all our neighborhoods. Kate Hepburn, who played a reference librarian in the 1957 film Desk Set, recognized the importance of public libraries. So do our current residents. Fiscal year 2020 saw over 1.4 million regular borrowers, and over 13 million visits across the state. Investing in our libraries is advancing education, employment, literacy, health and the overall economy. Lets urge Connecticuts congressional delegation to support the Build Americas Libraries Act, a smart infrastructure investment that will pay dividends for decades to come. Colleen Bailie is executive director of the West Haven Public Library and the Connecticut Library Association vice president and president-elect. Publishers Note: CUInsight is hosting a free webinar Wednesday, June 16th titled, Unlock unconscious bias to improve your culture & member relationships. We hope youll join us! Register here. Over the past year, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been discussed at an increasing rate. During both of our webinars this year (so far) Survival of the Financially Fit: TAP-ping into Gen Z and Little Giants: Have a BIG community impact at any size, our guests highlighted how important DEI is to younger demographics (aka potential CU members). Gen Z is the most diverse generation in the United States to date. The message is clear DEI is affecting businesses across the board but it can also have a large, positive impact on your credit union if it is embraced as a priority. Some of the benefits of a strong emphasis on DEI include: increased profits, employee recruitment and retention, member satisfaction, and innovation. No fear Ive got some numbers for you. Increasing Profits In a study from McKinsey, they found that companies who ranked on the top tier for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies on the bottom tier. A greater gender representation on the executive board led to a higher likelihood of outperformance. In the same study, they found that with ethnic and cultural diversity, companies on the top tier of diversity outperformed those on the bottom tier by 36%. Therefore, the likelihood of outperformance continues to be higher for diversity in ethnicity versus gender. McKinseys Women in the Workplace Survey highlighted the financial services industry in particular, noting that women and men begin their careers in the industry in similar numbers but higher up the ladder, women account for 19% of positions in the C-suite versus the US national average of 22% for women overall. After the past year, Im fairly certain that increased profits will be a welcome result. Recruitment and Retention By now, its no secret that millennials tend to be more transient with employers. However, there are ways to help increase employee retention with diversity and inclusion. When surveying millennials, Deloitte found that 80% of respondents noted that inclusion was important when choosing an employer. Over half of the respondents reported that they would leave their current organization for a more inclusive one and nearly one-third indicated that they had already left an organization for a more inclusive one. The turnover rate in financial services is one of the highest at 10.98%. On average, losing an entry-level employee costs employers 50% of that persons annual salary, and losing a technical or senior-level employee costs employers 50% to 250% of that employees annual salary. (cumanagement.com) These are some great insights to assist with both employee retention and cost savings! Member Satisfaction According to CUNA, inclusive work environments are closely related with enhanced job performance and work engagement. When inclusion allows employees to feel like they belong, are valued, are listened to, and are safe, they are then able to fully contribute to the organization. This employee satisfaction is then translated to members. They found that customer satisfaction is higher when the level of staff diversity reflects that of their customer base. It signals that the organization does not discriminate in hiring and that they will receive equitable service. Who wouldnt want increased employee satisfaction and higher net promoter score? Innovation Finally, McKinsey found that diverse teams are more innovative, which increases their ability to anticipate shifts in consumer needs and consumption patterns, making new products and services possible. This can help their organization maintain a competitive edge. In one study, performed over two years, they discovered that companies with more women [EA1] were more likely to introduce radical innovations to the market. In another, they found that organizations with culturally diverse leadership teams were more likely to develop new products than those with little diversity. If youre interested in learning how to make DEI a priority within your credit union or strengthen your current diversity and inclusion initiatives, youve come to the right place. On Wednesday, June 16 at 1:00pm Eastern, CUInsight and CRMNEXT will be hosting a free webinar titled Unlock unconscious bias to improve your culture & member relationships. Tauri Laws-Phillips DEI facilitator and improv theatre owner will provide some foundational information around unconscious bias to help start (or continue) your organizations DEI journey. The Medical Marijuana Market is slated to reach US$ US$ 3,538.7 Million between 2026 at a CAGR of 16.1%. The present scenario is that of pragmatism, and the healthcare vertical is no exception. With governments across the globe investing significantly into health tech, the healthcare arm is there for creating a fertile ground regarding customer-centric intuitive, social care, integrated health, and personalized ecosystems. The medical marijuana market is anticipated to record a year-over-year growth rate of 15.9% and reach a market value of US$ 39,891.2 Mn by 2026. Extract form segment is expected to have high revenue share, accounting for 63.9% share in 2018 of the overall medical marijuana market. In this report, the medical marijuana market is segmented based on product type, application type, distribution channel and region. The extract form is the dominant segment in the market for medical marijuana as maximum number of products are made out of extract form and they are conveniently used by majority of the population. The product listed include oil concentration, tinctures, sprays, edibles, tablets, and capsules based on prescription. In contrast, the companies conduct research activities to introduce novel products in the market. Want Insights To Medical Marijuana Market? Ask For Sample! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/samples/13897 Company Profiles Aphria Incorporation The Peace Naturals Project Aurora Cannabis Inc Canopy Growth Corporation CANNABIS SATIVA, INC. Green Relief Inc. GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Insys Therapeutics, Inc. Medical Marijuana, Inc. MedReleaf Corporation Planning To Conclude Your Strategy On A Decisive Note In The Medical Marijuana Market? Glance Through The Methodology Implied! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/methodology/13897 In terms of revenue, the extract segment is expected to account for large revenue share of 63.9% in 2018, is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The growth in the dried flower segment is expected to be primarily driven by traditional use and purpose of usage with options available to consume dry form medical marijuana without any interventions. Pain management seems to be the preferred choice to use medical marijuana, as the segment includes pain associated with many diseases such as cancer, arthritis, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and nerve damage, among others. The common practice associated with the routine checks involve the dynamic use of medical marijuana. Others segment has a range of indications in which medical marijuana is used such as PTSD, anxiety, mental health conditions, and many more. However, the seizures segment which involves cases of multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, and convulsions is expected to witness high CAGR of 16.1% during the forecast period. The retail pharmacy distribution segment is expected to hold maximum share in the overall medical marijuana market due to the large number of companies forming dispensaries of their own to sell the products on a major scale. Retail pharmacy is the first choice of distribution among manufacturers and consumers. Retail pharmacy distribution segment is estimated to have a market share of 77.9% in 2018 and a steady growth the E-commerce is also expected in the medical marijuana market due to change in operational functions that offer a high growth rate during the forecast period. Medical marijuana is well known for its notorious qualities that are being projected in different communities around the world. It is not in use by majority of the global population for medical cases. In the U.S., marijuana is classified as a schedule 1 controlled substance, which makes it illegal to consume or possess. How About Knowing The Product/Technology Driving The Medical Marijuana Market Before Investing Therein? Click The Purchase Now Button Of Our Medical Marijuana Market Report! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/13897 Limited use of medical marijuana has latched on to claims that it is useful to treat various ailments such as Crohns disease, multiple sclerosis results into muscle spasm, epilepsy, glaucoma, and nausea, among others. Though the medical marijuana is being synthesized to be used for medical purposes, the legalization of recreational marijuana would have some serious effects on overall marijuana pricing. Recreational marijuana is not subjected to be in use for health reasons, but are often consumed for its soothing and psychotic nature. But with developments for medical marijuana usage for medical purpose are on a rise in both developing and developed countries, progress with medical marijuana consumption in severe health issues often makes it a noticeable choice for physicians to prescribe it to treat diseases. Besides, there must be solid evidence to make it rather official to be in use. Conventional medicines are becoming expensive with time, whereas the adult population is increasing, which fails to adapt to this dynamic shift. PMRs report has segmented the global medical marijuana market on the basis of region into North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific Excluding China, China and Middle East & Africa. This report assesses trends driving each market segment and offers analysis and insights about the medical marijuana market in specific regions. North America is expected to account major share in the global medical marijuana market and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.2% being the most lucrative regional market for medical marijuana. Europe is expected to follow North America during the forecast period due to high prevalence of cases that require medical marijuana for the treatment. About Us :- Biz Kid$ is a credit union-funded and branded financial education program for young adults, championed by the National Credit Union Foundation. Biz Kid$ ignites a passion for students to invest in their financial futures through lessons in entrepreneurship, money, managing finances, and more. Biz Kid$ Business Plan Competitions are a unique way for students, like you, to learn the ins and outs of business planning and put ideas into action. Over the last few months, over 100 students participated in the first-ever national Biz Kid$ Showcase! Presented in partnership with the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation, the RMJ Foundation, the Illinois Credit Union Foundation and the Credit Union Association of New Mexico, the Biz Kid$ Showcase allowed creativity to continue in a virtual world. Throughout the showcase, participants completed learning modules focused on creating a business plan, building a brand, and setting a business up for future success. Each participant or team submitted both a business plan and a final showcase project, displaying all of their hard work. Judges from each partner state scored final showcase projects on branding, uniqueness, need, target market and overall presentation. After being judged at the state level, the winning final showcase projects from each state were reviewed again by a second panel of judges on the national level. Congratulations to all the winners (listed below) of the first-ever National Biz Kid$ Showcase. Funeral service for Helen Francis Turner, 76, of Cullman will be Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James Watts and Rev. Keith Whitley officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing with burial in Bell Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, June 11, 2 The Car T Cell Therapy Market is estimated to run through a CAGR of 18% between 2019 to 2026, reaching US$ US$ XX Million. Online services have made a beeline to almost every industry vertical. The healthcare vertical is at the forefront herein. With e-prescriptions and door-to-door delivery of medicines taking over, 100% digital adoption is not far. Its, in fact, not just a need but a necessity herein. It wont be incorrect to state that the Out-Patient Department would be the Online Patient Department in the future. This would simplify the surgical processes as well, as the healthcare practitioners would be able to prioritize the course of treatment. A considerable dip in the development of effective chemotherapy agents is expected to account for increasing preference for CAR T-cell therapy as an effective immunotherapy. In cases where patients do not seem responsive to these therapies, especially in case of relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma, CAR T-cell therapy has been proven to be highly effective. Get Going With Sample Of Car T Cell Therapy Market Report! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/samples/28264 Company Profile Novartis AG Gilead Sciences Inc. Celgene Corporation bluebird bio, Inc. A new research study of Persistence Market Research (PMR) suggests that the increase in product availability in developed regional markets such as North America, Europe, and Japan, with high incidence of relapsed cancer will accelerate CAR T-cell therapy market in the near future. CAR T-cell therapy is based on a personalized approach and thus, ensures improved patient compliance that tends to changing the perception towards its adoption. Prominently driven by this, global CAR T-cell therapy market is expected to reach the revenues worth US$ 800 Mn by the end of 2019 and would exhibit spectacular growth through 2026, at an estimated CAGR of 18%. How About Re-Inventing The Methodical Wheel In The Car T Cell Therapy Market? Switch Over To The Methodology Tab! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/methodology/28264 Key Takeaways - CAR T-cell Therapy Market Study Increasing product availability, improving reimbursement scenarios, and expanding patient pool of relapsed cancer will remain the key factors shaping CAR T-cell therapy market landscape in Europe. High price point of CAR T-cell therapy continues to hamper its adoption for relapsed cancer treatment. To tackle this issue, Novartis AG, the pioneering CAR T-cell therapy manufacturer agreed for discounted pricing of its products in the U.K. after striking the deal with National Health Service (NHS). In October 2018, NHS also signed a deal with CAR T-cell therapy Yescarta manufacturer, Gilead Sceinces Inc. CAR T-cell therapy agent, bb2121, is in the late stage of clinical development for treatment of multiple myeloma. It would be the first CAR T-cell therapy agent approved for multiple myeloma treatment. Axicabtagene ciloleucel is projected to be a high selling product owing to its comparatively easier and glitch-free manufacturing procedure, compared to tisagenlecleucel. In terms of indication, owing to large patient pool of relapsed large B-cell lymphoma, coupled with higher adoption rate of CAR T-cell therapy for its treatment, it is expected to garner higher revenue share as compared to acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to clinical stage CAR T-cell therapies. This development is crucial and will further complement the growth prospects of global CAR T-cell therapy market over the period of next few years. Strategic Expansion by Dominant Players Benefiting Market CAR T-cell therapy market is expected to witness significant growth, majorly attributed to new product launches that are lined up in the near future and multiple developments in CAR T-cell therapy targeting other cancer types. North America and Europe are expected to hold a major share in global CAR T-cell therapy market, with active production sites only in the U.S. Manufacturers thus need to send across sample of T-cells from Europe to the U.S. and then return final products to Europe post manufacturing. This process would increase the overall production costs, average treatment waiting time for patients, and ultimately limits the potential CAR T-cell therapy market growth. To overcome such challenges, Novartis AG and Gilead Sciences Inc., dominant companies in the CAR T-cell therapy market, are strategizing on expansion to meet the growing CAR T-cell therapy demand in other regions. Novartis AG, a manufacturer of CAR T-cell therapy product Kymriah is expanding its production facility with investment of over US$ 91.5 million through 2021 in Stein, Switzerland. Similarly, Gilead Sciences Inc. manufacturer of Yescarta, is focusing on expanding production facility in the Netherlands, with operations expected to commence by end of 2020. Keeping A Tab On Key Players In The Car T Cell Therapy Market? Go To Purchase Now To Decipher The Competitive Analysis In Our Car T Cell Therapy Market Report! https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/28264 Know More About CAR T-cell Therapy Market Report Persistence Market Research offers a unique perspective and actionable insights on CAR T-cell therapy in its latest study, presenting historical demand assessment from 2017 2018 and projections from 2019 2026 on the basis of product type (axicabtagene ciloleucel, tisagenlecleucel, lisocabtagene maraleucel and bb2121), indication (relapsed large B-cell lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, multiple myeloma), end user (hospitals, cancer treatment centers) in three prominent regions. About Us :- Audio cut in speech on Black peoples role in Memorial Day Organizers of a Memorial Day ceremony in Ohio turned off the featured speakers microphone when a former Army officer began recalling how freed Black slaves honored fallen soldiers after the Civil War The dissident Belarusian journalist and opposition activist who was arrested after his airline flight was diverted to Minsk wept in an interview on state television Elizabeth City, NC (27909) Today Sun and clouds mixed. High near 80F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 67F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Litchfield (06759) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 78F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 57F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. A covered pile of debris from the demolition of former IBM Building 25 at TechCity in the town of Ulster, N.Y., is shown on Friday, June 4, 2021. featured New York state Divorce proceedings could include rulings on custody of pets Ulster County Route 28 name to honor Korean War vets Part of Route 28 in Ulster County to be named for Korean War veterans Kingston Upcoming jazz concert is groups' first in 14 months The following items are based on information provided by officials in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. A sign at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz, N.Y., shown on Friday, June 4, 2021, points to the state-run coronavirus vaccination site on the property. Ashland, KY (41101) Today Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Ashland, KY (41101) Today Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. This is an important agreement which represents my administrations commitment to respecting the collective bargaining and negotiation process, while also ensuring those in the care of these homes are receiving the services they need, Lamont said. This agreement is a positive step forward for the workers as they will receive pay increases and more support. I thank SEIU and the industry leaders for working collaboratively with our administration to reach this agreement. Sunbury, PA (17801) Today Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. ADAM SHAW (left), Madison High School principal, explains the high school's welding and metal fabrication courses to a group of Nebraska visitors on Friday morning. About 20 motorcyclists from the Fremont area visited the school to learn about career and technical education programs so they can consider expanding their high school's programs. Irene Levy Baker is author of the newly-published second edition of 100 Things To Do In Philadelphia and Unique Eats & Eateries of Philadelphia. For more information about the books visit www.100ThingsToDoInPhiladelphia.com. Looking for safe places to social distance? Vaccinated? Need gifts? Get signed copies of books on the website. Readers of this newspaper can use promo code NEWSPAPER for a discount. Multi-ethnic group of children coloring at a table while wearing protective face masks to avoid the transfer of germs. The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is teaming up with the Kennett School District to address the challenges students face during the pandemic. The year was 2004, and in his weekly newspaper column one of Britain's most outspoken champions of liberty was in blazing form. The Blair government had just unveiled plans to introduce compulsory identity cards, but this libertarian firebrand was furious. ID cards, he said, were part of an authoritarian, nanny-statist attack on the hard-won liberties of the ordinary Briton. 'If I am ever asked,' he wrote, 'to produce my ID card as evidence that I am who I say I am, when I have done nothing wrong and when I am simply ambling along and breathing God's fresh air like any other freeborn Englishman, then I will take that card out of my wallet and physically eat it.' Fine words! And their freedom-loving author, as you've probably guessed, was one Boris Johnson. Who then could have imagined that one day, Mr Johnson would implement the biggest curtailment of British freedom since the 1940s? Fine words! And their freedom-loving author, as you've probably guessed, was one Boris Johnson Who could have imagined that under his Government, pubs would be closed, airports brought to a standstill and millions of people forced to wear masks? And who could have foreseen that during his premiership, 'simply ambling along and breathing God's fresh air like any other freeborn Englishman' might land you in trouble with the police, unless you could prove that you were taking your allotted daily exercise? As Mr Johnson would be the first to point out, he can hardly be blamed for trying to fight a worldwide pandemic. In every corner of the earth, governments have been forced to jettison long-cherished principles, from the primacy of free enterprise to the liberties of the individual. Like everybody else, I've chafed under the lockdowns, dislike wearing a mask and am bitterly resentful at the lost holidays, missed family members and gruelling arguments over home schooling. But if I had been in Boris Johnson's shoes, staring at the same figures showing spiralling infections and mounting deaths, would I have chosen differently? Would I have kept society open and let the virus rip? Almost certainly not. All the same, at the end of a week that has seen more restrictions on our potential summer holidays, and with the grand reopening of life as we used to know it on June 21 looking ever less likely, I am deeply worried about the long-term implications for individual freedom. When the first reports of Covid-19 reached these shores, many supposed experts claimed that the British would never tolerate any infringement of their personal liberties. As Dominic Cummings recalled in his incendiary parliamentary testimony last month, the conventional wisdom was that 'the British public will not accept a lockdown'. But the conventional wisdom was wrong. We haven't just accepted one lockdown, we have accepted three. Despite our freedom-loving self-image, we pull on our masks in the supermarket car parks, scan the QR code in the local pub and hand over our data to the NHS app often without a second's thought. We haven't just accepted one lockdown, we have accepted three. Despite our freedom-loving self-image, we pull on our masks in the supermarket car parks, scan the QR code in the local pub and hand over our data to the NHS app often without a second's thought There have, admittedly, been one or two rebels. This spring, the actor Laurence Fox stood for the London mayoralty on an anti-lockdown, anti-social distancing, anti-masks platform. He won just 1.9 per cent of the vote. What has happened, then, to the stubborn British rebel, the individualist, the eccentric? Was that just a myth? Or, after months of lockdowns, has something fundamentally changed? Does freedom not matter as it once did? And if so, then where are we heading? The idea of the freeborn Briton has been part of our national character for centuries. When I was a schoolboy, history books brimmed with characters such as Robin Hood, defying the Sheriff of Nottingham from his Sherwood hideout. When England and Scotland came together to form Great Britain in 1707, their shared commitment to liberty was a key part of the national glue. Cartoonists drew Britain as John Bull, a stout, freedom-loving yeoman the last man you would expect to observe social distancing guidelines. 'Beef and Liberty!' rang the slogan, and it resounded for centuries. And when, in his splendid essay 'The Lion and the Unicorn', George Orwell tried to define the national character in 1941, he came back to that word 'liberty'. When England and Scotland came together to form Great Britain in 1707, their shared commitment to liberty was a key part of the national glue. Cartoonists drew Britain as John Bull, a stout, freedom-loving yeoman the last man you would expect to observe social distancing guidelines 'The liberty of the individual is still believed in, almost as in the nineteenth century,' he wrote. 'It is the liberty to have a home of your own, to do what you like in your spare time, to choose your own amusements instead of having them chosen for you from above.' For good measure, Orwell added that 'the most hateful of all names in an English ear is Nosey Parker'. (He would not, I suspect, have been impressed by the conduct of the police during the last year or so.) Still, as flattering as this was to our national ego, it was only part of the story. Orwell's land of freedom-loving eccentrics was also a country of queues and ration cards, blackouts and air raid wardens. As the Hungarian emigre George Mikes remarked in his humorous classic How To Be An Alien, the British were some of the most conformist people on earth. Our 'national passion', he thought, was queuing. 'At week-ends an Englishman queues up at the bus-stop, travels out to Richmond, queues up for a boat, then queues up for tea, then queues up for ice-cream, then joins a few more odd queues just for the sake of the fun of it, then queues up at the bus-stop and has the time of his life.' Of course people moaned about the queues, just as they moaned about the ration books and just as most of us moan about masks and cancelled holidays today. But like us, they rarely did anything about it. Of course people moaned about the queues, just as they moaned about the ration books and just as most of us moan about masks and cancelled holidays today. But like us, they rarely did anything about it Indeed, contrary to what we might think, our ancestors were often just as nosy and interfering as the little dictators of Lockdown Britain. In her brilliant history of the Home Front, Juliet Gardiner tells the story of an incident in Hampstead in 1939, after an 83-year-old man forgot to black out two of his windows. A crowd gathered outside his home, shouting 'Smash the door down!', and the police were called. Despite the man's age, a court fined him 2, the equivalent of around 134 today. Perhaps the truth, then, is that we British have always been pulled between two extremes. In principle we see ourselves as a country of stubborn individualists, but in practice we can be just as meek and conformist as anybody else. That's not such a bad balance, provided that there is a balance. But I fear that in recent years, the scales have tipped, perhaps forever, towards interfering, monitoring, all-knowing authoritarianism. An optimist might answer that all my fears are overheated. This is, after all, a health emergency, a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Perhaps, when the threat has passed, the Government will relax the regulations and life will return to normal. No more lockdowns, no more masks, no more NHS app: a return to the freedoms of old. But that strikes me as very naive. Once assumed, state powers are not lightly surrendered. And once politicians have a taste for control, they find it very hard to give it up. And who could have foreseen that during his premiership, 'simply ambling along and breathing God's fresh air like any other freeborn Englishman' might land you in trouble with the police, unless you could prove that you were taking your allotted daily exercise? Our modern history offers some revealing precedents. In August 1914, for example, H. H. Asquith's Liberal Government passed the Defence Of The Realm Act, giving itself unprecedented powers to fight World War I. Under this supposedly temporary measure, pubs' opening hours were strictly limited to two hours at lunchtime and three hours in the evening. A year later the Government cracked down further, banning 'rounds' of drinks with a penalty of six months' imprisonment. Publicans complained that ministers had dealt a 'deadly blow' to the hospitality industry, which sounds very familiar. There was nothing they could do, though, except wait for the end of the war. But when the Armistice came in 1918, pubs never recovered their old freedoms. Under the new licensing law, pubs in London still had to shut at 11pm, and those outside the capital at 10pm. Almost incredibly, it was not until 2003 that pubs recovered their pre-war freedoms. Would we tolerate such nanny-statism today? Of course. We already do. Just think of the last time you went to the airport. You took off your belt, perhaps your shoes, and handed over your belongings to be scanned. If you were carrying any liquids, you either packed them into 100 ml containers or left them behind, cursing yourself for forgetting the regulations. Yet the liquids rule hasn't always been with us. It dates from 2006, when the police uncovered a plot to detonate liquid explosives on flights to the U.S. and Canada. For years, ministers have made vague noises about relaxing the rules, but they never have. And now we are so accustomed to them that we never think to complain. In the long run, then, I wonder if historians will see our masks and lockdowns as part of a much longer story: the slow, unstoppable growth of state power at the expense of individual self-determination, usually in the name of public health or national security. For instance, I was struck this week by Stephen Glover's Mail column about Oxfordshire County Council's plans to ban smoking outside, as part of a 'final push' to eradicate it forever. Like Stephen, I live in Oxfordshire and don't smoke and like him, I find this proposal utterly intolerable. As he remarked, the council Taliban has absolutely no business infringing 'the right of freeborn Britons to puff away outside when there is no risk of damaging others'. But I suspect Stephen and I are swimming against the tide. We live in a cultural climate of patronising bossiness, firmly entrenched well before the arrival of Covid. At almost every turn, some smug jobsworth is telling you where to stand, what to do, what to say and even what to think. And what's more, they encourage you to inform on your fellow citizens for good measure. Before Christmas, the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, urged people to call the police if they saw their neighbours welcoming more than six people for festive drinks. At the time, it struck me as quite extraordinary, like something from East Germany in the 1970s. On reflection, though, I realised it was simply part of a general culture of sanctioned snooping. How does that cringeworthy train announcement go? 'If you see something that doesn't look right, speak to staff or text British Transport Police . . . See it. Say it. Sort it . . .' etc. We live in a surveillance society without precedent in our history. Even before the pandemic reached these shores, Britain was the most intensely monitored country in Europe, with more than five million CCTV cameras, at least one for every 11 people. Some estimates suggest that if you live in London, you will be caught on camera as many as 300 times a day. Going under the radar is almost impossible and this was even before Covid tracking software and the possible introduction of vaccine passports. Then there's what the U.S. academic Shoshana Zuboff calls 'surveillance capitalism', driven by tech giants such as Facebook and Amazon. This is not Orwell's Big Brother, who watched you through your television screen. This is something much worse, a colossal surveillance apparatus watching you through your television, your phone, your computer and even your car. Zuboff quotes the chief executive of Ford, Jim Hackett, who boasted in November 2018 that he could harvest data on 100 million people through their cars. 'We already know,' Hackett bragged, 'what people make . . . we know where they work; we know if they're married. We know how long they've lived in their house . . . And that's the leverage we've got here with the data.' Most of us have no idea what data we've already handed over, or what the tech companies are doing with it, just as we've no idea how their algorithms silently influence the decisions we make every day. And if you want a glimpse of where it might end, just look east, at how the Chinese responded to the Covid outbreak in Wuhan at the turn of 2020. As the reporter Ian Williams writes in his devastating expose Every Breath You Take, Beijing's surveillance tools ranged from a vast network of facial recognition and thermal-imaging cameras to smartphone tracking and social media monitoring. A special smartphone app gave you an individual code, which you had to present at checkpoints across the country, at the entrances to shops and apartment blocks and even in taxis. If you went out without a mask, or lingered too long outside, drones descended from above, barking metallic orders. In Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, Winston Smith reflects that 'every sound you made was overheard, and, except in the darkness, every movement scrutinised'. As Williams writes, that's already true in China today. Even in the public toilets in Beijing's Temple Of Heaven Park, you have to 'stare into a computer mounted on the wall for three seconds before a machine dispenses a sheet of toilet paper, precisely two feet in length'. With so many cameras, everybody watches what they say, whom they meet and where they go. Step out of line, and the authorities know about it almost before you do. Of course Britain is not yet China, and the NHS app is some way short of Xi Jinping's digital authoritarianism. We like to think that, almost uniquely in the world, we cherish our personal freedom. We tell ourselves that, more than anybody else in Europe, we resent being bossed around and told what to do. But the evidence of the last 15 months tells a different story. After all the talk of our national exceptionalism, we pulled on our masks and stood dutifully in line, just like everybody else on Earth. As I say, I'm not against masks, and neither am I against lockdowns. But I can't banish the feeling that we're sleepwalking into an irreversibly authoritarian future. Today it was Covid. Tomorrow it will be something else. Another pandemic, a terrorist incident, a security scare who knows? Perhaps this is how we bid farewell to the freedoms we took for granted, then. Not unwillingly, at the sharp end of clubs and jackboots; but almost unnoticed, in the name of health and safety. And at the helm, not a tyrant or a monster or a latter-day Stalin, but a supposed champion of personal liberty, wearing a pained expression and insisting that it's only for a short time, and it's for our own good anyway. What an irony. Advertisement A 'fashion obsessed' mother-daughter duo with a passion for Chanel have styled a unique mansion inspired by the iconic French designer. When New Zealand-born artist Lillianna Cruickshank purchased her sprawling Queensland villa in 2017, everything from the door frames to the carpets and kitchen countertops were painted a striking shade of jade green, the colour of wealth and good fortune in Asian cultures. The previous Japanese owners may have been willing prosperity into their home, but Ms Cruickshank took it as a sign from her late Irish mother that this was where she needed to be. Over the past four years she has channelled her love of the extravagant into the 1.2ha estate in Worongary, 12 kilometres from the Gold Coast, transforming every inch with her flamboyant flair and somewhere in the region of $1.5million (AUD). Fashion obsessed mother-daughter duo Lillianna and Celine Cruickshank used their passion for Chanel to style this glamorous Gold Coast mansion The Kiwi artist channelled her love of the extravagant and $1.5million into her remarkable home Ms Cruickshank said she is most fond of the library (pictured) where a blackboard is scrawled with the motto: 'Change your thoughts and change your life.' Before: When Ms Cruickshank bought the sprawling Queensland villa in 2017, everything from the door frames to the carpets and kitchen countertops were painted a striking shade of jade green New Zealand-born artist Lillianna Cruickshank and her daughter, Celine The six-bedroom house that pays homage to Coco Chanel is filled with over-sized artwork hand-painted by Ms Cruickshank and her daughter Celine, 17, who also chalked quotes from the Parisian trailblazer on blackboards that cover the walls from floor-to-ceiling. 'I modelled a bit when I was younger and I just fell in love with Chanel,' Ms Cruickshank told Daily Mail Australia. 'She was outspoken, witty and a little bit out there. Just a fabulously impressive woman.' Ms Cruickshank added a touch of class to her home with luxurious accessories like ornate mirrors and plush jewel-hued furnishings, which contrast with rustic fixtures such as solid brick fireplaces and dark herringbone floors. She painted the rooms in vibrant candy colours, including a bubblegum pink study where stacks of fashion books line the shelves and a peppermint green bedroom in honour of her mother. The rooms are painted in vibrant candy colours, including a bubblegum pink study (pictured) where stacks of fashion books line the shelves One of the six bedrooms is peppermint green, in honour of Ms Cruickshank's Irish mother A dramatic staircase leads onto two upstairs hallways French doors open out onto a terrace that boasts a large lagoon swimming pool (pictured) The sprawling six-bedroom house (pictured) is reminiscent of a French chateau Ms Cruickshank filled the house with luxurious accessories like ornate mirrors and plush jewel-hued furniture (pictured) Ms Cruickshank said she is most fond of the library where a blackboard is scrawled with the motto: 'Change your thoughts and change your life.' Out on the grounds of the impressive estate, French doors open onto a terrace that boasts a large lagoon swimming pool and a lounge area upholstered in Chanel's signature black and white. Fairy lights wrapped around trees on the manicured lawn welcome you to the house and create a sense of storybook romance rarely found in the suburbs of the Gold Coast. The poolside lounge area (pictured) is upholstered in Chanel's signature black and white Ms Cruickshank has transformed every inch of the mansion (pictured) with her flamboyant flair The Chanel-inspired mansion (pictured) is due to sell under the hammer at an auction on June 19 Ms Cruickshank retained some of the jade green windows that were there when she bought the house in tribute to her Irish heritage Listing agent Sabrina Chen who is overseeing the sale of the property for Ray White realtors told Daily Mail Australia demand for such a unique home is difficult to predict. 'It's hard to say but we have a few interested buyers,' Ms Chen said. Ms Cruickshank's Chanel-inspired mansion is set to sell under the hammer at an auction on June 19, but if it fails to attract bidders she certainly won't be phased. 'I'll keep it as a sample of my work, a living business card,' she said. One reason for the hesitation, public school leaders have explained, is that the coronavirus vaccines are out under an emergency use authorization, or an EUA. Guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that anyone receiving an EUA product must be informed they have the option to accept or refuse it. Individuals also must be informed of any consequences of refusing the product, the agency writes. The release of a new dystopian thriller following women who were the result of virgin births has thrown the spotlight back on a curious case from the fifties in which a woman claimed to have conceived a child without a man. Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy, 37, who lives in Utah, is set to be released in the UK next week and is 'part detective story, part road-trip' in which a woman born via parthenogenesis as she tracks down her mother after she goes missing. Fans are already hailing the book as a successor to The Handmaid's Tale, the seminal novel by Margaret Atwood, which is also set in a dystopian future and tackles issues of reproduction for women. Its release revisits the idea of parthenogenesis, where the embryo grows and develop in absence of fertilization, which became a huge news story in 1956 in Britain when Emmimarie Jones shocked doctors and scandalised the church by claiming she had had a virgin birth. Despite the absence of DNA testing, several doctors were convinced of her claims, which made headlines around the world. The release of a new dystopian thriller depicting the first person who was born of virgin birth is shedding a light on the case of Emmimarie Jones shocked doctors and scandalised the church by claiming she had had a virgin birth (pictured with her daughter Monica in 1956) In 1955, a lecture by geneticist Dr Helen Spurway of University College London, described how the female of a species of guppy fish, while kept segregated from the male, can independently produce female offspring, as well as noting a laboratory creation of viable baby rabbits without male parents. This example of artificial parthenogenesis (reproduction without fertilisation) in a mammal led Dr Spurway to call for a re-examination of the assumption that spontaneous parthenogenesis aka, a virgin birth was impossible in humans. Journalist Audrey Whiting decided to follow up on Dr Spurways casual suggestion, and on 6 November 1955 the Sunday Pictorial launched its search for a virgin mother. To be considered, the woman had to have every reason to believe her child had no father, and the child had to be a daughter with a striking resemblance to the mother. In 1956, after a scientific investigation by doctors in Britain, The Sunday Pictorial ran a piece under the banner MY BABY BORN WITHOUT A MAN which became a phenomenon Of the 19 women who came forward to the paper, 11 were discounted straight away, having misunderstood the criteria. Six more pairs were ruled out after a test found mothers and daughters had nonidentical blood groups. Another pair was eliminated because they had different eye colours. She responded to a newspaper feature seeking 'a virgin mother', writing: For ten years I have been wandering and worried about the birth of my daughter. I honestly belief that she has no father. She claimed that she had been a virgin at the time of the alleged conception and bedridden with rheumatism in a German hospital, staffed only by women. After leaving the hospital in the summer of 1944 she had gone to the doctor feeling lethargic and hoping to be prescribed a tonic, only to be told she was three months pregnant. There has been no opportunity. It cant possibly be true, was her response. What is parthenogenesis and will scientists ever use it to create virgin births? Parthenogenesis, also known as a virgin birth, sees the embryo grows and develop in the absence of fertilization. It sounds unusualsome might even say miraculousbut its a surprisingly common occurrence in the animal kingdom. Researchers believe that an absence of available males likely drives the phenomenon. Although the exact mechanisms of parthenogenetic reproduction can vary from species to species, all parthenogenesis produces normal, healthy offspring. In 2001, fertility specialists have found a way for women to have babies without men. It involves a cocktail of chemicals acting as an 'artificial sperm' to trick a human egg into forming an embryo. At the time, the stunning discovery alarmed medical ethics campaigners, who described it as turning nature on its head. Researchers said the groundbreaking technology could be used to help women whose husbands are infertile but who do not want to use donor sperm. Any babies born from the process would be female and genetically identical to their mother. Advertisement In 1948, two years after her daughters birth, she married a Welshman and moved to Hereford where she was still living when she responded to the appeal. Between November 1955 and June 1956 Mrs Jones and her daughter Monica, then ten years old, readily submitted to a series of experiments devised by a team of specialists assembled by the newspaper and led by Dr Stanley Balfour-Lynn of Guys and Queen Charlottes Hospital, London. The aim was to establish whether a father had played any part in Monicas birth, decades before the use of sophisticated DNA testing. The tests confirmed that mother and daughter had identical blood, saliva and sense of taste all apparently consistent with a case of virgin birth. The final test was a skin graft between mother and daughter, and vice versa, designed to prove that Emmimarie's immune system would accept her daughter's skin because Monica only had her mother's genes. Emmimarie's graft from Monica failed after four weeks, while Monica's graft from Emmimarie lasted six weeks. Dr. Stanley Balfour-Lynn wrote in The Lancet that the pair's genes did not match perfectly. However, doctors concluded the final test didn't negate the validity of the first three, and stated that her claim of the fatherless child should be taken seriously. They declared: We have been unable to prove that any man took part in the creation of this child. The Sunday Pictorial ran a piece under the banner MY BABY BORN WITHOUT A MAN which became a phenomenon, doubling the papers circulation to six million and making headlines around the globe. Its the story the whole world is talking about, the Melbourne Argus trumpeted. Readers were drip-fed every detail of the six-month medical investigation under the subheadings The Tests, Four Left, Relief. New dystopian thriller Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy, is set to be released in the UK next week and revisits the idea of the 'virgin birth' They had to wait a whole week for THE MOTHERS OWN STORY, Emmimaries illness, pregnancy and Monicas birth another front-page world exclusive. Even disagreements among scholars in the medical journal The Lancet could not derail the story. Any doubts in the public mind about this can now be dispelled, the headlines promised. But not long afterward, Emmimarie and her daughter vanished. Speaking in an interview on BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour in 2001, Whiting, who had become friends with Emmimarie, recalled, Then [not long after publication] of course she disappeared from the face of the earth. 'She said she thought she might go to Germany for a little while And she said, Ill be in touch with you. 'I never heard another word from her. I wrote to her several times at the German address she gave me and I never heard anything. Its very strange. Helen Spurway died in 1978, Stanley Balfour-Lynn in 1986 and Audrey Whiting in 2009. Records of births, marriages and deaths show that an Emmimarie who married an Ernest Jones in Hereford in 1948 died in Camden in 1983, but there is no trace of Monica. According to the Bloomsbury website, Sara's novel has received praise from a host of fellow authors, with some comparing it to a cross between Orphan Black and Margaret Atwood It's a concept echoed in Sara Flannery Murphy's book Girl One, which is set to be released next week in the UK, follows a woman who's been brought up by the scientist who created her, but is not her biological father. When her mother goes missing, she embarks on a search to find the eight other women who were all created in the same way. Author Sara told Nerd Daily she had 'started and restarted' the book a multitude of times and even abandoned the project at one stage. The novel has been widely praised by critics ahead of its release next week, with Kami Garcia, author of Beautiful Creatures, saying: 'A genre-defying, thought-provoking thriller that is impossible to put down. Girl One is an engaging, timely exploration of identity and the power women possess when they band together.' The novel may remind many of the popular novel The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, which is also set in a dystopian future and tackles issues of reproduction for women Mindy Mejia, author of 'Everything You Want Me To Be' and 'Strike Me Down', wrote: 'Girl One flares into the world with genetic possibilities and a bold remaking of history. 'A speculative feminist thriller of the highest order, Girl One is fresh, boundless and thought-provoking. 'Certain books and characters linger long after the final page. Josephine Morrow and her extraordinary journey is one you won't soon forget.' Meanwhile Layne Fargo, author of 'They Never Learn said: 'Sara Flannery Murphy's Girl One is both a heart-pounding, binge-worthy thriller and a riveting exploration of creation, consent, and the power of sisterhood.' The novel may remind many of the popular novel by Margaret Atwood, which is also set in a dystopian future and tackles issues of reproduction for women. The author previously revealed how she 'started and restarted' the book a multitude of times and even abandoned the project at one stage In the Handmaid's Tale, most women have become infertile due to warfare-induced contamination so the remaining fertile females, known as 'handmaids', are kept captive. They are made to subject themselves to ritual sex, the sole purpose of which is reproduction rather than pleasure. Meanwhile the TV adaptation of the novel was met with critical acclaim when it debuted in 2017 and it won five Primetime Emmy Awards for the first season including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress for Elisabeth Moss. Moss plays handmaid Offred, the main character in the series, alongside Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Alexis Bledel and Ann Dowd. An author who visited mosques across Britain to investigate integration has revealed how parts of Blackburn are 'no-go areas' for white men, while ultra-orthodox parents in Bradford make children live under Taliban-like rules. Author and political advisor Ed Husain, Professor at the Walsh School of Foreign Service in Georgetown University, has penned Among The Mosques: A Journey Across Muslim Britain in which he explores some of the UK's largest mosques and the Muslim communities worshiping there. The Muslim writer, who was himself radicalised in his youth and trained for Jihad by the same people as Omar Khyam, leader of the Bluewater bombers, grew up in a Bangladeshi family in Tower Hamlets, East London. In the book, which is set to be released next week, Ed details how he researched his work by 'turning up unannounced' to the communal Friday prayers at the central mosque in cities across the country. Husian, also chronicled conversations with taxi drivers, business owners, Imams and local white people about the mosques and the surrounding community, painting a worrying picture of divided communities - with white people in towns across the country admitting there are 'no-go areas' where they fear being physically attacked. One man in Blackburn said 'Asian' teenagers repeatedly 'jumped' his 12-year-old son in broad daylight for 'being white'. Areas like Bolton, Dewsbury and Black are described 'a different universe', while he observes that in parts of the cities he has visited: 'A Muslim can spend months with no contact whatsoever with mainstream 'white' Britain'. Elsewhere, parents in Bradford Muslim parents have banned children from taking part in drama, theatre and dance classes as well as drawing, in echoes of rules implemented by the Taliban in Afghanistan and ISIS in Syria. They are 'physically in Britain but mentally living elsewhere,' said Husain. Ed Husain, who visited mosques across Britain for his new book, has revealed how parts of Blackburn are 'no-go areas' for white men, while ultra-orthodox parents in Bradford make children live under Taliban-like rules BLACKBURN: WHITE MEN FEAR VIOLENCE IF THEY ENTER 'NO-GO' AREAS Among the areas Ed visited was Blackburn, which has the highest Muslim population outside of London, the global hub for the Deobandis and the Tablighi Jamaat. Almost half the mosques in the UK are controlled by the Deobandis, the ultra-orthodox version of the faith, which created the Taliban in Afghanistan, while the Tablighi Jamaat espouses a return to 'true' Islam as observed by the Prophet Mohammed. In the city, where Ed was told mosques grow 'organically', he was shocked to discover the levels of resentment between white locals and Muslim citizens. A group of white men told him they are scared to go into 'no-go areas' in the town, such as Whalley Range, with one man saying a gang of 'Asian' teenagers repeatedly 'jumped' his 12-year-old son. Among the areas Ed visited was Blackburn, the global hub for the Deobandis and the Tableeghi Jamaat (pictured, the Masjid Al Hidayah Mosque in Blackburn) Whalley Range: The 'no-go area for white men' Two white men who were locals of Blackburn told Ed Whalley Range was a 'no-go area'. The suburb, according to the 2011 census, is 30 per cent British Asian and 38 per cent White. Upon visiting the area, Ed finds the supporters of the killer of Salman Taseer, and supporters of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, advertising their propaganda. He also saw are posters for al-Aqsa Mosque and a gathering about liberating Jerusalem from Israel. The high street was packed with shops for arranging Hajj pilgrimages, restaurants which provide gender separation, Islamic bookshops and a number of mosques. One man tells him: My sons been jumped fi ve times, they were all Asian. Five times. You mean Asian kids? I try to clarify. No, Asian men! he says, with emphasis. Eighteen- and nineteen-year-olds. My lads only twelve. They battered him in broad daylight here. For what? I ask, astonished. They dont look happy at my questions, and they both go quiet. For being white, he says, slowly and deliberately. Wrong area! No! I say, unable to stop myself. Yes! Yes! he says. You get it in Blackburn, mate. You go to certain areas of Blackburn, theyre no-go areas no-go areas, says the larger man. I still cant believe them. Look, this is what the media guys say, but is it really true? That is true, yes. Th ere are no-go areas in Blackburn, mate, yes. I am shocked. How can it be no-go? So what will happen? I ask. If we go to Whalley Range, like, him and me at night-time, were guaranteed to get jumped. We wont walk out of it. We wont walk to the other end of the street. Advertisement They told Ed the boy was 'battered him in broad daylight...for being white'. Another man in the group said the area of Whalley Range, which according to the 2011 census was 30 per cent British Asian and 38 per cent White, was a particular area they would avoid. They told him: 'If we go to Whalley Range at night-time, we're guaranteed to get jumped. We won't walk out of it. We won't walk to the other end of the street.' They also claimed the council for Blackburn with Darwen would 'threaten you with eviction' for flying the English flag' and called it 'racist.' Meanwhile former councillor Saima Afzal told Ed that at one Muslim school in Blackburn the headteacher had withdrawn young girls from swimming lessons, saying it was inappropriate for them to wear swimming costumes. As well as visiting the Central Mosque, Ed visited what he described as an 'otherwise ordinary-looking shop' in which he found several books detailing strict restrictions for women. He discovered copies of Bahishti Zewar, which insists that it is a sin to 'enjoy dancing and listening to music' and to 'like and be attracted to the customs of the kuffar [unbelievers]'. He also uncovered Mukhtasar al-Quduri: A Manual of Islamic Law, which cites: 'When a girl reaches puberty, it is not appropriate that any of her should be seen, excepting her face, and her hands up to the wrists.' BRADFORD: LOCALS FEAR IT WILL BECOME AN 'APARTHEID CITY' WITHIN 30 YEARS In nearby Bradford, Ed was amazed by the lack of white English people in the city, and asked a Muslim taxi driver 'where they are'. He was told they had all 'gone with the wind.' According to the author, there were mosques 'on almost every corner', with Ed writing: 'Then there are houses that also serve as mosques and madrasas , banners affixed to their facades.' Ed learned that Muslim parents living in the area had forbidden their children from taking part in drama, theatre and dance classes as well as drawing. Upon visiting Bradford, Ed visited The Islam Bradford Centre and heard a sermon from an Imam who commands worshipers to avoid the 'innovations of the modern world' 'Islam, as I am regularly told, prohibits figurative art and also bans dancing. So the children are not permitted to draw or dance, and their parents cannot allow them to come here,' he's told by the firector of a theatre company for children with special needs and disabilities. He also visited The Islam Bradford Centre and heard a sermon from an Imam who commands worshipers to avoid the 'innovations of the modern world.' Ed writes: 'All new matters, he says, are deviations, and all deviations belong in hellfire. 'He speaks from paper notes and delivers the entire sermon in English, again differing from many other mosques I have encountered where Arabic and Urdu sections are also delivered.' Meanwhile another Imam in the city told him he was concerned about the 'widespread abuse of disabled children in the Muslim community.' According to the author, there were mosques 'on almost every corner' in Bradford (pictured, worshippers at Bradford Central Mosque) Ed was told: '[Disabled children] are hidden away. Many of the Muslim parents just don't care about these children, and take their social benefit money and use it to support their families, open shops, back in Kashmir.' Ed he also chronicled conversations with taxi drivers, business owners, Imams and local white people about the mosques (pictured) After visiting an Islamic bookstore he discovered works glorifying violent jihad by Sayyid Qutb, the Egyptian godfather of Islamist terror and an acknowledged influence on Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. He spoke to the director of a local theatre company dedicated to helping disabled children and those with special educational needs, Louise Denham*, about how the communities could come together. But she was pessimistic, and warned that Bradford could become 'an apartheid city' within 30 years. She predicted: 'There'll be more pushback against diversity. We'll have parties like Nazi Germany organising against the immigrant and Muslim populations.' Ed concluded that while the community was physically in Britain, they are mentally living elsewhere. DEWSBURY: FEELS LIKE A 'DIFFERENT COUNTRY AND CENTURY WHERE WOMEN AREN'T ALLOWED OUTSIDE WITHOUT HUSBAND'S PERMISSION Ed stated that upon arriving in Dewsbury, he feels 'as though he is in a different country and century'. The Markazi Mosque mosque, one of the largest mosques in Europe with space for 4,000 people, is controlled by the Deobandis. There were no spaces allocated for women to pray, with a cleric telling Ed: 'There can be no discussion of there being women in the mosque. This would be a temptation for many.' Local bookshops sold pamphets and books promoting the separation and suppression of women, with one even outlining how women shouldn't leave the house without their husband's permission. Ed stated that upon arriving in Dewsbury, he feels 'as though he is in a different country and century' (pictured, the Markazi Mosque mosque, which is controlled by the Deobandis) It read: 'When a woman leaves her home without her husband's consent then all the angels of the skies and the entire universe curse her for this act until she returns home.' What is the The Tablighi Jamaat movement and why does it teach opposition to British culture? The Tablighi movement espouses a return to 'true' Islam as observed by the Prophet Mohammed. It's a global Islamic missionary movement with an austere, ultra-conservative religious creed nurturing the belief that British values pose a threat to Muslims. One of Tablighi Jamaats leading advocates, the scholar Ebrahim Rangooni, has proclaimed that the movements purpose is to rescue Muslims from the culture and civilisation of the Jews, the Christians and other enemies of Islam. He tells the faithful to save your progeny from the education of the British school or college in the same way as you would save them from a lion or wolf. The group has been revealed in court as having links to some of the terror suspects, with several having passed through other mosques run by the group. The organisation, which has 80 million followers worldwide, insists it is a peaceful, apolitical revivalist movement that promotes Islamic consciousness among individual Muslims. But intelligence agencies have cautioned that its ability to radicalise young men could lead to jihadist terrorism. Advertisement Another stated: 'Being in seclusion with a strange woman, and the reckless intermingling between men and women, is most certainly haram , forbidden in the religion of God. ' And a third read: 'The woman was the strongest factor in destroying noble characteristics.' The mosque is also the central office for the Tableeghi Jamaat, which was founded in India in 1927 to stop the dilution of Muslim identity in the cosmopolitan cities of British India. Its founder's slogan was ' Ai Musolmano, Musolman bano! ', meaning 'O Muslims, become [real] Muslims!' Out in the city's streets, women were out shopping with their faces covered with black veils. Ed called it 'the culture of caliphism', explaining: 'The Tableeghi Jamaat separates itself from secular society, and preaches from door to door, to create a Muslim society from which a caliphate is expected eventually to emerge.' Meanwhile he spoke to one elderly white couple in a pub who said 'locals' aka the Muslim community 'don't talk to them.' DIDSBURY: SHARIA COURT WITHIN THE MOSQUE - WHICH WAS ONCE A CHURCH During a trip to Didsbury, he visited the town's mosque, which was a church before it was purchased in 1967 by Syrian Arabs. He came across people hauling banners and Palestinian flags into the mosque and, once inside, found posters urging support for an aid organisation accused of links with extremists. Ed found a sign for a 'Sharia Department' in the Didsbury Mosque, a place of worship which was once a church Meanwhile he also discovered a sign for the 'Sharia Department', which deals with divorces and marriages, and any disputes and other issues that Muslims want to take to sharia. Under Islamic law, marriage is a legal bond and social contract between a man and a woman, but the marriages are not binding under UK law. One of the books on display in the mosque was by Khurshid Ahmad, an ideologue of the Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist groups in Pakistan who has advocated for the creation of an Islamic state. Ahmad has referred to members of al-Qaeda as 'brethren' and refused to acknowledge their role in the 9/11 attacks. Among those who have worshiped at the mosque in the past is Salman Abedi, who detonated a suicide bomb killing 22 at an Ariana Grande concert in the city The Didsbury Mosque was a church before it was purchased in 1967 by Syrian Arabs (pictured, worshipers celebrating Eid earlier this year) Among those who have worshiped at the mosque in the past is Salman Abedi, who detonated a suicide bomb killing 22 at an Ariana Grande concert in the city. Abedi and his family regularly attended the mosque and his father sometimes led the call to prayer. In the days after the attack an imam from the mosque came out an assured the public the mosque did not back the views of Abedi. MANCHESTER: OFFICIAL FOR COUNCIL SAYS REFUGEES ARE 'TROUBLED BY PEACE' AND 'WANT TO SEEK REVENGE FOR WRONGS' Later, Ed met with a long-time friend, Faiza, whom he had spoken to for years about issues in the Muslim community, including the decision to wear a full face veil. HOW CONSERVATIVE DEOBANDI SECT WHICH DESCRIBES CHRISTIANS AND JEWS AS 'REPULSIVE' HAS BECOME THE MOST POPULAR IN UK The Deobandi sect was founded 150 years ago in south Asia and Deobandi seminaries produce 80 per cent of UK-trained Islamic clerics. The movement takes its name from the town of Deoband in northern India, but has spread around the world thanks to the movement of populations. Leaders in the sect tend to promote a conservative interpretation of Islam, although they have also spoken out against violent extremism in the past. One Deobandi scholar, Masood Azhar, drew adoring crowds on a visit to Britain in the 1990s where he urged young people to 'prepare for jihad', and is now wanted for his involvement in a deadly attack on an Indian military base. A website promoting the Deobandi sect says loyalty is owed only to the global brotherhood of Muslims while integration into British society is denounced. It states that to befriend a non-Muslim risks pollution while those considering marrying a Christian or Jew are warned that their repulsive qualities will filter into Muslim homes. It adds that a womans place is in the home and urges Muslims to reject unIslamic acts such as music, singing, dancing, watching television, playing chess, reading novels watching drama and watching football Advertisement However she felt she was unable to meet Ed alone without a chaperone, so her husband joined them for the meeting. She stated that one of the University of Manchester's two prayer facilities for Muslim students was dominated by a Salafi extremist preacher. Meanwhile Ed also met with Mahfuz Alimain*, a senior official at Manchester Council. He told him refugees often struggle to adjust to life in Manchester because they are so accustomed to the violence of their own countries. He explained: 'Syrians and Libyans, Yemenis and Palestinians who come to British mosques have seen bombs and destruction daily. Killings are normal for them. 'Peace in Manchester troubles them; they feel they need to seek revenge and justice for the wrongs done to them in their countries.' Meanwhile Mahfuz said that in mosques, the community can see refugees are 'constantly agitated against stability at every level'. He said that the younger generation in particular 'encourage this instability and trouble', adding: 'The elders understand the need to work with everyone, while the complaints of the younger ones then draw the attention of the war-torn Arab newcomers.' Finishing his trip to Manchester, Ed met with two of his wife's friends for dinner. One told him: 'In Bolton, Dewsbury, Blackburn, Preston, it's a different universe. Women don't work. 'Most of my cousins are at home looking after their husbands, who are taxi drivers or postmen. The mosques there don't allow women to pray.' EDINBURGH: POSTERS AT MOSQUE HIGHLIGHTING GROUP ACCUSED OF ANTI-SEMITISM At Edinburgh's Central Mosque, Ed found it was guarded by security wearing high-vis jackets. He spotted a poster for a 'Politics and Media Masterclass', which promised to focus on who regulates the media, how to challenge it and how legislation is made. It was sponsored by MEND (Muslim Engagement and Development), a controversial group. The group is an NGO that aims to encourage British Muslim communities to be more involved in British media and politics. The advocacy group also ardently opposes the government's anti-radicalisation strategy. In 2017, it was accused of 'promoting extremism'. The founder, Mr Ismail has previously caused upset when he claimed, after MPs voted to recognise Palestine, that it was 'the first vote lost by the Israeli lobby in parliament for 300 years'. GLASGOW: CHILDREN FORCED TO WEAR HIJABS AS UNIFORM TO 'COVER THEIR PRIVATE PARTS The author later travelled to Glasgow to visit several mosques, including the Central Mosque, in the city. On the wall was an advertisement for a lecture by Shaykh Ahmad Ali, a British scholar of the Deobandi movement, which agreed with the theology of not allowing people to insult the Prophet. What is Sharia law? Islamic legal system largely drawn from the Koran Essentially Islam's legal system, Sharia governs all aspects of the observant Muslim's life, and is drawn largely from the Koran- the Islamic sacred book - as well as the hadiths, which are the actions attributed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. As well as marriage and finances, Sharia law encompasses everyday rules around things like hygiene and dress codes. Although there are Sharia councils and tribunals operating in the UK, they are not courts of law, and their rulings are based purely on religion. They cannot overrule regular law courts, but Muslims will often seek the assistance of a Muslim council in resolving marital or financial disputes. Many Muslim couples do not follow Islamic ceremonies with civil marriages a requirement generated by the 1949 Marriage Act. Today's ruling reinforces the need for a civil ceremony to ensure couples are legally married. Advertisement Large sections of the school of thought in Pakistan have also been known to support the Taliban. During his visit, Ed was told off and forbidden from taking photographs inside the mosque by a cleric. On his way outside, he met a Muslim soldier, who said he would never talk about his role in the mosque because the 'community wouldn't accept it.' Later, he visited Dawate-Islami madrasa, a mosque in another part of the city. There, young girls were required to wear all black burkas as uniform to cover their 'private parts'. He wrote: 'The group believe their historical mandate is to oppose any insult to the Prophet, and they use hadith, sayings attribute to Mohamed, to support this claim. 'Pakistan's blasphemy laws also support this interpretation and are often used against Ahmadis as well as Christians, with sanctions ranging in severity from fines to the death penalty.' BIRMINGHAM: MUSLIMS 'SAY THEY ARE WAITING FOR SHARIA GOVERNMENT' While visiting Birmingham, Ed met with two friends who had recently moved to the country from Saudi Arabia. They told him they 'can't change their religion to suit Britain', with one, Ahmed, saying: 'I have no government. We are waiting for our government of the sharia to return again, headed by a caliph.' Nearby highstreets are lined with shops selling hijabs for young girls and books with extreme arguments, including one which states: 'Women cannot be equal to men' and another which insists: 'The emergence of the woman from her home is like the emergence of Shaitaan [Satan] himself.' At the Birmingham's Central Mosque, he found an advertisement for a 'sisters only' Summer Fayre at a nearby girls' school which forbid boys from over the age of 10 to attend. *Names have been changed Pregnant beauty vlogger Chloe Morello is letting her fans in on the most intimate moment of her life by livestreaming her labour on Instagram. The Australian YouTube star, 30, who is preparing to welcome her first child with her husband, exotic dancer Sebastian Mecha, updated her followers with photos and videos before dashing to hospital shortly after 8am just ahead of 'peak hour traffic'. 'Baby is coming! Just waiting for contractions to get four minutes apart (as our doctor suggested when we called her) but nervous because it's almost peak hour traffic,' she posted early on Friday morning. The updates began around 4am with a selfie taken in bed at her home in Sydney. Scroll down for video Pregnant beauty vlogger Chloe Morello (pictured) is letting her followers in on the most intimate moment of her life by livestreaming her labour on Instagram The Australian YouTube star (pictured) is preparing to welcome her first child with her husband, exotic dancer Sebastian Mecha 'We think I'm in early labour! Contractions since 3.30am,' she wrote on the photo. The co-owner of sustainable makeup remover Face Halo, who is yet to find out the gender of her baby, then shared a video of her phone screen where she was scrolling through an app that records the space between contractions. 'Could be false labour, we are just monitoring but they are getting more painful now,' she said. Chloe described her contractions as feeling 'like period pain' that radiates from her back down into her legs. 'When it's a bad one, it contracts my stomach,' she added. Two hours later Chloe filmed herself walking up and down the curb outside her house, a technique that is believed to induce labour. The updates began around 4am with a selfie (pictured) taken in bed at her home in Sydney Chloe (left) filmed herself walking up and down the curb outside her house (right), a technique that is believed to induce labour The co-owner of Face Halo also shared a video of her phone screen where she was scrolling through an app that records the space between contractions (pictured) It did the trick, with Chloe telling viewers her mucus plug had fallen out shortly after. Lost my plug after that walk! Then had a quick shower and two more painful contractions while in there, she said. One hour later Chloe shared a selfie from the passenger seat of a car with a pained expression etched across her face. She said she was on her way to the hospital but joked that contractions were not as painful as having her teeth whitened. Chloe announced her pregnancy on January 27, letting fans in on the happy news with an Instagram post. Chloe (pictured) joked that contractions were not as painful as having her teeth whitened Chloe and her husband, Sebastian 'Seba' Mecha', who she married in January 2018 'Yes, it's happening - in June,' she wrote alongside a sweet video and gallery of photos that proudly showed off her baby bump. In the clip, the mum-to-be looked radiant as she danced around the living room in a pink dress. Sebastian was grinning from ear to ear as he pointed to her growing stomach. Chloe also shared a sweet snap of the moment they found out she was expecting. The brunette beauty had her hands over her mouth in shock as she looked down at a positive pregnancy test. She also shared two sonograms of their unborn baby alongside several snaps of herself and Sebastian tenderly cradling her baby bump. Big moment: Chloe also shared a sweet snap of the moment they found out that she was expecting Cute: Chloe shared two sonograms of their unborn baby alongside several photos of herself and Sebastian tenderly cradling her baby bump Sebastian shared the images on his own Instagram account, captioning the post: 'We're gonna be parents'. Chloe and Sebastian met on the dating app, Happn, where they chatted for two weeks before finally meeting in person. They announced their engagement in early 2017 months after he popped the question during a camping trip in Toronto in October 2016. The couple tied the knot in an extravagant wedding ceremony on a luxury yacht as it sailed around Sydney Harbour in January 2018. The boat previously played host to a 2016 fashion show hosted by Australian designer, Camilla Franks. Beauty experts have named the 'only' two products you need for glowing 'angel' skin, and they can be yours for under $200. The team from the beauty superstore at Mecca revealed that between a $134 exfoliating peel and $52 glow-giving drops, you have everything you need to get a great complexion at home. 'In their own unique ways - peels taking away to add glow, and drops adding to - these illuminating skincare game-changers are the epitome of "glow" in a bottle, pad, dropper or pump,' the Mecca team said. Beauty experts have named the 'only' two products you need for glowing 'angel' skin, and they can be yours for under $200 (Glow Drops pictured after use) The first product highlighted by the experts is the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel ($134; pictured before and after seven days of use) 1. Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel ($134) The first product highlighted by the experts is the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel ($134). The exfoliating pads (pictured) take just two minutes to 'shed away' an outer layer of skin, before leaving it fresh and primed These exfoliating pads take just two minutes to 'shed away' an outer layer of skin, before leaving it fresh and primed so you can apply hydration on top. The vegan peel pads are pre-dosed with five powerful alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs), as well as antioxidants and vitamins that accelerate cellular turnover and remove any surface dullness to uncover your hidden flawless complexion. Squalane, ceramides, and chinese foxglove seal off water loss, helping the skin maintain its integrity and natural hydration balance for up to 72 hours. To use the daily peel, dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross recommends you once a day swipe the step one pad over clean, dry skin in circular motions. After waiting two minutes, follow with the step two pad before following with your usual skin care regime. You should notice an almost instant reduction in uneven skin tone, with women sharing photos of the results they've enjoyed after just seven days of using the pads. The second item the Mecca experts say you need in your skincare regime is Glow Recipe's popular Watermelon Dew Drops ($52; pictured after use) Suitable for all skin types, the drops can be used before or after moisturiser to create a glossy finish (pictured before and after applying dew drops as a primer) 2. Glow Recipe Watermelon Dew Drops ($52) The second item the Mecca experts say you need in your skincare regime is Glow Recipe's popular Watermelon Dew Drops ($52). Glow Drops is a 'multi-use highlighting serum that gives a dewy glow without the use of glitter, pearls or mica' (pictured) 'Glow or "dew" drops can act as a skincare cheat-sheet - delivering on a juicy, fountain-of-youth-type glow even if you've skipped the groundwork of exfoliation and moisturisation,' the Mecca team said. And there are none that are better than the drops by Glow Recipe. This multi-use highlighting serum that gives a dewy glow without the use of glitter, pearls or mica can be used as a hydrating, brightening and hydrating serum. Suitable for all skin types, the drops can be used before or after moisturiser to create a glossy finish. Ingredients like niacinimide and hyaluronic acid work to brighten dullness, even skin tone, minimise pores and improve barrier function (pictured before and after applying glow drops) Ingredients like niacinimide and hyaluronic acid work to brighten dullness, even out skin tone, minimise pores, improve barrier function, and soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles. To use the drops, apply one to two pumps before or after moisturiser. You can even get one pump of formula, dab off the excess on the back of your hand and gently 'pat' a couple of small drops onto the high points of the face in a patting motion. Australians are forking out $77 a kilo for a special cut of supermarket steak, with many declaring it to be 'worth every cent'. Shoppers are paying over the odds for kilos of Cape Grim Beef Scotch Fillet, farmed on the rugged northwestern coast of Tasmania. Battered by wild weather and heavy rainfall, the region is said to have some of the cleanest air in the world where cattle is reared on pure pastures free from antibiotics, hormones and grains. But at well over twice the price of grass-fed steaks from Coles and Woolworths own-brands, not everyone is convinced it is worth the money. A woman posted a photo of Cape Grim steak in a budgeting group on Facebook, saying she couldn't believe how expensive it was after spotting it in a supermarket in Rockhampton, Queensland. Scroll down for video Cape Grim Scotch Fillet (right), farmed in the northwestern corner of Tasmania, will set you back $77 per kilo (left) A chef replied, saying she also felt it was overpriced. 'Scotch fillet. For this price. Seriously? Maybe $45 I would consider it,' she wrote. However dozens of commenters were quick to insist the cut is more than worth its cost. '[Cape Grim] is the most beautiful area anywhere, it produces the most amazing beef and dairy. Anything grown here is the best,' one woman replied. 'Can confirm, outside of Wagyu [beef] it's the best steak I've ever had,' added another. How to cook the perfect grass-fed steak 1. Bring meat to room temperature to ensure even cooking. 2. Season just before you cook. Drizzle olive oil on the meat and season with coarse salt. When you think you have seasoned enough, add a little more. 3. Pre-heat pan or BBQ so the steak sizzles when applied. 4. For medium rare, cook for 4-6 minutes on each side or until you reach 52 degrees Celsius. 5. Rest for one minute, then serve and enjoy. Source: Cape Grim Beef Advertisement Others agreed that Cape Grim is value for money and slammed the original poster for complaining about the price of premium specialty meat. 'It's awesome, not something you eat everyday unless you were uber rich, it's something you'd buy for a birthday or anniversary dinner,' one woman wrote. 'That's a great price for Cape Grim,' said a second. Princess Diana's godson Prince Philippos of Greece enjoyed a day out with his new wife Nina and niece Princess Olympia of Greece days after his second wedding celebration. Philippos, a New York-based hedge fund analyst, and Nina, posed with glamorous Olympia outside Somerset House in London, where Philippos' brother Nikolaos' photography is being shown as part of the London Design Biennale. Nikolaos, 51, and Philippos, 35, are the younger brothers of Olympia's father, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, 54. Crown Prince Pavlos is married to socialite Princess Marie-Chantal. Their parents are King Constantine (the godfather of Prince William) and Queen Anne-Marie, who have retained still use their royal titles despite the abolition of the Greek monarchy in 1973. Family day out! Princess Diana 's godson Prince Philippos of Greece (second from left) enjoyed a day out with his new wife Nina (right) and niece Princess Olympia of Greece (left) to support his brother Prince Nikolaos' (second from right) photography going on display in London Together, by Prince Nikolaos - Greek Pavilion at the London Design Biennale Olympia, 24, who has kept a low profile on social media in recent months, looked ready for summer in a soft blue dress, blue overshirt and black ankle boots. Nina looked fresh in a striped pastel frock with puff sleeves. Nina and Philippos married in December in a tiny private ceremony in the glitzy Swiss ski resort of St Moritz, with just their fathers King Constantine, 80, and Thomas Flohr, 60, present due to Covid-19 restrictions. Last month the couple celebrated their nuptials with a second low-key wedding hosted by Vogue writer Alice Naylor- Leyland and her husband Tom at their home of Stibbington House in Cambridge, with the pair decorating their home with white balloons and blue flowers for the occasion. Guests included Alice, who was named as one of Tatler's 'society swans' of 2018, and her husband Tom, who is heir to one of Britain's land-owning dynasties. His family has historic land and property across the country. Princess Diana 's hedge fund analyst godson Prince Philippos of Greece recently celebrated his second wedding with his long term girlfriend Nina Flohr after they originally married in a tiny private ceremony in the glitzy ski resort of St Moritz in December Vogue writer Alice decorated the dining room of her home Stibbington House with white balloons and photographs of the couple's first wedding for the occasion The bride shared a gushing tribute to her hosts Alice Naylor-Leyland and her husband Tom for hosting the wedding and said there had been 'speeches and happy tears' during the event In snaps shared on Instagram over the weekend, the couple could be seen cutting into a three tiered wedding cake He is the son of Baronet Sir Philip Naylor-Leyland and the grandson of the late Lord Lambton and owns the 17th-century Talbot hotel in Malton, North Yorkshire near their rented farmhouse home. Others invited to the event were magazine editor Violet Henderson and Princess Eugenie's friend Caroline Rupert. Under current Covid rules there is a limit of 30 guests at weddings - although the cap is expected to be lifted on June 21st - 'freedom day' - when most restrictions are set to be lifted. The couple were first married in a private ceremony in December, and were joined only by their fathers King Constantine, 80, and Thomas Flohr, 60, due to Covid-19 restrictions Philippos, who was born at St Mary's Hospital in London in 1986, was raised in a 13-bedroom stately house on the edge of Hampstead Heath where Princess Diana was a frequent visitor with Prince William and Prince Harry. He's known to be private and largely shuns the limelight, but he's made appearances at numerous high profile events such as the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden in 2010 and her sister Princess Madeleine in 2013. He and Nina also attended Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding. An Italian aristocrat who spent years embroiled in a row over his claim to the defunct Italian throne has died aged 77. Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, will be best remembered for his bitter dynastic feud with his third cousin, Victor Emmanuel, the Duke of Savoy, son of the last king of Italy. The pair fought publicly over their competing claims to the throne, which was abolished at the end of the Second World War. The row culminated in 2004 when the pair came to blows at a party held in honour of their cousin, King Felipe of Spain, at Madrid's Zarzuela Palace. Although a court officially declared Victor Emmanuel the rightful Duke of Savoy, Prince Amedeo never accepted the decision. Italian aristocrat: Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, has died in Italy at the age of 77 Childhood in London: The Duke of Aosta spent a year of his infancy in an internment camp. He was educated in Italy and in the UK. Pictured, the young prince arriving in London in 1955 Childhood friends: The Duke with Prince Michael of Kent at Crans-sur-Sierre in the Swiss Alps. Prince Michael of Kent's mother, Princess Marina of Kent, and Amedeo's mother were cousins Royal marriage: In 1964, just before his 21st birthday, Amedeo married his first wife, Princess Claude of Orleans. Fittingly, she too was heir to a defunct throne. Pictured, at their wedding Public row: Prince Amedeo will be best remembered for his bitter dynastic feud with his third cousin, Victor Emmanuel, the Duke of Savoy, son of the last king of Italy As recently as last month his son and heir Prince Aimone - the second of his three children with his first wife, Princess Claude of Orleans - dismissed the Savoy's claim when Victor Emmanuel announced he would abolish male primogeniture, allowing his teenage granddaughter to one day lead the historic House of Savoy. Born in Florence in September 1943, Prince Amedeo was the only son of Prince Aimone, 4th Duke of Aosta, and Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, the younger sister of Queen Sofia of Spain. Just weeks before Amedeo's birth, Italy surrendered to the Allies. In July 1944, the 10-month-old Amedeo was sent with his mother, aunt and two cousins to an Austrian internment camp. When the camp was liberated in May 1945, the family returned to Italy. The Italian monarchy was abolished at the end of the Second World War and the royal family exiled. Republicans argued the Royal Family had been discredited by its links to Mussolini. Indeed Amedeo was named in honour of his uncle Amedeo, 3rd Duke of Aosta, who had been appointed by the Fascist dictator to serve as Viceroy of Italian East Africa. When Amedeo was just four years old, his father died in exile in Buenos Aires. The young duke inherited his father's title and claim to the throne. Serious: Amedeo inherited his father's dukedom aged 4 and looked businesslike as a boy Young love: Amedeo with his first wife, Claude. Portuguese-born Princess Claude of Orleans, now 77, was the ninth child and fifth daughter of Henri, comte de Paris, Orleanist claimant to the French throne, and of Princess Isabelle of Orleans-Braganza Like many young royals and aristocrats, Amedeo enjoyed the benefit of an international education, studying at Seaford Academy, in East Sussex, as well as the Collegio Navale Morosini in Venice and the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno. He graduated as an officer in the Italian Navy. Warring factions: Cousins' rival claims to defunct Italian throne The Italian monarchy was abolished at the end of the Second World War after a referendum. Republicans argued the Royal Family had been discredited by its links to Mussolini. The male heirs were exiled. Royalists campaigning for the restoration of the monarchy have for decades been split between Amedeo and Victor Emmanuel. Although Victor Emmanuel had a stronger claim to the throne as a direct descendant of the last king, a series of scandals - including a shooting of a German teenager on board a yacht and allegations of his involvement in illegal gambling and prostitution, of which he was eventually acquitted - led a group of supporters to declare Amedeo the rightful heir. The feud came to a head in 2004 when Victor Emmanuel reportedly punched Amedeo at a party celebrating Felipe of Spain, who was then heir to the throne. 'In full view of the royal guests Victor Emmanuel punched Amedeo twice in the face, causing him to stumble backwards down some steps,' the Daily Telegraph reported. 'Amedeo needed first aid for a face wound and was reportedly saved from worse injury by the intervention of the former Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, who prevented him from tumbling any further.' Two years later Amedeo declared himself Duke of Savoy - the title used by his cousin - and head of the House of Savoy. The move sparked fresh outrage from Victor Emmanuel. In 2010 a court ruled the title could only be used by Victor Emmanuel. However the issue rumbled on until as recently as last month when Victor Emmanuel, who is also styled the Prince of Naples, abolished male primogeniture, the preference in inheritance that is given by law, custom, or usage to the eldest son and his issue. It was driven by the fact that his only son, Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, 47, does not have a male heir. The decision to abolish male primogeniture was met with ire by Amedeo's son, Prince Aimone, who would have succeeded Filiberto had the rule not been changed. Advertisement As a teenager, Amedeo spent holidays with Prince Michael of Kent. Prince Michael of Kent's mother, Princess Marina of Greece, and Amedeo's mother were cousins. Photographs of the pair show them grinning from ear-to-ear as they play fight at the Italian's ski chalet in the Swiss Alps. In 1964, just before his 21st birthday, Amedeo married his first wife. Fittingly, she too was heir to a defunct throne. Portuguese-born Princess Claude of Orleans, now 77, was the ninth child and fifth daughter of Henri, comte de Paris, Orleanist claimant to the French throne, and of Princess Isabelle of Orleans-Braganza. The couple had three children, Princess Bianca, now 54, Prince Aimone, 53, and Princess Mafalda, 51. They separated in 1976 and had their marriage annulled six years later. In 1987, Amedeo married his second wife, Silvia Paterno di Spedalotto. The pair, who have no children, lived in the Tuscan village of San Rocco where they had agricultural holdings and produced wine under the name Vini Savoia Aosta. His fourth child, a daughter, was born out of wedlock in 2006. Much of his later life was dominated with the battle for the non-existent throne. Royalists campaigning for the restoration of the monarchy have for decades been split between Amedeo and Victor Emmanuel. Although Victor Emmanuel had a stronger claim to the throne as a direct descendant of the last king, a series of scandals - including a shooting of a German teenager on board a yacht and allegations of his involvement in illegal gambling and prostitution, of which he was eventually acquitted - led a group of supporters to declare Amedeo the rightful heir. The feud came to a head in 2004 when Victor Emmanuel reportedly punched Amedeo at a party celebrating Felipe of Spain, who was then heir to the throne. 'In full view of the royal guests Victor Emmanuel punched Amedeo twice in the face, causing him to stumble backwards down some steps,' the Daily Telegraph reported. 'Amedeo needed first aid for a face wound and was reportedly saved from worse injury by the intervention of the former Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, who prevented him from tumbling any further.' Two years later Amedeo declared himself Duke of Savoy - the title used by his cousin - and head of the House of Savoy. The move sparked fresh outrage from Victor Emmanuel. In 2010 a court ruled the title could only be used by Victor Emmanuel. However the issue rumbled on until as recently as last month when Victor Emmanuel, who is also styled the Prince of Naples, abolished male primogeniture, the preference in inheritance that is given by law, custom, or usage to the eldest son and his issue. The decision was driven by the fact that his only son, Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, 47, does not have a male heir. Emanuele is known as the 'Pasta Prince', due to his career running food trucks in LA. Lifelong fight: The Duke of Aosta with a statue of King Umberto II of Italy, the last Italian king The royal runs a catering business called Prince of Venice and has lead a colourful life in the public eye, claiming to have dated Kate Moss and starring on Italy's version of Strictly Come Dancing. He also has a production company called AristoCrazy and a fashion brand called PrinceTees. Prince Filiberto has previously discussed his desire to set up a royalist party to advocate for restoration of the monarchy in Italy. The change in rules means his daughter Vittoria Cristina Chiara Adelaide Maria, 17, whom he shares with award-winning French actress Clotilde Courau, will one day head up the House of Savoy. The decision to abolish male primogeniture was met with ire by Amedeo's son, Prince Aimone, who would have succeeded Filiberto had the rule not been changed. Prince Amedeo died on June 1, 2021, in Arezzo, Italy. A schoolboy from Scotland wore his sister's skirt to school to protest the strict dress code after he was sent home for wearing shorts on one of the hottest days of the year. Shane Richardson, 16, borrowed the clothing from his 12-year-old sister, Lexi, after staff at Moffat Academy insisted the dress code was either trousers or a skirt. He claimed he was one of around 13 boys sent home for wearing shorts by teachers at the school in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway. Shane Richardson, 16, from Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland was sent home by teachers for wearing shorts to school on a 'sweltering' hot day as they were against the dress code Following the youngster's protest, Dumfries and Galloway Council has decided to review the school's dress code. Shane said: 'There's no air conditioning switched on in the classroom just now because of Covid so it's really hot. 'Like a few others, I was sent home for wearing shorts so I decided to start wearing my sister Lexi's skirt. 'The teachers haven't said anything to me about wearing a skirt and neither has the taxi driver who picks us up and takes us to school in the morning.' Shane's mum Hayley, 34, described the rule as 'ridiculous'. Hayley said: 'As well as Shane and about 12 other boys, some girls have also been sent home for wearing shorts. 'It's been sweltering outside so for them not to be able to wear smart shorts to school is ridiculous. The teen borrowed his 12-year-old sister Lexi's school skirt to protest the strict dress code and said the teachers haven't said anything to him about wearing a skirt (pictured together) 'They are just back at school after lockdown and it's not long until it winds up on June 24 for the summer holidays, so it's important for their education to be there. 'This weather has meant they are sitting in a hot classroom for hours and the air conditioning is switched off because of the Covid-19 regulations.' Hayley added: 'There is now going to be a parents committee meeting to discuss this on a Zoom call. 'It takes place on June 16, but I am actually going to miss it because I work night shifts as a lorry driver. 'But the date is close to the school winding up and a lot of parents think it should be brought forward to get it sorted.' His mother Hayley, 34, slammed the 'ridiculous' rule at Moffat Academy which is now under review Dumfries and Galloway Council said the current uniform policy at Moffat Academy has been in place for several years. A spokesman added: 'Feedback from young people, parents and carers to the school has indicated that it is time to review the policy and make changes. 'Whilst this engagement is ongoing, pupils have been reminded to adhere to the agreed policy which enables the school to maintain high standards and excellence before any changes are finalised. 'An update to the parent council following this engagement has already been scheduled for June 16.' Prince Harry has been 'selfish' and 'very immature' in discussing his feelings about other people's reactions to his mother's funeral, his biographer has claimed. Royal expert Angela Levin, author of Harry: Biography of a Prince, discussed Prince Harry's recent revelation that he didn't understand the public outpouring of emotion following his late mother Princess Diana's death because he didn't want to share his grief with the world. Speaking on The Me You Can't See, his new mental health series with Oprah Winfrey, the Duke of Sussex added that he's 'haunted' by the sound of horses hooves clacking down The Mall at the Princess of Wales' funeral, and that he was 'outside of his body' while following his mother's coffin down the road. Angela Levin has since appeared on The Royal Beat, available on Royalty TV, and said: 'I was very shocked when he said yet again how much he resented all the people that were surrounding him and crying [at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales], because it was his mother, and they shouldn't do that. It showed that he was still very immature.' Prince Harry has been 'selfish' and 'very immature' in discussing his feelings about other people's reactions to his mother's funeral, his biographer Angela Levin has claimed. Pictured, the Duke speaking on The Me You Can't See, his new mental health series with Oprah Winfrey Harry (second right) is surrounded by family at his mother's 1997 funeral. Pictured (from left): Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry, Prince Charles Royal expert Angela Levin (pictured), author of Harry: Biography of a Prince, discussed Prince Harry's recent revelation that he didn't understand the public outpouring of emotion following his late mother Princess Diana 's death because he didn't want to share his grief with the world She continued: 'I could understand when he was 12 feeling like that, and he said the same thing to me when I interviewed him in Kensington Palace, but I think that he is now 36 and he should be able to cope with it.' Walking behind his mother was hideous for him, but to resent the people who admired Diana and loved her and thought incredibly highly of her, I think it's not up to him to say who should mourn her. 'I think he doesn't really care what anybody else thinks - he knows that his family can't answer.' During his mental health series for apple TV, the Duke of Sussex recalled: 'When my mum was taken away from me at the age of 12, just before my 13th birthday, I didn't want the [royal] life. Sharing the grief of my mother's death with the world.' 'For me, the thing I remember the most was the sound of the horses' hooves going along the pavement. 'Along The Mall, the Red Brick Road. By this point I was, both of us were in shock. It was like I was outside of my body and just walking along doing what was expected of me. Leading royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah said that Prince Charles has decided on a policy of 'dignified silence' in public, despite having come under 'quite heavy fire' from his son 'Showing one tenth of the emotion that everybody else was showing. I thought, "This is my mum. You never even met her".' However, leading royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah says that Prince Charles has decided on a policy of 'dignified silence' in public, despite having come under 'quite heavy fire' from his son. 'The Prince of Wales has really come under quite heavy fire, in terms of Harry's account of his parenting, but he has maintained a dignified silence... that's his ploy,' the Senior Royal correspondent adds. 'I think that must be hard because I should think there is a lot he wants to say. If Harry feels he has really benefited from the counselling and therapy that he has had and it is opening up emotions and helping him in his new life across the pond - good luck to him.' 'But one wonders if in order to do that do you have to publicly speak about your family in such a negative light.' Kate Middleton told friends that it 'wasn't too late' to 'pull Harry and Meghan back into the fold' before their Oprah interviewed aired, a royal expert has claimed. Harry and Meghan are pictured during the interview The comments come after royal expert Camilla Tominey claimed Kate Middleton told friends that it 'wasn't too late' to 'pull Harry and Meghan back into the fold' before their Oprah interviewed aired. The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, is said to have 'taken the same approach as The Queen' before the interview in hoping that the 'much loved members of The Firm' would return. Writing for Stella magazine, Camilla Tominey said: 'I have been reliably informed she was even telling her friends before the Oprah interview that she did not think it was too late to "pull them back in".' The commentator added that an insider told her 'Kate's natural instinct is to try to smooth things over'. In response, Angela Levin took to Twitter and claimed how she doesn't think the Queen will slam the door on Prince Harry because she fears the 'devastating consequences' for his mental health. She penned: 'My view is that Harry's family in London are very worried about his mental health and think slamming the royal door in his face could have devastating consequences.' Queen Mathilde of Belgium cut a chic figure as she visited the VIVES University of Applied Sciences in Kortrijk, Belgium today. The mother-of-four, 48, looked stylish in a maroon wrap blouse which featured three-quarter length sleeves and a waist-belt detail which she paired with a matching maroon face mask. Typically stylish, the royal teamed her ensemble with paisley-print wide-leg trousers and a pair of pointed heels. Mathilde, who waved to well-wishers upon her arrival, accessorised with statement hexagon-shaped earrings and kept her makeup minimal - opting for a light layering of mascara and touch of pink blusher. Queen Mathilde of Belgium, 48, cut a glamorous figure in paisley-print wide-leg trousers as she visited the VIVES University of Applied Sciences in Kortrijk, Belgium today During the visit, the Belgian royal visited two simulation rooms where students and caregivers learn to put their skills into practice The royal also donned an assortment of gold bangles as well as a watch on her left wrist, and was greeted by officials from the university as she arrived on campus. During the visit, Belgian Queen spoke to nursing students who were involved in the intensive care units in various hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mathilde also listened to the experiences of the young adults and the impact the coronavirus crisis has had on their education. As part of the tour, she visited two simulation rooms where students and caregivers put their skills into practice by performing emergency treatment on life-size dummies. The mother-of-four looked stylish in a maroon wrap blouse which featured three-quarter length sleeves and a waist-belt detail Mathilde accessorised with a pair of statement hexagon-shaped earrings and kept her makeup minimal - wearing a simple smokey eye, mascara and pink blusher Students learn how to deal with real-life situations as they are simulated in the SIMlab robot dolls room and the high-tech Immersive Room as part of their training. Back in March, the Belgian royal family released a portrait of King Philippe to mark his 61st birthday. Looking suave in a formal black suit with a vibrant purple tie, the monarch could be relaxing on a luxurious chair while gazing out of a window. The sophisticated photograph of Philippe was shared to the royal household's Instagram account, alongside the caption: 'Thank you for your birthday wishes!' As part of the tour, she visited two simulation rooms where students and caregivers put their skills into practice by performing emergency treatment on life-size dummies Students learn how to deal with real-life situations as they are simulated in the SIMlab robot dolls room and the high-tech Immersive Room as part of their training China urges U.S. to stop massive, indiscriminate wiretapping Xinhua) 08:35, June 04, 2021 BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese spokesperson on Thursday urged the United States to stop its massive and indiscriminate wiretapping and "pay off the debt of justice it owes to the world." "If the U.S. allies find its spying behavior unacceptable, the world would only feel more strongly about it," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a news briefing, in response to recent criticism made by some European leaders and officials about the U.S. National Security Agency wiretapping leaders of its allies. Wang said the United States has long been globally recognized as the leading stealer of secrets. He cited a number of means the United States applies in doing so, including simulating signals of base stations to tap into and steal data from cell phones, turning mobile apps into surveillance units, breaking into cloud servers, tapping into the undersea cables, and installing secretive signals intelligence collection facilities in nearly 100 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide for spying purpose. "The recent media disclosure of the U.S. spying on its European allies is just a tip of the iceberg of its huge global network for secret stealing," he said. "The United States owes the international community an explanation." Wang said the United States has long recklessly conducted massive and indiscriminate wiretapping around the world, while wantonly suppressing law-abiding foreign companies under the pretext of national security. "This fully exposes its hypocrisy and hegemonic nature," the spokesperson said. He said people have every reason to suspect that the purpose of the U.S.-initiated "clean network" program is to retain its monopoly in the high-tech field and serve as an excuse to justify its espionage activities. The United States must immediately stop its illegal act of massive and indiscriminate eavesdropping, and stop the dirty business of suppressing other countries' enterprises under the guise of national security, Wang said. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) The proposal to build an entirely new three-story high school had bipartisan approval on the town council and school board, with educators saying the current building is outdated, leaking, crowded, and out of compliance with accessibility codes. The building committee reported reviewing all other options and concluding the $135.6 million plan was by far the best. Advertisement Average daily coronavirus cases and deaths in the U.S. are continuing to fall to record-low levels and health experts say vaccinations are to thank for the downward trends. On Thursday, the U.S. reported 18,991 infections of COVID-19, a 36 percent drop from the 30,141 cases recorded two weeks ago, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of Johns Hopkins data. Although the daily total is higher than the number recorded on Wednesday, the seven-day rolling average currently sits at 15,045, the lowest figure seen since March 29, 2020, when the seven-day average was 13,988. In March, tests were scarce and only around 57,000 Americans were being tested every day compared with about a million people today. This mean the test positivity rate was 26 percent at the time compared to 1.5 percent today. However, it should be noted that there were likely hundreds - even thousands - of infections that went undetected due to the scarcity of tests and the guidance at the time that only people with symptoms get tested. Currently, there are an estimated 45 cases per million people in America, which is a 61 percent decline from the 117 cases per million reported three weeks ago, and a number not seen since March 28 of last year, according to Our World in Data. COVID-19 deaths are also declining with 601 recorded on Thursday, which marks the sixth day in a row that daily fatalities have fallen below 1,000. The seven-day rolling average currently stands at 447, which is also the first time the figure has fallen below 500 since April 1. What's more, between Thursday of last week and this week, a total of 105,318 cases were reported over seven days, and the U.S. could soon see a five-figure weekly total of infections. Health experts say the improving numbers are because of COVID-19 vaccinations, with 63 percent of American adults receiving at least one dose and 52 percent fully vaccinated. On Thursday, the U.S. recorded 18,991 coronavirus infections with a seven-day rolling average of 15,045, the lowest figure seen since March 29, 2020 There are currently an estimated 45 cases per million people in the U.S., which is a 61% decline from the 117 per million reported three weeks ago A total of 601 deaths were also reported Thursday with a seven-day rolling average of 447, which is the first time the figure has fallen below 500 since April 1 of last year Coronavirus cases are not just falling across the country, but also in former epicenters of the U.S., including New York and California. In New York, the seven-day rolling average of cases sits at 473, which is a 64 percent decline from the 1,349 average cases recorded on May 21, the DailyMail.com analysis found. What's more, the average is the lowest in the Empire State since March 15 of last year. Meanwhile, in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that new COVID-19 cases are down 95 percent since January, and the positivity rate is down 91 percent with just 0.81 percent of all tests coming back positive. 'It's stunning how much progress has been made,' he told reporters at a press conference. California also is seeing declines with an average of 933 cases per day, down from 1,246 reported two weeks ago, representing a drop of 25 percent. The rolling average is slightly higher than the figure reported over the last couple of days, but in line with numbers not seen since late March of last year, the DailyMail.com analysis found. New York recorded a seven-day rolling average of cases of 473 on Thursday, a 64% decline from the 1,349 average cases recorded on May 21 The seven-day rolling average of cases in California sits at 933 per day, a drop of 25% from 1,246 reported two weeks ago And Los Angeles County, which was at one time recording a COVID-19 death every eight minutes, has seen shockingly low numbers. Department of Public Health data show 228 cases were reported on Thursday with a test positivity rate of 0.4 percent, the lowest ever since the start of the pandemic. 'Our metrics continue to improve, and we continue to see declines in cases, hospitalizations and deaths,' county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said earlier this week. 'Vaccinations are saving lives and I ask each of you to continue keeping yourself, your friends and your family members safe by getting vaccinated if you haven't done so already. We end this pandemic with vaccinations.' Dr Chris Beyrer, a professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told NBC News that the real test will come in the fall, when temperatures drop and more people congregate indoors. However, he believes that any uptick in fall 2021 or winter 2022 is not going to mirror the surge seen last year, when daily cases hit a record high of 300,000. He said this is because vaccines have not only been proven to prevent illness, but also in preventing severe disease in the small percentage of people who do get sick. 'We've got to get as high of coverage with these terrific vaccines as we can, as that's the key to whether or not we have another fall where we see outbreaks and infections,' Beyrer told NBC News. Health experts credit falling numbers to vaccinations with 50.9% of the U.S. population, including children 12 and older, have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 41.2% having completed their vaccine series President Joe Biden's goal is to inoculate 70% of U.S. adults with at least one vaccine dose by July 4, but average daily vaccinations have fallen from more than three million per day in April to fewer than 1.5 million per day in June According to CDC data, 50.9 percent of the population, including children 12 and older, have been given at least one vaccine dose and 41.2 percent have completed their vaccine series. President Joe Biden has set a goal of giving 70 percent of adults at least one shot by July 4. However, this has proven difficult with the number of daily vaccinations falling, decreasing from an average of three million per day in April to fewer than 1.5 million per day currently. As of Friday, just 12 U.S. states have administered at least one coronavirus vaccine dose to 70 percent of their adult populations. Nine of the states - Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont - are in the Northeast with just three states, California, Hawaii and New Mexico, in the west. To incentivize more residents to get vaccinated, some governors have announced lotteries with large cash prizes and private companies have announced giveaways including free groceries and vacations to the Bahamas. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is pleading with parents to vaccinate their teenagers against the coronavirus. It comes as a new report from the federal health agency found that COVID-19-related hospitalizations in U.S. children between ages 12 and 17 rose by 116 percent in April. At the time, vaccines were not approved for youngsters under age 16, with Pfizer-BioNTech getting the official nod from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 10. The report found one out of three kids who were hospitalized required admission to intensive care units (ICUs) and nearly five percent needed mechanical ventilation. In a statement released on Friday accompanying the study, Dr Rochelle Walensky said the findings worried her. 'I am deeply concerned by the numbers of hospitalized adolescents and saddened to see the number of adolescents who required treatment in intensive care units or mechanical ventilation,' the statement read. 'Much of this suffering can be prevented.' A new CDC report found 204 adolescents in 14 states were hospitalized primarily for COVID-19 from January 2021 to April 2021 with 31.4% admitted to ICUs and 4.9% requiring intubation Rates of COVID hospitalization in kids were between 2.5 and three times higher than the rates during the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 flu seasons CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said the findings 'concerned' her after seeing kids' hospitalization rates rise from 0.6 per 100,000 in mid-March to 1.3 per 100,000 in April. Pictured: Walensky testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, May 18 For the study, published in the CDC's weekly MMWR report, the team looked at hospitalizations in children ages 12 to 17 from January 1 to April 24, 2021. Researchers found a small group, 204 adolescents in 14 states, who were likely hospitalized primarily for COVID-19. Another 172 who were hospitalized had a positive test, but were looked at separately because their primary reason for admission might not have been directly related to the virus. Weekly hospitalizations for this age bracket peaked in January at 2.1 admissions per 100,000 children in January. The rate then declined to as low as 0.6 per 100,000 in mid-March before rising by 116 percent to 1.3 per 100,000 in April. Of the group of 204 kids, 31.4 percent had to be admitted to ICUs and 4.9 percent required intubation. None of the hospitalized children died. According to the CDC, rates of COVID hospitalizations in kids were between 2.5 and three times higher than the rates during the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 flu seasons. But rates of COVID hospitalization in children were also 12.5 times lower than rates for aged 18 and older, the agency said. Despite the lower hospitalization rate and the fact that the study groups was so small, Walensky encouraged vaccination. 'Vaccination is our way out of this pandemic,' she said in her statement. 'I continue to see promising signs in CDC data that we are nearing the end of this pandemic in this country; however, we all have to do our part and get vaccinated to cross the finish line.' More than a quarter of all children between ages 12 and 17 have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine in the U.S. Walensky urged parents to vaccinated their teenagers and said shots are 'the way out of this pandemic.' Pictured: Simon Huizar, 13, receives a first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a mobile vaccination clinic in Los Angeles, May 14 Since the Pfizer shot was approved for emergency use in teenagers, 6.5 million out of 25 million have gotten an initial dose, or 26 percent. An additional 2.3 million youngsters are fully vaccinated, according to data from the CDC. During a press conference on Wednesday, President Joe Biden encouraged even more young Americans to to get the shot. Pfizer's clinical trial data found that out of 2,200 teenage participants, a total of 18 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the placebo group while no cases were reported in the vaccine group. This means that the vaccine was 100 percent safe and effective in 12-to-15-year-olds, according to the researchers. However, despite the promising results, many parents are not enthusiastic about vaccinating their children. In a recent poll, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, parents were asked if they would get their child immunized once a COVID-19 vaccine is authorized and available for their child's age group. Only about three in 10 parents - 29 percent - of children under 18 said they would get their child vaccinated 'right away.' The poll also found 15 percent only plan to vaccinate their children if the school requires it and 19 percent said their child will definitely not be getting vaccinated. What's more, although children can contract COVID-19 and pass the disease on to others, they tend to not get very ill. More than 3.97 million children have tested positive for the virus, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, but only make up 0.1 percent of all deaths. Researchers in South Africa have documented the case of a woman with HIV who has been infected with COVID-19 for months and has seen the virus mutate inside her. The woman, who is 36, first fell ill in September 2020 and has been testing positive for the disease for more than seven months. What's more, the virus that continues to stay in her body has undergone more than 30 genetic changes. The team, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, says the findings present the first real evidence that patients with untreated HIV can have an impaired immune system that allows coronavirus to take root and mutate into potentially deadly variants that could spread to others. A South African woman, 36, with uncontrolled HIV became infected with COVID-19 in September 2020 and was infected for seven months. Pictured: A retiree receives the first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in Johannesburg, South Africa, May 24 Six months after she became ill, two of her three medications she was taking to treat her HIV were switched and, after her viral loads were suppressed, she finally tested negative for COVID-19 (above) Currently, the United Nations estimates that 7.5 million adults and children in South Africa are infected with HIV (immunodeficiency virus). Once a person contracts HIV, the virus sets about attacking and destroying immune cells that normally protect the body from infection, and can lead to the potentially deadly disease AIDS. In South Africa, HIV infections often go undetected and nearly 10 percent of people are believed to be unaware that they have the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV patients who are on effective treatment are not at higher risk for contacting the virus or suffering more severe complications. However, the findings from the study, posted on pre-print site medRxiv.org, are the first evidence to suggest that HIV-infected people can have the virus mutate in their body multiple times. The South African patient was diagnosed with HIV in 2006, but doctors had been unable to control her viral load with tradition antiretroviral therapy. The combination or 'cocktail' of drugs suppresses a person's viral load until it is virtually undetectable, meaning it cannot be transmitted. The woman had very low levels of CD4+ T cells, which helps the body produce antibodies and helps CD8+ T cells to kill cells infected with coronavirus. The woman visited a hospital in September 2020 after having symptoms including a a cough, sore throat and difficulty breathing for 12 days. She tested positive for COVID-19, was given oxygen and discharged after nine days. However, even after being discharged, tests continued to come back positive, which continued for 216 days. Researchers found that the virus underwent 32 genetic changes, 13 of which were linked to the spike protein, with the virus uses to enter and infect cells. Researchers found that the virus mutated inside her body 32 times (above), including 13 changes to the spike protein the virus used to enter and infect cells Other mutations were similar to those see in variants including the Alpha variant (from the UK) and the Beta variant (from South Africa). During this period, the woman was one of 300 participants enrolled in a study was finally able to clear the infection exploring the effects of HIV on COVID infection. Six months into her research, two of the the medication in her 'cocktail' were changed and, within two weeks, her viral loads were suppressed. Finally, on Day 233 after first testing positive, she finally tested negative. It is too soon to say whether or not the woman is a unique case but, if she is not, it could mean that patients with uncontrolled HIV could spread potentially deadly variants. They could 'become a factory of variants for the whole world,' lead author Dr Tulio DeOliviera, a geneticist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, told the Los Angeles Times. He added that expanding HIV testing and treatment 'would reduce mortality from HIV, reduce transmission of HIV, and also reduce the chance of generating new COVID variants that could cause other waves of infections.' I took out a BA American Express card to earn Avios points and use it for some big ticket spending but I never seem to accumulate enough to make a meaningful difference to booking flights. I was talking to a friend and he said that he'd booked return flights for his family of four to the US using Avios. When I asked how, he said that he puts almost all his spending on the card. For the British Airways Amex card, the Avios reward scheme works as one Avios for virtually every 1 spent on purchases - you can also collect 5,000 bonus Avios if you spend 1,000 in the first three months of membership This made me wonder are there any limits to what I can spend on with my BA Amex card or with any other reward credit card, could I try to earn lots of extra points by paying my mortgage with it, for example? Could someone with children at private school pay school fees with their card? And are there any categories of spending that card companies often ban? M.L., via email Ed Magnus, This is Money, replies: It's likely many of us know someone who claims to have somehow paid for flights using nothing other than rewards points from their credit card. It can be enough to make someone who doesn't have a reward card research getting one and anyone who already has one wonder where they are going wrong. In reality, it takes quite a bit of spending to notice any meaningful difference, but if you are tactical, it will pay dividends. Around 9,000 Avios can equal one return flight from London to 50 European destinations, whilst 25,000 Avios can cover a one-way flight to anywhere in the US or the Caribbean. Although it's worth bearing in mind the number of Avios required jumps around depending on peak and off peak dates, the airline you fly and how much cash you want to put towards it. For the British Airways Amex card, the Avios reward scheme works as one Avios for virtually every 1 spent on purchases - you can also collect 5,000 bonus Avios if you spend 1,000 in the first three months of membership. Being aware of where you can and can't use your American Express card is important - you can find out the places that accept Amex here. With B&Q becoming the latest store to accept Amex there are now very few major chains that don't accept it - you are much more likely to have an issue when in smaller shops throughout the UK. However, some notable organisations still don't accept Amex including Tile Giant, Dunelm and Sky. Expert tip Rachel Springall of Moneyfacts replies: Users can not earn points through cash withdrawals, money transfers, balance transfers. Other ways to boost points would be to refer a family or friend. You can earn up to 90,000 bonus Avios points per calendar year, 4,000 points per friend or family member that successfully applies for an American Express card (Excl. basic card) and uses the referral programme. By shopping online at certain retailers you can maximise your Avios points. For example, for every 1 you spend at M&S you currently earn four Avios whilst for every 1 you spend at B&Q you now earn five Avios. You can see the list of all retailers you can earn points from here. You can also earn Avios points with your own air miles when flying with the likes of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia. The amount you collect depends on which airline you fly, how far you fly, the cabin you fly in, the type of ticket you hold and your Executive Club tier. The easiest way to work this out is to use its flight calculator. The free British Airways and the 195 British Airways Premium Plus American Express cards are two of the most rewarding credit cards on the market. Even though foreign travel has been restricted for the past year, travel rewards credit cards have arguably become more valuable. Most cashback credit cards have cut their rewards, whilst travel rewards credit cards, such as those offered by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and hotel groups IHG and Marriott, have kept their points earning rates steady. With flight and hotel prices expected to surge in 2022 as pent-up travel demand explodes, the opportunity to book a free flight or hotel room using credit card points may be tempting. We spoke to Rob Burgess, editor of frequent flyer website Head for Points for his advice on how our reader can make the most of their BA American Express card. You can earn Avios points with your own air miles when flying with the likes of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia. He replies: To get maximum value from the British Airways American Express cards, you need to trigger the 2-4-1 voucher each year. If you spend 20,000 per year on the free card, or 10,000 per year on the 195 Premium Plus card, you receive a voucher which allows you to book two Avios reward flights for the points of one - taxes and charges are still payable on both tickets. From 1 September the Premium Plus card will come with a 250 annual fee. From September the Premium Plus card will come with a 250 annual fee, up from 195. However, the spend required to get the voucher on the free card is reduced to 12,000. There is a major downside though, as the voucher will only be valid for flights in economy class. Rob Burgess, Head for Points However, the spend required to get the voucher on the free card is reduced to 12,000. There is a major downside though, as the voucher will only be valid for flights in economy class. You will need to pay 250 per year for the Premium Plus version if you want to spend your voucher in premium economy, business class or first class. This does mean, however, that you need to put 10,000 or 12,000 through your card depending on which one you have. Spending 10,000 or 12,000 per year on an American Express isn't straightforward, given their restricted use, but there are ways of making it easier. Unfortunately, there are no easy ways of gaming the system. No bank will accept a credit card for paying your mortgage and no schools will accept fees payment by credit card. So what can you do? Rob suggests six ways of accumulating more Avios points via your British Airways American Express card. 1) Try Paypal When spending online, some retailer websites don't accept payment by American Express but do accept payment by PayPal. Unless the company has specifically disabled it, you will be allowed to use your American Express card if you choose the PayPal payment option. 2) Use your Amex to pay your bills Some utilities and local authorities accept payment by credit card. This is often not publicised on bills as they prefer direct debit payments, but you can find the information on their websites. Expert tip Chris Lilly of personal finance comparison site Finder: A great way to 'play' your credit card is to set up a direct debit to pay off your balance in full each month, and then put as much of your regular spending as you possibly can on the card. That way, you can generally avoid paying interest. If you're not going to pay off your balance in full each month, then chasing after reward points is likely to leave you worse off - the amount of interest you pay will probably more than cancel out what you earn in rewards. Similarly, be careful not to make purchases that you otherwise wouldn't have, just to net a few extra points. Even if this is possible, it is likely to be restricted to Visa and Mastercard and not American Express but you may get lucky. 3) Consider gift cards If you are approaching the end of your card year and are a few hundred pounds short of your 2-4-1 voucher, consider buying gift vouchers for your local supermarket or topping up your Amazon account. Don't buy random gift cards for stores which may go bust or which you aren't sure you will use, but stocking up on enough gift cards to pay for a month or two of groceries or petrol is fine. 4) Involve your partner Get your partner a free supplementary card on your credit card. There is often a small Avios bonus for adding a supplementary cardholder and it will increase your opportunities to use the card and earn more points. 5) Consider using Billhop There is a company called Billhop which, for a 2.95 per cent fee, will pay your bills for you and recharge your credit card, including American Express. This could include council tax, utility bills or invoices from commercial companies. The 2.95 per cent fee means you should use this sparingly, but the fee is partly offset from the Avios earned on the transaction. It is worth it if it makes the difference between earning the annual 2-4-1 voucher or not. 6) Switch to the Premium Plus card I also suggest that holders of the free British Airways American Express card consider switching to the 195 (250 from 1 September) Premium Plus card. Whilst most people prefer not to pay an annual card fee, the higher Avios earning rate of 1.5 Avios per 1 spent versus one Avios per 1 spent on the free card could make all the difference. Plus your ability to trigger the 2-4-1 voucher at just 10,000 of spending may make it worthwhile. As an added bonus, the 2-4-1 voucher issued on the Premium Plus card is valid for two years. The 2-4-1 voucher earned for spending 20,000 on the free British Airways American Express is only valid for one year. Remember that from 1 September, having the Premium Plus card is also the only way to redeem in premium cabins. First-time buyers in England could get a home for up to half price after the Government launched a new affordable housing scheme. The scheme is known as First Homes, and the first properties built under it went on the market in the East Midlands market town of Bolsover today. With house prices having surged by nearly 11 per cent in the past year, property experts say there could be an influx of demand for the homes. On the ladder: A new Government scheme, First Homes, could help buyers in England to purchase their first property by offering a discount of up to 50% However, research by estate agent Savills has suggested that buying a typical two-bed flat under the scheme would still be unaffordable for 88 per cent of households in the capital, and 68 per cent in some areas of the South East. The properties are built and marketed by house builders in the same way as any other new build, but must be sold with at least a 30 per cent discount on their market value. If local councils approve it, that discount could be increased to 50 per cent. This will allow buyers to get on to the housing ladder with a significantly lower deposit, or to get a bigger property for their money. 'There's likely to be a scramble for properties under this scheme as they become available,' said Tim Bannister, director of property data at Rightmove. 'The scheme could help some people bring their plans forward or buy a bigger home than they were originally expecting to. Eligible buyers will need to get in quick to have the best chance of securing one.' According to the Government, 1,500 more First Homes will be put on the market this year, and then at least 10,000 per year or more 'in the years ahead'. However, property experts have raised some concerns about the scheme - including that it might be hard for those who use it to climb the property ladder because they will need to sell their First Home on at a discount. Where can I get a mortgage? Lloyds and Nationwide Building Society, two of the UK's largest mortgage lenders, have already said they will offer 'high loan-to-value' mortgages against First Homes. Newcastle Building Society has also confirmed that it will lend on the homes. In theory, First Homes could be used alongside the Government's mortgage guarantee scheme, which used Government backing to encourage lenders to offer mortgages with 5 per cent deposits to first-time buyers. Who qualifies for a First Home? As the name suggests, the purchasers of First Homes will need to be first-time buyers. If you are buying as a couple or other group, this applies to everyone. The annual household income should not be more than 80,000, or 90,000 in Greater London. There is a value cap on the homes, too: the most expensive properties available under First Homes will be 420,000 in London and 250,000 in the rest of England. Applicants will usually need to live, work or have another connection, such as family members, in the area where they want to buy their home. There might also be extra criteria depending on where they live, because local councils are allowed to apply additional rules in their areas. For example, they might lower the maximum household income, or give priority to key workers. If they lower the maximum income, though, they will need to keep it at a level where buyers would still be likely to be approved for a 95 per cent mortgage. Who can afford a First Home? Some say that First Homes will still be unaffordable to people on average incomes, especially in high-value areas such as London. 'The average house price in London is now over 500,000 according to the Land Registry,' says Olivia Harris, chief executive of affordable housing provider Dolphin Living. 'A First Home with a 30 per cent discount will, therefore, cost around 350,000 which is not affordable to a London median earner, defined by HMRC in 2018 as being on 26,300. 'It would possibly be affordable to a dual-income household, but they'd need a deposit of at least 35,000, which puts this out of the reach of many.' Estate agent Savills has crunched the numbers on First Homes. Out of reach? Data from Savills shows a two-bed flat could still be unaffordable for those in London and the South East, even if they used First Homes It calculated that, if a buyer needed a 15 per cent deposit and could get a mortgage for four times their salary, they would need an income of 34,125 to buy a typical 700 sq ft, two-bedroom flat using First Homes. This is affordable to 53 per cent of households, it said, compared to just 36 per cent of households which could afford the same property at open market value. In Bolsover, the location of the initial pilot scheme, this same property would be affordable to to 59 per cent of households. But in more expensive St Albans, Savills calculated that only 22 per cent of local households could afford to buy a 700 sq ft property with a 30 per cent discount, and in London, just 12 per cent. Emily Williams, residential research analyst at Savills, says: '[First Homes] should open up home ownership to less affluent households than Help to Buy, particularly in the Midlands and the North.' 'But in parts of the South, the ability to deliver family housing that is affordable to middle and lower incomes households will be limited.' The homes will be built across England and the Government says 1,500 will be for sale in 2021 There are also 18 local authorities where the average two-bed, 700 sq ft flat, with a 30 per cent discount, would still cost more than the 420,000 (London) or 250,000 (rest of England) price cap. A 40 per cent discount would be needed in 14 areas including Elmbridge, Windsor & Maidenhead, Islington, Hackney and Cambridge, according to Savills, while in Kensington & Chelsea, the City of Westminster and the City of London, even a 50 per cent discount would potentially be insufficient. For a 900 sq ft, three bedroom family house, the number of locations theoretically needing a discount of more than 30 per cent rises from 18 to 58, including Wokingham, Wycombe and Winchester. In eight of these, a 50 per cent discount would be insufficient. Stepping up could be a struggle When buyers want to move on, their property will remain as a First Home. This is a key difference to Help to Buy, where buyers have access to all of the equity in their home once they have paid back the Government. It means buyers must sell their home at the same percentage discount that they bought it with, to another eligible buyer. Some property experts say this could make it difficult for First Home buyers to move up the housing ladder. Some say buyers could struggle to size up to a larger, family home because they will need to sell their First Home on to a similar buyer at the same discount they bought it with 'The issue comes when the First Home buyer seeks to move to their next home and take a step up the property ladder,' says Anthony Codling, chief executive of property data platform Twindig. 'If they purchased their home with a 30 per cent discount, when they come to sell they will only receive 70 per cent of the sale proceeds. 'Unless they can buy their next home with a similar discount, how will they be able to afford the market price?' This is a similar issue experienced by those who have used other Government-backed schemes such as shared ownership. 'I think the restrictions put on them will cause a lot of people issues when trying to buy their second home,' says James McGregor, director of financial advisor and mortgage broker Mesa Financial. 'It doesn't really put people in a free market, very much like the shared ownership scheme. 'The Government are essentially capping the price, which means it's going to be very hard for people to take the second jump once they are in one of these schemes.' This could mean that people have to stay in their First Homes for longer, which might be a problem if, for example, they decide to start a family. 'I think people who use First Homes will be likely to stay in their first home for longer, while they move up in income and hopefully get together a bigger deposit,' said Stuart Law, chief executive of peer-to-peer property lender Assetz Group. However, this may not matter if they use the scheme to buy a first home that is bigger than what they could otherwise have afforded. 'If the scheme is as described, it will be fantastic for buyers as they will be able to get a bigger, better house for their money,' Law continued. If you try to sell your property for at least six months, but can't find a First Homes-qualifying buyer - even after local restrictions have been removed - you may then sell the home on the open market. However, you will need to pay the council for the 'loss of an affordable housing unit'. This could mean repaying the discount you initially received, or paying them a set percentage of the purchase price. Law does not think this will be an issue. 'A property that is discounted is going to attract enormous numbers of potential buyers and make the property far more marketable,' he says. The homes will be classed as affordable housing, and count towards developers' quotas which are agreed with the council when they get planning permission. High-flying Australian expats are clamouring to return home as the Covid pandemic remains a danger in much of the world. Before Covid-19 struck, white-collar professionals worked aboard in places including London, New York and Singapore, where income tax rates are half that of Australia. Now many of them are struggling to get back to the relative safety of Australia, with high-achieving expats fiercely competing for the local jobs they used to do overseas. Investment banker Catherine McCormack has swapped a high-flying career in New York to be a corporate boss in Australia, while cryptocurrency trading CEO Caroline Bowler has swapped Singapore for Melbourne. Ben Robertson, an Adelaide-raised legal team leader based in Singapore, said Australian expat lawyers were searching for work as finance compliance lawyers, with some finding success. Australian expats are clamouring to move back home as Covid remains a danger in much of the world. Jarden Securities managing director Catherine McCormack, 39, last year moved back to Australia from New York where she was a managing director with investment bank Goldman Sachs 'Some friends got jobs surprisingly easy,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'It seemed pretty easy to find something with all the banking royal commission stuff happening.' The banks are also paying top dollar for legal expertise after Westpac last year agreed to pay a $1.3billion fine for breaching money-laundering laws 23 times. Compliance managers can command salaries of up to $350,000, data from recruitment firm Robert Half shows. Nonetheless, competition to get a highly-paid corporate job in Australia is fierce, and some former expat lawyers are struggling. 'It's tough for expats coming home. The work they've done overseas isn't really considered valuable,' Mr Robertson said. Ben Robertson, an Adelaide-raised legal team leader based in Singapore, said Australian expat lawyers were searching for work as finance compliance lawyers, with some finding success Nick Deligiannis, the managing director of recruitment company Hays in Australia and New Zealand, said the Covid pandemic had encouraged high-income professionals to return home. BTC Markets chief executive Caroline Bowler moved to Melbourne from Singapore in 2018 to run a cryptocurrency exchange platform and has fallen in love with the coffee 'Given the pandemic and the safety issues, and the health issues, there are many Australians, professionals overseas, that want to get back,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Getting back is obviously a lot more difficult and that's part of the skills shortage issue.' Mr Robertson, who is vaccinated against Covid, said his home city of Adelaide didn't offer the same kind of high salaries so for now, he is working out of New York and answering to his managers in Singapore at odd hours. 'Time zone's a challenge. Sometimes things need to happen in real time which means midnight calls or even later,' he said. Singapore also has a top income tax rate of 22 per cent, compared with Australia's 45 per cent. BTC Markets chief executive Caroline Bowler moved to Melbourne from Singapore in 2018 to run a cryptocurrency exchange platform. 'This sounds a bit cliched but I really like the coffee,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Nick Deligiannis, the managing director of recruitment company Hays in Australia and New Zealand, said the Covid pandemic had encouraged high-income professionals to return home The 42-year-old Irish citizen moved to Australia for love, adopting Collingwood as her home team and playing women's AFL. But with Australians banned from travelling overseas for a holiday, it has been 'at least two years' since she has seen her parents who live at Longford, north-west of Dublin. 'It's very difficult. I'm one of those people who are looking to get back to see my parents,' she said. 'I've got siblings around the world and none of us all live in the same country so for us, it's about that homing pigeon response to get back to Ireland to see our family and be together.' Jarden Securities managing director Catherine McCormack, 39, last year moved back to Australia from New York where she was a managing director with investment bank Goldman Sachs. She doesn't regret leaving the Big Apple as the city battles gun crime problems. 'The FOMO isn't as bad as knowing that New York now isn't the New York I moved to or enjoyed for 10 years,' she told Bloomberg. As an Aboriginal boy growing up in Sweden 14,000km from home, Mike Salbro always felt like he didn't quite belong. His peers usually had snow white hair and blue eyes, and a grade six class photo shows he was at least a head taller than his schoolmates. He and his brother, Thomas, didn't know a single other person in their small town who looked anything like them - and their single mother, Inger, didn't have a clue what to tell them. She knew they were Indigenous, and told them as much, explaining she adopted them from a foster care facility in Brisbane, Australia, with her former husband. Ingermar travelled to Australia and settled down. He was a sailor, and his compliant wife, Inger, followed by air. Mike Salbro and his cousin, Thomas, were both adopted by Swedish couple Inger and Ingemar Salbro (pictured together) As an Aboriginal boy growing up in Sweden 14,000km from home, Mike Salbro always felt like he didn't quite belong They adopted both Mike and Thomas and built a life in Queensland, but when Mike was five, his mother packed their bags and took both boys back to Sweden. She was fed up with being beaten and verbally abused, Mike explained, and did the best she could to ensure both her boys grew up happy and healthy. But she couldn't tell them why they looked so different to their Swedish peers or share stories of their mob back in Australia, and wasn't aware of the importance of culture and community for her two boys. Mike later learned he was just three months old when he was removed from his biological mother's care in Cherbourg, northwest Brisbane, and placed in the foster care system. He and Thomas - who grew up falsely believing they weren't biologically related - had both been in and out of foster homes before Inger and Ingemar adopted them. Inger and her sons left the scorching Queensland summer heat and arrived in Sweden just as the winter snow started to fall Mike towers over his classmates in his year six school photo Inger and her sons arrived in Sweden just as snow had started to fall in the winter. Mike was just five years old. From the scorching Queensland heat to shivering through a harsh winter, the boys relied on their mother to teach them all that Sweden had to offer. 'It was so scary,' Mr Salbro, now 42, told Daily Mail Australia. 'But we knew our mum would protect us at all costs, and she did. She did an amazing job.' Inger died from breast cancer just five years after they moved, when Mr Salbro was 10. Both he and Thomas were rocked by her death, once again feeling alone and more isolated than ever before. 'My world crumbled... my mother's death crushed me,' Mr Salbro said. Mr Salbro now has two sons of his own, and can't wait to one day take them to Sweden Mike was just five when he arrived in Sweden and marvelled at the snow-lined streets He and Thomas were left in Sweden's foster care system before eventually moving in with Inger's older sister on a farm in a far northern corner of the country. The hard work was good for both boys. They learnt how to tend to animals, to keep a property in shape and to clean, but Mr Salbro was still struggling with his grief. 'All I wanted was my mum back,' he said. Mr Salbro struggled so severely in the following months that he attempted to end his own life, and was placed in a rehabilitation unit within a juvenile detention centre. He received treatment there for six years and when he was finally released he'd earnt himself a job at the centre and kept away from drugs and alcohol. He spent two years reintegrating into Swedish society before his employer offered him an opportunity to visit Australia on a 12-month contract to help open a juvenile detention centre in Port Macquarie on the NSW mid-north coast. He jumped at the offer. There weren't any other kids at school or playing sport with Mr Salbro that looked like he and his brother back in Sweden, and he spent a long time thinking he was African Upon arriving in Australia, Mr Salbro realised just how important it was for him to learn more about his biological family, heritage and culture, and opted to stay on. He debated meeting his biological family, concerned they might not accept him or he wouldn't feel kinship with them, but eventually decided he could always return home to Sweden if things didn't work out. When he met them he learned that he and Thomas are biological cousins. 'There were a lot of tears of joy and it was a lot of processing to do,' he said. 'It was all very overwhelming.' Mr Salbro has now been living in Australia for 21 years and is based in Brisbane. His biological grandfather took him to Mount Isa and Tennant Creek to go through 'Men's Business' and receive his initiation, and he's a well respected member of his community. Mr Salbro (pictured as a young boy) struggled so severely in the months following his mother's death that he attempted to end his own life and was placed in a rehabilitation unit at a juvenile detention centre Mr Salbro has two sons and a greater appreciation for his culture - but he still feels disconnected from Australia. 'I do feel some sense of belonging, but at the same time I don't,' he admitted. 'I feel disconnected from my country, my people, my community and my culture... Because I still have one foot back home in Sweden.' As part of the Stolen Generation, Mr Salbro feels he was stripped of any opportunity to embrace his Aboriginality wholeheartedly. 'I'm not sure I'll ever overcome feeling guilty that I feel this way,' he said. 'I am now in my own country... [but] I would like to retire back home in Sweden.' Mr Salbro would like to take his children to Sweden to show them where he was raised and introduce them to the cousins, aunts and uncles who supported and cared for him after his mother's death. Mike and his adopted brother, Thomas, later learned upon returning to Australia that they were biological cousins And while he loves Sweden and his adopted family, Mr Salbro is begging the Australian government to ensure no other child has to endure what he went through. He wants authorities to look first at kinship care and try to place children with family members in the region if an Indigenous child must be removed from their parents. As a worst case scenario, his advice is to ensure that a child's foster or adoptive parents are also Indigenous, so that they can still be raised with an understanding and appreciation of their heritage, community and culture. He said removing a child entirely is 'never the answer'. 'You are not doing them a favour, you're actually doing way more damage. Never take them away or you'll have another generation that's messed up just because you thought you were doing your job.' A fresh-faced 41-year-old father of three is hoping to overthrow Gladys Berejiklian and become the next premier of New South Wales - and supporters say he's exactly what the state, and the Labor Party, needs now. Chris Minns, 41, MP for Kogarah in southern Sydney, has been made the leader of the NSW Labor Party after Jodi McKay resigned in a tearful press conference last week following just two years in the top job in which she struggled to connect with voters. He secured his position on Friday morning after former leader Michael Daley, 55, dropped out of the leadership race to avoid a messy and protracted struggle that would have distracted and divided the party for weeks or even months. Chris Minns (right) became the NSW Labor leader on Friday. He is pictured with his three boys and wife Anna Former transport spokesman Chris Minns (pictured with his family) lost a leadership battle to Ms McKay two years ago Mr Minns, who has run for leadership unsuccessfully twice before, is from Labor's right-wing faction and believes his vision for New South Wales after Covid-19 can win a majority at the next election on March 25, 2023. Supporters believe the secret weapon to his success is a combination of dashing looks and youthful enthusiasm which will help the party connect with younger voters and families because 'looking the part' is half the battle in contemporary politics. 'He's a good-looking fresh face with fresh ideas at a time NSW Labor desperately needs both,' one Labor source told Daily Mail Australia. Labor, like all opposition parties, has struggled for air during the pandemic as governments hog the limelight with daily press conferences in which they announce huge decisions that affect residents' lives more than ever before. Mr Minns - who grew up in the St George area of south Sydney and joined Labor aged 18 - has congratulated Ms Berejiklian for doing a 'good job' at managing Covid, but believes the next election will not be decided by the handling of the pandemic. Supporters believe his dashing looks and youthful enthusiasm will help the party connect with younger voters and families. Pictured: Mr Minns with his wife and three boys The new Labor leader smiled at his wife Anna as they left a press conference after he was elected unopposed Instead he thinks it will be about the cost of living and the quality of life for ordinary, working families. 'Now I have to go out and change Labor, so we can focus on the future and offer a positive vision of what is possible in this State,' he said after becoming leader on Friday. 'I will not play politics in a pandemic. But I also believe the next election will be about the kind of future we build after the pandemic is over. 'NSW Labor stands for economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for working families. 'How difficult it is to pay your mortgage, how hard it is to cover the toll costs right across Sydney and how hard it is to raise your family in Sydney at the moment? 'We will focus on positive politics, we will find an alternative not just a criticism and we will reorient the party towards working families,' he said. His words echoed legendary Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley who said in 1949 that Labor's mission was to bring 'something better to the people.' 'We have a great objective - the light on the hill - which we aim to reach by working the betterment of mankind,' Mr Chifley said in an iconic speech. By focusing on families and their incomes, Mr Minns will appeal to mainstream Australians who have been put off by Labor's focus on identity politics in the past. A review of Australian Labor's 2019 federal election campaign found the party had become a 'natural home for diverse interests and concerns including gender equality, the LGBTQI+ community, racial equality and environmentalism'. But it warned that 'working people experiencing the dislocation caused by new technologies and globalisation could lose faith in Labor if they do not believe the party is responding to their issues.' Chris Minns, 41, grew up in the St George area of south Sydney where he lives with wife Anna and their three boys (pictured in May 2019) Mr Minns (left) thinks the next election will be about the cost of living and the quality of life for ordinary, working families In a sign that he's fresh and modern political leader, Mr Minns addressed supporters in a Facebook live selfie video from outside parliament after his election, telling them: 'I'm going to make sure we're in the hunt in 2023.' He also uploaded the clip to his Instagram story. The new leader said it was time to end the in-fighting that plagued the Opposition under Ms McKay - who resigned after a bruising by-election loss in Upper-Hunter - and unite the party. 'I believe that it's time for Labor to start the long march to regain the trust of the people of this state,' he said. Who is Chris Minns? Chris Minns, 41, grew up in the St George area of south Sydney. He went to Kogarah Marist Catholic boys school and the University of New England. Mr Minns, from the right of the Labor party, was first elected to office in 2004 as a Penshurst Ward Councillor and was deputy mayor in 20072008. He became the member for Kogarah in 2015 and has served as opposition water spokesman and transport spokesman. He is raising his three boys with his wife Anna. Advertisement The father-of-three said he wants to develop the state's manufacturing industry; build trains, buses and ferries locally and create 'good, well-paying, middle-class' jobs. He has previously vowed to ban political donations from coal, oil and gas companies and build a state-owned renewable energy company with the aim of producing half the state's energy from renewables by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050. The aspiring premier also promises to better support the state's 21,000 homeless people and later this month will be spending a night sleeping on the freezing street alongside Treasurer Dominic Perrottet to raise money for charity. At his press conference on Friday, Mr Minns was accompanied by his wife Anna, the mother of his three boys, who he describes as his 'best friend'. In his maiden speech in parliament in 2015, Mr Minns thanked her for supporting his decision to become a state politician after he served as a Labor councillor, an advisor in the NSW Government and as the Assistant Secretary of the NSW Labor Party. 'Every time I dream up something- whether it is moving overseas or running for Parliament - her immediate reaction is: Great, let's do it,' he said. 'That is pretty extraordinary because she runs a successful business and we are both raising our two little superheroes, Joe and Nick. 'I have more a sense of us than of me: We are in this together and I owe her everything.' Like her husband, Mrs Minns is a life-long supporter of progressive politics. After graduating Law School she became an industrial officer at Unions NSW and was a co-founder of controversial activist group Get Up! which tries to unseat conservative politicians. She now runs Boomerang Labs, a business accelerator that helps start up companies. Mr Minns' maiden speech caused outrage among the unions after he said Labor needed to focus on regular Australians rather than pander to powerful organisations. 'That means taking steps to reduce union control on the floor of our conference and increasing the representation of ordinary members of our party in order to have more diverse voices echoing through the halls of this 124-year-old institution,' he said. The Labor leader (right with 2GB host Ben Fordham) has been a regular on TV and radio to boost his profile Mr Minns (right with friends) served as a councillor before becoming an MP in 2015 Although he has since softened his stance, the hostility was not forgotten by union bosses who savaged him when he ran for leadership against Ms McKay in 2019. Grant Courtney, secretary of the Newcastle branch of the meatworkers union, said at the time: 'If Mr Minns wants to lead a party of out-of-touch elitists who have no idea what life is like for regular Australians, he can go and have a crack at the leadership of the Liberal Party.' Mr Minns lost that leadership race to Ms McKay who was preferred by rank-and-file party members - but boosted his profile while serving as shadow transport minister under her leadership. In particular, the 41-year-old hit headlines for vigorously opposing the Coalition's plan to scrap the four double-ended ferries that take 1,000 passengers at a time between Circular Quay and Manly on a half-hour scenic trip across Sydney Harbour. The boats - known as Freshwater ferries - generate millions in revenue for the Northern Beaches economy, are a major tourist attraction and have been a right of passage for kids from Sydney's sprawling western suburbs seeking access to the beach for generations. Mr Minns (left) unsuccessfully challenged for Labor leadership in 2018 and 2019 but has now finally claimed the crown The new Labor leader (left) has outlined his vision to bring more manufacturing jobs to New South Wales In an interview with Daily Mail Australia in January, Mr Minns said the Freshwater ferries competed with New York's Staten Island ferry and Hong Kong's Star Ferry as the most iconic public transport tourism attractions in the world. 'To just sort of recklessly one day in the bureaucratic flick of the pen destroy what is an iconic service, I think it's so short-sighted and really indicative of a government that's not thinking about where they're going to take the state in the next ten years,' he said. 'I would be focussing on keeping these community services alive to make sure the economy stays strong, particularly in this environment.' Under huge pressure the government backed down and agreed to keep two of ferries running at weekends and public holidays while modernising the regular commuter service. When Mr Minns was elected in a party room meeting on Friday morning, Labor politicians congratulated him with cheering and a thunderous round of applause. He now faces an uphill battle to draw the same enthusiasm from the broader public and ultimately overthrow the formidably popular Gladys Berejiklian. The Pfizer Covid vaccine is safe and effective for children aged 12 to 15, the UK's regulator ruled today. It was approved for over-15s in December last year and it will now be allowed to be given to anyone over the age of 12 because the 'benefits outweigh any risk'. Ministers have asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) whether to give the jab to teenagers the current rollout is set to stop at age 18 except for children with serious health conditions. The JCVI which normally rules who should get a vaccine is expected to tell No10 that jabbing children is a 'political' decision and will leave the ball in ministers' court. Vaccinating children against the virus is a controversial issue because youngsters only have a tiny risk of getting seriously ill and their immunity would likely only protect older adults. More than 100 cross-party MPs and the World Health Organization have said the priority should be to get vaccine doses abroad to poorer countries where vulnerable people still haven't been jabbed before giving them to low-risk children. More than 6million under-17s have already been vaccinated in the US after it became the first country to approve the jab for children last month. While Pfizer's trials have not seen any new side effects and very few serious ones, seven American teenage boys developed heart inflammation after second dose of and were taken to hospital. None were critically ill, and all were healthy enough to be sent home after two to six days in the hospital. Similar reports of young men suffering inflamed hearts have emerged in Israel, too. But pressure to vaccinate children in the UK could build up in the coming months as it emerges the now-dominant Indian variant is spreading quickly among them and may be more likely to make them sick. Ministers might be forced to give youngsters a jab if they want to keep the super-infectious strain under control. The UK's vaccine regulator today gave the green light for the Pfizer jab to be given to 12 to 15-year-olds (Pictured: A teenager is given the jab in Florida, US) This afternoon Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'The government has asked the JCVI to advise whether routine vaccination should be offered to those aged 12-17' This afternoon Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'Following a robust review of the evidence, the MHRA has concluded the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine meets its high standards, authorising use for those aged 12-15. 'The government has asked the JCVI to advise whether routine vaccination should be offered to those aged 12-17. ' Dr June Raine, chief of the the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said: 'We have carefully reviewed clinical trial data in children aged 12 to 15 years and have concluded that the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective in this age group and that the benefits of this vaccine outweigh any risk.' She added: 'No extension to an authorisation would be approved unless the expected standards of safety, quality and effectiveness have been met.' Pfizer's clinical trial of around 2,000 teenagers found nobody given two doses tested positive for coronavirus, compared to 16 who were unvaccinated. The jab appears to work just as well as it does in adults, health chiefs said. The decision comes at a pivotal time in Britain's outbreak as cases are back on the rise and there are fears the new Indian 'Delta' variant is going to spark a third wave. Children's role in fuelling the next surge is unlikely but they will have some of the highest infection rates because they aren't vaccinated, which will allow the virus to keep circulating and increase the risk of spillover into high-risk older people. DECISION ON CHILDREN'S JABS COULD FALL TO BORIS JOHNSON The decision on whether to vaccinate children could fall to Boris Johnson and his government ministers, instead of health chiefs and scientists, because it is ethically complicated. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is expected to 'come up with a menu of options' for the Prime Minister but not to offer a definitive recommendation on jabs for those under the age of 18. Children aren't yet given vaccines because their risk of getting serious Covid is so tiny and their immunity would likely only protect older adults, making it a complex issue - vaccinating against measles, for example, directly protects the child so is more clear-cut. Ministers will be forced to decide whether the tiny risk of side effects in children is worth the benefit of protecting more adults and stifling the virus. JCVI deputy chair Professor Anthony Harnden said on BBC Breakfast in May: 'We do know that the majority of children do not have huge risk of complications, whether we vaccinate for educational purposes, whether we vaccinate to protect others in the population, these are the ethical issues, there are a lot of issues to think about. 'It's a complicated position to decide on the immunisation of children, of course, then there's the wider global ethical argument about the use of vaccine in children when there are other people in the world that are at risk of not being vaccinated. 'So we need to think about all these issues, we probably will give the Government a range of options.' Advertisement Public Health England data published yesterday showed that 10 to 19-year-olds had the highest infection rate in the last week of May, with 72 cases per 100,000 people and rising. This was ahead of 52 per 100,000 in the next worst-affected group, people in their 20s, who had seen a 65 per cent surge in that week. And separate figures show that the Indian variant is fuelling outbreaks in schools, with 97 clusters definitively triggered by the strain in the last month and potentially many more. Although children are unlikely to get severely ill and die of coronavirus, how they are affected by long Covid still remains to be seen and it is possible they face long-term health effects that aren't obvious when they first get infected. Speaking about today's approval, a Department of Health spokesperson said: 'The government has asked the independent experts at the JCVI to advise whether routine vaccination should be offered to younger people aged 12 to 17. 'We will be guided by the expert advisors and will update in due course.' Professor Punir Mohammed, chair of the Commission on Human Medicines which conducted the review alongside the MHRA, added: 'We have concluded that based on the data we have seen on the quality, effectiveness and safety of the vaccine, its benefits do outweigh any risk. 'Over 2,000 children aged 12-15 years were studied as part of the randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials. 'There were no cases of Covid-19 from seven days after the second dose in the vaccinated group, compared with 16 cases in the placebo group. 'In addition, data on neutralising antibodies showed the vaccine working at the same level as seen in adults aged 16-25 years. These are extremely positive results.' Critics say vaccinating children is ethically dubious because pre-teens are at such a low risk of the virus and the jabs can cause uncomfortable side effects. There are growing calls for the plan to be ditched and for doses to be shipped to poorer nations where elderly and vulnerable people are yet to be jabbed. Ultimately, the UK wants to achieve herd immunity - when so many people are protected against a virus, either through vaccination or previous illness, that it peters out. Scientists disagree on what the exact herd immunity threshold is but top US medical official Dr Anthony Fauci has previously suggested it could be as high as 90 per cent. Pfizer's vaccine was the first in the world to be approved for adults when the UK led the way by green-lighting it in December, and it is now the first jab to be approved for under-16s in Britain (stock image) WHAT IS 'HERD IMMUNITY'? Herd immunity is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection. Effectively, it means that once people have some form of immunity, it reduces the ability of a disease to spread among the population. Therefore, someone who has antibodies either through previous infection or vaccines, acts as a 'barrier' to the virus. If you have enough 'barriers' then the disease cannot effectively spread through a population. But in the case of a new virus, such as with Covid-19, the virus can spread essentially without any barriers - which can lead to a pandemic. The World Health Organisation says it supports achieving herd immunity through vaccination, not by allowing a disease to spread through any segment of the population. But one expert told MailOnline that Covid-19 is here to stay and that the key is reaching a 'herd immunity threshold'. This keeps the virus at what is known as an endemic level - where a disease is regularly found among the population but is not harmful enough to impact on society. Keeping Covid-19 within the herd immunity threshold, which can vary particularly in winter when diseases such as flu and coronavirus spread quickly, will mean it is kept at a 'manageable level', the expert added. Research shows the current crop of Covid vaccines help by increasing the antibody response to the virus - therefore heavily reducing the risk that someone can be made seriously ill. But data is not yet available about how effective the vaccinations are at preventing transmission. Advertisement The UK governments Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance quoted a figure of 60 per cent back in March 2020 but scientists now believe it is much higher than that because the virus is more transmissible than previously thought. Some argue that vaccinating children is the only way to achieve herd immunity, even if the threshold is lower than the 90 per cent touted by some. It comes after seven teenage boys in the US developed heart inflammation after second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. An article on seven U.S. teen boys in several states, published online Friday in Pediatrics, is among the latest reports of young men getting heart inflammation after their second COVID-19 vaccination, though a link to the vaccine has not been proven. The boys in the study, between the ages of 14 and 19, received Pfizer shots in April or May and developed chest pain within a few days. Heart imaging tests showed a type of heart muscle inflammation called myocarditis. None were critically ill, and all were healthy enough to be sent home after two to six days in the hospital. They are all 'doing pretty well,' according to Dr. Preeti Jaggi, an Emory University infectious disease specialist who co-authored the report. She said more follow-up is needed to determine how the seven fare, but that it is likely the heart changes were temporary. Only one of the seven boys in the Pediatrics report had evidence of a possible previous COVID-19 infection, and doctors determined none of them had a rare inflammatory condition linked with the coronavirus. The cases echo reports from Israel in young men diagnosed after receiving Pfizer shots. Analysis of the jab rollout there found there had been 148 cases of myocarditis, the medical name for swelling in the heart, shortly after the patient had been vaccinated. A total of 275 cases have been spotted so far out of around five million people given the Pfizer jab in Israel, which has had one of the world's most successful jab rollouts. The remaining 127 are thought to have happened later so a link was unclear. This was equivalent to just 0.005 per cent of recipients, or one in 20,000 people. For the 148 cases 'probably' linked to the jab, the rate was 0.003 per cent although half of them had other underlying health problems. Pfizer said it had not seen a higher rate of the condition during its clinical trials than would be expected in the general population. Linking the illness to the vaccine is complicated because it often causes no symptoms and goes away on its own, and it can be caused by viral infection so coronavirus could cause it rather than the jab. Men aged 16 to 30 made up the vast majority of cases, Israel's Health Ministry said, but 95 per cent of them had mild cases. Two patients in the group died. Israel is still pressing ahead with plans to vaccinate children aged 12 to 16, after its pandemic co-ordinator said the risk from the virus outweighed any concerns over the jab. The warning is one of the first health concerns linked to the Pfizer vaccine, which was not caught up in the blood clot scare with the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson jabs because it works differently. Israeli health officials first raised concerns Pfizer's jab could trigger heart problems in April after detecting 60 cases, mostly among young men. The US-based Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) launched an investigation into the issue last month. But it said monitoring had not picked up a higher number of cases of the condition among those who had been vaccinated than would be expected normally. The UK's medical regulators have not raised any concerns about health issues among people who have had the jab. And the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said last week it had not found higher rates of heart problems among those who got the jab compared to the general population, adding young men were particularly prone to the condition. Mike Pence said on Thursday he doubted he would ever 'see eye to eye' with Donald Trump about the Capitol insurrection, but insisted he was proud to have served as his vice president. MAGA rioters stormed the Capitol building on January 6 as the then-Vice President was ratifying the result of the 2020 election, with some chanting: 'Hang Mike Pence!' when he said he did not have the power to overturn Joe Biden's victory. Pence, his wife Karen and daughter Charlotte were hurried to a secure facility with seconds to spare, as protesters rampaged through the building and came within yards of breaching the Senate chamber. But Trump and his allies have played down the seriousness of the riot, with representative Andrew Clyde saying it was like a 'normal tourist visit.' Speaking at a Republican fundraiser Pence said: 'You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office. And I don't know if we'll ever see eye to eye on that day. 'As I said that day, Jan. 6 was a dark day in history of the United States Capitol. But thanks to the swift action of the Capitol Police and federal law enforcement, violence was quelled. The Capitol was secured. 'And that same day, we reconvened the Congress and did our duty under the Constitution and the laws of the United States.' Scroll down for video Former Vice President Mike Pence is seen speaking in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Thursday night, at the annual Hillsborough County Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. Pence said he does not think he will ever 'see eye-to-eye' with Donald Trump about the January 6 riot - his first comments on the insurrection that saw him evacuated from the Capitol Dramatic new footage showed Vice President Mike Pence, his wife and his daughter being removed to safety as MAGA mob crowds spread throughout the building Yet the 61-year-old told Republicans that he would 'always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years.' Striking a defiant note, Pence said he would not let Democrats use 'one tragic day' to discredit millions of Americans who backed Trump. He said: 'I will not allow Democrats or their allies in the media to use one tragic day to discredit the aspirations of millions of Americans. 'Or allow Democrats or their allies in the media to distract our attention from a new administration intent on dividing our country to advance their radical agenda. 'My fellow Republicans, for our country, for our future, for our children and our grandchildren, we must move forward, united.' Pence's remarks at a Republican dinner in New Hampshire provide his most extensive comments to date on the events of January 6. It was a rare departure for Pence, who spent four years standing loyally beside his boss amid controversy, investigation and impeachment. The government has said in court filings that in addition to the more than 400 people who had already been charged, federal prosecutors still expect to charge at least 100 more. Hundreds of Trump supporters swarmed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, ransacking the building and chanting 'Hang Mike Pence'. Pence was targeted because he refused to overthrow the results of the November election, and oversaw their certification that day Pence is seen looking on as Trump sits at the Resolute Desk on September 4. Pence is weighing up a run for the presidency in 2024, but it will likely depend on whether Trump decides to run again Protesters angry at Trump's electoral loss are seen storming the Capitol. Many were baying for Pence's blood and vowing to hunt him down His speech Thursday comes as Pence considers his own potential 2024 White House run and as Republicans, some of whom were angry at Trump in the days after the January 6 insurrection, have largely coalesced back around the former president. Pence praised Trump several times during his nearly 35-minute speech at the Hillsborough County Republican Committee's annual Lincoln-Reagan Awards Dinner in Manchester. He tried to turn the events of January 6 back around on Democrats, saying they wanted to keep the insurrection in the news to divert attention from Biden's liberal agenda. He accused Biden of campaigning as a moderate but becoming the most liberal president since President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 'After 134 days, where the Biden administration and Democrats in Washington have been pushing open borders, higher taxes, runaway spending, more government, defunding the police, abandoning the right to life, censuring free speech, cancelling our most cherished liberties, I came here to say enough is enough,' said Pence. 'I came here to say the time is now for every patriotic American who shares our ideals and values to stand up and fight back against the agenda of the radical left.' He said the administration forced through Congress 'a COVID bill to fund massive expansion of the welfare state' and was pushing a 'so-called infrastructure bill' that was really a 'thinly disguised climate change bill' funded with cuts in the military and historic tax increases. 'I just say enough is enough,' he said, adding that 'we're going to stand strong for freedom.' Pence also hit upon several favorite themes of conservative Republicans, emphasizing the need for states to shore up voter integrity around the country. 'It's time we recognize that election integrity is a national imperative, but a state responsibility,' Pence said to a standing ovation. 'After an election that saw several states around the country literally set aside election laws enacted by state legislatures - now is the time for states to ensure one person, one vote.' He also praised law enforcement as heroes, and seemed to hit out at the Black Lives Matter movement which has campaigned against police targeting of black people. He said: 'Black lives are not endangered by police. Black lives are saved by police every day.' Pence's remarks in New Hampshire mark his first significant comments on the January 6 insurrection, and a rare disagreement with his former boss - who he said he speaks to regularly Pence, right, waves alongside Chris Sununu, the governor of New Hampshire. Sununu introduced Pence to deliver the address on Thursday in Manchester He also pushed back against 'critical race theory,' which seeks to reframe the narrative of American history. 'America is not a racist country,' he said, prompting one of several standing ovations and cheers during his speech. 'It is past time for America to discard the left-wing myth of systemic racism. 'I commend state legislators and governors across the country for banning critical race theory from our schools.' Proponents of critical race theory argue that federal law has preserved the unequal treatment of people on the basis of race and that the country was founded on the theft of land and labor. But Republicans have said concepts suggesting that people are inherently racist or that America was founded on racial oppression are divisive and have no place in the classroom. At least five Republican-controlled state legislatures have passed bans on critical race theory or related topics in recent months, and conservatives in at least nine other states are pressing for similar measures. 'One of the most disturbing developments of the past few months has been the Biden Administration's wholehearted embrace of the radical left's all-encompassing assault on American culture and values,' Pence said. 'Under the Biden Administration, patriotic education has been replaced with political indoctrination. 'They abolished the 1776 Commission and authorized teaching Critical Race Theory in public schools. Instead of teaching all children to be proud of their country, Critical Race Theory teaches children as young as kindergarten to be ashamed of the color of their skin.' Pence has already spoken in South Carolina, as part of a tour that is seen as being designed to test the waters for a possible 2024 bid. Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, and Mike Pompeo, the former Secretary of State, are also believed to be considering running His choice of states, including an April appearance in South Carolina, is aimed at increasing his visibility as he considers whether to run for the White House in 2024. Trump is increasingly acting and talking like he plans to make a run as he sets out on a more public phase of his post-presidency, beginning with a speech on Saturday in North Carolina. Since leaving office in January, Pence has been doing work with the Heritage Foundation and Young America's Foundation. His team said he plans more trips, including stops in Texas, California and Michigan. Along with his visits to South Carolina and New Hampshire, Pence has been hitting the fundraising circuit. He is set to speak next week at another fundraiser hosted by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, will travel to North Carolina for a Heritage Foundation donor event, and will then head to California, where he will take part in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute's speakers' series, a Republican National Committee donor retreat and a Young America's Foundation event, according to aides. Among other prominent Republicans, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said in April that she would stand down if Trump decided to run in 2024. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has undertaken an aggressive schedule, visiting states that will play a pivotal role in the 2024 primaries and signing a contract with Fox News Channel. Neil Bukowski has owned Neils Donuts at 83 North Turnpike Road in Wallingford for 20 years. In November, he opened a location at 211 South Main St. in Middletown, managed by his son, Neil Bukowski Jr. Bukowski Sr. went into the business after he tried to find good, well-priced donuts for meetings at his former job, and couldnt find any he liked. One signature feature came about by chance. The jelly injector broke on the first day, on the first pump. We had to slice them in half and put the jelly in by hand. People loved that so I had to keep it, he said. He makes 40 flavors, from traditional glazed to contemporary Oreo donuts or Girls Scout cookie-inspired Samoa donuts. The doughnut shop was named Connecticuts best by Food & Wine this year. Hours are Tuesday to Friday 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. neilsdonuts.com/ 203-269-4255. Advertisement The Guardian Angels have stepped up patrols in Manhattan's Chinatown following a brutal attack on an Asian woman that took place in broad daylight. Members of the volunteer crime-fighting organization - easily distinguished by their bright red berets - were pictured protecting the neighborhood in exclusive images captured by DailyMail.com on Thursday. In recent months, violent attacks on Asians have surged across the Big Apple as overall crime continues to skyrocket. 'People can't even go out to have a little lunch in New York City without being afraid that someone is going to harm them,' Guardian Angel Benjamin 'E.Q.' Garcia told DailyMail.com during his daily patrol of the area. His presence comes as a relief to Chinatown residents reeling from the fact a 55-year-old woman was randomly sucker-punched as she walked along bustling Bayard Street on Monday afternoon. Her assailant has been identified as serial felon Alexander Wright, a homeless man who has clocked up eight arrests in the past year alone. Many have blamed Mayor Bill de Blasio's bail reforms for the crime spike, which have put suspects straight back onto the city's streets, even if they've been arrested for violent crimes. Garcia has been volunteering with the Guardian Angels for 35 years and says it feels as if New York City is returning to the 1980s and 1990s when shootings, murders and muggings were rampant. 'If this continues the way it's going, this could be one of the worst summers on record,' Garcia predicted. The Guardian Angels have stepped up patrols in Manhattan's Chinatown following a brutal attack on an Asian woman that took place in broad daylight Benjamin 'E.Q.' Garcia (right) and a fellow Guardian Angel are pictured on Bayard Street, where a 55-year-old woman was sucker-punched by a serial felon on Monday The victim (in pink) is seen strolling along minding her own business before the man (in the orange hoodie and denim vest) punches her in the face This chart shows how serious crimes - including felony assaults and murders - have soared in NYC over the last 12 months The Guardian Angels is a non-profit group first established by Curtis Sliwa back in 1979 as crime rates began to soar across New York City. Volunteers of Good Samaritans would patrol the city's sidewalks and subways in a bid to help prevent violent attacks. The volunteers became a reassuring sight to nervous New Yorkers and were easily identifiable by their bright red berets and jackets. In the 1980s and 1990s they became a fixture on New York City streets as the crack cocaine epidemic sparked a rise in muggings. Crime in the Big Apple began to drop in the late 90s and into the 2000s under the mayorships of Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. In recent years, a spate of articles were published wondering whether the Guardian Angels had become redundant because the city felt so safe. But in the past 12 months, as crime has started to surge again, the Guardian Angels find themselves as relevant as ever, providing safety for those who are too afraid to leave their homes. 'My wife doesn't want to go out on her own, even during the day,' Garcia explained. He added that a number of lifelong New Yorkers that he knows personally have recently decided to flee the city. 'They have children and they're leaving because they're afraid something might happen to them, God forbid,' he stated. 'It's sad when you hear from women and from elderly people that they're afraid to take the subways, and they want to leave the city.' 'My wife doesn't want to go out on her own, even during the day': Garcia has been volunteering with the Guardian Angels since 1986 Benjamin 'E.Q.' Garcia (right) and a fellow Guardian Angel are pictured on Bayard Street, where a 55-year-old woman was sucker-punched by a serial felon on Monday Lisa Sliwa, a member of the Guardian Angels and married to its founder, Curtis Sliwa, patrols the subway while dressed in her Guardian Angels uniform and with an unidentified fellow member of the group in the mid-1980s Curtis Sliwa (left) and the Guardian Angels post for a portrait as they celebrate their 10th anniversary January 18, 1989 Garcia has volunteered with The Guardian Angels since 1986, and says the violent attacks in recent months differ to those that occurred in the city in the past. While many muggings in the 1980s and 90s were linked to the crack cocaine epidemic, Garcia says there now appears to be an increase in random assaults perpetrated by those who are homeless and suffer from mental health issues. 'We need to get those people the help that they need in the hospital,' he told DailyMail.com. 'Don't just release them back into the street because they're going to do the same thing or something worse.' Felony assaults - such as the one that occurred in Chinatown on Monday - were up 35.3 per cent in the past week when compared with the same week in 2020. The latest information from the New York Police Department's CompStat website showed murders were up 28.6 per cent last week over the same week in 2020, with nine homicides in 2021, and seven in 2020. Meanwhile, serious crime overall was up 49 per cent over the last week, with a total of 234 reported - 77 more than the 157 flagged to cops for the same seven days in 2020. Despite the fact a police precinct is located nearby, the Guardian Angels have increased their foot presence in Chinatown Guardian Angels are pictured on patrol circa 1980 in New York City The Guardian Angels (pictured in 2005) was launched during a period of surging crime in the Big Apple Last week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo admitted New Yorkers don't feel safe in their own city. 'We're building new projects, stimulating new business -but what comes before that is public safety, otherwise none of it works. 'New Yorkers don't feel safe and they don't feel safe because the crime rate is up. It's not that they are being neurotic or overly sensitive - they are right,' he stated. He added that defunding the police - which Bill de Blasio agreed to last summer by taking $1bn from the NYPD budget amid pressure from BLM activists - was not the answer. Meanwhile, there is growing outrage of de Blasio's bail reform laws after it emerged that the man accused of Monday's sucker-punch attack has been arrested 41 times since his 17th birthday, including eight times in the past year. Police records reviewed by DailyMail.com show Alexander Wright's first arrest was a robbery in September 1989 At his arraignment Wednesday, prosecutors highlighted Wright's most recent arrests in recommending high bail to actually keep him behind bars this time, including an open case in the Bronx from last July. 'In that case, the defendant is accused of striking a 72-year-old man in the face with a closed fist, causing the victim to fall to the ground,' Manhattan assistant district attorney William Darling told the judge. 'The victim in that case did then seek treatment at a hospital. He is currently released on his own recognizance. The defendant has failed to appear twice on that case and has been returned on warrants both times.' 'The defendant pled guilty to two violent crimes in New York County only four days ago,' Darling continued, one where he 'threw a rock through a window, causing damage to the window, and minutes later grabbed a stranger by the face, scratching the victim's face causing lacerations to his face and substantial pain.' In the other, 'the defendant threw hot coffee into the faces and eyes of two traffic officers, causing redness and substantial pain.' He then detailed Monday's assault, pointing out that Wright walked up to a complete stranger and 'struck her in the face with a closed fist so hard that her hat flew off her head, she fell to the ground, and lost consciousness.' Judge Angela Badamo agreed with the prosecution's recommendation to set bail at $15,000 cash. The head of the Wuhan virology lab and a University of North Carolina expert warned of the immense danger posed by their own 'gain of function' research after creating a new form of coronavirus - and said it was potentially 'too risky to pursue' in a 2015 report, it has been revealed. Researchers inserted a protein from a Chinese rufous horseshoe bat into a SARS virus from 2002 - resulting in a new pathogen which could infect human cells, Vanity Fair has revealed. But worried researchers wrote: 'On the basis of these findings, scientific review panels may deem similar studies building chimeric viruses based on circulating strains too risky to pursue, as increased pathogenicity in mammalian models cannot be excluded. 'The potential to prepare for and mitigate future outbreaks must be weighed against the risk of creating more dangerous pathogens.' Wuhan Institute of Virology's lead coronavirus researcher, Shi Zhengli, and an epidemiologist from the UNC, Ralph Baric, were among 15 authors of a report on novel coronavirus research. Shi has been dubbed 'batwoman' for her research into how Covid mutates in bats. Infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci had previously denied that there was any possibility that the coronavirus was engineered in a lab. But emails released under the Freedom of Information Act this week show he was warned at the start of the pandemic that it may have been, and he was sent a copy of a paper by Baric and Shi. Fauci has since said his emails have been 'taken out of context' but he 'can't guarantee everything that is going on in the Wuhan lab'. Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli is seen inside the P4 laboratory in Wuhan, capital of China's Hubei province, on February 23, 2017. She co-authored a 2015 report into their research on coronaviruses, and 'gain of function' experiments. The report, unearthed by a team working within the Trump White House, expressed concern at the threat posed by the research Ralph Baric, researcher and lab leader at North Carolina's Gillings School of Global Public Health, was another co-author of the report. There are only three places in the world where 'gain of function' research is carried out: Wuhan, Baric's lab in North Carolina, and Texas The 2015 paper in Nature Medicine warned of the risks of 'gain of function' research, and said that its benefits needed to be very carefully evaluated before proceeding Gain of function research is carried out in a bid to explore how viruses become more lethal and transmissible, in a bid to better understand them. But opponents - including Barack Obama, who ruled out funding for the research when he was president - say that it creates dangerous pathogens, which could accidentally or otherwise be unleashed on the world. The 2015 paper was uncovered by a small team of investigators working to identify the origins of the COVID-19, which was commissioned by Matthew Pottinger, the deputy National Security Adviser during the Trump presidency. The paper was published in a scientific journal, Nature Medicine, entitled: 'A SARS-like cluster of circulating bat coronaviruses shows potential for human emergence'. The investigators were tasked with investigating the Wuhan 'lab leak' theory, suggesting that the virus was man-made rather than naturally evolved. The theory had been dismissed by many within the scientific community, but was wholeheartedly embraced by Donald Trump and Mike Pompeo, his Secretary of State. Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top public health official, has in recent weeks become the focus of Republican anger in discussions around the pandemic, after he initially emphasized the scientific consensus that the 'lab leak' theory was unlikely - to the anger of Trump. He has since said it is possible. Many Republicans are calling for him to resign over what they believe is a lack of transparency about what he knew, when. Donald Trump, seen on May 18 in Manhattan, was an enthusiastic supporter of the 'lab leak' theory. His critics accused him of being racist: he has said he now feels vindicated The 2015 study was intended to raise an alarm and warn the world of 'a potential risk of SARS-CoV re-emergence from viruses currently circulating in bat populations.' Their discovery suggests that the idea of a virus escaping from the lab is not at all far-fetched, and Vanity Fair reported that the Wuhan lab had had several previous security scares. The paper's authors said that they had received funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and from EcoHealth Alliance, a New York-based nonprofit, which had parceled out grant money from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Specializing in investigating viruses and whether the next pandemic could come from animals, EcoHealth Alliance is run by Peter Daszak, a British zoologist. Trump ordered in April 2020 that a grant to EcoHealth Alliance from the NIH be ended, after he was asked by a Newsmax reporter why the U.S. was paying for research in China. Peter Daszak is seen sitting in the front passenger seat on arrival at the Wuhan lab on February 3. He was part of a World Health Organization team that was sent to China to investigate the origins of COVID-19. The head of the WHO complained after their visit that they were only allowed three hours inside the lab, and were not granted full access to all they needed The Wuhan lab is now the focus of interest in determining where the outbreak began Fauci, the head of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), has in recent weeks been pressed by Congress about the funding, and insisted that it was necessary to study bats in China, because that's where the particular species thought to carry coronaviruses lives. Pottinger told Vanity Fair that the U.S. officials had been too hasty to dismiss the 'lab leak' theory, and did not pay enough attention to the work of his team. The team were hampered by Trump's enthusiastic embrace of the theory, which critics said was simply a racist way of scapegoating another country, and distracting from his own administration's failures. Pottinger (center) is seen with Trump and the then-White House chief of staff, John Kelly, in November 2017. Pottinger coordinated a team of researchers at the National Security Council to investigate the origins of COVID-19, despite opposition from scientists and the media Anthony Fauci is currently under fire for his initial downplaying of the 'lab leak' theory. He has now said it is indeed possible. Republicans are calling for his resignation as Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, insisting that his judgement is flawed. He insists he has been following the science, and the science has evolved A statement was issued on April 30, 2020, by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence downplaying the 'lab leak' theory. Pottinger said it was a mistake. 'It was pure panic,' he said. 'They were getting flooded with queries. Someone made the unfortunate decision to say, 'We basically know nothing, so let's put out the statement.' The magazine reported that Zhengli, the Wuhan virologist, seemed to have been unforthcoming with what she knew about possible origins of the pandemic. They also reported that Daszak - who firmly believed in the value of the Wuhan lab's work - was the orchestrator a February 19, 2020 statement signed by 27 scientists condemning the 'lab leak' theory. The statement, published in scientific journal The Lancet, expressed 'solidarity with all scientists and health professionals in China'. 'We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin,' the scientists said, effectively silencing questions about whether the 'lab leak' theory should be given more credence. REVEALED: State Department staff warned officials NOT to investigate Wuhan lab's gain-of-function research because it would 'open a can of worms' and expose US funding Career staffers at the State Department 'warned' officials not to investigate the possibility that COVID-19 leaked from a Wuhan lab, fearing it would expose U.S. funding for gain-of-function research there, according to a new report. Thomas DiNanno, former acting assistant secretary of the State Department's Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance raised the concern in a memo reported by Vanity Fair on Thursday. DiNanno wrote that staff from two bureaus, his own and the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, 'warned' leaders 'not to pursue an investigation into the origin of COVID-19' because it would 'open a can of worms' if it continued. In one State Department meeting, officials say colleagues explicitly told them not to explore the Wuhan Institute of Virology's (WIV) gain-of-function research, because it would bring unwelcome attention to the U.S. taxpayer funds that were supporting the work. Gain-of-function research is a controversial field that involves collecting dangerous viruses and genetically modifying them to be more deadly, in order to study the risks of future outbreaks. Richard H. Ebright, a professor at Rutgers, has compared the field of gain-of-function research to 'looking for a gas leak with a lighted match.' State Department officials say they were warned not to explore the Wuhan Institute of Virology's (above) gain-of-function research, because it would bring unwelcome attention to U.S. government funding of it The new report examining the behind-the-scenes battle over COVID's origins follows new evidence to support the theory that the coronavirus pandemic may have leaked from WIV -- raising questions about why the possibility wasn't investigated more thoroughly from the outset. 'The story of why parts of the U.S. government were not as curious as many of us think they should have been is a hugely important one,' David Feith, former deputy assistant secretary of state in the East Asia bureau, told Vanity Fair. In an interview with the outlet, DiNanno describes how his probe into the lab leak theory was thwarted at every turn, with hostile and antagonistic technical staff warning him not to open 'Pandora's box.' Things came to a head at a meeting on December 9, when State Department staff met to discuss what the department could or should say publicly about the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). According to people at the meeting, Christopher Park, the director of the State Department's Biological Policy Staff in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, not to say anything that would point to the U.S. government's own role in gain-of-function research. Park, a Trump appointee like DiNanno, had been involved in lifting a U.S. government moratorium on funding for gain-of-function research in 2017. 'Bat lady' Shi Zhengli works with other researchers in a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in a file photo. She has published research on gain-of-function experiments Park was reportedly not the only one who raised concerns about the investigation ultimately raising questions about U.S. funding. As the group probed the lab-leak scenario and other possibilities, its members were repeatedly advised not to open a 'Pandora's box,' four former State Department officials told the magazine. The admonitions 'smelled like a cover-up,' said DiNanno, 'and I wasn't going to be part of it.' Park told Vanity Fair: 'I am skeptical that people genuinely felt they were being discouraged from presenting facts.' He insisted that he had just been making the case that it 'is making an enormous and unjustifiable leapto suggest that research of that kind [meant] that something untoward is going on.' It's unclear exactly much U.S. government funding was going to the WIV, but at least some of it was being routed through a nonprofit called EcoHealth Alliance. By 2018, EcoHealth Alliance was pulling in up to $15 million a year in grant money from an array of federal agencies, including the Defense Department, Homeland Security, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, according to tax filings. EcoHealth Alliance and its founder Peter Daszak have been working with Shi Zhengli, the WIV virologist known as the 'bat lady', for more than 15 years. British-born Peter Daszak, 55, is the president of EcoHealth Alliance, the nonprofit that funneled US grant money to gain-of-function research at WIV and elsewhere. He is seen above participating in the World Health Organization's investigation in Wuhan British-born Daszak, 55, is the president of EcoHealth Alliance - and in the early days of the pandemic, he was key in establishing the veneer of a 'scientific consensus' that the lab-leak origin was impossible. Daszak not only signed but spearheaded a letter signed by 27 scientists rejecting the lab leak hypothesis, which was published on February 19, 2020 in the medical journal The Lancet. Leaked emails later revealed that he encouraged colleagues who do gain-of-function research on coronaviruses not to sign the letter, in order to obscure the connection. The letter declared that the scientists had 'no competing interests' -- but it seems clear that Daszak did, as a lab leak origin would likely derail his entire field, but an animal origin would justify his life's work. Top WIV scientist Yuan Zhiming described widespread deficiencies in biosafety training in China's biosafety-level 3 labs in a 2019 article pleading for more funding The Vanity Fair article also noted serious concerns about safety and upkeep at the WIV facilities that handle hundreds of strains of bat coronaviruses. In 2019, in an article pleading for more funding, top WIV scientist Yuan Zhiming describes widespread deficiencies in biosafety training in China's biosafety-level 3 labs. China has dozens of BSL-3 labs, but only one BSL-4, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, though it plans to build half a dozen more. Yuan noted that 'most laboratories lack specialized biosafety managers and engineers.' He also wrote: 'Maintenance cost is generally neglected; several high-level [BSL-3 labs] have insufficient operating funds for routine, yet vital processes some BSL-3 laboratories run on extremely minimal operational costs or in some cases none at all.' Last July, Yuan claimed on Chinese state television that safety protocols are so tight at WIV that 'not a mosquito can fly into the building without authorization'. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to announce a $200million plan on Friday to build a purpose-built, stand-alone quarantine centre in Victoria. The federal government has given a memorandum of understanding to the state for the proposed open-air site near Avalon Airport, 56km south-west of the Melbourne CBD. Developers will model the facility on the existing Howard Springs facility on the outskirts of Darwin in a bid to stop Covid-19 from leaking into the community. More flights would be diverted to Avalon, where there is more than 800 hectares of unused farmland, to bring high-risk overseas travellers to the site. The state government is expected to be given the go-ahead to start work on an 800ha open-air, purpose-built quarantine site near Avalon Airport The Victorian government put the proposal to the federal government in late April, with a site at Mickleham, north of Melbourne, as its preferred option ahead of Avalon Airport. The state would chip in $15 million for the centre's design and also operate the facility. However, it is understood the federal government prefers the Avalon Airport site. The Avalon centre would operate 'over and above' the current hotel quarantine system. Acting Victoria Premier James Merlino said on Friday morning the federal announcement followed state officials submitting a 'comprehensive policy proposal'. 'Hotel quarantine has done a good job but it is not low risk, it is not a zero-risk environment never. It never has been and never will be,' he said. 'A very strong argument has been made for a Howard springs-like alternative - a purpose-built quarantine facility for our highest risk individuals.' A quarantined traveller at the Howard Springs facility. The Avalon site will be modelled on the Northern Territory centre in a bid to stop Covid-19 from leaking into the community Acting Victoria Premier James Merlino said on Friday state officials had submitted a 'comprehensive policy proposal' to the federal government Mr Merlino has had discussions with Prime Minister Scott Morrison about alternative quarantine arrangements. He said the Avalon proposal would work equally well compared to the Mickleham option. Defence Minister Peter Dutton meanwhile has come to the defence of Australia's hotel quarantine system just days after his government revealed there had been 21 coronavirus breaches in the program since March 2020. Travellers outside the Virgin Australia domestic departures terminal at Melbourne Airport on May 27. Under the plan, more flights would be diverted to Avalon, where there is more than 800 hectares of unused farmland 'Quarantine has a 99.99 per cent success rate and if you look at the hundreds of thousands of people we have brought back from overseas, people who have had to go to funerals or visit elderly parents, it's been success,' he told the Today show. He said quarantine breaches were linked to human error, including when 'someone has gone into the corridor or... a security guard has breached the protocol.' 'That can happen in any facility,' he said. SIR GRAHAM BRADY: At first the justification for extreme measures was that it was just for a few weeks while NHS capacity was expanded to meet the challenge. Then it shifted to a drive to get infections really low (Ministers always insist that they aren't pursuing 'zero-Covid', but the result is the same). Then it was necessary to lock down until the vulnerable groups were vaccinated. Now they have moved on to avoiding not just this 'variant of concern' but every one that might ever develop in the future. If we accept this logic we will either never be released, or at best we'll be doomed to a never-ending hokey-cokey of lockdown and reopening. Once we accept that Covid is now an endemic disease that will return every year, sometimes in a mild form, sometimes in a more serious strain, we have to find a sensible way of living with it while using common sense measures to mitigate its effect. Improved hygiene and booster vaccines for the more vulnerable will be key to this effort, just as they are in the response to seasonal flu. Advertisement Having two doses of a Covid vaccine slashes the risk of being admitted to hospital with the Indian variant by 93 per cent to less than one in a thousand but unvaccinated people are at a higher risk than in earlier waves. Public Health England figures show just seven out of 9,427 people to have been infected with the new strain were admitted to hospital even though they had had two doses of a vaccine. By comparison, 90 unvaccinated people were admitted in the same time and PHE warned in a report last night that the risk of admission to hospital with the new strain may be 2.6 times higher than it was for the Kent variant. The figures show 0.07 per cent of all the variant cases were hospitalised after having had two doses, while 0.95 per cent of the cases were unvaccinated and ended up in hospital, showing a 93 per cent fall in risk. The proof that the jab works will put ministers in a dilemma ahead of June 21's 'Freedom Day' as experts warn two doses are essential for protection against the strain and a single jab could be up to 20 per cent less effective against it. Weekly Office for National Statistics numbers today rounded off a week of piling evidence that the virus is rebounding in Britain since lockdown rules were lifted, with the number of infected people surging from 48,500 last week. And SAGE today estimated the R rate - the number of other people infected by each case - to be between 1.0 and 1.2, which was up from an upper limit of 1.1 last week and the fourth weekly increase in a row, showing the outbreak is definitely growing. 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson has taken a cautious stance warning evidence about the variant was not positive 'in any respect' and that the mutant strain appeared to be between 30 and 100 per cent more virulent than the previously dominant Kent variant and that 'a good central estimate' would be 60 per cent. It comes as Britain today recorded another 6,238 cases 1,000 more than yesterday and 11 additional deaths. It is the first time daily infections have risen above 6,000 since March 26, when the country was still under much stricter lockdown rules, and they are up 50 per cent compared to last week. Scientists are pushing for June 21 to be delayed and insisting only a temporary extension would be enough to buy time for the NHS to push out second vaccine doses to as many people as possible to protect them from the Indian variant. Ministers are still undecided on what to do, remaining tight-lipped about the prospect of a return to normality. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said today after a G7 meeting in Oxford: 'We always expected cases to rise as the as the country was opened up, the critical thing is the impact on the number of people who end up in hospital for any given number of cases. That link has been broken by the vaccine, but it hasn't been completely severed yet.' Public Health England data show that just 0.07 per cent of confirmed Indian variant cases were admitted to hospital despite having had two doses of a vaccine, compared to 0.95 per cent of unvaccinated people. Significantly more unvaccinated people also went to A&E or died after catching the virus. Having had a single dose of a jab offered middling protection but experts say that now the Indian strain is dominant it is crucial that people get both jabs Promising figures in Public Health England's report lay bare the effectiveness of vaccines at protecting people. Of 9,427 recorded cases of the Indian variant between February 1 and May 31, only 267 had had two doses of a jab (2.8 per cent). Just seven people out of the 9,000 confirmed cases spent the night in hospital despite having had two jabs - only 0.07 per cent - compared to 90 who were unvaccinated (0.95 per cent) The number of people with Covid in England spiked 75 per cent in seven days to 86,000 last week, official figures show as SAGE member Professor Neil Ferguson warned the Indian variant could be spreading up to twice as fast SAGE today estimated the R rate - the number of other people infected by each case - to be between 1.0 and 1.2, which was up from an upper limit of 1.1 last week and the fourth weekly increase in a row This Public Health England graph shows how the number of cases of the Indian variant (dark green line) has exploded since it was first found, spreading faster than any other strain did over the same time after its discovery Despite the surge in cases, scientists and ministers will draw confidence from Public Health England data that last night suggested just one in 1,400 people have ended up in hospital so far after catching the new variant having had two jab doses - the risk appears 10 times lower than it is for unvaccinated people. Promising figures show just seven people out of 9,427 confirmed cases spent the night in hospital despite having had two jabs - only 0.07 per cent - compared to 90 who were unvaccinated (0.95 per cent). One dose reduces the risk by about three quarters, to one in 400 from one in 100, but doesn't offer as much protection as being fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated people will be at a higher risk from Covid than they were with the old variant, PHE has confirmed, because it spreads up to twice as fast - so they will be more likely to get infected - and appears to increase the risk of hospital admission by up to 2.6 times. The figures will bolster the case for the June 21 'Freedom Day' unlocking to be pushed back to buy more time to get second doses to more people. So far 26.4million people have had two jabs while 39.8m have had their first. There have been a total of 12,431 confirmed infections with the variant, known to scientists as B1617.2, and 94 people were admitted to hospital with it last week. The report said the risk of being admitted to hospital could increase by as much as 2.6 times over the Kent variant, and people may be 70 per cent more likely to go to A&E. That count of hospital admissions was double the week before, when 201 people went to A&E and 43 were admitted overnight. PHE said: 'The majority of these had not been vaccinated.' Vaccines still appear to work against the strain, PHE said, although it was concerned that a single dose could be up to 20 per cent less effective than it was against the Kent variant. Dr Jenny Harries, chief of the UK Health Security Agency, said: 'Please come forward to be vaccinated and make sure you get your second jab. It will save lives.' This week's ONS report was based on results from 141,000 people testing themselves for Covid in the last two weeks of May, of whom 170 got a positive - around 0.1 per cent. In the previous week there were 111 positive results out of 140,000 tests - 0.08 per cent. The report said: 'The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus has increased in the week ending 29 May... We have seen an increase in cases in England that are not compatible with the UK variant B.1.1.7; these are likely to be the variant B.1.617.2, first identified in India.' It added that cases appeared to be rising in Wales and Scotland, too, but the trend was 'uncertain' in Northern Ireland. Among the ONS's test results, more positive results were being caused by the Indian variant than the Kent variant for what appeared to be the first time, with 0.6 per cent of people testing positive for that compared to 0.5 per cent for the UK strain. Across the regions of England, positive tests were twice as high in the North West as in any other part of the country, with a positivity rate of 0.4 per cent. It was 0.2 per cent in the East Midlands, Yorkshire & the Humber and London, and 0.1 per cent in the remaining corners of the country. The statisticians said: 'In the North West, there were a large number of positive results captured by the survey on the latest day of data collection, which may be magnifying the recent increase. This means there is greater uncertainty than usual in the exact size of the increase. 'There were also signs of a possible increase in the percentage of people testing positive in the West Midlands and London in the week ending May 29 2021. The trend is uncertain for all other regions in the same week.' A Warwick University model submitted to SAGE last month warned that a variant 50 per cent more transmissible than the Kent version, 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) Slide me Heat map shows how the percentage of cases being made up by the Indian variant surged between May 8 (left) and May 22 (right). It was the dominant Covid strain in just 23 English local authorities in the first week of May compared to 102 a fortnight later Professor Ferguson, from Imperial College London, said the Indian variant is anywhere between 30 and 100 per cent more transmissible than the previously dominant Kent variant, which has been dubbed 'Alpha' under the World Health Organization's new variant naming system. He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'We're certainly getting more data. Unfortunately, I mean, the news is not as positive as I would like on any respect about the Delta variant. 'The best estimate at the moment is this variant may be 60 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant. 'Absolutely devastated' Britons in Portugal fume after country is demoted to amber list sparking diplomatic storm and race for families to get home in the next four days or face quarantine and 1,000 of PCR tests Holidays to Portugal have been thrown into chaos as ministers removed the European country from the travel green list amid concerns over the new Nepal coronavirus variant. The move triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Portugal's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism' and of being 'obsessed' with infection rates. It also sparked a race among thousands of British holidaymakers in Portugal to get back before quarantine-on-return rules kick in on Tuesday, when the country is formally placed on the amber list. Those booked to go to Portugal in coming weeks were left in limbo over whether to go ahead with their holiday under the tougher quarantine rules or to rebook for later in the summer and hope the country goes green again. The decision to make Portugal amber was apparently triggered by concerns over the Nepal variant, a mutated version of the Indian strain. But Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal's president, accused UK ministers of 'not recognising that we live in a different situation than we lived before vaccination'. Advertisement There's some uncertainty around that depending on assumptions and how you analyse the data, between about 30 per cent and maybe even up to 100 per cent more transmissible'. Professor Ferguson said 60 per cent is 'a good central estimate' at the moment. England's R rate crept up again today, official estimates showed. No10's top scientists said the reproduction number which tracks the spread of the virus in the country was between 1.0 and 1.2, suggesting the outbreak is no longer shrinking. Last week it was between 1.0 and 1.1. The North West which is battling an outbreak of the Indian variant had the highest rate (1.0 to 1.3). Only the North East and Yorkshire (0.9 to 1.1) and the South West (0.8 to 1.1) may still be seeing their outbreaks shrink. SAGE scientists calculate the R rate using data from recorded Covid cases, hospitalisations and deaths to track the spread of the virus. If the figure is the same as one or above it suggests Covid cases are increasing. But they caution it is a delayed measure, and only able to capture the situation on the ground up to three weeks ago because of the delay in collecting figures for hospitalisations and deaths. They add it becomes less accurate when there are a small number of deaths and hospitalisations. The North West had the highest R rate, followed by the East of England, London, Midlands and South East (all 1.0 to 1.2). Only the North East and Yorkshire and the South West may still be seeing their outbreaks shrink. Last week the North West and London had the highest R rates (1.0 to 1.2). They were followed by the East of England and the South West (0.9 to 1.1), and the Midlands (0.9 to 1.1), the North East and the South East (0.8 to 1.0). Professor James Naismith, director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute for medical research at Oxford University said figures from the ONS confirmed that Covid cases are now rising in the country. 'There are two factors at play here, one is the easing of lockdown measures in May and the second is the delta variant (which has now become dominant),' he warned. 'The trajectory of the case numbers in the North West is particularly worrying. The East Midlands appears to be on a similar track, but other areas look better.' But he said without the vaccine drive, the country would now be seeing 'the start of a third wave' which could have 'potentially been disastrous'. Studies show the jabs protect against the Indian variant. 'In the absence of vaccines, we would expect cases to rise across the country with a delay, that is we should see the North West as the future,' he said. 'Localised control measures and track and trace are not working, as expected form previous experience. We are seeing some evidence for an increase in hospitalisation where the case numbers are highest. Without vaccines, we would seem to be a the start of a third wave and given the nature of the delta, such a third wave could have been particularly disastrous.' PHE confirmed last night that the strain is now dominant in the UK and makes up around 73 per cent of cases, displacing the Kent variant which sparked the second wave in January. The agency said that it also appeared to be twice as likely to lead to hospitalisations, based on analysis on the small number of people who have been admitted with the strain. The report said the risk of being admitted to hospital could increase by as much as 2.6 times over the Kent variant, and people may be 70 per cent more likely to go to A&E. HOVER OVER YOUR LOCAL AREA TO FIND OUT HOW PREVALENT THE INDIAN VARIANT WAS BY MAY 22 Your browser does not support iframes. Similar but less grim SAGE 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 Slide me Public Health England figures show that in the last week of May more areas of the country were seeing increases in coronavirus cases. A total of 112 areas saw a rise in their infection rates while only 37 had declining rates of positive tests There have been a total of 12,431 confirmed infections with the variant, known to scientists as B.1.617.2, and 94 people were admitted to hospital with it last week. That count of hospital admissions was double the week before, when 201 people went to A&E and 43 were admitted overnight. Professor Ferguson said that most people in hospital with the mutant virus have not had a vaccine. He told the Today programme: 'It's important to say that most people being hospitalised at the moment with this variant, and with any Covid variant, are unvaccinated. 'So, it's clear that the vaccines are still having a substantial effect, though it may be slightly compromised.' He said they are still waiting for data on how much the Indian variant can evade the immunity which protects people against being admitted to hospital. 'The data being reported relates to unvaccinated people, so if you haven't been vaccinated there appears to be, both from Public Health England data and from Public Health Scotland data independently, about a two-fold increased risk of hospitalisation,' he said. Matt Hancock said yesterday it was a 'good sign' that vaccinated people were making up only a minority of hospital admissions. The Health Secretary added the government is keeping a close eye on daily case levels but stressed what 'really matters' is how many people end up in hospital and die from the disease and how well the jabs keep numbers down. Covid hospital rates have started to rise in some regions in some regions in England, with patient numbers in the North West, where most Indian variant hotspots are concentrated, rising a quarter in the past fortnight. But the number of patients in hospital in the region are still a far cry from the levels seen at the peak of the second wave - there are currently about 180 Covid sufferers in North West hospitals compared to 5,500 in January. The PHE report showed that the proportion of cases being caused by the Indian variant has rocketed in all regions of the country. It is highest in the North West where nearly 100 per cent of cases are being caused by the strain PHE confirmed the strain is now dominant in the UK and makes up around 73 per cent of cases, displacing the Kent variant which sparked the second wave in January Sage expert warns that 'awful' lockdown curbs cannot last for ever Sir Jeremy Farrar (pictured) said lockdowns are 'awful' Lockdowns are awful and Britain must learn to live with Covid without restrictions, one of the countrys most senior scientists has warned. Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said the measures had had very profound consequences on the nations mental health, education and jobs. But he was hopeful that the Government would be able to open up on June 21 based on the data so far but stressed the next few weeks would be crucial. He pointed out that more than eight in ten adults would be vaccinated by then, adding that he was very confident the jabs were working. There is a danger of not opening up and this infection is now a human endemic infection. Its not going away, he said. Humanity will live with this virus now for ever. And there will be new variants. This year, next year, the year after, there will be new variants and we will have to learn to cope with that. Lockdowns are awful. They are a mark that you havent been able to control the virus in other ways. They have very profound consequences on mental health, on education, on job opportunities particularly affecting people on lower incomes. Societies cant stay in that mode for ever. Earlier this week Boris Johnson said that while there was nothing in the data to suggest the June 21 ending of lockdown could not go ahead, the numbers were still ambiguous. But Sir Jeremy said he was hopeful the jabs had separated the inevitable rise of infections which comes with easing restrictions and the subsequent increase in hospitalisations. Asked whether he thought the country would be able to open up on June 21, he added: If you really push me today, I would say Im more optimistic because I think that the vaccines have been so incredibly successful. Advertisement Everest climbers could have spread 'potentially more infectious AND vaccine resistant' Nepal Covid variant across the world PHE's weekly report found the variant had been spotted 43 times in Britain so far, up from the 29 last week A potentially vaccine resistant coronavirus variant that is being linked to Nepal could have been spread by climbers travelling home from Mount Everest, experts say. Thirteen passengers on flights from Nepal to Japan were infected with the new mutant strain that combines mutations from the Indian and South African variants. At least 43 cases have been spotted in the UK, with the strain first spotted on April 24 according to PHE's surveillance data. Cases were also detected in the US, India and Portugal. Its mutations mean scientists fear it could combine the worst traits of the Indian variant, which is more infectious, and the South African variant, which is more resistant to vaccines. Scientists believe Nepal is the most likely origin of the strain, because of its similarities to the Indian variant and the detection of so many cases on flights from the Himalayan nation. UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: 'There's a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation, and simply don't want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock.' Dr Jeffrey Barrett, a director at the UK's largest Covid surveillance centre the Wellcome Sanger Institute, revealed today that the strain had been spotted in the Japanese travellers returning from Nepal. Khatmandu has allowed thousands of climbers into the country for Everest season this spring and at least 100 cases were reported at base camp. At the same time, Covid cases have been soaring across Nepal driven by the devastating second wave in neighbouring India. And the detection of the variant in Portugal will raise further alarm bells for the UK, where hundreds of football fans have been ordered to quarantine today over cases linked to travel to the Champions League final. The country was today removed from Britain's 'green' list, amid fears over the new variant. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said today Portugal had been removed from the 'green' list because its cases had doubled in a month, and there was a new variant which may be able to evade vaccines. 'Theres a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just dont know the potential for that to be vaccine-defeating mutation and simply dont want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock,' he said. Advertisement Another concerning study published last night by the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health Research UCLH Biomedical Research Centre found people who have had the Pfizer vaccine have lower antibody levels targeting the Indian coronavirus variant than other strains. It found the levels of these antibodies are lower with increasing age and that levels decline over time. Antibodies are just one part of the immune system and they are known to fade over time. A reduction suggests people may be more likely to test positive for the Indian variant but not necessarily fall ill with it. Researchers say this provides additional evidence in support of plans to deliver a vaccine boost to vulnerable people in the autumn. But it could spark fears in some corners that the Pfizer jab is less effective in preventing serious illness from the more transmissible variant, known as Covid Delta. Public Health England said the variant appears to be twice as likely to lead to hospital admissions as the Kent strain which sparked the second wave, and has become dominant in the UK. Together with the emergence of a so-called Nepalese variant, the data could persuade ministers to pause the final easing of restrictions due to take place on June 21, which is being dubbed 'Freedom Day'. The new laboratory data also supports current plans to reduce the dose gap between vaccines. The study found that after just one dose of the Pfizer jab, people are less likely to develop antibody levels against the Indian (B.1.617.2) variant, also known as Delta, as high as those seen against the previously dominant Kent variant (B.1.1.7) also known as Alpha. However, levels of antibodies alone do not predict vaccine effectiveness and prospective population studies are also needed. Lower neutralising antibody levels may still be associated with protection against Covid-19, the experts say. Pfizer has been contacted for comment. The Indian variant is now believed to be dominant in the UK, with early evidence suggesting it may lead to an increased risk of being admitted to hospital compared with the Kent variant. A total of 12,431 cases of the mutation have been confirmed in the UK up to June 2, according to Public Health England. This up 79 per cent from the previous week's total of 6,959. Emma Wall, UCLH Infectious Diseases consultant and senior clinical research fellow for the Legacy study, said: 'This virus will likely be around for some time to come, so we need to remain agile and vigilant. 'Our study is designed to be responsive to shifts in the pandemic so that we can quickly provide evidence on changing risk and protection. 'The most important thing is to ensure that vaccine protection remains high enough to keep as many people out of hospital as possible. 'And our results suggest that the best way to do this is to quickly deliver second doses and provide boosters to those whose immunity may not be high enough against these new variants.' This is the largest study published to date investigating vaccine-induced antibody neutralising capacity against the newest variants of concern in healthy adults. Researchers have submitted their findings to the Genotype-to-Phenotype National Virology Consortium (G2P-UK), the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The Legacy study is led by the Crick and partners at UCL and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). Healthcare workers and staff from the institutions have been donating regular blood and swab samples so researchers can track the changing risk of infection and response to vaccination. Within days of having enough of each variant to study, researchers analysed antibodies in the blood of 250 healthy people who received either one or two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, up to three months after their first dose. They tested the ability of antibodies to block entry of the virus into cells, so called neutralising antibodies against five different variants - the original strain from China, the dominant strain in Europe during the first wave in April 2020, and the variants first detected in Kent, South Africa and India. Data from previous studies suggests that higher antibody titres - the greatest dilution level that still blocks 50 per cent of virus infection in the lab - is a good predictor of vaccine efficacy and greater protection against Covid-19. According to the research, in people who had received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, levels of neutralising antibodies were more than five times lower against the Indian variant when compared to the original strain, upon which current vaccines are based. This antibody response was even lower in people who had only received one dose. After a single dose of the Pfizer jab, 79 per cent of people had a quantifiable neutralising antibody response against the original strain, but this fell to 50 per cent for B.1.1.7, 32 per cent for B.1.617.2 and 25 per cent for B.1.351 (South Africa). David LV Bauer, group leader of the Crick's RNA Virus Replication Laboratory and member of the G2P-UK National Virology Consortium, said: 'New variants occur naturally and those that have an advantage will spread. 'We now have the ability to quickly adapt our vaccination strategies to maximise protection where we know people are most vulnerable. Keeping track of these evolutionary changes is essential for us to retain control over the pandemic and return to normality.' The Research Letter published in The Lancet states: 'These data, together with epidemiological data of B.1.617.2 growth, raise the possibility that this VOC (variant of concern) presents a dual challenge of reduced vaccine efficacy akin to the B.1.351 VOC, and increased transmissibility beyond the B.1.1.7 VOC.' Eleanor Riley, professor of immunology and infectious disease, University of Edinburgh, said: 'These data cannot tell us whether the vaccine will be any less effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalisation and death; we need to wait for the actual data on these outcomes.' it came as a SAGE expert and one of the country's most senior scientists decried lockdowns as 'awful' and said Britain must learn to live with Covid without restrictions. Sir Jeremy Farrar, who is also director of the Wellcome Trust, said repeated shutdowns had 'very profound consequences' on the nation's mental health. But he was hopeful that the Government would be able to open up on June 21 based on the data so far but stressed the next few weeks would be crucial. He pointed out that more than eight in ten adults would be vaccinated by then, adding that he was very confident the jabs were working. There is a danger of not opening up and this infection is now a human endemic infection. Its not going away, he said. Humanity will live with this virus now for ever. And there will be new variants. This year, next year, the year after, there will be new variants and we will have to learn to cope with that. Lockdowns are awful. They are a mark that you havent been able to control the virus in other ways. They have very profound consequences on mental health, on education, on job opportunities particularly affecting people on lower incomes. Societies cant stay in that mode for ever. Earlier this week Boris Johnson said that while there was nothing in the data to suggest the June 21 ending of lockdown could not go ahead, the numbers were still ambiguous. But Sir Jeremy said he was hopeful the jabs had separated the inevitable rise of infections which comes with easing restrictions and the subsequent increase in hospitalisations. Asked whether he thought the country would be able to open up on June 21, he added: If you really push me today, I would say Im more optimistic because I think that the vaccines have been so incredibly successful. Meanwhile, seats on the last flights back to London from the Algarve before Portugal is removed from the UK's green list in less than four days' time were on sale for up to 711 today as Britons faced a race to get home - with more than 112,000 in the country on holiday. Air passengers leave Faro Airport on May 17, which was the first day that Britons were allowed to enter Portugal without needing to quarantine and the foreign travel ban was lifted Empty sunshades wait for customers at Gale beach at Albufeira in Portugal's Algarve on May 18 Britons keen to stay abroad for as long as they can before the new rules come in next Tuesday at 4am face paying at least 258 if they fly back home the night before. That is the cheapest flight next Monday, a WizzAir route leaving Faro at 9.05pm local time and arriving at London Luton at 11.50pm, four hours before the rules change. Anyone flying back today faces paying at least 99, also for a WizzAir flight to Luton; while it is 91 on Saturday or 172 on Sunday, both for easyJet services to Gatwick. The most expensive seats before Tuesday's deadline can be found for 711 on a British Airways service from Faro to London City, leaving next Monday at 11am. Those returning from an amber list country will be required either to quarantine at home for ten days on their return and take a PCR test on days two and eight, as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. Or they can pay for an additional third 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. They will still need to take the compulsory second test on or after day eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,500 to buy three sets of PCR tests at 125 each, if they go under the 'Test to Release' scheme. Adding this to the cost of a lateral flow test, which can be bought at Faro Airport for 30 (25), the total cost for a family of four would be about 1,600. Holidays to Portugal have been thrown into chaos after ministers removed the European country from the travel green list amid concerns over the new Nepal coronavirus variant. The move triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Portugal's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism' and of being 'obsessed' with infection rates. It also sparked a race among thousands of Britons in Portugal to get back before quarantine-on-return rules kick in on Tuesday. Those booked to go in coming weeks were left in limbo over whether to go ahead with their holiday under the tougher quarantine rules or to rebook for later in the summer and hope the country goes green again. Mr Jenrick defended the decision to move Portugal off the list today, insisting it 'wasn't a last minute decision'. 'When we set up the system, we said that we would be reviewing the countries every three weeks, thats whats happened,' he told Times Radio. Asked whether people should still visit amber countries, he said: 'I hope people will appreciate that you shouldnt be visiting those countries on the amber list for holidays. 'You wouldnt drive through an amber light at the traffic lights, you shouldnt be going on holiday to those countries either.' When Andrea posed for a picture he surprised her and dropped on one knee The project manager disguised himself and travelled to Lebanon as a surprise Adam Rennie proposed to Andrea in 2018 at Our Lady of Noorieh Monastery A boyfriend who travelled 14,000kms to propose to his high school sweetheart reveals how the couple's surprises are the secret to a happy marriage. Adam Rennie popped the question to his girlfriend of seven years Andrea Murr back in 2018 when she went to Lebanon to visit her family after they both graduated university. The project manager told Daily Mail Australia that his soon-to-be-wife thought he was working from home in Sydney when he secretly travelled to her homeland to ask for her hand in marriage. Adam revealed the surprise proposal has set the couple up for happiness in their marriage. A pair of highschool sweethearts got engaged in unexpected surprise in Hamat, Lebanon Adam Rennie proposed to Andrea Murr in 2018 at Our Lady of Noorieh Monastery in Lebanon 'I always knew I was going to do something special and the proposal was always going to be overseas,' he said. 'So when she said she was visiting her family in Lebanon I knew it was the perfect opportunity to propose.' The 25-year-old headed on a plane to Abu Dhabi before flying to Andrea's favourite spot of Our Lady of Noorieh Monastery in Hamat, Lebanon - overlooking the picturesque bay from atop Cape Theoprosopon. In the couple's engagement footage, he disguised himself and waited at the holy site as Andrea rode in the car with her father - unknowingly driving to meet her future husband. The long-term couple finally tied the knot in February 2020 just two weeks before coronavirus restrictions started (pictured: Adam and Andrea Rennie) 'Later her father took her to that very spot to take a photo next to me whilst I had my back to her in front of the view,' Adam said. Andrea threw her hands up in shock as Adam removed his disguise and went down on one knee. Adam said his now wife had 'no idea' but he became paranoid after she repeatedly called him while he was at Abu Dhabi airport. 'She kept calling me because she missed me but I kept telling her I had to go into a work meeting incase the airport's intercom made any announcements that would give me away,' he said. The project manager disguised himself and travelled to Lebanon as a surprise while Andrea was on holiday While she posed for a photo at the holy site he removed his disguise and dropped down on one knee The pair who had been dating for seven years became engaged in 2019 in Hamat, Lebanon Adam revealed the surprise proposal has set the couple up for happiness in their marriage. 'Since the proposal, it's definitely made us eager to surprise each other,' he said. 'Just two weeks ago we came back from Cairns to celebrate Andrea's birthday.' With coronavirus restrictions preventing elaborate overseas proposals, Adam revealed he wouldn't let the virus deter him from making the big question memorable. 'If I proposed to her during the pandemic I would still make it a big surprise,' he said. 'I would wait for the opportunity where Andrea was travelling interstate for work and arrange some big surprise to make the proposal memorable.' The pair finally tied the knot in February last year - two weeks before coronavirus restrictions kicked in across the country. Adam (pictured) told his girlfriend Andrea that he was working from home in Australia while she was holidaying in Lebanon with family Andrea (pictured, left) drove in the car with her father (right) to unknowingly meet her soon-to-be husband Adam (left) removed his disguise when Andrea (right) started to pose for a picture at the Our Lady of Noorieh Monastery The high school sweethearts started dating in Year 11 when an unexpected seating arrangement in class brought them together. 'We actually started dating when we were very young in year seven and we ended up going our separate ways. But we came back together after sitting together in a Maths class,' Adam said. The project manager's advise to young couple's wanting to create 'truly special and unique proposal' during the pandemic 'should come naturally.' 'Don't restrict your imagination. An overseas proposal is tricky but whatever you think is special to her and with the right planning, anything is possible,' he said. Theresa Balboa (pictured right in her new mugshot), is the girlfriend of Samuel's father, and has been arrested and charged with evidence tampering A father has begged his girlfriend for an explanation after she was accused of killing his five-year-old son, as grim details emerge suggesting she covered up the death for more than two weeks before reporting the boy missing. A body believed to belong to Samuel Olson, who would have turned six on Saturday, was found in Theresa Balboa's motel room on Tuesday. Balboa, 29, was arrested after a tip off to cops when she was allegedly seen carrying a foul-smelling plastic bin containing the child's corpse into the room. Samuel's father Dalton Olson told KPRC2, 'I don't know what's going on. I can barely breathe. 'Why? He loved you so much. I do not understand what happened. Why did you, why did you do this?' Balboa has been charged with evidence tampering after she was discovered with body and more serious charges are expected. Samuel was last seen alive by his paternal grandmother, Tonya Olson, who says she spent the weekend with him on May 8, and was reported missing by Balboa on May 27. According to court documents submitted Thursday, Balboa allegedly told her roommate on May 10 that Samuel was dead, two weeks before she reported him missing, ABC13 reports. Samuel's father, Dalton Olson is pictured with girlfriend Balboa during the search foir his son and before she was arrested in a motel room where the boy's body was found Samuel was last seen alive by his paternal grandmother, Tonya Olson, who says she spent the weekend with him on May 8, and was reported missing by Balboa on May 27 The roommate reportedly told police says that upon returning to their apartment from work, he found the boy on the bed, bruised and unresponsive. Balboa and the roommate then allegedly moved the body to their bathtub, where they left it for two days. TIMELINE OF SAMUEL OLSON CASE: April 30: Samuel Olson, 5, seen for the last time by anyone outside his family May 8-9: Samuel's paternal grandmother, Tonya Olson, says she spent the weekend with her grandson May 10: Theresa Balboa, girlfriend of Samuel's father, Dalton Olson, allegedly calls a roommate to tell him that Samuel had died. The two allegedly place the body in their bathtub May 13: The roommate and Balboa allegedly wrap the body in duct tape and place it in a plastic bin before taking it to a storage unit in Webster May 27: Balboa reports Samuel missing in Houston June 1: Police in Jasper, Texas, receive anonymous tip that leads them to Best Western motel, where they find Balboa and later child's body in a plastic bin June 2: Police in Houston announce discovery of body, Balboa's arrest and evidence tampering charge, with ID of remains still pending. June 3: Details of Balboa's meeting with a man in Walmart emerge, as its claimed he helped transport child's body. Balboa is also revealed to have lost custody of her own young daughters in 2019. Advertisement On May 13, the roommate, who has not been named, says he purchased duct tape and a plastic bin from Walmart. He then wrapped up the boy and placed him in the bin before he and Balboa moved him to a storage facility in Webster, Texas, according to the court documents. Balboa was arrested on Tuesday after she was discovered with the plastic bin, which had become foul-smelling, in a hotel room, and is likely to face more serious charges after the body has been identified and a cause of death determined. Police were led to Balboa after she reportedly called a friend on Monday, and asked him to pick her up at a Walmart parking lot in Cleveland, and the two drove nearly 70 miles south to retrieve the bin at the storage facility. They then reportedly drove another 160 miles northeast to a Best Western in Jasper. Once there, they carried the bin inside room 106, with the man so horrified by the smell coming from it that he made an anonymous call to CrimeStoppers tipline to report it. It is unclear when that call was made, but cops raided the motel the next day, and found the bin in the room with Balboa nearby in the bathroom. Upon removing the lid, which was secured with zip ties, police were said to have found a small body stuffed inside a black plastic bag and wrapped in duct tape. Cops arrested Balboa shortly after. Meanwhile, it emerged on Wednesday night that Balboa previously lost custody over her two young daughters in 2019 over claims she was a bad mom. Court records obtained by Click2Houston revealed that the girls - now aged six and eight - were removed from their mom's care after she failed to show up to court for a custody hearing. The father of Balboa's children was also a no-show, and the children were given to a family member, who was appointed their guardian. Sarah Olson, Samuel's birth mother (pictured together, left), said through a lawyer that she had primary custody of the boy but had not seen him since January 2020 Police in Texas on Tuesday found a body that is suspected of being that of missing Samuel Olson, 6 The map above shows the four locations associated with the search for missing Samuel Olson Police recovered the remains believed to be that of Samuel wrapped with duct tape and stuffed inside a black plastic bin in room 106 at this Best Western motel in Jasper, Texas The woman told the station that Balboa was not taking good care of her daughters. 'She wasn't born to be a mom,' the guardian said. Shortly before the discovery of the child's body and Balboa's arrest, Tim Miller, the founder of the volunteer search group Texas Equusearch, was said to have confronted the woman about apparent inconsistencies in her story concerning Samuel's disappearance. 'I told her, I said, 'I'm so damn disappointed in you,'' Miller told KHOU11. 'I said, 'You know, every word you're saying is a lie.' And that's when things started unravelling, I think.' Balboa, who at the time was out on bond stemming from a domestic violence incident, was the one who reported the child missing on May 27. The boy's last verified sighting by someone outside of his family was on April 30 at his school. When cops were first investigating Samuel's disappearance, Balboa had claimed that Samuel's mother, Sarah Olson, and a person dressed as a police officer showed up and took the boy from the home. Sarah Olson said through her attorney that she did not know the whereabouts of her son, and that despite having primary custody of him, she had been denied access to him by his father since January 2020. Balboa is currently jailed in Jasper County, but she will be returned to Houston to face the evidence tampering charge. Houston Assistant Police Chief Heather Morris said during a press conference on Wednesday that more charges are possible once an autopsy is complete. Samuel's father, Dalton Olson (pictured with his girlfriend Balboa before the grim find) said the six-year-old is his 'whole world.' He has not been named a suspect Samuel's family have spoken out after the discovery of the body presumed to be his, revealing their devastation. '[I am] shocked and so many other things that words cannot explain at the moment,' Tonya Olson, the boy's paternal grandmother, told CNN. 'We are grieving as a family. None of us can wrap our heads around this. My son or anyone in our family had absolutely nothing to do with this.' Miller, the founder of Texas Equusearch, said that he was with Samuel's paternal relatives after the discovery of the body and witnessed their heartache firsthand. 'It was just devastating over there last night and seeing dad go through all the pain and grief and everything he was going through,' Miller said, referring to Dalton Olson, the boy's father. Assistant Police Chief Morris said Dalton Olson is not considered a person of interest in his death at this time, but investigators continue to speak with him. No motive has been disclosed so far. Samuel's biological mother, Sarah Olson, released a statement through her attorney, demanding justice for her son. 'I do not want people to forget Samuel's name,' she stated. 'Please Let the outside world know that I'm a heartbroken, but I believe that body is my baby.' Balboa reported Samuel missing claiming the boy was taken by his biological mother and a person dressed as a police officer. Dalton Olson is pictured embracing his mother, Tonya,, with his girlfriend standing on the side. Tonya Olson said the family are devastated Cops were unable to verify Balboa's version of events. The last confirmed sighting of Samuel was at Holbrook Elementary School. Samuel's paternal grandmother claimed he was with her the following weekend, May 8-9, and that she then heard his voice on the phone days before he was reported missing. On Monday, police executed a search warrant at an apartment where Balboa has been living with a friend and impounded her Dodge sedan. Court records uncovered by Click2Houston indicate that Balboa was charged with assault of a family member impeding breathing in November 2020 after she allegedly choked Dalton Olson. Balboa was charged with assault of a family member impeding breathing in November 2020 after she allegedly choked Dalton Olson. Olson was said to have been issued an emergency protective order against Balboa. The woman is pictured in previous mugshots Olson was said to have been issued an emergency protective order against Balboa, barring her from having direct contact with the victim or any member of his family. When asked about the order prior to the discovery of the body in the motel, Olson said that he and Balboa have reconciled, and that the choking incident had nothing to do with his son, who was not present during that altercation. Olson further defended Balboa, saying that she had been helping him care for his son while he was at work. Australia faces a Great Depression scenario despite a record-high share market and a strong economic rebound from the Covid pandemic. The Reserve Bank of Australia's head of economic analysis Brad Jones said it was too early to discount that possibility, as Victoria's lockdown was extended for another week. 'Here in Australia, it would seem premature to completely rule out the possibility of an overhang of cautious behaviour by households and firms, as seen internationally following previous shocks like the Great Depression and the GFC,' he told a Minerals Week event in Canberra on Wednesday. Scroll down for video Australia faces a Great Depression scenario despite a record-high share market and a strong economic rebound from the Covid pandemic. Pictured are primary school children in 1932 The Reserve Bank of Australia's head of economic analysis Brad Jones said it was too early to discount that possibility, as Victoria's lockdown was extended for another week His comments were made on the same day Victoria's Acting Premier James Merlino extended the state-wide lockdown for another week. At face value, Australia's rebound from the Covid shutdowns has been remarkable with the share market and the economy now both bigger than before the pandemic began in early 2020. During the Global Financial Crisis, the Australian share market peaked in November 2007 but it didn't surpass those levels again until July 2019. Shortly before the Covid shutdowns, the Australian Securities Exchange peaked in February 2020 before plunging by a third in little more than a month. Since then the S&P/ASX200 has surged 51 per cent, this week reaching a fresh record high just 16 months after the pre-pandemic peak. On Friday morning, the share market was trading at 7,251 points, well above the 7,197 point peak of early last year. Since the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, the S&P/ASX200 has surged 51 per cent. On Friday morning, the share market was trading at 7,251 points, well above the 7,197 point peak of Feburary 2020. Pictured is the Australian Securities Exchange in Sydney Great Australian share market plunges - and the rebound COVID: The S&P/ASX200 peaked at 7,197 points on February 20, 2020 but by March 20, 2020 it had dived by 33 per cent to 4,816.6 points. The benchmark index closed at 7,217.8 points on June 3, 2021 marking a 50 per cent surge since the pandemic low GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS: The ASX peaked at 6828.7 points on November 1, 2007. By March 6, 2009 it dived by 53.8 per cent to 3145.5 during the global financial crisis, taking 11 years to hit previous record BLACK MONDAY: Before the 1987 crash, the All Ordinaries peaked at 2376.88 on September 21, 1987. Following the Black Monday crash of October 19, 1987, it then plummeted 49.2 per cent by February 10, 1988 and took nine years to regain new highs, on December 27, 1996 Source: CommSec Advertisement The share market recovery from a crash, in little more than a year, is remarkable considering the rebound from the GFC and the 1987 stock market crashes both took a decade. Australia's economy is now also bigger than it was before the pandemic with new Australian Bureau of Statistics data released this week showing a 1.8 per cent expansion in gross domestic product during the March quarter. Retail spending has also surged since the end of national lockdowns a year ago with sales of some items tripling. Clothing and footwear sales in April 2021 were 238.6 per cent stronger than a year earlier, a CommSec analysis of ABS data showed. Spending at cafes and restaurants had also tripled, rising by 205.9 per cent, with the New South Wales government offering residents $100 worth of Dine and Discover vouchers until June 30, at $25 per hospitality visit. With Australia rebounding strongly from the original Covid lockdowns, Dr Jones said the main risk was a lack of business confidence that characterised the Great Depression and the GFC. 'Researchers subsequently documented how so-called "Depression Babies" and corporate managers of the 1930s were highly risk averse throughout their lifetime,' he said. 'Later, business investment was found to remain persistently low in a number of advanced economies following financial crises in the decades prior to the GFC a similar phenomenon unfolded after the GFC.' Nonetheless, Australia's rebound has been much faster, thanks to more than $300billion in federal government welfare spending measures. 'The path ahead may be different from typical post-crisis recoveries is because many Australian household and business balance sheets are in better shape than before the pandemic,' Dr Jones said. 'It is possible many Australian households and businesses feel more financially secure than is typically the case after a severe shock. Retail spending has also surged since the end of national lockdowns a year ago with sales of some items tripling. Clothing and footwear sales in April 2021 were 238.6 per cent stronger than a year earlier. Pictured is Sydney's Pitt Street Mall 'The unusual origins of the Covid-19 shock, and the fact that in Australia at least, many household and business balance sheets are in better condition today than before the pandemic, suggests the domestic economy could follow a quite different trajectory compared to past rare disasters experienced abroad.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday announced a $500 payment for Victorians who had lost 20 hours or more of work a week as a result of the lockdown. A payment of $325 for those who have lost less than 20 hours of work. The welfare measures are only available for those with less than $10,000 in the bank. Ministers faced growing calls last night to follow the European Union by dropping testing and quarantine rules for returning holidaymakers who are fully vaccinated. The bloc is to axe travel curbs within weeks for fully inoculated citizens holidaying in member countries. But under the UKs traffic light system, vaccinated Britons returning from green and amber destinations are treated the same as unvaccinated travellers. Vaccinated Britons returning from green and amber destinations are treated the same as unvaccinated travellers The move would eliminate testing costs if Brussels approves Britons being allowed in on the same terms. Destinations including Spain and Greece have already said they will accept double-jabbed Britons without testing even if the EUs Digital Green Certificate scheme which could get under way from July 1 excludes the UK. MPs and travel industry chiefs said it made no sense not to embrace the vaccine dividend, with scientific evidence showing jabs reduce transmission of Covid and work against variants of concern. Heathrow Airport chief John Holland-Kaye said: The UK has a world-leading vaccination programme, with 50 per cent of all adults having both doses. The UK must take advantage of this vaccine dividend. Tory MP Huw Merriman (pictured) says it is 'time to open up travel' Tory MP Huw Merriman, chairman of the Commons transport committee, said: The UK public has made tremendous sacrifices over the past year and now people are desperate to visit relatives and friends who live overseas. Its time to open up travel in a sensible and cautious way. Mark Tanzer, chief executive of Abta, said a rule change would remove a huge barrier to travel and help to speed up the industrys recovery. Under current rules, travellers from green and amber countries must take a pre-departure test within 72 hours of travel back to the UK. For arrivals from green countries, one post-arrival PCR test must be taken on day two. For amber travellers, two PCR tests must be taken on days two and eight while quarantining at home for ten days. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has vowed to consider removing testing and quarantine for fully vaccinated Britons when the traffic light policy is reviewed at the end of this month. Thoughtless drivers are putting lives and wildlife in danger and blighting the countryside by discarding tons of rubbish. To cope with the tsunami of trash, special teams from Highways England risk their lives collecting thousands of bags of litter from roadsides. Now the agency which looks after the nation's motorways and A-roads and carries out litter picks nearly every day has backed the Great British Spring Clean, with a plea for selfish motorists to take their rubbish home and stop using verges as a tip. During the Great British Spring Clean last year, Highways England collected 12,000 bags of litter. In the Midlands, more than 70 sacks, as well as a mattress and a 1,000-litre oil tank, were collected from the A38 in Staffordshire. In the South East, it worked with Brighton and Hove and Adur and Worthing councils for a litter pick on the A27 at Southwick, collecting more than 138 bags. This month, a litter pick will be taking place off the A31 at Avon Heath Country Park. near Ringwood, Dorset. Thoughtless drivers are putting lives and wildlife in danger and blighting the countryside by discarding tons of rubbish [Stock image] The agency has also worked with North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire councils to target littering in 23 laybys on the A180 a route taken by HGVs using Immingham and Grimsby ports. Freda Rashdi, head of customer and operational requirements, said: 'We're urging road users to save litter for the bin. 'The simple fact is that if litter wasn't dropped it wouldn't need to be picked up. 'Litter is not only unsightly and a risk to wildlife and the environment, but it also puts our workers at risk collecting it. 'It diverts time and money that could be better spent on improving the network. 'Litter is an important national issue and we're pleased to join with Keep Britain Tidy in urging people to take their litter home.' Allison Ogden-Newton, CEO of Keep Britain Tidy said. 'Everyone, please, please, please do not throw anything from your car... putting wildlife and other people's lives at risk. 'It is great that Highways England support the Great British Spring Clean, doing dedicated, deep cleans of problem areas. 'But our message to the public is clear do not be tempted to litter pick on motorways. Highways England will do this as it is extremely dangerous.' Yesterday, Highways England committed to clear up 10,000 miles of roads for the Great British Spring Clean, which ends on June 13. So far, volunteers have pledged to tidy 996,204 miles of the UK within sight of the 1,000,000-mile target. Little Lillian, 4, one of the UK's youngest Wombles Lillian Smith, 4, is a keen litter-picker One of Britain's youngest Wombles went out with her prized picker for the Great British Spring Clean campaign. Four-year-old Lillian Smith turned out with her birthday present for The Wombles of Hambleton, a litter picking group in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. The prolific group, with 2,000 followers on Facebook, has already collected 2,300 sacks of rubbish this year. It staged three picks to celebrate the Great British Spring Clean over the Bank Holiday weekend alone. Lillian's mother Rachel Smith said: 'Lillian got her litter picker for her birthday in April and has been desperate to try it out once lockdown eased. 'She was so incredibly excited finally to be out picking.' For more info go to gbspringclean.org Others have been waiting for this bill to pass for years and are now ready to open self-pour establishments in Connecticut. Matthew Ventura, who works as an accountant at Yale University, is a co-founder of Chillproof LLC. He remembers one of the other co-founders calling him from California years ago, saying they needed to start a self-pour business themselves. We were excited to do it but then we realized it was not legal. A community are mourning a beloved kangaroo named Whiskers who was tragically hit and killed by a car. The giant six-foot kangaroo was well known in the areas around Bright, north-eastern Victoria, and often stopped by to greet guests at the local holiday park. Tracey Wilson, whose parents knew Whiskers well, shared a tribute for the muscular animal to a community Facebook page as she farewelled the 'gentle giant'. A community are mourning a beloved kangaroo named Whiskers who was tragically hit and killed by a car 'My whole family loved this roo and it was only my parents that actually got to meet him,' she said. 'Unfortunately dad found him hit by a car and was deceased.' She said she shared the photos so Whiskers could be remembered as a 'huge gentle giant'. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia Ms Wilson said her parents, who managed the local Bright Holiday Park, saw the kangaroo everyday over summer. 'Some days if it was quiet in the park he would just chill out in the sun all day,' she said. The giant kangaroo was well known in the areas around Bright, north-eastern Victoria, and often stopped by to greet guests at the local holiday park Ms Wilson said Whiskers had been coming to the park for years and was often joined by other kangaroos. 'Mum said others would turn up at times and dad was convinced they were his girlfriends,' she laughed. Her father found Whisker's lifeless body on a road near the park and called the council. Ms Wilson said the car that hit Whiskers had only been travelling in a 50km/h zone. 'I don't understand how a kangaroo his size could get hit and cause enough injuries for him to die. My sisters and I never even met him and we loved him,' she said. 'He'll be greatly missed in Bright.' She said their family has not been notified of anybody coming forward after the accident. Kangaroos can grow up to three-metres high and weigh a staggering 100kg. Humans pose the biggest threats to kangaroos through hunting or car accidents. Victoria took the 'easy' option by locking down for the fourth time rather than allowing residents to continue living their lives, Gladys Berejikilian has said. The New South Wales Premier said it's much more challenging to suppress coronavirus while residents are moving around and suggested the Victorian government did not have confidence in its testing and contract tracing system. Victoria was plunged into its fourth lockdown last week when an outbreak which originated in hotel quarantine in Adelaide reached 26 cases. The shut-down has been extended in Melbourne for another week from Thursday. In contrast to Victoria's aggressive elimination strategy which involves shutting down the whole state over a handful of cases, New South Wales has responded to outbreaks by imposing limited restrictions and localised lockdowns. In an interview with Kyle and Jackie O on KIIS radio on Friday morning, Ms Berejiklian said she has been able to adopt that approach because she trusts her contract tracing system and the public to isolate when required. Host Jackie O'Henderson asked her: 'When we get a couple of cases we control it and it calms down very quickly. What happens in Victoria where it just gets away from them?' Melbourne residents walk through an inner-city park in Melbourne on Thursday The premier replied: 'I keep saying to people it's not for me to comment on what other governments do. 'But we've got the confidence that our system's in place, our public is used to doing things a particular way, and it's a question of trust. 'It's much easier to lockdown because you don't have to worry about anything, it's much more difficult to let people move around when the virus is circulating and that's been a challenge for us but it's been a worthwhile challenge.' It comes after four new Covid cases were recorded overnight in Victoria, taking the total infected in this cluster - which involves the Indian variant of the disease - to 67. Victoria has suffered five and a half months of lockdown during the pandemic, costing the state an estimated $26billion. Students have been stopped from going to school for 23 weeks, compared to just seven weeks in New South Wales. Residents line up outside the Covid-19 vaccination hub at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton on Thursday The Victorian government has been slammed over its struggling contact tracing system and for failing to implement a mandatory universal QR code check-in system until Friday, five months after New South Wales. The Liberal-National Opposition has said it would only use lockdowns as a 'last resort' and would make them targeted and proportionate rather than across the whole state. Opposition leader Michael O'Brien also said he would publicly release health advice that lockdowns are based on if he were in power. China twice rejected an offer to send U.S. investigators to Wuhan in the early days of the pandemic, to help identify the origins of the virus and work to stem its spread, it emerged on Thursday. Dr Robert Redfield, the former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), made the offer to his Chinese counterpart, Dr George Gao, on January 3, 2020. Gao had called Redfield to describe a mysterious new pneumonia which appeared to have emerged among people frequenting a market in Wuhan. The virus would later turn out to be Covid-19. Redfield immediately offered to send a team of specialists to test Wuhan lab workers for antibodies and help investigate, he told Vanity Fair. Dr Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under Donald Trump, was first contacted by his Chinese counterpart about a strange new virus on January 3, 2020. Redfield immediately offered to send a team of experts to investigate the origins of the virus, and try and stop its spread. He was rejected twice Scientists are seen working inside the Wuhan Institute of Virology in February 2017. When the virus was first noted, the U.S. offered to send a team to the lab to help identify the origin of COVID-19, and rule out the lab as the source. China refused the U.S. offer of help A 2015 report warned of the high risk of 'gain of function' research A 2015 report written by the head of the Wuhan virology lab and a University of North Carolina expert warned of the immense danger posed by 'gain of function' research and said it was 'too risky to pursue', it has been revealed. The paper was uncovered by a small team of investigators working to identify the origins of the COVID-19, and was commissioned by Matthew Pottinger, the deputy National Security Adviser during the Trump presidency. They were tasked with investigating the Wuhan 'lab leak' theory, suggesting that the virus was man-made rather than naturally evolved. The theory had been dismissed by many within the scientific community, but was wholeheartedly embraced by Donald Trump and Mike Pompeo, his Secretary of State. Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top public health official, has in recent weeks become the focus of Republican anger in discussions around the pandemic, after he initially emphasized the scientific consensus that the 'lab leak' theory was unlikely - to the anger of Trump. He has since said it is possible. Many Republicans are calling for him to resign over what they believe is a lack of transparency about what he knew, when. On Thursday Vanity Fair reported that the team had unearthed the 2015 report, written by 15 authors including Wuhan Institute of Virology's lead coronavirus researcher, Shi Zhengli, and an epidemiologist from the University of North Carolina, Ralph Baric. Advertisement Redfield began making inquiries, and immediately had doubts about Gao's assurances that there was no human-to-human transmission when he saw that there were family clusters of the virus. Gao then called Redfield back, and the Chinese scientist tearfully said they now noticed many cases which had nothing to do with the market - meaning it was indeed transmitting between people. Redfield again offered to send specialist investigators, knowing that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was one of only three places in the world where coronaviruses and their transmissibility were studied - so called 'gain of function' research. The other two sites are both in the U.S. - one in North Carolina, the other in Texas. Redfield told Vanity Fair that the U.S. investigators could easily, in January 2020, discount the Wuhan lab as a source of the outbreak by testing researchers there for antibodies. Redfield formally reiterated his offer to send specialists, but Chinese officials didn't respond. His revelation will fuel accusations that China had something to hide. In late January and early February of this year, a team from the World Health Organization visited the Wuhan lab to try and understand whether COVID-19 could have escaped from their facility. But, after their visit, the head of the WHO said the trip was inconclusive because the team were only allowed three hours inside the lab, and were not given access to all the documentation they needed. Last week Joe Biden ordered an inquiry into the origins of the virus, with his team given 90 days to report back on the 'lab leak' theory. The White House joined the WHO chief in calling for China to be more transparent, and assist with trying to determine the source of the pandemic, which has killed 3.5 million people worldwide. China has angrily rejected suggestions of a cover-up, retorting that if Washington wants their scientists to be able to see in China's labs, then the U.S. should allow scientists from Beijing into America's facilities. Redfield received death threats from fellow scientists after he said during a TV interview that he believed COVID-19 originated in a lab. The WHO team is seen arriving at the Wuhan lab on February 3, 2021. The U.S. offered to send investigators a year earlier, but their offer was turned down. Even the WHO team were not granted full access to all they needed He told CNN on March 26 that he thought the most likely 'etiology of this pathogen in Wuhan was from a laboratory - you know, escaped.' He said he was not insinuating that there was ill intent, but that was his opinion. After that 10-second sound bite, he told the magazine he was 'threatened and ostracized because I proposed another hypothesis.' At the time, the Wuhan lab leak was widely considered a 'fringe theory' at best, in favor of transmission from an animal to a human. The Vanity Fair article said 'death threats flooded his inbox' from strangers who said he was being racist to prominent scientists, even some he considered friends. One told him to 'wither and die,' Vanity Fair reported. 'I expected it from politicians. I didn't expect it from science,' Redfield said. Redfield, who served as the CDC director under Donald Trump when the pandemic began, said on CNN that he thought the most likely 'etiology of this pathogen in Wuhan was from a laboratory, you know, escaped' The idea the coronavirus escaped from a Wuhan lab was at best a 'fringe theory' until recently, when the Biden administration ordered a review Stephen Goldstein, an evolutionary virologist at the University of Utah, wrote an opinion piece on Webpagetoday on April 5 shooting down Redfield's assertions on CNN. 'Questions are undoubtedly going to persist about the origin of SARS-CoV-2 until, and if, a definitive answer is uncovered (and perhaps beyond),' Goldstein wrote. 'Until then, it's imperative that leaders in science, public health, and government continue to call for rigorous study and stick to the science of viral evolution and viral ecology in their public commentary. 'One of the fundamental principles of a life in science is to admit what you don't know, and never be afraid to look it up. That's where Redfield falls short, unfortunately on a big stage.' The comments he made to Vanity Fair were published as part of a months long investigation into the origin of COVID-19 that included interviews with more than 40 people and a review of hundreds of pages of U.S. government documents, including internal memos, meeting minutes and emails. Redfield's two-year tenure as CDC director ended when the new administration took over, but the debate over the coronavirus' origin heated up last week. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testifies at a hearing with the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, on Capitol Hill in Washington on September 16, 2020 On May 28, Biden said his administration is joining other nations to pressure China to be more open about the outbreak. He ordered intelligence officials to 'redouble' efforts to establish the origins of COVID-19 and report back in 90 days. U.S. national laboratories were directed to assist with the investigation. China, meanwhile, insists that the virus simply mutated and passed naturally from animals to humans from a Wuhan market. The two major competing origin theories - bat to human or lab escape - have resurfaced since The Washington Post and Buzzfeed published Dr Anthony Fauci's emails on Tuesday. Fauci doubled down Thursday on his belief that the virus came from a bat in the Wuhan market, but left the door open for the possibility of a lab escape. Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich, who was arrested after his plane was forced to land in Minsk, appeared on state television Thursday in a tearful interview. In his third appearance since being detained on May 23, a bruised-looking Protasevich tearfully confessed to his role in anti-government protests in the interview which family and campaigners say was conducted under duress. In the video, Protasevich - the co-founder and former editor of opposition Telegram channel Nexta which galvanised anti-government demonstrations - confessed to calling for protests last year and praised Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko. On Lukashenko, Protasevich said that 'in many moments he acted like a man' with balls of steel 'despite all the pressure.' 'There were moments where I think the decisions were wrong,' continued Protasevich, before saying that he 'certainly' respects Lukashenko when asked if he does by the TV journalist conducting the interview. Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich, who was arrested after his plane was forced to land in Minsk, appeared on state television Thursday in a tearful interview (pictured) In his third appearance since being detained on May 23, a bruised-looking Protasevich tearfully confessed to his role in anti-government protests in the interview which family and campaigners say was conducted under duress At the end of the 1.5-hour interview broadcast by Belarus state-run channel ONT Thursday evening, Protasevich began crying and covered his face with his hands. His wrists appeared to be cut or bruised as he lifted his hands to his face, and throughout the interview he only moved his right arm, leaving his left resting on his knee, leading to much speculation on social media about his treatment. The 26-year-old's father, Dmitry Protasevich, said that the video was the result of 'abuse, torture and threats.' 'I know my son very well and I believe that he would never say such things,' he told AFP new agency. 'They broke him and forced him to say what was needed,' he said, adding it pained him to watch the interview. I am very worried.' Franak Viacorka, a senior adviser to exiled opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, on Thursday - using a different spelling of Protasevich's name - said: 'It's painful to see 'confessions' of Raman Pratasevich. His parents believe he was tortured. This is not Raman I know.' He 'is the hostage of the regime, and we must make all possible to release him and the other 460 political prisoners,' he wrote on Twitter. At the end of the 1.5-hour interview broadcast by Belarus state-run channel ONT Thursday evening, Protasevich began crying and covered his face with his hands. On Lukashenko, Protasevich said that 'in many moments he acted like a man' with balls of steel 'despite all the pressure.' In the video, Protasevich (pictured, file photo) - the co-founder and former editor of opposition Telegram channel Nexta which galvanised anti-government demonstrations - confessed to calling for protests last year and praised Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko The opposition has said a video confession made last month by Russian citizen Sofia Sapega, Protasevich's girlfriend who was also detained after the forced landing, appeared coerced. Lukashenko's office did not immediately respond to a Reuters news agency request for comment on the accusations. Previously, authorities have said Protasevich is an extremist who has facilitated violence. They have maintained aired television confessions by members of the opposition were made voluntarily. Protasevich said he was giving the interview of his own volition. 'I'm almost certain they will condemn me publicly, and rallies in support of me will come to naught,' Protasevich said of his former associates. 'But I don't care what they will be saying.' 'I immediately admitted my guilt in organising massive unauthorized actions,' Protasevich said. 'I criticized Alexander Grigoryevich a lot, but when I became more involved in political topics, I began to understand that he was doing the right thing and I certainly respect him,' he said in the 90-minute video. In the video, Protasevich - the co-founder and former editor of opposition Telegram channel Nexta which galvanised anti-government demonstrations - confessed to calling for protests last year and praised Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko (pictured) Ahead of the broadcast, independent rights group Viasna said that Protasevich must have been coerced into speaking by Belarusian security services because he is facing 'unfair, but very serious accusations'. 'Everything Protasevich will say was said under duress - at the very least psychological duress,' Viasna head Ales Bialiatski told AFP Thursday. 'Whatever he is saying now is pure propaganda, under which there is no truthful basis.' Protasevich and Sapega, 23, were arrested in Minsk on May 23 after Belarus scrambled a military jet to divert the Athens-Vilnius Ryanair plane they were travelling on. They were accused of helping to coordinate historic demonstrations that broke out following Lukashenko's disputed re-election last August, which has been condemned as illegitimate by a number of Western countries. Immediately after their arrest both Protasevich and Sapega appeared in 'confession' videos that their supporters said were also recorded under duress and are a common tactic of the regime to pressure critics. Protasevich's parents said at the time their son looked like he had been beaten in the video. Pictured: People hold placards depicting Belarusian journalist and blogger, Roman Protasevich, and Ihar Losik as members of the Belarusian community gather at Old Town to meet with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, in Warsaw, Poland, June 3 In response to the arrests the European Union banned Belarusian state carrier Belavia from operating flights to airports in the bloc and discouraged EU-based airlines from flying over the ex-Soviet country. In response to the protests, Belarus authorities waged a brutal crackdown on the opposition and civil society, detaining and imprisoning thousands of demonstrators and pushing opposition leaders into exile. Several people died in the unrest. Western countries and international rights groups have condemned Lukashenko over the forced landing of the aircraft and also imposed sanctions against Belarusian officials over a crackdown on protests following a contested election last year. Protasevich told people not to protest in an earlier video that aired on Wednesday - also on state television. Protasevich appeared relaxed but bruised, smoking as spoke about the opposition with an unidentified interrogator. 'These is simply no [protest] activity right now,' the 26-year-old said in the broadcast. 'We need to abandon those schemes.... there can't be any such activity now... when I was in Vilnius, I said openly that street protests were not needed.. Belarusian dissident journalist Roman Protasevich who was dragged off a hijacked Ryanair flight in Minsk has told people not to protest in a new video aired on state television on Wednesday The call comes amid renewed suspicions the 26-year-old has been beaten and tortured in prison, but the footage showed him relaxed, smoking as spoke with an interrogator Protasevich added: 'At the very least we have to wait for the economic situation to heat up. 'We must wait for the day when people will not go to protest about new elections or against violence by the security forces, but when people will take to the streets for a bowl of soup.' Belarus has used video confessions to justify detentions and to attempt to dissuade the population from showing support for the opposition. The new video comes after Protasevich last appeared on May 24, telling viewers he was in good health and was being treated well. 'I continue cooperating with investigators and am confessing to having organised mass unrest in the city of Minsk,' he said. The video was widely rubbished as forced and Protasevich's father claimed the 26-year-old had has his nose broken. Roman Protasevich has appeared on camera for the first time since his arrested on Sunday (left), as his father said it appears his nose is broken and that he is wearing makeup - possibly to conceal bruising on the side of his face, with marks visible on his forehead (Protasevich is pictured right in 2017, for comparison) Ryanair flight FR4978 had been flying from Athens in Greece to Vilnius in Lithuania when it was escorted by a Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jet to Belarus amid fake reports of an IED on board Belarusian dog handler checks luggage from the Ryanair flight in Minsk International Airport on May 23 Ryanair flight FR4978 had been flying from Athens in Greece to Vilnius in Lithuania when it was forced to make an emergency landing in Minsk amid fake reports of an IED on board. Authorities arrested Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, 23, on arrival in Minsk. Russian national Sapega is being held in a pre-trial detention centre in Minsk. A day after her arrest Belarusian state media released a video showing her confessing to having organised 'mass riots' in Belarus. She also 'admits' to having edited the social media channel that has published personal information about Belarusian police officers. Her parents say the confession is false, and that Sapega did not attend mass anti-government rallies in Minsk last summer, and only met her boyfriend in Lithuania in the New Year. Belarus was rocked by strikes and weekly street protests after authorities announced that Lukashenko, who has ruled in authoritarian fashion since 1994, had secured re-election on August 9 with 80 per cent of votes. Roman Protasevich's girlfriend Sofia Sapega (pictured) has been in jail in Minsk since May 23. She appeared in a video and confessed to editing a social media channel that has published personal information about Belarusian police officers Belarus was rocked by strikes and weekly street protests after authorities announced that Lukashenko, who has ruled in authoritarian fashion since 1994, had secured re-election on August 9 with 80 per cent of votes Flight data shows that airspace over Belarus is virtually empty after Belarus scrambled a military jet and forced a plane carrying dissident journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner to land in Minsk How flights are flying AROUND Belarus after Ryanair flight was hijacked as it crossed airspace Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko ordered the hijacking of a Ryanair plane as it crossed Belarusian airspace so he could arrest dissident blogger Roman Protasevich and girlfriend Sofia Sapega on May 23. Since then, the EU has directed flights around Belarus until the matter is resolved. The move - which takes longer - is expected to burn more fuel. Flights paths formulated by the Financial Times show just how out of the way people-carriers are forced to go. Amsterdam to Bangkok on May 21 vs May 24: The grey line shows the route on May 21 going through Belarus. The purple line shows the route just three days later on May 24 Advertisement The EU has banned Belarusian airlines, urged EU airlines not to cross Belarusian airspace and threatened tough economic sanctions on Lukashenko's Kremlin-backed regime. The British government instructed all UK planes to cease flying over Belarus. Flight data shows that the airspace over the state is virtually empty following the incident. Some countries have also imposed sanctions against Belarusian officials over a crackdown on demonstrators and a presidential election last year that the opposition said was massively rigged. On Saturday, the EU offered to give 2.8billion to Belarus if Lukashenko steps aside and the country peacefully transitions to democracy. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the 'development funding' is ready once 'the democratic choice of the Belarusian people' is respected - after elections last year which Lukashenko claimed to have won but is widely thought to have lost. Von der Leyen said: 'To the people of Belarus: We see and hear your desire for change, for democracy, and for a bright future. 'And to the Belarusian authorities: No amount of repression, brutality or coercion will bring any legitimacy to your authoritarian regime.' But, over the weekend Lukashenko met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and 'agreed a loan deal' during a yacht tour in Sochi. Putin is the only world leader to defend Lukashenko over the hijacking. Russia promised Belarus a 1.06billion loan last year as part of Moscow's efforts to stabilise its neighbour and longstanding ally. Minsk received a first installment of 352million in October. Following talks in Sochi, the former-Soviet superpower said it will move ahead with a second 352million loan to Belarus next month. Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko (left) 'agreed a loan deal' during a yacht tour in Sochi over the weekend Government officials have leaked details about the highly anticipated classified report on UFO sightings expected to be released this month, noting that there is no evidence to support that they are alien spacecraft. But the report does not rule aliens out either, senior administration officials who were briefed on the report told The New York Times. The report also theorizes the objects could also be new weapons developed by Russian or China - and definitively says the phenomena are not a part of a secret project from within the United States government. The report looks at more than 120 incidents of unidentified objects seen by U.S. Navy pilots in the past 20 years. The UFOs were observed moving in patterns that remain difficult to explain, including their acceleration, ability to change direction and ability to submerge underwater. Senior officials told the outlet that the objects could be evidence of Chinese or Russian hypersonic technology - which means the countries may have 'far outpaced' the US in weapons development. Hypersonic weapons are aircraft and missiles that can reach atmospheric speeds faster than Mach 5, or or about 4,000 miles per hour - making them almost impossible to intercept. Still images from a newly released video show a spherical object diving into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. Investigative journalist Jeremy Corbell says the video shows 'FLIR [forward looking infrared] data' that is complimented by the radar footage Video showing an unidentified flying object splashing down into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego two years ago has now been corroborated by military radar which shows a ship, the USS Omaha, being swarmed by aerial phenomena in July 2019. The image above shows nine unexplained objects - some of which were traveling at speeds in excess of 160mph Last year, lawmakers added a provision to President Donald Trump's budget demanding that the secretary of defense and director of national intelligence release a report on what the government knows about such UFOs. Government officials have previously conceded that the sightings are credible, and that the UFOs' origins remains unknown. An unclassified version of the intelligence report is expected to be released to Congress by June 25, but will include a classified annex that 'will not contain any evidence concluding that the phenomenon are alien spacecraft.' However, the officials said the government could also 'not definitively rule out' theories that they might be alien spacecraft, The New York Times reported. In some cases, the report rules out explanations such as weather balloons or other research balloons because of changes in wind speed during the sightings, the officials told the Times. In the report, intelligence officials examined foreign military powers and believe at least some of the UFOs could be explained as hypersonic Russian or Chinese weaponry - into which both countries have been heavily investing. Examples of the unexplained sightings 'maneuverable' spherical objects which were seen flying in restricted airspace near Virginia Beach almost every day from 2015 to 2017. F/A-18 fighter pilot Ryan Graves' F/A-18, whose squadron spotted the objects, has previously 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.' Officials briefed on the report also described a giant Tic Tac-shaped object about the size of a commercial plane which was encountered by Navy fighter jets off the coast of San Diego in 2004. Senator Marco Rubio warned last month that UFOs pose a serious threat to national security and can no longer be laughed off by lawmakers. 'Some of my colleagues are very interested in this topic and some kinda, you know, giggle when you bring it up. But I don't think we can allow the stigma to keep us from having an answer to a very fundamental question,' Rubio said. Rubio said the possibility that drones or aircraft from a rival military power - or from another civilization - were entering U.S. airspace without permission should be getting more attention and resources. Former Navy Lieutenant Ryan Graves, who regularly witnessed UFOs in restricted airspace, called them a threat to national security 'I want us to take it seriously and have a process to take it seriously,' Rubio told 60 Minutes. 'I want us to have a process to analyze the data every time it comes in. That there be a place where this is cataloged and constantly analyzed, until we get some answers.' 'Maybe it has a very simple answer. Maybe it doesn't.' 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. Even former President Barack Obama raised recent interest in UFOs while appearing on The Late Late Show with James Corden last month. 'What is true, and I'm actually being serious here, is that there is footage and records of objects in the skies that we don't know exactly what they are,' Obama 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' From 2007 to 2012, the Pentagon catalogued reports from Navy pilots of unidentified aerial phenomenon through its shadowy Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, funded at the request of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Last year, the Pentagon formed the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force to research sightings of aerial objects that could pose a threat to national security. Harry Reid demands report on UFOs to be released by Senate Intelligence Committee and say's he has 'no problem' if aliens exist Former U.S. Senator Harry Reid has penned an article demanding the Senate Intelligence Committee release a report on UFOs lawmakers have commissioned Former U.S. Senator Harry Reid recently penned an article demanding that the Senate Intelligence Committee release a report on UFOs lawmakers have commissioned. Reid, 81, also detailed in his article for The New York Times how the former Senate Majority Leader became 'increasingly interested in UFOs' and said he has 'no problem' if aliens exist. In December, Sen. Marco Rubio - then-acting head of the Senate Intelligence Committee - called for Pentagon reports into the unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) to be declassified. The Pentagon's Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force has until June to report its findings to Congress. 'I believe that there is information uncovered by the government's covert investigations into unidentified aerial phenomena that can be disclosed to the public without harming our national security,' Reid wrote for The New York Times. 'The American people deserve to know more and hopefully they will soon, with the release of a comprehensive government report requested by the Senate Intelligence Committee on the military's encounters with UFOs.' He added: 'Let me be clear: I have never intended to prove that life beyond Earth exists. But if science proves that it does, I have no problem with that. Because the more I learn, the more I realize that there's still so much I don't know.' In the article, Reid described first becoming interested in unidentified aerial phenomena, what most people refer to as UFOs, in 1996 after being invited to a conference on topic by an investigative reporter for KLAS-TV. He said his interest in UFOs grew through conversations with former astronaut John Glenn, a fellow senator, but his staff warned him 'stay the hell away' from the topic publicly. 'I politely ignored them. I was inquisitive and, like Senator Glenn, I thought it was an issue that demanded attention, and I was in a position to act,' he said. Reid, while serving as Senate Majority Leader in 2007, worked to secure $22 million in funding for the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. 'This clandestine Pentagon operation investigated reports of UFOs and other related phenomena, including UFO encounters involving American military personnel,' he wrote. Reid noted that program no longer exists but the government continues to study UFOs through the Pentagon's Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Task Force. He said that, as a senator, he visited Area 51 and saw classified information that fascinated him. The top-secret Air Force testing site in southern Nevada has long associated with UFOs and related 'conspiracy theories' in popular culture. Reid noted that its existence wasn't publicly acknowledged by the U.S. Government until 2013. 'What I saw fascinated me, though much of it must remain classified. During one visit I traveled a short distance to the facility that housed the Air Force's secret new stealth fighters,' Reid wrote. Reid explained that 'there's still a great deal we don't understand' but UFOs and it remains unclear how to explain some of these 'strange sightings' scientifically. Advertisement 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 May 14 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.' Advertisement A billionaire fashion mogul is in contract to sell his sprawling Plaza Hotel suite overlooking Central Park to a financier and his family at a significant loss. Jurgen Friedrich, founder of Esprit, and his wife, Anke Beck-Friedrich, bought the residence, known as the Astor Suite, for $25.49 million in 2007. The couple tried to flip it a year later for $55million after spending $8million on renovations, the New York Post reports. But the 4,299-square-foot suite is now finally being sold 13 years later to a New York financial family, the Post reports, for around the latest asking price of $19.95 million. The suite comes with a private library, complete with a leather bound couch and chair A living room in the unit offers ample space, with views overlooking Central Park Jurgen Friedrich, founder of Esprit, and his wife, Anke Beck-Friedrich, bought the Astor Suite, for $25.49 million in 2007 and spent $8 million renovating it. They are now selling it for just about $20 million The property offers views of Central Park, and has previously hosted former President John F. Kennedy and the Duke of Windsor, Edward VIII. But the low sale price is a massive loss for the fashion mogul. The couple poured millions into renovating the fifth-floor suite and an adjacent one bedroom guest room. The guest room is still on the market, separate from the Astor Suite, for $2.95 million. They hired famous celebrity designer Steven Gambriel for the renovations, and he in turn, hired 'master artisans' who previously helped rebuild Windsor Castle. Both the main suite and the separate guest room now feature some of the highest ceilings in the hotel, at 14 feet, and has custom millwork. The main unit, with four bedrooms and four 1/2 bathrooms, features an elaborate and long hallway for guests to enter. There are fireplaces with elaborate antique mantels, oak paneling, hand-hammered leather walls imported from France, a chef's kitchen, a personal library and a corner dining room. There are rustic fireplaces inside the suite complete with elaborate mantel pieces The unit comes with four bedrooms and four and a half-bathrooms, offering a serene escape in Manhattan It has a chef's kitchen with a gas stove and plenty of room for storage The Astor Suite at the Plaza Hotel features a long foyer, with large glass chandeliers hanging from the ceiling A beloved pet dog has died from a rare and infectious disease, prompting warnings for owners. The dog became severely ill after it was struck down with leptospirosis in Sydney's Northern Beaches this week and died on Wednesday. The disease can lead to various health issues including kidney and liver problems and is transmitted by dogs coming into contact with the urine of infected rats or water sources. The Collaroy Plateau Veterinary Hospital issued a warning to dog owners following the pet's death urging them to vaccinate their furry friends immediately. The dog became severely ill after it was struck down with leptospirosis in Sydney's northern beaches this week before it sadly died on Wednesday (stock image) 'A local dog with no history of travel outside the area has been diagnosed with the bacterial infection leptospirosis,' the vet clinic wrote. 'Early signs of infection in dogs are generally non-specific and include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and fever, before progressing to fatal liver and kidney failure. 'We are now recommending ALL DOGS need to be vaccinated against leptospirosis. This is an update on previous advice.' The clinic also informed dog owners that the disease can be passed on from one infected animal to another through a bite or exposing them to urine. The Collaroy Plateau Veterinary Hospital issued an urgent warning to dog owners following the pet's death - urging them to vaccinate their furry friends immediately Infected female dogs can also pass it onto their puppies. While all mammals are able to catch leptospirosis including cats and humans, only dogs can be vaccinated against it. The Collaroy vet said that dogs will need a booster vaccination every 12 months. Puppies aged from six-weeks-old can receive the shot. Due to the current mouse plague in regional parts of eastern Australia, cases of leptospirosis have been on the rise in humans and animals. New South Wales recorded more than 40 infections in March and April while Queensland has seen cases double from 41 cases in 2020 to 78 this year. Medical researchers with the Chinese army engineered mice with humanized lungs in 2019 to test viruses on them, it has been reported. The mice, developed using CRISPR gene-editing technology, were mentioned in an April 2020 study which researched their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 illness, Vanity Fair revealed in its bombshell investigation. Of the study's 23 co-authors, 11 of them worked for the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, the medical research institute for the Chinese army. Investigators with the U.S. National Security Council, researching the origins of the pandemic, determined that the mice referenced in the study were created in the summer of 2019 - just months before the emergence of the pandemic. The National Security Council investigators also reportedly believed they had 'uncovered important evidence' supporting the theory that COVID-19 had leaked from a lab and began reaching out to other federal agencies, Vanity Fair reported. 'We were dismissed. The response was very negative,' said Anthony Ruggiero, the a senior director at the National Security Council. Medical researchers with the Chinese army reportedly engineered mice with humanized lungs in 2019 to test viruses on them. PICTURED: Chinese President Xi Jinping visits the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing The mice, developed using CRISPR gene-editing technology, were mentioned in an April 2020 study The study researched the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 illness, in mice with humanized lungs Shi Zhengli, the Wuhan Institute of Virology lead researcher on coronaviruses known as the 'Bat Woman' for her research on bat viruses, appears to have tested at least two novel coronaviruses on humanized mice in the last three years, Vanity Fair also revealed - citing comments she made to a scientific journal and grant information. Shi has refuted claims that COVID-19 leaked from a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and that the facility conducts military research. However, Shi was interviewed in a Scientific American article, first published in March 2020, in which she recounted how she 'frantically went through her own lab's records from the past few years to check for any mishandling of experimental materials, especially during disposal.' Shi was relieved when none of the genetic sequences from patients with COVID-19 matched those of the viruses her team had sampled from bat caves. 'That really took a load off my mind. I had not slept a wink for days,' Shi told the outlet. In January, the State Department released a fact sheet slamming the Chinese Communist Party of 'systematically' preventing a 'transparent and thorough investigation of the COVID-19 pandemic's origin.' The State Department acknowledged in the fact sheet at the time that the virus 'could have emerged naturally from human contact with infected animals.' 'Alternatively, a laboratory accident could resemble a natural outbreak if the initial exposure included only a few individuals and was compounded by asymptomatic infection,' the fact sheet reads. The State Department noted that the Wuhan Institute of Virology has 'collaborated on publications and secret projects with China's military' while 'presenting itself as a civilian institution.' 'The WIV has engaged in classified research, including laboratory animal experiments, on behalf of the Chinese military since at least 2017,' the sheet reads. Academy of Military Medical Sciences, the medical research institute for the Chinese army, is pictured Peter Daszak, right, Thea Fischer, left, and other members of the World Health Organization team investigating origins of COVID-19 arrive at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in February Security personnel keep watch outside Wuhan Institute of Virology during the visit by the World Health Organization Shi Zhengli is pictured in 2017 working with other researchers in a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, the same year the WIV reportedly began engaging in classified research, including laboratory animal experiments, on behalf of the Chinese military The Wuhan Institute of Virology is about 20 miles from the Huanan Seafood Market where the first coronavirus cases are reported to have occurred Bloomberg reported that China later denounced the State Department's fact sheet as 'full of fallacies' and the 'last madness' of 'Mr. Lies' Mike Pompeo, the former Secretary of State. The Vanity Fair report also detailed in-length other evidence that supports the lab-leak theory while detailing how U.S. investigation into COVID-19's origin have been impeded from investigating that theory. Claims that the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology have been laughed off as conspiracy theories - but even researchers at a number of top universities like Harvard and Cambridge have suggest in a letter that the 'hypotheses' cannot be ruled out until there is more evidence. 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 dismissed recent revelations that he was warned by scientist at start of pandemic that COVID-19 may have been 'engineered' Gilles Demaneuf, a data scientist with the Bank of New Zealand in Auckland, discovered four SARS-related lab leaks since 2004, two of them happening at a top laboratory in Beijing, and detailed them in a blog post on Medium. Rodolphe de Maistre, a Paris-based laboratory project director, revealed the Wuhan Institute of Virology housed a number of coronavirus laboratories - but only one required researchers to wear full-body pressurized suits with independent oxygen. Other Wuhan Institute of Virology labs have the lower safety designations of BSL-3 and BSL-2, which Vanity Fair described as 'roughly as secure as an American dentist's office.' Vanity Fair noted that the lab leak theory was first posited by social media users in China as early as January 2020. The following month, Botao Xiao and Lei Xiao, two scientists working at separate universities in Wuhan co-authored a preprint paper that expanded on the theory. Their study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. 'We screened the area around the seafood market and identified two laboratories conducting research on bat coronavirus,' the scientists wrote. They noted that the Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, known to have collected more than 600 bat samples, is housed just 280 meters from the Huanan wet market believed to be where the first cases spread. The other, housed about 12 kilometers away, was the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Dr. Anthony Fauci has dismissed revelations that he was warned at the start of pandemic that COVID-19 may have been 'engineered' and played down a grant the Wuhan Institute of Virology received amid claims the grant may have funded the gain-of-function research. He said his emails are 'ripe to be taken out of context' but he 'can't guarantee everything that is going on in the Wuhan lab'. In an interview with NewsNation Now anchor Leland Vittert on The Donlon Report, Fauci also explained why scientists focused their theories on the natural transmission from bats to humans through an intermediary species. The interview comes after a trove of 3,200 of Fauci's emails from January to June 2020, obtained by Buzzfeed, showed leading virus experts warned him COVID-19 may have been created in a lab while he publicly played them down. 'The only trouble is they are really ripe to be taken out of context where someone can snip out a sentence in an email without showing the other emails, and say 'based on an email from Dr. Fauci, he said such and such' where you don't really have the full context,' Fauci told Vittert. Another trove of emails, published by the Washington Post, also revealed his cozy relationship with China's top infectious disease expert Dr. George Gao - the director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention - during the early days of the pandemic in March and April of last year. 'Let's put things in context ... We're not talking about the Chinese Communist Party. We're not talking about the Chinese military. We're talking about scientists that we've had relationships for years,' Fauci said. Fauci then defended his relationship with Gao, a colleague of Fauci's 'for many years' and a member of the United States National Academy of Scientists. 'The scientists there, and others that we dealt with the original SARS, with the influenza virtually every year, the scientists are experienced,' Fauci said. The National Institute of Health awarded a $3.7 million grant to EcoHealth Alliance, which is based in the United States, to study the risk of coronaviruses emerging from bats in 2014. EcoHealth Alliance in turn distributed nearly $600,000 of that funding to its collaborator, the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Sen. Rand Paul claimed during an interview with Fox News on Wednesday that Fauci's emails show he was worried the NIH funded gain-of-function research as early as last February during the emergence of the pandemic. 'In his email, in the subject line, he says 'gain of function research.' He was admitting it to his private underlings seven to eight months ago,' Paul said. In gain-of-function research, scientists alter organisms and diseases to study how they could become deadlier or more transmissible. The field of virology widely relies on such studies. Fauci, who serves as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under the umbrella of the NIH, has denied that the NIH directly funded gain-of-function research in Wuhan. Rand Paul, the junior senator from Kentucky, said Fauci bears 'moral culpability' for the pandemic and should be fired from his government roles In a February 1, 2020 email obtained by Buzzfeed News, Principal NIAID Director Hugh Auschincloss wrote to Fauci to discuss a paper the top infectious disease expert had sent him appearing to question if NIH grants funded gain of function research relating to coronaviruses. In the email to Fauci, Auschincloss noted that a colleague would 'try to determine if we have any distant ties to this work abroad.' Fauci then defended thegrant the United States had provided the Wuhan lab. 'The Wuhan lab is a very large lab to the tune of hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars. The grant that we're talking about was $600,000 over five years for an average of about $125,000 to $140,000 a year,' Fauci said. He added: 'I can't guarantee everything that is going on in the Wuhan lab, I can't do that. But it is our obligation as scientists and public health individuals to study the animal-human interface' in the aftermath of the original SARS virus in 2002. Fauci explained that SARS-CoV-1 'was clearly a jumping of species from a bat, to a civet cat, to a human.' 'So it was incumbent upon us to study the animal-human interface and to understand what potential these viruses have of infecting humans which then might damage the United States,' Fauci said. 'So you don't want to go to Hoboken, New Jersey or to Fairfax, Virginia to be studying the bat human interface that might lead to an outbreak. You go to China.' The Mexican government is planning to distribute its allotment of a million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine that will be donated by the United States to people between the ages of 18 and 40 who live along the border with the U.S. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wrote on his social media accounts Thursday that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris told him the United States would send the vaccines, but did not specify when. During press conference Friday morning, the president expressed hopes that the strategy will help accelerate the opening of the Mexico-U.S. land border to non-essential travelers across the states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora and Baja California. 'It confirms that our relationship is good, it is an approach that we have made that we must act in solidarity, that we all have to help each other,' Lopez Obrador said. Mexico has only 11 percent of its population fully vaccinated vs. 41 percent of the U.S., according to data from the New York Times. At least 1.9 million people between 18 and 40 reside in the border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali (Baja California), Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua), and Reynosa (Tamaulipas). Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador listens in on a phone call with United States Vice President Kamala Harris, who confirmed the donation of a million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine Health personnel vaccinate people between 40 and 49 years old, in their first dose against the coronavirus in Mexico City, Mexico. As of Friday, Mexico was fourth in the globe with 228,362 confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to data released by John Hopkins University The country ranks 15th with 2,426,822 total cases reported. The country has administered 32,874,857 vaccine doses COVID-19 infections are increasing in Mexico, with 3,014 new infections reported on average each day over the past seven days. That's 17 percent of the peak, with the the highest daily average reported on January 20. There have been 2,426,822 infections and 228,362 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard estimates that the border crossing with the United States could reopen as early as late June and stimulate an economy that has been stymied since April 2020 when the administration of former President Donald Trump limited all non-essential travel at its northern border with Canada and southern borders with Mexico. Ebrard said that 'a third of the population will be vaccinated with J&J doses coming from the United States.' 'Why is the President giving priority and allocation to the northern front? The purpose is that vaccination in Mexico advances in similar proportions to those that exist in the EU, therefore, hasten or speed up the reopening of activities on the border between Mexico and the United States,' Ebrard said. 'The reason why this has not been possible to do so is precisely because we do not have the same standard or the same proportion of vaccinated people, and we think that with this it would be possible with all of these sanitary conditions so that the U.S. can permit activities to be resume.' Mexico will be receiving a million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for the coronavirus A woman and other residents in Mexico City await for their turn in line to get their second dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus disease A Mexico City resident receives the first of two required AstraZeneca COVID-19 immunization shots The Mexican government will also be developing a plan to distribute the Johnson & Johnson immunization shots at resorts in the Caribbean coast city of Cancun and Pacific coast towns like Los Cabos, according to assistant Health Secretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell, who along with President Lopez Obrador tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this year. Lopez-Gatell did not say whether that was a condition of the U.S. vaccine shipment. Instead, he depicted it as an economic move, aimed at avoiding potential partial shutdowns in areas where the economy is based on tourism or cross-border manufacturing facilities known as maquiladoras. Asked about where the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines might be applied, Lopez-Gatell said, 'We are going to develop operational plans as we get closer to a specific arrival date for this gesture of support.' People arrive to receive the second dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine as part of the Mexican government's efforts to slow down the spread of the virus and immunize most of its population in Mexico City A police officer helps a woman outside a center where doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine where being administered. Mexico has so far received 42.3 million doses of five different types of vaccines, not including Johnson & Johnson, and administered 32,874,857 of those doses. He cited the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo and the Pacific coast state of Baja California Sur as places Mexican officials were considering giving priority in applying the vaccines. Referring to the northern border, he said, 'we have the opportunity, given that this is a gesture of support by the United States, that we can coordinate (coronavirus) prevention and control efforts on both sides of the border.' Mexican cities on the border lag far behind their counterparts on the U.S. side in vaccinating their populations. But goods and people move constantly across the border. It is not clear how plans to give priority to resorts and border areas would play in other parts of Mexico that have been much harder hit by the pandemic. Nationwide, most Mexicans age 50-59 have barely received their first dose of vaccines, and the process has just begun for those age 40-49. Mexico has so far received 42.3 million doses of five different types of vaccines, not including Johnson & Johnson, and administered 32,874,857 of those doses. That is still vastly insufficient for a country of 126 million. Mexican has applied 32,874,857 COVID-19 vaccine doses in a country of 126 million. Pictured above is a soldier applying a vaccine to a resident who was part of a group between the age of 50 and 59 who got the shot at a center in Queretaro on May 26 According to data posted Friday by John Hopkins University, Mexico was fourth in the world - and second in Latin America behind Brazil - with 228,362 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19. But even government officials acknowledge Mexico's true pandemic death toll is far, far higher because many people have died at home or never got a test. A preliminary analysis of excess deaths suggests COVID-19 deaths now stand at over 350,000, giving Mexico one of the highest per capita rates in the world. The nation is 15th in the globe with 2,426,822 cases. Although the United States is working through COVAX co-run by the World Health Organization to donate 25 million surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses to the world, the White House retains final say in which countries receive U.S. doses and how many, President Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. The White House will base donation decisions on 'factors included achieving global coverage, responding to crises ... and helping as many countries as possible,' Sullivan said, adding the United States intends to prioritize its neighbors, including Canada, Mexico and countries in Central and South America. Brazil has been one of the world's hardest-hit countries by the pandemic with 16,803,472 cases and 469,388 deaths. The 25 million doses will not include supply from AstraZeneca. 'We are sharing these doses not to secure favors or extract concessions,' Biden said in a statement Thursday. 'We are sharing these vaccines to save lives and to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic, with the power of our example and with our values.' A hi-vis tradie's tuxedo has turned a West Australian grandfather into a fashion icon. Rob Glenn, 57, from Mandurah, set the internet alight after he revealed his custom-made fluoro dinner suit jackets on business platform LinkedIn. The grandfather of four and father of three got the classy threads made up when he sketched out the design for a tailor in Bali. His work wardrobe is filled with three sets of jackets in bright blue, yellow and orange, after supplying the tailor with special fabric to keep costs under $100 each. Rob Glenn, 57, from Mandurah, (pictured) set the internet alight after he revealed his custom-made fluoro dinner suit jackets on business platform LinkedIn Now the mining finance consultant causes a stir whenever he wears them, with matching shirts, to fly to mines across Australia. 'It was just done for a joke,' Mr Glenn told Daily Mail Australia. 'It was just a little bit of fun. 'I have to wear (hi-vis) PPE whenever I travel to mining sites so thought I could get some suit jackets made.' The businessman runs a consultancy firm advising miners on how to find financing but is equally likely to be presenting at mine sites as in boardrooms. And while he wears a normal suit to the city meetings, he will often travel through airports in his hi-vis tuxedo to fly in and out of mine works. 'You get a combination of reactions - some people try to ignore it and pretend they didn't see it while others laugh... and some just roll their eyes,' he admitted. 'I get some interesting looks around the airport. One mine manager even asked if he could borrow the hi-vis jacket to get married in. 'Wouldn't it just make the classic Australian bogan wedding, getting married in hi-vis?' The grandfather of four and father of three got the classy threads made up when he sketched out the design for a tailor in Bali. His work wardrobe is now filled with three sets of jackets in bright blue, yellow and orange, after supplying the fabric to keep costs under $100 each. He added: 'I actually got them made a few years ago but it was only when I put them on LinkedIn that it went viral.' Photographs of Mr Glenn in his posh PPE went global and were seen by thousands, attracting glowing praise from business leaders and tradies around the world. 'It's been hilarious but it's my first and last foray into social media,' said Mr Glenn. 'My family think it's completely embarrassing'. His fashion masterstroke seems to have created a new market - but he says there's no-one willing to step up and meet demand. 'Plenty of people have been asking me how they can get one of their own,' said Mr Glenn. 'But you can't get to Bali these days because of the lockdown and nobody in Australia seems interested in making them. 'I just say go for your life if you can find someone to make them. There's a side hustle for someone to start up - but it won't be me. I'm too old and too tired!' Christopher Swift, The Hartfords chief executive officer, announced the grant at a brief ceremony in the front yard of a 137-year-old home now being fixed up to be a three-family house. He was joined by Mayor Luke Bronin and Ken Johnson, executive director of the Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, which revitalizes Asylum Hill by fixing blighted historic houses and making them available to low- to moderate-income residents. Victorians trapped in the midst of its fourth lockdown disaster are bracing for more pain after enduring a week of lies and blunders from their overbearing government. On Friday, the state's health bureaucrats admitted they misled suffering Victorians with claims the latest Indian 'Kappa' variant of Covid - B.1.617.1 - was an 'absolute beast' that had infected Melburnians was akin to the measles virus. Measles, with a reproduction number of between 12 and 18, turns out to be significantly more infectious, but the lockdown damage has been done, with the mental anguish suffered by children likely to impact Victorians for generations. As the Victorian Government was again accused by the many in the scientific community of blatant 'scaremongering', Acting Premier James Merlino was forced to admit two 'stranger to stranger' transmissions that prompted the inflammatory language had not actually occurred. The two cases had been the thrust behind his announcement on Wednesday that Melburnians would be locked up for another week. The science community smelt a rat the instant the news broke, with leading infectious disease experts publicly denouncing the inflammatory use of the word 'beast' by Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton. Daily Mail Australia's efforts to obtain simple answers from the State Government - to inform readers throughout Victoria and indeed Australia - have now been ignored for two days running. Victoria only implemented a single, state-wide QR code system last Friday - after lockdown People wait in a line outside of the Foodbank pop up store in Melbourne on Friday Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino has continued to blame Victorians for their plight University of Melbourne Professor James McCaw, who is a member of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee that advises the national cabinet immediately called out the comment. 'There is no epidemiological evidence that this virus spreads faster,' Professor McCaw told The Age's Chip Le Grand. 'There is no clear reason to think this virus is spreading in different ways.' Now, after the 'Kappa' variant beast panic, Victorians are on edge and preparing for the fear-mongering language from the lockdown-loving health bureaucrats to ramp up again following revelations three children and four adults were infected by the Indian 'Delta' variant. Since Victoria's very first lockdown more than a year ago, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and his government have been at pains to assert all of its lockdown decisions are based on 'the science'. But experts have told Daily Mail Australia the science the Andrews Government is using is not only blatantly flawed, it is based on testing technology that it knows could not only be better, but faster. It has since been revealed an expert panel on Thursday ruled the 'beast cases' a woman who was said to have caught the virus at a display home in Mickleham and a man allegedly infected while dining outdoors at the Brighton Beach Hotel were 'false positives'. Sections of the science community have long advised both federal and state governments to approve rapid antigen tests for the general community alongside its current polymerase chain reaction tests. Such tests, which can be bought over the counter in the United States and United Kingdom, could have quickly identified potential carriers and avoided another lockdown, they argue. While diagnostic companies have received approval to use the tests at an industrial level in Australia, health authorities refuse to grant approval outside of the workplace. Premier Daniel Andrews hasn't been on deck since March after injuring his back Police check details of a delivery rider in Melbourne on Thursday as Melbourne's hard lockdown continues People wait in line to be vaccinated for COVID-19 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne on May 3. They were later blamed for not getting vaccinated fast enough Melbourne on Friday continues to remain a ghost town TIMELINE TO DISASTER May 3: An infected guest staying in the adjacent room of a Wollert man infects him as he leaves a South Australian hotel bound for Melbourne. May 7: Melbourne city restaurant the Curry Vault is officially listed as a tier 1 public exposure site six days after the man had dined at the venue. May 11: A Woolworths supermarket in Epping, in Melbourne's north-west, is notified the infected person who had left SA quarantine had visited the store three days earlier. May 22: A banking transaction is blamed for Victorian health authorities listing the wrong supermarket - it should have been Woolworths Epping North. May 27: The Victorian government announces a seven-day lockdown in a bid to curb the state's growing coronavirus outbreak. May 28: Victoria finally introduces a single mandatory QR code tracking system. May 31: Arcare Maidstone residents are locked down and placed into self-isolation after a female healthcare worker at the facility tested positive. June 3: Melbourne's week long lockdown is extended a further week. Advertisement An expert in the field, who asked to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail Australia the tests have the capacity to quickly identify carriers of the virus, which could be used to rapidly quarantine infected individuals rather than locking down millions of people. The cost to the Australian taxpayer and Medicare would be between $15 and $20 per test rather than $180 per PCR test. Those in the diagnostic field believe the tests have been shunned by Australia's top medical advisers out of sheer bloody-mindedness. 'They've all come out of the pathology labs and they see pathology as the gold standard and they're not very open to change,' the source said. 'I don't think it's corruption, I think they're set in their ways. The government are taking the advice, the problem is they're only getting the advice from one group. There's not enough diversity or conversation. There's not enough opinions.' On Friday, the scaremongering from Victoria's health officials continued with claims the highly infectious Delta strain - that spread quickly through India - had been detected among four cases in the past 24 hours. Melburnians, who face at least another week in lockdown, might feel justified in treating the news with some scepticism. While its accepted the initial outbreak of the Indian strain entered Victoria via a South Australian quarantine bungle, its spread throughout Melbourne exposed damning flaws and arrogance by its Labor state government. On May 11, a Woolworths supermarket in Epping, in Melbourne's north-west, was notified the infected person who had left SA quarantine had visited the store three days earlier. Pigeons are seen outside of the Victorian State Library in Melbourne on Friday as people remain locked away at home Healthcare workers transport a person into a patient transport vehicle at the Arcare Aged Care facility THE CASE FOR RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING Rapid tests have been extremely effective globally as a mechanism for testing and managing COVID. By running rapid antigen and rapid antibody tests in parallel, patients understand after 15 minutes with a high degree of accuracy whether they have or have had the virus. Australian governments continue to oppose any other form of testing and maintain sole reliance on PCR testing as the only mechanism and tool to determine whether someone has Covid. PCR tests can take between 18 and 36 hours to return from the lab depending on the capacity and workload of the facility. Experts claim the slow time lag for PCR results renders them unsuitable for the logistics of travel, entering large venues for sports/live music events, visiting relatives in aged care facilities and for mass ground transport. 'Rapid antigen tests have a validated sensitivity of 97 percent, comparable to the gold standard PCR test in the low to mid 90 percent range,' an expert in the diagnostics field told Daily Mail Australia on Friday. 'Depending on the number of cycles the PCR tests are conducted over, they will detect not just active infection but remnants of COVID fragments from possible past infection, hence the large number of false positives seen with PCR testing around the world.' The rapid antigen tests were used at Howard Springs quarantine facility in the Northern Territory up until only a few weeks ago when they were dumped exclusively for PCR tests. The facility's medical director, Di Stephens, claimed the rapid tests did not have the sensitivity and specificity to pick up the people that had Covid and also had returned false positives. Advertisement The Victorian Government was forced to admit its contact tracing team 'fell down' by taking almost two weeks to realise they had identified the wrong Woolworths store as a COVID hotspot - it should have been Woolworths Epping North. It was a mistake blithely deflected by Professor Sutton because they found no evidence anyone else had been infected over the error. Melbourne city restaurant the Curry Vault had been officially listed as a tier 1 public exposure site six days after the man had dined at the venue on May 7. Even with the virus back in the wild, Victorians continued to carry on as usual convinced they had effectively eradicated it from the community. This was a state that had already been through a long and punishing lockdown in 2020 due to quarantine breaches, watched its government spend millions on an inquiry into what went wrong, and then endured a third lockdown in February. Victorians had been assured their contact tracing had been 'gold standard' after the Andrews Government received a rocket from Prime Minister Scott Morrison in September. Back then, the Prime Minister had begged Victoria to replicate NSW contact tracers, which had enabled that state to suppress six outbreaks without ever resorting to the kind of strict lockdowns Victoria had repeatedly fallen back on. NSW, which was already ahead of the curve in regards to QR code check-ins, implemented a mandatory QR code system on January 1 this year. It would be five long months and two more lockdowns - before Victoria would do likewise. On May 27, with Victoria's fourth lockdown announced, the people were blamed by their government yet again for their plight. 'We would not be in this position that we are today, this necessary and difficult position, if our vaccination rates were much higher than they are right now,' Acting Premier James Merlino said. It was the very same day, Professor Brett Sutton would take to Twitter to bleat about the plight of the 'mental wellbeing' of his contact tracers, who had rightfully been questioned about their role in the latest lockdown. Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton hit social media to complain about the mental health of his contact tracers Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton's tweet on May 27 Days later it would be revealed the virus had infiltrated an aged care facility in Melbourne's west. Professor Sutton still cannot explain to Victorians how Covid had got into its aged care homes - the very people ordinary Victorians are told they are protecting through lockdowns. Vision of an elderly woman being carted out of Arcare Aged Care in Maidstone on Monday rekindled horrific memories of last year where hundreds died in Victorian aged care facilities. A worker, who was found to be infected with the Indian variant of the virus, had brought it into the home and passed it on. She had been allowed to work at multiple facilities despite the obvious threat to the elderly. Days later, an 89-year-old man was identified as the fifth person connected to the Arcare facility to contract the virus. The resident had been fully vaccinated, but only received his second dose on Monday after a rollout of second doses of the vaccine were brought forward to this week after the positive case. The fact Victoria's most vulnerable had failed to be fully vaccinated rubbed salt into the wounds of Victorians who had been chastised by the acting premier for failing to 'get the jab' fast enough. On Thursday, as Melburnians persisted with attempts to get vaccinated, calls to the government hotline were simply cut-off after being mocked by a brief automated message. Due to a high volume of calls, we cannot assist you,' the voice said. Victoria's vaccine booking hotline went live and then vanished never to be seen again Restaurant furniture is seen left outside of a business along Lygon Street in Melbourne on Thursday. It was once a busting spot for diners Meanwhile, north of the border in New South Wales, those wanting to get the jab can obtain one akin to a simple click and collect. Victorians were given false hope that they too might be able to book a vaccine appointment online after a Victorian Government booking system went live on Saturday night. But both the new number and the existing COVID-19 hotline immediately went into melt down as people aged 40 to 49 suddenly became eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Health officials would later declare Victoria's online vaccine booking system had accidentally gone live, leaving hundreds in the lurch. The state government had purchased the system from Microsoft in mid-January for a whopping $6million. On announcing the deal, it had been lauded for being 'fine-tuned' for Victorian use. Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier labelled the website a dud, telling Daily Mail Australia tech experts believed it 'wasn't fit for purpose'. As Melburnians enter another week of misery, Daily Mail Australia can reveal the full mental anguish of children unable to attend school yet again. Even as the government announced it would allow VCE students back into the classroom next week, it had initially planned to keep children with special needs trapped at home before an eleventh-hour backflip. One Melbourne mum, who did not wish to be named, told Daily Mail Australia her autistic child had been chewing his arm due to the stress of being kept at home One Melbourne mum, who did not wish to be named, told Daily Mail Australia her autistic child had been chewing his arm due to the stress of being kept at home. 'Children who have differing abilities and attend special schools often don't have the capacity to understand why they can't go to school which can cause extreme behaviours such as self harm and meltdowns,' she said. The deteriorating mental health of ordinary Victorians, who have either lost their businesses or are unable to provide for their families, is once again expected to cause a surge in domestic violence incidents and suicides. National Homeless Collective founder Donna Stolzenberg told Daily Mail Australia the latest lockdown was having a devastating effect in the community . 'We still have families who are forced to isolate and are desperate for nappies and formula for their children. We have families who havent been able to access basic hygiene items such as soap and toothpaste,' she said. 'The mental health and anguish experienced by individuals who feel they have failed their family yet again can be insurmountable. The guilt and shame at not being able to provide for their children causes ongoing psychological effects and feelings of shame and failure.' Handsome rising star of the Labor Party, Chris Minns, is the new opposition leader of the troubled NSW branch after Michael Daley withdrew from the leadership race on Friday. Mr Daley decided not to nominate at the NSW Labor caucus meeting on Friday morning for the good of the party, he said after the meeting. Mr Minns was elected unanimously. 'I believe that, given it was completely clear that Chris had majority caucus support, it was wholeheartedly in the best interests of the party that I'm not pushing this to a ballot,' Mr Daley said. Mr Daley, who led Labor to the last NSW election in 2019, said he believed in giving the party's rank-and-file a say in the leadership. But he believed that avoiding a drawn-out leadership ballot will bolster the party's chances in the next federal election, due within 12 months. Chris Minns, 41, has been elected leader of the Australian Labor Party (above) He continued to insist he had the 15 MP signatures he needed to confirm his nomination as leader. Mr Minns, who represents the seat of Kogarah, had already secured at least 23 votes from a caucus total of 50. The party's divisions have been on show for the past fortnight, with allegations a 'dirt file' about Mr Minns was circulated by a colleague's office and ex-leader Jodi McKay stepping down amid white-anting accusations. Mr Daley promised he and his supporters would fall in behind Mr Minns to give the party the greatest chance of retaking government in 2023. The two rivals agreed to put the contest behind them at a meeting ahead of the caucus gathering. 'Chris and I agreed that the divisions have to end today,' Mr Daley said. 'I offered him my full and unqualified support to do everything I can, firstly to unify the show, and secondly to move forward.' Minns, a married father-of-three, is a rising star of the Labor Party and was backed by powerful figures within the party (above) Minns was endorsed by a number of prominent NSW residents, including 2GB's Ben Fordham (above) Mr Minns had promised to be a leader for all the caucus and the party, he said. Numerous rounds of applause were heard emanating from the 30-minute caucus meeting at NSW Parliament. Mr Daley said supporters of both camps spoke in favour of unity. After the meeting Mr Minns only said there were 'huge challenges ahead' for NSW Labor. He will address the media again on Friday afternoon and is expected to announce his new frontbench on Tuesday. His leadership pitch was about providing a more positive alternative to the decade-old coalition government. He said a Labor NSW government in 2023 would support domestic manufacturing and develop 'good, well-paying, middle-class jobs'. A Melbourne family-of-four who travelled to New South Wales were infected with the new strain of the Indian Covid-19 virus, health authorities have revealed. A man, his wife and two children had travelled to the Jervis Bay area on the state's south coast at the end of May before testing positive. Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said genomic testing found at least two of the family were infected with the highly-contagious Delta B16172 variant. The family visited venues in Gundagai, Goulburn, Jervis Bay, Huskisson and Vincentia and were later diagnosed with Covid-19 after returning home. A Melbourne family-of-four who travelled to New South Wales were infected with the new strain of the Indian Covid-19 virus (pictured: restaurants closed during Melbourne's lockdown) The infected man and his family visited popular tourist destination Jervis Bay (pictured) on the NSW south coast Until Friday, authorities had sequenced the cases in the Victorian outbreak to the Kappa B16171 variant - which is thought to be less deadly than the Delta strain. WHAT IS THE DELTA VARIANT? The Delta variant is the main variant of Covid-19 that is wreaking havoc across India Health officials believe the variant has very high transmission rates Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said there's been reports of children becoming severely sick with the variant The Delta strain is also believed to be more easily transmitted among children Nepal, the UK, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have also seen a rise in cases related to the variant Advertisement The Delta strain, which originated in India and is now the dominant strain in the UK with 12,431 cases, is thought to be just as infectious as Kappa. The World Health Organisation on Tuesday said it was clear there were 'greater public health risks' associated with the Delta variant. Professor Sutton said the fact Delta cases were unlinked to the rest of the outbreak meant contact tracers now had to scramble to trace the source of transmission. He said it was 'within the bounds of possibility' the new variant may have been picked up in NSW. 'It is not unexpected. The average incubation time of (Covid-19) is about six days. There will be individuals who go through a much more rapid transmission cycle, there will be a longer one,' he said. 'Five or six days puts it in New South Wales, Jervis Bay territory, or indeed earlier.' Professor Sutton said the Indian variant appears to be more transmissible than other strains of the virus. 'There are some anecdotal reports of greater illness in children as well as greater increase transmissibility in children we have concerns for that reason,' he said. Health authorities are investigating whether the variant was spread through a child from the family and one of their classmates. There are fears the outbreak may have spread to NSW after a family from Melbourne went on a roadtrip across NSW People are seen exercising in Melbourne this week. It's since been revealed a family-of-four have caught the new Indian Delta strain of coronavirus NEW NEW SOUTH WALES VENUES EXPOSED TO COVID Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed must immediately call NSW Health on 1800 943 553, get tested and isolate until further information from NSW Health is received. - Shell Coles Express Big Merino, Goulburn, May 19, 1.45pm-2.05pm - The Coffee Pedaler, Gundagai, May 19, 9.30am-11.15am - Green Patch campground, Boodoree National Park, Jervis Bay, 4pm May 19 - 9am May 24 - 5 Little Pigs, Huskisson, May 21, 8am-11.30am - Huskisson Treasure Chest, May 21, 11.30am-12pm - Coles Vincentia Shopping Centre, May 21 from 12-1pm, 22 May from 12-1pm Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received. - Gundagai Craft Centre, May 19, 11am-12pm - Junque and Disorderly Antique Shop, 19 May, 11am-12pm Advertisement Four new locally-acquired cases were confirmed in Victoria on Friday, bringing the state's total active cases to 72. The Victorian government continues to face calls to end lockdown early after revealing on Wednesday it would be extended in Melbourne until June 10. The decision to go into lockdown followed health authorities declaring two people, who had only 'fleeting' contact with infected cases, tested positive to Covid-19. The brief interaction raised fears of the highly contagious nature of the Indian strain of the virus and prompted Professor Sutton to dub it an 'absolute beast' that was spreading 'in settings and circumstances we've never seen before'. But on Thursday, the Health Department said the pair were actually virus-free and their test results were false positives. Media personalities and politicians alike have argued there is no reason to extend the restrictions in light of the revelations. Victorian Acting Premier James Merlino though has stood firm on the decision to extend the lockdown and said the government will not be backing down. The famous Big Merino in Goulburn was listed as one of the sites that was exposed to the virus An entire floor at an Adelaide quarantine hotel has been moved to a new facility over fears they could have been exposed to Covid-19 after a two-year-old and his mother tested positive. The 18 people were evacuated from the Peppers Waymouth Hotel and taken to the Pullman Hotel on Friday. The mum and so, who flew in from Liberia, were tested in a hotel corridor, in a process which inexplicably took 18 minutes, according to the Adelaide Advertiser. Health chiefs in South Australia now fear the pair 'may have potentially spread Covid-19 into a corridor as part of the swabbing process'. The little boy was taken to hospital earlier this week and has since left, but his mother was then rushed to hospital on Friday after becoming 'quite unwell'. Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said officials took a look back at the incident and found that the door to the room where the boy's family was staying had been opened and shut a number of times. An entire floor of the Peppers Hotel in Adelaide were moved to a new facility at the Pullman Hotel (pictured, returned travellers at the new hotel) The 18 people were moved from the Peppers Hotel (pictured) to the Pullman Hotel on Friday after a two-year-old toddler returned a positive test this week She said it had been determined that other people on the same floor could be at 'significant' risk. She said the response taken was part of usual protocols. 'It's unfortunate, but we have to deal with these situations in our medi-hotels when we have a positive case,' she said. 'These are things that are just not predictable.' The boy was admitted to hospital on Thursday but later discharged and taken to Adelaide's Tom's Court Hotel, where all people known to have the virus are isolated. Another traveller is seen in a room at the Pullman Hotel on Friday after 18 were moved from Peppers Hotel However, his mother subsequently tested positive for the virus and was admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital along with her son. SA Health said the delay in testing the boy was related to his distress, identity checks and language barriers while Professor Spurrier said it was always difficult to test very young children. She said the people moved might be required to start their 14-day quarantine period again, although some might have that period cut short, depending on where their rooms were located and their personal circumstances. 'I'm most sympathetic and empathetic to those people, but in the interests of public health we have to make these difficult decisions,' Professor Spurrier said. Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said officials took a look back at the incident and found that the door to the room where the boy's family was staying had been opened and shut a number of times All passengers on the plane will be required to undergo two weeks of hotel quarantine at the Pullman Hotel (pictured) The floor involved at the Pepper's Hotel has already undergone a deep clean and would be cleaned a second time on Friday. The scare comes as South Australia prepared for the arrival on Friday afternoon of about 150 people on board the first direct repatriation flight from India since the lifting of a travel ban. All passengers on the plane will be required to undergo two weeks of hotel quarantine at the Pullman Hotel. They will be given a saliva test every day and a swab test on day one, five, nine and 13. More than 200 Australian children are stuck in India where the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage with thousands of deaths each day. Desperate parents have been pleading with the government to develop a plan to reunite them with stranded children. A South Australia Health spokesperson said the mother and child 'may have potentially spread COVID-19 into a corridor as part of the swabbing process' (pictured, Peppers Waymouth Hotel) Foreign affairs officials told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra there were 209 Australian minors registered to return home. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Lynette Wood denied they were unaccompanied minors because most were with family members or guardians. Senior Labor frontbencher Penny Wong said it would be hard for parents of stranded children to hear an official focus on the term. 'It's real people - kids over there, parents here. Think about that instead of quibbling about a category,' she said. A nine-year-old migrant child who crossed into the United States without his family on Wednesday was captured on camera making a heartbreaking call to his mother, telling her: 'I'm here.' The unnamed Guatemalan boy had not seen his mother since he was two years old, and grew up in the home of his grandmother. But he was desperate to be reunited with his mother, in the United States, and so his family in Guatemala paid people traffickers to take him into the U.S. On Wednesday night he made it, and a Fox News crew found him near Roma, Texas. A nine-year-old Guatemalan boy, who has not seen his mother in five years, crossed into Texas from Mexico on Wednesday. He was spotted by a Fox News crew, and the reporter lent her phone so that the child could call his mother and tell her he had made it The reporter, Sara Carter, handed the child her phone, and he called his mother. She later explained that he was traveling alone, after relatives back in Guatemala paid people traffickers to transport him into the United States He had a phone number for his mother on a scrap of paper, and so the reporter handed over her phone for the little boy to call his mother. They had not spoken since he made the crossing. 'Hello mom, how are you?' the child said. 'Good my love, how are you?' she replied. 'Where are you?' The child replied: 'I'm here, now.' The boy, who was spotted with other migrant families, is one of 66,000 unaccompanied migrant children to have crossed into the U.S. since October 1, when the fiscal year began. Border Patrol agents are seen on May 5, awaiting transportation to a processing facility. U.S. agents took more than 111,000 single adult migrants into custody in April, the highest total in more than a decade, and the number increased again in May, according to preliminary enforcement data Data from the CBP shows that the fiscal year from October 1 is on track to break records for unaccompanied minor arrivals - although April's figure was a slight decrease on March, which marked a historic high In April 17,171 unaccompanied minors were found by agents with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - a slight decrease on March's figures, when 18,960 arrived - an all-time record. The March arrivals quickly overwhelmed the U.S. government's infrastructure to process lone minors. The largest Border Patrol facility for migrant children was at 1,640 per cent capacity in late March, holding more than 3,200 unaccompanied minors in a tent designed for 250 people. Border Patrol's more than 70 stations along the border were designed with the goal of temporarily detaining and processing single men, who for decades made up the majority of people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without permission. The U.S. government has for years struggled to deal with the shifting demographics of migrants, and the numbers of lone children and families now arriving. Since Joe Biden was inaugurated, numbers of unaccompanied migrants arriving have soared. February, March and April have all seen extremely high numbers of children crossing from Mexico alone: since October 1, 2018, only one month - May 2019 - outpaced the Biden era for child arrivals. In that month, 11,861 unaccompanied children crossed over. The total number for this fiscal year so far is double the previous year's data, with five months remaining. In the year to September 30, 2020, 33,239 children arrived alone. U.S. agents took more than 111,000 single adult migrants into custody in April, the highest total in more than a decade, and the number increased again in May, according to preliminary enforcement data. For the first time in American history, a military judge is permitting prosecutors to submit information obtained while torturing an alleged terrorist. Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, who is accused of plotting al Qaeda's suicide bombing on the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen in October 2000, is awaiting his death penalty trial at Guantanamo Bay. Col. Lanny J. Acosta Jr. ruled on May 18 that prosecutors with the American government may use the information they received while torturing al-Nashiri in a limited capacity at pre-trial hearings. Now, defense attorneys representing 56-year-old al-Nashiri are asking a higher court to reverse Acosta's ruling, writing in a 20-page filing to the Pentagon panel, the United States Court of Military Commission Review board, on Thursday: 'No court has ever sanctioned the use of torture in this way.' 'No court has ever approved the government's use of torture as a tool in discovery litigation,' or as 'a legitimate means of facilitating a court's interlocutory fact-finding,' the filing, obtained by the New York Times, says. Al-Nashiri is accused of plotting al Qaeda's suicide bombing on the USS Cole while it was docked off the coast of Yemen in October 2000, an attack that killed 17 sailors. Col. Lanny J. Acosta Jr. ruled on May 18 that prosecutors may use information they received while torturing Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri in a limited capacity at pre-trial hearings He is also charged with attacking an oil tanker, the Limburg, two years later, when a crew member was killed. Nashiri has been in American captivity since 2002, serving the first four years in CIA custody. He is now awaiting his death penalty trial at Guantanamo Bay. In March, prosecutors filed a classified court document apparently trying to prevent the defense from asking about a drone strike in Syria in 2015 that killed another suspected al Qaeda bomber, Mohsen al-Fashli. The defense is trying to get information about several of these drone attacks as they pursue a possible defense that more senior or complicit members of the terrorist organization have already been killed by the U.S. To prevent them from getting this information, the Times reports, prosecutors invokes something classified Nashiri told CIA interrogators 'in the first weeks of his captivity, when he was actively and brutally tortured.' Al-Nashiri is accused of plotting al Qaeda's suicide bombing on the USS Cole while it was docked off the coast of Yemen in October 2000, an attack that killed 17 sailors He is now being held at Guantanamo Bay (pictured) as he awaits trial It marks a departure from the past, when prosecutors would try to build their cases around interrogations carried out by FBI agents in 'clean teams' at Guantanamo Bay. But defense attorneys said Nashiri divulged this information when 'U.S. agents were using a broomstick in a particularly cruel way while questioning him, which alarmed observers and caused the captive to cry out,' according to the Times. Acosta ruled, though, that the information could be used 'but only to provide context on a discovery issue in dispute.' He said that there are times when judges could consider information obtained during torture, but noted that 'statements obtained through torture are necessarily of highly suspect reliability.' Acosta told the prosecutors to proceed with caution if they want to rely on the statement to support a factual assertation in the trial, and said that when Congress first approved the military commissions in 1950 it prohibited the jury comprising military officers from hearing evidence obtained by torture. The next hearings in Nashiri's case are scheduled for September. The Bachelorette star Lee Elliott has hit out at council officials for allowing parking inspectors to walk around Melbourne issuing tickets when he and his loved ones are confined to their homes. Elliott - who met his now-wife Georgia Love on the reality show in 2016 - shared his frustration online after returning to his car to find a parking ticket on his dashboard. The plumber, 40, initially showed sympathy for City of Melbourne inspectors before taking aim at the perceived double standards of the city's Covid-19 restrictions. Melbourne's five million residents can only leave home for an essential reason - to shop for essential items, exercise, give care, work or to get vaccinated or tested for the virus. 'Although I'm obviously not happy about getting a parking ticket, I am happy these people have a job and are able to pay their rent/mortgage,' he wrote on Instagram. The Bachelorette star Lee Elliott pictured with his wife Georgia Love - who he met on the show. He has hit out at council officials for issuing parking tickets during a lockdown while his friends and family are missing out on work He initially showed sympathy for City of Melbourne inspectors before taking aim at council officials 'My question is why are so many of my friends and family, struggling both financially and mentally?' He said some people he knew may even lose their business due to the impact of the lockdown. 'Because parking inspectors are bringing in revenue for the City of Melbourne they're deemed "essential" so its totally fine for them to traipse around the city when most can't even walk out their front door!?' Elliott tagged a series of news outlets at the bottom of the post, alongside the words 'do as I say not as I do'. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the City of Melbourne for comment. Love chose Elliott as her winning suitor on the 2016 season of Channel Ten's The Bachelorette. The couple were engaged in September 2019 and married earlier this year. The ex-reality TV star is the latest high-profile Australian to question the nature of Melbourne's lockdown restrictions, which have been caused by an outbreak of infections in Victoria which has now reached 72 cases. The plumber, 40, pictured with his now-wife on the show. 'It's totally fine for them to traipse around the city when most can't even walk out their front door!?' he wrote Perth lord mayor Basil Zempilas appeared on Channel Seven's Sunrise on Friday and argued the Victorian government had to be 'less conservative dealing with the Covid-19 virus'. 'Let's be a little more on the aggressive side in terms of keeping people at work, keeping people at school, keeping everything open,' he said. 'We've said it many times: we have to learn to live with this in our community. 'What we can't do, almost 18 months on now, is scare people into lockdown that they are not required to go into.' Perth lord mayor Basil Zempilas appeared on Channel Seven's Sunrise on Friday and argued the Victorian government had to be 'less conservative dealing with the Covid-19 virus' 3AW talk-back radio presenter Neil Mitchell, who presents in locked-down Melbourne, slammed the state government and accused them of scaremongering the public to extend the lockdown. 'The problem is people in Victoria don't trust this government anymore,' he said. 'That apocalyptic language we got on Wednesday, based around these cases, were clearly there to manipulate us. And people are getting angry.' Ben Roberts-Smith has sensationally taken legal action against his ex-wife Emma, accusing her of potentially hacking into his email account ahead of his defamation 'trial of the century' against Nine. The reason behind the former Special Air Service trooper's sudden lawsuit against Ms Roberts was revealed in the Federal Court on Friday by one of his barristers, Arthur Moses SC. Mr Moses told the court that evidence showed Ms Roberts 'had access' to an email account that Mr Roberts-Smith used to speak with his lawyers about an inquiry into Army conduct in the Afghanistan war. Mr Roberts-Smith's camp that Ms Roberts may have shared some of that privileged information with Nine, the media giant he is suing over allegations he committed war crimes while deployed in Afghanistan. Mr Moses told the court that could 'contaminate' the trial. He also revealed emails had been deleted from Mr Roberts-Smith's inbox and outbox 'without his consent'. Ms Roberts is expected to testify for Nine-owned newspapers The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Canberra Times at the trial. She has 'flipped' on her husband and father of her two children. Ben Roberts-Smith is suing ex-wife Emma Roberts over claims she illegally accessed his emails The emails that were allegedly accessed may have contained potentially privileged material, the court heard. If such material had been handed to Nine it could cause legal issues with the defamation case. Ms Roberts was ordered to deliver all information allegedly sourced from the email account in her possession to the Federal Court by 2pm today. She was also ordered to tell the court how she had allegedly obtained the information and whether it was by herself or 'agents' including her friend Danielle Scott. Danielle Scott - described as a 'very close' confidant of Ben Roberts-Smith's ex-wife - was named during the hearing Ms Roberts handed over unspecified paperwork to the court registry on Friday morning. The court heard the Commonwealth Government will also seek to review whether Ms Roberts is in possession of material concerning the separate Afghanistan inquiry. Orders were made for lawsuit against Ms Roberts to return to court at a later date. Victoria Cross recipient Mr Roberts-Smith will be the first witness of an expected list of 60 to testify at his defamation trial next Monday. An April pre-trial hearing heard that he is eager to 'expose the lies' he claims the newspapers had told about him. 'He's extremely anxious to do so,' his lawyer Bruce McClintock SC said. The trial will begin with an opening address from Mr Roberts-Smith's lawyer, followed by the soldier giving evidence-in-chief and being cross-examined by Nine. Character witnesses - originally to include the former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce - will then attest to the soldier's reputation. Nine will then present its case: that the serious allegations it has levelled against Mr Roberts-Smith are true. The media company argues Mr Roberts-Smith was complicit in and responsible for the six alleged killings while on deployment and that they constituted war crimes. Mr Roberts-Smith this year debuted his new girlfriend Sarah Matulin - who quit her job at Channel Seven when their relationship became serious Mr Roberts-Smith's reputation is on the line - as is how the country understands Australia's role in the Afghan war. Above, the soldier at the Australian War Memorial Ms Roberts, her friend, a former bodyguard to Schapelle Corby and Afghani villagers will be among those to give evidence for Nine. Then Mr Roberts-Smith's team will call evidence from his other witnesses, believed to include other diggers. Seven proprietor Kerry Stokes (left) is bankrolling the Roberts-Smith lawsuit. Above with wife Christine Simpson Much is on the line at the trial. Mr Roberts-Smith's reputation would be in tatters if Nine successfully defends the action. If Nine lost, it would be a devastating blow - both in financial terms, given hefty legal fees on top of multi-million dollar damages - but also for morale. Also on the line are the egos of the country's biggest media proprietors. Seven billionaire and Australian War Memorial chairman has bankrolled Mr Roberts-Smith's legal action. In audio obtained by 60 Minutes, Mr Roberts-Smith said he would be 'f***ed' without Mr Stokes's financial firepower. Since resigning his military commission, Mr Roberts-Smith has been working as the general manager of Channel Seven's Queensland division. A souvlaki shop owner has been slammed after giving 'the finger' to the new COVID-19 check-in requirements as Melbourne battles a growing cluster. The Facebook post by Daniel Ruscigno, owner of The D's Souvlaki shop, shows him giving the finger in front of a QR code poster and writing: 'Our current thoughts of the new mandatory check-in requirements!' 'My thoughts are that your behaviour is stupid and selfish by trying to undermine efforts to keep people safe,' wrote one of the more than 5000 people who commented beneath the post. 'Look forward to never spending any money at your business.' 'You posted a picture giving health authorities and I guess everyone else the finger,' another person wrote. 'That is actually more than an opinion. It's an insult.' Feminist commentator Clementine Ford also chimed in, writing: 'Explain how a check-in code affects your business in any way,' replied Ms Ford. 'Thanks for telling everyone where not to go if they care about public health.' The D's Souvlaki owner Daniel Ruscigno created an enormous social media backlash with this post on his business' Facebook page A sample of the more than 5000 replies to Ms Ruscigno's post, both slamming and supporting him Many others said Ruscigno would go out of business for disregarding the dangers of the virus and that he should take the post down. Others congratulated Ruscigno for standing up to Victoria's 'communist' government and praised the post. 'Will sort those who think with logic and commonsense from those sold on the corruption & lies,' wrote one. In a reply Mr Ruscigno thanks his 'loyal customers' for their support and said the haters could 'politely kiss my Italian ass!' 'Are we not allowed to have an opinion in this country anymore?' he continued. 'As mentioned in our post, our mandatory QRC are in store. So instead of trying to ruin a small business that you know nothing about, have the balls to come in and say it to my face and I'll be more than happy to have a conversation with you.' Mr Ruscigno remained unrepentant when contacted at his Airport West shop by Daily Mail Australia on Friday and said that many of the comments were ridiculous. 'I don't have a problem with the check-in requirements,' he said. 'I have three or four of the signs up and I make people check-in before they order. Mr Ruscigno said his business was down 60 per cent since the latest lockdown started The Airport West small business owner had been in operation for eight years 'I'm just frustrated that small businesses like myself are suffering through this so-called pandemic and this is just my way of saying, 'up yours'.' Mr Ruscigno had owned his business for eight years and said he received no government support during the last Victorian lockdown. 'I honestly can't believe the reaction,' he said. 'People are saying I got JobKeeper but I didn't get any government help during the last lockdown and don't meet the requirements for the money they're offering now... 'It does affect my business. Last week alone we went down 60 per cent in revenue.' The Victorian Government had been criticised for taking until May 28 to make it mandatory for businesses to use its Service Victoria QR-code check-in app. Though the app had been launched in November last year, most venues were permitted to continue using third-party apps to record visitors, meaning check-in data was not centralised for contact tracers. NSW, by contrast, introduced mandatory use of the Service NSW QR code system by businesses on January 1 this year. 'I can't see why we can't learn to live with the situation,' said Mr Ruscigno. 'And if the government had done their job right we wouldn't be in this situation.' Health authorities are trying to determine whether heart inflammation that can occur as a result of many different types of infections could also be a rare side effect in teens and young adults after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. An article on seven U.S. teen boys in several states, published online Friday in Pediatrics, is among the latest reports of young men getting heart inflammation after their second COVID-19 vaccination, though a link to the vaccine has not been proven. The boys in the study, between the ages of 14 and 19, received Pfizer shots in April or May and developed chest pain within a few days. Heart imaging tests showed a type of heart muscle inflammation called myocarditis. None were critically ill, and all were healthy enough to be sent home after two to six days in the hospital. They are all 'doing pretty well,' according to Dr. Preeti Jaggi, an Emory University infectious disease specialist who co-authored the report. She said more follow-up is needed to determine how the seven fare, but that it is likely the heart changes were temporary. A nurse is pictured giving Nicholas Miles, 13, a shot of the Pfizer vaccine. A recent study shows that seven boys between the ages of 14 and 19 developed a heart condition after the second COVID vaccination shot (file image) Only one of the seven boys in the Pediatrics report had evidence of a possible previous COVID-19 infection, and doctors determined none of them had a rare inflammatory condition linked with the coronavirus. The cases echo reports from Israel in young men diagnosed after receiving Pfizer shots. The Israeli Ministry of Health concluded on June 1 that between one in 3,000 to one in 6,000 men ages 16 to 24 who received the vaccine developed the rare condition. Israeli health officials first flagged the issue in April when they reported more than 60 cases. The number of COVID infections has declined since the development of the COVID vaccines Around the same time, the Department of Defense began to track 14 cases, and officials at the European Medicines Agency said on May 28 they received 107 reports of myocarditis following the Pfizer vaccine. That amounts to one young man receiving the rare heart disease in 175,000 doses administered. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also alerted doctors last month that it was monitoring a small number of reports of heart inflammation in teens and young adults after the mRNA vaccines, the kind made by Pfizer and Moderna. The CDC hasnt determined if theres really a link to the shots, and continues to urge that everyone 12 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19, which is far riskier than the vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is available to those as young as 12; the Moderna shot remains cleared only for adult use. This kind of heart inflammation can be caused by a variety of infections, including a bout of COVID-19, as well as certain medications and there have been rare reports following other types of vaccinations. Authorities will have to tease out whether cases following COVID-19 vaccination are occurring more often than that expected 'background rate.' For now, the CDC says most patients were male, reported symptoms after the second dose, and their symptoms rapidly improved. 'I think were in the waiting period where we need to see whether this is cause-and-effect or not,' said John Grabenstein of the Immunization Action Coalition, a former director of the Defense Departments immunization program. A Pediatrics editorial noted that among U.S. children under age 18, there have been over 4 million COVID-19 cases, more than 15,000 hospitalizations and at least 300 deaths. It said the heart inflammation cases warrant more investigation but added that the benefits of vaccination against this deadly and highly transmissible disease clearly far outweigh any potential risks.' The frustration of the left wing at Lamonts triumph over them cannot compete with the intensity of despair of some ambitious Republicans. The governor has swiped their first commandment and made it his shield. The partys 2018 nominee, Bob Stefanowski, could return to his mantra of repealing the states income tax, if he decides to take another run at Lamont. The Madison Republican, who came closer than expected to defeating Lamont in their contest, will need some new themes. August marks the 30th anniversary of the income taxs imposition on the states working people and the beginning of a brutal decline in economic growth and increase in state spending. After three decades, the public understands the harsh reality that the states financial obligations, however imprudent they were to undertake, will not be met without an income tax. Justine Ang Fonte, the director of Health & Wellness at Dalton, taught students at a Manhattan private school a porn lesson in early May Leaked audio from a porn lecture juniors at a $47,000-a-year private school once attended by Barron Trump were required to attend reveals that the students were forced to learn about 'electro porn.' The lecture at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School was held by Justine Ang Fonte, the director of Health & Wellness at another Manhattan private school. In the audio, which was played on Hannity's show on Thursday, she could be heard teaching students at about how people can be aroused by electrocution videos. 'So electro is like actual ... electrocuting ... that they're doing on porn, but people are actually attracted and aroused by it,' Fonte tells the students. 'So even if it's actually fake and you know, hopefully the performers are protected or we have real people who are searching for that because that's what they get off to.' She added that her goal 'as a sex educator is that my students, grades one through 100, have a safe, fulfilling and pleasurable sexual lives, wherever it is going to be relevant for them.' The students at Columbia were required to attend the lecture on May 5, entitled: 'Pornography Literacy: An intersectional focus on mainstream porn.' Parent Roger Nussenblatt told Hannity: 'We reached out to the school who acknowledged the presentation, and said they didn't know what was going to be presented to the kids. 'We find that hard to believe considering Ms Fonte's controversial history at the Dalton school. A lot of the parents are afraid to speak up for fear of being cancelled and ostracized.' Juniors at the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School were forced to attend the lecture Leaked audio from the porn lecture reveals Fonte tell the students about 'electro porn' Students also learned how porn takes care of 'three male vulnerabilities,' and were shown statistics on the 'orgasm gap' showing straight women have fewer orgasms with their partners than gay men or lesbians. They were also shown photos of partially-nude women, some of whom were in bondage to analyze 'What is porn and what is art?' Another slide cited various genres of porn, such as 'incest-themed,' consensual or 'vanilla,' 'barely legal,' 'kink' and BDSM. Additionally, the slideshow included a list of the most-searched pornographic terms in 2019, including 'anal,' 'gangbang' and even 'stepmom,' and discussed OnlyFans, where 'content creators' share photos and videos of themselves naked or having sex with subscribers for a monthly fee. 'We were all like 'What?' an unnamed student told The New York Post, which obtained the slideshow. 'Everyone was texting each other: 'What the hell is this? It's so stupid.' The slideshow presented to students included images of partially-nude women, asking students if it was 'art or porn?' It included a list of the most searched terms on pornography websites in 2019, including 'gangbang,' 'anal' and 'step mom' The lesson also included statistics on the 'orgasm gap' showing straight women are less likely to orgasm than straight or gay men and gay women The student added that the lesson took place 'not long before' Advanced Placement tests and 'I had to miss both my AP classes for this.' Most of the 120 students, between the ages of 16 and 17, who attended the lecture watched it on Zoom from home. Some of those students' parents were able to sit in on the workshop, and were stunned by what unfolded. Students who were at the school were ordered in to the gym to watch it on laptops. They were asked to answer questions about the lesson in the Zoom chat, a student said, 'but we were all side-chatting in group chat and tons of kids thought it was so dumb that they sent the link to their friends all over the city and they were logging on with the password.' Many parents were appalled by the discussion, with one telling the Post, 'none of the parents knew this was planned. We were completely left in the dark. 'It makes us wonder what else the school is up to,' the unnamed mother said. Another added: 'It's outrageous that the school is introducing pornography into a mainstream classroom and starting to indoctrinate kids. 'The goal of this is to disrupt families,' she said, questioning, 'Why is the school making porn a priority as opposed to physics, art literature or poetry?' According to her website, Fonte, 35, likes to revel 'in disrupting health education,' and believes 'it is the responsibility of comprehensive health education to be about social justice because health is a human right.' 'When I'm building with schools, I develop health programs that are intersectional, anti-racist sex positive, multidisciplinary, stigma-busting and relevant.' Her workshop appears to have been based on a 2016 program on 'pornography literacy' developed by Boston's Health Commission. School officials later apologized to parents for the lecture, with headmaster Dr. William Donohue saying they were not aware of what the lesson would entail. He wrote that the 'context and tone of the presentation did not represent our philosophy, which is to educate our students in ways that promote personal development and overall health, as well as to express respect for them as individuals. The Dalton School, where Fonte teaches health, has come under fire in recent months for its use of the Critical Race Theory and the headmaster had to step down 'It was unfortunate that we did not better inform ourselves of the speaker's specific content in advance,' Donohue continued in his email to parents. 'In this case, the speaker did not align with our unique CGPS mission and for this, I apologize. 'Going forward, we will certainly learn from this experience.' Parents at CGPS say the school has so-far held out on many of the 'woke' policies that have caused clashes at other elite US schools. The school is said to be on the verge of hiring a diversity, equity and inclusion director, with parents pushing back against such an appointment over fears it will lead to extreme lessons on social issues. A father of a student at Columbia told Sean Hannity on Thursday that they have reached out to the school about the increase in diversity lessons, saying there is a 'large parent group' that is fighting back against these types of lessons. 'We want to fix the implementation of Critical Race Theory,' Roger Nussenblatt said. Roger Nussenblatt told Sean Hannity on Thursday there is a group of parents fighting back against the school's implementation of Critical Race Theory Barron Trump, son of former President Donald Trump, attended the $47,000-a-year Manhattan private school before he moved into the White House in 2017 Officials at Dalton, the other Manhattan private school where Fonte works, meanwhile, insisted their establishment 'does not teach ... the type of curriculum that is being suggested. 'Our health classes do teach students important lessons related to body positivity, consent and boundary setting with friends and others,' a spokesman told the paper. Dalton is one of a number of schools that has come under fire over the last year for its decision to teach critical race theory. Parents were also outraged at the school's decision to continue with online-only lessons after other pricey rivals had gone back to in-person teaching, amid concerns over staff 'safety.' In December, the school published an anti-racism manifesto, saying the school hired 12 diversity officers and proposing 'Black liberation' courses and classes challenging white supremacy. It also suggested that if black students were not performing at the same level as white students by 2023, it would abolish some of its courses entirely. In response, some parents wrote an anonymous letter to school officials claiming 'Every class this year has had an obsessive focus on race and identity,' and 'many of these classes feel more akin to Zoom corporate sensitivity-training than to Dalton's intellectually engaging curriculum.' Dalton headmaster Jim Best stepped down last month amid the controversy, and a math teacher at Grace Church School was pulled from his classes after criticizing the school's use of the Critical Race Theory. Columbia Grammar was subpoenaed by investigators probing Donald Trump, over payments Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg, pictured, made for his grandkids' fees there This appears to be the first time Columbia has come under fire for its lesson plans, but it is currently facing other controversies. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance issued a subpoena against the school earlier this month over $500,000 in fee payments the Trump Organization made for its CFO's grandchildren. Donald Trump's CFO, Allen Weisselberg, allegedly paid school feeds for his grandkids as a form of 'financial assistance' to his son Barry. Prosecutors now want to know if those payments should have been declared as gifts or donations, which would have made them eligible for tax. Insiders say investigators are trying to put pressure on Weisselberg in the hopes he will turn on the former president. There is no suggestion that Weisselberg has done anything wrong. Hong Kong police detained one of the organisers of the annual vigil commemorating Beijing's deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown, as authorities sought to prevent any show of pro-democracy people power on Friday's sensitive anniversary. About 7,000 officers have been placed on standby to stamp out any attempt to hold a mass candlelight vigil that Hong Kongers have attended in their thousands each anniversary for the past three decades. The first arrest came early Friday morning when lawyer Chow Hang-tung, one of the few remaining prominent democracy activists not already in jail or in exile, was detained by four police officers outside her work. Chow, 37, is one of the vice-chairs of the Hong Kong Alliance which organises the annual vigil. Police confirmed two people -- Chow and a 20-year-old male -- had been arrested on suspicion of publicising an unlawful assembly through social media posts. "Their online remarks involved advertising and calling on others to participate or attend banned public activities," senior superintendent Law Kwok-hoi told reporters. Huge crowds have traditionally gathered in Hong Kong to mark the anniversary of Chinese troops crushing peaceful democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. Hundreds were killed in the crackdown, by some estimates more than 1,000. Public commemorations of the event are forbidden on the mainland. Chow Hang-tung, barrister and a leader of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, being led away by plainclothes police officers after being detained in Hong Kong today An artist creates a memorial for the victims of the Tiananmen massacre in Hong Kong last night Under a "One country, two systems" policy that was meant to give Hong Kong more freedoms, the city was the only place on Chinese soil where large-scale commemorations were tolerated and the huge crowds massed each year in Victoria Park. But, after months of huge and often violent democracy protests in 2019, China has carried out a sweeping campaign to silence dissent and enforce "patriotism". Authorities banned this year's gathering citing the coronavirus pandemic -- although Hong Kong has not recorded an untraceable local transmission in more than a month. While last year's vigil was also denied permission because of the pandemic, thousands defied the ban. Authorities warned in recent days the subversion clause of a powerful new national law imposed on Hong Kong could be used against those marking the Tiananmen anniversary. Beijing imposed the law a few weeks after last year's Tiananmen rally and it has transformed the city's once freewheeling political landscape. More than 100 pro-democracy figures have been arrested under the security law, mostly for political views and speech. Most are denied bail and face up to life in prison if convicted. Authorities warned in recent days the subversion clause of a powerful new national law imposed on Hong Kong could be used against those marking the Tiananmen anniversary. However China has been unable to quash all dissent, and Hong Kongers were planning creative ways to mark Friday's anniversary. "A regime can ban an assembly but it can never ban the indelible grievances in people's hearts," Lee Cheuk-yan, a now jailed democracy activist and the current head of the Hong Kong Alliance, wrote in a message posted on his Facebook page on Thursday. Activists have called on residents to light candles in their own homes or neighbourhoods come Friday evening, or post commemoration messages on social media. "Turn on the lights wherever you are -- be it torchlight on your phone, real candles or electronic candles," Chow wrote on Facebook page just hours before her arrest. Clara Cheung was among a small group of artists who gathered near Victoria Park on Thursday evening. She brought 64 white flowers -- representing June 4 -- and laid them on the street. "We need to find a new way to express ourselves," she told AFP. Pro-Beijing politicians have suggested that calls to "End one party rule" and "Bring democracy to China" -- both common chants at Tiananmen vigils -- could now be deemed subversion, one of the crimes in the broadly worded national security law. The security legislation has also been combined with a campaign dubbed "Patriots rule Hong Kong" aimed at purging from public office anyone perceived to be disloyal. - 'Full accounting' - In mainland China, the Tiananmen anniversary is usually marked with an increase in online censorship and the square in Beijing being cordoned off. There was tight security at the square on Friday, with police controlling IDs of people at each point of access, according to an AFP journalist in Beijing. China often faces international criticism for its campaign to stifle remembrance of the crackdown. On Friday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken called "a full accounting of all those killed, detained, or missing". Taiwan's foreign ministry said "the students of Tiananmen and Hong Kong must not be erased nor forgotten." Billionaire investor William Ackman's special-purpose acquisition company is reportedly nearing a $40 billion merger with Universal Media Group. If successful it would be the largest-ever merger involving a so-called 'blank-check company.' Billionaire investor William Ackman's blank-check firm Pershing Square Tontine Holdings is nearing a deal with Universal Music Group that would take the world's biggest music label public at a value of nearly $40 billion, two people familiar with the matter said. A deal of that size, if completed successfully, would mark the biggest-ever merger involving a so-called special purpose acquisition company, similar in size to the nearly $40-billion deal that Singapore ride-hailing giant Grab Holdings clinched in April. The music label giant backs artists such as Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Kanye West, Rihanna, Billie Eilish and also has some classic holdings with Queen, ABBA and the Beatles. Pershing Square Tontine Holding's shares were down nearly 6% at $23.5 a share in after-market trade, close to its initial public offering price of $20, after news of the potential deal broke. The closer the SPAC shares trade to their IPO price, the more skeptical investors are that the deal will be completed. The Universal Music Group backs major artists such as Billie Eilish, pictured here at the 2021 Grammy Awards Other artists in Universal Music Group's stable include The Weeknd, pictured performing at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards The sources cautioned that there was no guarantee that Universal and Pershing Square would finalize the deal and the talks can still fall apart. Ackman told his investors late last month that he hoped to make an announcement on the Tontine target within weeks. What is a special-purpose acquisition company? Special-purpose acquisition companies, also known as 'blank check companies' are shell corporations that list themselves on the stock market with the sole purpose of acquiring or merging with a private company, and thus making it public. This process allows the private company to sidestep an initial public offering, which could be appealing for some that might want to avoid revealing the inner workings of their business operations as part of the IPO process. It also nets the business quick, major investment. Those behind the SPAC benefit by owning a large chunk of an already established company for their work in rallying public investments. SPACs have a set time to pick a company they wish to merge with or otherwise liquidate. SPACs have exploded in popularity recently, with 242 SPAC launches in 2020, and 330 in 2021 with the last peak in 2007 seeing 66 launches, according to NPR. Advertisement Without naming the company, Ackman said on the call that his team was 'working to complete the transaction' and that he likes the business and loves the management team. SPACs like Pershing Square Tontine raise money in an initial public offering with the aim of merging with a private company. For the private company, the process is an alternative to listing its shares through an IPO. The money raised for a SPAC sits in a trust earning interest until the SPAC manager identifies a company to buy. Nearly a year ago, in July 2020, Pershing Square raised $4 billion in what was the biggest IPO by a blank-check firm. Guggenheim Investments, hedge fund The Baupost Group, and Wells Capital Management are among the biggest investors in Pershing Square Tontine. The deal with Universal could be financed using the cash in trust, without the need of financing through a so-called private investment in public equity, or PIPE, as they are popularly referred to, two people familiar with the talks said. If, however, investors choose to reject the deal and redeem their shares, Ackman could face a significant hurdle in putting together the financing required to close the deal. Universal Music is majority-owned by French media giant Vivendi, which last month said the equity of the music label was worth $40 billion, or more than the market value of the parent company. Tencent Holdings owns a roughly 20% stake in Universal Vivendi has been exploring taking Universal public, including through a traditional IPO. In documents released ahead of Vivendi's general meeting scheduled in June, Vivendi said that Universal was drawing interest from potential investors and that it could sell some of its stake to a 'strategic partner' ahead of the distribution of Universal's shares. Taylor Swift is another one of the mega artists that are part of the Universal Music Group label. She is pictured at the 2021 Grammy Awards At the time, Vivendi said it intended to keep at least a 10% stake in the company for a long period of time. 'Universal Music is a business that can be valued without speculating about it having a future," said Erik Gordon, a professor of business at the University of Michigan. "The terms of the Tontine SPAC also are better than the terms of most SPACs.' Former White House Counsel Don McGahn finally came to Congress Friday to talk about his interactions with former President Donald Trump that came during the height of the Russia probe following a two-year battle to secure his testimony. Democratic investigators have long considered McGahn a key witness after he was a witness in the Mueller probe and spoke to investigators about his role in several central episodes: including Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey and what McGahn said were comments by Trump about firing former special counsel Robert Mueller himself. The Trump Administration vigorously fought a subpoena and refused to allow McGahn to participate as a House probe cranked up in advance of an impeachment effort. But statements he made to Mueller's investigators have long interested Democrats, in particular comments relating to areas of potential obstruction of justice that Mueller spelled out in his report. Former White House counsel Don McGahn arrives for a closed door meeting with the House Judiciary Committee. The Trump administration fought a subpoena for his appearance in a legal battle that lasted two years McGahn told Mueller's investigators that Trump directed him to call former Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein to have Mueller 'removed' during the height of the Russia probe. 'You gotta do this. You gotta call Rod,' McGahn says Trump told him in a 2017 phone call. Trump was persistent, McGahn testified, and on a second call told him 'Call Rod, tell Rod that Mueller has conflicts and can't be the Special Counsel' and said 'Mueller has to go.' Trump and his lawyers denied he told McGahn to fire Mueller. 'I never told then White House Counsel Don McGahn to fire Robert Mueller, even though I had the legal right to do so,' he tweeted in April 2019. According to Mueller's nearly 450-page report, McGahn refused to carry out the request and decided he would quit 'because he did not want to participate in events that he described as akin to the Saturday Night Massacre' reference to Watergate. But McGahn did not quit. The House Judiciary Committee was set to grill McGahn behind closed doors two years after House Democrats originally sought his testimony as part of investigations into former President Donald Trump. The long-awaited interview is the result of an agreement reached last month in federal court, and a transcript will be publicly released within a week. House Democrats - then investigating whether Trump tried to obstruct the Justice Departments probes into his presidential campaigns ties to Russia - originally sued after McGahn defied an April 2019 subpoena on Trumps orders. That month, the Justice Department released a redacted version of special counsel Robert Muellers report on the matter. In the report, Mueller pointedly did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice but also did not recommend prosecuting him, citing Justice Department policy against indicting a sitting president. Muellers report quoted extensively from interviews with McGahn, who described the Republican presidents efforts to stifle the investigation. ClOSED DOOR: Former White House counsel Don McGahn arrives for a closed door meeting with the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill June 4, 2021 in Washington, DC. His testimony won't be given in public, although House Democrats will release a transcript McGahn served as White House counsel for Trump, and was present for key areas of inquiry for Mueller, who made no determination on whether the president obstructed justice. He is pictured behind Trump in 2018 McGahn spoke to former Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his investigators. He had conversations with Trump before the president fired FBI Director James Comey While the Judiciary panel eventually won its fight for McGahn's testimony, the court agreement almost guarantees its members wont learn anything new. The two sides agreed that McGahn will be questioned only about information attributed to him in publicly available portions of Muellers report. Still, House Democrats kept the case going, even past Trumps presidency, and are moving forward with the interview to make an example of the former White House counsel. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said the agreement for McGahn's testimony is a good-faith compromise that 'satisfies our subpoena, protects the Committees constitutional duty to conduct oversight in the future, and safeguards sensitive executive branch prerogatives.' It is unclear what House Democrats will do with the testimony, which they sought before twice impeaching Trump. The Senate acquitted Trump of impeachment charges both times. As White House counsel, McGahn had an insiders view of many of the episodes Mueller and his team examined for potential obstruction of justice during the Russia investigation. McGahn proved a pivotal - and damning - witness against Trump, with his name mentioned hundreds of times in the text of the Mueller report and its footnotes. McGahn described to investigators the presidents repeated efforts to choke off the probe and directives he said he received from the president that unnerved him. He also got information about former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn's conversation with the Russians during the Trump transition He recounted how Trump had demanded that he contact then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to order him to unrecuse himself from the Russia investigation. McGahn also said Trump had implored him to tell the deputy attorney general at the time, Rod Rosenstein, to remove Mueller from his position because of perceived conflicts of interest - and, after that episode was reported in the media, to publicly and falsely deny that demand had ever been made. McGahn also described the circumstances leading up to Trumps firing of James Comey as FBI director, including the presidents insistence on including in the termination letter the fact that Comey had reassured Trump that he was not personally under investigation. And he was present for a critical conversation early in the Trump administration, when Sally Yates, just before she was fired as acting attorney general as a holdover Obama appointee, relayed concerns to McGahn about new national security adviser Michael Flynn. She raised the possibility that Flynn's conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak - and his subsequent interview by the FBI - left him vulnerable to blackmail. Trumps Justice Department fought efforts to have McGahn testify, but U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2019 rejected Trumps arguments that his close advisers were immune from congressional subpoena. President Joe Biden has nominated Jackson to the appeals court in Washington. In a key passage in his report, Muller did not exonerate Trump of obstruction but also did not charge him. He wrote if his investigators 'had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state.' 'Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.' McGahn, who reportedly met with Mueller's investigators for 30 yours, is credited with protecting Trump from some of his most dangerous impulses by opposing them or, according to his testimony, sometimes simply waiting them out. 'The Presidents efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests,' according to the report. A scorned lover stalked and attacked her ex during a sustained campaign of harassment after she was dumped for another woman. Ernst & Young accountant Kiara Mack, 23, sent menacing messages to her former boyfriend after they broke up in early 2020 as part of a bitter war against him that only ended when she was arrested. Mack's creepy messages to him included 'I know the code to your house', 'checkmate', that she was 'initiating phase 2' and a promise to ruin his life, forcing him to move house in fear, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard. Young accountant Kiara Mack, 23, (pictured) tormented her ex-boyfriend with a bitter campaign of threats, stalking and assault after he left her for another woman. She pleaded guilty to six charges including stalking and assault in Melbourne Magistrates Court Mack (pictured centre) told her ex boyfriend 'your life is over' in one of many abusive messages At one point she threatened his sister's car, after spray painting his with a pink love heart and the word 'cheater' Mack sent him many threatening messages, including on social media, the court heard. 'I know where you live, I know where you work, I know your footy club, I know your favourite bars, I know the code to your house,' one read, the Herald Sun reported. In another message she threatened him, then signed off with 'no need to chat tomorrow X'. When he moved house and refused to disclose his new address, Mack tracked him down by driving the streets obsessively looking for his car, the court heard. Kiara Mack's creepy threats messages to her ex-boyfriend were part of a sustained and bitter campaign of harassment against him When she found it, Mack spray painted 'cheater' and a pink love heart on the black Volkswagen. She also suggested his sister's car was at risk, and posted photos of him on Instagram in his underwear without his permission. When Mack was arrested and her phone seized, police found she had conducted internet searches about how to find people's home addresses and real estate listings for people in his street, the court heard. Mack chose to represent herself in Melbourne Magistrates Court and claimed her ex-boyfriend's scratches came from his footy matches, not her assault. She also claimed her messages to him were 'just us arguing'. She told the court she had suffered from mental health issues due to the break-up, Covid and her own isolation. Mack returns to court on June 8 and will be assessed for a community corrections order. Marco Rubio has called for limits to the power of social media and tech companies, claiming they have silenced conservative voices and controversial opinions, after Facebook reversed its policy last month of removing posts that claim COVID-19 is man-made. The Florida senator appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News show on Thursday night, and told of the dangers now posed by 'unelected, unaccountable anonymous people deciding what we are allowed to say to one another and what we are allowed to share.' Rubio described big tech firms as 'the new gatekeepers of the public square in American politics'. And he slammed social media companies who were able to censor coverage of the origins of the coronavirus, as well as stories critical of Joe Biden's son Hunter in the run up to the 2020 election. 'Five companies in America now have the power to basically wipe anybody out and silence them,' said Rubio. 'Amazon, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Apple - they all get together and decide: we are going to wipe somebody out.' Marco Rubio on Thursday night appeared on Fox News to complain about the power of social media and tech companies. He said five firms - Google, Facebook, Apple, Twitter and Amazon - could control who was allowed to voice opinions and who was silenced, and could control which stories were allowed to proliferate and which were blocked Rubio, senator for Florida, appeared on Sean Hannity's show on Thursday evening Since January, Donald Trump has been banned from most social media platforms amid concern at his ability to whip up unrest, which resulted in the Capitol riot. Other conservative figures such as Steve Bannon, Trump's 2016 campaign manager, and lawyer Sidney Powell, who has promoted baseless election fraud conspiracy theories, have also been removed. Rubio said the impact of being kicked off social media was dramatic. 'You are done. You can't communicate to the outside world,' he said. Trump has agreed, telling OAN last month that being blocked was an obstacle to fundraising. He has said he is planning on launching his own, rival, social media network. On Wednesday a blog which was thought to be a precursor to the new network was permanently closed, his spokesman Jason Miller confirmed. Rubio said that, beyond silencing people, social media companies were also determining what could be reported and promoted. Stories about Joe Biden's son Hunter (above, pictured in April 2016) were blocked by Twitter He referenced to articles about Joe Biden's son Hunter in The New York Post, which were removed from Twitter when the platform deemed that they had been obtained by hacking. 'They now have put themselves in a position of determining what news can be re-reported,' said Rubio. 'Remember those articles about Hunter Biden? 'They quashed the New York Post story, they would not let it spread.' The New York Post story revealed some of what was found on Hunter Biden's intercepted hard drive, including documents suggesting Joe Biden's involvement in his family's wide-ranging foreign deals while he served as vice president. Facebook also limited the story from being shared, citing its policy for slowing the spread of potential 'misinformation.' The move was made shortly before the election, and critics of Twitter said it was designed to protect the Democratic presidential candidate from unflattering stories. CEO Jack Dorsey later apologized for their mistake, and reversed the ban on mentions. Rubio also noted how Facebook last week reversed its ban on discussions of the 'lab leak' theory on the origin of the coronavirus pandemic. 'They go back and remove a ban on stories about the origins of the COVID-19 virus, because they have proven to be true,' he said. 'This is the danger here. 'You have unelected, unaccountable anonymous people deciding what we are allowed to say to one another and what we are allowed to share. That is a very dangers moment. 'They have assumed basically governmental powers without being accountable to anyone.' Facebook had previously banned discussions of the 'lab leak' theory, suggesting that COVID-19 escaped from a Wuhan lab (pictured), rather than evolving naturally. The ban was implemented because scientific consensus was previously that the 'lab leak' idea was a conspiracy theory. Now the idea is gaining legitimacy, and last week Facebook reversed its ban on discussion Facebook said in a statement last week that the company would continue to shift its policies based on new information. 'In light of ongoing investigations into the origin of COVID-19 and in consultation with public health experts, we will no longer remove the claim that COVID-19 is man-made from our apps,' spokeswoman Dani Lever said. 'We're continuing to work with health experts to keep pace with the evolving nature of the pandemic and regularly update our policies as new facts and trends emerge.' Critics of the power of Big Tech have seized upon the litany of complaints to call for more regulation. Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill generally agree that changes need to be made to Section 230, a provision in the Communications Decency Act that gives legal protections to social media companies. It protects social media companies, unlike newspapers and broadcasters, from being sued for the content that is posted on their platforms. Republicans have widely called for the reform or repeal of the law because of their perception that the Silicon Valley powerhouses are biased against conservative views and work to censor conservatives. Democrats, meanwhile, agree that reforms are needed, their argument is that Section 230 prevents social media companies from doing more to moderate their platforms, such as taking down or limiting hate speech and disinformation. A woman has recalled the tear-jerking moment she was reunited with her cat Dewie after he ran away from home 18 months ago, all thanks to his microchip. Jacquii Steen, from Blair Athol, north of Adelaide, had returned home one night when her beloved six-year-old rescue cat suddenly bolted out the door. Despite spending days knocking on all the doors of her neighbours and calling local vet clinics, Ms Steen and her family found no trace of Dewie. The family nearly gave up all hope in ever seeing the cat again until last month when they received a phone call Dewie had been picked up by the RSPCA - just 20kms away from his home. 'It's just the most awful feeling when your pet goes missing - they're not just a pet, they're a member of your family,' Ms Steen told Daily Mail Australia. Jacquii Steen is pictured with her 13-year-old daughter Annabelle, her pet dog Minty and cat Dewie. Dewie had been missing for 18 months when he ran away from their northern Adelaide home 'There hasn't been a week where I haven't cried thinking about what might have happened to him.' Ms Steen said she received the call from the RSPCA who told her they'd had reports of a cat in the sand dunes in Brighton - around 45 minutes away from Blair Athol. They setup a trap and managed to trap the black and white cat that microchipping confirmed was Dewie. Ms Steen said she still has no idea how her beloved pet managed to stay alive or what happened to him in the year-and-a-half he was missing. 'He's always been an indoor cat. In the time he'd disappeared I scoured through Facebook community groups and you think the worst like if he was hit by a car,' she said. 'You almost give up hope.' Dewie was returned to his family with a sore on his forehead but was otherwise in good health. Dewie was eventually found 20kms away from his home last month and picked up the local RSPCA who were able to use his microchip to track Ms Steen While admitting he's put on a lot more weight since returning home, Ms Steen said it was possible someone may have taken him in and kept the cat as their own. When she was finally reunited with her furry friend, Ms Steen said she was worried Dewie wouldn't remember her. 'But straightaway he did and started purring and giving me a lot of head bumps,' she said. 'He's extremely happy to be home, he keeps following us around everywhere.' Ms Steen's beloved fox terrier Rocky had tragically passed away just one day before Dewie's return. The pair were incredibly close and Ms Steen said it was almost as if 'Rocky had brought Dewie back to me'. The animal lover said had Dewie not been microchipped it was likely she may not have ever seen him again. 'It's just so important to microchip your pets. It reunites families,' she said. Tucker Carlson has slammed U.S. government officials who he claims helped China cover up the origins of COVID-19, after a bombshell Vanity Fair report detailing the early days of the outbreak. Carlson, speaking on his Fox News program on Thursday, also blasted a 2020 letter in the esteemed scientific publication The Lancet that is believed to have first stifled investigations into Wuhan lab leak theory. Carlson claimed that Chinese scientists concluded 15 months ago 'that the novel coronavirus probably escaped' from a government lab in Wuhan 'in the clearest possible terms.' Since then, the 'plausible' theory has faced mostly silence while some branded it a 'racist' and a 'conspiracy theory,' Carlson said, as he criticized 'the smirking morons' who have recently changed their views on the theory. 'Of course, COVID escaped from a Chinese virology lab. Duh. Did you really think it came from the wet market? Come on,' Carlson said. On his show, Carlson commented on the bombshell Vanity Fair report that detailed how the investigation into the origins of the coronavirus have been impeded Carlson pointed to a 'an avalanche of evidence' from top national publications like the Washington Post and Buzzfeed, which have each obtained troves of illuminating emails between Dr. Anthony Fauci and other top officials. Carlson also pointed to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, which he said 'confirmed that the first COVID victims seem to have been researchers working with bat viruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.' That article cited a U.S. intelligence report which detailed how three Wuhan Institute of Virology researchers became sick in November 2019 'with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illness' and sought hospital care. 'The lab leak theory, it turns out, was never crazy. It was always likely true,' Carlson said. 'So why did they lie to us about it for so long? A shocking new piece in, of all places, the celebrity suck-up magazine Vanity Fair, answers that question in great detail. You should read it.' He added: 'In short, many research scientists are addicted to tax dollars. If the public understood just how recklessly they've behaved endangering the entire world with their weird little experiments in poorly relegated labs in China the money might dry up.' He also reacted to the recent troves of emails between Dr. Anthony Fauci, pictured, and other top officials Recently revealed evidence has given credibility to the theory that COVID-19 leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, pictured Carlson then cited a quote included in the Vanity Fair article from Jamie Metzl, a former National Security Council official. Metzl had written a blog post on the origin of SARS-CoV-2, in which he wrote: 'If the pandemic started as part of a lab leak, it had the potential to do to virology what Three Mile Island and Chernobyl did to nuclear science.' Carlson commented: 'Can't have that. Got to keep the money flowing. So they lied about it. And then they intimidated anyone who told the truth.' He noted that those who faced criticism for supporting the lab leak theory included Robert Redfield, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Redfield had said in a March 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. Carlson commented: 'That's not some guy on Twitter. It's the former director of the CDC, so you'd think the world would stop and ask follow-up questions like 'why do you think that?' and 'Where's the evidence?' But that's not what happened.' Redfield spoke to Vanity Fair detailing why he believed the virus had leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, telling the outlet that he had received a call from his counterpart at China's CDC on January 3 of last year. In a subsequent call, Gao revealed to Redfield that the virus appeared to be jumping from person to person' leading him to 'immediately' suspect the Wuhan Institute of Virology, according to Vanity Fair. 'Redfield, a virologist by training, was suspicious of the WIV in part because he'd been steeped in the yearslong battle over gain-of-function research,' Vanity Fair reported. However, Redfield told Vanity Fair that he 'was threatened and ostracized' by politicians and other scientists alike just because he 'proposed another hypothesis.' 'Redfield had dared to buck the orthodoxy that had imposed by the global scientific establishment. It began on February 19, 2020, just as the virus was getting to this country and scaring the hell out of all of us,' Carlson commented. Carlson, as well as Vanity Fair, noted that the suppression of the Wuhan lab-leak theory appears to have started with the article in The Lancet. 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. Carlson noted that The Lancet letter was organized by Peter Daszcak, a zoologist whose organization EcoHealth Alliance provided grant money from the United States to the Wuhan Institute of Virology - the same funds that reportedly paid for research into bat coronavirus at the lab. Daszcak thanked Fauci for pushing back on the theory in an April 2020 email published as part of a trove of emails obtained by Buzzfeed through a Freedom of Information Act request. British-born Peter Daszak, 55, is the president of EcoHealth Alliance, the nonprofit that funneled US grant money to gain-of-function research at WIV and elsewhere. He is seen above participating in the World Health Organization's investigation in Wuhan Carlson described Daszcak as 'a man with everything to gain by pretending COVID came from a wet market' and said he was involved in gain-of-function research at the institute. 'Emails show that Daszcak carefully selected other signatories to The Lancet letter so that this obviously disqualifying conflict of interest would remain secret,' Carlson said. Carlson noted that, at one point, Daszcak wrote to another scientist named Ralph Baric and told him not to sign The Lancet letter. 'We'll put it out in a way that doesn't link it back to our collaboration, so we maximize an independent voice,' Daszcak wrote, according to emails obtained by Buzzfeed. Carlson commented: 'The whole thing was a fraud, and yet it worked. It was in The Lancet, everyone trusts The Lancet. In fact, Tony Fauci himself cited Daszcaks letter as proof the virus wasn't caused by research he was funding.' The Fox News host then pointed to Fauci's own comments in an interview with National Geographic, in which he said the virus 'could not have been artificially or deliberately manipulated.' 'So really, this is a story about the self-licking ice cream cone that is the federal bureaucracy. No matter how badly they screw up, it's never their fault. "Oh, we didnt imagine WMD in Iraq" etc. Pick your screw-up. But its your fault, racist,' Carlson said. Vanity Fair noted that a group that identifies itself as DRASTIC discovered that Shi Zhengli, the Wuhan Institute of Virology 'Bat Woman', had collected samples of a bat coronavirus that were similar to COVID-19 from a cave in the Yunnan province in China where several miners had died in 2012. Daszcak later published a paper with Shi categorizing hundreds of various coronavirus strains they'd encountered 'but somehow they omitted the deadly viruses found in the Yunnan mine,' Carlson said. 'Bat lady' Shi Zhengli works with other researchers in a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in a file photo. She has published research on gain-of-function experiments 'Were those viruses significant? The government of China seems to think so. Late last year, journalists with the BBC tried to visit the mine to get some answers,' Carlson said. He noted that when the BBC journalists arrived, they were followed by plainclothes police officers and found the road to the mine was blocked 'by a well-placed broken-down truck. 'So, the Chinese government covered this up,' Carlson said. 'Heres the worst and most shocking part if youre an American: Some within the U.S. government helped them cover it up. They knew all of this was going on. But they buried the truth too. Because their interests were aligned with the interest of the Chinese government.' REVEALED: State Department staff warned officials NOT to investigate Wuhan lab's gain-of-function research because it would 'open a can of worms' and expose US funding Former State Department official Thomas DiNanno says he was warned off the lab leak theory by nervous colleagues Career staffers at the State Department 'warned' officials not to investigate the possibility that COVID-19 leaked from a Wuhan lab, fearing it would expose U.S. funding for gain-of-function research there, according to a new report. Thomas DiNanno, former acting assistant secretary of the State Department's Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance raised the concern in a memo reported by Vanity Fair on Thursday. DiNanno wrote that staff from two bureaus, his own and the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, 'warned' leaders 'not to pursue an investigation into the origin of COVID-19' because it would 'open a can of worms' if it continued. In one State Department meeting, officials say colleagues explicitly told them not to explore the Wuhan Institute of Virology's (WIV) gain-of-function research, because it would bring unwelcome attention to the U.S. taxpayer funds that were supporting the work. Gain-of-function research is a controversial field that involves collecting dangerous viruses and genetically modifying them to be more deadly, in order to study the risks of future outbreaks. Richard H. Ebright, a professor at Rutgers, has compared the field of gain-of-function research to 'looking for a gas leak with a lighted match.' State Department officials say they were warned not to explore the Wuhan Institute of Virology's (above) gain-of-function research, because it would bring unwelcome attention to U.S. government funding of it The new report examining the behind-the-scenes battle over COVID's origins follows new evidence to support the theory that the coronavirus pandemic may have leaked from WIV -- raising questions about why the possibility wasn't investigated more thoroughly from the outset. 'The story of why parts of the U.S. government were not as curious as many of us think they should have been is a hugely important one,' David Feith, former deputy assistant secretary of state in the East Asia bureau, told Vanity Fair. In an interview with the outlet, DiNanno describes how his probe into the lab leak theory was thwarted at every turn, with hostile and antagonistic technical staff warning him not to open 'Pandora's box.' Things came to a head at a meeting on December 9, when State Department staff met to discuss what the department could or should say publicly about the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). According to people at the meeting, Christopher Park, the director of the State Department's Biological Policy Staff in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, not to say anything that would point to the U.S. government's own role in gain-of-function research. Park, a Trump appointee like DiNanno, had been involved in lifting a U.S. government moratorium on funding for gain-of-function research in 2017. Park was reportedly not the only one who raised concerns about the investigation ultimately raising questions about U.S. funding. As the group probed the lab-leak scenario and other possibilities, its members were repeatedly advised not to open a 'Pandora's box,' four former State Department officials told the magazine. The admonitions 'smelled like a cover-up,' said DiNanno, 'and I wasn't going to be part of it.' Park told Vanity Fair: 'I am skeptical that people genuinely felt they were being discouraged from presenting facts.' He insisted that he had just been making the case that it 'is making an enormous and unjustifiable leapto suggest that research of that kind [meant] that something untoward is going on.' It's unclear exactly much U.S. government funding was going to the WIV, but at least some of it was being routed through a nonprofit called EcoHealth Alliance. By 2018, EcoHealth Alliance was pulling in up to $15 million a year in grant money from an array of federal agencies, including the Defense Department, Homeland Security, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, according to tax filings. EcoHealth Alliance and its founder Peter Daszak have been working with Shi Zhengli, the WIV virologist known as the 'bat lady', for more than 15 years. British-born Peter Daszak, 55, is the president of EcoHealth Alliance, the nonprofit that funneled US grant money to gain-of-function research at WIV and elsewhere. He is seen above participating in the World Health Organization's investigation in Wuhan British-born Daszak, 55, is the president of EcoHealth Alliance -- and in the early days of the pandemic, he was key in establishing the veneer of a 'scientific consensus' that the lab-leak origin was impossible. Daszak not only signed but spearheaded a letter signed by 27 scientists rejecting the lab leak hypothesis, which was published on February 19, 2020 in the medical journal The Lancet. Leaked emails later revealed that he encouraged colleagues who do gain-of-function research on coronaviruses not to sign the letter, in order to obscure the connection. The letter declared that the scientists had 'no competing interests' -- but it seems clear that Daszak did, as a lab leak origin would likely derail his entire field, but an animal origin would justify his life's work. Top WIV scientist Yuan Zhiming described widespread deficiencies in biosafety training in China's biosafety-level 3 labs in a 2019 article pleading for more funding The Vanity Fair article also noted serious concerns about safety and upkeep at the WIV facilities that handle hundreds of strains of bat coronaviruses. In 2019, in an article pleading for more funding, top WIV scientist Yuan Zhiming describes widespread deficiencies in biosafety training in China's biosafety-level 3 labs. China has dozens of BSL-3 labs, but only one BSL-4, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, though it plans to build half a dozen more. Yuan noted that 'most laboratories lack specialized biosafety managers and engineers.' He also wrote: 'Maintenance cost is generally neglected; several high-level [BSL-3 labs] have insufficient operating funds for routine, yet vital processes some BSL-3 laboratories run on extremely minimal operational costs or in some cases none at all.' Last July, Yuan claimed on Chinese state television that safety protocols are so tight at WIV that 'not a mosquito can fly into the building without authorization'. A girl - thought to be around five years old - seen walking alone around midnight two miles from home has been found safe. Nottinghamshire Police used a drone and sniffer dogs in their search after a member of the public spotted a girl walking the streets in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, in a Disney-style onesie last night. A man called the force at around 8.10am today after spotting the police appeal overnight. Nottinghamshire Police said the girl was found at her home in Boughton - two miles away from where she was seen in Ollerton. A girl - thought to be around five years old - seen walking alone around midnight has been found safe and well (the road where she was spotted, pictured) Police were called around 11.55pm on Thursday after the girl was seen outside alone. The girl was described as white, with short blonde or brown shoulder-length hair, and wearing a Disney-style onesie. Inspector Graham Clarke of Nottinghamshire Police said: 'A member of public called the force this morning and has now been visited by officers to confirm that a girl was on her own last night, but did return home shortly after. She is safe and well. 'Reports of this nature is something the force take hugely seriously, as you can see with the amount of resources we had in the area overnight. 'We would like to thank everyone in the community and the local media for their help in sharing our media appeal last night, which has thankfully had a good and safe conclusion.' Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 1032 of 3 June, 2021. A group of returned travellers quarantining in an Adelaide medi-hotel have been moved to another facility amid concerns they may have been exposed to COVID-19. The 18 people were moved from the Peppers Hotel to the Pullman Hotel on Friday after a toddler returned a positive test this week. SA Health said the guests on the same floor were moved because of fears of a possible risk of transmission after the two-year-old boy spent longer than expected in a hallway at the hotel while being tested. Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said officials took a look back at the incident and found that the door to the room where the boy's family was staying had been opened and shut a number of times. A group of returned travellers quarantining in an Adelaide medi-hotel Peppers Hotel (pictured) have been moved to another facility amid Covid-19 exposure fears 18 people were moved from the Peppers Hotel to the Pullman Hotel (pictured) on Friday after a toddler returned a positive test this week She said it had been determined that other people on the same floor could be at 'significant' risk but said the response taken was part of usual protocols. 'It's unfortunate, but we have to deal with these situations in our medi-hotels when we have a positive case,' she said. 'These are things that are just not predictable.' The boy was admitted to hospital on Thursday but later discharged and taken to Adelaide's Tom's Court Hotel, where all people known to have the virus are isolated. However, his mother subsequently tested positive for the virus and was admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital along with her son. Her's was the only positive case reported in SA on Friday, with the state currently having five active infections, all in isolation. An entire floor of the Peppers Hotel in Adelaide were moved to a new facility at the Pullman Hotel (pictured, returned travellers at the new hotel) Another traveller is seen in a room at the Pullman Hotel on Friday after 18 were moved from Peppers Hotel SA Health said the delay in testing the boy was related to his distress, identity checks and language barriers while Professor Spurrier said it was always difficult to test very young children. She said the people moved might be required to start their 14-day quarantine period again, although some might have that period cut short, depending on where their rooms were located and their personal circumstances. 'I'm most sympathetic and empathetic to those people, but in the interests of public health we have to make these difficult decisions,' Professor Spurrier said. The floor involved at the Peppers Hotel has already undergone a deep clean and was to be cleaned a second time on Friday. The scare came as about 150 people arrived in Adelaide on board the first direct repatriation flight from India to SA since the lifting of a travel ban. All those aboard had to test negative before being allowed to travel, with one person prevented from flying after a positive result. The infected boy was admitted to hospital on Thursday but later discharged and taken to Adelaide's Tom's Court Hotel (pictured: health workers performing Covid-19 tests) Premier Steven Marshall said the pre-flight regime, which included two rapid antigen tests and the usual nasal swab, had significantly reduced the number of people travelling while infectious. The premier said the state government also hoped to soon expand the availability of COVID-19 vaccines to people aged between 40 and 49. He said the hesitancy among some people in regard to the vaccine was subsiding. Everythings on the table at this point,' House Speaker Matt Ritter told reporters at a press briefing Friday morning. You have to look at it globally. If someone said to me that the receptions we used to do, that everybody went to, you couldnt serve alcohol anymore, it wouldnt bother me in the least. Advertisement What tests do you need when returning from foreign countries? GREEN LIST You will be required to take a lateral flow test within 72 hours of your return flight to England, followed by a PCR test on or before the second day of your return. You will not be required to self-isolate during this time. The cost of a PCR test can be up to 125 each in Britain, while a lateral flow test taken abroad at Faro Airport, for example, is about 30 (25). When arriving in the foreign country, you may also need to need provide proof of a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of your outbound flight, or proof of vaccination, depending on the destination's requirements. AMBER LIST You will be required either to quarantine at home for ten days on your return and take a PCR test on days two and eight, as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. Or you can pay for an additional third 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. You will still need to take the compulsory second test on or after day eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,500 to buy three sets of PCR tests at 125 each, if they go under the 'Test to Release' scheme. Adding this to the cost of a lateral flow test, which can be bought at Faro Airport for 30 (25), the total cost for a family of four would be about 1,600. RED LIST If you travel to a red list country, or are in an amber country that turns red before you return, you would need to quarantine at a government-approved hotel on your return at a cost of 1,750. Before you travel to England, you must take a PCR or lateral flow test and get a negative result during the three days before you travel. You should also book a quarantine hotel package - including two further tests for when you are in the hotel - and complete a passenger locator form. Advertisement Airlines scrambled to put on repatriation flights from Portugal today as more than 112,000 Britons faced a race to get home before the country is removed from the UK's green list in less than four days' time. WizzAir and British Airways both confirmed to MailOnline that they were increasing the number of flights over the next few days, with the latter also adding larger aircraft to help customers get home before Portugal moves to the amber list. EasyJet said it will operate larger planes and additional flights to bring UK holidaymakers back from Portugal before quarantine rules come into force. More than 1,000 additional seats have been added on routes from Faro to Gatwick, Luton, Manchester and Bristol. Britons keen to stay abroad for as long as they can before the new rules come in next Tuesday at 4am face paying at least 258 if they fly back home the night before. That is the cheapest flight next Monday, a Wizz Air route leaving Faro at 9.05pm local time and arriving at London Luton at 11.50pm, four hours before the rules change. Anyone flying back today faces paying at least 99, also for a Wizz Air flight to Luton; while it is 91 on Saturday or 172 on Sunday, both for easyJet services to Gatwick. The most expensive seats before Tuesday's deadline can be found for 711 on a British Airways service from Faro to London City, leaving next Monday at 11am. Those returning from an amber list country will be required either to quarantine at home for ten days on their return and take a PCR test on days two and eight, as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. Or they can pay for an additional third 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. They will still need to take the compulsory second test on or after day eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,500 to buy three sets of PCR tests at 125 each, if they go under the 'Test to Release' scheme. Adding this to the cost of a lateral flow test, which can be bought at Faro Airport for 30 (25), the total cost of tests for a family of four would be about 1,600. On extra flights, a Wizz Air spokesman said: 'Wizz Air is adding a repatriation flight from Faro to London Luton on Monday, to allow for more passengers to return home before Portugal joins the amber list on Tuesday.' And a BA spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are increasing the number of flights and looking at adding larger aircraft from Portugal over the next few days to help customers return to the UK before the country moves to the amber list, if they wish to do so.' Holidays to Portugal have been thrown into chaos after ministers removed it from the green list amid concerns over the new Nepal Covid variant. The move triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Portugal's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism' and of being 'obsessed' with infection rates. It also sparked a race among thousands of Britons in Portugal to get back before quarantine-on-return rules kick in on Tuesday. Those booked to go in coming weeks were left in limbo over whether to go ahead with their holiday under the tougher quarantine rules or to rebook for later in the summer and hope the country goes green again. The decision to move Portugal onto the 'amber list' was apparently triggered by concerns over the Nepal variant, a mutated version of the Indian strain. But Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal's president, has accused UK ministers of 'not recognising that we live in a different situation than we lived before vaccination'. Mr Rebelo de Sousa added: 'The numbers are going up, but they are not increasing inpatients and ICU numbers and deaths. We can't keep obsessively looking at it this way, ignoring that with vaccination, reality has changed.' Among those trying to get home before the change is Simon Smith, from Stamford, Lincolnshire, who is currently on holiday at Lagos in Portugal. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning: 'Bit of a scramble I'm afraid. 'We're trying to get some testing organised but obviously the Government released the information yesterday and it was a bank holiday in Portugal which didn't help. We've got the flights booked for Saturday at 10 o'clock but we're being told by local doctors that it can be up to three or four days waiting for tests, so that we can fly.' Mr Smith said his family has been racing to find Covid tests and he has visited five medical centres and the main hospital to try and get his family tested. He was turned away from one centre after it ran out of testing kits. Other travellers returning from Portugal are known to have missed their flights as they wait for tests to come back. Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights after Portugal was pulled from the green list. Albufeira-based bar owner Gary Search, 54, said: 'One of the bars is 98 per cent British tourists and in the other about 50 per cent of our customers are Brits who are also mostly holidaymakers. 'We're absolutely devastated by today's decision. We'd literally just got off the ground, we'd been scrabbling around all week getting new staff because obviously we couldn't employ the staff till we got busy. 'There's no staff here because of Brexit and Covid so it's been extremely difficult. We'd just put them all on contracts and then this happens. It's messed things right up to be honest.' Pedro Neto, general manager of the luxury Vila Monte Farm House hotel in the Algarve, said the hotel was already receiving cancellations. He added: 'It's very difficult news to receive. We are a hotel with a lot of British guests and this is obviously not the news that we were hoping for. People are so happy to be here, the weather is beautiful, everything is working as it should so this is not the news we were expecting.' Cristovao Norte, Portuguese MP for the Algarve, said he is 'perplexed' by the British Government's decision to remove Portugal from the green list. He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'We were not expecting the decision because there haven't been major changes in Portugal, just a spike in the Lisbon area. 'But we have 66 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Our rate of transmission is more or less the UK rate, so we weren't expecting this decision from the English government. We wear masks, we obey the rules, we maintain social distancing, vaccination is growing steadily. So I'm a little bit perplexed.' Moving Portugal from green to amber means travellers will have to quarantine at home for ten days after visiting, while paying for and taking two Covid tests, on days two and eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,000 to buy PCR tests at 125 each - or another 500 if they use 'test to release' on day five. Further complications may arise if the Foreign Office changes its stance and advises against visiting Portugal, which would invalidate travel insurance. The move to downgrade Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores, to amber came despite there being just three deaths in the country in the latest 24-hour period. Its infection rate is similar to the UK's, with the rolling seven-day average being 53.63 cases per million of the population compared to the UK's 51.41. Some 45 per cent of its adult population have received at least one dose. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the country's infection rate had almost doubled since it was put on the green list three weeks ago. He added: 'In the end we've seen two things that have caused concern - one thing is that the positivity rate has nearly doubled, since the last review, in Portugal. 'And the other thing is there's a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation. We simply don't want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the [domestic] unlock.' And Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said Portuguese scientists had detected the Nepal variant, adding: 'What we don't yet know is how prevalent it is in Portugal - but more importantly than that, whether this really is a significant problem. 'You could of course wait whilst we do that research and then, God forbid, we learn that it is very virulent, that it does compromise our vaccines, or we can take a safety-first approach.'at this stage is the right thing to do.' Travel bosses have accused ministers of laying waste to the industry and isolating the UK amid fears the shutdown could cost the economy more than 11billion. The shrinking of the green list, the move to downgrade Portugal and the expansion of the red list wiped 2billion off the value of airlines. At Gatwick today - Friends Amy and Jade (left) booked their 180 return flights to Faro on Wednesday - then 24 hours later had the grim news they must quarantine on their return and pay up to 400 each for Covid testing. Essex couple Josh and Sophie (right) said they were resigned to paying hundreds of pounds for Covid tests having already paid 700 for their EasyJet flights. As Josh works from home he will be able to quarantine without paying extra to be released after five days. Having waited so long for a family holiday with daughter Harriet, they were not going to let anything put them off Students (from left) Esther-Leah Cohen, Judy Liebert, Tamar Smith and Ellie Sharer who have returned to London Stansted Airport from a holiday in Porto, Portugal. Passengers check into the North Terminal at London Gatwick Airport today before the new travel restrictions are activated The terminal two arrivals hall at London Heathrow Airport today as Britons return to the UK Travellers at Faro Airport last Sunday, standing in a queue of 100 people snaking round six times where only three check-in desks were open for as many as six flights going back to the UK Air passengers leave Faro Airport on May 17, which was the first day that Britons were allowed to enter Portugal without needing to quarantine and the foreign travel ban was lifted Empty sunshades wait for customers at Gale beach at Albufeira in Portugal's Algarve on May 18 Meanwhile, industry figures warned that at least half the 1.6million jobs in the sector had either already been lost or were now at risk, with many more redundancies feared. Many had been hoping for an expansion of the green list and a signal that foreign holidays will be back on the agenda this summer. Instead, with the next review three weeks away, travel bosses were left fearing 'another lost summer' and a shattering of consumer confidence. British holidaymakers reveal how they have cut their family holidays to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine in UK Changing rules at will? It feels wrong Karen Beddow (pictured with her husband Matthew and daughters Lily, Isobel and Eve) said she felt let down after being forced to cut her family holiday to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine on return to the UK Karen Beddow said she felt let down after being forced to cut her family holiday to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine on return to the UK. She had travelled to a villa in the Algarve with her husband Matthew, their three daughters and her parents last month. Mrs Beddow, 43, from the Wirral in Cheshire, said the family was due to fly back to the UK on Tuesday just hours after the new 'amber list' restrictions take effect. Faced with the prospect of additional testing and quarantine, and fearing Portugal was likely to go on the list, she scrambled to rearrange the flights to Sunday before the official announcement was made yesterday. Although able to change the Easyjet flights for her immediate family for free, her parents faced a sizeable fee to make the changes. Mrs Beddow said the family also had to rearrange pre-booked Covid tests to be taken on their return to the UK in line with Government rules. She said: 'We cut our holiday short by two days which I actually feel really annoyed about. Not because of us but because my parents decided to change their flights as well. 'I feel really let down because the whole thing about this green list was to give people certainty. We were told there would be three weeks' notice. 'Obviously, what they actually mean is three weeks' notice of countries coming on the list, not coming off. I certainly felt that if we went away we could have two weeks and have a window. If they are going to change flights at will that just feels wrong. 'It's all very stressful having to fix this as well. We had an afternoon of faffing and sorting out.' Mrs Beddow, a travel blogger, and her husband, a 47-year-old property developer, spent 665 on travel tests for the couple and their three daughters. The holidaymaker, who runs a travel blog at minitravellers.co.uk, said that she felt 'lucky to have made it to Portugal at all'. I had to cancel my last trip too Having cancelled a family holiday to Portugal last year, Laura Wolfe faces more disappointment Having cancelled a family holiday to Portugal last year, Laura Wolfe faces more disappointment. Her two-week trip to the Algarve with her partner Daniel and sons, aged ten and 16, is now in doubt. Miss Wolfe, pictured, said the Government's decision to change the travel status of the country was 'a complete fiasco'. She said: 'Part of us is thinking we might just go. We have saved up and are in a position to do it. And we just love it there. 'But the issue is with the rules, which seem to be changing all of the time, the quarantine and the costs of the testing for four of us. 'If we do say 'sod it' and go, what then happens if the country is placed on the red list? 'The trip isn't for another eight weeks so things could change several times before then.' Although the 6,000 holiday is refundable, the events and marketing worker, from Manchester, said the possibility of cancelling has provoked a lot of anxiety. Miss Wolfe has had both Covid jabs and her partner is about to get his second. 'I thought this was part of why we were doing it,' she said. 'I know there are a lot of unknowns but if I am double-vaccinated and test negative, how can it not be OK for me to go away?' Advertisement Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the travel agents' association Abta, said it was clear the Government's strategy was 'continuing to prevent any meaningful resumption of international travel'. He suggested it was time ministers considered bailing out the industry. He warned: 'You can't build the recovery of a multi-billion-pound sector while mass market holiday destinations remain off the green list. The removal of Portugal comes on the back on what was already a very short and cautious green list. 'Travel agents and tour operators haven't been able to generate income since the start of the pandemic and have been depending on the return of international travel to help bring some much needed relief. 'The Government now needs to come forward with tailored financial support for the sector.' Other travel bosses meanwhile were equally scathing. EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren accused the Government of having 'torn up its own rule book'; Brian Strutton, from the pilots' union, said the decision to axe Portugal from the green list was 'a total disaster for the already fragile travel industry'; while Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, which represents carriers, accused the Government of leading the industry on a 'painful merry dance'. Dame Irene Hays, owner of travel agent Hays Travel, said she was 'surprised and obviously disappointed' to hear of Portugal's move off the green list for travel from the UK. She told Sky News she was 'disappointed for our customers, disappointed for the travel industry and really disappointed for Portugal, because they've tried so hard and their infection rates are so low. I know they're rising in Lisbon, but it's quite a way from the Algarve, which is where most of the tourists are'. Asked if she felt that nuance had not been taken into consideration, Dame Irene said: 'It would be nice if it was a nuanced approach, but we are where we are.' It is 'difficult' and 'very frustrating' for holidaymakers, particularly those who had just started their trips, she added. While some people are still booking holidays for the summer, Dame Irene said the 'vast majority' are instead booking for autumn or 2022. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, said Portugal being added to the amber travel list just weeks after the holiday hotspot reopened for British tourists was a 'devastating blow'. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Clearly yesterday was an absolute blow, an absolute devastating blow for consumers and the industry of a really seismic scale now.' Asked if she feels the Government has let the industry down, she said: 'Absolutely. I mean, the Government has completely moved the goal-posts from us overnight with no notice at all.' Ms Lo Bue-Said said there was a lack of communication to enable the industry to put the right systems in place, adding that the move damages confidence. 'It now throws confidence completely out of the window, because if we can see something like Portugal that was on a green list move to amber within, sort of, you know, 90, 100 hours notice or whatever it is, what's going to happen if I make further plans? 'It puts the industry in a really difficult position and consumers in a difficult position in order to be able to plan effectively,' she said. The outcry came after the Government said Portugal would be added to the amber list from next Tuesday, forcing thousands of British holidaymakers to cancel their trips or cut them short to avoid quarantine. It means there will be just 11 countries or territories on the green list, of which only Iceland and Gibraltar are viable holiday destinations. Hopes that the Balearics or Greek islands could be added were also scuppered. Instead, seven countries are being added to the red list, forcing anyone returning from them to quarantine in Government-approved hotels at a cost of up to 1,750 per person. Senior figures warned the about-turn would devastate confidence in foreign holidays because of the uncertainty over whether a green country could suddenly turn amber. In 2019, outbound tourism was worth 11.7billion to the UK economy for the summer months, according to the Future of Aviation Parliamentary Group. If the travel list stays as it is now for June, July and August, then it will only be worth a 200million. Shares in IAG, the parent company of British Airways, fell 5 per cent, with easyJet sinking about the same. Ryanair closed 1.3 per cent lower and TUI fell about 4.5 per cent. BA warned the UK had reached a 'critical point' and was in urgent need of more air travel for business and pleasure to restart the economy and reunite loved ones. Karen Dee, boss of the Airport Operators Association, added: 'Summer 2021 is shaping up to be worse than last summer, which was the worst in aviation history. 'Analysis has shown that 860,000 jobs of the 1.6million UK jobs in aviation, travel and tourism were lost or sustained only due to government furlough schemes since the pandemic started.' Mr Lundgren said: 'The Government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing people's plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK.' Union boss Mr Stratton said: 'Our airlines need this summer season if they are to survive.' Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye called for rapid action to reopen flights to key trading partners and remove testing for vaccinated passengers from countries on the green list. Tim Hawkins of Manchester Airport Group said the latest announcement on travel lists had affected the company 'very negatively'. He told Times Radio: 'It's not a good situation to be in. 'We had worked on the basis that the travel corridors system, the traffic light system, would be providing people with confidence to book over the summer, and we'd see a really good recovery. 'But the Government does seem to have lost faith in its own system, and now we're seeing changes at short notice, we're seeing changes that we don't fully understand, and we're seeing a situation where lots of countries that have made really strong progress over the last few weeks are not being included on the green list. It's a situation we don't fully understand.' Covid outbreak on SIX planes back from Portugal: Hundreds of Man City and Chelsea fans on five chartered flights and one Ryanair jet are told to self-isolate for 10 days after landing Hundreds of Manchester City and Chelsea fans who travelled to Portugal and back for the Champions League final last weekend have been ordered to self-isolate for 10 days - as the country is axed from the UK's Green List over fears of the spread of the new Nepal Covid variant. Supporters who travelled on the 9am Ryanair flight from Porto to Manchester on Sunday have been contacted by the NHS's Test and Trace app and told to self-isolate alongside three chartered flights of Chelsea fans who landed in London and two chartered planeloads of Manchester City fans who landed in Manchester. Supporters took to fan message board to reveal they were contacted and told to self-isolate through the app, while others said they received an email or phone call. Fans began reporting the messages from yesterday evening - three days after landing back in the UK. The news has led to fears that all 12,000 supporters who travelled from the UK to Portugal and back could be affected and told to isolate. It is unclear how many supporters have tested positive so far. The source of a potential outbreak has yet to be identified although it is thought that the fans who have tested positive and triggered contact tracing likely had it before they flew to Portugal because of how quickly others have been told to self-isolate. Sportsbreaks operated 10 official day flights for Chelsea with a combined capacity of 2,153 seats. Chelsea fans were offered a 199 travel package through the club on top of the cost of the match ticket. The company said it was unaware of passengers returning positive Covid tests and staff who were on the flights had not yet been contacted by the NHS and asked to isolate. A spokesman added: 'All our staff have also returned negative results from the mandatory PCR tests which we had on Tuesday 1st June.' A Chelsea spokesman said: 'We are aware of reports and advise anyone contacted to follow the advice from NHS Test and Trace and Government guidelines.' MailOnline has asked the Department of Health about the test and trace activities it is undertaking with passengers. Advertisement Mr Jenrick insisted a watchlist, where countries at risk of moving from the green to amber list are placed, is still an option. 'The watchlist system remains, if it's possible to do that,' Mr Jenrick told the Today programme. 'If you're seeing that cases are gradually rising, that positivity is increasing, then one may be able to use that and if you can, obviously it's preferable to do so because you want to give people and the industry that forward guidance. 'But if you're seeing new variants or versions of variants emerging, you may need to act more swiftly, and I think that is the right thing to do.' Mr Jenrick said there were two reasons why Portugal was being moved from the green list of travel restrictions. He told Sky News: 'Firstly, the amount of positivity has increased significantly, it's doubled in the last three weeks to a level that's much higher than we have here in the UK. 'Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, although both countries have prevalence of the Indian variant or Delta variant as it's called, we're also seeing in Portugal now growing evidence of a further mutation being called the Nepal variant. 'We don't yet know how much of a problem that is, how transmissibility is, whether it might be too difficult even for our vaccines. But it's important that we take a cautious approach, and so we take action now whilst we do research and learn more about that variant.' Mr Jenrick said although he appreciated the situation was 'frustrating', travellers had always been warned a country's classification could change. He told Sky News: 'I completely understand how frustrating this is both for people in Portugal, and for millions of people here who would love to go on holiday abroad this summer. 'We were also clear that if you choose to go on holiday to countries on the green list, those countries are being reviewed every three weeks, and so there was always a risk with a fast-moving situation with new variants that countries might either go on to that list, or indeed come off. 'That's what's happened here and I hope that people will understand - hard though this is - that we do need to take a cautious approach because people have made such progress in recent weeks and months.' Holidaymakers flying to Portugal lashed out at the 'shambolic' decision to take the destination off the green list and impose a 10-day quarantine period on their return. At London Gatwick Airport today, a flight left for the Algarve at 8.30am. Those travelling on the easyJet flight expressed their disgust at having to pay for extra Covid tests and then quarantine for 10 days at the end of their holiday. One couple said the extra costs for a two and eight day test and a third test to leave quarantine after five days had amounted to 1200- more than double the cost of their return flight to Faro. 'I am absolutely disgusted with what the Government has done' said David Roper. 'How can they tell us it is safe to travel, then three weeks later remove Portugal from the green list? 'With the PCR test we took to get the flight and all the other tests we now have to pay for on return it's added 1,200 to the cost. The fares were not cheap but it is ridiculous.' Kathy Kirby, pictured at Gatwick today, had to pay a 99 change fee to return from her trip a day early and avoid the quarantine rule Mr Roper and his wife Lydia, from Barnes, South West London, were flying to the Algarve for an eight day break. Many others on the flight were going to second homes in Portugal. EasyJet staff at Gatwick's North Terminal said the early morning flight was ' not as busy as usual'. 'Usually every seat would be booked, but people are just not travelling and the terminal is so quiet' said a member of the check-in team. 'It's devastating for us as we just want to see people flying. If there are no flights out jobs are at risk. The Government seem intent on destroying our industry I feel sick every time they make an announcement about travel'. Others on the Faro flight blamed the Government's U-turn on Chelsea and Manchester City fans who attended the Champions League final in Porto and were seen drinking and celebrating with no masks or social distancing. 'This is down to the football lot,' said one irate passenger. 'I now have to pay for the test to get out of quarantine after five days as I cannot afford to be off work for 10 days. 'Boris Johnson has got something right with the vaccines, but to keep chopping and changing what places we can go is madness. They either ban all travel or let people go away and know in advance have to quarantine on their return. 'It was too late to change my booking as I would have lost out. It's put me in a bad mood before I've even left'. Friends Amy and Jade booked their 180 return flights to Faro on Wednesday - then 24 hours later had the grim news they must quarantine on their return and pay up to 400 each for Covid testing. It means their five day trip to the popular resort of Albuferiao has worked out twice as expensive as they planned. More than 112,000 Brits are on holiday in Portugal More than 112,000 Britons are on holiday in Portugal as it goes onto amber list, it has emerged. As of May 31, which is the most recent data available, 112,177 people from the UK are currently in the European country. From May 17 until May 31, a total of 221,064 Britons travelled out to the country. As of May 31, the number of Brits who had travelled back from Portugal stood at 108,887. That leaves the 112,177 currently out there. Conrad Poulson, chief executive officer at mobility data firm Huq Industries, said: 'Assuming the largest capacity Boeing 737 or equivalent can carry around 230 people that equates to around 487 flights to get every one of the remaining 108,887 people home. 'When you also factor in the five-day window before Portugal goes on the amber list, this rough calculation gives a sense of the scale of the issue for holidaymakers and those charged with getting them home.' Advertisement Amy said: 'It's put a real dampener on the trip, but we will still try to enjoy ourselves. We booked at the last minute on Wednesday, then the following day we found out Portugal is no longer on the green list. I just think it's unfair.' Jade added: 'We have already paid 200 for a PCR test to get the result on the same day. It's really annoying that we have to find more money for tests' Kathy Kirby had to pay a 99 change fee to return from her trip a day early and avoid the quarantine rule. She said: 'I had been planning to fly back Wednesday, but changed my flight to arrive a day early. The change will affect lots of people but nothing surprises me when it comes to this Government.' Essex couple Josh and Sophie said they were resigned to paying hundreds of pounds for Covid tests having already paid 700 for their EasyJet flights. As Josh works from home he will be able to quarantine without paying extra to be released after five days. Having waited so long for a family holiday with daughter Harriet, they were not going to let anything put them off. Sophie said: 'We just want to get away. We have waited over a year for a holiday with our daughter Harriet and nothing is going to stop us.' Josh added: 'It is what it is. I work from home so can do the quarantine.' Retired couple Desmond and Isabella Weal raged at the 'incompetence' of the Government's handling of travel. 'They really seem clueless and it does not make sense' said the 68-year-olds heading to Alvor. 'We are told it's all because of the Nepal variant but I read there was just one case in Portugal. 'It's is crazy to tell people they can go on holiday, then say it's not safe. I read there are 3,000 variants. When will this Government finally say we have to live with Covid and stop chopping and changing what we can and cannot do.' At Stansted Airport this morning, Britons could not understand why transport chiefs changed their minds and said the system was failing. Josh Clements, 29, who arrived back to London Stansted with his partner today after a holiday in Portugal, almost couldn't board his flight due to a government computer bungle Friends Esther-Leah Cohen, Judy Liebert, Tamar Smith and Ellie Sharer were arriving back at the airport after a girls' holiday in Porto. The 21-year-old students did not have to rush back but said their Air BnB host had been hit with a string of cancellations from Brits. Miss Liebert said: 'They are quite upset with that; I think they thought it was back to normal now. They really feel it is unfair as there are so few cases there, he thinks there are 50 there now. 'They wear masks outside there, we got told off quite a few times. Miss Smith added: 'I'm not keen on the way they change the status, I don't think it is fair on businesses that rely on tourists. 'Also for Brits that need to go on holiday, people have been looking forward to this for a year. I'll be more cautious going away, we have already had a holiday cancelled before this. 'I thought that would be it it'd be green for ever. The tests didn't seem that good, they didn't even zoom in on the photos, I said we could have waved our GCSE results and it'd be fine.' Their concerns were echoed by Josh Clements, 29, who had arrived back to London with his partner. The Londoner almost couldn't board his flight due to a government computer bungle. 'No one looked at our negative tests, no one looked at our lateral flow tests, no one looked at our PCR test,' he said. 'We almost couldn't fly back as they wouldn't let us on the plane as we couldn't fill out our passenger locater form, we couldn't do it because they wanted a booking reference number. 'They sent us an order confirmation rather than a booking reference and the government website wouldn't let us through. It was super stressful, they were saying we couldn't get on the plane even though we had the test. Nikhil Rai, 25, a city business analyst who lives in a Canary Wharf apartment, was one of those disappointed Britons who cancelled their trips to Portugal today 'In the end we had to make up a reference number to fly home and no one looked at it, it was just like a quick glance. Last night we were up until 2am to get a lateral flow test. 'There was someone else at the hotel with the same issue as us, but no one was trying to beat the rush for Tuesday. We didn't see many British tourists.' He added: 'No one checked it you could flash any old piece of paper, we were so worried about not getting on the flight. No one looked at mine, it was just box ticking.' Andre Ferreira, 28, had returned home after seeing family for the first time in Portugal since the pandemic erupted with his partner Vanya Binho, 27. He said: 'What is the point of it changing after the Champions League?! We just came back to the UK we are Portuguese citizens. It doesn't make any sense to us at all, after all the British citizens went there. 'The cases are not rising because of the flights or anything, even in the UK all the cases are increasing every day. I think it could have been handled better in Portugal and England too, it is all about politicians. Luckily we had booked the flight today or we would have been mad. 'This is the first time I have been home since the pandemic started, it is what it is that I can't see family due to the change. It was our choice to come to the UK to have a better life, but it is tough on the family.' Nikhil Rai, 25, a city business analyst who lives in a skyscraper apartment at Canary Wharf was one of those disappointed Britons who cancelled their trips to Portugal today. He said: 'I was going to a music festival near Faro with one of my cousins when suddenly Portugal was put on the Amber list. Thomas Hall, 21, from Southport who is on his way to Portugal for a week from Manchester Airport 'I was aware before they're going to Portugal was no easy exercise as one of my relatives was at the European champions final in Porto last weekend and told me how difficult things were. 'He said he had to have three PCR tests in total, filling in a complicated passenger locator form, and was grilled when he landed at Gatwick about his health and whether he'd booked all his PCR appointments and got negative covid results. 'It cost him 400 just to have those tests before during and after his trip to Porto. My cousin and I thought it was still worth going, just to have a break in the sunshine and see a live music festival. 'The pandemic has worn me down and we just wanted to be allowed to be young guys again enjoying typical things like the beach, concerts and the sunshine. The hotel in Faro has been great and refunded our money. And the airline is going to keep our money, but give us credit so we can book again in the future. 'I know it's difficult for everyone, but this is a real hassle. It seems that everything is loaded against people going on holiday and I'm not happy about it, although I do understand people are nervous about Covid. I was really looking forward to a holiday in the sunshine, and it is particulary worse that it's raining today in London. 'My cousin Raj who is also 25 just graduated with an architecture degree and couldn't even have a graduation ceremony at his university. So we thought we'd celebrate by having a few cocktails in the sunshine and listen to some great music. That's all done now. Who knows when we'll finally be able to have a holiday? 'I feel sorry for those who are already out there and have to rush back today or this weekend. I wouldn't want to spend 10 days in a hotel and fork out all that money.' At Manchester Airport today, Thomas Hall, 22, was travelling to Albufeira, Portugal, with his girlfriend Ashley Henshall. Mr Hall, from Southport, said: 'I am not happy the government has put Portugal on the amber list but we are still going. We weren't going to go because we couldn't afford the extra cost of the day 8 test but my mum paid it for us. 'I'm off work sick at the moment so self-isolating at home isn't a problem for me. I'm just happy to get away for a week.' His mother Sarah Hall, 47, said: 'The Bank of Mum came to the rescue. If the government doesn't think it's safe, they should stop all holidays because that way everyone knows what they are doing. 'I don't think they should have opened up the green list in the first place because people will go. I won't be going in any foreign holidays until this is all over.' Albufeira-based bar owner Mr Search, who is originally from Southend-on-Sea, runs his two bars with long-term partner Michelle Mundy, 51. 'We had our finger on the pulse and were more or less aware of what was going on but we really didn't think it would happen,' he said. As well as Portugal being moved to the amber list from Tuesday at 4am, seven countries are being shifted to the red list A Google Flights graph shows the cost of a single from Faro Airport to London soaring over the next four days, before falling 'Portugal is just slightly over the numbers and there's nothing in the Algarve at all. It's all up in Lisbon. For everyone in the Algarve, not just us but also the tourists, it's a complete nightmare. Cheapest single flights from Faro to London Today -- 99 (Wizz Air to London Luton, 22:05) Tomorrow -- 91 (EasyJet to London Gatwick, 22:15) Sunday -- 172 (EasyJet to London Gatwick, 13:25) Monday -- 258 (Wizz Air to London Luton, 21:05) Prices checked at 7am on Skyscanner Advertisement 'I think the problem for people even if they try to scrabble around for flights back home before the new rules kick in and they have to quarantine is going to be that they're tied to having Covid tests before they go and there's a two to three-day waiting lists because the Covid test centres here are overloaded. 'People need a Covid test to go home so they're not going to get it till Saturday or Sunday at the earliest which makes it impossible for those who can to rearrange their flights. 'Portugal has been the only major European holiday destination on the green list and we are in a very tourist area in Albufeira. 'Basically the last week has been like a summer for the first time since 2019. It's been great. We have a snack bar and we've been fully functioning. 'Now it's going to go down to literally nothing again, probably just a couple of hundred quid a day I would imagine and people are going to disappear this weekend. It's a disaster.' John Joyce, from Newcastle, and his family decided to book a holiday in sunny Portugal as soon as Britain added it to the green list of foreign destinations around three weeks ago. 'Everybody needed a little break... a change from being stuck at home,' the 44-year-old said as he enjoyed a beer at a restaurant in the heart of Lisbon. Jet2 cancels ALL international flights and holidays until July 1 and EasyJet 'reviews' flights to Portugal after it was put on amber list amid chaos over foreign travel rules Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights in the wake of traffic light chaos as Portugal is pulled from the green list. The UK's second largest tour operator originally suspended its services up to June 24 when the green list was announced. But now all flights for this month have been cancelled amid a spate of changes - including moving Portugal, Madeira and the Azores to the amber list. Flights to Turkey, which is on the red list of the Government's traffic light system, will be held until July 22 as the restrictions look unlikely to ease. Jet2 boss Steve Heapy blasted the Government for confusion surrounding the last-minute changes. He called for 'openness and transparency' on coronavirus data so that the industry could better understand decisions affecting airlines and their customers. Advertisement Portugal was the only big beach destination placed on the list, which allowed Britons to travel there without needing to quarantine when returning home. Like Joyce, thousands packed their bags. Reacting to developments yesterday, though, Mr Joyce said: 'It's a bit unfair. There are families bringing out kids and people who booked their holidays already... and the stress involved for people, including myself.' Charlotte Cheddle, 22, echoed the same feelings, urging the British government to either 'ban international travel completely or communicate properly with people'. 'It's silly,' she said. 'We made an effort to get tested privately... We paid for everything and we have done everything to make it safe.' British families in Portugal now face spending 1,000 for which they have not budgeted to buy PCR tests to get home. Upon returning to the UK, they will have to complete two tests on Days 2 and 8. Portugal has lifted most of its lockdown restrictions. The government has been heavily criticised for allowing thousands of mainly maskless English football to party in Porto during the Champions League final last weekend. The British government's decision is a huge blow for Portugal's tourism sector, which represents a significant chunk of GDP and has Britain as one of its biggest foreign markets. 'It's not great for businesses but slowly we will get there - or at least I really hope so because our economy is down,' said restaurant manager Ana Paula Gomes in Lisbon. The head of the hotels' association in the touristy Algarve region, Eliderico Viegas, said Britain's move would hit the sector like a 'bucket of cold water'. Joao Fernandes, President of Algarve Tourism, speaking in his first comments since the UK announcement, said: 'As you can imagine we are bitterly disappointed to be moved to the amber list. 'In the Algarve region we host two thirds of the British overnight hotel stays in Portugal. And since the start of the pandemic the Algarve has had the lowest number of cases and better indicators than the rest of the country. 'Furthermore, Portugal has one of the highest levels of pandemic control and prevention in the EU, according to indicators in the latest ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) report. 'I've never seen the travel industry so angry' Speaking from Gibraltar, travel expert Simon Calder told ITV's Good Morning Britain today: 'On this occasion I have never seen the travel industry so angry. 'Here I am in beautiful Gibraltar, it's the last country standing, the only country meaningfully where you can actually go on holiday without too many restrictions and come back. It's the only Mediterranean destination on the green list. Travel expert Simon Calder, pictured in Gibraltar this morning 'There are fewer than 94 hours remaining for tens of thousands of British holidaymakers in Portugal to get out if they want to avoid ten days of quarantine when they get back. Air fares are going through the roof. 'On top of that, the travel industry is in utter despair because they thought they would have Portugal, then that would gradually build and then quite soon Spain. 'But instead the Government have effectively not just moved the goalposts on how these things are decided, but uprooted them and moved them to an entirely different arena.' Advertisement 'The millions of Brits that visit us each year contribute to the livelihoods of many people in the region. 'Our hotels, tour operators and airline partners will also once again be put in a difficult situation, trying to plan around these ever-changing rules. 'For holidaymakers it is an impossible situation trying to book a holiday overseas, and I sympathise with those that were looking forward to visiting our beautiful region for a well-deserved break. 'We hope they will re-arrange their holiday to the Algarve for later in the year rather than cancel completely.' Alfonso Rodriguez Badal, mayor of the municipality of Calvia which includes the popular British holiday resort of Magaluf, said the decision to keep the Balearic Islands on amber was a 'surprise.' He added: 'It's also obviously a disappointment. 'We were confident we would go onto a green light rating because we understood people here had made a real effort to get our accumulated coronavirus rate down to a very low level to make us one of the safest if not the safest Mediterranean resort. 'Therefore we felt this could give the UK enough confidence to let holidaymakers come here without imposing restrictions on their return. 'It hasn't happened but we are going to continue working towards achieving this and we are confident and hope that the next UK government revision will lead to Calvia and the Balearic Islands and the rest of Spain as well if it can happen, being given that green traffic light rating that will facilitate the arrivals of more tourists here.' Iago Negueruela, regional Tourism Minister for the Balearic Islands which was hoping to be the sole Spanish region to be put on the UK's green traffic light system, said he viewed the decision as that of a 'sovereign state focused on its own domestic health situation' in light of the June 21 Freedom Day date. He added: 'At the moment practically no Mediterranean holiday destination is open for the UK. We respect the British government's decision. 'Given the good vaccination rate in the UK if we can go onto a green rating in the next UK government revision, we'll be in line with the estimations of the major tour operators like TUI and Jet2 who had said they would restart their operations towards the end of June. 'The British market is a very important market for us and we hope to recover it towards the end of this month.' UK holidaymakers scramble to cancel their planned trips to Portugal ahead of the Tuesday deadline, with some revealing they are knocking overseas holidays on the head this year Eduardo Jesus, the Regional Secretary for Culture and Tourism of Madeira, called the UK decision to demote it to amber 'unfair and completely inadequate.' Man City and Chelsea fans told to self-isolate after Porto final Hundreds of Manchester City and Chelsea fans who travelled to Portugal for the Champions League final last weekend have been ordered to self-isolate for 10 days - with the country axed from the UK's Green List. Supporters who travelled on a Ryanair flight from Porto to Manchester on Sunday morning have been contacted by the NHS's Test and Trace app - though the number of positive cases is unknown. Three planeloads of Chelsea fans were also asked to self-isolate, leading to fears that all 12,000 supporters who travelled to Lisbon could be affected. Both clubs organised flights for their supporters - though some travelled independently. Fans who were on the flights organised by the club shared details of messages from the NHS Track and Trace app which contacts people who have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19. 'Anyone else been captured by NHS track and trace since getting back from Porto?' one supporter posted on Facebook. 'Despite two vaccinations, a negative test and no symptoms I've got to self-isolate for 10 days ...Deep Joy!' Chelsea fans were offered a 199 travel package through the club on top of the cost of the match ticket, although some of their 6,000 supporters chose to travel to the country independently. Football fans celebrating Sporting Lisbon's title win were also identified as potential causes. Portugal's government has kept bars and night clubs closed and still recommend people working from home but the country has now lost its place on the UK's 'green list'. Advertisement He said: 'We are already reacting with the British government, presenting a set of arguments we believe are valid, and pointing out that this decision is totally incorrect for Madeira, inadequate and above all, very unfair.' He told local press: 'The reality of Madeira has been different from the national reality for a long time, with a model adopted here for controlling entry and monitoring citizens throughout their stay in the region. 'Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind that Madeira is in a much more advanced state with regard to the vaccination process than mainland Portugal and this is also a factor of confidence, not only for those who live here, but also for those who visit us. 'The risk of British citizens traveling to Madeira is reduced by the fact that the overwhelming number of passengers come on direct flights.' UK holidaymakers revealed they are planning on cancelling their trips to the country while others said they will not bother going abroad this summer. One Twitter user said: 'I'm due to fly to Portugal on Sunday for 7 days, so will be green when I go and amber on return? Will my holiday still go ahead??' Another tweeted: '17 days Portugal has been on the green list. How the hell is anyone going to have the confidence to book a foreign holiday? I certainly won't be whilst this traffic light system is in place.' One person wrote: '@jet2tweets what are our options now with Portugal going amber? Supposed to be going in 3 weeks'. Another said: 'It looks liuke my summer holiday is gone, so this week in Portugal is a god send'. On Twitter user added: 'Would be funny if I hadn't flown to Portugal this morning'. It comes as travel industry leaders blasted the Government's 'crippling' and 'confusing' decision to axe Portugal from its green list of safe destinations amid growing concern over the Nepal coronavirus variant. In a statement to MailOnline, package holiday firm TUI UK called the announcement 'another step back for our industry' and demanded to see the scientific basis for the decision. Its managing director, Andrew Flintham, said: 'After promises that the Global Travel Taskforce would result in a clear framework, removing the damaging flip flopping we all endured last summer, the Government decision to move Portugal straight from green to amber will do untold damage to customer confidence. 'We were reassured that a green watch list would be created and a weeks' notice would be given so travellers wouldn't have to rush back home. They have failed on this promise. Holidaymakers suffered a hammer blow as Portugal was removed from the UK's green list with Grant Shapps citing fears over the spread of the Nepal variant Britain recorded more than 5,000 Covid cases for the first time in more than two months while 18 more people died from the virus 'Unlike other European countries and despite multiple requests, the government has refused to be transparent about the data requirements for green, amber and red destinations. 'Everybody needs a break': British sunseekers react with fury and disbelief as No10 moves Portugal to amber list of nations Tired of mixed messages, British sunseekers in Portugal reacted with fury and disbelief to their government's decision to reimpose a quarantine regime for travellers coming from the popular southern European destination. Desperate to shake off pandemic blues, John Joyce, from Newcastle, and his family decided to book a holiday in sunny Portugal as soon as Britain added it to the so-called green list of foreign destinations around three weeks ago. 'Everybody needed a little break... a change from being stuck at home,' the 44-year-old said as he enjoyed a beer at a restaurant in the heart of Lisbon. Portugal was the only big beach destination placed on the list, which allowed Britons to travel there without needing to quarantine when returning home. Like Joyce, thousands packed their bags. But on Thursday Britain shifted Portugal to its amber list due to rising COVID-19 case numbers and the risk of a mutation of the virus variant first discovered in India. 'It's a bit unfair,' Joyce said. 'There are families bringing out kids and people who booked their holidays already...and the stress involved for people, including myself,' a visibly annoyed Joyce said. Charlotte Cheddle, a 22-year-old from England, echoed the same feelings, urging the British government to either 'ban international travel completely or communicate properly with people'. 'It's silly,' said Cheddle, who will now have to quarantine for 10 days when she flies back. 'We made an effort to get tested privately...We paid for everything and we have done everything to make it safe.' Portugal has lifted most of its lockdown restrictions. The government has been heavily criticised for allowing thousands of mainly maskless English football to party in Porto during the Champions League final last weekend. Some locals worried it could fuel a spike in cases. The country of just over 10 million people reported 769 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the highest daily increase since early April. Total infections now stand at 851,031. The British government's decision is a huge blow for Portugal's tourism sector, which represents a significant chunk of GDP and has Britain as one of its biggest foreign markets. 'It's not great for businesses but slowly we will get there - or at least I really hope so because our economy is down,' said restaurant manager Ana Paula Gomes in Lisbon. The head of the hotels' association in the touristy Algarve region, Eliderico Viegas, said Britain's move would hit the sector like a 'bucket of cold water'. Advertisement 'We must see the methodology so we can help our customers and plan our operations accordingly. There are destinations around the world with little or no Covid-19 cases and good vaccination rates, so we need to understand why these remain on the amber list.' EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: 'This shock decision to add Portugal to the Amber list is a huge blow to those who are currently in Portugal and those who have booked to be reunited with loved ones, or take a well-deserved break this summer. 'With Portuguese rates similar to those in the UK it simply isn't justified by the science. 'And to add no more countries to the Green list when most of Europe's infection rates are on a downward trend and many places with low infection rates below that of the UK, such as the Balearics with a current rate of 33 in 100,000 and Malta, with just 12 in 100,000, this makes no sense. 'Especially when domestic travel is allowed within the UK, despite a number of cities having infection rates 20 times greater than much of Europe. 'When this framework was put together, consumers were promised a waiting list to allow them to plan. Yet the Government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing peoples' plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK. 'This decision essentially cuts the UK off from the rest of the world. 'We have demonstrated that a safe reopening of travel is possible as our study with leading epidemiologists from the Yale School of Public Health showed that the criteria which matters most is the impact on hospitalisation rates back in the UK, not the infection rates in destination. 'Reopening travel to much of Europe would have a negligible impact on hospitalisation rates in the UK. 'While our European fleet is gearing up for summer as European governments open up travel for their citizens, the UK government is making it impossible for airlines to plan while consumers are left grounded in UK.' Shares in easyJet, British Airways-owner IAG and Jet2 were down five per cent on fears that Europe would lose another peak travel season, when millions of Britons usually head to southern Europe in July and August. Ryanair and TUI, which has a big German customer base as well as British, lost four per cent. Data provided by Cirium showed that Ryanair and easyJet had been scheduled to operate more than 500 flights from the UK to Portugal in June. The airlines had all added flights to the country in May. The industry is already weakened by 15 months of lockdowns, forcing it to cut tens of thousands of jobs and take on debt, and it will be severely challenged if there is no reopening this summer. The news is also likely to sound the alarm in France, Spain, Greece and Italy where thousands of jobs rely on the arrival of high-spending British tourists each summer. Portugal's foreign ministry said it did not understand the 'logic' behind the decision. 'We took note of Britain's decision to remove Portugal from the green list,' the ministry said on Twitter, adding that it would continue to ease its lockdown rules 'gradually'. No countries are being added to the 'green list', dashing hopes that places such as Malta, Jamaica and Grenada could be added to the roster thanks to easing Covid rates. And more countries are being put on the 'red list' that means returning travellers must go into quarantine hotels. They are Egypt, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago and Afghanistan. Mr Shapps said there had been a rise in test positivity in Portugal, and also pointed to the danger that the coronavirus variant linked to Nepal could pose a fresh threat to the escape from lockdown. Summer holidays plunged into chaos: No green light for thousands of families and 2billion wiped off airlines as Shapps insists: 'Nepalese mutant gave us no choice' Britons' hopes of foreign holidays abroad this summer were plunged into turmoil last night. On a devastating day for the travel industry, ministers shrank the number of countries on the quarantine-free green list and downgraded Portugal. Amid fears over new variants, several popular holiday destinations that had hoped to 'go green' were rejected, while seven more countries were added to the strict red list. Portugal (pictured: A beach in Cascais near Lisbon) has been dropped from the UK's travel green list It leaves Gibraltar as the only realistic holiday destination which Britons can visit quarantine-free. Most of the ten other green-list countries have strict entry requirements, or an outright ban on Britons visiting for holidays. Ministers appeared to signal last night that foreign travel had effectively been sacrificed to give Britain the best chance of lifting all Covid restrictions on June 21. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the 'decisive action' would help 'make sure that we can do a domestic unlock'. But it triggered fury from travel industry chiefs, who accused the Government of trying to 'isolate' Britain from the world and warned that another 'lost summer' could lead to a jobs bloodbath and billions more being wiped from the economy. Figures compiled for the Mail by the all-party Future of Aviation group of MPs last night projected that the cost to the economy could be as much as 11.5billion in outbound travel alone if the current restrictions remain through the next three months. Meanwhile, fears were raised for the 1.6million jobs the aviation, travel and tourism creates. Yesterday's developments wiped more than 2billion off the value of UK-listed travel and airline firms on the London stock exchange. British Airways owner IAG, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Wizz Air and engine maker Rolls-Royce all suffered heavy falls as news spread that no countries would be added to the green list. And in a sign of the despair gripping the industry, package holiday giant Jet2 cancelled all foreign holidays until July 1 three days after the next review of the green list is due. The decision to remove Portugal from the green list was particularly controversial and sparked a diplomatic row last night, with the country's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism'. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also accused the Government of being overly 'obsessed' with infection rates, rather than focusing on his country's low hospital admissions and death rate. It also sparked a scramble among the British holidaymakers already in Portugal who now have to decide whether to cut short their holidays and dash back by 4am on Tuesday before the amber-list restrictions kick in. And thousands more who booked to go to there in the coming weeks were left in limbo over whether to re-book or seek refunds. There was also anger at ministers moving Portugal straight to amber rather than putting it on the 'watchlist'. This would have kept the country green for a bit longer while warning travellers it could turn amber. The Mail can reveal that Mr Shapps and Health Secretary Matt Hancock clashed over the issue of holidays at a crunch Cabinet meeting yesterday. Mr Hancock was said to have rejected calls for any new low-risk destinations going green and even argued that Portugal shouldn't go on the 'amber watchlist'. He was also said to have pushed back firmly against Malta being added to the green list, despite its very low infection and high vaccination rates. But another source played down the row, saying the pair have 'a very good working relationship but occasionally have a difference in perspective'. It came after the Mail yesterday revealed that ministers had been warned by scientists about the emergence of the new 'Nepal variant' being detected in holiday hotspots. Mr Shapps confirmed yesterday that the emergence of the variant contributed to a stripped-down green list, with the infection rate in Portugal where cases of the variant have been detected 'nearly doubling' in recent weeks. But travel industry leaders warned that consumer confidence will be 'destroyed' now they know how quickly countries can be downgraded. Heathrow chief John Holland-Kaye said: 'Ministers spent last month hailing the restart of international travel, only to close it down three weeks later, all but guaranteeing another lost summer for the travel sector.' Acting general secretary of the BALPA union, Brian Strutton, said: 'This decision is a total disaster for the already fragile travel industry and is likely to lead to further airline failures and many more job losses. 'Any shred of public confidence is in tatters and the traffic light system seems stuck on red. Our airlines need this summer season if they are to survive.' Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said last night: 'This decision will further threaten tens of thousands of jobs in aviation and travel, not to mention further damage consumer confidence. 'The data shows several countries should be green so the Government's decision defies logic. Summer is being squeezed by a policy of fear.' Labour MP Yvette Cooper, chairman of the home affairs committee, added: 'The Government put Portugal on the green list only two and a half weeks ago, encouraging people to book holidays, and now they have had to reverse their decision, citing new variants and the impact on the timetable for lifting domestic restrictions. 'This is a completely chaotic way to make important public health decisions and is causing confusion for everyone.' Advertisement 'I want to be straight with people, it's actually a difficult decision to make, but in the end we've seen two things really which caused concern,' he said. 'One is the positivity rate has nearly doubled since the last review in Portugal and the other is there's a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation, and simply don't want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock.' However, a British Airways spokesperson called the decision 'incredibly disappointing' and 'confusing', adding: 'The UK has reached a critical point and urgently needs travel with low-risk countries, like the US, to restart the economy, support devastated industries and reunite loved ones. 'With high levels of vaccinations in the UK being matched by other countries, we should see the UK Government adding destinations to 'green' as soon as possible - not turning its back on a traffic light model which we were led to believe was based firmly on scientific data.' Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye reacted with fury this afternoon, saying: 'Ministers spent last month hailing the restart of international travel, only to close it down three weeks later all but guaranteeing another lost summer for the travel sector. 'Everyone wants to protect public health, but the entire point of the Global Travel Taskforce was to establish a system to unlock low-risk travel safely. 'Britain is the worst performing economy in the G7, and in the week that the Prime Minister hosts G7 leaders to launch his Government's vision of Global Britain, he's sending a message that the UK will remain isolated from the rest of the world and closed to most of its G7 partners. 'If the Government is serious about protecting UK jobs and supporting businesses across the country, rapid action is needed to reopen flights to key trading partners, remove testing for vaccinated passengers from 'green' countries, and slash the cost and complexity of testing, as other G7 countries are doing.' Gatwick Airport boss Stewart Wingate told MailOnline: 'It is bitterly disappointing news for our impacted passengers and airlines that Portugal is to be added to the 'amber' list from next week while no further destinations are being opened up for 'green' travel.' The chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, Charlie Cornish, accused the Government of 'scapegoating' international travel and risking tens of thousands of jobs. He told MailOnline: 'We were told the traffic light system would allow people to travel safely, with the right measures in place to manage risk for different countries. 'But it is now clear the Government doesn't trust its own system and that international travel is being unfairly scapegoated, with tens of thousands of jobs placed at risk in the process. 'Low-risk destinations continue to be left off the green list despite clear evidence they are safe to visit. With case rates lower than the UK, we simply cannot understand why the likes of the Balearics, the Canaries and some Greek islands do not fall into that category. 'If we followed the approach being taken across Europe, lots of other countries - like the United States, Germany and Italy - would also be classed as green. Instead, we're stuck with a system that is clearly not fit for purpose and will deny people the opportunity to travel abroad safely this year. 'The lack of transparency is shocking and totally unacceptable. If the Government has information that supports its decisions, then it needs to publish it. We have repeatedly asked for this data, but we are being left in the dark about how it is making these choices, with no opportunity for scrutiny or challenge. 'That is not the way to go about limiting people's freedoms and crippling the country's travel and tourism sectors. 'With so much at stake, we need immediate transparency and urgent action to make this system of travel restrictions fit for purpose.' Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency, suggested the Government was motivated by 'political' considerations rather than public health. On the decision not to add any more countries to the green travel list he said: 'I think it's a terrible decision that threatens jobs and recovery in the travel sector. 'It shows little awareness of the safe destinations globally and is at odds with how citizens from other countries such as America are travelling. Those British citizens who have been fully jabbed should be given more flexibility to travel to a wider range of green destinations. 'They are basically putting at risk tens of thousands of jobs across aviation and the travel sector, and not showing any signs of helping the sector to recover. They seem to want to continue to create an atmosphere of fear among travellers, which is totally at odds with other countries. 'There are several countries which meet the criteria to be on the green list so this is clearly a politically charged decision rather than one based on data.' ABTA travel association boss Mark Tanzer said: 'It's clear that the Government's domestic health strategy is continuing to prevent any meaningful resumption of international travel. 'You can't build the recovery of a multi-billion-pound sector while mass market holiday destinations remain off the green list. The removal of Portugal comes on the back on what was already a very short and cautious green list. 'Travel agents and tour operators haven't been able to generate income since the start of the pandemic and have been depending on the return of international travel to help bring in some much needed relief. 'The Government now needs to come forward with tailored financial support for the sector, which recognises that the travel industry's recovery will be slower than that in other sectors of the economy, and takes account of the unique challenges businesses in the sector are facing. 'Travel companies are desperately worried that at a time when the market hasn't opened up they will shortly face increased furlough and business rates costs, with support being gradually withdrawn from the end of this month. 'It's vital that the Government doesn't leave these businesses behind as it focuses on the domestic unlocking.' Steven Freudmann, chairman of Institute of Travel and Tourism, told MailOnline: 'It's an absolute hammer blow to the industry. The EU is about to bring in 'green passes' for anyone in the EU to travel freely around Europe, subject to their having been vaccinated or having tested negative. 'The UK is in real danger of shrinking into splendid isolation whilst at the same time seeing its travel industry die a death of a thousand cuts. 'The Government delayed 14 days before adding India to the red list, allowing 20,000 people who could have been carrying the new coronavirus strain into the UK. There is just no consistency.' TUI UK boss Andrew Flintham (left) called the announcement 'another step back for our industry'. EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren (right) said: 'This shock decision to add Portugal to the Amber list is a huge blow to those who are currently in Portugal and those who have booked to be reunited with loved ones, or take a well-deserved break this summer' In Portugal, Joao Fernandes, President of the Algarve Tourist Board, described the UK decision to downgrade Portugal from green to amber as a 'severe setback.' Jab should give freedom, not timorous isolation... This decision to add seven more countries to the red list is a savage blow to the travel sector, writes Easyjet boss JOHAN LUNDGREN By Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, for The Daily Mail After all the misery inflicted by the Covid pandemic, the travel industry desperately needed a shot in the arm. Instead it has just been given a kick in the teeth. At the very moment that Britain should be opening up, given that the virus is in retreat, the Government has decided to impose more restrictions. In a depressing step backwards, it was announced yesterday that seven additional countries are joining the red list of high-risk destinations, including such popular hotspots such as Egypt, Sri Lanka and Trinidad. Even more regrettably, the Government has actually removed Portugal from the green list of countries where journeys can be made without any requirements for quarantining and self-isolation. This decision is a savage blow to the sector and to thousands of Britons, who are either in Portugal at the moment or had booked trips to go there soon. Some will lose money, others will have holiday plans ruined and for what? The exclusion of Portugal makes no sense and is wholly unjustified by science, since the country's rates of Covid infection are much the same as the United Kingdom's. Nor is there any sign of disease beginning to surge again in Portugal, with hospital admissions and deaths at extremely low levels. Indeed, the whole current system is riddled with gross inconsistencies and anomalies. The British Government pledged to give special consideration to European islands, but that looks like another broken promise. The Balearic Islands off Spain have a current Covid infection rate of just 33 per 100,000 people significantly lower than the 50 per 100,000 in Britain yet they remain on the amber list. Similarly, restrictions still apply to Malta, where the infection rate is just 12 per 100,000. The reality is that, with the Covid crisis now rapidly diminishing throughout the continent, nearly all of Europe could be put on the British Government's green list and such a step would not have any negative impact on the United Kingdom. The absurdity of the Government's stance is further highlighted by the fact that there are no restraints on domestic travel by car, train or air around Britain, yet a number of places badly affected by the Delta variant have far more serious Covid problems than most of Europe. Yesterday's decision makes a mockery of the political rhetoric which promised that the vaccine programme would bring back normality and freedom. The jabs were meant to allow us back to the beaches of Spain and villages of France. Yesterday, an important milestone was reached as more than half of the adult British population has now received two doses. Shouldn't that have been the cue for great travel liberation rather than more tightening? It is highly unconvincing of the Government to argue that caution is needed because of the risk from new variants. That is a recipe for a permanent shutdown. As the distinguished Oxford professor Sir John Bell put it this week: 'If we scamper down the rabbit hole every time we see a new variant, we are going to spend a long time huddled away.' If ministers think that Britons should not travel, then they should be honest, instead of presiding over endless chaos that wrecks plans, promotes frustration and damages business. But rather than being gripped by fear, they should look across to Europe where Governments are embracing openness. Typical is the Netherlands, which allows unrestricted travel, without any further tests, both for anyone who has been fully vaccinated or anyone comes from a country that has an infection of less than 150 per 100,000. Britain's ill-conceived approach is costing the airline industry millions of pounds. Jobs are being lost, livelihoods destroyed. This month alone, 1,800 flights were due to depart from Britain for Portugal. In light of the green list decision, many of those will now have to be withdrawn. In one sense my own company of easyJet is lucky, in that 50 per cent of our operations are outside Europe. Even so, like the rest of the industry, we have been badly affected. A radical change in thinking is needed. Brexit, we were told, was a great opportunity for Britain to take its place on the global stage as a buccaneering, ambitious nation. That chance is now being squandered as ministers pull us into timorous isolation. Advertisement He told Portuguese press: 'We had a very robust and growing demand for the coming weeks from the British market, with flights increasing their capacity and hotel reservations consolidating.' Speaking just before the announcement was made public he added: 'It's obvious any change will have a very significant impact on the Algarve. 'Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has just come out which places us among the three countries in Europe with the lowest accumulated incidence of coronavirus in the last 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants. 'Before coming to Portugal a British tourist has to do a PCR test. In a European context Britain has the most advanced vaccination programme.' Alfonso Rodriguez Badal, mayor of the municipality of Calvia which includes the popular British holiday resort of Magaluf, said the decision to keep the Balearic Islands on amber was a 'surprise.' He added: 'It's also obviously a disappointment. 'We were confident we would go onto a green light rating because we understood people here had made a real effort to get our accumulated coronavirus rate down to a very low level to make us one of the safest if not the safest Mediterranean resort. 'Therefore we felt this could give the UK enough confidence to let holidaymakers come here without imposing restrictions on their return. 'It hasn't happened but we are going to continue working towards achieving this and we are confident and hope that the next UK government revision will lead to Calvia and the Balearic Islands and the rest of Spain as well if it can happen, being given that green traffic light rating that will facilitate the arrivals of more tourists here.' Iago Negueruela, regional Tourism Minister for the Balearic Islands which was hoping to be the sole Spanish region to be put on the UK's green traffic light system, said he viewed the decision as that of a 'sovereign state focused on its own domestic health situation' in light of the June 21 Freedom Day date. He added: 'At the moment practically no Mediterranean holiday destination is open for the UK. We respect the British government's decision. 'Given the good vaccination rate in the UK if we can go onto a green rating in the next UK government revision, we'll be in line with the estimations of the major tour operators like TUI and Jet2 who had said they would restart their operations towards the end of June. 'The British market is a very important market for us and we hope to recover it towards the end of this month.' Eduardo Jesus, the Regional Secretary for Culture and Tourism of Madeira, called the UK decision to demote it to amber 'unfair and completely inadequate.' He said: 'We are already reacting with the British government, presenting a set of arguments we believe are valid, and pointing out that this decision is totally incorrect for Madeira, inadequate and above all, very unfair.' He told local press: 'The reality of Madeira has been different from the national reality for a long time, with a model adopted here for controlling entry and monitoring citizens throughout their stay in the region. 'Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind that Madeira is in a much more advanced state with regard to the vaccination process than mainland Portugal and this is also a factor of confidence, not only for those who live here, but also for those who visit us. 'The risk of British citizens traveling to Madeira is reduced by the fact that the overwhelming number of passengers come on direct flights.' UK holidaymakers revealed they are planning on cancelling their trips to the country while others said they will not bother going abroad this summer. One Twitter user said: 'I'm due to fly to Portugal on Sunday for 7 days, so will be green when I go and amber on return? Will my holiday still go ahead??' Another tweeted: '17 days Portugal has been on the green list. How the hell is anyone going to have the confidence to book a foreign holiday? I certainly won't be whilst this traffic light system is in place.' One person wrote: '@jet2tweets what are our options now with Portugal going amber? Supposed to be going in 3 weeks'. Another said: 'It looks liuke my summer holiday is gone, so this week in Portugal is a god send'. Another added: 'Would be funny if I hadn't flown to Portugal this morning'. The Government said the decision to move Portugal to the amber list followed an 'almost doubling' in the country's coronavirus test positivity rate and the discovery of 68 cases of the Indian variant including some with a mutation previously seen in Nepal. Public Health England is investigating both the Indian variant and the mutation 'to better understand whether it could be more transmissible and less effectively tackled by vaccines'. Mr Shapps said 'decisive action' will help 'make sure that we can do a domestic unlock'. 'We would expect in the ordinary course of events for there to be now a three-week period, obviously subject to if something dramatic comes up we would of course need to make changes elsewhere and we will have to reserve the right to do that to protect the population at home. 'Look, 67million people have been through a lot this last year and a half, but a lot of people have come forward for their jabs in incredible numbers. 'No one wants the government to fail to take decisive action to protect that as we look towards this fourth unlock, and we want to give ourselves the best possible chance when we get to that unlock and not have factors from outside - for example potentially vaccine defeating mutation - preventing us from being able to give ourselves the best chance of unlocking domestically.' Passengers arrive at Faro airport in the Algarve in the south of Portugal on May 17 Mr Shapps said the UK had 'done wonders with our vaccination programme and the rest of the world will catch up'. Nepal variant 'could have been spread by Everest climbers' A coronavirus variant that is being linked to Nepal could have been spread by climbers travelling home from Mount Everest, experts say. As many as 13 passengers flying from Nepal to Japan were infected with the new mutant strain that combines mutations from the Indian and South African variants. At least 43 cases have been spotted in the UK, MailOnline revealed today, with the strain first spotted on April 24 according to surveillance data. Cases were also detected in the US, India and Portugal. Its mutations mean scientists fear it could be more infectious, and more resistant to vaccines. Matt Hancock said yesterday Britain is preparing to buy millions of tweaked doses of the AstraZeneca jab that target the South African variant. SAGE scientists think it makes jabs at least 30 per cent less effective against infections, but its impact on severe disease is not known. Ministers sparked surge testing in postcode areas where the strain was detected, to root out every last case. At least one case has been spotted in Portugal, which sources say will move to the 'amber' list today sparking holiday misery across the country. Only one case of the variant has been recorded in Nepal so far, but the country carries out very little surveillance for mutant strains. The UK has placed Nepal and India on its 'red' list, and the US is on its 'amber' list. Advertisement 'Europe is probably 10 weeks behind but they will catch up and I don't know exactly what that will mean in terms of the summer but the decisive action today is designed to protect the future, to make sure that we can do a domestic unlock or give ourselves the best possible chance of doing so and that will also help us to unlock international travel given time,' he added. 'So we're not in the same place as last year, we've got the vaccination programme, we do need to check though that the vaccine can work against all the kinds of mutations that we're seeing and so we're having to take a safety first attitude when it comes to those mutations becoming apparent.' With Portugal facing a shift to the amber list after ministers meet today, people returning from the country will have to self-isolate for 10 days as well as paying for coronavirus tests. It will be a huge kick in the teeth to Britons who have already booked a holiday in hot spots such as the Algarve, believing they will be able to return quarantine free. And it will also be another damaging blow to the already struggling travel industry, which had hoped for more countries to be added to the green list this month. Yesterday Portugal saw its highest daily number of cases since March. And the country currently has a case rate of around 37 infections per 100,000 people - higher than the UK's rate of 34.5. The final decisions were based on an assessment from the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC). Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the priority was 'keeping the country safe'. 'We have got to follow the data and of course, I understand why people want to travel but we've got to make sure we keep this country safe, especially because the vaccine programme is going so well,' he told reporters at a G7 gathering in Oxford this morning. 'We have seen hospitalisations and deaths come right down and we have to got to protect the progress we have made here at home, whilst allowing for travel where it is safe. 'You have got to follow the data.' Mr Johnson hinted at a hard line when he was asked about expanding the green list yesterday, and said: 'We're going to try to allow people to travel, as I know that many people want to, but we've got to be cautious and we've got to continue to put countries on the red list, on the amber list, when that is necessary. 'I want you to know we will have no hesitation in moving countries from the green list to the amber list to the red list, if we have to do so. 'The priority is to continue the vaccination rollout, to protect the people of this country.' In the past, holiday-makers have normally been given days - and sometimes up to a week - to return to the UK from countries where travel restrictions have been changed. The government has ignored pressure for other countries such as Malta to be added to the green list. The Mediterranean island, a popular destination for British tourists, is currently on the amber list, but has high vaccination levels and low infections. The Cayman Islands, Grenada, British Virgin Islands, Finland and some Caribbean islands were also among those being floated for the green list. Cyprus' deputy tourism minister yesterday said the country 'absolutely deserves' to be in the loosest category. After today, the green list - which currently contains 12 countries - will not be reviewed until the week running up to June 28. That means it will be July before there is another chance for more destinations to make it on to the list. 'NOTHING will stop our holiday': Defiant Britons are still jetting off to Portugal despite 10-day quarantine and paying 1,200 for tests - DOUBLE cost of their return flight - after ministers' 'disgusting' decision to remove hotspot from 'green list' Portugal will be removed from Britain's travel 'green list' in less than four days But Britons are still going abroad despite it 'putting a real dampener on the trip' Others at Gatwick said they 'just want to get away - nothing is going to stop us' Defiant British holidaymakers continued to fly out to Portugal today less than four days before the country is set to be removed from the UK's travel 'green list'. Tourists leaving London Gatwick Airport today said the announcement had 'put a real dampener on the trip' but added that they would 'still try to enjoy ourselves'. Others said they 'just want to get away - nothing is going to stop us', with some changing flights to arrive home before the change is activated on Tuesday at 4am. At Gatwick today, an easyJet flight left for Faro at 8.30am, with those travelling on it expressing their disgust at having to pay for extra Covid tests and then quarantine for ten days at the end of their holiday after Portugal moves to the amber list. One couple said the extra costs for a two and eight day test and a third test to leave quarantine after five days had amounted to 1,200 - more than double the cost of their return flight to Faro. At Gatwick today - Friends Amy and Jade booked their 180 return flights to Faro on Wednesday - then 24 hours later had the grim news they must quarantine on their return and pay up to 400 each for Covid testing David Roper said: 'I am absolutely disgusted with what the Government has done. How can they tell us it is safe to travel, then three weeks later remove Portugal from the green list? 'With the PCR test we took to get the flight and all the other tests we now have to pay for on return it's added 1,200 to the cost. The fares were not cheap but it is ridiculous.' Mr Roper and his wife Lydia, from Barnes, South West London, were flying to the Algarve for an eight-day break. Many others on the flight were going to second homes in Portugal. EasyJet staff at Gatwick's North Terminal said the early morning flight was 'not as busy as usual'. 'Usually every seat would be booked, but people are just not travelling and the terminal is so quiet' said a member of the check-in team. 'It's devastating for us as we just want to see people flying. If there are no flights out jobs are at risk. The Government seem intent on destroying our industry I feel sick every time they make an announcement about travel'. At Gatwick today, Essex couple Josh and Sophie said they were resigned to paying hundreds of pounds for Covid tests having already paid 700 for their EasyJet flights. As Josh works from home he will be able to quarantine without paying extra to be released after five days. Having waited so long for a family holiday with daughter Harriet, they were not going to let anything put them off Others on the Faro flight blamed the Government's U-turn on Chelsea and Manchester City fans who attended the Champions League final in Porto and were seen drinking and celebrating with no masks or social distancing. Holiday HELL for 112,000 Britons left with four days to flee Portugal to avoid quarantine as flights home soar to 700 EACH with family-of-four suddenly facing 1,600 testing bill after nation was stripped off 'green list' Seats on the last flights back to London from the Algarve before Portugal is removed from the UK's green list in less than four days' time were on sale for up to 711 today as Britons faced a race to get home. Britons keen to stay abroad for as long as they can before the new rules come in next Tuesday at 4am face paying at least 258 if they fly back home the night before. That is the cheapest flight next Monday, a Wizz Air route leaving Faro at 9.05pm local time and arriving at London Luton at 11.50pm, four hours before the rules change. Anyone flying back today faces paying at least 99, also for a Wizz Air flight to Luton; while it is 91 on Saturday or 172 on Sunday, both for easyJet services to Gatwick. The most expensive seats before Tuesday's deadline can be found for 711 on a British Airways service from Faro to London City, leaving next Monday at 11am. Those returning from an amber list country will be required either to quarantine at home for ten days on their return and take a PCR test on days two and eight, as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. Or they can pay for an additional third 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. They will still need to take the compulsory second test on or after day eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,500 to buy three sets of PCR tests at 125 each, if they go under the 'Test to Release' scheme. Adding this to the cost of a lateral flow test, which can be bought at Faro Airport for 30 (25), the total cost of tests for a family of four would be about 1,600. Holidays to Portugal have been thrown into chaos after ministers removed it from the green list amid concerns over the new Nepal Covid variant. The move triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Portugal's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism' and of being 'obsessed' with infection rates. Advertisement 'This is down to the football lot,' said one irate passenger. 'I now have to pay for the test to get out of quarantine after five days as I cannot afford to be off work for 10 days. 'Boris Johnson has got something right with the vaccines, but to keep chopping and changing what places we can go is madness. They either ban all travel or let people go away and know in advance have to quarantine on their return. 'It was too late to change my booking as I would have lost out. It's put me in a bad mood before I've even left'. Friends Amy and Jade booked their 180 return flights to Faro on Wednesday - then 24 hours later had the grim news they must quarantine on their return and pay up to 400 each for Covid testing. It means their five day trip to the popular resort of Albuferiao has worked out twice as expensive as they planned. Amy said: 'It's put a real dampener on the trip, but we will still try to enjoy ourselves. We booked at the last minute on Wednesday, then the following day we found out Portugal is no longer on the green list. I just think it's unfair.' Jade added: 'We have already paid 200 for a PCR test to get the result on the same day. It's really annoying that we have to find more money for tests' Kathy Kirby had to pay a 99 change fee to return from her trip a day early and avoid the quarantine rule. She said: 'I had been planning to fly back Wednesday, but changed my flight to arrive a day early. The change will affect lots of people but nothing surprises me when it comes to this Government.' Essex couple Josh and Sophie said they were resigned to paying hundreds of pounds for Covid tests having already paid 700 for their easyJet flights. As Josh works from home he will be able to quarantine without paying extra to be released after five days. Having waited so long for a family holiday with daughter Harriet, they were not going to let anything put them off. Sophie said: 'We just want to get away. We have waited over a year for a holiday with our daughter Harriet and nothing is going to stop us.' Josh added: 'It is what it is. I work from home so can do the quarantine.' Retired couple Desmond and Isabella Weal raged at the 'incompetence' of the Government's handling of travel. 'They really seem clueless and it does not make sense' said the 68-year-olds heading to Alvor. 'We are told it's all because of the Nepal variant but I read there was just one case in Portugal. 'It's is crazy to tell people they can go on holiday, then say it's not safe. I read there are 3,000 variants. When will this Government finally say we have to live with Covid and stop chopping and changing what we can and cannot do.' At Stansted Airport this morning, Britons could not understand why transport chiefs changed their minds and said the system was failing. Friends Esther-Leah Cohen, Judy Liebert, Tamar Smith and Ellie Sharer were arriving back at the airport after a girls' holiday in Porto. Students (from left) Esther-Leah Cohen, Judy Liebert, Tamar Smith and Ellie Sharer who have returned to London Stansted Airport from a holiday in Porto, Portugal The 21-year-old students did not have to rush back but said their Air BnB host had been hit with a string of cancellations from Brits. Kathy Kirby, pictured at Gatwick today, had to pay a 99 change fee to return from her trip a day early and avoid the quarantine rule Miss Liebert said: 'They are quite upset with that; I think they thought it was back to normal now. They really feel it is unfair as there are so few cases there, he thinks there are 50 there now. 'They wear masks outside there, we got told off quite a few times. Miss Smith added: 'I'm not keen on the way they change the status, I don't think it is fair on businesses that rely on tourists. 'Also for Brits that need to go on holiday, people have been looking forward to this for a year. I'll be more cautious going away, we have already had a holiday cancelled before this. 'I thought that would be it it'd be green for ever. The tests didn't seem that good, they didn't even zoom in on the photos, I said we could have waved our GCSE results and it'd be fine.' Their concerns were echoed by Josh Clements, 29, who had arrived back to London with his partner. The Londoner almost couldn't board his flight due to a government computer bungle. Karen Beddow (pictured with her husband Matthew and daughters Lily, Isobel and Eve) said she felt let down after being forced to cut her family holiday to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine on return to the UK 'No one looked at our negative tests, no one looked at our lateral flow tests, no one looked at our PCR test,' he said. Having cancelled a family holiday to Portugal last year, Laura Wolfe faces more disappointment 'We almost couldn't fly back as they wouldn't let us on the plane as we couldn't fill out our passenger locater form, we couldn't do it because they wanted a booking reference number. 'They sent us an order confirmation rather than a booking reference and the government website wouldn't let us through. It was super stressful, they were saying we couldn't get on the plane even though we had the test. 'In the end we had to make up a reference number to fly home and no one looked at it, it was just like a quick glance. Last night we were up until 2am to get a lateral flow test. 'There was someone else at the hotel with the same issue as us, but no one was trying to beat the rush for Tuesday. We didn't see many British tourists.' He added: 'No one checked it you could flash any old piece of paper, we were so worried about not getting on the flight. No one looked at mine, it was just box ticking.' Andre Ferreira, 28, had returned home after seeing family for the first time in Portugal since the pandemic erupted with his partner Vanya Binho, 27. Josh Clements, 29, who arrived back to London Stansted with his partner today after a holiday in Portugal, almost couldn't board his flight due to a government computer bungle He said: 'What is the point of it changing after the Champions League?! We just came back to the UK we are Portuguese citizens. It doesn't make any sense to us at all, after all the British citizens went there. Thomas Hall, 21, from Southport who is on his way to Portugal for a week from Manchester Airport 'The cases are not rising because of Hundreds of organisations wanting to be included on Stonewall's equality leaderboard should replace the term 'mother' with 'parent who has given birth', the LGBT charity has said. The controversial group has issued various guidance to employers wanting to make the cut on its Workplace Equality Index, which has attracted more than 500 applications in the last year. A number of government departments, such as the Home Office, the Department for International Trade and the Ministry of Justice - ranked as high as fifth - feature on the list, as well as the likes of MI6 and the British Army. Stonewall says featuring on the Workplace Equality Index allows employers to understand their employees' experiences and shows commitment to LGBT equality. Those achieving a coveted Top 100 spot, are then able to use the Top 100 Employers logo to promote their achievement. The guidance includes urging employers to add gender pronouns to email signatures, outlawing single sex toilets and changing rooms, and running a rainbow laces campaign, the Telegraph reports. Its latest advice, to ban the word 'mother' has sparked a backlash, however, with campaigners calling for an inquiry into how the group has had such an influence on Whitehall. Hundreds of organisations wanting to be included on Stonewall's equality leaderboard should replace the term 'mother' with 'parent who has given birth', the LGBT charity has said The top 10 employers on Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index 1 Newcastle City Council 2 Gentoo Group 3 Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service 4 Pinsent Masons (Top Northern Ireland Employer) 5 Ministry of Justice 6 GSK 7 Citi 8 National Assembly for Wales (Top Welsh Employer) 9 Welsh Government 10 Cardiff University Advertisement It comes after it was revealed earlier this week that the Equalities Minister Liz Truss wants the Government to quit a diversity scheme run by Stonewall amid a row over trans rights. Miss Truss is said to be pushing for departments to join the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Acas in dropping the Diversity Champions scheme over fears it is not providing value for money. According to Stonewall there are more than 850 organisations, including 250 government departments and public bodies such as police forces, local councils and NHS trusts, signed up as 'diversity champions'. Membership to the scheme starts at around 2,500, which according to the LGBT charity's website, buys employers access to expert advice and resources to make their workplaces 'inclusive'. However, the charity was embroiled in a new row over transgender rights last week, when its chief executive Nancy Kelley likened 'gender critical' beliefs to anti-Semitism as she defended its pro-trans campaigning. After criticism from the gay former Conservative MP Matthew Parris, Ms Kelley told the BBC: 'With all beliefs including controversial beliefs there is a right to express those beliefs publicly and where they're harmful or damaging - whether it's anti-Semitic beliefs, gender critical beliefs, beliefs about disability - we have legal systems that are put in place for people who are harmed by that.' Meanwhile, the EHRC, Britain's equalities watchdog, then cut ties with a Stonewall scheme for 'woke' workplaces after claims that it curbs free speech among staff. Its decision comes amid accusations the scheme is encouraging public bodies and firms to adopt policies that create a 'culture of fear' among workers who disagree with transgender ideology. A letter to the feminist campaign group Sex Matters from new commission chairman Baroness Falkner revealed: 'We wrote to Stonewall in March to let them know that we would not be renewing our membership, and this has now expired.' Now, documents seen by the Telegraph reveal the extent of the guidance Stonewall gives employers wanting to make its leaderboard. Edinburgh University was discouraged from using the term 'mother', instead being told 'parent who has given birth' was more strongly recommended. Similarly, Merseyside Police was told 'pregnant employee' was 'a more inclusive term', while the Welsh government removed 'mother' from its Maternity policy, even though 'father' still remains. Maya Forstater, co-founder of campaign group Sex Matters, told the paper: 'The Committee on Standards in Public Life [should] undertake a public inquiry as to how an organisation that is basically a lobby group got into such an influential position in so many institutions'. Miss Truss is said to be pushing for departments to join the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Acas in dropping the Diversity Champions scheme over fears it is not providing value for money. Labour MP left red-faced over Twitter poll In light of Miss Truss' comments earlier this week, Labour MP Dawn Butler took to Twitter to ask if followers trusted Stonewall more than they did the minister. She was left red-faced, however, when 69.5 per cent of respondents said they backed Miss Truss over the charity. Advertisement A spokesperson for feminist campaign group FiLiA told MailOnline: 'FiLiA recognises the impact that dehumanising 'gender neutral' terms such as 'pregnant person' or 'birthing parent' has on women and girls, 'The recent MOMA (Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances) Bill debate showed that Parliament would not allow the word 'mother' to be replaced, yet Stonewall continues to push organisations, including Government departments, to adopt these terms - again, not complying with the Equality Act 2010 but attempting to set the rules as Stonewall would prefer it to be. 'Maternity and pregnancy is yet another protected characteristic that Stonewall have ignored in their pursuit of gender identity extremism. 'We should have the words to talk about these characteristics, not least for those whom the English language is difficult. 'We are extremely disappointed at the lack of critical thinking of the organisations opting into Stonewall's version of the law purely for the virtue signal of appearing on their 'Workplace Equality Index', and their lack of respect for women, and in particular pregnant women and mothers.' A Stonewall spokesperson said: 'All employers need to ensure that their staff, including LGBTQ+ staff, are free from discrimination and prejudice at work, and our Diversity Champions programme is one way for organisations to be supported to meet this requirement. 'More than a third of LGBTQ+ staff (35 per cent) hide who they are at work, while one in five (18 per cent) have been the target of negative comments because they're LGBTQ+. 'Since we set up the Diversity Champions programme in 2001, many large employers have developed major internal programmes to promote diversity and inclusion across their staff, including reviewing the LGBTQ+ inclusiveness of their HR policies and setting up LGBTQ+ staff networks, which make the workplace better for LGBTQ+ people. 'We are confident in our advice on the Equality Act which is based the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Equality Act Code of Practice, which was recently reaffirmed in the High Court. 'As with every membership programme, organisations come and go depending on what works best for them at the time, and it's great that organisations can continue this important work on their own. 'We are pleased to say that our Diversity Champions programme is continuing to grow and take on new members, and we are very proud of the work we're doing with more than 850 organisations to help create inclusive working environments for their lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer staff.' G7 finance ministers are meeting in London today in an attempt to finalise a tax crackdown on tech giants by imposing a minimum global corporate tax rate. The minimum rate is targeted at the likes of Google, Facebook and Amazon who make vast sums across the world but avoid paying tax in many countries by basing their operations in tax haven countries. And it was revealed today that Microsoft's Irish arm made a 222billion ($315m) profit last year but paid no corporate tax because it is 'resident' in Bermuda. However the subsidiary which collects licence fees has no employees in Ireland other than its directors, despite the profits that are equivalent to three quarters of the GDP of Ireland. Rich nations have struggled for years to agree a way to raise more tax from large multinational companies, and US President Joe Biden is pushing for a minimum corporation tax rate of 15 per cent. Britain and many large European countries are pushing for companies pay more tax where they make their sales - not just corporation tax where they report their profits, or locate their headquarters. But that remains a sticking point with the United States, which wants an end to the digital services taxes which Britain, France and Italy have levied. It says the digital services tax unfairly targets US tech giants for tax practices that European companies also use. Speaking before the meeting in London this morning, Mr Sunak said: 'I believe we can make significant progress in tackling some of the world's most pressing economic challenges.' Britain and many large European countries are pushing for companies pay more tax where they make their sales - not just corporation tax where they report their profits, or locate their headquarters. Rishi Sunak greets Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund at the gathering in London today that is the first time the ministers have met face-to-face since the start of the coronavirus pandemic Rishi Sunak with US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen. US opposition to a digital services tax may be a sticking point at the negotiation ahead of the G7 summit The Chancellor with Chrystia Freeland, Canada's deputy prime minister and minister of finance He had earlier said: 'Securing a global agreement on digital taxation has also been a key priority this year - we want companies to pay the right amount of tax in the right place, and I hope we can reach a fair deal with our partners.' Ireland, which is not in the G7 but is a member of the EU, has also expressed 'significant reservations' about Biden's plan for a unified minimum corporate tax rate of 15 per cent. Its 12.5 per cent tax rate is one of the lowest in the world, prompting tech giants such as Facebook and Google to make Ireland the home of their European operations. British, Italian and Spanish fashion and luxury goods exports to the United States will be among those facing new 25 per cent tariffs later this year if there is no compromise. The gathering, chaired by Rishi Sunak, is the first time the ministers have met face-to-face since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The EU's four biggest economies say a deal is 'within sight' and said the critical moment has been reached to punish the tax abuse by the huge corporations before the summit, which precedes the gathering of global leaders in Cornwall next week. European finance ministers cowrote a letter outling their plans to target the tax avoidance of multinational companies. They wrote: 'For more than four years, France, Germany, Italy and Spain have been working together to create an international tax system fit for the 21st century. 'It is a saga of many twists and turns. Now it's time to come to an agreement. 'We therefore commit to defining a common position on a new international tax system at the G7 Finance Ministers meeting in London this Friday.' According to a draft communique, the finance chiefs and central bankers of the world's seven richest nations will express 'strong support' and a 'high level of ambition' over a global minimum corporate tax. They then hope to reach broader agreement at a G20 finance meeting scheduled for July. Sunak starts the two-day meeting on Friday with counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, before a leader summit next week including Joe Biden. The leaders will be looking to crack down on companies like Microsoft whose subsidiary Microsoft Round Island One paid zero corporate tax in Ireland last year. The subsidiary collects licence fees for the use of copyrighted Microsoft software and its profit of 222billion last year was equivalent to three-quarters of Ireland's gross domestic product, The Guardian reported. Microsoft Round Island One's registered address is an office of the law firm Matheson in Dublin, but it states in its accounts it has no employees other than directors. In the tax statement, the company says: 'As the company is tax resident in Bermuda, no tax is chargeable on income.' Bermuda does not levy corporation tax. The company paid a dividend of 24.5billion to Microsoft Corporation last year, then a further special dividend of 30.5billion. Microsoft Round Island One's registered address is an office of the law firm Matheson in Dublin (pictured) Proponents of the minimum corporate tax rate argue that it is necessary to stem competition between countries over who can offer multinationals the lowest rate. They say that a 'race to the bottom' saps revenues that could go to other government priorities. The corporate tax is one of two pillars in efforts for global fiscal reforms, the other being a 'digital tax' that would allow countries to tax the profits of multinationals that are headquartered overseas. Britain, which later hosts the COP26 UN climate summit in November, also wants the G7 to embrace a green recovery. However, NGOs accuse the G7 of failing to invest enough in green energy during the pandemic and massively subsidising polluting industries instead. Ministers also plan to commit to 'sustain policy support', or stimulus, for 'as long as necessary' to nurture economic recovery, while addressing climate change and inequalities in society, according to the document. Furthermore, they will urge 'equitable, safe and affordable access to Covid-19 vaccines' everywhere in order to fully overcome the deadly pandemic. And the thorny topic of the regulation of digital currencies such as bitcoin will also be on the agenda. Advertisement A migrant has donned a slogan t-shirt reading 'no risk, no fun' while around 100 more asylum seekers arrived in the UK today amid a surge in the number of crossings with more than 1,000 people landing on the British coastline in less than a week. The Channel crossings were made despite torrential rain and stormy conditions at sea, with Border Force intercepting the first boat containing around six men huddled in blankets for warmth at around 9am. Three young children were also on board. An infant girl held an adult's hand as she disembarked, followed by an older looking boy and another young girl sheltering from the rain under a blanket. They were followed by another group of around eight shortly afterwards. Overall, up to 100 asylum seekers are estimated to have arrived this morning, taking the total to have made the journey so far this year to around 4,449. It comes as almost a quarter of the migrants who have crossed the Channel by small boat this year made the dangerous journey in the last week alone. The Home Office confirmed 201 migrants crossed in small boats yesterday, after a major rescue operation was launched off the coast of Hastings, East Sussex. French authorities prevented 171 people from making the perilous trip in nine boats yesterday and Wednesday. A video appearing to show a group of migrants crossing from Calais to Dover in a boat was also posted to TikTok on Thursday. The short clip shared by a man named Sada Halak showed a group of men in a dinghy, some wearing face masks and lifejackets, and was captioned with the phrase 'unsuccessful challenge' and three crying emojis. Meanwhile, two Border Force officers were seen using jet skis to patrol the Channel earlier today, with footage showing another officer also using the watercraft yesterday. A migrant is seen wearing a slogan t-shirt that reads 'no risk, no fun' as around 100 more asylum seekers arrived in the UK today Two Border Force officers seen using jet skis to patrol the Channel while leaving Dover Marina in Kent earlier this morning A Border Force officer patrols the Channel on a jet ski while arriving into Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident earlier on Thursday morning A group of people thought to be migrants being brought into Dover, Kent, yesterday. A major rescue operation was launched off the coast of Hastings, East Sussex, at around 10.15am People are brought into Dover, Kent, following the small boat incident on Thursday. The Home Office confirmed 201 migrants crossed in small boats yesterday Almost a quarter of the migrants who have crossed the Channel by small boat this year made the dangerous journey in the last week alone A total of 1,058 people arrived in the last seven day period in 50 boats, according to official Home Office figures. That is 24.3 per cent of the 4,349 who have embarked on the perilous trip in 218 boats throughout 2021 so far. The busy week for Border Force began last Friday when 336 migrants arrived in 19 boats setting a new daily record for the year. They were followed by 144 in seven vessels on Saturday, 17 in one crossing on Sunday and 71 migrants in three boats on Monday completing a hectic Bank Holiday. And that continued in the first three days of June which has seen 490 arrive in 12 boats. It includes 132 in six boats on Tuesday and 157 more in a further six vessels on Wednesday. The Home Office confirmed late Thursday night 201 migrants made the perilous journey in eight boats earlier that day. Advertisement A Home Office spokesman said last night: 'Criminal gangs are putting profits before people's lives through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings. 'More than 3,500 people have been prevented from making the dangerous crossing so far this year and we are cracking down on the despicable criminal gangs behind people smuggling. 'Inaction is not an option whilst people are dying. The Government is bringing legislation forward through our New Plan for Immigration which will break the business model of these heinous people smuggling networks and save lives.' The spokesman added: 'Following a HM Coastguard search and rescue operation today near Hastings we can confirm that all occupants onboard the boat have now been accounted for by Border Force.' Police and coastguard teams were seen conducting a search yesterday with the help of Border Force, RNLI lifeboats and a specialist search and rescue helicopter from Lydd, Kent. A coastguard spokesman said at the time: 'HM Coastguard is currently coordinating a search and rescue response to an incident off Hastings, Sussex, working with Border Force, Sussex Police and other partners. 'We have sent coastguard rescue teams from Hastings, Dungeness and Bexhill, alongside Dungeness RNLI lifeboats and the search and rescue helicopter from Lydd.' A Sussex Police spokesman earlier added: 'Police were called around 10.15am on Thursday to a report of persons on a boat in difficulty off the coast of Hastings. 'Officers are supporting HM Coastguard with a search and rescue operation.' Around 20 migrants were later seen being brought in at Dungeness, Kent, by an RNLI lifeboat around 2.30pm. Border Force intercepted the first boat containing around six men huddled in blankets for warmth at around 9am this morning A group of migrants are pictured arriving at Dover Marina this morning and being brought in by Border Force despite torrential rain and stormy conditions at sea A group of migrants, including women and children, are seen arriving at Dover Marina on a rainy day this morning after being brought in by a Border Force vessel Overall, up to 100 asylum seekers are estimated to have arrived this morning, taking the total to have made the journey so far this year to around 4,449 How many migrants have arrived in recent days? The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats over each day of the past week is: Today: Up to 100 ( to be confirmed ) Yesterday: 201 Wednesday: 157 Tuesday: 132 Monday: 71 Sunday: 17 Saturday: 144 Friday: 336 (busiest day of the year so far) TOTAL: 1,058 (approximate figure, from last Friday to today) Advertisement The group, who appeared exhausted while wearing foil blankets at Dungeness Lifeboat Station, were believed to be those who sparked the rescue response off the East Sussex coast. Police were also called after a group of at least 20 migrants - including two children and four women - landed on a beach in Dymchurch, Kent. A Kent Police spokesman said: 'Kent Police officers assisted Border Force at around 10.25am on Thursday June 3 2021 following a report of suspected migrants near Dymchurch Road, Dymchurch.' Around 35 migrants were rescued from a green RHIB and brought into Dover Marina around 10.30am. They were followed by a further 40 migrants, according to eyewitnesses, who were brought into harbour on an RNLI lifeboat. An estimated 15 more migrants were also brought into the harbour shortly before 2pm. It follows Home Office statistics showing that more than 4,000 migrants have crossed the Channel by small boat so far this year - over double the number in the same five-month period last year. The milestone was surpassed on Wednesday when 157 people arrived in six boats. It took the total number of migrants to make the dangerous journey in 2021 to 4,148, rising to 4,349 yesterday, compared to 1,737 by June 2 last year. A flurry of late crossings on Wednesday saw a lifeboat called out to help deal with at least two boats. Two migrants are seen wearing life jackets and huddling in blankets as they arrived in Dover Marina, Kent, after being brought in by Border Force officials earlier today A child is seen amongst the group of migrants being brought into Dover, Kent, this morning. It comes as almost a quarter of the migrants who have crossed the Channel by small boat this year made the dangerous journey in the last week alone One asylum seeker is seen arriving in Dover Marina, Kent, today. It follows Home Office statistics showing that more than 4,000 migrants have crossed the Channel by small boat so far this year A Border Force official is pictured escorting a migrant into Dover Marina this morning. Meanwhile, French authorities prevented 171 people from making the perilous trip in nine boats yesterday and Wednesday This map shows the accommodation providers contracted by the Home Office to provide housing to asylum seekers Migrants crossing the Channel in small boats January 2020 - 87 February 2020 - 192 March 2020 - 187 April 2020 - 530 May 2020 - 741 June 2020 - 702 July 2020 - 1118 August 2020 - 1,468 September 2020 - 1,954 October 2020 - 463 November 2020 - 757 December 2020 - 211 January 2021 - 223 February 2021 - 308 March 2021 - 831 April 2021 - 746 May 2021 - 1,619 Advertisement Families and many young children were rescued. Some were seen waving as they were brought into Dover Marina, Kent, for processing. It came after around 50 migrants were rescued in three boats during the morning. French authorities also prevented three crossings involving 75 people. And numbers are set to continue to rise with Border Force intercepting more migrants yesterday. It follows a record-breaking 1,619 arrivals in May in 80 boats - almost doubling the previous monthly record set earlier this year in March when 831 people made the crossing in 42 boats. This year's daily record was also surpassed on Friday when 336 migrants were intercepted in 19 boats. It comes as ministers face calls to shut down a former army barracks being used to house asylum seekers after a High Court judge found the accommodation failed to meet the 'minimum standard'. Campaigners want to see Napier Barracks in Kent closed after six asylum seekers previously housed there won a legal challenge against the Government, with Mr Justice Linden finding the Home Office acted unlawfully when deciding the ex-military camp was appropriate. Meanwhile, Labour has called for ministers to urgently explain 'how this injustice occurred'. Campaigners have repeatedly raised concerns about the site while inspectors described parts of it as 'filthy'. Home Secretary Priti Patel and immigration minister Chris Philp have both defended the use of such sites in the past, despite the Home Office facing criticism. Mariam Kemple Hardy, head of campaigns at Refugee Action, said: 'This judgment vindicates all those who repeatedly told the Government that recklessly forcing hundreds of refugees into crowded camps during a killer pandemic was a gamble with people's lives. A video appearing to show a group of migrants crossing from Calais to Dover in a boat was posted on TikTok yesterday The clip has since been liked 18,000 times and attracted over 24,000 comments. The short clip shared by a man named Sada Halak showed a group of men in a dinghy How Priti Patel has paid France 28million to double officers patrolling French beaches Home Secretary Priti Patel agreed to pay France 28million to double the number of officers patrolling beaches to stop migrants crossing the Channel. The deal was signed last November in a virtual meeting between the Secretary of State and France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin with a pledge to make the route 'completely unviable' for people smuggling gangs. The agreement, signed after discussions began last summer, also gave the green light for an 'enhanced package' of drones, radar equipment and fixed cameras to detect migrants attempting crossings. The upgraded protection started on December 1 and sees French police patrolling almost 100 miles of coastline which is regularly targeted by people smuggling networks. The deal also included steps to support migrants into accommodation in France, and measures to increase border security at ports in the north and west of the country. Advertisement 'Napier Barracks and all other camp-style accommodation must be shut down.' Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said it was a 'shameful verdict' for the Government and Home Secretary, describing the Home Office's actions as 'reckless and callous'. He added: 'Ministers should make a statement - urgently - to explain how this injustice occurred, who will be held to account, and how they will ensure it can never happen again.' Sarah Teather, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK, described the barracks as 'ghettoised, detention-like accommodation' which was 'unsafe, undignified, and inhumane', adding: 'People have told us they don't feel human while they're residing at Napier.' Jon Featonby, refugee and asylum policy manager at British Red Cross, said there was a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a fair, compassionate and efficient asylum system through reform' and 'that should start with the immediate ending of the use of military barracks to house people.' Sonya Sceats, chief executive of charity Freedom from Torture, accused the Government of disregarding 'its duty to provide adequate housing'. She added: 'Our message to Priti Patel is clear: shut down Napier Barracks, house people seeking protection within our communities, and deliver the compassionate and fair asylum system you promised.' However, the judge declined to rule that the barracks could never be used to house asylum seekers, and said his findings are based on the conditions the six men faced. The Home Office defended the use of the barracks - needed 'at extremely short notice' during the pandemic to make sure 'asylum seekers were not left destitute' - insisting it was 'safe and secure' and that improvements have since been made. But Ms Cooper told BBC Radio 4's World At One 'we simply don't know' if conditions have now improved, adding that she wanted to call Ms Patel before her committee again to explain the situation. A Home Office spokesman added: 'We will carefully consider the ruling and our next steps.' The number of people crossing the 21-mile stretch of water has almost doubled so far in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, with more than 3,100 having reached the English coast by the end of May. Anti-immigration demonstrations were held in Dover last weekend with protesters blocking access to key trade terminals. Millions of Britons could be told to continue working from home past June 21 as the price for lifting the rest of the lockdown. Ministers are thought to be examining keeping the guidance for people to avoid unnecessary trips to offices and other workplaces to offset the spread of the Indian variant. They hope that this mitigation will allow the rest of the lockdown rules due to be lifted in little over a fortnight as planned, despite fears that hospitalisations and deaths could increase. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick did not deny the claims reported in the Telegraph. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'There are options that are clearly available to the government. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'There are options that are clearly available to the government' Current advice is to work from home unless being in the office is required. 'We set out with the roadmap what would be expected to happen at the next stage and we want to try to stick to that if we possibly can, all of us are moving everything we can to achieve that. 'But of course we keep these things under review and we are also asking people to continue to exercise caution in their daily lives. 'What can we do as citizens? Follow the rules as far as we can. If we dont need to go into the office then obviously dont do unnecessary trips in. And above all go out and get vaccinated.' Last month senior government advisers warned against promoting a return to the office in summer amid fears it could encourage a third coronavirus wave. Members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) argued that working from is a simple and cheap way to reduce contact. They said there is no need to rush back to offices because that drastically increases their contact with others. And since then the explosion in cases of the Indian variant has led ministers to examine ways to keep June 21 on track. Current advice is to work from home unless being in the office is required. Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights in the wake of traffic light chaos as Portugal is pulled from the green list. The UK's second largest tour operator originally suspended its services up to June 24 when the green list was announced. But now all flights for this month have been cancelled amid a spate of changes - including moving Portugal, Madeira and the Azores to the amber list. Flights to Turkey, which is on the red list of the Government's traffic light system, will be held until July 22 as the restrictions look unlikely to ease. Jet2 boss Steve Heapy blasted the Government for confusion surrounding the last-minute changes. The UK's second largest tour operator originally suspended its services up to June 24 when the green list was announced. Pictured, travellers at Faro Airport last Sunday, standing in a queue of 100 people snaking round six times where only three check-in desks were open for as many as six flights going back to the UK He called for 'openness and transparency' on coronavirus data so that the industry could better understand decisions affecting airlines and their customers. Jet2 said in a statement: 'Following today's update, we have taken the decision to restart flights and holidays on July 1 2021. 'For any destinations currently on the Amber List, we are also allowing customers to amend their booking free of charge if they are due to travel between July 1 and July 21 2021.' Mr Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: 'We know how disappointed our customers and independent travel agency partners will be following today's announcement, and we share their concerns and frustrations. 'We are now calling for complete openness and transparency when it comes to the data, so that customers and the industry can really understand what is driving these decisions.' Jet2 boss Steve Heapy blasted the Government for confusion surrounding the last-minute changes to the red list 'We agree that public health must be the number one priority. However, despite all the evidence and data showing that travel can restart safely and at scale, the UK continues to remain largely grounded whilst the rest of Europe opens up.' Jet2 said customers affected by changes to the programme would have their bookings automatically cancelled and would be given a full refund. Meanwhile, budget airline EasyJet said it is reviewing flights to Portugal after the country was taken off the green list for travel. A spokesman said: 'As a result of the Government's sudden announcement placing Portugal on the amber list from next week, we are currently reviewing our flying programme to the country in the coming days. 'If customers want to change their plans, we offer the option to transfer their flights to another date or destination on EasyJet's network without a change fee up to two hours before departure. 'Any customers whose flights are cancelled will be provided with their options which include receiving a full refund or transferring to an alternative flight free of charge.' EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren. The airline said it is reviewing flights to Portugal after the country was taken off the green list for travel It comes after travel industry chiefs last night blasted the Government's 'crippling' decision to axe Portugal from its green list of safe destinations amid growing concern over the Nepal coronavirus variant. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the Mediterranean country, whose economy relies greatly on UK tourists, is being moved to the amber list from 4am Tuesday following a rise in positive tests. But the move triggered fury from travel industry chiefs, including the chief executives of Heathrow and EasyJet, who accused the Government of trying to 'isolate' Britain from the world and warned that another 'lost summer' could lead to a jobs bloodbath and billions more being wiped from the economy. Figures compiled for the Mail by the all-party Future of Aviation group of MPs last night projected that the cost to the economy could be as much as 11.5billion in outbound travel alone if the current restrictions remain through the next three months. Meanwhile, fears were raised for the 1.6million jobs the aviation, travel and tourism sector creates. Yesterday's developments wiped more than 2billion off the value of UK-listed travel and airline firms on the London stock exchange. British Airways owner IAG, EasyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Wizz Air and engine maker Rolls-Royce all suffered heavy falls as news spread that no countries would be added to the green list.. Jet2 said customers affected by changes to the programme would have their bookings automatically cancelled and would be given a full refund (file image) Just one case of the Nepal variant, which combines mutations from the Indian and South African strains, has been detected in Portugal. By comparison, at least 43 cases have been identified in the UK so far. The Airport Operators Association called on ministers to provide a bailout to save jobs if it blocks another holiday season, as it warned this summer could be 'worse than last summer, which was the worst in aviation history'. The move triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Portugal's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism' and of being 'obsessed' with infection rates. It also sparked a race among thousands of British holidaymakers in Portugal to get back before quarantine-on-return rules kick in on Tuesday, when the country is formally placed on the amber list. Those booked to go to Portugal in coming weeks were left in limbo over whether to go ahead with their holiday under the tougher quarantine rules or to rebook for later in the summer and hope the country goes green again. Know your rights! What should you do if your holiday is cancelled because of red list changes? If you're travelling with Jet2... Jet2 Holidays will automatically process a refund to holidaymakers whose trips were cancelled because of Government restrictions. Anyone expecting to travel with the travel firm before July 1 can expect to receive the money they paid for the holiday back. All holidays have been cancelled to July 1 - apart from holidays to and from Jersey which will restart on June 24. A spokesman for the company explained issuing refunds is an automatic process and customers do not need to get in touch. For any destinations currently on the Amber List, the firm is allowing customers to change their booking for free if they are due to travel between July 1 and July 21. The spokesman added: 'Where customers are affected by any programme changes, we will automatically cancel their booking with a full refund, and our team of travel experts will be in touch to help them to rebook their summer getaway.' Jet2 has already processed 1.8billion-worth of refunds to customers amid a turbulent time for holidays abroad because of coronavirus. A note on its website reads: 'Your holiday will be automatically cancelled and well process your full refund within 14 days if: Your holiday is cancelled by us because of COVID-19. UK Government advice changes and it becomes illegal for you to go on a holiday abroad.' If you're travelling with EasyJet... Customers flying with EasyJet can choose to change their plans by transferring flights to another date or destination up to two hours before departure. A spokesman said: 'As a result of the Governments sudden announcement placing Portugal on the amber list from next week, we are currently reviewing our flying programme to the country in the coming days. 'If customers want to change their plans, we offer the option to transfer their flights to another date or destination on easyJets network without a change fee up to two hours before departure.' Where flights are cancelled, customers will be given options to choose from. They can either receive a full refund or transfer to another flight 'free of charge'. The spokesman added: 'Should a country we operate to be placed on the red list customers who are booked to travel there in the next four weeks are eligible for a refund or to move their flights to another date or destination.' If you're travelling with WizzAir... When WizzAir cancels a flight customers will be automatically refunded 120 per cent of the original fare in airline credit. A spokesman added: 'Passengers can also opt for a full refund to their original payment method or the chance to rebook for free.' If you're travelling with British Airways... British Airways will contact customers to offer a full refund, voucher, or alternative flight in the event its programme is cancelled. A spokesman said: 'Where a customer's flight is cancelled we always contact them to offer options including a full refund. 'Customers who are unable to travel, or choose not to, can continue to change their flights or request a voucher for future use as part of our Book with Confidence policy, which has been available since the beginning of the pandemic.' Advertisement Desperate dash to leave Portugal: Nightmare for UK tourists as flights home soar to 700 EACH with family-of-four suddenly facing 1,600 testing bill - after nation was stripped off 'green list' By Mark Duell and Paul Thompson and Jack Wright For Mailonline and David Churchill For The Daily Mail Seats on the last flights back to London from the Algarve before Portugal is removed from the UK's green list in less than four days' time were on sale for up to 711 today as Britons faced a race to get home. Britons keen to stay abroad for as long as they can before the new rules come in next Tuesday at 4am face paying at least 258 if they fly back home the night before. That is the cheapest flight next Monday, a WizzAir route leaving Faro at 9.05pm local time and arriving at London Luton at 11.50pm, four hours before the rules change. What tests do you need when returning from foreign countries? GREEN LIST You will be required to take a lateral flow test within 72 hours of your return flight to England, followed by a PCR test on or before the second day of your return. You will not be required to self-isolate during this time. The cost of a PCR test can be up to 125 each in Britain, while a lateral flow test taken abroad at Faro Airport, for example, is about 30 (25). When arriving in the foreign country, you may also need to need provide proof of a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of your outbound flight, or proof of vaccination, depending on the destination's requirements. AMBER LIST You will be required either to quarantine at home for ten days on your return and take a PCR test on days two and eight, as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. Or you can pay for an additional third 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. You will still need to take the compulsory second test on or after day eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,500 to buy three sets of PCR tests at 125 each, if they go under the 'Test to Release' scheme. Adding this to the cost of a lateral flow test, which can be bought at Faro Airport for 30 (25), the total cost for a family of four would be about 1,600. RED LIST If you travel to a red list country, or are in an amber country that turns red before you return, you would need to quarantine at a government-approved hotel on your return at a cost of 1,750. Before you travel to England, you must take a PCR or lateral flow test and get a negative result during the three days before you travel. You should also book a quarantine hotel package - including two further tests for when you are in the hotel - and complete a passenger locator form. Advertisement Anyone flying back today faces paying at least 99, also for a WizzAir flight to Luton; while it is 91 on Saturday or 172 on Sunday, both for easyJet services to Gatwick. The most expensive seats before Tuesday's deadline can be found for 711 on a British Airways service from Faro to London City, leaving next Monday at 11am. Those returning from an amber list country will be required either to quarantine at home for ten days on their return and take a PCR test on days two and eight, as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. Or they can pay for an additional third 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. They will still need to take the compulsory second test on or after day eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,500 to buy three sets of PCR tests at 125 each, if they go under the 'Test to Release' scheme. Adding this to the cost of a lateral flow test, which can be bought at Faro Airport for 30 (25), the total cost for a family of four would be about 1,600. Holidays to Portugal have been thrown into chaos after ministers removed the European country from the travel green list amid concerns over the new Nepal coronavirus variant. The move triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Portugal's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism' and of being 'obsessed' with infection rates. It also sparked a race among thousands of Britons in Portugal to get back before quarantine-on-return rules kick in on Tuesday. Those booked to go in coming weeks were left in limbo over whether to go ahead with their holiday under the tougher quarantine rules or to rebook for later in the summer and hope the country goes green again. The decision to move Portugal onto the 'amber list' was apparently triggered by concerns over the Nepal variant, a mutated version of the Indian strain. But Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal's president, has accused UK ministers of 'not recognising that we live in a different situation than we lived before vaccination'. Mr Rebelo de Sousa added: 'The numbers are going up, but they are not increasing inpatients and ICU numbers and deaths. We can't keep obsessively looking at it this way, ignoring that with vaccination, reality has changed.' Among those trying to get home before the change is Simon Smith, from Stamford, Lincolnshire, who is currently on holiday at Lagos in Portugal. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Bit of a scramble I'm afraid. 'We're trying to get some testing organised but obviously the Government released the information yesterday and it was a bank holiday in Portugal which didn't help. We've got the flights booked for Saturday at 10 o'clock but we're being told by local doctors that it can be up to three or four days waiting for tests, so that we can fly.' Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights after Portugal was pulled from the green list. Albufeira-based bar owner Gary Search, 54, said: 'One of the bars is 98 per cent British tourists and in the other about 50 per cent of our customers are Brits who are also mostly holidaymakers. 'We're absolutely devastated by today's decision. We'd literally just got off the ground, we'd been scrabbling around all week getting new staff because obviously we couldn't employ the staff till we got busy. 'There's no staff here because of Brexit and Covid so it's been extremely difficult. We'd just put them all on contracts and then this happens. It's messed things right up to be honest.' Pedro Neto, general manager of the luxury Vila Monte Farm House hotel in the Algarve, said the hotel was already receiving cancellations. He added: 'It's very difficult news to receive. We are a hotel with a lot of British guests and this is obviously not the news that we were hoping for. People are so happy to be here, the weather is beautiful, everything is working as it should so this is not the news we were expecting.' Cristovao Norte, Portuguese MP for the Algarve, said he is 'perplexed' by the British Government's decision to remove Portugal from the green list. He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'We were not expecting the decision because there haven't been major changes in Portugal, just a spike in the Lisbon area. 'But we have 66 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Our rate of transmission is more or less the UK rate, so we weren't expecting this decision from the English government. We wear masks, we obey the rules, we maintain social distancing, vaccination is growing steadily. So I'm a little bit perplexed.' Passengers check into the North Terminal at London Gatwick Airport today before the new travel restrictions are activated Air passengers leave Faro Airport on May 17, which was the first day that Britons were allowed to enter Portugal without needing to quarantine and the foreign travel ban was lifted Moving Portugal from green to amber means travellers will have to quarantine at home for ten days after visiting, while paying for and taking two Covid tests, on days two and eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,000 to buy PCR tests at 125 each - or another 500 if they use 'test to release' on day five. Further complications may arise if the Foreign Office changes its stance and advises against visiting Portugal, which would invalidate travel insurance. The move to downgrade Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores, to amber came despite there being just three deaths in the country in the latest 24-hour period. Its infection rate is similar to the UK's, with the rolling seven-day average being 53.63 cases per million of the population compared to the UK's 51.41. Some 45 per cent of its adult population have received at least one dose. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the country's infection rate had almost doubled since it was put on the green list three weeks ago. He added: 'In the end we've seen two things that have caused concern - one thing is that the positivity rate has nearly doubled, since the last review, in Portugal. Empty sunshades wait for customers at Gale beach at Albufeira in Portugal's Algarve on May 18 'And the other thing is there's a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation. We simply don't want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the [domestic] unlock.' And Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said Portuguese scientists had detected the Nepal variant, adding: 'What we don't yet know is how prevalent it is in Portugal - but more importantly than that, whether this really is a significant problem. 'You could of course wait whilst we do that research and then, God forbid, we learn that it is very virulent, that it does compromise our vaccines, or we can take a safety-first approach.'at this stage is the right thing to do.' Travel bosses have accused ministers of laying waste to the industry and isolating the UK amid fears the shutdown could cost the economy more than 11billion. The shrinking of the green list, the move to downgrade Portugal and the expansion of the red list wiped 2billion off the value of airlines. Meanwhile, industry figures warned that at least half the 1.6million jobs in the sector had either already been lost or were now at risk, with many more redundancies feared. Many had been hoping for an expansion of the green list and a signal that foreign holidays will be back on the agenda this summer. Instead, with the next review three weeks away, travel bosses were left fearing 'another lost summer' and a shattering of consumer confidence. British holidaymakers reveal how they have cut their family holidays to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine in UK Changing rules at will? It feels wrong Karen Beddow (pictured with her husband Matthew and daughters Lily, Isobel and Eve) said she felt let down after being forced to cut her family holiday to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine on return to the UK Karen Beddow said she felt let down after being forced to cut her family holiday to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine on return to the UK. She had travelled to a villa in the Algarve with her husband Matthew, their three daughters and her parents last month. Mrs Beddow, 43, from the Wirral in Cheshire, said the family was due to fly back to the UK on Tuesday just hours after the new 'amber list' restrictions take effect. Faced with the prospect of additional testing and quarantine, and fearing Portugal was likely to go on the list, she scrambled to rearrange the flights to Sunday before the official announcement was made yesterday. Although able to change the Easyjet flights for her immediate family for free, her parents faced a sizeable fee to make the changes. Mrs Beddow said the family also had to rearrange pre-booked Covid tests to be taken on their return to the UK in line with Government rules. She said: 'We cut our holiday short by two days which I actually feel really annoyed about. Not because of us but because my parents decided to change their flights as well. 'I feel really let down because the whole thing about this green list was to give people certainty. We were told there would be three weeks' notice. 'Obviously, what they actually mean is three weeks' notice of countries coming on the list, not coming off. I certainly felt that if we went away we could have two weeks and have a window. If they are going to change flights at will that just feels wrong. 'It's all very stressful having to fix this as well. We had an afternoon of faffing and sorting out.' Mrs Beddow, a travel blogger, and her husband, a 47-year-old property developer, spent 665 on travel tests for the couple and their three daughters. She said that she felt 'lucky to have made it to Portugal at all'. I had to cancel my last trip too Having cancelled a family holiday to Portugal last year, Laura Wolfe faces more disappointment Having cancelled a family holiday to Portugal last year, Laura Wolfe faces more disappointment. Her two-week trip to the Algarve with her partner Daniel and sons, aged ten and 16, is now in doubt. Miss Wolfe, pictured, said the Government's decision to change the travel status of the country was 'a complete fiasco'. She said: 'Part of us is thinking we might just go. We have saved up and are in a position to do it. And we just love it there. 'But the issue is with the rules, which seem to be changing all of the time, the quarantine and the costs of the testing for four of us. 'If we do say 'sod it' and go, what then happens if the country is placed on the red list? 'The trip isn't for another eight weeks so things could change several times before then.' Although the 6,000 holiday is refundable, the events and marketing worker, from Manchester, said the possibility of cancelling has provoked a lot of anxiety. Miss Wolfe has had both Covid jabs and her partner is about to get his second. 'I thought this was part of why we were doing it,' she said. 'I know there are a lot of unknowns but if I am double-vaccinated and test negative, how can it not be OK for me to go away?' Advertisement Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the travel agents' association Abta, said it was clear the Government's strategy was 'continuing to prevent any meaningful resumption of international travel'. He suggested it was time ministers considered bailing out the industry. He warned: 'You can't build the recovery of a multi-billion-pound sector while mass market holiday destinations remain off the green list. The removal of Portugal comes on the back on what was already a very short and cautious green list. 'Travel agents and tour operators haven't been able to generate income since the start of the pandemic and have been depending on the return of international travel to help bring some much needed relief. 'The Government now needs to come forward with tailored financial support for the sector.' Other travel bosses meanwhile were equally scathing. EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren accused the Government of having 'torn up its own rule book'; Brian Strutton, from the pilots' union, said the decision to axe Portugal from the green list was 'a total disaster for the already fragile travel industry'; while Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, which represents carriers, accused the Government of leading the industry on a 'painful merry dance'. The outcry came after the Government said Portugal would be added to the amber list from next Tuesday, forcing thousands of British holidaymakers to cancel their trips or cut them short to avoid quarantine. It means there will be just 11 countries or territories on the green list, of which only Iceland and Gibraltar are viable holiday destinations. Hopes that the Balearics or Greek islands could be added were also scuppered. Instead, seven countries are being added to the red list, forcing anyone returning from them to quarantine in Government-approved hotels at a cost of up to 1,750 per person. Senior figures warned the about-turn would devastate confidence in foreign holidays because of the uncertainty over whether a green country could suddenly turn amber. In 2019, outbound tourism was worth 11.7billion to the UK economy for the summer months, according to the Future of Aviation Parliamentary Group. If the travel list stays as it is now for June, July and August, then it will only be worth a 200million. Shares in IAG, the parent company of British Airways, fell 5 per cent, with easyJet sinking about the same. Ryanair closed 1.3 per cent lower and TUI fell about 4.5 per cent. BA warned the UK had reached a 'critical point' and was in urgent need of more air travel for business and pleasure to restart the economy and reunite loved ones. Karen Dee, boss of the Airport Operators Association, added: 'Summer 2021 is shaping up to be worse than last summer, which was the worst in aviation history. 'Analysis has shown that 860,000 jobs of the 1.6million UK jobs in aviation, travel and tourism were lost or sustained only due to government furlough schemes since the pandemic started.' Mr Lundgren said: 'The Government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing people's plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK.' Union boss Mr Stratton said: 'Our airlines need this summer season if they are to survive.' Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye called for rapid action to reopen flights to key trading partners and remove testing for vaccinated passengers from countries on the green list. Holidaymakers flying to Portugal lashed out at the 'shambolic' decision to take the destination off the green list and impose a 10-day quarantine period on their return. At London Gatwick Airport today, a flight left for the Algarve at 8.30am. Those travelling on the easyJet flight expressed their disgust at having to pay for extra Covid tests and then quarantine for 10 days at the end of their holiday. One couple said the extra costs for a two and eight day test and a third test to leave quarantine after five days had amounted to 1200- more than double the cost of their return flight to Faro. 'I am absolutely disgusted with what the Government has done' said David Roper. 'How can they tell us it is safe to travel, then three weeks later remove Portugal from the green list? 'With the PCR test we took to get the flight and all the other tests we now have to pay for on return it's added 1,200 to the cost. The fares were not cheap but it is ridiculous.' Mr Roper and his wife Lydia, from Barnes, South West London, were flying to the Algarve for an eight day break. Many others on the flight were going to second homes in Portugal. EasyJet staff at Gatwick's North Terminal said the early morning flight was ' not as busy as usual'. 'Usually every seat would be booked, but people are just not travelling and the terminal is so quiet' said a member of the check-in team. 'It's devastating for us as we just want to see people flying. If there are no flights out jobs are at risk. The Government seem intent on destroying our industry I feel sick every time they make an announcement about travel'. Others on the Faro flight blamed the Government's U-turn on Chelsea and Many City fans who attended the European Cup final in Porto and were seen drinking and celebrating with no masks or social distancing. 'This is down to the football lot,' said one irate passenger. 'I now have to pay for the test to get out of quarantine after five days as I cannot afford to be off work for 10 days. 'Boris Johnson has got something right with the vaccines, but to keep chopping and changing what places we can go is madness. They either ban all travel or let people go away and know in advance have to quarantine on their return. 'It was too late to change my booking as I would have lost out. It's put me in a bad mood before I've even left'. Albufeira-based bar owner Mr Search, who is originally from Southend-on-Sea, runs his two bars with long-term partner Michelle Mundy, 51. 'We had our finger on the pulse and were more or less aware of what was going on but we really didn't think it would happen,' he said. As well as Portugal being moved to the amber list from Tuesday at 4am, seven countries are being shifted to the red list A Google Flights graph shows the cost of a single from Faro Airport to London soaring over the next four days, before falling 'Portugal is just slightly over the numbers and there's nothing in the Algarve at all. It's all up in Lisbon. For everyone in the Algarve, not just us but also the tourists, it's a complete nightmare. Cheapest single flights from Faro to London Today -- 99 (WizzAir to London Luton, 22:05) Tomorrow -- 91 (EasyJet to London Gatwick, 22:15) Sunday -- 172 (EasyJet to London Gatwick, 13:25) Monday -- 258 (WizzAir to London Luton, 21:05) Prices checked at 7am on Skyscanner Advertisement 'I think the problem for people even if they try to scrabble around for flights back home before the new rules kick in and they have to quarantine is going to be that they're tied to having Covid tests before they go and there's a two to three-day waiting lists because the Covid test centres here are overloaded. 'People need a Covid test to go home so they're not going to get it till Saturday or Sunday at the earliest which makes it impossible for those who can to rearrange their flights. 'Portugal has been the only major European holiday destination on the green list and we are in a very tourist area in Albufeira. 'Basically the last week has been like a summer for the first time since 2019. It's been great. We have a snack bar and we've been fully functioning. 'Now it's going to go down to literally nothing again, probably just a couple of hundred quid a day I would imagine and people are going to disappear this weekend. It's a disaster.' John Joyce, from Newcastle, and his family decided to book a holiday in sunny Portugal as soon as Britain added it to the green list of foreign destinations around three weeks ago. 'Everybody needed a little break... a change from being stuck at home,' the 44-year-old said as he enjoyed a beer at a restaurant in the heart of Lisbon. Jet2 cancels ALL international flights and holidays until July 1 and EasyJet 'reviews' flights to Portugal after it was put on amber list amid chaos over foreign travel rules Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights in the wake of traffic light chaos as Portugal is pulled from the green list. The UK's second largest tour operator originally suspended its services up to June 24 when the green list was announced. But now all flights for this month have been cancelled amid a spate of changes - including moving Portugal, Madeira and the Azores to the amber list. Flights to Turkey, which is on the red list of the Government's traffic light system, will be held until July 22 as the restrictions look unlikely to ease. Jet2 boss Steve Heapy blasted the Government for confusion surrounding the last-minute changes. He called for 'openness and transparency' on coronavirus data so that the industry could better understand decisions affecting airlines and their customers. Advertisement Portugal was the only big beach destination placed on the list, which allowed Britons to travel there without needing to quarantine when returning home. Like Joyce, thousands packed their bags. Reacting to developments yesterday, though, Mr Joyce said: 'It's a bit unfair. There are families bringing out kids and people who booked their holidays already... and the stress involved for people, including myself.' Charlotte Cheddle, 22, echoed the same feelings, urging the British government to either 'ban international travel completely or communicate properly with people'. 'It's silly,' she said. 'We made an effort to get tested privately... We paid for everything and we have done everything to make it safe.' British families in Portugal now face spending 1,000 for which they have not budgeted to buy PCR tests to get home. Upon returning to the UK, they will have to complete two tests on Days 2 and 8. Portugal has lifted most of its lockdown restrictions. The government has been heavily criticised for allowing thousands of mainly maskless English football to party in Porto during the Champions League final last weekend. The British government's decision is a huge blow for Portugal's tourism sector, which represents a significant chunk of GDP and has Britain as one of its biggest foreign markets. 'It's not great for businesses but slowly we will get there - or at least I really hope so because our economy is down,' said restaurant manager Ana Paula Gomes in Lisbon. The head of the hotels' association in the touristy Algarve region, Eliderico Viegas, said Britain's move would hit the sector like a 'bucket of cold water'. Joao Fernandes, President of Algarve Tourism, speaking in his first comments since the UK announcement, said: 'As you can imagine we are bitterly disappointed to be moved to the amber list. 'In the Algarve region we host two thirds of the British overnight hotel stays in Portugal. And since the start of the pandemic the Algarve has had the lowest number of cases and better indicators than the rest of the country. 'Furthermore, Portugal has one of the highest levels of pandemic control and prevention in the EU, according to indicators in the latest ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) report. 'I've never seen the travel industry so angry' Speaking from Gibraltar, travel expert Simon Calder told ITV's Good Morning Britain today: 'On this occasion I have never seen the travel industry so angry. 'Here I am in beautiful Gibraltar, it's the last country standing, the only country meaningfully where you can actually go on holiday without too many restrictions and come back. It's the only Mediterranean destination on the green list. Travel expert Simon Calder, pictured in Gibraltar this morning 'There are fewer than 94 hours remaining for tens of thousands of British holidaymakers in Portugal to get out if they want to avoid ten days of quarantine when they get back. Air fares are going through the roof. 'On top of that, the travel industry is in utter despair because they thought they would have Portugal, then that would gradually build and then quite soon Spain. 'But instead the Government have effectively not just moved the goalposts on how these things are decided, but uprooted them and moved them to an entirely different arena.' Advertisement 'The millions of Brits that visit us each year contribute to the livelihoods of many people in the region. 'Our hotels, tour operators and airline partners will also once again be put in a difficult situation, trying to plan around these ever-changing rules. 'For holidaymakers it is an impossible situation trying to book a holiday overseas, and I sympathise with those that were looking forward to visiting our beautiful region for a well-deserved break. 'We hope they will re-arrange their holiday to the Algarve for later in the year rather than cancel completely.' Alfonso Rodriguez Badal, mayor of the municipality of Calvia which includes the popular British holiday resort of Magaluf, said the decision to keep the Balearic Islands on amber was a 'surprise.' He added: 'It's also obviously a disappointment. 'We were confident we would go onto a green light rating because we understood people here had made a real effort to get our accumulated coronavirus rate down to a very low level to make us one of the safest if not the safest Mediterranean resort. 'Therefore we felt this could give the UK enough confidence to let holidaymakers come here without imposing restrictions on their return. 'It hasn't happened but we are going to continue working towards achieving this and we are confident and hope that the next UK government revision will lead to Calvia and the Balearic Islands and the rest of Spain as well if it can happen, being given that green traffic light rating that will facilitate the arrivals of more tourists here.' Iago Negueruela, regional Tourism Minister for the Balearic Islands which was hoping to be the sole Spanish region to be put on the UK's green traffic light system, said he viewed the decision as that of a 'sovereign state focused on its own domestic health situation' in light of the June 21 Freedom Day date. He added: 'At the moment practically no Mediterranean holiday destination is open for the UK. We respect the British government's decision. 'Given the good vaccination rate in the UK if we can go onto a green rating in the next UK government revision, we'll be in line with the estimations of the major tour operators like TUI and Jet2 who had said they would restart their operations towards the end of June. 'The British market is a very important market for us and we hope to recover it towards the end of this month.' UK holidaymakers scramble to cancel their planned trips to Portugal ahead of the Tuesday deadline, with some revealing they are knocking overseas holidays on the head this year Eduardo Jesus, the Regional Secretary for Culture and Tourism of Madeira, called the UK decision to demote it to amber 'unfair and completely inadequate.' Man City and Chelsea fans told to self-isolate after Porto final Hundreds of Manchester City and Chelsea fans who travelled to Portugal for the Champions League final last weekend have been ordered to self-isolate for 10 days - with the country axed from the UK's Green List. Supporters who travelled on a Ryanair flight from Porto to Manchester on Sunday morning have been contacted by the NHS's Test and Trace app - though the number of positive cases is unknown. Three planeloads of Chelsea fans were also asked to self-isolate, leading to fears that all 12,000 supporters who travelled to Lisbon could be affected. Both clubs organised flights for their supporters - though some travelled independently. Fans who were on the flights organised by the club shared details of messages from the NHS Track and Trace app which contacts people who have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19. 'Anyone else been captured by NHS track and trace since getting back from Porto?' one supporter posted on Facebook. 'Despite two vaccinations, a negative test and no symptoms I've got to self-isolate for 10 days ...Deep Joy!' Chelsea fans were offered a 199 travel package through the club on top of the cost of the match ticket, although some of their 6,000 supporters chose to travel to the country independently. Football fans celebrating Sporting Lisbon's title win were also identified as potential causes. Portugal's government has kept bars and night clubs closed and still recommend people working from home but the country has now lost its place on the UK's 'green list'. Advertisement He said: 'We are already reacting with the British government, presenting a set of arguments we believe are valid, and pointing out that this decision is totally incorrect for Madeira, inadequate and above all, very unfair.' He told local press: 'The reality of Madeira has been different from the national reality for a long time, with a model adopted here for controlling entry and monitoring citizens throughout their stay in the region. 'Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind that Madeira is in a much more advanced state with regard to the vaccination process than mainland Portugal and this is also a factor of confidence, not only for those who live here, but also for those who visit us. 'The risk of British citizens traveling to Madeira is reduced by the fact that the overwhelming number of passengers come on direct flights.' UK holidaymakers revealed they are planning on cancelling their trips to the country while others said they will not bother going abroad this summer. One Twitter user said: 'I'm due to fly to Portugal on Sunday for 7 days, so will be green when I go and amber on return? Will my holiday still go ahead??' Another tweeted: '17 days Portugal has been on the green list. How the hell is anyone going to have the confidence to book a foreign holiday? I certainly won't be whilst this traffic light system is in place.' One person wrote: '@jet2tweets what are our options now with Portugal going amber? Supposed to be going in 3 weeks'. Another said: 'It looks liuke my summer holiday is gone, so this week in Portugal is a god send'. On Twitter user added: 'Would be funny if I hadn't flown to Portugal this morning'. It comes as travel industry leaders blasted the Government's 'crippling' and 'confusing' decision to axe Portugal from its green list of safe destinations amid growing concern over the Nepal coronavirus variant. In a statement to MailOnline, package holiday firm TUI UK called the announcement 'another step back for our industry' and demanded to see the scientific basis for the decision. Its managing director, Andrew Flintham, said: 'After promises that the Global Travel Taskforce would result in a clear framework, removing the damaging flip flopping we all endured last summer, the Government decision to move Portugal straight from green to amber will do untold damage to customer confidence. 'We were reassured that a green watch list would be created and a weeks' notice would be given so travellers wouldn't have to rush back home. They have failed on this promise. Holidaymakers suffered a hammer blow as Portugal was removed from the UK's green list with Grant Shapps citing fears over the spread of the Nepal variant Britain recorded more than 5,000 Covid cases for the first time in more than two months while 18 more people died from the virus 'Unlike other European countries and despite multiple requests, the government has refused to be transparent about the data requirements for green, amber and red destinations. 'Everybody needs a break': British sunseekers react with fury and disbelief as No10 moves Portugal to amber list of nations Tired of mixed messages, British sunseekers in Portugal reacted with fury and disbelief to their government's decision to reimpose a quarantine regime for travellers coming from the popular southern European destination. Desperate to shake off pandemic blues, John Joyce, from Newcastle, and his family decided to book a holiday in sunny Portugal as soon as Britain added it to the so-called green list of foreign destinations around three weeks ago. 'Everybody needed a little break... a change from being stuck at home,' the 44-year-old said as he enjoyed a beer at a restaurant in the heart of Lisbon. Portugal was the only big beach destination placed on the list, which allowed Britons to travel there without needing to quarantine when returning home. Like Joyce, thousands packed their bags. But on Thursday Britain shifted Portugal to its amber list due to rising COVID-19 case numbers and the risk of a mutation of the virus variant first discovered in India. 'It's a bit unfair,' Joyce said. 'There are families bringing out kids and people who booked their holidays already...and the stress involved for people, including myself,' a visibly annoyed Joyce said. Charlotte Cheddle, a 22-year-old from England, echoed the same feelings, urging the British government to either 'ban international travel completely or communicate properly with people'. 'It's silly,' said Cheddle, who will now have to quarantine for 10 days when she flies back. 'We made an effort to get tested privately...We paid for everything and we have done everything to make it safe.' Portugal has lifted most of its lockdown restrictions. The government has been heavily criticised for allowing thousands of mainly maskless English football to party in Porto during the Champions League final last weekend. Some locals worried it could fuel a spike in cases. The country of just over 10 million people reported 769 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the highest daily increase since early April. Total infections now stand at 851,031. The British government's decision is a huge blow for Portugal's tourism sector, which represents a significant chunk of GDP and has Britain as one of its biggest foreign markets. 'It's not great for businesses but slowly we will get there - or at least I really hope so because our economy is down,' said restaurant manager Ana Paula Gomes in Lisbon. The head of the hotels' association in the touristy Algarve region, Eliderico Viegas, said Britain's move would hit the sector like a 'bucket of cold water'. Advertisement 'We must see the methodology so we can help our customers and plan our operations accordingly. There are destinations around the world with little or no Covid-19 cases and good vaccination rates, so we need to understand why these remain on the amber list.' EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: 'This shock decision to add Portugal to the Amber list is a huge blow to those who are currently in Portugal and those who have booked to be reunited with loved ones, or take a well-deserved break this summer. 'With Portuguese rates similar to those in the UK it simply isn't justified by the science. 'And to add no more countries to the Green list when most of Europe's infection rates are on a downward trend and many places with low infection rates below that of the UK, such as the Balearics with a current rate of 33 in 100,000 and Malta, with just 12 in 100,000, this makes no sense. 'Especially when domestic travel is allowed within the UK, despite a number of cities having infection rates 20 times greater than much of Europe. 'When this framework was put together, consumers were promised a waiting list to allow them to plan. Yet the Government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing peoples' plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK. 'This decision essentially cuts the UK off from the rest of the world. 'We have demonstrated that a safe reopening of travel is possible as our study with leading epidemiologists from the Yale School of Public Health showed that the criteria which matters most is the impact on hospitalisation rates back in the UK, not the infection rates in destination. 'Reopening travel to much of Europe would have a negligible impact on hospitalisation rates in the UK. 'While our European fleet is gearing up for summer as European governments open up travel for their citizens, the UK government is making it impossible for airlines to plan while consumers are left grounded in UK.' Shares in easyJet, British Airways-owner IAG and Jet2 were down five per cent on fears that Europe would lose another peak travel season, when millions of Britons usually head to southern Europe in July and August. Ryanair and TUI, which has a big German customer base as well as British, lost four per cent. Data provided by Cirium showed that Ryanair and easyJet had been scheduled to operate more than 500 flights from the UK to Portugal in June. The airlines had all added flights to the country in May. The industry is already weakened by 15 months of lockdowns, forcing it to cut tens of thousands of jobs and take on debt, and it will be severely challenged if there is no reopening this summer. The news is also likely to sound the alarm in France, Spain, Greece and Italy where thousands of jobs rely on the arrival of high-spending British tourists each summer. Portugal's foreign ministry said it did not understand the 'logic' behind the decision. 'We took note of Britain's decision to remove Portugal from the green list,' the ministry said on Twitter, adding that it would continue to ease its lockdown rules 'gradually'. No countries are being added to the 'green list', dashing hopes that places such as Malta, Jamaica and Grenada could be added to the roster thanks to easing Covid rates. And more countries are being put on the 'red list' that means returning travellers must go into quarantine hotels. They are Egypt, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago and Afghanistan. Mr Shapps said there had been a rise in test positivity in Portugal, and also pointed to the danger that the coronavirus variant linked to Nepal could pose a fresh threat to the escape from lockdown. Summer holidays plunged into chaos: No green light for thousands of families and 2billion wiped off airlines as Shapps insists: 'Nepalese mutant gave us no choice' Britons' hopes of foreign holidays abroad this summer were plunged into turmoil last night. On a devastating day for the travel industry, ministers shrank the number of countries on the quarantine-free green list and downgraded Portugal. Amid fears over new variants, several popular holiday destinations that had hoped to 'go green' were rejected, while seven more countries were added to the strict red list. Portugal (pictured: A beach in Cascais near Lisbon) has been dropped from the UK's travel green list It leaves Gibraltar as the only realistic holiday destination which Britons can visit quarantine-free. Most of the ten other green-list countries have strict entry requirements, or an outright ban on Britons visiting for holidays. Ministers appeared to signal last night that foreign travel had effectively been sacrificed to give Britain the best chance of lifting all Covid restrictions on June 21. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the 'decisive action' would help 'make sure that we can do a domestic unlock'. But it triggered fury from travel industry chiefs, who accused the Government of trying to 'isolate' Britain from the world and warned that another 'lost summer' could lead to a jobs bloodbath and billions more being wiped from the economy. Figures compiled for the Mail by the all-party Future of Aviation group of MPs last night projected that the cost to the economy could be as much as 11.5billion in outbound travel alone if the current restrictions remain through the next three months. Meanwhile, fears were raised for the 1.6million jobs the aviation, travel and tourism creates. Yesterday's developments wiped more than 2billion off the value of UK-listed travel and airline firms on the London stock exchange. British Airways owner IAG, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Wizz Air and engine maker Rolls-Royce all suffered heavy falls as news spread that no countries would be added to the green list. And in a sign of the despair gripping the industry, package holiday giant Jet2 cancelled all foreign holidays until July 1 three days after the next review of the green list is due. The decision to remove Portugal from the green list was particularly controversial and sparked a diplomatic row last night, with the country's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism'. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also accused the Government of being overly 'obsessed' with infection rates, rather than focusing on his country's low hospital admissions and death rate. It also sparked a scramble among the British holidaymakers already in Portugal who now have to decide whether to cut short their holidays and dash back by 4am on Tuesday before the amber-list restrictions kick in. And thousands more who booked to go to there in the coming weeks were left in limbo over whether to re-book or seek refunds. There was also anger at ministers moving Portugal straight to amber rather than putting it on the 'watchlist'. This would have kept the country green for a bit longer while warning travellers it could turn amber. The Mail can reveal that Mr Shapps and Health Secretary Matt Hancock clashed over the issue of holidays at a crunch Cabinet meeting yesterday. Mr Hancock was said to have rejected calls for any new low-risk destinations going green and even argued that Portugal shouldn't go on the 'amber watchlist'. He was also said to have pushed back firmly against Malta being added to the green list, despite its very low infection and high vaccination rates. But another source played down the row, saying the pair have 'a very good working relationship but occasionally have a difference in perspective'. It came after the Mail yesterday revealed that ministers had been warned by scientists about the emergence of the new 'Nepal variant' being detected in holiday hotspots. Mr Shapps confirmed yesterday that the emergence of the variant contributed to a stripped-down green list, with the infection rate in Portugal where cases of the variant have been detected 'nearly doubling' in recent weeks. But travel industry leaders warned that consumer confidence will be 'destroyed' now they know how quickly countries can be downgraded. Heathrow chief John Holland-Kaye said: 'Ministers spent last month hailing the restart of international travel, only to close it down three weeks later, all but guaranteeing another lost summer for the travel sector.' Acting general secretary of the BALPA union, Brian Strutton, said: 'This decision is a total disaster for the already fragile travel industry and is likely to lead to further airline failures and many more job losses. 'Any shred of public confidence is in tatters and the traffic light system seems stuck on red. Our airlines need this summer season if they are to survive.' Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said last night: 'This decision will further threaten tens of thousands of jobs in aviation and travel, not to mention further damage consumer confidence. 'The data shows several countries should be green so the Government's decision defies logic. Summer is being squeezed by a policy of fear.' Labour MP Yvette Cooper, chairman of the home affairs committee, added: 'The Government put Portugal on the green list only two and a half weeks ago, encouraging people to book holidays, and now they have had to reverse their decision, citing new variants and the impact on the timetable for lifting domestic restrictions. 'This is a completely chaotic way to make important public health decisions and is causing confusion for everyone.' Advertisement 'I want to be straight with people, it's actually a difficult decision to make, but in the end we've seen two things really which caused concern,' he said. 'One is the positivity rate has nearly doubled since the last review in Portugal and the other is there's a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation, and simply don't want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock.' However, a British Airways spokesperson called the decision 'incredibly disappointing' and 'confusing', adding: 'The UK has reached a critical point and urgently needs travel with low-risk countries, like the US, to restart the economy, support devastated industries and reunite loved ones. 'With high levels of vaccinations in the UK being matched by other countries, we should see the UK Government adding destinations to 'green' as soon as possible - not turning its back on a traffic light model which we were led to believe was based firmly on scientific data.' Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye reacted with fury this afternoon, saying: 'Ministers spent last month hailing the restart of international travel, only to close it down three weeks later all but guaranteeing another lost summer for the travel sector. 'Everyone wants to protect public health, but the entire point of the Global Travel Taskforce was to establish a system to unlock low-risk travel safely. 'Britain is the worst performing economy in the G7, and in the week that the Prime Minister hosts G7 leaders to launch his Government's vision of Global Britain, he's sending a message that the UK will remain isolated from the rest of the world and closed to most of its G7 partners. 'If the Government is serious about protecting UK jobs and supporting businesses across the country, rapid action is needed to reopen flights to key trading partners, remove testing for vaccinated passengers from 'green' countries, and slash the cost and complexity of testing, as other G7 countries are doing.' Gatwick Airport boss Stewart Wingate told MailOnline: 'It is bitterly disappointing news for our impacted passengers and airlines that Portugal is to be added to the 'amber' list from next week while no further destinations are being opened up for 'green' travel.' The chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, Charlie Cornish, accused the Government of 'scapegoating' international travel and risking tens of thousands of jobs. He told MailOnline: 'We were told the traffic light system would allow people to travel safely, with the right measures in place to manage risk for different countries. 'But it is now clear the Government doesn't trust its own system and that international travel is being unfairly scapegoated, with tens of thousands of jobs placed at risk in the process. 'Low-risk destinations continue to be left off the green list despite clear evidence they are safe to visit. With case rates lower than the UK, we simply cannot understand why the likes of the Balearics, the Canaries and some Greek islands do not fall into that category. 'If we followed the approach being taken across Europe, lots of other countries - like the United States, Germany and Italy - would also be classed as green. Instead, we're stuck with a system that is clearly not fit for purpose and will deny people the opportunity to travel abroad safely this year. 'The lack of transparency is shocking and totally unacceptable. If the Government has information that supports its decisions, then it needs to publish it. We have repeatedly asked for this data, but we are being left in the dark about how it is making these choices, with no opportunity for scrutiny or challenge. 'That is not the way to go about limiting people's freedoms and crippling the country's travel and tourism sectors. 'With so much at stake, we need immediate transparency and urgent action to make this system of travel restrictions fit for purpose.' Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency, suggested the Government was motivated by 'political' considerations rather than public health. On the decision not to add any more countries to the green travel list he said: 'I think it's a terrible decision that threatens jobs and recovery in the travel sector. 'It shows little awareness of the safe destinations globally and is at odds with how citizens from other countries such as America are travelling. Those British citizens who have been fully jabbed should be given more flexibility to travel to a wider range of green destinations. 'They are basically putting at risk tens of thousands of jobs across aviation and the travel sector, and not showing any signs of helping the sector to recover. They seem to want to continue to create an atmosphere of fear among travellers, which is totally at odds with other countries. 'There are several countries which meet the criteria to be on the green list so this is clearly a politically charged decision rather than one based on data.' ABTA travel association boss Mark Tanzer said: 'It's clear that the Government's domestic health strategy is continuing to prevent any meaningful resumption of international travel. 'You can't build the recovery of a multi-billion-pound sector while mass market holiday destinations remain off the green list. The removal of Portugal comes on the back on what was already a very short and cautious green list. 'Travel agents and tour operators haven't been able to generate income since the start of the pandemic and have been depending on the return of international travel to help bring in some much needed relief. 'The Government now needs to come forward with tailored financial support for the sector, which recognises that the travel industry's recovery will be slower than that in other sectors of the economy, and takes account of the unique challenges businesses in the sector are facing. 'Travel companies are desperately worried that at a time when the market hasn't opened up they will shortly face increased furlough and business rates costs, with support being gradually withdrawn from the end of this month. 'It's vital that the Government doesn't leave these businesses behind as it focuses on the domestic unlocking.' Steven Freudmann, chairman of Institute of Travel and Tourism, told MailOnline: 'It's an absolute hammer blow to the industry. The EU is about to bring in 'green passes' for anyone in the EU to travel freely around Europe, subject to their having been vaccinated or having tested negative. 'The UK is in real danger of shrinking into splendid isolation whilst at the same time seeing its travel industry die a death of a thousand cuts. 'The Government delayed 14 days before adding India to the red list, allowing 20,000 people who could have been carrying the new coronavirus strain into the UK. There is just no consistency.' TUI UK boss Andrew Flintham (left) called the announcement 'another step back for our industry'. EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren (right) said: 'This shock decision to add Portugal to the Amber list is a huge blow to those who are currently in Portugal and those who have booked to be reunited with loved ones, or take a well-deserved break this summer' In Portugal, Joao Fernandes, President of the Algarve Tourist Board, described the UK decision to downgrade Portugal from green to amber as a 'severe setback.' Jab should give freedom, not timorous isolation... This decision to add seven more countries to the red list is a savage blow to the travel sector, writes Easyjet boss JOHAN LUNDGREN By Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, for The Daily Mail After all the misery inflicted by the Covid pandemic, the travel industry desperately needed a shot in the arm. Instead it has just been given a kick in the teeth. At the very moment that Britain should be opening up, given that the virus is in retreat, the Government has decided to impose more restrictions. In a depressing step backwards, it was announced yesterday that seven additional countries are joining the red list of high-risk destinations, including such popular hotspots such as Egypt, Sri Lanka and Trinidad. Even more regrettably, the Government has actually removed Portugal from the green list of countries where journeys can be made without any requirements for quarantining and self-isolation. This decision is a savage blow to the sector and to thousands of Britons, who are either in Portugal at the moment or had booked trips to go there soon. Some will lose money, others will have holiday plans ruined and for what? The exclusion of Portugal makes no sense and is wholly unjustified by science, since the country's rates of Covid infection are much the same as the United Kingdom's. Nor is there any sign of disease beginning to surge again in Portugal, with hospital admissions and deaths at extremely low levels. Indeed, the whole current system is riddled with gross inconsistencies and anomalies. The British Government pledged to give special consideration to European islands, but that looks like another broken promise. The Balearic Islands off Spain have a current Covid infection rate of just 33 per 100,000 people significantly lower than the 50 per 100,000 in Britain yet they remain on the amber list. Similarly, restrictions still apply to Malta, where the infection rate is just 12 per 100,000. The reality is that, with the Covid crisis now rapidly diminishing throughout the continent, nearly all of Europe could be put on the British Government's green list and such a step would not have any negative impact on the United Kingdom. The absurdity of the Government's stance is further highlighted by the fact that there are no restraints on domestic travel by car, train or air around Britain, yet a number of places badly affected by the Delta variant have far more serious Covid problems than most of Europe. Yesterday's decision makes a mockery of the political rhetoric which promised that the vaccine programme would bring back normality and freedom. The jabs were meant to allow us back to the beaches of Spain and villages of France. Yesterday, an important milestone was reached as more than half of the adult British population has now received two doses. Shouldn't that have been the cue for great travel liberation rather than more tightening? It is highly unconvincing of the Government to argue that caution is needed because of the risk from new variants. That is a recipe for a permanent shutdown. As the distinguished Oxford professor Sir John Bell put it this week: 'If we scamper down the rabbit hole every time we see a new variant, we are going to spend a long time huddled away.' If ministers think that Britons should not travel, then they should be honest, instead of presiding over endless chaos that wrecks plans, promotes frustration and damages business. But rather than being gripped by fear, they should look across to Europe where Governments are embracing openness. Typical is the Netherlands, which allows unrestricted travel, without any further tests, both for anyone who has been fully vaccinated or anyone comes from a country that has an infection of less than 150 per 100,000. Britain's ill-conceived approach is costing the airline industry millions of pounds. Jobs are being lost, livelihoods destroyed. This month alone, 1,800 flights were due to depart from Britain for Portugal. In light of the green list decision, many of those will now have to be withdrawn. In one sense my own company of easyJet is lucky, in that 50 per cent of our operations are outside Europe. Even so, like the rest of the industry, we have been badly affected. A radical change in thinking is needed. Brexit, we were told, was a great opportunity for Britain to take its place on the global stage as a buccaneering, ambitious nation. That chance is now being squandered as ministers pull us into timorous isolation. Advertisement He told Portuguese press: 'We had a very robust and growing demand for the coming weeks from the British market, with flights increasing their capacity and hotel reservations consolidating.' Speaking just before the announcement was made public he added: 'It's obvious any change will have a very significant impact on the Algarve. 'Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has just come out which places us among the three countries in Europe with the lowest accumulated incidence of coronavirus in the last 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants. 'Before coming to Portugal a British tourist has to do a PCR test. In a European context Britain has the most advanced vaccination programme.' Alfonso Rodriguez Badal, mayor of the municipality of Calvia which includes the popular British holiday resort of Magaluf, said the decision to keep the Balearic Islands on amber was a 'surprise.' He added: 'It's also obviously a disappointment. 'We were confident we would go onto a green light rating because we understood people here had made a real effort to get our accumulated coronavirus rate down to a very low level to make us one of the safest if not the safest Mediterranean resort. 'Therefore we felt this could give the UK enough confidence to let holidaymakers come here without imposing restrictions on their return. 'It hasn't happened but we are going to continue working towards achieving this and we are confident and hope that the next UK government revision will lead to Calvia and the Balearic Islands and the rest of Spain as well if it can happen, being given that green traffic light rating that will facilitate the arrivals of more tourists here.' Iago Negueruela, regional Tourism Minister for the Balearic Islands which was hoping to be the sole Spanish region to be put on the UK's green traffic light system, said he viewed the decision as that of a 'sovereign state focused on its own domestic health situation' in light of the June 21 Freedom Day date. He added: 'At the moment practically no Mediterranean holiday destination is open for the UK. We respect the British government's decision. 'Given the good vaccination rate in the UK if we can go onto a green rating in the next UK government revision, we'll be in line with the estimations of the major tour operators like TUI and Jet2 who had said they would restart their operations towards the end of June. 'The British market is a very important market for us and we hope to recover it towards the end of this month.' Eduardo Jesus, the Regional Secretary for Culture and Tourism of Madeira, called the UK decision to demote it to amber 'unfair and completely inadequate.' He said: 'We are already reacting with the British government, presenting a set of arguments we believe are valid, and pointing out that this decision is totally incorrect for Madeira, inadequate and above all, very unfair.' He told local press: 'The reality of Madeira has been different from the national reality for a long time, with a model adopted here for controlling entry and monitoring citizens throughout their stay in the region. 'Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind that Madeira is in a much more advanced state with regard to the vaccination process than mainland Portugal and this is also a factor of confidence, not only for those who live here, but also for those who visit us. 'The risk of British citizens traveling to Madeira is reduced by the fact that the overwhelming number of passengers come on direct flights.' UK holidaymakers revealed they are planning on cancelling their trips to the country while others said they will not bother going abroad this summer. One Twitter user said: 'I'm due to fly to Portugal on Sunday for 7 days, so will be green when I go and amber on return? Will my holiday still go ahead??' Another tweeted: '17 days Portugal has been on the green list. How the hell is anyone going to have the confidence to book a foreign holiday? I certainly won't be whilst this traffic light system is in place.' One person wrote: '@jet2tweets what are our options now with Portugal going amber? Supposed to be going in 3 weeks'. Another said: 'It looks liuke my summer holiday is gone, so this week in Portugal is a god send'. Another added: 'Would be funny if I hadn't flown to Portugal this morning'. The Government said the decision to move Portugal to the amber list followed an 'almost doubling' in the country's coronavirus test positivity rate and the discovery of 68 cases of the Indian variant including some with a mutation previously seen in Nepal. Public Health England is investigating both the Indian variant and the mutation 'to better understand whether it could be more transmissible and less effectively tackled by vaccines'. Mr Shapps said 'decisive action' will help 'make sure that we can do a domestic unlock'. 'We would expect in the ordinary course of events for there to be now a three-week period, obviously subject to if something dramatic comes up we would of course need to make changes elsewhere and we will have to reserve the right to do that to protect the population at home. 'Look, 67million people have been through a lot this last year and a half, but a lot of people have come forward for their jabs in incredible numbers. 'No one wants the government to fail to take decisive action to protect that as we look towards this fourth unlock, and we want to give ourselves the best possible chance when we get to that unlock and not have factors from outside - for example potentially vaccine defeating mutation - preventing us from being able to give ourselves the best chance of unlocking domestically.' Passengers arrive at Faro airport in the Algarve in the south of Portugal on May 17 Mr Shapps said the UK had 'done wonders with our vaccination programme and the rest of the world will catch up'. Nepal variant 'could have been spread by Everest climbers' A coronavirus variant that is being linked to Nepal could have been spread by climbers travelling home from Mount Everest, experts say. As many as 13 passengers flying from Nepal to Japan were infected with the new mutant strain that combines mutations from the Indian and South African variants. At least 43 cases have been spotted in the UK, MailOnline revealed today, with the strain first spotted on April 24 according to surveillance data. Cases were also detected in the US, India and Portugal. Its mutations mean scientists fear it could be more infectious, and more resistant to vaccines. Matt Hancock said yesterday Britain is preparing to buy millions of tweaked doses of the AstraZeneca jab that target the South African variant. SAGE scientists think it makes jabs at least 30 per cent less effective against infections, but its impact on severe disease is not known. Ministers sparked surge testing in postcode areas where the strain was detected, to root out every last case. At least one case has been spotted in Portugal, which sources say will move to the 'amber' list today sparking holiday misery across the country. Only one case of the variant has been recorded in Nepal so far, but the country carries out very little surveillance for mutant strains. The UK has placed Nepal and India on its 'red' list, and the US is on its 'amber' list. Advertisement 'Europe is probably 10 weeks behind but they will catch up and I don't know exactly what that will mean in terms of the summer but the decisive action today is designed to protect the future, to make sure that we can do a domestic unlock or give ourselves the best possible chance of doing so and that will also help us to unlock international travel given time,' he added. 'So we're not in the same place as last year, we've got the vaccination programme, we do need to check though that the vaccine can work against all the kinds of mutations that we're seeing and so we're having to take a safety first attitude when it comes to those mutations becoming apparent.' With Portugal facing a shift to the amber list after ministers meet today, people returning from the country will have to self-isolate for 10 days as well as paying for coronavirus tests. It will be a huge kick in the teeth to Britons who have already booked a holiday in hot spots such as the Algarve, believing they will be able to return quarantine free. And it will also be another damaging blow to the already struggling travel industry, which had hoped for more countries to be added to the green list this month. Yesterday Portugal saw its highest daily number of cases since March. And the country currently has a case rate of around 37 infections per 100,000 people - higher than the UK's rate of 34.5. The final decisions were based on an assessment from the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC). Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the priority was 'keeping the country safe'. 'We have got to follow the data and of course, I understand why people want to travel but we've got to make sure we keep this country safe, especially because the vaccine programme is going so well,' he told reporters at a G7 gathering in Oxford this morning. 'We have seen hospitalisations and deaths come right down and we have to got to protect the progress we have made here at home, whilst allowing for travel where it is safe. 'You have got to follow the data.' Mr Johnson hinted at a hard line when he was asked about expanding the green list yesterday, and said: 'We're going to try to allow people to travel, as I know that many people want to, but we've got to be cautious and we've got to continue to put countries on the red list, on the amber list, when that is necessary. 'I want you to know we will have no hesitation in moving countries from the green list to the amber list to the red list, if we have to do so. 'The priority is to continue the vaccination rollout, to protect the people of this country.' In the past, holiday-makers have normally been given days - and sometimes up to a week - to return to the UK from countries where travel restrictions have been changed. The government has ignored pressure for other countries such as Malta to be added to the green list. The Mediterranean island, a popular destination for British tourists, is currently on the amber list, but has high vaccination levels and low infections. The Cayman Islands, Grenada, British Virgin Islands, Finland and some Caribbean islands were also among those being floated for the green list. Cyprus' deputy tourism minister yesterday said the country 'absolutely deserves' to be in the loosest category. After today, the green list - which currently contains 12 countries - will not be reviewed until the week running up to June 28. That means it will be July before there is another chance for more destinations to make it on to the list. A 'hero' British father died yesterday trying to save his two daughters off a Portuguese beach after they got into difficulty in the sea. Trevor Pelling, 45, a financial consultant, was trying to aid his two daughters aged 12 and nine when they got into difficulties because of the strong current at Calada Beach in Encarnacao - about an hours drive north-west of Lisbon. He was already suffering cardiac arrest when he was pulled out of the ocean by surfers just after 2pm on Thursday. Locals and a nurse who was on the beach spent nearly an hour trying to save him before he was pronounced dead. A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson told MailOnline they are providing support to the British man's family. British father Trevor Pelling has died trying to save his two daughters off a Portuguese beach after they got into difficulty in the sea The financial consultant was already suffering cardiac arrest when he was pulled out of the ocean by surfers There were no lifeguards on the beach as it is early in the season and the lifeguard service starts on June 12. Mr Pelling was a British financial specialist who was on holiday with his family and is currently based in the Middle East for work reasons. He described himself on LinkedIn as an Abu Dhabi-based area manager at deVere Acuma, part of one of the worlds leading independent financial advisory organisations. The British holidaymaker was trying to aid his two daughters aged 12 and nine when they got into difficulties because of the strong current. They were later taken to Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon for a medical examination. A psychologist is assisting the grief-stricken youngsters and their mum, who has not been named. Lifeguard patrols on the beach where the tragedy occurred are not due to begin until June 12, although qualified Navy specialists working to protect the public through the so-called Seawatch project were mobilised after the alarm was raised. Paulo Agostinho, Cascais Maritime Police chief whose remit covers the area where Thursdays tragedy took place, said he was unable to confirm the name of the dead man. He added: 'The whole family were on the beach, the father, mother and their two daughters. 'It was a beach that didnt have any lifeguards on it because the lifeguard service doesnt start till June 12. 'The two girls got into difficulties and their father tried to save them. He managed to get them to safety but he got into difficulties himself and sadly ended up dying after being pulled out of the water by two surfers. The tragedy happened just after 2pm on Thursday at Calada Beach in Encarnacao about an hours drive north-west of Lisbon Mr Pelling was on holiday with his family and is currently based in the Middle East for work reasons 'I dont know if he was unable to swim or couldnt swim well. 'The girls were taken to Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon with their mum. My understanding is they have now been released from hospital.' Calada Beach - Praia da Calada in Portuguese - is a long sandy beach that has the shape of a seashell. The popular surfers spot is surrounded by tall cliffs which protect it from strong winds. Portugals National Maritime Authority said in a statement issued late on Thursday: 'A man aged 45 died today at Calada Beach, an unguarded beach in the district of Mafra, as he was trying to help his two young daughters aged 12 and nine when they got into difficulties in the water. 'The alert was received at 2.40pm through the District Operational Command Assist Centre in Lisbon. 'Cascais Maritime Police officers and officials from the SeaWatch project were immediately sent to the location using an Amarok vehicle. 'Three volunteer firefighter ambulances from Ericeira and two emergency and reanimation medical vehicles from Torres Vedras were also mobilised. A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said that they are providing support to the British man's family Trevor Pelling, 45, died trying to save his two daughters off a Portuguese beach after they got into difficulty in the sea. He is pictured with a woman believe to be is wife and his three children 'Upon arrival at the site they found a man had been pulled out of the water by two surfers, he had gone into cardiac arrest and a nurse who was at the scene had begun to perform life-saving techniques which were then continued by the firefighters. 'Despite their attempts to resuscitate him, it was not possible to reverse the situation and he was declared dead at the scene. 'The body of the dead man, who was of foreign nationality, was later transported by the volunteer firefighters to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Torres Vedras. 'The two children were taken by ambulance to Lisbons Santa Maria Hospital, in a stable situation, accompanied by their mother. 'A Maritime Police psychologist is providing support to the dead mans relatives and one of the surfers who pulled him out of the water.' A source close to the case added: 'The family were on holiday here but I dont know if they were staying near the beach or further afield. 'They had driven to the beach where the tragedy occurred and the car was left there while the daughters went to hospital.' A routine police investigation into the incident is understood to be underway. It was not immediately clear today if the post-mortem has already taken place. A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: 'We are providing support to the family of a British man who has sadly drowned in Portugal. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.' Meghan Markle's children's book launch could be hindered and see copies in 'less prominent positions' than others following a row between its publisher and Britain's biggest high street bookseller. The Duchess of Sussex's infant-friendly tome The Bench is due out on Tuesday and was expected to arrive with near-regal fanfare and publicity. But a row between its publishers Penguin Random House and Waterstones means it could be relegated from front of house to the less glamorous normal display areas. The fiction fracas is over how much credit PRH extends to the bookseller in layman's terms how many copies it can have in the shop. This has in turn prompted Waterstones to put the publisher's titles away from prominent displays and instead position them in shelves and even stockrooms. A spokesman for the chain said: 'We are not boycotting PRH titles but we are doing our utmost to ensure that availability for customers remains good despite the lower overall levels of stock. 'We do this generally by giving their titles less prominent positioning within our bookshops. Meghan's book is out on June 8 and was expected to feature in prominent book store displays The Duchess of Sussex said the book - which will sell for 12.99 ($18.99) - would explore the 'special bond between father and son' as 'seen through a mother's eyes' The potential problem has been caused by a row between Waterstones and publishers PRH 'Waterstones are currently operating with reduced credit terms from PRH, the only publisher in the UK to place any limitations on our ability to trade.' The Telegraph reports the shop has insisted the measures are to safeguard stock and not as a protest against Penguin. It has also been suggested none of the publisher's books have been on Waterstones' Book of Month list as the row raged. The Society of Authors, the UK's trade union for professional writers, warned: 'There is understandably some concern among the author community about this. We're talking about the UK's biggest publisher and the UK's biggest high-street bookseller. 'Whatever supply and contractual disagreements these businesses are experiencing, they both have a responsibility not to let them impact authors and the readers who want to enjoy their work.' Meghan's 12.99 ($18.99) book is inspired by Prince Harry and her son Archie and comes illustrated with pictures of a red-headed soldier. She said the idea for it was sparked by a poem she had written for Harry on Father's Day the month after Archie was born and would explore the 'special bond between father and son' as 'seen through a mother's eyes'. The story, which will be published on June 8 by Random House Children's Books, will be illustrated by bestselling Californian artist Christian Robinson, who was brought up by his grandmother in a one-bedroom flat also shared with his brother, two cousins and aunt. Another image features a father with his baby boy sleeping on a lounger outside. A media release said the book featured a 'diverse group of fathers and sons' In one illustration by artist Christian Robinson, a red-headed soldier wearing an American-style Army cap is seen holding his young son aloft as a woman watches on crying from a window, in a likely reference to her and Harry, who served in Afghanistan with the Blues and Royals. The words read: 'This is your bench, Where life begins, For you and our son our baby, our kin' It is not known whether this bench, as sat upon by Meghan and Harry, provided any inspiration Who is Christian Robinson, the artist Meghan Markle chose to illustrate her first children's book Christian Robinson, 34, is the American illustrator behind what Meghan Markle dubbed the 'beautiful and ethereal watercolour illustrations' in her first children's book The Bench. The Duchess of Sussex said she 'worked closely' with the California-based artist to depict father-son relationships through 'an inclusive lens'. Robinson was born in 1986 in Hollywood, California. The Bench's illustrator, Christian Robinson, is from Meghan's home state of California and has previously worked with Sesame Street and Pixar He was brought up by his grandmother in a one-bedroom flat also shared with his brother, two cousins and aunt. He used drawing as a way to 'make space for himself and to create the kind of world he wanted to see', his website states. Robinson - who is now based in Sacramento, California - studied animation at the California Institute of the Arts. He worked on animations with The Sesame Street Workshop and Pixar Animation Studios. During an internship with Pixar, Robinson was asked to do some drawings of characters for the film Up. Pete Doctor - Up's director - spotted his illustrations and asked Robinson to make the children's-book version of the film. From there, Robinson did various projects - including teaching children art - before he was ask to illustrate more books. His drawings for New York Times bestseller Last Stop on Market Street - about a young boy's bus journey - won him several awards, including a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. Advertisement A publicity release said Meghan, who chose to use her title on the cover of the book, wanted the story to be told through an 'inclusive lens' and will feature a 'diverse group of father and sons'. Meghan will also narrate the audiobook costing $4.99 - which together with the hardback version could earn her millions from sales. In one illustration, a red-headed soldier wearing an American-style Army cap is seen holding his young son aloft as a woman watches on crying from a window. This is a likely reference to her and Harry, who served in Afghanistan with the Blues and Royals. The words read: 'This is your bench, Where life begins, For you and our son our baby, our kin'. The royal, who went by the pen name 'Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex', said in a statement: 'The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father's Day, the month after Archie was born. 'That poem became this story. Christian layered in beautiful and ethereal watercolour illustrations that capture the warmth, joy, and comfort of the relationship between fathers and sons from all walks of life; this representation was particularly important to me, and Christian and I worked closely to depict this special bond through an inclusive lens. 'My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the makeup, as much as it does with mine.' It is not known if Meghan has received an advance for the book and whether any of the proceeds will be donated to charity, but a branding expert has suggested it would have already netted her 500,000 following a 'bidding war to secure her first venture'. Images from inside the book shows a boy being lifted into the air by a red-haired man in military uniform as a woman weeps from the window. The words accompanying the image say: 'Looking out at My Love and our beautiful boy. And here in the window I'll have tears of joy'. Another image features a father with his baby boy sleeping on a lounger outside. The words say: 'From here you will rest, see the growth of our boy'. A media release reads: 'Inspired by her own husband and son, The Duchess of Sussex's debut touchingly captures the evolving and expanding relationship between fathers and sons and reminds us of the many ways that love can take shape and be expressed in a modern family. 'Evoking a deep sense of warmth, connection, and compassion, The Bench gives readers a window into shared and enduring moments between a diverse group of fathers and sonsmoments of peace and reflection, trust and belief, discovery and learning, and lasting comfort.' The press statement described the Duchess of Sussex as a 'mother, wife, feminist, and activist' who 'currently resides in her home state of California with her family, two dogs, and a growing flock of rescue chickens'. MailOnline has approached Penguin Random House and Waterstones for comment. A devastated family have broken their silence after their four-year-old daughter died while kayaking. Vogue Te Manawa Elers was on the water at Mallabula Point in Port Stephens on Tuesday afternoon when the tragedy unfolded. Paramedics rushed Vogue to John Hunter Hospital after she suffered a cardiac arrest but she could not be revived. Vogue Te Manawa Elers was on the water at Mallabula Point in Port Stephens on Tuesday afternoon when the tragedy unfolded Paramedics rushed Vogue to John Hunter Hospital after she suffered a cardiac arrest but she could not be revived Her 35-year-old aunty was also treated by ambulance officers at the scene and is in a stable condition. Vogue's family took to social media on Friday to share their heartbreak and thank the community for their support. 'On behalf of our whanau Ricky, Brooke, Taimana, Acacia, Ellazae and Jodeci it is with broken hearts and deep sadness we announce the tragic passing of our beloved baby girl Vogue Te Manawa Elers,' Paea Parker wrote alongside photos of the four-year-old. 'We truly appreciate all the love and support that has been extended to our family during this difficult time.' Ms Parker said the family had set up a donations page due to the 'overwhelming offers of monetary support'. 'We sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts. All thoughts, love and support will go directly to the family with hope of easing an impossible time,' she said. Police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of Vogue's death, and a report will be prepared for the coroner. An Indian man dubbed the 'corona warrior' for cremating 1,300 Covid victims has died from the virus after he was unable to get treatment and a bed in hospital. Chandan Nimje, 67, was congratulated by Nagpur's mayor for risking his life to perform the last rites for the hundreds of pandemic victims. The retired government official worked with volunteers when family members refused to go near the bodies of their loved ones who had succumbed to the virus. An Indian man (right) dubbed the 'corona warrior' for cremating 1,300 Covid victims has died from the virus after he was unable to get treatment and a bed in hospital The retired government official worked with volunteers when family members refused to go near the bodies of their loved ones who had succumbed to the virus After over a year of cremations, Nimje finally caught the virus and struggled to get a hospital bed and a Tocilizumab injection. His family were forced to fork out for a private hospital, spending all their savings, but they were still unable to save Nimje who died on May 26, The Times of India reported. The 'corona warrior's' sons also lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Arvind Rataudi, who worked closely with Nimje, said: 'We approached everyone, not only for financial help, but also for a bed and medicines, but none responded. India's crematoriums have been overwhelmed with the number of casualties from the virus in the second wave Family members of Vijay Raju, who died due to Covid, mourn before his cremation at a crematorium ground in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru 'We approached Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) commissioner, collector and other top officials, but no one helped the person who went out of the way to provide dignity in death to over 1,300 citizens.' After his retirement, Nimje joined Rataudi's King Cobra Youth Force (KCYF), an organisation which helps Covid victims set up in March last year. He is believed to have contracted the virus when he went for his first dose of the vaccine and later suffered a mild fever before his sister, two sons and wife all started showing symptoms. All five tested positive and Nimje's health started to deteriorate as volunteers started to search for a hospital bed. Rataudi said: 'I personally called the collector, NMC chief and political leaders to arrange an injection. But no one picked up calls. 'One of our volunteers in Delhi, named Arjun, who knew Dada, then sent four vials of Tocilizumab by Indigo flight, without asking for any money.' But Nimje's condition continued to deteriorate before his death on May 26. His fellow volunteers and family members performed his cremation. After over a year of cremations, Nimje finally caught the virus and struggled to get a hospital bed and a Tocilizumab injection Rataudi vowed to file a case against the chief minister, collector and NMC commissioner in Nagpur for negligence. He said: 'If we, with our thousands of activists, failed to get timely help for the old man, imagine the plight of common citizens due to such attitude of authorities.' It comes after grisly footage emerged of stray dogs eating human remains washed up on the banks of an Indian river as crematoriums continue to buckle under the strain of the Covid crisis. Body parts, some of them half burnt, drifted onto banks of the river Bhagirathi in the town of Uttarkashi in Uttrakhand. The retired government official worked with volunteers when family members refused to go near the bodies of their loved ones who had succumbed to the virus One local resident said he was doing some painting by the river on Monday when he noticed the dogs 'gnawing and feeding on' the dead. 'I feel it's the death of humanity,' the man told NDTV as he appealed to the local government to address the pile up of corpses. Locals are worried that they may be Covid victims and that the disease could spread through the water or via the dogs which have been eating the bodies. Although India's infection rate has declined since it peaked in early May, with daily cases at more than 132,364 on Wednesday, the daily death toll with 2,713 more victims is believed to be a drastic underestimate. A dog is seen chewing on what is claimed to be human remains A stray dog is seen among human remains on the banks of the river Bhagirathi in the town of Uttarkashi in Uttrakhand Local workers in PPE attend to the crisis on the banks of the river Bhagirathi in the town of Uttarkashi in Uttrakhand The town of Uttarkashi lies on the banks of the river Bhagirathi in Uttrakhand state, northern India Many of the country's gats, the steps at the edge of river where Hindus traditionally burn their dead, the crematoriums and cemeteries, have become overwhelmed. Crematoriums in New Delhi were last month running out of wood, such was the volume of dead each day. Ramesh Semwal, the municipality president in Uttarkashi, yesterday said he had ordered the local authorities to take care of the bodies in the river. 'During the last few days, the number of deaths has been increased in our area. I also came to know that bodies are not burnt properly so I have directed the administration to arrange at Kedar Ghat for the cremation of half-burnt bodies,' Semwal told NDTV. There was a similar instance of suspected coronavirus victims washing up on the banks of the River Ganges in the northern states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh last month. Footage also emerged yesterday which showed relatives wearing full PPE dumping a body into the Rapti River in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh. Authorities believe that families of the dead may have been unable to find space to cremate their loved ones or not been able to afford the last rites. India has been fighting a serious third wave of coronavirus for the past month, and although the number of cases are starting to decline, the country faces an in increasing daily death toll for weeks to come. India has reported an official death toll of 340,702 - but analysis published by the New York Times last week said this figure was more likely to be 1.6 million. The paper projected that while this was the likely toll, the worst-case scenario could be as high as 4.2 million Covid deaths in the country of 1.4 billion. Vinod Paul, head of India's coronavirus task force, dismissed the study and said it was 'not backed by any evidence and is based on distorted estimates. 'Our [fatality] number is 0.05 per cent of those infected. They've said 0.3 per cent. Why? On what basis have you decided that it's 0.3 per cent of that large infection universe? There is no basis at all. Five people get together, make phone calls to each other and then throw this number. That's how this report has been done,' Mr Paul told NDTV. 'There may be some late reporting of deaths but there's no intent of any state or the Centre. If I apply the same three times yardstick to New York, then there would be 50,000 deaths. But they say it's 16,000. So this is distorted,' he added. Since the regular legislative session adjourns at midnight on June 9, legislators are coming under increasing pressure to strike a deal with Lamont. Ritter said he wants a deal by dinnertime Thursday so that the nonpartisan legislative staff can cobble together the huge budget document and condense it into precise legal language. That process traditionally takes 48 hours at the Capitol. If a deal is reached, a vote in the state House of Representatives could come as soon as Saturday. Advertisement Britain's week of glorious sunshine came to a crushing end today as the south was battered by rain and hit with milder temperatures - ahead of another scorching weekend with 75F (24C) highs. Yesterday marked the eighth day in a row that the mercury soared over the 70F (21C) mark somewhere in the UK - with Wednesday being the hottest day of the year so far. But Britons should pack away the sun-cream for today at least as the Met Office predicts heavy rain for parts of the east and south east of England, including in the formerly-sweltering London. Both Ladies Day at Epsom Racecourse and day three at Lords were washouts, with pictures showing dolled-up racegoers and suit-clad cricket fans clutching onto umbrellas as they made their way inside. Some of the less all-weather prepared were forced to use empty goodie-bags to shield from the rain as they dashed along the tarmac at the races - while others had their umbrellas blown inside out by the wind. The M25 in Swanley, Kent, looked nearly impassible with heavy fog and persistent rain, meanwhile pictures taken in Brighton showed locals battling to traverse deep puddles. Other areas, such as Wales and northern England, are expected to see 'sunny spells' and will remain 'warm in sunshine' throughout Friday, the forecast said. The mercury is set to soar again this weekend, with the capital welcoming highs of 75F (24C) on Saturday and 74F (23C) on Sunday. The recent spate of heat sending crowds of Britons flocking to the outdoors comes amid a spike in cases of the Indian 'Delta' Covid variant. Today, 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson warned the Indian 'Delta' variant could be 100 per cent more infectious than the Kent one as official data showed it's also twice as likely to put unvaccinated patients in hospital. A general view of the covers as Umpires Mike Burns, Richard Kettleborough and Michael Gough speak to MCC Head Groundsman Karl McDermott during an inspection as play is delayed due to rain on Day 3 of the First LV= Insurance Test Match between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground People queue for the London Eye during heavy rain, on the South Bank in London, Britain, June 4, 2021 It comes as temperature records for the year were smashed on Wednesday with the high in the capital, while parts of Surrey and Kent also saw temperatures of between 81F (27C) and 82F (28C) The warm weather has been a welcome break for people following a washout May, which brought heavy downpours and prolonged spells of rain for much of the UK Both Ladies Day at Epsom Racecourse and day three at Lords were washouts, with pictures showing dolled-up racegoers and suit-clad cricket fans clutching onto umbrellas as they made their way inside On Wednesday, temperatures peaked at 82.9F (28.3C) in Northolt, West London after hitting previous 2021 highs on Tuesday with 79F (26.1C) in Cardiff and 77.2F (25.1C) at Kinlochewe in the Highlands on bank holiday Monday. In contrast, Malaga in Spain reached a maximum of 81F (27C) yesterday, while Rome was 79F (26C) and Athens 77F (25C). The UK's previous warmest day had been on March 30, when Kew in West London hit 76.1F (24.5C). Looking ahead, the Met Office forecast said this weekend will be 'mostly fine and dry with sunny spells and only a few showers' and temperatures will be 'around or above average in light winds' with chilly nights in some areas. It added that next week, 'temperatures will trend towards the warmer side of average', while the following week from June 14 will see the mercury 'remain average to warmer than average' and the rest of June 'average or above'. However, the Met Office said parts of the UK will just miss out on an official heatwave despite temperatures remaining high. To meet the definition of a heatwave, areas must see three days in a row of high temperatures. Women were seen toasting champagne underneath umbrellas during day one of the Cazoo Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse Racegoers used umbrellas to shelter from the rain at the Epsom Racecourse on June 4 People were seen enjoying the day out by drinking under umbrellas at the Epsom Racecourse A racegoer uses a plastic shopping bag to shelter from the rain during day one of the festival Three women struggled through the rain - with one using a scarf to protect her hair from the downpour Not put off: It might have been raining but that didn't stop many racegoers from ramping up the glamour Love Island's Francesca Allen put on an elegant display in a black and white floral patterned dress as she arrived with a friend as they prepared to kickstart the weekend celebrations in style Staff arriving at Ladies Day at the start of the Epsom Derby Festival wore plastic ponchos as they battled through the rain Day three at Lords was a washout today. Two spectators were seen sheltering under a bench before the game began A woman with duck umbrella ran through the heavy rain in Brighton this morning The M25 in Swanley, Kent, looked nearly impassible with heavy fog and persistent rain today Cars were forced to drive slowly and carefully as they battled through thick fog and pouring rain in Swanley A woman was seen sheltering under a jumper as she battled through the rain in Epsom today A racegoer coordinated her umbrella with her outfit at Epsom today. She looked chic in a black and white ensemble Racegoers shelter from the rain as they place a bet during day one of the Cazoo Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse Racegoers shelter under umbrellas before the racing at Epsom Downs Racecourse today Racegoers shelter from the rain under umbrellas as they pose for photographers on the first day of the Epsom Derby Festival Racegoers were all smiles in the rain at the Epsom Derby Festival horse racing event in Surrey Racegoers didn't let the rainy weather conditions stop them from putting on a glamorous display as they arrived at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey for Derby day. Pictured, front centre, British former professional boxer Nicola Adams' girlfriend Ella Baig Elaborate headwear was the order of the day for many, with oversized hats and flamboyant fascinators adorned with feathers, flowers and frills spotted in the enclosure Glamorous female racegoers didn't let the rainy weather conditions stop them from putting their best fashion foot forward as they arrived for Ladies' Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey Some braved the downpour in bare legs and open toe heels while trying desperately to keep their hair dry by taking cover underneath an umbrella Racegoers may have opted for sunny outfits, but the weather was far from bright on the course today From white dresses to skyscraper heels, revellers who attended Epsom's ladies day didn't let a touch of rain stop them from wearing their prepared outfits Racegoers were all smiles as the heavens opened on Epsom racecourse during Ladies Day today But the rain didn't hit country-wide, with crowds of sunseekers taking to the beach in Lyme Regis And in Alcester, Warwickshire, the weather was so fine that a party of hot air balloons took to the sky Spectators shield themselves from the rain ahead of day three of the first LV= Insurance Test match at Lord's in London Another glamorous reveller looked the picture of sophistication as she arrived in a cream embellished frock complete with matching feather fascinator in Epsom One reveller refused to let the rainy weather conditions dampen her spirits as she battled with her umbrella against the wind Britain's week of glorious sunshine came to a crushing end today as the south (London, pictured) was battered by rain and hit with milder temperatures - ahead of another scorching weekend with 75F (24C) highs But Britons should pack away the sun-cream for today at least as the Met Office predicts heavy rain for parts of the east and south east of England, including in the formerly-sweltering London (pictured) The mercury is set to soar again this weekend, with the capital welcoming highs of 75F (24C) on Saturday and 74F (23C) on Sunday. Pictured: Rainy London today On Wednesday, temperatures peaked at 82.9F (28.3C) in Northolt, West London after hitting previous 2021 highs on Tuesday with 79F (26.1C) in Cardiff and 77.2F (25.1C) at Kinlochewe in the Highlands on bank holiday Monday. Pictured: Rainy London today Looking ahead, the Met Office forecast said this weekend will be 'mostly fine and dry with sunny spells and only a few showers' and temperatures will be 'around or above average in light winds' with chilly nights in some areas. Pictured: Rainy London today It added that next week, 'temperatures will trend towards the warmer side of average', while the following week from June 14 will see the mercury 'remain average to warmer than average' and the rest of June 'average or above'. Pictured: Rainy London today The ladies arriving for the races appeared intent on upholding Epsom's long-standing reputation for glamour One lady is seen with a scarf shielding her hair from the rain amid the downpour today Chilly: A couple of ladies chose to brave the cold weather in bare legs and heels, even leaving warm coats at home Others took shelter beneath large hats but those wearing fascinators had no choice but to carry a brolly Racegoers arriving for Ladies Day queued in the rain as they awaited to enter the enclosure for a day of festivities Glamorous racegoers dressed for a heatwave were spotted traipsing through the wet and muddy grass as they made their way to the enclosure The weekend starts early for sunseekers enjoying an afternoon drink this afternoon at By The River Brew Co on the banks of Gateshead Quayside These range from around 77F (25C) to 82F (28C) - depending on location. Although temperatures around the country are expected to stay in the high-70Fs (mid-20Cs) today, most places will not 'tick the box' for a heatwave. It comes as temperature records for the year were smashed on Wednesday with the high in the capital, while parts of Surrey and Kent also saw temperatures of between 81F (27C) and 82F (28C). The village of Hawarden in Flintshire reached 79.9F (26.5C) to become Wales' own warmest day of the year. Scotland also recorded its hottest days of 2021 with Achnagart reaching 75.9F (25.4C). And the 73.9F (23.3C) in Ballywatticock, Northern Ireland, matched its previous warmest day of the year. The warm weather has been a welcome break for people following a washout May, which brought heavy downpours and prolonged spells of rain for much of the UK but it is 'unlikely' to be an official heatwave, according to the Met Office. YESTERDAY: Holidaymakers and sunbathers flock to the beach to enjoy the sunshine at the Dorset seaside resort of Lyme Regis Its meteorologist Steven Keates said: 'We define a heatwave depending on three consecutive days meeting certain temperature thresholds and it depends where you are in the UK - it ranges from about 25 to 28 degrees. 'My suspicion is that a handful of places will come close to meeting the thresholds but not many will tick the box for a heatwave. I think it's going to be a bit of a near miss for most places. 'It's been a lovely warm spell but if we're using the strict criteria we use to measure it then I don't think anywhere is going to quite get it this time.' He added: 'Nonetheless we're going to see several very warm days up and down the country which will be welcome for a lot of people after what has been a pretty cool, damp, disappointing May.' Earlier today, Professor Ferguson - a senior SAGE modeller dubbed Professor Lockdown for his terrifying death predictions that prompted the first shutdown last March - today warned the emerging evidence about the Indian 'Delta' variant was not positive 'in any respect'. He said the mutant Covid strain was between 30 and 100 per cent more virulent than the previously dominant Kent variant and that 'a good central estimate' would be 60 per cent. A study published last night also suggested that the Pfizer vaccine works less well at preventing infections of the Indian version, with people given that jab producing fewer antibodies targeting the virus compared to other strains. Public Health England for the first time last night confirmed the new variant was dominant in the UK, replacing the Kent version. And Britain's daily infections also rose above 5,000 yesterday for the first time since the country was still in lockdown in late March, with cases of the Indian variant doubling every nine days. Asked about whether the new evidence would put England's June 21 'Freedom Day' in jeopardy, Professor Ferguson said the data 'is pointing in a more negative direction than it was last week.' This Public Health England graph shows how the number of cases of the Indian variant (dark green line) has exploded since it was first found, spreading faster than any other strain did over the same time after its discovery Britain's daily infections also breached 5,000 yesterday for the first time since the country was still in lockdown in late March, with cases of the Indian variant doubling every nine days There were also 18 more deaths recorded yesterday, which was up 80 per cent on the 10 the week before, and may have been higher than normal due to a reporting lag over the bank holiday weekend He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It points towards the direction of being cautious. I think balancing, clearly, people's desire and there clearly is a built-up desire to get back to normal against the potential risk is a very difficult judgment call.' But former Tory Chief Whip Mark Harper challenged the Prime Minister to push ahead with the final unlocking to prove Dominic Cummings wrong and show his Government is not an out-of-control 'shopping trolley'. Mr Harper used the astonishing criticism levelled at Boris Johnson by his former top aide to put pressure on the PM not to delay. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said today there was 'nothing at the moment' to suggest the June 21 unlocking could not go ahead. But he added there were still another 10 days before the final decision is taken. 'So during that period we'll see where we are with hospitalisations, with deaths, where we are with the vaccine rollout were doing everything we possibly can to expedite that and then at that point, well make our final decision,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Matt Hancock said yesterday it was a 'good sign' that vaccinated people were making up only a minority of hospital admissions. The Health Secretary added the government is keeping a close eye on daily case levels but stressed what 'really matters' is how many people end up in hospital and die from the disease and how well the jabs keep numbers down. Furniture Village has been hit by a week-long cyber attack that has left customers 'with nothing to sit on' and unable to pay while they wait for sofas, beds and tables. The Slough-based retailer confirmed yesterday it was the 'target of a cybersecurity attack', but that no customer data had been leaked 'to the best of its knowledge'. At the time of writing, its website states that internal systems are temporarily down with orders still being taken online and in store. The issue came to light six days ago, on May 29, when Furniture Village said it was experiencing technical issues with its systems and shut down its phone lines. Customers have complained on social media for more than a week about being unable to get refunds or contact customer service and deliveries being delayed or cancelled. In one tweet, the company admitted that deliveries are taking longer than usual due to its 'warehouses operating manually for the time being'. Furniture Village has been hit by a cyber attack that has left customers 'with nothing to sit on' and unable to pay while they wait for sofas, beds and tables (file photo of store in Middlesex) The Slough-based retailer confirmed yesterday it was the 'target of a cybersecurity attack', but that no customer data had been leaked 'to the best of its knowledge One Twitter user wrote: 'There's still nothing on your website detailing that orders will not be going out due to the ongoing issues - which you've chosen to keep us guessing about for five days. 'If you put more proactive comms out, you'll have less of us grumpy and asking for updates.' Another posted: '@OfficialFV YOU called ME last week to arrange delivery of my new sofa for today. 'I got rid of my sofa yesterday and called you today to be told it wont just not be arriving today, but it hasnt even been made yet. 'Ive just given BIRTH and now have nothing to sit on. CHEERS.' A third added: 'To the best of your knowledge is not a satisfactory statement to give to customers given that criminals may now have access to very sensitive financial information. Customers complained on social media about being unable to get refunds or contact customer service and deliveries being delayed or cancelled 'This is not reassuring whatsoever and only compounds my recent experience with your organisation.' And a fourth said: 'So frustrated that not only is there a phone glitch for @OfficialFV but also their payment system has a glitch which doesn't have a time frame to be fixed by. 'Was asked to call them back and now in some voicemail loop. Voicemail prob has a glitch too!' In a statement released yesterday, Furniture Village said: 'Frustratingly, our company was recently the target of a cybersecurity attack, however, by immediately implementing security protocols, including shutting down the affected systems, we were able to restrict the scope of the attack. At the time of writing, the company's website states that internal systems are temporarily down with orders still being taken online and in store 'Thankfully, to the best of our knowledge, no personal data has been lost or compromised. 'We're working around the clock to restore all system-related functions of the business as soon as it's safe to do so. 'Whilst we're hugely disappointed that criminal enterprises have created this unwelcome distraction, we remain focused on supporting our customers, resorting to manual processes where necessary. 'We'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding. To anyone who may be temporarily affected, please be assured that our systems will be back up and running in the shortest time possible.' Some 375,000 Britons say they are still suffering from 'Long Covid' a year after fighting off the infection, according to the largest study of its kind. A million people said they had symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain or shortness of breath for at least a month after catching the virus and they lasted even longer for many. The Office for National Statistics survey found almost two thirds of those who had long-term symptoms said they were limiting their day-to-day activities. Middle-aged women, people living in poorer areas or those working in health and social care were most likely to suffer from the condition. Fatigue or tiredness was the most common symptom reported, followed by shortness of breath, muscle aches and difficulty concentrating. MPs today urged the Government to fix the 'postcode lottery of care' for sufferers of long Covid, after an investigation found some were waiting more than 100 days for treatment. The ONS survey estimated the prevalence of the condition across the country after questioning more than 300,000 people. Long Covid is an umbrella term encompassing symptoms that persist more than four weeks after a first suspected Covid episode that are not explained by other factors. The number of Britons suffering long Covid symptoms for more than a year has quadrupled in a month, according to the Office for National Statistics Almost a million people said they had been suffering persistent symptoms at least four months after infection Fatigue was the most common persistent symptom, followed by shortness of breath, muscle aches and difficulty concentrating The ONS study asked 300,000 Britons if they had any lingering symptoms of the virus. The figures were then used to estimate the prevalence of the condition across the whole country. WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19? Most coronavirus patients will recover within a fortnight, suffering a fever, cough and losing their sense of smell or taste for several days. However, evidence is beginning to show that the tell-tale symptoms of the virus can persist for weeks on end in 'long haulers' the term for patients plagued by lasting complications. Data from the Covid Symptom Study app, by King's College London and health company Zoe, suggests one in ten people may still have symptoms after three weeks, and some may suffer for months. Long term symptoms include: Chronic tiredness Breathlessness Raised heart rate Delusions Strokes Insomnia Loss of taste/smell Kidney disease Mobility issues Headaches Muscle pains Fevers For those with more severe disease, Italian researchers who tracked 143 people who had been hospitalised with the disease found almost 90 per cent still had symptoms including fatigue two months after first falling unwell. The most common complaints were fatigue, a shortness of breath and joint pain - all of which were reported during their battle with the illness. Advertisement There is no official definition of long Covid, with the condition instead diagnosed through a multitude of symptoms that persist after someone has fought off the virus. The ONS survey, carried out in April, showed the number of Britons suffering from the condition for more than a year had more than quadrupled in just a month. In March, it found 70,000 Britons said they had the condition for a year. Of one million people estimated to be suffering from the condition at the start of May, almost 650,000 would see it limit their daily activities and 195,000 would be limited a lot, the report said. England had 862,000 people suffering from the condition, while Scotland had 87,000, Wales 50,000 and Northern Ireland 21,000. Fatigue was the most common symptom (an estimated 574,000 sufferers out of a million), followed by shortness of breath (405,000) and muscle ache (313,000). Difficulty concentrating was the fourth most common symptom (285,000), followed by loss of smell (283,000) and headaches (273,000). The chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, Layla Moran, said: 'These figures should serve as a wake up call to ministers that they must urgently fix the postcode lottery of case facing those with long Covid. 'Hundreds of thousands of people around the country are struggling with the debilitating impact of this condition yet are still not receiving the care they need. 'Our research has found that long Covid patients are waiting over 100 days for treatment, while in some areas the clinics promised by the government have been delayed. 'The government must take steps to alleviate the suffering faced by those with this cruel disease, and factor in the risks posed by long Covid as restrictions are eased.' An investigation by the group published last month found while some long Covid patients are being seen in four days, others have to wait longer than 100. They also revealed several clinics for sufferers that were promised by ministers were still not up and running three months after they were announced. Several NHS trusts blamed the delays on financial and operational pressures, but two said they had no plans to open them. This was despite Matt Hancock insisting the Government was doing 'everything we can' to support long Covid patients. The APPG sent Freedom of Information requests to trusts across the country to establish how quickly long Covid patients were being seen, and whether clinics promised were up and running. Almost two thirds of those who had long Covid said its symptoms were limiting their daily activities, while 195,000 said they were limited a lot The head of analysis and life events at the ONS, Julie Stanborough, said: 'Self-reported long Covid was most common in people aged 35 to 69 years, women, those living in the most deprived areas, and those living with an existing disability or heart condition. 'Our analysis also shows that health and social care workers had a higher prevalence of self-reported long Covid than those working in other sectors, but this was largely driven by the risk of initial infection and other socio-demographic factors such as age, sex and location.' The Health Secretary said in April he was 'determined' to improve care for Britons suffering the 'lasting and debilitating' impacts of Covid. Estimates suggest long Covid strikes up to one in ten infected people, leaving them battling fatigue and brain fog for months. NHS England has put aside more than 20million to treat the condition and set up a network of 72 sites across the nation to assist patients complaining of symptoms. Boris Johnson's ex wife Marina Wheeler has described the dying days of their marriage as 'impossible' - revealing for the first time that it was her that ended the union. The 56-year-old author and lawyer said the breakdown of their relationship happened as she was battling cervical cancer. Ms Wheeler said 'The divine plan, it seemed, had gone awry' as she spoke of the 25-year marriage for the first time. And she disclosed the process of separating from her husband had been 'grim'. Her comments emerged today just six days after the Prime Minister and Carrie tied the knot in a secret Westminster Cathedral ceremony. Ms Wheeler told Good Housekeeping: 'The divine plan, it seemed, had gone awry. 'My four children and I already had tough stuff to handle. 'My 25-year marriage had become impossible, so I ended it, but the whole business was grim, so why was I being doled out more? 'Of course, that's not how cancer worked. Two years on, I can see I was lucky.' Boris Johnson and wife Marina The Ark Charity Gala in happier times back in June 2009 Twice divorced Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds on their wedding day following a Catholic ceremony The chat was given to urge women to have cervical cancer screenings. She added: 'Thanks to screening heartache was averted for me and my family. 'I am an evangelist for the cause of prevention and I will unashamedly pipe up.' In a separate interview with Radio New Zealand she added that she never felt in Mr Johnsons shadow. She said: I didnt feel when I was pursuing my legal career, which of course was a pretty busy one because its quite a stressful kind of job. I was lucky enough to do all sorts of really, really fascinating cases. I dont think then I felt in anyones shadow particularly. The pair announced in September 2018 they had separated 'several months ago' after 25 years of marriage. But divorce proceedings continued until November 2020 when the union was finally dissolved. Mr Johnson was married to first wife Allegra Mostyn-Owen for six years before marrying Ms Wheeler. The Prime Minister was married to first wife Allegra Mostyn-Owen for six years and Marina Wheeler for 27 years Boris Johnson and wife Marina Wheeler at launch of his 2014 book The Churchill Factor PM's ex-wife spoke to raise awareness for Cervical Screening Awareness Week 2021 Cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer in women under 35 with two women in the UK per day dying from the disease. Regular cervical screening appointments can prevent up to 75% of instances of cervical cancer, saving 5000 lives per year. Despite this, many women are reluctant to have this test done with a quarter of women not responding to their screening invitation. Cervical Screening Awareness Week is organised by the charity Jos trust, a charity dedicated to women affected by cervical cancer or abnormalities. Cervical Screening Awareness week aims to encourage all women to have regular cervical screening as well as to provide information and reassurance around any fears or embarrassment that women may have concerning taking the test. More information about Cervical Screening Awareness Week and information about cervical cancer and cervical screening itself can be found on the Jos Trust website www.jostrust.org.uk or from your local GPs office. Advertisement They tied the knot in 1993 and have four children together. Her comments come less than a week after his latest wedding, which attracted controversy itself over where it took place. The Prime Minister is notoriously secretive about his private life and jokes are still made over how many children he has fathered. The row this week was over how twice-divorcee Mr Johnson had been allowed to remarry in a Catholic church. The Prime Minister was baptised as a Catholic but was confirmed as an Anglican as a teenager when he was at Eton. But the Diocese of Westminster said, as someone baptised in the faith, it meant his previous failed marriages were not considered valid because they were not Catholic ceremonies. It prompted a row over how Mr Johnson's ex wives must feel and what it meant for the children he had with them. One priest claimed it had been 'The using of Canon Law to the benefit of the privileged & at the cost of the Churchs integrity'. The baptism meant the Prime Minister could marry for the first time in a Roman Catholic church. Despite explanations about how their wedding could have been held in accordance with Vatican doctrine, the subject was being keenly discussed yesterday by Westminster Cathedral worshippers. Some wondered whether Mr Johnson had needed to convert before the nuptials took place, while one even brought up Henry VIIIs troubled love-life as a potential precursor. This week a Diocese of Westminster spokesman confirmed: With regard to divorced persons, a baptised Catholic who has contracted a marriage recognised in civil law but without observing the requirements of Catholic Canon Law is not recognised as validly married in the eyes of the Catholic Church. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's new blushing bride hired the dresses from eco fashion business My Wardrobe HQ and returned the one she settled on for 45 today from Greek designer Christos Costarellos The 33-year-old bride, who hired her 2,870 wedding dress by designer Christos Costarellos for just 45 from MyWardrobeHQ, said she was 'very, very happy' Austen Ivereigh, a Roman Catholic author, commentator and biographer of Pope Francis, said on Twitter: Many will ask how it is that the Catholic Church, famous for its vigorous commitment to the permanence of marriage, should be witnessing the marriage of a twice-divorced PM who is publicly notorious for the opposite? What kind of message does that send? But Catholics have a right to the sacraments and if they fulfil the requirements in law, and properly enter into them, no one can stop them exercising those rights. A Westminster Cathedral spokesman added: The bride and groom are both parishioners of the Westminster Cathedral parish and baptised Catholics. All necessary steps were taken, in both Church and civil law, and all formalities completed before the wedding. We wish them every happiness. Carrie Symonds hired three decoy dresses to throw snoops off the scent before their secret marriage. She rented the dresses from eco fashion business My Wardrobe HQ and returned the one she settled on for 45 from Greek designer Christos Costarellos. Created as part of an exclusive bridal capsule, the gown (which sells for 2,870 full price) was handmade from tiers of wispy ivory tulle spun with silk, while the latticework trims and hand-cut 'Kopaneli' corded lace appliques are signatures of the atelier and woven using traditional Greek patterns. The new Mrs Johnson, 33, often orders clothes to the couple's Downing Street home so wanted to throw snoops off the scent by hiring three other bridal frocks. The couple tied the knot in secret at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday before celebrating with a small group of family and friends at a summer festival-themed party in the Downing Street garden. Pictured: Stanley Johnson with his daughter Julia outside 10 Downing Street yesterday Created as part of an exclusive bridal capsule, the ethereal gown is handmade from tiers of wispy ivory tulle spun with silk, while the latticework trims and hand-cut 'Kopaneli' corded lace appliques are signatures of the atelier and woven using traditional Greek patterns The company she ordered the dresses from only found out they had supplied the wedding dress for the UK's first lady when they saw pictures of the secret wedding. Co-founder Sacha Newall told The Times: 'We didn't know what it was for. We were just asked to supply some items. Then we saw what happened this weekend. It was all a bit of a surprise.' They revealed that Mrs Johnson has asked for four dresses in a variety of shades. And it's not the first time Mrs Johnson has worked with the company - she used their services when she was finding a dress to meet the Queen at Balmoral in 2019. Ms Newall added that while Carrie isn't particularly into fashion she is making an effort to take an interest. She said: 'There is an awareness that as the prime ministers wife she needs to be dressed in a certain way... She doesn't want to feel that she is letting the side down.' And the first time Carrie was spotted standing next to Mr Johnson on the steps of Downing Street in her iconic pink Ghost dress, she had rented the frock from My Wardrobe HQ. A bartender who accused Cuba Gooding Jr. of groping her buttocks has won a default judgment against the actor after he failed to respond to her lawsuit for more than a year. Natasha Ashworth claimed the 53-year-old 'pinched' her without consent at the Tao Downtown Nightclub in New York City. Ashworth initially filed the civil suit for assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress against the Oscar-winning actor in October 2019. The New York City native apparently never hired a civil attorney and never responded to the court, prompting her to request the default judgment, which rules on the side of one party in court when the other hasn't responded to the court. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Alexander Tisch granted Ashworth's request on Wednesday for a default judgment against Gooding on the claims of assault and battery, Page Six reported. Cuba Gooding Jr. attends the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans game at Barclays Center in New York in November 2019 But the judge denied a default judgment on the claim of infliction of emotional distress citing redundancy. Tisch said the case will be set for trial to determine damages. Gooding's criminal attorney Mark Heller said 'the claim is baseless and the judgment is worthless.' Ashworth said in court documents that Gooding asked her if she wanted to hear a joke that was sexual in nature and after she declined, he recited the joke anyway. She said as her work shift was winding down around 4:20 a.m., he approached her and used 'his right hand reached to pinch [her] on her right buttocks.' Ashworth said she told the actor, 'Don't touch my butt' to which he responded, 'Aw, that's no fun ... and I didn't, I touched your back.' After unsuccessful attempts to touch her again, a promoter at the club told him to leave the establishment, to which he 'pushed the promoter out of his way and approached a manager,' Ashworth said. Ashworth said Gooding told her, 'You dont have to worry, because I am never coming back here again.' Cuba Gooding Jr. attends the Inter Miami CF Season Opening Party Hosted By David Grutman And Pharrell Williams at The Goodtime Hotel on April 16, 2021 in Miami Beach, Florida Gooding, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least 30 women in recent years, has denied all of the accusations. The actor has been criminally charged on six misdemeanour counts of sexual abuse and forcible touching stemming from the allegations of three accusers - including Ashworth. He was arrested in June 2019 for allegedly groping a 30-year-old woman's breasts inside the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge in the Moxy Times Square hotel. Gooding denies the allegations. Facebook was today being investigated by Britain's competition regulator over its collection and use of advertising data. The Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into whether the company might be abusing a dominant position in the social media or digital advertising markets. The CMA is probing whether the California-based firm has gained an unfair advantage over competitors in providing services for online classified ads and online dating, through how it gathers and uses certain data. The regulator, based in London, told how Facebook collects data from its digital advertising services, which allow other businesses to advertise to Facebook users. It also collects data from its single sign-on option, Facebook Login, which lets people sign into other websites, apps and services with their Facebook details. Facebook collects data from its single sign-on option, Facebook Login, which lets people sign into other websites, apps and services with their Facebook details (file image) Competition and Markets Authority chief executive Andrea Coscelli (pictured) said the regulator would be 'working closely with the European Commission' The CMA said it will look into whether Facebook has unfairly used the data gained from its advertising and single sign-on to benefit its own services. It will focus on Facebook Marketplace - where users and businesses can put up classified ads to sell items - and Facebook Dating, which launched in Europe in 2020. What is the CMA investigating and what powers does it have to fine Facebook? The Competition and Markets Authority is investigating Facebook to determine whether it is abusing its dominant position in social media or digital advertising through its collection and use of data. The relevant competition legislation is the Competition Act 1998. The Chapter II prohibition in the Competition Act 1998 prohibits any conduct on the part of one or more undertakings which amounts to the abuse of a dominant position in a market, and which may affect trade within the UK. The London-based CMA may launch an investigation under the Competition Act 1998 if it has reasonable grounds to suspect that there has been an infringement of competition law. If the CMA decides that Facebook breached competition law, it can impose a fine up to 10 per cent of Facebook worldwide turnover, as well as issue legally binding directions to bring the breach to an end. In this case, 'Facebook' refers to the corporate group in its entirety, including Facebook UK Ltd, Facebook Ireland Limited and Facebook, Inc. (the US parent company). The CMA insisted 'no decision has yet been made on whether Facebook has broken the law'. Advertisement The European Commission also today launched its own independent investigation into Facebook's use of data, and the CMA said it will work closely with Commission on this probe. CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli said today: 'We intend to thoroughly investigate Facebook's use of data to assess whether its business practices are giving it an unfair advantage in the online dating and classified ad sectors. 'Any such advantage can make it harder for competing firms to succeed, including new and smaller businesses, and may reduce customer choice. 'We will be working closely with the European Commission as we each investigate these issues, as well as continuing our coordination with other agencies to tackle these global issues.' The CMA, which insisted 'no decision has yet been made on whether Facebook has broken the law', launched the Digital Markets Unit (DMU) in April. The DMU has separately begun looking at how codes of conduct could work in practice to govern the relationship between digital platforms and groups, such as small businesses, which rely on these platforms to reach potential customers. The CMA said the DMU is operating in 'shadow', non-statutory form, pending legislation that will provide it with its full powers. This is the third investigation into a suspected breach of competition law the CMA has opened recently in digital markets. It is also investigating Google's 'privacy sandbox' and Apple's App Store. The first of these probes is considering Google's proposals to remove third party cookies and other functionalities from its Chrome browser. The second is looking into Apple's conduct in relation to the distribution of apps on iOS and iPadOS devices in the UK - in particular regarding the terms and conditions governing app developers' access to Apple's App Store. A Facebook spokesman told MailOnline today: 'We are always developing new and better services to meet evolving demand from people who use Facebook. The Competition and Markets Authority is based in this building in London's Canary Wharf 'Marketplace and Dating offer people more choices and both products operate in a highly competitive environment with many large incumbents. We will continue to cooperate fully with the investigations to demonstrate that they are without merit.' Also today, Germany's competition authority said it had launched a probe into Alphabet Inc's Google news showcase, a platform which makes news available on the company's news website. It added that cooperation with Google could be attractive for publishers and other news providers and offer consumers better information services. 'However, it must be ensured that this does not lead to discrimination between individual publishers,' a statement said. 'Nor must Google's strong position in access to end customers leasd to a crowding out of competing offerings from publishers or other news providers.' British tourists who are fully vaccinated against Coronavirus will be able to enter France with proof of a negative antigen test from next week and do not need a 'compelling reason' to be in the country, it was revealed today. Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the second dose of an EU-approved jab - including all jabs currently in use in the UK - and it is expected the NHS app can be used as proof. However, tourists with only one jab or none won't be allowed into France without a 'compelling reason' to visit - and must isolate for seven days as well as provide proof of a negative test on arrival. Children of fully vaccinated parents do not have to have the jab, but will still have to provide proof of a negative test, according to the French government guidance. Children accompanying unvaccinated adults will need to have a 'compelling reason' for their visit, and will also have to isolate for seven days. The French government does not specify a cut-off age for vaccinations, but the country's 'Pass Sanitaire' system - the domestic version of the travel rules - currently does not apply any testing requirements to those aged under 11. That will be a boost to younger families, but a blow for any older families wishing to head for sunnier climes in France because teens and early-20s are unlikely to receive both doses of a vaccine before the end of summer. And there are currently no plans to vaccinate UK teenagers, with the British government prioritising second doses for more vulnerable age groups. The border opening on June 9 will also allow vaccinated EU passport holders in without any proof of testing at all. Those without a vaccine will have to take either a PCR test or rapid test before departure. The relaxation in requirements comes as Britain itself clamps down on travel abroad, with the removal of Portugal from the 'green list' of approved destinations yesterday unleashing chaos and a wave of cancelled bookings. France is on the UK amber list, meaning that Britons must quarantine for ten days on their return and take two Covid tests, as well as testing negative before they depart for France. The British list of approved destinations is due to be reviewed every three weeks. France is currently on the UK amber list, meaning that Britons must quarantine for ten days on their return and take two Covid tests, as well as testing negative before they depart Paris's pavement cafes opened for the first time in months on May 19 Last week, French officials had been threatening to force all British travellers into quarantine with the threat of fines if they were caught ignoring the rules, and the move will be welcomed by Brits who are still hoping to go abroad on holiday. A new document released in Paris on Friday called 'Strategy for Reopening Borders' outlines plans for what is effectively a travel passport. Destinations welcoming British tourists (and the tests and forms needed before you fly): Portugal PCR test 72 hours before Temp check on arrival + Complete passenger info form Some places will accept evidence of jab Spain No restrictions Form before travel Negative test but only if coming from France Greece PCR test 72 hours before OR Proof of full vaccination, 14 days before arrival Rapid test on arrival Italy Negative test (PCR or rapid) within 48 hours Fill out arrival form Call Covid helpline to inform them of visit Turkey Negative PCR test within 72 hours Fill out info form Symptom check on arrival Iceland Certificate of full vaccination OR Certificate of previous infection Free test on arrival, must isolate until results come back Malta PCR test 72 hours before arrival Passenger locator form Croatia PCR or rapid test 48 hours before OR Fully vaccinated 14 days before travel OR Certificate proving previous infection Evidence of paid accommodation in Croatia Cyprus PCR test 72 hours before OR Evidence of full vaccination (not required, but skips testing requirement) + Fill out form 24 hours in advance of travel Advertisement Documents issued by organisations including the National Health Service which prove a double vaccination against Coronavirus will be sufficient to get into France. Up until today, anybody entering France from the UK has required a 'compelling reason' for being in the country. The acceptance by French border officials of an antigen test, as opposed to the far expensive PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is also highly significant. It will mean that travellers can avoid paying 100 plus to a private firm for a PCR test, and instead opt for an antigen test, which is often free. 'Europeans vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to enter France without a PCR test from June 9, which proof of a negative test PCR or antigen will still be required for travellers from the United Kingdom and the United States,' said a French government source. 'Those who have had a full vaccination for at least fourteen days on the date of travel (and four weeks for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) are considered to be vaccinated.' The source added: 'For countries classified in orange, such as the United States or Great Britain, a PCR or antigen test is required if the traveler is vaccinated, otherwise he must have a compelling reason for being in France, a negative test and go into isolation for seven days.' Despite France effectively giving the green light for holidays, Britons travelling to France will still have to isolate for up to 10 days when they get back to the UK. They will also have to pay for at least two tests which government recommended providers are currently charging up to 390 for. The confused state of affairs comes amid holiday hell for Britons who travelled to green listed Portugal who now face a race to get home in less than four days time after the Government added it to the amber list over fears of the Nepal variant. Britons keen to stay abroad for as long as they can before the new rules come in next Tuesday at 4am face paying at least 258 if they fly back home the night before. That is the cheapest flight next Monday, a Wizz Air route leaving Faro at 9.05pm local time and arriving at London Luton at 11.50pm, four hours before the rules change. Anyone flying back today faces paying at least 99, also for a Wizz Air flight to Luton; while it is 91 on Saturday or 172 on Sunday, both for easyJet services to Gatwick. The most expensive seats before Tuesday's deadline can be found for 711 on a British Airways service from Faro to London City, leaving next Monday at 11am. Those returning from an amber list country will be required either to quarantine at home for ten days on their return and take a PCR test on days two and eight, as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. Or they can pay for an additional third 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. They will still need to take the compulsory second test on or after day eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,500 to buy three sets of PCR tests at 125 each, if they go under the 'Test to Release' scheme. Adding this to the cost of a lateral flow test, which can be bought at Faro Airport for 30 (25), the total cost of tests for a family of four would be about 1,600. Holidays to Portugal have been thrown into chaos after ministers removed it from the green list amid concerns over the new Nepal Covid variant. Ghost town Ibiza: Meanwhile normally-packed beaches on the Spanish holiday island of Ibiza are deserted today as Covid restrictions ground tourists across Europe The move triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Portugal's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism' and of being 'obsessed' with infection rates. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal's president, has accused UK ministers of 'not recognising that we live in a different situation than we lived before vaccination'. Mr Rebelo de Sousa added: 'The numbers are going up, but they are not increasing inpatients and ICU numbers and deaths. We can't keep obsessively looking at it this way, ignoring that with vaccination, reality has changed.' Portugal's infection rate is similar to the UK's, with the rolling seven-day average being 53.63 cases per million of the population compared to the UK's 51.41. Some 45 per cent of its adult population have received at least one dose. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the country's infection rate had almost doubled since it was put on the green list three weeks ago. He added: 'In the end we've seen two things that have caused concern - one thing is that the positivity rate has nearly doubled, since the last review, in Portugal. 'And the other thing is there's a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation. We simply don't want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the [domestic] unlock.' And Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said Portuguese scientists had detected the Nepal variant, adding: 'What we don't yet know is how prevalent it is in Portugal - but more importantly than that, whether this really is a significant problem. 'You could of course wait whilst we do that research and then, God forbid, we learn that it is very virulent, that it does compromise our vaccines, or we can take a safety-first approach.'at this stage is the right thing to do.' Travel bosses have accused ministers of laying waste to the industry and isolating the UK amid fears the shutdown could cost the economy more than 11billion. The shrinking of the green list, the move to downgrade Portugal and the expansion of the red list wiped 2billion off the value of airlines. Holiday HELL for 112,000 Britons left with four days to flee Portugal to avoid quarantine as flights home soar to 700 EACH with family-of-four suddenly facing 1,600 testing bill after nation was stripped off 'green list' Portugal will come off UK green list for quarantine-free travel next Tuesday after being added on May 17 Britons in Portugal react with fury after being told to dash home before Tuesday or face quarantine Travellers said the UK move to downgrade Portugal from green to amber was 'unfair' and 'stressful' Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced relegation after rise in positive tests in Portugal What tests do you need when returning from foreign countries? GREEN LIST You will be required to take a lateral flow test within 72 hours of your return flight to England, followed by a PCR test on or before the second day of your return. You will not be required to self-isolate during this time. The cost of a PCR test can be up to 125 each in Britain, while a lateral flow test taken abroad at Faro Airport, for example, is about 30 (25). When arriving in the foreign country, you may also need to need provide proof of a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of your outbound flight, or proof of vaccination, depending on the destination's requirements. AMBER LIST You will be required either to quarantine at home for ten days on your return and take a PCR test on days two and eight, as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. Or you can pay for an additional third 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. You will still need to take the compulsory second test on or after day eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,500 to buy three sets of PCR tests at 125 each, if they go under the 'Test to Release' scheme. Adding this to the cost of a lateral flow test, which can be bought at Faro Airport for 30 (25), the total cost for a family of four would be about 1,600. RED LIST If you travel to a red list country, or are in an amber country that turns red before you return, you would need to quarantine at a government-approved hotel on your return at a cost of 1,750. Before you travel to England, you must take a PCR or lateral flow test and get a negative result during the three days before you travel. You should also book a quarantine hotel package - including two further tests for when you are in the hotel - and complete a passenger locator form. Advertisement Seats on the last flights back to London from the Algarve before Portugal is removed from the UK's green list in less than four days' time were on sale for up to 711 today as Britons faced a race to get home. Britons keen to stay abroad for as long as they can before the new rules come in next Tuesday at 4am face paying at least 258 if they fly back home the night before. That is the cheapest flight next Monday, a Wizz Air route leaving Faro at 9.05pm local time and arriving at London Luton at 11.50pm, four hours before the rules change. Anyone flying back today faces paying at least 99, also for a Wizz Air flight to Luton; while it is 91 on Saturday or 172 on Sunday, both for easyJet services to Gatwick. The most expensive seats before Tuesday's deadline can be found for 711 on a British Airways service from Faro to London City, leaving next Monday at 11am. Those returning from an amber list country will be required either to quarantine at home for ten days on their return and take a PCR test on days two and eight, as well as a lateral flow test before the return flight. Or they can pay for an additional third 'Test to Release' on day five to end self-isolation early. They will still need to take the compulsory second test on or after day eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,500 to buy three sets of PCR tests at 125 each, if they go under the 'Test to Release' scheme. Adding this to the cost of a lateral flow test, which can be bought at Faro Airport for 30 (25), the total cost of tests for a family of four would be about 1,600. Holidays to Portugal have been thrown into chaos after ministers removed it from the green list amid concerns over the new Nepal Covid variant. The move triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Portugal's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism' and of being 'obsessed' with infection rates. It also sparked a race among thousands of Britons in Portugal to get back before quarantine-on-return rules kick in on Tuesday. Those booked to go in coming weeks were left in limbo over whether to go ahead with their holiday under the tougher quarantine rules or to rebook for later in the summer and hope the country goes green again. The decision to move Portugal onto the 'amber list' was apparently triggered by concerns over the Nepal variant, a mutated version of the Indian strain. But Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal's president, has accused UK ministers of 'not recognising that we live in a different situation than we lived before vaccination'. Mr Rebelo de Sousa added: 'The numbers are going up, but they are not increasing inpatients and ICU numbers and deaths. We can't keep obsessively looking at it this way, ignoring that with vaccination, reality has changed.' Among those trying to get home before the change is Simon Smith, from Stamford, Lincolnshire, who is currently on holiday at Lagos in Portugal. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning: 'Bit of a scramble I'm afraid. 'We're trying to get some testing organised but obviously the Government released the information yesterday and it was a bank holiday in Portugal which didn't help. We've got the flights booked for Saturday at 10 o'clock but we're being told by local doctors that it can be up to three or four days waiting for tests, so that we can fly.' Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights after Portugal was pulled from the green list. Albufeira-based bar owner Gary Search, 54, said: 'One of the bars is 98 per cent British tourists and in the other about 50 per cent of our customers are Brits who are also mostly holidaymakers. 'We're absolutely devastated by today's decision. We'd literally just got off the ground, we'd been scrabbling around all week getting new staff because obviously we couldn't employ the staff till we got busy. 'There's no staff here because of Brexit and Covid so it's been extremely difficult. We'd just put them all on contracts and then this happens. It's messed things right up to be honest.' Pedro Neto, general manager of the luxury Vila Monte Farm House hotel in the Algarve, said the hotel was already receiving cancellations. He added: 'It's very difficult news to receive. We are a hotel with a lot of British guests and this is obviously not the news that we were hoping for. People are so happy to be here, the weather is beautiful, everything is working as it should so this is not the news we were expecting.' Cristovao Norte, Portuguese MP for the Algarve, said he is 'perplexed' by the British Government's decision to remove Portugal from the green list. He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'We were not expecting the decision because there haven't been major changes in Portugal, just a spike in the Lisbon area. 'But we have 66 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Our rate of transmission is more or less the UK rate, so we weren't expecting this decision from the English government. We wear masks, we obey the rules, we maintain social distancing, vaccination is growing steadily. So I'm a little bit perplexed.' Moving Portugal from green to amber means travellers will have to quarantine at home for ten days after visiting, while paying for and taking two Covid tests, on days two and eight. British families of four in Portugal now face having to pay 1,000 to buy PCR tests at 125 each - or another 500 if they use 'test to release' on day five. Further complications may arise if the Foreign Office changes its stance and advises against visiting Portugal, which would invalidate travel insurance. The move to downgrade Portugal, including Madeira and the Azores, to amber came despite there being just three deaths in the country in the latest 24-hour period. Its infection rate is similar to the UK's, with the rolling seven-day average being 53.63 cases per million of the population compared to the UK's 51.41. Some 45 per cent of its adult population have received at least one dose. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the country's infection rate had almost doubled since it was put on the green list three weeks ago. He added: 'In the end we've seen two things that have caused concern - one thing is that the positivity rate has nearly doubled, since the last review, in Portugal. 'And the other thing is there's a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation. We simply don't want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the [domestic] unlock.' And Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said Portuguese scientists had detected the Nepal variant, adding: 'What we don't yet know is how prevalent it is in Portugal - but more importantly than that, whether this really is a significant problem. 'You could of course wait whilst we do that research and then, God forbid, we learn that it is very virulent, that it does compromise our vaccines, or we can take a safety-first approach.'at this stage is the right thing to do.' Travel bosses have accused ministers of laying waste to the industry and isolating the UK amid fears the shutdown could cost the economy more than 11billion. The shrinking of the green list, the move to downgrade Portugal and the expansion of the red list wiped 2billion off the value of airlines. At Gatwick today - Friends Amy and Jade (left) booked their 180 return flights to Faro on Wednesday - then 24 hours later had the grim news they must quarantine on their return and pay up to 400 each for Covid testing. Essex couple Josh and Sophie (right) said they were resigned to paying hundreds of pounds for Covid tests having already paid 700 for their EasyJet flights. As Josh works from home he will be able to quarantine without paying extra to be released after five days. Having waited so long for a family holiday with daughter Harriet, they were not going to let anything put them off Students (from left) Esther-Leah Cohen, Judy Liebert, Tamar Smith and Ellie Sharer who have returned to London Stansted Airport from a holiday in Porto, Portugal. Passengers check into the North Terminal at London Gatwick Airport today before the new travel restrictions are activated Travellers at Faro Airport last Sunday, standing in a queue of 100 people snaking round six times where only three check-in desks were open for as many as six flights going back to the UK Air passengers leave Faro Airport on May 17, which was the first day that Britons were allowed to enter Portugal without needing to quarantine and the foreign travel ban was lifted Empty sunshades wait for customers at Gale beach at Albufeira in Portugal's Algarve on May 18 Meanwhile, industry figures warned that at least half the 1.6million jobs in the sector had either already been lost or were now at risk, with many more redundancies feared. Many had been hoping for an expansion of the green list and a signal that foreign holidays will be back on the agenda this summer. Instead, with the next review three weeks away, travel bosses were left fearing 'another lost summer' and a shattering of consumer confidence. British holidaymakers reveal how they have cut their family holidays to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine in UK Changing rules at will? It feels wrong Karen Beddow (pictured with her husband Matthew and daughters Lily, Isobel and Eve) said she felt let down after being forced to cut her family holiday to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine on return to the UK Karen Beddow said she felt let down after being forced to cut her family holiday to Portugal short in order to avoid quarantine on return to the UK. She had travelled to a villa in the Algarve with her husband Matthew, their three daughters and her parents last month. Mrs Beddow, 43, from the Wirral in Cheshire, said the family was due to fly back to the UK on Tuesday just hours after the new 'amber list' restrictions take effect. Faced with the prospect of additional testing and quarantine, and fearing Portugal was likely to go on the list, she scrambled to rearrange the flights to Sunday before the official announcement was made yesterday. Although able to change the Easyjet flights for her immediate family for free, her parents faced a sizeable fee to make the changes. Mrs Beddow said the family also had to rearrange pre-booked Covid tests to be taken on their return to the UK in line with Government rules. She said: 'We cut our holiday short by two days which I actually feel really annoyed about. Not because of us but because my parents decided to change their flights as well. 'I feel really let down because the whole thing about this green list was to give people certainty. We were told there would be three weeks' notice. 'Obviously, what they actually mean is three weeks' notice of countries coming on the list, not coming off. I certainly felt that if we went away we could have two weeks and have a window. If they are going to change flights at will that just feels wrong. 'It's all very stressful having to fix this as well. We had an afternoon of faffing and sorting out.' Mrs Beddow, a travel blogger, and her husband, a 47-year-old property developer, spent 665 on travel tests for the couple and their three daughters. The holidaymaker, who runs a travel blog at minitravellers.co.uk, said that she felt 'lucky to have made it to Portugal at all'. I had to cancel my last trip too Having cancelled a family holiday to Portugal last year, Laura Wolfe faces more disappointment Having cancelled a family holiday to Portugal last year, Laura Wolfe faces more disappointment. Her two-week trip to the Algarve with her partner Daniel and sons, aged ten and 16, is now in doubt. Miss Wolfe, pictured, said the Government's decision to change the travel status of the country was 'a complete fiasco'. She said: 'Part of us is thinking we might just go. We have saved up and are in a position to do it. And we just love it there. 'But the issue is with the rules, which seem to be changing all of the time, the quarantine and the costs of the testing for four of us. 'If we do say 'sod it' and go, what then happens if the country is placed on the red list? 'The trip isn't for another eight weeks so things could change several times before then.' Although the 6,000 holiday is refundable, the events and marketing worker, from Manchester, said the possibility of cancelling has provoked a lot of anxiety. Miss Wolfe has had both Covid jabs and her partner is about to get his second. 'I thought this was part of why we were doing it,' she said. 'I know there are a lot of unknowns but if I am double-vaccinated and test negative, how can it not be OK for me to go away?' Advertisement Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the travel agents' association Abta, said it was clear the Government's strategy was 'continuing to prevent any meaningful resumption of international travel'. He suggested it was time ministers considered bailing out the industry. He warned: 'You can't build the recovery of a multi-billion-pound sector while mass market holiday destinations remain off the green list. The removal of Portugal comes on the back on what was already a very short and cautious green list. 'Travel agents and tour operators haven't been able to generate income since the start of the pandemic and have been depending on the return of international travel to help bring some much needed relief. 'The Government now needs to come forward with tailored financial support for the sector.' Other travel bosses meanwhile were equally scathing. EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren accused the Government of having 'torn up its own rule book'; Brian Strutton, from the pilots' union, said the decision to axe Portugal from the green list was 'a total disaster for the already fragile travel industry'; while Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, which represents carriers, accused the Government of leading the industry on a 'painful merry dance'. Dame Irene Hays, owner of travel agent Hays Travel, said she was 'surprised and obviously disappointed' to hear of Portugal's move off the green list for travel from the UK. She told Sky News she was 'disappointed for our customers, disappointed for the travel industry and really disappointed for Portugal, because they've tried so hard and their infection rates are so low. I know they're rising in Lisbon, but it's quite a way from the Algarve, which is where most of the tourists are'. Asked if she felt that nuance had not been taken into consideration, Dame Irene said: 'It would be nice if it was a nuanced approach, but we are where we are.' It is 'difficult' and 'very frustrating' for holidaymakers, particularly those who had just started their trips, she added. While some people are still booking holidays for the summer, Dame Irene said the 'vast majority' are instead booking for autumn or 2022. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, said Portugal being added to the amber travel list just weeks after the holiday hotspot reopened for British tourists was a 'devastating blow'. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Clearly yesterday was an absolute blow, an absolute devastating blow for consumers and the industry of a really seismic scale now.' Asked if she feels the Government has let the industry down, she said: 'Absolutely. I mean, the Government has completely moved the goal-posts from us overnight with no notice at all.' Ms Lo Bue-Said said there was a lack of communication to enable the industry to put the right systems in place, adding that the move damages confidence. 'It now throws confidence completely out of the window, because if we can see something like Portugal that was on a green list move to amber within, sort of, you know, 90, 100 hours notice or whatever it is, what's going to happen if I make further plans? 'It puts the industry in a really difficult position and consumers in a difficult position in order to be able to plan effectively,' she said. The outcry came after the Government said Portugal would be added to the amber list from next Tuesday, forcing thousands of British holidaymakers to cancel their trips or cut them short to avoid quarantine. It means there will be just 11 countries or territories on the green list, of which only Iceland and Gibraltar are viable holiday destinations. Hopes that the Balearics or Greek islands could be added were also scuppered. Instead, seven countries are being added to the red list, forcing anyone returning from them to quarantine in Government-approved hotels at a cost of up to 1,750 per person. Senior figures warned the about-turn would devastate confidence in foreign holidays because of the uncertainty over whether a green country could suddenly turn amber. In 2019, outbound tourism was worth 11.7billion to the UK economy for the summer months, according to the Future of Aviation Parliamentary Group. If the travel list stays as it is now for June, July and August, then it will only be worth a 200million. Shares in IAG, the parent company of British Airways, fell 5 per cent, with easyJet sinking about the same. Ryanair closed 1.3 per cent lower and TUI fell about 4.5 per cent. BA warned the UK had reached a 'critical point' and was in urgent need of more air travel for business and pleasure to restart the economy and reunite loved ones. Karen Dee, boss of the Airport Operators Association, added: 'Summer 2021 is shaping up to be worse than last summer, which was the worst in aviation history. 'Analysis has shown that 860,000 jobs of the 1.6million UK jobs in aviation, travel and tourism were lost or sustained only due to government furlough schemes since the pandemic started.' Mr Lundgren said: 'The Government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing people's plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK.' Union boss Mr Stratton said: 'Our airlines need this summer season if they are to survive.' Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye called for rapid action to reopen flights to key trading partners and remove testing for vaccinated passengers from countries on the green list. Tim Hawkins of Manchester Airport Group said the latest announcement on travel lists had affected the company 'very negatively'. He told Times Radio: 'It's not a good situation to be in. 'We had worked on the basis that the travel corridors system, the traffic light system, would be providing people with confidence to book over the summer, and we'd see a really good recovery. 'But the Government does seem to have lost faith in its own system, and now we're seeing changes at short notice, we're seeing changes that we don't fully understand, and we're seeing a situation where lots of countries that have made really strong progress over the last few weeks are not being included on the green list. It's a situation we don't fully understand.' Covid outbreak on SIX planes back from Portugal: Hundreds of Man City and Chelsea fans on five chartered flights and one Ryanair jet are told to self-isolate for 10 days after landing Hundreds of Manchester City and Chelsea fans who travelled to Portugal and back for the Champions League final last weekend have been ordered to self-isolate for 10 days - as the country is axed from the UK's Green List over fears of the spread of the new Nepal Covid variant. Supporters who travelled on the 9am Ryanair flight from Porto to Manchester on Sunday have been contacted by the NHS's Test and Trace app and told to self-isolate alongside three chartered flights of Chelsea fans who landed in London and two chartered planeloads of Manchester City fans who landed in Manchester. Supporters took to fan message board to reveal they were contacted and told to self-isolate through the app, while others said they received an email or phone call. Fans began reporting the messages from yesterday evening - three days after landing back in the UK. The news has led to fears that all 12,000 supporters who travelled from the UK to Portugal and back could be affected and told to isolate. It is unclear how many supporters have tested positive so far. The source of a potential outbreak has yet to be identified although it is thought that the fans who have tested positive and triggered contact tracing likely had it before they flew to Portugal because of how quickly others have been told to self-isolate. Sportsbreaks operated 10 official day flights for Chelsea with a combined capacity of 2,153 seats. Chelsea fans were offered a 199 travel package through the club on top of the cost of the match ticket. The company said it was unaware of passengers returning positive Covid tests and staff who were on the flights had not yet been contacted by the NHS and asked to isolate. A spokesman added: 'All our staff have also returned negative results from the mandatory PCR tests which we had on Tuesday 1st June.' A Chelsea spokesman said: 'We are aware of reports and advise anyone contacted to follow the advice from NHS Test and Trace and Government guidelines.' MailOnline has asked the Department of Health about the test and trace activities it is undertaking with passengers. Advertisement Mr Jenrick insisted a watchlist, where countries at risk of moving from the green to amber list are placed, is still an option. 'The watchlist system remains, if it's possible to do that,' Mr Jenrick told the Today programme. 'If you're seeing that cases are gradually rising, that positivity is increasing, then one may be able to use that and if you can, obviously it's preferable to do so because you want to give people and the industry that forward guidance. 'But if you're seeing new variants or versions of variants emerging, you may need to act more swiftly, and I think that is the right thing to do.' Mr Jenrick said there were two reasons why Portugal was being moved from the green list of travel restrictions. He told Sky News: 'Firstly, the amount of positivity has increased significantly, it's doubled in the last three weeks to a level that's much higher than we have here in the UK. 'Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, although both countries have prevalence of the Indian variant or Delta variant as it's called, we're also seeing in Portugal now growing evidence of a further mutation being called the Nepal variant. 'We don't yet know how much of a problem that is, how transmissibility is, whether it might be too difficult even for our vaccines. But it's important that we take a cautious approach, and so we take action now whilst we do research and learn more about that variant.' Mr Jenrick said although he appreciated the situation was 'frustrating', travellers had always been warned a country's classification could change. He told Sky News: 'I completely understand how frustrating this is both for people in Portugal, and for millions of people here who would love to go on holiday abroad this summer. 'We were also clear that if you choose to go on holiday to countries on the green list, those countries are being reviewed every three weeks, and so there was always a risk with a fast-moving situation with new variants that countries might either go on to that list, or indeed come off. 'That's what's happened here and I hope that people will understand - hard though this is - that we do need to take a cautious approach because people have made such progress in recent weeks and months.' Holidaymakers flying to Portugal lashed out at the 'shambolic' decision to take the destination off the green list and impose a 10-day quarantine period on their return. At London Gatwick Airport today, a flight left for the Algarve at 8.30am. Those travelling on the easyJet flight expressed their disgust at having to pay for extra Covid tests and then quarantine for 10 days at the end of their holiday. One couple said the extra costs for a two and eight day test and a third test to leave quarantine after five days had amounted to 1200- more than double the cost of their return flight to Faro. 'I am absolutely disgusted with what the Government has done' said David Roper. 'How can they tell us it is safe to travel, then three weeks later remove Portugal from the green list? 'With the PCR test we took to get the flight and all the other tests we now have to pay for on return it's added 1,200 to the cost. The fares were not cheap but it is ridiculous.' Kathy Kirby, pictured at Gatwick today, had to pay a 99 change fee to return from her trip a day early and avoid the quarantine rule Mr Roper and his wife Lydia, from Barnes, South West London, were flying to the Algarve for an eight day break. Many others on the flight were going to second homes in Portugal. EasyJet staff at Gatwick's North Terminal said the early morning flight was ' not as busy as usual'. 'Usually every seat would be booked, but people are just not travelling and the terminal is so quiet' said a member of the check-in team. 'It's devastating for us as we just want to see people flying. If there are no flights out jobs are at risk. The Government seem intent on destroying our industry I feel sick every time they make an announcement about travel'. Others on the Faro flight blamed the Government's U-turn on Chelsea and Manchester City fans who attended the European Cup final in Porto and were seen drinking and celebrating with no masks or social distancing. 'This is down to the football lot,' said one irate passenger. 'I now have to pay for the test to get out of quarantine after five days as I cannot afford to be off work for 10 days. 'Boris Johnson has got something right with the vaccines, but to keep chopping and changing what places we can go is madness. They either ban all travel or let people go away and know in advance have to quarantine on their return. 'It was too late to change my booking as I would have lost out. It's put me in a bad mood before I've even left'. Friends Amy and Jade booked their 180 return flights to Faro on Wednesday - then 24 hours later had the grim news they must quarantine on their return and pay up to 400 each for Covid testing. It means their five day trip to the popular resort of Albuferiao has worked out twice as expensive as they planned. More than 112,000 Brits are on holiday in Portugal More than 112,000 Britons are on holiday in Portugal as it goes onto amber list, it has emerged. As of May 31, which is the most recent data available, 112,177 people from the UK are currently in the European country. From May 17 until May 31, a total of 221,064 Britons travelled out to the country. As of May 31, the number of Brits who had travelled back from Portugal stood at 108,887. That leaves the 112,177 currently out there. Conrad Poulson, chief executive officer at mobility data firm Huq Industries, said: 'Assuming the largest capacity Boeing 737 or equivalent can carry around 230 people that equates to around 487 flights to get every one of the remaining 108,887 people home. 'When you also factor in the five-day window before Portugal goes on the amber list, this rough calculation gives a sense of the scale of the issue for holidaymakers and those charged with getting them home.' Advertisement Amy said: 'It's put a real dampener on the trip, but we will still try to enjoy ourselves. We booked at the last minute on Wednesday, then the following day we found out Portugal is no longer on the green list. I just think it's unfair.' Jade added: 'We have already paid 200 for a PCR test to get the result on the same day. It's really annoying that we have to find more money for tests' Kathy Kirby had to pay a 99 change fee to return from her trip a day early and avoid the quarantine rule. She said: 'I had been planning to fly back Wednesday, but changed my flight to arrive a day early. The change will affect lots of people but nothing surprises me when it comes to this Government.' Essex couple Josh and Sophie said they were resigned to paying hundreds of pounds for Covid tests having already paid 700 for their EasyJet flights. As Josh works from home he will be able to quarantine without paying extra to be released after five days. Having waited so long for a family holiday with daughter Harriet, they were not going to let anything put them off. Sophie said: 'We just want to get away. We have waited over a year for a holiday with our daughter Harriet and nothing is going to stop us.' Josh added: 'It is what it is. I work from home so can do the quarantine.' Retired couple Desmond and Isabella Weal raged at the 'incompetence' of the Government's handling of travel. 'They really seem clueless and it does not make sense' said the 68-year-olds heading to Alvor. 'We are told it's all because of the Nepal variant but I read there was just one case in Portugal. 'It's is crazy to tell people they can go on holiday, then say it's not safe. I read there are 3,000 variants. When will this Government finally say we have to live with Covid and stop chopping and changing what we can and cannot do.' At Stansted Airport this morning, Britons could not understand why transport chiefs changed their minds and said the system was failing. Josh Clements, 29, who arrived back to London Stansted with his partner today after a holiday in Portugal, almost couldn't board his flight due to a government computer bungle Friends Esther-Leah Cohen, Judy Liebert, Tamar Smith and Ellie Sharer were arriving back at the airport after a girls' holiday in Porto. The 21-year-old students did not have to rush back but said their Air BnB host had been hit with a string of cancellations from Brits. Miss Liebert said: 'They are quite upset with that; I think they thought it was back to normal now. They really feel it is unfair as there are so few cases there, he thinks there are 50 there now. 'They wear masks outside there, we got told off quite a few times. Miss Smith added: 'I'm not keen on the way they change the status, I don't think it is fair on businesses that rely on tourists. 'Also for Brits that need to go on holiday, people have been looking forward to this for a year. I'll be more cautious going away, we have already had a holiday cancelled before this. 'I thought that would be it it'd be green for ever. The tests didn't seem that good, they didn't even zoom in on the photos, I said we could have waved our GCSE results and it'd be fine.' Their concerns were echoed by Josh Clements, 29, who had arrived back to London with his partner. The Londoner almost couldn't board his flight due to a government computer bungle. 'No one looked at our negative tests, no one looked at our lateral flow tests, no one looked at our PCR test,' he said. 'We almost couldn't fly back as they wouldn't let us on the plane as we couldn't fill out our passenger locater form, we couldn't do it because they wanted a booking reference number. 'They sent us an order confirmation rather than a booking reference and the government website wouldn't let us through. It was super stressful, they were saying we couldn't get on the plane even though we had the test. Nikhil Rai, 25, a city business analyst who lives in a Canary Wharf apartment, was one of those disappointed Britons who cancelled their trips to Portugal today 'In the end we had to make up a reference number to fly home and no one looked at it, it was just like a quick glance. Last night we were up until 2am to get a lateral flow test. 'There was someone else at the hotel with the same issue as us, but no one was trying to beat the rush for Tuesday. We didn't see many British tourists.' He added: 'No one checked it you could flash any old piece of paper, we were so worried about not getting on the flight. No one looked at mine, it was just box ticking.' Andre Ferreira, 28, had returned home after seeing family for the first time in Portugal since the pandemic erupted with his partner Vanya Binho, 27. He said: 'What is the point of it changing after the Champions League?! We just came back to the UK we are Portuguese citizens. It doesn't make any sense to us at all, after all the British citizens went there. 'The cases are not rising because of the flights or anything, even in the UK all the cases are increasing every day. I think it could have been handled better in Portugal and England too, it is all about politicians. Luckily we had booked the flight today or we would have been mad. 'This is the first time I have been home since the pandemic started, it is what it is that I can't see family due to the change. It was our choice to come to the UK to have a better life, but it is tough on the family.' Nikhil Rai, 25, a city business analyst who lives in a skyscraper apartment at Canary Wharf was one of those disappointed Britons who cancelled their trips to Portugal today. He said: 'I was going to a music festival near Faro with one of my cousins when suddenly Portugal was put on the Amber list. 'I was aware before they're going to Portugal was no easy exercise as one of my relatives was at the European champions final in Porto last weekend and told me how difficult things were. 'He said he had to have three PCR tests in total, filling in a complicated passenger locator form, and was grilled when he landed at Gatwick about his health and whether he'd booked all his PCR appointments and got negative covid results. 'It cost him 400 just to have those tests before during and after his trip to Porto. My cousin and I thought it was still worth going, just to have a break in the sunshine and see a live music festival. 'The pandemic has worn me down and we just wanted to be allowed to be young guys again enjoying typical things like the beach, concerts and the sunshine. The hotel in Faro has been great and refunded our money. And the airline is going to keep our money, but give us credit so we can book again in the future. 'I know it's difficult for everyone, but this is a real hassle. It seems that everything is loaded against people going on holiday and I'm not happy about it, although I do understand people are nervous about Covid. I was really looking forward to a holiday in the sunshine, and it is particulary worse that it's raining today in London. 'My cousin Raj who is also 25 just graduated with an architecture degree and couldn't even have a graduation ceremony at his university. So we thought we'd celebrate by having a few cocktails in the sunshine and listen to some great music. That's all done now. Who knows when we'll finally be able to have a holiday? 'I feel sorry for those who are already out there and have to rush back today or this weekend. I wouldn't want to spend 10 days in a hotel and fork out all that money.' Albufeira-based bar owner Mr Search, who is originally from Southend-on-Sea, runs his two bars with long-term partner Michelle Mundy, 51. 'We had our finger on the pulse and were more or less aware of what was going on but we really didn't think it would happen,' he said. As well as Portugal being moved to the amber list from Tuesday at 4am, seven countries are being shifted to the red list A Google Flights graph shows the cost of a single from Faro Airport to London soaring over the next four days, before falling 'Portugal is just slightly over the numbers and there's nothing in the Algarve at all. It's all up in Lisbon. For everyone in the Algarve, not just us but also the tourists, it's a complete nightmare. Cheapest single flights from Faro to London Today -- 99 (Wizz Air to London Luton, 22:05) Tomorrow -- 91 (EasyJet to London Gatwick, 22:15) Sunday -- 172 (EasyJet to London Gatwick, 13:25) Monday -- 258 (Wizz Air to London Luton, 21:05) Prices checked at 7am on Skyscanner Advertisement 'I think the problem for people even if they try to scrabble around for flights back home before the new rules kick in and they have to quarantine is going to be that they're tied to having Covid tests before they go and there's a two to three-day waiting lists because the Covid test centres here are overloaded. 'People need a Covid test to go home so they're not going to get it till Saturday or Sunday at the earliest which makes it impossible for those who can to rearrange their flights. 'Portugal has been the only major European holiday destination on the green list and we are in a very tourist area in Albufeira. 'Basically the last week has been like a summer for the first time since 2019. It's been great. We have a snack bar and we've been fully functioning. 'Now it's going to go down to literally nothing again, probably just a couple of hundred quid a day I would imagine and people are going to disappear this weekend. It's a disaster.' John Joyce, from Newcastle, and his family decided to book a holiday in sunny Portugal as soon as Britain added it to the green list of foreign destinations around three weeks ago. 'Everybody needed a little break... a change from being stuck at home,' the 44-year-old said as he enjoyed a beer at a restaurant in the heart of Lisbon. Jet2 cancels ALL international flights and holidays until July 1 and EasyJet 'reviews' flights to Portugal after it was put on amber list amid chaos over foreign travel rules Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights in the wake of traffic light chaos as Portugal is pulled from the green list. The UK's second largest tour operator originally suspended its services up to June 24 when the green list was announced. But now all flights for this month have been cancelled amid a spate of changes - including moving Portugal, Madeira and the Azores to the amber list. Flights to Turkey, which is on the red list of the Government's traffic light system, will be held until July 22 as the restrictions look unlikely to ease. Jet2 boss Steve Heapy blasted the Government for confusion surrounding the last-minute changes. He called for 'openness and transparency' on coronavirus data so that the industry could better understand decisions affecting airlines and their customers. Advertisement Portugal was the only big beach destination placed on the list, which allowed Britons to travel there without needing to quarantine when returning home. Like Joyce, thousands packed their bags. Reacting to developments yesterday, though, Mr Joyce said: 'It's a bit unfair. There are families bringing out kids and people who booked their holidays already... and the stress involved for people, including myself.' Charlotte Cheddle, 22, echoed the same feelings, urging the British government to either 'ban international travel completely or communicate properly with people'. 'It's silly,' she said. 'We made an effort to get tested privately... We paid for everything and we have done everything to make it safe.' British families in Portugal now face spending 1,000 for which they have not budgeted to buy PCR tests to get home. Upon returning to the UK, they will have to complete two tests on Days 2 and 8. Portugal has lifted most of its lockdown restrictions. The government has been heavily criticised for allowing thousands of mainly maskless English football to party in Porto during the Champions League final last weekend. The British government's decision is a huge blow for Portugal's tourism sector, which represents a significant chunk of GDP and has Britain as one of its biggest foreign markets. 'It's not great for businesses but slowly we will get there - or at least I really hope so because our economy is down,' said restaurant manager Ana Paula Gomes in Lisbon. The head of the hotels' association in the touristy Algarve region, Eliderico Viegas, said Britain's move would hit the sector like a 'bucket of cold water'. Joao Fernandes, President of Algarve Tourism, speaking in his first comments since the UK announcement, said: 'As you can imagine we are bitterly disappointed to be moved to the amber list. 'In the Algarve region we host two thirds of the British overnight hotel stays in Portugal. And since the start of the pandemic the Algarve has had the lowest number of cases and better indicators than the rest of the country. 'Furthermore, Portugal has one of the highest levels of pandemic control and prevention in the EU, according to indicators in the latest ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) report. 'I've never seen the travel industry so angry' Speaking from Gibraltar, travel expert Simon Calder told ITV's Good Morning Britain today: 'On this occasion I have never seen the travel industry so angry. 'Here I am in beautiful Gibraltar, it's the last country standing, the only country meaningfully where you can actually go on holiday without too many restrictions and come back. It's the only Mediterranean destination on the green list. Travel expert Simon Calder, pictured in Gibraltar this morning 'There are fewer than 94 hours remaining for tens of thousands of British holidaymakers in Portugal to get out if they want to avoid ten days of quarantine when they get back. Air fares are going through the roof. 'On top of that, the travel industry is in utter despair because they thought they would have Portugal, then that would gradually build and then quite soon Spain. 'But instead the Government have effectively not just moved the goalposts on how these things are decided, but uprooted them and moved them to an entirely different arena.' Advertisement 'The millions of Brits that visit us each year contribute to the livelihoods of many people in the region. 'Our hotels, tour operators and airline partners will also once again be put in a difficult situation, trying to plan around these ever-changing rules. 'For holidaymakers it is an impossible situation trying to book a holiday overseas, and I sympathise with those that were looking forward to visiting our beautiful region for a well-deserved break. 'We hope they will re-arrange their holiday to the Algarve for later in the year rather than cancel completely.' Alfonso Rodriguez Badal, mayor of the municipality of Calvia which includes the popular British holiday resort of Magaluf, said the decision to keep the Balearic Islands on amber was a 'surprise.' He added: 'It's also obviously a disappointment. 'We were confident we would go onto a green light rating because we understood people here had made a real effort to get our accumulated coronavirus rate down to a very low level to make us one of the safest if not the safest Mediterranean resort. 'Therefore we felt this could give the UK enough confidence to let holidaymakers come here without imposing restrictions on their return. 'It hasn't happened but we are going to continue working towards achieving this and we are confident and hope that the next UK government revision will lead to Calvia and the Balearic Islands and the rest of Spain as well if it can happen, being given that green traffic light rating that will facilitate the arrivals of more tourists here.' Iago Negueruela, regional Tourism Minister for the Balearic Islands which was hoping to be the sole Spanish region to be put on the UK's green traffic light system, said he viewed the decision as that of a 'sovereign state focused on its own domestic health situation' in light of the June 21 Freedom Day date. He added: 'At the moment practically no Mediterranean holiday destination is open for the UK. We respect the British government's decision. 'Given the good vaccination rate in the UK if we can go onto a green rating in the next UK government revision, we'll be in line with the estimations of the major tour operators like TUI and Jet2 who had said they would restart their operations towards the end of June. 'The British market is a very important market for us and we hope to recover it towards the end of this month.' UK holidaymakers scramble to cancel their planned trips to Portugal ahead of the Tuesday deadline, with some revealing they are knocking overseas holidays on the head this year Eduardo Jesus, the Regional Secretary for Culture and Tourism of Madeira, called the UK decision to demote it to amber 'unfair and completely inadequate.' Man City and Chelsea fans told to self-isolate after Porto final Hundreds of Manchester City and Chelsea fans who travelled to Portugal for the Champions League final last weekend have been ordered to self-isolate for 10 days - with the country axed from the UK's Green List. Supporters who travelled on a Ryanair flight from Porto to Manchester on Sunday morning have been contacted by the NHS's Test and Trace app - though the number of positive cases is unknown. Three planeloads of Chelsea fans were also asked to self-isolate, leading to fears that all 12,000 supporters who travelled to Lisbon could be affected. Both clubs organised flights for their supporters - though some travelled independently. Fans who were on the flights organised by the club shared details of messages from the NHS Track and Trace app which contacts people who have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19. 'Anyone else been captured by NHS track and trace since getting back from Porto?' one supporter posted on Facebook. 'Despite two vaccinations, a negative test and no symptoms I've got to self-isolate for 10 days ...Deep Joy!' Chelsea fans were offered a 199 travel package through the club on top of the cost of the match ticket, although some of their 6,000 supporters chose to travel to the country independently. Football fans celebrating Sporting Lisbon's title win were also identified as potential causes. Portugal's government has kept bars and night clubs closed and still recommend people working from home but the country has now lost its place on the UK's 'green list'. Advertisement He said: 'We are already reacting with the British government, presenting a set of arguments we believe are valid, and pointing out that this decision is totally incorrect for Madeira, inadequate and above all, very unfair.' He told local press: 'The reality of Madeira has been different from the national reality for a long time, with a model adopted here for controlling entry and monitoring citizens throughout their stay in the region. 'Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind that Madeira is in a much more advanced state with regard to the vaccination process than mainland Portugal and this is also a factor of confidence, not only for those who live here, but also for those who visit us. 'The risk of British citizens traveling to Madeira is reduced by the fact that the overwhelming number of passengers come on direct flights.' UK holidaymakers revealed they are planning on cancelling their trips to the country while others said they will not bother going abroad this summer. One Twitter user said: 'I'm due to fly to Portugal on Sunday for 7 days, so will be green when I go and amber on return? Will my holiday still go ahead??' Another tweeted: '17 days Portugal has been on the green list. How the hell is anyone going to have the confidence to book a foreign holiday? I certainly won't be whilst this traffic light system is in place.' One person wrote: '@jet2tweets what are our options now with Portugal going amber? Supposed to be going in 3 weeks'. Another said: 'It looks liuke my summer holiday is gone, so this week in Portugal is a god send'. On Twitter user added: 'Would be funny if I hadn't flown to Portugal this morning'. It comes as travel industry leaders blasted the Government's 'crippling' and 'confusing' decision to axe Portugal from its green list of safe destinations amid growing concern over the Nepal coronavirus variant. In a statement to MailOnline, package holiday firm TUI UK called the announcement 'another step back for our industry' and demanded to see the scientific basis for the decision. Its managing director, Andrew Flintham, said: 'After promises that the Global Travel Taskforce would result in a clear framework, removing the damaging flip flopping we all endured last summer, the Government decision to move Portugal straight from green to amber will do untold damage to customer confidence. 'We were reassured that a green watch list would be created and a weeks' notice would be given so travellers wouldn't have to rush back home. They have failed on this promise. Holidaymakers suffered a hammer blow as Portugal was removed from the UK's green list with Grant Shapps citing fears over the spread of the Nepal variant Britain recorded more than 5,000 Covid cases for the first time in more than two months while 18 more people died from the virus 'Unlike other European countries and despite multiple requests, the government has refused to be transparent about the data requirements for green, amber and red destinations. 'Everybody needs a break': British sunseekers react with fury and disbelief as No10 moves Portugal to amber list of nations Tired of mixed messages, British sunseekers in Portugal reacted with fury and disbelief to their government's decision to reimpose a quarantine regime for travellers coming from the popular southern European destination. Desperate to shake off pandemic blues, John Joyce, from Newcastle, and his family decided to book a holiday in sunny Portugal as soon as Britain added it to the so-called green list of foreign destinations around three weeks ago. 'Everybody needed a little break... a change from being stuck at home,' the 44-year-old said as he enjoyed a beer at a restaurant in the heart of Lisbon. Portugal was the only big beach destination placed on the list, which allowed Britons to travel there without needing to quarantine when returning home. Like Joyce, thousands packed their bags. But on Thursday Britain shifted Portugal to its amber list due to rising COVID-19 case numbers and the risk of a mutation of the virus variant first discovered in India. 'It's a bit unfair,' Joyce said. 'There are families bringing out kids and people who booked their holidays already...and the stress involved for people, including myself,' a visibly annoyed Joyce said. Charlotte Cheddle, a 22-year-old from England, echoed the same feelings, urging the British government to either 'ban international travel completely or communicate properly with people'. 'It's silly,' said Cheddle, who will now have to quarantine for 10 days when she flies back. 'We made an effort to get tested privately...We paid for everything and we have done everything to make it safe.' Portugal has lifted most of its lockdown restrictions. The government has been heavily criticised for allowing thousands of mainly maskless English football to party in Porto during the Champions League final last weekend. Some locals worried it could fuel a spike in cases. The country of just over 10 million people reported 769 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the highest daily increase since early April. Total infections now stand at 851,031. The British government's decision is a huge blow for Portugal's tourism sector, which represents a significant chunk of GDP and has Britain as one of its biggest foreign markets. 'It's not great for businesses but slowly we will get there - or at least I really hope so because our economy is down,' said restaurant manager Ana Paula Gomes in Lisbon. The head of the hotels' association in the touristy Algarve region, Eliderico Viegas, said Britain's move would hit the sector like a 'bucket of cold water'. Advertisement 'We must see the methodology so we can help our customers and plan our operations accordingly. There are destinations around the world with little or no Covid-19 cases and good vaccination rates, so we need to understand why these remain on the amber list.' EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: 'This shock decision to add Portugal to the Amber list is a huge blow to those who are currently in Portugal and those who have booked to be reunited with loved ones, or take a well-deserved break this summer. 'With Portuguese rates similar to those in the UK it simply isn't justified by the science. 'And to add no more countries to the Green list when most of Europe's infection rates are on a downward trend and many places with low infection rates below that of the UK, such as the Balearics with a current rate of 33 in 100,000 and Malta, with just 12 in 100,000, this makes no sense. 'Especially when domestic travel is allowed within the UK, despite a number of cities having infection rates 20 times greater than much of Europe. 'When this framework was put together, consumers were promised a waiting list to allow them to plan. Yet the Government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing peoples' plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK. 'This decision essentially cuts the UK off from the rest of the world. 'We have demonstrated that a safe reopening of travel is possible as our study with leading epidemiologists from the Yale School of Public Health showed that the criteria which matters most is the impact on hospitalisation rates back in the UK, not the infection rates in destination. 'Reopening travel to much of Europe would have a negligible impact on hospitalisation rates in the UK. 'While our European fleet is gearing up for summer as European governments open up travel for their citizens, the UK government is making it impossible for airlines to plan while consumers are left grounded in UK.' Shares in easyJet, British Airways-owner IAG and Jet2 were down five per cent on fears that Europe would lose another peak travel season, when millions of Britons usually head to southern Europe in July and August. Ryanair and TUI, which has a big German customer base as well as British, lost four per cent. Data provided by Cirium showed that Ryanair and easyJet had been scheduled to operate more than 500 flights from the UK to Portugal in June. The airlines had all added flights to the country in May. The industry is already weakened by 15 months of lockdowns, forcing it to cut tens of thousands of jobs and take on debt, and it will be severely challenged if there is no reopening this summer. The news is also likely to sound the alarm in France, Spain, Greece and Italy where thousands of jobs rely on the arrival of high-spending British tourists each summer. Portugal's foreign ministry said it did not understand the 'logic' behind the decision. 'We took note of Britain's decision to remove Portugal from the green list,' the ministry said on Twitter, adding that it would continue to ease its lockdown rules 'gradually'. No countries are being added to the 'green list', dashing hopes that places such as Malta, Jamaica and Grenada could be added to the roster thanks to easing Covid rates. And more countries are being put on the 'red list' that means returning travellers must go into quarantine hotels. They are Egypt, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago and Afghanistan. Mr Shapps said there had been a rise in test positivity in Portugal, and also pointed to the danger that the coronavirus variant linked to Nepal could pose a fresh threat to the escape from lockdown. Summer holidays plunged into chaos: No green light for thousands of families and 2billion wiped off airlines as Shapps insists: 'Nepalese mutant gave us no choice' Britons' hopes of foreign holidays abroad this summer were plunged into turmoil last night. On a devastating day for the travel industry, ministers shrank the number of countries on the quarantine-free green list and downgraded Portugal. Amid fears over new variants, several popular holiday destinations that had hoped to 'go green' were rejected, while seven more countries were added to the strict red list. Portugal (pictured: A beach in Cascais near Lisbon) has been dropped from the UK's travel green list It leaves Gibraltar as the only realistic holiday destination which Britons can visit quarantine-free. Most of the ten other green-list countries have strict entry requirements, or an outright ban on Britons visiting for holidays. Ministers appeared to signal last night that foreign travel had effectively been sacrificed to give Britain the best chance of lifting all Covid restrictions on June 21. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the 'decisive action' would help 'make sure that we can do a domestic unlock'. But it triggered fury from travel industry chiefs, who accused the Government of trying to 'isolate' Britain from the world and warned that another 'lost summer' could lead to a jobs bloodbath and billions more being wiped from the economy. Figures compiled for the Mail by the all-party Future of Aviation group of MPs last night projected that the cost to the economy could be as much as 11.5billion in outbound travel alone if the current restrictions remain through the next three months. Meanwhile, fears were raised for the 1.6million jobs the aviation, travel and tourism creates. Yesterday's developments wiped more than 2billion off the value of UK-listed travel and airline firms on the London stock exchange. British Airways owner IAG, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Wizz Air and engine maker Rolls-Royce all suffered heavy falls as news spread that no countries would be added to the green list. And in a sign of the despair gripping the industry, package holiday giant Jet2 cancelled all foreign holidays until July 1 three days after the next review of the green list is due. The decision to remove Portugal from the green list was particularly controversial and sparked a diplomatic row last night, with the country's president accusing UK ministers of 'health fundamentalism'. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also accused the Government of being overly 'obsessed' with infection rates, rather than focusing on his country's low hospital admissions and death rate. It also sparked a scramble among the British holidaymakers already in Portugal who now have to decide whether to cut short their holidays and dash back by 4am on Tuesday before the amber-list restrictions kick in. And thousands more who booked to go to there in the coming weeks were left in limbo over whether to re-book or seek refunds. There was also anger at ministers moving Portugal straight to amber rather than putting it on the 'watchlist'. This would have kept the country green for a bit longer while warning travellers it could turn amber. The Mail can reveal that Mr Shapps and Health Secretary Matt Hancock clashed over the issue of holidays at a crunch Cabinet meeting yesterday. Mr Hancock was said to have rejected calls for any new low-risk destinations going green and even argued that Portugal shouldn't go on the 'amber watchlist'. He was also said to have pushed back firmly against Malta being added to the green list, despite its very low infection and high vaccination rates. But another source played down the row, saying the pair have 'a very good working relationship but occasionally have a difference in perspective'. It came after the Mail yesterday revealed that ministers had been warned by scientists about the emergence of the new 'Nepal variant' being detected in holiday hotspots. Mr Shapps confirmed yesterday that the emergence of the variant contributed to a stripped-down green list, with the infection rate in Portugal where cases of the variant have been detected 'nearly doubling' in recent weeks. But travel industry leaders warned that consumer confidence will be 'destroyed' now they know how quickly countries can be downgraded. Heathrow chief John Holland-Kaye said: 'Ministers spent last month hailing the restart of international travel, only to close it down three weeks later, all but guaranteeing another lost summer for the travel sector.' Acting general secretary of the BALPA union, Brian Strutton, said: 'This decision is a total disaster for the already fragile travel industry and is likely to lead to further airline failures and many more job losses. 'Any shred of public confidence is in tatters and the traffic light system seems stuck on red. Our airlines need this summer season if they are to survive.' Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said last night: 'This decision will further threaten tens of thousands of jobs in aviation and travel, not to mention further damage consumer confidence. 'The data shows several countries should be green so the Government's decision defies logic. Summer is being squeezed by a policy of fear.' Labour MP Yvette Cooper, chairman of the home affairs committee, added: 'The Government put Portugal on the green list only two and a half weeks ago, encouraging people to book holidays, and now they have had to reverse their decision, citing new variants and the impact on the timetable for lifting domestic restrictions. 'This is a completely chaotic way to make important public health decisions and is causing confusion for everyone.' Advertisement 'I want to be straight with people, it's actually a difficult decision to make, but in the end we've seen two things really which caused concern,' he said. 'One is the positivity rate has nearly doubled since the last review in Portugal and the other is there's a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation, and simply don't want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock.' However, a British Airways spokesperson called the decision 'incredibly disappointing' and 'confusing', adding: 'The UK has reached a critical point and urgently needs travel with low-risk countries, like the US, to restart the economy, support devastated industries and reunite loved ones. 'With high levels of vaccinations in the UK being matched by other countries, we should see the UK Government adding destinations to 'green' as soon as possible - not turning its back on a traffic light model which we were led to believe was based firmly on scientific data.' Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye reacted with fury this afternoon, saying: 'Ministers spent last month hailing the restart of international travel, only to close it down three weeks later all but guaranteeing another lost summer for the travel sector. 'Everyone wants to protect public health, but the entire point of the Global Travel Taskforce was to establish a system to unlock low-risk travel safely. 'Britain is the worst performing economy in the G7, and in the week that the Prime Minister hosts G7 leaders to launch his Government's vision of Global Britain, he's sending a message that the UK will remain isolated from the rest of the world and closed to most of its G7 partners. 'If the Government is serious about protecting UK jobs and supporting businesses across the country, rapid action is needed to reopen flights to key trading partners, remove testing for vaccinated passengers from 'green' countries, and slash the cost and complexity of testing, as other G7 countries are doing.' Gatwick Airport boss Stewart Wingate told MailOnline: 'It is bitterly disappointing news for our impacted passengers and airlines that Portugal is to be added to the 'amber' list from next week while no further destinations are being opened up for 'green' travel.' The chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, Charlie Cornish, accused the Government of 'scapegoating' international travel and risking tens of thousands of jobs. He told MailOnline: 'We were told the traffic light system would allow people to travel safely, with the right measures in place to manage risk for different countries. 'But it is now clear the Government doesn't trust its own system and that international travel is being unfairly scapegoated, with tens of thousands of jobs placed at risk in the process. 'Low-risk destinations continue to be left off the green list despite clear evidence they are safe to visit. With case rates lower than the UK, we simply cannot understand why the likes of the Balearics, the Canaries and some Greek islands do not fall into that category. 'If we followed the approach being taken across Europe, lots of other countries - like the United States, Germany and Italy - would also be classed as green. Instead, we're stuck with a system that is clearly not fit for purpose and will deny people the opportunity to travel abroad safely this year. 'The lack of transparency is shocking and totally unacceptable. If the Government has information that supports its decisions, then it needs to publish it. We have repeatedly asked for this data, but we are being left in the dark about how it is making these choices, with no opportunity for scrutiny or challenge. 'That is not the way to go about limiting people's freedoms and crippling the country's travel and tourism sectors. 'With so much at stake, we need immediate transparency and urgent action to make this system of travel restrictions fit for purpose.' Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency, suggested the Government was motivated by 'political' considerations rather than public health. On the decision not to add any more countries to the green travel list he said: 'I think it's a terrible decision that threatens jobs and recovery in the travel sector. 'It shows little awareness of the safe destinations globally and is at odds with how citizens from other countries such as America are travelling. Those British citizens who have been fully jabbed should be given more flexibility to travel to a wider range of green destinations. 'They are basically putting at risk tens of thousands of jobs across aviation and the travel sector, and not showing any signs of helping the sector to recover. They seem to want to continue to create an atmosphere of fear among travellers, which is totally at odds with other countries. 'There are several countries which meet the criteria to be on the green list so this is clearly a politically charged decision rather than one based on data.' ABTA travel association boss Mark Tanzer said: 'It's clear that the Government's domestic health strategy is continuing to prevent any meaningful resumption of international travel. 'You can't build the recovery of a multi-billion-pound sector while mass market holiday destinations remain off the green list. The removal of Portugal comes on the back on what was already a very short and cautious green list. 'Travel agents and tour operators haven't been able to generate income since the start of the pandemic and have been depending on the return of international travel to help bring in some much needed relief. 'The Government now needs to come forward with tailored financial support for the sector, which recognises that the travel industry's recovery will be slower than that in other sectors of the economy, and takes account of the unique challenges businesses in the sector are facing. 'Travel companies are desperately worried that at a time when the market hasn't opened up they will shortly face increased furlough and business rates costs, with support being gradually withdrawn from the end of this month. 'It's vital that the Government doesn't leave these businesses behind as it focuses on the domestic unlocking.' Steven Freudmann, chairman of Institute of Travel and Tourism, told MailOnline: 'It's an absolute hammer blow to the industry. The EU is about to bring in 'green passes' for anyone in the EU to travel freely around Europe, subject to their having been vaccinated or having tested negative. 'The UK is in real danger of shrinking into splendid isolation whilst at the same time seeing its travel industry die a death of a thousand cuts. 'The Government delayed 14 days before adding India to the red list, allowing 20,000 people who could have been carrying the new coronavirus strain into the UK. There is just no consistency.' TUI UK boss Andrew Flintham (left) called the announcement 'another step back for our industry'. EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren (right) said: 'This shock decision to add Portugal to the Amber list is a huge blow to those who are currently in Portugal and those who have booked to be reunited with loved ones, or take a well-deserved break this summer' In Portugal, Joao Fernandes, President of the Algarve Tourist Board, described the UK decision to downgrade Portugal from green to amber as a 'severe setback.' Jab should give freedom, not timorous isolation... This decision to add seven more countries to the red list is a savage blow to the travel sector, writes Easyjet boss JOHAN LUNDGREN By Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, for The Daily Mail After all the misery inflicted by the Covid pandemic, the travel industry desperately needed a shot in the arm. Instead it has just been given a kick in the teeth. At the very moment that Britain should be opening up, given that the virus is in retreat, the Government has decided to impose more restrictions. In a depressing step backwards, it was announced yesterday that seven additional countries are joining the red list of high-risk destinations, including such popular hotspots such as Egypt, Sri Lanka and Trinidad. Even more regrettably, the Government has actually removed Portugal from the green list of countries where journeys can be made without any requirements for quarantining and self-isolation. This decision is a savage blow to the sector and to thousands of Britons, who are either in Portugal at the moment or had booked trips to go there soon. Some will lose money, others will have holiday plans ruined and for what? The exclusion of Portugal makes no sense and is wholly unjustified by science, since the country's rates of Covid infection are much the same as the United Kingdom's. Nor is there any sign of disease beginning to surge again in Portugal, with hospital admissions and deaths at extremely low levels. Indeed, the whole current system is riddled with gross inconsistencies and anomalies. The British Government pledged to give special consideration to European islands, but that looks like another broken promise. The Balearic Islands off Spain have a current Covid infection rate of just 33 per 100,000 people significantly lower than the 50 per 100,000 in Britain yet they remain on the amber list. Similarly, restrictions still apply to Malta, where the infection rate is just 12 per 100,000. The reality is that, with the Covid crisis now rapidly diminishing throughout the continent, nearly all of Europe could be put on the British Government's green list and such a step would not have any negative impact on the United Kingdom. The absurdity of the Government's stance is further highlighted by the fact that there are no restraints on domestic travel by car, train or air around Britain, yet a number of places badly affected by the Delta variant have far more serious Covid problems than most of Europe. Yesterday's decision makes a mockery of the political rhetoric which promised that the vaccine programme would bring back normality and freedom. The jabs were meant to allow us back to the beaches of Spain and villages of France. Yesterday, an important milestone was reached as more than half of the adult British population has now received two doses. Shouldn't that have been the cue for great travel liberation rather than more tightening? It is highly unconvincing of the Government to argue that caution is needed because of the risk from new variants. That is a recipe for a permanent shutdown. As the distinguished Oxford professor Sir John Bell put it this week: 'If we scamper down the rabbit hole every time we see a new variant, we are going to spend a long time huddled away.' If ministers think that Britons should not travel, then they should be honest, instead of presiding over endless chaos that wrecks plans, promotes frustration and damages business. But rather than being gripped by fear, they should look across to Europe where Governments are embracing openness. Typical is the Netherlands, which allows unrestricted travel, without any further tests, both for anyone who has been fully vaccinated or anyone comes from a country that has an infection of less than 150 per 100,000. Britain's ill-conceived approach is costing the airline industry millions of pounds. Jobs are being lost, livelihoods destroyed. This month alone, 1,800 flights were due to depart from Britain for Portugal. In light of the green list decision, many of those will now have to be withdrawn. In one sense my own company of easyJet is lucky, in that 50 per cent of our operations are outside Europe. Even so, like the rest of the industry, we have been badly affected. A radical change in thinking is needed. Brexit, we were told, was a great opportunity for Britain to take its place on the global stage as a buccaneering, ambitious nation. That chance is now being squandered as ministers pull us into timorous isolation. Advertisement He told Portuguese press: 'We had a very robust and growing demand for the coming weeks from the British market, with flights increasing their capacity and hotel reservations consolidating.' Speaking just before the announcement was made public he added: 'It's obvious any change will have a very significant impact on the Algarve. 'Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has just come out which places us among the three countries in Europe with the lowest accumulated incidence of coronavirus in the last 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants. 'Before coming to Portugal a British tourist has to do a PCR test. In a European context Britain has the most advanced vaccination programme.' Alfonso Rodriguez Badal, mayor of the municipality of Calvia which includes the popular British holiday resort of Magaluf, said the decision to keep the Balearic Islands on amber was a 'surprise.' He added: 'It's also obviously a disappointment. 'We were confident we would go onto a green light rating because we understood people here had made a real effort to get our accumulated coronavirus rate down to a very low level to make us one of the safest if not the safest Mediterranean resort. 'Therefore we felt this could give the UK enough confidence to let holidaymakers come here without imposing restrictions on their return. 'It hasn't happened but we are going to continue working towards achieving this and we are confident and hope that the next UK government revision will lead to Calvia and the Balearic Islands and the rest of Spain as well if it can happen, being given that green traffic light rating that will facilitate the arrivals of more tourists here.' Iago Negueruela, regional Tourism Minister for the Balearic Islands which was hoping to be the sole Spanish region to be put on the UK's green traffic light system, said he viewed the decision as that of a 'sovereign state focused on its own domestic health situation' in light of the June 21 Freedom Day date. He added: 'At the moment practically no Mediterranean holiday destination is open for the UK. We respect the British government's decision. 'Given the good vaccination rate in the UK if we can go onto a green rating in the next UK government revision, we'll be in line with the estimations of the major tour operators like TUI and Jet2 who had said they would restart their operations towards the end of June. 'The British market is a very important market for us and we hope to recover it towards the end of this month.' Eduardo Jesus, the Regional Secretary for Culture and Tourism of Madeira, called the UK decision to demote it to amber 'unfair and completely inadequate.' He said: 'We are already reacting with the British government, presenting a set of arguments we believe are valid, and pointing out that this decision is totally incorrect for Madeira, inadequate and above all, very unfair.' He told local press: 'The reality of Madeira has been different from the national reality for a long time, with a model adopted here for controlling entry and monitoring citizens throughout their stay in the region. 'Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind that Madeira is in a much more advanced state with regard to the vaccination process than mainland Portugal and this is also a factor of confidence, not only for those who live here, but also for those who visit us. 'The risk of British citizens traveling to Madeira is reduced by the fact that the overwhelming number of passengers come on direct flights.' UK holidaymakers revealed they are planning on cancelling their trips to the country while others said they will not bother going abroad this summer. One Twitter user said: 'I'm due to fly to Portugal on Sunday for 7 days, so will be green when I go and amber on return? Will my holiday still go ahead??' Another tweeted: '17 days Portugal has been on the green list. How the hell is anyone going to have the confidence to book a foreign holiday? I certainly won't be whilst this traffic light system is in place.' One person wrote: '@jet2tweets what are our options now with Portugal going amber? Supposed to be going in 3 weeks'. Another said: 'It looks liuke my summer holiday is gone, so this week in Portugal is a god send'. Another added: 'Would be funny if I hadn't flown to Portugal this morning'. The Government said the decision to move Portugal to the amber list followed an 'almost doubling' in the country's coronavirus test positivity rate and the discovery of 68 cases of the Indian variant including some with a mutation previously seen in Nepal. Public Health England is investigating both the Indian variant and the mutation 'to better understand whether it could be more transmissible and less effectively tackled by vaccines'. Mr Shapps said 'decisive action' will help 'make sure that we can do a domestic unlock'. 'We would expect in the ordinary course of events for there to be now a three-week period, obviously subject to if something dramatic comes up we would of course need to make changes elsewhere and we will have to reserve the right to do that to protect the population at home. 'Look, 67million people have been through a lot this last year and a half, but a lot of people have come forward for their jabs in incredible numbers. 'No one wants the government to fail to take decisive action to protect that as we look towards this fourth unlock, and we want to give ourselves the best possible chance when we get to that unlock and not have factors from outside - for example potentially vaccine defeating mutation - preventing us from being able to give ourselves the best chance of unlocking domestically.' Passengers arrive at Faro airport in the Algarve in the south of Portugal on May 17 Mr Shapps said the UK had 'done wonders with our vaccination programme and the rest of the world will catch up'. Nepal variant 'could have been spread by Everest climbers' A coronavirus variant that is being linked to Nepal could have been spread by climbers travelling home from Mount Everest, experts say. As many as 13 passengers flying from Nepal to Japan were infected with the new mutant strain that combines mutations from the Indian and South African variants. At least 43 cases have been spotted in the UK, MailOnline revealed today, with the strain first spotted on April 24 according to surveillance data. Cases were also detected in the US, India and Portugal. Its mutations mean scientists fear it could be more infectious, and more resistant to vaccines. Matt Hancock said yesterday Britain is preparing to buy millions of tweaked doses of the AstraZeneca jab that target the South African variant. SAGE scientists think it makes jabs at least 30 per cent less effective against infections, but its impact on severe disease is not known. Ministers sparked surge testing in postcode areas where the strain was detected, to root out every last case. At least one case has been spotted in Portugal, which sources say will move to the 'amber' list today sparking holiday misery across the country. Only one case of the variant has been recorded in Nepal so far, but the country carries out very little surveillance for mutant strains. The UK has placed Nepal and India on its 'red' list, and the US is on its 'amber' list. Advertisement 'Europe is probably 10 weeks behind but they will catch up and I don't know exactly what that will mean in terms of the summer but the decisive action today is designed to protect the future, to make sure that we can do a domestic unlock or give ourselves the best possible chance of doing so and that will also help us to unlock international travel given time,' he added. 'So we're not in the same place as last year, we've got the vaccination programme, we do need to check though that the vaccine can work against all the kinds of mutations that we're seeing and so we're having to take a safety first attitude when it comes to those mutations becoming apparent.' With Portugal facing a shift to the amber list after ministers meet today, people returning from the country will have to self-isolate for 10 days as well as paying for coronavirus tests. It will be a huge kick in the teeth to Britons who have already booked a holiday in hot spots such as the Algarve, believing they will be able to return quarantine free. And it will also be another damaging blow to the already struggling travel industry, which had hoped for more countries to be added to the green list this month. Yesterday Portugal saw its highest daily number of cases since March. And the country currently has a case rate of around 37 infections per 100,000 people - higher than the UK's rate of 34.5. The final decisions were based on an assessment from the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC). Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the priority was 'keeping the country safe'. 'We have got to follow the data and of course, I understand why people want to travel but we've got to make sure we keep this country safe, especially because the vaccine programme is going so well,' he told reporters at a G7 gathering in Oxford this morning. 'We have seen hospitalisations and deaths come right down and we have to got to protect the progress we have made here at home, whilst allowing for travel where it is safe. 'You have got to follow the data.' Mr Johnson hinted at a hard line when he was asked about expanding the green list yesterday, and said: 'We're going to try to allow people to travel, as I know that many people want to, but we've got to be cautious and we've got to continue to put countries on the red list, on the amber list, when that is necessary. 'I want you to know we will have no hesitation in moving countries from the green list to the amber list to the red list, if we have to do so. 'The priority is to continue the vaccination rollout, to protect the people of this country.' In the past, holiday-makers have normally been given days - and sometimes up to a week - to return to the UK from countries where travel restrictions have been changed. The government has ignored pressure for other countries such as Malta to be added to the green list. The Mediterranean island, a popular destination for British tourists, is currently on the amber list, but has high vaccination levels and low infections. The Cayman Islands, Grenada, British Virgin Islands, Finland and some Caribbean islands were also among those being floated for the green list. Cyprus' deputy tourism minister yesterday said the country 'absolutely deserves' to be in the loosest category. After today, the green list - which currently contains 12 countries - will not be reviewed until the week running up to June 28. That means it will be July before there is another chance for more destinations to make it on to the list. French security forces have dismantled a migrant camp near Calais which was home to hundreds of people looking to cross the Channel to the UK. Officers broke up the camp, located inside abandoned industrial buildings, early Friday due to violence and amid fears it could become a semi-permanent settlement like the notorious 'Jungle' camp that existed between 2015 and 2016. Hundreds of police and gendarmes were involved in the operation, which involved escorting the mostly young and male migrants to official shelters. It comes amid a sharp rise in migrants heading from the continent to the UK, with some 4,500 having crossed so far this year and more than 1,000 in the last week. Police have broken up a migrant camp near the French city of Calais that was home to an estimated 800 mostly-male immigrants hoping to cross to the UK Officers marshalled the migrants on to buses so they can be taken to official migrants centres and their status assessed, before deciding whether they should be sent home France's interior minister gave the order to break up the camp after reports of violence there and amid fears it could become semi-permanent A total of 201 made the crossing just yesterday, according to Home Office figures, as Border Force guards use jet skis to try and stop them. French officials say 171 people were prevented from making the crossing yesterday. 'Thank you to the security forces who are mobilised and to the agents who are working on providing shelter,' Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin tweeted after the camp was broken up on Friday. Calais has long been a magnet for migrants and refugees who travel there in the hope of reaching Britain, either by stowing away on trains or ferries, or latterly by taking to the water in dinghies and small boats. A notorious camp known as the 'Jungle' -- which was home to about 10,000 people at its height - was demolished in 2016 by French police. Local residents in Calais complain about rubbish and crime, while occasional outbreaks of violence in the camps, often between different nationalities or ethnic groups, require police interventions. it comes five years after the notorious Calais 'Jungle' camp - which at one time was home to some 8,000 migrants - was broken up by French police The Calais Jungle sprung up amid the 2015 European migrant crisis and was broken up the following year as leaders began tackling the problem A French police officer watches as part of the Calais Jungle camp is destroyed in October 2016 Campaign groups and NGOs working in Calais say migrants are left by authorities to live in miserable conditions, without access to basic sanitation or food, and are routinely harassed by security forces. Francois Guennoc, head of the Auberge des migrants group which provides aid, said the dismantling of the camp would make no difference. 'In any case, people move, they go somewhere else. It's an endless journey,' he told AFP. 'Everyone is turning in circles: refugees, authorities and associations.' He estimated around 1,500 migrants and refugees were in Calais at the present time, with around 800 in the camp dismantled on Friday, which was in former industrial buildings near the town's hospital, southeast of the centre. 'Several hundred migrants were identified on the premises, including about 30 children,' local officials said in a statement. The operation started at around 6 a.m. with the migrants being taken to various reception centres in the region. Authorities have repeatedly dismantled illegal campsites only for them to pop up again elsewhere within months. Many of the migrants have fled to France from North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, escaping countries blighted by wars and poverty. The Calais camp was broken up amid a record number of migrants crossing into the UK, with some 4,500 arriving since the start of the year (pictured, arrivals on Wednesday) More than 1,000 migrants have made it to the UK in the last week, including one group who filmed their crossing on TikTok Advertisement Ibiza's famous pristine beaches appeared eerily quiet this month as coronavirus restrictions forced tourists to stay away from the holiday island. The sun-soaked beaches in the party hotspot, which are normally thriving with tourists, appeared almost deserted after the island was placed on the Government's amber list amid growing concern over coronavirus variants. The scenes, which are a marked change from the packed beaches seen in previous years, come as experts said recent data on infection and vaccination rates meant that Spain and the Balearics and Canary Islands, Greece, and France would likely remain on the Government's amber travel list. Holidaymakers travelling to the Government's amber list countries are required to either quarantine at home for ten days or take a PCR test on days two and eight after their arrival to the UK. This month, images from Ibiza's Cala de Sant Vicent and Sant Antoni resorts showed virtually empty beaches with very few tourists. Slide me This month a beach in Cala de Sant Vicent, Ibiza, appeared virtually deserted (left) after the island was placed on the Government's amber list. The scenes were a stark contrast to those in 2013 which showed a packed beach thriving with tourists (right) Slide me The beach in the party resort destination appeared empty (left) as coronavirus restrictions forced tourists to stay away from the holiday island Slide me The windswept beaches (left) appeared deserted after the island was placed on the Government's amber list. Under the current guidelines, holidaymakers (tourists on the beach in 2013, right) travelling to the Government's amber list countries are required either to quarantine at home for ten days A beach in Sant Antoni, Ibiza, appears eerily quiet after the Balearic Islands were kept off the green list by the Government It comes just weeks after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps refused to confirm if the Balearic islands would be added to the Government's green list this month. Speaking on Sky News he said: 'We will have to wait for the Joint BioSecurity centre to provide their readout on all of this. 'We have always said in the past we have tried to assess islands separately. 'Whether that is possible or not isn't just down to the level of infection on those islands, it's also down to their ability to sequence the genomes that we know about, the variants or potential variants of concern on those islands as well.' Last month, experts Robert Boyle, a former BA strategist, and Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, both agreed it was unlikely Spain, Greece, Italy and France would make the green list this month. However, Mr Boyle and Mr Charles identified Malta, Finland and some Spanish islands as strong candidates for the green list. Mr Boyle also tipped some Greek islands while Mr Charles said a clutch of Caribbean islands are in contention. Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com, said: 'There is a scientific case and a data-led case for more destinations to be put on the green list.' Meanwhile Jonathan Hinkles, chief executive of Loganair, said: 'Public health is the priority, that has to rank above economics health, but we believe those objects can be safely achieved by putting more countries onto the green list.' Spain's tourism minister, Fernando Valdes, also said he hoped at least parts of the country would be put onto Britain's green list as the holiday season began to open. The country has already opened its doors to people from the UK, but travellers have to quarantine for nearly two weeks when they get home from their holiday. Yesterday travel industry chiefs blasted the Government's 'crippling' decision to axe Portugal from its green list of safe destinations amid growing concern over the Nepal coronavirus variant. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the Mediterranean country, whose economy relies greatly on UK tourists, was being moved to the amber list from 4am on Tuesday following a rise in positive tests. But the move triggered fury from travel industry chiefs, including the chief executives of Heathrow and easyJet, who accused the Government of trying to 'isolate' Britain from the world and warned that another 'lost summer' could lead to a jobs bloodbath and billions more being wiped from the economy. Slide me Very few tourists were spotted on a beach in Sant Antoni, Ibiza (left), after the holiday destination failed to included on the Government's 'green list'. However in 2018, the very same beach was thriving with sun-seekers (right) Slide me A few stragglers (left) were spotted enjoying the sun on a beach Cala de Sant Vicent this month after the island was placed on the UK's amber list. However the beach has perviously been flooded with tourists during the summer season (right) Last month, Spain's tourism minister, Fernando Valdes, said he hoped at least parts of the country would be put onto Britain's green list The windswept beach in Cala de Sant Vicent appeared almost deserted this mont after the Balearic Islands were kept off the 'green list' of countries deemed safe to travel to Last month, experts Robert Boyle, a former BA strategist, and Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, tipped some Spanish islands as strong candidates for the green list. Pictured: A packed beach in Cala de Sant Vicent in 2013 In a statement, package holiday firm TUI UK called the announcement 'another step back for our industry' and demanded to see the scientific basis for the decision. Its managing director, Andrew Flintham, said: 'After promises that the Global Travel Taskforce would result in a clear framework, removing the damaging flip flopping we all endured last summer, the Government decision to move Portugal straight from green to amber will do untold damage to customer confidence. 'We were reassured that a green watch list would be created and a weeks' notice would be given so travellers wouldn't have to rush back home. They have failed on this promise. 'Unlike other European countries and despite multiple requests, the government has refused to be transparent about the data requirements for green, amber and red destinations. 'We must see the methodology so we can help our customers and plan our operations accordingly. There are destinations around the world with little or no Covid-19 cases and good vaccination rates, so we need to understand why these remain on the amber list.' 'I would like to see the medical records of the three people who are reported to have got sick in 2019,' Fauci said. 'Did they really get sick, and if so, what did they get sick with? Dr. Anthony Fauci has now demanded China release the medical records of six mine workers who got sick with COVID-like symptoms when they visited a bat cave in 2012, as well as three Wuhan lab researchers who fell ill just as the pandemic began. President Biden's embattled chief medical advisor, who is facing growing pressure to resign from Republicans after the release of his emails, upped his calls for Beijing to hand over evidence that could provide clues to the origins of the virus that has killed 3.6million people worldwide. Fauci's push for the Chinese medical records comes as evidence mounts supporting the theory that COVID-19 leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, where the three lab workers fell ill in November 2019, despite his longstanding insistence that 'natural spillover' from animals was the most likely scenario. In an interview with The Financial Times on Thursday night, Fauci said the records could answer critical questions over the contested origins of COVID in Wuhan. 'I would like to see the medical records of the three people who are reported to have got sick in 2019,' Fauci said. 'Did they really get sick, and if so, what did they get sick with? 'The same with the miners who got ill years ago... What do the medical records of those people say?' he asked. 'It is entirely conceivable that the origins of Sars-Cov-2 was in that cave and either started spreading naturally or went through the lab.' He made the latest statements as he deals with the fallout of the release of his emails that show he communicated with Dr. Peter Daszak, the head of a non-profit that funneled U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Dr Fauci has urged the Chinese government to release the medical records of six miners who fell ill in 2012 and three researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology became sick in 2019 after visiting a bat cave in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan. An image of researchers at a similar mine in Guangdong is pictured above British-born Peter Daszak, 55, is the president of EcoHealth Alliance, the nonprofit that funneled US grant money to gain-of-function research at WIV and elsewhere. He is seen above participating in the World Health Organization's COVID-origins investigation in Wuhan Early in the pandemic, Daszak thanked Fauci for publicly downplaying the lab leak theory when he said COVID likely came from a natural spillover rather than the lab. 'I just wanted to say a personal thank you on behalf of our staff and collaborators, for publicly standing up and stating that the scientific evidence supports a natural origin for COVID-19 from a bat-to-human spillover, not a lab release from the Wuhan Institute of Virology,' Daszak wrote to Fauci. Daszak leads the EcoHealth Alliance non-profit, which takes in some $15 million in federal grants per year and passes the funds along to coronavirus researchers in Wuhan and elsewhere. Fauci has insisted the emails were taken out of context, and has defended the Chinese scientists. He also said he was never anti-Trump, but admitted who could never fully guarantee what was going on in the Wuhan lab after the National Institutes of Health (NIH) gave them a US taxpayer-funded grant. President Joe Biden responded to the mounting controversy by saying Fauci still has his full backing, telling reporters on Friday: 'Yes I'm very confident in Dr. Fauci.' Shi Zhengli, the so-called 'bat woman' and a coronavirus expert at the lab, insists there were no infections at the lab and claims to have ruled out the possibility of a lab leak. Fauci has not contested her claims, but has now called for further investigation. Fauci has previously said he believes Covid-19 was a natural occurrence, though he has admitted to not being '100 percent' certain. Fauci said the records could answer critical questions over the contested origins of Covid-19 in Wuhan, where a pandemic that has killed over 3.6 million people worldwide began. Shi Zhengli (left), the so-called 'bat woman' and a coronavirus expert at the lab, insists there were no infections at the lab On Thursday, former Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hit out at Fauci for parroting the same 'crazy talk' excuses and theories as China about the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak and says the National Institute of Health tried to thwart the State Department's investigation. Pompeo addressed the fight to uncover the origins of COVID-19 following a bombshell Vanity Fair report that revealed some State Department officials had advised against investigating the possibility virus leaked from a Wuhan lab. In an interview with Fox News' The Ingraham Angle on Thursday night, Pompeo said it was no surprise that some within the State Department tried to suppress the probe because they didn't like President Trump or himself. He added that he had to deal with a lot of internal bureaucracy and debate from the NIH. Pompeo also criticized Fauci, who runs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under the NIH, for suggesting that China has an interest in the US discovering how the outbreak started. 'To hear Fauci... talk about how the Chinese have an interest in us discovering what happened is just crazy talk. The Chinese have a deep interest in covering it up. They have done so pretty darn effectively,' he said. Former Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday addressed the fight to uncover the origins of COVID-19 following new report that exposed the tug-of-war China wholly rejects the lab leak theory, and has instead accused the US of peddling conspiracies and politicizing the pandemic to divert attention from the high death rates there. Evidence to support the hypothesis is also scant. The natural origin theory holds that the virus emerged in bats then passed to humans, likely via an intermediary species. That theory was backed by a tightly-controlled team of World Health Organization investigators, whose number included Daszak, the only US-based member of the team that visited Wuhan in February. Beijing's foreign ministry Friday cited the findings of that visit in dismissing Fauci's comments -- and cited unsubstantiated claims that the virus first appeared at a US biological research center at Fort Detrick. It pointed to a Wuhan Institute of Virology statement from March when asked if Beijing would share the medical records. 'We hope that people who do not hold conspiracy theories, who do respect the facts and who do respect the truth can get factual answers from this statement,' Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told a briefing. A widely accepted theory at the start of the pandemic, scientists have yet to find a virus in either bats or another animal that matches the genetic signature of SARS-CoV-2. Biden last week ordered US intelligence agencies to report to him in the next three months on whether the Covid-19 virus first emerged in China from an animal source or from a laboratory accident. While China has tried to insist the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have begun to contemplate the possibility it escaped from the WIV - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread Chinese military 'engineered mice with humanized lungs' in 2019 to test viruses on them - just months before the pandemic erupted Medical researchers with the Chinese army engineered mice with humanized lungs in 2019 to test viruses on them, it has been reported. The mice, developed using CRISPR gene-editing technology, were mentioned in an April 2020 study which researched their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 illness, Vanity Fair revealed in its bombshell investigation. Of the study's 23 co-authors, 11 of them worked for the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, the medical research institute for the Chinese army. Investigators with the U.S. National Security Council, researching the origins of the pandemic, determined that the mice referenced in the study were created in the summer of 2019 - just months before the emergence of the pandemic. The National Security Council investigators also reportedly believed they had 'uncovered important evidence' supporting the theory that COVID-19 had leaked from a lab and began reaching out to other federal agencies, Vanity Fair reported. 'We were dismissed. The response was very negative,' said Anthony Ruggiero, the a senior director at the National Security Council. The study researched the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 illness, in mice with humanized lungs Shi Zhengli, the Wuhan Institute of Virology lead researcher on coronaviruses known as the 'Bat Woman' for her research on bat viruses, appears to have tested at least two novel coronaviruses on humanized mice in the last three years, Vanity Fair also revealed - citing comments she made to a scientific journal and grant information. Shi has refuted claims that COVID-19 leaked from a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and that the facility conducts military research. However, Shi was interviewed in a Scientific American article, first published in March 2020, in which she recounted how she 'frantically went through her own lab's records from the past few years to check for any mishandling of experimental materials, especially during disposal.' Shi was relieved when none of the genetic sequences from patients with COVID-19 matched those of the viruses her team had sampled from bat caves. 'That really took a load off my mind. I had not slept a wink for days,' Shi told the outlet. The Wuhan Institute of Virology is at the center of theories that Covid-19 leaked from a lab In January, the State Department released a fact sheet slamming the Chinese Communist Party of 'systematically' preventing a 'transparent and thorough investigation of the COVID-19 pandemic's origin.' The State Department acknowledged in the fact sheet at the time that the virus 'could have emerged naturally from human contact with infected animals.' 'Alternatively, a laboratory accident could resemble a natural outbreak if the initial exposure included only a few individuals and was compounded by asymptomatic infection,' the fact sheet reads. The State Department noted that the Wuhan Institute of Virology has 'collaborated on publications and secret projects with China's military' while 'presenting itself as a civilian institution.' 'The WIV has engaged in classified research, including laboratory animal experiments, on behalf of the Chinese military since at least 2017,' the sheet reads. For too long Connecticut has tacitly accepted unnecessary obstacles to voting in the Land of Steady Habits, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said, in a news release. When other states made voting more convenient through Early Voting and universal access to absentee ballots without an excuse, Connecticut has stayed the course, resulting 21st century voters casting their ballots in an 19th century system. Although it is unfortunate that there was not enough Republican support to let voters decide on this amendment on the 2022 ballot, the legislature will vote again on this question after the 2022 election, and voters will have their say in 2024. She was banned from driving for 27 months and given a year's community order Army lance corporal tried to order food from officer through window, court told She pulled into a McDonald's drive-thru that had been closed and cordoned off An Army lance corporal three times the drink drive limit was so drunk she tried to order fast food from a police officer who had been called to arrest her at a McDonald's drive-thru. Kayleigh Marie Goodall, 33, was spotted by CCTV operators 'driving erratically all over the road' at Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire. She pulled into the chain's drive-thru after failing to notice it was closed and cordoned off. But when officers caught up with her shortly after midnight on May 15, she tried to order food from them through her car window, York Magistrates Court was told. Kayleigh Marie Goodall (pictured above), 33, was spotted by CCTV operators 'driving erratically all over the road' at Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire The Army lance corporal, above, tried to order food from police officers through her car window, York Magistrates Court was told Kathryn Reeve, prosecuting, said: 'She asked to order food from the police officer before being removed from the car.' A breath test gave a reading of 116 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than three times the legal limit of 35. Goodall, of Warsop, had been out drinking in Richmond, North Yorkshire, with friends and continued boozing when she returned to her camp at Catterick Garrison. The court heard she then decided to drive to the McDonald's which is less than half a mile from her base in the military town. Goodall (above) had been out drinking in Richmond, North Yorkshire, with friends and continued boozing when she returned to her camp at Catterick Garrison Goodall, who has been in the Army for at least 10 years, pleaded guilty to drink driving. She was banned from driving for 27 months and given a 12-month community order with 100 hours. She was also ordered to pay 85 prosecution costs and a 95 statutory surcharge. In mitigation, duty solicitor Harry Bayman said a driving ban would mean she would not be able to continue her specialist driving and communication role in the Army. She will also face a military disciplinary hearing. A former Catholic priest and Labor official who travelled to poor Asian countries to film himself sexually exploit vulnerable boys has been jailed for at least 14 years. Peter Andrew Hansen, 63, pleaded guilty in the NSW District Court in Sydney to 31 charges. They include producing child pornography in Vietnam and the Philippines, distributing child exploitation material and engaging in sexual activity with nine boys. The former Melbourne priest, Labor Party official and lawyer was arrested at Sydney airport in October 2018 on his way back from Vietnam. After a day-and-a-half of reading his sentencing remarks, Judge Bennett jailed the fluent Vietnamese speaker on Friday for 19 years with a non-parole period of 14 years. Former Catholic priest and Labor official Peter Andrew Hansen (pictured), 63, travelled to poor Asian countries to sexually exploit vulnerable boys The former Melbourne priest, Labor Party official and lawyer was arrested at Sydney airport in October 2018 on his way back from Vietnam 'He is one of the base individuals who created abhorrent products for his own sexual pleasure, using children made vulnerable by circumstances in their homeland,' Mr Bennett said. Hansen's offending included paying sums - sometimes the equivalent of $7.50 - to boys to pose for pornographic photos in his hotel rooms, and engage in sexual activity with other boys or with him. His planning and organising had included acquiring premises for his 'sexual adventures' which had limited risk of exposure, the judge said. He rejected Hansen's evidence that he used the material for 'sexual comfort' rather than sexual arousal. Hansen, who was a Catholic priest in the Melbourne Archdiocese until he resigned in 2011, contended that looking at the images was 'almost a soothing thing, it diminished my anxiety'. But the judge found he was motivated by his sexual interest in boys and was willing to exploit their limited means in their homelands. Hansen had agreed he accessed child pornography when he was a priest. 'I am not satisfied he is genuinely contrite,' the judge said. He found Hanson had the capacity to manipulate and deceive those he spoke to about his offending, including a psychiatrist. Hansen's evidence that he only appreciated the harm he caused the boys when he read their victim impact statements 'beggars belief'. The judge referred to online encrypted exchanges between Hansen, using the moniker Baga Tay, and another person called 'Maliboy Hornbag'. Hansen sent images of boys and said he was 'hoping to keep the camera running' in the Philippines. 'I am still thinking of how I can milk the max out of my poolside weekend'. He referred to news about the health of the King of Thailand. Hansen's offending included paying sums - sometimes the equivalent of $7.50 - to boys to pose for pornographic photos in his hotel rooms, and engage in sexual activity with other boys or with him Peter Andrew Hansen, 63, pleaded guilty in the NSW District Court in Sydney to 31 charges. He has been jailed for a none parole period of 14 years 'With my bloody luck, he dies before I get there and everything is shut' and he hoped he 'lasts long enough for me to get about'. Maliboy Hornbag warned him not to overspend, saying 'they become greedy, that is what Manila is like now'. Hansen replied not only would he not overspend, 'I can't'. Hansen told Maliboy Hornbag the most he would pay the boys was 250 to 300 pesos plus a gift, outing and food. But for 'an outstanding performance' and 'for those I really like I might pump up to 500 the most'. The judge said the 'abhorrent nature of the commentary' in the messages illuminated Hansen's attitude towards his 'egregious misconduct'. More than 100,000 pornographic files were found on his devices, dating back to 2008 and as recent as 2018. A local intermediary had sent him photos of boys on Facebook, under the pretence of carrying out modelling shoots, and Hansen would tell him the ones he wanted to meet. Hansen had groomed the boys, also paying others to get access to them. The judge found he had no more than modest prospects of rehabilitation. He gave him a 25 per cent discount for his guilty pleas, noting this meant witnesses did not have to be called from overseas, but he found the crown case was 'exceptionally strong'. The earliest date he will be eligible for release on parole is in October 2032, after his sentence was backdated to when he went into custody. Protesters promising a 'Pride riot' smashed a window at the celebrity-favorite restaurant Carbone in New York City Thursday night, leaving one woman who was eating outdoors with a cut shoulder. At 8.15pm, a male protester who was part of the group walked past the Greenwich Village restaurant and smashed one of the panels on its outdoor-dining structure, that was put in place to get around COVID-19 measures banning indoor dining. The protester then fled with the rest of the group, which gathers every week to march around Manhattan in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Riot. It is the same group that clashed with cops and vandalized the Columbus Circle statue in April. Before turning out to march on Thursday, the group declared on Instagram that it would be staging a 'Pride riot'. 'Stonewall was a Riot! Pride is a Riot! Pride needs to center Black Trans and Queer People, Culture and Joy. This is not an ask but a declaration of what we will be doing in and off the streets. 'Our visibility is not up for debate and any form of policing or oppression against Black People will be dismantled by any means necessary,' they said in an Instagram post. The incident is the latest in a string of violent crimes across New York City which, still reeling from the pandemic, is seeing a drastic escalation in robberies, rapes and assaults as the police force fights bail reform and budget cuts. The riot on Thursday night came at the start of Pride Month, just a year after the city was torn apart by rioters in the wake of George Floyd's killing. Scroll down for video A Stonewall protester smashed a window at Carbone with his fist on Thursday night while people were dining at the famous restaurant The incident at Carbone (shown above on Friday morning) happened as diners ate outside. A woman who was near the window suffered a cut on her shoulder. The smashed window was still there Friday but had been replaced It was one of the panels on the restaurant's outdoor dining structure that was smashed. Restaurants were forced to fork out for the expensive outdoor dining cabanas to get around COVID-19 rules which banned indoor dining. The NYPD slammed the protesters for vandalizing it, especially when the restaurant industry is trying to get back on its feet Carbone replaced the smashed window within a few hours and the injured woman declined medical treatment at the scene. Now, NYPD detectives are combing through surveillance camera footage from the area to try to find the suspect. Carbone hasn't commented on the incident but the NYPD publicly condemned it and shared a photo of the damage on Twitter. 'Businesses throughout NYC are still recovering from the past year, purposely causing damage to their business is not helping any cause. 'This incident is under investigation. 'During tonights protest in Manhattan, not only was a business damaged, an innocent customer suffered a laceration when the glass shattered during their destruction.' The Stonewall protesters in Greenwich Village on Thursday night. The group gathers every week to march in the city but they often violently clash with cops Stonewall protesters on Thursday night marched through the city after declaring on Instagram that they were staging a riot Dozens gathered in the rain last night for the weekly protest. The NYPD hasn't yet released a description of the suspect but said it was a man Before going out on Thursday night, the group declared it was staging a 'Pride riot' on Instagram Stonewall protesters clash with cops at Columbus Circle in April this year in a different incident The group of Stonewall protesters also clashed with cops at Columbus Circle in April. They vandalized the statue and tried to spit on police officers in that standoff. Violent crimes across the board are up 30 percent from last year and NYPD unions are begging for change. They blame New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's bail reform and a series of budget cuts for the rise in crime. Figures released by Compstat reveal there were 1,754 major crimes across the city last week alone. There were 35 shootings, 39 rapes, 105 other sex crimes, 1,600 incidents of theft, 708 misdemeanor assaults and 14 hate crimes. In almost every single category, crime is up. This map shows the crimes reported to the NYPD in a single week at the end of May and where they took place Figures released by Compstat reveal there have been 1,754 major crimes across the city last week alone THEFT - Theft is up by 40 percent this week compared to the same week last year ASSAULT - Misdemeanor assaults are up by 15 percent. There were 700 last week SEX CRIMES - Sex crimes are up by 120 percent across the city - a terrifying jump TRANSIT CRIMES - Subway attacks are driving a spike in transit crime, which was up 105% last week Carbone hasn't commented on the incident but the NYPD publicly condemned it and shared a photo of the damage on Twitter The only categories where there was a decrease were murder and burglary. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said last week the city was getting too dangerous and efforts to revive it after COVID-19 will be hampered. 'We have a major crime problem in New York City. Everything we just talked about, with the economy coming back, you know what the first step is? People have to feel safe. 'We're building new projects, stimulating new business - what comes before that is public safety, otherwise none of it works. 'New Yorkers don't feel safe and they don't feel safe because the crime rate is up. 'It's not that they are being neurotic or overly sensitive - they are right.' New York City's iconic Soho neighborhood has been left almost unrecognizable due to a surge in graffiti and vandalism President Joe Biden stuck a blow at Beijing when he signed an executive order on Thursday that bans American investment in Chinese businesses with alleged ties to defense or selling surveillance technology. The order came because of the 'unusual and extraordinary threats' posed by Chinese surveillance technology against democracy, the administration said. 'This E.O. allows the United States to prohibit in a targeted and scoped manner U.S. investments in Chinese companies that undermine the security or democratic values of the United States and our allies,' the White House said in a statement. The order, which lists 59 Chinese firms, expands one that was issued in November by President Donald Trump. It prevents American financial support to Chinese firms linked to the country's military - both inside and outside of China - used to repress dissent or religious minorities. President Joe Biden signed executive order that bans US companies from investing in Chinese businesses with alleged ties to defense or selling surveillance technology The order, which lists 59 Chinese firms, expands one that was issued in November by President Donald Trump; the original order had 31 firms There are growing concerns about Beijing's spy technology - which includes facial-recognition cameras and software, phone-scanners and a range of other tools - and how it is being used. 'I find that the use of Chinese surveillance technology outside the PRC and the development or use of Chinese surveillance technology to facilitate repression or serious human rights abuse constitute unusual and extraordinary threats,' Biden said, using the acronym for the People's Republic of China. The order comes as Biden has doubled down on his attacks on authoritarian regimes, such as those in Russia and China. The first foreign leaders he hosted at the White House were the Japanese prime minister and the president of South Korea - a sign of the importance his administration places on the Pacific region. It also comes ahead of his first foreign trip - where he'll meet with leaders of the G7, NATO and the EU in addition to a sit down with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House said Biden will discuss the importance of democracy on the trip, including how to handle threats from China and Russia. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday that as part of the trip, the president will discuss 'his advocacy for democracy over autocracy domestically, here in the United States, but certainly around the world. He's always felt that we are stronger when we are working with our partners and our allies.' She noted those conversations would include talk of 'problematic behavior from some where we have disagreements, including Russia, including China.' By rewriting and expanding Trump's earlier order to include firms engaged in surveillance technology - which the Chinese has used against Muslim minorities like the Uyghurs and dissidents in Hong Kong - the Biden administration has strained already tense relations between Beijing and Washington. China reacted with fury. 'The U.S. government is stretching the concept of national security, abusing national power and using every possible means to suppress and restrict Chinese enterprises,' said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman at the Chinese foreign ministry, according to Reuters. 'We are firmly opposed to this,' Wang told reporters at a regular briefing on Friday, urging the United States to withdraw the list. China reacted with fury to Biden's order; 'The U.S. government is stretching the concept of national security, abusing national power and using every possible means to suppress and restrict Chinese enterprises,' said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman at the Chinese foreign ministry The ban will take effect on August 2; US companies would have a year from that date to wind down their investments Many of the companies on the expanded list were already on a Defense Department blacklist that limits access to American technology and investment. The original list included 31 companies. The companies include Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), China Mobile Communications Group, China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC), Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co Ltd, Huawei Technologies Ltd and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). Some of China's biggest telecommunications companies, including China Mobile, China Telecommunications and China Unicom, are also still banned. The ban will take effect on August 2. US companies would have a year from that date to wind down their investments. And more Chinese companies are expected to be added. 'We fully expect that in the months ahead ... we'll be adding additional companies to the new executive order's restrictions,' a senior administration official told reporters on a briefing call. Not included, however, were some previously identified companies, such as Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC), which is leading efforts to compete with Boeing Co and Airbus, and two that challenged the ban in court, Gowin Semiconductor Corp and Luokung Technology Corp. And Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp., which overtook Apple as the world's No. 3 smartphone maker by sales in the third quarter of 2020, was removed from the earlier investment blacklist after it sued the U.S. government, saying it had no ties to the Chinese military. Laemin (pictured) is the most wanted man in WA Dramatic footage shows one of the most wanted men in Australia somehow avoiding arrest despite being Tasered five times during a dramatic police chase through suburban homes. Laemin Forbes, 40, allegedly fled officers through backyards and houses in the Perth suburb of Como wearing nothing but his underwear and holding a shovel in the early hours of Thursday morning. While police were in pursuit he allegedly smashed through a glass door and assaulted multiple people, including an elderly woman, 84, who had got in his way walking on the footpath. The woman hit her head on the pavement after allegedly being thrown to the ground and was rushed to Sir Charles Gairdner hospital. 'Put the shovel down, put the shovel down now, stop... stop,' detectives in hot pursuit can be heard yelling in the footage. 'Taser, Taser!' Como resident Kira (pictured) said the man burst into her house in his 'jocks' but police were able to get in his way before he got close to her The fugitive then ran through a construction site and over fences into residential backyards. Witnesses told 7News Forbes was like a 'blood-soaked Terminator'. Como resident Kira was in her house when she said she 'saw the man shirtless and in his jocks'. 'He was tasered five times from what I know ... luckily the police officer was there and was able to block him before he got to us,' she said. He then allegedly stole a handbag from another woman in her 80s and took her car keys. He made his way to her red Mitsubishi ASX - leaving a trail of blood behind him - and got behind the wheel. Ramming through the woman's carport gate he narrowly avoided slamming into the detectives giving chase. The man led police on a foot pursuit (pictured) through Perth streets with witnesses saying he looked like a 'Termintor' Police later found the car in a ditch in nearby Huntingdale after he tore off down the Canning Highway. Mary, the woman in her 80s who got in Laemin's way on the pavement said she was caught by surprise by the man on his rampage. 'He put his arm around my chest and I think he must have pushed me back and I hit the top of my head on the driveway and so I just stayed there,' she said. 'I saw it come and I thought he's going to finish me off... but he didn't.' 'He was very strong... I couldn't fight him off if I tried. I'm only a little old lady.' Forbes is currently the most wanted man in Western Australia. WA Police Detective Sergeant Mat Atkinson said he should not be approached by the public. He warned Forbes is 'violent and unpredictable' and in a desperate state to escape. 'He should not be approached under any circumstances,' the statement said. 'If sighted, members of the community are asked not to approach Mr Forbes but to call police immediately on 131 444.' Mr Forbes is described as having a medium build with black hair and brown eyes. Police do not know what he is wearing. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 A Victorian man has been jailed after impregnating a 15-year-old girl and later holding a knife to a woman before police intervened. The 21-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect his victim's identity, began a relationship with the girl when she was just 14. She became pregnant at age 15. When the man later learned police were conducting a welfare check on the girl, who was from a broken home and staying with a woman, he lashed out. HE was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Victoria's County Court (pictured) He called the woman a 'f***ing dog' and pulled a knife on her when she asked him to leave the house in December 2019. He was jailed in Victoria's County Court on Friday for 18 months after pleading guilty to the sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16. He also admitted to common law assault and threatening to inflict serious injury against the woman he pulled a knife on. Afterwards, he left with the girl and was arrested the following day at a regional train station. The man, who was immature for his age because of his high-functioning autism and ADHD, had been told the relationship was inappropriate by his mother and the girl's mother. Judge Fran Dalziel said the relationship could not be described as an exploitative one because of the man's mental immaturity. But the judge also said the girl was unable to consent due to her age. Her pregnancy was terminated. The man had previously been warned by a sexual crimes detective over an earlier inappropriate relationship with another underage girl. After being released from jail, he must complete an 18-month community correction order. His sentence includes the time he's spent in custody since his arrest. Former Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has hit out at Dr Anthony Fauci for parroting the same 'crazy talk' excuses and theories as China about the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak and says the National Institute of Health tried to thwart the State Department's investigation. Pompeo addressed the fight to uncover the origins of COVID-19 following a bombshell Vanity Fair report that revealed some State Department officials had advised against investigating the possibility virus leaked from a Wuhan lab. In an interview with Fox News' The Ingraham Angle on Thursday night, Pompeo said it was no surprise that some within the State Department tried to suppress the probe because they didn't like President Trump or himself. He added that he had to deal with a lot of internal bureaucracy and debate from the NIH. Pompeo also criticized Fauci, who runs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under the NIH, for suggesting that China has an interest in the US discovering how the outbreak started. ''To hear Fauci... talk about how the Chinese have an interest in us discovering what happened is just crazy talk. The Chinese have a deep interest in covering it up. They have done so pretty darn effectively,' he said. Former Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday addressed the fight to uncover the origins of COVID-19 following new report that exposed the tug-of-war Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Fox News Privacy Policy Pompeo said there was 'overwhelming evidence' that supports the theory - touted regularly by Trump but initially dismissed by many experts - that COVID-19 likely escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. 'When you heard Dr Fauci... those are the exact same words, the exact same excuses, the exact same theories that the Chinese Communist Party has presented for over a year now. 'He implies good faith for the Chinese Communist Party. Here we are on the 32nd anniversary of Tiananmen Square where we saw the brutality of this regime. For Dr Fauci to go out and think the Chinese Community Party cared that there were people in Wuhan that were dying, whether it was Chinese people or Americans, is just naive beyond all possible imagination. 'The Chinese Communist Party doesn't care for a moment. They have no desire for the world to know what happened. They could clear this all up in a minute if they wanted to, they've chosen not to. 'I think that's another link in the chain that demonstrates that when we get to the end of this, we will have demonstrated the Chinese knew what had happened and their virology lab was at the center of it.' Pompeo wouldn't speculate on China's intention or the potential coverup. 'But we know this: They don't want you to know. That suggests to me that we should give them no benefit of the doubt and we should impose enormous costs of the Chinese Community Party until they come clean about what happened inside their country,' he said. Pompeo went on to praise the work of a group of State Department officials, specifically one Miles Yu who speaks Mandarin, who he says worked diligently to investigate the origins. The Vanity Fair report revealed that Yu was translating and 'mirroring' documentation he found on the Wuhan Institute of Virology's website so he could compile a dossier of questions for Pompeo about the research. Pompeo also criticized Fauci, who runs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under the NIH, for suggesting that China has an interest in the US discovering how the outbreak started Pompeo said there was 'overwhelming evidence' that supports the theory - touted regularly by Trump but initially dismissed by many experts - that COVID-19 likely escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology Pompeo acknowledged that he received an 'extensive piece of work' from Yu in April last year that they then worked to get declassified. 'There were folks all over that community who just didn't want to talk about this, who wanted to stay focused on other things. They didn't want the world to know the Chinese Communist Party was in the process of covering up,' Pompeo said of Yu's dossier. 'We can all draw our own conclusions... We had a group in the State Department - Miles Yu, a handful of others - who were working diligently to get this information out to the American people so the world could see what the Chinese Communist Party had done to all of us.' Pompeo's comments came the same day as Vanity Fair's report examining the behind-the-scenes battle over COVID's origins pointed to new evidence that supports the theory the pandemic leaked from the Wuhan lab. Former State Department official Thomas DiNanno says he was warned off the lab leak theory by nervous colleagues It has raised questions about why the theory wasn't investigated more thoroughly from the outset. It has emerged that career staffers at the State Department 'warned' officials not to investigate the possibility COVID-19 leaked from the Wuhan lab, fearing it would expose US funding for gain-of-function research there. Thomas DiNanno, former acting assistant secretary of the State Department's Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance raised the concern in a memo. DiNanno wrote that staff from two bureaus, his own and the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, 'warned' leaders 'not to pursue an investigation into the origin of COVID-19' because it would 'open a can of worms' if it continued. In one State Department meeting, officials say colleagues explicitly told them not to explore the Wuhan lab's gain-of-function research because it would bring unwelcome attention to the US taxpayer funds that were supporting the work. Gain-of-function research is a controversial field that involves collecting dangerous viruses and genetically modifying them to be more deadly, in order to study the risks of future outbreaks. Richard H. Ebright, a professor at Rutgers, has compared the field of gain-of-function research to 'looking for a gas leak with a lighted match.' DiNanno told Vanity Fair that his probe into the lab leak theory was thwarted at every turn, with hostile and antagonistic technical staff warning him not to open 'Pandora's box.' Things came to a head at a meeting on December 9, when State Department staff met to discuss what the department could or should say publicly about the Wuhan lab. British-born Peter Daszak, 55, is the president of EcoHealth Alliance, the nonprofit that funneled US grant money to gain-of-function research at WIV and elsewhere. He is seen above participating in the World Health Organization's investigation in Wuhan 'Bat lady' Shi Zhengli works with other researchers in a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in a file photo. She has published research on gain-of-function experiments According to people at the meeting, Christopher Park, the director of the State Department's Biological Policy Staff in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, advised that people shouldn't say anything that would point to the U.S. government's own role in gain-of-function research. Park, a Trump appointee like DiNanno, had been involved in lifting a U.S. government moratorium on funding for gain-of-function research in 2017. Park was reportedly not the only one who raised concerns about the investigation ultimately raising questions about U.S. funding. As the group probed the lab-leak scenario and other possibilities, its members were repeatedly advised not to open a 'Pandora's box,' four former State Department officials told the magazine. The admonitions 'smelled like a cover-up,' said DiNanno, 'and I wasn't going to be part of it.' Park told Vanity Fair: 'I am skeptical that people genuinely felt they were being discouraged from presenting facts.' He insisted that he had just been making the case that it 'is making an enormous and unjustifiable leapto suggest that research of that kind [meant] that something untoward is going on.' The acting undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security at the time, Chris Ford, was hostile to an investigation, according to officials. In a January 2021 memo, Ford pushed back at against an initial probe from a panel of experts, because he believed it contained weak evidence. 'I would also caution you against suggesting that there is anything inherently suspiciousand suggestive of biological warfare activityabout People's Liberation Army (PLA) involvement at WIV on classified projects,' the memo said. '[I]t would be difficult to say that military involvement in classified virus research is intrinsically problematic, since the U.S. Army has been deeply involved in virus research in the United States for many years.' DiNanno then hit back with his own memo, arguing that Ford was misrepresenting the panels finding. He also objected to previous warnings about not investigating because of the risk of opening a can of worms. It's unclear exactly much U.S. government funding was going to the Wuhan lab, but at least some of it was being routed through a nonprofit called EcoHealth Alliance. Top WIV scientist Yuan Zhiming described widespread deficiencies in biosafety training in China's biosafety-level 3 labs in a 2019 article pleading for more funding By 2018, EcoHealth Alliance was pulling in up to $15 million a year in grant money from an array of federal agencies, including the Defense Department, Homeland Security, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, according to tax filings. EcoHealth Alliance and its founder Peter Daszak have been working with Shi Zhengli, the Wuhan lab virologist known as the 'bat lady', for more than 15 years. British-born Daszak, 55, is the president of EcoHealth Alliance -- and in the early days of the pandemic, he was key in establishing the veneer of a 'scientific consensus' that the lab-leak origin was impossible. Daszak not only signed but spearheaded a letter signed by 27 scientists rejecting the lab leak hypothesis, which was published on February 19, 2020 in the medical journal The Lancet. Leaked emails later revealed that he encouraged colleagues who do gain-of-function research on coronaviruses not to sign the letter, in order to obscure the connection. The letter declared that the scientists had 'no competing interests' -- but it seems clear that Daszak did, as a lab leak origin would likely derail his entire field, but an animal origin would justify his life's work. The Vanity Fair article also noted serious concerns about safety and upkeep at the Wuhan lab facilities that handle hundreds of strains of bat coronaviruses. In 2019, in an article pleading for more funding, top Wuhan lab scientist Yuan Zhiming describes widespread deficiencies in biosafety training in China's biosafety-level 3 labs. China has dozens of BSL-3 labs, but only one BSL-4, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, though it plans to build half a dozen more. Yuan noted that 'most laboratories lack specialized biosafety managers and engineers.' He also wrote: 'Maintenance cost is generally neglected; several high-level [BSL-3 labs] have insufficient operating funds for routine, yet vital processes some BSL-3 laboratories run on extremely minimal operational costs or in some cases none at all.' Last July, Yuan claimed on Chinese state television that safety protocols are so tight at Wuhan lab that 'not a mosquito can fly into the building without authorization'. Advertisement It's a New York not seen since the 1980s; graffiti-ridden buildings, soaring crime and random subway attacks, and a city rife with homelessness, as the Big Apple desperately tries to recover fromits coronavirus lockdown. The city's trendy Soho has been left almost unrecognizable in recent months, as its luxury stores, restaurants and apartment buildings have all been covered with graffiti. Soho occupants say the say the vandalism is yet another 'sign of neglect' to the city, while city officials are desperately throwing millions of dollars into initiatives to try to claw back the city's heyday. Known for its upscale boutiques which cemented its reputation as a top shopping destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike, the neighborhood has found itself a symbol of the toll the last year has taken on the city. Photos taken by DailyMail.com nbetween Houston Street and Canal Street - home to designer stores including Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana - show graffiti etched along walls and doors of the buildings. Crime is soaring with a spate of attacks on the city's subway systems and violent crimes across the board up 30 percent so far in 2021 compared to the same time last year. Fears are mounting that the city is headed back to the dark days of the 70s and 80s when crime was rife with Governor Andrew Cuomo admitting last week that New York City is now in the throes of a 'major problem.' Homelessness is rife, stores and restaurants remain shuttered as many failed to survive the pandemic, and tourism - once the lifeblood of the city - is still on hold as the US is still yet to lift a years-plus-long travel ban from key international markets including the UK and Europe. In recent months, the NYPD has launched the Graffiti Clean-up Campaign and Mayor Bill de Blasio the City Cleanup Corps to try and tackle the blight. The latter is costing $234 million of the struggling city's budget - a staggering 78 times more than the long-running $3 million popular graffiti-removal program axed last year due to budget cuts (despite warnings of business owners). New York City's iconic Soho neighborhood has been left almost unrecognizable due to a surge in graffiti and vandalism. A photo taken on the corner of Grand and Mercer St shows walls covered in tags, just steps away from high-end Zimmerman and Kate Spade stores A side street is littered in graffiti. Homelessness is rife, stores and restaurants remain shuttered as many failed to survive the pandemic, and tourism - once the lifeblood of the city - is still on hold as the US. Graffiti on Howard St leading to the cobbled Crosby street just three blocks from Soho's Chanel store The former Hollister store on Soho's busy Broadway and East Houston St is unrecognizable as it is covered in graffiti with the walls and boarded up windows defaced Photos taken by DailyMail.com between Houston Street and Canal Street - home to designer stores including Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana - show graffiti etched along walls and doors of the building New Yorkers walk past defaced walls in what was once the hottest shopping destination in the city for residents and tourists. On the corner of Greene and Broome street - steps away from Isabel Marant and several upscale galleries - graffiti litters the walls Business owners in the likes of Soho who want to see the back of the graffiti are skeptical about the initiatives rolled out by the city and the NYPD. Pictured Canal Street and Broadway yards from the headquarters of upmarket clothing firm HATCH NYC 1980s: The Lower East Side of Manhattan is pictured in May 1987 when the Big Apple was known as 'Fear City' due to its crime epidemic Tourists and New Yorkers have long been drawn to Soho's charming cast-iron architecture and artsy history. In the 1960s, the area transformed from an industrial area as artists moved in creating lofts and galleries, putting it firmly on the map. Over the years the area cemented its place as one of the most desirable parts of the city, with its trendy art galleries, boutique stores and designer brands, and upscale bars and restaurants. Now, it is one of the richest areas of New York, with the average home price topping $2.3 million. But it now seems a long way from its heyday. Unsightly scrawlings were seen throughout Soho this week, with the etchings covering walls of once-thriving retailers as well as boarded-up windows and store fronts. Graffiti covered the walls along Broadway, where where shoppers headed for Bloomingdales and Zara were met with tags and vandalism along the street. The pandemic waved goodbye to many retail icons across Manhattan such as Lord & Taylor's 100-year-old flagship store, and tourist mecca Century 21, to Soho's favorites Opening Ceremony and Frye. Boarded up stores have left blank canvases for vandals to make their mark on while lower footfall from a lack of tourists has contributed to the neighborhood's deterioration. For store owners that managed to cling on to just about keep their businesses afloat this last year, the graffiti is making it even harder to get back on their feet after long COVID-19 lockdowns. One local store owner told Fox5 the graffiti reminded him of the city in the 70s when it was rife with vandalism. Stephen Masullo, who runs a wine and liquor store that his been in his family for more than 60 years, said it was a sign things are 'out of hand' in the Big Apple. 'It is a sign of neglect. A sign of things out of hand. Quality of life is very important,' he said. In 2020, the NYPD was overwhelmed with more than 6,000 graffiti complaints. It is not clear how many complaints have been filed so far in 2021 but the issue has accelerated to the point it is a key agenda for NYC's mayoral candidates. Graffiti is scrawled on a wall outside Babeland, an upmarket sex store in Soho that sits in the same block as expensive French clothing brand Zadig & Voltaire, and just across the street from an Alexander Wang store The James Perse clothing store on the corner of Broome and Mercer street has been tagged with unsightly graffiti tags, as well as a splatter of pink paint An apartment building is covered in graffiti along Lafayette Street where upscale restaurants including Ed's Lobster Bar are based. The Big Apple's trendy Soho has been left almost unrecognizable in recent months, as tags and spray-painted eyesores have defaced luxury stores, restaurants and apartment buildings Upmarket cars sit stacked next to a Christian Dior billboard at the intersection of Cleveland and Prince. The parking lot is just a block from Bloomingdales Soho store, with multiple graffiti tags sticking out in the salubrious location Retired NYPD captain Eric Adams said he believes the rise in graffiti goes hand in hand with a rise in crime and that - if the city does not clean up its act - more violent crime will be on the cards. 'Ignoring defacements and other quality-of-life violations only allows lawlessness to spread, and we can't let that happen,' Adams told the New York Post. 'We can't go back to the '70s and '80s when the graffiti assault was the norm,' Adams said. Back then, NYC earned the nickname as 'Fear City' due to its prevalence of crime an disorder. In the 1970s, the city faced $10 billion in debt and funds were cut the police, fire and sanitation departments. All types of crime were up and the city was blanketed in graffiti. The dark days continued into the 1980s when the crack epidemic ravaged the city. At its peak, someone was murdered every 63 hours in the worst-hit parts including East New York and Cypress Hill. Other mayoral candidates have also warned that the city could be headed for darker days again. A spokesman for fellow mayoral candidate Andrew Yang told the Post it was 'just the latest example of how quality of life in our city'. Adams also leveled blame at the axing of the city's long-running Graffiti-Free NYC program. The popular graffiti-removal program was suspended in March due to the pandemic, before being cut from the city budget altogether to try to plug a $9 billion revenue deficit hammering the city. On Thursday, Mayor de Blasio (in his press briefing) insisted New Yorkers would see a big change to the city in the summer. He launched the City Cleanup Corps in April Just one block away from Soho's luxurious Chanel, Dior and Gucci stores, on West Broadway, crude tags cover the walls. Locals living in the area say shuttered stores are leading to the decline in the neighborhood For store owners that managed to cling on to just about keep their businesses afloat this last year, the graffiti is making it even harder to get back on their feet after long COVID-19 lockdowns. For store owners along Prince St, which is is where Louis Vuitton's flagship store is located, the walls are littered in slogans In recent months, the NYPD has launched the Graffiti Clean-up Campaign and Mayor Bill de Blasio the City Cleanup Corps. De Blasio's initiative is costing $234 million of the struggling city's budget - a staggering 78 times more than the long-running $3 million popular graffiti-removal program axed last year due to budget cuts 1983: Two men stand outside CBGB at 315 Bowery in New York City. In the 80s the city was rocked by a crime epidemic 1988: Two NYPD officers stand on a street corner on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Fears are mounting that the city is headed back to the dark days of the 70s and 80s with Governor Cuomo admitting New York City is in the throes of a 'major problem' 'It was a mistake when the city zeroed out funding for graffiti removal, and I have partnered with local civic groups in recent months to take on illegal vandalism,' said Adams. The $3 million program - a meagre fraction within the $88 billion spending plan - had been in place for more than two decades. Launched in 1999, it offered a no-cost graffiti removal service for business and residents, allowing residents to report tags on any property in NYC. At the time of the cut, business owners warned it could spell trouble for the city. Now, de Blasio has been left playing catch-up announcing the launch of a drastically more expensive new program with a price tag of $234 million. The City Cleanup Corps will involve hiring 10,000 temporary workers to clean up the city's public spaces and parks. It was announced in April with hiring taking place then and in July. To date, 1,500 homeless people are said to have been hired under the scheme. The NYPD's Graffiti Clean-up Campaign was launched in March, with police officers and community volunteers holding clean-up days to cover over graffiti across the city Volunteers and NYPD staff paint over graffiti in the city in April. Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said at the time that the effort would help the city be restored to its former glory The first clean-up day was held on April 10 with the NYPD telling DailyMail.com there have been ongoing clean-ups as per the needs of the community since then But the NYPD's efforts have come under fire from some as they have accused authorities of defacing street art that is part of the culture in some areas and targeting graffiti of anti-police sentiment DailyMail.com has reached out to the mayor's office for more information about the initiative and what has been done so far. On Thursday, de Blasio insisted New Yorkers would see a big change to the city in the summer. 'You're going to see a big impact from the Cleanup Corps,' De Blasio said. 'They're going to be out there. They're hiring up as we speak.' The NYPD's Graffiti Clean-up Campaign was also launched in March, with police officers and community volunteers holding clean-up days to cover over graffiti across the city. Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said at the time that the effort would help the city be restored to its former glory. 'This is not a problem that can't be defeated, it's something pretty simple. We just gotta get to it, put our mind to it, roll up our sleeves, work with the community and the businesses and we'll get it back where we need it to be,' Shea said. Police also hope it will help improve fraught relationships between law enforcement and local communities. The first clean-up day was held on April 10 with the NYPD telling DailyMail.com there have been ongoing clean-ups as per the needs of the community since then. The NYPD has launched a graffiti map above where residents have reported vandalism across the city to be cleaned up But the NYPD's efforts have come under fire from some as they have accused authorities of defacing street art that is part of the culture in some areas and targeting graffiti of anti-police sentiment. Artist Michael McLeer - also known as Kaves - filed a lawsuit against the NYPD this week claiming its 'haphazard' graffiti cleanup campaign has destroyed valuable, legally permitted artwork. He said the campaign violates the Visual Artists Rights Act, which protects artists' works from destruction or distortion. The complaint also said the NYPD has taken a 'heightened stance against graffiti messages that have an anti-police sentiment,' and that the cleanup effort violates the First Amendment by discouraging artists from expressing their beliefs and opinions about the NYPD, defunding the police, and supporting protesters. McLeer's 2008 mural called 'Death from Above' - which was created with permission from the property owner and tenant of the building - was destroyed by NYPD volunteers in April. Indeed, one key area targeted by the NYPD's first clean-up day in April was Wycoff Ave in Bushwick - an area that draws in tourism for its street art. Business owners in the likes of Soho who want to see the back of the graffiti are also skeptical about the initiatives rolled out by the city and the NYPD. Jack Applegate, manager of Georges Berges Gallery in Soho, told FOX 5 the removal of the graffiti is only temporary as it is soon replaced with further tagging. Figures released by compstat reveal there have been 1,754 major crimes across the city last week alone THEFT - Theft is up by 40 percent this week compared to the same week last year 'There's a couple of places in the area where it looks like [the business] takes the tags off [and] the next week they come back and spray it again, over and over and over again,' he said. Clean-up operations are seen to be only a temporary bandage to the larger wound ravaging the city as it is yet to recover from the toll of the pandemic. One year ago, New York City was the virus epicenter of the world, healthcare systems were on the brink of collapse and bodies were piling up in morgues and refrigerated trucks in the streets. The city turned into a ghost town as Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a stay-at-home order in March, shuttering businesses and non-essential retailers and telling people to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus. The once bustling streets of Manhattan became deserted overnight and rich New Yorkers fled to second homes - with some quitting life in the Big Apple for good. Homelessness soared with encampments springing up on the streets of the city as millions were thrown into unemployment overnight and crucial addiction services fell by the wayside amid the pandemic. Crime soared across the city with the trend continuing into 2021. Overall, violent crimes are up 30 percent from last year while there were 1,754 major crimes across the city last week alone, according to NYPD data. There have been 35 shootings, 39 rapes, 105 other sex crimes, 1,600 incidents of theft, 708 misdemeanor assaults and 14 hate crimes. In almost every single category, crime is up. Jerry Detrick, 70, was issued a misdemeanor citation for littering on Sunday after he was spotted defecating outside a home in Greenville, Ohio A Donald Trump fan is in big trouble after he was busted for urinating and pooping in the yard of a Democratic neighbor. Jerry Detrick, 70, was issued a misdemeanor citation for littering on Sunday after he was spotted defecating outside a home in Greenville, Ohio. The Smoking Gun reports that Matthew Guyette, a neighbor, called 911 after seeing a man squatting and relieving himself near a hedge at Guyette's home around 3:15am. Investigators say Guyette confronted the man, later identified as Detrick, a former high school teacher, who simply got up and walked away. According to a police report, Guyette told the officer who arrived about the defecation after previously telling the police dispatch about the clothes the perpetrator was wearing, as well as what direction he was headed in. Once the officer caught up with the man, he identified himself as Detrick. The officer then put the man in a police cruiser to discuss the incident. Pictured: The home where Detrick was caught relieving himself near a hedge Matthew Guyette, a neighbor, tried confronting Detrick and also called 911 Detrick initially claimed that he walked past Guyette's home, but did not defecate on the property. After further conversation, however, Detrick did cop to urinating in the yard of his neighbor, according to the police report. Greenville PD Sergeant Jason Marion also arrived on the scene to talk to Detrick and witnesses a wet spot where Detrick was previously squatting. After Detrick was released, he stated to the officer that he actually defecated in the same yard 'multiple times' in the past, according to the police report. Detrick later admitted to defecating in the yard 'multiple times' and did so because he was a 'Trump man' while saying that his neighbors were Democrats and supporters of Joe Biden He claimed that he did so because he was a 'Trump man' and the neighbors are Democrats who support Joe Biden. 'This leads me to believe this incident is politically motivated,' the officer wrote in the police report. Detrick was warned not to trespass on Guyette's property again. He is set to be arraigned on June 8. Guyette celebrated the morning Detrick was cited while alleging that Detrick's actions predated the Trump years. 'An eventful early morning. Finally caught the man whos been s******g in our front yard for the past ten years,' Guyette wrote on Facebook. Guyette went on to say on Facebook that he was concerned Detrick may 'have a drinking problem as well as possible mental problems.' He also alleged Detrick 'would leave 3 or 4 crumpled up restaurant napkins he used to clean himself. That was my clue that I had had a 'visitor.'' DailyMail.com has reached out to Guyette for comment. The death toll from a mass shooting outside a concert hall in Miami has risen to three as police launch a new 'Operation Summer Heat' to combat a rise in gun violence in the city. Shankquia Peterson, a 32-year-old mother to a 12-year-old boy, died on Thursday, four days after she and 22 others were shot outside the El Mula Banquet Hall near Hialeah on Sunday. Peterson's relatives told news outlets she had a bullet lodged in her head and had been in a medically induced coma until her death. Sunday's shooting came in the middle of a violent Memorial Day weekend that saw one person killed and six injured in a drive-by shooting on Friday night, and two people injured in a gun battle linked to rapper Da Baby on Monday night. On Thursday Miami authorities announced plans to crack down on the recent spate of shootings with 'Operation Summer Heat'. The 12-week initiative will involve ramping up sharing of intelligence across various law enforcement agencies in an effort to curtail a rise in 'belligerent acts of violence [and] extravagant acts of brutal killings', Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez said. It also calls for enhanced patrols and increased overtime pay for officers on extended shifts during 'our most vulnerable times', Ramirez said. 'I've never had to mobilize the entire county,' the police director told reporters on Thursday. 'Our other crime initiatives were always for a specific area that was experiencing a trend, a hot spot. These bad actors are going across the county.' Shankquia Peterson, a 32-year-old mother to a 12-year-old boy, died on Thursday, four days after she and 22 others were shot outside the El Mula Banquet Hall near Hialeah on Sunday Desmond Owens (left) and Clayton Dillard III (right) were also killed in Sunday's shooting Police in Miami are seeking to crack down on gun violence with what's been dubbed 'Operation Summer Heat' as the city reels from a recent spate of shootings. Pictured: Police investigate a mass shooting outside the El Mula Banquet hall on Sunday Two 26-year-old men, Desmond Owens and Clayton Dillard III, also died in the shooting at El Mula Banquet Hall early Sunday that left 23 people injured. Several people were standing outside when an SUV approached the front of the business. Three people got out and started 'shooting indiscriminately into the crowd' before hopping back in the car and fleeing, according to police and surveillance video from that night. 'Our family wants the gun violence to end, for these predators to be caught. This shooting has shaken the family to its core,' Peterson's family said in a statement. The video shows one suspect gripping a handgun while the other two carried what police described as 'assault-style rifles.' Another video showed another person shooting from a different angle, news outlets reported. Two other victims remained in critical condition at a hospital, police said. Surveillance video from Sunday's shooting captured a crowd of concertgoers standing in a parking lot before gun shots rang out Shooting victims are seen lying on the ground outside the El Mula Banquet Hall Another surveillance video showed the three suspects in Sunday's shooting getting out of a stolen vehicle moments before they opened fire Other gun violence over the past week included a car chase and shooting near a Miami casino, a mass shooting in Wynwood that left one dead and six wounded and a shooting outside a South Beach restaurant that left a man paralyzed and a rapper behind bars. The motive for the banquet hall shooting is still unknown, but investigators were focusing on social-media feuds involving the local rappers who hosted the show. This includes two rival groups whose tensions go back years and have been fueled by threats made online and in rap lyrics, according to the Herald. 'A lot of these violent acts you're seeing on their social media. You're seeing them call each other out, they're giving verbal cues,' Police Director Ramirez said during Thursday's press conference. 'Some of the songs have verbal cues that are triggering rolling violence, real-time violence. Back in the 90s it was drug turf wars. Here its a little bit of that but a lot of it is showing off.' Miami Beach police are pictured at the scene where two people were injured in a gun battle on Monday Miami-Dade Police Department Director Alfredo Ramirez III (L) speaks next to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine during a press conference on the shooting this Memorial Day Police at the scene of a mass shooting outside of an album release party at a banquet hall in Miami. Police believe social media feuds fueled by call-outs in songs may be to blame Police said they've confirmed there were multiple shooters 'from various locations' outside the banquet hall. The crowd had been waiting to get inside for an album release party by Courtney Paul Wilson, 24, better known as rapper ABMG Spitta. Authorities said the suspects had specific targets in mind. The Nissan Pathfinder used by the suspects had been reported stolen earlier, and was found Monday submerged in a canal several miles away. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for 'swift and severe' justice. 'We mourn the loss of the two victims and are praying for the recovery of the more than 20 people injured at El Mula Banquet Hall near Hialeah,' he wrote in a tweet. 'We are working with local authorities to bring justice to the perpetrators.' On Friday, Miami-Dade County's top prosecutor, Katherine Rundle, issued a plea to the public, stressing that authorities will protect anyone who comes forward with information. 'I know there's a lot of talk of people who live in fear of retaliation, but we do have victim protection procedures,' she said. 'People want us to get the killers and guns off the street and people want to be safe. We hear you, but we need you.' Ashley Gannt, an attorney and cousin of victim Desmond Owens who is now representing his family, echoed Rundle's statements. 'We are issuing an official call to action to speak up and say something,' Gantt told the Associated Press on Friday. 'It was so many people, friends, loved ones. The pain and the suffering is reverberating throughout our community. No one deserves to lose their loved ones like this in such a senseless act.' There is a reward of up to $130,000 for information that leads to an arrest of the people responsible. She said the process began in 1984, when the organization asked residents about their hopes and dreams. The residents wanted what many people want: their own home, a job, friends and romance. Now, the organization provides services to 130 clients who primarily live in their own homes without roommates, Seagle said. The US Capitol suffered nearly $1.5million in damages during the January 6 insurrection - and now federal prosecutors are forcing arrested MAGA rioters to foot part of the bill. News of the government's intention to collect money from those who contributed to the damage emerged this week with the release of a plea agreement letter sent to one of the individuals charged at the Capitol riot. Paul Allard Hodgkins pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, and part of his plea agreement included a $2,000 fine in restitution to the Treasury Department. 'Your client acknowledges that the riot that occurred on January 6, 2021, caused as of May 17, 2021, approximately $1,495,326.55 damage to the United States Capitol,' the letter sent to Hodgkins read, according to The Washington Post. In all, 500 people have been charged in relation to the Capitol insurrection as of Friday - many of which are expected to receive bills similar to Hodgkins. Prosecutors are reportedly pursuing $2,000 in restitution for every felony case and $500 for every misdemeanor. The US Capitol suffered nearly $1.5million in damages during the January 6 insurrection - and now federal prosecutors are forcing arrested MAGA rioters to foot part of the bill Paul Allard Hodgkins, 38, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of obstruction of an official proceeding and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine for damage to the Capitol. Hodgkins is pictured (front) on the floor of the US Senate during the January 6 insurrection The inside of the Capitol is seen in disarray the day after rioters stormed the building in a bid to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden's election victory Prosecutors with the US Attorney's Office in Washington D.C. are pursuing $2,000 in restitution for every felony case and $500 for every misdemeanor for rioters charged with storming the Capitol on January 6 Roughly 200 people have already been charged with misdemeanors for their part in the Capitol riot, with another 300 facing felony charges ranging from assaulting a police officer, damage exceeding more than $1,000 of federal property, impeding police in a civil disorder, stealing. Only Hodgkins has publicly acknowledged receiving his $2,000 fine plea agreement as of Friday. The Post reports that while prosecutors did not reveal any details regarding the basis of that $1.5million damage estimate, the number does seem to reflect the costs of replacing broken doors, windows as well as other property damage. An Architect of the Capitol spokeswoman told the outlet that the agency provided their damage estimates to the Justice Department, who in turn used that information to determine penalties and fines per case. Ashton T. Kirsch, a Wisconsin lawyer who represents insurers for minority-owned businesses that were similarly damaged during George Floyd protests in Minneapolis last year, said that the damage costs for the Capitol building will fall on taxpayers if not paid by those who caused the destruction. 'The building was not insured, so the costs are going to fall on taxpayers on all of us if it doesnt fall on the persons who caused the damage,' Kirsch told the Post. 'The hard part is whats more fair to have it paid by taxpayers or by some broad set of defendants who may or may not have caused the specific damage in question?' Staff are seen cleaning the Capitol building in the wake of the riots on January 6 While the government is pursing $1.5million from those charged in relation to the June 6 insurrection, the actual costs of damage from the riot are much higher, with the House passing a bill on May 20 for $1.9billion in security funding, $730million of which is to reimburse law enforcement agencies The bust of US President Zachary Taylor (pictured) was wrapped in plastic a rioter smeared blood on it. The riot forced a Joint Session of Congress to delay certifying President Joe Biden's election victory The Capitol building was not insured, meaning restitution costs will fall on taxpayers if the destructive rioters are not forced to pay $250m from the $1.9b security funding bill will be used to build retractable fencing, bulletproof windows and doors, as well as new surveillance camera systems While federal prosecutors tabbed the damage at $1.5million, the total costs of the Capitol attack are far more expensive. The House of Representatives passed a bill on May 20 to provide $1.9billion in security funding, which includes $40million for the Architect of the Capitol, the Post reports. $730million of that security funding will go to reimburse the National Guard and other law enforcement and emergency agencies for their expenses in relation to the Capitol riot. The bill, which is pending Senate approval, also includes nearly $530million for the Architect of the Capitol and another $250million for better fencing, cameras and bulletproof doors and windows, according to the Post. Authorities say that the Capitol insurrection is responsible for five deaths and assaults on 140 police officers. Advertisement A one-of-a-kind home inside a converted water tower hoisted 87 feet in the air has hit the market for $5million - a price that may be worth a lifetime of conversation starters alone. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom pad located at 1 Anderson Street in Seal Beach, California, was listed on Zillow on Wednesday and has already garnered 34,000 views thanks to its unique construction - atop a wooden structure originally built in the 1800s. The breathtaking property sits at the corner of a residential area facing the busy Pacific Coast Highway - only 50 yards away from the coast. It features stunning 360-degree views of the Pacific as well as other impressive amenities - including a hot tub, a wrap-around deck to watch the sunrise and a plaque noting its impressive history. This one-of-a-kind home inside a converted water tower in Seal Beach, California, went on the market for $4.95million The breathtaking property sits at the corner of a residential area facing the busy Pacific Coast Highway - only 50 yards away from the coast - and features stunning 360-degree views of the Pacific The 87-foot-tall, multi-level residence borders Sunset Beach and Seal Beach in Orange County The renovated home was originally built in 1984 atop a structure that dates back to the late 19th century A panoramic deck perfect for a Fourth of July fireworks show surrounds the home, which was built to replicate the original tank that once held 300 tons of water The property was last sold in 2016 for $1.5 million and underwent extensive renovations before being put up for sale again this week. The Douglas fir and redwood structure was originally built in 1892 to service steam engines that traveled the California coast. In the 1940s, it supported a 75,000-gallon tank that held 300 tons of water, according to the tourism website for Huntington Beach, California. The Seal Beach home has a 'retro-style ambiance,' according to the tourism site of nearby Huntington Beach With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, this 2,800-square-foot home has more than enough space for the family Each of the four bedrooms has its own unique view looking out on the Southern California coastline The wooden tank functioned until 1975, according to the Orange County Register. It sat abandoned - and was almost bulldozed - until a local movement saved the landmark in the 1980s. Long Beach City College professor George Armstrong and Dr. Robert ODell, MD took over and added the 2,800-square-foot home. The tank was removed and 'a three-story house that replicated the look of the tank was built on the ground before being hoisted by crane into place in 1984'. It was then sold to retired Los Angeles Fire Capt. Gerald Wallace, according to the Seal Beach Sun. In 2016, real estate developers Scott Oslund and Barret Woods renovated the home and promoted it on rental website VRBO as 'the world's ultimate beach house.' The structure is seen in 1966 when it was used as a water tower holding 300 gallons A plaque on the property lists the home as a 'historic landmark' that was 'meticulously restored' in 2016 and 2017 An elevator takes guests up to a second floor deck with a jacuzzi and sitting area 'perfect for watching the sunrise' 'Weve done a lot, including fixing the balcony and replacing a lot of rotten boards,' Woods said at the time. 'Theres been painting and varnishing; were still fixing light switches and getting new appliances.' The home was listed by Oslund, who is the senior vice president of real estate firm Lee & Associates. 'Once entering the home, a skylights will guide you past a water fountain to a bedroom with loft, a dedicated washroom and the Barrels and Burlap bathroom which pays tribute to the homes origin,' according to the home's listing on Zillow. 'The first stop on the elevator goes is the second floor deck with a jacuzzi and seating area perfect for watching the sunrise with coffee or at sunset with a glass of wine.' The property features an attached parking garage with three covered spaces. It boasts a 'retro-style ambiance' with a stained glass copula in the rotunda living room. 'Modern amenities include HD televisions with Direct TV, fine linens, updated bathrooms and a fully-stocked kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances and cookware,' according to Huntington Beach. Alas, the home is listed as having no 'cooling features,' so prospective owners will have to brave those dry California summers with the help of the Pacific Ocean breeze. A crucial coronavirus vaccination centre in Victoria was forced to move to make way for sex exhibition amid a statewide jab shortage. The Department of Health and Royal Melbourne Hospital were told by Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre managers to vacate the facility by June 30 to make way for the annual Sexpo event. Vaccines will instead be administered at an alternative space inside the Convention Centre. Victorian health sources told The Herald Sun they are furious that such an event was given precedence over the MCEC's vaccine rollout - which vaccinates 1500 people a day. The Department of Health and Royal Melbourne Hospital were told by Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre managers to vacate the facility by June 30 to make way for Sexpo Victorian health sources said they are furious that such an event was given precedence over the MCEC's vaccine rollout - which vaccinates 1500 people a day It's understood it took hundreds of thousands of dollars to establish the vaccination centre, with even more costs on the way for it to be moved with a new entrance. MCEC chief executive officer Peter King said despite having to relocate, the hub will be in a more convenient spot with closer access to public transport. Kevin Mack, director of Australian Exhibition Group which runs Sexpo, said disgruntled Victorians also needed to bear in mind the suffering of small business owners. 'It would be easier for people to say 'I'm a little bit worried that they are going to move vaccinations',' Mr Mack said. 'If they had vaccinations centres in every cafe around Victoria, cafe owners would outrage and say 'why is this where they need to be, how are we going to keep our small business'. 'It has to be relative to account for the livelihood damage by it being there.' It comes a day after it was revealed state has almost entirely run out of the Pfizer jab, forcing health officials to beg for vaccine donations from other states amid its fourth lockdown. Professor Allen Cheng told reporters on Thursday that 'there is no Pfizer left' amid the Federal Government's already-bungled vaccine rollout. 'We are still vaccinating at the moment. In times of forward bookings, there is a shortage, but I am not sure exactly when that supply will become available,' he said. It's understood it took hundreds of thousands of dollars to establish the vaccination centre, with even more costs on the way for it to be moved with a new entrance Kevin Mack, director of Australian Exhibition Group which runs Sexpo, said disgruntled Victorians also needed to bear in mind the suffering of small businesses 'We are trying to do the best we can with the supply we have. We would always welcome any state that wanted to give their vaccine to us, but that is a national matter. 'There is a small stockpile and we are using those at the moment. I could not give you the exact figures, but clearly there has been a surge in demand for vaccines and there is not the supply to be able to meet that at the moment.' Prof Cheng said there needs to be a balance between getting special groups vaccinated first and then 'just trying to get as many eligible people vaccinated in as possible'. The craze for so-called NFTs seems to be fading, with sales down dramatically after collectors rushed to spend millions on digital art and memes. Since peaking on May 3, when $102 million worth of NFTs were sold in a single day, weekly sales have plunged by 90 percent, according to an analysis by crypto news site Protos on Friday. A month ago, frenzied buyers splashed out $170 million on NFTs in a week, while last week that number dropped to just $19.4 million, the analysis found. An NFT, short for non-fungible token, is a unique digital token encrypted with an artist's signature and which verifies its ownership and authenticity. A month ago, frenzied buyers splashed out $170 million on NFTs in a week, while that number dropped to just $19.4 million last week, the analysis found A truck parked outside of Christie's auction house displays a CryptoPunk digital art non-fungible token (NFT) on electronic billboards on May 11, 2021 in New York City A detail shot from a collage EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS, by a digital artist BEEPLE, which sold for a record $69 million in March NFTs can represent ownership of digital assets, including images, video, music, trading cards, cryptocurrency wallet names and even land within online virtual worlds. The high-profile digital assets to go up for sale as NFTs include Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's first tweet, which fetched $2.9 million, as well as the classic viral video 'Charlie bit my finger' which brought in $761,000. They exploded in popularity in February and March. A single NFT artwork by the digital artist Beeple fetched $69.3 million at Christie's, in the first sale by a major auction house of artwork with no physical form. But the market cooled as the craze appeared to fade. Enthusiasts insist that declining sales are not a sign that the bubble has burst, claiming it is a normal fluctuation in a volatile market. Since peaking on May 3, when $102 million worth of NFTs were sold in a single day, weekly sales have plunged by 90 percent 'The market trends observed in the first half of 2021 are only a reflection of the general runaway around cryptos and the NFT industry,' wrote the blog NonFungible.com. 'While all of these signals are extremely encouraging at the moment, we must not lose sight of the overall trajectory of the NFT industry, from its beginnings at the end of 2017 to today,' the boosters wrote. And there are signs that NFTs continue to gain broader acceptance, with auction house Sotheby's announcing this week that it is holding a new auction featuring the 'first' NFT. 'Natively Digital: A Curated NFT Sale' will run from June 3 to 10. It features work by 27 digital artists, including 'Quantum' by Kevin McCoy, a simple geometric animation which Sotheby's says is the first known NFT, created in May 2014. Also for sale is an Alien CryptoPunk NFT: 'CryptoPunk #7523'. CryptoPunks are a series of 10,000 unique pixel-art characters made by Larva Labs in 2017. There are nine of the sought-after alien variety, two of which fetched more than $7 million in previous sales. Jack Dorsey's first tweet fetched $2.9 million as an NFT A single NFT artwork (above) by the digital artist Beeple fetched $69.3 million at Christie's People walk past CryptoPunk digital art non-fungible token (NFT) displayed on a digital billboard in Times Square on May 12, 2021 in New York City For each purchase, the NFT will be sent to the buyer's cryptocurrency wallet; no physical artwork changes hands. Bidding begins at $100 and buyers can pay in ordinary money or in the cryptocurrencies bitcoin and ether. Sotheby's first NFT auction was in April, with digital works by the artist known as 'Pak' fetching $16.8 million. Michael Bouhanna, contemporary art specialist at Sotheby's in London, said although the April sale was dominated by crypto-native buyers - people who have profited from recent cryptocurrency price gains - NFT artworks are increasingly appealing to existing clients. 'I've seen some crossover with our collector base, very active in contemporary art, who are very intrigued and wanted to learn more,' he said. Advertisement The Pentagon gave $39 million to a charity that funded controversial coronavirus research at a Chinese lab accused of being the source for Covid-19, federal data reveals. The news comes as the charity's chief, British-born scientist Dr. Peter Daszak, was exposed in an alleged conflict of interest and back-room campaign to discredit lab leak theories. The charity, EcoHealth Alliance (EHA), has come under intense scrutiny after it emerged that it had been using federal grants to fund research into coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. The U.S. nonprofit, set up to research new diseases, has also partly funded deeply controversial 'gain of function' experiments, where dangerous viruses are made more infectious to study their effect on human cells. A political storm broke when former president Donald Trump canceled a $3.7 million grant to the charity last year amid claims that Covid-19 was created in, or leaked from, the Wuhan lab funded by EHA. But federal grant data assembled by independent researchers shows that the charity has received more than $123 million from the government from 2017 to 2020 - and that one of its biggest funders is the Department of Defense, funneling almost $39 million to the organization since 2013. Exactly how much of that money went toward research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology is unknown. Federal data seen by DailyMail.com reveals The Pentagon gave $39million to charity EcoHealth Alliance (EHA), which funded a lab in Wuhan, China FEDERAL GRANTS TO ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE Federal grant data assembled by independent researchers shows that the charity has received more than $123 million from the government and that one of its biggest funders is the Department of Defense, funneling almost $39million to the organization since 2013 Grants from the Pentagon included $6,491,025 from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) from 2017 to 2020 with the description: 'Understanding the risk of bat-borne zoonotic disease emergence in Western Asia.' The grant was categorized as 'scientific research - combating weapons of mass destruction.' The news comes as the charity's chief, British-born scientist Dr. Peter Daszak, was exposed in an alleged conflict of interest and back-room campaign to discredit lab leak theories The majority of the DoD funding came from the DTRA, a military branch with a mission to 'counter and deter weapons of mass destruction and improvised threat networks.' EHA also received $64.7 million from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), $13 million from Health and Human Services, which includes the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control, $2.3 million from the Department of Homeland Security, and $2.6 million from the National Science Foundation. A government funding figure of $3.4 million was widely reported, after White House chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci was questioned in a Senate hearing on how much money the National Institutes of Health sent to the Wuhan lab via its grants to EcoHealth Alliance in 2019. But the total grant figures including Pentagon funding dwarf that number. Researchers James Baratta and Mariamne Everett assembled grant filings from US government agencies to EHA, which were published on popular science site Independent Science News in December. The site found EHA's declaration of its vast military funding is nestled deep in the 'Privacy Policy' section of its website, under the title 'EcoHealth Alliance Policy Regarding Conflict of Interest in Research'. In the disclosure EHA says it is 'the recipient of various grant awards from federal agencies including the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Agency for International Development and the Department of Defense.' It does not disclose the size of its DoD funding. In 2014 the Obama administration outlawed gain of function research, such as the experiments funded by EHA, after concerns were raised among scientists that it could lead to a global pandemic from a genetically enhanced virus escaping a lab. But EHA reportedly continued to legally fund the practice, using a loophole that allowed for the research in cases 'urgently necessary to protect the public health or national security.' One notable EHA 'policy advisor' is David Franz, a former commander at the principal US government biowarfare and biodefense facility Fort Detrick. Franz was an official in the United Nations Special Commission which inspected for bioweapons in Iraq. Researchers at a number of top universities have recently penned a letter claiming that theories that COVID-19 escaped from a Wuhan lab 'remain viable' While China has tried to insist the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have begun to contemplate the possibility it escaped from the WIV - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread The charity's head, Daszak, has been accused of orchestrating a behind-the-scenes 'bullying' campaign to ensure the blame for covid-19 did not fall on the Wuhan lab he funded. The 55-year-old worked closely with the lab's so-called 'bat woman,' Shi Zhengli, in their studies of coronaviruses. In February 2020 Daszak persuaded more than two dozen other scientists to sign off on a letter he had written to highly respected medical journal The Lancet, that was seen as so influential that it cowed most experts into refusing even to consider that the virus could have been man-made and escaped from the Wuhan institute. Former high-level Clinton administration staffer Jamie Metzl, who now sits on the World Health Organization's advisory committee on human genome editing, told DailyMail.com that the Lancet letter 'was scientific propaganda and a form of thuggery and intimidation.' Freedom of Information Act disclosures revealed Daszak tried to distance his charity from the letter to make it appear it was coming from 'a community supporting our colleagues.' The charity chief told his fellow signatories in an email that the letter would not be sent under the EcoHealth logo 'and will not be identifiable as coming from any one organization or person.' The joint letter, published in the journal on February 19 last year, praised the Chinese 'who continue to save lives and protect global health during the challenge of the Covid-19 outbreak' and added 'We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin.' Despite his close connections to the Chinese lab, Daszak was also picked by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be part of its 13-member team that was tasked with finding the cause of the pandemic which began in Wuhan, a city of some 11 million people in Central China. Shi Zhengli (left), the so-called 'bat woman' and a coronavirus expert at the lab, insists there were no infections at the lab Metzl told DailyMail.com the appointment was a 'massive and outrageous conflict of interest,' allowing a man who had significant financial and reputational stakes in discrediting lab leak theories to investigate those theories. Prominent scientists have criticized the WHO probe, which dismissed lab leak theories, as lackluster and incomplete. In a Freedom of Information disclosure of Fauci's emails obtained by Buzzfeed last month, Daszak thanked the White House doctor for pushing back on the theory that covid-19 was man made. 'I just wanted to say a personal thank you on behalf of our staff and collaborators, for publicly standing up and stating that the scientific evidence supports a natural origin for COVID-19 from a bat-to-human spillover, not a lab release from the Wuhan Institute of Virology,' Daszak wrote in April 2020. Fauci says the emails have been taken out of context. EHA's most recent financial statements filed with the IRS say that around 90 per cent of its funding comes from government sources. The 2019 report says Daszak was paid a total $410,801 for the year, including $311,815 base pay, $42,250 bonus, $24,500 deferred compensation and $32,236 nontaxable benefits. Sen. Rand Paul continued his blitz on Dr. Anthony Fauci in the wake of Fauci's email dump, telling Fox that Fauci knew the US was funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan even though he continues to deny it. The Republican from Kentucky told Fox Thursday night that Fauci's emails 'tell me early on that he was very worried' before the pandemic even started. 'There's a disturbing picture. He gets an email or he gets notification of what's going on in Wuhan and immediately sends something to his assistant saying, "We must meet immediately." And in the subject line it says gain of function research in Wuhan.' While Paul and other Republicans have come after Fauci, Biden reaffirmed his confidence in Fauci in a Friday morning press conference. The president had actually left the room where he gave the speech when DailyMail.com shouted a question to him about the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. President Biden stuck his head back in to answer. 'Yes I'm very confident in Dr. Fauci,' he said. Paul's Thursday night interview on Fox - and weeks of public comments that - makes it clear that senator doesn't share have the same faith in Fauci, and he alluded to a February 1, 2020 email exchange between Fauci and Principal NIAID Director Dr. Hugh Auchincloss. Sen. Rand Paul (right) was interviewed on Fox Thursday night Dr. Anthony Fauci arrives for a Senate committee hearing to discuss the ongoing federal response to COVID-19 on May 11, 2021, when Paul sparred with Fauci over the Wuhan lab leak Controversial gain-of-function research boosts the infectivity of pathogens and makes them more LETHAL Gain of function is controversial research that involves boosting the infectivity and lethality of a pathogen. PROPONENTS SAY: It helps researchers spot potential threats to human health and allows them to figure out ways to tackle a new virus. Dr. Fauci has advocated for gain-of-function research in the past, including a 2011 op-ed he co-wrote that promoted it as a means to study influenza viruses. CRITICS SAY: It's a risky endeavor that puts human lives at stake. In 2014, the US government paused new funding of gain-of-function research on influenza, MERS and SARS to address concerns about risks and benefits. The pause was backed by over 300 scientists called the Cambridge Working Group. In December 2017, the US government lifted the pause and announced a new framework called 'Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight' for evaluating whether funding should be granted. Research for 'enhanced potential pandemic pathogens' would be allowed if it was 'essential to protecting global health and security.' The review process is highly classified, and names of reviewers or details of the experiments are not released. Advertisement Auchincloss wrote to Fauci to discuss a paper Fauci sent him appearing to question if National Institute of Health (NIH) grants funded gain-of-function research relating to coronaviruses. In the email to Fauci, Auchincloss said, 'The paper you sent me says the experiments were performed before the gain of function pause but have since been reviewed and approved by NIH.' He also noted that a colleague would 'try to determine if we have any distant ties to this work abroad.' This was one of the 3,200-plus emails obtained and published by Buzzfeed News on Tuesday. The NIH awarded a $3.7 million grant to EcoHealth Alliance, which is based in the United States, to study the risk of coronaviruses emerging from bats in 2014. EcoHealth Alliance in turn distributed nearly $600,000 of that funding to its collaborator, the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The senator also took a shot Thursday at the embattled chief medical advisor on Twitter after Amazon and Barnes & Noble pulled his book from their sites because it wasn't supposed to be released until November: 'Oh, I dont know. I think they should publish it. I love science fiction.' Paul's interview came after Fauci dismissed the recent revelations that he was warned that COVID-19 may have been 'engineered' and said that the emails are easily misunderstood. During a Wednesday interview on the Donlon Report, Fauci said of the emails, 'The only trouble is they are really ripe to be taken out of context where someone can snip out a sentence in an email without showing the other emails, and say "based on an email from Dr. Fauci, he said such and such" where you don't really have the full context.' Fauci added that the Wuhan lab 'is a very large lab to the tune of hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars.' 'The grant that we're talking about was $600,000 over five years for an average of about $125,000 to $140,000 a year,' he said. Fauci also said on Donlon that he 'can't guarantee everything that is going on in the Wuhan lab.' Paul has been on Fox twice since a trove of Fauci's emails - dating from January to June 2020 - were obtained and published by Buzzfeed on Tuesday. Within hours of publication, Paul tweeted '#firefauci' and other Republicans, like Majorie Greene Taylor, followed suit. Until recently, the Wuhan lab leak was at best a fringe theory, and it has been mostly laughed off by many scientists. The general consensus on COVID-19's origin was that it jumped from a bat to a human in the Wuhan market. Despite the recent scrutiny, Fauci continues to say that's what he believes happened. During Senate committee hearings in early May, Paul sparred with Fauci over the two origin theories and said the lab leak is a real possibility that's not being acknowledged. Instead of investigating the cause of COVID-19 'government authorities - self-interested in continuing gain of function research - say there's nothing to see here,' Paul said during the May 11 hearing. 'To arrive at the truth, the U.S. government should admit that the Wuhan Virology Institute was experimenting to enhance the coronavirus' ability to infect humans,' he said. The lab leak theory is now one that President Joe Biden wants investigated. Last week, Biden ordered a 90-day review to investigate the possibility and several high-profile public health experts have come out in recent months saying they believe that's how COVID-19 started. British intelligence also reportedly assessed the theory recently and upgraded its likeliness from 'remote' to 'feasible'. The incident was caught in a video that went viral on Twitter and Instagram A group of women were driven out of a hotel pool in California after they berated a lesbian couple for kissing in front of children. The dramatic showdown erupted on Sunday at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel when the squad of about five women confronted the couple and were then met with backlash from horrified onlookers. Viral video recorded by Art Kaligos showed fellow sunbathers chanting 'shame' at the women as they gathered their belongings and stormed away. But the women didn't go quietly - two of them stopping to hit back at the angry crowd. They later claimed that they took issue with the couple not because of their sexual orientation but because they were engaged in 'what appeared to be sexual intercourse'. Tensions flared at a hotel pool in Sacramento, California, after a group of women confronted a black lesbian couple for kissing while there were children present. The aftermath of the incident, which occurred at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, was caught in a video that went viral Dominique Veasley (pictured) described the moment she and her partner were accosted at the pool in an interview with CBS One of the 'Karens' is seen yelling at a critic who shamed her for criticizing the couple Video shared on social media showed the women shouting expletives at bystanders who attacked them for their comments to the lesbian couple. One of the women (right) was heard telling the man filming: 'Do you guys have children? Because you'd be a f*****g terrible dad' A few of the women are seen hurriedly leaving, but one confronted the bystanders and gave the middle finger to the camera before another delivered an expletive-ridden rant. 'Do you guys have children?' she asks one bystander before adding, 'Because you'd be a f*****g terrible dad.' The two began exchanging more insults before the woman says, 'You're a f*****g loser,' and storms off. Many on Twitter likened the scene to the gif-famous 'walk of shame' taken by Cersei Lannister in the fifth season of Game of Thrones. A non-identified spokesman for the women told Fox40 that they were not concerned with the couple's sexual orientation, but reacted because they were engaged in 'what appeared to be sexual intercourse and inappropriate activity in close proximity of children'. 'When members of the party politely and respectfully asked that some of the sexual activity be toned down because children were close by in the pool, they were met with aggressive verbal attacks,' the spokesman said in a statement. However, Dominique Veasley, of the lesbian couple, told KPIX that there were other couples engaged in public displays of affection at the same time, but the women in the video only confronted her and her partner. 'My, you know, initial reaction for the children was, oh, yeah,' she said. 'And then I was just like, wait, you're asking me to stop being me.' One of the woman confronted the bystanders and gave the middle finger to the camera A non-identified spokesman for the women told Fox40 that they were not concerned with the couple's sexual orientation, but reacted because they were engaged in 'what appeared to be sexual intercourse and inappropriate activity in close proximity of children' One of the so-called Karens smiles as she passes a man filming the pool confrontation Kaligos, the man who filmed the video, described the scene to DailyMail.com on Friday. 'I was relaxing at the pool with some friends when I noticed an altercation between a group of women poolside with a female couple who were in the pool,' he said. 'I heard one of the women, Dominique Veasley, shout at the women that "this is queer love," which sparked my interest as I am a gay man. 'I swam over to them with my friend to find out what happened and Dominique told us that the group of women asked her and her female friend to stop kissing in front of their children. 'As the pool was very crowded and there were many other straight, white couples showing just as much affection, the incident struck Dominique as racist (she's black) and homophobic. 'I disengaged and kept tabs on the situation from a distance, noticing that tensions escalated when the pool Karens called security on Dom and her friend. Things only got more heated after Dom called the women racist and homophobic. 'A few minutes after that, I saw that the group of Karens was beginning to gather their things to leave the pool area and I decided to rally some of my friends and film them leaving, incorporating chants of "shame" (from a favorite scene from Game of Thrones---Cersei's Walk of Shame). 'That is when the women lost their cool and proceeded to hurl profanities and insults to the crowded pool, other people's kids be damned. The women left the pool area and there was a moment of celebration after their departure.' Kaligos added: 'I want to make something very clear: the only inappropriate behavior was exhibited by the Karens cursing profusely at the crowded pool. Dom and her friend were not engaged in any indecent behavior.' Two of the so-called Karens are seen walking out of the pool are amid 'shame!' chants In a statement following the incident, Sawyer General Manager Nikki Carlson said, 'The Sawyer does not condone discrimination or verbal assault of any kind. 'An unfortunate disagreement between guests occurred at our pool over the holiday weekend and the matter has since been resolved.' The Kimpton has been a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and just recently posted several messages celebrating Pride month on its Twitter and the main page of its website. 'Since our founding in San Francisco over three decades ago, in 1981, we've embraced the LGBTQ community and have made a commitment to helping affect positive change by partnering with organizations that can make a difference; like The Trevor Project,' reads a post on its website. The Kimpton is a Premier National Hotel Partner of the Trevor Project and donates $10 for each night booked at one of their hotels when guests use the code TRPR. The hotel chain also donates meeting space and hosts fundraisers for the renowned nonprofit, which provides crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth. A firearms officer called to the scene of the Fishmongers' Hall terror attack recalled his astonishment that suspect Usman Khan had not died, despite being shot at multiple times. The officer, known only at Khan's inquest by the cipher AZ99 to protect his identity, was one of six armed police to fire 20 shots at Khan during two periods of gunfire, shortly after the suspect stabbed and killed two Cambridge University graduates. The first exchange comprised two quick shots which felled Khan, having earlier been pinned to the ground by passers by after telling them he had a bomb on him. The second exchange, a volley of 18 shots across a period of around 90 seconds, came eight minutes later when Khan summoned the energy to sit up from his prone position on the floor where he had been seen on CCTV to be breathing deeply, writhing around, and appearing to mutter to himself. A bystander grabs a narwhal tusk to take down Usman Khan on London Bridge shortly before he was shot dead by police He appeared to turn his head sideways and stare directly at the armed officers for a few seconds when he was hit by police gunfire, briefly touching a wound on his forehead before slumping finally to the ground. He was pronounced dead an hour later when the scene was declared safe. Giving evidence to the inquest into Khan's death, AZ99 recalled how he shot the suspect four times in the second period of gunfire, but was in disbelief Khan had not died. AZ99 said: 'He did fall back after one shot. 'Quite surreal he put his hand towards his head, he pulled his hand away to look for blood. 'All I could think was: 'Why aren't you dead?' The officer, known only at Khan's inquest by the cipher AZ99 to protect his identity, was one of six armed police to fire 20 shots at Khan during two periods of gunfire Usman Khan at Bank station on his way to attend a prisoner rehabilitation event AZ99 said he opened fire because he was concerned Khan was reaching for a suicide belt, which was wrapped about his waist. He told the inquest: 'At that point there, I thought: "We're dead." 'This was the first movement he did that was an action rather than a reaction. 'It felt like a defined movement of: I'm now going to do something to you.' Khan was in central London on November 29 2019 after being invited to attend an event by prison education charity Learning Together at Fishmongers' Hall. Jurors concluded that 'missed opportunities' by the agencies contributed to the killing of Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, by jihadi Usman Khan Usman Khan on board a train to London, which was shown in court at the inquest into the terror attack at the Fishmongers' Hall Khan (below right) can be seen here in CCTV arriving at the prisoner rehabilitation event near London Bridge Steve Gallant carrying a tusk as he exits Fishmongers' Hall in pursuit of Usman Khan Police believe he travelled down by train from his home in Stafford with the fake suicide belt already strapped around his waist, while his bag contained kitchen knives bought in the days before the attack. He stabbed Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, at the Learning Together event before being chased from the venue. Khan had been released from prison less than a year earlier, having served an eight-year jail term for plotting a terrorist training camp in his parents' homeland of Pakistan. The inquest continues. The unrelenting flood of migrants trying to get from Mexico into the United States has officials worried that deaths could pile up as people encounter extreme heat when trying to cross deserts at the southern border. In April alone, more than 110,000 single adults tried to cross illegally into the U.S. - the most in 10 years - as the Biden administration's advertised softer touch on immigration, and continued violence and a sluggish economy in Central America has lured would-be migrants. Don White, a sheriff's deputy for the Texas's Brooks County, said he's seen a spike in the number of dead bodies found lying around farmland areas that have become a main transit point for migrants looking to avoid being detected by U.S. Border Patrol officers. The bodies and remains of 34 migrants have been located in cattle ranches that surround the southwestern border county through the first five months of 2021. 'It's going to be a brutal summer,' White told The Washington Post. 'I've never seen so many people coming through. It's just crazy right now.' The totals surpass the 35 bodies and remains of undocumented migrants that were discovered by Brooks County Sheriff's Office on farmland during all of last year and figures might have been higher had it been not for the COVID-19 pandemic. The sheriff's office reported 46 corpses of foreign nationals were found in the county in all of 2019. Dehydration, high temperatures and being sent by smugglers through remote areas, White said, are some of the contributing factors to the deaths of migrants moving through the desert area. Border Patrol officers from the Tucson Sector provide first aid assistance to a migrant who was injured after crossing the border from Mexico to Arizona in June 2020. Border officials and local law enforcement in border towns fear that deaths could rise this summer as migrants expose themselves to high temperatures when traveling through remote areas, such as the desert, as they try to avoid being stopped A group of migrants walk along a remote area near the United States-Mexico border in west Texas after they were stopped for illegally crossing the border in January A man is rescued by a Border Patrol agent in the Tumacacori Mountains on April 30, 2020 after he called 911. The Mexican national was unable to continue his journey after crossing the southwestern border The sheriff's deputy has also seen a drop in U.S. border agents patrolling the roads that surround the farm area in Brooks County. Instead, attention has been driven towards attending to families and children who cross into Texas via the Rio Grande River and turn themselves in immediately in hopes of securing a quicker path to asylum. Meanwhile, the largely single adults who are crossing through the desert are at risk of dying if they don't receive quick medical care, White said. 'My guys will be carrying extra IV bags for the ones we may find,' White said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Yuma Sector Border Patrol officers this week found two dead migrants in the desert. One of the men, a 40-year-old male Mexican national, was found Monday while agents from Wellton were tracking a group of migrants. It's estimated that the man had been dead for about two weeks. An agent with CBP's Tuscon Sectors tends to a group of migrants who fell sick while traveling across the United States-Mexico border desert in July 2020 A male migrant from Mexico lies on the ground and awaits to be tended to after he and four other countrymen were rescued in the California desert by U.S. Border Patrol Agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air Interdiction Agents in October 2018 Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents coordinated with the Government of Mexico in order to save the life of a lost Mexican national in the desert west of Andrade, California, on July 20. The man, found on the Mexico side of the border fence, claimed he had gone two days without food and water On Tuesday, the Yuma Sector was alerted by Mexico's C5 the country's equivalent of 911 emergency call center that a 20-year-old woman from Guatemala who was traveling with a group of migrants had collapsed and died. An air unit was deployed to the scene where the migrants were taken into custody and the young woman was turned over to the Yuma County Sheriff's Office coroner. A Border Patrol agent provides medical assistance to a 49-year-old woman from Guatemala after got injured while crossing the United States-Mexico border in New Mexico in November 2020 'It doesn't take much,' said Lenin Padilla, a Border Patrol agent and program manager assigned to the Yuma Sector Foreign Operations Branch. 'Proof of that is the woman. She was only a couple miles north of the border. It's hot out there.' Temperatures in Yuma were scheduled to reach 107 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday and 108 on Saturday. CBP's Air and Marine Operations will be having helicopters on standby in Arizona to respond to urgent medical emergencies that may arise this summer, according to the unit's director, Michael Montgomery. At a recent border safety meeting, Montgomery expressed worries about migrants also traveling through the mountain area a preferred route for drug smuggling organizations. According to the last monthly data report released by CBP on May 10, Border Patrol agents detained 178,622 undocumented immigrants for unlawful entry from Mexico to the United States in April, surpassing March's total by 5,274. The border agency has seen an uptick in rescues during fiscal year 2021. Since October 1, 2020, Border Patrol officers and the Air and Marine Operations have rescued 5,787 migrants. In comparison, 5,255 individuals were aided in fiscal year 2020. In an effort to help migrants who may see themselves lost in the mountain and desert areas, CBP has installed placards that included GPS locations and instructions. 'It places a great burden on CBP to respond to remote, treacherous areas to rescue migrants placed in this perilous situation,' said Salvador Zamora, the retired Border Patrol official and former spokesman for the agency. 'We have to launch massive search-and-rescue efforts, and when someone is in a deteriorating state, you're racing against the clock to reach that location and provide lifesaving measures.' A boy aged 21 months fell 150ft to his death from a tower block after his parents put him in his cot by an open window 'during a drinking session'. Alexander and Taisiya Akimov, from Russian capital Moscow, found out their son Timofei had been killed when police rang their doorbell to say his body had been found after his fall. He had climbed out of a 14th floor tower block window, say law enforcement. The parents, aged 21 and 23, were detained on suspicion of causing death by negligence and could face up to two years jail, say reports. Timofei (pictured right), aged 21 months, fell 150ft to his death from a tower block after his parents Alexander and Taisiya Akimov (left), from Moscow, Russia, put him in his cot by an open window 'during a drinking session' Alexander (pictured) and Taisiya found out their son Timofei had been killed when police rang their doorbell to say his body had been found after his fall He had climbed out of a 14th floor tower block window, say law enforcement, which reports said was the third such case in one day Investigators said there was evidence they had been drinking when their son climbed from his cot out of the open window. The tragic case prompted the Russian Investigative Committee - which probes serious crimes - to warn parents about the risk to children in high-rise buildings. This was the third such case in one day, said reports. It came in a week when Vladimir Putin's children's ombudswoman Anna Kuznetsova revealed that 145 children died last year from 1,339 cases when they had fallen from open windows. Investigators said there was evidence they had been drinking when Timofei climbed from his cot out of the open window Timofei's (left, with mother Taisiya) body was found by passersby under the residential tower block on Marshal Zakharov's Street 'The problem of children falling out of windows... is our pain,' she said. Timofei's body was found by passersby under the residential tower block on Marshal Zakharov's Street. Committee spokeswoman Yulia Ivanova said: 'It has been established that the child's motherwas in the apartment.' The parents were suspected of locking their son in his cot while they drank alcohol. The parents (pictured), aged 21 and 23, were detained on suspicion of causing death by negligence and could face up to two years jail, say reports The parents were suspected of locking their son in his cot while they drank alcohol (pictured: the balcony) 'Forensic investigators have examined the scene,' she said. The couple also had a baby daughter. Kuznetsova said that in the last three years, 374 children have died falling from windows, and 2,947 were injured. Committee spokeswoman Yulia Ivanova said that it has been established Timofei's mother (centre, with Timofei, left, and the couple's baby daughter, right) 'was in the apartment' Of the seven deputies at the scene, three fired shots at Brown as he attempted to drive away when officers tried to execute a search warrant. The four additional deputies Lt. Steven Judd, Sgt. Michael Swindell, Sgt. Kenneth Bishop and Sgt. Joel Lunsford did not fire their weapons and resumed active duty. FBI Director Chris Wray compared the national security implications of the ransomware attacks to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, saying both affect every American. 'There are a lot of parallels, there's a lot of importance, and a lot of focus by us on disruption and prevention,' Wray told The Wall Street Journal in an interview. 'There's a shared responsibility, not just across government agencies but across the private sector and even the average American.' Wray's comments come after a Reuters report the Justice Department is elevating investigations of ransomware attacks to a similar priority as terrorism. There have been a series of high profile hits: On Tuesday there was on against JBS USA, a unit of the world's largest meat processing company; last month Colonial Pipeline paid the nearly $5 million ransom after hackers shut down its gas pipeline; and last year's Solar Winds hack that is believed to have infected multiple agencies of the US government. As a result of the attacks both gas prices and meat prices have spiked. Wray said that served as a wake up call for Americans. 'Now realizing it can affect them when they're buying gas at the pump or buying a hamburger - I think there's a growing awareness now of just how much we're all in this fight together,' he said. FBI Director Chris Wray compared the national security implications of the ransomware attacks to the terrorist attacks of September 11th Wray told The Wall Street Journal the after affects of both the September 11th terrorist attack and the ransomware attacks have affected every day Americans The FBI director also revealed his agency was investigating roughly 100 different variants of ransomware as attacks as both the US government and private companies struggle to deal with the cyber attacks. 'The scale of this problem is one that I think the country has to come to terms with,' he said. Wray singled out Russia as harboring those who use ransomware and called on that government to do something about it. 'Time and time again, a huge portion of those traced back to actors in Russia. And so, if the Russian government wants to show that it's serious about this issue, there's a lot of room for them to demonstrate some real progress that we're not seeing right now,' he said. President Joe Biden has vowed to bring up the ransomware attacks when he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month. There have been a series of high profile cyber attacks including on against JBS USA, a unit of the world's largest meat processing company Cyber attacks on JBS and the Colonial Pipeline caused a spike in meat and gas prices, which FBI Director Chris Wray said served as a wakeup call to Americans Biden has taken a tough stance against Putin ahead of their meeting. And, on Wednesday, he did not rule out retaliation against the Russians for a series of cyber attacks on American companies. 'We're looking closely at that issue,' Biden said when asked if he would retaliate for the latest ransomware attack. But he dismissed concerns he was being tested by his Russian counterpart. 'No,' he said when asked if he thought Putin was testing him. The two leaders will meet in Geneva, Switzerland on June 16 for their first sit down amid rising tensions between the two nations. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Wednesday the cyber attacks on US companies, believed to be done by hackers in Russia but not in conjunction with that government, will be on the summit agenda. 'President Biden certainly thinks that President Putin and the Russian government has a role to play in stopping and preventing these attacks hence it will be a topic of discussion when they meet in two weeks,' she said. The agenda is filling up rapidly. Also likely to come up: Russian interference in US elections; Moscow's aggressive posture toward the Ukraine and the treatment of dissent Alexei Navalny. President Joe Biden did not rule out retaliation against Russian President Vladimir Putin for a series of cyber attacks on American companies 'We're not taking anything off the table in terms of how we may respond,' Psaki said without getting into specifics. 'I will say that this attack is a reminder about the importance to private sector entities of hardening, their cybersecurity, and ensuring they take the necessary steps to prepare for this threat, which we've seen rising even over the last few week,' she said. Britain's upcoming trade deal with Australia will provide a massive boost for the UK's food and drink, automotive and rail manufacturing industries by boosting tariff free trade Down Under, Liz Truss says today. The Trade Secretary says that the post-Brexit deal soon to be agreed with Canberra will help sales of everything from popular cake brands like Mr Kipling to high tech British-made cars and trains. The Government is seeking to axe or largely slash the tariffs on UK imports to Australia, which for some foods like cheese are currently as high as 20 per cent. But it is not just small consumer products that are being targeted. The UK wants to remove tariffs on trains and train parts to gain a larger share of rolling stock sales to run on Australia's 22,400 miles of track. 'From our world-famous food and drink industry to our car and train manufacturers, we're pushing to slash tariffs on iconic British exports,' Ms Truss said. 'We know that export-led jobs are typically more productive and higher paying, supporting jobs across the country which will help us build back better from the pandemic. 'A gold standard agreement with our allies Australia, which is now in sight, would mark the next generation of trade deals and will deliver big benefits for people and business across the whole of the UK.' It came as Ms Truss agreed a trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein that will see tariffs of up to 277 per cent on cheese exported from the UK cut. The Trade Secretary says that the post-Brexit deal soon to be agreed with Canberra will help sales of everything from popular cake brands like Mr Kipling to high tech British-made cars and trains. Mr Kipling and Cadbury Cakes, both made by Premier Foods in the UK, are currently the top two selling cakes in Australia Ms Truss and the nations agreed the deal in principle today, saying it was the first to include dedicated chapters on digital trade and small businesses. Exports to the three countries can be done using digital documents, contracts and signatures, the Department for International Trade said. And it said the agreement significantly cuts tariffs as high as 277 per cent for exporters to Norway of West Country Farmhouse Cheddar, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar, Traditional Welsh Caerphilly, and Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese. There are also tariff reductions and quotas on pork, poultry and other goods, and UK wines and spirits including Scotch Whisky will also now be recognised in Norway and Iceland. While import tariffs on shrimps, prawns and haddock will be reduced, pushing down costs for UK fish processing and helping support some 18,000 jobs in that industry in Scotland, East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire. Sources close to the Trade Secretary suggested she would be celebrating with fish and chips tonight. The Norwegian Government said the deal was one of the most comprehensive free trade agreements the country has ever negotiated but it was also recognised that it could not compare to previous arrangement when the UK was still in the EU. Ms Truss has previously had to defend the Australian deal she is negotiating against claims that British farmers will be undercut by cheap foreign imports. It prompted a Cabinet row with Environment Secretary and farmer George Eustice. The Trade Secretary had guaranteed hormone-injected beef will remain banned under the terms of the UK's new deal with Australia, insisting she is 'fully confident' UK farmers will still be able to compete. She claimed the deal with Canberra will be an 'overall opportunity' for British agriculture because it will 'open the doors' to more markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Today she outlined some of the other sectors of the economy she believes will benefit. The UK wants to remove tariffs on trains and train parts to gain a larger share of rolling stock sales to run on Australia's 22,400 miles of track. They include chocolate and cake producers, cheese exporters, UK gin distillers, rail and car manufacturers, and clothing firms. The UK was Australia's fifth largest trading partner in 2019, with 15,400 UK firms employing 3.5million people exporting 4.1billion of goods. Last year total trade between the UK and Australia was worth 13.9 billion, with UK exports of goods and services amounting to 9.8 billion. The UK's largest good export to Australia in 2020 was medicinal and pharmaceutical products Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: 'With Australia being a key market for UK rail businesses, any reduction of tariffs and other barriers to trade is a very welcome move. 'It will mean our country's rail suppliers can sell even more of their world-renowned products to enhance the Australian railway system, and enable them to support a green, sustainable and job-creating recovery in both the UK and Australia.' And Richard Martin, chief customer officer at Premier Foods, added: 'British made Mr Kipling and Cadbury cakes have fast become the number 1 and 2 cake brands in the Australian market respectively, and are purchased by 20 per cent of Australian households. 'A reduction in tariffs would support the future growth of these brands and facilitate opportunities for British food and drink.' Health authorities are scrambling to find how three children and four adults became infected with the Indian 'Delta' variant of coronavirus that may have dashed hopes to an early end to Melbourne's lockdown. The Melbourne family, from the city's west, who travelled to parts of southern NSW, were confirmed carriers of the Delta strain, which has ravaged India. The India 'Kappa' variant has been the dominant strain of Melbourne's most recent outbreak, meaning the source of the family's infection is unknown. Anyone in NSW who has been in Victoria since 4pm on Thursday May 27 will now be required to stay at home until at least June 10 Three of Friday's four new cases are linked to the family, taking that West Melbourne cluster to seven The family spread the Delta strain to two adults and a student of another household, whose children all attend North Melbourne Primary School. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said officials are investigating if the strain started in NSW or regional Victoria, where the family briefly passed through. 'We have to explore all avenues. The average incubation time is about six days, and that puts it in NSW, Jervis Bay territory, or indeed earlier,' Professor Sutton said. 'We have to be clear who the likely first case in this cluster is and then go through a really forensic process of understanding everywhere they have been, and obviously testing people they may have been in contact with, including blood tests of people who have recovered from illness.' But NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard hit back at speculation the concerning Covid strain originated in his state. 'I'll just say it's a bit unhelpful to go making any statements that could be either interpreted or could be mistakenly interpreted (in that way),' Mr Hazzard told 2GB. 'There is no evidence whatsoever that this family picked up the variant in NSW.' While the Indian Delta variant has been found previously in Australian hotel quarantine, this is the first time it has emerged in community cases. Melbourne University epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely said the 'chase will be on' to find the missing link. 'It means that we now have, not only the Kappa variant, but that Delta the most infectious version of the coronavirus is here,' he told news.com.au. Professor Blakely said that so far, genomic testing hasn't been able to identify any returned travellers in hotel quarantine with the exact same strain. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said officials are investigating if the strain started in NSW or regional Victoria, where the family briefly passed through NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard hit back at speculation the concerning Covid strain originated in his state The Covid-positive family was in Jervis Bay, Goulburn, Hyams Beach and Vincentia while potentially infectious on May 23 and 24 'There is a possibility that retesting will find a link to somebody in quarantine but if that doesn't happen we will be in the same situation as the Wollert man again we have to find out where the family picked up the infection from,' he said. Professor Sutton said that while the strain was 'disturbing news,' the government has spent the past 48 hours identifying close contacts, including 300 staff and students from North Melbourne Primary School - 70 per cent of which have tested negative so far. 'The fact that it's a variant that is different to all of our other cases means that it is not related in terms of transmission (to the previous outbreak),' he said. What is the Indian 'Delta' variant? The Delta variant is the main variant of Covid-19 that is wreaking havoc across India Health officials believe the variant has very high transmission rates Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said there's been reports of children becoming severely sick with the variant The Delta strain is also believed to be more easily transmitted among children Nepal, the UK, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have also seen a rise in cases related to the variant Advertisement 'It has not been linked to any sequenced cases across Australia from hotel quarantine or anywhere else. 'We are examining who is the likely index case in this family and therefore trying to trace back where this variant has been picked up.' Three of Friday's four new cases are linked to the family, taking that West Melbourne cluster to seven. Some of the close contacts also live in public housing towers, which became a key focus a year ago early in Melbourne's second lockdown. NSW on Thursday extended by a week the stay-at-home order for people who have arrived from Victoria after the southern state lengthened its lockdown. Anyone in NSW who has been in Victoria since 4pm on Thursday May 27 will now be required to stay at home until at least June 10. Prof Sutton added the family may have acquired the virus in Jervis Bay given the approximate six-day incubation period of their virus strain. But this was not confirmed and Victorian authorities are still investigating. NSW Health said in a statement that anyone who has been in the listed southern NSW towns should be vigilant for respiratory illness. Some 130 people in NSW are currently deemed close contacts of the family, and none of those contacts have tested COVID-positive to date. Venues of concern include Trapper's Bakery in Goulburn on the morning of May 24, 5 Little Pigs at Huskisson on the morning of May 21 and the Green Patch campground in Jervis Bay over an extended period. Anyone who visited those venues at those times must get tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result. NSW recorded zero new locally-acquired cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, as well as zero new cases in hotel quarantine. A mine-detecting rat who was awarded the animal equivalent of a George Cross for successfully locating landmines will now retire from his job. Seven-year-old Magawa, who was trained by the Belgium-registered charity APOPO, discovered 71 landmines and 28 unexploded munitions in Cambodia - clearing more than 141,000 square metres of land - during his career. Now, five years after he first took to the field, the hero rat's handler Malen said the rodent was beginning to 'slow down' as he neared old age and it was time to 'respect his needs'. It comes just months after the giant African pouched rat, who can sniff out explosives ninety six times faster than conventional solutions, was recognised for his work and presented with a miniature PDSA Gold Medal - the animal equivalent of the George Cross. Magawa will remain with the charity, which is based in Tanzania, for a few more weeks in order to 'mentor' a new batch of rats who were recently assessed by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC). Magawa the rat was last year recognised for his work and presented with a miniature PDSA Gold Medal - the animal equivalent of the George Cross The seven-year-old rat discovered 71 landmines and 28 unexploded munitions in Cambodia during his five year career The rat's handler Malen (pictured with Magawa) said the rodent was beginning to 'slow down' and it was time to 'respect his needs' Malen told the BBC: 'Magawa's performance has been unbeaten, and I have been proud to work side-by-side with him. 'He is small but he has helped save many lives allowing us to return much-needed safe land back to our people as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.' Magawa's intensive training started when the rodent was just four weeks old and staff at the APOPO charity in Tanzania start handling the rat and introducing him to sounds and smells. Before graduating and working in the field, Magawa had to pass a blind test where a number of improvised landmines were hidden in a 400m2 area. Last September, Magawa was formally recognised for his work and presented with a miniature PDSA Gold Medal, the animal equivalent of the George Cross. He became the first rat in the charity's 77-year history to receive such an award. Following the achievement, Christophe Cox, CEO and cofounder of APOPO, said: 'To receive this medal is really an honour for us. I have been working with APOPO for over 20 years. 'Especially for our animal trainers who are waking up every day, very early, to train those animals in the morning. The giant African pouched rat began his intensive training with the charity when he was just four weeks old The rat had to pass a blind test where a number of improvised landmines were hidden in order to graduate Magawa became the first rat in the charity's history to receive the miniature PDSA Gold Medal last September 'But also it is big for the people in Cambodia, and all the people around the world who are suffering from landmines. The PDSA Gold Medal award brings the problem of landmines to global attention.' Meanwhile PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin said: 'The work of Magawa and APOPO is truly unique and outstanding. 'Cambodia estimates that between four and six million landmines were laid in the country between 1975 and 1998, which have sadly caused over 64,000 casualties. 'Magawa's work directly saves and changes the lives of men, women and children who are impacted by these landmines. Every discovery he makes reduces the risk of injury or death for local people. 'The PDSA Animal Awards programme seeks to raise the status of animals in society and honour the incredible contribution they make to our lives. 'Magawa's dedication, skill and bravery are an extraordinary example of this and deserve the highest possible recognition. We are thrilled to award him the PDSA Gold Medal.' Magawa was trained to detect the chemical compound within explosives with the Belgium-registered charity APOPO During their training with APOPO, rats are trained to associate the sound of a click with food at only 10 weeks old. When they go near a tea egg containing the scent of TNT, the explosive substance in landmines, they will hear a click and receive a food reward. The intelligent creatures are then taught how to distinguish between tea eggs containing TNT and those without it, only hearing a click and receiving a reward if they react with the positive eggs. The animals can detect the chemical compound within explosives and ignore any scrap metal lying around, making them much faster than metal detectors. Trainers then take the rats outside to work in soil trays in different conditions, with the tea eggs buried in the ground. The rats can only qualify as a hero rat once they have discovered all the landmines in the field, making no more than one false indication. Advertisement Balloons idle above the trampoline and flowers wilt on its surface. Trinity Ottoson-Smith was playing in the backyard of her Minneapolis neighborhood May 15 when she was struck by a stray bullet. The nine-years-old was caught in the crossfire of a shoot-out as gun-toting thugs drove along the alleyway behind her friend's house in this pretty neighborhood. She died last Thursday. Trinity was the second child to be shot in Minneapolis in three weeks. Six-year-old Aniya Allen was shot May 17 and died the following day. She took a bullet to the head as she ate McDonald's in her mother's car. Ten-year-old LaDavionne Garrett Jr. was shot in the head while sitting in his parents' car April 30. Welcome to Minneapolis, a city well on the way to eclipsing the violence that once saw it called Murderapolis. One year after the death of George Floyd saw this city become ground zero for the defund the police movement, its people are paying for it with their blood. Last night the city erupted in violence and flames once more as news that police had shot dead a black man wanted on a warrant was met with yet more looting and riots. A harrowing photo shared by the family of six-year-old Aniya Allen lays bare the heartbreaking reality of Minneapolis's surging gun violence and understaffed police force. The young girl's grandfather, Kay G Wilson, is seen weeping over her casket on Tuesday, two weeks after she was shot in the head The violence is most marked in the city's embattled northside - with nine-year-old Trinity, six-year-old Aniya and ten-year-old LaDavionne all shot within a mile of each other - but it is not confined to it Trinity Ottoson-Smith (left) nine, was shot in a drive-by May 15 while jumping on a trampoline. Two days later, six-year-old Aniya Allen (center) took a bullet to the head while eating McDonald's in her mom's car. And ten-year-old LaDavionne Garrett Jr (right) was shot in the head April 30 as he sat in the backseat of his parents' car. Trinity and Aniya later died from their injuries, while LaDavionne remains in hospital Earlier, as crews began moving in to remove the concrete barricades that have sealed off the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago - the infamous location of Floyd's death and a so-called 'autonomous zone' over the past year - hostilities and tensions roiled over. One resident told The Daily Mail that living here was like 'living in Palestine.' When DailyMail.com visited Minneapolis last week we found a city under siege and under policed, its children dying victims of the gun violence that has sky-rocketed in the past year. Minneapolis isn't the only city to have seen a rise in crime over the last year, but it is magnified here and the city has stumbled in the spotlight as it tries to reimagine public safety. There have been 36 homicides so far this year, more than double the number at this point last year and more than four times that seen in 2019. Car-jackings are up a staggering 222 per cent. Shootings have risen 153 per cent. Eighty per cent of the victims are black. Minneapolis erupted in violence and flames once more on Thursday as news that police had shot dead a black man wanted on a warrant was met with yet more looting and riots. Pictured: Protesters setting a dumpster on fire on the streets of the city Tensions roiled over as crews began moving in to remove the concrete barricades that have sealed off the infamous location of George Floyd's death and a so-called 'autonomous zone' over the past year One year after the death of George Floyd saw this city become ground zero for the defund the police movement, its people are paying for it in their blood At time of writing, 211 people had suffered gunshots wounds so far this year. This time last year that figure was 81. Gun theft from vehicles is up more than 100 per cent while the police department has seized 100 fewer guns this year than they had at the same point in 2020. And while crime soars Minneapolis Police Department has lost one third of its force. Disenfranchised and de-humanized, more than 200 police officers have either permanently left the already stretched department or signed off on disability. The situation is so dire that last week Mayor Jacob Frey was forced to call for federal help to boost MPD's flagging numbers as crime in the city spirals. Aniya's memorial on a corner in north Minneapolis is less than a mile from where Trinity was shot. More than 300 people gathered there Sunday to take part in a Peace Walk. This, organizers said, was a call from the community to 'put down the guns and pick up the love.' The walk ended at Northern Memorial Hospital where ten-year-old LaDavionne lies in a medically induced coma. The community has been reeling over three recent shootings that left two young girls dead and one boy in the hospital. On Sunday, more than 300 people turned up to walk between the N. Penn Ave - the site of Aniya's fatal shooting - and northern Memorial Hospital, where LaDavionne is in a medically induced coma Local resident Monique arrived at the march on Sunday with a fist-full of fliers, showing Trinity, Aniya and LaDavionne's pictures and giving information about the $35,000 reward offered for any information that leads to the shooters' arrests. She explained that just one day earlier, her godson, Eddie, was shot dead and her 23-year-old son was wounded by gunfire in the arm the day before that Members of the community say the city's gun violence is 'worse than it's ever been' after the Minneapolis Police Department lost one third of its force in the past year Local activist Marcus X, one of the organizers, told DailyMail.com, 'This is what's known as the Derek Chauvin effect.' 'There's shootings every single day and the summer hasn't even started. All the police have PTSD, they've left, you don't see police patrolling here. I know it and the gangs know it,' he said. 'I could shoot someone right now and walk five blocks home before the police would even come.' 'The police have left and it's unleashed the gangs.' The violence is most marked in the city's embattled northside - with Trinity, Aniya and LaDavionne all shot within a mile of each other - but it is not confined to it. Speaking to DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview last week Aniya's grandfather, local peace activist, Kay G Wilson, 53, described defunding the police as the 'craziest' thing he'd ever heard and warned that nowhere and no-one was safe. 'Everyone is afraid to tell the truth. This is the truth. Who's saying my grandchild's name? Where are the protests for these children? Who's saying their lives matter? Because their lives do matter,' he said. Wilson was very clear that the solution was more, not fewer, police. The only people who welcomed defunding the police, he said, was a handful of politicians and criminals. Balloons idle above the trampoline where Trinity Ottoson-Smith was playing on May 15 when she was struck by a stray bullet The nine-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire of a shoot-out as gun-toting thugs drove along the alleyway behind her friend's house in this pretty neighborhood. She died in hospital less than two weeks later Pictured above is the neighborhood of Cottage Park, where Trinity was shot dead 'It could be anyone. Today it was my baby, tomorrow it could be your child,' Wilson added. Gregory and Veronique Johnson know the truth of that. Their 21-year-old son Charlie was out celebrating finishing his degree in Mechanical Engineering at St Thomas's University Saturday May 22, when he fell victim to the random brutality of the city's gun-crime. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Charlie's father described his son as both, 'goofy' and serious. He had, Johnson recalled, blossomed during his university years. He said: 'They got him as a boy and they gave him back to us as a young man.' The statement hangs in the air before Johnson makes the heart-breaking correction: 'Almost gave him back to us.' Local activist Marcus X, one of the organizers, told DailyMail.com gangs and violence have become more prevalent since the city's police department was stretched thin Charlie was due to get his diploma and go home the next day. His plans for the summer had been loose; look for a job, take a road-trip, camp out with his friends. He had plenty of time to decide. It was 2am and Charlie and his friends had been out at Cowboy Jacks downtown. According to his father: 'They started making their own ways home. Charlie and his friend were just walking. 'They were on First Avenue heading north and they heard gunshots and took off running for their lives. 'As they got to the corner to try to duck behind a building Charlie fell.' He had been shot in the back. Ten people were injured in the gunfight that took place in the shadow of the Fourth Precinct building. Charlie was declared dead on the scene along with a 24-year-old man believed to be one of the shooters. Charlie's friend only had his sister, Camille's number and so the 24-year-old was the first to learn of what had happened to her brother and shouldered the burden of telling their parents. According to Johnson what happened immediately after that was grim and 'transactional.' The family had to provide dental records to ID Charlie, a process that opened the cruelest glimmer of hope that maybe it wasn't Charlie at all. Today Johnson chooses to celebrate his son's life rather than focus on the circumstances of his death. He said: 'He was the kid who moved off to college and the first thing he packed was his box of costumes a hazmat suit, a goofy cowboy hat, his favorite thrift store T-shirt finds.' In the days since his death friends and even brief acquaintances have come forward to share their memories of the tousled hair young man, whose heart was as big as his personality and as open as the future that seemed to stretch before him. Local activists and community members have banded together to call for an end to the gun violence that has claimed these children's and so many other lives. Pictured above are a group of children holding a banner that reads 'We Demand an End to Community Gun Violence' Marcus X told DailyMail.com there have been shootings every single day in the city with police officers hardly on patrol The walk ended at Northern Memorial Hospital where ten-year-old LaDavionne lies in a medically induced coma Each story is a comfort to the family. Johnson admitted: 'I think we probably feel guilty that a lot of these news stories passed us by. 'We saw reports and thought, "Oh poor family." Well, it doesn't always happen to someone else.' In the immediate aftermath of the shooting Johnson, a native Minnesotan, said that the city, 'was pretty dead to us.' 'It just seemed hopeless,' he said. But then he and his wife and daughter went to the site of Charlie's shooting. Johnson said: 'As a family we stood on the sidewalk and tried to follow his footsteps just a little bit. 'And we were standing on the corner, and we were fairly composed, and this gentleman glanced our way and straightened his spine and turned his body to look at us. 'With tears flowing down his face, he put his hand on his heart and said: 'I'm Charlie.' 'And he'll never know how much that meant. That changed our lives. We have faith. The city is full of beautiful people with great hearts and love all over. 'And it's a minority throwing bullets around and there's a lot more of us and we're a hell of a lot stronger and we can take it back.' It is a sentiment expressed by many who walked for peace on Sunday, among them Trinity's parents who carried a picture of their child and wore T-shirts bearing her name. Gregory Johnson's 21-year-old son Charlie was out celebrating finishing his degree in Mechanical Engineering at St Thomas's University Saturday May 22, when he fell victim to the random brutality of the city's gun-crime Charlie had been walking home with a friend one night when they heard gunshots and took off running for their lives. He was due to get his diploma and go home the next day So many of those who were there have had their lives forever scarred by the city's gun violence. All noted that the problem has become infinitely worse across the past year. Tanya, who asked DailyMail.com not to use her full name, was there when Trinity was shot. It was her children with whom Trinity was playing that day. It is her house that is peppered with bullet holes. It was Tanya who held Trinity while she waited for the police and paramedics to arrive. She said: 'The shootings have got worse. It never used to be like this. I'd move if I could but it's not easy for a single mother with four children. 'It's worse than it's ever been. It could have been anyone's kid. It could have been mine.' Monique arrived at the march on Sunday with a fist-full of fliers, showing Trinity, Aniya and LaDavionne's pictures and giving information about the $35,000 reward offered for any information that leads to the shooters' arrests. To her, as so many, this is personal. She explained: 'My godson, Eddie, was shot dead yesterday and my 23-year-old son was shot two days ago. He was lucky it was just a wound to the arm.' Talk to anybody in northern Minneapolis and you will find a person who has been directly impacted by gun-violence often more than once. In the past year while people have marched under the banner of Black Lives Matter, countless shootings and killings have gone unmarked. It is an epidemic tearing through the city. The corner of N 36th Street and N Penn Avenue is now the site Aniya's memorial: where mourners have laid down stuffed unicorns, cuddly toys, candles, and flowers KG Wilson, whose mission has always been to quell gun and gang violence, is now committed to helping bring justice to the families of the Trinity and LaDavionne, as well as his own Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights lawyer and long-time racial justice activist has been one of the police department's fiercest critics, but according to her the effort to dismantle the department had moved forward without the input of many black residents. Speaking of the city council members who pledged to defund the police: 'They conducted no research, consulted no expertsThey should have specifically come to the black community because we are the most likely to experience police violence as well as community violence, but they didn't. 'We shouldn't have to choose between no police or corrupt police.' But that is the choice that many have been given and the consequences have been devastating. Elisha Johnson, 29, is the cousin of Trinity's mother. She was there on Sunday, walking for peace, calling out for change. She and Trinity's mother grew up here together just a few blocks away. She told DailyMail.com that there was no doubt that the situation was getting worse but that she was heartened that so many had turned out for the walk. She said: 'I'm glad that the community has come together. This has to stop. We have to stand up and say, enough is enough, before any more babies are killed.' A coronavirus-positive Victorian family which travelled to parts of southern New South Wales has a different coronavirus variant to other people associated with the current Melbourne outbreak, according to Victorian authorities. The state on Thursday extended the stay-at-home order for people who have arrived from Victoria by a week after the southern state extended its lockdown. Anyone in NSW who has been in Victoria since 4pm on Thursday May 27 will now be required to stay at home until at least June 10. A Melbourne family-of-four who travelled to New South Wales were infected with the new strain of the Indian Covid-19 virus (pictured: restaurants closed during Melbourne's lockdown) Victorian health authorities on Friday said a Melbourne family of four which visited south NSW locations including Gundagai, Goulburn, Jervis Bay, Huskisson and Vincentia had a different COVID-19 strain to other cases. The couple and their two children have the 'Delta' strain of the virus, first found in India, rather than the 'Kappa' strain, also first found in India. The 'Kappa' strain has been the dominant strain of Melbourne's most recent outbreak. This means the source of the family's infection is unknown. The new strain is more contagious than the previous existing strain that makes up Victoria's 64 active cases (pictured: health workers conduct COVID-19 testing at the Montague Street centre in South Melbourne, Friday May 28, 2021) There are fears the outbreak may have spread to NSW after a family from Melbourne went on a roadtrip across NSW LATEST COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS: * The Delta coronavirus strain that has caused devastation in India and the UK has been detected in Victoria's latest outbreak. * The state's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the strain has not been linked to any of the other cases in the current outbreak, which means it is not related in terms of transmission. * Genomic sequencing from two cases in a West Melbourne family has revealed they are infected with the Delta variant. It remains unclear how those family members, who also travelled to Jervis Bay in NSW, contracted the virus, but the possibility that they picked up the virus in NSW has not been ruled out. * Victoria recorded four new local cases on Friday, taking that West Melbourne cluster to seven. * The total number of infections in the outbreak has reached 65, but one person has recovered, meaning there are 64 active cases. * Victoria will receive an extra 142,000 Pfizer doses over the next week, responding to soaring demand triggered by an ongoing outbreak. * The Pfizer vaccine will be available nationwide for all 40 to 49 year olds from next week. * All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 16 can now access vaccines. * The Victorian and federal governments have agreed to a quarantine facility to be built in that state, with the Commonwealth funding construction and the state funding operations and running it. * Cost-sharing of lockdown disaster payments will be split, with the federal government paying households and the states supporting businesses. * There will also be mandatory reporting of aged care worker vaccinations from mid-June, but expert advice is being sought on the benefits and risks of mandatory vaccination of workers. * Next national cabinet meeting will be face-to-face in Darwin in early July. * A group of returned travellers quarantining in an Adelaide medi-hotel have been moved to another facility amid concerns they may have been exposed to COVID-19. * The 18 people were moved from the Peppers Hotel to the Pullman Hotel on Friday after a toddler returned a positive test this week. * Plans to increase the Howard Springs COVID-19 quarantine facility's maximum capacity are lagging, along with NT Health's staff recruitment drive for the centre. * Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk insists her plan for a quarantine camp isn't dead, despite the federal government doing a deal to build a centre in Victoria. She says 'a lot of negotiation' is still happening with the Commonwealth. AUSTRALIAN VACCINATION NUMBERS: * There have been 4,786,362 doses administered in the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout up to Thursday, including 143,659 in the previous 24 hours. * Of the total, 3,030,828 have been administered by the Commonwealth (an increase of 86,406 in the previous 24 hours). * 2,660,233 have been issued in primary care (+81,255) and 370,595 in aged and disability facilities (+5151). * 1,755,534 have been administered by the states and territories, including 57,253 in the previous 24 hours. * 557,794 have been administered in Victoria (+21,475), 477,265 in NSW (+15,410), 255,946 in Queensland (+10,091), 183,397 in Western Australia (+3,962), 119,292 in South Australia (+3411), 71,622 in Tasmania (+0), 52,596 in the ACT (+1242) and 37,622 in the NT (+1662). AUSTRALIAN CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS: * Australia reported four new locally acquired virus cases on Friday, all in Victoria. * There have been three new overseas acquired cases recorded in hotel quarantine: Two in Victoria and one in South Australia. * The national death toll is 910: Victoria 820, NSW 56, Tasmania 13, WA 9, Queensland 7, SA 4, ACT 3 (Two Queensland residents who died in NSW have been included in the official tolls of both states). GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS: * Cases: at least 172,161,792 * Deaths: at least 3,701,814 * Vaccine doses administered: at least 2,011,372,042 Data current as of 1700 AEST on June 4, taking in federal and state/territory government updates and Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre figures. A 13-year-old girl pleaded guilty to murder over the death of an Uber Eats deliveryman who died during her botched carjacking in March. The girl, who has not been publicly identified, pleaded guilty on Thursday to second-degree murder in juvenile court, in Washington D.C. The plea deal meant the other charges against her - including armed carjacking - were dropped. She could face up to seven years in juvenile detention, to be released when she turns 21, when she's sentenced on July 6. Scroll down for video A 13-year-old girl in Washington D.C. pleaded guilty to murder on Thursday in the death of a man who she and another girl carjacked in March, the second guilty plea in the case The two girls attacked a Pakistani immigrant while he was working with Uber Eats delivering food in Washington, DC on March 23 Two National Guardsmen who were in the area removed the juvenile suspects from the overturned car and detained them until police responded to the scene and arrested them Two National Guardsmen who were in the area removed the juvenile suspects from the overturned car (pictured) and detained them until police responded to the scene and arrested them WUSA9 reports that the girl's eyes were 'downcast' as she appeared over WebEx for Thursday's court proceedings, wearing a plastic shield. The 13-year-old has also been found responsible in two other cases - including unauthorized use of a motorized vehicle - and will be sentenced in those cases in July as well. The teen was with another girl, 15, when they both attacked Pakistani immigrant, Mohammad Anwar, 66, while he was working with Uber Eats delivering food in Washington, DC on March 23. They got in to his car at the Navy Yard Metro station about 4:30pm. Anwar then drove a short distance to the streets close to Nationals Park before a struggle broke out with the two girls, one of whom was armed with a taser. A video of the incident shows the encounter unfolding in a minute and a half, ending with Anwar's Honda Accord on its side, the girls climbing out and a fatally injured Anwar sprawled and motionless on the sidewalk. The 90-second clip begins with Anwar struggling to regain control of his car after the two girls made their way inside. Mohammad Anwar, 66 (pictured_ was eventually rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries, including head trauma and broken bones A video of the incident shows the encounter unfolding in a minute and a half, ending with Anwar's Honda Accord on its side, the girls climbing out and a fatally injured Anwar sprawled and motionless on the sidewalk The bystander filming the incident runs over to the site of the crash to find the car rolled over and the two girls climbing out of the wreckage 'They're thieves,' he is heard saying, as he attempts to pull the girl out of the driver seat of the parked car. 'This is my car!' Prosecutor Baki Baruwa says the 13-year-old stayed in the passenger seat while the 15-year old jumped into the driver's seat. Baruwa also said Anwar's pleas for help went unheeded as the older girl told witnesses the car belonged to her mother. The teen suddenly accelerates, sending the car speeding down the 1200 block of Van Street SE with Anwar clinging on to the driver side's door. At one point, the car is seen smashing into a metal fence from the left side, crushing the delivery driver between the barrier and the car door. As the car continues to speed off into the distance, a screeching sound is heard followed by a loud crash. The bystander filming the incident runs over to the site of the crash to find the car rolled over and the two girls climbing out of the wreckage. Anwar's body can be seen lying motionless on the corner on the sidewalk, as witnesses scramble to get help. Two National Guardsmen who were in the area removed the juvenile suspects from the overturned car and detained them until police responded to the scene and arrested them. Anwar was eventually rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries, including head trauma and broken bones. He was described in a GoFundMe post as 'a hard-working Pakistani immigrant who came to the United States to create a better life for him and his family.' The GoFundMe campaign, launched on behalf of his family, raised more than $1 million to cover the costs of a funeral and to provide for his survivors. 'Anwar was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend who always provided a smile when you needed one,' the family said. 'Words can not describe how our family is feeling currently. Devastation, confusion, shock, anger, heartache, and anguish are just a few that come to mind.' The graphic video clip begins with Anwar attempting to pull one of the suspects out of the driver seat Anwar was described in a GoFundMe post as 'a hard-working Pakistani immigrant who came to the United States to create a better life for him and his family' The mayor of Washington D.C., Muriel Bowser, tweeted then deleted a 'tone deaf' message advising people on how to prevent auto theft, five days after Anwar's killing. The 15-year-old, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty on May 5, a court spokesman told The Washington Post. In return for pleading guilty to murder, other charges - armed carjacking, robbery and aggravated reckless driving - were dropped. She could be sentenced as early as Friday and will serve a maximum of six years until she is 21. Court proceedings for minors are closed to the public, so it's not clear if her light potential sentence is because she's a minor, but it's very likely. The 15-year-old could have been charged as an adult, but it would have been a high bar for prosecutors to meet, the Post said, and prosecutors would have had to prove that she couldn't be rehabilitated. The 13-year-old is currently in the custody of the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, according to NBC Washington. One of the girls is from the DC area and the other is from neighboring Fort Washington, Maryland. Anwar, who lived in suburban Springfield, Virginia, moved to the United States in 2014, his family said. His family may speak publicly at the sentencing hearings, NBC Washington reports. Dr Peter Palese, a professor of microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, has U-turned after previously supporting a letter denying that COVID-19 could've leaked from a Wuhan lab One of the 27 Covid lab leak deniers who signed a letter denouncing the theory that the virus escaped from a lab in Wuhan has now called for a 'thorough investigation' into Covid's origins, MailOnline can reveal. Dr Peter Palese, a microbiologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, signed the letter in the Lancet in February last year claiming the virus could only have been natural in origin and to suggest otherwise would create 'fear, rumors, and prejudice'. The 'bullying' letter, orchestrated by Dr Peter Daszak, the head of a non-profit that funnelled U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, was criticized by experts for ostracizing anyone offering different opinions on the virus' origins, dismissing them as conspiracy theorists. It is only now, nearly 16 months after that letter was published in the world-renowned medical journal, that the theory Covid was accidentally leaked from a lab in Wuhan is being looked at seriously. US President Joe Biden last week ordered intelligence agencies to launch a probe into whether Covid was man-made after all. But China immediately hit back and called the suggestion a 'conspiracy'. And now Professor Palese, 77, has made a significant U-turn, admitting all theories on how Covid came about now need proper investigating. He told MailOnline: 'I believe a thorough investigation about the origin of the Covid-19 virus is needed. 'A lot of disturbing information has surfaced since the Lancet letter I signed, so I want to see answers covering all questions.' Asked how he was originally approached to sign the letter and what new information had come to light specifically, Professor Palese declined to comment. Palese spoke out as America's leading pandemic expert Dr Anthony Fauci continues to face fevered calls to resign after emails revealed that leading virus experts warned Covid could be man-made even as he downplayed the possibility. The emails also showed he communicated with Dr Daszak, the head of the non-profit that funnelled U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan lab. Biden threw his support behind the embattled expert on Friday, saying: 'Yes I'm very confident in Dr Fauci.' Another scientist who signed the letter, Dr Jeremy Farrar - director of the Wellcome Trust in London - declined to comment on the Fauci allegations but said it remains 'most likely' the virus came from an animal but 'there are other possibilities which cannot be completely ruled out and retaining an open mind is critical'. Pictured: Security personnel keep watch outside Wuhan Institute of Virology during the visit by the World Health Organization (WHO) team in February Dr. Daszak - a key architect of the Lancet letter - runs the New York-based, tax payer-funded non-profit EcoHealth Alliance, which has funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Guardian forced to amend article it published by Peter Daszak to reveal his ties to Wuhan lab as Lancet editor voices support for lab leak theory denouncement The Guardian was forced to amend an article it published by Dr Peter Daszak to include a reference to his work with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The article, published in June last year, was amended three days after its publication. In the article titled 'Ignore the conspiracy theories: scientists know Covid-19 wasn't created in a lab', Dr Daszak said the lab-leak theory was a 'chapter in a tale of blame, misinformation and finger-pointing'. He characterised lab-leak theorists as 'conspiracy theorists' believing in 'frankenviruses'. The Guardian was forced to amend the original article to highlight Dr Daszak's ties to the Wuhan lab from where some suggest Covid was accidentally leaked. The paper said: 'This article was amended on 11 June 2020 to make clear the writers past work with researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.' Editor of the Lancet Richard Horton who published the letter dismissing theories Covid may not have originated naturally in his prestigious scientific journal Tweeted support for the piece. He wrote: 'Peter Daszak rejects conspiracy theories about the origins of Covid-19 and he knows more than most of us about coronaviruses.' Mr Horton has regularly criticised lab-leak theories during the pandemic. He told the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post it was it is 'not helpful' and 'unfair' to blame China for being the source of the pandemic last year. Advertisement He worked with the lab's so-called 'bat woman' Shi Zhengli as they investigated and modified coronaviruses. Shi, 57, proved that horseshoe bats were behind a SARS virus that killed nearly 800 people in 2002 and has collected thousands of samples from bat caves. Dr Daszak was one four Brits to sign the letter, including SAGE advisor Sir Jeremy Farrar and two other experts working for the Welcome Trust at the time. The letters' signatories included four others who worked for EcoHealth. Jamie Metzl, who sits on the World Health Organization's advisory committee on human genome editing and is a form Bill Clinton administration staffer, said Dr Daszak's letter was a 'form of thuggery'. He said: The Lancet letter was scientific propaganda and a form of thuggery and intimidation. By labeling anyone with different views a conspiracy theorist, the Lancet letter was the worst form of bullying in full contravention of the scientific method. MailOnline has approached the letters' other signatories for comment. One of them, Dr Jeremy Farrar - who sits on the UK Government's SAGE scientific advisory panel and who spoke with Fauci and others in early 2020 - said in a statement: 'The origins of Sars-Cov-2 are not yet certain it is possible the origin will never be fully established but nature is a powerful force and, in my view, the most likely scenario is that the virus crossed from animals to humans and then evolved in humans. 'The best scientific evidence available to date points to this. It is most likely it crossed the species barrier to infect and then adapt to humans at some point in 2019, but there are other possibilities which cannot be completely ruled out and retaining an open mind is critical. There is no place for unsubstantiated rumour, or conspiracy theories often fuelled for political purposes. 'Understanding the origins of this disease, and any zoonotic infection, is absolutely critical to successfully preventing future outbreaks and protecting lives globally. The answers can only be found in robust scientific evidence, with full transparency from all involved. There has been too much conjecture and theory without data or evidence, although still there is not enough transparency.' A Freedom of Information Act request revealed Dr Daszak told his fellow signatories in an email that the letter would not be sent under the EcoHealth logo 'and will not be identifiable as coming from any one organization of person'. The emails show he even considered not signing the letter himself, although in the end he did. The idea, he said was for it to be coming from 'a community supporting our colleagues'. The letter titled 'Statement in support of the scientists, public health professionals, and medical professionals of China combatting Covid-19' praised the Chinese 'who continue to save lives and protect global health during the challenge of the Covid-19 outbreak'. It went on to add: 'We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin. 'Conspiracy theories do nothing but create fear, rumors and prejudices that jeopardize our global collaboration in the fight against the virus.' It ended with the words: 'We declare no competing interests.' The letter proved so influential that it virtually ended debate on the origin of Covid for more than a year. Anyone who suggested it could have been man-made was shot down amid accusations of anti-Chinese xenophobia. Robert Redfield, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control told Vanity Fair he received death threats after floating the theory that the virus could have been man-made. He said: 'I was threatened and ostracized because I proposed another hypothesis. I expected it from politicians. I didnt expect it from science.' Dr Peter Daszak, 55, from Manchester, orchestrated a behind-the-scenes bullying campaign to ensure blame for Covid was directed away from a Chinese lab with which he had worked closely. Dr Daszack worked with the lab's so-called 'bat woman' Shi Zhengli (pictured left) as they investigated and modified coronaviruses. Shi, 57, proved that horseshoe bats were behind a SARS virus that killed nearly 800 people in 2002 and has collected thousands of samples from bat caves The theory the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology was originally dismissed by left-leaning media outlets last year as a conspiracy theory after it was mentioned by then-President Donald Trump. But they have now changed course with the launch of the US investigation. Liberal US outlets, who slammed Mr Trump when he said a year ago said he had 'a high degree of confidence' that the virus escaped from a lab, have finally conceded that he may have been right after a year ridiculing the suggestion. Who signed the letter in The Lancet? Peter Daszak, EcoHealth Alliance, New York Charles Calisher, Colorado State University Dennis Carroll, Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, Texas Rita Colwell, University of Maryland Ronald Corley, NEIDL Institute, Boston Christian Drosten, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany Luis Enjuanes, National Center of Biotechnology, Madrid Jeremy Farrar, The Wellcome Trust, London Hume Field, EcoHealth Alliance, New York Josie Golding, The Wellcome Trust, London Alexander Gorbalenya, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands Bart Haagmans, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands James Hughes, Emory University, Atlanta William Karesh, EcoHealth Alliance, New York Gerald Keusch, Boston University Sai Kit Lam, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Juan Lubroth, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy John Mackenzie, Curtin University, Perth, Australia Larry Madoff, Massachusetts Medical School Jonna Mazet, University of California at Davis Peter Palese, Icahn School of Medicine, New York Stanley Perlman, University of Iowa Leo Poon, The University of Hong Kong Bernard Roizman, University of Chicago Linda Saif, The Ohio State University Kanta Subbarao, The University of Melbourne, Australia Mike Turner, The Wellcome Trust, London Advertisement The lab-leak theory was bolstered last week after it was revealed three workers at the Wuhan lab were hospitalized in November, 2019, months before Covid was first discovered in China. China claims the virus was transmitted to humans from an animal host, with bats and pangolins both named as potential sources. Many scientists agree that is the most likely theory. Professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Cambridge Ravi Gupta, a member of Nervtag, said the theory has not yet been investigated with 'scientific rigor'. He told The Telegraph: 'The possibility was not adequately explored due to lack of access to primary records by the WHO group. Lab leak has not been scientifically rejected as a cause using [the] scientific rigor that one would expect.' A soon to be published report by a team of British and Norwegian experts suggests it is possible to trace the creation of the virus to research in China that began in 2008. Professor David Relman, a microbiologist at Stanford University, said the theory needs to be investigated by an international consortium of scientists in collaboration with the UN. He said: 'Ideally, an investigation would rely on an international consortium of scientists under the auspices of many national academies of science working in partnership, in collaboration with an international governance entity, the UN Secretary Generals Office, or something of that sort.' And Harvard epidemiologist Professor Marc Lipsitch said a lab escape scenario 'remains plausible enough that it should be looked into rigorously'. He told the paper: 'This is not a fringe position, given that multiple European governments and Dr Tedros have said the same.' He said that while scientists are not saying a lab origin is more likely than a natural one, a thorough investigation is needed to reveal the cause of the pandemic. As Dr Daszak's links to the Wuhan lab become clearer, more questions are being asked about his influence over the WHO team that went to China in January and stayed for four weeks searching for answers. The team was met with resistance in China. Authorities there made them quarantine for two weeks in Wuhan and barred two members completely after they tested positive for coronavirus antibodies. But critics say the WHO researchers were too cozy with Chinese authorities, who are desperate not to shoulder the blame for a worldwide death toll now approaching 3.6 million. They claim its members may have been influenced by a tour they took round a propaganda museum which described Wuhans fight against the virus and the leading role taken by President Xi Jinping. While China has tried to insist the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have begun to contemplate the possibility it escaped from the WIV - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread The Wuhan Institute of Virology is about 20 miles from the Huanan Seafood Market where the first coronavirus cases are reported to have occurred In recent weeks, the lab-escape theory has gained ground. Already British intelligence officials, who are helping the US search for the cause of the pandemic that has cost nearly 600,000 American lives, are said to be leaning towards the man-made scenario. Last week MailOnline revealed two leading scientists had found unique fingerprints in Covid samples that could only have come from lab manipulation. British Professor Angus Dalgleish and Norwegian scientist Birger Srensen, wrote that they have had 'prima facie evidence of retro-engineering in China' for a year but were ignored by academics and major journals. Did Covid originate in Chinese lab? The Wuhan Institute of Virology has been collecting numerous coronaviruses from bats ever since the SARS outbreak in 2002. They have also published papers describing how these bat viruses have interacted with human cells. US Embassy staff visited the lab in 2018 and 'had grave safety concerns' over the protocols which were being observed at the facility. The lab is just eight miles from the Huanan wet market which is where the first cluster of infections erupted in Wuhan. The market is just a few hundred yards from another lab called the Wuhan Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (WHCDC). The WHCDC kept disease-ridden animals in its labs, including some 605 bats. Those who support the theory argue that Covid-19 could have leaked from either or both of these facilities and spread to the wet market. Most argue that this would have been a virus they were studying rather than one which was engineered. Last year a bombshell paper from the Beijing-sponsored South China University of Technology recounted how bats once attacked a researcher at the WHCDC and 'blood of bat was on his skin.' The report says: 'Genome sequences from patients were 96% or 89% identical to the Bat CoV ZC45 coronavirus originally found in Rhinolophus affinis (intermediate horseshoe bat).' It describes how the only native bats are found around 600 miles away from the Wuhan seafood market and that the probability of bats flying from Yunnan and Zhejiang provinces was minimal. In addition there is little to suggest the local populace eat the bats as evidenced by testimonies of 31 residents and 28 visitors. Instead the authors point to research being carried out within 300 yards at the WHCDC. One of the researchers at the WHCDC described quarantining himself for two weeks after a bat's blood got on his skin, according to the report. That same man also quarantined himself after a bat urinated on him. And he also mentions discovering a live tick from a bat - parasites known for their ability to pass infections through a host animal's blood. 'The WHCDC was also adjacent to the Union Hospital (Figure 1, bottom) where the first group of doctors were infected during this epidemic.' The report says. 'It is plausible that the virus leaked around and some of them contaminated the initial patients in this epidemic, though solid proofs are needed in future study.' Advertisement Professor Dalgleish, 71, a vaccine researcher and professor of oncology at St George's Hospital, last year struggled to find a publisher for his paper suggesting the virus's spike protein contains artificially inserted sequences. He said the research was shunned by the scientific community, who did not want to threaten China or be seen to be agreeing with President Donald Trump who was a big advocate for the theory the virus was leaked from a lab at the time. The oncologist said: 'The changes required to infect humans are extremely unlikely to have occurred naturally.' Professor Dalgleish who ran for Parliament as a UKIP candidate in 2015 said the President's use of the terms 'Wuhan flu' and 'China virus' damaged scientific debate on the subject. He told The Times: 'I was basically ostracized. I was fearful really frightened by the way I was being treated. I was told I was not an expert on coronaviruses and I should just shut up. 'We couldn't believe people with whom we'd collaborated and published papers with in the past would shun us I was warned I was out of my depth and I shouldn't get into this and I'd make a fool of myself.' And just last week President Joe Biden ordered another look at the theory as part of a wide-ranging intelligence investigation into the pandemics origins. He felt it so urgent that he put a 90-day deadline for a conclusion. Emails from Dr Anthony Fauci, Mr Bidens chief medical advisor, show that leading virus experts warned Covid could be man-made even as he downplayed the possibility. Fauci says those emails, obtained by Buzzfeed, have been taken out of context. But he did U-turn about where the virus may have originated this week, saying 'you never know'. One of them was from Dr Daszak, who thanked Dr Fauci for pushing back on the man-made theory. In April, Dr Drazak wrote: 'I just wanted to say a personal thank you on behalf of our staff and collaborators, for publicly standing up and stating that the scientific evidence supports a natural origin for Covid-19 from a bat-to-human spillover, not a lab release from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.' Even WHO's Ethiopian director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the report was not extensive enough and more work needed to be done to discover the cause of Covid. 'As far as WHO is concerned, all hypotheses remain on the table, he said. This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end.' America is looking at the theory seriously, leading to China hitting out at the 'dark history' of the US intelligence community after President Biden's probe was announced. Lijian Zhao, foreign ministry spokesman who has been Beijing's point-man in trying to pin blame for the pandemic outside the country's borders, accused the US of trying to shift blame away from its own high Covid case and death counts - and suggested security services may be involved in a cover-up. Meanwhile Hu Xijin, editor of the state mouthpiece Global Times newspaper, accused Biden of trying to discredit a WHO investigation which concluded that a lab leak is 'unlikely' although critics have previously blasted that report as a China-centric whitewash. China's American embassy also hit out, accusing Biden and his security services of being 'fixated on political manipulation and (the) blame game' in a statement on its website. No10 officials have called for investigators to probe all theories as to how the Covid pandemic began. Dominic Cummings this week revealed the PM held meetings when the crisis first began to discuss whether it had 'escaped' from a laboratory and whether the disease had been 'engineered'. The Lancet letter in full: 'Statement in support of the scientists, public health professionals, and medical professionals of China combatting COVID-19' We are public health scientists who have closely followed the emergence of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and are deeply concerned about its impact on global health and wellbeing. We have watched as the scientists, public health professionals, and medical professionals of China, in particular, have worked diligently and effectively to rapidly identify the pathogen behind this outbreak, put in place significant measures to reduce its impact, and share their results transparently with the global health community. This effort has been remarkable. We sign this statement in solidarity with all scientists and health professionals in China who continue to save lives and protect global health during the challenge of the Covid-19 outbreak. We are all in this together, with our Chinese counterparts in the forefront, against this new viral threat. 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. Scientists from multiple countries have published and analysed genomes of the causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and they overwhelmingly conclude that this coronavirus originated in wildlife, as have so many other emerging pathogens. This is further supported by a letter from the presidents of the US National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine and by the scientific communities they represent. Conspiracy theories do nothing but create fear, rumours, and prejudice that jeopardise our global collaboration in the fight against this virus. We support the call from the Director-General of WHO to promote scientific evidence and unity over misinformation and conjecture. We want you, the science and health professionals of China, to know that we stand with you in your fight against this virus. We invite others to join us in supporting the scientists, public health professionals, and medical professionals of Wuhan and across China. Stand with our colleagues on the frontline! We speak in one voice. To add your support for this statement, sign our letter online. LM is editor of ProMED-mail. We declare no competing interests. Advertisement Sen. Rand Paul says Fauci's emails paint a 'disturbing picture' about what he knew about work inside the Wuhan lab Sen. Rand Paul continued his blitz on Dr. Anthony Fauci in the wake of Fauci's email dump, telling Fox that Fauci knew the US was funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan even though he continues to deny it. The Republican from Kentucky told Fox Thursday night that Fauci's emails 'tell me early on that he was very worried' before the pandemic even started. 'There's a disturbing picture. He gets an email or he gets notification of what's going on in Wuhan and immediately sends something to his assistant saying, "We must meet immediately." And in the subject line it says gain of function research in Wuhan.' While Paul and other Republicans have come after Fauci, Biden reaffirmed his confidence in Fauci in a Friday morning press conference. The president had actually left the room where he gave the speech when DailyMail.com shouted a question to him about the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. President Biden stuck his head back in to answer. 'Yes I'm very confident in Dr. Fauci,' he said. Paul's Thursday night interview on Fox - and weeks of public comments that - makes it clear that senator doesn't share have the same faith in Fauci, and he alluded to a February 1, 2020 email exchange between Fauci and Principal NIAID Director Dr. Hugh Auchincloss. Sen. Rand Paul (right) was interviewed on Fox Thursday night Auchincloss wrote to Fauci to discuss a paper Fauci sent him appearing to question if National Institute of Health (NIH) grants funded gain-of-function research relating to coronaviruses. In the email to Fauci, Auchincloss said, 'The paper you sent me says the experiments were performed before the gain of function pause but have since been reviewed and approved by NIH.' He also noted that a colleague would 'try to determine if we have any distant ties to this work abroad.' This was one of the 3,200-plus emails obtained and published by Buzzfeed News on Tuesday. The NIH awarded a $3.7 million grant to EcoHealth Alliance, which is based in the United States, to study the risk of coronaviruses emerging from bats in 2014. EcoHealth Alliance in turn distributed nearly $600,000 of that funding to its collaborator, the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The senator also took a shot Thursday at the embattled chief medical advisor on Twitter after Amazon and Barnes & Noble pulled his book from their sites because it wasn't supposed to be released until November: 'Oh, I dont know. I think they should publish it. I love science fiction.' Paul's interview came after Fauci dismissed the recent revelations that he was warned that COVID-19 may have been 'engineered' and said that the emails are easily misunderstood. During a Wednesday interview on the Donlon Report, Fauci said of the emails, 'The only trouble is they are really ripe to be taken out of context where someone can snip out a sentence in an email without showing the other emails, and say "based on an email from Dr. Fauci, he said such and such" where you don't really have the full context.' Fauci added that the Wuhan lab 'is a very large lab to the tune of hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars.' 'The grant that we're talking about was $600,000 over five years for an average of about $125,000 to $140,000 a year,' he said. Fauci also said on Donlon that he 'can't guarantee everything that is going on in the Wuhan lab.' Paul has been on Fox twice since a trove of Fauci's emails - dating from January to June 2020 - were obtained and published by Buzzfeed on Tuesday. Within hours of publication, Paul tweeted '#firefauci' and other Republicans, like Majorie Greene Taylor, followed suit. Until recently, the Wuhan lab leak was at best a fringe theory, and it has been mostly laughed off by many scientists. The general consensus on COVID-19's origin was that it jumped from a bat to a human in the Wuhan market. Despite the recent scrutiny, Fauci continues to say that's what he believes happened. During Senate committee hearings in early May, Paul sparred with Fauci over the two origin theories and said the lab leak is a real possibility that's not being acknowledged. Instead of investigating the cause of COVID-19 'government authorities - self-interested in continuing gain of function research - say there's nothing to see here,' Paul said during the May 11 hearing. 'To arrive at the truth, the U.S. government should admit that the Wuhan Virology Institute was experimenting to enhance the coronavirus' ability to infect humans,' he said. The lab leak theory is now one that President Joe Biden wants investigated. Last week, Biden ordered a 90-day review to investigate the possibility and several high-profile public health experts have come out in recent months saying they believe that's how COVID-19 started. British intelligence also reportedly assessed the theory recently and upgraded its likeliness from 'remote' to 'feasible'. A leading German cardinal and confidante of Pope Francis offered to resign on Friday over the Catholic Church's 'catastrophic' mishandling of clergy sexual abuse cases. Cardinal Reinhard Marx declared in an extraordinary gesture that the scandals had brought the church to 'a dead end'. The archdiocese of Munich and Freising, where Marx has served as archbishop since 2007, published his resignation letter to the pope online, in multiple languages, and the cardinal said Francis had given him permission to make it public. 'It is important to me to share the responsibility for the catastrophe of the sexual abuse by Church officials over the past decades,' the 67-year-old Marx wrote in the letter. But he also issued a challenge of sorts for his fellow bishops to use the opportunity of the scandal to save the church and reform it. Cardinal Reinhard Marx (right), a leading German cardinal and confidante of Pope Francis (left) offered to resign on Friday over the Catholic Church's 'catastrophic' mishandling of clergy sexual abuse cases There was no immediate comment from the Vatican, where Marx sits on powerful financial and political committees. A Vatican spokesman said information about resignations is announced in a daily bulletin, and Friday's edition did not mention Marx. The German cardinal noted that Francis had told him to 'keep performing my service as bishop until his decision is made'. However, Marx told reporters in Munich later on Friday that he had personally read his letter to the pope last month on the phone and that after thinking about it and praying, the pope told him last week to publish it. Marx, who led the German Bishops' Conference from 2014 until 2020, wrote that investigations during the last decade showed there had been 'a lot of personal failures and administrative mistakes but also institutional or 'systemic' failure'. In 2018, a church-commissioned report concluded that at least 3,677 people were abused by clergy in Germany between 1946 and 2014. More than half of the victims were 13 or younger when the abuse took place, and nearly a third of them were altar boys, according to the report. Cardinal Reinhard Marx declared in an extraordinary gesture that the scandals had brought the church to 'a dead end'. He published his resignation letter to the pope online, in multiple languages, and said Francis had given him permission to make it public Earlier this year, another report came out about the church officials' handling of alleged sexual abuse in the country's western Cologne diocese. The archbishop of Hamburg, a former Cologne church official who was faulted in that report, offered his resignation to the pope and was granted a 'time out' of unspecified length. Marx himself has not been implicated in any of the investigative reports to date, but he said all members of the hierarchy shared blame for the failures. A report is expected this summer about the handling of sexual abuse cases in Marx's archdiocese, German news agency dpa reported. 'My impression is that we are at a "dead end" which, and this is my paschal hope, also has the potential of becoming a "turning point",' Marx wrote the pope, saying he hoped his offer to resign would be seen as a signal for a new beginning, 'for a new awakening of the Church, not only in Germany.' Marx later told reporters that he wasn't tired of being a bishop, but believed someone had to personally take responsibility for the abuse scandal so that the church can be reformed. 'I am convinced that there will be a new epoch of Christianity, there's no question about it,' he said. 'But this can only happen ... if the church renews itself and learns from this crisis.' Marx said he sees a danger that the abuse issue will only be dealt with in a purely administrative way, which is not enough. The German cardinal noted that Francis (pictured) had told him to 'keep performing my service as bishop until his decision is made' 'It's about the overall renewal and reform of the church. This belongs together,' he said. Marx's offer to resign was an extraordinary gesture and laid bare the credibility crisis that the scandal created in Germany, as it has in other countries. To try to recover that credibility, Marx has spearheaded a process of reform and debate with the powerful German laity to address some of the structural problems that contributed to the crisis. But the so-called 'Synodal Path' has sparked fierce resistance inside Germany and out, primarily from conservative bishops and priests opposed to opening any debate on issues such as priestly celibacy, women's role in the church and homosexuality. Resistance has also come from the Vatican and bishops outside Germany, including culture warriors in the United States who have broken with church protocol to pen essays critical of the German reform process. In his resignation letter, Marx made no mention of his status as a member of Francis' kitchen cabinet, a group of cardinals who advise the pope, or his role as head of the Vatican's Council of the Economy, a group of experts who oversee the Vatican's finances. Marx, who led the German Bishops' Conference from 2014 until 2020, wrote that investigations during the last decade showed there had been 'a lot of personal failures and administrative mistakes but also institutional or 'systemic' failure' The head of a powerful laypersons' organisation, the Central Committee of German Catholics, or ZdK, said he was 'deeply shocked' by the cardinal's offer to resign. 'The wrong person is leaving,' ZdK President Thomas Sternberg told Germany's Rheinische Post newspaper. 'What Marx did for ecumenical Christianity, for the Synodal Path and also when it comes to the processing of sexual abuse (revelations) is very important.' The ZdK has participated in the Synodal Path meetings for more than a year with the German Bishops' Conference. The meetings. which are set to conclude in the fall, feature discussions about allowing priests to get married, the ordination of women and a different understanding of sexuality, among other reforms. The process was launched as part of the response to revelations of clergy sexual abuse. The head of the German Bishops' Conference, Limburg Bishop Georg Baetzing, expressed respect for Marx's decision. 'His resignation offer makes clear that the church in Germany needs to continue the Synodal Path,' Baetzing said in a written statement. French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin offered to resign in 2019 after a French court convicted him of failing to report a pedophile priest 'The Synodal Path was created to look for systemic answers to the crisis. The basic, theological discussions which determine the Synodal Path are therefore a significant and important part of this process.' Some conservative commentators, however, cheered Marx's resignation offer as evidence that his ideas for the German Church via the Synodal Path were 'dead,' not the church itself. Some on the right have warned that the German process of reform could lead to a schism, or formal break from Rome. 'No kidding, the Catholic Church in Germany really had reached a dead end, if by "dead end" one means the liberal, modernist way forward led by Cdl Marx,' said Rod Dreher, an Orthodox convert from Catholicism and columnist for The American Conservative. 'He is right to resign. Let someone rise who can offer leadership based in truth.' Other top cardinals and bishops previously offered to resign for alleged involvement in abuse-related failings, only to see Francis sit on the decision for some time. French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin offered to resign in 2019 after a French court convicted him of failing to report a pedophile priest. Francis refused to accept the resignation pending the outcome of Barbarin's appeal, though he accepted it the following year, by which time Barbarin had been acquitted. Francis allowed Australian Cardinal George Pell, his economics minister, to take an extended leave of absence in 2017 to return home to face trial for old sexual abuse charges. Pell's conviction was overturned by Australia's High Court last year, but by that time, Pell was just a year shy of retirement age and Francis had already named a successor. Advertisement Northern rail was facing a fresh backlash today as photos obtained by MailOnline showed services running with closed windows and carriages so crammed passengers were forced to stand in the aisles. Samantha Newton told MailOnline she had to put her belongings on the seat next to her to prevent other passengers getting too close on a crowded service between Hull and Halifax on Saturday as the rail line carried out engineering works alongside an already-reduced timetable because of coronavirus. It comes after photographs obtained exclusively by MailOnline yesterday showed Northern rail's oversubscribed service packed passengers onto trains, which one father compared to 'cattle carts'. Ms Newton told MailOnline today she had her three-year-old son on her knee to keep him away from other passengers as they travelled on a 12.15 service from Hull. Very few passengers pictured by Ms Newton wore masks, despite coronavirus rules asking those travelling on public transport to cover their nose and mouth to prevent the spread of the disease. And Ms Newton said the windows on the train were closed, even though airflow can help prevent coronavirus particles infecting others. Ms Newton was told by the rail line the windows were closed by passengers, according to messages seen by MailOnline between the mother and an online help assistant. Ms Newton said: 'These windows are ones that need a square key to be open/closed so that's rubbish.' Northern rail said it faced unusually high numbers of passengers over the bank holiday weekend, adding that all available trains were running. A spokesman said: 'We are currently operating a timetable, introduced in May, that reflects a phased recovery from the impact of coronavirus on the industry. 'Our colleagues at Network Rail also carried out engineering work in several locations across the north during the bank holiday weekend, which resulted in further changes to the timetables.' Samantha Newton told MailOnline she was forced to put her belongings on the seat next to her to prevent other passengers sitting next to her on a crowded service (pictured) between Hull and Halifax on Saturday Ms Newton told MailOnline today she had her three-year-old son on her knee to keep her away from other passengers as she travelled on a 12.15 service (pictured) from Hull The rail line added: 'In light of these factors we ran as many services as we could and, where possible, sought to use additional carriages on routes where demand was predicted to be highest. We do, however, have a finite number of carriages available to us and all that could be used were out on the network.' It comes after Christopher Crabb, 23, from Doncaster, told MailOnline he was travelling on a service from Blackpool to York with his partner and their five-month-old daughter on Wednesday when they were forced to stand in a corner of the train by the toilet. He described feeling 'like cattle', adding that his partner Laura Purdy, 29, had to balance on a slope in order to breastfeed. Two images show how three pushchairs squeezed into the disabled area of the carriage, as families ignored coronavirus rules by not wearing a face covering. Those few who were wearing masks pulled the coverings down below their nose and mouth, and Mr Crabb said rail staff did not try to enforce the rule. One teacher who was on an overcrowded service into Manchester on Saturday has been ordered to self-isolate by the NHS app and will miss two days of school next week. Very few passengers pictured by Ms Newton wore masks, despite coronavirus rules warning those not wearing a face covering face large fines if caught Mr Crabb, a community worker, suffered a seizure as the stress of the journey triggered his emotional epilepsy. He said when he complained to staff about the lack of available seating, he was shown to the disabled area, which was next to the toilet. He added: 'People were barging past us constantly. It would have been better to sit in the toilets there was more space in there.' When Mr Crabb came around from his seizure he said he felt 'embarrassed' because there were so many people 'staring' at him. He revealed a stranger had to grab his daughter from his partner so she could look after him. 'I just hit the deck,' he added. 'There were so many people and I get really embarrassed with it. I came round and people were staring at me.' In response to another passenger's complaint over Twitter, Northern rail said: 'We are unable to stop anyone from travelling it is each customer's decision if they would like to board a busy service.' A teacher told MailOnline she has to self-isolate for two weeks because she thinks she came into contact with coronavirus while on a crowded train. Christopher Crabb, 23, was travelling on a service from Blackpool to York (pictured) with his partner and their five-month-old on Wednesday when they were forced to stand in a corner of the train by the toilet Out of the crowds of people on board, very few appeared to be wearing a face mask, and Mr Crabb said train conductors did not ask anyone to put a face covering on She said she was on a train between Congelton to Manchester on Saturday when she was faced with severe overcrowding because there were only three carriages. 'We had to stand the entire way squashed up next to people; it was horrible. I couldn't believe there were no limits on numbers- we'd paid for our ticket in advance. I felt so unsafe,' she said. 'I was travelling with my two sons and we are now all isolating after getting a notification from NHS COVID app. It must have been the train as we met my daughter in Manchester and she didn't get the notification. 'I'm a teacher and will now have to miss two days of teaching and have had to cancel my birthday plans with my family this Saturday.' She blasted Northern rail for not providing enough trains while 'all other sectors are bending over backwards to make their venues Covid secure?' She described the situation as 'a total disgrace'. It comes after Blackpool Council urged people to remember the existing Covid rules and to 'enjoy yourselves safely' as temperatures soared this week. Warm weather sent many families crowding to the beach to make the most of time off during half-term. On Tuesday, 78F (25.7C) was recorded at Heathrow Airport, making it the hottest day of 2021 so far and beating a temperature of 77.2F (25.1C) that was recorded at Kinlochewe in the Scottish Highlands on Monday. But the warmer weather has led to a number of overcrowded train services. Video taken on Saturday by one furious traveller showed few passengers wearing masks on a crowded train to the seaside town. Jaimes Moore posted video footage of a crowded service from Blackburn to Blackpool at 12.21pm on Tuesday. He wrote: 'bang up job of social distancing on the 12.21 Blackburn to Blackpool no staff to stop folk piling on or to ask for masks to be worn. Utterly ridiculous.' One photograph shared on Twitter showed crowds cramming in train doorways. The caption read: 'The fact that people are still being allowed on even though there is no seats, the aisles are full, no one can move people are blocking the doors so the doors keep faulting as well' Another woman who complained on Twitter said: 'One route to Manchester airport... crowding around doors and in aisles. Gotta love an overcrowded train during a pandemic.' Of another service, a man said: 'Glad I didn't buy a Ticket for @northernassist from Carnforth to Lancaster, train is packed worst than I've ever seen it. Pretty sure this is a breach of Covid guidelines?' Another man said: 'Your travel safe officers are doing nothing. Train from Blackpool South to Preston absolutely packed, no distancing, many people not wearing masks and your guys not enforcing anything. Why did I bother buying a ticket.' In contrast, passengers on London North Eastern Railway (LNER) must have a seat reservation in order to travel, which allows the operator to safely enforce social distancing. A spokesperson for Northern said: 'We are sorry that people may be experiencing busy services on our trains. 'We are doing all we can to make our stations and trains as safe as possible for our customers and staff. We have an enhanced cleaning plan in place, with more than 600 dedicated staff, focussing on touch points, toilets and removal of litter. 'We're also reminding all our customers that, unless they have specific exemptions, they should wear a face covering on our trains and at our stations. Colleagues from British Transport Police continue to support our staff in helping encourage customers to wear face coverings.' Mankind needs a healthier, safer, fairer world 08:57, June 04, 2021 By He Yin ( People's Daily In the face of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, mankind cannot attach too much importance to solidarity and cooperation, just like an ancient Roman aphorism quoted by Chinese President Xi Jinping We are all waves of the same sea. Photo taken on May 24, 2021, shows the live stream of the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA) held at the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo/Xinhua) At the recently-concluded 74th World Health Assembly (WHA), which was themed Ending this pandemic, preventing the next: building together a healthier, safer and fairer world, participants all expressed the intention to continue enhancing solidarity and cooperation, heightening the functions of the World Health Organization (WHO), and actively improving the global health governance system. The past year and more have seen repeated resurgence and frequent mutations of the coronavirus. We might be tired of COVID-19. But it is not tired of us. Yes, it preys on those in weaker health. But it preys on other weaknesses, too: inequality, division, denial, wishful thinking and willful ignorance, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus last November at the 73rd WHA. Facts have proven that his warning is no exaggeration. According to statistics recently released by the WHO, the past year witnessed a 40-fold increase in the number of confirmed cases of the COVID-19 and an 11-fold rise in the number of COVID-19 fatalities. In addition, the global numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths from the virus since the beginning of 2021 have surpassed the corresponding figures of 2020. Whats worse, a lack of supply and inequitable distribution of vaccines still remains the biggest threat to ending the acute stage of this pandemic and driving a global recovery, according to Tedros. United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently said in his video message to the WHA that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a tsunami of suffering. To clinch an early victory against COVID-19 and restore economic growth is the top priority for the international community. China has put people and their lives first, followed science-based policies and ensured a coordinated and systemic response, offering other countries important experience in fighting the pandemic. Meanwhile, the country has called on countries to stick together, promote solidarity and cooperation, uphold fairness and equity while striving to close the immunization gap, and address both the symptoms and root causes as they improve the governance system. In doing so, China contributes its wisdom and strength to global anti-epidemic cooperation. Global cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 has proven that the idea of building a global community of health for all accords with historical and development trend, points the way to joint efforts of mankind to tackle challenges, and is winning more and more understanding and support. The first lesson we may learn from this crisis is that we can only succeed together. No country can save the world alone, and no country can save itself alone. Every one of our citizens knows that this pandemic is global by nature. Global through the mechanisms of contamination, and in our responses, said French President Emmanuel Macron in his video address at the 74th WHA. This pandemic has demonstrated how interconnected countries are and how dependent they are on each other for health and well-being, pointed out South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who believes only by adhering to multilateralism can countries build a healthier, safer and fairer world. China has been widely applauded by the international community for continuously injecting positive energy into global COVID-19 fight and economic recovery. To address the most pressing problem of immunization gap, China has honored its commitment to make Chinese vaccines a global public good in spite of limited production capacity and huge domestic demand. China has provided free vaccines to more than 80 developing countries in urgent need, exported vaccines to 43 countries, and already supplied 300 million doses of vaccines to the world, ranking first in the world in terms of the number of COVID-19 vaccines provided for foreign countries. At the 74th WHA, delegates from many countries expressed their gratitude to China for helping them combat the COVID-19 by donating vaccines, sending experts, and transferring technologies. The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines Senegal received was from China, according to a Senegalese delegate to the assembly. Sierra Leone was fortunate to receive 240,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine generously donated by the Peoples Republic of China, said the countrys Minister of Health and Sanitation Austin Demby. I would like to highlight the significance of reaching an international strategy to improve access to medicines and vaccines with a focus on the importance of technology transfer, which Egypt has already done through constructive cooperation by resettling the vaccine industry and transferring manufacturing technology from the Chinese side, said Egypts Minster of Health Hala Zayed. Mankind must fight against the COVID-19 through global efforts, response, and cooperation. Time has proven and will continue to prove that mankind needs to build a healthier, safer, and fairer world, and its crucial that countries join hands to build a global community of health for all and work for a healthier and brighter future for humanity. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) A division bench comprising Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice K. Lakshman took exception to the fact that compensation was not paid for lands acquired in 2003 for the Jurala project in Mahabubnagar district. (PTI Photo) HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Friday fumed at the state government for delaying payment of compensation for lands acquired by it towards several projects. A division bench comprising Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice K. Lakshman took exception to the fact that compensation was not paid for lands acquired in 2003 for the Jurala project in Mahabubnagar district. Critical of the two-decade delay, the bench asked the government if it would take centuries to clear dues to landowners. The bench was dealing with contempt cases filed by some landowners, whose land was acquired in 2003 and award was decided in 2010. The land owners had approached the district court for enhancement of the Award amount, where they got a favourable order. However, challenging the district court orders, the government filed first appeal before the High Court seeking to stay the enhancement. The High Court had directed the government to deposit 50 per cent of the amount due to the landowners, with an option to let the landowners to take compensation from the deposits. However, despite the orders issued by the High Court around a year and half back, the government has not deposited the 50 per cent amount following which the landowners filed a contempt case. The court directed deposit of Rs 4 crore within two weeks, lest authorities face dire consequences. A politics student who ordered Neo-Nazi flags emblazoned with the logo of a far-right terror group told a court today they were for his airsoft team. Andrew Dymock, from Bath, Somerset, allegedly joined white supremacist groups Sonnenkrieg Division and System Resistance Network (SRN) between 2017 and 2018. Both groups are inspired by the bloodthirsty ideology of the book Siege by American neo-Nazi James Mason whose writings Dymock is said to have posted online. Dymock, 24, allegedly created and updated the neo-Nazi website 'The Lion Rises' and posted virulent antisemitic content to SRN's Twitter account. But Dymock claimed that all the far-right material he had amassed linked to research for his dissertation or planted there by an ex-girlfriend. Giving evidence Dymock claimed the flags he had ordered from China 'was not produced for the purpose of Nazism' and were in fact for his 'European polytheistic' airsoft team - airsoft being shooting game similar to paintballing. Andrew Dymock, from Bath, Somerset, allegedly joined white supremacist groups Sonnenkrieg Division and System Resistance Network (SRN) between 2017 and 2018 A day after receiving the flags in March 2018, Dymock, his girlfriend and another man were photographed on a rooftop in Woolwich holding the flag and other far-right banners. Dymock claimed he had been 'pressured' into doing the photoshoot by the-then 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named, and was under the influence of codeine at the time. He claimed he 'didn't think much' of the fact that his girlfriend, who used to be a member of SRN, brought a flag identical to the ones he had just had delivered from Wuhan. Jocelyn Ledward, prosecuting, told him: 'You must have been rather shocked when did that.' Dymock replied: 'Not really. In regards to the actual Nazi flags, yes, but not in regards to the tri-solar flag.' He claimed the photoshoot where he posed wearing a skull mask was 'the biggest mistake of his life' and that he was 'sorry'. Pictured: Image released by Counter Terrorism Policing North East of a person wearing a skull mask which was sent via an electronic device used by Andrew Dymock The politics student who ordered Neo-Nazi flags emblazoned with the logo of a far-right terror group told a court today they were his airsoft team. Pictured: Jurors were previously shown an image of a figure holding a swastika flag which was recovered from devices belonging to Dymock Dymock told police that a picture where he is shown making a Nazi salute next to a graffiti reading 'smoke meth' was 'just an edgy joke'. 'Having made this terrible mistake, why did you keep these pictures on your telephone,' asked the prosecutor. Dymock replied: 'I think I had deleted them and then they got recovered.' He claimed he had included those pictures in his dissertation after being inspired by a PHD student who had infiltrated the far-right group Generation Identity. 'She infiltrated them and she reported on the activities of these people. 'I was kind of doing the same thing,' said Dymock. The Sonnenkrieg Division and System Resistance Network The Atomwaffen Division was founded in the US around 2013 with the aim of destroying civilisation in order to build a national socialist state. Its UK offshoots were known as the Sonnenkrieg Division and System Resistance Network (SRN). Jurors heard SRN was one of the organisations that filled the 'dubious gap' left after far-right group National Action was banned in 2016. The homepage of the Neo-Nazi group SRN declared objective to be the destruction of 'the system' and 'guide the European to his destiny', before quoting Hitler. SRN was banned in 2020. Advertisement Ms Ledward said: 'The biggest mistake you made you now decided it was an infiltration and you decided to capitalise on it?' 'It was turning a mistake into something that could be slightly useful,' said Dymock. Dymock denied posting the article The Truth about the Holocaust which contained a quote by Hinduist Neonazi Savitri Devi. But jurors were told that Dymock had noted an exact quote featured in the article in his phone a few days prior to its publication. He further denied being behind the author of a tweet in the SRN account reading 'Wallt ihr den totalen Krieg?' (do you want total war) featuring a poster of Hitler chief propagandist Joseph Goebbels. 'To me it seems like a jokey tweet. It doesn't seem very terroristy,' said Dymock. 'I do not understand why quoting Goebbels is terrorism.' Among the material recovered in Dymock's USB was a poster saying: 'Refugee Scum, F*** Off! Keep Britain White! Join your local Nazis' linking to the Lion Rises website. The prosecutor asked him: 'Do you agree, Mr Dymock, it is deliberately abusive and insulting towards refugees?' Dymock said 'absolutely' agreed but denied intended to display or publish it to stir up racial hatred. 'I take great offence of being accused of wanting to post that. 'My mother is a refugee, she had to flee Cyprus when the Turks invaded,' he insisted. He further denied knowledge of drafts of Neo-Nazi articles found in his possession, claiming they must have been 'put there' by someone else. Giving evidence Dymock claimed the flags he had ordered were for his 'European polytheistic' airsoft team. Pictured: Image released by Counter Terrorism Policing North East of a person wearing a top (right) similar to one which was recovered from Dymock's home The court was told that Dymock held 'long-standing right wing views' with Internet searched for extreme bigoted content going back as early as 2014 when he was around 17. Dymock denies being behind the online activity, claiming that he has been 'set up' by others. He further claims the material found at his address were for 'academic' and personal interests reasons rather than terrorism purposes. Dymock denies five counts of encouraging terrorism, four of disseminating terrorist publications, two of terrorist fundraising, one of possessing material useful to a terrorist, one of possessing racially inflammatory material, one of stirring up racial hatred, and one of stirring up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation. The trial continues. Former Ukrainian prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko said he had been pitched by a lobbying firm linked to Hunter Biden and the energy company Burisma, offering him 'high levels' of access to members of the Clinton campaign ahead of the 2016 election, according to newly released emails. They raise fresh questions about the work of Blue Star Strategies after it emerged that the Justice Department was investigating its work. And it demonstrates that while probes of foreign lobbying efforts have concentrated on former President Trump and his allies, there may be legal jeopardy for firms linked to the Democratic Party. An email obtained by Citizens United under a Freedom of Information request shows how former deputy assistant secretary of state George Kent wrote to Obama administration officials about a meeting with Lutsenko in September 2016. Lutsenko, Kent reported, was lining up a trip to Washington DC 'He confirmed he had been pitched by Blue Star, not sought them out,' wrote Kent. 'He said he honestly didn't know how Blue Star was to get paid - he didn't have funds...' Ukrainian prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko (right) said he had been pitched by Blue Star Strategies to help organize a visit to Washington D.C., according to an email written by George Kent (right) a State Department official Details of the connections were revealed in an email written by deputy assistant secretary of state George Kent in 2016, detailing a conversation with Lutsenko over a Thai meal Hunter Biden was on the board of Burisma at the time, but he is not part of the federal probe into Blue Star Strategies Kent, a key witness in the first impeachment trial of Trump, said they discussed his plans over a Thai meal. 'Blue Star CEO Tramontano's pitch was that she could gain him access to high levels of the Clinton campaign (GPK note: she was Podesta's deputy as deputy COS the last year of Bill Clinton's tenure), and that was appealing - to meet the possible next President chief of staff,' continued his message, referring to John Podesta. But Kent said he had gently discouraged Lutsenko from making the trip so close to an election when key players would not be available. He went on to highlight the attention in the media about Ukraine and lobbyists, and Blue Star's representation of Burisma. 'And he got the drift. Not ideal timing, little receptive audience, and wrong facilitator,' wrote Kent in an email first reported by Fox News. At the time of the meeting, Lutsenko was investigating Konstantin Kilimnik who worked for Paul Manafort's consulting firm. Manafort quit as chairman of Trump's campaign in August 2016 after his ties with Ukraine came under scrutiny. Blue Star began working for Burisma in 2015 while Joe Biden's son was on its board. The company was battling a corruption probe and the company's founder was under investigation. The Obama administration sought the removal of the prosecutor in charge of the case Viktor Shokin. Hunter Biden was on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma, which was working with Blue Star as it fought corruption allegations. His role came under intense scrutiny during the 2020 election as Republicans said it represented a conflict of interest while his father was vice president and President Obama's point man on the region Blue Star Strategies was founded by Karen Tramontano and Sally Painter, two well connected Clinton administration alumni. Its Washington DC headquarters are above Vice President Biden was Obama's point man on the region and Republicans have claimed that Shokin's removal was a way to protect his son. However, Biden and his allies say Shokin was not pursuing corruption aggressively enough and was protecting the country's political elite. Meanwhile, federal investigators are pursuing a range of cases as they scale up their scrutiny of foreign lobbying efforts. New York prosecutors seized information from Lutsenko's email account recently as part of their investigation into whether Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani failed to declare work for a foreign government. Sources familiar with the Blue Star investigation said one focus was whether it had failed to disclose requirements under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, according to Politico which first reported the existence of the probe. Blue Star Strategies was founded by Tramontano and Sally Painter, who also worked for the Clinton Administration. 'We are an international consultancy firm working to solve political, policy, investment, and resource challenges facing today's global businesses, governments, and organizations,' they say on their website. It has offices in Washington, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Paris and Vienna. President Joe Biden said on Friday he is 'very confident' in Dr. Anthony Fauci after his top medical adviser came under fire for comments about the coronavirus pandemic revealed in a series of emails. Biden expressed his confidence in Fauci after he made remarks on the May jobs report. The president had actually left the room where he gave the speech when DailyMail.com shouted a question to him about the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. President Biden stuck his head back in to answer. 'Yes I'm very confident in Dr. Fauci,' he said. The White House has been unwavering in its support for Dr. Fauci. Biden is throwing more support to Fauci by sending him to visit a vaccination clinic at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem on Sunday with first lady Jill Biden. Fauci has gone on the defensive the past couple of weeks after several emails he wrote were published by The Washington Post and Buzzfeed News as part of a Freedom of Information Act request. The emails raised questions about the early handling of the pandemic and Fauci's role in the government response. In the 3,200 pages of his redacted emails, Fauci appears to cast doubt on the theory the coronavirus leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China, and offered guidance on face masking he would later reverse. President Joe Biden is throwing more support to Fauci by sending him to visit a vaccination clinic at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem on Sunday with first lady Jill Bidena President Joe Biden told DailyMail.com he is 'very confident' in Dr. Anthony Fauci Dr. Anthony Fauci under fire for revelations in his released emails about COVID pandemic Fauci received an email from the head of a research group which partners with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (above) thanking him for publicly insisting that the evidence did not point to the lab as the source Security personnel keep watch outside Wuhan Institute of Virology during the visit by the World Health Organization (WHO) team in February The White House has defended Fauci even as several Republicans called for access to his unredacted emails and asked that he appear again before House committees to answer their questions. 'Well, I think we've spoken to this pretty extensively from here. Let me just say on Dr. Fauci and his emails he's also spoken to this many many times over the last, over the course of the last few days and we'll let him speak for himself,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday. 'And he's been an undeniable asset in our country's pandemic response,' she said. 'But it's obviously not that advantageous for me to re-litigate the substance of emails from 17 months ago.' She continued to praise Fauci after repeated questions about the issues raised in his emails, particularly his dismissal of the theory on COVID's origins and his contradictory guidance on face masks. 'The president and the administration feel that Dr. Fauci has played an incredible role in getting the pandemic under control,' she said. She pointed to an administration intelligence review into the origins of COVID-19 that is underway. 'We've launched, based on the President's direction, an entire internal review process to use all the resources across government to get to the bottom of the origins, and that's 100-day process and we'll look forward to providing or 90 days when it's concluded,' Psaki said. Meanwhile, Republicans are demanding to hear from the infectious disease expert. House Republican whip Steve Scalise and Rep. James Comer wrote to the chairs of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus and the House Oversight Committee to say it was 'imperative' that Fauci appeared before them. They said the release of Fauci's emails debunk many Democrats' claims from the past year, including that Fauci and other scientists were muzzled by the Trump administration. 'It is now imperative that Dr. Fauci come before our Committees to provide information related to the origins of the novel coronavirus as well as the U.S. government's role in funding research that may have contributed to the development of the novel coronavirus, they said. 'The American people have a right to know what our government knew about the origins of the pandemic and when it was known.' They also called on the committee's chairman and chairwoman to demand unredacted versions of Fauci's newly released emails. On Wednesday, Fauci said his emails 'are really ripe to be taken out of context.' 'Where someone can snip out a sentene in an email without showing the other emails and say, 'based on an email from Dr. Fauci, he said such-and-such,' where you don't really have the full context,' the doctor said. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk from Marine One to board Air Force One for return travel to Washington, DC at Dover Air Force Base White House officials, including press secretary Jen Psaki, have been defending Fauci as he comes under attack from Republicans Senior Republicans have written to their Democratic counterparts demanding that Dr. Anthony Fauci answer fresh questions about evidence revealed in his emails about his knowledge of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic The thousands of pages of emails - with many blacked out redactions - reveal Fauci's conversations about the pandemic with a variety of people, from doctors in China to American government officials to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Republicans jumped on many of the emails as a 'smoking gun,' using them to attack Fauci for conflicting words. Fauci's emails do not reveal his personal take on the theory that coronavirus escaped from a lab in China, but show that multiple experts warned him of the possibility. In January 2020, Fauci corresponded with virus researcher Kristian Andersen who wrote of the novel coronavirus that 'some of the features (potentially) look engineered.' Andersen later disavowed this view and said further research discounted it. On February 21, 2020 Fauci received an email from a Cornell University professor concerned that the virus had escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. 'Please handle,' Fauci wrote to a colleague as he forwarded the message. On April 16, 2020, Francis Collins, the director of the National Institute of Health, sent Fauci and email with the subject line 'conspiracy gains momentum' with a link to a Fox News article suggesting the Wuhan lab as the likely source of the virus. Fauci's response to Collins is entirely blacked out. The emails also revealed Dr. Peter Daszak, the head of a non-profit that funneled U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, thanked Fauci for publicly quashing the 'lab leak' theories. In private emails, Fauci was always courteous to his Chinese counterparts -- and did not question them on the origins of the virus, the emails show. Fauci exchanged several emails in March and April of 2020 with George Gao, the head of the Chinese CDC. In one exchange, Gao apologized for an article quoting him saying that Fauci's then stance against public mask wearing was a 'big mistake'. 'I understand completely. No problem. We will get through this together,' Fauci replied. Less than a week later, Gao emailed Fauci again expressing his support amid the onslaught of public criticism Fauci faced. 'I saw some news (hope it is fake) that you are being attacked by some people. Hope you are well under such a irrational situation,' Gao wrote on April 8. 'Thank you for your kind note. All is well despite some crazy people in this world,' Fauci replied three days later. On Thursday, Fauci doubled down on claims that the coronavirus likely originated from an animal then was transmitted to humans in an interview on CNN, despite increasing speculation that it leaked from a China lab. 'I have always said and will say today to you ... that I still believe the most likely origin is from an animal species to a human,' said Fauci. Although he said he's keeping an open mind about the possibility of a lab leak, Fauci said it was 'far-fetched' to think the Chinese would kill their own people. 'The idea, I think, is quite far-fetched that the Chinese deliberately engineered something so that they could kill themselves, as well as other people. I think that's a bit far out.' Additionally, a February 5, 2020, email Fauci sent to Sylvia Burwell, former secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, said he did not recommend wearing a mask since she was traveling to a low-risk location. 'Masks are really for infected people to prevent them from spreading infection to people who are not infected rather than protecting uninfected people from acquiring infection,' Fauci wrote. 'The typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through the material. It might, however, provide some slight benefit in keep out gross droplets if someone coughs or sneezes on you. I do not recommend that you wear a mask, particularly since you are going to a vey low risk location.' By late March, Fauci was changing his tune in public and private. 'There are some data from NIH that indicate that mere speaking without coughing elicits aerosols that travel a foot or two. If that is the case, then perhaps universal wearing of masks in the most practical way to go,' he wrote in an email on March 31, 2020. Fauci told CNN this week that they were constantly getting new data, which brought about changes in their medical recommendations as the pandemic progressed. 'If we knew that the data show that masks outside of a hospital setting actually do work when we didn't know it then. If we realize all of those things back then, of course,' he said. 'You're asking a question, 'Would you do something different if you know what you know now?' Of course people would have done that. That's so obvious.' The World Health Organisation today warned of a continent-wide third wave of coronavirus in Africa. Infections have increased by 20 percent in the last two weeks compared to the previous fortnight, and cases are surging in 14 countries in the last seven days eight countries have seen spikes of more than 30 percent. South Africa alone had a more than 60 percent rise in new cases last week as the country continued to face delays in its effort to roll out the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Infections have increased by 20 percent in the last two weeks compared to the previous fortnight, and cases are surging in 14 countries in the last seven days eight countries have seen spikes of more than 30 percent Africa has recorded 2.9 percent of the world's cases, but accounts for 3.7 percent of the deaths. AFRICAN COUNTRIES REPORTING THE MOST CASES AND DEATHS CASES: SOUTH AFRICA: 4,342 TUNISIA: 1,462 EGYPT: 1,040 UGANDA: 738 ZAMBIA: 492 DEATHS: SOUTH AFRICA: 85 TUNISIA: 55 EGYPT: 47 KENYA: 16 NAMIBIA: 12 * Latest 7-day average reported Advertisement The worst affected are South Africa, with an average of more than 4,300 cases per day, Tunisia with 1,462, Egypt with 1,040, Uganda with 738 and Zambia with 492. But the numbers belie the true extent of the virus throughout the continent which lacks the advanced health infrastructure and testing capacity of the developed world. Africa has recorded 2.9 percent of the world's cases, but accounts for 3.7 percent of the deaths. The WHO says the problem is compounded by a lack of vaccine doses with almost 20 African countries having used up more than two-thirds of their jabs. Just two percent of Africans have received at least one dose of a vaccine, compared to 24 percent of people globally. Africa has been hit by a halt in vaccine exports from India which were due to make up a significant portion of the first phase of the COVAX (vaccine-sharing scheme) roll-out. As a result, many recipients including health workers will not receive their second dose of the AstraZeneca shot within the recommended 12-week interval. 'The second dose gap is a huge issue,' WHO senior adviser Bruce Aylward told a UN briefing on Friday. 'We are working hard with AstraZeneca and with our scheduling and we are about to reschedule about 16 million doses to try and cover those second doses' to be shipped out in late June and early July, he said. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO director for Africa, said at a separate virtual summit today: 'The threat of a third wave in Africa is real and rising. Our priority is clear it's crucial that we swiftly get vaccines into the arms of Africans at high risk of falling seriously ill and dying of COVID-19. 'While many countries outside Africa have now vaccinated their high-priority groups and are able to even consider vaccinating their children, African countries are unable to even follow up with second doses for high-risk groups. 'I'm urging countries that have reached a significant vaccination coverage to release doses and keep the most vulnerable Africans out of critical care.' An elderly man receives a shot of the vaccine in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, on Thursday A WHO survey of 23 African countries in May found that most have fewer than one intensive care bed per 100,000 and would buckle under any surge in hospitalisations. This compares to around 25 ICU beds per 100,000 people in developed countries like the United States. 'Many African hospitals and clinics are still far from ready to cope with a huge rise in critically-ill patients. We must better equip our hospitals and medical staff to avert the worst effects of a runaway surge,' Dr Moeti added. 'Treatment is the last line of defence against this virus and we cannot let it be breached,' he said. Sir John Major today became the latest former Tory prime minister to slam Boris Johnson over plans to cut the UK's foreign aid budget. The 90s leader said that proposals to cut the proportion of UK spending on projects overseas due to the pandemic were not 'morally defensible'. He spoke out again publicly on the matter after Theresa may yesterday joined the chorus of Tory parliamentary grandees threatening to defeat the Government over its proposed cut. She is among 30 Conservative who support a move to force the Government to backtrack on plans to cut spending from 0.7 per cent of national income to 0.5 per cent. Now the group of mainly senior Conservatives are backing an amendment that looks set to be the subject of a dramatic Commons vote next week. After initially making his views known to the Government in private, Sir John opted to go public in his support for the aid budget as Conservative rebels hope to force Mr Johnson to reverse the cuts. Sir John said: 'Whilst I fully recognise our own budgeting difficulties, I do not believe it is morally defensible to ease our own financial burden at the expense of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world, who have nothing - and nowhere else to turn for help. 'I made my own views on this clear to the Government, privately, some weeks ago and - even at this late hour - I hope they will honour their better instincts and let compassion prevail to aid those in dire need. 'Only then can we re-establish ourselves as a nation that keeps its word, and begin to repair our reputation as a global force for good.' Sir John said: 'Whilst I fully recognise our own budgeting difficulties, I do not believe it is morally defensible to ease our own financial burden at the expense of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world' Boris Johnson is facing a huge Tory revolt over slashing foreign aid - with MPs including Theresa May 'confident' they can force the government to bring back the 0.7 per cent spending target next year Mr Johnson has come under fire after declaring foreign aid will be temporarily cut from 0.7 per cent of national income to 0.5 per cent due to the pandemic hammering the economy. The chart shows IFS estimates of the projected change in spending Ex-minister Andrew Mitchell is leading a parliamentary push to ensure new legislation makes up the shortfall left by the cut to the UK's official development assistance. The number of potential rebels doubled last night, with Mrs May's former deputy Damian Green, and Johnny Mercer, who recently resigned as a defence minister, also adding their names to an amendment led by former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell. Mr Mitchell, who is also a former Conservative chief whip, wants to ensure new legislation makes up the shortfall left by the cut to the UK's official development assistance. Other big-hitters who support his plan include ex-foreign and health secretary Jeremy Hunt and ex-aid minister Sir Desmond Swayne. Mrs May is not a natural Tory rebel but she has previously criticised Mr Johnson over the aid cut. Writing in the Mail to mark Joe Biden's inauguration as US President in January, she suggested her successor had failed to honour British values by tearing up the foreign aid target. Mr Mitchell has tabled an amendment to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) Bill, a piece of legislation which establishes a new 'high-risk, high-reward' research agency backed with 800million of taxpayers' cash to explore new ideas. The explanatory note of Mr Mitchell's amendment to the Bill says: 'This new clause is intended to reaffirm the duty in the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015 for UK official development assistance (ODA) to amount to 0.7 per cent of gross national income each year. 'It would require Aria to make up any shortfall in that proportion from January 2022.' It will be up to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to decide whether the amendment is selected for consideration when the Bill returns to the Commons for further consideration on Monday June 7. It could be considered outside the scope of the legislation. Other senior Conservatives to back the amendment include ex-Brexit secretary David Davis and former Welsh secretary Stephen Crabb, as well as father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley. Others include select committee chairs such as Caroline Nokes, Tom Tugendhat and Karen Bradley. The amendment is also collecting support from the Labour benches, with signatories so far including International Development Committee chair Sarah Champion and Public Accounts Committee chair Meg Hillier. The Government has blamed economic damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic for its aid decision. But critics believe the cut will result in tens of thousands of deaths in other parts of the world. Defence Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood (left) and Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat (right) are both backing the rebel move Other big-hitters who support his plan include ex-foreign and health secretary Jeremy Hunt and ex-aid minister Sir Desmond Swayne. The Government has also come under fire for making the change without holding a Commons vote. Minister Victoria Atkins told Sky News the UK could 'hold our head up high in terms of international development'. 'The Prime Minister has made clear that this is a temporary measure,' she said. 'In 2019, no one could have foreseen the extent of the pandemic and the measures we were going to have to take as a country in order to deal with this; it has had a huge impact on our economy.' And she added: 'So we've had to make some very, very difficult decisions.' But she said: 'Even with this small temporary reduction, we are still one of the largest donors of aid in the world, spending more than 10billion on aid. 'And so I do believe we still have a record of which we can very much hold our head up high in terms of international development.' Jerry Falwell Jr is asking a court in Virginia to dismiss a $10million lawsuit Liberty University filed over his scandalous departure last year as leader of the evangelical school his father founded. Falwell claims in a court filing that much of Liberty's complaint serves only to keep shaming him after a provocative photo of him posing with his pants undone came to light and revelations surfaced of his wife's extramarital affair with former pool boy Giancarlo Granda and Falwell's alleged drinking problem, The News & Advance in Lynchburg reported Thursday. Falwell claims the suit focuses on his wife's personal life while not addressing his 'actions as the leader of Liberty.' Jerry Falwell Jr is asking a court in Virginia to dismiss a $10million lawsuit filed by Liberty University against him, saying that it is nothing but an excuse to publicly shame him 'The rehashing of these events and protected defamation of Falwell through litigation serves one mission - ruining Falwell's reputation through mischaracterization of events and public shaming through out-of-context pictures filed in a public complaint,' according to Tuesday's filing in Lynchburg Circuit Court. Falwell's departure in August came after a news outlet published an interview with Granda,a one-time Miami pool boy-turned-business partner of the Falwell family, who said he had a prolonged sexual relationship with Becki Falwell and that Jerry Falwell participated in some of the liaisons as a voyeur. Although the Falwells acknowledged that Granda and Becki Falwell had an affair, Jerry Falwell denied any participation. The couple alleged that Granda sought to extort them by threatening to reveal the relationship. Before the Granda scandal exploded, Falwell had already been on leave after he posted a photo on social media that sparked an uproar. It showed Falwell on a yacht with a drink in his hand and his arm around a young woman, said to be his wife's pregnant assistant, their pants unzipped and his underwear exposed. Falwell Jr posted this photo to his Instagram page in August last year - before quickly deleting it - with his pants unbuttoned and his arm around a woman. His caption read: 'More vacation shots. Lots of good friends visited us on the yacht. I promise that's just black water in my glass. It was a prop only.' The lawsuit filed in April alleged that Falwell concealed wife Becki's (pictured left) yearslong affair with pool boy Giancarlo Granda, and Falwell's drinking problem The school filed its suit in April, seeking at least $10million and possibly as much as $40million in damages. Liberty claims Falwell crafted a 'well-resourced exit strategy' from his role as president and chancellor in the form of a lucrative 2019 employment agreement while withholding damaging information about the personal scandal that exploded into public view the following year. The agreement included a $1.5 million raise and a $2.5 million severance package. Granda claimed that Falwell participated in some of his trysts with his wife as a voyeur 'Despite his clear duties as an executive and officer at Liberty, Falwell Jr. chose personal protection,' the lawsuit says. The suit also alleges that Falwell failed to disclose and address 'the issue of his personal impairment by alcohol' and has refused to fully return confidential information and other personal property belonging to Liberty. In October, Falwell had sued Liberty for defamation, saying it damaged his reputation by lending credence to what he called Granda's 'lies.' The lawsuit, which did not disclose how much he sought in damages, was dropped that lawsuit in December. Falwell said in this week's filing that he had no duty to tell the university about private matters. Falwell, an attorney and real estate developer, had led Liberty University since the 2007 death of his father, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who also founded the Moral Majority, the political organization that made evangelical Christians a key force in the Republican party. In early 2016, Falwell become one of the first conservative Christians to endorse Trump for the presidency, and defended him after Trumps lewd remarks about women and sexual assault, captured in a 2005 Access Hollywood recording, became public late in the campaign. Falwell stepped down as head of the university last summer, with a probe into his behavior launched. Schools are in a 'precarious' situation over Covid-19 outbreaks as more are having to close classes or 'bubbles' amid a rise in cases involving the Indian variant, unions have warned. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leaders' union NAHT, has called on the Government to take action to reduce transmission to ensure there is no 'further widespread disruption to education'. It came after Public Health England (PHE) data showed there have been 97 confirmed Covid-19 outbreaks in schools that have had at least one variant case linked to them over the most recent four-week period. This is the equivalent of around one in 250 schools. Outbreaks of Covid-19 in primary and secondary schools are at low levels, but there has been a slight increase over recent weeks in line with higher levels of the Indian variant, also known as the Delta variant, circulating in the community. Industry leaders are urging the Government to take action to quell high transmission rates in primary and secondary schools in England (File picture) The number of people with Covid in England spiked 75 per cent in seven days to 86,000 last week, official figures show as Public Health England data showed there were 97 confirmed Covid-19 outbreaks in schools over the last 4 weeks The Indian variant is now believed to be dominant in the UK, with early evidence suggesting it may lead to an increased risk of being admitted to hospital compared with the Kent variant. A total of 12,431 cases of the mutation have been confirmed in the UK up to June 2, according to Public Health England. This up 79 per cent from the previous week's total of 6,959. School leaders' unions are now warning the Government it must take action to quell high transmission rates as schools across the country were forced to close classes or bubbles in the wake of rising numbers of Covid-19 cases. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'Any increase of Covid cases is obviously worrying, and there is particular concern about the infectivity of the Delta variant.' He added: 'The situation clearly continues to be precarious, and will need to be monitored very carefully after the half-term holiday. It is essential that data is more readily available in the future.' The latest PHE data suggests that there were 140 outbreaks of the Indian variant in schools and 62 in workplaces between January 4 and June 1. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, (pictured) said there is 'particular concern' over the Indian variant Mr Whiteman said: 'We have been hearing from our members that more and more schools are having to close multiple classes or 'bubbles', particularly in areas with higher case numbers. 'This latest official data release appears to support those concerns.' He added: 'The Government must be proactive and use all the provisions of the existing contingency framework to ensure that transmission in schools is not allowed to proceed unchecked. 'We must not sleepwalk into further widespread disruption to education.' Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said: 'The data shows that Covid cases in schools are at the highest level for six months. 'Every case in a school results in further damaging disruption to children and young people's education. 'All decisions on essential control measures to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 in schools and colleges must continue to be led by the scientific data and advice to ensure that staff, pupils and the public are kept safe.' A Government spokeswoman said: 'Attendance in schools remains high, and the data shows the steps we are taking to keep the Delta variant under control in schools are working. 'On top of robust measures in place across the country, such as increased ventilation in classrooms and keeping to small group bubbles, we have increased the availability of testing for staff, pupils and families in areas of high prevalence. Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said case numbers in schools were at their 'highest level in six months' The news comes as the UK approved the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in children aged 12-15 'We would encourage everyone to ensure they are continuing to test twice-weekly even if they don't have symptoms. 'Testing regularly is even more important as pupils return to school after the May half-term to reduce transmission.' It came as the UK has approved the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in children aged 12-15. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will now decide whether children should get the jab. Advertisement A trove of newly colorized showcase early pioneers grappling with the lawless nature of Alaska in the early 1900s - long before it was officially incorporated as a US state in 1959. Taken by the explorer Frank Carpenter, the photographs depict hunters posing in front of a rack of caribou carcasses, extinct mastodon tusks, and a young girl feeding a doughnut to her pet bear. Covering 663,268 square miles, Alaska is the largest state in the union with much of it remaining unexplored to this day. The statenicknamed the Last Frontier for its abundance of uninhabited landis home to 20 national parks, 100,000 glaciers, three million lakes and more coastline than all the other US states combined. Now, more than a hundred years later, little has changed and Alaska remains just as mysterious and inviting as ever. Hunters pose next to skins of black, grizzly and polar bears killed along the Snow River section of the Alaskan Railroad in 1906. The territory was purchased from Russia in 1967 and officially became the 49th state on January 3, 1959 after years of lawlessness Two men standing outside of a log cabin pose next to a series of mastodon bones - a creature similar to a mammoth that is thought to have gone extinct 11,000 years ago A couple donned in fur coats on a dog sled in 1900. Alaska's state sport is dog mushing, every year the state hosts the nearly 1,200 mile-long Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome. It is often called the 'Last great race on Earth' Walrus tusks collected by hunters in the early 20th century. This series of photographs were taken by Frank G. Carpenter who travelled the world while working as a journalist before his death in 1924. Carpenter took over 5,000 photographs of the early settlers in Alaska, which he passed onto his daughter Frances. Eventually his entire collection of pictures (which totals 16,800 photographs and 7,000 negatives) were donated to the Library of Congress The photographs were taken by the venerable explorer, Frank G. Carpenter who traveled almost continuously around the world from the mid 1890s as a journalist and authored nearly 40 books about his experiences. He died in 1924 while embarking on his third global trip in Nanking, China and passed his photographic collection onto his daughter Frances. An excerpt from his 1923 book titled, Alaska, Our Northern Wonderland reads: The biggest thing in Alaska is the government railroad. By that I do not mean so much its five hundred miles of tracks, its cars and equipment, or the number of tons and passengers it will haul, but what it stands for in the future of the territory.' 'It means the building of feeder wagon and motor roads and the construction of other railroads. It means cheaper coal, lower freight rates, lower living and mining costs. It means more lands and resources flung open to the settler and the prospector. It means a new era of development and prosperity for Alaskans.' Today, only 20% of Alaska is accessible by road, vast swaths of the state remain remote and almost entirely cut off from the outside world. For that reason, small aircraft is a popular form of transportation, which is why the state has six times the number of pilots 16 times the number of aircraft per capita. Alaska is larger than the states of Texas, California and Montana combined but has the lowest population density in the US with only 1 person per square mile (compared to 71.2 for the rest of the nation). As of 2020, there are 736,081 residents, which means there are more caribou than people in Alaska. Indigenous groups have called the state home for thousands of years, but Russian settlers were the first to 'claim' the area in the 18th century. Today indigenous tribes make up 15% of the population, which is proportionally higher than any other US state. A young girl feeds a doughnut to her pet black bear. The caption on the photograph reads, 'Did you say doughnuts?' Today there are roughly 130,000 bears living in Alaska, with the black bear being by far the most common. The massive brown bears found on Kodiak Island are the world's largest carnivores that grow up to 1,500 pounds Two men pan for gold in the Silver Bow Basin which was the site of the earliest gold discovery in Alaska in 1880. 50,000 ounces of gold were estimated to have been mined by 1889. The site eventually led to the establishment of the nearby state capital, Juneau Hunters slung rifles over their shoulders as they stand in front of a rack of caribou carcasses. The current caribou population in Alaska hovers at 750,000. To this day, 99% of Alaska still remains unexplored and untouched, making it the perfect home for a large number of species of wildlife to thrive. Moose are incredibly common throughout much of the state, as are mountain goats and Dall sheep. Wolves, coyotes and mountain lions roam the interior, and large herds of caribou migrate across the extreme northern regions. Along the coast, dolphins, seals, walruses and at least a dozen varieties of whales (humpbacks, belugas, killer and blue) can be spotted A man posed with his dog-drawn cart in rural Alaska in 1916. A summer day in Alaska can last as long as 20 hours which provide for colossal size vegetables, a record cabbage at the 2012 Alaska State Fair weighed 138 pounds A woman watches in delight as her pet bear guzzles down a bottle of wine. The United States purchased Alaska for $7.2million in 1867 (roughly $120million in today's money). Critics of the transaction believed that the land had nothing to offer and it remained ungoverned for 30 years until gold was discovered in the 1890s District judge James Wickersham stands in front of a First National Bank Assay Office holding a gold brick with a cigar in his mouth in 1900. Wickersham was appointed by President McKinley and subsequently elected to congress where he was instrumental in getting Alaska official 'territorial status' in 1912 Lumberjack's fell a section of forest in 1900. Today Alaska has 22 million acres of national forest as well as 14 distinct mountain ranges, more than 3 million lakes, 100,000 glaciers and a longer coastline than all of the other US states combined Children enjoy a sleigh ride in 1900. For the Alaskan town residents of Barrow, located just 800 miles from the North Pole, a day can last three months. When the sun rises in Barrow on May 10, it doesn't set again for three months. Then in November, the sun sets and doesn't come up again for another three months The United States purchased the territory from Russia in 1867 for $7.2million, (roughly 2 cents per acre) and equivalent to $120million in today's money. Arranged by the US Secretary of State William Seward, the transaction was originally dubbed 'Seward's Folly' by critics who believed that the land had nothing to offer. For three decades, the US paid little attention to the territory, which was governed under military, naval, or Treasury rule or, at times, remained lawless. But the former Secretary of State was vindicated when a major gold deposit was discovered in the Yukon in 1896, and Alaska became the gateway to the Klondike gold fields of north-west Canada. Lured by the hopes of getting-rich-quick, the Klondike gold rush triggered a stampede of prospectors and settlers through Alaska that demanded goods and services. With the best Canadian fields claimed by 1898, many began searching in Alaska and more than fifty gold-mining camps were founded between 1897-1907. Some of these camps grew into major cities such as Juneau, Nome and Fairbanks. In the early years of the twentieth century railroad lines began to link mines and ports. Then, between 1915 and 1923, the Alaska Railroad was built, and Anchorage was founded as its construction base. Alaska finally became America's 49th state on January 3, 1959. The 1968 discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay led to a boom in black gold. In 1977, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was completed and the state income tax was repealed three years later. The 800-mile conduit transports crude from the northern most tip of Alaska to Valdez, where it is loaded onto ocean oil tankers. The massive pipeline is said to be seen in space and takes six days for oil to travel through the channel that crosses over 834 rivers and streams, three major mountain ranges and an earthquake fault line. More recently, the Biden administration reversed Donald Trumps plans to allow oil and gas drilling in the states Arctic national wildlife refuge. The area is home to a wide array of wildlife including polar bears, caribou, grizzly bears, lynx, and beavers. Local indigenous peoples have been protesting the drilling for over two decades. There is estimated to be around 11 billion barrels of oil in the region. A real estate tycoon has been declared the sole parent of his son who was born via a surrogate with his former girlfriend's donated eggs, following a four-year court battle where he claimed his ex had agreed any male embryos would be just his. Jordan Schnitzer, the 70-year-old multi-millionaire philanthropist from Oregon, celebrated a legal victory Thursday when an appeals court reversed the 2017 ruling in the case. Samuel, now five, was created using Schnitzer's sperm and the egg of his ex-girlfriend Cory Sause, 42, and was carried by a surrogate. A Multnomah County Circuit judge had ruled that Sause was the legal mother of the child and they both had rights to the child. Since then, Schnitzer had been embroiled in a bitter parental rights battle with Sause to overturn the decision. A real estate tycoon has been declared the sole parent of his son who was born via a surrogate with his former girlfriend's donated eggs, following a four-year court battle where he claimed his ex had agreed any male embryos would be his. Jordan Schnitzer and Cory Sause together The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Schnitzer Thursday, taking away Sause's right to have any contact with the child going forward. Two of the three appeals court judges sided with the father saying Schnitzer was entitled to be declared the 'sole legal parent.' They also ruled that the Multnomah County Circuit judge had erred in determining that 'Sause's genetic connection' to the child made her his legal mother. According to the court filing, Schnitzer had two daughters already and wanted to father a son, reported Oregon Live. When he and Sause started dating in 2014, she donated the eggs to her lover to help him fulfil this wish. Under the agreement, Schnitzer claimed in the documents, any male embryos would be his and female embryos hers. Sause's eggs and Schnitzer's sperm was used in IVF treatment, with all the embryos produced turning out to be male. Sause with the baby when he was born. She said she has not been able to see him since Schnitzer then used a surrogate to carry one of the embryos. The couple's romance dwindled during the pregnancy and they broke up in 2015. Sause said she was only allowed to see the baby once on the day he was born and embarked on a custody battle after that to be able to see the infant. The appeal judges ruled that Sause admitted Schnitzer had made it clear that he wanted to have sole custody of the child. But she claimed the plan was always for her to be known as the child's mother and that she would be actively involved in his life. She accused Schnitzer of stopping her from seeing the boy in retaliation when she broke up with him. The 70-year-old's attorney Laurel Hook told Oregon Live Schnitzer is 'very pleased' with Thursday's decision, saying it marks a victory for others having children using Assisted Reproductive Technology. Jordan Schnitzer, the 70-year-old multi-millionaire philanthropist from Oregon, celebrated a legal victory Thursday when an appeals court reversed the 2017 ruling in the case. The couple together Sause and Schnitzer. The five-year-old boy was created using Schnitzer's sperm and the egg of his ex-girlfriend Cory Sause, 42, and was carried by a surrogate 'Not only does this ruling protect Mr. Schnitzer and his son but it removes any doubt for the thousands of individuals and couples who have used Assisted Reproductive Technology to fulfill their dreams of having a child,' Hook said. 'The 46-page ruling states that Cory Sause was never a mother. This is in accordance with current Oregon law that egg donors and sperm donors are not mothers and fathers.' But Sause said she has been left 'devastated' by the 'cruel' ruling and now has just one final chance to say goodbye to the boy. 'It just seems so cruel. How broken our system is to allow the creation of a bond and to have it taken away,' she said. She said she plans to keep 'fighting' to see him and will appeal the case to Oregon Supreme Court. A Porsche Cayenne slammed into a strip mall in northeast Atlanta on Friday morning, igniting a massive blaze that ripped through several businesses. The driver, identified as Theodore Merchant, 21, of Virginia Beach, was fleeing the Georgia State Patrol when he rammed into the Piedmont Plaza strip mall. The strip mall is on Piedmont Road near Cheshire Bridge Road, the GSP said to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The fire department was ultimately able to contain a fire at an Atlanta strip mall on Friday morning with the help of an aerial attack The fire was started after a Porsche Cayenne drove into the strip mall while eluding cops The crash happened in the early morning hours, with firefighters battling flames until at least 6am. WSB-TV reports the chase began around 4:05am when a GSP trooper recorded the Porsche Cayenne going 105mph in a 55mph zone on the Downtown Connector. The trooper managed to catch up to the driver before he fled again, which led up to the crash. 'At the intersection of Cheshire Bridge and Piedmont Circle, the vehicle continued straight across the intersection, running over a raised concrete island before leaving the roadway,' a GSP spokeswoman said. 'The Porsche struck and traveled into a row of buildings,' she added. The impact of the crash caused a fire that started in a finance business and spread to several other businesses in the strip mall, including a Papa John's. The incident started when the driver of the Porsche was clocked going 50mph over the limit Following a chase, the driver careened over a raised concrete island and into the plaza Anita Ford, who owns the plaza, told the Journal-Constitution that this is not the first vehicular incident at the strip mall. 'It's not the first time a car has run into the building from that corner, but its the first time that it caused this much damage,' Ford said. 'There was a substantial amount of fire,' Atlanta fire Battalion Chief Douglas Hatcher stated. 'Some structural damage and sagging of the roof thats why we havent sent anybody back inside.' The charred remains of the Porsche Cayenne were all that were left after the crash The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries after he was arrested The fire department was ultimately able to contain the fire with the help of an aerial attack around 6am, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Once the fire was put out, the fire department worked on removing the wrecked Porsche from the building it was in. Meanwhile, Merchant was arrested and is being treated for minor injuries at Grady Memorial Hospital, but was expected to be booked at the Fulton County Jail afterwards. It's not clear the extent of the damage of the strip mall, which also includes a Supercuts and a chiropractor's office. Elk Grove, CA (95624) Today Mainly sunny. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear early, then a few clouds later on. Low 59F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been slammed for saying the 'answer' to tackling New York City's violent crime epidemic is to stop building jails and using them 'as garbage bins for human beings.' The Democratic congresswoman held a press conference Thursday alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Jamaal Bowman where she spoke about a program introduced in her constituency in the Bronx reducing crime through community outreach. She blamed the spike in violence on what she called the 'gutting' of the mental health system which has led to greater homelessness and people turning to crime. New York City is in the grips of a soaring crime wave, with random attacks on the subway becoming a more common occurrence, violent crimes up 30 percent so far in 2021 and 13 people shot over Memorial Day weekend. Police are struggling to tackle the issue and fears are growing that the city is harking back to the dark days of the 70s and 80s when it earned the nickname 'Fear City.' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (pictured at a press conference Thursdayuhas been slammed for saying the 'answer' to tackling New York City's violent crime epidemic is to stop building jails and using them 'as garbage bins for human beings' Figures released by compstat reveal there have been 1,754 major crimes across the city last week alone AOC said Thursday that the solution lies in building more hospitals - rather than prisons - and focusing on addressing public health issues. 'If we want to reduce violent crime, if we want to reduce the number of people in our jails, the answer is to stop building more of them,' she said. 'The answer is to make sure that we actually build more hospitals, we pay organizers, we get people mental health care and overall health care, employment, etc. It's to support communities, not throw them away.' The New York Rep. blasted the use of jails as 'garbage bins' for people who are actually suffering from mental health issues. 'When you actually open a door to a jail and look at who is inside an enormous amount of people are dealing with untreated mental health issues,' she said. 'It is not acceptable for us to use jails as garbage bins for human beings. 'We need to treat people and so it is not a place for us to throw people for whom we do not want to invest in the actual holistic issues of their lives.' AOC pointed to hate crimes in particular as being committed by people in need of mental health support. AOC blamed the spike in violence on what she called the 'gutting' of the mental health system which has led to greater homelessness and people turning to crime 'An extraordinarily high number of people who are responsible for hate crimes are suffering from severe mental health issues. Our complete gutting of support in our mental health system, both in the city and across the country, is absolutely correlated with both homelessness and incidents of violent crime,' she said. AOC and other New York Democrats including Schumer and Bowman are calling on Congress to approve $400,000 in federal funds to invest in a program called Stand Up To Violence. The anti-violence program focuses on community outreach and counselling to focus on violence prevention and tackle gun violence in the Bronx. It is based out of Jacobi Hospital and falls within AOC's district. AOC credited the program's rollout in the Bronx for reducing the 'recurrence of violence by more than 50 percent' in the area. 'When we find something that is evidence-based that works to improve people's lives, our job is to fund it,' she said. She tweeted that the program is 'hands down one of the most effective treatments we've seen to reduce incidents of violence like shootings and stabbings.' The Democratic congresswoman held a press conference Thursday alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Jamaal Bowman where she spoke about a program introduced in her constituency in the Bronx reducing crime through community outreach The program is based out of Jacobi Hospital (above). AOC credited the program's rollout in the Bronx for reducing the 'recurrence of violence by more than 50 percent' in the area The additional funding would be used to add more staff to the program, including a creative arts therapist and an emergency room social worker. The program has gained the support of members of the community. Khayan Reed, who lived on the streets but is now working as an outreach worker for the program, said it is about 'building up our communities.' 'Our kids are dying at a rapid rate, we need your help,' said Reed, according to ABC17. 'We turned our lives around, we are no longer tearing down our communities, but we are building up our communities.' But AOC's pleas to stop building prisons sparked pushback from others on social media. Conservative commentator Liz Wheeler accused AOC of trying to 'tear down the institution' and 'practicing Critical Theory'. 'AOC is practicing Critical Theory here (the grandfather of Critical Race Theory). Intentionally or as a stooge, who knows. She's painting institutions as inherently unjust (altho it's not unjust to jail criminals who commit violent crimes),' she tweeted. Some took to social media to blast AOC over her comments about not needing jails 'Her goal is to tear down the institution itself (first jails, then entire criminal justice system) thru relentless criticism based on the false notion that everyone is either oppressed or an oppressor. 'Then what will replace the system? Marxism. This is textbook Critical Theory.' Fox News host Sean Hannity also hit out at AOC over her comments tweeting: 'THIS IS REAL: AOC Says Solution to Spike in Violent Crime is 'Build More Hospitals' and 'Pay Organizers'.' Others chimed in on social media questioning her approach. 'If jails cause violent crime, then doesn't it follow that hospitals cause sickness?' one person asked. 'They could also stop committing crimes. That would also stop the need for more jails,' added another. New York City has found itself once again in the grips of a surge in violent crime, which escalated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has continued into this year. This map shows the crimes reported to the NYPD in a single week at the end of May and where they took place THEFT - Theft is up by 40 percent this week compared to the same week last year SEX CRIMES - Sex crimes are up by 120 percent across the city - a terrifying jump ASSAULT - Misdemeanor assaults are up by 15 percent. There were 700 last week Across the board, violent crimes are up 30 percent so far in 2021 compared to the same period last year. Last week alone, there were 1,754 major crimes across the city last week alone, according to NYPD data. There have been 35 shootings, 39 rapes, 105 other sex crimes, 1,600 incidents of theft, 708 misdemeanor assaults and 14 hate crimes. In almost every single category, crime is up. Gun violence has become a particular concern, with shooting incidents up 86 percent as of May. Memorial Day weekend marked a bloody affair with at least 13 shootings including a 15-year-old boy who was killed in the Bronx. Governor Andrew Cuomo admitted last week that New York City is now in the throes of a 'major crime problem' which - if not tackled soon - could cause irreparable damage to the Big Apple. 'We have a major crime problem in New York City. Everything we just talked about, with the economy coming back, you know what the first step is? People have to feel safe. Governor Andrew Cuomo admitted last week that New York City is now in the throes of a 'major crime problem' as he said some of the blame lies with budget cuts to the NYPD 'We're building new projects, stimulating new business - what comes before that is public safety, otherwise none of it works. 'New Yorkers don't feel safe and they don't feel safe because the crime rate is up. It's not that they are being neurotic or overly sensitive - they are right. Cuomo said some of the blame lies with budget cuts made to the NYPD last summer. Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed to slash $1 billion from the NYPD budget in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, which sparked racial justice protests and calls to defund the police. He has since reversed course and promised $92 million for a new precinct admitting the cuts was him responding to the 'environment at that moment.' Cuomo said the key to tackling the issue is to rebuild the relationship between law enforcement and the community. 'Until you restore the trust and make the reforms necessary, we're going to have this problem defund the police is not the answer. It basically means abolish the police,' he said. 'That's going to help? Gun violence is going up, all crimes going up and that's going to help? No. It's reform so that the community says - I now trust the relationship.' New York City's iconic Soho neighborhood has been left almost unrecognizable due to a surge in graffiti and vandalism Tags and scrawlings cover the walls and wood panels boarding up a building in Manhattan's affluent Soho neighborhood . New Yorkers walk past defaced walls in what was once the hottest shopping destination in the city for residents and tourists The crime wave has become a focal point of the mayoral campaign with candidates vowing to stamp out the trend as many fear a return to the dark days of the 70s and 80s. In the 1970s, the city faced $10 billion in debt, funds were cut the police, fire and sanitation departments, graffiti was everywhere, the subway was a dangerous place to be and all types of crime were up. The dark days continued into the 1980s when the crack epidemic ravaged the city. At its peak, someone was murdered every 63 hours in the worst-hit parts including East New York and Cypress Hill. Parallels are now being made between this dark era and the last year as the city struggles to recover from the pandemic. Homelessness is rife, graffiti is ravaging the city's most affluent areas and longstanding businesses failed to survive the last year. The affluent Soho neighborhood has found itself a symbol of the toll the last year has taken on the city. 1980S: Lower East Side of Manhattan in May 1987 when the Big Apple was known as 'Fear City' due to its crime epidemic Graffiti and vandalism is rife leaving the avenues of luxury stores, restaurants and apartment buildings almost unrecognizable. Soho occupants say the say the vandalism is yet another 'sign of neglect' to the city, while city officials are desperately throwing millions of dollars into initiatives to try to claw back the city's heyday. In recent months, the NYPD has launched the Graffiti Clean-up Campaign and Mayor Bill de Blasio the City Cleanup Corps to try and tackle the blight. The latter is costing $234 million of the struggling city's budget - a staggering 78 times more than the long-running $3 million popular graffiti-removal program axed last year due to budget cuts (despite warnings of business owners). Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, has been harassed in the street again by a man accusing him of lying to the public about coronavirus. In a video apparently filmed and shared online by the person who confronted Mr Whitty in Oxford, the government's Chief Medical Advisor was shown walking briskly down a street as he was followed and bombarded with questions. The person filming, identified on Facebook as Geza Tarjanyi, is a family DJ and producer who has become known online for his activism against fracking, and against mask wearing and other public health Covid measures during the pandemic. According to The Northern Quota, he has also expressed concerns over the health hazards of 5G and has touted hydroxychloroquine as a cure for coronavirus - both common and un-proven talking points among conspiracy theorists. Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England, has been harassed in the street again by a man accusing him of lying to the public about coronavirus. Pictured: Still grabs from a video shared to Facebook that saw Mr Whitty confronted by a man in the street 'Hello Chris. Lying to the public again? You don't represent us, you don't represent the public,' a man believed to be Mr Tarjanyi is heard asking Mr Whitty as he left a G7 health summit held at Oxford University on Thursday. 'Oxford-AstraZeneca right in the centre - what a surprise you're here. Come speak to us Chris, come speak to the public - you're the expert,' the DJ is heard saying. 'Is Bill Gates funding this?' Mr Tarjanyi asks, after accusing the CMO of lying and after rattling off a variety of other unproven theories about the government's pandemic response. Mr Whitty, wearing a suit and backpack while carrying a briefcase, is shown hurrying down the road away from the man filming and refusing to reply to his comments. At one point, England's CMO is shown stopping beside a police van to ask if the officers can stop the man following him. 'These gentlemen don't seem to want to leave me alone at all,' Mr Whitty is heard saying to the officers in the van, but he quickly continues down the street away from the person holding the camera who continues following him. 'Why are you lying to the public? Why is everything designed for the vaccine,' Mr Tarjanyi is heard asking, before saying 'there is no covid' and accusing Mr Whitty of manipulated the figures shown during Downing Street press conferences. He goes on to say that he has been arrested ten times 'because of your Covid lie, your experts', and accuses Professor Neil Ferguson, whose data modelling was key to the decision behind the UK's first lockdown in March last year. The person filming, identified on Facebook as Geza Tarjanyi (pictured), is a family DJ and producer who has become known online for his activism against fracking, and against mask wearing and other public health covid measures during the pandemic Mr Tarjanyi tells Mr Whitty that he has spoken to him on three occasions, and has 'never been a threat what-so-ever,' he says, asking why he would flag down the police when he is being filmed like he is on the BBC and ITV. 'But they're safe hands aren't they,' Mr Tarjanyi is heard saying before the video - shared on Facebook by Piers Corbyn - cuts off, implying the two broadcasters are complicity in the conspiracy. According to the Lancashire Post, Mr Tarjanyi lost a bit to overturn a conviction for a public order offence after he disrupted a performance by anti-fracking activists at the Lancashire Fringe Festival in May 2019. Mr Tarjanyi, who at the time of his failed bid in October 2020 was 58, was said to have entered the performance area, filming and shouting abuse towards the performing women. At the time, he was said to be living in Leyland. The latest confrontation of Mr Whitty came as Matt Hancock today cautioned that the link between Covid cases and deaths has been 'broken but not completely severed' by vaccines as the number of positive tests spiked again to 6,238 and 11 more deaths were recorded. The Health Secretary was speaking at a meeting of G7 health ministers in Oxford today when the case count surged by 1,000 more than yesterday at the end of a week of mounting evidence that Covid is coming back in the UK, fuelled by the super-contagious new Indian variant. DOUBLE-JABBING CUTS RISK OF HOSPITAL ADMISSION WITH INDIAN VARIANT BY 93%, STUDY FINDS Having two doses of a Covid vaccine slashes the risk of being admitted to hospital with the Indian variant by 93 per cent to less than one in a thousand but unvaccinated people are at a higher risk than in earlier waves. Public Health England figures show just seven out of 9,427 people to have been infected with the new strain were admitted to hospital even though they had had two doses of a vaccine. By comparison, 90 unvaccinated people were admitted in the same time and PHE warned in a report last night that the risk of admission to hospital with the new strain may be 2.6 times higher than it was for the Kent variant. The figures show 0.07 per cent of all the variant cases were hospitalised after having had two doses, while 0.95 per cent of the cases were unvaccinated and ended up in hospital, showing a 93 per cent fall in risk. Promising figures show just seven people out of 9,427 confirmed cases spent the night in hospital despite having had two jabs - only 0.07 per cent - compared to 90 who were unvaccinated (0.95 per cent). One dose reduces the risk by about three quarters, to one in 400 from one in 100, but doesn't offer as much protection as being fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated people will be at a higher risk from Covid than they were with the old variant, PHE has confirmed, because it spreads up to twice as fast - so they will be more likely to get infected - and appears to increase the risk of hospital admission by up to 2.6 times. The figures will bolster the case for the June 21 'Freedom Day' unlocking to be pushed back to buy more time to get second doses to more people. So far 26.4million people have had two jabs while 39.8m have had their first. There have been a total of 12,431 confirmed infections with the variant, known to scientists as B1617.2, and 94 people were admitted to hospital with it last week. The report said the risk of being admitted to hospital could increase by as much as 2.6 times over the Kent variant, and people may be 70 per cent more likely to go to A&E. That count of hospital admissions was double the week before, when 201 people went to A&E and 43 were admitted overnight. PHE said: 'The majority of these had not been vaccinated.' Advertisement He said: 'We always expected cases to rise as the as the country was opened up, the critical thing is the impact on the number of people who end up in hospital for any given number of cases. That link has been broken by the vaccine, but it hasn't been completely severed yet.' Today was the first time daily infections have risen above 6,000 since March 26, when the country was still under much stricter lockdown rules, and they are up 50 per cent compared to last week. Government sources earlier in the week said it would give them cause for concern if daily cases were to rise above 5,000, because it would signal that the virus is growing exponentially. England's June 21 'Freedom Day' now appears to be hanging in the balance amid the rapid spread of the highly infectious Indian variant, which is doubling in prevalence every nine days and is now the dominant strain in the country. An Office for National Statistics report today showed weekly Covid case numbers spiked 75 per cent last week to 86,000, and SAGE estimates the R rate is definitely above one and could be as high as 1.2. Daily Covid infections have been steadily rising since late May when there were about 2,500 a day on average and the daily seven-day average now sits at 4,147 - a rise of more than 60 per cent. No10 this week insisted that there was still 'nothing in the data' that suggested the crucial unlocking this month will not go ahead, but scientists are pushing for a slight delay. Proof that jabs work will hopefully give light at the end of the tunnel and mean any extension of social distancing would only be temporary while vaccines are rolled out - earlier lockdowns had been open-ended. Evidence that vaccines work is coming in droves now as Public Health England data showed vaccines protect well against even the new variant when people have had two doses, slashing the risk of catching the virus and being admitted to hospital by up to 93 per cent. Figures published last night showed that just seven out of 9,427 people to have been infected with the new strain by the end of May were admitted to hospital even though they had had two doses of a vaccine (0.07 per cent). By comparison, 90 unvaccinated people were admitted in the same time (0.95 per cent) and PHE warned in a report that the risk of admission to hospital with the new strain may be 2.6 times higher than it was for the Kent variant, meaning that people who haven't had a jab are now at a higher risk than they were with previous strains. The Government is scrambling to get jabs to as many people as possible and Department of Health statistics show 39.9million adults have now received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, more than three in four, and 26.7million have received both doses, more than half. Primary school children suffered more 'learning loss' in the second wave of school closures than they did in the first, a new study has found. Students lost more than two months of learning in reading when they returned to class in March, a new report commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) has uncovered. This is greater than the losses during the autumn term, the report found. By March - when schools reopened after months of remote lessons - pupils' learning losses nationally in maths and reading had, on average, regressed to similar levels recorded at the start of the autumn term. The research also found 'regional disparities', with the North East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber seeing higher levels of learning loss than in London and the South West. It came after the education catch-up tsar quit with a stinging condemnation of the Government's 1.4 billion recovery fund for children who have been affected by school closures due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) yesterday warned any measures to help pupils catch up on lost learning could arrive 'too late' if the Government delays announcing new funding until autumn. The Institute for Fiscal Studies recommends a 15billion education recovery package over three years that could help mitigate the future lost earnings of schoolchildren Sir Kevan Collins (right) resigned from his position as he hit back at the Government's 1.4 billion recovery fund, while Geoff Barton (left), general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders described the proposals as 'pitiful' The government funded study into learning loss, by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) and Renaissance Learning, found that primary school learning losses in maths averaged 3.5 months in March 2021, compared to 3.7 months in October 2020. But the learning losses in reading increased, with primary school learning losses averaging 2.2 months in March, compared to 1.8 months during the first half of the 2020/21 autumn term (October). Other countries spending EIGHT TIMES as much as the UK on schools catch-up Boris Johnson faced pressure to pump more money into the schools Covid catch-up today as experts said other countries were being 'much more ambitious' than the UK. Luke Sibieta, a research fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the government's total package so far was worth around 3.1 billion. 'A lot of that now is focused on the national tutoring programme, which (Sir) Kevan Collins talked about as being quite an important part of education recovery but it is clearly a lot less than the 10-15billion that Kevan Collins was proposing for a full-scale education recovery, which would incorporate much bigger elements.' The education researcher said there was 'value' in staggering funding for schools and that the prospect of clawing back lost learning in the space of two years was 'a bit fanciful'. But he said education recovery commissioner Sir Kevan's idea of longer school days had been 'pushed into the long grass' as the Government had failed to pilot the idea. Comparing the UK Government's outlay on school catch-up programmes internationally, he added: 'The Biden administration in the US has proposed about 122 billion about 1,600 per pupil, over five times more than we're spending in the UK.' Advertisement The analysis shows that average learning losses for primary school pupils temporarily recovered by the second half of the autumn term (December 2020) to 2.7 months in maths and 1.2 months in reading. But it concludes that 'there were further learning losses in primary schools in England in reading and mathematics following the restrictions to in-person learning in early 2021'. Researchers found disadvantaged primary school pupils were hardest hit with average learning losses of 4.3 months in maths and two months in reading during the first half of the autumn term. There is evidence of disparities in learning losses at a regional level, the report says, but results should be treated with some caution due to sample sizes. By October, learning losses in reading for primary pupils were 1.5 months in the South West and 1.3 months in London, but 2.3 months in the North East and 2.6 months in Yorkshire and the Humber. Findings on losses for disadvantaged pupils, as well as regional losses, by the spring term following restrictions to in-person teaching will be published by the DfE later this year, the EPI has said. Jon Andrews, report co-author and head of analysis at the EPI, said: 'Our data analysis points to a clear penalty faced by disadvantaged pupils during the pandemic - these pupils have seen greater learning losses than their more affluent peers, which risks widening the overall gap in educational attainment. 'There are also significant regional disparities, with regions such as Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and the East Midlands seeing higher levels of learning loss than pupils in London and the South West. 'We need to continue to look at how we can support all pupils through effective catch-up programmes, but especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, whose education has seen the most damage from the pandemic. 'It's also important that policies address the large losses seen in certain parts of the country.' Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said the research provides 'further stark evidence of the very severe extent of learning loss among pupils'. He said: 'It is abundantly clear that a recovery programme is urgently required at a scale and scope to address this massive issue. 'Instead, we have seen this week a package of measures from the government that is lacking in ambition, inadequately funded and which has caused the education recovery commissioner to resign in protest. 'It has been a desperately bleak week for education, and for the nation's children and young people, and we once again call upon the Prime Minister and the Treasury to step up and urgently provide the substantial recovery programme that children and young people need and deserve.' It cames as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned that any measures to help pupils catch up on lost learning could arrive 'too late' if the Government delays announcing new funding until autumn. The London-based research institute slammed the current proposals and warned any delay would be to the detriment to pupils across the country. Further analysis by the group recommends a 15billion education recovery package over three years that could help mitigate the future lost earnings of schoolchildren. London-based research group warned if losses are not properly addressed, long-term costs could run into the 'hundreds of billions as a result of lost skills and productivity' It came after the education catch-up tsar quit with a stinging condemnation of the Government's 1.4 billion recovery fund for children who have been affected by school closures due to the pandemic. Sir Kevan Collins resigned on Wednesday as education recovery commissioner as he warned the support package 'falls far short of what is needed' to meet the scale of the challenge. IFS researchers warned: 'If new spending is only announced in the autumn, the actual measures could be delayed well into 2022 - potentially too late to effectively make up for lost learning.' 'If these losses are not properly addressed, then the long-run costs could easily run into the hundreds of billions as a result of lost skills and productivity,' the observation adds. In his resignation letter, Sir Kevan Collins blasted the proposed catch-up plan for schoolchildren as being 'too narrow, too small and will be delivered too slowly'. 'A half-hearted approach risks failing hundreds of thousands of pupils,' he said. 'The support announced by Government so far does not come close to meeting the scale of the challenge and is why I have no option but to resign from my post.' The funding announcement sparked a furious backlash from across the political spectrum. Labour said Sir Kevan's resignation was a 'damning indictment' of the Government's plan while Robert Halfon, Tory chair of the education select committee, said it was a 'blow' to lose someone of Sir Kevan's stature. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), told Sky News: 'It's pretty dispiriting, here I am as somebody who is leading a trade union, and for all my colleagues it feels this morning as if we have got higher ambitions for the nation's children and young people than the Education Secretary. 'It's pretty pitiful, only yesterday we were hearing stories about extending the school day and even if some people disagreed with it, at least there was a sense of 'let's do something radical, let's do something different'. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson (above) initially announced that only an initial 1.4billion would be pumped into the catch-up system It has been previously reported that Sir Kevan had called for 15 billion of funding and 100 extra hours of teaching per pupil as part of his recommendations for addressing lost learning. Sir Kevan also recommended that schools and colleges should be funded for a flexible extension to school time, the equivalent to 30 minutes extra every day. The Prime Minister was forced to pledge that more money would be 'coming through' as he tried to fend off anger at the 'pitiful' funding. The Department for Education (DfE) has committed to a review of time spent in school, with findings due later in the year to inform the spending review. On the additional 1.4 billion of funding for pupils in England - which is on top of the 1.7 billion already pledged for catch-up - the IFS researchers highlighted that the recovery package is smaller than other countries. The IFS report says: 'The fund equates to just over 300 per child in nurseries, schools and colleges, spread over three years (so about 100 per pupil per year, or 1.7% of annual school spending per pupil). 'These figures are well below the 15 billion reportedly recommended by the education recovery commissioner, and much smaller than those being implemented in some other countries (about 1,600 per pupil in the US, and 2,500 per pupil in the Netherlands).' It added: '15 billion sounds like a lot of money to spend on education recovery. But spread over three years, it would have averaged about 5 billion per year, or just over 10% of annual spending on schools pre-Covid. 'If it genuinely helped to mitigate the future lost earnings of today's schoolchildren (which could easily run into the hundreds of billions over the coming decades), it could also prove to be a terrific investment.' Earlier this year an IFS report estimated the cost of lost schooling to a generation of children at a shocking 350billion, with the impact of Covid-19 potentially lasting a lifetime for pupils. On Wednesday Education Secretary Gavin Williamson sidestepped questions about reports of a row with the Treasury over the funding, but he did admit 'there will be more that is required'. Ben Zaranko, a research economist at the IFS, said: 'A one-off injection of education spending could prove to be a fantastic investment if it helps to mitigate losses from disrupted learning in the pandemic. 'From the Treasury's perspective, the question is whether this programme would truly help to mitigate those losses, and whether it would truly be a one-off. 'There are some good arguments for delaying decisions until the autumn spending review, but the risk is then that any measures would arrive too late to help the pupils most in need of support.' Theresa Balboa, 29, is pictured in her new mugshot after arrived at Harris County jail on Friday to face charges in the death of Samuel Olson The Texas woman who has been arrested in connection with the death of her boyfriend's five-year-old son was fleeing to Louisiana when she was arrested in a motel room with the child's decomposing body stuffed in a bin, court documents reveal. Theresa Balboa, 29, was transferred on Friday from Jasper County to Houston to face a charge of tampering with evidence - human corpse stemming from the death of Samuel Olson. Balboa did not appear in court for a probable cause hearing because she was in the Mental Health Unit at the jail, but a judge set her bail at $500,000 after deeming her a flight risk because she was previously out on bond stemming from a domestic violence case, reported KHOU11. In asking for the high bond amount, prosecutors wrote in a motion for bail that Balboa also was a flight risk because she was on her way to Louisiana with Samuel's body when she was apprehended on Tuesday in Jasper, Texas. If Balboa is released on bond, she will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor, remain under house arrest and have no contact with any children. These new developments come less than 24 hours after disturbing details emerged concerning the circumstances of Samuel's death, suggesting that Balboa had been hiding the child's body for two weeks, including in a bathtub, before reporting him missing. A body believed to belong to Samuel, who would have turned six on Saturday, was found in Balboa's motel room on Tuesday. Balboa was arrested after a tip-off to cops when she was allegedly seen carrying a foul-smelling plastic bin containing the child's corpse into the room. Balboa at this time is suspected of hiding Samuel's corpse for two weeks before reporting the child missing Samuel's father, Dalton Olson is pictured with girlfriend Balboa during the search foir his son and before she was arrested in a motel room where the boy's body was found Samuel's father Dalton Olson told KPRC2, 'I don't know what's going on. I can barely breathe. 'Why? He loved you so much. I do not understand what happened. Why did you, why did you do this?' Samuels parents had been involved in a bitter custody battle after filing for divorce in January 2020. His mother, Sarah Olson, had primary custody but she had not seen Samuel since summer 2020, her lawyer, Marco Gonzalez, told reporters this week. Gonzalez accused Dalton Olson of keeping Samuel from his mother and avoiding being served court paperwork that would have ordered him to return the boy to her. Gonzalez said Samuels mother also blames Dalton for their sons death and believes he should be charged. Houston police say Olson is not a person of interest but that more charges could be filed. 'Her utmost priority is that justice is done for her baby Samuel,' Gonzalez said. 'Shes completely heartbroken.' Samuel Veenstra, an attorney for Dalton Olson, said his client denies any wrongdoing. 'He had nothing to do with the death of his son,' said Veenstra. '[The] family is in mourning, shocked and in disbelief.' Veenstra said he didnt think Samuel had been living with Balboa. But when asked if the boy had been living with his father at the time he was reported missing, Veenstra said, 'I dont know how to answer your questions on this one OK.' 'Theres nothing in place on the family case that says who Sam could or could not go around,' Veenstra said. Balboa has been charged with evidence tampering after she was discovered with body and more serious charges are expected. TIMELINE OF SAMUEL OLSON CASE: April 30: Samuel Olson, 5, seen for the last time by anyone outside his family May 8-9: Samuel's paternal grandmother, Tonya Olson, says she spent the weekend with her grandson May 10: Theresa Balboa, girlfriend of Samuel's father, Dalton Olson, allegedly calls a roommate to tell him that Samuel had died. The two allegedly place the body in their bathtub May 13: The roommate and Balboa allegedly wrap the body in duct tape and place it in a plastic bin before taking it to a storage unit in Webster May 27: Balboa reports Samuel missing in Houston June 1: Police in Jasper, Texas, receive anonymous tip that leads them to Best Western motel, where they find Balboa and later child's body in a plastic bin June 2: Police in Houston announce discovery of body, Balboa's arrest and evidence tampering charge, with ID of remains still pending. June 3: Details of Balboa's meeting with a man in Walmart emerge, as its claimed he helped transport child's body. Balboa is also revealed to have lost custody of her own young daughters in 2019. June 4: Balboa is transferred from Jasper County to Harris County jail and is ordered held on $500,000 bond Advertisement Samuel was last seen alive by his paternal grandmother, Tonya Olson, who says she spent the weekend with him on May 8, and was reported missing by Balboa on May 27. According to court documents submitted Thursday, Balboa allegedly told her roommate on May 10 that Samuel was dead, two weeks before she reported him missing, ABC13 reports. The roommate reportedly told police says that upon returning to their apartment from work, he found the boy on the bed, bruised and unresponsive. Balboa and the roommate then allegedly moved the body to their bathtub, where they left it for two days. On May 13, the roommate, who has not been named, says he purchased duct tape and a plastic bin from Walmart. He then wrapped up the boy and placed him in the bin before he and Balboa moved him to a storage facility in Webster, Texas, according to the court documents. Balboa was arrested on Tuesday after she was discovered with the plastic bin, which had become foul-smelling, in a hotel room, and is likely to face more serious charges after the body has been identified and a cause of death determined. Police were led to Balboa after she reportedly called a friend on Monday, and asked him to pick her up at a Walmart parking lot in Cleveland, and the two drove nearly 70 miles south to retrieve the bin at the storage facility. They then reportedly drove another 160 miles northeast to a Best Western in Jasper. Once there, they carried the bin inside room 106, with the man so horrified by the smell coming from it that he made an anonymous call to CrimeStoppers tipline to report it. It is unclear when that call was made, but cops raided the motel the next day, and found the bin in the room with Balboa nearby in the bathroom. Upon removing the lid, which was secured with zip ties, police were said to have found a small body stuffed inside a black plastic bag and wrapped in duct tape. Cops arrested Balboa shortly after. Meanwhile, it emerged on Wednesday night that Balboa previously lost custody over her two young daughters in 2019 over claims she was a bad mom. Court records obtained by Click2Houston revealed that the girls - now aged six and eight - were removed from their mom's care after she failed to show up to court for a custody hearing. The father of Balboa's children was also a no-show, and the children were given to a family member, who was appointed their guardian. The map above shows the four locations associated with the search for missing Samuel Olson Police recovered the remains believed to be that of Samuel wrapped with duct tape and stuffed inside a black plastic bin in room 106 at this Best Western motel in Jasper, Texas Sarah Olson, Samuel's birth mother (pictured together, left), said through a lawyer that she had primary custody of the boy but had not seen him since the summer of 2020 The woman told the station that Balboa was not taking good care of her daughters. 'She wasn't born to be a mom,' the guardian said. Shortly before the discovery of the child's body and Balboa's arrest, Tim Miller, the founder of the volunteer search group Texas Equusearch, was said to have confronted the woman about apparent inconsistencies in her story concerning Samuel's disappearance. 'I told her, I said, 'I'm so damn disappointed in you,'' Miller told KHOU11. 'I said, 'You know, every word you're saying is a lie.' And that's when things started unravelling, I think.' Balboa, who at the time was out on bond stemming from a domestic violence incident, was the one who reported the child missing on May 27. The boy's last verified sighting by someone outside of his family was on April 30 at his school. When cops were first investigating Samuel's disappearance, Balboa had claimed that Samuel's mother, Sarah Olson, and a person dressed as a police officer showed up and took the boy from the home. Sarah Olson said through her attorney that she did not know the whereabouts of her son, and that despite having primary custody of him, she had been denied access to him by his father since January 2020 and had not seen him since last summer. Balboa is currently jailed in Jasper County, but she will be returned to Houston to face the evidence tampering charge. Balboa was charged with assault of a family member impeding breathing in November 2020 after she allegedly choked Dalton Olson. Olson was said to have been issued an emergency protective order against Balboa. The woman is pictured in previous mugshots Balboa (pictured in her Jasper County jail mugshot) is the girlfriend of Samuel's father, and has been arrested and charged with evidence tampering Houston Assistant Police Chief Heather Morris said during a press conference on Wednesday that more charges are possible once an autopsy is complete. Samuel's family have spoken out after the discovery of the body presumed to be his, revealing their devastation. '[I am] shocked and so many other things that words cannot explain at the moment,' Tonya Olson, the boy's paternal grandmother, told CNN. 'We are grieving as a family. None of us can wrap our heads around this. My son or anyone in our family had absolutely nothing to do with this.' Miller, the founder of Texas Equusearch, said that he was with Samuel's paternal relatives after the discovery of the body and witnessed their heartache firsthand. 'It was just devastating over there last night and seeing dad go through all the pain and grief and everything he was going through,' Miller said, referring to Dalton Olson, the boy's father. Assistant Police Chief Morris said Dalton Olson is not considered a person of interest in his death at this time, but investigators continue to speak with him. No motive has been disclosed so far. Samuel's biological mother, Sarah Olson, released a statement through her attorney, demanding justice for her son. 'I do not want people to forget Samuel's name,' she stated. 'Please Let the outside world know that I'm a heartbroken, but I believe that body is my baby.' Balboa reported Samuel missing claiming the boy was taken by his biological mother and a person dressed as a police officer. Samuel was last seen alive by his paternal grandmother, Tonya Olson, who says she spent the weekend with him on May 8, and was reported missing by Balboa on May 27 Dalton Olson is pictured embracing his mother, Tonya,, with his girlfriend standing on the side. Tonya Olson said the family are devastated Cops were unable to verify Balboa's version of events. The last confirmed sighting of Samuel was at Holbrook Elementary School. Samuel's paternal grandmother claimed he was with her the following weekend, May 8-9, and that she then heard his voice on the phone days before he was reported missing. On Monday, police executed a search warrant at an apartment where Balboa has been living with a friend and impounded her Dodge sedan. Court records uncovered by Click2Houston indicate that Balboa was charged with assault of a family member impeding breathing in November 2020 after she allegedly choked Dalton Olson. Olson was said to have been issued an emergency protective order against Balboa, barring her from having direct contact with the victim or any member of his family. When asked about the order prior to the discovery of the body in the motel, Olson said that he and Balboa have reconciled, and that the choking incident had nothing to do with his son, who was not present during that altercation. Olson further defended Balboa, saying that she had been helping him care for his son while he was at work. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said of Friday's anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre that the Chinese have given a similar treatment to COVID-19. 'As the [Chinese Communist Party] seeks to erase any memory of what happened in Tiananmen Square, it continues to do the same on its responsibility for COVID-19,' McCarthy said. 'Americans deserve to know the truth.' The California Republican said while his party has tried to get answers 'Democrats have been mired by ambivalence to holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable for this global health pandemic.' House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Friday that China was treating the COVID-19 pandemic like they did Tiananmen Square A Chinese protestor blocks a line of tanks during the Tiananmen Square protests on June 5, 1989 'Last year showed exactly what kind of actor the Chinese Communist Party truly is,' he went on. 'It responded to the outbreak by silencing doctors and imprisoning its citizens. It selfishly hoarded medical supplies and lied to the world, creating a global catastrophe. And from the beginning, it has tried to use the virus as a smokescreen to cover further aggression, from horrific abuses of human rights in Xinjiang to snuffing out democracy in Hong Kong,' he continued. 'Unfortunately, its brazen cover-up has been aided for over a year by political bias, groupthink, self-censorship in the global press and public health bureaucracy,' McCarthy added. McCarthy's statement was more generally aimed at China, while his Republican colleagues have stepped up the pressure on Dr. Anthony Fauci demanding access to his unredacted emails and asking that he appear again before House committees to answer questions about whether COVID-19 could have leaked from a Chinese laboratory. The White House aid Friday that the administration would be open to the idea of a Congressional committee to explore the origins of the early U.S. response to the pandemic. Biden has already put the intelligence committee to work for 90 days to try and determine how the virus got its start. 'I would say if members of Congress have a discussion and want to have a discussion about that we're happy to hear from them,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. Fauci is back in the firing line with the release of a trove of emails, revealing that he knew about the possibility of a lab leak early in the pandemic. His critics seized on them to say he knew more about 'gain of function' research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology than he let on. House Republican whip Steve Scalise and James Comer wrote to the chairs of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus and the House Oversight Committee to say it was 'imperative' that Fauci appeared before them. Senior Republicans have written to their Democratic counterparts demanding that Dr. Anthony Fauci answer fresh questions about evidence revealed in his emails about his knowledge of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic Rep. Steve Scalise (left), ranking member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus, wants more answers from Dr. Anthony Fauci (right) following the release of a cache of emails Security personnel keep watch outside Wuhan Institute of Virology during a visit by a World Health Organization team of investigators in February They said the release of Faucis emails, obtained by news organizations under Freedom of Information laws 'debunk many Democrats claims from the past year, including that Fauci and other scientists were muzzled by the Trump administration. 'It is now imperative that Dr. Fauci come before our Committees to provide information related to the origins of the novel coronavirus as well as the U.S. governments role in funding research that may have contributed to the development of the novel coronavirus, they said. 'The American people have a right to know what our government knew about the origins of the pandemic and when it was known.' They also called on the committee's chairman and chairwoman to demand unredacted versions of Fauci's newly released emails. The cache triggered an intervention from former President Donald Trump, who said the communications revealed he was right all along. He demanded that China pay ten trillion dollars for its role in causing 'death and destruction.' 'Now everyone, even the so-called "enemy, are beginning to say that President Trump was right about the China Virus coming from the Wuhan Lab,' he said in the second of two statements he issued in quick succession. 'The correspondence between Dr. Fauci and China speaks too loudly for anyone to ignore.' Fauci has been a favorite target of conservatives throughout the pandemic, attracting fire for his support for social distancing and mask wearing. They have accused him of flip-flopping for the way he initially resisted closing borders and wearing masks before endorsing both. But his role in the early days of the crisis is under fresh scrutiny with the release of his emails. In particular, Republicans claim the communications show Fauci knew the Wuhan Institute of Virology - at the center of the lab leak hypothesis for the origins of the COVID-19 crisis - was carrying out experiments with genetically engineered coronaviruses. And they include messages in February last year with a key deputy in which they discuss whether his National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases might have ties to the work. Sen. Rand Paul is among those demanding fresh answers to whether Fauci still stands by his testimony that the U.S. did not fund 'gain of function' research on coronaviruses. Fauci defended his actions, telling CNN on Thursday that the messages had been taken out of context. And the White House issued a public defense of his work. For two days straight, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Fauci had the confidence of Biden, saying Friday 'no' when asked if there would be any scenario in which the top infectious disease expert would be fired. During brief remarks in Rehoboth Beach Friday, Biden gave the endorsement himself. 'Yes I'm very confident in Dr. Fauci,' the president said to a question posed by DailyMail.com, peaking his head back into the room where he had just delivered an address. Albert Aiad-Toss, 53, an ER doctor from Canfield, Ohio, was jailed on Thursday. In June 2019, he was caught raping girls aged between 12 and 15 after recruiting them on Snapchat from a neighboring town A pedophile doctor who set aside $2,000 a month to pay for hotel rooms where he raped girls as young as 12 has been jailed for 22 years. Albert Aiad-Toss, 53, an ER doctor from Canfield, Ohio, was jailed on Thursday. In June 2019, he was caught raping girls between 12 and 15 after recruiting them on Snapchat from a neighboring town. According to prosecutors, Aiad-Toss set aside a budget of $2,000 every month to spend on gifts for the girls to entice them. He also used the money to pay for hotel rooms where he abused the girls, according to a release from the department of justice. He bought them lingerie and sex toys, and paid one 12-year-old girl $200 to sleep with him. Prosecutors said he would often recruit multiple girls at once. On two occasions, he was filmed on surveillance footage with three underage girls. He was sentenced on Thursday by Judge Pamela Barker who branded his behavior 'disgusting'. 'I don't understand how you budget $2,000 a month to do this. The conduct is reprehensible. Aiad-Toss was caught when police received a tip that he was having sex with young girls. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sex trafficking of a minor under the age of 14, three counts of sex trafficking of a minor under the age of 18, and one count of the production of child pornography. The judge read aloud one victim impact statement from a child who said she now suffered fear, anxiety and depression because of what he did. 'Shell never be the same again,' she fumed at Aiad-Toss. The doctor's attorney tried to get him a lighter sentence by reading statements of support. 'He has saved countless lives in his job. He will spend the next 22 years wondering and regretting. He is done. He has nothing,' his attorney pleaded. A police investigation has been launched after a pick-up truck was spotted with a 'vile' image of a kidnapped woman on its tail gate. Motorists did a double take and were horrified to see the artwork portraying an apparently abducted blonde woman lying down while tied up in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was reported to police after being spotted at traffic lights on the junction of the A47 and A146 roads at Trowse, near Norwich, Norfolk. Norfolk Police say the incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime. A spokesperson for the force said: 'A woman reported seeing a blue pick-up truck with vinyl printed on the back of the truck showing a woman being tied up, blindfolded, bound as if being kidnapped. Enquiries are ongoing.' The 'vile' vinyl of a woman appearing to be kidnapped was spotted on the junction of the A47 and A146 roads at Trowse, near Norwich The picture of the truck created outrage when it was shared by graphic designer Sophia Forte on the Facebook group 'Reclaim These Streets Norwich'. She said on a message with the picture: 'This was spotted in Norwich. Not okay to normalise violence against women, then people wonder why we have so many issues with it.' Miss Forte added: 'I'm a graphic designer and from a designer's perspective my job is to educate and inspire and it is sickening visually to think that someone has designed this and in my opinion, it is normalising violence, abuse, threat and control over women. 'It makes me sad that someone that is a designer has abused their power to create something like this. We need to calm people and stand up, not alarm.' Norfolk Police say they are investigating a potential hate crime, as pictures of the truck emerged online and prompted a huge backlash Other Facebook users left messages condemning the image as 'horrifying' and 'vile'. One said: 'I have never before seen anything like this on a vehicle. Am shocked. 'It is beyond disgraceful. I really hope someone reported the driver and that there is something that can be done about it.' Another added: 'What the f*** is wrong with people? How can that ever be funny?' Community campaigner Jasmine Reeves described the pick up truck as 'disturbing'. She said: 'This is not okay. I do not want to see it and attempt to explain it to my five and ten-year-old boys. It's no wonder that women do not feel safe in this world.' Personal trainer James Hellewell of Leeds, West Yorkshire, faced fury in 2014 when he had a similar sticker of a tied up woman on the back of his truck. He insisted he had only put it on as a joke and he removed it after being warned by police that he could be charged with a public order offence if he continued to display it. A sign company which put a similar vinyl wrap on the back of an employee's truck in Waco, Texas, in 2013 removed it after a backlash. The company ended up apologising and making a donation of $2,500 to the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children in Waco. Excess mortality refers to the amount of deaths from all causes in a health crisis Excess mortality refers to the amount of deaths from all causes in a health crisis It has increased suspicions Russia's death toll is higher than 123,037 recorded The excess deaths were recorded from April 2020 to the same month this year Russia has seen nearly 425,000 excess deaths since start of Covid-19 pandemic Russia has seen nearly 425,000 excess deaths since start of Covid-19 pandemic, raising suspicions that the country's official death toll is much higher than 123,000. The country's 425,000 excess deaths had been recorded from April 2020 to April 2021, according to Reuters calculations based on data released by Russia's state statistics service on Friday. The number of excess fatalities, which some epidemiologists say is the best way to measure the real death toll from coronavirus, exceeds the country's official Covid death toll. The data has led to suspicions that the total number of Covid fatalities is much higher than the 123,037 recorded, a figure which is calculated by Russia's coronavirus task force. Excess mortality refers to the number of deaths from all causes during a health crisis, comparing the number of deaths during the pandemic to what would have normally been expected. Russia has seen nearly 425,000 excess deaths since start of Covid-19 crisis, according to data from April 2020 to April 2021. Pictured: An intensive care unit of a temporary Covid facility of Hospital No 67 at Krylatskoye Ice Palace Rosstat, Russia's state statistics service, keeps its own records and said on Friday that around 270,000 people had died in Russia from Covid and other related causes since the beginning of the pandemic last year. In April this year, 20,323 people died from Covid and related causes in Russia, which is 11.6 per cent higher than the same period last year, the statistics service said. On Thursday, Russia recorded 2,614 new Covid-19 fatalities while the number of confirmed cases saw 63,058 added to the rising total. It comes after Russians have been warned limit their vodka consumption after receiving the Sputnik V jab, as the country registered the world's first vaccine for animals. The head of the Gamaleya Research Institute, which created Russia's coronavirus vaccine, said Russians should not drink more than one and a half shots of vodka a day if they want its protection to remain effective. Alexander Gintsburg said that the cells of the immune system 'stop multiplying' if there is a higher level of alcohol in the body. The data has led to suspicions that the total number of Covid fatalities are much higher than the 123,037 recorded (pictured), a figure calculated by Russia's coronavirus task force On Thursday, Russia recorded 2,614 new Covid-19 fatalities while the number of confirmed cases saw 63,058 added (pictured) to the rising total 'Cells must multiply for antibodies to be produced,' he added. The average Russian drinks 110 shots of the national drink each year, but the figure is believed to be far higher for men. Recipients of the Sputnik V vaccine were previously advised to abstain from alcohol for nearly two months before and after receiving the jab to avoid straining the body's immune system. Gintsburg's warning came as Russia registered the world's first vaccine for animals, named Carnivac-Cov. 'The next stage [of the pandemic] is the infection of farm and domestic animals,' the microbiologist said. 'And when we protect humanity with the help of good vaccines within a year, pets will be infected by that time. And no one is going to get rid of their beloved pets.' Gintsburg said that the pathogen will continue to evolve and be present in communities. 'One must be prepared for a long existence with this pathogen,' he added. Carnivac-Cov was developed by the Federal Centre for Animal Health, according to Russian media. 'It is the world's first and currently only coronavirus vaccine for animals,' Konstantin Savenkov, head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, a watchdog. 'All the tested vaccinated animals developed antibodies to coronavirus in 100 per cent of cases,' he claimed. Virologist Dr Nadezhda Rakhmanina added: 'This particular vaccine is needed, first of all, in fur farming. It comes after Russians have been warned limit their vodka consumption after receiving the Sputnik V jab, as the country registered the world's first vaccine for animals (stock image) Gintsburg's warning came as Russia registered the world's first vaccine for animals, named Carnivac-Cov. Pictured: A rabbit receives the injection in Russia on December 9, 2020 'Cases of mass deaths of fur-bearing animals abroad, including in Denmark, were described last year. 'In general, fur-bearing animals are susceptible to many infectious diseases of humans, they even have a susceptibility to influenza. 'These animals can get sick with the coronavirus en masse. So the vaccine is really needed. However, Rakhmanina was less certain about the need for a jab for pets. 'Over the past year, it has not been proven that pets can be a source of Covid-19 infection for humans. 'There are isolated cases of infection in cats, which have been described and proven. But there is no mass [evidence] yet.' Demand for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, currently among the world's most effective, is rising in Europe and elsewhere. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin was in talks with France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Angela Merkel to discuss prospects for EU registration of the vaccine as well as shipments and joint production in EU nations. Meanwhile, Putin has told officials to prepare to open Russia for 'vaccine tourism' where foreigners can pay for the Sputnik V jab. The president, who says the vaccine is as reliable as a Kalashnikov rifle, also claimed that some countries were avoiding the Russian-made jabs for 'political reasons'. Speaking at the annual economic conference in St Petersburg, Putin said: 'Taking into account the efficiency of our vaccines, I know that [foreign] demand is pretty high.' 'The domestic pharmaceutical industry is ready to further ramp up vaccine production,' the 68-year-old added. Kirill Dmitriyev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) which finances the vaccine, said at the forum that Russia could become open for 'vaccine tourism' from July. Vladimir Putin (pictured) said that Russia's main vaccine, Sputnik V, had already been registered in 66 countries with a combined population of more than three billion people Russia has approved four vaccines for domestic use, of which the most widely used is Sputnik V. Administered in two doses, with a gap of 21 days between each shot, it was the world's first Covid vaccine in August 2020. Named after the world's first satellite launched by the USSR in 1957, Sputnik has been touted by Putin as 'the world's best' jab, while leading independent medical journal, The Lancet, deemed it effective in a study published in February. The Kremlin said that Putin had been vaccinated in private but it is not known which of Russia's three main jabs he had used. Putin also took the opportunity on Friday to encourage all Russians to come forward to receive their free vaccines. 'Every adult citizen of Russia has the opportunity to get vaccinated completely free of charge,' Putin told the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, which is often called the Russian Davos. 'I'd like to ask our citizens to use this opportunity to protect themselves and their loved ones.' The 68-year-old leader said that Russian authorities had not registered a single fatality linked to the coronavirus vaccine. He reiterated that he himself had been vaccinated and that the jabs have few side effects. 'I have first-hand knowledge of that,' Putin said. Putin said that Russia's main vaccine, Sputnik V, had already been registered in 66 countries with a combined population of more than three billion people. Russia has administered some 11.12million jabs of the virus among its more than 144.4million people but is struggling to combat high levels of vaccine hesitancy. Vladimir Putin today refused to guarantee that he would not use a warplane to force a commercial flight from London to land in Russia after Belarus used fighter jets to ground a Ryanair flight. The Kremlin leader, 68, was quizzed about Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko using a MiG-29 fighter jet to bring down a Ryanair plane so he could detain his political foe Roman Protasevich. At the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin was asked whether Russia would land a plane from London if a wanted person was on board. Journalist Stas Natanzon asked the Russian president: 'Russia has its own list of wanted criminals. Vladimir Putin (pictured) refused to guarantee that he would not use a warplane to force a commercial flight from London to land in Russia after Belarus grounded a Ryanair flight The Kremlin leader, 68, was quizzed about Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko (pictured) using a fighter jet to bring down a Ryanair plane so he could detain Roman Protasevich 'Would Russia land a plane - let's take London to Thailand, for example - if a wanted person was on board? 'The plane from London to Thailand flies over Russia.' Putin thought momentarily before answering: 'I won't say.' His answer provoked laughter and applause from his audience and Russian TV presenter Natanzon. But Putin's response is likely to provoke a chill in Britain and other Western countries, which have condemned the government of Alexander Lukashenko after it scrambled a Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jet to escort a Ryanair plane to Minsk. Putin was also quizzed on whether Russia had played any part in the hijacked Ryanair flight. 'Of course not,' he replied. 'Some Roman Protasevich, I have no clue who he is, and don't want to know,' Putin told the audience. At the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin (pictured) was asked whether Russia would land a plane from London if a wanted person was on board, and responded 'I won't say' Putin's response is likely to provoke chill in Western countries, which condemned Lukashenko for escorting a Ryanair plane to Minsk to arrest journalist Roman Protasevich (pictured) 'Let him do whatever he wants, to fight Lukashenko's regime' Outside the pandemic, British Airways and Thai Airways are two airlines that normally fly direct between London and Thailand, overflying Russian airspace. Later on RT's Talk Show, Natanzon explained how he interpreted Putin's 'I won't say' answer. The journalist replied: 'This is a signal. Not to me, it shouldn't tell me anything. 'This is the signal to those residents of London, which reads "worry". 'Do worry, guys. Do fly, but fly with sweaty hands. 'In an ideal world this is a signal not to steal - and do not escape to London, but live by the law. 'But if they've already done that, then fly with sweaty hands.' The Russian authorities have complained that a number of wealthy Putin foes are exiled in Britain. Belarusian leader Lukashenko has been condemned with sanctions imposed by the West for the act of 'state piracy' in forcing down the tourist flight as it overflew Belarus. Ryanair flight FR4978 had been flying from Athens in Greece to Vilnius in Lithuania when it was forced to make an emergency landing in Minsk amid fake reports of an IED on board. Roman Protasevich, 26, and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, 23, were both arrested on arrival and are now being held in a KGB detention jail notorious for torturing political prisoners. There are fears that Protasevich has been beaten and tortured after exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya said she was sure he had been mistreated. In footage released on Wednesday, Protasevich appeared relaxed, smoking as spoke about the opposition with an unidentified interrogator. 'These is simply no [protest] activity right now,' the 26-year-old said in the broadcast. 'We need to abandon those schemes.... there can't be any such activity now... when I was in Vilnius, I said openly that street protests were not needed.. Ryanair flight FR4978 had been flying from Athens in Greece to Vilnius in Lithuania when it was escorted by a Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jet to Belarus amid fake reports of an IED on board A day after Roman Protasevich's girlfriend Sofia Sapega (pictured) was arrested, Belarusian media released a video (left) showing her confessing to having organised 'mass riots' People hold placards depicting Protasevich and Ihar Losik as the Belarusian community gather to meet with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, in Warsaw, Poland, June 3 Belarusian journalist and blogger Protasevich added: 'At the very least we have to wait for the economic situation to heat up. 'We must wait for the day when people will not go to protest about new elections or against violence by the security forces, but when people will take to the streets for a bowl of soup.' The new video comes after Protasevich last appeared on May 24, telling viewers he was in good health and was being treated well. 'I continue cooperating with investigators and am confessing to having organised mass unrest in the city of Minsk,' he said. The video was widely rubbished as forced and Protasevich's father claimed the 26-year-old had has his nose broken. Meanwhile, a day after Russian national Sapega's arrest Belarusian state media released a video showing her confessing to having organised 'mass riots' in Belarus. She also 'admits' to having edited the social media channel that has published personal information about Belarusian police officers. Her parents say the confession is false, and that Sapega did not attend mass anti-government rallies in Minsk last summer, and only met her boyfriend in Lithuania in the New Year. Belarus was rocked by strikes and weekly street protests after authorities announced that Lukashenko, who has ruled in authoritarian fashion since 1994, had secured re-election on August 9 with 80 per cent of votes. A Nebraska prosecutor and defense attorney made a 'banishment plan' for clients in which they told two convicted criminals to get out of town and never return. Custer County Attorney Steven Bowers and Broken Bow defense attorney Christopher Wickham were reprimanded by the Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday over the scheme reminiscent of the Wild West. Under the plan brokered by Wickham and Bowers, the defense attorney advised his clients, who had been charged with felonies, to plead guilty then flee the state before sentencing, with the understanding that they would not return. Bowers, the prosecutor, agreed that if the men skipped out on their sentencing hearings and left the state, he would direct the county sheriff to not seek extradition to have them returned to Custer County. Custer County Attorney Steven Bowers (left) and Broken Bow defense attorney Christopher Wickham (right) were reprimanded by the Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday over the scheme reminiscent of the Wild West Wickham and Bowers also schemed to seek a low bail for the men so they could be freed before the sentencing hearings. The court did not reveal the names of the men who were charged, what charges they pleaded to or when the scheme was carried out. In the reprimand order against Bowers, the high court said at least one of the men fled Custer County before his sentencing hearing and was later arrested about 200 miles away near Omaha. Bowers did not seek to extradite the man to Custer County, and he was released from custody, the court said. Nebraska Supreme Court reprimanded the two Custer County attorneys on Friday. Pictured above is Custer County District court The court did not say what happened to the other man. The high court issued the public reprimands for Bowers and Wickham, saying they violated rules of professional conduct and their oaths as attorneys. Bowers and Wickham both filed responses with the Nebraska Counsel for Discipline conditionally admitting the violations and waiving any challenges to the accusations in exchange for the reprimands. The reprimand does not affect either attorney's ability to practice law. It does require them to disclose the reprimand if they seek to practice law in another state where they are not licensed. Neither Bowers nor Wickham has responded to comment. The parents of an eight-year-old boy who killed himself after being bullied repeatedly at an Ohio school have reached a tentative $3million settlement with the district. The agreement reached Friday - which will now go to the school board for Cincinnati Public Schools on Monday for approval - comes over four years after Gabriel Taye's death. The boy was found dead two days after being knocked unconscious by fellow classmates in January 2017. In addition to the settlement money, the district also agreed to actions to prevent a repeat of such bullying with such steps as training and supervising all staff on anti-bullying reforms and to working to identify repeat offenders, victims and locations. There will be two years of oversight of the district's anti-bullying plan. A memorial to Gabriel will also be placed at Carson School, the elementary school he attended, with the settlement money being used to protect students from future bullying, according to the family. Cincinnati Public Schools reached a tentative $3million settlement with the parents of eight-year-old Gabriel Taye (left and right) on Friday. The boy was found dead by suicide two days after being knocked unconscious by fellow classmates in January 2017 Gabriel's parents claimed school officials knew about the bullying but were 'deliberately indifferent,' allowing a 'treacherous school environment' that led to their son's suicide 'In honor of Gabe, his family is using this settlement to protect current and future CPS students,' said the family's lawyer, Al Gerhardstein. 'We will make sure these reforms take root and end bullying throughout the CPS system.' His family's attorneys said his mother learned her son was being bullied after seeing an email a Cincinnati police detective wrote describing the scene outside a boys' bathroom, where the attorneys say Gabriel was knocked unconscious. Surveillance video showed students pummeling Gabriel unconscious just two days before the 8-year-old committed suicide School district pledge: Identify bullying by tracking repeat offenders, repeat victims and repeat locations. Empower school nurses to report suspected incidents of bullying. Intervene with students engaged in bullying. Work to stop bullying before it happens. Train and supervise all staff to follow the reforms. Advertisement That assault was captured on surveillance video, showing a number of classmates stepping over him, kicking him, and taunting him after he was knocked to the ground. He hanged himself days later at his home two days after the bathroom incident. The attorneys said the mother buried the tablet with him 'to make sure he had something to play with in heaven'. The settlement agreement marks the end of a three-year legal battle between Taye's parents and the school district after a wrongful death suit was filed shortly after his death. Officials at Gabriel's elementary school said back in 2019 that they were not liable in his suicide because it is not their responsibility to eliminate violence between students. Carson Elementary Principal Ruthenia Jackson and Vice Principal Jeffrey McKenzie had moved to have lawsuit claims dismissed in court in December 2019, with their lawyer arguing that the administrators should receive immunity because the alleged bullying was out of their control. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that attorney Aaron Herzig, a partner at the Taft law firm who represented the school district in the case, said a resolution was in everyone's best interest. Carson Elementary School officials said back in 2019 that they were not liable in the suicide of the eight-year-old boy because it is not their responsibility to eliminate violence between students 'The defendants strongly believe that neither CPS, its employees, nor the school nurse were responsible for the tragic death of Gabriel Taye,' Herzig said. 'CPS embraces the goal of eliminating bullying within schools, as well as continuing to refine and improve reporting, management, and training processes related to incidents of bullying.' As a part of the settlement, the school district has pledged to identify bullying by tracking repeat offenders, repeat victims and repeat locations, empower school nurses to report suspected incidents of bullying, intervene with students engaged in bullying, work to stop bullying before it happens, and train and supervise all staff to follow the reforms, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. The wrongful death lawsuit cited repeated examples of Gabriel and others being bullied at his elementary school. His parents contended that school officials knew about the bullying but were 'deliberately indifferent,' allowing a 'treacherous school environment.' A bus passenger who fondled a 12-year-old girl is facing jail after he was tracked down by the victims mother. Prince Soni, 46, sat next to the child as she travelled home from school on the lower deck and kept his left hand underneath his rucksack, before molesting her. When the victim told her parents about the ordeal in floods of tears her mother went back to the bus station in Kingston in an attempt to try and identify the attacker. A jury at Isleworth Crown Court convicted Prince Soni, 46, of sexually assaulting the 12-year-old girl who he molested on a bus in Kingston, west London on December 13, 2019 The victim's mother returned to Kingston station using her daughter's description to identify Soni before confronting him and calling police Using her daughters description of a tall man, aged in his 40s wearing a black turban, gold rings and white Apple AirPods, she snapped a picture of Soni sitting at the back of a bus. The mother dialled 999 and got the driver of the bus to pull over and refused to let Soni off as he frantically tried to claim he was late for work. Married Soni, who owns a shop, pressed the emergency button allowing him to escape but handed himself into police the next day. Giving evidence he told jurors at Isleworth Crown Court the girl was mistaken and he was drifting in and out of sleep. He admitted his elbow may have pressed against her as the bus jolted when the driver broke, but denied touching her. But he was convicted of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13 by the jury on 3 June. Judge Robin Johnson adjourned sentencing until July 9. Soni received a caution in 2015 for stroking a girl, then 16, with the back of his hand on a bus as he pretended to snooze. Giving evidence from behind a screen in court room 12, the girl, now aged 14, said she boarded the bus at around 3.50pm on December 13, 2019 with two friends. She sat on the lower level with one friend while the other went to the top deck and Soni came and sat next to her in the vacant seat. Jurors watched the CCTV footage of the busy bus bound for Kingston as Soni sat there playing with his phone before putting a rucksack over his lap and grabbing the girl. The court heard Soni squeezed the girl in an intimate fashion and grabbed her thigh. She said: I didnt say anything because I was scared, I was in shock, and I couldnt see many seats to move to. I was scared he would do something if I tried to say something. Simon Sandford, prosecuting, read out the witness statement from the girls mother who went looking for Soni on December 16, three days after the assault. The mother said she snapped a picture of Soni and sent it to her daughter who identified him as the suspect. Soni, from Cranford, Hounslow, denied but was convicted of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13. A family were in floods of tears in North London today after a barber was stabbed to death inside his home. Police were called to a property on Stamford Hill near Stoke Newington Station shortly before 11am on Friday. Inside the home, thought to be a flat above a shop, they found a man, believed to be in his 30s, suffering from stab wounds. The victim, who is believed to be a barber who worked in the area, was given CPR by officers before paramedics arrived, but he died at the scene shortly after. As news of the killing spread through the area, which has a large Haredi Jewish community, a crowd began to gather at the cordon, while the family of the victim were seen in floods of tears. Police were called to a property on Stamford Hill (pictured) near Stoke Newington Station shortly before 11am on Friday. They found a man, in his 30s, suffering from stab wounds The victim, who is believed to be a barber who worked in the area, died at the scene (pictured). Tensions were high in the area as crowds were heard crying as police investigated A man could be heard crying in clear distress: 'My son. My son.' A reporter at the scene said tensions were running high as crowds began to form, while wailing and crying was also heard from some people at the scene. Police were forced to step in and try to calm down the situation, while grieving family members soon left the area as police continued their investigations. A 31-year-old woman, who is thought to have been known to the victim, was arrested at the scene. Police are not searching for anyone else at this time. An air ambulance landed in nearby Morrisons car park but soon left. A witness told MyLondon: 'I saw lots of police and paramedics in the flat above the Mascara Bar. 'I watched for a bit and no casualties were removed but then all the paramedics starting leaving. I'm guessing not a good sign. 'The helicopter left without a patient.' As news of the killing spread through the area, which has a Haredi Jewish community, a crowd (pictured) began to gather at the cordon, while the victim's family were seen in floods of tears A 31-year-old woman, who is thought to have been known to the victim, was arrested at the scene (left). An air ambulance (right) landed in nearby Morrisons car park but soon left According to MyLondon, a passerby could be heard saying 'not another one' upon the news that the incident was a fatal stabbing. It is the fourth fatal stabbing in the capital since last Thursday. A huge cordon remains in place along the busy road. A spokesperson for the Met Police said: 'A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was found with fatal stab injuries in Hackney. 'Police were called to a property in Stamford Hill, N16, at 10.52hrs on Friday, 4 June to a report of a stabbing. 'Officers attended. A man, believed to be in his 30s, was found with stab injuries. 'He was treated at the scene by officers who carried out CPR before paramedics from London Ambulance Service (LAS) and London's Air Ambulance arrived. 'Despite the efforts of emergency services, the man died at the scene a short time later. 'Enquiries are ongoing to notify his next of kin. 'A 31-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder. She has been taken into custody.' Prosecutors in the Rudy Giuliani case have proposed retired judge Barbara Jones be chosen to oversee a privilege review of electronic devices seized from the former mayor's New York City apartment. Jones is the same former federal judge who screened records belonging to Michael Cohen another lawyer who represented former President Donald Trump and who had records seized by feds. Jones' 'background and the resources available to her at her law firm will allow her to complete a privilege review in a fair and efficient manner,' the prosecutors wrote to the U.S. District Court Judge J. Paul Oetken. Oetken must approve a 'special master' in the case to examine the materials seized in Giuliani's raid to see determine would violate attorney-client privilege. A special master's job is to identify what is protected by the privilege and shouldnt be used in the investigation. Giuliani is being investigated for business dealings in the Ukraine. He has denied any wrong doing. Jones is a partner at Bracewell LLP, which was once known as Bracewell & Giuliani because Giuliani was a partner there. But he left the firm in 2016, months before Jones joined. Nominated in 1995 by former President Bill Clinton, she was a federal judge in Manhattan for 16 years. From 1977 to 1987, she worked as a prosecutor in the U.S. attorneys office for the Southern District of New York, the office that is investigating Giuliani and is the office that Giuliani once headed when he made his name prosecuting the mob. Jones worked on the Manhattan Strike Force Against Organized Crime and Racketeering and worked for a division of the Justice Department that prosecuted the mob. Robert Costello, a lawyer for Giuliani, told The Wall Street Journal that he looked forward to working with Jones. 'Both the Mayor and I know Judge Jones and we both have total confidence that she will do her job in a thorough, fair and professional way,' he said. Prosecutors in the Rudy Giuliani case have proposed retired judge Barbara Jones be chosen to oversee a privilege review of electronic devices seized in the probe Barbara Jones was appointed by Bill Clinton to the federal bench and before that was a mob prosecutor; now she works for a white collar law firm in New York City Barbara Jones is the same former federal judge who screened records belonging to Michael Cohen in his case 'They are trying to frame me,' Giuliani told Fox News shortly after it happened. 'They are trying to find something they can make into a crime, some technical violation, some mistake I made.' He described the raid as 'out of control.' 'At about 6 a.m., there was a banging on my door - a very loud banging, and outside there was a group of an endless number of FBI agents,' he said. He said he was targeted because of his work for Trump. He served as the personal attorney for the former president. 'The only lawyers they raid are lawyers for Donald Trump. I can't think of another lawyer that has been raided other than lawyers for Trump,' he told Fox News. 'Trump is in a special category because he doesn't have constitutional rights.' His comments echo those of his son and his lawyer, both of whom claimed the investigation is political and that Giuliani is being targeted because of his ties to Trump. Giuliani did tell Fox News the warrant was part of an investigation into his work for the Ukraine but said his contracts specifically rule out foreign lobbying. 'They showed me a warrant that sought the electronics in my apartment and purported to be about an alleged violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, FARA, for failure to file as a foreign agent on behalf of an unnamed Ukrainian official,' he said. Giuliani said he 'never did this' and was 'shocked' because he had been offering to discuss the allegations with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. He noted he used to run that office - Giuliani first made his name prosecuting the mob - and that he didn't break any laws. 'I know the criminal law and I do not violate it,' he said. 'My contracts have clauses that I will not act as a foreign agent, and I wanted to show these things to the government so that they would stop their consistent illegal leaking of an investigation,' Giuliani said. Rudy Giuliani told Fox News that federal agents are trying to frame him Giuliani also claimed he's a target because he was the personal lawyer for Donald Trump Federal agents raided Rudy Giuliani's home and office in New York City last week as part of their investigation into his work into the Ukraine Federal prosecutors have been looking at Giuliani and his work in the Ukraine for nearly 1-1/2 years. Last week's raid came after prosecutors stepped up their investigation into the former New York City mayor after it was put on hold last summer out of concerns it was too close to the election. Giuliani's son Andrew accused the Department of Justice of conducting the raid for political reasons - and claims agents didn't want to take allegedly incriminating evidence involving Hunter Biden. 'Any American, whether you are red or blue, should be extremely disturbed by what happened here today, by the continued politicization,' a furious Andrew, 35, told reporters in the Upper East Side on the day of the raid. 'The only piece of evidence that they did not take up there today was the only piece of incriminating evidence that is in there and it does not belong to my father, it belongs to the current president's son,' he added. It's not clear what he was referring to. Giuliani claimed he obtained the materials from a laptop of Hunter Biden during the 2020 election and he also visited the Ukraine in December 2019. But President Joe Biden said he was not given a head's up on the raid and that he learned about it at the same time as the public. 'I give you my word, I was not,' Biden said told NBC's Today Show. 'I made a pledge,' Biden continued. 'I would not interfere in any way order or try to stop any investigation the Justice Department had in their way. I learned about that last night when the rest of the world learned about it.' President Joe Biden said he had no idea federal agents were going to carry out a raid on Rudy Giuliani's apartment and office Giuliani claimed Biden's son made millions of his work on the board of a gas company in the Ukraine and pushed Ukrainian officials to investigate the Bidens for corruption. The Bidens have not been charged with that crime. Hunter Biden is being investigated for his taxes. Both Giuliani's lawyer and his son accused Biden's Justice Department of politicization, a charge made often against the department in President Donald Trump's administration when Trump would publicly pressure his attorneys general to follow his wishes on legal matters. Top DOJ officials would have had to approve the raid. But Biden told NBC News he has not been briefed on Giuliani nor any other federal investigation. Asked if he's been briefed about any other investigation, Biden said: 'No, and I'm not asking to be briefed that's the Justice Department's independent judgment.' He went on to criticize the Trump administration's handling of the DoJ, saying officials 'politicized the Justice Department so badly, so many of them quit, so many left.' 'That's not the role of the president to say who should be prosecuted, when they should be prosecuted, who should not be prosecuted. That's not the role of the president. The Justice Department is the people's lawyer, not the president's lawyer,' Biden said. Meanwhile, Giuliani's lawyer Robert Costello blamed the investigation on 'Trump derangement syndrome' and also accused agents of ignoring Hunter's hard drives during their search. 'Keep in mind that the agents could not read the physical hard drives without plugging them in, but they took Mr. Giuliani's word that the hard drives were copies of Hunter Biden's hard drive and did not contain anything pertaining to Mr. Giuliani,' Costello said in a statement. 'Their reliance on Mr. Giuliani's credibility tells you everything you need to know about this case,' he added. 'It is outrageous that the Trump Derangement Syndrome has gone so far that hatred has driven this unjustified and unethical attack on the United States Attorney and Mayor who did more to reduce crime than virtually any other in American history,' Costello said. The Giuliani team took a page from the Trump playbook, fighting the accusations with charges of their own against a political rival. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that Giuliani, who was universally hailed for his leadership after the September 11th attacks, 'has come unhinged.' 'It's a sad thing to have to say about a predecessor,' de Blasio said on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe.' 'But Rudy Giuliani has just come unhinged in every sense. He attached himself to Donald Trump but then went even farther and decided to be one of the most extreme voices in the Trump world.' Andrew Giuliani blasted accused President Joe Biden's Justice Department for playing politics after agents raided his father's apartment and office The federal investigation centers on whether Giuliani, who was Donald Trump's personal attorney, acted as an unregistered federal agent and lobbied the Trump administration in 2019 on behalf of Ukrainian officials and oligarchs. Giuliani's lawyer Robert Costello blamed the investigation on 'Trump derangement syndrome' and also a accused agents of ignoring Hunter's hard drives during their search Those were the same group of people who were helping Giuliani search for dirt on Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of Ukrainian gas company, during the 2020 election in an effort to help Trump politically. Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, it is a federal crime to try to influence or lobby the US government at the request or direction of a foreign official without disclosing it to the Justice Department. The United States Attorney's office in Manhattan and the FBI had wanted to execute the warrant on Giuliani's Upper East Side home and office for months but had been stymied by the political leadership put in place at the Justice Department by President Trump. To obtain the search warrant, investigators would have needed to convince a judge they had sufficient reason to believe that a crime was committed and the search would turn up evidence of that. It does not indicate guilt. The warrant was originally sought last summer but top officials at DOJ raised concerns about issuing a warrant so close to an election. DOJ rules prevent actions close to an election that might be seen as interference a matter that came up both in 2016 during the probe of Hillary Clinton's emails and in 2020 during the investigation, not publicly revealed, into Hunter Biden over potential tax issues. But after Merrick Garland was confirmed as President Biden's attorney general, the Justice Department lifted its objection to the search. The raids indicate the investigation of the former New York City mayor has entered an aggressive new phase. It is unusual for prosecutors to execute a search warrant on a lawyer, particularly one who has privileged conversations with his client, the former president of the United States. The Giuliani investigation grew out of a federal investigation of his associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who worked on gathering information about the Bidens during the election. The two Soviet-born men were charged with federal campaign finance violations. The two, who pleaded not guilty, were arrested at an airport outside Washington carrying one-way tickets to Europe. That investigation is on-going and faced some delays due to the COVID pandemic. Trump has said he doesn't know the two men or the work they did. Investigators are also looking into Giuliani's role in the ousting of US Ambassador to the Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who was a prominent witness in Trump's first impeachment trial. Current and former U.S. officials testified at that inquiry that Giuliani carried out a shadow foreign policy in Ukraine. As Giuliani was pushing Ukrainian officials to announce an investigation of the Bidens, he pushed to have Yovanovitch removed, seeing her as an obstacle to his efforts to produce a probe that would benefit Trump politically. At Giuliani's urging, Trump had her recalled. Press and members of the public crowd the street in front of Giuliani's condo building The Giuliani investigation grew out of a federal investigation of his associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who worked on gathering information about the Bidens during the election and were charged with violating the ban on political donations by foreign nationals in October 2019 Lev Parnas, center, and Igor Fruman with Rudy Giuliani at far right, Trump second right, and VP Mike Pence left Investigators are also looking into Giuliani's role in the ousting of US Ambassador to the Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who was a prominent witness in Trump's first impeachment trial Prosecutors are examining whether Giuliani was working not only for Trump, but also for Ukrainian officials or businesses who wanted Yovanovitch dismissed for their own reasons, The New York Times reported. Giuliani later bragged about having her removed, saying he 'forced' her out as she was making his push for the Ukrainians to investigate the Bidens 'difficult.' Trump was impeached on two counts in his first trial after reports of a July 25, 2019, phone call in which Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden and also a discredited conspiracy theory that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 US election. Trump was acquitted by the Senate. Amazon warehouse workers must become 'industrial athletes', says a leaked company pamphlet that compares harsh working conditions to an intense CrossFit regiment. 'Some positions will walk up to 13 miles a day, while some positions will have a total of 20,000 pounds lifted before they complete their shift,' according to the Tulsa, Oklahoma wellness pamphlet, which was obtained by Motherboard. 'Just like an athlete who trains for an event, industrial athletes need to prepare their bodies to be able to perform their best while doing your best.' Amazon breaks the program into six categories: nutrition, hydration, sleep, good footwear, ergonomic work behavior and injury prevention specialists. The company recommends its workers eat 400 calories every hour, drink two liters of water throughout the day and 'buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet are swollen to allow for plenty of room when they swell during work.' Former Amazon employee Christian Smalls at a protest outside of an Amazon warehouse during the coronavirus outbreak May 1, 2020 Amazon warehouse workers must become 'industrial athletes' who 'walk up to 13 miles a day' or lift a total of '20,000 pounds in a shift' Calorie intake and hydration are essential, according to Amazon, yet many workers told Motherboard they're often unable to take bathroom breaks because of the unrelenting pace. Motherboard published its June 1 article around same time the U.S. Labor department released injury data. The Strategic Organizing Center, a group of the largest labor unions in the country, analyzed the data and found that Amazon workers suffered serious injuries at a rate 80 percent higher than all other companies' warehouses in 2020. In 2020, according to OSHA data, there were 5.9 serious injuries for every 100 Amazon warehouse workers that forced the worker to either miss work entirely or be placed on light/restricted duty - compared to 3.3 serious injuries for every 100 workers at non-Amazon warehouses, said the Strategic Organizing Center. While the causes of the injuries are not listed in by OSHA, Amazon workers and union representatives said part of the blame lies in productivity pressures. Warehouse workers at Amazon fulfillment centers, sorting centers and delivery stations are pushed to meet hourly rates for stowing, picking and packing items, which some critics say are too difficult and lead to injuries. In 2020, there were 5.9 serious injuries for every 100 full-time Amazon warehouse employee, nearly double the rate of the serious injuries recorded at non-Amazon warehouses Debbie Berkowitz, a former OSHA chief of staff and senior policy adviser, who now works at the worker advocacy group National Employment Law Project, told The Washington Post that the company sets unrealistic targets for employees. 'The pace of work, and the amount of twisting and turning, is enormous,' she said. 'There is a constant pressure to work fast. But last April, in his final letter to shareholders, CEO Jeff Bezos addressed workplace safety. 'We don't set unreasonable performance goals,' he wrote. 'We set achievable performance goals that take into account tenure and actual employee performance data.' In that same letter, he added that the e-commerce company needs 'to do a better job for our employees' and vowed to make Amazon the world's 'best employer,' CNBC.com reported. In a statement to Motherboard, Amazon claimed that the pamphlet was created in error and that it was immediately removed. Bobby Gosvenor, a former Amazon warehouse employee in Tulsa, however, told Motherboard that he first came across it in November 2020 and that he picked up a physical copy of the pamphlet at the Tulsa warehouse as recently as several weeks ago. In this photo, Amazon workers and community allies demonstrate during a protest organized by New York Communities for Change and Make the Road New York in front of the Jeff Bezos' Manhattan residence in New York on December 2, 2020 He said he had concerns about how his job injury was handled, despite the 'injury prevention specialists' that the company promotes in its wellness pamphlet. Gosvenor, who left last year when he was injured, told Motherboard in a separate interview that he was told to ice what turned out to be a herniated disk and take ibuprofen. 'I was being told to take my muscle relaxers at night, which was grueling during the day because the muscles were just spasming, and I would have to breathe through them, sweat, get nauseated, it was just hurting so bad,' Gosvenor told Motherboard. The wife of country music star Jason Aldean joined the chorus of critics hitting out at Vice President Kamala Harris' Memorial Day Weekend tweet. On Saturday, Harris tweeted that people should 'enjoy the long weekend', along with a smiling picture of herself. Critics were quick to point out her tweet failed to mention the reason for the long weekend is Memorial Day - a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May honoring soldiers who died while serving in the military. Brittany Aldean appeared to voice her own criticism, posting a series of photos on Instagram on Tuesday with her family, an American flag waving, and balloons showing the stars and stripes. In her post, Brittany was saying that her family 'doesn't take Memorial Day lightly.' 'It's more than a 'long weekend,'' Brittany posted, seemingly a shot at Harris. Kamala Harris continues to face criticism for a tweet she sent prior to Memorial Day Harris tweeted 'Enjoy the long weekend,' which critics say failed to grasp the significance of Memorial Day and those who sacraficed their lives for the United States '@jasonaldean and I both come from military families and understand the importance our loved ones and others have sacrificed for us, and our freedom. We fly our flag high... EVERY SINGLE DAY,' Brittany continued. 'It's the least we can do to show our appreciation. God bless the Mamas who couldnt hold their babies one more time. To the Daddies who werent able to express just how proud they were. WE THINK AND PRAY FOR YOU, DAILY.' Brittany went on to write, 'Thank you Military and everyone who continues to serve this beautiful country and risk their lives for us!!!! We love you!!' Many of the comments on Brittany's post agreed with her sentiment and made mention of the 'long weekend' controversy. Brittany Aldean, wife of country star Jason Aldean, was among those taking shots at Harris 'It's more than a 'long weekend,'' Brittany posted on Instagram, a not-so-veiled shot at Harris Jason Aldean is one of the biggest stars in country music. The 44-year-old was born in Georgia before moving to Nashville when he was 21 years old. He and Brittany Kerr married in 2015, having their first child, Memphis, in 2017 and their second, Navy, in 2019. Jason has received four Grammy nominations during his career, including twice for Best Country Album. Some of his biggest hits include 'She's Country,' 'Big Green Tractor,' 'Drowns the Whiskey' and 'Rearview Town.' Jason has declined in the past to talk much about politics, but Brittany has not been shy in that realm. According to Fox News, Brittany posted a video to her Instagram Story in the aftermath of the 2020 election where she had a blue sweatshirt with Trumps name on it next to an American flag. The caption read, 'STILL MY PRESIDENT.' Jason and Brittany Aldean are pictured on two separate occasions in 2019 Harris's tweet faced criticism from all corners of social media after her post. The next day she addressed the controversy by paying tribute to fallen American service members in another tweet. 'Throughout our history our service men and women have risked everything to defend our freedoms and our country,' the vice president tweeted. 'As we prepare to honor them on Memorial Day, we remember their service and their sacrifice.' Harris also spoke at the U.S. Naval Academy's graduation and commissioning ceremony on Friday during which she called the United States military 'the best, the bravest, and the most brilliant.' But it wasn't enough to staunch her critics who blasted her original tweet as 'unprofessional'. Air National Guard Lt. Colonel Adam Kinzinger blasted her tweet as 'tone deaf.' 'Enjoy your freedom purchased by many who died for it. Tone deaf,' he tweeted. Nikki Haley, who served as President Donald Trump's ambassador to the UN and is a potential 2024 presidential candidate, retweeted Harris's tweet and wrote on Sunday, 'Unprofessional and unfit'. 'Show some respect for the heroes who paid the ultimate price for our freedom,' the former press secretary for Donald Trump, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, tweeted. Kimberly Klacik, a former Republican congressional nominee, called Harris 'stupid' for the tweet. 'Long weekend? I know many are upset & saying this is disrespectful, but I believe you are really just stupid,' she wrote. 'It's just a 'long weekend' for this fraud. I have several dead buddies that disagree,' wrote retired Air Force pilot Buzz Patterson. There are no circumstances under which President Joe Biden would consider firing Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House said on Friday. 'No,' said White House press secretary Jen Psaki when asked about the option. For the second day in a row she fielded questions about Fauci in the wake of questions surrounding his released emails, calling him a 'renowned' figure. And, for the second day in a row, she defended the doctor. 'Dr. Fauci is a renowned public servant - civil servant - I should say career civil servant. He's overseen management of multiple global health crises,' she said. 'And attacks launched on him are certainly something we wouldn't stand by. I understand there's interest in the emails, he's answered a lot of questions on the emails. I don't think I'm gonna have much more to add on them from here.' Psaki also wouldn't speculate whether the attacks aimed at him were 'political,' as Republicans have largely drawn attention to the emails. 'I'm going to let Dr. Fauci speak to his own defense of his emails from 17 months again before this president even took office,' the press secretary said. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said 'no' when asked Friday if there would be 'any circumstance' in which President Joe Biden would fire Dr. Anthony Fauci Psaki wouldn't endorse or dismiss the idea of a congressional commission to examine the origins of early US response to the pandemic. 'I would say if members of Congress have a discussion and want to have a discussion about that we're happy to hear from them,' she said, pointing out the White House is in their own process of conducting a 90-day review of the origins of the coronavirus. 'We share agreement on that we all want to get to the bottom of what happened here,' she said when pressed about Republican demands to know if the virus escaped from a lab in Wuhan. Meanwhile, Biden said on Friday he is 'very confident' in Fauci after his top medical adviser came under fire for comments about the coronavirus pandemic revealed in a series of emails. Biden expressed his confidence in Fauci after he made remarks on the May jobs report. The president had actually left the room where he gave the speech when DailyMail.com shouted a question to him about the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. President Biden stuck his head back in to answer. 'Yes I'm very confident in Dr. Fauci,' he said. The White House has been unwavering in its support for Fauci. Biden is throwing more support to Fauci by sending him to visit a vaccination clinic at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem on Sunday with first lady Jill Biden. Fauci has gone on the defensive the past couple of weeks after several emails he wrote were published by The Washington Post and Buzzfeed News as part of a Freedom of Information Act request. The emails raised questions about the early handling of the pandemic and Fauci's role in the government response. In the 3,200 pages of his redacted emails, Fauci appears to cast doubt on the theory the coronavirus leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China, and offered guidance on face masking he would later reverse. President Joe Biden (left) is throwing more support to Fauci by sending him to visit a vaccination clinic at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem on Sunday with first lady Jill Biden (right) President Joe Biden told DailyMail.com he is 'very confident' in Dr. Anthony Fauci Dr. Anthony Fauci under fire for revelations in his released emails about COVID pandemic Fauci received an email from the head of a research group which partners with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (above) thanking him for publicly insisting that the evidence did not point to the lab as the source Security personnel keep watch outside Wuhan Institute of Virology during the visit by the World Health Organization (WHO) team in February The White House has defended Fauci even as several Republicans called for access to his unredacted emails and asked that he appear again before House committees to answer their questions. 'Well, I think we've spoken to this pretty extensively from here. Let me just say on Dr. Fauci and his emails he's also spoken to this many many times over the last, over the course of the last few days and we'll let him speak for himself,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday. 'And he's been an undeniable asset in our country's pandemic response,' she said. 'But it's obviously not that advantageous for me to re-litigate the substance of emails from 17 months ago.' She continued to praise Fauci after repeated questions about the issues raised in his emails, particularly his dismissal of the theory on COVID's origins and his contradictory guidance on face masks. 'The president and the administration feel that Dr. Fauci has played an incredible role in getting the pandemic under control,' she said. She pointed to an administration intelligence review into the origins of COVID-19 that is underway. 'We've launched, based on the President's direction, an entire internal review process to use all the resources across government to get to the bottom of the origins, and that's 100-day process and we'll look forward to providing or 90 days when it's concluded,' Psaki said. Meanwhile, Republicans are demanding to hear from the infectious disease expert. House Republican whip Steve Scalise and Rep. James Comer wrote to the chairs of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus and the House Oversight Committee to say it was 'imperative' that Fauci appeared before them. They said the release of Fauci's emails debunk many Democrats' claims from the past year, including that Fauci and other scientists were muzzled by the Trump administration. 'It is now imperative that Dr. Fauci come before our Committees to provide information related to the origins of the novel coronavirus as well as the U.S. government's role in funding research that may have contributed to the development of the novel coronavirus, they said. 'The American people have a right to know what our government knew about the origins of the pandemic and when it was known.' They also called on the committee's chairman and chairwoman to demand unredacted versions of Fauci's newly released emails. On Wednesday, Fauci said his emails 'are really ripe to be taken out of context.' 'Where someone can snip out a sentene in an email without showing the other emails and say, 'based on an email from Dr. Fauci, he said such-and-such,' where you don't really have the full context,' the doctor said. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk from Marine One to board Air Force One for return travel to Washington, DC at Dover Air Force Base Senior Republicans have written to their Democratic counterparts demanding that Dr. Anthony Fauci answer fresh questions about evidence revealed in his emails about his knowledge of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic The thousands of pages of emails - with many blacked out redactions - reveal Fauci's conversations about the pandemic with a variety of people, from doctors in China to American government officials to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Republicans jumped on many of the emails as a 'smoking gun,' using them to attack Fauci for conflicting words. Fauci's emails do not reveal his personal take on the theory that coronavirus escaped from a lab in China, but show that multiple experts warned him of the possibility. In January 2020, Fauci corresponded with virus researcher Kristian Andersen who wrote of the novel coronavirus that 'some of the features (potentially) look engineered.' Andersen later disavowed this view and said further research discounted it. On February 21, 2020 Fauci received an email from a Cornell University professor concerned that the virus had escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. 'Please handle,' Fauci wrote to a colleague as he forwarded the message. On April 16, 2020, Francis Collins, the director of the National Institute of Health, sent Fauci and email with the subject line 'conspiracy gains momentum' with a link to a Fox News article suggesting the Wuhan lab as the likely source of the virus. Fauci's response to Collins is entirely blacked out. The emails also revealed Dr. Peter Daszak, the head of a non-profit that funneled U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, thanked Fauci for publicly quashing the 'lab leak' theories. In private emails, Fauci was always courteous to his Chinese counterparts -- and did not question them on the origins of the virus, the emails show. Fauci exchanged several emails in March and April of 2020 with George Gao, the head of the Chinese CDC. In one exchange, Gao apologized for an article quoting him saying that Fauci's then stance against public mask wearing was a 'big mistake'. 'I understand completely. No problem. We will get through this together,' Fauci replied. Less than a week later, Gao emailed Fauci again expressing his support amid the onslaught of public criticism Fauci faced. 'I saw some news (hope it is fake) that you are being attacked by some people. Hope you are well under such a irrational situation,' Gao wrote on April 8. 'Thank you for your kind note. All is well despite some crazy people in this world,' Fauci replied three days later. On Thursday, Fauci doubled down on claims that the coronavirus likely originated from an animal then was transmitted to humans in an interview on CNN, despite increasing speculation that it leaked from a China lab. 'I have always said and will say today to you ... that I still believe the most likely origin is from an animal species to a human,' said Fauci. Although he said he's keeping an open mind about the possibility of a lab leak, Fauci said it was 'far-fetched' to think the Chinese would kill their own people. 'The idea, I think, is quite far-fetched that the Chinese deliberately engineered something so that they could kill themselves, as well as other people. I think that's a bit far out.' Additionally, a February 5, 2020, email Fauci sent to Sylvia Burwell, former secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, said he did not recommend wearing a mask since she was traveling to a low-risk location. 'Masks are really for infected people to prevent them from spreading infection to people who are not infected rather than protecting uninfected people from acquiring infection,' Fauci wrote. 'The typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through the material. It might, however, provide some slight benefit in keep out gross droplets if someone coughs or sneezes on you. I do not recommend that you wear a mask, particularly since you are going to a vey low risk location.' By late March, Fauci was changing his tune in public and private. 'There are some data from NIH that indicate that mere speaking without coughing elicits aerosols that travel a foot or two. If that is the case, then perhaps universal wearing of masks in the most practical way to go,' he wrote in an email on March 31, 2020. Fauci told CNN this week that they were constantly getting new data, which brought about changes in their medical recommendations as the pandemic progressed. 'If we knew that the data show that masks outside of a hospital setting actually do work when we didn't know it then. If we realize all of those things back then, of course,' he said. 'You're asking a question, 'Would you do something different if you know what you know now?' Of course people would have done that. That's so obvious.' Dr. Peter Daszak was spotted outside of his million-dollar home in upstate New York on Friday, just as DailyMail.com learned that he has 'ignored' a request from Congress to answer questions about his charity's funding of the Wuhan Insitute of Virology. Daszak is accused of using 'thuggery and intimidation' to dismiss a theory that Covid-19 came from a Chinese lab his charity, EcoHealth Alliance, worked with and helped support with U.S. government dollars. In April the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent him 34 questions about his involvement with the lab. Despite a deadline of May 17, Daszak has failed to respond, a source close to the committee told DailyMail.com. The questions were about his charity, its federal funding which went to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China, and the work the U.S. nonprofit did with the Chinese lab. Daszak - who last year earned more than $410,000 - lives with his immunologist wife Janet Cottingham in a five-bed, five-bath home in an affluent town in Rockland County, New York, 30 miles northwest of Manhattan. They bought the house, set on two acres of land, for a bargain $665,000 in 2015. It is now estimated to be worth around $1 million. Rather than respond to the allegations that he 'bullied' other scientists into signing off on a letter to a prestigious medical journal that removed blame for Covid-19 on the Wuhan Institute of Virology - and that his ties to the lab led to such a conflict of interest that he should never have sat on two panels investigating the cause of Covid-19 - he told a DailyMail.com reporter: 'You need to remove your car from our drive right now, leave the area and never come back. 'Goodbye, I have no comment,' he added. DailyMaill.com spotted Dr. Peter Daszak outside of his million dollar home in the affluent neighborhood in Rockland County, New York on Friday Daszak who last year earned more than $410,000 lives with his immunologist wife Janet Cottingham in a five-bed, five-bath home 30 miles northwest of Manhattan Wearing a blue polo shirt, shorts and sandals, he went on to the porch of the house overlooking the Ramapo Mountains, sat down and started waving his arms around in apparent anger as he had an animated conversation on his phone Rather than respond to the allegations that his letter 'bullied' other scientists and that his ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology led to such a conflict of interest that he should never have sat on two panels investigating the cause of Covid-19, he told a DailyMail.com reporter: 'You need to remove your car from our drive right now, leave the area and never come back' Minutes later, wearing a blue polo shirt, shorts and sandals, he went on to the porch of the house overlooking the Ramapo Mountains, sat down and started waving his arms around in apparent anger as he had an animated conversation on his phone. Soon afterwards, three police cruisers turned up at his house. The Republican minority group of the committee launched an investigation in March into the origins of Covid-19 after a growing number of prominent scientists began voicing their concerns that the deadly virus may have escaped from the lab and could even have been created there. EcoHealth and Daszak have come under intense scrutiny after it emerged that the charity funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal grants to the lab for controversial coronavirus research. Daszak and other EcoHealth scientists have been closely involved with the Wuhan lab for years, which was also conducting 'gain of function' experiments, where viruses are genetically engineered to be more infectious to test their effects on human cells. In its April 16 letter, the congressional committee asked Daszak to provide details of what federal funds were passed on to the WIV, what information they have on bat viruses worked on at the lab that are closely related to Covid-19, and what his charity knows about a mysterious database of virus genomes held by the lab taken offline in 2019. The letter asked a total 34 questions and gave a deadline of May 17, 2021 but has still received no response, a source close to the committee told DailyMail.com. 'Total silence. They seem to be refusing to acknowledge anything from us,' the source said. 'At least when we send a letter to a government agency we get a 'we got your letter, we're working on it' kind of thing. But from Eco? Zip. 'We would like them to cooperate with us and give us answers. We're not going out of our way to try to burn them. We just want answers on some of this stuff. 'They're the group that's been tied in with the WIV, and would have a lot of these answers, hopefully that would help out. But they refuse to be involved in that at all.' He and his wife bought their house, set on two acres of land, for a bargain $665,000 in 2015. It is now estimated to be worth around $1 million Peter Daszak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2020. The congressional committee asked Daszak to provide details of what federal funds were passed on to the WIV, what information they have on bat viruses worked on at the lab that are closely related to Covid-19, and what his charity knows about a mysterious database of virus genomes held by the lab taken offline in 2019 The House energy and commerce committee sent Daszak 34 questions in April with a May 17 deadline. Daszak has allegedly failed to respond to any of their questions were about his charity, EcoHealth Alliance and its federal funding The source said that as the investigation is run by the minority group in the committee, it does not have subpoena powers. They added that the Democrat chair of the committee, New Jersey congressman Frank Pallone, does have subpoena power, but has so far failed to involve himself in the investigation. 'Being in the minority we have squat. We would love for Chairman Pallone, really the one person who has these powers, to work with us and help us with this,' said the source. Daszak, 55, from Manchester, orchestrated a behind-the-scenes bullying campaign to ensure blame for Covid was directed away from a Chinese lab with which he had worked closely 'But so far he's not said anything about doing anything like that either, so we're kind of stuck. 'This is not a Republican or Democrat thing. Wherever this investigation goes, we're just trying to get to the bottom of this.' The letter to Daszak is one of several sent to government departments and others by the committee's minority group in their investigation. Before asking their 34 questions, the lawmakers pointed out that Daszak's charity 'has an extensive history with research into bat coronaviruses in China' and 'has partnered with the WIV in this area of research'. 'For several years, EHA has provided some of its National Institutes of Health (NIH) federal funding to WIV as a federal sub-award recipient for bat coronavirus research,' the letter said. 'We believe through its research activities, collaborations, and EHA's relationship with the WIV as a federal award subrecipient, that EHA has information and documents that will provide insight into the WIV's bat coronavirus information.' The letter asked for access to- or information on a 'password-protected virus database' taken offline on September 12, 2019. The database, administered by lead WIV coronavirus researcher Dr. Shi Zhengli, dubbed 'batwoman' in the media, is 'estimated to contain 500 coronaviruses identified by EHA, and at least 100 unpublished sequences of bat beta coronaviruses that are relevant to the investigation of the SARS-CoV-2 origin,' according to the lawmakers. The congressional committee pointed out that EHA was required to 'monitor the activities' of WIV as a recipient of an NIH grant, to ensure it complied with federal regulations. It also asked Daszak for information on which grants went to the Wuhan lab which the charity's IRS and New York state filings fail to disclose. Daszak runs the New York-based non-profit EcoHealth Alliance that has funnelled hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (pictured) While China has tried to insist the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have begun to contemplate the possibility it escaped from the WIV - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread 'EHA reported a $319,570 cash award grant and a $126,792 cash award grant disbursed by wire to China for the purpose of 'understanding the risk of bat coronavirus emergence' on its IRS Form 990, calendar year 2016. The name of the organizations receiving the awards were left blank,' the letter said. 'Please provide the full name and address of the organization(s) that received these cash award grants.' The congressional letter has Pallone's name on its letterhead alongside ranking Republican member Cathy McMorris Rodgers. It is signed by Rodgers, Republican subcommittee leader on health Brett Guthrie, and oversight and investigations subcommittee leader Morgan Griffith. Daszak has been accused of orchestrating a behind-the-scenes 'bullying' campaign to ensure the blame for Covid-19 did not fall on the Wuhan lab his charity helped fund. In February 2020 Daszak persuaded more than two dozen other scientists to sign off on a letter he had written to highly respected medical journal The Lancet, that was seen as so influential that it cowed most experts into refusing even to consider that the virus could have been man-made and escaped from the Wuhan institute. Former high-level Clinton administration staffer Jamie Metzl, who now sits on the World Health Organization's advisory committee on human genome editing, told DailyMail.com this week that the Lancet letter 'was scientific propaganda and a form of thuggery and intimidation.' The Wuhan Institute of Virology is about 20 miles from the Huanan Seafood Market where the first coronavirus cases are reported to have occurred Freedom of Information Act disclosures revealed Daszak tried to distance his charity from the letter, which dismissed lab leak claims as 'conspiracy theories', to make it appear it was coming from 'a community supporting our colleagues.' Despite his close connections to the Chinese lab, Daszak was also picked by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be part of its 13-member team that was tasked with finding the cause of the pandemic which began in Wuhan, a city of some 11 million people in Central China. Metzl told DailyMail.com the appointment was a 'massive and outrageous conflict of interest,' allowing a man who had significant financial and reputational stakes in discrediting lab leak theories to investigate those theories. Prominent scientists have criticized the WHO probe, which also dismissed lab leak theories, as lackluster and incomplete. In a Freedom of Information disclosure of Fauci's emails obtained by Buzzfeed last month, Daszak thanked White House chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci for pushing back on the theory that covid-19 was man made. Daszak and EcoHealth Alliance did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A contestant on Thursday's episode of Jeopardy was the subject of conversation for many viewers, but it wasn't her answers or $16,000 winnings that had people talking. Just 20 seconds into the show, Brooklyn attorney Julia Markham Cameron had already made a splash with her quirky, vivid facial expressions. Cameron, who showed off a dark green dress and a pearl necklace, piled on the attitude for the next half hour. Jeopardy! contestant Julia Markham Cameron (pictured) went viral on social media after making an array of goofy expressions during her appearance on Thursday night After surprising herself by correctly guessing the layman's term for Thunnus Alalunga (albacore), she let out an excited, 'Nice!' During contestant introductions, Cameron revealed that her cat had been rescued from a feline street 'gang' in the Upper East Side. 'Her medical records said she was too friendly to go back on the streets,' she said. Some viewers warmed up to the honesty on Cameron's face. 'I won't lie, I was a bit mesmerized with Julia's WTF expressions,' one Twitter user commented. 'Julia grew on me,' said another. Cameron was consistently surprised at her ability to get questions right on the trivia show Cameron went almost cross-eyed after one particularly tricky question Unfortunately, not everyone was on board for her grins and snarls. 'Who else is annoyed as hell by Jeopardy contestant Julia tonight?' asked Twitter user Celeste Hardway. Others questioned her professionalism. 'Didnt they say she was a lawyer? Id love to see her make those faces to the judge!' wrote Twitter user Henry Magallon. Along with a good chunk of cash, Cameron picked up some fans during her 20 minutes on the show. 'Julia on Jeopardy is the cutest and most human contestant ever,' wrote one user. Cameron picked up a few fans to go with her $16K winnings on Thursday's episode of Jeopardy 'Shut up, that's crazy!' Cameron exclaimed after host Mayim Bialik announced her victory The #Jeopardy hashtag on Twitter was full of comments on Cameron's performance 'Great!' Cameron shouted with a quizzical expression after answering a clue correctly The episode was hosted by neuroscientist and 'Big Bang Theory' actress Mayim Bialik, one of a number of celebrities who have taken a turn at the helm of the 57-year-old show after the death of longtime host Alex Trebek late last year. 'At the Montreal Olympics, Princess Anne competed for Britain in this sport,' read one clue presented by Bialik. 'What is equestrian?' Cameron hesitated after buzzing to answer. 'Yes!' Bialik said. 'Great!' Cameron shouted back with a quizzical expression. For all her attention-grabbing antics, it wasn't lost on some viewers that Cameron walked away a Jeopardy champion with one-night winnings of $16,450. 'Shut up, that's crazy!' she said when Bialik announced her victory. Some viewers bemoaned Cameron's victory as she is poised to appear in another episode This was Jasmine Hartin in 2013 in her native Canada, a world away from the grim Belize jail where she now faces manslaughter charges. Now the partner of billionaire Lord Ashcrofts son Andrew, Miss Hartin was 24 when photographed with friend Alexandra Olson at a charity wine auction in Calgary Alberta for the citys local paper, though she was brought up in eastern Ontario, and was married before she moved to Belize, MailOnline can reveal. Other photos from the Facebook account she used under her married name of Castiglione, include a beaming photo of her on holiday in Paris and another believed to be as she arrived in Belize in 2014, which she captioned: This was taken in Paradise. Jasmine was arrested following the death of a police chief a week ago. This was Jasmine Hartin (right) in 2013 in her native Canada, a world away from the grim Belize jail where she now faces manslaughter charges Former estate agent Jasmine, now 32, grew up around Kingston, Eastern Ontario in a large working class family of eight siblings and half-siblings. Her late brother Todd Hartin, who died aged just 50, three years ago, ran a company emptying septic tanks, and her nephew Cameron has now taken over the firm. It is believed Jasmine attended Sydenham High School near Kingston, a public school with around 850 pupils. Her modest upbringing was a world away from the millionaires playground in San Pedro, Belize where she raised two children with successful hotel developer Andrew Ashcroft until last weeks tragic events. The mother of two, currently being held in Belizes infamous Central Prison, nicknamed the Hattieville Ramada, faces a manslaughter by negligence charge for killing police Superintendent Henry Jemmott with his own gun. Photos from Hartins former Facebook account show her holidaying in Paris and relaxing in Belizes tropical sunshine. Socialite Jasmine Hartin, 32, is charged with manslaughter for the fatal shooting of Belize cop 'during a massage after drinking' Another photo, taken when she was aged 24, appeared in a Canadian paper in Calgary, Alberta when she was a guest at a wine auction. Hartins relatively humble roots might explain dailymail.coms revelation that she liked to shun high society to carouse with working class cops in Belize at a tropical speakeasy famed for its soundproofed party rooms and marijuana-laced cognac. Jasmine was a regular patron at the Crazy House Bar n Kitchen in San Pedro, according to owner Gene Lopez. Lopez told DailyMail.com how care-free Hartin would buy round after round of drinks while entertaining pals with karaoke renditions of Bob Marley and the smash hit Shaggy song 'It Wasn't Me.' The businessman says he never witnessed her taking drugs or drinking to excess but had to tell her off on several occasions for climbing on the countertop to perform 'ass-shaking' Caribbean dance moves. In an extraordinary twist, Lopez, who also runs a security firm, was one of the first people to come across Hartin after she 'accidentally' shot dead father-of-five Jemmott in the Belizean coastal resort of Ambergris Caye. Lopez raced to the Mata Rocks pier last Friday morning after a guard raised the alarm and was stunned to find his well-heeled regular spattered in blood and facing arrest. 'Jasmine would come to Crazy House to relax. She was a regular customer for two years. I never had a problem with her,' he told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. The mother of two, currently being held in Belizes infamous Central Prison, nicknamed the Hattieville Ramada, faces a manslaughter by negligence charge for killing police Superintendent Henry Jemmott with his own gun. Pictured: A grab from footage of Hartin being transferred to prison on June 1, 2021 'She would exhale as soon as she walked through the door because she could be herself here. She had a luxurious life but she enjoyed being with locals, she felt more alive. 'She explained that being rich, you have to be high and mighty, respectful, you can't be yourself. And she enjoyed life, she enjoyed freedom.' As the common law wife of Lord Ashcroft's youngest son Andrew, Hartin rubbed shoulder with jet-setting expats and was dubbed the 'Queen of the Alaia', a reference to the gleaming new beachfront resort the family recently opened. But it was in Crazy House, less than a mile down an unpaved road leading into the heart of the island's working class San Pablo neighborhood, that the Canadian national could truly kick back and have fun, explained Lopez, 48. Belize Police Superintendent Henry Jemmott, who was shot to death during an incident on May 28 in Belize Miss Hartin is the partner both business and personal of Andrew Ashcroft, the peer's younger son, with whom she shares two young children. And for many ordinary Belizeans, including the family of Henry Jemmott, the dead officer, the case is raising difficult questions about the perception of the country's justice system. Nobody has invested more in the former British colony than Lord Ashcroft, who says he never forgot his happy times there in childhood. He has joint British and Belizean nationality, and was once even its ambassador at the United Nations. It has not helped that the media was expelled from the courtroom during hearings and the windows shuttered. According to police, Miss Hartin has insisted that Superintendent Jemmott's death was a terrible accident. She and Andrew Ashcroft had earlier attended a party on happy-go-lucky San Pedro celebrated in the Madonna song La Isla Bonita and she had been drinking with Mr Jemmott on a pier near Andrew Ashcroft's luxury Alaia resort. It's no secret that, although violent crime in the country isn't high and is largely confined to warring drugs gangs, the Belizean police encourage upstanding citizens to acquire guns for personal protection. Sources say Mr Jemmott, a friend of the couple who was off-duty but carrying his gun, suggested Miss Hartin get one for herself and they examined his Glock pistol. Lord Ashcroft has business interests in Belize. Pictured: Lord Ashcroft and Lord Steinberg in the Robing Room of the House of Lords The firearm, which some regard as being light on safety features, accidentally went off while she was handing it back to him and shot him in the back of the head. A local ex-pat, Eric Trachman, in fact demonstrated to me how it could happen, producing his own handgun and explaining how a tipsy Mr Jemmott, 42, might have cleared his gun's chamber of a round before handing it to Miss Hartin but forgotten to take out the magazine, meaning that another bullet had automatically been fed into the chamber. Prosecutors have now charged Miss Hartin with manslaughter with negligence. This charge can incur a five-year prison sentence but, if a guilty plea is offered, it can simply result in a fine of less than $20,000 (7,000), some of it going to the bereaved family and some to the court. Manslaughter by negligence is the least serious charge she could have been handed over the officer's death and in Belize is most often given to dangerous drivers. The idea that a rich white ex-pat could escape killing a senior black police officer with what to her would be a fairly painless fine has caused some controversy in a country where racial antagonism lurks under the outward veneer of sunny Caribbean affability. JPMorgan Chase will continue to freeze donations to Republican members of Congress who voted to overturn President Joe Biden's election victory, according to an internal memo on Friday seen by Reuters. The bank will continue political giving to all other U.S. lawmakers after stopping in the wake of January 6, but the 147 who voted against confirming the electoral college result will stay banned. The firm was among many corporations that paused political giving following the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riots when supporters of former president Donald Trump tried to stop Congress from certifying the election. Just hours later, 147 Republicans, the vast majority of them in the House of Representatives, voted to overturn the Electoral College results which Trump falsely claimed were tainted by fraud. Following a review, the country's largest lender will this month resume giving through its Political Action Committee (PAC) but will continue its freeze on donations to a 'handful' of the 147 lawmakers whom it had previously supported, the bank said. JPMorgan will continue to freeze donations to Republicans who voted to overturn Biden's election win. They include GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy, Ted Cruz and Marjorie Taylor Greene The pause will last through the 2021-2022 election cycle, which includes November's midterm elections, after which JPMorgan will review whether to resume contributions to the lawmakers concerned on an individual basis, it said. 'This was a unique and historic moment when we believe the country needed our elected officials to put aside strongly held differences and demonstrate unity,' the bank wrote of the Jan. 6 vote to certify Biden's win. JPMorgan noted that its PAC is an important tool for engaging in the political process in the United States. PACs are political committees organized for the purpose of raising cash to support or in some cases oppose election candidates. 'Democracy, by its nature, requires active participation, compromise, and engaging with people with opposing views. That is why government and business must work together,' JPMorgan wrote. As part of its revamped spending strategy, the bank will also expand donations beyond lawmakers who oversee financial matters to those active on issues the bank considers 'moral and economic imperatives for our country,' such as addressing the racial wealth gap, education and criminal justice reform. Since the initial January backlash, corporations have been grappling with how to resume PAC spending, seen by lobbyists as important for gaining access to policymakers, without alienating other stakeholders, including their employees who fund the PACs. Other big financial companies that paused donations lawmakers in February, while the American Bankers Association PAC, one of the biggest in the country, started giving again in March, federal records show. While JPMorgan did not name any lawmakers in its memo, the bank's new policy risks alienating Republicans with sway over banking policy, some of whom are already angered by its active stance on issues like climate change and racial equity. While JPMorgan did not name any lawmakers in its memo, the bank's new policy risks alienating Republicans with sway over banking policy, some of whom are already angered by its active stance on issues like climate change and racial equity Of the 147 lawmakers, JPMorgan gave $10,000 each to House finance committee members Blaine Luetkemeyer and Lee Zeldin, and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, among others, during the 2019-2020 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP). Representatives for the lawmakers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. All told, JPMorgan's PAC gave nearly $1 million to federal candidates and committees backing candidates during the 2019-2020 election cycle, according to CRP. Of the $600,300 it gave to federal candidates, nearly 60% went to Republicans and the rest to Democrats, according to the CRP data, a mix that is likely to swing further to the left as the bank supports a broader range of social and economic issues. Commercial banks overall have ramped up political spending in recent years, dishing out $14.6 million to federal candidates in the 2020 cycle, the second highest amount since 1990, the data shows. Following the 2008 financial crisis, that mix favored Republicans but in recent years banks have increased spending on Democrats as they look to rebuild bipartisan support in Congress. He has been immortalised in a film released on Friday starring Damian Lewis and Toni Collette. But former champion racehorse Dream Alliance is taking his renewed celebrity status in his stride. The 19-year-old stallion, nicknamed Dreamy who romped to victory in the 2009 Welsh Grand National is now enjoying retirement in the green fields of Somerset with his former stable girl, Clare Sandercock. His uplifting tale of small beginnings and overcoming adversity in the shape of a serious injury has now made it to the big screen in the movie Dream Horse. It stars Australian actress Miss Collette as Jan Vokes, a real-life supermarket cleaner from the former mining village of Blackwood in South Wales. Former champion racehorse Dream Alliance (pictured), 19, who romped to victory in the 2009 Welsh Grand National, has been immortalised in a film released on Friday His tale of small beginnings and overcoming injury has made it to the big screen in Dream Horse, starring Toni Collette as Jan Vokes and Damien Lewis as Howard Davies (pictured) She bred the horse on her allotment in Cefn Fforest with her coalman husband Brian, played by Welsh actor Owen Teale, funded by fellow villagers. Mrs Vokes convinced locals at the working men's club in Blackwood, where she also worked as a barmaid, to part with 10 a week to form a syndicate after deciding she wanted to breed a racehorse in 1998. After buying a mare for 300 at a yard in Llanelli and finding a stallion in Oxfordshire with a racing pedigree, they bred Dream Alliance. Aged three, the chestnut thoroughbred was sent to trainer Philip Hobbs at a cost to the syndicate of around 20,000 before making his racing debut at Newbury in November 2004. A year later he came second in the Cheltenham Novice Jumpers' flat race and third in a novices' race at Newbury. In January 2006 he won his fourth race at his local course, Chepstow, before winning the Perth Gold Cup in Scotland in April 2007. The horse, nicknamed Dreamy, won the Perth Gold Cup in Scotland in April 2007 before going on to claim victory at the Welsh Grand National (pictured) - at odds of 20/1 Jan Vokes, a real-life supermarket cleaner from the village of Blackwood in South Wales, bred Dreamy on her allotment in Cefn Fforest with her coalman husband Brian (both pictured) Disaster struck in 2008 when he severed a tendon in a leg during a preparatory race for the Aintree Grand National an injury that can mean a horse is put down. But in a plot twist worthy of Hollywood, he bounced back after having pioneering stem cell treatment to win the Welsh Grand National at odds of 20/1. He retired in 2012 because of a medical condition which meant he sometimes burst blood vessels in his lungs when exerted. His lifetime winnings totalled 138,646, but the 23 syndicate members, including Howard Davies who set it up and is played by Lewis in the film, received only 1,430 each after vet bills, stabling and trainers' fees. Miss Sandercock, 31, took over ownership of Dreamy after his retirement. She said: 'Dreamy still has the odd niggle with his injury but he has been scanned and X-rayed regularly to make sure he is essentially sound. We don't gallop these days, mainly just plod along country lanes.' She added: 'He always raced well but he never won again. He can be quite stubborn and I think he felt he had done it and proved himself so there was no need to have to do it all over again. 'He'll always be my champ though.' The FBI has asked USA Today for the IP addresses and phone numbers of everyone who read one of its articles during a 35-minute period in February as part of an ongoing child porn probe, in what the publisher is calling a violation of the First Amendment. On February 2, FBI agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger were killed and three others were wounded when 55-year-old David Huber started shooting as they approached his apartment in Fort Lauderdale shortly after 6am. He was suspected of possessing child porn, but the FBI has never revealed why. After killing the agents, he took his own life. Huber had no criminal record. USA Today was among the many news outfits that covered the story on February 2. It published the story at 9.29 that morning - three-and-a-half hours after it happened. The FBI is asking for the information of everyone who read this story between 8.03pm and 8.38pm on February 2 in what USA Today and its publisher Gannett is calling a violation of the First Amendment rights of them and their readers The subpoena asks for the IP addresses and the phone numbers of the people who read the article to help with a 'federal investigation' Now, the FBI is for the phone numbers and IP addresses of everyone who clicked on the story during a 35-window that night, between 8.03pm and 8.38pm. The subpoena does not specify why the FBI wants the information, or what it continues to investigate given the fact the agents' killer is dead. All it says is that it will aid the investigation. It was signed by J. Brooke Donahue, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI, Violent Crimes Section, Child Exploitation Operational Unit. USA Today is fighting back, saying the order violates the First Amendment. 'A government demand for records that would identify specific individuals who read specific expressive materials, like the Subpoena at issue here, invades the First Amendment rights of both publisher and reader, and must be quashed accordingly,' lawyers for Gannett, the company that owns USA Today, said. They added said the subpoena's vague reference to 'a federal criminal investigation' cannot 'possibly justify such an abridgment of free speech.' The FBI has not commented on the subpoena or on what grounds it should have the information. Ordinarily, law enforcement agencies will first make contact with media companies to ask for information. It is a cooperative process that does not involve subpoenas. The article was about David Lee Huber, 55, who was suspected of exchanging pornographic images of underage children engaging in sex acts. He shot two FBI agents then killed himself BI agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger were killed and three others were wounded when 55-year-old David Huber started shooting In going straight for the subpoena, Gannett said the FBI violated the Justice Department's policies and instead tried to strong-arm USA Today into handing over readers' private information without justification. The FBI seldom comments when active investigations are involved, and usually will not divulge the nature of investigations - even when demanding information it needs. The FBI also hasn't revealed why it was investigating Huber. Huber, who ran a computer consulting businesses, is believed to have used a doorbell camera to monitor the agents before opening fire on them through his closed door as they arrived to execute the search warrant. It is understood that Schwartzenberger was killed instantly but Alfin, who had been shot multiple times, returned fire before he died. Three other agents were also injured in the shooting. Two of the agents who had to be hospitalized were released. The third agent was treated at the scene. The divorcee, who was injured when agents returned fire, ended up killing himself after barricading inside the apartment for several hours. He was not listed as a sex offender and had no Florida prison record with only minor traffic violations on his rap sheet. Broward County records show he was married for 16 years before divorcing in 2016 and was the father of two children. A school board member in Colorado is stepping down from his role while an investigation is carried out after he was accused of sexually assaulting 60 undocumented students. Tay Anderson, 22, revealed this week that he will no longer carry out everyday functions associated with the Denver Public Schools board in light of the claims, which he has denied. The accusations were made during a Colorado legislative committee hearing last week when a woman testified that a sexual predator in the school system was targeting students. Anderson was not named by the woman but the school board and Denver Police Department later acknowledged they were aware of the allegations against him, the Denver Post reports. Tay Anderson, 22, revealed this week that he will no longer carry out everyday functions associated with the Denver Public Schools board in light of the 'unsubstantiated' claims made against him Anderson, who is being investigated by the district for a single sexual assault allegation since April, says all of the claims made against him are 'unsubstantiated' and 'false'. 'These unsubstantiated false allegations have caused a great deal of trauma to our entire district and our students deserve better,' Anderson said in a statement. 'These false claims have put my family and I in harms way and now, as a father and son, I must protect those I love first... Therefore I will be stepping back from everyday board functions until the completion of the independent investigation. 'I am confident the ongoing investigation will prove what I have said from day one and that is I have never sexually assaulted anyone.' Anderson was named the winner of the Colorado Democratic Party's Rising Star Award last year. The newest allegations surfaced during the Colorado House Judiciary Committee hearing that was centered on a bill that would make it easier for victims to take legal action against institutions that employee child sex abusers. Parent Mary-Katherine Brooks Fleming testified during the hearing there was a 'sexual predator' targeting young students. She testified that 62 alleged victims had come to her for help after being assaulted by an individual, ranging from rape to unwanted touching. Anderson, who is being investigated by the district for a single sexual assault allegation since April, says all of the claims made against him are 'unsubstantiated' and 'false' Anderson was given the Colorado Democratic Party's Rising Star Award last year Brooks Fleming said 61 of the alleged victims were either undocumented migrants or part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. 'Those who came to my home didn't have health insurance, couldn't afford emergency rooms, and even if they could, they wanted to avoid mandatory reporters for fear that such an interaction could jeopardize their family,' she said. 'It is horrifying to realize that someone had preyed on these children, knowing their silence was guaranteed.' Brooks Flemming did not name the alleged attacker. After the hearing, the Board of Education confirmed the accusations were against Anderson. 'The Board was made aware of testimony at the Colorado Capitol this week and was later informed that the accusations were against Director Tay Anderson. The Denver police are also aware of these accusations,' a spokesman said. Police said they had spoken to Brooks Flemming about her testimony but have not interviewed any of the alleged victims. Anderson has been under investigation by the school district since April over a separate sexual assault claim. That allegation surfaced after the local Black Lives Matter branch issued a statement saying a woman had come to them in February alleging she had been assaulted by him. The school board has hired an outside law firm to investigate the allegations and it remains ongoing. Angry attendees of the world's biggest Bitcoin conference lashed Elon Musk after his latest tweet about the cryptocurrency tanked its value by seven per cent. One guest at the Miami event was seen wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words 'Stick to Space, Elon' - a reference to Musk's successful SpaceX business. And others were even more blunt in their disdain for the Tesla tycoon, wearing tops that simply said 'F**k Elon Musk.' Musk was notably absent from the speakers list at this weekend's Bitcoin 2021 convention - the largest such event ever organized for the burgeoning cryptocurrency. Other guests who spoke include Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and boxer Floyd Mayweather - who was booed after claiming there would some day be another cryptocurrency as large as Bitcoin. Musk attracted the ire of crypto investors with regular tweets supporting, or dismissing the currencies, with his outsize influence sending the value of the alternative payment methods up or down accordingly. The latest drama saw Musk tweet a 'heartbreak' emoji with the word 'Bitcoin' alongside a meme about a couple breaking up over the boyfriend's love for Linkin Park lyrics. Panicked amateur investors speculated that the meme amounted to a disclosure that Tesla would liquidate the massive reserve of Bitcoin that it acquired for $1.3 billion, sparking a sell-off that sent Bitcoin down as much as 7 percent on the day. Musk then mocked furious investors, posting a meme depicting a day trader crying as his portfolio plunged in value and replying 'nice' to an illustration of rival crypto Dogecoin. It was unclear what, if anything, any of the tweets meant. Bitcoin, seen in a one-week chart, plunged after Elon Musk's 'breakup' tweet Musk seemed to be trolling furious investors with his follow-up tweet on Thursday Musk was not on the list of invited speakers at a major Bitcoin conference in Miami, where Jack Dorsey (above) made headlines on Friday Meanwhile in Miami on Friday, Musk was not on the list of invited speakers for what was billed as the world's largest Bitcoin conference ever, and hostility toward the Tesla CEO was on full display. Some conference attendees were spotted wearing T-shirts reading 'F**k Elon Musk,' and around town, someone had paid for billboards reading 'Stick to Space, Elon.' Promoters of Bitcoin seem to have grown frustrated with Musk, who appears to delight in moving markets with jokes on Twitter. As Musk's jokes wear thin, his ability to influence cryptocurrency prices has waned. As of Friday afternoon, Bitcoin had pared losses and stood at $36,903, down 4 percent on the day and up about 6 percent from a week ago. At the Miami conference, being held over the weekend at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center, Jack Dorsey made headlines and burnished his credentials as a serious backer of Bitcoin. Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter as well as the payment company Square, announced that Square is considering creating a non-custodial hardware wallet for Bitcoin The logo of the crypto-currency conference Bitcoin 2021 Convention hangs above people buying drinks at a stand at the Mana Convention Center in Miami, Florida, on Friday Former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) speaks at the Bitcoin 2021 Convention. 'I don't understand everything about Bitcoin, but I do understand liberty,' said Paul, 85 Boxer Floyd Mayweather was cheered as he walked on stage, but met by boos after he speculated: 'I believe there's gonna be another cryptocurrency just as large as Bitcoin' Bitcoin wallets can be stored offline or online with cryptocurrency exchanges, venues where Bitcoin can be bought and sold for traditional currencies or other virtual coins. With a non-custodial wallet, you have sole control of your private keys, which in turn control your cryptocurrency and prove the funds are yours. With a custodial wallet, another party controls your private keys. Most custodial wallets are internet-based exchange wallets. 'We don't want to compete with other hardware wallets out there,' Dorsey said. 'We just want to take it to the next level and get to 100 more million people, which have non-custodial solutions.' As Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies have gained in popularity, many companies have emerged to serve a growing need to protect these assets from online theft. 'If we do it, we would build it entirely in the open, from software to hardware design, and in collaboration with the community,' said Dorsey. People attend the Bitcoin 2021 Convention, at the Mana Convention Center on Friday Bitcoin 2021 is the world's largest-ever crypto-currency conference, with a sold-out crowd of 12,000 attendees and thousands more throughout Miami People listen as Jack Dorsey creator, co-founder, and Chairman of Twitter and co-founder & CEO of Square is seen on a screen as he speaks during the Bitcoin 2021 Convention Former Rep. Ron Paul, the staunch libertarian and father of Sen. Rand Paul, also appeared on stage in Miami on Friday. 'I don't understand everything about Bitcoin, but I do understand liberty,' said Paul, 85, to an enthusiastic reception from the crowd. Paul, a longtime critic of fractional reserve banking, spoke out against the Federal Reserve and argued that Bitcoin could pave the way for a new liberty-focused monetary policy. Former world welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather, who is scheduled to fight YouTuber Logan Paul on Sunday, also appeared at the conference. Mayweather was met by boos after he appeared on stage wearing a shirt from a sponsor involved in the alternate cryptocurrency Ethereum, and speculated: 'I believe there's gonna be another cryptocurrency just as large as Bitcoin some day.' Conference organizers were clear that the conference would be devoted to Bitcoin, not alternate coins, and the audience response to his remark was harsh. Critics accuse Musk of 'trolling' Bitcoin community with immature tweets Musk has been a major promoter of cryptocurrencies but has turned critical of Bitcoin since suspending Tesla plans to take it in payment for cars, owing to concerns about its energy use. Tesla's big position in Bitcoin and Musk's large personal following set crypto markets on edge whenever he tweets. Musk has previously said Tesla would not sell its Bitcoin, but his 'breakup' tweets on Thursday were enough to unsettle markets still fragile following May's crash. 'When Elon Musk tweets any crypto-related content, the market ... expects a reaction,' said Nick Spanos, co-founder of ZAP Protocol, a crypto project in Switzerland. Many crypto specialists have struggled to understand the motives behind his tweets. Musk's tweets on cryptocurrency initially endeared him to the Bitcoin community, but now some accuse him of 'trolling' with his frequent outburst Bitcoin is well off its peak but remains up 28% from the start of the year 'He's trolling the community,' said Bobby Ong, co-founder of crypto data aggregator and analytics website CoinGecko. Bitcoin and several other cryptocurrencies are still recovering from a crash last month in the wake of that decision and on news of renewed regulatory scrutiny in China. Telsa stock has now fallen by a third since it announced a $1.5 billion Bitcoin purchase in February, and Bitcoin is more than 40 percent below April's record peak of $64,895.22. The second biggest cryptocurrency, Ether, which tends to move in tandem with Bitcoin, also sank on Friday. Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency perhaps most sensitive to Musk's opinions as he helped to turn the coin, started as a joke, into a multi-billion dollar market valuation, also fell by more than 10 percent but pared losses in the afternoon Friday. The billionaire Barclay family have today called a truce in their bitter row over the bugging of private businesses conversations at the Ritz hotel. The family today announced they had settled the 'corporate espionage' legal fight at the High Court. Billionaire property magnate Sir Frederick Barclay - whose business empire includes the parent company of the Daily Telegraph - had been involved in a dispute with three of his late brother Sir David's sons. It was over 94 hours of secret recordings made at London's prestigious Ritz hotel - then part of the brothers' business empire. His lawyers previously described the bugging as being part of 'commercial espionage on a vast scale'. The High Court previously heard Aidan, Howard and Alistair had made the secret recordings at the London landmark over a number of months. However, on Friday, the family said the case had been settled. In a joint statement, the family said: 'We are pleased that as a family we can put this difficult period behind us and now look forward to our future together. Billionaire property magnate Sir Frederick Barclay (pictured left in 2004 with his now late twin brother Sir David Barclay) - whose business empire includes the parent company of the Daily Telegraph - had been involved in a dispute with three of his late brother Sir David's sons It was over 94 hours of secret recordings made at the Ritz (pictured) - then part of the brothers' business empire The High Court previously heard Aidan, Howard and Alistair had made the secret recordings at the London landmark over a number of months. Pictured: A CCTV still which appears to show Alistair Barclay placing a covert recording device in the conservatory of the Ritz Hotel 'In these troubled times, unity within families is more important than ever. 'We are grateful to all those who have helped us resolve this issue.' Sir Frederick, 86, and daughter Amanda had brought legal action against the three brothers, Aidan's son Andrew and Philip Peters, a director of a number of family companies, after the 'elaborate system of covert recording' came to light in January 2020. At a High Court hearing last year the pair's lawyers claimed that The Ritz had been sold for 'half the market price' after conversations between Sir Frederick and a Saudi investor, who was offering 1.3 billion for the hotel, were secretly recorded. Sir Frederick, 86, and daughter Amanda (pictured here in 2009 with dancer Anton Du Beke) had brought the legal action All five had admitted that 'the recordings contained private and confidential information of the claimants'. They also accepted that Sir Frederick and Amanda are 'entitled to general damages' for breach of confidence, misuse of private information and breach of data protection laws. However, in their formal defence, they argued they thought it was 'necessary and reasonable' to bug The Ritz in order to protect the Barclay Group. The settlement comes around a month after Sir Frederick's divorce was said to be finalised. Sir Frederick and Lady Hiroko Barclay had fought at a private trial in the Family Division of the High Court earlier this year, following the breakdown of a 34-year marriage. Mr Justice Cohen ruled that Lady Hiroko should receive lump sums totalling 100million. In the same ruing, he also blasted the Telegraph owner for selling a luxury yacht and keeping the proceeds for himself. Mr Justice Cohen said Sir Frederick sold a luxury yacht and 'applied the equity for his own use' in breach of orders - something he described in his ruling as 'reprehensible'. The legal action was made against the three brothers, Aidan (right), Howard (left) and Alistair, Aidan's son Andrew and Philip Peters, a director of a number of family companies The settlement comes around a month after Sir Frederick's divorce was said to be finalised. Sir Frederick and Lady Hiroko Barclay (pictured left) had fought at a private trial in the Family Division of the High Court earlier this year, following the breakdown of a 34-year marriage He added: 'Part of (Sir Frederick's) available assets included a luxury yacht which was on the market for sale. 'I made orders intended to control the sale and the use of the proceeds. He completely ignored those orders, sold the yacht, and applied the equity for his own use. 'I regarded that behaviour as reprehensible.' Sir Frederick and his twin brother Sir David were among the UK's most high-profile businessmen until Sir David's death, aged 86, in January. Their interests included the Telegraph Newspaper Group - the parent group of the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph. The family also has links to the Channel Islands and Monaco. Earlier this year, the Times Rich List puts the Barclay family as the richest in the Channel Islands despite being down 1 billion from last year. Jonathan Soberanis, 26, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of sexual abuse of a child, lewdness involving a child, and unlawful detention of a minor (pictured 2018) A Utah boy managed to save himself by crawling under the bathroom stall after he was allegedly sexual assaulted in the bathroom of a recreation center. Jonathan Jareth Soberanis, 26, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of sexual abuse of a child, lewdness involving a child, and unlawful detention of a minor. He was also charged with criminal trespass with intent, resisting arrest, and assault against a police officer. A day earlier, the boy - who has not been named - was using the restroom at the Lehi Legacy Center in Lehi when Soberanis allegedly entered his stall, the boy told police. The probable cause affidavit claims Soberanis then allegedly exposed himself, according to FOX 13. The boy told police that Soberanis grabbed him by his shoulders after he tried to leave the stall. From there, the boy says he managed to crawl under the stall before dashing to his mother for help. Surveillance video does appear to show someone matching Soberanis' description entering the locker room while the boy is inside - his clothing matched the description the boy provided. The video also appears to show Soberanis exiting the locker room one way while the boy exits another. The surveillance video has not been released publicly. Pictured: The Lehi Legacy Community Center, where the alleged incident took place Tuesday A five-year-old boy was able to escape danger by crawling under a bathroom stall (stock) Detectives from the special victims unit of the Lehi City Police Department later learned that Soberanis had a history, previously arrested for lewdness, sexual abuse of a child, as well as lewdness involving a child (pictured in 2018) Detectives from the special victims unit of the Lehi City Police Department later learned that Soberanis had a history, previously arrested for lewdness, sexual abuse of a child, as well as lewdness involving a child. He had also been banned from the Lehi Legacy Center in 2015 for performing sexual acts in the shower. It's not clear whether that ban was still in place prior to the latest incident. Court records also show that Soberanis was charged in both 2018 and 2019 in separate cases of lewdness involving a child. Both cases were dismissed, however, because it was determined that Soberanis wasn't competent to stand trial. Detectives went to Soberanis' home in Lehi to question him on Wednesday according to KSL.com, the day after the alleged incident. Soberanis told detectives that he was at the Lehi Legacy Center to work out, but video failed to show him using exercise equipment. He also told police he had 'disability that prevents him from recollecting his actions' when asked about being in the locker room and running away. Soberanis began kicking and throwing himself around after police tried to take him into custody. He also threw a glass end table at officers, who were then able to pin Soberanis down. The officers suffered minor injuries during the arrest, according to KJZZ.com. Soberanis was booked into Utah County Jail following his arrest. He is being held without bail. In a previous incident in 2018, Soberanis was allegedly pulled down his pants, exposing his penis to the 9-year-old child and telling the boy to come closer, according to KUTV. That incident allegedly took place at the South Town Mall in Sandy, Utah in April 2018. Soberanis had previously been banned from the rec center for performing sexual acts in the shower. He has been charged with a number of crimes in connection to Tuesday's allegations In another incident, police said a father chased Soberanis after he allegedly exposed himself to the dad's 8-year-old son. They were in a recreation center in West Valley in December 2018 when the incident allegedly occurred, according to KUTV. Soberanis allegedly appeared under a bathroom stall and exposed himself to the boy as the father walked in. Police said Soberanis 'admitted that the kid was watching him masturbate and that he feels like he is sick and bad for doing this sort of thing and wants help.' Soberanis faced one misdemeanor charge for that incident, as well as several charges related to his actions involving the police, including a failure to identify himself. A male suspect in his 30s has been shot dead after he 'ambushed' cops, injuring two officers and killing a K9 named Kitt in Massachusetts. The shooting unfolded when officers were responding to a domestic call in the area of McCusker Drive of Braintree Friday. During the incident, the suspect opened fire, shooting a K9 handler, another officer and a K9. The identity of the wounded officers has not been revealed. Authorities said in a press conference that the two cops were shot 'multiple times' and are in surgery but both are expected to survive. The suspect was also shot and was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The K9, Kitt, was also killed. A male suspect in his 30s has been shot dead after opening fire on cops, injuring two officers and killing a K9 in Massachusetts. The crime scene Pictured: K9 Kitt was killed in the attack when the unnamed suspect opened fire Police officers carry the body of K9 Kitt to the car after the dog was slain by the suspect Sources told Boston 25 News the domestic call came from a woman who claimed a man was pointing a gun at her. When police arrived on the scene, the suspect had already fled into a wooded area near the MBTA rail tracks and was pursued by law enforcement officers. Officers set up a shelter in place for local residents while they set up a perimeter to look for the suspect. Police said the suspect then 'ambushed' the officers, shooting two while cops returned fire. The suspect was shot and the officers administered first aid to him. He was taken to hospital where he died. The wounded cops were also taken to hospital, with one going to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth and the other to Boston Medical Center. A neighbor told the Boston 25 News they saw one cop carried on a stretcher while the second was able to walk to an ambulance with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the arm. During the incident, the suspect opened fire, shooting a K9 handler, another officer and a K9 The suspect was shot and transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead soon after. The K9 was also killed Kitt the K9, seen as a puppy, was the casualty of the shooting Police said the identity of the suspect will not be released until next of kin can be notified. However they said he was a male in his mid-30s who was well-known to police with warrants out for his arrest at the time of the shooting. Luis Rivera, who lives nearby, said he was walking his dog when he heard gunfire ring out. Rivera said police then swarmed the area. 'I heard gunshots and all kind of police come to the area,' he said. 'We got Braintree, we got State Troopers, we got detectives, all kinds of agencies at this complex here.' The District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the incident. Channel migrants have been secretly picked up in French waters by the UK Border Force and taken to Dover, the Mail can reveal. The controversial action on the French side of the Channel was orchestrated between senior crew members of HMC Valiant and French patrol ship Athos last Saturday. On Friday night, a Home Office source said the Government's own border agency appeared to have helped migrants enter the country illegally, adding: 'The job of Border Force is to secure the UK's border, not facilitate illegal entry across it.' Home Secretary Priti Patel has repeatedly called for stronger action by the French to tackle the crisis, which has seen record numbers of migrants reach Britain. But her tough stance is being undermined by the antics of her own Border Force. Channel migrants were secretly picked up by UK Border Force last Saturday, radio transcripts between HMC Valiant (pictured on mission to Greece in February 2020) and French patrol ship Athos reveal Last night Miss Patel ordered an urgent investigation into the incident, and said it 'should not have happened'. During a revealing maritime radio conversation, a recording of which was obtained by the Mail, the officers discuss the 'legality' of the operation. The UK's 140ft cutter Valiant then heads over to the French side of the Channel and launches a fast inflatable boat to collect the dinghy migrants and take them to Dover. The extraordinary action came in the middle of a frenzied four-day period during which more than 560 migrants reached Britain. The previous day Friday, May 28 was the busiest of the year so far, with 336 migrants sailing the 21 miles to the UK from the north French coast. The behaviour of the Valiant, a Government vessel on sea patrol to protect our borders, flies in the face of Whitehall's repeated promises to stop the relentless flow of boat migrants. The Home Secretary has made clear she wants the French to do far more to combat migrant vessels at sea. Currently, France will intervene only if migrants ask for help. In May last year, Miss Patel asked her Paris counterpart to agree to more interception in French waters and even to accept vessels that were turned around in UK waters. In the controversial action, the UK's 140ft cutter Valiant headed to the French side of the Channel and launched an inflatable boat to collect dinghy migrants and take them to Dover However, no deal was reached and instead the UK handed France 28 million for extra beach patrols. This year the number of arrivals expected to reach the south coast from France will far outstrip last year's 8,400 if current rates continue. Since the start of this year more than 4,300 have reached the UK, including 1,058 in the past seven days. The radio conversation which took place on open frequencies between British and French officers started at 12.23pm British time last Saturday. A British officer with a northern accent is heard proposing the illicit handover. He then double-checks with his French counterparts that he has legal authorisation to carry out the manoeuvre. 'The difficulty we have is the vessel is in your waters, and we cannot come into your waters to take the vessel,' the British officer says. He later asks: 'Would you have a problem if we put our boarding boat into the water near the vessel, however, we will just escort it towards UK waters?' THE RADIO EXCHANGE BETWEEN HMC VALIANT AND FRENCH SHIP Saturday, May 29 Valiant: The difficulty we have is the vessel is in your waters, and we cannot come into your waters to take the vessel. Do you think it's going to make it into UK waters at its present speed? Over. Athos: That is making route to the frontier but very slowly. So I think in less than one hour he will be at the frontier. Two hours ago he was at [unintelligible] but now he's 0.5 kilometres from the frontier. He go very slow but he's coming. Valiant: Yes, many thanks for that. That's all understood. Would you have a problem if we put our boarding boat into the water near the vessel, however, we will just escort it towards UK waters? Over. Athos: No, sir, there is no problem for us. You can do. It will be most simple for everybody. Thank you. Valiant: That's understood. I think this is the safest course of action where we will have legality to do this. Over. Athos: We give you legality to do this, no problem. Valiant: Many thanks, sir. We will put our boat in the water to make sure it gets into UK waters safely. Over. Athos: Thanks. We'll stay in the area until you get them on the ship [unintelligible]. If you need you can call us. Valiant: That is very much appreciated, sir. We will go back 16 and monitor that channel. Over. Athos: Thanks, have a good watch. Valiant: You, too, sir. Advertisement At one point, the Athos officer says: 'We give you legality to do this, no problem.' Ship tracking charts show that just 23 minutes later, the Valiant moved over the international sea border into French territorial waters. It launches a fast inflatable craft to bring the migrants back to the Valiant, and then to Dover. At no stage did the French crew, who had been tracking the migrant boat for hours, suggest the vessel was in difficulties and only referred to its progress being 'slow'. Therefore, the Border Force's incursion into French waters was not an emergency life-saving mission. The incident took place on a day when 144 migrants reached UK shores, Home Office figures show. It is not known how many migrants were picked up by the Valiant. Last night, the south coast sailor who gave the radio message to the Mail said: 'We know the French are escorting migrant boats towards the UK instead of turning them back to France. But this is a first time I have heard of British Border Force collecting migrants on the French side of the Channel. 'I have suspected it going on for some time, but the radio message that I happened to overhear on an public channel proves it. 'The French patrol boat captain makes clear the migrants are not in peril at sea. They were travelling slowly towards the UK where they would have been collected by UK Border Force vessels in English waters.' The sailor added: 'I worry that Valiant may have gone into French waters in a hurry to save time on a day when more than 100 migrants were heading from France to Dover. I am sure Border Force were overwhelmed.' Last September the Home Office's clandestine channel threat commander Dan O'Mahoney, a former Royal Marine, said turning boats around to France was a key goal in the fight to stop illegal crossings. 'We need to continue to work with the French so that we get to the point where they're preventing the majority of crossings,' he said. 'At the moment, it's somewhere between 40 or 50 per cent. 'We need to get to the point where they're stopping a sizable proportion of those crossings, so that the migrants realise that it is not a viable route.' The Home Office has spent millions on specialist equipment including a floating barrier to stop small boats but is unable to deploy the new tactics without France's agreement. In January 2019, then immigration minister Caroline Nokes told Parliament: 'In the majority of cases, if a migrant is picked up in UK waters they are taken to the UK. If they are picked up in French waters they are taken to France.' She said an action plan with France to curb boat migration ruled that migrants found in the Channel would be returned to the 'nearest safe port' in accordance with international maritime law. The minister added: 'Too often, migrants in the Channel dictate to those who come to their rescue which country they should be taken. That is not right. I have asked immigration officials to do all they can to prevent asylum shopping at sea.' PLATELL'S PEOPLE: Boris Johnson has betrayed us all on borders By Amanda Platell for the Daily Mail Can it be only five years since Boris Johnson and Priti Patel toured the nation before the EU referendum, promising Brexit would mean we'd take back control of our borders and stop uncontrolled, unsustainable illegal immigration into this country? 'The only way to take back control of immigration is to Vote Leave on 23 June,' declared Boris and millions of Brits took him at his word. Fast forward to today and there's no control. More than 900 immigrants have crossed the Channel illegally in the past fortnight alone. At least 4,000 migrants have crossed by small boat so far this year, according to Home Office statistics double the number in the same five-month period last year. It has been five years since Boris Johnson and Priti Patel (pictured) toured the nation before the EU referendum, promising Brexit would mean we'd take back control of our borders With the warmer weather and UK borders which are unfit for purpose, the number is only going to rise. And what have Boris and Priti done to stop the flow? Absolutely nothing. As the Mail reveals today, migrants have even been secretly plucked from French waters by UK Border Force vessels and ferried to Britain. It is the most abject betrayal of their Brexit promises. To add insult to incompetence, a High Court judge ruled this week that a former Army barracks was 'unfit' for asylum-seekers fleeing persecution in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Palestine and Kuwait. Six migrants housed at Napier Barracks in Kent claimed they were unsafe, and the judge agreed that the accommodation had damaged their mental health. Not only did the migrants win their case but they were entitled to compensation, too. Call me a cynic, but surely someone fleeing persecution and in fear of their lives would find housing in an Army Barracks in Kent a refuge. Britain has a proud record of welcoming refugees, but that generosity is being abused. One migrant boasted on TikTok of how easily he had travelled in a dinghy powered by a Yamaha motor from Calais to Dover. The broken system only encourages more migrants to chance their arm and their lives to get to Britain. Boris and Priti's promises lie in tatters. They should hang their heads in shame. 'No risk, no fun': Migrant dons slogan t-shirt as around 100 more asylum seekers arrive in UK today and Border Force use JET SKIS to patrol the Channel amid a surge in crossings with more than 1,000 in less than a week A migrant has donned a slogan t-shirt reading 'no risk, no fun' while around 100 more asylum seekers arrived in the UK today amid a surge in the number of crossings with more than 1,000 people landing on the British coastline in less than a week. The Channel crossings were made despite torrential rain and stormy conditions at sea, with Border Force intercepting the first boat containing around six men huddled in blankets for warmth at around 9am. Three young children were also on board. An infant girl held an adult's hand as she disembarked, followed by an older looking boy and another young girl sheltering from the rain under a blanket. They were followed by another group of around eight shortly afterwards. Overall, up to 100 asylum seekers are estimated to have arrived this morning, taking the total to have made the journey so far this year to around 4,449. It comes as almost a quarter of the migrants who have crossed the Channel by small boat this year made the dangerous journey in the last week alone. The Home Office confirmed 201 migrants crossed in small boats yesterday, after a major rescue operation was launched off the coast of Hastings, East Sussex. French authorities prevented 171 people from making the perilous trip in nine boats yesterday and Wednesday. A video appearing to show a group of migrants crossing from Calais to Dover in a boat was also posted to TikTok on Thursday. The short clip shared by a man named Sada Halak showed a group of men in a dinghy, some wearing face masks and lifejackets, and was captioned with the phrase 'unsuccessful challenge' and three crying emojis. Meanwhile, two Border Force officers were seen using jet skis to patrol the Channel earlier today, with footage showing another officer also using the watercraft yesterday. A migrant is seen wearing a slogan t-shirt that reads 'no risk, no fun' as around 100 more asylum seekers arrived in the UK today Two Border Force officers seen using jet skis to patrol the Channel while leaving Dover Marina in Kent earlier this morning A Border Force officer patrols the Channel on a jet ski while arriving into Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident earlier on Thursday morning A group of people thought to be migrants being brought into Dover, Kent, yesterday. A major rescue operation was launched off the coast of Hastings, East Sussex, at around 10.15am People are brought into Dover, Kent, following the small boat incident on Thursday. The Home Office confirmed 201 migrants crossed in small boats yesterday Almost a quarter of the migrants who have crossed the Channel by small boat this year made the dangerous journey in the last week alone A total of 1,058 people arrived in the last seven day period in 50 boats, according to official Home Office figures. That is 24.3 per cent of the 4,349 who have embarked on the perilous trip in 218 boats throughout 2021 so far. The busy week for Border Force began last Friday when 336 migrants arrived in 19 boats setting a new daily record for the year. They were followed by 144 in seven vessels on Saturday, 17 in one crossing on Sunday and 71 migrants in three boats on Monday completing a hectic Bank Holiday. And that continued in the first three days of June which has seen 490 arrive in 12 boats. It includes 132 in six boats on Tuesday and 157 more in a further six vessels on Wednesday. The Home Office confirmed late Thursday night 201 migrants made the perilous journey in eight boats earlier that day. Advertisement A Home Office spokesman said last night: 'Criminal gangs are putting profits before people's lives through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings. 'More than 3,500 people have been prevented from making the dangerous crossing so far this year and we are cracking down on the despicable criminal gangs behind people smuggling. 'Inaction is not an option whilst people are dying. The Government is bringing legislation forward through our New Plan for Immigration which will break the business model of these heinous people smuggling networks and save lives.' The spokesman added: 'Following a HM Coastguard search and rescue operation today near Hastings we can confirm that all occupants onboard the boat have now been accounted for by Border Force.' Police and coastguard teams were seen conducting a search yesterday with the help of Border Force, RNLI lifeboats and a specialist search and rescue helicopter from Lydd, Kent. A coastguard spokesman said at the time: 'HM Coastguard is currently coordinating a search and rescue response to an incident off Hastings, Sussex, working with Border Force, Sussex Police and other partners. 'We have sent coastguard rescue teams from Hastings, Dungeness and Bexhill, alongside Dungeness RNLI lifeboats and the search and rescue helicopter from Lydd.' A Sussex Police spokesman earlier added: 'Police were called around 10.15am on Thursday to a report of persons on a boat in difficulty off the coast of Hastings. 'Officers are supporting HM Coastguard with a search and rescue operation.' Around 20 migrants were later seen being brought in at Dungeness, Kent, by an RNLI lifeboat around 2.30pm. Border Force intercepted the first boat containing around six men huddled in blankets for warmth at around 9am this morning A group of migrants are pictured arriving at Dover Marina this morning and being brought in by Border Force despite torrential rain and stormy conditions at sea A group of migrants, including women and children, are seen arriving at Dover Marina on a rainy day this morning after being brought in by a Border Force vessel Overall, up to 100 asylum seekers are estimated to have arrived this morning, taking the total to have made the journey so far this year to around 4,449 How many migrants have arrived in recent days? The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats over each day of the past week is: Today: Up to 100 ( to be confirmed ) Yesterday: 201 Wednesday: 157 Tuesday: 132 Monday: 71 Sunday: 17 Saturday: 144 Friday: 336 (busiest day of the year so far) TOTAL: 1,058 (approximate figure, from last Friday to today) Advertisement The group, who appeared exhausted while wearing foil blankets at Dungeness Lifeboat Station, were believed to be those who sparked the rescue response off the East Sussex coast. Police were also called after a group of at least 20 migrants - including two children and four women - landed on a beach in Dymchurch, Kent. A Kent Police spokesman said: 'Kent Police officers assisted Border Force at around 10.25am on Thursday June 3 2021 following a report of suspected migrants near Dymchurch Road, Dymchurch.' Around 35 migrants were rescued from a green RHIB and brought into Dover Marina around 10.30am. They were followed by a further 40 migrants, according to eyewitnesses, who were brought into harbour on an RNLI lifeboat. An estimated 15 more migrants were also brought into the harbour shortly before 2pm. It follows Home Office statistics showing that more than 4,000 migrants have crossed the Channel by small boat so far this year - over double the number in the same five-month period last year. The milestone was surpassed on Wednesday when 157 people arrived in six boats. It took the total number of migrants to make the dangerous journey in 2021 to 4,148, rising to 4,349 yesterday, compared to 1,737 by June 2 last year. A flurry of late crossings on Wednesday saw a lifeboat called out to help deal with at least two boats. Two migrants are seen wearing life jackets and huddling in blankets as they arrived in Dover Marina, Kent, after being brought in by Border Force officials earlier today A child is seen amongst the group of migrants being brought into Dover, Kent, this morning. It comes as almost a quarter of the migrants who have crossed the Channel by small boat this year made the dangerous journey in the last week alone One asylum seeker is seen arriving in Dover Marina, Kent, today. It follows Home Office statistics showing that more than 4,000 migrants have crossed the Channel by small boat so far this year A Border Force official is pictured escorting a migrant into Dover Marina this morning. Meanwhile, French authorities prevented 171 people from making the perilous trip in nine boats yesterday and Wednesday This map shows the accommodation providers contracted by the Home Office to provide housing to asylum seekers Migrants crossing the Channel in small boats January 2020 - 87 February 2020 - 192 March 2020 - 187 April 2020 - 530 May 2020 - 741 June 2020 - 702 July 2020 - 1118 August 2020 - 1,468 September 2020 - 1,954 October 2020 - 463 November 2020 - 757 December 2020 - 211 January 2021 - 223 February 2021 - 308 March 2021 - 831 April 2021 - 746 May 2021 - 1,619 Advertisement Families and many young children were rescued. Some were seen waving as they were brought into Dover Marina, Kent, for processing. It came after around 50 migrants were rescued in three boats during the morning. French authorities also prevented three crossings involving 75 people. And numbers are set to continue to rise with Border Force intercepting more migrants yesterday. It follows a record-breaking 1,619 arrivals in May in 80 boats - almost doubling the previous monthly record set earlier this year in March when 831 people made the crossing in 42 boats. This year's daily record was also surpassed on Friday when 336 migrants were intercepted in 19 boats. It comes as ministers face calls to shut down a former army barracks being used to house asylum seekers after a High Court judge found the accommodation failed to meet the 'minimum standard'. Campaigners want to see Napier Barracks in Kent closed after six asylum seekers previously housed there won a legal challenge against the Government, with Mr Justice Linden finding the Home Office acted unlawfully when deciding the ex-military camp was appropriate. Meanwhile, Labour has called for ministers to urgently explain 'how this injustice occurred'. Campaigners have repeatedly raised concerns about the site while inspectors described parts of it as 'filthy'. Home Secretary Priti Patel and immigration minister Chris Philp have both defended the use of such sites in the past, despite the Home Office facing criticism. Mariam Kemple Hardy, head of campaigns at Refugee Action, said: 'This judgment vindicates all those who repeatedly told the Government that recklessly forcing hundreds of refugees into crowded camps during a killer pandemic was a gamble with people's lives. A video appearing to show a group of migrants crossing from Calais to Dover in a boat was posted on TikTok yesterday The clip has since been liked 18,000 times and attracted over 24,000 comments. The short clip shared by a man named Sada Halak showed a group of men in a dinghy How Priti Patel has paid France 28million to double officers patrolling French beaches Home Secretary Priti Patel agreed to pay France 28million to double the number of officers patrolling beaches to stop migrants crossing the Channel. The deal was signed last November in a virtual meeting between the Secretary of State and France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin with a pledge to make the route 'completely unviable' for people smuggling gangs. The agreement, signed after discussions began last summer, also gave the green light for an 'enhanced package' of drones, radar equipment and fixed cameras to detect migrants attempting crossings. The upgraded protection started on December 1 and sees French police patrolling almost 100 miles of coastline which is regularly targeted by people smuggling networks. The deal also included steps to support migrants into accommodation in France, and measures to increase border security at ports in the north and west of the country. Advertisement 'Napier Barracks and all other camp-style accommodation must be shut down.' Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said it was a 'shameful verdict' for the Government and Home Secretary, describing the Home Office's actions as 'reckless and callous'. He added: 'Ministers should make a statement - urgently - to explain how this injustice occurred, who will be held to account, and how they will ensure it can never happen again.' Sarah Teather, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK, described the barracks as 'ghettoised, detention-like accommodation' which was 'unsafe, undignified, and inhumane', adding: 'People have told us they don't feel human while they're residing at Napier.' Jon Featonby, refugee and asylum policy manager at British Red Cross, said there was a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a fair, compassionate and efficient asylum system through reform' and 'that should start with the immediate ending of the use of military barracks to house people.' Sonya Sceats, chief executive of charity Freedom from Torture, accused the Government of disregarding 'its duty to provide adequate housing'. She added: 'Our message to Priti Patel is clear: shut down Napier Barracks, house people seeking protection within our communities, and deliver the compassionate and fair asylum system you promised.' However, the judge declined to rule that the barracks could never be used to house asylum seekers, and said his findings are based on the conditions the six men faced. The Home Office defended the use of the barracks - needed 'at extremely short notice' during the pandemic to make sure 'asylum seekers were not left destitute' - insisting it was 'safe and secure' and that improvements have since been made. But Ms Cooper told BBC Radio 4's World At One 'we simply don't know' if conditions have now improved, adding that she wanted to call Ms Patel before her committee again to explain the situation. A Home Office spokesman added: 'We will carefully consider the ruling and our next steps.' The number of people crossing the 21-mile stretch of water has almost doubled so far in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, with more than 3,100 having reached the English coast by the end of May. Anti-immigration demonstrations were held in Dover last weekend with protesters blocking access to key trade terminals. The top organizer of a Memorial Day ceremony in Hudson, Ohio, where a veteran's microphone was cut when he spoke about the holiday's roots in black history is now facing calls to resign by the state's American Legion. Lieutenant Colonel Barnard Kemter, who served in the US Army as a combat medic from 1965 to 1995, was invited by Cindy Suchan, president of the Hudson American Legion Auxiliary, as the keynote speaker for the ceremony in his hometown on Monday. The 77-year old veteran prepared a speech about the history of Memorial Day, but had his microphone cut by event organizers just as he began describing how freed black slaves started the holiday. This incident made headlines nationwide and prompted the Ohio American Legion to launch an investigation. Since then, one of the organizers, James Garrison, has stepped down from his position as officer of Hudson American Legion Post 464 and personally apologized to Kemter. Now Suchan is facing mounting pressure to step down as well, after Ohio American Legion Commander Roger Friend announced Friday that he had suspended the charter of the Hudson agency, pending its permanent closure. The microphone was cut off from Lt. Col. Barnard Kemter's keynote address at a Memorial Day ceremony in Hudson, Ohio as he was starting to talk about the slave origins of the holiday 'The American Legion Department of Ohio does not hold space for members, veterans, or families of veterans who believe that censoring black history is acceptable behavior,' reads a press release from the Ohio American Legion. The release continues to say that cutting Kemter's microphone 'constitutes a violation of the ideals and purposes of the American Legion . . . therefore, good and sufficient cause exists to revoke, cancel or suspend the charter of Lee-Bishop Post #464, Inc.' Kemter told TMZ that he received a call the same day James Garrison resigned, in which Garrison said that he's 'sorry for the events that transpired on Memorial Day.' Kemter added that he had not heard from Suchan, but wants to 'move on' from the incident. Kempter did not return DailyMail.com's requests for comment. The Ohio American Legion posted this tweet after learning about the censorship of Lieutenant Colonel Barnard Kemter's Memorial Day speech, in which he spoke about the roots of the holiday in black history. Kemter had his microphone turned off for about two minutes in the middle of his 11-minute speech, just as he was starting to talk about how the holiday was born out of a ceremony in which freed slaves honored deceased soldiers at the end of the Civil War. 'Several towns and cities across America claim to have observed their own earlier versions of Memorial Day or 'Decoration Day' as early as 1866,' Kemter explained. '. . . But it wasn't until a remarkable discovery in a dusty Harvard University archive [in] the late 1990s that historians learned about a Memorial Day commemoration organized by a group of freed black slaves less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865.' 'The ceremony is believed to have included a parade of as many as 10,000 people, including 3,000 Black schoolchildren singing the Union marching song 'John Brown's Body' while carrying armfuls of flowers to decorate the graves.' At this point in his speech, the microphone cut out and Kemter is seen tapping it in confusion before continuing to speak about the efforts made by the black community in Charleston to commemorate the 260 Union troops who died at the site during the Civil War. 'My generation grew up listening to the famous radio personality Paul Harvey. Paul would say at the end of his broadcast, 'And now you know the rest of the story.' And now you know the rest of the story about the origin of Memorial Day.' As Kemter finished this sentence, the microphone came back. Kemter's speech could be seen in a video of the event taken by Hudson Community Television and shared on its Vimeo page. Suchan told the Akron Beacon Journal that organizers wanted the part of the speech excluded because it was 'not relevant to our program for the day' and added, the 'theme of the day was honoring Hudson veterans.' Suchan had told Kemter to edit his speech the day before the ceremony, but the veteran continued with it anyway saying he didn't have time to rewrite it. Kemter said he wanted to use his speech to detail the history of the origins of Memorial Day, which, he recounted in his speech, began when emancipated slaves gave fallen Union prisoners a proper burial. Many of them died in the Battle of Fort Wagner on Morris Island, a battle many black soldiers fought in. The freed slaves reportedly exhumed the mass grave and reinterred 200 Union soldier bodies in a new cemetery with a tall whitewashed fence inscribed with the words: 'Martyrs of the Race Course,' referring to the Washington Race Course and Jockey Club in Charleston, South Carolina, where they were buried. Then on May 1, 1865, reports show, a crowd of 10,000 people, mostly freed slaves and some white missionaries decided to parade around the race track, with little black schoolchildren carrying flowers and singing a Union marching song. At the end of his speech, Kemter said, he received 'numerous compliments from attendees who told him 'it was nice to hear the history.' The clubhouse at the Charleston racetrack where the 1865 Memorial Day events took place. 'It was well-received,' Kemter said in the Akron Beacon Journal article, adding a lot of people told him they never knew about the slave origins of the holiday. 'I find it interesting that [the American Legion] would take it upon themselves to censor my speech and deny me my First Amendment right to speech,' Kemter said. 'This is not the same country I fought for.' Officials with the American Legion said they 'asked him to modify his speech, and he chose not to do that' before the Memorial Day ceremony. Suchan, who chairs the Memorial Day parade committee and is president of the Hudson American Legion Auxiliary, said the two minutes where Kemter's microphone was turned off were part of what she asked him to exclude. Kemter confirmed he was emailed by an event organizer, whom he did not name, asking him to remove part of his speech detailing how black Americans helped found Memorial Day, and proceeded to ask the organizers to specify which portions they wanted to have excluded. The organizer emailed him back, he said, telling him that all the parts that are highlighted should be removed, but he said he did not see anything highlighted, and with less than 24 hours to the ceremony, 'I didn't have time to sit down and write another speech.' The Battle of Fort Wagner on Morris Island was the Union attack on July 18, 1863, led by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The infantry was one of the first major American military units made up of Black soldiers He said he showed the text to a Hudson public official, who told him to keep the speech intact. Then on the day of the ceremony, Suchan said she asked the audio engineer, AJ Stokes, to turn off Kemter's microphone. Stokes said he refused to do it himself, but pointed to the knob that controlled the microphone, saying it was Jim Garrison, adjutant of American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464, who turned off the microphone and turned it back on. When asked about the claims, Garrison declined to say whether he turned off the microphone and said he had 'nothing to add' about the situation. Stokes said Suchan and Garrison were both 'very adamant' about turning off the microphone, but he was 'very upset' about what happened and feared he would be blamed, even though Suchan said Stokes was 'totally blameless.' Kemter, meanwhile, thought there was a problem with the audio equipment, he said, but Stokes told him the truth about the incident afterwards. Following the incident, Hudson Mayor Craig Shubert published a joint press release with the Hudson City Council in which he wrote that he and the council were 'disheartened' on hearing about the American Legion's censorship of Kemter. 'The decision disrespected the Lt. Col. who has valiantly served our country and was there to honor veterans in his speech, and it disrespected all Hudson and American veterans nationwide who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedoms we value as Americans,' read the release. 'Hudson is a City that prides itself in our history as being the home of abolitionist John Brown and a stop on the underground railroad. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to ensuring that the Constitutional rights of every person who lives, works, and visits our great City are protected.' FILE - In this April 3, 2019, file photo, then- Rep. Katie Hill, D-Calif., is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington. The former California congresswoman has been ordered to pay about $220,000 in attorneys' fees to a British tabloid and two conservative journalists she sued after the publication of intimate photos without her consent. The Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in the city of Wuhan is a desolate place. The now infamous wet market, once a bustling centre of people and exotic live animals for human consumption, is boarded up, its stalls shuttered and razor wire entangled in discarded fishing nets. This is the supposed Ground Zero of the coronavirus pandemic, the place where the first cases of Covid-19 were contracted. But it looks increasingly as if the markets notoriety has been misplaced, despite Beijings best efforts to maintain that narrative. In the past week, a tranche of leaked emails, intelligence reports and on-the-record statements by scientists and politicians including President Joe Biden have challenged the consensus view of the origins of the outbreak. The focus has pivoted firmly back to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) just a few miles from the seafood market and the possibility that the spread of the virus (official name SARS-Cov-2) was the result of a laboratory leak rather than a species jump (transmission from bat to humans via an intermediary animal). What was once the preserve of conspiracy theorists is now feasible, according to MI6. And not before time, many will think. LETTER LET CHINA OFF THE HOOK It was always surely too much of a coincidence that a coronavirus outbreak should erupt in a city which just happened to be home to an institute holding one of the worlds largest databases of such viruses in labs requiring the highest level of biosecurity. Not only that, but the WIV was operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and ultimately the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who would be desperate to stamp on speculation about biosecurity failures. Brit Dr Peter Daszak, 55, tried to present a unified scientific front against the lab leak theory You dont need a PhD in epidemiology to ask: why wasnt the possibility of an accidental lab leak considered from the start? The answer, according to many observers, may lie with Dr Peter Daszak, a British zoologist who is also a president of EcoHealth Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation researching emerging infectious diseases, which has received funds from U.S. government bodies. In February 2020, Daszak organised a letter, co-signed by 26 other leading scientists and published in leading medical journal The Lancet. It declared: We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin. It strongly affirmed that this coronavirus originated in wildlife and expressed solidarity with the scientists and health professionals of China. It was this authoritative statement that effectively shut down any debate about a lab leak theory, even before a global pandemic had been declared by the World Health Organisation. Today, the Mail reveals how Daszak tried to present a unified scientific front against the lab leak theory and how The Lancet, which provided the platform for him to do so, has its own close relationship with the Chinese scientific community. And, in a further twist, we can reveal that EcoHealth Alliance received funding for biosecurity research, into weapons of mass destruction, from the Pentagon which is now under investigation for inadvertently funding the WIV. Scientists links to BAT WOMAN Dr Daszak, 55, a Lancastrian who lives in New York with his wife and daughters, is regarded as a leading authority on zoonotic spillover events (viruses jumping from animals to humans). His ties to the WIV are well-documented and date back at least 15 years. Not only has EcoHealth Alliance directly funded work in its laboratories, but its president has long been associated with its best-known scientist, Shi Zhengli, known as Bat woman for her dedication to hunting down SARS-like viruses in caves in China. Shi Zhengli, known as Bat woman (left) for her dedication to hunting down SARS-like viruses in caves in China In a podcast interview on December 9, 2019 - three weeks before the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission announced an outbreak of pneumonia of an unknown cause - Daszak described his work in so-called pandemic prevention and manipulation of coronaviruses. Weve found, after six or seven years of doing this, over 100 SARS-related coronaviruses... some of them get into human cells in the lab, some of them can cause SARS disease in humanised mouse models, and some are untreatable with therapeutic monoclonals [antibodies] and you cant vaccinate against them. Any one of those can become pandemic. He added: Coronaviruses, you can manipulate them in the lab pretty easily. The spike protein drives a lot of what happens with the coronavirus. You can get the sequence . . .insert it into the backbone of another virus . . .in the lab. VIRUSES TWEAKED TO BE LETHAL In this high-risk laboratory manipulation, known as gain of function research, viruses are deliberately engineered to become more dangerous to humans. The work is aimed at predicting future pandemics and helping to create vaccines so that governments and research institutes can, in Daszaks words, better allocate resources to the highest risk. Peter Daszak is, then, an expert in the field. But his appointment to the ten-strong World Health Organisation (WHO) delegation that visited Wuhan in January 2021 to investigate the causes of the outbreak was met with concern, because of his close ties with the WIV. Peter Daszak (far right) pictured with 'Bat Woman' Shi Zhengli (left) who is known for her dedication to hunting down SARS-like viruses in caves in China And given Dr Daszaks views as a signatory to that Lancet letter, maybe it was predictable that the WHO team later concluded that a lab leak was extremely unlikely. Reporting the outcome of the WHO investigation in April, The Lancet noted that Peter Daszak... told journalists the report is a testament to how, even under very difficult political circumstances, countries can come together to focus on the origins of emerging diseases. Such sympathetic coverage is perhaps unsurprising, given that in September 2020 The Lancet had appointed Daszak as chair of The Lancet Covid-19 Commission, set up to analyse the available evidence for each of the hypotheses put forward on the origins of Covid-19 to help prevent future pandemics. At the time, Daszak said he would not be bound by preconceived ideas and would investigate all avenues. But he warned that it was unlikely it would ever be possible to say with absolute certainty how the virus came about. EMAIL TRAIL IS EXPOSED Despite this open-mindedness, he had, six months earlier, publicly criticised the lab-leak theory as baloney. That month [September 2020], The Lancet Commission said that the evidence to date supports the view that Sars-Cov-2 is a naturally occurring virus rather than the result of laboratory creation and release. But this week, leaked emails expose the extent to which a concluding statement in the Lancet letter of February 2020 the one signed by Daszak and 26 others that we declare no competing interests appears to be untrue. The emails, released under U.S. Freedom of Information laws, reveal it was Daszak who drafted the Lancet letter and urged colleagues at the EcoHealth Alliance to sign and circulate it among some eminent scientists. On February 6, 2020, he wrote: Our current statement neatly refutes most of them [the conspiracy theories] by saying that We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that 2019-nCoV [as the virus was then known] does not have a natural origin. Please note that this statement will not have EcoHealth Alliance logo on it and will not be identifiable as coming from any one organisation or person, the idea is to have this as a community supporting our colleagues. Daszak urges Professor Rita Colwell, of the University of Maryland, to sign it, saying: Your voice will be very influential, particularly in keeping these critical bridges open between the USA and China. And in another email, to epidemiologist and microbiologist Professor Ralph Baric, of the University of North Carolina - with whom Daszak had worked on coronavirus manipulation in 2019 - he wrote: I... think... that you [and] me... should not sign the statement, so it has some distance from us and therefore does not work in a counterproductive way... Well then put it out in a way that does not link back to our collaboration. Daszak also wrote that he wanted to avoid the appearance of a political statement. In the event, Daszak did sign the statement but Baric did not. Last month, Baric was one of 18 scientists who signed a letter to the journal Science calling for an investigation into a possible lab leak. He has previously said: You can engineer a virus without leaving any trace. The answers you are looking for, however, can only be found in the archives of the Wuhan laboratory. A CLEAR CONFLICT OF INTEREST? The Lancet letter effectively altered the discourse about the emergence of coronavirus. Yet it was not immediately apparent to its global audience that at least five of the co-signatories were directly linked to EcoHealth Alliance: according to its current website, Rita Colwell and James Hughes are members of the board of directors, William Karesh is the groups executive vice president for health and policy, and Hume Field is science and policy adviser. Furthermore, the signatories included six of the 12 experts later appointed to The Lancet Commissions task force investigating the viruss origins. Dr Jonathan Latham, a virologist and editor of the investigatory site Independent Science News, in New York, is scathing of the Daszak/Lancet connection: [The Lancet editors] should check conflict of interest, and this is the most obvious conflict of interest one could imagine. Daszak is directly funding the Institute of Virology. Daszak was appointed to the ten-strong World Health Organisation (WHO) delegation that visited the Wuhan Institute of Virology (pictured) in January 2021 The editor-in-chief of The Lancet, Richard Horton, has been a staunch defender of Dr Daszak. In a tweet last June, he wrote: Peter Daszak rejects conspiracy theories about the origins of Covid-19: and he knows more than most of us about coronaviruses. Yet, as the Mail has discovered, The Lancet enjoys a close relationship with Chinas medical establishment. As far back as 2008, Dr Horton was honoured at The Great Hall of the People in Beijings Tiananmen Square to mark an unprecedented collaboration between Peking University and the journal. Two years later, The Lancet established an office in Beijing (in addition to its New York office and London headquarters). In 2015, Dr Horton was back in Beijing to receive the Friendship Award from the Government of China the highest honour awarded to foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to the countrys economic and social progress. Over the past five years, The Lancet has run an annual health conference in China with the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS). This is the same Chinese government-affiliated institution that is accused of hampering the race to publish the genome sequence, or DNA map, of the new strain of coronavirus when it first emerged. In June last year, an investigation by Associated Press revealed that the virus had been partially decoded by a private laboratory, Vision Medicals, on December 27, and shared with CAMS. But it wasnt until January 12 that CAMS, along with the Chinese Centre for Disease Control (CDC) published the full genome sequence information that was crucial to containing the spread. A spokeswoman for The Lancet on Dr Hortons behalf said he has praised Chinas efforts to alert the world to the rapid spread of the virus, but has also been clear that China has legitimate questions to answer about its response to the Covid-19 outbreak in December. In April last year, the U.S. Government paused funding to EcoHealth after it emerged that money had been funnelled into coronavirus research at the WIV. DISEASES AND DEFENCE DOLLARS The National Institutes of Health said its $3.7 million grant would be restored only if outside experts could establish whether staff had the Covid-19 virus in their possession before December 2019. In truth, this funding is only the tip of the iceberg. Figures from the Independent Science News site [drawing on data from the official USASpending.gov website] reveal that U.S. federal bodies awarded grants and contracts worth over $60 million to EcoHealth between 2013 and 2020 and that just under $39 million was from the Pentagon. Of that money, $34.6 million was from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Defence whose role is to counter and deter weapons of mass destruction and improvised threat networks. One such $6 million contract awarded to EcoHealth for 2017-2022 states that it is for Scientific research combating weapons of mass destruction, the detail of which is Understanding the risk of bat-borne zoonotic disease emergence in Western Asia. (It is unclear if the contract is still in place.) A spokesman for Peter Daszak who draws an annual salary of $410,000 (303,000) via EcoHealth stressed that no Pentagon funding went towards any virus research in China, only that from the National Institutes of Health, and that the U.S. Defence funding covers a number of years for virus research around the world. He declined to comment on any other allegations in this article. Nevertheless, the relationship between the Pentagon (which declined to comment), EcoHealth and the WIV is contentious enough for Pentagon officials to have been hauled in front of a U.S. Defence sub-committee for questioning. Last month, Trent Kelly, a Republican member of the sub-committee, demanded to know what kind of risk assessment... weve conducted and how the Wuhan Institute of Virology became the partner of choice for U.S. government agencies. Rhys Williams, acting director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and Brandi Vann, acting assistant defence secretary for nuclear, chemical and biological defence programmes, told the hearing that all the funds they reviewed from DTRA and other government sources did not go to the Chinese institution. Defense Threat Reduction Agencys funding to this NGO was not provided, to the best of our knowledge, into the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Mr Williams said. Dr Anthony Fauci,chief medical adviser to the President and widely regarded as a hero for standing up to Donald Trumps Covid claims (many of which, in retrospect, seem prescient), is now suddenly in the hot seat because of Daszak. Among the newly leaked emails was one from Daszak to Fauci on April 18, 2020, in which he says: I wanted to say a personal thank you for... publicly standing up and stating that the scientific evidence supports a natural origin of Covid-19... not a lab release from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Further emails show that Fauci knew about high-risk research into the genetic manipulation of coronaviruses as early as February 2020. On Thursday, Senator Rand Paul called for Faucis dismissal, claiming that he lied about knowledge of such gain of function research being conducted in Wuhan, allegedly funded by the U.S. Two senior Republican congressmen have also written to Fauci stating: If U.S. taxpayer money was used to develop Covid-19, conduct gain-of-function research or assist in any sort of cover-up, EcoHealth must be held accountable. Fauci responded by telling journalists: You can misconstrue it however you want... That email was from a person to me saying thank you for whatever it is he thought I said; and I said that I think the most likely origin is a jumping of species. I still do think it is; at the same time as Im keeping an open mind that it might be a lab leak. IS U.S. COVERING ITS BACK TOO? In A further development yesterday, Vanity Fair magazine quoted internal memos from a U.S. State Department meeting in which officials said they were explicitly told not to explore the Wuhan Institute of Virologys gain-of-function research because it would bring unwelcome attention to U.S. government funding of it and open a can of worms. Establishing the origins of this pandemic is crucial to averting another such global outbreak. However, it is increasingly clear that geopolitical factors, competing views within the scientific establishment, multimillion-dollar research funds and the secrecy of the Chinese are making what is a complex and murky tale ever more complicated and murkier still. But one question stands out: if the U.S. is partially to blame for Covid by funding risky research in Chinese labs, why is China holding back from revealing that fact? The Chinese political situation is difficult for everyone involved, according to Dr Latham of Independent Science News. Thats the origin of their caginess. If there is a perception [that the virus escaped from China], if [Bat Woman] Shi Zhengli has been soliciting money from U.S. organisations that have connections with the U.S. military, it will not look good for her, nor for the Wuhan Institute of Virology. 'She may not be telling her bosses the reality. In trying to predict and prevent a global health catastrophe, did scientists accidentally open Pandoras Box and unleash one? Did bio-defence unwittingly become bio-attack? Until we know the truth, we are at the mercy of the next pandemic. At least seven workers were trapped inside a coal mine that collapsed in the northeastern Mexican state of Coahuila. The mining accident occurred Friday approximately at 12:50pm in the municipality of Muzquiz, the Coahuila Labor Ministry said. Local Mexican media outlets reported that a section of the mine disaster was caused by a collapse and flooding. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and no updates have been given on the condition of the miners who were trapped. Rescue workers and authorities mill around outside a coal mine in Coahuila, Mexico where at least seven workers were trapped as of midday Friday after it collapsed. Local news outlets reported that a section of the mine flooded Pedro Ramirez (left) and Humberto Rodriguez (right) are among the seven workers trapped in a coal mine that collapsed, and reportedly flooded, in Coahuila, Mexico on Friday Mine workers attempt to go inside a mine in the northeastern Mexican state of Mexico after the underground coal mine collapsed and left at least seven workers trapped Mexico's National Guard was deployed to the site of a coal mine in Muzquiz, a city in the northeast Mexico state of Coahuila, where at least seven miners were trapped The miners were identified as Leopoldo Mendez, 20; Damian Robles, 27; Gonzalo Cruz, 53; Mauricio Cortes; Humberto Rodriguez; and Pedro Ramirez, according to Mexican newspaper Vanguardia. Online news outlet Zocalo identified the seventh miner as Francisco Briseno. Authorities did not provide updates on the condition of the workers. Family members were spotted outside the mine, located in the Muzquiz neighborhood of Las Rancherias, seeking information and shouting at authorities to look for their relatives. Francisco Contreras, deputy director of operations for the Coahuila Civil Defense, said efforts were underway to rescue the miners and to investigate what caused the collapse. The National Guard set up a perimeter outside a mine that collapsed in Coahuila, Mexico, on Friday afternoon. At least seven workers are trapped National Guard troops were also deployed to help with the recovery efforts. The Civil Defense said rescue workers had a water pumping system to help drain out flooded area. 'They say that it was flooded and some motor pumps were being requested to extract the water and be able to enter to determine the rescue attempt,' Contreras said. One of the most senior officials in the Trump Organization has been subpoenaed to appear before a special grand jury deciding whether former President Donald Trump should face charges, according to reports. Jeff McConney is senior vice president and controller of the Trump family business, where he is a 35-year veteran. The development indicates how investigators are entering a new phase as they focus in on the company's financial affairs. ABC News reported that he was the first employee of the former president's company to testify. 'Complex accounting issues are crucial to this investigation, as is the knowledge and intent of the people at the Trump Organization involved in these transactions,' Daniel R. Alonso, former chief assistant district attorney in Manhattan, told the outlet. The Manhattan grand jury is reportedly focused on the financial affairs of the Trump Organization and on Friday it emerged that it was calling Jeff McConney its senior vice president to testify. President Trump has shrugged off the investigation as a 'witch hunt.' Aides say he is more annoyed about the expense and inconvenience than any real risk of legal jeopardy Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. is stepping down at the end of the year, putting time pressure on the probe. Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg is under scrutiny following reports that the company paid expensive private school tuition for his grandchildren Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is leading one of a number of investigations into the former president's business practises. It was triggered by the testimony of Michael Cohen, who worked as Trump's personal attorney and fixer. One focus is reported to be whether Trump inflated the value of properties to obtain bank loans and deflated them when calculating tax liabilities. Another area under scrutiny is compensation provided to top employees. Vance is stepping down at the end of the year, which means he has limited time to bring charges. Last month it emerged that he had convened a grand jury and was pressing ahead notifying potential witnesses. Prosecutors have also homed in on one of McConney's colleagues, Allen H. Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's chief financial officer. Former President Donald Trump raged against Manhattan prosecutors for conducting a 'purely political' investigation in a statement made to his website His daughter-in-law told CNN he may 'flip' on the former president. In February, Vance's office said it had obtained Trump's tax returns after a long legal battle. Trump had refused to reveal his tax records throughout his presidency, breaking with convention. Since then, the former president has dismissed the investigation as more of the same he endured in power. 'This is a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in American history,' Trump said recently. 'This is purely political, and an affront to the almost 75 million voters who supported me in the presidential election, and it's being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors.' Summer holidays to our favourite European hotspots looked in doubt last night as Grant Shapps refused to confirm major destinations would be on the green list. The Transport Secretary said ministers must be super cautious over the reopening of foreign travel. He told the Mail the Government couldnt afford to take any chances due to the perceived threat of new Covid variants at holiday destinations. Britons hoping for a foreign holiday this summer face a confusing choice after Portugal was moved from the green to amber list leaving thousands of people at risk of quarantine unless they can fly home before Tuesday Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, pictured, said he would not advise Britons against booking foreign holidays, though he acknowledged that such trips to places such as France, Greece, Spain and Italy may not be possible before August He stopped short of saying travellers should not book holidays, adding that it was hard to know whether trips to hotspots such as France, Greece, Spain and Italy would be possible before August. It came as the sudden decision to downgrade Portugal from green to amber saw thousands rushing to return to the UK yesterday before quarantine rules kick in. Airlines scrambled to lay on extra planes so holidaymakers in Portugal can rebook return flights to make it back by Tuesdays deadline. At one point, the cost of a seat on the last plane out of Faro on Monday night hit 771. Prices fell as airlines laid on more flights. It is estimated that 112,000 Britons are currently in Portugal on holiday. EasyJet said it was laying on 1,000 extra seats, on routes from Faro to Gatwick, Luton, Bristol and Manchester airports. British Airways said it was chartering an extra plane tomorrow and another on Monday. But families who cant get a seat, or choose to stay and quarantine on return, face extra testing bills. Passengers returning from an amber country have to take two post-arrival tests, rather than one for green countries. Two jabs will get you into France France will begin accepting fully vaccinated Britons into the country for leisure trips from Wednesday. Those who have been double-jabbed will be allowed to enter France with proof of a negative test and will no longer need a compelling reason to be there. Fully vaccinated Britons will also escape having to do a seven-day quarantine on arrival, which is required because Britain is on Frances amber list. But they will still need to isolate upon their return to Britain because France remains on the UKs amber list. The border opening will also allow EU passport holders living in the UK to enter France without any proof of testing at all. Advertisement If travellers opt to pay for a third post-arrival test on day five to allow early release, the bill would be hundreds more. The average price of a PCR post-arrival test from Government-approved private providers is about 111 but the cheapest is 44. Yesterday, angry travel industry leaders called on ministers to publish the data on which they base their country ranking decisions. In a letter to Mr Shapps, Airlines UK, which represents all the major UK-registered carriers, said the downgrading of Portugal had come as both a shock and severe blow to the industry. It added it was concerned the Government was seeking to curtail air travel rather than facilitate it where it is safe to do so and that decisions on country allocation remain clouded in mystery, making it impossible for airlines and our customers to plan. The trade body also demanded to know why no new low-risk destinations were added to the green list, despite low infection rates in locations such as Malta, the Balearic Islands and some Greek islands. It said the key thresholds for when countries turn a different colour should also be published. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of travel agent group Advantage Travel Partnership, said the decision to take Portugal off the green list was an absolute devastating blow for consumers and the industry of a really seismic scale, and that it throws confidence completely out of the window. The UK has a seven-day average infection rate of 35 per 100,000 of the population, similar to Portugals. Professor Henrique Barros, president of Portugals National Health Council, branded the move an overreaction. Ministers removed Portugal from the green list on Thursday after just three weeks, citing a doubling of case numbers and the Nepal variant. But Professor Barros said: We didnt reach such an increase, except as I said in a specific area around Lisbon. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick yesterday said he was not aware of any cases of the Nepal variant in the UK but that Portuguese scientists had detected it. Britons face a race against time to come back to the UK ahead of Tuesday morning's deadline moving Portugal from the green to amber list He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: We took the decision that it was better to be cautious whilst we learn about this new mutation of the variant. Asked yesterday whether European hotspots could go on the green list before August, Mr Shapps told the Mail: Its very hard to know and its of course very largely dependent on how well other places are doing with their vaccine programme. Its a fact [that] we got a very long way ahead with our vaccine programme... but obviously it will help as other countries catch up. Its very hard to make predictions other than to say weve just got to give ourselves the best possible chance of unlocking domestically and I think most people feel the same way about this lets not take any chances. He added: Nobody wants to restrict peoples freedom to go on holiday... but we just have to be super cautious. Last night, Labour wrote to the Government to say that amber countries Thailand and Vietnam should be added to the red list due to concerns over new variants. Nick Thomas-Symonds, shadow home secretary, said: It beggars belief that Conservative ministers opened up an ambiguous amber list, causing mass confusion and allowing thousands of people to travel to the UK from countries, including Thailand and Vietnam, with rising Covid numbers. Ditched, promise of free tests before families fly home By Claire Ellicott and David Churchill Ministers have been accused of abandoning plans to slash the price of holidays abroad by allowing families to bring free rapid Covid-19 tests with them. A scheme to allow holidaymakers to take a lateral flow test before returning to Britain was considered earlier this year. But sources said the money to pay for it was due to run out this month and no plans to replace the funding have been announced. There were concerns about whether the tests would gain official approval due to the difficulty of proving when they are taken, as well as questions over their accuracy. It means that ministers have missed an opportunity to save hard-pressed families money when they go abroad. Ministers have been accused of abandoning plans to slash the price of holidays abroad by allowing families to bring free rapid Covid-19 tests with them Cheaper and faster lateral flow tests are currently being handed out for free by the Government for anyone who needs them. And airlines have argued that the UK is holding passengers to far higher standards than other countries by refusing to allow the rapid tests, which ministers deem good enough for schools. The failure to provide the free tests means families who go abroad are having to pay out for pre-return tests in order to be able to return to the UK. Although the NHS lateral flow tests are CE-approved meaning they meet certain safety and specification standards travellers have to be supervised while taking them. This is partly so people can receive official documentation stating the time the test was taken and the official result to show at the UK border on return. But it would potentially mean arranging for NHS workers to supervise people taking the tests over an online video call, something for which there are precious little resources. It means families have been forced to look to private providers. British Airways offers a pre-return test which is supervised via an online video call for 39. This would add more than 150 to the bill for a holiday for a family of four, or nearly 200 for a family of five if their children were aged 11 or over. Paying for a clinician in a foreign country to administer one could lead to an even bigger bill. The cost of tests from private providers has fallen overall as more firms have entered the market. But of the more than 300 government-approved providers listed online the average overall price of a single PCR test is still more than 100. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, one of 17 MPs who signed a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling on him to scrap VAT on PCR tests, said the Government must deliver on its pledge to provide free pre-return testing devices which people could pack in their luggage to take with them. He said: They need to come through with the free tests. Theres a desperate need for them to deliver on that promise for the British public and the airlines and airport operators. A Department of Health spokesman said: We want to keep travel as safe as possible and lateral flow tests are widely available at low costs in most green list countries. We are seeing how we can further reduce costs by continuing to work with travel industry and private testing providers. We face a scramble to get all-clear Property developer Simon Smith was yesterday scrambling around trying to find Covid tests in order to leave Portugal before UK quarantine rules kick in. Mr Smith, from Stamford, Lincolnshire, visited five medical centres and a hospital to try to get his family tested. He was with his wife and two children, aged two and four, at the family villa in the Lagos area when the Government announced it was moving the country on to the amber list. The family has used the property only once since purchasing it last year and had flown to the Algarve to carry out preparatory work for guests. Property developer Simon Smith was yesterday scrambling around trying to find Covid tests in order to leave Portugal before UK quarantine rules kick in Instead, Mr Smith said the last day had been blighted by people calling to cancel their stays. He described the change in status as a real kick in the teeth. There has just been no thought into it at all, he said. I thought the whole idea of the green list was that they were going to monitor it and give people plenty of time and notice to get flights and sort out problems with testing. The family has managed to book flights out of Portugal this morning at 10am in the hope of beating the new rules. But in order to leave, they first have to arrange Covid tests in Portugal. The family has been told the airport has a small amount of tests available, so plan on turning up five hours early. If we cant get that, we cant fly, said Mr Smith. Then were going to be stuck here. I have meetings on Friday, I cant afford ten days quarantine, it is a joke. Advertisement Strife begins at 40 ... pals birthday Lisbon trip axed As the only one of her close-knit group of childhood friends who did not turn 40 during lockdown, Nina Hands thought they could celebrate her milestone in style. But their decision to travel to Lisbon for a long weekend of birthday celebrations was this week left in tatters after Portugal went on the amber list. The PR agency owner said that the group of six had been left racked with disappointment after deciding to cancel the trip on July 24. Nina Hands, pictured, hoped she and her friends could celebrate her 40th birthday in Portugal Miss Hands, 39, said: The other girls have already missed their fortieth birthdays because of lockdown so we all decided to go to Lisbon for three nights to celebrate mine Miss Hands, 39, said: The other girls have already missed their fortieth birthdays because of lockdown so we all decided to go to Lisbon for three nights to celebrate mine. We are really disappointed and just hope we can move it to another time. And like many other travellers whose holidays abroad were scuppered, they are also struggling to find an alternative plan in the UK due to a surge in domestic bookings. The group of friends have known each other since they were 11 and had vowed to travel abroad together every year. Miss Hands added: We booked towards the beginning of the year in the depths of lockdown when we wanted something to look forward to. We took out travel insurance and we were all just hopeful that by July everything would have lifted. While the businesswoman accepted there was a risk attached to the flight, she said they could not afford to quarantine for ten days upon their return to the UK. Its just the back and forth [of the travel rules] that is really frustrating, she said. We are all in a predicament now as there is nothing left in the UK. We would even go camping but everything is booked. The group has received the money back for their hotel and is awaiting confirmation that their flights with easyJet and Portugese airline Tap Air will be refunded. Advertisement Holiday chaos guide you cant leave ho me without By Harriet Sime and Tom Chesshyre A key factor in deciding which countries are given the green light for holidays is their infection rate. In the UK it currently stands at 35 per 100,000 in the past seven days but is much lower in many popular destinations. Decisions on the Governments international travel traffic light system are based on assessments by the Joint Biosecurity Centre. In addition to infection rates, it also takes into account the proportion of the countrys population vaccinated, emerging new variants and access to reliable scientific data combined with genomic sequencing to detect emerging variants. Decisions on the Governments international travel traffic light system are based on assessments by the Joint Biosecurity Centre Which countries may go green this summer? MALTA: The Mediterranean island is a prime candidate and was widely tipped to be added to the green list on Monday due to its low infection rate of seven per 100,000 in the past seven days and high vaccination rate 72 per cent of adults have received their first dose. The country reopened its borders to British tourists with proof of a negative PCR test result on Monday. GREECE: Hopes were high that Santorini and Mykonos would turn green on Monday but the mainland and all its islands remain amber. The Greek government has been prioritising tourist-reliant islands in its vaccination campaign. Other islands that could be added in the next review on June 28 include Rhodes, Kefalonia, Kos, Zakynthos, Corfu and Crete. SPAIN: The Balearics and Canaries were tipped to turn green this week, with infection rates of 33 and 38 per 100,000 respectively. The adult population in Spain is unlikely to be fully vaccinated until September and the Balearics are lagging behind the rest of the country, with only 16 per cent jabbed. British tourists are welcome in Spain restriction-free, although those travelling to the Canaries must provide evidence of a negative PCR or antigen test. The Balearics and Canaries were tipped to turn green this week, with infection rates of 33 and 38 per 100,000 respectively CARIBBEAN: Several popular islands could be added to the green list at the next review, including Barbados, Grenada and Antigua. Grenada is one of the few countries with an infection rate of zero, while in Barbados it is six per 100,000. Antigua and Barbuda has a rate of just three in 100,000, and 34 per cent of the population has had their first vaccine dose. USA: The countrys massive vaccine programme has delivered 367million doses, with just over 50 per cent of the population having had at least one jab. Boris Johnson hopes President Biden will agree to a quarantine-free UK-US travel corridor for those who have received both doses this summer. CYPRUS: The island, which remains amber, was one of the first countries in Europe to welcome back British tourists, opening its borders to the fully vaccinated or those with a negative PCR test result on May 1. Cyprus has an infection rate of seven and has vaccinated 44 per cent of its population with a first dose. TURKEY: The country was put on the red list last month. But its tourist board said a recent lockdown has had a significant impact on reducing infections, which it said have fallen by 73 per cent since May 1. Its borders are open restriction-free to those who have received two doses of the vaccine. What are airlines doing? EASYJET is allowing passengers to transfer flights for free this summer up to two hours before travel or to opt for a refund or airline credit. Its Flights Protection Promise is in place until September 30. The caveat is that if fares rise for the new flights, passengers must pay the difference. RYANAIR customers who have booked to travel in July and August will be able to move flights for free for travel until December 31. However, passengers can only switch to the route already booked. Ryanair customers who have booked to travel in July and August will be able to move flights for free for travel until December 31. However, passengers can only switch to the route already booked BRITISH AIRWAYS has waived its usual fee for changing flights, but passengers must pay any differences in fares. There is also an option to accept a voucher for travel valid until April 30, 2023. WIZZ AIR will allow changes up to three hours before flights. Passengers must pay any differences in the cost of fares and there is also a sliding scale of fees. With more than 30 days to go, the change fee is 26, within seven it is 34. JET2 is offering free amendments for flights to amber countries for travel from July 1-21. The villa dilemma Customers with villa bookings with any company are advised to triple-check the small print now, just in case the travel traffic light system affects a forthcoming booking. There is a danger that you could book to go to an amber country and then see it switched to the red list. In such a scenario, unscrupulous companies might say that customers who choose not to come merely have a disinclination to travel. Luckily, most villa companies have relaxed terms and conditions during the pandemic, although this throws up some grey areas. There is a danger that you could book to go to an amber country and then see it switched to the red list. In such a scenario, unscrupulous companies might say that customers who choose not to come merely have a disinclination to travel For example, Olivers Travels has a Book with Confidence policy that states that if a country moves to amber and you do not wish to travel, it will ask the villa owner for a change of date but we are unable to guarantee that a change of dates request will be accepted by the owner... We will of course do our very best for you. If the country moves to the red list, however, customers can move their holiday to another date. Meanwhile, James Villas offers a free cancellation when made at least 28 days before travel for certain properties. Simpsons Travel is offering customers deferrals or refunds for any destination not on the green list. Package holidays Tour operators are pressing ahead with holidays to amber list countries. For example, Britains leading operator, Tui, is continuing flights to Spain. However, it is allowing all passengers who are concerned about going or do not want to self-isolate for ten days on their return to make a change to a booking without a fee up to 14 days before travel up to August 31. Holidays can be swapped for alternative trips up to October 2022. Tuis policy for countries that move from the green to the amber list is for a fee-free holiday change right up until the day before your holiday begins. Travellers with package holidays should check with their tour operators terms and conditions online, usually found in Covid Update sections. Each is likely to be slightly different. Check your insurance Travel insurance policies are invalidated if you travel against Foreign Office advice. For green list destinations such as Iceland and Gibraltar, policies will work as usual. But for amber countries, holidaymakers are advised to check with their insurer before travel. Policies should be valid for travel to amber countries such as Spain or Greece, even if the Government has recommended against travelling to them. This is because with travel, insurers have traditionally followed Foreign Office advice, which is stated at gov.uk. So travel to amber countries is likely to be fine, although it is sensible to double-check before going. Rules for children Those travelling to green list countries will have to stay alert regarding Covid test requirements, especially with children. First, there is the rule for the country you are visiting. For example, in Portugal on the green list until Tuesday children over the age of two must have a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before travelling. This rule could be different should other countries go green. Some may have different age waivers. Others may not require tests at all for any age category. Travellers will have to check individual countries entry requirements, listed on gov.uk. Then, before returning to the UK from any green country, all passengers excluding children under 11 must have proof of a negative antigen/lateral flow Covid test taken within 72 hours of travel. Abroad, these tests usually cost about 25 and should be widely available. A further hurdle involves completing the passenger locator forms required by British border officials. These must be completed online (at gov.uk) by returning travellers, although those aged under 18 may be included on adults forms if they are staying at the same UK address. All travellers, excluding those aged four and under, must also have proof of having booked and paid for a PCR test to be taken before day two of getting back. Government-recognised clinics must be used for this and you will be provided with a reference number to use in your passenger locator form. Traffic light system Green countries: no requirement to self-isolate on return. A negative antigen/lateral flow test is required before returning to the UK. A PCR test must also be taken within two days of returning. Amber countries: Ten days quarantine required on return to the UK, along with PCR tests taken on days two and eight. Alternatively, use the Test to Release scheme, paying for a private test on day five to end quarantine early (youll still need to take a test on day eight). A negative antigen/lateral flow test is also required before returning to the UK. Red countries: Ten days quarantine are required in a Government-approved hotel (1,750 cost), plus a negative antigen/lateral flow test before returning and PCR tests on days two and eight. For green countries, a negative antigen/lateral flow test is required before returning to the UK. A PCR test must also be taken within two days of returning A key factor in deciding which countries are given the green light for holidays is their infection rate. In the UK it currently stands at 40 per 100,000 in the past seven days but is much lower in many popular destinations. Decisions on the Government's international travel traffic light system are based on assessments by the Joint Biosecurity Centre. In addition to infection rates, it also takes into account the proportion of the country's population vaccinated, emerging new variants and access to reliable scientific data combined with genomic sequencing to detect emerging variants. Ryan Air customers who have booked to travel in July and August will be able to move flights for free for travel until December 31. However, passengers can only switch to the route already booked WHICH COUNTRIES MAY GO GREEN THIS SUMMER? MALTA: The Mediterranean island is a prime candidate and was widely tipped to be added to the green list on Monday due to its low infection rate of seven per 100,000 in the past seven days and high vaccination rate 72 per cent of adults have received their first dose. The country reopened its borders to British tourists with proof of a negative PCR test result on Monday. GREECE: Hopes were high that Santorini and Mykonos would turn green on Monday but the mainland and all its islands remain amber. The Greek government has been prioritising tourist-reliant islands in its vaccination campaign. Other islands that could be added in the next review on June 28 include Rhodes, Kefalonia, Kos, Zakynthos, Corfu and Crete. SPAIN: The Balearics and Canaries were tipped to turn green this week, with infection rates of 33 and 38 per 100,000 respectively. The adult population in Spain is unlikely to be fully vaccinated until September and the Balearics are lagging behind the rest of the country, with only 16 per cent jabbed. British tourists are welcome in Spain restriction-free, although those travelling to the Canaries must provide evidence of a negative PCR or antigen test. CARIBBEAN: Several popular islands could be added to the green list at the next review, including Barbados, Grenada and Antigua. Grenada is one of the few countries with an infection rate of zero, while in Barbados it is six per 100,000. Antigua and Barbuda has a rate of just three in 100,000, and 34 per cent of the population has had their first vaccine dose. Boris Johnson hopes President Biden will agree to a quarantine-free UK-US travel corridor for those who have received both doses this summer USA: The country's massive vaccine programme has delivered 367million doses, with just over 50 per cent of the population having had at least one jab. Boris Johnson hopes President Biden will agree to a quarantine-free UK-US travel corridor for those who have received both doses this summer. CYPRUS: The island, which remains amber, was one of the first countries in Europe to welcome back British tourists, opening its borders to the fully vaccinated or those with a negative PCR test result on May 1. Cyprus has an infection rate of seven and has vaccinated 44 per cent of its population with a first dose. TURKEY: The country was put on the red list last month. But its tourist board said a recent lockdown has had a 'significant impact' on reducing infections, which it said have fallen by 73 per cent since May 1. Its borders are open restriction-free to those who have received two doses of the vaccine. WHAT ARE AIRLINES DOING? EasyJet is allowing passengers to transfer flights for free this summer up to two hours before travel or to opt for a refund or airline credit. Its 'Flights Protection Promise' is in place until September 30. The caveat is that if fares rise for the new flights, passengers must pay the difference. Ryan Air customers who have booked to travel in July and August will be able to move flights for free for travel until December 31. However, passengers can only switch to the route already booked. British Airways has waived its usual fee for changing flights, but passengers must pay any differences in fares. There is also an option to accept a voucher for travel valid until April 30, 2023. Wizz Air will allow changes up to three hours before flights. Passengers must pay any differences in the cost of fares and there is also a sliding scale of fees. With more than 30 days to go, the change fee is 26, within seven it is 34. Jet2 is offering free amendments for flights to amber countries for travel from July 1-21. THE VILLA DILEMMA Customers with villa bookings with any company are advised to triple-check the small print now, just in case the travel traffic light system affects a forthcoming booking. There is a danger that you could book to go to an amber country and then see it switched to the red list. In such a scenario, unscrupulous companies might say that customers who choose not to come merely have a 'disinclination to travel'. Luckily, most villa companies have relaxed terms and conditions during the pandemic, although this throws up some grey areas. For example, Oliver's Travels has a 'Book with Confidence' policy that states that if a country moves to amber and you do not wish to travel, it will ask the villa owner for a change of date but 'we are unable to guarantee that a change of dates request will be accepted by the owner... We will of course do our very best for you.' If the country moves to the red list, however, customers can move their holiday to another date. Meanwhile, James Villas offers a 'free cancellation' when made at least 28 days before travel for certain properties. Simpsons Travel is offering customers deferrals or refunds for any destination not on the green list. PACKAGE HOLIDAYS Tour operators are pressing ahead with holidays to amber list countries. For example, Britain's leading operator, Tui, is continuing flights to Spain. However, it is allowing all passengers who are concerned about going or do not want to self-isolate for ten days on their return to make a change to a booking without a fee up to 14 days before travel up to August 31. Holidays can be swapped for alternative trips up to October 2022. Travellers with package holidays should check with their tour operator's terms and conditions online Tui's policy for countries that move from the green to the amber list is for a fee-free holiday change 'right up until the day before your holiday begins'. Travellers with package holidays should check with their tour operator's terms and conditions online, usually found in 'Covid Update' sections. Each is likely to be slightly different. CHECK YOUR INSURANCE Travel insurance policies are invalidated if you travel against Foreign Office advice. For green list destinations such as Iceland and Gibraltar, policies will work as usual. But for amber countries, holidaymakers are advised to check with their insurer before travel. Policies should be valid for travel to amber countries such as Spain or Greece, even if the Government has recommended against travelling to them. This is because with travel, insurers have traditionally followed Foreign Office advice, which is stated at gov.uk. So travel to amber countries is likely to be fine, although it is sensible to double-check before going. RULES FOR CHILDREN Those travelling to green list countries will have to stay alert regarding Covid test requirements, especially with children. First, there is the rule for the country you are visiting. For example, in Portugal on the green list until Tuesday children over the age of two must have a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before travelling. This rule could be different should other countries go green. Some may have different age waivers. Others may not require tests at all for any age category. Travellers will have to check individual countries' entry requirements, listed on gov.uk. Those travelling to green list countries will have to stay alert regarding Covid test requirements, especially with children A further hurdle involves completing the Passenger Locator Forms required by British border officials Then, before returning to the UK from any green country, all passengers excluding children under 11 must have proof of a negative antigen/lateral flow Covid test taken within 72 hours of travel. Abroad, these tests usually cost about 25 and should be widely available. A further hurdle involves completing the Passenger Locator Forms required by British border officials. These must be completed online (at gov.uk) by returning travellers, although those aged under 18 may be included on adults' forms if they are staying at the same UK address. All travellers, excluding those aged four and under, must also have proof of having booked and paid for a PCR test to be taken before 'day two' of getting back. Government-recognised clinics must be used for this and you will be provided with a reference number to use in your Passenger Locator Form. TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM GREEN countries: no requirement to self-isolate on return. A negative antigen/lateral flow test is required before returning to the UK. A PCR test must also be taken within two days of returning. RED countries: Ten days' quarantine are required in a Government-approved hotel (1,750 cost), plus a negative antigen/lateral flow test before returning and PCR tests on days two and eight AMBER countries: Ten days' quarantine required on return to the UK, along with PCR tests taken on days two and eight. Alternatively, use the Test to Release scheme, paying for a private test on day five to end quarantine early (you'll still need to take a test on day eight). A negative antigen/lateral flow test is also required before returning to the UK. RED countries: Ten days' quarantine are required in a Government-approved hotel (1,750 cost), plus a negative antigen/lateral flow test before returning and PCR tests on days two and eight. Shakur Valentino (pictured) was released by police after grabbing an 18-year-old woman and putting his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming as he tried to rape her A twisted sex attacker who stole clothing from his victims as 'trophies' raped a grandmother weeks after being charged with an attempted attack on a teenager. Shakur Valentino was released by police after grabbing an 18-year-old woman and putting his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming as he tried to rape her. Weeks after his release, the 23-year-old raped a grandmother, in her 60s, near to London's Piccadilly Circus. Valentino was jailed for 12 years in 2019 for the rape of the woman, who he had tracked through the streets of London before carrying out an attack in a side street. But he has now been jailed for a further five years for the attempted rape of his teenager victim. It means Valentino's jail sentences, which will run consecutively, now total 17 years. At Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Louise Brandon said 'a disturbing feature' of both cases was that he 'took trophies in the form of items as a reminder of your offending'. Valentino, 23, from St Helens, Merseyside, denied raping the teenager, but on the day she was due to give pre-recorded evidence for a trial, admitted attempted rape. Philip Astbury, prosecuting, said: 'It's an attempted rape that comes as close to the full offence as the prosecution say could be imagined.' The court heard the victim and two friends met Valentino, then 21, on a night out in St Helens in the early hours of December 9, 2018. Mr Astbury said the woman and Valentino 'were attracted to one another' and the group got a taxi back to the victim's dad's house. At around 5.30am, the victim and Valentino went into a bedroom and had sex, but they stopped, she put on a dressing gown and left the room. She told her friends she was 'tired' and keen to get some sleep before getting up for work, but when she returned to bed, Valentino 'wanted more sex'. Mr Astbury said: 'She told him no as she was tired... the defendant refused to take no for an answer.' At Liverpool Crown Court (pictured), Judge Louise Brandon said 'a disturbing feature' of both cases was that he 'took trophies in the form of items as a reminder of your offending' He said Valentino forced her onto her back and she 'protested and told him no, she wanted to go to sleep', but he climbed on top of her. She tried to fight him off but he was 'simply too strong' and when she cried out 'he placed his hand over her mouth' to 'silence her protests'. Mr Astbury said she believed he raped her, but the prosecution after consulting with the victim took the 'pragmatic decision' to accept he didn't. He said a friend heard her cries and entered the room to find Valentino on top of her. Valentino 'jumped up' and the victim managed to get away, ran out of the house, and hid behind a parked van in the street'. He left before police arrived, but officers arrested him nearby. He said: 'Officers found the complainant's knickers hidden in his boxer shorts.' The prosecutor added: 'He did accept he had deliberately taken her knickers when getting dressed, but was unable to explain why he had done that.' Valentino was previously convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm in 2017. In June 2019 he admitted two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, kidnapping and assault causing actual bodily harm, relating to an attack at around 3.30am on February 4, 2019. Mr Astbury said Valentino pursued a cleaner walking to work through London's West End and shouted at her. He said Valentino grabbed her by the hair, dragged her into an alley and raped her, then threatened a homeless man who tried to intervene. Mr Astbury said Valentino pursued a cleaner walking to work through London's West End before raping her near to Piccadilly Circus (pictured: Library image) The rapist carried on but the witness raised the alarm and police arrested Valentino as he fled. Valentino claimed that victim was a prostitute and any sex was consensual, but Mr Astbury said it was all captured on CCTV. The footage showed him 'hanging around' Piccadilly Circus for around an hour and approaching three other women. Mr Astbury said this attack was around eight weeks after the first and it appeared Valentino had been released under investigation by police. Judge Brandon raised Valentino taking clothing in both incidents, to which Cheryl Mottram, defending, confirmed he took the woman's leggings. She said a psychiatric report made clear Valentino 'suffered significant traumatic experiences' as a young child that impacted on his thinking. Judge Brandon told Valentino he made derogatory remarks about both victims after his attacks, which 'disclosed your deep seated and disgraceful attitude to women and you thinking you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, when dealing with women'. The judge said having read the psychological report, she struggled to accept he was genuinely remorseful. She said it was clear he had been affected by childhood traumas, adding: 'You are a very damaged young man.' However, she said he was also 'a very dangerous young man'. Judge Brandon said his behaviour was 'impulsive and unpredictable', adding: 'There remains a complete denial on your part that your actions on either occasion were wrong.' Valentino's 2019 sentence was 12 years, with an extended five years on licence. His 2021 sentence was five years with an extended two years on licence. Because the sentences run consecutively, his total jail sentence is 17 years. Wedding firms and couples planning to tie the knot this summer have been plunged into chaos amid fears 'Freedom Day' could be delayed. Those getting married face losing tens of thousands of pounds, while businesses already on the brink warn that it will be 'disastrous' if big ceremonies are not allowed to go ahead later this month and in July. The wedding sector faces estimated revenue losses of more than 1.3billion if current restrictions are extended by even just four weeks, according to industry body the UK Weddings Taskforce. Confusion around existing restrictions is adding to couples' desperation as councils set their own rules for ceremonies. Wedding firms and couples planning to tie the knot this summer have been plunged into chaos amid fears 'Freedom Day' - planned for June 21 - could be delayed. Pictured: Tom Woof and Abi Shaw are hoping to get married on July 10. But the couple, from Didsbury, Manchester, face an anxious wait to see if their 130-guest ceremony can go ahead A Money Mail investigation found that an estimated 1,133 tons of food ordered in advance could have to be thrown away. And around 300 tons of flowers and foliage could also be wasted in a major blow for the 8,000 floristry businesses in the UK. Current coronavirus restrictions mean that weddings in England are limited to 30 guests. The cap rises to 100 in some parts of Scotland from today, and 50 can attend outside ceremonies in Wales. Boris Johnson had previously said that all limits would be scrapped on June 21 as part of Britain's roadmap out of lockdown. But new variants of the virus have threatened to derail the plan. An official update for the wedding industry had been promised on May 24. But this has been pushed back to as late as June 14, giving some couples just seven days' notice to drastically scale back their plans if necessary. A Government source said a decision on whether to relax restrictions will be considered in the round with all other limits on gatherings, despite pleas from the wedding sector for urgent clarity. Businesses fear any move to delay allowing bigger ceremonies would destroy confidence in the sector and lead to even more postponements through the summer the busiest time of the year for weddings. Earlier this week Siobhan Baillie, the Tory MP for Stroud, and the UK Weddings Taskforce wrote to the Prime Minister to ask for 'urgent confirmation' that weddings will be able to go ahead as planned. Around 50,000 weddings are set to take place in the first four weeks after June 21, the taskforce said. Frontline worker: Nurse Rose North, 30, with her partner Dane Knowles, 33. The wedding sector faces estimated revenue losses of more than 1.3billion if current restrictions are extended by even just four weeks, according to industry body the UK Weddings Taskforce Our big days are hanging in limbo By Helena Kelly and Fiona Parker for the Daily Mail For ICU nurse Rose North, her planned summer wedding was the light at the end of the tunnel after a year fighting on the front line. The 30-year-old was forced to postpone her ceremony last year but had hoped restrictions would have ended by this summer. Now she must wait to see if the Government will allow her 85-person wedding at Deighton Lodge in York on June 26 or she will have to reduce her guest list to 30 at a week's notice. Miss North, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, said: 'This last year has been absolutely horrific and all I've had to look forward to is my wedding day.' She and her partner Dane Knowles, 33, have been together for 12 years and got engaged in 2016. Meanwhile, Tom Woof and Abi Shaw are hoping to have their 130-guest wedding at Arlingham church in Gloucestershire on July 10. But Mr Woof, 30, and Miss Shaw, 29, from Didsbury, Manchester, will have to postpone for a second time if restrictions are extended. Mr Woof, a civil servant, said: 'We're hanging in limbo,' adding: 'We both have elderly relatives and if we have to delay again we don't know who will still be able to make it in a year's time. We both have big families so a small wedding isn't an option.' Advertisement Those couples now face an impossible choice over whether to slash their guest list at the last minute or postpone yet again many for the third or fourth time. Sarah Haywood, from the taskforce, said: 'Weddings have a huge ramp-up time. Couples can't just wait around to see what the Government decides. They have to order all their flowers and food at least 30 days before the event. If they suddenly have to scale back their ceremonies, that is thousands of pounds worth of losses.' Caterer Peter Vaughan, who runs Vaughan's Kitchen in Devizes, Wiltshire, said: 'If we find out at the last minute that they can't go ahead after June 21, the whole industry will suffer not least the food producers.' Mark Laurie, director of the Nationwide Caterers Association, said: 'The potential for food waste will be shocking. Financially, a delay will be disastrous for many small businesses who are on their last legs already.' Duncan Clark, from wedding venue Braxted Park, near Great Braxted, Essex, stands to lose 300,000 if the roadmap is delayed even by a few weeks. 'If we miss June 21 there is no doubt there will be an avalanche of business closures,' he said. Money Mail also found that some local authorities are imposing their own restrictions on weddings such as banning confetti, not allowing couples to use the toilets on site and limiting ceremonies to just four guests. Wedding planner Jessie Westwood, who runs Studio Sorores in the Cotswolds, said: 'We hear all the time of councils telling brides they can't let their fathers walk them down the aisles.' Meanwhile, record demand means many venues are already booked up until 2023, and some registrars are being called out of retirement to cope with an enormous backlog of couples waiting to get married. Those in the industry fear that any delay now will spark another cancellation frenzy, like the one seen last year. There were an estimated 320,000 weddings postponed in 2020 and around 825,000 now scheduled to happen in the first 24 months of unrestricted trading. A government spokesman said: 'We have already issued straightforward, clear and accessible guidance for those holding weddings and receptions under current guidelines and continue to work closely with the sector.' Advertisement A Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan 'Grand Wizard' has been exhumed and moved from a park where a statue of him once stood in Memphis, Tennessee. The bodies of General Nathan Bedford Forrest, notorious for the massacre of 300 black Union soldiers after they surrendered, and his wife are being moved from Health Sciences Park in Memphis to a museum dedicated to the Confederacy located 200 miles away in a agreement made between the Sons of Confederate Veterans and a rival non-profit organization. Health Sciences Park was a flashpoint for Black Lives Matter demonstrations last year, with supporters' outraged by the monument to Bedford Forrest, and his memorial. Pro-Confederate protesters also attended the site to show their support for keeping Bedford Forrest in place. The exhumation, which was finally was carried out on Wednesday although it will take several weeks for all of the building work, including the removal of a plinth, to be removed. Building work continued on Friday, with construction workers snapped carting away wheelbarrows filled with rubble. The move was more than two years in the making following the December 2017 removal of Forrest's statue, which stood over his grave, and subsequent lawsuit by the Sons of Confederate Veterans protesting the change. Pictured taken at the site show construction engineers hard at work as they carefully removed the plinth and also the remains of the Confederate General. Workers dig up the remains of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife to move the bodies from Health Sciences Park in Memphis, Tenn. The park used to bear the name of the early Ku Klux Klan leader and feature a statue of the cavalryman on a horse, but the name has been changed and the statue removed Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife, Mary Ann, were buried beneath a statue which came down in December 2017 of the general at the Health Sciences Park Cranes have been on site for most of the week as the exhumation continued apace. It is expected to take several weeks Workmen remove a pedestal that once held a statue of Confederate general and early member of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), Nathan Bedford Forrest Many volunteers stood by as workmen removed a pedestal that once held a statue of Confederate general and early member of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), Nathan Bedford Forrest The pro-Confederacy group then sued non-profit Memphis Greenspace on the grounds the removal violated the state's cemetery law and Heritage Protection Law, blocking the exhumation and creating a legal quagmire. But a judge in Nashville ruled that the park was in fact privately operated by the non-profit, and that the statue had therefore been removed legally. The Sons of Confederate Veterans only agreed to drop its statue lawsuit with Greenspace if they disinterred the bodies of Forrest and his wife, Mary Ann Montgomery. They will be taken, along with the statue, to the National Confederate Museum at Elm Springs in Columbia, Tennessee. Armed security stood by as workmen removed a pedestal. The remains of Forrest and his wife below the base will be moved to Columbia, Tennessee The removal of the pedestal that once supported the Forrest statue and his remains comes after years of lengthy legal battles and has been at the center of much debate John Spain, (left) who had six relatives fights under General Nathan Bedford Forrest, stands by as workmen remove a pedestal Security guards will be on the site at all times, additional fencing is now set up and cameras are in place to keep an eye out for any vandals Communities across the South debated scrapping such memorials with this one succeeding only after a legal battle Workmen remove a pedestal that once held a statue of Confederate general and early member of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), Nathan Bedford Forrest A couple of volunteers stand by as work to exhume the former Confederate General gets underway The map above shows the location where Forrest's body was buried in Memphis (left) and the new site in Columbia (right) Forrest's remains used to be buried under this statue of him at Health Sciences Park in Memphis. The statue, pictured here in 2013, was removed in 2017 'The details got worked out to everyone's satisfaction, so there was no need to continue the lawsuit,' Lee Millar, spokesperson for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, told WREG. Van Turner, of Memphis Greenspace, said: 'They don't have to worry about further protests, further potential vandalism of the monuments.' The National Confederate Museum, which is owned and operated by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, 'was designed to resemble a large carriage house, one that might accent the style and age of historic Elm Springs,' according to the museum's website. Workmen remove a pedestal that once held a statue of Confederate general and early member of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), Nathan Bedford Forrest Forrest's statue which stood over his grave was removed in December 2017 but the Sons of Confederate Veterans group sued Memphis Greenspace, a non-profit which has bought up city property holding Confederate monuments, on the grounds it violated the state's cemetery law and Heritage Protection Law, blocking the exhumation A guard blocks the entrance to Health Sciences Park as workers dig up the remains of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford The work is expected to take several weeks while work to remove monument take place A fence blocks the view as workers dig up the remains of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife Carolyn Michael-Banks watches as workers dig up the remains of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest Carolyn Michael-Banks takes a peek through the fence as the exhumation begins in earnest Construction crews hired by the family of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest work to dismantle his grave Carolyn Michael-Banks takes a photo as workers dig up the remains of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife The National Confederate Museum, which is owned and operated by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, will be the new resting place for Forrest and his wife after an agreement was reached out of court with original burial site owners The museum features 'a spacious gift shop and lobby, a research library, and two exhibit halls. The offices of the SCV General Headquarters were also incorporated into the new building. In total, the museum building has 18,500 square feet of usable space with unfinished shell space that can be used for future growth' according to their website 'The interior of the museum features a spacious gift shop and lobby, a research library, and two exhibit halls. The offices of the SCV General Headquarters were also incorporated into the new building. In total, the museum building has 18,500 square feet of usable space with unfinished shell space that can be used for future growth.' Visitors to Forrest's soon-to-be new eternal resting place will be able to observe Confederate-era weaponry like cannons and muskets, flags sewn and produced during the Confederacy's existence, and other items of Confederate historical importance. 'No government funding was used in the construction of this building,' the museum's website reads. 'Nor will government funding will be used in the operation of the museum. This means no politically-correct politician or justice warrior can dictate what can be displayed in the museum or how it shall be interpreted. This museum is owned and operated by the Sons of Confederate Veterans and all of the exhibits will be created by the Sons of Confederate Veterans.' Memphis Greenspace previously considered an effort to ban the statue from ever being erected again in the state of Tennessee but abandoned the idea under the agreement. 'As an American, as a defender of the Constitution, it is their right to do so, to freely express their views,' Turner said. 'It's my right as an American to not support that, to not visit it.' John Spain, (left) who had six relatives fight under General Nathan Bedford Forrest, stands by as workmen remove a pedestal, on June 2, 2021. The Sons of Confederate Veterans dropped its lawsuit and agreed with Greenspace to disinter the bodies of Forrest and his wife, Mary Ann Montgomery, who will be taken, with his statue, to the National Confederate Museum at Elm Springs in Columbia, Tennessee. The remains of Forrest and his wife were moved from a Memphis cemetery and buried under the statue of the former Memphis City Council member in 1904 A heavy crane was positioned nearby as workers began taking apart the pedestal on Tuesday. The entire process could take weeks A pile of rubble sits on a yellow of 'Black Lives Matter' sign, added near the monument last summer Last summer, Black Lives Matter protesters painted around the site where Forrest and his wife are buried in Health Sciences Park in Memphis, Tennessee 'In all likelihood, theyll never see me there, but thats what theyve decided to do, and its their right to do so,' he added. Workers must dismantle the statue's pedestal before they can disinter the Forrests' remains. A heavy crane was positioned nearby as workers began taking apart the pedestal on Tuesday. The entire process could take weeks. As Sawyer spoke to the press, she was interrupted by protester George 'K-Rack' Johnson, leader of Confederate 901, a Tennessee-based organization that has tried to prevent efforts to remove Confederate-era monuments and symbols. Johnson paced a few feet from her behind a fence waving a Confederate flag and singing Dixie, which the councilwoman called a racist song. 'My ancestors picked cotton while his ancestors beat and raped my ancestors,' Sawyer told the assembled media as Johnson continued singing. Sawyer then raised her voice so as to be heard above Johnson's singing and said: 'Dixie is dead, and it was killed by the descendants of black people.' This man, part of the construction crew, has been harassing and yelling at Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer as she came to give an interview to the media. pic.twitter.com/bwz1mJs1Fu Chris Luther (@cluther_wmc5) June 1, 2021 George K-Rack Johnson is seen in the video taunting Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer on Tuesday As Sawyer spoke to reporters, Johnson could be seen a few feet from her behind the fence waving a Confederate flag and singing Dixie, a song about the South that became the de facto national anthem of the Confederacy When Sawyer told the assembled media members that 'this is a powerful moment,' Johnson said: 'It's a communist moment.' Sawyer did not speak directly to Johnson, though she did try to refute his claims as she addressed the media. She told reporters that Martin Luther King Jr, James Baldwin, the Black Panthers, and others in the civil rights movement were accused of being communists. The park has been the site of Black Lives Matter protests and activists have long called for the removal of the statue and the remains, painting their slogan around the monument last summer. The tree-lined park is next to the University of Tennessee's medical school and a community college on Union Avenue, a busy street leading in and out of downtown Memphis. It is another example of how cities and activists have taken steps in recent years to get rid of statues and monuments of historical figures who supported the South's secession and led the fight against the North, from Gen. Robert E. Lee to Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy. Forrest sold slaves in Memphis and served in the Confederate army as a cavalry general. In April 1864, Forrest's troops attacked Fort Pillow in northwest Tennessee and massacred 300 black Union soldiers. Northern newspaper reports referred to the battle as an atrocity. Historians said he later became an early leader of the Ku Klux Klan, though some of Forrest's supporters dispute that. Forrest's critics call him a violent racist. The remains of Forrest and his wife were moved from a Memphis cemetery and buried under the statue of the former Memphis City Council member in 1904. At least four State Department employees said in separate interviews that they repeatedly were 'warned' that an investigation into a possible COVID-19 leak from the Wuhan lab would 'open Pandora's Box;' and reveal that the U.S. funded gain-of-function research there. It 'smelled like a cover-up,' Thomas DiNanno told Vanity Fair. DiNanno, the former acting assistant secretary of the State Department's Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, was one of four State Department officials who told Vanity Fair they wanted to investigate the possibility that COVID-19 spread after it escaped from the Wuhan lab. The others were David Asher, David Feith and Miles Yu. But they were muzzled by other State Department officials as well as the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation and even 'ostracized,' Yu told Vanity Fair. The lab leak was touted by then-President Donald Trump and other right-wing leaders, but was deemed impossible by a 'scientific consensus' in a letter signed by 27 scientists, published on February 19, 2020 in the medical journal The Lancet. After that, the Wuhan lab theory was considered to be at best a conspiracy - some even considered it racist - so it wasn't discussed as a realistic origin of COVID-19 until recently. Yu, the State Department's principal China strategist, found the government's and scientists' silence 'maddening,' Vanity Fair reported. He said, 'Anyone who dares speak out would be ostracized.' Asher, now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who ran the State Department's day-to-day COVID-19 origins inquiry, told Vanity Fair it became clear that 'there is a huge gain-of-function bureaucracy' inside the federal government. One of the people with an interest in hiding it was Peter Daszak, the president of EcoHealth Alliance who's been working with Shi Zhengli - the Wuhan virologist known in China as the 'bat lady' - for more than 15 years. State Department officials say they were warned not to explore the Wuhan Institute of Virology's (above) gain-of-function research, because it would bring unwelcome attention to U.S. government funding of it David Asher (left) and David Feith (right) were among the State Department officials who were told not to open 'Pandora's Box' and look into the Wuhan lab leak theory Miles Yu and Thomas DiNanno pushed to have an investigation into the possibility of a leak from the Wuhan lab caused COVID-19 Peter Daszak, right, Thea Fischer, left, and other members of the World Health Organization team investigating the origins of covid-19 arrive at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on Feb. 3 It's unclear exactly much U.S. government funding was going to the Wuhan lab, but at least some of it was being routed through EcoHealth Alliance. Daszak not only signed The Lancet letter but spearheaded it and encouraged colleagues who do gain-of-function research on coronaviruses not to sign it, in order to obscure the connection. Controversial gain-of-function research boosts the infectivity of pathogens and makes them more LETHAL Gain of function is controversial research that involves boosting the infectivity and lethality of a pathogen. PROPONENTS SAY: It helps researchers spot potential threats to human health and allows them to figure out ways to tackle a new virus. Dr. Fauci has advocated for gain-of-function research in the past, including a 2011 op-ed he co-wrote that promoted it as a means to study influenza viruses. CRITICS SAY: It's a risky endeavor that puts human lives at stake. In 2014, the US government paused new funding of gain-of-function research on influenza, MERS and SARS to address concerns about risks and benefits. The pause was backed by over 300 scientists called the Cambridge Working Group. In December 2017, the US government lifted the pause and announced a new framework called 'Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight' for evaluating whether funding should be granted. Research for 'enhanced potential pandemic pathogens' would be allowed if it was 'essential to protecting global health and security.' The review process is highly classified, and names of reviewers or details of the experiments are not released. Advertisement Gain-of-function research is a controversial field that involves collecting dangerous viruses and genetically modifying them to be more deadly, in order to study the risks of future outbreaks. Richard H. Ebright, a professor at Rutgers, has compared the field of gain-of-function research to 'looking for a gas leak with a lighted match.' The Vanity Fair article also noted serious concerns about safety and upkeep at the Wuhan lab facilities that handle hundreds of strains of bat coronaviruses. In 2019, in an article pleading for more funding, top Wuhan scientist Yuan Zhiming describes widespread deficiencies in biosafety training in China's biosafety-level 3 labs. Zhiming noted that 'most laboratories lack specialized biosafety managers and engineers.' He also wrote: 'Maintenance cost is generally neglected; several high-level [BSL-3 labs] have insufficient operating funds for routine, yet vital processes some BSL-3 laboratories run on extremely minimal operational costs or in some cases none at all.' David Feith, former deputy assistant secretary of state in the East Asia bureau, told Vanity Fair, 'The story of why parts of the U.S. government were not as curious as many of us think they should have been is a hugely important one. 'You had Chinese [government] coercion and suppression,' Feith told Vanity Fair. 'We were very concerned that they were covering it up and whether the information coming to the World Health Organization was reliable.' One of thousands of Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci's emails released this week was a February 17, 2020 email from woman who said China was underreporting COVID-19's spread and death totals. She said she got her information from a Chinese exchange student in contact with a Chinese nurse. DiNanno told Vanity Fair how the probe into the lab leak theory was thwarted at every turn, with hostile and antagonistic technical staff warning him not to open 'Pandora's box.' Things came to a head at a meeting on December 9, when State Department staff met to discuss what the department could or should say publicly about the Wuhan lab. British-born Peter Daszak, 55, is the president of EcoHealth Alliance, the nonprofit that funneled US grant money to gain-of-function research at WIV and elsewhere. He is seen above participating in the World Health Organization's investigation in Wuhan According to people at the meeting, Christopher Park, the director of the State Department's Biological Policy Staff in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, advised that people shouldn't say anything that would point to the U.S. government's own role in gain-of-function research. The Vanity Fair article said Park, a Trump appointee like DiNanno, had been involved in lifting a U.S. government moratorium on funding for gain-of-function research in 2017. The acting undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security at the time, Chris Ford, was hostile to an investigation, according to officials. In a January 2021 memo, Ford pushed back against an initial probe from a panel of experts, because he believed it contained weak evidence. 'I would also caution you against suggesting that there is anything inherently suspiciousand suggestive of biological warfare activityabout People's Liberation Army (PLA) involvement at WIV on classified projects,' the memo said. '[I]t would be difficult to say that military involvement in classified virus research is intrinsically problematic, since the U.S. Army has been deeply involved in virus research in the United States for many years.' DiNanno then hit back with his own memo, arguing that Ford was misrepresenting the panels finding. He also objected to previous warnings about not investigating because of the risk of opening a can of worms. 'Bat lady' Shi Zhengli works with other researchers in a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in a file photo. She has published research on gain-of-function experiments Pompeo hits out at Fauci for parroting the same 'crazy talk' theories as China about COVID origins and says NIH tried to thwart his State Department probe Former Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has hit out at Dr Anthony Fauci for parroting the same 'crazy talk' excuses and theories as China about the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak and says the National Institute of Health tried to thwart the State Department's investigation. Pompeo addressed the fight to uncover the origins of COVID-19 following a bombshell Vanity Fair report that revealed some State Department officials had advised against investigating the possibility virus leaked from a Wuhan lab. In an interview with Fox News' The Ingraham Angle on Thursday night, Pompeo said it was no surprise that some within the State Department tried to suppress the probe because they didn't like President Trump or himself. He added that he had to deal with a lot of internal bureaucracy and debate from the NIH. Pompeo also criticized Fauci, who runs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under the NIH, for suggesting that China has an interest in the US discovering how the outbreak started. ''To hear Fauci... talk about how the Chinese have an interest in us discovering what happened is just crazy talk. The Chinese have a deep interest in covering it up. They have done so pretty darn effectively,' he said. Pompeo said there was 'overwhelming evidence' that supports the theory - touted regularly by Trump but initially dismissed by many experts - that COVID-19 likely escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Former Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday addressed the fight to uncover the origins of COVID-19 following new report that exposed the tug-of-war Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Fox News Privacy Policy 'When you heard Dr Fauci... those are the exact same words, the exact same excuses, the exact same theories that the Chinese Communist Party has presented for over a year now. 'He implies good faith for the Chinese Communist Party. Here we are on the 32nd anniversary of Tiananmen Square where we saw the brutality of this regime. For Dr Fauci to go out and think the Chinese Community Party cared that there were people in Wuhan that were dying, whether it was Chinese people or Americans, is just naive beyond all possible imagination. 'The Chinese Communist Party doesn't care for a moment. They have no desire for the world to know what happened. They could clear this all up in a minute if they wanted to, they've chosen not to. 'I think that's another link in the chain that demonstrates that when we get to the end of this, we will have demonstrated the Chinese knew what had happened and their virology lab was at the center of it.' Pompeo wouldn't speculate on China's intention or the potential coverup. 'But we know this: They don't want you to know. That suggests to me that we should give them no benefit of the doubt and we should impose enormous costs of the Chinese Community Party until they come clean about what happened inside their country,' he said. Pompeo went on to praise the work of a group of State Department officials, specifically Yu who speaks Mandarin, who he says worked diligently to investigate the origins. The Vanity Fair report revealed that Yu was translating and 'mirroring' documentation he found on the Wuhan Institute of Virology's website so he could compile a dossier of questions for Pompeo about the research. Pompeo acknowledged that he received an 'extensive piece of work' from Yu in April last year that they then worked to get declassified. 'There were folks all over that community who just didn't want to talk about this, who wanted to stay focused on other things. They didn't want the world to know the Chinese Communist Party was in the process of covering up,' Pompeo said of Yu's dossier. 'We can all draw our own conclusions... We had a group in the State Department - Miles Yu, a handful of others - who were working diligently to get this information out to the American people so the world could see what the Chinese Communist Party had done to all of us.' Hackers who attacked Colonial Pipeline breached the company's system using a single password to access its systems remotely. Charles Carmakal, who consulted on the Colonial Pipeline's attack response, told Bloomberg News on Friday that the password was one used to access the company's virtual private network (VPN). VPNs allow staff to access work systems from their home computers by using a password, and have become common for many working from home during the COVID pandemic. Carmakal also told of how details of the same VPN password were later found leaked on the dark web. The account breached was for a 'legacy' virtual private network not routinely used by employees to which only a handful of employees at the company had access, a spokesperson for Colonial Pipeline confirmed to DailyMail.com. That password, though still functioning, had not been used to access the VPN for some time before it appeared on the dark web, Carmakal said. The account for the VPN which was used to breach Colonial Pipeline has since been deactivated. Carmakal, a senior vice president at Mandiant - a product line of the cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc., said it remains unclear how the hackers obtained the password. It was not immediately clear why the account for the legacy VPN was still functioning and the password was able to be used, and how long the account hadn't been used. FireEye Inc. declined requests from DailyMail.com seeking clarification and additional details. The Colonial Pipeline spokesperson declined to comment on whether the employee to whom the account belonged, or others, could face any discipline. The hackers who attacked Colonial Pipeline with ransomware breached the company's system using a single shared password used by multiple workers Charles Carmakal, senior vice president at cybersecurity firm Mandiant, said that the password for an account to access Colonial Pipeline's virtual private network was later found in a set of passwords leaked on the dark web The VPN account which was used to breach Colonial Pipeline has since been deactivated Bloomberg also revealed that the account did not have multifactor authentication enabled. Multifactor authentication is a cybersecurity method in which an account holder presents at least two pieces of evidence the account belongs to them - such as a PIN number or fingerprint on top of the account's password. It has become commonplace in recent years, with most Americans required to enter a code sent to them by text or email to access online accounts such as banking or social media even after entering their initial password. FireEye Inc. declined requests to comment if the hackers would have still been able to breach Colonial Pipeline if the company had multifactor authentication enabled on the compromised VPN account. 'We did a pretty exhaustive search of the environment to try and determine how they actually got those credentials,' Carmakal told Bloomberg. 'We don't see any evidence of phishing for the employee whose credentials were used. We have not seen any other evidence of attacker activity before April 29.' Colonial Chief Executive Officer Joseph Blount, who is set to provide testimony next week before Congressional committees with further details about the hack, told Bloomberg that the company 'had no choice' but to close the pipeline. It was later determined that the hackers had not been able to access the pipeline's actual fuel supply, although bosses nonetheless decided to halt the network while finding out the scale of the breach. Blount said the company first became aware of the attack when a control room employee saw a note demanding the ransom of cryptocurrency appear on a computer just before 5 a.m. on May 7. The employee told a supervisor, who began to immediately shut down the pipeline - a process which ended by 6:10 a.m., Blount said. 'It was absolutely the right thing to do. At that time, we had no idea who was attacking us or what their motives were,' Blount said. The attack on Colonial Pipeline, which transports 45 percent of the East Coast's fuel supply, was the largest assault on US energy infrastructure in history The standard ransom note used by the DarkSide hacker gang is seen above. A Colonial worker discovered a note like this one at about 5.30am on May 7 on a control room computer Blount said that the company then began tracking the pipeline on the ground and through the air to look for visible damage, which the company did not find. After the attack, Mandiant searched through Colonial Pipeline's network to understand how much access the hackers had and how close they were to compromising the systems that actually control the flow of gasoline. Blount told Bloomberg that there has been no indication the hackers were able to breach critical operational technology systems. The pipeline only reopened when investigators determined that the hack had been contained after paying the $4.4 million ransom. Investigators said there has been no evidence that the hackers have tried to access the systems again. The hackers also stole almost 100 gigabytes of data from Colonial Pipeline that it threatened to leak online if the ransom was not paid, Bloomberg News previously reported. A fuel truck driver checks the gasoline tank level at a United Oil gas station in Sunset Blvd. as the price of gasoline jumped during the 10-day shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline The shutdown of the pipeline led to gas shortages, particularly along the East Coast A person fills a fuel container at a Shell gas station, after a cyberattack crippled the biggest fuel pipeline in the country, run by Colonial Pipeline, in Washington, D.C. on May 15 Cars line up to get gas at one of the few stations remaining open at a 7 Eleven station in Woodbridge, Virginia on May 19 FireEye Inc. declined requests to comment on if there are fears that data could still be leaked, and what the data is said to include. The hackers are reportedly affiliated with DarkSide, a cybercrime group linked to Russia. According to FireEye's blog, DarkSide first surfaced in August 2020 and have since launched 'a global crime spree affecting organizations in more than 15 countries and multiple industry verticals.' 'Like many of their peers, these actors conduct multifaceted extortion where data is both exfiltrated and encrypted in place, allowing them to demand payment for unlocking and the non-release of stolen data to exert more pressure on victims,' FireEye wrote. The company noted that, in multiple cases, it has observed 'suspicious authentication attempts' against corporate VPN infrastructure immediately before intrusion operations. 'In cases where evidence was available, the threat actor appeared to obtain initial access through corporate VPN infrastructure using legitimate credentials,' the company noted. Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, tweeted that the news shows officials are taking the threats seriously The Colonial Pipeline hack caused a shutdown lasting several days, led to a spike in gas prices, panic buying and localized fuel shortages in the southeast. This week, the U.S. Department of Justice is elevating investigations of ransomware attacks to a similar priority as terrorism in the wake of the Colonial Pipeline hack, a senior department official told Reuters. Internal guidance sent on Thursday to U.S. attorney's offices across the country said information about ransomware investigations in the field should be centrally coordinated with a recently created task force in Washington. The letter was sent by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and was titled 'Guidance Regarding Investigations and Cases Related to Ransomware and Digital Extortion,' according to Cyber Scoop News which obtained a copy of the letter. John Carlin, acting deputy attorney general at the Justice Department, told Reuters that the guidelines are 'a specialized process to ensure we track all ransomware cases regardless of where it may be referred in this country, so you can make the connections between actors and work your way up to disrupt the whole chain.' Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, tweeted about the news on Thursday. 'This is a positive indication that we're getting serious about stopping ransomware. Much more needs to be done, but directional shifts are a good thing,' he tweeted. Krebs explained how the ransomware situation in the United States has worsened, calling the attacks 'a profitable business model with low barriers to entry' and noting that there have been 'no meaningful consequences against the criminals or their hosts to date.' He also asserted that the security posture of businesses makes it 'too easy for the bad guys' while speculating that the Russian government allows ransomware groups to flourish because it 'builds a cyber workforce they can call on later' and 'creates well-paying jobs' keeping the country's residents 'off the streets.' Krebs noted that the ransomware attacks also 'undermines confidence in western citizenry' of their government's ability to defend them. The betrothal ceremony which took place at a church in North London on a beautiful spring day in May 2014 was a joyous occasion for one of the participants at least. Later, Peter Farquhar, 68, would describe it in his diary as 'a blessed day' and 'one of the happiest moments of my life'. In a photo taken shortly afterwards, his partner, 24-year-old deputy churchwarden Ben Field, seems equally enamoured. In fact, he was actually cheating on Peter with four different women, while also having covert sexual liaisons with various men he met through the gay social networking app Grindr. Peter Farquhar, 68, left, was murdered by church warden Ben Field, right, who has been described as a 'very charming psychopath' And his real thoughts towards the man he professed to love may be divined from the music which played hauntingly in the background during the ceremony an aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations. The most famous cinematic use of this piece was in The Silence Of The Lambs, when the serial killer Hannibal Lecter chewed the face off one of his guards. It was also much listened to by the troubled and murderous central character in Patricia Highsmith's psychological thriller The Talented Mr Ripley. That book contains one of the most accurately drawn portraits of a psychopath I have ever encountered in literature. It is my opinion as a criminologist that Ben Field is also a psychopath, and I suspect he chose the music for the betrothal ceremony as a macabre setting of the stage for what was to follow. In little more than a year, he would have murdered Peter after persuading him to change his will in his favour. This was not a spontaneous killing. Field is an example of a 'process-focused' perpetrator, someone who gains great pleasure from prolonging their victim's agony and watching their suffering. Notable examples include the nurse Beverley Allitt, who enjoyed the spectacle of the emergencies she created in the Lincolnshire hospital where she killed four children between February and April 1991, and Colin Ireland, who in 1993 murdered five gay men in London and liked to slowly torture his victims. Allitt and Ireland didn't want death to come immediately but over time. Oxford Crown Court convicted Field of murdering Mr Farquhar who lived in this house in the village of Maids Moreton Ben Field took his time, too. He tormented Peter Farquhar over a period of many months and also wrote a list of one hundred people to target next a list that included his own parents. Had he not been stopped, he could easily have become the next Harold Shipman. I was particularly intrigued by this murder, not just because I am a criminologist but because it happened in the village of Maids Moreton which is on the edge of Buckingham, the sleepy Home Counties market town where I have lived for the last 30 or so years. A crisis here is much more likely to be an absence of sauvignon blanc in Waitrose than anything crime-related. So when people heard that I was going to write about the murder, they said things like, 'He seemed like such a nice young man,' or 'Can you believe that happened here?' Yes, is the answer, I can believe it. Murder doesn't just happen somewhere else and murderers are often described as 'nice young men'. But Ben Field certainly made a thorough job of grooming the local community to consider him a serious scholar and committed Christian the very last person you would suspect of preying on the elderly and vulnerable. When the truth finally came to light, the Crown Prosecution Service described the case as 'like something out of a novel'. Ironically, it was a love of literature that had brought Peter and his killer together. They met in 2011, at the University of Buckingham, the small, private university spread over two campuses within the town. There 20-year-old Field, who was in the final year of an English degree, enrolled in a module on Romantic literature taught by Peter. A slight, bird-like figure, Peter had become a part-time lecturer after retiring as a very successful head of English at nearby Stowe, the public school whose old boys include the actor David Niven and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. Field was accused of grooming several elderly people including Mr Farqhuar, pictured While at Stowe, his connections had enabled him to invite such literary luminaries as Iris Murdoch to give talks and, after he left, he continued to lead a life described to me by several who knew him well as 'fulfilling' making regular trips to Oxford and London to visit galleries and attend concerts. He also ran a very serious book club called The Stowe Reading Group and had a circle of friends. But he struggled with a moral dilemma, which was also the focus of all three of his self-published novels. Put simply, could he have gay relationships and still retain his faith despite the Church of England's official intolerance towards homosexuality? In his diaries, he recorded how desperate he was to give his love to someone and Father Andrew Foreshew-Cain, a rebel priest who has always been open about his sexuality and who conducted that betrothal ceremony, told me that Ben Field was the kind of person that Peter fantasised about: 'a younger man who was well read'. Back home in the Northamptonshire town of Olney, just 20 miles from Buckingham, Field's family were described as 'the backbone of the community'. His mother was a former Liberal Democrat councillor and his father a Baptist minister. They brought up their three children to value education and have a good work ethic but their middle child Ben was, as one of his former classmates described it to me, 'in love with his own intellect'. He claimed to have written a romantic novel for Mills & Boon and also boasted of having learned sign language. Neither was ever proven. But he liked to think of himself as a cut above the rest. One school friend remembered him memorising obscure words from the dictionary and trying to embarrass teachers who didn't know what they meant. For him to succeed, someone else always had to fail. At university, one of his lecturers told me, he had a condescending sneer, laughing scornfully at other students' contributions in class and rolling his eyes if he didn't think they were up to scratch. Such feelings of superiority are seen in many process-focused killers. In deciding who should live and who should die, they feel powerful and God-like, and Field's rampant narcissism also persuaded him that he was irresistible and that everyone must desire him. His seduction strategy depended in part on the good looks which, in his first year at university, saw him selling sexual services to men he allowed to pleasure him in hotel rooms for 30 to 50 a time. He also had the gift of the gab. In his journals, he described how he 'snake-talked' his way into Peter's home where he played perfectly the part of besotted suitor. For his part, Peter's own diaries described Field as 'a delightful young man'. Field went with him to services at Stowe Parish Church and embedded himself as a trusted member of the congregation, going on to become a deputy churchwarden with a view to one day being ordained. His motive for that was of the most dubious kind. 'I'm gonna become a vicar and s*** just because I can out-manoeuvre the church,' he wrote in an online chat with a friend. It's alarming to think that, as a clergyman, he would have gained access to a new pool of elderly and vulnerable people. But, for the moment, he was focused on Peter and building the credibility which was key to his success, just as it had been for Harold Shipman. Very few people had questioned Shipman's clinical behaviour, even if the elderly people who died in his care had been fit and well prior to him visiting. He was, after all, a doctor. Similarly, Field used his supposed faith and academic achievements to allay suspicion. After graduating from Buckingham with an upper-second degree Field undertook an MA in English Literature and when he completed it in 2013 the university took the highly unusual step of publishing his dissertation. This public endorsement implies that it was investing in him as a scholar for the future and he would later go on to a PhD, teaching undergraduate seminars and regarded as the university's 'poster boy.' By the time he finished his MA he was living with Peter. His relationship with a man so respected locally further enhanced his plausibility, as did his part-time work at the Red House Nursing Home in Maids Moreton. Although the police have released few details about who was on Field's hit-list, it seems likely that it featured some of the Red House's residents. It is possible that he was a gerontophile and so gained pleasure from having sex with the elderly. Even if he was only pretending to be physically interested in his much older partner he was very successful in his deception, suggesting, on Peter's 68th birthday in January 2014, that they should solemnise their love for each other in that betrothal ceremony. Oblivious to the fact that Field was cheating on him with both women and men, Peter could not believe his luck in having met him. 'God is good to me, far better than I deserve,' he wrote in his diary. 'Gone are the fears of dying alone.' From January 2015 onwards, Field began creating the evidence that, when the time came, would convince not only Peter's family and friends but also the coroner that there was nothing suspicious about his death. Posing as a concerned partner and carer, he began spreading rumours that Peter was drinking heavily and, later, that he had dementia. In a small town, these spread like wildfire. To lend credence to these stories, he began drugging Peter with flurazepam and other sedatives alongside drugs available only illegally online. Hiding these in food and cups of tea, Field also broke open capsules of Peter's prescription medicines and replaced the contents with his own drugs. Their combined effects left Peter complaining about tiredness and forgetfulness. He also experienced terrifying hallucinations and began falling down and just generally feeling 'wretchedly ill'. Along with drugging Peter, Field was gaslighting him, removing items from their usual places only for them to reappear unexpectedly elsewhere, leaving Peter feeling as if he was going crazy. When Peter found all his contacts on his mobile phone had been mysteriously erased, he could only conclude that he had done this in his befuddled state of mind, but all the time it was Field doing it behind his back. We glimpse Peter's distress in letters that he emailed to Dr Jonathan Pryce, his GP. In one, he describes an evening when he had spent 'a dreadful night' seeing illusions. These included a 'mass of black insects on the carpet and climbing the radiator. While it was happening, I felt that I wanted to die, the experience was so unbearable.' When people began noticing that Peter was no longer attending church or social functions, Field merely suggested that his absences were due to his dementia and alcoholism. He was careful to provide supporting evidence for these claims should they be challenged, filming his victim lying dazed and confused in his bed. One clip reveals the extent of Peter's suffering as he tries to make sense of what's happening to him. 'I feel I am so dependent. It's such a strange world . . . I actually used to be sort of competent,' he says wearily. As a process-focused killer, Field would have enjoyed watching Peter's confusion, while he deliberately kept the community at arm's length so he could control the narrative about what was happening to Peter. To that end, he gave him a dog they called Kipling. While Field would derive pleasure from torturing this poor creature filming it tumbling downstairs in a cardboard box it served a more practical purpose in that Peter would stay in to look after the dog rather than attending concerts or visiting the theatre as he had before. Field was so successful in his deception that, after he was convicted, Peter's brother Ian and his wife Sue explained that they had believed what he had told them that Peter was sick, and required constant care and were pleased that he was helping him. Indeed, when Field was first arrested, Sue thought the police had made a terrible mistake. Here was yet another echo of Shipman, whose patients had lined up to defend him in the Press, insisting he was a good doctor. That August came what Peter described to a friend as 'the worst day of my life'. It concerned the publication of his book A Wide Wide Sea by a company called Farquhar Studies, set up by Field and a friend from university to profit from sales of Peter's novels. The book launch was held in the grand marble hall at Stowe School. When he arrived with Field, Peter looked flushed and was visibly shaking. He struggled to remember people's names, even those of friends he had known for many years, and found it almost impossible to sign the books that people bought. In the words of one attendee I interviewed, 'Peter wasn't himself. He looked awful and was, sad to say, falling apart in front of my eyes. I thought that he was ill, or drunk, or both.' Peter's rambling, shambolic appearance at the launch was no doubt exactly what Field wanted. Here was evidence that Peter really was 'losing it' and more came in September when Peter summarised his health issues in another email to Dr Pryce, his GP: 'I have felt very tired. I have confused dates. I forget names of people and places. My sense of balance has been uncertain. Formerly a voracious reader, I have not read a book for some time.' For a man who cared so much about literature, this last issue must have been especially upsetting. Robbing him of this great love of his life no doubt gave Field tremendous satisfaction, and it was literature he turned to when, on the evening of Sunday, October 25, 2015, he decided it was time to make his final move. Or, as he put it so bluntly in one of his notebooks, to 'end Peter'. Only Field knows exactly what happened that night but, just like a key character in his book A Bitter Heart, Peter was somehow made to consume a dangerous combination of a sedative and whisky. It's likely that, at the very end, Field suffocated Peter with a cushion to ensure that he was dead. And, as if this wasn't appalling enough, there was one more sadistic twist. We now know from his journal that, as Peter was dying, Field said to him: 'I hated you all along.' He also reminded Peter that he had changed his will, boasting that 'this is my house'. So the last words Peter heard from the man to whom he'd pledged his love in a betrothal ceremony only the previous year were of hate and vitriol. When Peter's cleaner found his body the next morning, he was slumped on the sofa with a near-empty bottle of whisky. The coroner decided he had died accidentally of 'acute alcohol intoxication', just as Field had planned. The following month, he delivered the eulogy at Peter's funeral in Stowe Parish Church, reminding the congregation of a night the previous November when Peter was 'gleeful, sparkler in his hand, writing his name in the air amongst shrieks of laughter'. This must have brought a smile to the faces of many in the church, unaware that this image of a happier time was being conjured up by the man who had murdered Peter. A man who, as I will describe in Monday's Mail, already had his sights set on his next elderly and equally vulnerable victim. Ministers have been accused of abandoning plans to slash the price of holidays abroad by allowing families to bring free rapid Covid-19 tests with them. A scheme to allow holidaymakers to take a lateral flow test before returning to Britain was considered earlier this year. But sources said the money to pay for it was due to run out this month and no plans to replace the funding have been announced. There were concerns about whether the tests would gain official approval due to the difficulty of proving when they are taken, as well as questions over their accuracy. It means that ministers have missed an opportunity to save hard-pressed families money when they go abroad. A scheme to allow holidaymakers to take a lateral flow test (pictured) before returning to Britain was considered earlier this year Cheaper and faster lateral flow tests are currently being handed out for free by the Government for anyone who needs them. And airlines have argued that the UK is holding passengers to far higher standards than other countries by refusing to allow the rapid tests, which ministers deem good enough for schools. The failure to provide the free tests means families who go abroad are having to pay out for pre-return tests in order to be able to return to the UK. Although the NHS lateral flow tests are CE-approved meaning they meet certain safety and specification standards travellers have to be supervised while taking them. This is partly so people can receive official documentation stating the time the test was taken and the official result to show at the UK border on return. But it would potentially mean arranging for NHS workers to supervise people taking the tests over an online video call, something for which there are precious little resources. It means families have been forced to look to private providers. British Airways offers a pre-return test which is supervised via an online video call for 39. This would add more than 150 to the bill for a holiday for a family of four, or nearly 200 for a family of five if their children were aged 11 or over. Paying for a clinician in a foreign country to administer one could lead to an even bigger bill. The cost of tests from private providers has fallen overall as more firms have entered the market. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, one of 17 MPs who signed a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling on him to scrap VAT on PCR tests, said the Government must deliver on its pledge to provide free pre-return testing devices which people could pack in their luggage to take with them But of the more than 300 government-approved providers listed online the average overall price of a single PCR test is still more than 100. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen, one of 17 MPs who signed a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling on him to scrap VAT on PCR tests, said the Government must deliver on its pledge to provide free pre-return testing devices which people could pack in their luggage to take with them. He said: 'They need to come through with the free tests. There's a desperate need for them to deliver on that promise for the British public and the airlines and airport operators.' A Department of Health spokesman said: 'We want to keep travel as safe as possible and lateral flow tests are widely available at low costs in most green list countries. We are seeing how we can further reduce costs by continuing to work with travel industry and private testing providers.' Martin Bashir's image is to be removed from his old university's 'wall of fame' after he was found to have lied to obtain his Princess Diana interview. It is the latest humiliation for Bashir who was found to have told a total of 38 lies, smears and allegations to earn Diana's confidence by the Dyson report published two weeks ago. A spokesman for King's College London, where Bashir studied religious history as a postgraduate, said: 'We feel that, in light of the recent events, it is no longer appropriate to include his profile in our display.' It is the latest humiliation for Bashir who was found to have told a total of 38 lies, smears and allegations to earn Diana's confidence by the Dyson report published two weeks ago A spokesman for King's College London, where Bashir studied religious history as a postgraduate, said: 'We feel that, in light of the recent events, it is no longer appropriate to include his profile in our display' The gallery is displayed in the windows of the university's building on The Strand in central London. Bashir's name is also no longer on the university's online lists of notable alumni. Martin Bashir is 'frozen out' of his $25k-a-time US public speaking gigs after booking agency removes his profile Infamous Princess Diana interviewer Martin Bashir has been booted from his lucrative public speaking work after a bombshell report claimed he tricked Diana into going on camera with him in 1995. Bashir's profile on Celebrity Talent International (CTI), where he previously billed $25,000 for a single speaking engagement, was removed last week following claims he forged documents and lied to get his landmark sit-down with the Princess of Wales. The former MSNBC anchor was listed on the site alongside stars like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and performers like Taylor Swift until last Tuesday, when his page was replaced with the message 'Our apologies, this profile is no longer available on our site.' British journalist Martin Bashir (pictured in 2007) has been booted from his lucrative public speaking work in light of claims he tricked Diana into going on camera with him in 1995, DailyMail.com has learned Bashir's profile on Celebrity Talent International's (CTI) website, where he previously billed $25,000 for a single speaking engagement, was removed last week following the bombshell report Bashir's biography on the CTI site had described him as an award-winning British journalist, trumpeting his 1995 Diana interview. Last Tuesday, it was replaced with the message 'Our apologies, this profile is no longer available on our site' Bashir resigned as the BBC's religious editor in mid-May, days before the release of an excoriating report into his conduct by former UK senior judge Lord Dyson. Dyson said Bashir forged bank statements and lied to persuade the late Princess to sit for the historic interview, and that the BBC covered up the scandal for years afterwards. Bashir has earned hundreds of thousands of dollars from his side-gig with CTI, regaling audiences with secrets about Diana, her sons Prince Harry and Prince William, and the Royal scoop. At the time, the interview was dubbed 'the scoop of the century,' revealing Diana's affair, bulimia, and her description of a 'crowded' marriage to the Queen's son, Prince Charles. But those secrets, Dyson's report says, were all obtained through a series of lies and manipulations. Dyson wrote that Bashir 'commissioned fake bank statements' and 'deceived and induced' Diana's brother Charles Spencer to arrange a meeting with the princess. Bashir infamously interviewed Princess Diana in a bombshell 1995 sit-down, her first and only television sit-down An excoriating report by former UK senior judge Lord Dyson revealed Bashir forged bank statements and lied to persuade the late Princess to sit for the historic interview, and that the BBC covered up the scandal for years afterwards The former MSNBC anchor had won a number of awards for his work and collected a BAFTA for the sit-down The 127-page report was the culmination of a six-month investigation that cost the BBC $2million. 'This behaviour was in serious breach of the 1993 edition of the BBC's Producer Guidelines on straight dealing,' Dyson wrote. Bashir's biography on the CTI website described him as an award-winning British journalist, trumpeting his Diana interview. 'Bashir has won a number of other awards for his work and has collected a BAFTA award for his now-historic interview with the late Princess Diana, which remains her only television interview,' the site's now-deleted profile said. A source close to the company told DailyMail.com that CTI was unaware of the impending explosive report, and was surprised to see a spike in hits on his profile page but soon discovered the unflattering reason for the piqued interest in the disgraced journalist. 'He is frozen out of this work now for sure,' the source said. 'He has health problems too and with this scandal public appearances may not be the best arena for him.' Bashir, 58, contracted Covid-19 last year and has been recovering from a quadruple heart bypass surgery according to the BBC. The BBC has sent personal letters of apology to William, Harry (pictured together) and other royals over Martin Bashir's lies to persuade Diana to agree to his 1995 Panorama interview 'It's unlikely he'll ever come back to do public speaking work in the future,' the source added. 'Certainly it would be difficult to imagine him doing a speech on the Diana interview in the way he did in the past.' The CTI website previously said anyone wishing to book Bashir either for a speaking engagement or as an event host would need to spend between '$15,000-$24,999'. Timeline of the Diana-Panorama scandal 1986: Martin Bashir joins BBC as news correspondent and works on programs including Songs of Praise, Public Eye and Panorama. November 1995: The famous interview with Princess Diana turns Mr Bashir into TV's 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 ITV's Tonight with Trevor McDonald. His scoops include interview with Stephen Lawrence suspects and documentary on Michael Jackson. May 2004: Quits to host ABC's 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 Diana's 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 handed in his notice on health grounds. Advertisement Last year DailyMail.com revealed Bashir's side-gig as a paid public speaker, despite his medical issues. At the time CTI confirmed Bashir was available to 'do a virtual event during COVID-19.' 'Many performers, actors, speakers and other talent like Martin Bashir, with postponed or cancelled events due to COVID-19 are now, in certain cases, considering virtual appearances via live streaming,' the booking agency stated. 'They perhaps may accept lower fees too. If you are seriously interested in booking Martin Bashir or other talent shown on our site, we will research their desire and the specific fee for your live-streaming event or project request.' Lord Dyson's damning report found Bashir told Diana she was being spied on and that Prince Charles was having an affair with Tiggy Legge-Bourke, Harry and William's nanny. The allegedly forged bank statements he used to persuade her brother purported to show payments from Rupert Murdoch-owned media company News International to an offshore firm owned by Spencer's former employee. The claimed forgery used Diana's paranoia that she was being spied on, betrayed, and should be fearful for her life. The revelations from Bashir's interview sent shockwaves across the world and led to the princess being 'cast adrift', left to fend for herself outside the royal circle. Two years later she died in a car crash in a Paris tunnel while being chased by paparazzi. On Thursday Prince William blasted the 'lurid and false claims' Bashir made to get the interview with his late mother. The Duke of Cambridge said the lies about the Royal Family 'played on her fears and fuelled paranoia,' while his brother Harry said the probe was the 'first step towards justice' for their mother. The London Metropolitan Police said they will 'assess the contents' of Lord Dyson's report to check for 'significant new evidence'. Scotland Yard previously decided not to begin a criminal investigation into alleged unlawful activity in connection with the 1995 broadcast. Earlier in May Jonathan Munro, the BBC's deputy director of news, said that Bashir had stepped down from his position as the BBC's religion editor and was leaving the corporation. 'He let us know of his decision last month, just before being readmitted to hospital for another surgical procedure on his heart,' Munro wrote. '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.' Bashir has also shut down his Twitter account. Why has Portugal suddenly been put on the amber list? Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was due to rising cases and a Covid mutation detected in the country. But Algarve MP Cristovao Norte said he was 'perplexed' and that beyond a spike in Lisbon, its transmission rate was 'more or less' the same as the UK's. Will it stay amber all summer? Not necessarily. If infection rates decline and mutations are kept under control, it could turn green again. I've booked for the Algarve in July. Should I cancel? If you cannot self-isolate for ten days on your return, perhaps for work, it may be prudent to cancel. But those who are able to work from home while self-isolating may wish to wait until the Government reviews its travel traffic lights system on June 24. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Portugal (pictured: Algarve) has been put on the amber list due to rising cases and a Covid mutation detected in the country If I go to amber-listed Greece next month, what tests will I require and am I still insured? You will be required to provide proof of a negative PCR test on arrival, taken within 72 hours of travel or proof you have two Covid jabs. Within 72 hours of returning, you will need to take an antigen/lateral flow test. On return you must quarantine for ten days and take a PCR test on days two and eight. You can shorten the isolation period by paying for another test on day five. But you would still be required to take the day eight test. Travel insurance should cover you for an amber country but check with your policy issuer. If a country is on the amber list, will my travel company refund me? No. It is within its rights to continue with the holiday as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not said amber countries are a 'no go'. But tour operators, such as Tui, are allowing customers to postpone their holidays at no extra charge. I urgently need to go to red-listed Sri Lanka to see a sick relative. Can I go? Yes, but you need to quarantine for 14 days on arrival and on return you need to isolate at a Government-approved hotel for ten days at a cost of 1,750. If half of all UK adults have had both jabs, why do ministers not want us to travel? That is the billion-pound question that the UK travel industry is asking. Bearing in mind that Covid is likely to be around in at least small quantities in countries across the globe for many years, there is going to have to be a time to let travel 'return to normal'. Jet2 has announced that anyone travelling to an amber country before July 1 can get a full refund or can re-book their flights amid the new travel rules (stock image) I booked with Jet2 to fly to Portugal on June 25 but they cancelled all flights until July 1. Where does that leave me? Jet2 has said that anyone travelling to an amber country before July 1 can get a full refund or can re-book. What are my employment rights if I am required to quarantine on return from an amber country? This is tricky. If you are unable to work from home, employers are entitled to demand staff take either paid holiday or unpaid leave for the duration of the quarantine. But check as your employer may take a more sympathetic view. When will the Government next review travel? The list will be reviewed every three weeks. The next is due on June 24, with changes coming into effect on June 28. Will President Biden have to self-isolate when he arrives for the G7 summit? No. G7 delegates are exempt from the quarantine requirements as they are 'travelling to the UK for official business that cannot be undertaken while self-isolating'. But all attendees will need to provide a negative test before they arrive and take daily lateral flow tests at the summit in Cornwall. I'm keen to go abroad in the next few months how far in advance should I book? If you can, book between seven and ten days before flying. This will give you enough time to sort your tests and travel insurance. Ensure your holiday is not during the three-weekly traffic light review as you could find yourself in a green country that is turning amber or red. It may be another staycation summer. What's the weather forecast looking like? Met Office meteorologist Sarah Kent said 'a hot summer is more likely than normal'. She added that, with climate change, 'there is a slightly greater impact from hot weather such as heatwaves'. Advertisement An ambitious vertical 'floating laboratory' constructed with help from the French government will use sensors to gather data from waters in the Southern Ocean. Polar Pod, the creation of French explorer and environmentalist Jean-Louis Etienne, will be transported from South Africa to Antarctic waters horizontally, but will flip into a vertical position to start its operations. Ballast tanks on-board compartments that fill up with water will keep the spindly structure steady and from popping up out of the ocean or falling sideways, even in adverse weather. The manned vessel has been designed without an engine it will instead be carried by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current a 13,000 mile loop of ocean water that flows around Antarctica. The ambitious construction will be 328 feet (100 metres) in length taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York (which is 151 feet from the base to the torch). Polar Pod will complete a circuit around Antarctica twice in three years, using sensors to gather data about the ocean's carbon absorption levels and acidity, as well as wave dynamics. Construction of the Polar Pod, which will be funded by the French government, has not yet begun, but Etienne hopes it will set sail in late 2023 or 2024. Etienne, aged 74, was the first man to reach the North Pole alone, in 1986. Artist's concept of the floating vessel. The compartment that sticks out of the water, pictured, will house eight people at any one time The ambitious construction will be 328 feet (100 metres) in length - taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York (both are depicted but not to scale) WHAT IS THE ANTARCTIC CIRCUMPOLAR CURRENT? The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is a 13,000 mile loop of ocean water that flows around Antarctica. It's driven by the confluence of smaller currents from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, all of which meet around Antarctica. It is the most important current in the Southern Ocean, and moves more water than any other current on Earth. It is the only ocean current that flows around the globe. It's responsible for absorbing and channeling warmer water away from Antarctica, helping keep it frozen. Advertisement 'Like a satellite around Antarctica, Polar Pod will allow the acquisition of data and long-term observations that will be transmitted to researchers, oceanographers, climatologists [and] biologists,' Etienne says on his website. 'This platform, which is 100 meters high and weighs 1,000 tons, is sized to tackle the biggest waves in the world.' Despite its top-heavy appearance, Polar Pod is actually 'much more stable and comfortable than a traditional ship', he claims. Etienne would not disclose how much he anticipates the project to cost, but revealed 43 scientific institutions from 12 countries are involved. A crew of eight people will be on board the Polar Pod at any given time two sailors to navigate icebergs, three researchers and a cook but staff will be constantly rotated, much like crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The staff will be housed in a multi-level compartment right at the top of the vessel, which will be about 50 feet (15 metres) above the water's surface. The ballast tanks below the living compartment will be submerged, keeping the whole structure steady, Etienne told CNN. The one at the very bottom will weigh 1,000 tons. Polar Pod will also use underwater microphones called hydrophones to record distinct sound waves emitted by different sea creatures, to provide a census of how common they are in the region. Electricity generation will be provided by wind turbines and photovoltaic cells, making it energy efficient and having 'a very limited impact on the environment'. The main focus of the mission will be the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, which makes waters more acidic and can kill marine life. The manned vessel has been designed without an engine - it will instead be driven by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current Polar Pod will complete two circuits around Antarctica every three years, carried by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is driven by the confluence of smaller currents from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, all of which meet around Antarctica The floating laboratory will be transported from South Africa to Antarctica waters horizontally, but will flip into a vertical position before starting operations Ballast tanks on-board compartments that fill up with water will keep the spindly structure steady and from popping up out of the ocean or falling sideways The ocean absorbs about one-quarter of the CO2 that humans create when we burn fossil fuels including oil, coal and natural gas. The ocean is a carbon sink meaning it absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases. 'This very large area of cold water all around Antarctica is the largest ocean carbon sink of the planet,' Etienne told CNN. 'The stability of the Polar Pod will allow the scientists to get this information.' Even in adverse weather, Polar Pod will be supported by its ballast tanks. However, four sailors on-board will be tasked with navigating and deploying sails to avoid icebergs Concept image shows Polar Pod during its flip manoeuvre. Polar Pod is actually inspired by an existing US Navy ship, the Floating Instrument Platform (FLIP) FLIP, the FLoating Instrument Platform, is a 355-foot-long research platform that can be deployed for oceanographic research Polar Pod is actually inspired by an existing US Navy ship, the Floating Instrument Platform (FLIP), which was launched way back in 1962. The ship conducts investigations in a number of fields, including acoustics, oceanography, meteorology and marine mammal observation. FLIP has the ability to drift over the ocean like a ship, yet transform into a vertical buoy in pursuit of scientific research, making it one of the most unique ships on the water. Sea ice in much of the Arctic may be thinning twice as fast as previously thought, scientists fear, raising concerns that parts of the region could be ice-free by 2040. This would not only cause global temperatures to rise, but also increase the risk of extreme weather and flooding in many coastal regions around the world. Researchers looked at data from a European Space Agency satellite to analyse changes to Arctic sea ice, which is frozen seawater floating on the ocean surface. Scroll down for video Concerning: Sea ice in much of the Arctic may be thinning twice as fast as previously thought, scientists fear. The research vessel Polarstern is pictured drifting in Arctic sea ice Arctic seas: Researchers studied sea ice thickness in all seven Arctic coastal seas (pictured). In Laptev, Kara and Chukchi, waters increased by 70 per cent, 98 per cent and 110 per cent respectively, when compared with earlier calculations Sea ice thickness decline in the Arctic's coastal seas is estimated above from 2002-2018. The green panels show where there was already a decline based on old data, although the new model showed it was significantly higher than previously thought. The red panels show new declines discovered using the new modelling data, while the blue is based on old data alone However, due to the difficulties of calculating sea ice thickness from satellite radar data alone, they also used new computer models to produce detailed snow cover estimates from 2002 to 2018. This was because previous snow data was outdated and relied on measurements carried out by Soviet expeditions on ice floes between 1954 and 1991, according to researchers at University College London (UCL). The new models assessed the depth and density of snow by tracking snowfall, ice floe movement and temperature to help calculate snow ice thickness. They found that the rate of decline in the coastal regions of the Arctic was 70 per cent to 100 per cent faster than previously thought. 'Previous calculations of sea ice thickness are based on a snow map last updated 20 years ago,' said Robbie Mallett, a PhD student at UCL Earth Sciences, and the study's lead author. 'Because sea ice has begun forming later and later in the year, the snow on top has less time to accumulate. 'Our calculations account for this declining snow depth for the first time, and suggest the sea ice is thinning faster than we thought.' Dramatic decline: The findings raise concerns parts of the region could be ice-free by 2040 Calculations: Researchers used new computer models to produce detailed snow cover estimates from 2002 to 2018 (pictured in red). These are more accurate than previous data from Soviet expeditions between 1954 and 1991 (green) and a modified version of these recordings which account for changes in sea ice throughout the year (blue) In the three coastal seas of Laptev, Kara and Chukchi, waters increased by 70 per cent, 98 per cent and 110 per cent respectively, when compared with earlier calculations, the team said. And across all seven coastal seas, the variability in sea ice thickness from year to year increased by 58 per cent, they added. 'The thickness of sea ice is a sensitive indicator of the health of the Arctic,' Mr Mallett added. 'It is important as thicker ice acts as an insulating blanket, stopping the ocean from warming up the atmosphere in winter, and protecting the ocean from the sunshine in summer. Thinner ice is also less likely to survive during the Arctic summer melt.' The Arctic, together with the Antarctic, act as the world's refrigerator, with snow and ice in the region reflecting heat back into space, while other parts of the planet continue to absorb heat. Loss of ice in these regions would not only cause global temperatures to rise, but would also increase the risk of extreme weather and flooding in many coastal regions around the world. Researchers also said the thinning of sea ice in the coastal Arctic seas has implications for human activity in the region both in terms of shipping along the Northern Sea Route as well as the extraction of resources from the sea floor, such as oil, gas and minerals. The Arctic, together with the Antarctic, act as the world's refrigerator, with snow and ice in the region reflecting heat back into space, while other parts of the planet absorb heat 'More ships following the route around Siberia would reduce the fuel and carbon emissions necessary to move goods around the world, particularly between China and Europe,' Mr Mallet said. 'However, it also raises the risk of fuel spillages in the Arctic, the consequences of which could be dire. 'The thinning of coastal sea ice is also worrying for indigenous communities, as it leaves settlements on the coast increasingly exposed to strong weather and wave action from the emerging ocean.' Study co-author Professor Julienne Stroeve, of UCL Earth Sciences, said: 'There are a number of uncertainties in measuring sea ice thickness, but we believe our new calculations are a major step forward in terms of more accurately interpreting the data we have from satellites. 'We hope this work can be used to better assess the performance of climate models that forecast the effects of long-term climate change in the Arctic a region that is warming at three times the global rate, and whose millions of square kilometres of ice are essential for keeping the planet cool.' Last September a separate study found that a 'crazy' year of heat waves and forest fires in Siberia led to Arctic sea ice melting to the second lowest level on record. Experts from the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) discovered that the sea ice in the Arctic was 1.44 million square miles at the end of the annual summer melt. This is the second lowest level of sea ice cover at the end of summer in the nearly 42 years since satellites started recording sea ice extent - the lowest was in 2012. The findings from the UCL study are published in the journal Cryosphere. Birds are less easily fooled by sleight-of-hand magic tricks than humans, a new study into avian perception reveals. Researchers at the University of Cambridge performed three variations of magic tricks on six Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius), as well as 80 human volunteers. Overall, the bird species was better able to suss two of the three tricks than humans were, the experts found although humans and jays performed about the same on the third trick. Until this study, little had been known about how non-human animals perceive 'intricate techniques of deception' involved in magic tricks, the authors say. They believe studying animal reactions to tricks can unlock secrets about how their brains function. Scroll down for video THE THREE TRICKS - Palming: Involves hiding an object in the palm while pretending the hand is empty. - The French drop: Involves pretending to pass something from one palm to the other, without actually moving the object. - The fast pass: Involves moving an object between your hands so quickly its not witnessed. Advertisement The study has been led by Elias Garcia-Pelegrin, a magician and cognitive scientist at the University of Cambridge. Magic tricks could be a good tool 'to investigate the non-human animal mind', he says in an article for The Conversation. 'The study of how animals perceive magic effects that fool and surprise humans can help us understand how their minds experience the world around them, and whether such experiences are in some way like ours,' he writes. 'We performed three different sleight of hand effects to Eurasian jays and human participants and compared their responses.' The three magic tricks used in the experiments palming, French drop and fast pass all involve misleading the observer into thinking an object has or hasnt been transferred from one hand to the other. For the experiments with the Eurasian jays, a worm was passed between Garcia-Pelegrin's hand, which the birds were allowed to eat if they chose the correct one. Overall, the birds performed better than humans on palming and the French drop, but they were significantly fooled by the third technique fast pass. This means that, similar to humans, Eurasian jays are susceptible to magic effects that involve fast movements. Did someone say magic for birds? In our new paper in @PNASNews we performed three different sleight of hand effects to Eurasian jays and human participants and compared their responses https://t.co/hij45a4EXl@Dr_AlexSchnell @CliveWilkins6 @nickyclayton22 @Cambridge_Uni pic.twitter.com/IXBLD01NBt Elias Garcia-Pelegrin (@EGarciaPelegrin) June 1, 2021 'Unlike our human sample, which was significantly fooled by all three of the magic effects we performed, Eurasian jays didnt seem to be fooled by the first two tricks,' said Garcia-Pelegrin. 'This could be because jays lack the expectations about hand mechanics that makes us humans liable to these techniques of deception.' The results are intriguing partly because birds seemed to understand the intricacies of crafty hand movements, even though they don't have hands themselves. The birds could possibly have just picked the hand that they last saw the worm in, while humans had the knowledge that they were the subject of a trick, and so may have become more confused and uncertain when making their choice. Similar to humans, Eurasian jays are susceptible to magic effects that involve fast movements 'Eurasian jays do not appear to be misled by magic effects that rely on the observers intrinsic expectations in human object manipulation,' Garcia-Pelegrin and his co-authors say in their research paper. Deception is not totally new to Corvids (birds in the crow family that include the Eurasian jay and other jays, as well as ravens and magpies). They hide food discreetly in one spot while pretending to hide it in many other places, to confuse food thieves. 'This clever family of birds use intricate and highly elaborate protection tactics that are comparable to the misdirection used by magicians,' Garcia-Pelegrin says. The new study has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. iPhone users who have installed Apple's new software update, iOS 14.6, are complaining that it's draining their entire battery within hours. Apples Community Forum is littered with complaints about the update, which Apple released to users on May 24. One user on the forum posted the message: 'My battery life on iOS 14.6 is terrible what can be done to fix?' Another said: 'I've never seen this battery drain before. This is really serious issue!' Shockingly, some iPhone models are reportedly draining completely in as little as two hours, users reveal. Apple released iOS 14.6 at the end of May. It includes support for Apple Card Family, allowing Apple Card (the firm's own credit card) to be shared with up to five people, as well as Podcast subscription options and added capabilities for people using AirTag, its new tracking device iOS 14.6 FEATURES - Apple Card can be shared with up to five people. - Subscription support for channels and individual shows in Podcasts. - Lost mode option to add an email address instead of a phone number for AirTag and Find My network accessories. - Voice Control users can unlock their iPhone for the first time after a restart using only their voice. Read more on Apple's website Advertisement Another person with an iPhone 7 said: 'The situation is so bad that I can not work with the iPhone 7 for 2 hours and it runs out of charge.' An owner of Apple's latest flagship model said: 'My iPhone 12 battery health is at 96% and chargers [sic] fine until I updated to iOS 14.6. 'My phone charged over night and the battery % is only at 30% and keeps on draining. Is anyone having the same issue after updating to iOS 14.6?' Users also took to Twitter to register their disgruntlement. One user told Apple: 'After updating 14.6 iphone SE Battery is draining very fast. Please try to solve this Battery problem.' Another user, @andymanuel, said: 'I noticed that after updating to iOS 14.6, my battery gets stuck at 80% when charging.' Another told @AppleSupport: 'I installed iOS 14.6 & now my battery drains in a few hours and the phone gets hot. What gives?' MailOnline has contacted Apple for comment regarding the issue and any official advice for iOS 14.6 users. iPhone users took to Twitter to complain about the issue. Problems ranged from batteries draining quicker than usual to not charging to full capacity YouTube channel iAppleBytes also found 'horrific results' in battery performance with iOS 14.6, as shown in its video review. The video shows seven iPhone models running iOS 14.6 as they lose battery power and all but one all conk out within five hours. This problem was especially pronounced on older models iPhone SE and iPhone 6S, as well as the iPhone SE 2, which isn't even old it was only released last year. 'I have seen many comments that it takes about a week for battery performance to optimise itself after an iOS update,' iAppleBytes says. '[But] this video was shot three days after iOS 14.6 was installed, so it had time to settle in.' This seems to contradict advice from another Apple forum user, who suggested the battery needs time to recalibrate after an update. 'Typically, when upgrading to a new iOS release, there is a number of activities that need to complete in the background even after the install finishes, they said. 'It is best to wait a day or two, using the phone as you normally would, before you can get a more accurate picture of any excessive battery draining issues.' The issue seems to be affecting multiple iPhone models, including its latest flagship, the iPhone 12, released last year (pictured) iOS 14.6 includes support for Apple Card Family, allowing Apple Card (the firm's own credit card) to be shared with up to five people, as well as Podcast subscription options and added capabilities for people using AirTag, its new tracking device. Apple released iOS 14.6 only a month after it released iOS 14.5, which came with some big updates. iOS 14.5 includes support for unlocking an iPhone with Apple Watch while wearing a face mask, as well as a controversial feature called App Tracking Transparency. Generally, Apple releases a major software update each autumn to accompany a new iPhone model (for example, iOS 14 last year) but adds incremental updates throughout the year (e.g., 14.5, 14.6). Apple is likely to reveal its next major update, iOS 15, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2021), which runs from June 7 to 11. According to Bloomberg, Apple is 'readying a major revamp of its mobile software' for iOS 15, which would be released in time for Apple's next flagship iPhone (likely to be called iPhone 13). Prominent changes for iOS 15 will be an updated Lock Screen and 'additional privacy protections', Bloomberg said, citing 'people with knowledge of the matter'. Apple is set to reveal its next major software version, iOS 15, at its Worldwide Developers Conference later in June Although WWDC is scheduled to last throughout the week, the first day is the one to watch. This is when Apple CEO Tim Cook will take the stage to share the latest and greatest Apple devices and software to-date. The other days are designed for developers to participate and learn about software and other technologies. 'We are working to make WWDC 21 our biggest and best yet, and are excited to offer Apple developers new tools to support them as they create apps that change the way we live, work, and play,' said Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of worldwide developer relations. Apple is set to reveal iPhone 13 in September or October. According to rumours, it could see the end of the black 'notch' at the top of the screen. Killing off the notch for good would be welcome news for the thousands of Apple fans who have considered it an unsightly blemish. People who have larger pupils in their eyes are more intelligent than those with smaller pupils, according to a new study. Volunteers sat reasoning, attention and memory tests so the Georgia Institute of Technology team could investigate the link between pupil size and intelligence. They found that as well as being linked to arousal and exhaustion, pupil dilation can be used to understand the individual differences in intelligence, discovering that the larger the pupils, the higher the intelligence. Differences in the baseline pupil size between those scoring highest and those scoring lowest on intelligence tests could be seen with the unaided eye. The team say this could be due to people with larger pupils having better results regulation of brain activity in a region linked to intelligence and memory. People who have larger pupils in their eyes are more intelligence than those with smaller pupils, according to a new study. Stock image HOW DOES THE PUPIL WORK? The pupil is the opening in the centre of the iris (the structure that gives our eyes their colour). The function of the pupil is to allow light to enter the eye where it is then focused on the retina. The black colour of the pupil is because light that passes through it and is then absorbed by the retina - meaning no light is reflected. The size of the pupil and how much light enters it is controlled by muscles in the iris. One muscle constricts the pupil opening and another iris muscle dilates the pupil. In low-light conditions, the pupil dilates so more light can reach the retina to improve night vision. In bright conditions, the pupil constricts to limit how much light enters the eye. Advertisement Researchers had 500 people aged 18 to 35 from Atlanta take part in a range of tests while having their pupil size monitored by an eye tracking device. This device captures the reflection of light off the pupil and cornea through a high powered camera. They were measured at rest while the volunteer stared as a blank screen for four minutes to create a baseline. This allowed them to create an average pupil size for each of the volunteers that would be used to track changes through different types of tests and activities. Average human pupils, the black circular aperture at the centre of the eye, can range from 2 to 8mm and are surrounded by the iris that controls pupil size. Once they'd created a baseline for every volunteer, they had them complete a series of tests that measured a range of areas of intelligence. This included the capacity to reason through problems, the ability to remember information over time and the ability to stay focused even when distracted. They found that those who had a larger 'baseline pupil size' performed better in the attention, memory and reasoning tests. This suggests a strong link between the brain and the eye that the researchers hope to study in more detail in the future. Pupil size was negatively linked to age, finding that older volunteers tended to have smaller and more constricted pupils. However, if they removed age as a factor, creating a standardised figure, the relationship between intelligence and pupil size was still there - regardless of age. Finding out exactly why pupil size is linked to intelligence required a more detailed study of the brain, to look for which regions are being activated. They found pupil size is linked to a region known as the locus coeruleus in the upper brain stem that stretches out into the rest of the brain through neural connections. Volunteers sat reasoning, attention and memory tests so the Georgia Institute of Technology team could investigate the link between pupil size and intelligence. Stock image It releases a chemical that functions as a hormone int he brain and body and a neurotransmitter to regular processes like perception, attention and memory. This region also has a wider role in helping distant regions of the brain work together to complete complicated tasks. The leading theory is that people with larger pupils have better regulation from this brain region, benefiting cognitive performance and the brains ability to function. The findings have been published in the journal Cognition. Capitalizing on strong iPad sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple is reportedly working on an iPad Pro with wireless charging capabilities and a redesigned iPad mini, according to a media report. First reported by Bloomberg, the Cupertino, California-based tech giant is set to release the iPad Pro in 2022. The new iPad Pro is said to have a glass back -- compared to aluminum for the current models -- to enable wireless charging. Apple is also said to be working on a system for the new iPad Pro similar to last year's iPhone update, which brought MagSafe charging for more consistent speeds. Conversely, the redesigned iPad mini and an entry-level iPad for students could be released as soon as the end of this year. Apple may introduce an iPad Pro with wireless charging as soon as 2022, according to media reports Apple has not responded to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. The new iPad mini would see its first redesign since 2015 and is said to have a narrower screen border and the removal of a home button. Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple introduced a glass back on the iPhone 11 to enable wireless charging and continued that with the iPhone 12 models, released this past September. The iPad Pro, which starts at $799, has become a staple in Apple's tablet lineup. As many employees work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have increasingly turned to the iPad, specifically the iPad Pro. In its most recent quarter, Apple generated $7.8 billion in iPad-related revenue this past quarter, up nearly 80 percent year-over-year. On the company's most recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook described the new iPad Pro, which has Apple's M1 chip in it as 'killer,' adding that he believes the product cycle will benefit as companies and employees continue to have a hybrid set-up, working partly from home and the office. 'And the product that we just announced is really killer, the iPad Pro with the M1 in it,' Cook said. 'And so, there's a lot of great things of the strength of the product cycle in addition to the trends that we're seeing in the marketplace. And where this pandemic will end, it seems like many companies will be operating in a hybrid kind of mode. And so, it would seem that work-from-home and the productivity of working from home will remain very critical.' Apple has benefited from a hybrid work-environment, with CEO Tim Cook noting that 'work-from-home and the productivity of working from home will remain very critical' Earlier this month, Cook told Apple employees via email they will be required to work in the office at least three days per week, starting in September. Some employees, depending upon job function, will return to a four or five-day schedule. Employees will also have the option to apply for permission to work remotely two full weeks out of the year 'to be closer to family and loved ones, find a change of scenery, manage unexpected travel, or a different reason all your own,' according to Cook's email. Your Holiday Shopping Magazine to Emporia and area businesses. Also visit ShopEmporiaKansas.com to shop Emporia businesses who are online. Start your online shopping here. VIEW NOW TikTok quietly changed its US privacy policy this week to notify users it may start collecting 'faceprint and voiceprint' and other biometric data. The app did not specify what the data would be used for but said it would ask for permission first, 'where required by law.' The update comes just three months after TikTok paid more than $90 million to settle a class-action lawsuit claiming it secretly recorded millions of members' facial features and other biomarkers. TikTok reportedly has 100 million users in the US alone. Scroll down in video TikTok has updated its privacy policy to notify US users it may record the 'faceprint and voiceprint' and other unique biometric data. Pictured: Grimes in a recent TikTok video On Wednesday, an update to TikTok's privacy policy announced the popular app 'may collect biometric identifiers and biometric information' from users' videos. Some apps gather biometrics to target ads or improve accessibility features, TechCrunch reported, like describing an Instagram photo or adding automated captions. TikTok recently paid $92 million to settle a lawsuit claiming it violated Illinois strict biometric-data laws requiring consent before tracking users' data. Its possible the privacy policy update is a direct result of the suit It can also help with face filters and augmented-reality effects. The data could include 'identifying the objects and scenery that appear, the existence and location within an image of face and body features and attributes, the nature of the audio, and the text of the words spoken,' the company said. But it could also include personal biomarkers, like 'faceprints and voiceprints,' TikTok added, without clearly defining those terms. Only a handful of states have biometric privacy laws, including Illinois, California, New York, Texas and Washington, suggesting users in other states may not be notified if their biometrics are being harvested. While the policy says TikTok will notify users if it begins collecting biometric data, Insider points out the update is located in a section called 'information we collect automatically,' suggesting it may already be harvesting the info. As password-protection becomes increasingly nebulous, many companies are turning to unique physical traits, like fingerprints, voiceprints and other markers, for security purposes. Even the shape of your face and nose can be used to identify you Users have reported getting multiple pop-up messages informing them of the privacy policy update, according to TechCrunch, but some complained the page was not available when they tried to read it. The policy appears to only updated in the USprivacy regulations are much stricter in Europe and Asia. In 2020, the White House attempted to ban TikTok from the US, claiming the fact that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, posed a national security threat. A court injunction blocked the ban from taking effect, though the Trump administration appealed the ruling. On Friday, President Biden signed an executive order barring Americans from investing in some 59 Chinese companies the administration believes have ties to the Chinese military and the country's surveillance industry. His administration has not, however, taken an official stance on TikTok. In February, TikTok paid $92 million to settle a class-action lawsuit claiming it violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, one of the strictest in the nation. Illinois' law requires companies to obtain explicit permission before collecting biometric data, but the plaintiffs alleged TikTok used algorithms to identify users' gender, age and ethnicity, according to the BBC, and sent the info to China. Denying any malfeasance, TikTok said it was settling to avoid a protracted court case. Then-President Trump tried to ban TikTok in the US last year, claiming the Beijing-owned company posed a national security threat 'While we disagree with the assertions, rather than go through lengthy litigation, we'd like to focus our efforts on building a safe and joyful experience for the TikTok community,' the company said in a statement. It's possible Wednesday's update was a direct result of the lawsuit. TikTok has not responded to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. Social media platforms have gotten into hot water for collecting biometric data before: in 2015, Facebook users in Illinois accused the platform of violating the state's Biometric Information Privacy Act in collecting biometric data. Facebook allegedly accomplished this through its 'Tag Suggestions' feature, which allowed users to recognize their Facebook friends from previously uploaded photos. Facebook paid out $650 million in that case but, five years later, was hit with another class-action suit claiming it used the same tool on Instagram to harvest the biometrics of over a million users without their knowledge or consent. In a statement to DailyMail.com at the time, a Facebook spokesperson said that the claims were false, and that Instagram does not use the facial recognition services offered on Facebook. According to Instagram's data policy, 'If we introduce face-recognition technology to your Instagram experience, we will let you know first, and you will have control over whether we use this technology for you.' In 2019, security firm Suprema revealed that a vast data breach exposed the biometric information of millions of people, including their fingerprints and facial scans. The private data was found on a free site and contained sensitive information on a system used by banks, police and government offices, as well as thousands of other companies. 'This could be used in a wide range of criminal activities that would be disastrous for both the businesses and organizations affected, as well as their employees or clients,' the web privacy site VPNMentor wrote in a post about the discovery. 'It's one thing having your password hacked passwords can be changed and replaced,' Etienne Greeff, CTO of cybersecurity services provider SecureData, told MailOnline at the time. 'But what happens when your biometrics are hacked? You can't change your voice; you can't replace your eyes and you can't reset your fingerprints. Those things are constant, permanent and contain genetic data that is unique to you.' NASA's Juno spacecraft will fly within 645 miles (1,038 kilometres) of Ganymede Jupiter's largest moon on Monday (June 7). Juno's instruments will begin collecting data about three hours before the spacecraft's closest approach, which will happen at 6:35pm BST (1:35pm EDT). Juno, which launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida in August 2011 to study Jupiter from orbit, will provide insights into the moon's composition and temperature. The celestial event will be the closest a spacecraft has come to Ganymede since Galileo in May 2000. With a diameter of 3,280 miles (5,262 kilometers), Ganymede is larger than both Mercury and dwarf planet Pluto. Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system and the only moon with its own magnetic field. Scroll down for video With a diameter of 3,280 miles, Ganymede (pictured) is larger than both planet Mercury and dwarf planet Pluto. This image shows mosaic and geologic maps of Ganymede, assembled incorporating the best available imagery from NASAs Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft and NASAs Galileo spacecraft GANYMEDE'S HISTORY Since its discovery in January 1610, Ganymede has been the focus of repeated observation, first by Earth-based telescopes, and later by flyby missions and spacecraft orbiting Jupiter. These studies depict a complex icy world whose surface is characterised by the striking contrast between its two major terrain types - the dark, very old, highly cratered regions and the lighter, somewhat younger (but still ancient) regions marked with an extensive array of grooves and ridges. With a diameter of 3,280 miles (5,262 kilometers), Ganymede is larger than both planet Mercury and dwarf planet Pluto. It's also the only satellite in the solar system known to have its own magnetosphere. Advertisement An interactive NASA tool is providing real-time updates of Juno's location as it approaches the natural satellite. Juno will fly past Ganymede at almost 12 miles per second (19 kilometres per second), which means it will go from being a point of light to a viewable disk then back to a point of light in about 25 minutes. This will give the craft's on-board JunoCam imager just enough time to capture five images on the moon. 'By flying so close, we will bring the exploration of Ganymede into the 21st century,' said Juno's principal investigator Scott Bolton at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. 'Juno carries a suite of sensitive instruments capable of seeing Ganymede in ways never before possible.' A rotating, solar-powered spacecraft, Juno arrived at Jupiter on July 4, 2016, after making a five-year journey. It has three giant blades stretching out some 66 feet (20 meters) from its cylindrical, six-sided body. Juno's flyby will provide scientists with some stunning imagery and yield insights into Ganymede's composition, ionosphere, magnetosphere and icy shell. Ganymede has three main layers a sphere of metallic iron at the centre (the core, which generates a magnetic field), a spherical shell of rock (mantle) surrounding the core, and an outer shell of mostly ice, about 497 miles thick, surrounding both the rock shell and the core. Along with the Ultraviolet Spectrograph (UVS) and Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) instruments, Juno's Microwave Radiometer's (MWR) will peer into Ganymede's water-ice crust, obtaining data on its composition and temperature. On its surface, the mysterious ice moon has large, bright regions of ridges and grooves that slice across older, darker terrains. These grooved regions are a clue that the moon experienced dramatic upheavals in the distant past, according to NASA. 'Ganymede's ice shell has some light and dark regions, suggesting that some areas may be pure ice while other areas contain dirty ice,' said Bolton. 'MWR will provide the first in-depth investigation of how the composition and structure of the ice varies with depth, leading to a better understanding of how the ice shell forms and the ongoing processes that resurface the ice over time.' A rotating, solar-powered spacecraft, Juno arrived at Jupiter in 2016 after making a five-year journey (depicted here in artist's impression) Juno's measurements of the radiation environment near the moon will also benefit future missions to the 'Jovian System' (i.e. Jupiter, its rings and its moons). Monday's flyby will be the closest a spacecraft has come to Ganymede since NASA's Galileo spacecraft made its penultimate close approach back on May 20, 2000. On this day, Galileo which became the became first spacecraft to orbit Jupiter in 1995 reached 600 miles (1,000 km) from Ganymede. Juno will continue its investigation of the solar systems largest planet through September 2025, or until the spacecrafts end of life. The solid-iron inner core of the Earth has been growing faster on one side than the other for over 500 million years, according to a new study. It is growing faster under Indonesia's Banda Sea than under Brazil, but this uneven growth pattern hasn't left the core lopsided, say seismologists at the University of California, Berkeley, who have been investigating the phenomenon. Gravity has acted to evenly distribute the new growth, made up of iron crystals that form as molten iron begins to cool, maintaining a spherical inner core. Even though it doesn't leave the core lopsided, this uneven growth rate suggests something in the outer core under Indonesia is removing heat from the inner core at a faster rate than it is under Brazil on the opposite side of the planet, the team said. Researchers say this discovery has helped them 'prove rather loose bounds' for the age of the inner core, to between half a billion and 1.5 billion years. A cut-away of Earths interior shows the solid iron inner core (red) slowly growing by freezing of the liquid iron outer core (orange). Seismic waves travel through the Earths inner core faster between the north and south poles (blue arrows) than across the equator (green arrow) FOUR LAYERS OF THE PLANET EARTH Crust: To a depth of up to 70km, this is the outermost layer of the Earth, covering both ocean and land areas. Mantle: Going down to 2,890km with the lower mantle, this is the planet's thickest layer and made of silicate rocks richer in iron and magnesium than the crust overhead. Outer core: Running from a depth of 2,890- 5,150km, this region is made of liquid iron and nickel with trace lighter elements. Inner core: Going down to a depth of 6,370km at the very centre of planet Earth, this region is thought to be made of solid iron and nickel. Advertisement This boundary for the age of the solid core of the Earth can help scientists learn more about the magnetic field, which protects us from harmful solar radiation. 'It can help in the debate about how the magnetic field was generated prior to the existence of the solid inner core,' said Barbara Romanowicz, study co-author. 'We know the magnetic field already existed 3 billion years ago, so other processes must have driven convection in the outer core at that time.' The youngish age of the inner core may mean that, early in Earth's history, the heat boiling the fluid core came from light elements separating from iron, not from crystallisation of iron, which we see today. 'Debate about the age of the inner core has been going on for a long time,' said Daniel Frost, assistant project scientist. 'The complication is: If the inner core has been able to exist only for 1.5 billion years, based on what we know about how it loses heat and how hot it is, then where did the older magnetic field come from? 'That is where this idea of dissolved light elements that then freeze out came from.' Asymmetric growth of the inner core, that is growing at different rates on each side of the planet, explains a three-decade-old mystery, Frost explained. The mystery is that the crystallised iron in the core seemed to be more likely to be aligned to the west than the east of Earth's rotational axis. Map showing the seismometers (triangles) at which the researchers measured seismic waves from earthquakes (circles) to study Earths inner core The team say scientists would expect the crystals to be randomly oriented than have them favour one side of the planet than the other. In an attempt to explain the observations, they created a computer model of crystal growth in the inner core. Their model incorporated geodynamic growth, how materials on earth deform and form, and the mineral physics of iron at high pressure and high temperature. 'The simplest model seemed unusual - that the inner core is asymmetric,' Frost said. 'The west side looks different from the east side all the way to the center, not just at the top of the inner core, as some have suggested. The only way we can explain that is by one side growing faster than the other.' The model describes how asymmetric growth - about 60 per cent higher in the east than the west - can preferentially orient iron crystals along the rotation axis, with more alignment in the west than in the east. 'What we're proposing in this paper is a model of lopsided solid convection in the inner core that reconciles seismic observations and plausible geodynamic boundary conditions,' Romanowicz said. Even though it doesn't leave the core lopsided, this uneven growth rate suggests something in the outer core under Indonesia is removing heat from the inner core at a faster rate than it is under Brazil on the opposite side of the planet, the team said Earth's interior is layered like an onion. The solid iron-nickel inner core is 745 miles) in radius, or about three-quarters the size of the moon and is surrounded by a fluid outer core of molten iron and nickel about 1,500 miles thick. The outer core is surrounded by a mantle of hot rock 1,800 miles thick and overlain by a thin, cool, rocky crust at the surface. Convection occurs both in the outer core, which slowly boils as heat from crystallising iron comes out of the inner core, and in the mantle, as hotter rock moves upward to carry this heat from the centre of the planet to the surface. A new model by UC Berkeley seismologists proposes that Earths inner core grows faster on its east side (left) than on its west. Gravity equalizes the asymmetric growth by pushing iron crystals toward the north and south poles (arrows) WHAT IS EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD AND HOW DOES IT PROTECT US? Earth's magnetic field is a layer of electrical charge that surrounds our planet. The field protects life on our planet because it deflects charged particles fired from the sun known as 'solar wind'. Without this protective layer, these particles would likely strip away the Ozone layer, our only line of defence against harmful UV radiation. Scientists believe the Earth's core is responsible for creating its magnetic field. As molten iron in the Earth's outer core escapes it creates convection currents. These currents generate electric currents which create the magnetic field in a natural process known as a geodynamo. Advertisement The vigorous boiling motion in the outer core produces Earth's magnetic field. According to Frost's computer model, as iron crystals grow, gravity redistributes the excess growth in the east toward the west within the inner core. Movement of crystals in the inner core, close to the melting point of iron, aligns the crystal lattice with the Earth's rotational axis - doing so more to the west than the east, they found. The model correctly predicts the researchers' new observations about seismic wave travel times through the inner core. The anisotropy, or difference in travel times parallel and perpendicular to the rotation axis, increases with depth. The strongest anisotropy is offset to the west from Earth's rotation axis by about 250 miles. The model of inner core growth also provides limits on the proportion of nickel to iron in the centre of the earth, Frost said. His model does not accurately reproduce seismic observations unless nickel makes up between four per cent and eight per cent of the inner core. This is close to the proportion in metallic meteorites that once were the cores of dwarf planets in our solar system. The model also tells geologists how viscous, or fluid, the inner core is. 'We suggest that the viscosity of the inner core is relatively large,' said Romanowicz. This is 'an input parameter of importance to geodynamicists studying the dynamo processes in the outer core.' The findings are due to be presented in the the journal Nature Geoscience. As climate change continues to weaken the planet's ice sheets and raise sea temperatures, the ice sheets and oceans could be at risk of destabilizing one another, causing a 'climate domino effect' that has wide-ranging implications for the planet's population. The new findings, published in the journal Earth System Dynamic, looked at the ice sheets West Antarctica, Greenland and the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream and the Amazon rainforest. Nearly one-third of the more than 3 million computer simulations they ran found that domino effects between the ice sheets, the Atlantic Gulf Stream and the Amazon rainforest occur, even when the temperature rise is less than 2 degrees Celsius, the upper level as defined by the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. 'We're shifting the odds, and not to our favor - the risk clearly is increasing the more we heat our planet,' Jonathan Donges, Lead of PIK's FutureLab on Earth Resilience in the Anthropocene, said in a statement. Donges continued: 'It rises substantially between 1 and 3C. If greenhouse gas emissions and the resulting climate change cannot be halted, the upper level of this warming range would most likely be crossed by the end of this century. With even higher temperatures, more tipping cascades are to be expected, with long-term devastating effects.' Weakened ice sheets West Antarctica and Greenland, combined with the Atlantic Gulf stream and Amazon rainforest, could cause a 'climate domino effect' Nearly one-third of the more than 3 million computer simulations the researchers ran saw domino effects, even when the temperature rise is less than 2 degrees Celsius The interaction between the ice sheets, the gulf stream and the Amazon suggests they are more intertwined than researchers currently believe In May, a separate study suggested that the Greenland ice sheet, the planet's second largest, is close to tipping into 'accelerated melting.' However, they were unable to determine if the ice sheet is decades away from the tipping point or if it had already been reached. SEA LEVELS COULD RISE BY UP TO 4 FEET BY THE YEAR 2300 Global sea levels could rise as much as 1.2 meters (4 feet) by 2300 even if we meet the 2015 Paris climate goals, scientists have warned. The long-term change will be driven by a thaw of ice from Greenland to Antarctica that is set to re-draw global coastlines. Sea level rise threatens cities from Shanghai to London, to low-lying swathes of Florida or Bangladesh, and to entire nations such as the Maldives. It is vital that we curb emissions as soon as possible to avoid an even greater rise, a German-led team of researchers said in a new report. By 2300, the report projected that sea levels would gain by 0.7-1.2 meters, even if almost 200 nations fully meet goals under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Targets set by the accords include cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero in the second half of this century. Ocean levels will rise inexorably because heat-trapping industrial gases already emitted will linger in the atmosphere, melting more ice, it said. In addition, water naturally expands as it warms above four degrees Celsius (39.2F). Every five years of delay beyond 2020 in peaking global emissions would mean an extra 20 centimeters (8 inches) of sea level rise by 2300. 'Sea level is often communicated as a really slow process that you can't do much about ... but the next 30 years really matter,' lead author Dr Matthias Mengel, of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, in Potsdam, Germany, told Reuters. None of the nearly 200 governments to sign the Paris Accords are on track to meet its pledges. Advertisement In August 2020, experts from Germany found that the Greenland ice sheet lost 532 gigatons of mass, the largest ever recorded. Separately that month, some researchers said the ice sheet had already past the 'point of no return.' Since Earth system models are too still complex to simulate how a tipping event would occur, the researchers used an approach focusing on temperature thresholds. 'By doing so, we could take into account the considerable uncertainties related to these characteristics of tipping interactions,' Jurgen Kurths, head of PIK's Complexity Science Research Department, explained. The interaction between the ice sheets, the gulf stream and the Amazon -- which may be at a tipping point already -- suggests they are more intertwined than researchers currently believe. 'We find that the interaction of these four tipping elements can make them overall more vulnerable due to mutual destabilization on the long-run,' one of the study's co-authors, Potsdam Institute researcher Ricarda Winkelmann said, while adding this not a prediction, but rather a risk analysis. 'The feedbacks between them tend to lower the critical temperature thresholds of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, the Atlantic overturning circulation, and the Amazon rainforest,' Winkelmann added. In contrast, the temperature threshold for a tipping of the Greenland Ice Sheet can in fact be raised in case of a significant slow-down of the North Atlantic current heat transport. All in all, this might mean that we have less time to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and still prevent tipping processes.' The melting ice sheets are the starting point for any tipping cascade. The Atlantic then transmits the domino effect, ultimately impacting the Amazon. It's not clear how long the tipping process would take to happen -- it could take thousands of years for the polar ice sheets to melt, with much of the melt going into the oceans. This would impact coastal cities, greatly disrupting areas such as New York, Los Angeles and Mumbai, among many others around the world. According to the United Nations, approximately 2.4 billion, or 40 percent of the world's population as of 2017 lived near the coasts. In the US alone, 127 million people live in coastal counties, according to the National Ocean Service. Winkelmann added that the analysis is 'conservative,' meaning there are several elements that have not been considered, which could cause the chain of events to be even greater than thought. 'It would hence be a daring bet to hope that the uncertainties play out in a good way, given what is at stake,' Winkelmann explained. 'From a precautionary perspective rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions is indispensable to limit the risks of crossing tipping points in the climate system, and potentially causing domino effects.' Researchers in India are developing a tampon that changes color if it detects a yeast infection. They soaked fibers in a substance that breaks down in the presence of Candida albicans, a common yeast infection, and placed them inside pads and tampons. In simulations, the fibers turned bright pink, indicating the presence of an infection. The feminine hygiene products still need to be tested on humans, but the researchers say they could be sold for as little as 30 cents each. Candida can cause a vaginal yeast infection or a UTI. More than half of all women experience UTIs, often more than once. Scroll down for video Researchers in India are developing tampons and pads that change color when they detect a urinary tract infection A team at Manipal Institute of Technology described soaking cotton fibers in an amino acid that breaks down when confronted with Candida albicans, the most common form of fungal infection. The study, published in the journal American Chemical Society Omega, highlights that the team wove the fibers into tampons and sanitary pads, then treated both products with a 'simulated vaginal discharge samples' infected with C. albicans. In both cases, an enzyme secreted by the yeast made the sanitary product turn pink. 'The developed method boasts a long shelf life and high stability,' the researchers wrote, 'making it a discreet detection device for testing, which provides new vistas for self-testing multiple diseases that are considered taboo in certain societies.' Cotton fibers were soaked in special amino acids and woven into pads and tampons treated with a 'simulated vaginal discharge samples' infected with C. albicans Depending on where in the tract they occur, symptoms of UTIs can include painful or frequent urination, abdominal pain or fever. UTIs are exceedingly common: between 50 and 60 percent of adult women will have at least one in their life, according to the report. They are caused by bacteria and other microbes infecting the urinary tract and can ultimately impact the kidneys, bladder and other regions, Medical News Today reported. UTIs account for roughly 7 million visits to a doctor every year in the US alone, according to one study, and more than 100,000 hospitalizations. Developing countries may have less access to labs and healthcare facilities needed to diagnose UTIs, the researchers said, making the color-changing tampon a boon in lower-income communities. The team in Manipal still have to perfect their invention: right now the pinkish color would be too difficult to see if obscured by menstrual discharge. They hope to find an alternative acid that reacts with the C. albicans fungal infection but produces a more vivid color, New Scientist reports. In 2016, a pair of Harvard graduates announced they'd been working on a 'smart tampon' that could scan blood, allowing women to catch diseases such as HPV early. Right now the threads turn various shades of pink. The team is working to find an acid produces a different color that wouldn't be obscured by menstrual blood Women's groups have worked in recent years to destigmatize tampons: In January, the UK stopped levying VAT on feminine hygiene products after years of criticism that they should be classified as basic necessities like groceries and prescriptions. At least 13 US states exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax. Last year, Tampax was slammed for launching new tampons with 'silent wrappers', which promise 'full discretion' when opening them. Critics claimed that the brand was feeding into period shame. A spokesperson told DailyMail.com the company 'believe[s] in normalizing the conversation around periods', while still giving people 'a choice to manage their period in a way that's right for them'. 'At Tampax, we believe in normalizing the conversation around periods through awareness, information and education,' the rep said. 'We continuously talk to those that use our products to better understand their needs and then find ways to meet them. 'We want to give people a choice to manage their period in a way that's right for them. 'For some, that includes the way that our wrappers are designed. They maintain the integrity of the product especially when kept in bags and are silent to open a feature that some users value.' A wayward drone resulted in nearly 3,000 tern eggs to be abandoned in Southern California after it crashed and scared off the birds, a newspaper reported Friday. According to the Orange County Register, two drones were flown illegally over the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach in May and one of them went down in the wetlands. Fearing an attack from a predator, several thousand terns abandoned their ground nests, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. A wayward drone resulted in nearly 3,000 tern eggs to be abandoned in Southern California The drone crashed into the reserve on May 13 and it has not yet been claimed. In an interview with the Register, Nick Molsberry, a warden for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said drones are an ongoing problem for the wetlands. 'It's ironic,' he told the news outlet. 'Drone owners are attracted by the nesting colonies of birds, and then their actions destroy it.' Molsberry said he will examine the memory card to determine its owner. Two drones were flown illegally over the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach in May and one of them went down in the wetlands. The other drone crashed into a fenced nesting ground and caused the birds to temporarily flee, but they returned. The owner of that drone was cited, Molsberry explained. Bicycles and dogs are also a problem, as they are also illegal on the trails. The rise in bicycles and dogs has been exacerbated by the pandemic, which resulted in a near 66 percent increase in visitors, reserve manager Melissa Loebel told the paper. Last year, around 100,000 visitors came to the Bolsa Chica reserve, up from around 60,000 in 2019. Bolsa Chica State Ecological Reserve is a 1,200-acre natural public land in Orange County in Huntington Beach, California While most residents in the area are respectful of the reserve, Molsberry said it's 'residents that sometimes feel entitled' that allow dogs into the area, causing issues for the reserve. 'We've seen a significant increase in dogs, particularly off-leash,' Loebl said. 'Thats devastating for wildlife and this is prime nesting season. The dogs chase the birds and the birds abandon their nests.' Terns, which primarily live in wetlands and marine coastal areas, are considered 'least concern' according to the IUCN Red List. The global population is estimated to be between 1.6 million and 3.6 million, though population trends are currently unknown. Terns are not considered endangered according to the IUCN, with an estimated population between 1.6 million and 3.6 million, but trends are unknown Now, during the month when the white birds would be overseeing their eggs as they begin to hatch, the sand is littered with egg shells. It's one of the largest-scale abandonment of eggs ever at the coastal site about 100 miles (160 km) north of San Diego, according to Loebl. At nearly 1,500 acres, the reserve is the largest saltwater marsh between Monterey Bay just south of San Francisco and the Tijuana River Estuary in Mexico. Some 800 species of plants and animals live at or migrate to Bolsa Chica. Archaeologists in Israel are working to restore a 2,000-year-old Roman-era basilica believed to be the largest in the country. In Ancient Rome, a basilica was a large public building where citizens socialized, conducted business, held performances and conducted religious ceremonies. Experts believe the ancient edifice in Ashkelon, a city on southern Israel's Mediterranean coastline, dates to the decades before Christ's birth, when the region that would become Israel was under Rome's control. Devastated by earthquake and the passage of millennia, it's now being rebuilt and will welcome visitors again in the coming months. Pictured: An aerial view of the Ashkelon basilica. Archaeologists with the IAA are working to restore the structure, destroyed by earthquake in 363, and open it to the public Founded some 8,000 years ago during the Neolithic period, Ashkelon rose to prominence as the largest seaport in Canaan in the Middle Bronze Age, between 2000 and 1550 BC. It was conquered by the Philistines in 1150 BC, and frequently warred with the Israelites until falling in the 7th century BC to the Babylonians, who destroyed it. The city was eventually rebuilt and, after the conquest of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, Ashkelon became an important seaport once more. The archaeologists believe the basilica they uncovered was constructed during the reign of King Herod the Great, a Roman vassal king of Judea who took power in 30 BC. A rendering of how the Ashkelon basilica should look when competed Archaeologist Saar Ganor points to a column motif of an eagle, the symbol of the Roman Empire Judea was under Roman control from the first century BC to the fourth century AD. 'Herodian coins discovered in the bedding of the structure's ancient floors show that it was built at the time of one of the greatest builders ever to have lived in the country,' IAA excavation directors Rachel Bar-Natan, Saar Ganor and Fredrico Kobrin said. A discredited theory posited Ashkelon was Herod's birthplace, though he is known to have erected bathhouses, fountains, colonnades and other buildings in the city. An aerial shot of the odeon added during renovations to the basilica in the second and third centuries AD During the Roman period, when Ashkelon was a bustling port, public life revolved around the basilica, according to a spokesperson with the Israel Antiquities Association. The huge building would have been covered with a roof and divided into three parts a central hall and two side halls, the group of IAA excavation directors added. 'The hall was surrounded with rows of marble columns and capitals, which rose to an estimated height of [42 feet] and supported the building's roof.' The marble, also used for the floor and roof, were imported from Asia Minor. The basilica was extensively renovated in the second and third centuries AD, during the Roman Severan Dynasty, when marble architectural features were brought in and a small odeon, or theater, was added. After earthquake, pillaging and the passage of centuries, architects in Israel are working to restore the basilica and place sculptures and columns in their authentic locations In the 1920s, British archaeologists unearthed a massive statue of Nike, Roman goddess of victory (left) standing atop Atlas holding the globe, as well as a statue of the Egyptian deity Isis as Tyche, (right) daughter of Aphrodite and a goddess of fortune When a massive earthquake hit the region in 363 AD, though, the basilica was destroyed and abandoned. According to the researchers, 'the effects of the seismic waves are clearly visible on the building's floor.' During Muslim control of the area, some of the ruins were incorporated into other buildings. 'There is evidence from the Ottoman period that marble items were cut up for use as paving stones and some of the beautiful architectural features were taken for building construction,' said an IAA spokesperson in a statement. Excavation first started in the 1920s when British archaeologists unearthed a massive statue of Nike, the Roman goddess of victory, standing atop Atlas holding the globe. They also uncovered a statue of the Egyptian deity Isis as Tyche, daughter of Aphrodite and a goddess of fortune. Under the direction of renowned archaeologist John Garstang, though, the British covered up the ruins again, as was common practice to preserve them further, according to Haaretz. Archaeologist estimate the basilica was about 330 feet long by 130 feet wide, with colonnade of columns 42 feet high It was only more recently, with a pair of digs in 2008-2012 and 2016-2018, that the full scale of the structure was uncovered. Some 200 marble items weighing hundreds of tons have been uncovered in all, including dozens of column capitals with plant motifs or bearing the image of an eagle, symbol of the Roman Empire. Now archeologists are trying to restore parts of the edifice destroyed by the earthquake, and place sculptures and columns in their authentic locations. They estimate the structure stood around 330 feet long by 130 feet wide, with a colonnade of columns 42 feet high. A pillar weighing dozens of tons was hoisted into the basilica and the structure's floor is being restored and filled in. The statues of the gods and goddesses are being placed on the southern end, while the odeon is being preserved and renovated with modern seating and a stage. The huge building would have been covered with a roof and divided into three parts a central hall and two side halls, surrounded with rows of marble columns and capitals. Pictured: One of the basilica's massive capitals. When the project is completed, visitors will be able to walk through the basilica, the largest in Israel. A collaboration between the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the city of Ashkelon and the Leon Levy Foundation, the renovations will also add over a mile of accessible paths tracing Ashkelon's history that are 'designed to showcase and provide better access to the park's unique nature, heritage and landscape,' according to a statement. Ashkelon mayor Tomer Glam said the project 'will contribute significantly to the park's natural beauty and strengthen its status as the most beautiful and well-kept national park in Israel.' The IAA did not reveal when it expects the project to be completed, though it said visitors will be able to sit on the seating in the odeon 'in the coming months' and watch work being done on the nearby basilica. The Singapore Grand Prix has been cancelled, as Formula One bosses work frantically to stop their planned 23-race programme from shattering. Races in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Australia are also in jeopardy for various Covid-related reasons. Australia's strict quarantine rules mean that there is not enough time for them to get into the country after the preceding Brazilian GP - but experts have suggested they go through a 'boutique quarantine' partly in the UK. Formula One are working on contingencies including potential rounds in Turkey, China and a second race in Austin, Texas though these are hardly fail-safe options. Brazil. Turkey and China are on the UK government's red list meaning teams and drivers would have to quarantine for two weeks on return to England where many teams are based. The Singapore Grand Prix has been cancelled due to coronavirus-related reasons This year's F1 season is in doubt as races in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Australia are in jeopardy Singaporean authorities pulled their race, scheduled for October 3, because of travel restrictions stopping people entering their country. An F1 spokesman said: We continue to work with all promoters during this fluid time and have plenty of options to adapt if needed. Another possible roadblock is the Governments increasingly tough line on travel prompting the awkward question of how it is morally justifiable to permit the transportation in and out of Britain of 1,000-plus F1 personnel every week or so. That (strict border controls) is the reason for the exemption for us and other industries, said an F1 spokesman. Singaporean authorities cancelled the October 3 race due to coronavirus travel restrictions F1 organisers are discussing possible races in Turkey, China and a second meet in Austin Japanese authorities are not committing to the October 10 meet going ahead until a full assessment of the country's coronavirus status is made after the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer. Meanwhile, Brazil and Mexico remain determined to hold on to their races despite having some of the worst coronavirus case rates in the world. Should either country be put on the UK's 'red list', then it would plunge the schedule into even more doubt given most of the F1 teams are based in Great Britain. At present, anyone travelling to 'red list' countries, including sporting personnel, must self-isolate in a hotel for 10 days after returning to the UK. Australia's plans for their November 21 race in Melbourne currently allow only fully-vaccinated personnel being allowed to travel to and participate in the autumn meet. Furthermore, any positive case found once the Melbourne meet begins is likely to result in not only the immediate cancellation of the Grand Prix but also a city-wide lockdown. Meanwhile, F1 boss Stefano Domenicali wants to introduce a sprint race title next season. Run over a third of the track distance and without pit stops on Saturdays, drivers will be awarded three points for a win, two for second and one for third. Points count toward drivers championship and a separate grand slam title. Everyone in Soapland loves dogs. Remember Roly the standard poodle in EastEnders? There didnt seem to be much standard about him; he could have run in the Grand National and youd have been hard-pushed to tell him apart. Ethel had Willy, Robbie had Wellard, and Banjo has become a feature recently, after striking up a relationship with Bailey. I feel sorry for Banjo, who gobbles his food so quickly you suspect he could consume an entire McDonalds restaurant in one meal, car park and all. And why hasnt anyone taken him for a decent grooming? He looks as if he goes to the same salon as Karen to get his hair done. At least hes getting food, though. Corries David seems to have disappeared, and no one has bought him so much as a dog chew this year. Maybe he ran off with Evelyns Cerberus, who returns to the fold this week (theres another dog that could run incognito in the Grand National). Despite the countryside, Emmerdale is currently running low on canines. Still, with all those weapons around, maybe its just as well. Theres a world of difference between being a gun dog and a gunned dog. EASTENDERS: ANOTHER FINE MESS Callum (pictured) blames himself after the person believed to have mugged Kat stabs his colleague Fitzy in EastEnders Oh dear. More problems for Callum. If those frown lines get any deeper, hell be able to market himself as Walfords answer to the Grand Canyon. Ben, Phil, his boss, and now his colleague Fitzy. When Fitzy chases the person he and Callum believe mugged Kat, the mugger stabs Fitzy. When DCI Arthur checks in on Callum, the newlywed blames himself. Of course he does. He blames himself if the post is late (talking of which, has anyone seen the postman in five years?). Back in the exciting world of luuuurvvv, Phil suggests to Kat that they take over the launderette (right because thats done really big business with two washes a year since 2005). Shes not keen on getting involved wiv anyfink dodgy (thats a first), but comes up with her own masterplan. Im telling you, Im convinced the show is heading for a Christmas wedding for this pair. You heard it here first. Time to get that full moon out of the props cupboard and brush off the dust in time for the big day. Oh, yes: and the snow machine. Vi, meanwhile, wants to match Stuart with Honey. And not in a sweet way. CORONATION STREET: ITS A DOGS LIFE Bernie (pictured) drops Cerberus home and discovers Evelyns scam in Coronation Street Theres only so much time a man can spend discussing where to put the Heinz beans before he starts to take note of the available women around him. It normally doesnt take Dev this long; he can usually spot a single female on the next continent. One can only wonder what took him this length of time to get around to Bernie, who drops Cerberus home and discovers Evelyns scam. Devs reward of a drink turns to something more, but ever the charmer, he assures her there wont be a repeat performance. For anyone on the edge of their seats wondering what thrills await Tyrone with Miss Romania, you can sit back and relax: its just more of the same, but a riled Fiz turns to Adam for legal advice. Thats likely to be as helpful as asking Hannibal Lecter to co-write your vegetarian cookbook. The big battle is over custody of The Girls, one of whom, as Tyrone points out, is his by another woman. Honestly Fiz, hand them both over to Tyrone; if theres anything guaranteed to wipe that self-satisfied smile off Alinas face, its Hope. Livergate update: yet another liver has been found, but where is Peter? Please dont say hes in the pub its where well all be if this storyline drags on any more. Now, with Johnny deciding to sell the pub, who do we want to see next behind the bar? I have said it for ages: Mary and Roy. Back to basics in terms of traditional Corrie drama. EMMERDALE: WHEN JIMMY MET MANDY Jimmy looks to Mandy for support (pictured) as his rift with Nicole widens in Emmderdale There are some things that automatically go together bread and butter, salt and pepper, Hollywood and scandal and you can never imagine them being torn apart. It always seemed as if Nicola and Jimmys marriage was like that: she nags, he takes it like a sap, but they still end up enjoying a pot of Yorkshire tea of an evening. That all looks set to end as the rift between them widens and Jimmy looks to Mandy for support. Shes shocked when he tells her his feelings run deeper than friendship. You and me both! When did this start happening? Ive seen deeper eye baths. Amelie The Musical (Criterion Theatre, London) Verdict: Charming but exasperating Rating: Walden (Harold Pinter Theatre, London) Verdict: Flat footed Rating: French whimsy is a Marmite phenomenon. Either you find the Gallic caprice of films such as Amelie utterly charming or totally exasperating. By the end of this lengthy (almost three hours, including interval) musical adaptation of one of the most whimsical of all French pictures, I was craving a good old-fashioned Yankee Doodle shoot-em-up. And yet many in the mostly female audience seemed spellbound by the story of the reclusive Parisienne waitress whose mission is to bring joy to others. This is how she copes with her mother's suicide and her emotionally remote father. The radiant Audrey Brisson (the spit of Audrey Tautou, star of the 2001 movie) is perfectly cast in the title role. The radiant Audrey Brisson (the spit of Audrey Tautou, star of the 2001 movie) is perfectly cast in the title role of Amelie Daniel Messe's music is brilliantly inventive, too, capturing the kookiness of the story while being performed by the cast of 16 on strings, flute, piano, accordion and a tea chest. And yet, like the story, the meandering melodies and wistful songs go nowhere. Michael Fentiman's production, which originated at the Watermill Theatre in 2019, looks spectacular, with the actors drilled as if for a North Korean military parade (everyone in lock-step). But he adds almost half an hour to the original story, and milks every moment including a brilliant but laboured Elton John spoof as Amelie watches Princess Diana's funeral on TV. Daniel Messe's music is brilliantly inventive, too, capturing the kookiness of the story while being performed by the cast of 16 on strings, flute, piano, accordion and a tea chest Madeleine Girling's stage design includes everything from the Paris Metro to a Notre Dame confessional. We visit a Montmartre cafe, a photo booth, a vegetable stall, a tobacconist and a sex shop (the show's not really suitable for children). I'd love to have heard more of Brisson's voice in the first half; and her performance combines naivety and maturity in a beguiling way. But not for nearly three hours! You'd need a very high whimsy threshold to enjoy that much theatrical yeast extract. Gemma Arterton has been vocal in her criticism of submissive Bond girls, regretting that her character, Strawberry Fields, didn't say 'No!' to Daniel Craig's Bond in Quantum Of Solace and that she didn't wear flat shoes. Well, she's back in the West End with a show about a NASA scientist, and it's not just the shoes that are flat. Written by U.S. actor-writer Amy Berryman, Walden is set in the near future, when the Earth's ecosystem has collapsed after a tsunami and the air is becoming unbreathable. Arterton has escaped to a log cabin in the mountains with her boyfriend (Fehinti Balogun), a hippy 'Earth advocate' at loggerheads with her twin (Lydia Wilson), who is taking a break from exploring space. L-R: Gemma Arterton, Fehinti Balogun and Lydia Wilson star in Amy Berryman's Walden, which is set in the near future, when the Earth's ecosystem has collapsed after a tsunami and the air is becoming unbreathable It's not easy to get emotionally involved with such a hypothetical scenario and the meagre stakes offer only a battle of wills over the sisters' careers. Berryman's anodyne dialogue includes lines such as Arterton's exhortation to her sister to complete her mission to Mars because it's a place where there's 'no genocide, no pain and no men to rule us'. Director Ian Rickson is normally associated with supple psychological drama, but this one's a complete stiff. Arterton, with her yoga teacher deportment, looks as out of place in the dingy cabin as a Poggenpohl kitchen. Her character is a sullen child who literally turns her back on the others, to see how they react. Nor does Wilson have much more to work with, in a character whose standout trait is that she worships her sibling. I felt particularly sorry for Fehinti Balogun as the eco-warrior boyfriend, who seems to have been included simply to put his foot in it. There's no doubt about it: this year's Australian Fashion Week is the place to be for former reality stars looking to rub shoulders with Sydney's social elite. While most eyes were on the runway shows, the likes of former Bachelorette Elly Miles and Married At First Sight alum Jules Robinson also turned heads. The two women posed for photos before attending a catwalk presentation for luxury swimwear brand Aquablu Australia on Thursday. Stunners: Former Bachelorette Elly Miles (right) and Married At First Sight alum Jules Robinson (left) turned heads at Australian Fashion Week in Redfern, Sydney, on Thursday Elly, 26, wore a floral jumpsuit by Elliatt, which she teamed with strappy heels. Meanwhile, Jules also donned a jumpsuit, opting for a khaki number in contrast to Elly's more vibrant choice. The mother of one, 38, rocked a set of false lashes and styled her signature red hair loosely across her shoulders. Glamorous: Elly, 26, donned a floral jumpsuit by Elliatt Head-turning look: She swept her blonde locks back into a textured ponytail Elly swept her blonde locks back into a textured ponytail. The registered nurse opted for luxury accessories including a pair of gold Chanel earrings and a black and gold Christian Dior clutch. Her eyes were lightly dusted with pink shimmer, and she completed her look with nude lipstick. Expensive taste: The registered nurse opted for luxury accessories including a pair of gold Chanel earrings and a black and gold Christian Dior clutch Elly and Jules weren't the reality stars in attendance on Thursday. Former Married At First Sight star Melissa Lucarelli, 39, posed alongside ex-Bachelor contestant Monique Morley, 27. The glamorous pair posed for photos in warm coats outside Carriageworks in Redfern on a chilly autumn night. More reality stars: Former Married At First Sight star Melissa Lucarelli (right) posed alongside ex-Bachelor contestant Monique Morley (left) Once inside the venue, Monique put on a show-stopping display in her '70s-inspired outfit. She looked heavenly in a blue mini dress, which she teamed with matching crocodile-skin heeled boots. Her hair was styled in voluminous curls, adding a touch of Barbarella glamour to her retro look. Wow! Once inside the venue, Monique put on a show-stopping display in her '70s-style outfit Blast from the past: Her hair was styled in voluminous curls, adding a touch of Barbarella glamour to her retro look She kept her accessories simple, but did show off a chunky white wristwatch. Meanwhile, the bronzed goddess opted for dramatic winged eyeliner and finished her look with nude gloss. Monique is best known for being the charismatic villain from Matt Agnew's season of The Bachelor, and was memorably kicked out of the mansion for calling the astrophysicist a 'dog c**t' behind his back. Striking: The bronzed goddess opted for dramatic winged eyeliner and finished her look with nude gloss New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian shut down a question about her personal life during an interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday. After discussing vaccine hesitancy, Victoria's response to the Covid pandemic and the NSW paramedics strike, radio host Kyle Sandilands couldn't resist asking Ms Berejiklian if she'd 'taken another lover' recently. The 50-year-old politician is believed to be single following her split from disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire, who was the subject of a corruption inquiry last year. Next question! New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian shut down a question about her personal life during an interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday 'By the way, have you taken another lover yet? What's happening in that department?' Sandilands said. Ms Berejiklian bristled at the question and replied: 'Oh, please...' She then asked Sandilands' co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson: 'Is he always like this with all the guests? Or just with me?' Prying: After discussing vaccine hesitancy, Victoria's response to the Covid pandemic and the NSW paramedics strike, radio host Kyle Sandilands (pictured) couldn't resist asking Ms Berejiklian if she'd 'taken another lover' recently 'Can we just move on to matters of state now?' she added. 'We only have a third of the nation living in New South Wales.' Ms Berejiklian, who has a reputation for being 'married to the job', hasn't publicly dated anyone since breaking up with former Wagga Wagga MP Maguire. Their romantic history was exposed in October when Gladys admitted during an ICAC inquiry that she'd been in a secret relationship with Maguire while he was in office. Oh, dear! Ms Berejiklian bristled at the question and said: 'Oh, please...' Voice of reason: She then asked Sandilands' co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured): 'Is he always like this with all the guests? Or just with me?' Dodgy Daz: Ms Berejiklian, who has a reputation for being 'married to the job', hasn't publicly dated anyone since breaking up with former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire (left) At the time, Maguire was at the centre of a corruption probe amid claims he'd used his position for personal gain. While some feared her five-year entanglement with the shamed ex-MP would derail her political career, Ms Berejiklian emerged from the scandal relatively unscathed. Indeed, many women felt sorry for her and argued she shouldn't have been held accountable for the misdeeds of her ex-partner. Scandal: At the time Maguire was at the centre of a corruption probe amid claims he'd used his position for personal gain. While some feared her five-year entanglement with the disgraced former MP would derail her political career, Gladys emerged from it relatively unscathed Zac Efron's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Valladares has had a hectic week attending the shows at Australian Fashion Week. And on Thursday, the 25-year-old decompressed by treating herself to a pamper session at a luxurious spa in Sydney. The part-time model and waitress shared a series of photos on her Instagram Story of her calming afternoon at Biotyspa in Bondi. Time to unwind: Zac Efron's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Valladares enjoyed a luxurious pamper session at a Bondi spa on Thursday after a very busy Australian Fashion Week that saw her attend dozens of runway shows She posted a picture of the front of the small boutique spa which offers customers organic and vegan treatments and products. Treatments include rejuvenating facials, detox massages, lymphatic drainage and slimming treatments. Inside, Vanessa shared a glimpse of a hydra face kit she was given, the simple and stylish interior of the spa, as well as the brushes and aromatherapy burner used for her session. 'Every second was heaven,' she wrote in the caption of one post. 'When in Sydney': The part-time model and waitress shared a series of photos on her Instagram Story showing her followers the calming afternoon she had at Biotyspa in Bondi and showing the store that provides customers with organic and vegan treatments and products Staying hydrated: Inside, Vanessa shared a glimpse of the hydra face kit - a treatment she given a 'prescription' to her - valued at AUD$199 Biotyspa also shared a post about Vanessa's facial session, revealing she had the Hydra Collagen Facial - worth AUD$285. She was also given a 'prescription' for their Hydra Kit - valued at AUD$199. Vanessa's Instagram post was the first since her split from Hollywood star Zac. It has been non-stop for the brunette beauty this week as she attended a slew of runway shows for Australian Fashion Week. All about the aesthetics: She also gave a glimpse of the spa's simple and stylish interior, as well as the brushes and aromatherapy burner used for her session. 'Every second was heaven,' she wrote in the caption of one post Get her glow! Biotyspa also shared a post about Vanessa's facial session, revealing she had the Hydra Collagen Facial - worth AUD$285. She was also given a 'prescription' for their Hydra Kit - valued at AUD$199 She stole the spotlight in a very revealing wrap dress by Bec + Bridge at a show on Thursday. The Byron-Bay based stunner flaunted her incredible abs and long legs in the white full-length frock, which featured a daring split at the front. Despite having dated Hollywood star Zac for almost a year, Vanessa was shafted to the second row at Fashion Week on Tuesday. She was spotted sitting alone behind some of fashion's elite at Carriageworks, in Eveleigh. Daring look! It has been non-stop for the brunette beauty this week as she attended a slew of runway shows for Australian Fashion Week. She stole the spotlight in a very revealing wrap dress by Bec + Bridge at a show on Thursday Not quiet A-list: Despite having dated Hollywood star Zac Efron for almost a year, Vanessa was shafted to the second row at a runway show (pictured centre), on Tuesday. She was spotted sitting alone behind some of fashion's elite at Carriageworks, in Eveleigh Vanessa and Zac's split was confirmed in April, following a 10-month romance. After split rumours surfaced, KIIS FM radio host Kyle Sandilands - who is good friends with Zac - confirmed the break-up. He said it 'wasn't just a rumour', adding: 'I can also confirm after speaking with him yesterday.' Zac has been living in Australia since early last year, and is believed to have started dating Vanessa around June 2020. Tan France says he has 'always known' what he would name his future children. The Queer Eye star, who is currently expecting his first child, a son, with husband Rob, has had baby names picked out since he was '16 or 17, possibly even earlier.' 'I've always known,' he said. 'When I met my husband on one of the very first dates, I said, "Do you want kids?" And he was like "Yeah, one day I do"... And I was like, "I also know what I want to call my children."' In advance: Tan France told Lilly Singh that he has known what he has wanted to name his soon-to-arrive son ever since he was '16 or 17, possibly even earlier' France said he ran his moniker choices past Rob and was thrilled when his spouse 'liked the names.' He added: '[I know that sounds] terrifying, but I just needed to know if [Rob] liked these names. And he did, so I was like '"Okay, that's what our first child is going to be called."' The 38-year-old television star didn't reveal what his baby's name will be, but insisted it will be a South Asian moniker after his own descent. He teased: 'You can take the boy out of Pakistan, but you can't take Pakistan out of this boy no matter how hard you try.' Met with approval: The Queer Eye star told the reality television personality that he ran a list of names by his husband, Rob, who found them to be nice Keeping it real: France also remarked that he would be giving his son a traditional South Asian name as a reflection of his own heritage And the Next In Fashion co-host cannot wait to introduce his son to food from his culture just as soon as he's old enough to eat it. Asked during an appearance on A Little Late With Lilly Singh what he wants to teach his son, he said: 'First off, our food, the first food, other than milk, that my son will taste will be Indian food, that's my food.' He also expressed that he will expose his child to his culture's language, particularly through films that he watched in his own youth. 'There are many things I want to teach...I want to teach my kid Hindi, there will only be Bollywood stuff in the house,' he expressed. Keeping him close: The reality television personality expressed that he would be teaching his soon-to-arrive son Hindi and that he would immerse him in South Asian culture France also joked that he and Rob might not be prepared for their baby boy, as they haven't started planning for his arrival even though he's just weeks away from being born. He explained: 'My husband and I are not romantic, we haven't created a nursery yet even though he's due so soon. We can raise a baby in any room, we don't need any fanciness. We're going to handle it when he shows up.' The reality television personality and his husband were first romantically connected in 2008, and he later revealed that they met on a dating website. The two went strong as a pair for several years before they initially tied the knot in 2007, and they later held a second ceremony in New York City. Doing it twice: France and Rob initially met on a dating website and went on to hold two separate wedding ceremonies; they are pictured in February of last year After over ten years of marriage, France took to his Instagram account in April to announce that the happy couple would become parents in the future, as they were being assisted by a surrogate. The fashion industry figure also wrote a brief message in the post's caption to express his excitement prior to the arrival of his child to his nearly 4 million followers. Specifically, he noted that parenthood was 'something weve wanted for SOooo many years. Our hearts are so full right now. I cannot wait to hold this baby, and to show him so much love.' Former Miss Universe Australia beauty Tegan Martin won best dressed at Australian Fashion Week on Thursday night. The leggy blonde looked stunning as she channelled Sixties icon Twiggy. The 28-year-old was full mod chic in a black and white logo Fendi dress with black sheer stocking from the designer. Mod chic! Former Miss Universe Australia Tegan Martin channeled Sixties icon Twiggy in a Fendi mini dress and stockings as she attended Australian Fashion Week on Thursday evening She accessorised with a white Yves Saint Laurent clutch and black stilettos. Tegan continued the retro theme in her hair and makeup, rocking a high ponytail, wing-tipped eyeliner and long false lashes. Despite boasting an envy-inducing figure, Tegan once revealed she'd been knocked back from modelling jobs for having too lean a physique. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph in March, she said that certain clients had told her in the past she was 'not curvy enough' for them. Magic in monochrome: The 28-year-old was full mod chic in a black and white logo Fendi dress with black sheer stocking from the designer 'But I love these moments because they teach you that you will never be everyone's cup of tea and that is okay,' she said. Tegan added that the fashion industry, which was once notorious for only hiring stick-thin models, was now more accepting of different body types. 'Throughout my career, I've definitely felt pressure to be a certain size,' she said. 'But thankfully, the industry has changed a lot since I started 10 years ago. The days of needing to be waif-thin are well and truly over.' Stunning: Tegan continued the retro theme in her hair and makeup, rocking a high ponytail, wing-tipped eyeliner and long false lashes Tegan is currently dating financier Luke Andrews. 'I do feel that he's someone I could spend the rest of my life with,' she told Who magazine in an interview last year. . She said she first met Luke years ago while they were both overseas, and they 'reconnected last year'. 'It's grounding for me, having someone I come home to that has no idea what goes into my world,' she explained. She said they met up for coffee though and spent four-and-a-half hours talking about their lives. 'I wanted to stay in our little bubble and navigate the early stages of a relationship that are already difficult, without everyone knowing,' she explained to Who. Liam 'Gatsby' Blackwell has revealed his new flame Dani Imbert has confessed her love for him. The TOWIE star, 32, said of Dani, 23: 'She's got drunk a couple of times and like, it might have slipped and she's like, "Oh! Sorry!"' He added: 'But obviously they say when you're drunk, your feelings do come out.' Moving fast: Liam 'Gatsby' Blackwell, 32, has revealed his new flame Dani Imbert, 23, has confessed her love for him The TV personality's comments came when he was asked by co-star Bobby Norris on FUBAR radio whether he or Dani 'had dropped the love bomb'. Liam told Bobby and his co-host Brooke Odun: 'I do really like her. I haven't dropped it from my side yet. But, who knows? Hopefully, in the near future I will. Just seeing how it goes.' He added: 'I can feel myself sort of getting there definitely like. I definitely, I like her a lot. I do like her a lot, yeah.' The pair, who met after friends set them up on the show, have been dating for two months but are still not official, as Liam explained: 'She's still waiting for that. We're just trying to get to know each other a hundred percent. It's been very, very intense.' Whoops: The TOWIE star said of Dani: 'She's got drunk a couple of times and like, it might have slipped and she's like, "Oh! Sorry!"' He went on: 'Where we were just dating on the show, obviously dating in the real world, away from the television is a lot different to dating on TV.' In May, Liam and Dani's relationship hit a bump in the road on an episode of TOWIE when Courtney Green suggested to Dani that her love interest was still sending messages to other women. Dani didn't take the accusation lightly as she branded Courtney, 25, a 's**t-stirrer' during a heated argument. 'I'm fuming...you're a s**t-stirrer!': During last month's TOWIE, Dani slammed Courtney Green for suggesting her beau Liam was messaging other women 'Courtney, you on the other hand, have purposefully, spitefully tried to get involved and potentially f**k up my new relationship,' Liam said to the brunette beauty. Dani added: 'You cause a lot of drama Courtney. I'm fuming, I'm thinking he's messaging other girls!' Courtney had implied Liam was keeping his options open as she discussed the moment he failed to defend Chloe Meadows, 28, and her relationship, amid accusations she was interested in Roman Hackett, 19. She responded to the couple: 'You know Liam, I've said it in front of you, I really like you, my intentions... I love you two together, that wasn't my intention at all. That would never be my intention, I'm not that type of person.' 'But I don't understand why you said it like that?' Dani fired back. 'Because I was trying to compare, I was comparing the situations,' Courtney said before Chloe interjected: 'We were trying to draw a parallel. 'She felt like you could have protected my relationship, so we felt we shouldn't have to protect your relationship.' Yikes: Courtney, 25, had implied Gatsby was keeping his options open as she discussed the moment he failed to defend Chloe Meadows, 28, and her relationship Dani was less than impressed by their explanation as she retorted: 'But you don't need to try and throw a spanner in the works and s**t-stir either but you still did.' 'I wasn't s**t-stirring,' Courtney hit back. Dani said: 'You can say as much as you want that it wasn't malicious, but I feel like you know what you're doing and I feel like it was b***hy, I feel like it was spiteful. 'You're meant to be his friend,' the blonde beauty added as Courtney appeared on the verge of tears. Courtney's friend Amber Turner, 27, interrupted as she defended her pal: 'You're making out that she's made up a comment. Angered: Dani confronted Courtney and said: 'You cause a lot of drama Courtney. I'm fuming, I'm thinking he's messaging other girls' 'It came out of your mouth,' she said, motioning towards an irritated Gatsby who rolled his eyes. Dani defended her man as she responded: 'Yes, but it was taken out of context.' 'I have stated it to every single person,' Courtney decisively replied as tensions soared among the group. 'I know Liam, I know the way he said it. I've apologized for it. You can take the apology or not take the apology.' Dani - who works for Jessica Stone Ltd on clothing retail site ASOS - met reality star Liam on a blind date. Love Island's Theo Campbell has revealed he 'wasn't expecting' to become a father at his age as he discusses becoming a parent for the first time. The reality star, 29, welcomed a son called Aries with influencer Sapphire Yhnell in February, with the pair - who are no longer together - keeping the entire pregnancy a secret. Theo said that he had thought he'd wait until he was '35 or 36' before having children but that being a dad 'isn't as scary as he thought it would be'. Honest: Love Island's Theo Campbell has revealed that he 'wasn't expecting' to become a father at his age as he discusses becoming a parent for the first time Speaking on FUBAR Radio with hosts Bobby Norris and Brooke Odun, he opened up about his son as well as confirming his appearance on the upcoming series of Ex On The Beach. Discussing finding out he was going to be a father he said: 'Do you know what? I wasn't expecting it at first. I've always said, I was going to wait until I was 35, 36 and then just knock out three in a row. 'But it's not as scary as I thought. I thought it was the hardest thing in the world, the scariest thing, the biggest thing. It is the biggest thing, but it's not that hard. It's not that scary, you know?' Baby mama: The reality star, 29, welcomed a son called Aries with influencer Sapphire Yhnell (pictured) in February, with the pair - who are no longer together - keeping the entire pregnancy a secret The star kept the pregnancy a complete secret until the birth, something which 'wasn't easy', but admitted that he's pleased he was able to do so. He said: 'We found out the birth, the sex of the baby. Then I started telling people maybe a month after that. There's two options, you either like say it from the beginning and then maybe do like a baby, the gender reveal and all that. Or just wait.' He continued: 'Because we went in to see what the sex was, and we were like, 'it's been this long now, might as well keep it a little secret'. Because I feel like, I don't get to keep any secrets in my life. From reality TV to nappies! Theo shot to fame on the 2017 series of Love Island in Mallorca 'You know, everything I've ever done, well not ever done, but most things I do and stuff people know about it and that. So when it comes to big stuff.' Theo went on to explain that Sapphire, who is also mum to five-year-old son Tai, lives with their son in Wales. He said: 'My baby, he lives in Wales and I live in London. So on Sunday's I have to travel 130 miles, about two hours.' The star has taken to fatherhood well and couldn't hide his excitement when talking about his favourite things about being a parent. Feeling blessed: Theo announced the surprising news on Instagram in February as he shared a snap leaving hospital with his little one He said: 'It's like making them laugh, yeah. Like little things like, you know, waking up in the morning and he's there like staring at you, waiting for you to wake up, making little noises, trying to wriggle about. Little sweet things like that, little thing I've never even thought about before.' Theo is making the difficult decision to leave behind his son when he flies out to take part in MTV's Ex On The Beach. He had been rumoured to be a part of but has now confirmed he is, saying: 'I don't know how much I'm allowed to say about it at the moment. You've got your NDAs and stuff.' He revealed that he was 'supposed to start two weeks ago' but filming has now been delayed, but he is keeping his 'fingers crossed' that it will happen soon. Glenn Close has found her next big-screen project, signing on to star in the Legendary Pictures comedy Brothers. The 74-year-old eight-time Oscar nominated actress joins Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage in the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter. No details were given for Close's character, though Brolin and Dinklage are playing a pair of 'unlikely brothers.' New project: Glenn Close has found her next big-screen project, signing on to star in the Legendary Pictures comedy Brothers Co-star: The 74-year-old eight-time Oscar nominated actress joins Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage in the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter Peter's role: No details were given for Close's character, though Brolin and Dinklage are playing a pair of 'unlikely brothers' While no specific plot details have been given, the story has been compared to the 1988 comedy classic Twins. That movie starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito as two long-lost twins separated at birth who reunite for the first time. Palm Springs director Max Barbakow has come aboard to direct, working from a script by Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder) and actor-writer-director Macon Blair (I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore). Director: Palm Springs director Max Barbakow has come aboard to direct, working from a script by Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder) and actor-writer-director Macon Blair (I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore) Dinklage and Brolin will also serve as producers on the film, alongside Andrew Lazar (American Sniper) through his Mad Chance Productions company. Close is coming off her eighth Oscar nomination for Netflix's Hillbilly Elegy, which she lost to Yuh-Jung Youn from Minari. She'll next be seen in Swan Song, starring alongside Awkwafina, Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris, which is currently in post-production. Producer: Dinklage and Brolin will also serve as producers on the film, alongside Andrew Lazar (American Sniper) through his Mad Chance Productions company She will also play Norma Desmond in a new incarnation of the classic Billy Wilder film Sunset Boulevard. Barbakow is coming off his critically-acclaimed Palm Springs, starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, and he has the documentary Collision Bend coming up, set against the backdrop of the 2016 Republican National Convention. Brolin plays Gurney Halleck in Denis Villeneuve's highly-anticipated adaptation of Dune, arriving in theaters October 1. New role: She will also play Norma Desmond in a new incarnation of the classic Billy Wilder film Sunset Boulevard Coming soon: Brolin plays Gurney Halleck in Denis Villeneuve's highly-anticipated adaptation of Dune, arriving in theaters October 1 He also stars in Flag Day, from director Sean Penn, starring alongside Miles Teller and Katheryn Winnick. Dinklage is coming off his role in Netflix's I Care A Lot, which debuted on the streaming service this summer. He will next be seen portraying Cyrano de Bergerac in the upcoming Joe Wright film simply titled Cyrano. She's expecting her second child with husband Pasha Kovalev later this year. And Rachel Riley proudly displayed her blossoming bump on Thursday as she headed home after a day of filming for 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown in Manchester. The presenter, 35, looked radiant in the comfy ensemble as she donned a face shield to make her exit after a day at work. Expecting: Rachel Riley proudly displayed her blossoming bump on Thursday as she headed home after a day of filming for 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown in Manchester Rachel looked low-key in a tight white vest that showed off her changing shape and a matching white cardigan. She completed her look with black tracksuit bottoms and comfy trainers as she carried her change of outfit with her. Her blonde locks fell in loose curls and she opted for a natural makeup look to show off her pretty features. Low-key: The presenter, 35, looked radiant in the comfy ensemble as she donned a face shield to make her exit after a day of filming It comes after her husband Pasha, 41, recently revealed he is trying to protect his wife from cruel online comments sent by internet trolls. As the dancer and Rachel are expecting their second child, Pasha said he is 'trying to protect her as much as I can by providing a safe environment at home'. He added: 'That's all I can do and try to direct her attention to the good things.' Heading home: Rachel looked low-key in a tight white vest that showed off her changing shape and a matching white cardigan Speaking to OK!, the Strictly star added he steers away from cruel online comments aimed at Rachel, admitting: 'I never look at comments online and Rachel is trying to get a point across about racial abuse or domestic violence and she gets back very ridiculous messages. People completely miss the point and speak about something irrelevant.' His comments came a month after he revealed he worries how trolls' hurtful messages could affect their unborn baby. Speaking to The Mirror, he said: 'I definitely can see how it stresses her. The smallest stress affects how the baby's development is going.' Casual: She completed her look with black tracksuit bottoms and comfy trainers as she carried her change of outfit with her The performer added that he hates seeing hate flourish online where there is less accountability. He explained: 'If you come up to someone on the street and tell them something like that, you're probably going to get some sort of repercussion. You'd be held accountable for your actions. 'Online there's a limited amount of repercussion, and it opens a floodgate. It should be stopped.' Rachel previously revealed the stress of receiving hateful messages online stopped her first daughter from kicking when she was pregnant with her. The Countdown star had been a vocal critic of Jeremy Corbyn and the anti-antisemitism row in the Labour Party and received horrific messages online as a result. The couple already share their daughter Maven, who is 16 months old. Vanessa Valladares topped off a triumphant few days at Australian Fashion Week on Friday by rocking a casual chic ensemble for the St. Agni runway show. The model, 25, was among the celebrity guests at the showcase, which was held at the Carriageworks venue in Redfern, Sydney. She served cool-girl style in an off-white longsleeve and loose-fitting pants, which she teamed with black shoes and a designer handbag. So stylish: Vanessa Valladares topped off a triumphant few days at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney n Friday by rocking a casual chic ensemble for the St. Agni runway show The Byron Bay socialite opted for a dewy makeup look, drawing attention to her striking features, and styled her cropped brunette hair in effortless curls. Vanessa's arrival at Fashion Week on Monday marked her first public appearance since her split from Hollywood actor Zac Efron around April. The former waitress had been pictured jetting into Sydney on Sunday, after catching a domestic flight from Ballina Airport. Chic: The model, 25, served cool-girl style in an off-white longsleeve and loose-fitting pants Flawless: The Byron Bay socialite opted for a dewy makeup look, drawing attention to her striking features, and styled her cropped brunette hair in effortless curls Zac, 33, had reportedly been introduced to Vanessa by her boss at Byron Bay's General Store cafe in June last year, and the pair hit it off straight away. Two months later, in August, Daily Mail Australia revealed the Baywatch star had cancelled his scheduled return flight to LA because he 'didn't really want to go back'. Within weeks, the genetically blessed couple had moved in together in Byron Bay. Going solo: Vanessa's arrival at Fashion Week on Monday marked her first public appearance since her split from Hollywood actor Zac Efron around April The lovebirds went on to confirm their relationship in September when they were spotted holding hands in public for the first time. Vanessa would accompany her famous boyfriend as he travelled around Australia for various work projects from late 2020 to early 2021. But it was revealed in April they had called it quits, with Zac's close friend Kyle Sandilands announcing on his breakfast radio show: 'I can confirm [the break-up], after speaking with him yesterday.' Iggy Azalea found creating her fragrance to be 'emotional'. The 30-year-old rapper launched her Devil's Advocate perfume after pouring her passion into its development and she's now likened the process to songwriting. She told Women's Wear Daily: 'Fragrance is so emotional, the same way that even songwriting is. Tears in a bottle! Iggy Azalea said she found creating her sandalwood fragrance Devil's Advocate an 'emotional' project 'When I sit down, and Im writing a song, Im considering what I want people to feel, even if its a party song and the emotion of happiness or chaos even sometimes. 'I have never really associated that kind of thing with beauty or a product before, because I just hadnt had that inside experience or the ability to develop something, develop a conceptual idea and the universe of a product. Ive enjoyed it so much. 'I honestly enjoyed it as much as making music.' The sandalwood scent has been a year in the making, with the bottle illustrated with an outline resembling Iggy embracing a red, horned silhouette. Passion project! The 30-year-old rapper launched her Devil's Advocate perfume after pouring her passion into its development and she's now likened the process to songwriting The Work hitmaker explained that it was designed to represent the 'naughty' side of her personality. She said: 'Its representing that unabashed, unafraid, naughty side of yourself. 'Its meant to be a reflection of that naughty, cheeky, almost the devil on your shoulder or that part of me that says, like, "Just do it, just go, just have fun, go out with your friends that night, double text the guy." Its about embracing the duality of yourself.' Last month, meanwhile, the chart-topping rap star took to Twitter to reveal she's preparing to renovate her house, and admitted that she's expecting to be stressed for 'a year straight'. Iggy - who was born in Sydney, Australia, but relocated to the US during her teens - wrote on the micro-blogging platform: 'Im renovating m house and entire front & back yard 'Im about to be stressed for like a year straight. "Im not readddddyyyy for this level of prolonged disarray. (sic)' Advertisement Vanessa Hudgens is fearless when it comes to experimenting with her style. And on Thursday, the High School Musical star, 32, leaned into Victorian era fashion, during a birthday picnic for her artist pal Franz Szony in which she was delightedly entertaining the crowd. Making sure she was perfectly clad for the event, she modelled a wide-brimmed bonnet with an elegant black chin tie, along with an eccentric gold-patterned tiered evening gown with black sash belt from Christian Dior. Fab fashion: Vanessa Hudgens leaned into Victorian era fashion on Thursday afternoon, during a 'birthday picnic' for her artist pal in which she was looking incredible in a stylish tiered gown Vanessa was sure to keep in with the artistic vibe of the day as she had fun and frolicked while sporting the floor-sweeping yellow gown, which featured multiple layers and textures. Her brunette hair was styled into a romantic bun with a few pieces left out to create a soft look while she later added in her straw boater to the look which gave an in-keeping touchb. The sheer material of her yellow dress gave a glimpse of her black bra underneath, which combined well with the black ribbon fastening on the bust and the ribbon under her chin. Her statement gown featured peasant sleeves and a delicate yellow and gold pattern in various stripes and geometric patterns woven throughout the floor-sweeping shape. Always the star: Vanessa could be seen putting on something of a show for the group of revelers, who were also dressed whimsically as they looked on enraptured at her Socializing: Vanessa was snapped hanging out with her best friend GG Magree (left) at the day party event, which didn't seem to include face masks as the pandemic continues to recede All eyes on me! The actress was seen hanging out with a large gaggle of friends in the Los Angeles park, located near the Hollywood sign She also carried a hefty-looking embroidered tote bag featuring a floral motif and long leather handles while her beloved dog trailed close alongside her, not to be left out of the fun. The actress was seen hanging out with a large gaggle of friends in the Los Angeles, California park, located near the Hollywood sign. Vanessa could be seen putting on something of a show for the group of revelers, who were also dressed whimsically as they looked on enraptured while she stood in front of them. She also sat down and laughed in the grass alongside the group. Stunning: She looked amazing from all angles as she lived it up with pals Part of the party: Vanessa also hung out and laughed in the grass alongside the group Daring: Vanessa also posted visuals of the event and her look to her Instagram Story for her 41million followers Vanessa was snapped hanging out with her best friend GG Magree at the day party event, which didn't seem to include face masks as the pandemic continues to recede. Vanessa accessorized her picnic ensemble with a pair of pearl drop earrings that poked out from under her hat. The High School Musical star also posted visuals of the event and her look to her Instagram Story for her 41million followers. She credited the brand Jacquemus for her hat and fashion house Dior for her stunning dress. Effortless: Vanessa put her smooth decolletage on display in a loose fitting yellow dress that tied in the front Party girl: The Princess Switch star recently attended an outdoor concert which she posted about on Instagram earlier this week After capturing her own alluring look, Vanessa panned her camera over the rest of Franz Szony's guests, as well as the birthday girl herself. All of the guests were seated atop an array of picnic blankets and appeared to be having a blast as they conversed in the shade. Vanessa has been getting back to life as usual as COVID-19 protocols across California continue to loosen up. Most recently, the Princess Switch star attended an outdoor concert which she posted about on Instagram earlier this week. Partner in crime: Along with her celebratory text, Vanessa included several images and videos from the concert that she attended with her BFF GG Magree Happiness: 'I cant tell you how happy I was to be back at a concert. Life is happening again. Thank god,' captioned Vanessa, who proudly noted that she is vaccinated 'I cant tell you how happy I was to be back at a concert. Life is happening again. Thank god,' captioned Vanessa, who proudly noted that she is vaccinated. Along with her celebratory text, Vanessa included several images and videos from the concert that she attended with her BFF GG. Vanessa also recently got to meet her High School Musical co-star Ashley Tisdale's newborn daughter Jupiter late last month. First meeting: Vanessa also recently got to meet her High School Musical costar Ashley Tisdale's newborn daughter Jupiter late last month 'Juju and Aunt Nessa,' wrote the 35-year-old actress, who shared a photo of Vanessa holding Jupiter with her Instagram following. In a follow-up snap, Tisdale wrote that Jupiter instantly 'opened her arms' for Vanessa to hold her when she saw the actress for the first time. 'It warmed my heart!' she added in her caption. Ashley and her husband Christopher French welcomed their daughter in March. She partied hard the night before at an afterparty following Tammy Hembrow's Saski Collection show at Australian Fashion Week. And despite admitting she was feeling 'dusty', beauty blogger Sammy Robinson looked incredible as she attended the St Agni show the morning after on Friday. The 25-year-old Gigi Hadid lookalike turned heads in a cropped shirt which was knotted at her ribs to expose her toned abs. She scrubs up well! 'Dusty' Beauty blogger Sammy Robinson showed off her toned abs in a crop top at Australian Fashion Week on Friday morning after partying hard the night before She teamed the top with a matching knitted cream skirt with brown combat boots. For accessories, the blue-eyed and blonde-haired beauty kept it simple, adorning herself with gold jewels and toting a small black leather designer bag. Before heading to the show, Sammy admitted she was 'dusty' after attending an after party for Tammy Hembrow's Saski Collection show. Ab-tastic! The 25-year-old turned heads in a cropped white shirt which was knotted at her ribs to expose her toned abs Perfect balance: For accessories, the blue-eyed and blonde-haired beauty kept it simple, adorning herself with gold jewels and toting a small black leather designer bag Despite her young age, Sammy has carved out a career as one of Australia's most successful beauty bloggers. In an interview with Vogue Australia, she said there's no real secret to her success, saying she just tries to be herself. 'Just do you. Everyone else is already taken,' she told the publication. Glowing: The Gigi Hadid lookalike showed off her glowing skin in minimal makeup 'There is no point being someone that youre not, it sounds cliche but truly people will be able to tell if youre in it for the wrong reasons or if youre being fake for the fame. 'Find your passion and just do whatever makes you happy... not just what is trending.' But she did admit her job was every bit as fabulous as people might imagine it to be. 'Getting to travel the world with some iconic beautiful brands, working and creating content with my passions - beauty and fashion - and having flexibility,' she added, talking about the perks. 'Dusty': Before heading to the show Sammy admitted she was 'dusty' after attending an after party following Tammy Hembrow's Saski Collection show She is helping to bring back the early aughts vibes thanks to an incredibly buzzy rekindled romance. And Jennifer Lopez looked appropriately radiant on Thursday, when she was seen outside Windward School in Los Angeles, California. The Anaconda actress, 51, wore a flowing white ensemble while she stopped outside while clutching a sheet of paper and speaking to talk to an associate. The one and only: Jennifer Lopez looked appropriately radiant on Thursday, when she was seen on an errand run in Los Angeles J Lo, who is mother to 13-year-old twins Emme and Max, appeared to be wearing a dress, consisting of a bodice top with straps attached to a billowing white skirt. Her gown came with a ruffled high waist. The multi-hyphenate stars garment also featured a cutout along the sides that wrapped around the back. Jennifer's affiliation with the elementary school is unknown. Smiling: The Anaconda actress, 51, wore a flowing white ensemble while she stopped on the street to talk to an associate Flowing in the breeze: J Lo appeared to be wearing a dress, consisting of a beige bodice top with straps attached to a billowing white skirt Checking her phone: She held onto an expensive white leather purse with gold chain handle Jennifer also wore a silver pendant, and oversized square sunshades. The Alive songstress's honey-colored hair was down, parted at the middle and brushing against her shoulders. Lopez also sported dangling earrings. She held onto an expensive YSL white leather purse with gold chain handle. Head-turner: The Alive songstress's honey-colored hair was down, parted at the middle and brushing against her shoulders The sighting comes around the same time that Jennifer recently displayed open PDA with her on-again beau Ben Affleck. The pair were famously engaged some 17 years ago, before calling off their plans to wed in early 2004. It was only in the last few months that they were once again linked, after respectively breaking up with their most recent partners. Accessories: Jennifer also wore a silver pendant, and oversized square sunshades J Lo was in a long-term relationship with former Yankee Alex Rodriguez, and was engaged to be married to the famous athlete. As for Ben, 48, he had been dating his costar from his upcoming film Deep Water, Ana de Armas. But just this week, the starry couple, known for their past pet name Beniffer, were seen linking arms and holding hands while out to dinner in West Hollywood. Affleck was also spotted leaving Lopez's residence in LA on Wednesday, smiling broadly while driving away. They have been busy attending and modelling in the shows at Australian Fashion Week. But model Georgia Fowler and Megan Blake Irwin let their hair down as they attended the Fashion, Let's Dance party at Sydney restaurant Meu Jardim on Thursday evening. Georgia, who is currently expecting her first chid with restaurateur Nathan Dalal, was glowing as she showed off her baby bump in a sheer metallic skirt and a black bodysuit. Model mayhem! Pregnant Georgia Fowler showed off her baby bump at the Fashion, Let's Dance party at Sydney restaurant Meu Jardim on Thursday evening The mother-to-be toted a pale blue Christian Dior saddle bag and accessorised with some gold hoop earrings. Meanwhile, Megan turned up the heat in a Barbarella-style metallic mini dress teamed with leather thigh-high boots. She wore her hair down in a poker-straight style and a pink gloss on her plump pout. During the same evening, the blonde bombshell was spotted dancing with Justin Hemmes at the Auteur Studio Australian Fashion Week afterparty. Mod chic! Meanwhile, Megan turned up the heat in a Barbarella-style metallic mini dress teamed with leather thigh-high boots The billionaire pub baron, 48, was seen with his arm around the model, 29, on the dancefloor of the event at his Coogee restaurant Mimi's on Thursday. Justin's girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel, 24, was not seen in the jovial dancing video, which was shared to Instagram by Sydney DJ Alice Quiddington. Megan and Justin are believed to be good friends. They were clearly having a blast while dancing to Finally by CeCe Peniston alongside other revellers and socialites. The pair's embrace was brief and they danced separately for the majority of the video. Justin and Madeline were last pictured together at the Million Dollar Beard Ball on May 13. Beauty: Jessica Gomes opted for a black midi-dress with black crocodile skin boots for the event Sultry: Former Neighbours star Sarah Ellen shot the camera a sultry gaze as she posted in a black bustier and matching trousers Madeline has been dating billionaire pub baron Justin for some time, with reports of their romance first surfacing in August 2020. The model spent lockdown last year at his Vaucluse mansion and now reportedly lives in a Coogee penthouse that he owns. The couple have been spotted out and about in Sydney several times lately. Meanwhile, Georgia revealed she's expecting her first child with restaurateur boyfriend Nathan, 26, in April. The brunette beauty wrote in the post's caption: 'We can't wait to meet you little one. 'It's been hard to keep this one quiet, but now it's pretty hard to hide. Nathan and I couldn't be happier to share our exciting news with you. 'We cannot wait to meet you little one and begin our next adventure together. The best is yet to come,' she continued. Going hell for leather! Fashion blogger Tanja Gacic wore a unique grey mini dress over leather trousers at the bash Nathan, a co-founder of the Fishbowl restaurant group, also shared the sweet baby news on his respective Instagram account and revealed they're having a daughter. 'Beyond excited to welcome a little princess into the world with my superwoman,' he wrote. Georgia and Nathan confirmed their romance in February last year. Young Australian hip-hop sensation The Kid Laroi has just signed a major management deal with renowned American record executive Scooter Braun. The 17-year-old rapper from Sydney will join the ranks of other famous names managed by Scooter, including Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato. Scooter, 39, announced the big news on Thursday, tweeting: 'Welcome to the family superstar @thekidlaroi.' Big news: Australian hip-hop star The Kid Laroi has signed a major management deal with renowned American record executive Scooter Braun. Pictured performing on SNL last month Laroi, who's real name is Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, will be under SB Projects' management roster. He will be personally managed by SBP president Allison Kaye and general manager Jen McDaniels. Laroi was previously managed by Grade A Productions and had signed a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing in February. 'Welcome': Scooter, considered one of the most powerful men in music, tweeted the news on Thursday. He has managed the likes of Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato The Kid Laroi catapulted to fame when he became the youngest Australian solo artist to top the ARIA Charts with his debut mixtape of F*ck Love (Savage) last year. The song also hit #3 on the U.S. Billboard Charts. Laroi recently made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live, where he was introduced by Elon Musk and performed his hit single Without You with Miley Cyrus. Breakout: The Kid Laroi catapulted to fame when he became the youngest Australian solo artist to top the ARIA Charts with his debut mixtape of F*ck Love (Savage) last year He is now aiming to showcase the Australian rap scene to the world. 'I don't think America is completely switched on to how big [and] great the Australian music scene and culture is,' he said in an interview with Triple J this week. 'I really want people to recognise Australia is the f**king future of music.' Andy Cohen has lent his celebrity to the search for missing actor and playwright Andy Neiman. The Bravo TV star attended school with Neiman in St. Louis, Missouri, and has appealed for help in finding him after he disappeared two weeks ago in Poughkeepsie, New York. 'Andy is younger than me, but we went to the same camp Nebagamon in Wisconsin and the same high school. I'm praying for his safe return, along with a lot of folks in St Louis,' Cohen, 53, told PageSix.com on Thursday. Andy Cohen is appealing to his fans to help in search for the missing actor and playwright Andy Neiman who disappeared two weeks ago in Poughkeepsie, New York Cohen shared an image of a flyer seeking information about Neiman to his Facebook page. The poster states that Neiman, 48, is 'a vulnerable adult' and hasn't been seen since he walked out of Poughkeepsie's MidHudson Regional Hospital on May 21 wearing only green scrubs and socks. Neiman, who has bipolar disorder, was not carrying any money or a cellphone at the time. Cohen shared an image of a flyer seeking information about Neiman to his Facebook page. The poster states that Neiman, 48, is 'a vulnerable adult' and hasn't been seen since May 21 The Bravo star, 53, attended school with Neiman in St. Louis, Missouri, and told Page Six: 'I'm praying for his safe return, along with a lot of folks in St Louis' Neiman's younger sister, Emily Abramson, told Page Six that her brother, who has a history of mental illness, had experienced a psychotic break while staying with her family in High Falls, Ulster County. She described her brother as 'incredibly quirky with deep passions for a variety of things, especially the performing arts and Shakespeare.' Neiman's family have set up a GoFundMe page that's raised just over $39,500 to date to pay for a private investigator. The page shares: 'Unfortunately, leads to date have not materialized locating Andy. While we are disappointed, we remain undeterred.' Any information on Neiman's whereabouts should be reported to the hotline 845 687 3066. Celebrity psychic Sally Morgan claims to have had a close relationship with the late Princess Diana. And on Friday, the 69-year-old revealed her prediction for the future outlook of Meghan Markle's marriage to Prince Harry. She told The Morning Show hosts Kylie Gillies and Matt Shirvington that she could see a lasting marriage between the former senior royals, who are now based in California. 'She's laid down the law, it's going to be how she wants it': Princess Diana's psychic Sally Morgan (right) revealed to The Morning Show hosts Kylie Gillies and Matt Shirvington (right) whether Meghan Markle's marriage to Prince Harry is doomed to fail 'I see for her, she's got great love in her marriage with him,' the psychic said. 'I know lots of predictions say it won't last, but I think their marriage will last,' she declared. 'It will run its full course, and I think there's absolutely no doubt she has laid down the law and it's going to be how she wants it. Great love: The celebrity psychic said she could see a lasting marriage between the former senior royals, who are now based in California. Sally told the program: 'I see for her, she's got great love in her marriage with him' 'No doubt': Sally said she believes the couple will prove negative predictions about their union wrong, saying: 'I know lots of predictions say it won't last, but I think their marriage will last' 'There's no doubt about that,' the Surrey-based medium added. Elsewhere, Sally talked about her connection with the late Princess of Wales, through Diana's sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale. She said: 'It's only now that I look back and realise just how amazing it was to be able to speak to her for four and a half years, almost daily.' Together for the long haul: Sally said of the pairing, 'It will run its full course, and I think there's absolutely no doubt she has laid down the law and it's going to be how she wants it' The bespectacled psychic explained that she became a 'very good friend' to Lady Sarah who would regularly visit her. '[Lady Sarah] was her lady-in-waiting, so when she came to London - she lives in Norfolk - to accompany the Princess of Wales on functions, she would pop in and see me. 'I was very close to them both for a long time,' the psychic added, hinting she is no longer in touch with Lady Sarah. Bindi Irwin has paid tribute to her parents on what would have been their 29th anniversary. Posting to her Instagram on Friday, the 22-year-old shared a throwback picture of her late father Steve Irwin and mother Terri. 'Soulmates. Happy Anniversary to my sweetheart parents. Your love is the stuff of miracles,' she wrote. Sweet tribute: Bindi Irwin has paid tribute to her parents on what would have been their 29th anniversary. Posting to her Instagram on Friday, the 22-year-old shared a throwback picture of her late father Steve Irwin and mother Terri In the picture, the young animal-loving couple were smiles as Terri cradles a baby goanna into her chest. Steve and Terri tied the knot in 1992 in her home state of Oregon. Bindi's sweet dedication comes after she recently broke down in tears over the fact her late father will never get the chance to meet his first grandchild Grace Warrior. And thanks to the efforts of a talented visual artist, the young conservationist was able to imagine what such a meeting would have been like had her father survived the stingray attack that claimed his life in 2006. She shared the artwork, which showed Steve cradling his granddaughter alongside the rest of the Irwin family, with her 4.7 million Instagram followers on May 9. 'Thank you for bringing my family together': Bindi recently shared a beautiful artwork showing her late father Steve cradling her baby daughter Grace Bindi thanked the artist in the caption, and said she wished her family could all be together like in the realistic artwork. 'Celebrating my first Mother's Day,' Bindi began her post. 'This day embodies the extraordinary gift of family. Thank you to The Monkey Brush for bringing my family and Chandler's together in these stunning works of art.' She added: 'I wish we could all be together but sometimes life has other plans.' Emotional: In a trailer for Crikey! It's a Baby!, Bindi broke down as she revealed her sadness over the fact her daughter Grace will never get to meet Steve Sharing stories: 'But I cannot wait to be able to tell beautiful Grace all of these stories about dad, and share with her what an amazing father he was,' she added Steve died in September 2006 at the age of 44, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a wildlife documentary in Queensland. In a trailer for Crikey! It's a Baby!, Bindi broke down as she revealed her sadness over the fact her daughter Grace will never get to meet Steve. 'It's hard knowing she'll never get to actually meet him, and it's devastating as I'll never get to watch that connection,' Bindi said tearfully. 'But I cannot wait to be able to tell beautiful Grace all of these stories about dad, and share with her what an amazing father he was.' Gone too soon: Steve died in September 2006 at the age of 44, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a wildlife documentary in Queensland An emotional Bindi added: 'It's going to be really special. It's going to be really special for her to know him, and tell her about what an amazing man he was.' Through tears, she said that out of 'everyone in the world' Steve would have 'loved Grace the most'. 'But I think in a way he is still with us and his heart and soul live on in all of us. He's never really gone,' she continued. Heartbreaking: 'It's hard knowing she'll never get to actually meet him, and it's devastating as I'll never get to watch that connection,' Bindi said tearfully on Crikey! It's a Baby! Bindi and her husband Chandler Powell welcomed daughter Grace Warrior Irwin Powell on March 25. The baby was born on their first wedding anniversary. Grace's middle names are a tribute to Bindi's late father Steve, who coined the term 'Wildlife Warrior' to promote his conservation efforts at Australia Zoo. Emilia Clarke made her debut in the Star Wars universe in 2018's Solo: A Star Wars Story, playing Qi'ra, though she wasn't aware of a recent update about the character. Fans were uncertain about Qi'ra's fate by the end of the Star Wars movie, after abandoning Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich), though fans were giving a rather surprising update. Qi'ra made a surprise appearance in the new comic book Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #1, with Clarke revealing in an interview with ComicBook.com how she feels about her character's fate. Fate: Emilia Clarke made her debut in the Star Wars universe in 2018's Solo: A Star Wars Story, playing Qi'ra, though she wasn't aware of a recent update about the character Fans were left uncertain about Qi'ra's relationship with Solo, after leaving him to go speak with Maul, though the comic shed some new light on the character. She is still working with the Crimson Dawn in the comic, which is set more than a decade after the events of Solo. Clarke was promoting her own comic book series, M.O.M.: Mother of Madness when she was asked about the big reveal about Qi'ra. Uncertain: Fans were left uncertain about Qi'ra's relationship with Solo, after leaving him to go speak with Maul, though the comic shed some new light on the character 'It means so much. It means the absolute world. I know her backstory. I know her history,' Clarke said. 'Maybe the movie didn't get to go there, but that was such an honor and a privilege to be part of that universe as an actor,' Clarke continued. 'So then, to see the character actually be taken on to the origin of all of it bringing it on home to the family in that way cemented it in a way. I was not expecting to feel as moved as I was by that,' she added. Means so much: 'It means so much. It means the absolute world. I know her backstory. I know her history,' Clarke said The Solo movie earned the lowest gross of any Star Wars movie, taking in $213.7 million domestic and $392.9 million from a whopping $275 million budget. Given the low gross, and the behind-the-scenes problems, including original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller being fired in the midst of production and replaced by Ron Howard, most assume a sequel will not happen. However, writer Lawrence Kasdan teased on Twitter back in 2019 that his proposed plans for a sequel would revolve around a three-way battle between the Crimson Dawn, the Hutt Cartel, and the Pyke Syndicate. Solo movie: The Solo movie earned the lowest gross of any Star Wars movie, taking in $213.7 million domestic and $392.9 million from a whopping $275 million budget Clarke also spoke about joining another Disney franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the new Secret Invasion series. 'I just think what they're doing right now is so exciting and so cool, and so on the cutting edge of it. I feel like they're like the Apple of this world,' she said. 'To be part of that family feels like, "Oh my god, I'm in the cool kid crowd. That's so cool." Honestly speaking, the people that are making this are what pushed me over the line to really wanting to do it. I just think that everyone's heart and heads are in the right place with this one,' she added. Kate Hudson rocked a chic yet comfy look while heading out for a late dinner in Santa Monica. The 42-year-old actress stepped out for a late dinner at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica on Thursday evening. The Almost Famous Oscar nominee wasn't seen with her partner Danny Fujikawa, who she's been seeing for nearly five years. Late dinner: Kate Hudson rocked a chic yet comfy look while heading out for a late dinner in Santa Monica Hudson stepped out wearing a chic and comfy full-length tan dress with a small brown coat covering it. She had her hair pulled back into a tight bun, while staying safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic with a black face mask featuring several designs covering her mouth and nose. The actress completed her look with a pair of tan suede boots with a grey purse as she got some cash at the ready for the valet. Stepping out: Hudson stepped out wearing a chic and comfy full-length tan dress with a small brown coat covering it Hudson's late dinner outing came after a fun-filled day where she sent some of her celebrity friends kits to make Moscow Mule cocktails with her King St. Vodka. The actress launched the liquor brand in 2019, named after the New York City street she once lived on, with the vodka inspired by her memories there. The brand is also health-conscious as well, with the gluten-free liquor made from alkaline water that is distilled seven times for purity. Cocktails: Hudson's late dinner outing came after a fun-filled day where she sent some of her celebrity friends kits to make Moscow Mule cocktails with her King St. Vodka She also recently opened up about her former co-star Matthew McConaughey has been contemplating running for Governor of his home state of Texas. ''This is really shocking to me,' she told Rob Lowe during an appearance on his Literally! podcast last week. ''You probably wouldn't get a politician who would care as much as he does, you know? I think he's very authentic... but the governor of Texas is a big job,' she observed of her co-star from 2003's How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and 2008's Fool's Gold. Opening up: She also recently opened up about her former co-star Matthew McConaughey has been contemplating running for Governor of his home state of Texas Hudson has been keeping busy on the acting front as well, starring in Season 2 of Apple TV Plus' Truth Be Told and starring in the film Shriver with Michael Shannon, Peyton List and Zach Braff. She also stars in director Ana Lily Amirpour's new film Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon with Ed Skrein and Craig Robinson, currently in post-production. The actress also recently joined the ever-growing cast of Knives Out 2 with Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn and Janelle Monae. She's jetted abroad to a mystery location for a sunny getaway. And Amanda Holden was every inch the proud mother as she shared a sweet Instagram snap of her lookalike daughters after a trip to the beach on Thursday. The Heart FM host, 50, shared the image of sisters Lexi, 15, and Hollie, nine, in matching red outfits after spending the day relaxing in the picturesque sunshine. 'Sisters': Amanda Holden was every inch the proud mother as she shared a sweet Instagram snap of her lookalike daughters Lexi, 15, and Hollie, nine, after a trip to the beach on Thursday Lexi was dressed in a stylish red swimsuit for the snap, while her sister Hollie wore a matching red top and printed skirt. Clearly proud of her two girls, Amanda uploaded the snap to social media with the caption '#sisters.' On Wednesday Amanda ensure her jaw-dropping figure was on full display as she posed in a tiny white bikini in a sun-soaked location. Happy: The Heart FM judge has been openly documenting her sunny break with her family on social media (pictured recently with her daughters) The Britain's Got Talent judge flaunted her ageless physique in the triangle-style bikini top and matching bottoms, which highlighted her sun-kissed glow. Amanda styled the beach look with an unbuttoned white blouse, which billowed in the breeze as she struck a pose for the camera, and accessorised with a pair of oversized aviator sunglasses. The mother of two playfully captioned the snap: '...Feeling 'all white' today.' Amanda failed to stipulate where the snap had been taken, however it appeared she had jetted abroad following the easing of coronavirus restrictions. 'All white'! On Wednesday Amanda ensure her jaw-dropping figure was on full display as she posed in a tiny white bikini in a sun-soaked location Scantily clad: Amanda is no stranger to baring all for the camera, having previously posed topless while ringing in 2021 As of May 17, residents of the UK were able to travel abroad after a ban was lift, giving them the go ahead to visit 'green' countries without having to isolate upon return. Amanda is no stranger to baring all for the camera, having previously posed topless while ringing in 2021. After posting the sizzling image, Amanda received a barrage of compliments from her celebrity friends in the comments section of the post. Her Heart co-star Ashley Roberts said she was 'expensive', while This Morning's Alison Hammond wrote: 'Saucy'. The TV star also regularly shows off her incredible physique in a variety of bikini and swimsuit snaps she shares online. Reaction: Amanda's Heart Radio co-host Ashley Roberts commented on the snap writing: 'She expensive' while Alison Hammond jokingly wrote: 'Saucy' It follows the news that Amanda is set to star in her own series called No Holden Back on E4. The presenter, who previously teased she was working on a secret project, said she is 'delighted' to have landed her own show. The eight-part series will follow Amanda's 'unique relationship' with her Nan Myrtle, with the star moving back in with her beloved grandmother. Amanda told The Sun: 'I'm delighted that everyone is finally going to meet my nan, the apple never falls far from my tree and in this series she will certainly be keeping me on my toes.' Show: It follows the news that Amanda is set to star in her own series called No Holden Back on E4 A spokesperson for her nan, Myrtle, said: 'I have no comment, apart from I'm really hoping being on TV might mean I can finally meet my favourite young man, Ben Shephard.' Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, Steven Handley told the publication: 'Amanda is one of the UK's most well-known stars and we are thrilled to get insight into her life with her nan.' MailOnline has contacted Amanda's representatives and Channel 4 for further comment. The show will also be broadcast on Channel 4 meaning Amanda will have programmes on ITV (Britain's Got Talent), BBC (I Can See Your Voice) and Channel 4 (No Holden Back). Tammy Hembrow is making the most of Fashion Week. The 27-year-old attended the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 on Thursday night and she certainly wasn't afraid to let loose. Wearing an eye-catching pink ensemble with floating tendrils, the influencer locked lips with a mystery woman as she waited for a taxi. Having fun! Tammy Hembrow attended Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 on Thursday night and was in great spirits. Pictured on Thursday with boyfriend Matt Poole and sister Amy Hembrow Tammy appeared quite festive as she laid a smooch on the blonde woman, who had on a black Balenciaga coat. Clearly in a kissing mood, Tammy then locked lips with her boyfriend, Matt Poole, 32, who looked a tad worse for wear. The pair shared a little makeout session as they headed outside to a waiting taxi. Kisses: Wearing an eye-catching pink ensemble with floating tendrils, the influencer locked lips with a mystery woman as she waited for a taxi Pals: Tammy appeared quite festive as she laid a smooch on the blonde woman, who had on a black Balenciaga coat Feeling frisky: She was also cuddling up to her boyfriend Matt. The pair embraced inside the venue and couldn't keep their hands to themselves Smooch: Clearly in a kissing mood, Tammy then locked lips with Matt Big night? The 32-year-old surfer looked a tad worse for wear The influencer stopped to take selfies with waiting fans, posing up a storm for one man's camera. She chatted with a number of women outside the venue, appearing very animated. Tammy was also flanked by her older sister, Amy Hembrow, 31, who also seemed in a jolly mood. Good sport: The influencer stopped to take selfies with waiting fans, posing up a storm for one fan's camera Chats! She gave a little time to her fans who were keen for photos Did you hear? She chatted with a number of women outside the venue, appearing very animated Amy, Tammy and Matt jumped in a cab and headed off to another late night party. After arriving, the well-dressed trio went inside to keep the party kicking on for a while yet. Tammy looked sensational in pink mesh bodysuit, made of a layered, sheer fabric which clung to her gym-honed figure. Sisters: Tammy was also flanked by her older sister, Amy Hembrow, 31, who also seemed in a jolly mood A look: Tammy looked sensational in pink mesh bodysuit, made of a layered, sheer fabric which clung to her gym-honed figure Wow! The bodysuit featured an off-the-shoulder design that showed off a hint of cleavage, and long, sheer sleeves The bodysuit featured an off-the-shoulder design that showed off a hint of cleavage, and long, sheer sleeves. The outfit also had the unusual addition of a number of floating, mesh tendrils that trailed behind the designer. She carried a white handbag from her own Saski label, featuring a graffiti style design on one side. A look: She carried a white handbag from her own Saski label, featuring a graffiti style design on one side. Party on! Amy, Tammy and Matt jumped in a cab and headed off to another late night party Off we go! A number of friends also came along with the group Tammy wore her blonde hair up in a very high ponytail, augmented with flowing platinum extensions. For makeup, she opted for ample highlighter, winged eyeliner and a matte pink lipstick. She carried in her hands a phone, and opted for a pair of metallic pointed heels in a rust tone. Hairy situation: Tammy wore her blonde hair up in a very high ponytail, augmented with flowing platinum extensions Flowing: Tammy's outfit also had the unusual addition of a number of floating, mesh tendrils that trailed behind the designer Amy meanwhile turned heads in a powder blue suit, which consisted of a matching top and bottoms with textured fabric. The coat portion of the outfit had a faux fur trim, and she added strappy white heels to the look. Amy wore her blonde hair in a high bun, and for makeup, chose winged liner and pink lipstick. All for one: Matt had on an all-brown outfit in a velour fabric Matching: He wore pants and a top in the same colour and fabric Having fun: The couple stuck close together during the outing Tammy made headlines across the world after she was pictured leaving Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party in West Hollywood on a stretcher in 2018. The bodacious Australian model was taken from the scene, face down, after paramedics arrived just before midnight, The Blast reported. She was loaded into the back of an ambulance as Kylie's father Caitlyn Jenner and her partner Sophia Hutchinson looked on in horror, however quickly recovered. The Queensland mother-of-two and fitness blogger blamed 'drinking' and a 'lack of sleep' for her horrifying collapse. She has an endless wardrobe full of stylish ensembles and designer garments. And Alessandra Ambrosio highlighted her washboard stomach and pert assets in a strappy brown bralette on Thursday as she arrived for dinner at Gigi's in Los Angeles. The supermodel, 40, embraced the warm California weather as she shrugged a shimmering cream shirt over the top and wore white jeans for the outing. Unbuttoned: Alessandra Ambrosio highlighted her washboard stomach and pert assets in a strappy brown bralette on Thursday as she arrived for dinner at Gigi's in Los Angeles She boosted her height with nude open-toe heels in a square fit and accessorised tastefully with a brown and white leather handbag. Alessandra styled her brunette locks in a tousled, loose wave and enhanced her age-defying beauty with a soft make-up look. The model rested a burgundy face mask on her jaw as she entered the restaurant with a friend. Alessandra shares eight-year-old son Noah Phoenix and 12-year-old daughter Anja Louise with Re/Done denim co-founder Jamie Mazur, whom she split from in 2018. Fashionista: The supermodel, 40, embraced the warm California weather as she shrugged a shimmering cream shirt over the top and wore white jeans for the outing The Brazilian native and her 40-year-old former fiance never wed, but they were together for a decade. In May, Alessandra went Instagram official with Wilhelmina model Richard Lee, whom she was first pictured canoodling in February at Nobu Malibu. Richard marks her first public romance since ending her two-year relationship with Alanui co-designer Nicolo Oddi last year. Mother-of-two: Alessandra shares eight-year-old son Noah Phoenix and 12-year-old daughter Anja Louise with Re/Done denim co-founder Jamie Mazur, whom she split from in 2018 (pictured in June ) The catwalk model- who became a US citizen on September 4 - frequently documents her glamorous, globe-trotting lifestyle on social media to her 10.3million followers. On the career front, Alessandra co-founded her second swimwear brand GAL Floripa with her younger sister Aline and best friend Gisele Coria in March 2019. The mother-of-two - who retired her Victoria's Secret 'wings' in 2017 - previously ran her eponymous swimwear line Ale By Alessandra from 2014 to 2018. Roman Kemp was transformed into a drag queen on Friday by Bimini Bon Boulash during a live drag show on Capital Breakfast. The radio host, 28, exuded glamour from head-to-toe in his statement metallic bodysuit, a stark contrast to his typical laid-back look. With the help of the RuPaul Drag Race UK star, 28, he unleashed his alter-ego, Ro-ManEater in honour of Pride Month. Diva! Roman Kemp looked unrecognisable as he was transformed into a drag queen on Friday by Bimini Bon Boulash during a live drag show on Capital Breakfast Roman's skimpy one-piece featured exaggerated shoulder pads, tumbling black tassels and sequins throughout. He also rocked huge bejewelled costume jewellery. The TV personality's voluminous blue wig was brushed away from his visage in perfectly coiffed curls as he sported full coverage make-up and a heavy contour. Roman completed the look with a shimmering manicure and nude tights as he worked his best angles at the Capital studio. Meanwhile non-binary queen Bimini, real name Tommy Hibbitts, stood out from the crowd in a minuscule skirt, cropped polo neck and head scarf, peppered with a bold mouth print. Team effort: With the help of the RuPaul Drag Race UK star, 28, he unleashed his alter-ego, Ro-ManEater in honour of Pride Month Catch the eye: Roman's skimpy one-piece featured exaggerated shoulder pads, tumbling black tassels and sequins throughout, he also rocked huge bejewelled costume jewellery Bimini wore a racy fishnet one-piece underneath which they paired with platform thigh-high boots. Not one to forget accessories, Bimini, who uses the pronouns 'she/her' when in drag and 'they/them' when out of drag, rocked a choker with the word, SEXY, formed out of crystals, a dazzling silver belt and hoop earrings. Despite the warm weather, the drag star rocked a longline white coat complete with a faux fur collar and rounded off the look with clear aviator shades. They showcased their impressive make-up skills with a full coverage look and wore a blonde wig. Finishing touches: The TV personality's voluminous blue wig was brushed away from her visage in perfectly coiffed curls as she sported full coverage make-up and a heavy contour Bimini was seen adjusting her protege's wig and touching up his make-up as they completed the transformation live on-air. Romans drag persona was named Ro-ManEater by Capital listeners and he hosted the show in various stages of the transformation, even speaking to Calvin Harris on FaceTime mid-way through. Bimini made an appearance on Capital Breakfast to speak about the importance of Pride Month. A mouthful: Meanwhile Bimini stood out from the crowd in a minuscule skirt, cropped polo neck and head scarf, peppered with a bold mouth print The month-long celebration was created to honour the LGBTQ+ community and those involved in the Stonewall Riots. On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club situated in Greenwich Village, New York. As a result, bar patrons, staff and local residents began rioting on Christopher Street outside. Marsha P. Johnson, a black, transgender, bisexual woman, was one of the protesters who lead the movement which spun six days, in hopes of raising awareness for LGBT+ individuals and to demand safe spaces for those who identify with the community. Watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK on Stan in Australia. She's known for her chic and unique sense of style. And Lara Worthington certainly turned heads in an edgy, Matrix-inspired ensemble at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. The 33-year-old was hard to miss in what looked like a leather turtleneck bodysuit while posing backstage at the Christopher Esber show. Stylish: Lara Worthington certainly turned heads in an edgy, Matrix-inspired ensemble at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week She paired the top with a pair of black trousers, and in a surprise twist, wore black flip-flops on her feet. Her hair was styled in her usual signature choppy blonde bob, and her makeup was light and natural looking. In 2019, the former glamour model transformed her makeup brand The Base into a not-for-profit organisation. Inspiration? The 33-year-old was hard to miss in what looked like a leather top inspired by The Matrix Lara and her husband Sam Worthington arrived back in Australia with their children in January. Sam returned to Australia to star in the Sydney Theatre Company production of the Wesley Enoch directed comedy, Appropriate. Reports surfaced last year that the couple were planning to move Down Under on a permanent basis after living in the U.S. Natural: Her hair was styled in her usual signature choppy blonde bob, and her makeup was light and natural looking The couple have been based in the US with their sons Rocket and Racer for a number of years. In June 2020, they welcomed their most recent addition, a baby boy, whose name is yet to be revealed. Lara and Sam began dating in 2013 and married in secret a year later. Heath Ledger's parents, Kim and Ines Ledger, are selling the Perth home they bought after selling their family mansion. The unfinished property, which sits on a 934sqm allotment, is on sale for $3.99 million. It is located in the picturesque riverside region, and lies just one street away from the Swan River. Family sale: Heath Ledger's parents, Kim and Ines Ledger, are selling the Perth home they bought after selling their family mansion. Pictured with Heath's sister Kate The one-storey house includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as a home office. Perfect for entertaining is an outdoor terrace complete with outside toilet, as well as a swimming pool. There is fittingly a theatre room on the premises, where movies can be screened. Additionally, the house comes complete with a spacious five-car garage, as well as a workshop. For sale: The unfinished property, which sits on a 934sqm allotment, is on sale for $3.99 million Details: The one-storey house includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as a home office Pretty: It is located in the picturesque riverside region, and lies just one street away from the Swan River Moves: Kim and Ines bought the property in early 2016, paying $2.28 million. They purchased it after selling their Applecross, Western Australia mansion in 2015 for $5.6 million. That mansion had been designed to be used as a 'hideaway' for Heath when he returned home Kim and Ines bought the property in early 2016, paying $2.28 million at the time. They purchased it after selling their Applecross, Western Australia mansion in 2015 for $5.6 million. That mansion had been designed to be used as a 'hideaway' for Heath when he returned home to Australia. Six years after the Australian actor's untimely death of an accidental drug overdose, Kim placed the idyllic Perth mansion on the market. Moving on: Six years after the Australian actor's untimely death of an accidental drug overdose, Kim placed the idyllic Perth mansion on the market The original plan for the six bedroom abode in the riverside suburb of Applecross, included a third level which would have acted as a Western Australian base for The Dark Knight star. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Kim Ledger said: '[Heath] was very interested in the design.' 'We talked about this house a lot. We thought it would be a great place for him to stay when he was in town.' Sadly the property was still in construction at the time of the late actor's death in 2008 and it was later completed without the additional floor. Previous home: The original plan for the six bedroom abode in the riverside suburb of Applecross (pictured) included a third level which would have acted as a Western Australian base for The Dark Knight star Heath was tragically found dead at a New York City apartment on January 22, 2008, after accidentally overdosing following months of physical and mental exhaustion. Reportedly a drug user on and off for years, things came to a head when he was juggling too many films - including his last role The Dark Knight - on very little sleep and he started relying on various cocktails of prescriptions to shut his mind off. 'I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going,' he told the New York Times in an interview in November - just two months before he died at the age of 28. He was ultimately found dead from a lethal combination of six drugs in his system: two types of narcotics, two types of anti-anxiety medicine and two types of sleep medicine. Like the rest of the UK, she is excited for the reopening of the world. So Vicky Pattison made sure she looked incredible when she stepped out to enjoy some cocktails at Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone on Thursday. The former Geordie Shore star, 33, put on a chic display in a plunging white midi dress and stylish light brown stilettos as arrived at the celeb hotspot. Chic: Vicky Pattison looked incredible when she stepped out in a plunging white midi dress to enjoy some cocktails at Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone on Thursday Vicky matched her plaited ankle wrap sandals with a cute light brown bag and completed the ensemble with a tan belt. Vicky wore her newly-lightened tresses loose around her shoulders and added shape to the layers around her face with a glamorous blow dry. Taking to Instagram to share the outing with her followers, Vicky wrote: 'Todays weather calls for one thing and one thing only... Frozen Aperol Spritz... 'Great day, with great people and now on to a lovely night with lovely people... Feeling blessed... and sweaty... so f**king sweaty.' Stunning: The former Geordie Shore star put on a chic display in stylish light brown stilettos as arrived at the celeb hotspot for dinner The outing comes after Vicky recently shared photos of herself in an emotional state as she struggled to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. The TV personality posted a snap with tears rolling down her face as she encouraged people to check in on their friends and family. Vicky admitted she was in 'internal agony' in the photos, even some where she is smiling, as she said that 'poor mental health can come in many forms'. The star wrote: 'What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candour & more unashamed conversation. 'Feeling blessed... and sweaty... so f**king sweaty': the reality star accentuated her features with a copper-toned smokey eye and layers of dewy foundation to perfect her complexion 'Today marks the start of National #MentalHealthAwareness week & in the spirit of encouraging important & necessary dialogues I thought I'd share with you some moments of my life where my mental health was at an all time low... 'It's heartbreakingly obvious to see in some of these pictures that I'm struggling, the internal agony is literally etched all over my face... 'But in others, the pain is harder to spot. Why? Because as women, as human beings we are so scared of showing our vulnerabilities, so terrified of appearing weak that we hide how we are really feeling behind a mask of fake smiles & bravado. Heartbreaking: The outing comes after Vicky shared photos of herself in an emotional state earlier this month as she 'struggled' to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 'We put on our "brave face" & do our best to act "normal", as if everything is fine & most of the time we do such a good job of it no one notices a thing. 'And that is the scary part. When these issues go unnoticed, undiscussed & ignored they thrive. They begin to grow, swelling inside of us, consuming our existence & debilitating our every move.' The former Geordie Shore star added that 'none of us are immune' and said people can respond to mental health struggles differently. She wrote: 'Poor mental health can come in many forms & can be exacerbated by a number of things- bad break ups, lost loved ones, stressful situations, unrelenting pressure.. The former Geordie Shore star added that 'none of us are immune' and said people can respond to mental health struggles differently 'None of us are immune to this struggle & it can manifest itself differently in everyone- some people become withdrawn, some people self medicate with alcohol, some people lose weight, some people gain weight, some people hurt themselves.. & some people act like the loudest, most confident person in the room- it looks different on us all. 'Which is why sometimes it is so difficult to spot when someone you love is struggling. 'This pandemic is going to have a scary & long tail for this country & the ramifications on our mental health are going to be something we have to deal with for a long while after the masks are gone, so now more than ever I urge you to look after yourself, be kind to yourself & always, ALWAYS check on your friends & family. 'Whether it's a text, a phone call, or dropping by to make sure they're ok - & don't be afraid to ask more than once. Be proud to be that friend. It shows you care & you do not want to see the people you love struggle alone.' Peter Andre was left mortified when he watched an unearthed clip of himself being interviewed on the red carpet at an awards ceremony in the 90s. The star, 48, who launched a successful pop career in the early 1990s in Australia, before returning to his hometown of London just a few years later, could be seen being interviewed and asked about Sir David Jason - leading to a gaffe. In the video shared on Friday, Peter confesses he 'doesn't know much about' the Only Fools And Horses icon - leading to the modern day Peter defending himself by saying: 'To be fair Id only just moved from OZ. Speechless: Peter Andre was left mortified when he watched an unearthed clip of himself being interviewed on the red carpet at an awards ceremony in the 90s. Not familiar at all! Completely lost for words, Peter admitted he knew nothing about the actor. 'Well, am I going to be bad if I tell you I don't know too much about David Jason?' he admitted on camera. Pictured: Sir David Jason in 2019 Peter shared the clip with his fans and penned an accompanying caption reading: 'Cringe Alert. When you act like you know something about David Jason, but actually you know nothing about him... 'How the hell could I not know? To be fair I'd only just moved from Oz,' he continued, alongside the hashtags 'David Jason is a legend' and 'cringe'. On the red carpet at a TV awards ceremony in the 1990s, a dapper Peter was asked by a journalist what he thought of Sir David Jason as an actor, with the Only Fools and Horses legend up for four awards. Awkward: On the red carpet at a TV awards ceremony in the 1990s, a dapper Peter was asked by a journalist what he thought of Sir David Jason as an actor, with the Only Fools and Horses legend up for four awards Completely lost for words, Peter admitted he knew nothing about the actor. 'Well, am I going to be bad if I tell you I don't know too much about David Jason?' he admitted on camera. When the journalist mentioned Only Fools and Horses, in which Sir David played wheeler dealer Del Boy, Peter quipped: 'Yeah I know that. I know who he is, but I don't know too much about him.' On the spot: When the journalist mentioned Only Fools and Horses, for which Sir David played wheeler dealer Del Boy, Peter quipped, 'Yeah I know that. I know who he is, but I don't know too much about him.' He added that he hopes 'he has a lot of success with what he's doing' He hilariously added that he hopes 'he has a lot of success with what he's doing'. Born in London, Peter relocated to Sydney with his family at age six. By age nine, they had settled on the Gold Coast. He launched his pop career Down Under in the 1990s, and quickly became known for going shirtless in his music videos. Since returning home to the UK, Peter has become a popular television personality. Famous ex-wife: Peter returned to the UK in the mid 1990s after launching a pop career in Australia. Pictured with ex-wife and glamour model Katie Price, and her son Harvey from her relationship with Dwight Yorke, in 2004 His disagreements with ex-wife and glamour model Katie Price, 43, are often aired in the press, since the couple called time on their five-year marriage in 2009. The pair welcomed two children, son Junior, 15, and daughter Princess Tiaamii, 13. Peter also took on a stepfather role to Katie's son Harvey, 19, from her relationship with Dwight Yorke. Peter found love again with doctor Emily MacDonagh, tying the knot in 2015. The couple share two children, daughter Amelia, seven, and son Theodore, four. The 10th series of the popular BBC One drama wrapped up at the end of last month. And filming for Call The Midwife series 11 continued on Friday as Leonie Elliott was spotted on set as she prepared to shoot scenes at Chatham Dockyard, Kent. The 33-year-old actress, who plays nurse Lucille Anderson, was seen securing what looked to be a hair next over her head in first look images at the upcoming series, which initially began filming in April. Back at it: filming for Call The Midwife series 11 continued on Friday as Leonie Elliott was spotted on set as she prepared to shoot scenes at Chatham Dockyard, Kent Leonie transformed back into her role as Lucille - the show's first black midwife - donning her blue nurses dress teamed with a burgundy cardigan and matching cap. The star finished the look with black tights and smart black shoes as she filmed outside on location in Kent. It is not clear why she was tying a net over her head, but she appeared to be preparing to film a significant scene as she stood before a table set up with various creams. Filming: The 33-year-old actress, who plays nurse Lucille Anderson, was seen securing what looked to be a hair next over her head in first look images at the upcoming series, which initially began filming in April Series 11, which began filming earlier this year, is slated to air in 2022, as insiders report that the coming series will cover the years 1967-1969. Meanwhile, series 10 ended on the 30th May with a typically emotional ending which saw a couple fall in love with a baby with Downs syndrome, after the birth mother's sister rejected the tot. The series was moved from January to April after filming was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the latest run cut down from eight episode to seven. Show star Helen George, who plays nurse Beatrix 'Trixie' Franklin recently revealed it was a 'miracle' the show could resume filming after production was halted amid lockdown restrictions. On set: Leonie looked relaxed as she prepared to film new scenes as nurse Lucille In costume: Leonie transformed back into her role as Lucille - the show's first black midwife - donning her blue nurses dress teamed with a burgundy cardigan and matching cap Ready to go: It is not clear why she was tying a net over her head, but she appeared to be preparing to film a significant scene as she stood before a table set up with various creams Curious: A passerby took a closer look as they rode pass on a bike The actress, 36, said bosses were able to resume work on Series 10 with strict social distancing measures, but due to the coronavirus crisis they are yet to celebrate the show's 10th Anniversary. It comes as BBC bosses confirmed that filming had already started for the Call The Midwife Christmas Special, and offered fans a glimpse of the show's set in a behind-the-scenes clip. Speaking on This Morning in April, Helen told Phillip Schofield and Rochelle Humes that it was a challenge for bosses to get the cast back on set with the government's new safety measures. Set back: Series 10 was moved from January to April after filming was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the latest run cut down from eight episode to seven She said: 'Well it kind of was I suppose. We do start filming in March, then the first lockdown was announced. We started in September and filmed all the way to Christmas. 'We finished, gosh, seven weeks ago and started filming new series this week also.' Helen explained that the cast usually have a six month break between filming for each series, but work has already started on Series 11, which will include their annual festive special. She also revealed that the cast haven't even celebrated Call The Midwife's 10th Anniversary, adding: 'We're still waiting - havent even had a glass of champagne together, it is yet to come.' Dramatic: Call The Midwife star Helen George revealed it was a 'miracle' the show could resume filming after production was halted due to the Covid pandemic Production woes: The actress said bosses were able to resume work on Series 10 with strict social distancing measures The show is set in the 1950s and 1960s in London's East End - and focuses on a group of midwives in a nursing convent. Call The Midwife regularly attracts more than 10million viewers making it one of the most successful shows on British TV. But it has only ever won one Bafta award, the Radio Times Audience Award in 2013, which was voted for by members of the public. The show was written and created by Heidi Thomas based on the memoirs of a nurse. Xi calls on SCO to expand people-to-people exchanges China Daily) 09:01, June 04, 2021 President Xi Jinping has called on all parties of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to uphold the Shanghai Spirit, stay committed to their original aspirations, help each other in the same boat and deepen their cooperation. Xi made the remark in a congratulatory letter that he sent on Thursday to the SCO Forum on People-to-People Friendship, which is being held in Wuhan, Hubei province. In November, Xi received a warm response and support from all other member states of the SCO when he put forward the initiative of launching the forum. In his letter, Xi said he believes that the forum will become an important platform for all parties to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation. Xi emphasized the need to give full play to the advantages of nongovernmental diplomacy, broaden the channels of communication among peoples of different countries, and make contributions to the development of the SCO. The theme of the forum, which continues on Friday, is "Promoting People-to-People Friendship and Carrying Forward the Shanghai Spirit". The SCO comprises eight member states-India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, the Shanghai Spirit has been hailed by leaders and officials as the source of the SCO's strong vitality and momentum of cooperation. The forum is co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Hubei provincial government, and the good-neighborly friendship and cooperation committee of the SCO. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) She recently enjoyed an adorable reunion with boyfriend Tommy Fury, following his training trip to Miami. And tearing herself away from her boyfriend of two years, Molly-Mae Hague was seen heading to The Ivy in Manchester with her pals on Friday. The Love Island star, who recently turned 22, nailed the casual chic look for her lavish lunch - stepping out in a pair of black ripped jeans and an over-sized leather biker jacket. Fashionista: Molly-Mae Hague nailed casual chic as she headed out to The Ivy in Manchester with friends on Friday Molly finished off her look with chunky black designer trainer and stylish shades, and swept her short blonde locks back from her face in a half-up, half-down style. Indulging in a spot of retail therapy before grabbing a bite to eat, the reality star was holding on to a large shopping bag in one hand and her phone in the other. She was flanked by two girlfriends and looked in good spirits as the trio strolled alongside each other through the city centre. Molly's outing in Manchester comes after she hinted at feeling broody on seeing boyfriend Tommy playing with his baby nephew. Stylish: The Love Island star paired together ripped jeans, chunky designer trainers and a cool leather biker jacket Lunch date: She was joined by two girlfriends for their alfresco lunch date and some shopping Over the Bank Holiday weekend, the couple had spent time with Tommy's family, with Molly sharing a video of the boxer planting a kiss on his little nephew's forehead. Seeing Tommy with the baby prompted Molly to gush: 'My heart... and my ovaries.' In the past, Molly has addressed her plans to have children with Tommy and told fans that while the pair would love to have kids together, they're currently in no rush to do so. Molly made the admission while revealing she was no longer using contraception in a video she shared to social media in November. Beauty: Molly finished off her look with stylish shades and wore her locks back from her face 'I'm not on any form of contraception. That is not because we are trying for a baby, just to clarify. I'm not on any form of contraception because I can't find any contraception that I like,' Molly explained. 'I went on the pill a few weeks ago for the first time. I found it so hard to find a good time each day to take the pill. I started taking it and no, it's not for me. 'I felt headache-y, I felt tired, I felt emotional like I was crying for no reason. Tommy was literally like, "What is wrong with you?" and the only thing that had changed was that I was on this pill. It was not for me... I'm living life on the edge guys!' On having children, she added: 'I just feel like when the time is right, we will know. Baby brain: Molly's outing comes after she confessed to feeling broody after seeing boyfriend Tommy Fury doting on his baby nephew No rush: The couple have previously revealed their hopes to have children together, but insist they're in no rush to start trying for a baby 'Honestly, if it was up to Tommy we would have a baby today, tomorrow and the next day. He wants so many kids. I definitely, definitely want kids soon, but not soon soon. I always feel like a broken record with the whole kids thing because I always talk about it.' Molly revealed: 'I don't mind having a child out of wedlock. We're just so happy and we're so, so excited for the day that it does happen because we just can't wait. 'I know Tommy will be the most incredible dad. Like oh my goodness, it literally makes my heart fill up when I think of Tommy holding our child. It's just so exciting.' She and Tommy first met on ITV2 dating show in Love Island 2019 and since finishing in second place on the series, their relationship has continued to go from strength to strength. So much so, that the pair were recently forced to deny they had sneakily got engaged, after fans were convinced they were set to wed after seeing Tommy pictured with a ring. He has hinted that he will be popping the question soon enough, however, as he told his 3.3million Instagram followers that he will 'put a ring' on girlfriend Molly's finger 'sooner than you think'. Jersey Shore star Angelina Pivarnick said on the latest episode of the show that her sex life with her husband is 'nonexistent at this point.' She and Chris Larangeira, who married in 2019, have been hit by rumors that they are on the brink of divorce. And during the latest episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation she candidly discussed the troubles in their marriage. As seen in 2019: Jersey Shore star Angelina Pivarnick said on the latest episode of the show that her sex life with her husband is 'nonexistent at this point' Angelina explained to her co-star Deena Cortese that her sexual equation with Chris had deteriorated into 'dogs***.' She explained that they would end up arguing and then 'whoever starts the fight won't want to bang' resulting in a sex drought. During the conversation Angelina also revealed that she and Chris did not get intimate throughout the previous group trip to Las Vegas. Angelina admitted to not being the 'perfect wife' but argued that she was able to confess being at fault sometimes while he never could. The way they were: She and Chris Larangeira, who married in 2019, have been hit by rumors that they are on the brink of divorce 'Chris and I went through spurts, but our sex life is nonexistent at this point,' Angelina told the audience during a confessional. 'And honestly, I don't know if we can like get the spark back in our relationship, and that's not a good thing,' she added. The split rumors about Angelina and Chris have been flying around so long that she dismissed them as 'Fake news' on Twitter back in August of last year. Candor: Angelina explained to her co-star Deena Cortese that her sexual equation with Chris had deteriorated into 'dogs***' While promoting Jersey Shore: Family Vacation in Us Weekly this week Angelina revealed that the coronavirus pandemic had placed a strain on the marriage. 'It was a lot with this pandemic,' she said. 'Unlike Pauly D and Nikki Hall, it didnt really help our relationship out too much. It kind of did the opposite.' She did say she eventually wanted to have children but admitted that she and Chris are taking a 'day by day' approach to the marriage at the moment. She's enjoying a sun-soaked getaway with fellow Geordie Shore star Holly Hagan in Portugal. And on Friday, Charlotte Crosby left almost nothing to the imagination as she posed for a very risque Instagram photo on the balcony of her resort accommodation. The 31-year-old revealed her toned tummy by wearing just a scarf wrapped around her chest, and used a white bed sheet to protect her modesty. Feeling confident! Charlotte Crosby, 31, left almost nothing to the imagination in this photo shared to Instagram on Friday, as she posed in just a SCARF while on vacation in Portugal It comes as Portugal is set to be removed from the UK's 'green' and quarantine-free travel list on Tuesday at 4am after being added on May 17 amid concerns over the new Nepal Covid variant. Britons in Portugal have reacted with fury after being told to dash home before Tuesday or face quarantine, saying the sudden move to 'amber' list was 'unfair' and 'stressful'. It now means that travellers will have to quarantine at home for ten days after visiting. They must have two Covid tests, on days two and eight - plus a third on day five if they choose 'test to release'. British families of four in Portugal now face spending 1,500 on 12 PCR tests at 125 each after next Tuesday. Vocal: The Geordie Shore star has made headlines of late, thanks to her new podcast Values and Vibrators. Last month, Charlotte spoke about her sex life after being quizzed by a fan Charlotte raised one manicured hand in the air, drawing attention to her toned arms, and shot a sultry gaze at the camera. Her brunette locks were swept into a high topknot with several tendrils left out to frame her face, and her makeup included false lashes and bronzer on her cheeks. Referencing Aussie slang, Charlotte captioned the post 'G'day' with a wave emoji. Chaos: It comes as Portugal is set to be removed from the UK's 'green' and quarantine-free travel list on Tuesday at 4am after being added on May 17 amid concerns over the new Nepal Covid variant Charlotte flew to Portugal with Holly, who was set to tie the knot with her fiance Jacob Blyth. The couple however were forced to postpone their dream wedding abroad and instead decide to celebrate what would have been their big day by going on holiday with pals. Charlotte's boyfriend Liam Beaumont, 30, is also on the trip. Holiday: Charlotte flew to Portugal with her Geordie Shore co-star Holly Hagan (centre), who was set to tie the knot with her fiance Jacob Blyth The Geordie beauty has been making headlines of late, thanks to her new podcast Values and Vibrators. Last month, the television personality spoke about her sex life after being quizzed by a nosey fan. 'I've had a good sex life, but it's not in the hundreds and it's not in the single figures,' she began. Strike a pose: The reality star uploaded this sultry selfie on Thursday evening as she enjoyed the sunshine Charlotte admitted she had let the public's imagination go wild when she said she had slept with 'a few people, not thousands' on Geordie Shore. 'It made it sound like I had slept with hundreds,' she remarked. 'But it's not in the hundreds and it's not in the singles.' The reality star said her fans shouldn't assume that it's a small amount just because she's a girl. 'It's not a p***y amount either. So don't just think because I am a girl I'm going to be like, "oh, I've only slept with seven people'',' she said. 'We're not about that life anymore girls. If we want to have sex with someone, we will go out, take a condom with us, and ride that d**k.' Charlotte is in a relationship with Liam. She previously dated fellow Geordie Shore star Gaz Beadle. Off the market: Charlotte is in a relationship with Liam Beaumont (pictured). She previously dated fellow Geordie Shore star Gaz Beadle She's currently enjoying a sun-soaked family holiday and has been keeping fans updated with her relaxing beach break on Instagram since touching down overseas. But Amanda Holden gave her followers a lot more than they bargained for with her latest swimwear snap, as she posted a photo of her looking incredible in a plunging mesh swimsuit. The Heart FM presenter, 50, sizzled in the dreamy shot that saw her cooling off in the sea while showing off her stunning figure in her skimpy beachwear. Insane: Amanda Holden, 50, looked incredible in a plunging mesh swimsuit as she got flirty with fans on Instagram while making the most of her sun-soaked family break overseas Amanda teamed her almost see-through swimsuit with a chunky pair of shades and sported wet locks as she flashed a smile while making her way back up onto the sand from the ocean. Using the shot as a perfect opportunity to flirt with her fans, Amanda sent temperatures soaring as she teased alongside her post: 'Fancy a dip?' She was also seen championing her saucy swimsuit from Melissa Odabash over on her Instagram story as she kicked back on a rock and joked: 'This swimsuit makes me look like I have an ab.' Her followers were all for the Britain's Got Talent judge's risque swimwear, as they littered the comments with flame emojis. Sizzling: Amanda joked that her risque swimsuit gave her 'an ab' as she kicked back on a rock 'Hot hot hot,' posted one fan, while another commented: 'Ohh wow looking amazing.' Others teased Amanda was 'super sexy' and 'looking like a 'Bond Girl', as one person penned: 'A goddess that's all I can say.' Amanda's latest holiday upload comes after she was seen having a proud mum moment with her lookalike daughters. Following a trip to the beach, Amanda posted an image of sisters Lexi, 15, and Hollie, nine, in matching red outfits after spending the day relaxing in the picturesque sunshine. 'Sisters': Amanda was every inch the proud mother as she shared a sweet Instagram snap of her lookalike daughters Lexi, 15, and Hollie, nine, while on holiday Happy: The Heart FM presenter has been openly documenting her sunny break with her family on social media (pictured recently with her daughters) Lexi was dressed in a stylish red swimsuit for the snap, while her sister Hollie wore a matching red top and printed skirt. Clearly proud of her two girls, Amanda uploaded the snap to social media with the caption '#sisters.' Since heading on holiday, Amanda has ensured her jaw-dropping figure has been on full display - previously posing in a tiny white bikini while working on topping up her tan. The presenter flaunted her ageless physique in the triangle-style bikini top and matching bottoms, which was perfect for highlighted her sun-kissed glow. Amanda styled the beach look with an unbuttoned white blouse and accessorised with a pair of oversized aviator sunglasses. She playfully captioned the snap: '...Feeling 'all white' today.' 'All white'! On Wednesday Amanda ensure her jaw-dropping figure was on full display as she posed in a tiny white bikini in a sun-soaked location Scantily clad: Amanda is no stranger to baring all for the camera, having previously posed topless while ringing in 2021 Mum-of-two Amanda didn't reveal where the snap had been taken, however it appears she jetted abroad following the easing of coronavirus restrictions. As of May 17, residents of the UK were able to travel abroad after a ban was lift, giving them the go ahead to visit 'green' countries without having to isolate upon return. Amanda, meanwhile, is no stranger to baring all for the camera, having previously posed topless while ringing in 2021. She shared the cheeky image to Instagram and received a whole host of compliments from her celebrity friends. Her Heart FM co-star Ashley Roberts teased 'she expensive', while This Morning's Alison Hammond wrote: 'Saucy'. The TV star also regularly shows off her incredible physique in a variety of bikini and swimsuit snaps she shares online. Reaction: Amanda's Heart Radio co-host Ashley Roberts commented on the snap writing: 'She expensive' while Alison Hammond jokingly wrote: 'Saucy' It follows the news that Amanda is set to star in her own series called No Holden Back on E4. The presenter, who previously teased she was working on a secret project, said she is 'delighted' to have landed her own show. The eight-part series will follow Amanda's 'unique relationship' with her Nan Myrtle, with the star moving back in with her beloved grandmother. Amanda told The Sun: 'I'm delighted that everyone is finally going to meet my nan, the apple never falls far from my tree and in this series she will certainly be keeping me on my toes.' Show: It follows news Amanda is set to star in her own series called No Holden Back on E4 A spokesperson for her nan, Myrtle, said: 'I have no comment, apart from I'm really hoping being on TV might mean I can finally meet my favourite young man, Ben Shephard.' Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, Steven Handley told the publication: 'Amanda is one of the UK's most well-known stars and we are thrilled to get insight into her life with her nan.' MailOnline has contacted Amanda's representatives and Channel 4 for further comment. The show will also be broadcast on Channel 4 meaning Amanda will have programmes on ITV (Britain's Got Talent), BBC (I Can See Your Voice) and Channel 4 (No Holden Back). David Schwimmer is sharing some memories from the Friends reunion which premiered last week. The 54-year-old actor dropped a selection of snaps of his favorite moments to his Instagram on Friday and thanked HBO Max for bringing everyone together. Among the photos was an image from a cast Zoom session as they discussed their plans for the reunion, 17 years after the last episode of the iconic sitcom aired. Fond memories: David Schwimmer dropped a selection of behind the scenes snaps from the Friends reunion on Friday - including this giggly screenshot from a Zoom planning session Schwimmer appeared to be making his former castmates; Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc, giggle with his chosen background which featured a headshot of LeBlanc. Also included in the album was a cast huddle shot from 2004 when they filmed the final episode, along with a cast huddle shot taken from filming of Friends: The Reunion which took place in April. Another photo showed the cast all together on the set of their bustling photoshoot, by celebrity photographer Mark Seliger. How it was: Schwimmer also included a photo of the cast huddle during the filming of the last ever episode of Friends in 2004 Back together: The actor followed up with a photo of the cast huddling during filming of the reunion in April Schwimmer, who is now a producer and director himself, shared a snap of him and Friends director Jim Burrows, who he called a 'legend'. '(and me with a LOT of makeup)' he joked about the image. 'Where it all started!' the actor wrote in his caption for the photo of Friends creators Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman & David Crane and added 'forever grateful'. The actor teased more snaps to follow as he labeled the album 'Part one'. Meanwhile, Schwimmer recently said it's 'unlikely' there will be new episodes of the comedy series. Another photo showed the cast all together on the set of their bustling photoshoot, by celebrity photographer Mark Seliger Schwimmer, who is now a producer and director himself, shared a snap of him and Friends director Jim Burrows, who he called a 'legend' Reunion snaps: The actor teased more snaps to follow as he labeled the album 'Part one' The actor played Ross Geller in the hit sitcom which ran from 1994 to 2004 and focused on six close friends living in New York. In an interview with The Financial Times newspaper, he said: 'The creators of the show are of the same mind as we are, which is that they loved the way it ended. 'The whole show was about a time in those characters' lives when your friends were your family. At our age, a lot of people have their own families, so there's really no interest in trying to [recreate] that.' 'Where it all started!' the actor wrote in his caption for the photo of Friends creators Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman & David Crane and added 'forever grateful' However, the comedy star was quick to label the reunion special as an 'emotional' experience, adding that he particularly enjoyed getting together with his co-stars on the original set of the show. Before he made it big playing Ross on TV at the age of 27, Schwimmer worked in a variety of different jobs, including as a waiter in a restaurant and serving cookie dough in an ice-cream store, in-between his acting jobs to make ends meet. The Iceman star is 'grateful' to have had those experiences as a struggling actor. He said: 'I am grateful that I knew who I was and that I had the perspective of having really worked. It helped me navigate some really tricky waters.' Teresa Giudice couldn't help but gush over her daughter Gabriella as she got all dolled up for her high school prom. The OG New Jersey Housewife proved to be the ultimate doting mom as she recorded the blonde haired beauty, 17, getting primped before her big night out, later snapping some portrait style photos of she and her date. 'You are so beautiful!,' Teresa remarked, as she sent her off to the big dance. All grown up! Teresa Giudice's daughter Gabriella, 17, proves to be all grown up as she steps out for high school prom in a gorgeous red dress Teresa recorded all the moments leading up to her prom send off as she shared footage of Gabriella getting glam at their palatial New Jersey home. Gabriella slipped into a silky red spaghetti strap dress with a high slit up the leg fashioned by Coco's Chateau, and silver high heels adorned with pearls. Her blonde locks were styled in loose curls and she sported silver eyeshadow, naturally topping the look off with a corsage from her date on her hand. And while she couldn't hide her excitement, her daughter looked slightly camera shy after Teresa continued to remark: 'Oh my god, Look how beautiful! Oh my god. You're so stunning I can't help it. Oh my god I made you.' Primped: Gabriella was seen getting glam at their palatial New Jersey residence Camera shy: The veteran Real Housewife couldn't help but gush: 'You are so beautiful!' as she filmed her getting glam Glamour shots: Before the send off Gabriella was seen getting her portrait snapped by her hair and makeup team Teresa continued: 'Love, love love!,' and called her a model as she nibbled on a salad. And after the incessant compliment showering Gabriella covered her face and remarked: 'All right mom.' Naturally, Teresa was there for the pre-prom send off with the rest of the parents, as she snapped some photos of Gabriella and her date in front of a balloon backdrop at a neighboring residence. Her tuxedo-clad date matched her red dress as he afixed a red rose boutonniere to his lapel, and respectfully put his hand around her waist for photos. Also in attendance was daughter Milania, 15, who tenderly kissed Gabriella's cheek in a sweet snap. Prom time! Her tuxedo-clad date matched her red dress as he afixed a red rose boutonniere to his lapel, and respectfully put his hand around her waist for photos Dates: Naturally, Teresa was there for the pre-prom send off with the rest of the parents, as she snapped some photos of Gabriella and her date Sisterly love: Also in attendance was daughter Milania, 15, who tenderly kissed Gabriella's cheek in a sweet snap Teresa also has two other daughters: eldest Gia, 20, and youngest daughter Audriana, 12, that she shares with ex husband Joe Giudice. He was deported to Italy after serving 41 months in prison for wire fraud and bankruptcy fraud charges. But though the fractured marriage has been hard on both she and her daughters, Teresa seems to have now found true love with beau Luis Ruelas. The pair recently got back from a vacation in Tulum with Teresa sharing: 'I want to keep swinging a lifetime with you!' Last week TMZ captured the couple walking, and when Ruelas was asked if marriage was in the future he replied 'yes' a handful of times. Christine Quinn showed off her slender post-baby figure as she stepped out for date night on Thursday. The 31-year-old Selling Sunset star enjoyed dinner with her tech entrepreneur husband Christian Richard, 41, at upscale steakhouse Mastro's in Beverly Hills. Christine rocked a sheer lime green green mini dress just three weeks after giving birth to her first son, Christian Jr, via emergency C-section. Wow: Christine Quinn flaunted her slender post-baby figure as she stepped out for date night on Thursday The reality star's long-sleeved see-through dress featured curved vertical stripes and a flirty asymmetrical hemline that showcased her toned and tanned legs. Underneath her clingy dress, she donned a white v-line bra and white high-rise, baring her taut midriff and emphasizing her flat tummy. The blonde beauty's long tresses cascaded over her shoulders in soft curls that hung past her waist. Romantic: The 31-year-old Selling Sunset star enjoyed dinner with her tech entrepreneur husband Christian Richard at upscale steakhouse Mastro's in Beverly Hills Quinn sported patent leather pumps with a muted multi-colored floral pattern and trendy rounded toes. She accessorized with a shiny beaded choker, gold earrings and a pastel floral patterned scarf which she held draped over one arm. Christine carried a mustard-yellow Hermes Birkin bag and clasped a white mask in one hand, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Good times: The Dallas native flashed a pearly white smile framed by mauve lipstick and waved as she stood on the sidewalk while the pair waited for the valet to bring their car The Dallas native flashed a pearly white smile framed by mauve lipstick and waved as she stood on the sidewalk while the pair waited for the valet to bring their car. Christian was more casually attired in gray jeans, a long black hoodie with a silver zipper and black sneakers. He held a black paper bag filled with leftovers and wrapped his arm around his wife's waist as they strolled to the valet. The retired millionaire covered his face with a black mask. Mask mandates for fully vaccinated people are set to be relaxed in California on June 15. Yum! The social media favorite shared videos of the caviar on dry ice and key lime pie that the couple ordered during their meal at the hotspot The social media favorite shared videos of the caviar on dry ice and key lime pie that the couple ordered during their meal at the hotspot. The two tied the knot 18 months ago. Quinn opened up about their relationship to Harper's Bazaar Vietnam last October. 'We support our dreams and our goals unconditionally,' Christine said. '[We're] honest with each other and push each other to become the best version of ourselves.' 'We work in completely different industries. For example, I am a beauty in everything I do, and he spends all day staring at the computer,' she continued. 'But, we have the same opinion and mindset. It makes sense that we are a power couple. We fell in love when both were at the top of [our careers].' Power couple! The two tied the knot 18 months ago and Christian was by her side when they welcomed Christian Jr. on May 15 Richard was by her side when she welcomed their newborn son on May 15. Recently Quinn debuted the first photo of Christian Jr. during an appearance on E!'s News Daily Pop. The hosts, after ogling over Christian Jr., were curious to know how Christine has handled getting back to work so shortly after giving birth. Quinn has quickly resumed shooting episodes for the hit Netflix series. And according to the reality TV sensation, she has received backlash from 'mom-shamers' over the decision. 'The mom-shamers are real, that's for sure," she revealed 'I've gotten both ends of the spectrum. 'I've gotten people who are like, "Oh I'm so happy you're getting back to work, that's great!" And then I have people who are like, "You need to give your body time to recover and heal, and who's taking care of the baby?"' she explained. First look at Baby Christian! It's hard to believe the new mother only welcomed her first child via emergency C-section on May 15 Despite being inundated with critical social media messages, Christine has not taken any of it to heart. 'I'm like, "Listen, my husband's amazing. He's home, the baby's sleeping, what's the difference?" For me, I love to work,' she told the hosts. 'There are single moms out there every single day working two, three jobs, doing it. Women are so strong and they can do it. 'For me, I'm happy to be working. I'm thrilled to have a job and I'm thrilled to have a baby and be able to do it all. 'I think that's really the message here: Women really can do it all, so don't be shaming!' said Quinn, adding that she does currently plan to 'keep her work life and home life separate.' Although Christian Jr. has yet to meet any of Christine's Selling Sunset castmates, she revealed an introduction is in the near future. They welcomed their first child - a baby boy called Brody - last month. And Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet looked every inch the proud parents as they shared a sweet snap with their little one on Friday. TOWIE star Georgia, 29, and her beau, 29, beamed as they held their newborn who was wearing a cute yellow romper. Cute: Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet looked every inch the proud parents as they shared a sweet snap with their little one Brody on Friday Blonde beauty Georgia looked typically stylish in cream linen trousers and a black leather jacket as she doted on her first born. She accessorised with gold hoop earrings and wore her long tresses in loose waves over her shoulders while opting for a natural makeup look. Meanwhile Tommy looked casual in a navy shirt and jeans and simply captioned the snap: 'GANG.' Family: Meanwhile Tommy looked casual in a navy shirt and jeans and simply captioned the snap: 'GANG' Proud: It comes after last week Georgia took to Instagram to congratulate her boyfriend Tommy for celebrating his first birthday as a father as he turned 29 while sharing unseen birth snaps Happy: Alongside a snap from the day their son arrived, the reality star wrote: 'Happy birthday to my Tommy Mallet. First birthday as a daddy!!' The couple posed in front of a beige balloon display presumably from Tommy's recent 29th birthday celebrations. It comes after last week Georgia took to Instagram to congratulate her boyfriend Tommy for celebrating his first birthday as a father as he turned 29. Alongside an unseen snap from the day their son arrived, the reality star wrote: 'Happy birthday to my Tommy Mallet. First birthday as a daddy!!' In the sweet snap, Georgia could be seen breathing through the pain of labour while Tommy grinned next to her on the special day. Doting dad: 'Thank you for being the best .. I couldnt have got through the last few weeks without you. We love you so much' Georgia gushed in the birthday post Continuing her gushing birthday post, the new mum wrote: 'Thank you for being the best .. I couldnt have got through the last few weeks without you. We love you so much' This will be a very happy birthday for Tommy, who has taken to social media to tell his followers that his life is now 'full' since welcoming his son. In the same Instagram post, Georgia also wished a happy birthday to Tommy's close friend Benny Shamps, who has been spending lots of quality time with baby Brody. Georgia and Tommy announced baby Brody had arrived earlier this month with a series of adorable Instagram posts. Taking to social media to share their joy, Georgia wrote: 'Introducing you .. Brody Fordham. 05.05.21 weighing 8lb 9, We are so in love.' Congratulations! Georgia and Tommy announced baby Brody had arrived earlier this month with a series of adorable Instagram posts 'Thank you for all your messages. I feel so blessed, the best experience of my life,' she added sweetly. Georgia looked radiant as she cradled her little boy, who was wrapped in a soft white blanket, while laying in a hospital bed alongside her beaming beau. Clearly proud of his new baby boy, Tommy penned at the time: 'Now my life is full! Welcome to the world young.' Doting new mother Georgia replied to the comment, and said: 'The best thing that's ever happened to us.' Georgia's 1.3million followers were quick to congratulate the couple, with many of their reality star pals also sending love. Love Island has had 'more applications than ever' with over 1,000 singletons already interviewed amid the show's current selection process for the 2021 series. ITV commissioner, Amanda Stavri, teased the upcoming series in a new interview and revealed that the team are all 'very pleased' with the potential line-up. Speaking to RadioTimes, the Love Island boss said: 'There's been more applications than ever. They've whittled it down and we're all very pleased. Exciting: Love Island has had 'more applications than ever' with over 1,000 singletons already interviewed amid the show's selection process for the 2021 series (the 2019 line-up pictured) 'We've got a big sort of pool at the moment and we need to sort of work out who to put in the opening line-up and who sort of to hold back, you know as a bombshell we need the bombshells.' Elsewhere during the interview, the ITV commissioner promised the 2021 line-up will be 'diverse and inclusive'. However, the ITV commissioner said that including gay Islanders is a 'logistical difficulty' due to the format of the dating show. Love Island has previously been slammed by fans, and previous contestants, for lack of different ethnic backgrounds, body types and members of the LGBT community represented on the show. 'Very pleased'! ITV commissioner, Amanda Stavri, teased the series in a new interview and revealed the team are 'very pleased' with the potential line-up (host Laura Whitmore pictured) The ITV commissioner added: 'In terms of gay Islanders, I think the main challenge is regarding the format of Love Island. There's a sort of logistical difficulty, because although Islanders don't have to be 100 per cent straight, the format must sort of give [the] Islanders an equal choice when coupling up.' Stavri pointed out that spin-off shows, such as The Cabins, has a lot more 'sexual diversity' as the format doesn't have as much 'restrictions' as Love Island, adding: 'So we're very sort of mindful of that across our programming on ITV and dating series.' In March, 2017 contestant Montana Brown called for greater diversity on Love Island and insisted it is 'unhealthy for people to just see size 8s chomping around in their bikinis'. Line-up: Elsewhere during the interview, the ITV commissioner promised that the 2021 line-up will be 'diverse and inclusive' (members from the 2018 line-up pictured) The swimwear brand owner, 25, also stated: 'I wanna see more people of colour' while concluding that 'with regards to racial diversity and body diversity, there's always room for improvement' on the programme. Speaking on What Day Is It? podcast, Monata was quizzed about how progressive Love Island is. She admitted: 'I feel like, as a mixed race person, you're always in a minority, especially on a show like that. It's not something that I necessarily thought of while I was in the show. Making history: The programme has featured bisexual contestants in the past, including Megan Barton-Hanson, Katie Salmon and the late Sophie Gradon (pictured together in 2016) 'I've had quite a privileged upbringing. I grew up in quite a white area so I've always been in the minority anyway. So it's something that I didn't feel uncomfortable with. 'But I definitely think with regards to racial diversity and body diversity there's always room for improvement.' In April, it was claimed that producers were reportedly accepting gay contestants for this year's upcoming series. Despite the claims, a representative for ITV told MailOnline: 'Our only stipulation for applicants on Love Island is that they are over 18, single and looking for love.' Slammed: Love Island has previously been slammed by fans, and previous contestants - including Montana Brown, pictured, for lack of different ethnic backgrounds, body types and members of the LGBT community represented on the show On including versatile couples, executive producer Richard Cowles previously said: 'You are trying to create couples. It is not impossible and it is not something that we shy away from... but there is a logistical element which makes it difficult.' The programme has featured bisexual contestants in the past, including Megan Barton-Hanson, Katie Salmon and the late Sophie Gradon - who became the show's same-sex pairing in 2016. Series 7 of the popular ITV2 show is thought to be kicking off on June 28th 2021, with builders recently being seen working at the Majorcan villa usually used for the show. This year's show also features a new tag line, 'this is not a drill', which has been seen in all of the teasers shared on social media so far ahead of the show finally returning after last year's season was postponed due to the pandemic. Important: In March, Montana, 25, called for greater diversity and insisted it is 'unhealthy for people to just see size 8s chomping around in their bikinis' (pictured on the show in 2017) Only recently host Laura Whitmore has been ramping up the excitement by sharing promo clips to Instagram. ITV have yet to make an official announcement about where the dating show will be filmed, though a source recently told The Sun: 'Love Island bosses are determined to return to the villa this summer and have worked hard to make it happen. 'Although they are confident the series will go ahead in the original location, there are still concerns over rules suddenly changing. However, at the moment it's looking good.' Signs are also on the site, according to eyewitnesses, speculating coronavirus safety measures. Not long! Series 7 of the popular ITV2 show is thought to be kicking off on June 28th 2021, with builders recently being seen working at the Majorcan villa usually used for the show and host Laura Whitmore sharing promo clips Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently confirmed that British holidaymakers can enter the country, which is currently on the government's amber list, meaning the travel obstacles for the show have been lifted. Contracts for this year's Love Island did have Majorca written into them, although back-up options, such as Jersey and Cornwall, were on the table in case Covid travel restrictions meant Spain was off-limits. Sanchez said at trade fair Fitur in Madrid: 'I am pleased to inform you that the ministerial order will be officially published today exempting citizens from the UK from temporary restrictions on non-essential trips to Spain. 'I can therefore announce that from next Monday the 24th of May we will be delighted to welcome all UK tourists. Get ready! This year's show features a brand new tag line, 'this is not a drill' as the countdown finally begins following the show being postponed last year due to the pandemic 'They are welcome to enter our country without restrictions and without health requirements.' The summer series of Love Island 2020 was cancelled after production found it 'logistically impossible' to organise the show as the pandemic raged on. Applicants for the next series have reportedly been told theyll have to be free for 10 weeks abroad and undergo a psychological and physical assessment. It was previously reported that Jersey has been secured for filming this summer if production cannot take place in the show's usual location of Mallorca. Sources told The Sun: 'The Channel Islands get plenty of sunshine so it makes sense to hold Love Island there if we can't get back to Spain.' Sterling, VA (20165) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 84F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. He suffered a crushing defeat at the Eurovision Song Contest, scoring the dreaded 'nul points' for the UK. Now James Newman is bracing for fresh turmoil as he finds himself at the centre of a court battle over a chart-topping hit he co-wrote. The 35-year-old, along with three members of the band Rudimental, is being sued by former Voice UK hopeful Kelly Marie Smith over the origins of 2013 hit Waiting All Night. The track which features vocals from Ella Eyre topped the UK Singles Chart and won British Single of the Year at the 2014 Brit Awards. But Miss Smith is suing for copyright infringement, claiming the hit song 'substantially reproduces' her track Can You Tell Me? which she wrote in 2006. Miss Smith, who reached the Battle Rounds of the BBC talent show eight years ago, is also suing the song's producers and distributors as well as its co-author Jonny Harris. She has claimed that the songs share distinctive similarities but Rudimental's lawyers branded her case 'untenable', adding that a 'forensic musicologist' had not found any significant crossovers. James Newman is bracing for fresh turmoil as he finds himself at the centre of a court battle over a chart-topping hit he co-wrote Newman, who has co-written and provided vocals on a range of Rudimental tracks, is fighting her claim alongside Rudimental band members Kesi Dryden, Piers Aggett and Amir Izadkhah (pictured) Tom Weisselberg, the band's QC, told a remote pre-trial hearing that the two songs were 'performed in different musical styles, at vastly different tempos or speeds, in different musical keys and with different instrumentation'. Any 'apparent similarities' could be picked up only after 'an extreme form of manipulation', he added. Mr Weisselberg also rejected Miss Smith's claim that some of the lyrics on the two tracks crossed over, saying they were 'commonly used lyrics, musical phrases and rhythms, which are not themselves original'. He told the court: 'To take just one example, it will come as no surprise to the court that the lyric 'tell me that you need me' has been used in compositions that long predate either Waiting All Night or Can You Tell Me?' Newman, who has co-written and provided vocals on a range of Rudimental tracks, is fighting her claim alongside Rudimental band members Kesi Dryden, Piers Aggett and Amir Izadkhah. The 35-year-old, along with three members of the band Rudimental, is being sued by former Voice UK hopeful Kelly Marie Smith (pictured) over the origins of 2013 hit Waiting All Night Mr Weisselberg added that Miss Smith's case is partly based on 'an alleged studio session' between herself and Izadkhah. A six-day trial is scheduled for later this year. The claim comes weeks after Newman's defeat at this year's Eurovision with his song Embers. He was the only hopeful to score zero points from the jury vote and from the public vote, finishing bottom of the leaderboard after the final in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Italian band Maneskin rocked to victory with their song Zitti E Buoni, scoring a mammoth 524 points. France's Barbara Pravi finished in second place followed by Switzerland's Gjon's Tears. Newman's case is not the first in which an artist has faced legal action over claims they have plagiarised their music. Ed Sheeran's 2014 song Thinking Out Loud was claimed to have copied Marvin Gaye's 1973 hit Let's Get It On. One claim, brought by the family of Let's Get It On's co-writer, alleged Sheeran had ripped off the 'melody, harmony and rhythm compositions'. He was later sued again over similar claims his song had copied the Gaye track. She never fails to look her best. And Tina Kunakey ensured to make a stylish arrival at the Bvlgari Clients Dinner in Milan, Italy, on Friday. The 24-year-old French model posed up a storm on the orange carpet as she rocked a frilly white dress styled with long black boots. Stunning: Tina Kunakey looked sensational as she arrives at the Bvlgari Clients Dinner in a frilly white dress and long black boots on Friday The eye-catching outfit featured a Victorian neckline and ruffled cuffs, with the bottom of the dress hanging lower in the middle than at the sides. She coupled her dress with a stunning pair of sleek black boots with a large heel. Tina accessorised her ensemble with an intricate rose gold necklace which boasted a number of precious stones studded around it and was reminiscent of leaves. Adding even more sparkle to her ensemble, Tina also donned a matching pair of earrings to complete her look. Orange carpet: The 24-year-old French model posed up a storm on the orange carpet as she pouted for the cameras Ensuring all eyes were on her fashionable display, Tina opted for a simple makeup look for the dinner and tied her hair back in a bun. Tina was joined by a host of glamorous stars at the designer event, such as Spanish model Nieves Alvarez, Italian actress Miriam Leone and American star Lily Aldridge. The mother-of-one's appearance at the dinner comes after she enjoyed another beach day in Rio de Janeiro last month with her husband Vincent Cassel, 53. Dressed to impress: Tina wore a stunning outfit featured a Victorian neckline and ruffled cuffs, with the bottom of the dress hanging lower in the middle than at the sides The French actor went shirtless as he cosied up to his bikini-clad wife who flaunted her incredible physique in a sexy red two-piece. During their low-key beach day Vincent and Tina were seen reclining on chairs on the sand together before posing for a loved-up selfie. And after the Brazil trip, Vincent was seen enjoying a day at the Formula E Monaco E-Prix in Monte Carlo, Monaco, at the start of May. Tina and Vincent welcomed their daughter Amazonie in April 2019, less than a year after their fairytale wedding. Lili Reinhart has revealed that she is 'okay' with the fact that she is 'never going to have abs'. Talking candidly about her body image while taking part in a glamorous new shoot, the Riverdale star, 24, said: 'Abs are made in the kitchen, and I had Dairy Queen and chicken parm last night. And that's okay. I'm learning to accept that in myself.' Speaking to DuJour magazine, the blonde beauty added: 'I'm not a fitness model. I'm never going to be able to maintain that. I'm not going to not eat the ice cream.' Glam: Lili Reinhart, 24, has revealed that she is 'okay' with the fact that she is 'never going to have abs' during a glamourous new shoot Lili - who slipped into a series of striking looks for her shoot, including a show-stopping ruffled pink gown - went on: 'It's not amazing to see someone on Instagram calling me fat, but people are never going to stop body-shaming.' She concluded: 'It's a matter of what I can do to make myself feel better about that. My body is a journey that I have with myself.' Elsewhere in her interview, Lili spoke candidly about her self-discovery journey, sharing that she 'definitely isn't the same person I was when I had to flee Canada [in March 2020]'. Candid: Talking candidly about her body image the Riverdale star said: 'Abs are made in the kitchen, and I had Dairy Queen and chicken parm last night. And that's okay' She explained: 'My focus has been on myself, looking inward and trying to grow. I've been working on taking the pressure off myself, and stress doesn't affect me as much. 'I think I had too much time on my hands. I'm single, so I'm very zeroed in on me right now. 'I was really being hard on myself for not working out a certain way or eating a certain way. And I just had to say, "It's a f**king pandemic. I need to give myself a f**king break. I am doing just fine. I need to cut myself some slack".' Lili, who also writes poetry and released a compilation of poems titled Swimming Lessons last year, recalled how the experience left her feeling 'vulnerable'. 'I'm not a masterful poet by any means,' the star said. Self discovery: Elsewhere in her interview, Lili spoke candidly about her self-discovery journey, sharing that she 'definitely isn't the same person I was when I had to flee Canada' She explained: 'My focus has been on myself, looking inward and trying to grow. I've been working on taking the pressure off myself, and stress doesn't affect me as much' 'I'm still not 100 percent confident in who I am as a writer. People tell me they really relate to the poetry, and that's all I could ask for.' Aside from her whimsical pink gown, Lili also donned a figure-hugging black dress that boasted a show-stopping green ruffle collar alongside a thigh-skimming patterned pink frock, a plunging duck egg blue shirt dress and a chic trench coat. Last month, the actress reflected on her 'exhausting battle' with depression, which began with her suffering panic attacks at age 13. 'Some days I feel really defeated by my depression,' the actress - who boasts 34.5M social media followers - admitted on Instagram in May. Lili added: 'I think I had too much time on my hands. I'm single, so I'm very zeroed in on me right now' 'It's an exhausting battle that I've been fighting for 11 years. Some days, like today, it can feel intolerable.' Lili - who also lives with OCD - reminded her 'fellow warriors' that it's okay to have days where you don't want to fight. 'You don't need to justify your mental health to anyone. Prioritize yourself when needed, take time to rest. Surround yourself with good people and high vibrations,' she advised. Of her poetry, Lily candidly said: 'I'm still not 100 percent confident in who I am as a writer. People tell me they really relate to the poetry, and that's all I could ask for' 'But remember you are always worth fighting for. And tomorrow could be such a beautiful day.' Lili is currently attached to star in the fantasy drama Plus/Minus, which is currently in pre-production, though it's unclear when filming may begin. The story follows a young woman named Natalie, who, 'diverges into two parallel realities: one in which she becomes pregnant and must navigate motherhood as a young adult in her Texas hometown, the other in which she moves to L.A. to pursue her career.' Vulnerable: Lili, who also writes poetry and released a compilation of poems titled Swimming Lessons last year, recalled how the experience left her feeling 'vulnerable' Porsha Williams' new fiance Simon Guobadia is accusing his estranged wife of cheating on him during their marriage. The bizarre love triangle got even messier this week as Simon spoke out on Instagram on Thursday claiming Falynn Guobadia, Porsha's Real Housewives of Atlanta costar, cheated on him with an Atlanta entrepreneur and is currently pregnant. It came after Falynn, 31, posted a teaser clip from a tell-all interview where she will talk about the end of her marriage to Simon and his new relationship with Porsha. Messy: Porsha Williams' new fiance Simon Guobadia is accusing his estranged wife Falynn (right) of cheating on him during their marriage Sharing the clip to his own account, Simon, 57, wrote: 'The Face of Cheating Wife...' He then claimed that Falynn was unfaithful and identified the man she allegedly cheated with, Jaylan Banks, by sharing his Instagram handle. He added that Falynn is pregnant with the man's child and they are living together in a home that Simon is paying for. 'Let's start with why I filed for divorce,' Simon in the caption of his post. 'Let's start with who she cheated with and currently pregnant for and living in a home I paid for post divorce. 'This is how your generosity gets twisted when you allow a hookah boy/mama's boy become your wife's assistant. Let's get started there.' Accusations flying: It came after Falynn posted a teaser clip from a tell-all interview where she will talk about the end of her marriage to Simon and his new relationship with Porsha 'Simon doesn't get caught unless Simon wants to be caught.' Falynn responds when asked if she cheated on Simon Getting ugly: Simon claims that Falynn was unfaithful and identified the man she allegedly cheated with, Jaylan Banks, by sharing his Instagram handle In the clip where Falynn is interviewed by YouTuber Adam newell, she addresses the speculation that she cheated on Simon. 'Simon doesn't get caught unless Simon wants to be caught.' Falynn responds. In another part of the clip Falynn wells up with tears as she's asked if she resents welcoming Porsha into her life. 'I meant what I said when I took my vows... It hurts, it hurts like hell,' she says, adding, 'I love hard, I love really hard.' Simon and Falynn were married just under two years before they announced their split in April. 'I meant what I said when I took my vows... It hurts, it hurts like hell,' Faylnn says, adding, 'I love hard, I love really hard.' Claims: Simon claims his estranged wife (pictured) is pregnant and living with a man in a home that he still pays for Less than a month later, Simon and Porsha went public with their engagement after a month of dating. Earlier this week Porsha, 39, revealed she now has a tattoo of Simon's middle name on her neck. She explained that she became engaged on the Thursday before Mother's Day with a 'very, very special' proposal. Moving fast: Fans noticed Porsha wearing a massive diamond ring in a photo she shared on Mother's Day posing alongside Simon and her ex, Dennis McKinley, who she shares two-year-old daughter Pilar Fans then noticed the Bravo star wearing a massive diamond ring in a photo she shared posing alongside Simon and her ex, Dennis McKinley, who she shares two-year-old daughter Pilar. 'Dennis and myself and Simon my fiance were sitting there, and it was such a magical moment of just being grown adults and being mature and wanting to do the best thing,' she recalled on Dish Nation. 'I was like, "Let's seal this moment with a picture and we posted it." And then I woke up and I was like, "What's happening? Why is everybody going crazy?"' 'We are crazy in love,' Porsha said of Simon, when confirming their relationship on social media. 'I know it's fast but we are living life each day to its fullest. I choose happiness every morning and every night. 'For all of you that need facts, I get the optics but Simon filed for divorce from a previous marriage in January. I had nothing to do with their divorce filing. That's between the two of them.' Porsha told her 6.4 million followers last month 'We are crazy in love,' Porsha said of Simon, when confirming their relationship on social media. 'I know it's fast but we are living life each day to its fullest. I choose happiness every morning and every night. Tuning out all negative energy and only focused on positive wishes. He makes me so happy and to me, that is what matters most.' She later explained that she and Falynn were not friends and that Simon and Falynn separated earlier in the year. 'For all of you that need facts, I get the optics but Simon filed for divorce from a previous marriage in January. I had nothing to do with their divorce filing. That's between the two of them.' she told her 6.4 million followers. 'Falynn and I are not friends, and Simon's divorce has been settled. Our relationship is a positive, loving step forward in everybodys lives.' Rachel Brosnahan slipped into a head-to-toe burgundy ensemble for another day on the set of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in New York City. The leading lady of the hit Amazon Prime show, 30, was seen strutting through Greenwich Village looking radiant, before filming scenes with co-star Michael Zegen. The cast and crew have been glimpsed shooting season four both upstate and in the city for the last few months, but no release date has been revealed yet. Set life: Rachel Brosnahan, 30, slips into a bold head-to-toe burgundy ensemble while filming The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in Greenwich Village Retro fashion: For another day on set as show lead Miriam 'Midge' Maisel, Rachel sported another elegant fifties outfit For another day on set as show lead Miriam 'Midge' Maisel, Rachel sported another elegant fifties outfit. She put her figure on display in a structured burgundy top with a matching pencil skirt, throwing a tweed coat with leather trimming over the look. Sticking with the expertly curated monochrome look she donned red heels with button detailing on the toe and a checkered pillbox hat. Rachel held an elegant purse as she was seen removing a wallet for one scene, before filming a few action shots around the city. Walk and talk: The shoot featured a few walking scenes as Rachel made her way near extras in full wardrobe On-screen interest: In other scenes she was glimpsed with Zegen who plays her husband Joel, who was dressed in a full navy suit with a black dress shirt Private street: The cast was surrounded by production crew who roped off special areas for unfettered filming In other scenes she was glimpsed with Zegen who plays her husband Joel, who was dressed in a full navy suit with a black dress shirt. He smoked a cigarette on camera in a few shots before the pair later posed for a few photos against a red wall decorated with flyers. She was seen giving her feet a rest in between takes as she traded her heels for a pair of slip on sneakers. The actors were surrounded by a bevy of production personnel who were seen providing touch ups and securing the shooting areas with equipment. Details: The monochrome look also featured a matching red manicure and decorative earrings Posed shots: The on-screen couple was seen posing by a brick wall that was decorated with flyers Covid-19 protocol: The show continues to shoot with strict COVID-19 protocol. Rachel has been seen with a HEPA-filter umbrella which she loving dubbed 'Cobrella' Other extras in timely wardrobe were also seen milling about in the background in order to fully transport viewers back in time. And before getting into costume, she was seen in street clothes as she strolled in a black and white jumpsuit with a black T-shirt and baseball cap. She was seen having some pre-scene chats with her costars and even bent down to pet a very excited dog, while holding a coffee. This season will continue to follow Midge as she pursues her comedic dreams with help from Alex Borstein who plays her talent agent and confidant Susie. Pre-shoot: Before getting into costume, she was seen in street clothes as she strolled in a black and white jumpsuit with a black T-shirt and baseball cap Puppy love: She showed off her animal-loving side as she bent down to pet a very excited dog on the street Both actresses have received praise and accolades for their on-screen roles, with Rachel snagging an Emmy, a Golden Globe and two Screen Actors Guild awards. The show continues to shoot with strict COVID-19 protocol, and Rachel has been seen with a HEPA-filter umbrella which she's lovingly dubbed 'Cobrella.' 'We're also all tested every day and have a multitude of other measures in place to keep everyone safe. So, while certain things take more time than they used to and we miss hugs, we're all incredibly grateful to be back at work and especially in a workplace that has prioritized our well-being,' the Milwaukee native told The Hollywood Reporter. Bhartiya Janata Party leader and municipal corporator Rakesh Pandita was shot at by three militants in the Tral area of South Kashmir's Pulwama district on June 2 evening. He succumbed to injuries in the hospital within hours of the attack. Another woman, daughter of his friend with whom he had gone to the Tral town, also received bullet injuries and is currently hospitalised. The attack marked the third killing of a councillor in Kashmir in 2021. On March 30, militants had stormed the office of the Sopore Municipal Council and killed two BJP councillors and a policeman. In 2020, five BJP leaders were killed in a series of targeted killings. Among all such incidents, however, the police reaction to Pandita's killing sounds ridiculous. The police statement seems to put the blame of security lapse on the deceased. Bhartiya Janata Party leader and municipal corporator Rakesh Pandita, who was shot at by three militants in the Tral area of South Kashmir's Pulwama district on June 2 evening. In a statement, Jammu & Kashmir Police said that the deceased was a protected person, and two PSOs were deployed for his security. "He was also given secured accommodation in Srinagar. However, at the time of the incident, he was without any security as he defied the SOPs and went to his native village without PSOs," the police said. Rakesh was a councillor from same Tral and so there are logical questions. If a democratically elected representative is not supposed to be safe in his own constituency, or needs police permission to visit his people, what will be the fate of democracy - that too, in the world's largest democracy? And, why a secure accommodation for him in Srinagar, which is some 44 kilometres away from his constituency? What if he was intercepted by militants during travel? Could two cops have been enough to save him from three militants, who actually attacked him in Tral? These are common-sense queries. This was the third civilian killing in South Kashmir in less than a week. On May 29, militants killed two civilians in the Jablipora area of Bijbehara. While mainstream politicians including former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir have condemned Pandita's killing, the BJP has called it a security lapse. "It is a security lapse. Were security agencies not aware that three unidentified militants were roaming in the area? Is this not a security lapse? We agree with the fact that our leader had not taken PSOs along with him," BJP General Secretary, Ashok Koul, told reporters. Ironically, killing of BJP leaders due to an apparent lapse on the part of the authorities is taking place when the BJP is the party in power at the Centre. In May 2019, BJP's district Vice-President for Anantnag, Gul Muhammad Mir AKA Atal Ji, was shot dead by militants in the Verinag area of South Kashmir. Back then, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur alleged that Mir's security was "recently withdrawn" and the matter was taken up with the government, but that no action was taken. Actually, in February that year, the Security Review Coordination Committee (SRCC), which looks into such issues, held its meeting. But, in an unconventional move, instead of a senior police official assigned the job, the meeting was reportedly chaired by the then Chief Secretary BVR Subramaniyam. The meeting reportedly ordered the withdrawal of the security of dozens of protected persons, including Mir. So, be it on the part of the civil administration or the police, there have been allegations of lapses from time to time. These lapses have gone on to claim precious human lives. The problem lies in the absence of smart policing, although in the past, Kashmir has been iconic for smart policing. As of now, the police seem to be ignoring even common sense. New Delhi needs to review its policy on Kashmir. At least with regard to the revival of smart policing something that can save human lives and also prevent the police from issuing statements which seemingly abuse the idea of democracy. Also read: Who killed Kashmiri lawyer Babar Qadri Seattle, WA (98195) Today Rain likely. High 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Cloudy with showers. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. The coronavirus pandemic has hammered Connecticuts economy in the past 15 months. But it has not severed the states longstanding ties to some of the countrys largest corporations. Fourteen of the companies in the new 2021 Fortune 500 list are headquartered in the state, one more than last year. Amid a period of unprecedented disruption and after years of weak jobs growth, the consistency shows that Connecticut has sustained its appeal as a corporate destination. That stability could also help spur an economic recovery as the state forges ahead with business re-openings. Its a positive indicator that weve maintained this number of Fortune 500 companies, Chris DiPentima, CEO and president of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, said in an interview. Its a sign that the larger companies do see positive things in Connecticut like a great workforce, a great education system for their families and a great location. Fortune 500 firms across the state Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media The 14 Connecticut-based Fortune 500 members provide an important snapshot of the states economy encompassing many of its cornerstone industries such as financial services, insurance, information technology and manufacturing. They cumulatively account for thousands of jobs across the state and many millions of dollars annually in local and state tax revenues. Together, they comprise about 3 percent of the Fortune 500 membership. In comparison, Connecticut accounts for 1 percent of the U.S. population. As a host city, Norwalk leads the state with four Fortune 500 organizations: No. 424-ranked travel-services provider Booking Holdings; No. 344-ranked Emcor Group, which focuses on construction and infrastructure services; No. 402-ranked telecommunications provider Frontier Communications and No. 415-ranked IT firm Xerox Holdings. We are so very proud to be the home of four Fortune 500 companies. It reflects well on our city and validates we are a great place to live, work and play, said Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling. We have long realized that Norwalk not only has a great geographical location, but we also have a diverse and extremely talented workforce. Three Fortune 500 members are headquartered in Stamford: No. 64-ranked telecommunications firm Charter Communications; No. 187-ranked Synchrony, the countrys largest private-label credit card provider; and No. 352-ranked United Rentals, the worlds largest equipment-rental company. We are fortunate to have great companies like Charter, Synchrony and United Rentals headquartered in Stamford, providing thousands of jobs for our residents and revenue for our city and state, said state Rep. Caroline Simmons, D-Stamford, co-chairwoman of the state legislatures Commerce Committee. She is running for the Democratic nomination for mayor in this years municipal election. Stamford Mayor David Martin, a Democrat running for a third term, cited Charters contributions to the citys cluster of digital media companies. We have made Stamford a wonderful city for businesses and more are coming. We are attracting a diverse mix, both large and small, of companies in several important business clusters, Martin said. A strong critical mass in a business cluster attracts more similar businesses to Stamford and results in better job opportunities for our residents. Bobby Valentine, the former New York Mets manager who is running as an unaffiliated mayoral candidate, cited Fortune 500 companies contributions to local employment levels and community partnerships. The companies help bring new and exciting residents to Stamford and provide such value that I think its worth taking a look at why they choose to be here and why some leave. We should include in that examination Stamfords small businesses, Valentine said. We also have to ensure that large companies adequately contribute to the costs of added infrastructure stresses, including road repairs, refuse disposal and water and sewer systems. Greenwich is home to No. 190-ranked transportation-and-logistics provider XPO Logistics and No. 372-ranked insurer W.R. Berkley. No other city or town in the state has more than one Fortune 500 headquarters. None of this years Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Bridgeport or New Haven, which were the states two most-populous cities, according to the most recently available Census Bureau data, from 2019. Messages left for Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker were not immediately returned. Many changes Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media In the wake of its 2008-2010 recession, Connecticut has struggled in the past decade to recover. By January 2020, it had recouped only 83 percent of the jobs lost in the previous downturn. More Information The following 14 Connecticut-headquartered companies made the 2021 Fortune 500 list. Companies are ranked based on their revenues in the past fiscal year. No. 13: Cigna; $160,401 (annual revenues in millions); Bloomfield (headquarters location) No. 64: Charter Communications; $48,097; Stamford No. 142: Hartford Financial Services Group (The Hartford); $20,523; Hartford No. 187: Synchrony; $16,472; Stamford No. 190: XPO Logistics; $16,252; Greenwich No. 209: Stanley Black & Decker; $14,535; New Britain No. 236: Otis Worldwide; $12,756; Farmington No. 344: Emcor Group; $8,797; Norwalk No. 349: Amphenol, $8,599; Wallingford No. 352: United Rentals; $8,530; Stamford No. 372: W.R. Berkley; $8,099; Greenwich No. 402: Frontier Communications; $7,155; Norwalk No. 415: Xerox Holdings; $7,022; Norwalk No. 424: Booking Holdings; $6,796; Norwalk Source: Fortune See More Collapse Despite the underwhelming recovery, Connecticuts largest companies have mostly kept faith in their home state. This year, Connecticut has as many Fortune 500 headquarters as it did in 2012: Seven of those 2012 entries made the list again this year and still have their main offices in the state: insurer Cigna, Emcor, Frontier, insurer The Hartford, tools manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker, W.R. Berkley and Xerox. But there was a conspicuous departure: In 2016, General Electric relocated its headquarters from Fairfield to Boston. That year, GE ranked No. 11 in the Fortune 500. While the loss of GE dented the states reputation as a corporate hub, Connecticut has largely offset the economic damage of that exit through the growth in recent years of companies such as Charter and Synchrony which was spun off from GE in 2014 as well as others such as XPO, Booking, United Rentals and electronics manufacturer Amphenol. I think that flat trend line in the number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Connecticut can be viewed as a good thing, DiPentima said. The state has had a really tough 10 years since that 2008-2010 recession and really lagged the country in a lot of economic indicators. Yet we were fortunate enough to hold on to most of our bigger companies. Mergers and acquisitions have also shaped the composition of Connecticuts Fortune 500 lineup. Hartford-based insurer Aetna was acquired in 2018 by Woonsocket, R.I.-based CVS Health. Stamford-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide was bought in 2016 by Bethesda, Md.-based Marriott International. Danbury-based industrial-gas firm Praxair merged in 2018 with Linde, which is now headquartered in Guildford, England. Farmington-based industrial giant United Technologies merged last year with the Waltham, Mass.-based Raytheon, with Waltham serving as the headquarters for the combined company. But those companies in-state influence has hardly dissipated. The Farmington-based elevator-and-escalator firm Otis Worldwide, ranked No. 236 on this years list, was spun off last year from United Technologies. The other Connecticut-based Fortune 500 members from 2012, shipping-and-mailing specialist Pitney Bowes and Terex, a manufacturer of lifting and material-processing products, are still based in the state. Their main offices are, respectively, in Stamford and Norwalk. Pitneys and Terexs revenues were not large enough to make this years top 500, but they, respectively, ranked No. 664 and No. 735 on the broader Fortune 1,000 list. Looking ahead Danny Johnston / AP Given that Connecticuts representation in the Fortune 500 held steady in the first year of the pandemic, the size of the contingent probably will not change dramatically next year. As Connecticut pushes ahead with its economic re-opening, many elected officials and executives are bullish about its ability to recruit and retain major companies. In Stamford, Charter Communications has signaled its commitment by building a new headquarters, next to the downtown Metro-North Railroad station. Earlier this spring, however, the state faced the prospect of losing of one of its Fortune 500 headquarters when The Hartford received several acquisition bids from another insurer, Chubb. The Hartford rejected all of those offers, prompting Chubb in late April to call off its pursuit. Chubbs failed acquisition relieved many elected officials, who were concerned that a takeover might have led to job cuts. The No. 142-ranked The Hartford employs about 6,100 statewide. It is one of our flagship corporations, and it employs an awful lot of folks, state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, co-chairman of the state legislatures Insurance and Real Estate Committee, said in a recent interview. It would be hard to overstate its significance to our regional economy. At the same time, Connecticut is well-positioned to potentially recruit big companies from neighboring states, according to DiPentima. If were able to hold the line on taxes this year, with New York and potentially Massachusetts increasing their tax structure, it just makes us more competitive, DiPentima said. We see it as a huge opportunity not only to get residents into Connecticut but to also get businesses into Connecticut and certainly get some more Fortune 500 businesses into Connecticut. pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott NEW BRITAIN Police have arrested the uncle of a 4-year-old boy who went missing earlier this week, which prompted an Amber Alert, and charge that he left the boy in the care of a woman who took him along to get high with her husband. Mario Jenkins, 31, of Derby Street, New Britain, is charged with risk of injury to a child, according to an application for an arrest warrant filed by New Britain police. Online court records show he has pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was released on $50,000 bond. Jenkins is being represented by the public defenders office. Around 6:07 p.m. Tuesday, New Britain police received a report of a kidnapping from Middletown police that took place in New Britain, according to the warrant. The victims mother told Middletown police she had left her autistic son with Jenkins at his home Saturday. Around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, she received a call from Jenkins, who told her the boy was missing, along with a Chevrolet Malibu. The warrant does not identify the boy or his mother, referring to him only as victim in the affidavit. Jenkins told the mother his friend Stephanie Fonda had come by and asked to borrow the Malibu, according to the warrant. He told the mother he refused, but then fell asleep and woke up to find the car and boy missing, court documents said. Stephanie Fondas husband, David Fonda, later texted Jenkins to tell him the car had broken down, but the boy was fine, and not to call police on her, the warrant said. At that point, the mother contacted Middletown police who issued an Amber Alert, according to the warrant. When police contacted Jenkins, he asked police canvassing the area to leave his home. Jenkins had an active warrant for drug charges out of Middletown probation, the warrant stated. Police later arrested the couple after locating them at the 5th Avenue Motel in Wethersfield. During an interview with New Britain police, Stephanie Fonda told officers Jenkins had asked her to babysit the boy and take the Malibu, according to the warrant. She told police she was supposed to pick up Jenkins from work but ran into some trouble, it said. Stephanie Fonda told police that, while she had the boy, she picked up her husband from a hospital emergency room, after he had escaped a halfway house, the warrant stated. The two then went to Hartford where they bought drugs and got high before the car ran out of gas, court documents show. The warrant also notes that in a written statement to Rocky Hill police, Stephanie Fonda admitted to going to the motel, where the couple bought drugs and went inside to nap, bringing the child with them. David Fonda told police he and Stephanie got stuck while high on cocaine, according to court documents, and became scared and paranoid. He told police the couple kept driving around with the boy in the car while getting high, something he described it as a cycle, the warrant said. Video surveillance of Jenkins driveway also showed him handing off the boy to Stephanie Fonda, authorities said. During an interview with police, Jenkins allegedly later admitted he had asked Stephanie Fonda to babysit the boy and allowed her to use the Chevy. After she failed to pick him up at work, Jenkins told police he got a ride home from a family member, and then fell asleep after trying to contact the couple, according to the warrant. M. Jenkins stated he never told anyone else about victim being unaccounted for and under the care of Stephanie Fonda, who is a known drug addict, the warrant states. Police took Jenkins into custody on an unrelated warrant Wednesday. Stephanie and David Fonda were both arrested Tuesday night after they were located. David Fonda, 37, was charged with risk of injury to a child and reckless endangerment. He was given a July 14 court date. Stephanie Fonda, 39, was arrested on a previous warrant charging her with third-degree identity theft, sixth-degree larceny, and credit card theft for an incident last December in Rocky Hill. She has a June 28 court date. Jenkins is due back in court on June 29, according to court records. BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) A U.S. judge has rejected the Biden administration's attempt to delay a lawsuit from several states and environmentalists who are seeking to end lease sales for coal mining on federal lands. The coal leasing program was temporarily shut down under President Barack Obama because of concerns about climate change, and then revived by the Trump administration. There have been few sales in the years since because the use of coal has plummeted as utilities turn to cleaner-burning fuels. Environmentalists want to shut down the program permanently and have been frustrated by the Biden administration's attempts to delay a legal challenge pending before U.S. District Brian Morris in Montana. Morris issued an order late Thursday denying the administration's attempt to delay the case for another three months, after already being granted a two-month extension in March. Morris said lease applications are pending for thousands of acres of land holding at least 1 billion tons of coal, and the plaintiffs in the case face potential damage if their challenge to the program is stalled by the administration. Growing concerns over climate change have put a spotlight on the once-obscure coal leasing program, which has gone largely unchanged and not been through a major environmental review since 1979. Companies have mined about 4 billion tons of coal from federal reserves in the past decade. The program brought in more than $500 million for federal and state coffers through royalties and other payments in 2019, the most recent data available. California, New Mexico, Washington state and New York sued after then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke revived coal lease sales in 2017. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe joined by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups also filed a legal challenge, while state officials from Wyoming and Montana have argued against reviving the moratorium. In April, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland canceled Zinke's order. But officials said that did not automatically reinstate the coal moratorium and Haaland said her agency needed to further review the issue. Attorneys for the tribe and environmental groups said in court documents that the Haaland order was not enough, and asked Morris to intervene so that a moratorium on coal sales is restored. Although the Biden administration has identified the critical need to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, Federal Defendants have not yet signaled any change from the prior administrations coal-leasing policy that is a major source of such emissions, wrote Earthjustice attorney Jenny Harbine, who represents environmental groups and the Northern Cheyenne. In 2017 and 2018, the government sold leases for 134 million tons of coal on public land in six states, according to figures provided by the Interior Department. Thats a relatively small amount compared with previous years, for example 2011 and 2012, when more than 2 billion tons were sold in Wyoming alone. Mining companies extracted almost 250 million tons from federal lands in 2020, according to the U.S. Office of Natural Resource Revenue. That's down almost 50 percent since 2011. NAPERVILLE, Ill. (AP) A 76-year-old Minnesota man has been arrested in the stabbing death of a 15-year-old suburban Chicago girl nearly half a century ago, authorities said Friday. The Naperville Police Department arrested Barry Lee Whelpley of Mounds View, Minnesota, on Wednesday for the 1972 slaying of Julie Ann Hanson. The retired welder, who was 27 at the time of the killing, has been charged with murder and was taken into custody in Minnesota. At a court hearing Friday, Whelpley waived extradition to Illinois and is expected to return to the state in the next few days, Naperville Police Chief Robert Marshall said. It wasn't clear whether he has an attorney. The girl was reported missing July 8, 1972, after last being seen riding away from her home on a bicycle. Her body was discovered later that day in a field in Naperville. She had been stabbed 36 times and sexually assaulted, investigators said at the time. No suspects were immediately identified and Marshall said through the years those suspects who were identified were all eliminated through the exhaustive investigation of our detectives. He said Whelpley was never considered a suspect and was never interviewed by police. He said over the years, it was a standard practice for officers newly assigned to the detective bureau including him to start investigating the case. Until houses were built in the remote area where the body was found, police would go there on the anniversary of her death in the hopes that her killer might show up, he said. They did the same thing for years at the girl's gravesite, in the hopes that the killer might start feeling remorse and show up, Marshall said. The breakthrough in the case came through technological advancements in DNA and genetic genealogy analysis, police said. From that came the scientific evidence that pointed to Whelpley, a 1964 graduate of Naperville High School who lived about a mile from the girl's house at the time of the killing. This horrific crime has haunted this family, this community and this department for 49 years, Marshall said. The investigation and resulting charges were truly a team effort that spanned decades, and I could not be more proud of the determination and resourcefulness of our investigators, both past and present, who never gave up on Julie. Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said that detectives, who continued to work the case through the years, stayed in touch with the girl's family. Finally, they were able to give them what they've been hoping for all these years, he said. And at a the news conference, Marshall read a statement in which the family expressed its gratitude. As you might assume, it has been a long journey for our family," the statement read. "We are forever grateful to all those who have worked on this case throughout the many years." AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas GOP Chairman Allen West said Friday he is stepping down after a short but combative run of using the job to antagonize top Republicans in America's biggest red state, including protesting outside Gov. Greg Abbott's mansion. The decision intensified speculation that West, a firebrand who served one term in the U.S. House after coming up during the tea party movement in 2010, may pursue statewide office in Texas. He was coy about his future plans but acknowledged he is considering a run, although he did not say for which office. We will let you know when we want you to know," West told reporters in the East Texas town of Whitehouse, where he laid into the GOP-controlled Legislature for not passing enough conservative measures, including voting restrictions that Democrats blocked in a walkout. Abbott, who is running for a third term in 2022, was endorsed earlier this week by former President Donald Trump. West's departure ends a turbulent 11 months as an activist chairman who eschewed the job's usual role of promoting party unity and instead used the platform to pressure and criticize Abbott and other top Republican leaders. That included protesting last fall outside Abbott's mansion over coronavirus restrictions. Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, West spoke at an event in Dallas that was organized by adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory. When West took over as party chairman last summer he changed the party slogan to We Are the Storm" which is associated with the conspiracy but has denied that it is related to QAnon. West has also called the new Republican speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Dade Phelan, a traitor" for working with Democrats and accused GOP lawmakers of trying to purposefully derail looser gun laws that ultimately passed. West's resignation was a relief to longtime Texas GOP officials and operatives. Matt Mackowiak, a Republican strategist in Austin and chairman of the Travis County GOP where the state party offices are based, said West had decimated" field efforts at a time when Democrats are gaining ground in Texas and had let voter registration efforts slide. Allen West has always been all about himself, leaving disaster in his wake," Mackowiak tweeted. West was elected as a Florida congressman in 2010 and later moved to Texas after serving one term. He won the leadership post in Texas during a virtual convention last summer that was wracked by delays and technical problems after an in-person gathering in Houston was canceled due to the coronavirus. At least one statewide office in Texas is opening up in 2022: The General Land Office is currently run by Republican George P. Bush, who announced this week he is running for attorney general against embattled incumbent Ken Paxton. Sterling, VA (20165) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 84F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. More than a week after the General Assembly passed a scaled back version of a bill that would wipe out criminal convictions, including some felonies, Gov. Ned Lamont still has not publicly committed to signing the measure and now says he has concerns. The governor favored a more moderate proposal that would have cleared records of people convicted of low-level misdemeanors. Among the issues hes now weighing: Someone who illegally possessed a firearm, a Class D felony, could be eligible to have that record exunged after 10 years and could then apply for a gun permit. Thats true even if the possession happened on school grounds, in some cases a point lawmakers debated hotly and at length. Asked whether that scenario concerned him, Lamont replied, a little bit. The governor, who made that comment Wednesday, would not say whether he planned to veto or sign the measure, noting his staff is still reviewing the bill, which had not yet made it to his desk. If Lamont signs it, the bill will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023. Under the so-called clean slate legislation, people convicted of misdemeanors and less serious class D and class E felonies would have the charges expunged from their records after seven or 10 years from the time of conviction, depending on the charge, if they didnt commit any other crimes, even minor ones, during that time period. The bill does not include convictions involving the use of a firearm only illegal possession nor, for the most part, crimes involving children and other vulnerable victims. The bill is seen by its Democratic Party supporters as a crucial part of the sweeping move toward equity, especially racial equity, as supporters say people of color have fallen under much stricter criminal enforcement for decades. Lamont could conceivably sign the bill and immediately seek changes to it, though the 2021 session ends Wednesday night. He did not discuss that possibility. Republicans took issue with many of the crimes included for expungement, including illegal possession of a firearm, which could apply to a student who brought a gun to school Critics of the bill also expressed concerns about certain hate crimes being included in the bill. Lamont has not addressed that question although just this week he moved to strengthen hate-crime prevention. On the possession charge, Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, speaking on the House floor last week, offered the example of a high school student who brought a gun to school once, got caught, and was arrested. Should they pay the price for that? For bringing a firearm to school to show a friend. Yeah, absolutely. They absolutely should. That is a very, very, very serious thing, Stafstrom said, adding that hes been one of major advocates for sensible gun reform in the state legislature. But if that high-school student doesnt commit another crime in the next ten years, Stafstrom said, they should have the conviction behind them so they can move forward with gainful employment. At the 10-year mark, would that person, who would otherwise be a convicted felon ineligible to own a firearm, be able to apply for a pistol permit, carry a pistol and perhaps have the potential to commit the same crime again? Rep. William Petit, R-Plainville, asked during the House debate. He posed the question to Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee and one of authors of the amendment to strip the possession conviction from the list of crimes eligible for conviction. They would, Fishbein said. In fact, in addition to the pistol permit, they would be able to apply for an eligibility certificate for a handgun, a long gun or anything like that. While the person would be eligible to apply for a pistol permit starting 10 years after their conviction, that doesnt necessarily mean they will be approved, Stafstrom said, adding the person would have to pass a background check and suitability review, and only after maintaining a pristine record for a decade. It remains to be seen whether those checks and balances are enough for Lamont, who campaigned on Connecticut remaining a leader in gun reform and who has signed several measures that tighten gun control, including Ethans Law, which mandates firearms are safely stored in households where children are present. That legislation also expands firearm safety programs through 12th grade, as opposed to grades kindergarten through eight. The governor said that while he strongly believes in second chances if youve committed your crime, youve served your time, youve got good behavior, thats not a lifetime sentence the goal is to strike the right balance. julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Obituaries will be accepted only from funeral homes, or from an individual only when legal documentation is presented at our office, of that individual's executor status over the estate of the deceased. Obituaries must be received with prepayment before 4 p.m. for publication the following day. On holidays, obituaries must be received with prepayment before noon for publication the following day. If you have questions, please call (256)-260-2524 Bengaluru: The lockdown slated to end on June 7 was extended till June 14 in Karnataka as Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday announced a Rs 500 crore second relief package. The relief was meant for sections which were left out in the previous package of Rs 1,250 crore. "We had earlier announced stringent restrictions from May 24 to June 7 to contain the spread of Coronavirus, Though the infections have reduced, the spread of the disease is still on," Yediyurappa said. The decision to extend the restrictions by a week was taken following the recommendation of experts, he said. The lockdown-like restrictions have been in effect since April 27. From May 10, the Chief Minister announced a lockdown till May 24 morning. However, it was further extended till June 7. The second COVID relief package of Rs 500 crore would encompass teachers, 'ASHA' and Anganwadi workers, fishermen, workers in film industry, temple priests, Muezzins in mosques and powerloom workers. The relief package would benefit over 62.50 lakh people, the Chief Minister said. According to Yediyurappa, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for purchasing milk to sustain those who are in the dairy business and have been hit by decrease in the demand. The milk would be processed into milk powder and half kilogram of it would be supplied to each school child along with their regular foodkit in June and July. Teachers working in unaided private schools would get Rs 5,000 each, which would cost the state exchequer Rs 100 crore. A sum of Rs 35 crore has been reserved for 59,000 powerloom workers who would get Rs 3,000 each, the Chief Minister said. He added that each of the 22,000 unorganised workers in film industry and television medium would get Rs 3,000 for whom Rs 6.6 crore has been earmarked. Temple priests serving in the 'C' category of temples under the Muzrai department, Imams and Muezzins in mosques and ASHA workers would also get Rs 3,000 each, Yediyurappa said. He said Rs 24.7 crore has been earmarked for Anganwadi workers who would get Rs 2,000 each. The government also exempted the medium, small and micro enterprises from the fixed electricity charge which would cost Rs 114.7 crore to the government. BJP Karnataka unit chief and Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel welcomed the second package announced by the Chief Minister. To a query, the Chief Minister said already the disbursement of relief packages to various sections, as announced earlier, is on. "Almost 70 per cent of people have started receiving the benefits of the previous package. Within two days, we will start disbursing the second relief package to the beneficiaries.We will make a sincere effort to give the benefits to people within a week," Yediyurappa told reporters. The state has identified seven lakh people in high risk groups for vaccination and it is being ensured that these groups are vaccinated at the earliest. Representational image/AFP Hyderabad: Students planning to go abroad for studies can get vaccinated against Covid-19 at the Institute of Preventive Medicine at Narayanguda, Director of Health Services Dr G Srinivasa Rao announced on Thursday. While the vaccination will begin on Saturday, a link for booking online slots by such students will be available at https://www.health.telangana.gov.in from Friday. Dr Rao said the lockdown has brought Covid-19 cases down but there are still some districts where the fresh infections were high and continuing. These hotspots of Covid-19 infection in rural areas will be visited by health officials to understand the reasons for the continued spread of the disease. He said some of the areas of concern were Sathupalli and Madhira in Khammam, Huzurnagar and Kodad in Suryapet, Alampur in Jogulamba Gadwal, Haliya in Nalgonda and Makthal in Mahbubnagar districts. Strict measures to contain the spread of the disease will be enforced in such areas and people have to exercise utmost caution, Dr Srinivas Rao said, addressing a press conference. He said that it has also been noted that children in several districts are suffering from multisystem inflammatory syndrome, and many of them are now being brought to the city with complaints of recurrent fever. Dr K. Ramesh Reddy, Director of Medical Education said these cases are also a cause for concern and early treatment will help in faster recovery. The state, Dr Rao said, has identified seven lakh people in high risk groups for vaccination and it is being ensured that these groups are vaccinated at the earliest. Frontline workers in municipal corporations who have not been vaccinated are also in the priority groups and steps are being taken to vaccinate all of them, he said. Dr Rao said, "A special team has been formed to look into the complaints of the patients with excess billing. This team will work to get refunds to the patients from the erring hospitals. This team will also look into the aspect of renewing licenses where hospitals must have their own oxygen plants. In all, 14 new RT-PCR testing labs will begin functioning in different districts from June 10 to improve the testing. In addition, mobile testing vans were also being used to cover populations in interior areas, the officials said. New Delhi: As the coronavirus tears through India, night watchman Sagar Kumar thinks constantly about getting vaccines for himself and his family of five amid critical shortages of shots in the country. But even if he knew how to get one, it wouldnt be easy. The main way is to register through a government website. But it is in English a language the 25-year-old Kumar and nearly 90% of Indians cant speak, read or write and his family has a single smartphone, with spotty internet service. And even though his state of Uttar Pradesh gives free shots to those under 45, there is no vaccination site in his village, with the nearest hospital an hour away. All I can do now is hope for the best, Kumar said. The pandemics disparities already were stark in India, where access to health care is as stratified and unequal as many other parts of society. Now wealth and technology is further widening those chasms, and millions are falling through the gaps. That worries health experts, who say vaccine inequality could hamper Indias already difficult fight against a virus that has been killing more than 4,000 people a day in recent weeks. Inequitable vaccination risks prolonging the pandemic in India, said Krishna Udayakumar, founding director of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University in North Carolina. Reducing barriers for the most vulnerable populations should be a priority. Indias vaccination campaign began in January with a goal of inoculating 300 million of its nearly 1.4 billion people by August. So far, however, it has fully vaccinated a little over 42 million people, or barely 3% of its population. The government didnt reserve enough shots for the campaign and it was slow to scale up vaccine production. Then, with the country recording hundreds of thousands of new infections daily, the government on May 1 opened up vaccination to all adults. That made an already bad shortage even worse. Amid those challenges, the federal government also changed its policy on who can get vaccines and who must pay for them. It allotted itself half of the shots in the country and said it would give free shots to front-line workers and those 45 and older. Individual states and private hospitals could then negotiate deals with the countrys vaccine-makers for the other half of the shots, the government said. That effectively put the burden for inoculating everyone under 45 on states and the private sector, who often ask members of the public to pay as much as $20 for a shot. The disparities already are showing in rich states where private hospitals tend to be concentrated. The capital of New Delhi has given first shots to 20% of its residents, while Bihar state, one of the poorest, has only given shots to about 7.6% of its population. And even states that are providing free shots often cant keep them in stock both because of the shortage and competition with the private sector. Many experts say the federal policy is a mistake, and it will hit the poorest the hardest. Vaccinating people is the national duty of the government and they need to vaccinate everyone for free, said K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India. Nobody should be denied a vaccine because they are unable to afford it or register for it. Vaccine disparity is not just a question of inequality but also inefficiency, said developmental economist Jean Dreze. If people get sick, Dreze said, they will not be able to work. That in turn could push many more into poverty. Already, the poor have to miss work, forgo the days wages and travel long distances to get vaccinated. We should not just make vaccines free but also give people incentives to get vaccinated, Dreze said. The national government is seeking to address some of the concerns. It has said the website to register for shots will soon be available in Hindi and other regional languages. Still, experts point out half the population lacks internet access, so the better solution would be easier, walk-in registrations for all. The government also has said it will alleviate the vaccine shortages, insisting there will be about 2 billion doses available between June and December. Experts, however, say the government will likely miss that goal. Indias health ministry did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Kavita Singh, 29, was making the equivalent of $250 a month working as a domestic helper in a wealthy part of the capital. But as cases began to surge in April, she lost her job. They were scared I would spread the virus and told me to come back only after I am vaccinated, Singh said. She could not afford paying for a shot, so Singh and her three daughters returned to her village in Bihar state. Theres no vaccination center nearby, and Singh said she doesnt know if shell ever be able to return to New Delhi. We barely manage to earn enough for our daily means, Singh said. If we use that money for vaccines, then what will we eat? Released: June 4, 2021 Mobile Vaccination Team Continues to Visit Municipalities throughout the County Delaware County Council and the Delaware County COVID-19 Task Forces Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Program is continuing its successful run through municipalities throughout the County, holding small community vaccination clinics at parks, libraries, fire stations, community centers, and municipal buildings. To-date, the program has held clinics at 27 locations, at municipality-selected sites convenient to residents with easy parking and/or pedestrian access. The programs fourth week will offer clinics in Bethel, Concord, Chadds Ford, Chester Heights, Edgmont, Media, Middletown Township, Newtown Township, and Thornbury. The COVID-19 Task Force will visit each of the 49 municipalities in the Countyand may visit select municipalities multiple times if representatives from these communities believe that additional clinics would be beneficial. Pop-Up Clinics are typically held in the morning from 9 a.m. 11:30 a.m. or in the afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. All vaccinations are free. No identification, health insurance, or appointments are required. Residents will be offered a choice of either the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or the two-dose Moderna vaccine. Second doses for those who prefer the Moderna vaccine will be scheduled for the same community approximately five weeks after the first dose, within the 28- to 42-day window recommended by the CDC. The Pfizer vaccine will not be provided as part of this program; therefore, vaccinations are only offered to adults ages 18 and over. The schedule for the Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic locations is available on the Delaware County website at delcopa.gov/pop-ups. The website also provides additional information about COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, assistance programs, and general guidance. Does this story bring some value to you? Please consider a small donation to help fund our content. We rely solely on support from our adv... Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the MHRA approval for Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to be used in 12 to 15 year olds. The decision to approve Pfizer/BioNTech to the younger age groups is a regulatory decision only and no decisions have been made on whether children under the age of 18 will be vaccinated routinely. The Minister said: The news today that Pfizer/BioNTech has been approved down to the age of 12 is welcome news and a further indicator of how vaccines are crucial in the fight against Covid-19. It is almost six months to the day since we vaccinated the first person in Northern Ireland, Nurse Joanna Sloan. In a short six months, we have delivered the vaccination programme to over a million people. "This has only been made possible by the monumental effort of the staff and volunteers delivering the programme and I thank each and every one. We should never underestimate what we can achieve if we work together. The current JCVI guidelines has approved the vaccine for routine use in those aged 18 and over, as well as individuals aged 16 or 17 years with some underlying health conditions. Any decision on vaccinating children will be informed by advice from JCVI and other experts. Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, also welcomed the news. He said: Our vaccination programme is now open to those aged 18 and over and there is no doubt it is improving life as we know it. The news that Pfizer BioNTech has been given regulatory approval down to 12 is very welcome. Summer is here and we are all feeling a greater sense of freedom. "As the vaccination programme progresses we can all help by continuing with the small changes to our behaviour that are having a positive impact on the infection rates. "Always remember to wear your face covering where recommended, keep your distance, spend more time outside, ensure good ventilation when indoors and wash your hands well and often. "These simple measures will keep us and those around us safe while the vaccination programme continues to roll out in the coming months. Please take up the offer of the vaccine and remember your second dose is really important to protect you and others. 8 Times Rajkummar Rao Convinced Us That He's One Of Bollywood's Best Bets Known to be a director's actor, Rajkummar Rao has his own unique ways to give life to any character he portrays. Currently garnering praise for his brilliant performance in the comedy thriller Roohi, Rao's journey looks straight out of a Bollywood movie. Known to be extremely versatile and talented, Rajkummar has given some wonderfully path-breaking performances in his incredible journey of eleven years. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RajKummar Rao (@rajkummar_rao) After making a smashing debut with Dibakar Banerjee's Love Sex Aur Dhokha in 2010, there has been no looking back for him. Today, celebrating the phenomenal actor that he is, we pick his 8 best films which prove that he's one of Bollywood's best bets today. 1. Love Sex Aur Dhokha: Based on the themes of love, sex and betrayal, Love Sex Aur Dhokha traced many angles including honour killings, MMS scandal and sting operations. Even though this was Rajkummar's debut film, his performance was no less than of a critically acclaimed actor. He was seen playing the character of Adarsh, a man who wants to make an MMS video to pay off loans. His performance made a lot of noise soon after the film's release. 2. Shahid: Based on the life of lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi, who was assassinated in 2010, Shahid is regarded as one of Rao's finest works till date. Interestingly, to get into the skin of his character, the actor spent a good amount of time with Shahids family. It was for this film that he won his first National Film Award. 3. Kai Po Che: A story about friendship, Kai Po Che saw Rajkummar Rao alongside Sushant Singh Rajput and Amit Sadh. Portraying the role of Govind, Rao's camaraderie with the two actors was considered to be the highpoints of the film. 4. Bareilly Ki Barfi: The Filmfare Award winning performance of the actor saw his character playing the role of Pritam Vidrohi a naive sari salesman and a rowdy man. What really won the audiences was the swiftness with which Rajkummar switched between the two avatars. It was through this film that cine-lovers saw that the actor is brilliant at both, intense as well as light-hearted roles. 5. Newton: The film featured Rajkummar portraying the role of an honest clerk who was sent on election duty and was ready to go to any length to get the work done assigned to him. Thanks to the actor's brilliant performance, Newton was Indias official entry to the Oscars. 6. Omerta: Every time Rajkummar and ace filmmaker Hansal Mehta come together for a film, they create magic and Omerta was no different. A biographical crime drama, the film stars Rajkummar as Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, a terrorist who's involved with the kidnapping of four foreign nationals in 1994. Just like his other powerful performances, in this film too the actor went all in to do justice to the role. 7. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga: A coming of age, romantic comedy drama, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga is India's first LGBTQ film. Playing the lead role in the film alongside Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Rajkummar was hailed by the audiences for playing her character with immense zeal. 8. The White Tiger: Revolving around the story of an ambitious driver of a rich Indian family, who uses his wit to escape from poverty and become an entrepreneur. Impressively, Rajkummar made a lot of noise with his powerful performance in the film and won both, the critics and the audiences worldwide. Interestingly, many fans of the actor are even shared their personal favourite sequences from the film and talked about how much they enjoyed his performance. Anubhav Sinha Comments On The Producers' Concerted Campaign Against Kartik Aaryan Calls It 'Bloody Unfair' Kartik Aaryan has been disassociated with some of the very exciting projects in his filmography recently. The actors departure from Dostana 2 first shocked everyone while later the news came that he has even backed out from Shah Rukh Khan produced Freddie. These exits also gave way to some rumors about the actor losing some other projects including one with Hansal Mehta and another with Anand L. Rai. While Kartik might not have taken it upon himself to dispel these rumours, the actor found a supporter in filmmaker Anubhav Sinha who recently spoke about it in a tweet. The filmmaker called the campaign against Kartik bloody unfair and lauded the actor for keeping quiet through it all. And by the way... when Producers drop Actors or vice versa they don't talk about it. It happens all the time. This campaign against Kartik Aaryan seems concerted to me and very bloody unfair. I respect his quiet, Anubhav wrote in his tweet. And by the way... when Producers drop Actors or vice versa they don't talk about it. It happens all the time. This campaign against Kartik Aryarn seems concerted to me and very bloody unfair. I respect his quiet. Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) June 3, 2021 Kartik had shot for nearly 20 days for Dostana 2 which also starred Janhvi Kapoor before the pandemic. The film was not able to resume work after the first lockdown which allegedly became a matter on contention between the actor and Karan Johars production company, Dharma Productions. Dostana 2 is yet to be re-cast. More recently the actor also backed out of Freddie where he was to be seen opposite Katrina Kaif but the parting reportedly was cordial. Aparshakti Khurana Announces Wife Aakritis Pregnancy With A Cute Picture And A Funny Caption Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, Amrita Rao and RJ Anmol along with many other celebrity couples welcomed a new family member into their homes in the last one year. Well, the latest star couple to join the club is actor Aparshakti Khurana and his beautiful wife Aakriti Ahuja, who are expecting their first child together. The love birds met at a dance class in Aparshaktis home town Chandigarh, became friends before falling head over heels for each other and tied the nuptial knot in 2014. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AakritiAhuja (@aakritiahuja) The Stree actor took to his official social media handle today to announce the happy news with a super cute monochrome picture, in which he is giving Aakritis baby bump a kiss while she looks down at him adoringly. Along with this gorgeous snap, Aparshakti penned a caption which will leave a big smile on your face. His message reads: #PreggerAlert (Couldnt expand work during the lockdown, so we thought well expand the family). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aparshakti Khurana (@aparshakti_khurana) On the work front, Aparshakti was last seen in Remo D'Souza's dance film Street Dancer 3D, alongside Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor. Up next, the very talented and versatile performer will star in Satram Ramanis Helmet opposite Pranutan Bahl, grand-daughter of late actress Nutan. We wish Aparshakti and Aakriti all the happiness as they gear up for this exciting new journey into parenthood! Rubina Dilaik Is Waiting For Better Days; Aly Goni Complains About Post COVID Effects One of televisions most popular and adored actresses, Rubina Dilaik recently recovered from novel coronavirus. Ever since then, she has been quite active on social media and regularly brightens up our Instagram feed as well as our day with her posts. Well, a while ago the beauty shared a series of gorgeous photographs with and without a mask, along with a caption about waiting for better days. She wrote: Eagerly waiting for those days, when I ll fly away the masks, but until then wont shy away from wearing the masks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rubina Dilaik (@rubinadilaik) Her Bigg Boss 14 buddy Aly Goni, on the other hand, took to his official handle to complain about post COVID-19 effects. The actor contracted the virus along with his girlfriend Jasmin Bhasin during their time in Jammu. The couple quarantined themselves and tested negative a week later. However, they are still on their road to recovery. Talking about the same, Aly tweeted: After covid effects are so bad laziness, body pain, headache and a lot. cant even walk more than 15mins.. please guys stay home and take care of ur self and family. After covid effects are so bad laziness, body pain, headache and a lot cant even walk more than 15mins.. please guys stay home and take care of ur self and family Aly Goni (@AlyGoni) June 3, 2021 After spending some time in Jammu with her beaus family, Jasmin returned to Mumbai to resume work whereas Aly decided to stay back. Well, a few days ago Jasmin received Aly at the Mumbai airport with a warm hug and a coffee. Prince Narula Reacts To Yuvika Chaudhary Attracting Trouble For Using Casteist Slur: 'She Accepted Her Mistake' Yuvika Chaudhary recently found herself in the middle of a controversy after her vlog on YouTube gained attention for her use of a casteist slur in it. The actress has been facing backlash on social media and despite her apology which came almost instantly after the negative comments, an F.I.R was booked against her in Haryana. Now, Yuvikas husband Prince Narula has reacted to the whole matter while interacting with the paparazzi claimed that it has been blown out of proportion. The actor had also featured in the video. "People make a big deal out of the smallest things and more important things are never addressed. There are many issues against which action should be taken and this was just one small thing. She did not even know that the word she had used had casteist connotations. We don't believe in caste. I'm a Punjabi, she is a Jat. Had it been so, we would not have gotten married. She still accepted her mistake, Prince said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) An FIR against the actress was registered by the Haryana Police in Hansi under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It was filed after a complaint was received from Dalit rights activist, Rajat Kalsan. In her apology on social media, Yuvika had written, Hi guys I didnt kw the meaning about that word wt I used in my last vlog I didnt mean to hurt anyone and I can never do that to hurt someone I apologise to each n every one I hope you understand love you all, she wrote. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. WhatsApp is the number 1 messaging app with more than two billion users from all over the world where people can connect with their friends and family, create groups, share pictures, and videos. Not only that, but WhatsApp also provides many features to businesses to build a strong connection with their customers, for instance, it rolled out a feature of online shopping, and an online payment method to increase the business activities on this platform. Now, Facebook is rolling out a new messaging reply option into the WhatsApp business API system to enhance the association between businesses and customers.WhatsApp stated that it was very difficult for enterprises to respond and make different announcements to their customers on a timely basis, but now, after the launch of the latest messaging categories, businesses can now inform their customers about the product that is available in inventory. This latest option is simple to understand by taking an example, some health organizations send health tips and advice to people on regular basis about the pandemic situation that can be very effective. These different types of messaging options can help many businesses to send updates about the availability of their stock and this can build a strong connection with customers.Facebook understands that these messages can be used as spam that can be more disturbing than random ads, Facebook values the privacy of customers, therefore, it has included a few types of messages that brands can use to target different customers. It can be very challenging for the platform to deal with such types of spam, but Facebook is trying its best to spread awareness about the features that can help not only in expanding the commercial activities on the platform, and it can also benefit the customers.This messaging app is also bringing a fast response option for many businesses to help them reply to the related messages in timely manner. This latest messaging option will provide ten different options that people can use to select a response from three options that can save time via the business API account of the app. Facebook already provided the related feature in its Messenger app. This could be the best time for many businesses to connect with more than two billion users, and the app is also creating more tools for the enhancement of businesses on this platform in India that is the biggest market with over 456 million users. Facebook has to create a balance between the privacy of users and giving an opportunity to businesses to openly use this app during their operations.Read next: Facebook Messenger May Switch Themes Depending On What Mode Your Phone Is Set On Subscriber content preview SEATTLE An iconic apartment building at 6285 Airport Way S. sold for almost $2.1 million, according to King County records. The seller was a local family group that had owned the property for decades. The family also provided a loan to the buyers, investors based in White Center. The deal was worth about $90,335 per unit. . . . Its the same Jesus, just different clothes. We wear hats, but we take them off when we pray, to be reverent. We try to reach out and make people feel comfortable. Our goal is to remove barriers that keep people from church. Joey Moody pastor, Hayseed Cowboy Church Quote What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com. Page Content In Doha on 25-26 May 2021, the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies conducted a video-conferenced workshop on Economic Diversification in the Arab Gulf States: Challenges and Opportunities. Convened in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, the workshop provided an opportunity for national experts from Gulf countries and from Germany to share their knowledge, insights, and assessments. The workshop opened with all participating researchers, associate researchers and the audience at large welcomed by each of the three partner organizations representatives: Haider Saeed, Head of the Arab Center Research Department; Fabian Blumberg, Regional Representative to the Gulf States at Konrad Adenauer Stiftung; and Hamid Ali, Dean of the School of Public Administration and Development Economics at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Saeed underlined the importance of the workshop topic, noting that the Arab Center had devoted a conference track to it in the 2016 Gulf Studies Forum, giving rise to the publication in 2019 of an eponymously titled book. Blumberg spoke of the premium the Konrad Adenauer Foundation places on the exchange of expertise in this domain. Ali observed that the workshop sought to explore and find answers to some key questions, such as: what does economic diversification really entail for the Gulf states, given their context? Why is economic diversification important? Who should oversee it? What are policy options are on the table? Frank Himpel, Professor at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Anhalt University of Applied Sciences moderated the first session of the workshop, which saw the presentation of four papers, beginning with that of Hessah Alojayan, Assistant Professor of Finance at Kuwait University, who presented Before Its Too Late: A Vision to Reform the Kuwaiti Economy. Alojayan emphasized the need to reform the Kuwaiti economy in view of the many changes the country has witnessed since the discovery of oil: demographic transformations; geopolitical tensions; a global trend towards alternative and renewable energy sources; the post-2008 global economic crisis; and now the coronavirus pandemic. Pleading for a Kuwaiti national dialogue on economic challenges to the sustainability of the welfare state in future generations, she presented the 2020 Before It Is Too Late vision that has been adopted by 29 Kuwaiti management and economics specialists, to then propose steps to root out economic distortions and fight corruption, towards economic diversification and a sustainable future. Hatim al-Shanfari, Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance at the College of Economics & Political Science at Sultan Qaboos University presented Oman Experience in Fiscal Sustainability, brought the Omani 2020-2024 plan to the consideration of the workshop: expand revenue, contain expenditure, invest in economic growth, accelerate economic diversification, augment expenditure effectiveness, reinforce social welfare plans, and basically beef up financial management. al-Shanfari indicated that during this plans implementation a value-added tax was imposed and the government took concrete steps to reduce water and electricity spending, and, for the first time in GCC history, Oman will impose an income tax, starting in 2022. Noura Allahow, Vice Chairwoman of the Economic Forum at the Kuwait Economic Society then presented her paper on The Role of the Private Sector in Economic Diversification, with private sector production in Kuwait contributing 27% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Examining the impact that increasing women's employment in the private sector makes on the GDP, Allahow noted that a recently conducted experiment found that shifting 70,000 female employees from government to the private sector employment, and increasing it annually by 5-10 thousand, most emphatically does lead to an increase in the nations domestic product. Executive Director of the German-Emirati Joint Council for Trade and Industry Oliver Oehms closed the first session and day of the workshop. Presenting his paper on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Attraction, Industrialization and Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME), he noted that German companies present in the Gulfs Arab countries have contributed to economic diversification. There are some 1,000 German companies operating in the UAE, and over two hundred in Saudi Arabia. Obstacles that impede German integration into Gulf region markets of the are principally the conditions imposed upon international investors, and an absence of standardized technical specifications. The second session and day of the workshop (26 May) saw five papers presented, with Director of the Political Studies Unit at the Arab Center Marwan Kabalan moderating. Professor of Management at Kuwait University-College of Business Administration Nawaf Alabduljaders Before Its Too Late: A Vision to Reform the Kuwaiti Economy enumerated the key focal points of the initiative known as Before Its Too Late: 1) long-term economic sustainability to prevent short-term solutions engendering problems for the future, such as such diminished reserves for future generations; 2) transparency and rooting out corruption, addressing the system and structure of corruption (as when public sector posts are awarded on the basis of seniority rather than productivity, thereby boosting the rate of disguised unemployment) as well as the more obvious embezzlement of public funds; 3) social justice, since a states reliance on equality and parity rather than social justice may well create new problems; 4) primacy of scientific evidence since policies may at times in Kuwait be an outcome of personal whim rather than assessed data and statistical analysis, so necessitating free, easy access to information for all citizens. Next, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance at the College of Economics & Political Science at Sultan Qaboos University Adham bin Turki al Said spoke on the Omani Experience of SMEs as a Vehicle of Job Creation & Economic Diversification, noting that some 300,000 small companies supported through government startup funds (earmarked for companies with 30 percent export production) still have a long way to go towards economic diversification, and underlining that some 30 percent of job opportunities provided by such companies typically go to expatriate workers, which is of course not ideal. Also related to the Sultanate of Oman, Smart Investment Gateway Founder Yusuf bin Hamad Al Balushi, presented his Determinants of the economic diversification in the Gulf States: Oman as a Case Study to identify three reasons for the limited success of the Arab Gulf states in dealing with the issue of economic diversification: first, inadequate support of local domestic trading activities, as in these countries fragile economies - so vulnerable to external shocks - export revenues go entirely towards the overall public budget; second, a disrupted cycle of medium and long term economic activities with general fiscal policy dominating most commercial activities; and third, the problematic relationships between the three parties of government, society and companies. With governments invariably setting national priorities and undertaking investment and recruitment, the role played by individuals and companies is often diminished. This obstructs a shift from rentier to productive economy as such a shift necessitates a balanced relationship between these three parties. Finally, Political Analyst on Arab Gulf States and Middle East and Researcher with the Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (CARPO) Sebastian Sons presented his view of Chances for Closer European-Gulf Cooperation in Terms of Economic Transformation, considering historical European Union and Arab Gulf states reciprocal institutional and bilateral relations. In 2020, for example, the European Union ranked second after China as a Gulf Cooperation Council partner with its 12.3 percent trade volume share of 97.1 billion euros. Sons also underlined the Gulfs perspective of problems in the relationship with the European Union standing particularly opaque about failed cooperation projects (such as free trade agreements), in addition to the dearth of a mutually agreed upon business model and European diplomacy being viewed as innately biased against the Gulf states. The European Union recently opted to encourage states pursue bilateral relations rather than dealing through the Gulf Cooperation Council - especially after the2017 Gulf crisis. At the workshops conclusion the joint organizers mooted the possibility of an expanded academic conference on the subject convening in Doha during the 2021/2022 academic year. SII wants ''indemnity'' for all vaccine makers; seeks nod to manufacture Sputnik-V Serum Institute of India (SII), the maker of Covishield, the Indian name for Oxford-AstraZeneca's vaccine against the Wuhan virus, has sought indemnity for vaccine failures or side effects on lines demanded by foreign vaccine companies like Pfizer, saying that the government should apply same rules for all. Covishield-maker Serum Institute of India (SII) has asked for indemnity from liability for vaccine makers, whether Indian or foreign, after Pfizer and Moderna have sought protection from litigation. The Adar Poonawalla-led SII, which is involved in the trials of three new anti-Coronavirus vaccines, has also sought approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the manufacture of the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V. "Not just Serum Institute of India (SII), all the vaccine companies should get indemnity protection against liabilities if foreign companies are granted it," Serum sources said. "Serum is hoping that rules should be same for everyone," the sources added. SII, which has initiated advanced trials on Covovax being developed in collaboration with the pharma company Novovax, while Codagenix, a single-dose nasal vaccine, is in phase 1/2 trials in the UK and the third, SpyBiotech, is a novel virus-like particle vaccine, which is also in trials. The government has so far not given any manufacturer indemnity or protection against legal action for any severe side effects. But this is a key condition put forth by foreign vaccine-makers Pfizer and Moderna for supplying their vaccines to India. However, the union health ministry has hinted at granting indemnity to Pfizer and Moderna, saying that other countries have granted this concession and "there is no problem" in granting indemnity or legal protection from any claims linked to the use of a company's Corona vaccine. "If these companies have applied for Emergency Use Authorisation in India then we are ready to give them indemnity," reports cited health ministry sources as saying. "It is expected that they will be granted indemnity against legal proceedings along the lines of what has been allowed in other countries for Pfizer and Moderna," they added. Countries like the US have reportedly granted indemnity from liability to these companies for the possibility of something going wrong with their vaccines. They cannot be sued for compensation if there are any adverse effects from the shot. Sources say Pfizer's demand for sovereign indemnity is a tough call as no other vaccine manufacturer has demanded or secured this so far. "Pfizer continues to remain engaged with the government of India towards making its COVID-19 vaccine available for use in the government immunisation program in the country. As these discussions are ongoing, we are unable to share any additional details at this time," a Pfizer spokesperson said on Wednesday. "We are engaged with Pfizer and they have indicated the availability of a certain amount of vaccine in the coming months, possibly starting in July and we are looking at what their expectations from the government are and they are looking at what our expectations from them are," VK Paul, the head of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration said last month. "They have requested indemnity to all the nations including the country of origin. We are examining this request and will take a decision in the larger interest of people and on merits," Dr Paul had said. SII has applied to the DCGI seeking permission to manufacture the Sputnik-V vaccine for examination, test and analysis at its licensed Hadapsar facility in Pune, official sources said on Thursday. The Pune-based firm has collaborated with the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow for developing Sputnik-V at its Hadapsar facility. On 18 May, the SII had also applied to the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Department of Biotechnology seeking clearance for the import of strains or seed lots and cell banks and for carrying out research and development, the sources said. The committee has raised certain queries over the SIIs application and sought a copy of the material transfer agreement between the Pune-based firm and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. An Tain Arts Centre is set to host Pulitzer-Prize winning author Jennifer Egan for an online Q&A on June 24th. The Q&A, which is hosted by An Tains Online Book Club, will be on Egans novel, A Visit from the Goon Squad, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2011. Egan is a New York novelist, with awards like the National Books Critics Circle Award, The Los Angeles Times Book Prize, as well as a Thouran Award and the Guggenheim Fellowship. Egans other work includes Look at me and Manhattan Beach. Audience Development Manager at An Tain Arts Centre, Mary Claire Cowley said that they are thrilled to be hosting Egan at the book club. Her book A Visit from the Goon Squad was recommended by one of our readers Patricia Keating, its wonderful for our members to be able to engage with the author and especially one with a profile and experience such as Jennifer Egan, said Cowley Egan is the fourth author to attend the book club, with previous authors including Austin Duffy, Liz Nugent and Nicola Cassidy. The club is aimed at adults, and the Zoom Q&A will be free to attend although registration is required in advance. To register for the event, go to www.antain.ie. A Louth TD has criticised the government on their housing policy, calling the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) a poor substitute for social housing. Sinn Fein TD and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Imelda Munster, has said that the money being used to fund the HAP payment would be better off used to build social housing. This year will see the amount of money spent by the Department of Housing on subsidising private landlords eclipse 1 billion, representing nearly a third of all government spending on housing, said Munster. This money could be far better used building social housing and actually affordable homes, she continued. Munster said that the cost of renting throughout Louth has increased significantly in recent years, adding that the HAP was playing a role in pushing up the price of renting. In my constituency of Louth for example, in 2017 the average rent of a three-bed house was 977 today that stands at 1,230. Rents nationally have increased at a similar pace, and we can see this reflected in the cost of supporting HAP, with almost 44% of recipients outside of Dublin being in receipt of a discretionary top up payment. Outside of Dublin, this top-up payment is capped at 20% with the average rate applied being 20%, said Munster. Munster criticised Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, saying that the governments housing policies are creating the circumstances to make these subsidies permanent to landlords. The average mortgage term in Ireland is 20 25 years, people who were in their late 30s or early 40s when this [HAP] was first introduced in 2014 may well today face increased challenges accessing mortgage loans. More and more people will age into this cohort over the coming years as this government fails to deliver both on both social housing and truly affordable homes. According to Munster, as most people are earning less money when they retire, this drop in income is usually offset by not making payments on a mortgage anymore. This will no longer be a case for people in the decades to come, she says. Munster reiterated that the HAP scheme is a poor substitute for social homes, adding that the solution was to build more social housing on public land. HAP is a poor substitute for social housing. This government seems ideologically opposed to the building of any housing unless the private sector can take a extortionate slice off the top. The solution is the building public housing on public land. Index-Journal Careers PART-TIME POSITION available in our packaging area. Job responsibilities include putting inserts into the newspaper. Must have a positive attitude and be a team player. Applicants must be able to: lift up to 20-lbs; stand for long periods of time; be available to work Sunday thru Friday, late evening to early morning hours; pass drug screen. Gardai are seeking the public's help in locating a 17-year-old who was last seen in Louth on May 27th. Rory Carr, who was last seen at 2pm on May 27th in Drogheda, is described as being 6' 2" in height, of slim build with short black hair. When he was last seen, Rory was wearing a black coat, grey tracksuit bottoms and purple trainers with white stripes. Gardai have said thar Rory is know to frequent the Balbriggan area of Dublin. Anyone with information on Rory's whereabouts are urged to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on 018 010 600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. A stun gun and 20 rounds of ammunition were found during a Garda drugs search of an address in the town under warrant, after eight deal bags of cocaine and 6 grams of cannabis were discovered in a car which had earlier been stopped and searched, Dundalk district court heard last week. Scott Bradley (46) with an address at Barrack Mews, Barrack Street, Dundalk was prosecuted for possessing a firearm disguised as an Apple i-Phone, and 20 rounds of 0.22 calibre hollow point ammunition on September 8th 2019. He was also prosecuted for having cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply. The court heard 195 cash had been seized from the vehicle, the cocaine had an estimated street value of 180 and the cannabis was worth 35. It was also told Mr Bradley had been given a two year suspended sentence by Dublin Circuit Court in 2013 for having drugs for sale or supply in 2011. The Defence solicitor explained his client had held a licence for a firearm and had indicated he had held onto the ammunition as a keepsake, but he had no real explanation for the stun gun. Court presenter Sgt. Jimmy McGovern told the court the defendant wasnt on the garda radar before he was detected on the night. The defence solicitor said Mr. Bradley during his garda interview had indicated he had a difficulty with cocaine and was gambling and taking drugs and selling some of them at the time. He added his client has not come to further garda attention and has dealt with his drug and gambling problems. The solicitor said the defendant was very aware of the damage drug dealing does to others and concluded by saying I dont think hell offend again. Judge Eirinn McKiernan noted the 46 year old had been given a suspended sentence and was before the court with a previous conviction which she said she had to take into account. A four month sentence was imposed for the sale or supply charge and the other matters were marked "taken into consideration". Readers Survey As our valued readers, we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the survey below. - Thank you, Eastern Arizona Courier Click Here Where are the best places to shop? Who gives the best haircut? Who cooks the best burger? Join our readers in selecting the "Best of Windham." Make your picks! Seen above is KB Kookmin Bank's automated teller machines set up at the lender's sales office in Seoul. Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung Korean banks will continue to slash their workforce in 2022 by encouraging more of them to opt for voluntary retirement and hiring fewer workers, as a growing number of their customers predominantly use online banking platforms.. Industry officials argue that the trend is unavoidable amid the rapid rise of digital banking. As banks' digital platforms grow increasingly sophisticated, demand for new employees will continue to decline over the next few years, according to industry insiders. Data also showed that the size of the workforce at major lenders is on a gradual decline. According to the Korea Federation of Banks, the number of employees at the country's six commercial lenders KB, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, Standard Chartered Bank Korea and Citibank Korea dropped during the past year. As of the end of March 2020, the number reached 66,317, down by 1,244 from the previous year, according to data from the federation. Of particular note is the pace of the decline. The number of employees at the six lenders fell by 507 in 2019 compared to a year ago. But the drop widened in 2020 when the lenders' total workforce declined by 1,570 from the previous year. This was attributable to a decline in banks' offline sales offices. The number of sales offices nationwide operated by the six banks stood at 3,515 as of the end of the first quarter, down by 31 from the end of 2020. More and more lenders will keep shutting down their unprofitable sales offices over the next few years, as they strive for agility in transforming their sales strategy into a mobile-driven one, with more people here opting for digital banking services, according to banks officials. "All the major banks and financial groups are hyping up their achievements in digital banking, and stress the need to digitalize most of their businesses quickly," a source from a bank here said. "Even if banks cannot say publicly that they will cut their workforce, this is an inevitable decision for banks at a time when they should seek fresh revenue sources in non-conventional, digital platforms." Demand for conventional bank clerks will continue to decline, but that of digital experts will be on a rapid rise among banks, another bank official said. "Banks are moving to place an emphasis on building more user-friendly digital banking platforms and hope to hire more IT experts to achieve that vision," the official said. "But it is still tough for lenders to find IT talent, as demand for digital specialists is ever-growing not just in the banking industry, but most other areas in the aftermath of the coronavirus-induced non-face-to-face business activities." Lawrence - Madeleine "Maddy" (Waye Descoteaux Brown), 87, passed away on April 5, 2020. Maddy was born to Irene and Charles Waye in Nashua, N.H., on December 17, 1932. She was predeceased by her parents; a brother Charles Waye; and husbands, Louis G. Descoteaux of Nashua, N.H., and George Br Denmark has withdrawn permission for a planned pipeline that was designed to bring Norwegian gas to Poland, citing the need to assess if the project would harm the habitats of certain species Greater Bay Area, a unique blend of rapid development and downshifting lifestyle 09:05, June 04, 2021 By Cheng Long ( People's Daily A super headquarter base is being constructed in Hongshu Bay, Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, May 13, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Wang Meiyan) In Shenzhen Bay Park, south China's Guangdong province, visitors are wandering and enjoying splendid views of blossoming flower, while kilometers away, groups of tower cranes stand on the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base, erecting skyrocketing modern buildings. The two completely different worlds along the Shenzhen Bay, which are totally compatible with each other, make a sharp contrast between a fairly laid-back lifestyle and an intense tempo of work, revealing the secrets to how the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, also known as the Greater Bay Area, has made itself one of the most vibrant bay areas in the world. The development speed of Shenzhen once astonished the world, as the completion of every storey of the city's Guomao Building, also known as the International Foreign Trade Centre, took merely three days. Today, such speed is prevalent in the whole Greater Bay Area. As landmark projects, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, have opened to traffic, it only takes half an hour to drive from Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macao, and the travel time between Hong Kong and Guangzhou is also shortened to less than an hour. The Greater Bay area is also attracting entrepreneurs for its favorable business environment and high efficiency. The registration of companies there only takes less than a day, and over 90 percent of tax administration affairs can be handled online. Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation Zone for Technology and Innovation, located in Futian district of Shenzhen, is an area of only 3.89 square kilometers. However, it has attracted and implemented 138 projects, becoming a new innovation driver of the Greater Bay Area. Rapid development brings more opportunities. In Shenzhen's Nansha district, CIC, an incubator for young entrepreneurs, houses 74 entrepreneur teams from Hong Kong and Macao; in Qianhai, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub has nurtured 356 entrepreneur teams with a total financing amount of more than 1.5 billion yuan ($234.9 million); in Zhuhai's Hengqin, the Hengqin-Macao Youth Entrepreneurship Valley has incubated 433 projects and introduced 50 high-tech firms. Seeing such rapid development, emerging opportunities and continuously released dividends, more and more young entrepreneurs are joining the construction of the Greater Bay Area. What the Greater Bay Area boasts includes not only the rapid development, but also a downshifting lifestyle of its people, which is mirrored by the increasing numbers of lakes, wetlands, and parks emerging there. Nantou ancient town on Shennan East Road, Shenzhen is ruins of a battalion in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Outside of it is modernity, while inside there are remains of city walls, local bureaucrat residence, and memorial arches. Western-style buildings on the sides of the streets in the ancient town accommodate both internet-famous shops and time-honored stores. The town is now a popular destination for local residents on holidays and weekends. It is an epitome of a high-quality lifestyle that is gradually taking shape in the Greater Bay Area, glittering with its unique charm in a blend of history and modernity. So far, 158 black and stinky water bodies, and 1,467 micro black and stinky water bodies in the city have been purified, and the water quality of 310 rivers improved. As home to over 1,200 parks, Shenzhen is nicknamed "a city in a park." In Xinhui district, Jiangmen, Guangdong province, a 400-year-old banyan is standing like a big forest, serving as a rest place for over 30,000 egrets. Thanks to the joint efforts made by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, Cantonese opera has been listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage item. All of this is injecting vitality to the development of the Greater Bay Area and passing on the traditional culture of the region. "The intense tempo of work means more opportunities, while the downshifting lifestyle means higher quality of life. That's exactly why the Greater Bay Area attracts me," said a young man from Hong Kong who has just settled in Shenzhen for work. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) gettyimagesbank As America emerges from the Dark Year of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is crystal clear: we have a childcare crisis in this country. While jobs are opening up nearly everywhere, employers struggle to find employees to fill their vacant positions. One reason is that the jobs people are being offered pay less than the ones they left due to the pandemic. However, a bigger issue is that childcare has become unaffordable for most families; now more than ever. A significant portion of the potential workforce are having to chose between staying home with their kids or taking a job that barely covers their childcare costs. On top of that, despite the high costs of childcare, childcare providers arent being paid wages commensurate with their service to society. As one person put it to me recently, childcare isnt too expensive, its unaffordable, and childcare workers deserve every single cent they earn and then some. This result of this will be an ever-widening gulf between wealthy families and those of more modest means. It also means more children in poverty with worse developmental opportunities. It is a real problem that will require a federal response if the U.S. economy is ever going to return to its pre-pandemic robustness. The answer: Universal childcare. You might think that universal childcare is a pipe dream that could never happen in America. But, the truth is, we have done this before. On June 29, 1943, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that created the first and, so far, ONLY national childcare program in American history. It was part of a larger program passed earlier known as the Lanham Act which funded infrastructure around the country to support the wartime effort. Two newly created agencies, War Public Works (WPW) and War Public Services (WPS), were responsible for executing the provisions of the Lanham Act and WPS focused almost exclusively on childcare. There was an incredible need for this program because women, who had been a tiny proportion of the workforce prior the start of World War II in 1939, were making up an increasing share. At the height of the war, in fact, nearly a quarter of all married women were working outside the home and 36% of all women of working age were in the workforce. They worked in a number of industries making things like munitions and, like the famous Rosie the Riveter, building aircraft. These women were desperate for reliable childcare and so were the companies they worked for who were struggling with absenteeism in women who had limited or no access to care for their children. Congress dedicated $52 million for this effort, an amount equivalent to over $800 million in 2021 dollars. With contributions from state and local governments, a total of $78 million (over $1.2 billion today) was dedicated to making universal childcare a reality in America. Communities, mostly through user fees, contributed an additional $26 million. At its July 1944 peak, 3,102 federally subsidized child care centers, with 130,000 children enrolled, were located in all but one state and in D.C. By the end of the war, between 550,000 and 600,000 children are estimated to have received some care from Lanham Act programs. As the war began to turn in the direction of the Allies, the funding began to dry up. However, they added another $7 million (almost $108 million today) after Americans around the country aggressively lobbied Congress. [A]fter the drop in war production needs following the spring 1945 Allied victory in Europe, the FWA granted fewer project approvals or renewals. In mid-August 1945, once victory in Japan was assured, the agency announced all Lanham Act funding of childcare centers would cease as soon as possible, but in no case later than the end of October 1945. Approximately 1 month after this announcement, the FWA reported it had received 1,155 letters, 318 wires, 794 postcards, and petitions signed by 3,647 individuals urging continuation of the program. Principle reasons given were the need of servicemens wives to continue employment until their husbands returned, the ongoing need of mothers who were the sole support of the children, and inadequacy of other forms of care in the community. The success of the Lanham Act in answering the countrys need for widespread, affordable childcare is a vivid demonstration of what we can do collectively when we are in a moment of crisis. What drove the need in the early 1940s was the large proportion of women in the workplace. And, in 2021, that proportion is even higher than it was at the height of World War II. Today, nearly 60% of women work outside the home, over 1 times the number during the war. But in 2021, families do not have access to the type of programs created by the Lanham Act. If there was ever proof the childcare is infrastructure, the Lanham Act is it. We need a 21st Century Lanham Act for America to make sure our economy surges back and no family is left behind. [WW II childcare center photos credit: Gordon Parks for the U.S. Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information via the U.S. Library of Congress. Childcare costs vs. wages image credit: Alex Zolkowski, used with permission.] The World Health Organisation's top vaccines expert says that immunising children against the coronavirus is not a "high priority" given the extremely limited global supply of vaccines. Dr Kate O'Brien says vaccinating children is not a priority from a WHO perspective, even as increasing numbers of rich countries authorise their COVID-19 shots for teenagers and children. O'Brien says since children are not typically at risk of getting severely ill or dying from COVID-19, vaccinating them during the pandemic is mostly aimed at stopping transmission, rather than protecting them from disease. Canada, the US and the European Union have all recently approved some COVID-19 vaccines for children age 12 to 15 as they approach their vaccination targets for adults. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has previously urged rich countries to donate their COVID-19 shots to poor countries rather than immunise their adolescents and children. Fewer than 1 per cent of COVID-19 vaccines administered globally have been used in poor countries. O'Brien adds that it's not necessary to vaccinate children before sending them back to school if the adults in contact with them were immunised. FILE - In this March 22, 1965, file photo, participants in the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march are shown at a campsite near Selma, Ala. A new assessment released by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2021 says four campsites used by marchers nearly 60 years earlier are in danger of being lost without efforts to save them. As expected, EU regulators have launched an antitrust probe into Facebook's use of classified advertising. Regulators will seek to establish whether the social media company broke competition rules by using data collected from advertisers to compete with them in classified ads. Officials will also assess if Facebook ties its Craigslist-style Marketplace to its main platform in breach of EU rules, the European Commission said in its announcement. Data has become a major battleground for European regulators, who are seeking to break down information silos across industries by encouraging data sharing in the spaces of healthcare, agriculture and energy. The initiative formed a central part of the EUs Data Strategy which the European Commission unveiled in February of last year. The focus on data troves has also seen regulators clash with other Big Tech companies. For instance, Google's access to sensitive health information was a major sticking point in the EU's investigation into its Fitbit acquisition last year a deal that was eventually cleared in December after a prolonged probe. Like the newly-opened Facebook case, Amazon is also being investigated by EU regulators over its alleged use of third-party seller data to boost its own products. Margrethe Vestager, who has taken on Big Tech during her reign as the EC's head of competition, warned that "data should not be used in ways that distort competition." In a statement, she said: Facebook is used by almost 3 billion people on a monthly basis and almost 7 million firms advertise on Facebook in total ... We will look in detail at whether this data gives Facebook an undue competitive advantage in particular on the online classified ads sector, where people buy and sell goods every day, and where Facebook also competes with companies from which it collects data." For its part, Facebook told Bloomberg that it would "cooperate fully with the investigations to demonstrate that they are without merits." The social network is also locked in an ongoing antitrust probe in Germany, while the EU said it is cooperating with the UK competition authority's investigation into Facebook's use of data. The regulator, known as the Competition and Markets Authority, said today that it is scrutinizing Facebook's online ad services and its single sign-on feature which allows users to log in to third-party apps and platforms using their Facebook credentials to determine if they give it an advantage over rivals. Enid, OK (73701) Today Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the morning. High 92F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low near 65F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. A man points to the sky in front of BC Card headquarters in Seocho District, southern Seoul, in this file photo. Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul BC Card has decided to sell its entire stake in MasterCard in what is believed to be a move to participate in a capital increase by K bank. Currently, the card firm is the largest shareholder of the internet-only bank with a 34 percent stake. On Friday, BC Card said its board had approved a plan to sell its entire holdings in MasterCard Incorporated (MasterCard) within this year. BC Card holds 504,000 ordinary shares in MasterCard. The estimated amount of cash it could earn from the sale would be about 210 billion won, or some $188 million, based on the U.S. firm's May 21 closing price. When questioned about the primary reason for unloading the shares, BC Card said the decision was aimed at profit taking. But local banking industry officials said the card issuer's decision was intended to allow it to participate in a rights offering being pursued by K bank, a local internet-only bank affiliated with KT. "On the same day that BC Card's board met, it decided to acquire 65.37 million ordinary shares of K bank. The transaction, the value of which would be around 425 billion won, will be completed via a cash payout by June 29. Woori Bank and NH Investment, K bank's second- and third-largest shareholders didn't participate in the new capital increase by K bank," a local banking industry source said. K bank's board recently decided to increase the firm's capital by 1.25 trillion won by issuing 192.29 million new shares to 2.16 trillion won. Among other participants in the recent capital increase were private equity funds MBK Partners and Bain Capital. An official from K bank said BC Card hoped to maintain its current holding of 34 percent after the capital increase. BC Card acquired the MasterCard shares in 2006 as part of the card firm's decision to distribute its ordinary shares to subscribers when MasterCard listed on the NYSE. At that time, BC Card held 2.92 million ordinary shares in its U.S. business partner. But the Korean firm has been lowering its holdings in MasterCard as it sold massive lots off in 2015, 2017 and again last year, helping it earn 440 billion won in profits. Katie Price made an online blunder after she accidentally spilled critical information about her life. Price surely regretted using her social media account this week as she accidentally put her son's life in danger with a single mistake. In a screengrab by news.com.au, it shows a since-deleted photo posted by Price on her Instagram account. The 43-year-old "Angel Uncovered" author captured a photo of her son Harvey as he stands outside his home. The 19-year-old currently suffers from Prader-Willi Syndrome. According to the official website of the Foundation For Prader-Willi Research, the genetic disorder causes life-threatening obesity by causing insatiable hunger. Other characteristics include extreme obesity, intellectual disability, and hypotonia, among others. Unfortunately, Price needed to take down the photo after her fans called her attention to the address on the wall's plaque. As of the writing, some news outlets still keep the photo while Price's fans continuously plead for everyone to delete it. Harvey currently lives in a three-bedroom house as he waits until he can move into a new residential college. Where is Katie Price's Son? Back in January, Price publicized the current situation Harvey is in. One of her YouTube videos showed the home she brought for Harvey where her son can get all the things he needs. "I've been doing it up for him before he goes to residential to get him used to the transition," she said. "And yes he's already made some holes in the walls and stuff. I keep plastering and trying to stay on top of everything to make it a nice home for him. READ ALSO: Kanye West's Alleged New Romance Irina Shayk Pregnant Amid Kim Kardashian Divorce? Here's The Truth! The beautiful life of Harvey has been publicly known for years. Recently, Price conceived her sixth child with 32-year-old "Love Island" star Carl Woods. She has been expecting it after spending their holiday in Portugal. Katie Price Wants to Adopt A Little Girl, Too Despite her already growing family, Price still wants to add someone into her life. Katie Price has announced she would love to adopt a two-year-old girl who is at risk of being raised in permanent care. Recently, a Devon-based adoption agency released an appeal to find a home for little Olivia due to the possibility of her facing a lifetime of permanent fostering. The little girl, like Harvey, deals with health disabilities which causes her to need a family even more. The agency already looked into 50 possible adoptive families after releasing a final plea for a permanent home, and among them is Price. It remains unknown whether Price would be able to get a hold of the child. But her fans surely know that Olivia would be in better hands with the model. READ MORE: Was Marilyn Monroe Murdered? Frank Sinatra Believes Drug Overdose Was NOT The Real Cause of Death See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Brad Pitt is concentrating on his kids' well-being while his spat with ex Angelina Jolie continues on. Brad Pitt won a long court battle against his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, as a judge awarded him joint custody of his children with the actress. The battle continues however, because Jolie is said to be unsatisfied with the decision. The judge already ruled in Pitt's favor, with Jolie requiring to share their underage kids Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 15, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12. An insider revealed to Metro, "This decision was a significant development towards Brad finally having additional custody, but the process is still ongoing." The insider added that aside from being on top of his kids' well being, the "Ocean's Eleven" actor also wants to have more time for each one of them. "He has kept things private, and this decision only became public after a response for the other side was shared with the AP." This comes after the allegations that the "Maleficent" actress is "bitterly disappointed" about the judge's ruling. Private judge John Ouderkirk issued a temporary ruling on May 13 that give Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie joint custody of their five children, except for Maddox, who is already 19 years old. A source revealed to Page Six, "Brad was just trying to have more time with his kids - and it has been clear that Angie has done everything possible to prevent this." With the trial lasting for several months, including numerous witnesses like child experts, therapists, and people who have been with them and the kids, the judge's decision is demeed the best. But the "Tomb Raider" star wasn't satisfied with the decision and believed that judge was siding with her ex-husband. She previously criticized Ouderkirk over the legal proceedings, even went as far as to disqualify him from the case for not letting their kids speak on the hearings. However, according to Pitt's lawyers, the hearings have been done moderately. READ ALSO: 'Kim's Convenience' Star Exposes Issues Leading to Show's Cancellation; Is He Part of the Spinoff? Angelina Jolie NOT Done With The Battle Against Brad Pitt The Associated Press reported that Angelina Jolie also submitted a new filing that said Ouderkirk refused to hear her kids' input "as to their experiences, needs, or wishes as to their custody fate." She even cited a California code that says a child older than 14 years should be allowed to testify if they want to. In March, Angelina Jolie was allegedly prepared to prove that Brad Pitt abused her and their kids. However, the "Ad Astra" star denied the claims. A source told Page Six that the dad-of-six is "heartbroken" that his ex-wife "has gone that route." "He has taken responsibility for his actions and owned up to his past issues, he's stopped drinking." READ MORE: 'The Hills: New Beginnings:' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt May Leave The Show - Why? See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Director Stahelski has made "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" star Donnie Yen as a part of the fourth installment of the "John Wick" series, alongside Keanu Reeves. According to Deadline, Yen will play as super-assassin John Wick's old friend, who shares the same backstories. One of the most successful actor-filmmakers from the East, Yen is also known for his unique style of contemporary screen combat. His popularity continues worldwide from roles as he starred in numerous movies, including "xXx: Return of Xander Cage" and the "IP Man" franchise. "John Wick 4" is produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Stahelski. Keanu Reeves and Louise Rosner are the executive producers. It was reported that the filming for the show begins production this summer, shooting in different countries such as France, Germany, and Japan. As Donnie Yen became a part of the project, reported in April, Japanese-British pop superstar and actress Rina Sawayama were cast for the project. "We are very lucky to have Donnie Yen join the franchise," said Stahelski, as he looks forward to working with the actor for the new role. Iwanyk also mentioned that Donnie Yen would give a vibrant and powerful energy to the franchise. They are also determined to have him for "John Wick 4" collaborating along with Keanu Reeves. 'John Wick 4' One Of The First Films To Shoot On Location In Paris Since COVID-19 Despite having travel restrictions for the past year due to the pandemic, a list of high-profile U.S. films and series are lining up to shoot in France, including Lionsgate's "John Wick: Chapter 4" and a Netflix show "The Gray Man." Meanwhile, "The Serpent Queen" has been shooting in southern France since April 2020. Per Variety, Paris had not let any Western film shoot inside the city for over a year as France struggled to lift themselves through various waves of COVID-19. Meanwhile, the country finally emerged from a lengthy lockdown. It lifted most restrictions as cases for the virus began to drop, and more of the population received their vaccinations. READ ALSO: 'John Wick 4' Starts Production as Keanu Reeves Arrives in Germany After 'Matrix 4' Completion [UPDATE] When Is 'John Wick 4' Going To Be Released In Theaters? Keanu Reeves, who leads the action-packed franchise, recently stayed at George V Hotel as they began shooting in France. The movie will film exteriors in Paris, notably by the Seine, and will include scenes at an iconic bridge previously featured in Steven Spielberg's "Munich," among other films. The plot remains under wraps, but we know that the action primarily takes place in both countries mentioned. According to Forbes, John Wick 4" release date has been pushed back a lot, as its initial date of release is May 2021, "John Wick 4" is now coming out in theaters on May 27, 2022, according to Forbes. Keanu Reeves' obligation to film "The Matrix 4," which also got delayed, meant that "John Wick 4" had to push back as well. READ MORE: LOOK! 'Bald' Keanu Reeves Becomes MCU's Kraven the Hunter in New Photo See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Authorities and Paramedics responded to Jojo Siwa's star-studded pride party when a man possibly overdosed from drugs. The "Dance Moms" star hosted a party in her mansion located in San Fernando Alley, Los Angeles that was attended by various celebrities. According to E! News, a representative from the Los Angeles Fire Department said that they responded to a call around 8 P.M. about a medical emergency. The man in question, who was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, is approximately 30 years old but they never revealed his identity and condition. In a different report, sources told TMZ that the man possibly overdosed on LSD while partying at Jojo's house, they also claimed that the guy arrived at the party already intoxicated, high, and in "pretty rough shape". Police officers confirmed that arrests were not made as there was no crime committed. READ NOW: Kelly Clarkson Performs Emotional 'The Dance' In Front of Garth Brooks, Feels Comforted After Brandon Blackstock Divorce Jojo Siwa's pride party Siwa kicked off the first week of pride month by hosting a rainbow-themed party. The Nickelodeon star posted on Instagram stories several glimpse of her party that shows an inflatable house, bedazzled piano, candy buffet, and a whole lot more. "we are having a pride party, it looks so fun over there, and the bounce house lights up when you jump over it, there is so much happening" Siwa said in a short clip. Among the star-studded celebrities who attended the pride celebration are Tana Mongeau, Kory DeSoto, and Jojo's girlfriend Kylie Prew. Earlier this year, the 18-year-old reality TV star took to TikTok singing Lady Gaga's song "Born This Way". Fans speculated that this is her way of coming out. Following the video, Jojo later posted a picture on Twitter wearing a t-shirt that says "Best Gay Cousin Ever" which was liked by 1.2 million people. The star eventually came out as pansexual, meaning she's attracted to everyone regardless their gender identity or sexuality. "I would say that I am pansexual because that's how I have always been my whole life ... just like, my human is my human." Siwa told People. Today, Jojo is in a relationship with Kylie Prew and has been posting photos and videos together countless of times around social media. Jojo Siwa has not publicly commented about the "overdose" situation that happened in her party. READ ALSO: Judge Judy Felt 'Disrespected' After CBS Favored 'The Drew Barrymore Show' Over Her Courtroom Series See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Tom Cruise is reportedly living another one of his worst nightmares. The action star is "fuming" after cast and crew members on the set of his movie "Mission: Impossible 7" have tested positive for COVID-19, which forced him to self-isolate this week. According to The Sun, he was exposed while filming a nightclub scene with four dancers and ten production set workers who later tested positive for COVID-19. The 58-year-old Scientologist was reportedly standing within meters of the crew, so he is required to monitor his symptoms and avoid contact with other people in the next few days. The outlet's source said that there had been about 60 people that will be self-isolating in the next 14 days. Some of them are "close aides" of the actor. They went on to add, "It's going to badly affect filming and they'll be playing catch-up when they finally come back." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the movie told Variety that "Mission: Impossible 7" will be stalled until June 14. In a statement, they said, "We have temporarily halted production on 'Mission:: Impossible 7' until June 14, due to positive coronavirus test results during routine testing." "We are following all safety protocols and will continue to monitor the situation." The upcoming "Mission: Impossible" franchise is due to be released next May, but it is unclear how long the latest setback will delay the movie. However, some crew members reportedly don't mind the much-needed break. Back in January, another insider told The Sun that "A lot of us would love to cut our losses and leave things for a while, then pick up when we can." They also claimed that Tom Cruise was "completely obsessed" with finally completing this film. Per their insider, "He's the most determined person. It's impressive but a nightmare." READ ALSO: 'Kim's Convenience' Star Exposes Issues Leading to Show's Cancellation; Is He Part of the Spinoff? Tom Cruise Worst Nightmare Comes True Five months ago, an audio of the "Top Gun" actor lashing out at workers on set for not socially distancing leaked online. He was heard yelling, tearing his workers to pieces who broke the COVID-19 safety rules on the set of his movie, saying, "If I see you doing it again, you're f-----g gone!" Cruise has been working endlessly behind the scenes of his movie to enforce strict social distancing rules during their filming on "Mission: Impossible 7." At the time of his outburst, about 50 members were left stunned. In October, Cruise also held crisis talks with the film director after 12 people on Italy set of his movie tested positive for COVID-19. A few months later, he hired two cruise ships where the cast and crew could self-isolate, paying $676,000 personally, to force safety precautions. READ MORE: 'The Hills: New Beginnings:' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt May Leave The Show - Why? See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Princess Beatrice, along with her husband, is expecting their new baby coming this autumn, yet the Royal Highness does not want to hear this particular word from the princess. The couple's original wedding had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, however they opted to have a secret ceremony in July behind closed doors, while on lockdown. As reported by Mirror Co UK, Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are welcoming a new baby. But it is claimed that the princess is not able to mention the word "pregnant" in any conversations she has with her grandmother. From a royal source, Queen Elizabeth finds the term "vulgar." The Queen Includes This 'Vulgar' Word As One Of Her Rules To Follow In The Palace Of course, there is an actual rule to follow as a courtesy to meet the Queen herself, as well as when it comes to spending time with the royal highness. One of these rules is not turning your back on her, avoid speaking until spoken by her, not sitting down until she does, and stop eating until she does. Aside from those protocols, there are words that are deemed inappropriate whenever the queen is around. The queen, for instance, wanted to avoid using the word "pregnant" as it is "vulgar," according to Express UK. Nonetheless, it does not seem the royals are expected to follow the rules when they are not with the Queen, however. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry's wife, recently spoke about how "any woman when she's pregnant is particularly vulnerable," so she has not been banned from all use of the word. Instead, they say she prefers pregnancy being described as a woman being "in the family way". READ ALSO: Is Meghan Markle on 'The Masked Dancer'? Judge Pointed Out Some Clues The Queen's 12th Great-Grandchild From Princess Beatrice Expected In Autumn The Princess is said to be excited about the new arrival of their baby following the official announcement from Buckingham Palace last May 19, "Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting a baby in autumn of this year. As the message follows, "The Queen has been informed and both families are delighted with the news." Small guests are also expected to come as Prince Philip, Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew, and Princess Eugenie will be there. After the family has been mourning the loss of Prince Phillip, the news has brought the monarch and the royal family joy of meeting a new member in the palace. READ MORE: Meghan Markle Will Receive a Better Title Once Stripped of the 'Duchess' Title -British Historian See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] -- A new study of monsoon rainfall on the Indian subcontinent over the past million years provides vital clues about how the monsoons will respond to future climate change. The study, published in Science Advances, found that periodic changes in the intensity of monsoon rainfall over the past 900,000 years were associated with fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), continental ice volume and moisture import from the southern hemisphere Indian Ocean. The findings bolster climate model predictions that rising CO2 and higher global temperatures will lead to stronger monsoon seasons. "We show that over the last 900,000 years, higher CO2 levels along with associated changes in ice volume and moisture transport were associated with more intense monsoon rainfall," said Steven Clemens, a professor of geological sciences (research) at Brown University and lead author of the study. "That tells us that CO2 levels and associated warming were major players in monsoon intensity in the past, which supports what the models predict about future monsoons -- that rainfall will intensify with rising CO2 and warming global temperature." The South Asian monsoon is arguably the single most powerful expression of Earth's hydroclimate, Clemens says, with some locations getting several meters of rain each summer. The rains are vital to the region's agriculture and economy, but can also cause flooding and crop disruption in years when they're particularly heavy. Because the monsoons play such a large role in the lives of nearly 1.4 billion people, understanding how climate change may affect them is critical. For several years, Clemens has been working with an international team of researchers to better understand the major drivers of monsoon activity. In November 2014, the research team sailed aboard the research vessel JOIDES Resolution to the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of India, to recover sediment core samples from beneath the sea floor. Those core samples preserve a record of monsoon activity spanning millions of years. The rainwater produced by the monsoons each summer eventually drains off the Indian subcontinent into the Bay of Bengal. The runoff creates a layer of dilute seawater in the bay that rides atop the denser, more saline water below. The surface water is a habitat for microorganisms called planktonic foraminifera, which use nutrients in the water to construct their shells, which are made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). When the creatures die, the shells sink to the bottom and become trapped in sediment. By taking core samples of sediment and analyzing the oxygen isotopes in those fossils, scientists can divine the salinity of the water in which the creatures lived. That salinity signal can be used as an indicator of changing rainfall amounts over time. Other data from the samples complement the foraminifera data. River runoff into the bay brings sediment from the continent with it, providing another indicator of rain intensity. The carbon isotopic composition of plant matter washed into the ocean and buried in sediment offers yet another rainfall-related signal that reflects changes in vegetation type. The hydrogen isotope composition of waxes on plant leaves varies in different rainfall environments, and that signature can be reconstructed from sediment cores as well. "The idea is that we can reconstruct rainfall over time using these proxies, and then look at other paleoclimate data to see what might be the important drivers of monsoon activity," Clemens said. "That helps us to answer important questions about the factors driving the monsoons. Are they primarily driven by external factors like changes in Earth's orbit, which alter the amount of solar radiation from the sun, or are factors internal to the climate system like CO2, ice volume and moisture-transporting winds more important?" The researchers found that periods of more intense monsoon winds and rainfall tended to follow peaks in atmospheric CO2 and low points in global ice volume. Cyclical changes in Earth's orbit that alter the amount of sunlight each hemisphere receives played a role in monsoon intensity as well, but on their own could not explain monsoon variability. Taken together, the findings suggest that monsoons are indeed sensitive to CO2-related warming, which validates climate model predictions of strengthening monsoons in relation to higher CO2. "The models are telling us that in a warming world, there's going to be more water vapor in the atmosphere," Clemens said. "In general, regions that get a lot of rain now are going to get more rain in the future. In terms of the South Asians monsoons, that's entirely consistent with what we see in this study." ### The research was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (OCE1634774), the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JPMXS05R2900001 and 19H05595), the Japanese Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, the United Kingdom Natural Environment Research Council (NERC; NE/L002493/1), the United States Geological Survey, and Technology and Research Initiative Fund (Arizona Board of Regents). Shon Kyung-hwa's "A Neverland of Fragments: A Place of Wordless Things and Thingless Words" (2016) / Courtesy of Arko Art Center By Park Han-sol To some, contemporary art is still regarded as something "too abstract," and therefore remains "hard to understand" as they leave the gallery scratching their heads. It also doesn't seem to help that language alone often fails fully to capture the complex meaning and intent behind such works. But to Zoe Chun, chief curator of the current exhibition, "The Middle Land: When Time Unfolds into Land," at the Arko Art Center in Seoul, experiencing works of contemporary art should be dictated by one's intuition, impressions and emotional state of mind, rather than by logic. "Rather than trying to study the works of art, I hope that viewers simply feel them in their own bodies, and become motivated to arrive at their own narratives. Even if they don't agree or are dissatisfied with the content that is being delivered, that's still a feeling that they hold surrounding the work," she told The Korea Times. "So I would just say that contemporary art can be foreign rather than hard to understand. And that foreignness may be necessary, since we can't really become inspired or stimulated over a topic that we know all too well," she advised. A scene from the cross-genre play that is part of the exhibition, "The Middle Land: When Time Unfolds into Land," at the ARKO Art Center in Seoul / Courtesy of Arko Art Center A scene from the cross-genre play that is part of "The Middle Land" / Courtesy of Arko Art Center "The Middle Land," which was selected as this year's Exhibition for Visual Arts by the Arts Council Korea (ARKO), reflects Chun's curatorial philosophy, especially through its format. In fact, the exhibition is a two-part production that combines a visual art display with an experimental cross-genre play. As a result, for a total of ten times throughout its running period, the gallery space becomes a stage for a 50-minute live performance by contemporary dancers, actors and musicians. During the play, the performers seamlessly interact with the displayed artworks and installations. They sit down and watch the performance video of the painter satirizing the art world, walk alongside personified statues that seem semi-human, and lie down on the black carpet that records names that have been forgotten in mainstream understandings of history. As the performers move through the space, so do the audience members, under the guidance of a "navigator," played by Park Han-chul. "The performance offers a narrative in motion that, instead of containing a linear, well-structured storyline, aims to encourage viewers to feel and immediately experience their surroundings," Park said. "So, to gain a richer experience, observing and taking in the dynamic mix of works of art, performers, sounds and lighting from multiple angles is recommended." Kim Soo-ja's "Planted Name" (2002) / Courtesy of Arko Art Center Novel crystalline form of silicon could potentially be used to create next-generation electronic and energy devices Washington, DC--A team led by Carnegie's Thomas Shiell and Timothy Strobel developed a new method for synthesizing a novel crystalline form of silicon with a hexagonal structure that could potentially be used to create next-generation electronic and energy devices with enhanced properties that exceed those of the "normal" cubic form of silicon used today. Their work is published in Physical Review Letters. Silicon plays an outsized role in human life. It is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust. When mixed with other elements, it is essential for many construction and infrastructure projects. And in pure elemental form, it is crucial enough to computing that the longstanding technological hub of the U.S.--California's Silicon Valley--was nicknamed in honor of it. Like all elements, silicon can take different crystalline forms, called allotropes, in the same way that soft graphite and super-hard diamond are both forms of carbon. The form of silicon most commonly used in electronic devices, including computers and solar panels, has the same structure as diamond. Despite its ubiquity, this form of silicon is not actually fully optimized for next-generation applications, including high-performance transistors and some photovoltaic devices. While many different silicon allotropes with enhanced physical properties are theoretically possible, only a handful exist in practice given the lack of known synthetic pathways that are currently accessible. Strobel's lab had previously developed a revolutionary new form of silicon, called Si24, which has an open framework composed of a series of one-dimensional channels. In this new work, Shiell and Strobel led a team that used Si24 as the starting point in a multi-stage synthesis pathway that resulted in highly oriented crystals in a form called 4H-silicon, named for its four repeating layers in a hexagonal structure. "Interest in hexagonal silicon dates back to the 1960s, because of the possibility of tunable electronic properties, which could enhance performance beyond the cubic form" Strobel explained. Hexagonal forms of silicon have been synthesized previously, but only through the deposition of thin films or as nanocrystals that coexist with disordered material. The newly demonstrated Si24 pathway produces the first high-quality, bulk crystals that serve as the basis for future research activities. Using the advanced computing tool called PALLAS, which was previously developed by members of the team to predict structural transition pathways--like how water becomes steam when heated or ice when frozen--the group was able to understand the transition mechanism from Si24 to 4H-Si, and the structural relationship that allows the preservation of highly oriented product crystals. "In addition to expanding our fundamental control over the synthesis of novel structures, the discovery of bulk 4H-silicon crystals opens the door to exciting future research prospects for tuning the optical and electronic properties through strain engineering and elemental substitution," Shiell said. "We could potentially use this method to create seed crystals to grow large volumes of the 4H structure with properties that potentially exceed those of diamond silicon." ### Carnegie's Li Zhu was also a member of the research team, along with Brenton Cook and Dougal McCulloch of RMIT University and Jodie Bradby of The Australian National University. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation, Division of Materials Research. Portions of this work were performed at HPCAT (Sector 16), Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory. HPCAT operations are supported by DOE-NNSA's Office of Experimental Sciences. The Advanced Photon Source is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility operated for the DOE Office of Science by Argonne National Laboratory. ITHACA, N.Y. - The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Center for Conservation Bioacoustics will begin a new era of innovation thanks to a major gift from the philanthropist and Lab Advisory Board member K. Lisa Yang. The $24 million gift, announced June 4 at the Cornell Lab's spring board meeting, is the largest onetime gift in the lab's history. The naming was approved May 28 by the Cornell University Board of Trustees. In addition to naming the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, the gift endows the John W. Fitzpatrick Directorship for the center, named in honor of the Cornell Lab's longtime leader to recognize his vision in the need to invest in technology at the Lab. "This gift is transformational for our role in bioacoustics research globally," said Fitzpatrick, who is stepping down this summer. "It's cementing the security of a globally excellent institution in perpetuity, and at the same time significantly increasing our ability to engage and train people in a variety of cultures worldwide." "We're living in a tremendously exciting time for the kind of critically important, machine learning-driven research that's happening at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology," said President Martha E. Pollack. "Lisa Yang's generous and timely gift will allow the Center for Conservation Bioacoustics team to keep doing the kind of high-impact terrestrial, aquatic and marine bioacoustics research for which they are renowned." Beginning with work on whale and elephant communication in the 1980s, the Center for Conservation Bioacoustics was built on the idea that people urgently need information about ecosystem health, and studying sound is often the best way to acquire it. To become leaders in the field, the center's researchers invented and built their own technology: recorders that could capture sounds at an ever-growing scale; and software that could analyze and visualize the terabytes of data their recorders captured. Over the years, their work expanded to encompass birds, marine and terrestrial mammals, fish, frogs and toads, and insects. Yang's gift will provide much-needed flexibility to follow the science and serve community needs, easing the pressure of meeting funding cycles and accommodating the priorities of grantors, said Holger Klinck, who has directed the center since 2016. "We can start to ask, where can we have the most impact in the world? And then target those areas and those projects and commit to them over the long term," Klinck said. The gift will also support training in the tools and technology of acoustics, helping Cornell researchers develop partnerships with local scientists and communities and build a global network of people who can share acoustic analysis approaches and conservation strategies. "Many people are realizing the value of acoustics in conservation, but it is often the first time that they have worked with the technology, and there isn't a local community that they can turn to for guidance," Klinck said. "In addition to sharing our own experience through workshops and seminars, we can help to connect people who are studying, say, rainforest conservation in central Africa with people who are working on similar challenges in Southeast Asia. This will be key to scaling up the use of acoustics in conservation." Yang said the role of technology at the Cornell Lab reminds her of the bamboo scaffolds she used to see at building sites growing up in her native Singapore. Like scaffolding, she said, technological advances should be viewed as a framework that allows much larger ambitions to be achieved. "I can't save the world alone," Yang said, "but I can focus the center's strategy on translational science. So this gift is about technology as a means to conserve biodiversity and to invest in and empower people living in areas of immense biodiversity, essentially the lungs of the earth." ### New York, NY, June 3, 2021 -- A study of over 59,000 Icelandic adolescents by a team of Icelandic and North American behavioral and social scientists found that COVID-19 has had a significant, detrimental impact on adolescent mental health, especially in girls. The study is the first to investigate and document age- and gender-specific changes in adolescent mental health problems and substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic, while accounting for upward trends that were appearing before the pandemic. The findings are published in The Lancet Psychiatry. The study found that negative mental health outcomes were disproportionately reported by girls and older adolescents (13-18-year-olds), compared to same-age peers prior to the pandemic. At the same time, it revealed a decline in cigarette smoking, e-cigarette usage and alcohol intoxication among 15-18-year-old adolescents during the pandemic. "The decrease observed in substance use during the pandemic may be an unintended benefit of the isolation that so many adolescents have endured during quarantine," said collaborating senior investigator John Allegrante, an affiliated professor of sociomedical sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and an applied behavioral scientist. Thorhildur Halldorsdottir, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at Reykjavik University who is the study co-principal investigator, said the study represents a "landmark contribution to what we now know about just how psychologically devastating being socially isolated from peers and friends during the ongoing pandemic has been for young people." According to the researchers, prior studies have not been designed to determine whether clinically relevant levels of depression--as opposed to self-reported depressive symptoms--and substance use have increased during the pandemic. Inga Dora Sigfusdottir, professor of sociology at Reykjavik University, scientific director of the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis, and research professor of health education at Teachers College, said the study "differs in methodology from previous studies in that it tracked population-based prevalence of mental health outcomes and substance use over several years in order to better understand the potential effects of COVID-19 from recent upward trends in adolescent mental health problems. Previous studies of adolescents during COVID-19 found evidence of increased mental health problems and certain types of substance use that had been rising before the pandemic. This study, however, compares current data with several pre-pandemic time points, which enabled the researchers to separate the effect of COVID-19 from other recent, downward trends in adolescent mental health. The implication of the new study is that interventions intended to lessen the negative impact of the pandemic on adolescent mental health might help improve the mental health outlook for young people around the world who have been caught up in the pandemic, observed Allegrante, who is also senior professor of health education at Columbia Teachers College. "Isolation during the pandemic has been universal and it is global, and it is having a clinically important, negative impact on young people who have not been in school during the pandemic. Whether an adolescent was an Icelander in Reykjavik who had been at home for most of the last year or an American in New York City, living under the same circumstances - being at home, engaged in remote learning and separated from friends--the consequences of not going to school not only set back their learning but also negatively affected their mental health. What we don't know is by how much." The study shows that population-level prevention efforts, especially for girls, are warranted," but that "more study is needed to determine the long-term effects of quarantine and being socially isolated from one's peers, including the effects on learning and academic achievement and relationships with parents, siblings, and peers," said Allegrante. Ingibjorg Eva Thorisdottir, chief data analyst at the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis (ICSRA) at Reykjavik University (who studied at Teachers College in 2009 as part of an exchange with Reykjavik University), was the principal investigator and lead author of the report. Alfgeir L. Kristjansson, Senior Scientist at ICSRA and Associate Professor of Public Health at West Virginia University and a co-author of the study, said the "results underline the significance of social relationships in the health and well-being of youth and the importance of nurturing and maintaining strong social support mechanisms in their lives. The Lancet Psychiatry study report highlights these findings at population scale." Kristjansson was a postdoctoral fellow with Allegrante at Teachers College during 2010-2012. In a commentary that accompanies the article's publication, Gertrud Sofie Hafstad and Else-Marie Augusti, both senior researchers at the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies in Oslo, write that the study "clearly shows that gauging the mental health status of adolescents over time is of imminent importance." ### Additional investigators and coauthors on the study, which was funded by the Icelandic Research Fund, include Bryndis Bjork Asgeirsdottir, professor of psychology at Reykjavik University; Heiddis Bjork Valdimarsdottir, professor of psychology at Reykjavik University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Erla Maria Jonsdottir Tolgyes, chief project officer, and Jon Sigfusson, managing director, both at the Icelandic Center for Social Research and Analysis. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Founded in 1922, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting New Yorkers, the nation and the world. The Columbia Mailman School is the seventh largest recipient of NIH grants among schools of public health. Its nearly 300 multi-disciplinary faculty members work in more than 100 countries around the world, addressing such issues as preventing infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, maternal and child health, health policy, climate change and health, and public health preparedness. It is a leader in public health education with more than 1,300 graduate students from 55 nations pursuing a variety of master's and doctoral degree programs. The Columbia Mailman School is also home to numerous world-renowned research centers, including ICAP and the Center for Infection and Immunity. For more information, please visit http://www. mailman. columbia. edu . Founded in 1887, Teachers College, Columbia University, the first and largest graduate school of education in the United States, is perennially ranked among the nation's best. Teachers College's mission is to create a smarter, healthier, and more equitable and peaceful world. Teachers College engages in research and prepares professionals in its three main areas of expertise--education, health and psychology-- to work with public and private entities in local, national and global communities and inform public policy. Students choose from among 150 separate programs to earn graduate degrees, which are conferred by Columbia University. While it is closely affiliated with Columbia University and collaborates with it on many programs, the College is an independent, autonomous institution with a separate, independent governing board, president, and financial endowment. For more information, go to: https:/ / www. tc. columbia. edu/ Reykjavik University is the largest private university in Iceland with more than 3,500 students. It is chartered by the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Icelandic Industries, and the Confederation of Icelandic Employers. The university consists of seven academic departments in two schools. For more information, go to: https:/ / en. ru. is/ Procedures to prevent the direct transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from mother to child, particularly during and after pregnancy, have significant fragmentation and gaps (Geneva, 5 June 2021) Procedures to prevent the direct transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from mother to child, particularly during and after pregnancy, have significant fragmentation and gaps, a new survey presented at the 6th World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition has shown. The results, based on 76 delivery hospitals from ten major European countries*, identified significant variances in maternal HBV screening frequency during pregnancy: 53% in the first trimester, 1% in the second trimester and 46% in the third trimester. Alarmingly, only 38% of those women who tested positive with high HBV-DNA levels were treated during the final 12 weeks of pregnancy despite the vast majority of centres (88%) having written protocols for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HBV infection. The prevention of direct transmission of HBV infection from mother to child is seen as a crucial step towards reducing its incidence as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) global health sector strategy for eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. If current trends continue, 19 million hepatitis-related deaths are anticipated from 2015 to 2030.2 By identifying the barriers and challenges, this research represents a key step in preventing this outcome and towards full adherence to international guidelines across European countries. The new survey also discovered that post-vaccination testing of infants from HBV positive mothers is provided in less than half of centres, even though 10-20% of vaccinated infants still acquire HBV when their mothers had high levels of the virus. This means that infected children, despite being immunised, may not be diagnosed. This is particularly significant in cases where the determination of HBV status occurs in the third trimester, which may be too late to start antiviral therapy in women with high HBV-DNA levels. To compound this concerning revelation further, inconsistency has been reported across all centres on the timing of the HBV vaccine schedule. Lead author on the research, Michele Pinon from the University of Turin, commented: 'This survey provides a strong indication that significant variance and gaps exist in hospital policies and procedures to prevent direct mother-to-child transmission of HBV across Europe. There is a clear need to implement a multidisciplinary clinical pathway involving obstetricians, neonatologists, and hepatologists, with a stronger connection between the phases before, during and after birth.' The web-based survey, supported by Penta Foundation and distributed by INCIPIT (Italian Network for Paediatric Clinical Trials), was focused on the prevention strategies adopted before, at, and after birth. A single response was provided in response to the survey by the most experienced physician(s) from each of the 76 participating hospitals. Speaking on the survey, Chair of the ESPGHAN Hepatology Committee, Giuseppe Indolfi, who was also involved in the research, stated, 'The disjointed and inconsistent nature of practices for prevention of HBV vertical transmission across Europe revealed by this survey is a considerable cause for concern. Procedures must be rectified as soon as possible as we build towards achieving the WHO goal to eradicate the threat of viral hepatitis by 2030.' ### *Countries: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Macedonia, UK, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria Notes to Editors For further information, to speak to Michele Pinon or an ESPGHAN expert, please contact Sean Deans at media@espghan.org or call +44 (0) 208 154 6396. Please note that any use of this press release must reference both ESPGHAN and the 6th World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. INFOGRAPHICS To view a high-resolution version of ESPGHAN's Hepatitis B Virus infographic, please click here. About the Expert Michele Pinon is from the Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Italy. About ESPGHAN The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) is a multi-professional organisation whose aim is to promote the health of children with special attention to the gastrointestinal tract, liver and nutritional status, through knowledge creation, the dissemination of science based information, the promotion of best practice in the delivery of care and the provision of high quality education for paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition professionals in Europe and beyond. Find out more by visiting http://www. espghan. org . About the Virtual 6th World Congress The Virtual 6th World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition is taking place from 2-5 June 2021. The Congress is joint hosted by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the Federation of International Societies of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (FISPGHAN). The Congress, held every four years, brings together field experts from around the globe to promote worldwide cooperation and education in the fields of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. For more information about the World Congress, including to view the programme, please visit: http://www. wcpghan2021. org Follow ESPGHAN on Twitter: @ESPGHANSociety References: Pinon, M., et al. 2021. Hospital policies and practices to prevent vertical transmission of Hepatitis B virus infection: a European survey. Presented at the 6th World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. WHAT TO EXPECT AND PREPARE FOR AS YOU RETURN TO REGULAR HEALTH CARE APPOINTMENTS Media Contact: Maura Kinney, mkinney4@jhmi.edu Over the past year-plus of quarantining, many people have avoided leaving their homes as much as possible, not even to see their health care provider for regular checkups and other preventive care. As COVID-19 cases in the U.S. drop, some are wondering how to prepare for non-COVID-related doctor's visits. Paul O'Rourke, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the associate program director of the Johns Hopkins Bayview Internal Medicine Residency Program, has some suggestions. Reflect on your major health questions and concerns before the appointment. "Write them down so you can review them during your visit," O'Rourke says. "After a long time away, it's helpful to come prepared and ensure you address the issues important to you." Bring a list of your current medications and supplements, as well as documentation of any vaccines (including the COVID-19 vaccine) that you may have received elsewhere. "This enables your physician to update your records and ensure you are current with recommendations," says O'Rourke. Prepare for certain aspects of your appointment to be different. "For example, waiting rooms have been rearranged to maintain physical distancing," O'Rourke says. "Nurses and doctors wear facial coverings now. And some clinics will ask to conduct a COVID-19 screening prior to your appointment." "Hesitancy is understandable," O'Rourke adds. "This has been a very stressful time for everyone. But, it is important for patients to return to medical and preventive care services -- and to know that all medical clinics have precautions in place to minimize the risk of acquiring COVID-19." O'Rourke cites three primary reasons for patients to return to their doctors: to address any current health concerns; to address any chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and to receive preventive health screenings. For those still concerned about returning to their doctor, O'Rourke encourages them to contact their physician's office. "Your health care providers want you to be safe," he says. "Reach out to them and ask for information about their COVID-19 safety procedures if you need reassurance about coming back." O'Rourke is available for interviews to discuss returning to care. STUDY SUGGESTS SUDDEN HEARING LOSS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 VACCINATION Media Contact: Waun'Shae Blount, wblount1@jhmi.edu In a new study, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have tried to address recent reports that sudden sensorineural hearing loss -- a condition that occurs as a result of damage to the inner ear -- has been suspected of being a potential side effect of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Their conclusion so far: Vaccination does NOT increase one's risk for sudden hearing loss. A research letter detailing the team's findings appeared May 20 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Researchers at Johns Hopkins and across the country experienced an increase in patients presenting with sensorineural hearing loss after COVID-19 vaccination. "Sudden hearing loss can occur naturally, so it hasn't yet been confirmed whether sudden hearing loss occurring after COVID-19 vaccination is coincidental or related to the vaccine," says study co-author Daniel Sun, M.D., assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Though current data do not provide clues as to whether the hearing loss is temporary or permanent, doctors have been treating the hearing loss like other cases of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, with either steroids by mouth or steroids injected through the ear drum into the middle ear. For their study, Sun and colleagues used data related to sudden hearing loss after COVID vaccination from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), a national repository of reports tracking medical problems following vaccinations in the country. For the period Dec. 14, 2020, to March 2, 2021, the researchers found 40 reports of sudden hearing loss in 86,553,330 people who received one dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines (0.3 cases per 100,000 per year) and 147 reports in 43,276,665 patients who received two doses during the same time span (4.1 cases per 100,000 per year). The investigators narrowed the reports to only those describing hearing loss diagnosed by a clinician within three weeks of receiving the vaccine. Researchers chose data for people experiencing hearing loss in this time frame since vaccines doses are spaced between three and four weeks and hearing loss examined after four weeks may not be correlated to the vaccine. "Based on the rate of hearing loss reported in VAERS, so far there is no evidence that people receiving a COVID-19 vaccination are at higher risk of developing sudden hearing loss than those who have not been vaccinated," says Sun. Individuals should continue to receive COVID-19 vaccinations as recommended by the CDC, Sun says, and clinicians should report any suspected adverse effects, including sudden hearing loss, to the CDC via VAERS. He adds that anyone who experiences sudden hearing loss at any time should immediately seek the care of an otolaryngologist. "The sooner it is treated, the more likely the hearing can be restored," says Sun. "Although this preliminary analysis suggests that the COVID-19 vaccine is not associated with sudden hearing loss, more research is needed to address this question," says study lead author Eric Formeister, M.D., a neurotology fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "Our study depended on data produced by voluntary submission of reports to a database, so there is a possibility that there was underreporting, meaning that some cases of post-vaccine hearing loss were undocumented." To validate the preliminary results of their latest study, the researchers would like to conduct comprehensive investigations that can more accurately define the risk of hearing loss following COVID-19 vaccination. They also plan to look for any specific medical risk factors that may increase the risk of developing sudden hearing loss after COVID vaccination in certain individuals. Sun and Formeister are available for interviews. VACCINATION MAY NOT RID COVID-19 RISK FOR THOSE WITH RHEUMATIC, MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES Media Contact: Michael E. Newman, mnewma25@jhmi.edu Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers recently reported that while two doses of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19 -- confers some protection for people who have received solid organ transplants, it isn't sufficient to enable them to dispense with masks, physical distancing and other safety measures. Now, the researchers have shown a similar lower-than-normal immune response to the messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), conditions that often call for treatment with medications that suppress the immune system. The study was detailed in a research letter published May 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. "Our findings suggest that patients with RMDs who are on immunosuppressive therapies have less-than-optimal responses to vaccination, and therefore, are still at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection," says study lead author Caoilfhionn Connolly, M.D., a postdoctoral fellow in rheumatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. According to the American College of Rheumatology, RMDs are a diverse group of autoimmune diseases that affect children and adults, and can impact any organ of the body, often the joints. Most RMDs are due to problems of the immune system, which can result in inflammation and gradual deterioration of joints, muscles and bones. Over 46 million people in the United States are living with some type of RMD, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, vasculitis and Sjogren's syndrome. Between Dec. 7, 2020, and March 11, 2021, the Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers recruited patients age 18 and older with RMDs for the immune response study. One month after the participants received their second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, blood samples were analyzed for neutralizing antibodies against the target of both vaccines, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Twenty patients did not have detectable antibodies. The majority were women (95%), white (90%), diagnosed with lupus (50%) and receiving multiple immunosuppressive agents (80%) -- of which the most common medications were rituximab (55%), a biologic used to treat autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis, and mycophenolate (50%), a drug commonly used as a first-line therapy for scleroderma lung disease and lupus nephritis (kidney inflammation). Both immune suppressants work by depleting B-lymphocytes (also known as B-cells), immune cells that produce antibodies in response to foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. "Based on our findings, we urge patients with autoimmune diseases who are taking these particular immunosuppressive agents to continue practicing recommended COVID-19 safety measures, even after vaccination," says study co-author Brian Boyarsky, M.D., Ph.D., a research fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Connolly and Boyarsky say additional research is needed to better understand the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with RMDs to find potential methods for raising the vaccine effectiveness in this population -- including adjusting the dosage and timing of immunosuppressive agents prior to vaccination. Connolly and Boyarsky are available for interviews. ### WOODS HOLE, Mass. -- Plastics are everywhere. From cell phones to pens and cars to medical devices, the modern world is full of plastic-- and plastic waste. New research from scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) Ecosystems Center found that some of that plastic waste has been accumulating in salt marshes for decades. The study was published in Environmental Advances. Salt marshes are the link between the land and open ocean ecosystems, and -- in a way --between urban environments and the wild ocean. Microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters) tend to float on the water surface, but salt marshes fill and empty with the tides, so particles that would normally float get trapped within branches and roots and settle into the marsh soil. Sediments accumulate in the salt marsh layer after layer, like tree rings, keeping an historical record of sedimentation within the ecosystem. "By accumulating sediments, they are keeping a record in time," says Javier Lloret, MBL research scientist and co-first author on the paper. Globally, scientists estimate that about 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year. But until now, there's been no estimation of the amount of that plastic that gets trapped in salt marsh ecosystems. By taking core samples of the marsh sediment at six different estuaries in the Waquoit Bay system on Cape Cod, as well as New Bedford, Mass., harbor, the researchers were able to trace the abundance of microplastics dating back decades in areas with very contrasted degrees of land use. "As you go into the past, the amount of microplastics you find decreases clearly," says Lloret. "The amount of microplastics you find in sediments is related to the population numbers... but also the amount of plastic that people use." "Waquoit Bay is the perfect salt marsh system to study plastic pollution because we can contrast one area that is almost pristine... with another area that is highly impacted by human activity," says Rut Pedrosa-Pamies, also an MBL research scientist and co-first author on the paper. "We found a broad range of plastic pollution." The researchers focused on two types of microplastic pollution: fragments (from the breakdown of larger plastic pieces) and fibers (thread-like plastics which tend to shed from clothing and fishing gear). They found that fragment pollution increased both through time and with urbanization. The more populated the area surrounding the collection site, the more plastic fragments the researchers observed. One surprise in the data was that microplastic concentration in the sediments wasn't linear as urbanization grew. Up to 50% development, the concentration of microplastic fragments was relatively unchanged, but once the land was occupied at 50%, the number of microplastics grew exponentially. "Just a few people in the surrounding area is not going to change much, but when urban uses occupy more than 50% of the land, the number of microplastics goes crazy," says Lloret. The microplastic fibers didn't have the same relationship with urbanization. "Even in the more pristine areas that don't have urbanization, we find fiber plastic pollution" says Pedrosa-Pamies. The researchers believe the fragments have a local origin (people using and disposing of plastics where they live) whereas fibers can be transported long distances by air or by water from large-scale urban areas. "When we started, we didn't know if microplastics were an issue here on Cape Cod, or not. No one had analyzed the marsh sediments on Cape Cod for microplastics before," says Lloret. Now that the scientists have shown there is microplastic pollution in New England salt marshes, the next step is to gain further insight. How are those particles arriving in the ecosystem? What are the sources? How are they impacting the ecosystem and the food web of the organisms that live there? "There are still a lot of unanswered questions," says Pedrosa-Pamies. "This is the first step for management, too." ### This work stemmed from a 2018 student research project in MBL's Semester in Environmental Science (SES) program. Students from other MBL programs also participated in ongoing sample collection analysis, including SES, the National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduates, and the Jeff Metcalf Summer Internship Program from the University of Chicago. The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is dedicated to scientific discovery - exploring fundamental biology, understanding marine 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. Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina and elsewhere find a new antibiotic regimen that shortens the treatment course for patients with tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infection that occurs in every part of the world. The standard treatment for TB, a six-month multidrug regimen, has not changed in more than 40 years. Patients can find it difficult to complete the lengthy regimen, making it more likely that treatment resistance will develop. A research team led by a Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) investigator reports in the May 6 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine that a four-month treatment regimen using rifapentine is effective for treating TB. Shortening the treatment duration is an important step toward increased patient adherence. In 2019 alone, 1.4 million people died from TB worldwide. TB is caused by a bacterial infection that attacks the lungs of those infected. The World Health Organization estimates that one-quarter of the world's population has a TB infection, and those individuals will have a 5% to 10% lifetime risk of developing full TB disease. Individuals with compromised immune systems, such as people with HIV, have a much higher risk of developing TB. "TB often affects adults in the prime of their lives," said Susan Dorman, M.D., a professor in the College of Medicine at MUSC and first author of the study. "This disease and treatment can disrupt lives and pull families into poverty." While TB is curable and preventable, multidrug-resistant TB remains a top public health threat. Resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat drugs that are designed to kill them. When one bacterium in the colony figures out how to defeat a particular drug, it can quickly communicate out those instructions to neighboring bacteria, similar to sending out a group text message. The current treatment for those with an active TB infection is a multidrug regimen over the course of six to nine months. Because different antibiotics use different mechanisms to defeat bacteria, TB is treated with several antibiotics at once to decrease the chances that the bacteria will become resistant to the drugs. "Patient adherence to the taxing drug regimen has been a huge problem worldwide, and it is the main factor that has given rise to the very drug-resistant forms of TB that are much more toxic, expensive and time-consuming to treat," said Dorman. Reducing the length of time needed to treat tuberculosis has long been an important public health goal. The more patients who complete their treatments for TB, the less likely it is for bacteria to escape with knowledge to defeat a particular drug and continue the group message thread to other bacteria. "Shortening the treatment time improves adherence, decreases costs to programs and decreases the burdens on patients themselves," explained Dorman. Dorman and her team at MUSC worked with both a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a National Institutes of Health trials group to find a way to shorten the overall duration of treatment needed to cure the disease completely. The team focused on a drug called rifapentine. This drug is similar to the antibiotic used in the current TB treatment protocol but remains effective in the body for longer periods of time. Over the course of 15 years, Dorman and her team performed preclinical and early phase clinical studies to determine how best to use this drug. They determined what dosage to give, how often the drug can be administered and what other antibiotics to pair with it. They then launched a worldwide phase III study with the TB Trials Consortium and the AIDS clinical trial group. Patients with active TB infections were treated with one of two four-month rifapentine-based regimens or the standard six-month regimen. They were followed for 12 months. The results of the trial revealed that the four-month regimen containing rifapentine and another antibiotic, moxifloxacin, worked just as well as the six-month regimen. It was also safe and well-tolerated by the patients. Dorman and her team hope these results will change how TB is currently being treated. In the U.S., their trial results will be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After the FDA reviews the data, the CDC will get involved and issue guidance on changing the treatment regimen. This process could take another 12 months to complete. In the meantime, Dorman and her team have been meeting with WHO representatives to develop guidelines for the new treatment. "We're hopeful that the WHO will adopt this regimen and recommend it worldwide," said Dorman. The results of this large phase III trial emphasize the importance of global participation and collaboration. "Our intent was to enroll participants who reflected the overall world population of people with TB so that our results would be generalizable," said Dorman. They also made sure to include those under the age of 18, along with people who have HIV. People living with HIV are 18 times more likely to develop active TB compared with people without HIV. The combination of HIV and TB is particularly lethal because the HIV virus attacks the main immune cells that help to coordinate a defense against the tuberculosis bacteria. Importantly, patients with HIV cleared their TB just as well as those without HIV in this phase III study. "This work really represents a landmark in tuberculosis care, and some of the scientific work embedded in this trial will help us and others to understand how to improve TB treatment even more," said Dorman. "Four months is still too long." ### About the Medical University of South Carolina Founded in 1824 in Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is home to the oldest medical school in the South as well as the state's only integrated academic health sciences center, with a unique charge to serve the state through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and nearly 800 residents in six colleges: Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. MUSC brought in more than $271 million in biomedical research funds in fiscal year 2020, continuing to lead the state in obtaining National Institutes of Health funding, with more than $129.9 million. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu. As the clinical health system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest quality patient care available while training generations of competent, compassionate health care providers to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Comprising some 1,600 beds, more than 100 outreach sites, the MUSC College of Medicine, the physicians' practice plan and nearly 275 telehealth locations, MUSC Health owns and operates eight hospitals situated in Charleston, Chester, Florence, Lancaster and Marion counties. In 2020, for the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org. MUSC and its affiliates have collective annual budgets of $3.2 billion. The more than 17,000 MUSC team members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers and scientists who deliver groundbreaking education, research, technology and patient care. Climate scientists at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU, Singapore) have extended the known record of Singapore's sea-level to almost 10,000 years ago, providing a more robust dataset to aid future predictions of sea-level rise. One of the main challenges in researching climate change is to reconstruct its history over thousands of years. To have a better sense of the potential causes and effects of future changes, scientists need to learn from and understand the past. Extracting ancient sediments from a depth of up to 40 m underground at a site at Singapore's Marina South, an international team led by NTU researchers put the samples through rigorous laboratory methods (e.g., identifying microfossils such as foraminifera) and statistical analysis to obtain data to reconstruct Singapore's sea level history. For climate scientists, the further the sea-level record goes back in time, the clearer the picture can be for future predictions. The transition at the beginning of the Holocene (10,000-7,000 years ago) represented the last major episode of natural global warming in Earth's history, when melting ice sheets and warming oceans led to a 20 m rise in sea level. For the last 3,000 years, the sea level in Singapore had been stable, before the recent acceleration in the 20th century due to climate change. Lead author, Dr Stephen Chua, who completed the study as part of his doctoral work at the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and Asian School of the Environment (ASE) at NTU Singapore said, "By dating the Singapore sea-level record to 10,000 years ago, we retrieved crucial new information from the early Holocene period. This is a period that is characterised by rapid sea-level rise yet remains poorly understood - until now." "This more refined sea-level record also has wider implications. For instance, it would lead to more robust and accurate local projection of sea-level rise, offering a strategic guide for Singapore as it moves to adapt to climate change." Professor Maureen Raymo, Co-Founding Dean of the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University, who was not involved in the study, said: "This is the type of crucial information needed to effectively plan adaptation measures in the face of ongoing sea level rise due to global warming. Our past does inform our future." Why Marina South site for investigations? Developing an accurate ancient sea-level record required sediment extraction from an 'ideal' site where deposits such as marine mud and mangrove peats are present. To pick the best possible coring site for accurate results, researchers looked through thousands of available borehole logs - records of holes that have been drilled into the ground for infrastructure projects. Associate Professor Adam Switzer who leads the Coastal Lab at ASE and EOS and who was Dr Chua's supervisor, said, "Finding the right place to drill was a huge effort. Stephen spent well over a year going over old borehole information from a variety of construction efforts over the last 30 years just to find records that might be suitable. As a result, our understanding of the geology of the whole area has also dramatically improved." Findings useful for Singapore's coastal defence plan against rising sea levels The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal The Holocene on 4 June 2021, also found the first conclusive evidence that mangroves only existed in the Marina South area for around 300 years before succumbing to flooding associated with rising sea level at the time. At a depth of 20 m below modern sea level, researchers found abundant mangrove pollen indicating that a mangrove shoreline existed in southern Singapore almost 10,000 years ago. The NTU findings reveal that sea-level rise during that time was as high as 10 - 15 mm per year which likely led to the mangrove's demise. The findings provide Singapore with useful insights for current and future adaption methods as the island nation looks to go beyond engineering solutions and to incorporate natural methods to safeguard the country's coastlines. Despite its adaptability and effectiveness as a coastal defence, the study highlights the limitations of mangroves in the event of rapid sea-level rise. This confirms an earlier study co-authored by NTU showing that mangroves will not survive if sea-level rise goes beyond 7 mm per year under a high carbon emissions scenario. Co-author of the study, Professor Benjamin Horton, Director of EOS, said, "Sea-level rise is a potentially disastrous outcome of climate change, as rising temperatures melt ice sheets and warm ocean waters. Scenarios of future rise are dependent upon understanding the response of sea level to climate changes. Accurate estimates of past sea-level variability in Singapore provide a context for such projections". Providing an independent comment on the research, Professor Philip Gibbard, a Quaternary geologist from the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, underscored the importance of records from localities distant from the glaciated regions such as Singapore. "They offer a model of the process of sea-level change uncomplicated by factors associated with deglaciation, meltwater discharge and more. This important systematic contribution from Singapore and the region provides a valuable record that spans the post-glacial Holocene period, thus allowing a general pattern of sea-level change in the region to be established. This record can then be further refined as more studies become available in the future." ### Cancer researchers say they have established a new, life-extending treatment option for men with prostate cancer that has spread and become resistant to hormone therapy. The injected treatment combines a targeting compound with a radioactive isotope to irradiate and kill cancer cells. An international clinical trial sponsored by Endocyte, Inc., a Novartis company tested the targeted radioligand therapy in study participants with advanced prostate cancer. All subjects had cancers that had spread to other organs and continued to progress after previous treatment with two kinds of drugs, androgen axis inhibitors and taxanes. The experimental treatment significantly extended survival, delayed progression and was generally well tolerated by study subjects, researchers said. "This is a completely new treatment option that extends life and disease control in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer - the most aggressive and deadly type," said Tom Beer, M.D., one of the study leaders and deputy director of the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute. The added option is particularly important, Beer said, because the existing most effective treatments developed for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer are now being used to treat early-stage disease. "Some of our best treatments are being used earlier, so by the time you get to metastatic castration resistant disease, you have fewer options," he said. Beer is a co-author of the presentation of the results at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting on Sunday. The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute was among the top sites for enrolling subjects. The experimental therapy is called Lutetium-177-PSMA-617. It carries the radioactive isotope Lutetium-177 and targets prostate-specific membrane antigen, or PSMA, a protein that appears on the surface of most prostate cancer cells. After injection into the bloodstream, the drug binds to prostate cancer cells bearing PSMA, and thus delivers radiation selectively to the cancer. The emitted beta particle radiation works over short distances to limit damage to surrounding tissues. More than 80 percent of advanced prostate cancers bear the PSMA protein, and patients with PSMA-bearing tumors can be identified with a PET scan. The randomized, phase 3 clinical trial enrolled more than 800 subjects at 84 sites. They were randomly assigned to receive Lutetium-177-PSMA-617 in addition to standard of care, or to receive standard of care alone. Those in the experimental therapy group received intravenous infusions of the radioligand therapy once every six weeks for up to six cycles. Overall survival was significantly longer in those treated with the targeted radioligand: a median of 15.3 months versus 11.3 months. Survival without tumor progression also was significantly longer in the radioligand group: a median of 8.7 months versus 3.4 months. Researchers said the effect of Lutetium-177-PSMA-617 treatment on overall survival was substantial especially given that all of the subjects enrolled had disease progressing despite treatment with modern androgen axis inhibitors and taxane chemotherapy. They said ongoing trials will address the question of whether the targeted radioligand therapy can provide therapeutic benefit earlier in the treatment sequence than was the case in the present clinical study. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events of grade 3 or above was higher in the group given the targeted radioligand than in group given the standard of care only. Fatigue, dry mouth and nausea were the most commonly reported adverse events in the radioligand group. "It's pretty well tolerated," Beer said. "I think it's going to be an asset in treating cancer without taking a big toll on patients." ### The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is a national leader in prostate cancer treatment and research, expanding access to clinical trials and the newest treatments. With the VA Portland Health Care System, the Knight Cancer Institute has established center of excellence for prostate cancer precision oncology. Disclosure: The clinical trial was funded by Endocyte, Inc., a Novartis company. Tom Beer received research funding from Endocyte and consulting fees from Novartis. COLUMBUS, Ohio - New research suggests that African American families living in public housing are a "hidden population" when it comes to national suicide prevention efforts. The study showed 11% of Black teens and young adults living in a mid-Atlantic public housing development reported that in the previous 12 months, they had made a plan to die by suicide. The finding fits with what previous research has shown: that African American youths are the fastest-growing group engaging in suicidal behavior and dying by suicide, and have the highest suicide death rate increase among any other racial or ethnic minority group, from 2.55 per 100,000 in 2007 to 4.82 per 100,000 in 2017. Males were more likely than females to have come up with a suicide plan, and certain family dynamics increased the chances a youth would engage in suicidal behavior: mothers who were currently incarcerated or fathers with a history of alcohol abuse. Researchers suggest the findings warrant expansion of the types of locations that national suicide prevention experts have targeted as the best places to deliver prevention programs. Rather than basing interventions at community hospitals or schools, the researchers argue, culturally tailored suicide-prevention interventions should be offered within public housing communities themselves as well as these other locations. Though public housing was originally envisioned as a temporary residence for transitory families, societal changes - the collapse of manufacturing jobs, crack cocaine epidemic and welfare-to-work mandates among others - combined to leave most families in these developments without the means to move out. "I call it a 'constellation of correlations.' There was no more transition and these communities were devastated, and as a result, you see a 'Lord of the Flies' type of narrative where children were unintentionally left to their own devices," said Camille R. Quinn, lead author of the study and assistant professor of social work at The Ohio State University. "Today, even though there is not as much drug trafficking, it is still part of the tapestry in these communities and that has definitely left an imprint. And parents and their children are likely living with the aftermath," Quinn said. "If either parent is in or out of the prison system, or has charges or offenses on their record, that makes it harder for them to find employment, and that makes it difficult for them to do the best they can for their children." The study is published online in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. This study used select data from a larger research project examining the association for residents in public housing between neighborhood factors and health risk behaviors. The sample of a subset of the participants in the initial study included 190 African American youths and young adults between ages 15 and 24. Quinn and colleagues analyzed results from survey questions asking the youths if they had made a plan to attempt suicide in the past 12 months, if either parent were currently or had previously been in jail, and if either parent had ever had problems with illegal substances or consuming too much alcohol. Almost 34% of fathers and 8.4% of mothers were incarcerated at the time the survey data were collected, and more dads than moms had had drug and alcohol problems. Statistical analysis showed that a father's past alcohol problem or a mother's current incarceration had the strongest association with a youth's plan to die by suicide. Males were significantly more likely than females to have planned a suicide. "It's significant that so many males reported a plan to die by suicide, which is really stark," said Quinn, adding that this finding matches patterns seen in previous research: Girls and women as a whole are much more likely to think about, plan and attempt suicide but survive, while young men who have decided they are going to die are more likely to follow through. The researchers cite U.S. Census data showing that public housing constitutes almost a quarter of households in the most highly segregated and lowest-opportunity neighborhoods in the United States, and African American households represent 51% of the families living in public housing in these neighborhoods. Of those families, 29% have been contacted by child protective services - suggesting these housing communities are marked by violence and social problems, including parental substance misuse and jail time, which have been linked in previous research with youths' suicidal behavior. The study findings imply that African American families living in public housing should be targeted for family-centered, evidence-based interventions delivered in their residential communities, the researchers say, which could lead to development of the most effective suicide prevention practices for this specific population. The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Research Prioritization Task Force published a plan in 2014 to reduce suicide attempts and deaths by 40% or more by 2024. The plan recommended reaching "boundaried" populations by delivering interventions in hospital emergency rooms, schools, correctional facilities, and mental health and substance abuse centers - systems from which families living in public housing may be isolated and therefore missed by suicide prevention outreach. In the meantime, Quinn is investigating potential factors beyond the family that could influence - positively or negatively - suicidal behavior in African American teens and young adults living in public housing. "What impact might school have, or peers?" she said. "In this paper, we don't even know whether or not the young people in this sample have any involvement with any system - child welfare, special education or juvenile justice. We would guess that if they were, that would have implications for what kind of considerations might be made for treatment." ### Co-authors include Oliver Beer and Donte Boyd of Ohio State, Taqi Tirmazi of Morgan State University, and Von Nebbitt and Sean Joe of Washington University in St. Louis. Contact: Camille R. Quinn, Quinn.395@osu.edu Written by Emily Caldwell, Caldwell.151@osu.edu A man waits for his turn at a COVID-19 vaccination center in Seoul, June 3. Yonhap Park Young-gle, an office worker living in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, had lingering concerns about getting a COVID-19 vaccine when a call arrived from a local clinic saying she was next up in line for a leftover shot. "Reports and rumors about blood clots related to younger people still bothered me, but I figured that the benefit of getting vaccinated is greater than the risk of that going wrong," the 31-year-old said. People aged over 30 in South Korea, like Park, can apply for leftover vaccines from "no-show" appointments. Fortunately, Park had no post-vaccination symptoms. "I just wanted to be able to get my old life back, even if it means getting back a small part of it," Park said. South Korea began its nationwide inoculation on Feb. 26, starting off with essential personnel, like police officers and medical staff members. Contrary to health authorities' expectations for high turnouts, there was a great deal of hesitancy about getting the shots, largely driven by safety concerns over AstraZeneca (AZ) jabs the bulk of which the country has procured for its 51.3 million citizens. "Rumors and unfounded arguments about AZ side effects circulated through mainstream and social media," Chun Eun-mi, a professor at Ewha Womans University Medical Center, said. "The deaths and severe abnormal reaction cases, like the 40-something nurse who suffered quadriplegic symptoms, added to the fears," she said. An April survey by Hankook Research conducted on 1,000 adults showed that 61.4 percent of the respondents said they were willing to get vaccinated, down 6.6 percentage points from its March survey. More than 84 percent of them cited the fears about abnormal reactions. "This pandemic is new to everyone, and so are the vaccines. Uncertainties have made people very wary," Kwak Keum-joo, a psychology professor at Seoul National University, said. But things began to change. Lauren Dreier was paging through a 19th century book by the German architect Gottfried Semper when she spotted some intriguing patterns inspired by lace. A professional artist and designer who often incorporates technology into her work, Dreier, who is also a doctoral student at the School of Architecture at Princeton University, decided to recreate the printed illustrations in 3D. She grabbed ribbon-like plastic material she had been experimenting with in her studio, bending and connecting the semi-rigid strips. To Dreier's surprise, the structure she built assumed a bumpy geometry, with four distinct hills and valleys. "I thought it would make a dome, but it was this unusual shape," Dreier said. Curious to know what caused this unexpected twist, she reached out to Sigrid Adriaenssens, an associate professor in Princeton's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Adriaenssens couldn't explain it, either, but she, too, was intrigued. She proposed a joint investigation to find out what was behind the strange structural mechanics. Dreier's discovery wound up leading to the creation of a reconfigurable structure the researchers termed a bigon ring. By tweaking the specific design of the structure's patterns, the team was able to produce multiple geometries that arise from different looping behaviors. According to a paper describing the findings in the Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, the numerical framework behind the discovery can be applied to any general elastic rod network, whether made of thread, bamboo or plastic. It could also lead to the creation of new products and technologies that are capable of changing shape to improve performance under variable conditions from spacecraft to wearable technology. "Drawing inspiration from patterns in lacing, I think we can say nobody's done that before," Adriaenssens said. "Some of these behaviors were very unexpected, and just by adjusting the angle or the width, you get a totally different behavior." To investigate the physics behind these observations, Dreier worked closely with several collaborators, including Tian Yu, a postdoctoral researcher in Adriaenssens' lab. "This is my first time working with an artist, and I never expected to work on a project inspired by lace," Yu said. "I'm fascinated by the mechanics part of this project." Unlike traditional lace makers who use soft threads twisted together, the researchers arranged their creations into loose, looping formations. "It's all about creating excess space between the nodes," Dreier said. The team started by making closed structures called bigons by fixing the ends of two initially straight strips at a certain angle, creating eye- or almond-like forms. Similar to metal hair clips from the 1990s, the bigons exhibited bistability, or two different stable shapes that the structures could toggle between when slight pressure was applied. From there, the researchers arranged multiple bigons into a chain, and then a loop by connecting their ends. The bistable bigons together created an overall structure that could form numerous possible geometries. The structures were multistable, meaning they were made up of a collection forms each of which could be stable independent of the others. Bigon rings, as they called these new forms, sometimes exhibited a similar folding behavior as a bandsaw blade, looping back on themselves. But their behavior could also be tuned by adjusting the intersection angle and the aspect ratio of the strips that composed the bigons, and by changing the number of bigons that made up the ring. As Dreier worked on building these structures, Yu created a numerical model specific to them using Kirchhoff rod equations for how a thin, elastic rod behaves when loaded with forces and displacements. The researchers were able to confirm the accuracy of the model by taking measurements from Dreier's physical creations and comparing the results. The computational model also made it possible to identify different configurations that the bigons or bigon rings might be able to take theoretically. The researchers then tested those mathematical predictions through the physical models to see which equilibria were stable and which were not. "A lot of back and forth came from Tian going deep into the data and saying, 'If you make a six-bigon ring at such-and-such an angle, what happens?'" Dreier said. The team eventually produced a new numerical model that captures multistable behavior, and that the researchers say can be applied to other studies that examine the mechanics of general interlaced elastic networks. In future work, the team plans to conduct a more extensive investigation of the many shapes that bigon-based structures are capable of forming, and how to best achieve specific target shapes. Eventually, their findings could lead to new designs for materials that need to be packed to take up as little room as possible, but that assume a much larger form when unpacked. "For example, materials and structures that go into space have to be folded into a bundle, put in a rocket and then have to expand into as large a size as possible," Adriaenssens said. "Some of these combinations of parameters do that." Other potential real-world applications include novel soft robotic arms, toys and wearable technology. The latter, for example, could include special textiles that stiffen to support someone's arm in a certain position, and loosen in others. "It can envelop things or not, stiffen or not," Adriaenssens said. "It can have many functions." In addition to the practical applications of the work, the project also demonstrates the largely untapped value of interdisciplinary collaboration between artists and engineers. While art tends to be driven by intuition and feelings that operate outside of the realm of scientific thinking, "it can lead to discoveries of some interesting phenomena," Dreier said. "I was really excited that these different worlds could come together in a very relevant way." ### Besides Adriaenssens, Dreier and Yu, co-authors include Stefana Parascho, of the Princeton School of Architecture; Stefano Gabriele, of Roma Tre University; Francesco Marmo, of the University of Naples Federico II. Support for the project was provided in part by the Princeton School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Project X Fund, the Princeton University Magic Grants for Innovation and The Council for International Teaching and Research. Oak Brook, IL - The June edition of SLAS Discovery features the cover article, "A Perspective on Synthetic Biology in Drug Discovery and Development--Current Impact and Future Opportunities" by Florian David, Ph.D. (Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden), Andrew M. Davis, Ph.D. (AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, UK). Michael Gossing, Ph.D., Martin A. Hayes, Ph.D., and Elvira Romero, Ph.D., and Louis H. Scott, Ph.D. (AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden), and Mark J. Wigglesworth, Ph.D. (AstraZeneca, London, England, UK). In January 2021, a survey of immunologists, infectious-disease researchers and virologists found that 90% of respondents believe SARS-CoV-2 will become endemic, continuing to circulate in pockets of the global population for years to come. Even as vaccines are becoming more widely available, there are people who either do not respond to the treatment or are not suitable for vaccination. There is a critical need to develop small molecule inhibitors for this pathogen. The cover article highlights the work of the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee (Dundee, Scotland, UK) reporting on the development of a high-throughput biochemical assay to assess the impact of small molecules on the methyltransferase activity of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14). This enzyme is responsible for the N7-methylation of the cap at the 5' end of viral RNA and is critical in helping coronaviruses evade host defenses. The label-free MS-based assay developed was used to screen a library of 1771 FDA-approved drugs. The chemical hits that were identified may serve as starting points for drug discovery programs aimed at delivering therapeutics for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The June issue of SLAS Discovery includes nine articles of original research. These include: Development and Validation of High-Content Analysis for Screening HDAC6-Selective Inhibitors In Vitro Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of HIV Latency Reversal by Novel HDAC Inhibitors Using an Automated Platform Identification and Kinetic Characterization of Serum- and Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase Inhibitors Using a Fluorescence Polarization-Based Assay Reducing False Positives through the Application of Fluorescence Lifetime Technology: A Comparative Study Using TYK2 Kinase as a Model System Biochemical and Cellular Profile of NIK Inhibitors with Long Residence Times A Novel High-Throughput FLIPR Tetra-Based Method for Capturing Highly Confluent Kinetic Data for Structure-Kinetic Relationship Guided Early Drug Discovery A Multipronged Screening Approach Targeting Inhibition of ETV6 PNT Domain Polymerization Unbiased High-Throughput Drug Combination Pilot Screening Identifies Synergistic Drug Combinations Effective against Patient-Derived and Drug-Resistant Melanoma Cell Lines Regenerable Biosensors for Small-Molecule Kinetic Characterization Using SPR Other articles include: A Perspective on Synthetic Biology in Drug Discovery and Development--Current Impact and Future Opportunities Public-Private Partnerships: Compound and Data Sharing in Drug Discovery and Development A High-Throughput RNA Displacement Assay for Screening SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 Complex Toward Developing Therapeutics for COVID-19 Development of a High-Throughput Assay to Identify Inhibitors of ENPP1 Access to June's SLAS Discovery issue is available at https:/ / journals. sagepub. com/ toc/ jbxb/ current . For more information about SLAS and its journals, visit https:/ / www. slas. org/ publications/ slas-discovery/ Access a "behind the scenes" look at the latest issue with SLAS Discovery Author Insights podcast. Tune in by visiting https:/ / www. buzzsprout. com/ 1099559 . ### SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building. SLAS Discovery: Advancing the Science of Drug Discovery, 2019 Impact Factor 2.195. Editor-in-Chief Robert M. Campbell, Ph.D., Twentyeight-Seven Therapeutics, Boston, MA (USA). SLAS Technology: Translating Life Sciences Innovation, 2019 Impact Factor 2.174. Editor-in-Chief Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Ph.D., National University of Singapore (Singapore). A study of more than 1,000 demographically representative participants found that about 22 percent of Americans self-identify as anti-vaxxers, and tend to embrace the label as a form of social identity. According to the study by researchers including Texas A&M University School of Public Health assistant professor Timothy Callaghan, 8 percent of this group "always" self-identify this way, with 14 percent "sometimes" identifying as part of the anti-vaccine movement. The results were published in the journal Politics, Groups, and Identities. "We found these results both surprising and concerning," Callaghan said. "The fact that 22 percent of Americans at least sometimes identify as anti-vaxxers was much higher than expected and demonstrates the scope of the challenge in vaccinating the population against COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases." Researchers also found that participants who scored high on the anti-vaccine identity measure were less trusting of scientific experts and more individualistic. Additionally, study results show that there is increased opposition to childhood vaccine requirements among those who self-identify as anti-vaxxers. The study serves as a "blueprint" for other researchers to further examine how socially identifying as an anti-vaxxer impacts health policies and public health. Callaghan notes that Americans socially identifying as anti-vaxxers adds another layer of complexity to mitigating the anti-vaccine movement. Changing a core feature of one's underlying social identity is a difficult task -- one that likely cannot be fixed with traditional public health messaging. Moving forward, Callaghan and other members of the research team hope to investigate how endorsement of the anti-vaccine label varies across the country based on states and levels of rurality, as well as interventions that might reduce individuals' social attachment to the label. ### The cost of offsetting corporate carbon emissions needs to increase ten-fold to drive meaningful climate action, says a landmark report by Trove Research and UCL. Current prices of carbon offsets are unsustainably low and need to increase significantly to encourage greater investment in new projects that remove carbon from the atmosphere. If prices stay low companies could be accused of greenwashing their emissions, as real emissions reduction and carbon removals are more costly than today's prices. Prices of carbon credits used by companies to offset their emissions are currently low, due to an excess of supply built up over several years, together with issues over whether payments for credits really result in additional reductions in carbon emissions. According to the research, titles Future Demand, Supply and Prices for Voluntary Carbon Credits - Keeping the Balance, without this surplus, prices would be around $15/tCO2e higher, compared to $3-5t/CO2e today. The research shows, however, that the surplus will not last forever, with demand for carbon credits expected to increase five to ten-fold over the next decade as more companies adopt Net Zero climate commitments. This growth in demand should see carbon credit prices rise to $20-50/tCO2e by 2030, as more investment is required in projects that take carbon out of the atmosphere in the long-term. These prices are needed, for example, to incentivise landowners to forgo income from agriculture and instead preserve forests and plant trees. With a further increase in demand expected by 2040 and 2050, carbon credit prices would rise in excess of $50/tCO2e. If governments successfully reduce emissions through domestic policies, fewer carbon credits will be available to businesses through the voluntary market. This would increase carbon credit prices further, potentially reaching $100/tCO2e. If carbon credit prices remain significantly below these forecast levels, companies could be open to criticisms of greenwashing, claiming credit for emission reductions that would have been undertaken anyway. The analysis also shows that the contribution of the voluntary market to reducing world emissions needs to be seen in perspective. Even at prices of $100/tCO2e the technologies assessed in this study (reducing deforestation, forest restoration, CCS, BECCs and renewables in least developed countries) could deliver around 2bn tCO2e per year of emission reductions on average between now and 2050. This is about 4% of world greenhouse gas emissions, and 10% of the gap between global "business as usual" emissions in 2030 and pledges in the Paris Agreement by 2030, showing that the market for offsets will be modest compared to economy-wide emissions reductions needed to reach the Paris targets and net zero by 2050. However, over the next decade the voluntary market will provide a valuable financing mechanism to support the protection of existing forests and restoring degraded habitats, providing immediate climate and biodiversity benefits while other technologies that can remove carbon from the atmosphere are scaled up. Guy Turner, CEO of Trove Research and lead author of the study said "It is encouraging to see so many companies setting Net Zero and Carbon Neutral climate targets. What this new analysis shows is that these companies need to plan for substantially higher carbon credit prices and make informed trade-offs between reducing emissions internally and buying credits from outside the company's value chain." Co-author of the study Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography) said: "Customers, clients, investors and employees all want companies to become more sustainable and achieve net zero carbon as soon as possible. Even with ambitious carbon reduction plans there are some company emissions that are currently unavoidable and this is where carbon offsetting is essential. But everyone wants a carbon credit system that is reliable and really does remove carbon from the atmosphere - what this groundbreaking report shows is that this will cost significantly more than companies are paying now." Co-author of the study Professor Simon Lewis (UCL Geography) said: "The current market in carbon credits is the wild-west, where too often anything goes. A clean-up and independent regulation is required, which will increase the price of carbon credits. This is because in reality it is costly to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Overall it will be cheaper in the long-run to invest in moving to zero emissions rather than relying on offsets. But for those emissions that remain, the true price of removing carbon from the atmosphere must be paid, as the alternative is greenwash." ### Future Demand, Supply and Prices for Voluntary Carbon Credits - Keeping the Balance will be published and available to download on the Trove Research website. Notes to Editors For more information or to speak to the researchers involved, please contact: Jane Bolger, UCL Media Relations: T: +44 (0) 7990 675 947, E: j.bolger@ucl.ac.uk Guy Turner, CEO Trove Research T: +44 7801 140696 E: guy.turner@trove-research.com Copies of Future Demand, Supply and Prices for Voluntary Carbon Credits - Keeping the Balance are available to download here: https:/ / wetransfer. com/ downloads/ adb46524d19d29c4ca3b69e8534f029020210603121350/ d05a959b1f2ef7aec0ae8c491415a3c820210603121416/ 6d5324 About Trove Research Trove Research is an independent research and data company focused on solving the climate change challenge through objective and rigorous analysis. We work across the range of climate policy areas, including carbon markets and the broader energy transition. We develop analytical tools and insights for use by companies, governments, NGOs and other research organisations to gain deeper understanding of complex sustainability decisions. For more information see: http://www. trove-research. com ; http://www. trove-intelligence. com About UCL - London's Global University UCL is a diverse community with the freedom to challenge and think differently. Our community of more than 41,500 students from 150 countries and over 12,500 staff pursues academic excellence, breaks boundaries and makes a positive impact on real world problems. We are consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the world and are one of only a handful of institutions rated as having the strongest academic reputation and the broadest research impact. We have a progressive and integrated approach to our teaching and research - championing innovation, creativity and cross-disciplinary working. We teach our students how to think, not what to think, and see them as partners, collaborators and contributors. For almost 200 years, we are proud to have opened higher education to students from a wide range of backgrounds and to change the way we create and share knowledge. We were the first in England to welcome women to university education and that courageous attitude and disruptive spirit is still alive today. We are UCL. http://www. ucl. ac. uk | Follow @uclnews on Twitter | Watch our YouTube channel | Listen to UCL podcasts on SoundCloud | Find out what's on at UCL Minds | #MadeAtUCL A research group of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology of the University of Bologna analyzed more than one million SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences. This analysis led to the identification of a new variant that, over the past weeks, has been spreading mostly in Mexico but has also been found in Europe. Their paper published in the Journal of Medical Virology presented the so-called "Mexican variant", whose scientific name is T478K. Like other strains, this presents a mutation in the Spike protein, which allows coronaviruses to attach to and penetrate their targeted cells. "This variant has been increasingly spreading among people in North America, particularly in Mexico. To date, this variant covers more than 50% of the existing viruses in this area. The rate and speed of the spread recall those of the 'British variant'", explains Federico Giorgi, who is the study coordinator and a professor at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology of the University of Bologna. "The mutation of the Spike protein is structurally located in the region of interaction with human receptor ACE2. Coronaviruses attach to this receptor to infect cells, thus spreading the infection with more efficacy". The researchers started from the analysis of almost 1.2 million sequenced samples of the SARS-CoV-2 genome found in international databases until April 27, 2021. The new T478K variant was detected in 11435 samples. This is double the number of samples that presented the same variant just a month earlier. Such an increase since the beginning of 2021 alarmed the researchers. The "Mexican variant" spreads evenly across males and females and age ranges. This variant represents 52.8% of all sequenced coronaviruses in Mexico, whereas in the United States it shows up only in 2.7% of the sequenced samples. As concerns Europe, the "Mexican variant" has spread feebly in Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. In Italy is virtually non-existent with only 4 reported cases. The mutation characterizing this variant is located in a region of the Spike protein that is responsible for the interaction with the human receptor ACE2: this is the mechanism allowing coronaviruses to access the cells. Similar mutations are common to all variants that have been at the center of attention in the past months. Indeed, recent coronavirus variants stand out for their high infection rates, which made them pervasive in many areas of the world. Researchers tested the action of T478K Spike protein with in silico simulations and found out that this mutated protein can alter the superficial electrostatic charge. Consequently, it can change not only the interaction with the ACE2 human protein but also with the antibodies of the immune system and thus hinder drug efficacy. "Thanks to the great amount of data available in international databases, we can hold an almost real-time control over the situation by monitoring the spread of coronavirus variants across different geographical areas", concludes Giorgi. "Keeping up this effort in the next months will be crucial to act promptly and with efficient means". ### "Preliminary report on SARS-CoV-2 Spike mutation T478K" is the title of the study published in the Journal of Medical Virology. The authors are Simone di Giacomo, Daniele Mercatelli, Amir Rakhimov, and Federico Giorgi, all from the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology of the University of Bologna. A University of Birmingham-led study funded by the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium has found that many patients with COVID-19 produce immune responses against their body's own tissues or organs. COVID-19 has been associated with a variety of unexpected symptoms, both at the time of infection and for many months afterwards. It is not fully understand what causes these symptoms, but one of the possibilities is that COVID-19 is triggering an autoimmune process where the immune system is misdirected to attack itself. The study, published today (June 4) in the journal Clinical & Experimental Immunology, investigated the frequency and types of common autoantibodies produced in 84 individuals who either had severe COVID-19 at the time of testing or in the recovery period following both severe COVID-19 and those with milder disease that did not need to attend hospital. These results were compared to a control group of 32 patients who were in intensive care for another reason other than COVID-19. An autoantibody is an antibody (a type of protein) produced by the immune system that is directed against one or more of the individual's own proteins and can cause autoimmune diseases. Infection can, in some circumstances, lead to autoimmune disease. Early data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection can trigger long-term autoimmune complications and there are reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection being associated with a number of autoimmune disorders including Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the study found higher numbers of autoantibodies in the COVID-19 patients than the control group and that these antibodies lasted up to six months. Non-COVID patients displayed a diverse pattern of autoantibodies; in contrast, the COVID-19 groups had a more restricted panel of autoantibodies including skin, skeletal muscle and cardiac antibodies. The authors also find that those with more severe COVID-19 were more likely to have an autoantibody in their blood. First author Professor Alex Richter, of the University of Birmingham, explained: "The antibodies we identified are similar to those that cause a number of skin, muscle and heart autoimmune diseases. "We don't yet know whether these autoantibodies are definitely causing symptoms in patients and whether this is a common phenomenon after lots of infections or just following COVID-19. These questions will be addressed in the next part of our study." Senior Author Professor David Wraith, of the University of Birmingham, adds: "In this detailed study of a range of different tissues, we showed for the first time that COVID-19 infection is linked to production of selective autoantibodies. More work is needed to define whether these antibodies contribute to the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hence could be targeted for treatment." Professor Paul Moss, Principal Investigator of the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium and Professor of Haematology at the University of Birmingham added: "This is an interesting study that reveals new insights into a potential autoimmune component to the effects of COVID-19. Research like this has been made possible by the huge collaborative efforts made by those that are a part of the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium. This study is another important step towards delivering real improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 to patients." The study participants were separated into four cohorts: Group one: 32 individuals sampled during their stay in intensive care for reasons other than COVID-19. 41% of individuals had autoantibodies. In this group, there were many different causes of their illness (over half was pneumonia) and autoantibodies were found against nearly all of the different autoantigens examined, indicating a more random distribution. Group two: 25 individuals who were sampled during their stay in intensive care following a diagnosis of severe COVID-19. 60% had autoantibodies. Of those who tested positive for autoantibodies, 41% had epidermal (skin) antibodies, while 17% had skeletal antibodies. Group three: 35 individuals who had been admitted to intensive care with COVID-19, survived and were sampled three to six months later during routine outpatient follow up. 77% of individuals had autoantibodies. Of those who tested positive for autoantibodies, 19% had epidermal (skin) antibodies, 19% had skeletal antibodies, 28% had cardiac muscle antibodies; and 31% had smooth muscle antibodies. Group four: 24 healthcare workers sampled one to three months after mild to moderate COVID-19 that did not require hospitalisation. 54% of individuals had autoantibodies. In those who tested positive for autoantibodies, it was against only four autoantigens: 25% had epidermal (skin) antibodies; 17% had smooth muscle antibodies; 8% had anti-neutrophil cytoplasm (ANCA) antibodies that target a type of human white blood cells; and 4% had gastric parietal antibodies which are associated with autoimmune gastritis and anaemia. ### Notes to Editors Richter et al (June, 2021). 'Establishing the prevalence of common tissue-specific autoantibodies following SARS CoV-2 infection.' Clinical & Experimental Immunology. DOI:10.1111/cei.13623 The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world's top 100 institutions, and its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 6,500 international students from nearly 150 countries. The UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium brings together 20 UK immunology centres of excellence to research how the immune system interacts with SARS-CoV-2 to help us improve patient care and develop better diagnostics, treatments and vaccines against COVID-19. It is jointly funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and supported by the British Society for Immunology. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is the nation's largest funder of health and care research. The NIHR: (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- Extreme risk protection orders, also known as gun violence restraining orders (GVROs) or "red flag" orders, exist in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The laws allow law enforcement, family and household members, some co-workers, employers and teachers to work with a judge to temporarily remove access to firearms and ammunition from people at significant risk of self-harm or harming others. But an obstacle to implementing these preventive measures has been revealed in a new study from the Violence Prevention Research Program at UC Davis Health. Although GVROs have been available in California for five years, two-thirds of the Californians surveyed for the study had never heard of them. "Firearm violence is preventable, not inevitable. Raising public awareness about proactive ways for people to intervene can be crucial for preventing violence before it occurs," said Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz, lead author of the study and an assistant professor with the Violence Prevention Research Program. GVROs are only available if an individual has or could get a gun, and other options to protect against harm have failed or are not appropriate. The study appears June 4 in JAMA Health Forum. Majority, including gun owners, would be somewhat or very willing to use a GVRO The survey was completed in July 2020 by 2,870 adults statistically representative of the adult population in California. It also assessed personal willingness to use a GVRO when a family member was at risk. After reading a brief description of California's GVRO law, more than 80% of the respondents said they would be somewhat or very willing to ask a judge to issue a GVRO if a family member had threatened to physically hurt themselves, someone else or a group of people. Respondents who lived in homes with gun owners expressed the highest levels of willingness to ask a judge for a GVRO. The responses ranged from 84% who were somewhat or very willing if a family member were experiencing an emotional crisis to 95% if a family member had threatened to physically hurt someone else. The study included five risk scenarios of a person who has or could get a gun and: was experiencing an emotional crisis; has severe dementia or similar condition; has threatened to physically hurt themselves; has threatened to physically hurt someone else; or has threatened to physically hurt a group of people. A majority of respondents who identified as gun owners -- 70% to 86%, depending on the described risk scenario -- said they would be somewhat or very willing to ask a judge for a GVRO if a family member had threatened to harm themselves or others. About 30% of the respondents reported they were unwilling to ask a judge for a GVRO for a family member in at least one of the described risk scenarios. The most frequently cited reason for being unwilling was not knowing enough about GVROs. The second most common reason was the belief that the described risk scenarios are personal or family matters. GVROs can be effective tools for preventing violence. They leverage the knowledge of those who are often the first to recognize someone they care about is in crisis or behaving dangerously and provide a tool for proactive intervention. "Given the evidence of this and prior studies, the take-home message is clear: 'If you see or hear something, please say something,'" said Garen Wintemute, director of the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program and professor of emergency medicine at UC Davis Health. Prevention measures gaining traction in United States Firearms are involved in half of suicides and three-quarters of homicides in the United States, accounting for nearly 39,000 violent deaths in 2019, the most recent year in which data are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In California, as in many other states, GVRO legislation was passed in the wake of a public mass shooting. Past research suggests that GVROs have been used successfully to prevent mass harm and that these orders are particularly effective for suicide prevention. But the use of GVROs remains relatively uncommon. In California, the use of GVROs has grown from 70 orders in 2016, the year the law went into effect, to 700 in 2019. However, overall uptake of the law has been slow, possibly due to a lack of awareness. Given high levels of personal willingness to use a GVRO, including among gun owners and non-owners who live with owners, the current study indicates that improved knowledge of GVROs may lead to increased usage to prevent firearm injury and death in California and other parts of the country. "GVROs are promising tools for preventing firearm-related harm. Our findings are consistent with national studies indicating that many firearm violence prevention policies have widespread public support and that general consensus exists between firearm owners and non-owners," Kravitz-Wirtz says. ### Additional study authors are Amanda J. Aubel, research data analyst at the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program, and Rocco Pallin, director of education for the BulletPoints Project. This research was supported by the University of California Firearm Violence Research Center with funds from the State of California. Additional support came from the California Wellness Foundation (2017-0447) and the Heising-Simons Foundation (2019-1728). About the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program The UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program (VPRP) is a multidisciplinary program of research and policy development focused on the causes, consequences and prevention of violence. Studies assess firearm violence, the social conditions that underlie violence, and the connections between violence, substance abuse and mental illness. VPRP is home to the University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, which launched in 2017 with a $5 million appropriation from the state of California to conduct leading-edge research on firearm violence and its prevention. Visit health.ucdavis.edu/vprp/. Physicists in Israel have created a quantum interferometer on an atom chip. This device can be used to explore the fundamentals of quantum theory by studying the interference pattern between two beams of atoms. University of Groningen physicist, Anupam Mazumdar, describes how the device could be adapted to use mesoscopic particles instead of atoms. This modification would allow for expanded applications. A description of the device, and theoretical considerations concerning its application by Mazumdar, were published on 28 May in the journal Science Advances. The device which scientists from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev created is a so-called Stern Gerlach Interferometer, which was first proposed one hundred years ago by German physicists Otto Stern and Walter Gerlach. Their original aim of creating an interferometer with freely propagating atoms exposed to gradients from macroscopic magnets has not been practically realized until now. 'Such experiments have been done using photons, but never with atoms', explains Anupam Mazumdar, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Groningen and one of the co-authors of the article in Science Advances. Diamonds The Israeli scientists, led by Professor Ron Folman, created an interferometer on an atom chip, which can confine and/or manipulate atoms. A beam of rubidium atoms is levitated over the chip using magnets. Magnetic gradients are used to split the beam according to the spin values of the individual atoms. Spin is a magnetic moment that can have two values, either up or down. The spin-up and spin-down atoms are separated by a magnetic gradient. Subsequently, the two divergent beams are brought together again and recombined. The spin values are then measured, and an interference pattern is formed. Spin is a quantum phenomenon, and throughout this interferometer, the opposing spins are entangled. This makes the interferometer sensitive to other quantum phenomena. Mazumdar was not involved in the construction of the chip, but he contributed theoretical insights to the paper. Together with a number of his colleagues, he previously proposed an experiment to determine whether gravity is in fact a quantum phenomenon using entangled mesoscopic objects, namely tiny diamonds that can be brought in a state of quantum superposition. 'It would be possible to use these diamonds instead of the rubidium atoms on this interferometer', he explains. However, this process would be highly complex as the device, which is currently operated at room temperature, would need to be cooled down to around 1 Kelvin for the mesoscopic experiment. Free fall If this is realized, two of these atom chips could free fall together (to neutralize external gravity), so that any interaction occurring between them would depend on the gravitational pull between the two chips. Mazumdar and his colleagues aim to determine whether quantum entanglement of the pair occurs during free fall, which would mean that the force of gravity between the diamonds is indeed a quantum phenomenon. Another application of this experiment is the detection of gravity waves; their deformation of space-time should be visible in the interference pattern. The actual implementation of this experiment is still a long way off, but Mazumdar is very excited now that the interferometer has been created. 'It is already [a] quantum sensor, although we still have to work out exactly what it can detect. The experiment is like the first steps of a baby - now, we have to guide it to reach maturity.' ### Reference: Yair Margalit, Or Dobkowski, Zhifan Zhou, Omer Amit, Yonathan Japha, Samuel Moukouri, Daniel Rohrlich, Anupam Mazumdar, Sougato Bose, Carsten Henkel and Ron Folman: Realization of a complete Stern-Gerlach interferometer: Toward a test of quantum gravity Science Advances, online 28 May 2021. LOWELL, Mass. - A UMass Lowell geologist is among the researchers who have discovered a new type of manmade quasicrystal created by the first test blast of an atomic bomb. The formation holds promise as a new material that could one day help repair bone, insulate heat or convert heat to electricity, among other uses, according to UMass Lowell Prof. G. Nelson Eby, a member of the university's Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department. Eby is a member of the research team that identified the quasicrystal substance inside samples of trinitite they examined that were collected from the debris of the first atomic bomb detonated by the U.S. Army on July 16, 1945 in the New Mexico desert. Also known as atomic rock, trinitite is a glassy material produced by the extreme heat and pressure unleashed by detonated atomic devices. The rock gets its name from the word "trinity," the U.S military's code term for the first nuclear test blast. Naturally occurring quasicrystals have been found in meteorites and in structures impacted by meteorite strikes; researchers first discovered them in aluminum-manganese alloy in the early 1980s. While scientists have created quasicrystals in the laboratory since then, their discovery in trinitite represents the first known time the substance was artificially created, according to Eby, who lives in Burlington. The quasicrystal the researchers discovered in the trinitite is shaped in an icosahedron, a solid, 3D structure with 20 faces. The material is composed of silicon, copper, calcium and iron that can be traced to source materials near the bomb site that were drawn into the enormous force of the explosion along with the desert sand. "Quasicrystals are strange crystalline forms that do not follow the normal laws of crystal symmetry. The tremendous pressure and temperature generated by an atomic detonation can lead to new forms of quasicrystals, such as the one we identified that cannot be produced in a laboratory," Eby said. The research team's findings were published last month in the academic journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Along with Eby, scientists from the University of Florence in Florence, Italy; the California Institute of Technology; Los Alamos National Laboratory; Princeton University; and a researcher working independently contributed to the project. Eby believes the growing understanding of the conditions under which various types of quasicrystals form can help scientists design them for specific purposes, such as heat insulation, converting heat into electricity, bone repair and use in prosthetics, he said. An understanding of trinitite, which Eby and his students study in his UMass Lowell laboratory, is also vital, according to Eby. "Because of concerns about the proliferation and possible use of atomic weapons by rogue nations and terrorist groups, over the past decade, forensic studies of radioactive elements contained in trinitite have been conducted by a number of academic and federal laboratories and institutions, including UMass Lowell," he said. Such study is essential should scientists be called upon to assist in investigations of atomic activity, according to Eby. "Materials recovered from a detonated atomic device would most likely contain remnants of the bomb, and knowing the relationship between glass chemistry and radioactive elements in the materials would be useful in characterizing the device and ultimately identifying the perpetrators," he said. ### A growing number of people use they/them pronouns to signal their gender identity, but for many people, use of "they" to refer to a single individual takes some getting used to. Results of a recent University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study showed the social trend of announcing preferred pronouns, which is often seen in email signatures, Twitter bios and Zoom settings, improves how pronouns are understood. "Announcing one's pronouns matters, and explicitly saying that someone uses they/them pronouns increases the chance that others will successfully interpret the pronoun in this way in the future," said Jennifer Arnold, a UNC-Chapel Hill professor of psychology and neuroscience who led the study published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. There is a psychology of language and Arnold studies the mental steps that underlie the way we process language. Singular "they" has been around for centuries. But its frequency and range of uses is expanding to those who identify as non-binary, that is, those who do not exclusively identify as male or female. Using the pronouns that a person goes by is considered a sign of respect. Still sometimes people can use the wrong pronoun without realizing it or meaning any harm. For the recent study Arnold worked with undergraduate students Heather Mayo and Lisa Dong to test the impact of explicitly discussing pronouns. For example, saying "Alex uses they/them pronouns." During experiments, 184 participants from the United States, United Kingdom and Australia read short stories such as "Alex went running with Liz. They fell down." Answers to "Who fell down?" indicated whether the participants interpreted they as Alex or Alex and Liz. Singular responses were found more often when Alex was either the only person in the story or when Alex was mentioned first. When Alex was listed as second, the rate of assigning singular interpretations was very low, occurring about 20 percent of the time. It was especially hard to get without instruction about preferred pronouns. The singular interpretation was stronger - in some experiments doubling the chance of getting pronouns right -- when participants heard explicit instructions that Alex uses they/them pronouns. However, participants in all experiments had the opportunity to learn this through observation and illustrations. "We found that people adopted the singular interpretation more often when they had been explicitly told a person uses they/them pronouns in comparison with people who just figured it out from the context of a conversation," Arnold said. ### The National Science Foundation and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience in the UNC-Chapel Hill Colleges of Arts and Sciences provided funding for the study. U.S. President Joe Biden / Reuters-Yonhap The United States plans to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to countries in need, including South Korea, President Joe Biden said Thursday. The United States earlier pledged to provide up to 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including 20 million doses that have already been approved for use in the United States. The other 60 million doses are from AstraZeneca, yet to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "As the United States continues our efforts to get every eligible American vaccinated and fight COVID-19 here at home, we also recognize that ending this pandemic means ending it everywhere," Biden said in a released statement. "Today, we're providing more detail on how we will allocate the first 25 million of those vaccines to lay the ground for increased global coverage and to address real and potential surges, high burdens of disease, and the needs of the most vulnerable countries," he added. EL PASO, Texas - The University of Texas at El Paso has earned a $2 million grant from NASA to develop technologies to mine ice on the moon for future deep space exploration. UTEP is one of only six universities to receive the inaugural NASA Lunar Surface Technology Research (LuSTR) grant to find ways to use the natural resources of the moon to sustain life. The work of UTEP faculty and student researchers will be vital in supplying future astronauts with one of the most essential resources - water. "UTEP is becoming a leader in research to advance space exploration," said UTEP President Heather Wilson. "This award is just one example of it." UTEP researchers led by principal investigator Ahsan Choudhuri, Ph.D., director of UTEP's Aerospace Center, will use an advanced thermal mining approach that could release, transport and process water from the icy lunar surface. The team aims to experimentally demonstrate over two pounds of water collection capacity within 11 hours. UTEP Aerospace Center faculty researchers Md Mahamudur Rahman, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering; Amelia Greig, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering; and Evgeny Shafirovich, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering, will serve as co-investigators on the project. This NASA program is meant to engage universities and accelerate the development of high-priority technologies. Eventually, NASA will demonstrate these technologies on the moon, using the moon as a testbed for Mars. ### About The University of Texas at El Paso The University of Texas at El Paso is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 94% of our nearly 25,000 students are minorities, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 166 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top tier research university in America. MADISON, Wis. -- If you're wearing gold jewelry right now, there's a good chance it came from an illegal mining operation in the tropics and surfaced only after some rainforest was sacrificed, according to a team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers and alumni who studied regulatory efforts to curb some of these environmentally damaging activities in the Amazon. The researchers, including UW-Madison geography Professor Lisa Naughton, investigated mining-related deforestation in a biodiverse and ecologically sensitive area of the Peruvian Amazon to see whether formalizing and legalizing these mining operations might curb some of their negative effects. Their study, published June 2 in the journal Environmental Research Letters, was co-authored by a group including UW-Madison alumnae Nora Alvarez-Berrios, now studying land-use and climate impacts at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, and Jessica L'Roe, now a geography professor at Middlebury College. The team focused on an area around the Tambopata National Reserve in Peru from 2001 to 2014. During this time period, Naughton says, demand for gold rose, roads penetrated the region and mining surged. In turn, mining-related deforestation rose by almost 100,000 acres over their study period. "Because the gold is in the sediment scattered under the forest floor, to extract the gold, you have to remove the forest and dig," Alvarez-Berrios says. "You have to cut a lot of the forest and excavate sensitive waterways." While these mining operations are often called "artisanal" or "small-scale," in aggregate they are very destructive. In many countries they operate outside the law, and millions of people are involved across the tropics. Alvarez-Berrios says the typical first step to reducing the environmental impact of artisanal mining is bringing it under governmental oversight, formalizing the activity. That way, local agencies can manage the impacts and protect both ecologically sensitive areas and the economic well-being of poor mine workers. "Peruvian authorities, like authorities in other gold-rush sites, have given up on trying to stop gold mining. They're trying to confine it and contain it," L'Roe says. "Most of the studies about formalization are mainly about trying to help the poor, or make it more fair for the poor. Seldom, almost never, as far as we can tell, have these formalization projects been assessed for their environmental impact. So that's what we were looking at." During their study period, local agencies issued provisional titles to miners to conduct their operations safely. After receiving a provisional title, miners would, in theory, undergo a series of environmental impact and compliance assessments before they started work. But, as L'Roe says they found, the regulation process took a long time. Many miners simply took their provisional title as a green light to start mining, and never went through with the environmental impact assessments. Over their study period, no mining operations made it through the full compliance process, and as such they found little evidence for improved environmental outcomes in formalized mining areas. To assess environmental outcomes, the team used satellite imagery analysis to see how much of the forest had been cut down, as compared to areas without formalized mining regulations. Naughton says while formalizing mining has the potential to decrease environmental damage, it needs enforcement and regulations that match the local context. Formalization without environmental impact assessment or enforcement could just encourage more damaging and dangerous mining, or the expansion of these operations under the pretense that what they're doing is legal. But gold rushes are exactly what they sound like, Naughton says: rushed. They're fast, and slow formalization processes with many steps and provisions and impact assessments often cannot keep up with the pace of extraction. "To sort out in a fair way who owns what land, with what rights, that is a slow process," Naughton says. "This gold rush is explosive. By the time you have well-regulated and transparent public land and property rights, the forest will be gone." The team plans to go back to Tambopata to present its results to local stakeholders. Many members of the community are already aware of the problems with mining formalization but have not had a chance to systematically study the environmental consequences. The three co-authors hope their study will set a precedent for monitoring formalization interventions in Tambopata and other tropical sites losing forest to mining. They are already sharing results and methods with colleagues concerned about gold mining impacts in Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia. "We'll go back to our study site and share the results -- but in a humble way because folks there know that it hasn't worked well, and they know the problems," says Alvarez-Berrios. "So, yes, it's important to share it with that group of stakeholders and experts, but maybe even more important is to share the results and our methods and design for studying this problem with folks working in the many, many other areas where there's uncontrolled small-scale gold mining and where formalization efforts are being launched with best intentions." ### Contacts: Lisa Naughton, naughton@geography.wisc.edu; Nora Alvarez-Berrios, nora.l.alvarez-berrios@usda.gov; Jessica L'Roe, jlroe@middlebury.edu READ ON THE WEB: https:/ / news. wisc. edu/ uw-researchers-investigate-mining-related-deforestation-in-the-amazon/ The new drug sotorasib reduces tumor size and shows promise in improving survival among patients with lung tumors caused by a specific DNA mutation, according to results of a global phase 2 clinical trial. The drug is designed to shut down the effects of the mutation, which is found in about 13% of patients with lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of non-small-cell lung cancer. The Food and Drug Administration approved sotorasib May 28 as a targeted therapy for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer whose tumors express a specific mutation -- called G12C -- in the KRAS gene and who have undergone at least one previous therapy for their cancer. Non-small-cell lung cancer makes up over 80% of all lung cancers. More than 200,000 new cases of non-small-cell lung cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States. The study, led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health in New York, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, will be presented June 4 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and published the same day in The New England Journal of Medicine. Sotorasib, also known by the brand name Lumakras, is made by Amgen, which funded the trial. "This is a group of patients whose tumors have been difficult to treat and for whom we did not have targeted therapies," said co-senior author and medical oncologist Ramaswamy Govindan, MD, the Anheuser Busch Endowed Chair in Medical Oncology at Washington University. "The new drug is addressing an unmet need for these patients, targeting the most common mutation that we can go after. We're also continuing to investigate this drug in combination with other experimental drugs to see if we can further improve responses and survival." The study involved 126 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer that had a specific mutation in the KRAS gene. A single DNA error swaps out an important protein building block, placing a cysteine where a glycine should be. Tumors with the mutation manufacture a version of the KRAS protein that is almost constantly active, driving tumor growth. Sotorasib, taken daily by mouth, blocks tumor growth by trapping the KRAS protein in its inactive form. Most patients in the trial previously had been treated with standard chemotherapy along with an immunotherapy drug that targets a protein called PD-1. To evaluate this new therapy, all patients enrolled in the study were treated with sotorasib; phase 2 trials evaluating safety and effectiveness often do not include a placebo group. The drug caused at least some tumor shrinkage in 102 out of 126 patients (82%). About 37% of the patients' tumors reduced in size at least 30%. In contrast, response rates to standard therapy in these patients range from 6% to 20%. Forty-two patients' tumors (34%) showed a partial response to the therapy, meaning the tumor shrank substantially and its growth was controlled for a period of time; and four patients (3%) showed a complete response that left no evidence of disease. For tumors that shrank, the tumor size was reduced by about 60%, on average. The effects of sotorasib lasted an average of 11 months, and the drug also showed progression-free survival -- meaning the tumor did not continue growing during this time -- of almost seven months. In contrast, patients with this lung cancer who receive standard therapy have an average progression-free survival of two to four months. The average overall survival for all patients in the trial was 12 months. "We are hopeful that this approach will be a new option for patients with lung cancer driven by this specific type of KRAS gene alteration," said Govindan, who treats patients at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. "KRAS gene alterations have long been considered not amenable for targeted therapies. A number of combination regimens are being tested here at the Siteman Cancer Center and at other leading cancer centers around the world. This highlights work that Washington University has excelled at over the past few decades -- studying the genomic alterations in tumors with the goal of identifying treatment targets. This early cancer genome research is now coming full circle to help our patients." Govindan and his team have led pioneering studies to define genomic alterations in lung cancer, including making key contributions to The Cancer Genome Atlas, a national effort supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "The excitement surrounding this trial result is that sotorasib is now the first targeted therapy for lung cancer patients with KRAS mutations," said co-corresponding author Vamsidhar Velcheti, MD, of NYU Langone Health. "KRAS-targeted treatments, decades in the making, are urgently needed for these patients with limited treatment options." About 7% of patients stopped sotorasib treatment because of severe side effects, but no side effects were life-threatening, and no patient died as a result of the treatment. The drug caused adverse events severe enough to require a reduced dose of the drug in about 22% of patients. Almost 70% of patients experienced side effects of some kind related to the drug; the most common were diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and increased liver enzyme levels, the latter an indicator of liver damage. "Sotorasib showed clinically significant benefit without any new safety concerns in patients with this specific form of KRAS mutant lung cancer," Govindan said. "Moving forward, our team will seek to inform the development of combination therapies featuring sotorasib and other emerging drugs, and to determine which best fit the mix of mutations in each patient's cancer cells." The researchers currently are conducting a phase 3 clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of sotorasib with a chemotherapy drug called docetaxel in 345 patients who have non-small-cell lung cancer and this specific KRAS mutation. ### This work was supported by Amgen, which makes sotorasib. This work also was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Cancer Center Core at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, grant number P30 CA008748. Velcheti, of New York University, is a paid consultant for Amgen. Skoulidis F, Li BT, Dy GK, Price TJ, Falchook GS, Wolf J, Italiano A, Schuler M, Borghaei H, Barlesi F, Kato T, Curioni-Fontecedro A, Sacher A, Spira A, Ramalingam SS, Takahashi T, Besse B, Anderson A, Ang A, Tran Q, Mather O, Henary H, Ngarmchamnanrith G, Friberg G, Velcheti V, Govindan R. Sotorasib for lung cancers with KRAS p.G12C mutations (CodeBreak 100). The New England Journal of Medicine. June 4, 2021. Washington University School of Medicine's 1,500 faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals. The School of Medicine is a leader in medical research, teaching and patient care, consistently ranking among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare. WarnerMedia announced today that Amit Malhotra will join the company later this month as Managing Director for HBO Max in Southeast Asia and India. He will report to Johannes Larcher, Head of HBO Max International, and will be responsible for the rollout and management of WarnerMedias direct-to-consumer platform in Southeast Asia. He will immediately assume responsibility for the management of HBO GO, WarnerMedias existing OTT streaming service available in eight territories across Southeast Asia. In the future, he will spearhead the introduction of HBO Max in these territories and will lead WarnerMedias exploration of future opportunities to launch the streaming platform in additional markets, as well as a potential future launch in India. Malhotra most recently served as Regional Lead for Disney+ in Southeast Asia, where he was responsible for overseeing the launch and operations of Disneys streaming services in the region, including Disney+, Disney+ Hotstar and Hotstar. He also led the Content Sales and Distribution division as part of The Walt Disney Companys Direct-to Consumer & International (DTCI) business in South APAC and Middle East, pivoting Disneys linear business in the region to streaming by working closely with local telcos and MVPDs, creating localized payment strategies and developing deep content studio relationships throughout Southeast Asia. Johannes Larcher said, With our upcoming launch across Latin America on June 29 and our plans for Europe on the horizon, we turn our sights toward Asia, where we have an incredible opportunity to bring HBO Max to millions of new fans who are just as excited about streaming as our audiences in the U.S. Amits experience launching streaming services in both mature and emerging markets across Southeast Asia and the surrounding region make him the ideal leader to plan and oversee the rollout of HBO Max and its expanded content offering and platform experience. David Simonsen, who has played an important role in the growth of HBO GO in Southeast Asia to date, will continue to make a significant contribution to WarnerMedias direct-to-consumer efforts in the region, and will work closely with Amit as part of his executive leadership team. HBO Max has seen significant success since launching in May of last year, adding 11.1M HBO/HBO Max subscribers in the U.S. as of the end of Q1 2021. The platform will roll out in 39 territories across Latin America and the Caribbean on June 29, and HBOs existing OTT services in Europe are scheduled to be upgraded to HBO Max later this year. By the end of 2021, HBO Max is expected to be available in 61 global markets. Under Malhotras leadership, WarnerMedia expects to launch HBO Max in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam in the future, including an expanded content offering for the entire family and a premium new platform that would be hosted on HBO Maxs tech stack, providing a more stable and consistent streaming experience than HBO GO. Malhotra will also be responsible for exploring possible opportunities to launch HBO Max in new and fast-growing Asian streaming markets such as India. Amit Malhotra said, I am delighted to be part of the incredible team at WarnerMedia in Asia as we look at bringing HBO Max to this region. WarnerMedias brands including DC Universe, HBO and Cartoon Network are extremely popular with passionate fans and audiences across this region. With a focus on consumers our goal will be to bring all of these brands and content together in an exciting new world class streaming experience as we move into the future with HBO Max. The HBO Max team in Southeast Asia will build on the partnership with Clement Schwebig, Managing Director, India, Southeast Asia, and Korea for WarnerMedia, and members of his team including Magdalene Ew (Head of Content) and Yasmin Zahid (Head of Distribution), as well as Leslie Lee (Head of Kids, APAC), in a collaboration thats pivotal to the success of HBO GO and HBO Max in the region. Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India) Digital payments network company Visa recently rolled out two co-marketing campaigns with SBI and ICICI Bank to encourage contactless payments in the current pandemic scenario. Sujatha V Kumar, Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, Visa discusses the campaigns, RBIs new guidelines for contactless card payments and the future of banking. Visa rolled out two co-marketing campaigns with SBI and ICICI Bank recently. What was the insight behind them and what kind of response did you receive from the campaigns? We are a B2C company for our consumers and B2B for our partners like SBI and ICICI Bank. From a consumer perspective, if someone asks what card you have, you always say it's an ICICI card or Standard Chartered Bank card, but very rarely would you say that you have a Visa card. In India, the situation is very different as we dont have consumers of our own. Our consumers are always through the issuing partners that we have in our banks. So it's very important in marketing that we communicate through our issuers as well as our partners and also communicate directly to consumers. We've actually run three big marketing campaigns in the recent past for ICICI, SBI Cards and HDFC. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as of January 1st, 2021, increased the limit from Rs 2000 to Rs 5000 for contactless card transactions, which is a big thing as it covers almost more than 90% of transactions that consumers do. So, it was a big point to communicate. So both campaigns were to communicate the new limit increase in partnership with our issuing partners. We've advertised them across social and digital media for client marketing campaigns, and traditional offline media for consumers. Both have seen very strong results, and the client partners have been very happy with them as well. What does this increased contactless card transaction limit mean for the brand in the long run? For us, the purpose is to help consumers go from cash to cashless and that's the term that we've used for our marketing initiatives, we classify them as cashless. And there are two different ways we look at cashless, one is through e-commerce and online payments, and another is through face to face with contactless. Both are very important. This limit increase is extremely important because, in the pandemic, weve seen that people have been very hesitant to go out. They want to minimise contact as much as possible with anyone when they go out. So this increased limit of Rs 5000 covers most transactions that Indians do on a daily basis. So they're able to just tap their cards, and never let them leave their hand. It's been very good for two reasons safety and security that their card never leaves their hand, so that makes the transaction completely secure. Overall, it also saves a lot of time. So it's been a big step for us, and we think that this will be the way going forward. Last year, Visa brought PV Sindhu on board as its brand ambassador. What was the thought behind that and how has it worked for the brand? We're very happy to have PV Sindhu as part of our family. Globally, Visa has been sponsoring the Olympics for many years now. For example, Visa is the only payment form factor that's allowed in the venues. And basically, when we signed PV Sindhu, it was not just a brand-building exercise, but actually to help promote the athletes as well, which is why we never call them brand ambassadors, but we call them team Visa athletes. So, Sindhu is the first athlete we signed on from India, and she becomes part of more than 50 team Visa athletes that we have globally. For us Sindhu was really the automatic choice, she represents so much that our brand stands for, be it the way she plays or the passion that she puts into each one of her shots. How is your brand leveraging technology to enable personalised experiences for a seamless customer journey? What we've seen in the last year is that brands really have to keep up, especially financial services brands with accelerated digital transformation. Digital banking experiences are key now. Over 64% of Indians have used mobile payments once in the last year, 51% said they increased the use of digital wallets over the last year, and this is something that I'm very proud of. Visa is staying ahead of the innovation curve, because if you look at the UPI routes of payment, whether it's Paytm, Google Pay or Phone Pe, on all of them, you can also use your Visa card to pay. We have made things simpler for Visa consumers who do not want to link these routes of payment with their bank account. What we have seen is that 60% have said that they plan to increase or use digital wallets in the future. Payments will continue to be online, and we are happy to lead and simplify the digital transaction experience for consumers. Going forward, we are going to see more accelerated digital transformation both from the banking sector as well as players like Visa, which will give consumers the convenience of managing all banking needs online. CMO Profile: Sujatha V Kumar is the Head of Marketing for Visa for the India and South Asia region. She leads Visas marketing strategy and execution for India and the emerging markets of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives. She holds over 20 years of experience, having previously worked with companies like Google, P&G and Coca-Cola. About the brand Visa Inc. is a leading global player in digital payments. Its global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. As the world takes larger strides in the digital space, Visa currently is working to apply its brand, products, people and network to reshape the future of commerce. For Campaign Visuals: Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India) LOreal Paris is thrilled to announce Kate Winslet as global ambassador: to share the mission for women: never doubt yourself; were all worth it. Kate Winslet is passionate about portraying women whose stories have never been told on-screen, returning long erased women to their rightful place in history. In her most recent role, Ammonite, the second feature from director Francis Lee, she tells the untold history of trailblazing fossil hunter Mary Anning. Kate Winslet plays the role of Anning, whose discoveries of the most important fossils of the 19th Century were reappropriated by her male peers. Talking about the announcement Kate Winslet, Global Ambassador, LOreal Paris said, Its taken work to get to a place where I make no apology for who I am, where I accept my flaws. Im delighted to join the LOreal Paris sisterhood to say: it takes courage and strength to believe that you are worth it. Sometimes, you may not feel worth it at all... We all have moments like that, and that is what makes us all human. But the more you say these words and believe in everything that you truly are, and however you identify, then with time and belief in yourself, you too will feel worth it. Adding to it Delphine Viguier-Hovasse Global Brand President LOreal Paris said, Kate Winslet is a true icon in film and as a strong woman an empowering voice in our mission at LOreal Paris: believe in yourself so the next generation doesnt doubt it for a moment. With her talent for elevating womens stories and supporting those without a voice Kate Winslet shares our reason for being at LOreal Paris. To encourage women to know their worth, celebrate their beauty and dare to be themselves. Kate Winslet shines her star on causes close to the values LOreal Paris stands for: equal rights, feminism, inclusivity and sustainability. In life, as in art, she supports womens rights. As domestic violence skyrocketed during lockdown, the actress joined UN Women to narrate their global Shadow Pandemic campaign to encourage people to check in on at-risk women. She also works for a world where no woman dies of ovarian cancer, by supporting Ovarian Cancer Action. An advocate for disadvantaged children, she is a founder of the Golden Hat Foundation, which campaigns to shift attitudes towards people on the autism spectrum. And for the charity, Cardboard Citizens she advocates to change perceptions of homeless people through theatre. Her environmental actions include support for The Word Forest Organisation, which works to plant trees, facilitate education, and support a womens empowerment group in Kenya. And she walks the talk on environmentalism: cancelling out the carbon emissions that come with her acting career. Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India) A data breach at CaptureRx affecting more than 1.6 million people has sparked at least two proposed class-action lawsuits against the San Antonio health-care technology company. A California woman this week sued NEC Networks, which does business as CaptureRx, in San Antonio federal court seeking more than $5 million on behalf a nationwide class of plaintiffs. That follows a similar complaint filed May 25 in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri, on behalf of Missouri residents. It also seeks more than $5 million in damages. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights is investigating the breach. The agencys website shows 1,656,569 people were affected. A CaptureRx spokeswoman didnt respond to a request for comment Friday. CaptureRx acts as an administrator for hospitals, clinics and health centers participating in the 340B program, a government initiative requiring pharmaceutical companies to sell drugs at a discount to health care providers caring for under-served populations. The San Antonio lawsuit also names Rite Aid, which contracts with CaptureRx to process pharmacy claims. Walmart also is a defendant in the Kansas City case. CaptureRx disclosed last month that it learned of unusual activity in some of its electronic files in February. The company determined the files were accessed without authorization. The files contained the names, dates of birth and prescription information for certain patients of healthcare providers that CaptureRx provides services for. CaptureRx issued a May 5 statement on the data breach, though it didnt disclose how many people were affected. It provided the notice on behalf of about 170 health care providers. It doesnt appear that any of the providers are in San Antonio. In a May 5 letter to Washington states attorney general, a Pennsylvania lawyer for CaptureRx said 124,175 Washington residents may have been affected by the security breach. The letter was attached to the San Antonio lawsuit. The San Antonio complaint was brought by Daisy Trujillo of Merced County, California, located between San Jose and Fresno. Trujillo is a longtime Rite Aid customer who received notice of the breach. Afterwards, she says in the suit, her cellphone was inundated with spam calls and her email was flooded with spam emails. Trujillos suit says personal information obtained in the breach can be sold on the dark web. Drug manufacturers, medical device manufacturers, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers often purchase personal identifiable information and personal health information on the black market for the purpose of target marketing their products and services to the physical maladies of the data breach victims themselves, the lawsuit alleges. Insurance companies purchase and use wrongfully disclosed personal health information to adjust insureds medical insurance premiums. Sensitive health care data can sell for as much as $363 for each record, the suit adds, citing the Infosec Institute. CaptureRx and Rite Aid are accused of failing to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which was enacted in 1996 to protect sensitive patient health information. Trujillo seeks to represent a nationwide class of plaintiffs, as well as a separate subclass of California plaintiffs. The judge overseeing the Kansas City case this week granted a motion keeping the identity of the plaintiff private. The motion for the order has been sealed. The plaintiff is only identified as D.W. of Lowry City, Missouri. Both lawsuits causes of action include negligence, invasion of privacy and breach of implied contract. pdanner@express-news.net WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court is leaving in place a $2 billion verdict in favor of women who claim they developed ovarian cancer from using Johnson & Johnson talc products. The justices did not comment Tuesday in rejecting Johnson & Johnson's appeal. The company argued that it was not treated fairly in facing one trial involving 22 cancer sufferers who came from 12 states and different backgrounds. A Missouri jury initially awarded the women $4.7 billion, but a state appeals court dropped two women from the suit and reduced the award to $2 billion. The jury found that the companys talc products contain asbestos and asbestos-laced talc can cause ovarian cancer. The company disputes both points. Johnson & Johnson, which is based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, has stopped selling its iconic talc-based Johnsons Baby Powder in the U.S. and Canada, though it remains on the market elsewhere. But the company faces thousands of lawsuits from women who claim asbestos in the powder caused their cancer. Talc is a mineral similar in structure to asbestos, which is known to cause cancer, and they are sometimes obtained from the same mines. The cosmetics industry in 1976 agreed to make sure its talc products do not contain detectable amounts of asbestos. The lead attorney for the women during the trial, Mark Lanier, praised the court's refusal to hear Johnson & Johnson's appeal. "This decision sends a clear message to the rich and powerful: You will be held to account when you cause grievous harm under our system of equal justice under law, Lanier said. Justices Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh took no part in the court's action. Alito owns $15,000 to $50,000 in Johnson & Johnson stock. Kavanaugh's father headed the trade association that lobbied against labeling talc a carcinogen and including a warning label on talc products. Ethicists contacted by The Associated Press said they did not think E. Edward Kavanaugh's role required his son to step aside from the case. San Antonios USAA Federal Savings Bank has settled a lawsuit by a Virginia woman who had alleged the bank hounded her over a delinquent credit card bill by calling her more than 130 times over two months. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. A federal judge in Richmond, Virginia, dismissed the case last week, though the court retains jurisdiction for purposes of enforcing the settlement. Aubrey Hammond of Chesterfield County, Virginia, sued the bank in September, alleging the onslaught of calls violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The law restricts debt collectors and telemarketers use of automated dialing and prerecorded messages to consumers cellphones. USAA spokesman Christian Bove confirmed the settlement Friday. USAA remains committed to following the Telephone Consumer Protection Act in all interactions with members in pursuit of providing world-class service, Bove said. On ExpressNews.com: Ad spending soars at San Antonios USAA as membership gains shrink In an October answer to the complaint, USAA said Hammonds claims were barred to the extent that prior consent was given to the bank to take any acts alleged in the complaint, including but not limited to (her) having voluntarily provided her telephone number to it. USAA also said it was entitled to a setoff of $684 of any damages awarded to Hammond based on what she allegedly owed on her credit card account. The case had been set to go to trial in September. Hammond claimed in her lawsuit that she was entitled to an award of $500 for each violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. But she added the award would climb to $1,500 for each violation if the court found USAA knowingly and/or willfully violated the law. Hammond said she fell behind on her credit card bill after her hours at work were cut and she was forced to find a new job in late 2019. USAA began its campaign of harassing calls to Hammonds cellphone in May 2020, the suit alleged. Hammond received no less than 130 calls combined in June and July, the complaint said. She received as many as four calls a day. Many of the times she answered she heard a prerecorded message or there would be no one on the phone. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox The incessant calls were a constant reminder of her financial situation, exacerbating plaintiffs stress and anxiety, the suit alleged. Hammond also accused USAA of calling her family or friends to embarrass her into making a payment. USAA denied the allegations. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act makes it illegal for debt collectors to use abusive, unfair or deceptive practices to collect debs. A bank collecting its own debt is not considered a debt collector, however, and may attempt to collect whats owed, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.s website. Still, banks generally are expected to avoid abusive collection practices and comply with the spirit of the law, the FDIC says. pdanner@express-news.net Gov. Greg Abbott gets excited about the flood of people rolling into Texas from California. He also takes feverish pride in corporations moving to or expanding in the state. These enthusiasms are stamped all over his Twitter feed. A recent example, from May 20: TX has led the nation for the past 8 years in new economic development & corporate relocation. Even during the pandemic, we went from having the 10th largest economy in the world to the 9th largest economy. The TX model continues to attract more businesses & jobs for Texans. And this one on the influx of Californians, from January 2020: To the Californians moving to Texas: Remember those high taxes, burdensome regulations, & socialistic agenda advanced in CA? We dont believe in that. We believe in less government & more individual freedom. If you agree with that youll fit right in. To Abbott, the Texas Model is simple, as it was to generations of governors before him: Keep taxes low, state services at a minimum and regulations threadbare. Die before amending the state constitution to allow a personal income tax. Dont violate those core beliefs, and corporations and people will stampede into Texas. Thats proven more or less correct over time. But despite talking about the Texas Model as an article of faith, Abbott has messed with it. So did Rick Perry, his immediate predecessor in the governors mansion. In different ways, both broke with Texas historic small-government ethos. Big tax breaks In the early aughts, Perry added a big dose of corporate welfare to Texas way of attracting corporations. He conjured into being the deal-closing Texas Enterprise Fund for grants to corporations looking to relocate to Texas. He was also the force behind the Chapter 313 program, which allows local school boards to grant big property tax breaks to manufacturers and energy companies costs that all Texas taxpayers are forced to bear. On ExpressNews.com: Texas giveaway cuts $10 billion from corporate taxes As a Hearst Newspapers investigation (SA Inc.s cover story this week) demonstrated, many of the corporations that have benefited from the tax breaks most likely would have built their big capital projects in Texas without the giveaways. Many Texas lawmakers have gotten wise to the waste of Chapter 313 enough to thwart its reauthorization in the recently ended legislative session. On ExpressNews.com: Chapter 313 tax breaks die in Texas legislature Chapter 313 has allowed companies to avoid more than $10 billion in property taxes. The Texas Enterprise Fund has stuffed more than $600 million into the pockets of corporations since 2003. Theres nothing small-government about that. Animus toward cities Abbotts violation of the Texas Model is his eagerness to peel away big cities local control, even as he brags about how major employers and workers and their families are flowing into the state. As if theyre settling anywhere other than Texas urban centers. Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio and their suburbs routinely turn up on the U.S. Census Bureaus lists of fastest-growing cities and metropolitan areas. Combined, metros account for about 90 percent of the states economic activity. Yet you dont have to look far to see Abbotts and many GOP lawmakers anti-city bias. In the session that ended last week, Abbott supported and signed into law a measure barring cities with populations of 250,000 or more from reducing their police department budgets. He backed legislation that would have stopped local governments from using tax money to hire lobbyists to work on their behalf in Austin; it failed. In 2017, he signed a bill forbidding local governments to set themselves up as sanctuary cities for undocumented immigrants, and he has supported caps on local property tax rates. But Abbotts support for the voting restrictions championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is perhaps the governors worst offense against cities, which are home to far more Black, Hispanic and Asian voters than anywhere else in Texas. Texas is thoroughly urban get over it Senate Bill 7 would have: cut the number of polling sites in the largest urban counties; reduced voting hours on the last Sunday of early voting, apparently to thwart some Black churches souls to the polls events; given a freer hand to partisan poll watchers; and required video surveillance of polling sites in cities with populations of 100,000 or more. Democratic lawmakers in the Texas House killed the bill last week in the regular sessions closing hours. But Abbott is likely to add the legislation to the agenda of a yet-to-be-called special session. SB 7 fed on the lie that President Donald Trump was cheated out of reelection last year and that the imaginary voter fraud that brought Joe Biden to power has to be stamped out. What the measure was really about, of course, was safeguarding GOP officeholders in Austin and Washington D.C. As former Mayor Henry Cisneros and his co-authors noted in their book, The Texas Triangle: An Emerging Global Power, eight of the 35 counties that make up the Triangle broke for Biden in 2020. That included the biggest: Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis counties. Voter suppression is Republican leaders response. One of the great unknowns is when major employers those already in Texas or considering a move here will get fed up with attempted voting restrictions and other attacks on cities. When will they decide to do their hiring elsewhere? After all, companies such as USAA, Dell and Southwest Airlines are trying to recruit the best available talent from across the country and internationally. And theyre looking for more candidates of color. Ignoring the fact that Texas is a thoroughly urban state, as Abbott and Patrick do, only hurts their efforts. Empower innovation In March, public policy institutes at the University of Texas-Austin, Rice University and Southern Methodist University published Texas Metropolitan Blueprint: A Policy Agenda to Secure the Competitiveness and Prosperity of Texas. It took a dim view of state leaders assaults on local autonomy. Texass governor and legislature have increasingly sought to restrict local jurisdictions power to choose their own priorities and fund them a move away from locally focused, conservative governance, the authors wrote. Local leaders need both the resources and the authority to craft policies that address their particular needs. Texas should be empowering local innovation, not blocking it. If Abbott got the memo, he crumpled it up and tossed it. greg.jefferson@express.news.net By Bahk Eun-ji Stanford University has opened a smart city research center in Songdo, according to the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA). The authority and Incheon Metropolitan City held an opening ceremony for the Stanford Center on the Incheon Global Campus (SCIGC), Thursday, attended by Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun, IFEZ director Lee Won-jae and SCIGC faculty director Michael Lepeck among other dignitaries from the university, the campus and city government The IGC is a campus shared by some of the world's most prestigious universities, and at the SCIGC, about 10 smart city-related researchers will conduct interdisciplinary studies for the efficient application of technologies with the goal of developing environmental and social sustainability for smart cities. Among their projects will be studies concerned with financing for smart cities, sustainable urban systems, and entrepreneurship for the cities. SCIGC plans to create joint research and cooperation programs with companies such as GS Caltex, Hyundai Motor and Google, introducing cooperative models that exist between companies and research institutes in Silicon Valley. It is also expected to help commercialize Korea's smart city studies around the world, and promote joint research between Korea and the United States. "SCIGC is opening in Songdo, Korea's first smart city," Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun said during the ceremony. "We expect the center to bring a synergy effect for the innovation of Songdo." Stanford University President Mark Tessier-Lavigne also sent a virtual congratulatory message, and said the school would seek more cooperation with the Korean government, private enterprises and other universities. Meanwhile, in commemoration of the center's opening, the "SCIGC Smart City Symposium" was held, Friday, with researchers from Stanford University and scholars in the smart city field from other institutions participating in the event which was broadcast live online. At age 70, Rita Maria Contreras Avery has made a splash at San Antonios most historic swimming pools for decades. When she was 6 years old, her sister Dolores taught her how to swim at the public pool at Woodlawn Lake Park, which has complemented the West Side lake for more than 90 years. Avery spent all day in those chlorine blue waters well into junior high. Then in high school, she soaked up the rays for hours on end at the sprawling pool in San Pedro Springs Park. The citys first municipal pool, it is located in the nations second-oldest park. The former lake bed turned tree-lined oasis has been a highlight of the parks halcyon surroundings for almost a century. On ExpressNews.com: The first Texas rap record likely was made by a San Antonio DJ better known as radio personality Alberto Alegre Avery last swam morning laps at the Woodlawn pool in 2019; the pandemic closed public pools the following summer. Now with vaccinations on the rise and restrictions loosening, about a half-dozen city pools have opened with some restrictions, and Avery hopes to get back to those familiar waters. Not just to keep cool this summer, but also to appreciate how much those memorable swimming holes remain relatively frozen in time. More Information San Antonio public pools Here are the city pools that are now open. Because of pandemic-related precautions, pool amenities such as slides will not be available for use. For more information, contact each park pool directly or call 210-207-3299. Heritage Pool: 1423 S Ellison Drive, 210-645-9465; 5-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 1-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Kennedy Park: 3299 S.W. 28th St., 210-436-7009; 1-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Lady Bird Johnson Park:10700 Nacogdoches Road, 210-599-0122; 5-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 1-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. San Antonio Natatorium (indoor): 1430 W. Cesar Chavez, 210-207-3299; see schedule and register for swim times at the natatorium website. San Pedro Springs Park: 2200 N. Flores, 210-732-5992; 1-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Southside Lions Park: 3100 Hiawatha, 210-532-2027; 5-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 1-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Woodlawn Lake Park: 221 Alexander Ave., 210-732-5789; 5-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 1- 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (7:30- 9:30 a.m. daily lap swim only). See More Collapse That makes it special, because a swimming pool sitting in the middle of asphalt is no fun, said Avery, who also paints and works in business insurance. But in the middle of a green space, with palm trees and bougainvilleas ... that just makes it more attractive, more restful to the eyes. Just a more beautiful space. When it comes to dipping into history, its hard to be a plunge into the pools at Woodlawn and San Pedro Springs parks. Theres still that excitement about going to these historic pools, said Connie Swann, marketing manager for San Antonio Parks and Recreation. Its really inspiring to know that the stewardship of these places continues. Like many families in San Antonio, Swann said hers is looking forward to getting back into the swim of things. San Pedro Springs history goes back to 1709, when Fathers Antonio de San Buenaventura de Olivares and Isidro Felix de Espinosa first named the waters. The area around the springs has been used as a park, with pavilions and other amenities, since the mid-1800s; the city took over management of the park in 1890. The idea for a swimming pool came up in 1913, when then Mayor Clinton Brown suggested creating swimming holes in the San Antonio River with artesian flow, according to the Edwards Aquifer Website. A decade later, the city opened its first municipal pool at San Pedro Springs as part of its annual San Jacinto festival. On ExpressNews.com: Lone Star beer still a U.S. icon of Texas cool with San Antonio flavor The man-made waters at Woodlawn Lake Park date to the late 1880s with the creation of the lake itself. Developers of the site, originally known as a residential subdivision called West End, built a dirt dam across Alazan Creek to create what was then known as the finest artificial lake in the south, according to the city of San Antonio website. West End and its lake were deeded to San Antonio in 1918. The lake was named Woodlawn Lake, and a swimming pool followed in 1925. A July 26, 1925, San Antonio Light article Swann uncovered heralded the opening of the 250-foot-long pool as second in size only to San Pedro Springs, which she said is still the case. The article noted the original Woodlawn pool had two dozen concrete columns topped with electric lights, making the pool available for night bathing. The columns are gone, but the pool still caters now as then to toddlers in mothers' arms, youngsters of both sexes, girls and boys and young men and maidens, grown men and women. Avery has seen plenty of those in and out of the water. For the past 35 years, shes lived just two blocks away from her old splashing grounds at the Woodlawn pool. Long ago, the Woodlawn pool also had a snack bar with piping hot popcorn and hot dogs, Avery said, the perfect pick-me-up after all those trips to the diving boards. The San Pedro pool also had a high diving board with a long line of kids, she said. Those boards and bites are history, too. Otherwise, the San Pedro and Woodlawn pools look pretty much the same way they did when they first opened in the 1920s. On ExpressNews.com: Fort Sam Houston's famed Quadrangle peacocks a tradition still strutting after 120 years at the San Antonio Army post Swann said the city hopes to open more park pools as more lifeguards become available. In the meantime, Woodlawn will bring back free swimming lessons,just like the ones her son Leo Duarte took in 2019 when he was 11 years old. Perhaps Leo will return the favor. Swann said she suggested maybe one day he could be a lifeguard at the Woodlawn pool. He said hell think about it. Meanwhile, Avery will have to sit out of the fun at Woodlawn Lake just a little while longer because of a recent ankle injury. Though just the return of all the splashes and laughter at the nearby pool takes her back to those endless summers in those timeless waters. I cannot imagine a childhood without swimming all the time, she said. Its too hot in San Antonio. What else are you going to do? rguzman@express-news.net | Twitter: @reneguz Bahram Mark Sobhani/San Antonio Express-News file photo Oprah Daily listed Boernes Main Street as one of the best 25 small town main streets to visit in America. Its the only Texas city to make the list. The website suggested visiting the historic Hill Country Mile stretch of Main Street, and specifically recommended a trip to The Dienger Trading Company, Cibolo Creek Brewing Co. and the Gallery 195 of Boerne. WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration said Friday it is canceling or reviewing a host of actions by the Trump administration to roll back protections for endangered or threatened species, with a goal of strengthening a landmark law while addressing climate change. The reviews by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service are aimed at five Endangered Species Act regulations finalized by the Trump administration, including critical habitat designations and rules defining the scope of federal actions on endangered species. The Fish and Wildlife Service also said it will reinstate the so-called blanket rule, which mandates additional protections for species that are newly classified as threatened. Under former President Donald Trump, those protections were removed. Habitat designations for threatened or endangered species can result in limitations on energy development such as mining or oil drilling that could disturb a vulnerable species, while the scoping rule helps determine how far the government may go to protect imperiled species. Under Trump, officials rolled back protections for the northern spotted owl, gray wolves and other species, actions that President Joe Biden has vowed to review. His administration already has moved to reverse Trumps decision to weaken enforcement of the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which made it harder to prosecute bird deaths caused by the energy industry. The decision on the bird law was among more than 100 business-friendly actions on the environment that Trump took and Biden wants reconsidered and possibly revised or scrapped. The reviews announced Friday follow through on that executive order. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to working with diverse federal, tribal, state and industry partners to not only protect and recover Americas imperiled wildlife but to ensure cornerstone laws like the Endangered Species Act are helping us meet 21st century challenges, said Martha Williams, principal deputy director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency looks forward to continuing these conservation collaborations and to ensuring our efforts are fully transparent and inclusive,'' Williams added. The reviews announced Friday will take months or years to complete. Many rules targeted by Trump originated with former President Barack Obama and took him years to undo, continuing a decades-old, back-and-forth between Democratic and Republican administrations with starkly differing approaches to environmental regulation. Industry groups and Republicans in Congress have long viewed the Endangered Species Act as an impediment to economic development and under Trump they successfully lobbied to weaken the laws regulations. Environmental groups and Democratic-controlled states battled the moves in court, but those cases remained unresolved when Trump left office in January. Noah Greenwald with the Center for Biological Diversity said the environmental group was grateful to see the Trump rules being canceled or changed, particularly a rule that would have denied blanket protections for threatened species. We hope they move quickly so more species arent harmed, Greenwald said. Earthjustice attorney Kristen Boyles, who was involved in legal challenges to the Trump rules, said Fridays announcement covered major changes under the previous administration that needed to be addressed. But Boyles said questions remain about what will happen while the new proposals go through a lengthy rule-making process. These will take time, and in the interim we dont want the harm to continue, she said. Jonathan Wood, a lawyer for the Pacific Legal Foundation, a conservative law firm that advocates for property rights, said the Biden proposals could backfire by removing incentives for landowners to cooperate in helping imperiled wildlife. There were some things in the Trump rules that were right, Wood said, citing regulations that he said offered needed flexibility and better incentives to recover endangered species. This looks basically like a 180-degree reversal,'' he said. "Once again were going to yo-yo back and forth on what the rules are.'' The Biden administration said in January it was reconsidering a Trump rule that removed federal protections for wolves across most of the Lower 48 states, but officials so far have not backed away from the Trump rule and continue to defend it in court. Wildlife advocates have pressed to revive the federal protections for gray wolves across the Northern Rockies and Upper Midwest after Republicans in Idaho, Montana and other states made it much easier to kill the predators. In the final days of the Trump administration, the Fish and Wildlife Service cut by one-third the amount of protected federal old-growth forest used by the spotted owl, a move that was cheered by the timber industry and slammed by Democrats and environmental groups. The Biden administration has temporarily delayed putting the Trump-era rules into effect in order to review the decision. Last week, the Biden administration proposed federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, saying its habitat across five states is in danger of becoming more fragmented, with a further toll expected from the effects of climate change and drought. The chickens habitat spans parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas -- including a portion of the oil-rich Permian Basin. The administration said this week that an extremely rare wildflower that grows only in Nevadas high desert should be protected under the Endangered Species Act. The Tiehms buckwheat flower grows where an Australian mining company wants to dig for lithium. ___ Brown reported from Billings, Montana. Texas authorities seized more than $3.3 million worth of cocaine after a crash in the Rio Grande Valley on Monday. Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to a two-car crash on U.S. 83 and Suntex Road, just west of Rio Grande City. When authorities arrived, they discovered three burlap sacks filled with 70 bundles of cocaine inside a BMW SUV. On June 4 of last year, a family of six and their two cats were found dead in the back of their SUV parked in their North Side home's garage. San Antonio police believe Army Staff Sgt. Jared Esquibel Harless, 38, and his wife, 36-year-old Sheryll Harless, killed their four children and then took their own lives. Police have called it one of the worst murder-suicides in San Antonio history but have not been able to determine a clear motive. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's said the parents died by carbon monoxide poisoning but don't know how the children died. On ExpressNews.com: Authorities say the autopsies of 4 kids are inconclusive in one of S.A.'s worst-ever murder-suicides One year later, here is what we know about grisly murder-suicide. What did the police find on June 4 At 10:30 a.m. on June 4, police arrived at the family's home on the far North Side to conduct a welfare check after Harless did not report remotely to work. Police found a "cryptic" note on the door that was deciphered by a military member to read: Bodies or people inside, do not enter. The officers then sent a drone inside of the home and found what appeared to be explosives, which led to an evacuation of almost 200 homes in the area at around 5 p.m. At about 10 p.m., no explosives were found in the home. The police eventually made their way into the garage and found the bodies in the car, with their dead cats in a basket in the front seat. What did the autopsies reveal Harless and his wife died of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the medical examiner's office. Autopsy reports released on Dec. 2 concluded that the children's cause of death was undetermined and that they did not die of carbon monoxide poisoning. The reports said the children showed no signs of trauma, but that they may have suffered a lethal toxic ingestion or asphyxial-type death. Who were the Hareless' Harless relocated to San Antonio in January 2020 with his family from Washington. Neighbors in the Stone Oak area described them as "quiet" and "reclusive," and were rarely outside. Harless worked remotely for the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Sam, and was buried without receiving military honors due to the circumstances surrounding his death, the Army said. Authorities identified the children as Esteban Lorenzo Harless, 4; Penelope Arcadia Harless, 3; Avielle Magdalena Harless, 1 year, 11 months, and Apollo Harless, 11 months. Malak.Silmi@express-news.net The San Antonio Water System scrapped its plan to run oversized sewer pipelines through land set aside for conservation. Instead, the water utility will install lift stations and force mains along Blanco Road. SAWS made the decision late last week due to public concern, according to SAWS President and CEO Robert Puente. It would cost too much political capital to proceed (with the pipelines), Puente said. It would be very difficult to try to convince the public that this was the best thing. On ExpressNews.com: Theres a lot of red flags - SAWS board delays project that would put pipelines through protected areas SAWS planned to install these underground pipes along Specht Road to serve an incoming development on the northern edge of its service area. The pipes wouldve run through Gruendler and Chapman ranches, which make up 172 acres and are protected by the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program, to provide water for up to 420 homes. Landowners were worried the proposed construction would threaten the sanctity of their publicly funded land conservation agreements. Now, theyre relieved the water utility decided to go a different route. Scott Gruendler, who owns Gruendler Ranch, was informed Tuesday that SAWS was not pursuing the underground pipelines after he asked to speak publicly in the upcoming June board meeting. We were very happy, he said. The SAWS board had given preliminary approval for the pipeline plan in June 2020 and January 2021, but board members were unaware at the time that the pipes would run through protected land. They put a hold on the project at their May meeting and asked to see a risk assessment of the proposed pipelines and other options. Puente and SAWS staff felt the pipelines were the best option to protect the recharge area. Lift stations, in particular, carry the risk for mechanical pump failure, which would release sewage into the recharge zone. To avoid digging up preserved land, SAWS staff are going beyond state requirements to ensure the aquifer is protected, Puente said. This includes daily inspections of the lift stations and constructing a berm, or a raised strip of land, around the area to contain potential spills. The added maintenance of the lift stations will be more costly in the long run than the previous pipeline plan. Puente assured these alternatives wouldnt harm the aquifer. Its just a different type of protection, he said. The original plan wouldve been a first for SAWS. The water utility has never placed water and sewer pipelines through existing conservation easements. SAWS staff will also now ensure the board is aware of any special conditions concerning utility service agreements, such as pipelines possibly running through conservation easements. On ExpressNews.com: Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance pushes for policy to protect conservation zone Though conservation won this round, SAWS will run into similar issues in the future as the city grows without regulation. Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who is a member of the SAWS board, said the city needs a coordinated growth strategy to balance environmental conservation with the increasing population. Puente agreed, saying the board and City Council need to give staff guidance. Gruendler said SAWS hands are tied and its just providing a service. The whole reason that theyre trying to push this density down there is because theres no regulation put in place by the city to go ahead and control density over the Edwards Aquifer, Gruendler added. He plans to speak on this issue in the next board meeting Tuesday, June 8. liz.hardaway@hearst.com | Twitter: @liz_hardaway In another sign of an easing pandemic, Joint Base San Antonio said Thursday it would reopen graduation ceremonies next month for Air Force basic trainees, with some limits on attendance, and let some graduates out on the town. The weekly celebrations have been closed to the public for more than 14 months. When they resume at JBSA-Lackland on July 22, only two invited guests will be allowed per recruit and the visitors must be fully immunized against the coronavirus. Theyll be required to present a vaccine card no copies or photos proving its been 14 days since they received their final shot. We truly understand the personal value and meaning attending graduation events in person has to our trainees families, said Col. Rockie K Wilson, commander of the 37th Training Wing at Lackland, in a press release announcing the change. While our ceremony will look a little different, we want families to experience the culmination of building the next generation of airmen and guardians, and to share that experience with others so we can continue to inspire and recruit young men and women to join our ranks. Bob Owen /Staff photographer Guardians is what members of the U.S. Space Force, who receive basic training with Air Force recruits, are called. Also for the first time since the pandemic arrived, basic training graduates will be allowed to visit San Antonio with family and friends over the weekend. They typically move on early the following week to start technical training. Trainees wanting to take off-base liberty will need to be fully vaccinated. All other recruits can spend that same time with their families on Lackland. Those visiting them at the base will have to be on the list to enter the ceremony. The Air Force suspended guest attendance at mass gatherings in March last year, including graduations on Thursdays at the Pfingston Reception Center and on Fridays at Lacklands sprawling parade field. On ExpressNews.com: Masked and made over It has posted those events via social media and required graduates to wear masks, as they have throughout their training. The ceremonies at the reception center will resume. but not those on the parade field, which is undergoing improvements, said Annette Crawford, a 37th Training Wing spokeswoman. Changes to basic training that aimed to prevent or at least reduce the spread of COVID have not ended, including confining recruits to a dormitory for the first two weeks. Bob Owen /Staff photographer But starting Thursday, recruits who had received COVID vaccinations and were fully immunized were able to stand in formation without wearing a mask. It was nice to see, Crawford said. The Pentagon has not mandated that service members be vaccinated against the coronavirus and officials at AETC and the 37th have been unable to say what percentage of trainees opt to get the shot. On ExpressNews.com: Outworking COVID in San Antonio, Air Force kept basic training going Information about graduation and COVID-19 protocols will be posted to https://www.basictraining.af.mil/ and the Basic Military Training Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USAFBMT Were excited to welcome back visitors to Lackland and the greater San Antonio area to witness our Air and Space Forces newest members start their military journey, said Brig. Gen. Caroline Miller, Joint Base San Antonio commander, according to the release. Recent changes to our local health protection conditions and CDC guidance have contributed to this decision. sigc@express-news.net A woman was found dead after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver on a West Side access road early Thursday, according to San Antonio police. Police responded to a call for an accident involving a pedestrian about 2:15 a.m. in the 11200 block of Texas 151 near Wiseman Boulevard, according to a police report. Taylor Pettaway A man is in critical condition after an altercation led to a shooting Friday on the South Side, San Antonio police said. Officers were called to the 1700 block of Saenz Street just before 11 a.m. for a shooting in progress. Witnesses said three men had been fighting outside before one of them was shot, police said. Petco Animal Supplies fell short of the 400 jobs the retailer promised San Antonio leaders when they gave the company an $900,000 tax incentive package to build an outpost on the citys West Side 10 years ago. But San Antonio wont be asking for its money back. By a 9-2 vote Thursday, City Council decided not to claw back more than $500,000 in tax breaks and grant dollars its already given to the San Diego retailer. In 2010, San Antonio officials gave Petco a 10-year break on city property taxes and promised a $650,000 grant for the pet retailer to bring what was billed as an extension of the companys San Diego headquarters to the West Side. In exchange, Petco promised 400 jobs in fields like accounting, human resources and loss prevention and to invest $5 million in the site. Petco didnt meet its jobs goal. Instead, they created only 250. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images On ExpressNews.com: County commissioners terminate Hulu tax deal To District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry, it was a simple equation: Petco broke its agreement with the city, so therefore the city should reclaim its investment. I see a dangerous precedent here on future opportunities where a company can come in here and sell the city a big bag of things with the knowledge, Hey, in five or 10 years, theyll forgive us this, we dont have to pay that money, Perry said. But city staff and a majority of council members disagreed. Petco exceeded the investment they initially pledged at the site, ultimately investing $21.8 million at its support center, they argued, though the company sold the building last year. Petcos also paying workers more than it promised 10 years ago. All things told, the city now has 250 more jobs than it would have had otherwise. At the end of the day, we think that the goals were met, City Manager Erik Walsh said. Plus, the pet supplier has spent at least $6.5 million on local philanthropic efforts geared toward improving the lives of pets and animals, officials said. Several council members felt that should count for something. I look at the contract, too, but those arent suicide pacts, District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez said. You guys ended up becoming our partners in many ways and giving back way more than you gave back to the taxpayer. District 9 Councilman John Courage rejected that view. Just because a company is a good community partner doesnt mean they get to break a contract, he argued. I think we need to take a hard line on making sure that, every contract that we agree to, we fulfill our part and then our partners fulfill their part, Courage said. Even those who voted to forgive Petco had their qualms. District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval pointed out that company officials didnt even bother to show up and explain why they didnt meet their job goals, though the leader of the retailers philanthropic arm was present. Assistant City Manager Alex Lopez, who oversees the citys economic development department, said Petco came close to meeting its job targets in 2015 but later decided to streamline its workforce and cut positions. On ExpressNews.com: How skeptical Texas lawmakers put an end to a controversial tax incentive program Still, Sandoval was annoyed. They assumed it would be approved, I guess, Sandoval said. Lopez tried to assure council members this decision wasnt setting a precedent. Companies that have received city incentives in the past and not held up their end of the bargain have had to pay up, she noted. But she also stressed that city economic development officials decide whether to claw back those dollars on a case-by-case basis. We need to look at the situations, the particular circumstances that led to that company being in that situation, Lopez said. jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFReports Iranian refugee Kim Min-hyuk, right, and his father speak during a press conference at Seoul Immigration Office in Yangcheon District in this Aug. 8, 2019, photo. Korea Times photo by Hong In-kee By Nam Hyun-woo A 55-year-old Iranian man, whose son gained refugee status in Korea, is also expected to gain the same status following a court ruling Friday. The Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of the man, who sought the reversal of an order by the Seoul Immigration Office rejecting his application for refugee status. The man and his son arrived in Korea in 2010 with temporary stay permits and both became Catholics five years later. Muslims who convert to another religion are charged as criminals in Iran and face harsh punishment including possible execution. They applied for refugee status in May 2016, because they would face harsh punishment upon returning to Iran. But the Korea Immigration Service rejected their appeal, citing doubts about their Catholic faith. They filed a lawsuit to obtain refugee status, but lost. An appeals court also rejected their case, turning down their claim that they would face harsh punishment back in Iran. The story gained public attention in 2018, and his son, 18, who uses the Korean name, Kim Min-hyuk, was granted refugee status in October that year amid support from his schoolfriends and local Catholics. However, his father again failed to be acknowledged as a refugee, but did gain an extension of his stay on humanitarian grounds. He filed another lawsuit with the administrative court, arguing that his conversion to Catholicism has been already widely known through media reports and that the Iranian government is paying close attention to his return. In Friday's ruling, the court said it acknowledged there were sufficient grounds for fears over religious persecution if he returned to Iran. "There is also humanitarian necessity to grant him refugee status based on the principle of not separating family members," the court said, adding the father is Kim's only family member, because other relatives in Iran severed ties with them after they converted. By John W. Gonzalez, San Antonio Express-News Stormy weather can make road conditions treacherous in San Antonio happens to be in one of the most flash-flood prone regions in North America. Bexar County routinely monitors the more than 150 low water crossings across our area. Flood Risk and Road Closures Map Click here to check current flooding and road conditions Our new flood risk and road closure interactive map is updated in real time with information from the county to keep readers informed on current conditions. Take your pick. Are the Texas Republican architects of Senate Bill 7 inept or deceitful? That GOP voter suppression bill died of natural causes on the House floor Sunday night, when most of the Democratic delegation staged a quorum-busting walkout. (It will find new life, of course, when Gov. Greg Abbott formally convenes a special session.) The bill was a special case of bad policy interfacing with a bum-rushed process that showed a complete disregard for transparency or legislative discourse. Twelve pages of new items were stuffed into an 11th-hour conference committee creation, crafted behind closed doors with committee Democrats shut out. Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, sent a warning flare last Friday when he tweeted, House Democrat Conferees have NOT even seen a Legislative Counsel Draft! This is egregious! This final draft included an item lowering the bar for courts to void an election outcome when voter fraud is alleged. It also mandated that Sunday early voting cant happen until 1 p.m. That second item looked like a brazen slap at Souls to the Polls, a movement that delivers congregants directly from church services to the ballot box. On Tuesday, Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, went on National Public Radio to defend SB 7. When asked about the 1 p.m. provision, Clardy chalked it up to an innocent typo. Call it a mistake if you want to, Clardy said. What should have been 11 was actually printed up as one. As clerical errors go, this was quite a feat. Whoever typed up the final draft of the bill not only omitted a numeral, they also managed to write p.m. instead of a.m. Sounds like an innocent mistake, all right. Since Im totally buying into the sloppy scrivener narrative, Ill disregard the way state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, handled a question from Democratic Sen. Royce West about this very item during a Senate floor debate Saturday. I believe the intent was to keep this a Sunday afternoon activity, Hughes said. So, lets go back to our original question: liars or incompetents? If the Republicans spearheading this piece of legislation are so incompetent that they nearly passed an election law with a major mistake in it, they should be thanking House Democrats for walking out and blocking the bill. But thats not the way Republican leaders, for the most part, are reacting. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have called the walkout a dereliction of duty. Abbott has even threatened a line-item veto that would deny pay to legislators and their staff members. Rep. Philip Cortez, D-San Antonio, isnt buying the clerical error argument. In the African American community, Souls to the Polls is a big deal. Members of our Black Caucus talked about that a lot as we were meeting in the House, Cortez said. Honestly, I think that they (Republicans) realized that that was probably a part of the bill that should have never been included and theyre backpedaling a little bit on that particular aspect. Keep in mind that Republicans have a history of targeting Souls to the Polls. In 2011, North Carolina Republican state Sen. Jim Davis introduced a bill prohibiting early voting on Sundays. Sen. Ralph Hise, a co-sponsor, said the bill targeted Sunday voting because it was obvious that Sundays are used by urban areas to increase their influence. During that same period, Republicans in Florida and Ohio pushed through bills eliminating early voting on the last Sunday before Election Day. This was a direct reaction to the 2008 election, in which Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama the first African American nominated by a major political party in the United States received a serious turnout boost from Souls to the Polls. In 2011, Republicans were simultaneously aggrieved and emboldened: angry about Obamas 2008 victory, but spurred by their own wins in the 2010 midterms to clamp down on voter access. This year carries echoes of 2011. Texas lawmakers want to avenge Donald Trumps loss to Joe Biden in last years presidential race, and they feel emboldened by their own down-ballot successes. SB 7 is built to have a chilling effect on mail voting. If anyone can explain how preventing counties from sending unsolicited mail-vote applications (not ballots just applications) to voters will secure election integrity, Id like to hear it. Its also meant to empower partisan poll watchers to intimidate voters at election sites. The biggest counter-argument to breaking quorum was, Well, guys, if we kill the bill now, theyre going to come back in the special session and its going to be worse, said Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio. Well, we havent done nothing and theyve walked back the Sunday time. For Democrats, who have no real legislative power in this state, quorum busting at least offered a chance to slow things and expose Republicans to the harsh glare of sunlight. Already, the walkout has justified itself. ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 Editors note: This is the second of two columns on the Tulsa massacre. By this date in 1921, the thick black smoke from arsonists on the ground and in the sky that hovered over Tulsas Greenwood district had cleared, revealing the smoldering ruins of a Black community destroyed by hate. Today, the history of the Tulsa Race Massacre is seen in stunning clarity, its centennial surrounded by unprecedented media coverage including a spate of documentaries, books, and newspaper, magazine and online articles. But Tulsa wasnt an aberration, an atrocity never seen before or since. It wasnt the only Black community in the United States to be attacked by white supremacists. Still shrouded and buried deep in our history are other datelines of racist mob violence. It was a violence rooted in the institution of slavery. John Locke, the 17th-century English political philosopher, wrote that when a man enslaves another man, he has entered a state of war with him. After emancipation and the Civil War, Black people sought to raise families, own land, build businesses, create safe and self-sustaining communities, and live in freedom and peace. But Jim Crow, Black Codes and white mobs, especially in the South, continued to wage war on them. During Reconstruction, on Easter Sunday in 1873 in Colfax, La., armed Black men whod gathered to defend a courthouse surrendered to a white paramilitary group known as the White League. Upon surrender, as many as 150 of the Black men were killed, some after being held prisoner for several hours. In 1898, Wilmington, N.C., was a city with a Black majority, Black elected officials who served as part of a multiracial government and a prosperous Black middle class. On Nov. 10, white supremacists declared a White Declaration of Independence, overthrew the local government and murdered 60 to 300 Black residents. David Zucchino, author of Wilmingtons Lie: The Murderous Coup Of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy calls it Americas first and only armed overthrow of a legally elected government. In Slocum in East Texas, whites in July 1910 went on a rampage against Black residents, shooting them down, torching their homes and running them out of town. No one knows how many were killed. It could be in the dozens. It could be 100 to 200. As is often the case in these massacres, bodies were buried in mass graves or thrown into rivers. The year 1919 was so bloody with racial violence across the United States that it was called the Red Summer. That July in Longview, white people burned down homes and business of Black residents, killing one. In September in Elaine, Ark., a white mob attacked Black farmers attempting to unionize, killing up to 200 Black residents. Before Tulsas centennial, the 1923 murders of 150 Black people in Rosewood, Fla., may have been the better known of the massacres because of John Singletons 1997 film Rosewood. There were other massacres, along with more than a century of domestic terrorism lynchings, and Black citizens being run out of towns, and Black citizens having their land confiscated. Animating all these attacks were white supremacy and the desire to suppress the rights and ambitions of Black citizens. Beyond terrorizing Blacks, these were assaults on democracy, a decades-long campaign of pillage and plunder that, paired with the use of laws, limited the opportunities of African Americans to fully participate in the political system and create generational wealth. This isnt Black history that should be taught and known. This is American history that should be taught and known. The only reason for not wanting to learn all your nations history, the ugly as well as the glorious, is that you dont want to feel uncomfortable or be held accountable. Our intelligence agencies warn that white nationalist groups are the greatest threat to the nation. In 1921, white supremacy destroyed Black Tulsa. In 2021, white supremacy threatens to destroy the United States. This time, as violence escalates and democracy is dismantled, Black people wont be the only ones who suffer. Whatever discomfort we feel learning unpleasant facts about our history pales to the pain well feel in refusing to learn from that history. Cary.Clack@express-news.net The recent San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists audit that shed light on a dearth of Latino anchors at local TV news stations is disheartening, but its only fair to look within. When I left my reporter position at the Express-News in 2009, the newsroom looked and worked differently than it does now, but diversity struggles persist. In December 2019, the SAAHJ sent an open letter to Hearst, which owns the Express-News, demanding more newsroom diversity. Newsrooms have work to do. The Express-News masthead features the names of three white men, and the executive team is only 30 percent people of color although, a little more than 18 months ago, that was zero. The progress shouldnt be minimized, albeit more work remains. In December 2020, Hearst announced a $50,000 donation to SAAHJ for scholarships. And a shift began this past year at the Express-News, especially after Mark Medici was named publisher in February 2020. A majority of the Express-News editors and managers who drive most daily coverage and hiring decisions are people of color out of five newsroom managers, three are Latino. About 70 percent of columnists are people of color. Of about 240 Express-News employees companywide, there is an even split of women and men and 44 percent are people of color. There is now an active diversity and inclusion committee. Still, the demographics are disproportionate with San Antonio, where people of color make up 75 percent of the population. I am grateful to be a member of the Express-News Editorial Board, a small, diverse team that includes one white man, one Black man, a Hispanic man and me, a Latina. We all have work to do. The diversity picture of TV news is unnerving. The SAAHJ audit, released May 24 and endorsed by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, examines local English language television stations, not including KLRN or Spectrum News. The report looks at 55 San Antonio anchors. It found a quarter of San Antonios TV news anchors are Latino. KSAT anchor Isis Romero tweeted about the audit: San Antonio can and must do better. Her words matter, but those in power to hire and retain journalists of color have to listen and act. Interwoven in journalists expertise is their ability to reflect the communities they cover. As a Hispanic woman, I practice some aspects of journalism differently from a white man. My values and experiences shape the stories I tell. Its true for all journalists. No matter their background, every member of the media must strive to be fair and ethical. But we all have filters that affect what we cover, whom we interview, what questions we ask, and what facts and opinions we include. If journalists dont look like their communities, they risk missing stories of significance or grasping meaning to the audience. They risk getting the story wrong, or not telling it at all. Locally, the forward-looking nonprofit SA2020 calls for responsible, race-conscious data analysis and storytelling in its 2020 Community Impact Report, urging media to consider: Does this story highlight institutional barriers? Does it showcase how change requires institutions across sectors working together? The diversity struggle in American journalism is as old as its roots. According to the Pew Research Center, newsroom employees are less diverse than U.S. workers overall and are more likely to be white men. They also found an alarming 53 percent of Americans say news organizations do not care about the people they report on. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio native and Democrat who led the Hispanic Caucus, has been meeting with media executives to advocate for greater Latino representation. Not only are Latino faces too often missing in American media the Latino narrative is missing as well, Castro said. Im convinced most Americans dont know who we are, what weve contributed or where we fit into the country. Clearly, more must be done to train journalists about diversity and inclusion, and to recruit, train and nurture more diverse journalists. Heres what I see as vital for the Express-News going forward: Transparency is improving, and theres purpose and value found in having a team that reflects its community. Many executive leaders wont even discuss diversity but our publisher embraces it. He welcomed an interview but did not review this column before publication. Medici addresses diversity, answering questions from staff and the community. He doesnt shy away from accountability, and hes committed to deeper diversity. Our work is not done, Medici said. Honest, accurate journalism begets a resilient democracy. It also sparks imperative social change. Without journalists of color helping to craft powerful stories, we risk all of it. Nancy.Preyor-Johnson@express-news.net Keep fighting SB 7 Not only would Senate Bill 7 have affected people of color, but people with disabilities and all senior citizens would have been affected, too. It sure sounds like mass discrimination. All citizens have a right to vote. Our ancestors fought for this right and we should take this right to vote seriously. Just look how many of us showed up at the polls in the last election. Maybe some politicians are afraid they will lose. We will vote no matter how hard you make it for us. Lonnie Jansz May voters prevail Our right to register and vote is the linchpin of our democracy: To remove one is to remove both. There are those among us we know who you are who want to disengage would-be voters and bring democracy to its demise. They do not want to compete in a free and open society that allows the power of the vote to prevail. These baleful souls would be far more comfortable in an aristocracy or plutocracy or something even more hellish. Robert Paul Applaud Democrats Who we vote for makes a difference. By killing the GOPs election bill with their walkout, the Democrats made a difference! Etna Ortega Stop whitewashing Recently, I became aware of the massacre in Tulsa, Okla., where hundreds of Black people were killed by white attackers. It brought to mind a similar incident in 1919 in the West Texas border town of Porvenir, near Marfa. A white rancher accused Mexican American residents of stealing cattle. The Texas Rangers and 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment rounded up 16 Mexican American males as the town slept, lined them up in the desert and executed them by gunfire. Republicans in the Texas Legislature who dont approve of teaching critical race theory in schools do not want students to know these racist killings occurred. They only want positive occurrences taught in schools. Republicans say our students do not need to become aware of what Americans did to Indigenous people, enslaved Blacks or Tejano Americans. They would be happy if what happened in the past stays in the past. Jesse Ortiz Universal Music Group is in talks to sell a 10% stake in a deal that would value the record label at about $40 billion. Confirmation Friday of those talks arrive four months after Vivendi SE, the French media conglomerate that owns Universal, said that it might spin off the label that is home to Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, as well as the Beatles. The company last year acquired Bob Dylan's entire catalog. Since it was introduced in July 2017 to mark the 100th day since Moon's swearing in as president, the petition site has given ordinary citizens a chance to speak up on policy issues. gettyimagesbank Star petitioner featured as columnist at influential Korean daily By Kang Hyun-kyung "A man, who was once politically powerful enough to influence others but disturbed many of us (with his flawed ethics and double standard on justice), is said to have released a memoir. We've been told that over 100,000 copies have been sold so far Sorry but I should say that his memoir doesn't deserve to be called a book. Rather, it's a collection of meaningless pieces written only to curry favor with a handful of die-hard supporters of President Moon Jae-in." This is what a man who identifies himself by his pen name Jo Eun-san, wrote in his regular column published Friday on the website of the Chosun Ilbo, one of the nation's most influential dailies. Under the title of "Memoir of a Once-powerful Man," he criticized former Justice Minister Cho Kuk for disturbing the Korean public with the recent release of his book, "Cho Kuk's Time: Pains, Truth and Untold Thoughts." Cho is on trial now for his alleged roles in various illicit activities, including abuse of power. Jo's column is indirect and rather poetic, but his points are clearly stinging and pungent. In an unequivocal tone, he rebuked the former justice minister for his unrepentant demeanor and self-justification of his "dubious past." Jo's column is the most read article of the day on the Chosun Ilbo website. Dozens of readers have reacted favorably to his column. One wrote, "Thank you for your heart-felt column." Another wrote, "Truth being told." Jo is a new columnist at the conservative newspaper. He was a star petitioner who rose to fame through the "Dear Mr. President" website. His eloquent presidential petition, titled "Simu chil-jo," tentatively translated into Seven-Point Proposal to the president, he uploaded on the presidential petition website in August, last year, went viral. In the lengthy, hilarious but polite petition emulating what ranking officials of the Joseon Dynasty would have done when they proposed certain things to their kings, Jo mocked President Moon's policy failures in housing and real estate issues, alleged diplomatic miscalculation with his heavy emphasis on mending ties with China while neglecting Korea-U.S. relations, and proposed a set or measures to fix them and make the country better for the people. He was quoted in many media outlets. His following petitions were also extensively reported. Over 430,000 people signed up for his initial petition, which obligated the presidential office to respond to his requests. On Oct. 23, Kang Jung-soo, head of the presidential office's center for digital communications, said the Moon government appreciated the petitioner for his thoughtful recommendations. Instead of giving direct answers to each of seven points, Kang said the government would continue to make efforts to stabilize housing issues for middle-income earners, the working class, youth and socially marginalized people. Since it was introduced in July 2017 to mark the 100th day since Moon's swearing in as president, the petition site has given ordinary citizens a chance to speak up on policy issues. The presidential office pledged that petitions that successfully garnered 200,000 or more supporters would be answered. The presidential office's response to Jo's petition, albeit diplomatic and without any concrete substance, came against this backdrop. Despite fame, details of Jo's identity, including his real name, remain largely unknown. Few people know exactly how old he is and what he does for a living. In a brief media interview last year, he said he is a breadwinner living in the western port city of Incheon and raises two children with his wife. He said he was once a construction worker, but declined to give any further details about himself and his family. His meteoric rise to the status of a star commentator through several popular presidential petitions helped him find a job as a columnist contributing his writing regularly to one of the largest media outlets in Korea. Details of his contract are unknown. But in this capacity, he is in a position to make his voice heard. This reporter contacted him for an interview about his dramatic career transition from a grassroots citizen to an attention-drawing commentator. Declining the offer, he said he was grateful for the "wonderful opportunity," but was unavailable for the interview request for unspecified personal reasons. Two rare breed calves are believed to be the first animals to have their births announced in The Times. The Dexter twins, Prince and Charles - each weighing around 55 lb - were born on Friday 28 May at Castle Bolton in the Yorkshire Dales. Yorkshire-based meat company Farmison & Co made the announcement in The Times today. The twin calves have been named after the Prince of Wales for his support of heritage breeds and British farming. The announcement as seen in The Times Using funding provided by the firm, farmer Stuart Raw has increased his rare breed Dexter herd from just eight cattle in 2018 to now more than 150. The smallest breed of cattle in Europe, the Dexter was bred in Tipperary in the 1750s from descendants of the ancient black cattle kept by the early Celts. Dexters were endangered in the 1930s, but now thanks to their ability to mature early while feeding on grass and the impeccable eating quality of its neat, small cuts, the breed is bouncing back. This resurgence has been aided significantly by frequent television appearances and chefs heralding the standout quality of its beef. Farmison & Co founders John Pallagi and Stuart Raw were present for the birth of the Dexter twins. Mr Pallagi said: It was an honour to be present at the birth of our new Dexter twins, and to support one of our British small-scale farmers who do right by the land. Farmers like Stuart who care for their animals properly are the cornerstone of the countryside. This kind of production, in balance with nature, stands in contrast to the impending Australia-UK trade deal which could leave our best farmers facing an existential threat." A calculator has been developed for farmers to compare what they might expect to receive under the government's lump sum exit scheme. Strutt & Parker's calculator shows the Basic Payments farmers are projected to receive if they continue to claim throughout the rest of the agricultural transition period, between 2022-2027. Defra's proposal is to pay farmers 2.35 x the average of the BPS payment across 2018-20, with the lump sum payable subject to a payment cap of 100,000. Strutt & Parker's calculations show that lowland farms over 182 hectares will be affected by the 100,000 cap. For this size farm, this equates to 549 per ha. Jonathan Armitage, the firm's head of farming said: Modelling suggests that if the farmer of the 182ha farm does not take the lump sum, they could expect to be paid 113,341 (which equates to 622/ha) over the period 2022 to 2027. "This is based on how Defra has said payments will be reduced until 2024 and then on our assumption of a straight line cut from then to 2028." He added: Therefore, the farmer might receive 13,341 or 12% less from taking the lump sum. Or put another way, they could lose most of the payments they were due to receive in 2026 and 2027. It has always been anticipated that the sums of money would probably not be large enough on their own for wholesale change. "But they may still bring forward some decisions and start some new conversations between landlords and tenants, and farmers looking for an opportunity to exit, Mr Armitage said. Farmers who would like to run the figures for their business through the calculator have been told to contact rural.enquiries@struttandparker.com. A child has sustained severe leg injuries after he fell from a tractor on a farm in Nottinghamshire, police have confirmed. The 11-year-old boy was on a tractor as it was cutting grass in Boat Lane in Bleasby on Wednesday afternoon (2 June). The boy's leg then became trapped in the mower, according to Nottinghamshire Police. He was taken by ambulance to the Queens Medical Centre where he is currently being treated for his injuries. The force said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the on-farm incident. Inspector Clare Gibson said: The boy was on the tractor while it was being used to cut grass. We believe the young boy has fallen from the tractor whilst in motion and subsequently sustained severe leg injuries for which he is receiving medical treatment. An investigation to establish what led to this incident is under way. The latest available figures by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that between 2019-2020, a total of 21 people in Britain were killed in agriculture. This consisted of 20 farm workers and 1 member of the public - a four year old child. The report, released in July 2020, shows that the biggest cause of these fatalities was farm transport. A Defra-funded trial on 26 Exmoor farms has raised concerns over delivering public goods in a national park while ensuring a viable farm business. Exmoor National Park Authority was commissioned last year to test principles for mapping the delivery of public goods on farms to help identify key areas for improvement. It is hoped the findings will help find ways to better support farmers in protected landscapes ahead of the transition to the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme. The UK's new system, replacing the EU's Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), will be introduced to incentivise sustainable farming practices while boosting the environment. A key finding from the new report shows that there is a potential threat to important designated habitats in upland areas like Exmoor. It warns that any fall in farm payments could cause a decline in the amount of land under agri-environment schemes. Sites such as heather moorland, wetlands and wood pasture were identified as being vulnerable as the grazing regimes that sustain them often only marginally benefit the farm. Figures reported by National Parks England already show downward trends, with a 17% drop in the amount of farmland on Exmoor under such schemes since 2015. The report highlights barriers to farms on being able to access ELM funding, as there would be a high demand for skilled advisors to help draw up proposals. A survey by Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN) shows that 88% of respondents state they expect to need advisers to help complete ELM Land Management Plans, but only around half knew where to get this advice. The report goes on to say that more research is needed to be able to quantify aspects such as cultural heritage, historic features, wildlife, public access and engagement. The Exmoor National Park Authority worked with Robert Deane, of consultancy firm Rural Focus, as part of the report. He said he hoped the government's new ELM scheme would be 'fairer and simpler' for farmers. "The outgoing basic payments scheme simply isnt set up to account for this level of detail and in some ways hasnt properly incentivised farmers wanting to do the right thing for nature. "This is particularly true in upland areas like Exmoor, where a volatile market and tighter margins leave very little room for manoeuvre," he said. Dave Knight, chair of the EHFN, added: About 56% of the national park is farmland and we hope this report goes some way towards demonstrating to the government what we have to offer, and how best our industry can be supported to deliver multiple benefits for people and nature. The Exmoor trial was one of 50 Defra 'tests and trials' to help inform the development of the future ELM scheme, due to be rolled out in 2024. The scheme will see farmers paid for work that enhances the environment, such as tree or hedge planting, river management to mitigate flooding, or creating habitats. Older farmers are being reminded of government plans to pay them to retire in order to bring new blood into the trade. Ministers hope the exit scheme, which is out for consultation, will create opportunities for a younger generation to own farmland. Nearly four in 10 UK farmers are over the age of 65, with the average age being 59 in the industry. The average farmer could receive a lump sum payment of 50,000, capped at 100,000 for farmers with most land. It is part of a massive overhaul of farm grants incentivising farmers to protect the environment. At the launch of the consultation, Defra Secretary George Eustice said: We need to address the twin challenges of helping new entrants fulfil their dream and gain access to land, while also helping an older generation retire with dignity. "Our Exit Scheme will offer farmers real incentive to confront what can often be a difficult decision and will help them clear bills and settle debts. The consultation will be open for 12 weeks, until 11 August 2021 and focuses on two key areas: the lump sum exit scheme and delinked payments. The lump sum exit scheme will build on evidence that some farmers would like to retire or leave the industry but have found it difficult to do so for financial reasons. The government proposes to offer them a lump sum payment to help them do this in a planned and managed way. The consultation seeks views on who should be eligible for these lump sum payments and how the payments should be calculated. Meanwhile, the government's 'delinked payments' consultation includes plans to separate Direct Payments from the amount of land farmed, from 2024. This will simplify the process for farmers, allow them to focus on running their business and encourage them to take up the governments new environmental land management schemes, which will reward sustainable food production and environmental improvements. The consultation seeks views on how the delinked payments will be calculated. Richard Corbett, partner with Roger Parry & Partners spoke about the consultation: We wouldnt disagree with Eustice when he says that new entrants are the lifeblood of any vibrant industry and farming is no exception. "However, he has to appreciate that farming the land is a way of life for farmers and it is not necessarily seen as a job that some would want to retire from as they get older. "Perhaps this lump sum could work for those who do wish to leave farming but find it difficult to generate the capital to do so. More details on the consultation can be found on the government's website. Cranswick Country Foods has become the first agri-food company in Northern Ireland to achieve carbon neutral certification. Cranswick's Ballymena agri-food manufacturing site is the first in its sector in the province to achieve certification PAS 2060. It follows a three-year investment in a range of efficiency and carbon cutting projects. The key milestone is a critical step in the sites journey to net zero - a goal it aims to reach by 2040. To achieve carbon neutrality Cranswick have switched to 100% renewable electricity to new LED lighting, and heat recovery systems. Cranswicks achievement is a great asset for NI as we prepare for the UK hosting of COP26 in Glasgow this November. Speaking at a visit to Cranswick, farming minister Edwin Poots said the processor was 'leading the way' with green changes. We all have a role to play in order to protect and enhance our environment in a sustainable way," he said. Cranswicks achievement is a great asset for NI as we prepare for the UK hosting of COP26 in Glasgow this November. "I commend its commitment to a net zero journey and look forward to celebrating the next milestone in this important pathway." 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. President Moon Jae-in speaks during his visit to the headquarters of South Korea's state spy agency in southern Seoul, June 4. Yonhap President Moon Jae-in visited the headquarters of South Korea's state spy agency in southern Seoul and received a briefing on its reform measures Friday. It was Moon's second visit to the National Intelligence Service (NIS) since he took office in May 2017. Reforming the powerful body is one of his major campaign pledges. The NIS was accused of having been a hotbed of deep-rooted evils, including operations to oppress political dissidents. Under a revision to the NIS-related law in late 2020, the agency is prohibited from undertaking domestic surveillance operations. It is instead required to focus its capacity on collecting information related to North Korea and overseas interests. The liberal Moon administration describes the move as the rebirth of the NIS. Park Jie-won, director of the NIS, reported to the president that it has reorganized the overall operation system to place more emphasis on such fields as counterterrorism, cybersecurity and space, according to Cheong Wa Dae. The agency's capability on gathering and analyzing science-linked information has been improved, with a special program to train "white hackers" running in local mission centers, Park added. Regarding its obligation to transfer the right to investigate illegal pro-Pyongyang activities to the police, the two authorities are conducting a joint probe this year with the aim of completing the transition by the end of 2023. The president replied that the NIS is now back as an intelligence agency for the state and the people, and called on it to become a "future-oriented" body faithful to its duty. "The NIS will not go back to the past," Moon was quoted as saying by Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Park Kyung-mee. The reform measures represent the "precious fruit" of NIS officials' dedicated efforts and the government's strong will, which would serve as a brilliant milestone in its history, he added. He recalled his previous visit to the NIS in July 2018, during which he pledged to guarantee its "political neutrality" without using it for political purposes. He said he has kept that promise. The president expected the agency to help advance South Korea's emergence as a "pacesetting" nation via intelligence activities in the cyber and aerospace sectors. He also pointed out that the NIS has monitored other countries' responses to COVID-19, protected South Koreans abroad and supported the procurement of vaccines, while playing a pivotal role in defending manpower and technologies in such high-tech industries as semiconductors, biohealth, batteries and 5G networks, according to Park. Moon then attended a ceremony to unveil a stone with the agency's new motto inscribed, as it marks the 60th founding anniversary next week. It reads, "Serving Our Nation and People with Unwavering Loyalty and Devotion." (Yonhap) Memphis Depay Was the big protagonist of the tie to two of Holland against Scotland. The still forward of the Olympique of Lyon marked the two so many of his selection, that suffered against the Scottish and that brushed the defeat. Luckily, the ex of the Manchester United and futurible of the FC Barcelona annotated by twice the target of the equalised to give life to the Low Countries in this friendly in the Algarve. The ones of Frank of Boer, however, were not fine and began losing after the so much of Jack Hendry. The Scottish, precisely, took advantage of of a bad control of Depay to do the first of the meeting. Luckily, the attacker did not take in redeeming and annotated the tie with a spectacular volley with the left-handed after a good left of Georginio Wijnaldum, to the that also wants the Barca. The marker did not move in the first part, but in the second Scotland tightened in the first 20 minutes and in the 64 Kevin Nisbet put the 2-1 after a good centre of the 'network' Andrew Robertson from the left. A hard hit for the Dutch, that had to row contracorriente from then. But to the Dutch cost them attack the enclosed defence of the ones of the United Kingdom, that almost carry the triumph. Only Depay could avoid that the Scottish went of Portugal with a victory. The forward attained empatar the party to fault of a minute more discount for the end after a genialidad to unemployed balloon. The one of Moordrecht put of direct fault the definite 2-2, that leaves to the Dutch in better position of face to the next Eurocopa. However, this is a warning that the ones of Of Boer have to improve a lot if they want to do something important in the tournament. Depay, the star of Holland What himself left clear this meeting was that Memphis is the big star of this Holland in attack and that by his boots go to happen good part of the options of the Dutch in the Eurocopa. The one of the Lyon is the player with more goal and differential quality in the last metres and has to show that it can be the star that has showed to be in Tie it 1. While, in Barcelona will take good note of what do to close or no his signing. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Juhi Chawla filed a lawsuit against the implementation of 5G in the country and how it will cause adverse effects to the environment. The hearing was conducted virtually and Juhi had shared the link to the video call on her social media for the public to join in. Disrupting the hearing, an unidentified man sang the actors song and a contempt of court was filed against him. Moreover, the Delhi HC has dismissed the case on account that Juhi shared the hearing link and was only looking for publicity via this lawsuit. The suit is dismissed. Plaintiffs abused the process of law. Costs of a 20 lakh are imposed on plaintiffs," the court said. Further, the court issued a statement, "It appears the suit was for publicity. Juhi Chawla circulated a link of the hearing on social media," the High Court said, asking the Delhi Police to identify the man and file a complaint. This is a total Fan scenario because there's a new Shah Rukh Khan lookalike in town. Instagram has been blowing up with pictures of Ibrahim Qadri who bears a crazy resemblance to the superstar. Hence, Qadri has been raking up followers on social media thanks to his looks. Qadri often takes to Instagram to share pictures of himself dressed as SRK and has also recreated some of the actor's most famous movie scenes. Ibrahim Qadri's stark resemblance to the actor has earned him many compliments from people on social media who cannot believe their eyes. This isn't the first time that social media has discovered someone who closely resembles SRK. A few years ago, fans of the actor had taken pictures with photographer Akram al-Issawi in Jordan because he looked like the My Name Is Khan star. Then, there was a certain Haider Maqbool from Jammu and Kashmir who also went viral in 2017 for his resemblance to the actor. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 3, 2021) - CloudBreak Discovery Corp. ("CloudBreak" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its transaction with Imperial X Plc ("Imperial X") (see the Company's press releases dated September 2, 2020, January 8, 2021, and February 17, 2021) has now closed. Under the transaction, CloudBreak amalgamated with Howson Ventures Inc. ("Howson"), Cabox Gold Corp. ("Cabox") and 1278953 B.C. Ltd. ("Numberco Sub") to form 1308402 B.C. Ltd. ("Amalco"), which is a subsidiary of Imperial X (the "Amalgamation"). In conjunction with closing, Imperial X also acquired certain assets in Anglo African Minerals Plc ("AAM") and changed its name to "Cloudbreak Discovery Plc". As consideration under the proposed transaction, Imperial X issued an aggregate of approximately 149,568,471 Imperial X shares pro rata to the CloudBreak shareholders. Accordingly, each CloudBreak shareholder received approximately 4.6365 Imperial X shares in exchange for each CloudBreak share held. Following closing, as well as other ancillary transactions and financings conducted by Imperial X, former CloudBreak shareholders hold approximately 38.39% of the issued and outstanding shares of Imperial X. For further information respecting the transaction, Amalco, or Imperial X, please contact: David Robinson, sole director of 1208402 B.C. Ltd. drobinson@cronincapital.ca. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, 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. 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, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. 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, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86485 HAMILTON, Bermuda, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill" or the "Company") (OSE:SDRL, OTCPK:SDRLF) announces that Seadrill New Finance Limited (the "Issuer"), a subsidiary of the Company, has agreed to further extend the existing forbearance agreement announced on 19 April 2021, and extended on 17 May 2021 and 27 May 2021, with respect to the 12.0% senior secured notes due 2025 (the "Notes") with certain holders of the Notes (the "Note Holders"). Pursuant to the forbearance agreement, as extended, the consenting Note Holders have agreed not to exercise any enforcement rights with respect to the Issuer and any subsidiary of the Issuer which is an obligor under the Notes to, or otherwise take actions in respect of, certain events of default that may arise under the Notes as a result of, amongst other things, the Issuer not making the semi-annual 4% cash interest payment due to the senior secured noteholders on 15 January 2021 in respect of their Notes and the filing of Chapter 11 cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas by the Company and certain of its consolidated subsidiaries (excluding the Issuer and its consolidated subsidiaries) until and including the earlier of 18 June 2021 and any termination of the forbearance agreement. The purpose of the forbearance agreement is to allow the Issuer and its stakeholders more time to negotiate on the heads of terms of a comprehensive restructuring of its balance sheet. Such a restructuring may involve the use of a court-supervised process. 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 OTCPK. 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: seadrill@hawthornadvisors.com 020 3745 4960 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com MONTREAL, June 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Inc. ("Bombardier" or the "Corporation") today announced that it has successfully priced its previously announced offering of US$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount, which has been upsized to US$1,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount, of new Senior Notes due 2026. The new Senior Notes will carry a coupon of 7.125% per annum and will be sold at 100.000% of par (the "New Notes"). The issuance is expected to close on or about June 8, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. The net proceeds of the offering are expected to be used to finance Bombardier's tender offer (the "Tender Offer"), for up to $1,000,000,000 in aggregate purchase price, of its outstanding (i) 5.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "5.750% 2022 Notes"), of which there is US$181,203,000 principal amount outstanding on the date hereof, (ii) 6.000% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "6.000% 2022 Notes"), of which there is US$1,200,000,000 principal amount outstanding on the date hereof, and (iii) 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023, of which there is US$1,023,858,000 principal amount outstanding on the date hereof (the "2023 Notes" and together with the 5.750% 2022 Notes and the 6.000% 2022 Notes, the "Subject Notes") and to pay related fees and expenses. Bombardier intends to use the remaining net proceeds from the offering of New Notes for general corporate purposes, including the repayment and/or retirement of other outstanding debt. Consummation of the offering of the New Notes and of the Tender Offer for the Subject Notes is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance that Bombardier will be able to successfully complete these transactions on the terms described above, or at all. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or buy or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation, sale or purchase of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation, sale or purchase would be unlawful. The New Notes and the Subject Notes mentioned herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, any state securities laws or the laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The New Notes mentioned herein may be offered and sold in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act and outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. The New Notes mentioned herein have not been and will not be qualified for distribution to the public under applicable Canadian securities laws and, accordingly, any offer and sale of the securities in Canada will be made on a basis which is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws. The New Notes will be offered and sold in Canada on a private placement basis only to "accredited investors" pursuant to certain prospectus exemptions. The Tender Offer mentioned herein will be conducted in accordance with the separate Offer to Purchase relating thereto. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements based on current expectations. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. For Information PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Hedge-fund billionaire William Ackman's special-purpose acquisition company is nearing a deal with Vivendi-owned Universal Music Group that would value the music business at about $40 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported citing people familiar with the matter. The Prospective deal puts a valuation on the music business at $42 billion with debt. Last month, Vivendi said it would propose the setting up of a governance structure for Universal Music Group NV, which is expected to list its shares on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange on September 27, 2021. Prior to the distribution of 60% of the Universal Music Group shares to Vivendi shareholders, the group was analyzing the opportunity of selling 10% of UMG shares to an American investor or initiating a public offering of at least 5% and up to 10% of UMG shares. Furthermore, Vivendi would retain 10% of the UMG share capital for a minimum period of two years in order to remain associated with the development of its subsidiary. 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. Genuine apology needed to win back hearts of public Rep. Song Young-gil, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has extended an apology for the controversy surrounding former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. During a press conference Wednesday Song said, "We apologize again for having failed to understand the pain suffered by the people and youth." "It was inappropriate (for Cho) to use his high status and connections to give his child opportunities to bolster her career experience. This inflicted frustration and disappointment on numerous young people who were denied access to such privileges." This was the second time for a DPK leader to apologize for the "Cho Kuk" case following the first made by former DPK Chairman Lee Hae-chan in October, 2019. According to a report compiled by the DPK's planning committee, the negative public sentiment toward the former justice minister was one of the main reasons behind the party's crushing defeat in the April 7 mayoral by-elections in Seoul and Busan. The report noted that young voters in their 20s and 30s are very sensitive to the value of fairness, saying the Cho Kuk scandal vividly showed the hypocrisy and "naeronambul" (I am right and you are wrong) attitude prevalent among the ruling elite. During the press conference, however, Song said Cho's daughter gaining admission into university "was not a violation of the law." Yet his remarks were improper given the fact that Cho's wife, Chung Kyung-shim, a professor at Dongyang University, was taken into custody in December last year on seven charges, including the fabrication of an official document. Against this backdrop, Song took flak for only making a "half-hearted apology." Former minister Cho also triggered criticism recently for releasing a memoir titled, "Cho Kuk's Time," in which he just excused and justified his misdeeds without showing any remorse for his actions. Song also said, "This is a time to think about the people's livelihood," stressing the need to focus on pending issues such as real estate and vaccinations, and to move beyond the Cho Kuk controversy. Yet we believe Song's apology should not end as a mere onetime event for the ruling camp to cast off unfavorable views and woo support ahead of the upcoming presidential election slated for March next year . Disappointingly, there are still many DPK lawmakers who claim Cho was a political scapegoat targeted by former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl to satisfy his presidential ambitions. Well aware of such views, Song called on the prosecution to embark on an investigation into Yoon's family members as it did with Cho. This shows that the ruling party still has a long way to go before making a sincere apology over the Cho Kuk issue. This also runs counter to the DPK's pledge to be reborn and dedicate itself to improving the livelihood of working-class people. "Cho Kuk" is the symbol of social confusion and national division, deepening confrontation. Efforts are needed to get rid of "unfair" elements in society, and for this, the ruling elite should make a genuine apology and listen to the voices of the opposition. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen climbed against its major counterparts in the Asian session on Friday amid safe-haven status, as strong U.S. economic data intensified expectations of the likelihood of U.S. Federal Reserve paring back its bond-buying program. While ADP private payrolls surged in May, U.S weekly jobless claims fell below 400,000 last week, indicating a strengthening of the labor market. Data from the Institute for Supply Management showed that U.S. service sector activity hit a record high in May. The U.S. nonfarm payrolls report is due later in the day, which could offer more clues on labour market recovery and the direction of policy. Markets digested U.S. President Joe Biden's offer to abandon his proposed 28% corporate tax hike, and instead recommending a rate of 15%. Data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed that Japan household spending surged 13.0 percent on year in April - coming in at 310,043 yen. That blew away forecasts for an increase of 9.3 percent following the 6.2 percent gain in March. The yen rose to 155.28 against the pound, 121.79 against the franc and 110.14 against the greenback, off its early lows of 155.63 and 122.10 and a 2-month low of 110.33, respectively. The yen is seen finding resistance around 152.00 against the pound, 117.00 against the franc and 108.00 against the greenback. The yen appreciated to a 2-day high of 90.86 against the loonie and an 8-day high of 133.45 against the euro, after falling to 91.11 and 133.82, respectively in prior deals. The yen may test resistance around 88.00 against the loonie and 129.00 against the euro. The yen edged up to 84.32 against the aussie, from an early low of 84.53, and was steady thereafter. If the yen strengthens further, 82.00 is likely seen as its next resistance level. In contrast, the yen ticked down to 78.86 against the kiwi, from a high of 78.66 seen at 10 pm ET. The yen may test support around the 80 level, if it drops further. Looking ahead, German and U.K. construction PMIs for May and Eurozone retail sales for April will be released in the European session. U.S. and Canadian jobs data and Canada Ivey PMI, all for May, as well as U.S. factory orders for April will be out in the New York session. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - BMEX Gold Inc. (TSXV: BMEX) (FSE: 8M0) ("BMEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on Tuesday June 1, 2021 all matters submitted to the shareholders for approval as set out in the Company's notice of meeting and information circular dated June 1, 2021 were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the Meeting. A total of 16,000,000 shares or 27.38% of the outstanding shares of the Company were represented at the Meeting by proxy or in person. At the meeting Wanda Cutler was appointed as a new member of the Board of Directors and all incumbent directors were reappointed. Ms. Cutler has worked with reporting issuers for more than 20 years in marketing and communications. For the past 10 years she has focused almost exclusively on Quebec exploration companies, exploring for a variety of metals including gold, VMS, copper and lithium. She has acted as a strategic advisor to a number of public companies including: multiple junior mining companies, investment companies and alternative energy companies. Wanda holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Political Science) from the University of Ottawa and is President of Cutler McCarthy, a communication firm. Warner Uhl, President and CEO of BMEX commented, "I would like to welcome Wanda to our Board, her extensive experience in working with exploration companies, Quebec companies in particular, is accretive to the overall skill set of our Board of Directors. I also note that with the addition of Wanda, the BMEX Board of Directors is now comprised of 40% women. Our Company is committed to diversity inclusion at the leadership and board level. Increasingly, investors are evaluating a Company's commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion when considering investment opportunities. We have assembled a strong leadership team and I look forward to working with our Board of Directors in the coming year." The Company has also granted 1,100,000 stock options to directors, officers and Investor Relations consultants. Each option is exercisable at $.26 per share from June 2, 2021 for 5 years. The Company has also distributed 2,960,000 performance based shares to directors, officers, and consultants as part of the approved PRSU program. About BMEX Gold Inc. BMEX Gold Inc. is a junior Canadian mining exploration company with the primary objective to acquire, explore, and develop viable gold and base metal projects in the mining-friendly jurisdiction of Quebec, Canada. BMEX is currently fully focused on earning 100% interest in its two projects, both located in the prolific Abitibi greenstone belt: King Tut Project consists of 120 contiguous claims on 5,206 hectares consists of 120 contiguous claims on 5,206 hectares Dunlop Bay Project consists of 76 mineral claims that cover 4,226 hectares BMEX common shares trade under the symbol "BMEX" on the TSX-V and under the symbol 8M0 on the Frankfurt Exchange. For further information please contact: BMEX Gold Inc. Dylan Sidoo, Business Development Tel: 1 (604) 423 4499 Email: info@bmexgold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management's best estimates, assumptions, and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to the plans for future exploration and development of the King Tut and Dunlop Bay properties and the acquisition of additional exploration projects. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts" , "anticipates" "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. 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 expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the King Tut and Dunlop Bay projects; risks related to general economic conditions, actual results of current exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; increases in market prices of mining consumables, possible variations in resource estimates, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of exploration, development or construction activities, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in areas in which the Company operates. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and forward looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any forward-looking statements or forward looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Please refer to the Company's most recent filings under its profile at www.sedar.com for further information respecting the risks affecting the Company and its business. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86418 PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Hedge-fund billionaire William Ackman's special-purpose acquisition company, Pershing Square Tontine Holdings Ltd. (PSTH), confirmed Friday that it is in discussions with Vivendi S.E. (VIV.L, VIVEF.PK) to acquire 10% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Universal Music Group B.V. or 'UMG' for about $4 billion, representing an enterprise value of 35 billion euros for UMG. Unlike most SPAC business combinations, PSTH and UMG will not combine into one company following the transaction, Pershing Square said in a statement. Following PSTH's acquisition of the UMG Shares, UMG will complete its previously announced listing on Euronext Amsterdam in the third quarter of 2021. Once the Listing is complete, PSTH will distribute the UMG Shares directly to PSTH's shareholders in a transaction registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. PSTH intends to remain listed on the NYSE, with $1.5 billion of cash after the distribution of UMG shares, and to seek new business combination partner. 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. ams OSRAM announces the sale of the North America-Based Digital System (DS) business, which primarily manufactures lighting control systems, electronics and drivers, to long-time customer and partner Acuity Brands. A leading U.S. industrial technology company, Acuity Brands is acquiring the Digital Systems business in the US, Canada and Mexico, which currently have about 1100 employees. ams OSRAM North America Digital Systems business develops and manufactures lighting components including drivers, LED light engines, electronic ballast and connected components and is one of the largest LED lighting driver companies in North America. LED drivers are a crucial component of every luminaire and enable smart and embedded technologies to make lighting and controls more available, reliable, and open for broader access. The acquisition of ams OSRAM's LED drivers and team expands Acuity Brands capabilities and its advanced LED driver portfolio. Acuity Brands' ownership will bring a strategic perspective and fit to the customers, employees and business overall. Acuity Brands and DS have a long history of working together, spanning decades. This close relationship and mutual understanding of each other's business is expected to enable a rapid integration. The company will take over the DS business in the USA, Canada and Mexico, including the production facility in Monterrey, Mexico. The transaction is expected to close during the summer of 2021. The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details. About ams and OSRAM The ams OSRAM Group, including the listed companies ams AG as parent company and OSRAM Licht AG, is a global leader in optical solutions. By adding intelligence to light and passion to innovation, we enrich people's lives. This is what we mean by Sensing is Life. With over 110 years of combined history, our core is defined by imagination, deep engineering expertise and the ability to provide global industrial capacity in sensor and light technologies. We create exciting innovations that enable our customers in the consumer, automotive, healthcare and industrial sectors maintain their competitive edge. We thereby drive innovation that meaningfully improves the quality of life in terms of health, safety and convenience, while reducing impact on the environment. Our around 30,000 employees worldwide focus on innovation across sensing, illumination and visualization to make journeys safer, medical diagnosis more accurate and daily moments in communication a richer experience. Our work creates technology for breakthrough applications, which is reflected in over 15,000 patents granted and applied. Headquartered in Premstaetten/Graz (Austria) with a co-headquarter in Munich (Germany), the group achieved well over USD 5 billion combined revenues in 2020 (pro-forma). ams AG is a listed company on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ISIN: AT0000A18XM4). OSRAM Licht AG remains a listed company on the XETRA market in Germany (ISIN: DE000LED4000). To find out more about us on https://ams-osram.com ams is a registered trademark of ams AG. In addition many of our products and services are registered or filed trademarks of ams Group. All other company or product names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice. Join ams social media channels: >Twitter >LinkedIn >Facebook >YouTube Join OSRAM social media channels: >Twitter >LinkedIn >Facebook >YouTube Please note: The ams brand is owned by ams AG, the OSRAM brand is owned by OSRAM GmbH. ams group and OSRAM group are in the process of integration. The combination of the ams and OSRAM brand is not representing a new brand. This is a visual symbol of the two companies coming together, representing the aspiration of our future joined group. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005160/en/ Contacts: For further information Media Relations Amy Flecher Vice President Corporate Head of Media Relations T: +43 664 8816 2121 press@ams.com ams-osram.com Jens Hack Communications and Marketing T: +49 89 6213 2129 j.hack@osram.com ams-osram.com PARIS, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- B"H -- SafeSante, a company specialized in telemedicine solutions since 2014, announces that it has signed an agreement with GEM Global Yield LLC SCS ("GEM"), the Luxemburg-based private alternative investment group, for a EUR 12 million capital commitment. Under the agreement, GEM commits to provide SafeSante with a share subscription facility of up to EUR 12 million for a 36-month term following the public listing of the company shares on a European National Stock Exchange. SafeSante will control the timing and maximum amount of drawdown under the facility and has no minimum drawdown obligation. Concurrent to the public listing of SafeSante Shares, GEM will receive warrants to purchase shares of the company. Subject to the funding becoming available, the proceeds will be used to further develop its telemedicine offer in France and in Europe with the objective of improving access to care and reducing its barriers. SafeSante's telemedicine solutions are aimed at all healthcare professionals, healthcare institutions and patients. It integrates revolutionary medical devices that allow doctors to examine patients remotely as well as face-to-face, for general or specialized medicine. "We are very pleased by the GEM commitment and welcome them to this adventure of improving access to care." said Yonathan Abbou, PhD, founder and active chairman of SafeSante. "This funding, and becoming a public entity will help us to expand our activities in France and in Europe in several areas. Our vision is to connect patients and healthcare professionals through our digital tools and Hi-Tech connected devices. Our goal is to build the largest virtual medical centre in Europe in order to give every patient the chance to access quickly to quality care." About SafeSante: SafeSante was founded in Paris in 2014 by Yonathan Abbou, PhD and aims at connecting patients and doctors with the best technological tools at our disposal. SafeSante Doc is already used by many doctors in France who follow their patients remotely. SafeSante has also integrated telemedicine terminals with connected medical devices in pharmacies, health institutions or mobile devices for private nurses. About the GEM Group: Global Emerging Markets (GEM) is a 3.4 Billion $ alternative investment group with operations in Paris, New York and Los Angeles. GEM manages a diverse set of investment vehicles focused on emerging markets and has completed 400 transactions in 70 countries. Each investment vehicle has different sets of operational concepts of risk, adjusted return and liquidity profile. The family of funds and investment vehicles provide GEM and its partners with exposure to: Small-Mid Cap Management Buyouts, Private Investments in Public Equities and select venture investments. For more information : www.gemny.com Contact: +33 (0)1.70.61.48.85, contact@safesante.fr Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1525541/SafeSante_Telemedecine.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1525540/SafeSante_Logo.jpg Getir continues rollout across Europe and gears up for U.S. Expansion ISTANBUL, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Getir, the pioneer of ultrafast grocery delivery, announced today it has concluded its Series D funding round, raising over $550mn and taking the company's valuation to over $7.5bn. Backed by existing investors including Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital, Getir will now add a number of global, blue-chip investors including Silver Lake, DisruptAD, and Mubadala Investment Company as well as a large, diversified asset manager on the West Coast. This marks Getir's third round of investment in 2021, with nearly $1bn raised since the beginning of the year. Getir will utilize the latest capital injection to fuel its expansion into the United States. Following a hugely successful international launch in London in January and starting its operations in Amsterdam in May, Getir is stepping up its European operations with couriers set to hit the road in Paris and Berlin in the next few weeks. Several cities in the US are on the roster to follow by Q4 this year as Getir expands into the United States. This will see Getir operating in six countries, further establishing them as not only the creators of the ultrafast grocery delivery category, but also the benchmark brand in the industry. "Our model and approach to ultrafast delivery is thriving and this latest round of funding further enables us to deliver our best-in-class service to new customers in Europe, the United States and beyond. There is great appetite for Getir and rapid grocery delivery. As the pioneers of the market, we continue to stand out by constantly innovating to provide the industry standard." says Nazim Salur, Founder of Getir. For investment related enquiries, please contact: investor@getir.com A selection of images can be found and downloaded here. About Getir Getir is the ultrafast delivery pioneer. The tech company, based in Istanbul, has revolutionized last-mile delivery with its 10-minute grocery delivery proposition offering a selection of 1,500 everyday items to its customers in minutes, 7 days a week, day and night. Getir is now operating in 30 cities in Turkey and has launched operations in the UK in January and in the Netherlands in May 2021. Getir also has sub-brands - GetirFood, GetirMore, GetirWater and GetirLocals. Getir is, first and foremost, a technology company that operates in retail and logistics. It was founded in 2015 by Nazim Salur (founder of BiTaksi, Turkey's leading taxi app), Serkan Borancili (founder of GittiGidiyor which was acquired by eBay in 2011) and Tuncay Tutek (ex-PepsiCo and P&G executive in Europe & the Middle East). Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526010/Getir_Founder_Nazim_Salur.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526011/Getir_courier.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526012/Getir_Logo.jpg Brunsbuttel / Hamburg (ots) - The European Commission has approved the exemption decision for German LNG Terminal GmbH. The decision relates to the requested annual throughput capacity of 8 billion cubic metres per annum on a long-term basis from the date of the terminal's commercial launch.Rolf Brouwer, Managing Director of German LNG Terminal, welcomes the European Commission's decision: "The commercial framework conditions for the LNG terminal have now been determined. We are extremely confident that we will now soon be able to conclude binding contracts with our potential customers, and commission the EPC contractor. We hope that the planning permission procedures can take a decisive step forward in the near future. German LNG Terminal is ready to take this step too."German LNG Terminal submitted the application to the Federal Network Agency for exemption from tariff and network access regulation under section 28a of the German Energy Industry Act back in July 2018. Already at the start of December 2020, the company had been informed of the decision of the German regulatory authority (Bundesnetzagentur- BNetzA), granting it exemption. However, as is usual, this was subject to review by the EU Commission.The Joint Venture is planning to build and operate a liquefied natural gas terminal at the Brunsbuttel location. The terminal will contribute to the securing and diversification of the natural gas supply at the time of the energy transformation in Germany. With the possibility of handling green gases at the terminal, the terminal will play an important role in the energy supply of the future.German LNG and the shareholding companies - A wealth of experienceGerman LNG Terminal GmbH is a joint venture between Dutch companies Gasunie LNG Holding B.V. and Vopak LNG Holding B.V. as well as Oiltanking GmbH, a subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls AG, based in Hamburg, Germany. The aim of the joint venture is to build and operate a multifunctional import and distribution terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Brunsbuttel. The terminal will also provide a wide range of services including the loading and unloading of LNG carriers, the temporary storage of LNG, regasification, feeding natural gas into the German natural gas network, and distribution of LNG via tank trucks and LNG tank cars.Pressekontakt:Katja FreitagGerman LNG Terminal GmbHTel. +49 30 20642-975 / mobile +49 152 21700511katja.freitag@GermanLng.comDr. Frank LaurichLaurich & KollegenTel.: + 49 (0)40 75 25 77 - 990frank.laurich@laurich-kollegen.deOriginal-Content von: German LNG Terminal GmbH, ubermittelt durch news aktuellOriginalmeldung: https://www.presseportal.de/pm/142930/4932444 MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon television program, Copyright MMXXI, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3 to 4 month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $6,950.00 to $11,995.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by Donald Baillargeon, the producer, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks struggled for direction in early trade on Friday as investors awaited the U.S. May payrolls data later in the day for directional cues. A strong reading may reinforce expectations the Federal Reserve would pare back its massive stimulus program sooner than expected. The benchmark DAX was marginally higher at 15,637 after rising 0.2 percent on Thursday. Lanxess AG shares were little changed. The U.K's Competition and Markets Authority said that it is investigating the proposed acquisition of Emerald Kalama Chemical LLC by the German specialty chemicals company. Airline Lufthansa was moving lower as Britain added seven more countries to its 'red list' of destinations that require hotel quarantine on return to England. In economic releases, German construction sector contracted further in May largely due to the supply chain bottlenecks, survey results from IHS Markit showed. The construction Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 44.5 in May from 46.2 in the previous month. This was the lowest reading since February, when the sector was impacted by a bout of severe wintry weather. There were marked decreases in activity across both the commercial and civil engineering categories. Housing activity continued to show a more resilient trend but was in negative territory. 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. Signing Ceremony YOKOHAMA, Japan, June 4, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Power, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has concluded, simultaneously, three 16-year long-term service agreement (LTSA) covering six M701F gas turbines, two each delivered, for Sidi Krir Power Station, El Atf Power Station and Cairo North GTCC plants in Egypt. These plants operate natural-gas-fired gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) generators with a rated output of 750 MW. Mitsubishi Power will ensure stable, high-availability operation of facilities by providing maintenance, management, parts supply, parts repair and remote monitoring services for the gas turbines, and enhance the power supply stability throughout Egypt.The LTSA signing ceremony was held at Sidi Krir Power Station, some 50 km west of Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea coast, on May 31. Besides Mitsubishi Power and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Regional Executives, the attendees included senior representatives from: the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), which lead the power generation and transmission operations in Egypt, the Embassy of Japan in Egypt (EoJ), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Cairo Office.Representing the Egyptian side, Mr. Gaber Dussoki the Chairman of the EEHC, offered the following remarks: we highly trust and appreciate the Japanese Manufactures technology, especially Mitsubishi Power who showed full commitment to fulfil the EEHC requirements through our long and historical cooperation.Speaking on behalf of Mitsubishi Power was Carlos Gonzalez Peton, CEO of Mitsubishi Power Europe, Ltd, the Company's London-based subsidiary that overseas operations in the EMEA region. "This year marks the 10th anniversary of Mitsubishi Power Group's establishment of a local service organization in Egypt. Thanks to the significant support provided from Japan, we provide our local market with safe, timely and high quality power generation systems and services, ensuring results exceed our customers' expectations. Now, with the conclusion of this 16-year LTSA, we will be able to continue to provide our customers, in Egypt, with optimal responsive services, and by doing so we look forward to further enhancing our ties of friendship."Today's ceremony had a dual purpose, to further celebrate and acknowledge the 80% progress of the upgrade and rehabilitation, JICA financed, contract signed in May 2019 to the two power stations at Sidi Krir and El Atf Power Stations. Despite the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, they are expected to be fully completed by November 2021.Sidi Krir Power Station and El Atf Power Station, ordered upgrades increasing the plants' output, improving their power generation efficiency, and reducing facility downtime, the upgrade to Cairo North GTCC plant was completed in May 2019, and is now in operation with improved efficiency and output.Today, in addition to developing new power generation systems, Mitsubishi Power is also focusing on upgrades and performance improvements at existing facilities, and service business. Going forward, the Company will continue to support the stable supply of power and efficient power generation in locations around the world, thereby contributing to the promotion of decarbonization, economic development and the creation of highly sustainable energy systems on a global scale.Source: Mitsubishi Power, Ltd.Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. A COVID-19 nasal spray vaccine applies for emergency use in China (Global Times) 09:13, June 04, 2021 Chen Wei Photo: Xinhua A COVID-19 nasal spray vaccine has applied for emergency use to China's National Medical Products Administration, the prominent Chinese vaccine developer, Chen Wei, revealed on Thursday. The nasal spray vaccine, jointly developed by Chen's team and the Chinese biotech company, CanSino Biologics Inc, only requires one-fifth of the amount of the injectable adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccine and doesn't need cold-chain storage and transport, Chen introduced in a speech delivered at the Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai on Thursday. This new vaccine is expected to improve accessibility and reduce the cost of COVID-19 vaccination, Chen said. Vaccine industry insiders reached by the Global Times said they are optimistic with this new type of vaccine which they believe is better than traditional injectable shots in terms of efficiency and convenience. The current injectable COVID-19 vaccine is 0.5 milliliter per dose, said Shanghai-based vaccine expert, Tao Lina. If Chen's nasal spray vaccine can achieve the same protective effect with only a 0.1 milliliter dose, "that means it has higher immune efficiency," Tao told the Global Times. The higher efficiency may come from the way the vaccine enters body, Tao said. It is directly inhaled through the nose, which mimics the natural infection of the respiratory virus COVID-19, and then it forms a mucosal immunity, he explained. Also, with a dose only one fifth that of the injectable COVID-19 vaccine, producers can make five times as many nasal spray vaccines under the same production capacity for injectable vaccines, which can contribute to speeding up vaccination in China, Tao added. Over 700 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in the Chinese mainland as of Tuesday, China's National Health Commission informed on its website on Thursday. Zhang Wenhong, a leading infectious disease expert, believes that China will be able to reopen to countries with good inoculation and low infection rates in the first half of 2022, but that will still depend on how many people in the country have been inoculated. Countries with a higher inoculation rate such as Israel, the US and the UK will make deals to resume people-to-people exchanges in the second half of this year. But the date for a resumption of global travel remains unknown, as that would be determined by the overall vaccination rate and speed of mutated variants, said Zhang at the Boao Forum for Asia in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province on Wednesday. Gao Fu, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control, recently said that it seemed that the virus evolves like an influenza virus. "We probably need to receive jabs against COVID-19 every year, just like how we coexist with influenza," said Gao, adding that when there is an immunity barrier against COVID-19, the regular jabs will be used to prevent critical cases rather than simply avert infections. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Tesla's vehicle orders in China nearly halved in May, when compared to April, against the backdrop of increased government scrutiny on the U.S. electric carmaker, the Information reported on Thursday, citing internal data. The company's monthly net orders in China dropped to about 9,800 in May from more than 18,000 in April, the report said, sending shares down nearly 5 percent in afternoon trading. China is the electric car maker's second-biggest market after the United States and accounts for about 30 percent of its sales. Tesla makes electric Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport-utility vehicles in a Shanghai plant. Tesla had won strong backing from Shanghai when it built its first overseas factory there in 2019. Tesla's Model 3 sedans were the best-selling electric vehicles in the country before being overtaken by a much cheaper micro EV. However, the recent slump Tesla's sales comes as Chinese regulators take a tough stance on the company over increased safety concerns and consumer complaints in the past few months coupled with growing tensions with Washington. Tesla's China sales had slumped in April from March as well. Tesla sold 11,671 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in April in China compared with March, when it sold most of its 35,478 China-made cars locally, according to Chinese auto industry body CPCA's secretary general Cui Dongshu. Tesla did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. (Reuters) BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 5.00 am ET Friday, Eurostat releases euro area retail sales data for April. Sales are forecast to fall 1.2 percent on month, reversing a 2.7 percent rise in March. Ahead of the data, the euro traded mixed against its major rivals. While it held steady against the greenback, it fell against the rest of major rivals. The euro was worth 133.43 against the yen, 1.0955 against the franc, 0.8574 against the pound and 1.2113 against the greenback as of 4:55 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 4, 2021 / Gold Springs Resource Corp. (TSX:GRC) (OTCQB:GRCAF) (the "Company" or "GRC"), provides an update on its ongoing 10,000-metre drilling program at the Gold Springs project located in the Eastern Great Basin of Nevada and Utah, USA. GRC reports that it has now completed an additional 1,377 meters in 7 drill holes for a total completed thus far in the 2021 program of 3,931 meters in 22 holes. GRC previously reported the completion of the first 15 holes of the program (see press releases March 30, 2021, and April 28, 2021). Of the 7 holes reported in this press release, 4 were completed in the South Jumbo resource area, bringing the total number of holes drilled during 2021 in this target area to 16, with the 3 other holes having been drilled within the Central Jumbo target area. The holes at South Jumbo were designed to test areas for expansion of the South Jumbo resource, while the holes at Central Jumbo were located to test a buried CSAMT geophysical anomaly in an area of post mineral cover which is centered on one of the major north-south striking structures seen at both the North and South Jumbo resource areas. All holes encountered silicification, sericite-clay alteration and micro-brecciation, which is the typical rock characterization in which mineralization is found at Gold Springs. Drilling has been primarily focused on extending the South Jumbo resource and is now moving to test the Central Jumbo target which will be followed by holes designed to test for the expansion of the North Jumbo resource. Matias Herrero, President and CEO, stated "Drilling is advancing as planned, and we have now completed about 40% of our 10,000-metre program. We should start receiving assay results from the laboratory in the upcoming weeks. Drilling is now complete around the South Jumbo resource area, and we have now started drill-testing the targets generated from our 2020 geophysical program in the Central Jumbo target area. The first holes at Central Jumbo penetrated thick sequences of highly altered rocks demonstrating that our concepts are correct. The program will be continuing within the Jumbo trend as we move to the north to drill-test for mineral expansions around the North Jumbo resource." Hole E-21-013 was located 125 metres east of the known South Jumbo resource to further test for a parallel zone of gold mineralization as well as the depth extension of the resource. Holes E-21-014, E-21-015 and E-21-016 were all positioned to test for the down-dip and depth extension of gold mineralization intersected in previous holes (See Map 1). Holes SS-21-001, SS-21-002 and SS-21-003 were all located within the Central Jumbo target area and are the first holes to test the western margin of this target. All holes were spotted using the ground based CSAMT geophysical survey completed in 2020 which identified areas of high resistivity associated with the known mineralization. The holes all intersected thick zones of intense sericite-clay alteration with intermittent silicification which is characteristic of epithermal gold systems (see Map 2). Map 1 - Drill Hole Location - South Jumbo Target To see an enhanced view of image, click the link: https://storage.googleapis.com/accesswire/media/650379/GOLDSPRINGS-MAPONE060421.jpg Map 2 - Drill Hole Location - Central Jumbo Target To see an enhanced view of image, click the link: https://storage.googleapis.com/accesswire/media/650379/GOLDSPRINGS-MAPTWO060421.jpg Drill Hole Table Hole ID Target Easting UTM NAD 27 Northing Elevation Meters Azimuth Inclination TD (m) E-21-013 South Jumbo 760823 4196671 1987 270 -60 335.3 E-21-014 South Jumbo 760508 4196691 1991 090 -65 201.2 E-21-015 South Jumbo 760531 4196488 1981 110 -45 200.2 E-21-016 South Jumbo 760651 4196392 1992 120 -45 204.2 SS-21-001 Central Jumbo 760641 4197350 2007 090 -55 134.1 SS-21-002 Central Jumbo 760686 4197520 2010 090 -70 137.2 SS-21-003 Central Jumbo 761033 4197864 2034 315 -45 164.6 Qualified Person The Qualified Person on the Gold Springs Project is Randall Moore, Executive Vice President of Exploration for Gold Springs Resource Corp. and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this press release. About Gold Springs Resource Corp. Gold Springs Resource Corp. (TSX:GRC) and (OTCQB:GRCAF) is focused on the exploration and expansion of the gold and silver resources of its PEA-stage Gold Springs project located on the border of Nevada and Utah, USA. The project is situated in the prolific Great Basin of Western USA, one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. Gold Springs Resource Corp. Contact: Matias Herrero Chief Executive Officer info@goldspringsresource.com +1 (778) 801-1667 Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained herein constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements look into the future and provide an opinion as to the effect of certain events and trends on the business. Forward-looking statements may include words such as "creating", "believe", "would", "continue", "will", "promising", "should", and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties. Actual results may materially differ from expectations if known and unknown risks or uncertainties affect our business or if our estimates or assumptions prove inaccurate. Factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, risks of the mineral exploration industry which may affect the advancement of the Gold Springs project, including possible variations in mineral resources, grade, recovery rates, metal prices, capital and operating costs, and the application of taxes; availability of sufficient financing to fund planned or further required work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; availability of equipment and qualified personnel, failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, changes in project parameters, including water requirements for operations, as plans continue to be refined; regulatory, environmental and other risks of the mining industry more fully described in the Company's Annual Information Form and continuous disclosure documents, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The assumptions made in developing the forward-looking statements include: the accuracy of current resource estimates and the interpretation of drill, metallurgical testing and other exploration results; the continuing support for mining by local governments in Nevada and Utah; the availability of equipment and qualified personnel to advance the Gold Springs project; execution of the Company's existing plans and further exploration and development programs for Gold Springs, which may change due to changes in the views of the Company or if new information arises which makes it prudent to change such plans or programs. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason. Unless otherwise indicated, forward-looking statements in this press release describe the Company's expectations as of the date hereof. SOURCE: Gold Springs Resources Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/650379/Gold-Springs-Resource-Drills-7-More-Holes-at-Gold-Springs-Brings-Total-to-22-Holes-in-2021-Program-Assay-Results-Pending Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Kovo HealthTech Corporation (TSXV: KOVO) - ("Kovo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained Hybrid Financial Ltd. ("Hybrid") to provide marketing services to the Company. Hybrid has been engaged to heighten market and brand awareness for Kovo and to broaden Kovo's reach within the investment community through various channels. Hybrid has been engaged by the Company for an initial period of 6 months starting on June 4, 2021 (the "Initial Term"). Thereafter, the engagement will be extended for successive three-month terms, unless terminated by the Company. Hybrid will be paid a monthly fee of CAD$31,000, plus applicable taxes, during the Initial Term, which will be paid by the Company out of cash flow from operations. To the knowledge of the Company, Hybrid currently owns approximately 8.7% of the outstanding common shares of the Company, but has no right or intent to acquire any additional securities of the Company. Under the terms of the engagement, Hybrid has agreed to comply with all applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The engagement remains subject to the approval of the TSXV. About Kovo HealthTech Corporation Kovo is a leader in healthcare technology and Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) services. Kovo creates, acquires and grows businesses to better the healthcare experience within the continuum. To learn more about Kovo and to keep up-to-date on Kovo acquisition and investor news, visit www.kovo.co. About Hybrid Financial Services Ltd. Hybrid is a sales and distribution company that actively connects issuers to the investment community across North America. Using a data driven approach, Hybrid provides its clients with comprehensive coverage of both American and Canadian markets. Hybrid Financial has offices in Toronto and Montreal. For more information: Greg Noble, CEO investors@kovo.co 1-866-558-6772 Debra Quinn deb@kovo.co 1-866-558-6772 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/86501 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Warrior Gold Inc. (TSXV: WAR) ("Warrior Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be presenting at the Virtual Day IV ("VID IV") June 8-10, 2021 hosted by IR.INC and FTMIG. Ms. Daniele Spethmann, President and CEO of Warrior Gold, will provide an in-depth update on the Company at 4:00 p.m. EST, June 10, 2021. VID IV is a completely interactive experience for feature companies and stakeholders. Feature companies will have 30 minutes to outline their investment opportunity, while stakeholders and the audience will be invited to engage via direct Q&A, polls and other interactive tools after and during each presentation. To register for VID IV, please click the link: https://www.bigmarker.com/series/virtual-investor-day-iv/series_summit About Warrior Gold Inc. Warrior Gold is a TSX Venture Exchange-listed company that owns the Goodfish-Kirana Property located five km from the town of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The Property is located in the historic Kirkland Lake Gold Camp, which is situated in the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt, recognized as one of the world's highest grade and productive greenstone belts with over 220 million ounces of gold produced to date. The Goodfish-Kirana Property is 11.5 km long by roughly three km wide (34 km2 - 4,251 ha) and contains three major structural trends: the east-west trending Kirana Deformation Zone; the northeast-trending Goodfish Mineralized Zone; and the Victoria Creek Deformation Zone located on the Sutton claims at the northeast side of the property. The Property contains numerous high-grade gold showings, as well as 18 historical pits and underground workings from the 1930s. About IR.INC IR.INC Capital Markets Advisory & Services works with its clients to develop and deploy strategic plans and build industry alliances while providing shareholder introductions and solutions. The Company also provides a number of traditional Investor Relations Services. You can find out more about IR.INC here www.irinc.ca. About FTMIG Follow the Money Investor Group is a financial portal that provides content and information needed to navigate the ever-changing capital markets. Our global community of visitors and investors are able to use our platform to discuss and collaborate daily on all facets of their current and potential investments. Our goal is to help retail investors make the right financial decisions that fit their individual needs. You can find out more about FTMIG here www.ftmig.com. Disclaimer Follow the Money Investor ("FTMIG") is an online investor community that connects investors and public companies. Both FTMIG and IR.INC are not registered as a broker, dealer, exempt market dealer, or any other registrant in any securities regulatory jurisdiction and will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies. Both FTMIG and IR.INC and their affiliates do not endorse or recommend any securities issued by any companies identified on, or linked through, this conference. Please seek professional advice to evaluate specific securities or other content discussed during this event. Links, if any, to third party sites are for informational purposes only, and not for trading purposes. FTMIG and IR.INC. and their affiliates have not prepared, reviewed or updated any content on third party sites and assume no responsibility for the information posted on them. For further information, please contact: Joanne Jobin, Principal IR.INC | Capital Markets Advisory & Services jjobin@irinc.ca www.irinc.ca Karl Boyd, President Follow the Money Investor Group kboyd@ftmig.com www.ftmig.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86408 Announcement of Publication of Circular regarding the upcoming Annual General Meeting on Hongkong Stock Exchange Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt, 4 June 2021 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home"; ISIN D-Shares: CNE1000031C1) on 3 June 2021 published a Circular regarding its upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled for 25 June 2021 (the "Circular") on the website of Hongkong Stock Exchange in accordance with applicable trading rules of Hongkong Stock Exchange. The Circular is available at: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0603/2021060300682.pdf About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized mass production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as smaller household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience. IR Contact: Yao Sun (Sophie) - Haier Smart Home Germany T: +49 6172 9454 143 F: +49 6172 9454 42143 M: +49 160 9469 3601 Email: y.sun@haier.de WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. (HBB), announced Friday that it has entered into an exclusive multiyear trademark licensing agreement with Clorox Co. (CLX). This partnership brings together market leaders in cleaning and disinfection and small appliances. Under the agreement, Hamilton Beach Brands plans to launch a line of premium air purifiers under the Clorox brand name that will remove 99.97% of allergens and particulates from pollen, dust, smoke and mold as well as household appliances designed to kill viruses and bacteria. Hamilton Beach Brands and Clorox are collaborating in the development of this new line of premium air purifiers, with some scheduled to be launched this year and other products to be added in 2022. The products will complement Clorox's growing portfolio of surface and air disinfecting products as well as Hamilton Beach Brands' line of air purification products. Over time, the companies plan to develop additional appliances for the home health and wellness market. Hamilton Beach Brands will source and market the new line and distribute the products through both online and brick-and-mortar channels. Distribution is planned for the U.S. (including all territories and military bases), Canada and Mexico markets. 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. DIDCOT, UK / ACCESSWIRE / June 4, 2021 / Altus Strategies Plc (AIM:ALS, TSX-V:ALTS, OTCQX:ALTUF) announces that it was informed on 3 June 2021 of the following PDMR share dealing: On 3 June 2021 Alister Hume (Business Development Manager) purchased 5,163 Ordinary Shares of 0.05 each ("Ordinary Shares") at an average price of 63.83p per share. Following the transactions as described above: The total shareholding of Mr Hume and persons closely associated with Mr Hume has increased to 12,163 Ordinary Shares, representing 0.02% of the Company's outstanding issued Ordinary Share capital. The information set out below is provided in accordance with the requirements of Article 19(3) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014. Notification and public disclosure of transactions by PMDR and persons closely associated with them. 1 Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name Alister Hume 2 Reason for the notification a) Position / status Business Development Manager b) Initial notification / Amendment Initial notification 3 Details of the issuer emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Altus Strategies plc b) LEI 2138001P93D9LMFIUA28 4 Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii each type of transaction; (iii each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Ordinary Shares of 0.05 each b) Identification code GB00BJ9TYB96 c) Nature of the transaction Purchase of Ordinary Shares d) Price(s) and volume(s) Purchases Price Volume 63.83p 5,163 e) Aggregated information Aggregated volume 5,163 Ordinary Shares Price 63.83p (purchase) f) Date of the transactions 3 June 2021 g) Place of the transactions AIM Altus Strategies Plc Steven Poulton, Chief Executive Tel:+44 (0) 1235 511 767 E-mail: info@altus-strategies.com SP Angel (Nominated Adviser) Richard Morrison / Adam Cowl Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 SP Angel (Broker) Grant Barker / Richard Parlons Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0471 Shard Capital (Broker) Isabella Pierre / Damon Heath Tel: +44 (0) 20 7186 9927 Yellow Jersey PR (Financial PR & IR) Charles Goodwin / Henry Wilkinson Tel: +44 (0) 20 3004 9512 E-mail: altus@yellowjerseypr.com About Altus Strategies Plc Altus Strategies (AIM: ALS, TSX-V: ALTS & OTCQX: ALTUF) is a mining royalty company generating a diversified and precious metal focused portfolio of assets. The Company's focus on Africa and differentiated approach, of generating royalties on its own discoveries as well as through financings and acquisitions with third parties, has attracted key institutional investor backing. The Company engages constructively with all stakeholders, working diligently to minimise its environmental impact and to promote positive economic and social outcomes in the communities where it operates. For further information, please visit www.altus-strategies.com. TSX Venture Exchange Disclaimer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organisation of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Market Abuse Regulation Disclosure This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR. SOURCE: Altus Strategies Plc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/650343/PDMR-Notification VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 4, 2021 / FIORE GOLD LTD. (TSXV:F)(OTCQB:FIOGF) ("Fiore" or the "Company") is pleased to report additional results from recent core drilling at its Gold Rock project in Nevada (Figure 1). The core drilling program is designed to supplement the larger reverse circulation program, giving a more detailed look at the subsurface geology and structure while providing more complete and representative samples for assaying and other test work. Highlights from the nine HQ core holes reported here include: 24.4 m of 2.85 g/t gold in hole GC20-005 from the planned South Pit area 15.5 m of 0.62 g/t gold in hole GC20-009 from the planned North Pit area 40.3 m of 0.70 g/t gold in hole GC20-019 from the planned North Pit area Tim Warman, Fiore's CEO stated, "It's encouraging to see continued higher-grade intercepts from Gold Rock, along with a number of intercepts that extend well outside the current PEA pit limits. With the assay lab now caught up with the sample backlog we've resumed and expanded the original 60,000 m drilling program. Assuming drill rig availability, we expect to have a consistent stream of assay results over the summer. Once the program is completed, we'll update the geology and resource models and look to provide an updated resource estimate ahead of the Feasibility Study ("FS") scheduled for Q1 of next year." Hole GC20-019 (cross-section, Figure 2) was drilled towards the southern end of the proposed North Pit and encountered strong mineralization (40.3 m of 0.70 g/t gold) along the eastern side of the EZ anticline apex. Mineralization in hole GC20-019 spanned the upper and lower units of the Jonna Formation, including an upper altered limestone and the lower jasperoid. The extent of the mineralized Joanna indicates a thicker section of Joanna than our current geologic model. Mineralization in the upper unit occurs within the current resource pit, but the lower intercepts in Joanna jasperoid extends mineralization below the resource pit limits. Hole GC20-009 was drilled approximately 225 m south of hole GC20-019 and encountered significant mineralization (15.5 m of 0.62 g/t gold) on the eastern side of the EZ anticline within the targeted Joana jasperoid. This intercept in GC20-009 is of particular interest because it falls over 30 m below the current pit outline. Hole GC20-005 (cross-section, Figure 3) was drilled within the outline of the proposed South Pit and intercepted 24.4 m of 2.85 g/t gold, an exceptionally high-grade result for this part of the deposit. The mineralization started within the pit limit but extended below the pit outline. This hole also reveals minor modifications needed in the geologic model. Hole GC20-004, drilled at the north end of the deposit, was designed to intersect the apex and eastern limb of the EZ anticline but did not 'droop' as designed and instead remained in the Chainman Shale apparently just above the targeted Joana. Drilling at Gold Rock was paused in January of this year to allow the backlog of samples to work their way through the assay lab. All RC assays along with assays for 11 HQ core holes are now in hand. Results for the remaining nine HQ core holes as well as fifteen large-diameter PQ metallurgical core holes are still pending and will be released as they are received. PQ core drilling has now resumed at Gold Rock, with RC drilling planned as soon as drill rigs are available, initially targeting the northern end of the currently known resource where previous holes intercepted higher grade mineralization including: 42.7 m of 1.17 g/t gold in hole GR20-110 north of the planned North Pit 18.3 m of 0.99 g/t gold in hole GR21-001 north of the planned North Pit 45.7 m of 2.01 g/t gold in hole GR21-002 north of the planned North Pit Work on the FS is progressing well with completion scheduled for Q1 of 2022, as part of our proposed timeline for putting Gold Rock into production by early 2024. Complete results for the nine HQ core holes referenced in this press release are shown in the table below. Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m) Grade (g/t Au) GC20-003 96.01 99.36 3.35 0.27 and 173.74 182.58 8.84 0.76 GC20-004 No Significant Results GC20-005 133.81 140.82 7.01 0.77 and 172.52 196.90 24.38 2.85 includes 172.52 193.85 21.34 3.17 and 213.36 217.93 4.57 0.38 and 236.22 246.89 10.67 0.34 GC20-006 No Significant Results GC20-007 199.95 206.04 6.10 0.25 and 226.16 229.21 3.05 0.63 and 232.26 247.50 15.24 0.33 GC20-008 134.11 141.73 7.62 1.06 GC20-009 0 4.88 4.88 0.75 and 117.04 120.70 3.66 0.37 and 132.89 148.44 15.54 0.62 GC20-010 No Significant Results GC20-019 0 5.09 5.09 2.23 and 79.55 119.82 40.26 0.70 includes 104.24 115.82 11.58 1.14 Assay highlights are calculated with a cutoff of 0.006 opt (0.20 g/t) Au. Highlighted intervals contain less than 10 feet (3 m) of material below cutoff grade. GC-series are HQ core holes. The original planned footage for the drilling program to support the FS was approximately 198,000 ft (60,000 m), with approximately 115,000 ft (35,000 m) focused on resource expansion to add Measured and Indicated resources for inclusion in the FS. To date, assay results have been issued for approximately 80,000 ft (24,000 m) of the resource expansion program. With the recent intercepts of higher-grade material at the north end of the Gold Rock deposit, Fiore has added an additional 40,000 ft (12,000 m) of RC and 8,000 ft (2,400 m) of core drilling to the resource expansion program targeting these higher-grade areas. Both reverse circulation (RC) and core drilling were performed by Boart Longyear of Salt Lake City, Utah and Alford Drilling from Elko, Nevada. Geologic logs of HQ and PQ core were completed by Fiore geologists. Sample intervals were selected that were no shorter than 1 foot and no longer than 5 feet based on geologic breaks. HQ core sawing was supervised by Fiore staff with half HQ core sent to ALS Minerals Lab in Reno, Nevada where samples were prepared, and pulps generated. Fire assays were determined on a 30-gram charge with an AAS finish. An additional cyanide leach assay was also completed. Samples were also analyzed for a 48-element geochemical suite by ICP-MS. The PQ core was sent as whole core to Forte Dynamics in Fort Collins, Colorado for a battery of metallurgical testing. Forte selects a representative split of the core after initial crushing for assay at their internal lab. All holes were drilled at angles of -50 to -90 degrees at azimuths designed to intersect targeted structures as nearly as possible to perpendicular. Consequently, all intercepts reported here are believed to be approximately true width. Fiore Gold conducts a significant QA/QC program which includes the insertion of assay standards, blanks, and duplicates in the sample stream to ensure the assay lab results are within specified performance levels. Down hole deviation surveys are provided by International Directional Services, utilizing a surface recording gyroscope, and by trained drill crews operating a north seeking gyroscope supplied by REFLEX. Gold Rock Project and PEA Highlights The federally permitted Gold Rock gold project ("Gold Rock", or the "Project") is located approximately 8 miles southeast of the Pan Mine in White Pine County, Nevada. The recently released Gold Rock Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") provides an updated mineral resource estimate and a base case assessment of developing the Project as a satellite open pit operation that will share significant infrastructure and management with the adjacent Pan Mine. The PEA also identifies a considerable number of opportunities to enhance the project economics as Gold Rock advances to the Feasibility stage by drilling to increase the mineral resource, further metallurgical testing aimed at optimizing recoveries, and geotechnical drilling aimed at reducing the stripping ratio. Further updates will be provided as we progress work in these areas. The PEA was prepared in accordance with Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). A Technical Report with the details of the PEA is available on SEDAR under the Company's profile. Gold Rock Mineral Resource Estimate The Company's updated Gold Rock Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE"; effective date of March 31, 2020) was completed by APEX and forms the basis for the PEA. A summary of the MRE is highlighted in the table below. Pit-Constrained Mineral Resource Summary Resource Classification Cut-off opt/gpt Tons/Tonnes Gold opt/gpt Gold Ounces Total Indicated 0.003/0.09 20.9/19.0 0.019/0.66 403,000 Total Inferred 0.003/0.09 3.3 /3.0 0.025/0.87 84,300 Key Assumptions, Parameters, and Methods related to the Mineral Resource Estimates: Mineral Resources were prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards (2014). Mineral Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Troy ounces per short ton ("opt") / grams per tonne ("gpt") This estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. Open pit Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.003 opt/0.09 gpt gold that is based on a gold price of US$1,500/oz. A revenue price of US$1,400 is used for the base case economic model. The Mineral Resources are constrained by a pit shell with appropriate mining costs, processing costs, metal recoveries, and pit slope angles. Rounding may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content. Contained gold ounces are in troy ounces. Technical Report & Qualified Persons The scientific and technical information relating to Fiore Gold's properties contained in this news release was approved by Paul Noland (AIPG CPG-11293), Fiore Gold's VP Exploration and a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101. References to the Gold Rock project PEA are taken from the "Technical Report on the Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Gold Rock Project, White Pine County, Nevada, USA" (the "Technical Report"). The Technical Report, which is dated April 30, 2020 with an effective date of March 31, 2020, was prepared in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is available under Fiore's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at fioregold.com. The report is authored by Michael B. Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., Gregory B, Sparks, B.Sc., P.Eng., Sam J. Shoemaker, Jr., B.S., SME Registered Member, Warren E. Black, M.Sc., P.Geo., and Steven J. Nicholls, BA.Sc., MAIG. Corporate Strategy Our corporate strategy is to grow Fiore into a 150,000 ounce per year gold producer. To achieve this, we intend to: grow gold production at the Pan Mine while also growing the reserve and resource base; advance exploration and development of the nearby Gold Rock project; and acquire additional production or near-production assets to complement our existing operations. On behalf of FIORE GOLD LTD. "Tim Warman" Chief Executive Officer Contact Us: info@fioregold.com 1 (416) 639-1426 Ext. 1 www.fioregold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management's best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to any future mining operations at Gold Rock, projections and expectations based on recent drill results noted in this release, plans for an updated Gold Rock resource, plans for a Gold Rock Feasibility Study, timing of a Gold Rock Feasibility Study, timeline for putting Gold Rock into production, future drilling at Gold Rock and completion of the current program, enhancing the Gold Rock project economics at feasibility stage, estimates and projections in the Gold Rock PEA, i the Company's future gold production, corporate strategy, goal to become a 150,000 ounce producer, goal to acquire additional production or near production assets, and other statements, estimates or expectations. Often, but not always, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "targets", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "scheduled", "estimates", "aims", "will", "believes", "projects" and similar expressions (including negative variations) which by their nature refer to future events. By their very nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Fiore Gold's control. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, as well as a number of assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company concerning, among other things, anticipated geological formations, potential mineralization, future plans for exploration and/or development, potential future production, ability to obtain permits for future operations, drilling exposure, and exploration budgets and timing of expenditures, all of which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Fiore Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward looking statements include, but not limited to, risks related to the Pan Mine performance, risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including government restrictions impacting the Company's operations, risks the pandemic poses to its work-force, impacts the virus may have on ability to obtain services and materials from its suppliers and contractors; risks related to the company's limited operating history; risks related to general economic conditions, actual results of current or future exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; increases in market prices of mining consumables; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results, test results and the estimation of gold resources and reserves; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the possibility that capital and operating costs may be higher than currently estimated; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work programs; availability of financing; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of exploration, development or construction activities; the possibility that required permits may not be obtained, renewed or amended in a timely manner or at all; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and other factors identified in Fiore Gold's filings with Canadian securities authorities under its profile at www.sedar.com respecting the risks affecting Fiore and its business. Although Fiore has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Fiore disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. SOURCE: Fiore Gold Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/650350/Fiore-Gold-Drills-244-Metres-of-285-GT-Gold-and-403-Metres-of-070-GT-Gold-in-Core-Drilling-at-Its-Gold-Rock-Project-Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Digitiliti Inc. (OTC Pink: DIGI) ($DIGI), announced the following corporate update: Attention and animadvorto to shareholders, public, brokerage accounts, and all agencies: This is a notice by the non-executive member of Digitiliti. The historical events are presented as follows: The Company was incorporated in Delaware and then lapsed in filings. The Company was reinstated using Delaware eCorp revival in the year 2017. The Company was managed by the party noted in the SEC filing: 000-53235, Form 8K, dated June 15, 2017. The manager re-domesticated the Company to Minnesota using a foreign continuance directive and it is now Minnesota entity number 973280200040 on 10/11/2017. The change in control was made from M Miller to K Halvorson and WL Ko on or around late 2020 still registered in MN. To this date, the directors Halvorson and Ko need to complete due diligence on the chain of control and ergo rescind their agreement to become control persons. Transfer Agent(s) records and financials and change of control are yet to be verified. Halvorson and recent appointees' provision safe harbor protection during the due diligence. The sole benefit of the public and for the safety of prospective shareholders, the Company will not have reports or disclosures until all controls are verified by all related agencies. The Officer/Directors of the current administration have demoted themselves to non-executive roles and validating control, which upon finding control, may elect to promote themselves to director/executive positions in the future. The annual list on Minnesota's Corporate entity information for Digitiliti 973280200040 now lists the ante notam legitimus Officer, David Macey. The OTCMarkets profile page will be updated with this same notice. Please expect 48 hours for the page to reflect these remarks. For more information: +1 562 276 0621 digitiliticorp@gmail.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86504 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Elysee Development Corp. (TSXV: ELC) is pleased to provide an update of its recent investment activities. All dollar amounts are in Canadian funds unless otherwise indicated. The second quarter of 2021 has been active for Elysee Development Corp. Several of our private investments obtained a public listing on an exchange while others, like Battle North Gold Corporation, accepted a buy-out offer for cash on which we realized a significant profit, and Gold X Mining Corp. agreed to be acquired in an all-share transaction by Gran Columbia Gold Corp. We realized further profits on some of our larger holdings like Oroco Resource Corp., Alexco Resource Corp., and Western Copper and Gold Corp., as well as from the sale of several smaller positions. Based on the closing prices of our investments as of May 28, 2021, we estimate that the Net Asset Value of Elysee increased to approximately $19.8 million ($0.71 per share), which includes a net cash position of $4.3 million. During the quarter, we increased our holdings in Fiore Gold Ltd. and Wolverine Energy and Infrastructure Inc. and participated in the following private placements: Southern Silver Corp. - 200,000 units at $0.50 per unit GR Silver Mining Ltd. - 150,000 units at $0.59 per unit Blackrock Silver Corp. - 125,000 units at $0.75 per unit KORE Mining Ltd. - 100,000 units at $0.95 per unit Since April 1, 2021, the following private companies we hold commenced trading: Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. - a mineral exploration company, currently focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of the Tepic Property in Nayarit, Mexico. Elysee acquired 180,000 shares at $0.50 in a private placement of subscription receipts completed in the fall of 2020. Wildpack Beverage Inc. - a company engaged in beverage manufacturing and packaging, can filling and decorating services to beverage brands throughout the United States. Elysee acquired 300,000 units at $0.90 per unit. Green Impact Partners Inc. - a clean, renewable energy company with a portfolio of revenue generating operations in Canada and the U.S. Elysee subscribed to 25,000 shares at $10 per share and expects to receive approximately 15,000 shares as a special dividend to be paid by Wolverine Energy and Infrastructure Inc.. Full Metal Minerals Ltd. - a mineral exploration and development company focused on projects located in southwestern British Columbia. Elysee acquired 500,000 shares at $0.08 per share. In May 2021 US Vanadium LLC ("USV"), our largest private equity investment, raised an additional US$5 Million in equity from a new shareholder that will allow USV to optimize and expand its operations to take advantage of increased demand, and higher prices, for vanadium and vanadium pentoxide. For more information on the Company, and an updated corporate presentation, please visit our web site at www.elyseedevelopment.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Stuart Rogers President Elysee Development Corp. Tel: (778) 373-1562 Guido Cloetens Chairman and CEO info@elyseedevelopment.com Tel: (778) 985-8011 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements - This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, oral or written, made by itself or on its behalf, except as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86470 A truck sprays disinfectant amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, Tuesday. Reuters-Yonhap By Kim Hyun-bin Korean companies and state-run institutions operating in Vietnam are facing a dilemma due to the Southeast Asian country's request to contribute to the launch of a "vaccine fund." The government of Vietnam recently announced a plan to establish a $1.1 billion fund to acquire 150 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. According to industry sources and media reports, Vietnam, which has been struggling to contain the spread of the virus through quarantine efforts, has been asking foreign firms to take part in the efforts to curtail the country's virus situation. The request poses a burden for many Korean firms as they are suffering declining sales due to the impact of the prolonged pandemic. However, it is not easy for them to reject the request due to fears of repercussions from the local government. "The Vietnamese government has been calling on Korean companies to take part in its vaccine drive. They even asked us to vaccinate all of the locals working in our factory," a major conglomerate official said, Friday. In addition, text messages were sent to all cell phone subscribers in the Southeast Asian country to encourage people take part in the vaccine efforts along with an account number to transfer funds. Many Korean-run factories are located in Vietnam as the local government there vowed to provide support, including tax breaks. However, the recent request has posed a dilemma for Korean firms, which they say feel obliged to foot the bill due to fears of future repercussions from the government. "Korean companies were also hit hard by the pandemic and even during this difficult time, they are asking us to take part in the vaccine fund. We can't be too pleased about that," another Korean company official said. Not only conglomerates, but even Korean public institutions doing business in the country are receiving calls to join the vaccine drive telling them to get sponsors from Korean conglomerates to pay for the efforts. According to the Vietnamese health ministry, the country reported more than 4,000 local virus cases since May out of a total 8,063 patients with 49 deaths as of Thursday. QINGDAO, China, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) hosts the second Global Health Forum (The Forum) in Qingdao. With rising consensus in the health field in the context of the pandemic, the Forum, with the aim of achieving the shared vision of "Health for All", saw partners from government, academia and the private sector contribute to forming a global public health cooperation platform. Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, President of Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia, noted that the Forum is committed to deepening understanding of universal health and international cooperation to contribute to building a health community for all mankind. Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of BFA, noted at the Forum that the international community has reached a consensus to fight against the pandemic. While focusing on economic development, the world must also pay attention to the development of human health, which is a crucial to achieve global sustainable goals. The Forum is expected to become a platform to encourage innovation, communication and cooperation, providing effective solutions in response to the pandemic and promoting human health development. The Forum gathered leaders and professionals from 30 government, international organizations and institutions such as the World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women and OECD, as well as 400 top healthcare experts and scholars in China. Representatives included Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Health; Hon. Christopher Fearne, Malta's Minister for Health; Kwon Deok-chul South Korea's Minister of Health and Welfare; Dr. Ildiko Horvath, Hungary's State Secretary for Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia's Minister of Health, Dr. Francisco T. Duque III, The Philippines' Health Secretary and Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, Malaysia's Health Minister. Dialogues focused on key issues to improve the global public health governance system and strengthen international cooperation against the pandemic. Discussions covered a wide range of topics including scientific and technological innovation, security, climate change, integrated medical care and poverty alleviation. The Forum discovered health feasibility in all policies and global cooperation against global public health emergencies in its two general meetings, also encouraging discussions on healthcare development under the impact of the pandemic and the cooperation mechanism triggered by vaccine distribution demand. Topics discussed at sub-forums included public health and emergency medicine, as well as accessibility and affordability of COVID-19 vaccine research and development. Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia and President of China Society for Finance and Banking, believes the Forum is important in supporting global solidarity in fighting against the pandemic and promoting sustainable economic recovery. "People all around the world are facing threats to their life and health as the pandemic repeatedly affects the globe. It also brought challenges to economy," Zhou said. "The BFA can actively play its role at the Global Health Forum to provide solutions that tackle public health issues." About Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia, initiated in 2018 to build a comprehensive platform with high representativeness and authoritativeness in the health field for high-end dialogues and practical cooperation that integrates governments, businesses and higher education institutions based on its features and advantages. Committed to pooling wisdom of the entire industry and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, it focuses on the frontiers and cross-border integration trends of the big health industry. For more information, please visit: http://www.ghfbfa.cn Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526060/Second_Global_Health_Forum_Boao_Forum_Asia_Deepens_Understanding_Universal.jpg Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) regrets to report that a fatal accident occurred at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The accident occurred underground at the Kakula Mine when a contractor's employee was hit in the leg by a loose rock while he was working at one of the mine's working faces, which caused the employee to fall backwards, striking his head on a rock. Despite immediate first-aid assistance by his colleagues, he passed away at the accident scene. As well as investigating the accident internally, the Kamoa-Kakula senior management team and the contractor's management team are working with the DRC authorities to facilitate their investigation of the accident. The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%) and the DRC government (20%). About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal joint-venture projects in Southern Africa: the development of major new, mechanized, underground mines at the Kamoa-Kakula copper discoveries in the Democratic Republic of Congo and at the Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the Democratic Republic of Congo . Kamoa-Kakula began producing copper concentrates in May 2021 and, through phased expansions, is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producers. Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi will be powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe Mines has pledged to achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine when large-scale electric, hydrogen and hybrid underground mining equipment become commercially available. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its Western Foreland exploration licences in the Democratic Republic of Congo, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project. Information contacts Investors: Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / Media: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86508 SHANGHAI, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In partnership with VeChain and DNV, Renji Hospital, a top-ranking hospital in China affiliated with the Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine has announced the launch of smart medical care project - MyBaby, the world's first blockchain-based In-Vitro fertilization (IVF) Service Application. The MyBaby Launch Ceremony was jointly hosted by the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Renji Hospital and the Shanghai Quality Control Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology. By combining the professional assurance services of DNV with VeChain's advanced blockchain technology, MyBaby enables the verification of key steps of In-Vitro fertilization (IVF) and provides private, exclusive, end-to-end data access for prospective parents undergoing treatment. By embracing cutting edge technology, Renji Hospital commits itself to further enhancing equity and quality of life for patients. A New Era in Fertility Treatment MyBaby is the first service of its kind to combine the merits of third-party assured data verification with the immutability of blockchain technology. All information, imagery and data trails, from imagery produced by medical tools to the delivery of the zygote itself will be securely uploaded on VeChainThor blockchain and only accessible to authorized users of the MyBaby Application. MyBaby allows users to view and track the extraction, labelling and scoring of fertilized eggs as well as the cultivation and preservation of embryos. The application also solves the traditional problems associated with the privacy of sensitive medical data. The cryptographically secured properties of blockchain technology create a secure and reliable environment and enhance the user experience in a way that is unprecedented in the IVF field. Renji Hospital and VeChain at the Forefront of Healthcare Innovation An agreement on further cooperation of the blockchain project was also signed between Renji Hospital and VeChain during the event. According to Sun Yun, Director of the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Renji Hospital, "The combination of assisted reproductive medicine and blockchain technology creates incredible chemistry, making Renji Hospital the first in its line to probe such innovation. We will be offering more trustworthy, private, secured services." Not afraid to innovate, the Renji hospital has been at the forefront of progress in the medical-blockchain space. In 2019, Renji Hospital officially announced its joining of the Digital Carbon Ecosystem , initiated by DNV and VeChain. Later, it announced a joint partnership with VeChain and DNV to spearhead the world's first blockchain-enabled Intelligent Tumor Treatment Center . Sunny Lu, Co-founder and CEO of VeChain, commented, "We continue to see an increase in opportunities in our partnership with Renji Hospital, thanks to our unique approach of 'blockchain + data quality assurance' model alongside key strategic partner DNV. VeChain will continue delivering cost-effective and advanced blockchain technology to the medical world and build a trustless and multi-party digital future." About Renji Hospital Built in 1844, Renji Hospital has a history of over 170 years. It has been the first western medicine hospital since the opening of Shanghai. With an integration of medical treatment, teaching and scientific research, it is a comprehensive 3A hospital (the top level of hospital ranking in China) with a complete range of disciplines. Renji Hospital was also the first medical institution in Shanghai to carry out clinical and scientific research on assisted reproductive technology, and has become the Shanghai Quality Control Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology since 2018. Website: https://www.renji.com/ About DNV DNV is one of the world's leading certification, assurance and risk management providers. Whether certifying a company's management system or products, providing training, or assessing supply chains, and digital assets, we enable customers and stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence. We are committed to support our customers to transition and realize their long-term strategic goals sustainably, collectively contributing to the UN SDGs. About VeChain Launched in 2015, VeChain connects blockchain technology to the real world by providing a comprehensive governance structure, a robust economic model, and IoT integration. VeChain is the pioneer of real-world applications using public blockchain technology, with international operations in Singapore, Luxembourg, Tokyo, Shanghai, Paris, Hong Kong, and San Francisco. Together with our strategic partners PwC and DNV, we have established cooperative relations with many leading enterprises in different industries, including Walmart China, BMW, BYD Auto, Haier, H&M, LVMH, D.I.G, ENN, Shanghai Gas, AWS, PICC, ASI etc. Website: www.vechain.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526180/mybabylaunch.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526181/mybabyapp.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526182/renji.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/738221/VeChain_Logo.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: PEX) ("Pacific Ridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the previously announced non-brokered private placement by issuing 10,000,000 units at a price of $0.15 per unit ("Unit") for gross proceeds of $1,500,000 (the "Financing"). Crescat Capital LLC ("Crescat") acquired 7,000,000 of the Units. Proceeds from the Financing will be used for a 2,500-metre diamond drill program at Pacific Ridge's flagship Kliyul copper-gold project, located in the Quesnel Trough, British Columbia, an exploration program at the recently acquired RDP copper-gold project, and for general working capital. The Company expects that the drill program at Kliyul will commence sometime in July. "Pacific Ridge's Kliyul project displays telltale signs of a potentially high-grade Cu-Au porphyry at depth," commented Quinton Hennigh, technical advisor to Crescat. "Although Kliyul has only seen limited drilling to date, evidence of a high-grade porphyry driver includes the presence of the copper rich mineral, bornite, in certain drill intercepts and gold grades that are sometimes considerably higher than most BC porphyry systems. The hypothesis Pacific Ridge has developed is that the underlying porphyry at Kliyul may be like that which generated the deep high-grade Red Chris porphyry further to the northwest. Pacific Ridge has a well-devised deep drill plan scheduled for this season, and we are anxious to see if this exciting hypothesis proves correct." "I'm very pleased to welcome Crescat as a strategic shareholder of Pacific Ridge," said Blaine Monaghan, President and CEO of Pacific Ridge. "With approximately CAD$2.8 million in treasury, we are well funded to complete the drill program at Kliyul and advance our other copper-gold projects, RDP and Redton." Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of $0.23 for a period of 24 months. Securities issued in this private placement include a legend restricting trading of the securities until October 4, 2021. No finders' fees were payable in connection with the Financing. The Financing is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. 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 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 Crescat Capital LLC Crescat is a global macro asset management firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Crescat's mission is to grow and protect wealth over the long term by deploying tactical investment themes based on proprietary value-driven equity and macro models. Crescat's goal is industry leading absolute and risk-adjusted returns over complete business cycles with low correlation to common benchmarks. Crescat's investment process involves a mix of asset classes and strategies to assist with each client's unique needs and objectives and includes Global Macro, Long/Short, Large Cap and Precious Metals funds. Crescat is advised by its technical consultant Dr. Quinton Hennigh on gold and silver resource companies. Dr. Hennigh became an economic geologist after obtaining his PhD in Geology/Geochemistry from the Colorado School of Mines. He has more than 30 years of exploration experience with major gold mining firms that include Homestake Mining, Newcrest Mining and Newmont Mining. Recently, Dr. Hennigh founded Novo Resources Corp (TSXV: NVO) and currently serves as Chairman. Among his notable project involvements are First Mining Gold's Springpole gold deposit in Ontario, Kirkland Lake Gold's acquisition of the Fosterville gold mine in Australia, the Rattlesnake Hills gold deposit in Wyoming, and Lion One's Tuvatu gold project on Fiji, among many others. About Pacific Ridge Our goal is to become one of the leading copper-gold exploration companies in British Columbia. Pacific Ridge's flagship project is the advanced-stage Kliyul copper-gold project, located in the Quesnel Trough, approximately 50 km southeast of Centerra Gold's Kemess project. Historic drilling at Kliyul encountered significant porphyry copper-gold mineralization, drill hole KL-15-34 returned 245 metres of 0.75% CuEQ1 (see Pacific Ridge press release dated December 2, 2020). On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Blaine Monaghan" Blaine Monaghan President & CEO Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. Corporate Contact: Blaine Monaghan President & CEO Tel: (604) 687-4951 www.pacificridgeexploration.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-ridge-exploration-ltd-pex- https://twitter.com/PacRidge_PEX Investor Contact: G2 Consultants Corp. Telephone: +1 778-678-9050 Email: ir@pacificridgeexploration.com 1Copper equivalent (CuEQ) is equal to ((Cu (per cent) multiplied by $2.25 multiplied by 22.0642) plus (Au (g/t) multiplied by $1,650 multiplied by 0.032151)) divided by ($2.25 multiplied by 22.0642). 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. The technical information contained within this News Release has been reviewed and approved by Gerald G. Carlson, Ph.D., P.Eng., Executive Chairman of Pacific Ridge and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 policy. Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling and other activities and events or developments that Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. ("Pacific Ridge") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding a drill program at Kliyul this July and an exploration program at RDP. Although Pacific Ridge 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 or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions, that one of the options will be exercised, the ability of Pacific Ridge and other parties to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner, the availability of financing for Pacific Ridge's proposed programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Pacific Ridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86473 SUZHOU, China, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Peijia Medical Limited signed a memorandum of strategic cooperation with China Resources Pharmaceutical Commercial Group Medical Devices Co., Ltd. on June 2. Going forward, the two parties will collaborate intensively on the commercialization of TAVR products, ultimately providing more Chinese medical staff and patients with better quality goods. This April, Peijia Medical's TaurusOne transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system was officially approved for commercial use. This marks Peijia Medical's competitive entry into the market for structural heart disease products. This strategic cooperation combines Peijia Medical's high-quality products with the well-established marketing channels of China Resources Pharmaceutical Commercial Group Co., Ltd. (CR PHARMA COMM). Collaboration will sharpen the competitive edges of each party in the TAVR field. CR PHARMA COMM is known for its standardized marketing channels, nationwide sales network, and high-level professionalism and will further accelerate Peijia Medical's rapid business expansion and sales channel development at both regional and national levels. Peijia Medical is now poised to consolidate its presence in second- and third-tier regions, expand its already vast market into more remote areas, and bring benefits to more people in need. The signing ceremony included a series of speeches by Chen Wei (CR PHARMA COMM Chairman), Tang Yanlin, (CR PHARMA COMM Executive Deputy General Manager), and Karen Xiaoxiao Zhuang (Peijia Medical Director of Sales), respectively. After each company introduced its current business development, they got into the details of the cooperation, exchanging a great range of information and ideas on regional downstream and terminal business models. CR PHARMA COMM is a large pharmaceutical distributor and wholly-owned subsidiary of China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Limited. Within the pharmaceuticals field, it mainly engages in marketing, logistics and distribution, and supply chain solutions. CR PHARMA COMM holds qualifications to import and export medicines and medical devices and to operate third-party medical logistics. With a marketing network covering 31 provinces and municipalities across the country, CR PHARMA COMM has maintained stable long-term partnerships with nearly 10,000 domestic and foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers. Peijia Medical is a global service provider of innovative medical solutions. Committed to provide a safe, effective and affordable products and solutions, to alleviate the suffering of patients and improve the patients' quality of life through continuous innovation. Peijia strives to be an innovation-focused, patient-oriented international high-tech medical enterprise. Peijia Medical adheres to the strategy of " Solutions for Heart and Cerebral Diseases through Innovation ", focusing on the invention, R&D and production of high-end medical devices for structural heart and cerebrovascular disease intervention. We offer broad range of product pipeline of transcatheter solutions for aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve, as well as surgical accessories, and various catheter-based solutions for cerebrovascular diseases. Peijia Medical was established in 2012, headquartered in Suzhou, China, and was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in May 2020 (Stock Code: 09996.HK). Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526194/Peijia_Medical_CR_PHARMA_COMM_Sign_Memorandum_Strategic_Cooperation.jpg Having taken its first step into the market through the electric vehicle tender won in Buzau, Romania, in recent months, TEMSA also won the tender with its dealership Anadolu Automobil Rom held in Arad. ADANA, Turkey, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TEMSA continues to reinforce its power in the European market with the new tender conquests. Clearing the deck for the delivery of four Avenue Electron model electric buses to the city upon the electric bus tender it won in Buzau, Romania, in recent months, Entered with its local dealership, Anadolu Automobil Rom, TEMSA once again surpasses its global competitors in the electric bus tender held by the city of Arad, Romania. Having signed an agreement for a total of 10 electric vehicles, being five units of nine-meter MD9 electriCity and five units of 12-meter Avenue Electron, TEMSA will deliver a total of 14 electric vehicles to the city, along with the tenders won in the last six months, in 2022. AN EXAMPLE FOR THE 'SMART CITIES' VISION Tolga Kaan Dogancioglu, TEMSE CEO, highlighted the fact that TEMSA is becoming an significant influencer concerning electric vehicles in the European market, and added, "We continue our endeavors rapidly to strengthen our position in foreign markets, particularly in Europe, with our partners' know-how and competitive power in the international markets, on this journey we have set out with the vision of contributing to the future of transportation and sustainability of our world. In this sense, Romania is a quite valuable market for us. Our first access into the market was with the tender we won in Buzau in recent months. We are strengthening our position in the region by increasing the number of vehicles through our new agreement. We believe that the fleet of 14 electric vehicles that we will deliver will constitute an example for the 'Smart Cities' vision with their economic, comfortable, safe, and environment-friendly structure along with their aspect of keeping up with the modern architecture of the city. MANUFACTURED IN EUROPEAN UNION STANDARDS Customized in line with the transportation strategy of the city of Arad that stands out with its historical texture, TEMSA electric buses will be used in the public transportation of the region. The vehicles intended to provide a significant contribution to the environment-friendly transportation of the local government present an accessible and safe transportation solution with their equipment compatible with European Union regilations, high passenger capacity, and passenger information equipment integrated into the transportation system. With their programmable regeneration feature, TEMSA electric buses also allow the vehicle to benefit from the battery capacity to a maximum extent by generating electricity during the trip. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526247/TEMSA.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1318937/TEMSA_Logo.jpg Presentation on Wednesday, June 9 at 5:00 PM ET WESTMINSTER, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 4, 2021 / BioLargo, Inc. (OTCQB:BLGO), a developer of sustainable technologies and full-service environmental engineering company, announced today that it will be giving an investor presentation at the upcoming LD Micro virtual event on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 5:00 PM ET. BioLargo President and CEO Dennis P. Calvert will be giving the presentation. Mr. Calvert will be discussing the company's soon-to-launch sustainable water treatment technologies including its innovative solution for treating water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Used in fire retardants and industrial facilities, PFAS contaminate municipal drinking water supplies across the country and the world, and represent a serious threat to human health. "We got ahead of the curve by developing and commercializing an affordable and environmentally conscious technology that removes these toxic chemicals," said Mr. Calvert. "The BioLargo AEC represents the most practical solution for this serious global problem. Watch our presentation to learn more about it and about our other emerging cleantech solutions." Event: BioLargo Presentation at the LD Micro Invitational XI Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 Time: 5:00 PM Eastern Register to watch the presentation at https://ldmicrojune2021.mysequire.com Summary of LD Micro Invitational XI Event The 2021 LD Micro Invitational will be held on the Sequire Virtual Events platform on Tuesday, June 8th - Thursday, June 10th, 2021. This three-day, virtual investor conference is expected to feature around 180 companies, presenting for 25 minutes each, as well as several influential keynotes. The first day of this conference will also feature an exceptional one-time event: the LD Micro Hall of Fame. About BioLargo, Inc. BioLargo, Inc. (OTCQB:BLGO) invents, develops, and commercializes innovative platform technologies to solve challenging environmental problems like PFAS contamination, advanced water and wastewater treatment, industrial odor and VOC control, air quality control, and infection control. With over 13 years of extensive R&D, BioLargo holds a wide array of issued patents, maintains a robust pipeline of products, and provides full-service environmental engineering. Our peer-reviewed scientific approach allows us to invent or acquire novel technologies and develop them to maturity through our operating subsidiaries. With a keen emphasis on collaborations with academic, municipal, and commercial organizations and associations, BioLargo has proven itself with over 80 awarded grants and numerous pilot projects. We monetize through direct sales, recurring service contracts, licensing agreements, strategic joint venture formation and/or the sale of the IP. Several of our technologies are commercially available and are advancing as disrupters in their respective markets. See our website at www.BioLargo.com. About LD Micro LD Micro aims to be the most crucial resource in the micro-cap world. Whether it is the index, comprehensive data, or hosting the most significant events on an annual basis, LD's sole mission is for the Texas Rangers to win the World Series and serve as an invaluable asset for all those interested in finding the next generation of great companies. http://www.ldmicro.com Contact Information Dennis P. Calvert President and CEO, BioLargo, Inc. 888-400-2863 Safe Harbor Act This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include without limitation those about BioLargo's (the "Company") expectations regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; anticipated revenue; and plans for future operations. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include without limitation: the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price; the effect of regional economic conditions on the Company's business, including effects on purchasing decisions by consumers and businesses; the ability of the Company to compete in markets that are highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change; the ability of the Company to manage frequent introductions and transitions of products and services, including delivering to the marketplace, and stimulating customer demand for, new products, services, and technological innovations on a timely basis; the dependency of the Company on the performance of distributors of the Company's products. More information on these risks and other potential factors that could affect the Company's business and financial results is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates SOURCE: BioLargo, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/650345/BioLargo-BLGO-to-Present-at-LD-Micro-Invitational-XI BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 8:30 am ET Friday, the Labor Department will release U.S. nonfarm payrolls data for May. Ahead of the data, the greenback slipped against its major counterparts. The greenback was worth 110.07 against the yen, 1.2114 against the euro, 1.4140 against the pound and 0.9035 against the franc as of 8:25 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. Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or "the Company") today announces results from the Phase II drilling program at its Far Lake Copper-Silver project located 80 km west of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The second phase of drilling at Far Lake totaled 2,696 m and was designed to test new areas associated with surface mineralization as well as various chargeability anomalies outlined by a deep, 3D IP geophysical survey. Highlights from this latest campaign include copper mineralization in the previously untested Centre Pond zone, intersected at a drill hole depth of 338 m (DDH FL-21-17). Benton continues to be encouraged by the Cu mineralization identified in this intrusive complex and will continue to model the data collected for further targeting on the project. The Company is presently collecting up to 3,500 soil samples for multi-element analysis and is actively mapping and prospecting the property to generate further targets for drilling later this year. Geochemical anomalies identified in 2020 soil sampling led to the discovery at FL-20-11. Additional sampling of DDH FL-20-11 (drilled in the first campaign) increased the width of a previously released mineralized interval by 4 m, expanding the mineralized zone to 0.15% Cu over 64.2 m including 0.35% Cu over 15.6 m and 1.08% Cu and 1.63 g/t Ag over 2.6 m. Drill hole FL-20-11 is located approximately 1,800 m NW along the same structure as the Far Lake Discovery Zone where surface sampling produced Cu grades up to 22% over 0.7 m and first phase drill results yielded intercepts of 0.19% Cu and 0.34 g/t Ag over 33.6 m including 1.11% Cu and 1.33 g/t Ag over 3.1 m (FL-20-03). The Discovery Zone continues to be interrupted by mafic dykes and the Company continues to model the dykes to better understand the structure controlling mineralization and to avoid hitting them in future drilling within the mineralized zones. Drill holes FL-21-13 & 14 were drilled in the vicinity of hole FL-20-11 (0.15% Cu over 64.2 m) and were successful at intersecting the granodiorite with advanced argillic alteration that hosts up to 5% chalcopyrite locally. Additionally, the granodiorite includes moderate phyllic (chl-ser), propylitic (qtz-epi-carb) and weak potassic (kspar-alb-qtz) alteration. Highlights from these holes include 0.25% Cu over 3 m and 0.12% Cu over 3 m, in holes 13 and 14 respectively. FL-21-15 was nearly a 200 m eastern step-out from FL-20-11 and again intersected a chalcopyrite mineralized altered granodiorite containing up to 0.1% Cu over 14 m. FL-21-16 was the deepest hole of the campaign and targeted a deep IP chargeability anomaly coinciding with mineralized surface samples. Anomalous copper mineralization was encountered throughout the hole, but more importantly intersected a major lithological contact between granitic and metasedimentary rocks at depth, which will be important when mapping the units on the property. FL-21-17 was drilled 425 m below the Centre Pond zone and intersected mainly red granite with strong potassic, hematite alteration with magnetite. The coarse, red granite contains blebby chalcopyrite and pyrite. Highlights include 0.16% Cu over 6 m. FL-21-18 targeted an airborne VLF anomaly along strike of the discovery zone. Copper mineralization was insignificant, but the hole intersected a wet structure that could account for the anomaly. FL-21-19 was drilled below the discovery zone at depths deeper than the first phase of drilling. Sulphide mineralization is primarily seen as blebby or disseminated pyrite in zones of strong deformation as well as chalcopyrite in zones of strong deformation, as blebs in a silica-infilled breccias or as wisps in a quartz vein. Highlights include 0.13% Cu over 23 m. FL-21-20 was a southern step-out from hole 19 and designed to intersect high-grade copper at depth. Unfortunately, this hole encountered another wide intrusive gabbro at an unexpected depth and angle and the mineralized zone was nearly missed altogether. Mineralized intervals include 0.12% Cu over 1.4 m and 0.11% Cu over 3 m. In addition to copper mineralization, the campaign intersected weakly anomalous uranium in FL-21-16 (21ppm U over 10 m) and FL-21-19 (23.8ppm over 9 m). Up-to-date copper results from Far Lake drilling are as follows: Hole ID From To Interval Cu (%) *FL-20-01 46.2 48 1.8 0.23 *FL-20-02 35.6 36.4 0.8 0.44 *FL-20-03 26.2 59.8 33.6 0.19 incl 29.2 32.3 3.1 1.11 *FL-20-04 45 72.3 27.3 0.11 48.3 54.3 6 0.21 *FL-20-05 55.9 64.9 9 0.11 and 74.9 79.9 5 0.15 *FL-20-06 NSA** *FL-20-07 NSA** *FL-20-08 33.3 34.9 1.6 *FL-20-09 93.7 134.5 40.8 0.051 *FL-20-10 138.3 152.3 14 0.023 FL-20-11 82.8 147 64.2 0.15 incl 120.6 136.2 15.6 0.35 incl 124.7 128.3 3.6 1.08 *FL-20-12 102.4 106.5 4.1 0.09 FL-20-13 218 221 3 0.25 and 249 253 4 0.11 FL-20-14 166 169 3 0.12 FL-20-15 115 129 14 0.1 FL-20-16 414.2 428 13.8 0.022 FL-20-17 336.5 342.5 6 0.16 incl 336.5 338 1.5 0.56 FL-20-18 NSA** FL-20-19 201 224 23 0.13 FL-20-20 162.75 164.15 1.4 0.12 and 288.5 291.5 3 0.11 *Previously released results **No significant assays A map showing the location of each hole is available on the Company's website (www.bentonresources.ca). The Company would also like to announce that it has made the first anniversary payment pursuant to its option agreement with White Metal Resources Corp. ("White Metal") on the Far Lake property (see Company news release dated May 20, 2020). The Company paid White Metal $30,000 and issued 400,000 common shares of the Company. Equity Holdings Benton continues to be very encouraged by the progress made by Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air"), in which Benton holds 24.6 million shares. Clean Air has two drill rigs operating on the Thunder Bay North and Escape Lake Copper-Nickel-PGM projects and has released excellent drill results from its ongoing drill campaign. Benton looks forward to receiving ongoing encouraging drill results and future project advancement. Benton also holds 3,940,000 shares of Quadro Resources Ltd, which is advancing various projects in Newfoundland and Ontario. Additionally, Benton holds 3.6 million shares of Maxtech Ventures Inc. Maxtech has an Option and Joint Venture agreement on Benton's Panama Lake gold project in the Red Lake mining region. Further, Benton holds 1.36 million shares of Metallica Metals advancing Benton's Saganaga (Starr) Gold project, and 1.0 million shares of Sokoman Minerals Corp. which continues to release excellent drill results from its Moosehead Project in Newfoundland. Benton recently entered into a strategic alliance with Sokoman Minerals for three large-scale joint venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. Benton also has two NW Ontario projects optioned to Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (the Bark Lake and West Baril Lake Copper-Nickel PGE projects). QP Nathan Sims (P.Geo.), Senior Exploration Manager for Benton Resources Inc., the 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release and prepared or supervised its preparation. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Inc., "Stephen Stares" Stephen Stares, President 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. 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/86499 CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Statistics Canada will release Canada jobs data for May at 8:30 am ET Friday. Ahead of the data, the loonie traded mixed against its major counterparts. While it held steady against the yen, it recovered against the rest of major rivals. The loonie was worth 1.4688 against the euro, 90.84 against the yen, 0.9291 against the aussie and 1.2120 against the greenback as of 8:25 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. Coupang's delivery vehicles at a parking lot in Seoul on April 25. Yonhap By Kim Jae-heun Coupang launched its first delivery service in Japan Thursday, marking the first step for Korea's largest online retailer to take on the ecommerce market in the neighboring country, which is the world's fourth largest. The launch came months after Softbank Chairman Masayoshi Son revealed his plan to reporters in March to bring Coupang to Japan. Currently, Coupang is delivering products on a trial basis only in Tokyo's Shinagawa District and customers are able to place orders for food and other daily necessity items through a mobile application. Coupang confirmed that it started offering delivery service in Japan. Coupang is only making short-distance deliveries in Japan for now. It set up a small distribution center in Shinagawa and all of the items are go out for delivery from there. Also, the online retailer hired delivery workers through a local agency unlike in Korea, where it employees drivers directly. There is no overnight delivery service in Japan and Coupang said it wants to apply customized delivery methods in the neighboring country rather than introducing the overnight "Rocket Delivery" service available in Korea. With the continued rapid spread of COVID-19 across the country, Japan is also witnessing huge demand for online delivery services. Coupang chose Shinagawa for trial deliveries, because there are many middle-class families living in that district of Tokyo. Coupang's attempt to offer its service in Japan is seen by many as part of its efforts to find "new growth engines" following its February New York listing. "It is hard to say that Coupang has officially launched its service in Japan. It is currently looking for the right market to enter and Japan is one of them," an industry source said. Coupang has been reluctant to speak about plans to expand its business overseas. However, many international investors pointed out that the Korea market alone is too small for Coupang to grow. As an additional move, Coupang recently established an overseas corporation in Singapore and commenced hiring new staff there. The online retailer plans to build a base in Singapore to advance into the Southeast Asian market. "Singapore, the city state, has a highly-concentrated population like the capital of South Korea. Coupang's overnight delivery service does make sense on multiple fronts," an industry source said. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Job growth in the U.S. reaccelerated in the month of May, according to a closely watched report released by the Labor Department on Friday, although the increase in employment still fell short of economist estimates. The report said non-farm payroll employment jumped by 559,000 jobs in May after climbing by an upwardly revised 278,000 jobs in April. Economists had expected employment to surge by 650,000 jobs compared to the addition of 266,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month. The Labor Department also said the unemployment rate fell to 5.8 percent in May from 6.1 percent in April, while economists had expected the unemployment rate to dip to 5.9 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / June 4, 2021 / Alpine 4 Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:ALPP), a leading operator and owner of small market businesses, announces that its subsidiary, Alternative Laboratories, LLC. (ALT LABS), has secured several new production orders adding $2 million in new work to be completed in June and July 2021 giving them just under $5.8 million in backlogged production work. Alt Labs is currently working on around 40 new formulas for new and existing customers. The company is in the process of expanding the R&D staff in order to keep up with the influx of new projects. With the addition of a 2nd 800kg double cone blender, Alt labs has more than enough capacity to accommodate its current and new clientele. Alt Labs is a private label contract manufacturer located in Southwest, Florida, USA. The Company specializes in the manufacturing and packaging of; liquids, powders, tablets, capsules, and other unique nutritionals. Alt Labs has a wide array of customers that sell their products in the USA and internationally through eCommerce platforms like Amazon, as well as, direct business to consumer (B2C) via their own sales networks. Kent Wilson, CEO of Alpine 4, had this to say, "It's always a pleasure to see a newly added subsidiary firing on all cylinders this quickly after being acquired. These orders add to an already impressive backlog of work for 2021. We appreciate all of the hard work being put forth by the team at Alt Labs!" Mark Wesolaski, COO of Alternative Labs, had this to say, "With the addition of our new mixing equipment, investments in training, and other capital initiatives, 2021 is already shaping up to be better than 2020. The Company is on track to produce well over $22 million for 2021." About Alpine 4 Holdings: Alpine 4 Holdings, Inc. (ALPP) is a publicly traded conglomerate that acquires businesses that fit into its disruptive DSF business model of Drivers, Stabilizers, and Facilitators. At Alpine 4, we understand the nature of how technology and innovation can accentuate a business. Our focus is on how the adaptation of new technologies, even in brick-and-mortar businesses, can drive innovation. We also believe that our holdings should benefit synergistically from each other, have the ability to collaborate across varying industries, spawn new ideas and create fertile ground for competitive advantages. Four principles at the core of our business are Synergy. Innovation. Drive. Excellence. At Alpine 4, we believe synergistic innovation drives excellence. By anchoring these words to our combined experience and capabilities, we can aggressively pursue opportunities within and across vertical markets. We deliver solutions that not only drive industry standards, but also increase value for our shareholders. Contact: Investor Relations investorrelations@alpine4.com www.alpine4.com Forward-Looking Statements: The information disclosed in this press release is made as of the date hereof and reflects Alpine 4 most current assessment of its historical financial performance. Actual financial results filed with the SEC may differ from those contained herein due to timing delays between the date of this release and confirmation of final audit results. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties, including the uncertainties surrounding the current market volatility, and other factors the Company identifies from time to time in its filings with the SEC. Although Alpine 4 believes that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof, and Alpine 4 disclaims any intention or obligation to update the forward-looking statements for subsequent events. SOURCE: Alpine 4 Holdings, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/650398/Alpine-4s-ALPP-Subsidiary-Alternative-Labs-Adds-2M-in-New-Production-Work-for-June-and-July-Totaling-58M-in-Backlog Index designed to provide pure-play exposure to the tourism industry Today, MV Index Solutions GmbH (MVIS) announced the licensing of the BlueStar Hotels, Airlines, and Cruises Index (ticker: BCRUZ) to Defiance ETFs for use in an ETF that offers exposure to companies involved in the tourism segment. The BlueStar Hotels, Airlines, and Cruises Index (ticker: BCRUZ) is a global index that tracks the performance of companies that derive 50% of revenue or operating activity from the passenger airline, hotels and resorts (excluding motel chains), and/or cruise industries. A stock must be listed on an exchange in one of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States. "MVIS is pleased to announce the licensing of our Hotels, Airlines, and Cruises Index to Defiance ETFs. The index provides pure-play exposure to the key industries in the travel and tourism segment. The travel and tourism segment was experiencing strong secular growth trends in the years leading up to the outbreak of the corona virus last year, supported by changing consumer preferences, improved product offerings and increased operating efficiencies. While the corona virus presented a major challenge to this segment, it is likely that this will be a temporary set-back within a long-term growth trend. In addition, we are excited to continue our collaboration with Defiance ETFs as they continue to grow their product line-up," said Josh Kaplan, Global Head of Research Investment Strategy at MV Index Solutions. "The reopening trade is here. With record-breaking travelers over Memorial Day weekend, Americans finally experienced life away from quarantine and back to the beach. The AAA is estimating that over 37 million Americans traveled over Memorial Day weekend. Demand for travel-related services are expected to increase over the course of summer which should significantly benefit airline, cruise line and hotel stocks," says Paul Dellaquila, Co-founder and President of Defiance ETFs. The BlueStar Hotels, Airlines, and Cruises Index (ticker: BCRUZ) is weighted by free float market capitalisation and is calculated in USD as a price and a total return net index. Capping factors are applied to avoid overweighting of single index companies. The index is reviewed on a quarterly basis. Detailed information about the index, including methodology details and index data are available on the MV Index Solutions website. Key Index Features Number of Components: 43 Base Date: 31/Dec/2017 Base Value: 1,000 Note to Editors: About MV Index Solutions www.mvis-indices.com MV Index Solutions (MVIS) develops, monitors and licenses the MVIS Indices and BlueStar Indexes, a selection of focused, investable and diversified benchmark indices. The indices are especially designed to underlie financial products. MVIS Indices cover several asset classes, including equity, fixed income markets and digital assets and are licensed to serve as underlying indices for financial products. Approximately USD 32.63 billion in assets under management (as of 04 June 2021) are currently invested in financial products based on MVIS Indices and BlueStar Indexes. MVIS is a VanEck company. About Defiance ETFs www.defianceetfs.com Founded in 2018, Defiance ETFs is an exchange-traded funds (ETFs) sponsor and registered investment advisor focused on thematic investing. Our suite of rules-based ETFs allows retail and institutional investors to express a targeted view on dynamic sub-sectors that are leading the way in disruptive innovations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005335/en/ Contacts: Severine Thasler-Jager, MV Index Solutions +49 (0)69 4056 695 53 media-enquiries@mvis-indices.com MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Germany's competition authority has initiated a proceeding against Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL, GOOG) and its affiliates Google to examine under competition law the Google News Showcase service offered by the company. Google News Showcase is a Google service which offers the possibility to present news content from publishers in a prominent and more detailed way. Google has made the service available to a number of German publishers. In October 2020 Google had announced the launch of its Google News Showcase service in Germany. In the past months, apart from the proceeding against Google, the authority Bundeskartellamt had already initiated proceedings against Facebook and Amazon based on the new competition law tool. Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt said, 'Cooperating with Google can be an attractive option for publishers and other news providers and offer consumers new or improved information services. However, it must be ensured that this will not result in discrimination between individual publishers.' Bundeskartellamt noted that Google's strong position in providing access to end customers must not lead to a situation where competing services offered by publishers or other news providers are squeezed out of the market. There must be an adequate balance between the rights and obligations of the content providers participating in Google's program. Acting upon a complaint from Corint Media, the competition authority said it is now examining in the proceeding whether announced integration of the Google News Showcase service into Google's general search function is likely to constitute self-preferencing or an impediment to the services offered by competing third parties. The authority is also examining whether the relevant contractual conditions include unreasonable conditions to the detriment of the participating publishers and, in particular, make it disproportionately difficult for them to enforce the ancillary copyright for press publishers introduced by the German Bundestag and Bundesrat in May 2021. It will also examine how the conditions for access to Google's News Showcase service are defined. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX ALPHABET-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de GUELPH, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 4, 2021 / ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd.("ZEN" or the "Company") (TSXV:ZEN)(OTC PINK:ZENYF), a Canadian, next-gen nanomaterials technology company and Trebor Rx Corp. (Trebor) are pleased to announce successful inhalation safety testing results of ZENGuardTM-enhanced surgical masks and submission of these results to Health Canada. Testing was completed by NanoSafe Inc. (NanoSafe) in Blacksburg, Virginia confirmed that no ZENGuardTM graphene material was released from the surgical masks with air flow rates simulating resting and light activity inhalation rates. The test results submitted to Health Canada are the final item from the information request ZEN received following the April 2 advisory. Health Canada is reviewing the application as a priority item with a decision expected shortly. Greg Fenton, ZEN CEO commented: "With the final piece of safety information submitted to Health Canada, we believe our ZENGuardTM-enhanced PPE is poised to become a commercial reality and bring an added level of protection to those that need it most. We remain fully aligned with Health Canada on the need to protect Canadians and value the opportunity to proactively differentiate our product from others in the market. ZEN is focused on developing and commercializing nanotechnologies that help protect people - and we expect our highly-effective, Made-in-Canada solution to do just that." Inhalation Testing Details Testing was completed by NanoSafe - a company based in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center focused on taking a discipled and rational scientific approach to understanding environmental, health and safety risks related to nanotechnology. Testing was designed to evaluate particulate release to provide a maximum potential exposure of graphene-containing particles to mask wearers or bystanders in a typical use scenario Seven coated and uncoated masks were tested with three iterations each measuring the average particulate concentration over one minute Particulates released during testing were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry On average, airborne particulate concentrations measured during testing of ZEN Guard TM coated masks were observed to be lower than those of uncoated masks At a higher simulated inhalation rate, ZEN Guard TM coated masks reduced the particulate concentration in comparison to the cleanroom background, providing further filtration of the cleanroom air No ZENGuardTM coating was detected in the limited amount of released particulate For further information: Greg Fenton, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 1(437) 220-8140 Email: gfenton@zengraphene.com About ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. ZEN is a next-gen nanomaterials technology company developing graphene-based technologies that help protect people and the environment. ZEN is currently focused on commercializing ZENGuardTM, a patent pending graphene-based coating with 99% antimicrobial activity, including against COVID-19, and the potential to use similar graphene compounds as pharmaceutical products against infectious diseases. The company has a significant R&D pipeline with an interest in monomers, polymers, metal alloys, corrosion coatings, biosensors along with the production of graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots. Additionally, the company owns the unique Albany Graphite Project which provides the company with a potential competitive advantage in the graphene market. Labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA, and Canada have independently demonstrated that ZEN's Albany PureTM Graphite is an ideal precursor material that easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene, using a variety of mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical methods. About Trebor Rx Corp. Trebor Rx Corp. is led by George Irwin and Brenda Elliott, the 3rd generation Canadian business icons behind the Irwin Toy brand, which has been operating in Canada for almost 100 years. Fueled by a dedicated and compassionate team prioritizing safety and innovation, Trebor is disrupting the PPE industry and setting a new standard of production for masks and face shields while solving problems of cost, comfort, and medical waste. A proudly Canadian company with a production facility located in Collingwood, Ontario, Trebor is committed to providing Healthcare, Frontline, and Essential workers with innovative, new patented technology PPE during COVID-19 and beyond. To find out more about ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd., please visit our website at www.ZENGraphene.com. A copy of this news release and all material documents in respect of the Company may be obtained on ZEN's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.ca. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although ZEN believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. ZEN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. 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. SOURCE: ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/650441/ZEN-GrapheneSolutionsand-Trebor-RX-Announce-Successful-Inhalation-Safety-Testing-of-ZENGuardTM-Enhanced-Surgical-Masks-and-Final-Submission-to-Health-Canada Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Leveljump Healthcare Corp. (TSXV: JUMP) (OTCQB: JMPHF) (FSE: 75J) ("Leveljump" or the "Company"), a Canadian leader in B2B telehealth solutions, is pleased to announce today that it will be participating in the Global Chinese Financial Forum (GCFF) Healthcare Investment Conference. Mitch Geisler, CEO, will be presenting an overview of the company and hosting a Q&A session beginning at 1:45 pm (EST). The GCFF Virtual Conference 2021 - Healthcare Investment Conference, will be held from 8am - 1pm PST (11am - 4pm EST) on June 10, 2021, and will feature US and Canadian listed companies from the healthcare sectors. The conference will be held virtually and registration to participants is free. For more information and to register, please visit: https://gcff-jun-2021.eventbrite.ca/?aff=JUMP The GCFF is the largest conference that caters directly to the Chinese investment community in North America. Hosted by NAI Interactive Ltd., the bilingual online event will feature public and private company investment opportunities and will be broadcasted in English and Mandarin Chinese. About Leveljump Healthcare Leveljump Healthcare Corp., (TSXV: JUMP) is building a national medical diagnostic imaging company and brand, primarily by providing teleradiology (remote radiology) services to its client hospitals and imaging centers. Additionally, JUMP plans to expand through the acquisition of independent healthcare facilities focused on diagnostic imaging as well as acquiring new disruptive imaging technologies. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF LEVELJUMP HEALTHCARE CORP. Mitchell Geisler, Chief Executive Officer info@leveljumphealthcare.com (833) 840-2020 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's business plans and the outlook of the Company's industry. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by applicable securities laws. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of the Company, Canadian Teleradiology Services, Inc., their securities, or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86537 119 Abstracts and Presentations Featuring Sarah Cannon's Clinical Research and Care Insights Today, Sarah Cannon announced it will present its latest cancer research insights at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) Annual Meeting being held virtually June 4-8, 2021. This year, Sarah Cannon's drug development, molecular profiling, and clinical care expertise is featured through 119 abstracts and presentations, including data from 70 phase 1 studies. Throughout the weekend, Sarah Cannon experts will engage in 113 oral presentations, poster discussion sessions, and poster presentations as well as more than 10 invited lectures. "From early-phase drug development to breaking down barriers in oncology care, Sarah Cannon leaders will discuss a variety of key topics that are helping to accelerate progress in patient care," said Howard A. "Skip" Burris III, MD, FACP, FACSO, President, Clinical Operations Chief Medical Officer, Sarah Cannon. "Our ability to match targeted therapies to the molecular drivers of tumor expressions is generating greater insights into how we can personalize medicine for every individual." In addition to representing Sarah Cannon during the Annual Meeting, Dr. Burris currently serves as Chair of the ASCO Board of Directors and Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation. June 4 Highlights Dee Anna Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Cannon, will present "The Empowerment of Female Leaders" in the "Dismantling Gender Disparities in the Global Oncology Workforce Together" Education Session on June 4 at 8 a.m. CDT. in the "Dismantling Gender Disparities in the Global Oncology Workforce Together" Education Session on June 4 at 8 a.m. CDT. Andrew Kennedy, MD, Physician-in-Chief, Radiation Oncology, Sarah Cannon; Director, Radiation Oncology Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will present "Radiation Oncology Perspective" in the "Barriers to Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Care in a Community Oncology Practice" Education Session on June 4 at 8 a.m. CDT. in the "Barriers to Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Care in a Community Oncology Practice" Education Session on June 4 at 8 a.m. CDT. Andrew McKenzie, PhD, Director, Personalized Medicine, Sarah Cannon; Scientific Director, Genospace, will present "Integrating Molecular Insights into Multidisciplinary Planning" as part of the "Reaching More Patients: The Challenges and Opportunities of Bringing Multidisciplinary Care to Communities" Education Session on June 4 at 8 a.m. CDT. as part of the "Reaching More Patients: The Challenges and Opportunities of Bringing Multidisciplinary Care to Communities" Education Session on June 4 at 8 a.m. CDT. Gerald Falchook, MD, MS, Director, Drug Development, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HealthONE, will present "A First-In-Human Phase 1 Study of a Novel PARP7 Inhibitor RBN-2397 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors" in an oral presentation on June 4 from 10 a.m. 1 p.m. CDT. in an oral presentation on June 4 from 10 a.m. 1 p.m. CDT. Erika Hamilton, MD, Director, Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will present "Hunting HER2 in Solid Tumors: Margetuximab-Cmkb, Tucatinib, and Trastuzumab Deruxtecan" in the "FDA Approvals and Their Incorporation into Clinical Practice" Education Session on June 4 at 10 a.m. CDT. in the "FDA Approvals and Their Incorporation into Clinical Practice" Education Session on June 4 at 10 a.m. CDT. Dax Kurbegov, MD, Vice President Physician-in-Chief, Clinical Programs, Sarah Cannon, will present "Highlights of Health Services Research and Quality Improvement" in the "Health Services Research and Quality Improvement" Highlights of the Day Session on June 4 at 5 p.m. CDT. in the "Health Services Research and Quality Improvement" Highlights of the Day Session on June 4 at 5 p.m. CDT. Meredith McKean, MD, MPH, Associate Director, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will present "Highlights of Developmental Therapeutics-Molecularly Targeted Agents and Tumor Biology" in the "Developmental Therapeutics Molecularly Targeted Agents and Tumor Biology Highlights" Highlights of the Day Session on June 4 at 5 p.m. CDT. Poster Discussion Highlights (Available Online June 4) Howard A. "Skip" Burris, III, MD, will present "A First In Human Study of AO-176, a Highly Differentiated Anti-CD47 Antibody, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors." Todd Bauer, MD, Senior Investigator, Drug Development, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology, will present "Phase IB Study of The Anti-TGF- Monoclonal Antibody NIS793 Combined with Spartalizumab, a PD-1 Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors." Elisa Fontana, MD, PhD, Translational Oncologist Research Fellow, Sarah Cannon Research Institute UK, will present "Early-Onset Stage II/III Colorectal Adenocarcinoma in the IDEA Database: Treatment Adherence, Toxicities, and Outcomes From Adjuvant Fluoropyrimidine and Oxaliplatin." Erika Hamilton, MD, will present "Phase I/II Study of H3B-6545, a Novel Selective Estrogen Receptor Covalent Antagonist, in Estrogen Receptor Positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Negative Advanced Breast Cancer." Manish Patel, MD, Director, Drug Development, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Florida Cancer Specialists, will present "BDB001, an Intravenously Administered Toll-Like Receptor 7 and 8 Agonist, in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Advanced Solid Tumors: Phase 1 Safety and Efficacy Results." Debra Richardson, MD, FACOG, FACS, Associate Professor, Gynecologic Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will present "A Tale of Three PARP Inhibitors." David Spigel, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will present "Five-Year Survival Outcomes with Durvalumab after Chemoradiotherapy in Unresectable Stage III NSCLC: An Update from the PACIFIC Trial." Poster Highlights (Available Online June 4) Gerald Falchook, MD, MS, will present "A Phase 1 Dose-Escalation Study of Intravenously Administered TAK-676, a Novel STING Agonist, Alone and in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors." Erika Hamilton, MD, will present "LIO-1: Lucitanib Nivolumab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors Updated Phase 1b Results and Initial Experience in Ph2 Ovarian Cancer Cohort." Maen Hussein, MD, Principal Investigator, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Florida Cancer Specialists, will present "Platform Trial of Ezabenlimab, an Anti-PD-1 Antibody, in Patients with Previously Treated Advanced Solid Tumors: Combination with BI 836880, a VEGF/Ang2-Blocking Nanobody." Melissa Johnson, MD, Director, Lung Cancer Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will present "Phase 1 Phase 2a, First-In-Human Study, of DRP-104, a Broad Glutamine." Carissa Jones, PhD, Senior Program Specialist, Personalized Medicine, Sarah Cannon, will present "Impact of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor and EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Sequence on Time to Treatment Failure among EGFR+ NSCLC Treated in a Community-Based Cancer Research Network." Meredith McKean, MD, MPH, will present "Association of Combined Phase I/II Study of a Novel Bicyclic Peptide and MMAE Conjugate BT8009 in Patients with Advanced Malignancies with Nectin-4 Expression." Manish Patel, MD, will present "A Phase 1/2 Open-Label Study of KY1044, an Anti-ICOS Antibody with Dual Mechanism of Action, as Single Agent and in Combination with Atezolizumab, in Adult Patients with Advanced Malignancies." Emma Sturgill, PhD, Program Specialist, Personalized Medicine, Sarah Cannon, will present "Concordance of Blood and Tissue TMB from NGS Testing in Real World Settings and Their Ability to Predict Response to Immunotherapy." Michael Tees, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist, Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, a part of Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, will present "Safety and PK/PD of ALLO-647, an Anti-CD52 Antibody, with Fludarabine/Cyclophosphamide for Lymphodepletion in the Setting of Allogeneic CAR-T Cell Therapy." June 7 Highlights Gerald Falchook, MD, MS, will chair "Developmental Therapeutics-Immunotherapy Track" on June 7 from 2-5 p.m. CDT. on June 7 from 2-5 p.m. CDT. Judy Wang, MD, Associate Director, Drug Development, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Florida Cancer Specialists, will present "Novel Strategies for Overcoming Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors" as part of "Developmental Therapeutics-Immunotherapy Track" on June 7 from 2-5 p.m. CDT. as part of "Developmental Therapeutics-Immunotherapy Track" on June 7 from 2-5 p.m. CDT. Tara Gregory, MD, Unrelated Donor Program Director; Multiple Myeloma Program Co-Director, Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, a part of Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, will present "CD20-Directed CAR T" as part of "Developmental Therapeutics-Immunotherapy Track" on June 7 from 2-5 p.m. CDT. June 8 Highlights Jesus Berdeja, MD, Director, Myeloma Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will present "Updated Results of a Phase 1, First-In-Human Study of Talquetamab, a G Protein-Coupled Receptor Family C Group 5 Member D CD3 Bispecific Antibody, in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma" in an oral presentation on June 8 from 7-10 a.m. CDT. in an oral presentation on June 8 from 7-10 a.m. CDT. Marlana Orloff, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will present "Mutation Landscape and Emerging Therapies in Uveal Melanoma" in the "Beyond BRAF: Targeted Therapy for Non-BRAF Melanoma" Education Session on June 8 at 10:30 a.m. CDT. The researchers are a part of Sarah Cannon's global network of strategic sites, including: Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Florida Cancer Specialists, Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, Sarah Cannon Blood Cancer Center at St. David's South Austin Medical Center, Sarah Cannon Center for Blood Cancer at TriStar Centennial, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HCA Midwest Health (Kansas City), Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HealthONE (Denver), Sarah Cannon Research Institute United Kingdom, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, and The Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma. About Sarah Cannon Research Institute Sarah Cannon Research Institute is the research arm of HCA Healthcare's Cancer Institute, Sarah Cannon. Focused on advancing therapies for patients, it is one of the world's leading clinical research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials throughout the United States and United Kingdom. A leader in drug development, Sarah Cannon has led more than 500 first-in-human clinical trials since its inception in 1993, and has been a clinical trial leader in the majority of approved cancer therapies over the last 10 years. Additionally, Sarah Cannon offers management, regulatory, and other research support services for drug development and industry sponsors as well as strategic investigator sites through its contract research organization (CRO), Sarah Cannon Development Innovations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005393/en/ Contacts: Rebecca Gelman Rebecca.Gelman@sarahcannon.com CHICAGO, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Intelligent Document Processing Market by Component (Solutions, Services), Deployment Mode (Cloud, On-Premises), Organization Size, Technology, Vertical (BFSI, Government, Healthcare and Life Sciences), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Intelligent Document Processing Market size is expected to grow from USD 0.8 billion in 2021 to USD 3.7 billion in 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 36.8% during the forecast period. The major factors driving the growth of the Intelligent Document Processing Market include the rising need for enterprises to process large volumes of semi-structured and unstructured documents with greater accuracy and speed, increasing investments in digital transformation, and the rising adoption of cloud-based document processing solutions. Browse in-depth TOC on "Intelligent Document Processing Market" 302 - Tables 44 - Figures 271 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=195513136 Based on component, the services segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period With rising technological advancements, the demand for intelligent document processing solutions is expected to rise. This is projected to fuel the demand for intelligent document processing services. Services offered by most intelligent document processing solution vendors include professional services and managed services. Intelligent document processing services play a crucial role for every solution vendor as clients expect seamless integration of the solution as well as training and support of the provided solution with the enterprise's system. Based on deployment, the cloud segment is expected the segment to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period Cloud deployment offers various benefits to organizations. These benefits include easy availability and scalability. The cloud deployment mode also provides multiple benefits, including reduced operational costs and hassle-free deployments. The cloud deployment for intelligent document processing while using different disruptive technologies is expected to grow with the increasing awareness of the benefits of cloud-based solutions. The cost-effectiveness and scalability of cloud deployment are expected to boost the growth of cloud-based intelligent document processing solutions. Based on organization size, the large enterprises segment is expected to hold the highest market size during the forecast period Based on organization size, the Intelligent Document Processing Market is segmented into SMEs and large enterprises. Large enterprises are the leading adopters of intelligent document processing solutions and services due to the increasing need to analyze the structured and unstructured data collected over the years. These enterprises focus on delivering enhanced customer experiences and gaining a leading edge in the market. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=195513136 North America to hold the highest market size during the forecast period The Intelligent Document Processing Market has been segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. By market size, North America is expected to be the major contributor to the Intelligent Document Processing Market during the forecast period. The US and Canada comprise the North American market. Enterprises in the region are most progressive in terms of AI, ML, NLP, and computer vision adoption, thereby boosting the growth of the document analysis market. The presence of key players in North America (such as ABBYY, Kofax, IBM, WorkFusion, Automation Anywhere, Parascript, Hyland, and Extract Systems) is also a key factor responsible for the adoption of intelligent documents processing in the region. Major vendors operating in the Intelligent Document Processing Market include ABBYY (US), IBM (US), Kofax (US), WorkFusion (US), Automation Anywhere (US), Appian (US), UiPath (US), Datamatics (India), Deloitte (England), AntWorks (Singapore), Parascript (US), Hyperscience (US), OpenText (Canada), Hyland (US), Extract Systems (US), Infrrd (US), Celaton (UK), HCL Technologies (India), Kodak Alaris (UK), Rossum (UK), InData Labs (Belarus), Ephesoft (US), IRIS (Europe), Evolution AI (England), BIS (US), and AmyGB (India). Browse Adjacent Markets: Software and Services Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Intelligent Process Automation Market by Component (Solutions and Services), Technology (NLP, Machine & Deep Learning), Application (IT Operations, Business Process Automation, and Application Management), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/intelligent-process-automation-market-23417145.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/intelligent-document-processing-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/intelligent-document-processing.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A tweet by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, hinting at a breakup with Bitcoin, sent the largest cryptocurrency further down by 7 percent on Friday. The automobile tycoon wrote 'Bitcoin' on Twitter while Bitcoin was being traded at Asian hours in the crypto market, accompanied by a broken-heart emoji and a picture of a couple discussing a breakup. The billionaire's gesture negatively impacted the crypto community, and subsequently the most popular cryptocurrency's value declined by about 7 percent to $35814. The price recovered slightly, to $36839 intra-day, but the virtual currency is currently exchanged at $36388. Bitcoin was at its best for the week on Thursday, trading at $39319. Musk's tweet affected other major cryptocurrencies too. Ether, Cardano, Polkadot, and Dogecoin suffered comparatively bigger losses. This is not the first time that the crypto market is swinging in response to the Tesla chief's comments. Bitcon had plunged last month after Elon Musk said that his car company would not accept the cryptocurrency while selling Tesla vehicles. Bitcoin never managed to gain its lost ground from the great fall. The digital currency more than halved on May 23 after hitting its all-time record of around $65,000 in April. BTC's current market capitalization is $681 billion and global trade volume is $40 billion, according to Coinmarketcap. 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. Regulatory News: Air Liquide (Paris:AI) and PAO Severstal, one of the leading steel producers, have signed a new long-term contract for the supply of oxygen to the Severstal CherMK site in Russia. Air Liquide will invest around 60 million euros in the construction of a state-of-the-art Air Separation Unit (ASU) on the site, one of the largest oxygen sites in continental Europe, where it already owns three other ASUs. Thanks to enhanced energy efficiency, this new unit will improve the overall environmental footprint. Air Liquide will design and build a new state-of-the-art ASU on the Severstal CherMK site in Cherepovets, one of the most competitive steel making sites worldwide. The new unit will produce 1,000 tons of oxygen per day. This is the fourth ASU installed by Air Liquide in Cherepovets. Planned to be started up by the end of 2023, the unit will be owned and operated by Air Liquide Severstal, a joint venture established in 2005 between Air Liquide (75%) and Severstal (25%). It will bring the total production capacity on this site, one of the largest sites for Oxygen production in continental Europe, at above 8,000 tonnes of oxygen per day This new ASU is characterized by improved energy efficiency. In the framework of the agreement the two companies have also committed to further reduce the CO2 emissions arising from the oxygen production, in line with Air Liquide's commitments to address the urgency of climate change and to act for a sustainable future. Francois Jackow, Executive Vice President and a member of the Air Liquide Group's Executive Committee supervising Europe Industries activities, said: "This new contract will further strengthen our long-term partnership with Severstal, which we have been regularly building since 2005. Through our know-how and innovative solutions, we will keep working with Severstal to lower the environmental footprint of this major industrial site of Cherepovets. As part of its objective to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, Air Liquide is committed to address the urgency of climate change and to act for a sustainable future". Alexander Shevelev, CEO of Severstal Management, said: "Severstal pays great attention to reducing its environmental impact, and we are committed to achieving the gradual decarbonization of our production processes. We have set ourselves the near-term target of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 3% by 2023 compared to 2020 levels, and we fully intend to set new and ambitious goals. I am confident that our agreement with Air Liquide, a long-standing partner of Severstal and a leader in sustainable development, will contribute significantly towards the implementation of our environmental and climate strategy". Air Liquide in Russia Air Liquide was established in Russia in 1989 and was primarily involved in the sale of industrial gas production equipment. In 2005, OOO Air Liquide, the Russian subsidiary for production and sale of industrial gases was founded. Today, the company operates 18 industrial sites in key regions. More than 700 employees supply products and services to over 1,700 customers. A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 78 countries with approximately 64,500 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide's ambition is to be a leader in its industry, deliver long term performance and contribute to sustainability with a strong commitment to climate change and energy transition at the heart of its strategy. The company's customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable, regular and responsible growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders. Air Liquide's revenue amounted to more than 20 billion euros in 2020. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes www.airliquide.com Follow us on Twitter @airliquidegroup View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005019/en/ Contacts: Corporate Communications media@airliquide.com Investor Relations IRTeam@airliquide.com Air Liquide in Russia Communications Ksenia Amaryan +7 495 641 28 98 Daewoo Engineering & Construction (Daewoo E&C)'s headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of Daewoo E&C By Kim Hyun-bin Korea Development Bank (KDB) Investment is pushing ahead with the sale of Daewoo E&C without union support. The Daewoo E&C union has voiced strong opposition to KDB Investment's move to sell the company, calling on the state-run financial company to make the sale process more transparent. "Korea Development Bank (KDB) needs to halt its ego-centric sell-off procedures and conduct a sell-off that can sustain the management of the company," a Daewoo E&C union representative said. "KDB doesn't see the need to communicate with the union and has been avoiding us. Even the executives were unaware of the selection of the sale supervisor and were only informed about it through the media." According to industry sources, KDB Investment, which is the largest shareholder of Daewoo E&C, recently decided to conduct an open bidding process and requested that prospective companies submit their letters of intent (LOI) by the end of June. Daewoo E&C's corporate banner / Yonhap Regulatory News: ESI Group (Paris:ESI) (FR0004110310 ESI), leader and pioneer in Virtual Prototyping solutions, hereby releases the total number of shares making up the company's capital and the total number of voting rights in May 31, 2021, in accordance with articles 223-16 and 221-3 of the General Regulations of the "Autorite des Marches Financiers". Number of shares Number of theoretical voting rights * Number of voting rights ** 6,062,428 8,331,411 7,966,290 * The number of theoretical voting rights is calculated based on all shares eligible for voting right (single or double), including shares temporarily deprived of voting rights (treasury shares). ** All Group shares have equal right to vote, except treasury shares, which are deprived of the right to vote, and registered shares held for more than four years that are eligible for double voting rights. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005176/en/ Contacts: ESI Group WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The White House announced the U.S. strategy for global vaccine sharing and their allocation plan for the first 25 million doses to be shared globally. This will be the first tranche of President Joe Biden's commitment to sharing a total of 80 million doses by the end of June. Out of the 25 million doses, approximately 6 million will go to Latin America and the Caribbean; 7 million to South and Southeast Asia; and 5 million to the African Union and Africa CDC. 'And we're sharing 25 percent of these vaccines with countries with immediate needs and to help surges around the world,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a news conference. To accelerate manufacturing and production lines in the U.S., Pfizer and Moderna have already increased their capacity to produce vaccines for the world. A plane carrying one million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine took off Thursday to South Korea. In the weeks ahead, the United States will send a regular cadence of shipments around the world. 'We're working with vaccine manufacturers to vastly increase vaccine supply for the rest of the world in a way that can also create jobs here at home,' Psaki told reporters. At a press briefing, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Washington received requests from all over the world. President Biden has committed to sharing 80 million doses by the end of June. The US Government will continue to donate to the world from its excess supply. 'We're also working with our G7 partners on a larger effort to help end the pandemic so that the world's democracies deliver for people everywhere,' Sullivan told reporters. He added that the Biden administration will continue to build on its existing health and health security efforts focused on stopping the spread of COVID-19: 'increasing vaccination, detecting outbreaks and variants, responding rapidly to flares, and critically recovering economically here at home and around the world'. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico, President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Chairman of the Caribbean Community regarding sharing the first 25 million doses of COVID vaccines to their respective countries. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Conditions of availability or consultation of the preparatory documents Regulatory News: ENGIE EPS S.A. (Paris:EPS)("ENGIE EPS" or the "Company"), informs its shareholders that, given the context of the Covid-19 outbreak, its mixed general meeting (the "AGM") will be held, without the shareholders and other persons entitled to attend being physically present, on Friday 25 June 2021, at 28, rue de Londres, 75009 Paris, at 10:30 a.m. This decision is made in accordance with (i) the provisions of Article 4 of Order No. 2020-321 of 25 March 2020 adapting the rules governing meetings and deliberations of meetings and governing bodies of legal entities and unincorporated entities under private law due to the COVID-19 epidemic (as amended by Order No. 2020-1497 of 2 December 2020) and (ii) the related Decree No. 2020-418 of 10 April 2020 (as amended by Decree No. 2020-1614 of 18 December 2020), it being stipulated that the period of application of the above mentioned Order and Decree were extended by Decree No. 2021-255 of 9 March 2021. The preliminary notice of meeting (avis de reunion) has been published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires "BALO" on 21 May 2021, bulletin n61. It includes the agenda, the draft resolutions as well as details on attendance and voting modalities for this AGM. The preliminary notice of meeting, together with the Board of Directors' report on the draft resolutions and legal information, are now available on the Company's website www.engie-eps.com, under the section Investors Annual General Meeting 2021, in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. According to Article R. 22-10-23 of the Commercial Code, the preparatory documents of this AGM are made available to the shareholders and will be retrievable from 4 June 2021 on the Company's website www.engie-eps.com under the section Investors Annual General Meeting 2021 The AGM, that will start with the Investor Day which will include a presentation of the activities and the strategy of the Company, will be recorded in its entirety and this recording will be available on the ENGIE EPS website under Investors Annual General Meeting 2021. An investor live webcast with interactive Q&A session will take place after the AGM- the dial-in, webcast link and the presentation will be available on the Company's website www.engie-eps.com under Investors Annual General Meeting 2021 The 2020 Universal Registration Document has been filed with the French Autorite des marches financiers on Wednesday 7 April 2021 under registration number nD.21-0273. It is available to the public, in compliance with legal and regulatory provisions, and may be consulted on the Company's website www.engie-eps.com, in the section Investors Documents The 2020 Universal Registration Document includes in particular the Corporate Governance Report, the Management Report, the statutory accounts of the Company, the consolidated financial statements of ENGIE EPS group, the statutory auditors' reports and their fees as well as the Annual Financial Report. ABOUT ENGIE EPS ENGIE EPS is an industrial player within the ENGIE group that develops technologies to revolutionize the paradigm shift in the global energy system towards renewable energy sources and electric mobility. Listed on Euronext Paris (EPS:FP), ENGIE EPS is listed in the CACMid Small and the CAC All-Tradable financial indices. Its registered office is in Paris and conducts its research, development and manufacturing in Italy. For more information: www.engie-eps.com ABOUT ENGIE Our group is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. Together with our 170,000 employees, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by our purpose ("raison d'etre"), we reconcile economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. Turnover in 2020: 55.8 billion Euros. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, DJSI Europe, Euronext Vigeo Eiris Eurozone 120/ Europe 120/ France 20, MSCI EMU ESG, MSCI Europe ESG, Euro Stoxx 50 ESG, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG, and Stoxx Global 1800 ESG). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005563/en/ Contacts: ENGIE EPS Press and Media: eps@imagebuilding.it Investor Relations: ir@engie-eps.com follow us on LinkedIn RABAT, Morocco and FARO, Portugal, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Moroccan Digital Development Agency (ADD) and GrowIN Portugal have launched an initiative to support Moroccan and Portuguese startups internationalization by signing a strategic agreement. This partnership will promote cooperation between the two organizations, emphasizing support in the expansion of the startups in their respective ecosystems. To this end, both parties have agreed to: Collaborate on the Planning & Launch of a Moroccan Portuguese Startup Competition; Promote opportunities for developing innovation ecosystems in both countries; Hold delegation trips and introductory meetings with ecosystem stakeholders in both countries; Exchange information and know-how on the evolution of the Startup markets in both countries; Collaborate on the development and launch of respective Ecosystems platforms. Speaking on this occasion, Mohammed Drissi Melyani, General Director, ADD, said: "This initiative will provide the much-needed support for not just Moroccan and Portuguese startups, but startups from around the world. The pandemic has hit economies worldwide, and we are witnessing the increasing importance of digital transformation and the role startups can play to accelerate economic growth. By connecting our two ecosystems, ADD and GrowIN Portugal are providing a unique opportunity for innovative startups willing to expand internationally and empower the digital economy in both Morocco and Portugal." For his part, Anas El Arras, Chief Executive Officer, GrowIN Portugal, stated: "Plenty of Portuguese startups need to expand to new markets to sustain their growth now more than ever before. Therefore, we are delighted to be collaborating with ADD on enabling startups from both countries. Morocco and Portugal have plenty of similarities and attractive innovation ecosystems with funding support, highly skilled human resources, cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and plenty of growth opportunities. Moreover, Portugal could be the entry point for Moroccan startups to the EU Markets, and Morocco would allow Portuguese startups to expand into Africa. By joining hands with the ADD and building a bridge between both ecosystems, we can accelerate startups' growth and share valuable know-how." Both parties have all the necessary conditions to cooperate on this initiative as they have identified the need for a fast-track internationalization process and consolidate their partnership to develop both of their startups ecosystems. The agreement's signing follows an ADD delegation to Lisbon in November 2019 and two visits from GrowIN Portugal to Rabat in January 2021. About the Moroccan Digital Development Agency The Digital Development Agency (ADD) is the Moroccan strategic public entity responsible for implementing the Kingdom's strategy for digital development and promoting digital tools and their use among citizens. Several cross-functional missions are assigned to the Digital Development Agency, in its capacity as an institutional actor, which aim to structure the digital ecosystem and bring about the emergence of real operators in the digital economy. It is also about contributing to the promotion of digital administration by bringing together users (citizens and businesses), as well as putting in place a normative framework for digital products and services. Its assignment is also, to reduce the digital divide, to support the revolution of Industry 4.0, to lead change in society through training and awareness. It is in charge, among other things, of encouraging research and development, encouraging social and entrepreneurial innovation and ensuring responsible and sustainable digital inclusion. Also, the Digital Development Agency adopts a participatory approach with all stakeholders (public and private sector, civil society) and ensures coordination and consultation around the multiple challenges of digital transformation and its impact on the global environment (administration, companies, citizens). For more information on the ADD, visit www.add.gov.ma ; ADD media team can be reached on presse@add.gov.ma About GrowIN Portugal GrowIN Portugal is an innovative consultancy platform that helps facilitate and open up business opportunities between Portugal and non-EU Countries through a dual approach to build and nurture collaboration bridges in a way that benefits both Portuguese and non-Portuguese innovation potential. GrowIN Portugal enables global startups to expand, manage, finance and grow their operations in Portugal. GrowIN Portugal also supports Portuguese startups and SMEs in developing new markets abroad. GrowIN Portugal is also an accredited Incubator, Accelerator, and Company as a Service Platform that leverages the use of new technologies to structure and shape the local tech and innovation ecosystem. For more information visit https://www.growinportugal.com/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526518/GrowIN_Portugal.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Axion Ventures Inc. (TSXV: AXV) (OTC Pink: AXNVF) ("Axion" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has been granted a conditional approval for the initial tranche of C$8,000,000 (the "Initial Tranche") under the convertible debenture investment agreement (the "Investment Agreement") that the Company entered into with KUAM (Hong Kong) Investment 01 Ltd. ("KUAM") for up to C$20 million by way of unsecured convertible debentures. The Initial Tranche will be completed by issuing to KUAM a convertible debenture (the "Debenture") having a term of twelve (12) months with interest accruing at a rate of 4% per annum. The Debenture will also allow KUAM to convert the outstanding principal into common shares of the Company at the conversion price of $0.20 per share pursuant to the terms of the Investment Agreement. If KUAM converts the full amount of the Debenture, KUAM will be entitled to receive 40,000,000 common shares of the Company. Upon closing of the Initial Tranche, the Company intends to use the proceeds to: (a) address its working capital deficiency; (b) pay audit, accounting and legal fees; (c) pay filing fees with the securities commissions and the Exchange; (d) partly repay convertible debentures; (e) pay outstanding salaries, consulting fees and professional fees, and other accounts payable; and (f) provide general working capital. Following the closing of the Initial Tranche, the Company plans to make payment to its external auditors promptly as the Company is in the final stages of waiting for its external auditors to provide its audit report for the Company's annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company is also working on completing the interim financial statements and related MD&A for the subsequent periods toward obtaining a full revocation of the Cease Trade Order on August 4, 2020 (the "Cease Trade Order"). The Debenture and all securities of the Company issued pursuant to the closing of the Initial Tranche will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date. The Company confirms that there has been no undisclosed material information since the issuance of the Cease Trade Order. The completion of the Initial Tranche will constitute a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), given that Yasuyo Yamazaki, the Executive Chairman of Axion, is the President and controlling shareholder of KUAM. On completion of the Initial Tranche, assuming that KUAM converts the full amount of the Debenture, Mr. Yamazaki would control 14.54% of Axion's issued common shares. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a), (b) and (c) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, given that the Company's common shares are not listed on specified markets, the Initial Tranche is a distribution of securities for cash, and that the fair market value of the Initial Tranche does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Initial Tranche has been approved by the independent directors of the Company. The Company expects that it will not file a material change report in respect of the Initial Tranche more than 21 days before the expected closing date of the Initial Tranche as the Company wishes to close the Initial Tranche on an expedited basis for sound business reasons and in a timeframe consistent with usual market practice for transactions of this nature. The Initial Tranche is the first draw-down pursuant to the Investment Agreement, which provides for further tranches for up to a total of C$20 million. Completion of any subsequent tranche will be subject to additional approval of the Exchange. If all of the C$20 million are drawn down and converted by KUAM, a new Control Person of the Company may be created. KUAM has provided an undertaking not to convert any part or whole of debentures prior to receiving applicable shareholders' approval if such conversion would create a new Control Person. For further information: Axion Ventures Inc. Grant Kim Interim Chief Executive Officer info@axionagm.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements herein are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86557 Congratulations to the 2021 Fintech Draft Pitching Competition winners Agryo and Copia Wealth Studios TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 4, 2021 - The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA), the non-profit cross-body organization that promotes and supports fintech and funding throughout Canada, successfully concluded its seventh annual flagship Fintech and Financing Conference - FFCON21 in partnership with Toronto Finance International (TFI), which was held digitally from May 11-13, 2021. The conference entitled "Breaking Barriers" focused on the Future of Finance and Society, exploring a wide range of topics reflecting the growth and emerging challenges that the Canadian Fintech industry must navigate to achieve mass adoption and scale. Through 25+ hours of keynotes, lively panels, VIP workshops and impactful pitching competition, the conference facilitated discussions and the sharing of new ideas and thought-provoking insights into trends, innovations and regulatory landscape shaping regulatory, fintech, blockchain, digital banking, payments, AI, capital markets, digital assets and alternative finance sectors. Founders and innovators, industry experts, investors, regulators, lawyers, and many more shared their insights, successes, and challenges, contributing invaluable insight to assist both Canadian and global companies with building stronger, more competitive and responsible entities that will shape the future of finance and society. FFCON21 broke its own barriers this year boasting 130 notable global key speakers from a wide range of public and private sectors including two Canadian government ministers, a political champion Canadian Senator, and Sophia - the world-famous Humanoid Robot. The 560 registered attendees engaged in 400 hours of targeted networking meetings throughout the three-day conference. The full list of FFCON21's influential speakers can be found here. Highlights from FFCON21: Day 1: May 11 focused on 'Breaking Barriers and Digital Innovation' and featured thought leadership and leading fintech and financing firms pushing boundaries in crypto adoption, cloud banking and security, data rights, alternative assets, and IPO innovations such as Versabank, Stablecorp Inc. Coinpayments, Forward Security Inc., Intellect Design, Localcoin, Invest Hong Kong and SuperWorld. Day 2: May 12 programming was all about 'Growth & Curation' designed to help companies innovate, launch, improve productivity, scale and become more globally competitive. A multitude of topics were showcased covering everything from Gen Z opportunities to human resourcing and digital identity perspectives from high profile firms such as Holt Accelerator, University of Waterloo, Mambu, Liquid Avatar Technologies. A series of engaging demos were also delivered by Whelp, CPQi and MinervaAI who are at the forefront. Day 3: May 13 had participants widen their scope to go beyond geographic boundaries and contemplate the daily theme of 'Global Future Forward' which covered topics from Fintech's role in climate change and net zero to the rise of China (and U.S. response), global regulatory trends, CBDCs, and how emerging technologies like Blockchain and NFTs can be used for the greater good. Featured partner companies included VoPay, Power & Mobility and TAAL. FFCON21 premier content included VIP Masterclasses and Fireside Chats from industry experts that gave attendees deep insight into the rise of Decentralized Finance (DeFi), the anatomy of DeFi apps, the evolving digital asset regulatory landscape, the future of Web 3.0, and what the future holds for FinTech. The conference also provided a plethora of mentoring and business networking opportunities with its popular 'Ask an Expert' and Speed Dating series designed to connect industry experts and investors with companies and attendees looking for insights and opportunities to support their continued growth. Congratulations to the 2021 Fintech Draft Pitching Competition Winners The event also featured the second annual 2021 Fintech Draft designed to identify, promote, and reward emerging and high growth fintech start-ups and scaleups. Of the outstanding competing companies, the organizers wish to congratulate: Agryo - (Overall Winner) - A global risk intelligence provider that enables financial institutions to assess and manage financial risks in the crop field level for underwriting agriculture insurance, loans, and trade finance globally; as well as meet sustainability goals. Copia Wealth Studios - (People's Choice) - A financial intelligence platform that uses modern design and machine learning to bring all investments (including Alternatives and Illiquid assets) into one elegant view. NFT Charity Auction 'Fintech for Good' FFCON21 also saw the launch of conference's inaugural Charity Auction which this year is being held in aid of CanadaHelps COVID-19 Healthcare & Hospital Fund, an organization which supports more than 110 hospital foundations across Canada that are supporting urgent needs in response to COVID-19. The auction, which kicked off during the event will run until June 6 of this year, features unique digital donations from artists and organisations including Liquid Avatar, Pierre Bourque, Blockchain Intelligence Group, SuperWorld and Nathan McCrorey. Collectors interested in owning an exceptional NFT can access the auction and bid on items on Blockparty's new NFT marketplace using this link. The organisers also welcome donations from artists, individuals or companies who wish to support this worthy cause. The NCFA FFCON conference, held virtually on May 11-13, continues to be the largest and most influential Fintech conference in Canada. To view the FFCON21 highlights video please visit https://fintechandfunding.com/. The organizers offer special thanks to all the attendees, conference partners, speakers, companies, and volunteers that helped make FFCON21 an informative and memorable event. About the NCFA The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain and cryptocurrency, Regtech, and Insuretech sectors. To learn more about NCFA visit www.ncfacanada.org About FFCON FFCON (Fintech and Financing Conference) is an annual conference hosted by Canada's National Crowdfunding and Fintech Association (NCFA). Now in its seventh year, FFCON21 brought together professionals and innovators in fintech, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and alternative finance. Further information about the conference series can be found at www.fintechandfunding.com FFCON Contacts Conference Chair Craig Asano Founder and CEO, NCFA casano@ncfacanada.org (416) 618-0254 Partnership Inquiries Lauren Linton Advisor, NCFA lauren@ncfacanada.org (416) 569-4349 Media Contact Michele McDermott-Fox The Top Floor Public Relations pr@thetopflooragency.com (905) 379-1893 View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/650516/NCFA-Successfully-Concludes-Canadas-Leading-Fintech-and-Financing-Conference-FFCON21-Breaking-Barriers Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) ("Battery" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a transaction for 58 unpatented federal mining claims from International Cobalt Corp. (CSE: CO) (OTC Pink: COBAF) ("International Cobalt") that make up part of the Bonanza Project, located within the Idaho Cobalt Belt, Idaho, USA. Battery now controls 100% of the Bonanza Project area, with 288 contiguous claims covering 2,440 hectares. Background The Bonanza Project encloses an area of widespread cobalt mineralization and is adjacent to the former Blackbird Cobalt Mine (Noranda Inc.), immediately to the southeast, that produced approximately 17 million tonnes of ore grading 0.7 percent cobalt ("% Co"), 1.4 percent copper ("% Cu"), and 1 grams per tonne gold ("g/t Au") from 1950-1985. The Bonanza Project is approximately 80 kilometers west of Salmon Idaho. Historic exploration and drilling from the Bonanza area in the 1950's reportedly intercepted several mineralized drill intersections ranging up to 1.5 m containing 0.76% Co and 5.15% Cu, and rock samples reaching from 1.1% - 4.57% Co in underground workings. Renewed activity in the Idaho Cobalt Belt includes First Cobalt's Iron Creek project, which hosts an Indicated Resource of 2.2 million tonnes of 0.26% cobalt and 0.61% copper for 12.3 million pounds of contained cobalt and Jervois Mining's Ram Deposit, at the former Blackbird Cobalt Mine, which hosts a Reserve of 2.5 million tonnes of 0.55% Co, 0.8% copper, and 0.64 g/t Au for 30 millions pounds of contained cobalt. In early 2016, Battery recognized that previous claims in the Bonanza Project area had lapsed and the Company staked the primary mineral showings. A portion of the Bonanza Project area was over-staked by a third party in late 2016 and the over-staked area was later acquired by International Cobalt. Transaction In August of 2020, the ownership issue was settled with Battery's acquisition of 58 unpatented mining federal from International Cobalt for 200,000 restricted common shares of the Company, with 100,000 shares becoming unrestricted and freely trading as of February 22, 2022, and the remaining 100,000 shares becoming unrestricted and freely trading as of February 22, 2023. As part of the transaction, International Cobalt's claim to ownership was dismissed by the United States District Court, District of Idaho, supporting Battery's assertion to a free-and-clear legal title of the land and minerals. Battery's technical work on the Bonanza Project and other mineral sites within the Idaho Cobalt Belt led to its staking and acquisition of the East Fork Project, and continues to express excitement for the district's potential to produce significant mineral discoveries. Figure 1. Commenting on the events, Mr. Kostuik stated, "Our 100%-owned Bonanza Project is an under-explored battery metals opportunity sitting adjacent to Noranda's former Blackbird cobalt-copper mine, within the most productive cobalt belt in North America. Our team recognized and laid claim to an area having unparalleled location, exposed surface mineralization and historic exploration. We look forward to continuing our objective of providing our investors with exposure to the expanding global trend towards electrification through the development of our battery minerals assets." Figure 1: Battery Claims in the Idaho Cobalt Belt To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6076/86562_82335bdee4cfd85d_002full.jpg Qualified Persons The technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Scott Close, M.Sc, P.Geo, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Information in this release regarding resources within First Cobalt's Iron Creek project were sourced from Technical Report with Updated Estimate Of Mineral Resources for The Iron Creek Cobalt-Copper Project, Lemhi County, Idaho, USA, November 27, 2019. Information in this release regarding resources within Jervois Mining's Ram Deposit at the former Blackbird Cobalt Mine were sourced from Form 43-101F1 Technical Report Feasibility Study, Idaho, USA, January 20, 2020. Scientific and technical information pertaining to the cobalt resource at McAra was extracted from the Company's NI 43-101 "Technical report on Cobalt Exploration Assets in Canada" dated as of May 26, 2020 with an effective date of March 31, 2020, prepared by Glen Cole (P. Geo) of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. About Battery Mineral Resources Corp. Battery is a multi-commodity resource company which provides investors with exposure to the world-wide trend towards electrification. Battery is engaged in the discovery, acquisition, and development of battery metals (cobalt, lithium, graphite, nickel & copper), in North and South America and South Korea with the intention of becoming a premier and sustainable supplier of battery minerals to the electrification marketplace. Battery is the largest mineral claim holder in the historic Gowganda Cobalt-Silver Camp, Canada and continues to pursue a focused program to build on the recently announced, +1 million pound cobalt resource at MaCara by testing over 50 high-grade primary cobalt silver-nickel-copper targets. In addition, Battery owns 100% of ESI Energy Services, Inc., a pipeline equipment rental and sales company with operations in Leduc, Alberta and Phoenix, Arizona. Finally, Battery is currently developing the Punitaqui Mining Complex, and pursuing the potential near term resumption of operations at the prior producing Punitaqui copper-gold mine. The Punitaqui copper-gold mine most recently produced approximately 21,000 tonnes of copper concentrate in 2019 and is located in the Coquimbo region of Chile. For further information, please contact: Battery Mineral Resources Corp. Martin Kostuik Phone: +1 (604) 229 3830 Email: info@bmrcorp.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including with respect to the Company's business, operations and condition, and management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events and future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements could differ materially from those projected herein including as a result of a change in the trading price of the common shares of the Company, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of cobalt, silver and/or other metals, possible variations in grade or recovery rates, failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, the failure of contracted parties to perform, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and investors and others should consult the Company's ongoing quarterly and annual filings, as well as any additional documentation comprising the Company's public disclosure record, for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable law, the Corporation disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86562 Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) calls on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the Patented Medicines Prices Review Board's (PMPRB) regulatory changes which are set to come into effect on July 01, 2021. The PMPRB regulatory changes will have significant unintended consequences on patient access to the newest medicines and treatments, while also diverting R&D and investment away from Canada's life sciences sector. If Canada wants a vibrant and competitive life sciences sector that ensures access to innovative medicines, a suspension in the PMPRB's regulatory changes would provide the appropriate time and process to consider that the price of innovative medicines are not the primary cost drivers for Canadian public and private drug plans. Policy decisions should be based on the value medicines and vaccines bring to Canadians, as well as fair and accurate reporting on patented medicine pricing. Contrary to PMPRB's claims that drug prices are amongst the highest in the developed world, Canadian prices have been in the middle of the current basket of seven comparator countries. Our industry has put forward a comprehensive strategy to build a thriving life sciences sector in Canada - an approach that considers not just the price of patented medications, but one that would benefit Canadians by ensuring access to innovative medicines and help build a strong life sciences sector. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7876/86568_feb272c5c466da55_001full.jpg About Innovative Medicines Canada Innovative Medicines Canada is the national association representing the voice of Canada's innovative pharmaceutical industry. The association advocates for policies that enable the discovery, development, and delivery of innovative medicines and vaccines to improve the lives of all Canadians and supports the members' commitment to being a valued partner in the Canadian healthcare system. The association represents 47 companies who invest nearly $1.2-billion in R&D annually, fueling Canada's knowledge-based economy, while contributing $8-billion to Canada's economy. Guided by the Code of Ethical Practices, all members work with governments, private payers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner. - 30 - For further information: Samantha Thompson Media & Public Relations Telephone: 613 790-4555 E-mail: Sthompson@imc-mnc.ca Source: Innovative Medicines Canada To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86568 Expects to file its 2021 First Quarter Financial Statements on or before June 25, 2021 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Matica Enterprises Inc. (CSE: MMJ) (FSE: 39N) (OTCQB: MMJFF) ("Matica" or the "Company") announces today that further to our news releases of May 3, 2021, the filing of the Company's audited annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, including the related management discussion and analysis, and CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the "Annual Financial Statements") have been filed as May 31, 2021. The Company's quarterly financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2021, including the related management discussion and analysis, (collectively, the "First Quarter Financial Statements") remain outstanding. As part of the Company's biweekly status report, Matica expects that the First Quarter Financial Statements thereon should be finalized within twenty one days and filed by the next business day. The Company reports that since its original announcement on May 3, 2021, in respect of the Management Cease Trade Order issued in connection herewith, there has not been any material changes to the information provided in the Notice other than as described herein nor any failure by the Company in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the alternative information guidelines required pursuant to National Policy 12-203 ("NP 12-203"). In addition, there has not been any other specified default by the Company under NP 12-203, nor are any anticipated and there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. The Company confirms that it will continue to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under NP 12-203 for so long as it remains in default as a result of the late filing of the First Quarter 2021 Financial Statements. During the period of default, Matica will continue to issue bi-weekly default status reports in the form of further press releases, which will also be filed on SEDAR. Matica applied for and has been granted by the Ontario Securities Commission (its principal regulator), a management cease trade order ("MCTO") under National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203") over the duration of the default. The MCTO will generally not affect the ability of persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of Matica to trade in their securities. The Company is working diligently and expects to file the First Quarter Financial Statement Filings on or before June 25, 2021 and will issue a news release announcing completion of such filings at such time. The Company is providing this press release in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). Until the Company files the Annual Filings, it will comply with the alternative information guidelines set out in National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Order for issuers who have failed to comply with a specified continuous disclosure requirement within the times prescribed by applicable securities laws. The guidelines, among other things, require the Company to issue bi-weekly default status reports by way of a news release so long as all required Filings have not been filed. The Company confirms as of the date of this news release that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. 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. This news release is not for distribution or dissemination in the United States of America To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86576 Company looks forward to presenting scientific evidence showing no downstream water quality effects St. Paul, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - The Environmental Protection Agency today concluded that PolyMet's proposed copper-nickel-precious metals mining project "may affect" waters on the Fond du Lac reservation and in the State of Wisconsin, both of which are located well over 100 river miles downstream, according to Poly Met Mining, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PolyMet Mining Corp. (TSX: POM) (NYSE American: PLM) (together "PolyMet" or the "company") . EPA's decision does not say PolyMet's project will affect downstream water quality, only that such an effect is possible. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) certified in 2018 that the project would not affect in-state water quality under section 401 of the Clean Water Act. PolyMet now will present the evidence on which the MPCA relied to the Army Corps of Engineers, which will likely require a hearing to make a final decision on the project's downstream water quality effects. When in operation, PolyMet's project will collect and treat water, including water that holds mercury and other contaminants from historical taconite mining, resulting in a net reduction of contaminants to the St. Louis River system. "I am hard pressed to understand how our treated water can meet water quality standards at the point of discharge and at other downstream communities closer to the project site, and actually reduce overall mercury loading to the river, but somehow 'may affect' water in places located more than 100 river miles downstream," said Jon Cherry, chairman, president and CEO. "We disagree with the EPA's new conclusion since the science is clear that water discharges from the NorthMet mine will not only meet water quality standards, but are proven to have a net benefit to the St. Louis River's water quality," Cherry said. Because EPA's downstream water quality determination is a prerequisite for the section 404 wetlands permit issued to PolyMet by the Corps of Engineers, the Corps placed the permit on hold during EPA's review. That hold is expected to remain in place during any Corps hearing. PolyMet will work with the EPA and Corps to address this issue. If necessary, it will again demonstrate that its project will cause a net reduction of mercury loading to the St. Louis River. * * * * * About PolyMet PolyMet is a mine development company that owns 100% of the NorthMet Project, the first large-scale project to be permitted within the Duluth Complex in northeastern Minnesota, one of the world's major, undeveloped mining regions. NorthMet has significant proven and probable reserves of copper, nickel and palladium - metals vital to global carbon reduction efforts - in addition to marketable reserves of cobalt, platinum and gold. When operational, NorthMet will become one of the leading producers of nickel, palladium and cobalt in the U.S., providing a much needed, responsibly mined source of these critical and essential metals. Located in the Mesabi Iron Range, the project will provide economic diversity while leveraging the region's established supplier network and skilled workforce, and generate a level of activity that will have a significant effect in the local economy. For more information: www.polymetmining.com. For further information, please contact: Media Bruce Richardson, Corporate Communications Tel: +1 (651) 389-4111 brichardson@polymetmining.com Investor Relations Tony Gikas, Investor Relations Tel: +1 (651) 389-4110 investorrelations@polymetmining.com PolyMet Disclosures This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in PolyMet's operations in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "potential," "possible," "projects," "plans," and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur or be achieved or their negatives or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding the ability to receive environmental and operating permits, job creation, and the effect on the local economy, or other statements that are not a statement of fact. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to risks facing PolyMet or due to actual facts differing from the assumptions underlying its predictions. PolyMet's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and PolyMet does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations and opinions should change. Specific reference is made to risk factors and other considerations underlying forward-looking statements discussed in PolyMet's most recent Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and in our other filings with Canadian securities authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Annual Report on Form 40-F also contains the company's mineral resource and other data as required under National Instrument 43-101. No regulatory authority has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Annual Report on Form 40-F also contains the company's mineral resource and other data as required under National Instrument 43-101. The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86571 Smoke rises from a fire onboard the MV X-Press Pearl vessel as it sinks while being towed into deep sea off the Colombo Harbour, Sri Lanka, June 2. Reuters-Yonhap Authorities in Sri Lanka were trying to head off a potential environmental disaster Thursday as a fire-damaged container ship that had been carrying chemicals was sinking off of the country's main port. The Singapore-flagged MV X-Press Pearl started sinking Wednesday, a day after authorities extinguished fire that raged on the vessel for 12 days. Efforts to tow the ship into deeper waters away from the port in Colombo failed after the ship's stern became submerged and rested on the seabed. The ship's operators X-Press Feeders have said the fire destroyed most of the ship's cargo, which included 25 tons of nitric acid and other chemicals. But there are fears that remaining chemicals as well as hundreds of tons of oil from the vessel's fuel tanks could leak into the sea if it sinks. Such a disaster could devastate marine life and further pollute the island nation's famed beaches. The disaster has already caused debris including several tons of plastic pellets used to make plastic bags to wash ashore. The government already has banned fishing along about 80 kilometers (50 miles) of coastline. The ship operator said Thursday that the ship's stern was resting on the seabed about 21 meters (70 feet) below the surface and the ship's bow was ''settling down slowly.'' The company said salvage experts were remaining with the vessel ''to monitor the ship's condition and oil pollution.'' The company said its experts were coordinating with Sri Lanka's navy to deal with an oil spill or other pollution. Sacks containing debris washed ashore from the Singapore-registered container ship MV X-Press Pearl, which is sinking after burning for almost two weeks in the sea off Sri Lanka's Colombo Harbor, are pictured on a beach in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 3. AFP-Yonhap Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Casa Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CASA) (OTC Pink: CASXF) (FSE: 0CM) (the "Company" or "Casa") is pleased to announce that it has closed its option agreement to acquire up to a 90% interest in the Congress Gold Mine, located in west-central Arizona, USA. The Congress Gold Mine is located three miles north of Congress in the Martinez Mining District of Yavapai County, Arizona. The property consists of 14 Patented Mineral Properties with approximately 260 acres area. Commencing in or about 1887, the Congress mine operated at intervals until 1992 and at one time supported a full scale mining and milling operation and the small town of Congress. It has the distinction of being Arizona's largest gold-silver mine with production of about 500,000 ounces of gold. On closing of the option agreement, Casa paid US $45,000 to the owners of the Congress Gold Mine (the "optionors") and issued a total of 1,125,000 common shares to the optionors (which shares will be subject to restrictions on resale for a period of four months from the date of issue). In order to exercise the option to acquire a 90% interest in the Congress Gold Mine, Casa will be required to make the following additional payments: (i) US $45,000 within one year of acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, (ii) 1,125,000 common shares within one year of acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, and (iii) incurring $2,000,000 in exploration expenditures over the next three years. The optionors will retain a 1.5% NSR of which one third may be purchased for $2,500,000. If a potentially viable NI43-101 mineral reserve is developed, the Company will make payments of US$500,000 per every 100,000 oz of gold in reserve up to a maximum of US$10,000,000. Ownership of surface rights to a depth of 40 feet from surface are excluded from the purchase agreement. As previously announced on May 20, 2021, the Company completed the initial tranche of the private placement financing by issuing a total of 16,400,000 units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.125 per Unit for total proceeds of $2,050,000. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one transferrable Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share at a price of $0.30 for term of 1 year following closing, being May 20, 2022 (the "Expiry Date"), subject to acceleration. If the closing price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") is greater than $0.45 for 10 consecutive trading days, then the Company may, at its sole option, elect to provide notice (the "Acceleration Notice") to the holders of the Warrants, which Acceleration Notice may be provided by news release, that the Warrants will expire at 4:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the date that is 30 days from the date of the Acceleration Notice (the "Accelerated Expiry Date"). In such instance, all Warrants that are not exercised prior to the Accelerated Expiry Date will expire on the Accelerated Expiry Date. The proceeds of the private placements will be used towards funding exploration programs on the Pitman and Arsenault Projects in British Columbia, Canada, US $45,000 will be used to pay the acquisition of the Congress Mine, Arizona, USA and a portion will be used for general and administrative expenses. The above noted private placement was originally announced on March 3, 2021 and the final tranche is expected to close in the upcoming week. Figure 1 - Location of Congress Gold Mine To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1750/86574_cf766aed44016a09_001full.jpg Figure 2 - Patented Claims of Congress Gold Mine To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1750/86574_cf766aed44016a09_002full.jpg Qualified Person: Mr. Erik Ostensoe P.Geo., a director and chief geologist of the Company, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. Cautionary Note: All historic data referenced in this news release were obtained from available archives and have not been confirmed or verified by the Company or a Qualified Person. There is no assurance that work by Casa Minerals will result in identification of economically-viable mineral bodies comparable in size and/or grade to those that supported historic mining operations. On Behalf of Board of Directors Farshad Shirvani, M.Sc. Geology President and CEO For more information, please contact: Casa Minerals Inc. Farshad Shirvani, President & CEO Phone: (604) 678-9587 Email: contact@casaminerals.com https://www.casaminerals.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. Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86574 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Endocan Solutions Inc. ("Endocan" or the "Company") announces the signing of a share exchange agreement (the "Agreement") for the acquisition of Nirvana Life Sciences Inc. ("Nirvana"). The acquisition will result in the Company acquiring 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Nirvana by way of Reverse Take-Over or Change of Business (the "Transaction"). The Company will issue approximately 39,000,000 common shares (the "Transaction Shares") to the Nirvana shareholders pursuant to a share exchange agreement. The Transaction is subject to several conditions precedent, including completion of confirmatory due diligence by the Company and receipt of all applicable regulatory, shareholder, CSE (the "Exchange") and third-party approvals. Financing The Company intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing of a minimum of 2,000,000 common Shares ("the Shares") at a deemed value of $0.35 per Share (the "Financing"). The Company will use the net proceeds from the Financing to fund operations while it is working on completing the Transaction. The Shares issued in the Financing will be subject to a statutory four month hold period. Closing of the Financing is subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals. About Nirvana Life Sciences Inc. Nirvana is a development company focused on developing novel therapeutic products derived from psychedelics. Nirvana was founded by researchers who believe that psychedelics-based medicines can offer new approaches to pain management as well as treatment for ailments such addiction, anxiety and depression. Nirvana's early focus is twofold; to develop psilocybin derived medicines that can break human addiction to opioids and to develop non-abusive delivery systems. Nirvana believes that medicines based on psychedelics can be used to break human addiction to opioid medications. Nirvana has purchased a portfolio of Intellectual Property from researchers with considerable experience in the psychedelics space. Pre-clinical trials of these formulations are currently under way. Nirvana has received a section 56 exemption from Health Canada and is currently awaiting decision on its application for a dealer's license. Nirvana is finalizing plans to build out its Vancouver laboratory facility to a GMP standard. About Endocan Solutions Inc. Endocan Solutions Inc. is a Reporting Issuer that has recently undergone recapitalization and reorganization. It was delisted from the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") on December 6, 2016, was subsequently put under new management, and has since undergone a name change and share consolidation. The cease trade orders imposed by the BCSC and OSC were lifted on October 19, 2019. The Company is preparing a listing statement to be filed with the CSE. About the Combined Company Upon completion of the Transaction, the resulting Company (the "Combined Company") will continue to carry on the business of Nirvana. Listing Statement and Caution Further details about the Transaction and the Combined Company will be provided in a filing statement of the Company to be prepared and filed in respect of the Transaction. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Endocan Solutions Inc. Mr Bruce Clark Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact the Company at: Tel.: (604) 401-8100 Email: endocansolutions@gmail.com Reader Advisory This news release may include forward-looking information that is subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such information is not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the 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/86592 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Contact Gold Corp. (TSXV: C) (OTCQB: CGOL) (the "Company" or "Contact Gold") is pleased to announce that it has closed the previously announced plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") to redomicile from Nevada to continue as a British Columbia corporation. The process to redomicile back to Canada was achieved by (a) completing a plan of conversion from the State of Nevada to continue into the British Columbia (the "Continuance"), and (b) immediately thereafter completing a plan of arrangement under the laws of British Columbia (the "Arrangement" and together with the Continuance, the "Repatriation Transaction") (see news releases dated April 21, 2021, and May 26, 2021). The Repatriation Transaction has not resulted in any material changes to the board, management, day-to-day conduct of the business of Contact Gold or its strategy. Among other advantages, management expects to see a reduction in the Company's regulatory compliance costs, an enhanced ability to access the capital markets and an increase to the number of potential investors. Completion of the Repatriation Transactions has also reduced or eliminated certain U.S. resale restrictions on common shares previously issued by the Company in private placement transactions. "The closing of the redomicile represents the final step in streamlining Contact Gold's corporate structure, rendering financial reporting, potential M&A, and financing more efficient," said Matt Lennox-King, President & CEO. "We thank our shareholders for their overwhelming support in the process." Pursuant to the Arrangement, Contact Gold shareholders today received or shall be entitled to receive, for every one share of common stock of Contact Gold ("Contact NV Share"), one common share of the now British Columbia incorporated Contact Gold (a "Contact BC Share"), bearing new CUSIP number 21074F103 (ISIN CA21074F1036). Pursuant to the Arrangement, Contact Gold expects that the Contact NV Shares will be de-listed from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), and the Contact BC Shares will be listed and posted for trading on the TSXV effective as of market open on June 9, 2021, with no change to the Company's ticker symbol (TSXV: C). For further details concerning the Repatriation Transaction, please refer to the Company's management information circular dated April 23, 2021, available under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Reminder to Registered Securityholders Registered Shareholders not holding their common shares in a brokerage account and Registered Warrantholders are reminded to complete, sign and remit the Letter of Transmittal along with the accompanying Common Share certificate(s) and/or Warrant certificate(s) as 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 to the Company in order to comply with U.S. federal income tax provisions, including those related to withholding taxes. About Contact Gold Contact Gold 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' South Railroad Project, on the Southern Carlin Trend, and totals 81.7 km2 underpinned by an extensive Carlin-type gold system. Additional information about the Company is available at www.contactgold.com. For more information, please contact (604) 449-3361 for either: Matthew Lennox-King, President & Chief Executive Officer mlk@contactgold.com John Wenger, Chief Financial Officer wenger@contactgold.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, the Company's goals and objectives, including the anticipated benefits of the Repatriation Transaction on the Company, and commencement of trading of the Contact BC Shares on the TSXV. 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. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/86591 Alaton, Inc., a Redwood City CA-based company provider of enterprise data intelligence solutions, raised $110M in Series D funding. The round which brought total funding raised to $217m and current market valuation to $1.2 billion was led by Riverwood Capital with participation from new investors Sanabil Investments and Snowflake Ventures and existing investors Costanoa Ventures, Dell Technologies Capital, Icon Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, Sapphire Ventures, and Union Grove Partners. The company intends to use the funds to expand into new geographies, verticals, and product areas. The new strategic investment from Snowflake Ventures will expand the partnership and joint value proposition for Snowflake and Alation customers. In addition to the investment, the two companies are planning to enhance user experience through deep product integrations and joint go-to-market initiatives. Led by Satyen Sangani, CEO and co-founder, Alation provides AI-powered enterprise data intelligence solutions including data search & discovery, data governance, data stewardship, analytics, and digital transformation. More than 250 enterprises use Alation, including AbbVie, American Family Insurance, Cisco, Exelon, Finnair, Munich Re, New Balance, Pfizer, Scandinavian Airlines, and US Foods. To enable customers to drive additional value from their data and analytics investments, the company has partnered with an extensive list of technologies, including AWS, Salesforce, and Snowflake. FinSMEs 04/06/2021 Antidote Technologies, a US and UK based digital health company, raised $23M in funding. The round was led by LBO France, which is investing $10m through its Digital Health 2 fund, with participation from existing investors Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Smedvig Capital, and Octopus Ventures, who are investing $13.2m in total. In conjunction with the funding, Sebastien Woynar and Franck Noiret of LBO France will join the Antidote Board as a director and an observer, respectively. The company intends to use the funds to enhance its clinical trial search engine, launch new products and services (including data insights), and expand its presence internationally. Led by Laurent Schockmel, CEO, Antidote is a digital health company which uses precision recruitment to match the right patients with the right trials. This is achieved through the integration of data-driven technologies, digital expertise, deep domain experience, an extensive diverse partner network, and personalized patient and site services. Antidote was launched as TrialReach and is based in New York, NY, Carmel, IN, and London, U.K. FinSMEs 03/06/2021 Cryptocurrencies are the new wave of technology that is quickly changing the way we live and do business. Many people dont know how to incorporate cryptocurrencies into their businesses, but this blog post will teach you how to adopt and incorporate this game-changing technology into your business. More and more businesses accept cryptocurrencies, including Dell, Microsoft and PayPal. These are big companies which are preparing for the future by adopting new technologies in order to be ready when these technologies go mainstream. In this article we will try to cover how cryptocurrencies can be used for business purposes and how you can get started with them. Before we move on, lets see some quick facts about cryptocurrencies: The first public record of cryptocurrency is a white paper by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 There are thousands of cryptocurrencies today, with Bitcoin being the most popular and valuable one Cryptocurrency is an encrypted digital asset that includes blockchain and encryption technology. Transactions recorded with cryptocurrencies are organized in blocks of transaction before they can be added to the next link in their chain. To possess, send or receive cryptocurrencies, one needs wallets such as hot and cold wallets. Hot wallets are a feature of online cryptocurrency exchanges. Cold bitcoin wallets are all such devices that arent connected to the internet it can be a hard disk drive with USD on it or even an external hard drive. Here are the 3 more common ways to use cryptocurrencies into your business: You can accept cryptocurrencies for goods or services you provide in exchange for traditional currencies through an online cryptocurrency broker service provider like Bitpay. You can make payments using a Bitcoin merchant account with the help of some payment processor such as Coinbase. Investing is another way to use cryptocurrencies in your business by buying tokens from blockchain startups during Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). Many successful investors have made millions from investing early on projects like Ethereum, Bitcoin, Ripple etc. Benefits of Using Cryptocurrency for Business Purposes: Transactions are way faster than traditional bank transactions, so there is less waiting around before receiving funds. This also allows businesses the ability to do more types of international trading since cryptocurrencies arent restrained by borders like money transfers would be with banks Crypto Transactions are way cheaper than traditional bank transactions Transactions cannot be reversed like credit card chargebacks or checks that bounce (unable to cover) Decentralized, not controlled by anyone government or company so no fraud or malicious activity allowed on the network. There is no need for a third party like PayPal because there is nothing tangible being sent back and forth. There are no limits on transactions unlike a physical bank that might have daily/monthly caps on how much you can withdraw from your account at one time. Access to a broader audience Some people nowadays choose to use cryptos as their preferred payment method. Accepting cryptos will allow you to access this audience. Drawbacks of Using Cryptocurrency in your business: You cant easily accept cryptocurrencies as payment in your business. You will need to have the technical knowledge or hire someone that does in order to set up things for you such as integrating with your website, connecting with your wallet etc. Theres also no clear regulatory framework on how cryptocurrencies should be taxed by governments. If someone pays for your service using Bitcoin and theyre not paying taxes on their earnings from crypto mining, then that could lead to some problems indeed! The biggest issue is volatility which makes it difficult to budget because prices change so frequently. How to get started with Crypto for Business purposes Create a cryptocurrency wallet for your business This first step is crucial if you want to use cryptocurrencies in your business. A cryptocurrency wallet allows you to store, send, and receive currency. There are many different types of wallets so make sure that you choose one that meets all of your needs as well as has a good reputation for security features! Some common types of cryptocurrency wallets are: Crypto Exchanges: You can trade cryptocurrencies on these websites, but they are not usually designed to hold your funds. Web Wallets: These allow you to store cryptocurrencies online and access them anywhere with an internet connection. Desktop Wallets: This is software installed on a computer that typically requires some form of encryption in order to keep private keys safe from prying eyes. Mobile wallets: Mobile wallets functions just like a mobile app and can be used on the go. Hardware Wallets: Hardware wallets are typically more expensive but offer some of the best security features such as two-factor authentication, which is an extra way to keep your accounts safe by asking for something you have in addition to what you know (i.e., your password). etc For business purposes, we always suggest that one chooses to use hardware wallets because hardware wallets are more secure than other types of wallets, and hardware wallets cannot be hacked. Accepting Payments In order to be able to accept Bitcoins or any other currency as a payment method for your business, you may need to use a 3rd party payment facilitator. A payment facilitator allows you to accept payments in Cryptocurrency and store them in your wallet. These six companies can help you accept cryptocurrency payments. BitPay CoinBase Commerce CoinPayments Paypal TripleA Planning for the future As the Crypto Market grows, things are expected to change a lot. One of the estimated changes is that it will become easier to use cryptocurrencies in business. As Crypto usage becomes more mainstream, the need for businesses to switch over will also grow. Cryptocurrencies will likely also be regulated at some point in the future, which will lead to even more adoption of the technology by businesses. We hope that our article helped you start researching ways that you can adapt your business and bulletproof it for the future! eMabler, a Helsinki, Finland-based eMobility API platform, closed a 630k funding round. Backers included Sofokus Ventures, Nidoco AB, several angel investors, and Business Finland. The company will use the funding to continue developing and commercializing its software, and further drive growth in the Nordics and rest of Europe. Founded in 2019 and led by CEO Juha Stenberg, eMabler has developed a SaaS API-first platform that makes it fast and simple for energy companies, EV operators, infrastructure service providers and charge-point manufacturers to integrate electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure into their other business systems such as mobile applications, existing customer base platforms, and payment solutions. eMabler also utilizes AI to interpret operator data, helping customers scale their business, provide service to end-users, improve their competitiveness in the eMobility sector, and build new revenue streams by combining charging services with other services. Customers include the Finnish infrastructure service company Destia and the Norwegian EV charging company Movel. FinSMEs 04/06/2021 Etiometry, a Boston, MA-based provider of clinical decision-support software for the intensive care environment, raised $9M in Series A-3 funding. The round was led by SKK 9i Ventures, with participation from Shamrock Holdings and other healthcare investors. The funds will be used to help extend use of the companys software to other hospital care settings. Led by Shane Cooke, CEO, Etiometry provides clinical decision-support software for the intensive care environment. The software aggregates patients vital signs from multiple sources into one streamlined platform to help clinicians understand evolving clinical risks and make data-driven patient care decisions. Its technologies are currently in use in more than 20 of the top childrens hospitals in the United States. The company obtained its sixth 510(k) clearance from the FDA in 2020 and anticipates its seventh clearance to be granted in the second half of 2021 for new risk algorithms. To support the commercial expansion, Etiometry expanded its leadership team with three new hires: Jeff Gaus, VP of Sales, Howard Brick, Chief Strategy Officer, and Brad Rosenblum, Chief Financial Officer. FinSMEs 03/06/2021 moveUP, a Belgian company specialized in remote digital care before and after orthopaedic and bariatric surgeries, raised 3.65m in funding. The round was co-led by Karista and White Fund, in an international consortium with Nina Capital (Spain), CAREvolution (Belgium) and Qbic (Belgium), and historical investors. The company intends to use the funds to further develop its solution and accelerate its international expansion. Founded in 2015, moveUP is a digital therapeutics company combining the development of medical technologies, as well as providing care. The company develops data-driven personalized remote digital care for post-acute out-patients, delivering similar clinical outcomes at a lower cost, while enabling healthcare professionals to focus on more complex patients or urgent situations. It does so by providing validated and (semi)-automated value-based treatment plans on an integrated multimodal platform, managed by local care teams and supported by moveUPs virtual clinic, providing 24/7 expert support. moveUP has offices in Brussels and Ghent where 25 people are employed. Today, moveUPs application is reimbursed in the area of orthopaedics in Belgium and the company is currently reinforcing its presence in the Netherlands, France, Germany and the UK, while exploring the US market. FinSMEs 04/06/2021 Proactive, a Toronto, Canada-based company which specializes in real-time financial news, raised A Series B funding round of undisclosed amount. The round was led by Yorkville Asset Management. The company intends to use the capital for organic growth and merger and acquisition activity. Led by Chief Executive Officer Ian Mclelland, Proactive provides written and broadcast news coverage, digital marketing services, corporate websites, and sponsored research to a client base of over 1,100 companies in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. With six offices on three continents (Toronto, Vancouver, New York, London, Sydney and Perth) and a team of experienced business journalists, broadcasters, website developers and management, the company works with innovative growth companies quoted on the worlds major stock exchanges, helping executives to engage intelligently with investors. In 2020, Proactive featured in 809 million search results, content was viewed over 165 million times and readers spent over 10 million hours on its websites. Proactive has produced over 300,000 articles and 20,000 executive interviews since it was established in 2007. FinSMEs 04/06/2021 The MSC Orchestra cruise ship sails across St. Mark's basin past St. Mark's Basilica as it arrives at the city's Santa Chiara maritime port, Venice, June 3. AFP-Yonhap Early risers in Venice were surprised Thursday to see a cruise ship nosing down the Giudecca canal for the first time since the start of the pandemic, despite repeated government pledges to reroute such huge vessels due to safety and environmental concerns. The 92,409-ton MSC Orchestra passed through the basin in front of St. Mark's Canal around 6 a.m. under tugboat and port authority escort, ahead of the first post-pandemic cruise ship departure from Venice, scheduled for Saturday. Its arrival comes two years and a day after the MSC Opera struck a dock and a tourist river boat in the same canal, an event that underlined safety concerns among anti-cruise ship campaigners. Protests are amping up against the renewal of cruise traffic, just 2 months after Italy's culture minister, Dario Franceschini, vowed a definitive stop to the passage of big ships through the heart of the city. They include an open letter by the Venice Heritage non-profit organization, signed by celebrities including musician Mick Jagger, actress Tilda Swinton, filmmaker Wes Anderson and director Francis Ford Coppola. ''Venice is suffering, and we, citizens of the world, cannot remain deaf to her cries," read the open letter addressed to Italian officials including Premier Mario Draghi, members of his Cabinet, the Venice mayor and the Veneto governor. ''This fragile entity, (a) world heritage site, cannot survive without our help,'' the letter added. The signatories laid out 10 priorities for the city, including a stop to the passage of huge ships through Venice and a better management of mass tourism, which saw 25 million tourists visit the city in 2019, before the pandemic shut down global tourism. The Italian government in March passed a decree aimed at definitively blocking cruise ship traffic through Venice, leaving many with the mistaken impression that the ban was already in effect. JC Viens was arriving at St. Marks' Square around 6 a.m. for an on-location radio broadcast when he looked up to see an unusual flurry of smaller boats with flashing lights passing through St. Mark's Basin. The square was nearly empty, except a few tourists snapping photos of the Doge's Palace as the sun rose behind it. ''Then I saw this vessel moving very slowly. It was very surprising. I thought cruise ships were not allowed any more in the canal,'' said Viens, a Canadian communications director who became aware of the controversy over the ships while living in Venice for the second half of 2020 when the drop in tourism reduced even everyday canal traffic. Recalling the fall and the new round of virus restrictions, he said ''It was quite eerie to see the city so quiet, and also to experience the Giudecca canal without any such vessels. It was impressive to see the peacefulness.'' After the virus pause, many Venetians aren't happy to see cruise ships return for the first time since January 2020. The No Big Ships Committee is planning to see the Costa Orchestra passengers off with a noisy protest on Saturday. The battle over cruise ships in Venice took focus after the Costa Concordia sank off Tuscany in 2012, killing 32 passengers and crew members. After an initial ban on ships over 40,000 tons in Venice, the industry and authorities reached a voluntary agreement allowing vessels with lower sulfur fuel levels to traverse the lagoon. But the underlying point of contention on having cruise ships in the lagoon at all, as both a safety and environmental hazard, still hasn't been addressed, despite years of studies and proposals. Cruise industry officials say the current government seems the most focused on resolving the issue once and for all. Italy's Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility Ministry told The Associated Press that a bidding process would open ''any day now'' for ''ideas aimed at identifying better and structural solutions to realize a new docking area for large ships outside of the Venice lagoon.'' The new terminal would be used both for cruise and container ships, the ministry said in an email. ''Meanwhile, in 2022, as a temporary solution a certain number of ships will be able to dock in Marghera, easing transit on Venice,'' the ministry said. Cruise industry officials have told the AP that Marghera, an industrial port within the Venice lagoon, currently does not have suitable facilities to serve as a passenger terminal. In addition, for it to become even a temporary solution for larger ships, the current docks would have to be extended and a channel would have to be dredged. Jane da Mosto, executive director of the non-governmental organization We Are Here Venice, called on the government to send stronger signals, and return to the 40,000-ton limit. ''I can understand it taking time to figure out a solution, but why not just have smaller ships come in?'' da Mosto said. ''It is days like today that, as Venetian citizens, we want to hear someone formally recognize that what is happening shouldn't be happening, and that they are really trying to clear it up.'' (AP) Realtime Robotics, a Boston MA-based company which specializes in autonomous motion planning for industrial robots, raised $31.4M in Series A funding. New strategic investors including HAHN Automation and SAIC Capital Management, as well as new institutional investors Soundproof Ventures and Heroic Ventures, joined existing investors SPARX Asset Management, Omron Ventures, Toyota AI Ventures, Scrum Ventures and Duke Angels in closing this round. The company will be use the funds to accelerate its product rollouts and continue its investment in innovative enhancements and solutions. Led by Peter Howard, CEO, Realtime Robotics has developed a specialized processor to generate collision-free motion plans in milliseconds for industrial robots and autonomous vehicles. Its solution empowers robots to function together in unstructured and collaborative workspaces, as well as to react to dynamic obstacles the instant changes are perceived. FinSMEs 04/06/2021 Mark Stephens, CEO Smart Recruit Online, a Milton Keynes, UK-based company which has designed a software platform that helps businesses optimize online recruitment, raised 630k in funding. Backers included the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), and private investors. The company intends to use the funds to develop its technology further while expanding its 12-strong team, creating up to six new jobs. Designed by Mark Stephens, Smart Recruit provides a system that combines the latest technologies with insights from behavioural science and tried and tested recruitment processes ro enable companies to address the problem of how to attract the best talent online quickly and at low costs. It is now used by over 700 businesses, including Next, JCB, Securitas and Whistl, with an average cost per hire of under 300 and an average time-to-offer of 16 days, with 94% of vacancies successfully filled. FinSMEs 04/06/2021 Tier Mobility, a Berlin, Germany-based e-scooter operator, secured $60m of asset-backed financing from Goldman Sachs. This debt facility, which follows a $250m Series C funding round raised in November last year will accelerate Tiers e-scooter fleet expansion for 2021. Founded in 2018 by Lawrence Leuschner, Matthias Laug and Julian Blessin, Tier Mobility is a shared micro-mobility provider offering people a range of shared, light electric vehicles, from e-scooters to e-bikes and e-mopeds, powered by a proprietary Energy Network. The company currently operates in 100+ cities across 12 countries in Europe and the Middle East. Investors include SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Mubadala Capital, Northzone, Goodwater Capital and White Star Capital. FinSMEs 04/06/2021 Word-of-mouth has always been a driving force behind advertising. It is one sure-shot method of driving sales and increasing traffic. When it comes to marketing, small businesses and startups often do not have a budget similar to large corporations. Hence, having a huge budget for marketing is out of the question. Despite this, there are ways for such businesses to market their product or services to the relevant audience. Digital marketing is one of the ways that can help small businesses and startups get in touch with potential customers and clients. There are different techniques involved in digital marketing. These include content Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising, Website Development, Content Writing, Social Media Marketing, and others. These techniques are valid and essential to drive sales and increase traffic to a companys website. However, social media marketing plays a vital role in increasing brand recognition. If you own a small business or startup, here are a few reasons why you should invest time and effort in social media marketing. Social media users are increasing day by day. Statista reports that in 2020, there were around 3.6 billion people active on social media. By 2025, these numbers will be 4.41 billion, according to estimates. With more people on these platforms, the more potential customers you will find. However, you require a marketing strategy in place to find your audience. Almost every type of business, including small- and large-scale, have a social media presence. The reason being that they can find their customers on these platforms. A lot of businesses get traffic to their website from social media platforms. Social media users are spending more time than ever. On average, social media users spend over two hours on the platform. With more users spending time on the platform, businesses have more opportunities to reach customers. However, it also means that there is competition. There are social media marketing agencies that help startups reach out to their customers. Social media marketing agency Melbourne, First Page, \is one such digital marketing company that specializes in this, Social media users search for products on the platform. About 54% of social media browsing is for research regarding a product, according to GlobalWebIndex. Users are not only researching a product but also engaging with a brand. Hence, businesses can leverage the power of social media to increase brand awareness among people. People tend to follow brands that are in line with their own beliefs. Moreover, brands that are active and engage actively with their followers are bound to get more traction. Social media sponsored posts to get hits Many brands tend to hire influencers on social media platforms to promote their product. Influencers and bloggers on social media, such as Instagram, are quite popular. They can sway the opinion of their followers in checking out a brand and its product. Conclusion Social media is an important tool for marketers and businesses. It not only provides a platform for small businesses and startups to showcase their product, but it also helps them communicate with their customers directly. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Yes, I have been vaccinated Not yet, but I plan to get vaccinated No, I don't want to get vaccinated Vote View Results Summit High School junior Gabriel Navarro spoke to business and academic leaders about the importance of building a skilled local workforce through apprenticeships during the inaugural Inland Empire Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Symposium, held virtually on May 24. Navarro is enrolled in Summit Highs Ethical Hacking pathway and is a member of its cybersecurity team. (Contributed photo by FUSD) Road work is seen in Fontana in this file photo. The City of Fontana will spend millions of dollars on pavement rehabilitation and other street improvements in the upcoming years. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed legislation that bars members of "extremist" organizations from running for office, a move allies of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny say aims to sideline them from parliamentary election this year. Putin's approval of the law comes days before a court will consider outlawing Navalny's anti-corruption foundation and regional campaign groups on the grounds they are extremist. The law bars members or heads of groups declared extremist from running for seats in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, or taking part in other elections for periods ranging from three to five years. The legislation effectively derails campaigns for the parliament announced by some Navalny allies, including Lyubol Sobol, who is being prosecuted over a protest in support of the opposition politician. The signing by Putin coincides with Navalny's 45th birthday, which is he marking behind bars as he serves a 2.5-year sentence for embezzlement charges that he says are trumped up. Navalny's team which says the extremism allegations are an attempt to blunt their political opposition at parliamentary election in September said sarcastically that the law was "a special birthday greeting from the Kremlin". In a post on his Instagram account, Navalny said he wasn't bothered by having to celebrate his birthday in jail and that he would celebrate all his missed birthdays once he is released. Russia has in the past labelled as "extremist" neo-Nazi and far-right groups, Islamist organizations and the Jehovah's Witnesses. If Russia formally declares Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation and regional groups extremist, authorities will gain the formal power to jail activists and freeze their bank accounts. The next court hearing in the case is set for June 9. The case has already prompted Navalny's allies to disband the regional groups. (Reuters) MOBILE, Ala, (WALA) A man generated attention with a sarcastic performance in front of TV news cameras after police charged him with stealing a Prichard Fire Department vehicle Wednesday has a criminal record. Surveillance video released Thursday shows a man police identified as Jeffery McCants Jr. walking around inside Central Station on Turner Road, sliding into the 2009 Crown Victoria and then slowly backing out of the station. McCants is being held at Mobile County Metro Jail on charges of first-degree theft and first-degree burglary. It is not the first time he has been accused of stealing a vehicle. judge in Bay County, Florida, sentenced him in 2014 to three years and four months in prison for grand theft auto. In that case, authorities say McCants in 2009 stole a silver 2005 Toyota Tacoma. That theft happened in Panama City, where McCants was born. He took the pickup truck from a marine repair business. Court records indicate that McCants repeatedly used the victims cell phone, which was inside the vehicle. Also inside the pickup truck were new tools valued at almost $1,600. Mobile police arrested McCants the very next day when they spotted him driving around town. McCants has had some other scrapes with the law. Authorities charged him with first-degree arson in 2006. That charge was dropped; its not clear why, and the Mobile County District Attorneys Office had no immediate explanation. The jail log also shows a number of misdemeanor arrests over the years, ranging from criminal mischief to harassing communications to arson. McCants confessed to the Prichard fire car theft on Wednesday as police were taking him to jail. As officers were putting a man under arrest named Henry Dixon into the same police vehicle. Authorities say Dixon, who faces drug and theft charges related to a car theft in Mobile, was with McCants when police arrested them. I did everything; excuse my language. I did everything, he said. Hey, look, when I get out, Im gonna steal a police car. McCants said he stole the car because God told him to. Hello, my name is Jeffery McCants, he said. Im running for mayor of Mobile, Alabama, baby. McCants is due in court Friday for a bond hearing. (CNN) -- The seven-day average of newly administered doses of the Covid-19 vaccine has fallen below 1 million per day for the first time since January, according to data published Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were about 808,000 new administered doses reported since Wednesday, bringing the total number of doses administered up to nearly 298 million, according to CDC data. As of Thursday, more than 51% of the US population has received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 41% are fully vaccinated. Twelve states have reached President Joe Biden's goal of having 70% of US adults getting at least one dose by July 4. The White House fears demand is dropping off for vaccines and announced a series of initiatives Wednesday aimed at boosting enthusiasm for vaccination. They include free child care, tax credits and even free beer. News of the daily drop in vaccinations comes as the country is now trying to vaccinate children. The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is available for children age 12 and up, but those younger are not currently eligible to get vaccinated. Children under 12 are far less likely to have severe cases of Covid-19, but they can still get infected and spread it to others. The CDC has advised schools to prioritize universal mask use, but it has also said vaccinated people have such strong protection that they do not need to wear masks in most situations. Dr. Anthony Fauci is "cautiously optimistic" that children younger than 12 will be eligible to get a Covid-19 vaccine by Thanksgiving, he said on CNN's "New Day" on Thursday. "We are now doing studies that are ongoing as we're speaking, studies that are looking at what we call age de-escalation, children from 12 to 9 and then 9 to 6 and then 6 to 2 and then 6 months to 2 years," Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN's John Berman. "We hope that as we approach the end of this calendar year, we'll have enough information to vaccinate children of any age," he said. "So, I'm cautiously optimistic we might be there by the end of the year." In comments to NBC Nightly News on Wednesday, Fauci said if some communities continue to see high levels of infections, children under 12 will likely still have to wear masks when school returns. The CDC considers a county to have "high" transmission if there have been 100 or more cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 residents or a test positivity rate of 10% or higher in the past seven days. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Good Morning America on Thursday that school guidance is being revisited as more and younger people get vaccinated -- and there may be a change in school mask guidance in time for fall. "We've said through the school year of '20 to '21 that our school guidance was not going to change," Walensky said when asked why children still need to wear masks. "What we really are doing now is looking at the evidence in the context of so many people getting vaccinated, in the context of disease rates coming down in certain communities and really looking at the evidence now. "As we're starting to get those people vaccinated, we will be revisiting this in our school guidance," she added. When asked if there might be a change to mask guidance in time for school in the fall, Walensky said, "I think we will. We are looking at the evidence now and we will be coming out with that guidance, soon to come." More vaccinations, fewer infections As vaccinations have gone up, cases of the virus have gone down. Ensemble forecasts published Wednesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention project that newly reported Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths will likely continue to decrease over the next four weeks. Fauci said the trends are very encouraging. "The one thing we want to make sure is that we don't declare victory prematurely and feel that, because things are going in the right direction, that we don't have to keep vaccinating people," he said. "We're on a really good track now to really crush this outbreak. And the more people we get vaccinated, the more assuredness that we're going to have that we're going to be able to do that." Current vaccination rates have begun tapering off -- and are now less than a third of the peak pace of about 3.3 million per day in April. But the July 4 goal is still realistic, Fauci said. CNN medical analyst Leana Wen warned that after Memorial Day weekend, the US is still two weeks away from seeing the results of its first stress test, given that almost half of the country remains unvaccinated. Even if cases plateau or taper off from their current falling rate, Wen said she worries some communities will remain vulnerable. "You have parts of the country with very low vaccination rates," she said. "I really worry about the unvaccinated people in those areas spreading coronavirus to one another." Fauci also said he's worried about communities that are experiencing high levels of spread. He told NBC News that it is too early to lift mask mandates in those areas. "If you pull back on masking, then you're going to wind up having a danger of peaking again," he said. More vaccinations are an uphill battle Significant mitigation strategies may be needed in areas where there is large-scale, community transmission, the CDC said, including in communal settings, like schools and workplaces. As well as masks and social distancing, widespread vaccinations are key to reducing transmission, experts have said. But after a quick surge of eager participants, the remainder are those who have often received false information about their safety or who lack access. As a result, the road to vaccinating the rest of the population may be an uphill battle from here on out, the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said Wednesday, but "we're not giving up." "Because we had so much success early on, we are now getting to the part of the campaign which is tougher," Murthy said "We've got to look further, if you will -- convince more people, get to the right information, increase access even further." The early success is helpful in keeping large swaths of the nation protected -- but reaching the levels that will stop community spread will take a change in strategy, Murthy said. "This is a multi-pronged campaign recognizing that people have different reasons that they're not vaccinated right now, but we have to work on all three fronts: mobilization, education and improving access," said Murthy. "That's how we're going to get the nation vaccinated." Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described President Joe Biden's vaccination goal. His goal is to get 70% of US adults at least one Covid-19 shot by July 4. CNN's Lauren Mascarenhas, Ben Tinker, Jacqueline Howard, Amanda Watts and Laura Ly contributed to this report. (CNN) -- It was a beautiful March afternoon, and as June Tatelman walked her dog in her Boston neighborhood, she was flying high. Tatelman had recently received her second dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, and the end of the pandemic was finally in sight. Maybe soon she could play with her grandchildren and return to her volunteer work helping children in foster care. Maybe in a few months, when her husband turned 75, they could go out to a restaurant to celebrate. As she walked, she ran into her family physician -- who killed her buzz very quickly. To treat inflamed blood vessels in her lungs, Tatelman, 73, takes a drug that suppresses her immune system. Her doctor had been reading recent medical studies suggesting the vaccine might not work well for some people taking medications like hers. He asked her to get a blood test to see if the vaccine had worked -- if she had antibodies against the virus. She did the test and had no detectable antibodies against COVID-19. "It was a total shock," she said. Tatelman was now full of questions for her doctor. Did her low antibody levels mean the vaccine didn't work? Should she get a third dose of the vaccine? Should she cut back on the drugs that suppress her immune system to give the vaccine a better chance of working? Was there anything else she could try to make a COVID-19 vaccine work for her? There's very little data to help Tatelman and her physician answer these questions. Tens of millions of other Americans are also taking immunosuppressive drugs that might weaken the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine, and they find themselves in uncharted territory, scared -- with good reason -- that their vaccinations might not have worked. If their vaccinations did not work, they rely on the rest of the population to get vaccinated. This should inspire people who have not been vaccinated to roll up their sleeves, National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins told CNN Thursday. "Even if you think you don't need to, think about this as a donation of your own goodwill to those who are more vulnerable," Collins said. "That's the best hope they have." Vaccines never tested in people with immune deficiencies While there's no clear number of how many Americans are taking medications that might prove to be a challenge for the COVID-19 vaccine, a new study can help give an estimate. In a paper published last month, Dr. Beth Wallace, a rheumatologist and her team at the University of Michigan, looked at a database of more than 3 million Americans to see how many took immunosuppressants. Based on that data, Wallace estimates that about 60 million Americans are taking immunosuppressants that could interfere with the vaccine. She said that's conservative, since her database did not include people who are on Medicare and might be more likely to take such drugs. Her estimate also didn't include people taking oral corticosteroids, which might, at large doses and over long periods of time, be a problem for the vaccine. When pharmaceutical companies tested the COVID-19 vaccines in clinical trials last year, they specifically excluded people who were taking immunosuppressive drugs. That left those patients "stuck in a pickle," not knowing if the vaccines would work for them, said Dr. Kathryn Stephenson, an infectious disease specialist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. After the vaccine rolled out to the public, researchers started to check how well it worked -- or didn't work -- on immunocompromised people. Some of the news has been good. One small study at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City showed that patients taking certain medications to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease had "robust" antibody responses to the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The study has been published on a preprint server. A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine showed organ transplant patients did not fare nearly as well. In the study of more than 650 organ recipients -- who take drugs to suppress their immune system so they won't reject their new organs -- 46% had no antibody response after two doses of Pfizer or Moderna. In another study, Washington University School of Medicine looked at patients with conditions such as lupus, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease and found that two types of drugs they were taking -- glucocorticoids and B cell depleting agents -- "substantially" impaired the ability of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to provoke an immune response. "No one really anticipated the vaccine responses would look so bad," said Stephenson, director of the clinical trials unit at the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, said of the studies as a group. She said every day, immune compromised patients flood her office with calls and emails asking what they should do. "It's become such a frequent question, such a point of anxiety for patients, that last week we had three different meetings and conferences and seminars all taking about this and trying to figure out strategies about what to tell them," Stephenson said. For now, she and her colleagues tell patients it's not worth checking their antibodies after vaccination, because at this point it's difficult to know exactly what antibody level would confer protection against COVID-19. The US Food and Drug Administration and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advise against checking antibodies. Various medical societies, such as the American College of Rheumatology, the American Society of Transplantation, and the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, essentially say the antibody tests won't fully answer patients' questions about whether their vaccinations worked. "For those patients who do not have antibodies or do not produce as robust an antibody response, we don't yet know if you will be protected," according to a statement by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. "There are other types of immunity which may provide protection. Immune cells known as T cells may play a role in the ability of our immune system to protect us against COVID-19." The CDC goes on to advise against giving extra doses of the vaccine to people who are immunocompromised. But some patients aren't listening. Patients getting extra doses on their own Dr. Robert Montgomery is one of them. Montgomery is director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, where he himself received a heart transplant in 2018. After a test showed he'd had "virtually no response" to two doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, Montgomery said he felt "profound disappointment" and got a dose of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine. He said getting a third dose is "uncharted territory," but he did it because he's exposed to patients with COVID-19, and he has seen how immunocompromised transplant patients like himself often get very sick when they contract the virus. He says it worked: After receiving the third vaccine dose, his antibodies went up. Things did not turn out so well for Tatelman, the grandmother in Boston. Like Montgomery, she received a dose of J&J's vaccine to supplement her two Pfizer doses. A few days ago, she learned that even with that third dose, she still has no detectable antibodies to COVID-19. "My doctor sent me a note saying, 'I'm sure you're disappointed,' and I said ''disappointed' doesn't even come close to how I feel,' " Tatelman said. "It was incredibly depressing." Looking to the future The National Institutes of Health is setting out to determine what approaches might work best if the vaccine is failing people who are immune compromised. "[We're] going to have to figure out what do we need to do if we want to adequately protect these people," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN. This summer, researchers hope to start recruiting about 200 vaccinated kidney transplant patients to take part in a study, according to Dr. Daniel Rotrosen, director of the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation at NIAID. If tests show the COVID-19 vaccine didn't work well, that study participant will be offered an extra dose of vaccine to see if it helps, Rotrosen added. Some doctors are skeptical that it will. They place more hope in giving immunosuppressed patients regular doses of an antibody drug currently being used to treat COVID-19. Regeneron, a biotechnology company that makes a COVID-19 monoclonal antibody drug, is considering research proposals to test out its medication prophylactically on immunosuppressed patients, according to a company spokeswoman. "We strongly agree that this group of patients could benefit from REGEN-COV," Alexandra Bowie wrote in an email to CNN, referring to the company's drug. While these studies start to get underway, Tatelman feels as if she'd never been vaccinated, and has to rely on other people whose vaccines did work. She knows she shouldn't hug her younger grandchildren who are unvaccinated. She hasn't gone back to her volunteer work with foster children. Wednesday was her husband's 75th birthday, and they did not go out to a restaurant to celebrate. "Even close friends of mine don't understand why I won't go to a restaurant with them. They say, 'of course you can go to a restaurant,' and I say 'absolutely, no I can't," she said. "Where am I safe? Where am I not safe? There are so many things that I just don't know." John Bonifield, Justin Lape, Michael Nedelman and Lauren Mascarenhas contributed to this report. A police report has revealed what may have caused a crash involving a Lubbock Police pickup truck and another vehicle on Wednesday afternoon. GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) - You've probably seen your social media timelines blowing up with cartoon portraits of your friends and family from a trending app called Voila Ai Artist. Jabuticaba: Black, Shiny and Complex Raw Materials The art of perfumery is based on a wide experimentation field, and perfumers discover new notes every day, seeking to innovate and reinterpret what nature has to offer to our noses, thus sharpening our senses and arousing our curiosity. Today I'll take you on another trip to Brazil, to learn a little more about our flora and the distinct smells of our fruits. Possibly you have not yet experienced or even heard about Jabuticaba. Indigenous legends say that there were many moons in which this tree did not produce anything, and served only as firewood for the Tupi tribe. Until one day, a tribal woman named Jaci brought from the forest in her arms a small boy with withered and short legs, but with a robust trunk. Due to its similar appearance to a tortoise, he received the name Jabo (which means turtle in the Tupi language), but as a tradition of the tribe, the elders ordered the sacrifice of Jabo. Miraculously, the interference of positive energies prevented his sacrifice and the spirits explained to the elders that Jabo would be the last child of Jaci and therefore should not be sacrificed. Jaci loved her son Jabo very much and suffered a lot to raise him. At the age of 2, he had not yet learned to walk and Jaci had to leave him during the day lying in a hammock attached to a tree trunk and a vine. This is where Jabo would stay all day until Jaci returned to her hut in the late afternoon. Rarely did any child come to play with Jabo and this made him talk to the tree, not knowing that the tree could hear him. Jabo talked about his desire to walk and run like other children and pick fruits in the forest, to grow taller and be able to help the mothers of the tribe. Jabuticaba flowers (above) & fruits The tree was moved and asked the God of the sky Tupa to fulfill Jabo's wish, which set a big change in motion; the tree began to blossom where Jabo touched it and grew dark fruits that glowed in the moonlight. They would fall in the hammock and Jabo ate them. From that moment on, Jabo began to gain strength. His arms and legs developed and he was able to climb the trunk and harvest from the highest branches. Jaci and the people of the tribe realized that it was a blessing from Tupa, to make the tree that first only served as firewood start growing fruits so rich that they made Jabo grow and become healthy. And so they named the Jabuticaba tree in honor of Jabo; in the Tupi language, Jabuticaba means 'fat bud.' This is why jabuticaba fruit is considered a sacred and respected fruit to this day, as it is a source of food rich in vitamins. Jabuticaba is a Brazilian fruit tree, endemic to the Atlantic Forest, and can also be found in countries such as Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Botanically cataloged for the first time in 1828, it was scientifically named Plinia trunciflora or Plinia cauliflora. This divergence in names is especially due to its peculiarity in its inflorescence and fruiting, because, unlike most fruit trees, the jabuticaba tree has both flowers and fruits sprouting directly from its stem or trunk. The jabuticaba fruits are shiny black and appear soon after flowering between the months of July and August. The fruits are ripe and succulent between November and December. The flowers that cover the entire trunk are pale pink, almost white, and have a slightly sweet and delicate smell that, when from up close, resembles that of cherry blossoms, but even more discreet. The fruits that start to appear on the jabuticaba trunks are first small and green, ripening into purple until they take on a very attractive glossy black tone. This is when they are ready for harvest. The flavor of jabuticaba is very peculiar, it mixes citrusy, astringent, and sweet nuances, which may seem strange at first, as it is really an almost indefinable flavor explosion on the palate. But it's easy to get used to this peculiar and deliciously succulent sensation. The fruit has a texture similar to grapes, but the skin is more resistant, and its pulp is white and gelatinous, protecting a spherical seed at its core. In Brazil, the fruit is consumed in various ways; it can be eaten as fresh berries or used in juices, drinks, and jams. Valued for its great antioxidant power, containing high amounts of vitamin C, iron, and niacin, it is widely used in homeopathy, as well as in traditional homemade recipes for the treatment of anemia and colds. And then there's its cosmetic use, as it is a rich source of vitamins and ascorbic acid to fight the effect of free radicals. The aroma of jabuticaba is multifaceted and complex to define, but it follows a fine line between citrus sour and sweet without exaggeration, having a round sensation in the nose, which resembles that of the most succulent and fleshy fruits, but less aquatic. Jabuticaba does not resemble melon or watermelon, but is also different from wild berries or grapes; it has its own scent, citrusy-tart and sweet at the same time, slightly astringent with a juicy aspect. As it is a fruit with a very specific flavor, aroma and distribution, it is still very little used in perfumery, including in Brazilian perfumery; only some houses like Natura, Jequiti, and Avon (Latin America) have a few fragrances containing the jabuticaba note, emphasizing the sour citrus and sweet-juicy fruity sides of these colognes and fragrances. In international perfumery, a great example that can be cited using jabuticaba in its citrus-fruity composition is the sour and juicy sweet Beyond Paradise by Estee Lauder, which uses this exotic fruit to translate the scent of a lost and enchanted paradise into a fragrance rich in floral notes. Would you like to get to know the smell and taste of Jabuticaba? Yes! I think the restaurants should keep as much outdoor seating as possible now and after the pandemic ends It depends on the setup. I like some outdoor options a lot more than others I always prefer to eat inside the restaurant I dont really care Vote View Results From left to right are chef Wedchayan Arpapornnopparat and Tongkamal Yuon of Holy Basil. Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-352-2250 William Weber West, 93 of Gainesville, Texas passed away on June 2, 2021. He was born on April 7, 1928 in Atchison, Kansas to Lee West and Elizabeth (Weber) West. He married Mary Ellen Peyrot on May 17, 1951 in Gainesville, Texas. William enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 5, 1951 in Gaine News editor's pick centerpiece featured Post offices in Galveston, Texas City struggle to supply burial flags for veterans JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Franklin W. Rusty Carnes III, funeral director at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home and Cremations, 1201 23rd St. in Galveston, has had trouble getting flags from the islands post office for veterans funeral services. JENNIFER REYNOLDS/The Daily News Hank Cahill, left, a retired U.S. Army veteran, helps funeral director Franklin W. Rusty Carnes III fold a flag at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home and Cremations, 1201 23rd St. in Galveston, on Thursday, June 3, 2021. Update: The Bob Lyons Post Office in Galveston had managed to acquire a few flags from neighboring Post Offices, Post Master Arthur Ferguson said Friday. The Galveston Post Office has since March been awaiting an order of flags from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ferguson said. GALVESTON Among duties funeral homes perform for families of veterans who have died is provide a U.S. flag for the ceremonies and for the family members to keep. But in the past six months, at least one funeral home in Galveston County hasnt been able to fulfill that duty because of problems acquiring the flags, a problem he says lies with the U.S. Postal Service more specifically post offices in Texas City and Galveston, where the Bob Lyons post office already is under scrutiny for lost and stolen mail and a loudening chorus of service complaints from residents and businesses. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs supplies burial flags to its facilities and U.S. post offices throughout the country and around the world. The flags then are issued directly to funeral directors and families of deceased veterans. Post offices are the primary issue point for all Veterans Administration-supplied burial flags free of charge to the next of kin of honorably discharged veterans. Carnes Brothers Funeral Home, 1201 23rd St. in Galveston, typically keeps a stockpile of flags to use for veteran services, owner Franklin Rusty Carnes said. But lately, Carnes has had trouble getting those flags from the post office, which is supposed to supply them for services, he said. The funeral home has tried to keep families from having to worry about the behind-the-scenes logistics of securing the flags, Carnes said. Weve tried to hide it from them, Carnes said. We usually keep about six flags on hand. Now, its cleaned us out. The flags are a staple part of funeral services for veterans and typically draped over coffins. The Department of Veterans Affairs tasked the U.S. Postal Service as the agency to distribute flags to funeral homes and veterans families when a service is needed, post office spokeswoman Kanickewa Johnson said. Carnes points the finger at the U.S. Postal Service, not at broader supply or distribution problems. The post office is aware there have been issues with keeping enough flags stocked at the Bob Lyons in Galveston and Texas City locations, Johnson said in a statement. In this instance, local management at the Bob Lyons and Texas City post offices have been reminded of that instruction and have taken appropriate steps to replenish their inventory for issuance to the funeral home or other entity that requests a flag for a deceased veteran, Johnson said. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience that may have been experienced. But Johnson didnt answer questions about why the supply of reserve flags had been depleted in Texas City and Galveston. Typically, family members or the funeral home can fill out a form requesting a flag. Carnes must rely on the postal service to replenish its inventory because he cant just go out and buy a lot of flags. The flags are specifically sized to drape over coffins and to be folded a specific way, he said. Its a certain size, Carnes said. Its not like you can go out to Walmart and buy them. A few other funeral homes contacted by The Daily News didnt have a problem acquiring the flags from the postal service, they said. But up in Texas City, Jay Carnes Rustys Brother drives across the region to find flags for Carnes Funeral Home, 3100 Interstate 45. Jay Carnes situation is a little different because the Texas City funeral home deals with such a high volume of funerals, he said. The funeral home has a connection with the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Houston and has gone as far as the post office in Pasadena to collect flags, he said. We chase flags all over the place, Carnes said. Were a little different because we get high volumes of them. Any shortages of supply in local post offices are because of a supply issue in the postal system, said Les Melnyk, spokesman for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The department produces and distributes flags from a facility in Illinois, he said. There is an adequate supply of flags and no backlog of orders for flags, Melnyk said. The Topeka, Kansas, postal service supply center also has an adequate supply of flags, he said. Reached Thursday, representatives with U.S. District 14 Rep. Randy Weber said the office was looking into concerns about lack of burial flags at the post offices. Local families or funeral homes that were having trouble obtaining flags always can reach out the congressmans office directly, spokeswoman Lisa Reynolds said. Webers office or the Veterans of Foreign Wars typically is how local veteran nonprofit Operation Honor Our Local Veterans gets the flags it distributes, said Fidencio Leija Jr., president and founder of the local chapter. Leija also is a Santa Fe city councilman. The entire area needs more veteran services, Leija said. In general, it can be confusing for families to figure out how to acquire burial flags because there isnt one process, he said. We believe that there always should be a standard operating procedure, Leija said. Leija, as involved as he is, has never even gone to the post office for a flag. He regularly helps families acquire flags for services and also is working on making sure the nonprofit has a stockpile on hand, he said. Anyone having trouble finding a burial flag should reach out to some of the other organizations that work with veterans, he said. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. NW winds shifting to S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 79F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. $2000 sign on bonus with new hire agreement! McPherson Health and Rehab 45 bed Skilled Nursing Unit. Together, our Resident Core Values and Team Core Values define Mission Health's and McPherson's commitment to the principals of Wellness and Enrichment. We believe our focus on the overall wellness of our residents and our commitment to enriching their lives makes us different from others in our industry. As a Mission team member, you will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and caring clinical environment. We are proud of the difference we make in the lives of our residents during their rehabilitative journeys, and we invite like-minded individuals to explore this wonderful career opportunity. We are Seeking to Fill the Following Healthcare Openings: Registered Nurse (RN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certified Nursing Aid (CNA) Certified Medication Aid (CMA) Qualifications: This position requires licensure with the state of Kansas. Must have current CPR certification. Preference is given to applicants with previous experience in medical, surgical or geriatric nursing. Must have a desire to work with the elderly. Must maintain confidentiality to ensure compliance with all HIPAA regulations. At our communities, were always looking for new talentpassionate and caring professionals who share our commitment to enhancing the quality of life of those we serve. Benefits Include: employees and their immediate families have the benefit of tuition discounts, scholarships, and additional credit courses Health, Dental and Vison STD, LTD & Life Insurance increased control over when and how you manage your finances throughout the pay cycle. recblid o4zk6urtmda1v29mgn6qnrmiyi4qd6 [This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.] Get ready to squad up and once more dive headlong into the breach, as Ziggurat Interactive today is releasing two classic squad-based tactics games as part of their Retro First Friday program. These two games, Shadoworlds and Sabre Team, were benchmark titles of their time, and Ziggurats pleased to bring them to modern gamers via Steam and GOG, and at a special Retro First Friday discount! Whether its the dark and dangerous isometric corridor crawling of Shadoworlds, or the in-your-face breach n clear infiltration action of Sabre Team, these Retro First Friday releases are sure to challenge any aspiring commander! These two outstanding games are available at a 33% discount on Steam and GOG for the next week! This months Retro First Friday launch includes: Sabre Team : Command four of the most skilled strategic operators in the world in 1992s Sabre Team, a modern-era isometric squad tactics game that set the bar for strategy. Infiltrate terrorist-ridden compounds, eliminate hostiles, rescue hostages, and command your squad of the worlds best SAS soldiers! Pick your team, customize your loadouts, and head into battle for the ultimate special ops. [Steam] [GOG] Command four of the most skilled strategic operators in the world in 1992s Sabre Team, a modern-era isometric squad tactics game that set the bar for strategy. Infiltrate terrorist-ridden compounds, eliminate hostiles, rescue hostages, and command your squad of the worlds best SAS soldiers! Pick your team, customize your loadouts, and head into battle for the ultimate special ops. [Steam] [GOG] Shadoworlds: In this sci-fi horror tactics title, four explorers must make their way through a far-flung weapons facility and uncover whats caused it to suddenly go silent. Pick your infiltration team from hardened, but expendable, crew, then gear up and start picking your way through the dark and deadly corridors. Use the darkness to your advantage, but beware of what hides in the shadows. [Steam] [GOG] Wed appreciate it if youd share this news with your audience, and if you would like to speak with Ziggurat dont hesitate to drop us a line. A press kit with new screenshots, videos, and logos is available here: https://uberstrategist.link/zigg-press-kit. Ziggurat Interactive has published over 90 retro classic games, with more great new and retro games launching every month. Keep up to date on the latest news from Ziggurat on Facebook, Twitter, and the companys official website. Ted Brockwood / Lisa Mior UberStrategist Inc. [email protected] +1.646.844.8388 An air quality blog will give faster readings on where air quality is becoming dangerous. In light of the 2020 fires, the state is adding more Spanish language materials to reach communities that may not be plugged into the existing fire warning systems. An effort is being made to include more non-digital warnings for those who don't have cell phones or internet. One of the positive aspects of the fires last year is that they are fresh in the minds of officials and residents. Evacuation plans can be used again and the devastation likely makes residents more likely to heed warnings. Early signs show 2021 has the makings of another bad fire year. With a prolonged drought in the western North America and hotter temperatures earlier in the year, the idea of a "fire season" has become outdated. "It's a fire year," said Mariana Ruiz-Temple, the state fire marshal. The cumulative effect is a much higher likelihood of mega-fires in numbers and sizes once thought unimaginable. These types of fires are not the types of fires we saw maybe 20 or 30 years ago, Ruiz-Temple said. Oregon has already been hit with 300 fires this year, twice the average over the past decade. He said he and McLain worked for four months to come up with the right figure for school aid. It is our job as a legislature to find out what is the Goldilocks porridge in our budget that meets the needs of our children, but also at the same time, is a sustainable budget that we can continue to operate on, Rayfield said. Rep. Andrea Valderrama, D-Portland, leads the David Douglas School Board and is the newest member of the Legislature, having taken her District 47 seat on April 1 after her predecessor resigned under pressure. As a school board chair, I will be doing everything that I can to hold our district accountable to equitable spending and meaningful engagement of communities of color, Valderrama, one of nine House members of color and 31 women, said. Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, voted for the bill. But he said lawmakers should be working toward paying for public schools at the level recommended by the Quality Education Model, which takes into account the staffing and services that students should get. The process was initiated more than two decades ago by then-Gov. John Kitzhaber, who also won voter approval of a 2000 constitutional amendment that requires lawmakers to specify why Oregon does not meet that goal. (Lawmakers never have met it.) Events SATURDAY Albany Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fourth Avenue and Ellsworth Street. Those age 5 and over must wear a mask. Shopping groups must be kept small. Information: locallygrown.org. Corvallis Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., First Street and Jackson Avenue. Those age 5 and over must wear a mask. Shopping groups must be kept small. Information: locallygrown.org. "Bees and Trees," 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Willamette Community and Grange Hall, 27555 Greenberry Road, Corvallis. Family-friendly event where you can learn about honeybees, native bees, which trees are helpful and how to plant and care for them. Honey for sale, historic building tours, games. "Pride 2021: A Dam Good Revue," 7:30 p.m., online. The Majestic Theatre and Dam Right Drag Night offer a revue of past Pride performances. Tickets: are pay what you want; learn more at majestic.org. Government SATURDAY U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden hosts a live Benton County town hall, 1 p.m., https://www.facebook.com/events/488811062334578. Opportunities Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Gettysburg, PA (17325) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 81F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. RTHK: Australian media firms fined for breaking Pell order A judge on Friday ordered a dozen Australian media companies to pay fines from 1,000 Australian dollars (US$766) to AU$450,000 (US$345,000) for breaching a gag order by publishing references to Cardinal George Pells since-overturned convictions in 2018 for child sexual abuse. Dozens of companies, reporters and editors were initially charged with contempt and breaching a suppression order over their coverage of the convictions, which were banned from publication in Australia until February 2019. Such suppression orders are common in the Australian and British judicial systems. But the enormous international interest in an Australian criminal trial with global ramifications highlighted the difficulty in enforcing such orders in the digital age. The media companies pleaded guilty in February to 21 charges of contempt in a plea deal in the Victoria state Supreme Court. Justice John Dixon said on Friday the guilty pleas did not demonstrate remorse but were entered to protect individual editors, reporters and broadcast presenters from convictions. The individuals had faced potential prison sentences. Each took a deliberate risk by intentionally advancing a collateral attack on the role of suppression orders in Victorias criminal justice system, Dixon said. No foreign news organization has been charged with breaching the suppression order. Pell was Pope Francis top financial adviser and regarded as the third most senior cleric in the Vatican when he became the most senior Catholic ever convicted of child sex abuse. Pells five convictions have since been overturned and he has returned to the Vatican after spending 13 months in prison. No Australian media company published a straight news report of Pells convictions, but some directed their audiences to international online reports. Melbournes most popular newspaper, Herald Sun, published a white headline CENSORED across a black front page. The world is reading a very important story that is relevant to Victorians, the newspaper said, referring to residents of Victoria state. The newspaper said it was prevented from publishing details of this significant news. The newspapers owner, Herald and Weekly Times, was fined AU$2,000 (US$1,532). The media companies must also pay prosecutors legal costs of AU$650,000 (US$498,000). (AP) This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. WHO asks for rechecking research on possible COVID-19 origin CGTN) 09:15, June 04, 2021 Photo taken on May 20, 2021 shows the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Chen Junxia) Samples from a study suggesting that COVID-19 was circulating outside China by October 2019 have been re-tested at the World Health Organization (WHO)'s request, a Reuters report quoted two scientists leading the research as saying on Tuesday. While COVID-19 was first identified in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, a study published last year suggested antibodies to either the virus or a variant had been detected elsewhere prior to the first confirmed report of the virus in China. Neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in blood collected from healthy volunteers in Italy in October 2019 during a lung cancer screening trial, according to the study published by the Milan Cancer Institute's scientific magazine Tumori Journal. "WHO is in contact with the researchers that had published the original paper. A collaboration with partner laboratories has been set up for further testing," Reuters quoted a WHO spokesman as saying. The WHO was aware that the researchers were planning to publish a follow-up report "in the near future," the spokesman said. Researchers said the results of the recent study requested by the WHO could not give concrete answer to the myth of COVID-19's geographical origin, according to the report. "We only found the response to the virus, namely the antibodies. So we can say that this coronavirus or a very similar one, perhaps a less transmissible variant, was circulating here in October," said one of the researchers. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Montana Public Radio. Organization: The mission of the York County Planning Commission (YCPC) is guiding sustainable development and preservation to improve quality of life in York county communities. This includes improving and maintaining the natural environment. YCPC administers an array of planning activities and programs to implement its mission, one of which is the Countywide Action Plan for Clean Water (CAP). This Plan is dedicated to reaching the countywide nitrogen reduction target assigned by the PA Chesapeake Bay Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan and improving York County waters. There are many ways to achieve healthy water including, but not limited to, stream restorations, buffer plantings, stormwater basin retrofits, and planning for and implementing agricultural best management practices (BMPs). About the Position: The Agricultural Outreach Coordinator is a part-time, two year, grant funded position to assist with implementation of a Pilot Project to Advance Agricultural Outreach and BMP Implementation in the Codorus Watershed. There are 3 parts to this pilot project: The Coordinator will form a Codorus Watershed Partnership of Ag consultants/agribusinesses to help design and spearhead the best outreach approach to support the advancement of soil and water conservation practices, better environmental stewardship, and water quality improvements. The Coordinator will work with the Partnership to bring together the pilot area landowners/farmers and municipalities to strategize ways to achieve water quality goals, while supporting the farming community. The Coordinator will establish positive relationships by meeting one-to-one with landowners/farmers to introduce the CAP and Ag BMP benefits resulting in greater awareness of regulatory compliance and implementation of conservation practices. The Coordinator will be responsible for planning an educational field day at a local farm to demonstrate Ag BMPs, equipment, and financing opportunities. An outcome of the field day will be issuance of a voucher to 10 farmers who are interested in working with an Ag advisor to receive guidance on how to implement Ag BMPs and soil health practices. The Coordinator will work with the voucher recipients and others to help build a pipeline of Ag BMP projects, identify potential champions, and provide a proven program to replicate in other watersheds. Essential Duties: The Agricultural Outreach Coordinator is a position within the YCPC and is responsible for engaging with farmers in a targeted Codorus subwatershed to build CAP awareness and the need for agricultural nutrient reduction practices to meet water quality goals. This position reports to the YCPC Director. The Agricultural Outreach Coordinator position may be filled by either an individual or a consulting firm based on who can best accomplish the tasks identified for the Pilot Program. The Coordinator must possess a working knowledge of the agricultural industry in York County and, ideally, be familiar with the farmers within, and agricultural businesses serving, the Codorus Watershed. The Coordinator will engage with the Ag community to increase their knowledge and understanding of the CAP effort, as well as the benefits of Ag BMPs. Engagement also involves working directly with landowners and farmers to encourage and incentivize implementation of nutrient reduction BMPs, such as cover crops, no-till, and precision nutrient management. The Coordinator serves as a liaison to farmers, municipal officials, other conservation organizations, state and federal agencies, and the private agricultural sector. The Coordinator is also responsible for promoting conservation and manure/nutrient management plans on farms lacking such plans, and, where plans exist, helping to implement them. NRCS Planning Certification and Act 38 Nutrient Management Certification preferable, but not required. The suitable applicant must have planning experience in both Conservation Planning and Manure Management. Click APPLY NOW to submit your resume and be considered today!! recblid 58uvkfsha9zeyfmb2mu78hvlehfsya You asked. We listened. Your daily crossword, Sudoku and dozens of other puzzles are now available online. Play them or print them here. Play now NAPPANEE [mdash] Daniel F. Chupp, 89 of Nappanee, Indiana, died at 9:46 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Goshen General Hospital. Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@skagitpublishing.com for help creating one. The United States District Court is seeking a Jury Specialist to support the Court. This position serves as the face of the Court to the public and helps create positive impressions about the Judiciary. Jury Specialists ensure that jury selection and management are smooth and efficient processes, which has an important impact on public perception about jury service. Jury Specialists are expected to serve as exemplary Judiciary representatives, capable of engaging with people from diverse backgrounds and consistently demonstrate professionalism balanced with understanding. To apply, please click within! recblid ppbkjzmm0aqd86cqay1h7swx172jhn The first free practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was very good news for Red Bull Racing. The team of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were immediately quick and with a first and fourth place there is also plenty to look forward to for this weekend. Helmut Marko is hopeful for the race on Sunday. "It went relatively quickly and easily. The things we tried went right away," Marko acknowledged in conversation with ORF after the first free practice session. In recent years Mercedes has been the fastest team through the streets of Baku every year, but this time the German team's drivers were disappointing. Confidence in Baku They clearly could not find the speed on the circuit with the long straights, where the slipstream and the DRS will be very important. According to Marko, this allows the times to be even faster, as the fastest times of Verstappen and Perez were without slipstream, according to the Red Bull advisor. "Our times were set without slipstream. So we are confident that we will be hugely competitive here too." In the first free practice session it did appear that Red Bull were testing slipstreaming each other, but Marko denies that. "No, that's not an intentional move. We had to break Max's lap and that's why they came close to each other. Where they bumped into each other, there was not really an effect of the slipstream," Marko said. After FP1 and FP2 in Azerbaijan, the topic of Red Bull Racing's moving rear wing was once again discussed. Christian Horner is of the opinion that Mercedes is smart not to lodge a protest, as the front wing of the current world champion would not be entirely legal either. "There has obviously been a lot of noise that Mercedes have been driving about the rear wing, and the bottom line is that if the car complies with the rules, it passes the test. It's legal," Horner reiterated in conversation with Sky Sports. The fact that there's so much fuss about the 'flexi-wings' is beyond Red Bull's comprehension. All the more so because Mercedes' W12 doesn't seem to be any better than theirs: "That around here looks a bit worse then ours. I'd be more interested to see the front of the cars then the rear of the cars" says the team boss as he looks at footage of the German car. "Obviously there is a lot of rumour about the rear wing, and a lot of changes had to be made. If you keep talking about one side of the car, you have to look at the other side as well." Horner fierce towards Wolff The Milton Keynes-based team further believes that: "You can't look at one part individually and say 'I want those rules applied only to that element of that car'. You have to look at all the areas. So, you have to be a bit careful about what you wish for," Horner is referring to all of Toto Wolff's accusations. "I think if I were Toto with the front wing he has on his car, I'd keep my mouth shut." After a strong weekend in Monaco, Honda continues its good form in Azerbaijan. All four Honda cars were in the top ten after the second free practice session with Red Bull Racing's Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen in first and second. Honda chief Toyoharu Tanabe is looking back on a good first day in Baku. Improving conditions In the first free practice session Verstappen was on a good pace right from the start, but it wasn't all going to be easy yet. "On the first day of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the road surface of this street circuit was very dirty, which was exacerbated by yesterday's very strong wind," said Tanabe in a press release from Honda. "However, the conditions improved as more cars were on the track. Today we saw that several cars missed their braking points and had to use the run-off lanes, which interrupted the sessions several times." Verstappen was the fastest in the first free practice and Perez drove the fourth time. So all in all, a good day. "Still, all four of our drivers were able to make some good runs and got through the day without any major problems. In VT2 all four were in the top-ten, so that's a good start of the weekend for us." Looking for the right set-up Perez and Verstappen were the fastest on track today, but Tanabe is not yet daring to sit back. "It's difficult to find the right set-up at this circuit, so we can expect our rivals to make progress tomorrow." Ferrari in particular, as in Monaco, are close behind. Sainz conceded just a tenth to Perez's time in the second free practice session, with Leclerc following on three tenths. Tanabe believes there is also room for improvement on the chassis and engine side for both teams. "We are now going to analyse all the data from today to see what we can do to be as good as possible in qualifying and the race." Good news for Belgian and of course many Dutch Formula 1 fans. The Belgian government has given the green light for major events today. That means good news for the Belgian Grand Prix. Major events allowed Today the Consultative Committee of the different governments is looking at new relaxations of the Covid-19 measures in Belgium and according to the VRT As of August 13, "large events could be held, with a maximum of 75,000 participants. These are events such as Pukkelpop, Tomorrowland or Formula 1." The Belgian Grand Prix will take place from August 27-29 on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. According to the new measures 75,000 visitors could come to the Ardennes. Previously around 265,000 visitors came to the Belgian Grand Prix over three days. However visitors to the race would have to be vaccinated or have a negative test. Toto Wolff initially refused to address the press in Azerbaijan after a dramatic first day for the Mercedes team. The Austrian team boss later changed his mind. Wolff agrees with Valtteri Bottas that there is something fundamentally wrong with the W12. "We have a strong race car, but we are struggling to get it right over one lap," he is quoted as saying by Motorsport-Total. com and others . In some places on the Baku City Circuit, Mercedes' 2021 car fails to deliver, something that was actually the case in Monaco two weeks ago. Major problems for Mercedes Wolff: "There are only 90-degree corners here, so it was always obvious that it would be difficult for us. From the lap times you can clearly see that something is fundamentally wrong. We are now trying to tune the car to make it work, he explained. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas ended the second free practice in eleventh and sixteenth place respectively. Can Mercedes go for its fourth pole position Saturday? "It will be a very difficult session. Maybe one of the most difficult I've ever experienced here. It reminds me of Singapore 2015." Six years ago, Mercedes came no further than fifth and sixth on the street circuit. The difference with the pole time then was almost one and a half seconds. Ferrari were again a surprise factor on Friday in Azerbaijan after the race weekend in Monaco. Charles Leclerc crashed into the wall during free practice, but despite that he managed to clock up a great second and fourth time in Friday's sessions. However, Leclerc doesn't seem too impressed by the incident. "I felt comfortable in the car, especially during braking. Maybe I felt a bit too good and went over the limit in turn fifteen because of that, but free practice is good for that too," Leclerc told the Italian outlet of Motorsport.com. Ferrari surprise on Friday in Baku Unlike his crash in Monaco, his crash in Baku only resulted in a broken front wing. This prevented him from improving his time, but the Monegasque nevertheless kept a positive feeling about the training day. "I tried to brake to the limit, I was on a fast lap. We'll see tomorrow", the Ferrari driver continued. Read more Striking difference between Red Bull and Mercedes spotted on Friday in Baku However, despite his strong form during the free practice sessions, he remains realistic. "It definitely went better than expected, but it's only the first day. The pace looks promising, but tonight we have to work hard to be competitive tomorrow", Leclerc said. Yes! No, still holding off on vacation plans No, as I didn't have any plans last summer Vote View Results Amid his already controversial first season in Formula 1, Nikita Mazepin is now coming under pressure from the Russian military. The 22-year-old's billionaire father Dmitry, who owns the Moscow-based chemical company and Haas title sponsor Uralchem, said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that the Russian military wants Nikita to complete his mandatory military service. In Russia, a one-year draft is mandatory for all men over the age of 18. "Nikita has 23 races to do this year, and they are telling him that he needs to join the army - 'You need to go to the training camp'," Mazepin snr revealed. "He said to me, "Dad, what should I do? I have a race every two weeks'. Nobody wants to listen. But it's not just about Nikita Mazepin, but everyone else who is in the same situation," he added. "The state doesn't give a damn about these athletes." (GMM) JOB POSTING Government Finance Funding Associate Kansas Farm Bureau | Manhattan, KS SCHEDULE: Full-Time REPORTS TO: Vice President, Government Finance For over 50 years, KS StateBank has balanced home-town banking values with a respected nation-wide presence. Across all departments, our employees are focused on creating positive experiences for our clients by providing incomparable knowledge, outstanding solutions, and exemplary service. Our focus isnt just on our clients; at KS StateBank, we also strive to achieve mutual investment in our employees for long-term organizational and personal success we invest in our team members and expect to receive engagement and results in return. As a Funding Associate you will assist with funding contracts plus perform a wide variety of duties related to the operations of the department including, but not limited to, performing second day checks on contracts and receiving client calls. This position will also provide support to other areas within Government Finance. An associate or undergraduate degree in finance is preferred. A minimum of one to two years of previous banking experience is also preferred in addition to experience in a business environment. The ideal candidate should have excellent communications skills, attention to detail and be able to multi-task. Employee benefits include 401k, health, dental and vision insurance and paid time off. View the full job description and apply at ksstate.bank/careers. No phone calls or fax submissions please. EOE recblid teo56lpvker0nlblrnqoigwimqs4pw TerraPower and PacifiCorp announced efforts to advance a Natrium reactor demonstration project at a retiring coal plant in Wyoming. The companies are evaluating several potential locations in the state. The Natrium technology has a 345MW sodium fast reactor coupled with a molten salt-based integrated energy storage system that will provide clean, flexible energy and stability for the grid. The system can boost output to 500MW for more than five and a half hours to serve peak demand. The reactor maintains its thermal power constant during its entire operating period, maximizing its capacity factor and value. The technology provides dispatchable power at a scale that can make a difference in efforts to decarbonize electricity and stabilize grids with high penetrations of renewables. In October 2020, the US Department of Energy (DOE), through its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), awarded TerraPower $80 million in initial funding to demonstrate the Natrium technology. TerraPower signed the cooperative agreement with DOE in May 2021. Next steps include further project evaluation, education and outreach as well as state and federal regulatory approvals, prior to the acquisition of a Natrium facility. The development of a nuclear energy facility will bring welcome tax revenue to Wyomings state budget, which has seen a significant decline in recent years. This demonstration project creates opportunities for both PacifiCorp and local communities to provide well-paying and long-term jobs for workers in Wyoming communities that have decades of energy expertise. This project is an exciting economic opportunity for Wyoming. Siting a Natrium advanced reactor at a retiring Wyoming coal plant could ensure that a formerly productive coal generation site continues to produce reliable power for our customers. We are currently conducting joint due diligence to ensure this opportunity is cost-effective for our customers and a great fit for Wyoming and the communities we serve. Gary Hoogeveen, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Power, a business unit of PacifiCorp The location of the Natrium demonstration plant is expected to be announced by the end of 2021. The demonstration project is intended to validate the design, construction and operational features of the Natrium technology, which is a TerraPower and GE Hitachi technology. TerraPower was started by Bill Gates, Nathan Myhrvold, & others after an invention session in 2006. The goal was investigate advanced fission reactors for world-scale energy production. Toyotas first standalone, early-stage venture capital firm, Toyota AI Ventures, will change its name to Toyota Ventures and grow its total assets under management to more than $500 million with the addition of two $150 million early-stage funds: the Toyota Ventures Frontier Fund and the Toyota Ventures Climate Fund. The new brand and additional capital are a reflection of the firms broadening scope and Toyotas commitment to partnering with talented entrepreneurs to bring innovative technologies and business models to market. Founded in 2017 as a subsidiary of Toyota Research Institute to help Toyota discover whats next, Toyota Ventures has invested in 38 companies in artificial intelligence, autonomy, cloud computing, data, mobility and robotics. Through its Frontier Fund, Toyota Ventures will continue exploring those areas and will also expand the funds focus to include smart cities, digital health, financial technologies, materials and energy. In addition, as part of Toyotas ongoing efforts to accelerate carbon dioxide reduction, Toyota has established a new Climate Fund that the Toyota Ventures team will manage. The global fund will focus on finding and funding early-stage startups that develop innovative solutions for carbon neutrality. At Toyota, were taking a diverse science-driven approach to addressing climate change and offering people many ways to lower their own carbon footprint. Part of our strategy includes partnering with talented entrepreneurs from around the world to help accelerate innovation in the startup community. We are tremendously excited about tapping into that talent through the Climate Fund. Gill Pratt, chief scientist of Toyota Motor Corporation, CEO of Toyota Research Institute and board member of Toyota Ventures Along with expanding investment categories, Toyota Ventures will grow its team and work with a new Advisor Network to continue delivering the type of founder-first support that has been a hallmark of the firms approach. Support local journalism We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story. Happy five-month anniversary! Gosh, it feels like just yesterday when people of all ages, backgrounds and political persuasions from all over the country came together to celebrate American democracy in action. Oh wait, sorry, theres a typo in that sentence. What I mean to write was that it feels like just yesterday when stupid, fascist, racist goons from all over America took their marching orders from the most deplorable human ever to sit behind the Resolute desk and tried to overthrow the government through deliberate and violent insurrection. Yeah, thats what I meant to say. A lot can happen in five months, and there are plenty of pretty lousy people out there peddling the idea that the Jan. 6 insurrection didnt really happen, and even if it did it was no big deal, more like a fraternity prank than an anti-American mob of traitorous rioters. These amoral contortionists include an entire political party of gaslighting politicians who blame everyone but themselves, but who wont authorize the creation of a bipartisan Jan. 6 commission to actually determine the truth, since that would likely mean admitting many of their partys rank-and-file are also racist, fascist goons. Too bad then that more evidence keeps being uncovered exposing the actual militant, racist intent of the insurrectionists, including a study recently released by the Chicago Project on Security and Threats. The Project interviewed and surveyed 377 people arrested in the Capitol attack, and found that the largest motivation for the rage of the attackers was a fear of The Great Replacement, an Internet-driven right-wing conspiracy theory which claims Democrats are actively engaged in replacing white Christian Americans with brown people, immigrants and Jews because, reasons. This Great Replacement garbage is one of the principle tenets not just of classic American hobgoblins such as the KKK, but of new and improved hate groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, both of whom are still for some reason being dignified by being called militias, when in fact they are terrorist organizations. Terrorists who, by the way, no longer see the need to hide in the shadows. Terrorists who could have been shut down years ago if only that darn Obama wasnt trying to work with Republicans even when they kept slamming his extended hand into one bear trap after another. Yes, its time again to look at history that makes people uncomfortable, so lets go back to 2009 when newly sworn-in President Obama was still committed to finding common ground and working with Republicans. Even as the GOP and their accomplices made it clear that the Kenyan socialist had no right being president. So when a joint Department of Homeland Security/FBI assessment of domestic extremism came out that April, Obama was put into a bind. You see, the findings of that report exposed a unambiguous truth that Republicans had known for years, but could never actually admit: that their base really was made up of delusional deplorables who were either violent, racist, unhinged or all of the above. The report was so scathing toward this group that GOP senators and congressmen demanded it be buried and kept away from the public, which Obama agreed to do, again because he foolishly thought it would help him work with Republicans. What does this now declassified report say? That growing economic pressures and fear of being left behind, combined with attempts to blame this on Jews and minorities could create fertile environments for right-wing groups seeking to recruit followers and confront the government. That there is a deep well of right-wing extremists who would never accept a Black president, and that violent Christian Identity anti-government organizations were growing. Most disturbingly, the report was particularly concerned about returning military veterans who could and were already being radicalized into joining new and existing white, right-wing terrorist groups in to help coordinate and execute violent attacks. Yes, in 2009, DHS identified the reasons, motives and individuals who would one day become the Capitol stormers, the Proud Boys and Oath Keeper terrorists, and clearly pointed out their connection to the Republican base. But then, like now, the GOP would rather embrace being the party of deplorables than confront their evil within. David Rafferty is a Greenwich resident. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) South Dakota's most influential business groups on Wednesday called for Congress to take up immigration reform to protect immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The group, which included the state's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Retailers Association and Dairy Producers, cast an economic argument on immigration, arguing that the thousands of job openings in the state showed the need for legal ways to immigrate. The group's call comes as President Joe Biden presses Congress to pass legislation codifying the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that then-President Barack Obama instituted by executive action in 2012 to provide limited protections for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Don Haggar, the state executive director for the free-market organization, Americans for Prosperity, said immigration reform has gotten caught up in a partisan ping-pong battle, but there's currently an opportunity to find bipartisan support for a long-term solution for immigrants often described as dreamers." Dreamers are among the best and brightest in our country, Haggar said. These folks are contributors. Biden has made clear that passing legislation enshrining DACA which has wide, bipartisan support from the American public should be the floor for action on immigration. However, his call for wider immigration reform to establish a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants faces tough odds in a closely divided Congress. The U.S. House recently passed a bill that would provide ways to obtain permanent legal status for DACA recipients, as well as other immigrants in the country under temporary programs protecting them from deportation. But South Dakota's lone congressman, Rep. Dusty Johnson voted against it. Legal immigration is an incredibly important part of the American story, but reforming the immigration system will be difficult until we end the crisis at the southern border, the Republican congressman said in a statement. "We need to address that crisis and also get the ten million unemployed Americans back to work. The state's two Republican U.S. Senators, John Thune and Mike Rounds, have previously expressed support for immigration reform for DACA recipients but tied it to beefing up border security. For people like Karen Benitez-Lopez, a DACA recipient who spoke at the virtual event with the business leaders, any delays to immigration reform mean their lives remain in limbo. Every two years, Benitez-Lopez has to reapply to receive DACA status, meaning she remains unsure whether she will be forced to return to a country she left when she was two years old. We came here with the hopes that we had a pathway to citizenship, she said. The immigration system is behind. In the latest episode of the US-China geopolitical showdown, President Joe Biden is enforcing a new executive order that bans investment in 59 Chinese companies including Huawei effective from August 2. The new decision prevents US investments in Chinese companies with suspected ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Joining Huawei on the list is chip maker SMIC, telecom operator China Mobile, video surveillance company Hikvision, and a plethora of Chinese defense sector companies. A senior US official confirmed that more Chinese companies will likely be added to the list in the months to come. I find that the use of Chinese surveillance technology outside the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) and the development or use of Chinese surveillance technology to facilitate repression or serious human rights abuse constitute unusual and extraordinary threats, which have their source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, and I hereby expand the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13959 to address those threats. President Joe Biden With the new sanctions in place, President Biden is reinforcing the hard stance against Chinas intelligence and security research firms, which peaked during former President Donald Trumps four-year term. US investment companies and individuals are allowed to divest any funds in the newly banned companies over a one-year period. It remains to be seen if other major smartphone makers from China will be added to the list. Theres also no word if Chinese social media and messaging platforms like Tik-Tok and WeChat will be subject to similar bans. Source | Via Walmart buys 740,000 Samsung Galaxy XCover Pros for use in its stores in the US With the stroke of a pen the Galaxy XCover Pro becomes a success for Samsung the company has reached an agreement with retail giant Walmart to sell 740,000 units that will be used by Walmart associates. This is Samsungs biggest mobile enterprise deal in the US ever. Walmart Global Tech, an in-house software development team, was working on an app that will help employees simplify their daily tasks and assist customers. Features include mobile clock-in and checking schedules. Then Walmart approached Samsung for the hardware side of things and the XCover Pro was chosen for the job. It will replace two devices that Walmart employees had to carry around during during the work day a walkie-talkie and a barcode scanner. The former is replaced by a simple push-to-talk feature using the phones programmable key. For the latter, Samsung optimized its camera-based barcode scanning tech, which can be used to simplify inventory management. Also, deploying and managing hundreds of thousands of devices is no easy task, which is where the Samsung Knox Suite comes in. It will allow admins to update the firmware, run device and Wi-Fi network analytics and customize the software as needed. This deal was born in the spring of 2020 when Walmart approached Samsung with what the companies call the Connected Associate initiative. Its main goal was to help its employees deal with the extra work needed to create a safe shopping environment in the midst of a pandemic. The 740,000 Samsung XCover Pros will reach Walmart associates over the next few months. In addition to being work tools, Walmart will allow its employees to use the XCovers as personal phones too. Knox will be used to create separate work and personal profiles, so company data stays secure while private data stays private. Source Position Objective: Administers daily external beam therapy to patients. Accurately documents clinical progress and dosage consistent with established quality standards. Essential Job Duties: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions Plans and executes proper simulation, as designed by the physician, with assistance. Understands and implements appropriate use of immobilization devices. Provides and processes port films consistent with established quality standards. Monitors patients for adverse reactions. Notifies physician and implements appropriate interventions, as directed. Monitors effective functioning of equipment on a daily basis, reports malfunctioning to the physicist and/or manager. Oversees the daily warm up and safety checks on all equipment. Adheres to general safety, infection control, and radiation safety standards; wears protective equipment as required. Performs duties according to established standards for all age groups. Confers with supervisor as needed to recommend changes, report problems, and provide feedback to improve patient care, technical quality, safety, and clerical functions. Provides reassurance to patients and families, explains procedures, instructs regarding home care during treatment per physicians orders, and provides general information to patients and families. Maintains current license and participates in applicable educational activities on a regular basis. Educational/Experience Requirements: Graduate from an AMA approved program in Radiation Therapy Technology. Must be able to interact smoothly and effectively with people and demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to demonstrate calm, polite and flexible behavior under stressful conditions. Due to physical demands of the position, must be able to lift 50 pounds. Must not have any disciplinary actions within the past 12 months for promotion to this level. Two years full-time clinical experience as a radiation therapist. Must meet all CME requirements for State and ARRT. Required License/Certifications: Certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiation Therapy. Current Maryland State License with current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification. Working Conditions, Equipment, Physical Demands: There is a reasonable expectation that employees in this position will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens. Physical Demands - Medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The above job description is an overview of the functions and requirements for this position. This document is not intended to be an exhaustive list encompassing every duty and requirement of this position; your supervisor may assign other duties as deemed necessary. Haiti - Environment : Deforestation rate on the rise in the country... As part of World Environment Day, the United Nations will officially launch the Decade for Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) on Friday 5 June 2021. Selected among the top priorities for humanity during consultations, this global challenge aims to revitalize ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean, in order to help eradicate poverty, fight climate change and prevent massive extinctions. Haiti has already lost all of its primary forests, and the remaining forests continue to reduces. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA), the forest area in Haiti has fallen to 12.6% of the national territory, and the forest cover in overall is estimated at 36.3%. The annual rate of deforestation which was relatively contained and stable between 2000-2010 (0.19%), increased markedly between 2011-2015 (0.34%) and accelerated further between 2017 and 2019 (0.49%) after a year of record degradation in 2016 linked to the impacts of Hurricane Matthew (1.7%). The loss of biodiversity reinforces vulnerabilities, compromises the development of the country and affects all layers of Haitian society, especially women and the younger generations. Beyond the concrete commitments implemented on the ground by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), FAO, the International Labor Organization, UNESCO or the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the United Nations supports the policies of the Haitian Government in environmental matters, in particular the National Strategy for Biodiversity called "Haiti Biodiversity 2030". In an already complex political, security and health context in Haiti, the United Nations reiterates the urgency of the environmental crisis and the need to protect biodiversity. It is important that public institutions, civil society, the private sector and technical and financial partners integrate considerations of good environmental practice, both in their long-term strategies and in their short-term operations. The UN in Haiti is advocating for the establishment of an observatory for green reconstruction, with the technical capacities and institutional anchoring capable of effectively informing the accounting, budgetary and financial processes as well as public and socio-economic policies in the country. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33284-haiti-environment-the-haitian-mountains-a-heritage-in-danger.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30967-haiti-environment-call-to-declare-the-state-of-ecological-emergency.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8722-haiti-environment-launch-of-the-reforestation-campaign-of-the-island.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-5707-haiti-environment-project-green-border-one-year-after.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-3072-haiti-environment-environmental-protection-is-the-responsibility-of-each-haitian.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Education : Site tour of the Minister Cadet in Nippes With a view to monitoring the progress of several school infrastructure projects and taking stock of the staff management of certain public schools, Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, the Minister of National Education recently carried out a tour in the department of Nippes. He visited the sites of the Ecole nationale Belle riviere under construction in Morne Blanche and of the new Ecole nationale de Fonds des Negres, which will soon be inaugurated with two other public schools located in Baraderes and Arnaud during this month of June. Note that these 4 new schools are part of the 25 new school buildings across the country whose funding is provided by the National Fund for Education (FNE) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32511-haiti-education-25-school-infrastructures-under-construction.html , will strengthen the school park in Nippes and facilitate access to education for several thousand children. In addition, the Minister Cadet visited the National School of Miragoane and the Jacques Prevert and Young Girls high schools. He was able to meet with Guerline Valdemar and Ronald Desrossiers, the directors of these establishments, and with students to whom he provided salutary advice, in particular on the importance of school and discipline in studies. Finally, the Minister Cadet met members of the staff of the Departmental Directorate of Education of Nippes who thanked him for the efforts made in the regularization of personnel files and for certain expected promotions. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Covid : Death of the Vice-Rector of the Episcopal University of Haiti On Wednesday evening, June 2, the Vice-Rector of the Episcopal University of Haiti, Dr. Robert Joseph, suffering from Covid-19, died in hospital from complications. Covid : Canape Vert Hospital saturated The Steering Committee of the Canape Vert hospital is advising the general public and doctors in particular that the hospital is no longer able for the moment to receive new patients with Covid, the isolation unit of the he institution has reached its maximum occupancy capacity. The Canape Vert hospital joins the hospitals of Saint Luc, Delmas 2 and Mirebalais which are in the same difficult situation. Elections : Haiti seeks help from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Wednesday June 2 Dr. Jesse Jean (Ambassador of Haiti to the Benelux and the EU), presented his Letters of Credence to His Royal Highness Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg. During the tete-a-tete with the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the Ambassador recalled the need to strengthen cooperation between the Republic of Haiti and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the fields of education, training professional, health, tourism, fishing and local authorities. He also requested the technical, logistical and financial support of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the holding of the next elections. "Elections are not an option but..." "We are facing a special situation where there is no solution provided for by the amended 1987 Constitution if the elections do not take place. To wait for the 51st legislature to take another chance is to give up the future of a whole people to adventure. We are no longer in the era of the military (1956), today let's be aware that as a leader we cannot afford to let the country plunge into the abyss. The elections are not an option but an obligation" declared Mathias Pierre, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister, in charge of electoral questions and relations with political parties. New prison in Petit-Goave Towards the completion of the finishing works of the civil prison of Petit-Goave and the launch of the development works of the Police station of Petit-Goave. Tuesday, June 1, a delegation from the American Embassy and the chief engineer of the construction firm of the new Petit-Goave civil prison, carried out an assessment visit to the police station and to the prison building https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-33871-icihaiti-petit-goave-inauguration-of-the-legal-assistance-office.html The finishing works of the new prison will probably be resumed in the coming days in order to make this center functional prisoner. At the same time, the work of fitting out the Petit-Goave police station will also begin, we learned from a member of the delegation. HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondent Petit-Goave) HL/ HaitiLIbre By William Schwartz | Published on 2021/06/03 A recent article about "Taxi Driver" has attracted much attention for its depiction of a little known vacation area. In one episode of the popular drama, the lead character played by Lee Je-hoon decides to live peacefully in the wake of having completed an important request. He is seen camping near the ocean, and while he does not dismiss the idea of future work, he says that for now he wishes to enjoy a wide open space just for him. Incheon official website The wide open space in question has since been identified as the Nanjung district on Gyodong Island, which is to the west of the more famous Ganghwa Island. Facing the west, the district is ironically noteworthy in part for having a visible vantage point of North Korean territory. Nanjung district is home to large fields of flowers, placed there diligently by the local townspeople. The structuring of the area is particularly well-suited to a nearby reservoir of fresh water. Incheon official website Nanjung district is also famous for excellent recreational fishing due to the near proximity of salt water to fresh water. The area's design is noteworthy for having a large, long strip of land between the sea and the reservoir that is highly picturesque. There's even a public observatory which allows for the viewing of the natural scenery far and wide. Until recently only advertised in local Incheon magazines, there is now hope that the "Taxi Driver" location shooting may allow the fame of this hidden gem to spread. Written by William Schwartz More information from Incheon official website (in Korean) Incheon official website Lake Havasu City is home to 100 newly vaccinated residents, and most of them are teenagers. A covid-19 clinic held at the Havasu Community Health Foundation targeted youths over 12. In three weeks, a second clinic will offer their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. A Senate panel voted Wednesday to give themselves and their colleagues a big increase in their allowance and do it as soon as possible. You voted: JNJ Solutions Inc. has an opening for a Network & Systems Administrator in Gold River, CA and various unanticipated locations throughout the US. Duties include: responsible for providing network & computer systems administration services to clients; install, configure, troubleshoot & support systems hardware/software. Travel and/or relocation required. Mail resume referencing Job Code NSA525KM to: JNJ Solutions 2377 Gold Meadow Way, Ste 100, Gold River, CA 95670 recblid 03sfj24baadjuc2bqrfx5mqaszzjep Plans to continue his hiking this summer After losing his sense of purpose following the death of his wife in 2013, Everett Tyrrel said he began to get his purpose back thanks to fitness trainer Tami Nystrom of Physical Therapy Down Under and Fitness Center in Havre - including hiking miles of trail in Beaver Creek Park and other spots in the Bear Paw Mountains. "For three days a week for two years, I had Tami as a trainer and mainly, for me, was as a listener. After my wife passed away, I needed someone to talk to and she was there. I sorta had her trapped, but anyway, she listened to me. We became friends and I still go to the gym twice a week," Tyrrel said. Tyrell, 90, is no stranger to picking up new hobbies and skills later in life. He is still an active pilot with a private license and commercial certificate. He has been flying for nearly 51 years. However, he said he didn't enter into aviation until his 30s. Part of the reason he joined the gym was to be able to pass the physical examination to keep his pilot's license. "Basically, after 40, you need to get in the gym and do some strength training or do it at home," Nystrom said. "We worked on that. The hiking stuff just happened this past summer and that was just because, you know, we became friends and he was doing so well using the gym and utilizing all of the equipment here and getting himself well." Tyrrel said he passed the examination with no problems whatsoever. After that goal had been reached, Nystrom suggested he start hiking to keep up with exercise and to get a change of scenery outside of the fitness center. The duo headed for the Bear Paw Mountains. "We've done every trail in the Bear Paws plus the east side of Baldy. I've taken other people, not a lot of people, but I've taken other people up and done some of the easy trails with them also," Tyrell said. "(Nystrom) knew through our history of training, how much I was capable of doing, so we didn't just run up these mountains. On occasion, we took our time going and completing a hike. That's the way we did it. We didn't rush into it to try to break any records, we did it for the joy of doing it being together as friends," Tyrrel added. After enjoying their first hike together, Nystrom suggested hiking new trails. Together the pair have hiked the Bear Paw Nature Trail, Mount Otis, Baldy and the Rotary Loop Trail. "Mount Otis is a mile up and a mile down, so I guess that's two miles. The Nature Trail, we probably put in about six miles there. Baldy was probably about a five-mile hike. That was a big one, and it's kind of rough country that we're not on a trail. We had a little bit but then we're basically in the woods hiking there. It was a little crazy thinking like, oh, if something happens, we're kind of away from civilization back in here," Nystrom said. "The Rotary Loop trail we did a couple times. That is three miles around that loop, 3.1 or something. We did the short one once and then we did the long one on that one too," she added. Courtesy photo Tyrrel said looking back and realizing all he had done by hiking the Bear Paws was an emotional experience. Nystrom said they are making plans for the summer. "I think anytime you accomplish something that you enjoy doing and it's beneficial to you, I think that's great. It happened, for me, to be with friends and accomplish what we did. I think that's wonderful," Tyrrel said. Tyrrel also said he hopes to travel the U.S. and Canada with a very important person in his life, his niece Cynthia Fuller. "Her and I have traveled the United States and Canada ever since, practically since my wife passed away and I've enjoyed every minute of that. So, between Down Under and Tami and my niece, Cynthia, I've been able to lead a wonderful life," Tyrrel said. Cases continue to come in in area, including in Havre Public Schools With Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation reporting its first confirmed case of COVID-19 since February and Box Elder Schools reporting its first case in months, even with schools out for the summer the pandemic is impacting local activities. A release from Box Elder Superintendent Jeremy MacDonald said a 21st Century field trip scheduled for today and elementary kindergarten through sixth grade summer school have been canceled for Box Elder Schools. The full school year ended for the schools last Friday. The release said that if the situation had arisen during the regular school year, the district would have continued to operate in-person learning while coordinating with public health to handle the situation. "Since summer school is not required at the elementary level, we will address this matter with an abundance of caution," it said. The release adds that the Box Elder School District recommends that families that have students ages 12 and older consider getting them vaccinated, also noting that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines updated May 28 say people who are fully vaccinated don't need to quarantine if exposed to the virus and are asymptomatic. People with questions can contact MacDonald, the release concluded. And Havre Public Schools, which had its last day Wednesday, also reported more confirmed cases. A release issued by Superintendent Craig Mueller Thursday said the district was notified that two people associated with the district were confirmed to have COVID-19 and had contact with others in the district Tuesday, one at Sunnyside Intermediate School and one at Lincoln-McKinley Primary School. Havre Public Schools Nurse Jeri Erickson conducted contact tracing and will contact anyone who is at risk of exposure, the release said, and Hill County Health Department will be making close contact and quarantine calls today. Northern Montana Care Center also reports that a staff member has tested positive and the center will be closed to visitors for 14 days. Cases, deaths continue to hit region Confirmed COVID-19 cases and COVID-19-related deaths continue to occur in this part of north-central Montana, although at greatly reduced rates compared to last fall and early winter. Chouteau County Heath Department reported the county's seventh COVID-19-related death Tuesday, in a person not older than 40 who died very quickly from COVID-19-related pneumonia. The department urged people to get vaccinated. A report issued May 26 listed another death in Hill County, raising its death toll to 45. While the new case listed by Rocky Boy is its first in months, the Rocky Boy Health Center lists its total, included in reports by Chouteau or Hill counties depending on where the person lived, at 795 confirmed cases. Hill County, which reported seven new confirmed cases Thursday, has a total of 2,012, up from 1,985 May 14, and Chouteau County has 510 cases, up from 505 May 14. Hill County reports seven active cases with two active hospitalizations. Chouteau County reported three new confirmed cases Thursday evening with three active and a total of 513 cases. And Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, the numbers from which are included either in the Blaine or Phillips county totals, and Blaine County have had a resurgence after cases had dwindled in early spring. Fort Belknap reported 459 total confirmed cases May 14 and Blaine County reported 794 on that date. By reports issued Thursday evening, Fort Belknap was up to 492 cases and Blaine County was at 829. Liberty County has had no new cases in months, staying at 117 cases, none active, with one COVID-19-related death. Across the state, numbers also continue to come in. Deaths have risen from 1,598 in mid-May to 1,632 listed in the state update this morning. The total number of cases confirmed has jumped from 110,560 May 14 to 112,260 this morning. Calls for people to get vaccinated Officials - locally, statewide and nationally - continue to urge people to get vaccinated. Statewide, only 43 percent of eligible people are fully vaccinated, the state tracking map reports. The local numbers listed on the map are even lower. Blaine County, which includes is listed as having 40 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated, Chouteau County is at 30 percent, Hill County at 41 percent and Liberty County is at 31 percent. The totals for Blaine and Hill counties include residents vaccinated as part of the Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian reservations' vaccination programs, which are conducting their own vaccination programs. Nationally, CDC reports that 41.2 percent of the U.S. population is vaccinated, 48.8 percent of people 12 and older. U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency authorization of use of the two-shot Prfizer-BioNTech vaccine for people 12 and older, and of use of the two-shot Moderna vaccine and one-shot Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine for people 18 and older. Trials are underway by Johnson & Johnson and Moderna for people ages 12-18 and trials also are underway for children ages 6 months to 11. President Joe Biden announced Wednesday a National Month of Action to mobilize the nation to have at least 70 percent of U.S. adults receiving at least one shot by July 4. Biden called on national organizations, local government leaders, community-based and faith-based partners, businesses, employers, social media influencers, celebrities, athletes, colleges and young people to work together to get their communities vaccinated. The announcement also listed initiatives and challenges to try to encourage vaccinations and making them easier to get. AmeriCorps put out a call to action Thursday, inviting people to join the COVID-19 Community Corps in the "We Can Do This" campaign. People are invited to learn more and sign up for action by visiting https://wecandothis.hhs.gov . Vaccines widely available And vaccines are widely available in the area. In releasing the information about the new confirmed case on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, the health center reminded people it has Johnson & Johnson/Janssen along with Moderna vaccines available for people 18 and older and Pfizer/BioNTech available for people 12 and older. "Call Medical Scheduling at (406-)395-1655 to get scheduled or attend one of our community vaccination events," the release said. In Havre, Gary & Leo's Pharmacy is taking walk-ins seven days a week for vaccinations with Johnson & Johnson, and Western Drug at 406-265-9501 is taking calls to schedule Moderna vaccinations and taking walk-ins for Johnson & Johnson. Hill County Health Department at 406-400-2415 has been scheduling vaccinations for the third Tuesday of the month. Northern Montana Health Care's flu clinic is taking calls at 406-262-1585 to schedule vaccinations. Bullhook Community Health Center has booked its vaccinations for June but is encouraging people to call 406-395-4305 to schedule for July and get on a waiting list in case of cancellations, and its pharmacy should have vaccine in stock by June 10 and people can call 406-395-4305 and connect with the pharmacy for information on availability. In Blaine County, the health department continues to schedule clinics and is taking calls at 406-357-2345. Fort Belknap Health Center also is taking calls at 406-353-3219 to schedule vaccinations for people 12 and older and people are invited to walk in for vaccinations as well. Chouteau County Health Department announced Thursday it has the Pfizer vaccine available for children 12-17 and Johnson & Johnson vaccine for people 18 and older. People are asked to call 406-622-3771 to schedule an appointment. People can also call Big Sandy Pharmacy at 406-378-5588 to schedule a vaccination. -- Online: Presidential National Month of Action Fact Sheet: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/02/fact-sheet-president-biden-to-announce-national-month-of-action-to-mobilize-an-all-of-america-sprint-to-get-more-people-vaccinated-by-july-4th/ North Central Senior Citizens Center June 7-12 Menu Monday Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, peas, cookies Tuesday Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, cauliflower, rolls, cake Wednesday Unstuffed chicken cordon bleu, potato wedges, veggies, fruit Thursday Hamburger Stroganoff, buttered noodles, veggies, dessert Friday Soup, salad bar, chefs choice, dessert, Senior Center sponsoring Silver Sneaker membership The Hill County Counsel on Aging, also known as the Senior Center, is excited to say we are sponsoring a total of 20 Silver Sneaker... Square block of commercial property changes hands Four commercial buildings downtown have changed hands, including the Social Security Administration office and the former Western Carolina Auction Co. packinghouse site on South Grove Street. In a sale handled by Jones Commercial Properties, the two-acre tract owned was purchased by Fletcher-based Alliance NC Investment LLC, which owns and operates the Asiana Grand Buffet and Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse in Asheville. They dont have any plans to open a restaurant of their own here, said Gary Jones, who brokered the sale. They've got somebody thatll manage it and get them a tenant. Jones recently negotiated a 10-year lease extension for the Social Security office, which plans to invest $330,000 in a renovation. The Thai Spice restaurant is also leased. The former physical therapy building and the old packinghouse property, which had housed a restaurant, yoga studio and other businesses, are vacant. The seller was Kathy Johnson Griffin, who had bought out siblings who inherited the property along with her from their father, Jack D. Johnson. The 13th child of Josiah Johnson and Cora Belle Whitt Johnson, Jack Johnson was a large pole bean grower who founded the Western Carolina Auction Co. to sell his own crop and the produce of his fellow farmers in Henderson County. Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. Anti-China forces marshal new flawed tactics in fresh attempts to smear China on Xinjiang policy Global Times) 09:17, June 04, 2021 Locals dance to welcome tourists in Awat Township of Korla City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge) Anti-China forces are planning a new round of smearing campaigns against China's Xinjiang policy as the "Uyghur Tribunal," an organization formed by secessionists and Western anti-China forces in London, is about to hold what it terms as a first hearing of whether China's policy in Xinjiang is tantamount to genocide starting from Friday to Monday. "Such a 'tribunal' is neither legal nor credible. It is just another anti-China political farce concocted by a few people. It attempts to run in the name of "tribunal" to engage in anti-China political and public opinion manipulation. This is nothing but an insult on the law," Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday. Analysts pointed out that this self-styled tribunal itself is a joke. It is not only a political stunt but also a business one. The "Uyghur Tribunal" is operating as a private UK company limited by guarantee, according to its website. Analysts pointed out that private companies limited by guarantee are generally used in the UK for societies, charities, etc. That is to say, this is a completely voluntary civil organization which has nothing to do with the law. It only usurps the name of the "court," but it is, in reality, a pseudo court. The largest donor to this so-called tribunal is the World Uyghur Congress (WUC). According to the introduction on its website, in June 2020, anti-China secessionist and president of the WUC formally requested that Geoffrey Nice, an infamous anti-China figure, establish and chair a so-called independent people's tribunal to investigate "ongoing atrocities and possible genocide" against the Uygurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkic Muslim populations. The tribunal was launched on September 3, 2020. The website also showed that the Crowdfunder page has raised nearly 250,000 pounds, with an initial amount of around $115,000 donated through the WUC. While it claimed that it collects funding from various channels, in actual fact, the WUC is its major funding source. Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, told a regular media briefing on May 26 that based on a presumption of guilt, this so-called "tribunal" falsifies evidence and recruits actors. The few so-called "witnesses" who keep up the charade are just lying anti-China elements. "We've laid bare their true faces repeatedly. Perhaps to cover the cost of recruiting these actors, this special machine of lies launched a public fundraising campaign for 50,000 pounds, but only received about 7,000 pounds in three months, which serves to show how little support it has," Zhao said. According to US-based investigative news website Grayzone, since its inception, the WUC has been backed by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). With millions in US taxpayer money, the NED and its subsidiaries have backed opposition parties, "civil society" groups, and media organizations in countries targeted by the US for regime change. The so-called tribunal also mentioned that it was founded with the assistance of the Coalition for Genocide Response, which was founded on November 4, 2019, by a few British parliamentarians and experts. One of the co-founders of the organization is Luke de Pulford, an infamous anti-China figure. He also coordinates the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China and advises the WUC, according to media reports. He was one of the most active British politicians during the riots in Hong Kong in 2019, and was the main force behind Hong Kong lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu's stripping of an honorary doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University and disbarment by the British Bar Service, according to media reports. The IPAC he cofounded viewed China's rise as a threat. Nice, who chairs the fake tribunal, is also on the Coalition for Genocide Response. The Global Times also found out that the main members of the fake tribunal have working experience on the "China Tribunal", which was commissioned by the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC). The ETAC is connected to Falun Gong, an illegal cult banned by the Chinese government, according to a Grayzone report. Live for profit Nice's resume features him as a prosecutor in the case against Slobodan Milosevic, the former Serbian leader, at the International Criminal Tribunal. In 2016, the court ruled out the case sighting insufficient evidence in the case against Milosevic and his involvement in plans to create territories ethnically cleansed of non-Serbs during the Bosnian War. Andy Wilcoxson, who closely followed Milosevic's trial wrote in a 2017 report that buried in a footnote deep in the fourth volume of the judgment against Bosnian-Serb General Ratko Mladic, the judges unanimously conclude that "the evidence received by the trial chamber did not show that Slobodan Milosevic, Jovica Stanisic, Franko Simatovic, Zeljko Raznatovic, or Vojislav Seselj participated in the realization of the common criminal objective" to establish an ethnically-homogenous Bosnian-Serb entity through the commission of crimes alleged in the indictment. "This is an important admission because practically the entire Western press corps and virtually every political leader in every Western country has spent the last 25 years telling us that Slobodan Milosevic was a genocidal monster cut from the same cloth as Adolf Hitler. We were told that he was the 'Butcher of the Balkans,' but there was never any evidence to support those accusations. We were lied to in order to justify economic sanctions and NATO military aggression against the people of Serbia - just like they lied to us to justify the Iraq war," he wrote. Nice was the one who argued for Milosevic's guilt at the trial. Some pointed out that the trail was just a political stunt. In addition, Nice was also the co-author of the infamous Caesar Report. He and several other authors made flimsy reports about the situation in Syria based on insufficient evidence, which led to US' sanctions. The unilateral sanctions did not protect civilians in Syria, but lead them to hunger and death. In recent years, Nice colluded with anti-China forces and began a series of smearing campaign against China. He was active during riots in Hong Kong. He supported secessionists in Hong Kong and was the sponsor of the Hong Kong Watch, which stirred trouble in Hong Kong under the banner of caring for Hong Hong's human rights. In reality, what Nice really cares about is not human rights, neither is it the human rights of Syrians nor the human rights of the people in Xinjiang, but the strategic goals of the donors and the practical benefits he can gain from them, analysts said. Familiar actors and routines The upcoming farce of the "hearings" is just another slick political show for Nice and the anti-China forces behind him. It typically starts from a predetermined position of guilt and then finds a team of actors and self-claimed judiciary experts to bring a "final verdict" based on the "evidence" they designed. This time, the actors they have found are still familiar. Sayragul Sauytbay, for instance, who appeared on the list of "witnesses," claimed herself a former teacher at a Xinjiang vocational training center but later a "victim" who was detained at the center and experienced "torture and forced to eat pork" in anti-China force's portrayals. In truth, she never worked at any vocational education and training center. She made up lies to confuse the public and smear Xinjiang, a despicable and vile act indeed, a Xinjiang regional government spokesperson, Elijan Anayt, said at a press conference on March 11, 2020. Another "expert witnesses" at the hearing, Adrian Zenz, who has been hailed as an "expert" on Xinjiang by some Western media outlets, is an infamous name for the Chinese due to his relentless fake reports aimed at defaming China's Xinjiang. In addition, researchers from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) - funded by the US defense department, diplomatic agencies, and arms merchants - which have fabricated various anti-China rumors is also among the expert witnesses. The ASPI, driven by its backers, has long provided the groundless "academic support" for its accusations against Xinjiang. Similarly, the "Uyghur Transitional Justice Database" is also among the witnesses. The database self-claimed to record missing persons in Xinjiang but was refuted by government as a tool used by separatists from Xinjiang to defame the region. Predictably, what we can expect to hear from these "witnesses" who are prone to lying is always repeated lies. An expert on international law at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told the Global Times that those people's false accusations were too outrageous to be accepted by formal legal institutions. So they had no other way but to set up their own "court" to hold a "trial" as a ridiculous political show. The so-called "independent court" has no legitimacy under either international or domestic law. They are simply using the name of the law to put pressure on China. The WUC, the largest funder of the "court," has been tightly aligned with Washington's foreign policy agenda and hostile new Cold War strategy which seeks to contain and impede the rise of China. "The WUC regularly meets with and lobbies the US and Western politicians, urging them to isolate and 'increase the pressure on China;' ratchet up economic sanctions; curb ties with China, and withdraw Western companies from the region," as a previous Grey Zone investigative article suggested. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Advertising Sales Representative Central Oregonian Pamplin Media Group Prineville, Oregon Do you Love working with people and helping their businesses be more successful? 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Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 86F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this evening. Then partly cloudy. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 87F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. SENIOR ANALYTIC DATA ENGINEER Highmark Health seeks Senior Analytic Data Engineer in Pittsburgh, PA to architect & engineer solutions to provide views for Analytic Data Warehouse. Specific duties incl.: assembling, testing, processing, & maintaining Analytic Discovery Platform for analytics org.; & working w/analytic data sys. to incorp. them into operational data flow for analytics teams. Apply at https://careers.highmarkhealth.org, using keyword J177049. SENIOR ANALYTIC DATA ENGINEER Highmark Health seeks Senior Analytic Data Engineer in Pittsburgh, PA to architect & engineer solutions to provide views for Analytic Data Warehouse. Specific duties incl.: assembling, testing, processing, & maintaining Analytic Discovery Platform for analytics org.; & working w/analytic data sys. to incorp. them into operational data flow for analytics teams. Apply at https://careers.highmarkhealth.org, using keyword J177049. SENIOR ANALYTIC DATA ENGINEER Highmark Health seeks Senior Analytic Data Engineer in Pittsburgh, PA to architect & engineer solutions to provide views for Analytic Data Warehouse. Specific duties incl.: assembling, testing, processing, & maintaining Analytic Discovery Platform for analytics org.; & working w/analytic data sys. to incorp. them into operational data flow for analytics teams. Apply at https://careers.highmarkhealth.org, using keyword J177049. SENIOR ANALYTIC DATA ENGINEER Highmark Health seeks Senior Analytic Data Engineer in Pittsburgh, PA to architect & engineer solutions to provide views for Analytic Data Warehouse. Specific duties incl.: assembling, testing, processing, & maintaining Analytic Discovery Platform for analytics org.; & working w/analytic data sys. to incorp. them into operational data flow for analytics teams. Apply at https://careers.highmarkhealth.org, using keyword J177049. SENIOR ANALYTIC DATA ENGINEER Highmark Health seeks Senior Analytic Data Engineer in Pittsburgh, PA to architect & engineer solutions to provide views for Analytic Data Warehouse. Specific duties incl.: assembling, testing, processing, & maintaining Analytic Discovery Platform for analytics org.; & working w/analytic data sys. to incorp. them into operational data flow for analytics teams. Apply at https://careers.highmarkhealth.org, using keyword J177049. recblid ahi9895ljjna5so3geel33wyjlvs03 Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email customercare@heraldandnews.com for help creating one. Breaking News Updates Would you like to receive our Breaking News updates? Signup today! Calendar Updates Would you like to receive our weekly Calendar updates? Signup today! Deals Updates Would you like to receive Deals updates? Signup today! Magnolia, AR (71754) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 96F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Please be aware that Cache Valley Publishing does not endorse, and is not responsible for alleged employment offers in the comments. Recommended for you President Joe Biden will be meeting the United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II on June 13, his first trip abroad since taking office. They will meet at the Windsor Castle for a one-on-one discussion, declared Buckingham Palace on Thursday. The monarch's meeting with Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will go amidst Biden's visit to Britain for the upcoming G7 summit. President Biden will become the 13th US president that the 95-year-old monarch will meet in the course of her record-breaking reign. It will also be her first significant engagement since the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in April. The British monarch spent most of her time during the pandemic west of London at Windsor, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. In the span of her reign, the Queen has met with all United States presidents excluding Lyndon Johnson. Queen Elizabeth also previously met former President Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump at Buckingham Palace in 2019, reported BBC. G7 Leaders The UK is hosting G7 leaders in Cornwall, Britain. It will be the largest in-person diplomatic event since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last in-person meeting among leaders of industrialized nations was held over two years ago. The meeting will take place at Carbis Bay, a small seaside resort in Cornwall, which is about 300 miles west of London. The meeting will be held from June 11 to 13, reported NBC News. France, Germany, and Japan are also expected to attend the summit. High on the agenda are issues such as recovery and climate change. The event is seen as a way for the UK to show that cooperation among the nations remains strong and it still has clout in a fast-changing world. The UK hopes to use their G-7 presidency this year to help forge a post-Brexit "Global Britain" job boost for the nation. Read Also: US Ban on Chinese Firms: President Joe Biden Brings List Previously Issued by Trump to 59 After Buckingham Palace announced the event, the White House confirmed the visit in a statement. The President's itinerary was also discussed, saying that there will also be stops in Switzerland and Belgium aside from the UK. According to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, "This trip will highlight America's commitment to restoring our alliances, revitalizing the Transatlantic relationship, and working in close cooperation with our allies and multilateral partners to address global challenges and better secure America's interests," reported ABC News. The meeting between the leaders of the US and UK has been in the works for a while, with the White House and the Palace negotiating over logistics. Buckingham Palace issued no further information regarding the meeting between the Queen and the US president. Windsor Castle, the location of the meeting, is no stranger to important events. It was also the setting for the wedding of her grandson Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan Markle in 2018. Related Article: Joe Biden Announces 'National Month of Action' to Provide COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives, Including Free Beer @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The military presence of US bombers in the flyovers conducted over NATO states is to flex power. The exercises skirted the borders of Russia, flying close to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, but avoided unnecessary encounters with the Russian Air Force. More USAF planes flew through Canadian and American airspace to accomplish a tour of NATO members, reported The Sun. General Jeffrey Harrigian, the Commander of the US and NATO air forces, called it a show of NATO air superiority. Several nations were part of the exercise like Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Croatia, and more NATO allied nations. NATO Operation Allied Sky By the end of June, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will commence ground exercises close to the edges of the Russian border, in the area of the Black Sea. It will be the second occasion that Allied Sky will have planes from allies in Europe be involved in another American-led massive exercise. In June 2020, six Stratofortresses flew over Europe while two bombers flew in the US. Cruising at 27,000ft over Scotland at 316mph, a new video took images of a B-52 that was getting fueled mid-air on a return flight over Spain, then resuming the mission once more. Seen in the video is a Royal Air Force Typhoon interceptor, that flew in formation over UK airspace as a fighter escort. Assisting in the refueling is a K-135 aerial tanker that took off from RAF Mildenhall airbase. Four B-52 Long Range Nuclear Bombers assisted the NATO-allied tankers. Read also: US Air Force B-1s to Fly to Norway Soon, Confuses the Russians One of the reasons for the elaborate exercise is to signal that US President Joe Biden is ready to finally meet with Vladimir Putin in Geneva on June 16. An article in Airforce Technology remarked that Jeff Harrigian mentioned, "Our forces' credibility in coping with an international security environment which is more diverse and unpredictable than at any other time in history is evidenced by bomber missions." Sending Putin a message Last Friday, British forces conveyed Putin another stern message after HMS Queen Elizabeth led a series of war games before the voyage to the Black Sea. The UK's most modern aircraft carrier conducted exercises in Portugal with 19 allied warships, that came from the US Navy and friendly countries for operation Steadfast Defender. Units that participated included submarines, destroyers, and frigates, with aerial support from RAFs new F-35B stealth fighter unit. This exercise will be until June 22. Commander of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, Commodore Steve Moorhouse said the strike force is an expression of NATO combined firepower. One of the reasons why NATO is having a row with Putin is that it wants Belarus to get sanctioned, but the Russian leader would not have it. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed that some NATO countries are contemplating sanctions on Belarus. According to Nic Robertson, CNN's International Diplomatic Editor, the goal of the mission is to show that the US and NATO allies are ready at all times. Four B-52 Long Range Nuclear Bombers from the US are making a statement that NATO is not to be trifled with. Related article: the US Sends B-52Hs Flight to the Middle East as a Warning to Iran @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A recent resolution by the Georgia Education Board (GEB) throws out the Critical Race Theory (CRT), preventing it from being discussed in state schools. This move is a reaction to the criticism on CRT, including from members of the black community. Such an action was given kudos by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp last Thursday. An attempt to subvert children The GEB throws its weight against Democrats for allegedly pushing a quasi-Marxist agenda that is dangerous in schools, reported the Epoch Times. Kemp approved the decision. He posted on Twitter, "I commend the State Board of Education on voting today to forbid the instruction of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in school classrooms." He added, "That it is anti-American and should be forbidden in the state of Georgia." I applaud the State Board of Education voting today to prevent Critical Race Theory (CRT) from being taught in our classrooms. This dangerous, anti-American ideology has no place in Georgia schools. Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) June 3, 2021 The main argument against CRT is that the United States and Georgia are not racist, and a student should not be taught about racism and slavery because it is against what is the "authentic founding principles" The resolution was approved by a wide margin. The vote was 11-2 and defeated moves by resident Democrats who wanted to oppose the proposition. This resolution comes after the governor, the Republican, sent a letter to the state education board last May 20 condemning CRT and how it is a "destructive philosophy" in American public schools. Many Republican governors are moving to trash CRT as quickly as they can. The education board's resolution places no restrictions on school districts or instructors but might develop binding rules in the future against CRT. Read also: Ma'Khia Bryant Holding a Knife During Shooting? Debates Continue If the Police Actions Were Right AP News reports that Board chair Scott Sweeney said, "It states the passed resolution will not prevent anyone from teaching CRT, although this a statement against teaching this liberal thought affirming Georgia is against it." People approached Kemp about CRT Parents, students, administrators, and educators in the state had previously raised concerns about the implementation of CRT in public schools, remarked Kemp. "Like me, they are disturbed that this contentious and bashing curriculum is getting popular in Washington, D.C., and some states across the country," he wrote. Close to Communism? CRT has been spreading throughout universities, political structures, school systems, and the business sector in the past few decades. Critics liken it to Marxism and state that it encourages the abolition of institutions such as the Western legal system, free markets, and orthodox faiths. However, those that support the theory argue that race needs to be discussed. They believe that race is pervasive and cannot be removed from everyday life. Conservatives dispute this belief. In response to mounting objections to CRT, a growing number of states are implementing laws banning its dissemination in classrooms and other government agencies. With the passage of the GEB resolution, Critical Race Theory is not allowed in state schools; this move is being touted as a victory for the Republicans. Related article: Derek Chauvin Conviction in George Floyd Death Certain, Feds Had Backup Plans If Declared Innocent @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Stating that liberals might be active in the repudiation of the scheduled Fourth of July fireworks show at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem criticized the suspension of the event. She alleges that the Left is acting as part of a plot to cancel her attempt to celebrate American freedom. Cancel culture may be working on the sidelines, reported Newsmax. The White House has not issued any statement if they influenced the decision not to grant the requested event. For many, the yearly fireworks display is an expression of US freedom and its cancellation leaves many worried, especially conservatives. Fireworks displays had not been held at the federal landmark from 2009, but they have been revived in 2020 again under Donald Trump, who staged a no-masks or social distancing required rally at the monument a year before the celebration. Canceling right to an essential expression of Freedom Noem said on Fox News, "Fox and Friends," that "The court decision is very random, and the decision will be appealed." Noem vowed that she will continue to pursue the event. Calling it an "anti-American agenda, because they are stopping a celebration of freedom." Next, Noem cited the push for critical race theory (CRT) and the 1619 Project. She credited these moves to the administration, accusing them of using these issues to subvert American values. Read also: South Dakota Governor Scours Biden's Termination of Keystone Pipeline; Dangerous to US Energy Policy Permits needed Noem's criticism of the suspended Mount Rushmore festivities is not accurate, according to the reasoning of the National Parks Services. The agency said that it turned down Noem's application to bring the celebration back on July 4 because of the continuing coronavirus pandemic, as well as the risk of wildfires, and other environmental issues. It also said that there is ongoing construction at the massive historic site, and it will not be completed before the holiday. Also, the park's Native American tribal partners' opposition was also acknowledged. Herbert Frost, National Park Service regional director, who was the director when the permit was not granted, cited WBAP. He said," As a result of the 2020 celebration, potential risks to the area and the health & welfare of employees and guests associated with firework show remain a problem and are still being evaluated." He added more to the reasons cited above, that many tribal members are not for the fireworks show at Mount Rushmore. Again, he repeated the pandemic would not be good for the safe handling of the firecrackers. Noem had a case filed against the Park Service's decision, although an appeals court on Wednesday had ruled that the State does not need any specific requirements under the law to have a ruling in South Dakota's favor. She told Fox in the interview that the rejection of the permit is politically motivated and characterized the cancellation of the celebration as foolish. She zeroed in on the reasons given as insincere. Noem added that the park should have granted the request and she will continue to pursue the matter. She continued to criticize the suspended Mount Rushmore festivities as a way for liberals to "cancel freedom." Related article: South Dakota Gov. Noem Tells Federal Government the State Will Not Accept Any Aliens @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Dr. Anthony Fauci believes COVID-19 possibly originated from a virus that killed three miners in China in 2012 after they visited a bat-infested cave. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is known to be the coronavirus that killed the miners in 2012. Fauci demanded on Thursday that China provide the miners' medical data, as well as the records of the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) researchers who became ill with an unexplained COVID-like condition in November 2019. Fauci calls China to release Wuhan lab workers' medical records President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser and the longtime head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Anthony Fauci, went on to argue that the virus escaping from a lab is still not the most logical explanation for COVID-19's emergence. Despite some rejecting the lab leak notion as a conspiracy theory, it has gained popularity in recent weeks, although investigations are still underway and the COVID-19 origins remain unknown. Per Newsweek via MSN, confirmation that WIV laboratory personnel were infected with COVID-19 long before the first reported cases would certainly increase the chances that SARS-CoV-2 escaped the lab. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 2020 on samples from four of the six Chinese miners who became ill after visiting a cave in 2012. It's possible, though, that the miners were infected with a virus that was linked to the one that infected the miners. Many coronaviruses were eventually identified in the cave by Chinese researchers, including RaTG13, the closest known relative of SARS-CoV-2. If it hadn't been for the effort of a group of internet researchers known as DRASTIC, or the Decentralized Radical Autonomous Search Team Investigating COVID-19, the fact that the miners died of a SARS-like disease would not have been discovered. Despite WIV Director Shi Zhengli's claims that the men died from a cave fungus, the group discovered that the miners had tested positive for SARS-like antibodies following a thorough review of a Chinese academic publication database. Fauci's demand that China reveals the medical information drew a quick rebuke from his critics. On the same day, Fauci gave an MSNBC interview in which he stated that discovering the COVID-19 origin was "clearly in China's best interest." This sparked outrage. Critics pointed out that if the virus was discovered to have escaped from WIV, China would be better off concealing its origins. Read Also: COVID-19 Origins Probe: WHO Reviews Research on When Coronavirus Entered Italy, Indicates Experts Track Down Virus Outside China Chinese whistleblower virologist blasts Dr. Anthony Fauci A Chinese virologist who fled to the United States after asserting that China hid the COVID-19 outbreak alleges that a trove of Anthony Fauci's emails validates her bioweapons assertions. Dr. Li Meng-Yan claims the messages, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, show the White House virus specialist was aware of the possibility of the virus being manufactured but publicly downplayed it. Fauci finally conceded today that the "lab-made" COVID-19 idea may have some merit after the emails were released, as per The Sun. Senator Rand Paul and Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene attacked the top doctor when his emails surfaced, while Candace Owens wants him tried and imprisoned. In the Wuhan laboratory, where COVID-19 is increasingly assumed to have begun, Paul alleged Fauci circulated misinformation about American-funded research. Li released two reports on the Chinese viral tests last year and one this year on Zenodo, both of which were published without peer review. The Wuhan lab leak explanation was initially dismissed as a conspiracy theory promoted by the extreme right to blame China for the pandemic. But things changed on May 26 when President Joe Biden, after allegedly shutting down an earlier investigation into the COVID-19 origins, launched a reassessment of the lab leak theory. Related Article: Fauci Email Leaks: Republicans Urge Infectious Disease Expert to Testify Against COVID-19 Origins Probe @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The USS Oklahoma is pictured as it was being righted following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The remains of a Hope sailor who was aboard the ship have recently been identified. Chinas ruling Communist Party remains relentless in its efforts to erase the public memory of the 1989 pro-democracy protests that ended in a deadly military crackdown in Beijing's Tiananmen Square Olney Central College students Caleb Thomas (left) and Stephanie Blake (far right) were named to the All-Illinois Academic Team by Phi Theta Kappa. They are pictured with PTK Adviser Amie Mayhall (center). You bet - Ill be there all weekend. I plan to be there at least part of the time. Im still a little leary because of the crowds. Vote View Results Renovation 4 June 2021 Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine announces today the completion of its property-wide, multiphase $10 million dollar renovation. Debuting a fresh, elevated design inspired by the surrounding locale, the celebrated San Diego property introduces a remodeled exterior and interior with a transformed lobby, social and event spaces. Located in the coastal town of La Jolla, Hyatt Regency La Jolla is a conveniently located retreat just minutes from picturesque beaches, University of California San Diego, Westfield UTC, and many of San Diego's most famed attractions. Originally opened in 1989, Hyatt Regency La Jolla has completed a comprehensive reimagination of the guest journey including the lobby and foyer spaces, the property's 400 guest rooms and 16 suites, and the introduction of MARKET La Jolla. The arrival of Shor, a brand new breakfast restaurant set to debut this summer, will round out the exciting updates to the property. DESIGN The renovation of Hyatt Regency La Jolla was led by interior design firm Looney & Associates and preserves the original design by Michael Graves, paying homage to the world-renowned architect, while adding fresh, elevated touches throughout. The renovation design is inspired by the temporal moments where the waters of the Pacific meet the shore. Merging nature and architecture, the selection of interior materials and finishes feature soft, organic textures with materials and colors that create harmony and generate new, engaging spaces. Upon entry, guests are welcomed to Hyatt Regency La Jolla by an inviting yet casual atmosphere reflective of the Southern California locale. Drawing inspiration from the colors of La Jolla Cove Beach at dusk, the palette is soft and ethereal, punctuated with deep blue tones. The reimagined, spacious lobby layout creates a retreat for guests to converge, relax and dine. Layered textures, warm hues and mixed wood tones with leather accents give the space an engaging feel. Multi-functional lounge spaces offer communal seating framed by open bookshelves made with natural walnut, warm metals and colored glass that define intimate spaces without creating visual boundaries. The lobby's welcoming library includes literature on San Diego, surfing and architecture since the property's opening in 1989. ACCOMODATIONS Providing a memorable experience in San Diego for locals and travelers alike, Hyatt Regency La Jolla features 416 refreshed guest accommodations with sweeping views, including 16 suites. Four VIP suites range from 1,000-1,400 sq.ft. with a whirlpool tub, dining area, wet bar and lounge area while 12 Studio suites offer spacious 650 sq. ft. spaces with a separate lounge area. The clean, contemporary guest room and suite design is reflective of the hotel's San Diego surroundings, drawing inspiration from the sea, sand, flora and cliffs of nearby beaches. Guests can let in the Southern California air with expansive windows offering views of La Jolla and surrounding cities, and can enjoy a spa-inspired bath with detailed glass mosaic tiling. Hyatt Regency La Jolla is pet-friendly and features contactless arrival and departure through Mobile Key available in the World of Hyatt app. Now Open 4 June 2021 Avani Hotels announces the opening of Avani Seminyak Resort in Bali, the brand's first property in Indonesia. Centrally located in the heart of Seminyak, the resort is just a short walk away from the area's stylish beach hub and renowned nightlife. With 21 brand new residence-style accommodations and 16 private pool villas, visitors will have the ideal stay, no matter how long their Bali journey. Seminyak attracts travellers from near and far. This lively area, brimming with creative energy from inspiring art galleries to stylish restaurants and trendsetting bars, is just steps from the resort. Avani Seminyak is also only 10 minutes' walk to the renowned surf of Seminyak beach, 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), and approximately a 1.5-hour drive from the Balinese mountain town of Ubud. Foodie travellers inspired by Instagram can follow @AvaniSeminyakBali to learn of local hotspots curated by Avani resident influencers who share their favourite hangouts. Kick back and soak up the Balinese vibes at Plant Cartel for 100% natural plant delights, Cabina Bali for a floating brunch or Mad Pops Bali for sustainably delicious frozen treats. After exploring all Bali has to offer, Avani Seminyak is the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate. Every bright and spacious villa and residence is accentuated with breezy beachy tones, designed to foster a welcoming laidback island atmosphere. Guests will feel at home with private kitchen and dining areas in addition to signature Avani amenities. At the same time, the private pool villas are 150 sqm of spaciousness, perfect for friends and families to enjoy. Last but not least, the suite residences boast open-air terraces and range from simple studios to larger multi-bedroom units with pool access. Avani Seminyak prides itself on a menu centred around carefully sourced ingredients from the islands to ensure sustainability. Enjoy Indonesian and international dishes at GROOVE restaurant as well as learning to create Bali's traditional cuisine at the community cooking classes. Guests looking to keep fit can work up a sweat at the AvaniFit gym. Or complete laps at the secluded pool before simply relaxing in a pool-side cabana. Appointment 4 June 2021 The Opus, Westchester, an Autograph Collection Hotel debuted April 15th with its newly appointed General Manager, luxury hospitality veteran Elizabeth Andrews, at the helm. In her new role, the former modern dancer turned hotel operator will oversee all aspects of the new luxe, artistically forward urban retreat and its daily operations including the 146 guestrooms and 38 luxury suites, food and beverage offerings, immersive programming, indoor rooftop pool and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. Andrews will also have a key role in the training, learning and development of The Opus team. Andrews is now a veteran of the hospitality industry, with over 20 years of experience, however she began her career as an artist, studying dance at Cornell University and before settling in New York City, choreographing and preforming new works for several years. Her foray into hospitality began in 2001 at 60 Thompson (now SIXTY SoHo) as a Front Desk Agent, moving her way up the ranks and growing the brand alongside ownership over the course of 10 years before finishing her tenure as General Manager of the property. With a newfound adoration for hospitality, Andrews served as General Manager for several boutique luxury properties including Thompson LES (now SIXITY LES Hotel,) Smyth, a Thompson Hotel (now AKA Tribeca,) Paramount Hotel, Gramercy Park Hotel and even a transition to Vice President at The Jade Hotel, which has since become the Walker Hotel Greenwich Village. With each step, Andrews worked to infuse her artistic flare and experience into the ethos of these properties. She now steps into the role of General Manager poised to lead this art-forward property with a spirit of musicality and varied artisan details. Andrews currently resides in Westchester with her husband and two young children. Press Release 4 June 2021 On the occasion of World Environment Day 2021, which will be celebrated on 5 June, Melia Hotels International has announced the launch of The planet we love", a project it has been working on in recent months with Climatetrade which represents a major step forward in the company's commitments to the environment and the transition to a low-carbon economy. As a result, members of the MeliaRewards loyalty programme can now exchange points for carbon credits certified by the United Nations to support a selection of projects in developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Advertisements Melia Hotels International thus becomes the first hotel company in the world to offer loyalty programme members the chance to become directly involved in compensating their carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits to assign to certified and guaranteed projects. MeliaRewards members who want to take part can do so directly in melia.com, where they can choose either of two projects selected by the company. The first, is a project in Brazil to reduce methane emissions and transform the gas into non-polluting energy for thousands of homes at risk. The second, endorsed by AENOR and developed by Acciona, aims to promote new sustainable water and energy infrastructure to benefit more than 700,000 homes in Mexico, avoiding the emission of more than 670,000 tons of CO 2 , equivalent to the photosynthesis carried out by 33 million trees. Melia has worked on the project with Climatetrade, a Spanish fintech company and leader in carbon-credit management, which helps companies achieve carbon neutrality by offsetting emissions with a large number of certified environmental projects, applying blockchain technology to guarantee the transparency and trackability of the entire process. "The planet demands commitments from both companies and consumers to move towards a low-carbon economy, the major change that we need to support in the 21st century," said Gabriel Escarrer, Executive Vice President and CEO of Melia Hotels International. The involvement of customers in its environmental commitments through this project is a new step forward in the integration of ESG criteria (Environmental, Social and Governance) in the Melia Hotels International value chain, which has led the company to aim to reduce emissions by 51% before 2035 (Scope 1 and 2). To achieve this, Melia is working in different areas such as the acquisition of electricity from renewable sources, the measurement and reduction of waste and the application of artificial intelligence to improve its management and control systems. The launch of "The planet we love" also responds to a commitment to encourage responsible behaviour among its stakeholders, such as measures to ensure the efficient and responsible use of water. In 2020, the company was once again named one of top 5 travel companies in the world in combatting climate change by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), also obtaining the top position in Europe in water management and the top position in Spain in the management of climate change. The company was also named the second most sustainable hotel company in the world in the most recent assessment by S&P Global, a world leader. Francisco Benedito, CEO of Climatetrade stated that offsetting the carbon footprint of travel requires that we generate a positive impact. The use of blockchain technology allows us to achieve a greater impact and also certify the destination of the funds. Compensating our travel is a game changer for the industry, as we neutralise the pollution caused by travel". Revenues at Conns, The Woodlands-based furniture and homegoods retailer, jumped in the first quarter as sales recovered from pandemic blows and it carried less bad debt on the consumer credit side of its business. The company swung to a $45.4 million profit ($1.52 per diluted share) in the quarter ended April 30, compared to a $56.2 million loss ($1.95) during the same period last year. Retail revenues increased 26 percent to $292 million from $231 million a year ago. On HoustonChronicle.com: Sales of new vehicles rebounded in March We generated the highest quarterly net earnings in our 131-year history as a result of strong operating performance from both our retail and credit segments, Norm Miller, Conns chairman and chief executive, said in the earnings release. We significantly grew retail sales, while simultaneously managing credit risk demonstrating the power of our unique and hybrid business model, which we believe supports a meaningful and long-term opportunity to expand our platform and attract more consumers. Executives said in an earnings call Thursday that 60-day delinquencies were down materially after the company tightened its credit underwriting last year. Chief Financial Officer George Bchara said the company is trying to step away from consumers with lower credit scores. Were not going deeper in the credit spectrum, he said. We dont want an issue in the future where, because of risk were taking, that it comes back to bite us from a credit standpoint down the road. Government stimulus checks helped drive customers to Conns in recent months, executives said in the call. The company opened six showrooms during the quarter and has since opened a seventh, bringing the companys footprint to 153 stores in 15 states. It plans to open several more over the course of the current fiscal year. Many major retailers are reducing their physical footprints as more people order online, but Conns business model caters to lower-income customers that historically are more inclined to shop in person, said Venky Shankar, research director of Texas A&M University's Center for Retailing Studies. Thats likely why Conns is moving to expand its brick and mortar base, he said. amanda.drane@chron.com Twitter.com/amandadrane Support Local Journalism The Malibu community needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please help keep us in print by making a contribution. DaVion Tatum remembers when he learned what valedictorians are he was in third grade and decided immediately, thats what he wanted to be. There was just one problem. I didnt realize they dont have valedictorians in elementary school, he says. Tatum, now 18 and a senior at Westfield High School in Spring ISD, has waited nearly a decade to make his younger self proud. On June 4, when he graduates as valedictorian of his class, he also makes history as the schools first Black male to earn the distinction. Its a title hes worked long and hard for. Ive actually been valedictorian since I was a freshman, Tatum says. One day I wondered what my rank was, and my counselor had my transcript available. She said, Keep that spot. Which is exactly what he did clinch the No. 1 spot and never let go. When the time came to apply for college, Tatum sent applications to more than 20 universities, including seven Ivy League schools. He applied everywhere except Dartmouth, he says. I never envisioned in a million years that Id be able to go to Harvard, he says. They wait-list everybody; they reject everybody. Tatum admits that three years ago he had no idea which state Harvard was in. And hed never heard of Cambridge, the Boston suburb Harvard co-eds call home. Ive never been good at geography, Tatum says. All he knew was that Harvard was considered the best. Thats what hed been chasing his whole life, being the best DaVion. That meant getting straight As and pushing himself beyond the usual scholastic goals. 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. In first grade he recalls watching a difficult math video and thinking, I want to learn that. So he asked his mother to buy him an algebra book and taught himself what he read on the pages. His teachers realized he was no ordinary child. In her 28 years as an educator and college counselor, Clara Lauderdale, says shes never known a student quite like him. Hes probably the first kid Ive ever had an adult conversation with. He had a lot of questions. And he challenges you to challenge him. Lauderdale says their relationship got off to a rocky start. We butted heads early on. He wasnt used to people following through when he asked them to do something, she says. Upperclassmen advised him to give me a chance and get to know me. Then it was smooth sailing. Its been an honor to know him. She describes Tatum as someone with a strong personality. Hes determined for his age. He said to me, Dont let me settle. Lauderdale held up her end of the bargain. She coaxed him to join different school organizations to help develop his leadership skills. As an upperclassmen, Tatum was elected vice president of Westfields National Honor Society and later, president of his senior class. Those positions taught him valuable lessons, he says: He learned that in order to lead, one must serve. And how to be a role model. At Lauderdales suggestion, Tatum signed up for an African-American student group. As a young, Black male he needed to be equipped for challenges he might face, and with the right social and emotional tools, feel confident that he could overcome any obstacle. I move very differently through the world. People dont understand it sometimes, Tatum says. Sometimes Im extroverted, but sometimes I close off. My mom really just allows me to be me and chart my own path. Mother and son celebrated as Tatums college acceptance letters began to pour in. Then came Ivy Day, when all eight Ivy League schools release their admission decisions for first-year students. On April 6, all seven of Tatums applications were accepted, including Harvard, his dream school. Im still in shock, Im didnt expect that. This was Harvards lowest acceptance rate ever, he says. Tatum seriously considered Stanford, too. Eventually it boiled down to what I want to study as a career. Stanford is geared toward computer engineering and computer sciences. Harvard is the intersection of medicine, law and engineering. Its the number one medical school and law school in the world, so everything about Harvard said, Come here, come here! Lauderdale thinks he made the right call. He really is such a talented student that he could have more than two majors, she says. Hes that dedicated and well-rounded. At age 13, Tatum wrote and published a book title, Thriving in My Own Lane. The 71-page work chronicles his experiences living as a Black young man in America, and the struggles he faced combating societal stereotypes and racial generalizations. Its the sort of thing that shines on a scholarship application. At last count, Lauderdale estimates that Tatum has amassed $764,000 in scholarships and financial aid, far more than any other student shes worked with. Two of those are the Ron Brown Scholars Program and Coca-Cola Scholars Program. These are rigorous college scholarship applications, she says. As impressive as his accomplishments are, its important remember that Tatum is still just a kid, Lauderdale says. And like any other teenager, hes excited to share the graduation stage with his best friend and salutatorian, Braxton Budd, who is also Black. Even for myself as an adult, I think what theyve done is open the door of hope, Lauderdale says. When you have African-American males, knowing the struggles they have, this shows that they, too, can excel if you just dont give up. You have to persevere. Theyre the same as any other student, they only difference is they accepted the challenge and told themselves, I think I can, I think I can. amber.elliott@chron.com When it comes to packing for summer camp, 13-year-old Beryt Scott is a pro. She sets up a table in an extra room at her house, grabs the list provided by Greene Family Camp in Bruceville and assembles all the T-shirts, shorts and sunscreen that the seasoned campers three-and-a-half-week stay will require. Ive been going since I was born, said Beryt, who even as an infant accompanied her mother, Adrienne Scott, rabbi at Bellaires Congregation Beth Israel, where she served as camp faculty. Beryt started attending Greene on her own at age 8 and has returned almost every summer. Until COVID-19 shut in-person camp down. When Beryt heard the news last summer, she had mixed feelings. My parents told me we werent going, she recalled. I was kind of upset, but I was also kind of relieved. We were all so scared last summer, Rabbi Scott said. We were all nervous. We were just really concerned about everyone staying safe and healthy. Beryt stayed connected with fellow campers through text and video chats; they even gathered for Zoom shabbats. But she missed the campfires and camp songs. My favorite thing is seeing everyone I havent seen for a whole year and connecting with them, she said. Now, its been about two years since the campers have seen one another. And at age 13, thats a long time. Beryt celebrated her bat mitzvah during the pandemic, as did several of her friends. I dont think well even recognize some of the girls, Adrienne said with a laugh. Regardless, Beryt cant wait to see her friends. A lot of them live in different parts of Texas, she said. And we stay in the same cabin every year. She is packing again now for her session that starts June 12. This year, there are a few additional items prepped to go into her bag: masks, hand sanitizer and a reusable water bottle. Im excited, but I know things will be different, she said. Different this year Greene is part of the Union for Reform Judaism camps and youth programs and follows the organizations COVID-19 protocol. That means that camp will require masks and rapid tests within 72 hours of arriving. Outside vendors will be limited, and there will no longer be field trips off site. Campers will stay in pods with their bunks, and visitor days are also no longer allowed. Im happy with the changes in place, said Rabbi Scott, who receives regular email updates. Its a well-oiled machine. Summer camp at the Tajweed Institute, 16205 Westheimer, will also adapt its structure to follow COVID-19 procedures this year. Organizer Afreen Rangoonwala said the camp started in 2018. In the past, about 80 students attended sessions full of activities and field trips. Every day there was something fun for them, she said. Last summer, Tajweed went digital. But you cannot do crafts online; you cannot splash each other online, Rangoonwala said. Still, the camp found a way to adapt with virtual classes, designed to appeal to all students. We couldnt do summer camp, but we still didnt want it to be nothing, Rangoonwala said. We wanted to do the best we could. This year, camp is resuming in person through July 14. But its not like our usual program, Rangoonwala said. You have to stay 6 feet apart and wear masks. There will be temperature checks and limited capacity. We hired extra teachers and opened more classrooms. The sessions will also be shorter. We reduced the time and removed the physical activities, Rangoonwala said. Youre sitting down and learning. She explained that Tajweed is taking all measures to keep campers safe. Hopefully, next year we can open just like we used to, but this year, its a more concise summer program, she said. Its not normal, but were making the most of it. A whole new normal At Hindu Heritage Youth Camp, the pandemic has prompted even more changes. After months of debate, which camp director Shamal Shah called a waiting game, the camp went virtual last year. The whole draw of camp is being there in person, said Shah, a former counselor. Around May, Hindu Heritage Youth Camp made the call to move online. For five weeks, the camp hosted daily one-hour sessions. In addition, each camper received a kit in the mail, complete with a T-shirt and craft supplies. It went pretty well, Shah said. We had a lot of return campers. Overall, it was a success. We were able to do something. This year, vaccines and lowering COVID cases meant camp could resume. Then we hit our first hurdle, Shah said. Because the Hindu Heritage Youth Camp did not rent its normal space the prior year, the host facility could not stay above water. We scrambled to find a new campsite, Shah said. Again, we were worried, Are we going to do camp or not? Hindus of Greater Houston, which partners with the camp, purchased 50 acres to build its own site. Still, there was not enough time for construction. Thankfully, the camp found Camp Victory in Alvin, which will host the campers for the summer. It fits all our needs, Shah said. This years camp will start in early August. Well keep most of our activities outside and maintain distancing, Shah said. There will be doctors on staff, twice-daily temperature checks as well as requirements that campers quarantine and receive negative test results before attending. Im so happy to be able to have a camp this year, he said. I didnt realize how much I missed it. Foundation in faith Theres one main part of Greene Family Camp that Beryt looks forward to each year. Everyone is Jewish, and we connect about it, she said. Youre not with your parents, so the camp becomes your family. She enjoys the shabbat strolls every Friday night, when campers gather for dinner, a special outdoor service, after the sound of a shofar. Camp is a place of reunion, her mother, Rabbi Scott, said. These campers have been together since their first summer. They make lifelong friends at camp. They meet spouses at camp, future bosses at camp. They meet mentors at camp. And camp helps build a strong foundation in faith. Youre living and breathing Judaism and Jewish values each and every day, Rabbi Scott said. I couldnt think of a better gift we could give to our children. How do we teach you to love Judaism as much as we do? This is the way. The same is true for Hindu Heritage Youth Camp and Tajweed Institutes summer camp, where a sense of community built on faith is instilled at an early age. At Hindu Heritage Youth Camp, students learn Indian dance, celebrate Holi and learn about the faiths epics. You learn about Hinduism as a lifestyle, he said. Its something the youth carry later into college, Shah explained. Many return to become counselors and directors. At Tajweed, campers learn about reading the Quran in different phases, from beginning Arabic studies to memorizing passages to analyzing the meaning, depending on their age group. For Muslims, its important to learn to read the Quran, Rangoonwala said. Its read a certain way. Theres a melody to it. Spreading her love of Islam to the campers is one of the most rewarding parts of hosting camp each year, Rangoonwala explained. Its the smiles you see on their faces every day; its their excitement, she said. Tradition continues (with a few modifications) At Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, children look forward to Workcamp each year. There are two separate sessions. Middle school students sign up for local outreach opportunities while high schoolers travel across the state for mission. About 150 or more students spend a week working from helping elderly homeowners with repairs to building wheelchair ramps. They also host a local food drive at their church. Its a cornerstone of our student ministry, and it has been for more than three decades, director of youth ministry Mark Bogart said. During the pandemic, there was no way to move the service-based camp online or to accommodate out-of-town travel. For the first time ever, we had to cancel, Bogart said. This summer, Workcamp is back in business. The high school session starts June 15, the middle school June 21. It was clear from the beginning that this year would be different than normal, Bogart said. But were trying to do the best we can to re-create a typical experience. Both sessions will remain in Houston. Instead of staying overnight, campers will arrive at 8:30 a.m. and head home about 9 p.m. Days will be dedicated to serving local organizations such as the Houston Food Bank and Rebuilding Together Houston. Then, the evenings will be spent in worship and small groups, where students can discuss faith with each other. We are the hands and feet of Jesus out in our local community, he said. Theres a spiritual transformation that happens in the students and they spread that love throughout the city. Its an unforgettable experience, Bogart said. You make friends, forge relationships and develop and deepen your relationship with God. Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer. The Heritage Museum of Montgomery County has launched a project that will offer more online access to the museums records. In late March and early April, Chairman of the Digitizing Committee and museum volunteer, Emery Heuermann and Museum intern Catherine Pool began digitizing the museums archives with the hope that theyll be available to the public via the museums website later in the year. Its important to not only preserve the archives that we do have, but by digitizing the archives, it allows researchers to utilize these resources, said Joy Montgomery, Executive Director of the museum. The Emery and Elizabeth Heuermann Foundation has given a $10,000 grant to the Heritage Museum to help fund the project. He said the museum has all these resources, but they are not readily available to the public. He gave an example of someone in South Dakota trying to do research on their ancestors from Montgomery County. He said currently this person wouldnt be able to easily find an index online to help with their family research. There are roughly 18 categories they are digitizing and the project is a two-pronged effort between the accessioning committee that receives and catalogs the original material and the digitizing committee that scans in the document, photograph, newspaper clipping or other type of record. The accessioning committee is headed up by Nancy Kolb and Eugenia Ledbetter. Heuermann and Pool make up the digitizing committee. Pool recently completed a Spring semester internship with the museum. Shes a Caney Creek High School graduate and will soon travel to Alaska to study Alaskan native heritage. When she returns to Conroe in the fall, shell transition into a Digitizing Specialist role with the museum. They are currently working on digitizing the vertical files in the archive, which Heuermann said means miscellaneous items in the record. These are interesting because theres so many little thing that youd never think about, but they are interesting, he said. Among the collections, the personal letters stood out to Pool. I love scanning in the personal letters from the 1940s, she said. Theyre so pure and innocent. Shes recently been scanning in letters from the Edith Clanton Collection. One of the letters was from Ediths husband as World War II was breaking out. It puts you in a different setting, she said. Heuermann got a chuckle when he found a chattel lien that involved his grandfather who put his milk cow up for collateral for a $15 loan from First National Bank in Conroe. This happened in the 1930s in Conroe. You see so many things that disappear, but once they are digitized, it reduces the risk of the item never being seen again, he said. He estimates it will be at least a two-year effort to get all of the material in digital format. Also the Heritage Museum is currently having registration for its Pioneer Camp. It will be July 5-9 at the Heritage Museum, 1506 Interstate 45 N, Conroe. Pioneer Camp is a long-standing tradition at the Heritage Museum. Its a chance for children ages eight to 11 to experience some of the activities of pioneer life. Space is limited to 20 slots. Sign up at https://www.heritagemuseum.us/pioneer-camp-2021. The Heritage Museum also has a variety of materials online. Visit heritagemuseum.us, the Heritage Museums Facebook page or the Heritage Museums YouTube channel. shernandez@hcnonline.com Fort Bend County is ready to put up to 250 young people to work this summer. On HoustonChronicle.com: Upcoming virtual events at Fort Bend County Libraries in June The Youth Employment Program is open to people 16 to 21 years old and will place them in positions in 37 county departments, including the Fort Bend County sheriff's office, behavioral health services, commissioner offices, county clerk, county judge, district attorney, fire marshal, homeland security and emergency management. Work is scheduled to start on Monday, June 14, so applications are due by Wednesday, June 9. The eight-week summer program is a partnership with Workforce Solutions. County Judge KP George said the objective is to provide young people with experiences and opportunities to develop positive work habits, responsibility and organizational skills, all while being paid. We are always interested in supporting and helping, empowering our young people, George said. The workers can earn up to $15 an hour for as many as 40 hours a week. The Fort Bend County commissioners court approved the $1 million in funding on Tuesday, June 1. It came from the American Rescue Plan, a federal COVID-19 relief package. Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken DeMerchant called the program a win-win. On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston-area woman whose mother and daughter developed cancer at the same time shares her story The county gets help recovering from the pandemic, from the backlog in so many areas, and then we also have a tremendous opportunity for these young folks to have a job for the summer and make a little extra money, DeMerchant said. Workforce Solutions Rosenberg Manager Traci Nolen said Fort Bend County offers a great environment to do business and grow competitive employers. She said it all starts with helping young people develop and build upon skills and then fostering a talent pipeline where people want to remain in the county to work and apply those skills. Workforce Solutions is also working with local employers, area nonprofits and other organizations to offer jobs for eligible youth, which include roles for young people with disabilities. Pastor David Sincere said the interfaith community in Fort Bend County has been working together during the past year to provide opportunities and jobs for youth and young adults. He added that different faith groups are ready to help in the new program. George said he is excited about employing young people and that the county may consider expanding it in the future. On HoustonChronicle.com: Convicted sex offender who fled trial in Alabama apprehended in Fort Bend County He added that for adults wanting work, plenty of jobs are available. He encouraged them to keep applying and reach out to Workforce Solutions for assistance. To apply for a job through the youth employment program, visit www.fortbendcounty.jobs. For more information about Workforce Solutions, visit www.wrksolutions.com. tracy.maness@hcnonline.com OnSceneTV Police are continuing to investigate a suspicious fatal shooting Friday in north Houston after a male person of interest was questioned and released. Officers responded shortly before 2 a.m. to a reported suicide at an apartment complex on the 9600 block of W. Montgomery Road in the Acres Homes neighborhood, said Lt. E. Pavel of the Houston Police Department. Houston ISD teacher salaries, which already rank among the lowest in the region, would lag even further behind neighboring public school districts in 2021-22 under a budget proposal slated for a vote next week. HISD officials are proposing base salary raises that would, on average, total about 1 percent for teachers across the district headed into the next school year. By contrast, several of the regions largest districts have proposed or approved pay increases of 2 percent to 4 percent, continuing to nudge them ahead of HISD. If HISD board members approve the proposal, most district teachers would earn roughly $2,000 to $6,000 less in base salary compared with peers in neighboring schools. While HISD typically loses a small fraction of its teachers to other Houston-area districts, the growing gap could hurt recruitment efforts and increase defections. Were the largest district in the area, but there are so many districts that we are competing with, HISD trustee Judith Cruz said Thursday. Especially in a time like this, when teaching is extremely difficult, Im very concerned were going to continue to lose talent. I think we need to take a hard look at our budget and figure out how we can pay teachers more. Pay plans School districts across Greater Houston tie teacher base pay to years of experience. Here's how much the region's five largest districts paid in 2020-21, along with their proposed or approved increase for the next school year. District; Beginning salary; 10 years of experience; Potential 2021-22 increase Houston ISD; $54,369; $58,685; About 1 percent Cy-Fair ISD; $56,000; $61,710; 1 percent Katy ISD; $55,525; $59,635; 2 percent Fort Bend ISD; $55,500; $60,500; About 5-7 percent Conroe ISD; $57,300; $60,970; About 3 percent Source: Houston Chronicle analysis of salary proposals See More Collapse More from Jacob Carpenter: 'Could be a game changer': Houston-area districts ramp up plans for teacher incentive pay HISDs base teacher salaries have fallen behind over the past decade, dropping from middle-of-the-pack to the bottom among the regions largest districts. The reasons for the decline are numerous and subject to debate. The primary culprit is below-average revenue growth. While many neighboring districts have added students, which boosts their funding, HISDs enrollment has been relatively stable in recent years. At the same time, HISD saw its recapture payments skyrocket, draining hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from its coffers. Recapture is the states method of redistributing local property tax revenues from property-wealthy areas, such as HISD, to districts with relatively lower property values. Texas legislators in 2019 adjusted the states method of calculating recapture payments, which in coming years could offer HISD some relief. HISDs chief financial officer, Glenn Reed, said Thursday that the district faces revenue uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in enrollment losses totaling about 12,000 in 2020-21. If HISD doesnt recoup students, the district faces back-to-back years of deficits in the tens of millions of dollars, he said. We really need to get those 10,000 kids back, because (if we dont), we are going to have to make budget cuts next year just to get the budget balanced, Reed said. While HISDs revenue outlook has not helped, administrators and the board have not prioritized keeping the districts teacher salaries among the regions highest. HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan has resisted occasional calls from some trustees to dramatically slash spending on vendors, administrative costs and other expenses unrelated to teacher compensation. Meanwhile, HISD leaders have dedicated money each year to several new initiatives, such as $20 million for supporting long-struggling campuses, $15 million for hiring staff dedicated to students nonacademic needs and $15 million to add special education staffers. Board members also have avoided potentially unpopular decisions that could free up tens of millions of dollars, such as closing low-enrollment campuses, nixing extra funding for magnet schools or rejecting administrative spending proposals. Reed said it would cost about $55 million to boost HISD teacher salaries by 7 percent, which would vault the districts educator pay toward the top in Greater Houston. More from Jacob Carpenter: What Gov. Abbott's mask mandate ban means for Houston-area schools While some trustees voiced frustration with the districts teacher pay plans, only trustee Elizabeth Santos suggested she would reject the budget proposal next week. Santos noted that HISD still doesnt have the results of a compensation study that trustees ordered in June 2019. District leaders have said a procurement-related issue delayed the study, which in the coming weeks should wrap up. I feel very uncomfortable approving a budget without being able to see the compensation study we requested going on two years ago now, Santos said. HISD will soon gain access to roughly $1 billion in one-time federal COVID stimulus funds, but districts have been reluctant to use the money on recurring raises. The districts interim chief academic officer, Yolanda Rodriguez, said some of that money could go toward one-time retention bonuses, though no official proposals have been made. While base salary makes up the largest chunk of teacher pay, each educators compensation package includes health care coverage, stipends and other benefits. Texas school districts do not report average total compensation for teachers. jacob.carpenter@chron.com twitter.com/chronjacob On the verge of returning to workplaces and resuming normal life, Houston employers say the lessons theyve learned about public health and meeting their employees needs are reshaping the future of work. Most employers are now planning to bring workers back into the office, or already have, experts said at a Thursday webinar hosted by the Houston Business Coalition on Health, an association of employers purchasing health plans. Some public health measures from the pandemic will remain, such as self-quarantine if exposed to COVID-19, increased workplace cleanings and contact tracing. The workforce is changing permanently, said Chris Skisak, executive director of the Houston Business Coalition on Health. Of the 13 employers surveyed by the coalition, representing an average of 44,000 Houston employees each, 31 percent said they would track their employees vaccination statuses. More than half 53 percent said they are moving toward hybrid schedules, which alternate in-person work days to reduce exposure to COVID-19. On HoustonChronicle.com: 1 in 3 Texans are now fully vaccinated against COVID Some workplaces offered on-site COVID testing and vaccinations, but none of the companies surveyed required the vaccine as a condition of returning to the office. For instance, oil major BP is not requiring employees to receive a vaccination. However, those who arent vaccinated may be limited in what they can do and could be required to wear masks on-site, said Johnathan Markert, a health and welfare benefits manager at BP. BPs human resources team has also moved to a more flexible work schedule, requiring 60 percent of employees work to be in-office and allowing the remaining time to be spent working from home. The option to work remotely depends on a persons job and division, but its necessary to accommodate employees expectations. We were not a remote company whatsoever before COVID, Markert said. We are moving with the times and thats something that will last. Workplaces will have to account for unique developments in the vaccination effort, Skisak said. Possible booster shots, and pending litigation from a group of Houston Methodist employees who are suing the hospital for requiring a COVID-19 vaccine could shape which policies employers can institute as the world slowly returns to normal. I dont know if youll be able to plan for some of this, Skisak said. With return to work policies, theyre all navigating their way through this day by day. Benefits managers say they did not see a surge in health insurance claims during the pandemic, and COVID-19 infection claims have not been a major factor for them. People who have delayed elective care such as knee surgeries and mammograms as a result of stay-at-home orders are now returning, and executives worry people have neglected their physical and mental health to the point that their symptoms will be worse and care will be more expensive. This is one of the lasting legacies of this disease and it brought up why its important for employers to focus on this, Skisak said. gwendolyn.wu@chron.com twitter.com/gwendolynawu A federal whistle-blower lawsuit accusing a Galveston-based contractor of illegally hiring Mexican nationals to guard border-wall construction sites in California was dismissed by a federal judge, according to court records. Sullivan Land Services Co. was accused of hiring unvetted workers on its job sites at the border, and allowing a subcontractor to construct an illegal dirt road to ferry armed Mexican nationals to provide security, all with the approval of an Army Corps of Engineers supervisor. High-level employees of Sullivan Land Services and its subcontractor, Ultimate Concrete of El Paso, allegedly made false statements about the hiring of Mexican workers and also overcharged for construction costs. The construction company, founded and operated by brothers Todd, John and William Billy Sullivan, have won major state and federal contracts, including $1.8 billion for constructing the border wall in Texas, New Mexico and California. The U.S. Department of Justice investigated the false-claims allegations and notified the court in December that it would not intervene, allowing the case to proceed in federal court without DOJ involvement. But in January, attorneys for the two whistle-blowers a former deputy sheriff in San Diego County and an ex-FBI special agent who worked for security firms hired by Sullivan Land Services moved to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice, meaning the plaintiffs are free to bring another suit based on the same grounds. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant granted the motion to dismiss on Jan. 26. Through a spokeswoman, Liz Rogers, the Sullivans declined to be interviewed for this story. Rogers previously told the Houston Chronicle the lawsuit was based on inaccurate and untrue allegations. Attorneys for the two whistle-blowers did not respond to a request for comment. The whistle-blower complaint against Sullivan Land Services and its subcontractor, Ultimate Concrete of El Paso, was filed in the Southern District of California in February 2020 and mostly focuses on alleged actions during the summer of 2019. As a prime contractor on a border wall project near Imperial Beach, Calif., Sullivan was responsible for hiring subcontractors for design and construction, as well as security, on its job sites, with the funds provided by the federal government under a $144 million contract. According to the complaint, Ultimate Concrete used taxpayer dollars to illegally hire armed Mexicans to provide security for the wall project. The scheme was uncovered by the two whistle-blowers, the suit alleged. It also claimed that they were rebuked by a Sullivan project manager after reporting on the illegal security practices as well as on a gunfight that broke out on the U.S. side of the border between Mexican security guards and Mexican nationals attempting to steal from wall construction sites. One of the whistle-blowers alleged in the complaint that Chris Lankford, federal division president for Sullivan, and Jesse Guzman, president of Ultimate Concrete, acknowledged they were aware of the Mexican guards working for them, with Guzman claiming that he was paying for the services of the Mexican guards. The whistle-blowers said at least one unidentified Army Corps supervisor, who later stepped down, was aware of the operation. The day after the shooting, one of the whistle-blowers contacted the FBI. Several months later, in October 2019, the SLS project manager informed one whistle-blower that he had been fired and should no longer communicate with the other whistle-blower, according to the complaint. Ten days later, the other whistle-blower met with Lankford, who fired him. While the Imperial Beach wall replacement was completed in 2019, the status of the Sullivans other contracts to construct the border wall in Texas, California, and New Mexico is unclear. President Joe Biden signed an order on Inauguration Day ending the national emergency at the border and launching a 60-day review of the project, pausing all construction and calling for a plan to redirect unspent funds. nick.powell@chron.com Susana, a 35-year-old from El Salvador desperate to come to the U.S., had heard stories of migrants being raped and murdered. So she paid a hefty $10,000 early this year for a VIP package: It came with a promise to smuggle her to Houston with guaranteed security, rides, food, lodging and no long walks. Susana made it to Houston in February, but only after a harrowing, month-long journey and another $2,000 payment at the end of the trip. Though the VIP or all included packages often fall short of the guarantees, they are becoming more common as migrant smugglers adapt to increased restrictions at the border and greater demand from Central Americans seeking to get to the U.S. Federal immigration agents caught roughly 179,000 people trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in April, the largest figure in decades. Ignoring stringent immigration policies implemented during the Trump administration or obstacles imposed during the pandemic, smugglers have adapted with more expensive end-to-end packages. They carry large groups, often in big rigs, through an elaborate network of foot guides, safe houses and drivers. The busy Laredo North Station checkpoint on Interstate 35 has seen a 135 percent increase in the number of people smuggled in trucks over the previous year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said. Migrants who make it through such checkpoints often end up in Houston, where they can find themselves confined to stash houses, while captors demand further payments from relatives. Since late last year there have been at least five stash houses busted in Houston, including one on Wednesday. The federal government announced in April a new enforcement program to disrupt smugglers south and north of the border. Some migrants venture on their own and pay smugglers as they go for specific legs of the trip, but Susana was worried about her journey and was sold when the viajero, as smugglers are called, promised a secure trip. Susana did not want her last name identified because she is an immigrant in the country illegally and said she feared for her safety. After a year of unemployment from the COVID-19 pandemic and watching her family go without food, she didnt hesitate. She took loans from friends in the U.S. to pay for the all-included trip. Its a miracle of God that I am alive, said Susana. After crossing the Rio Grande, you think that you made it, she said. But thats when the worst began for me. Olivia P. Tallet / staff How smuggling changed The business of smuggling migrants grew more sophisticated during the Trump administration, which hardened policies for legal immigration and toughened enforcement against illegal entries. Illegal crossings of migrants coming on their own to the U.S. have largely disappeared, according to a 2018 study by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. Migrants now routinely rely on smugglers who are linked to gangs that control territory in Mexico. Rather than retreating from governmental obstacles, human smugglers run flexible enterprises that adapt to geopolitical and socioeconomic changes, according to a 2018 report on the topic from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). Migrants accounts, studies and Latin American media reports suggest that prices for smugglers services to come to America rose more than 40 percent in 2017, the first year of the Trump presidency. A trip like Susanas went from $7,000 to $10,000 that year, according to El Faro, an investigative media outlet in El Salvador, and other reports. We have been seeing more and more people coming to Houston using VIP packages during the last couple of years, said Elmer Romero, an executive with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network in Hoston. Now, with the Biden administration, human smugglers are exploiting desperate migrants with the false idea of a new president in the White House who has opened the border, making them think they can stay in the U.S. once they cross. Economic factors drive the growing demand for smugglers services, said Teodoro Aguiluz, director of the Central American Resources Center in Houston. Massive job losses during the pandemic and two hurricanes last year that devastated the Central American region are among them. Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Susanas journey begins The smugglers are very well organized, said Susana. She said she and other migrants coming with her had to wear a wristband while in Mexico that identified which cartel or smuggling organization was handling them. The colored plastic wristband, sometimes with written notes, is more visible and unmistakable than traditional verbal codes. U.S. border officials say it is a growing trend among powerful smuggling operations to track people paying to cross illegally. Numerous migrants told the Chronicle that smuggling enterprises south of the U.S. border often operate with impunity. They often function with the complicity of local law enforcement agents who look the other way in exchange for a bribe. After traversing the Rio Grande into the U.S., migrants go through what is known as the second crossing: checkpoints located miles from the international boundaries but still inside border states. Texas has 18 of them, including one of the busiest in the country, the Laredo North Station on Interstate 35. From the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1 through the end of May, more than 5,000 migrants have been found smuggled inside tractor-trailers at the Laredo checkpoint, a 135 percent increase from the previous year, said Jaime Fierro, the Customs and Border Protection officer in charge of the station. On May 21 alone, officers discovered two tractor-trailers filled with migrants in cargo boxes without ventilation and enduring high temperatures. However, tractor-trailer apprehensions make up only around 7 percent of all apprehensions in the Laredo sector. Many smuggling operators unload migrants from vehicles before crossing a checkpoint, typically with one person guiding them on foot to circumvent the stop point. After walking for hours through the inhospitable arid lands of South Texas they are picked up, usually by another truck, many miles ahead en route to their final destinations. In Texas, it usually means Houston, a major hub for smuggling distributions to eastern and northern cities in the country. Susanas nightmare Laredo is favored by smugglers because it connects to more freeways than others in the border region. The nearby small town of Roma, in the CBP Laredo sector, is now one of the busiest spots for illegal border crossings. The otherwise tranquil area has become a sort of Rio Grande port for smugglers to drop off migrants brought nightly in inflatable boats. Thats where Susana entered illegally and was immediately taken by smugglers to a stash house in the same town. She said her nightmare began the moment she was picked up from the stash house in Roma by two smugglers speaking English and moved to another stash house in nearby Zapata with about 20 migrants inside. It was the week of the February freeze in Texas, when much of the state suffered power outages. The smugglers look like normal people, a little tattooed, but with very heavy weapons, said Susana. She and her companions went without food until two days later, she said, and then she and seven others were stuffed inside a truck, which sped away. Weve been discovering a lot of stash houses here in the Laredo sector, said Sara Melendez, CBP spokesperson in the region. CBP data shows that during this fiscal year until the end of March, the agency has disrupted more than 430 stash houses with more than 6,300 smuggled migrants in the sectors of Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, Del Rio, Big Bend and El Paso. It just keeps going every single day by the hundreds Its a very busy time here for our officers, said Melendez. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A crash in the night during the winter freeze Less than an hour after the truck carrying Susana and other migrants left, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which rolled over in the middle of nowhere in the dark, Susana said. She suffered a sharp pain that might have been a rib fracture, she said. The other woman in the truck was badly cut and lost consciousness. Eventually a different group of smugglers arrived and rescued Susana and the other woman. She said she doesnt know what happened to the other migrants involved in the accident, all of whom were men. Susana said she has just pieces of memories from the next few days: The young woman who was with her in the accident regaining consciousness, hugging her and repeating, God is great. Walking for more than five hours to circumvent a checkpoint, feeling she was a few breaths away from becoming the next unidentified dead body found in the desolate lands of the Rio Grande Valley. A ride in another truck and a run-down motel in San Antonio. Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Houston Migrants are sometimes extorted before being handed over to relatives or friends in the U.S. Many end up in stash houses, where they are stripped of their belongings, including identification and clothing, so they cannot escape. The smugglers call relatives demanding more than what was initially agreed upon. Desperate families try to comply. They rarely report the extortion to authorities for fear of retaliation from smugglers. They invariably ask for more money to let you go, Susana said. She said she negotiated and agreed to pay another $2,000 in exchange for being brought to a public point in Houston instead of another stash house. ICE didnt provide requested information about stash houses or smuggling operations in Houston. But an officer from the Department of Homeland Security said the recent discovery of a stash house with 97 migrants inside in southwest Houston is a significant example of an enterprise that thrives in this city. On Wednesday another stash house in southwest Houston was found with 10 people being held; two men were arrested, Houston police said. Houston is ideally situated to be a hub it is close to the border and has exceptional connectivity to highways and a seaport; and it is large and diverse, making it easier for smugglers and their human cargo to blend in. Houston police did not give information on stash house investigations. Stash houses in Houston are not necessarily rundown properties of the kind commonly found in pictures of smuggling operations closer to the border. Its unbelievable that we had this happening right here, next to us, and we didnt have a clue! said Flor Anderson, a neighbor of a house on Chessington Drive in southwest Houston, where migrants were found April 30 huddled together, nearly naked and hungry. This is a middle-class neighborhood! We dont expect (to have) this kind of crime here. Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Fighting back The increase in bigger and more sophisticated smuggling operations prompted the Biden administration to try to counter the enterprises. In April officials announced Operation Sentinel to crack down on smuggling migrants. Transnational criminal organizations put profit over human life, with devastating consequences, said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. He said his department aims to cut access to the smugglers profits by denying these criminals the ability to engage in travel, trade, and finance in the U.S. We intend to disrupt every facet of the logistical network that these organizations use to succeed, he said. Tony Barker, U.S. Border Patrols chief of operations, said recent smuggling cases in Houston and other regions in Texas are examples of the type of criminal activities that Operation Sentinel is aiming to disrupt. He said the program targets money paid for human smuggling in the U.S. and going back to the networks in Mexico and other countries to freeze those assets. He said it includes cartels and organizations that could otherwise be doing legitimate businesses but are entangled with these criminal enterprises. These transnational criminal organizations (sell) migrants false hopes and false dreams, Barker said. olivia.tallet@chron.com Twitter.com/oliviaptallet This promotional subscription includes access to all online news and pages for a 90-day period as well as daily news delivered to your email inbox. Please allow 24-36 hours for the online account to activate as part of this subscription selection. The owners and operators of 57 wine grape farms in Texas on Friday sued two large companies that they allege sold a faulty seed system and a volatile weedkiller thats crippled vineyards, threatening the fate of many in the Panhandle, believed to be home to one of the nations largest wine industries. The suit, filed in Jefferson County, alleges a drifting herbicide has damaged productive grapevines on dozens of farms since Monsanto and Germany-based BASF began marketing a dicamba-based seed systems for cotton and soybean. The High Plains vineyards account for 85 percent of grapes produced, sold or used by the states industry, lawyers representing the plaintiffs said. Dicamba is used on crops to kill weeds but can move off-target and damage nearby crops and vegetation not genetically modified to withstand it, according to the suit. The plaintiffs seek at least $560 million at trial, per the suit, in damages and lost economic opportunity. In a statement, BASF officials said they disagreed with the allegations in the suit. We formulated our dicamba product to significantly reduce off-target movement and conducted extensive testing before receiving EPA approval to market Engenia herbicide in 2017, the statement said. In addition, because of BASFs commitment to stewardship, we continue to provide training to applicators and emphasize the importance of following the label requirements for Engenia herbicide to achieve on-target applications. A spokesperson for Monsanto did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Many of these vineyards have taken 20 to 30 years to cultivate in an area where only cotton was grown, Ted Liggett, a lawyer with a Lubbock firm representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement. They gave new purpose to the land, delivered a far more lucrative crop and created an industry thats recognized for its excellence around the world. Now all that grit, hard work and community pride is at risk of being lost, sacrificed to Monsantos reckless pursuit of corporate profit. Dicamba can damage neighboring, unintended targets when it is applied to a crop, evaporates and moves into the air, traveling before settling on another plant; by physically drifting; and when it is sprayed during a temperature inversion and hangs in a mass of cool air above soil before falling once the air mass warms, potentially moving miles away, according to the suit. Plaintiffs alleged Monsantos release of the Xtend system, a crop system of genetically modified seeds that are resistant to dicamba, spurred an exponential increase in use of the herbicide over the last six years. Monsanto developed the system to address the problem of herbicide resistant weeds (e.g., pigweed) that have afflicted cotton and soybean crops, the lawsuit reads. This is despite the fact that the use of over-the-top dicamba application (a necessary component of any herbicide-resistant seed system for cotton or soybeans) has never been encouraged in the past due to the herbicides volatility and susceptibility to secondary movement (post-application). Monsanto and BASF released a version of dicamba that was supposed to be less volatile by 2017, but reports of damaged crops continued throughout the Midwest and South, according to the lawsuit. Meanwhile, some growers felt forced to buy the Xtend system as a defense mechanism against their neighbors spraying. There was no recourse for growers of crops without a dicamba-resistant seed available, such as grapes, according to the suit. The cause of the destruction of plaintiffs crops and businesses is defendants willful and negligent release of their dicamba-based seed system on the market, the suit reads. Defendants methodically engaged in a coordinated, systematic plan to release their defective products onto the market, thereby ensuring that crops that were not dicamba tolerant would be destroyed. To individuals who grow grapes, the impact has appeared in shorter canes and tinier leaves unable to generate enough carbohydrates for the plants to perform their basic functions: keeping itself alive, preparing for the winter, producing the bud that will be fruit the following year and maturing fruit. Reduced leaf area means less photosynthesis, which creates the carbohydrates. Even seemingly normal, tight crop sets struggle to mature grapes into their expected level of sugar, growers say. We just dont have enough carbohydrate production, said Andy Timmons, 53, who owns and operates vineyards in Brownfield and another in Lubbock. Youre supposed to be running at 100 percent, you know. These vineyards are not running at that and so some fruit never, ever gets mature. Neal Newsom, who operates vineyards under the company name Cornelious Corp., said among the most difficult aspects at the moment is the death loss. Over the years, so many vines have been beat up and reserves knocked down that hes replacing vines like crazy. When he plants new vines, they become twisted as soon as they get out of the top of the grow tube, which is about 2.5 feet, and then they dont have a chance. This is my livelihood and its being squeezed out of me by no fault of my own, he said. This cant go on. Im going to be squished like a bug. Financially, this cannot continue for me. I dont know how else to say it. alejandro.serrano@chron.com twitter.com/serrano_alej Of all the graphic allegations in a lawsuit by former Precinct 1 deputy constables who say they were molested and traumatized by superiors during undercover prostitution stings, one episode in particular boggles the mind and turns the stomach. The former deputy constable alleges she was ordered in August of 2019 to make a massage appointment with a man who had recently been accused of raping her civilian colleague and then wait to be sexually assaulted before giving the signal for waiting officers to raid the establishment and arrest him. The lawsuit states that the woman was sent in to disrobe with a known rapist, like a lamb to the slaughter, and allow him to assault her. He did exactly that, says the lawsuit, which goes on to describe a disturbing scene: after the raid, as the alleged victim emerged traumatized from the massage parlor, she saw her upper-level boss, Constable Alan Rosen, and news crews assembling for a press conference to announce the arrest while she was forced to drive herself for a sexual assault exam. Yes, these are only allegations in a lawsuit. But for anyone tempted to dismiss them outright as too awful to believe, consider an April 23 story by the Chronicles Gabrielle Banks that seems to lend them credence. When Banks inquired about sending the undercover deputy into the parlor, Rosen was quoted saying: Officers every day are put in situations that can be dangerous, yet these professionals do the job knowing of that danger. There is nothing every day about the horrific claims made in this lawsuit brought by women who say they were never trained to participate in undercover sex-trafficking work, let alone an operation this risky and traumatic. While there may be a Hollywood plot somewhere in which female cops are forced to endure rape themselves to catch a rapist, we cant imagine a department approving that strategy in real life. Yet, thats what the lawsuit alleges that Rosen did sanction not just that operation but repeated, booze-filled, bachelor party stings by his departments human trafficking task force in 2019 and 2020 in which handpicked female deputy constables were ordered to behave as prostitutes, wear revealing clothing, sometimes get naked, simulate sexual activity and allow a boss to kiss and fondle them while he played the part of the client. The goal, ostensibly, was to entice sex workers into offering sex for money, thereby prompting an arrest and ultimately, the arrest of pimps and higher-level traffickers. Human trafficking is indeed a serious problem in the Houston region, but even without the allegations of wrongdoing in the suit, the party stings hardly seem an effective way to root out the problem or to spend tax dollars. The lawsuit suggests the stings devolved into drunken, taxpayer-funded parties resembling orgies, involving sex toys paid for by the county, supervisors pressuring female officers to take shots of alcohol to loosen up and ordering them to disrobe and perform lap dances. Although the lawsuit alleges that women who complained were told they just didnt have what it took to be good cops, the plaintiffs say it was clear that the focus was not really on policing. In one instance, the lawsuit describes how after arrests were already made and there was no more need to pretend, a supervisor walked slowly to retrieve his undercover partners bra, commenting on her naked body along the way. In a particularly alarming accusation, the lawsuit states that a drunken supervisor once barged in a room where a child trafficking victim was making an outcry about abuse and pulled his partner out of the interview at some point even yelling at the victim to hurry up with her statement. The lawsuit, filed by three current and former deputy constables - and one other plaintiff - alleges misconduct ranging from sexual harassment, sexual battery, civil rights violations and retaliation for reporting the alleged wrongdoing. Besides Rosen, the petition names Assistant Chief Deputy Chris Gore, and Lt. Shane Rigdon, who managed task force field operations. The lawsuit does not accuse Rosen of taking part in any sexual misconduct. Rosens office declined to comment to the editorial board Thursday, but in an earlier statement, he said that when he was made aware of the allegations, he proactively ordered an internal affairs investigation months ago and immediately replaced the supervisor of the human trafficking unit. The investigation, he said, found no violations of law or policy. The constable, whose name has been floated as a replacement for Sheriff Ed Gonzalez if he joins the Biden Administration, suggested the allegations were being brought to impugn his departments reputation. I have a zero-tolerance stance against sexual assault and sexual harassment and would never allow a hostile work environment as alleged, he said. If Rosen means that, he shouldnt hesitate to call for an independent investigation by the FBIs public integrity unit or the Texas Rangers to get to the bottom of the disturbing claims. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and others on the commissioners court should be seeking the same probe and certainly not consider Rosen for the sheriffs post until they get to the bottom of what happened. We dont encourage public officials to cast early blame without all the facts. And indeed, people other than Rosen have pushed back on the lawsuits claims, including that the implication that Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg wasnt willing to get involved. The allegation that our office failed to take action is completely false. Its offensive, said DA spokesman Dane Schiller. There was no cover-up, no laziness, no lack of caring by our prosecutors. Still, somebody must investigate other than the department accused. If the allegations dont pan out, Rosens name is cleared. If they are true, the officers actions suggest far more than workplace harassment but deeper corruption, potentially criminal wrongdoing and a toxic culture in urgent need of reform. Walk it out Regarding House Dems are moving to stop voting bill, (A3, May 31): Thank you to the politicians who walked out of the legislative session. Shame on the politicians who tried to ram the bill through without discussing and negotiating with all committee members. When you excluded committee members from discussions, you excluded citizens of Texas. You excluded my voice. Decreasing voting hours (24 hour and Sunday morning) and eliminating voting methods (drive-thru voting) has nothing to do with voter fraud. As a citizen of Texas, I want all Texans heard at the ballot box no matter what hour (shift worker getting off at 11 p.m.) or in what physical condition (elderly or disabled and using drive-thru voting). A democracy is listening to all voices. If we exclude peoples voices (legislative chamber or voting booth), then it begs the questions of who we are and who we are becoming. Margaret Farmer, Bellaire Regarding Texas Democrats preserved voting rights, (A10, June 2): My question is for the Republicans in the Texas Legislature. What does limiting early voting hours, drive-thru voting, number of voting locations, drop boxes and voting before 1 p.m. on Sunday have to do with voter fraud? Show me the examples of fraud committed that are addressed by these particular changes. Otherwise, this is not about voting integrity, but actually about voter suppression. We should all want everyone to vote and make it easier, not more difficult. Isnt that what democracy is all about? Benny Hooper, Houston Walking out before voting on the voting bill was a grand display of unstatemanship by Democrats. They showed that if they dont get their way, they wont play. In this country today, the lie is the truth and the truth is a lie. The lie is that to have rules to vote is suppression. I find it insulting to minorities, to suggest that they are not capable of participating in a fair and free election. The bill will make it easier to ensure integrity and harder to cheat. It will protect my vote. Betty Duke, Houston Jan. 6 Regarding Texas is home to highest number of accused insurrectionists, (A1, June 1): I look forward to a Houston Chronicle story glorifying the people who have broken into houses in my neighborhood. Surely their tales are of no less human interest than those of the hoodlums who broke into the Capitol. Robert Simmons, Houston Keeping the faith Regarding Abbott receives Trumps support for re-election bid, (A2, June 2): This confirms everything I need to know about Gov. Greg Abbott. He has been rewarded for being a faithful lieutenant in Donald Trumps ranks. This only underscores the notion that Abbott is dangerous for Texans. Douglas Brown, Houston The border Instead of printing kudos constantly for our vice president of the U.S., where is your duty as the only newspaper in Houston to report what is actually going on at the Mexican border? It is so heartbreaking to see and listen to a 5-year-old being dropped off at the border by himself, holding a teddy bear and screaming dont leave. If the Chronicle really cared about Texas and this country they would put politics aside and print the truth about what is actually going on at the border. Do the right thing and send your reporters to the border. Lurene Neely Buffington, Richmond A mighty lumpy rug Regarding U.S. long ignored horror in Tulsa, (A1, May 31): The story of the 1921 race massacre and ethnic cleansing in Tulsa has been much in the news, as well as the century-long efforts to keep the story safely swept under the rug. That story, finally told out loud, has properly led to nation-wide horror and revulsion. The great irony is that todays white conservatives are trying to do the same thing with the story of the armed mob that stormed our nations Capitol on Jan. 6. Thats a mighty lumpy rug. Meanwhile, the Texas Legislature, dominated by conservative Republicans, has worked overtime to place restrictions on teaching the history of racism in America. They dont want anyone peeking under the rug. I guess its true that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Frank Ohrt, Houston Who wants to be a millionaire? Regarding Free beer, other new incentives for Biden's vaccine sprint (June 2): Count me among the next pandemic vaccination holdouts! Ill wait until the incentives grow to make my arm available! Robert Mueller, Houston A free chance to win $1 million or more in lottery Free tickets to sporting events A paid day off work I'm anti-vax and think incentives are a distraction Vote View Results As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. 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High 81F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Low near 60F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Live music helps boost mental health now more than ever In-person concerts returning faster than predicted according to a new Bandsintown study and that bodes well for our collective mental health. 79% of people who work in the music industry have admitted to suffering from mental health issues as a direct result of the covid pandemic. By Cassius Taylor, Head of Digital Marketing at TagMix No-one needs convincing of the incredible effect that music can have on our mental state and everyone can recall a time where hearing that one song at exactly the right moment boosted their mood or gave them that spark of motivation to take on the world. Unless youve been living under a rock on Mars, you will have noticed that the last year has been an immensely difficult one. Especially for the music industry. The impact on the industrys mental health has been keenly felt, with such a high percentage of professionals unable to work due to restrictions being placed on live music. 79% of people who work in the music industry have admitted to suffering from mental health issues as a direct result of the covid pandemic. That aside, music itself has acted as a lifeline for many people over this period, even on a personal level it has played a significant role for me in keeping my head straight. But music takes one of many forms and one of its purest which is live performances, has been entirely absent from the lives of most people around the world. This has hit some fans much harder than others, especially those for whom live events are a large part of their social lives. In a recent study conducted by UK live music industry umbrella organisation LIVE, 64% of respondents stated that attending live music events makes them feel better mentally. Plenty of artists, businesses and organisations have done their best to try to fill the live music gap in peoples lives, with livestreams, virtual gigs and even AR / VR experiences, but these have been met with mixed success Some, however, were specifically focused on mental health, like Manchester record label Animal Crossings live stream collaboration with Manchester Mind charity. Music events offer a form of escapism which you are unable to experience anywhere else. The truth of the matter is, no matter how close you get to replicating the Live Music experience in the comfort of your own home or in a virtual environment, it just isnt the same as the real thing. Music events offer a form of escapism which you are unable to experience anywhere else. They provide a safe haven for all manner of people and create a sense of connectedness and community for both the people who attend them and for the artist. The feeling of bumping into a group of friends at a festival, becoming best friends with a stranger overnight or seeing your favourite artist play live for the first time is unparalleled. We have mountains of evidence that the arts are hugely beneficial to peoples mental health, so it is especially frustrating to see it last in line for a return to normalcy especially given the impact on mental health the last 15 months have had. I believe that music/music events can serve as the catalyst to bring people back together after over a years worth of covid induced paranoia and negativity. More so than (finally) being able to return to pubs, bars and restaurants. The benefits of music events, such as collectivism, escapism, culture etc. will play a huge factor in repairing the bonds which covid has broken not only in individual fans, but amongst entire concert going demographics and will help raise revenues again in an industry that has suffered. There will of course be adverse reactions to events when they do return, as it is likely people will be overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of people after theyve been isolated for so long. 73% have purchased gig and festival tickets since March From a survey conducted by LIVE, more than 50% of music fans would attend a live show right now, while 73% have purchased gig and festival tickets since March. This is hugely promising, but shows that it will still take time for everyone to feel comfortable attending live events again after the pandemic, possibly even beyond the time when all formal restrictions are lifted I wonder what these percentages would have looked like this time last year and how long it will take for the paranoia and societal detachment COVID has imbued on people to be relieved. The variety of venues, bands and audiences prevents there from being a one-size-fits-all approach to making live music safe, but we can mitigate the risks and return to the full-sensory, real-life, shared experiences that make live music such a uniquely uplifting experience. For those who have been starved of this for over a year, Id say the benefits far outweigh the negatives. For those worried about returning to events, it is only right to take your time and return in whatever way makes you feel most comfortable and that you can personally enjoy. After all, that is at the very core of why live events are so important to us in the first place. Share on: Jacobs, Peachtree Corners and Qualcomm Technologies announced joint efforts to deploy end-to-end smart solutions in one of the US first smart city environments powered by real-world connected vehicle technology and infrastructure. As a part of the working relationship, Qualcomm Technologies serves as ecosystem enabler by providing technology solutions, while Jacobs manages the installation commission project delivery. The program aims to demonstrate the continued momentum of smart cities and spaces, with Peachtree Corners serving as a model for other municipalities as they look to deploy smart solutions and programs. Peachtree Corners is home to one of the US most advanced smart city ecosystems, with smart connected technologies actively being developed and deployed in real-world conditions. Its Curiosity Lab is home to technology developers and companies enabling the future, while smart connected solutions are being deployed across the community, bringing the region to the forefront in the development of next-generation, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Jacobs, Peachtree Corners and Qualcomm Technologies are working together to deploy the companys technology solutions, focusing initially on roadside infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, with the implementation of Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology. As a part of the program, the city will work with Commsignia to feature roadside units (RSUs) equipped with Qualcomm Technologies C-V2X solution. Utility vehicles equipped with Qualcomm Technologies C-V2X solutions will also be utilized to demonstrate vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) direct communications. The implementation of C-V2X within the smart city environment not only demonstrates the benefits of C-V2X communications in a real-world setting at scale but showcases C-V2Xs safety critical communication capabilities needed to meet the evolving needs of transportation. C-V2X direct communication is designed to serve as a key feature for safety and mobility applications. Additionally, C-V2X aids in enabling cleaner and sustainable mobility alternatives as the technology is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 5-20%, according to the 5GAA. C-V2X is globally compatible with 5G networks and complements other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensors, such as cameras, radar and Light Detection and Radar (LIDAR). The C-V2X direct communications is designed to offer vehicles low latency communications for vehicles to broadcast to other vehicles, roadside infrastructure and, in the future and with further optimizations, to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users without the involvement of a cellular network, or cellular network subscription, by operating in globally harmonized 5.9 GHz ITS spectrum. Through the Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program, Qualcomm Technologies has acted as a catalyst in enabling end-to-end smart deployments and the digital transformation of smart cities and smart connected spaces globally. Peachtree Corners intends to roll out additional smart solutions in the future by collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies smart cities ecosystem and Qualcomm IoT Services Suite verticals. Source: https://www.greencarcongress.com/2021/06/20210603-cv2x.html One year on, Hainan free trade port construction in full swing Xinhua) 09:41, June 04, 2021 Aerial photo taken on May 4, 2021 shows the city view in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province. Haikou is a core city for the construction of free trade port in Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) HAIKOU, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A total of 11 key industrial parks are being developed into a demonstration zone for the construction of the Hainan free trade port (FTP). A batch of core policies have been implemented and market entities have been gathering since the parks were unveiled one year ago. The key industrial parks have become the main focus of economic development for the Hainan FTP, said Feng Yan, an official with the Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, at a press conference on Thursday in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province. In 2020, the 11 key parks earned a total business revenue of 506.78 billion yuan (about 79.36 billion U.S. dollars), up 49.8 percent year on year, and a total tax revenue of 39.54 billion yuan, up 13.3 percent year on year. Covering less than 2 percent of the province's land area, the key industrial parks contributed 15.3 percent of the province's GDP, 51.9 percent of its import and export volume, and 52.7 percent of its actual utilized foreign capital, thereby playing a major role in the province's economic growth, said Feng. China last June released a master plan to build the island into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. A batch of key policies, including zero tariffs and easing market and foreign investment access, have also been implemented. "The basic trade and investment policy system of the Hainan FTP has been forged," Gao Feng, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, told at a press conference on May 27. "Existing opening-up measures to foster investment will be well implemented. The regional headquarters of multinational companies will also be guided to the Hainan FTP," said Gao. Chi Fulin, head of the Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development, said that the construction of the Hainan FTP is the fundamental way to propel Hainan's economic reform and opening-up. With preferential policies taking effect, Hainan's development has gained steam. During the first four months this year, 592 foreign-invested enterprises were newly established in the province, realizing year-on-year growth of 443.12 percent. The actual utilized foreign capital reached 674 million U.S. dollars, up 432.72 percent year on year. Shen Danyang, vice governor of Hainan, said the province has implemented various policies through these projects, which have laid a solid foundation for promoting the construction of the Hainan FTP with high quality and standards. On July 1, 2020, Hainan increased its annual tax-free shopping quota from 30,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan per person. Following the policy upgrade, average daily duty-free sales hit 120 million yuan by the end of 2020, a more than twofold year-on-year increase. To give full play to the policy, Hainan introduced more duty-free business entities, a move that has greatly boosted the booming duty-free shopping sector. Currently, there are nine duty-free shops and five duty-free business entities. Duty-free sales hit 993 million yuan during the May Day holiday this year, surging 248 percent, according to data from Haikou Customs. There were in excess of 121,000 shoppers, who collectively purchased more than 1.34 million items, up 229 percent year on year. The soaring duty-free sales have directly boosted Hainan's tourism development. "We have clearly felt the dividends of the free trade port construction, especially with the new duty-free sales policy," said Qian Jiannong, board chairman and chief executive officer of the Fosun Tourism Group. He noted that Atlantis and Club Med in Sanya have benefited significantly. Atlantis Sanya attracted about 4.6 million visitors and saw a turnover of more than 1.2 billion yuan in 2020 -- a record since its opening in 2018. Qian added that Fosun plans to increase investment in Hainan and build an area in Sanya that it will name Foliday Town. Its investment will be even greater than that received by Atlantis. As a new platform for China's opening-up, the first China International Consumer Products Expo was held in Haikou this May. It was the first-ever expo hosted by China focusing on quality consumer goods at the national level, and also the largest consumer boutique exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region. Representatives from a total of 70 countries and regions attended the four-day expo, and 2,628 brands under 1,505 enterprises from home and abroad participated in the exhibitions, demonstrating the strong magnetic force of the Chinese market and the appeal of the FTP construction. On the expo's closing day, U.S. luxury fashion company Tapestry was among the first group of 42 enterprises to sign up for the second expo. "China is about to introduce a law on the Hainan free trade port, and Hainan boasts a duty-free shopping policy, so we have seen the huge potential of the Chinese market," said Zhou Guanghua, vice president of Tapestry China. The Hainan FTP law is ready to be announced, and the daily consumer goods duty-free policy for Hainanese residents will be implemented soon. The Hainan FTP will play an important role in China's reform and opening-up, and it will become a meeting point of international and domestic circulation, said Chi. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Across Pennsylvania, 38% of hospitals posted a negative operating margin and 18% posted an operating margin between 0% and 4%, according to PHC4. Of the major hospitals in the Lehigh Valley, only St. Lukes-Sacred Heart, with an operating margin of 2%, fell in the latter category. The combined operating margin for LVH-Cedar Crest and LVH-Allentown was only slightly better at about 4%. St. Lukes-Anderson Campus and St. Lukes University Hospital in Fountain Hill had healthy operating margins of around 20% each. Lever to Hold 2021 Innovation Summit NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Lever will again highlight regional economic development at its 2021 Innovation Summit at the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield on Thursday, Sept. 23 and Friday, Sept. 24. "We're so excited to present another Innovation Summit event after our 2019 event in Williamstown, which drew more than 250 people," said Lever Executive Director Jeffrey Thomas. "We're honored to have distinguished guests from across the state joining us this year, including CEOs of state agencies and incredibly successful Massachusetts companies, Lever alumni who have gone on to create jobs and win major contracts, and other incredible people who help drive the regional economy. This work is stronger because of our community of innovators, and it's thrilling to bring them together for this event." For more information and to RSVP, visit leverinc.org/levers-innovation-summit-2021 With the theme "Innovating Innovation," this two-day event will feature intrapreneurs who "innovate from within" mature companies, a discussion of rural innovation, and presentations from leaders who are innovating for inclusion. The summit will begin with the Berkshire Intrapreneur Challenge pitch event, where a panel of expert judges will award a $25,000 Lever Innovation Grant to the company with the most scalable idea and the best go-to-market strategy. Lever is currently accepting applications from Berkshire companies for the Innovation Challenge; to apply or learn more, visit leverinc.org/intrapreneur-challenge-2021 Later on Sept. 23, Steve Nielsen, CEO of Dycom Industries, will give a keynote speech on how Dycom innovates from within. Dycom, a Fortune 1000 company with 14,000 employees, is the leading provider of specialty services, including construction, engineering, and program management supporting the country's telecom backbone. Dycom staff continuously develop new innovations to expand the company's service offerings to clients. Kenn Turner, CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, will deliver the day's second keynote speech. The MA Life Sciences Center has long been a champion of innovation and infrastructure development in the Berkshires. Kenn comes to the MA Life Sciences Center from MassPort, where he led diversity and equity initiatives. On Sept. 24, Carolyn Kirk, executive director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, will give a keynote speech highlighting the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19, including MassTech's partnership with Lever on the COVID-19 Innovation Challenge series, which began in June 2020 and involved more than 30 companiesfrom established corporations to new startupsto advance innovations in PPE, COVID safety, and connection technologies. Also on Sept. 24, panelists will discuss rural innovation and diversity, equity, and inclusion in innovation, and answer audience questions. Guests will have the opportunity for open networking. The summit will incorporate virtual and in-person programming, including an outdoor option for participation. This is Lever's second, biennial Innovation Summit. The 2019 summit featured the conclusion of Lever's 2019 Berkshire Intrapreneur Challenge, presentations from regional innovators, a panel discussion featuring regional innovation centers, and keynote talks by Carlo Zaffanella from General Dynamics, and by Steve Case, founder of America Online. Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency completes marine pollution study to boost compliance with fishing rules June 04,2021 | Source: Voxy The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is stepping up efforts to stop the dumping of plastic waste at sea in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). The agency has completed a consultancy study into ways of improving compliance with the rules. It focuses on plastic waste dumped by tuna fishing vessels. Since 1 January 2019, the central fisheries management organisation for the area, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), has prohibited the dumping of plastic waste through conservation and management measure (CMM) 2017-04. FFA Director General Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen said the study was one step towards cleaning up plastic pollution in the ocean environment. "CMM 2017-04 is an excellent step in the right direction, and getting the CMM agreed to was a huge win for Pacific Island states. But the reality is we need to do more to discourage fishing vessels dumping plastic overboard while at sea," said Dr Tupou-Roosen. "With our study, we want to focus more on incentives that will help fishers comply with the rules. To do that, we have to know what is dumped and how much, by different types of fishing vessels. It's a very complex operation to collect data and then calculate quantities. "Its not as simple as keeping waste on board and offloading it at Pacific Island ports, because the waste facilities of many of our small island nations are already full." She said the consultants who conducted the study had experience in commercial oceanic fishing, monitoring tuna fishing, and managing waste in the region. "So, we now have well informed expert advice on how to more effectively promote and monitor compliance with CMM 2017-04 and improve mitigation of fishing vessel plastic waste dumping through requiring fishing vessels to comply with the rules," Dr Tupou-Roosen said. "On this World Environment Day, it is important to acknowledge all the efforts that all people are making, step by step, on fishing vessels and in our regional fisheries organisations, to clean up our world and our oceans." The study was undertaken in the period January to March and tabled at the annual FFA MCS Working Group meeting and the 118th Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee. The work provides a detailed analysis of the volumes of plastic waste generated by fishing vessels, current disposal practices and challenges, and a series of key actions that can be taken both at regional and national levels. "The challenge now is to support national and regional efforts to better mitigate plastic waste dumping and this is a challenge for all of us to take up" said Dr Tupou-Roosen. 2008-2018 Digital Advance Limited Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture. CEO of vessel operator apologises for impact of sunken container ship off Sri Lanka coast by Tang See Kit June 04,2021 | Source: CNA While Sri Lanka braces itself for a possible oil spill from a sunken Singapore-registered container ship, the vessel operator's chief executive on Thursday (Jun 3) expressed deep regrets and apologies for the impact that the incident has caused on livelihoods and the environment. The container ship X-Press Pearl was carrying 1,486 containers, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid, when it caught fire on May 20 off the west coast of Sri Lanka. It burned for 13 days before the blaze was finally put out on Tuesday. In an interview with CNA on Thursday, vessel operator X-Press Feeders CEO Shmuel Yoskovitz said his company has enlisted environmental experts, such as the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, to monitor the situation. It has also started engaging and working with the Sri Lankan authorities, and contributed some heavy equipment to help with the clean-up of beaches. Id like to express my deep regrets and apologies to the Sri Lankan people for the harm this incident has caused to the livelihood and to the environment of Sri Lanka, Mr Yoskovitz said. Mr Yoskovitz told CNA that the aft portion of the container ship has sunk and is now laying on the seabed at (a depth of) about 21m. The ships forward section is also slowly sinking. To assess the real situation, we will need to wait for the wreck to settle on the seabed and then see what really can be done, he said. Currently what the salvors are doing, they are monitoring the wreck and making sure that any debris or god forbid, the oil spill will be detected quickly and handled accordingly. He added that as of 5pm on Thursday, there has been no oil pollution detected. Sri Lanka is facing its worst marine ecological disaster. Millions of plastic pellets from the ships containers have fouled the countrys beaches and fishing waters, forcing a fishing ban and a major clean-up involving thousands of soldiers. The Sri Lankan government has said it would seek compensation for the incident. Asked how much that could amount to, Mr Yoskovitz said: This is now being assessed but we need to bear in mind that this will be a long process ... first of all, to see when this incident will be over and then to assess the total damages. It is very hard to estimate any cost or damages at the moment, he added. But we are insured. The direct financial burden on X-Press (Feeders) will be very limited, he said. Sri Lankan officials have said they suspect the fire was caused by a nitric acid leak, which the ships crew had been aware of since at least three weeks ago. Mr Yoskovitz confirmed that the crew had been aware of the leak, but said they were denied permission by both Qatar and India authorities to unload the leaking container before the fire broke out. Providing a timeline of events, he said the container was first loaded on the ship on May 10 at the Jebel Ali port in Dubai. It was discovered leaking while alongside Hamad, which is a port in Qatar. When it was detected, we asked to discharge it. The port authorities did not allow it since they had no manpower or the equipment readily available to discharge," he said. Afterwards, the vessel sailed into Hazira, a port in India, where we requested the Hazira port to allow us to discharge the container. Again it was rejected, more or less for the same reasons as it was in Hamad, he said. The X-Press Pearl then arrived in Sri Lankan waters on May 19. Smoke was detected the next morning. Until that time, there was only leakage from one container, which was handled and controlled by the crew, Mr Yoskovitz told CNA. Asked if the incident could have been avoided if the leaking container was allowed to be discharged at the ports in Qatar and India, he replied that it is very hard to assess what caused the fire. While the leak from one container was the most probable cause, he stressed that the company is not 100 per cent sure. There are many incidents like that at sea. Sometimes, terminals and ports are able to help, and sometimes not," the chief executive added. He said that the ships crew attended to the leak in accordance with guidelines from the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Convention. Mr Yoskovitz was then asked how inadequate packaging of chemical contents could cause such fires, and if this is an urgent problem that needs to be addressed. He said that shipping companies have been trying to raise awareness about this issue for the past few years and there have been "countless incidents of fires". "Not to talk about leaks which happened probably on a weekly (basis) which we don't hear, thank god, because a catastrophe has not happened," said the chief executive officer. You need to remember that we load containers that are signed and sealed and we don't open them. We are dependent on the declaration and the professionality of our shippers that they will pack the containers correctly and that they will declare them correctly," he added. Mediacorp 2021. Mediacorp Pte Ltd. All rights reserved. Theme(s): Others. Marine park for Antarctica relies on EU engaging China: law expert by Fran Molloy June 04,2021 | Source: Macquarie University The European Union could be key to preserving Antarcticas pristine waters, with the timing ripe this year to gain global agreement for three new Marine Protected Areas in the Southern Ocean. Macquarie University Associate Professor Nengye Liu will this week present to the European Parliament, advising the Members of the Parliament and high-level EU officials how to effectively engage with China to secure proposed new conservation zones to protect vital marine ecosystems in Antarctica. Rising geopolitical tensions between China and the West in recent years have become a new obstacle preventing China from supporting any Southern Ocean Marine Protected Area proposals, says Liu, who is Director of the Centre for Environmental Law at Macquarie University. The EU and Australia jointly proposed a new East Antarctic Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2012, but for the past nine years have failed to secure crucial votes from China and Russia. In October, China is due to host the 15th Conference of the Parties for the Convention on Biological Diversity, a treaty committing the global community to sustain life on earth'. The conference is an important occasion to determine a post-2020 Global Framework to guide the international community over biodiversity conservation in the next decade, Liu says. It is also a good opportunity for China, as the host country, to showcase its leadership in global biodiversity conservation. Liu says the timing is significant as this conference takes place shortly before the annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) where proposals for three new Antarctic MPAs will be decided. The conference could be an excellent backdrop for China to announce its support for proposed Antarctic MPAs so 2021 could be a good year to turn this around, Liu says. Despite Australias strong presence in Antarctica, Liu says increasingly frosty relations between China and Australia mean the EU is needed to wield more influence on China. The East Antarctic MPA would protect around one million square kilometres across three zones critical for habitat and foraging for whales, penguins, birds and other wildlife. The proposed MPA provides scientific reference zones to help research the impacts of climate change on these ecosystems and the effects of fishing outside the MPAs. Growth in commercial krill fishing, increasing tourism numbers and warming and acidifying waters all threaten the marine life and their habitats in the ocean around Antarctica. The Southern Ocean makes up about 10 per cent of the worlds ocean surface and drives global ocean currents vital for life on earth, but was not protected by the Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 to preserve the continent for peaceful purposes. Marine Protected Areas are growing in significance as the global community recognises the precarity of ocean habitats and while less than three per cent of our oceans are currently under protection, there are goals to preserve 30 per cent of the worlds oceans by 2030. In 2016, the worlds largest MPA was established in the Ross Sea, protecting 1.57 million square kilometres of the Southern Ocean from commercial fishing for 35 years. This followed the 2009 declaration of an MPA on 90,000 square kilometres around the South Orkney Islands. There are also proposals for two other MPAs in the Southern Ocean, one in the Weddell Sea and another alongside the Antarctic Peninsula. Macquarie University Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture. World Environment Day 2021 launches global drive to restore nature June 04,2021 | Source: UNEP With the world beginning to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is increasing recognition that healing from the pandemic is linked to healing the planet. Resetting humanitys relationship with nature will be the focus of World Environment Day on June 5, which also marks the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a ten-year global push to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation. Its easy to lose hope when we think of the sheer magnitude of the challenges we face and the avalanche of bad news that we wake up to every morning, said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). But just as we caused the climate crisis, the biodiversity crisis and the pollution crisis, we can reverse the damage that weve done; we can be the first generation to reimagine, to recreate and to restore nature to kickstart action for a better world. This year, Pakistan is the host country for World Environment Day and showcasing its own restoration initiatives, such as its Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Project, which aims to plant 10 billion trees by 2023. Pakistan, which is one of the countries most at risk from climate change, has also launched an Ecosystem Restoration Fund to support nature-based solutions to climate change. Nature can and must be part of the solution as international momentum grows to decarbonize all sectors of our economies. Ecosystem restoration can help protect and improve livelihoods, regulate disease, reduce risk of natural disasters and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. A recent UNEP report found that the economic benefits of ecosystem restoration are compelling. Between now and 2030, the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems could generate US$9 trillion in ecosystem services and remove up to 26 gigatonnes of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The economic benefits are ten times more than the cost of investment, whereas inaction is at least three times more costly than ecosystem restoration. Pandemic recovery plans offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to chart a new path by shifting investments towards a restoration economy that can provide millions of green jobs. On June 5, people around the world will showcase their efforts to restore the natural world, from tree planting in India to beach clean-ups in Hong Kong and community clean-ups in Kenya. Many more are joining in on social media, taking part in the Snap Challenge to show how they will change behaviours to be part of #GenerationRestoration. UNEP Theme(s): Others. Your support is needed now more than ever Help support your local news Local news sources need your help. Stay in the know on Coronavirus, local updates, and more. We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@idahopress.com for help creating one. Northampton County, which had the top case rate of all 67 counties for a week in late March, is now among the lowest, ranking 59 out 67 counties for population-adjusted cases over seven days, adding 20.3 cases per 100,000 residents per week. That compares to Lehighs 22.2 rate, and the statewide rate of 33.3. Cameron County has the lowest rate, adding six cases per week for each 100,000 residents. Community Information If you would like to submit an upcoming event or community announcement, please contact our staff at 208-232-4161 or send an email to cjohnson@journalnet.com. We will also accept news from local clubs and engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements. You can post your community or club events on our calendar. Obituaries Submit an obituary/notice All obituaries must be placed by your mortuary or onlineDeadline is 3 p.m. for publication the next day. The ISJ is not responsible for spelling, grammar, or basic mistakes. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation2@journalnet.com for help creating one. Ease of access, like the ability to serve walk-ins, can also make the difference. Fury Anderson tagged along with his stepson, Dieruff freshman Antonio Joseph, and decided to get the shot while he was there. He hadnt done it before because hes been able to stay isolated, and for a while, shots were hard to come by without having to wait for a long time. Man convicted to 50 years in prison in 1997 double-murder in Quincy to be released early IFJ in the news Every week the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is compiling a list of the top news articles from across the world in which it is mentioned. Check all the international media coverage of IFJ, divided by language, in the period between 28 May and 4 June 2021. English Safety of journalists, Business Recorder Worse day by day : journalists speak out after Pakistani vlogger tortured, The Guardian Unmasking Chinas strategy on COVID-19, Inquiret.net Media bodies welcome Sindh Assemblys decision to pass journalists protection bill, The Wire Sindh provisional assembly passes journalists protection bill, Big News Network Its time we define limits of sedition to protect media freedom: SC, The Swaddle Expression of dissent, stalling of reforms : how Indian democracy has to work through fair and unfair demands, Swarajya Paks popular news anchor taken off air for speaking against media curbs, Lokmat IJU hails SC view on sedition and media, The Arunachal Times Independent digital media rejects proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority, Menafn International rights groups express concern over recent attacks on Pakistani journalists, Ani News Reinstate victimised Palestinian journalists union leader, says IFJ, Pacific Media Report Myanmar military intensifies crackdown on journalists with newly revised law, The Wire Francais Partenariat medias-gouvernements : Le plaidoyer de Nana Akufo-Addo, Le Quotidien Foix. Une Fuxeenne en greve de la faim pour soutenir deux journalistes marocains, La Depeche Mettre un terme aux violences contre les femmes journalistes : pour une convention de lOIT !, New Press Espanol El Sindicato de Periodistas Palestinos pide una investigacion internacional sobre los ataques de Israel, Periodistas en Espanol El Centro Ilam-Arab para la Libertad de los Medios documenta agresiones a periodistas palestinos, Periodistas en Espanol Two Azerbaijani journalists and an official were killed today by a landmine explosion in the Kalbajar region, west of Nagorno-Karabakh. Four others were injured in the incident, which saw a truck blown up by an anti-tank mine at about 11am local time, Azerbaijans interior ministry and the office of the prosecutor general said in a statement. Two Azerbaijani journalists and an official were killed today by a landmine explosion in the Kalbajar region, west of Nagorno-Karabakh. Four others were injured in the incident, which saw a truck blown up by an anti-tank mine at about 11am local time, Azerbaijans interior ministry and the office of the prosecutor general said in a statement. The three victims were identified as Maharram Ibrahimov, a reporter working for state news agency AzerTag, Siraj Abishov, a cameraman for Azerbaijan state television AzTV, and local official Arif Aliyev. The explosion occurred when a bus carrying journalists who were on duty in the Kalbajar region crossed over the mine. The blast came amid a border dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which fought a six-week war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region last year. Kalbajar is one of the regions that was handed back to Azerbaijan after the conflict. "We call on our colleagues abroad to put pressure on the Republic of Armenia to provide the maps of mined areas," said Mushfiq Alasgarli, President of the Azerbaijani Journalists' Trade Union (JuHI). "This could seriously help to eliminate the threat to the lives of a wide range of individuals, including journalists. This support can also be a great contribution to the establishment of justice, peace, security, stability, and the resolution of the long-running conflict in the region." We express our deepest condolences to the victims and their families, said IFJ and EFJ General Secretaries Anthony Bellanger and Ricardo Gutierrez in a joint statement. We call on the authorities in Azerbaijan not to expose journalists to disproportionate risks on the ground. And we call on the Armenian authorities to hand over the plans of the mined areas, in order to avoid further civilian casualties." When she shows patients their display in the state prescription database, Stock-Keister said, My patients at least know what is in there, and I dont know how my patients would feel about more people having access to that. I would want to know how they would feel about that. A military court in Myanmar sentenced Aung Kyaw, a reporter from the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and Ko Zaw Zaw, a freelance reporter with Mizzima News, under a colonial-era law. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the military juntas use of the Penal Code to jail journalists. Aung Kyaw and Zaw Zaw were both sentenced to two years jail by a military court in Myanmar for spreading misinformation. The journalists were charged under a newly revised law that criminalises the spread of misinformation. During the hearing, Aung Kyaw represented himself as his lawyer was threatened by the military, as stated by the DVB. Dozens of members of Myanmars media are currently being detained without charge in the country. Aung Kyaw was the second journalist from DVB to be convicted since the coup. Mizzima said that [U]nder section 505A, another ten journalists of Mizzima have been included in the process of prosecution inside prison. The new Section 505A prohibits causing fear, spreading misinformation, and inciting crimes against a government employee. Law experts note that it is this new law which is being used against a wide range of people who are being targeted for their opposition of military rule in the country. This is in addition to an existing law, Section 505(a) which criminalises the undermining of military or government employees. The majority of journalists have been detained during newsroom raids, or while covering anti-coup protests. The IFJ said: Sentencing journalists to jail because of a claim that they are spreading false news is a condemnation of free media as the law reform is vague and unjustifiable. The IFJ urges the Myanmar to release detained and arrested journalists and to reform its penal code that strips journalist rights Asad Ali Toor, a journalist and vlogger known for his criticism of the Pakistani military, was summonsed on May 31 by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on accusations of defaming a government institution thorough a social media post. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the intimidation and harassment of the journalist and urges authorities to withdraw the case. The Pakistani investigation agency FIA sent a notice titled Order for attendance under Section 160 CrPC for recording of statement to Asad Ali Toors Islamabad home on May 31 in response to a case filed by Fayyaz Mehmood Raja. The complainant made objection to the post by Toor which he said defamed an institution in the Government of Pakistan. The complaint did not specify which institution and social media post it referred. The notice called for Toor to appear at FIA police station based in Rawalpindi on June 4, 2021, at 11 am and threatened criminal proceedings if the journalist failed to comply the request. The filing of the case against Toor coincides with the suspension of a popular television talk show host Hamid Mir from Geo News the same day following critical comments about the Pakistani military at a rally protesting an earlier attack on journalist Toor. On May 25, three gunmen broke into Toors house and gagged his mouth when he tried to shout for help. His electronic devices, including his mobile phone, were taken and his hands and feet were tied. The attackers were alleged to be from Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). It is not first intimidation effort against the journalist. In September 2020, a case was lodged against Toor in an accusation of defaming the military in a Facebook post. The case was dismissed by the Lahore High Courts (LHC). The IFJs South Asia Press Freedom Report 2020-2021 noted that Pakistan regularly misuses the laws including the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to criminalise free speech. The IFJ said: Intimidation and harassment of journalist using different tactics including by misuse of the law is blatant violation of spirit of the constitution of Pakistan. The IFJ urges the Pakistan government to show respect to the constitutional provision and withdraw the case against Toor. The landmark ruling followed Edward Snowdens revelations in 2013, stating that the British intelligence service was secretly intercepting and storing massive amounts of citizens data, including private communications. Human rights organisations took various legal actions to denounce the British government's procedures. Eight years of revelations and trials later, Europes Human Rights Court recognised the dangers and fundamental deficiencies of such a surveillance regime. Mass surveillance as such was not declared illegal, but the Court stated that GCHQ did not provide sufficient safeguards to ensure the right to privacy. The ruling will have important implications for the UK, but also for European Union member states. From now on, intelligence services that want to investigate sources that may contain sensitive and confidential journalistic material must seek permission from an independent body. Access to these sources will only be granted if it can be clearly justified in the public interest and the independent body must look for less intrusive ways in order to avoid the unwarranted surveillance of journalists. It is a landmark victory for press freedom and journalism, as the Court recognised that the protection of journalists sources and confidential data is insufficient and needs to be better protected. After the ruling, whistleblowers working with investigative journalists will be better protected and journalists will have a stronger legal basis to defend the anonymity of their sources. IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: We welcome the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights that should put an end to decades of intrusive and human rights violating procedures of intelligence agencies across Europe. This is a significant win for all journalists and whistleblowers, who now will have better legal protections when investigating and exposing wrongdoings. Claudia Mo, a former pro-democracy lawmaker, has been denied bail after the Hong Kong High Court cited Mos interviews and texts with reporters from the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the BBC as justification for denying bail. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the use of encrypted communications to deny bail and calls for Mos immediate release. Mo was arrested in January due to charges of conspiracy to commit subversion under the national security law that was put in place July 2020. Mo was arrested alongside 46 other people from the opposition movement against Chinese governance in Hong Kong on charges of conspiracy to commit subversion. If found guilty, Mo faces life in prison. During the court proceedings, the conversation Mo had with Jilian Melchior from the Wall Street Journal was quoted as an explanation for denial of bail where they spoke of 12 Hong Kongers who were captured after attempting to escape Taiwan by boat. In this conversation, Mo told Melchior, The new security law and the spate of arrests have worked as a scare tactic, probably fairly successfullyat sending a persistent political chill around the city. The national security law that was passed in June 2020 cites four areas of infractions: secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreigners to endanger national security. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam refused to clarify the implications of the law when asked at a press conference on July 7, 2020, claiming that It is not a question of me standing here to give you a guarantee of what you may or may not do in the days and weeks and years ahead. This law ultimately increases government supervision and regulation of the media with strengthened management of foreign news. It gives police the right to search any premise, seize and search devices, and conduct surveillance without a court order. The IFJ said: Using texts and interviews as a justification to deny bail is a clear attempt by the Chinese government to silence and oppress free media. The IFJ urges the Chinese government to grant Mo bail and to abolish its national security law immediately. Cybersecurity leader Trend Micro emphasizes the pressing need to elevate the online habits and cybersecurity awareness of Filipinos and business organizations amidst the rise of telecommuting and digital services in the country. With the digital shift in workplaces, daily routines, and proliferation of online-based services brought about by the pandemic, Filipinos are becoming more prone to cyber threats and information technology (IT) attacks. PH among top countries with malicious URLs, malware, email threats The cybersecurity firms in-house data for February 2021 show that the Philippines ranked fourth globally and second in Southeast Asia in terms of the number of attempts to access a malicious URL. Further data show that the Philippines ranked twenty-fourth globally and fourth in the region in terms of malware detection. The banking sector is no exception as the country ranked fourteenth in banking malware detections on a global scale and third at the regional level. Email threats are also prevalent in the Philippines with the country being ninth in Southeast Asia and seventy-fifth globally. Among common email threats are phishing, emails with malicious attachments, malicious links, and spam messages. According to Trend Micro, these figures prove that Filipinos are more at risk of cybercrimes and threats now more than ever. Rise of targeted ransomware attacks Among the cyber threats that individuals and organizations alike should look out for is ransomware, said Trend Micro. Ransomware is described as malware that locks the systems screen or users files to block access. Access is only provided by the attacker when a ransom is paid. Experts at Trend Micro warn that from a global perspective, this malware has evolved into becoming targeted ransomware attacks. Cybercriminals will now hit specific companies and industries and use ransomware to get a big payout. In their 2020 Annual Cybersecurity Report, the firm shared that there is a trend in double-extortion attacks in the previous year. Aside from denying access to systems and files, ransomware operators threaten to expose files and sensitive information if the ransom is not paid. Given the risk of public exposure, victim organizations confronted the possibility of reputational damage as well as data loss, the report said. Top industries reportedly targeted by ransomware attacks in 2020 include the government, banking, manufacturing, healthcare, finance, education, technology, food and beverage, oil and gas, and insurance. Telecommuting threats With the implementation of work-from-home arrangements around the country, both employees and employers are put at risk of cyber threats, Trend Micro added. Work, sometimes carrying sensitive information, is done over home internet service providers that possibly use unpatched routers and machines. At times, company gadgets are used for personal purposes making these vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Trend Micro predicts the possibility of cyber criminals offering hacked routers as a new service and selling access to home networks. High-value home networks such as those of executives or IT admins could be rich targets by these malicious actors. Telecommuting will continue into 2021, and hybrid environments, where work and personal tasks comingle in one machine, will be challenging in terms of security. Organizations especially global enterprises will have less control over their data, the firm detailed in their Security Predictions for 2021. Security solutions and education To combat these issues in the digital sphere, Trend Micro underscores the need for proper security solutions and employee education in the Philippines. Security solutions involve securing whole ecosystems to ensure everything is protected from threats, taking into consideration the security of networks especially with work-from-home setups. On top of that, employee education is highly recommended to raise individual awareness on threats and knowledge on proper steps in dealing with attacks such as suspicious emails, URLs, or websites. Trend Micro is offering free tools, scans, and resources to help detect and fix viruses and other threat actors. To download for free, visit www.trendmicro.com/en_ph/forHome/products/free-tools.html. To check malicious websites, messages, and information for free, go to check.trendmicro.com. Global security company Kaspersky today announces that it has expanded its popular SafeBoard internships program, to include multiple roles across Europe and the Asia Pacific, with Singapore chosen to pilot this program in the region. The internships are fully paid and last for six to twelve months. Creating the right environment for young peoples talent development and providing them with various opportunities for career growth has always been a priority for Kaspersky. With the world growing increasingly digitalized, Asia Pacific has been grappling with a cybersecurity workforce gap estimated to be about 2.6 million large since 2020. Singapore, in particular, sees about 1,110 cybersecurity-related job vacancies. Set against this growing demand, Kaspersky hopes to plug the gap with the expansion of its SafeBoard internship program to upskill and elevate the workforce and to contribute to increasing the pool of IT professionals in the field of cybersecurity. Kaspersky has been offering the SafeBoard program in its HQ office, along with internships to students in other regions for the past six years. However, this is the first time that the SafeBoard internships program has been fully expanded to Kasperskys offices in Singapore, London, Milan, Paris, Prague, and Utrecht. By working closely with local teams, interns will be able to learn and develop both personally and professionally. A SafeBoard internship provides knowledge and skills that simply cannot be learnt from a book. Interns receive both on-the-job learning and constant feedback from a mentor; plus, speakers nights and workshops with global high-performers, shares Denis Barinov, Head of Kaspersky Academy. An internship with Kaspersky is an opportunity to kick-start your career in the exciting world of cybersecurity, through working for the worlds largest privately-held global cybersecurity company before graduation. In APAC, Kaspersky will be introducing its SafeBoard internship program to the region, with Singapore selected as the only country for this pilot program. Eleven positions are currently available for application, with roles spread across Kasperskys marketing, presales, channel sales and tech support functions. While the ideal candidate should have a passion for technology, the SafeBoard program is open to all current students of Bachelors or Masters degrees, or recent graduates no matter their background or gender. With a well-documented skills shortage, there has never been a better time to start a career in cybersecurity. Kaspersky is well placed to provide the brightest young minds across Europe and APAC with valuable experience in an industry that is constantly evolving and is a crucial part of helping businesses and individuals continue to reap the benefits of technology, says Anastasia Shamgunova, HR Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky. Singapore is the central business hub for many organizations in the region which is why it is essential that we contribute to building a workforce with the knowledge and expertise in the ongoing fight against cybercrime. As telecommuting remains to be the norm and our digital footprint only looks to go wider, we hope that expanding the program to candidates in the APAC region will build a more resilient local workforce for a safer today and tomorrow, adds Shamgunova. Applications for SafeBoard internships are now open. Following a short pre-selection process, potential candidates will be invited to Kasperskys online hackathon event at the end of June, where they will be tested for teamwork and social skills, and also demonstrate their knowledge while working on specific cases. Successful interns will then be announced on July 16th. Current undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in an internship role at Kaspersky can apply at safeboard.kaspersky.com. Tammy Huynh came to the U.S. at age 10 in 1991, when her family moved from Vietnam to Rocklin, California. At home, she was instructed to keep her head down and focus on school. At school, she was separated out from her classmates to learn English, which made her feel, as she says, "totally isolated." Part of her family expected she'd become a doctor or lawyer, or find another reliable professional track--but there was an entrepreneurial streak in her family, and building businesses spoke to Huynh as well. After creating a fragrance startup in her 20s, she founded a cruelty-free line of makeup brushes, Luxie Beauty, which is global and is projecting $11 million in annual revenue in 2021. Now she's a mom of two, and on her third venture. Her latest company is channeling both her family's heritage and a burgeoning trend in the U.S. In 2019, she launched San Jose, California-based Omni Bev, which sells fair trade Vietnamese brewed coffee and beans sourced from her family's farms in Da Lat, Vietnam's leading growing region. The recent wave of anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S. has made Huynh both sad and fearful--and is a painful reminder of the discrimination she faced at beauty industry trade shows early in her career. --As told to Christine Lagorio-Chafkin. My most vivid memories of experiencing racism are from when I started my first venture. I'd dropped out of college--I've never looked back--to start a fragrance company. I would go to different expos to sort out suppliers. I'm a petite Asian American woman--I'm 4 feet 11 and a half inches. I always add that half inch! I'd go to a booth and ask for information about products, and they wouldn't even give me the time of day. Or they'd ask, "Do you even speak English?" It was a horrible experience. But there were times it was worse than that. One time some guys responded to me by making a fake accent and saying dirty sexualized things I can't even repeat. They are still ringing in my head. I remember thinking: "I've got to speak up. I've got to say something." Over time, I became stronger, but there have been other instances. When I did say something, they would call me the Dragon Lady. I didn't even know what that meant, "Dragon Lady." I had to ask a friend. Asian women are supposed to be very quiet, and to not speak up. That type of stereotype of the opposite--Dragon Lady--really gets under my skin, because it discouraged me more from wanting to speak up. It was something I'd never felt before. I felt small. Voiceless. And I felt very lost. There was no platform. There was no woman, no Asian woman who looks like me, who would be on the cover of a magazine or who spoke up about it. Back then, there was no platform like Facebook or Twitter or Reddit to really safely voice our opinions or tell our stories. We're just trained to keep your head down and work hard. And for me, I was the black sheep for my family--like my dad had been previously, as an entrepreneur--because I hadn't finished my degree and was pursuing entrepreneurship. We were supposed to be, as Asian women, invisible. I remember as a kid being told not to really say anything, not to speak up. And if there are any conflicts, you just ignore or avoid them. Even now, having an Asian-inspired beverage brand has been difficult. I realized that people are very close-minded. For example, I think it was harder to get meetings and to get funding, even with my track record of building businesses, because Omni is the first authentic bottled Vietnamese cold-brew coffee. And when I tried to pitch my business to investors, they're like, "There's no market." They're so close-minded about me, even talking about an Asian brand. It's Asian, but for everyone. And the demand is clearly there: You can order Vietnamese-style coffee in Starbucks! Even Whole Foods has its own branded version of Vietnamese coffee. People want diversity in their food and beverages. And Vietnam is the second-highest exporter of coffee beans in the world--but some investors advised me to not even market it as Vietnamese. I strongly wanted it to be authentic. I wasn't going to drop it. Even now, with the recent Asian hate crimes in the U.S., I've felt scared to even walk outside. I have to tell my mom and grandma, every day, "Don't take walks outside anymore. Just walk around the house." I've felt unsafe in a sense that I can't understand why it's happening right now. All these attacks. In the age of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, the key to saving the agriculture industry billions of dollars could be a pouch the size of a sugar packet. That's according to Aidan Mouat, co-founder of Hazel Technologies, which makes a small sachet that prevents fresh produce from spoiling. Spoiled food contributes to the 130 billion pounds of food Americans throw out per year, amounting to more than $160 billion and 31 percent of the country's food supply, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Founded in 2015, Hazel's product presents a simple solution to the problem of food waste. The company's sachets are placed in boxes of produce before they ship and slowly release vapors specifically created to slow down the spoiling process, increasing shelf life by up to three times. The Chicago-based company has more than 160 clients in a dozen countries, including major U.S. growers such as Mission Produce, Agritrade Farms, and WP Produce. Mouat estimates that the company prevented 270 million pounds of food waste in 2020, a figure he expects to double this year. "Chemistry plays a central role in agriculture," says Mouat. "I said, 'Here's something where I can actually make a difference.' " Mouat declined to share Hazel's revenue. Hazel's traction has investors paying attention. The company announced a $70 million Series C round in April led by venture capital firm Pontifax AgTech and Singapore-based investment company Temasek, bringing the company's total raised to $87 million. The investment capital will help the company attack two of its greatest challenges--expanding internationally and marketing to retailers and consumers. Mouat helped engineer Hazel's pouches after focusing on the global problem of food waste. While earning his PhD in chemistry from Northwestern University's Institute for Sustainability and Energy, he teamed up with a handful of other students to create a small paper pouch packed with natural materials like sand, dirt, wood, and ash, which slow decay. The pouches also include active ingredients specific to each crop--like antifungal vapors or compounds that inhibit the rot-causing gas ethylene--which create a timed release so that the produce is continually treated as it ships. "By simply controlling the storage atmosphere, we're able to control the metabolism of the produce without introducing any new chemistries whatsoever into the consumer," says Mouat. "There are no new chemicals going into the food supply and nothing that leaves any residue. It's completely atmospheric chemistry." Specialty Crop Company, a California-based grower that sells figs, kiwis, and persimmons to U.S. supermarkets like Costco, Trader Joe's, and Safeway, has experimented with spoilage-preventing products from sprays to ethylene absorbers, with mixed results. When Hazel reached out last year, the company was eager for a better solution. "Any way I can help extend that shelf life, even if it's by a day or two, I'm all for it," says sales manager Erik Herman, whose parents founded the company in 1989. Herman says he's seen a noticeable drop in the number of shipments rejected by buyers since the company started using Hazel, which has allowed it to maintain good relationships with its clients and helped its bottom line. Mission Produce, the U.S.'s biggest grower of avocados, began using Hazel's sachets in 2018. The company places a single pouch into a 25-pound box of avocados when the fruit ships on week-long journeys to the U.S. from Central and South America, which has helped extend the avocados' three- to four-day shelf life by two or three days. As a result, retailers have been throwing out 55 percent fewer avocados, according to the company. Mouat credits much of the company's success to the fact that the product doesn't require farmers to introduce any new processes. Other startups are focused on the world's massive food spoilage problem. San Francisco tech firm Afresh, whose co-founder Matt Schwartz was named an Inc. 30 Under 30 honoree in 2019, makes an app that applies artificial intelligence to weather reports and purchasing data to advise retailers how much produce to buy and when. Goleta, California-based Apeel makes a plant-based coating that keeps produce fresh longer. Many other companies make waxes and sprays for the same purpose. Hazel makes a variety of products for different types of produce, from apples to cherries to cantaloupes. Last year, the nonprofit International Executive Services Corps began putting Hazel's sachets into avocado exports from the Dominican Republic in an effort to boost farming in the country. Hazel has begun testing out new formulations for the organization that can be used with exotic Dominican crops like snake gourds and Indian bitter melons. "That's the nice thing about Hazel--they really want to experiment and work with people to try things out," says IESC chief of party Brian Rudert. "They're a fairly unique company in that regard." The 55-employee company is developing products that can slow sprouting in root vegetables like potatoes. It's also working on solutions for proteins such as beef and fish. The effects go a long way for the planet, too. Food waste is responsible for about 8 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. And food rotting in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas that's more than 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat. Mouat estimates that Hazel has prevented nearly 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from entering the atmosphere. Piers Morgan was challenged over his controversial comments about Meghan Markle in a new interview with Australias 60 Minutes. The interview, conducted by presenter Karl Stefanovic, follows Morgans dramatic exit from Good Morning Britain, after a row over his remarks about the Duchess of Sussex. The presenter had made repeated criticisms of Markle before, but sparked thousands of Ofcom complaints in March when he said he didnt believe a word after Markle told Oprah Winfrey that she had experienced suicidal thoughts during her time as a royal. Mental health charity Mind called his comments concerning and disappointing. In a teaser clip of the new 60 Minutes encounter, interviewer Stefanovic suggests to Morgan that he is just an angry old man, with Morgan responding: Freedom of speech is more important than the Meghan Markle debacle. He then addresses his critics, saying: Who are these woke people, marching around like theyre Kim Jong-un with a dash of Vladimir Putin? Come on everybody, take a chill pill. Stefanovic simply replies: Are you gonna take one? Its a question that may have been on many peoples lips since Morgans outburst in March. The interview, which promises to answer why the king of controversy refuses to be cancelled, will air on Australias Channel 9 on Sunday (6 June). The Lahore High Court has acquitted a Christian couple who had been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, weeks after the European Parliament urged the country to immediately and unconditionally overturn their sentencing. Shagufta Kausar and her husband Shafqat Emmanuel had been on death row since 2014 for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Justice Shehbaz Ali Rizvi and Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh dismissed the case against the couple on Thursday. The judges told the prosecution: Your testimonies are defective. Can you describe how we can hang them? The Christian community in Pakistan rejoiced over the court order. Saiful Malook, a lawyer who had defended Asia Bibi a Pakistani Christian woman who spent years on death row after being convicted of blasphemy before this was finally overturned in the Supreme Court defended this Christian couple too. He told UCA News: I am very happy to be instrumental in saving more innocent lives and proving the failure of the case against the Christian couple. Under Pakistans blasphemy laws, anyone accused of insulting either Islam or Prophet Muhammad can be sentenced to death. After the European Parliament last month urged Pakistan to repeal its problematic blasphemy laws, provide Ms Kausar and Mr Emmanuel with urgent medical care and to overrule their death sentence, Pakistans foreign ministry had released a statement expressing disappointment at the resolution. The statement said that it reflects a lack of understanding in the context of blasphemy laws and associated religious sensitivities in Pakistan and in the wider Muslim world. The couples lawyer Mr Malook said he expects the couple to be released next week. In a statement, Amnesty International said: Todays decision puts an end to the seven-year-long ordeal of a couple who should not have been convicted nor faced a death sentence in the first place. It added that blasphemy cases are often premised on flimsy evidence in environments that make fair trials impossible, underscoring the significance of this verdict. They also sought adequate security for the couple, their family and lawyer. On social media, the couples acquittal was received with happy and prayer emojis. UCA News reported that a UK-based Pakistani Christian, Chaudhry Anjum Khokhar, posted on her Facebook: Well done [those] who raised voices and provided legal help for them. Special thanks to the European Union. AFP reported that in 2009 in the Christian neighbourhood of Gojra in west Lahore where the couple come from a mob attacked the neighbourhood burning 77 houses and killing at least seven people after rumours that a Quran had been desecrated spread through the city. Anjum James Paul, a Catholic academic and activist, congratulated the community on the Lahore High Court order. He said in a statement: We welcome this free and fair decision. We demand eight years of suffering and imprisonment for those who accused the couple of blasphemy. The state should compensate the children of the affected family as well. Meanwhile, the couples lawyer Mr Malook said: Its unfortunate that innocent people are forced to rot in jails for years on false accusations of blasphemy. This practice needs to stop now. The charge is so serious that even judges are fearful of conducting hearings and giving decisions on merit. As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. British funding for the International Rescue Committees (IRC) aid programmes to protect women and girls in Syria has been reduced by 75 per cent from last year, leaving 55,000 women and girls fleeing domestic abuse without access to shelters. The group says it has been forced to end resilience and self-sufficiency economic recovery programmes for Syrians in the north of the country, where more than half of its recipients were women. Cash assistance, employment training for displaced Syrians, as well as special needs programmes have taken a hit at a time Syrians are enduring the worst economic crisis. Apple is reportedly developing a new iPad Pro with wireless charging, and a new iPad mini. The computing giant is intending to release the new iPad Pro in 2022, and the smaller tablet later this year, according to sources speaking to Bloomberg. Apple did not respond to a request for comment fromThe Independent before time of publication. The apparent leak comes just days before the launch of WWDC, during which Apple is expected to reveal the future of its iPad line-up. It will show off the new update to its iPadOS, though hardware changes are also possible, though the new tablets are not expected for some time. The main changes to the tablets will be the iPad Pro moving from an aluminium housing to a glass back, in order to enable wireless charging on the tablet for the first time. It would alos see the tablet become closer in design to the more recent iPhones. Apple also recently released its MagSafe products, which allow the phones to be powered up by being stuck magnetically to a charging puck. This could allow it to utilise reverse wireless charging, which would allow users to charge their iPhone and AirPods headphones by laying them on the back of the tablet; however, this is a capability we saw from other manufacturers, most notably Huawei, for some time. With regards to its battery technology, Apple is still reportedly exploring a future wireless charger that would work in the same way as its failed AirPower charging mat. It is also investigating other wireless charging methods which can work over distance something Chinese manufacturer Oppo is also looking into with its X 2021 concept phone. Apples development work on this new iPad is in early stages, apparently, and the company could change or cancel the plans before launch. The iPad mini, meanwhile, will have narrower bezels and it is reported that the home button will also be removed, a decision Apple took in 2017 for the design of the iPhone X. A thinner version of its entry-level iPad could also be forthcoming, geared towards students, which could be released as early as the end of this year alongside the iPad mini. As Apples conference comes closer, more rumours about what the company is planning to release bubble to the surface. It is expected that Apple will launch two new versions of the MacBook Pro a 14-inch and 16-inch version - as well as major updates to iOS, MacOS, its other operating systems. Apple is also seemingly working on a new pair of secretive Beats in-ear headphones, according to internal files in the companys operating system update, but which A New York Times column about post-pandemic friendships has sparked outrage on social media after seeming to imply that people should reconsider relationships with friends who are depressed or obese. In the article, titled: How to Rearrange Your Post-Pandemic Friendscape, author Kate Murphy notes that the pandemic allowed us to focus and prioritise those we allowed in our orbit. Now that pandemic restrictions are easing, Murphy implored people to think more closely about those who they re-allow into their lives, writing: The pandemic shook us out of our social ruts, and now we have an opportunity to choose which relationships we wish to resurrect and which are better left dormant. When it comes to foreground friends, those who you are closest to, she explains that foreground friends are the ones who have the most profound impact on your health and well-being, for good or ill, before suggesting that this means it can be beneficial to distance oneself from friends who are obese, depressed, or engage in vices such as smoking. Indeed, depressed friends make it more likely youll be depressed, obese friends make it more likely youll become obese, and friends who smoke or drink a lot make it more likely youll do the same, she writes, linking to various studies to back up her suggestion. Alternatively, Murphy suggested that the reverse is also true, adding that: You will be more studious, kind and enterprising if you consort with studious, kind and enterprising people. However, according to Murphy, she doesnt mean to imply that you should abandon friends when they are having a hard time, but rather suggests that individuals be mindful of the time they spend with such friends - as your friends prevailing moods, values and behaviours are likely to become your own. On Twitter, the column has been met with backlash, with many criticising Murphy and the newspaper over the suggestion that people should reconsider friendships because of such things as weight or mental health struggles. The NYT is really out here telling you to dump your fat friends or friends with mental illness and it says a lot about where America is right now, one person tweeted. Another said: THIS IS SO OUT OF TOUCH. Cutting off friendships due to people being obese or depressed is such a disgusting concept to spread. I was on board with this article (so many friendships can just be based on proximity/convenience and the pandemic has made me realise who in my life matters most) until they said if your friend is depressed and fat, you might catch the fat depression so cut them out, someone else tweeted. The column also prompted a response from New York Times best-selling author Roxane Gay, who tweeted: This piece really wants yall to stop hanging out with your fat friends so you dont catch the fat. Gays tweet, which has been liked more than 4,000 times, prompted renewed criticism for the article, while others jokingly offering to take on friendships with people who had been cut out of their friends lives on the advice of the article. Im here for fellow fat and depressed people who want to be friends, since we are apparently unsuitable for friendship with other humans, one person tweeted, while another sarcastically said: Shout out to all of the brave people who are friends with me despite my obesity. You are the true heroes. As for the other, more valid, reasons Murphy gives for narrowing ones friendship circle, the columnist suggested cutting friends from your foreground who dont seem genuinely pleased when something good happens to you and show a glint of schadenfreude when things go wrong, as well as any individuals who are boastful, self-righteous, fault-finding or prickly in conversation - or they always shift the conversation back to themselves. And steer well clear of anyone who doesnt defend you when someone else maligns you, or worse, piles on, she added. The Independent has contacted The New York Times for comment. Womens rights campaigners in Azerbaijan are being forced to endure reprisals and harassment, a leading human rights organisation has warned. Amnesty International said authorities in the country are wielding a smear campaign to gag and defame activists with more than two dozen women targeted in the crackdown. At least 15 women are said to have been harassed by the security forces - which have the support of the government - in the Caucasus region nation in the last two years. This troubling state-sanctioned abuse spans from being blackmailed through social media accounts as well as being accused of being bad wives or bad mothers and having private conversations leaked to the public - with the latter sometimes being sexual, the charity said. Natalia Nozadze, Amnestys South Caucasus researcher, said: This is part of a deliberate strategy to muzzle critics of the government and suppress womens activism. By shaming and blackmailing these women activists, the authorities believe they will renounce their lawful activism or pressure their partners to do so. Amnesty is calling on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure gender-based violence and discrimination targeting women activists in Azerbaijan is halted immediately. They must conduct a prompt, impartial and effective investigation into each incident, as well as into other violations of their human rights, such as their right to privacy. Amina Rustamzade, who is married to an activist and ex-prisoner of conscience Ilkin Rustamzade, tried to kill herself in July last year after facing attacks and harassment, including enduring repeated threats to expose highly personal and private details about her life. While an escort site displayed her profile and disclosed her personal contact details. Women who helped arrange the International Womens Day march in the Azberjani capital of Baku this year have also been clamped down on. The social media accounts of Gulnara Mehdiyeva, an activist behind the demonstration, were hacked - with private photos of her appearing on the internet. The authorities forcibly disrupted the march protesting against gender-based violence and femicides in Baku on International Womens Day in March and at least 20 peaceful protesters were detained. Marc Behrendt, director of Europe and Eurasia programmes at a human rights NGO called Freedom House, said: For the third year in a row, the Azerbaijani authorities have cracked down on the International Womens Day march, rejecting organisers permit application, detaining activists, and shutting down public transportation in a brazen violation of the freedom of assembly. The voices of women must be heard in Azerbaijan, where domestic violence, femicides, and other grave forms of gender-based violence are commonplace, and where female activists and journalists are harassed and ignored, with no effective national policy response from the government. A leading figure in Britains anti-vaccination movement who repeatedly spread coronavirus conspiracy theories, and once called the NHS the new Auschwitz, has been permanently struck off the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register. Kate Shemirani, a mother-of-four from Nottingham, had been banned from practising as a nurse under an 18-month interim suspension, imposed last July. But last Friday the NMC Fitness to Practise Committee issued her with a permanent striking-off order, under which she cannot practise as a registered nurse for at least another five years after which point she will be eligible to appeal the decision. In its ruling, the panel, led by Nicola Jackson, found Ms Shemirani attempted to encourage people to act contrary to public health guidance issued by the UK government by spreading this information through social media platforms and at public events. It also noted the former nurses repeated intention to act in a deeply offensive [manner] to the nursing and medical professions, by using inflammatory and derogatory language to describe other nursing and healthcare professionals. It comes after Ms Shemirani used her platform as an anti-vaxxer to accuse nurses of being complicit in genocide while also labelling vaccination teams death squads. In one social media post, highlighted by the panel in its report, she wrote: You are not nurses. You are not angels. You are criminals and liars ... Patients all with DNRs on arrival. Patient and relatives unaware. Murdered. Genocide. The NHS is the new Auschwitz. 4th generation warfare. Silent weapons for quiet wars. You are the target. The 54-year-old has made various bogus claims over the past 15 months, with just some noted by the committee being that symptoms of Covid-19 can be attributed to radiation from 5G technology and vaccines can both cause sterility and change a persons DNA. In an interview in January, she told Sky News that no vaccine has ever been proven safe and no vaccine has ever been proven effective and that she had seen no evidence to even suggest a pandemic exists. When the interviewer cut in and said, We know thats not true, reminding Ms Shemirani millions of lives have been saved due to jabs such as those by Pfizer and AstraZeneca, she replied only: Simply not true. Ms Shemirani gained traction last year after she began using her social media accounts, all under the name Kate Shemirani Natural Nurse in a Toxic World, to promote her own views of the pandemic. The report states she would often refer to herself as a registered nurse in videos posted to platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as wear a nurses uniform while delivering her messages. Her accounts with Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook have since been blocked by the respective companies, with the committee noting Ms Shemirani often described face masks as dirty rags and even a muzzle in videos posted on Facebook Live. Further, she is said to have previously claimed vaccine ingredients included acetone and aborted foetal cell tissue that turns into cancer and once wrote on social media: There is no Covid-19. Its a scam. There is however contaminated vaccines, contaminated tests and a lovely direct energy weapon system being primed to activate those nano particles you have injected, ingested and inhaled. Ms Shemirani gained an even more devoted following by attending anti-vax and anti-lockdown protests in London last year, in August and September, alongside fellow Covid deniers David Icke and Piers Corbyn. She was one of the speakers at the 19 September rally, at which some 30 people were arrested due to violence between the crowd and police officers. In the report compiled by the NMC panel, it is noted that Ms Shemirani made no representations to the panel regarding the striking-off order. She is also said to have indicated that she wants to be removed from the NMC register. The committee ultimately found that Ms Shemirani actively discouraged people from wearing masks, adhering to social distancing, and taking vaccinations and had not shown any remorse, nor given any explanation for repeatedly spreading misinformation. Mrs Shemirani is using her nursing status as a way of endorsing her own distorted propaganda, panel members concluded, before stating the anti-vaxxer would be struck from the register on both public protection and public interest grounds. Marina Wheeler, the ex-wife of Boris Johnson, has reportedly said she was the one who ended the couple's 25-year marriage because life with the would-be prime minister had become "impossible". Ms Wheeler, a 56-year-old QC and author, married Mr Johnson in 1993 and the pair have four children together. They separated in 2018 and in February last year reached a financial settlement on their divorce. Speaking less than a week after Mr Johnson, 56, celebrated his third nuptials with wife Carrie, 33, Ms Wheeler reflected on the end of her marriage and her struggle with cervical cancer, which she was diagnosed with in early 2019. The divine plan, it seemed, had gone awry, Ms Wheeler told the Daily Mails Sebastian Shakespeare. My four children and I already had tough stuff to handle. My 25-year marriage had become impossible, so I ended it, but the whole business was grinding, so why was I being doled out more? Ms Wheeler, who is now cancer-free and last year published her new book, The Lost Homestead, said two years on from her diagnosis she could see she was lucky. She and the prime minister met while attending the European School in Brussels as children, and married after the annulment of Mr Johnsons marriage to his first wife, Allegra Mostyn-Owen. Marina Wheeler at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London (PA) Mr Johnsons personal life has long been under public scrutiny. The Appeal Court ruled in 2013 that the public had a right to know that he had fathered a daughter during an affair while he was the mayor of London. Previously, he was sacked as shadow arts minister in 2004 after it was reported he had had an affair with journalist Petronella Wyatt a year after he married Ms Wheeler. Mr Johnson currently lives in Downing Street with new wife Carrie Symonds. They have a one-year-old son named Wilfred and got married at a low-key ceremony in Westminster Cathedral at the end of May. The prime minister has a long-standing policy of refusing to comment on his private life. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said he is confident of reaching an international agreement on taxing the tech giants as he welcomes his counterparts to London for the G7 finance meeting. Ministers from the US, Japan, France, Canada, Germany and Italy began the two-day meeting at Lancaster House in London on Friday morning, ahead of next weeks G7 leaders summit in Cornwall. Mr Sunak has said a US proposal to focus on the worlds 100 most profitable digital firms in a global tax deal could work but he has insisted that tech firms pay more tax in countries where they operate. Its certainly something we can work with as long as it meets our objectives of getting at the right companies, and on the face of it, it can, the chancellor told Reuters ahead of the meeting. We just need to work through the details. Tax campaigners hope the G7 nations can help close loopholes which have allowed companies such as Google and Amazon to avoid high taxes by placing much of their profits offshore. The US government announced tariffs on around 1.4bn-worth of imports from the UK and five other nations earlier this week over their plans to tax US-based tech giants. But president Joe Bidens administration immediately suspended the tariffs to allow the G7 finance negotiations to play out. Mr Sunak said he is hugely optimistic about the G7 delivering some concrete outcomes this weekend. But the chancellor is under huge pressure to agree to a new, global minimum corporation tax rate. Last month the US put forward a plan for a floor of 15 per cent for the tax, while calling for discussions to continue to push that rate higher. All the G7 nations except for the UK have issued their support for the 15 per cent proposal. Chancellor Rishi Sunak prepares to welcome G7 finance ministers (PA) The Labour Party has called on Mr Sunak to publicly endorse proposals for a global minimum corporate tax rate during the G7 finance meeting. Ahead of the two-day summit, finance ministers from France, Germany, Spain and Italy have co-signed an open letter urging an agreement on corporation tax which would be fit for the 21st century. Speaking ahead of the G7 meeting, Mr Sunak said: Securing a global agreement on digital taxation has also been a key priority this year we want companies to pay the right amount of tax in the right place, and I hope we can reach a fair deal with our partners. Im determined we work together and unite to tackle the worlds most pressing economic challenges and Im hugely optimistic that we will deliver some concrete outcomes this weekend. Although Mr Sunak, any announcements on any tax agreements is expected to be delayed until Boris Johnson and other G7 leaders meet in Cornwall next week. A one-time CEO for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Iowa has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $40,000 in purchases on her corporate credit card. On Wednesday, Jennifer Woodley, 40, confessed to using a company credit card to make unsanctioned purchases, allotting herself unverified bonuses and raises to her salary and falsifying documents relating to these charges. The branch that Woodley ran is one of 60 across the US, that provides help and unforgettable experiences to children and young people with life-threatening conditions, and their families. They are well known for arranging celebrity encounters. Woodley pleaded guilty to two two charges of first-degree theft and one count of fraudulent practices, all felony counts. Prosecutors have said they wish for her to serve five years under probation, including potential for fines and restitution. Documents allege that stole roughly $41,000. Woodley is due to be sentenced on 20 July, and her lawyer Nicholas Sarcone said that he would request a deferred judgement then. If successful, the conviction would be removed from her record as long as she carries out all aspects of her sentencing, such a paying all fines imposed. The crimes date back to 2019, following Woodleys appointment to chief executive and only stopped when they were uncovered last year, which led to her dismissal and a criminal investigation. Woodley turned herself in to authorities in January of the this year and has been out on bail since then and has relocated to North Carolina. Make-A-Wish Foundation told The Independent that they were happy with how the state had delivered justice. We appreciate that the Iowa legal system resolved this matter with an agreement that includes restitution. As always, we remain committed to ensuring that donations to Make-A-Wish are safeguarded and properly used to advance our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child fighting a critical illness. Fifteen members of a Washington State University fraternity are facing charges in connection with the death of a 19-year-old from alcohol-poisoning two years ago. The former members of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity were charged by prosecutors in Whitman County, Washington, on Tuesday with the death of Sam Martinez, a freshman, in November 2019, according to The Spokesman-Review. Martinez was taking part in "an initiation process at the fraternity when he died of alcohol poisoning, the Whitman County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said. According to investigators, the former fraternity members only phoned 911 the morning after the initiation, and four hours after the freshman was discovered "unconscious and not breathing." The Pullman Police Department said the fraternity members attempted to perform CPR on Martinez, to no avail, NBC News reported at the time. The Whitman County coroner afterwards found that Martinez died from acute alcohol poisoning and that the cause cause of death was accidental, according to KOMO. Police said in February there was insufficient evidence for manslaughter charges, although the time frame for bringing hazing charges against the former fraternity members ran out. Martinezs family said in a statement said they were "deeply disappointed". The fifteen men members of the fraternity, who were not identified, will appear in the Whitman County District Court at a future date. If found guilty of furnishing liquor to one or more minors, the members face a prison sentence of up to a year and a fine of $5,000 (3,541) When Joe Biden sits down with Queen Elizabeth II during the G7 summit, he will be the most recent US president to be seen by the British monarch. In fact, the Queen has met almost every US president to take office in her reign, and on 13 June will meet Mr Biden during his visit to the UK. It follows Donald Trumps faux pas (or two) in 2018 and the most memorable of any meeting of a British monarch and US president for 70 years. Donald Trump A president infamous for ignoring protocol at home and abroad, it was of no surprise to observers that Mr Trump appeared to flout Royal protocol in front of the Queen in August 2018. Mr Trump departed meetings with then-British prime minister Theresa May to turn-up at Windsor Castle and stand in front of the monarch blocking her way. It forced the Queen, who was then aged 91, to swerve around the six feet two inch US president, in footage that went viral across the world. (Getty Images) It followed he and wife Melania Trump refusing to bow and curtsey for the Queen, as tradition asks for. Barack Obama Michelle Obama surprised the world by embracing the Queen on her first official trip to the UK in 2009. Fortunately for the former first lady, the Queen returned the favour by hugging Ms Obama back, in what was described as an extraordinary encounter. It was alleged that the duo discussed each others shoes, which Ms Obama wrote in her recent memoir, Becoming, had oppressed the pair that day. John F Kennedy According to accounts of John F Kennedy's visit to the UK in 1961, the Queen was resentful of Jacqueline Kennedy. Author of The Royals, Kitty Kelley, wrote that the Queens resentment was real for the famous socialite and former first lady. As recently featured in The Crown on Netflix, the young Queen felt upstaged by Ms Kennedy. (Getty Images) Although there are no official accounts, it was also alleged that Ms Kennedy afterwards bad-mouthed the British monarch. As The Washington Post reported, the Queen disagreed with the former first lady inviting her twice-divorced brother-in-law, a Polish prince, to dinner at Buckingham Palace. Gerald Ford In July 1976, the Queen and her late husband Prince Phillip were invited to the White House for a dinner for the bicentenary of the American Revolution against the British in 1776. Not that the breaking away of North America from the British empire was at fault, but rather Gerald Ford referring to Her Majesty as Your Majesty, according to the Ford Presidential Library. It followed a run-in with the Fords son, Jack, who was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. The Queen, in apparent reference to her eldest son, Charles, told former first lady Betty Ford "Don't worry, Betty, I have one of those at home, too." Jimmy Carter In 1977, the following year, the British monarch invited the newly sworn-in Jimmy Carter to stay at Buckingham Palace for a NATO summit. But in a break with Royal protocol, the former US president famously kissed the Queen Mother on the lips. I took a sharp step backwards not quite far enough, she reportedly commented afterwards. Former White House counsel Don McGahn has arrived at the Capitol to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, something Democrats have sought for over two years but we may not learn what he said for up to seven days. House Democrats subpoenaed Mr McGahn in 2019 over his role in the Russia investigation drama, but the White House refused to let him testify. Last month, Mr McGahns lawyers reached a deal with Democrats for him to finally speak but only under strictly controlled circumstances. Mr McGahns testimony will be behind closed doors, without any press in attendance, and a transcript of the interview will be released up to a week later only after Mr McGahn has reviewed and approved it. All those present are required to keep what was said secret until then. The parties will have a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed seven calendar days, to review the transcript for accuracy before it is released, the document outlining the deal says. The Committee Chair will ask all Members and Committee staff to maintain the confidentiality of the interview until the transcript is released publicly. Mr McGahn played a central role in the drama over special counsel Robert Mueller s investigation into whether Donald Trump improperly sought Russias help in the 2016 election. He reportedly refused Mr Trumps request that he fire Mr Mueller, and refused again when Mr Trump asked him to deny that he ever tried to fire him. JPMorgan will resume political donations but wont give to Republicans who voted to overturn the result of the 2020 election. According to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Friday, a handful of the 147 Republicans who voted against certifying President Joe Bidens win were previously receiving support from JPMorgans political action committee. Those donations will continue to be frozen. Many corporations halted their political donations following the deadly Capitol riot on 6 January when Trump supporters attempted to stop Congress from formally certifying Mr Bidens victory. After hours of hand to hand combat, law enforcement managed to clear the Capitol building and lawmakers could get back to work. Most of the 147 Republicans who despite the riot voted against the certification were members of the House. The largest lender in the US will start donating to politicans once again this month. JPMorgan will review whether to start giving to the Republicans who voted to overturn the election after the 2022 midterms. This was a unique and historic moment when we believe the country needed our elected officials to put aside strongly held differences and demonstrate unity, the bank wrote. It added: Democracy, by its nature, requires active participation, compromise, and engaging with people with opposing views. That is why government and business must work together. JPMorgan said its political action committee (PAC) was an important instrument through which it takes part in the political process. PACs raise money to support and sometimes oppose political candidates. The bank will also expand the pool of politicians to whom it donates beyond officeholders who have power over financial regulations to lawmakers who have influence over issues the bank considers moral and economic imperatives for our country. JPMorgan didnt mention any specific lawmakers in its memo but still risks aggravating Republicans with influence over banking regulations. Some GOP members have already been displeased with the bank's stances on the climate crisis and racial equity. According to the Centre for Responsive Politics, JPMorgan gave almost $1m to federal candidates and committees working in support of candidates during the 2019-2020 election cycle. Almost 60 per cent of the $600,300 that the bank donated to federal candidates went to Republicans, with the rest going to Democrats. Commercial banks overall donated $14.6m to federal candidates in the 2020 election cycle, which is the second-highest amount since 1990. The Department of Defense has announced its flag policy would not change this year to allow the Pride flag to be flown at military bases during the month of June. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the Pentagon would maintain existing policy for the display of unofficial flags and not grant an exception to display the Pride flag on military bases, in a statement released to CNN. Mr Kirby went on to state that the decision did not in any way reflect on the respect and admiration we feel for all our LGBTQ+ personnel in and out of uniform. Under the Trump administration, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper put in place a policy that limited unofficial flags from being displayed on military bases. This decision was made, in part, to limit instances of the Confederate flag or other symbols of hate being used. One concern of making an allowance to the Pride flag was that it would open up opportunities for other flags to be flown outside of the military bases that symbolised controversial topics. But this decision has put the Department of Defense at odds with other departments under the Biden administration. Secretary of Defense Anthony Blinken announced in April that US embassies would be allowed to fly the Pride flag outside on the same flagpole as the American flag. Already the flag was seen flying outside several embassies, including the US Embassy to the Holy See in the Vatican. The US Embassy to the Holy See celebrates #PrideMonth with the Pride flag on display during the month of June, the embassy wrote in a tweet on Tuesday. The United States respects the dignity and equality of LGBTQI+ people. LGBTQI+ rights are human rights. The authorisation under Mr Blinken, which was not a mandate, was announced before 17 May, an international day against homophobia and transphobia. US embassies have also participated for the month of June, which was celebrated as Pride month within the LBGTQ+ community. But authorities have asked for US embassies located in specific locations to not fly the flag out of concern of the potential reaction. The Pentagon was still expected to hold events in honour of Pride month, with Secretary Defense Lloyd Austin attending some of the events, it was announced. Austria is banning direct UK flights again over fears of the Indian variant. The European nation previously banned direct flights to and from the UK in December, as the Kent variant began spreading widely. The ban was lifted on 21 March, as the UK began to emerge from lockdown. The new ban will take effect from 1 June, and will affect services operated by Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet among others. Only Austrian citizens and residents will be allowed to enter the country, according to guidance from its health ministry. All arrivals must prove they have either been vaccinated; have recovered from Covid in the last six months; or provide proof of a negative test. Austria is currently on the UKs amber list for travel, which means arrivals from there should self-isolate for 10 days once back in the UK and take two post-arrival PCR tests. Austria follows Germanys lead, which will bar British travellers from entering the country after its Public Health Institute designated the UK as a virus variant area of concern. From midnight on Sunday 23 May, people travelling to Germany from the UK can only enter if they are a German citizen or resident. Additional reporting by agencies Portugal has been downgraded to the amber list, ruining the plans of thousands of British holidaymakers. It was added to the green list on 7 May, and tour operators and airlines piled on capacity to cater to a surge in demand. Arrivals from Portugal will be required to self-isolate at home for 10 days. Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced the downgrade of the Atlantic nation, a holiday favourite of British travellers. He added that the UKs first priority was the domestic unlocking, urging holidaymakers to have a little bit of patience. In an interview, Mr Shapps has raised concern of a so-called Nepal coronavirus mutation in Portugal as it was taken off the green travel list. He said: I want to be straight with people, its actually a difficult decision to make, but in the end weve seen two things really which caused concern. One is the positivity rate has nearly doubled since the last review in Portugal and the other is theres a sort of Nepal mutation of the so-called Indian variant which has been detected and we just dont know the potential for that to be vaccine-defeating mutation and simply dont want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock. Additional reporting by agencies Holidaymakers are facing a scramble back from Portugal after it was placed on the UKs amber list last Thursday. The move dealt a hammer blow to the industry, as the only mainstream holiday destination for British visitors lost its quarantine-free status. Holidaymakers from the Atlantic nation will be required to quarantine for 10 days at home if they return after 4am on 8 June; while countless others have their holiday plans cancelled. The only European summer sun destination on the green list is tiny Gibraltar. It set back hopes that the international travel industry, which tentatively restarted just three weeks ago, would be able to offer an expanded range of quarantine-free summer holidays this year. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, said: We are dealing with a government who seems to have forgotten its travel industry exists. What are the travel industrys thoughts about the whole debacle? On Tuesday at 9am Ill be putting your travel questions about the traffic light changes to Ms Lo Bue-Said, who leads the independent group of travel agents. She has been one of the travel industrys most articulate and powerful voices during the coronavirus pandemic. Register to submit your question for Ms Lo Bue-Said and me in the comments box below by 9am on June 8. If youre not already a member, click sign up in the comments box to leave your question. Dont worry if you cant see your question they will be hidden until we begin to answer them. We will make the recorded interview where your questions will answered available to all registered users. Days after former Trump national security adviser and retired Army General Michael Flynn endorsed the idea of a military coup against the US government, the army is officially doing absolutely nothing about it. Veterans and extremism experts are warning that the decision to let his remarks go unpunished amounts to ignoring a serious national security threat. Flynn spent 23 days at the top of Americas national security apparatus before being fired after lying to then-Vice President Mike Pence about conversations hed had with Russias ambassador to the US; he then received a presidential pardon absolving him of charges that hed lied to the FBI about those same conversations. Since then, he has spent his years in exile from US national security circles establishing himself as an icon of the QAnon movement. The retired Lieutenant General even went so far as to post a video of himself swearing an oath to the movement which holds that the federal government is secretly controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping, cannibalistic pedophiles to mark Independence Day 2020. And when he appeared as a speaker at a QAnon-themed conference in Texas over Memorial Day weekend, Flynn marked the occasion by telling an audience member a self-described Marine Corps veteran that a military-backed coup of the type that overturned Myanmars last election should happen here. Although Flynn left active military service when he was forced to retire in 2014, the commission he holds as an Officer of the United States remains active until he either dies or resigns it. This means that, despite his retirement from active duty, he is still entitled to be addressed by his rank, and to receive military benefits in addition to his retirement pay (which can amount to more than $100,000 each year). In exchange for these privileges, Flynn remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which provides for recall of retirees to active duty to face a court-martial if ordered. But the Army isnt interested in punishing Flynn for advocating a violent overthrow of the government he once swore to protect from all enemies, foreign and domestic. In a statement, a US Army spokesperson said that the army is aware of the statements [Flynn] made May 30 and June 1, but is not investigating these statements further at this time. Such reticence would be consistent with recent practice. The US Armed Services rarely exercises the right to recall retired servicemembers to active duty to face courts-martial. And as a retiree, Flynn could argue that his statements were protected speech under the First Amendment. He would also almost certainly characterize any attempt to prosecute him under the UCMJ as part of a push to silence a political opponent of the current administration. But the decision to leave Flynn alone is alarming extremism experts, who say his status as a retired three-star general and as a central figure in the QAnon movement make him a clear and present danger to US national security. Hes not a political opponent hes a retired military officer who is now the public face of a conspiracy movement that the FBI has labeled a dangerous terrorist threat, said Dr Colin Clarke, director of policy and research at The Soufan Group. Clarke, whose research focuses on terrorism, insurgencies, and criminal networks, added that it would not be at all unreasonable for the army to recall Flynn for court-martial because of the QAnon movements role in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Had that monumental event not occurred, you would not be wanting to get into policing [language or opinions], but that event happened. He played a key role in the QAnon movement and is still out there talking about having a coup, he said. Given all the evidence taken together, that makes this serious. Jared Holt, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensics Research Lab who oversees domestic extremism research, also believes that Flynns status as a messianic figure in the QAnon mythology makes his statements worth investigating to determine if they violate military law. Mike Flynn is a folk hero in the QAnon movement hes an individual that QAnon followers believe represents this existential fight that they believe is going on between pro-Trump forces and the so-called Deep State, so he has a lot of sway, said Holt. Flynns rhetoric this past weekend is particularly concerning, he continued, because of his capacity to inspire lone wolf-type actors. It only takes one person to act out in a way that is tragic, to cause a real problem. And for that reason, I think we have to take what he says seriously, even if we dont take it literally, Holt added. So far, the Defense Department has not been taking Flynn seriously or literally. When asked about the matter on Wednesday, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said he was not aware of any efforts to address Flynns recent statements and referred further questions to the army. For Clarke, the lack of action from the Defense Department does not bode well for the US governments efforts to root out domestic extremism. Ignoring the threat from people like Flynn could allow the problem to metastasize. I think thats been the strategy to just downplay and dismiss it, and ignore it. And frankly, I think thats worked so far. But if you continue to have incidents like this, Im not sure how much longer you can employ that strategy, he said. Glenn Kirshner, a former federal prosecutor who served as an Army Judge-Advocate for six years, posited that one reason the military could be loath to recall and prosecute Flynn is a recent court decision which muddied the waters on whether the military can recall retirees for courts-martial. But Kirschner said the potential for people like Flynn to inspire violence means there should be action to contain the threat. He stressed that the federal government needs to start tackling crimes committed by former Trump administration officials head-on. Because of his status as a former flag officer, I think it inspires allegiance to the big lie. It inspires allegiance to conspiracy theories of the election being stolen, it erodes allegiance to the Constitution, which is all about supporting your duly elected government and supporting and defending the Constitution, he said. But what he was advocating for is in direct contravention of the Constitution. Whether you can say he could incite imminent violence, which is the difference between speech thats protected by the First Amendment and speech thats not we could could debate that, he continued. But weve reached a critical mass, in my estimation. The big lie continues to gain momentum, and the only way to stop that momentum is to begin to charge the former leadership of this country who we can prove committed crimes. We need a federal solution, and if we dont get one, then the big lie will win because its snowballing among people who are willing to engage in violence to achieve their ends. Paul Rieckhoff, a veterans advocate and activist who founded Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, also said the Defense Department should take action against Flynn, calling the failure to do so unimaginably dangerous. Flynn has designated himself the king of the White Walkers He is viewed as an almost mythical figure within the QAnon community, because he is really politicizing and cannibalizing his rank for dangerous and political purposes, he said. Flynns status as a retired three-star flag officer, despite his fall from grace under Trump, still carries significant credibility within both the veterans community and the general public, Rieckhoff explained. And because many involved in the January 6 insurrection are still talking about using violence to return Trump to power, he said the Defense Department should be looking at Flynn no differently than they would have looked at an insurgent leader in Iraq during the US occupation. Any insurrection or even any insurgency is going to need significant mythical symbolic figures, and Mike Flynn is probably second only to Donald Trump. So I think its dangerous, I think its unprecedented, and I think that the military cant keep blowing this off, he said. That theyre not looking into this is stunning to me, because its like saying theyre not looking into the Oath Keepers on January 5 when it was so obvious.If he was on the ground in Iraq, wed be sending SEAL Team Six after him Hes taunting the entire federal government. Hes taunting the FBI. Hes taunting the CIA. Hes taunting the Pentagon. And hes saying [he] can call for an armed insurrection, a military coup, and you cant touch [him]. So I think that we have to stop dismissing him as a kook or a loon or whatever, and understand that he is a legitimate national security threat. When the news broke that the United States Capitol was under attack on January 6, we were all glued to our TVs. We know what we saw: A mob of thousands of Trump supporters clad in red MAGA hats, waving Trump flags, and carrying weapons (one of whom even planted pipe bombs outside the Capitol and the offices of the Democratic and Republican National Committee offices and is still at large.) This mob sacked the peoples house and apparently hoped to assassinate both elected lawmakers and even then-Vice President Mike Pence, most likely using the makeshift gallows theyd built outside the Capitol. Some members of the mob wore swag theyd made for that specific day that read MAGA CIVIL WAR JANUARY 6 2021. Others sported pro-Nazi memorabilia, including a shirt that read CAMP AUSCHWITZ. One rioter carried a Confederate flag through the halls of the Capitol (something even Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee never accomplished). Its very likely that, had Officer Eugene Goodman not provoked the rioter at the front of the mob, they would have overrun the Senate chamber and kidnapped or even possibly murdered Pence and an untold number of federal elected officials who were sheltering in place just steps away from the rioters. In surveillance video from inside the capitol, Pence is seen being evacuated from the Senate chamber, his hurried gait suggesting he suspected his life was in danger. By the end of the day, five people were dead, and hundreds more were injured including 140 police officers. Now, it looks as though Pence wants that same mob that screamed for his blood to vote for him in 2024. Pences candidacy is likely, given that he recently spoke in New Hampshire at the Hillsborough County Republican Partys annual Lincoln-Reagan dinner. Having lived in New Hampshire during the 2016 primary, I can confirm nobody goes to the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire unless they plan on running for president (I challenged Senator Bernie Sanders on his support of the F-35 fighter jet in 2014, when he was testing the waters in the Granite State for his eventual presidential campaign.) In New Hampshire, the former vice president appeared to be testing the January 6 messaging his team likely spent a great deal of time carefully crafting for him. President Trump and I have spoken many times since he left office, and I dont know if well ever see eye-to-eye on that day. But I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years, Pence said to raucous applause. And I will not allow Democrats or their allies in the media to use one tragic day to discredit the aspirations of millions of Americans. This messaging of not seeing eye-to-eye with Trump but still celebrating an administration that promoted white nationalism, embraced conspiracy theories, and ended with 400,000 American deaths that could have been prevented were it not for Trumps reckless Covid response reflects Pences extremely calculated politics. If he hopes to run for president, the former Veep has to tread very carefully. As a May 2021 poll showed, 48 percent of likely Republican voters would vote for Donald Trump if he ran again in 2024. Pence came in a distant second place with just 13 percent support. Because Trump has already teased a 2024 run, Pence could very well be running against his old boss in the Republican primary. If he hopes to capture some of the 48 percent of his base thats still fiercely loyal to Trump, Pence has to appeal to the violent mob that nearly succeeded in lynching him. And Pence has already begun the effort to court the deranged MAGA cult a word that even elected Republicans have used to describe Trumps base by promulgating the Big Lie that Trump didnt actually lose the 2020 election. In a recent op-ed for the right-wing Heritage Foundation, Pence railed against Democrats legislation to expand voting rights using cagey language that appears to embrace the Big Lie. After an election marked by significant voting irregularities and numerous instances of officials setting aside state election law, I share the concerns of millions of Americans about the integrity of the 2020 election, he wrote. Its important to note that there is no evidence of significant voting irregularities in 2020. Trump and his legal team lost roughly 60 separate court challenges following the election. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger, a Republican, wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post declaring that Georgias voting system has never been more secure or trustworthy. The Trump administrations own Department of Homeland Security issued a statement saying the 2020 election was the most secure in American history. Even former Attorney General Bill Barr a stalwart Trump ally made a point to dismiss allegations that voter fraud affected the outcome of the election. Despite all of the overwhelming evidence that Joe Biden won the 2020 election fair and square, a May Reuters-Ipsos poll found that 53 percent of Republicans still believe Trump is the true president and that 56 percent of Republicans believe the election was tainted by illegal voting. This explains why Pence is underhandedly spreading baseless conspiracy theories he surely knows to be false. Clearly, his appetite for power is insatiable to the point of debasing himself to win the support of the very same insurrectionists and domestic terrorists who wanted to hang him from a tree for refusing to acquiesce to a fascist coup. The cult of Trumpism has proven to be even stronger than family ties. Even Mike Pences own brother, Greg, voted against establishing a bipartisan commission to investigate the insurrection that threatened his little brothers life, suggesting Pences effort to win over Trump supporters in 2024 will prove foolhardy. And when your own brother is siding with the man who encouraged a violent mob to kill you, what hope do you really have? Covid-19 is notoriously hard to control, and political leaders are only part of the calculus when it comes to pandemic management. But some current and former world leaders have made little effort to combat outbreaks in their country, whether by downplaying the pandemics severity, disregarding science or ignoring critical health interventions like social distancing and masks. All of the men on this list committed at least one of those mistakes, and some committed all of them with deadly consequences. Narendra Modi of India Sumit Ganguly, Indiana University India is the new epicenter of the global pandemic, recording some 400,000 new cases per day by May 2021. However grim, this statistic fails to capture the sheer horror unfolding there. Covid-19 patients are dying in hospitals because doctors have no oxygen to give and no lifesaving drugs like remdesivir. The sick are turned away from clinics that have no free beds. Many Indians blame one man for the countrys tragedy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In January 2021, Modi declared at a global forum that India had saved humanity by containing corona effectively. In March, his health minister proclaimed that the pandemic was reaching an endgame. Covid-19 was actually gaining strength in India and worldwide but his government made no preparations for possible contingencies, such as the emergence of a deadlier and more contagious Covid-19 variant. Even as significant pockets of the country had not fully suppressed the virus, Modi and other members of his party held jampacked outdoor campaign rallies before April elections. Few attendees wore masks. Modi also allowed a religious festival that draws millions to proceed from January to March. Public health officials now believe the festival may have been a superspreader event and was an enormous mistake. As Modi touted his successes last year, India the worlds largest vaccine manufacturer sent over 10 million vaccine doses to neighboring countries. Yet just 1.9 percent of Indias 1.3 billion people had been fully inoculated against Covid-19 by early May. Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil Elize Massard da Fonseca, Fundacao Getulio Vargas and Scott L. Greer, University of Michigan Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro did not just fail to respond to Covid-19 which he derides as a little flu he actively worsened the crisis in Brazil. Bolsonaro used his constitutional powers to interfere in the Health Ministrys administrative matters, such as clinical protocols, data disclosure and vaccine procurement. He vetoed legislation that would have both mandated the use of masks in religious sites and compensated health professionals permanently harmed by the pandemic, for example. And he obstructed state government efforts to promote social distancing and used his decree power to allow many businesses to remain open as essential, including spas and gyms. Bolsonaro also aggressively promoted unproven medicines, notably hydroxychloroquine, to treat Covid-19 patients. Bolsonaro used his public profile as president to shape the debate around the coronavirus crisis, fostering a false dilemma between economic catastrophe and social distancing and misrepresenting science. He has blamed Brazilian state governments, China and the World Health Organization for the COVID-19 crisis, and has never taken responsibility for managing his own countrys outbreak. In December, Bolsonaro declared that he would not take the vaccine because of side effects. If you turn into a crocodile, its your problem, he said. Bolsonaros pandemic mismanagement created conflict within his government. Brazil cycled through four health ministers in less than a year. Brazils uncontrolled outbreak gave rise to several new coronavirus variants, including the P.1 variant, which appears more contagious. Brazils COVID-19 transmission rate is finally starting to drop, but the situation is still worrisome. Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus Elizabeth J. King and Scott L. Greer, University of Michigan Many countries around the world have responded to Covid-19 with tragically inadequate policies. However, we argue that the worse pandemic leaders are those handful who chose total denialism over ineffective action. Alexander Lukashenko, the longtime authoritarian leader of Belarus, has never acknowledged the threat of COVID-19. Early in the pandemic, as other countries were enforcing lockdowns, Lukashenko opted not to implement any restrictive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, he claimed the virus could be prevented by drinking vodka, visiting the sauna and working in the fields. This denialism essentially left preventative measures and pandemic aid to individuals and crowdfunding campaigns. Over the summer of 2020, Lukashenko stated that he had been diagnosed with Covid-19 but that he was asymptomatic, which allowed him to continue insisting that the virus was not a serious threat. Allegedly thwarting the disease and visiting Covid-19 hospitals without a mask also supported his desired image of a strong man. Belarus has just started vaccination efforts, but Lukashenko says he wont get vaccinated. Currently, fewer than 3 percent of Belarusians are inoculated against Covid-19. Donald Trump of the United States Dorothy Chin, University of California, Los Angeles Trump is out of office, but his mishandling of the pandemic continues to have devastating long-term consequences on the United States particularly on the health and welfare of communities of color. Trumps early denial of the pandemic, active propagation of misinformation about mask-wearing and treatments and incoherent leadership harmed the country as a whole but the outcome was much worse for some groups than others. Communities of color suffered disproportionate illness and deaths. Although African Americans and Latinos make up only 31% of the U.S. population, for example, they account for over 55 percent of COVID-19 cases. Indigenous Americans were hospitalized 3.5 times more and suffered 2.4 times the mortality rate of whites. Unemployment rates are also disproportionate. During the worst of the U.S. pandemic, they soared to 17.6 percent for Latino Americans, 16.8 percent for African Americans and 15 percent for Asian Americans, compared with 12.4 percent for white Americans. These crushing gaps amplified existing inequities such as poverty, housing instability and quality of schooling and will likely continue to do so for some time to come. For example, while the overall US economy shows signs of recovery, minority groups have not made equivalent progress. Finally, Trumps blame of China for Covid-19 which included such racial epithets as calling the virus the kung flu immediately preceded a nearly twofold increase in attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the past year. This disturbing trend shows no signs of abating. The Trump administration supported the countrys initial development of the vaccine, an achievement few world leaders can claim. But the misinformation and anti-science rhetoric he broadcast continues to compromise Americas path out of the pandemic. Latest polling suggests 24 percent of all Americans and 41 percent of Republicans say they will not get vaccinated. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico Salvador Vazquez del Mercado, Centro de Investigacion y Docencia Economicas With 9.2 percent of its Covid-19 patients dying from the disease, Mexico has the highest case fatality rate in the world. Recent estimates show that it has likely suffered 617,000 deaths on par with the U.S. and India, both countries with much larger populations. A combination of factors contributed to Mexicos prolonged, extreme Covid-19 outbreaks. And inadequate national leadership was one of them. Throughout the pandemic, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador sought to minimize the gravity of the situation in Mexico. In the very beginning, he resisted calls to enact a nationwide lockdown and continued holding rallies nationwide before eventually, on March 23, 2020, Mexico shuttered for two months. He frequently refused to wear a mask. Having inherited an underfunded patchwork of health services when he took office in 2018, Lopez Obrador increased health-related expenditures during the pandemic only slightly. Experts said hospital budgets are insufficient to the enormous task facing them. Even before the pandemic broke out, Lopez Obradors policy of extreme fiscal austerity in place since 2018 had made tackling a health crisis much more difficult by significantly limiting the COVID-19 financial aid available to citizens and businesses. That, in turn, aggravated the economic shock caused by the pandemic in Mexico, feeding the need to keep the economy open all last year, well into the ferocious winter second wave, from which Mexico is only beginning to emerge. Eventually, another lockdown became inevitable. Mexico shut down again briefly in December 2020. Today, mask-wearing is up and Mexico has fully vaccinated 10 percent of its population, compared with 1 percent in neighboring Guatemala. Things are improving, but Mexicos road to recovery is long. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Indiana, PA (15701) Today Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 80F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. A herd of elephants that packed its trunks for an unexpected 500km (300 mile) trek has arrived at a Chinese city where millions of people live. The 15 elephants have been hoovering up crops and poking their noses through doors on the march from the south of Yunnan province to its capital Kunming. No one knows why A big effort - with tonnes of food - is under way to try and keep them safe. It is unclear why they left their habitat to embark on the journey, which has captivated residents and experts. It also highlights the rapidly shrinking forest habitats in the country as a result of development. Reuters Maybe theyre looking for better food. Maybe theyve gotten lost. Maybe theyre just adventurous and having a good time. No one is quite sure. Some have suggested an inexperienced leader may have led the herd astray, while other believe the elephants could be searching for a new habitat. Their journey The journey appears to have begun in March 2020, when 16 elephants were seen moving from the nature reserve northward toward the city of Puer, in southern Yunnan province, according to state media. But movement is normal for elephants, which have large home ranges over which they travel searching for food. So it was not until relatively recently that researchers and government officials began to notice just how far this herd had wandered. BBC In April, the elephants were spotted around Yuanjiang County, about 230 miles north of the nature reserve. By then, a few elephants had turned around, while others had been born, according to officials. The group now consists of 15 animals. Millions of people monitoring them CCTV footage of the 15 elephants, including three calves, has been aired on television and shared on social media showing the herd stomping through the streets of Yunnan province. Their journey north has been monitored by millions of people online. Hu Chao/Xinhua via AP The Asian elephants have travelled more than 400km (248 miles) from their usual range on the border with Myanmar, and are now outside the provincial capital of Kunming, a city of about eight million people. Scientists say this is the furthest any of the wild elephants there have travelled from the habitat. Residents told to not gawk or leave corn The Kunming Daily says the cities of Kunming and Yuxi deployed almost 700 police and emergency workers armed with 10 tonnes of corn, pineapples and other food. They were backed up by trucks and drones to try to divert the animals on to a safe path. Don't gawk or leave corn or salt out; keep your distance and don't disturb them with firecrackers, residents have been told. AP Animal experts say the herd appears to have gathered pace, possibly because the heavier human population has increased its fears, and it is unlikely the elephants would try to enter Kunming. Efforts to turn them around have failed, and scientists may have to try and find them a suitable place to live nearby. Local residents receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine amid a rise in cases in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on June 1. The Scope Foundation of the father of Indian American U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is sending medical supplies to hospitals in the state. (ANI photo) Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, wrote to President Joe Biden June 1 to ask him to allocate to India a large portion of the 80 million doses of Covid vaccine the U.S. is donating to the world. Schumers letter came a day after he met with Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu (right), who tweeted: Good conversation with Majority Leader Senator Schumer on the strategic partnership, especially in QUAD, vaccines and healthcareworking together in innovation as well as emerging technologies and thanked him for his longstanding support for India and the Indian American community." (Twitter photo/Taranjit Singh Sandhu) Woodbridge, VA (22192) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low near 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. A week after Virginia ended its COVID-19 restrictions, the number of new cases of the virus continues to plummet both in Northern Virginia and statewide. In Northern Virginia, which has more than 2 million residents, no more than 40 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in any of the previous seven days, and the region's seven-day average of new cases is down to 23.9 per day as of Friday, its lowest level since March 26, 2020, when the pandemic was just a couple of weeks old. The region has reported just 167 total cases in the past week, according to updated data from the Virginia Department of Health. As recently as May 10, it was averaging more than 167 new cases a day. Statewide, the seven-day average of new cases is down to 208.1, the lowest level since April 3, 2020. The state ended its COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings and lifted all capacity limits and social-distancing requirements on May 28 and said that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks. Virginia's state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic is scheduled to expire June 30, and Gov. Ralph Northam has not yet indicated whether he will extend it. Meanwhile, hospitalizations for treatment of the virus also continue to fall, although less so in Northern Virginia than statewide. Statewide hospitalizations were as low as 446 on Tuesday, according to data from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. That's the fewest since the association began reporting hospitalizations in early April 2020. The number of patients being treated in intensive-care units and on ventilators also hit new lows this week. In Northern Virginia, though, hospitalizations were slightly above their low of 100 on May 24, with 122 patients hospitalized as of Friday. Northern Virginia's hospitalizations peaked at 818 on April 30, 2020, while state hospitalizations peaked at over 3,200 in mid-January. Test positivity rates across the region and state continue to set new record lows, although the number of diagnostic test results reported this week was the fewest since the week ending May 22, 2020. Fewer than 10,000 test results a day are now being reported statewide. Public health experts generally believe if the rate is below 5% then the spread of the virus is under control. Deaths related to COVID-19 have also continued to decline, although at a slower pace than other measures. The health department reported 66 new deaths statewide this week, with eight of those in Northern Virginia: six in Fairfax County, which has reported the most deaths of any locality in the state, two in Prince William County and one in Loudoun County. The number of deaths in the city of Falls Church was reduced by one this week. The state continues to creep toward meeting President Joe Biden's goal of 70% of all adults having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by July 4. Statewide, that number now stands at 67.6%, up from 66.4% a week ago, according to the Virginia Department of Health's vaccine dashboard, and 56.6% of adults are fully vaccinated. Among all Virginians, 55.4% have received at least one dose, and 45.1% are fully vaccinated. The pace of vaccinations has dropped sharply this week, in part likely due to the Memorial Day weekend, with a current seven-day average at about 28,000 doses per day statewide. That's the lowest that measure has been since late January. LATEST COVID-19 DATA New Cases/Deaths (Friday) Northern Virginia: 19 new cases, 1 new death. Statewide: 259 new cases, 6 new deaths. Statewide Testing: 12,616 PCR diagnostic test results. Overall Total Northern Virginia: 184,088 cases, 2,359 deaths Statewide: 676,300 cases, 11,222 deaths Statewide Testing: 7.417 million PCR diagnostic tests (9.88 million when including antibody and antigen tests) Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) cases: 75 (including 14 in Fairfax, 10 in Prince William, two in Loudoun and Alexandria and one in Arlington). *Provided by Virginia Department of Health. The health department's COVID-19 data is updated each morning by 10 a.m. and includes reports by local health agencies before 5 p.m. the previous day. Statewide Hospital and Nursing Home Data Hospitalizations: 480 (down from 498 the previous day) Peak Hospitalizations: 3,209 reached Jan. 13 Patients in ICU: 112 (down from 129 the previous day and lowest since data first reported in April 2020) Patients Discharged: 56,566 *Provided by Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association For updated national and international COVID-19 data, visit the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus dashboard. Editor's note: InsideNoVa will continue to provide regular COVID-19 updates every Friday. For daily reports, visit the Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard. This time of year usually means one thing: graduation! Whether students are graduating from high school, community college or from a university, a new crop of talented and motivated individuals is entering the workforce. Workforce development has become a top-three priority for the Tucson Me AM Best has revised the outlooks to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (excellent) and the long-term issuer credit ratings of a- (excellent) of New London County Mutual Insurance Company, Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Thames Insurance Company Inc. and Danbury Insurance Company, which operate under an intercompany pooling agreement and are collectively referred to as NLC Insurance Companies Pool. The credit ratings of NLC reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The revised outlooks to negative from stable are based on deteriorating trends in NLCs operating performance in recent years, largely reflective of increased frequency and severity of weather-related events and adverse development in its core lines of business. Additionally, increased expenses associated with the amortization of a new policy administration system and elevated commission costs, typical of New England carriers, contribute to NLCs high underwriting expense ratio. Without sustained improvement, this could lead to a decline in the overall assessment of operating performance in the near to intermediate term. NLC maintains strong overall balance sheet strength, supported by very strong risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio, which is somewhat offset by limited surplus growth. Underwriting leverage ratios are maintained at levels comparable with the personal property composite. NLCs business profile is viewed as neutral, as its geographic spread of risk is strategically concentrated in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and distributed through a strong independent agency network. AM Best views NLCs ERM framework, which includes a committee led by the CEO and consists of other senior managers that collaborate in identifying risks and developing appropriate risk mitigation procedures, as appropriate for its risk profile. Source: AM Best Topics Carriers Trends AM Best The winners of the sixth annual Innovation in Insurance Awards have been announced by Efma and Accenture, which jointly established the awards in 2016 to recognize technology innovation. At a virtual ceremony, Generali was a big winner, receiving four out of a total of seven awards. This years competition attracted 460 entries from nearly 300 institutions in 55 countries 100 more submissions than received in 2020. The winners of the Efma-Accenture Innovation in Insurance Awards 2021 are: AXA XL (USA) received the Connected Insurance & Ecosystems 2021 award for the AXA XL Construction Ecosystem, a digital network of innovative products and services focused on advancing technology adoption among construction customers to help them reduce business risk, solve customer issues and improve business results. received the Connected Insurance & Ecosystems 2021 award for the AXA XL Construction Ecosystem, a digital network of innovative products and services focused on advancing technology adoption among construction customers to help them reduce business risk, solve customer issues and improve business results. Discovery (South Africa) won the Core Insurance Transformation 2021 award for AI Quote. Using AI Quote, brokers and clients can upload a PDF or pictures of competitor insurance and investment documents via phone or desktop and receive an equivalent Discovery quote in seconds. won the Core Insurance Transformation 2021 award for AI Quote. Using AI Quote, brokers and clients can upload a PDF or pictures of competitor insurance and investment documents via phone or desktop and receive an equivalent Discovery quote in seconds. Generali Welion (Italy) received the Customer Experience 2021 award for its WelionAPP. With COVID-19 putting a strain on the healthcare system in Italy, the WelionAPP helps its users more easily access health services for daily and specialized needs and book a consultation. received the Customer Experience 2021 award for its WelionAPP. With COVID-19 putting a strain on the healthcare system in Italy, the WelionAPP helps its users more easily access health services for daily and specialized needs and book a consultation. HITS, a Generali Group company (Switzerland) won the Insurtech 2021 award for bAIby, an AI-based baby cry translator that recognizes a babys five basic needs, co-developed with Zoundream. won the Insurtech 2021 award for bAIby, an AI-based baby cry translator that recognizes a babys five basic needs, co-developed with Zoundream. Baloise (Luxembourg) was named the winner of the Product & Service Innovation 2021 award for its Drive Electric insurance, which insures electric vehicles and also provides key value-add services to help customers make the switch to electric, including assistance to set up a charging station at home, and granting access to 180,000 recharging stations across Europe. was named the winner of the Product & Service Innovation 2021 award for its Drive Electric insurance, which insures electric vehicles and also provides key value-add services to help customers make the switch to electric, including assistance to set up a charging station at home, and granting access to 180,000 recharging stations across Europe. Assicurazioni Generali (Italy) won the Workforce Transformation 2021 award for the We SHARE App, the first app the insurer has created at the group level to reach employees worldwide. It provides updates on a share plan for group employees, offers a financial literacy program, and provides company news. won the Workforce Transformation 2021 award for the We SHARE App, the first app the insurer has created at the group level to reach employees worldwide. It provides updates on a share plan for group employees, offers a financial literacy program, and provides company news. Assicurazioni Generali (Italy) was named Global Innovator 2021 for its innovation in introducing several products, including its Smart Automation Centre of Excellence, the Vehicle Ownership Lifecycle Digital Management, and its use of AI-augmented underwriting, which uses geospatial data. The winners were selected across seven categories by a panel of 25 judges, including senior executives from insurers worldwide. Each entry was assessed using three criteria: originality, strategic capacity to generate long-term competitive edge and return on investment, and adaptability for use in other markets and countries. With the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 will no doubt stand out in history as being out-of-the-ordinary years, said John Berry, Efma CEO. Insurance players have had to face many challenges, requiring them to adapt their offerings and distribution models. In this context, I was impressed by both the quality and the relevance of the projects submitted this year. I congratulate the winners and all those who made submissions, demonstrating their agility in finding customer-focused solutions in a fast-evolving world. Daniele Presutti, who leads Accentures Insurance industry group in Europe, commented: The insurance industry has moved fast to accommodate the massive changes caused by the pandemic. The industry is accelerating the pace of transformation, leveraging cloud, data, and ecosystems to bring innovative services and offerings to market, like risk advice and prevention methods. We had another great round of submissions this yearthese companies are leading change, and not just for this sectorthey bring new value to customers and the ecosystem. About Efma and Accenture A non-profit organization created in 1971 by leading banks and insurance companies, Efma facilitates networking between decision-makers. Headquartered in Paris, Efma comprises a network of 120 financial groups in 133 countries. Accenture is a global professional services company, specializing in digital, cloud and security. Accentures Insurance practice helps P&C insurers, life carriers and reinsurers to redefine their business and operating models, enhance the digital experience for customers, and position themselves for growth in a digital economy. Related: Topics InsurTech Insurance broker Willis Tower Watson announced the launch of a multinational partnership to develop and implement insurance solutions that help protect and restore the endangered 1,000 kilometer (621 mile) barrier reef system along the Caribbean coast. The Mesoamerican Reef Insurance Programme is the first multinational collaboration that will design and implement parametric insurance covering hurricane risk to the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) and the communities that depend on it for protection, food security and livelihoods. Pilot coverage for key reef sites in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras will enhance the climate resilience of almost 2 million beneficiaries, said WTW in a statement. The project is being co-funded and implemented by Willis Towers Watson and the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund), the regional financing mechanism for large-scale maintenance, conservation, and restoration of the reef system. MAR Fund will be the policyholder of the insurance program. Payouts will be triggered by the intensity of a hurricane, converted to an estimate of the extent of damage to the reef through a novel reef risk model. A group policy will cover the pilot reef sites, with a bespoke payout structure reflecting the cost of response at each reef site at different damage levels. The Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, supported the preliminary design of the insurance mechanism. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems and is home to 65 species of coral and more than 500 species of fish, as well as many other protected marine species. Coastal wetlands, lagoons, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds also protect against storms and coastal erosion, explained WTW. As the effects of climate change and other stressors exert increasing pressure on the reef, the risk of a hurricane impact leading to irreversible coral degradation and mortality has grown. Early action to clean up the reef and jump-start regeneration and recovery is critical to reducing the overall impact of lost ecosystem services in both social and economic terms. However, WTW noted that the restoration of natural ecosystems is often not a priority in the aftermath of extreme events, as resources are focused mainly on property and grey infrastructure (which includes water and sewage treatment plants). This program [helps] us learn how insurance can provide a unique shared governance framework to manage reefs and other vulnerable natural ecosystems, said John Haley, chief executive officer of Willis Towers Watson. This collaboration is a great opportunity for the MAR region. We see the insurance model as a risk management tool that will provide immediate funds for reef restoration, thereby contributing to strengthening coastal resilience, and to the recovery of the MAR and the environmental services it provides, commented Maria Jose Gonzalez, executive director of MAR Fund, explaining that the fund will be the policyholder and will manage the payouts. We will work closely with national governments and other partners and stakeholders to build the needed capacities for emergency response and preparedness, she added. The InsuResilience Solutions Fund (ISF), managed by Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and funded by KfW Development Bank, has signed the grant funding agreement for the insurance program. This partnership combines the expertise of local partners and the insurance sector, ensuring that products are developed according to the needs of the vulnerable population, said Annette Detken, director of the ISF. Our grant will co-fund the development and implementation of this innovative insurance product insuring coastal ecosystems that provide much needed services for local communities. We believe this insurance solution could serve as a model for other countries seeking to protect important natural assets, like coral reefs. Tangible examples like this demonstrate the possibilities for innovative financing to support practical action to build the resilience of crucial ecosystems and the communities, livelihoods, and biodiversity they support, and to unlock large-scale investments in natural assets which are critical to address loss of biodiversity and increasing impacts of climate change, noted Simon Young, a senior director in the Climate and Resilience Hub at Willis Towers Watson. About WTWs Climate and Resilience Hub The Climate and Resilience Hub (CRH) is the focal point for Willis Towers Watsons climate expertise and capabilities, pooling knowledge from across the brokers people, risk, and capital businesses and from our collaborations to deliver climate and resilience solutions in response to a range of regulatory, investor, consumer, employee, and operating pressures. Under the Climate Quantified brand, it delivers analytics, advice and transactions to enable corporate, finance, and public sector institutions to embrace the climate decade ahead. Source: Willis Towers Watson Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane Willis Towers Watson This wrap-up of international People Moves includes appointments at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS); HDI Global SE UK & Ireland, and Amwins Global Risks. A summary of these new hires follows here. Scott Sayce will join Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) in September 2021 in a dual leadership role for AGCSs cyber underwriting business and the Allianz Cyber Center of Competence. As global head of cyber, he will steer AGCSs cyber underwriting business, reporting to Shanil Williams, global head of Financial Lines. Sayce also will succeed Dr. Catharina Richter, the current global head of Cyber Center of Competence for AGCS and Allianz Group, who will move to a new role within Allianz, which will be confirmed in due course. Sayce comes to AGCS from AXA, where he has held a variety of increasingly senior leadership roles after joining in 2017. He started out as global chief underwriting officer for Cyber within AXAs corporate solutions division, while also being group chief underwriting officer for Cyber. In 2018 he became group head of Cyber, and subsequently, group head of Financial Lines and Cyber. Before his time at AXA, Sayce was the head of the Cyber, Technology and Life Science divisions for CNA Hardy. He started his career as a Lloyds insurance broker before moving to underwriting to focus on cyber and technology risks, a field in which he now has almost 20 years experience. *** HDI Global SE UK & Ireland announced that Arvind Drubhra will take up the role of director of Operations, effective June 7. In this new role, Drubhra will be responsible for HDIs Technical Operations, Claims Operations, Global Servicing and IT & Change teams. He will report directly to Managing Director Claire McDonald. Drubhra joins HDI from AGCS in London where, for the past 16 years, he has worked in a number of senior operations, transformation and technology roles, most recently in the Global Process Management function looking after process oversight, productivity management and enterprise data quality. With more than 25 years experience in the insurance industry, Drubhra holds a masters degree in business administration, and graduated in computer systems engineering from University of East Anglia in 1996. *** Amwins Global Risks, the specialist re/insurance broking and risk management firm, announced the recruitment of three senior brokers: Phil Johnson and Mark Ritson, both based in London, and Ewoud Dekker in Amsterdam. Johnson joins Amwins Global Risks from Miller Insurance Services, where he served as head of international casualty. In his new role, he will lead Amwins Global Risks casualty development, predominantly in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Ritson joins from AFL Insurance Brokers Ltd., where he served as the head of international property and energy, focusing on downstream energy products. His areas of specialism include Latin American developing markets, and he has extensive London market and international placement experience for energy clients and risks. In his new role, Ritson will support the growth of Amwins Global Risks continuing investment in the global energy space. Dekker previously worked at Nationale Nederlanden where he served as senior account manager reinsurance. In his new role, Dekker will join Amwins Re, Amwins European Reinsurance division in Amsterdam. He will support the Dutch team, primarily focusing on Netherlands, Belgium and Dutch-speaking territories in the Caribbean. He also will focus on facultative reinsurance while assisting Amwins Re treaty clients and colleagues. Topics Cyber AXA XL The Illinois Supreme Court recently sided with a policyholder seeking defense from its insurer for a lawsuit brought by a customer of a tanning salon alleging the insured unlawfully disclosed the customers biometric information to a third party. In the written opinion delivered in West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. v. Krishna Schaumburg Tan Inc., Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. explained that Krishna Schaumburg Tan Inc. (Krishna), a tanning salon and franchisee of L.A. Tan, had been sued by customer Klaudia Sekura who claimed that Krishna had violated provisions of Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (Act), which regulates the collection, retention, disclosure, and destruction of biometric identifiers and information. Illinois enacted the law in 2008; it recognizes the uniqueness of biometric identifiers such as retina or iris scans, fingerprints, voiceprints, palm prints and face geometry. It requires private entities to publicly disclose their policies regarding biometric information and obtain consent from individuals for the use of such information. In January 2020, Facebook agreed to pay $550 million to Illinois users of the social media site that had alleged in a class action lawsuit that Facebooks facial recognition feature violated their privacy under the Illinois law. Krishna had collected Sekuras and other customers fingerprints. Sekuras suit alleged that Krishna violated the act by disclosing biometric information containing her fingerprints to an out-of-state third party vendor, SunLync,' without her permission. Krishna filed a claim with its insurer, West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. (West Bend), requesting a defense. West Bend filed a declaratory judgment action against Krishna and Sekura contending that it did not owe a duty to defend Krishna against Sekuras lawsuit, Neville wrote. Krishna filed a cross-motion for summary judgement, which Sekura joined seeking alternative relief. Both the trial and appellate courts found that West Bend had a duty to defend Krishna. The insurer appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, which supported the decisions of the lower courts. Secura filed a class action lawsuit that encompassed other customers affected by Krishnas alleged actions. In a three-part complaint, Secura alleged that Krishna: (1) collected and disclosed customers biometric information without first obtaining a written release; (2) was unjustly enriched by failing to comply with the act; and (3) was negligent when it breached its duty of reasonable care by violating the Act. Sekura sought the return of money paid for Krishnas services and $1,000 in statutory damages for each of Krishnas alleged violations. Krishna had purchased two businessowners liability policies from West Bend; the first was effective from Dec. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2015, and the second was in effect from Dec. 1, 2015, through Dec. 1, 2016. In its filing for declaratory judgment, West Bend asserted that the complaint filed against Krishna did not fall within the policies coverage for personal injury or advertising injury, and that alternatively, the violations of statutes exclusions in the policies bars the insurer from having to provide coverage. West Bend also argued that the personal and/or advertising injury alleged in the complaint does not trigger coverage under the policies because it contends the information was disclosed to single party (SunLync). Such a disclosure could not be considered as being a publication of the information, West Bend argued. West Bend also maintained that the policies violation of statutes exclusion applies and bars coverage to Krishna for the Sekura lawsuit because Sekuras allegations clearly fall within the violation of statutes exclusion, the courts opinion states. West Bends policies didnt define the term publication, the court noted. However, in its filings the insurer contended that West Bend publication refers to the communication or distribution of information to the public. Because the term publication was not defined in the policies, the court reviewed dictionary definitions of the term, as well as those in insurance law, privacy treatises and common law, concluding that in all cases publication can mean both communication to a single party and communication to the public at large. Thus, the court considered the term publication in West Bends policies to be ambiguous and should be interpreted against the insurer that drafted the policy. Right of privacy also was not defined in West Bends policies, the court found. However, the right to privacy has been recognized by courts as including primary privacy interests: seclusion and secrecy, the opinion states. The Illinois Act protects a secrecy interesthere, the right of an individual to keep his or her personal identifying information like fingerprints secret. Therefore, the opinion states: Sekuras assertion that Krishna shared her biometric identifiers and information with SunLync alleges a potential violation of Sekuras right to privacy within the purview of West Bends policies. The court also took issue with West Bends assertion that the violation of statutes exclusion applies in the case against Krishna. It noted that the appellate court in examining West Bends policies had found the violation of statutes exclusion is meant to bar coverage for the violation of statutes that govern certain methods of communication, i.e., e-mails, faxes, and phone calls,' but not to other statutes that limit the sending or sharing of certain information, such as the Illinois biometric information act. The court ultimately concluded that the allegations in Sekuras complaint fall within or potentially within the coverage provided by West Bends policies and that the violation of statutes exclusion in West Bends policies does not apply to the Act. It affirmed the judgments of the lower courts that West Bend has a duty to defend Krishna in Sekuras lawsuit. Topics Carriers Illinois Privacy HOAIC Homeowners of America Insurance Co. (HOAIC), an Irving, Texas-based property/casualty insurance provider, has added Paul Domek as a territory sales manager in Illinois. Domek brings over 20 years of insurance industry experience to HOAIC and has spent his most recent time with Founders Insurance. In addition to his insurance background, Domek has a solid working knowledge of Illinois and the Midwest and is charged with helping to expand HOAICs strategic growth in the region. Illinois was the seventh state where the Texas-based company began actively writing policies in September 2020. Domek will be based in the Chicagoland area, managing the development of new independent agency relationships throughout the state. United Heartland United Heartland Insurance, based in New Berlin, Wisconsin, has promoted Ben Richeson to regional director in Kansas City. Richeson will oversee business development, claims, loss control and agency management for the companys operations in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Richeson has more than 10 years of workers compensation insurance experience. He began with United Heartland in 2015, serving as Regional Claims manager. Prior to joining United Heartland, he was a unit manager in the workers compensation division of Travelers Insurance. Richeson also worked for eight years in risk management with the Kansas City Star and John Deere & Company. United Heartland is the marketing name for United Wisconsin Insurance Co., a member of AF Group. Liberty Mutual, Safeco Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance appointed Rich Meuret as Midwest regional field executive as part of their unified independent agent (IA) distribution organization. He is based in Indianapolis. Meuret has rejoined Liberty Mutual after two years with Allstate Insurance where he held the position of field vice president, working with both exclusive and independent agents. Earlier, he spent nearly 15 years with Liberty Mutual and its legacy brands, including as chief actuary of America First Insurance and vice president of field operations at Agency Markets, as well as in various regional leadership roles across Safeco and Liberty Mutual business lines. Now as senior vice president and Midwest regional field executive, he will serve North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. The companies also named Diane Mitchel as Pacific region field executive. Safeco is a Liberty Mutual Insurance company, based in Boston, Mass. Topics Illinois Kansas A man hit in the face with a bean bag that left him blind in one eye during a racial injustice protest in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, a year ago has sued the sheriffs deputy who shot him. Attorneys for John Sanders, 25, of Sandusky, filed the complaint in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court on May 29, the day before the one-year anniversary of a Black Lives Matter protest organized in the wake of George Floyds slaying in Minneapolis. The injuries inflicted upon Sanders were part and parcel of a long history of inhumane treatment of citizens by the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office, the lawsuit said. Sanders along with friends and acquaintances had traveled to Cleveland to peacefully protest on May 30, 2020, the lawsuit said. Before joining the group to return home, Sanders crossed a street next to the Cuyahoga County Justice Center to snap photographs and was struck by a bean bag fired from behind a broken window as he began to walk away, the complaint said. People rushed to Sanders aid and carried him out of harms way, Sanders told The Associated Press last year. He was taken to a hospital where he underwent unsuccessful surgery to repair the damage. His left eye was removed during a second surgery the next day. Additional surgery was needed to repair broken bones in his face and deal with a problematic skin graft. Bruce Lourie is identified in the lawsuit and by a Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office report as the deputy who shot Sanders. The complaint names other county and sheriffs office officials as defendants. Lourie had received no training in use of non-lethal weapons before being handed the bean bag shotgun on May 30, 2020, a violation of departmental policy that requires such training, the lawsuit said. The sheriffs office placed Lourie on leave last June and asked the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to conduct a criminal probe of the deputys actions. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley asked Geauga County Prosecutor James Flaiz in January to oversee the investigation, which Flaiz said last week was ongoing, cleveland.com reported. Cuyahoga County spokesperson Mary Louise Madigan declined to comment about the lawsuit. Two separate lawsuits were filed late last week in federal court in Cleveland by 15 people who said they were victims of excessive force and had their rights violated by Cleveland police officers and Cuyahoga County sheriffs deputies on May 30. Nearly 20 people filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the city of Toledo and three dozen officers, accusing them of excessive during the Floyd protests. The lawsuit said officers fired wooden projectiles at protesters who were holding signs and had their arms raised, causing broken bones and other injuries. A message seeking comment was left with a city spokesperson. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Even though Americans drove less in 2020 due to the pandemic, early estimates of crash fatalities from the U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released Thursday reveal the largest projected number of deaths since 2007. According to NHSTA, an estimated 38,680 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, representing an increase of about 7.2 percent as compared to the 36,096 fatalities reported in 2019. Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2020 fell by about 430.2 billion milesa 13.2 percent decrease. The fatality rate for 2020 was 1.37 fatalities per 100 million VMT, up from 1.11 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2019. NHTSAs analysis shows that the main behaviors that drove this increase include: impaired driving, speeding and failure to wear a seat belt. While passenger vehicle occupants had the largest number of fatalities, accounting for 23,395 of the 38,680 (up 5 percent), motorcyclists saw the biggest increase in crash deaths, rising 9 percent to 5,015. Deaths among bike riders also increased, rising 5 percent to 846, while pedestrian deaths were estimated at about the same levels in 2020 and 2019. NHSTA said crashes involving a large truck were among the few areas where the agency projects a declining number of deaths in 2020, but the drop was only 2 percent. Crash fatalities among people aged 65 fell by about 9 percent. Crash factors reviewed by NHTSA that showed the largest increases in 2020 as compared to 2019 included: Occupant ejection, up 20 percent. Unrestrained occupants of passenger vehicles, up 15 percent. Crashes on urban interstates, up 15 percent Crashes on urban local/collector roads, up 12 percent; Speeding-related crashes, up 11 percent Nighttime driving produced an 11 percent jump in crash deaths, and deaths from weekend crashes rose 9 percent. Demographically, non-Hispanic Black drivers were the most impacted, with crash deaths rising 23 percent. Auto Insurers The NHTSA data is consistent with reports from auto insurers that cited a reduction in the number of claims during 2020 but an increase in the severity of claims due to fatalities. Many insurers returned premiums and lowered rates to reflect the reduction in claims. Still, many personal auto insurers reported healthy profits in 2020. Fitch Rating reported that the premiums returned and rebated, while substantial, did not fully offset loss cost benefits derived from lower frequency. Auto claims statistics from Allstate, Progressive and GEICO show that frequency dropped by 27-30 percent in 2020 for physical damage claims, and by 25-30 for bodily injury. In contrast, in 2019, the frequency declines for these coverages were in the 0-4 percent range. Still, Fitch noted, declines in frequency were partly offset by jumps in claims severity last year: 8-10 percent for physical damage and 12-13 percent for bodily injury. Accidents occurring at higher speeds in less crowded traffic conditions and distracted driving are thought to be contributors to the severity trends. Fitch does not see the 2020 profits of auto insurers as sustainable. Further pricing pressure is likely in response to recent operating success and as companies strive to retain policyholders, which will contribute to a reversion to pre-pandemic performance levels in 2021, Fitch predicts. Mark Sektnan, vice president of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said insurers took immediate action when driving was reduced in 2020, and that auto insurers voluntarily provided more than $14 billion in refunds and credits to policyholders for reduced driving during the pandemic. Some contend that insurers should have done more to account for the drop in driving and crashes. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has said insurers in his state have continued to overcharge drivers despite reduced risk of accidents during the pandemic. Class action lawsuits have been filed in Nevada against 10 major auto insurance companies, contending that the companies charged excessive insurance premiums during the pandemic. The industry has pushed back against critics. The 2020 increase in road fatalities suggests that despite improved automobile technologies and auto safety laws, driver behavior is deteriorating at a rapid pace, said Stef Zielezienski, executive vice president and chief legal officer for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. Trends in reckless driving could prove even more fatal as traffic volume starts to return to pre-pandemic levels. These dangerous trends, combined with increasing litigation, medical, and auto repair costs impact the marketplace. Topics COVID-19 Personal Auto The White House warned corporate executives and business leaders on Thursday to step up security measures to protect against ransomware attacks after intrusions disrupted operations at a major meatpacking company and the biggest U.S. fuel pipeline. There has been a significant hike in the frequency and size of ransomware attacks, Anne Neuberger, cybersecurity adviser at the National Security Council, said in a letter. The threats are serious and they are increasing. We urge you to take these critical steps to protect your organizations and the American public, she added. The recent cyberattacks have forced companies to see ransomware as a threat to core business operations and not just data theft, as ransomware attacks have shifted from stealing to disrupting operations, she said. Strengthening the countrys resilience to cyberattacks was one of President Joe Bidens top priorities, the White House has said. But we cant do it alone, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday. Business leaders have a responsibility to strengthen their cyber defenses to protect the American public and our economy. No company, large or small, is safe from ransomware attacks, Neuberger told the business community. The letter came after a major meatpacker resumed U.S. operations on Wednesday following a ransomware attack that disrupted meat production in North America and Australia. A Russia-linked hacking group that goes by the name of REvil and Sodinokibi was behind the cyberattack against JBS SA , a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. The cyberattack followed one last month by a group with ties to Russia on Colonial Pipeline, the largest fuel pipeline in the United States, which crippled fuel delivery for several days in the U.S. Southeast. Biden believes Russian President Vladimir Putin has a role to play in preventing these attacks and planned to bring up the issue during their summit this month, Psaki said. Neubergers letter outlined immediate steps companies can take to protect themselves from ransomware attacks, which can have ripple effects far beyond the company and its customers. Those include best practices such as multifactor authentication, endpoint detection and response, encryption and a skilled security team. Companies should back up data and regularly test systems, as well as update and patch systems promptly. Neuberger advised that companies test incident response plans and use a third party to test the security teams work. She said it was critical that corporate business functions and production operations be run on separate networks. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Nick Zieminski) Topics Cyber Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain is reminding insured Arkansans seeking automobile repairs that insurance companies cannot require automobile repairs be done at a specific repair shop. If an insurer inaccurately informs you that your vehicles coverage is contingent upon utilizing a particular preferred vendor, they are in violation of the law and will be subject to penalties, McClain said in a media release. Under Arkansas law and Insurance Department Rules, consumers have a choice in where they get their vehicle repaired following an accident. Under the Trade Practices Act of the State Insurance Code, an insurance company may not require that repairs be made by a particular contractor, supplier, or repair shop as a condition of payment of a claim. Doing so is an unfair claims settlement practice, the Arkansas Insurance Departments release said. While insurers may provide a list of preferred repair shops, consumers are not obligated to select one of those preferred vendors. Arkansas consumers maintain the freedom to choose the repair shop to which they take their vehicle. Source: AID Topics Carriers Auto Arkansas TALLAHASSEE, Fla. For years, Florida has been reminding motorists not to use flashing hazard lights while driving. Well starting soon, feel free to flash away _ but only on the highway. And only in heavy rain or fog. Hardly noticed in a 38-page transportation bill passed by state lawmakers last month were two lines that change an often-discussed and rarely followed driving law. Beginning July 1, unless Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoes the measure, Florida drivers will be allowed to use hazard lights on roads with speed limits at or above 55 mph when the conditions create extremely low visibility. The law rebuts years of messaging by state traffic officials, who have been telling drivers on social media, on highway signs and in news stories not to use those lights in the rain. If driving in rain is too dangerous, pull off the road, warned the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in a 2015 tweet. DO NOT activate hazard lights while still traveling. For years, the Florida Highway Patrol has warned motorists that using hazard lights while driving is confusing, that troopers look for the flashing lights to see if a driver needs help, and that hazard lights can override the cars turn signals, making it dangerous to change lanes. The lights were only supposed to be used when stopped on the side of the road or during a funeral procession. (For drivers who have trouble finding their cars signaling devices, the hazard lights are activated by the button with the red triangle, usually found on the center console.) But Floridas law was an outlier. Just 10 states prohibit using hazard lights while driving, according to AAA. And many drivers disobey the law during the states extreme thunderstorms, which can come out of nowhere and reduce visibility to just a few feet. Those drivers include Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Palm Harbor, the lawmaker responsible for changing the law this session. I will admit Ive done it more than once, said Hooper, a retired firefighter. I turn those lights on just so I dont get rear-ended. He said heavy storms on the highway can be so nerve-wracking that pulling over feels dangerous. Theres been many times youre driving, and youve got the death grip on the wheel, youre doing 30 mph on the highway, and you cant see anything in front or behind you, and youre not really sure where you can pull over, Hooper said. Despite representing a reversal in public safety policy that affects every Florida motorist, the change garnered hardly any discussion by other lawmakers and no objection from state transportation officials. They didnt weigh in at all, which was kind of a surprise, Hooper said. One of the only lawmakers to raise concerns was Rep. Matt Willhite, D-Wellington. It just seems silly that were legitimizing or legalizing whats against the law currently just because people get nervous driving, he said Tuesday. Instead of changing the law, he said, the state should be enforcing it. Since July 1, 2018, police in Florida have issued about 460 citations for improperly flashing lights on a vehicle, according to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. (A spokesperson for the department, which includes the Highway Patrol, did not weigh in when asked about the change to the law.) Willhite, who is also a firefighter, said emergency workers know that hazard lights signal a dangerous situation or a disabled vehicle on the side of the road. Maybe we shouldnt call them `hazard lights, Willhite said. We can rename them, `Im a scared driver, I dont want to follow the law. Topics Florida Personal Auto Propel Insurance, a privately-owned insurance agency and portfolio company of Flexpoint Ford, has acquired South Carolina-based South Risk Management (SRM), a construction-focused insurance consulting firm. The acquisition of SRM expands Propels presence into South Carolina and adds to the companys existing Southeast footprint, which includes Knoxville, Charlotte, Atlanta and Orlando. SRM founding partners David Wells, Tripp Hafner and W.D. Morris plan to expand Propels existing construction practice with John Babson taking on a leadership role. The team will leverage the pool of resources available at Propel in order to continue providing risk management services to clients. Propel Insurance provides a range of property, casualty, risk management, workers comp, employee benefits, personal insurance and other products across North America. Flexpoint Ford is a private equity investment firm that specializes in privately negotiated investments in the financial services and healthcare industries. Source: Propel Insurance Topics Mergers Risk Management South Carolina A former North Carolina deputy is suing a sheriff over his requirement for employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Christopher Neve, the former Durham County deputy, is asking a court to force Sheriff Clarence Birkhead to reinstate him with back pay and to rule that vaccine mandates are unconstitutional, The Herald-Sun of Durham reported. The lawsuit, filed in April in federal court, argues that mandating a vaccine that has only emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration and not formal approval violates federal law. The Durham County Sheriffs Office declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation. In January, Birkhead sent a notice to employees that the COVID-19 vaccine would be mandatory except for medical or religious objections, according to court documents. After Neve and other deputies failed to schedule a vaccine appointment, Birkhead sent an email on Jan. 25 reminding deputies to schedule their appointments. Formally Terminated Neve continued to refuse the vaccine, according to the lawsuit, and after meeting with Birkhead in March, his badge and other equipment were confiscated. Neve was first put on unpaid administrative leave, then formally terminated on March 26, according to the lawsuit. Public employers, even though many outside of the Durham County Sheriffs Office have not, can mandate that employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the N.C. Department of Labor and Diane Juffras, a professor of public law and government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Nothing prohibits a North Carolina public employer from requiring some or all of its employees to be vaccinated against particular illnesses, including COVID-19. So long as a vaccine has been authorized for use by the FDA, Juffras wrote. Topics Lawsuits North Carolina San Diego, Calif., will pay $900,000 to an 82-year-old woman whose foot and ankle were crushed when her car collided with a city fire engine that sped through a red light while heading to an emergency in 2018, a newspaper reported Wednesday. The settlement approved by the City Council last week, covers Marlowe Bergs medical bills, future treatment and adverse impact on the remaining years of her life, the Union-Tribune reported. Lawyers for Berg, a former member of the San Diego State University faculty, say she can no longer drive or travel and can barely walk because her left foot doesnt lie flat, which makes her nervous about falling. Before the collision in La Jolla, Berg was a world traveler who climbed the Acropolis in Greece and visited Japan, Scandinavia and Egypt, her lawyer says. A spokeswoman for City Attorney Mara Elliott declined to comment on the settlement. While drivers of emergency vehicles arent held to the same vehicle code standards as ordinary drivers, they are required under state law to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, according to court documents. The deputy fire marshal driving the engine estimated in court documents that he was traveling 25 mph through the intersection. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Parents of a Twin Falls middle school student have filed a tort claim against the school district, contending that the girl was injured after a teacher instructed his students to push her down concrete stairs as part of a reenactment of a Shakespeare play. The family has incurred more than $30,000 in medical costs so far because of the girls injuries, attorney Brian Hilverda told the Times-News. A tort claim is the first step toward suing a government entity. The Twin Falls School District and teacher Froylan Vargas have not yet responded to the tort claim, which was filed in March, the Twin Falls newspaper reported Sunday. Vargas didnt immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment. The family in the claim said the teacher had his students wrap the girl tightly in a sheet before pushing her down concrete stairs while he recorded the event on his cell phone. The girl was wrapped so tight she could not arrest her descent down the stairs, law firm Hilverda McRae PLLC wrote in the claim. The family said she sustained a concussion, traumatic brain injury, a scalp wound that required staples and other injuries. The school district confirmed on Thursday that it had received notice of tort claim, but declined comment. Beyond that confirmation, the District cannot release any information during the ongoing investigation of this claim, district spokesperson Eva Craner wrote in an email. The stunt was part of an assignment to reenact a scene from Shakespeare, and the students were reportedly told they would fail if they didnt participate, Hilverda said. This poor girl has been through a lot. She tried to return to school, but the brain injury has made that difficult, Hilverda said. Her mother eventually pulled her from school during the last few weeks. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Board members at Casa Latina, a decades-old organization founded to empower immigrant workers and provide job and educational opportunities, has announced it will investigate the handling of sexual harassment and assault allegations at the company. The board received complaints related to the allegations and overall workplace culture from current and former employees and people who come to the organization for job referrals, The Seattle Times reported Monday. An immediate next step includes retaining necessary and skilled experts to investigate and gather pertinent information, review practices and procedures and make a full report to the board of directors, board members said in a statement. Executive Director Marcos Martinez said several sexual misconduct allegations and complaints about disrespectful treatment were directed at one employee who recently left the organization. It is unclear if the person was fired. Three women told The Times that they filed police reports against the former staffer this year, alleging behavior from verbal harassment to groping. The Seattle Police Department said two of the cases were given to the city attorneys office for consideration of criminal charges. A review is ongoing. The former staffer declined to comment, The Times reported. Current and former employees also claimed there were incidents involving some of the 220 men and women who sought day labor and housekeeping jobs through Casa Latina, officials said. Several people described being touched inappropriately at company events. Board President Pilar Pacheco, a senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said Casa Latina has conducted sexual harassment training, and meetings have been devoted to the issue. However, some have accused management of minimizing and downplaying the allegations. I am very disappointed with my leaders, said Lucina Carrillo, an employee whose allegations prompted several protests, including outside Seattle offices. Carrillo and others, through a petition, have since called for Martinez and other leaders to resign. Martinez declined to be interviewed, The Times reported. Martinez came to Casa Latina in 2016 from Entre Hermanos, an organization serving LGBTQ Latinos. He replaced Hilary Stern, who founded the organization in 1994. Last month, he said in a statement that he was attending meetings to listen to employees concerns. He also said the board plans to hire people to investigate this week and expects findings within 30 days. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Washington Sayre, PA (18840) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 80F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Chinese FM holds talks with PNG counterpart Xinhua) 13:27, June 04, 2021 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Soroi Eoe, minister of foreign affairs and international trade of Papua New Guinea (PNG) in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) GUIYANG, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held talks with Soroi Eoe, minister of foreign affairs and international trade of Papua New Guinea (PNG), in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province. Noting this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Wang said that the most important experience of the two countries' relations is that both sides have always been treating each other as equals and supporting each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread all over the world, Wang said, international cooperation against the pandemic cannot slacken for a moment. China is willing to continue to share its experience with PNG in fighting the pandemic, provide medical supplies, strengthen exchanges on public health management and medical technology, and promote the building of a health community with a shared future. He noted that the two economies are highly complementary and have huge potential for cooperation. China is willing to strengthen strategic docking with PNG, and deepen joint efforts to develop the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and better benefit people on both sides. China has been cooperating with the Pacific island countries on the basis of equality and respect and is committed to promoting their development and prosperity, Wang said. Eoe extended congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and thanked the country for its long-term support and assistance to PNG's economic and social development, especially its fight against the epidemic. Eoe said that PNG hopes to conduct governance exchanges with China, learn from China's development experience, achieve common development and prosperity, and build a community with a shared future between China and the Pacific island countries. PNG and the Pacific island countries are firmly opposed to Japan's decision to dump contaminated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, Eoe said, adding that PNG will join hands with other nations including China to resist Japan's irresponsible action. (Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun) State Various organisations, leaders extend condolences DIMAPUR | Publish Date: 6/4/2021 1:08:28 PM IST Various organisations and political leaders have expressed grief over the demise of Er. Kevisekho Kruse, retired chief engineer and member of NDPP Regional Party who contested from 8 Western Angami A/C in 2018. Condolences were also extended over the demise of former president of Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU) and NDPP president 18 Chozuba A/C, Mudovoyi Medeo. Neiba Kronu: Minister, planning & co-ordination, land revenue, parliamentary affairs, Neiba Kronu has expressed shock over the demise of Er. Kevisekho Kruse who passed away, Friday morning. In a condolence note, Kronu described late Kevisekho as a humble and dedicated government servant who served the government in various aptitudes with utmost sincerity. He maintained that the people had lost a loyal, honest and dynamic leader who was an inspiration to his colleagues and the society. Further, the minister expressed his deepest condolence to the bereaved family at this hour of grief. NDPP: NDPP president Chingwang Konyak has expressed grief over the demise of Kevisekho Kruse. In a condolence note, Chingwang said that late Kruse worked towards the welfare of the people and the party, both in the constituency as well as the state level. He said that in his untimely demise, the people of the state in general, the 8 Western Angami A/C and NDPP in particular had lost a bright and dedicated leader whose loss would be difficult to replace. Further, the rank and file of the NDPP conveyed their deepest condolences to members of the bereaved family. NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II: NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II A/C and Zhaleo Rio, MLA while expressing grief over the demise of Kevisekho Kruse said that he was an outstanding leader who lived by deeds, humility and vision in all his endeavours. While maintaining that Nagas had lost one of the finest leaders, its president Dosau Kuotsu and general secretary Tokihe Zhimomi prayed that the Lord would grant solace to the bereaved family at this time of grief. Keneizhakho Nakhro: Member of Nagaland legislative assembly, Keneizhakho Nakhro has expressed grief over the sudden demise Kevisekho Kruse. In a condolence note, Keneizhakho Nakhro described him as a visionary leader full of impeccable knowledge, hopes, positive enemy who was loved by many for his lively nature & simplicity. Losing a dynamic leader is a great loss for our society and specially our Western Angami people in particular, he said. Further, the NLA member offered his condolences to the family members. ANPSA central body: The All Nagaland Private Schools Association, central body while expressing grief over the demise of Kevisekho Kruse who was also the proprietor & chairman of North Town higher secondary school, Chumoukedima said that in his demise, they had lost a great educationist and leader. In a condolence note, its president Nini Sekhose and general secretary P.J. Nathan extended condolences to the bereaved family members and find comfort in the knowledge that his was a life well lived and worth celebrating. ANPSA Dimapur Unit: ANPSA Dimapur Unit in a condolence note through its president Dr. Andrew Ahoto said that in the demise of Kevisekho Kruse, they had lost a brilliant educationist, a visionary and a compassionate man of virtues. While conveying its deepest condolences to the grieving family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers, the ANPSA Dimapur unit prayed that they would find comfort and peaceful closure in the mercy of the loving Lord. APO: Angami Public Organisation has expressed anguish on learning the sudden demise of Kevisekho Kruse. In a condolence note, its president Razouvotuo Chatsu described late Kruse as a prominent figure and that, words were inadequate to express the sorrow in losing a humble, sincere and dedicated leader who has committed his entire life to serving the people. Angami Public Organisation said that in his demise, the Angami community had not only lost a tall figure but also a visionary leader of the present generation who have immensely contributed to the Angami community, Nagas in general and Western Angami community in particular. APO conveyed its sincere condolences to his family and prayed that God would grant solace and comfort to each and every member. CGOK: Chakhroma Gazetted Officers Krotho has expressed deep sadness over the demise of Kevisekho Kruse. Its president Sedevikho Khro and general secretary Dr. Kelesekho Tsukru described late Kruse as one among the respected senior members who was ever ready to lend a helping hand, provide sound advice and one with a magnanimous heart. He has been a pillar to our Krotho who contributed immensely to the oneness of our CGOK family, it said, while maintaining that it had lost a fine gentleman, a vibrant leader whose demise was not only a loss to the family but to the people and CGOK in particular. Further, it conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that the Almighty would grant them solace and comfort. CWO: Chakhroma Women Organisation while expressing grief over the demise of Kevisekho Kruse said that he was a man of principle who was dynamic and a visionary leader. Chakhroma Women Organisation through its president Keviralieu Medoze and general secretary Kelenguno Zumu while sharing the gratefulness for his services and contributions toward the welfare of society conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that God would be their source of comfort and strength. CPO: Chakhroma Public Organisation in a condolence note through its president Vichutuolie Mere and general secretary Mhiesisato Vupru said that late Kevisekho Kruse was an active social and public leader who minced no words in whatever he said or did. It said that his death had brought not only personal loss to his family but also to CPO whose advice, guidance and patronage would be missed. Further, CPO conveyed its heartfelt condolences to his family members and prayed that the good Lord would grant them the strength to overcome the painful loss. NBCC S&EC: Nagaland Baptist Church Council Sanitation and Environment Committee has expressed grief over the demise of its active member Kevisekho Kruse, who was serving as its joint secretary till his last. In a condolence note its chairman Kuolachalie Seyie and vice chairman Rev. Vikuo Rhi described him as a visionary, God fearing, selfless and exemplary leader, who lived his life with the best interests of the society and sate wherever he was placed. It conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that God would grant them comfort. KTU: Khonoma Thevomia Union Nagaland has expressed shock to learn about the sudden and untimely demise of Kevisekho Kruse. In a condolence note, its president Akho-U Sophi described him as a man who worked selflessly and tirelessly for Naga people at large and for his community in particular. He has left us at a time when he is mostly needed, Khonoma Thevomia Union said. It also maintained that his sudden demise was a great loss to its people and had created a deep vacuum which would be difficult to fill up. Further, the union conveyed its condolences to to the bereaved family members and prayed that God would grant them strength as they bear the great tragedy. 8th WUPU: 8th Western Urban Panchayat Union has expressing shock over the demise of Kevisekho Kruse. In a condolence note, its president Khrielakuo Sekhose described him as a committed leader in the political circle as well as in the social circle as well as in the social circle. It said that he always had a tendency to help people when approached and that the union was indebted to him for always supporting its cause. Further, the union extended its condolences to the bereaved family members. KVC: Khonoma Village Council while expressing grief over the demise of Kevisekho Kruse said that he was a man of word and action who always exuded confidence and moral courage. In a condolence note, its chairman said that the KVC was pained in parting with late Kruse as he had left when his service and guidance was still much needed. Further, it conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and that God in His grace and mercy would grant them strength. RNDS: The Ruffuno Nagaland Development Society has expressed sorrow over the sudden demise of its chairman, Kevisekho Kruse. In a condolence note, RNDS through its secretary Keviphotsu Khwukha said that his selfless and immense contributions for the development of the people and society in various platforms particularly through RNDS were tremendous and remarkable. While maintaining that these would bear testament to his legacy, RNDS conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed that God would grant them strength. NDPP Mon region: NDPP Mon expressed grief over the demise of its party officials: NDPP Noklak region vice president, K Khumo; president of NDPP 18 Chozuba A/C Mudovoyi Medeo; former NDPP candidate from 8 Western Angami A/C, Er. Kevisekuo Kruse; NDPP secretary of 36 Satakha A/C Kahoshe Zhimo and treasurer of 21 Tuli A/C W Koratemjen Imsong. The NDPP Mon region president, S Khoiwang Wangsa said that their demise had created a huge vacuum in the party which would be difficult to fill and their contributions towards the party would be remembered always. Further, it prayed that the Almighty God would strengthen the bereaved families in times of this sorrow. CSUD: Chakhesang Students Union Dimapur (CSUD) has mourned over the demise of Mudovoyi Medeo. The union prayed for strength and perseverance to the family members to get through this difficulty time of irreparable loss and prayed that the soul rest in peace. INTCWS: India Northeast Tribal Community Welfare Society (INTCWS), Notun Bosti, Dimapur, under its Edu. Wing-Libra consultancy expressed deepest condolences on the demise of Mudovoyi Medeo. In a condolence message, the union maintained that during Medeos tenure, he worked actively in spreading education and job awareness for tribal students along with our society. The society added that his untimely demise was a loss for tribal students in particular and prayed to God for strength and comfort to the bereaved family. NDPP youth wing Chozuba A/C: NDPP youth wing 18th Chozuba assembly constituency mourned the demise of Mudovoyi Medeo. In a condolence message, NDPP youth wing 18th Chozuba assembly constituency described late Mudovoyi as an upcoming promising leader vested with different personality for welfare of the people. The message added that in his demise, the party had lost a visionary leader. RSUD: The Rongmei Students Union Dimapur (RSUD) while expressing grief over the demise of Mudovoyi Medeo described him as a humble and dedicated leader whose demise was a great loss to student community and his people, adding that the vacuum created by his death would be difficult to fill in. The Union extended deepest sympathies to the bereaved family members and prayed that the Almighty God comfort them at this hour of grief. Interview Tonzang is Seeing a COVID-19 Outbreak: Township Health Chief The funeral of a pregnant woman who died of COVID-19 in Tonzang on May 30. / Chin World COVID-19 infections have resurfaced in Myanmar while the health care system is on the verge of collapse amid post-coup turmoil. Tonzang Township in Chin State on the Indian border has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases. A total of 167 COVID-19 cases were reported in Tonzang by Wednesday with five deaths between May 30 and Thursday. The military regime has imposed stay-at-home orders upon three towns Tamu and Kale in Sagaing Region and Tonzang. Tonzang Township Health Department head Dr. Htan Shin Khaing talked to The Irrawaddy about the COVID-19 situation in the township. How is the COVID-19 crisis in Tonzang? There were 52 new cases on June 2. It was the highest daily rise in Tonzang. There were only around 20 cases in previous days. How did infections happen? We believe it has spread from India. What are the difficulties in providing treatment? We dont even have vitamin supplements to give to patients. The medicines we requested from the health ministry have not arrived due to the instability. We can only ask patients to buy medicines from private pharmacies. Doctors collectively contribute and buy some medicines for patients. But we cant afford to buy vitamin supplements for them. They are expensive. We have no medicines at the hospital. How is the department handling the oxygen requirements of COVID-19 patients? Some donors have supplied oxygen. We have not yet run out. But I am afraid supplies will not last long if the cases increase. And we dont have ventilators for emergency cases. No donors have donated a ventilator. Does your department have to rely on individual donors rather than the health ministry? The ministry has sent 3,000 testing kits. We have enough kits. We have asked for medicines. What happened to people who have died in Tonzang from COVID-19? People with weak immunity, including pregnant women, are more vulnerable and struggle to resist COVID-19. The new variant is stronger than the previous strains, which had little impact on people with normal immune systems. But most of those infected with the new variant are bedridden after one or two days. They are exhausted and struggle to leave their beds even if they dont have breathing problems. All the patients lose their sense of smell. Cases appeared in early May. As health workers have joined the civil disobedience movement, they tried home remedies and over-the-counter drugs. But they didnt get better so they came to the hospital. We carried out COVID-19 tests when the hospital became full. What proportion of people tested positive for COVID-19? Around 28 to 30 percent tested positive. Are you worried? It is best to stay indoors. Only one member of each household should go out to buy food. And they must wear masks, hats and aprons when outside and remove them outside before entering their homes. Otherwise, there is a real risk of cases spreading across the township. Tonzang is seeing a COVID-19 outbreak and it will become difficult to control. People experiencing symptoms usually take medicines at home and come to the hospital for a COVID-19 test if they dont recover. Previously, we had to persuade them to come for a test but now they come voluntarily. They are scared. Can the hospital cope with all the patients? No, we cant treat them all. We cant estimate how many more patients there will be. We have turned the hospital into a COVID-19 center and no longer accept other patients suffering from other problems. And we have opened a fever clinic for outpatients with COVID-19 symptoms. If they test positive, we take them to a quarantine center which is run by volunteers. Only those who need oxygen are admitted to the hospital and have contact with doctors. We give volunteers at the quarantine center instructions over the phone. A doctor visits the center each day. We are short of health staff. Between 60 to 70 percent of staff are on strike. What is your plan to deal with COVID-19 without enough staff and medicines? We need more health staff and medicines. The situation is alarming. Other townships should take care. Everyone should take COVID-19 preventative measures, especially because of the [post-coup] turmoil. How many quarantine centers are open? There is only one quarantine center but, if necessary, we will have to use churches and gyms. Can you describe the treatment given to the pregnant woman who died in late May? She was eight months pregnant. There was no doctor when she arrived at the hospital. Doctors had fled for various reasons. Only nurses provided her treatment. Volunteer doctors arrived two days later. If there was a specialist, we might have been able to save the baby. Her lungs were badly swollen and she died on May 30 after being admitted on May 28. What else do you want to say? Most of the victims died within three days after testing positive. This variant is different from previous ones and strong. Young people should be relieved if they are sick for five to six days with a sore throat. They will feel too tired to do anything for two weeks even after recovery. Those who died do not survive that long. They died two to three days after the virus reached their lungs. It is frightening and people should exercise utmost caution. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Troops Shoot and Arrest Young People in Yangon Myanmar Junta Detains Pro Bono Lawyer Representing Kachin Protesters COVID-19 Claims Three More Lives in Myanmar-India Border Town Burma COVID-19 Claims Three More Lives in Myanmar-India Border Town Funeral of people who have died of COVID-19 in Tonzang. / The Tedim Post Three more people died of COVID-19 in the town of Cikha in Chin States Tonzang Township on Thursday, according to the townships Public Health Department. 167 COVID-19 cases resulting in five deaths have been reported in Tonzang since last Sunday. The township borders India, where a new variant of coronavirus has been circulating nationwide, prompting fears that it has spread into Myanmar. The victims were two men, aged 70 and 62, and a 54-year-old woman. They died of COVID-19-inflicted lung failure. Two of the patients had no underlying health conditions, but the other had chronic lung problems and high blood pressure, according to the head of Cikhas town health department, Dr. Htan Shin Khaing. One of the male patients was admitted to Cikha hospital on May 21 and the other two were admitted on May 26. COVID-19 cases have also spiked in Tamu Township, which also shares a frontier with India, and Kalaymyo in neighbouring Sagaing Region. Myanmars military regime has imposed stay-at-home orders on Tonzang, Tamu and Kalaymyo townships. A total of 87 people died of COVID-19 between the juntas Feb. 1 coup and June 2, according to regime-controlled television. Myanmar started to see a gradual decline in COVID-19 infections last December, with a few hundred cases being reported per day, down from a daily peak of 1,400 in previous months. However, far fewer tests have been carried out following the coup as healthcare workers are refusing to work for the regime, resulting in only dozens of new infections being reported daily. Since May 27, hundreds of new cases have been reported in Yangon, Bago, Ayeyarwady, Mandalay, Sagaing and Tanintharyi regions and Shan, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Karen states. Myanmar recorded 143,823 COVID-19 cases, with 3,218 deaths and 132,388 people recovering, from Mar. 23 last year to June 2 this year, according to the junta-controlled Ministry of Health and Sports. You may also like these stories: Intl Red Cross Asks Myanmar Junta Chief for Access to Prisons Myanmar Daily Post-Coup Update: June 3 The Rise and Fall of Americas Muscular Humanitarianism in Myanmar Burma Intl Red Cross Asks Myanmar Junta Chief for Access to Prisons The ICRC team meets with the Myanmar regime leader in Naypyitaw on Thursday. / Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has urged Myanmars coup leader to allow the organization to resume its prison visits and other humanitarian activities that were halted last year due to COVID-19. The request came at a time when the regime has locked up thousands of people mostly due to their anti-regime activism. As of Thursday, more than 4,500 people had been arrested since the Feb. 1 coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), an activist group monitoring arrests and fatalities committed by the regime. The detainees include the countrys ousted de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other pro-democracy activists. In his meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on Thursday, ICRC president Peter Maurer said it was important that the organization be allowed to resume its purely humanitarian visits and activities in places of detention, according to a statement released by the Geneva-based NGO. Such visits and activities are essential to secure humane treatment and condition of detention for all detainees and to restore communication between detainees and their families, the ICRC said. Maurer said the people of Myanmar are caught between armed conflict, COVID-19 and the disruptions resulting from the coup and are in need of urgent assistance and protection. He is the most senior representative of an international organization to meet the coup leader since the military takeover in February. During his meeting, the ICRC president also raised key humanitarian issues including the use of force during security operations. Apart from prison visits, Maurer made a case for broader humanitarian access in Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Shan and Rakhine states. The regime leader was noncommittal on Maurers requests but did not refuse them, according to Nikkei Asia, citing people familiar with the meeting. Ko Bo Kyi, co-founder and joint secretary of the AAPP, said that despite the ICRC chiefs direct appeal, it remained unclear to what extent the ICRC would be free to visit and meet with prisoners. If they are not allowed, theres nothing they can do, he said, citing previous incidents under the former military regime. Given the nature of the ICRC, he said, its presence in the prisons wouldnt make much difference in terms of the conditions experienced by political prisoners. They are a humanitarian association. All they can do is facilitate communication between detainees and their families, as well as donate medicines to prison hospitals. You cant expect much more, Ko Bo Kyi said. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Daily Post-Coup Update: June 3 The Rise and Fall of Americas Muscular Humanitarianism in Myanmar Karen Rebel Leader Warns Myanmar Regime of More Fighting Burma Myanmar Coup Leader Admits Not in Full Control of Country Myanmar military coup leader Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing during the Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw in March, 2021. The leader of Myanmars military coup admits he didnt expect to see huge popular opposition to his rule and acknowledged that more than three months after the takeover his regime still could not fully control the country. The candid confessions by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing came during an interview with Hong Kong-based Chinese language broadcaster Phoenix Television on May 20. It was aired on the military-owned Myawady TV on Thursday night. Min Aung Hlaing staged a coup Feb. 1, claiming that the then-ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had committed voter fraud during last years general election. The NLD won a landslide victory with more than 80 percent of the parliamentary seats in that election. Following the coup, hundreds of thousands of Myanmar people from all walks of life peacefully took to the streets across the country to show their opposition to the takeover. They questioned Min Aung Hlaings claims by shouting slogans like Respect Our Votes, while others called for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the President U Win Myint. Both had been arrested at the time of the takeover and are now facing multiple charges filed by the regime. What the protesters across the country had in common was their opposition against military rule. In addition to the street protests, civil servants from health, education, transportation and other sectors boycotted the regime, vowing that they would be only back to work when the elected government was in power. The civil disobedience movement (CDM) paralyzed the junta and its administration has struggled to cope. Now, more than four months on, the regime is still feeling the heat. When asked by the Phoenix interviewer if he expected such kind of resistance, Min Aung Hlaing replied: I have to say I didnt think it would be that much. He said he considered the protests to be an emotional reaction, saying that his claims of voter fraud would anger NLD voters. He also claimed that some of those protesting were dishonest individuals who feared they could face legal charges He didnt elaborate who the dishonest people might be or what they might have done wrong. But given his claims of vote riggings, it may be likely that he was referring to some NLD members and any role they could have played in alleged voting fraud. Caught off guard by the intensity of the protests, the regime responded brutally by shooting down protesters in the streets, while also conducting raids on homes and mass arrests. The killing spree was in its high gear in March and April. Despite the regimes use of lethal force, the resistance did not wane. Instead, many took up to arms, mostly rudimentary hunting rifles, while some young people sought military training with ethnic armed groups, hoping to join the Peoples Defense Force, an armed wing by Myanmars parallel National Unity Government (NUG). As a result, Myanmar has now seen bombings targeting the juntas administrative machinery and deadly armed attacks on the regime soldiers and police in urban areas. In the countrys north and south, local ethnic armed groups who are not happy with the coup launched a series of deadly offensive attacks on regime troops. Guerrilla attacks by local civilian resistance groups in the countrys northwestern and southeastern regions have given the regime troops there deadly blows as well. Reflecting on the fact that the current crisis has stretched more than three months (at the time of the interview) since the coup, the Phoenix interviewer asked whether the current situation in Myanmar is now under control, the coup leader said not at all. I cant say they are now 100 percent under control. There are still some destructive activities in some areas, he said. As to the protest-related death tolls, the coup leader rejected the widely cited number of more than 700 (at the time of the interview in May), saying that figure is inflated. The actual number is around 300, he said, claiming the deaths were the result of protesters turning to violence. He added, There will be some casualties when necessary responses are made. The actual number of deaths at the hands of the regime since the coup is 845 as of Thursday, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), an activist group monitoring arrests and fatalities committed by the regime. The coup leader also complained that the media have turned a blind eye to the deaths of 47 police during the crackdowns. Its not fair the media is only paying attention to the inflated death tolls while keeping silent on the police who gave up their lives, he said. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Troops Shoot and Arrest Young People in Yangon Myanmar Junta Detains Pro Bono Lawyer Representing Kachin Protesters COVID-19 Claims Three More Lives in Myanmar-India Border Town Burma Myanmar Daily Post-Coup Update: June 3 A flash mob protest in Yangon calls for solidarity between Burmese-majority regions and ethnic states. To keep you updated on what happened in Myanmar in the last 24 hours, here are the main events of the day more than four months after the putsch. At least four junta troops died and three civilian resistance fighters were injured in a shootout in Kale (Kalay) in Sagaing Region, according to the townships Peoples Defense Force. The Peoples Defense Force of Mingin Township said it killed three members of a Pyu Saw Htee group, a group comprising junta supporters formed by the military regime. In Chin States Mindat, at least three junta troops died and four others were injured in fighting with civilian resistance fighters, according to the township civilian defense force. In Yangon, U Tun Yi, the administrator of Bamar Aye ward in Dawbon Township, died after being shot from close range while he was in his car. Junta troops used violence to disperse a flash mob protest in downtown Yangon and arrested an anti-regime protester. An explosion took place at the administration office of Mote Let Saung Gon (South) ward in Sanchaung Township. No injuries were reported. In Mandalay Region, unknown motorbike riders shot dead a policeman riding his motorbike on Mandalay-Pyin Oo Lwin Road. In Myingyan, a junta soldier deployed at a basic education school was shot dead in a guerilla attack by local resistance fighters. Dr. Tayzar San, one of the most prominent figures in the anti-regime movement, took part in a night protest in Mandalay. The military regime has issued an arrest warrant for him and offered a reward of 10 million kyats for information leading to his arrest. In Ayeyarwady Region, a villager set on fire the house of the school principal in Pantanaws Ye Lel Gyi Village and stabbed a non-striking assistant primary school teacher. Explosions were reported near two schools in Aye Tharyar of Taunggyi in Shan State. The United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Myanmar called on all parties to keep schools safe following a wave of attacks on places of learning and education personnel, and incidents in which education facilities have been occupied. The military regime sentenced photographer Ko Thet Tun Aung to three years in prison. It claims he underwent military training in an ethnic area. Anti-regime protests continued in different forms at various locations across Myanmar. You may also like these stories: The Rise and Fall of Americas Muscular Humanitarianism in Myanmar Karen Rebel Leader Warns Myanmar Regime of More Fighting Rakhines Children Attend School, Ignoring Myanmars Boycott Burma Myanmar Junta Detains Pro Bono Lawyer Representing Kachin Protesters Anti-regime protesters in March in Myitkyina. / CJ Junta police detained a pro-bono lawyer working for political activists in Kachin States capital Myitkyina on Wednesday. U Thet Tun Oo had been voluntarily helping civilians detained and charged by the military regime under Article 505 (a) of the Penal Code for incitement. The lawyer was detained at a court hearing inside Myitkyina Prison. He was waiting for another case at the prison court when the police took him away for questioning. We have lost contact with him since, said one of his colleagues. The lawyer is reportedly being held at Myitkyinas police station and is not allowed to meet his relatives. We dont yet know if he will be charged. Some say he will be charged with incitement. He has not committed any crime and he was only helping those charged under 505, said the colleague. U Thet Tun Oo, who is also a central executive committee member of the Independent Lawyers Association of Myanmar, has reportedly been acting for free for over 120 detainees since the coup, including National League for Democracy Kachin State ministers, and protesters and reporters detained while covering protests in Myitkyina and Waingmaw townships. Pro-bono lawyers acting for protesters said they have been threatened and pressured by the regime. We have been threatened and asked by the military council if we oppose it because we are acting for those who defy the military. From a legal perspective, we are impartial, said another Kachin pro-bono lawyer. Lawyers said they are not allowed to meet their clients in private or talk freely to the media about the trials. A Yangon-based lawyer acting for those charged under Article 505(a) said: There is heavy pressure. I received a death threat over the phone last month. I am worried for my family but I will continue to work for my clients, she told The Irrawaddy. The regime arrested lawyer U Thein Hlaing Tun, who was acting for ousted NLD Naypyitaw Council chairman Dr. Myo Aung, after a court hearing in Naypyitaw on May 24. A case was reportedly opened against U Thein Hlaing Tun in Dagon Seikkan Township in Yangon for incitement. You may also like these stories: COVID-19 Claims Three More Lives in Myanmar-India Border Town Intl Red Cross Asks Myanmar Junta Chief for Access to Prisons Myanmar Daily Post-Coup Update: June 3 Burma Myanmar Junta Troops Shoot and Arrest Young People in Yangon Military troops are deployed in Mandalay amid the regimes crackdown on protesters on Feb. 22, the day of the '22222' nationwide general strike. / The Irrawaddy Myanmar military regime forces shot four youths on Thursday night during a raid in a residential area in South Okkalapa Township, Yangon. South Okkalapa Students Union said that the four were trying to evade arrest when they were shot. Sources in the area confirmed to them that two of the youths managed to avoid arrest despite being wounded, but the others were detained. The two who were caught were shot and injured. One has serious injuries but we dont know yet whether he is dead or alive, a member of the students union told The Irrawaddy. The reason for the arrests is still unknown but locals said they occurred because junta informants gave false information against the youths to the security forces. During the raid, junta forces fired around 20 shots in the residential neighborhood, scared netizens living in the area wrote on social media. Violence, mass arrests and raids into residential areas both day and night are being continuously reported in different cities across the country. In some areas, innocent civilians are being wrongly detained or even shot dead during the raids. On May 30, Ko Moe Myint Aung, 27, was shot dead when regime forces raided the wrong house in the town of New Bagan in Mandalay Region, after being given false information by a military collaborator. Junta forces took away Ko Moe Myint Aung, who was reportedly dying, along with three others. Family members were later told to collect his body from Nyaung-U Hospital. Two women also died after being arrested with gunshot injuries after they ran away in fear when soldiers entered Chaung Wa Pyin Village in Launglon Township, Tanintharyi Region on the night of May 29, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Both women were cremated and photos of their bodies were sent to their families by the junta on the evening of May 31, the AAPP stated in a recent report of fatalities since the Feb. 1 coup. As of June 3, at least 845 people have been killed by regime forces and more than 5,500 people arrested. 4,509 of those people remain in detention. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Detains Pro Bono Lawyer Representing Kachin Protesters COVID-19 Claims Three More Lives in Myanmar-India Border Town Intl Red Cross Asks Myanmar Junta Chief for Access to Prisons Guest Column The Rise and Fall of Americas Muscular Humanitarianism in Myanmar Anti-regime protesters in Yangon in February call for help from the UN and US to root out the military dictatorship. / The Irrawaddy The Feb. 1 coup crushed Myanmars democratically elected Parliament, and Myanmars position in the world seemed to change back to the bad days of reclusive military rule. The military took power, and the people quickly opposed it through nonviolent demonstrations and the Civil Disobedience Movement. A shadow National Unity Government (NUG) was established by the elected Parliamentarians, but the military responded harshly by organizing middle-of-the night arrests, street beatings, the terror of lethal sniper attacks, and eventually bombing in the highlands. Hundreds have died, thousands have been arrested, many wounded and millions terrorized. One of the first developments was a search for international allies for the nonviolent Civil Disobedience Movement. Obvious allies were the US, UN, ASEAN and others who popularized the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine in the 2000s, which powerful countries proudly pointed to. Pleas for intervention soon appeared on signs at Yangon protests asking the US or UN to rescue Myanmar from the coup. Couldnt one of these entities swoop in and restore the elected Parliament to its rightful place in Naypyitaw? After all, such moves work, particularly in movies, even in Myanmar; after all, Rambo IV is about a former American super-soldier who rescues an American missionary family from an evil Burmese military. James Bond films hold out a technical capacity of miracle weapons that precisely distinguish between good proponents of democracy, and the guys who shoot protesters and stage coups. Isnt such muscular humanitarianism an obvious way to end the unjust coup, and the terrible suffering of peaceful protesters? The new Biden administration, which came to power in the United States just 11 days before the coup, seemed well suited to the role of Muscular Humanitarian, particularly after the inward-focused Trump administration. Samantha Power, a well-known proponent of humanitarian invasions of Libya and Syria, was appointed head of USAID in January. Her 2002 book, A Problem from Hell: America in the Age of Genocide, celebrated American exceptionalism, and helped birth the R2P doctrine. Her approach saw the US as the indispensable nation, uniquely capable of evaluating humanitarian needs and genocide prevention. She even tried out this doctrine in 2012 while serving on President Obamas National Security Council and later as ambassador to the UN, and advocated for the invasions of Libya and Syria, all in the name of humanitarianism. This record is maybe why Yangons demonstrators looked to the US for a repeat performance, given the harsh overthrow of a democratically elected government in Myanmar on Feb. 1. Nevertheless, it was soon apparent that the American promoters of human rights would not invade Myanmar in the name of democracy or humanitarianism, as they had in Kuwait, the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, etc. Nor are there serious efforts to extend diplomatic recognition to the NUG by the US, UN or ASEAN, who are wary of China, irrespective of humanitarian principles. All that is offered are the sanctions, embargoes and blockades, which cost the West little. So, the NUG is on its own when it comes to defending human rightsit cannot depend on muscular humanitarians, no matter how easy Rambo and James Bond made it seem. This sends shivers of fear through Myanmar society, which remembers the dark days of military rule between 1962 and 2010. Limits of muscular humanitarianism Muscular humanitarianism is in fact limited, despite the overwhelming power of the US military, and the money of USAID. Certainly, it has occasionally worked for the Americans in recent decades. Interventions in Kuwait in 1991 and Kosovo in 1999 were effective against aggressors. The Dayton Accords negotiated under US guns in 1995 eventually returned a semblance of peace to the Balkans. Massive relief operations in places like the Great Lakes of Africa, southern Sudan, Ethiopia and even Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis were successfully assisted by the US. But the US military interventions in places like Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen was not enough to protect humanitarian principles, and sometimes made the situation worse. A bit further back, and nearer to Myanmar, US interventions in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were catastrophic. The problem is that the enforcement of R2P was never separated from US foreign policy interests, and there are a limited number of enforcement tools in the foreign policy arsenal: invasion, sanctions, embargoes, no fly zones, secret agents and blockades. The US impulse to label international problems as humanitarian and democratic also often covers for larger interests in global competition between Washington and its adversaries. US interests in humanitarianism are typically strongest in places where Russia and/or China could be cheaply confronted, or oil sources protected. Today, human rights for Myanmar are defended with mild sanctions and rhetoric, but only in the context of the US China policy, which is focused on issues of trade, South China Sea, COVID, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and a host of issues more important to the Americans than the coup in Myanmar. Good words are cheap, and carry little risk for the Americans. The Quiet American US overreach is seemingly rooted in the very nature of American culture and might. The journalist Graham Greene in the early 1950s reported from Saigon about French Indochina, and described through fiction how America overreached in his novel The Quiet American. In the story, an earnest young Alden Pyle brings doctrines about democracy, human rights and military might from the classrooms of Harvard. Critics in the 1950s pointed to The Quiet American as a warning to Americas then-new foreign policy elite who, like Alden Pyle, sell American-style democracy and humanitarianism in the daytime when everyone was watching, but at night sponsored lethal bombings by preferred militia groups. The Americans of course did this in Myanmar, where as long ago as the 1950s, USAID aid was supplied for humanitarian needs, even as the CIA surreptitiously fought communists in the north of the country. USAID started doing this in Myanmar again after 2012 by choosing which NGOs to supportor ignore. And herein lies the heart of Myanmars problem today, when demonstrators call for US and UN intervention, often citing the R2P doctrine. The Americans share such ideals, and preach in Myanmar what they still teach at Harvard and their other great universities. But the Americans are also possessed of a hubris that promotes big principles like democracy, humanitarianism and R2P for others, while still putting itself at the center of how democracy and economic development are defined. US money and military power allow them to do this in an environment that broaches little disagreement. Which local NGO argues about policy with their donor? Myanmar NGOs funded by USAID already know this. It is only one step from this, to the more muscular humanitarianism that Alden Pyle promoted in Vietnam. The Quieter Chinese The alluring potential power of the US is always in a context of another global reality in Myanmar: The hegemonic power of China in Southeast Asia. So far as I know, no English-language novel The Quiet Chinese has been writtenthough it could be. There are Chinese in Myanmar now advising the military, ethnic armed organizations, businesses and others. They are probably making the same mistakes as the Americans, assuming that what they learned in Chinese universities about politics, development, economics and trade are a superior wisdom. And the Chinese like the Americans have the money to mute questions by Myanmar NGOs, and other agencies that they fund. But unlike the Americans, Chinese military power is sitting on Myanmars northern border, extremely attentive to what is happening not only with the military government and the NUG, but also the ethnic armies, many of which are subsidized from China. Also unlike the US, China makes few nods toward democratic or humanitarian ideals. As with the US, Chinese foreign reach undoubtedly has its own set of cultural, economic and political assumptions that blind it to what Myanmars people think. Myanmar and global politics Myanmar is new at the Great Power game, of which they were long only a victim. Only since 2010 has Myanmar really re-engaged with the global system after decades as a recluse. The experience with China already seems bitter, which is why perhaps there were all of those signs calling the US or UN forces to intervene against the military government. (Who would want the Chinese to intervene on behalf of a democracy movement?). This Chinese interest though heightens the attention of the Americans on Myanmar insofar as it is part of international politics. The Americans interest is in opposing Chinese ambitions in the Great Game that the worlds great powers have long engaged in. This means that the US opposes the Chinese wherever they can. They might use democracy, human rights, and R2P as a loud rhetorical tool, even though the primary interest is in simply opposing China safely and cheaply. The US still always pursues its own geopolitical interests, with Myanmars interest as the afterthought. This is the lesson that Greenes Alden Pyle taught us, and what Myanmar has learned since Feb. 1. Basically, US aid still comes as agricultural and economic assistance to chosen NGOs by day, and explosives to American-chosen allies at night. R2P is the afterthought in global politics. During World War II, Myanmar (then Burma) was a pawn in the Great Game between Britain, France, China and Japan, and suffered terribly. After the war, Prime Minister U Nu balanced these pressures by founding the nonaligned movement, but was pushed out by Ne Win, who initiated decades of reclusive isolation which ended only recently, releasing the energy of Generation Z. But as in the past, Myanmar is in the crosshairs. Its geographic position is still between India and China, and the advantages and risks of balancing this with a relationship with the US and its muscular humanitarianism are still there. From Alden Pyle to Samantha Power R2P was an idealistic assertion of the primacy of human rights in world affairs. Neither the US nor any other country really has the capacity to implement the effective invasions, sanctions, embargoes, no fly zones and blockades of Myanmar that the demonstrators have called for. But maybe thats OK; such actions occasionally work, but also routinely result in tragedies rooted in the US overestimation of its own abilities and capacities. This is what Greene via Alden Pyle taught us, and hopefully has also taught Samantha Power. So does this mean that Myanmar is doomed to another cycle of closed military rule, as Ko Kyaw Zwa Moe suggested in The Irrawaddy? Or has the military overreached, as Charles Petrie recently suggested? None of us has a crystal ball, but I tend toward Petries view. Any enduring legitimate Myanmar government is rooted in an essence that emerges from Myanmars people. Myanmar people today have ties around the world, particularly the tech-savvy Generation Z. As Petrie pointed out, the military though is still drawing on older forms of control and confrontation which assume that the people are isolated. The modern communication tools of Generation Z are now freezing the Myanmar economy in ways their predecessors in 1988 and 2006 could only dream of. I think this capacity, along with the taste of freedom Generation Z had from 2012-2021 will slowlyor maybe quicklyerode the terror that the military inspires in the country. Legitimacy will not come from miracle weapons, an invasion in the name of R2P, secret weapons in the American arsenal, or diplomatic sanctions on generals. Washingtons assistance for democracy and human rights can though perhaps connect Gen Z with their tech-savvy capacity to find and evaluate information. Washington has much to offer in terms of protection for internet access, supporting democratic movements like the NUG, and protecting refugees, even when China facilitates internet firewalls. Who knows, Washington might even risk recognizing the NUG government. But whatever they do, just as in the day of Graham Greene and Alden Pyle, the Americans need to recognize that freedom and legitimacy are not uniquely American exports brought by bureaucrats like Alden Pyle who work for USAID and the CIA, but only emerge from the people themselves. Tony Waters is Professor of Sociology at Payap University, and director of the Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He works with Burmese, Karen and other students in the universitys PhD program in Peacebuilding. From 1996-2021 he was Professor of Sociology at California State University, Chico. He is also the author of academic books and articles about refugee relief and development, and an occasional contributor to The Irrawaddy. He can be reached at [email protected]. You may also like these stories: Karen Rebel Leader Warns Myanmar Regime of More Fighting Rakhines Children Attend School, Ignoring Myanmars Boycott Myanmar Junta Locks Down Kalaymyo as COVID-19 Cases Spike Android operating system updates work a little differently compared to Apple's iOS updates. According to HowToGeek, there are three types of updates: the big annual firmware updates, those are when the OS is bumped up a number (for example, from 11 to 12); next, there are the smaller monthly security updates; and finally "Google Play System Updates," which HowToGeek said is another type of security update. With the new Android 12 update, Google is now giving its users a new security feature, and it looks like it is taking a page out of its rival's book by finally allowing users to opt out of their apps collecting their data. However, you don't have to wait that long to start protecting your private data today. New Android Security Update According to Gizmodo, a Google support page has generated a lot of buzz as it detailed how users can opt out of third-party tracking. Later this year, it looks like Android users can turn off sharing their Advertising ID with a switch of a button. Advertising ID is the device identifier that lets marketers see your activity from app to app, Gizmodo explained. This doesn't mean Android users can't already limit ad-tracking now, but this new setting will let users opt out of any alternative device identifiers that developers can also use to track their app activities. Users who opt out of using the Advertising ID feature will show up as a "string of zeros" to developers, Google said in an email to developers according to Gizmodo. How to Check Your Android Phone for Security Updates To find out if your Android phone has any security updates it needs to install, go to the Settings menu. Once there, head over to Security and find the "Security Status" section, click that. Look for "Security Update" and check the date. HowToGeek noted there's a pretty good chance it is not updated to the current month, as a lot of devices do not automatically perform the update. Newer Samsung and Google Pixel phones may be up to date, though. Select "Security Update" and tap the "Check for Update" button and you should be all set. Google plans to roll out the new Android 12 security update starting late 2021, according to their announcement on the support page. Read Also: Harmony OS vs. Android 10: Where to Download, Android Easter Egg, Cross-Device Functionality, and More! How To How to Stop Android Apps From Tracking Your Private Data Now If you can't wait for the security update later this year, you can also customize your settings to help protect your personal data today. According to CNBC, you can stop apps from tracking your Android by heading over to Settings > Advanced > App Permissions. Select "Location" and here you can find a list of apps that have access to your location. Go ahead and find the apps that have no business knowing where you are and turn those off. Go back to the Settings screen and go into the Privacy tab. Under Permission Manager, you can toggle off sending diagnostic data and receiving marketing information. Scroll down some more to the Advanced section, and you can go ahead an opt out of Ads Personalization. Apps like Facebook have their own Facebook Pixel that tracks you, CodeInWP said. So you can just head over to your web browser, open Account Settings, click Your Facebook Information, and select "Off-Facebook Activity." The menu to the right will have "Clear History" and "Manage Future Activity," so go ahead and clear your history and turn on "Future-Off Facebook Activity" under "Manage Future Activity." Google tracks you as well, especially more so as an Android user, CodeInWP mentionsed. So on your web browser, head over to "Manage your Google Account" and click "Data & Personalization." Select the "Manage Your Activity Controls" option and toggle off various tracking options the search engine giant has in its reach. It is good to see that Google is making sure they're thinking of their users and their safety by making the new update. Privacy is something that is becoming a commodity even for regular folks and for softwares to be geared towards protecting it, that just keeps the users' trust. Related article: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Leak Reveals Lighter Version-Only 18% Heavier Than iPhone 12 Pro Max! Spotify users know that the app releases "Wrapped" at the end of every year to show your year in audio-overview. For many listeners, music is very personal and a reflection of how you feel. To see the amalgamation of all your experiences when Spotify 'Wrapped" rolls out feels very intimate. For some, it could be a hilarious synopsis of their year that they want to share with their friends. That was what a lot of users did last year, sharing their "Wrapped" posts on social media, and Spotify wants to recreate that personal feeling all year long. Spotify 'Only You' The Swedish company's new digital experience called "Only You" gives users personalized playlists in sharable form, explains The Verge. A new feature called "Blend" will also allow two friends to automatically merge their musical tastes into playlists. Spotify goes more in depth with six new ways you can go about your listening experience: 1. Your Audio Birth Chart Get ready to know your musical chart of cosmic proportions. Spotify said your Sun sign is the artist you listened to the most over the last six months. The artist for your Moon sign is the one that best shows your emotional or vulnerable side. Your Rising sign will have one artist that you've recently connected with. And who said Birth Charts can't tell you who you really are? 2. Your Dream Dinner Party Spotify will let you choose three artists you would want to invite to the dinner party of your dreams. Spotify will then create a personalized Spotify Mic for each of the artists in your trio to set the mood for your lovely meal. 3. Your Artist Pairs Find unique audio pairings that you've listened to recently that show your range of listening interests. 4. Your Song Year This experience shows you your musical time travel escapades by basing when the music you listen to is from. 5. Your Time of The Day Discover the music and podcast you listen to at specific times of the day. Early bird or a night owl, find the best tunes for the time of the day. 6. Your Genres/Topics See the combination of music and podcast genres that just sets your listening taste apart from the rest. Even after the campaign is over, the "Only You" hub. Fans can also see what their favorite artist's listeners and fans are listening to, what time, and where. Spotify 'Blend' "Blend," currently in beta, is a new way for friends to merge their musical tastes into one glorious curated playlist "made just for them," Spotify emphasized. The fun thing is the playlist grows with each user over time depending on how their listening changes. First head over to the "Made For You" hub on your mobile and tap "Create Blend." You can then invite a friend to blend with and you'll be given a single-use invitation you can send to them. Each friend gets a new invitation. Once your friend accepts the invite and joins Blend, Spotify will go ahead and generate a custom tracklist based on the songs you already love plus some recommendations based on both of your preferences and tastes. If you want to know who has influenced the track choice, it's easy to check who by looking at the profile icon next to the track. Spotify is really going above and beyond making each user feel more connected to their songs and their friends and family. Related Article: Spotify Music, Podcasts Downloader: How to Download on Apple Watch and Use Offline China's "artificial sun" set a new world record for plasma temperature by reaching 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds and 160 million degrees Celsius for 20 seconds. Breaking World Records The world record was broken by China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), which achieved plasma temperatures of 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds and 160 million degrees Celsius for 20 seconds. According to the Global Times, the Tokamak device at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Hefei Institutes of Physical Science accomplished the feat last week, marking a significant step toward the test run of the fusion reactor. The gadget is intended to mimic the nuclear fusion process naturally in the sun and stars, which serves as an endless supply of energy. Controlled nuclear fusion, sometimes known as "artificial sun," can achieve the same results. The newest achievement by Chinese scientists is a huge step forward in the country's pursuit of clean, inexhaustible energy with minimum waste. "The breakthrough is a substantial development, and the ultimate objective should be to maintain the temperature steady for a long time," Li Miao, director of the physics department at Shenzhen's Southern University of Science and Technology, told the Global Times. Room for Improvements Experts believe China's experimental 'artificial sun' still has a long way to go. According to Lin Boquiang, head of Xiamen University's China Center for Energy Economics Research, a functional reactor will take decades to emerge from its experimental stages. Related Article: A Study on Plutonium Clarifies the Distinction Between Nuclear Pollution from a Global Fallout EAST The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) reactor is a research device for advanced nuclear fusion at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP) in Hefei, China. The artificial sun's objective is to mimic the nuclear fusion reaction, which is the same reaction that drives the sun. One of three major domestic tokamaks, The EAST, is currently in operation in the United States. China is now running the HL-2A reactor as well as J-TEXT, in addition to the EAST. In addition, the HL-2M Tokamak, China's largest and most advanced nuclear fusion experimental research apparatus, was successfully powered up for the first time in December 2020, marking a significant milestone in the country's nuclear power research capabilities. EAST has achieved multiple records for the duration of confinement of scorching plasma since it initially became operational in 2006. The EAST project is part of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) facility, which, when completed in 2035, would be the world's biggest nuclear fusion reactor. Several countries, including India, South Korea, Japan, Russia, and the United States, have contributed to the project. Replicating Nuclear Fusion The EAST Tokamak device was created to mimic nuclear fusion that occurs in the sun and stars. Nuclear fusion is a method of producing significant amounts of energy without producing a lot of waste. Nuclear fission, which involves splitting the nucleus of a heavy atom into two or more nuclei of lighter atoms, was formerly used to generate energy. Fission or Fusion While fission is a less time-consuming process, it produces significantly more nuclear waste. On the other hand, fusion, unlike fission, does not produce greenhouse gases and is thought to be a safer process with a decreased danger of mishaps. In addition, once perfected, nuclear fusion has the potential to offer endless clean energy at extremely cheap prices. Also Read: Expert Warns 'Situation Worse than Covid' if Government Ignores Solar Flare Defense For the latest advances in the scientific community, don't forget to follow Nature World News! The trickster god played by Tom Hiddleston is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Disney Plus' "Loki" series. This will be MCU's third television show on Disney's streaming platform, following "WandaVision" and "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." Kate Herron directs all six episodes of the new series and Michael Waldron created, wrote and executive-produced it. Don't miss a moment of Marvel Studios' #Loki. this tweet to receive a reminder when new episodes become available every Wednesday on @DisneyPlus starting June 9. pic.twitter.com/1haT7V5doe Loki (@LokiOfficial) May 26, 2021 Marvel 'Loki' Trailer As the god of mischief and tricks, expect no less than a proper mishmash of time and space, as fans are introduced to the Time Variance Authority and multiple realities. From what we can gather from the trailers, though, the story picks up as the 2012 version of Loki. That's the Loki who steals the Space Stone in "Avengers: Endgame," SyFy noted. Because of that fun little escape, the space-time continuum got messed up. Loki gets forcibly hired by the Time Variance Authority and that is how the series starts. We're introduced to Mobius M. Mobius, played by Owen Wilson. He is Loki's handler and knows all about the Nordic god. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is also a member of the Time Variance Authority. Other cast members include Sophia Di Martino, Wunmi Mosaku, and Richard E. Grant. If you've taken a good look at the poster, you may have noticed the cute clock character, that's Miss Minutes, the Time Variance's talking clock mascot. In an interview for Empire's June 2021 issue, Hiddleston talked about Loki's character at this point in time, er space, er... rippled time-space continuum. "There's very little self-awareness at this point," he said. Hiddleston also stressed wanting to preserve the freshness of the show. He went back to the logo of the show, which he said "seems to refresh and restore" with its shifting fonts and shapes--a nod to the god's shapeshifting capabilities. Hiddleston added the the show is about identity and integrating the "disparate fragments of the many selves that he can be." It's also worth to note that 2012 Loki was power hungry and insatiable, so any memories you have about Loki from the movies after, including "Thor: Ragnarok," can be taken with a grain of salt. Easter eggs also hint that Thor and Heimdall might make an appearance, although that's just from Loki mentioning their names, so who knows? Read Also: Marvel Logo Evolution: 'Captain Marvel' Sequel Gets Epic Logo Change 'Loki' Season 1 Release Date Schedule Episode 1 will be released on June 9, midnight PT/3.a. ET/8 a.m. GMT, according to CNET. The other five episodes to follow will then be available every Wednesday after. So that will be: Episode 1: June 9 Episode 2: June 16 Episode 3: June 23 Episode 4: June 30 Episode 5: July 7 Episode 6: July 14 The schedule makes sure it doesn't clash with Disney's new Star Wars television show, "The Bad Batch" that is released on Fridays. Where to watch Loki The new MCU television show will be available on Disney Plus. If you haven't subscribed yet, it's $8 a month. Disney Plus holds a plethora of your favorite Disney and Pixar films and television shows. It also hosts the filmed version of the Broadway musical "Hamilton" and other amazing musicals. Disney classics and new loves are also included in their list. Of course, Marvel Studios and the "Star Wars' franchise will also be available on the streaming platform. Disney Plus also have a growing catalogue from 20th Century Studios and National Geographic. Counting down the moments to Marvel Studios' #Loki The Original Series starts streaming June 9 with new episodes every Wednesday on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/QJ0CCfurFx Loki (@LokiOfficial) June 3, 2021 Related Article: How to Watch All the Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies in Two Main Orders On Friday, officials with the Walker County Hospital District board announced that they have finalized a $7.8 million purchase of Huntsville Memorial Hospital. Do you feel like this is a good use of tax dollars, and is this the right direction for the struggling health care facility? You voted: Ithaca, NY (14850) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 81F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Ithaca, NY (14850) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. WorkForce Software says Fetaomai has joined the company at a time when it is experiencing growth. The company has forecast an 80% year-on-year growth in 2021 through a partner-led strategy for medium to large organisations.. WorkForce Software claims that its WorkForce Suite already has millions of users whose organisations rely on the cloud-based enterprise solution to improve data accuracy, reduce costs, boost employee engagement, simplify compliance, and more. Nick Bailey, WFS senior vice president, Asia Pacific and Japan, commented on the appointment: "We are delighted to have the foresight to be expanding our presence in Western Australia (WA) due to the increasing opportunities of its unique economy. WA has remained buoyant throughout the pandemic and represents an enormous opportunity for us to reach further into the mining, construction, healthcare, tech and manufacturing sectorswith our best-in-class cloud-based solutions for the hourly workforce. Aleshas consultant experience in both HR and finance brings the expertise required to meet the demand. Fetaomi joined WFS in April 2021, and having settled into her new role, has said: In the post-COVID world, WFS is experiencing incredible demand throughout APJ. There has never been a more important time for organisations to optimise workforce deployment and agility whilst ensuring wage compliance risk is mitigated. Within this new role, what stands out to me is that workers love the experience of the WorkForce Suite as they have unparalleled visibility and are empowered to act on their schedules. There is a compelling return of investment (ROI) to realise for business executives, as an example, just watching our machine learning algorithm optimise a workforce schedule is phenomenal proof, Fetaomi adds. Fetaomi concludes: Having a wealth of knowledge in this space, over 20 years, I understand the needs of both HR and finance and how to bring these two together within an organisation. With that knowledge, it is clear to see that WorkForce Software truly equips organisations to reduce labour costs, demonstrate compliance, and boost employee engagementall while maximising operational efficiencies." Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. 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. If Harvey was Houston's nightmare hurricane, then that is what Irma was to the citizens of Miami. The Category 5 storm caused massive damage along its west coast. Its killer winds were also accompanied by a dangerous storm surge, which have historically threatened to contaminate city water supplies, leave bay areas flooded for days and exacerbate pollution. That is why in the aftermath, the US Army Corps of Engineers conducted a study and proposed the construction of a coastal wall that would run a six-mile stretch across various areas including most of Biscayne Bay. To date, the proposed plan was met with a surprisingly unified resistance from all sectors and demographics of the city. It has prompted a race to propose various alternatives, and has greatly stirred the conversation on how coastal cities should be built in the face of man-made climate change. Why Miami won't use walls against floods The united opposition to the coastal wall was a rare instance of a plan that created even more problems than it solved for many Miami citizens. These included not only environmentalists and social justice advocates, but also business owners and property developers. Here is just a quick list of the many things this proposed wall would ruin. 1. Local ecosystems and natural resources. The wall would require a massive construction effort, which has long been a major drain on surrounding natural resources. The wall's impact on urban development could also potentially force city borders towards vulnerable ecosystems like the Everglades. 2. It blocks a view of the bay. The coastal view of the bay is a major selling point for high-rise property developers. The sheer height of the wall will obviously cut into their property values, just as it would literally cut a lot of people's sight of Miami's white beaches. Many private developers have gone so far as to present bolder alternatives (such as redesigning the entire waterfront). 3. It divides neighborhoods. The proposal also shows the wall cutting through some neighborhoods, which creates not only physical divisions but gravely implies social ones. If the wall still leaves some parts of a community vulnerable on the other side, then inequality issues will certainly arise in generations to come. Also read: Hurricane Season 2021: Storm Surge Warning Updated, Here's Everything You Need to Know Climate change charges high cost to Miami But even as residents and developers are backing less obstructive alternatives, the price for any of them will still reach well into the billions. This not only includes the cost of construction and remodeling efforts, but also the coordination with various city departments. If anything, the controversy over coastal walls greatly demonstrates how much climate change can already raise the price of unchecked human activity. This year's hurricane season has once again been forecast to have above average numbers in terms of frequency and intensity. Meanwhile, countries who have signed the Paris Agreement are still struggling to meet their reduced emission targets. All the while the hurricanes keep coming back, and many of Miami's residents will still face the prospect of having to constantly rebuild and recover from the onset of a devastating storm surge. Also read: Hurricanes Put 32 Million US Homes at Risk, Causing $8.5 Trillion in Damages The Southern Way (lots of sugar) The Yankee Way (no sugar or sweetener) The Arnold Palmer (lemonade added) Plantation Iced Tea (with fruit) Half sweet and half unsweet mixed together. Unsweet with a no calorie sweetener. With fruit garnishment such as a lemon or lime. I drink my iced tea in different way than listed here. I don't drink iced tea. Vote View Results Donate Now As a public service during this pandemic, the Jewish News is providing free, unlimited access to all articles. Jewish News is a nonprofit publication that is owned by the community and relies on community support. Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing. 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. Page Content Former Yo-TV child-star Lwando Mbelu is the morning drive-time host of Rise Up Egoli, the scintillating breakfast show on Joburg Pulse, the Citys newly launched digital radio station. The virtual TV and radio intern is the first person to grab the coveted spot and to broadcast on air as the City expands its communication platforms in light of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Dubbed Joburg Pulse, the Citys digital radio station covers service delivery issues and shares information about influential personalities, including councillors, the Executive Mayor and MMCs. It also highlights the successes of and promotes small business enterprises from local communities. Mbelu says Joburg Pulse has given him a window into the media industry and is affording him a platform to be versatile as he is now not only doing TV presenting but radio too. Everything is well orchestrated. Ive always wanted to work for the City. To be part of this establishment and what it represents is truly amazing, he says, highlighting the transition from mainstream media to public service. He believes the recent launch of Joburg Pulse will help bridge the information and technology gap underlined by the Covid-19 pandemic. Ive always been extremely fascinated by the world of media and performance art, says Mbelu, speaking of his other aspirations. Before making his way to CoJ, Mbelu was a TV presenter on Craz-e on e.tv and Yo-TV on SABC 1. He studied for a BCom accounting at the University of Johannesburg, but later took a detour into theatre production, majoring in sociology and marketing at Wits University. When hes not on the airwaves, Mbelu plays Neo the photographer on SABC 1s newest sitcom, Ubettina Wethu. It is a South African adaptation of the international hit series Ugly Betty and airs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30pm. The actor, MC, voiceover artist and TV presenter cum radio host began his 18 months internship with the City in February 2021. He hails from Lusikisiki, a small town in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape. I dont speak from a point of privilege. I come from a place of lack. Ive always been extremely hardworking and ambitious. I am unapologetic and radical about my dreams because I want them to outlive me, he says. Mbelu urges everyone to live a life of purpose. Live your life consciously and with intention and make it meaningful. He asserts that Joburg Pulse is interactive and encourages everyone to tune in to the Rise Up Egoli Breakfast-Show on Joburg Pulse The heartbeat of the City https://www.joburg.org.za/media_/Pages/Radio-pulse.aspx every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to noon. Written by Gontse Gee Hlophe 04/06/2021 FOR countries across the world, the popular apparatuses for recovery from the slowdown of the economy due to Covid-19 have been fiscal expansion and eased credit. Governments have adopted far-reaching cash injections as fiscal stimulus for businesses and direct cash payments for all citizens, at the behest of advocates of the Modern Monetary Theory and expansionary fiscal policy to boost aggregate demand. So far, these policies have been accepted to be effective in staving off the downturn in the economy. On the other side of the spectrum of cash injection policies, the national budget of 2021-22 adopted tax reduction and exemption policies, along with reduced budgetary allocation for social sectors, hinting at an approach of fiscal conservatism. At the same time, operating expenditure as part of the government spending remained largely unchanged unlike other sectors, rendering the approach as an unusual take on fiscal conservatism. The second wave of the pandemic has only aggravated and engraved the socio-economic fallouts from the first wave more deeply into the lives and livelihoods of people. The new poor population emerged in the last fiscal year, and the second prolonged economic shutdown has drained resources, savings and income for these low-income households, sapping on their resilience. In order to determine whether the national budget of 2021-22 truly reflects and is responsive to the woes of citizens from all classes, it becomes imperative to undertake a rapid analysis of what strategies and implementation mechanisms have been adopted by the ministry of finance to fulfil the goals of relief, rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction of lives and livelihoods. Parochial allocations for social sectors THE second wave of the pandemic has further injured the new poor population, aggravated by the absence of universal basic income and social security. The existing social safety nets too are fraught with certain degrees of inclusion and exclusion errors that meddle with the cohort of intended beneficiaries. The worsening urban poverty is owed to a large cohort of urban informal sector workers, comprising 21.4 per cent of the population, who have suffered income erosion and loss of employment. The proposed budget allocated Tk 107,614 crores in the social safety net sector, which is 17.83 per cent of the budget and 3.11 per cent of the gross domestic product. The budget also outlined an expansion of beneficiaries in old age allowance programme and allowances for widows. Such expansion will be leaving out the new, urban poor. The need for a more inclusive, universal social security skyrocketed during the pandemic when the integration of the new poor population as eligible for social benefits has become more important than before. However, the increase in allocation is more in line with the existing targeted approach rather than a universal life cycle based social security that was proposed in the 8th Five Year Plan. Besides, the allocation for social safety net also includes the pension funds for retired government employees. Hence, the allocation does not depict the true picture of the size and coverage of social security. Fragilities of health care unaddressed THE complexities encircling the healthcare sector, the most crucial sector in battling the pandemic, are not rooted solely in the issue of costs, but largely in infrastructural fragilities. One of the most typical difficulties that are often encountered by the average citizen when seeking health care in Bangladesh is that doctors consultations are felt to be short and inadequate. A leading cause behind is that the doctor-patient ratio in the country is meagre in comparison to the population. Amidst the pandemic, the government recruited a total of 213 new doctors through the Public Service Commission. The number is miniscule compared to the existing medical workforce. Doctor per 10,000 population in Bangladesh is 6.37, lowest amongst South Asian countries, compared to 9.28 in India, 19.8 in China and 58.23 in the United Kingdom. The proposed budget outlined the vaccination plan for the country. The government aims to vaccinate 80 per cent of the population with 25 lakhs vaccination every month. The budget laid out financing plan for the mass vaccination with loans adding up to $1.45 billion from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. However, at current pace, with diminished supply of vaccines, the government target remains questionable with no specific timeline on the procurement of the vaccines. So far, the only credible source of vaccines is the COVAX arrangement where the country will be receiving vaccines for 3.4 crores people. With the second wave of the pandemic raging the healthcare sector of the country, allocation of budget has increased slightly in nominal terms. The allocation as a percentage of GDP and of budget declined in the proposed budget. The proposed budget allocated 0.94 per cent of GDP in health sector compared to 1.01 per cent in 2020-21. The number falls well short of WHO mandated 5 per cent of GDP. The cost of healthcare still remains a significant deterrent in the healthcare sector. The out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare is 73.87 per cent in Bangladesh, which implies that the government covers 26.13 per cent of the total healthcare expenditure in the economy. The meagre coverage of healthcare expenditure, in turn, worsens the cost burden for the new poor population and contributes to further pauperisation. The precarity of education THE closure of educational institutions for over a year has led to precarity of the youth who are set back at least one year in schooling years, and has caused a loss both in economic and human capital terms. Loss in schooling years due to the pandemic will have negative economic effect as skills formation has stalled for more than a year. As a coping mechanism, educational institutions have adopted remote learning method. However, the difficulty with the method is that it has created, and to some extent, strained the inequality in the country. Online classes have been introduced in 15,676 out of 20,499 secondary schools and 700 out of 4,238 colleges. This translates to a loss in almost 5.5 months or 0.5 years of schooling nationally, which may have significant ramifications for the labour force. It is expected that the loss in schooling year will reduce output-per-worker by 13 per cent, as labour productivity will take a significant dent. The most important question for the national budget of 2021-22 is what is being allocated in order to correct the loss in skills formation. Budget allocation has gone down as a percentage of both budget and GDP. Budget allocation in education sector as a percentage of GDP declined to 2.08 per cent in the budget from 2.14 per cent in fiscal year 2020-21. Allocation as a percentage of budget has also gone down from 12.28 per cent to 11.91 per cent. This comes at a time when educational institutions have been closed for more than a year and is expected to open soon. The budget speech missed delineating any recovery plan for the sector. With income avenues declining for students, such as tutoring, these students are at risk of accumulating debts, which can disincentivise them from continuing their education and opt for full-time employment instead. Combining higher dropout rates with lower skills formation in an economy with roadblocks in employment generation will likely lead to less productive and low-skilled labour force in the long run. Skewed focus on real sectors REAL change in budget allocation in agricultural sector was miniscule in the previous fiscal year. The sector has faced multiple hurdles over the year due to Covid restrictions as well as natural disasters. The government allocated special stimulus packages for mitigating the loss. However, the sector has seen little disbursement of the allocation. Disbursement rate for stimulus for agricultural mechanisation has been extremely low with spending of Tk 243 crore out of total allocation of Tk 3220 crore. Disbursement of agricultural subsidy has been slow as well with Tk 3776 crore spent until March 2021 out of total allocation of Tk 9500 crore. With renewed restrictions on movement during the peak season for fruits, agricultural loss will increase further. The service sector is one of the worst hit sectors due to the pandemic with the whole of tourism and catering industry suffering from lockdowns. The budget as well as stimulus packages had spared little allocation for such sectors. The cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises sector employs the highest number of the population. There is little directive on SMEs with the sector only getting a special mention in the government priority list. Disbursement of stimulus was slower in the first half and only gained pace later due to financial regulations and rigidities. The prime ministers initiative on allocating a special fund, worth Tk 10,000 crore, has been moving around ministries without any progress. The conservatism shown in social sectors barely reflects in the infrastructure where majority of the annual development programme budget is allocated, with questionable efficiency. The allocation in infrastructure has followed its trend and have seen significant rise compared to previous fiscal year. Slow implementation and repeated delay of megaprojects have only increased the cost and hence requiring increased budget allocation. Increasing trends in allocation every year implies the influence-peddling organised by these industries through clientelist networks. Transportation sector and energy and fuel sector have seen higher allocation both in nominal and real terms. Together the sectors have seen 39.2 per cent of the total ADP allocation in the budget, increasing from 37.5 per cent in the previous budget. The megaprojects of the government will account to 21 per cent of the total ADP allocation. In addition, despite unsatisfactory progress in over a decade, public-private partnerships have been allocated Tk 3,500 crore, albeit the sector was unable to reach its expenditure targets for the last fiscal year. Clientelist taxation policies THE national budget of 2021-22 sets out to expand the tax base adopting an approach of fiscal conservatism by lowering the tax rates for several types of taxation, whilst also dampening expenditure on social safety nets, education and health care. However, the conservatism is then coupled with a contradictory expansion in government expenditure, which is nevertheless owed to the persistent increment in allocation on expensive infrastructural projects and an increase in payments of government salaries. The contradiction gives rise to a more tainted approach of conservatism a clientelist fiscal conservatism. Ahead of the announcement of the national budget 2021-22, the finance minister explained the low ratio with substantial tax exemptions and spoke of reforms in taxation. Manoeuvring tax rates often does not serve as a solution for a low tax-GDP ratio. The key to unlocking higher tax-GDP ratio is through structural transformation in the economy. The composition of the GDP in Bangladesh has changed gradually, but there have been limited changes in sectoral productivity and the movement of labour across sectors, which suggest that structural transformation in Bangladesh has been almost stagnant as agricultural employment still hovers around 40 per cent. An industrial shift towards more complex and skill-intensive industries will be likely to generate higher payments in corporate tax, and eventually higher income tax due to new employment creation in higher productive sectors. A targeted industrial policy implemented through the fiscal policy can help overcome structural rigidities in the economy. The proposed budget indicated that the deficit will be 6.1 per cent of the GDP. The government has opted for foreign financing this fiscal year instead of domestic borrowing mainly through banks and national savings certificate. This is to ease the pressure on banks that have been used as the primary tool for stimulus disbursement in the country. This is no doubt a business-friendly decision that would facilitate private investment. Bangladesh still remains in a much safer place due to a low debt to GDP ratio as well as low external debt to GDP ratio. However, a fragile financial market and low tax-GDP ratio act as risk factors. The budget, while setting out a clear picture of tax cuts, provided little directives on how the tax base will be expanded. Without fixating on the process to expand tax base, the proposed cuts may decrease the tax-GDP ratio even more. Deficit financing may also get riskier as budget allocation in sectors with higher return has been comparatively low. While physical infrastructure does have higher return, slow implementation rate will prolong the return on investment. At the same time, it is to be seen how much of the foreign borrowings will be used in budget spending as the country has already taken assistance of $1.5 billion for tackling the Covid health crisis and vaccine procurement. Hence, foreign loans may rise over time, as the government will require funds to finance the budget. Accountability to citizens ignored A DEFINITE framework for the process of revising the budget is practically non-existent. In addition, an increase in the expenses for various sectors or the under-utilisation of budgetary allocations are often left unexplained owing to the absence of a stringent oversight mechanism, with required power vested in the standing committees to ensure accountability. These fail to erect a countervailing power to the ubiquitous existence of clientelist preferences that wind up distorting the social welfare motive of the budget. At the same time, the question of accountability in using the money from the average hardworking citizen remains in the rate and quality of implementation of the national budget. The grey area regarding proper utilisation of the taxed amount has weakened the social contract between the state and the citizens over the years, leading to low trust and thereby, lower tax compliance. It becomes imperative to strengthen the social contract that the government remains transparent and accountable to citizens regarding the use of taxes in implementing an ambitious national budget. Improvement in tax compliance and a shift in the norms and values will likely result in a higher tax-GDP ratio. Simultaneously, the low tax-GDP ratio implies relatively low degree of tax compliance among the citizens that represents the weak social contract and low-trust relationship between the state and the citizen. The alienation of the state and the citizenry is further aggravated by the prevalence of power exertion by resource-dependent clientelist networks. In addition, a prevalent lack of participatory budgeting across the state has emboldened the power exertion of clientelist networks through political settlement, in the absence of countervailing institutions that has rendered the national budget less reflective of the average citizens aspirations, which has been made more visible during the Covid crisis. Pathway for stabilisation and transformation AN ALTERNATIVE to the framework of the national budget can be envisioned upon four pillars of respite from the Covid crisis relief, rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction. Strategies for relief entail addressing and incorporating the needs of the new poor population in the budgetary allocations for poverty reduction. This comprises the provision of a fully-fledged universal social security for all, as opposed to the existing social safety nets with narrow coverage in size and scope. Rehabilitation mainly comprises the need to address existing inequalities that are aggravated by the second wave of the pandemic, largely by averting a K-shaped recovery process for households and firms. This will require special attention to CMSMEs that have received stimulus at slower rates of disbursement than larger export-oriented industries, despite being a major employer of the labour force as a whole. Much of the slower transformation is attributed to low employment generation capacity of the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector is largely concentrated in RMG and there exists little diversity in the composition. Currently, higher rates of economic growth in the past decade have been contributed by RMG exports, which are 80 per cent of total export earnings and the largest manufacturing sector of the country. As a result of over-reliance on a single sector, export contraction caused by global lockdown had a major impact on export earnings and the economy as a whole. About 98 per cent of the total decrease of export to Germany was in RMG goods, while other goods such as leather, jute, and handicrafts faced a 2 per cent reduction. This necessitates the need for diversification. Diversification may be brought about through product diversification and zonal diversification. Product diversification requires incentives for technology acquisition, research and development that will assist industries to disperse into new markets and consumer base. Zonal diversification will require a differential tax system that incentivises production in different regional locations, instead of concentrating in the financial capital. Recovery of the economy will depend on the rate at which fiscal and monetary support reaches firms, and direct cash payments reach the citizen at the last mile. The bottlenecks in monetary mechanism and complex conditions of availing eased credit has restricted firms, especially small, unlisted businesses to access the credit support. At the same time, the absence of a single, integrated national household database hinders the process of reaching cash assistance to every intended recipient. Finally, reconstruction will require a medium-term framework for households and firms that focuses on a phase-by-phase approach of rebuilding the economy from the slowdown. For firms, stagnant industrial growth can be addressed through reforms focusing on diversification and employment creation. For households, the medium-term framework should address the fundamental issues of equipping low-income households with shock absorption capacity, increasing the median wage, and creating opportunities for women. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir is a professor of economics at the development studies department in the University of Dhaka and chairperson of Unnayan Onneshan. Co-authors are Md Shah Paran, Wahid Haider, Adrina Ibnat Jamilee Adiba, and Ashik Sufi Islam are researchers at Unnayan Onneshan. Della A. (Kinkade) McGuire, 85, passed away at 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 10th, 2021 at the Presbyterian Manor in Parsons, KS, where she had lived for almost three years. On July 28, 1953, Della married Max E. McGuire. He preceded her in death on January 21, 1999. Della is survived by her The amount of goods carried by Bangladesh Railway and earnings increased significantly in the current 2020-21 fiscal year amid the Covid outbreak. The railways minister Nurul Islam Sujan recently told New Age that the boost in goods transportation came following the import of goods from India in recent times. As a result, the railway deployed more locomotives and locomasters in this service, he said. We need more locomasters as when full passenger services are resumed, we might face the problem of shortage of locomasters, he added. According to the operation department of railway, in the first eight months from July 2020 to February 2021 of the current 2020-21 fiscal year the railway carried 35.33 lakh metric tonnes of goods earning a total of Tk 224.93 crore In 2018-19 fiscal year, railway carried 39.6 lakh metric tonnes of goods and earned Tk 286.33 crore while in 2019-20 the amount of goods carried by railway dropped to 31.77 lakh metric tonnes and the total earnings fell to Tk 246.55 crore. Railway officials said that in 2019-20 fiscal years the amount of goods carried by the railway saw a sharp drop in the months of April and May due to general holidays to prevent the coronavirus spread. This year, between April 5 and May 23, the passenger train services were closed due to restrictions on public movement and other activities. As a direct impact of the rise in import of Indian goods, the railway earned Tk 145.52 crore by carrying 30.66 lakh metric tonnes of goods till April this year in the ongoing 2020-21 fiscal year. Railway carried 16.34 lakh metric tonnes goods from India and earned Tk 76.59 crore in 2019-20 fiscal year while trains were closed from March 26 to May 8 due to Covid restrictions. It also earned Tk 96.05 crore by carrying 19.85 lakh metric tonnes of goods from India in 2018-19 fiscal year. Railways minister told New Age on May 30 that a major portion of the railways goods transportation in recent times is due to the increase in goods import from India. Replying to a question he said that that earlier a huge portion of the Indian goods came to Bangladesh by trucks while currently, businesspeople in both the countries are showing a preference to opt for trains. He mentioned that the Indian railways freight trains unload the freights at the nearest station along the border, from where the Bangladesh Railway carries the goods in the same freight train using its own locomotive and locomaster During the pandemic, the regular passenger trains are mostly sitting idle and we have not been facing many problems as far as availability of locomasters is concerned, he said and added that when all passenger trains will begin to run there would be a shortage of locomasters. Nurul also said that they had already re-engaged some retired 31 locomotive masters to drive the freight trains to solve the crisis. Till October 2019, about 35 per cent of 1,742 sanctioned posts of locomotive master grade 1 and 2, assistant locomotive master of grade 1 and 2 and sub-locomotive master were lying vacant, documents show. SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL APPOINTS GENERAL MANAGER FOR GRAND SWISS-BELHOTEL WATERFRONT, SEEF, BAHRAIN Swiss-Belhotel International has announced the appointment of Fakhri Hindiyeh as the General Manager for Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef. SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL APPOINTS GENERAL MANAGER FOR GRAND SWISS-BELHOTEL WATERFRONT, SEEF, BAHRAIN Swiss-Belhotel International has announced the appointment of Fakhri Hindiyeh as the General Manager for Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef. Bahrain - Careers - Appointments This is a press release Category: Middle East This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2021-06-04 15 years of progressive experience in managing 5-star hotels and driving sales and operations across diverse markets, Fakhri has a proven track record in the industry. Committed to bringing out the best in his team, he attributes mentoring as evidently the key to achieving the goals. During his tenure as the General Manager, Fakhri completed the year 2017 strong and was awarded as one of the Top GMs who made it to the prestigious Ten Club Award of an International Hotel Group for IMEA. An achievement that was given to few leaders who have achieved 10/10 in all the hotels metrics. Further awards he has received among many others include a Royalties Award and Recognition. Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President Operations & Development, EMEA & India; Senior Vice President Group Human Resources & Talent Development, Swiss-Belhotel International, stated, We are delighted to welcome Fakhri to our group and believe he will play an instrumental role in bringing our unique brand image to life and prominence. His extensive experience in the industry and in-depth understanding of the GCC marketing will prove to be extremely valuable in delivering memorable guest experiences at the Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef. Fakhri has worked with several International chains of Hotels such as the Forte, Le Meridien, Banyan Tree, and most recently, IHG. Fakhri holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration Management from the prestigious university (California State University, USA). He also undertook various training at Harvard Business School as well as numerous quality and leadership courses such as Total Quality Management (TQM) ISO 9000. The newly opened Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef is Swiss-Belhotel Internationals very first hotel under the high-end brand Grand Swiss-Belhotel. About Swiss-Belhotel International Swiss-Belhotel International is currently in 23 countries, managing a portfolio of more than 145* hotels, resorts and projects located in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Tanzania. Awarded Indonesia's Leading Global Hotel Chain for nine years, Swiss-Belhotel International is one of the world's fastest-growing international hotel and hospitality management groups. The Group provides comprehensive and highly professional development and management services in all aspects of hotel, resort and serviced residences. Offices are strategically located in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, China, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland and Vietnam covering Oceania, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa and India Regions. *Numbers may fluctuate [Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef] Living Reporter and Theatre Critic Tim covers leisure and arts, and he is also a theater critic. He interned for the JI in 2015, and was hired in 2016. Tim graduated from UConn, Central College of McPherson, Kansas, and American Musical & Dramatic Academy. His favorite movie is "Jaws." FIRST LADY Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday held a first of its kind heart-to-heart interactive session with the mixed race community during which she inclined an ear to the challenges they face, and proffered tangible solutions where possible. This comes amid concerns that the mixed race community had become reclusive and was not participating in the countrys mainstream activities, hence the First Ladys move to engage them. As part of the interactive session, the First Lady was assisted by experts from various ministries to provide appropriate answers to concerns raised. The groups director of operations, Mrs Maureen Charles-Mparadzi, highlighted the identity crisis that members of her community face. We have a major issue concerning our identity. The 00 at the end of our IDs excludes us from access to land, and some employment opportunities. If we could have the 00 addressed because 00 is not unique to the mixed race community, its actually a national issue and many people are crying about this identity crisis because I will tell you my personal experience. I was born in Zimbabwe, my mother is South African but when I went to apply for a passport, I had my passport all the time. When my passport expired in 2011, I was told to renounce my rights to South Africa. I had to go to the South African embassy to renounce my rights to South Africa and when I went back to the Passport Office, I was made a citizen of Zimbabwe at the age of 62 whereas I feel having been born in Zimbabwe, I should have become a Zimbabwean at birth. This identity is a big issue for us. We want to be indigenous Zimbabweans; we want to be Zimbabweans first. We do not want to be on the sidelines always complaining. Now that our mother the First Lady is here today, we have faith that she will ensure that our challenges are addressed through the relevant channels. We want to thank her for coming up with the idea to engage us, she said. In response, Mr Ben Nkala, who is the deputy registrar responsible for civil registration in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, said plans were afoot to address the issues raised. The ministry is of the view that this 00 point is not justified. It was introduced during the colonial era for the interests of the Government that was ruling at the time. It is long overdue and must be removed. We are in the process of dealing with that right now. Our ministry and honourable minister of Home Affairs and the permanent secretary have prepared a document that they are presenting to Cabinet so that we are authorised to proceed with the changes that are due to the mixed race. On the issue of citizenship, I want to assure the nation as a whole that people who are born in Zimbabwe, who are Zimbabwean citizens by birth under the current constitution do not have to renounce any other citizenship in order to be issued with Zimbabwe passports. It was in the previous Constitution where we would have one citizenship which we call mono citizenship. You had only to have one citizenship so if you had any other citizenship that you were entitled to, you were then asked to renounce that citizenship as explained Mrs Mparadzi. Under the current constitution, if you are a citizen by birth you do not have to renounce any other citizenship that you are entitled to. You can only apply for the Zimbabwean passport and will be issued and there are no conditions that you must renounce any other citizenship that you had, said Mr Nkala. Mr Enerst Chimboza, from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, gave an overview of his ministrys work and the projects they had to offer. As a ministry we have a department that focus more on women economic empowerment. Under this department, this is where we promote womens economic activities, so we promote women doing various businesses in order to sustain their families. We also look at community development where we look at both men and women. We promote community projects as well which involve men and women. As Harare metropolitan province we train you entrepreneurship, how to start a business, how to generate a business idea, how to expand your business. We also do entrepreneurship development where we impart skills. We have a women development fund from the Government aimed at promoting existing and viable womens projects. We also have community development fund meant to promote community projects. Our offices are open for you please come through, said Mr Enerst Chimboza. In her remarks, Amai Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe as a nation had been blessed with people of different ethnic groups and races and its Constitution upheld the right to life, equality and non-discrimination to all. Our cultural values are being promoted here in our country and I urge you to emulate this so that the traditional norms and values are adhered to and we can all be responsible citizens of our country. We need to ensure that our cultural values which had been eroded by the western culture are restored back. Basing on what I witnessed today and what I heard as I listened attentively to issues presented, you are a community indeed involved in the socio economic activities and some of you have successful businesses which are thriving. You are part of the Zimbabwean community and our President, His Excellency, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa embraces all of us regardless of origin, background or race. Indeed, the issues you raised are of importance as you have shown willingness to participate in the mainstream economy and contribute towards national development, she said. First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa is welcomed by Morgan High School students during her interaction with the mixed race community in Arcadia, Harare yesterday. The Zimbabwe 2017 inter-census demographic survey, which used the same ethnic origin categorisation as the 2012 census, the First Lady said, reported a mixed race population of 18,484. This was primarily an urban population which has a young age structure, with 41,9 percent in the 014 age group and 38.3 percent in the 1549 age group. These demographic statistics show the inclusivity our Government has as such statistics assist us in planning and executing development initiatives in a manner taking care of all races and ethnic groups in our country. The classification of race and ethnicity by the State is a common way to organise and make sense of populations and this is not unique only to Zimbabwe but it is the trend worldwide, from the national census to identity cards and household surveys. As populations have grown, diversified, and become increasingly transnational and mobile, such demographic statistics which are inclusive help in addressing inequalities, she said. Significant changes for the mixed race community, the First Lady said, had occurred in Zimbabwe and in this new dispensation, continued to occur as witnessed by todays conference. I have heard all the issues and the concerns that you raised and to the relevant ministries, I implore you to consider this for actioning through the appropriate channels. Let me urge all of you to remain united as a nation for together we can withstand the challenges we have, together we can prevail and together we can achieve our countrys Vision 2030 of an upper middle income economy. I have been going around with the Gota/Nhanga/Ixhiba programme training our children hunhu/ubuntu. I also want you to prepare for the same programme and I will come. I want our children to grow morally upright. I also had a traditional cook-out competition which you did not participate in. I am not leaving anyone behind and would also want to see you participating in all programmes. I am a mother who does not leave some of her children behind. I am happy we have now started this journey together, the First lady said. A member of the mixed race community, Mr Luke Davis, said yesterdays conference with the First Lady had opened a way forward for his community. My sincere gratitude goes to the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe. She has displayed exemplary motherhood because she has in her programme included her children of mixed race. You know in any family children differ and they have special needs and a good mother will always attend to the special needs of a particular child. Today Amai came to attend to the special needs of this mixed race community which has never been accorded this attention ever in the history of Zimbabwe. She is indeed a true mother of the nation, he said. Mrs Ellen Frankis-Muchena weighed in saying: I am very grateful to the mother of our nation Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa on this historic event. We are happy she invited us to this conference where she met the marginalised community known as the coloured community, something which has never happened. We are happy that Amai listened to our concerns which she will take further to the relevant authorities. She actually came with people from different ministries who quickly answered some of our questions swiftly. She has opened doors for us and we cannot thank her enough. Going forward, we promise to move with other Zimbabweans. Mrs Mparadzi added that she was thankful that most of the issues she raised were addressed. All those who attended yesterdays programme were given food hampers, courtesy of the First Lady. The interactive session, which was held in Arcadia, was held in strict observance of Covid-19 protocols of masking up, washing hands and maintaining social distance. Herald Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds light and variable. Just as it was planning to start a second case, after over twelve years of work, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) suddenly announced on June 2 that it is facing an unprecedented financial crisis and will have to shut at the end of July this year. Uncertainty surrounds what will happen to its people, work and archives. But after so many years and a billion dollars, it appears that this particular experiment in the international communitys efforts at accountability via courtroom has bitten the dust in ignominious fashion. The shocking possible end of the STL is already attracting a variety of epitaphs. From Kevin Jon Heller, professor of International Law and Security at University of Copenhagen and Australian National University who says we cannot be surprised, this is a tribunal that has literally accomplished almost nothing, to the former head of STL outreach Olga Kavran describing the closure as an absolute travesty of justice, to defence counsel Natalie von Wistinghausen who says we saw this disaster coming, to the STL victims representative Nidal Jurdi for whom this is a slap in the face of international justice. Jurdi believes this will encourage more assassinations and attacks to happen because the element of deterrence will be destroyed while Von Wistinghausen analyses that priorities have shifted, that efforts to investigate hot spots such as Myanmar and Syria are in vogue, and that the political will is no longer there among United Nations members to support the first ever international criminal tribunal to deal with terrorism. So does this snap closure show that justice and accountability can be switched on and off as the international communitys fancy takes it? Or is the closure in fact an act of mercy, putting a failing institution out of its misery? Throwing the baby out with the bath water The rumours had been circulating for many months. A number of STL employees were let go last year. The tribunal now says that it cant conclude the appeals proceeding in the one big case it was designed to address. This case, examining the car bomb that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, saw three of the accused acquitted, and one Hezbollah member found guilty last year. It is currently on appeal. And on June 3 a Trial Chamber ordered the cancellation of the commencement of a second trial due to start on June 16, and suspended all decisions on pending motions. But it would only take ten million to finish the second case, claims Jurdi maybe rather optimistically. He says the investigations are already done, and the bulk of the casework is already out of the way. We only need maximum one year to finish it, if not less. We can do it fast. But even that now seems impossible. The STL was the only serious step to unflesh truth, and to establish accountability in Lebanon, he argues, if we destroy the STL now, what is left for the poor Lebanese victims: nothing. Its as if youre throwing the baby out with the bath water. In filings, the STL registrar David Tolbert has outlined steps taken behind the scenes. Beirut was always responsible, and in recent years increasingly reluctant, to provide the 49% of the annual budget it owed. And Lebanon is now bankrupt. In December 2020, the United Nations appealed urgently for funds, and then itself stumped up 15.5 million US dollars to cover some 75% of the Lebanese shortfall. But the other 51% of the budget comes voluntarily from other states. While certain donors have indicated their willingness to provide some funding wrote Tolbert, that funding alone would be completely inadequate to continue the Tribunals work beyond 31 July 2021. So he was forced this week to inform everyone. He had had to initiate draw down activities related to the protection of witnesses and securing the Tribunals records, evidence and sensitive material known in common parlance as pulling the plug. Insiders report that the STL Management Committee comprising representatives of Lebanon, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom (Chair), Canada (Vice-Chair), France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the European Union were increasingly unwilling to continue put funding into a court that takes far too long and costs too much money. Theyve paid over the years; this year we havent seen much in the way of contributions from the management committee, acknowledges Tolbert in an interview with Justice Info on June 3, without naming names. Its a conscious, conscious decision, one insider with knowledge of the management committee discussions says. Under Covid-budgetary pressures, taking 1.5 years to write a judgement and keeping staff on full pay all the while, may have tipped the balance against the tribunals continuance. The STLs uphill battle Since the beginning of its activities, following four years of well-resourced international investigations, the STL has produced one judgement of some two thousand six hundred forty-one pages. It was a mega, mega, mega case argues Jurdi. Around 300 witnesses were heard in court and 170,000 pages of evidence introduced. That only one individual of mid-level responsibility was found guilty is due to the very high threshold for conviction in international criminal trials, says Kavran. She stresses that the judges made it very explicit and clear in their judgement that this was not the work of one man, but rather of a group. That message has not gotten through in Lebanon though, says Aya Majzoub who works on Lebanon for NGO Human Rights Watch: People think, well, this took years and years and years, we spent so much money on this tribunal and at the end, its convicted one member of Hezbollah and not the entire Hezbollah. Kavran points out that the judgement gives details of the extensive criminal network needed to commit the attack. Heller, though, believes a billion dollars is very expensive for what amounts to essentially a history lesson. The meagre result really created this disillusionment with justice, both national justice and international justice. And its just made people resigned to the fact that there will never be justice, says Majzoub. People had outsized expectations of what this court could accomplish, and it was used by supporters of Hariri and by opposition to Hariri, both for their own political ends, without really relying on facts. As time went on, it became just another political tool and the justice part of it, I think, got lost. Kavran would have wanted people to hear that all of Lebanon are the victims, because as the judges found in the judgement, this was not intended only to assassinate Hariri, it was intended to destabilise the country. But explaining the STL in a country that really has not much reason to have confidence in the international community was always going to be an uphill battle, she notes. The tribunal was just about to embark on a new case. Three car bombings, known as the connected cases under the courts statute, because they are alleged to have involved the same principals as the Hariri bombing. This new case was building on lots of investigative steps that were already conducted by the first trial, claims Jurdi. There was no need for further investigations, just litigation and we had everything to move fast. This new trial would have helped rather than hindered the courts impact, says Kavran. I would argue that the narrative will be very different if were looking at one seemingly isolated assassination of a high-profile figure or if were looking at a series of assassinations of high-profile figures. The lack of funding is a free gift for those who do not want accountability in Lebanon Jurdi says. Majzoub agrees that what we find is that usually the [national] judiciary almost always shows bias in favour of the powerful interests in the country, whether religious, political or even financial interests. There are strong citizens movements to counter impunity within Lebanon itself, she says, but many people see the justice system in Lebanon as just an extension of the corrupt sectarian system that we have. Shutting down Its still a bit of a puzzle as to how exactly the tribunal actually be shut. David Tolbert says the statute provides for him to write to the UN Secretary General to inform him of the funding issue and that the closure will come via the Secretary General too. Theres been a fair amount of planning, he assures, although he stresses there would not be exactly the same kind of residual mechanism as have been established for the former UN tribunals for the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone. And meanwhile they are still putting forward proposals in the hopes that funding may emerge. But we have had no luck in getting a response so far, Tolbert says, and so everything is on hold. Could the cases be revived, if mothballed? Von Wistinghausen believes thats unrealistic although, technically, it may be possible. The hurt and anger is palpable from those who believed in this courts mission. Tolbert says that of course his first concern is staff and people in Lebanon. But the lack of funding for the STL will have an effect on the whole architecture of what we have been trying to do over the last thirty yearsthats the largest concern that haunts me, he says. What message does that send to victims around the world who are still waiting for justice? Because this tribunal doesnt exist in a vacuum or in isolation, asks Kavran. Beyond the rhetoric though Heller keeps circling back to the tribunal meagre achievements: This is the tribunal that should never has existed, he says. Weve spent a billion dollars on a tribunal which has convicted one person in absentia and whose only final convictions is that of a media company and a journalist [for contempt of court]. Is it really that shocking that the spigot might be turned off, even in the middle of proceedings? Melbourne, Australia Yusuf Hussein is an Australian Uyghur citizen who lives in the small city of Adelaide. He and his five children used to talk to their elderly parents every week, but since 2017, he has not been able to reach them. suddenly, [they] Disappeared and no one of them answered my call, Hussain told Al Jazeera. They didnt send me a message at all. I tried to send a message. None of them responded. A recent report by Human Rights Watch accused the Chinese government of committing Crimes against humanityIt opposes the Uyghurs who are mainly Muslims in western Xinjiang. Crimes include imprisonment, forced labor, sexual violence, torture, murder and enforced disappearance. Hussein believes that his 85-year-old father, mother, and siblings have been transferred to what he calls concentration camps The United Nations says it may hold 1 million Uyghurs in a large-scale detention center. The Chinese government refers to such centers as education camps, which provide Vocational skills training. Alim Osman, chairman of the Victorian Uyghur Association, said in a recent parliamentary survey that there are about 5,000 Uyghurs living in Australia, of which about 1,500 are believed to live in Adelaide. A south coast city with a population of 10,000. Yusuf Husseins family in Xinjiang, he said he has not been able to contact them since 2017 [Courtesy of Yusuf Hussein] Many Uighurs living in Australia have similar stories of relatives being detained or completely missing. No one can give us the answer Like Hussein, 33-year-old Marhaba Yakub Salay is also a Uighur Australian citizen living in Adelaide, after immigrating to the country in 2011. Her sister Maila Yakuf is currently detained in Xinjiang for the second time. When Yakuf was released after 10 months of her first internship in 2017, Salay spoke with her on the phone for about 10 minutes. During the conversation, Yakufu did not say where she had been. I want to ask her-where have you been in the past 10 months? Salai told Al Jazeera. She didnt say anything, but she said,Dont worry about us-the Chinese Communist Party [is] Take good care of us. Salai believes that her sister is not calling from home, but from another place under government supervision. That was their last conversation. In May 2019, Yajub was arrested again. According to an email from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) seen by Al Jazeera, Salays sister was arrested for suspicion of financing terrorist activities. Salay explained that the accusation was based on the money her sister gave to their parents, who also live in Adelaide. Salai told Al Jazeera that the money was not used for terrorism, but for buying a house. We got all the evidence here, Salay said. This is black and white evidence-but the Chinese government still accuses my sister of supporting terrorism overseas. Salai believes that these allegations were fabricated by the Chinese government to detain her Uyghur sister. The DFAT email stated that her sister is likely to be detained in a traditional prison, not a re-education camp. Almas Nizanidin also has a relative, a Uighur Australian citizen, who disappeared. In 2017, his 29-year-old wife Buzainafu Abudourexiti was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for what he called no charges and no evidence. Nizanidin originally planned to return to China to help his wife immigrate to Australia. He has lived there since 2009, but she was detained before he did so, and he does not know her whereabouts. [The Chinese authorities] Wont tell me anything. They told usthis is an order from the superior, he told Al Jazeera. Im everywhere [in China] No one can give me the answer. 44-year-old Mayila Yakufu was detained for financing terrorism after sending money to her parents living in Adelaide, Australia to buy a house [Courtesy of Marhaba Yakub Salay] Nizanidine said his mother, a 55-year-old high school math teacher, was also arrested and sent to a detention center for more than two years. She was finally released last year, but Nizanedin said that although he had talked with his mother on the phone since, she would not disclose her experience. She was shocked, she was scared. She didnt want to say anything, he said. She told me,Quiet, keep quiet. Do your own thing-dont say anything against the Chinese government.' Hussein, Salay and Nizanidin all told Al Jazeera that the Australian Federal Government has provided support for investigating what happened to their loved ones. In another case, Australia was finally able to bring the wife of another Uyghur man, Sadam Abdusalam (Sadam Abdusalam) to Come back home December 2020.He has Campaign tirelessly Reunite his family. However, Nizanidine said that due to its close economic and trade relations with China, the Australian government is cautious on the issue of the disappearance and detention of Uyghurs. This is Salays common feeling. I know money talks sometimes. But money must be clean, right? She told Al Jazeera. Trade influence China is Australias largest trading partner, with exports of 168 billion Australian dollars (128.6 billion US dollars) in 2019-20, which is equivalent to one third of Australias total global trade. Recently, Australias call for an investigation into the origin of the Chinese coronavirus and allegations of forced labor by Chinese companies in Xinjiang have led to further scrutiny of Australias trade agreements and this trade relationship has deteriorated. At the end of 2020, a report revealed that the Victorian government, Australias second most populous state, had a deal with a Chinese railway company related to forced Uyghur labor. The Australian Institute for Strategic Policy (ASPI) report Uyghurs for Sale identified 82 foreign and Chinese companies that may directly or indirectly benefit from the use of Uyghur workers outside Xinjiang in 2019 through an abusive labor transfer program. The companies mentioned in the report include CRRC, which ASPI said is part of a 2 billion Australian dollars (1.5 billion US dollars) contract to build 65 trains for the Victorian government. A spokesperson said in a statement to Al Jazeera that the Victorian government is deeply concerned about allegations of forced labor by companies related to the Victorian train project. The statement added that the government has received repeated assurances from manufacturers that there is no evidence of forced labor in their supply chain. Almas Nizanidin and his wife Buzainafu Abudourexiti have been detained since 2017.He has not had any contact with her since then [Courtesy of Almas Nizanidin] Although the opposition has called for evidence of such assurances, it has not yet provided any evidence. Instead, Opposition Secretary of Transportation David Davis took dramatic steps to obtain such evidence through civil court procedures. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Davis admitted that it is difficult to overlook the supply chain to find evidence of forced labor. However, he also said, If the minister is assured [that Uighur forced labour was not being used] We want to see what this guarantee is and ask why the government fights desperately to conceal such evidence. Together with the governments of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada Recently pressured China on its treatment of Uyghur minorities, Hussein, Sale and Nizanidine all believe that the Australian government should follow suit. The Australian government can admit that this is a genocide and pressure the Chinese government to release my sister, Sale said. For the three of them, the problem is simple and very human: the three Australian citizens still lost contact with their relatives. I have to talk to my wife, Salay said. I just want to reunite with my family. The pain of separation During the recent Eid al-Fitr, the situation deteriorated further. Today is our Eid al-Fitr, we used to call them and talk to them [our family], Hussein told Al Jazeera. But we are crying. Even my childour eldest son is 11 years oldshe asked:Where is my grandpa? Where is my grandmother?' US President Joe Bidens stance on Trumps orders has been closely watched by Wall Street and Congress. Lawmakers from both parties have called for a tough stance against China on issues ranging from trade to human rights. President Joe Biden signed an order on Thursday to amend the ban on US investment in Chinese companies started by his predecessor, appointing 59 companies connected to the Chinese military or surveillance industry, including Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. and Chinas three major companies. Telecommunications company. According to a government official who asked not to be named, the new investment ban will take effect in New York at 12:01 am on August 2. Investors will have a year to completely divest themselves. Bidens order is largely a continuation of the policy issued by former President Donald Trump, which has been challenged in court and has left investors confused about the scope of its influence on the companys subsidiaries. Bidens stance on Trumps orders has been closely watched by Wall Street and Congress, and lawmakers from both parties have called for a strong stance against China on issues ranging from trade to human rights. Many companies ordered by Biden are already on the Trump administrations list, including the largest telecommunications companies in the United States: China Mobile Communications Corporation, China Unicom, and China Telecom Corporation. Defense companies on Bidens list include China Aviation Industry Corporation, one of Chinas most famous military giants; China North Industries Corporation; China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation; and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. Bidens list also includes Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., a developer of surveillance cameras and facial recognition technology that helped Chinese authorities launch a safe city program in Xinjiang, where Uighurs are facing persecution. Companies on Bidens list not covered by Trumps initial ban include AVIC Electronic Measuring Instruments Co., Ltd. and Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry Co., Ltd. Others include: Proven Honor Capital Ltd.; Proven Glory Capital Ltd.; Shaanxi Zhongtian Rocket Technology Co., Ltd.; Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group Co., Ltd.; Changsha Jingjia Microelectronics Co., Ltd.; China Avionics System Co., Ltd.; China Satellite Communications Co., Ltd. Companies; China Costa Group Co., Ltd.; Fujian Torch Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.; and Guizhou Aerospace Electric Co., Ltd. Later on Thursday, the Ministry of Finance issued guidance on penalties. One of the officials said that the Ministry of Finance will update the list on a rolling basis. According to Bidens order, the investment ban only applies to subsidiaries of companies listed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Biden administration officials said the revised order clarified that these measures will no longer apply to companies whose names closely match those of listed entities. OFACs list will be coordinated with the state and the Ministry of Defense. The U.S. Congress requires the Pentagon to keep a list of companies related to the Chinese military and is expected to announce more company names on Thursday. Officials said that some companies will be listed by the Pentagon and OFAC. The amendment to Trumps order was made after two Chinese companies successfully challenged them in a US court. Bidens team stated that revisions are necessary to ensure that it is legally reasonable and sustainable in the long term. GW Harrison will continue his work that was interrupted before the pandemic. 2 GW Harrison As a member of the impressive ABODE resident DJ, this rising rookie looks forward to fighting alongside Steve Lawler, So Solid Crew, DJ Hatcha, Mark Radford, Carnao Beats, Marcus Nasty, DJ Pioneer and more. At a world music festival. The event made its debut outside the capital and is expected to resume normal services on Saturday, June 26.For more information header Here. We found him and asked him to talk to us through a series of music. You may want to hear his music at the festival. Cashio-Dancing (With Me) (Original Mix) Feel good house and disco atmosphere with the festive energy of early summer. Moreno Pezzolato, Octavia-you want my feat. Octahvia (Qubiko Dub Remix) I will still return to this song. Love the atmosphere it brings. GW Harrison-Listen to My Soul (Extended Mix) Since we released it in the week we first locked in, I havent played it at the festival. When I make it for the festival season, it will be a very special moment for me. Yousef-Super (Original Mix) Pure festival piano penetration energy! Bohemien, Raf Parola-Feeling It (Original Mix) I have been carrying it for the past four years, and it has always been a good track choice. GW Harrison-I Make You Go (Original Mix) When I bring it back, I always get a good response. GW Harrison-When House embarks on a journey I play a lot less these days, but four years later, when I play it at a music festival, the song will still explode. After so long, the energy people get from it still surprises me. JazzyFunk-Love Me (Ferdinand Weber Remix) It makes me feel great. A happy, selfless track that always brings positive energy to the dance floor. Jamie River-Weight South American atmosphere-for me it is another summer music festival repertoire. K&K, Zero B-Locked This has the energy of a late night dark festival tent. I believe I was one of the first to play this. When I played it on the main stage of the 15k festival area that was sold out, this place became crazy. This is a Great moment. head Here Learn more about One World Festival. The new variant is not related to any sequenced cases elsewhere in Australia, but the patient has traveled to New South Wales. Authorities in the State of Victoria in Australia stated that genome sequencing has detected an infectious Delta COVID-19 virus variant for the first time in the latest outbreak in Melbourne, the capital of the state and Australias second largest city. That variant is the Delta variant. It is now notorious in India and is growing in the UK. This is a worrying variant, Victoria Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton told reporters in Melbourne on Friday. Sutton said this new variant has nothing to do with any sorted COVID-19 cases in hotel quarantine areas in other parts of Australia or elsewhere. So far, both cases in Victoria have so-called Delta variants of interestThis is considered to be the driving force behind the recent devastating wave of COVID-19 in India. The worrying thing is that it has nothing to do with other cases, but we are tracing all the contacts of these major cases and investigating where they might have been obtained, Sutton said. According to the latest news, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Melbourne family whose family was diagnosed with the Delta strain had travelled to New South Wales (NSW) a few days before testing positive. The chief medical officer of Australia, Paul Kelly, was quoted as saying that federal health officials will meet on Friday to discuss the news. This is another mystery for us, he said. Extension of Melbourne lockdown Victoria, Australias second most populous state, is struggling to contain its latest outbreak-65 cases since May 24-after more than three months of no cases, imposed strict restrictions on the movement of people and closed it down Most economies. The government has linked all cases to a traveller who was quarantined in neighboring South Australia, who tested negative. Melbourne enters a week of strict lockdown But starting Thursday night, the state relaxed some restrictions elsewhere. The authorities blamed the strict restrictions in the city until June 10th on the Kappa variant, which was originally discovered in India and they described it as a highly contagious strain. New cases remained in single digits for eight consecutive days. Four new cases of local infection were reported on Friday, up from three a day earlier. Rapid lockdowns, regional border restrictions, and strict social distancing rules have largely helped Australia control the previous epidemic and maintain it. The number of COVID-19 is relatively low, with just over 30,100 cases and 910 deaths. As of Wednesday, Australia has received more than 4.6 million doses of the vaccine, and Australia has an adult population of approximately 20 million. Amnesty International called on Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to disappear in Phnom Penh a year after the Cambodian government has still not fulfilled its obligation to investigate his enforced disappearance. Independent investigation of the case. Wanchalearm Satsaksit, a critic of Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and the military coup he led in 2014, was dragged into a car in broad daylight on the streets of the Cambodian capital on June 4 last year. Car, never heard of him since then. . This negligent investigation is at a standstill. Amnesty Internationals deputy regional director for campaign activities, Ming Yuha, said in a statement on Friday that the past year was characterized by procrastination, mutual accusations, and nothing credible. Efforts to investigate the real situation of Wanchalearm. The Cambodian authorities have been failing to properly investigate Wanchalearms enforced disappearance, which clearly violates Cambodias international human rights obligations. At the same time, Amnesty International also expressed concern about Thailands apparent determination. Hunt down political activists And critics who have been in exile. Human rights watchdogs stated that Wanchalearms disappearance corresponds to deeply shocking patterns of kidnapping and killings in which at least nine Thai activists living on the borders of neighboring countries such as Laos and Vietnam have occurred since June 2016. Human Rights Watch has previously condemned the kidnapping as a new and dangerous turn for activists and government critics. The Cambodian and Thai authorities said they are investigating the case. Caught by the video After the abduction of the then 37-year-old Wanchalearm in 2020, security camera footage released by the media showed that a blue Toyota Highlander had left the scene outside the Phnom Penh apartment where he was last seen. The video also showed two men who appeared to have witnessed the kidnapping. Wanchalearms sister Sitanun told the media that she was talking on the phone with him and heard him repeatedly screaming: I cant breathe, and then the phone was cut off. Witnesses also told reporters that when the attacker attacked Wanchalem, he repeatedly screamed: Please help! in Khmer. Before the incident, there were reports that an unidentified man with a flat hair had been following the self-exiled radical. He belonged to the anti-dictatorship democratic united front and was known as the Red Shirt Army. This month is the year when the Thai government critic Wanchalearm Tar Satsaksit disappeared after being apparently kidnapped in Cambodia on June 4, 2020. His family was in distress but the authorities remained silent.https://t.co/EoeCxURqv6 pic.twitter.com/FWJM6totZm Thailand PBS World (@ThaiPBSWorld) June 2, 2021 Wanchalearm fled Thailand in 2014 Shortly after the coup that appointed Prayut as the countrys military leader. Prayut was later elected as prime minister in a long-delayed election, which critics said was rigged. The thorn beside Prayut Even during his self-exile, Wanchalearm was still politically active, often using social media to criticize the Thai authorities. The day before his disappearance, Wanchalearm posted a video criticizing the prime minister on Facebook. Before his disappearance, the Thai authorities had filed criminal charges against him. In 2018, they filed charges against the activist under the Computer Crimes Act, accusing him of posting anti-government materials on a satirical Facebook page. According to reports, the Thai authorities also requested the extradition of Wanchalearm from Cambodia at the time, although Phnom Penh has not publicly acknowledged any such requests. Wanchalearm was also one of many activists and politicians summoned after the coup in May 2014. The Thai authorities filed charges against him for failing to report to the police. Since September 2020, Cambodia has formally conducted a criminal investigation into the disappearance of Wanchalearm, but the case has made little progress. Amnesty International stated that it is deeply concerned that the Cambodian authorities failed to fulfill their obligations to conduct swift, thorough, impartial and independent investigations into the case. Sitanun provided evidence of her brothers disappearance to the Phnom Penh court in December 2020, but the authorities have not reported any new investigations since then. Amnesty International said: The lack of response from the Cambodian authorities and the lack of due diligence on the new evidence provided by Wanchalearms sister have exacerbated fundamental concerns about the credibility of the investigation. Wanchalearms sister Sitanun has been leading the struggle, putting pressure on the Cambodian and Thai governments to find his brother who has disappeared since June 4 last year [File: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP] Cambodian police told AFP that they are investigating but also suspect that Wanchalearm was kidnapped. So far, we dont have any new information. We are doing our best to collect any clues to confirm whether such cases occurred in Cambodia, said Chhay Kim Khoeun, a spokesperson for the Cambodian National Police. The Thai authorities stated that they are also investigating, but the investigation is led by Cambodia. In view of the obvious failure of the Cambodian investigation, Amnesty International urged Thailands Attorney General to immediately initiate a formal investigation coordinated with the countrys Human Rights Commission, to further maintain the independence and credibility of the procedure. Amnesty International also once again called on the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to intervene not only in the Wanchalearm case, but also other Thai exiles who have been killed or kidnapped in recent years. ASEAN is a regional group composed of 10 countries and has a non-interference policy. It is shameful for ASEAN and AICHR to remain silent in the face of cross-border enforced disappearances in the region, Amnesty International said. This is the absolute worst regional cooperation. The inaction of the regional institutions has contributed to rampant impunity, injustice and human rights violations. Amnesty International has previously expressed concern about the safety of exiles from neighboring Thailand who are seeking extradition from Thai authorities. Amnesty International stated that in every case, the Thai authorities sought to arrest or extradite these people because the criminal charges they filed for exercising their right to freedom of speech are usually online, and in some cases during exile. Members of the committee that organized the annual candlelight vigil for victims of the Tiananmen Square crackdown were arrested early Friday on the 32nd anniversary. While arresting and banning the vigil the following year, Beijing tried to suppress the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, which was the last place on Chinese soil to publicly commemorate the events of June 4, 1989. The Hong Kong Alliance for the Patriotic and Democratic Movement said its vice chairman Zhou Hengdong was arrested by the police on Friday morning. It is not clear why Zhou was arrested, and the police have not yet commented on the matter. The alliance organized a vigil and held a museum to commemorate the Tiananmen Square incident on June 4. The museum is closed this week. After the police warned that it might be illegal to celebrate the anniversary at the usual vigil in Victoria Park, Zhou continued her activism, urging people to light candles in private to commemorate the event no matter where they are. On Tuesday, visitors watched the exhibits at the June 4th Memorial operated by the Hong Kong Alliance to Support the Chinese Patriotic and Democratic Movement. The Hong Kong Museum, which commemorates the bloody suppression of Tiananmen Square in 1989, closed a few days after its opening. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) Last year, despite the ban, thousands of people went to Victoria Park to light candles and sing as a memorial. The police later accused more than 20 activists, including Zhou, of participating in unauthorized gatherings. The other two main members of the Hong Kong Alliance-Li Zhuoren and Stanley Ho-were jailed for participating in unauthorized gatherings during the large-scale anti-government protests in Hong Kong in 2019. Zhou said in an earlier interview with the Associated Press that she is expected to be imprisoned for her activism. I have been persecuted for participating in and inciting the candlelight vigil last year, she said. If I continue to promote democratic activism in Hong Kong and China, they will definitely catch up with me at some point, so this is to be expected. Emergency file after Amy How 7:35 p.m. A group of Alabama real estate agents asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to block a federal moratorium on evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, a federal district judge agreed with the organization that the Centers for Disease Control had no authority to implement the policy, but she shelved the ruling to give the government time to appeal.Alabama Association of Realtors urge The Supreme Court intervened in an emergency and lifted the suspension order, and told the judges, Congress has never given the CDC the amazing powers now claimed. After a similar moratorium issued by Congress expired, the CDC imposed the core moratorium on the case in September. The prohibition prohibits landlords from expelling tenants who cannot pay the rent. Landlords who violate the prohibition will be fined or even criminally penalized. Real estate agents argued in their 35-page document that the suspension order transferred the financial burden of the pandemic from 30-40 million renters across the country to 10-11 million landlords-most of them, just like this case. Like the challengers in China, individuals and small businesses. The challenger said that due to this policy, the landlord lost more than $13 billion in unpaid rent each month. The moratorium is currently scheduled to expire on June 30. Although the CDC has extended the moratorium twice before, the challenger told the court that the agency can do so again. In May, the U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich lifted the moratorium. She concluded that the ban exceeded the powers given to the CDC by Congress in the federal public health law, and the agency relied on the law to implement the order. But she shelved her ruling during the governments appeal, and the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the original case, leading to the filing of the application on Thursday. The challenger told the judge that the suspension will prolong the severe financial burden that the landlord will bear during the suspension, which may be as high as $200 billion. In addition, they added that with the declining trend of COVID-19 cases and the effectiveness of the vaccine, any public health reason for the suspension is now an excuse. The request of the real estate agent was passed to Chief Justice John Roberts, who was in charge of handling the urgent request in the District of Columbia. Roberts can act on the application himself, but he is more likely to submit it to the full court. The situation is Alabama Association of Realtors v. Department of Health and Human Services. This article is Originally published in Howe on the Court. FCA developed this new hospital for the Anderson campus of the St. Luke University Health Network, combining the established brand of the health system with contemporary aesthetics, reflecting the migration of obstetric services from Easton, Pennsylvania to a more rural environment. The clients vision is to provide an experience that is uniquely designed around the natural beauty of Lehigh Valley, while catering to modern facilities and patient values. The design respects their standards, but is in harmony with the multicultural and young patient groups in the surrounding community who will purchase obstetric services. The hospitals plan includes a 32-bed postpartum ward, including 6 antenatal beds. The other floor includes a two-room caesarean section suite and room for future growth, as well as nine LDRs, a five-room triage suite and a 26-bed NICU. NICU consists of 18 compartments and 8 private rooms. The addition will also include the maternal-fetal medicine practice and postgraduate medical education program currently being developed for the first floor. Item category: Add to General Manager: Zach Appleby, St. Luke University Health Network Project Manager the company: FCA, www.fcarchitects.com design team: FCA (architecture/planning/interior design); Snyder Hoffman Associates Inc. (MEP/FP engineering); Pennoni (structural engineering) Total construction area (square feet): 189,000 Construction cost/square foot: 370 USD Total construction cost (excluding land): 70 million USD fully: August 2020 Source link It's only fair to share... Pinterest Linkedin email Print THE Governments Covid-19 response is not compromising Zimbabwes quest to improve the countrys general health services, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said. The past two years has seen Zimbabwe giving greater focus on the fight against the pandemic, a situation which some felt would hinder the countrys quest to revamp the health services to match best international practices. VP Chiwenga, however, said Zimbabwe was not negating its vision of transforming the health services and outlined some major strides by Zimbabwe. We maintained above 86 percent childhood coverage in 2020 and currently we are carrying out integrated and targeted catch up campaigns for under-performing districts. Zimbabwe is currently on a milestone rollout of the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) and the programme has already earned huge praise from United Nations agencies. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Zimbabwe is only the third country in the world to make TCV part of its routine immunisation programme. The HIV programme has achieved the 90-90-90 targets. The delivery of TB, malaria and other essential health services during the Covid-19 response has also been maintained, said VP Chiwenga. Zimbabwe has so far defied the odds with a thorough and effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic, faring exceptionally well in comparison to other developing countries. The countrys ability to respond to the pandemic has received international rave reviews with the World Health Organisation and China all commending the Governments efforts. Our response has been a combination of health promotion and prevention measures based on raising awareness and community mobilisation. The whole of Government and societys approach helped the country to reduce transmission and Covid-19 associated morbidities and mortalities, said VP Chiwenga. He said Government was partnering with local universities and the private sector on innovations and strengthening of local production of personal protective equipment (PPEs), medicines and medical equipment. The Government has put in place frameworks that are guiding these engagements. The Government is encouraging donors and development partners to strengthen local production capacities for sustainability, he said. We have managed to incorporate gender-based violence and children violence into the Nurses Training School curriculum so that our staff are able to manage these cases as they present them to our institutions. Zimbabwe appreciates WHO and the key leadership role it plays in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. We are strongly committed as a nation, to ensuring equitable access to vaccines to all residents of Zimbabwe, said VP Chiwenga. Acting Mashonaland Central provincial medical director Dr Rudo Mari-Masanganise confirmed that her province continued offering other healthcare services despite the Covid-19 situation. This was also corroborated by several district medical officers in separate interviews. Covid-19 was a new virus and most people were talking about it, but at no point did we stop offering other services. We actually improved our services in various aspects and there was a lot of infrastructure development to boost the health sector, said Dr Precious Madziwa of Mazowe. Herald Pakistans Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi caused a stir during a May 20 interview with CNN about Israels 11-day military offensive on Gaza by claiming that the Israelis are getting favourable coverage because of their deep pockets and control over the media. The CNN anchor conducting the interview, Bianna Golodryga, immediately dubbed Qureshis remarks anti-Semitic a characterisation later repeated by the majority of US media outlets. Several American politicians, such as US House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, also condemned the remarks. The charge was of course vehemently denied by the Pakistani government, which insisted criticisms of Israel were being conflated with anti-Semitism. The substance of the anti-Semitism allegations aside, the Pakistani FMs carelessly phrased comments and widespread domestic support for them reveal a pervasive misperception about the nature of the US-Israel relationship one in which power appears to flow from Israel to the US. This perception about the US-Israel ties misapprehends the material and ideological basis of the relationship in a way that overstates the influence of Israel and its lobby while obscuring or worse, absolving the interests and domestic ideologies at the heart of US imperialism. In doing so, this idea also inhibits a more accurate understanding of the constellation of forces behind the occupation of Palestine and prevents a credible assessment of possibilities for resistance. What explains the pro-Israel bias in the US? Systemic pro-Israel bias in the US media is a fact. Detailed studies have looked into the lopsided coverage that presents Israeli claims as fact, frames Palestinians as the aggressors and fails to criticise blatant Israeli war crimes. There is a long history of pro-Palestine voices, from Jeremy Corbyn to Ilhan Omar, being labelled anti-Semites by mainstream Western media. The most recent egregious example of the power of such smears was the firing of Associated Press reporter Emily Wilder herself Jewish for her pro-Palestine activism. The Israeli lobby in the US is often identified as the cause of this bias. The lobbys influence has been well documented, most notably in Stephen M Walt and John J Mearsheimers 2006 book The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy. Its no secret that AIPAC and other Israel-linked organisations have spent millions lobbying US politicians to protect Israeli interests and regulate debate on Israel within the US. However, the Pakistan FMs remarks particularly the use of the words deep pockets and control seemed to suggest that it is exclusively the money of the Israeli lobby that generates pro-Israel bias in US institutions and media. As lifelong critics of Israel like Noam Chomsky and Palestinian-American scholar Joseph Massad have pointed out, the pro-Israel slant in the US has concrete historical reasons that cannot just be reduced to the coffers of the Israeli state (itself a US aid recipient) or its lobby. Massad has argued that the power of the Israeli lobby is linked to how its interests tie in with overall US strategy in the Middle East. As he puts it, the lobby is powerful because its major claims are about advancing US interests and resonant with imperial ideology. Massad notes that while the perception that the lobby has immense power suits both Israeli politicians who like to boast of their influence in Washington as well as US diplomats who wish to avoid blame for their policies in the Middle East, its influence in Capitol Hill, testifies to the importance of Israel in US strategy and not to some fantastical power that the lobby commands independent of and extraneous to the US national interest. Americas strategic interests in Israel have of course evolved over time. While the Pentagon viewed Israel as a potential anti-Soviet bulwark since its establishment, this did not translate into a concrete strategic partnership for years. US President Eisenhower even famously threatened to withhold aid to Israel to force it to withdraw from the Sinai, which it had occupied following the 1956 Suez Crisis. It was not until 1967 that Israel truly demonstrated its usefulness to the US that year it routed Gamal Nassers Egypt and other Arab states in a victory that led to the defeat of the Arab Nationalist tide that threatened US interests in the region. This resulted in an exponential increase in US aid to Israel, with the state becoming the principal extension of US power in the Middle East. From that point onwards, Israel served as an efficient executor of imperial policy, serving as a conduit for channelling arms to unpopular regimes, propping up oil-rich Gulf monarchies, undermining other intransigent Arab Nationalists, housing US weaponry or emerging as a major partner and market for the US military-industrial complex. As Massad puts it, none of the other American military bases on which many more billions are spent can claim such a stellar record in support of empire. The US establishments consensus on Israels usefulness was best exemplified in Bidens 1986 remarks to the Senate that aid to Israel was the best $3bn dollar investment we make. Were there not an Israel, the US would have to invent an Israel to protect our interests in the region. US support for Israel was thus historically shaped by its perceived usefulness to the imperatives of empire. And US mainstream media continues to much like its deference to the government on every other strategic issue reflect and reproduce this bipartisan establishment consensus. The other Zionism However, geo-strategy alone does not explain the entirety of the bias there is also a significant ideological dimension to support for Israel that relates to the widespread influence of Christian Zionism within the United States. Christian Zionism, whose role in US policy Chomsky has spoken of at length, predates Jewish Zionism by centuries, with its origins in the 16th century Puritan millennialism in England that followed the Protestant Reformation. The movement is premised on the belief that the return of Jews to the Holy Lands is a fulfilment of a Biblical prophecy that will bring about the return of Jesus and the End Times. Christian Zionism was widespread among British Empire elites and played a major role in the Balfour declaration about the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. From the 19th century, it also became increasingly popular in the US, with adherents including presidents like Woodrow Wilson and Harry Truman and dozens of Congressmen. The movement gained wider support among US Protestants with the rise in persecution of Jews in Europe in the World Wars and the establishment of organisations like the Christian Council of Palestine. Through its massive network of churches, popular preachers like Hal Lindsay, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, and major organisations like Christians United for Israel, Christian Zionism became a major force dictating support for Israel among Americans, particularly following the religious revivalism of the 1980s. Today, Christian Zionism funds the expansion of Jewish settlements in Palestine, serves as a fevered advocate for Israeli interests in Washington and galvanises its supporters to ensure US backing for Israel whenever armed conflict occurs. The movement carries enormous influence. A quarter of American adults identify as evangelical Christians (amounting to tens of millions of voters), 80 percent of whom believe Israel represents a Biblical prophecy. Crucially, Christian Zionists tend to be far more supportive of Israeli policies than Jewish Americans according to surveys, while 65 percent of Jewish Americans oppose settlement expansion in the West Bank, the overwhelming majority of evangelical supporters fully support them. The Israeli lobby doesnt need to spend much money to convince politicians and media networks to pander to this constituency, whose ranks include powerful politicians, from Reagan to Bush and Pence, as well as media networks like Fox that are run, staffed and watched by Christian evangelicals. The movement is also well-organised electorally according to researcher Steven Gardiner, Its the Christian Zionists that get themselves into hundreds of churches to mobilise voters, not AIPAC. The same voters helped elect Trump, enabling the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018. Its worth noting that, despite its vast influence, the theological premises of Christian Zionism are rejected by most other Christian denominations from ecumenical Protestants to the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Further, despite its alliance with Israel, the movement is rife with deeply anti-Semitic beliefs, with many of its preachers believing that the ultimate fate of Jews after the Second Coming will be either conversion or death and hellfire. There are of course further dimensions to the pro-Israel bias, including guilt related to the Holocaust, perceptions of shared cultural values, the affinities in national imaginaries of settler-colonial states, and more recently, pervasive Islamophobia in both societies that provided the fear-mongering glue for US-Israeli cooperation in the era of the War on Terror (during which Israels excesses served to legitimise US invasions and vice versa). Ultimately, however, these factors simply reinforce the strategic, socio-historical and ideological bases of support for Israel within the US. US media gives Israel favourable coverage not because the latter pays it to, but because Israels interests have long dovetailed with those of US imperialism and because of the pervasive socio-political influence of Christian Zionism in the US. The Israeli lobby, while objectively powerful, reinforces and maintains this hegemonic edifice, but does not fully determine or control it. Why re-evaluate the reasons behind US pro-Israel bias? Recognising this is important for several reasons. Firstly, notions of Israeli pockets determining media coverage or US policy are inadequate explanations that rely on dog whistles about all-powerful Jews that further religious hatred and distract from the actual demands of the Palestinian liberation movement. There are enough crimes of the Israeli state to point towards from settler colonialism to war crimes for critics to not have to dabble in half-formed conspiracy theories. Secondly, this view helps exonerate US imperialism for its role in Palestines occupation. This is especially convenient for states like Pakistan, which can rhetorically attack the state they have no diplomatic relations with while not having to ask any questions of their patrons in Washington. There are few better examples of this hypocrisy than the fact that a day after his remarks about Israel, the Pakistani FM had a cordial meeting with US senator and notable Christian Zionist Lindsey Graham, in which Palestine was not even mentioned. US imperialism sustains the occupation of Palestine in pursuit of its reckless strategic designs and its disturbing application of apocalyptic religious prophecy to state policy facts that need to be confronted. Identifying empire as the locus of Israeli occupation is critical also because it locates an important site of resistance. The US and its domestic politics including public perceptions about religion, race and empire are crucial battlegrounds for Palestinian liberation. Thirdly, blaming the bias on Israeli money prevents both a real understanding of the social basis of US support for Israel or a credible examination of opportunities for resistance. If one believes that a small settler-colonial state of six million people can single-handedly control the media and policy of the most powerful empire in human history, what hope could there be for the people living under its jackboot? A genuine examination of the roots of pro-Israel bias in the US allows us to identify emerging possibilities for change. After Trumps defeat, Christian evangelicals face the prospect of declining political power as successively fewer Americans identify as Christian. While they continue to wield power, changing demographics and declining religiosity will make it harder for Christian Zionists to exercise the kind of influence they did in the Bush and Trump years. Moreover, new youth-led progressive movements for racial, economic, gender and climate justice have risen in the US, some of which have been associated with an increase in public sympathy for Palestinians. These shifts are reflected in the growing Democratic party rift over Israel, as progressives like Bernie Sanders, AOC and Rashida Tlaib call for changes in US policy towards Israel-Palestine, attempt to block military aid to Israel and even begin referring to Israel as an apartheid state developments once considered unthinkable in US politics. As the Palestinian liberation movement begins making connections with new progressive movements and they, in turn, start seeing Palestinian freedom as integral to their struggles for justice, a substantive policy shift in the US might finally become a possibility. As with the South African anti-apartheid movement, it is crucial today to build a common cause between Palestine and other movements for justice. This means mainstreaming the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, and battling systemic mainstream and social media censorship and demonisation of pro-Palestinian voices. But it also means framing and organising opposition to Israel in the anti-racist, anti-apartheid and anti-imperialist terms chosen by the Palestinian liberation movement itself by accurately identifying and resisting the empire and ideology at the heart of the occupation. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. The Philadelphia Free Library was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic: the branch was temporarily closed, childrens programs were cancelled, and the system budget was cut. Mayor Jim Kenny Proposed budget In fiscal year 2022, US$42.6 million was allocated to the library system, which is roughly the same as New York Citys 2019 donation, but still below the 2020 budget of US$46 million. This Friends of the Philadelphia Free Library Say it needs more. At a rally outside the branches of the Parkway Central Library earlier this week, members of the library advocacy organization stated that they hope the city will spend an additional $15 million, which will help the 54 branches of the library system from the pandemic. To recover. Today, we are working hard to recover our communities and our libraries from the pandemic to restore what our communities have lost, and we need more funds from the Kenny government and city council to do this, Yi Whithill Robinson said, according to Philadelphia TribuneHill-Robinson is a member of the Friends Group of the Overbrook Park Library. More photos from our #FundOurLibrariesPHL rally and press conference yesterday. Tell Mayor Kenny and the City Council that to recover from this epidemic, our community needs a well-funded library! Publisher Friends of the Philadelphia Free Library on Thursday, June 3, 2021 According to the friends group, the investment will also help the library hire staff-approximately 200 temporary positions have been lost due to pandemic budget cuts. It will also help restore projects that were stopped due to funding issues during the pandemic and previous years, and work to rebuild the library as a safe place for youth activities where violence in the city is currently on the rise. The citys budget for the Philadelphia free library in 2021 is 39.3 million U.S. dollars. Kennys proposed budget for 2022 raises this level by more than $3 million, but it is still $3.4 million less than the fiscal year 2020 budget. The group of friends hopes that the city will withdraw an additional $15 million from the $1.4 billion federal pandemic stimulus the city received. Sarah Peterson, a spokesperson for the Kenny office, told the Tribune that the funds allocated to the library system in the proposed budget are sufficient to ensure that all branches are open five days a week and expand extracurricular activities. She also said that the $1.4 billion in federal stimulus funding is still $100 million less than Philadelphias expected revenue loss over the next five years. The City Council must approve the 20220 budget by the end of this month. Free library locations in Philadelphia reopened most locations January 2021. Newest: According to the World Health Organization, shipments of COVID-19 vaccine have almost stopped in Africa, while coronavirus cases have soared by 20% in the past two weeks. South Africa has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Africa, but continues to face delays in launching a single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Due to pollution problems in a US factory, more than 1 million doses of Johnson & Johnsons pharmaceutical factory in South Africa are still being shelved. The head of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said he expects the US Food and Drug Administration to issue a statement on these contamination issues soon. According to Johns Hopkins Universitys COVID-19 tracker, South Africa alone has reported more than 1.6 million COVID-19 cases and more than 56,000 deaths. But the World Health Organization warned in a statement issued on Thursday that South Africa is not the only country responding to the increase in COVID-19 cases. The statement said: As the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases increases, African countries must urgently increase their intensive care capacity to prevent overwhelming health facilities, and noted that the pandemic is on the rise in 14 countries across the continent . Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: The third wave of threats in Africa is real and rising. He added that more vaccines are urgently needed. -From the Associated Press, Reuters, and CBC News, last updated at 7 am Eastern Time Whats happening in canada Watch | Health officials say that the second dose of the vaccine against the delta variant is key: The delta variant of the more transmissible coronavirus first discovered in India is taking root in Ontario, and officials are racing to get more people vaccinated. Studies have shown that a single dose of vaccine is only about 33% effective against delta variants. 2:03 As of early Friday morning, Canada had reported 1,387,445 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 27,790 were considered active. The death toll on CBC News is 25,644. To date, more than 24.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been vaccinated across the country. CBCs vaccine tracker. Thursday in Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia Report 25 new COVID-19 cases And another death-including a man in his 30s in the central region including Halifax. Health officials in New Brunswick Report 16 new cases of COVID-19 One person died on Thursday, saying that a person in his 70s from the Fredericton area died. in Newfoundland and Labrador Retriever, Health officials report Six new COVID-19 cases, in spite of Prince Edward Island Report Two new cases. Quebec On Thursday, 267 new cases of COVID-19 were reported and another 6 deaths were reported. in OntarioFrom Friday, people who receive the first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can choose to book a second dose of the same vaccine or mRNA vaccine, such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. The province reported 870 new COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths on Thursday.The number of hospitalizations is 729, of which 546 People in ICU Due to COVID-19. In the prairie provinces, Manitoba Thursday report 360 new COVID-19 cases And five other people died. Saskatchewan Thursday report 131 new COVID-19 cases And two other people died. in Alberta Health officials report 296 new COVID-19 cases And five other people died. In the entire north, no new cases have been reported Nunavut, This North-west region or Yukon Territory. British Columbia Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said that residents who have received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be able to choose whether to continue with the same vaccine or take one of the other options.Health officials report 199 new COVID-19 cases On Thursday-the third consecutive day with fewer than 200 cases-two new deaths were added. -From CBC News and Canadian media, the last update time is 7:05 AM EST What is happening around the world On Thursday, at a wholesale market in Kolkata, a health worker vaccinated a worker with the first dose of Covishield vaccine in a bus converted into a mobile vaccination center. (Dubyan Shusakar/AFP/Getty Images) According to data from Johns Hopkins University, as of early Friday morning, more than 172.1 million COVID-19 cases have been recorded worldwide. Coronavirus toolsThe reported global death toll exceeds 3.7 million. inside Asia Pacific In the region, India has reported another 132,364 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, showing a downward trend. This week, the number of recoveries exceeded the new cases and prompted several state governments to relax some restrictions. According to the latest news released by the Ministry of Health on Friday, the total number of cases in the country has exceeded 28.6 million, second only to the United States, ranking second in the world. The ministry stated that another 2,713 people died in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 340,702. These figures are definitely underestimated. inside America, White House officials said that US manufacturers of vaccine materials and ingredients will no longer need to prioritize orders from the three companies engaged in COVID-19 vaccines. This change is expected to alleviate the global shortage of key vaccine materials for overseas companies and governments. Watch | COVID-19 vaccine tourism has become a pandemic tourism trend: The long wait for the COVID-19 vaccine in many countries is fueling the trend of going somewhere for vaccination. Some places, including New York City, are encouraging it. 1:55 inside middle East, The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have used Pfizers BioNTech vaccine as a booster injection to boost people who were initially immunized with the vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group Sinopharm Group. in Europe, France is returning itself to the menu as a destination for vaccinated international tourists, no longer needs to test vaccinated Europeans for coronavirus, and allows vaccinated tourists from most other parts of the world (including the United States) It returned but was still a negative test. The relaxation of the regulations will take effect from Wednesday, providing a boost to Frances tourism industry. However, tourism is impossible in countries that are fighting the virus surge and worrying variants. There are currently 16 countries in this red list, including India, South Africa and Brazil. -From the Associated Press and Reuters, the last update time is 7 am EST As the rebels continued their attacks in the area where the volcano erupted last month, the martial law was extended by 15 days. Politicians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo voted on Thursday to extend martial law in the turbulent eastern region for 15 days. A month ago, they replaced civilian authorities with military authorities in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Since the civil war officially ended in 2003, violent incidents have been common in the mineral-rich eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but insecurity has risen sharply in the past two years. On May 6, the government implemented a state of siege in an attempt to end the bloodshed. Violent attacks have continued since then, but Attorney General Ross Mutombo said that many militia fighters have surrendered and the army has taken control of new areas. Mutombo said: There is still a lot of work to be done. The recent eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano under siege has forced the government to concentrate on dealing with this natural disaster. According to United Nations data, the May 22 eruption caused a lava river to flow through the outskirts of Goma, killing at least 31 people and making 20,000 homeless. The state of siege failed to stop Kill At least 55 people were attacked by rebels on Monday, which may be the worst night of violence in the area in at least four years. The Mayor of Mongwalu District, Jean-Pierre Pikilisende, told AFP that on Wednesday, 11 miners in Djugu, a gold-rich district in Ituri province in the northeast Killed by a local organization called the Congolese Patriotic Forces and Integrationists (FPIC). . Pikilisend said that the rebel fighters had taken control of the area, where the gold was mined by poor artisanal diggers. Kivu Security Tracker (KST) is a respected non-governmental organization responsible for monitoring violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The organization said 12 people have been executed. The European Commission said it will investigate whether Facebook abused the large amount of data collected from advertisers to compete with them in classified ads. Facebook Inc. is facing the first in-depth investigation by European regulators, which is the latest in a series of efforts to combat the dominance of the large technology market across the European continent. The European Commission said it will investigate whether Facebook abused the large amount of data collected from advertisers to compete with them in classified ads. It will also check whether the company unfairly associates its small Marketplace advertising service with social networks. At the same time, the United Kingdom stated that it is investigating Facebooks Marketplace and dating services hours after the German antitrust regulator announced a case against Google News Showcase products. These cases opened up another frontier for the worlds largest technology companies as regulators investigate their market power during the pandemic, and online commerce and advertising have become more important for people working from home. Germany is already investigating Facebook and Amazon, while France is investigating the advertising practices of Google and Apple. Initiating a formal investigation means that regulators can begin to establish definitive evidence of antitrust violations. This process may lead to fee schedules or objections, which may eventually lead to huge fines or order changes to the way the company operates. At 9:47 am New York time on Friday, Facebook shares rose less than 1% to $328.1. The stock has risen about 20.2% this year. The EUs action on Friday is the first time that the case has been escalated to Facebooks behavior outside the preliminary stage. Prior to this, there were other high-profile cases against Google, Apple and Amazon. The European Union has previously fined Facebook for failing to provide correct information in the merger review of the WhatsApp acquisition. Margrethe Vestager, head of EU competition affairs, said: Facebook collects a lot of data on its social networks and other user activities. She said that EU regulators will study in detail whether these data are Facebook has brought an undue competitive advantage, especially in the field of online classifieds where people buy and sell goods every day. During the pandemic, as more and more people buy goods online, online commerce has played an increasingly important role in Facebooks business. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on the April earnings conference call: Commercial advertising continues to perform well and has contributed to the significant growth of our overall business. He said that now more than 1 billion people visit each month. Facebook Marketplace. The company said in an email statement that Facebook will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation to prove that they are unfounded. We are always developing new and better services to meet the changing needs of Facebook users. The UKs antitrust regulator also launched its own investigation into Facebook data, investigating the Marketplace and the companys dating service launched in Europe last year. The Competition and Markets Authority said it plans to investigate whether Facebook abused its dominant position by collecting data from services including single sign-on. The CMA, which is increasingly concerned about technology, is conducting an independent investigation, but said it will cooperate with the EU investigation. The CMA stated that the preliminary investigation, including information collection, will continue until February. The German Federal Cartel Office said on Friday that it is reviewing the Google News Showcase to check whether its terms provide unreasonable conditions to publishers. The move is the latest in a series of attacks on large technology companies by Andreas Mundt, the head of German antitrust. The European Unions investigation reflects an earlier investigation of Amazon by studying how the so-called digital platform uses data it collects from companies that use its services to compete with them. The European Commission has been investigating Facebook since 2019. Facebook tried to curb investigations through a lawsuit last year to limit the information that officials can obtain. Last month, when Israel bombed the besieged Gaza Strip for the fourth time in 12 years, the United States approved the sale of weapons worth 735 million U.S. dollars to Israel.Members of Congress and several Democrats criticized the approval Proposed resolution Prevent the sale of Boeings precision-guided missiles. The 11-day Israeli military operation killed at least 253 people in the Gaza Strip, including 66 children. Palestinian armed groups fired rockets in Gaza, killing at least 12 people in Israel.This The United Nations Human Rights Council established a group Investigating possible war crimes committed by both sides, the human rights organization Amnesty International has updated its call Ask the United States to stop selling weapons to Israel. Gaza is described as the largest open-air prison in the world. Since 2006, Israel has imposed a land, sea and air blockade on its 2.1 million residents. The Israeli army continued its military occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, where they built hundreds of illegal settlements. Maintaining Israels regional military hegemony is the core content of US Middle East policy. This is achieved through the interaction of US funding and Israels domestic arms industry. Here is what you need to know about the Israeli military and munitions industry. How much did Israel spend on the military? Israel has a huge military establishment, and citizens over 18 must perform military service. According to a database compiled by SIPRI, a research organization focused on conflict and armaments, the countrys military expenditure in 2020 is 22 billion U.S. dollars. Israel spends approximately US$2,508 per capita and spends 12% of its total government spending on national defense. Visually, the combination of these indicators shows how much unusual Israels weapons expenditures are compared to some of the largest military forces in the world, including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Israel is a major global supplier of advanced weapons, including drones, missiles, radar technology and other weapon systems. According to the SIPRI database, in 2020, it is the 12th largest weapon supplier, with arms sales to 16 countries/regions exceeding US$345 million. How much did the United States spend on Israeli military spending? The United States is by far the largest supplier of military assistance to Israel. As part of a 10-year record $38 billion agreement signed by former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2016, the country provided a total of $3.8 billion in 2020 . , Israel has also received a large amount of US economic aid and military supplies. As Israel became richer, economic aid that began in 1951 has been phased out and almost cancelled in 2007. The United States imposes conditions on how to use aid, especially military aid. For example, the Lech Law prohibits the export of U.S. defense supplies to military units involved in human rights violations. However, no Israeli unit has been punished under this law. Similarly, the United States financial aid to universities and other Israeli institutions has historically been required to be used within Israels pre-1967 borders. This condition was waived during the Trump administration. In contrast, according to data from the United States Agency for International Development, the United States provided 19 million U.S. dollars in various forms of assistance to the Palestinians in 2020. Earlier, the Trump administration suspended most of its funding to the Palestinian Authority because of his The government promoted a so-called peace plan condemned by the Palestinians as one-sided. Since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, the United States has provided The total aid amounted to 5 billion U.S. dollars. Unlike aid to Israel, Palestinian aid has many conditions.For example, according to Taylor Force ActIf the Palestinian Authority pays any payments to encourage terrorist activities, economic aid will be cut off. The Biden government has stated that it will resume aid to the Palestinians, but the total aid will still be a small part of the aid provided to Israel. According to its domestic laws, such as the 2014 US-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, Washington is also obliged to protect Israels so-called quality military advantage, which means that Israel should maintain its military advantage over its neighbors in the region. This law guarantees Israels access to advanced American weapons. US officials also regularly discuss regional defense sales with Israel to ensure that their allies are not at a military disadvantage. U.S. support for Israel began when Israel declared its independence in 1948. The U.S. was one of the first countries to recognize Israel. Soon after, the United States began to provide economic assistance to the new country, and to a lesser extent military assistance. However, military assistance Israel increased significantly after the Six-Day War in 1967 When Israel defeated the neighboring Arab army and began to occupy the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.The bias towards military financing since 1967 means it represents Nearly 80% Among all the assistance provided by the United States. For a long time, Israel has been regarded by American lawmakers as an ally to help protect American strategic interests in the Middle East. Initially, this included containing the Soviet influence in the region. According to the US Congressional Research Service, Factors that continue to provide military support Including common strategic interests, U.S. domestic support for Israel and common commitment to democratic values. U.S. funding for Israel is usually and still a bipartisan affair, provided by the Democratic and Republican governments.In the past two decades, the assistance of the United States to the Israeli army increased Although Israels military operations in Gaza in 2008/2009, 2012 and 2014 have resulted in the deaths of more than 3,500 Palestinians. In these three wars, about 100 Israelis were killed. Regarding the surge in US military assistance in 2003, Stephen Zunes, a professor of political science at the University of San Francisco, pointed out that this increase was part of the overall increase in US arms transfers to the Middle East and US military spending. In 2001, Al Qaeda attacked the United States, the US-led war in Afghanistan and invaded Iraq. U.S. aid to Israel has always been mainly related to how Israel assists in advancing U.S. strategic goals, rather than Israels security needs, he told Al Jazeera. Regarding the surge in U.S. military assistance in 2000, Zunes pointed out that in the 1998 Wye River Memorandum, the U.S. agreed to increase aid to Israel in exchange for [relatively minor] Israels concessions in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Since the budget was proposed the previous year, this is the first budget after the meeting, so it may be the result, he said. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign military financing (FMF)-the program provides grants and loans to U.S. allies obtain U.S. Defense Equipment, Services, and Training. According to data from the Security Assistance Monitoring Agency of the International Policy Center, a think tank based in Washington, DC, in the past two decades, 55% of all FMFs in the United States have been dedicated to Israel, more than the rest of the world combined. These figures do not reflect other indirect forms of military assistance. For example, the U.S. military has a large emergency weapons stockpile in Israel.The current valuation is US$3.4 billion, The Israeli military can use this cache in emergency situations. South Korea has similar arrangements. These arrangements were originally intended to facilitate the rapid deployment of American forces. In fact, for Israel, they are an additional layer of defense, allowing the Israeli army to quickly acquire ammunition and weapons during the conflict. Unlike other FMF recipient countries, according to the latest US-Israel Defense Memorandum of Understanding, Israel can use FMF funds to purchase products from local companies until 2028. Israeli military products import and export Historically, Israels arms imports far exceed its exports. However, the SIPRI database shows that in the past ten years, exports have continued to exceed imports. According to Neve Gordon, a professor at Queen Mary University of London, Israel has used Palestine, Lebanon and Syria as a showcase of products developed by the Israeli military-industrial complex. This is extremely important for the export industry, because manufacturers of weapons and surveillance systems can claim that they have been used in combat situations and their effectiveness has been tested, Al Jazeera said. Israel imports weapons entirely from Western countries. Between 1950 and 2020, 83% of its imports came from the United States. In contrast, 23% of its exports go to India, and its exports have a wide range. Controversially, Israel continues to export products to the apartheid government of South Africa. The two countries sign a confidentiality agreement Defense agreement In 1975, in order to circumvent the global trade embargo imposed on South Africa due to its apartheid policy. According to the SIPRI database, from 2015 to 2020, Israels main arms export markets accounted for India (43%), Azerbaijan (16%), Vietnam (10%) and the United States (4%) as a percentage of the total. India is the largest buyer of Israeli weapons in 2020. Since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, relations between the two countries have flourished. Since then, an Indian diplomat has been documented, advocating the use of the Israeli model in Indian-controlled Kashmir, referring to Israeli settlements in the Indian-controlled Kashmir region. Occupy the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Human rights organizations accused the Indian army of abusing power in Kashmir, including intimidation, torture, extrajudicial executions and arbitrary arrests of Kashmiris. In 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called for a formal investigation of these allegations. Not a dollar-calling for an arms embargo Palestinians and pro-Palestinian activists have Long-lost It opposes the imposition of an international arms embargo on Israel and believes that military cooperation with foreign governments and companies will help Israel maintain its occupation of the Palestinian territories. In accordance with the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for a non-violent, people-led movement to pressure Israel to end the occupation and provide equal rights and the right to return to the Palestinians, Israel uses military power To maintain the illegal system of occupation, colonialism and apartheid. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have asked U.S. President Biden to reconsider the recent decision to approve the sale of weapons to Israel when human rights and international humanitarian law are violated every day. Several progressive US lawmakers also called on the Biden administration to provide conditions for US aid to Israel. US Congresswoman Betty McCollum introduced a bill that would prohibit Israel from using US aid to detain Palestinian children, destroy Palestinian property, and continue to annex occupied Palestinian land. A U.S. taxpayers dollar should not be used to violate the human rights of the Palestinian people living under Israeli military occupation, she told Al Jazeera earlier last month. The court charged with prosecuting the man behind the murder of the former Lebanese prime minister in 2005 may be closed due to lack of funds. In view of funding difficulties, Lebanon requested in a letter that the Secretary-General of the United Nations urgently explore ways to provide funding for the Special Lebanese Tribunal (STL) whose mission was to investigate the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said in a letter on Friday: The Lebanese government thanks you, the Security Council and member states for urgently exploring different and alternative ways of funding the court. An exclusive report by Reuters last week showed that the UN Tribunal established by a UN Security Council resolution in 2007 ran out of funds during the economic and political crisis in Lebanon, threatening plans for future trials. If the funding shortage is not resolved, 51% of the court is funded by voluntary contributions and 49% by the Lebanese government, and it may be closed after July. Last year, a court based in The Hague ruled that Salim Jamil Ayyash (Salim Jamil Ayyash) was a former member of the Shiite movement Hezbollah. His bombing caused senior Sunni Muslim politicians Hariri and The other 21 people were killed and tried in absentia. The ruling is being appealed. The second case was originally scheduled to begin on June 16 and prosecute Ayyash because he again assassinated and attacked Lebanese politicians between 2004 and 2005. But on Thursday, due to the expected closure, the court judge cancelled the new trial. Lebanon is in the throes of a severe financial crisis that threatens its stability. The crisis that broke out at the end of 2019 destroyed jobs, kept more than half of the population below the poverty line, and eroded about 90% of the value of money. Rafik Hariris son Saad Hariri is now the prime minister-designate of Lebanon, but he has been unable to reach an agreement with President Michel Aoun on the cabinet to make the country It has been politically paralyzed since last year. Although we reiterate our unwavering commitment to STL, we firmly believe that these financial difficulties should not prevent it from completing its work to the end, Diab said. It was a dark day in American history, but the former vice president is still proud of his achievements in Trump. Former Vice President Mike Pence stated that he and former President Donald Trump may never agree on the January 6 riots involving Trump supporters in Washington, DC. January 6 is a dark day in the history of the U.S. Capitol, Pence said in a speech to a Republican group in New Hampshire on Thursday that New Hampshire is the site of future presidential candidates. You know, President Trump and I have talked many times since we left office. And I dont know whether we will reach an agreement that day, Pence said, because Congress requested an independent investigation, he played down the issue. Concerns about what happened on June 6. Pence is presiding over a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress Confirmation of President Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election When the angry mob of thousands of Trump supporters rushed past the congressional police and invaded the building. Some of them chanted Hang Mike Pence as they searched for lawmakers. Pence and Congress leaders were hurriedly rushed by the Secret Service and Congressional police to secure locations until the crowd dispersed. Trump refused to accept that his defeat in the 2020 presidential election was legal, and continued to insist that the election was stolen from him without evidence. Republicans in the U.S. Senate refused to allow the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the events of January 6, including Trumps role in inciting the masses. Thanks to the swift actions of the Capitol Police and federal law enforcement agencies, the violence was quelled and the Capitol was protected. On the same day, we reconvened the Congress and performed our duties in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and laws, Pence said. Federal authorities accused members of the organization Anti-Government Oath Guardian Militia Because of their role in attacking the Capitol to prevent Bidens certification from being elected. According to the FBI, approximately 440 people were arrested in the January 6th attack. Pences remarks created a rare separation between him and the former president, and Pence is considering the possibility of running for president in 2024. Pence has been loyal to one side during the four years of scandals and investigations during Trumps presidency. I will always be proud of what we have achieved for the American people in the past four years, Pence said And I will not allow Democrats or their allies in the media to use a tragic day to discredit the wishes of millions of Americans. According to the Associated Press, Pence gave a nearly 35-minute speech at the annual Lincoln-Reagan Awards dinner held by the Hillsborough County Republican Committee in Manchester and praised Trump many times. Pence criticized Bidens presidential campaign for being moderate but ruling from the left, and pushing for large-scale spending plans, Pence said, from raising taxes and cutting military spending to military spending. According to the Associated Press, Pence talked about some of the favorite themes of conservative Republicans, emphasizing the need for states to strengthen the integrity of voters across the country. He praised the law enforcement agencies as heroes, and said: The police will not endanger the lives of black people. The police are saving the lives of black people every day. He also opposed critical racial theory, which claimed that systemic racism was the foundation of American society. Republicans believe that the claim that people are born racists or that the United States is based on racial oppression is divisive and groundless. The United States is not a racist country, Pence said, one of several standing applause and cheers in his speech. At the end of last month, a 28-year-old restaurant employee was fatally injured in an attack in northeast Philadelphia, and his family is mourning his death. According to the police, Wei Lin received a call from another restaurant employee on May 24 who was involved in the bending of the mudguard while delivering food in the Juniata district of the city. Lin went to the scene, in Lucerne and L Street, Provide translation assistance for employees and the driver of another vehicle. After the two drivers exchanged insurance information, Lin stayed at the scene and talked with the delivery driver. Investigators said that another driver involved in the accident left the scene. Moments later, 30-year-old Jose Figueroa approached Lin and the delivery driver. He allegedly hit Lin with a clenched fist, causing him to lose consciousness. The delivery driver told the police that Figueroa also punched him, but he was not injured. Police said Lin was taken to Temple University Hospital and was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit, where he was in a coma for three days before being pronounced dead on May 27. The delivery driver took Figueroas picture and provided it to investigators, who arrested Figueroa on June 1. Figueroa was charged with unintentional homicide, simple assault, conspiracy and simple assault, and reckless harm. Court recordsThe Philadelphia police did not investigate the attack as a hate crime and explained that Figueroa and Lin did not know each other before the incident and did not exchange racial or ethnic slander. Lins brother created a GoFundMe event Support the family after the fatal attack. Lin is described as sweet, friendly and always helpful. He has a whole family to take care of, and (sic) just welcomed a baby girl 3 months ago, Lins brother wrote before his death. As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $111,000. After the latest round of conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians, American television evangelist John Haji delivered a speech to his congregation at the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, every Sunday. Supporting Israel is not a political issue. It is a biblical issue, Haji declared in his sermon on May 23, which he called the Battle of Jerusalem. Hagee is the founder of Christians United for Israel, an umbrella Christian group composed of 10 million members. Ron Dermer, the former Israeli ambassador, recently stated that their support for Israel is as important as American Jews. Maybe even more important. Whenever Jesus returns, Israel will become the dominant country in the world, Haji said, which touched the belief of many evangelicals that Jesus will return soon and save his followers from this earthly world. . The Jews are Gods chosen people and have become the legal owners of the entire Palestine through a blood alliance. Haji declared and warned: U.S. support for Israel is weakening; the media is weak, and Washington is weak. In fact, U.S. political support for Israel is Increasingly dividedThe newly elected and more progressive Democrats of the US Congress strongly condemned the 11-day Israeli bombing operation that killed 254 Palestinians and left 200,000 people need assistance. Support for Israel is greatly reduced Poll experts and some church leaders say that even though Israel is increasingly concerned about the support of American evangelicals, young evangelicals who are more diverse and less rigid in Zionist theology have switched from a Jewish state to a Palestinian. . The large church pastor John Hagee, the founder of the Israel Christian Union (appears with former Vice President Mike Pence), cheered Israel during the recent conflict, even if the young Evangelicals are gradually moving away from Christian Zionism [Patrick Semansky/AP Photo] Brian Zahnd, pastor of the Words of Life Church in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of a new generation of large church pastors who reject strong Christian Zionism and support a more balanced view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Christian Zionism was flawed in theology and did not follow the teachings of Jesus and the Hebrew tradition. Those who take the Bible seriously cannot use the Bible as an excuse for being unfair to others, Zander told Al Jazeera. What keep people away from the reflexive dualism ofIsraelis are good people and Palestinians are bad people is to hear The story of the Palestinian peopleAbout life under Israeli occupation, Zander said. University of North Carolina political science professors Motti Inbari and Kirill Bumin recently released a new survey of young evangelicals, showing that the evangelical communitys view of Israel is undergoing major changes. Young evangelicals, especially those between 18 and 29, are far less supportive of Israel than their elders, Bumin told Al Jazeera. Bumin said that young evangelicals have a different concept of justice and fairness related to conflict from their elders. The survey found that nearly 45% of young evangelical Christians support the establishment of a Palestinian state, and a majority of 42% do not support both parties to the conflict. The analysis of Bumin and Inbari found that the views of young evangelicals are less influenced by biblical beliefs, that is, the second coming of Christ and the imminent end of the day.Conversely, if a young evangelical interviewee believes Israel treats Palestinians unfairly, They are unlikely to express support for Israel. In addition, the socialization of their elders views does not necessarily translate into support for Israel. For young evangelicals, the more they are exposed to discussions about Israels importance to the evangelical community, the less they are optimistic about Israel. The theological premises that used to dominate evangelicalism are now being changed and transformed into something new, Imbari told Al Jazeera. The University of North Carolina survey was conducted on an online group of 700 evangelical Christians between the ages of 18 and 29 between March 22 and April 2. Its margin of error is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. Ron Dermer, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, calls for expanded outreach to evangelical Christians [J Scott Applewhite/AP Photo] The importance of the evangelicals for the pro-Israel cause American Evangelicals is an important constituency in Israel, and it relies on 3.8 billion U.S. military support each year. Demer said at a recent conference that evangelicals are Israels most enthusiastic and clear supporters, and their numbers far exceed the disproportionately American Jews who have become the source of the most intense criticism. It is rare to see evangelical Christian leaders criticizing Israel. We should promote them more, Demer said. Demer said that efforts to combat the U.S. Resistance to Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement are being led by evangelical Christians, which has led to anti-BDS legislation in as many as 32 states. BDS has always focused on bottom-up pressure to end the occupation and restore the basic rights of the Palestinians, in part by calling on consumers to boycott Israeli products, investments, and businesses, especially those that exploit the Palestinian people and land. Evangelicals fully support former President Donald Trumps decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, and voted for Trump by an overwhelming 81% in the 2020 general election. To be sure, the University of North Carolina survey results show that 71% of young evangelicals support Israels use of Jerusalem as its capital, while 58% of the majority still believe that Israelis have learned from Gods biblical covenant with the Jews . But their findings about the marginal shift to Palestinians are consistent with earlier research conducted by Shibley Telhami, a polling expert and professor of political science at the University of Maryland. From 2015 to 2018, young evangelicals support for Israel decreased significantly, Telhami told Al Jazeera. In 2018, American pastor John Haji was invited by President Donald Trump to speak at the opening ceremony of the new US Embassy in Jerusalem [Sebastian Scheiner/AP Photo] Although 40% of young evangelicals in 2015 wanted the U.S. to lean toward Israel in the conflict with the Palestinians, in a 2018 University of Maryland survey, only 21% held the same view. Telhami said that only 3% of young evangelicals want the United States to support Palestinians in 2015, and that number rose to 18% in 2018. The latest North Carolina survey found that 28% of people said that Palestinians should use East Jerusalem as their capital. Telhami said that among the reasons for the transition, young evangelicals tend to see what is happening in Israel and the Palestinians through the prism of social justice rather than the biblical prophecies believed by older evangelicals. Telhami said that at the same time, Trumps presidency has accelerated the generation gap. There is evidence that young evangelicals are very shocked by their leaders support for Trump We found that evangelicals think Trump is too supportive of Israel, he said. GOVERNMENT has seized 77 chrome mining claims along the Great Dyke from locals and handed them over to Chinese mining firm, Afrochine Smelting (Afrochine), in a murky deal which has riled the original claim owners, investigations show. Documents obtained by the Zimbabwe Independent this week, indicate that a total of 77 special mining grants straddling over 2 000 hectares were transferred to Afrochine in April this year, underlining Chinas bold intention to stake its claim over the lucrative Persian Gulf of Strategic Minerals, part of which lies in Zimbabwe. The term, Persian Gulf of Strategic Minerals was popularised at the height of the Cold War when a United States Congress Committee on Strategic Minerals and Mining highlighted US intentions to gain control of vast minerals of geo-political significance strewn over Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, South Africa, DRC, then Zaire, and Zambia. In Zimbabwe, the area which was primarily of interest to the US was the Great Dyke, where Afrochine, as documents gleaned by the Independent this week show, was, on April 29, 2021, given rights over vast special grants once held by locals. Global super powers like China, Britain, France and Russia consider the areas vast mineral treasure trove in the same manner they regard the Persian Gulf in the Middle East which is endowed with 75% of global oil reserves. As part of this publications investigations into the growing dominance of Afrochine Smelting in the countrys mining sector with governments ambitious plans to achieve US$12 billion by 2023, the Chinese company was granted a range of chrome special grants with registration numbers ranging from 8335 (Part X1X) to 8405 (Part X1X) between April 29 and April 30 this year by Mines and Mining Development ministry law officer Jonathan Mhiribidi. This makes Afrochine one of the largest chrome claim holders in the country. Cumulatively, the special grant approvals to Afrochine amount to 77. Afrochine intends to set up an integrated chrome processing plant with an annual turnover target of US$1,5 billion. An approval letter confirming the allocation of special grant 8431(PartX1X) to Afrochine Smelting by Mhiribidi reads: Please be advised that the following Special Grant (SG 8431) has been approved by the permanent secretary. Please note that proof of payment of application fees and rentals should be submitted to head office before the special grant can be dispatched to provincial offices. The lucrative grants, whose optimal extraction and beneficiation, if realised, will dwarf Zimascos 150 000 tonnes annual output by 300%, are strewn around Ngezi, Mapinga and Darwendale in Mashonaland West province. Dated April 29, 2021, the letter was delivered to Mashonaland West provincial mining director Sibongile Mpindiwa and copied to Afrochine Smelting management. The letter also spells out that Afrochine Smelting, for each of the 77 special grants it was granted, paid application fees of ZW$5 000. This translates to ZW$385 000. A previous investigation revealed on December 11, 2020, that the decision by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) to grant Afrochine Smelting rights to drill and explore for coal inside the Hwange National Park was a directive from Tourism minister Mangaliso Ndlovu. The Chinese firm had been granted a special grant coal concession registered under number 5767. At that time, the governments unprecedented decision to award licences to Zhongxin Coking Company Mining Group and Afrochine Smelting to conduct geological surveys sparked outrage. The licences have paved the way for large-scale coal extraction inside a wildlife park which generates millions of dollars annually in tourism receipts. In the latest chrome claims acquisition spree by Afrochine a subsidiary of Chinese conglomerate Tsingchan Holdings the special grants to the firm, according to the confidential documents seen by the Independent are set to expire on April 27, 2023, with a validity period of 24 months. Tsingchan Holdings accounts for 25% of global steel production. One of the receipts generated by the Mines ministry for SG 8431 granted to Afrochine highlights that the firm would assume control of 14 731 hectares within Reserve Area MSW 002/003 in the mining district of Mashonaland West to undertake chrome exploration and extraction operations. A special grant is hereby issued to Afrochine Smelting Private Limited (hereunder referred to as the holder) to carry out mining operations for chrome in terms of section 291 of the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter21:05), part of the receipt, with serial number 0002282, generated on April 28, 2021 reads. An area of approximately 14 731 hectares situated . . . in Mashonaland West to an extent that such area would be open to prospecting and pegging where the area is not reserved, bound the following coordinate. I hereby certify that Special Grant Number 8431 has been duly registered in terms of the Mines and Minerals Act. According to the terms of the special grant, Afrochine, would be required to submit programmes of the mines annual report as prescribed by the Geological and Mining Engineering Departments and submit production and labour returns. The Chinese firm is prohibited from exporting chrome ore in its raw form, while the government is not liable to paying any compensation should it terminate the special grants. Afrochine mine manager Laston Mlauzi declined to discuss the matter. Why do you want that information? Its confidential information. You have to come to our offices in Selous. Thats the procedure, Mlauzi said yesterday. The companys managing director Benson Xu said he was busy in meetings. Mines and Mining Development minister Winston Chitando was not available for comment. An official source, however, said Afrochine Smelting, leveraging on the green light it was granted by the government over the special grants, was now elbowing out previous holders of the claims. As we speak, renewal of licenses for special grants and pegging new ones in areas now held by Afrochine remains banned by government. In essence, government forfeited the special grants rights we held and awarded them to Afrochine, the source said. Afrochine is now in the process of evicting previous SG holders from the areas which it now controls. An affected claim holder said he was recently booted out of Ngezi. He said officials from the Mines ministry in Mashonaland West province told him that the government had decided against renewing their grants as they had now been transferred to Afrochine. In Ngezi, the government has also given the directive that previous holders of these grants should make way for the Chinese. We are being evicted on the pretext that we failed to satisfy stipulated requirements, but this is all too clear that the government is mortgaging the vast chrome resources to Afrochine at the expense of local people, the claim owner said. Under its ambitious plans, Afrochine intends to set up a carbon steel plant and a ferrochrome plant, while discussions to set up a railway line and a power supply line are underway. Construction of a dam that would guarantee adequate water supply is also being envisaged. Zimbabwe Inependenrt BATON ROUGE, La. The Louisiana Department of Education announced the finalists for the 2022 Teacher and Principal of the Year awards live during last weeks 2021 Teacher Leader Summit. The 18 finalists are elementary, middle and high school educators from school systems across the state. Kevin Dugas, the Principal at St. Martinville High School is amongst the 18 finalist. Winners will be selected from this group and named at a virtual awards ceremony later this year. Kevin Dugas, the Principal at St. Martinville High School is amongst the 18 finalist. The announcement of this years finalists was made even more special because we were in person and surrounded by a community of passionate educators. You could see the excitement in the eyes of each finalist as their name was called, and they could feel the appreciation of their peers, said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. Congratulations to our finalists and to all of this years candidates. The Department recognizes that great teachers and school leaders are critical to student success. Annually, the Department, in partnership with Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals, recognizes and celebrates some of the states most exceptional educators through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs. These programs provide an opportunity to acknowledge those teachers and leaders who are making exceptional gains with students. Their commitment to student success exemplifies Louisianas education profession. All Teacher and Principal of the Year finalists and semifinalists will be celebrated and honored at the 15th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, which will be held virtually on the evening of July 16. To learn more about the current and previous Teacher and Principal of the Year honorees, visit the library. For questions about the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs, email excellenteducators@la.gov. The winners were announced live during the opening session of the 2021 Teacher Leader Summit on May 25. Dr. Brumley co-hosted with last years middle school Louisiana Student of the Year Zach Cryer. Former Louisiana Teacher of the Year Chris Dier announced this years Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year Finalists during the opening celebration. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two Louisiana men for alleged contest fraud in Caddo Parish on May 29. Agents cited Hunter Moss, 24, of Mooringsport, and Phillip Purcell, 30, of Oil City, for contest fraud in a bass tournament held on Caddo Lake. Agents received a complaint that Moss and Purcell had committed contest fraud. During the investigation, agents learned that Moss and Purcell caught three bass previously during the week and kept them alive in a basket near a dock on the lake. During questioning, Moss and Purcell admitted to retrieving the three bass from the dock when the tournament started. The three bass were then included in the five bass they weighed in for the tournament. Contest fraud brings up to a $3,000 fine and one year in jail. North Kansas City-based health care IT firm Cerner Corp. says they are currently going through a reduction of their workforce. KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- New video has surfaced of a deadly police shooting last March. Kansas City police officers shot and killed Malcolm Johnson during a confrontation at a BP gas station. Johnson was wanted for an earlier shooting. In the released cell phone video of the arrest and shooting, you can see a number of officers restraining johnson on the floor. It appears one officer draws a weapon, you hear a shot fired, and another officer yells in pain and hobbles away. Then, you hear two more shots. Earlier this week, a group of pastors criticized the shooting calling it as an execution. On Wednesday, they met with the Missouri Highway Patrol which is investigating the shooting and turned over video to them. KCTV5 News is trying to find out if that includes this video. Vigil for man killed by Kansas City police highlights divide over police interactions As activists held a rally at a gas station on the citys East Side Wednesday night in response to a fatal police shooting, police supporters were rallying in a park in the citys Northland. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker issued this statement about the video: With only one episode left before its season finale, JTBC Kdrama "Law School" kept the viewers intrigued with their shocking revelation involving Kim Myung Min, Ryu Hye Young, Kim Bum, Lee Jung Eun's characters. For its latest episode, the crime drama set a new personal best in terms of ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, "Law School" viewership ratings recorded 6.3 percent nationwide and 6.7 percent in the metropolitan area, making it the top Wednesday and Thursday drama to date. It is a significant increase from its episode 14 rating with only 5.694 percent. "Law School" Episode 15 Recap: Appearance of Erica Shin in Court The Hankuk University law school students, including Kang Sol A (Ryu Hye Young), were surprised upon seeing Erica Shin, a.k.a Kang Dan in the video as she testified in court. After the session, she gets a call from her sister but refuses to answer. Sol A also asked Professor Yang Jong Hoon (Kim Myung Min) why he kept the information to her that Kang Dan would share her opinion in court. Assemblyman Ko Gets Back at Kang Sol A's Group After the students released a video exposing Assemblyman Ko Yeong Soo (Jung Won Joong), he gets back at them with bitter revenge. He manipulated the comments and revealed the student's past, including Sol A being a delinquent juvenile. At the same time, Seo Ji Ho's (David Lee) father says that he killed himself after being investigated for embezzlement of money. This made the duo and their groupmate furious over Assemblyman Ko's move. Assemblyman Ko and his Son Posted an Apology Video Professor Yang called for an emergency meeting at their hideout to show the law students a video featuring Assemblyman Ko. To get the sympathy of the public, the influential politician and his son Ko Young Chang (Lee Hwi Jong) posted an apology video. In the clip, he mentioned that he is responsible for his son's action and asked for forgiveness from Jeon Ye Seul (Go Yoon Jung) and the public for not raising him as a good example to the citizen. Moreover, he added that he would bring legislation for dating abuses adding that his opponents are putting up political slander against him. Professor Kim Eun Sook (Lee Jung Eun) was also seen in the video, which made the students doubt her intention. However, amid the confusion, Professor Yang saw through Kim Eun Suk's plan. Professor Yang's Advice to Prosecutor Jin As for the case against Assemblyman Ko, Professor Yang tried to shake Prosecutor Jin Hyung Woo (Park Hyuk Kwon) by providing him the evidence that the politician was with Professor Seo Byung Joo (Ahn Nae Sang) at the funeral and on the day of the hit and run accident. Interestingly, he showed him his wall with names and details of the incident that links to Assemblyman Ko. Professor Yang then advised the prosecutor to open his eyes and not be fooled by the assemblyman. Assemblyman Ko and Ko Young Chang's Crocodile Tears "Law School" episode 15 also showed that Professor Yang's hunch at Professor Kim was right. It came after a video was uploaded showing that the politician and his son are faking the apology. All thanks to Professor Kim, she instructed Jo Ye Bum (Kim Min Seok) to record the father and son secretly and leaked the video to the public. This is also where the former judge turned law professor declared to withdraw her support for Assemblyman Ko. Kang Dan's Surprise "Law School" episode 15 featured more about Kang Dan and how she wanted to protect her sister Sol A. She invited Profesor Yang and Assemblyman Ko in the same room and told Yang Jong Hoon to allow her sister to graduate from law school. Moreover, Kang Dan also urged Assemblyman Ko to delete the photo against her sister and threatened him that she would expose the truth about him if he doesn't. To protect his reputation, he immediately instructed his men to delete the video. On the other hand, Han Joo Hwi (Kim Bum), together with attorney Park Geun Tae (Lee Chun Hee) discovered the hideout of Assemblyman Ko, where all the malicious comments are being uploaded. The police raided the area as well as presented a search and seizure against Ko. Shocked with the turn of events, the politician was also surprised that it was not Kang Dan all along, but Sol A. the plan was executed alongside Professor Yang to bring down Assemblyman Ko. KDramastars owns this article. Written by Geca Wills Two episodes left before KBS' drama "Sell Your Haunted House" closed its curtains, its main leads Jang Na Ra and Jung Yong Hwa teamed up once again to take revenge on Ahn Kil Kang. Oh In Bum Planned to Stay in Hong Ji Ah's Side to Make Sure She's Safe When Oh In Bum (Jung Yong Hwa) heard that Hong Ji Ah (Jang Na Ra) was having a problem, he didn't hesitate to come over to Daebak Real Estate along with his best friend Heo Ji Chul (Kang Hong Suk). They bring all their things as if they will be living as new tenants inside Hong Ji Ah's house. He kept on checking the lady exorcist in order to know if she's already okay or to have ideas about what keeps bothering her. Heo Ji Chul Got Scammed by Kim Tae Jin For Heo Ji Chul, getting the memorandum to Kim Tae Jin (Heo Dong Won) was his last resort to help Oh In Bum. But Kim Tae Jin asked for money in exchange. Heo Ji Chul used all his savings for ransom. He went to the place that Kim Tae Jin said and brought the money. Heo Ji Chul was able to follow Tae Jin's command, but Kim Tae Jin didn't fulfill his promise of giving the memorandum to him. Heo Ji Chul ended up getting nothing, he just lost all his money and got scammed by Kim Tae Jin. Oh In Bum heard what happened and immediately looked for Kim Tae Jin, but they were surprised to see him with bruises. The scammer also used the memorandum to lure Do Hak Sung, but Kim Tae Jin was blinded by his greed for money and didn't think that Do Hak Sung might take advantage of him, which he did and forcefully snatched it from Kim Tae Jin. Oh In Bum and Hong Ji Ah Joined Forces to Bring Down Do Hak Sung After he warned Kim Tae Jin for what happened, Oh In Bum joined forces with Hong Ji Ah to take revenge on Do Hak Sung. Secretary Joo Hwa Jung also made a surprise visit inside the Daebak Real Estate office and brought all the papers that involve Do Hak Sung. They found out that Do Hak Sung had a paper company in Manila and discovered more of his past cases and turned it over to the police. With the help of Jung Ji Wook (Jo Seung Yeon) and Kang Han Suk (Kim Sung Bum) they immediately proceed with the investigation. On the other hand, Do Hak Sung had nobody to lean on after the news about his cases was broadcast on national television. All his business partners cut ties with the president of Do Hak Sung Construction. This is the start of Oh In Bum and Hong Ji Ah's revenge against the evil president, Do Hak Sung. In Case You Missed It: 'Sell Your Haunted House' Episode 13: Jang Na Ra Gets Emotional as She Leaves Daebak Real Estate Have you watched the latest "Sell Your Haunted House" episode? How's the story so far? 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. A Central Point man will spend just under 17 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty on Friday to raping a child, according to the Jackson County District Attorney's office. 26-year-old Matthew McVeigh was arrested in May of 2019 and has been in the Jackson County Jail since then. He was indicted days after his arrest on Rape in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. The crimes occurred between April and May of that year. "Mr. McVeigh had access to his victim through familial ties," the DA's office said. McVeigh pleaded guilty to all three charges this week. Judge Charles Kochlacs sentenced him to 200 months in state prison, with 20 years of post-prison supervision. Because the crimes qualified for Oregon's Measure 11, he is ineligible for early release. He will also be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life. The case against McVeigh was investigated by the Central Point Police Department and prosecuted by the Jackson County DA's office. SALEM, Ore. -- In a press conference Friday morning, Governor Kate Brown gave more information about what will happen to COVID-19 restrictions once 70 percent of adults are vaccinated. What does fully reopen mean? Masks will "largely" no longer be required in businesses and most other places, with the exception of public settings currently outlined by the CDC such as public transportation. "No more physical distancing," Brown added. Schools are expected to return to a full in-person school day in the fall. Restaurants will be able to open to a full house without capacity restrictions, and people can enjoy all the events they've missed out on due to the pandemic, Brown added. Oregon's current risk level framework, which determines county restrictions based on local case rates, will be retired once the vaccination benchmarks is hit. Brown also said that the vaccination status check guidelines will be be made obsolete, as mask and social distancing rules will be the same regardless of vaccination status. The state will still strongly recommend that the unvaccinated and those who are medically vulnerable continue to wear masks and practice other precautions. Brown pledged that vaccination efforts will not stop once Oregon hits that target, as the risk of COVID-19 remains for people who are not vaccinated. This has really become a tale of two pandemics. If you are vaccinated, then youre safe, you can carry on safely without wearing a mask and social distancing," Brown said. If you are not vaccinated, this virus still poses a very real threat." As of June 3, roughly 66 percent of Oregonians 18 and older have been vaccinated. There are about 127,000 shots to go before the state hits the 70 percent target. The winners of the million dollar vaccine lottery will be announced in July, Brown said. I want to be very clear that we are able to reopen like this because of the efficacy of the vaccines. For those of you who are vaccinated, youve helped us reach this point and you are protected from this virus, said Governor Brown. However, there are still Oregonians who need to take extra precautions to feel and stay safe. People battling cancer and immunocompromised Oregonians, to name a couple. There are also many Oregon kids who are not yet eligible for a vaccine. So, it will remain incredibly important for Oregonians to continue making smart choices. And, to respect the choices of others. Lets respect one another as we prepare to make this transition." MEDFORD, Ore. A Jackson County grand jury on Thursday approved charges for the suspect in a fatal shooting along Crater Lake Avenue on Saturday night. 45-year-old Lorenzo Fisher was taken into custody in the early hours of Sunday morning after a shooting the night before in the parking lot of Weldon's Cleaners. The victim, 45-year-old Robert Houze, was taken to a hospital for treatment where he later died. A grand jury met Thursday afternoon, hearing testimony from three witnesses the Medford Police Department's lead detective Sal Garcia, detective Dan Gugliotta, and officer Kevin Martin. The jurors returned a four count indictment, charging Fisher with Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Jackson County District Attorney's office said that Fisher is currently being held at the Jackson County Jail on a no-bail hold. He is expected to be arraigned on Monday. Officers from Medford Police responded to reports of a person down in the Weldon's parking lot just before 8 p.m. on Saturday night, finding Houze suffering from a gunshot wound that would soon turn fatal. Detectives learned that Houze had been inside of Weldon's when he and Fisher got into an argument, the agency said. Fisher left and came back minutes later in a black SUV, according to Medford Police. As Houze approached Fisher's SUV, Fisher allegedly shot him from inside the vehicle before driving away from the scene. Police later found the SUV in the 500-block of Mary Street, linking it to a nearby home. MPD surrounded the home and obtained a search warrant, but they happened to call Fisher's phone before going inside. Fisher reportedly told police that he was not at home, and he agreed to surrender to police in Josephine County. He was taken into custody shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, and was turned over to MPD before being interviewed and taken to jail. MPD said that a search of Fisher's house located a handgun that they believe was used in the deadly shooting. Investigators do not believe that Fisher and Houze knew one another before the argument Saturday night. SALEM, Ore. Democrats in the Oregon House of Representatives prevailed on a $9.3 billion school funding package Thursday, increasing the state's education budget by 3.3 percent above current two-year period. The bill, which previously passed in the Senate, now heads to Governor Brown's desk. According to House Democrats, the $9.3 billion budget will be added to nearly $4.6 billion in property taxes and other local revenues, and receives funding from the corporate activity tax-funded Student Success Act. We are creating record investments in our public school system this session, said Rep. Susan McLain, who carried the bill on the House floor. We know so many Oregonians are struggling right now, which is why each and every one of us is working hard to ensure we can meet everyones needs, especially those of our BIPOC and low-income communities, who have disproportionately been impacted by the multiple crises this past year. The budget bill passed over opposition from House Republicans, who were pushing for an increase in the budget amount from $9.3 billion to $9.6 billion by sending it back to committee, claiming that the bill would result in layoffs and budget cuts. We should not be moving forward with a budget that will harm our kids education in the long run, said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan. Schools tell us that $9.6 billion is needed to avoid cuts next year, and we must believe them. Our state has more money than ever, and were committed to giving families the choice of in-person learning next fall. This is the wrong time to move forward with a cuts budget. Our kids deserve better. Republicans also wanted to pass a separate bill that would require all Oregon public schools to offer full-time in-person learning during the coming school year "notwithstanding any COVID-19 declaration of emergency or any provisions of a COVID-19 emergency rule." Both Republican motions failed against the Democratic Majority in the House. "The budget that we passed today stabilizes our education fund at a time when Oregon students need that stability and support, and it does so without requiring cuts to our other essential services, said Democratic Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon, who serves as Chair of the House Committee on Education. As a legislative body, we have an opportunity to invest in a public education system that works for allespecially our Black children, Indigenous children, children of color, low-income children, children in rural communities, children experiencing disability, and immigrant and refugee children. This budget moves us in that direction, and we all know there will be more work going forward to help us achieve equitable outcomes for Oregons BIPOC children. Younger brother to a suspected Gutu thief, who was arrested for stealing while clad in a skeleton-like costume and mask committed suicide on Monday. People around him suspect he feared being arrested in connection with theft cases. Musiiwa Gondoro, who is a brother to Norman Chagwiza went into hiding after the latter was arrested on May 27. In fear of being arrested, he took his own life after warning his wife not disclose how he had acquired some of their household goods. The case was attended by Zimbabwe Republic Police and CID Gutu Mupandawana. He died on Monday before he was removed from the scene of his death on Tuesday afternoon. It is reported that they would work in cahoots with his step-brother, breaking into houses of unsuspecting residents and stealing goods. His wife, Spiwe Dandira said her husband had not been coming home since the arrest of his step-brother. He told me not to tell anyone and If am asked about the batteries we have, I had to tell them that he bought them. He told me to go home and that he would come and have his food. I waited for him at home but he did not show up before I decided to return to his hiding place where I searched for him. Unfortunately he was found by his friends while hanging from a tree in the mountain, she said. Musiiwa had been staying in the mountain for three days since the arrest of his brother. Since the day his step-brother was arrested for house breaking, he has not been stable before he decided to move to the mountain which became his new home. When I asked him what was going on he could not give a reasonable answer which led me to be suspicious, added Dadirai. Musiiwas friend identified as Baba Brian said the deceased had been living in fear of arrest. From the time his brother was arrested, he knew he was next as the police were trying to recover everything and apprehending the suspects. The other Harare house breaking team was arrested and this made him fear to the worst prompting him to kill himself, he said. H Metro The first Kelowna city council meeting in June is usually cancelled so councillors, shown here in a 2020 file photo, can attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention. Even though this year's FCM was an all-online affair, next Monday's council meeting has still been cancelled. About 290,000 British Columbians who've received an AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 will start getting calls Monday asking if they want to book an appointment for a booster shot. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits a memorial at the Eternal flame on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, which is in recognition of discovery of children's remains at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick The Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at a vaccination clinic in Dartmouth, N.S. on Thursday, June 3, 2021. Large shipments of COVID-19 vaccines will continue to pour into Canada through the summer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, with over two million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab expected to arrive each week until the end of August. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan The meeting on May 21 between President Joe Biden of the United States and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea is a significant event, characterized by the relative absence of media coverage. The conversations between these two highly experienced leaders were extensive, but not public, which is how the best most effective diplomacy is conducted. Media attention focused on presentation of the Medal of Honor to retired U.S. Army Colonel Ralph Puckett, in an award ceremony attended by President Moon. This is the first time the head of a foreign government has attended the special ceremony. Puckett had received the Distinguished Service Cross, now upgraded, for extraordinary heroism and leadership during heavy combat in the Korean War. Over the past four years, Moon appeared overshadowed by the public posturing and often-extreme statements of President Donald Trump and North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un. Trump and Kim held several summits with exceptional media attention, statements about breakthroughs and promises of progress in the tense relations between the two nations. Nothing consequential resulted. THE head of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) Mr Tabani Mpofu said the phrase catch and release was coined by some elements trying to discredit President Mnangagwas anti-graft fight, and suspects who deserve bail are freed by the courts in terms of the law. Speaking at a recent anti-corruption conference held in Harare, Mr Mpofu said the release of suspects on bail does not amount to catch and release. This followed an attack on the investigators for alleged catch and release of corruption suspects. Judicial officers are the ones who make bail rulings and they do so in terms of the law, said Mr Mpofu. Insinuating that those who catch are the ones who release is mischievous. The phrase was coined by people who want to discredit the Presidents noble anti-graft fight. According to the Constitution, every person is innocent until proven guilty. Bail is a right to all those who qualify. Blasting the Government or investigators over release of suspects on bail is wrong and unfair. We may oppose bail as the State, but the Judiciary, which is an independent arm of the State, reviews our arguments and come up with a decision. The court may agree or disagree and that is how the criminal justice system operates, said Mr Mpofu. Mr Mpofu clarified SACUs role in the fight against corruption saying only the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the police have arresting powers. The clarification followed an attack by some people that SACU was acting unconstitutionally. Some even contested SACUs powers in court, without success. As SACU, we are a body established by the President when he got concerned that nothing much was being done in terms of prosecution of corruption cases. The problem comes from people who dont understand how prosecutors operate. When we do our prosecution, we fall directly under the Prosecutor-General, under whose authority we are prosecuting. We are not two teams competing with each other. The PG in terms of the Constitution, may direct the Commissioner-General to investigate certain cases. We are not unique in our interaction with the police. We work under the supervision of the PG. There are only two entities with the powers to arrest, that is the ZRP and the ZACC, said Mr Mpofu. Herald CORVALLIS, Ore.-- Though the pandemic has left many teens feeling isolated, the successes of one Corvallis teen serve as proof that even though the pandemic put the world on pause, you can still continue to grow. Malik Brown moved to Corvallis from Washington as a sixth-grader and felt an immediate culture shock, experiencing bullying and racism. I was going through depression and all that stuff. My family was struggling," he said. I was hard-headed. I didnt really think I would have a future. At school, peers would make fun of his hair and the color of his skin. Now a rising high school senior, he said he only began growing roots in the community when he got involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis. It surprised me because I was like, people actually care," he said. The programs, mentorship, and feeling of the community kept Brown coming back to the club throughout his middle school and high school years, but the pandemic presented new challenges. In March 2020, coronavirus shutdowns caused the Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis to pivot its programming to an emergency child care model for essential workers. Teens like Brown were able to stay involved by helping staff members sanitize and live up to other pandemic guidelines. We started with great trepidation about what might happen by stepping into this world that nobody knew about has actually turned out to be a blessing and such an advantage for our kids, our teens," said Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis CEO Helen Higgins. With the help of a grant from Pacific Power, the club safely resumed some of its programmings. That's how Brown wound up getting involved in a teen panel addressing racism in the community. We felt like our voices, we were heard," he said about having the opportunity to share his experiences. His involvement in the club culminated in the opportunity for him to compete for the club's Youth of the Year, an honor that he won. I was thinking to myself, this is so scary. But at the same time, its the opportunity that Ive always wanted to speak up about my experiences and my story," said Brown. Leaders at the club said that stories like Brown's show that even though the world stopped, putting the effort into helping the community's youth was worth the effort. To see people like Malik thrive under these incredibly difficult conditions helps other organizations want to remain flexible and nimble like Helen and the Boys and Girls Club have done," said Cooper Whitman of Pacific Power. After his senior year, Brown hopes to attend Linn-Benton Community College before transferring to Oregon State. He wants to study music production or the performing arts. From just a year ago to now, where I finally tell myself that I do have a future," he said. EUGENE, Ore. -- The parents of the 9-month-old who died after suffering a medical emergency in August 2018 are upset with the sentence Nicole Sumpter received. RELATED: LAWYER OF NICOLE SUMPTER SAYS SHE DIDN'T CAUSE THE DEATH OF 9-MONTH-OLD Sumpter, who had been caring for William Cannon at the time of his death, pleaded guilty to criminal mistreatment and tampering with evidence instead of manslaughter. She was sentenced to thirty days of jail time and three years of probation, and she is no longer allowed to care for children. "Probation for the needless death of a child in her care is outrageous! We look forward to revealing the truth about the circumstances of William's death in a forum where justice will be served," said parents Jenna Keehn and Tyler Cannon. Jay Hall is the lead prosecutor in the case. He said his team simply could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Sumpter had a direct cause in the childs death. Instead they proved that she couldve done more to save his life, which explains the criminal mistreatment conviction. MORE: LEGAL EXPERT DISCUSSES PLEA DEAL IN DEATH OF 9-MONTH-OLD Hall said he hopes people can learn from Sumpter's mistakes. "If there is a message out there, it is for those child care providers to do the right thing when you're given the huge responsiblity of taking care of our children," Hall said. He highlighted that he understands the family's frustration. "Nothing's ever going to make them happy about any of this. It shouldn't. They're devastated. They lost their child," Hall said. "I understand the desire to and the will to reach out and say someone's got to be to blame for the loss of this child." SPRINGFIELD, Ore.-- The Springfield Police Department is investigating a report of harassment near the D Street boat ramp that occurred Wednesday evening. Around 5 p.m. Wednesday, a man in his 50's was allegedly harassed by a group of 10 teenagers. Officials said the man said something to the group that triggered them to approach him. Witnesses told police they saw the group try to throw his bike into the Willamette River. The man fought back but was knocked to the ground where he was repeatedly kicked and hit. One witness tried to intervene but was also kicked. When police arrived, the group scattered in all directions. Lieutenant George Crolly with the Springfield Police said the teens should be more concerned about crossing the wrong people, not the law. "I think if they do this to the wrong person or the wrong crowd that person may be able to defend themselves in a more capable manner," Crolly said. "They may be harmed with a knife or a gun that puts those juveniles in danger." Police said there was another report of harassment that occurred Thursday near the I-5 bridge by a similar group of teens. Officials were able to get a description of the suspects, with one described as having orange hair. So far no arrests have been made but police said they're patrolling the area. If the public has any information, they're asked to call the department. Photovoltaic power stations in Xinjiang help villagers secure livelihood People's Daily Online) 13:29, June 04, 2021 Photovoltaic (PV) power stations in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have helped expand the collective economy in villages and raise villagers' incomes. Waq-Waq village in Suntagh township, Artux city of Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture in the region is one of the places that have developed from the development of PV power projects. The village used to suffer frequent power cuts as it had little collective income to pay for electricity. Photo shows the 500-kW village-level PV power station in Baykurut village, Wuqia county, Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online Overseas Edition/Qiu Haifeng) But in 2019, it piloted a PV power project when Xi Kewei from China Huadian Cooperation Ltd. (CHD), a state-owned power generating group, began to serve as the first secretary of the village Party committee. The village is covered by sunlight for 2,500 to 3,000 hours a year, Xi said, explaining the reason for developing the PV power project. In August that year, a 70-kW PV power station was put into operation with CHD's assistance. The PV panels on the roof of the village Party committee's office building guarantee power supply to the committee and surrounding villagers and save 100,000 yuan (about $15,649) in electricity costs each year, Xi said, adding that surplus PV power can also be sent to other places to help the village earn more collective income. Xi explained that the power station also has a storage system with a capacity of 30 kW, making it the first village-level PV power station with this kind of system in Kizilsu Kirgiz. Now, CHD has expanded the installed capacity of PV power stations in the village to 110 kW, Xi noted. Apart from building PV power stations, CHD has also trained its own maintenance personnel for village-level power stations. Baykurut village of Wuqia county located in the far west of the autonomous region is home to the only 500-kW village-level PV power station in Kizilsu Kirgiz, which was connected to the state power grid on Oct. 31, 2019. Turghun Qurban is the head of the power station. In June 2019, Qurban and two college students in the village attended a three-month maintenance training course organized by Huadian Xinjiang Power Co. Ltd., a subsidiary company of CHD. After the course, professional personnel offered maintenance guidance to them for one year until they were able to independently carry out their work. Turghun Qurban (1st R) checks Photovoltaic panels. (People's Daily Online Overseas Edition/Qiu Haifeng) In recent years, the company has invested 5.42 million yuan in maintenance training in Artux city and Wuqia county, and trained 5,040 technicians and 1,474 grassroots managers. This year, it will also inject about 1.3 million yuan into the training of technical personnel. PV projects also bring better lives to local villagers. Statistics show that the power station in Baykurut has generated over 1.3 million kWh of electricity and brought a collective income of more than 1 million yuan for the village, which has helped to lift 206 households out of poverty and laid a solid foundation for the village to achieve rural vitalization. Baykurut has created various public service jobs, including sanitation workers, road maintenance workers, and traffic management assistants, for residents who used to depend on animal husbandry to make a living, according to Chen Dawei from CHD, first secretary of the village. Part of the income from the power station is used to pay the salaries of these workers, Chen added. Bahtinur Memettursun, who regularly cleans solar panels, has benefited a lot from his public service job. "I can earn about 25,000 yuan each year from the job and more than 20,000 yuan from animal husbandry," Memettursun said happily. This year, Baykurut will also invest more to develop other industries, including animal husbandry, crop farming, and aquaculture farming, to further expand the village's collective economy and help more residents increase their income, Chen explained. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) GOVERNMENT says it will not control prices of commodities which have skyrocketed in the past week following the promulgation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 127 of 2021 which seeks to regulate foreign currency exchanges. SI 127 of 2021 prohibits business operators from charging above the official exchange rate and empowers authorities to punish those that refuse to take the Zimbabwe dollar for local transactions. While presenting a ministerial statement on SI 127 of 2021 in the National Assembly on Thursday, Finance deputy minister Clemence Chiduwa said government would allow the market to regulate itself. He was responding to legislators who had raised concerns over continued price hikes of basic commodities. I would like to assure the House that we are not going to control prices. We will allow businesses to thrive and come up with their own pricing models but what is very critical in economics is effective demand, Chiduwa said. You can increase prices the way you want, but what is critical is effective demand. When you have increased your prices, are people going to buy? You can only buy where there is no choice but look at how the Zimbabwean economy is dichotomised between the informal and formal sector. Price controls are not going to assist us as a country, they will take us back but as I have mentioned, there is the issue of effective demand and then the issue of import parity, he said. Chidawu also defended the forex use measures saying they protect consumers from abuse by unscrupulous businesses and also enhance convergence of parallel and formal exchange rates. We are not banning our people from importing. I know this is going to put a strain again on the demand for forex, but what I can assure you is that in the medium term, there is going to be sanity because of lack of effective demand, he said. It happened last year and after some two to three weeks, we started to see prices going down and I can assure you that prices will go down. Price stability of goods and services, customers will be able to settle payments of goods and services in either currency. The SI promotes market discipline which is a key anchor of price and financial stabilisation strategies. Chidawu said the Finance ministry had organised a breakfast meeting with various business institutions to deliberate on issues around promulgation of SI 127 2021. Policy analyst Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo said government must not impose price controls but create a conducive environment for the market to operate. We need proper sound development policies. The market has panicked over the SI, Muzamhindo said. The market is reacting to the position of the government on foreign currency use. We are likely to see a situation where business operators will pull out their goods from shelves. In another reactive way, prices will continue hiking. Government ought to have consulted the business and consumers before imposing the regulation. We are likely to experience shortages and prices will hike in local currency to match the government gazetted US dollar rate. Newsday By Tonny Abet More by this Author A s President Museveni unveils his 6th term agenda in the State-of-the-Nation-Address today, Ugandans across the political spectrum have listed a dozen strategic bottlenecks facing the country. They have asked the President to use his address and give accountability to the families that have lost loved ones in unresolved cases of high-profile murders, fix rising levels of poverty, corruption, unemployment and Covid-19 pandemic that has affected every nerve of the economy. This years address, which will be held at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, comes a month after Mr Museveni was sworn in for a new five-year-term at the same place. Mr Museveni won the January 14 vote with 58 per cent, according to the Electoral Commission (EC), a victory that his closest challenger Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform (NUP) contested. The President is expected to announced his new Cabinet this week. Read more: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/12-issues-museveni-must-address-today-3425242 By Juliet Nalwooga The unprecedented poor performance of students at the Law Development Center (LDC) has been blamed on the suspension of the pre-entry examinations in 2019. 90% of lawyer students who sat for the academic year 2019/20 Bar course exams at the Law Development Center (LDC) failed. According to the released results, of the over 1,600 students who sat for the exams, 70% will have to retake and 20% of them totally failed the examinations and have since been discontinued. Frank Othembi, the LDC director, also attributes the poor performance to the negative global effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the education sector. He says students who failed more than 3 of the 5 core subjects, and have been discontinued from the Bar course, may apply for re-admission in a subsequent academic year. The 10% that passed from the Kampala and Mbarara campus, will be graduating next Friday on 11th June in a virtual ceremony. Man in stable condition after being shot by police following threats made to himself, deputies A housing development in Callan has been highlighted as one in a Europe-wide movement towards community-led housing. The aim of this new kind of community is to imagine the best possible pattern for housing in a new era of rights and social inclusion. President Michael D Higgins has written the foreword to this report, saying these new kinds of developments merit the support of policy makers at a time when it is abundantly clear that radical solutions to housing provision are needed urgently given the magnitude of a housing crisis that is not abating. He added: Community-Led Housing is an example of bottom-up, active citizenship as its best. Community-Led Housing enables people to pool their collective resources to create homes that are accessible and aordable to all. It understands housing not as just the provision of houses, but the empowerment of diverse, sustainable communities. Roadmapping a Viable Community-Led Housing Sector for Ireland includes several personal testimonies of the impact of this cohesive approach to housing from across the country. One of these accounts comes from Callan, where the Nimble Spaces group was established in 2021, aimed to develop an Inclusive Neighbourhood there, one that focuses on privacy and self-determination for people with support needs in an interdependent social context. The project has included three years of arts-led research that enabled people with a disability to creatively explore, together with people interested in cohousing, their sense of home. In 2017, planning permission was granted to Camphill Communities of Ireland AHB and Lionra Co-Housing to develop 25 homes on four sites in Callan. The social housing element of the project is now led by Tuath Housing as a Turnkey/CAS initiative with Lionra Co-Housing promoting the cooperative housing element in collaboration with O Cualann Cohousing Alliance. Through listening to our community, were now on the path to an inclusive neighbourhood for Callan, one that blends co-housing principles with social housing, Rosie Lynch, group member with Inclusive Neighbourhoods in Callan, said. The project will address the integration of people with support needs, such as disability, older age and single families and low incomes in neighbourhoods that actively support neighbourly relationships. It will also act as a creative agency for future residents, providing an expanded vision for accessibility and inclusion to architects and designers. Supported by The Housing Agency, The Land Development Agency, O Cualann Cohousing Alliance and the Goethe lnstitut Irland, SOA Research initiated and coordinated a 12-month research project to roadmap a Community-Led Housing infrastructure for Ireland. Also featured are community developments in several Irish towns as well as in Berlin, Cambridge and Brussels. The publication series is now available to read online by visiting the website: www.soa.ie. A local county councillor is calling on the Minister for Health to clarify the plan for the AstraZeneca vaccine. Responding to the new advice from NIAC allowing for the gap between AstraZeneca vaccine doses to be reduced to eight weeks, Labour Cllr Denis Hynes said what the people of Kilkenny will want to know is if it will be implemented, and backed the call from Labour Leader Alan Kelly for the Minister for Health to provide clarity, especially for those in the 60-69 age cohort. This is a welcome development from NIAC but we need clarity on whether the shorter eight week gap between doses will now be implemented? The evidence from a Public Health England study is clear, the first dose of AstraZeneca only provides 33% protection against the new delta variant that first appeared in India. This has caused so much concern with people in the 60-69 aged cohort and their families, and the increasing incidence of the new variant that is causing such concern. We have raised this with the government on a number of occasions asking them to get the experts in NIAC to look at it, as there is significant public concern about the three month wait, and Labour representatives have been inundated with queries from so many in the 60-69 age cohort worried about the emerging risk from the new delta variant," added Cllr Hynes. They are worried and their families are worried. The advice from the experts is now clear. These people waiting for their second dose, are likely to be the most vulnerable, will have to wait the longest to be fully vaccinated and are at risk from new variants. With this clear recommendation from NPHET and NIAC we need clarity from the Minister for Health if he will act to implement this new advice. EirGrid, operator of the national electricity grid, will soon close its 14-week consultation on Shaping Our Electricity Future, a new initiative that details innovative approaches to developing the electricity grid in order to meet ambitious 2030 renewable energy targets. The company, along with Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD, launched the initiative in March and has been seeking feedback as part of a nationwide public consultation that closes next Monday June 14th. To date there have been numerous engagements across Kilkenny as part of the consultation, including a briefing for Kilkenny County Council and an Irish Rural Link Workshop. There has also been a three-day Deliberative Dialogue with 99 people from around the country. As well as this, EirGrid hosted a series of National Youth Assembly workshops and over 100 people participated in a Civil Society Forum in May. Mark Foley, chief executive of EirGrid, said: The grid requires unprecedented change in the next ten years. This transition to clean electricity will affect everyone in Ireland and will unquestionably be difficult, however the benefits will be truly transformative at both a societal and an economic level. "Because of this, we have been hosting a nationwide consultation to find an agreed approach to reach the 2030 targets. We want to collaborate with the public and all stakeholders." EirGrid has been asked by the Government to transform the electricity system in anticipation of a future without coal, oil, peat and ultimately one with net zero emissions. Specifically, it must redevelop the grid to manage 70% of Irelands electricity coming from renewable sources by 2030. Shaping Our Electricity Future comprises four approaches to achieving this, as well as meeting the projected increase in demand for electricity over the coming years. 1. Generation-Led: Government policy would influence where renewable energy is generated favouring locations where the grid is already strong 2. Developer-Led: In this approach, we continue to connect new sources of renewable electricity as requested in any location 3. Technology-Led: This approach uses technical solutions to make the grid more resilient so it can better handle the variable nature of renewable energy 4. Demand-Led: Government policy determines where large energy users locate in Ireland For the next 10 days, people can find out more about the public consultation and how to have their say in Shaping Irelands Electricity Future by visiting "consult.eirgrid.ie". The area of gluten free oats sown by Glanbia Irelands grain farmers doubled in 2020 compared to 2019 and the company is looking for more growers of the crop. Glanbia Ireland operates a closed-loop supply chain in production of gluten-free oats (GFO). It is the only certified supplier of gluten-free oats in Ireland, with 75 dedicated growers and a unique supply chain. Recent rain, followed by a warm spell, all mean it is looking like being a good harvest at this stage of crop development, according to Glanbia Irelands Grain Development and Sales Manager, Donal Moloney. The GFO contract currently pays a premium of 40/tonne over base wheat price and Glanbia Ireland harvests and transports the crop from field to drying location. Growers can forward sell gluten-free oats throughout the growing season at the prevailing green wheat price. Glanbia Ireland moved its food grade oats drying and storage operation to a new state-of-the art facility at Harris Grain, Athy in 2020. Were particularly looking for growers within a 50km radius of this facility. The crop must be sown after a non-cereal break crop or grass to ensure minimal contamination from other cereals, he added. Agronomic advice for gluten-free oats crops is provided by the Glanbia Ireland agronomy team. Crops are thoroughly inspected at ear emergence stage to check for contamination by other cereals, wild oats, brome, etc and the application of glyphosate pre-harvest is not permitted. Glanbia Ireland Chief Agribusiness Growth Officer, Sean Molloy, said: Over 2,100 acres of gluten-free oats were sown in 2021, less than 2020 levels. But with a much different configuration of winter versus spring this year, Glanbia Ireland expects to get similar tonnage at harvest to 2020. Gluten-free oats is an excellent break crop and improves a growers rotation, as well as being profitable in its own right. Slightly lower inputs are required compared to wheat and barley and Irish oats in particular have a significantly lower carbon footprint than oats grown in the rest of Europe, much of this down to higher yields in Irish soils, he added. Jonny Greene is a fourth generation farmer at Levistown House in Meganey, Co, Kildare. Ive about 150 acres under gluten-free oats this year, up from 130 last year. Ive steadily increased it over the years. Im always looking for premium markets and this crop suits my rotation pattern. The fact that its a low input crop also helps, he said. I still believe the most likely origin is from an animal species to a human, but I keep an absolutely open mind that if there may be other origins of that, there may be another reason, it could have been a lab leak, Fauci said on CNN. I believe if you look historically, what happens in the animal-human interface, that in fact the more likelihood is that youre dealing with a jump of species, but I keep an open mind all the time, and thats the reason why I have been public that we should continue to look for the origin. OSAGE, Iowa A Minnesota man pleads not guilty in Mitchell County over a car stolen in Mason City. Alec Gordon Woods, 10 of Austin, MN, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree theft. He was arrested on May 15 after a Mitchell County sheriffs deputy responded to a report of a car spinning circles in a farm field in the 3700 block of Primrose Avenue. A vehicle matching the same description was then seen speeding on Highway 218 and was pulled over. Court documents state the driver was Woods and he admitted to stealing the car from a hotel parking lot in Mason City on May 12. Woods is now scheduled to stand trial beginning August 11. HAMPTON, Iowa A plea deal is reached over an attempted break-in of a Franklin County home. Austin Taylor Lee Hogan, 31 of Fort Dodge, has pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted burglary. His sentencing is set for July 22. Hampton police say they were sent to a 7th Avenue NE address a little after 1 am on January 22 after a woman reported a man with a gun was trying to enter her home through the back porch. Officers say they found an obviously intoxicated and confrontational Hogan at the scene. Police say after Hogan repeatedly refused to obey their commands, he was pinned to the ground and handcuffed. Court documents state a .45 caliber handgun was found on the back porch. ROCHESTER, Minn. - As Governor Tim Walz made his way to Rochester Friday afternoon to highlight how his Your Shot at Summer campaign will incentivize vaccinations the city of Rochester says it's committed to getting anyone who is still considering a COVID vaccine to book an appointment. City council president and acting mayor Brooke Carlson says Rochester has really been a shining example across Minnesota as around 95% of those 65 and older have been vaccinated and 80% of those 16 and older have gotten a shot. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz - AP image Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz - AP image Those numbers surpass the states goal of having 70% vaccinated by July 1. Carlson says that shows how Rochester has really prioritized health and protecting friends and neighbors. Carlson explained, Obviously we center our community around health, and how that's played out during COVID is particularly evident. So, I think he wanted to come to a place where we have put in the work and our community commitment to show what it means to really reach that level. She also hopes the incentives to get vaccinated will be another push to get those putting off getting a shot to book an appointment. Carlson added, I think the state of Minnesota did a nice job in identifying things that are of the interest of Minnesotans you know, state fair tickets, and going to the zoo and gift cards to just go out to dinner and be active and get out and enjoy this Minnesota summer which we all treasure so much. Governor Walz spoke at Mayo Field around noon on Friday. He says the goal of the campaign is to help Minnesota reach a vaccination rate of 70% for those 16 and older by July 1. MASON CITY, Iowa Its probation for a North Iowa car wash burglar. Jackie Lee Reich III, 33 of Mason City, has been sentenced to five years of supervised probation and must complete a drug court program. Reich pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary. He was accused of entering locked areas of Laser Wash in Mason City on November 13, 202, and causing more than $1,000 in property damage. WINNESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa - A 33-year-old northeast Iowa man is facing felony charges for sexual exploitation of a minor and dissemination and exhibition of obscene material to a minor. Reed Upton, of Calmar, was is being held in the Winneshiek County Jail. Authorities said he turned himself after a warrant for his arrest was issued. ROCHESTER, Minn. - Retailers at Apache Mall are looking to hire, holding a job fair there Friday. More than ten stores in the mall are looking to up their staffing as we head into summer. Several employers are offering flexible hours and on-the-spot interviews. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the store manager at JCPenney Rochester Mark Turany, says staffing has stayed consistent, but they are always looking to expand. It's great timing with the world opening back up, people are getting back out there whether they were hesitant to work, or other things happening, people are out there looking for those jobs and we want to make sure we're available to welcome them on board, he emphasizes. Tamara Olsten, general manager, at Caribou Coffee adds, There's a lot of people looking for jobs, and hopefully they will find us, so we can help them not just find a job at Caribou, but a start to leadership potential. Effa Tinsley, store manager at Bath and Body Works in Rochester says they start hiring at age 16. She explains the work environment of the store. Definitely a team atmosphere. I think in this work field you can implement that skill you learned in a school setting and be able to apply it in the work setting as well. If you weren't able to make it, Apache Mall will hold another job fair next Friday, June 11 from noon to 4 p-m. For the full list of places hiring, visit their website. ROCHESTER, Minn.- If you love donuts, you are in luck. Today is National Donut Day. People in Rochester were able to get a taste of the pastries on Friday morning. The Salvation Army handed out free donuts to the community at Soldiers Field as a way to show thanks to veterans and those on active duty. "This is where people come to memorialize and honor all of our soldiers and military," said Rebecca Snapp, Rochester Salvation Army's Director of Community Engagement. "It's a great relationship we have with the local veteran groups here in town. It's also just a really great place for people to get a donut and walk around the park in the morning." The tradition dates back to World War I when The Salvation Army would serve the pastry to the troops. "So many of the things we do we do because people need help," explained Snapp. "This is one of those things where people can celebrate. Were coming out of the pandemic, people can be without masks outside, and so it's just a lot of really happy things." Folks who stopped by were treated to some of the traditional frosted flavors like chocolate and vanilla. Over 500 donuts were donated by Hyvee for distribution. CLEAR LAKE, Iowa - As the Memorial Day congressional recess winds down, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is meeting with constituents in the Hawkeye State. Meeting with Clear Lake Rotary Club members at the Surf Ballroom Thursday, Grassley spoke about some of the issues he's working on in Washington, including bi-partisan bills limiting costs on insulin and prescription drugs, and one being put forth on the cattle price transparency bill he has championed. He also took questions from club members, including regarding recent cybersecurity threats. With mid-term elections roughly a year away, he feels confident in Republicans gaining the majority in the House and Senate. "For sure the House of Representatives because history is behind us. We only have to pick up 5 seats, the average is 20 seats. We ought to be able to take over the House of Representatives easily. I think we can take over the United States Senate, but it's a little more touch and go." Grassley, who worked with President Joe Biden during the decades the two served together in the Senate, says the body requires bi-partisanship. "The institution of the Senate, because of the 60 vote requirement, drives bi-partisanship. It's mandatory, if you don't have some bi-partisanship in the United States Senate except a rarely used thing we call reconciliation, you don't get anything done." Grassley's stop is part of his annual 99-county tour, something he's done for 40 years straight. WAVERLY, Iowa A teen accused of stealing a car and leading law enforcement on a chase is pleading not guilty. Dakota James Moeller, 18 of Cedar Falls, is charged with second-degree theft, eluding, and carrying firearms on school grounds. The Bremer County Sheriffs Office says it was contacted around 4:50 am on April 18 about a suspicious vehicle at the Janesville school. Deputies investigated and that led to a pursuit into Black Hawk County that finally ended when the suspect vehicle went into a ditch of Butler Road. Moeller was identified as the driver of the vehicle, which the Sheriffs Office says had been stolen from a Janesville home earlier that morning. A trial is scheduled to begin on July 8. Jasper, TX (75951) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing late. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker penned a letter to the CDC Friday, outlining a proposed COVID guidance that would allow those who are fully vaccinated to go maskless and calls for face coverings to be strongly encouraged, but not required for students, campers and adults who are not fully inoculated. Balboa, (center) was escorted to a patrol car shortly after 4:00 on Friday morning by Deputy Matt Hopson(left) as Chief Deputy Scotty Duncan(right) looks on. Balboa was transported back to Houston, where she will possibly face additional charges and prosecution in connection with the death of young Samuel Olson. Officials with the St. Louis County Police Department said an adult and a child were submerged in a pond after a tractor tipped over in the 4100 block of Meramec Bottom Road. This is near Lemay Ferry Road. Two Easy Ways To Subscribe! The Kodiak Daily Mirror offers full-service, five-day a week subscriptions with home delivery in addition to unlimited access to our online services (including our e-Edition). Online-access-only subscriptions include unlimited access to the Mirror's online services without delivery of the printed newspaper. (Note: New users: You must register and login before purchasing a subscription. Barbara Brunckhorsts dying wish was that a substantial portion of her stake in the meat company go to environmental charities and neuroscience research, according to a lawsuit filed by Frank Brunckhorst III in Manhattan Federal Court on May 14. He says he had a deep bond with Barbara and intends to follow through with her plan. The judge declined to send Fotoohighiam back to jail right away but said he could grant the prosecutor's request at any time. gettyimagesbank By Nam Hyun-woo The United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea may begin investigating allegations that at least two oil tankers previously owned by S. Korean companies were transferred to North Korea, which is a violation of U.N. sanctions on Pyongyang. According to a report by Radio Free Asia, Friday, a spokesman for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Should these allegations be brought to the attention of the committee, they will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken." Norway is the chair of the committee. The spokesman declined to comment directly on the allegations, but was quoted as saying, "We encourage the submission of relevant information and reports," adding, "Norway takes any possible violations of the sanctions regime seriously." The allegations were raised in a June 1 report released by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), an arm of the Center for Strategic & International Studies, a U.S.-based think tank. The report said that Pyongyang had added two new vessels to its fleet for smuggling oil from China, which were previously owned by South Korean companies. Of those tankers, the report said the Shin Pyong 5 was owned by Young Sung Global, a small shipper based in Busan, South Korea, before it was transferred to North Korea. The Shin Pyong 5, which is a 1,579 ton tanker, had been renamed Woojeong in 2019 when its last communication transmission was logged. This map shows the last communication transmission by the South Korean oil tanker Woojeong on July 27, 2019. The tanker was sold to China and is now allegedly operated by North Korea after being renamed Shin Pyong 5, according to a June 1 report by Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI). Captured from AMTI report Jones was appointed Friday by Judge Paul Oetken to be the Special Master who makes the final call on what is fair game or off-limits for prosecutors investigating the former mayor. Giuliani is being eyed for possible violations of foreign lobbying laws through interactions with Ukrainian figures. If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit TWIN FALLS Local officials took another step Thursday toward trying to bring a third river crossing to the Magic Valley. Commissioners from Twin Falls and Jerome counties and Filer and Jerome highway districts met at the Twin Falls Visitor Center to sign a joint powers agreement. Through this agreement, the commissioners created a new entity that will allow them to better advocate and push for the project. While this push for a third river crossing is a locally driven effort, it would turn into a state and federal project due to the costs involved. Were taking a big step today of what is the beginning of a real long-term, but worthwhile effort, Jerome County commission chairman Ben Crouch said. Local governments joining together to push for third bridge crossing Twin Falls County commission chairman Jack Johnson called the signing a historic moment for the Magic Valley. While the construction of a possible third river crossing is still years away, a new crossing would alleviate significant traffic congestion near the Perrine Bridge that is expected to worsen as the area continues to grow. Identifying a location for the potential bridge is one of the next steps in this process. The Idaho Transportation Department Board last month allocated $4 million for a planning and environmental linkage study that will examine potential sites for a new crossing. ITD board allocates $4M for Snake River crossing study This study, which could take up to two years to complete, will build off the work completed in an origin-destination study that ITD will release the final version of soon, ITD District 4 Engineer Jesse Barrus said at the signing. This previous study examined traffic patterns in the area, and how different potential bridge locations would affect those traffic flows. According to this study, multiple points of Blue Lakes Boulevard will reach a level of service rating of F during peak evening hours by 2040, which is a failing grade. Moments later, one of the teens punched him in the face, the teen explained. He was not physically injured in the attack, but he and his friend hid from the group in Macys. A great deal Somewhat Not very much Not at all Vote View Results MONTANA - A copy of election data from Maricopa County in Arizona has been sent to a lab in Montana, a senate liaison in Arizona confirmed. However, it wasn't confirmed what security measures are in place, what the lab in Montana will do with the data or how long it will have the copy. In Maricopa County, the 2020 election has already been audited multiple times, and no incorrections have been shown. Senate Republicans hired four firms to audit the county's election again, including Cyber Ninjas, which is a controversial company out of Florida. Maricopa County's voting systems will be examined, and auditors will also re-scan ballots, review voter registration records and hand count all 2.1 million ballots, KJZZ reported. The audit will cost $150,000 and it's unclear who's paying for the audit right now. In the past, Cyber Ninja CEO Doug Logan claimed the election against former President Donald Trump was rigged, the Arizona Mirror reported. Logan has since deleted his Twitter account, but he previously tweeted about fraud specifically in Maricopa County. In December, he retweeted a claim saying the audits would show Trump got more votes than the county previously reported. Right now, we're working to get more information about why the data has been sent to Montana. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. The victim was hit in the shoulder by flying debris but refused medical attention and didnt want to file a report, said cops. It seems like the hate just keeps growing, Maddrey said. Every week, Im in a different community addressing hate and standing with communities, and I know hate when I see it. I know hurt when I see it. I know harm and trauma when I see it. ROME, JUN 4 - Italy's COVID-19 Rt reproduction number has stayed on a downward trend, dropping to 0.68, compared to 0.72 last week, according to a draft of the latest weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS), sources said on Friday. The incidence fell to 32 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants, down from 47 last week, according to the report, which will be presented later on Friday after being examined by the government's 'control room' COVID taskforce. The report said that all of Italy's regions can now be considered low risk, with Rt numbers below 1. An Rt above 1 indicates the epidemic is in a phase of expansion. Furthermore, it said that no region was above the critical thresholds for the number of people in intensive care or in other hospital wards. It said the proportion of Italian intensive-care places occupied by COVID-19 patients was 12%, well below the critical threshold of 30%, after the number dropped from 1,323 on May 25 to 1,033 on May 31. It said the proportion of coronavirus patients in ordinary hospital wards was 11%, while the critical threshold is 40% in this case, following a drop from 8,577 patients to 6,482. (ANSA). We heard a crash. The car crashed into the gate ... We didnt think anything of it because all the trucks go by, they make noise. And then we saw the jeep here, like oh s---, said Damien Castori, who works nearby. ROME, JUN 4 - A 47-year-old man, the son a late mafia boss from the province of Catania, has been arrested for allegedly murdering his sister in an honour killing in 1995. Alessandro Alleruzzo allegedly killed his sister, Nunzia, for being unfaithful to her husband by having affairs with members of the clan he belonged to and a rival group. The woman went missing on May 30, 1995. Her son, who was five at the time, said he saw her leave home with her uncle on that day. Her body was found in a well three years later. Investigators believe they have cracked the cold case thanks to information from a former Mafioso turned State informant. The informant alleged that Alleruzzo told him that he killed his sister to "save the honour of the family". (ANSA). ROME, JUN 4 - Two brothers aged 60 and 54 were found dead late on Thursday at a home in the Tuscan town of Oste di Montemurlo, near Prato, in what Carabinieri police believe was a murder-suicide, sources said Friday. Neighbours called the police after they heard three gun shots come from the house, the sources said. (ANSA). ROME, JUN 4 - A young gay man was insulted with homophobic epithets and called "sick" on a tram in central Rome on Thursday, Gay Party spokesman Fabrizio Marrazzo reported Friday. "We give all our support and solidarity to the lad," said Marrazzo. "What we see in the video is sadly what many LGBT people suffer on a daily basis just for leaving the house". The Italian parliament is set to pass a bill outlawing homophobic verbal and physical violence despite opposition from centre-right parties who say it infringes the freedom of expression. Marrazzo said however that the new law would not have protected the victim as "article 4 allows people to call us inferior and ill". (ANSA). By Mattia Bernardo Bagnoli SAINT PETERSBURG, JUN 4 - The Puglia mission to St Petersburg, where it is the the only region to be an official guest at the International Economic Forum, is focused on potential investments and on more certain new partnerships, Governor Michele Emiliano told ANSA in an exclusive interview. The mission, headed by Emiliano, is part of a path that was embarked on 15 years ago and may now be enriched with cooperation "on the health front", especially in the neonatal field, and on the pharmaceuticals' front. But that is not all. It is clear that during a "tense time" in relations between East and West, the "diplomacy of cities and regions" can contribute to dialogue, especially if we are talking about Puglia, "Italy's most Russian" land, thanks to the connection with Saint Nicholas, the centre-left governor said. "Everyone has their place. We aren't getting mixed up in big geopolitical issues," Emiliano told ANSA on the fringes of the forum. "We are home to important NATO bases and we are true to our alliances. "The Americans, with whom we have excellent relations, know about our activities and, in a sense, they support them. "This evening the Petruzzelli theatre orchestra will perform before 40,000 people outside the Hermitage Palace. "It would not have been possible without the support of the Italian government, which made the vaccination of the team members possible. "In its way, it is a signal". So the Putin-Biden summit will not take place in Puglia (as Emiliano had proposed) but detente can take many forms. Who knows? Given that Bari is the city where the Catholic and Orthodox churches meet (the Russian church was returned to the patriarchate when Emiliano was mayor of the city) perhaps it could play host to a future meeting between the pope and Patriarch Kirill. "It would be a dream come true," said the governor. In the meantime there are concrete things to deal with. These include Bari-Moscow airline flights, a service that is resuming. Then there is the possibility that Salento-based drugmaker Lachifarma could produce one of the Russian vaccines, thanks in part to the support of the Puglia regional government. "The future will be about investing in facilities that are capable of tracking the evolution of this coronavirus, and of others, in order to be able to produce medicines and vaccines capable of fighting the variants," explained Emiliano. In short, Russia combines perfectly with the regional strategy based on "tourism, innovation and ecological transformation". The meetings that took place in St Petersburg (including one with Health Minister Mikhail Murashko) are giving shape to possible cooperation partnerships and investments in the new high-value-added sectors that the post-pandemic world needs, Emiliano said. (ANSA). ROME, JUN 4 - League leader Matteo Salvini and ex-premier and Forza Italia (FI) leader Silvio Berlusconi had a telephone conversation on Friday to talk about the idea of turning their alliance into a formal federation, League sources said. The call was affectionate and positive the sources said. "We want to build for the good of Italy," Salvini said, according to the sources. Berlusconi, 84, has been seriously ill in recent months after having a nasty bout of COVID19 last year. Unlike FI and the League, the other big centre-right group, Giorgio Meloni's Brothers' of Italy (FdI) party, is not supporting Premier Mario Draghi's government of national unity. (ANSA). DALLAS (AP) A Dallas high school valedictorian scrapped a speech approved by her school administrators and delivered an abortion rights call in its place. Paxton Smith, the 2021 valedictorian at Lake Highlands High School, submitted to school officials an address on the effect of the media on young minds. But when she spoke at Sunday's graduation ceremony, she talked of what she called "a war on the rights" of her body and those of other girls and women by the "heartbeat bill" signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott a week and a half before. "I cannot give up this platform to promote complacency and peace when there is a war on my body and a war on my rights. A war on the rights of your mothers, a war on the rights of your sisters, a war on the rights of your daughters. We cannot stay silent," she told her class. The new law outlaws, without exception, any abortion after a first heartbeat can be detected. That could come as early as six weeks after conception when many women could be unaware that they are pregnant. The law also would allow anyone to sue a Texas abortion provider or anyone who helped someone get an abortion for as much as $10,000. The law would take effect in September, but federal courts have mostly blocked states from enforcing similar measures. Phoebe Bitler and her family were already starting to think about the next step for their dairy farm. Then a barn fire forced them to make a decision. Almost six years later, the Bitlers have settled in to a new robotic milking barn, and they have weathered a pandemic that continues to upset the dairy markets. I personally believe God closes some doors on us and opens others for us. There were many prayers asking for wisdom and guidance in moving forward following that challenge, Bitler said of the fire. Before the December 2015 blaze, Bitler and her family husband Dave, son Jesse and daughter-in-law Becky found themselves milking in two barns of 80 cows. It was an inefficient system that depended on moving cows frequently. It was such an ordeal, Bitler said. The fire destroyed a barn the Bitlers were renting near their home farm. The family lost more than 40 cows, mostly Jerseys. The blaze is believed to be arson, though no one has been charged with setting the fire, Bitler said. With a key piece of their milking infrastructure gone, the Bitlers decided it was time to consolidate and update their operation. Aiming to milk 240 cows, they built a bedded pack barn with two AMS Galaxy robots. Each robot has two boxes that cows can enter for milking. The robots have been running smoothly but must be managed differently from a run-of-the-mill freestall barn. Ration formulation is the most obvious change. Instead of delivering all of the cows nutritional needs at the bunk, the Bitlers need the cows to crave enough energy to be enticed to the milking box, where they get a pelletized snack. We say all robots will work will do their job. Its the people that have to learn, Bitler said. With a few years to plan for the robots, the Bitlers also had time to breed for good teat placement. Robots have difficulty finding teats that are too close to each other. The Bitlers had time to plan because the permitting process for the new barn was rather lengthy. The farm sits in a high-quality watershed. And though the Bitlers moved the cows into the new barn in early 2018, theyre still finishing up the permit requirements. Some stormwater ponds were to be created only after the building was up. Those permits are like a five-year thing. I know why theyre five years you cant do it any faster than that because of all the regulation, Bitler said. Though she takes her own situation in good humor, Bitler said onerous regulations are a hindrance to Pennsylvanias dairy industry. The bedded pack is a more welcome feature of the new barn. Softer than plain concrete, the surface has contributed to cow longevity. In fact, the Bitlers still milk some cows that survived the 2015 fire, making them 8 to 10 years old. Bitler doubts those cows would have reached such a grand old age in a tie-stall setting. The cows do seem to have taken to the more comfortable floors. Youll go out there and youll see them like laying flat out like theyre at the beach or something, Bitler said. Bit by Bit Bitlers parents moved to Berks County in 1954, shortly before she was born. Her parents had been farming in Montgomery County, but they decamped when the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was laid out nearby. They took their farm name, Vista Grande, with them to the new place in Fleetwood. Bitler later learned that a previous owner had given the farm a similar name Grandview. Bitler got a degree in home economics education from Albright College and met her husband in 4-H. They farmed for a few years in Little Britain, near where Dave had grown up in Lancaster County, before returning to Vista Grande to buy out her parents in 1979. The Bitlers bought out Phoebes brothers share in the business seven years later. Today the Bitlers farm 475 acres, about 280 of which they own, and they milk mostly Holsteins. The Bitlers held partial dispersals in 1999 and 2008 to offload surplus animals about 100 animals each time. By chance, they held both sales shortly before serious downturns in the dairy industry. It was the right time for us, and it happened to be the right time for the business, Bitler said. Since the 1999 sale, Dave has found himself working as a cattle broker, helping to arrange sales of animals from one farm to another. People just started calling him up to do that, Bitler said. Recently Dave has moved a number of loads to farms in New York and Vermont. He has also organized several lots of cattle that were exported to Turkey. Export projects depend on a number of factors buyers ability to line up a deal, government regulations, and the availability of a ship at the right time. But when a sale does go through, it can fetch the American farmers a better price than they would get at the local auction, Bitler said. Weathering Upheaval In addition to the changes on the farm, the Bitlers have survived the highs and lows of the dairy industry most recently the pandemic and its aftershocks. Vista Grande, which ships to Dairy Farmers of America, did not have to dump milk last spring. But the Bitlers did get deductions on their milk check because the processor dumped milk. In the end, 2020 wasnt a bad year for the farm, but that was largely because of historic levels of federal aid to the industry. I dont like that we depended on the government, Bitler said. I would rather get paid fairly for the product and sell it than get paid just because were here. Beyond the pandemic-specific programs, Vista Grande participates at the highest coverage level in Dairy Margin Coverage and also uses Dairy Revenue Protection. Bitler sees risk management as a cost of doing business in todays dairy environment. If you cant manage your risk with the government programs, youre missing out (on), Im figuring, like every third dollar, Bitler said. Bitler is also helping other dairy farmers understand these programs by serving as board president for the Center for Dairy Excellence. Shes in the first half of a two-year term. The center, which receives state and private funding, already provided a lot of resources on risk management and profitability strategies before the pandemic began. It was only natural for the center to help farmers navigate the new offerings, like the Paycheck Protection Program and Pennsylvanias Dairy CARES aid. The centers recent mini grant program for on-farm improvements, which required matching funds, drew 153 applications. More than 80 received funding. That showed there was a need and people were really interested, Bitler said. Serving the Industry The Center for Dairy Excellence is far from the first organization in which Bitler or her family members have taken a leadership role. Bitler has been active in the Pennsylvania Holstein Association, served as a township supervisor, and helped the farm earn Dairy of Distinction status. Weve always been involved. Thats what I grew up with, and I guess we just always felt it was important to be a part of the industry, Bitler said. Bitler has even been chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Beef Council and the state Beef Quality Assurance program. The Bitlers keep a small herd of Lowline Angus in addition to their dairy herd. Bitler helped develop BQA at the state level before the national beef checkoff adopted it. The programs initial goal was to assure consumers that farmers were taking care of their animals, and to reduce damage to meat through poorly chosen injection sites. The national program has since expanded in scope, Bitler said. In any farm organization, Bitler is keen to fill leadership roles with people who are the primary decision makers on their farms. It doesnt have to be just late-career people like her who hold the reins, she said. Unfortunately, Bitler said, many potential leaders have little time to pitch in. After all, theyre already spending their time at home doing a good job at farming. Building a Bright Future Despite the troubles of the past few years, Bitler is hopeful about the future of dairy farming in Pennsylvania. The consumers like to see the farm. I think theres a place for it, but I see it changing far faster than Im maybe ready to change, she said. Bitler feels like the dairy industry is playing catchup against the wave of plant-based competitors. Shed like to see incubator programs developed to help small businesses bring innovative dairy products to the market. But she still believes the best promotion of the industry comes through everyday interactions with other people. These opportunities have sometimes come when Bitler is least expecting them. In one case, a woman who worked at the nearby Deka battery plant dropped by with her big family because she wanted to take a picture with the cows for her birthday. Bitler was a bit surprised to have a bunch of people show up at the farm unannounced, but she played the gracious host and let the woman take photos while Bitler told her about the farm. Maybe (the interaction) will benefit them and us, she said. Thats the kind of optimism that can help a farmer make a consumers day and maybe get through a barn fire and a pandemic too. In the event of an African swine fever outbreak, researchers believe composting could be a safe, viable way to dispose of infected pig carcasses. Read more Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced that he would challenge Ken Paxton for the Texas Attorney General post in 2022. The Texas Attorney General aspirant is serving as the land commissioner of Texas since 2015. But the son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the nephew and grandson of two former presidents of the U.S., George P. Bush, took a different road, as he sided with the GOP and supported former President Donald Trump, according to an Associated Press report. READ NEXT: Former Pres. Donald Trump Shuts Down His Blog, Adviser Says He Will Return to Social Media in Another Form George P. Bush to Run Against Texas General Attorney Ken Paxton George P. Bush will compete with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who spent his years in office while indicted for accusations of defrauding investors. Apart from Paxton's indictment for defrauding investors, the current attorney general is also the center of a different investigation regarding corruption. "For many years now, Texans know that their top cop has been under securities fraud indictment, and very concerned about that," said George P. Bush as reported by Fox News. Bush also mentioned eight of Paxton's lieutenant, who accused the attorney general of bribery to corruption. Bush also expressed that he believed Texas Republicans should have a choice "when it comes to their top cop." George P. Bush's announcement of running for 2022 as Texas Attorney General comes as his General Land Office announced that Houston would not get a cent of the initial $1 billion federal funding that was awarded to Texas after the State was hit by Hurricane Harvey. In response to Bush's announcement of his candidacy for Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton's campaign spokesman Ian Prior highlighted the current attorney general's credentials. "Texans know Attorney General Paxton's "rock-solid" conservative record," said Prior, adding some of Paxton's achievements such as defeating Joe Biden's "dangerous" executive order halting deportations of illegal aliens and his "willingness to stand up for secure elections." "Ken Paxton has been and will continue to be the tip of the spear in protecting (former) President (Donald) Trump's America First principles," said Prior. Associated Press reported that George P. Bush's bid to move up the political ladder of Texas will test the appetite of voters from GOP when it comes to "Bush" and the durability of the current attorney general who served at least two terms. George P. Bush Receives Backlash From Former George W. Bush Strategist A former political advisor to President George W. Bush labeled George P. Bush's siding with former President Donald Trump a "really sad tale," Business Insider reported. The outlet further noted that George P. Bush's support to Trump was surprising, considering that the former president called Jeb Bush "low energy" and an "embarrassment to his family." George W. Bush's former political advisor is Matthew Dowd, the chief strategist of the 2004 Bush-Cheney presidential campaign. Dowd's comments came as he was interviewed by CNN on Wednesday, June 3. Associated Press noted that during a visit to Texas in 2019, Donald Trump described George P. Bush as the only "Bush" that likes him. READ MORE: Sen. Ted Cruz Uses "Monty Python" to Slam VP Kamala Harris on Visiting the Border WATCH: George P. Bush Courts Trump Endorsement in Run for Texas Attorney General - From ABC News And even though they were shocked to realize that they could be targeted in such a way in quiet Kaysville, the family also felt an outpouring of love and support from the community, with some people offering to replace the burned flag, some flying flags in solidarity, and others sending them many notes of love and understanding. After targeting churches across Southwest Florida and some parts of the United States, a Romanian pair was arrested in Mexico in connection with the theft ring responsible for $760,000 church fraud, authorities said. Low-Tech Yet Well-Organized Stealing Effort The Romanian pair will be extradited, and currently waits for their return to the U.S., where they will face charges, News-Press reported. Based on the news release issued Thursday, June 4, by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Romanian pair, identified as Catalin Trandafir and Simona Trandafir, was taken into custody in Tijuana, Mexico on Saturday, May 30. Officials of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Mexican law enforcement coordinated for the arrest of the alleged members of the Romanian nationals' theft ring in Orlando, Florida. Both suspects will remain in Mexican custody while waiting for pending extradition to Florida. The Romanian pair had been wanted since May 26, following the arrest of four other alleged members of the Romanian nationals' theft ring running in Orlando. They were under surveillance as part of Operation Thou Shalt Not Steal. Agents of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement noted that the ring is charged with stealing more than 1,700 checks from 636 churches with an estimated amount of more than $760,000. Most of their victims were from Florida, including Cape Coral and Naples. READ NEXT: U.S. Pres. Joe Biden Offers New COVID Vaccine Incentives, Including Free Beer, Among Others The Case of the Romanian Nationals' Theft Ring in Florida The thefts started their fraudulent act in Lee County in November 2019 and then spread countrywide. According to law enforcement, the members of the theft frequently sent high-value wire transfers to Romania and bought food, vehicles, and clothing using the stolen donations. The law enforcement in Florida started their investigation in December 2020 after the police department of Cape Coral identified 24 churches victimized in the area of Lee County. Based on the investigation, authorities have determined that the members of the theft ring traveled to churches to stole checks from their mailboxes. Furthermore, officials said that the suspects used aliases when are depositing the stolen checks into bank accounts. After their deposit, they then used ATMs to withdraw the funds as soon as they were posted on the account. The commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Rick Swearingen, noted that the low-tech yet well-organized stealing effort of the Romanian national's theft ring resulted in mailed-in charitable donations cashed into hundreds of thousands of dollars, New York Post reported. Because of the fraudulent act done by the theft ring, donations have been stopped at a time when they were needed during the pandemic. The observation skills of the Cape Coral Police fraud investigator brought down the theft ring when he orchestrated the arrest of four of six members of the alleged Romanian nationals' theft ring in Orlando. Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Special Agent in Charge of Fort Myers Regional Operations, Shane Pollard, said during the media briefing that the theft ring executed an almost perfect crime amid the COVID-19 pandemic that swept the country. Some church members stayed in their respective homes from in-person church services and opted to mail their offerings. READ MORE: California to Pay More Than $2M Church Legal Fees Over COVID Closure Orders WATCH: Group Accused of Stealing Donation Checks From Local Churches, Others Across Florida - From News4JAX Action star Keanu Reeves will be joined by "Ip Man" star Donnie Yen in "John Wick 4," the fourth installment of the "John Wick" action franchise. Donnie Yen will play the role of Keanu Reeve's old friend in the movie, who shared the same history and many of the same enemies, Deadline reported. Keanu Reeves and Louise Rosner were known as the executive producers of "John Wick 4." The film is produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and its director Chad Stahelski. The fourth installment of the popular action film franchise was reported to undergo production this summer, with Japan, France, and Germany as their locations. READ NEXT: Karate Kid III Star Will Be Back as Terry Silver in Cobra Kai Season 4 Donnie Yen Joins Keanu Reeves in 'John Wick 4' AV Club reported that Donnie Yen as John Wick's old friend would join the super assassin in his challenges, thrills, and triumphs in the film. However, the name of the character that Yen will play has yet to be released. The announcement of Donnie Yen joining the cast of "John Wick 4" came after British-Japanese pop superstar Rina Sawayama was also reported to appear in the same installment of the film for a lead role, according to an IGN South Asia report. "We are very lucky to have Donnie Yen join the franchise," said Stahelski, adding that he was excited to work with the "Ip Man" star in his exciting new role in "John Wick 4." Iwanyk, on the other hand, noted that Yen's character will bring a "vibrant and powerful energy into the franchise." "We were determined to bring him [Donnie Yen] on board to John Wick 4," said Iwanyk, adding that they were "thrilled" because a talented artist like Yen will collaborate with Keanu Reeves. The producer's delight in Donnie Yen joining the cast can be considered worth it, as Yen made a name for himself in the action movie industry. Apart from his role in "Ip Man" as a titular Wing Chun master who would later train Bruce Lee, Yen also appeared in Jet Li's "Hero" as he fought in a rain-soaked sword and spear fight against the protagonist of the film. He was also cast as the blind guardian of the Whills, Chirut Imwe, in the movie "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Yen also appeared in the 2020 live-action remake of Disney's Mulan. Keanu Reeves' 'John Wick 4' "John Wick 4" will be the fourth installment of the popular action movie that first hit the big screens in 2014. The story began when Keanu Reeves played the role of John Wick who retired from his violent career after he married. The sudden death of John Wick's wife left the assassin in deep mourning and began his bloodbath when the dog, that was left by his wife, was killed by a sadistic mobster Iosef Tarasov. Apart from Donnie Yen announced being a part of Keanu Reeves' "John Wick 4," the fourth installment of the hit action movie was also reported to hit cinemas in 2022. READ MORE: Rachel Bilson Reacts to Mischa Barton's Bullying Claims on the Set of 'The O.C.' WATCH: JOHN WICK 4 - Everything We Know About Chapter 4 So Far... - From KinoCheck International Nicaragua has placed opposition face Cristiana Chamorro on house arrest over money laundering allegations after her house was raided by police. The move against Chamorro, who is also a 67-year-old journalist, was announced on Wednesday. She was seen as a possible challenger to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega in the November elections. However, it is not yet clear if Ortega will seek a fourth term in office, according to an Aljazeera report. Carlos Fernando Chamorro, Chamorro's brother, said that they raided his sister's home after being on-site for more than five hours. Reports said that most of the opposition believe this is a way to eliminate all of the most proponent opposition leaders. A Managua court had earlier said that it had ordered her detention on claims of abusive management and ideological falsehood. Other grounds for her detention were money, property, and assets laundering "to the detriment of the Nicaraguan State and society." READ MORE: Mexico Grapples With Surge in Gang Violence as Largest Elections Inch Closer Election in Nicaragua Chamorro is the daughter of former president Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. She was also expected to run in presidential elections on November 7, according to The Guardian report. However, prosecutors announced that they had filed charges against her and asked the country's electoral body to bar the journalist from holding public office. The head of the Organization of American States warned that Nicaragua was going towards the "worst elections possible," noting that the moves against Chamorro removed all political credibility on the election. Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said his sentiments in a tweet, saying that Nicaraguans deserve real democracy. The Nicaraguan government said that the opposition figure is under probe for financial irregularities connected to the Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation for Reconciliation and Democracy. The group was a nongovernmental organization named after Chamorro's mother. Chamorro said that the claims were issued to keep her out of the election race. Meanwhile, opposition parties in the country had accused the Nicaraguan government of doing a "witch hunt" alleging Ortega of being afraid of having a free, transparent, and observed election, according to a BBC News report. Cristiana Chamorro Chamorro's father is Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, who was the editor of the newspaper La Prensa. The paper had opposed the autocratic Somoza family that ruled the country for decades. Her father was assassinated in 1978. Before her father was killed, Pedro was jailed and forced into exile multiple times by the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza. The organization named after her mother focused on press freedom. However, Chamorro had stepped down from the post earlier this year after leading the organization. She then announced her aim to becoming a presidential candidate for the opposition Citizen's Alliance. Her mother won the 1990 election and became the first female president in Latin America. She had also put an end to Ortega's first 11 years as president of Nicaragua. Ortega had returned to power in 2007 and ruled the country with his wife and vice president Rosario Murillo. In 2018, protests erupted the country and paramilitary groups had crushed the nationwide uprising, which demanded his resignation. READ NEXT: Mayoral Candidate Assassinated Before Mexico June 6 Elections WATCH: Nicaragua police detain government opponent Cristiana Chamorro - from FRANCE 24 English Former president Donald Trump attacked the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, over private emails released from the pandemic's early stages. In a statement released on Thursday, June 3, Donald Trump also called on China to pay $10 trillion to the U.S. over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Blaze report. The former president said China should pay the U.S. and the rest of the world "for the death and destruction they have caused." Donald Trump noted that the correspondence between Anthony Fauci and China "speaks too loudly for anyone to ignore." Trump was pointing out to the increasing number of experts, saying that there was evidence proving to the possibility that the coronavirus might have originated in a laboratory, instead of coming from natural causes. The lab leak theory was reportedly identified as a conspiracy by mainstream media and several experts until reports of supposed evidence emerged. Donald Trump continued to slam Anthony Fauci, saying that he did not have enough faith in vaccines to fight the pandemic. He also attacked the infectious disease expert on his changing stance on the use of face masks. RELATED ARTICLE: Growing Evidence Shows COVID-19 Leaked From Wuhan Lab, Contrary to China's Claims White House Defends Dr. Anthony Fauci The White House has defended Anthony Fauci amid the recently released work emails of the infectious disease expert. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had been an undeniable asset in the U.S. response to the pandemic response of the nation, BBC News reported. Anthony Fauci also said that the email exchange regarding the virus lab leak theory was being taken out of context. President Joe Biden has ordered a review on the matter despite having no concrete proof that the coronavirus had come from a lab. Allies of the U.S. National Institutes of Health infectious disease specialist said that Fauci's messages show nothing more than a dedicated public servant going through the early days of the pandemic. However, critics are suggesting that Fauci may have done a cover-up, further claiming that he perjured himself in testimony to Congress. Anthony Fauci noted that the idea is quite farfetched that the Chinese had intentionally created something that could kill them, as well as other people. The more than 3,000 pages of emails were obtained by The Washington Post and BuzzFeed News through the Freedom of Information Act that allows media to request internal government correspondence. In a January 2020 email to Fauci, the director of the country's largest biomedical research facility suggested the virus' "unusual features" that may indicate it is "engineered." It prompted Fauci to say he will reach out via phone. The director of the National Institute of Health, Francis Collins, sent Fauci an email with the subject line "conspiracy gains momentum" in April 2020. Fauci's response to this is fully redacted. Last month, Anthony Fauci noted that he was "not convinced" that the coronavirus originated naturally. He also expressed support for an investigation. Wuhan Lab Leak Theory There were suspicions that the coronavirus may have leaked accidentally or otherwise, from a laboratory in the city of Wuhan in China. Wuhan had reported the first virus infection, according to another BBC News report. The theory had once again gained traction after U.S. media have raised new concerns over the lab leak theory. Some scientists who were once skeptical of the theory have expressed new opinions when it comes to the issue. One classified U.S. intelligence report stated that three researchers at the Wuhan laboratory were treated in a hospital in November 2019. This was before the virus had started infecting humans in the city. A World Health Organization (WHO) investigation was supposed to clear the air regarding the matter. However, many experts claimed that it produced even more questions than answers. This year, WHO-appointed scientists had gone to Wuhan to investigate the source of the pandemic. Twelve days of being in the country, the WHO team concluded that the laboratory leak theory was extremely unlikely. The WHO's director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a new investigation. He said that all hypothesis should remain open and require more study. READ MORE: U.S. Still Not Ruling Out Lab Accident as COVID-19 Origin, Despite WHO Saying It's 'Unlikely' WATCH: Dr. Fauci Reacts To The Release of Thousands Of His Work Emails - From MSNBC A family trip quickly turned into a horrific incident after a Utah man beat his wife to death on a cruise ship off Alaska. Because of the heinous crime, the Utah man was sentenced to at least 30 years of imprisonment on Thursday, June 3. According to an NBC News report, suspect Kenneth Manzanares pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2020, for killing his wife, Kristy Manzanares, in 2017. READ NEXT: Idaho Couple Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell Face Murder Charges in Deaths of Her 2 Children Utah Man Gets 30 Years in Prison Over Wife's Murder According to the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Alaska, the sentence of 30 years imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson for the District of Alaska noted that the crime was not a random act of violence, but a "chilling neglect for human life." "We hope it [sentence] provides a sense of justice for this heinous crime and brings some closure to those who knew and cared about her [Kristy Manzanarez]," Wilson said. Fox News reported that Kenneth Manzanares pleaded guilty in February 2020 to second-degree murder in connection to the death of Kristy Manzanares while aboard the cruise ship, Emerald Princess. "The FBI worked tirelessly, with the support of our partners, to seek justice for Kristy," said Rober Britt, a special agent in charge for the FBI Anchorage Field office. Britt added that the "lasting impact and trauma" Kenneth Manzanares caused to the family of his wife can never be erased. Kenneth Manzanares Murders Wife on a Cruise Off to Alaska The Utah man reportedly argued with his wife while they were on a family vacation aboard the Emerald Princess cruise ship off Southeast Alaska in 2017. Kristy Manzanares, her two daughters, and Kenneth were inside the cabin on July 25, when the married couple argued about the Utah man's behavior that night. Kristy Manzanares allegedly told Kenneth Manzanares that she wanted a divorce and that the Utah man should get off the cruise ship once they reached Juneau. Kenneth Manzanares asked their two daughters to leave the room. But when the daughters heard their mother's scream, they rushed back inside the room. The Utah man allegedly stopped his daughters' from going inside the room. But the prosecutors noted that the daughters went to the connected balcony and witnessed their father straddling their mother on the bed and hitting her with his closed fist in the head. Furthermore, one of Kristy Manzanares' brothers saw the Utah Man dragging the victim's body towards the balcony while grabbing her ankles and pulling her back to the cabin. The prosecutors said the victim died due to a blunt force trauma in the head and face. The 43-year-old Utah man was arrested on July 26, 2017. The prosecutors noted that he was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment without parole. READ MORE: Texas Family Killed an Innocent Man While Hunting for a Teen Vandal WATCH: Utah Man Sentenced for Killing His Wife Aboard Cruise Ship - From FOX 13 News Utah After losing her wallet 46 years ago in a concert, a woman from Ventura was reunited with her lost wallet when an employee working on the remodeling of Southern California's historic Majestic Ventura Theater found it inside a crawl space. Time Capsule Experience When the woman picked up the red wallet on Friday, which is now brownish with age, she was astonished and shared that it was like opening a 'time capsule.' Tom Stevens, the employee who discovered the wallet said that he would have never imagined finding the lost wallet. He then stated that he located the wallet among old candy bar wrappers, ticket stubs, and soda cans. According to the U.S. News, Stevens stated in an interview that he chose social media as his way of locating the owner based on clues in the wallet. The clues include old photos, a concert ticket of the 1973 Grateful Dead concert, and an expired California's driver license for Colleen Dustin that was overdue in 1976. There was no money found in the wallet. Moreover, Stevens then utilized the social media page of the theater in asking the community if anyone knows the owner of the wallet, Colleen Dustin. He mentioned in his post that they have found the wallet while doing some maintenance in the theatre. Steven also said that there were a bunch of pictures of people and they are super cool from that era. Also, Steven stated in the post that if someone may want the photos and the belongings in the wallet or even knows Colleen, he asked for a line and they will have it for who will recover it. In addition, the boss of Stevens, Loanne Wullaert, suggested posting the information on social media. Wullaert shared Monday that they were at 1,000 shares, which is an unbelievable amount of comments and interactions even on other social media platforms. Stevens' boss also said that it's cool that people care and are interested in helping, Coast Reporter reported. ALSO READ: Brazilian 'Superman' Hit by a Bus He Was Trying to Stop to Show Off His Strength Furthermore, Colleen Distin, who grew up and remained a resident of Ventura, said that she heard a lot from people online. She even received a call about the post on social media regarding her lost wallet. She responded on May 25 that the wallet was hers, a couple of hours after the post circulated online, Ventura County Star reported. Distin shared that she lost the wallet in 1975, when she was only in her early 20s, at what was then a movie theater. She said that it must have fallen through a hole in her purse, which she had placed on the theater floor. At the time, Distin said that her wallet held a $200 check and family photos. Distin also stated that she remembered calling the next day when she realized that her wallet was gone. They said that no one found the wallet and reminded her to call back in case someone might find it.. When she looked through her wallet, Distin shared that it contained poetry and notes, and photographs of high school friends. It also includes the $5 ticket to a Grateful Dead concert at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the photos of Distin's mother, who died several years ago. RELATED ARTICLE: Colombian Woman Found Partially Eaten by Her Cats After She Died From COVID at Her Flat In Spain WATCH: "I'm shaking" ! This California woman lost her wallet 46 years ago. She just got it back from - I world E updates Queen Elizabeth II is set to have a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden next week at Windsor Castle, according to Buckingham Palace. Biden will be the 12th serving U.S. president that the Queen has met as monarch. Queen Elizabeth II has also met former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Buckingham Palace in 2019, according to a BBC News report. Biden will also be meeting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on June 10 to affirm the enduring strength of the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, according to the White House. Aside from the visit to the United Kingdom, the president will also be visiting Belgium and Switzerland, according to an ABC News Go report. The meeting with the president and the first lady is the Queen's first major meeting with a world leader after Prince Philip's death in April. READ MORE: Buckingham Palace Hit With New Racism Allegations, Involving Queen Elizabeth II's Top Courtiers U.S. Presidents Meeting with The Royals Biden has previously met with the Queen's firstborn son, Prince Charles. Prince Charles is also the heir to the throne. The two had met during a visit to Washington in 2015 while Biden was serving as the United States' vice president. Biden had also met Prince Harry in 2017 when he and former President Barack Obama traveled to the Invictus Games in Toronto. Meanwhile, the Queen had also met with Trump in 2019. Trump also visited in 2018, having tea with the Queen at Windsor Castle during a less ceremonial working visit. The former president's visit had hit the headlines after he arrived 15-minutes late for a meeting with the Queen. Trump had also broken a royal protocol when he walked ahead of her as they inspected the Guard of Honour. Former First Lady Michelle Obama had also raised eyebrows when she put her arm around the Queen. However, Buckingham Palace issued a statement and said that it was a mutual gesture. They also denied that there are rules about touching the Queen. The Queen is considered the world's longest-reigning living monarch. She has met with all American presidents since 1951, aside from President Lyndon B. Johnson. Next year she will be marking her 70 years on the throne, which is also known in Britain as the platinum jubilee, according to an NBC News report. Windsor Castle Windsor Castel is an English royal residence in the county of Berkshire, England. The Queen hosts occasional dine and sleep events for guests, which includes politicians and public figures, according to a Royal website. The Queen is also in residence for a week in June, when she attends Order of the Garter and the Royal Ascot race meeting. In addition, the Queen gives a lunch for the Knights of the Garter in the Castle's Waterloo Chamber. The traditional State Banquet is held in St. George's Hall with a table seating up to 160 guests. Recent visits held at Windsor Castle include those of the President of Ireland and Mrs. Higgins in 2014. READ NEXT: Prince Harry Is Being Advised to Return Home to UK to Bid Prince Philip a Final Goodbye WATCH: Queen Elizabeth To Welcome Joe Biden To Windsor Castle - from Access The state of Washington offered several tech gadgets and cash prizes to encourage more vaccine takers in their area. The announcement was made by Washington Governor Jay Inslee on Thursday, according to a KOUW report. Washington adds to the roster of states in the U.S. that resorted to prizes to encourage more COVID vaccine takers among their residents. It can be remembered that California allotted $116.5 million prize money to those who got their vaccine doses. READ NEXT: Needle Phobia: 4 Ways to Cope With Fear of Needles Amid COVID-19 Tech Gadgets and Cash Prize for COVID Vaccine Takers in Washington Geek Wire reported that prizes will include more than $2 million in cash and gifts from tech companies and other institutions, that Washington will give out as part of their "Shot of a Lifetime" promotional event. The draw that will grant prizes to the residents of Washington will commence on June 8 and continue every Tuesday. The final draw is scheduled to take place on July 13. Tech companies such as Microsoft, Nintendo, Google, and Amazon will be collaborating with Washington State to give away prizes. Microsoft will give away 300 Xbox and Game Passes, and Google pledged at least 25 Google Nests. KOUW first reported that Amazon will give 40 Echo Dots, but, Geek Wire noted that the company will now give at least 100. Although the exact number was not specified, Nintendo will give away their Switches. Apart from tech gadgets, the State will also grant cash prizes. Every week, an individual will win $250,000 and the grand draw for $1 million is set to take place. Tuition and book assistance will also award 30 prizes of one-year college tuition fee, for 12- to 17-year-olds. Washington will also give $1 million to four-year and two-year to use for their incentive programs. Game tickets for Seattle Mariner, Seattle Sounders, Seattle Storm, and Seattle Kraken will also be awarded by the state. Furthermore, four tickets to season 2021 of OL Reigns and a team-signed jersey will also be given away, as well as four club level seats top Seattle Seahawks game and parking passes will be given as a prize. "These generous programs will encourage more Washingtonians to take this life-saving vaccine," Governor Inslee said. The governor also hoped that the event will be seen as an opportunity to "reopen even sooner than June 30." A spokesperson from the Governor's Office confirmed that the majority of the prizes will come from the state funds. The official added that what federal dollars might be available is worked out by the Office of Financial Management. Washington is currently seeking to reach a vaccination initiation level of 70 percent among eligible adults in the state. Eligible for the COVID Vaccine Prizes in Washington Residents from Washington who were already vaccinated and who received at least one dose of COVID vaccine are eligible for the prizes. However, employees from the Governor's office, the state's Department of Health, and those who will work in the lottery are not allowed to participate. The DOH will assign each vaccine takers a number and draw the winners from their database. Apart from Washington and California that used prizes to entice more COVID vaccine takers, Oregon, New Mexico, and West Virginia also hopped in the same strategy. READ MORE: Some Teens Defy Anti-Vaxxer Parents and Get COVID-19 Shots on Their Own WATCH: States announce lotteries for vaccinated residents - from ABC News After his extradition to San Diego from Mexico, a man alleged to be one of the top Sinaloa Cartel money launderers was arraigned in federal court on Thursday, June 4, on conspiracy charges. Nicknamed "El Rey Midas" or "King Midas," Juan Manuel Alvarez-Inzunza, 39, was indicted by a San Diego federal grand jury in 2015 with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and conspiracy to import, and distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. 'El Rey Midas' as Sinaloa Cartel's Top Money Launderer Juan Manuel Alvarez-Inzunza allegedly moved millions of dollars for Sinaloa Cartel's leaders, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Based on the U.S. Attorney's Office, Alvarez-Inzunza was arrested by the Mexican law enforcement in Oaxaca in March 2016 at the request of the United States. He was held in custody in Mexico until he could be extradited to the United States. Prosecutors said Alvarez-Inzunza lived in the stronghold city of Sinaloa Cartel, the city of Culiacan. He was also involved in the operation of the Jalisco group. The top Sinaloa Cartel money launderer was also linked to an international money-laundering network operating not only in the cities of Tijuana and Guadalajara. But also in Panama, Colombia, and even in the U.S. It was confirmed by the Mexican federal police when they announced the arrest of "El Rey Midas." READ NEXT: California Man Laundering Money for Mexican Drug Cartel Gets Nearly 5 Years in Jail Based on the information gathered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, Alvarez-Inzunza was designated under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act in 2016 for his alleged role in the Sinaloa Cartel. He ran two businesses in Culiacan, which serves as his alibi. First is the tuna fishing company Nueva Atunera Triton and the Operadora Eficaz Pegaso, a money services business. The kingpin designation to Juan Manuel Alvarez-Inzunza prohibits U.S.-based entities or individuals from conducting business with him or his companies, 10 News reported. Meanwhile, prosecutors said that Alvarez-Inzunza was flown from Mexico City to San Diego by U.S. marshals on Wednesday, June 3. Special Agent in Charge for HSI San Diego, Cardell Morant, said that Alvarez-Inzunza is responsible for why the Sinaloa cartel was able to move millions of dollars in illicit drug proceeds from the United States into Mexico, Justice.gov noted. The Sinaloa Cartel Described as the largest and most powerful drug trafficking organization in the Western Hemisphere, the Sinaloa Cartel is an alliance of some of the top capos of Mexico. Members of the Sinaloa Cartel operate in concert to protect themselves. They rely on connections at the highest levels and corrupting portions of the federal police and military to maintain the upper hand not only against their rivals, Insight Crime reported. Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is currently serving a life sentence in a Colorado supermax prison, while Zambada remains a fugitive. READ MORE: How Mexican Drug Cartels Secretly Receive Millions From Chinese Criminals WATCH: Sinaloa, a Mexican 'Narco-State' Running on Drug Money - From FRANCE 24 English The supposed rescue after a two-vehicle crash in the South Texas area was turned into a seizure after authorities discovered more than $3 million worth of cocaine was found inside one of the vehicles, authorities confirmed Thursday, June 3. The driver of the BMW, later turned himself into the deputies of Starr County and currently faces drug possession charges. According to NBC News, the Texas Department of Safety shared after the crash on a state route west of Rio Grande City, they have discovered the drugs. They have found 70 bundles of cocaine that were concealed inside three burlap bags in the back of a BMW. Based on the department's initial estimate, the bags that weighed a total of 180 pounds are worth more than $3.3 million. Meanwhile, the driver of the BMW was not identified in the statement of the Department of Safety. The department was requested more details Thursday night but they did not immediately respond. Also, a representative from the sheriff's office could not be immediately reached. The accident occured close to the U.S.-Mexico border, but in the state's department of public safety statement, they did not mention where the drugs are believed to have originated from. While it is still not clear whether the seized drugs on Monday originated in the U.S. or abroad, a report of the Drug Enforcement Administration mentioned that Mexican criminal organization is currently dominating the wholesale distribution of cocaine across the U.S. while Colombian drug groups are controlling its supply and production. ALSO READ: George P. Bush Challenges Ken Paxton for Texas Attorney General Post Drugs in Texas Border Crossing Last week, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted more than $3.5 million of drugs in two separate seizures at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge. According to a CBP, their first seizure happened on May 26 after they have inspected a 2000 Chevrolet driven by a 29-year-old U.S. citizen male who arrived from Mexico.They have found three packages containing more than 167 pounds of suspected methamphetamine concealed within the man's vehicle. The second seizure occured later the same day when officers discovered a total of 14 packages containing more than 21 pounds of suspected cocaine that were concealed within a 2007 Toyota Tundra. The 23-year-old male driver, who is a U.S. citizen, was also returning from Mexico. The estimated street value of the combined seizure totaled $3,510,664 and both drivers were arrested after CBP officers confiscated the narcotics and both vehicles. Texas County Coast Law enforcement in a coastal Texas county are asking beachgoers to avoid picking up any suspicious items that they can found in the water after several packages of cocaine were washed ashore in recent days. Based on the Sheriff's Office of Matagorda County, around 50 kilos or 110 pounds of drugs have washed ashored in the past week. Authorities did not name an exact area where did the drugs were washed up, but the Matagorda County is on the Gulf of Mexico in between Galveston and Corpus Christi, ABC News reported. RELATED ARTICLE: Alleged Top Sinaloa Cartel Money Launderer Extradited, Faces Charges in San Diego WATCH: More than $3 million in cocaine discovered after South Texas car crash from- Great News Chinese ambassador expresses confidence in China-Nigeria cooperation Xinhua) 13:33, June 04, 2021 ABUJA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The future of cooperation between China and Nigeria remains bright, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Cui Jianchun said Thursday. He made the remark at a meeting with Mai Mala Buni, caretaker chairman of Nigeria's governing party All Progressives Congress (APC). Cui said China and Nigeria can further develop a strategy to enhance the win-win cooperation between the two countries. "We can also partner for improvements in electricity, information and communication technology, industrial growth, investment, and technology. We will encourage investors to invest and create jobs in Nigeria," the envoy said, noting that China and Nigeria had many things in common. Cui said this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic relations, is a very special year for the two countries to do things for mutual benefit. Buni, who is also the governor of Nigeria's northeastern state of Yobe, said that there were huge opportunities to be exploited for the mutual benefit of China and Nigeria. In his capacity as the caretaker chairman of the Nigerian governing party, he said there was room for a partnership between China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, and the APC. "We should collaborate and continue to do business with Chinese investors in Nigeria for infrastructural development. Nigerians are willing to explore and exploit available avenues to move forward," Buni added. (Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun) While Samuel has not attended school since April 30, investigators believe Balboa was looking after the boy until mid-May. On May 10, she called her roommate, an unidentified male, and told him that the boy was dead. He told authorities he helped Balboa place the body in a bath tub, where they left it for two days. More than 15,000 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 at the Laois vaccination hub in Portlaoise since it opened in April while over 65,000 have received the jab in the midlands in the past two months according to the latest figures. The HSE has also revealed that 106,000 Covid tests have been processed since February in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. Mr Des OFlynn, CHO Midlands Louth Meath, this week, paid tribute to the staff involved for their resilience, commitment and willingness to respond to what might have seemed unimaginable challenges only a short time ago. "Over the past few months staff have contributed in many different ways from creating the physical infrastructure, preparing each centre, administration and technical support to working as vaccinators and swabbers in testing centres. "This fantastic co-operative effort has been duplicated for the vaccination programme with 8 Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) already operational across the CHO. We also want to acknowledge the great work of other statutory and voluntary organisations and their staff, for their ongoing support and assistance," he said. More below vaccination table breakdown for the midland HSE vaccination hubs. As registration for the 40-44 age group opened this week Mr OFlynn urged all concerned to register for the vaccine to protect everybodys health. The vaccine uptake nationally is 99% in the over 80s, 95% in the 70-79 age group and over 90% in those aged 60 to 69. The HSE said that over Easter, rates of COVID in the Midlands were high, particularly in Offaly. The statement said that thanks to the efforts of everyone in the community at that time, the numbers came down and are now holding steady. Dr Una Fallon, Director of Public Health, Midlands, said it would be great if we could keep it that way. As more and more of our community is vaccinated against COVID, it is important that we maintain these low rates of COVID by lifting restrictions slowly and carefully. We need a higher proportion of people vaccinated before we drop our guard. Some people are still vulnerable to and can still be potentially harmed by the virus. This week we would like to protect Leaving Cert students so that students who want to sit an exam can do so. It is important that primary school children remain at school until the end of June they have had enough of their education disrupted especially those with special education needs. Now is not the time to be complacent. We are not quite sure yet whether COVID variants of concern (VOCs), particularly the Delta variant (B.1.671.2), are going to be a problem in Ireland she warned. There is so much we can still do and enjoy; we just cant do everything. Please do not have big social gatherings INSIDE and please be incredibly careful outside where you should still keep your distance. Shoulder to shoulder situations, in the presence of alcohol, outside or inside, are not a good idea. The basics still matter - clean hands, face coverings, distance from others, good ventilation these measures will continue to protect those who are not yet vaccinated. If you have symptoms, isolate yourself and go for testing in one of the testing centres. You do not need an appointment. Most of all, when called for your vaccine, take the opportunity, and get vaccinated. You will not just be protecting yourself, you will be protecting others, she concluded. Pictured below: Andy Power Clinic Lead Portlaoise Vaccination Centre A father of three has been sentenced to four and a half years in jail for possession of drugs, 14 years after fleeing to Spain to avoid prison. David Kilroy (40), of Heather Close, Rathfarnham, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on charges of possessing 46,230 worth of cocaine for sale or supply in the Village Green area of Tallaght on July 4, 2006. He pleaded guilty to the charges in 2007, but absconded from his bail before sentencing and started a new life in Spain, the court heard. Detective Garda Conor Harrison told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that he and a colleague were on patrol in the Village Green area of Tallaght on July 4, 2006, when they saw the accused driving a black jeep. Det Gda Harrison could see him speaking on the phone, and formed the view he was looking for someone. When he approached the jeep, he noticed the driver stuffing something away, and then identified himself as a garda and said he would search the car. Kilroy immediately admitted he was carrying drugs, the court heard. I have a grand and a half of coke in my tracksuit bottoms, Kilroy said. He was arrested and brought for interview at Tallaght Garda Station, and a follow-up search of his home uncovered more cocaine. A total 660 grams of cocaine were found during the two searches, which had a street value of 46,230 at that time. Det Gda Harrison said Kilroy admitted being a user of cocaine when he was interviewed, and that he was to be paid 300 for holding the drugs. Although Kilroy pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply in 2007, he absconded from his bail before sentence was passed and started a new life in Spain. The accused returned voluntarily on April 26, last, when he was made aware of extradition proceedings being brought against him, the court heard. Kilroy didnt come on the radar of the drugs unit in Tallaght at the time, said Det Gda Harrison. He was just unlucky enough to drive into us. He was candid to a fault in the interview, he said. John Noonan, BL, defending, put it to Det Gda Harrison that Kilroy had left the country because he was afraid of coming to harm in prison. [Mr Kilroy] was not our usual client, counsel said. He wouldnt thrive in a prison environment. Mr Noonan added that Kilroy is a man with a long history of work, a long list of references, both in Spain and Ireland. The court heard Kilroy worked as a mechanic and more recently in Spain as a seasonal barman and handyman. He has three children, a ten-month-old and a three-year-old in Spain, as well as an 18-year-old son who is estranged from him. He has stopped drinking, has stopped smoking, hes stopped taking drugs, Mr Noonan said. Judge Martin Nolan said it was clear to him Mr Kilroy became enmeshed in drug-carrying as a result of his cocaine habit at the time, and was inveigled or coerced into it. At the time he pleaded guilty and was due to be sentenced, but it seems he was afraid of going to prison and the people he might meet there. The law has caught up with him. Judge Nolan said Kilroys guilty plea, co-operation with Gardai, clean record and long work history were all mitigating factors, and that he would have to take his long-term partnership and young family into account too. He was an adult man who made a decision for his own reasons. He deserves a custodial sentence by virtue of his criminal act. Judge Nolan sentenced Kilroy to four and a half years in prison, backdated to the start of his custody after returning from Spain on April 26, last. Government measures announced in the new Economic Recovery Plan and vaccines will help Laois employers and households come through the pandemic, according to the Minister for State and Laois Offaly TD Sean Fleming. The public representative outlined his views on the programme and the key details. "As the successful vaccination programme allows us to progressively re-open the economy, the Economic Recovery Plan sets out how we will support the full resumption of economic activity and get people back to work, with the overall ambition of exceeding pre-crisis employment levels by reaching 2.5 million people in work by 2024. "There are a number of measures announced by the government this week that will help businesses throughout Laois come through this difficult time. "In addition, there are a number of supports for people to help them financially as the Covid crisis has been very difficult for many households across the country. "This pandemic has affected everyone in our communities, and the investment by the Government to support families and businesses as we navigate our way out of this crisis is welcomed news. I would encourage individuals and business to apply and avail of these schemes," said the TD. Read also: BULLET POINT GUIDE TO PLAN The Fianna Fail man outlined the key measures as follows: Pandemic Unemployment Payment Extended Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme Extended Extension of Commercial Rates Waiver in its current form for another three months Extension of Tax Debt Warehousing Scheme to the end of 2021 Husband-and-wife team James and Aileen McCauley triumphed on BBC One Dragons Den last night as the couple secured the investment they were looking for. Armed with The Wriggler their anti-roll changing mat designed for babies who wriggle and writhe during nappy changes - and their life size 8-month-old baby doll who they affectionately nicknamed Sam, the couple enthralled the UK Dragons Sara Davies, Touker Suleyman, Deborah Meaden,Tej Lalvani and Theo Paphitis with their presentation, demonstration and product. We were looking for an investment of 50k for a 25% stake in The Wriggler. Having done our research we had identified the two Dragons that we felt would be best for the business Sara Davies who is a mum of young kids with great experience of bringing craft products to the market or Touker Suleyman with 40 years of retail and manufacturing experience in the baby space, commented Aileen. From the get-go, their experience was full of twists and drama, including a bizarre offer from Touker which even surprised the other Dragons and had them rushing to the couples defence. In the end it was an offer of 50k for a 35% stake in the business from Sara Davies which they accepted. Sara has a wealth of experience of exporting products to international markets so is the ideal Dragon for the McCauleys to take The Wriggler worldwide. In fact, none of the other entrepreneurs managed to secure investment in the episode, highlighting just how impressive the McCauleys pitch was. Its quite bewildering to take in everything, number crunching, negotiating and having to make a decision in such a pressurised space knowing our every word and move was being scrutinised by the Dragons in front of a studio full of cameras, said James. The Wriggler has been like our third child and like any parents, we want to give our children roots and wings. We feel weve given The Wriggler strong roots and doing a deal Sara will help to give it the wings it needs. We are delighted to have her onboard to guide us globally and bring the Wriggler to a worldwide audience. Were incredibly excited about the future, he said. The Wriggler has already proved its popularity notching up awards and plaudits from some of the largest independent parenting review websites in the UK. Parents have called it a miracle mat and their sanity saver. Kildare Gardai said they are taking a pro-active approach for the June bank holiday weekend and will take action if social distancing laws are breached. The weather is expected to be mainly dry and sunny with some isolated showers from Friday until Monday - but groups of people have been asked not to gather in public areas around towns and villages. Crowded streets in Dublin caused the HSE and gardai to reiterated warnings about social distancing and gardai asked outdoor drinkers to leave Market Square in Kildare town last Saturday evening. From this Monday, all outdoor hospitality will resume while the opening of indoor hospitality in pubs and restaurants will take place on July 5. A Kildare Garda spokesperson said: "Gardai are taking an pro-active approach for the June bank holiday weekend and a policing plan will be put in place in public areas. "People are advised not to gather in large groups. "Gardai will be taking action with anybody who is in breach of restrictions." If we dont have our day in court in Galveston, we can live with it because hes at least held accountable here, Gay Smither, mother of Laura, told the outlet. The most important thing is we know now for sure there is absolutely no way this man will ever get out. There was always that outside chance he would earn parole in the Sandra Sapaugh case, but now we know for sure he will forever be in jail, he will die in jail. Never mind about the cost of living for a while - its the cost of dying thats bothering some. Death, in the words of the poet, may be the great leveller. However the price of it is anything but. Its emerged that the cost of dying in County Kildare is much more than two neighbouring countries. Cllr Kevin Duffy told a county council meeting on May 31 that the cost of a single burial plot in Laois or Offaly is 300 - with no interment fee. Though Laois or Offaly might not be a case of, well, going to a better place. Read more County Kildare news However within County Kildare the comparable cost is 1,100 along with an interment fee of 150. He called for a review of these charges and asked if the amount being charged are appropriate. Cllr Padraig McEvoy said the difference could be explained by the prevailing land prices in the respective counties. Joe Boland, KCC director of services, noted that a good deal of work has been done on burial grounds in south Kildare but he was happy to review the charges. The current scale of charges was last reviewed in 2008/9. At that time, given a significant need to fund a range of cemetery capital upgrades including extensions, a decision was made to increase the then prevailing charges. This proved to be a very progressive decision as, in the interim, a suite of very significant projects was delivered, said Mr Boland. And he listed the cemeteries that have been extended in the last decade or so - Newbridge, Kildangan/Ballybracken, Monasterevan, Moone, Athy, Castlemitchell, Staplestown, Rathangan, Celbridge, Derrinturn and Crookstown. In addition, significant internal capital-type improvements were completed in a number of other cemeteries including the provision of columbarium walls (which store cremation urns) at Laraghbryan (Maynooth) and Naas. The councils current capital programme includes proposals for further columbarium walls at a number of cemeteries as well as a number of further significant priorities. More work is planned at other cemeteries including flood protection measures - and some new cemeteries are being planned. He pointed out that the feasibility of providing extensions can be very costly given the price of acquiring lands in urban areas like Newbridge. In addition, the spectrum of construction costs generally has also been escalating. Such costs do not differ unduly between the north and south of the county. Mr Boland also said that it might be noted that the price of plots in the greater Dublin area is significantly higher than that which applies in County Kildare. This has also led to applications from citizens of those counties to purchase plots (here), he noted. You could say that the Dubs are dying to get into County Kildare. A two-time killer who beat dissident republican Laurence 'Bomber' Keane to death in County Kildare eight years ago has lost his appeal against his conviction for the murder. The Court of Appeal ruled today, Friday, June 4, there were no grounds raised in the appeal to find that the trial at which Seamus Morgan was found guilty of Keanes murder was unfair or that the verdict was unsafe. Morgan of The Hollands, Athy, Co Kildare was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2016 for the murder of his former friend in a dark laneway near the Greenhills estate in Athy on July 18, 2013 following a seven-day trial at the Central Criminal Court. The 53-year-old killer had previously served an eight-year jail sentence after being found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter of James Hand (29) who was the victim of a fatal stabbing by Morgan outside The Meeting House pub on Upper Dorset Street in Dublin in 2002. Counsel for Morgan, Sean Gillane SC, had claimed the judge in the trial for Keanes murder, Mr Justice Robert Eagar, had erred by stating that Morgans previous convictions would be admissible if his legal team wanted to raise the victims previous convictions in evidence. Keane (56), a former soldier, had served a 10-year prison term for possession of a bomb at Dun Laoghaire port in April 1998 that was twice the size of the one which killed 31 people, including two unborn twins, in Omagh later the same year. Mr Gillane had also argued that the judges charge in relation to the identification by witnesses constituted a misdirection to the jury, as he claimed fears expressed by eyewitnesses might be seen by the jury as relating to his client when they were about the Keane crowd. In a judgement delivered today, Mr Justice George Birmingham said that, in a situation where the accused had previous convictions at least as relevant as the victim's previous convictions, the observation of prosecution counsel that "what was sauce for the goose was sauce for the gander" was entirely understandable. He said the court was in agreement with the approach of the trial judge on this issue and could find "no basis whatsoever" for concluding that the trial judges approach involved an error in principle. With regard to recognition evidence, Court of Appeal president Mr Justice Birmingham, presiding with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, said it was not easy to see why eyewitnesses to a fatal assault would be fearful about giving evidence because of their fear of the deceased or his associates. In relation to contradictory testimony about the quality of street lighting near the location of the murder, the Court of Appeal acknowledged that the trial judges warning was not a strong one. However, it ruled that the judges directions were adequate as the challenge to the eyewitnesses, which was robust, was almost entirely about their honesty rather than about mistaken identity. Mr Justice Birmingham also noted that after reserving judgement in the appeal hearing in April, he suspected that that he had represented Morgan in his earlier murder trial, while Mr Justice McCarthy had prosecuted the same case. The president said the court had been reconvened to alert both counsel for Morgan and the DPP to their recollection and that they were prepared to recuse themselves from the case and to have the appeal reheard by a different three-judge division. However, Mr Justice Birmingham said both parties had confirmed they had no objection to the original panel proceeding with ruling on the appeal. The Shed Distillery went Stateside this week. Tourism Ireland in the United States teamed up with Bord Bia this week, to showcase Ireland's world-class, modern culinary experiences. A virtual event was attended by top food, travel and lifestyle influencers and journalists from across the US. The event featured a number of our leading food and drink producers, including The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo. The aim was to highlight our modern culinary experiences and to inspire the participating influencers and journalists to share the news about those experiences with their followers, readers, viewers and listeners and to build anticipation among foodies for future trips to Ireland. Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Irelands Head of North America, said: Tourism Ireland was delighted to work with Bord Bia to showcase our modern and authentic culinary experiences. Our virtual event was a great way to highlight our exceptional food and drink offering, as well as to build anticipation for future trips to Ireland. The participation of these top influencers and journalists is a strong indication that there is lots of interest in Ireland and our superb culinary scene. Pictured above are host (top) Colin Hamell; Cian Wrynne, The Shed Distillery; (centre, l-r) Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland; Sarah Furno, Cashel Blue Cheese; Henry Horkan, Bord Bia; and (bottom, l-r) Karen and Natalie Keane, Bean and Goose Chocolate; and Conor Mulhall, The Little Milk Company, at the virtual event. A man who denies assisting Kevin Lunney's abductors by buying bleach and providing the site where he was imprisoned and beaten, told gardai, "I have nothing to hide," when they arrived at his house with a search warrant, the Special Criminal Court has heard. Luke O'Reilly also told gardai that he was "definitely not" involved in the dispute over Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH), of which Mr Lunney is a director, and wouldn't know Kevin Lunney if he met him. Gardai arrived at Luke O'Reilly's home at about 1pm on September 20, 2019, three days after Mr Lunney had been abducted, tortured and abandoned on a country road. Detective Sergeant Michael Kearney told Sean Guerin SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions that before gardai said anything to Mr O'Reilly, the accused said: "I know why you are here. Because I bought that bottle of bleach." Sgt Kearney cautioned Mr O'Reilly, telling him he didn't have to say anything but anything he did say would be taken down and may be used as evidence. Mr O'Reilly replied: "That's fair enough, I have nothing to hide." He told Sgt Kearney he was happy to make a cautioned, voluntary statement and when told that he could seek legal advice he repeated that he had nothing to hide. The witness said Mr O'Reilly brought him and a garda colleague into his sitting room and told gardai that he understood the warrant to search his home. When asked if he understood why gardai were there he said: "Because I bought the bottle of bleach." He told gardai that his son had gone to the shop but returned without bleach and so Mr O'Reilly said he would get it once he finished his dinner. Mr O'Reilly said he went to Lynch's Gala in Killydoon and had to ask the woman working in the shop where to find the bleach. He said he came home, spent about 15 minutes in his yard, and then brought the bleach into the house. When Sgt Kearney asked Mr O'Reilly if he knew anything about the false imprisonment of Kevin Lunney, Mr O'Reilly responded: "I seen it on the news. I wouldn't know the man if I met him." The sergeant asked if Mr O'Reilly was "involved in what is happening in the Quinn companies". He replied: "Definitely not." An unnamed man referred to as YZ (40), Alan OBrien (40), of Shelmalier Road, East Wall, Dublin 3, Darren Redmond (27), from Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin 3 and Luke OReilly (67), with an address at Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan have all pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17, 2019. The first accused cannot be named by order of the court as he is due to face trial on other, unrelated matters. Mr Lunney has told the court that he was bundled into the boot of a car near his home and driven to a container where he was threatened and told to resign from QIH. His abductors then cut him with a Stanley knife, stripped him to his boxer shorts, doused him in bleach, broke his leg with two blows of a wooden bat, beat him on the ground, cut his face and scored the letters QIH into his chest. They then left him bloodied, beaten and shivering on a country road at Drumcoghill in Co Cavan where he was discovered by a man driving a tractor. Det Sgt Kearney agreed with Michael Lynn SC, representing Mr O'Reilly, that Mr O'Reilly was "open and helpful" to gardai. He further agreed that Mr O'Reilly gave a cautioned statement, declined legal advice, said he had nothing to hide, handed over his phone and also an older phone and explained that he had replaced the older phone just a couple of days earlier. He also agreed a gate leading to an area where the prosecution says Mr Lunney was imprisoned was not secured. Although there was a chain around the gate with a padlock on it, a link in the chain was broken allowing gardai to enter without opening the lock. Megan McClean told Mr Guerin that she was working in Lynch's Gala in Killydoon on the evening of September 17, 2019. The shop was due to close at 9pm and a little time before that she began hoovering the mat inside the shop's front door. As she did so a man came in wearing a grey t-shirt, black jeans and grey curly hair. He looked like a farmer in his work clothes and he spoke with a local accent. He asked her whether the shop sold bleach and she pointed him towards the bottom shelf of the second aisle. He went in that direction and then shouted, "which one is it". Ms McClean came over and picked up a 750ml bottle of blue Domestos and said to him: "You mustn't be used to cleaning." He laughed and agreed, the witness said. They had a chat, he paid for the bottle, and he left. The witness agreed with Mr Lynn that the exchange with his client, Mr O'Reilly was, "very relaxed and very open". There was another woman in the shop and he openly asked for bleach, shouting at one point when he couldn't find it. Garda Niall Dillon told Mr Guerin that he was part of the team that searched Mr O'Reilly's home on September 20, 2019. He said he found two bottles of Domestos bleach under the sink in the kitchen. Garda Gary Brennan told Mr Guerin that he found a bottle of bleach in a bathroom and two bottles in a cabinet in the utility room. He found another bottle of bleach in a bathroom off the kitchen. Detective Sergeant Sharon Walsh told defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC, for the unnamed accused, that the method for collection of mobile phone data has changed since a judgement arising out of the trial of Graham Dwyer. Dwyer was convicted in 2015 of the murder of 36-year-old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara in August 2012. He has challenged the legality of the collection of mobile phone data that was used in his prosecution. Det Sgt Walsh said that in 2019 she was aware of a court judgement in relation to Dwyer which meant that gardai could no longer obtain phone records through Security and Intelligence. Instead, she said, when she was asked to find phone records relevant to the investigation into the offences against Mr Lunney, she sought warrants from a District Court using Section 10 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. She said this was the first time she had used that Act to obtain phone data records. The trial continues next week in front of Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh. A 75-year-old man has been jailed for two years for the production, distribution and possession of child pornography. Frederick Hunt told gardai that boredom at work and curiosity about the internet led to the offending involving hundreds of graphic images and videos of child abuse. Gardai also found essay type stories describing the sexual abuse of children which led to production charges. The offences were uncovered in 2012, but the court heard because of the delay and backlogs in the investigation of this type of material, gardai were only in a position to charge Hunt in 2018. The retired man was caught after an FBI investigation linked an email address involved in the trading of child pornography to his home in Ballinteer, Co Dublin. In January 2012, gardai went to his home and seized a number of mobile phones and computer devices. They also linked Hunt to illegal activity carried out on his work computer at his former place of work in the Irish Times building in Dublin city. Using a number of email addresses, Hunt received and sent hundreds of images of young children being sexually abused and raped, Detective Garda Suzanne Carlos told the court. One email referred to a female toddler wearing a bondage mask and involved in a sexual act with another child. Images of young girls in sexual poses and videos of the sexual abuse and bondage of pre-teen girls were linked to Hunt. Gardai identified 18 essay type stories describing the sexual abuse of children. Some of these were written by Hunt, including one referring to abduction and rape of pre-teens, leading to charges of production of child pornography. Hunt of Ballinteer Court, Ballinteer, Dublin pleaded guilty to seven sample counts out of a total of 101 various charges under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. He pleaded guilty to production, distribution and possession of the material on dates between 2010 and 2011. Dt Gda Carlos told the court that 746 images and videos involved sexual abuse of real children. She said that both these and the 251 animated or cartoon images would be categorised at the most severe level of material in a three level system. She said usually the animated images are categorised at the lowest level but not in this case. Judge Karen O'Connor said the victims in this material tended to be vulnerable children in the most deprived areas of the world. She said Hunt's offending was egregious, noting there was no evidence of material gain. She took into account his previous good character, testimonials and reports before the court that considered him to be at low risk of reoffending. She noted he was a carer for his wife and a prison term for him would have a devastating effect on her. Judge O'Connor said there had to be a deterrence for offences of this nature and despite his age and health issues the court had no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. She said she had structured the sentence to encourage further rehabilitation and had very much factored in the delay in the case. The judge said if the case had come before the court in a more timely manner, Hunt would be spending more time in prison. Judge O'Connor imposed concurrent sentences totalling three years and suspended the final year on conditions including one year probation supervision, attending a sex offenders program and participating in offence and victim focused work. Additional evidence During the sentence hearing earlier this year, the court heard that in interview Hunt told gardai he was bored at work with nothing to do and began browsing the internet, not looking for child pornography but said that's where he ended up. I was curious about the internet. I never had any intention of harming children. I'm not a paedophile, not in the sense of harming children, he told gardai. Det Gda Carlos agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that it was very difficult to reconcile the individual behind the emails with the man before the court. She accepted Mr Bowman's description of his client as mild-mannered, gentle and compassionate. Counsel handed in a number of testimonials from Hunt's now adult children, including those he and his wife fostered over the last two decades. Mr Bowman said these show his children's deep affection for him and describe a loving caring empathetic man who gave without reservation to them over their life times. He said they are aware of his crimes and were shocked. He told the court there was no issue in relation to the safety of these children and they have gone on to flourish as adults. A testimonial from Hunt's wife detailed how she is up to 90 per cent bedridden due to physical illness and that Hunt is her effective carer. She said she is totally dependent on Hunt, who cooks for her and washes and tends to her other bodily needs. Mr Bowman said that Hunt is now a pariah in his community. He said because of the almost unique stigma attached to this type of offending, the punishment is served in the community before and long after sentenced is passed. He said his client is being treated for cancer and he asked for time to address these health concerns. Question: I care for my mother full time and I get Carers Allowance. Last year, I automatically got the Carers Support Grant in June will I get it again this year? Answer: The Carers Support Grant is an annual payment made to full-time carers. It is paid by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) usually on the first Thursday of June each year. The grant is 1,850 (an increase of 150 from last year). People getting Carers Allowance, Carers Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance are paid the grant automatically. If you are getting one of these payments on the first Thursday in June, you automatically get the grant so you do not need to apply. Full-time carers who are not getting one of these payments need to apply to the DSP. You must be: Ordinarily resident in the State and caring on a full-time basis for at least six months (including the first Thursday in June) Living with the person being cared for (or, if not, be contactable quickly by a direct system of communication, for example, telephone or alarm). You wont qualify if you are working, studying or training for more than 18.5 hours a week, getting a jobseekers payment or signing on for credits. To apply, you need to fill out one application form (form CSG1) (pdf) for each person being cared for (a grant may be paid for each of them). You can get the form on gov.ie. For any given year, you can apply for the grant from April of that year until 31 December of the following year. So for 2021, you can apply up until December 2022. You can read more about the Carers Support Grant on citizensinformation.ie Question: I live in Ireland but travel to work in Northern Ireland every day. Do I have to apply for a Frontier Worker Permit to continue working there? Answer: You are a cross border worker (also called a frontier worker). This is a person who lives in one country and works in another, returning to the country they live in at least once a week. For example, a person who lives in Ireland and travels to work in Northern Ireland is a cross border worker. After Brexit, the UK introduced rules that affect EU citizens who work in Northern Ireland (and the rest of the UK). However, these rules do not apply to Irish citizens. Irish and British citizens have the right to live and work in both Ireland and the UK because both countries are part of the Common Travel Area. Common Travel Area rights only apply to Irish and UK citizens, and not to citizens of other countries who live in Ireland or the UK. So, if you are an Irish citizen you do not need a Frontier Worker Permit. However, if you are an EU citizen who was a cross border worker before 1 January 2021, you must apply for a Frontier Worker Permit to continue working there after 30 June 2021. You can apply for the permit online. There is no charge for a Frontier Worker Permit. If you became a cross border worker after 31 December 2020, you are not eligible for the Frontier Worker Permit. You must apply for permission to work in the UK as part of the UKs Points Based Immigration System. EU citizens who live in Northern Ireland and work in Ireland do not need to apply for permission to work in Ireland. You must apply for UK residence through the EU Settlement Scheme (if you were living in the UK before the end of 2020) or the Points Based Immigration Scheme (if you have moved there since the beginning of 2021). You can find out more about cross border workers on citizensinformation.ie Know Your Rights has been compiled by North Connaught & Ulster Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Carrick-on-Shannon Centre, Old Dublin Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, Phone 0761 07 5670; Manorhamilton Centre, Main Street, Phone 0761 07 5710. Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service. 0761 07 4000. A LANEWAY which provides access to a popular gathering spot in Limerick is to close for the Bank Holiday weekend. It comes after a spate of anti-social behaviour, leaving Limerick Island Community Partners, which owns the land to take the step of restricting access for the next few days. People can still visit the green space in front of the castle via other entry points. Over the last few weeks, many people have gathered in front of King John's Castle, sparking concerns over a lack of social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic. But one entry, beside the Widow's Almshouses in Nicholas Street, has seen drug taking, as well as people drinking and even defecating in the sheltered area, according to the group. It's led Limerick Island Community Partners, which controls the 100 foot laneway to take the step of closing it off from 2pm today until 9am on Tuesday morning. Last weekend, the group, formerly known as St Marys Aid, erected a timber barrier in a bid to restrict access at the spot, but that was kicked down three times. Now, the gates will be locked for the entire weekend. Pat Kennedy of Limerick Island Community Partners said: "It is dreadful. I cannot ask people here to continually deal with this stuff. So we've taken a decision to close it for the long weekend." Normally, the gates beside the almshouses were opened at dawn and close at sunset by the council. Pat said: This is the last thing we want to do. We cater for dogs in this laneway and our dog station is immensely popular. We give away about 800 bags a week and have a collection system. We had a dog waste problem and it instantly fixed it," he said, "There is a little area for the dogs to have a drink, there is fresh running water." Access will be maintained to the green area in front of the castle, but people will have to take the long way around. "We've only closed off one of the entrances and exits into the area. The other exit and entrance is open," Pat added, "We don't want to discourage people coming down here, and there is a certain element who are abusing it." Elsewhere, Limerick City and County Council has confirmed that a makeshift sign erected at O'Callaghan Strand is not one belonging to them. The placard warned people not to enter the area as it is "being treated for vermin", and was signed off by L.C.C. Since the local authority controls that land, it remains publicly accessible. A NEW survey of traffic movements along the Hyde Road could result in a bus lane being introduced along the street. That's according to Limerick Council official Seamus Hanrahan, who was asked to provide a response to road safety proposals for the thoroughfare. He confirmed that a topographical study is in progress along the road, with the information set to be given to the National Transport Authority upon completion. "The NTA will complete an initial design study to determine the most appropriate options including proposed bus lanes on this street or an alternative option with cycle lanes and bus priority provision at junctions," Mr Hanrahan said in his answer to Fianna Fail councillor Catherine Slattery. Cllr Slattery had sought an update on the scheme. "Limerick City and County Council will co-ordinate with the NTA and advance the scheme once the optimum approach is agreed," Mr Hanrahan added. There was controversy over the introduction of bus lanes along OConnell Avenue around a decade ago, with the plan ultimately shelved. GARDAI have launched an investigation following the appearance of sinister posters which named a high-profile Limerick campaign group. A number of derogatory posters sprung up along the N69 near Rusal Aluminas plant close by Askeaton, prompting an immediate complaint to local gardai. The handwritten placards had L.A.P. written at the bottom, typically in an area where the person who put the poster together would sign. L.A.P. is the acronym for the well-known group Limerick Against Pollution which has spent six years fighting Irish Cements 10m plans to change process in Mungret. Claire Keating, a member of that group which still hopes to take High Court action against these controversial plans is stunned and horrified their name is being used on the posters. She has even indicated if the owner of the posters can be traced, civil action may occur, describing their content as libelous. Anything we would do would be professionally printed and have our logo on it. We dont want our name attached to anything. We are extremely disgusted and horrified by the contents of these posters, Ms Keating told the Limerick Leader. A former Green Party general election candidate, Ms Keating said LAPs only issue with Rusal Alumina was the potential that the red mud bauxite residue from the site could be used in the cement kiln at Irish Cement in Mungret. However, in granting Irish Cement a licence to operate, the environmental regulator slashed the number of materials it is allowed to burn including crucially the bauxite residue is not permitted. The timing of all this is very coincidental. The fact our story is getting traction, and whoever is doing this is trying to drag us in and get it a bit of publicity, get it photographed and on social media, she said. Ms Keating confirmed she reported the posters to gardai at Askeaton. The posters were subsequently removed within 48 hours, she said. A garda spokesperson confirmed the campaign group had made a complaint of harassment. Officers have taken formal statements and are investigating the complaints in relation to the posters which were erected. PUBLIC representatives from Limerick are set to meet with the Chief Medical Officer and the Minister for Health later this Friday to discuss the recent surge in cases of Covid-19 in Limerick. The meeting has been arranged in response to the spike which has seen more than 800 cases being reported over the past two weeks. Figures collated by Public Health Mid West show there were 103 cases on Wednesday - the highest daily figure since January 19. A further 75 cases have been reported this Friday with 12 in Clare and five in North Tipperary. Meeting with @CMOIreland and Minister @DonnellyStephen later for a briefing on rising covid cases in Limerick. Please enjoy the long weekend in safety and in adherence with #NPHET guidelines. June 4, 2021 Speaking ahead of this afternoon's meeting, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said there are concerns about the situation in Limerick. "There were 103 cases reported from Limerick yesterday which really is a very high number and over 800 cases over the past two weeks We are concerned and were meeting with the doctors in Limerick this morning to discuss the situation further there," Dr Ronan Glynn told Dublin radio station Spin 1038. While there has been a surge in cases, Dr Glynn says the there has also been a collective response from people in Limerick with huge numbers of people coming forward to get tested for Covid-19. It's understood more than 17,000 tests have been carried out at the two walk-in testing centres in the city over the past fortnight. "The situation isnt good there but if we can see the collective community response once again in Limerick that weve seen previously we have to be optimistic that we can overcome this," commented Dr Glynn as he appealed to people who are not vaccinated to limit their contacts. "For now, the key messages apply more so in Limerick. If youre not vaccinated and if you dont have to meet up with someone, then dont at the moment, just take a step back for a couple of weeks. Lets turn the tide in Limerick. The Mid-West Major Emergency Management Group will also meet this Friday at the request of the HSE and a garda operation will be put in place across the bank holiday weekend. However, speaking at a scheduled meeting of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee, Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn said there can't be a garda "at every street corner" and he appealed to members of the public to act responsibly. The operation will see additional patrols and checkpoints being mounted in areas where large crowds are likely to gather. The issue of so called takeaway pints was also raised during this Friday's meeting with a number of members expressing their dissatisfaction with some of the scenes associated with the practice. Chief Supt Gerard Roche says it is a problem but he added there are a number of legal issues that have arisen in the context of the Covid-19 regulations. "There is a little bit of a legal quandary" he told the meeting. Senior garda management from Limerick are also due to meet with representative of the pub trade this Friday to discuss this issue and the further re-opening of the hospitality sector on Monday. A resident of Yuba City, north of Sacramento, Johnson admitted he was under the influence of alcohol during the in-flight incident but conceded he was still in control of his actions, prosecutors said. THE countys new Covid-19 vaccination centre will open on Tuesday morning at the Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell. Final vaccinations will be administered at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday afternoon, with staff from the UL Hospitals Group and the HSE supported by members of the defence forces decommissioning the centre there. It will then ready the racecourse for the first vaccination appointments from 11:30am on Tuesday next. HSE Estates has developed the required layouts and overseen the transformation of the main stand building at the Racecourse over the past few weeks, and the facility is now fitted out for its new role. Vaccination booths have been installed on the ground and first floors, with staff support facilities available on the second and third floors. HSE Estates has also completed the equipping of the ground floor of the building. With a maximum capacity of 46 vaccination booths, the Limerick Racecourse centre will run alongside the centres at Treacys West County Hotel (Ennis) and the Abbey Court Hotel (Nenagh), operating in accordance with national guidance on clinical prioritisation, sequencing, and subject to availability of COVID-19 vaccines. The UL Hospitals Group placed on record its thanks to management and staff at the Radisson Hotel, which will re-open to the public next month. It also paid tribute to the large number of volunteer groups, for the part they have played in assisting with the vaccination effort. To date, the vaccination programme run by UL Hospitals Group has delivered more than 110,000 doses of the vaccine across the Mid-West. Just over 70% of this regional vaccination total has been administered at the Radisson Blu centre. By the end of next week, it is anticipated that the vast majority of healthcare workers in the Mid-West - approximately 17% of all people vaccinated to date - will have received both doses of the vaccine, including UL Hospitals healthcare workers and staff from HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare, the National Ambulance Service and some long-term residential care facilities. Dose 1 vaccination of the 45-49 age group is almost complete, and the focus is beginning to turn to receiving the first appointments in the 40-44 age group at our centres from next week. The dedicated vaccination centre bus service for the Radisson centre, will also transfer to the new centre with effect from next Tuesday morning. The bus service, supported by the National Transport Agency and operated by Bus Eireann, will run between the Racecourse centre and the stop at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in Raheen. The hospital stop is served by Bus Eireann on its on the 301, 302, 304 and 304A Limerick City routes, and is also on the outbound and inbound routes of the 13 (Limerick-Adare-Listowel-Tralee); 14 (Limerick-Killarney); 314 Limerick-Askeaton-Foynes) and 320 (Limerick-Charleville) services. Colette Cowan, the chief executive of the UL Hospitals Group, and chair of the Mid-West Covid-19 vaccination steering committee, said: As we prepare to depart the Radisson Blu, I would like to applaud the hotel management and staff for all they have done to help our staff operate the largest of the three Mid-West Covid-19 Vaccination Centres. They have been with us throughout this crucial phase of the vaccine programme, helping us to make our communities safe from the threat of Covid-19. I wish the management and staff well as they prepare to re-open to the public as part of the ongoing re-opening of society. As well as expressing my gratitude to staff from across the HSE for their extraordinary efforts, I also want to acknowledge the remarkable input of volunteers who have made a crucial contribution in the Radisson and the centres in Nenagh and Ennis. We have received glowing reports from patients about the friendly and approachable service the volunteers provide, greeting people on arrival, and guiding them through the various stages of the vaccination process. To all involved, including the Volunteers Ireland organisation and bodies such as Civil Defence, the Red Cross, the Order of Malta and St Johns Ambulance, you have my sincere and eternal gratitude, Ms Cowan added. A THIRD Covid-19 testing centre is to be opened in Limerick in response to the current surge in cases across the city and county. That's one of the recommendations which has emerged from a meeting involving local public representatives, the Minister for Health, the Chief Medical Officer and other public health experts. In a statement issued following the meeting, Minister Stephen Donnelly said the current incidence rate of Covid-19 in Limerick (426 cases per 100,000 population) is too high and poses a serious risk to public health. Public health doctors have told us that this spike is a result of indoor socialising and workplace outbreaks. Unfortunately, this sharp rise puts our hard-won progress against Covid-19-19 at risk. It is simply too soon to stop adhering to the public health measures that have protected us so well for so long," he said. Minister Donnelly says the current situation in Limerick is a stark reminder for the rest of us across the country of the risk that Covid-19 continues to pose. "We cannot let our guard down now. All of our collective hard work and sacrifice has contributed to the success of our vaccination programme and the progress we have made so far with reopening our economy and society. Our priority in Limerick - and indeed around the country - is to suppress the virus until such a time that we have the vast majority of our population vaccinated. We have one of the highest uptakes of vaccination in Europe, and our ability to respond to surges in the past has been second to none. Lets focus on this, and the public health measures that work." Limerick TD and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins says a number of important points came out of the meeting. In a post on social media, he says a local lockdown is not currently planned and that the further re-opening of the hospitality sector on Monday will proceed as planned across Limerick. Some important points arising from this evenings meeting of Limerick TDs / Senators with @DonnellyStephen & @CMOIreland 1. No local lock down is planned. 2. Deferring re opening was considered by CMO but his recommendation is it proceeds as planned. Niall Collins (@NiallCollinsTD) June 4, 2021 Deputy Collins says he has received assurances that another walk-in testing centre will be opened in Limerick in the coming days - at a location outside of the city where there are currently two centres. Meanwhile, a further 75 cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Limerick this Friday bringing the total number of cases over the past fortnight to nearly 800. Facebook Inc is planning to end its policy that shields politicians from some content moderation rules, The Verge reported on Thursday, in what would be a major policy reversal for the world's largest social media network. The reported change comes as Facebook is expected to announce its response to recommendations made by the company's independent oversight board when it ruled on the firm's suspension of former U.S. President Donald Trump. A Facebook spokesman declined to comment on The Verge report. Tech platforms have grappled in recent years with how to police world leaders and politicians who violate their guidelines. Facebook and Twitter Inc have long held that politicians should be given greater latitude in their speech on platforms than ordinary users. Facebook's oversight board, an independent group funded by the company which can overrule its decisions in a small slice of content moderation cases, recently upheld Facebook's block on Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, but said the social media giant was wrong to make the suspension indefinite. It also gave non-binding recommendations, which Facebook is expected to respond to in full as soon as Friday. The board said that the same rules should apply to all users, though it said that heads of state and government officials can have a greater power to cause harm. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has long argued that the company should not police politicians' speech. The company currently exempts politicians' posts and ads from its third-party fact-checking program and its "newsworthiness exemption" allows politicians' rule-breaking posts on the site if the public interest outweighs the harm - though Facebook said it did not apply its newsworthiness allowance in the Trump case. In the board's recommendations it stressed that considerations of "newsworthiness" should not take priority when urgent action is needed on the platform to prevent "significant harm." The board also said Facebook's existing policies, such as deciding when material is too newsworthy to remove or when to take actions on an influential account, need to be more clearly communicated to users. Facebook has come under fire from those who think it should abandon its hands-off approach to political speech. But it has also been criticized by those, including Republican lawmakers and some free-expression advocates, who saw the Trump ban as a disturbing act of censorship. The board gave Facebook six months to decide on a "proportionate response" in the Trump case, which could see the former president's account restored, permanently blocked or suspended for a definite period of time. Facebook has not yet announced a decision on whether the former president will be restored to its platforms. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. The government is conspiring to shift the farmers' agitation from Delhi borders to Haryana's Jind, alleged Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Thursday. He added that the farmers will now allow this "ploy" to succeed and continue their protests at the original site. The Central government wants the agitation should shift from Delhi borders to Haryana's Jind. But we will not allow their ploy to succeed," Tikait told reporters after addressing a farmers' gathering. They want that the agitation centre point is shifted from Delhi borders to Haryana. But we will not leave Delhi borders at any cost," he added. The farmers' leader further stated that the protests against three agri laws at various sites in Haryana, including toll plazas, will however continue. Earlier, addressing the gathering of farmers, he said the agitation will not end till their demands are met. With several police cases registered against farmers during the course of their ongoing agitation, Tikait said: During any agitation, such as this, one should be prepared to go to jail and not be afraid of that." He said the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is spearheading the ongoing farmers' agitation, will continue to protest peacefully against the farm laws. Resumption of dialogue Farmer unions were ready to hold meetings with the Centre whenever it decides to resume talks, Tikait said, reiterating that the discussion would have to center around repealing the new farm laws. When the government wants to talk, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha will talk," he said. The SKM, an umbrella body of over 40 protesting farmer unions, had last month written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking resumption of talks over their demands to repeal the three laws and a legal guarantee for MSP. "As the head of the government of the largest democracy in the world, the onus of resuming a serious and sincere dialogue with the farmers lies with you," the farmers wrote. So far, there have been 11 rounds of talks between the protesting unions and the government, but the deadlock has continued as both sides have stuck to their stand. A government panel had met farmers leaders on 22 January. There have been no talks between the two sides since 26 January when violence broke out during a tractor rally by the farmers. A large number of farmers had reached Delhis borders on 26 November last year after facing water cannons and police barriers as part of their "Delhi Chalo" march against the Centres farm laws. In the following months, farmers in large numbers from across the country joined the protest at Tikri, Singhu and Ghazipur borders around the national capital. Farmers are demanding that the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 be rolled back and a new law be made to guarantee minimum support price for crops. The government, however, has maintained that the three central laws are pro-farmer. With inputs from agencies. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Volunteer social worker Ashok Kurmi is helping an army of young fans fight the coronavirus in Mumbai's slums using an unusual accessory: a clown costume. Dressed in a bright red clown suit, complete with face paint and a rainbow-hued wig, the 37-year-old executive spends his days off disinfecting public spaces, distributing face masks and spreading awareness about Covid-19. "The municipal workers wear PPE kits that scare slum dwellers, particularly children," Kurmi told AFP. "With the help of different costumes, I can spread awareness without scaring people. I am able to help them a little." Over the past year he has dressed up as Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse, Doraemon and Marvel superhero Spiderman. But his clown get-up is the most popular by far, he said. On a recent visit to India's largest slum Dharavi, groups of children followed him, chanting "joker, joker" and offering their hands to be sanitised. With the help of visual aids and posters, Kurmi patiently showed them how to wash their hands and wear face masks correctly. "I have worked at a pharmaceutical company for the last 15 years but social work is my passion," he said. He spends around 15,000 rupees ($205) -- a third of his monthly salary -- on buying costumes, make-up supplies and sanitation equipment. As Mumbai prepares for a third coronavirus wave, his efforts have become even more important. The pandemic has devastated India, infecting over 28 million people and killing more than 300,000. Despite the risks involved in visiting densely populated areas like Dharavi, Kurmi is undeterred. "Until this pandemic ends, I will continue to go and help people as a clown," he said. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. India and the U.K. are intensifying talks to remove non-tariff barriers and foster greater market access as they work to stitch together the South Asian nations first major free trade pact in a decade. The two countries have zeroed in on a list of achievable items that would help the U.K. showcase the benefits of leaving the European Union while also allowing India to forge new bilateral ties after Prime Minister Narendra Modis government pulled out of a multilateral Asia trade pact in 2019, according to people with the knowledge of the matter in the capital, New Delhi. They expect to finalize an interim agreement by the end of the year that would give British medical devices and agricultural products such as apples, quinces and pears access to Indian markets, while widening the scope of employment in the U.K. for Indian seafarers and nurses, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter is still under discussion. Under pressure from exporters, India has been in talks over early harvest deals with the U.K., U.S. and the EU -- some of its major trading partners -- but until now, only Britain has shown interest. And unlike many of Indias other trade talks which have lingered for years without an outcome, there is a strong chance of a deal with the U.K. given the needs of both the sides, the people said, noting these negotiations have progressed much faster than others. India and the U.K. are currently in the pre-negotiation scoping phase of an FTA with the aim of starting negotiations in autumn this year," a spokesman at U.K.s Department of International Trade said in an email response. We are not engaged in live negotiations for an FTA or an Interim Agreement at this time." Call and text messages sent to the spokesman at Indias trade ministry remained unanswered. The initial deal would form part of the broader free trade agreement which would slash tariffs on a range of items, facilitate investments and give access to services and goods in a bid to increase bilateral trade. The U.K. and India want to double trade between their two countries by 2030, up from over $15.4 billion in 2019-20. This would be the first major free trade agreement for India since 2011 when it signed a comprehensive deal with Malaysia, though a minor FTA was inked with Mauritius in February. Turning Inwards Despite championing free trade in global forums, the Modi government has been turning inwards over the last few years, first announcing review of all the existing free trade agreements over concerns that they led to more imports than exports, and then raising tariffs to support domestic industries. Soon after being elected for second term with a thumping majority, the Modi government opted out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Since then, India has worked on reviving bilateral trade relations with major export destinations such as the EU, the U.S., and Australia to offset the expected loss, while it tries to woo investors looking for alternative destinations to China for their supply chains. Earlier in May, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Modi pledged a quantum leap" in their relationship and launched an enhanced trade partnership to boost exports and resolve market access issues. The proposed agreement, one of the high-priority deals Johnson is hoping to secure -- along with Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. -- is expected to resolve long-pending demands including allowing British legal firms access to the Indian market and a social security pact to ensure Indias skilled professionals dont have to pay certain taxes in the U.K. if theyre being paid domestically, the people said. Still, contentious issues remain, including high Indian tariffs on alcohol and automobiles. The U.K. wants the removal of tariffs including a 150% levy on whiskey and 125% duty on imported cars, while India is seeking data secure nation" status. Areas including e-commerce, public procurement, financial and banking services have yet to be discussed, the people said. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Singapore authorities issued an apology after a 16-year-old boy was given the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, which is not approved in the city-state for people under 18, by mistake on Thursday. The boys date of birth was erroneously entered when booking a vaccination appointment, which resulted in his age being incorrectly registered as above 18, thus allowing a Moderna vaccination center to be selected, the countrys Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education said in a joint statement. The vaccination center staff had failed to verify his age during registration, they said. The boy remains generally well" and the Expert Committee for Covid-19 Vaccination does not expect him to suffer any safety issues, according to the statement. The safety of those receiving the vaccination is of utmost priority," the ministries said, adding that they apologized for the inconvenience and anxiety caused. Singapore started inoculating more than 400,000 students this month, after earlier authorizing the Pfizer Inc-BioNTech SE vaccine for children as young as 12 years old. More details of the incident: The error was discovered on-site at the Kolam Ayer Community Club Vaccination Center during the post-vaccination observation period As an additional precaution, the individual was placed under a longer observation time of 50 minutes The ministries are in close contact with the boys family and will monitor his health closely The health ministry has conducted a review of internal processes and put stricter measures in place to prevent a recurrence, following the incident. Data from a trial involving more than 3,700 adolescents between ages 12 to 17 found that the Moderna vaccine is safe and effective among adolescents with no significant safety issues identified, the health ministry said in a separate statement. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Woolly mammoths and prehistoric bison are among the prehistoric creatures found trapped in frozen time capsule of Siberia. These frozen prehistoric animals are superbly well-preserved and now famous around the world. 1. Woolly rhino baby named Sasha Preserved body of Sasha the woolly rhino. (Image credit: Yakutian Academy of Sciences) This woolly rhino baby , affectionately named Sasha by the man who found it, was the first young member of its species ever found. It's unclear if it is male or female, but the horn size suggests it had been weaned by the time it died. It roamed the mammoth steppe, a dry, cold region from Spain to Siberia. Related: See photos of the extinct wooly rhino baby 2. Lion or lynx The mysterious mummy kitten lying on its back. (Image credit: Courtesy of Anastasia Koryakina) Scientists unearthed a squashed, mummified cat in eastern Siberia in 2017. It could either be a lynx kitten or a cave lion cub. Its coat is in beautiful condition, but we can't be sure of the species as we don't really know what a cave lion looked like. Related: See photos of the mysterious ice age cat mummy 3. Mammoth calves Lyuba, one of the perfectly preserved frozen baby mammoths. (Image credit: University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology) Explorers unearthed two mammoth calves dating to about 40,000 years ago in two different areas of Siberia. Researchers took a closer look at the specimens using CT scans and discovered that both baby mammoths had choked on mud. The little mammoths appeared otherwise plump and healthy when they met their demise. Related: See inside the skin and bones of preserved mammoth calves 4. Ancient bison The almost perfectly preserved bison mummy was found on the shore of a lake in northern Siberia. (Image credit: Dr. Gennady Boeskorov) The most complete steppe bison specimen ever found is 9,000 years old. It has a complete heart, brain and digestive system, along with near-perfect blood vessels. Some organs have shrunk over time but are remarkable, nonetheless. Related: See photos of the 9,000-year-old bison mummy found in Siberia 5. Frozen foal Frozen in ice for millennia, this Siberian mummy is the best-preserved ancient horse ever found. (Image credit: Michil Yakovlev/SVFU/The Siberian Times) A two-month-old horse that died between 30,000 and 40,000 years ago made its way approximately 100 meters (328 feet) below the surface, deep in a Siberian crater. In life, the young horse stood almost 1 m (3 feet) tall, and its hooves are still intact, along with tiny hairs that are still visible inside the foal's nostrils. Related: See photos of the perfectly preserved ice age foal This article was adapted from a previous version published in How It Works magazine, a Future Ltd. publication. To learn more about the wonders of the natural world, subscribe to How It Works magazine. The amulet was discovered by an Israeli pioneer about 40 years ago near the site of an ancient Jewish synagogue and was recently given to the IAA. A bronze amulet inscribed with the name of God and magical symbols for protection against demons and the curse of the " evil eye " has been turned over to authorities after being unearthed in northern Israel 40 years ago. The amulet, which would have once been worn on a necklace, is thought to date to about 1,500 years ago during the Byzantine period , according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) . At that time the region was ruled by the Eastern Roman Empire, which was also known as the Byzantine Empire after Byzantium, the former name of the city it was based in (by then Byzantium had been renamed Constantinople and it is now Istanbul.) Although the amulet is inscribed with Greek letters, they spell out the Jewish name for God I A W , a form of the name "Yahweh" in the English alphabet. Archaeologists found the bronze amulet, which is about 3 inches (8 centimeters) long and about 1.5 inches (4 cm) wide, near the site of an ancient Jewish synagogue at Arbel, just west of the Sea of Galilee. The location and inscriptions suggests the amulet may have been worn by someone who was Jewish, in spite of its religious origins, said Eitan Klein, an archaeologist with the IAA. Related: 30 of the world's most valuable treasures that are still missing "Although scholars generally identify the wearers of such amulets as Christians or gnostics, the fact that the amulet was found within a Jewish settlement containing a synagogue in the fifth and sixth centuries CE [A.D.] may indicate that even Jews of the period wore amulets of this type for protection against the evil eye and demons," Klein said in the statement . Image 1 of 4 IAA archaeologist Eitan Klein holding the amulet, which is thought to be about 1500 years old and was intended to ward off the "Evil Eye." (Image credit: Dafna Gazit/Israel Antiquities Authority) Image 2 of 4 The front of the amulet is inscribed with Greek letters for the Jewish name of God and shows a rider on a horse spearing a prone figure. (Image credit: Dafna Gazit/Israel Antiquities Authority) Image 3 of 4 The back of the amulet shows an "Evil Eye" pierced by arrows and a forked object, and threatened by lions, a snake, a scorpion and a bird. (Image credit: Dafna Gazit/Israel Antiquities Authority) Image 4 of 4 The amulet was discovered by an Israeli pioneer about 40 years ago near the site of an ancient Jewish synagogue and was recently given to the IAA. (Image credit: Dafna Gazit/Israel Antiquities Authority) Evil eye This type of amulet was relatively common at the time in the Galilee region and what is now Lebanon; they are sometimes known as a form of the "Seal of Solomon," named after the legendary Israelite king. One side shows a figure of a rider on a galloping horse whose head is encircled with a halo, thrusting a spear downward onto a female figure lying on her back. A Greek inscription engraved above the rider's head reads, "The One God Who Conquers Evil," and the name of God in Greek letters I A W is inscribed beneath the horse's legs. The other side depicts an eye pierced by arrows and a forked object. The eye appears to be threatened by the figures of two lions, a snake, a scorpion and a bird below it, and an abbreviation in Greek letters meaning "One God" is inscribed above it. The amulet was probably produced in the region to protect against demons and the magical curse known as the evil eye an old belief held throughout the ancient world at least as far back as the sixth century B.C. According to this belief, some magicians were said to be able to level the curse with a malevolent glance, while the recipients would suffer injury or misfortune. "The rider is depicted overcoming the evil spirit in this case, a female identified with the [Greek] mythological figure Gello or Gyllou, who threatens women and children and is associated with the evil eye," Klein said. "The eye on the reverse is identifiable as the evil eye being attacked and vanquished by various means. The amulet was therefore probably used to guard against the evil eye, possibly to protect women and children." Ancient synagogue The amulet was found at the site of the ancient Jewish settlement of Arbel around 40 years ago by a founding member of a nearby moshav, a type of cooperative farming community established by Israeli pioneers in the 1920s. A family member of the finder, now deceased, recently handed over the amulet to the Israel Antiquities Authority, and Klein encouraged people with similar treasures to do the same. The amulet is thought to date to the end of the Talmudic period in Jewish history, when traditional Jewish theology and laws were formalized in the collection of written works known as the Talmud. Klein said the synagogue at Arbel was often mentioned in historical sources from the Talmudic period; it had a linen-production industry, and many Jewish sages visited or taught there. Originally published on Live Science. Denham Springs, LA (70726) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High near 95F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. He served the sentence, and it appears he petitioned to get it reduced to a misdemeanor on his record because the new lawyer representing him in the Capitol riot case has stated his official record doesnt include such a felony Recent high-profile ransomware attacks on the worlds largest meat-packing company and the biggest U.S. fuel pipeline have underscored how gangs of extortionist hackers can disrupt the economy and put lives and livelihoods at risk. Last year alone in the U.S., ransomware gangs hit more than 100 federal, state and municipal agencies, upwards of 500 health care centers, 1,680 educational institutions and untold thousands of businesses, according to the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. Dollar losses are in the tens of billions. Accurate numbers are elusive. Many victims shun reporting, fearing the reputational blight. More recent known targets include a Massachusetts ferry operator, the Irish health system and the Washington, D.C., police department. But the broadly disruptive hacks on Colonial Pipeline in the U.S. in May and Brazilian meat processor JBS SA this week have drawn close attention from the White House and other world leaders, along with heightened scrutiny of the foreign safe havens where cybercriminal mafias operate. WHAT IS RANSOMWARE? HOW DOES IT WORK? Ransomware scrambles the target organizations data with encryption. The criminals leave instructions on infected computers for negotiating ransom payments. Once paid, they provide decryption keys for unlocking those files. Ransomware crooks have also expanded into data-theft blackmail. Before triggering encryption, they quietly copy sensitive files and threaten to post them publicly unless they get their ransom payments. That can present problems even for companies that diligently back up their networks as a hedge against ransomware, since refusing to pay can incur costs far greater than the ransoms they might have negotiated. HOW DO RANSOMWARE GANGS OPERATE? The criminal syndicates that dominate the ransomware business are mostly Russian-speaking and operate with near impunity out of Russia and allied countries. Though barely a blip three years ago, the syndicates have grown in sophistication and skill. They leverage dark web forums to organize and recruit while hiding their identities and movements with sophisticated tools and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin that make payments and their laundering harder to track. Some top ransomware criminals fancy themselves software service professionals. They take pride in their customer service, providing help desks that assist paying victims in file decryption. And they tend to keep their word. They have brands to protect, after all. The business is now highly specialized. An affiliate will identify, map out and infect targets using ransomware that is typically rented from a ransomware-as-a-service provider. The provider gets a cut of the payout; the affiliate normally takes more than three-quarters. Other subcontractors may also get a slice. Those can include the authors of the malware used to break into victim networks and the people running so-called bulletproof domains behind which the ransomware gangs hide their command-and-control servers. Those servers manage the remote sowing of malware and data extraction ahead of activation, a stealthy process that can take weeks. WHY DO RANSOMS KEEP CLIMBING? HOW CAN THEY BE STOPPED? Colonial Pipeline confirmed that it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems last month. The FBI discourages paying ransoms, but a public-private task force including tech companies and U.S., British and Canadian crime agencies says it would be wrong to try to ban ransom payments altogether. That's largely because ransomware attackers continue to find sectors and elements of society that are woefully underprepared for this style of attack. The task force recognizes that paying up can be the only way for an afflicted business to avoid bankruptcy. Worse, the sophisticated cybercriminals often have done their research and know a victims cybersecurity insurance coverage limit. Theyve been known to mention it in negotiations. That degree of criminal savvy helped drive average ransom payments to more than $310,000 last year, up 171% from 2019, according to Palo Alto Networks, a task force member. WHAT'S BEING DONE ABOUT IT? President Joe Biden signed an executive order in May meant to strengthen U.S. cybersecurity defenses, mostly in response to Russias hacking of federal agencies and interference in U.S. politics. But headline-grabbing ransomware attacks on private companies have started to dominate the cybersecurity conversation as Biden prepares for a June 16 summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week that the ransom demand of JBS meat came from a criminal organization likely based in Russia. She said the White House is engaging directly with the Russian government" and "delivering the message that responsible states do not harbor ransomware criminals. The new industry task force set up to combat ransomware says it's important to have concerted diplomatic, legal and law enforcement cooperation with key allies. Ransomware developers and their affiliates should be named and shamed though they're not always easy to identify and regimes that enable them punished with sanctions, its report urges. It calls for mandatory disclosure of ransom payments and a federal response fund to provide financial assistance to victims in hopes that, in many cases, it will prevent them from paying ransoms. And it wants stricter regulation of cryptocurrency markets to make it more difficult for criminals to launder ransomware proceeds. The task force also calls for something potentially controversial: amending the U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to let private industry actively block or limit online criminal activity, including of botnets, the networks of hijacked zombie computers that ransomware criminals use to sow infections. Associated Press reporter Matt O'Brien contributed to this report. Update, June 4: This story has been updated to include clarifying information from USAA. One of San Antonio's biggest companies is keeping one thing from the pandemic: a hybrid workplace. USAA, consistently ranked as one of the Alamo City's top three largest employers, will require just 2 percent of its workforce to be in the office full-time, according to the San Antonio Business Journal. This is a dramatic drop from pre-pandemic era, when only 20 percent of employees worked remotely. The company welcomed leadership back into the office last month and will add the remaining employees in July. Individuals will have the choice to decide whether or not they want to be in the office, a spokesperson confirms. William Luther, Staff / San Antonio Express-News RELATED: One of the Alamo City's largest employers announces plans to welcome back workforce "Whether in an office, at home or working in a hybrid manner, our goal is to enable employees to have greater flexibility and ability to continue to serve our members with excellence," a spokesperson told MySA in March when USAA announced its workplace timeline. Employees will be split employees into three categories: full-time office, full-time remote, or a hybrid office/work-from-home model. These are roles that require employees to be onsite to perform their duties (such as bank tellers or security guards), however many other employees plan to work from the office full time, the spokesperson notes. RELATED: San Antonio-based USAA announces major expansion to North Carolina Individual teams will decide the hybrid schedule for individual teams. Work-from-home employees will also have access to the building for team-building exercises and other events, but otherwise will remain remote. This isn't the only news USAA has announced in the past few weeks. On May 27, the financial services company announced its expansion into Charlotte, North Carolina. Its new 90,000-square-foot office will eventually accommodate 750 employees, the majority of whom will also work in a remote-office hybrid model. USAA's Charlotte office is projected to be open in late 2021. Click here to read the full article. To paraphrase an old adage, theres bound to be a silver lining in every cloud. Indeed, for some Caribbean island locations, the COVID-19 pandemic, despite some losses in human life, has been a blessing for their audiovisual industries. The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, two of the most generous locations in terms of film incentives, are expecting a record boom. The number and size of projects coming to the country have increased exponentially, says Albert Martinez, COO of Lantica Media, which operates the Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios. By opening up earlier than other locations, many projects gravitated to us. Among the first major productions to film in the Dominican Republic, and which made full use of Pinewood DR, was Old, M. Night Shyamalans thriller starring Gael Garcia Bernal. The Dominican Republics film commission projects a total foreign production spend of around $176 million by year-end, up from $35 million last year. As hotels and other amenities were taken over by productions, the hospitality and ancillary industries stayed afloat despite the dip in tourism, says film commissioner Marianna Vargas. Local transport companies are building set trailers to meet the growing demands, adds Vargas. Both the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico opened up to visitors around June and fared relatively well in their battles against the deadly coronavirus. Puerto Rico just lifted a year-long curfew while the Dominican Republic has been pushing back its current one to later hours. Puerto Ricos tax incentive program offers a 40% production tax credit to Puerto Rico resident companies and individuals and a 20% tax credit on all payments to qualified non-resident individuals. Preferential tax exemptions ranging from 4% to 100% lead to more savings. Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, U.S. producers do not have to contend with visas, commercial barriers or different currency and banking systems, says film commissioner Rosi Acosta. The annual cap on credits to Puerto Rico resident companies and individuals is now at $38 million per fiscal year, down from the original $50 million cap. Were working on both public and private levels to raise it back to $50 million, says Acosta. Among the nine recent foreign pics to shoot in Puerto Rico are Randall Emmetts Wash Me in the River with Robert De Niro, while local productions are led by El Cuartito, by Marcos Carnevale, set for a limited release in the U.S. For the Dominican Republic, international productions spending a minimum of $500,000 can tap a 25% transferable tax credit on qualified expenditure. Since 2019, the withholding tax of 27% levied on foreigners working in the DR was reduced to 1.5%, leading to an upsurge in filming. International producers are also exempt from paying the 18% VAT tax. Furthermore, equipment imported for the location shoot is exempt from payment of duty. Recent productions in the DR include Mark Wahlberg-starrer Arthur the King and Jennifer Lopezs Shotgun Wedding. The 36-square-mile island of Nevis, located 218 miles southeast of Puerto Rico, has been a lifesaver for U.S./U.K.-based MSR Media, which scouted various locations until landing on this tiny island where no COVID deaths have been reported. Under an extended multi-project, three-year production deal with the Nevis administration, the island has offered access to multiple locations, hotel support and expedited permits for MSR Medias projects filming back-to-back, with the third one, romantic comedy Two Weeks in Paradise, set to shoot in June. This new multi-year multi-film deal is truly good news for Nevis, says its premier, Mark Brantley. My governments vision for a film industry, born out of a need to diversify our economy from its heavy dependence on tourism, is bearing spectacular fruit due to this partnership with MSR Media. Meanwhile, MSR Media has opened an acting academy in Nevis and is in talks with the authorities of sister island St. Kitts to open a similar academy there. We have been thoroughly impressed with the progress and skills we have seen so far and we only see opportunities for the local community growing as we shoot more titles, says MSR Medias Philippe Martinez. The Cayman Islands also struck a similar multi-production deal with Productivity Media and Darius Films earlier this year. The accord kicked off with dark comedy Blue Iguana, now in post, to be followed by Jonathan Sobols action drama The Baker, starring Harvey Keitel and Ron Perlman. On the other side of the world, the Philippines introduced a set of incentives just as the pandemic broke out. Among them is the Film Location Incentive Program (Flip), a program that grants eligible international projects a 20% cash rebate of up to 10 million pesos ($198,000) on their qualified spend in the country. There are also new film funds, led by the Intl. Co-production Fund (ICOF), for feature films with a majority or minority co-production agreement with the Philippines. We soft-launched Flip as early as 2019 in the Asian Film Market and conducted its very first cycle of applications last year, says Liza Dino, Chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, who added that foreign film crews and talent can apply for exemptions to the current restrictions on visitors. Since then, five productions have been granted the rebate as of May 2021. Most notable of these projects is Almost Paradise, an American crime drama television series produced by Hollywood producer and director Dean Devlin. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Oklahoma Boosts Biz Services Oklahoma got a big boost this year from A24s Oscar-winning Minori, which filmed in the state, creating 180 jobs around Tulsa. Additional filming took place in the communities of Sand Springs, Broken Arrow, Skiatook and Rose. In 2020, Oklahoma declared the film and TV production business and the recording industry essential businesses, allowing the state to host 33 productions, and in late May, the state increased the cash rebate available for film and TV production, from $8 million to $30 million a year till 2031. The new legislation includes a base rate of 20% with the opportunity to reach 38% in a cash rebate. The state has beefed up its production infrastructure with the opening of the Green Pastures Studios and the Oklahoma Film and Television Academy in Spencer. This year, Prairie Surf Media launched Prairie Surf Studios in downtown Oklahoma City. The state also offers an exemption on sales tax on property or services related to the production, with no minimum budget or expenditure requirement. California adds to war chest California Gov. Gavin Newson in May made the Golden State even more competitive for producers, adding $30 million to the states film and TV tax incentive program of $330 million. More and more productions come back online in California over the past several months as the states vaccination program has seen 40% of its population fully vaccinated at the end of May. There are more openings in Los Angeles County and COVID-prevention measures have been relaxed in the run-up to the states full reopening on June 15. This is an opportunity for all of those productions, TV and others, in places like Georgia whose values dont necessarily always align with production crews, to consider coming back to the state of California, Newsom said at a press conference announcing the boost. In April, the California Film Commission announced that HBOs The Flight Attendant was moving from New York to the Golden State for its second season, while TBS sitcom Chad was relocating to California from British Columbia. Per the film commission, the two series are on track to generate a combined $58.3 million in qualified spending below-the-line wages and payments to in-state vendors. Winnipegs Big Sky Aims High Canadas booming production scene will get a new player in Winnipeg with Big Sky Studios, which is targeting a fall opening. Situated on close to 9 acres, the existing 137,000-sq.-foot building is being revamped to house a soundstage, production offices, meeting rooms, workshops, on-site equipment rentals and specialty areas for different film departments. Construction will begin soon on two new soundstages, adding 30,000 sq. feet of filming space. Manitobas Film and Media Tax Credit offers up to 65% on Manitoba labor, or up to 38% on eligible Manitoba expenditures one of the most competitive tax credits in Canada. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The U.K.s National Theatre has revealed a robust return to normal programming services with a host of plays and films scheduled through 2022, as the country limps back to normalcy post-pandemic. Highlights include National Theatre director Rufus Norris new musical Hex, based on Sleeping Beauty which opens this Christmas in the Olivier Theatre, and The Lyttelton Theatres reopening in October with Ayub Khan Dins East Is East. Anupama Chandrasekhars The Father and the Assassin, about Gandhi and his assassin, opens at the propertys Olivier Theatre in early 2022. There are returns to Broadway for the acclaimed The Lehman Trilogy and tours across the U.K. and Ireland for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Clint Dyer directs and co-writes Death of England: Face to Face with Roy Williams, an original feature film from the Lyttelton Theatre, to be broadcast on Sky Arts in October. In addition, National Theatre Together, a campaign to raise funds for the theaters recovery post-pandemic, has been launched. Naman Ramachandran DEVELOPMENT Eccho Rights are teaming with Germanys Tellux Film, Italys Indiana Production and Born Wild in the U.K. on the development of the new mockumentary series One Euro Village, created by Born Wild founder Anthony Alleyne and co-written by Matteo Berdini. Based on true events, the series unspools in a small Italian village where the local government offers up dilapidated houses for 1 each, drawing the attention of holiday home developers. Awkwardly, due to a clerical error, all the new buyers come from German-speaking countries and dont speak a world of Italian, meaning just about everything gets lost in translation. ***** Brazils Prodigo Filmes, producers of Netflix Originals Invisible City and Girls from Ipanema, has begun development on a feature film adaptation of Emilio Fraias novel Sevastopol, to be directed by Japanese filmmaker Takeshi Fukunaga (Out of My Hand, Ainu Mosir). Told through three parallel narratives, Sevastopol examines the uncertainty of life and how memory often returns to haunt us through the dissimilar but increasingly relatable stories of a mountain climber, an innkeeper and a playwright. FORMAT Popular competition format The Mole is heading back to Sweden where it will air on Discovery Plus later this year, as announced by the shows Swedish distributors Primitives. Warner Bros International Productions Sweden will handle production of the reboot featuring Swedish TV host Anders Lundin and actors Carina Lidbom and Ellen Bergstrom. The series has now been produced in more than 20 countries and originally aired in Sweden from 2000-2004 on Kanal 5. On The Mole, 10 contestants are isolated together and tasked with identifying which one of them is The Mole, with a large cash prize awaiting the eventual winner. FUNDRAISER Arijit Singh, one of Indias most popular recording artists, is teaming with GiveIndia and Facebook to provide much-needed COVID support to rural Indian populations. Under Facebooks SocialForGood banner, Singh will host a live fundraiser from his hometown of Murshidabad, West Bengal on Sunday to benefit his own campaign: Helping Rural India Breathe and Stay Safe. Funds raised through the event will be used to procure oxygen equipment, beds, medicines, food and provide financial assistance to those affected by the recent COVID-19 wave in small towns and villages across India. Donations can be made directly on the GiveIndia fundraising page: https://fundraisers.giveindia.org/fundraisers/helping-rural-india-breathe-and-stay-safe-an-initiative-by-arijit-singh COOKING Jamie Oliver is heading back to Channel 4 in the U.K. this fall with Jamie Oliver: Together, a new program featuring recipes from his book Together, releasing in September. As the U.K. and the wider world begin a return to something close to normal, Oliver will offer up recipes designed to be shared after a year or more of meals spent in isolation. Each episode will feature the steps to cooking up a full meal from start to finish, intended to be done in a stress-free and communal way. Oliver will invite his friends and family along the way, as well as frontline workers including NHS staff, deliver drivers, food growers and vital service providers. The series will be produced by Jamie Oliver Productions and distributed internationally by Fremantle. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Vivendi has entered into discussions with U.S. investment fund, Pershing Square Tontine Holdings, Ltd. (PSTH), to sell 10% of Universal Music Groups (UMG BV) share capital ahead of its listing in Amsterdam before the end of September. The sale of 10% would be based on an enterprise value of 35 billion ($42.3 billion) for 100% of the UMG BV share capital. The deal would have to be approved during Vivendis shareholders meeting on June 22, during which they are also expected to approve the distribution of 60% of the UMG share capital amongst shareholders in the form of special dividends. This distribution of dividends will precede the listing of those 60% of UMG shares on the Euronext market in Amsterdam, with a minimum target value for the company nearing 30 billion. UMG plans to retain 10% of UMG after these transactions. The Pershing Square funds and their affiliates, which are represented by CEO Bill Ackman, have indicated that they may acquire additional economic exposure to UMG by acquiring Vivendi securities and/or UMG securities following the distribution of UMG shares by Vivendi, said the company. The Paris-headquartered group, which is also the parent company of Canal Plus Group, previously sold 20% of UMG to Tencent late last year for 6 billion. UMG saw its revenues go up 9.4% during the first quarter of 2021 thanks to the growth in subscription and streaming revenues. Recorded music revenues grew by 10.8%, while physical sales were up 14.8%, driven by bigger sales of new release, including King & Prince and Justin Bieber, as well as continued sales from The Weeknd, Ariana Grande and Pop Smoke. UMG has been a major source of financial resilience and growth of Vivendi, which posted a 5% revenue increase to 3.9 billion during the first quarter of 2021. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. During the Thursday COVID-19 media briefing, Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz provided an update about the border closure and how changes in Washington may lead to an influx of migrants reaching the city, exacerbating the COVID situation for residents. According to Saenz, within the following days or weeks, the lifting of bridge restrictions will take place. However, that will also mean the lifting of the Title 42 policy. This means that CBP immigration protocols at the bridges, including health screenings and referring migrants back to Mexico or their country of origin, would be suspended. What this translates to is if we dont or if Washington doesnt come up with a plan shortly to address this, then we will be inundated by migrants and, of course, the COVID situation is still a very big part of what we are dealing with. Without a plan or Title 42 moving forward, Saenz believes that it will lead to an influx of migrants. As it stands now, after an abrupt extension by Mexican Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, the bridge closure is expected to end on June 21. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Southwest border, through Title 42, expulsed approximately 536,793 migrants from October through April. Data showed saw a significant leap in number of expulsions between February and March, from 72,322 to 107,098, or 38.7%. Saenz said that 6-7% of migrants tested at the bridge are positive, which hamper local resources. On Friday, a plan with stakeholders will be discussed during a web meeting, which will invite stakeholders from the local, state and federal sectors, Saenz said. However, the mayor says he hopes that an upcoming meeting between Vice President Kamala Harris and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will include border discussions and be the start of a plan for both countries. We havent seen a plan for the border, he said. In terms of decisions and policies set, City Manager Robert Eads said that the city has to manage state and federal policies differently. I dont get paid to sit here and question policies, what I do is I have to fluctuate operations with whatever policy is in front of me, Eads said. Knowing what that means to us is our first mandate when and how this will be used. In his experience, he believes that the removal of Title 42 will be replaced with a different policy, but there is still no replacement set by the federal government. Regardless of mandate or policy, resources are needed to manage any policy set. Between the city and a number of non-government organizations, he made it clear that resources from state and federal levels will help with the plans moving forward. Despite the difficulties the city is still expecting to face, Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino said that the city has cleared the most difficult parts of the pandemic. However, he adds that there is still over 39% of the eligible population that needs to be vaccinated, and he and other clinics are still seeing children with COVID-19 and warns that the virus is still present in the community. Lastly, Trevino did provide his expertise on the border uncertainties, saying that the bridge opening will undoubtedly impact the economy, but there are risks of a large unvaccinated population among those in the city. Whether it be those who refuse to vaccinate or those who still have yet to get the vaccine, Trevino said that hospitals are still recovering from the prior COVID-19 wave. However, there is still a surplus of vaccines ready to be applied. As far as the influx of migrants, we are still focusing on implementing mitigation at or near the ports of entry, he said. And we have already installed other measures such as the shelters to properly offer surveillance and the need of additional health measures such as quarantines, if needed. Trevino added that the area has a score of 0.94 for the CDC social vulnerability index. According to the CDC, the index refers to the potential negative effects on communities caused by external stresses on human health. Such stresses include natural or human-caused disasters, or disease outbreaks. Reducing social vulnerability can decrease both human suffering and economic loss. He concluded by saying that Webb County has to address negative stressors to improve daily life and the economical loss with proper planning. Some negative stressors would be the uncertainty revolving around the bridge closure, the predicted influx of migrants and the unvaccinated population domestic or foreign. cocampo@lmtonline.com U.S. Border Patrol and Laredo police shut down three stash houses and detained more than 180 migrants within hours of each other on Wednesday. The first case occurred on Santa Maria Avenue. Agents and officers responded to reports of a possible stash house. A search of the property resulted in the discovery of 54 individuals from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador and Honduras. All were in the country illegally. A second case happened within the hour. Laredo South Station agents responded to a request for assistance from LPD regarding a possible stash house on Springfield Avenue. There, agents took custody of 66 migrants from the countries of Mexico and Guatemala. While agents were preoccupied at the stash house on Springfield, they received a report of a third stash house nearby. Law enforcement officers responded to a residence on Monterrey Avenue and apprehended 62 migrants undocumented individuals from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The identification and interdiction of these stash houses and the apprehension of over 180 non-citizens in less than two hours highlights the challenges that our agents and law enforcement partners face on a daily basis. These numbers also illustrate the potential risk to our communities from this criminal activity and those perpetrating it. I ask that our neighbors throughout our area continue to provide tips regarding possible stash houses to us, Crime Stoppers, or other law enforcement agencies, said Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak. Border Patrol said that stash houses continue to be a threat to national security and a threat to the citizens of the nation not only because of their use by criminal organizations but they are also a danger to the people they exploit by concealing them in dilapidated close quarters. Although the amount of people arrested in these stash houses is high, stash house apprehensions remain only a fraction of the total apprehensions made in Laredo Sector. The overwhelming majority of apprehensions made by Laredo Sector agents are while performing linewatch operations near the border, Border Patrol said in a statement. To report suspicious activity such as human or drug smuggling, download the USBP Laredo Sector app or contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free at 1-800-343-1994. China vehemently objected Friday to U.S. President Joe Bidens expansion of a list of Chinese companies whose shares are off-limits to American investors because of their purported links to the Chinese military and surveillance. The White House issued the update late Thursday to an order signed last year by Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, that added to antagonisms over trade and technology. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged Washington to withdraw the order and provide Chinese enterprises with a fair and non-discriminatory business and investment environment." China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," he said at a regular briefing in Beijing. He did not elaborate. The executive order takes effect Aug. 2. It is the latest indication that Biden has not softened Washington's stance on alleged security risks from companies U.S. officials say are linked to the Chinese military and industrial complex." Tariffs on Chinese exports that were imposed under Trump, triggering similar actions from Beijing, mostly remain in place. Chinas chief economic envoy, Vice Premier Liu He, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen held their first meeting by video Wednesday, but the two sides gave no indication when negotiations on ending their tariff war might resume. The revised order from Biden says it is to ensure that U.S. investments are not supporting Chinese companies that undermine the security or values of the United States and our allies." The updated list includes companies that Washington alleges contribute to surveillance of religious and ethnic minorities or to repression and serious human rights abuses. Investors already holding shares in the 59 companies listed have one year to divest from them. Many but not all of the companies on the expanded list already were on a Defense Department blacklist that limits access to American technology and investment. The original list included 31 companies. It includes telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies, which faces various U.S. sanctions, and two of its financial affiliates. It also includes Chinas big state-owned telecoms companies and China National Offshore Oil Corp. Separately, the Commerce Department has put CNOOC, the countrys third-largest national oil company, on an economic blacklist for what it described as reckless and belligerent actions in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. Thats a reference to CNOOCs involvement in offshore drilling in disputed waters of the South China Sea, where Beijing has overlapping territorial claims with other countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia, as well as Taiwan. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., or SMIC, plays a leading role in the ruling partys effort to reduce reliance on U.S. and other foreign technology by creating Chinese suppliers of processor chips and other components. The companies added to the list include manufacturers of satellite equipment, integrated circuits, optical components, and satellite communications equipment and software. Apart from the investment ban, U.S. firms are prohibited from exporting or transferring technology to dozens of Chinese companies unless they have special permission from the government. Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp., which overtook Apple Inc. as the worlds No. 3 smartphone maker by sales in the third quarter of 2020, was removed from the earlier investment blacklist after it sued the U.S. government, demanding to be removed and denying it has any links with China's People's Liberation Army. Xiaomi is a Beijing-based company known for its value-for-money smartphones and smart devices. ___ Associated Press video producer Liu Zheng in Beijing contributed to this report. NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) Ethnically split Cyprus took a key step toward a return to its routine rhythms of life amid the pandemic on Friday when nine crossing points along a United Nations-controlled buffer zone were reopened, enabling ordinary Cypriots to cross the divide. A trickle of people began crossing on foot at the checkpoint along Ledra Street, a busy pedestrian thoroughfare that bisects the medieval center of the capital, Nicosia. Most of the crossing points are open to vehicles, but everyone crossing either northward or southward must display a negative COVID-19 test taken in the previous seven days. Officials said the openings became possible after a significant drop in confirmed coronavirus cases on both sides. Turkish Cypriot Djan Kaptanoglu said it was a little bit emotional for him to cross southward again after so many months of being unable to do so. I miss it so much, he told the Associated Press as he walked past a police checkpoint after displaying COVID-19 test results that enabled him to cross. I wish to see a united Cyprus after all without showing our passport and IDs, but its OK right now, we can have free movement. With a digital camera dangling around his neck, Kaptanoglu said he would meet up with three friends and take plenty of photos of Eleftheria Square, a multimillion-euro project designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid that was finished earlier this year. Nicosia municipal authorities hope the redesigned square will draw more pedestrian traffic to the old citys core, which is encircled by a wall built by Cyprus Venetian rulers in the 16th century to thwart Ottoman invaders. Today is just for discovering again, seeing again the other half of my country, Kaptanoglu said. The crossings have been shut to pedestrian and vehicular traffic for more than a year following concerns that they would fan the spread of COVID-19 to either side. Since June of last year, crossings were only permitted for Turkish Cypriots working in the south, patients requiring medical treatment and diplomats. Cyprus' Interior Ministry said that citizens from European Union member countries and the U.K., as well as foreign nationals who hold either a Cypriot or an EU visa, can also cross now. The closings had caused much controversy as peace activists denounced the move as politically motivated. But the Cypriot government insisted it was strictly a health issue and had nothing to do with politics. The buffer zone extends the entire 180-kilometer (120-mile) length of the east Mediterranean island nation and has been in place since 1974, when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup aiming at union with Greece. Both Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Ersin Tatar, the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots, hailed the agreement to reopen the crossing points, which the United Nations helped broker. It is gut-wrenching to see so many cats and kittens living in filthy, poor conditions, the center said in a statement. Anyone interested in adopting any of the cats can reach out to St. Huberts. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden on Friday dismissed a fresh Republican infrastructure proposal that offered modestly more spending but fell short of his objectives to grow the economy, the White House said. His reaction cast further doubt on the two parties prospects for striking compromise on one of the administrations chief legislative priorities as deadlines slip and time runs out to make progress toward a deal. The White House released the statement after Biden spoke by phone with West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, the chief GOP negotiator. Both sides said the two would speak again on Monday, but Bidens team made clear the president will be casting about for talks with other senators. The President expressed his gratitude for her effort and goodwill, but also indicated that the current offer did not meet his objectives to grow the economy, tackle the climate crisis, and create new jobs, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. A Capito statement provided no detail about their discussion or the new offer. Making the pitch for Republicans, Capito had suggested around a $50 billion boost above the previous Republican offer of $928 billion, the White House said, still leaving the GOP well short of the $1.7 trillion that Biden is seeking. In a further sign that a deal with Capito was seeming increasingly less likely, the White House said Biden told Capito that he would continue to engage a number of Senators in both parties in the hopes of achieving a more substantial package. For weeks, the president has been engaged in talks with GOP senators trying to strike a compromise on Bidens top legislative a priority, the big infrastructure investment package. While the two sides appear to have narrowed the price gap between his initial $2.3 trillion proposal and the GOPs $568 billion opening bid, they remain far apart on the scope of the deal and how to pay for it. Biden wants to raise corporate taxes to generate revenues for the infrastructure investments, a nonstarter for Republicans. The GOP senators propose tapping unspent COVID-19 relief aid to pay for the roads, bridges and other projects, an idea rejected by Democrats. Earlier in the day, after the release of a modest May jobs report, Biden made the case for his robust investment package to push the economy past the COVID-19 crisis and downturn, and into a new era. Now is the time to build on the progress weve made, Biden told reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. We need to make those investments today to continue to succeed tomorrow." After returning to the White House, Biden spoke with Capito by telephone. The White House had been eyeing a deadline early next week as Congress returns from its Memorial Day break to see progress toward a deal. Meanwhile, Democrats are setting the ground work for a go-it-alone approach. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has indicated that Biden will look to act without Republican support if there is no consensus. Psaki downplayed any hard-set deadline Friday and said the administration continues to talk to lawmakers from both parties. There's runway left, Psaki told reporters at the White House. Were going to keep a range of pathways open. Republicans are showing no interest in Biden's latest proposal for a 15% corporate minimum tax rate that would ensure all companies pay something in taxes, rather than allowing so many write-offs or deductions that they contribute zero to the Treasury. A Republican familiar with the talks and granted anonymity to discuss the private assessment said the GOP senators view that idea as an unnecessary tax hike. They had already rejected his initial proposal to hike the corporate tax rate, from 21% to 28%, Instead, Republicans are insisting on using untapped COVID-19 relief funds to pay for the infrastructure investments. Biden's team has rejected that approach. Still, neither Biden nor the GOP senators appear ready to call off talks, even as Democrats prepare to use budget rules to pass any big package on their own, without Republican votes. On Friday, House Democrats released a plan for spending $547 billion over the next five years on road, mass transit and rail projects, a blueprint of their priorities and a potential building block for Biden's broader package. The proposal from Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio, the Democratic chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, continues existing programs set to expire and adds key pieces of the larger measure Biden is negotiating with Republicans. DeFazios legislation doesnt address how to pay for the projects. He called the effort a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move our transportation planning out of the 1950s and toward our clean energy future. His bill would authorize up to $343 billion for roads, bridges and safety improvements. Another $109 billion would go to public transit programs and $95 billion would go to freight and passenger rail system, including a tripling of funding for Amtrak. DeFazios bill is not expected to attract much GOP support, as Republicans unveiled their own legislation recently that would authorize about $400 billion over five years for road, bridge and transit programs. Republicans on the House panel criticized the Democratic legislation in a statement. Instead of working with Republicans to find common ground on a bill that could earn strong bipartisan support something our Senate counterparts did successfully last month this bill moves even further to the left to appease the most progressive members in the Majoritys party." Biden also called DeFazio on Friday to thank him for his work on key elements of the American Jobs Plan, Psaki said, adding that they agreed on the benefits of continuing to engage Democratic and Republican senators. Business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable have called on lawmakers to continue negotiations and work toward a bipartisan compromise. But some Democrats have questioned the merits of that approach and are already unhappy with some of the compromises that Biden has offered. They support using a process that would allow Democrats to pass an infrastructure boost with a simple majority, which they did through a COVID-19 relief measure that delivered $1,400 payments to most Americans. Getting Republicans on board is not necessary. Getting the American people back on their feet is, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., said. __ Associated Press writer Josh Boak contributed to this report. A member of the Sureno gang who was found inside a stash house in south Laredo was arrested for being in the country illegally, authorities said. On Wednesday evening, agents responded to assist Laredo police at a stash house on Monterrey Avenue. Among the migrants detained was Fidel Alexis Lopez-Mendoza, a 20-year-old Mexican citizen and member of the Sureno Gang. Several Texas officials and groups don't agree with Gov. Greg Abbott's recent actions. On Tuesday, Abbott issued a disaster declaration in response to what he is calling a border crisis due to the "ongoing influx of unlawful immigrants." The order authorizes all available state resources to assist state and local law enforcement to protect Texans from property damage, trespassing, smuggling, and human trafficking. The Governor directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to take all necessary steps to discontinue state licensure of any child care facility under a contract with the federal government that shelters or detains unlawful immigrants. Additionally, Abbott directed the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and the Texas Commission to work with Texas counties to request any necessary waivers in order to give counties the flexibility needed to establish alternative detention facilities or otherwise add or expand capacity. READ ALSO: NBA fans respond to rumors of Spurs' Becky Hammon heading to Celtics San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro responded by calling the order a "cynical political move" that will keep vulnerable kids locked in border jails. He said Abbott's intentionally sabotaging the system for resettling unaccompanied children. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Laredo Democrat, told KXAN he doesn't support Abbott's labeling of the situation at the border as a "disaster." "I do not think that this is a disaster," Cuellar told KXAN. "This is a state version of [former President Donald Trump] declaring a border emergency. I disagree with that." Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez issued a statement regarding the proclamation, in which he says that local law enforcement had not reported a level of criminal activity that would require a disaster proclamation. "Apparently, Governor Abbott has information that we don't have," stated. "In speaking to local law enforcement, they have not reported levels of criminal activity that would require a disaster proclamation. I have repeatedly suggested to our federal government to address comprehensive immigration reform because our current laws need change to address what we want and what we don't want." Border group La Union del Pueblo Entero also said Abbott's order is an attempt to distract from "his failure of leadership," adding his "political stunts" are the real threats to Texans. Photo, Albertland Heritage Museum. Pictured, the Port Albert agricultural show in the early 1900s. The Wellsford Library is calling on budding writers to re-imagine Port Albert as a bustling metropolis for a writing competition. In the 1860s, Albertland was founded by settlers who planned to make use of the Kaipara Harbour to create a city to rival Auckland. Writers are invited to create a short story on the basis that the plan succeeded. Librarian Jamie Robertson says writers have free licence with their imagination: perhaps the Kaipara Harbour was safer or maybe it was besieged with piracy? The story could be set in the future with bullet trains and hover cars, or it could imagine a pre-European Pacific city. The competition is open to all genres, from crime and thriller to science fiction and fantasy. There is an adult category, and a teenage category for writers aged 13 to 19. It is the first time the Wellsford Library has organised a competition of this nature. Auckland Libraries is holding a region-wide We Read Auckland programme and individual libraries have been encouraged to hold their own events and competitions. The winning story will be displayed at the Wellsford Library and published online at www.localmatters.co.nz. Writers are invited to send stories of 2000 words or less, to wellslib@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with Albertlander Short Story Competition in the subject line. Deadline is Wednesday, June 30. Changes to some dangerous local roads are being made in an attempt to reduce the number of crashes caused by vehicles losing control on bends. Auckland Transports Rural Delineation Programme is partly funded by the Regional Fuel Tax and affects 64km of rural roads in the Hibiscus and Bays, Rodney and Franklin local board areas. The scheme includes parts of several Hibiscus Coast roads. These are: Spur Road, and Duck Creek Road, Stillwater; East Coast Road Silverdale/Redvale (section between 200m north of Wilks Road and 200m south of Jackson Way excluded) and Weranui Road, Waiwera, rural section (gravel section excluded). The work will include new yellow and black signs, road markings and things such as reflectorised white solid centre lines, chevron curve indicator signs, and arrow signs to mark curves in the road. They are designed to help drivers negotiate various road dangers as many crashes in the selected areas were due to vehicles losing control on bends. In the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area there were 54 reported injury crashes from 2015 to 2019 and approximately 43 percent of them were due to loss of control. The work was expected to begin at the end of last month. The northern line was upgraded and reopened in January this year. The northern rail line from Helensville to Whangarei, which runs through Wellsford and Kaiwaka, will become a lot busier. The government has announced it is funding a 19-kilometre spur between Whangarei and Northport to enable heavy freight trains to carry goods from Auckland for export. KiwiRail Group Chief Executive Greg Miller says it is the first significant new rail line in New Zealand since the 1950s. He says that freight moved on the line could reach 2.2 million tonnes a year, up from 100,000 tonnes. He says the ability to carry hi-cube shipping containers between Auckland and Northport would be a game changer. The middle and far North are becoming the North of Plenty, potentially seeing the kind of horticulture growth that the Bay of Plenty experienced in the 1950s. Northern producers will be able to get their exports to Northport and their produce around New Zealand easily, efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly way. Land purchases for the new line are expected to begin this year. Lockport, NY (14094) Today Showers early with isolated thunderstorms arriving for the afternoon. High 79F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. 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 The defendants strongly believe that neither CPS, its employees, nor the school nurse were responsible for the tragic death of Gabriel Taye, he said. CPS embraces the goal of eliminating bullying within schools, as well as continuing to refine and improve reporting, management, and training processes related to incidents of bullying. Cllr Mick Cahill has called on Longford County Counctil to provide suitable safe access to the National school in Killashee from the N63 as the situation at the moment is not adequate for the needs of the pupils in the interests of road safety. Cllr Cahill raised the motion with his fellow councillors at last weeks meeting of Ballymahon Municipal District, which was held via Microsoft Teams. The proposal received support from other councillors in the district who agreed that the road was a safety hazard for young children going to and from school. Area Engineer Paul Newell explained that the junction is quite narrow but suggested the school apply for funding. The school could apply for a CLAR scheme and then maybe put in a pedestrian crossing, he said. Weve spoken to the school and were going to give them all the support they need in getting an application together for next years CLAR scheme. Cllr Cahill thanked Mr Newell for his response and the other councillors for their support, stating that the plan was a practical solution to the problem. Im sure the parents and the teachers will be happy with that, he said. A Longford woman has told of her "shame" and "embarrassment" at being caught up in a violent disorder incident in Longford town which resulted in another woman receiving a number of punches to her body in front of startled shoppers. Ann Lawrence (59) 17 Camlin Meadows, Farneyhoogan, Longford expressed her regret over an incident along Longford town's Ballymahon Street on June 5 2019. It was revealed on that occasion Ms Lawrence, along with four other women from her immediate family, namely Caroline Lawrence (24), 13 The Keys, Market Square, Longford, Mary Lawrence (30), 1 The Hollows, Longford, Mary Lawrence (38) 87 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford and Rebecca Lawrence (27) 39 Great Water Street became embroiled in a row with members of the Stokes family. It was alleged the incident stemmed from a row over a relationship which had started between a member of the Lawrence and Stokes families, an accord which local solicitor John Quinn said was still in existence despite those tensions and two alleged incidents where cars had been set alight. "There was an incident outside Aldi where a car was driven at them and they were set upon," said Solr Quinn, defending, adding the majority of incidents reported to gardai all occurred in April 2019. As well as all five women being charged with violent disorder, fifty-nine-year-old Ms Lawrence was also charged with assault causing harm and the production of an article. The court heard Mrs Lawrence had been observed holding a bat, something the Longford woman claimed she happened to stumble across on. "That bat wasn't mine," she said. "It was Margaret Stokes' and I picked it up." Judge Hughes rubbished those version of events, however, claiming Ms Lawrence's suggestion was, at best, fanciful. "When I walk up the streets of Longford I see these things all the time," said Judge Hughes, in reference to the alleged weapon picked up by Ms Lawrence. Sgt Mark Mahon intervened by stating the Stokes' were not in a position to defend their name owing to a family funeral.Detective Garda Orla Geraghty was asked if the dispute between both sets of families had calmed in the months since. "It has settled somewhat, but tensions are still high," she said. Mr Quinn backed those assertions by giving further context as to what sparked the start of the feud. "Margaret Stokes came in and gave evidence of how she was attacked and in fairness to her she made very little of the injuries she received," he said. "It was a bad enough incident, but it was the culmination of all the intimidation that had been going on and this relationship, despite everything is still going on." For her part, Ms Lawrence said she was extremely regretful over her own actions and did intimate her hope that both sides could, in time, bury the hatchet. "I am ashamed, I'm very embarrassed and really affected by it," she said. "I was intimidated, but they (couple) are still together and doing great." Asked by Judge Hughes if she was acceptive of any nuptials being exchanged down the line, Ms Lawrence was unequivocal in her response: "They have my blessing," she said. "I will make sure they have a good day. I will invite Margaret Stokes and if she wants to come, she is more than welcome. I am really embarrassed by what I done." In taking his time to decide on what course of action to take, Judge Hughes hinted at how it might be "too premature" to conclude the case at this stage. "You never know, we might all get an invite to it (wedding)," he smiled. "Their behaviour will be monitored. These offences carry 12 months, so there is no rush to deal with it and I can come down much tougher if they misbehave in the meantime." A violent disorder charge levelled against 38-year-old Mary Lawrence was struck out after it emerged she had been on the periphery of the dispute. "If there are no further incidents, the court will take a lenient view by way of a fine," he said. If there are any further incidents, a likely suspended or custodial sentence will follow and I won't hesitate in lashing it out at all of them. The case was adjourned until December 14, 2021. A man who ran over a taxi driver's feet in an act of road rage has been jailed for a year. James Devereux (34) told gardai he fled from the scene after rear-ending the taxi because he thought the incident was some sort of set-up operation and he feared he was about to be attacked. But Judge Melanie Greally noted that neither gardai nor the probation officer had been able to ascertain any reason for the incident other than it being a simple act of road rage. Devereux, of Knockriada, Chapelizod, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to endangerment at Kyle Road, Ballyfermot, on January 27, 2020. He has no previous convictions. A prosecuting garda told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that on the date in question Patrick Gill, the victim in the case, was driving a taxi when his car was rear-ended by the accused. Mr Gill got out of the taxi to take the other car's details and contact gardai. The garda said Devereux drove away from the scene and ran over both of the victim's feet as he did so. He also drove on the wrong side of the road and went through a red light. Mr Gill sustained cuts and bruises to his legs and a fracture to his arm. The court heard that he has since recovered fully from his injuries. In interview with gardai following his arrest, Devereux admitted to the offence and said he was sorry. He told gardai that his sister had had a dispute with another woman some time prior to the offence and he rear-ended the victim's car because he had been distracted when he noticed a man related to this woman two cars behind him. Devereux told gardai that he anticipated that the initial incident was some sort of set-up operation and that he thought he was going to be attacked. He said he thought his life was in danger. The prosecuting garda told the court that local gardai were not aware of any particular feud involving the accused, but said the accused's sister had been in a fight with another woman in a pub prior to the incident. Amy Heffron BL, defending, said her client did not realise at the time that his car had made contact with the victim as he drove away. She said that a week after the incident his car was smashed by certain individuals. Ms Heffron said her client had raised 1,000 by way of compensation for the victim. Judge Melanie Greally said she accepted it wasn't a complete fantasy that Devereux saw someone connected to his sister's dispute. But she noted: He hasn't succeeded in convincing either the gardai or the probation officer as to a reason why he engaged in a simple act of road rage. She said CCTV footage of the incident was unclear as to whether it was an intentional act of aggression or extreme recklessness but she added that she was willing to give Devereux the benefit of the doubt. Judge Greally noted that Devereux has since made progress to address an addiction to both cocaine and alcohol but noted that he had continued to take substance up until March 2021. She sentenced Devereux to two years in prison but suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions. She also disqualified him from driving for four years. The Leaving Certificate results for 2021 are set to be sent directly to candidates through the Candidate Self Service Portal on Friday, September 3. In any subject where a candidate sits the examination and opts to receive Accredited Grades, they will be credited with the better of the two results. Candidates results will be transferred to the CAO to facilitate progression to higher education. The written examinations begin on Wednesday, June 9 and will run until June 29. Students had the choice to opt to sit the examination or seek an accredited grade, or both, in each of their subjects. Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said: I am pleased to be able to announce that the State Examinations Commission expects that Leaving Certificate results will be provided to students on Friday, September 3. Students will receive their results directly on the Candidate Self Service Portal, where they registered their options for examinations or accredited grades, or both. Students results will combine their best results of examinations and accredited grades, where they chose both options. The usual helplines and supports will be in place for students on results day and beyond. I will be in contact with schools asking them to ensure that guidance support is available to students at this time. I would like to take this opportunity once again to stress how important it is that students taking the examinations continue to follow the public health advice and limit their contacts as the examinations approach and during the examination period. I wish all Leaving Certificate students taking the written examinations well, in their final preparations this week," she stated. A warning has been issued over malicious software affecting users of Android phones in Ireland, which can potentially allow criminals to steal passwords and sensitive data, such as financial information. In a statement today, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said it had received reports of the spyware software called Flubot. The scammers typically send a text message containing a link for the victim to click on to access details on a missed package delivery. The link will direct to a fake website that will look similar to a legitimate delivery company's site. The victim will then be asked to download two files, which contain malicious code. They will then be prompted to manually override and allow an untrusted app to download onto their phone. The NCSC advised that the issue is currently only affecting Android phones and Apple devices are not affected. People are advised not to click on the link if they receive such a message and to delete the message. If you are expecting a delivery, you are advised to check its status through the company's official website. If you have clicked on the link and have installed the app, you are advised to perform a factory reset on the device. If you have your data backed up, it is advised not to restore any backups created after the malicious software was installed. The NCSC advised to reset any passwords on accounts used after installing the app. If you use the same passwords on other accounts, you are advised to change those too. Mobile operator Three also issued a warning over the FluBot software earlier today. It advised customers not to click the link and to delete the message from their phone. In the market for a "forever home" or a holiday hideaway? Check out this detached four-bedroom dormer bungalow in the wilds of Donegal. It goes under the hammer at the BidX1 auction on June 25 with a guide price of just 68,000. The property is located approximately 4km from Glenties town centre and has stunning views of woodland and mountains. The bungalow is on a generous site of three-quarters of an acre. Local amenities in the area include the Highlands Hotel, Glenties Health Centre and Scoil Mhuire National School together with a range of shops, bars and restaurants available in Glenties town centre and nearby Donegal town. Transport links include regular bus routes (991, 492), the R250 and N56 national road. According to court documents, the reason he used a hotel at a different city was to avoid being seen by anyone he knew. He also typically arranged for his victims to use a different hotel door, instead of the main entrance, to avoid further detection. (Alliance News) - A Belgian judge presiding over a legal dispute between the EU and AstraZeneca PLC over a shortfall of Covid-19 vaccine doses to Europe said Friday she will give her ruling within a month. She set the deadline in a short hearing in her Brussels court held to ask technical questions of both sides. The European Commission, acting on behalf of the EU's 27 member states, is suing the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical giant for failing to deliver millions of vaccine doses it had promised this year in a contract with Brussels. But AstraZeneca has argued it is only compelled to make "best reasonable efforts" to meet deliveries. The firm's CEO Pascal Soriot has said A production was prioritised for Britain, as the vaccine was developed at Oxford University.A Under the contract with the EU, AstraZeneca had pledged to deliver 300 million doses by the end of June. But it subsequently reduced delivery forecasts to 120 million, citing production problems.A The company delivered 30 million doses in the first quarter. According to figures from an EU official with knowledge of deliveries, AstraZeneca is on track to supply 70 million doses in the second quarter a falling 20 million doses short of even the reduced schedule.A The EU has called on the Belgian court to fine AstraZeneca 10 euros per dose and per day if those 20 million doses are not provided on time.A Brussels had originally counted on AstraZeneca's vaccine to be its workhorse jab for the first part of this year. But because of the delivery problems it has turned more to the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, which now accounts for more than 70% of EU supplies. source: AFP Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Lekoil Ltd - oil & gas explorer and producer in Nigeria and elsewhere in West Africa - Lekoil Nigeria Ltd notes decision of Lekoil Ltd, or Lekoil Cayman, to terminate Olalekan Akinyanmi as chief executive officer. This decision was announced on Thursday, effective immediately, due to an unspecified "corporate governance breach". Lekoil Nigeria says: "This decision is the culmination of the efforts of the consortium led by Metallon Corp to take control of Lekoil Cayman as foreshadowed in the circular to shareholders of Lekoil Cayman dated 11 December 2020." "Since the takeover of the board of Lekoil Cayman in January by Metallon, a South African mining company, and its collaborators, concerted efforts have been made to seize control of the assets of Lekoil Nigeria. The decision to remove Akinyanmi is the latest outcome of this strategy," it adds. Says procedure leading to termination of Akinyanmi's service is not compliant with the company's corporate governance policies, and accuses "majority of" Lekoil Cayman board of "failing persistently to comply with its corporate governance code". Says Akinyanmi remains on board of Lekoil Nigeria and also as its chief executive. "While we take legal counsel regarding this decision by Lekoil Cayman, we wish to assure our numerous stakeholders, especially the Nigerian people that the strategic national assets under our purview will be protected by all legitimate means available to us," Lekoil Nigeria says. Current stock price: 1.525 pence, down 6.2% on Friday Year-to-date change: down 13% By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Moody's Investors Service on Friday downgraded the long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings of KeySpan Gas East Corp to Baa1 from A3, and Brooklyn Union Gas Co to Baa2 from Baa1. Moody's has also changed the outlook on both KeySpan and Brooklyn Union Gas Co to stable from negative. The two utilities are owned by National Grid PLC, a Warwick, England-based electricity and gas utility company. This rating action follows the May 14 filing by the companies of their joint proposal with the New York energy regulator, the Public Service Commission, for a three year rate plan running from April 2020 to March 2023. The downgrades reflect Moody's expectation that KeySpan and Brooklyn Union Gas Co will not demonstrate financial metrics commensurate with the previous A3 and Baa1, respectively, rating levels over the period to March 2024. Moody's explained that, despite both KeySpan and Brooklyn Union Gas Co undertaking large capital expenditure programmes in recent years, both companies have been granted only modest rate increases under the proposed rate case settlement. KeySpan and Brooklyn Union Gas Co's Baa1 and Baa2 ratings also factor in Moody's assessment that, as gas companies, both companies have a higher business risk profile than, for example, electric utilities, given an ambitious decarbonisation agenda and modest funding for energy transition projects. The stable outlook, meanwhile, reflects Moody's expectation that both KeySpan and Brooklyn Union Gas Co will maintain a financial profile over the remaining primary term of this rate plan in line with guidance for the current rating. By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - MyHealthChecked PLC on Friday said it has "growing confidence" in its outlook after a successful year of trading, despite posting a widening loss in 2020. The home-testing healthcare company said its pretax losses widen to GBP3.8 million last year, from GBP2.5 million in 2019, after new product launches led to soaring costs. More positively, Cardiff-based MyHealthChecked generated contract revenue of GBP49,480, up 55% from GBP31,970 the previous year, boosted by new contracts with Boots UK Ltd. Revenue for December was up fivefold on the same period in 2019. During the year operational overheads were reduced by GBP124,000 per month on average. "It has been a transformational year for MyHealthChecked as we commenced the delivery of a growth plan, and redefined our future, allowing us to begin 2021 with a clear runway ahead to revenue achievement," said Chief Executive Paul McCormick. "With a strong pipeline outside of Covid-19 building, life after Covid is exciting, and we enter this phase with growing confidence in the road to delivery gained through the experiences and successes of 2020 and 2021 to date." Since December, MyHealthChecked said it has strengthened its finances with a GBP3.4 million fundraise to support new product launches and the development of DNA testing products. During the year MyHealthChecked signed contracts with pharmaceutical retailer Boots for its at-home Covid-19 nasal swab kit, extending its offering to include tests for international arrivals to the UK. The resumption of international travel throughout the year is expected to have a "material impact" on the company's performance in 2021, it said. MyHealthChecked also announced the appointment of Gareth Davies as chief financial & operations officer from Friday. Davies was previously chief finance & operations officer of Welcony Inc and will succeed Maddy Kennedy, who had joined MyHealthChecked in October 2019. As with the prior year, no dividend would be paid, which MyHealthChecked said was due to the early development stage of the group. Shares were 5.9% to 3.95 pence in London in Friday morning trading. However, so far in 2021, the stock is up 98%. MyHealthChecked's annual general meeting will be held on June 29. By Will Paige; willpaige@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Rio Tinto PLC on Friday said it has appointed Ben Wyatt as a non-executive director who will join the board on September 1. The Anglo-Australian miner said Wyatt brings "extensive public policy, regulatory and international trade experience" to the board from his time as Treasurer & Aboriginal Affairs Minister in the Western Australian government. Wyatt also holds a non-executive director position at Woodside Petroleum Ltd. The Financial Times said it was the first time that Rio Tinto has appointed an indigenous Australian to its board. The move follows the public outcry and regulatory scrutiny the miner incurred when it blew up a 46,000-year-old Aboriginal heritage site to expand the Pilbara iron ore mine in Western Australia. This resulted in Rio's chief executive resigning and its chair saying he will stand down in 2022. According to the Financial Times, Rio Tinto derives around 90% of its profit from its iron ore extraction in the Pilbara region of Australia. Chair Simon Thompson said: "I am delighted to welcome Ben to the Rio Tinto Board. With family links to the Pilbara and an impressive track record in public life, Ben's knowledge of public policy, finance, international trade and Indigenous affairs will significantly add to the depth of knowledge on the board at a time when we are seeking to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders in Australia and around the world." Wyatt said: "I have deep respect for the resources sector in Australia and have long been impressed with the professionalism and commitment demonstrated by Rio Tinto. I was deeply saddened and disappointed by the events at Juukan Gorge but I am convinced that Rio Tinto is committed to changing its approach to cultural heritage issues and restoring its reputation, particularly in Australia and Western Australia. "I am looking forward to working with the Board in building on the momentum for change generated by the new leadership team." Rio Tinto shares were trading up 0.1% at 6,178.81 pence each in London on Friday morning. By Scarlett Butler; scarlettbutler@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. While the world celebrates Pride for the entire month of June, we mourn the fact that our nation has embraced the sin of pride as a virtue, he added. We applaud the parents who are putting in the enormous effort necessary to properly form their kids consciences in a culture that has become so hostile to holiness. (Alliance News) - Britain announced Friday a free-trade agreement with three European countries a major fishing neighbour Norway as well as Iceland and Liechtenstein a in its latest move to boost trade ties post-Brexit. The deal, agreed in principle and which builds on "an economic relationship already worth GBP21.6 billion (USD30 billion, 25 billion euros)", will slash tariffs on British food products, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said. Britain formally left the EU in January 2020 after nearly five decades of membership, and quit its single market and customs union at the start of this year. Since then, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has replicated or rolled over existing trade agreements with the bloc and several countries, vowing that they will be more advantageous than those negotiated by the EU. London is currently in advanced trade deal discussions with Australia and has held early talks with India, New Zealand and the US. Talks are also due to begin soon with Canada and Mexico. Trade between non-EU member Norway and Britain, separated by the North Sea and key fishing spots, amounted to GBP20.4 billion last year. Access to Britain's rich fishing waters was a major sticking point in post-Brexit talks with the EU. "Reduced import tariffs on shrimps, prawns and haddock will reduce costs for UK fish processing, helping support some 18,000 jobs in that industry in Scotland" and northern England, said Friday's statement. The agreement also "significantly cuts tariffs as high as 277%" for exports of some British cheeses to Norway. "There are also tariff reductions and quotas on pork, poultry and other goods. UK wines and spirits including Scotch Whisky will also now be recognised in Norway and Iceland," the statement added. Exports to the three non-EU countries will meanwhile be done without the need for any paperwork. "All documents, contracts and signatures can be electronic, allowing goods to move seamlessly across borders and saving businesses time and money," the statement said. Norway meanwhile stressed that the deal would not lead to an increased quotas for British beef and cheeses, reassuring the country's farmers as the centre-right government trails in the polls ahead of legislative elections in September. Britain is Norway's biggest trading partner after the EU, accounting for 22% of its exports, including natural gas and fish.A Friday's agreement also calls for caps on the charges mobile operators are allowed to charge each other for international mobile roaming, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications, such as nurses, lawyers and vets. Prior to Brexit, Britain, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein had signed a temporary agreement enabling them to continue to trade goods freely pending a broader, permanent agreement. Speaking to reporters in Oslo, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg hailed the new deal as "the biggest free trade agreement we've ever had." Solberg a a pro-European in a country that has twice rejected EU membership a noted nonetheless that "a free trade agreement will never be as good as the European Economic Area."A With Brexit, Britain also quit the EEA, which allows for the free movement of people, goods, services and capital between the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. "A free trade agreement means more bureaucracy and added costs for businesses and citizens, and is less dynamic than what we have in the EEA," Solberg said. "The agreement doesn't eliminate all the obstacles to trade either. Some are not resolved," she added. The agreement must still be approved by the Norwegian parliament, where Solberg's government is in the minority.A Meanwhile in Reykjavik, Icelandic Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson hailed the deal as "a new era in the relationship between the countries". "The UK remains one of Iceland's most important export markets", he said, adding that "the conclusion of an agreement with the UK was vital."A By Ben PERRY source: AFP Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - Victoria Oil & Gas PLC on Friday said wholly-owned subsidiary Gaz du Cameroun has received all USD5.1 million owed by Camaroon-based electric company Eneo Cameroon SA after reaching a settlement in April. In April, Gaz du Cameroun, which operates in Cameroon, signed a settlement agreement with Eneo relating to take-or-pay invoices for October, November and December in 2019, plus the associated interest. Gaz du Cameroun has now received USD5.1 million from Eneo, representing full and final settlement for all amounts invoiced to Eneo. Chief Executive of Victoria Oil & Gas, Roy Kelly, said: "We are very pleased to bring the Eneo episode to a close, and the funds significantly strengthen [Gaz du Cameroun]'s working capital position. In addition to the funds received, [Gaz du Cameroun] gains valuable tax credits which will be used to enhance cashflow." Kelly added that Victoria Oil & Gas is also "grateful" and "excited about the exploration prospects" at the Matanda block in Cameroon after an environmental and social impact assessment report approved Gaz du Cameroun's plans to drill an exploration well at the site. The report was issued by Cameroon's Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature & Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Mines, Industry & Technological Development. In April, Victoria Oil & Gas signed a non-binding agreement with a potential buyer of ZAO SeverGas-Invest, who owns the West Medvezhye natural gas field in Russia. The unnamed buyer's period of exclusivity ended on May 31. Discussions regarding the sale continue. Settlement discussions continue with the Government of Kazakhstan as Victoria Oil & Gas attempts to overturn its 2009 decision to revoke the company's licence to operate the Kemerkol oil field. Victoria Oil & Gas's website notes that the company has "minimised" the importance of the Kemerkol asset in their portfolio as a result. Shares in the London-based company were trading up 9.1% at 6.00 pence each in London on Friday morning. By Scarlett Butler; scarlettbutler@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Take a few minutes and scroll through some of the local news from the past week: Exton, PA (19341) Today Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 75F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely late. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. What I wrote crudely characterized the entire Jewish community, he wrote, according to The Verge. What was intended as a critique of particular military action fed into anti-Semitic tropes and prejudice. I think we can all agree, there is no easy solution to this situation. But thats beside the point. The way I expressed my views on that conflict were hurtful. This Wednesday, June 2, 2021, photo provided by the Naperville Police Department in Naperville, Ill., shows Barry Lee Whelpley. Authorities say Whelpley, a 76-year-old Minnesota man, has been arrested in the stabbing death of a 15-year-old suburban Chicago girl nearly half a century ago. Jordi Cruyff has spoken about his return to Barcelona, 25 years since he left the club. He has been announced as Joan Laporta's new sporting advisor at the Blaugrana and is excited to be back. "I left the club 25 years ago and it's been a long track record since then, it's like coming home," he told Barcelona's club media channels. "I also know this place very well and that will help me in my work. "The motivation is enormous. This is a very special club for me and my family. It gives me immense pride to be here and I'll give my all to help the team and the club. "My father was very close to two clubs, and one of them was Barcelona. I grew up here and it's very clear to everyone the link between my family and Barcelona. I'd like to be Johan Cruyff, but people already know he's immortal. I can help in many ways because, when you've been on many continents, you face many problems which prepare you to come to a club like this." Looking ahead, Jordi Cruyff discussed his objectives for the coming seasons. "Now I have to arrive here and integrate, there's a lot of work to do," he said. "I've been to a lot of different places and had different experiences with different problems and my intention is to now come here and help and work with everyone who's here." He also took a moment to reflect on his experience in China and thank Shenzhen, the club he has just left. "I'm very grateful to Shenzhen, they looked after me very well," Jordi Cruyff said. "They're going to be one of the best clubs in the Chinese league and have been very understanding that this is my dream to come here. Barcelona is the only club I'd have got on a plane and left for." One of the overarching themes of the week has been Leonardo's perceived unsuitability to the role of sporting director with Paris Saint-Germain, and whilst he has persuaded Neymar to sign a contract renewal he isn't having as much luck with Kylian Mbappe, and the French club are now considering signings to help tempt the superstar to remain at the Parc des Princes. Given how close Mauricio Pochettino was to forcing his way out of his contract with the Parisian club, Leonardo is now desperate to achieve something that will secure his standing at the Qatar-run club. Re-signing Mbappe would be seen as a major coup, especially when all previous indications have been that he is looking to leave on a free transfer in the summer of 2022. Mbappe has stated on more than one occasion that he is more interested in the quality of a project, rather than money, and the fact PSG are yet to win the Champions League is likely to be weighing on his mind. Cristiano Ronaldo is not under consideration Despite rumours in recent days, PSG aren't contemplating signing Ronaldo from Juventus. The French club know that such a deal would be unfeasible given the current COVID-19 losses, and it could only happen if Mbappe refuses to train and forces a move to Real Madrid this summer, which nobody expects. One idea is to keep Moise Kean from Everton, exercising the purchase option in his loan from the Merseyside club, worth about 50 million euros. Midfield reinforcements are likely Leonardo knows that to make PSG more competitive, there needs to be a big improvement in midfield and the first name that is on their target list is Eduardo Camavinga. He isn't going to renew with Rennes, and it appears as though Real Madrid have abandoned their own pursuit of the French midfielder. A transfer fee of 60 million euros could secure him this summer, and PSG are certainly the frontrunners, with Marco Verratti needing a partner of comparable quality. Pochettino wants both full-back positions improved, with a lot of his success at Tottenham Hotspur being centred around quality play from Danny Rose, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier. Achraf Hakimi is a priority, especially with Inter needing to sell players, and La Gazzetta dello Sport has already reported that there is an agreement between both clubs. Theo Hernandez has excelled since joining AC Milan, and PSG would look to add him to secure the left-back position. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. To subscribe, click here. Already a subscriber? Click here. To tell their story, the directors used archival footage and original interviews with former and current Trocks, as well as LGBTQ historians. Ballerina Boys follows the company on tour in the Carolinas in 2016, and culminates with a historic and red-white-and-blue performance of Stars and Stripes Forever at Central Parks Summer Stage in New York City in 2019, as part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Submit A Press Release $25.00 / for 2 days Ensure your press release runs prominently on our website and in our E-mail Newsletter. Gauranteed placement on these platforms is $25. Note: All submissions will go through our editorial approval process before being posted. Traffic stops on Alabama Highway lead to arrest of three with methamphetamine and a firearm in vehicle U.S. health official appears to dismiss Wuhan lab leak theory of COVID-19 as "conspiracy": media Xinhua) 14:50, June 04, 2021 WASHINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Francis Collins appeared to have dismissed the Wuhan lab leak theory of COVID-19 as a "conspiracy" in an email last year, according to recent media reports. Citing a newly released email in April 2020 from Collins to Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. magazine Newsweek reported Wednesday that the subject line of Collins' email to Fauci was titled "conspiracy gains momentum." Most of the message was redacted, aside from a link to an article related to a claim that COVID-19 could have originated from a Chinese lab, said Newsweek. Fauci's response email was also redacted, according to the report. In an interview published in May 2020 by National Geographic, Fauci said, "If you look at the evolution of the virus in bats and what's out there now, (the scientific evidence) is very, very strongly leaning toward this could not have been artificially or deliberately manipulated." (Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun) The suspect, Jonathan Tatone, killed Tory Carlon and injured another firefighter, police said. Tatone was tracked to his home later that day, where he set his house on fire and died by suicide. A suspect who shot at police officers as they were serving him with an arrest warrant died by suicide after taking three hostages in an apartm Note: We have changed our commenting system. If you do not have an mdjonline.com account, you will need to create one in order to comment. We didnt know that today would be the day that the streets would be reopened ... Or attempted to be reopened, I should say, Jeanelle Austin, lead caretaker and founder of the George Floyd Global Memorial, told the Star Tribune. Weve been working hard for over a year, volunteering our time, our hours, our families have been sacrificing to fight for justice ... Reopening the streets does not help our community to heal. Before asking me whats next, we have not had the time to process, and we need that. This is not the first time the actor is accused of breaking the law. In 2015, he was sentenced to four days behind bars for driving under the influence. It was his second DUI conviction in six years. Investigators said Balboa called a friend on May 31 and had the pal pick her up, along with a foul-smelling box from the storage unit, KPRC reported. They then drove to the motel in Jasper, about 115 miles northeast of Houston, where police would find Samuels body in a box the next day. World Environment Day is commemorated on June 5 annually. Protecting the environment is the main purpose of celebrating this day and encourage activities that aid in protecting the environment. Since 1974, it is constantly being a platform for global outreach, with over 143 countries participating annually. World Environment Day (WED) was established in 1972 at the Stockholm Conference on the Human environment held by the USA. In 1974, WED was celebrated with the theme " Only One Earth". Being a platform for global outreach, the practice of rotating the host cities each year was adopted in 1987. World Environment Day 2021 - Let's Join Hands to Restore the Ecosystem! Let's Restore the Ecosystem this Year! The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) is going to be launched on this year's World Environment Day.The 2021 theme focuses on restoring our ecosystems with a focus on planting trees, rewilding gardens, and cleaning up water bodies. Read More.. aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. What's the Need to Protect Ecosystem? "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed," said Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian freedom fighter. We have been every three seconds, the world loses enough forest to cover a football pitch and up to 90% of coral reefs could be lost by 2050. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how much should we do to protect our ecosystems. Starting from the shrinkage of natural habitats for animals to the loss of many smaller forests, we contributed either knowingly or unknowingly to the dissemination of many pathogens, including the SARS-CoV-2. We can take this 'World Environment Day' to kick off all these issues and restore our ecosystems within this decade. What can 'We' do to Save the Earth? All of us can start from our homes to protect our Earth. Some measures that can be adopted include, Practicing the '3R principle'- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Using public transports as much as we can to eliminate the burden of vehicular emissions. Switching to renewable sources of energy. Planting and nurturing plants and trees. Reducing the carbon footprint by decreasing the amount we pollute. References: World Environment Day 5 June - (https://www.un.org/en/observances/environment-day) World Environment Day 2021 - (https://www.unep.org/events/un-day/world-environment-day-2021) World Environment Day - (https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/) World Environment Day in Brief - (https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/environmentday) Source: Medindia The spotlight event of this year's WED would be the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) thatsaid Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian freedom fighter.We have been exploiting our ecosystems as much as we could. Scientists say that Global warming is an issue of concern as there is a rise in the rate of melting of glaciers and global greenhouse gas emissions. New Delhi in India has been the host city two times way back in 2011 and 2018. In June 2013, an Earth anthem written by poet Abhay K was launched by Kapil Sibal and Shashi Tharoor, and Union ministers of India. Since then, this anthem is widely used in the celebrations of World Environment Day.The. Many activities like planting trees, making cities greener , rewilding gardens, and cleaning up our rivers and coasts will be a part of restoring the ecosystem. Pakistan will be the host country this year. Guyette was able to give police a description, which led them to Detrick, who lives a few blocks from the scene of the event. Detrick reportedly confessed to urinating in the yard Guyette shares with his spouse, and also said that he has defecated on that property on multiple occasions. Celebrated as the Pride month across the globe, the month of June has become integral for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Buoyed by massive, energetic and colourful marches through the city, Pride month is a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, while also a medium for raising awareness around the problems and issues they face. Throughout history, the LGBTQIA+ community has been victims of systemic abuses. Fearing rebuke, exclusion and violence, many members of the community withdraw a significant part of their identity from society in an attempt to hide their experienced realities, often leading to various mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Added to that, the stigma surrounding mental health and the supposedly taboo discussions around it, it is understandable how it can prevent an individual from the LGBTQIA+ community from seeking help. In our society the importance of good mental health for an individual is often disregarded, regardless of ones sexual orientation. However, the LGBTQIA+ community faces increased challenges when it comes to addressing these issues due to the systemic prejudice that exists. Here are three major impacts that this social stigma surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community has on the mental health of those people. Anxiety Unsplash In their youth, individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community were far more vulnerable to developing anxiety due to social stigma as they internalise feelings of shame for things which were normalised for all cis heteronormative youngsters. This creates a sense of disparity and conflict of identity within the individual. Its a well acknowledged phenomenon, especially in India, where struggles with being accepted in society leads to vast majority of the LGBTQIA+ community experience a loss of confidence in society, snowballing the impact of anxiety to much greater levels. Several members of the LGBTQIA+ community also find themselves in extreme financial debt due to the stigma they face when looking for employment opportunities. Our indigenous hijra community have long been victims of this discrimination, leading to them being ostracised by society. Coming out of the closet also presented a high risk of rejection by their families as well as society at large. Depression Unsplash Depression often finds root in Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community in their childhood due to the bullying, harassment and physical violence they face. From the school, to the playground to even their own homes, the LGBTQIA+ youth arent safe from the many forms of prejudice. Even in adulthood, individuals face consistent persecution on the basis of their identity. Today still, non-heterosexual expressions of love are met with fierce resistance by the cis-het society at large. Institutionalised discrimination rarely allows an opportunity for mental health recovery within the LGBTQIA+ community. The sheer frequency of these stigmatic experiences leads to a life severely impacted by depression as well as other health risks such as substance abuse, self-harm and risky sexual behaviours. PTSD Unsplash An unfortunately common experience faced by many among the LGBTQIA+ community is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, where the affected can be triggered intensely due to past experiences of abuse from stigma and hate crimes. The stress experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community on a daily basis can range from discrimination at home, work or public places, to internal stressors such as the concealment of ones identity to keep themselves safe from any external triggers. Individuals can develop various coping mechanism such as negative thoughts of self, hyper vigilance and hyper arousal. PTSD often lasts for months or several years, often even lifetimes without proper care, healing and rehabilitation due to inaccessibility. At the end of the day, we must acknowledge that we are unfortunately a far distance from attaining true equality. Everyone should have the right to love who they want and identify how they want, without fear of judgement or punishment. This is why the Pride Month radiates bright as the beacon of hope, equality and self-identity against shame and prejudice. In what is a very positive move towards gender neutrality, male teachers in Spain are being seen wearing skirts in schools in a bid to tackle the stereotypes surrounding gender in the country. Twitter/borjamusico/joxepinas It all started when a male student was expelled from a school for wearing a skirt last year. As a result, many school teachers across the country decided to join the Clothes Have No Gender movement (#laropanotienegenero), wherein they mix up their wardrobes to ditch their trousers for skirts. Teachers Manuel Ortega and Borja Velazquez are the latest in line to join the movement after one of their students was picked on last month for wearing an anime t-shirt at the Virgen de Sacedon primary school in Valladolid. Twitter/borjamusico Recalling the incident, Manuel said he was horrified to see how badly the student was teased in the class, so much so that the boy ended up changing his outfit. This surely turned Manuel's head for the good and he, along with his colleague Borja chose to wear a skirt throughout the month of May. Borja took to Twitter to post about it as well. "A school that educates with respect, diversity, co-education and tolerance." "Dress how you want! We join the campaign #clotheshavenogender." wrote Borja. Jose Pinas is another teacher in the country who has been wearing a skirt to school since last year. The teacher had earlier shared on Twitter how he had 'suffered persecution' as a result of his sexual orientation. Posting a photo of himself wearing a skirt, he tweeted, "20 years ago I suffered persecution and insults for my sexual orientation in the institute where I am now a teacher." "Many teachers, they looked the other way." "I want to join the cause of the student, who has been expelled and sent to the psychologist for going to class with a skirt." Hace 20anos sufri persecucion e insultos xmi orientacion sexual en el instituto en el q ahora soy profesor, muchs profes, miraron para otro lado. Quiero unirme a la causa del alumno, Mikel, q ha sido expulsado y enviado al psicologo por ir a clase con falda. #LaRopaNoTieneGenero pic.twitter.com/5PEN9vityY Jose Pinas (@joxepinas) November 9, 2020 While the idea of promoting tolerance may not have gone down well with some sections of the society, the move of the teachers has been lauded by parents of students. "Congratulations on your attitude." "High schools are sometimes very hard for students, you have to know how to be aware of it and position yourself without nuances to guarantee yourself safety from attacks." one parent said. If you are living an idea and want to really test if someone swears a lot or not, you might just want to try this little experiment. AFP Just go up to the person and say these magical words, 'Vijay Mallya', 'Kingfisher' and you will know the range of the person's verbal abuse. Yes, that's exactly how bad it got here for Indian businessman and former member of the Parliament, Vijay Mallya. Reuters The 64-year old liquor baron, who was the owner of the IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore as well as the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines (KFA), fled India after facing charges of fraud and money laundering. KFA had borrowed a sum of around Rs 9000 crores from several Indian banks, before fleeing to the UK and being declared as a fugitive economic offender on a plea of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). An SBI-led consortium of 11 banks that had given Mallya those loans, had sought restoration of his properties that had been seized by the ED. Mumbai Mirror Obliging to that, the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court on Tuesday allowed the consortium of lenders to sell Mallya's certain real estate properties and securities to recover their loans that had turned bad. It is reported that Mallya has often claimed that he is ready to pay his loans and alleges that he has also offered the same for the Indian government. Reuters However, the businessman, who is currently seeking asylum in the UK, still has his image tarnished in the country with media agencies and the general public still remembering him as a 'fraud' or a 'cheat'. Mallya, however, refuses to be called any of that and questions the labels put on him despite what he has offered. In his latest tweet, he said, "Have been watching TV and the repeated mention of my name as a cheat and fraudster. Does nobody consider that my assets far in excess of Kingfisher Airline borrowings have been attached by ED and the several of my settlement offers to repay 100% ? Where is the cheating or fraud?" Have been watching TV and the repeated mention of my name as a cheat and fraudster. Does nobody consider that my assets far in excess of Kingfisher Airline borrowings have been attached by ED and the several of my settlement offers to repay 100% ? Where is the cheating or fraud? Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) June 3, 2021 The Indian Government told the Delhi High Court that the instant messaging app WhatsApp is tricking consent from its users for the new privacy policy. The Government also said that WhatsApp is evading a data protection Bill currently in the works. The Centre also said before the court that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) formed the prima facie opinion that WhatsApp violated the Competition Act, 2002. pexels WhatsApp as unleashed its digital prowess to existing users and would force them to accept updated 2021 privacy policy, to transfer existing user base committed the updated privacy policy before Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill becomes law, it said in the affidavit, as per ANI. In the affidavit, the Centre also urged the high court to issue a direction to WhatsApp to stop sending push notification to users related to the new privacy policy. It also asked the court to ask WhatsApp to place on the record number of times such push notification have been pushed daily and its conversion rate as well. It is submitted that millions of WhatsApp existing users, those who have not accepted the updated 2021 privacy policy are being bombarded with notifications on an everyday basis," the Centre said in the affidavit. Earlier this year, WhatsApp forced a new privacy policy on its users that lets the messaging service share data with its parent company Facebook, if users have interacted with a business on the messaging platform. The company first tried to propose to implement it in January and said users who did not accept the terms would have their accounts deleted. The company has now backtracked from the policy due to backlash from millions of users and the Indian Government. pexels WhatsApp is also battling the Indian Government in the Delhi High Court against the latest IT guidelines claiming that tracing of identifying originators of messages violates the right to privacy under the Indian law and effectively ends the platforms end-to-end encryption policy. Hours after a search result was discovered that called Kannada the ugliest language in India, Google issued an apology for the misunderstanding and hurting any sentiments. The company further noted that it is continually working to improve its algorithms and the results to search queries are not the reflective opinion of the technology giant. unsplash The statement read "Search isn't always perfect. Sometimes, the way content is described on the Internet can yield surprising results to specific queries. We know this is not ideal, but we take swift corrective action when we are made aware of an issue and are continually working to improve our algorithms. Naturally, these are not reflective of the opinions of Google, and we apologize for the misunderstanding and hurting any sentiments." Google India also put out the same statement in Kannada. We apologize for the misunderstanding and hurting any sentiments. pic.twitter.com/nltsVezdLQ Google India (@GoogleIndia) June 3, 2021 Kanndigas and several politicians expressed their displeasure over the search query What is the ugliest language in India? The query came up with an automated result saying The answer is Kannada, a language spoken by around 40 million people in south India. The answer to the query was picked up from a page on a website named debtconsolidationsquad that featured the answer to the question on its page. The website has other answers related to questions such as easiest language in India '' and most beautiful language in India. Following the discovery, Bengaluru Central Member of Parliament from BJP, PC Mohan demanded an apology from Google India. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Mukund Gowda also wrote to Google India asking for the search result to be taken down and take action against those responsible. The Delhi High Court has dismissed the lawsuit filed by Juhi Chawla for the introduction of 5G technology in India and was imposed a fine of Rs 20 Lakh. The court on Wednesday reserved its order in the suit and after hearing arguments, dismissed the case today over its maintainability. Instagram/Juhi Chawla Justice Jag Jivan Ram Midha said that the suit was defective and dismissed it on technical grounds. The plaintiffs have abused and misused the process of law which has resulted in waste of judicial time. The cost of Rs 20 lakh is imposed on the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are directed to deposit the cost of Rs 20 lakh with Delhi State Legal Services Authority within one week, said the court. It also added that if the fine is not deposited within one week, the DLSA will recover it in accordance with the law. Instagram/Juhi Chawla The court blasts the actor yesterday for filing a lawsuit without giving any representation to the government on her concerns related to the technology. Juhi Chawlas plea claims that 5G wireless technology can threaten to provoke serious, irreversible effects on humans and permanent damage to the Earth's ecosystems. The court further said, It is a defective plaint. This suit has been filed only for media publicity and nothing more than that. It is very shocking. Did you approach the government with a representation? If yes, is there any denial?, the court asked to which the plaintiffs counsel replied in negative. Reuters The proceedings also saw interruptions at least three times in midst of arguments by usernames Manisha Koirala and Jahnvi where songs featuring Juhi Chawla were sung. Justice Midha warned the user against interruptions and locked the virtual courtroom. Chawla had shared the link to the virtual hearing on her Twitter and Instagram accounts prior to the hearing on Wednesday. What do you think of Juhi Chawla getting fined by the Delhi High Court for the sum of Rs 29 Lakh? Do you think she deserved it or was the court hard on her? Click here to log in and see all of our other subscription options for the Mesabi Tribune, including online only & auto-renewal subscriptions. Sophie Hartman, who adopted the victim and another girl from Zambia years ago, also forced the 6-year-old to undergo surgeries to insert a feeding tube in her digestive system and a cecostomy tube, also known as c-tube, to flush stool out of her intestines, authorities said in charging documents filed last week. Overall, the child has endured more than 470 unnecessary medical appointments or procedures since 2016, according to the document. The ship-to-shore gantry crane crashed to the ground after the empty 316-meter-long containership, OOCL Durban, collided with the 32,270-gross-tonne Yong Hung, anchored at Pier 7, and pushed it into the crane, the port of Kaohsiung said.That crane is for discharging containers, so the rest of the port will be busier in the coming days, a Taiwanese trader told Fastmarkets on Friday June 4. This is especially so because it is hard to replace the crane.The 86,679-gross-tonne OOCL Durban was booked to berth at Pier 55.Another adjacent tower crane was also seriously damaged. About 30-50 containers were damaged.Kaohsiung port said it will coordinate yard activities to ensure the incident does not affect berth utilization or container traffic.This incident has not affected spot prices on Friday, with weak demand for containerized ferrous scrap driving prices down further this week.Kaohsiung port is very efficient and has many other berths which can unload containers, so only the shipping company using that berth will be affected, another Taiwanese trader told Fastmarkets.Fastmarkets daily price assessment for containerized steel scrap, heavy melting scrap 1&2 (80:20), United States material import, cfr main port Taiwan was $440 per tonne on Friday, narrowing downward by $3 from $440-443 per tonne on Thursday, and down by $10 from $450 per tonne on May 28 Offers were initially made at $450-455 per tonne cfr Taiwan at the start of this week, against tentative indications from buyers at $445-448 per tonne cfr Taiwan. But there were no transactions heard concluded at these price levels.The weak demand from buyers succeeded in pushing prices downward by midweek.Buyers had hesitated to procure materials at the start of the week amid the major Memorial Day holiday in the US and were waiting for lower prices.They later procured material at $443 per tonne and $440 per tonne cfr Taiwan. There was market chatter that US-origin cargoes were also sold at $435 per tonne cfr Taiwan, although this could not be confirmed or were likely in very small quantities, traders said.Hong Kong-origin containerized HMS 1&2 (80:20) were also sold at $435 per tonne cfr Taiwan.South and Central American scrap was offered at $430 per tonne cfr Taiwan, while optimistic buyers were bidding at $420 per tonne cfr Taiwan.A major domestic steel mill in Taiwan dropped its domestic scrap purchasing price on Monday by NT$300 ($10.84) per tonne, but kept its rebar sales price stable.There were limited offers for bulk cargoes of Japanese H1&H2 scrap (50:50), although sources said some sellers had last offered such materials at $470 per tonne cfr Taiwan.Many sellers of Japanese cargoes are waiting for the result of the next Kanto Tetsugen auction later in June, before offering cargoes again, a buyer source in Taiwan said.Domestic prices in Japan remained strong, with shippers looking to keep their inventories for domestic sales instead of for exports. The lack of Japanese material has also not bolstered spot prices.Join our industry experts for an exciting forward look into Asia's evolving steel market at the Singapore Steel Forum on July 14. Register today at https://events.fastmarkets.com/singapore-steel-forum Buyers also stayed away from the spot market because it is just over a week away from the middle of the month, when Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corp typically refreshes its offers for HRC.Major Indian mills offered back-to-back HRC cargoes to Vietnam at $1,050 per tonne cfr this week, while Chinese steelmakers issued offers for similar shipments at $1,000-1,040 per tonne cfr Vietnam.Traders continued to offer position cargoes consisting of 3,000-10,000 tonnes of material at $950-970 per tonne, but buyers were not looking to purchase anything this week. "There will be decisions made in the next 7-10 days... AG Nessel Provides Update on Public Integrity Cases AG Nessel Provides Update on Public Integrity Cases Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746 Attorney General June 4, 2021 LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is announcing the outcomes of five public integrity investigations, which resulted in charges in four cases involving law enforcement officers and clearing a fifth case of any criminal wrongdoing. The cases were reviewed and evaluated for the proper charges by the Department's Public Integrity Unit (PIU). The investigating agency that worked alongside the Department is mentioned in the case summaries below. "It is imperative that those willing to protect and serve do so with utmost integrity," Nessel said. "In instances where officers abuse their power and therefore disrespect the badge, our team stands ready to ensure accountability." Charges against Cpl. Christopher Ellul - Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department Last August, Cpl. Christopher Ellul was working as a Washtenaw County Sheriff Correction Deputy at the county jail when he assisted in removing an inmate from a cell. Video evidence shows that Ellul grabbed the inmate by the neck. Another deputy can be heard telling Ellul to stop, which he did briefly before again placing his hand around the inmate's neck. This incident lasted six to eight seconds total. On May 27, Ellul was arraigned on the following in the 14A-1 District Court: one count of assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor; and one count of misconduct in office by a public official, a five-year felony. A preliminary exam will be held July 27 before Judge J. Cedric Simpson in the 14A-1 District Court. The Michigan Sheriffs' Association MISSION team conducted the investigation that led to these charges. Charges against Kenric Mukrdechian - Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department In October 2018, Kenric Mukrdechian was working an overnight shift as a Washtenaw County Sheriff Correction Deputy at the county jail. His duties that night included supervising two female inmates. During the course of his shift, he snuck them pizza; shortly after he asked the women to expose themselves, one of whom complied. He asked her to expose herself again a short time later. Again she complied. On June 3, Mukrdechian was arraigned on the following in the 14A-1 District Court: one count of misconduct in office by a public official, a five-year felony. A probable cause conference is scheduled for June 24 before Judge J. Cedric Simpson in the 14A-1 District Court. The Michigan Sheriffs' Association MISSION team conducted the investigation that led to these charges. Charges against Matthew Mistretta - Hartford Police Department Last August, Hartford Police Officer Mathew Mistretta conducted a traffic stop on a truck that was speeding and being driven erratically. Bystander video of the resulting incident showed Mistretta removing a male driver from the truck, shoving him into the side of the truck to handcuff him and then slamming him onto the hood of the patrol car. Mistretta then proceeded to take the individual to the ground and knelt on him in a similar manner to the George Floyd murder. At no point during the arrest was the man resisting or obstructing Mistretta, according to video evidence. A passenger in the truck reported hearing the driver tell Mistretta he couldn't breathe. On May 25, Mistretta was arraigned on the following in the 7th District Court of Van Buren County: two counts of assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor; and one count of misconduct in office by a public official, a five-year felony. His next court date has not yet been scheduled. Michigan State Police conducted the investigation that led to these charges. Charges against Scott Voit - Gogebic County Sheriff's Department In February 2020, Gogebic County Deputy Scott Voit ordered an inmate to kneel in order to remove handcuffs from him. Before the inmate could fully kneel down, Voit threw the inmate to the ground to remove the handcuffs, which was caught on video. Video evidence of the incident shows that the inmate was not resisting the handcuff removal. After examination and tests, the inmate was diagnosed with abrasions on his wrists, a contusion on his back, and a rib fracture. Voit will be charged with the following in the Upper Peninsula's 98th District Court: one count of assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor; and one count of misconduct in office by a public official, a five-year felony. Voit is scheduled to be arraigned on June 21. Michigan State Police conducted the investigation that led to these charges. No charges in Jason Gallegos case - Lansing Police Department Last May, officers from the Lansing Police Department were dispatched to a home on Walnut Street for an accidental discharge of a weapon involving Jason Gallegos. Upon arrival, Gallegos would not come out of the house and officers learned he had a history of mental illness. Attempts to negotiate with Gallegos to exit the home safely were unsuccessful and Gallegos ultimately came outside holding a rifle. Officers also noticed a handgun, sticking out of Gallegos' pants. Several officers ordered Gallegos to drop the gun as he walked into the middle of the street. Instead, Gallegos pointed the rifle at one of the officers and fired as that officer took cover behind a police vehicle. That officer was shot in the lower leg. An investigation conducted by Michigan State Police and review of nearly 33 hours of dash and body camera footage from 19 officers as well as all relevant reports determined the officers were justified in using deadly force. The filing that requested to close the file on the Gallegos case can be read on the Department's website for additional information. Questions regarding current employment status of the officers involved in all five cases should be directed to their respective departments. ### The woman, Shelly Hopkins, said Smith, who was Black, had been harassed by police since he was in high school. She feared he had been killed when she heard about the shooting, then saw his vehicle on the news. While she was at the scene she got a call from the medical examiners office confirming his death. EGLE Lake Superior coordinator recalls exciting time assisting scientists on EPA's Lake Guardian research vessel EGLE Lake Superior coordinator recalls exciting time assisting scientists on EPA's Lake Guardian research vessel The Lake Guardian's return to the Great Lakes has brought back memories for one Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) staff member who spent a week on the research vessel in 2017. It was early mornings and long hours for Stephanie Swart, who spent a week on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's vessel assisting 11 scientists from the Great Lakes region, several technicians and the crew to gather data on Lake Superior for the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative intensive field year. "Every morning I woke up 3 a.m. for a 12-hour shift," said Swart, the EGLE Water Resources Division's Lake Superior coordinator. Walking out at 5 a.m. in the dawn and seeing only dark sky and dark water was unreal." "My role was to fill jugs with Lake Superior water, taken at various depths and either filter the water for chlorophyll-a, filter and preserve samples for future chemical tests, or perform basic chemistry (dissolved oxygen, pH) and record the information. This was done at every site for every water depth, so some sites had over 15 samples to process." The Lake Guardian, the EPA's largest research vessel, was not in service last summer due to COVID-19, but has set sail once again to collect water, sediment and lower food web organisms for research. Scientists will use the three on-board laboratories to examine and evaluate the collected samples, which will shed light on many of the pressing and urgent issues affecting the Great Lakes, according to an EPA news release. EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office has conducted water quality surveys every spring and summer since 1983. These surveys help EPA fulfill environmental monitoring and assessment commitments specified in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the United States and in the U.S. Clean Water Act. The information the crew and helpers gather allows scientists and lake managers to assess the health and status of the Great Lakes and determine actions that will protect them, Swart said. The Lake Guardian is funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, launched in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the world's largest system of fresh surface water, according to the EPA. Swart said the experience is not one she will ever forget as the vessel visited sites around the perimeter of Lake Superior starting and ending in Sault Ste. Marie. Although busy with work on the ship as well as keeping up with her EGLE job, she did have time to get to know the other scientists on board and explore Duluth, Minnesota, during an overnight stop. A reminder of her important role in continuing Great Lakes research sits on her desk: "My souvenir was a small jug of Lake Superior water from approximately 820 feet below the surface." Photo caption: Stephanie Swart helped analyze water samples collected by this device aboard the EPA's Lake Guardian vessel. 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. Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bill to Expand Tasting Rooms, Supporting Michigan's Microbreweries and Craft Distilleries Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bill to Expand Tasting Rooms, Supporting Michigan's Microbreweries and Craft Distilleries FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2021 Contact: press@michigan.gov Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bill to Expand Tasting Rooms, Supporting Michigan's Microbreweries and Craft Distilleries LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 49, which will enable small distillers, wine makers, and microbreweries to have an on-premise and off-premise tasting room permit, helping our small businesses grow and supporting the economy. "Michigan is home to some of the best microbreweries and craft distillers in the country, and this bill make it easier for these businesses to create and operate tasting rooms," said Governor Whitmer. "I'm proud that this bipartisan bill will make it more convenient for Michiganders to sample fine spirits and delicious micro-brews, while also creating jobs and helping grow our small businesses and economy faster." "Michigan is renowned for its craft beverage industry, contributing billions to our state's economy and employing tens of thousands of hardworking men and women, including many in our state's great southwest region," said Sen. Kim LaSata, R-Coloma, who sponsored Senate Bill 49. "At this critical time when our state is getting back to work and with tourism on the rebound, ensuring our craft beverage producers have the ability to both sample and sell all of their creations in the same place is a simple, yet incredibly important fix to state law. I appreciate the strong bipartisan support this bill received to help this growing industry." "We are grateful for this legislation that will allow us to expand services to our customers after a very difficult year," said David Ringler, Director of Happiness Cedar Springs Brewing Company. "As a destination location in a small town it is key for us to be able to serve all of our product lines to our guests." The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow a person to hold an on-premises tasting room permit and an off-premises tasting room license in conjunction at the same location under certain conditions. This bill was sponsored by Sen. Kim LaSata, R-Coloma., and a copy of SB 49 can be found here. ### Jason Hemerline likes to go fast. He loves competition, and he also loves the adrenaline rush he only gets when hes drag racing on one the tracks in the Midwest. Theres some pretty good competition out there, Hemerline said. On Memorial Day weekend, he finished as runner-up at Mid Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, a feat he accomplished once before in his Camaro. That happened last autumn. The prize money is typically enough to cover his racing entries. Hemerline, born and raised in Unionville, is a maintenance manager for Michigan Sugars Bay City packaging warehouse. Prior to that, he was a mechanic for 20 years, so he knows a little bit about cars. Hes been racing for 22 years. His current ride is a 2013 Chevy Camaro, which he began driving just last fall. He runs in the Top ET class. His original car, a 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass, was something of a family affair. He put that car together with his father, Olin, and began racing that at Ubly Dragway. He estimates that hes taken part in 300-400 races over the past two decades. His most memorable race came last summer at US 131 Motorsports Park, north of Kalamazoo. He finished in the top four of the JEGS-SFG $1.1 Million Dollar race. Hemerline was ousted by the races eventual winner, New Jerseys Steve Sisko, but Hemerlines fourth-place showing was good enough to net him prize money in the neighborhood of six figures, he said. The annual big-money race, which takes place over the course of two days, featured a lot of waiting, Hemerline said, because of the high number of competitors. Hed race, wait several hours, and race again. One of the keys to his success that day was his ability to maintain his focus You just try to find your own zone and relax, he said. Hemerlines daughter, Makayla, is following in his footsteps and has spent time behind the wheel of a scaled-down version of a dragster. He couldnt be prouder of what she has done. Hemerline will be back at Mid Michigan Motorplex over the Fourth of July holiday weekend to compete in the SFG Half-Million event, this years version of the big race. LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) A European human rights envoy warned Friday of a marked deterioration of freedom of expression and of the media in Slovenia under the government of right-wing Prime Minister Janez Jansa. The Council of Europe commissioner for human rights, Dunja Mijatovic, said in a memorandum that some steps taken by the Slovenian government in recent months risk undermining the ability of independent voices to speak freely. "Hostile public discourse, as well as smear campaigns and intimidation targeting civil society activists and those who express critical opinions, harm free expression and can have a chilling effect on media freedom, Mijatovic wrote, according to a press release from her office. Mijatovic urged the government to act to improve the situation and listed recommendations. The Slovenian government disputed the findings in comments sent to Mijatovic in response. The freedom of the media have not been violated by any legal acts, it said. Any criticism leveled at the concrete coverage of the media by politicians and the prime minister cannot in any way be considered as an attack on media freedom and the independence of journalistic work, the government said. Freedom of expression is a right that belongs to everyone, including the government and its representatives, and does not end with high rhetoric, but also includes critical expression. Populist Jansa has faced growing criticism for what is seen as an increasingly authoritarian approach in the style of his ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Thousands of people protested in Slovenia recently, demanding the government's ouster and an early election over what they said were eroding democratic standards in the country of 2 million. A traditionally moderate Alpine nation, Slovenia also has seen a rise in political tensions recently that critics blame on government-fueled hate speech and lack of tolerance. Mijatovic called on the Slovenian authorities to take action to appease those tensions and to encourage mutual respect in the exchange of opinions. Members of the government must refrain from making stigmatizing and misleading comments about the work of civil society, and should publicly condemn such discourse by others, she said. Jansa has repeatedly dismissed any criticism at home and from abroad as a liberal conspiracy against his conservative government. He is known for attacking journalists and critics on social media. Mijatovic listed a range of problems regarding media freedoms, including harassment, intimidation and criminal lawsuits against journalists, restrictions on access to public information, and government actions against public service media. The commissioner deplores in particular a trend of sexist harassment and misogynistic speech against female journalists," said the press release. MIjatovic also expressed regret that the Slovenian government appears to have used the COVID19 pandemic to discourage the free expression of dissent or political opposition by blanket bans on protests and fines for violations. Jansa is a veteran politician who served as prime minister twice before. A backer of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Jansa congratulated Trump prematurely while votes from last year's U.S. presidential election were still being counted. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Norway and two other non-EU European nations on Friday reached a trade deal with Britain following the country's departure from the bloc last year. Britain is Norway's largest trading partner outside the bloc. The deal also covers Iceland and Liechtenstein. In Oslo, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg called the deal "ambitious and comprehensive. When Norway is speeding up on its way out of the pandemic, then good export agreements are important, she said. Talks between Britain and Norway have been going on since 2020. Negotiators had to tackle sticky issues including the import to Norway of agricultural goods such as meat and cheese, and exports of fish to Britain, Norwegian media said. The three nations' membership in the European Economic Area grants them access to the EUs vast common market, and most goods are exempt from duties. However, obstacle-free trading across the North Sea ended when Britain left the blocs economic rules at the end of 2020. Although it is not as good as the EEA agreement, this is the most comprehensive free trade agreement ever, Solberg told a press conference. Britain said total trade with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein was worth 21.6 billion pounds ($30.5 billion) in 2020. Solberg said Norways exports to Britain are worth close to 200 billion kroner ($24 billion). Britain said British farmers will benefit from lower tariffs and more duty-free access for goods like cheese, pork and poultry. They also stressed that reduced import tariffs on shrimps, prawns and haddock will lower costs for British fish processing. Also, it will support 18,000 jobs in Scotland and northern England by creating new opportunities for the British fish-processing industry, London said. Britains International Trade Secretary Liz Truss called the deal a major boost for our trade with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein," while International Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena said it shows that the United Kingdom will continue to be a trade partner of choice. However, the deal contains some barriers as Britain had completely free trade with the three countries when it was a member of the EU. Solberg said that at least two issues remain. One is that (the deal) is not dynamic. That means that when rules are changed, they dont follow everywhere. The second is the veterinary rules at the border, which have not been fully cleaned up, she said. ___ Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report. MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) Former Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that he wasnt sure that he and former President Donald Trump would ever see eye to eye over what happened on Jan. 6 but that he would always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years. Pence, speaking at a Republican dinner in the early-voting state of New Hampshire, gave his most extensive comments to date on the events of Jan. 6, when angry Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, some chanting Hang Mike Pence! after the vice president said he did not have the power to overturn Democrat Joe Bidens election victory. As I said that day, Jan. 6 was a dark day in history of the United States Capitol. But thanks to the swift action of the Capitol Police and federal law enforcement, violence was quelled. The Capitol was secured, Pence said. And that same day, we reconvened the Congress and did our duty under the Constitution and the laws of the United States," Pence continued. You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office. And I dont know if well ever see eye to eye on that day." It was a rare departure for Pence, who spent four years standing loyally beside his boss amid controversy, investigation and impeachment. It comes as Pence considers his own potential 2024 White House run and as Republicans, some of whom were angry at Trump in the days after the Jan. 6 insurrection, have largely coalesced back around the former president. Pence praised Trump several times during his nearly 35-minute speech at the Hillsborough County Republican Committees annual Lincoln-Reagan Awards Dinner in Manchester. He tried to turn the events of Jan. 6 back around on Democrats, saying they wanted to keep the insurrection in the news to divert attention from Biden's liberal agenda. I will not allow Democrats or their allies in the media to use one tragic day to discredit the aspirations of millions of Americans. Or allow Democrats or their allies in the media to distract our attention from a new administration intent on dividing our country to advance their radical agenda, Pence said. "My fellow Republicans, for our country, for our future, for our children and our grandchildren, we must move forward, united. He accused Biden of campaigning as a moderate but becoming the most liberal president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. He said the administration forced through Congress a COVID bill to fund massive expansion of the welfare state and was pushing a so-called infrastructure bill that was really a thinly disguised climate change bill funded with cuts in the military and historic tax increases. I just say enough is enough, he said, adding that were going to stand strong for freedom. Pence also hit upon several favorite themes of conservative Republicans, emphasizing the need for states to shore up voter integrity around the country. He praised law enforcement as heroes, saying: Black lives are not endangered by police. Black lives are saved by police every day. He also pushed back against critical race theory, which seeks to reframe the narrative of American history. Its proponents argue that federal law has preserved the unequal treatment of people on the basis of race and that the country was founded on the theft of land and labor. But Republicans have said concepts suggesting that people are inherently racist or that America was founded on racial oppression are divisive and have no place in the classroom. America is not a racist country, he said, prompting one of several standing ovations and cheers during his speech. It is past time for America to discard the left-wing myth of systemic racism, Pence said. I commend state legislators and governors across the country for banning critical race theory from our schools. His choice of states, including an April appearance in South Carolina, is aimed at increasing his visibility as he considers whether to run for the White House in 2024. Trump is increasingly acting and talking like he plans to make a run as he sets out on a more public phase of his post-presidency, beginning with a speech on Saturday in North Carolina. Since leaving office in January, Pence has been doing work with the Heritage Foundation and Young Americas Foundation. His team said he plans more trips, including stops in Texas, California and Michigan. Along with his visits to South Carolina and New Hampshire, Pence has been hitting the fundraising circuit. He is set to speak next week at another fundraiser hosted by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, will travel to North Carolina for a Heritage Foundation donor event, and will then head to California, where he will take part in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institutes speakers series, a Republican National Committee donor retreat and a Young Americas Foundation event, according to aides. Among other prominent Republicans, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said in April that she would stand down if Trump decided to run in 2024. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has undertaken an aggressive schedule, visiting states that will play a pivotal role in the 2024 primaries and signing a contract with Fox News Channel. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Authorities said Friday that a man wanted on a weapons violation fired a gun before deputies fatally shot him in Minneapolis, a city on edge since George Floyd's death more than a year ago under an officer's knee and the more recent fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright in a nearby suburb. Family and friends identified the man killed Thursday as Winston Boogie Smith Jr., a 32-year-old father of three. Shelly Hopkins, who was in a longtime relationship with Smith, told The Associated Press that despite any mistakes Smith has made, he didn't deserve to be killed. I wasnt there. she said of Thursdays shooting. I dont know exactly what happened. But I know him. And he didnt deserve that... He had the best heart out of anybody Ive ever met in my life. Members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force were trying to arrest Smith on a warrant for allegedly being a felon in possession of a gun, authorities said. The Marshals Service said in a statement Thursday that Smith, who was in a parked vehicle, didnt comply with law enforcement and produced a handgun resulting in task force members firing upon the subject." The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Friday that two sheriff's deputies one from Hennepin County and one from Ramsey County fired their weapons, striking Smith. The state investigators also said evidence indicates Smith fired his gun, saying a handgun and spent cartridge were found inside the car. Smith died at the scene. State investigators said Smith's passenger, a 27-year-old woman, was treated for injuries from glass debris. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said the U.S Marshals Service does not allow officers on its North Star Fugitive Task Force to use body cameras and there is no squad camera footage of the shooting. But the U.S. Marshals Service said that while deputy marshals do not wear body cameras, the Department of Justice permits state, local and tribal task force officers to do so. Waylon Hughes, a close friend of Smith, told reporters that Smith loved music, writing comedy skits and posting them on social media. Hughes said he didn't know Smith to carry a gun, and Hopkins also said she didn't know that he had one. Family and friends demanded transparency and called for the release of all footage from security and surveillance cameras in the area along with information about the officers involved. At an evening news conference outside the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, family members and activists said they don't believe there is no video. Department of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon said no surveillance video has been identified, but authorities are still investigating. This man had a family, and hes just like anybody else, said Kidale Smith, Winston Smiths brother. (People) always try to pin something on a man and try to identify him as a criminal, especially if hes Black. Smith also questioned the police account of what happened. Youve got seven unmarked cars and you shoot a man in his car. You dont even give him a chance to get out... Youre the U.S. Marshals, he said. Youre supposed to be highly trained men, and you cant handle a simple situation? According to online court records, Smith was wanted for allegedly being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2019. The felony stems from a 2017 assault and robbery of Smiths ex-girlfriend. Smith pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery for attacking his ex-girlfriend while another woman took her purse. Smith was sentenced to two years in prison, but the prison sentence was stayed for three years, provided he didn't break the law. With the felony conviction, Smith was barred from possessing a firearm. In December 2019, he was charged in Ramsey County with two counts of illegally possessing a firearm. According to the complaint, officers arrested Smith on a probation violation and found a handgun under the drivers seat of the car he had been in earlier. Smith was also charged with fleeing police in Hennepin County last year. According to the complaint in that case, officers in Bloomington began chasing Smith at a high speed, but stopped when he started driving the wrong way on a highway. Hopkins said Smith was a spiritual man who prayed before every meal. The two biggest things he cared about in this world was making people happy and being there for his kids, she said. Hopkins said she knew Smith had some court issues, but said police tried to make a case against him that didn't exist. She said Smith had been harassed by police for years and had numerous cars impounded. She said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder from his interactions with police. After Thursday's shooting, some people vandalized buildings and stole from area businesses, police said. Nine people were arrested on possible charges including suspicion of riot, assault, arson and damage to property. Graffiti reading Mpls still hates cops and No trial for them marked the building next to the parking ramp where Smith was shot. There has been tension between police and residents since the deaths of Floyd, a Black man who died last year after he was pinned to the ground by Minneapolis officers, and Wright, a Black motorist who was fatally shot in April by an officer in the nearby suburb of Brooklyn Center. Tensions in Minneapolis already had risen Thursday after crews removed concrete barriers that blocked traffic at a Minneapolis intersection that has become a memorial to Floyd. Crews cleared artwork, flowers and other items from 38th Street and Chicago Avenue where Floyd was killed, informally known as George Floyd Square, but community activists quickly put up makeshift barriers. ___ Mohamed Ibrahim 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. MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) Nicaraguan police are holding opposition figure Cristiana Chamorro incommunicado at her home, and have taken away her laptops and cellphones, an aide said Thursday. Chamorro is a potential presidential candidate in the Nov. 7 elections and the daughter of former President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. Her detention is the latest in a series of moves by President Daniel Ortega that his critics say are to prevent candidates from running against him in his re-election bid. They took her telephone and her laptop, as well as those of her daughter, who is there with her at the house," said Arelia Barba, a member of Chamorro's press team. They cut off the internet. We haven't heard anything from them. On Tuesday, the government charged Chamorro with money laundering involving alleged financial irregularities related to the Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation for Reconciliation and Democracy, which she headed. The nongovernmental group is named after her mother. On Wednesday, police raided the home and placed Chamorro under a form of house arrest, and a court granted a request from prosecutors to bar Chamorro from running in the Nov. 7 elections or holding public office, citing the charges against her. She was expected to challenge Ortega for the presidency. Chamorro has said the allegations were trumped up to keep her out of the race. In January, she stepped down from her role at the foundation. A month later, it closed its operations in Nicaragua after passage of a foreign agents law designed to track foreign funding of organizations operating in the country. Nicaraguas Supreme Electoral Council and congress have been narrowing the maneuvering space for the countrys opposition. In May, the council cancelled the legal status of the Democratic Restoration Party, which was expected to potentially be a vehicle for an opposition coalition bid against Ortega. Cristiana Chamorros mother beat Ortega to win the presidency in 1990 and served until 1997. Her husband, Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, had run his family newspaper La Prensa and was jailed and forced into exile multiple times by the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza. He was eventually assassinated in 1978. Cristiana Chamorro is the vice president of La Prensa. BANGKOK (AP) Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with Myanmars junta leader on Friday, six weeks after an emergency regional summit on the coup in the country drew promises of progress toward a solution but produced no tangible results. State broadcaster MRTV showed Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing meeting with Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, but provided only a broad outline of their discussions. Earlier this week, an Indonesian diplomat said the delegations purpose was to seek Myanmars approval of an ASEAN special envoy for the crisis, who is yet to be named. He said the choice of the envoy involved both sides, making progress slow. Friday's meeting received a cool response from members of Myanmar's opposition shadow government. The National Unity Government said at a rare online news conference that ASEAN should meet with them as well, not just the military. Any discussions, any meeting about the future of the people of Myanmar must include the people of Myanmar, (their) voices must be heard, said spokesperson Sa Sa. The appointment of an ASEAN envoy was one of five points agreed at the regional summit in Jakarta in April, which Min Aung Hlaing attended over the objection of opponents who said the invitation legitimized his power grab. Shortly afterward, a spokesperson for the military government said it would only allow the envoy to visit after it had achieved security and stability in the country. The military ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, saying her partys landslide victory in elections last November resulted from massive voter fraud. It has not produced credible evidence to back its claim. Security forces have brutally suppressed widespread popular protests against the military takeover, firing live ammunition into crowds and carrying out waves of arrests. As of Friday, 845 people have been killed in the crackdown, according to the independent Assistance Association of Political Prisoners. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York highlighted the impact of violence on public health workers. He said there have been at least 212 reported attacks on patients, health workers, ambulances and health care facilities, resulting in at least 14 deaths and 51 injuries since the coup. Our colleagues on the ground stress that hospitals are, and must remain, a place of sanctuary and unequivocal neutrality so that patients can seek care and health professionals can provide care safely and without fear, he said. The Jakarta summit also reached an agreement to immediately end the violence and start a dialogue between the contending parties with the help of the special envoy. Brunei is taking the lead in negotiating with the Myanmar junta because it currently holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In the online news conference, Sa Sa also said the number of peoples militias taking up arms against the military government is set to rise rapidly in response to what he called a reign of terror. There will be so many more forces will appear in the coming months, he said. "It will be out of control. Thats why we say to the international community to help us to stop this coup. We need stability in Myanmar. In recent weeks, civilian armed groups have appeared in several regions of the country, often using homemade weapons or old hunting rifles to engage the army and police, with some success. Some groups of pro-democracy activists have fled to the jungles to receive combat training from battle-hardened ethnic armed groups who have been fighting for greater autonomy for decades. Our neighborhood has now reverted to a reality which feels like were imprisoned. We see the drug deals, we see the overdoses, we see the defecation and urination out in the public, she said. Mayor, my life and my neighbors lives are ruined from this. You havent given a definitive answer and we deserve it. Were still paying rent. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) A Massachusetts man who apologized to bank tellers while robbing two Rhode Island banks has been sentenced to four years in federal prison, according to the U.S. attorneys office in Providence. Acting U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus said in a release that Kevin Donovan, 43, of Weymouth, pleaded guilty in December of 2019 to two counts of bank robbery. WASHINGTON (AP) The Justice Department is stepping up its enforcement of hate crimes and other bias-related incidents, furthering a promise by Attorney General Merrick Garland to focus on civil rights violations. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, recently sworn in and the first Black woman to hold the position, said the effort has led to indictments in multiple cases over the past six months. But the number of hate crimes has grown: In November, the FBI said they'd reached the highest level in more than a decade. Hate crimes are especially pernicious because they harm targeted individuals and the entire community to which the individual belongs, she said in a statement to The Associated Press. No community should live in fear because of who they are, where they are from, or what they believe, and it is our goal to make that a reality. The statement comes during the first days of Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQ rights, and as the Justice Department has leveled a series of civil rights charges, including against three white men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery, who was Black, in Georgia. It has also opened several investigations into policing practices at departments around the country. A Texas man pleaded guilty this week to a federal hate crime charge for a scheme to target gay men, using the online hookup site Grindr to lure men to a vacant apartment and elsewhere in Dallas in December 2017. The man, Daniel Jenkins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping, carjacking and firearms charges. Jenkins and others held the victims at gunpoint, stole their money and cars, taunted them and made the victims drive to ATMs to withdraw cash from their bank accounts. As part of a plea deal, he faces up to 26 years in prison. Three other men, Michael Atkinson, Daryl Henry and Pablo Ceniceros-Deleon, have already pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case and are scheduled to be sentenced in June. And a Louisiana man was indicted in March in connection with what authorities said was a plot to kidnap men using Grindr and then dismember and eat them. The 19-year-old from Lafayette specifically targeted the men because of their gender and sexual orientation and wanted to keep the victims bodies as trophies and mementos, the Justice Department said. In Montana, a man was charged with federal hate crimes and gun charges after prosecutors said he drove around with an AK-47 rifle targeting gay men and lesbian women. The 44-year-old man fired into one home at least seven times, prosecutors said, and then continued driving around the town of Basin, Montana. Prosecutors said he proclaimed an intent to get rid of the sickness of gay and lesbian people. There were 51 hate crime murders in 2019, which includes 22 people who were killed in a shooting that targeted Mexicans at a Walmart in the border city of El Paso, Texas, the FBI report found. The suspect in that August 2019 shooting, which left two dozen other people injured, was charged with both state and federal crimes in what authorities said was an attempt to scare Hispanics into leaving the United States. There were 7,314 hate crimes reported, up from 7,120 the year before and approaching the 7,783 from 2008. The FBIs annual report defines hate crimes as those motivated by bias based on a persons race, religion or sexual orientation, among other categories. Some of the 2019 increases may be the result of better reporting by police departments, but law enforcement officials and advocacy groups dont doubt that hate crimes are on the rise. FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) A woman and three young children found dead in a home in northeastern Indiana each died of multiple stab wounds, a coroner said Thursday. The Allen County coroner also identified strangulation as a cause of Sarah Nicole Zents death in Fort Wayne. The body of the 26-year-old Zent was found Wednesday morning along with two young boys and a girl: Carter Matthew Zent, 5; Ashton Duwayne Zent, 3; and Aubree Christine Zent, 2. The Allen County coroner did not say how they were related, but local media say the woman was the mother of the children. She was found kneeling beside her bed, with the three children face down on the same bed, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Thursday in Allen Superior Court. About 11 a.m. Wednesday, a man and woman worried about the family went to check on them. As officers approached the home, the couple yelled, He killed them. Theyre dead, court records said. The man accused of killing the four, Cohen Hancz-Barron, 21, was being held without bond following his arrest Wednesday afternoon at an apartment complex in Lafayette more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the scene of the killings. He was moved late Wednesday to the Allen County Jail in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne Police spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Webb said Hancz-Barron faces four preliminary murder counts, pending a formal charging decision by the Allen County Prosecutors office. Our detectives are still finishing up and putting the case together. That will be reviewed by the prosecutors office and they will file charges as they see fit, he said Thursday morning. Webb said Hancz-Barron had been wanted on an arrest warrant issued in April stemming from a probation violation in northwestern Indianas Starke County. Webb said friends and family identified Hancz-Barron as a suspect in the killings, which police believe occurred between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Wednesday. Police had asked the public for help finding Hancz-Barron, saying he was armed and extremely dangerous and possibly driving a stolen pickup truck. Webb said Hancz-Barron knew the woman and the three children, but police have not released information on his relationship to the victims. A representative from the victims family asked for privacy in a statement sent Wednesday to WANE-TV, describing it as a very devastating time. Please give us time to process the horrific events that have occurred today, the statement said. A warrant was issued for Hancz-Barron's arrest in April after he walked away from a drug treatment center in Tippecanoe County, where he was serving the remainder of a sentence after pleading guilty in a 2019 robbery case, WPTA-TV reported. In that case, a man told authorities Hancz-Barron pointed a gun at him in Starke County in August 2019 and demanded his wallet. The man said Hancz-Barron told him he needed money because he had a baby on the way, and hed shoot him in the head and bury his body in a ditch if he didn't hand over his wallet. Hancz-Barron pleaded guilty in that case and was sentenced to six years of home detention last year, and given credit for having served 426 days in jail. His sentence was amended in February to allow him to serve his remaining time at Home with Hope, a residential drug treatment program. MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexicos president depicts Sundays congressional, state and local elections as the last opportunity to keep conservatives from returning to power, while opponents say it is a twilight battle to defend the countrys democratic institutions against a powerful populist. Security analysts worry that gangs and drug cartels are playing a role in local politics in some towns, after the killings of about three dozen candidates. Theres a bit of truth in all those perspectives. But drug cartels have long tried to control local government in Mexico and the conservative opposition is so rudderless it probably wont come back anytime soon. And despite President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors hostility to critical voices in the media, the courts or regulatory agencies, he so far hasn't taken strong action against them. What truly could emerge from Sundays vote is a clearer picture of whether Lopez Obradors movement, built on his personal popularity and little else, will outlast him. Lopez Obrador is barred from seeking reelection, and for a man who has been campaigning unceasingly for 32 years, this may be the last election he plays a leading role in. For such a powerful movement despite one of the worlds highest per-capita death tolls in the pandemic, Lopez Obrador still polls over 50% in approval ratings the presidents Fourth Transformation doesnt seem to have a clear direction beyond completing the projects already announced, and his Morena party may well fail Sunday in its bid to become a truly nationwide force. Morena may hold on to the majority it now holds with allies in Congress, but the party seems unlikely to win governorships in northern states where it is weak. Even so, despite a slower than expected economic recovery and his partys constant internal disarray, Lopez Obrador himself is doing fine, thank you. Like Britains Boris Johnson or America's Donald Trump, Lopez Obradors mishandling of the start of the pandemic doesnt appear to have hurt him all that much; people are more likely to remember the end of the story Mexicos ability to finally get vaccines than the terrible beginning, said Federico Estevez, a political science professor at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico. It doesnt matter, people arent voting based on performance anymore, Estevez said. Theyre voting on what they like or dislike. There is no shortage of dire predictions by academics, activists and members of the conservative opposition that Lopez Obrador is trying to tear down the safeguards and independent watchdog agencies built up at huge cost to taxpayers since the old ruling party began to lose power in 1997. But Lopez Obradors bark appears worse than his bite. He regularly rails against critical press outlets, the judiciary and regulatory bodies for elections, telecoms, transparency and information access. But almost three years after he was elected, theyre still there. What would Lopez Obrador do if he keeps his majority in Congress? He has muttered about reforming the courts, but given the low standing of Mexicos judiciary in public opinion and the massive lack of trust the opaque court system inspires, its unclear how much of a loss to democracy that would be. The president is unlikely to abolish the elections agency, though he could diminish its independence. Any move to abolish the information-access agency, which provides data based on freedom-of-information requests, would draw howls of protest. But desperation has become so sharp among those who oppose Lopez Obrador and the opposition is in such disarray that some have even taken the unprecedented step of calling for U.S. pressure on Lopez Obrador. Given the history between the two nations the U.S. took about half of Mexicos territory in 1848 anti-Yankee sentiment has long been a predictable staple of Mexican politics. President Biden can help stem the countrys democratic decline, Mexican author Enrique Krauze wrote in an opinion piece on March 15. Throughout the 20th century, the United States remained indifferent to Mexicos authoritarian system. Mr. Biden must rethink that old attitude Mr. Biden can check Mr. Lopez Obradors autocratic tendencies and promote a moderate approach. As obviously unpopular as such calls are in Mexico, they also dont catch fire among Mexican voters for another reason. While popular among intellectuals, the multiplicity of independent government agencies that grew up during Mexicos democratic transition cost a lot and their benefits arent very visible to most Mexicans. They look at what our public intellectuals defend as democracy, and they just see more corruption, said Estevez, noting that, A surprising amount (of differences among voters) is about just how effective democracy has been. There is a feeling that majorities deserve to be able to govern at some point. The opposition's problems may be illustrated by the fact that parties with longstanding mutual hostility found themselves pushed into a broad, anti-Lopez Obrador coalition to run common candidates in many states. Their only common campaign theme is that the president supposedly poses a danger to democracy. In fact, Lopez Obradors biggest failing may be his utter unconcern about the quality of his partys candidates. This year, he defended the candidacy of a man accused of rape for the governorship of southern Guerrero state and his party once selected local candidates by drawing names from a barrel in a lottery system. For influential positions in his government, Lopez Obrador prefers old political faces he knows well some utterly discredited, others nearing 80 over younger figures who might replace him when his term ends in 2024. In strictly personal terms, the president seems to get on better with some state governors of the old ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, whose heyday in the 1950s and 60s Lopez Obrador regards as Mexicos golden age. The attacks on candidates are more troubling. Some were even shot at campaign events where spectators or others were wounded. Similar attacks have occurred consistently in recent years, though by some counts there are somewhat less in this campaign than in 2018. And the problem is enmeshed in Lopez Obradors so far failed strategy of avoiding confrontations with drug cartels while betting on long-term solutions to violence like scholarships and job training. Former anti-drug prosecutor Samuel Gonzalez notes that big changes in anti-crime policies havent been at the top of the debate in the current elections, and none of the parties offers a clear alternative. Even though the issue of crime touches most on local authorities, I dont see the current policies changing much whether Morena wins or the opposition coalition does, said Gonzalez. I am pretty pessimistic. NEW HAVEN As the city grapples with a rise in shootings and homicides, law enforcement agencies came together with the Board of Alders public safety committee to share their plans to help. Alder Gerald Antunes, D-12, set the stage for the discussion, noting negative comments about the violence and the efforts of law enforcement were not always criticism, but instead a way of recognizing the issue, and bringing it to light, and imploring those with the knowledge, training and authority to resolve it. Acting Police Chief Renee Dominguez said the department and associated staff have done 108 custom notifications so far this year, meeting with individuals with potential for committing violence or being victims of violence, as a type of pre-intervention. Thats more than they do in a typical year, she said. After a spike of violence two weeks ago, which included three homicides and seven shootings, Dominguez said police and partner agencies met with 18 people, which she credited for quelling the bloodshed. Knock on wood I hate to say the words we have seen a drastic reduction, just comparing two weeks ago to the past two weeks, said Dominguez. Dominguez noted that the state judicial branch was resuming court trials Tuesday, which likely will lead to more sentencings and decrease the number of potential violent offenders in New Haven. Project Longevity, which works with gang and group members, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, which works with individuals at risk of violence, have held call-ins in recent days as well, she said. The workshop was the second on the issue held by the alders committee this year, which has seen 42 shootings and 13 homicides, up from 31 shootings and four homicides at the same point in 2020, according to police. Among other plans, Dominguez said the department is hoping to expand the ShotSpotter system to the Quinnipiac Avenue area and has stepped up walking beats in recent days. The walking officers will be deployed primarily in hopes of preventing crime, rather than reacting to it, and building relationships with residents, Dominguez said. Assistant Chief Karl Jacobson said the department also made multiple arrests in the wake of the late May violence and seized several weapons, as well as having performed custom notifications. So far this year, the department has taken 70 firearms off the street and arrested 17 people in connection with past shootings, he said. The work were doing is paying dividends, he said. We just have to make sure we get that long-term effect. Jacobson noted there has been less violence in the city than in 2011, considered the recent high for such crime in New Haven. At this point in that year, there had been 59 shootings and 15 homicides, he said. There were 34 homicides in the city in 2011. Jacobson also said the department now has access to a kiosk through its Gun Crime Intel Center that allows officers to submit shell casings and potentially link them to other associated offenses within days. The department also is striving to expand its shooting task force, although memorandums of understanding with other agencies were still in the works, he said. Were making progress with these cases. I feel like were getting more information from the community. I feel like the communitys tired of the violence, as well, said Jacobson. With the adoption of the walking beats that the chief talked about, well get out there and start talking to more people and start getting more positive results. Representatives of several other law enforcement agencies pledged their support to the city, including Al Vasquez, a former assistant chief in New Haven who now works as an inspector with the state attorneys office in New Haven; Joseph Altimari, supervisory special agent with the FBI; Matthew Duffy of the U.S. Marshals; and Ronnell Higgins, chief of the Yale Police Department. Among other efforts, Higgins said two Yale officers now are working for the New Haven Police Department as part of its shooting task force. State Rep. Al Paolillo, D-New Haven, noted that a bill funding Project Longevity had been passed by the state House of Representatives. We know that, along with traditional policing strategies, we have to offer support and tools. Project Longevity has benefited the city in the past, and we certainly need to be behind that now, said Paolillo. Stacy Spell, project manager for Project Longevity, said its efforts, along with those of police, to combat violence can always improve, but have been helpful in the past. We are always looking to improve. We are open to criticism, said Spell. Its about being about it, not talking about it. In response to the testimony, among other remarks by alders, Alder Jose Crespo, D-16, praised the collaborative effort, saying his constituents were asking for more police and resources, which would be smoothed if law enforcement agencies get along. Alder Abby Roth, D-7, asked whether crime in New Haven had been linked to that in other communities, such as Bridgeport and Hartford, and whether those cities were analyzing ballistics in the same way. Jacobson said Bridgeport recently modernized its system for looking at shell casings, which prompted some more hits. But crime usually is isolated if there are five firearms linked to crimes in the three cities in a month, he said, thats a lot. Roth asked about the departments plans to adjust to the creation of Community Crisis Response teams, which are expected to devote social workers and other staff to some health-related calls, freeing up police resources. Dominguez said there will be an adjustment period as the teams adjust to the needs of the city, but officers likely will be able to devote more time to traffic enforcement and walking beats. The chance to be freed up from some calls likely will be welcomed, Dominguez said. Roth also asked which agencies would be part of the shooting task force. Dominguez and Jacobson listed Yale, federal agencies such as the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as resources from Madison, West Haven, Meriden, East Haven and Hamden. Alder Honda Smith, D-30, said teenagers in the city had been involved in violence and asked what was being done. She also called for more support for families struggling with young people engaged in such activities. Dominguez said there was a small group of young people creating violence in New Haven, many of whom also are facing familial needs and problems at home. These young people and their families are receiving services through a series of programs, including the Connecticut Violence Intervention Program, she said. Jacobson said the court system had been more receptive to the information shared by the department recently. Were hoping to get that pause (for these young people). Were hoping to enact these services and get them out of the violent situations theyre in, said Jacobson. Antunes asked about the rate at which young women were being affected by crime, which included the death of Mariyah Inthirath. Jacobson noted the department had seen a spike in domestic violence during the pandemic. Antunes also asked about the number of officers on task forces; Jacobson said nine had been devoted to such efforts at this time, and federal agencies, partnering with police, were conducting some crime suppression shifts in the city. Dominguez said the forces were a multiplier for the department, bringing more resources to bear in the city. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com MIAMI (AP) Officials in Miami and relatives of victims are pleading with the community for information on suspects in a shooting at a banquet hall that killed three people and wounded 20 others. Police have made no arrests. Ashley Gantt, who is a cousin of one of the three victims Desmond Owens and also is representing his family as an attorney, issued a call to action to speak up and say something" on what they know about the Memorial Day weekend shootings. It was so many people, friends, loved ones," she said. The pain and the suffering is reverberating throughout our community. No one deserves to lose their loved ones like this in such a senseless act. Police have said they're focusing on a rivalry between local rappers in their investigation. But Miami-Dade Countys top prosecutor, Katherine Rundle, indicated that there's been a hesitancy among members of the community to come forward with tips because of a climate of violent retribution for turncoats and a general mistrust in law enforcement. Youve got to give us information. I know theres a lot of talk of people who live in fear of retaliation, but we do have victim protection procedures, Rundle said. People want us to get the killers and guns off the street and people want to be safe ... We hear you, but we need you. Top county officials also have launched what they call Operation Summer Heat to combat gun crime and deter what they anticipate will be a violent season ahead as the region comes out of the pandemic. They described it at a news conference Thursday as a 12-week period of boosted cooperation and information-sharing among law enforcement agencies, scouring of social media and heightened enforcement of local codes to shut establishments deemed hotbeds of crime. Officials overnight confirmed that a third victim had died from the shootings, identifying her as Shankquia Peterson, 32. Two other victims in the shooting remained in critical condition, police said. Surveillance videos released by police show a white SUV driving into an alley before three masked gunmen spray bullets indiscriminately into the crowd early Sunday. Another video showed another person shooting from a different angle, news outlets reported. Police say the assailants had specific targets in mind. The crowd had been waiting to get inside for an album release party by Courtney Paul Wilson, 24, better known as rapper ABMG Spitta. Relatives of Peterson, the last victim to die, told news outlets she had a bullet lodged in her head and had been in a medically induced coma since the shooting. Our family wants the gun violence to end, for these predators to be caught. This shooting has shaken the family to its core, Peterson's family said in a statement. Other gun violence over Memorial Day weekend included a car chase and shooting near a Miami casino, a mass shooting in Wynwood that left one dead and six wounded and a shooting outside a South Beach restaurant that left a man paralyzed and a local rapper behind bars. While the motive for the banquet hall shooting is still unknown, investigators were focusing on social-media feuds involving the local rappers who hosted the banquet hall show. This includes two rival groups whose tensions go back years and have been fueled by threats made online and in rap lyrics, the Miami Herald reported. A lot of these violent acts youre seeing on their social media. Youre seeing them call each other out, theyre giving verbal cues, Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Freddy Ramirez said during a Thursday news conference. Some of the songs have verbal cues that are triggering rolling violence, real-time violence. Back in the 90s it was drug turf wars. Here its a little bit of that but a lot of it is showing off. There is a reward of up to $130,000 for information that leads to an arrest of the people responsible. ___ This story corrects spellings of names in second paragraph. ___ Associated Press writer Freida Frisaro contributed to this report. MADISON, Wis. (AP) An appointee of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers was elected president of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents on Friday, defeating an appointee of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker in a rare contested race. Regent Ed Manydeeds, an attorney from Eau Claire, beat Regent Michael M. Grebe, the current board vice president, in a 10-8 secret vote. Manydeeds is one of nine Evers appointees and Grebe is one of seven named to the board by Walker. The other two regents are the secretary of the state education department and president of the technical college system. It was a rare power struggle on the board, marking the first contested election for president in nearly a decade. Only about one in 10 of the past 51 board president elections has been contested. Some of Evers' appointees on the board said they feared the Republican-controlled state Senate may seek retribution by not confirming them if they did not vote for Grebe. Manydeeds will serve a one-year term as president at a time when the board prepares to launch a search for a new UW System president. Manydeeds will lead the regents at a time when the Legislature is preparing to lift a tuition cap that's been in place for eight years. The university also is emerging from the coronavirus pandemic that drove classes online and stressed UW's budget. Several regents, speaking before the vote, said they were confident that whoever won would lead well and in a nonpartisan way. Every person at this table will support and work with our new president because that's who we are, said Regent Karen Walsh, an Evers appointee. Manydeeds was appointed to the board in 2019 by Evers. He previously served a term after being appointed by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle in 2010. He is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) A Utah man was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison in the beating death of his wife on an Alaska cruise in 2017, with a federal judge describing the crime as violent and brutal. Prosecutors had sought life in prison for Kenneth Manzanares, who pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Kristy Manzanares. His attorneys requested 7 1/2 years. Kenneth Manzanares looked back briefly, toward where two of his daughters sat in the courtroom, before being led out after U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Burgess announced his decision. Manzanares' attorneys, in a court filing, said he had brain abnormalities that a defense expert deemed consistent with injuries caused by playing contact sports. This, combined with what was at the time an undiagnosed bipolar disorder and a problematic combination of prescribed medication and alcohol resulted in an aberrant episode of violence, the filing states. But Burgess said there was competing evidence offered about Manzanares' culpability and that experts had failed to show what factors led to the crime. Prosecutors had disputed the defenses medical claims and in court documents described Manzanares actions as intentional, triggered by his wife telling him she wanted him to leave the cruise ship and that she wanted a divorce. Prosecutors said Kristy Manzanares told her husband that she wanted a divorce during an argument about his behavior on the night of her death. Prosecutors said Kenneth Manzanares had issues with anger and that he had acknowledged restraining his wife in the past and punching holes in walls. Defense attorneys said the couple had a long and happy marriage, and Jamie McGrady, a federal public defender representing Manzanares, accused prosecutors of selectively parsing details from statements Manzanares made to try to paint him as someone who was abusive. Burgess said Kristy Manzanares life was viciously ended by her husband, in an attack partly witnessed by two of the couples children. Kristy Manzanares brothers and father, who also were on the cruise, responded to and witnessed the scene afterward, according to prosecution documents. The plea agreement Manzanares signed allows for an appeal of the reasonableness of the sentence. McGrady told The Associated Press an appeal would be filed. She called the sentence a tragedy and said the judge ignored scientific evidence. Manzanares attorneys, in a court filing last month, asked Burgess to consider the wishes of the Manzanares children, who they said hold their father responsible but also understand that his impairments played a major factor in the events that occurred, and they have already lost one parent. Two daughters who gave statements during the emotional first day of the sentencing hearing on Wednesday spoke about their father but did not speak to a specific sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt said Manzanares was held accountable. While it wasnt the sentence prosecutors sought, hopefully the healing process can begin for the family, he said. A statement released by Kristy Manzanares' family said the ruling brings us neither joy nor anger. Rather, simply a sense of resolution. We believe that the court made a fair and just determination. However, the legal system does not and is not intended to fill the emotional void of our loss. While this marks the end of another chapter of this unimaginable ordeal, the fact is that Kristys three girls are still without both of their parents, and our focus now is to support them as best we can, the statement says. KILLINGWORTH Elevated levels of toxic PFAS chemicals were discovered in another 10 local wells this week, officials said, while lawmakers in Hartford face a fast-approaching deadline to act on legislation banning the forever chemicals. House lawmakers have until Wednesday, the last day of their legislative session, to vote on a bill that would prohibit the use of the chemicals in food packaging, as well as most firefighting foams, which can be a significant source of pollution, as exemplified by two spills along the Farmington River in 2019. The bill received unanimous support in the Senate last month, but has sat in the House while lawmakers are focused on hammering out a budget deal. Im going to push for it to receive a vote Monday or Tuesday, said state Rep. Joe Gresko, D-Stratford, co-chairman of the Environment Committee. A deal on the budget would take a lot of the air out of the room, he said. Affected sites increase Meanwhile, officials in Killingworth announced Wednesday that additional testing in the area around Town Hall had uncovered levels of PFAS chemicals in 10 wells that exceeded action levels set by the Department of Public Health at 70 parts per trillion. The results pushed the total number sites in Killingworth where PFAS levels have exceeded standards to 14, following similar discoveries at two private wells in April, as well as in public water supplies at the Town Hall and in a manufactured-home community. Residents whose private wells have tested above action levels are being supplied with bottled water for the time being, officials said. The public water supply used by the Beechwood Community is treated to well below action levels before reaching the tap, while the water at the Town Hall is not used for drinking. Obviously, the residents whose wells tested high were concerned, said Killingworth First Selectwoman Catherine Iino. Theyre meeting to decide what to do. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has tested 62 private wells in town, including a new round of tests at 15 wells prompted by results announced this week. They have yet to be announced. What are PFAS? The chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, are found in a variety of household items, such as food packaging and nonstick products, including Teflon. They are also added to specialty firefighting foams used on fuel-based fires at airports, military bases and chemical plants, where they can become a major source of groundwater contamination, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Because the chemicals are designed to break down very slowly, they can accumulate in the bodies of animals and humans, leading to potentially harmful health effects. Legislation is needed What is happening in Killingworth is a perfect example of why we need to pass this legislation, and start making progress towards eliminating the use of these harmful chemicals, state Sen. Christine Cohen, D-Guilford, said in a text message Thursday. Cohens district includes the town of Killingworth. She also co-chairs the Environment Committee. Iino said officials investigating the levels of PFAS in local wells have yet to identify a source of the contamination, although the fire department stopped using foams containing the chemicals decades ago. Without a known source, Iino said townspeople are developing their own explanations. Ive heard many theories, from someone who said its on treated road salt. ... Some say in Massachusetts there was pesticide spraying that could have flowed down in rivers, Iino said. PFAS in the news The issue of PFAS contamination grabbed the attention of Connecticut lawmakers in 2019, following a pair of incidents at Bradley International Airport that resulted in leaks of the chemicals into the nearby Farmington River. That June, an accidental spill of firefighting foam at the airport resulted in Gov. Ned Lamont forming a task force to study ways to prevent future spills and limit exposure to the chemicals. Before that task force could finish its work, however, a WWII-era bomber crashed at the airport in October, and sparked a blaze that firefighters doused with thousands of gallons of foam containing PFAS. It washed into storm drains and eventually ended up in the Farmington River, WNPR reported. The final report produced by the governors task force called for greater testing of PFAS chemicals in public water supplies and private wells, as well a reduction of industrial sources of the chemicals. The governors office did not respond to a question about the PFAS bill. It lasts forever In testimony submitted to lawmakers in February, DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said the agency supports the concept of this bill because minimizing the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam will reduce future releases of PFAS, a class of emerging contaminants with potential human health risks. The bill under consideration in the House would immediately prohibit the use of firefighting foams containing added PFAS chemicals during testing or training exercises. The prohibition would be expanded to almost all firefighting uses Oct. 1, unless specific entities receive an extension from DEEP, or Dykes is unable to identify alternatives to current foams. The ban would not apply to airports, which are required by federal law to use firefighting foams containing PFAS. If federal regulations change, however, airports would be required to stop using the foams within one year. The bill also directs Dykes to establish a statewide take-back program for municipally-owned firefighting foams to ensure their safe disposal. Manufacturers and retailers, meanwhile, would be directed to stop selling food packaging containing added PFAS by the end of 2023. The legislation received support from numerous environmental groups in public testimony submitted to lawmakers. The Connecticut Council on Occupational Safety and Health, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and local officials also expressed support for limiting the use of PFAS chemicals. The more we can get it out of circulation the better, for Killingworth and for every place, Iino said. Especially because it lasts forever. OLD LYME Sirens blared and residents waved and beeped their horns as the town extended a heartfelt reception to a Southington family that arrived to vacation Tuesday. A parade of emergency procession welcomed RJ Thomas, a 15-year-old teen with a rare genetic disease, and his loved ones, who are spending most of the next two weeks vacationing at Hawks Nest Beach. The procession of police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and even town dump trucks started at Exit 70 off Interstate 95, and proceeded to the Columbus Avenue beach house where they are staying. The welcome was crazy, Ray Thomas said, beyond anything weve ever imagined. His father Ray Thomas said rangers, part of a beach version of a police cadet program, helped him carry RJ up the steps of the cottage. A public works employee made some calls and got a ramp installed, he said. It was very overwhelming, said Heather Thomas, RJs mother. I knew that it was going to be emotional seeing that but as soon as we got off the highway, I just started bawling. Seeing his smiling face and the joy that it brought him, I was like, Wow. The diagnosis A few years ago, RJs parents brought him to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he was diagnosed with Hashimotos encephalopathy, a disease that affects the brain and thyroid. It was pretty rare, so we went and did some research on who was treating patients like that, Ray said. It turned out that the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has seen a dozen or so patients. The community rallies What started with family friend Ewa Ciaffagliones gifting the house to the Thomas family for a couple weeks grew into a grand display of support from essentially strangers, Heather Thomas said. Everything started with Ciaffagliones post on a local Facebook group, she said. There was people on the side of the road waving to us. They dont even know us, but they had a heart for us. Its beautiful. People brought food, toys and gift cards to local businesses for the family to use, Heather Thomas said. Someone even delivered Italian ice the next evening. The family vacation has allowed them to relax, walk to the beach, play Uno, go on drives and eat good food, Heather Thomas said. We went to Garvins and got some candy, she said. Dad and him went on a ride and got some ice cream (at Hallmark Drive In). Its whatever he wants to do. The diagnosis His sons diagnosis came only a few years ago, Ray Thomas said, but he had medical problems for a long time. RJ had arthritis as a young child. Mom said her son began getting frequent headaches and numbness at 8 or 9 years old. Up until that point, he was 90 percent a normal kid running and jumping and doing normal stuff. RJs doctor at Yale had only seen two or three patients with that disease, including him, Ray Thomas said. At the Mayo Clinic, he and the geneticist advised the family to pursue testing. So we did that when we got back home, and found out he has a genetic defect called Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome, he said. That causes kids to get autoimmune diseases. Both parents have to carry the gene in order for a child to have the syndrome. The medical issue causes calcification of the brain and aortic valve, Ray Thomas said. It causes aortic stenosis. About a year ago, the (blood) pressures were getting too high, so they went in with a balloon and opened up the valve, his father explained. It was during this time when the family set up a GoFundMe to help pay for RJs $16,000 treatment, as well as a Facebook page documenting their experience, called Making Lemenade. The crowdfunding account was set up to help RJ complete his goal. Already, the drive has raised $2,300 of its $15,000 goal A downturn About three weeks ago, doctors told the Thomas family that the pressure in RJs valve are worse than they were a year ago, his father said. Doctors told them that there is no safe options to release that pressure. If they do the balloon again, they feel itll cause undue leakage, which will then become him needing an emergency valve replacement, Ray Thomas said. If we just do the valve replacement now, they said he probably wont come out of the hospital. So, through discussion with him, weve decided to do nothing. RJ can no longer walk, and has difficulty speaking and breathing. With the time that her son has left, Heather Thomas said the most important thing was ensuring his quality of life while making fun memories. This is where RJs cheeseburger list comes in. Named after an aunt who wanted a cheeseburger while she was in hospice, Ray Thomas said, the first thing RJ put on the bucket list was Kentucky Fried Chicken. RJ plans to ride the Cog Railway train on Mount Washington as well as the Essex Steam train. Other goals include a tour of Ben and Jerrys factory, a Vermont Teddy Bear, and a tattoo like his grandfather has. The family has continued to bump into people around town with gifts. We were just driving around and [RJ] decided he wanted ice cream at Hallmark, Ray Thomas said. Im feeding him, and were there for 10 or 15 minutes. As Im backing out, a kid comes running out and says, Are you RJ? We saw you on the news. Next time you come in its on us. Its incredible, dad said. joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com Check out our special section for the latest news on the critical 2021 elections in NYC. And to have the essential news and analysis sent to your inbox, sign up for our Campaign Diaries newsletter. GUILFORD Critical race theory has become a hot-button issue, not only in Connecticut, but across the country. Several governors have recently addressed the issue, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who tweeted that critical race theory did not belong in classrooms. Also, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a bill banning critical race theory and other social justice concepts in public schools, and state Rep. Amy Perruso, D-Hawaii, a former teacher, said on Hawaii Public Radio that these uncomfortable conversations belong in classrooms. In Connecticut, Guilford Public Schools has been at the center of this debate. The district is building and supporting a equity and social justice initiative, which parents have spoken in favor of during public meetings. However, other parents claim this initiative is really critical race theory entering classrooms. Superintendent Paul Freeman and the Board of Education have refuted those accusations, saying students are learning institutional racism is part of American history. Connecticut is also diversifying education on the state level. In 2019, Gov. Ned Lamont signed Public Act 19-12, which requires all regional and local boards of education to include an elective high school course that provides students with a better understanding of the African-American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino contributions to United States history. The course will not be mandatory, but must be offered beginning in the 2022-23 school year. Critical race theory and when was it developed Critical race theory is a practice of interrogating the role of racism and race in society. The theory critiques how the social construction of race and institutionalized racism causes people of color to fall in the bottom levels of a caste system, according to Janel Georges January article published in the American Bar Associations Human Rights Magazine. George is a civil rights attorney, policy advisor and adjunct professor at Georgetown University, where she teaches a course exploring racial justice in the K-through-12 public education system through a critical race theory framework. CRT recognizes that racism is not a bygone relic of the past. Instead, it acknowledges that the legacy of slavery, segregation, and the imposition of second-class citizenship on Black Americans and other people of color continue to permeate the social fabric of this nation, George wrote in her article. Critical race theory was originated by Derrick Bell, Kimberle Crenshaw, Cheryl Harris, Richard Delgado, Patricia Williams, Gloria Ladson-Billings, Tara Yosso and others, according to George. In an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media, George said critical race theory is an ever-changing practice and approach in the legal academy, and is something taught on the graduate level, and not to children. Critical race theory, its not a diversity training. Its not a program. Its a legal theory that until recently lived in the academy, George said. This is a legal theory that has somehow been taken on by people who really oppose confronting racism. Critical race theory is being conflated with anything related to race, according to George, who has noticed language of the civil rights era being co-opted to express that opposition. Theres been a lot of conflation, in part purposeful, characterization of critical race theory, and what it is to really denigrate race and the discussion of race, George said. Opposition to it does not make it go away. There is an unwillingness to acknowledge history, even the Tulsa massacre. We see the consequences of essentially denial and silence. Why is critical race theory being debated now? Critical race theory entered mainstream media and politics in 2020 when President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning certain racial sensitivity training by federal contractors. Today, however, many people are pushing a different vision of America that is grounded in hierarchies based on collective social and political identities rather than in the inherent and equal dignity of every person as an individual, the executive order states. This ideology is rooted in the pernicious and false belief that America is an irredeemably racist and sexist country; that some people, simply on account of their race or sex, are oppressors; and that racial and sexual identities are more important than our common status as human beings and Americans. In September 2020, Trump spoke at the White House Conference on American History where he said, we must clear away the twisted web of lies in our schools and classrooms, and teach our children the magnificent truth about our country. Trump said children were being indoctrinated in classrooms, specifically pointing to The 1619 Project by journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, who later won the Pulitzer Prize for her work. Trump claimed the project rewrote history to teach children that America was founded on oppression not freedom. In response, the former president created in November 2020 the 1776 Commission, which has since been disbanded. It was aimed at promoting patriotic education. Critical race theorys role in education In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education established that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, but did not outline how to implement this ruling. In 1955, Brown v. Board of Education II led to the Supreme Court ruling that desegregation should proceed with all deliberate speed. These rulings did not solve the problem of desegregating schools. In 1956, over 100 members of Congress wrote The Declaration of Constitutional Principles, also known as the Southern Manifesto, which stated they were defying the ruling. You have massive resistance. Prince Edward County Schools in Virginia closed for five years. They shut down their public schools rather than desegregate. Other schools created these white Christian academies to try to privatize school desegregation orders, George said, adding that Black teachers and principals were fired or demoted instead of being integrated into the school system as planned. Coordinated federal action, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and withdrawal of federal funding and enforcement through the court system, led to change. Thats when there started to be more progressive in the late, very late 60s, 70s and 80s. The high point of desegregation was in the late 80s, George said. Current inequalities in the education system are: curriculum that excludes the history and experience of people of color, discipline policies that disproportionately impact students of color and negatively impact their education, underfunding of schools attended by a majority of students of color, and more, according to Georges article. Reforming curriculum, as well as the school funding system, providing more support and training for educators, and creating programs to recruit teachers who live in the local community would go a long way toward making progress on the issue, George said. I think it will take a variety of different efforts, coordinated efforts, to really start to lay the groundwork for some change, she said. christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com A strike of 2,100 group home workers, scheduled for 6 a.m. Friday, was called off late Thursday just before midnight as the union agreed to a 2-year deal with significant pay increases. It was too late for the 200 group homes to avoid having to relocate hundreds of intellectually disabled residents. Barry Simon, the chief executive officer of Oak Hill, which operates 70 of the homes subjected to the walkout deadline, and Pedro Zayas, a spokesman for SEIU District 1199 New England, confirmed that a deal was reached late Thursday night. Zayas said the $184 million deal on new two-year contracts for the workers include wage increases and enhanced benefits. Group home residents were moved to nursing homes and to their family members. All day Thursday, group home operators had changed plans on the fly, pushing back deadlines to relocate residents until the last possible minute, with vehicles ready and destinations set. By 8 p.m. Thursday, Simon said he could no longer delay the relocations. The first 77 residents to be moved to nursing homes were about to be transported, he said, with another 77 set to be relocated after that. Earlier in the day, some residents were placed in other homes operated by Oak Hill that are not subject to the strike, he said. Oak Hill staff, many of whom transported the residents themselves as they prepared to strike, were adamant throughout Thursday that Simon continue to hold off to avoid what would be a traumatic experience for people who live in the homes. Once I pull this trigger, bad things will happen, Simon said earlier Thursday. This is not going to be good for our participants and thats what I worry about the most. Plans were changing hourly Thursday at Journey Found Inc., said CEO Tracey Walker, who said just before 6 p.m. that within the next couple of hours about 25 residents will be transported to live with their families temporarily. On Thursday, the organization secured five temporary staff but were still 33 people short, Walker said, adding that administrative staff is scheduled to work double shift and workers would be moving around to various homes to care for residents. In some cases, family members were prepared to come into the homes to care for their loved ones, she said. The frantic scene played out as District 1199, the states largest health care union, met with Gov. Ned Lamonts top aides to negotiate a deal. The union wanted terms similar to the $267 million deal brokered last month for nursing homes. Although the companies running the homes are private, the state negotiated as the main payer because Medicaid is the chief source of money for the homes. It was unclear early Friday how the group homes deal compared with the offer the led 1199 to call off, or at least postpone, the nursing home strike Rob Baril, president of District 1199, summarized the unions position in a statement Thursday. We cannot preserve a labor model for group home long-term care services that relies on poverty wages, Baril said. We need to make the same advances that nursing home workers achieved with recent funding allocations: create a pathway to $20 an hour minimum and retirement and provide access to affordable health insurance for group home workers and their families. On Wednesday, Lamont had said his administration was having active discussions with union leaders. Id like to think were getting close, he said, to reaching a really good, fair conclusion. A strike would have resulted in major disruption to the lives of group home residents who rely on relationships with workers and continuity of care. The situation caused gut-churning anxiety and nausea for their parents and guardians, David Hadden, chair of Oak Hills board of directors, said Wednesday after he and Simon attended a rally held by workers outside the Legislative Office Building. The truth of the matter is some of our people, as a result of this transition will have serious behavioral setbacks, said Hadden. This will be a traumatic event and they may well have medical setbacks. Its likely that some of them are going to end up at the hospital, and some of them may not be coming back to our group homes. Hadden and his wife had two sons with intellectual disabilities, one of whom was a resident at Oak Hill until he passed away several years ago. Hadden and Simon supported the workers demands for better pay and benefits. But Oak Hill, a historic provider based in Hartford, cant boost wages for workers without an increase in funding. The bulk of Oak Hills workers now earn $14.75 an hour, Simon said. Increasing funding for the private nonprofits that provide the bulk of social services in Connecticut is a major part of budget debate going on in the General Assembly. Oak Hill pays for the bulk of services through the state-federal Medicaid system. The last time we got a rate increase, Simon said, the iPhone wasnt even invented yet. The other group home operators affected by Fridays strike deadline were Whole Life Inc. of Stratford, Sunrise Northeast of Hartford, Network Inc. of Andover, and Mosaic in Cromwell. julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden announced Thursday the U.S. will swiftly donate an initial allotment of 25 million doses of surplus vaccine overseas through the United Nations-backed COVAX program, promising infusions for South and Central America, Asia, Africa and others at a time of glaring shortages abroad and more than ample supplies at home. The doses mark a substantial and immediate boost to the lagging COVAX effort, which to date has shared just 76 million doses with needy countries. The announcement came just hours after World Health Organization officials in Africa made a new plea for vaccine sharing because of an alarming situation on the continent, where shipments have ground to a near halt while virus cases have spiked over the past two weeks. Overall, the White House has announced plans to share 80 million doses globally by the end of June, most through COVAX. Officials say a quarter of the nations excess will be kept in reserve for emergencies and for the U.S. to share directly with allies and partners. Of the first 19 million donated through COVAX, approximately 6 million doses will go to South and Central America, 7 million to Asia and 5 million to Africa. As long as this pandemic is raging anywhere in the world, the American people will still be vulnerable, Biden said in a statement. And the United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. will retain the say on where doses distributed through COVAX ultimately go. But he also said: Were not seeking to extract concessions, were not extorting, were not imposing conditions the way that other countries who are providing doses are doing. ... These are doses that are being given, donated free and clear to these countries, for the sole purpose of improving the public health situation and helping end the pandemic. The remaining 6 million in the initial distribution of 25 million will be directed by the White House to U.S. allies and partners, including Mexico, Canada, South Korea, West Bank and Gaza, India, Ukraine, Kosovo, Haiti, Georgia, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as for United Nations frontline workers. The White House did not say when the doses would begin shipping overseas, but press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration hoped to send them "as quickly as we can logistically get those out the door." Vice President Kamala Harris informed some U.S. partners they will begin receiving doses, in separate calls with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago. Harris is to visit Guatemala and Mexico in the coming week. The long-awaited vaccine sharing plan comes as demand for shots in the U.S. has dropped significantly more than 63% of adults have received at least one dose and as global inequities in supply have become more pronounced. Scores of countries have requested doses from the United States, but to date only Mexico and Canada have received a combined 4.5 million doses. The U.S. also has announced plans to share enough shots with South Korea to vaccinate its 550,000 troops who serve alongside American service members on the peninsula. White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said that 1 million Johnson & Johnson doses were being shipped to South Korea Thursday. The U.S. has committed more than $4 billion to COVAX, but with vaccine supplies short and wealthy nations locking up most of them the greater need than funding has been immediate access to actual doses, to overcome what health officials have long decried as unequal access to the vaccines. The U.S. action means frontline workers and at-risk populations will receive potentially life-saving vaccinations and bring the world "a step closer to ending the acute phase of the pandemic, said Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, which is leading the COVAX alliance. However, Tom Hart the acting CEO of The ONE Campaign, said that while Thursday's announcement was a welcome step, the Biden administration needs to commit to sharing more doses. The world is looking to the U.S. for global leadership, and more ambition is needed," he said. Biden has committed to providing other nations with all 60 million U.S.-produced doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has yet to be authorized for use in America but is widely approved around the world. The AstraZeneca doses have been held up for export by a weeks-long safety review by the Food and Drug Administration, and without them Biden will be hard pressed to meet his sharing goal. The White House says the initial 25 million doses announced Thursday will be shipped from existing federal stockpiles of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. More doses are expected to be made available to share in the months ahead. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said via Twitter that Harris had informed him before the White House announcement of the decision to send 1 million doses of the single jab Johnson & Johnson vaccine. I expressed to her our appreciation in the name of the people of Mexico, he wrote. Guatemalas Giammattei said Harris told him the U.S. government would send his country 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. As part of its purchase agreements with drug manufacturers, the U.S. controlled the initial production by its domestic manufacturers. Pfizer and Moderna are only now starting to export vaccines produced in the U.S. to overseas customers. The U.S. has hundreds of millions more doses on order, both of authorized and in-development vaccines. The White House also announced that U.S. producers of vaccine materials and ingredients will no longer have to prioritize orders from three drugmakers working on COVID-19 shots that haven't received U.S. approval Sanofi, Novavax and AstraZeneca clearing the way for more materials to be shipped overseas to help production there. ___ AP writers Christopher Sherman in Mexico City, Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed. President Joe Biden is trying to break a logjam with Republicans on how to pay for infrastructure improvements, proposing a 15% minimum tax on corporations and the possibility of revenues from increased IRS enforcement as a possible compromise. The offer was made Wednesday to Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia as part of the bipartisan negotiations and did not reflect a change in Biden's overall vision for funding infrastructure. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden examined possible tax code changes from his plans that Republicans might support. The president concluded that a minimum corporate tax could provide some common ground. He looked to see what could be a path forward with his Republican colleagues on this specific negotiation, Psaki told reporters at a Thursday briefing. This is a component of what hes proposed for a pay-for that hes lifting up as a question as to whether they could agree to that. Biden has proposed increasing the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% to help fund his plans for roads, bridges, electric vehicles and broadband internet, and that remains one of his preferred approaches. But the rate hike is a nonstarter with Republicans because it would undo the 2017 tax cuts signed into law by President Donald Trump. By floating an alternative there is no minimum corporate tax now on profits Biden was trying to give Republicans a way to back infrastructure without violating their own red line of keeping corporate tax rates at their current level. The Washington Post first reported the offer. On Thursday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he spoke with Capito after the session and is still hoping to reach a deal with the administration. But he prefers the GOP approach that is eyeing a scaled-down package, paid for by tapping unspent COVID-19 relief funds, rather than taxes. Lets reach an agreement on infrastructure thats smaller but still significant, and fully paid for, he said in Paducah, Kentucky. The president is essentially staking out the principle that profitable corporations should pay income taxes. Many companies can avoid taxes or minimize their bills through a series of credits, deductions and other ways of structuring their income and expenses. The president has insisted that the middle class should not bear the cost of greater infrastructure spending. Yet a chasm exists in negotiations because Republicans say that corporate tax increases will hinder economic growth. The idea of imposing a minimum corporate tax is not new for Biden, who proposed the policy during the presidential campaign last year, and that could turn off some Republicans. The center-right Tax Foundation estimated that a minimum tax would subtract 0.21% from long-run U.S. gross domestic product. Hes been pushing it since the primaries over a year ago, said George Callas, managing director of government affairs for the law firm Steptoe and a former tax counsel to House Republicans. Callas said that the minimum tax would mostly hit firms such as electric utilities and telecoms that make substantial capital investments as well as companies that rely on paying their employees with stock. At the same time, both Democrats and Republicans have eyed revenues that could come from stepped-up IRS enforcement of unpaid taxes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has suggested it could amount to some $1 trillion, but others say the estimate is far lower. Biden is seeking roughly $1 trillion in infrastructure spending, down from an initial pitch of $2.3 trillion. Republicans, so far, have countered with only $257 billion in additional spending on infrastructure as part of a $928 billion package. The GOP's new spending on infrastructure would be a fraction of what the president says is necessary to compete globally and boost economic growth. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during a Thursday visit to Memphis, Tennessee, that both sides appeared to embrace the principle that something on the order of $1 trillion around the transportation side of things was appropriate. Talks over Bidens top legislative priority have been moving slowly, a daunting undertaking given the massive infrastructure investment, and time for a deal is running out. The administration has set a Monday deadline to see clear direction and signs of progress. Biden and Capito are set to meet again on Friday, though it's not clear if the meeting will be in-person. ___ Associated Press writers Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Ky., and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tenn., contributed to this report. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) There's one pandemic change that Californians are sure to toast: The to-go cocktail. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that the state will continue allowing restaurants to sell takeout alcohol and keep expanded outdoor dining through the end of the year. Restaurants turned to takeout and outdoor dining during the past year as coronavirus restrictions severely limited indoor service. Im very excited about this and I think this is a good thing for our economic recovery. Its also a good thing for our public health because what occurs is more people will still be outside," Newsom, a Democrat, said during a news conference outside Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco. The extensions come as California plans to lift most business restrictions and social distancing rules on June 15, allowing restaurants to resume indoor service at full capacity. Even so, maintaining outdoor dining could help the state control virus spread, Newsom said. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control relaxed regulations in March 2020 to let restaurants sell alcohol to go, right around the time Newsom imposed the nation's first statewide stay-at-home order, shuttering restaurants for in-person dining. Since then, restaurants have been allowed to sell pre-packaged alcohol like bottles of beer and wine as well as pre-mixed cocktails ordered with food. In May, as the state began allowing outdoor service to resume, the department made it easier for restaurants to expand outdoor dining by offering temporary catering authorizations. That allowed restaurants to continue to sell alcohol in off-premises locations like sidewalks and adjacent parking lots where many set up tables. The department has issued more than 10,000 of those licenses, said Newsom spokeswoman Amelia Matier. Local governments also play a big role in determining how restaurants operate outdoor dining, and Newsom sent officials a letter Thursday urging them to continue allowing outdoor dining in places such as sidewalks and parking lots that aren't zoned for eating. In San Francisco, parklets" that expand open-air dining onto streets and roadways have popped up all over the city. Mayor London Breed, who joined Newsom, called outdoor dining the one bright light we had" during the pandemic. She's now fighting with the city's board of supervisors over a permanent expansion of such outdoor services. It's bringing life to the city like never before," she said. As far as I'm concerned, they're here to stay." Lawmakers could permanently extend the allowance of to-go cocktails through a bill by state Sen. Bill Dodd, a Napa Democrat. He said his proposal would boost income for struggling restaurants and give customers greater choice. Newsom, who owns wineries and restaurants, praised the industry for its resilience and innovation during the pandemic. But restaurants struggled amid the stop-and-start restrictions that often varied by county. Even now, counties with the lowest virus transmission rates can only allow indoor dining at 75% capacity if all patrons are fully vaccinated. Nearly a third of California restaurants permanently closed during the pandemic, the California Restaurant Association told lawmakers last month. All capacity restrictions will lift June 15, but now employers say they're struggling to find workers. As of May, restaurant employment was down by a quarter from pre-pandemic levels. The chairwoman of the California Republican Party said Newsom's announcement, which she called a photo op, came too late for restaurants forced to close and workers who lost wages. Californias restaurant industry suffered more than most under Gavin Newsoms overbearing shutdowns," Jessica Millan Patterson said in a statement. NEW YORK (AP) A former U.S. Treasury Department worker was sentenced to six months in prison Thursday for leaking confidential financial reports to a journalist at BuzzFeed. Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards pleaded guilty last year to a conspiracy charge, admitting she leaked banking reports, including some related to people being investigated in special counsel Robert Muellers probe of foreign interference in U.S. elections. The government said the material leaked for more than a year included reports on Paul Manafort, former President Donald Trumps onetime campaign chairman, along with a woman charged with trying to infiltrate U.S. political organizations as a covert Russian agent. U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods gave Edwards, who was arrested in 2018, a sentence at the top of the federal sentencing guidelines range. Woods called her actions illegal and wrong" and said they made our country less safe. Prosecutors had requested serious punishment for Edwards, saying she had betrayed the public and risked hindering ongoing and future investigations. Defense lawyers urged a sentence of time served. Edwards worked for multiple federal government agencies before serving as senior adviser to the head of the Intelligence Division at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department responsible for safeguarding the nation's financial system. Prosecutors said she leaked over 2,000 confidential suspicious activity reports and more than 50,000 documents in all. Banks are required to file suspicious activity reports with the Treasury Department when they spot transactions that raise questions about possible financial misconduct such as money laundering. Prosecutors said Edwards shared her information with a journalist who then shared thousands of suspicious activity reports with publications worldwide. While the journalist has not been named by prosecutors, other court documents identify him as Buzzfeed reporter Jason Leopold. He was in court Thursday and declined comment afterward. BuzzFeed and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published a trove of stories, dubbed The FinCEN Files, that were based on material obtained from Edwards. Among other things, the stories examined regulatory failures in spotting and cracking down on international money laundering. Before she was sentenced, Edwards spoke at length about her American Indian heritage and the influence of Indians on our founding fathers. But she also said: I do apologize for the disclosure of that information. In a statement, BuzzFeed spokesperson Matt Mittenthal called Edwards a brave whistleblower" and said the news organization strongly condemns today's sentence. She fought to warn the public about grave risks to Americas national security, first through the official whistleblower process, and then through the press. She did so, despite tremendous personal risk, because she believed she owed it to the country she loves, he said. Mittenthal said Edwards enabled BuzzFeed News and 108 media organizations in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists to publish the FinCEN Files. That investigation has helped to inspire major reform and legal action in the United States, the E.U., and countries around the world, Mittenthal said, adding that BuzzFeed for the first time Thursday acknowledged Edwards's role in the project after she gave permission to say she provided the suspicious activity reports. Edwards lawyer, Stephanie M. Carvlin, argued that Edwards made her disclosures after concluding that people running the Treasury Department were through wrongdoing creating a dangerous situation for the American people. She wasn't doing it for money ... for personal glory, Carvlin said. She wants to help the American people. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Ravener said the portrayal of Edwards as a whistleblower was simply false, and she criticized her for lacking remorse. The prosecutor said Edwards made complaints internally, but her claims were not substantiated and she then leaked materials that jeopardized investigations ranging from terrorism to public corruption. She said her leaks also had a chilling effect on the financial sector's willingness to comply with disclosure requirements. Ravener said Edwards hoped to leverage her claims into a promotion. As he announced the sentence, Woods said it was sad and perhaps ironic that Edwards went into public service because she was upset over the Sept. 11 terror attacks. He said she came to believe disclosing America's secrets would somehow be beneficial to our nation. According to the online site U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, eight people have been prosecuted for leaking information to journalists since 2017. The cases included a counterterrorism analyst charged with leaking classified documents, an Internal Revenue Service employee accused of leaking suspicious financial transactions and the longtime director of security for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, who was charged with lying to the FBI about contact with journalists. The sentencing also came a day after The New York Times reported that the Justice Department had secretly seized phone records for a nearly four-month period in 2017 of four of its reporters during a leaks probe carried out while Donald Trump was president. Similar disclosures were made last month to The Washington Post and CNN about the seizure of phone records of reporters for Trump-era probes. News agencies have been informed about the seizures by the Justice Department under President Joe Biden, who has said phone records of reporters will not be secretly viewed while he is president. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) The leader of the organization that sponsored the voter-approved Mississippi medical marijuana initiative that was recently blocked in court says the program should be changed and improved by the state Legislature but not by too much. Medical marijuana advocates were outraged last month when the state Supreme Court ruled that Mississippis initiative process is outdated and therefore the initiative is void. Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association executive director Ken Newburger said when Initiative 65 was written, he and others made some short-sighted missteps, such as tasking the state Department of Health with running the program on its own. There are some major gaps that I think a lot of you have pointed out in the past and a lot of people in the state have pointed out that need to be remedied," Newburger said Thursday during a Senate Public Health Committee meeting at the state Capitol. However, Newburger said it's important that the basic tenets of what voters approved stay the same: Patients should be able to consume marijuana in any form in a joint, edibles or otherwise; doctors should be responsible for certifying patients; small businesses should be able to operate and compete in the industry; and the program should be self-funded. Mississippi residents voted in November to adopt Initiative 65, a state constitutional amendment that would have required the Health Department to create a program so marijuana could be available to people with debilitating medical conditions. The long list included cancer, epilepsy and sickle cell anemia. As lawmakers on Thursday discussed what a state medical marijuana program might look like, major topics of conversation centered on whether Mississippi should allow people to smoke marijuana, how much marijuana people should be able to receive each month, how it will be taxed, where the revenue will go and how close treatment centers should be to schools and churches. The sooner we start talking about what options we have, the better, said Democratic Sen. Hob Bryan of Amory, the Public Health Committee chairman. What is in the best interest of the public? That's what we must determine. Republican Sen. Kevin Blackwell of Olive Branch said some lawmakers might balk at a program that allows people to smoke marijuana, as well as allowing people to receive up to 5 ounces (142 grams) a month, as proposed in Initiative 65. Five ounces a month seems like an awful lot of marijuana, Blackwell said. Republican Sen. Brice Wiggins of Pascagoula asked whether some of the tax revenue from the sale of marijuana should go into the state budget. Initiative 65 would have put the revenue into running the medical marijuana program. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has not said whether he will call legislators into special session this year to consider medical marijuana legislation. If he does not, the discussion would happen after the next regular session begins in January. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs told lawmakers Thursday there is still limited research on the benefits and impacts of using medical marijuana. He said he has concerns about young people developing substance use disorders and about the use of marijuana by pregnant women. There are potential harms," Dobbs said. As we look into this, I think we need to think about it in the context of, Its not a panacea. There are downsides to everything.' He said the Health Department is also opposed to allowing medical marijuana to be smoked because of the risk of lung cancer and other detrimental health impacts. Dobbs said it would realistically take the Health Department six to nine months at minimum to develop a medical marijuana program. Initiative 65 would have required a medical marijuana program to be in effect the middle of this year, and the department had been working on creating a program before the Supreme Court ruling. About 1.3 million people voted in Mississippi in November, and more than 766,000 of them voted in favor of Initiative 65. Thats about 10,000 more residents than voted in November for then-President Donald Trump, who won handily in the state despite losing his reelection bid. ___ Leah Willingham 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. MERIDEN A man accused of driving under the influence and crashing into a police cruiser faces a number of charges after he was taken into custody last weekend, police said. Thomas Popham, 62, was taken into custody Sunday night after hitting the police cruiser on North Colony Road around 10:30 p.m., police said. Police said the sergeant was assigned to a traffic detail on North Colony Road as a company repaired a phone pole that had been hit and damaged by a car earlier in the night. The sergeant was in his cruiser when he was hit by another driver in a Dodge caravan, police said. The driver fled, police said, leaving the sergeants cruiser damaged and inoperable. Police said the sergeant was injured, but the extent of them do not appear to be overly serious in nature. The sergeant called in the drivers last direction of travel, and truck that was working on the telephone pole repairs followed the vehicle, police said. Officers then found the vehicle on Hicks Avenue and the work crew was still behind it. Officers tried to approach the van, but the driver later identified as Popham took off at a very low speed, police said. Popham then made a U-turn and drove toward one of the officers, police said. The suspect attempted to go up and around the officer by hopping the curb and going up onto a grassy area, police said. With Popham driving at such a slow speed, police said, an officer was able to open the drivers door on the van. The officers foot was hit, but he was uninjured, police said. The officer got Popham out of the vehicle, which continued to roll and hit another cruiser before coming to a stop, police said. Police said once Popham was out of the vehicle, he was slurring his speech. Officers suspected he was under the influence, police said. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries sustained when he crashed into the cruiser, police said. Popham, of Stratford Road in New Britain, was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, evading responsibility, assault of a police officer, reckless driving, interfering with an officer, second-degree reckless endangerment, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, disobeying the signal of an officer, striking an officer with a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle with a valid out-of-state license beyond 30 days and a seat belt violation. His bond was set at $100,000. Hes expected in court on July 23. MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexican officials said Thursday the United States is donating a million doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine that will be used mainly along the border and at resorts frequented by Americans. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador wrote in his social media accounts that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris told him the United States would send the vaccines, but did not specify when. Mexicos point man on the pandemic said Mexico would set a priority for using the vaccine in Caribbean resorts like Cancun, Pacific coast resorts like Los Cabos and cities along the U.S. border. Assistant Health Secretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell did not say whether that was a condition of the U.S. vaccine shipment. Instead, he depicted it as an economic move, aimed at avoiding potential partial shutdowns in areas where the economy is based on tourism or cross-border manufacturing facilities known as maquiladoras. Asked about where the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines might be applied, Lopez-Gatell said, We are going to develop operational plans as we get closer to a specific arrival date for this gesture of support. He cited the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo and the Pacific coast state of Baja California Sur as places Mexican officials were considering giving priority in applying the vaccines. Referring to the northern border, he said, we have the opportunity, given that this is a gesture of support by the United States, that we can coordinate (coronavirus) prevention and control efforts on both sides of the border. Mexican cities on the border lag far behind their counterparts on the U.S. side in vaccinating their populations. But goods and people move constantly across the border. It is not clear how plans to give priority to resorts and border areas would play in other parts of Mexico that have been much harder hit by the pandemic. Nationwide, most Mexicans age 50-59 have barely received their first dose of vaccines, and the process has just begun for those age 40-49. Mexico has so far received 42.3 million doses of five different types of vaccines, not including Johnson & Johnson, and administered 32.8 million of those doses. That is still vastly insufficient for a country of 126 million. Mexico has suffered over 228,000 test-confirmed deaths related to COVID-19, but even government officials acknowledge Mexicos true pandemic death toll is far, far higher because many people have died at home or never got a test. A preliminary analysis of excess deaths suggests COVID-19 deaths now stand at over 350,000, giving Mexico one of the highest per capita rates in the world. BRIDGEPORT Eugene EJ McKnight was identified as a suspect in a recent shooting on the Route 25/8 Connector, in part thanks to technology, police said. They said McKnight had been wearing a GPS tracking device ever since his release on home invasion and gun charges, and it placed him right at the time and place of the shooting. McKnight, 37, was arrested Thursday morning in Norwalk by the U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut Department of Probation and Norwalk police. He was charged with first-degree assault, criminal possession of a gun and possession of a gun in a motor vehicle. During McKnights arraignment hearing Thursday morning, he was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bond by Superior Court Judge Earl Richards who continued the case to June 3. According to court records, McKnight was released on a total of $251,000 bond following arrests in September 2017 in West Haven for an alleged home invasion and assault and in August 2018 in Bridgeport on gun charges on the condition that he wear a GPS anklet tracking device. Frank Riccio II, McKnights lawyer in the West Haven case, declined comment. Police said on March 20, a local man was driving on the Connector shortly before 4 p.m. when his car was riddled with gunfire, apparently from a passing Ford Mustang. The victim, wounded in the abdomen, managed to drive himself to St. Vincents Medical Center, police said. The victims car, which he left parked outside the hospital, had five bullet holes in its passenger side. Police said the victim told them he did not see the shooter and that whoever shot him had blindsided him. They said the victim told them that a short time before the shooting, he had driven to the Greene Homes housing project to buy some weed from my boy. Police said witnesses pointed them in the direction of McKnight being the shooter. When they checked the readout on McKnights GPS tracker, police said it showed he had been at the Greene Homes at the same time as the victim and then had been in the northbound lane of the Connector where and when the shooting had taken place. They sacrifice so much for us, Adams said of emergency workers as he accepted the nods on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I stand with you and say: I acknowledge what you have done, what you are doing and what you will continue to do. Thirty-three aspiring Air Force pilots with previous flight experience they got as civilians have joined a new program that may allow them to jump ahead in training. The service's Civil Path to Wings program has approved pilot candidates from active-duty, Air National Guard and Reserve units; graduates from the Reserve Officer Training Corps; and civilian applicants aspiring to earn their Air Force wings, according to Air Education and Training Command, or AETC. In an effort to become military aviators, the candidates will be put "through a training program tailor-made to their needs," said Aryn Lockhart, a spokeswoman for the 19th Air Force, which is part of AETC. While she said the program is set to begin later this year, Lockhart did not specify a start date for the training. The program applies only to fixed-wing and heavy aircraft, such as C-17 Globemaster III mobility aircraft. Those who wish to fly fighter jets still must attend traditional undergraduate pilot training, or UPT. Read Next: Airman Gets Award for Saving 28 Lives During Arizona Mall Shooting "It is not a 'waiver' program," Lockhart said in an email. "Candidates who volunteer for the program have their flying skills validated by the 19th Air Force and are then placed in training programs applicable to their skillsets." The hope is to accelerate their training in the aviation pipeline since it builds off their prior flight background, she explained. Applicants are screened on a set of demonstrated piloting skills, along with written and oral exams. "Once screened, the best candidates will receive training appropriate to their skill level in an Air Force approved course," Lockhart said. Those determined by leadership to be "exceptionally well qualified" will bypass a portion of UPT and take part in an Air Force fundamentals course designed to teach more advanced flight skills and techniques. The merely "well-qualified" will take part in the Accelerated Path to Wings program, which is also shorter than traditional training, Lockhart said. Students learn general aviation abilities in the classroom and then head straight into the T-1 Jayhawk -- finishing in roughly seven months instead of the traditional 12 months. The first Accelerated Path to Wings class graduated seven airmen on March 12. All other candidates will attend UPT, Lockhart said. AETC expects to recruit up to 20 officers a year for the program beginning in fiscal 2022. "It is important to note that we are not simply hiring pilots," Lockhart said. "We are recruiting those who wish to serve their country as an officer and a pilot. All candidates will first be screened to ensure they meet the standards required to become an Air Force officer." In March, Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force commander, said the service wants to usher in a more diverse group of pilots on a shorter timeline. "The most important thing on that program is you still have to be willing to fight and kill and potentially die for your country to serve as an Air Force officer," he told reporters during a roundtable. "That's a pretty big lift." While the Air Force is developing more personalized programs directed at streamlining training for incoming pilots through virtual reality and simulation, it's also looking to outsource some training to private industry in an attempt to churn out 1,500 new pilots a year. The Air Force fell short of that goal -- first set in 2018 -- in fiscal 2020, producing only 1,263 pilots. In fiscal 2020, the Air Force came up 1,925 pilots short of the roughly 21,000 it needs overall, spokeswoman Lt. Col. Malinda Singleton told Military.com in March. The service could not provide specifics about which aviation communities faced the most pressing gaps. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Related: Air Force Quietly Ends Program Allowing Retired Pilots to Return to Service WASHINGTON The U.S. government cannot give a definitive explanation of aerial phenomena spotted by military pilots but has found no evidence that they are linked to aliens, according to two officials briefed on an intelligence report examining the issue. The report due to Congress later this month examines multiple unexplained sightings from recent years that in some cases have been captured on video of pilots exclaiming about objects flying in front of them. The two people briefed on the report said it found no proof of an extraterrestrial link and does not rule out that what pilots have seen may be new technologies developed by other countries. One of the officials said there is no indication that the unexplained phenomena are from secret U.S. programs. The two officials were not authorized to discuss the information publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Findings of the report were first published Thursday by The New York Times. Congress in December required the Director of National Intelligence to summarize and report on the U.S. governments knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs better known to the public as unidentified flying objects or UFOs. The effort has included officials on a Defense Department UAP task force established last year. The expected public release of an unclassified version of the report this month will amount to a status report, not the final word, according to one official. A Pentagon spokeswoman, Sue Gough, declined Friday to comment on news reports about the intelligence report. She said the Pentagon's UAP task force is actively working with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on the report, and DNI will provide the findings to Congress. Related Video: The Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency have for decades looked into reports of aircraft or other objects in the sky flying at inexplicable speeds or trajectories. The U.S. government takes unidentified aerial phenomena seriously given the potential national security risk of an adversary flying novel technology over a military base or another sensitive site, or the prospect of Russian or Chinese development exceeding current U.S. capabilities. It also is seen by the U.S. military as a security and safety issue, given that in many cases the pilots who reported seeing unexplained aerial phenomena were conducting combat training flights. The report's lack of firm conclusions will likely disappoint people anticipating the report given many Americans' long-standing fascination with UFOs and the prospect of aliens having reached humankind. A recent story on CBS' 60 Minutes" further bolstered interest in the government report. But skeptics caution that the videos and reported sightings have plausible Earth-bound explanations. Mick West, an author, investigator, and longtime skeptic of UFO sightings, said he supported the military looking into any possible incursion of U.S. airspace, especially by an adversary. People are conflating this issue with the idea that these UFOs demonstrate amazing physics and possibly even aliens, West said. He added, The idea that this is some kind of secret warp drive or its defying physics as we know it, there really isnt any good evidence for that. The Pentagon last year announced a task force to investigate the issue and the Navy in recent years created a protocol for its pilots to report any possible sightings. And lawmakers in recent years have pushed for more public disclosure. Theres a stigma on Capitol Hill, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, told 60 Minutes in May. I mean, some of my colleagues are very interested in this topic and some kind of, you know, giggle when you bring it up. But I dont think we can allow the stigma to keep us from having an answer to a very fundamental question. ANKARA, Turkey The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations announced on Thursday nearly $240 million in humanitarian funding to support the people of Syria, Syrian refugees and countries hosting them, and called for access through international crossings to allow the delivery of aid. Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the announcement during a visit to the Bab al-Hawa border crossing between Turkey and Syria the sole remaining point of access for humanitarian aid to enter the conflict-ravaged country. The ambassador is in Turkey on a four-day visit seeking to ensure that humanitarian aid can be delivered to Syria across borders a program which Russia, Syrias closest ally, has severely limited in recent years, insisting that the Syrian government should control all assistance to millions in need. The international crossing points were reduced to a single border crossing from Turkey to Syrias rebel-held northwest at Russias insistence. Im proud to announce the United States is providing nearly $240 million in additional humanitarian funding for the people of Syria and for the communities that host them, Thomas-Greenfield said, according to a statement from her office. Right now, more than 13 million Syrian people are in dire need of assistance. Thats the population of Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington D.C. combined. She added: Four in five people in northwest Syria need humanitarian assistance. For millions of civilians in Idlib, this is their lifeline. Over the last year and a half, some members of the Security Council succeeded in shamefully closing two other crossings into Syria... Bab al-Hawa is literally all thats left. The United States is seeking the reauthorization of U.N. access at Bab al-Hawa and the reopening of other border crossings before the current U.N. Security Council mandate for humanitarian aid deliveries expires on July 10. There is strong support in the 15-member council for maintaining and even adding border crossings, but Russia holds the key. This isnt a complicated issue. We want the U.N. to bring food to starving children and protection to homeless families. We want the U.N. to be able to deliver vaccines in the middle of a global pandemic. We want the suffering to stop, Thomas-Greenfield said. She met Wednesday with Ibrahim Kalin, a top aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey hosts some 4 million refugees. The talks come ahead of U.S. President Joe Bidens first meeting with Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Brussels on June 14. Ties between Ankara and Washington, which once considered each other as strategic partners, steadily deteriorated in recent years over differences on Syria, Turkeys cooperation with Russia and Turkish naval interventions in the eastern Mediterranean, which U.S. officials have described as destabilizing. The U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, said the new U.S. funding announced by Thomas-Greenfield, would support aid agencies providing assistance, including food for displaced families in Syria and the region and support bakeries in Syria. It would also provide psychosocial support and other services for children, rehabilitate water and sanitation systems and provide cash or vouchers to help Syrians meet basic needs. USAID said the United States was the worlds largest donor to the Syria crisis, and has provided more than $13 billion since the start of the conflict. The Mets have signed infielder Cheslor Cuthbert to a minors contract, according to Levi Luna of TN8 Nicaragua (Twitter link). Cuthbert didnt last long on the open market, as the Reds just released him from a previous minor league deal on Tuesday. While the Mets are slowly starting to get some injured personnel back onto the field, Cuthbert will help provide some depth for a club that is still very short-handed. He has played most of his MLB career as a third baseman, with a good chunk of playing time at first base and a handful of games at second. Cuthbert hit .250/.300/.378 over 1160 plate appearances with the Royals from 2015-19, coming up through the pipeline as a notable prospect in Kansas Citys farm system and working as the regular third baseman in 2016. K.C. non-tendered Cuthbert following the 2019 season and he joined the White Sox on a minors deal, ultimately appearing in one big league game in 2020. The Pirates are reinstating KeBryan Hayes from the 60-day injured list, the team announced. Wil Crowe has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear active roster space. Hayes is hitting second and starting at third base in this evenings game against the Marlins. Hayes is arguably the most important player in the Pirates organization, so his return is a welcome development for the team and its fans alike. The 24-year-old entered the year as a popular pick to win the NL Rookie of the Year award after he burst onto the scene in 2020. Hayes, known more for his elite glove than his bat in the minors, made his MLB debut last September and hit a spectacular .376/.442/.682 over his first 95 plate appearances. No one reasonably expected him to duplicate that kind of production, but the offensive outburst coupled with his sterling defensive reputation makes it easy to envision Hayes as a cornerstone position player whom the rebuilding club can build around over the next few years. Unfortunately, a left wrist injury sent him to the injured list just two games into the regular season. While Hayes wasnt initially expected to miss much time, he suffered a setback in late April that has kept him out of major league action for the past two months. In his absence, the Pirates have turned to Erik Gonzalez, Phillip Evans and Wilmer Difo at the hot corner to dreadful results. Pittsburgh third basemen have hit just .201/.254/.282, which ties the Royals group for the worst offensive output at the position in the league. Crowe, acquired from the Nationals as part of the Josh Bell deal last winter, has made eight appearances (seven starts) this season. Theyve not gone well, as the righty has only managed a 7.26 ERA/5.06 SIERA with worse than average strikeout and walk rates (19.3% and 11.7%, respectively). The Pirates viewed the 26-year-old as a big league ready rotation arm when they brought him in, so it wouldnt be surprising to see him back in the majors in relatively short order if he can get on track in Indianapolis. The 20-34 Bucs arent contenders, so the primary focus this season is determining whether younger, cost-controlled players like Crowe can be a part of the organizations long-term future. Hayes activation from the 60-day IL required the opening of a 40-man roster spot. Right-hander JT Brubaker, who went on bereavement leave last weekend, has been placed on the COVID-19 IL while he goes through intake testing protocols. That temporarily creates the 40-man vacancy for Hayes return, although the club will need to make another 40-man move once Brubaker clears the intake process. Shed a tear of joy! A new 2.4 mile hiking loop, rated very difficult because of some scrambling sections, is now open. The trailhead is at a Jonathan Kofi Tay, Artist Manager, has commended the Ghanaian media outlets for their support of his artist, Sherry Boss and brand (Real Boss Music). According to "Kofi Tay," the Ghanaian media has played a role in shaping his artist into who he is today. "Sherry Boss would not be as well-known if it weren't for the generous support of top Disk Jokers (DJs) who heavily promoted his tracks. "We are extremely grateful to the media outlets, DJs, bloggers, promoters, and, most notably, 4syte Tv, who helped us in paving the way for a potential future artist". He also urged the media to increase their support because hes taking his brand (Real Boss Music) to another level. Later, he revealed that he has a package for any DJ who continues to play Sherry Boss music. Sherry Awudu best known as Sherry Boss is a Ghanaian Hiplife and Hip-pop musician and the CEO of Real Boss Music. He rose to fame with his rap music and was nominated for the unsung artiste of the year at the 2020 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. He won the Emerging Artiste of the Year Award at the 2020 Ghana Music Awards USA. Not long ago, the Unsung nominee for the 2020 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards pulled one of the biggest surprises at the University of Ghana, Legon. Top Ghanaian music stars such as Sarkodie, Fameye, Wendy Shay, Fantana, Kwesi Arthur, Quamina MP, and Sherry Boss performed at the event, which was organized by 4Syte TV. In the event, the award winning artist was seen showering cash on students at Ghana's premier university. Sherry Boss recruits Amerado on this his new song titled Ehu which is making a lot of waves in Ghana. Listen to article Sudanese authorities must speed up investigations into the killing of at least 100 protesters outside the military headquarters in the days following the military overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir, said Amnesty International today on the second anniversary of the massacre. Thousands of peaceful protesters had camped outside the military headquarters in the capital Khartoum demanding transition to a civilian government when they were attacked using live bullets, whips, sticks and teargas by a combination of security forces from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and the police. At least 100 peaceful protesters were killed by security forces, with at least 700 injured and hundreds arrested and detained, said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty Internationals Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. But as victims and their families continue to bravely demand justice, a Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the brutal crackdown has yet to issue even a preliminary report one year and seven months since it was set up. In a report published in March 2020, Amnesty International documented a litany of human rights violations in the 3 June attack, including unlawful killings, use of excessive force; torture and other ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests and detention, sexual violence and enforced disappearances, committed by members of the RSF, NISS and the police. It is travesty of justice that two years since this senseless and unprovoked attack on unarmed protesters took place claiming dozens of lives, no investigation report has been published and no-one responsible for the bloodshed has been held accountable. Instead those demanding justice have faced further attacks, said Deprose Muchena. On 11 May 2021, security forces shot dead at least two protesters and injured dozens more at a demonstration in Khartoum demanding justice for the massacre two years ago. Justice must be done and seen to be done for the victims of the 3 June massacre. The Sudanese government must accelerate investigations and prosecute those allegedly responsible irrespective of rank, in accordance with international fair trial standards. Impunity must not win, said Deprose Muchena. At least 11 people were killed by an armed group in eastern DR Congo, sources said Thursday, bringing the troubled region's death toll to at least 70 since the start of the week, according to an AFP tally. Eleven miners in the gold-rich territory of Djugu, in the northeastern province of Ituri, were killed early Wednesday by a local group called the FPIC, Mungwalu district mayor Jean-Pierre Pikilisende told AFP. The Kivu Security Tracker (KST), a respected NGO that monitors violence in eastern DR Congo, said 12 people had been executed. Pikilisende said the militia had come to take control over the area, whose gold is mined by poor artisanal diggers. Ituri and neighbouring North Kivu province have been placed under a "state of siege" -- a government attempt to stem escalating violence by replacing civilian officials with senior army or police officers. Fifty-three people were killed overnight Sunday in two Ituri villages, in the region's worst one-day massacre in recent history, sources there told an AFP correspondent. The journalist said 21 died in Tshabi and another 32 in Boga, where a camp for displaced people was targeted. Eighty-four shacks in the camp were torched, as were eight stores in nearby Boga, the reporter saw. Fifteen homes were burned in Tshabi. A number of villagers, including at least four women, were kidnapped. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which operates in the area, denounced the "extreme violence", saying it was taking care of 12 people who were seriously injured in the fighting. The identity of the attackers remains unclear, as the massacres took place in an area notorious for ethnic tension and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group that has been linked to the so-called Islamic State. The ADF has the bloodiest reputation of the estimated 122 armed groups that roam eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), many of them a legacy of wars more than a quarter-century ago. Five other people were killed early Tuesday, and several others, including children, are missing. On Wednesday, an old man was beheaded in the village of Bulire, near Boga, and two people went missing, a local administrative official said. As of Friday, the KST estimated that at least 1,228 civilians have been killed in Beni territory of North Kivu alone since November 2019, when DRC's armed forces launched a crackdown, splintering the ADF into smaller groups. In South Kivu province, representatives of the Banyamulenge community -- Congolese of Tutsi background -- said 22 people had been kidnapped in clashes last week between Banyamulenge fighters and an opposing force from rival ethnic groups, backed by Burundian rebels. The captives, which included women and children, were taken when the so-called Mai-Mai coalition seized around a dozen villages in an offensive in the mountainous Hauts Plateaux area. Commentary: Why century-old CPC enjoys vigorous support of Chinese youth Xinhua) 15:18, June 04, 2021 BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The century-old Communist Party of China (CPC), the world's biggest Marxist ruling party, enjoys vigorous support of the Chinese youth, which the Party deems its own, as well as China's, "future and hope." Recently, youngsters have been actively creating and sharing video clips to introduce the Party's history online, paying respects to the numerous heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Some of these videos have been viewed over 20 million times on Bilibili, a popular video-sharing platform with over 200 million monthly active users. Looking back at history, the Chinese youth has been a crucial source of strength for the CPC since its inception. The average age of the 13 delegates of the 1st CPC National Congress in 1921 was only 28. Those young founding members were a fresh force representing the Chinese people in the search for the future of the nation, which was at that time beset by warlords and the plundering of Western powers. After a century, the CPC's unremitting efforts to bring peace and prosperity to the land still resonate with the Chinese youth, who are expected to carry on the spirit of the revolutionary martyrs and bear their responsibility to strive for national rejuvenation. Nurturing the young generation has always been the political responsibility of the whole Party. They care for the growth of the youngsters, addressing their concerns and supporting them in pursuing their own dreams. The CPC attaches great importance to the Chinese youth's views on social issues and phenomena, as well as their opinions and advice on the work of the Party and the government. The CPC has always been a great magnet for the youth. In 2019, the CPC recruited over 2.34 million new members, 80.3 percent of whom were aged 35 or younger, according to the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee. Under the leadership of the CPC, China is closer than ever to realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation despite the foreseeable and unforeseeable challenges. As the most dynamic and creative group of the society, the Chinese youth can play a key role in shaping a modern socialist China and be a source of indispensable strength for the country in tackling the difficulties ahead. (Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun) Its why Im coming hard in the ad that I released this week, in the statements Ive made about the racism we have heard from the Sergeants Benevolent Associations President Ed Mullins, who talked about Black people as if we just sit on public paychecks, as opposed to add value and have built this country, she said. We keep having this debate as if, with rising crime rates, our only choice is to give police officers free rein over our communities rather than a balanced approach that builds our communities up. The Association of Oil Marketing Company (AOMC) has disclosed that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) cannot fix fuel prices higher than the scheduled price build up from the regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) under the deregulation policy. Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, Executive Director of the AOMC said there was a scheduled price build-up from the NPA, which they could not depart from adding that it was to prevent them from making unnecessary profit, and taking the customers for granted. He added that there is a scheduled price build-up which you cannot depart from; this contains the ex-refinery price, the wholesale price, taxes and levies, and the OMC margins, this then becomes the price. Mr Agyemang-Duah who is also the AOMC Industry Coordinator stated at the third, End of Month Stakeholder Engagement and Workers Appreciation Day, organized by the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office to address national issues. The event also served as a motivational mechanism to recognize the editorial contribution of reporters towards national development in and growth and promotion of the Tema GNA as the industrial news hub. Speaking on: Six years after petroleum price deregulation: analysis of impact on OMC's and the economy, he said those composites in the pricing was responsible for the current fuel prices differences per litter at the Filling Stations. He noted that deregulations was introduced six years ago to help stabilize fuel prices as prior to that Ghanaians were inundated with hikes in petroleum products including; diesel and petrol prices. The NPA, he stated, until 2015 was in charge of fuel pricing which under the deregulation now falls under the mandates of the OMCs who import and price the fuels with the NPA doing monitoring of their operations by setting price ceilings for them to work within. He said until June 2015 when fuel prices were completely deregulated and managed by Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) and the OMCs under the supervision of the NPA, the pricing of petroleum products evolved through many processes including; the introduction of automatic price setting which did not work out. Mr Agyeman-Duah said the deregulation also aimed at reducing the huge debts government owed the OMCs in its attempt to subsidize fuel prices which resulted in depriving the OMCs the capital needed for effective and sustainable business operations. He said though at that time citizens were enjoying the subsidies on fuel, government was unable to pay the BDCs leading to shortages of the products as vessels were not supplying due to the lack of funds to pre-finance its delivery. He said that led to discussions to deregulate and the introduction of the Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA) to help defray the subsidy debts and its other related arrears. The third edition of the GNA-Tema monthly stakeholder engagement was attended by the National Commission for Civic Education, the Tema Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority and the Association of Marketing Companies (AOMCs). ---GNA French President Emmanuel Macron has said that he plans to make "difficult" decisions this summer and has again refused to confirm he will seek another five-year term in what he expects to be a hotly contested presidential election next year. "I won't be taking it easy this summer," Macron told a group of pensioners in the southern French village of Martel as part of his nationwide tour. "I'm going to have to make some choices, some of them difficult," he said, adding that some could thwart a re-election bid by the 43-year-old centrist whose 2017 victory upended France's political establishment. "It's too early to say," he answered when asked if he would run, while insisting he remains determined to "carry things out until the end". The president has repeatedly held his cards close to his chest about the 2022 election, even as rivals including far-right leader Marine Le Pen and right-wing heavyweight Xavier Bertrand announced their candidatures. Others, including former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and ex-premier Edouard Philippe could yet enter the fray before the campaign begins in earnest. Respectable polls It would be a major sensation if Macron did not run and his popularity in polls while not stellar is respectable compared to predecessors. Macron was on the second day of his latest nationwide tour to "take the pulse" of the country ahead of next year's vote. There are regional elections later this month in which his Republic on the Move party is widely expected to perform poorly. The former investment banker swept to power with an upstart party and a pledge to enact vast reforms to unshackle the French economy and right its finances. His ambitious plans, including tax cuts and pension overhauls, nonetheless generated fierce protests including the Yellow Vest revolt, with demonstrators accusing Macron of favouring the urban elite and wealthy at the expense of the rest of the population. Covid complications The Covid crisis has further stymied his reformist drive. Macron did not reveal what changes he had in mind for the coming months. But his own party is divided in particular on whether to carry through with the pension reform in the coming months, or put off the potentially explosive issue until after next year's vote. Asked about France's economic prospects, Macron defended his policies, as well as his decision not to raise taxes as the country grapples with mounting debt from efforts to curtail the pain of the Covid pandemic. "You have to produce wealth to redistribute it, something we forget too often in our country," he said. "We are the EU country that taxes the most." "Should we massively tax the rich, an idea we seem to love? We can, but the rich will just leave!" he said. "They call me 'president of the rich'. I couldn't care less." Born to a French mother and a Senegalese father, David Diop has won the prestigious annual International Booker prize for translated fiction. He shares the prize with his translator Anna Moschovakis for the novel, At Night All Blood is Black (2018). The book tells the story of a Senegalese soldier who descends into madness while fighting for France in the first world war. It has been a bestseller in France and won several major literary awards. Literature scholar Caroline D. Laurent, a specialist in Francophone post-colonial studies and how history is depicted in art, told us why the novel matters. Who is David Diop? Diop is a Franco-Senegalese writer and academic born in Paris in 1966. He was raised in Dakar, Senegal. His father is Senegalese, his mother French and this dual cultural heritage is apparent in his literary works. He studied in France, where he now teaches 18th-century literature. At Night All Blood is Black is Diop's second novel: his first - 1889, l'Attraction universelle (2012) - is about a Senegalese delegation at the 1889 universal exhibition in Paris. His next book, about a European traveller to Africa, is set to come out this summer. What is At Night All Blood is Black about? Its tells the story of Alfa Ndiaye, a Senegalese tirailleur (infantryman) and the main narrator of the novel (he uses the first-person pronoun 'I' in most of the text). He is fighting on France's side and on French soil during World War I. The novel starts with the narration of a traumatic event that the African soldier has witnessed: the long and painful death of his best friend, Mademba Diop. The traumatic event directs Alfa's vengeance, that could also be perceived as self-punishment. He kills German soldiers in a similar way, reproducing and repeating the traumatic scene. He then cuts one of their hands off and keeps it with him. This results in Alfa being sent to a psychiatric hospital where doctors attempt to cure him. It deals with the concepts of war neurosis and shell shock that appeared then (what we now refer to as post-traumatic stress disorder . Pan Macmillan US The form of the novel associates elements of an inner monologue as well as a testimony. This allows the reader to see, through the perspective of a colonial subject, the horrors of war. In this sense, Diop writes a nuanced text: he describes the violence perpetrated and experienced by all sides. Alfa Ndiaye becomes a symbol of the ambivalence of war and its destructive power. Why does the book matter? It's important because it addresses what I would refer to as a silenced history: that of France's colonial troops. Though the colonial troops, and especially the Senegalese tirailleurs , a corps of colonial infantry in the French Army, were established at the end of the 1800s, they became 'visible' during World War 1 as they took part in combat on European soil. Despite this, the involvement of African soldiers during the two World Wars is rarely taught in French schools or discussed in the public sphere. The violence exercised during recruitment in French West Africa, their marginalisation from other troops and the French population notably through a specific language (the francais tirailleur ) created to prevent any real communication and their treatment after the wars go against a specifically French narrative that emphasises the positive aspects of France's colonialism and its civilising mission. The lack of visibility of the history of Senegalese tirailleurs is also connected to the ongoing dispute about specific events. One in particular is the massacre of Thiaroye . In December 1944, between 70 to 300 hundred (the numbers are disputed) Senegalese tirailleurs were killed at a demobilisation camp in Thiaroye, after having asked to be paid what they were owed for their military service. Read more: The time has come for France to own up to the massacre of its own troops in Senegal Diop also manages to shatter stereotypes associated with Senegalese tirailleurs. In French historical and literary representations, they are seen as both naive children in need of guidance and barbaric warriors. Senegalese tirailleurs partook, against their will, in war propaganda: this representation was to create fear on the French side as well as on the German side (Die Schwarze Schande the Black Shame presented African soldiers as rapists and beasts). Diop appropriates this in order to complicate it: while Alfa's violence in killing his enemies follows this logic, one realises that this causes and was caused by great distress. Moreover, Diop also inverts this vision as he questions who is human and inhuman: Alfa asserts that his Captain, Armand, is more barbaric than he is. Diop thus manages to question representations of black soldiers dictated by colonial stereotypes in order to dismantle them. Why does this Booker win matter? Diop receiving the International Booker prize is of great importance because At Night All Blood is Black exposes a specifically French history that is connected to France's colonial endeavours. And even though the novel focuses on France, it connects to other histories as it indirectly points to the fact that other European colonial powers also resorted to using colonial troops during wars and erased their role in subsequent commemorations. The novel also shows the importance and power of translation as Anna Moschovakis has managed to translate all of the beauty and horror of Diop's prose. In the same way that Diop manages to combine his dual heritage in his text, Moschovakis has allowed English readers to be exposed to a history that is specific to France, and yet similar to other histories. Caroline D. Laurent does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Caroline D. Laurent, Postdoctoral fellow, Harvard University A majority of French people say they want the government's long-thwarted overhaul of the pension system, which led to widespread crippling strikes, to be re-examined. President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that the reform cannot go ahead as originally planned. A poll by Ifop and the Journal du Dimanche (JDD) found that 53 percent of people mostly supporters of the government and the right-wing opposition were in favour of the project being returned to the spotlight after it was shelved in the wake of the pandemic. Touted as the single greatest revamp of the pension system since World War II, the reform consisted of a raft of measures including raising the retirement age by two years to 64. Angry unions led tens of thousands of people into the streets in protest, with transport strikes bringing cities such as Paris to a standstill. Despite the newfound support for his signature reform, however, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it could not go ahead as it was originally envisaged. He told reporters: It was very ambitious and extremely complex and that is why it generated anxiety, we must admit that. Doing it right now would mean ignoring the fact that there are already a lot of worries. Analysis in the JDD said it would be politically risky for Macron to push ahead with the reform as campaigning begins for the 2022 presidential election. The president on Thursday again refused to confirm he will seek another five-year term. The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, has set up a Committee to probe the mining collapse in a pit at the Gbane mining area of the Talensi District, which resulted in the loss of nine lives. Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, June 3, 2021, Mr. Yakubu indicated that, the Committee, made up of the Police Commander, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), Minerals Commission, the chiefs, a member of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), some miners and some mining engineers, will commence investigations on Friday, June 4, 2021. I have set up a committee of enquiry. We want to go deep down and assess the situation. The committee starts work on Friday. He also said the activities of miners in the area would be suspended temporarily to make way for the investigation. The committee is expected to come up with their report within two weeks. The activities of the miners will be suspended for that period. We want to first come up with modalities to safeguard the miners. Nine bodies were retrieved two days after a rescue mission by a joint security team together with officials of the National Disaster Management Organization, (NADMO). Police say the deceased were miners trapped in a pit at the Moabok mining site following a downpour on the night of Monday, May 31, 2021. The Upper East Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), ASP David Fianko-Okyere, told Citi News efforts are underway to ensure that everyone who was trapped has been retrieved. We are doing everything possible to ensure that no other person is still trapped dead or alive. He also assured of the provision of maximum security in the mining area. In the meantime, the police say no arrest has been made. This is not the first time, a pit in the area has caved in killing miners. In March 2020, an illegal mining pit at Yamsok, a suburb of Yameriga also in the Talensi District, killed one person and injured another. The deceased, Pii-Naab Joel, aged 20, and a native of Yamsok, was mining in an illegal mining pit with his colleagues when the pit caved in Other collapsed mining pits in Ghana In November 2020, an illegal small-scale mining pit in the outskirts of Ayanfuri in the Central Region collapsed and trapped eight persons between the ages of 24 and 35 years. The illegal miners were rescued by residents and rushed to the Dunkwa on Offin Government Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival. A similar situation was recorded in October 2020, where five persons died when they were trapped in a mining pit at Ayamfuri in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central region. 15 others who were also trapped in the cave sustained varied injuries after the incident. Obuasi: Anglogold Ashanti retrieves body of missing miner Just recently, Anglogold Ashanti retrieved the body of a miner , who together with other workers were trapped about two weeks ago after an underground mining pit caved in. The underground mining pit is part of the concession of Anglogold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine. The company in a statement said the miner's body was retrieved on Saturday, May 29, 2021. It however did not give further details about the deceased. The company says a thorough investigation into the incident has been initiated. citinewsroom Listen to article The National Public Relations Officer of the Rastafari Council of Ghana, Kwame Malcolm, a 49-year-old current affairs show host at Radio 360 and Empire FM at Takoradi in the Western Region, has shared his experience of living in Ghana as Rastafarian. Mr. Malcolm, who has practised journalism since 1999, said he has had his dreadlocks since he became a Rastafarian 25 years ago. The Radio show host and a father of one, just like many other Rastafarians in Ghana, is elated by the High Courts order for Achimota School to admit the two Rastafarian boys who were denied admission for refusing to cut their dreadlocks, an important element of their faith. The National Public Relations Officer of the Rastafari Council of Ghana, who doubles as the Western Regional Chairman of the Council, is excited that a precedent has been set, which will at least be a reference for similar situations in the future. But, despite the ruling, he does not believe discrimination against his community or minority groups will end anytime soon. When asked if he foresees an end to the prejudice against minority groups such as his, he said, I dont think so. It keeps coming up, and I do not believe it will ever end. He, however, has faith in the countrys judicial system, as he suggests that one can always fall on the law whenever similar cases of discrimination come up. citinewsroom.com posed some more questions to him and these were his responses; How important is the ruling in the Achimota School case to the Rastafarian community? A precedent has been set, and it will allow people who find themselves in the same situation to have something to hold on to. Do you think the case should have landed in court in the first place? The case needed to have been in court because it escalated to a point where the school was adamant, and they needed to be whipped into shape. Had they [school authorities] applied a little of emotional intelligence, it would not have landed in court. But all in all, it is good it ended up in court. Have you had your share of discrimination and stigmatization? If so, share your experiences with us. Well, yes, it has become a daily affair, Im almost getting used to it. However, it can be very extreme sometimes. As far back as my days in the university, I was reading Swahili, and a window for an external program in Tanzania was shut right before my eyes, just because of my faith. Although I qualified, somebody else was given the opportunity. How do you feel when people ascribe indiscipline, crime, and all sorts of social vices to Rastafarians? It is stereotypical for people to think that all Rastafarians have the tendency to commit crimes. How many Rastafarians do we see in the news when suspected criminals are rounded up? What are some misconceptions people have about the Rastafarian community, for which reason they are not accommodating of you? One of such is the belief or thinking that [having] dreadlocks is Rasta. [Having] dreadlocks is not Rasta. Rasta is a faith. Someone with deadlocks may not necessarily belong to the religion. There may be other reasons such as fashion. The two are mutually exclusive. Also, people generalise misconducts of certain individuals such that it affects the community. Christians commit crimes, but we do not have news headlines that capture that a Presbyterian or a Pentecost has committed the crime. Why then do we see news headlines trying to attribute the misdeeds of individuals with deadlocks to the Rastafarian community? There is the need for people to set individuals apart from groups and interpret things as they are. What do you think needs to be done holistically for society to be more accommodating of minority groups? Firstly, I think Ghanaians need to seek knowledge because they have so many erroneous perceptions about us. We need a more tolerant society, especially Christians; they are becoming more and more intolerant of non-Christians by the day. This is a very dangerous path to tread. Do you have the hope that in your lifetime, discrimination against minority groups like yourself, will be completely non-existent? I dont think so. It keeps coming, and it will keep coming, and thats why laws have been made. And so just like the laws are made for us so that we dont become animals in the jungle, the laws would be there in the event that one is discriminated against, we can always fall on the law to actually make common sense prevail. citinewsroom A G7 deal on a minimum corporate tax rate is "within sight", finance ministers from France, Germany, Italy and Spain have confirmed before a two-day meeting of the world's richest nations. "We have a chance to get multinational businesses to pay their fair share," France's Bruno Le Maire, Germany's Olaf Scholz, Italy's Daniele Franco and Spain's Nadia Calvino said in the London-based Guardian newspaper. British finance minister Rishi Sunak launches a two-day meeting on Friday with counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, before a leader summit next week, to be attended by US President Joe Biden. The spotlight for the finance ministers this weekend will be on ambitious plans for a minimum level of corporate tax, as global powers seek to make multinationals pay their way. "For more than four years, France, Germany, Italy and Spain have been working together to create an international tax system fit for the 21st century," the four ministers wrote in a joint opinion piece. "It is a saga of many twists and turns. Now it's time to come to an agreement." Biden has called for a unified minimum corporate tax rate of 15 percent in negotiations with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and G20. "The new US proposal on minimal taxation is an important step in the direction of the proposal initially floated by our countries and taken over by the OECD," the four ministers added. "The commitment to a minimum effective tax rate of at least 15 percent is a promising start." Cameroonian postcolonial scholar Achille Mbembe raised eyebrows when he accepted an invitation by France's President Emmanuel Macron to lead preparations for the upcoming 29th Africa-France Summit. The 63-year-old politics and history professor is a vocal critic of postcolonial relations and has previously accused Macron of "lacking imagination" in his political engagement with Africa. Critics have long accused France of maintaining a patronising and detrimental influence over its former African colonies, most of which are in the west of the continent. While several French presidents have in the past declared the end of this relationship, dubbed "francafrique" by academics, they did little to reassure sceptics. But the summit -- viewed by some as an embodiment of France's vested interests -- will have a new format this year. The usual heads of state have not been invited. Instead, the event will be attended by civil society representatives from across the continent. Mbembe, a fellow of the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, has travelled to a dozen African countries since the start of the year to meet speakers and line up debates. Discussion topics will be thorny, he told AFP during an interview at his Johannesburg home, citing French boots on the ground and West Africa's colonial-era CFA franc currency as examples. Most of the questions raised with him over three months of travel revolved around what young Africans described as "tyrannies" supported by France, he noted. Mbembe, here with France's junior minister of gender equality,raised eyebrows when he accepted an invitation by French President Emmanuel Macron to lead preparations for the upcoming Africa-France summit. By Ludovic MARIN (AFP) French military involvement in Chad and Mali were recurring, passionate topics of conversation through which strong anti-French sentiment emerged. "Many believe the time has come to end this type of attitude and invest in institutions, rather than continuing to think that only strongmen can maintain stability and security," Mbembe said. Taking risks Change will not happen "overnight", he added, but the summit could be the "first leg" of a long journey to refresh France's "damaged" relations with Africa over the next generations. Macron is already seeking to boost his country's image, notably by paying more attention to anglophone African nations largely ignored by his predecessors. The president last month paid a landmark visit to Rwanda during which he acknowledged France's complicity in the 1994 genocide of around 800,000 Tutsi people. This was followed by a trip to South Africa where he pledged to invest in Covid-19 vaccine production on the continent, and offered help to fight an insurgency in Mozambique. Mbembe brushed away remarks about widespread doubts over Macron's true intentions. "History was not written on the back of suspicion," he said. "You need to take risks". The scholar drew parallels with South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela accepting to engage with oppressive white-minority rulers during apartheid. "No one expected it to work," he noted. "That's how history is made." Some African scholars have criticised Mbembe for "naively" accepting Macron's offer. Cameroonian writer Gaston Kelman said in a televised debate last month that Mbembe would have been better placed to advise his "own people" about how to deal with postcolonialism rather than the "master of postcolonialism" himself. Senegal author Boubacar Boris Diop has meanwhile described his involvement in the summit as a "bad joke". Mbembe has remained unfazed by his critics. "President Macron has asked me to accompany him on his mission to strengthen relations between Africa and France," he said. "Why say no?" The Africa-France Summit, postponed twice because of the pandemic, is now scheduled to take place in October in the French city of Montpellier. Mbembe voiced confidence that the participating intellectuals, artists and economists will come up with concrete proposals for a better future. "It will be more than just ideas," he assured. Listen to article A Deputy Finance Minister-designate, Abena Osei Asare, has defended the speed of borrowing by the Akufo-Addo administration since it assumed office in 2017. Ghana's debt stock currently stands at GHS 300 billion at 70 percent of the country's GDP. However, answering questions at her vetting on Thursday, Abena Osei Asare, who has been re-nominated by President Akufo-Addo for the same position, said the government needs to sustain some of its social intervention programmes and infrastructure expansion for the good of the populace, hence the need to borrow more. We need to continue with the Free SHS, we need to continue the road construction. We need to continue with the Ghana CARES, we need to continue with the infrastructure the people want to have. So in this situation, what do you do? We try as much as possible to borrow amounts of money that will serve our interest, she said. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said his government will keep borrowing money to put up projects he described as assets to pay back those loans. He said every country borrows money for projects and Ghana is not an exception. We will borrow money; everybody borrows money. The United States of America is one of the biggest debtors in the world. So borrowing money is not necessarily a betrayal of the concept of independence. The key for us in borrowing money is that we borrow money to create assets that will allow us to pay the money back. That is the keyIf we borrow the money and use it properly it is an asset for us in expanding our economy and infrastructure, he added. President Nana Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia while in opposition criticized the Mahama government over what they called excessive borrowing. Mahama according to Bawumia had a voracious appetite for foreign loans, an action he described as reckless and worrying. Meanwhile, this administration has borrowed more than the Mahama administration. Excessive borrowing: Ghana's economy operating like a Ponzi scheme Dr. Kofi Amoah Ghanaian businessman, Dr. Kofi Amoah, has expressed doubt that Ghana's economy will be able to grow exponentially, owing to the country's excessive borrowing and the poor management of borrowed funds. According to him, the nature of successive governments' handling of borrowed funds leaves the country in a more distressing situation when it could have found a way to maximize the use of monies it borrows. Dr. Amoah said Ghana's continuous borrowing to service old debts makes the economy operate like a Ponzi scheme, a situation he believes is unsustainable . He suggested that governments adopt what he calls the multiplier effect for borrowed monies. In explaining the concept, he said rather than investing borrowed funds in foreign contractors, consultants and prefabricated materials from outside, funds borrowed for projects must be used to hire local contractors and source for local materials in order to grow the local economy while at the same time fulfilling the purpose for which the loans are contracted. citinewsroom An article has been chanced upon in the Daily Guide newspaper titled "NPP bigwigs eulogise J. A. Braimah". It was published by Ernest Kofi Adu on Monday 24th May, 2021. The publication captures events of the launch of the book, titled, J. A Braimah: Biography of a Trailblazer on Thursday 20th May, 2021 at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Science, Accra. Per the content of the publication, there was found to be incongruities in the points raised by some leaders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), notably, H.E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, John Boadu, General Secretary of the NPP and others during the launch. It is therefore proper that corrections are made, lest, our unborn generation accept these distorted facts as the true historical account. We would have then done a great disservice to the United Partys (UP) tradition and the future generation if allowed to fester. Essentially, the narrative by H. E. Alhaji Dr. Bawumia that; J. A. Braimah is the most excellent specimen of the enviable Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition, and this has never been lost on the New Patriotic Party is an accolade very undeserving of the man. This is because if a person whose lack of selflessness got him expelled over disagreements with the party on its position to boycott National Assembly proceedings until UP members who were detainees under the PDA were given a fair hearing in the Court, and eventually his defection to CPP, would be accorded with such honor, then the Party risks breeding a future generations who would find no need to be selfless and sacrifice for the further advancement of the UP tradition. Furthermore, the position of John Boadu that; We have a rich and enviable political tradition today because of J. A Braimah is very inaccurate and erroneous. It is worthy of mention that, after the enactment of the Prevention Detention Act (PDA) by Parliament in 1958, the defection of Joseph Adam Braimah, who was then the Vice-Chairman of UP together with some other leading members of the Northern Peoples Party tradition to the CPP, among other negative effects, led to the huge dwindling of the strength of the UP at the Northern sector of Gold Coast. It is instructive to note that, it is because of the then actions of Braimah and others that have subsequently resulted in the current weakness being witnessed by the modern New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the northern sector of Ghana. In August 1957, the Government under Kwame Nkrumah passed the Avoidance of Discrimination Act: An Act to ban political parties with sectional, ethnic or religious traces and which did not have national character. Upon realization by the leaders of the opposition parties that the prime aim of the law was to disband all political parties except the CPP and introduce a One-party rule in Ghana. Okyeame Baffuor Akoto, founder of National Liberation Movement (NLM), before the law could come into effect on 31st December 1957, chaired negotiations which convinced the leadership of the other opposition Parties to come together to form one party to be called the United Party (UP). According to the Memoirs of Bawumia (2004); The leading members of the Northern Peoples Party formed an alliance with the NLM because they saw the NLM as capable of winning the 1956 elections. It was the considered opinion of them that with the financial resources at its disposal and having appeared to have popular support in Ashanti, the National Liberation Movement could win all the 21 seats in Ashanti and many more in the colony and was, therefore, likely to form the next Government. The aforesaid, should as result, inform and certify the huge significance of the NLM in the negotiations and formation of the UP in 1957 and the further advancement of the tradition and its transition into the modern New Patriotic Party (NPP). Facts, they say, are sacred, and must be told at one piece. It therefore behoves us as patriots to quash and correct all unsubstantiated claims of the history of the UP tradition bandied around willy-nilly. ..Signed.. Dr. Mumuni Adams [email protected] That notice also stated patients would not be required to show identification or list a home address. The organization blames province officials for targeting strip clubs at the start of the pandemic and undermining strippers and their clients, while not applying the same restrictions to conventional nightlife venues. Stephane Richard, the head of France's biggest telecoms operator Orange, has launched an internal inquiry into an emergency line breakdown on Wednesday after three or four deaths were recorded during the outage. Conclusions from the report should arrive within seven days' time, Orange announced Friday, adding that its teams remained mobilised and would continue to scrutinise the situation closely. The multinational telecoms group, in which the French state is a majority shareholder, said that the network was now operating normally again. Health minister Olivier Veran said it was too soon to say whether there was any link between the outage and three to four deaths recorded during the period. France has separate numbers for ambulances, police and fire services -- 15, 17, and 18 -- as well as a universal European emergency number, 112. Orange said it had suffered a problem with a router that receives calls to these shortened emergency numbers and transfers them to local call centres, which use regular 10-digit phone lines. The disruption began on Wednesday afternoon and lasted through to around midnight. During that time around a fifth of all people making calls to emergency medical, police or fire numbers could not get through or had their calls cut off mid-conversation. Among them was a person suffering from a cardiovascular disease in Brittany. The death of a two-year old toddler in the Vendee region is also under investigation. Cause yet to be defined On Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron said he was "very concerned" by the outage. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described it as serious and unacceptable and Orange's CEO Stephane Richard was summoned to explain the breakdown. Richard offered his deepest apologies but said the cause of the outage was still unclear. We have no indication which would lead us to think that it could be an external attack, he told TF1 television, while adding it could not be linked to a human error nor to a maintenance issue. The cause was most likely software failure in critical network infrastructure. The French government and state bank Bpifrance together hold around 23 percent of Orange's share capital, making the French state Orange's biggest individual shareholder. The incident has put CEO Richard under political pressure and not for the first time. In December 2019, the former chief and several other executives of the group - then known as France Telecom - were handed four-month jail terms and fines relating to a campaign of employee harassment blamed for a spate of suicides. (With Reuters) The International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA) Ghana has launched a campaign against hate speech. Addressing a press conference on Thursday 3rd June 2021, to launch the coalition, the Chairman of the coalition Dr Sam Owusu who is also the Country Director of IAWPA stated that the vision of the coalition is to bring like-minded people to campaign against hate speech and promote respect and decorum in addressing grievances and sharing opinions. Dr Samuel Owusu said the campaign against hate speech involves raising public awareness and educating society about the dangers that hate speech poses. He said a free press is the cornerstone of a democratic society, it is important to protect it.The coalition stated that the liberties enjoyed by Ghanaians depend also on the freedom of the press. However, when these freedoms and rights are left unrestricted or without borders, there are likely to be abused. The exercise of this freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities. The Chair of the coalition acknowledged that it is enshrined in the 1992 constitution which that all persons shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, which shall include freedom of the press and other media. The only time that this right may be revoked is when its use by an individual to threaten, vellify, insult and malign other individuals. He said in the last couple of years, the Ghanaian media space has been inundated with an expression that borders on slander, defamation, and obscenity. On internet and social media, the statement saidWhile the Internet and social media platforms have made it easier to share information and stay connected, some people are using it as channels for the expression of hate speech. Some people have resorted to using it to insult, denigrade great personalities in the countryThe coalition is worried that the phenomenon of hate speech is raging through text, video and audio messages depicting disrespect towards established traditional, political, religious authorities. The Coalition Against Hate Speech consider the expression of opinions about a given matter, communicated devoid of insults and offensive conduct. The Chairman of the coalition said: While we acknowledge the issues being raise require national attention, the mode of expression and conduct can not be jsutified in any civilised society. The Campaign emphasied that freedom of expression is considered essential in democratic societies. It is protected by the constitution and supported by various international declarations and treaties. However, in recent times, respect and decorum are slowly declining. People have become more and more embolden to issue statements with little to no regard for other peoples rights and feelings. Instead, huge numbers of people behave however they please. The number of people who act without politeness, thoughtfulness, and civility is increasing. At the same time, disrespectful manners are on the rise. People who have earned great achievements are treated with so much disdain. The Coalition Against Hate Speech is calling on all Ghanaians to avoid the use of hate speech while expressing their concerns and opinions. While we encourage the need to criticise and raise issues affecting the development of our country, we urge that use of hate speech should be avoided. We call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to join the coalition to help rescue Ghana from the use of indecent and intemperate language in the social media to help in restoring the culture of dignity and respect Ghanaians are noted for.In the coming days, the coalition will seek audience with opinion leaders around the country to discuss how hate speech can be addressed in Ghana. The coalition is also advocating for Bill to be passed by parliament of Ghana to prohibit the use, production, publishing, distribution, presentation, or direction of the performance of any audio, visual or written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting or involves the use of such words in order to stir hatred is likely to be stirred up against any person in Ghana. The coalition is urging members of society to avoid the use of intemplate language and hate speech in addressing issues of concern.Present at the press conference was Dr Fred Amankwah-Sarfo, the Executive Secretary of the coalition. Listen to article Not because I am involved and I am of Igbo extraction. There is something out of place in the Buhari government's fight against insecurity in the southeast. I knew that the project of tackling security challenges would take a different dimension when it comes to the Southeast. Yes, I knew the dynamics would change. Combating criminality and banditry would take a different turn at any point the Igbos get linked to this national albatross. I knew that the police would suddenly wake up to their professional and constitutional duties. Soldiers and other state security agencies would overcome their amnesia. It does not require some extraordinary intelligence to know that the security operations in the Southeast are laden and driven by entrenched prejudice and hate. Just look at what is going on in Imo state. Before addressing the issue, it is pertinent to state that the pervasive insecurity in the country is bad for everyone and all those responsible anywhere should be brought to justice. But is that what the Nigerian government is doing? No. The state should take all necessary measures to protect and secure the lives and property of citizens. The government should prevent Nigeria's gradual descent into anarchy and lawlessness. In the east or west, north or south, the northeast or southeast, southwest or northwest, state officers should be diligent, neutral, and impartial in carrying out their duties and in tackling insecurity and criminality. Is that what applies to the fight against insecurity in the country? Not at all. For over a decade Nigeria has been grappling with security challenges mainly in the north of the country and measures have been taken to address them. Unfortunately, the various measures have outrightly been misconstrued, sabotaged, or portrayed as hatred for the north or Muslims. The northern political elite has been unwilling to designate Boko Haramites and killer herdsmen as criminals and enemies of the state. However, when it comes to the southeast, it has become a different kettle of fish. As the bloodletting in Imo, and military operations against real or imagined IPOBians in other southeastern states have illustrated, the Buhari government has an axe to grind with southeastern states and the ethnic constituents. The government has scores to settle and is doing just that. Nothing illustrates the entrenched prejudice, illogic, and imbalance in this government's mis/handling of the security challenges in the southeast than a tweet from a former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri. It states: "You want to fight unknown gunmen, yet you do not fight the gunmen that are known? Soldiers escorted Gumi to meetings with bandits. Soldiers escorted Katsina state Governor, Bello Masari, to have negotiations with bandits. If you want to fight a war, start with them" As Omokri has made it clear, the Buhari government's efforts to tackle insecurity in the country are characterized by glaring mischief. The government declared a war against unknown gunmen in the southeast while hobnobbing with known gunmen in the north and shielding killer herdsmen from justice. But that should not surprise anyone. From the inception of his government, President Buhari made it clear that he would not treat people from the Southeast who gave him fewer votes like others that massively voted for him. In response to what was then largely peaceful agitation for Biafra, the Buhari government declared the Indigenous People of Biafra, a terrorist organization. He sent police officers and soldiers to shoot and kill any real or imagine members or sympathizers of IPOB. Now imagine this. The Buhari government did not proscribe Myetti Allah and other Fulani herdsmen associations that perpetrated murderous violence and savage killings across the north terrorist organizations. The government did not send soldiers to shoot at sight any real or imagined Fulani herdsmen or Muslim militants that have killed and continue to murder innocent Nigerians. Police detectives have not been sent to areas where Fulani herdsmen are living in the country. Instead, Buhari sent the state army to protect them. The government engaged in rehabilitating ex-Boko Haram militants, integrating them into the state security apparatus. Northern state governments have conferred with Fulani jihadists, Muslim militants, kidnappers, and bandits. They have met with them, negotiated with them, paid ransom to them in the presence of police officers and soldiers. Fulani bloodletters have kidnapped and murdered many Nigerians including those from the southeast living in the north without any repercussions and consequences. These 'known gunmen' in the north attacked and killed an Igbo medical doctor in Zamfara. They kidnapped and murdered an Igbo catholic seminarian in Kaduna. They kidnapped and disappeared an Igbo catholic priest in Katsina and murdered an Igbo Christian woman in Kano. Just to mention a few. Meanwhile, security measures taken to tackle unknown gunmen in Imo and other southeastern states have not been deployed to 'neutralize' known Fulani killer herdsmen, jihadists, bandits, and murderers across the country. Look separatist groups exist and operate in other parts of the country. Don't they? These groups have emerged as a result of growing discontent over misgovernance of the country. Unlike IPOB, separatist groups in other parts of the country have not been proscribed. They have not been declared terrorist organizations. The Buhari government should review its security strategy in the southeast because it drips with prejudice, hate, and Igbophobia. The government should end this ethnoreligious vendetta being prosecuted in the name of combating insecurity in the region. The government should recognize and guarantee the democratic rights of Nigerians to peaceful protests, civil agitations, and disobedience. As part of its commitment to contribute towards improving access to quality healthcare delivery in communities around the mine area, Anglogold Ashanti- Obuasi Community Trust Fund has constructed a 16- bed capacity Maternity block for the Obuasi Government Hospital. The 16 -bed Maternity Block built at a cost of GHS 1,116,191.00 from the US$200,000.00 operational support provided by AGA Obuasi Mine as part of the Redevelopment process, comprises an Operating theatre room, a Delivery room, an Examination room, a Recovery room, Anaesthetic room, a Sluice room, a Neo-natal Intensive care unit , 2- Post- natal ward with 8-bed capacity each ,Doctor and Nurses' office ,Washrooms and reception area. Speaking at the commissioning of the facility, the Senior Manager, Sustainability Emmanuel Baidoo said the project was initiated after painstaking engagements with the Municipal Health Directorate, Management of the Hospital and with the confirmation from the Municipal Assembly jointly assisted by other stakeholders on the major challenges regarding maternal health care within the Mine's operational area. He added that the new Maternity block will among other things contribute towards reducing maternal and neonatal deaths at the Obuasi Government Hospital. Again, he said the project will improve access to maternal Health care in Obuasi and surrounding areas and reduce cross infection cases due to congestion in the existing facility. Touching on the great strides the company has made since its comeback , Mr. Baidoo said the outbreak of Coronavirus taught the whole world a major lesson to plan towards a robust health sector. In view of this he said, Anglogold Ashanti has built a state of the art Intensive health care unit which would be commissioned soon. He added " We have collaborated with the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KRCC) to build a testing centre at the AGA Health Foundation and just last year ,we carried out education on Cervical cancer and tested about 600 people." 10- YEAR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF AGAG Following the expiration of the 3 year Socio-economic Management Plan of Anglogold Ashanti, the Sustainability Manager said, the company has decided to roll out an elaborate 10 year development plan which will serve as a blueprint to accelerate development in the Mine catchment area. A representative from the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, Rita Larsen- Reindorf lauded the AGA- Obuasi Community Trust Fund for prioritising the health care needs of women. She added that the national statistics show that a lot needs to be done in the area of female mortality hence the intervention from Anglogold Ashanti through the Community Trust Fund will go a long way to improve the situation. She siezed the opportunity to appeal to Anglogold Ashanti to factor the construction of an Accident and Emergency Unit into its 10-year Socio-economic Development Plan to deal with expected occupational accidents and other accidents. ADANSIHENE The Adansihene OpegyaKotwere Bonsrah Afriyie II also praised AGA- OCTF for the massive project. He said the project vindicates the objective for the setting up of the fund. As a Board member of the Fund, the Adansihene pledged the commitment of the Fund to bring development to the mine catchment area. He appealed to the Health workers who will work in the facility to be professional and discharge their duties diligently. He again asked them to protect and maintain the facility to stand the test of time. ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI HAS CONTRIBUTED GHS 2,377,385.84 TO THE TRUST FUND The AGA-Community Trust Fund was established in 2012 to make investments in a way that contributes meaningfully to Community development in line with the development aspirations of communities and local government. It has provided projects in the area of Education, Health , water and sanitation to mining communities. As per the new arrangement under the Development Agreement with the Government of Ghana in 2018, the Mine has to contribute USD2/Oz of gold produced into the Trust Fund. The Mine has since 2019 contributed GHS 2,377,385.84 to the Fund. Mali's neighbours and its ally France have struggled to formulate a firm response to the latest twist in the years-long crisis gripping the key Sahel country. The impoverished state, lying at the heart of a jihadist insurgency in one of the world's most volatile regions, has been wrenched by a de-facto coup -- its second in nine months. Colonel Assimi Goita, the strongman behind a putsch in August that toppled Mali's elected president, has booted out an interim government led by civilians that was to steer the country back to democratic rule. But the response from other countries in the region and from France -- the former colonial power that is shoring up Mali in its battle against the jihadists -- has been muted. After the first coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) heaped pressure on the junta, closing its borders and suspending trade until the transitional government was installed. Mali. By (AFP) But this time around, sanctions are not on the table. ECOWAS has made an expected demand for the immediate appointment of a civilian prime minister and for elections in early 2022. It has suspended the country from its ranks, but no more. "The condemnation only exists on paper," said Jean-Herve Jezequel, Sahel specialist at the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank. The African Union (AU) and the International Organisation of La Francophonie, the club of French-speaking states, also suspended Mali while the UN Security Council issued a "firm" condemnation, but again, no more. Air power: A Reaper drone armed with two GBU-12 bombs at Barkhane's base in Niger. By DaphnA BENOIT (AFP) France on Thursday bared its teeth, saying it had decided to "suspend, as a temporary measure" joint military operations with Mali's military. The country's armed forces are poorly-equipped and -trained, and depend crucially on French airpower and surveillance, from the 5,100-man Barkhane force in the Sahel, against the highly mobile insurgents. "The international community, especially ECOWAS, had been expected to be firm with the junta. The junta now emerges much stronger, and one may ask whether it senses any boundaries," said Boubacar Haidara, a researcher at Les Afriques dans le Monde (LAM), a think tank in Bordeaux, southwestern France. On the brink Analysts said that Mali's chronic weakness had worked in Goita's favour. One of the poorest countries in the world, the country is on its knees after a nine-year-old insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes. Anger at perceived corruption and the impotence of the government to stem the bloodshed drove mass protests last year that culminated in President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's ouster. Mali's elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, was forced out by young army officers following mass protests. The placard reads in French: 'IBK Out'. By ANNIE RISEMBERG (AFP) "The public are drained by years of conflict," said Caroline Roussy at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRRI) in Paris. Focussing on day-to-day survival, many Malians have barely uttered a murmur about the latest coup. "Without popular mobilisation (as a lever), it would have been ECOWAS against the junta and the Malian people, and this is not a tenable position," said Jezequel. Chad precedent All the analysts agreed that the prospect of tough action against Goita became far harder because of what happened in Chad in April. The country's veteran leader, Idriss Deby Itno, was killed fighting rebels and was immediately succeeded by his son at the head of a military junta that suspended parliament. French President Emmanuel Macron and Chadian junta leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby, left, attend the state funeral of Deby's father, Idriss Deby Itno. By Issouf SANOGO (AFP) The instant handover was accepted by France and Chad's neighbours in the interests of regional security. "The international community lost the high ground," making it harder afterwards to apply pressure on Goita, said Bokar Sangare, who runs the Malian news site Benbere. The jihadist insurgency, which now infects Niger and Burkina Faso after poisoning Mali, is the crucial factor in strategic thinking. "What's more important from the viewpoint of Mali's partners? A transition led by civilians, or a government that will help to continue the fight against the jihadists?" asked Jezequel. In this light, Roussy said France's "suspension" of military operations -- which has yet to be spelt out in detail -- could be seen as a warning to Goita, to discourage him from naming pro-jihadist figures in the government. Some in Mali have called for dialogue with the militants, but this has been fiercely opposed by France. Listen to article Billaw....on the 31st day of May in the year of our Lord 2021, as the sun races to its peak, amidst the unbearable and indiscriminate wailings of sirens, in flagrant disregard to statutory regulations, thousands of enthusiastic adherents of Rastafari, including some renowned lawyers and law students from different law faculties thronged to the High Court premises of the Human Rights division Accra, to hear the judgement of the case, where a Rastafari student was denied admission into Achimota school on grounds of religion. Fast forward, having pronounced its judgement on the subject matter in dispute, after keeping the enthusiastic crowd in suspense for almost two (2) hours, the good people of Ghana received with mixed reactions, the decision of the court. While others contend that allowing students with dreadlocks into the school will open the floodgates for all kinds of hairdo, the court reasoned otherwise and proceeded to enter judgement in favor of the applicant herein. Honestly, we should begin to appreciate, if we have not started at all, the level of commitment and interest, the relentless quest, couple with the zeal and the zest of the modern day Ghanaian on issues of national development. Going forward as a nation, this must be encouraged, or at least be seen to be encouraged by the National Commission on Civic Education, NCCE through intensify public education on citizens participation on topical issues of national character. JOURNALISTS SACKED FROM THE COURT ROOM? The answer to this question lies within the question itself. We live in a country where some people think they are more important than others- mostly the ordinary man. In most cases, they argue that they have rights, as if to say the others do not have same claim. What they fail to understand or feign ignorance of is that, such rights, if any at all, are limited by same constitution in the interest of public safety and order among others. Fact is, anyone familiar with the particular courtroom would affirm that the said courtroom cannot even contain more than 30 people. Given the public interest in the case, the number of people who flooded the court premises were around the range of 350-450.I do not want to speak for and on behalf of the court, but in view of the current Covid-19 pandemic, it should appear unreasonable and unhygienic to allow everybody into courtroom that can barely contain 20 people. Consequently, the court directed that only parties to the instant case, including their lawful attorneys be allowed into the courtroom. About 2 journalists were equally permitted to enter the courtroom to report. Even some lawyers were prevented from entering. But for mischief, laced with delusional vain-gloriousness, to smear the judiciary with bad name, no journalist, worth his sort, would shamefully report that journalists were sacked from the courtroom in the instant case. For a fact, the writer of this article was asked to leave the courtroom about 5 times. No journalist was sacked from the courtroom. They were politely told to stand outside, together with some lawyers and the enthusiastic crowd, and respectfully, they did. WASTED EVENING WITH PAUL ADOM OKYERE Having listened to the Good Evening Ghana editorial of the MetroTV on the Achimota-Rastafari impasse, hosted by Paul Adom Okyere, its high time he is told in the face that the Court is not a chamber of emotions, neither is it a common sense institution. Its not also a theathre of drama. It operates on laws and treats every case based on the unique facts presented. Admittedly, we are allowed by same laws to disagree with decisions of the court. What we are not allow to do is to make unsound and unrelated comparisons to suggest that, a particular injustice should not be cured because its in the interest of a child. Such arguments are not only legally defective, but rationally misplaced and logically inconsistent. You can call for equality in justice without necessarily equalizing two wrongs. ARTICLE 14 OF THE CONSTITUTION,1992 So the whole argument by Mr. Paul Adom Otchere is that even though he has not read the judgement of the learned Judge, he thinks she erred in law when she failed, refused and or ignored to consider article 14 (1e) of the constitution, 1992.Dear reader, permit me to reproduce the said article from the constitution for your examination. Article 14(1e) Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of his personal liberty except in the following cases and in accordance with procedure permitted by law-for the purposes of education or welfare of a person who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years. Indeed, many scholars, including Mr. Paul Adom Otchere hold the view that the systematic discrimination meted out to students of public schools on religious grounds is firmly rooted on the exceptions provided for under article 14(1e) of the constitution, 1992.Indeed, it must be pointed out that the context of personal liberties that is sought to be limited have to do with confinement of a person. Stately differently, for each of the exceptions in article 14(1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e), it has to do with confinement for the purposes of execution of a sentence, contempt of court, medical condition, education and the welfare of under 18 persons. To that extent therefore, it is legally defective to construe as, and give a cross carpet meaning to the above provisions and make rules that limits a personss right to religion and to manifest same. Indeed, the right to religion and to manifest same is so sacred that even where personal liberties are taken away, the affected person still has the right to practice his religion. This explains why even in a prison, we still have people practicing their beliefs as in Mosques and Churches or any other. WHY TYRON IRAS MARHGUY SHOULD STILL HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDICIARY The facts of the instant case are that the applicant herein, Tyron Iras Marhguy, sued by his next friend and father, Tereo Kwame Marhguy prayed the court to enforce his fundamental human rights under article 33 of the constitution, 1992.That the defendant(s) woefully failed, refused and or denied the applicant admission into the Achimota SHS even though he qualified for same. The defendant (s) submitted that, per the school rules and regulations, the applicant cannot be granted admission unless he cuts his dreadlocks. Applicant refused the order and contended that the dreadlocks are not for fun and that they are part of his personality and religious beliefs and he cannot be asked to renounced his religious practices per a true and proper construction of article 21 (1c),17 (2),12 (1),25 (1b) and 1(2) among others. At this point dear reader, permit me to reproduce the words of the said articles. Article 21 (1c) ALL persons shall have the freedom to practice ANY RELIGION and to MANIFEST such practice (Emphasis is mine) Article 17 (2) A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, color, ethnic origin, RELIGION, CREED or social or economic status (Emphasis is mine) Article 12 (1) The fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in this chapter shall be respected and upheld by the EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATURE and JUDICIARY and ALL other organs of government and AGENCIES and where applicable to them, by all natural and legal persons in Ghana and shall be ENFORCEABLE BY THE COURTS as provided for in this constitution. (Emphasis is mine) Article 25 (1b) SCONDARY EDUCATION in its different forms, including technical and vocational education, shall be made GENERALLY AVAILABLE and ACCESSIBLE to ALL by every appropriate means(Emphasis is mine) Article 1(2) This constitution shall be the SUPREME LAW of Ghana and ANY OTHER LAW found to be inconsistent with any provision this constitution, shall to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. (Emphasis is mine) Consequently, any objective reader would come to the irresistible conclusion that the rules made by Achimota school to control the conduct of students are nothing but mere assemblage of letters and cannot therefore be more supreme than the constitution of Ghana. THE FLOODGATES DEBATE: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Following the ruling delivered by the court in the above case, many people contended, including one Angel Carbonu, no mean a person than the President of National Association of Graduate Teachers that, the ruling has opened and or is likely open the floodgates for all kinds of hairdo in schools. This contention cannot hold because the issue set out for determination is not generally about hairdo but whether or not the applicants fundamental human right has been breached by the refusal of the school to grant him admission on grounds of religion. The empty generalization of the ruling is either we do not fully understand and appreciate the main issue for determination or its a deliberate attempt to belittle the reasoning of the court. The parties are not in court because of all kinds of hairdo, the parties are in court because someone has been denied his religious rights. If we have problems with the law, lets call for its amendment. But to allow an innocent child to suffer injustice because you disagree with the law is untenable to say the least, and perhaps amounts to an illegality, irrationality and procedural impropriety. Listen to article Service Ghana Autogroup Limited, the company fingered in the incident involving the inappropriate use of an ambulance yet to be delivered to the National Ambulance Service (NAS) has apologised. The company in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Dr Christian Siaw-Missah said it takes full responsibility for the action. A video in which an ambulance was being used to transport bags of cement surfaced on social media during the week resulting in a backlash. The NAS in response indicated that the ambulance with registration number GV 537-20 was yet to be released by the company to the service. The company explained that the ambulance developed a fault on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, which was the day of the commissioning of some 307 ambulances. Dr Siaw-Missah said the ambulance had been in their custody since that time, adding that repairs were only completed on March 26, 2021. It was on the day of a test drive that the driver committed the dastardly act, the statement added. The statement, among other things, noted the police had been involved in the matter with investigations ongoing. They have further rendered an unqualified apology to the National Ambulance Service and its staff. ---DGN online Listen to article Daughter of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings and Member of Parliament for Korley Klottey, Dr. Zenator Agyemang Rawlings, has re-echoed the similarities of the difficulty the country is going through to the days of the June 4 revolution. She said the Akufo-Addo government has failed to set its priorities right leading to economic difficulties in the country. She described the absence of the founder, Jerry John Rawlings, on the day as a reminder that no one lives forever but principles do. She added the day should be a reminder of what the day stood for stressing the June 4th uprising and similar events elsewhere did not happen in a vacuum but circumstances led to the development. She said the principles in developing a country are set out already, so the government has no excuse to fail the people. The June 4th Revolution[1] or June 4th Uprising was an uprising in Ghana in 1979 that arose out of a combination of corruption, bad governance, frustration among the general public, and lack of discipline and frustrations within the Ghanaian army. Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has called on Ghanaians to rise up and speak against the ills in society. At a ceremony to commemorate the June 4th uprising at the Dr. Bannerman Park at korle Gonno, in Accra, he insisted the current government has failed in its mandate reemphasising the similarities in the current happenings to what led to the uprising in 1979. For the first time, the NDC celebrated the day without the founder Jerry John Rawlings. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo described his absence as it invokes emotions. He said the last time it was celebrated with the founder, he admonished the party to keep the principles that necessitated to the June 4th uprising emphasising on the need to stand for probity and accountability and social justice. He said there is every indication to rise up to ask the government to fix the country because the difficulty citizens are going through cannot be different from what led to the uprising in 1979. ---3news.com The Director of the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) Professor H Kwesi Prempeh has described the action taken by Chief Justice Anin-Yeboah against the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dr. Dominic Ayine as bizarre, and ill-advised. Mr Anin-Yeboah has referred to the General Legal Council for investigation comments made by the former deputy Attorney General. Dr. Ayine reportedly questioned the independence of Ghanas judiciary in a CDD-Ghana Roundtable Discussion on Presidential Election Petitions and their Impact on Africas Democracy. His assertion, he explained was informed by the manner in which the 2020 Presidential Election Petition case was handled by the Supreme Court. During the discussion, Dr. Ayine among other things said that the Supreme Court in the adjudication of the election petition failed to apply the rules of procedure and continuously dismissed the plaintiffs applications. I expected the Supreme Court to apply faithfully the rules of procedure to in terms of adducing evidence prove the petitioners case and so on. What we saw was a Supreme Court that was constantly putting hurdles in the way of the petitioner in terms of adducing evidence to prove the petitioners case. But Professor Prempeh in a Facebook post said That an opinion expressed at such a forum, to contestation from other participants, would cause anyone to lodge a formal complaint with the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council is unprecedented, bizarre, and ill-advised. He added So, now members of the Ghana Bar cannot offer a personal unflattering opinion of the judiciary on an academic, a civil society or other public discussion platfrom, even after a case has been decided, without risking being hauled before the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Counsel? Really? On the same platform where this lawyer expressed the opinion that has earned him an invitation to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the legal professions regulator, other panelists, including other lawyers, strongly disagreed with him in his opinion of the judiciary regarding the case under discussion, with some praising the courts handling of the matter. In other words, the platform on which the lawyer spoke was a veritable marketplace of ideas and opinion, with panelists debating each other in frank, open dialogue. This, incidentally, was a webinar discussion organized by CDD-Ghana, in collaboration with the KNUST law faculty, as part of a new Judicial Review series (a partnership between CDD and two law faculties in Ghana) that aims to review and examine decisions of the courts for their impact on democracy and good governance. This particular panel, which examined the recent Ghana election petition through a comparative lens, featured two foreign participants (from Kenya and Zimbabwe), four Ghanaian lawyers, and me. That an opinion expressed at such a forum, to contestation from other participants, would cause anyone to lodge a formal complaint with the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council is unprecedented, bizarre, and ill-advised. Not only is this bound to have a chilling effect on the free speech rights of lawyers, it will also impact negatively on both academic freedom and the freedom and ability of civil society to promote judicial accountability, including through projects like the Judicial Review series. I find no justification whatsoever for the Disciplinary Committee of the GLC to be brought into this matter or to investigate Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine for the opinion he expressed on the panel. It cannot be ok for a lawyer to praise a court for its handling of a matter but an act of professional misconductor contempt of courtfor another lawyer to express a contrary view of the same court about the same matter. ---3news.com Angry residents of Aboadze and Abuesi in the Shama District of Western Region have threatened to picket at the office of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to register their displeasure about the failure to fix their water problems. The two fishing communities have been battling perennial water shortages for months, but the residents said several attempts to have the problem fixed had not been successful. Speaking in an interview with Ghana News Agency, the Assemblymember for Aboadze, Mr. Emmanuel Avevor warned that if an immediate solution was not found to their plight, they would not participate in the pending Population and Housing Census. He said though the twin communities have been grappling with water challenges for several months, the current situation was the worse. Mr Avevor said the residents in the two communities had endured before getting water to bath, cook and wash their clothes and appealed to the government to consider the need to fix the water problems confronting them. According to him, the only standpipe in the area could not meet the needs of the over 25,000 population and that people had to jostled to get water every day at the standpipe. Mr Avevor noted the unfortunate situation has compelled the entire population rely on the newly constructed standpipe by the management of Volta River Authority (VRA) adjacent to their medical facility. He, however, blamed the situation on the destruction of the obsolete pipelines caused by the expansion works of Twyford Ceramic Company operating in the area. A resident, Kojo Bonensuma said the water Crisis in Aboadze was quite disheartening as children had to wake up early in the morning to trek to Inchaban in search of water. Officials of GWCL are not ashamed but they continue to come to read meters for billing, while we have been deprived of water supply for no apparent reasons, Sister Esi, a resident of Aboadze remarked. The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Shama District, Mr Joseph Amoah confirmed the water crisis confronting the twin communities when contacted by the GNA. He explained that the unexpected water problems could be due to the damaged of the out-dated pipeline as a result of the third phase construction works by Twyford Ceramic Company (KEDA). He said his outfit was engaging the Twyford and the GWCL on the best ways to solve the problem to heap huge sigh of relieve to the people. Mr Amoah said plans were far advanced to ensure that a new pipeline was laid from Ichaban to Aboadze-Abuesi communities and encouraged the companies in the enclave to endeavour to contribute to the construction of the new pipeline. He was convinced that once that was done, all water-related challenges would be resolved and people would have water to undertake their daily activities. ---GNA That, she says, not only stopped her from jumping, but changed her life. The next day, Hunter wrote those eight words that were told to her on several pieces of paper and posted them all over the bridge where she had her epiphany. Thats where her campaign, Notes of Hope, began. A female MP in Tanzania has been kicked out of the country's parliament for wearing trousers deemed 'too tight'. Condester Sichwale, a minister for the ruling CCM party, was ejected on Tuesday after male colleague Hussein Amar - a member of the same party - complained. Ms Sichwale was told by the Speaker to 'go dress up well, and then join us back later' before she walked out. It is unclear whether she returned to the chamber that day. The reprimand has sparked an angry backlash with a group of female MPs branding it 'unfair' and demanding an apology. The incident took place following a debate in Parliament House in Tanzania's capital of Dodoma, which Sichwale and Amar had been taking part in. Immediately after the session finished, Amar stood up to ask Speaker Job Ndugai for guidance on 'modest' dress. 'The code is clear about the dress and for the sisters but in here there are MPs wearing clothes that are not modest,' he said, according to local site Mwananchi. Ms Sichwale was told by the Speaker to 'go dress up well, and then join us back later' - but his remark sparked an angry backlash from other women MPs who said it was 'unfair' Asked who he was referring to, Amar pointed to Sichwale and said: 'The MP is right there on my right hand. 'She is wearing a t-shirt but please call her in front to see the pants she is wearing in a tight way.' He added: 'Parliament is a mirror of society and Tanzania, and some of our sisters are wearing strange clothes and are legislators. What are they showing to the society?' The incident took place following a debate in Parliament House in Tanzania's capital of Dodoma, which Sichwale and Amar had been taking part in. Immediately after the session finished, Amar stood up to ask Speaker Job Ndugai for guidance on 'modest' dress. 'The code is clear about the dress and for the sisters but in here there are MPs wearing clothes that are not modest,' he said, according to local site Mwananchi. Asked who he was referring to, Amar pointed to Sichwale and said: 'The MP is right there on my right hand. 'She is wearing a t-shirt but please call her in front to see the pants she is wearing in a tight way.' He added: 'Parliament is a mirror of society and Tanzania, and some of our sisters are wearing strange clothes and are legislators. What are they showing to the society?' ----dailymail.co.uk Supporters of Mali's M5 opposition movement were called out to rally on Friday in a demonstration that could point to the next steps in the country's ongoing crisis. The rally will be held in Bamako, the Malian capital, to commemorate the founding of the movement, which powered mass protests last year. But it comes after strongman Colonel Assimi Goita, who led a coup on the back of the protests, ousted the civilian transitional president and prime minister on May 24. Observers will be closely watching who attends the rally for hints at Mali's future political direction. Once distant, the military and the M5 now have a warmer relationship. Goita may name a leading M5 figure as his new prime minister -- a move that some argue could soften international criticism of the second coup. Mali. By (AFP) The putsch has sparked diplomatic uproar, prompting the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to suspend Mali. Offering a firm rebuke on Thursday, France also said it would suspend joint military operations with Malian forces, and stop giving military advice. Mali's former colonial master has thousands of troops stationed in the Sahel to help fight jihadist violence that erupted in Mali in 2012 and now threatens the region. France's defence ministry said the suspension was a "conservative and temporary measure" pending "guarantees" that Mali's ruling military will stage elections in February 2022. The ministry added that French troops will continue to operate in Mali, but on their own. France says its Barkhane anti-jihad forces has suspended joint operations with the Malian army. By DaphnA BENOIT (AFP/File) Mali's military junta did not comment on the decision. Goita is expected to be appointed as Mali's transitional president in a ceremony on Monday, which would pave the way towards naming a civilian prime minister -- a key international demand. Influential imam On August 18 last year, Goita led army officers in ousting elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, following mass protests over perceived corruption and the bloody jihadist insurgency. M5 had spearheaded the protests against Keita in 2020, but was subsequently sidelined in the army-dominated post-coup administration. This transitional government pledged to reform the constitution by October, and stage elections in February next year. But the M5 became a vocal critic, calling the transitional government a "disguised military regime." There has been a rapprochement between the group and the army since the May 24 coup, however. Mali's protest movement has put forward Choguel Maiga, centre, as prime minister. By Michele Cattani (AFP) Goita has said he would prefer to name an M5 figure as his prime minister and the group put forward one of its cadres, Choguel Maiga, as a candidate. But that choice has in turn raised questions about Mali's future, in particular concerning the potential role of religious leader Mahmoud Dicko, who is close to Maiga. The influential imam was viewed as the figurehead of the M5 during the anti-Keita protests, but later distanced himself from the movement. Maiga is also a vocal critic of the 2015 Algiers peace accord, a shaky agreement between the central government and several armed groups. The deal, which has never been fully implemented, is seen as crucial to ending Mali's grinding conflict. The chiefs, opinion leaders and displaced victims of the five communities in the Ketu South Municipality in the Volta Region who were displaced by the tidal waves are appealing to President Akufo-Addo to immediately rescue them from their dire conditions. According to the chiefs in these areas, living conditions have become unbearable as victims cannot feed themselves. The chiefs said they have lost all their livelihood to the disaster. Expressing the sentiments of the chiefs, opinion leaders and victims, the Chief Executive Officer of Marrer Ghana Limited and Susagtad Boat Building, Mr Novihoho Afaglo, said the fate of over 800 people displaced by the recent sea invasion of some communities in the Ketu South Municipality remains uncertain with more tidal incursions expected as the rains set in. Mr Afaglo said the sea which submerged 100 houses in the five communities late last month has constantly ravaged lives and properties in the past four years. He said areas such as Agavedzi, Sarakope, Adina, Blekusu and Amutinu were not spared during the disaster. The CEO revealed that about 200 of the victims have been building shelters for themselves on the island of Dzetagba soon after the sea invasion, in the hope of earning a living through fishing and salt mining while others are yet to find their feet exposing them to all manner of environmental hazards. According to him, many are still perching with their relatives. "Currently as I speak to you, victims have no toilet facilities attached to the structures they had erected on the island, making the situation more dangerous to their health," he stated. Mr Afaglo who is also an indigen of the land said victims are forced to defecate on the edges of the sea posing a serious health hazard. "What we need now goes beyond the paltry sharing of relief items such as buckets and tents from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) because it looks like that wouldn't solve the problem," he said Mr Afaglo said the displaced victims are insisting on a sea defence wall as a permanent solution to the problem. The chiefs, opinion leaders and victims are therefore calling on government to construct a sea defence wall to save these communities before the worse happens. French security forces have dismantled a migrant camp on the outskirts of the northern port of Calais. The camp had been home to hundreds of people hoping to travel across the Channel to Britain. Local political fiugures, including the mayor of Calais, had called for the closure of the temporary camp in abandoned industrial buildings, in the wake of recent violence and fears of a semi-permanent settlement developing. The operation involved hundreds of police officers on Friday morning. The evacuated migrants, most of them young males, will be offered places in shelters. "Thank you to the security forces who took part in the operation and to the agents who are working on providing shelter," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin tweeted, adding that the operation had been launched at his initiative and with judicial approval. Last weekend, 568 people made the sea crossing from France to Britain in warm, calm weather, according to the British interior ministry. So far this year, more than 3,500 people have crossed the Channel by boat, according to British figures, while French authorities have stopped many others in patrols on land and at sea. Calais has long been a magnet for migrants and refugees who travel there in the hope of reaching Britain, either by stowing away on trains or ferries, or, more recently, by taking to the water in dinghies and small boats. A notorious camp known as the "Jungle" --- which was home to about 10,000 people at its height -- was demolished in 2016 by French police. Residents complain about rubbish and crime Local residents in Calais complain about rubbish and crime, while occasional outbreaks of violence in the camps, often between different nationalities or ethnic groups, require police interventions. Campaign groups and NGOs working in Calais say migrants are left by authorities to live in miserable conditions, without access to basic sanitation or food, and are routinely harassed by security forces. Francois Guennoc, head of the Auberge des migrants group which provides aid, said dismantling of the camp will make no difference. "In any case, people move, they go somewhere else. It's an endless journey," he told the French AFP news agency. "Everyone is turning in circles: refugees, authorities and associations." Guennoc estimates that around 1,500 migrants and refugees are in Calais at the present time, including 800 in the camp dismantled on Friday, which was in former industrial buildings near the town's hospital, southeast of the centre. Nairobi, June 4, 2021 Ugandan police should immediately drop their criminal investigation into the Daily Monitor newspaper and guarantee that the media can cover security forces alleged misconduct without retaliation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On May 31, the police Criminal Investigations Department summoned Tony Glencross, the managing director of the Daily Monitors parent company, Nation Media Group-Uganda, and Tabu Butagira, the groups managing editor, to record statements as part of a police investigation into allegations of criminal libel, incitement to violence, and false news publication, according to reports by the newspaper and the BBC. The investigation focuses on a May 31 report by the newspaper detailing the findings of a BBC documentary investigation into the deaths of civilians during election-related protests in November 2020, which the Daily Monitor said vindicated its reporting from early 2021, according to those sources. The BBC report included videos allegedly showing security personnel indiscriminately shooting and killing civilians. Neither journalist attended the questioning, scheduled for June 2, because Glencross was in COVID-19 quarantine and Butagira was on a field assignment, according to the Daily Monitors report. Glencross told the Daily Monitor that they would obviously comply with the police summons. Butagira told CPJ via messaging app that they planned to respond to the summons at a later date. Instead of thoroughly investigating allegations that security forces killed civilians during protests last year, Ugandan police are targeting the messenger by summoning journalists who have covered such allegations, said CPJs sub-Saharan Africa representative, Muthoki Mumo. Authorities should drop their investigation into the Daily Monitor, which is a transparent attempt to intimidate the paper. In a 2000 ruling, Ugandas Constitutional Court struck the penal codes false news law; CPJ could not immediately determine how police intended to pursue an investigation under that annulled law. Butagira told CPJ that it was strange that police were relying on a non-existent law in their case. Convictions for criminal libel are punishable by up to two years in prison, and incitement convictions can carry jail terms of up to three years, according to the Ugandan penal code. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga asked CPJ to direct queries to the office of the Inspector General of Police. CPJ tried to reach Inspector General Martins Okoth-Ochola by calling the police headquarters in Kampala; an officer who answered referred CPJ to Ocholas assistant, Fred Mirondo. When contacted by CPJ, Mirondo asked that questions be sent over email. In a phone call today, Mirondo acknowledged receipt of that email but referred CPJ to the head of the Criminal Investigations Department, Grace Akullo, for comment. CPJ repeatedly called Akullo and texted her for comment, but she did not respond. Separately, Charles Twiine, the spokesperson of the Criminal Investigations Department, told CPJ via messaging application that being a journalist does not give a ticket to immunity but did not provide specific comment on the summonses and investigations into the Daily Monitors work. "Would-be authoritarians at times seek to capture courts and deploy them in abusive ways as part of a broader project of democratic erosion because courts often enjoy legitimacy advantages that make their antidemocratic moves harder to detect and respond to both domestically and internationally." - David Landau and Rosalind Dixon (Abusive Judicial Review: Courts Against Democracy) Is Ghanaian democracy being undermined by judicial-high-handedness? Were that so, it would be ironical - for the Martyrs to the rule of law monument, stands at the entrance to Ghana's Supreme Court building. As it happens, that monument is dedicated to the memory of three High Court judges (Justices Kwadwo Adjetey Agyepong, Poku Sarkodie and Mrs. Cecelia Korangteng-Addo), callously murdered, in 1982, during the brutal military dictatorship of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC). Subsequent Investigations into their murder, revealed that they were taken from their homes at night, and taken to the Bundase Military Training Camp, where they were murdered - and set alight, to burn, on the 30th of June, 1982. As a result of a downpour of rain that day, their bodies weren't burnt beyond recognition, aiding their identification when the gruesome crime was discovered. The monument dedicated to their memory (which displays the sculptured busts of the three high court judges), is known as the Martyrs to the rule of law. Unfortunately, a bust of Major Acquah was not added to that of the three high court judges. Pity. It is important to point out that there were other heroes, such the media's P. V. Ansah andTommy Thompson, who also lost their lives, in the fight to restore Ghanaian democracy and establish a new system, anchored on the rule of law - a development that was made possible, when the 1992 Constitution was promulgated, and presidential and parliamentary elections held to usher in civilian rule, and mark the end of the military-dominated dictatorship of the PNDC. It is therefore ironic, that today, somehow the impression is fast-gaining ground (perhaps unfairly, since for all we know, perhaps in reality, they might be saintly individuals, who mean well for our homeland Ghana, in their own unique-ways), that a gentleman whose critics insist is the most partisan Attorney General, ever, in Ghana's history, thus far, Hon. Godfrey Dame, is allegedly working in tandem with the current Chief Justice, using fear (of being charged with contempt), to cow regime-critics, who resent the idea that judges in a democracy are beyond criticism, and that critiquing them openly, undermines our democratic system. With the greatest respect, judges are public servants, who, like other public servants (compensated amply with taxpayers' cash, let us not forget), are accountable to the citizenry - and thus can be freely criticised when the need to do so arises, in the supreme national interest: because no one in our democratic system of governance, including even the President of the Republic of Ghana, is above criticism. Full stop. To say otherwise, is self-serving nonsense - by stealth-hardline-plutocrats masquerading as democrats, seeking to use fear, to prolong and perpetuate, the domination of Ghana, by the greedy and clever big-thieves-in-high-places, amongst our mostly self-serving ruling-elites. With respect, it is thus not unfair for any patriotic Ghanaian, to say, today, that Ghanaian democracy is now being undermined by judicial-high-handedness. Cool. Listen to article Constitutionally, the MCE is the direct representative of the president of the Republic and as such, must pursue the vision and agenda of the president. In an era that we have a president who is so passionate about the development and general welfare of the ordinary citizen, the actions and dealings of an MCE, must be congruous to this golden attribute of H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. In the case of the Jirapa Municipality, it is a different case all together as the MCE has become too self-centered, powerful, insensitive, incompetent and arrogant. Anyone who has patiently followed the politics of the Municipality, would notice clearly, that, indeed, there is a vast gap between the people and the Municipal Chief Executive right from the genesis of this government. We are reliably informed that the discredited MCE is on the list of those lobbying to represent the president in the Municipality. This, many people say, is a wrong move as they think she should have tried something else, having betrayed not only the NPP but the people of Jirapa at large. We have also gathered very relevant information from the people and major stakeholders in the Municipality and all of the information points to the fact that, the reappointment of Hon Christine Bonbanye will spark fierce resistance. Members of Jirapa Municipal Assembly are said to be preparing to reject the nomination of the incumbent Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Christine Bonbanye Amadu if she is re-nominated by the President for confirmation as the Jirapa Municipal Chief Executive. Some Assembly Members who did not want their identities revealed accused the MCE of poor leadership and corruption which resulted in underdevelopment of the Municipality over the past four years of her tenure of office. The Assembly Members also accuse the MCE of dividing the hitherto united Assembly along partisan lines. Many of the problems caused by the MCE are known by many and that will make it extremely difficult to convince anyone to confirm her appointment. For the sake of time and space, we wish to highlight topical areas to confirm her bad, incompetent and corrupt leadership. LOSS OF DEVELOPMENT FUNDS Jirapa Municipal Assembly lost more than one million Ghana Cedis of the DPAT III development grant due to the failure of the Municipal Assembly to meet the requirement of the District Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT) for the 2018 fiscal year. The Assembly Members attribute this loss to poor leadership on the part of the Hon. MCE. The failure of Jirapa Municipal Assembly in the performance assessment therefore denied the people of the municipality developmental projects that would have benefited many communities and people. DISTRICT PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT TOOL (DPAT) The Government of Ghana in 2008, implemented a performance based grant system known as DDF (District Development Fund) as part of efforts to improve performance of district assemblies in terms of efficiency, accountability and service delivery on their core mandate of providing basic amenities to the people. The tool used for this assessment was known as the Functional Organization Assessment Tool (FOAT). In 2017 the programme was revised and renamed District Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT. A satisfactory score of an assembly in the assessment attracts financial rewards in the form of grants to support it in building the capacity of its staff to execute their mandate and also to advance the socio-economic development of the people. DPAT assessment is in two parts: Minimum Conditions (MCs) and Performance Measures (PMs). The minimum conditions look at the availability and validity of the development plans, budget, financial reports and general documentation of the activities of the Assembly while the Performance Measures deal with the assessment, interrogation and scoring performance of the MMDA in their application and implementation of plans and budgets. Both the Minimum Conditions and Performance Measures attract financial rewards in these assessments. Unfortunately in 2018, Jirapa Municipal Assembly failed to meet the Minimum Conditions which dovetailed into the Performance Measures and resulted in the Assembly scoring 88 %. This meant that the Municipality failed to attract any financial rewards as they failed to meet the Minimum Conditions and also failed to score above the national average of above 90%. Of all the assemblies in Upper West Region, it was only Jirapa Municipal Assembly that failed to get any allocation of the Development Grant component of the DPAT III assessment in 2018. The only grant Jirapa got was the Capacity Building Grant which all assessed assemblies were entitled to. JIRAPA IN FOCUS Information gathered revealed that the failure of Jirapa Municipal Assembly to pass in the 2018 assessment was self-inflicted, with many pointing accusing fingers at the MCE, Hon. Christine Bonbanye Amadu. Her actions and inactions are said to have caused the poor performance of the Assembly in the 2018 DPAT assessment leading to the Municipality being denied these funds. Jirapa Municipal Assembly failed to meet the Minimum Conditions in the 2018 DPAT assessment due to the fact that the General Assembly could not convene a meeting to approve major working documents because the MCE had obtained a High Court injunction restraining the then Presiding Member (PM) of the Assembly from holding herself out as PM and hence she could not convene any Assembly meeting. Another reason for the failure to meet the Minimum Conditions was that the Auditor Generals Report of that year sighted serious procurement and financial irregularities. Even though Jirapa Municipal Assembly scored 88% in all, it failed to meet the National Responsive Average of 95% to be allocated a portion of the development grant of the DACF-RFG. HON. CHRISTINE BOMBANYE- AMADU AND JIRAPA MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY Not long after the Assembly Members massively confirmed Hon. Christine Bonbanye Amadu as MCE, she started a power struggle for the election of a new Presiding Member of the Assembly. The attempt by the Hon. MCE to use her position to influence the elections to favour her preferred candidate did not go down well with some Assembly Members. This disagreement between the Hon. MCE and some Assembly Members degenerated into accusations and allegations of corruption against the Hon. MCE. The attempt by the Hon. Presiding Member at that time to convene a meeting of the Assembly to impeach the MCE led to two separate suits by the MCE against the Presiding Member and some other members of the Assembly. Most of the Assembly Members the Hon. MCE fought were reelected to the Assembly in 2019. The ensuing confusion caused by the MCE brought activities of the Assembly to a standstill for over a year, rendering the Assembly dysfunctional and leading to the loss of the DPAT development grants. MCE AND ASSEMBLY STAFF The MCE is also said to have a bad working relationship with the staff of the Assembly. Over her four year tenure of office, the MCE is said to have worked with four different coordinating directors. She is also accused of causing the transfers of the Internal Auditor, the Records Officer and Engineer of the Assembly. Information available indicates that it took the intervention of leaders of Jirapa Youth Development Association and other stakeholders from the Regional Coordinating Council to plead with disgruntled officers at the Municipal Assembly to agree to cooperate with the Assessment Team in the immediate past assessment for 2019. The Hon. MCE is said to have showed no interest in the assessment, unlike her colleagues elsewhere who in the Region who were seen around and encouraging staff to cooperate to the best of their ability. Some staff of the Assembly were reported to be disappointed in the MCE when she openly fought officers who were not willing to compromise the procurement process for the 2017 DPAT project to favor her herself and her cronies. NPP YOUTH AND SYMPATHIZERS Youth of the governing NPP and other sympathizers of the party in Jirapa are apprehensive about the coming back of Hon Christine into office as MCE. Some claim that the Regional Minister and other senior party members in Wa are trying to impose the MCE on the party in Jirapa. According to them, it would be in the interest of both the Party in Jirapa and the people of Jirapa at large if the Party chooses a more accommodating, hardworking and unifying personality as MCE rather than maintaining the incumbent. It would be recalled that Party youth in Jirapa embarked on a number of demonstrations calling on the President to revoke the appointment of Hon. Christine Bonbanye Amadu as MCE for Jirapa. Many people we spoke to in Jirapa said they expect their Assembly Members to vote to reject the nomination of Hon. Christine Bonbanye Amadu if she is re-nominated. From information on the ground, it appears Jirapa Municipal Assembly may soon be in the news again for the wrong reasons if Hon. Christine Bonbanye Amadu is re-nominated as MCE for Jirapa. Hon Christine has become a poisoned to the political fortunes of the NPP in the Jirapa Municipality. The evidence is so glaring. The Representative of the President must be somebody who represents the vision and agenda of the president and not otherwise. The actions and inactions of Hon. Christine is a walking contradiction to the vision of the president. The appointment of such a leader will further dwindle the efforts of the party. The party has been managing with her since and we cannot continue with her. We need a competent and unifying personality. Nunle Jonathan Yonye (Concerned Youth Activist) Jirapa. The burning of Shea trees scientifically called the Stellaria paradox are endangering the livelihood of hundreds of women in the Northern Region of Ghana. Shea trees also know as the Northern 'cocoa' is the main source of income generation for the majority of local women. The Shea trees and their products provide a vital source of income and food for the rural dwellers. It helps to protect and restore the environment, allowing communities to grow their way out of poverty and build their climate change resilience. The economic development of Ghana is partly hinged on the contribution of the women in Shea activities, collectors and processors and the implementation of various policies that invest in the environment to ensure the sustainable production of Shea would help to salvage the plight of rural dwellers. The Shea tree is an indigenous asset in West and Central Africa and also abundant in the Savannah ecological zone but the continuous felling of the economic Shea trees, described as illegal is detrimental to the environment and adversely impacts the economic activities of rural women. The Shea fruit is a great source of nutrients for people in rural Africa that often have limited food sources, while the Shea nut can be processed into butter which can be used for cooking or to make cosmetics which are used all over the world. In addition, Shea trees help to stabilize the environment and build resilience against the climate change crisis. Currently, in West Africa, Shea trees absorb and fix an incredible about 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 every year. According to the Global Shea Alliance(GSA), a non-profit industry association, almost eight (8) million Shea trees are lost across West Africa every single year. The impacts of the climate crisis along with unsustainable tree use and increased clearing of land for agriculture are all major contributors to the alarming decrease in the Shea population. Research by the GSA in 2020 revealed the Shea trees' economic value, as Ghana earns more than US$32million annually from the exportation of Shea products. Without these amazing trees, many communities would lose this essential source of food and income and the environment would suffer dramatically which has motivated TREE AID, an international development organization that focuses on unlocking the potential of trees to reduce poverty and protect the environment in Africa to support communities to protect their Shea trees. An estimated three million rural women in Ghana, especially the Savannah Ecological Zone make a small income from Shea butter. To enhance climate change and the livelihood of the rural dwellers especially women, An initiative to plant 10 million Shea trees over the next 10 years, replacing felled and aged trees has been unveiled by the GSA. The project in collaboration with Action for Shea Parklands (AFP), and seeks to achieve the set goals by planting, protecting, and promoting Shea parklands across West Africa. To this end, some 34,000 seedlings were planted to replace the aged economic Shea trees. The burning of the Shea trees to produce charcoal has been a source of employment for most women in the Northern part of Ghana as a means for survival. The women aside from extracting oil from the Shea butter also sell the nuts as a form of income generation. The shea tree is being cut and used as firewood for domestic and economic purposes by some people in the Savannah ecological zone for their selfish gains. A charcoal dealer, Faustina Akabu tells DGN Online that the cutting of Shea trees and burning of charcoal is her only source of livelihood. This is the work we also do to take care of our children and so the ban on charcoal burning has affected us greatly, she lamented. According to her, most of them took loans from the bank for the business and that if they are being stopped from the charcoal business it will be difficult for them to retrieve the money they have invested since they still have lots of bags of charcoal and in the forest. We will plead that they allow us to retrieve all of the bags of charcoal in the forest to be able to pay back the loans we took else it will be difficult for us to pay back the loan. She however appealed to the government to find other alternative for them since the cutting of Shea trees and burning of charcoal is their livelihood. Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Intervention The Central Gonja District where the charcoal selling business is booming has been tagged as the ' charcoal market' in the Savannah ecological zone. Following that the paramount chief of the Buipe Traditional Area who doubles as the Vice President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor Il, ordered the closure of the Buipe charcoal market in the Central Gonja district of the Savannah region. I declare to the people of the Central Gonja District and Ghana at large that the Buipe charcoal park popularly known as 'Birdie Park' has been closed and banned from its usual activities. The Buipewura made this known at a Central Gonja district stakeholder consultative dialogue meeting on illegal logging, commercial charcoal burning and commercial fuelwood activities affecting the environment. The closure of the charcoal follows the ban of illegal logging, commercial charcoal burning, and commercial fuelwood activities by the Regional House of Chiefs in the region. All chiefs in the Savannah region have been tasked to as a matter of urgency form a task force in their jurisdictions to support the ban to achieve its set goals and report the same to the Regional House of Chiefs. Governments Intervention The government of Ghana has initiated a Green Ghana Project scheduled to take place on June 11, 2021, and will plant five million (5,000,000) economic trees in a day, across the country. The Green Ghana Project seeks to mobilize citizens to plant trees, nurture them to maturity and contribute to the preservation of the country's environment. SDG The Sustainable Development Goal 13 which Ghana has signed onto talks about taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Given that, improving the livelihoods of the Shea communities, women collectors, and processors would help curb the unemployment rates and also encourage more women and youth to venture into the sector. Also, the amendment of the Economic Plants Protection Act, to include Shea would help prevent the destruction of the economic Shea trees for illegal charcoal production and logging; as well as their destruction by the government to make room for developmental projects and infrastructure. ---Daily Guide Suspect Quao Amele Agbovi in police custody Listen to article A 43-year-old man has been picked up by the Tesano Divisional Police Command for allegedly defiling his eight-year-old step daughter at Ofankor. The suspect Quao Amele Agbovi, according to the police, has been secretly having sexual intercourse with the victim for close to a year. He is said to have also threatened the victim with death, if she reported the issue to anyone. The Tesano Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Oduro Amaning, who confirmed the issue to DGN Online said the complainant in the case is the biological daughter of the suspect. He said the complainant is eighteen years and live with her father, the step mother and the victim who is her step sister in a three bedroom self contain apartment at Ofankor. ACP Amaning continued that on May 12, 2021, the victim, in a conversation with her step sister reported to her that their father had been sleeping with her at night. He said the victim reportedly told the complainant that the suspect had threatened to kill her if she tells anyone and urged her to keep it a secret. The complainant said on May 29, 2021 midnight around 12am, when all were in their individual rooms sleeping, she saw her dad, sneaking into the victim's room. The complainant said, when she followed up, she saw her dad removed his cloth, and partially remove the clothing of the victim after which he laid on her to have sex with her. ACP Amaning said, the complainant shouted at her dad, but in response, the father rather warned her not to tell anyone or he would kill her. The Tesano Divisional Police Commander said at that moment, the complainant rushed out of the house to the police to report the matter. The following morning when the police visited the scene, the girl was nowhere to be found and when we enquired, we were told that her mother had travelled with her to Sunyani. He said it was there that the police called the mother of the victim to bring her to the police station for questioning. ACP Amaning said, the victim was later brought to the station by the complainant and after interrogation; a medical form was issued to her for medical attention. After medical doctors who attended to the victim confirmed our suspicions', we proceeded to apprehend the suspect, he added. ---Daily Guide Some traditional leaders in the Asante-Akim Central Municipality and Amansie West District of Ashanti are advocating for government to introduce a reclamation bond in the small-scale mining. This, they believed, was the way to go to restore degraded mine sites, lost nutrients and minerals in soils, to effectively deal with the destruction of lands. They said it was imperative to replicate the reclamation bond system being operated by large-scale mining companies in the small-scale sector with the active involvement of chiefs to ensure sanity in the reclamation process. They raised the concerns at separate meetings at Manso-Nkwanta and Konongo during a district multi-stakeholder dialogue on mining organized by Tropenbos Ghana as part of its Securing Food and Ecosystem Services in Mining-Plagued Regions of Ghana project. The four-year (2018-2022) project is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). It is being implemented in Asante-Akim Central, Amansie West District, and Akuapim South in the Eastern Region. The project seeks to through research, engagements, and policy discussions, be able to come out with a harmonized integrated land use within the mining communities in Ghana. The programme brought together traditional leaders, miners, farmers, district assembly representatives, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Minerals Commission, and landowners to discuss laws, roles, challenges, and other pertinent issues in the mining landscape. It was held under the theme Sustainable small-Scale Mining for National Development; the Role of District and Community Level Stakeholders. The Chiefs advised that mining should be executed responsibly with citizens complying with associated laws to help sanitize the mining system. Mr. Christopher Anokye, a member of the Project Advisory Committee for Tropenbos and A Rocha Ghana, said although there were adequate mining laws in the country, the government must enforce the laws to address the lapses in mining. He indicated that small-scale mining was critical to Ghana's economy and also provided employment to over a million Ghanaians, therefore, there was an urgent need for addressing its appalling state for progress. Mr. Anokye disclosed that in the year 2018, the amount of gold produced by the small-scale sector was almost equal to that of the large-scale mines. Mrs. Mercy Owusu Ansah, Director for Tropenbos Ghana, said community members had a critical role to play in sustaining the environment which was why the organization was ensuring local stakeholder participation and inclusiveness in dealing with sustainable mining for national development. She reminded Ghanaians to be wary of land use and explained that mined sites took longer years in regaining nutrients and reclamation was very expensive. ---GNA Ever since the little disagreement during the War of 1812, when the U.S. tried and failed to invade Canada and the Brits sacked the Capitol (which wasnt attacked again until this Jan. 6), America has had fine relations with our upstairs neighbors. And so, in most ways, for more than two centuries, the long, undefended border from the Atlantic to the Pacific has been an imaginary line. It now sees more two-way international trade than between any other pair of nations, and countless crossings of people. The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has applauded MTN Ghanas successes within the past two and a half decades. The President said MTN Ghana deserves commendation for the achievements it has attained over the past 25 years. The President said this during the official launch of MTN Ghanas 25th anniversary at an impressive ceremony held in Accra on June 2, 2021. The ceremony which was attended by the Minister of Communications and Digitalization Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful saw the unveiling of the 25th anniversary logo and a host of activities outlined for the anniversary period. The ceremony was also attended by other Regulators, Partners, Suppliers and the Media. MTN Ghana Board Chairman Dr Ishmael Yamson and the MTN Foundation Board Chairman Prof Franklin Manu along with the members of both boards and Executives of MTN were present at the event. Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo said, Your slogan Everywhere You Go' says it all. My heartfelt congratulations go to all staff of the organization, policymakers, regulators, service providers and MTN subscribers past and present. Government appreciates your hard work and continuous contributions to the telecommunications sector and the country as a whole. He added, We are confident that many more organisations will be inspired by your 25-year journey and successfully emulate your achievements. The anniversary launch was an opportunity to recount the immense contributions of MTN Ghana to the growth of Ghanas telecommunications and ICT sector. The CEO of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh, used the occasion to express his appreciation to all those who have contributed to the success of the business. He said, We are deeply humbled and recognize that this achievement has only been possible with the support and contributions of so many before us, who have toiled and built the foundations upon which we stand today. He said, I will also like to recognize the role the people of Ghana have played in MTNs business successes. Firstly, for giving us the opportunity to serve you and secondly, for your patronage, feedback and loyalty over the past 25 years. Whilst recounting the achievements of the company, the CEO said, we have impacted the lives of Ghanaians in many ways over including our social interventions in communities around the country through the MTN Ghana Foundation and our financial inclusion efforts. Selorm Adadevoh also used the opportunity to share the future focus of the business. Some of the dignitaries at the event included the South African High Commissioner Madam Grace Jeanette Mason, the Former Deputy Minister of Communications and a former Executive of MTN Ghana, Hon George Andah, Director General of the NCA Mr Joe Anokye, CEO of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications Dr.Ken Ashigbey and the CEO of the Ghana South Africa Business Chamber Grant Webber. The CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Center Mr Yoofi Grant as well as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications Hon Cynthia Mamle Morrison and some members of the committee were also present. The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission Rev Daniel Ogbamey Tetteh, MD of the Ghana Stock Exchange Mr Ekow Afedzie, the Director General of NITA Richard Ofosu Kyere, GIFEC Administrator Mr Kofi Asante all attended the event. The Head of Payment Systems of the Bank of Ghana Dr Setor Amediku, Head of Innovation and Fintec Head of the Bank of Ghana Kwame Oppong, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Affail Monney and the CEO of the Consumer Protection Agency, Mr Kofi Kapito, CEO of Huawei Technologies Tommy Zhou graced the occasion with their presence. Customers of MTN Ghana were also informed of a number of promotions designed to reward them for their loyalty to the brand over the past 25 years. The promotions include the Good Day promo, National Promo, and Top 2500 customers promo. Prizes to be won include, cars, phones, electronic devices, data and airtime. The body of a missing small-scale miner was retrieved from one of the mining pits that got flooded and trapped 17 men at Gbane, a mining community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. He was among 10 miners killed when a downpour on Monday night flooded the mining pits at the site. The bodies were retrieved by some of their colleagues and handed over to the Police, who released them to their families for burial. Mr Robert Tampua Boazor, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the Small-Scale Miners Association, confirmed the retrieval of the body of the missing miner in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Gbane. He earlier told the GNA at the mining site, when the Agency visited the area on Wednesday to interact with the Miners that out of the nine bodies that were earlier retrieved, seven were from Gaare, one from Tindongo and the other one was from Kpale, all neighbouring communities. He said mining was halted and the water in the pits pumped out to make sure that no dead body was left in there. It was a sober moment in the area as the Miners mourned their departed colleagues. They said flooding at the mining site was strange to them, adding that they were familiar with collapsed pits but not floods. Officials of the Ghana Police Service led by the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Eric Van Koffie also patrolled the area to ensure calm. Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister, said a committee was formed to establish the immediate cause of the flooding of the pits. He said the Committee was made up of the Regional Crime Officer of the Ghana Police Service, the Regional Office of the National Intelligence Bureau, Officials of the Talensi District Assembly, the Regional NADMO office, and the Office of the Regional Minerals Commission. He said mining activities in the area would be halted for about two weeks to enable the Committee to complete its work. ---GNA Even as fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case is facing charges of illegally entering Dominica, documents show that two boats may have been used in the operation involving his entry into the island nation. Earlier on Thursday, Dominican High Court Judge Bernie Stephenson adjourned the habeas corpus hearing of Choksi. On Wednesday, a local court charged Choksi for entering Dominica illegally. It is still being ascertained by multiple agencies including that on how he reached Dominica. IANS has accessed the pictures of the boat, several documents, the two vessels and the pictures of two men dressed in black kurta payjama standing on board with three other men. These two boats which might have been used are named -- Calliope of Arne and Lady Anne. The passenger list of Callioppe of Arne shows Gurjit Bhandal, a resident of Birmingham in UK and Gurmit Singh, a resident of India. According to the records of the Cobra tours, Gurjit Bhandal, a resident of Birmingham in UK and Gurmit Singh a resident of India are shown as passengers of Calliope of Arne. Calliope of Arne entered Dominica on May 25 at Portsmouth port, according to the Customs and Excise department documents. According to records, Lady Anne boat passenger list shows Gurmit Singh also as a resident of UK along with Gurjit Bhandal, two crew members Egbert Joyeux as the boat captain and Eugene Davidson. The large boat named Calliope of Arne by Cobra Tours belongs from St Lucia, another Carribean country, while Lady Anne by one Hackshaw Boat Charters Limited also registered in St Lucia. It is claimed that two boats might have been used at different stages to bring Choksi to Dominica from Antigua. Several calls and messages to Choksi's wife Priti Choksi and his lawyer Vijay Agarwal went unanswered by the time of filing this report. Also, there was no confirmation from the Indian government over the two boats and their passengers in question. Choksi's wife and his lawyers have been claiming that the businessman was abducted from Antigua by some men of Indian origin and later forced to board a vessel. His lawyer in India, Vijay Agarwal, had told IANS: "Choksi was forced to get into a vessel from Antigua and was taken to Dominica and there were marks on Choksi's body, implying the use of force." "There is something fishy and I guess it was a strategy to take him to another place so that there are chances of sending him back to India. So I don't know what forces are operating. The time will tell," he had said. Antigua Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney has rubbished the claims of Choksi's counsel and said that they have no information on him being forcefully removed. However, it is not yet not clear how Choksi arrived in Dominica, where is he facing the charge of entering illegaly. Choksi had gone missing from Antigua from May 23 sparking a massive manhunt. He was captured in Dominica three days later on May 26. A Dominican court has restrained the extradition of Choksi till further orders by hearing the habeas corpus plea filed by his lawyers. On Wednesday, Choksi appeared before a local magistrate in Dominica and pleaded not guilty of entering Dominica illegally. On May 27, first pictures of Choksi emerged online, showing several signs of bruises on his arms and a swollen eye. An eight-member team of Indian officials has also landed in Dominica on a private jet for the extradition of Choksi. 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. Apollo Finvest (India) Ltd (AFIL) is a non-banking financial company (NBFC) that enables any company to offer digital loans to their customers. AFIL provides its clients with an API-based (application programming interface-based) cloud-native technology platform which enables them to go live and start offering digital loans within 48 hours. A company can access AFILs services, such as... The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has directed all government organisations to frame norms for their employees to ensure that a mandatory cooling off period is followed by them post retirement before accepting any offer from the private sector. In a letter to the secretaries of all ministries, CEOs of PSUs, banks and insurance companies, the CVC said that the applicable service or conduct rules should be amended to ensure that if required, appropriate action can also be initiated in case of violation of these rules by retired employees. The CVC said that taking up a post-retirement acceptance of an offer by retired government officers without observing mandatory cooling off constitutes a serious misconduct on their part. The CVC has also formulated a defined procedure for engaging a retired government official on contractual/consultancy basis by government organisations. In respect of retired officers belonging to All India Services, Group A or equivalent posts, before offering them a contractual basis employment, vigilance clearance must be taken from the previous employer from where they have retired. In case no information is received from an erstwhile employer for 21 days, "deemed vigilance clearance" will be considered for the concerned person. If later on it is found that the person was involved in a vigilance related matter, the erstwhile employer organisation would be held responsible for all consequential actions. "The procedure for engaging retired government officers should be transparent with equal opportunity to all those who are willing to offer their services. The post should be advertised at least on the website of the organisation concerned at an appropriate place and should be available in the public domain," the CVC said. 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. It has been more than two months since the country started grappling with the second wave of coronavirus (COVID) and when every institution was overwhelmed by the pressure of rising new cases. Corporates came to the rescue, opened their purses, and put their money where their hearts are, with a lot of heart-warming corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Moneylife has been covering these initiatives in a special series, here is the latest one. In line with their mission towards environment and health care and for the well-being of Puneites, the dwellers at Magarpatta City, Nanded City and at Noble Hospital, the Magarpatta City Group has implemented many initiatives for COVID relief. They have set up 100 oxygen beds in rural Pune, donated 50 oxygen concentrators to Zilla Parishad Pune and donated 8 ventilators. The Magarpatta City Group has also donated 5000 PPE kits to the state government. Besides providing ration to all frontline staff, they also conduct regular RTPCR / Antigen tests for security, housekeeping other essential service staff below 45 years age. 700 construction workers were checked and vaccinated. A blood donation camp was also organised by the security personnel of the company. They conducted a vaccination camp in association with Pune Municipal Corporation, wherein 3,000+ Magarpatta City residents have been vaccinated till date. They have plans for a similar vaccination camp for Nanded City. Apart from this, the group has distributed 17,700 sanitizers, 90,000 masks and 17,700 We Care kits to the residents at Magarpatta City and Nanded City. During lock down they made special arrangements for the residents for delivery of daily essentials, vegetables and fruits.They launched a helpline number for the COVID positive residents and their families, which can be utilised by them for sanitization of their flat (after quarantine period is over) - which is free of cost. They have also set up dedicated call numbers for getting assistance in obtaining essential services like grocery, fruit, vegetables, milk, dairy items, medicine, tiffin etc. Residents can directly make payment for the items, but the service for such delivery is completely free of cost. Continuing with its efforts to fight the pandemic, PepsiCo Foundation is organising a series of initiatives in Maharashtra in partnership to help the communities in need. As part of the same initiatives, the Foundation has provided 10 oxygen concentrators to the local administration in Thergaon at Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune. The oxygen concentrators will be installed in the local government hospitals in Pune. The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art isolation care & adequate ventilation facilities. Tractor manufacturer Escorts Ltd has announced its decision to offer financial help for employees at its dealerships for their COVID-19 treatment. The company will also help dealers by bearing the cost of vaccination of their employees. As part of the scheme named COVID-Shield, the company will pay an employee of a dealer a sum of Rs20,000 after they test positive for COVID-19. Additionally, Escorts is also reimbursing cost of vaccination for all field sales employees of its dealers. Escorts has also announced a grant of Rs1 lakh for family of deceased dealer employee as additional financial support for its dealership staff. These programmes are being run with support of Escorts Dealers Development Association Ltd (EDDAL), a unique cooperative venture of Escorts and its dealers. The CSR arm of Cadila Pharmaceuticals, along with the Indian Red Cross Society, Dholka, Mangal Mandir Manav Seva Parivaar, Bagodara, Dholka Seva Parivaar, and Faraj Trust, have set up a free COVID care centre at Dholka (Gujarat) with medicines and oxygen support. Cadila Pharmaceuticals has also provided 600 doses of Sepsivac, an immuno-modulator found to show success in some COVID treatment cases. More than 1,100 COVID patients have received treatment at the COVID care centre at Dolka, while 150 patients have received in-house treatment so far. Piramal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Piramal Enterprises Ltd (PEL), has launched significant initiatives to address the devastating impact of the second wave of COVID in Indias aspirational districts. To address the current emergency due to the second wave of COVID-19, the Foundation, will set up 100 COVID care centres in rural and tribal blocks across 25 of the worst affected aspirational districts, and home care support to the tribal and rural population with poor access to health services in 112 aspirational districts across India in partnership with the Niti Aayog. Piramal Foundation will invest Rs100 crore towards COVID Relief. The intervention seeks to reach two million people in 1,143 blocks through a network of over 1,000 non-government organisations (NGOs) and over one lakh volunteers. As part of its efforts to support the fight against COVID-19, DCM Shriram Ltd has successfully installed, commissioned and handed over two units of the medical oxygen generation plant with a capacity of 125 litres per minute (LPM) at ESIC Hospital, Ankleshwar, Gujarat. Under its CSR initiative, the company is undertaking numerous steps to help the local administration and communities combat COVID-19s second wave. Its manufacturing facility at Bharuch (Gujarat) is producing sodium hypochlorite, which is being given to various cities and districts of Gujarat for sanitisation purposes. DCM Shriram has also donated N95 masks, PPE kits and hand sanitisers across 12 government health centres at Bharucht. Further the company will soon install four oxygen generating plants with PSA (pressure swing absorption) technology in the district hospital of Bharuch. Information technology company Cognizant has announced a nationwide drive to vaccinate all its employees along with their dependants under its COVID-19 rapid response programme covering 650,000 people. The company has partnered with top-tier healthcare providers and hospitals with a pan-India presence to help ensure access to critical health services and vaccinations. "Through our emergency funding to our foundation and Unicef, we have mobilised life-saving care for vulnerable and differently-abled communities, including vaccinations, Cognizant said. The vaccinations will be administered at Cognizants own facilities, through a network of hospital chains such as Apollo, Columbia Asia, Fortis and Manipal. The IT giant will cover the costs of vaccines, enable time-off and ensure vaccine reimbursements, where needed. Additionally, Cognizant India Foundation has partnered with NGOs and health authorities to help deliver 1,000 oxygenated COVID care beds, paediatric ICU units, and over 700,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits for frontline workers. Its special vaccination camps for the differently-enabled and their care-givers has covered more than 8,000 people so far. United Phosphorus Ltd (UPL) has set up oxygen generating plants at eight hospitals in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and New Delhi. Responding to the nationwide shortage caused by the surge in COVID cases, the company rapidly stepped up its innovation and converted four of its nitrogen production plants in Gujarat, to produce and deliver oxygen to four hospitals in the state and UP. These plants are skid mounted and delivered directly to the hospital sites for them to be directly plugged into the hospitals oxygen header system to help attain self-sufficiency in supply. HDFC Bank CSR is implemented under the aegis of Parivartan (the umbrella brand for all its social initiatives). HDFC Bank, under Parivartan, announced a slew of measures to set up and enhance medical infrastructure across the country to assist the fight against the pandemic. In order to help improve the medical infrastructure across India, HDFC Bank will set up 20 oxygen plants, set up three 100-bed COVID care facilities, create two isolation centres, provide medical equipment and supplies to more than 200 hospitals across the country. The bank has committed an initial amount of Rs100 crore under Parivartan in FY 21-22 for COVID-19 relief initiatives. In FY 20-21, the bank contributed Rs120 crore towards COVID-19 relief, towards Parivartan. In an endeavour to strengthen the oxygen supply chain, Rodic Consultants Pvt Ltd has donated one empty ISO-certified, 20 MT Cryogenic Container to Bihar Foundation, Department of Industries, government of Bihar which has recently been notified as state nodal agency for receipt of all reliefs. The cylinder has been imported from Dubai and will be used for transport as well as storage of Liquid Medical Oxygen. It will further augment the supply chain of liquid medical oxygen for the benefit of coronavirus patients in the state of Bihar. Omega Seiki Mobility, an electric two-wheeler making company, recently opened a dedicated COVID-19 oxygen hospital at Sanjay Colony, Faridabad. The hospital has 50 beds presently and can be expanded to 250 beds in the need arises. You may also want to read The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the exposure threshold to benefit under its Resolution Framework 2.0 to Rs 50 crore. The 'Resolution Framework 2.0' announced by RBI on May 5, 2021, so far had mandated a maximum aggregate exposure of Rs 25 crore for considering resolution of COVID-19 related stress of MSMEs as well as non-MSME small businesses, and loans to individuals for business purposes. "Based on a review, it has been decided to enhance the above exposure threshold to Rs 50 crore. Accordingly, the above categories of borrowers to whom the lending institutions have aggregate exposure of not more than Rs 50 crore as on March 31, 2021, and which have not been restructured earlier under any of the specified restructuring frameworks, shall be eligible to be considered for resolution under Resolution Framework 2.0," said the RBI's Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies. This move would ensure more businesses get relief under the scheme. The decision comes at a crucial time as the most business activities across the country remain shut or are partially operational amid the severe second wave of Covid-19 and the lockdowns across states. Banks had last month asked the central bank to expand the ambit of the scheme and raise its exposure limit to above Rs 25 crore. 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. BILLINGS, Mont. - A 32-year-old man is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after being shot multiple times according to the Billings Police Department. Sgt. Peterson with the Billings Police Department said on Twitter the shooting happened at 1:48 a.m. in the 1400 block of Eldorado Drive. The suspect is unknown at this time. Detectives are investigating. Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use. This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it. Just 10 days ago, a large group of smart state lawmakers including Sens. Brian Kavanagh and Liz Krueger introduced legislation intended to actually help save the crumbling New York City Housing Authority, its 175,000 apartments and 400,000 tenants. The measure was a welcome step that set the sponsors apart from New York politicians who love bemoaning the sad state of affairs at NYCHA but wont risk one cent of political capital to actually try fixing its problems, including its broken management culture, byzantine bureaucracy and more than $40 billion in unfunded capital needs. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! June 04, 2021 Roman Protasevich, Casualty Of The Ryanair Incident In Belarus, Is Spilling The Beans A TV documentary of the bomb threat against a Ryanair plan (vid) has confirmed our analysis of a false narrative which had been constructed by Belorussian regime change activists. They had alleged that on May 23 a Ryanair plane had been forced by the Belorussian government to land in Minsk after which one activist on board, Roman Protasevich, had been arrested. But in reality a real bomb threat, delivered by email, had been received at Minsk airport as well as by Lithuanian air authorities. The plane was made aware of the threat by the Belorussian air traffic control and the pilot, after communicating with Ryanair management, had decided to land in Minsk. Belarus handled the case by the book and the plane was released after it had been unsuccessfully searched for the alleged bomb. There were outstanding arrest warrants against two passengers on board, Roman Protasevich and his Russian girl friend Sofia Sapega. Both were detained after passing through the custom and passport controls. Roman Protasevich had been betrayed. Other regime change activists, with whom he had disagreed, had sent the bomb threat email to get him trapped. This is evident from his testimony in the later part of the TV documentary linked above, where he appears as a lively and engaged chain smoker. A second Belorussian TV piece (vid), with a ninety minutes excerpt from a four hour long interview of Protasevich, was broadcast yesterday: Former editor-in-chief of NEXTA Roman Protasevich interviewed the Belarusian state channel ONT. In it, he pleaded guilty in a criminal case to organizing and preparing actions that violate public order, and also criticized the Belarusian opposition and said he respected Alexander Lukashenko. In the interview Protasevich is spilling the beans about the whole foreign financed opposition organization which was behind the 2020 color revolution attempt in Belarus. 'Western' media, as well as other regime change activist claim that Protasevich must have been tortured to say what he says. However, aside from light handcuff marks at his wrists there is no evidence of that. Protasevich had previously been wounded when he fought in the fascist Ukrainian Azov battalion against the Donbas secessionists. He is a tough guy who will not be impressed by handcuffs which, by the way, police everywhere use for good reasons. During the Korea war U.S. pilots, captured by China, admitted to dropping biological weapons on China. The U.S. long denied the use of biological weapons and claimed that the pilots had been tortured and made false confessions. Decades later secret files were released which proved that the claims the pilots had made had been correct. At the beginning of the interview with Marat Markov, the head of the Belorussian state TV channel ONT, Protasevich is still somewhat tense. But after 3 or 4 minutes the talk develops into a lively exchange during which Protasevich at times interrupts and corrects the journalist. Protasevich's voice sounds rough and at times pressed. He is a chain smoker and claims to have a cold. Towards the end, when they talk about the personal damage the color revolution attempt has caused to many, both get somewhat emotional but in no way hostile to each other. Protasevich's demeanor, engagement, body language and general attitude throughout the interview has me convinced that he doing it voluntarily and that he is telling the truth. He is not reading off a script someone else has written. He is doing a tell all about the foreign financed regime change effort he had been part of. And why not? He has been betrayed by his former comrades. He is now expecting up to fifteen years of jail. Telling it all might well help him to lessen the sentence for his crimes. There are yet no English subtitles on the interview and there is no English language transcript of the interview. The following are excerpts from an eight part summary published in Russian language on Office Life. The text is machine translated: Roman Protasevich on the air of the ONT TV channel on the program Markov. Nothing personal, said that he agreed to be interviewed completely voluntarily. But he noted that he had a little cold. He added that it is difficult to predict how the opposition will react to the interview, and he would not be surprised to be called a traitor. Protasevich stressed that he absolutely does not care what they say. He, according to him, just wants to do everything to correct his mistakes. ... Roman Protasevich on the air of ONT suggested that information about his flight over Belarus could have been given by Daniil Bogdanovich, who was the project director. Protasevich stressed that for the first time in a long time, he reported data on his movements to someone. He wrote about the flight from Athens in a chat, which includes Frank Viacorka and Daniil Bogdanovich. With the latter, Protasevich had a conflict. Roman claims that, in fact, behind his back on an online "phone call" it was said that he could be fired. He himself did not participate in the "call" due to poor communication at the hotel. His colleagues told him about the content. Protasevich believes that it was Bogdanovich who could have initiated the possible dismissal. During the interview, Roman also stressed that he had nothing to do with the Black Book of Belarus channel. He only held one workshop on how to make headlines, etc. Roman thinks that a lot of personal data was transferred to the channel by ex-security officials. Protasevich stressed that he had nothing to do with the publication of personal data. The 'black book' is a Telegram channel used by the opposition to publish addresses and personal information about Belorussian policeman and their families. Protasevich then gives some details ofn persons involved in the opposition operation and of their corruption. I will skip this here as most are unknown to me and of minor interest. These though are people we have heard of: The interviewee also walked around Olga Karach. He said that she got her possession of a house with an area of 600 square meters. m in the elite area of Vilnius. Karach is trying to fight Tikhanovskaya for the money of the diaspora. Protasevich added that Tikhanovskaya partly lives at the expense of the Lithuanian state, partly at the expense of some entrepreneurs. She is guarded by the Lithuanian special service. Andrey Strizhak (BySol Foundation), according to Protasevich, is also not perfect. There were complaints against Strizhak, and they, according to Protasevich, were clearly not unfounded. That was when, according to Roman, there was money in the fund, and then it was gone. In addition, Protasevich said that ByPol, in his opinion, is financed by Poland. Also, according to him, the Polish side gave 50 million zlotys to the Belarusian House in Warsaw. Then follow details about the NEXTA Telegram channel which was used to direct last summer's demonstrations and riots in Minsk. According to Protasevich that channel has a following in Belarus of 500,000 people "at most". Protasevich is trying to lower the potential sentence against him: Roman Protasevich said on the air of ONT that he respects Alexander Lukashenko. At the same time, he believes that some of the decisions of this politician were erroneous. Protasevich admitted that he criticized Lukashenka a lot. He claims that he realized that many of the things for which the head of state was criticized were an element of pressure. According to Protasevich, Lukashenka acted like a man with eggs of steel. The financing of the NEXTA channel (translated as 'Nektha') with its extensive staff is discussed next: On the air of ONT, Roman Protasevich said that initially the Nekhta project (recognized as extremist in Belarus) lived on advertising. The posts cost "good money": for example, $20 thousand. Protasevich's salary could be $1.5 thousand. In August 2020, 5 thousand euros came out. At some point, according to Protasevich, there was Russian funding: 3-5 thousand euros per week. The money came from a certain company from Russia, which, judging by the name, is associated with the Urals and mining. Its owner is a well-known Russian oligarch, and he is a direct competitor of Mikhail Gutseriev. Protasevich did not give his last name, but perhaps he means a native of Minsk, Dmitry Mazepin, who actually now controls Uralkali. Protasevich also said that it was allegedly planned to transfer one of the Nekhta channels to Russian hands. Roman Protasevich also said that the split in the Nekhta team was due to the figure of the Belarusian political emigration Ales Zarembyuk, who, according to the journalist, used Putilo and the entire project as a cash cow. Now, according to Protasevich, advertising does not appear on "Nekhta", although there are more staff in the editorial office. This, in his opinion, means that someone is supporting the project. The socialist Belarus has extensive potash resources. That a fertilizer oligarch in neo-liberal Russia is trying to get his hands on it via regime change and privatization is not astonishing. The next part is about the military coup attempt against Lukashenko which unraveled two months ago: Roman Protasevich said on the air of ONT that he allegedly almost became a liaison "between the conspirators and the headquarters of Tikhanovskaya." That is, his role was to bring the headquarters together with the defendants in the case of the conspiracy against Lukashenka. Protasevich claims that he had constant contacts with Dmitry Shchigelsky, who now lives in the United States and they allegedly have a lot in common. Unlike Alexander Feduta and Grigory Kostusev, Shchigelsky was not detained by the Belarusian special services. Roman also assures that there are sleeping cells in Belarus of those who advocate a forceful scenario of overthrowing the current government. Protasevich also claims that Frank Viacorka was not included in the project for the violent overthrow. Roman believes that he has "too long a tongue." According to Protasevich, the conspirators talked about some 20 military families who had to be evacuated from Belarus, and they wanted to get large sums from the BySol fund for them, but this did not work out. Protasevich believes that in reality these military men and their families are fiction. Protasevich then talks about his time with Azov: ... At the same time, Protasevich says that he was not officially on the staff of "Azov", and not in business "he was mainly engaged in photography." But he was indeed given a light machine gun. However, with him, according to Protasevich, he did not participate in any hostilities, and almost all the time "was at the base." Roman also admits that he violated journalistic ethics. In addition, Protasevich admitted that he is afraid of some kind of extradition (to which country, it is not clear) and hopes that Alyaksandr Lukashenka will have enough political will not to agree to extradition. Roman claims that allegedly not so long ago he was on the verge of returning to Belarus himself. He stated that he was cooperating with the investigation and rethought a lot in life. At the end of the interview, Protasevich actually burst into tears. After that, they showed the already separately recorded commentary of the presenter, where he explained that in fact the interview lasted about four hours and not everything was aired on the air. --- Previous Moon of Alabama post on the Ryanair incident in Belarus: Posted by b on June 4, 2021 at 11:20 UTC | Permalink Comments next page @MJ_JournalRick on Twitter Richard Payerchin covers Lorain City Hall, business news and other interesting stories for The Morning Journal. Reach the author at rpayerchin@MorningJournal.com or follow Richard on Twitter: @MJ_JournalRick. The benefits of such a program are not only to the public and the police but to the local economy as well. The seat-belt-wearer whos getting a free sandwich and drink may now order dessert and become a steady customer at the corner diner. The teenager who put her candy bar wrapper in a garbage can and got free movie theater tickets may purchase popcorn before the show starts. The person who comes in with a certificate for a coffee mug might now purchase coffee or sugar or milk. Food, beverages, toys, gift cards, t-shirts, caps, cereal bowls and flowers are just some of the items that local merchants might want to offer. He impacted so many people. There are so many musicians who say they would not be who they are if it were not for my uncle. Monciella "Sugar" Elder Pull Quote The Rev. Douglas Price will retire June 6 as senior pastor of New Morning Star Baptist Church in Lorain. Ohio State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtkland, is sworn in as a senator in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 4, 2021. The Aim to End Hunger Shoot will benefit the West Texas Food Bank with support from ConocoPhillips and the Midland Shooters Association. The shoot starts 8 a.m. June 10 with 30 unique stations at the fully updated MSA shooting range at 7400 W. County Road 170. Six-man teams are available. Because of ConocoPhillips, all proceeds will benefit the West Texas Food Bank. Individual teams are $900 for six shooters with sponsorship packages available. Applications are available here: drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1lkzHbso3fBdfzsNlsEY6fP_gfV4Rut5e. BERLIN (AP) A state vote on Sunday is German politicians' last major test at the ballot box before a September election that will determine who succeeds Chancellor Angela Merkel. After a bumpy start to the year, the longtime leader's bloc is hoping for a good showing in an eastern region where a far-right party is a strong challenger. The vote for a new legislature in Saxony-Anhalt, a state of 2.2 million people that is one of Germany's less prosperous, puts a sharp focus on one problem Merkel's Christian Democratic Union faces in the east: reining in the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD. Its bigger challenge nationally is on its other flank: keeping at bay the environmentalist Greens, who are strongest in western Germany and in big cities. And Armin Laschet, the centrist CDU leader who is running to succeed Merkel as chancellor in the Sept. 26 national election, needs to rally conservatives behind him after he emerged as the party's candidate from a bruising duel in April. The election year started badly for the CDU when it lost two state votes in March to popular incumbent governors from more liberal parties. In Saxony-Anhalt, it has a popular incumbent of its own in Reiner Haseloff, 67, who has governed for the past decade. Most recent polls put Haseloff's party a few points ahead of AfD, though one showed the parties roughly level. AfD took nearly a quarter of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt's last state election five years ago. It appears on course for a similar performance this time, although its local branch lacks prominent figures and is viewed as being on the party's hard-right wing. We cannot want a radical right-wing party to be the strongest party in a German state legislature, so what happens in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday is something that should concern all democrats, Laschet told Deutschlandfunk radio this week. AfD fed on anger at Merkels welcome of migrants in 2015 and has drifted steadily further right, drawing increasing scrutiny from Germany's domestic intelligence agency. It recently has championed opposition to coronavirus restrictions, which are currently easing across Germany as infection rates decline. The party is strongest in formerly communist eastern Germany, where it benefits from many people's perceptions of still being disadvantaged 30 years after reunification. Its performances there have forced mainstream parties into unwieldy coalitions such as Haseloff's governing alliance of the past five years with the center-left Social Democrats and the Greens. We still have two completely different electoral areas in east and west, with an AfD in the east that is three times stronger than in the west, said Peter Matuschek of the Forsa polling agency. Recent national polls show support for the Union bloc, dominated by Laschet's CDU, at around 25% roughly level with the Greens, whose co-leader Annalena Baerbock is making the party's first run for the chancellery. They put AfD's support around the 10% mark. The Union had a solid poll lead until early this year on the strength of Merkel's management of the early stages of the pandemic, but then shed support in particular to the Greens and to the Free Democrats, a pro-business party. That came amid discontent with a sluggish start to Germany's vaccination campaign, which is now reaching full speed, and a long spat over who would lead the Union into September's election that ended with Laschet squeezing past Markus Soeder, the leader of the CDU's Bavarian sister party, who had much better poll ratings. Matuschek sees Haseloff's popularity as the key to Sunday's vote, and little fallout from the Laschet-Soeder battle. He also doesn't see significant risks to Laschet so long as his party doesn't get into a discussion about whether to form a coalition with AfD, which would be massively damaging to the federal CDU. Haseloff has sought to stifle any such discussions, though not everyone in the party's local branch has always been so clear. Laschet said the CDU must make clear that we won't talk to them, we won't cooperate with them, we won't form a coalition with them. Ahead of Sunday's election, CDU leaders have sought to rebuff comments by the federal government's point man for the east, Marco Wanderwitz. The CDU lawmaker said recently that some people in the east were socialized in a dictatorship in such a way that, even after 30 years, they haven't arrived in a democracy. Of course it is difficult if people turn away from democracy, Merkel said Wednesday. But I will never resign myself to this being accepted as given, and will continue to work to win everyone back for democracy, even if sometimes it takes a long time. Dorothee Thiesing in Berlin contributed to this report. NEW YORK (AP) A judge said Friday he was appointing a former federal judge to oversee a review of materials seized in raids on the home and office of Rudy Giuliani, who served as former president Donald Trump's personal lawyer. U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken announced in a brief written order that he was appointing Barbara Jones as special master in the review once she confirmed that she has no disqualifying conflict of interest. Shortly afterward, she submitted a declaration saying she had no conflicts. In July 2016, Jones who served as a Manhattan federal judge from 1995 to 2013 joined the law firm Bracewell and Giuliani, which Giuliani himself had left six months earlier. In a letter submitted to Oetken by prosecutors late Thursday on behalf of all parties, prosecutors wrote that Giuliani and Washington attorney Victoria Toensing, whose cell phone was taken by investigators, both agreed to the appointment of Jones through their lawyers and did not believe she had a conflict of interest. Oetken said he agreed that appointing Jones would be in the interests of justice. Jones served the same role after 2018 raids on the home and office of Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney. Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance and other charges and was sentenced to three years in prison, though he was released to home confinement last year after one year as the coronavirus spread through prisons. Prosecutors are examining Giulianis interactions with Ukrainian figures and whether he violated a law governing lobbying on behalf of foreign countries or entities. A law firm representing Toensing, a former federal prosecutor and close ally of Giuliani and Trump, has said Toensing was told she was not a target of the investigation. In their letter recommending Jones, prosecutors wrote that she had 'efficiently and meticulously reviewed' tens of thousands of items over a period of four months and made privilege designations that were not objected to by the parties" in the Cohen case. So far, prosecutors have said they have successfully downloaded 11 electronic devices belonging to Giuliani and returned them to him. They say seven more devices belonging to Giuliani and others at his firm, Giuliani Partners LLC, will require more time to unlock because they lack a passcode. Giuliani, a Republican and former mayor of New York City, has not been charged with a crime. He has said all of his activities in Ukraine were conducted on behalf of Trump. At the time, Giuliani was leading a campaign to press Ukraine for an investigation into Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, before Biden was elected president. John and Cynthia Warren, who were charged in connection to an investigation for $1 million in fraudulent invoices that were submitted to Midland County, were extradited to Midland on Wednesday after being arrested in Georgia. The two have now been booked into the Midland County jail, according to Sheriff David Criner. John Warren is being held on $1.5 million bond, and Cynthia Warren is being held on $500,000 bond. BEIJING (AP) The ruling Communist Partys deadly 1989 crackdown on the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests never ended for Fan Baolin, who served 17 years in prison and says he sneaked out of China last year to escape surveillance that included cameras trained on his apartment and pressure on his family to deter him from more activism. Fan, who took part in the demonstrations and later worked for the partys vast security apparatus, was arrested in 1999 for giving activists abroad confidential documents about surveillance of Chinese pro-democracy exiles. Released in 2016, he became among those who still are watched by the party a generation later in an effort to erase public memory of the protests in the heart of Beijing. Once you are on the Chinese governments blacklist, you will be tracked for life, Fan told The Associated Press ahead of Fridays anniversary of the June 4, 1989, military attack on protesters. He spoke in another Asian country and asked that it not be identified while its government considers his request for asylum. Party leaders have imprisoned or driven activists into exile and largely succeeded in ensuring young people know little about June 4. Still, after more than three decades and three changes of leadership, they are relentless in trying to prevent any mention of the attack that killed hundreds and possibly thousands of people. Relatives of those who died are watched and, ahead of the anniversary, some are detained or forced to stay temporarily away from home to prevent them from doing anything that might draw attention. Public memorials on the mainland always have been prohibited. Vigils used to be held openly in Hong Kong and Macao, Chinese territories with fewer political controls, but authorities banned events this year. "They have only deepened repression, said Yaqiu Wang of Human Rights Watch in a report this month. Following his release from prison, Fan lived in his hometown of Xi'an, in China's west, under surveillance and restrictions. He said police discouraged him from leaving the city, tracked his mobile phone and listened to his calls. To protect his family, Fan said he had little contact with them and told them nothing about his activities. He said he worried they might be punished if he were accused of more wrongdoing. They looked for my brother and sister, he said. Authorities wanted to make my family members persuade me, control me, not to participate any more in this sort of thing, not to know these people any longer. As for other relatives, I take initiative to keep my distance from them, Fan said. As they all know, my phone is monitored, so as soon as I call and as soon as they answer, they are frightened, he said. This is the atmosphere of fear created by the Communist Partys domestic high-pressure policies now. Fan said when he traveled to other cities in 2017 to see friends, police called every day to ask what he was doing. He said when he took a package vacation to Yunnan province in the southwest in 2018, police detained him and sent him back to Xian. Fan participated in the 1989 protests, joining thousands of students from across China in Tiananmen Square. But he left Beijing at the end of May, before the military attacked. His eyes fill with tears when he describes the event. Later, Fan studied law and worked as a legal consultant before joining the police in Shaanxi province in the west. He moved to a state security agency in 1994 and was assigned to watch the public and read their mail, looking for possible foreign ties. But he held onto hopes for a democratic China. Fan was convicted of illegally providing state secrets abroad for faxing security agency documents to a pro-democracy movement group in Los Angeles and expressing sympathy and support, according to a document Fan provided to the AP that he said was his sentencing report. It said he had promised to use his post to pass along intelligence reports about the group. That report gave no details of the documents Fan was accused of leaking. I didnt do it for money from Taiwan or the U.S. government, Fan said. I was on the side of the pro-democracy movement and provided intelligence to friends in the pro-democracy movement. Fans case was disclosed to human rights groups in 2007 by a former fellow inmate, Zhao Changqing, according to the Dui Hua Foundation in San Francisco, which researches Chinese prisons. After that, Fan was listed as a political prisoner by Duihua and human rights groups. Fan said after his release, police took him out for meals ahead of politically sensitive dates part of extensive efforts to keep track of him. They would go back, list the details of our meeting and report regularly to higher levels the so-called dynamics of my thoughts in the sensitive period and in what activities we took part, he said. Fan, who turns 57 next month, never married or had children. He said his parents died while he was in prison but he didnt learn that until he was released, more than a decade later. Fan said video cameras were installed to watch the apartment his parents bought for him before their deaths. He said that made friends skittish about visiting. Today, Fan lives in a studio apartment with a roll-up bed and a fan for furniture while he waits for word on his asylum application. He has become a Christian and passes time by reading a Bible on his mobile phone. Fan said for his first two years out of prison, he rarely went outdoors because the world was very strange. Fan said when he visited Beijing on the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen protests in 2019, police called from Xian and ordered him to return home. Fan said he told no one after he decided to leave China. He discarded his mobile phone to prevent authorities from using it to track him. He made his way to the southern border and walked across. I will not return to China," he said. "This is a road of no return. TORONTO (AP) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday he is deeply disappointed the Roman Catholic Church has not offered a formal apology and made amends for its role in Canadas former system of church-run Indigenous boarding schools after the remains of 215 children were located at what was once the countrys largest such institution. Trudeau called on the church to step up and take responsibility after years of silence. As a Catholic, I am deeply disappointed by the position that the Catholic Church has taken now and over the past many years, Trudeau said. When I went to the Vatican a number of years ago I directly asked His Holiness, Pope Francis, to move forward on apologizing, on asking for forgiveness, on restitution, on making these records available, and were still seeing resistance from the church, possibly from the church in Canada." But Trudeau said the church is silent and not stepping up. Its not showing the leadership that quite frankly is supposed to be at the core of our faith, of forgiveness, of responsibility, of acknowledging truth, Trudeau said. He said the government has tools it can use if the church itself doesn't release documents. From the 19th century until the 1970s, more than 150,000 First Nations children in Canada were forced to attend state-funded Christian schools as an effort to assimilate them into Canadian society. The Canadian government has admitted that physical and sexual abuse was rampant in the schools, with students beaten for speaking their native languages. Trudeau said Catholics across the country should reach out to bishops and cardinals on this issue. We expect the church to step up and take responsibility for its role in this and be there to help with the grieving and healing including with records, Trudeau said. Its something the United Church and others have done. Its something we are still waiting for the Catholic Church to do. The Vatican spokesman did not respond to requests for comment this week about demands for a formal apology from the pope. Former Pope Benedict met with a group of former students and victims in 2009 and told them of his personal anguish over their suffering, a meeting that was termed an expression of sadness and solidarity. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced in 2018 that the pope could not personally apologize for residential schools, though he has not shied away from recognizing injustices faced by Indigenous people around the world. The archbishop of Vancouver, however, apologized on Wednesday. The United, Presbyterian and Anglican churches already have apologized for their roles in the abuse, as has the Canadian government, which has offered compensation. Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tkemlups te Secwepemc First Nation in British Columbia has said the remains of 215 children were confirmed last month at the school in Kamloops, British Columbia, with the help of ground-penetrating radar. So far none has been excavated. Casimir said her nation wants a public apology from the Catholic Church. She adds that the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, which ran almost half of Canadas residential schools, has yet to release any records about the school. Casimir said the nations findings are so far preliminary and she expects a final report, including technical details, will be ready by the end of the month. This is not a mass grave site but rather unmarked burial sites that are to our knowledge also undocumented, she said. The Kamloops Indian Residential School was Canadas largest such facility and was operated by the Roman Catholic Church between 1890 and 1969. The federal government then ran it as a day school until 1978, when it was closed. Nearly three-quarters of the 130 schools were run by Catholic missionary congregations. A papal apology was one of the 94 recommendations made by a government-established Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and Trudeau asked the pope to consider such a gesture during his visit to the Vatican in 2017. Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, said that in his rebuke, Trudeau didn't point out that residential schools were created and funded by the government. The Catholic Church ran most of the schools but devoted few of its own resources to them beyond personnel paid for by the government, Wiseman said. ____ Associated Press reporter Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report. When a military conflagration halfway around the world ignites flames of hate that pour into the streets of New York City, it is sad, frightening and confusing. But it is not surprising. We have seen unfettered rage seek out an innocent mark too many times by now to be surprised. Still, seeing the verbal and physical harassment, assault and vandalism take over the streets I grew up on hit me hard. We'll keep you connected to all the updated local news and information about what's happening in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County! Click Here to Subscribe! According to The Hollywood Reporter, during the week of its May 7 premiere, the superhero comic pulled in 696 million minutes of viewing time, besting Hulus The Handmaids Tale for the No. 1 ranking among original series on Netflix, Hulu, Amazons Prime Video and Disney+. Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation. Click here to get access Corvallis, OR (97331) Today Periods of rain. High 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers late. Low 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Facebook on Friday announced that it may allow former President Donald Trumps Facebook and Instagram accounts to be reinstated in January 2023. At that time, the social media company will re-evaluate whether the risk to public safety of allowing Trump back onto its services has receded. This two-year suspension will prevent Trump from using Facebook or Instagram to broadcast to his followers until after the 2022 U.S. midterm elections. Do you think tech giants like Facebook are using their power to censor political speech and manipulate U.S. politics? Choices are: You voted: CHICAGO (AP) Chicago's police superintendent announced Friday that all facets of the department from patrol officers to executive staff will be more engaged with the community in an effort to build trust and drive down crime. The new Community Policing Strategy Plan also includes the creation of a police athletic and arts league to engage the city's youth, a reimagining of the city's previous policing strategy, and the appointment of officers to work as liaisons to the city's LGBTQ, homeless, immigrant and and religious communities. Arguably, this will be the most significant commitment of effort, resources and leadership to building trust in Chicago PD's history, Police Superintendent David Brown told reporters. This plan that we're rolling out today is the best way to reduce crime in Chicago. Its the only way to police, Brown added. Policing is best done with the community involved. Policing is a people business. The announcement comes at a time when relations between Chicago police and many in the citys Black and Latino communities are frayed following high-profile shootings by officers and nationwide protests against police brutality in the wake of George Floyd's slaying in May 2020 by a white Minneapolis police officer. In 2014, Laquan McDonald, who was Black, was shot to death as the 17-year-old walked away from police on a street in southwestern Chicago while holding a knife. Video showed white Officer Jason Van Dyke firing 16 shots at McDonald. Van Dyke was convicted in 2018 of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery in McDonalds killing. He was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. Members of Chicagos Latino community have asked the Justice Department to get involved in the March fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo as he was chased down an alley by Eric Stillman, a white officer. Body camera video shows the teen appearing to drop a handgun and begin raising his hands less than a second before Stillman fires his gun and kills him. The video prompted grief and demonstrations in Chicago. The addition of liaisons to the LGBTQ and other communities are part of the expansion of the police department's civil rights unit. We recognized that marginalized communities needed their voices elevated. we understood that our relationships with these communities was not where we wanted them to be, said Deputy Chief Angel Novalez, head of the city's community policing office. The new plan appears to be an update to the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy, which was launched in 1994 and called for people living in the citys neighborhoods to help the police department identify problems and help with solutions, according to a 2000 report in the National Institute of Justice. If Browns announcement sounds familiar, it is because previous police superintendents have made a point of announcing similar efforts. In 2013, for example, then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and then-Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, announced a plan to restructure CAPS to better combat violent crime. JaMal Green, an activist with a youth mentorship group in Chicago, doubts if the plan announced Friday will work. He says people in some city neighborhoods have history and reasons to not trust police officers. We have to look at reorganizing public safety, as a whole, Green said. People do not trust police. They are traumatized when they see them. We have not gotten to the place where police are on the street serving as they say they are. BEARDSTOWN Clean-up efforts are continuing after a May 16 fire ripped through an apartment building, leaving 13 people homeless, injuring three firefighters and destroying the structure at 601 E. Fourth St. The building had been a Beardstown landmark since 1900. The building still is as the fire left it, Beardstown Mayor Tim Harris said, noting that a barricade remains around the property as a safety measure. Cleaning up the site is the property owners responsibility, he said. Its not the citys obligation to clean that building up, Harris said. The city is responsible for making sure the cleanup is done properly, for the safety of the community, he said. The state Environmental Protection Agency also has looked into it, Harris said. The owners have been cooperating with the city on the cleanup and the next steps are awaiting insurance companies completion of estimates, he said. Once those are in, it shouldnt be long before the cleanup can begin, he said. Fire investigators also are expected to release the building for cleanup any day, Harris said. The cause of the fire remains unknown. We were extremely fortunate to contain it, Harris said. The firefighters who were injured while fighting the blaze since have been released from the hospital, he said. Beardstown Fire Chief Brian Becker was among the injured and still is recovering at home, Harris said. Agencies such as the American Red Cross and Beardstown businesses, including JBS, have helped the buildings displaced tenants, Harris said. Those 13 tenants initially stayed at a Beardstown hotel and each has received $515 from the American Red Cross. Ebenezer Encuentro Con Dias church also has helped those displaced by the fire. In addition to Beardstown Fire Department, crews from Arenzville, Jacksonville, Rushville, Virginia, South Jacksonville, Mount Sterling and Meredosia also responded to the blaze. Alyssa Gargus of Waverly has been named to the spring semester honor roll at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. To be named to the honor roll, a student must earn a grade point average between 3.2 and 3.49. Four South Jacksonville trustees and the village clerk said they will not attend meetings or conduct village business until all elected officials can receive training through the Illinois Municipal League, a group that says it works to promote competence and integrity in administration of municipal government. Village President Tyson Manker called the action disrespectful to village residents and employees. Facebook has decided its no longer misinformation to wonder whether COVID-19 was man-made by Chinese scientists in a biolab in the Wuhan Institute of Virology. But its not just Facebook. The national media and President Biden have just done a similar 180. The same guy who had ordered the shutting down of the Trump administrations investigation into the origins of COVID-19 told the U.S. intelligence community to redouble its efforts to find out how the coronavirus got started. So, faster than you can say dishonest mainstream media, the idea that a deadly manmade virus came from a biolab in Communist China flipped from being a racist Trump conspiracy theory to a credible and probable possibility. All last year the liberal media and our top scientists told us over and over that we had to believe the Communist Chinese fairy tale that COVID-19 jumped from animals to humans. But that story has recently fallen apart after reports that several researchers working on coronaviruses at the biolab in Wuhan got so sick in November 2019 they were hospitalized. Everyone in the national media is now talking about the plausibility of an escaped coronavirus as if its something new. Thats great. But if you go back a year, and if you know how to connect some dots, you would have known that theres been something sloppy and rotten in Chinas biolabs for almost 20 years. In 2004 Chinas health officials reported that four suspected cases of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which sickened 8,000 in 29 countries and killed nearly 800 in 2003-2004 were the result of a safety breach at a Beijing biolab studying the SARS coronavirus. In 2017, after years of searching in caves, a team of scientists from the Wuhan Institute of Virology found the source of SARS in the bodies of horseshoe bats. They began studying and manipulating the deadly and risky bat coronavirus in their high-containment laboratory, which in 2015 had become Chinas first biolab to achieve the highest level of international bioresearch safety (known as BSL-4). The trouble was, the Wuhan Institute of Virologys biolab was a pandemic waiting to get started. In 2018, a group of U.S. diplomats and scientists who visited the lab told the Trump administration that its staff was not properly trained and was not following the protocols to safely operate a level 4 biolab. The White House was actually warned that the Wuhan labs work on bat coronaviruses and their potential human transmission represented a risk of a new SARS-like pandemic. Biden appears to be catching up to the reality of Chinas third-rate biolabs now, but hes always known better. It was the Obama administration that in 2015 helped China get the international OK it needed to raise the Wuhan labs rating from Level 3 to Level 4. By getting a higher accreditation, the biolab was allowed to handle the deadliest, riskiest viruses from anywhere in the world. It also gave it the ability to do the testing and manipulation of coronaviruses that gave it the potential to become a biological weapons facility. But dont blame Obama, Biden or Dr. Fauci for endorsing the Wuhan biolabs upgrade. The whole world signed off on it. Maybe thats why no other governments are coming down hard on China. Maybe they dont want to jeopardize their zillion-dollar financial arrangements with China or risk their domestic companies access to Chinas 1.4 billion potential customers. Its not just the NBA, Apple or Hollywood that have sold their souls to Chinas Communist government for profit. Thats actually the big story, I think. Money. If you follow the money, you usually get to the bottom of things. In this case, when you get to the bottom of things the world population will find out that their governments approved a Level 4 biolab that can produce biological weapons for China the worlds No. 1 enemy of freedom. And so far, 3.4 million humans have died because of it. Michael Reagan, the son of President Ronald Reagan, is an author, speaker and president of the Reagan Legacy Foundation. He can be reached at reagan@caglecartoons.com or @reaganworld on Twitter. Lost limbs, rising anger as town is caught up in Tigray war View Photo HAWZEN, Ethiopia (AP) Shops remained shuttered, some government workers hadnt been paid and the towns main hospital was utterly laid to waste. But the Tigrayan fighters still claimed victory, swaggering through the streets of Hawzen with their guns. It wouldnt last long. Hawzen, a rural town in the ethnic Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, is a microcosm of the challenge facing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and a warning that the war here is unlikely to end anytime soon. When The Associated Press arrived in May, Tigrayan fighters had recently retaken Hawzen from Ethiopian government troops, laying claim once again to land that has switched control multiple times since the war began in November. To the Ethiopian government, the fighters are terrorists who have defied the authority of Abiy in the federal capital, Addis Ababa. But almost everyone the AP spoke with in Hawzen supported them and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, or TPLF, the party of the regions ousted and now-fugitive leaders. The people elected us, so we are not terrorists, said fighter Nurhussein Abdulmajid, standing confidently in the middle of the road with a gun on his shoulder, as a crowd listened. He (Abiy)s the one who is the terrorist. A terrorist is someone who massacres people. ___ This story was funded by a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. ___ The battle for Hawzen is part of a larger war in Tigray between the Ethiopian government and the Tigrayan rebels that has led to massacres, gang rapes and the flight of more than 2 million of the regions 6 million people. While the government now holds many urban centers, fierce fighting continues in remote rural towns like Hawzen. The AP was able to get through an Ethiopian military roadblock and cross the front line to get a rare look at a town held by Tigrayan fighters, who carried light weapons they said they had seized from opponents. If anything, recent atrocities appear to have increased support for the TPLF. One 19-year-old said she was raped by an Ethiopian soldier and is now six months pregnant. After trying and failing to terminate the pregnancy herself, she is now desperately hoping someone in a local hospital will help her. As soon as possible, she said, she wants to join the rebels. I want to go, she said, as she broke down in tears. You will die if you stay home, and you will die if you go out there.I would rather die alongside the fighters. The AP does not name victims of sexual abuse. The TPLF was on top of a coalition that ruled Ethiopia for nearly three decades. That changed in 2018, when Abiy rose to power as a reformist. Abiy alienated the TPLF with efforts to make peace with its archenemy, Eritrea, and rid the federal government of corruption. Tigrays leaders fought back. In 2020, after a national vote was suspended because of the pandemic, the TPLF went ahead with its own elections in the region. Asserting that Tigrayan fighters had attacked a military base, Abiy sent federal troops into Tigray in November. Government forces are now allied with militias from the rival Amhara ethnic group as well as soldiers from neighboring Eritrea, who are blamed for many atrocities. Abiy acknowledged recently that the highly mobile Tigrayan guerrillas were stretching the Ethiopian military, springing ambushes from the rugged highlands where they hide. And in April the International Crisis Group predicted that entrenched resistance on both sides meant the conflict could evolve into a protracted war. Abebe Gebrehiwot, an ethnic Tigrayan appointed by Abiy to serve as Tigrays deputy CEO, told the AP that he and others in the interim administration didnt feel trusted by the people, making their work more difficult. We are not getting as much public support as we expect, he said in his office in Mekele, the largely peaceful regional capital. Representatives of the Ethiopian government didnt respond to requests for comment. But Billene Seyoum, a spokeswoman for Abiys office, told reporters Thursday that the suffering of Ethiopians who are victims of a situation that is not of their choosing is a source of pain. Efforts to alleviate the suffering of Tigrayans have been marred by various challenges given the complexity of any armed engagement, she said. Residents of Hawzen, a town of a few thousand people, said it had seen fighting four times since November. A Tigrayan sentry in military fatigues sat atop a hill leading into the town, on the lookout for trouble. Yohanes Kidanemariam, a fighter in civilian clothes who held a gun between his legs, claimed they would eventually outlast their opponents. We dont have any doubt, he said. We have extreme public support and we have a straight and clear objective: freedom. Many here spoke disapprovingly of Abiy, saying they no longer trust him to keep them safe. Gebremedhin Aregawi, a tour guide who helped manage civilian relations for the guerrillas, said the entry of federal troops into Mekele doesnt mean Abiy won. If he won, how is fighting still going on up to now? Gebremedhin asked. Gebremichael Welay, a civics teacher at a primary school in Hawzen, said it was difficult to live amid the waves of fighting and bombardment that have rocked his hometown. He flees to a nearby forest when Ethiopian and Eritrean troops are in charge. They do not discriminate, said the rheumy-eyed 40-year-old as he sat on a stool by the roadside. If they find you, they kill you. As the two sides fight, civilians, and especially children, are suffering heavily. More and more children are caught up in shelling in Hawzen and other nearby areas, with at least 32 admitted to the regional Ayder Hospital in Mekele for blast injuries from December to April. Thirteen left with an amputated limb, according to official records. Haftom Gebru, a 12-year-old boy from Hawzen, was wounded by shrapnel in fighting during Orthodox Easter. An artillery shell hit a pile of stones in the familys compound that then ricocheted in the boys direction. When his 60-year-old father, Gebru Welde Abrha, saw the wound in the boys left hand, he knew it would have to be cut off. I am so sad I cant explain it, the father said in a hospital ward, as his son looked angrily into the distance. I feel it deeply. Haftom Gebretsadik, a 17-year-old from Freweini near Hawzen, also was wounded by an artillery round that struck his home in March. He quietly looked at the stump on his right arm and shook his head. I am very worried, he said. How can I work? Some of the young victims of blast trauma may have kept their limbs if they had received first aid at the nearest health centers. But such facilities are shells right now systematically looted, vandalized and turned upside down. Eritrean soldiers set up camp in the Hawzen Primary Hospital, which once boasted of equipment ranging from X-ray machines to baby incubators. Now it is trashed and looted, and heaps of stones litter the compound where fighters had set up defensive positions. Its a bad feeling I have as a Tigrayan, said the now-jobless technician, 27-year-old Misigna Hagos. This hospital used to serve thousands of people. Now its destroyed. Many Tigrayans from contested towns like Hawzen end up in camps for the internally displaced in Mekele, mostly women and children. Abriha Redae fled Hawzen in December along with a group of others. Her father had been killed in recent fighting in the town. In Hawzen every time the soldiers entered, we went out to go to other places and hide, she said. Our life is changing and miserable now. Asked if she supported the Tigrayan fighters, her voice quickened. Its a must to fight, she said. And so the fight continues. The day after visiting Hawzen, AP journalists driving north were told by an officer at a military checkpoint in the town of Agula to turn back for their own safety. Explosions from shelling could be heard in the distance. It was Hawzen. Government troops were taking it back. By RODNEY MUHUMUZA Associated Press Taiwan, feuding with China, gets vaccines from Japan View Photo TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A flight carrying 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from Japan touched down in Taiwan on Friday to help the vaccine-starved island fight its largest outbreak since the pandemic began. The donation underscores how geopolitics has come to impact the global vaccine rollout, as countries scramble to secure enough doses for their populations. Taiwan, a self-governing island short of doses, has blamed China for interfering in a potential deal for another vaccine. Now it is more than doubling its vaccine supply thanks to Japan, which is trying to play a greater role in global vaccination distribution and accelerate its own slow rollout ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in July. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters on Friday that Japan was responding to a Taiwanese request, and that the donation reflects Japans important partnership and friendship with Taiwan. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen echoed those comments, saying after the Japan Airlines flight landed that we are witnessing once again the true friendship between Taiwan and Japan, built upon shared values and mutual help. Neither side mentioned an ongoing feud between Taiwan and China over the islands efforts to get the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Taiwan has signed contracts for 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 5.05 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, and 4.76 million doses of vaccines through COVAX, a U.N. program to distribute vaccines to low and middle-income countries. It is also pursuing the development of its own vaccines, which are currently in mid-stage testing. However, given global supply constraints and manufacturing delays, it had only about 700,000 doses to vaccinate its population with last month, all from AstraZeneca. Japan reportedly considered sending vaccines to Taiwan through COVAX, but decided the process would take too long. Tsai accused China last month of blocking Taiwan from getting the Pfizer vaccine through BioNTech, the German co-developer. We were almost finished with the contract with the German supplier, but owing to China s interference, its been delayed so that until now we have no way to complete it, she told members of her Democratic Progressive Party. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung later said that BioNTech had asked Taiwan to change the word country in the press release announcing the deal. Taiwan agreed, but the deal still remains unfinished. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, objects to calling the island a country. China is also a potentially major market for BioNTech, which has partnered with Shanghai-based Fosun Pharma to manufacture its vaccine in China and distribute it in the mainland and Hong Kong. Fosun said in an interview with Chinas official Xinhua News Agency that it has offered to sell the vaccine to Taiwan. However, Taiwanese law bans Chinese-made medical products, including vaccines. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused Taiwans governing party of preventing the mainland from sending vaccines to Taiwan and falsely claiming that China has hindered its procurement of vaccines. For their own political self-interest, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities continue to engage in political manipulation in anti-epidemic cooperation, he said Friday. It disregards the lives and health of Taiwan compatriots and violates the basic humanitarian spirit. Taiwans foreign minister, Joseph Wu, has also accused China of pressuring at least one country, Paraguay, to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan in return for Chinese vaccines. China says its overseas assistance comes without political conditions, though it has aggressively used its economic might since Tsai came to power to try to poach Taiwans few remaining allies. Globally, many countries are struggling to get vaccines as manufacturers face delays in scaling up production quickly. Japan, with its home-developed vaccines still uncertain, relies solely on foreign ones. It is using Pfizer and Moderna doses but has no immediate plan to use AstraZenecas, which are produced in Japan under a licensing deal. At an online vaccine summit this week, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged an additional $800 million for the COVAX program, bringing Japans total contribution to $1 billion. Tokyo plans to donate 30 million doses of vaccine produced in Japan through COVAX as well as other multilateral and bilateral channels. ___ Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Associated Press video journalist Taijing Wu contributed to this report. By HUIZHONG WU and MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press Unless enjoined before taking effect, the act will throw into legal jeopardy countless moderation measures taken by these businesses on a continual basis, will flatly bar them from removing or regulating large swaths of online content that might be highly objectionable or in violation of their rules and require them to send millions of new, detailed notices to their users, the motion said. The result would be to expose billions of users online, including families and children, to illegal, dangerous and objectionable material and to require fundamental and far-reaching changes to how plaintiffs members operate their businesses. A series of explosions rocked a munitions factory in central Serbia early Friday, forcing the evacuation of workers and nearby residents and causing panic but no injuries. The blasts at an ammunition depot of the Sloboda factory in Cacak, about 140 kilometers south of Belgrade, set off a huge fire that lit the night sky above the town. Police sealed off the area, blocked roads into the Cacak and moved people living near the factory from their homes. Workers who were at the factory hid in the basement when the explosions started. It was not immediately clear what caused the incident. Serbian media reported that sporadic detonations could still be heard in the morning, hours after they started around 1.30 a.m. We were lucky the explosion didnt take place in the production halls, Cacak Mayor Milun Todorovic told state broadcaster RTS television. Officials said firefighters would be able to go into the factory to assess the situation 24 hours after the last explosion. They said later Friday they expected the fire to be fully extinguished by next week and the factory to back in operation on Monday. RTS reported that most evacuated residents had returned to their homes by midday. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters that early damage estimates reached up to 2 million euros ($2.4 million). Sloboda is the biggest munitions factory in Serbia. It was targeted in a 1999 NATO bombing campaign during the war in Kosovo. BELGRADE San Francisco, CADuring a visit to the Bay Area, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the extension of rules governing to-go alcohol sales and outside dining till the end of 2021. The Governor explained that he hopes this helps restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries continue to benefit from pandemic relief. Newsom said Californias restaurants help create the vibrant and diverse communities that make California the envy of the world. As the state turns to post-pandemic life, well continue to adapt best practices that have helped businesses transform customer experience for the better, With new opportunities and support for businesses large and small, and the California can-do spirit that has carried us through the past year, we will come roaring back from this pandemic. The Governor further explained that he had heard from mayors across the state that wished to make the two programs permanent for business. If these programs remain in place after the end of the year and into 2022 remains unclear. Sacramento, CA There were no winners from the Mother Lode when the first balls were drawn for Californias new COVID-19 vaccine lottery. The state initiative, pushed by Governor Gavin Newsom, is designed to encourage more people to get the shot. Governor Newsom said 21.6-million Californians, who have received at least one dose, were enrolled in the lottery. Today, the first 15 winners were picked, and they will each receive $50,000. 15 additional $50,000 winners will be picked next Friday, and then several grand prize $1.5 million recipients will be selected on June 15. Todays lottery was staged like a game show and Governor Newsom was the emcee. The winners were only identified by a number, and not a name, to protect identities. However, the counties of the winners were announced. There were three each from Santa Clara, San Diego and Los Angeles, two from San Francisco, and one each from Alameda, Orange, Mendocino and San Luis Obispo. As the final balls were being selected, Newsom joked that they need to find some winners from the Central Valley and Sacramento as well. He noted that the winners will be called by telephone over the next couple of days and be asked if they wish to be identified and share their reasons for getting the COVID vaccine. He added that employees of his office, and the state lottery, are not eligible to win. China urges closer Afghanistan ties as US withdrawal looms View Photo BEIJING (AP) China is urging closer security and economic cooperation with Afghanistan in an apparent effort to bolster its influence in the region as the U.S. and its allies prepare to withdraw their forces from the country. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that foreign ministers from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan met via video conference on Thursday and agreed that the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan should be carried out in a responsible and orderly manner to prevent the deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan and the return of terrorist forces. It quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as saying the three countries needed to to strengthen communication and cooperation for the sake of Afghanistans interests and those of neighboring countries. The security and stability of Afghanistan and the region are facing new challenges, with foreign troops withdrawal from Afghanistan accelerated, the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan impacted, and armed conflicts and terrorist activities becoming more frequent, Wang was quoted as saying. China has long resented the presence of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, but is equally wary of the country becoming a haven for insurgents that could threaten security in its Xinjiang region that shares a narrow border with Afghanistan. Xinhua said Wang, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stressed the need to forbid any terrorist organizations or individuals from using their territories to engage in criminal activities against other countries. China has sought to invest in Afghan resources, particularly copper, but constant fighting between the government, the Taliban and other groups has largely held back such projects. China has also sought to boost already close ties with Pakistan through its Belt and Road initiative, but the countrys economic weakness and security problems have blunted the success of that drive. The United States is preparing to wrap up its longest war by withdrawing the last of its 2,500-3,500 troops along with 7,000 allied NATO forces by Sept. 11 at the latest, generating fears of increased chaos in a country already deeply insecure. Democrat says Trump counsel recounted troubling events View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said Friday that a nearly eight-hour interview with former President Donald Trumps top White House lawyer shed new light on several troubling events during his presidency, though it was unclear how Democrats would use the information long after investigations into Trumps ties to Russia have concluded. The closed-door interview with Don McGahn, which came two years after House Democrats originally sought his testimony, was originally part of Democrats efforts to investigate whether Trump tried to obstruct Justice Department investigations into his 2016 presidential campaign. House Democrats sued after McGahn defied an April 2019 subpoena on Trumps orders. McGahn appeared Friday after an agreement was reached in court to sit for a transcribed interview behind closed doors, with his answers limited to information that had already been publicly released in former special counsel Robert Muellers report on Trump and Russia. That report also came out in April 2019. Even if the interview unearths new information, Democrats made clear that it was primarily for history, and to set a precedent that executive branch officials must comply with congressional subpoenas. Nadler said in a statement after the interview that it was a great victory for congressional oversight, although two years had been too long to wait. Since Democrats first subpoenaed McGahn, Trump was impeached twice by the House and acquitted twice by the Senate. Neither impeachment centered on the Russia investigations, in which Mueller pointedly did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice but also did not recommend prosecuting him, citing Justice Department policy against indicting a sitting president. Still, Muellers report quoted extensively from interviews with McGahn, who described the Republican presidents efforts to stifle the investigation. In a statement released after the interview, which lasted almost eight hours, Nadler said he could not comment on McGahns testimony, but said McGahn was clearly distressed by President Trumps refusal to follow his legal advice, again and again, and he shed new light on several troubling events today. Nadler said a transcript of the interview would be available at a later date, as laid out in the court agreement. At a break in the interview earlier, Nadler said McGahn was being somewhat difficult at times. While the questioning was led by staff, a handful of members of both parties attended, including Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Matt Gaetz of Florida. Gaetz, a close ally of Trump, said near the end of the meeting that weve learned nothing new. As White House counsel, McGahn had an insiders view of many of the episodes Mueller and his team examined for potential obstruction of justice during the Russia investigation. McGahn proved a pivotal and damning witness against Trump, with his name mentioned hundreds of times in the text of the Mueller report and its footnotes. McGahn described to investigators the presidents repeated efforts to choke off the probe and directives he said he received from the president that unnerved him. He recounted how Trump had demanded that he contact then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to order him to unrecuse himself from the Russia investigation. He also said Trump had implored him to tell the deputy attorney general at the time, Rod Rosenstein, to remove Mueller from his position because of perceived conflicts of interest and, after that episode was reported in the media, to publicly and falsely deny that demand had ever been made. McGahn also described the circumstances leading up to Trumps firing of James Comey as FBI director, including the presidents insistence on including in the termination letter the fact that Comey had reassured Trump that he was not personally under investigation. And he was present for a critical conversation early in the Trump administration, when Sally Yates, just before she was fired as acting attorney general as a holdover Obama appointee, relayed concerns to McGahn about new national security adviser Michael Flynn. She raised the possibility that Flynns conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and his subsequent interview by the FBI left him vulnerable to blackmail. Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean, a member of the committee who attended the interview, said McGahn brought to life the chaos that must have been the White House at that time, with a president in a panic over special counsel Mullers investigation. She said it was a good day for democracy that McGahn finally fulfilled his obligation to testify. Trumps Justice Department fought the testimony even after District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2019 rejected arguments that Trumps close advisers were immune from congressional subpoena. President Joe Bidens administration helped negotiate the final agreement. ____ Associated Press writer Mark Sherman and photographer Scott Applewhite contributed to this report. By MARY CLARE JALONICK and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press 12 Australian media companies fined for breaking Pell order View Photo CANBERRA, Australia (AP) A judge on Friday ordered a dozen Australian media companies to pay fines from 1,000 Australian dollars ($766) to AU$450,000 ($345,000) for breaching a gag order by publishing references to Cardinal George Pells since-overturned convictions in 2018 for child sexual abuse. Dozens of companies, reporters and editors were initially charged with contempt and breaching a suppression order over their coverage of the convictions, which were banned from publication in Australia until February 2019. Such suppression orders are common in the Australian and British judicial systems. But the enormous international interest in an Australian criminal trial with global ramifications highlighted the difficulty in enforcing such orders in the digital age. The media companies pleaded guilty in February to 21 charges of contempt in a plea deal in the Victoria state Supreme Court. Justice John Dixon said on Friday the guilty pleas did not demonstrate remorse but were entered to protect individual editors, reporters and broadcast presenters from convictions. The individuals had faced potential prison sentences. The Age Company and News Life Medias offenses constituted a blatant and willful defiance of the courts authority, Dixon said. Each took a deliberate risk by intentionally advancing a collateral attack on the role of suppression orders in Victorias criminal justice system, Dixon said. The Age Company was fined AU$450,000 ($345,000) and News Life Media AU$400,000 ($306,000). No foreign news organization has been charged with breaching the suppression order. The U.S. Constitutions First Amendment would prevent such censorship in the United States, so attempting to extradite an American for breaching an Australian suppression order would be futile. Pell was Pope Francis top financial adviser and regarded as the third most senior cleric in the Vatican when he became the most senior Catholic ever convicted of child sex abuse. Pells five convictions have since been overturned and he has returned to the Vatican after spending 13 months in prison. No Australian media company published a straight news report of Pells convictions, but some directed their audiences to international online reports. Melbournes most popular newspaper, Herald Sun, published a white headline CENSORED across a black front page. The world is reading a very important story that is relevant to Victorians, the newspaper said, referring to residents of Victoria state. The newspaper said it was prevented from publishing details of this significant news. The newspapers owner, Herald and Weekly Times, was fined AU$2,000 ($1,532). The media companies must also pay prosecutors legal costs of AU$650,000 ($498,000). By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press Haaland sends recommendation on Utah monuments to president View Photo SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has made her recommendation about whether to reverse former President Donald Trumps decision to downsize two sprawling national monuments in Utah, but details of her decision were not released. The Interior Department gave her report to President Joe Biden on Wednesday, according to a court filing Thursday in a legal battle that began more than three years ago after Trumps decision. U.S. Department of Justice attorneys mentioned the report as part of a request to have until July 13 to address the judges question about whether the legal battle has become a moot point. Interior Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz declined to provide any information about the report. Haaland traveled to Utah to visit the monuments in April as she became the latest cabinet official to step into a public lands tug-of-war that has gone on for years. She is the first Indigenous official to get involved in the decision. A string of U.S. officials has heard from advocates for expanding national monuments to protect archaeological and cultural sites, and from opponents who see such moves as federal overreach. Biden asked Haaland to research whether the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante should be restored. Native American tribes supported the creation of Bears Ears by President Barack Obama, but Republican state leaders opposed it. Grand Staircase is older but has long been a point of contention for conservative state leaders who consider both monuments U.S. government overreach. Bears Ears was downsized by 85% and Grand Staircase-Escalante cut by nearly half under the Trump administration. The reductions paved the way for potential coal mining and oil and gas drilling on lands that used to be off-limits, though such activity has been limited because of market dynamics. Bears Ears covers lands considered sacred to Native Americans where red rocks reveal petroglyphs and cliff dwellings and distinctive twin buttes bulge from a grassy valley. Interior officials told Utah Gov. Spencer Cox that the report had been given to the White House but didnt provide any information about the findings, said his spokeswoman, Jennifer Napier-Pearce. Cox and other prominent Utah Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, have expressed concern with the review. They met with Haaland on her visit. Cox has said the state would likely sue if the monuments are enlarged without approval from Congress. Pat Gonzales-Rogers, executive director of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, said the group found out about the report being done from the court filing and hasnt been provided any additional information. The coalition remains hopeful that the Biden administration will reverse Trumps decision. Were standing on the sidelines, but with great optimism, Gonzales-Rogers said. By BRADY McCOMBS Associated Press WARSAW, Poland (AP) The Belarusian opposition said Friday a dissident journalist was coerced to appear in a video on state TV in which he wept and praised the country's authoritarian ruler, a broadcast sharply criticized by Western officials. In the 90-minute video broadcast Thursday night, Raman Pratasevich repented for his opposition activities and said he respects Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko as "a man with balls of steel. He said he was tired of political activism and only wants to have a family and live a normal life. Then he broke into tears, covering his face with his hands. As he did so, marks left by handcuffs were clearly visible on his wrists. Associates of the 26-year-old reacted with outrage, accusing authorities of forcing Pratasevich to confess and disavow the opposition. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition candidate in Belarus presidential election in August 2020, said she would urge the U.S. and the EU to pressure Belarus to release him. Raman is a hostage, she told The Associated Press. Lukashenko hijacked a passenger plane in order to capture him and subject him to that moral and physical humiliation. Tsikhanouskaya said earlier during a visit to Poland that Pratasevich and others speaking in videos from prison "are for sure being tortured and violated. Her spokeswoman, Anna Krasulina, said Pratasevich "made his statements under tough physical and psychological pressure and, possibly, under drugs. We demand the immediate release of Raman, who is used by Lukashenkos regime as a toy and instrument to blackmail Belarus democratic forces," Krasulina told the AP. Lukashenko is an international terrorist who must be stopped. Pratasevich was traveling from Greece to Lithuania aboard a Ryanair flight on May 23 when Belarusian flight controllers ordered the pilots to divert to Minsk, citing a bomb threat. No bomb was found, but Pratasevich and his Russian girlfriend were arrested. Speaking in a trembling voice and looking nervous in the program on the state-controlled ONT channel, Pratasevich said opposition leaders were pondering plans for a forceful government overthrow and was feuding over how to divide funds given to them by Poland and Lithuania. Pratasevich, who ran a popular channel on the Telegram messaging app that helped organize months of demonstrations against Lukashenko, also offered repentance for his action and said he pleaded guilty to organizing mass disturbances. The charges carry a 15-year prison sentence. Pratasevich said he fears he could face a death sentence on charges linked to his being part of a volunteer battalion that fought Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. He pleaded with Lukashenko not to hand him over to separatists who have launched a criminal investigation against him. His colleagues say he was not involved in fighting and was covering the conflict as a journalist. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned that Lukashenko will feel pain if Belarus allows the separatists to interrogate Pratasevich, adding that Kyiv will interpret that as a sign of disrespect of its territorial integrity. Stsiapan Putsila, who co-founded the Nexta channel with Pratasevich, told the AP that Pratasevich likely had been subjected to both psychological pressure and specially designed drugs." His statements had nothing to do with reality, they are the result of unbearable torture and exploitation of his emotions, Putsila said. Tsikhanouskaya's adviser, Franak Viachorka, described Pratasevich's TV appearance as a public humiliation. He was forced to publicly betray his views and his colleagues, Viachorka told AP. He was forced to plead respect for Lukashenko on camera. Their goal was to humiliate, break and trample him. He's a hostage taken in a terrorist operation of Lukashenko's regime that hijacked the plane. Belarus was rocked by months of protests triggered by Lukashenko's reelection to a sixth term in an August vote that was widely seen as fraudulent. He responded to opposition demands to step down with fierce repression. More than 35,000 people have been arrested and thousands beaten, and opposition leaders have been either jailed or forced to leave the country. The program aired Thursday night marked Pratasevich's third appearance on state TV since the May 23 flight diversion and arrest. In a brief video a day later, he confessed to staging mass disturbances. In other remarks shown Wednesday, he said demonstrations against Lukashenko had fizzled and the opposition should wait for a better moment to revive them. He also said he had been set up by an unidentified associate. Outraged European Union leaders responded May 24 to the flight's diversion by barring Belarusian flag carrier from EU airspace and airports and directing European carriers to avoid Belarus' airspace. The 27-nation bloc formalized the ban Friday, saying member countries will be required to deny permission to land in, take off from or overfly their territories to any aircraft operated by Belarusian air carriers, including as a marketing carrier. EU leaders also denounced the Pratasevich video. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkels spokesman Steffen Seibert said the German government condemns in the strongest terms his TV appearance and dismissed his confessions as completely unworthy and implausible. "This is a disgrace for the broadcaster that screened it and for the Belarusian leadership, Seibert said in Berlin. Speaking after a meeting of top diplomats of Denmark and the Baltic nations in Copenhagen, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called the broadcast a manifestation of state terrorism. U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted that Pratasevich was clearly under duress, adding that the persecution of those defending human rights and media freedom in Belarus must stop. Those involved in the filming, coercion and direction of the interview must be held accountable, he said. In stark contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered strong support Friday for Belarus, casting the angry Western response to the flight's diversion as a manifestation of double standards. He pointed to a 2013 incident in which a private plane carrying Bolivian President Evo Morales landed in Vienna after several European nations had refused to let it cross their airspace, purportedly over speculation that Edward Snowden, who leaked classified U.S. government information, was aboard. Putin said the Western reaction has been driven by a desire to influence developments there, adding that they shouldn't meddle in domestic affairs of Belarus. He also derided allegations by some in the West that Russia could have been involved in the flights diversion. NATO is in danger if NATO's leadership makes such statements, Putin snapped. It reveals a complete lack of understanding of the procedures. Asked by a moderator if Russia would act like Belarus and divert an international flight if it knew that a person on its wanted list was on board, Putin smirked and said: I won't tell you. ___ Karmanau reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed. Click here to read the full article. Drake Bell, who starred as Drake in the hit Nickelodeon series Drake and Josh, has been charged with attempted endangering children and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. According to court documents, Cleveland Police arrested Bell, 34, who pleaded not guilty in Cuyahoga County Court on June 3. Bell, whose real name is Jared Drake Bell, was freed on a $2,500 personal bond ordering him to have no contact with his alleged victim. According to Fox 8 in Cleveland, Bell allegedly engaged in an inappropriate chat with a minor that at times, was sexual in nature. The alleged incident reportedly happened on Dec. 1, 2017, the same day Bell was scheduled to perform at Cleveland club The Odeon. However, Bell was not indicted until last month, and he is due back in court on June 23. Bells mugshot taken at Cuyahoga County Jail is dated Thursday, June 3, just before 3 p.m. He was asked to submit DNA, a standard practice in Ohio. In 2015, Bell was arrested for a DUI with a bail set at $20,000. In that case, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor and spent four days in jail. Drake and Josh, which followed stepbrothers Drake Parker (Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck), debuted in 2004 and ran for four seasons, ending in 2017. The show, which also spawned three TV movies, was one of Nickelodeons highest-rated programs, averaging about three million viewers at the time. Bell performed the shows opening theme song, I Found a Way, and has released several albums throughout his career, including 2005s Telegraph, 2006s Its Only Time, 2014s Ready Steady Go! and 2020s Sesiones En Casa. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Indie savant, Alex Giannascoli, otherwise known as Alex G, has announced a fall tour, with a pit stop at the Paper Tiger. Tickets went on sale Friday, at $20 a piece. Heres why you should care. Alex G has a prolific body of work, with seven albums and legions of unreleased songs lurking the depths of Youtube. His songs are often sentimental and urgent, with a storybook-like pull. His latest album with Domino Records, "House of Sugar," was met with critical acclaim. Hes compared to a pitched up, and perhaps more eclectic, Elliot Smith. READ MORE: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts rocking Floore's Country Store this August If youre unfamiliar with his work, you may recognize Alex G from a viral photo that circulated in conservative circles during El Paso congressman Beto ORourkes 2019 bid for presidency. In the photo, the Philadelphia musician is standing dazed, with beer spilled on his pants. Conservatives were claiming it was in fact depicting a young and scruffy Beto ORourke, during his days playing music alongside Cedric Bixler-Zavala. Personally Ive seen Alex G live twice, and both sets were memorable and wildly fun, with Alex playing across his discography (plus a couple of Third Eye Blind covers). Im also wildly bias, but catching Alex live is something you wont want to miss. Back on stage Rapper Chris Conde stayed busy during the pandemic, dropping his first full-length feature, "Engulfed in the Marvelous Decay" under music label Fake Four Inc. And it's earned plenty of praise with Austin Chronicle calling the debut "both healing and rebellious." Conde will be in San Antonio for the album's first vinyl release for their first proper in-person show. Catch them at 502 Bar on Friday, June 25 at 9 p.m. with Rivers Want, Honey Bunny and Moon Tokki. Admission is $10. Breaking hearts all over again Joan Jett and The Heartbreakers are set to pop into the Alamo City this summer with a stop at Floore's Country Store. Fea opens, and we hear the tacos at Floore's can't be missed. Tickets are on sale now for the August 22 show. Unilateral coercive measures turn health crisis into moral one, says Chinese envoy Xinhua) 16:03, June 04, 2021 UNITED NATIONS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- China's United Nations Ambassador Zhang Jun said Thursday that unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) are turning a health crisis into a moral one, and called for international solidarity and cooperation. "UCMs are illegal, unjustified and unreasonable," Zhang said at the virtual webinar on "the impact of unilateral coercive measures on national health systems of targeted developing countries" sponsored by the permanent UN missions of China, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Undermining the global response and threatening the health of people of targeted countries, UCMs are still in place at a "critical juncture" when the pandemic is "far from over" amid surging new cases, new variants and a widening vaccine divide, according to Zhang. UCMs violate international law, said Zhang, noting that the UN Charter stipulates that states have the duty "to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors." "No state shall apply domestic law to exercise long-arm jurisdiction over other countries. Such practices seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the fundamental principle of sovereign equality in international law and the basic principle of non-interference in international relations," said Zhang. Some countries even use unilateral sanctions to suppress legitimate governments of other states to incite a "color revolution" and regime change, or as a tool for "unfair economic and scientific competitions," he added. Zhang said that UCMs also result in human rights crises, worsen humanitarian crises. "We call on the General Assembly, the Security Council, the UN Economic and Social Council and the Human Rights Council to step up assessment on the negative impacts of UCMs and put forth targeted solutions," said the envoy. "We call on the member states, the UN system and other international organizations to fully support the countries under UCMs, especially in their response to the pandemic," he said. China will continue to stand on the side of true multilateralism, the majority of member states, and fairness and justice, he added. (Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun) The helicopter then crashed into a wooded area and caught fire, killing all four people on board. The report does not detail why control of the bucket was lost or how it caused the rotor section to fall off. The Blackhawk has a rotor section on top and in the back. Leesburg police said part of the tail ended up on the runway while the rest of the aircraft crashed into the woods. With so many companies offering brightly-colored versions of their products in honor of Pride during the month of June, its not surprising to hear that local bakeries are getting in on the celebration. These San Antonio bakeries are using a little (or a lot) extra food coloring in order to bake up rainbow-themed desserts, snacks, and treats and some are giving back to the LGBTQ community in the process. READ MORE: Yelp lists 3 San Antonio businesses as one of the best doughnut shops in Texas Bakery Lorraine Multiple locations, bakerylorraine.com With three locations across the Alamo City (technically four with the DoSeum outpost), it wont be hard to get your hands on some Pride sweets from Bakery Lorraine. The local chain will offer a rainbow-themed cookie to commemorate Pride throughout the month of June. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Thrive Youth Center. W. D. Deli 3123 Broadway, (210) 828-2322, wddeli.com The Broadway deli will celebrate Pride with its cookie of the month, a sugar cookie topped with rainbow sprinkles. This treat will taste all the more sweet given that all proceeds from the cookies sales will be donated to the San Antonio Pride Center. Oh Yeah Cupcakes 713 S. St. Mary's St., (210) 362-4917, ohyeahcakes.com Through Saturday, June 5, this local bakery will donate 20 percent of all in-store cupcake sales to the Thrive Youth Center, a local LGBTQ organization. The shops cupcake of the month is Bacon French Toast, though other fun flavors include Mexican Chocolate, Big Red Float, and more. Bonus: Cereal Killer Sweets 1031 Patricia Suite 104, (210) 753-2032, cerealkillersweets.com According to the bakerys Instagram account, there may not be a Pride-themed dessert until the end of the month. The shop had actually released a Lady Gaga-inspired shirt in honor of Pride, which has already sold out (though we hope it is restocked). Dont fret, because any purchase from Cereal Killer Sweets supports a LGBTQ-owned business owned by the out-and-proud Chef Megan Morales, which then donates a portion of proceeds to local and non-local LGBTQ nonprofits. Aww! Cake Thieves Bakery & Eatery 514 El Paso St., cake-thieves.square.site Although MySA.com has yet to confirm whether this vegan bakery is serving LGBTQ-inspired sweets, we still wanted to include Cake Thieves since it is owned by a lesbian couple, Kia Geronimo and Lauren OConnor. For those with a true appetite, youll also want to check out the couples savory dishes, such as a variety of Chickn sandwiches. Tucked away in the Timberwood Park area, a San Antonio family is giving new meaning to "living in a bubble." Meet the Roznovsky family. Mom and dad, Sara and David, raise their kids Jo (16), Andrew (15) and Mae (12) inside the geodesic house. Sara said the usual reaction when people drive up to the Roznovsky residence is "Oh whoa, this is cool!" The Instagram-worthy interior and the history of the home match the curb appeal intrigue. The family moved into the home in October 2018. They are the second owners after the Novaks, who built the home from a kit produced by Cathedralite, a California company, in the 1980s. Back in 1978, Cathedralite owners Scott Hewett, Barry Nottoli and Tate Miller told the New York Times the company was the largest producer of geodesic homes. They sold 175 dome homes a month. While most dome homes were small and cottage-like, the Cathedralite kits were expansive. The San Antonio home has four bedrooms and three baths on nearly 2,000 square feet. Courtesy, Sara Roznovsky RELATED: Tribeca film by minds of 'Crazy Rich Asians' includes a San Antonio actress At the time, the complete cost of building a Cathedralite dome home ranged from $15,000 to $20,000. Cathedralite went out of business in the 1980s. Though rare, dome homes do occasionally pop up on the San Antonio market for about $350,000. Sara said she and her husband bought theirs for "significantly less" but agrees with the current price point. The founders told the New York Times the light, airy feel of the design is what grabbed people in the 1970s. Sara said it's part of the appeal decades later. The centering sense provided by the ample natural light is the "absolute best" calming effect on her and her kids. She said the dome is her son's favorite of the places they've lived in because he enjoys being able to see all around the home while being cozied up on the living room couch. Courtesy, Sara Roznovsky Sara said living in a dome home wasn't originally part of the plan, but now calls finding the space "luck." The Roznovsky family has spent the last three years making the dome home. Sara said the eyes of visitors go "all over" when they enter the unconventional house. There's plenty to look at. Sara, who has a background in fashion and visual merchandising, has brought an eclectic feel to the dome dwelling. Most of the furniture comes from her family's vintage furniture store in Comfort. Her eldest daughter covered the wall in aquatic-themed murals with the help of her little sister. The kitchen is wallpapered in old National Geographic maps her grandfather collected. READ MORE FROM MADALYN: A Beverly Hills socialite was entombed in her Ferrari in San Antonio 44 years ago She shares photos of the magazine-worthy interior on an Instagram account called "@dome_for_5." "I've always really loved the visuals and art and color and this is just such a unique space so we were really excited about infusing even more design into the place," she said. The windows to the sky wash the home with natural light, making for picture-perfect shots. The dome's skylights also give the family a clear view of San Antonio's range of weather and events. Sara said thunderstorms, lightning and rain can be "scary," but New Year's Eve firework views are unmatched. In February, as San Antonio experienced rare snowfall, the family lived in what felt like a "snow globe," Sara joked. Courtesy, Sara Roznovsky "The dome in the snow was beautiful," she said. Aside from the winter wonderland views, the energy efficiency of the dome proved to be essential as the city lost power, leaving many to freeze in their houses. She said the dome was without energy for a full 48 hours. During that time, the temperature inside never dropped below the mid 50s. Sara compared summer energy bills to their previous traditional home, which is similar in size, that would rack up a CPS bill of more than $500 a month. Now the costs averages $350 at most. Home sweet dome. JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS If you're hoping to go swimming at a river soon, pick another date. In a Facebook post shared Friday, Guadalupe River State Park strongly advised against swimming or tubing in its waters due to heavy rainfall. The river flow is extremely fast and high, currently almost 1,000 CFS (cubic feet per second) and has risen 700 CFS in the past 24 hours, the state park said. For reference, a nice flow rate for tubing is about 200 CFS. SAPD The missing 66-year-old man last seen entering a bathroom at a Walmart in San Antonio on Wednesday was later found in Dallas Friday morning. According to the San Antonio Police Department, Kenneth Harris used the restroom at the Walmart in the 5000 block of DeZavala Road and was not seen again. Officials said they used the intercom to page Harris, but were unable to locate him in the store. Texas GOP Chairman Allen West announced his resignation Friday morning, raising speculation he could run for statewide office. West, who took over the party in July 2020, will remain chair until a successor is picked on July 11, the party said. The party said in a statement that West will take this opportunity to prayerfully reflect on a new chapter in his already distinguished career. West has not ruled out challenging Gov. Greg Abbott, and he has also had tension recently with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. A former Florida congressman who moved to Texas several years ago, West took over the party last summer, unseating incumbent James Dickey. He quickly made a name for himself for his willingness to speak out against fellow Republicans, including Abbott, whose coronavirus response he criticized. West used the latest legislative session to push hard for the partys eight legislative priorities, and he has spent recent days lamenting the lack of progress that lawmakers have to show on them. West is set to appear at a news conference at 10:30 a.m. in Whitehouse, near Tyler, to discuss the session. Abbott has already drawn a primary challenge from former state Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas. In addition to West, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller could also take on Abbott. On Tuesday, Abbott was endorsed for reelection by former President Donald Trump. Abbott is not the only statewide official with whom West has butted heads. Toward the end of the session, he put pressure on Patrick, the presiding officer, to pass a House-approved bill allowing permitless carry of handguns, questioning Patrick's commitment to the cause and alleging the Senate added "poison-pill amendments." Patrick eventually wrangled the votes, he got the bill through the Senate and it is now on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for his signature. Without naming West, Patrick said in a statement at one point after the bill passed the Senate that those who claimed the Senate-amended bill was in peril "willfully misled many Second Amendment supporters in Texas." The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. A representative for WFTV could not be reached for comment. There was no mention of the hack on its website or Facebook page. Cox also could not be reached for comment. (Natural News) Antifa nemesis Andy Ngo on Wednesday night confirmed that he was the man violently attacked by antifa militants last week in Portland. (Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com) There was confusion as to whether Ngo was the man attacked on May 28 as antifa regularly attack random Asian men who look somewhat similar to him. Ngo released the following statement on Twitter, excerpts from which are shared below: Statement on May 28, 2021 Antifa assault: No journalist in America should ever face violence for doing his or her job. Yet on Friday, May 28, Antifa tried to kill me again while I was reporting on the ongoing protests and riots in Portland, Ore. for a new chapter of my Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 no doubt in my mind I would not be here today. Their words, like their actions, speak for themselves. pic.twitter.com/mvMNcWKuJZ Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 immediately yelled, Thats Andy. Get him! Get him! As I sprinted through downtown Portland trying to flag down help, there was no visible police presence. At SW 4th Ave and SW Morrison, one of the black-clad Antifa members tackled me to the ground in front of Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 In the chaos, I managed to seize a moment when my attackers were distracted and crawled away. As soon as I could get to my feet, I sprinted inside the only business I could see that was open The Nines Hotel. I begged hotel staff to call 911, but they refused and ordered me pic.twitter.com/CWxwFS1nMH Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 It seemed obvious they intended to make good on hundreds of threats over the past two years to kill me. pic.twitter.com/93ZifwJTHA Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 Dozens of riot police took up positions in front of the building where at least one online video shows extremists swearing and screaming at officers for protecting Andy Ngo. At least one Antifa member was arrested according to the https://t.co/jcOofV9qeu Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 Later, I was escorted to an ambulance by a medic from Portland Fire and Rescue through a back entrance of the hotel. pic.twitter.com/zW3Iov5Uwt Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 When Antifa last beat me for doing my job in 2019, doctors told me I could have died from the brain hemorrhage caused by the blows to my head. I have made more than two dozen reports of subsequent threats and attacks to the Portland Police, Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 These lies will be used again to try to discredit me and other journalists reporting on Antifa, and to distort the facts. But there is only one truth. Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 join me in standing against the tyranny of those who use violence to terrorize, silence and suppress the truth. Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 3, 2021 Sorry Mr. Ngo, Bidens handlers only concern is fighting white supremacy, which they tell us every minute of every day is the number one threat to America. The assailants were white abolitionists and not white nationalists, so its not their concern. Additionally, as this assault happened at night it doesnt count! Bidens AG nominee Merrick Garland: Antifa attacks on federal courthouse may not be domestic terrorism because they happened at night pic.twitter.com/zBzYrXQvx6 The Independent Report (@independreport) February 22, 2021 Read more at: InformationLiberation.com and Antifa.news. (Natural News) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 10,000 post-vaccination COVID-19 cases. These so-called breakthrough cases came from 46 U.S. states and territories that sent figures to the public health agency. The CDCs report came as about 101 million Americans became fully vaccinated as of April 30. According to CDC data as of April 30, there were 10,262 breakthrough infections reported in fully vaccinated people. Breakthrough cases are defined as Wuhan coronavirus infections that occur two or more weeks after someone gets their final COVID-19 vaccine dose. This can refer to the second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Approximately 10 percent of the 10,262 patients required hospital care. About 1.5 percent equal to 160 persons died of COVID-19. Meanwhile, about three in 10 hospitalized patients did not show symptoms or were admitted for a reason unrelated to COVID-19. Twenty-eight deaths were noted in asymptomatic patients or attributed to causes unrelated to the disease. The public health agency said the latest figures indicate that breakthrough infections occur in just a small fraction of vaccinated persons. It continued: The number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths that will be prevented among vaccinated persons will far exceed the number of vaccine breakthrough cases. The CDC noted two limitations to the figures it released. First, the number of vaccine breakthrough cases may be a substantial undercount as its surveillance system for these reports relies on passive and voluntary reporting. Second, many people with breakthrough infections particularly asymptomatic patients might not seek testing. The agency nevertheless insisted that there is no evidence the COVID-19 vaccines contributed to patient deaths. Reports to the [Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System] of death following vaccination do not necessarily mean the vaccine caused the death, a post on its website said. (Related: Vaccine FAILURE cover-up: CDC limits tracking of breakthrough coronavirus infections that occur in fully vaccinated people.) The vaccines themselves increase peoples risk of contracting Wuhan coronavirus variants of concern Of the more than 10,000 breakthrough infection reports the CDC received, more than 500 cases had genomic sequencing data available. Wuhan coronavirus variants, including the British B117 strain, were responsible for over 60 percent of these 555 breakthrough infections. The CDCs findings came out on the same day that a separate group of researchers released a study about breakthrough infections. University of Washington scientists noted in their May 2021 paper that variants of concern are over-represented among the breakthrough cases they examined. Of the 20 cases investigated, the B1427 strain one of two variants first found in California was responsible for 40 percent of infections. They noted that variants known for reduced antibody neutralization such as the California B1427 and B1429 strains, the South African B1351 strain and the Brazilian P1 strain were over-represented vis-a-vis the B117 strain. They also found that the 20 breakthrough cases they observed had a substantially stronger viral load than usual. Despite the reports of post-vaccination infections, the CDC is working on clinical studies to examine the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines. It will also continue collecting information on breakthrough infections. Brown University School of Public Health Dean Dr. Ashish Jha said the CDCs report shows that the three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use in the U.S. work well. He said during an ABC appearance: These vaccines are way better than I would have predicted a year ago. But theyre not 100 percent [effective], so were going so see some breakthrough infections [that are] exceedingly rare. A study in the middle of April this year showed how vaccines may put people at a higher risk of contracting Wuhan coronavirus variants of concern. Israeli researchers examined COVID-19 test results of both unvaccinated people and those who received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Israel used the two-dose mRNA vaccine on the majority of its population. They then compared the test results from both groups and found that individuals fully vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were eight times more likely to contract the B1351 variant. Meanwhile, those who received at least one dose had a higher chance of contracting the B117 variant. The prevalence of the British strain was no different in Israelis who were fully vaccinated, the researchers found. (Related: South African B1351 coronavirus variant affects vaccinated patients more easily than the unvaccinated, warn Israeli researchers.) Lead researcher Dr. Adi Stern of Tel Aviv University said: We found a disproportionately higher rate of the South African [B1351] variant among people vaccinated with a second [Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine] dose, compared to the unvaccinated group. Based on patterns in the general population, we would have expected just one case of the South African variant but we saw eight. She added that based on their findings, the B1351 strain can bypass through vaccine-induced immunity to some extent. Visit Vaccines.news to read more reports about breakthrough COVID-19 infections in vaccinated people. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CDC.gov MedRxiv.org LifeSiteNews.com The Chinese Communist Party hosted the World Symposium for Marxist Political Parties, where Xi Jinping described Marxism as a powerful weapon and participants plotted on how to promote the worlds socialist and Communist cause. (Natural News) (Article by Natalie Winters republished from TheNationalPulse.com) Taking place on May 27th in Beijing, the event was hosted by the International Department of the Chinese governments Central Committee and counted some 70 leaders and representatives from 58 political parties in 48 countries in attendance. Communist leaders from across the world including the United States sent congratulatory messages to the symposium, which saw attendees focus on how to promote the development of Marxism in the new era and how they can better work together to jointly cope with those challenges. International representatives, according to state-run media outlet Global Times, praised the Chinese Communist Party for playing a significant role in promoting the worlds socialist and communist cause and providing a very important reference for Marxist parties in other countries. Xi also authored a celebratory statement for the event, describing Marxism as a strong ideological weapon and calling for attendees to help build a shared future: Read more at: TheNationalPulse.com and Marxism.news. (Natural News) As climate change alarmists continue to insist that we need to cool the planets temperatures in order to save it, one approach that is being touted is geoengineering. Some researchers have been supporting the idea of the deliberate mass manipulation of our climate as a backup plan if the world does not succeed in reducing carbon emissions by 2 degrees, and now the U.S. government is throwing money behind the plans. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Earth System Research Laboratory Director of Chemical Sciences David Fahey reportedly told staff that the U.S. government is providing $4 million in funding to study two types of geoengineering. Fahey is NOAAs top climate change scientist. The first method on the table is a type of geoengineering known as solar radiation management. This will entail spraying aerosols into the earths atmosphere with the idea of reflecting sunlight and, by extension, cooling the earth. The aerosol used will likely be sulfur dioxide, which could theoretically shade the earth from intense sunlight if it is sprayed into the stratosphere. It is patterned after volcanic eruptions, which naturally cool the planet by emitting giant clouds of sulfur dioxide. However, past studies have shown that such an approach could spell disaster for certain parts of the planet. The second approach will see aerosols being used to create low-lying artificial clouds across the ocean. It is a technique inspired by ship tracks, the long clouds that are left by passing ocean freighters visible on satellites as reflective pathways. According to reports, these clouds could be widened with injections of seawater vapor using specialized ships. A whole menu of things that youd have to worry about Fahey acknowledges that these methods are controversial. He recommended replacing the term geoengineering with a term that is considered more neutral, such as climate intervention. He added that the results of the plan would not be immediate, with the cooling not being fully completed until the next century. When questioned by a researcher about whether injecting sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere could reduce seafood because it would acidify the oceans, he admitted that there could be a lot of effects, saying: That opens up this whole menu of things that youd have to worry about. Several countries have complained that using aircraft to inject the atmosphere with aerosols could change the weather or harm the ozone layer, which would reduce our protection from dangerous radiation from sunlight. Research shows that geoengineering could cause problems like lower crop yields, rises in land and water temperature, and the loss of blue skies. The eco-justice organization ETC Group is one of many campaigning against geoengineering. They point out that injecting sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere over the Arctic could increase droughts and disrupt monsoons, with many of the impacts being felt in Africa. This, they say, could put the food and water sources of two billion people in jeopardy. According to Fahey, research would be needed not only into how the aerosols could be spread evenly through the stratosphere but also what the consequences of such activity might be. Its important to note that NOAAs authority currently does not extend to the stratosphere, although its jurisdiction could be broadened by legislators. In addition, reports have raised concerns that governments could change the course of harmful storms and that directing them toward other countries could be interpreted as an act of war. It is also possible that hostile governments could use forms of mass weather manipulation like geoengineering against their enemies. Like many climate change solutions, this one is full of huge risks. As history has shown us time and time again, interfering with nature never ends well for anyone. Sources for this article include: WakingTimes.com ScienceMag.org (Natural News) The Washington Post made a quiet correction this weekend to a 15-month-old headline, but apparently only after The Daily Caller had reached out to the Post about its veracity. (Article by Elizabeth Stauffer republished from WesternJournal.com) The headline of a Feb. 17, 2020, Post story originally stated: Tom Cotton keeps repeating a coronavirus conspiracy theory that was already debunked. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a Republican, was one of the first high-profile politicians to say the virus may have escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China. The Daily Caller reported that it reached out to the Post seeking comment on the headline, given the increased interest in the possibility that COVID-19 had in fact originated from the Wuhan lab that was studying bat-borne coronaviruses. And over the weekend, the Post updated its headline. It now reads, Tom Cotton keeps repeating a coronavirus fringe theory that scientists have disputed. The Posts correction note reads: Earlier versions of this story and its headline inaccurately characterized comments by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) regarding the origins of the coronavirus. The term debunked and The Posts use of conspiracy theory have been removed because, then as now, there was no determination about the origins of the virus. The revelations contained in a trove of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Faucis email communications covering the period from January to June 2020 have lent even more credence to the theory that the coronavirus may have escaped from the lab in 2019. After publicly claiming for well over a year that the virus had zoonotic origins, that it had jumped from an animal to a human, and downplaying the lab leak theory, Fauci may not exactly have been truthful with the American people. The circumstantial evidence supporting the lab leak theory has grown by leaps and bounds over the past several weeks, and Faucis emails corroborate it. Those who dared to mention this theory, and especially its extension that the virus had been engineered in the lab were derided as conspiracy theorists by a mainstream media that had long ago abandoned even the pretense of practicing real journalism. The Post was not alone in its mockery of anyone who took the lab leak theory seriously. Last week, PolitiFact was forced to retract a fact check it had published in September following Fox News Tucker Carlsons interview with Dr. Li-Meng Yan, a virologist and former postdoctoral fellow at the University of Hong Kong. Yan had told Carlson, This virus, COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 virus, actually is not from nature. It is a man-made virus created in the lab. I can present solid scientific evidence to our audience that this virus, COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 virus, actually is not from nature. The next day, PolitiFact published a fact-check with the title, Tucker Carlson guest airs debunked conspiracy theory that COVID-19 was created in a lab. PolitiFacts Daniel Funke wrote that the claim is inaccurate and ridiculous. We rate it Pants on Fire! The genetic structure of the novel coronavirus, which has been shared by thousands of scientists worldwide, rules out the possibility that it was manipulated in a lab, Funke told readers. Public health authorities have repeatedly said the virus was not created in a lab. Scientists believe the coronavirus originated in bats before jumping to humans. Experts have publicly rebuked Yans paper, and its unclear whether it was peer reviewed. Funke made a heroic effort to disprove Yans claims, citing an endless number of experts, researchers and health officials. He even pointed out that Facebook and Instagram, those arbiters of the truth the left looks to for the final word on issues of importance, had both flagged the video as false information. His entire argument boils down to: Because the experts say so. And theyve said so repeatedly. In doing so, those experts and the mainstream media have been supporting intentionally or not the Chinese Communist Party, which has repeatedly denied the coronavirus pandemic started with one of its labs. (The Chinese disinformation campaign has even included claims that the coronavirus was brought to China by the U.S. military. Not even The New York Times took that seriously.) Obviously, we dont have physical evidence to prove the origins of the virus because the Chinese government has obstructed every effort to obtain that evidence. Nor did the mainstream media have any proof to dismiss the possibility of the lab leak theory and taunt those who were open to it. Once again, the liberal media has wound up with egg on its face. Another disinformation campaign has unraveled. Why were they so hellbent on silencing all dissent? Why, in the face of a frightening, new virus that was on its way to killing millions around the globe, would they work so hard to protect China? Why did Fauci and the rest of the international science community work so hard to promote a lie? Why would they choose to protect China at the expense of the United States and the rest of the world? Wittingly or unwittingly, they were all doing Chinas bidding. Will any of them pay a price? Read more at: WesternJournal.com and Disinfo.news. (Natural News) The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has issued an injunction and ruled in favor of a Tennessee restaurant and bar owner, preventing the Small Business Administration (SBA) from discriminating on the basis of race or gender in the distribution of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) relief funds. The restaurant owner in question, Antonio Vitolo, owns the Jakes Bar and Grill in the small town of Harriman, Tennessee. He applied to receive federal relief from the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund that was created as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 the coronavirus relief package that was pushed by the administration of President Joe Biden. Vitolos case was against the SBA and its administrator, Isabella Castillas Guzman. Vitolo was represented by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), a nonprofit conservative law firm. WILL first filed a case before the District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, but was rejected. WILL then brought the case before the appeals court. After filing his request for relief funding, Vitolo was told that restaurants owned by women and people of color would be prioritized during the first 21 days of fund disbursement, which began on May 3. Vitolo was later informed by the SBA that his restaurant was eligible for $104,590 in relief funds if there is still enough money remaining in the Restaurant Revitalization Fund after the 21 days of priority disbursement. Vitolo had no choice but to either wait for non-priority disbursement or sue the SBA. Appeals court ruled that priority relief funding is discriminatory In the majority opinion, Judge Amul Thapar wrote: Under a regulation that predates the pandemic, the [Small Business Administration] presumes certain applicants are socially disadvantaged based solely on their race or ethnicity If you are in one of these groups, the Small Business Administration assumes you qualify as socially disadvantaged. Indeed, the only way not to qualify is if someone comes forward with credible evidence to the contrary.' Some of the groups that the SBA has presumptively listed as socially disadvantaged, and can therefore qualify for priority consideration, include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and Native Americans. Vitolo and his wife each own 50 percent of the restaurant. Vitolo is White and his wife is Hispanic. Because the restaurant was not 51 percent owned by a woman or a person of color, Vitolo had to qualify as socially and economically disadvantaged to get priority status. To do this, he would have to prove he has experienced racial or ethnic discrimination or cultural bias with, as Thapar put it, a preponderance of the evidence. This stands in contrast with the lenient evidentiary standards set by the coronavirus relief plan for non-White people to prove that they have experienced discrimination or bias. The appeals court had no problem with the relief package itself, but the racial and gender preferences in the bill that specifically favored subsidies for non-Whites and women. (Related: Pro-Trump conservative legal group sues Biden administration over anti-White farm subsidy program.) The case is about whether the government can allocate limited coronavirus relief funds based on the race and sex of the applicants. We hold that it cannot. Thus, we enjoin the government from using these unconstitutional criteria, Thapar wrote in the majority opinion, adding that the government has failed to provide any exceedingly persuasive justification for its inclusion of discriminatory criteria. The appeals court ordered the SBA and the government to fully fund Vitolos grant application and to review future grant applications without regard for processing time or for the race or sex of the applicant. The only priority the appeals court did not strike down was for veteran-owned restaurants. Learn more about the policies being pushed by the Biden administration by reading the latest articles at JoeBiden.news. Sources include: LegalInsurrection.com PhelpsCountyFocus.com (Natural News) The AstraZeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine was listed in an interim fact-of-death certificate as one of the possible factors that led to the demise of BBC presenter Lisa Shaw. Newcastles senior coroner Karen Dilks issued the interim fact-of-death certificate, which confirms that an investigation into Shaws death will be held and that the complication of AstraZeneca COVID-19 virus vaccination is being considered as a possible cause. Shaw suffered blood clots days after getting first dose of AstraZeneca Shaws family said the 44-year-old was treated for blood clots days after receiving the first dose of AstraZeneca. She died on May 21. The BBC Radio Newcastle presenter was not known to have any underlying health problems. The interim fact-of-death certificate does not determine a cause of death. The cause of death will only be issued once the investigation has been completed. Lisa developed severe headaches a week after receiving her AstraZeneca vaccine and fell seriously ill a few days later, Shaws family said in a statement. Lisa developed severe headaches a week after receiving her AstraZeneca vaccine and fell seriously ill a few days later. (Related: Eight European nations pause AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccinations after reports of serious blood clot.) Shaw was treated by the Royal Victoria Infirmarys intensive care team for blood clots and bleeding in her head. She passed away surrounded by her family. We are devastated and there is a Lisa-shaped hole in our lives that can never be filled. We will love and miss her always, the Shaw family said in a statement. Its been a huge comfort to see how loved she was by everyone whose lives she touched. A spokesperson for UKs drug regulator Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said: We are saddened to hear about the death of Lisa Shaw and our thoughts are with her family. As with any serious suspected adverse reaction, reports with a fatal outcome are fully evaluated by the MHRA, including an assessment of post-mortem details if available. A distinctive type of blood clot is a known side effect of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. It is called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), which occurs when a blood clot forms in the brains venous sinuses. This prevents blood from draining out of the brain. As a result, blood cells may break and leak blood into the brain tissues, forming a hemorrhage. Our detailed and rigorous review into reports of blood clots occurring together with thrombocytopenia is ongoing, the MHRA spokesperson said, adding that the number of cases remained extremely low. The latest MHRA data reveals 332 cases of these blood clots reported, including 58 deaths. Those cases have led to a shift in the vaccination campaign. Ideally, adults under the age of 40 should be given an alternative vaccine, such as those developed by Pfizer or Moderna. BBC lost someone special who meant a great deal to many Shaw joined BBC Radio Newcastle in 2016 as a daytime presenter. Her voice was well-known in the northeast of England where she had also had a successful career in commercial radio. Born and raised in County Durham, Shaw began her radio career at Newcastles Metro Radio joining as a journalist before going on to present for the station. In 2004 she moved to Century Radio, where she twice co-presented Gary and Lisa at Breakfast alongside Gary Philipson, first in 2004 and again between 2010 and 2014. Shaw joined BBC Radio Newcastle in 2016, becoming part of the stations daytime presenting team. From 2020, she presented a weekday show for the station as part of a simplified schedule that was introduced by BBC radio during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2012, she was the recipient of a Sony Gold award for Best Breakfast Show in Britain for the show she presented with Philipson. Following the announcement of her death, there were tributes from listeners and colleagues. The BBC described her as a brilliant presenter who was loved by our audiences. It said: Weve lost someone special who meant a great deal to a great many people. She was a trusted colleague, a brilliant presenter, a wonderful friend, and a loving wife and mum, said BBC Radio Newcastles Acting Executive Editor Rik Martin. She loved being on the radio and was loved by our audiences. Weve lost someone special who meant a great deal to a great many people. Chris Burns, head of BBC Local Radio, said: Lisa was a talented presenter who had already achieved a lot and would have achieved much more. BBC presenter Alfie Joey, who announced the death of Shaw on air, described her as kind, calm and full of life. She was a wife she was a mother, a very special person. She meant a lot to a lot of people, including us. Everyone here is absolutely gutted, Joey said. Follow Immunization.news for more news and information related to coronavirus vaccines. Sources include: BBC.com TheSun.co.uk (Natural News) Over the last 48 hours, Ive received a flood of intel from sources, both private and public, indicating that communist China is moving up the timetable of a long-planned attack on the United States of America. In reality, the biological warfare phase of the attack is already under way, having begun in 2019 with the deliberate release of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, followed by direct interference in rigging the 2020 election and installing CCP puppet Joe Biden as a temporary occupant of the White House. Now, due to the rapid emergence of evidence showing Fauci conspired with the CCP to fund gain-of-function development and build a biological weapon that attacks human ACE2 receptor sites, China is accelerating its own timetable to take down the USA before such investigations can conclusively place the blame for covid on Chinas communist regime. According to my sources, the planned attack on America will consist of: Cyber warfare attacks on critical infrastructure such as energy, transportation, finance and the power grid. Drone kamikaze (kinetic) attacks on critical infrastructure to conduct acts of sabotage. The advancing of ground troops into Southern U.S. states in an attempt to occupy and defend FOBs (Forward Operations Bases) in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. (This will happen after the power grid sabotage plunges America into chaos.) The stealth drone that was recently spotted over Tucson, AZ, monitoring the Davis-Monthan AFB, is part of this effort. There are hundreds more stealth drones operating in U.S. air space right now, controlled by communist China, according to my ex-military sources. As reported by The Epoch Times, Kyle Bass has also warned of the 130,000-acre parcel of land in Southwest Texas that is now owned by the same Chinese billionaire who owns two-thirds of the land in Chinas Xinjiang region, where slave labor concentration camps are in full operation. From TET: The land for the wind farm is owned by a Chinese company called GH America Investments Group, which has since 2015 bought 130,000 acres of landan area the size of Tulsa, Oklahomain Val Verde County. The man behind the firm is Sun Guangxin, a businessman from the northwestern Xinjiang region in China, who has strong ties to the communist regime. Sun, a former military officer, is currently the richest person in Xinjiangwhere the regime is committing genocide against ethnic Muslim minorities. He has a net worth of $1.9 billion, according to Forbes, and was also the vice chairman of the Xinjiang Provincial Youth Federation. The goal of this, Im told, is that China plans to construct and operate concentration camps in Texas and other U.S. states, then use them for mass incineration and disposal of all the Americans they plan to kill. China is also actively and loudly threatening America with a rapid expansion of its nuclear weapons capabilities, according to a recent report published by The Sun (UK): We must be prepared for an intense showdown between China and the US, Hu wrote in a chilling op-ed for the Chinese state-run newspaper. In that scenario, a large number of Dongfeng-41, and JL-2 and JL-3 (both intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile) will form the pillar of our strategic will. Seven months ago, I interviewed JR Nyquist who warns of this exact scenario, describing how China has prepositioned weapons, military uniforms and sabotage equipment in the United States, ready for activation: In todays Situation Update podcast, I provide additional frightening details about Chinas attack plans and why they are now being accelerated to be activated this year. For example, one of my contacts informed me that an airfield being constructed by China in Texas is slated for completion by the end of July, with expected usage of the 10,000-foot runway by August or September. A 10,000-foot runway is only needed for extremely large military cargo planes, yet this is a private airfield being constructed in Texas by communist China. It begs the question: Why is the Pentagon under Joe Biden allowing foreign enemies to construct airfields in the United States? It seems insane. China is invading the United States without firing a single shot, and since China now controls the White House, the media, Hollywood and even Fauci, there seems to be no authority remaining in America that will work to defend the nation against a foreign invasion. The timetable now appears to be just months away Brighteon.com/f8aacdc0-0980-4b5f-ac7f-5d2a010ed167 Find a new Situation Update podcast each day at: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport (Natural News) China is bracing itself for severe summer floods as 71 rivers exceed warning levels, according to a recent report from Strange Sounds. Meteorological experts warned that warmer temperatures are fuelling extreme weather. In fact, rain in some parts of central and southern China has hit record highs in recent weeks. But the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) said precipitation is actually 10 percent lower this year than last year. Moreover, the ministry warned that water levels on the Yangtze River, the longest river in China and Asia, and its tributaries are expected to rise further in June. The ministry also warned of major floods throughout the country from June to August. Some monitoring stations have already issued alerts in anticipation of extreme flooding as the country entered its main flooding season on Tuesday, June 1. However, parts of South China have been experiencing a series of heavy rains since May. The MWR said a new round of heavy rainfall will affect southern parts of China from Tuesday to Friday, which may cause floods exceeding warning levels in Central China. Moreover, heavy rainfall may also cause four rivers in East Chinas Jiangxi and Fujian Provinces and South Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to exceed warning levels. Meanwhile, the section of the Yangtze River that passes through the city of Wuhan in Hubei province saw water levels that are at least two meters (m) higher than what is normal at this time of the year. In Jiangxi, the water level of Poyang Lake has already reached 18 m, just a meter shy of its flood warning level. The lake, also known as the kidney of the Yangtze River, hit record-high levels more than a month earlier than in previous years. Officials also said larger floods may occur in small and medium-sized rivers in places experiencing rainstorms. China enters main flooding season Last summer, rainfall in China reached its second-highest level since 1961. This has brought water levels at the Three Gorges Dam, a massive hydroelectric gravity dam on the Yangtze River, close to the maximum level. In fact, nationwide precipitation levels last year hit almost 700 millimeters (mm), which is 10.3 percent higher than average. This figure is also up 7.6 percent from the previous year because rainfall doubled in parts of central and northeast China. Now, because of rising river levels and flooding forecasts, authorities are scrambling to prepare for floods. MWR officials said 47 reservoirs along the Yangtze River basin have already made preparations to relieve floods, most of which had been discharged to full levels. Some provinces have also started preparing for the possibility of extreme flooding. In the southern province of Guangdong, authorities launched a level-IV emergency response to flood prevention. They also raised the alert for risks of waterlogging on Monday, May 31, as 12 hydrometric stations in the province recorded precipitation levels of more than 250 mm. In Hunan, a mountainous province north of Guangdong, local water resource authorities and the Hydrological Bureau of the Yangtze River jointly carried out an emergency monitoring exercise at a section of the Yangtze River on Wednesday, May 26 response to flood warnings. The exercise simulated a situation in which heavy rainfall led to extreme flooding in the lower reaches of the Xiangjiang River in central China. It is one of the main tributaries of the Yangtze River. In the simulation exercise, severe floods led to a bank collapse, which eventually caused water to flood into nearby cities. (Related: China faces worst flood in decades as Yangtze water levels reach record highs.) Learn more about Chinas worst floods at Disaster.news. Sources include: StrangeSoungs.org GlobalTimes.cn (Natural News) A United Nations (UN) report revealed that unmanned combat aerial vehicles and lethal autonomous weapons systems bombarded rebels in Libya last year. The drones, which can be operated manually, were self-guided during the encounter using onboard cameras and machine learning to find and target enemies. According to the March report from the UN Security Councils Panel of Experts on Libya, Kargu-2 quadcopters were deployed in the North African nation in March last year. The incident occurred during a skirmish between the Libyan government and forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, commander of a breakaway faction of the Libyan National Army. Kargu-2 destroys target with explosive charge The drones were programmed to attack targets without requiring data connectivity between the operator and the munitions. Fitted with an explosive charge, the Kargu-2 drone can be flown remotely by a human operator or use its onboard camera and artificial intelligence (AI) to seek out targets autonomously. Its explosive charge detonates on impact. (Related: Attack of the drones: Army wants miniature suicidal drone to kill from six miles away.) The Kargu-2 has a top speed of about 90 mph and an endurance of half an hour. In standard mode, it is controlled directly by an operator from up to six miles away. When a target is spotted the drone locks on to it and dives in, destroying it with an explosive charge. The concept is similar to the switchblade loitering munition used by the Special Forces, although the Kargu-2 has a much bigger warhead. According to the report, Kargu-2 drones hunted down and remotely engaged Haftars forces as the latter retreated. Haftars forces were neither trained nor motivated to defend against the effective use of this new technology and usually retreated in disarray, the report stated. Once in retreat, they were subject to continual harassment from the unmanned combat aerial vehicles and lethal autonomous weapons systems. The information was provided by a confidential source, according to the magazine New Scientist. If accurate, it would be the first known incident of an autonomous drone attacking humans. While there were no confirmed deaths, the report stated similar lethal autonomous weapons caused significant casualties when deployed against Haftars manned Pantsir S-1 surface-to-air missile system. Risk is too high without humans making judgment call Critics of lethal autonomous drones like the Kargu-2 claim that the technology is too imprecise. Current machine learning-based systems cannot effectively distinguish a farmer from a soldier, Zachary Kallenborn, a homeland security specialist, wrote in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Farmers might hold a rifle to defend their land, while soldiers might use a rake to knock over a gun turret. Even adequate classification of a vehicle is difficult. According to Kallenborn, the risk is too high without humans to make a judgment call. Any given autonomous weapon has some chance of messing up, but those mistakes could have a wide range of consequences, Kallenborn wrote. The highest risk autonomous weapons are those that have a high probability of error and kill a lot of people when they do. Misfiring a .357 magnum is one thing; accidentally detonating a W88 nuclear warhead is something else. Jack Watling a land warfare specialist at the Royal United Services Institute think-tank, told New Scientist that the drones are in something of a grey area when it comes to regulation of AI weapons because only the drones controllers would know whether the machines were being remotely controlled at the time of the attack. This does not show that autonomous weapons would be impossible to regulate, he said. But it does show that the discussion continues to be urgent and important. The technology isnt going to wait for us. Kargu-2 may have swarming capabilities now STM, the Turkish company that produced the Kargu-2, has not replied to a request for comment about the reports allegations. The company develops radar, satellites, autonomous systems and other technology in the private and military sector. The Drive reported in June last year that STM is developing swarming capabilities for the Kargu-2 that would allow 20 drones to work in tandem. (Related: Next-gen warfare: DARPA tests drone swarms that will be operated by artificial intelligence, not human beings.) An operator on the ground can manually control any of the Kargu series drones and use their onboard sensors, which includes electro-optical and infrared video cameras and a laser imaging system, or LIDAR, to conduct general surveillance and identify and track targets. STM CEO Murat Ikinci told Turkish newspaper Hurriyet that Kargu has facial recognition, suggesting it can seek out specific individuals. It is described as being engineered for anti-terror and asymmetric warfare scenarios. Since the incident mentioned in the UN report, Libyas Government of National Accord has been dissolved. A new regime was established on March 10 the Government of National Unity led by Chairman Mohamed al-Menfi and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. Follow MilitaryTechnology.news to know more about killer drones. Sources include: DailyStar.co.uk DailyMail.co.uk TheDrive.com This is a culture, we have to break it, Hart said, who has become a staunch advocate for prison reform. Before the rally, she went on an unannounced tour of the Central Florida Reception Center, which she often encourages other lawmakers to do, but said she worries about how the incarcerated men and women may be retaliated against after speaking with her. (Natural News) Long before cities, states and large corporations started demanding that people wear a face mask to prevent the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), Anthony Fauci and other government leaders were quietly in agreement that covering ones mouth and nose is medically useless when it comes to viral transmission and yet mask mandates were imposed regardless. Leaked emails reveal that Fauci and other heads of public health agencies knew full well that wearing a mask is just for show. They all told each other back and forth that the science is clear: masks do not work. On March 31, 2020, Medical Officer Andrea Lerner of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) wrote an email to Fauci explaining that there is no difference in health outcomes when masks are worn. She included research data to support her claim. One month prior, Fauci was asked by Sylvia Burwell, the Obama-appointed secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), whether or not she should wear a face mask on a then-upcoming flight. This is how Fauci responded: The typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through material I do not recommend that you wear a mask. Fauci made similar statements during a March 2020 interview on 60 Minutes, once again explaining to viewers that wearing a mask does not prevent the spread of anything. Right now in the United States, people should not be walking around with masks, Fauci stated. Theres no reason to be walking around with a mask. Federal government knew in March 2020 that masks dont work but pushed them anyway Come April 2020, had Fauci written or said these things on social media, he would have been banned for spreading misinformation. This is because by that point, the medical deep state Fauci included had already switched the narrative to claim that face masks are a cure for the Wuhan Flu. The flip-flop was painfully evident to everyone who was paying attention. To everyone else, it was just the evolution of science as Fauci learned more about how the virus behaves. For many months afterwards, Fauci and other government agents heavily pushed the mask, ordering Americans to wear one both indoors and outdoors. Roughly half the country apparently forgot that Fauci had earlier indicated that a mask is nothing more than a face decoration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published its own data showing much the same. Whether a person does or does not wear a mask is of no effect in terms of preventing the spread of the Chinese Virus. Even so, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the NIH came out in favor of masking, and many municipalities and states across America decided to impose mandates, which ended up giving people a false sense of security concerning their level of protection. People wore masks *INSTEAD* of social distancing & hand washing, tweeted Kyle Becker, a former writer and associate producer from Fox News. They gave people a false sense of security. This shows me they were as much a political statement as anything, an anti-Trump ribbon you wear on your face, if you will. In other words, Americans wanted a security blanket that they could also use to virtue signal their hatred for Donald Trump. The mask killed these two birds with one stone. Masks were never about health, wrote one commenter at Zero Hedge. They are a form a social conditioning mandated by power-mad sociopaths that get off telling billions what they can and cant do. These people need therapy from a prison cell. More related news stories about Chinese Virus propaganda can be found at Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, recently announced the governments plan to prey on psychologically vulnerable parents and vaccinate as many children as possible. Children as young as 12 years of age will be pressured to inoculate with experimental spike proteins from the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine series. The European Medicines Agency recently approved the Pfizer-BioNTech covid jab for young teenagers. The dishonest drug maker recently settled a $2.3 billion judgment for fraudulent marketing, the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the U.S. Department of Medicine. Now Pfizer is seeking approval to inoculate babies as young as six months in the US, Europe and Poland, as they fraud the world on levels of criminality that are unconscionable. Public Health authorities do not provide informed consent on these needless child experiments Frances Health Minister, Olivier Veran, did not question the plan to vaccinate children and provided no further information on Pfizer-BioNTechs fraudulent clinical trials. He said children would not be able to be vaccinated without parental consent, but he did not provide parents or the public with any information on the fraudulent Pfizer studies. He also did not provide any context on the matter of natural infection or discuss why children should not fear a potential covid infection. The Health Minister paid mere lip service to parental consent without mentioning the simple fact that children are not a high risk to potential covid infection in the first place! Public health authorities are leaving the public IGNORANT and refuse to stand up to a predatory industry that damages public health. Children around the world are being taught to live in TERROR of select, advertised pathogens that their body can readily OVERCOME. Children are being mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually trained to believe lies about their body and submit to abusive authority figures. These abusive authority figures have exploited the psychology of children and held a hand of force over childrens faces for over a year, restricting their breath and interactions. Now, these authorities are herding the children, coercing them to take part in spike protein vaccine experiments, that turn their cells into bioweapon factories. Pfizers fraudulent press release conceals widespread vaccine injury of children In Pfizers clinical studies (that needlessly exploited children as young as twelve), a majority of the children experienced direct physical abuse from these destructive vaccine experiments. After the second dose, half of the vaccinated children were prescribed pain medication to cope with the inflammation caused by this spike protein experiment. A total of 173 children suffered from new or worsened joint pain and 353 children suffered from new or worsened muscle pain. Two-thirds (66.2%) of the vaccinated children suffered from fatigue and a similar number (64.5%) reported headaches. Another symptom that the vaccine was supposed to prevent (chills) was reported in 455 children or (41.5%) of those vaccinated. Fever, vomiting, swelling, and diarrhea were also reported in numbers far greater than the placebo (non-vaccinated) group. These were just the problems reported in the first week after vaccine administration. Shockingly enough, thirty children did not show up for the second dose, and Pfizer did not report on the reasons why. Worse yet, after experimenting on roughly 2,000 children, Pfizer is parading around the world, claiming their two-shot protocol is 100% efficacious for all 1215-year olds. What a dangerous con! The so-called efficacy of Pfizers vaccine protocol is based on the ongoing fraud of the covid-19 PCR test. Eighteen children tested positive for COVID-19 in the placebo group, which is the normal rate of false positives for the falsely calibrated covid-19 tests. Most children test positive without showing any symptoms at all; this does not prove a vaccines efficacy, especially when covid is improperly diagnosed and not symptom-specific. Pfizer did not mention if these eighteen covid cases in the placebo group had any symptoms that were as severe as the multitude of needless symptoms observed in the vaccinated children. Sources include: NewsPunch.com Justice.gov Pfizer.com NaturalNews.com[PDF] (Natural News) Taiwan has decried efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to block its deal with German company BioNTech for Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. The island nation also slammed the communist regime for pushing China-made vaccines. An analyst described the CCPs move to push China-made COVID-19 vaccines over other candidates as a form of vaccine warfare. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen condemned the mainland regime during a May 26 meeting of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. According to Tsai, the Taiwanese government has smoothly booked orders for the Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. But she continued that Taiwan has been unable to obtain doses of the BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine, which was manufactured in partnership with Pfizer. We are close to completing the contract with the German factory but due to the interference of China, we have not been able to complete it, Tsai said. The Taiwanese presidents remarks was the first instance of the island nation confirming that the communist regime is blocking it from getting vaccine doses. Meanwhile, BioNTech declined to comment on Tsais remarks. The German firm told Reuters that it was supportive of global vaccine supply. On the other hand, the CCP denied Taiwans accusation that it was blocking the island nations attempt to obtain vaccines. It even offered to provide doses of China-made vaccines as a goodwill gesture. Additionally, Chinese state-owned drug manufacturer Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. said on May 26 that it was willing to provide Taiwan with the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine. BioNTech and Fosun signed an agreement to exclusively develop and sell the mRNA vaccine in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Tsai responded that Taiwan will only buy directly from the original vaccine maker or negotiate doses through the COVAX (COVID-19 Vaccine Access) initiative. [By] negotiating with the original manufacturer, we can obtain the original manufacturers direct guarantee and responsibility for quality and safety thereby avoiding legal and political risks, she said. Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary-General Lily L.W. Hsu meanwhile called Chinas offer to provide vaccine doses very divisive. Beijing trying to attack Taiwan in more ways than one including vaccines Speaking to the Mandarin version of The Epoch Times, strategy analyst Su Ziyun said a sudden surge of COVID-19 cases in Taiwan this month cut short vaccine supplies there. He added that the CCP saw this as an opportunity to launch vaccine warfare against the island nation. According to Su, the CCP hoped to provoke dissatisfaction within the country to divide its society on the issue of vaccines. The analyst continued that the Chinese regime also aimed to interfere with Taiwans way of solving the epidemic. Taiwan managed to curb the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemics early days, earning the worlds admiration and the regimes envy. This kind of public opinion warfare will fail as soon as Taiwan solves the vaccine shortage, Su added. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwans channels to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses were smooth. The mainlands Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council (TAO) meanwhile said that China would not have a problem donating vaccines to Taiwan if not for political obstacles. It furthermore added that Taipei was using excuses to block vaccine donations from the mainland. The TAO added that Beijing was happy to see that Fosun was willing to provide vaccines. Many pro-Beijing politicians in Taiwan echoed the sentiment and said the Fosun/BioNTech vaccines were urgently needed. But Taiwanese Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung disagreed with the idea. Speaking at a May 26 daily news briefing, he said that Taipei had not seen any supporting documentation about the Fosun/BioNTech vaccine. He called on the Chinese firm to provide documents before any discussions can proceed. Bring out the official documents and we can talk about [the vaccine] again, he said. The health minister added: What they are injecting to people there [in mainland China], we dont dare to use them. This was not the first time the communist regime actively tried to undermine Taiwans attempts to keep COVID-19 at bay. A week earlier, the CCP launched a disinformation campaign with the aim of frustrating the Taiwanese people [and] deepening the conflicts among them. Legislative Yuan Spokesman Lo Ping-Cheng confirmed the campaign and said that three government departments in Beijing were behind the acts of psychological warfare. Lo continued during a May 19 press conference that China is actively sowing discord among the Taiwanese by insisting that vaccines from the mainland are better. He added that the CCP regime is claiming that political barriers put up by Taipei prevent Taiwanese from receiving China-made vaccine doses. The spokesman ultimately warned that disinformation from the mainland is as bad as COVID-19 itself. He urged Taiwanese to be aware of the CCPs disinformation and avoid sharing and spreading false information. Visit CommunistChina.news to read more about the Chinese regimes attacks on Taiwanese sovereignty amid the ongoing pandemic. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com 1 Reuters.com TheEpochTimes.com 2 (Natural News) The mainstream media is attempting to downplay the serious adverse events being reported to VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System) in conjunction with Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines, claiming that the figures pale in comparison to the number of lives being saved from the injections. What they are missing, though, is the fact that VAERS only captures a very small percentage of the total number of injuries and deaths caused by the jabs. Referred to as a passive surveillance system, VAERS was never intended to track every instance of someone dying or becoming permanently injured from a vaccine. Instead, it relies entirely on voluntary reporting, which some estimate to be as little as one percent of the true figures. The website CovidVaccineReactions.com does a much better job of capturing injuries and deaths associated with Wuhan Flu shots, but even this resource is likely inadequate. Because nobody really knows the full extent of the fallout from this depopulation scheme, it is easy for the corporate media to simply claim, See? The vaccines are safe and effective!, based on the official numbers in VAERS. Even those are unacceptably high at more than 4,500 vaccine-induced deaths over the course of about five months. Remember when the Democrats said it was necessary to wear a mask forever because if doing so could save even one life, then it would all be worth it? What about thousands of lives that were lost due to the injections? Vast majority of doctors never report vaccine injuries to VAERS Tucker Carlson of Fox News is one of the few who has been drawing attention to covid vaccine-related injuries and deaths, warning that the numbers are higher than for any other vaccine that has ever been released. Where is everyone else who all last year whined about how not enough was being done to save lives? Carlson and others are attempting to do just that by warning the public about the risks associated with Chinese Virus injections, as well as about the abysmal rate of adverse events reporting to VAERS. In response, they are being chastised by the stay home, stay safe crowd for spreading misinformation. At one point, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a million-dollar grant to researchers from Harvard Medical School to develop a computerized active alternative to VAERS. The system would aim for a better capture rate, as well as run randomized trials evaluating both systems. The status of this system is currently unknown, but hopefully, it gets a jumpstart soon because Chinese Virus injections are harming and killing many, and most cases of injury and death never see the light of day. Amazingly, a 2013 study found that nearly 30 percent of all health care professionals have never even heard of VAERS. This means that an even greater percentage of their patients have likely never heard of it, either. Among those who do know about VAERS and come across a potential adverse effect, a whopping 83 percent fail to ever report it. Why on earth is the CDC still using a passive surveillance system proven completely worthless over a decade ago that anyone could see was bound to massively undercount potential side effects, as nothing has been done to ensure public awareness of such a reporting system in the first place? asks Dr. Michael Thau, Ph.D., writing for Revolver. And, unfortunately, the only answer seems to be that, for whatever dark reason, thats exactly what the CDC wants And not just because theyve made no effort to publicize VAERS and increase the dismal reporting rate among medical professionals nor replaced it with something better. More of the latest news about Chinese Virus injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: Revolver.news NaturalNews.com Thousands of worms are being blasted into orbit as part of a project to understand how muscle atrophy occurs. The effect of space flight on humans has long been a source of concern, with astronauts losing up to 40% of their muscle mass after six months in orbit, according to researchers. The tiny nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) will launch from the United States at 10 PM PST on Thursday. Sending Worms in Space The worms will fly to orbit in culture bags inside 24 matchbox-sized containers, lifting out from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on SpaceX's Cargo Dragon 2 spaceship. When the containers get onboard the ISS, they will be put in an incubator in the Columbus Module, where the study will begin. The universities of Nottingham and Exeter are leading the study. Purpose of the Study The researchers believe that the findings may aid in developing new therapies for muscular dystrophies, a category of hereditary genetic diseases that cause muscles to deteriorate over time. The expedition builds on prior studies conducted by the same group in 2018. This time, the new trials will focus on pinpointing the exact chemicals that cause these issues and evaluating potential medicines to prevent muscle atrophy in zero gravity. This time, the new trials will focus on pinpointing the exact chemicals that cause these issues, as well as evaluating potential medicines to prevent muscle atrophy in zero gravity. The worms will be put in a 20C incubator for five to six days after entering the International Space Station. Related Article: Potential Faster-Than-Light-Space Travel Facts: Alcubierre's Warp, the Key To Interstellar Travels? Worms The worms, which are roughly 1mm (0.03in) long, are known to have several biological traits in common with humans. They are also influenced by the biological changes brought on by living in space, such as muscle mass and energy utilization alterations. The findings "will have ramifications not just for astronauts but also for many conditions on Earth," according to Bethan Philips, associate professor of clinical, metabolic, and molecular physiology at the university. "There have been concerns about space flight being dangerous to astronauts since the birth of the space era," she added. Future Long Term Space Missions New insights from the experiment might "create the foundations for successfully sending people on long-term trips into outer space," according to Tim Etheridge, associate professor of integrative physiology at the University of Exeter. "It's incredible to think that sending worms into space may benefit our health and help us live longer lives," said science minister Amanda Solloway, "and I'm glad that UK researchers are spearheading this initiative." Bone and Muscle Loss in Microgravity The human body evolved in response to the gravitational pull of the Earth. Bones and muscles don't have to maintain the body's bulk in the microgravity condition onboard the orbiting International Space Station (weight on Earth). Astronauts would undergo bone and muscle loss or atrophy if they did not engage in Earth-like activity while in space. Normal aging, sedentary lifestyles, and diseases can all cause bone and muscle atrophy. Both astronauts and individuals on Earth may suffer major health problems as a result of falls or osteoporosis. Also Read: NASA Currently Working on Greener Aviation for Climate-Friendly Air Travel For more Space news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! Sign up to get breaking news, weather forecasts, and more in your email inbox. Sign Up Now WASHINGTON (AP) House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said Friday that a nearly eight-hour interview with former President Donald Trump's top White House lawyer shed new light on several troubling events" during his presidency, though it was unclear how Democrats would use the information long after investigations into Trump's ties to Russia have concluded. The closed-door interview with Don McGahn, which came two years after House Democrats originally sought his testimony, was originally part of Democrats' efforts to investigate whether Trump tried to obstruct Justice Department investigations into his 2016 presidential campaign. House Democrats sued after McGahn defied an April 2019 subpoena on Trumps orders. McGahn appeared Friday after an agreement was reached in court to sit for a transcribed interview behind closed doors, with his answers limited to information that had already been publicly released in former special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Trump and Russia. That report also came out in April 2019. Even if the interview unearths new information, Democrats made clear that it was primarily for history, and to set a precedent that executive branch officials must comply with congressional subpoenas. Nadler said in a statement after the interview that it was a great victory for congressional oversight, although two years had been too long to wait. Since Democrats first subpoenaed McGahn, Trump was impeached twice by the House and acquitted twice by the Senate. Neither impeachment centered on the Russia investigations, in which Mueller pointedly did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice but also did not recommend prosecuting him, citing Justice Department policy against indicting a sitting president. Still, Muellers report quoted extensively from interviews with McGahn, who described the Republican presidents efforts to stifle the investigation. In a statement released after the interview, which lasted almost eight hours, Nadler said he could not comment on McGahn's testimony, but said McGahn was clearly distressed by President Trumps refusal to follow his legal advice, again and again, and he shed new light on several troubling events today. Nadler said a transcript of the interview would be available at a later date, as laid out in the court agreement. At a break in the interview earlier, Nadler said McGahn was being somewhat difficult at times. While the questioning was led by staff, a handful of members of both parties attended, including Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Matt Gaetz of Florida. Gaetz, a close ally of Trump, said near the end of the meeting that weve learned nothing new. As White House counsel, McGahn had an insiders view of many of the episodes Mueller and his team examined for potential obstruction of justice during the Russia investigation. McGahn proved a pivotal and damning witness against Trump, with his name mentioned hundreds of times in the text of the Mueller report and its footnotes. McGahn described to investigators the presidents repeated efforts to choke off the probe and directives he said he received from the president that unnerved him. He recounted how Trump had demanded that he contact then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to order him to unrecuse himself from the Russia investigation. He also said Trump had implored him to tell the deputy attorney general at the time, Rod Rosenstein, to remove Mueller from his position because of perceived conflicts of interest and, after that episode was reported in the media, to publicly and falsely deny that demand had ever been made. McGahn also described the circumstances leading up to Trumps firing of James Comey as FBI director, including the presidents insistence on including in the termination letter the fact that Comey had reassured Trump that he was not personally under investigation. And he was present for a critical conversation early in the Trump administration, when Sally Yates, just before she was fired as acting attorney general as a holdover Obama appointee, relayed concerns to McGahn about new national security adviser Michael Flynn. She raised the possibility that Flynn's conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and his subsequent interview by the FBI left him vulnerable to blackmail. Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean, a member of the committee who attended the interview, said McGahn brought to life the chaos that must have been the White House at that time, with a president in a panic over special counsel Mullers investigation. She said it was a good day for democracy that McGahn finally fulfilled his obligation to testify. Trumps Justice Department fought the testimony even after District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2019 rejected arguments that Trump's close advisers were immune from congressional subpoena. President Joe Biden's administration helped negotiate the final agreement. ____ Associated Press writer Mark Sherman and photographer Scott Applewhite contributed to this report. Health authorities are trying to determine whether heart inflammation that can occur along with many types of infections could also be a rare side effect in teens and young adults after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. An article on seven U.S. teen boys in several states, published online Friday in Pediatrics, is among the latest reports of heart inflammation discovered after COVID-19 vaccination, though a link to the vaccine has not been proven. The boys, aged 14 to 19, received Pfizer shots in April or May and developed chest pain within a few days. Heart imaging tests showed a type of heart muscle inflammation called myocarditis. None were critically ill. All were healthy enough to be sent home after two to six days in the hospital and are doing doing pretty well, said Dr. Preeti Jaggi, an Emory University infectious disease specialist who co-authored the report. She said more follow-up is needed to determine how the seven fare but that its likely the heart changes were temporary. Only one of the seven boys in the Pediatrics report had evidence of a possible previous COVID-19 infection and doctors determined none of them had a rare inflammatory condition linked with the coronavirus. The cases echo reports from Israel in young men diagnosed after receiving Pfizer shots. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerted doctors last month that it was monitoring a small number of reports of heart inflammation in teens and young adults after the mRNA vaccines, the kind made by Pfizer and Moderna. The CDC hasnt determined if theres really a link to the shots, and continues to urge that everyone 12 and older get vaccinated against COVID-19, which is far riskier than the vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is available to those as young as 12; the Moderna shot remains cleared only for adult use. This kind of heart inflammation can be caused by a variety of infections, including a bout of COVID-19, as well as certain medications and there have been rare reports following other types of vaccinations. Authorities will have to tease out whether cases following COVID-19 vaccination are occurring more often than that expected background rate. For now, the CDC says most patients were male, reported symptoms after the second dose, and their symptoms rapidly improved. I think were in the waiting period where we need to see whether this is cause-and-effect or not, said John Grabenstein of the Immunization Action Coalition, a former director of the Defense Departments immunization program. A Pediatrics editorial noted that among U.S. children under age 18, there have been over 4 million COVID-19 cases, more than 15,000 hospitalizations and at least 300 deaths. The CDC on Friday reported that COVID-19-related hospitalizations of kids aged 12 to 17 fell early this year but rose again in March and April. Possible reasons include the spread of new virus variants, more kids going back to school, or the relaxing of mask and social distancing rules, agency researchers said. While infected kids are less likely to become critically ill than adults, the CDC data on about 200 hospitalizations from 14 states show that one-third were treated in intensive care units. The report had no mention of any heart involvement. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the hospitalizations raise concerns and urged parents to get their kids vaccinated. Vaccination is our way out of this pandemic, she said in a statement. The Pediatrics editorial said the heart inflammation cases warrant more investigation but added that the benefits of vaccination against this deadly and highly transmissible disease clearly far outweigh any potential risks. Editorial co-author Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, head of an American Academy of Pediatrics infectious diseases committee, is involved in Pfizer vaccine studies, including a COVID-19 vaccine study in children. ___ AP Medical Writer Mike Stobbe contributed to this report. ___ 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. That was the view of the doctors on the boards advisory panel. Some parents will choose not to vaccinate their children who are old enough to get a COVID shot, but they have that option, Muszynski said. Those with children 11 and younger do not. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A flight carrying 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from Japan touched down in Taiwan on Friday to help the vaccine-starved island fight its largest outbreak since the pandemic began. The donation underscores how geopolitics has come to impact the global vaccine rollout, as countries scramble to secure enough doses for their populations. Taiwan, a self-governing island short of doses, has blamed China for interfering in a potential deal for another vaccine. Now it is more than doubling its vaccine supply thanks to Japan, which is trying to play a greater role in global vaccination distribution and accelerate its own slow rollout ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in July. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters on Friday that Japan was responding to a Taiwanese request, and that the donation reflects Japans important partnership and friendship with Taiwan. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen echoed those comments, saying after the Japan Airlines flight landed that "we are witnessing once again the true friendship between Taiwan and Japan, built upon shared values and mutual help. Neither side mentioned an ongoing feud between Taiwan and China over the island's efforts to get the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Taiwan has signed contracts for 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 5.05 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, and 4.76 million doses of vaccines through COVAX, a U.N. program to distribute vaccines to low and middle-income countries. It is also pursuing the development of its own vaccines, which are currently in mid-stage testing. However, given global supply constraints and manufacturing delays, it had only about 700,000 doses to vaccinate its population with last month, all from AstraZeneca. Japan reportedly considered sending vaccines to Taiwan through COVAX, but decided the process would take too long. Tsai accused China last month of blocking Taiwan from getting the Pfizer vaccine through BioNTech, the German co-developer. We were almost finished with the contract with the German supplier, but owing to China s interference, its been delayed so that until now we have no way to complete it, she told members of her Democratic Progressive Party. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung later said that BioNTech had asked Taiwan to change the word country in the press release announcing the deal. Taiwan agreed, but the deal still remains unfinished. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, objects to calling the island a country. China is also a potentially major market for BioNTech, which has partnered with Shanghai-based Fosun Pharma to manufacture its vaccine in China and distribute it in the mainland and Hong Kong. Fosun said in an interview with China's official Xinhua News Agency that it has offered to sell the vaccine to Taiwan. However, Taiwanese law bans Chinese-made medical products, including vaccines. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused Taiwan's governing party of preventing the mainland from sending vaccines to Taiwan and falsely claiming that China has hindered its procurement of vaccines. For their own political self-interest, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities continue to engage in political manipulation in anti-epidemic cooperation, he said Friday. It disregards the lives and health of Taiwan compatriots and violates the basic humanitarian spirit. Taiwan's foreign minister, Joseph Wu, has also accused China of pressuring at least one country, Paraguay, to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan in return for Chinese vaccines. China says its overseas assistance comes without political conditions, though it has aggressively used its economic might since Tsai came to power to try to poach Taiwans few remaining allies. Globally, many countries are struggling to get vaccines as manufacturers face delays in scaling up production quickly. Japan, with its home-developed vaccines still uncertain, relies solely on foreign ones. It is using Pfizer and Moderna doses but has no immediate plan to use AstraZeneca's, which are produced in Japan under a licensing deal. At an online vaccine summit this week, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged an additional $800 million for the COVAX program, bringing Japans total contribution to $1 billion. Tokyo plans to donate 30 million doses of vaccine produced in Japan through COVAX as well as other multilateral and bilateral channels. ___ Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Associated Press video journalist Taijing Wu contributed to this report. VIENNA (AP) The 35-year-old woman was working at a tobacco shop in Vienna when authorities say her ex-boyfriend doused her in gasoline and set her ablaze in March. In April, another woman of the same age was found shot to death in her home in the Austrian capital, also reportedly by her ex-partner. They were the sixth and ninth women to be killed in Austria this year, and five more have followed in the weeks since. That has brought this years total so far to 14 slain women, making the Alpine nation one of the few European Union countries where the number of women killed is higher than the number of men. The recent high-profile cases have led to widespread protests, demands for government intervention, and condemnations from Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and President Alexander van der Bellen. Too little is being done to protect women from violence, van der Bellen said recently after meeting with representatives of womens shelters and violence prevention organizations. Experts say a variety of factors have caused the long-standing problem. Those include a view of women as subservient by some in Austrias conservative Catholic and more recently Muslim populations. They also blame the normalization of sexist language by the far-right Freedom Party, which is now in opposition but has been part of two national coalition governments in Austria. Weve seen that the language about and toward women has become more radical, said Maria Roesslhumer, who heads Austrias biggest network of womens shelters and has been sounding the alarm for years. And when this kind of verbal violence is possible in a country, then the path to physical violence isnt far. The financial crisis of 2008 magnified the problem, as financial insecurity stoked domestic violence. Women's advocates say the coronavirus pandemic is having a similar effect, with many people out of work and stay-at-home orders leaving many victims trapped with their abusers. Roesslhumer hopes leading politicians have finally gotten the message and will commit to more funding for organizations like hers as well as better enforcement of existing laws on domestic violence. We have good laws, but theyre not being enforced, Roesslhumer said. If you truly want to guarantee the safety of women, or to improve the safety of women, you need to invest in it. In the case of the 35-year-old woman killed at home in April in the capital's Brigittenau neighborhood, the main suspect had previously sent threatening, sexually explicit messages to a female politician from the Greens party in 2018. And in the weeks before the killing, he reportedly verbally threatened the victim and her family. He took out a pistol and said, You know what this is, the victims father told Austrian television. Austrias homicide rate is low, at fewer than 1 per 100,000 people, but its proportion of women killed versus men is high. Last year, 31 of the country's 43 total murder victims 72% were women, according to Roesslhumer's Autonomous Austrian Womens Shelters, a non-governmental organization that tracks the issue. There are a handful of countries where the rate of femicides is slightly higher, including tiny Luxembourg, but Europe-wide about 75% of slayings are of men, according to the European Union's Eurostat statistical office. In Austria, femicides almost doubled from 2014 to 2018, going from 23 cases to 44, according to Eurostat. The victims in Austria came from all ages and backgrounds, but nearly all were killed by their current or former partners, the vast majority in their own homes. These recent cases, and the rise in domestic violence since the start of the pandemic, are no surprise to people working in this field, Laura Wiesboeck, a Vienna-based sociologist who focuses on the issue, told The Associated Press. Many experts ... predicted that there would be a rise in male violence against women, especially in the context of intimate partner relationships, she said. But politically this hasnt been heard or prioritized. Activists have organized a series of protests in Vienna in the wake of the recent murders and are exploring other ways to highlight the problem. This is a societal issue. It affects all of us, Vienna-based writer and musician Gerhard Ruiss, who organized writers and artists to call for more decisive action from the government, told the AP. After a virtual roundtable on the issue in May, the Austrian government pledged an additional 24.6 million euros ($30 million) for violence prevention a significant increase over existing funding, but a small fraction of the 228 million euros requested by organizations in the field. Kurz suggested, however, that more funding could be made available if needed for measures to protect women and children from violence. It will not fail because of money, he said. Roesslhumer and other advocates say an additional 3,000 jobs in violence prevention are necessary, and more training is needed for those who work in law enforcement, justice and education to ensure that violence-prevention laws are better enforced. They're also urging police to keep closer tabs on men under restraining orders. Roesslhumer said the current discussion could be a turning point for more decisive action. We hope that its a lasting shift, not just a short flare-up that simply fades away, Roesslhumer said. I have the impression that theres a change underway, and that many people understand we cant go on like this. But, she cautioned, its too early to tell. _____ Kirsten Grieshaber contributed to this report from Berlin. New Castle, PA (16103) Today Cloudy with light rain this morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 56F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. To many of us, Morpheus is a character played by Laurence Fishburne in The Matrix movies. To others, Morpheus is the Greek god of sleep and dreams. To others still, Morpheus is a digital synthesizer from the early 90s that developed a cult following.The Morpheus were discussing today, however, is of far greater relevance to enterprise IT professionals who constantly are searching for ways to protect their networks from the ever-present threat of hackers. Developed by a team at the University of Michigan, this Morpheus is a CPU that ingeniously protects against hacking attempts by using encryption that changes every few milliseconds, which prevents intruders from getting a fix on how a system is set up. This makes cracking the encryption nearly impossible and is sure to drive hackers crazy. How effective is Morpheus? According to Samuel K. Moore of IEEE Spectrum, 580 cybersecurity researchers spent a total of 13,000 hours attempting to hack into Morpheus (and four other experimental secure CPUs) last summer during a test as part of a US Defense Advanced Research Program Agency (DARPA) program known as Security Integrated Through Hardware and Firmware (SSITH). None of the 580 cybersecurity pros were successful. A total of 10 vulnerabilities were uncovered among the five processors developed for SSITH, but none of those weak points were found in Morpheus, Moore writes. The goal of the DARPA program is to create processors that are impervious to widespread hardware vulnerabilities that hackers target with malware. Its not that Morpheus is free of vulnerabilities; its that it makes finding likely attack points so difficult that attackers wont even try, which, if successful, can eliminate whole classes of exploits. Todd Austin, a University of Michigan professor of electrical engineering and computer science, explained to Moore why Morpheus is virtually impenetrable. Our idea was that if we could make it really hard to make any exploit work on it, then we wouldnt have to worry about individual exploits, Austin says. We just would essentially make it so mind-bogglingly terrible to understand that the attackers would be discouraged from attacking this particular target. (This strategy reminds me of the guys on YouTube who string along and torture scammers by pretending theyre old or computer-illiterate, eventually forcing the scammers to give up in impotent rage and frustration--a technique I wholly endorse and heartily enjoy!) Specifically, Austin says, Morpheus makes the underlying implementation of the machinethe undefined semanticschange every few hundred milliseconds. That in turn makes each underlying implementation so unique that the current one will never again be seen on any other machine. It is completely unique in time and space. To be clear, Morpheus is a work in progress that has some limitations. First, while it may make the prospect of successfully attacking it mind-bogglingly terrible, that doesnt mean it cant be done; its just extremely unlikely. And it can easily thwart side channel attacks such as Spectre and Meltdown, Austin says, but it only stops low-level attacks and not SQL injection or other higher-level exploits. As for when Morpheus will be available commercially, thats a bit up in the air, though Austin says the University of Michigan is partnering with DARPA to commercialize the processor for use in the cloud. If you want to learn more about Morpheus, heres a roughly one-hour YouTube video of Austin explaining the research and technology in far greater detail than I can in a blog post. And if you dont have an hour to spare but want a Morpheus fix, heres the scene in the first Matrix movie where Keanu Reaves as computer programmer Thomas Anderson/hacker Neo meets our namesake. Do you want to take the red pill or blue pill? Hampton - Douglas M. LaPorte, 63, of Hampton, passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at his home. He was born in Albany, NY on October 6, 1957 a son of Earl LaPorte and Rosemary (Pomakoy) Snyder. Doug was a volunteer firefighter in NY in his younger years and went on to work for various Walmart Thanks to the quick response from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department as well as our Media partners and our Traffic Homicide investigators, we have located the vehicle involved in the fatal Hit and Run crash; that took place on I-95 northbound in the area of Sample Rd pic.twitter.com/ZPnfv6c5Tt By PTI NEW DELHI: A total of 17 pilots of Air India, IndiGo and Vistara died due to COVID-19 in May when the country witnessed the peak of the coronavirus pandemic's second wave, sources said on Thursday. IndiGo lost 10 pilots and Vistara two, aviation industry sources stated. Air India officials said five senior pilots - captains Harsh Tiwary, G P S Gill, Prasad Karmakar, Sandeep Rana and Amitesh Prasad - of the national carrier died of Covid. No pilot has died due to COVID-19 at AirAsia India till date, the industry sources mentioned. Air India and Vistara did not respond to the queries sent by PTI on this matter. While IndiGo did not comment about the pilots' deaths, the carrier said it has given first dose to around 20,000 of its total 35,000 employees and its ground handling subsidiary Agile. "We are committed to covering our entire workforce by mid-June," said Raj Raghavan, Senior VP & Head of Human Resources, IndiGo, in a statement to PTI. Indigo has a "robust" welfare scheme and a "benevolent policy" so that each family of the deceased pilot would be getting Rs 5 crore, the sources mentioned. They added that while there were barely a few pilots of IndiGo who tested positive during the first wave, almost 450 pilots of the carrier tested positive for COVID-19 during the second wave. Private carriers such as Vistara and AirAsia India have given at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to around 99 per cent and 96 per cent of their eligible employees, respectively, as of now. People who are being treated for Covid or have recently recovered are not considered eligible for vaccination. Meanwhile, after a delay due to non-availability of vaccines, Air India has started vaccinating its employees from May 15 onwards, the carrier's officials stated. Air India had on May 4 said it would vaccinate all its employees against Covid by the month-end as a pilots' body had demanded inoculation of the flying crew on priority basis citing risk to their lives from the deadly infection. Six days later, the carrier had to tell its employees that it would not be able to hold vaccination camps for them at the Delhi airport on May 11 and May 13 due to "non-availability" of vaccines. In a communication to employees on May 10, Air India said: "The proposed COVID vaccination camp at GSD Complex, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on May 11 and May 13 stands cancelled because government authorities have expressed inability to hold these camps due to non-availability of vaccines." "Fresh dates will be notified once we get re-confirmation from government authorities," it added. Go First (formerly known as GoAir) and SpiceJet did not respond to PTI's queries on how many of their pilots have died due to COVID-19 in May. The spokesperson of AirAsia India, which has vaccinated around 96 per cent of its eligible employees, stated: "We will soon be covering 100% of our workforce, excluding those ineligible for medical reasons, such as recovering from Covid in the recent past." By AFP BRUSSELS: The European Commission announced an antitrust probe Friday into Facebook's use of data gathered from advertisers to see whether it gives it an unfair advantage in the online classifieds market. "We will look in detail at whether this data gives Facebook an undue competitive advantage in particular on the online classified ads sector... where Facebook also competes with companies from which it collects data," the EU commissioner for competition, Margrethe Vestager, said. The formal probe follows a preliminary investigation focused on Facebook's Marketplace classifieds service available to most of its three billion users. Companies advertising on Marketplace have to provide data to Facebook which the Commission said led to concerns that the US internet giant "may distort competition" by using the information to "outcompete" rival providers of classifieds services. "Facebook could, for instance, receive precise information on users' preferences from its competitors' advertisement activities and use such data in order to adapt Facebook Marketplace," it said. The EU executive is also concerned about how Marketplace is integrated into Facebook's core social network platform -- "a form of tying which gives it an advantage in reaching customers and forecloses competing online classified ads services". There is no deadline for the probe to be wrapped up, with the Commission saying its duration depended on factors including the complexity of the case. The European Commission noted in its statement that former EU member Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also on Friday opened its own probe into the way Facebook uses data. "The European Commission will seek to work closely with the CMA as the independent investigations develop," it said. Brussels last month launched another probe into Facebook, related to its buyout of a US startup, Kustomer, that specialises in helping businesses interact with customers online. UK competition watchdog probes Facebook use of ad data Britain's competition watchdog said Friday it has opened an investigation into Facebook's use of advertiser data s the EU announced a similar probe into the social media giant. "We intend to thoroughly investigate Facebook's use of data to assess whether its business practices are giving it an unfair advantage in the online dating and classified ad sectors," Andrea Coscelli, head of the Competition and Markets Authority, said in a statement. Coscelli said the CMA will be working closely with the European Commission as they each conduct their investigations. It is the third investigation into a suspected violation of competition law in digital markets, the CMA said, noting it is also probing Google's "privacy sandbox" and Apple's AppStore. The CMA said it was looking into whether Facebook "might be abusing a dominant position in the social media or digital advertising markets through its collection and use of advertising data". Facebook collects data from its digital advertising services, which allow another business to advertise to its users, as well as from a "single sign-on" option that allows people to use their Facebook log-in to enter other websites and apps, the CMA said. The investigation will determine whether the US company unfairly used the data to benefit two services, Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Dating, which was launched in Europe last year. By PTI MUMBAI: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday made it clear that the central bank's view on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin remains unchanged and it continues to have "major concerns" on the volatile instruments. "There is no change in RBI's position (on cryptocurrencies). Our circular clarifies the position very well," Das told reporters in the customary post-policy press conference, when asked if there has been a change in its view. The RBI had first come out with a circular on the issue in 2018, cautioning people about investing in cryptocurrencies, which do not have any sovereign character. It had barred entities regulated by it from dealing in such instruments. However, the Supreme Court in early 2020 struck down the circular. Das said a revised notification to financial institutions on Monday was necessitated because some banks were still referring to the old circular set aside by the apex court and this was an attempt to set the record straight. The RBI had on Monday asked banks, NBFCs and payment system providers not to refer to its earlier 2018 circular in their communications to customers. "With regard to RBI's position (on cryptocurrencies), I had said earlier, we have major concerns around cryptocurrency which we have conveyed to the government," Das said. Following Monday's circular, some stakeholders in the cryptocurrencies trade had welcomed it more as a vindication. Some of the cryptocurrencies have seen massive dip in their per unit trading prices lately, leading to erosion of investor wealth. Some investors have been looking at cryptocurrencies as an attractive investment class. Das on Friday said the central bank is not into investment advice, but added that one should make his own appraisal and do his own due diligence before taking such a call. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Bengalurus Covid-19 vaccination coverage is one of the highest among major cities in the country with more than 28.3 lakh people inoculated with at least one dose, tweeted Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Thursday.Dr Sudhakar further said that 28.6 per cent of the citys population (99,00,000) has been vaccinated. Two other cities ahead of Bengaluru are Chennai --- which has vaccinated 33.1 per cent of its 46,20,000 residents --- and Kolkata --- which has vaccinated 32.2 per cent of 45,00,000 people. Bengaluru is followed by Gautam Buddh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh (28.3 per cent of the 1,87,10,922 population ), Indore ( 27.8 per cent of 36,45,000) and Ahmedabad (26.1 per cent of 75,00,000). Apart from this, more than 58.71 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be supplied to Karnataka in June, including 45 lakh doses from the Union Government and 13.7 lakh doses procured directly by the State Government. The free supply from the Centre for June includes 37,60,610 doses of Covishield and 7,40,190 doses of Covaxin. The direct procurement from the state includes 10,86,080 doses of Covishield and 2,84,760 doses of Covaxin. Dr Sudhakar also took to social media to inform that the State has conducted three crore tests since the beginning of the pandemic. With 196 ICMR-approved labs across the state, more than 82 per cent of the tests conducted in Karnataka are RT-PCR, he added. SV Krishna Chaitanya By Express News Service CHENNAI: The renowned Arignar Anna Zoological Park, popularly known as Vandalur Zoo, has reported India's first animal death due to coronavirus infection. A young asiatic lioness Neela, 9, has succumbed to the disease mysteriously on Thursday evening at 6.15 pm. The big cat was asymptotic till a day before her death and the medical records of the animal showed no underlying comorbidities. Meanwhile, eight more lions have also tested positive for Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. Out of them, the health condition of two lionesses Kavitha, 23, alias Viji and Bhuvana, 19, alias Sasi is said to be critical. Vandalur officials told The New Indian Express that the number of positive cases may further go up as more samples are being collected and sent for laboratory testing. This is probably the largest COVID-19 cluster in a zoological park in the world. Meanwhile, the death of Neela has rekindled the fear of backward transmission (humans to animals), which experts say may lead to reverse anthroponosis of novel strains, once it occurs may render current COVID-19 vaccines less effective. The virus may spill back and forth between humans and animals, thus forming a vicious loop with prolonged spread, recurrent infections and outbreaks, and continuing fights with evolved viral strains. For this reason, Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), which is an animal SARS-CoV-2 virus sequencing centre recognised by Central Zoo Authority (CZA), has volunteered to conduct genome sequencing of the virus strain that killed Neela and infected others for better understanding of zoonotic transmission which would help in preventive measures and appropriate treatments. Zoo authorities conducting Covid tests on staff. (Photo | Special Arrangement) "A nationwide consultation process has also been started by the senior officials involving domain experts and scientists," said Tamil Nadu government in a press statement on Friday evening. Considering the potential risk to zoo's in-house veterinarians, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) has recommended against conducting a post-mortem on the carcass of Neela. "We have safely incinerated the carcass after securing additional nasal swab and rectal swab samples of the animal, which would be useful for further analysis," said Debasis Jana, director, Vandalur Zoo, to The New Indian Express. Early testing would have helped? In May first week, eight Asiatic lions in Hyderabad's Nehru Zoological Park tested positive for COVID-19 and a week after a lion in Jaipur Zoo tested positive. During that time, as a precautionary measure, Vandalur Zoo authorities were mulling the idea of sending faecal samples of all big cats to CCMB for testing. However, the samples were not sent. Until May 26, none of the big cats at Vandalur Zoo were exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19. So, the authorities felt there was no need for testing. Rightly so, the conventional means of collecting samples fromthe nose and respiratory tract requires tranquilisation of the animal, which may compromise the immunity. The situation changed drastically from May 26 which is when five lions in house number-1 in the lion safari area reported to show anorexia (loss of appetite) and occasional coughing. The first signs of COVID-19 outbreak. Immediately TANUVAS was notified, veterinarians of Hyderabad Zoo and also Bronx Zoo in the United States which had the previous experience of dealing with such cases, were consulted and appropriate treatment based on symptoms started. However, the 11 samples were sent to CCMB only on May 29 and the results arrived on June 3, the day when Neela died. A zoo keeper preparing to feed the big cats where protective gear. (Photo | Special Arrangement) In defense, a zoo official told The New Indian Express, "We chose not to send faecal samples because it was not an established testing technique. For instance, we sent all three samples of Neela - nasal, rectal and faecal samples - to CCMB on May 29. The result of nasal and rectal swab samples tested positive for COVID-19, while faecal sample results came negative. "After May 26, when lions started showing symptoms, we used a method called squeeze sampling where the animals will be put in a squeeze cage, which immobilizes it and the veterinarian takes the samples. This takes a lot of time and also causes stress to the animal. In fact, three other lions which were staying with Neela are still asymptotic.," the official said. WATCH | A press statement from Vandalur Zoo on Friday said: "In order to ascertain whether or not the reported findings are in the nature of false positives or the animal could have died of comorbidities, samples were again collected on Friday and sent to the Indian Veterinary Research institute Bareilly and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad." "Scrupulously following the precautionary measures" The zoo said it has been scrupulously following the precautionary measures prescribed in various advisories issued by the Central Zoo Authority, the Central and the State Governments from time to time. Prophylactic measures for the felids, mustelids, viverrids and primates as arrived at in consultation with the expert team of TANUVAS, veterinarians of Hyderabad Zoo and also Bronx Zoo, are being adhered to. All the lions which have tested positive are under close observation and on prescribed treatment regimen by the in-house veterinary team in close coordination with expert team from TANUVAS. All animal keepers and helpers for these animal houses are vaccinated against Covid 19. A separate set of animal keepers are engaged for each group of lions. PPE Kits are mandatory for the animal keepers, veterinary doctors and field staff visiting the area, the press release added. CP Balasubramanyam By Express News Service CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR) has his style of rebuttal. His response to Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinhos allegations was another arrow from his quiver. The charge was that PTR had insulted the people of Goa in the GST Council meeting by opposing Godinhos request for preferential treatment to smaller states like Goa in levying compensation cess. Godinho made the allegations after the meeting on May 28 and asked PTR to apologise to Goans. Hours later, the DMK MLA fired a salvo by releasing a Statement to the People of Goa on his Twitter account. Within minutes, it elicited a huge response not only in his own turf but also from Goans. The statement read, I have no need to apologise to the people of Goa, for I have done you no harm. In fact, I have strongly advocated for your State governments rights. I do not require or expect any thanks for that as my position was dictated by my principles of strengthening States rights and federalism with enhanced devolution. Terming the allegations baseless lies. There was no agenda item regarding Goas intention to levy any cess, so I simply could not have voted at all on an agenda item that did not exist, let alone vote against it, PTR said, slamming the Goa minister for opposing a plea to reduce GST on Covid-related drugs and vaccines from five per cent to zero. The statement addressed to Goan voters also alleged that Godinhos statements on their behalf had been highly repetitive, largely vacuous, hectoring, mostly redundant to others inputs, supercilious, and devoid of the basic courtesy of assuming good faith in the comments of other states Ministers. PTR went on to address Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and said that I offer you my condolences for having such a person as your Minister. I also charge the Honorable CM of Goa with perpetrating a misdemeanour of Goas citizens, and the GST council, by nominating him to represent your beautiful State... In his open letter to PTR, Goa-based writer and photographer Vivek Menezes said: You should know it has been greatly dismaying for us, for many years, that Goas political cadre machinates almost exclusively in opaque, inexplicable, and often indefensible ploys. Thus, you have done an excellent service by describing how your counterpart from Indias smallest State was vociferously, and repeatedly, against lowering the GST on Covid-related drugs... we are convinced the people of your great state are lucky to have you fighting for their interests. We hope that you will keep ours in mind as well. Viveks letter was published in Goa-based daily. Former CPI Goa state secretary Christopher Fonseca told Express, That spat should not be given much importance. There are many issues concerning people now. One thing is sure, PTR has raised issues of proportional representation in the GST Council and whether small and bigger states should have the equal vote. These are issues that need to be pondered very seriously. The Supreme Court said the judge should have made such an offer but cured the error by later asking Allen about the issue. In his responses to the trial court, Allen consistently represented that he would have waived penalty phase counsel and that he would have continued to exercise his right to self-representation had the trial court renewed the offer of counsel before commencing the penalty phase, Thursdays opinion said. By Express News Service CHENNAI: After receiving complains of sexual abuse, the Tamil Nadu Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TNCPCR) has summoned representatives from Sushil Hari International Residential School, Kelambakkam. The summons have been issued to a religious guru associated with the school management and teachers who allegedly facilitated the abuse. The TNCPCR inspected the school on Thursday. According to sources, the guru under inquiry was not found on the school campus. However, summons have been issued to him to appear before the commission later in June. With this, the TNCPCR has summoned a total of six schools in the city including three private CBSE schools, one Central government school, one Anglo-Indian school and one international school, Saraswathi Rangasamy, the chairperson of the commission, told Express. However, the school management could not be reached for comments as calls went unanswered. Some alumni of the Sushil Hari International Residential School, through social media posts, alleged that the guru associated with the school management sexually abused them. The allegations range from molestation, intoxicating minors with alcohol, showing pornography to minors and even rape. An alumna said the guru manipulated girls and called them to his bungalow and sexually abused them. She added that young girls were told that previous births karma will forever fade away, if they did what he asked them to do. Another alumni said he asked her to strip in front of him, saying he was Lord Krishna and she was his Gopika. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Friday dismissed with a cost of Rs 20 lakh actress Juhi Chawla's lawsuit challenging 5G wireless network technology and said the plea was defective and filed for gaining publicity. Justice J R Midha said the plaintiffs -- Chawla and two others -- have abused and misused the process of law and wasted the court's time. ALSO READ | Juhi Chawla says there's misconception that her HC lawsuit is against 5G The court said the suit was filed to gain publicity which was clear as Chawla circulated the video conferencing link of the hearing on her social media account which resulted in repeated interruptions by unknown persons. The court also issued contempt notices against unknown persons and asked the Delhi Police to identify them. After pronouncement of order, Chawla's counsel sought a stay on the verdict which was outrightly denied by the court. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has set up a panel of medical experts to look into cases of death of patients reportedly due to a shortage of oxygen during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Friday. If the panel ascertains that death of a patient had occurred due to shortage of oxygen, then the Delhi government will give a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased, he said. In an online briefing, he said the file has been sent to Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and the panel will start functioning once the L-G approves it. During the second wave of coronavirus, there was a "massive oxygen crisis" in Delhi, and there were reports that oxygen shortage led to deaths at some hospitals, Sisodia said. "We took the issue seriously and took a decision to form a four-member committee to look into the matter. It is a committee comprising medical experts. We have sent the file for the L-G's approval," he said. "This committee will meet twice a week and will look into each case and decide whether the death happened due to the shortage of the life-saving gas," he said. The panel of four members will inspect claims of all those families who have lost their loved ones due to oxygen scarcity, and thereafter if validated, the process to disburse Rs 5 lakh financial assistance to each family will begin, Sisodia said. A senior official said people who died at a hospital or in transit would be covered under it. Starting mid-April, scenes of distressed family members scrambling around in the city to get oxygen cylinders or concentrators for patients had become very common. Several hospitals too had sent out SOS messages alerting authorities on shortfall of oxygen supply, with many deaths being reported at some facilities, reportedly due to lack of the life-saving gas. ALSO WATCH: By PTI NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the stand of the Centre and the city government on a plea seeking a CBI probe into the death of 21 Covid patients at the Jaipur Golden Hospital here in April allegedly due to oxygen shortage. Justice Rekha Palli issued a notice to the Union ministries of home and health and the Delhi government seeking their response by August 20 on the plea filed by the families of some patients who died on the intervening night of April 23 and 24. The plea, filed through advocate Utsav Bains, has contended that the cause of death of the patients was respiratory failure due to insufficient supply of oxygen and not comorbidities, as stated by a Delhi government committee in its report. The petitioners have claimed that the committee came out with an "erroneous" report that those who died did not suffer suffocation due to lack of oxygen supply. ALSO READ | Four-member panel formed to look into deaths due to shortage of oxygen: Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia The petition has sought quashing of the committee's report and a direction for a probe by CBI or an independent agency into the deaths "so that the truth can be brought to light and justice be given to the deceased persons and their families" and they be provided compensation. The plea has alleged that the incident took place "due to deliberate inaction and failure of the respondents (Centre, Delhi government and the hospital) to provide adequate oxygen to the patients despite knowing that any shortage of oxygen supply would lead to their immediate death. As a result, "the respondents herein have rendered themselves not only liable to pay compensation to the families of the deceased victims but also for criminal prosecution" for culpable homicide, the plea has said. Referring to the report of the committee, the petition has claimed that it was prepared to favour the Delhi government and that the finding in it, that the deceased were receiving some form of oxygen therapy was made to mislead the court. "The committee did not examine the issue of demand and supply of oxygen to the Hospital and also has not taken statements by families of victims on record," it has claimed. The petitioners have also contended that the the hospital did not even inform the family members about the shortage otherwise they would have arranged for at-least high flow oxygen cylinders and this would have saved the life of their loved ones who died as the pressure in the cylinders was low. "It is submitted that most of the patients (now deceased) were recovering in as much as they were regularly informing their family members about improvements in their health. The deceased victims were in constant touch with their family members and were stable," it has said. It has contended that the Centre, Delhi government and the hospital "were under a legal and moral obligation to ensure no-one dies due to non-supply of oxygen". "Therefore, the State is also under legal and moral obligation to provide compensation and sustenance to the families who have lost their family member due to inaction of the respondents and also ensure that those who are responsible for the deaths of patients due to the failure to provide oxygen to patients are brought to justice, no matter, how high, powerful or mighty they are," the petition has said. ALSO WATCH: By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The US-based Keralites art and cultural non-profit organisation, Art Lovers of America (ALA) and non-profit charity organisation Care & Share donated medical equipment worth `1 crore to aid the states Covid fight. They were successful in accumulating more than $100,000 for the initiative through their medical equipment fundraiser programme launched on May 9. The programme received contributions from overseas Malayalis and also Keralites associations like GAMA (Greater Austin Malayalee Association). Also, the fundraiser was organised in such a way that Malayalis across the globe could contribute through online platforms like Facebook and crowdfunding channels like GoFundMe and corporate matching. The ALA consulted with the Kerala Medical Services Corporation (KMSCL), Arogya Suraksha Mission and district medical officers before procuring the equipment. As part of the first phase of the donation, 35 oxygen concentrators of 10 litres, 1,000 oxygen-flow meters, 3,500 pulse oximeters, 75,000 N95 masks, 5,500 PPE kits, 1,000 nasal cannula, 500 non-rebreather masks, etc, were flown to Kerala. The team led by ALA president Shijy Alex and ALA secretary Kiran Chandran added that more medical materials will be arranged in the state within a week as part of the second phase of their initiative. Health minister Veena George appreciated their help through her official Facebook page recently. Welcoming their generous act, the health minister acknowledged ALA for arranging the life-saving medical equipment for the state within a short time of three weeks. By PTI LOS ANGELES: Actor Mary-Louise Parker will feature alongside Oscar winner Natalie Portman in HBO Films' "The Days of Abandonment". The film is an adaptation of Italian author Elena Ferrante's 2005 bestselling novel of the same title, reported Variety. Portman will star as Tess, a woman who abandons her own dreams for a stable home life but is in turn abandoned by her husband. To be written and directed by Maggie Betts, the movie will delve into the mind of a woman in crisis, who "confronts the norms of motherhood and female identity as Tess traverses the darkest reaches of her own psyche". Parker, known for movies like "Grand Canyon", "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "The Portrait of a Lady", will play an unnamed character. Her character is being called "Mysterious Woman", a mesmerising but elusive woman Tess starts encountering everywhere she goes, causing Tess to question her sanity. Portman, who won an Oscar for her performance in 2010 psychological drama "Black Swan", will also serve as executive producer alongside Betts, Ferrante, Sophie Mas, Celine Rattray, Trudie Styler, Len Amato, Domenico Procacci and Maria Zuckerman. HBO Films will produce the movie in collaboration with Medusa. By PTI LOS ANGELES: Hollywood star Tom Cruise's much-anticipated actioner "Mission: Impossible 7" has shut down the production after a routine test confirmed a positive COVID-19 case on set. A spokesperson for the Paramount and Skydance production said filming on the sequel will put on hold for 14 days while those involved self-isolate. "We have temporarily halted production on Mission: Impossible 7 until June 14th, due to positive coronavirus test results during routine testing. We are following all safety protocols and will continue to monitor the situation," the spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. The news comes almost six months after an audio leaked of Cruise berating members of the crew for apparently not following COVID-19 guidelines. ALSO READ | Tom Cruise blasts 'Mission: Impossible 7' crew over lapse in COVID-19 protocols "Mission: Impossible 7" was one of the first major Hollywood projects to be adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Last year in February , filming on the latest installment had to be stopped in Italy due to the virus outbreak in the country The movie was scheduled to be shot for three weeks in Venice but the plans were put on hold. Production resumed in September, with filming taking place in Italy and Norway before moving to London in early December. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, "Mission: Impossible 7" also features Ving Rhames, Henry Czerny, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Angela Bassett, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham, and Esai Morales. By PTI MUMBAI: Director Anubhav Sinha has spoken out about the media stories of Kartik Aaryan's departure from big banner projects, saying that the campaign against the actor "seems concerted" and "unfair". He also praised Aaryan for staying "quiet" despite a spate of such stories. The 30-year-old actor has been in the headlines since his exit from Karan Johar-produced Dostana 2 in April. There are also reports that he is no longer in Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming home production Freddie. Last week, after reports of Aaryan being dropped from Aanand L Rai's production venture surfaced online, the filmmaker stepped forward to clarify. The spokesperson for Colour Yellow Productions in a statement said the team is still in talks with the actor for a project. In a Twitter post on Thursday night, Sinha, who has never collaborated with the Luka Chuppi star, said producers usually do not talk about dropping actors from their projects. And by the way, when Producers drop Actors or vice versa they don't talk about it. It happens all the time. This campaign against Kartik Aryan seems concerted to me and very bloody unfair. I respect his quiet, Sinha said in a tweet. Kartik Aaryan (File Photo | PTI) The Gwalior-born Aaryan, who has cemented his position in the industry with films like Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Luka Chuppi, was ousted from Johar's Dharma productions project in April. Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain a dignified silence - we will be recasting 'Dostana 2', directed by Collin D'Cunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon, the statement from Dharma read at the time. Aaryan is awaiting the release of his next thriller, Dhamaka, directed by Ram Madhvani. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP Films, along with Madhvani and his wife Amita Madhvani, the movie will stream on Netflix. The actor also has Anees Bazmee-directed "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2", the shooting of which came to a halt amid the second wave of coronavirus pandemic in India. By PTI BENGALURU: Kannada as answer to a query in Google on ugliest language in India sparked an outrage on Thursday and the Karnataka government said it would issue a legal notice to the tech leader, while that reply appeared to be a gaffe. With people expressing their indignation and leaders cutting across party lines slamming Google, it quickly removed Kannada "as the ugliest language in India" and apologised to the people saying the search result did not reflect its opinion. Karnataka Minister for Kannada, Culture and Forest, Aravind Limbavali told reporters that a legal notice would be served to Google for showing such an answer to that question. Later, he took to Twitter to express his outrage and demanded an apology from Google to Kannada and Kannadigas. Kannada language has a history of its own, having come into existence as many as 2,500 years ago, the minister said and added that the language has been the pride of Kannadigas through the ages. Showing Kannada in poor light "...is merely an attempt by Google to insult this pride of Kannadigas. I demand an apology from @Google ASAP to Kannada, Kannadigas. Legal action will be taken against Google for maligning the image of our beautiful language!" Limbavali tweeted. When contacted, a Google spokesperson said, "search isn't always perfect. Sometimes, the way content is described on the internet can yield surprising results to specific queries." "We know this is not ideal, but we take swift corrective action when we are made aware of an issue and are continually working to improve our algorithms. Naturally, these are not reflective of the opinions of Google, and we apologise for the misunderstanding and hurting any sentiments." Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy denounced Google in a series of tweets for the outrageous answer to the language question. He sought to know why Google "behaves in an irresponsible manner" in terms of language. Others including the BJP's Bengaluru Central MP, P C Mohan slammed Google and asked it to apologise. Sharing the screenshot of the search on his Twitter handle, Mohan said Karnataka is home to the great Vijayanagara empire and the Kannada language has a rich heritage, a glorious legacy and a unique culture. "One of the worlds oldest languages, Kannada had great scholars who wrote epics much before Geoffrey Chaucer was born in the 14th century. Apologise @GoogleIndia." By PTI NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of the alleged assault on a doctor at a medical facility in Hojai district of Assam and sought an action-taken report from the state government within four weeks, officials said on Friday. A video of the attack, which went viral on social media, purportedly showed the doctor being assaulted by a group of people, including women. "We had received the complaint letter dated June 2, in connection with the incident, and the NHRC has taken cognisance of the matter and sought a report from the Assam government," a senior official told PTI. The complainant, advocate Sneha Kalita, has alleged that Dr Seuj Kumar Senapati was "brutally assaulted" on June 1 by the attendants, following the death of a patient suffering from COVID-19 and pneumonia at Udali Model Hospital in Hojai district". Some of the frontline medical workers, doctors, nurses and ward boys had managed to escape, but also "got hurt and heavily traumatised by this horrific incident", she has alleged. READ MORE | Doctors in Assam boycott OPD services protesting assault on colleague, 24 assailants arrested The NHRC, after taking cognisance of the case, took action on Thursday, the official said. "Let a copy of the complaint be transmitted to the chief secretary, government of Assam and the director general of police, Assam to have the allegations inquired, take the needful preventive and punitive action in the matter and submit an action-taken report to the commission within a period of four weeks," the NHRC said. In addition, a copy of the complaint will also be sent to the secretary, Ministry of Health, Government of India, to "initiate necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the frontline health workers in the country," it said. "The complainant has stated that in the present pandemic situations, while the health workers are putting their own life, health and families at risk; all measures should be taken to ensure their safety and security," according to the proceedings. She has also requested the commission to send a team for an "independent investigation" of the incident and to deploy and provide adequate police security in every hospital and Covid Care Centre to prevent such kind of violent situations, the NHRC said. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday had said that 24 people were arrested for allegedly assaulting the doctor at the facility. All political parties have condemned the incident and asked the government to take strict action against the culprits. Hojai Superintendent of Police Barun Purkayastha had earlier said that a critically ill coronavirus-positive patient had succumbed to the disease at Udali Covid Care Centre on Tuesday afternoon. When youre dealing with such a dangerous suspect, its unclear how an arrest like this one will play out. Thankfully, this is the best possible outcome in such a critical situation, said Sheriff Chad Chronister. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Editors Guild of India (EGI) on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on the sedition case against veteran journalist Vinod Dua, and demanded repeal of the "draconian" and "antiquated" sedition laws. The apex court on Thursday quashed a sedition case against Dua for his alleged comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his YouTube show last year, saying a 1962 verdict entitles every journalist to protection. "EGI expresses satisfaction with the Supreme Court's concerns over the chilling effect that sedition laws have on free media and our democracy," the Guild said in a statement. ALSO READ | Vinod Dua sedition case: SC verdict relief for others facing similiar charges "The Guild demands repeal of these draconian and antiquated laws that find no space in any modern liberal democracy," it said. The apex court not just quashed the criminal complaint against Dua, but also underlined the importance of protecting journalists from sedition cases, the Guild noted. "While the reference to the earlier judgement of Justice Kedar Nath Singh and the need to protect journalists from sedition charges is welcome, the manner in which such laws are implemented by the law enforcement authorities in different parts of the country, leading to pre-trial incarceration, needs further intervention by the apex court," the Guild added. By PTI GHAZIABAD: Farmers protesting the contentious farm laws will hold demonstrations outside the residences of BJP lawmakers across the country on Saturday, a Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) office-bearer said on Friday. The protest outside the residences of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs and MLAs is to mark the one year of the promulgation of these laws as ordinances by the Centre, the official said. "The protestors would burn the copies of the legislations outside the residence of BJP MPs and MLAs across the country as a symbolic protest against the Centre," BKU media in-charge Dharmendra Malik told PTI. "In districts where there is no BJP MP or MLA, the protest would take place outside district magistrate's office," he added. The decision for the June 5 protest was taken during a recent meeting of leaders of the farmers' associations and unions which are camping on Delhi borders since November 2020. Hundreds of farmers are encamped at Delhi's borders demanding that the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 be rolled back and a new law made to guarantee minimum support price for crops. However, the government, which has held multiple rounds of formal dialogue with the protestors, has maintained that the laws are pro-farmer. By PTI AHMEDABAD: A magisterial court here sentenced a tea vendor from Gujarat's Rajkot district to 18 months in jail for hurling his sandals at a High Court judge in 2012, out of frustration over long pendency of his case. Chief judicial magistrate V A Dhadhal of Mirzapur rural court on Thursday held Bhavanidas Bavaji guilty as charged under IPC section 353 (assault on a government servant to deter him from discharging his duty). In his statement to the police, Bavaji had claimed that he hurled his sandals at the judge out of frustration over the long pendency of his case. While noting that the act of throwing sandals at a judge is "highly condemnable", magistrate Dhadhal refused to grant Bavaji benefits of probation, a provision of releasing convicts for good conduct. The magistrate sentenced Bavaji, a resident of Bhayavadar town of Rajkot, to 18 months of simple imprisonment, and considering his financial condition, did not impose any fine on him. As per the case details, the accused had hurled his sandals at High Court Justice K S Jhaveri on April 11, 2012, during a hearing. Luckily, none of the sandals hit Justice Jhaveri. When the judge had asked the reason for the act, Bavaji had said that he had done it out of frustration, as his case had not come up for hearing since a long time. Bavaji was then handed over to Sola police station, which booked him under section 186 and 353 of the IPC. The police's probe had revealed that Bavaji ran a roadside tea stall in Bhayavadar. When the Bhayavadar municipality asked him to remove the stall, Bavaji managed to secure a stay order against the civic body from the Gondal sessions court, following which the municipality filed an appeal in the High Court. In his statement, Bavaji claimed that on the basis of that appeal, the municipality had removed his tea stall, rendering him jobless. With no source of income, the accused claimed he had lost his mental balance, as he had to borrow or beg for money from others to travel to Ahmedabad to attend the hearings. Bavaji claimed that he had hurled the sandals out of frustration, as his case was not being heard for a long time and he was "tired of coming to the High Court", the order noted. In his order, the magistrate observed that though it is a fact that cases are not getting disposed of in time because of pendency, that cannot be a reason for throwing sandals at a High Court judge. By PTI AMETHI (UTTAR PRADESH): A 35-year-old man was allegedly killed by his neighbours who beat him up and forcibly gave him poison in Amethi area, police said on Friday. The deceased's brother Shiv Bharat said that Ram Bharat Srivastava was on Thursday beaten with sticks by Umesh Pandey and Nilesh, who dragged him to their house in Ganesh Lal Bharetha village. He was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition from where he was referred to Lucknow but he died on the way, the brother added. Locals said the neighbours were not on good terms and used to fight often. The victim's body has been sent for post-mortem and an FIR has been registered in the matter, SHO, City Shyam Sunder said. Attempts are on to nab the accused who are absconding, he added. By PTI NAGPUR: BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday took a dig at the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and its ministers, saying that while there is only one chief minister, there are many "super chief ministers", who make announcements about key policy decisions on their own. He said several ministers consider themselves as chief minister and try to take credit by making such announcements. Fadnavis said this in response to a query over the Maharashtra government's clarification on Thursday evening that the existing coronavirus-induced lockdown-like restrictions have not been lifted anywhere, contrary to the announcement previously made by minister Vijay Wadettiwar. "There is one chief minister and many super chief ministers in this government. Many of the ministers consider themselves as chief minister and make announcements themselves," he told reporters. In any government, a chief minister takes a policy decision or chooses a minister to speak on an important issue. However, in this government, several ministers speak out even before a statement is released by the chief minister. It is a kind of taking credit out of making that announcement, he added. "Yesterday's goof-up on unlock announcement happened only due to this, and this has happened earlier also," the former chief minister said. The Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly said the government's statement on major policy decisions should be conveyed to people in clear terms. ALSO READ | Trouble for Maha govt? Speculation rife as Fadnavis calls on Khadse day after meeting Sharad Pawar Wadettiwar, minister for Disaster Management, had told reporters on Thursday afternoon that restrictions would be lifted from Friday in 18 out of 36 districts in the state where the positivity rate is five per cent or less and the occupancy of oxygen beds in hospitals is less than 25 per cent. He had held a press conference after a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority in Mumbai. However, a few hours later, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) issued a statement saying that the existing restrictions have not been lifted anywhere, and added that easing of curbs as per the situation in different areas is only under consideration and no decision has been taken. After that, Wadettiwar said that only "in principle" approval to phasing out of restrictions was given, but no decision has been taken. Last week the government had announced that the restrictions, imposed in April this year, would continue till June 15. Replying to a query over the allegation that the state government was hiding the number of COVID-19 deaths, Fadanvis claimed, "There is lot of a jugglery happening in the number of coronavirus deaths. In Mumbai, of the total number of deaths that occurred due to this infection, 40 per cent have been shown as deaths due to other reasons. Deaths due to other reasons are not more one per cent anywhere in the country," he said. Similarly, across Maharashtra, especially in rural parts, coronavirus deaths were not recorded and many people were not tested, he alleged. When asked about BJP's Rajya Sabha member Sambhaji Chhatrapati, who has been pressing for quota and other demands for the Maratha community, Fadnavis said, "There is no reason to criticise Sambhajiraje as he has always batted for Maratha reservation and asking all to come together on this cause. His stance is not wrong." ALSO WATCH: By PTI NEW DELHI: Private hospitals have been able to procure 1.29 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses in May, out of which they have administered 22 lakh doses, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday adding that comparing data from January 16 with a policy initiated on May 1 is "unfair and misleading". The ministry referred to a few media reports that mentioned "25 per cent doses (have been) allocated to private hospitals, but they account for only 7.5 per cent of total jabs". It said the reports are "not accurate and do not match with the available data". "They deliberately compare two non-comparable data points to suggest a mismatch in allocation and administration of doses in the private sector," the ministry said in a statement. In May, 2021, since the liberalised policy was introduced, a total of 7.4 crore doses were available for vaccination. "Out of these, 1.85 crore doses were earmarked for procurement by private hospitals. The private hospitals have been able to procure 1.29 crore doses in the month of May, 2021, out of which they have administered 22 lakh doses. These numbers translate into over 17 per cent," the ministry said. It said that most of the supplies to private hospitals have materialized in the second half of May. The data shows an increasing trend of vaccines administered by private hospitals as the vaccine supply picked up by mid-May, the statement said. Government of India, in close partnership with all the states and UTs, is running one of the largest COVID-19 vaccination drives in the world since January 16. A 'Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy' was adopted on May 1 which is guiding the ongoing Phase III of the drive. Under the strategy, every month 50 per cent of the total Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccine doses of any manufacturer would be procured by Government of India. It would continue to make these doses available to the states and UTs totally free of cost as was being done earlier. The remaining 50 per cent doses are available for direct procurement by State/UT governments and private hospitals. This strategy aims at incentivising the vaccine manufacturers to ramp up production and also attract new manufacturers. This will augment production resulting in wider availability of vaccines resulting in flexibility in pricing, procurement and administration of vaccines, ultimately resulting in improved coverage of vaccination. This was also done with a view to improve accessibility of services across the country, the statement said. The Union Ministry of Health is working closely with all states and UTs to make the COVID-19 vaccination drive a success. In this regard, regular communication is being held all states and UTs to encourage private hospitals by placing orders with manufacturers. This has already been communicated to all states and UTs to leverage their network of private hospitals and trained staff, and contribute to the success of the vaccination drive, the statement said. By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Rescue teams are pumping out water from a coal mine in East Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya where at least five miners have remained trapped since May 30 following a dynamite blast and are feared dead. The vertical coal pit has a depth of 500 ft and around 150 ft of it was inundated following the dynamite blast that caused flooding. The excessive water, coupled with heavy rains for the past few days, made the task of the rescuers difficult. Official sources said about 40 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and Fire Service were engaged in the operation. They are using three pumps to drain out water. The personnel are assessing the ground situation by going into the coal pit using an iron basket attached to a crane. East Jaintia Hills District Magistrate, E Kharmalki said the rescuers did not find any signs of the miners. He suspected that they were possibly trapped in the smaller horizontal pits which are dug to extract coal. Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said the coal mine owner, Shining Langstang, was sent to judicial custody after he had surrendered before the police. He said the police have so far questioned five people and recorded their statements. The mines Sordar (contractor of labourers), Nizamuddin Ali, had gone underground following the disaster and the police issued a lookout notice, district Superintendent of Police, Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said appropriate action as per the law would be taken against all those involved in the incident. He said the initial reports suggested that an effort was being made to start mining activities at the site. He assured that the government would do everything possible to save the lives of the five miners four of them from Assam and one from Tripura. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Twitter was on Friday evening bombarded by students, academics and others from the Northeast demanding the inclusion of a chapter on the region its geography, culture, ethnicity and lifestyle of people in NCERT textbooks. The demand followed repeated remarks of racial slur against north-easterners by a section of the mainlanders. They believe such behaviour can be checked by including a chapter on the Northeast in NCERT. #AchapterforNEIndia and #NortheastMatters were flooded with comments as people joined the Twitter Storm. They tagged the powers-that-be, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Samujjal Bhattacharyya, who is an advisor to North East Students Organisation, wrote: Ignorant mainlanders seem to be unaware of our existence as an inextricable part of India. Sensitise students by adding #AChapterForNE to begin with; for #NortheastMatters. The land of rich heritage, exotic flora/fauna & impeccable culture, NE is more than a resource frontier alone. The latest remarks of racial slur were directed against former Union Minister and sitting Arunachal Pradesh MLA, Ninong Ering. In a video posted on YouTube, one Paras Singh had described the Congress MLA a non-Indian. He ostensibly also claimed the state (Arunachal) is a part of China. After the comments had triggered an outrage in the Northeast, Singh was arrested by the police. Ering tweeted on Friday: Today, I am joining Twitter Storm not only as a representative but as a common citizen of North East India. The world needs to know about us and learn about our history, geography, culture and other aspects. One Kabyashree Kalita from Assam wrote: Mughals couldnt invade ASSAM 17 times. NORTHEAST is the ONLY PART OF INDIA that the Mughals failed to conquer during their reign for over two centuries. Dont you think #ASSAM#AHOMS#NE deserves a chapter in NCERT? Another user, Chophika Sumi from Nagaland, said, We are only asserting our rights as Indians. Please hear us out. Our geography, ethnicity, culture and way of life need a place in NCERT textbooks, tweeted Amar Sangno, a senior journalist from Arunachal. . Sahin, another user, tweeted: Seven sisters, one brother, one soul. We stand up together, as a whole. They call us different but we sing the same National Anthem and salute the same National Flag. We may be aside but we arent apart, we are from NORTHEAST INDIA. Asmita Bharadwaj, who is the vice president of Northeast Students Union of Vadodara, Gujarat, said the incident involving Ering, along with years of discrimination against the people from the Northeast, were the reasons behind the Twitter Storm campaign. Assams Mayur Jyoti Kaushik, behind the #AchapterforNEIndia, attributed such behaviour to the lack of knowledge and education about the Northeast among people residing in the mainland. Vineet Upadhyay By Express News Service DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Migration Commission report submitted to Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat on Friday revealed that over 53,000 migrants returned to the state from different parts of the country following the second wave of coronavirus pandemic. "A total of 53,092 migrants have returned to Uttarakhand between April 1 to May 5, 2021. The highest number of people have returned in Almora with 27.97% followed by Pauri (17.84%), Tehri (12.53%), Udham Singh Nagar (0.66%), Dehradun (0.29%) and Haridwar (0.11%)," said SS Negi, vice-chairman of the Uttarakhand Migration Commission. Most of these people belong to the hospitality sector who have lost their jobs due to ongoing restrictions amid the raging pandemic. Atleast 39.4% of people belong to the hospitality centre followed by students (12.9%), manual workers (11.1%) and any othes from various fields. The state government had asked the commission to make a report to assess the unemployment situation to further address it. Last year, till September 2020 more than 3.57 lakh migrants returned to the state. In May last year, the state government launched 'Mukhyamantri Swarojgar Yojana to provide jobs for returning migrants. The scheme aimed to provide investment subsidy from 15-25% to those who want to start their own businesses such as restaurant, beauty parlour, pisciculture, dairy farm, bar and meat shop in the state. By PTI CHANDIGARH: Punjab's Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Friday said he has ordered a probe into the Oppositions' allegations that the state government has been "diverting" Covid vaccines to private hospitals. Sidhu made the statement when he was specifically asked about the Oppositions' allegation. "What I have learnt through media, I have already ordered for a probe and we will order a proper inquiry. We will keep the issue before the chief minister," he said. Without going into the specifics of the allegations, he said he will first wait for the entire picture to emerge. On the opposition allegations, Sidhu, at the outset, said the vaccine programme is not concerned with his department. ALSO READ | Punjab Congress infighting: CM Amarinder Singh meets party panel in Delhi "The vaccine programme is not concerned with my Health Department and is under the control of Chief Secretary and Vikas Garg, who is the state's nodal officer for the vaccination drive," said Sidhu. He said his department conducts testing, treatment and administering vaccines. "As much as the supply of vaccines is made available to our department, we have been administering them free of cost in our hospitals and in the health camps which the department conducts," he said. Punjab's opposition party SAD had on Thursday accused the state's Congress government of "diverting" Covid vaccines to private hospitals at "hefty margins". Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, in a statement here, had alleged that vaccine doses were not available in the state but they were being sold to private institutions instead of being given free of cost to the common man. He claimed that a Covaxin dose costing Rs 400 to the state was being sold to private institutions at Rs 1,060. He said the private hospitals are further charging people Rs 1,560 for each dose. "This amounts to a cost of Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 per family for a single dose". Badal had alleged that in Mohali alone, 35,000 doses were sold to private institutions to "earn a profit" of nearly Rs two crore in a single day. He said it was "immoral" for the Congress government to "make a profit" from the sale of vaccines. "The government was also punishing people by forcing them to cough up Rs 1,560 per dose during a time of economic slowdown," he alleged. Badal had demanded a high court-monitored probe into how the Congress government was allegedly creating an "artificial shortage" of vaccines for the common man by selling its doses at a "hefty profit" to private hospitals, the SAD said in a statement. Names of the students werent provided but there were about five to ten students involved in the melee, according to the report. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday granted 15-day interim bail to Unitech Ltd's former promoter Sanjay Chandra to attend the last rites of his father-in-law who expired this week. A bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah, hearing Chandra's application for interim bail, said that the court is giving him relief for 15 days to attend the last rites. The bench refused to accept the submission of senior advocate Siddharth Dave for some more time and said that Chandra should understand the circumstances under which the court had earlier cancelled the interim bail. On August 14 last year, the top court had dismissed the bail plea of Chandra, who was a month earlier granted interim bail for 30 days on "humanitarian grounds" as both his parents had tested positive for COVID-19, and asked him to surrender within three days. The apex court had also dismissed the bail application of Chandra's brother Ajay Chandra, who is in jail since August 2017. Both Sanjay and Ajay are accused of allegedly siphoning homebuyers' money. The top court in its October 2017 order had asked them to deposit Rs 750 crore with the apex court registry by December 31, 2017. The Chandras have claimed that they complied with the court's conditions and they have deposited an amount in excess of Rs 750 crore and therefore they are granted regular bail. The top court had noted that since the October 2017 order, significant events have taken place and the apex court had directed a forensic audit to be conducted by Grant Thornton. "It would suffice to note that it was as a result of the findings in the forensic report that this court issued directions for the taking over of the management of Unitech Limited by a Board which has since been constituted by the Union of India," the top court had said. It had said that court had earlier directed the Centre to ensure that all aspects, which were adverted to in the forensic report, should be investigated by the competent agencies, including with regard to the aspect of money laundering. "Serious findings about siphoning of funds to offshore locations and in regard to the misdemeanour of the erstwhile management have been made in the report of the forensic auditors," the court had recorded. The matter pertains to a criminal case which started initially by one complaint lodged in 2015 and later joined by 173 other home buyers of Unitech projects' -- 'Wild Flower Country' and 'Anthea Project' -- situated in Gurugram. On January 20 last year, in a respite to over 12,000 hassled home buyers of Unitech, the top court had allowed the Centre to take total management control of the realty firm and appoint a new board of nominee directors. The apex court had approved the name of retired Haryana cadre IAS officer Yudvir Singh Malik as chairman and managing director (CMD) of the new board and directed that the existing board of directors of the company would stand superseded. In 2018, the top court had directed a forensic audit of Unitech Ltd and its sister concerns and subsidiaries by Samir Paranjpe, Partner, Forensic and Investigation Services in M/s Grant Thornton India. The forensic auditors had submitted their report which said that Unitech Ltd received around Rs 14,270 crore from 29,800 homebuyers in between 2006-2014 and around Rs 1,805 crore from six financial institutions for the construction of 74 projects. By Express News Service RANCHI: A 10-year-old male tiger named Shiva, which was brought from Bengaluru in 2014, died at Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park in Ranchi late in the night on Thursday. The zoo officials said the animal was suffering from fever and had infection for the last 4 days. One tiger, which was under treatment for the last four days, died here. The blood test shows that the animals kidney and liver were found to be infected, said the zoo veterinarian Dr Om Prakash Sahu. Veterinary doctors examine the body of a tiger named 'Shiva' after it died due to fever, at Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, at Ormanjhi in Ranchi. (Photo | PTI) According to the veterinarian, the tiger had fever two days back, It was controlled after medication. However, it stopped taking food on Thursday following which it was given saline. It died at 10 pm on the day, he said. ALSO READ | COVID-19: One lioness dies, eight others test positive at Chennai's Vandalur Zoo The animals rapid antigen test was found to the negative, but we are sending its swab samples to IVRI, Bareilly, for Covid test, said the veterinarian. The tiger was born in Karnataka in 2011 and was brought to Ranchi Zoo from Bengaluru in 2014, he added. By PTI NEW DELHI: A multi-agency team which had gone to Dominica for deportation of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi returned to India in a Qatar Airways private jet on Friday after Dominica High Court adjourned the hearing, sources said. The jet carrying the team led by CBI DIG Sharda Raut departed the Melville Hall Airport in Dominica at 8.09 PM (local time) on June 3 and arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here at 11.02 PM (IST). The team remained stationed for nearly seven days to bring Choksi, wanted in Rs 13500 crore bank fraud in Punjab National Bank, to India as legal battle continued in the courts of Dominica. On Thursday, the Dominica High Court adjourned the hearing on a habeas corpus petition filed by Choksi's lawyers. A habeas corpus petition is filed for producing before a court a person who is under arrest or in unlawful detention. It is likely that the next hearing may take place after a month and the businessman will remain in Dominica, local media reported. Judge Bernie Stephenson will decide the next date of hearing after meeting both sides, media outlet Antigua News Room said. The adjournment is to allow the lawyers of Choksi and the Dominica government to agree on the language to be used with respect to the injunction filed to prevent his removal from Dominica, it said. Thursday's hearing was conducted through videoconferencing with a group of protesters standing outside the High Court building in Roseau carrying placards with messages seeking to know the truth about the controversy. "Who brought Choksi to Dominica?" read one of the placards, the photo of which was published by many media outlets. The judge had on Wednesday ordered production of Choksi before the magistrate to face charges of illegal entry into Dominica. The 62-year-old wheelchair-bound diamantaire, who has a pending Interpol Red Notice against him, arrived before presiding Roseau Magistrate Court in black shorts and a blue T-shirt from the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. His application for bail was rejected. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January 2018, weeks before the PNB scam rocked the Indian banking industry. The duo allegedly bribed officials of the state-run bank to get Letters of Undertaking (LoU) on the basis of which they availed loans from overseas banks that remained unpaid. The allegedly corrupt bank officials did not enter these LoUs in the core banking software of PNB, thus evading scrutiny. The non-payment of these LoUs or bank guarantees worth Rs 13,500 crore resulted in default and became a liability on the bank. Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda, where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen since he fled Delhi. He was detained in neighbouring island country Dominica for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend. His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking like Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat. Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London, where he is contesting his extradition to India. Choksi took the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017. Dr CV Ananda Bose By It was said that the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy nor Roman nor an empire. In a similar vein, Sardar Patel said about the Indian Civil Service that it was neither Indian nor civil nor imbued with any spirit of service. Addressing the All India Service officers in their training school Metcalfe House in New Delhi on April 21, 1947, he underscored the 'true role of national service'. The essence of this 'national' service will be manifest when it seeps into the psyche of every officer that "I belong not to the east or the west or the north or the south, I belong to the whole of India, and the whole of India belongs to me." The national character of the top civil services has faced many challenges in the evolutionary process of the federal system. When the central government recruits officers and lends their services to state governments, there is essentially a give and take which should not degenerate into a free-for-all, both ways. There are checks and balances which come through the rules, regulations, customs, precedents and propriety. The state and the Centre are expected to follow the rules and go hand in hand in making federalism work. Whenever there is a dispute or difference of opinion between the two levers of the federation, the rule of law should step in. In the matter of All India Service officers on deputation from the states to the Government of India, section 6 of the All India Service rules 1954 is the ultimate guideline. The rule clearly states that deputation of an All India Service officer to the Centre should be made with the concurrence of the Centre and the state. In case of a disagreement between the two, the decision of the Centre will prevail. ALSO READ: Ex-Bengal chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay replies to Centre's show-cause notice The present impasse in Bengal is not just a question of interpreting the rule book. It is a heady cocktail made up of political chicanery, defiant ego and an archaic obstinacy -- 'my state right or wrong'. The political animosity that the Bengal Chief Minister has with the Centre is no more a palace secret. Mamata Banerjee refusing to participate in the conference convened by the Prime Minister is an act of orchestrated offence, very much in bad taste as perceived by all right-thinking people. But she is a politician who can go by the rules of politics, whatever that means. However, civil servants have a different set of rules to follow. The ex-Chief Secretary of Bengal, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, placed himself in the dock. He has realised at a heavy price that the civil service cannot hunt with the hound and run with the hare. To place facts in the proper perspective, the ex-Chief Secretary was given an extension of three months by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet which has the Prime Minister and Home Minister in it. A question that is asked by many is why then should he be asked to report to the Centre? Apparently a high-handed act. That is where one should read between the lines and not just the lines. The ex-Chief Secretary was hand-in-glove with the Chief Minister in the execution of her political agenda which seeks to deface and defile federal sanctity and propriety. On the balance of considerations, it is the same ACC that decided to engage him at the Centre. Obviously, the state government disagreed with it. In such circumstances, the law clearly states that the Centres decision will prevail. A noteworthy aspect is that resignation from service or retirement does not absolve an All India Service officer of his responsibility under the conduct rules. Disciplinary action can be taken against him during the four years following his retirement. The row over the Union government initiating action against the ex-Bengal Chief Secretary appears to be sound and fury signifying nothing. Governance has more to it than meets the eye. Officers posted to the states cannot play the roles of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. They should know how to avoid the political rat trap -- yes, the bureauc-rat trap. In the light of rules, propriety or federal sanctity, the ex-Bengal Chief Secretary has placed himself in a very awkward situation, by design or default. There is a lesson to all civil servants in this imbroglio. Look before you leap. Keep off party politics. Vile political concoctions will only toxify the civil service. During the reign of Mrs Indira Gandhi, the concept of committed civil service was a moot point in national politics. But civil society nipped it in the bud. All India service officers, please remind yourselves on and off that you are expected to be neutral, impartial and objective. Once that is lost why should there be a professional civil service at all? The political executive can play that role as well. After all, in democracy, the political executive is the ultimate, not the bureaucrats. Bureaucrats better draw the line. There is a Lakshman rekha in public administration -- never ever cross it. Is the Indian bureaucracy slipping into that sullen state again? Does it augur well for the service that a top bureaucrat who should have implemented the Disaster Management Act emerged as the disaster himself. The moral of the story? Never act without an Act or rule without Rules. (The author is a retired IAS officer who served as Chief Secretary, Kerala) Express News Service BENGALURU: The resurgence of the COVID pandemic has put paid to the promise of a revival of air traffic seen in January 2021 with airports across Karnataka reporting poor passenger traffic for April 2021. The figure is a clear dip over the traffic reported in the two months prior to that (February and March). With airports across India fully shut down for passengers during the corresponding month last year when the first wave of the COVID pandemic struck, the occupancy figures were nil in April in most airports. During the second wave of the pandemic, airports are up and running with limited operations. According to statistics released by the Airport Authority of India on Thursday, airports across the country carried 1,24,60,127 passengers in April 2021 as compared to just 61,681 in April 2020. This includes 1,10,85,114 domestic passengers and 13,75,013 international passengers. Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) recorded 11,47,061 passengers in April. In March, it recorded 14,90,908 passengers including 84,145 international passengers. February had 15,14,719 with 75,633 international passengers. In January this year, it had 15,66,521 passengers, almost half of that recorded in January 2020. The only other international airport in the state in Mangaluru had 1,07,454 passengers in January this year. February marked a very minor improvement just 33 extra passengers (1,07,487) but it dipped to 93,578 in March with a further dip of 72,257 in the just released April statistics. In the calendar year 2019, KIA had a good growth rate of 4.1% over the previous year with 33.65 million passengers. It looks unlikely to have those robust growth figures in the face of the ongoing COVID surge in the city. Passenger traffic, both intl and domestic, in airports of different districts of Karnataka April 2021 April 2020 Bengaluru (KIA) 11,47,061 2,981 Mangaluru 72,257 0 Belagavi 21,899 0 Mysuru 9,281 0 Hubballi 16,743 0 Kalaburagi 6,203 0 Bidar 906 0 *Source: Airports Authority of India During April last year, airport operations were completely shut across country from March 25 to May 24 due to the first wave of Corona to hit the country. Hence nil passengers last year. Bala Chauhan By Express News Service BENGALURU: As the second wave of Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc in the country, speculation is rife that the possible third wave will impact children more. Paediatricians and the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), however, dont seem to agree. The sero-survey of December 2020-January 2021 showed that the percentage of infected children in the age group of 10-17 was around 25%, which is the same as adults. This indicates that while children are being infected like adults, they are not contracting the severe form of the disease. It is highly unlikely that the third wave will predominantly or exclusively affect children, the IAP had stated last month, even as it reiterated that it has developed a management protocol for disease categories in kids, and there was no need to panic. Children have less expressed ACE2 receptor that results in lesser attachment of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the respiratory passage. There is no scientific evidence of them falling seriously ill in large numbers in the possible third wave. More children may fall sick if the adults are not vaccinated, and dont follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, said Dr Sanwar Agrawal, director and DNB coordinator at Ekta Institute of Child Health, Raipur. The review of available literature from third waves around the world and our hospitals comparative two wave data doesnt suggest that we will have large numbers of ICU admissions of children with severe Covid-19, or those requiring hospitalisation. The large unimmunised adult population will still drive the third wave, especially those with comorbidities, said chief medical officer and professor, paediatrics, St Johns Medical College & Hospital, Dr Sanjiv Lewin. He cautioned about Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome-Children (MIS-C). We had 33 such children following the first wave, and 15 so far in the second wave. This is what we need to be prepared for through education and strong referral systems. Delaying the third wave and intensive, massive accelerated vaccination campaigns are vital, he said. There is no data from across the countries that the third wave has been devastating to children. In Mumbai, children constitute around 6% of the total Covid infections. Children fell sick because adults in the family were stepping out and were not vaccinated, said Dr Sanjay Prabhu, senior consultant paediatrician, BJ Wadia Hospital, Mumbai. Professor, paediatrics, Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, Shivamogga, Dr Vikram S Kumar concurred with his fellow paediatricians, and said those not vaccinated will remain susceptible, including children. But there is a difference between getting infected and falling seriously ill. There is no scientific data yet on children falling seriously ill in the third wave, he said. Regarding pneumonia and MIS-C, he said they are treatable conditions if diagnosed early. By Express News Service KOZHIKODE: Literally, ayurveda, PK Warrier and Kottakkal are intertwined in Malayalis mind. And when Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Salas (AVS) managing trustee and former chief physician PK Warrier turns 100 on June 8 (as per the Malayalam calendar), it becomes the celebration of ayurveda too. Warrier took over the helm of AVS after his elder brother P M Warrier died in an aircrash in 1954. AVS has grown into a multi-unit, multi-disciplinary and multi-crore organisation under his stewardship, operating in different areas of ayurvedic practice. Kottakkal became a centre of authentic ayurveda attracting the ailing rich and poor, students and scholars from India and abroad alike. He had served in the position for more than six decades giving wings to the holistic approach of ayurveda. The youngest nephew of AVS founder, Vaidyaratnam PS Varier, PK Warrier rubs shoulders with the whos who of ayurveda practitioners across the world. Former presidents VV Giri and Pranab Mukherjee, former prime ministers AB Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, former PM of Sri Lanka Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and former Mauritius president Kailash Purryag are some of the dignitaries who enjoyed the soothing touch of ayurvedic treatment by Warrier. A pure vegetarian, he has been practising yoga since childhood. That lifestyle helped him stay fit even in the times of the pandemic, said a family member. A recipient of Padma Bhushan in 2010 for popularising the stream of medicine, Warrier was accorded DLitt by the University of Calicut in 1999. His autobiography, Smrithiparvam, won Kerala Sahitya Akademi award way back in 2008. The Dhanvantari award was also conferred on Warrier. Though AVS has chalked out an elaborate celebration plan, titled Satapoornima, Covid-19 forced to restrict the function to online. Inaugurating the 100th birthday celebrations online on June 1, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Warriers contributions to Keralas culture is worth emulation. Warrier turning 100 is the celebration of not only AVS but also everyone who loves ayurveda, the chief minister said. Pinarayi also praised the unadulterated love Warrier showered on his fellow beings. AVS trustee and senior family member P Raghava Warrier released the logo of Satapoornima at Kailasamandiram in Kottakkal, kickstarting the celebrations. Senior family member Saraswati Varasyar switched on the digital logo. An awareness seminar was held in collaboration with the Singapore Malayali Association as a part of the celebrations. A science seminar was held on June 3 in association with JSS Ayurveda College, Mysuru. Another lecture series for BAMS students and teachers will begin on June 8 in collaboration with Vaidyaratnam P S Varier Ayurveda College, Kottakkal. Events like book releases, cultural programmes, painting exhibitions and friendly gatherings are also being planned. He married Madhavikutty K Varier, a poet and Kathakali lyricist. They have three childrenDr K Balachandran, late Vijayan Varier and Subhadra Ramachandran. Madavikutty K Varier died in 1997 and Vijayan Varier in 2013. By Express News Service ROURKELA: A team of Rourkela police has rescued a 19-year-old girl from Amritsar in Punjab where her marriage was fixed with a middle-aged person without her consent. A team of Plant Site police on Thursday returned to Rourkela with the victim. Police said an elderly woman relative of the victim had visited her family residing in Plant Site area two months back. She convinced the mother to send the girl, her elder sister and her two minor sons to Amritsar. After reaching Punjab, they stayed at the house of the relative who virtually kept them captive and engaged the girl and her sister in household works. Police said the relative simultaneously fixed the girls marriage with a middle-aged person without the girls consent. However, the victim got an inkling about it and managed to inform her mother at Rourkela. Before the marriage could take place, the girl along with her sister and the two minors was rescued on Monday. The accused elderly relative was not present when Plant Site police reached his house. Rourkela SP Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo said Amritsar police was informed about the incident and with their help, the girl and three others were rescued. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Former Health and Finance Minister Eatala Rajender, who was dismissed from the Telangana State Cabinet a month ago after allegations of encroachment of assigned lands were levelled against him, announced on Friday that he was resigning as an MLA and also quitting the ruling TRS. He is shortly expected to submit his resignation letter to the State Legislative Assembly Speaker. Rajender, who was in the TRS for nearly two decades, is all set to join BJP in the next four to five days in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, once the latter is discharged from the hospital. Rajender recently met BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi and spoke to Amit Shah. At a crowded press conference on Friday, Rajender claimed that TRS had won several elections in the Huzurabad Assembly segment only because of his efforts. The six-time MLA said he won from the segment with huge majority because of the support of the people and not because of the TRS B-form. Even the Chief Ministers daughter K Kavitha, who contested with a TRS B-form, was defeated, he said.Levelling serious allegations against Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and the TRS government, Rajender said the government had suppressed the RTC strike last year. ALSO READ | To stay or part? Eatala Rajenders followers unable to make up their mind KCR banked on money power and conspiracies to win the recent MLC Graduates elections, Rajender alleged. He said even Finance Minister T Harish Rao had faced humiliation. Along with Rajender, former MLA E Ravinder Reddy, former ZP chairperson of Karimnagar Tula Uma and many others also resigned from TRS on Friday. No alternative except BJP Later, in an informal chat, Rajender said that though he believed in Leftist ideology, he was joining the BJP as, except for the saffron party, there was no alternative to the TRS in the State. Everyone knows that TRS is controlling the Congress, he remarked. Rajender said several other TRS leaders would also quit the party soon. THUS SPAKE EATALA By PTI LONDON: The Delta variant of COVID-19, or the B1.617.2 highly transmissible variant of concern (VOC) first identified in India, has now become the dominant VOC in the UK and may also come with an increased risk of hospitalisation, health officials in Britain have said. According to Public Health England (PHE), which monitors all COVID variants in the country, Delta variant infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431 on Thursday. The latest statistics have led experts to conclude that Delta is now closing in to overtake Alpha, the VOC first detected in the Kent region of England. ALSO READ: India records 1.32 lakh fresh cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours, 2,713 deaths reported "With this variant now dominant across the UK, it remains vital that we all continue to exercise as much caution as possible," said Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive, UK Health Security Agency. "The way to tackle variants is to tackle the transmission of COVID-19 as a whole. Work from home where you can, and practice hands, face, space, fresh air' at all times." "If you are eligible and have not already done so, please come forward to be vaccinated and make sure you get your second jab. It will save lives," she said. PHE also said early evidence suggests there may be an "increased risk of hospitalisation" with Delta compared to Alpha, "although more data is needed for us to have more confidence in that finding". ALSO READ: Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 if I'm vaccinated? According to the breakdown of official figures, this week 278 people with the Delta variant attended hospital in an emergency. Last week, 201 people attended hospital. "Once again, the majority of these had not been vaccinated," PHE said, in reference to its previous studies which showed that two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines are "highly effective" against the Delta VOC. The areas most affected by the Delta variant remain in the north west of England with Bolton, where cases have risen by 795 to 2149, and Blackburn with Darwen which has seen 368 new cases, bringing it to 724 in total. PHE said there are "encouraging signs" that the transmission rate in Bolton has begun to fall and that the actions taken by residents and local authority teams have been successful in reducing spread. Experts continue to urge people to "remain cautious" as the country approaches the next stage of the roadmap, with June 21 scheduled as a date for an end of all lockdown restrictions. "Variant cases are on the increase in several areas and it is absolutely crucial that everyone plays their part in preventing their spread," PHE said. In Bolton, local teams have gone door to door in targeted areas on consecutive weekends to distribute test kits, share vital safety messages and encourage people to get the vaccine at a local drop-in centre. Take up of both testing and the vaccine was described as "positive". Blackburn with Darwen has also seen local teams making door-to-door visits, and over 10,000 additional PCR tests have been given out. Mobile testing units have been deployed to the area and wastewater sampling continues, in order to track the spread of the variant. PHE said its health protection teams continue to work with local authorities and schools to carry out surveillance of COVID-19 cases in schools to understand and reduce transmission in these settings. It found outbreaks and clusters in primary and secondary schools are at low levels but has seen a "slight increase" over recent weeks, in line with higher levels of the Delta variant circulating in the community. The Villages is a metropolitan retirement community where the median age is 73, according to the U.S. Census. The area is made up mostly of Sumter County, but also has land in Marion and Lake counties, housing over 130,000 people during the winter season. By PTI LONDON: The Delta variant of COVID-19, or the B1.617.2 highly transmissible variant of concern (VOC) first identified in India, has now become the dominant VOC in the UK and may also come with an increased risk of hospitalisation, health officials in Britain have warned. According to Public Health England (PHE), which monitors all COVID variants in the country, Delta variant infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431 on Thursday. The latest statistics have led experts to conclude that Delta is now closing in to overtake Alpha -- the VOC first detected in the Kent region of England. "With this variant now dominant across the UK, it remains vital that we all continue to exercise as much caution as possible," said Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive, UK Health Security Agency. "The way to tackle variants is to tackle the transmission of COVID-19 as a whole. Work from home where you can, and practice 'hands, face, space, fresh air' at all times. If you are eligible and have not already done so, please come forward to be vaccinated and make sure you get your second jab. It will save lives," she said. PHE also said early evidence suggests there may be an "increased risk of hospitalisation" with Delta compared to Alpha, "although more data is needed for us to have more confidence in that finding". According to the breakdown of official figures, this week 278 people with the Delta variant attended hospital in an emergency. Last week, 201 people attended hospital. "Once again, the majority of these had not been vaccinated," PHE said, in reference to its previous studies which showed that two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines are "highly effective" against the Delta VOC. The areas most affected by the Delta variant remain in the north west of England with Bolton, where cases have risen by 795 to 2149, and Blackburn with Darwen which has seen 368 new cases, bringing it to 724 in total. PHE said there are "encouraging signs" that the transmission rate in Bolton has begun to fall and that the actions taken by residents and local authority teams have been successful in reducing spread. Experts continue to urge people to "remain cautious" as the country approaches the next stage of the roadmap, with June 21 scheduled as a date for an end of all lockdown restrictions. "Variant cases are on the increase in several areas and it is absolutely crucial that everyone plays their part in preventing their spread," PHE said. The news raises serious questions about the plan to lift all remaining coronavirus restrictions in England on June 21. The decision to move ahead with that timeframe has not yet been finalised, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Thursday, adding that the government continues to monitor the data. "We haven't actually made the decision yet. We have said that the remaining restrictions will not be lifted before 21 June and we'll set out over the next couple of weeks whether the data will justify that," Hancock told CNN. "We take the approach in the UK that we set out when things will remain in place until, and then we follow the data as to whether it's safe to lift those restrictions," he said. Meanwhile, in Bolton, local teams have gone door to door in targeted areas on consecutive weekends to distribute test kits, share vital safety messages and encourage people to get the vaccine at a local drop-in centre. Take up of both testing and the vaccine was described as "positive". Blackburn with Darwen has also seen local teams making door-to-door visits, and over 10,000 additional PCR tests have been given out. Mobile testing units have been deployed to the area and wastewater sampling continues, in order to track the spread of the variant. PHE said its health protection teams continue to work with local authorities and schools to carry out surveillance of COVID-19 cases in schools to understand and reduce transmission in these settings. It found outbreaks and clusters in primary and secondary schools are at low levels but has seen a "slight increase" over recent weeks, in line with higher levels of the Delta variant circulating in the community. By Associated Press TEHRAN: A massive fire that broke out at an oil refinery near Irans capital and sent a huge plume of black smoke into the sky over Tehran was extinguished on Thursday, after more than 20 hours, a news agency reported. The semi-official ISNA agency quoted the countrys deputy oil minister, Alireza Sadeghabadi as saying the blaze was first fully contained and then finally put out. The courageous actions by firefighters ... led to the complete extinguishing of the fire and prevented the flames from spreading to other nearby tanks, said Sadeghabadi, thanking the fire department. The fire erupted at the state-owned Tondgooyan Petrochemical Co. to the south of Tehran on Wednesday night. The Oil Ministrys SHANA news agency said it was caused by a leak in two waste tanks at the facility. Authorities initially suggested the flames affected a liquified petroleum gas pipeline at the refinery. Jalal Maleki, spokesman for the Tehran Fire Department, told state TV that 10 fire department stations, including 60 heavy operating vehicles and more than 180 firefighters, took part in the operation to battle the blaze. The head of Tehrans emergency medical services, Payman Saberian, said 11 people were injured, with four in hospitals, ISNA reported. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh visited the scene overnight. While seeking to assure the public the fire wouldnt affect production, Iranians queued up for gasoline on Thursday morning, the start of the weekend in the Islamic Republic. Earlier, SHANA also quoted refinery spokesman Shaker Khafaei as saying authorities hoped the fire would extinguish itself after running out of fuel in the coming hours. Temperatures in Tehran reached nearly 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday. Hot summer weather in Iran has caused fires in the past. The blaze came the same day a fire struck the largest warship in the Iranian navy, which later sank in the Gulf of Oman. By PTI A flight carrying 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from Japan touched down in Taiwan on Friday to help the vaccine-starved island fight its largest outbreak since the pandemic began. The donation underscores how geopolitics has come to impact the global vaccine rollout, as countries scramble to secure enough doses for their populations. Taiwan, a self-governing island struggling to get enough doses, has blamed China for interfering in a potential deal for another vaccine. Now it is more than doubling its vaccine supply thanks to Japan, which is trying to play a greater role in global vaccination distribution and accelerate its own slow rollout ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in July. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters on Friday that Japan was responding to a Taiwanese request, and that the donation reflects "Japan's important partnership and friendship with Taiwan." Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen echoed those comments, saying after the Japan Airlines flight landed that "we are witnessing once again the true friendship between Taiwan and Japan, built upon shared values and mutual help. "Neither side mentioned an ongoing feud between Taiwan and China over the island's efforts to get the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Taiwan has signed contracts for 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 5.05 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, and 4.76 million doses of vaccines through COVAX, a UN programme to distribute vaccines to low and middle-income countries. It is also pursuing the development of its own vaccines, which are currently in mid-stage testing. However, given global supply constraints and manufacturing delays, it had only about 700,000 doses to vaccinate its population with last month, all AstraZeneca's shots. Japan reportedly considered sending vaccines to Taiwan through COVAX, but decided the process would take too long. Tsai accused China last month of blocking Taiwan from getting the Pfizer vaccine through BioNTech, the German co-developer. "We were almost finished with the contract with the German supplier, but owing to China's interference, it's been delayed so that until now we have no way to complete it," she told members of her Democratic Progressive Party. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung later said that BioNTech had asked Taiwan to change the word "country" in the press release announcing the deal. Taiwan agreed, but the deal still remains unfinished. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, objects to calling the island a country. China is also a potentially major market for BioNTech, which has partnered with Shanghai-based Fosun Pharma to manufacture its vaccine in China and distribute it in the mainland and Hong Kong. Fosun said in an interview with China's official Xinhua News Agency that it has offered to sell the vaccines to Taiwan. However, Taiwanese law bans Chinese-made medical products, including vaccines. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused Taiwan's governing party of preventing the mainland from sending vaccines to Taiwan and falsely claiming that China has hindered its procurement of vaccines. "For their own political self-interest, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities continue to engage in political manipulation in anti-epidemic cooperation," he said Friday. "It disregards the lives and health of Taiwan compatriots and violates the basic humanitarian spirit." Taiwan's foreign minister, Joseph Wu, has also accused China of pressuring at least one country, Paraguay, to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan in return for Chinese vaccines. China says its overseas assistance comes without political conditions, though it has aggressively used its economic might since Tsai came to power to try to poach Taiwan's few remaining allies. Globally, many countries are struggling to get vaccines as manufacturers face delays in scaling up production quickly. Japan, with its home-developed vaccines still uncertain, relies solely on foreign ones. It is using Pfizer and Moderna doses but has no immediate plan to use AstraZeneca's, which are produced in Japan under a licensing deal. At an online vaccine summit this week, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged an additional $800 million for the COVAX programme, bringing Japan's total contribution to $1 billion. Tokyo plans to donate 30 million doses of vaccine produced in Japan through COVAX as well as other multilateral and bilateral channel. By PTI GENEVA: The World Health Organisation's top vaccines expert says that immunising children against the coronavirus "is not a high priority" given the extremely limited global supply of vaccines. Dr Kate O'Brien says vaccinating children "is not a priority from a WHO perspective", even as increasing numbers of rich countries authorise their COVID-19 shots for teenagers and children. O'Brien says since children are not typically at risk of getting severely ill or dying from COVID-19, vaccinating them during the pandemic is mostly aimed at stopping transmission, rather than protecting them from disease. Canada, the US and the European Union have all recently approved some COVID-19 vaccines for children age 12 to 15 as they approach their vaccination targets for adults. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has previously urged rich countries to donate their COVID-19 shots to poor countries rather than immunise their adolescents and children. Fewer than 1% of COVID-19 vaccines administered globally have been used in poor countries. O'Brien says it's not necessary to vaccinate children before sending them back to school if the adults in contact with them were immunised. Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities. HARTFORD Legislative action is fast and furious in the waning days of the 2021 session. Here are some brief recaps of legislation from the state Capitol on Friday. The Senate voted 26-9 to allow the state attorney general to pursue cases of civil rights violations. It heads to the House. Attorney General William Tong hailed the bipartisan vote in the Senate as an historic step forward for civil rights enforcement in our state. The vote comes just days after the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, amid a rise in anti-Asian violence, bigotry and acts of antisemitism, and as authorities investigate heinous nooses hanging from an Amazon construction site. Those are reminders, Tong said, that we can never take our civil rights and liberties for granted. Solitary confinement bill goes to the House The Senate also voted 26-10 Friday to pass a bill that would prevent the Department of Correction from ordering solitary confinement for more than 72 hours within a 14-day period. The bill, which now heads to the House of Representatives, would require the DOC to first de-escalate crisis situations and use less-restrictive measures on the incarcerated. It culminates a multi-year effort by state Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, who brought in boxlike rooms to the Capitol building for passersby to sit inside for a simulation of solitary confinement complete with an eerie soundtrack. I have spent hours in the cell and I have to tell you then, in not too long a period of time I became disoriented, Winfield said in the Senate debate. Its impossible to keep track of time. You lose sense of things that are important to have as a human being. This is about the way in which we treat people who have done things to land in prisons, but are still human beings. Law based on Dulos case wins final approval Heading to Gov. Lamonts desk is a law to expand the criminal definition of domestic violence to include non-physical violence or "coercive control." If signed into law, the expanded definition of domestic violence, which includes a pattern of threatening, humiliating, or intimidating acts that harm a person and deprive them of their freedom, autonomy and human rights, will apply to restraining orders, divorce and custody cases. The bill also establishes a new program to provide legal representation for victims of domestic violence who apply for restraining orders. And if a victim receives a restraining order, and rents her home, she now has the right to change her locks to keep her home safe. The bill also allows someone to be charged for a hate crime if they assault a person "in substantial part" because of their race, religion, country of origin or sexuality. The bill was inspired in large part by the high profile case of New Canaan mother Jennifer Dulos who vanished in May 2019 and whose estranged husband was charged in her death and disappearance before his own death. The couple had been engaged in a lengthy divorce battle. Lets not think about one victim of domestic violence or even two victims of domestic violence, but as been said, this is an issue that affects so many in so many communities around our state and have for so long, said Rep. Steve Stafstrom, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, prior to the 134-8 House vote. Red-flag legislation heads to Lamont After little debate, the Senate adopted a measure strenthening Connecticuts so-called red flag legislation. First adopted more than 20 years ago, the measure would make it easier for law enforcement to obtain court orders and seize firearms as well as other deadly weapons from people whose family members or medical professionals fear could harm themselves or others before a crime is committed. The vote was 23-12 on party lines, with Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, absent. The House has already approved the measure, which now goes to the governors desk. John Kissel, R-Enfield, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said ample laws regarding gun regulations and rules already exist in Connecticut and the bill, as proposed, is an encumbrance on individuals constitutional rights. On balance, I just think that lawful gun owners have done more than their fair share over the past couple years, Kissel said. I dont see any need at this point in time for new gun laws. The heavy clouds of COVID-19 that hung over our region are dissipating and our economy is growing again. By mid-summer, I believe we will be over the acute phase of the virus and our economic engines will be in full throttle, he said in the speech to a hybrid audience some online and about 300 guests at the Orange County Convention Center. We are back on course for destination greatness! Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to news-daily.com including stories, photos, obituaries, e-edition and more on your computer, tablet or phone. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@news-daily.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. Pikeville, KY (41501) Today Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms mainly during the evening. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 Reporter Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey). top story Thursday's vaccination updates: Ford County surpasses 10,000 doses; Chicago moves up grand reopening date, from July 4 to June 11; Champaign Co. hospitalizations up by 3 for second straight day As donors continue to give in a GoFundMe campaign that's exceeded $240,000, Mahomet's Grace Church plans a drive-thru card drop-off for Officer Jeff Creel and Texas Roadhouse announces it will give 10% of food proceeds Tuesday to the Officer Chris Oberheim Memorial Fund. Misguiding U.S. reports on COVID-19 origin sourcing hurt U.S. credibility 16:49, June 04, 2021 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily The so-called "lab leak theory" recently fabricated by the U.S. is just lame. It followed the same old trick in which certain media outlets published biased reports and then some politicians hyped them up. However, such "comedy duo," which has been frequently staged, further revealed the ugly intention of the White House to politicize the pandemic and stigmatize other countries. A Wall Street Journal report published on May 23 is culpable for the resurgent "lab leak theory." The report takes "a previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report" as its only source and is all about "intelligence," inducing the readers to put the blame of "lab leak" on China. However, it offers barely any fact and employs abundant uncertain statements, which exposed a lack of confidence in its arguments. The Wall Street Journal says it provides facts, data and informationnot assertions or opinions. However, the above-mentioned report is neither objective nor impartial, and only hurts the credibility of the U.S. The so-called "lab leak theory" has already been denied by scientific researches. Does the Wall Street Journal really believe that an intelligence report of unknown origin could overturn scientific studies? Where did it get this "previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report?" Is the report "exclusive" or "tailored?" Has the Wall Street Journal verified it? One of the authors of the report Michael Gordon is really somebody in the U.S. media known for cooking up stories. It was him that made the hype of Iraq trying to get nuclear weapons in September 2002 when he worked for the New York Times, which later became a reason for the White House to wage a war against Iraq. However, it was finally proved that the reason was a big lie. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, some U.S. politicians have deliberately politicized the virus while some American media organizations "held a candle to the devil." In April last year, the Washington Post fabricated a story that the novel coronavirus came from a Chinese lab, and it was followed by a February report by the New York Times which said Chinese scientists refused to share raw data that might bring the world closer to understanding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. These American media organizations turned a blind eye to science and facts, and repeated their lies again and again, which not only is a violation of professional ethics, but also undermines the atmosphere for international anti-pandemic cooperation that is in urgent need today. Peter Daszak, a member of a WHO-led team investigating the pandemic's origin, noted that China has become a victim of the "lab leak theory." The Nature magazine also pointed out allegations that COVID escaped from a Chinese lab make it harder for nations to collaborate on ending the pandemic and fuel online bullying. The U.S. politicians and media organizations are working hand in glove with each other to spread rumors and stigmatize China because they can't accept a growing China. Obsessed with zero-sum mentality and fanning confrontation, they are addicted to Cold War solutions such as information and public opinion warfare. By spending huge amount of money each year to counter the malign influence of China, the U.S. politicians just want to keep slandering China with rumors and lies. Such bold actions once again showed the American hegemony to the world. Obeying professional ethics is a basic requirement for news work. Only true, objective, and impartial news can withstand the test of history. The reports by some U.S. media outlets, which are highly misguiding on COVID-19 origin sourcing, have seriously violated professional ethics and will leave indelible stains in history. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy.) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) In this case, Rops suit alleged three counts of discrimination and one count of retaliation. After Rop presented his evidence, the court granted a directed verdict against Rop on two of the discrimination counts, meaning Weiss felt he had failed to prove those counts. The judge then reserved ruling for the remaining discrimination and retaliation counts, which means he put off the ruling for a later date. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. A storm outfall repair project and a pavement repair program will go to the Willoughby City Council at its June 8 meeting. Airway mucus consists of various proteins such as long mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B, both of which contribute greatly to the proper gel-like consistency of this most essential bodily fluid. UNC School of Medicine researchers led by mucin expert Mehmet Kesimer, PhD, had previously discovered that the total mucin concentrations in the lungs are associated with COPD disease progression and could be used as diagnostic markers of chronic bronchitis, a hallmark condition for patients with COPD. Kesimer and colleagues now report that one of these mucins, MUC5AC, is more closely and reliably associated with the development of COPD than is its brother, MUC5B. The research, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, shows that MUC5AC is found at elevated levels in smokers who had not yet developed COPD but whose lung function wound up decreasing over the course of the three-year study. Former smokers at-risk for COPD, on the other hand, had normal levels of MUC5AC at the start of the study and maintained proper lung function over three years. MUC5AC hyperconcentration in the lungs may be a key factor in predicting the risks and rates of progression to more severe disease, according to the study. Recent nationwide efforts have focused on early- or pre-COPD to predict the risks of progression to COPD amongst smokers. Currently, we cannot forecast which individuals in the at-risk smokers group will progress to COPD because we don't have an objective biological marker to underpin the disease-causing pathways. Our research shows that MUC5AC could be a predictor of who will develop COPD from the large group of aging "at-risk" smokers. We think MUC5AC could be a new biomarker for COPD prognosis and it could be a biomarker for testing the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies." Mehmet Kesimer, senior author of the study, professor in the UNC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and member of the UNC Marsico Lung Institute MUC5AC could also become a target for pharmaceutical developers whose goal it is to halt COPD disease progression and help patients live more normal, active lives. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs and affects about 16 million people in the United States. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, coughing, mucus production, and wheezing. It's typically caused by long-term exposure to irritants, such as particulate matter like cigarette smoke. The two main conditions that contribute to COPD are chronic bronchitis, an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes due to chronic mucin/mucus accumulation; and emphysema, when the tiny air sacs at the end of the smallest air passages of the lungs are destroyed. There are some treatment options for COPD to attempt to slow disease progression and reduce symptoms, but treatments often don't work well, especially during late stages of the condition, and there is no cure. The Kesimer Lab in the UNC Marsico Lung Institute uses various techniques, including mass spectrometry, to identify and measure the different biological mechanisms involved in lung conditions. For this study, the UNC team of scientists were able to measure the concentrations of MUC5AC and MUC5B in different groups of people, including people who had never smoked cigarettes, who had quit smoking, and who continue to smoke with or without COPD. Smoking cigarettes has long been known to be a major risk factor for COPD, but Kesimer's work suggests that quiting smoking decreases the odds of developing COPD as we age. "Our data indicate that increased MUC5AC concentrations in the airways may contribute to the initiation of COPD, as well as disease progression, symptom exacerbation, and how the disease progesses over time, in general,"Kesimer said. "We did not observe the same association with MUC5B." The best thing an aging person can do to avoid the inevitable decline associated COPD is quit smoking immediately before airway obstruction sets in due to mucin/mucus accumulation. Through Kesimer's work, though, it might be possible to pinpoint which individuals are at the highest immediate risk for developing COPD soon. If insomnia keeps you awake at night, Flinders University researchers recommend a trip to the doctor - not for a sleeping pill prescription but for a short course of intensive behavioral therapy. Researchers have developed new clinical guidelines for Australian doctors to give family GPs insights into the most effective treatment for insomnia - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia (or 'CBTi'). CBTi improves insomnia, mental health and quality of life, and can be more successful than sleeping pills, say Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health (AISH) sleep experts from Flinders University in a new paper in the Australian Journal of General Practice. Most patients with insomnia managed in general practice are prescribed potentially addictive sedative-hypnotic medicines (e.g. benzodiazepines), and never access the CBTi that would treat their underlying condition, they say. We are aiming to provide GPs with more information, accessible guidelines and tools, as well as referral and treatment options to manage insomnia with CBTi. To get the ball rolling, our step-by-step model for GPs will identify, assess and treat insomnia with a Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia program (BBTi)." Dr Alex Sweetman, Lead Researcher, Flinders University Brief Behavioral Treatment for insomnia leads to long-term improvement of insomnia, mental health, and overall quality of life, and can help patients reduce their use of sedative-hypnotic medicines. This clinical review published in the Australian Journal of General Practice provides GPs with a description of a four-session insomnia treatment program that is tailored to the time limitations, knowledge, and capacity of general practice staff. Dr Sweetman and his team are currently running two trials to provide GPs with a suite of tools and treatment options to manage patients with insomnia. Chronic insomnia is characterized by difficulties getting to sleep, staying asleep, and/or early morning awakenings from sleep - with daytime impairments including reduced work productivity, fatigue and concentration difficulties. Common in approximately 15% of the general population, it can persist for many years unless treated - ideally with non-pharmaceutical interventions. Meanwhile, AISH and other sleep experts have also expanded ongoing investigations into better treatments for complex cases of combined insomnia, and sleep apnea (COMISA), all conditions leading to doctor diagnoses and the need for targeted interventions. The study of 2044 adult Australians found COMISA disorders are common and associated with increased medical and psychiatric co-morbidity, as well as poor general health. "Much more investigation is required understand these combined disorders and improve diagnostic and treatment approaches," researchers say in their paper, Prevalence and associations of co-morbid insomnia and sleep apnea in an Australian population-based sample (2021) by A Sweetman, YA Melaku, L Lack, A Reynolds, TK Bill, R Adams and S Appleton has been published in Sleep Medicine (Elsevier) DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.03.023 More information at A step-by-step model for a brief behavioral treatment for insomnia in Australian general practice (2021) by Alexander Sweetman, Nicholas A Zwar, Nicole Grivell, Nicole Lovato and Leon Lack has been published in the Australian Journal of General Practice Volume 50, Issue 5, DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-04-20-5391 Insomnia is a common and debilitating disorder that is frequently associated with important consequences for physical and mental health and wellbeing. It often occurs in tandem with another common sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Along with daytime sleepiness and fatigue, these debilitating disorders can be treated in a number of ways to reduce long-term health issues including diabetes, heart disease, anxiety and depression. The experimental drug TEMPOL may be a promising oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19, suggests a study of cell cultures by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. TEMPOL can limit SARS-CoV-2 infection by impairing the activity of a viral enzyme called RNA replicase. The work was led by researchers at NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The study appears in Science. We urgently need additional effective, accessible treatments for COVID-19. An oral drug that prevents SARS-CoV-2 from replicating would be an important tool for reducing the severity of the disease." Diana W. Bianchi, M.D., NICHD Director The study team was led by Tracey A. Rouault, M.D., head of the NICHD Section on Human Iron Metabolism. It discovered TEMPOL's effectiveness by evaluating a more basic question on how the virus uses its RNA replicase, an enzyme that allows SARS-CoV-2 to replicate its genome and make copies of itself once inside a cell. Researchers tested whether the RNA replicase (specifically the enzyme's nsp12 subunit) requires iron-sulfur clusters for structural support. Their findings indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA replicase requires two iron-sulfur clusters to function optimally. Earlier studies had mistakenly identified these iron-sulfur cluster binding sites for zinc-binding sites, likely because iron-sulfur clusters degrade easily under standard experimental conditions. Identifying this characteristic of the RNA replicase also enables researchers to exploit a weakness in the virus. TEMPOL can degrade iron-sulfur clusters, and previous research from the Rouault Lab has shown the drug may be effective in other diseases that involve iron-sulfur clusters. In cell culture experiments with live SARS-CoV-2 virus, the study team found that the drug can inhibit viral replication. Based on previous animal studies of TEMPOL in other diseases, the study authors noted that the TEMPOL doses used in their antiviral experiments could likely be achieved in tissues that are primary targets for the virus, such as the salivary glands and the lungs. "Given TEMPOL's safety profile and the dosage considered therapeutic in our study, we are hopeful," said Dr. Rouault. "However, clinical studies are needed to determine if the drug is effective in patients, particularly early in the disease course when the virus begins to replicate." The study team plans on conducting additional animal studies and will seek opportunities to evaluate TEMPOL in a clinical study of COVID-19. NIH authors on the study include researchers from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Authors from the Pennsylvania State University are funded by NIH's National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Patients who, perhaps unbeknownst to their health care providers, are in need of genetic testing for rare undiagnosed diseases can be identified en masse based on routine information in electronic health records (EHRs), a research team reported today in the journal Nature Medicine. Findings from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center study suggest that, among the patients of any sizeable health care system, there are hundreds or thousands with undiagnosed rare diseases of the sort where a genetic test could lead to a diagnosis. Patients with rare genetic diseases often face years of diagnostic odyssey before getting a genetic test, if they get one at all. Our work could contribute to a more systematic and timely approach, alerting providers of patients that might benefit from a genetic test." Douglas Ruderfer, PhD, leader of the study, geneticist, associate professor of Medicine at VUMC It's estimated that more than 70% of rare diseases are genetic in origin. According to authors of the study, rare genetic diseases may look quite different from one patient to the next and may go undiagnosed even when well characterized in the medical literature. Using routine EHR data to directly identify patients with specific genetic diseases is, for now, quite challenging: according to the study authors, the current state of knowledge about disease-causing genetic variation is too wanting, and the genetic resolution of current clinical tests is too low. Given this state of affairs, the team developed their predictive model to instead detect patients who fit historical criteria for testing in the eyes of clinicians. To begin, the team developed a range of competing predictive algorithms. For training data, they used EHRs of patients for whom clinicians had ordered a type of genetic test called chromosomal microarray (1,818 cases), and similar patients whose records showed no history of genetic testing (7,326 matched controls). Across the training and test sets, the average age of the patients represented was 8. "We were really aiming to build a model that captured and automated clinical suspicion of a genetic disease," said Theodore Morley, a staff data scientist who worked closely with Ruderfer on the study. With all traces of genetic testing removed from a test set of 2,286 records, a machine learning algorithm emerged as the best performer, correctly classifying 87% of cases and 96% of controls. Also showing high accuracy were independent validation efforts at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital and again at VUMC, with far greater numbers of longstanding patients, cases now defined by evidence in the EHR of interaction with a genetics provider. Importantly, the algorithm also performed well in identifying patients who received genetic tests other than chromosomal microarray. The study supports the hypothesis that, within any EHR population, patients who are to be suspected of having rare genetic diseases are distinguishable via computation thanks to the presence of multiple rare signs and symptoms -- phenotypes, in the language of the study -- that are subject to documentation in the EHR. The team's predictive algorithms used EHR diagnosis codes exclusively (the same codes that drive health care billing), amalgamated for prediction purposes into so-called phenotype codes. "After extensive validation demonstrated high predictive performance, we were really interested in assessing how an implementation of our model might compare to the current status quo for who receives a test, and what the results of those tests are," Ruderfer said. From a set of 6,445 deidentified EHRs corresponding to genotyped patient specimens from BioVU, Vanderbilt's DNA biobank, the algorithm proved accurate in picking out individuals with pathogenic copy number variations, a type of genetic abnormality. In collating this and other findings from the study, the authors estimate there are more than 2,000 patients at VUMC who have an unrecognized, potentially diagnostic copy number variation that could be identified with a genetic test. Among close observers of the study is Josh Peterson, MD, MPH, director of VUMC's Center for Precision Medicine (where Ruderfer is an affiliated faculty member). "The team's predictive model was shown to handily outperform current clinical performance, identifying patients who need testing more quickly and in greater numbers. Crucially, the model also proved portable to another health system. This paper's findings align very well with the push at VUMC to use data science to improve diagnosis of genomic syndromes," Peterson said. Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been awarded a $2 million grant from the state of California to study a precision medicine approach to screening children for adverse childhood experiences. The three-year grant--part of the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine--was announced by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, in partnership with the Office of the California Surgeon General. Adverse childhood experiences, also called ACEs, are potentially traumatic events early in life--such as neglect, abuse, racism, witnessed violence and economic hardships. These events can result in toxic stress--a physiologic response to severe adversity. ACEs can increase a child's risk for developmental delays, as well as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and mental illness later in life. The Children's Hospital Los Angeles study aims to improve early screening for ACEs by using precision medicine to identify specific biomarkers of early-life stress. Nearly two-thirds of children in the U.S. have experienced at least one ACE, and 15% to 20% have experienced four or more. Excessive adverse childhood experiences can cause toxic stress in children, and many studies have shown this may have lifelong consequences for health challenges, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and mental illnesses. To improve outcomes for these children, we need to identify those at greatest risk as early as possible, because early interventions promote the best outcomes." Pat Levitt, PhD, Lead Principal Investigator, Chief Scientific Officer, Vice President and Director of The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Simms/Mann Chair in Developmental Neurogenetics 'Red flag warning' Currently, the only screening method for ACEs involves questionnaires for parents and caregivers. But screening rates are generally low in pediatric practices, and the questionnaires are not able to identify which babies and children are having a toxic stress response. The team at Children's Hospital Los Angeles will study a potential new screening method that combines a robust questionnaire--the Pediatric ACEs Screening and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS)--with development of a novel lab test that measures potential disturbances to critical cell structures called mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy for cells to function normally. The biomarker measures mitochondrial allostatic load (MAL). The group aims to show that MAL measures are a "red flag warning" for toxic stress in infants. Researchers at The Saban Research Institute and in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine will develop and test three different novel assays to measure MAL in babies--the first time such a test will be used in children. Samples will be collected using simple and painless oral swabs. In addition, mothers will complete questionnaires, including the PEARLS questionnaire, and researchers will evaluate infant cognitive development and use novel computerized methods to assess mother-baby interactions with colleagues in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The multidisciplinary collaboration brings together experts on precision medicine, clinical test development and validation, pediatric health care, child development, infant mental health, use of new measures to identify stress-related health risk, and research on health equity improvement. "We believe this multipronged approach will improve our understanding of the mitochondrial stress associated with ACEs, and will ultimately lead to a cost-effective test that could be readily adopted by pediatricians across the state," says Co-Investigator Xiaowu Gai, PhD, Director of Bioinformatics for the Center for Personalized Medicine at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Challenging disparities The team aims to recruit 300 mother-baby pairs into the study from the Children's Hospital Los Angeles/AltaMed Health Services general pediatrics community clinic. The two-decade partnership between Children's Hospital Los Angeles and AltaMed has brought pediatric expertise to the care of children in local communities. AltaMed, one of the largest federally qualified health centers in the U.S., delivers care to medically underserved families across Southern California. Families who screen positive for ACEs will be referred to intervention services through a Children's Hospital Los Angeles behavioral health program that specializes in family-centered infant mental health directed by Marian Williams, PhD, Director of the Stein Tikun Olam Infant-Family Mental Health Program. "Early life stress is not equally distributed," says Principal Investigator Rajan Sonik, PhD, JD, MPH, Director of Research at the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity within AltaMed Health Services. "Social and economic hardships are disproportionately experienced by marginalized communities, leading to critical racial/ethnic disparities. I look forward to working with Children's Hospital Los Angeles and our community partners to challenge these disparities, close the equity gap and take steps toward a better future for all children and families." California's first Surgeon General, Nadine Burke-Harris, MD, MPH, FAAP, has set a bold goal to reduce ACEs and toxic stress by half in one generation. In 2019, Dr. Burke-Harris shared these plans during a special visit to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where she presented during Pediatric Grand Rounds. Children's Hospital Los Angeles was one of four institutions chosen to receive a grant under the initiative. In total, $9 million in state funds will support proof-of-principle projects for patient populations with ACEs--with all studies using precision medicine to improve access, care and outcomes. The projects, which were selected from a pool of 39 applicants from across the state, will begin in July. If someone joins a church, mosque or synagogue, they may be seeking better emotional or spiritual health. But according to research out of West Virginia University, faith communities have the potential to promote physical wellbeing, as well. A new study led by Angel Smothers, Stephanie Young and Elizabeth Morrissey--researchers with the WVU School of Nursing--and James Thomas from the School of Medicine's Division of Exercise Physiology suggests that healthcare providers who work directly with a faith community can help congregants stick with an exercise program. Their results appear in the Journal of Interprofessional Education and Practice. Even in Biblical texts, there were always caregivers who cared for people within early congregations, so it's not a new idea. But a health ministry program can be from any faith background. It's not just a Christian concept." Angel Smothers, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family/Community Health Regardless of the range of beliefs that different faith communities may subscribe to, the goal of any faith-community healthcare provider is the same: to uncover and address congregation-specific health needs. The study involved 14 participants who were members of a Christian congregation. When the study began in 2018, the participants completed surveys to identify their current exercise habits, describe their general outlook on personal health and pinpoint what--if anything--made adherence to an exercise program difficult. After being guided through a 12-week program of exercise, health education and devotional discussions, they took the surveys again. The participants tended to report more favorable responses regarding whether they had time to exercise and whether they needed more time to sleep or catch up on rest. They also reported improved comfort with exercise on a regular basis. These results suggest that the program encouraged better time management, provided the participants with more energy or did both. That's especially important because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists lack of time and energy as a common barrier to physical activity. Health ministry programs may offer one way to improve the longevity of exercise programs. "We know that when people have social support, they're more likely to engage in activities like these," said Young, a clinical assistant professor and PhD student in the Department of Family/Community Health. "The little research into faith-community nursing that's out there is showing that a spiritual component can be a motivator. If people believe they can serve God better by being healthier--if they believe that God wants them to take care of themselves--then that can be even more internal motivation." For the 12-week study period, the participants attended two hour-long meetings in their church gym twice per week. The first hour consisted of an exercise routine that researchers with the School of Medicine's Division of Exercise Physiology developed. The exercises took participants' safety and physical abilities into account. For example, participants with mobility issues might be assigned activities they could perform while seated, rather than being asked to walk laps around the gym. During the second hour, participants discussed health-related matters with the faith-community nurse, who kept tabs on their health, checked their vitals and answered questions about their medications, their symptoms and ways to preserve their health. "You know, we had young people whose blood pressures were high, and they had no idea until we checked," Smothers said. "It was multidimensional in that some people would come and walk a little, but what they really enjoyed was the devotional and educational piece," Smothers said. "Some people wouldn't feel like walking at all, but they would still come get their blood pressure checked and stay for the education and devotional. Once someone has formed a new walking habit--or made another physical activity part of their routine--the benefits can be numerous. As the CDC reports, they tend to lose weight; lower their blood pressure; reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes and some forms of cancer; and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. In this case, the program proved so popular that it continued beyond the 12 weeks that the study encompassed. It lasted for more than a year and a half, until COVID brought it to an end. "This project was just one example of how a partnership between faith-community nurses and professionals from another discipline--which, for us, was exercise physiology--can really turn into meaningful pockets of access to care," Smothers said. "Because that's really what this was. It's definitely something that can be done grassroots, by meeting people right where they are." As the County points out, the evidence introduced by River Cross does not include any information about the demographics of the individuals who would be expected to move into the River Cross Project, Conway said. With no evidence that minorities would live there, she said, River Cross could not establish that the removal of the Property from the Rural Area would increase the minority population in the area. Experts who sit on national vaccine advisory panels are asked to disclose any industry ties and other conflicts of interest. But an investigation published by The BMJ today finds that disclosure standards differ widely, often leaving the public in the dark. Investigative journalist Paul D Thacker looked at experts sitting on the covid-19 authorization committees at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as those on the UKs Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), which advises the government on vaccines. Both the FDA and the UK government require panelists to disclose conflicts only from the previous 12 months, which can miss significant financial payments that occurred in recent years, he notes. He found that most experts on the FDA and JCVI committees registered no conflicts of interest. For example, from the JCVIs December meeting on 22 December 2020, the minutes report that 18 of 19 members had no registered conflicts of interest, a pattern repeated in its eight other minuted meetings. And among FDA experts who were not industry or consumer representatives, the agency reported that 20 of 21 voting members had no conflicts at the 10 December advisory committee, as well as the same or a similar proportion at other covid vaccine meetings. Thacker also finds that in some cases an expert has made a disclosure - for example, receiving a study grant or honorarium from a vaccine manufacturer - but the committee has not deemed it a conflict. A spokesperson for Public Health England told The BMJ that for a single issue meeting of the JCVI such as for covid-19, conflicts of interest must be reported only if they relate directly to that matter, rather than more widely. Transparency problems increase with the UKs MHRA, which authorizes vaccines after seeking advice from the Commission on Human Medicines, an independent expert scientific advisory body to government ministers, adds Thacker, saying: The commission does not make its advice public, publishes a scant record of meeting minutes, and has not disclosed its members declarations of financial interest since 2018. In the US, outside experts advise the FDA on whether to approve or authorize products. Thacker notes that only two members were reported to have conflicts of interest among several covid authorization panels that met in late 2020. But The BMJ found panelists who had significant financial matters by looking at the Open Payments disclosure website and examining panelists published papers. For example, Open Payments reported that Arnold Monto, professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and acting chair for the FDAs covid vaccine authorization meetings, had received over $24,000 in payments from drug companies in 2019. Adriane Fugh-Berman, professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University in Washington, DC says that these results reveal how confusing disclosure is and that common rules are needed. Few people realize that theres no common standard for what must be disclosed and how far back, she explains, nor that disclosure is a two step process. Experts disclose interests to an entity - such as a journal, university, or government agency - which then decides what to disclose to the public. There needs to be standardization of what should be disclosed and how it should be disclosed. Adriane Fugh-Berman, Professor of pharmacology and physiology, Georgetown University Joel Lexchin of York University in Toronto, who publishes research on conflicts of interest, suggests that government agencies should publish everything that experts disclose to them, instead of picking and choosing what to make public. He agrees that a standardized, universal disclosure form would make compliance easier for people and help avoid confusion about which financial matters should be disclosed and what the institutions should make public. People can legitimately follow whatever rules they encounter, but important things may still get left out. Joel Lexchin, York University, Toronto The BMJs investigation also uncovered close ties between a leading medical journal and the FDAs authorization process. The editor in chief of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Eric Rubin, sat on the authorization panels for and voted to recommend authorizing the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson covid-19 vaccines. Pfizer and Moderna subsequently published their clinical trials in NEJM. Yet Rubin declared no conflicts of interest to all three vaccine panels. Asked by The BMJ whether he recused himself from the decisions on the NEJM submissions, he said: Overall, we consider the deep involvement of editors in the medical and research communities to be a strength, not a problem. Findings on mental health outcomes of COVID-19 infection show frequent symptoms associated with lasting neurological symptoms. SARS-CoV-2. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock.com Impacts of COVID-19 infection on mental health a norm rather than an exception In a study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, authors led by Dr. Jonathan Rogers have reported that neurological and psychiatric symptoms are common among people with COVID-19 and maybe just as likely in people with mild cases. Recent evidence has shown that COVID-19 infection can induce both physical symptoms, affecting respiratory processes most frequently, but also affects mental health. And yet, conclusive data on the psychiatric and neurobiological outcomes of COVID-19 remained to be synthesized. An international collaboration of scientists from UCL, the University of Edinburgh, King's College London, and the Queen Mary University of London, along with co-authors in the UK, Bulgaria, Canada, India, and Germany, has now collected the existing evidence that COVID-19 infection impacts mental health. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 215 COVID-19-related studies using data up to July 2020 from 30 countries and encompassing 105,638 people with acute symptoms of COVID-19. From the data collected, the team pooled the types of neurological and psychiatric symptoms together to track the frequency of each type. Across the whole dataset, the most common neurological and psychiatric symptoms were a loss of smell; reported by 43% of patients with COVID-19, weakness (40%), fatigue (38%), loss of taste; (37%), myalgia (muscle pain; 25%), depression (23%), headache (21%) and anxiety (16%). Further, more severe, disorders were also identified including ischemic strokes (1.9% of cases in the dataset), hemorrhagic strokes (0.4%), and seizures (0.06%). Common symptoms in both mild and severe cases of COVID-19 infection By further investigating the treatment associated across individuals with different symptoms, scientists also showed that neurological and psychiatric symptoms were still common even when patients were not hospitalized. Of those who were not hospitalized, 5% reported fatigue, 52% loss of smell, 47% muscle pain, 45% loss of taste, and 44% reported headaches. This suggests that there is considerable overlap in symptom types across symptomatic acute and chronic cases of COVID-19 infection. Such a result is potentially very important as studies frequently overrepresent patients with severe COVID-19 who are often hospitalized. This pattern was found among the dataset, with studies focusing primarily on hospitalized patients, and even the studies of people outside of hospital included few people with very mild or no symptoms. Nevertheless, the extensive data collected provided alternative solutions to consider more mild symptoms, avoiding the over-representation of severe infection. This review did not examine the causal mechanisms underlying the reason why mild and severe cases show such overlap, but the authors suggest it may be due to levels of inflammation found in the brain, which may explain some of the symptoms. Additionally. psychosocial factors relating to the context of the global pandemic may play a role, as isolated individuals may experience increased levels of depression and anxiety. This result was found to be more common than in other viral illnesses as Dr. Rogers explains: "Many factors could contribute to neurological and psychiatric symptoms in the early stages of infection with COVID-19, including inflammation, impaired oxygen delivery to the brain, and psychological factors. More studies are needed to understand these links better." A warning sign for better mental health awareness and treatment Such findings indicate that the mental health repercussions of even mild COVID-19 infection can be damaging for physical and mental processes beyond infection. Neurological and psychiatric symptoms are very common in people with COVID-19. With millions of people infected globally even the rarer symptoms could affect substantially more people than in usual times. Mental health services and neurological rehabilitation services should be resourced for an increase in referrals." Dr. Alasdair Rooney Researchers also found that many symptom types were often neglected, like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as stroke and seizures, were often not considered potentially due to uncertain diagnoses or limited awareness. By reducing the diagnostic range of outcomes, studies drastically reduce the perceived impact of infection, thereby preventing a more comprehensive understanding of infection outcomes. Further research into the causal links of brain inflammation as well as the indirect effects of COVID-19 infection, such as social isolation, could contribute to a more refined understanding of how the global pandemic is affecting populations physically and mentally. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the novel betacoronavirus that emerged in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019, rapidly spread across the globe causing the COVID-19 pandemic. Global scientific collaborations helped the rapid development of multiple vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Many vaccine modalities, including DNA, mRNA, protein subunit, nanoparticle, viral vectored, and inactivated virus, were trialed, and several of them were subsequently granted emergency authorization for use against COVID-19. Immune escape and other challenges with currently available vaccines The emergence of several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern with varying degrees of resistance to neutralization by convalescent sera is giving rise to concerns of vaccine escape. This highlights the need for more intensive vaccine research and development. Additionally, some vaccines require ultra-low temperatures during storage, making transport and distribution difficult, especially in developing nations. In light of these challenges, meeting the demand for global vaccination doses has been difficult. Dose-sparing methods could therefore be helpful. A high-density microarray patch that delivers SARS-CoV-2 spike subunit vaccine directly to the skin Researchers from Australia recently reported a high-density microarray patch used to deliver a SARS-CoV-2 spike subunit vaccine to the skin directly. They used a combination of a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein vaccine candidate and the high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) vaccine delivery platform. This results in a stable and effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate. The study is published on the preprint server, bioRxiv.* The dry-coated vaccine is delivered directly to the immune-rich epidermis and upper dermal layers of the skin using the HD-MAP platform. It simultaneously causes localized cell death and inflammation, which enhances vaccine-induced immunity. This direct delivery system has several benefits, such as reduced cold chain dependence, ease of administration with a possibility of self-administration without any training, no requirement for reconstitution, and enhanced thermostability. Spike vaccine and the HD-MAP. (A) The HD-MAP relative and 27G needle. Temperature stability of dry-coated spike protein with various concentrations of human serum albumin (HSA) after seven days at the indicated temperatures (B) or with 0.25% HSA for the indicated temperatures and time (C). Data presented as mean with error bars representing SEM. (D)scanning electron microscope images of HD-MAPs either uncoated or coated with spike vaccine formulations, pre- and post-delivery into the skin of mice. White arrowheads indicate levels of vaccine removal post-delivery. (E) Delivery efficiency into the skin of mice of spike and spike + QS21-coated HD-MAPs. (F) HD-MAP delivery site on the flank of a mouse immediately after HD-MAP application and removal. The thermostable dry-coated spike protein is superior to other vaccine candidates currently available The dry-coated spike protein was thermostable for up to a week at 40C and a month at 25C. This, when translated to biophysical stability, represents a significant improvement over other vaccine candidates that have limited stability of 2-24 h at room temperature. This makes it easy to transport and deliver this new vaccine to patients, especially in resource-limited, low-to-middle-income countries. The delivery of spike protein via HD-MAP elicited higher cellular and antibody immune responses compared to other vaccines. The serum was able to potently neutralize clinically relevant isolates, including the ones from the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants. HD-MAP spike vaccines are stable, immunogenic, and protective against virus challenge in mice after a single dose. Single-dose of dry patch spike vaccine offers full protection from a fatal virus challenge A single dose of HD-MAP-delivered spike provided full protection from a fatal virus challenge, which shows that HD-MAP delivery of a COVID-19 vaccine is superior to traditional vaccination using a needle and syringe. Thus, it has the potential to impact the ongoing pandemic. The spike vaccine delivered using the HD-MAP platform induced robust neutralizing IgG and cellular immune response in mice. This finding is consistent with those of previous studies that utilized the HD-MAP platform and observed significant improvements in immunogenicity. Cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is an important component of patient recovery from COVID19 and in providing protection from viral variants. The inclusion of QS21 in this vaccine patch broadens the immune response and improves cell-mediated immunity. It also induced high levels of spike-specific T cells and enhanced the scale of RBD- and NTD10-specific antibodies. Overall, this data demonstrates that HD-MAP vaccination could offer enhanced cellular immune responses and an increase in IgG levels, which can limit the vaccine escape potential of emerging viral variants of concern. The authors concluded that their work is the first ever investigation of SARS-CoV-2 spike vaccination using a microarray patch. These findings represent a substantial improvement in many areas of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and offers a promising alternative to currently available vaccines that warrants further investigation in the context of human SARS-CoV-2 infection. *Important Notice bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. A strange thing sometimes happens when we listen to a spoken phrase again and again: It begins to sound like a song. This phenomenon, called the "speech-to-song illusion," can offer a window into how the mind operates and give insight into conditions that affect people's ability to communicate, like aphasia and aging people's decreased ability to recall words. Now, researchers from the University of Kansas have published a study in PLOS ONE examining if the speech-to-song illusion happens in adults who are 55 or older as powerfully as it does with younger people. The KU team recruited 199 participants electronically on Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a website used to conduct research in the field of psychology. The subjects listened to a sound file that exemplified the speech-to-song illusion, then completed surveys relating to three different studies. In the first study, we just played them the canonical stimulus made by the researcher that discovered this illusion -- if that can't create the illusion, then nothing can. Then we simply asked people, 'Did you experience the illusion or not?' There was no difference in the age of the number of people that said yes or no." Michael Vitevitch, Study Co-Author and Professor of Psychology, University of Kansas While the researchers hypothesized fewer older people would perceive the illusion than younger people, the study showed no difference due to age. While older and younger people perceived the speech-to-song illusion at the same rates, in the second study investigators sought to discover if older people experienced it less powerfully. "We thought maybe 'yes or no' was too coarse of a measurement, so let's try to use a five-point rating scale," Vitevitch said. "Maybe older adults would rate it as being a little bit more speech-like and younger adults will rate it as being more song-like and you'll see it on this five-point scale, maybe. But there was no difference in the numbers with the younger and older adults." In the third study, Vitevitch wanted to see if older adults perhaps experience the illusion more slowly than younger people. "We thought maybe it's not the strength of the illusion that's different but maybe it's when the illusion occurred," he said. "So, we did a final study and asked people to click a button on the screen when their perception shifted from speech to song -- we thought maybe older adults would need a few more repetitions for it to switch over. But we got the same number for both younger adults and older." Vitevitch's co-authors were KU undergraduate researchers Hollie Mullin, Evan Norkey and Anisha Kodwani, as well as Nichol Castro of the University of Buffalo. According to Vitevitch, the findings might translate to good news for older adults. "We have this common misconception that everything goes downhill cognitively as we age," said the KU researcher. "That's not the case. There are some things that do get worse with age, but there are some things that actually get better with age, and some things that stay consistent with age --in the case of this illusion, you're going to get equally suckered whether you're an older adult or a younger adult." In another aspect of the research, the investigators found people with musical training experienced the speech-to-song illusion at similar rates as people with no background in music. "There's a debate about whether musicians or musically trained people experienced the illusion more or less or sooner or more strongly," Vitevitch said. "We looked at it and there was really no difference there either. Musicians and non-musically trained people experience this at about the same rates and have the same sort of experience. The amount of musical training didn't matter. It was just amazingly consistent however we looked at it." Not everybody experiences the speech-to-song illusion. The study found about 73% of participants heard spoken words become song-like after several repetitions. But the ability to perceive it didn't correlate to age or musical training. A different type of surge may be on the way more than a year into the pandemic - a baby surge. The COVID-19 shutdown initially seemed to hit pause on pregnancy and birth rates, new research from one major hospital system suggests, but that trend is quickly reversing. Birth rates declined early on in the pandemic, but we expect a dramatic rebound soon." Molly Stout, MD, MSci, Study Lead Author and Maternal Fetal Medicine Director, Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital, Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan "We're already seeing signs of a summer baby surge." While infectious disease experts have been modelling COVID cases to project surge trends, Stout and her team have been doing the same for pregnancy trends. Using electronic health records for a cohort of pregnancies at Michigan Medicine, researchers were able to model pregnancy episodes and accurately project anticipated changes in pregnancy volumes over the last year during pandemic societal changes. Pregnancies at U-M gradually increased between 2017 and 2020, up from 4,100 pregnancies to 4,620 annually, according to the study in JAMA Network Open. But pregnancy volumes diverged from that pattern, decreasing by about 14 % between November, 2020 and spring of 2021 which the researchers associate with a conception window starting during the U.S. COVID shutdown in March, 2020. Experts point to multiple potential factors for the decline, including economic uncertainty, lack of child care or usual support systems, the impact on women in the workforce and postponement of reproductive and fertility care. Based on the same modelling system, authors now anticipate a birth surge. The hospital is planning for a 10-15 % increase in births over what would normally be expected in the summer and fall of 2021. While speculations of a COVID baby boom have previously been reported in the media, they were mostly speculative and not based on data, Stout says. "What we have shown here is that through modeling of pregnancies within a healthcare system we can project birth rate increases and decreases associated with major societal shifts," she says. "Major societal changes certainly seem to influence reproductive choices, population growth and fertility rates. Usually, we see the effects by modeling birth and death rates, only as the changes are occurring. With this methodology we can accurately project anticipated birth rates ahead of the actual changes." This has also been noted during other times in history, such as the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic, the Great Depression in 1929 and recession of 2008. Stout says the ability to predict upcoming birth trends through the Michigan team's modeling system can hopefully help health systems better plan for labor and delivery needs to provide the safest care for patients and their babies. "These projection techniques can inform planning for capacity, staffing needs and other downstream effects on the hospital system," she says. "But it can also be used in partnerships between hospitals and governmental groups to better understand population dynamics and help minimize the negative effects of a pandemic or any other major event on society." Scientific papers suggesting that smokers are less likely to fall ill with covid-19 are being discredited as links to the tobacco industry, reveals an investigation by The BMJ today. Journalists Stephane Horel and Ties Keyzer report on undisclosed financial links between certain scientific authors and the tobacco and e-cigarette industry in a number of covid research papers. In April 2020, two French studies (shared as preprints before formal peer review) suggested that nicotine might have a protective effect against covid-19 - dubbed the nicotine hypothesis. The stories made headlines worldwide and led to concern that decades of tobacco control could be undermined. It has since been roundly disproved that smoking protects against covid-19, and several studies show that smoking, when adjusted for age and sex, is associated with an increased chance of covid-19 related death. Horel and Keyzer point out that one of the study authors, Professor Jean-Pierre Changeux, has a history of receiving funding from the Council for Tobacco Research, whose purpose was to fund research that would cast doubt on the dangers of smoking and focus on the positive effects of nicotine. From 1995 to 1998, tobacco industry documents show that Changeuxs laboratory received $220,000 (155,000; 180,000) from the Council for Tobacco Research. Changeux assured The BMJ that he has not received any funding linked directly or indirectly with the tobacco industry since the 1990s. In late April 2020, Greek researcher, Konstantinos Farsalinos, was the first to publish the "nicotine hypothesis" formally in a journal, in an editorial in Toxicology Reports. The journals editor in chief, Aristidis Tsatsakis featured as a co-author, as did A Wallace Hayes, a member of Philip Morris Internationals scientific advisory board in 2013, who has served as a paid consultant to the tobacco company. Another co-author is Konstantinos Poulas, head of the Molecular Biology and Immunology Laboratory at the University of Patras, where Farsalinos is affiliated. The laboratory has received funding from Nobacco, the market leader in Greek e-cigarettes and the exclusive distributor of British American Tobaccos nicotine delivery systems since 2018. Neither Farsalinos nor Poulas has ever declared this Nobacco funding in their published scientific articles. Yet Horel and Keyzer show that two grants were attributed in 2018 by the Foundation for a Smoke Free World - a non-profit established by Philip Morris International in 2017 - to Patras Science Park. The grants, whose amounts are not disclosed on the foundations website, but tax documents show came close to 83,000, went to NOSMOKE, a university start-up incubator headed by Poulas, which markets an organic vaping product. Last month, the European Respiratory Journal retracted a paper co-written by Poulas and Farsalinos, among others, after two authors failed to disclose conflicts of interest. The retracted article had found that current smoking was not associated with adverse outcome in patients admitted to hospital with covid, and it claimed that smokers had a significantly lower risk of acquiring the virus. The foundation has invested heavily in the covid-19/nicotine hypothesis, say Horel and Keyzer. In June 2020 it set aside 900,000 for research to better understand the associations between smoking and/or nicotine use, and covid-19 infection and outcome. Its request stated that the pandemic offered both an opportunity and a challenge for individuals to quit smoking or transition to reduced risk nicotine products. They conclude: In 2021, amid a global lung disease pandemic, tobacco industry figures are increasingly pushing the narrative of nicotine as the solution to an addiction that they themselves created, with the aim of persuading policy makers to give them ample room to market their smoke-free products. This makes studies on the hypothetical virtues of nicotine most welcome indeed. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a protein found on the surface of lung cells, facilitates the entry of the novel coronavirus into host cells. While targeting ACE2 can be a potential treatment against COVID-19, there is still some ambiguity about how ACE2 works. To this end, researchers in UAE dug deeper into ACE2 and its role in COVID-19 infections, in a comprehensive review. Targeting the sub-cellular localization and trafficking pathways of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor protein ACE2 can help control its levels and thereby decrease the severity of infection. Photo courtesy: Shutterstock While the scientific community has made significant headway in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the race to find effective treatment strategies is still ongoing. For this, it is imperative to understand exactly how the virus attacks the human host cells. One way in which the virus enters lung cells is through interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a cell-surface protein. In this regard, ACE2 is a double-edged sword: it plays a vital role in controlling blood pressure, but by facilitating the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into host cells, it can impact the severity and infection rates of COVID-19. This has prompted ongoing research to focus on targeting ACE2 as a treatment strategy against COVID-19. However, various aspects of how ACE2 acts within cells and its regulatory mechanisms remain unexplored. Could taking a deep dive into these mechanisms help us uncover novel therapeutic targets? A team of researchers from the United Arab Emirates University decided to find out, in their review published in Human Genomics. Describing their motivation, corresponding author of the review Dr. Bassam R. Ali explains, To enter our cells, the coronavirus must unlock the padlock on the cell surface: the ACE2 receptor. This is why, any changes in the ACE2 receptor will likely alter viral entry. In our study, we aimed to expand our knowledge on ACE2 as well understand how its genetic variations can impact severity of infection across different individuals. The scientists started by explaining the basics: ACE2 is widely expressed across various tissues in the body, including lung cells, and has several isoforms (functionally similar structures) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (genetic variants due to a change in only one nucleotide of the DNA sequence) across populations. These genetic variants can alter host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 by either decreasing or enhancing the virus-receptor interaction. This could possibly explain the varied effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections in different groups of people. Further, the scientists explain that ACE2 gene is located on the X chromosome (one of the two sex chromosomes in mammals), and thus certain epigenetic mechanisms may be causing sex-biased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infections. The researchers go on to shed light on how the ACE2 protein moves within the cell. After synthesis, ACE2 undergoes folding and processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. It is also subjected to several modifications (called post-translational modifications) that aid its transport and function. It is then transported via vesicles into a structure called the Golgi apparatus for further processing. This process, collectively, is highly systematic and tightly regulated, with several molecules acting as ACE2-interacting partners. Further, ACE2 also undergoes shedding or proteolytic cleavage as a mechanism of regulating its expression. The researchers highlight that gaining insights into how ACE2 interacts with its regulatory molecules can uncover novel molecular targets for inhibition of ACE2 and, potentially, reduce the severity of infection. Overall, this study brings to light novel targets for controlling ACE2 expression and explains why individual responses to SARS-CoV-2 vary. Targeting these intricate pathways that regulate ACE2 functions can help us to control its expression and thus explore novel treatment options. Not just this, the team is confident that their findings can be used to understand other respiratory viruses that use ACE2 as an entry point for infections. Prof. Ali talks about the clinical applications of their study, Our findings explain the observed variability in the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections and their consequent adverse effects. Understanding the diverse effects of the ACE2 receptors genetic variants can help us identify novel ways to tackle the virus. When it comes to findings strategies against COVID-19, this study hasno doubtopened many doors. A nasal therapy, built upon on the application of a new engineered IgM antibody therapy for COVID-19, was more effective than commonly used IgG antibodies at neutralizing the COVID-19 virus in animal models, according to research recently published by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB Health), the University of Houston, and IGM Biosciences, Inc. The study was published today in Nature. Researchers engineered IgM antibodies and found that in all cases, these antibodies were significantly more potent than standard IgG antibodies in neutralizing the COVID-19 virus. One of the engineered IgM antibodies, IGM-6268, demonstrated a significantly increased potency against the original SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants such as the current U.K., South African, and Brazilian variants of concern (VOC) and variants of interest (VOI), as well as the antibody escape mutants for the current Emergency Use Authorization antibodies. Additionally, IGM-6268 was shown to be highly effective for prophylaxis and treatment in mouse models when administered intranasally. "High viral load in the respiratory tract correlates with severe illness and mortality in patients with COVID-19," said Zhiqiang An, PhD, director of UTHealth Texas Therapeutics Institute, professor and Robert A. Welch Distinguished University Chair in Chemistry at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, and faculty member at MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and one of the corresponding authors on the study. "Respiratory mucosal antibodies are key to clearing SARS-CoV-2 infection and reducing viral transmission and IgM antibodies are nature's first line of defense against pathogens such as viruses." The current government-approved antibodies, which are all IgG antibodies, are administered intravenously at high doses and don't directly target the main sites of viral infection. "SARS-CoV-2 has evolved mutations that severely compromise the neutralizing activities of multiple IgG monoclonal antibodies, including those under clinical trials and authorized for emergency use. Therefore, developing new antibody therapies that can overcome these challenges is an urgent unmet need, and we are pleased with the data published today," An said. Synergizing the strengths of multiple institutions from academia and industry is the key to the rapid translation from ideas to therapeutic candidates. This is another example of such success. The cross-institutional and academic-industry collaborations should be expanded to other disease indications." Pei-Yong Shi, PhD, Study Co-Senior Author and Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UTMB Health This antibody has been licensed to biotech partner IGM Biosciences for drug development. "The ability to use potently neutralizing IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 with broad coverage of VOCs, VOIs, and viral escape mutants, is a very exciting application of the IGM platform," said Fred Schwarzer, CEO of IGM Biosciences. "We are grateful to our collaborators at UTHealth, UTMB Health, and our scientists at IGM for the exceptional work described in Nature today." In the United Kingdom (UK), a key part of the Governments response strategy to COVID-19 was NHS Test and Trace (NHSTT). Anyone experiencing a fever, a new and persistent cough, or loss or change of smell or taste has to self-isolate and request a test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Close contacts of the person are then contacted and asked to self-isolate. Although this system is a valuable tool, it relies on high testing rates, high adherence to self-isolation, and successful contact tracing. A new study found that only about half the people correctly identified COVID-19 symptoms, and only about 18% requested a test. Uncertainty in interpreting symptoms may be a reason for not getting tested. In addition, there is a large proportion of people who are asymptomatic. Several universities in the UK started regular mass testing. However, even this requires high testing levels and sticking to self-isolation if the test result is positive. Concerns about the effect of self-isolation on mental health and its effect on others if one tests positive have been a barrier in high mass testing. Researchers from Kings College London and Public Health England studied how people engage with the NHSTT, in particular, how people recognize symptoms and get tested. They reported their results in a paper published on the medRxiv* preprint server. Recognizing symptoms The researchers interviewed 40 participants in England selected based on their age, gender, region, ethnicity, and where they lived. They included people who had experienced any symptoms in the week before the interview. The interview questions were open-ended to understand their perceptions of COVID-19 symptoms and testing. The participants, who were almost equally split between male and female, described what they thought about COVID-19 symptoms and how confident they felt attributing them to COVID-19 rather than to other illnesses. This led to a conversation about when to get a COVID-19 test, hurdles to getting tested, and their experiences getting tested. They also spoke about how testing impacted their daily lives and the impact when they thought people were not following guidelines. Based on the survey, the team found that participants generally had a good awareness of the three main symptoms listed by the UK government. They also pointed out other symptoms like sore throat and stomach complaints they had experienced or had heard about. There was some understanding that different people experience symptoms differently. Participants often feel unsure if the symptoms alone could indicate COVID-19, although this also varied depending on the symptoms. Most felt a loss of smell or taste was specific to COVID-19, while having a fever or a cough was difficult to attribute specifically to COVID-19. In general, most felt having more symptoms or more severe symptoms pointed to COVID-19. People also attributed symptoms to COVID-19 based on their risk or likelihood of being exposed to COVID-19. Getting tested Regarding testing for COVID-19, most knew that anybody experiencing symptoms was eligible to take the test, and most were sure about how they could access a test. Some participants mentioned they would get tested as soon as they had symptoms, but most said they would wait and see how the symptoms developed over a few days. Thus, getting tested depended not only on recognizing symptoms but also on symptom severity and their interpretation of symptoms. Hence, public communications on COVID-19 testing should highlight that even mild symptoms, a single symptom, and waiting to see how symptoms develop are risky behavior. Most participants said they would stay at home if they had symptoms. Some said if their symptoms were mild they would go out shopping for essentials or spend time outdoors taking all the proper precautions. All said they were frustrated by people who did not get tested or isolate themselves when needed. The findings revealed that people were generally confident of how to get tested via the NHSTT or via university if students. Most felt mass asymptomatic testing was a good idea, but there was hesitancy toward getting tested because of concerns that the test may be inaccurate or wasting resources that could be used for people who may need it more. It will be useful to provide reassurance on the importance of asymptomatic testing as they contribute to a large proportion of cases. Therefore, public communication should not only emphasize symptom recognition but also encourage those who are experiencing mild symptoms to seek a test regardless of whether they have been exposed or not. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread globally, infecting over 172 million people, and claiming the lives of more than 3.7 million individuals. During the past few months, new variants of concerns have emerged and come to the fore. There is known to be increased transmissibility with these variants and the possibility for evasion of the body's immunity. In addition, they threaten the effectiveness of vaccines designed to combat SARS-CoV-2. Now, the World Health Organization (WHO) has assigned simple and easy-to-say labels for key variants of SARS-CoV-2 using letters of the Greek alphabet. The health agency selected these labels after a thorough review of many potential naming systems. Image Credit: NIAID The WHO expert group recommended using letters of the Greek alphabet, which will be easier and more practical to discuss by non-medical audiences. Globally recognized health experts ensured the names can be used for the new variants, previously known as B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1 and the B.1.617.2. These labels are not intended to replace existing scientific names, but rather to allow people to pronounce them easily. To date, the variations were named after the places where they first appeared, which is both discriminatory and biased. "To avoid this and to simplify public communications, WHO encourages national authorities, media outlets, and others to adopt these new labels," the WHO emphasized. Simple labels According to the WHO website, the new terminology includes labels for both variants of concern and variants of interest. Variants of concern are SARS-CoV-2 variants that meet criteria and have been linked to one or more changes. These include increased transmissibility, increased virulence or chance in the clinical disease process, and a decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines and therapeutics. VOCs include the B.1.1.7 variant, which emerged in the United Kingdom; the B.1.351 variant, first reported in South Africa; the P.1 variant, which occurred in Brazil; and the most recent B.1.617.2 variant, which was found in India. As a result, B.1.1.7 is now going to be called Alpha, B.1.351 will be Beta, B.1.617.2 will be Gamma, and P.1 will become Delta. Meanwhile, the variants of interest (VOI) are those with genome mutations with established or suspected phenotypic implications. These include the B.1.427/B.1.429 variant, now called Epsilon, the P.2 variant now called Zeta, the B.1.525 variant now called Eta, the P.3 variant now called Theta, the B.1.526 variant now called Iota, and the B.1.617.1 variant called Kappa. SARS-CoV-2 mutation In order to adapt to changes in their environment, viruses undergo mutations over time. However, some changes may affect the characteristics, properties, and transmissibility of the virus. The associated severity may pose a global health threat. Also, the effectiveness of approved vaccines may decrease as viruses mutate. It is possible for new variants to evade the immune system and antibodies developed during natural infection or vaccination. Health officials across the globe have been monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants throughout the pandemic. In December 2020, the United Kingdom reported a new variant of concern spreading since September 2020, which spreads faster. "WHO and its international networks of experts are monitoring changes to the virus so that if significant mutations are identified, we can inform countries and the public about any changes needed to react to the variant and prevent its spread," the health agency noted. There are now systems working globally to detect emerging variants. By being prepared and monitoring the variants, we can mitigate the spread of the virus. Still, WHO emphasizes the importance of basic infection prevention measures, such as handwashing, avoiding contact with others, and wearing a facemask. This is proof that if we are ever to end the gun-violence epidemic, we are going to have to prioritize this issue above all else. Few issues are as important as this life-or-death issue and should be treated as such. When Florida voters go to the ballot box, BAWN will be there to educate voters about which legislators care about preventing the mass slaughter of Floridians in 2022 and as long as it takes thereafter to build a gun-sense majority in Tallahassee. The only thing more powerful than an assault weapon is a vote. Donna M. Seifried, 78, passed away on Friday, June 11, 2021, at her home surrounded by family. She was a receptionist at Price Waterhouse Coopers, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and a native of Salina, KS. She is survived by her husband William "Bill" Seifried of Jeffersonville, I Jeffersonville, IN (47130) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 91F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Clear skies. Low near 65F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams discusses the implementation of a needle exchange program and one-stop shop in Austin to combat the spread of HIV and other diseases such as Hepatitis A and B in this 2015 photo. Scott County commissioners voted Wednesday night to end the program. (Newser) Professional python hunters and amateurs alike have a chance to win prizes in Florida's annual hunt for the biggest snakesthe Burmese pythons that are ravaging the state's native species. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state's annual contest on Thursday: It will run from July 9 to July 18 and include prizes for both pros and novices. In both categories, there will be a $2,500 prize for catching the most pythons and $1,500 for the longest, the AP reports. The contest has been held every three years, per WKMG, but DeSantis now wants it to be yearly. story continues below The pythons, which can grow to 20 feet and 200 pounds, are descended from pets released starting five decades ago. The big serpents are overrunning the Everglades and have been devouring native mammal and bird populations. Each adult female lays between 60 and 100 eggs per year. Once the snakes reach adulthood, in about five years, they have no Florida predators besides armed humans and the occasional sawgrass death match with an adult alligator. Projects underway to help the effort include training a dog team to detect the pythons and creating infrared vehicle cameras to spot them, per WFTS. (The state announced a cumulative removal total last year.) (Newser) Belarus aired an interview with detained journalist Raman Pratasevich on state TV on Thursday, a video that included tears and a confession to opposing the government. Regime opponents criticized the video as being made under duress, Reuters reports. "His parents believe he was tortured. This is not Raman I know," one said, referring to the broadcast on Twitter as "Goebbels' TV." In the video, Pratasevich says he's speaking of his own accord. "I immediately admitted my guilt in organizing massive unauthorized actions," he says, while criticizing opposition leaders and abandoning his previous criticism of Belarus ruler Alexander Lukashenko. "When I became more involved in political topics, I began to understand that he was doing the right thing and I certainly respect him," Pratasevich said. story continues below Pratasevich helped start a messaging app that was used by Lukashenko's political foes. He was taken into custody when a Ryanair passenger jet was forced to land in Minsk last month. At the end of the video, Pratasevich says he wants to have "an ordinary, calm life, have a family, children, stop running away from something." The video then shows him weeping, per the AP. The government responded to US sanctions on Thursday, reducing the number of staff members allowed at the embassy in Minsk, per CNN. The Foreign Ministry did not announce the numbers involved. Ambassador Julie Fisher took office in December but is not in Belarus. Fisher will "continue to support the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people, and she'll continue to engage with them from outside of Belarus," a State Department spokesman said, adding that she's in touch with pro-democracy activists. (Read more Belarus stories.) (Newser) Electric cars, meet your competition. Electric boats are on the way. Amsterdam didn't have to look very far when searching for a way to ease traffic on its congested streets. The Dutch capital's canals were used for transport long before cars and trucks powered by polluting internal combustion engines began clogging its narrow roads. Already steeped in maritime history, the city's more than 60 miles of waterways are to start hosting prototypes of futuristic boatssmall, fully autonomous electric vesselsto carry out tasks including transporting passengers and picking up garbage. The Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are collaborating on the Roboat project that aims to develop new ways of navigating waterways without a human hand at the wheel, the AP reports. story continues below Stephan van Dijk of the Amsterdam institute said the technology is "very relevant in highly complex port operations, where you have a lot of vessels and a lot of ships and a lot of quays and piers. There you can really improve the safety with autonomous systems, but also make it more efficient and into a 24/7 operations approach." At a demonstration, one 13-foot-long electric boat sailed past a full-size replica of the 18th-century, three-mast trading ship Amsterdam, providing a snapshot of the city's nautical past and future. Next, it has to learn to negotiate traffic in the canals. The Roboats have propellers and four thrusters that are powered by an electric battery. They can go about 4mph and run for 12-24 hours. Steering is remote, by a computer that processes data from cameras and sensors that scan the areas around the vessel, detecting stationary and moving objects. Developers say they need two to four years to perfect the self-steering technology. (Read more Amsterdam stories.) (Newser) A government report on UFOs says officials have found no evidence of visitors from outer space, though most of the mysterious flying objects seen by Navy pilots remain unidentified, insiders say. Sources tell the New York Times that the classified report reaches few firm conclusions, but states that investigators have found that almost none of more than 120 incidents reported by pilots over the last 20 years were the result of advanced US military technology, and changes in wind speed during some of the encounters rules out weather balloons. Officials say the objects' ability to accelerate and submerge remains mysterious. One senior official tells the Times that military and intelligence officials suspect that Russia or China is experimenting with hypersonic technology. story continues below Officials conceded that the findings were so inconclusive that they "could not definitively rule out theories that the phenomena observed by military pilots might be alien spacecraft," the Times notes. An unclassified version of the report from the Pentagon and intelligence agencies is expected to be in Congress' hands by June 25. It will include a classified annex, and while officials say it contains no information on aliens, its existence is likely to lead to to speculation about extraterrestrial visitors. The Hill notes that Barack Obama discussed the issue with Late Late Show host James Corden last month. "The truth is that when I came into office, I asked. I was like, 'Alright, is there a lab somewhere where we're keeping the alien specimens and spaceship?" Obama said. "And they did a little bit of research, and the answer was no." (Read more UFOs stories.) The girls in the film didnt know if their mom was going to make it, as the effects of her illness were unknown. COVID-19 is similar; it keeps you completely clueless as to what might happen to your loved ones. At one point, my mom was being given 60 liters of 100% oxygen via a high-flow nasal cannula, one step away from going on a ventilator. She was fortunate enough to have the antiviral treatment Remdesivir work in her body at the 11th hour in order to start her long process of recovery. (Newser) Former VP Mike Pence on Thursday gave his most extensive thoughts yet on the Capitol riot, saying he and former president Donald Trump differ a bit in their feelings on what happened in DC January 6. Pence, during a speech at a Republican dinner in New Hampshire, said, "President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office. And I don't know if we'll ever see eye to eye on that day. But I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years." As the Hill reports, he called the riot "tragic," but also claimed Democrats have since used the attack to "distract our attention from a new administration intent on dividing our country to advance their radical agenda." story continues below Trump, of course, initially defended the "very special" rioters in a January 6 video in which he told them, among other things, "we love you." Pence, however, called the day "a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol" in his speech. He also called for the country to now "move forward, united." The AP notes that the speech comes as Pence is considering a 2024 presidential run, and media outlets including Newsweek notes that his appearance in the "crucial first-in-the-nation primary state" is ramping up speculation about what he'll ultimately decide. He got several standing ovations during the speech, including when he declared, "America is not a racist country." He also decried critical race theory, denied the existence of systemic racism, and said, "Black lives are not endangered by police. Black lives are saved by police every day." (Read more Mike Pence stories.) (Newser) The publisher of USA Today is fighting a very unusual subpoena from the FBI seeking information that could identify readers of a story about a shooting in Florida earlier this year. The subpoena served on Gannett in April orders the publisher to turn over Internet addresses and cellphone information for people who read the story online during a 35-minute window on Feb. 2, reports Politico, The story about a shooting that killed two FBI agents and wounded three others was published hours after the suspect, David Lee Huber, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with agents. The agents had been trying to serve a search warrant in connection with a child pornography case. story continues below The subpoena says it "relates to a federal criminal investigation" but does not explain the nature of the investigation or why the FBI wants to identify the readers. Lawyers for Gannett have filed a motion to quash the subpoena, arguing that it violates both the First Amendment and Justice Department's regulations for subpoenas to the press. "A government demand for records that would identify specific individuals who read specific expressive materials, like the Subpoena at issue here, invades the First Amendment rights of both publisher and reader, and must be quashed accordingly," lawyers for Gannett wrote. (Read more FBI stories.) (Newser) A violent Capitol rioter was identified with the help of a large "KING JAMES" tattoo across his stomach, federal authorities say. James Allen McGrew was arrested in Arizona last week on suspicion of storming the building on Jan. 6 and assaulting officers, the Arizona Republic reports. Authorities say police body camera footage from inside the Capitol shows McGrew revealing the tattoo as he lifts his shirt to wipe his face. The same tattoo appeared in a 2012 booking photo. According to a federal complaint, McGrew faces eight charges, including assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer, and obstruction of an official proceeding. Two tipsters reported McGrew to the FBI after the riot. story continues below According to the federal complaint, video shows McGrew screaming at officers and striking them, at one point trying to grab an officer's baton, as they tried to push rioters back inside the Capitol rotunda. Former federal prosecutor Lenese Herbert tells the Washington Post that authorities are trying to use numerous ways to identify rioters to build strong cases and counter misinformation about who was involved. "Theyre preparing for war. They want these cases as airtight as possible," Herbert says. "Theyre going to plop a huge, heavy folder on the desk and say, 'This is what we have.'" Earlier this week, authorities dropped a case against an alleged rioter for the first time. (Mike Pence addressed the riot in a speech Thursday.) (Newser) A 13-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the DC death of an Uber Eats driver who was killed during a carjacking in the spring. NBC Washington reports that the teen's accomplice, a 15-year-old girl, pleaded guilty last month to felony murder after the March 23 incident that left 66-year-old Mohammad Anwar, a Pakistani immigrant, dead. Prosecutors say on the day in question, the Maryland girls asked Anwar for a ride near the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station, only to pull a stun gun on him a few blocks later, near Nationals Park, and try to take control of his Honda Accord. Per 7News, a detective's testimony described a witness video of the carjacking that showed "one of the girls behind the wheel of the car with a Taser, the other girl in the passenger seat, and the driver wedged between the open driver's door, partly sitting on top of the girl behind the wheel." Cops say the 15-year-old then accelerated the car, with Anwar "hanging outside the car." story continues below The car slammed into other vehicles and a tree and flipped. Anwar, who an autopsy found suffered broken ribs, a shattered pelvis, and other serious injuries, died at a nearby hospital. In addition to murder charges, the teens were also initially hit with carjacking and armed robbery charges, though those charges were dropped as part of their plea deals, per the Washington Post. The girls were prosecuted as juveniles, meaning they won't see prison time. Instead, depending on their sentences, they'll likely end up at juvenile detention facilities, where they can only be held till they turn 21and may even get out earlier, if DC's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services deems them not dangerous to society. Meanwhile, a Good Morning America report in March asks a question that remains unanswered: "[Do] services like Uber Eats need to do more to protect drivers?" The 13-year-old is set to be sentenced in July, while the 15-year-old may hear her fate this week. (Read more carjacking stories.) (Newser) Police arrested an organizer of Hong Kong's annual candlelight vigil remembering the deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown and warned people not to attend the banned event Friday as authorities mute China's last pro-democracy voices. In past years, tens of thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong's Victoria Park to honor the victims who died when Chinas military put down student-led pro-democracy protests on June 4, 1989, killing hundreds if not thousands. Chinas ruling Communist Party has never allowed public events marking the militarys attack on protesters and citizens, and security was increased in the Beijing square Friday, the AP reports. Efforts to suppress public memory of the Tiananmen events have lately turned to Hong Kong, where the June 4 Museum was closed this week and police again Friday warned residents not to attend the vigil. story continues below Law Kwok-hoi, senior superintendent of the Hong Kong police force, reminded residents the event was banned. Taking part in an illegal gathering has a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment. Chow Hang Tung, vice chair of the Hong Kong Alliance was arrested Friday morning, according to the group which organized the vigil and ran the June 4 Museum dedicated to remembering Tiananmen. After the ban was issued, Chow urged people to commemorate the event privately by lighting a candle wherever they are. RTHK reports that despite an extremely heavy police around Victoria Park, hundreds of people defied the ban to light candles on the outskirts of the park. Other shouted pro-democracy slogans in nearby streets. (Read more Hong Kong stories.) (Newser) A 21-year-old Indiana man is now in custody after police say he brutally murdered a woman and three children, who were found dead in their home on Wednesday. Officers arriving at the Fort Wayne home shortly before 11am were met by a man and woman yelling, "He killed them, they're dead," reports WANE. They then found the bodies of three children facedown on a bed. Their mother, who was also deceased, was kneeling beside the bed. All four had "significant injuries to their necks," according to a probable cause affidavit. Autopsies showed the children5-year-old Carter Mathew Zent, 3-year-old Ashton Duwayne Zent, and 2-year-old Aubree Christine Zentdied of multiple stab wounds, while their motherSarah Nicole Zent, 26died of multiple stab wounds and strangulation. Cohen Hancz-Barron allegedly murdered the group before dawn. story continues below Zent had allowed Hancz-Barron, a former boyfriend, to stay with her, but was planning to have him leave, a family rep tells WPTA. A warrant for his arrest was issued in April after he escaped a rehab center where he was to serve the remainder of a six-year sentence for robbery, per the Lafayette Journal & Courier. Surveillance video shows lights on in Zent's home beginning after 4am, then a pickup truck driving away. The truck's owner said Sarah Zent had permission to use it but Hancz-Barron did not; he allegedly drove it to his mother's house. His mother told police that her son was "talking and acting crazy" when he showed up around 6:15am, claiming he'd been shot and asking for money and duct tape, per WANE. He was arrested around 5:15pm at a Lafayette apartment, where he was found with scratches and a blood-stained knife, police say. He's being held without bail. (Read more murder stories.) (Newser) With more than 90% of Utah classed as in "extreme drought," Gov. Spencer Cox is asking for divine intervention. In a video posted on Twitter Thursday, the Republican asked all Utahns, regardless of faith, to join together in a "weekend of humble prayer for rain," CNN reports. "By praying collaboratively and collectively, asking God or whatever higher power you believe in, for more rain, we may be able to escape the deadliest aspects of the continuing drought," said Cox, who has issued two executive orders this year declaring a drought emergency, per the Deseret News. According to federal authorities, some 36.5% of the US is drought, with Utah one of the states most affected. story continues below Cox warned last month that Utah was heading into one of the worst droughts, and possibly the worst fire season, it has ever seen. The US Drought Monitor says 90.2% of Utah is in extreme drought and 97.9% of the state is in severe drought conditions. Faith leaders in the state say they will answer Cox's call to prayer, though others say they wish the governor would introduce policy changes as well, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. "There's nothing wrong with prayer, but it shouldnt blind us to what we have to do on this Earth," said Zachary Frankel, executive director of the Utah Rivers Council. "And the state leaders have been blind to what we need to do in the water sector for decades." (Read more Utah stories.) (Newser) Members of the Passamaquoddy tribe frequented Maine's Pine Island (Kuwesuwi Monihq) for millennia before the arrival of white settlers, who brought deadly diseases. Graves of tribal members who died of smallpox remain on the island, but prior to March, they hadn't been visited by members in more than 160 years. That's because the island in Maine's Big Lakegiven to the tribe through a 1794 treaty with the state of Massachusetts, in honor of their contributions to the Revolutionary Warwas soon taken over by logging companies. Once Maine split from Massachusetts in 1820, the island's name was changed to White's Island. Since that name wasn't the one stated in the treaty, the requirement it not be sold was essentially voided, per the Boston Globe. "The land was stolen from us and it's been every chief's goal ever since to return it," William Nicholas, chief of the the Passamaquoddys Indian Township reservation, tells the Guardian. With help, Nicholas has now achieved that aim. story continues below Last July, Nicholas spotted a for-sale ad for the island, which had been owned by one man for 35 years. The tribe sought the help of the First Light collective, which works to connect native tribes with their ancestral lands. Member group the Nature Conservancy then offered the Passamaquoddy a grant equal to the purchase price. The tribe ultimately paid $355,000 to buy 143 acres in March, leaving a small section of island owned by Downeast Lakes Trust, a conservation-focused nonprofit. "I know that something significant, hugely, is back to our people and that sits good with me," Nicholas tells the Globe, noting the land will be used for fishing, camping, ceremonies, and teaching the next generation "about living in harmony and stewardship." (Read more Native Americans stories.) (Newser) Dr. Anthony Fauci has talked about his friction with former President Trump and how Trump's supporters harassed him and his family as a result. Things may be about to get much worse on those fronts for the doctor, even with COVID on the wane. Axios reports that Trump intends to make Fauci one of his main targetson par with Hillary Clintonat his upcoming rallies. Related coverage: Trump ripped into Fauci in emailed statements Thursday, reports the New York Post. "The correspondence between Dr. Fauci and China speaks too loudly for anyone to ignore," he wrote, referencing newly published emails showing that Fauci stayed in contact throughout the pandemic with a top Chinese scientist. "China should pay Ten Trillion Dollars to America, and the World, for the death and destruction they have caused!" added Trump. There are a lot of questions that must be answered by Dr. Fauci," wrote the former president. "The funding of Wuhan by the U.S. was foolishly started by the Obama Administration in 2014 but ended under the Trump Administration. When I heard about it, I said no way. What did Dr. Fauci know about gain of function research, and when did he know it?" As Yahoo News explains, that type of research is when a lab makes a virus more dangerous to study it. story continues below Fauci also is taking a serious drubbing on Fox News, with Tucker Carlson calling for a criminal investigation of him and Sean Hannity trumpeting a graphic about "the FALL of FAUCI," per Axios. This is over the renewed questions about whether COVID originated in a lab in China. Fauci has been pilloried on the right throughout the pandemic, but Politico notes that the newly released emails have led to attacks against him on a whole new level. The White House on Friday called Fauci an "undeniable asset," though a spokesperson said they would let Fauci speak for himself. President Biden, for his part, declared that he was "very confident" in the doctor, per the Hill. Meanwhile, Fauci is publicly calling on China to release the medical records of Wuhan lab researchers to help shed light on the controversy about COVID's origins, reports the Hill. I would like to see the medical records of the three people who are reported to have got sick in 2019, Fauci told the Financial Times (subscription). "Did they really get sick, and if so, what did they get sick with?" He also wants China to release the records of miners who were sickened years ago after entering a bat cave. (Read more Donald Trump stories.) (Newser) The head of the CDC made a plea to parents of teens this week, imploring them to get their kids vaccinated against COVID and citing a study showing increased hospitalization rates of adolescents. "I am deeply concerned," Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday, the same day new research showed the bump in hospitalization numbers among kids ages 12 to 17 this spring, per the Washington Post. After numbers fell in January and February, "weekly population-based rates of COVID-19associated hospitalization among adolescents increased during March and April," the CDC notes, while those 65 and over saw stabilized ratesprobably because that latter demographic is getting vaccinated at a higher rate. Walensky said she was "saddened" that, of the 204 kids hospitalized for COVID from Jan. 1 to March 31, 31.4% went to the ICU, while about 5% needed invasive mechanical ventilation. story continues below Researchers theorize the jump in hospitalization rates may be tied to variants, more kids back in school, and alterations in health measures like wearing masks and social distancing. Walensky also addressed another angle regarding the vaccine during a conversation with Gayle King on CBS This Morning, per CBS. King asked Walensky to debunk a claim being made on TikTok that people who get the vaccine are being implanted with microchips. "You put [a] coin on your arm," King said. "If it stays there, it means there's a chip in your arm. ... Can you just put that to rest and say how ridiculous it is?" Walensky was happy to oblige, echoing the word "ridiculous" and noting, "What we're being injected with is this incredible scientific breakthrough that keeps us safe and is effective against something that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans over the last 15 months." (Read more vaccination stories.) The amendment was also ridiculously bundled with an unrelated issue about the retirement age of judges. So we had thumbs-down recommendations from the Young Republicans of Tampa Bay and Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida. From the lefties at the ACLU to the righties at Florida TaxWatch. (With the Libertarian Party of Florida thrown in for good measure.) Practically everyone said this was a bad idea. (Newser) France is ready to welcome back foreign tourists, the government announced Friday, provided they follow a few color-coded rules. Vaccinated visitors from Europe can arrive starting Wednesday, France 24 reports. So can travelers from the the orange-rated US and much of the rest of the world, who won't have to quarantine but will have to show negative PCR or antigen test results from the previous few days. It gets more complicated for people coming from nations on the "red list"made up of 16 countries battling surges or virus variants, including India, South Africa, and Brazil; they'll have to provide a good reason for their trip and follow certain conditions. Vaccinated visitors won't be tested if they're from Europe and seven "green" nations: Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and Singapore. story continues below The reopening comes not a moment too soon for Linda Zenou, a tour guide who had her last customers at the Palace of Versailles in February 2020. Her unemployment benefits ran out in May, per the AP, and it's been a frustrating wait. "Every day there are announcements that the Americans'Whoopee!' et cetera are coming back, she said. For Americans, visiting other EU nations isn't getting easier yet. The European Council made changes in its list of "safe" countries on Thursday but didn't add the US, per the Washington Post. So Americans who go on to other places in Europe from France could still face quarantine or tests. Recovery will take years for the million-worker tourism business in France. A tourism official said the hope is that Americans have saved money during the shutdown and will be eager to to vacation. (Read more France stories.) (Newser) Washington and Lee University in Virginia is keeping its name intact. The school announced Friday that it won't drop "Lee," an homage to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, a former school president, reports the Richmond Times Dispatch. The Lexington university had been studying the issue for about a year, and its board of trustees voted 22-6 in favor of keeping the name as is. Faculty previously voted overwhelmingly in favor of ditching Lee, who took over as school president after the Civil War and served in that role for five years until his death. At that point, the school changed its name from Washington Universitynamed after the first presidentto Washington and Lee. The latter was buried in a campus chapel. story continues below Though it passed on the name change, the school pledged $225 million in initiatives to promote diversity on campus, reports the AP. It also plans to tweak the names of some campus buildings such as Lee Chapel. The board of trustees said it "repudiated racial injustice in any form and expressed regret for the Universitys past veneration of the Confederacy and the fact that the university itself owned human beings and benefited from their forced labor and sale." It pledged a commitment to "rigorous and nuanced explorations of W&L's history with humility and honesty." (Read more Washington and Lee University stories.) Good Morning Britain's ratings plummeted more than three quarters following broadcaster Piers Morgan's walk out. The ITV breakfast show hit a record high 1.9 million viewers the day before the controversial 56-year-old broadcaster quit in March, but this week plunged to a low of just 451,000 viewers, according to multiple UK reports. Morgan is infamous for being outspoken about his opinions and furiously ranting about younger women such as Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Naomi Osaka, pop group Little Mix and Emily Ratajkowski. In recent years, Meghan Markle has been a primary target of his rhetoric and he left Good Morning Britain (GMB) after refusing to apologise for calling her a liar over her claims of suffering racism and suicidal thoughts. Oxfam says at the current rate of vaccination, it will take nearly six decades to get everyone in the world protected against COVID-19. And the charity is accusing the Government of stockpiling far more doses than it needs, putting not just poorer nations at risk, but Kiwis too. But the Government says the vaccines might be needed, and it has been making donations to our Pacific neighbours. Oxfam has repeatedly called for patents on vaccines to be waived so poorer nations aren't reliant on charity from the wealthy or the goodwill of pharmaceutical companies. Despite criticism that our rollout has been too slow, New Zealand has been among the nations donating jabs - mostly through the international COVAX initiative, a joint effort involving the World Health Organization, and the public-private Gavi Vaccine Alliance. But Oxfam says COVAX has "delivered less than a third of the doses it promised to by the end of May" and likely to reach just 10 percent of people living in the developing world by the end of 2021. "The sad fact is developing countries cannot depend on COVAX or the good will of the pharma industry to save the lives of their people," said Oxfam health policy manager Anna Marriott. People in G7 nations - the world's richest seven countries - were 77 times more likely to be offered a vaccine in May, and at the current rate will have completed their vaccine rollouts by January 8, 2022. The developing world isn't on track to finish theirs until 2078. But another former partner of his has since come forward alleging he created a fake profile using her name too, in an effort to lure men into sending illicit images. Bezzant did not respond to Newshub's request for comment on this allegation. Asked about the scandal at a press conference on Friday afternoon, Collins said the allegations amounted to "one of the most disgraceful things I've ever seen in politics". "I'm just so pleased he's not an MP," she told reporters, adding that she'd first been told about it on Tuesday evening. "People can see I'm very concerned about what he did I had no idea what he was actually doing and what sort of a clearly fantasist, possibly sociopath he is." Collins said it's clear from a National Party culture review that its candidate selection process needs to be changed. "The whole selection process needs to be looked at We shouldn't just rely on referees that people give us when looking at candidates, we should look further. People never give you the referees they don't want you to ring. A search and rescue operation to find five missing fishermen who jumped from their boat after an alleged beheading off Fiji is in its final day. Bad weather has hampered the search for the remaining crew of the Chinese-owned, Fiji-flagged tuna longliner FV Tiro II - which sank on Friday. Fiji's navy says three of the crew are accounted for after they were picked up by a Fijian patrol boat later that night. The Fiji Navy commander, Captain Humphrey Tawake says he's not optimistic about the men being found alive - despite improvements in the weather. "It has improved slightly, but during the initial days of search it was really, really bad. But we gave it our best shot." Killer drones deciding on their own who lives and who dies might sound like a sci-fi dystopia, but it is already happening. A recent UN report says militia in Libya, fighting against the internationally recognised government in Tripoli, were "hunted down and remotely engaged" by drones during a battle in March last year. While drone warfare dates back to the 1990s, they've always been controlled afar by human beings. The difference in the Libyan incident is that the Turkish-made drones "were programmed to attack targets without requiring data connectivity between the operator and the munition". In other words they weren't being controlled by people, "a true 'fire, forget and find' capability". The drone attack was mentioned in a 548-page report written by the UN's Panel of Experts on Libya, released in March. It went unnoticed until earlier this week, when New Scientist picked up on the intriguing detail. It's not clear from the report whether anyone was actually killed by the truly autonomous drones, which were definitely used to jam enemy communications and prevent them from using their own drones. "The unmanned combat aerial vehicles and the small drone intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability of HAF were neutralised by electronic jamming from the Koral electronic warfare system," the report said, referring to Turkish jamming technology that's also reportedly been deployed with great success in Syria. According to a video showing off its capabilities, the only input a human has into the Kargu-2 drone's operations is punching in its coordinates. "The drone will travel to those coordinates, identify likely 'targets', and execute a dive maneuver, swooping down on the target and blowing itself up as it detonates a shotgun-like explosive package," Popular Mechanics reported, summarising the video. Shamokin, PA (17872) Today Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or contributing today. The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. 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All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer. The fact that he committed another separate crime after he was indicted, thats the kind of thing thats so unusual. Its such an odd thing, that very few criminals do that, Cotter said. And thats the sort of thing that prosecutors would say you have to give him more punishment. He not only abused the public trust while he was in office. He went out and did it again. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, yesterday held a series of discussions with the representatives of various nations on enhancing bilateral and trade ties on the sidelines of his participation in the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russia. During talks with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, Dr Al Zayani stressed Bahrains keenness to consolidate bilateral ties and advance them to more areas of mutual interest. Dr Zayani also praised the recent visit of the President of the Republic of Serbia to Bahrain and the successful visit of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian and Youth Affairs, to Serbia last April. Enhancing bilateral ties were also the focus of the talks with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov. They also discussed developments in the Middle East region, political and security challenges, and ways to end the regional conflicts and reinstate permanent comprehensive peace. The Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, stressed the importance of exchanging visits between officials of the two countries to enhance friendship and bilateral cooperation. The minister then held discussions with the Chairman of the Presidium of the Russian Association for International Cooperation and First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship, Sergey Kalashnikov, and Secretary-General of the Association, Vladimir Polozkov. Dr Al Zayani highlighted the close relations between Bahrain and the Russian Federation and expressed his keenness to develop economic, industrial, and commercial cooperation. They also exchanged views on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation. Dr Al Zayani also held separate meetings with the Minister of Economy of United Arab Emirates, Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, President of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Dr Anatoly Vasilyevich Torkunov, and Advisor to the Russian President and Secretary-General of the Organizing Committee of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Anton Kobyakov. The Ambassador of Bahrain to Moscow, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Saati, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Talal Abdul Salam Al Ansari, Ahmed Abdulrahman Al-Saati, the CEO of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, Khaled Amr Al-Rumaihi, CEO of the Economic Development Board, and several ministrys officials were present during the meetings AP | New Delhi The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com India reported another 132,364 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, a declining trend with recoveries exceeding new cases this week, and prompting several state governments to ease some of the restrictions, reported AP. The latest update from the Health Ministry on Friday raised the nations total to more than 28.6 million, the second-highest in the world after the United States. The ministry said 2,713 more people died in the past 24 hours, driving the overall toll to 340,702. The ministry also said Indias recovery rate has neared 93.80% after 207,071 people recovered Thursday, exceeding the number of newly infected. Cases have also sharply dropped in New Delhi. On Friday, it recorded 487 new infections, the lowest in more than two months. There are less than 9.000 active cases in the capital now. The decline in daily confirmed infections has prompted state governments, like New Delhi and Maharashtra, to announce measures to exit lockdowns. The western state of Maharashtra, home to financial hub Mumbai, is planning to lift most restrictions across half of its districts this month, officials said. New Delhi has already reopened manufacturing and construction activity. Much of the country is still under some form of a shutdown, with many industries and businesses unable to resume work. Schools and most businesses remain closed. Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Narendra Modis government to speed up vaccinations. India has administered just over 220 million jabs so far and less than 5% of the country has been fully vaccinated. Buchanan County ranks among the lowest counties in the state when it comes to the percentage of the population initiating vaccinations for COVID-19. According to the Missouri DHSS COVID-19 vaccine dashboard, 20.2% of Buchanan County residents have initiated vaccinations, compared to a statewide number of 42%. Earlier this week, News-Press NOW reported that Northwest Missouris Livingston County is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated individuals. The Associated Press also reported that Linn County was seeing a sharp increase in cases. Officials there said they have seen evidence of new and more dangerous variants of the virus. Connie Werner, St. Joseph Health Department clinic supervisor, said this is something officials are worried about happening in Buchanan County with vaccination numbers remaining low. It certainly would not surprise us to have increased cases because the COVID-19 disease itself doesnt care about the fact that its been a year and a half and were all tired, Werner said. Werner said officials have seen a relatively steady amount of cases locally, although a couple of weeks ago numbers showed evidence of a potential spike. She said the health department has continued to keep track of trends and numbers. Do not take it for granted at all that our numbers are going to stay low, Werner said. If we see an increase in cases all we can continue to do is to educate and get that information out. Werner said COVID-19 is very much still in the community and her best advice for staying safe is to get vaccinated. There is one more first-dose vaccination clinic from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, at the Civic Arena, and registration is still available at https://signup.com/go/tNdgirq. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A fatal wreck has closed Rangeline road south of east Carter School Rd just after 7:42 p.m. Boone County Fire District's Gale Blomenkamp reports the crash is a one vehicle rollover. Boone County Joint Communications reports drivers to use caution and avoid area if possible. Stay with ABC 17 News for the latest on the crash. The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is reporting 17 new COVID-19 cases. There are currently 53 active cases in the county, a nine case increase from Thursday. The county now has a reported total number of COVID-19 cases of 18,575. The county has reported the total number of cases removed from isolation is 18,406. The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services dashboard has reported the latest five-day average as 5.6. The health department is reporting the total number of hospitalizations in Boone County is 28. The health department is reporting five Boone County residents are in the hospital due to the coronavirus. The dashboard is showing 17 COVID-19 patients in the ICU and seven patients on a ventilator. The State of Missouri coronavirus vaccine dashboard is reporting that 87,525 residents have received their first dose in Boone County and 75,058 Boone County residents have completed their vaccine doses. Boone County has the largest percentage of people in Mid-Missouri that have received at least one dose of the vaccine with 48.5%. The second closest in the state is St. Louis County with 46.1%. Boone County is first in the state with a reported 41.6% of residents that have completed their coronavirus vaccine doses. St. Charles County is second in the state with 38.1% of residents have completed the doses for vaccination. Cole County has the second-highest first vaccination rate in Mid-Missouri with 38.8%. Montgomery County is third with 34.7%. White House issues Missouri State profile report shows positive signs The latest White House state profile shows that coronavirus cases in the state of Missouri steady. Last week Missouri's health department reported more than 3,209 new cases, which is up nine percent from the previous week. The report indicates 76 residents died from the coronavirus, a 533% increase from the previous week. Nearly 42% of Missouri residents have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine and over 34% are considered fully vaccinated. Cooper and Howard County has are currently in the red zone for community transmission. The red zone indicates a high transmission area. Cole and Camden Counties remain in the orange zone. Boone and all the other mid-Missouri counties are currently in the yellow/moderate transmission zones. MONITEAU COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Moniteau County sheriff's deputy has been put on probation and disciplined after responding to a citizen in an unprofessional manner. On May 27 at approximately 1:30 a.m., the sheriff's office says a man pulled into the office parking lot and asked the deputy about the speed limits in the city of California. The deputy then replied with profane language and reportedly walked into his office. According to a Facebook post from Moniteau County Sheriff Tony Wheatley, the deputy self-reported the incident to the sheriff who opened an investigation with the body camera footage. According to other deputies inside the department, the man who was involved had been following deputies around California, recording their stops and following them into businesses. Wheatley said the individual involved did not file a complaint against the deputy. The sheriff's office closed the investigation on Tuesday and the deputy was placed on probation and placed under disciplinary actions. Lets hope that St. Josephs plunge into the world of electric scooters goes better than the ill-fated bicycle share experience from a few years ago. The Pony Express Ride Share program was launched in the optimistic hope that free, public-use bicycles would drag St. Joseph into the realm of hip, progressive cities. In a few years, the fleet was whittled from 40 bikes to zero from wear-and-tear or theft. While there are some differences, it should provide a cautionary tale as St. Joseph considers regulations that would allow dockless electric scooters in St. Joseph. Theres nothing wrong with a company in this case, a fairly new entity called Bird spending its own money to offer this service in St. Joseph. There are some differences from the bike share program, notably a nominal fee and GPS tracking. Both features could serve as a deterrent to theft. And yet the city of Windsor, Ontario, recently paused its scooter program due to what was described as a disheartening increase in thefts. This was despite what Bird Canada officials described as a pointless crime because the GPS locks the wheels for nonpaying customers, making the scooters useless. Closer to home, Columbia, Missouri, is bringing back Bird scooters after a hiatus. KMIZ-TV reported that some downtown business owners expressed concerns about the lack of speed restrictions and the way scooters were parked in front of businesses or in the middle of sidewalks, creating obstacles for customers and restricting access for those with disabilities. A lot of our businesses were concerned that they are being left right in front, one business owner told the Columbia station, at the same time, we know we want to be a progressive city. None of this means St. Joseph shouldnt open the doors to Bird. Taking one of these scooters for a spin seems fun, convenient and environmentally responsible. Its just that St. Joseph city officials tend to be easily flattered in their desire to be known as a progressive city. We saw this with the bike share program and it was certainly apparent when the council approved a $25,000 monthly agreement with ASM Global for consulting on the proposed Krug Park redevelopment. As one of the largest events management companies in the world, ASM should have known that Krug wasnt suited for major shows with 20,000 fans. Like ASM, Bird is a company with big ambitions. Founded by a former Uber and Lyft executive, Bird is merging with a special purpose acquisition company. The deal brings hope of a public offering and $428 million in cash for operations and growth. Should some of that growth occur in St. Joseph? Why not? The city, however, should take off the rose-colored glasses and try to head off as many bumps in the road as possible. The Catholic Conference sent a letter May 12 to DeSantis requesting that he veto the funding. In addition to sending the letter, Florida Catholic Conference Associate Director for Social Concerns & Respect Life Ingrid Delgado said the conference sent an alert to members asking that they write to the governor to request a veto, and more than 2,000 letters were sent. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The California Senate on Thursday rejected a bill aimed at making it easier for health care employees to have hospitals pay their medical bills related to COVID-19 and other diseases that may have been contracted on the job a move business groups said would have cost them too much money. Companies pay their workers' medical bills if they get sick or injured while on the job. In some cases, workers must prove their injury or illness is work-related to get the benefits. Last year, the California Legislature passed a law that assumed COVID-19 was work-related, shifting the burden to employers to prove it wasn't. That law is scheduled to expire in 2023. A bill by Sen. Dave Cortese, a Democrat from San Jose, would have made it permanent. It would have also added other presumptions to the workers' compensation law for hospital workers, including cancer under some circumstances, post traumatic stress disorder, certain respiratory diseases and muscle or ligament injuries. The bill had to pass the Senate by Friday to have a chance at becoming law this year. But it fell short on Thursday before the Senate adjourned for the week. Lawmakers are not meeting Friday. Cortese on Thursday agreed to change the bill to remove respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But it wasn't enough to get the bill passed. Cortese said his goal was to give hospital workers, of whom he says 90% are women, the same protections as other medical professions, including emergency medical technicians. It really comes down to equal work, equal compensation, he said. Business groups, led by the California Chamber of Commerce, opposed the bill, labeling it a job killer. Such a drastic shift in the law will create an astronomical financial burden on healthcare employers and the system, creating an appreciable pact on the cost of healthcare at a time when we are trying to make healthcare more affordable, Ashley Hoffman, policy advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a letter to lawmakers that was signed by 35 other groups. The bill is part of a broader discussion in California about which coronavirus modifications should continue. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will lift most of the state's coronavirus rules on June 15. The state Senate passed a bill earlier this week that would let restaurants continue to serve alcohol outside. The state Assembly passed a bill that would require local governments to keep letting people comment during their meetings by telephone or the internet. Both bills still must pass the other legislative chamber and be signed by the governor before becoming law. BOULDER, Colo. (AP) When a man who fled to Mexico after being suspected in the disappearance of a Colorado woman in 2018 returned to the United States, he seemed almost relieved to learn that he was wanted for a sexual assault and would likely be extradited to Colorado, according to a grand jury indictment announced Friday. Thats it? ... Just sexual assault? ... Sweet (claps) lets get this over and done with so I can get my bond, get it posted," Juan Jose Figueroa said, according to the indictment. However, authorities viewed Figueroas prosecution in the 2017 sexual assault of another woman he met at a bar in Longmont as a stepping stone to eventually holding him accountable for the disappearance and presumed death of Rita Gutierrez-Garcia months later. The first grand jury convened in Boulder since the coronavirus pandemic began charged Figueroa on Friday with murder and kidnapping in Gutierrez-Garcias death, relying in part on statements he allegedly made about the killing that were captured on a wiretap in the prison where he is serving a 93-year-to-life sentence in the 2017 sexual assault case. Grand jurors, who convened in court in evenings starting in April wearing masks and practicing social distancing, also had the power to force witnesses to appear before them to offer testimony, unlike investigators, Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty said at news conference announcing the charges. Online court records show Figueroa is being represented by public defenders, who do not comment on cases to the media. It's not known when he will be able to appear in court, given restrictions on the movements of prisoners between state prisons and county jails because of COVD-19, Dougherty said. He was joined outside court by police and Guitierrez-Garcias mother, Diane Romero, and her two sisters. Her three sons stayed inside the building as the news was announced. Romero called it a day that was both heartbreaking and joyous. I have been praying for this day, so God has given this to me, she said. It took so long to bring charges against Figueroa partly because Gutierrez-Garcias body has not been found, Dougherty said. In one of the wiretapped conversations, Figueroa allegedly said that he had buried her body and the only way to find it would be if police inserted a probe into his brain, according to the indictment. Investigators and her family did not believe Guitierrez-Garcia, who was a month away from finishing her education to become a paralegal, ran away. But authorities still spent a lot of time working to prove that she was not alive, monitoring her social media and financial accounts. All have been inactive since her disappearance after going out with friends and cousins to celebrate St. Patricks Day in 2018, according to the indictment. Guitierrez-Garcias sister, Jessica Reyes, thanked prosecutors and Longmont Police Detective Cody Clark for their work on the case. She urged people not to forget her sister. Remember her more than anything and not as a victim, but she will be victorious. She is not going to be a victim, Reyes said. FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) How can governments keep multinational companies from avoiding taxes by shifting their profits to low-tax countries? For nearly a decade, nations have grappled with that question, seeking to deter companies from legally avoiding tax by resorting to so-called tax havens typically small countries that entice companies with low or zero taxes, even though the firms do little actual business there. International discussions over the issue gathered momentum after U.S. President Joe Biden proposed a global minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15% and possibly higher. The proposal has found support among other major economies such as France and Germany and has raised the prospect that a new approach to international taxation might be reached this year. That, at least, is the goal set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, which is overseeing talks among more than 140 countries. A possible endorsement of the minimum tax idea at the Group of Seven finance ministers' meeting Friday and Saturday in London could add to momentum toward a deal. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has asserted that that a global minimum would end a destructive race to the bottom in international taxation. According to the London-based Tax Justice Network advocacy group, governments lose $245 billion annually to tax havens. If that money were instead available to governments, they could use it for, among other things, managing their heavy costs for pandemic relief. Here are some key questions: ___ WHAT IS A GLOBAL MINIMUM CORPORATE TAX? With a global minimum, countries would change their tax laws so that if one of their companies enjoys profits that go untaxed or lightly taxed offshore, that company would face additional tax at home to bring its rate up to the minimum. That is, the headquarters country would raise the tax rate for offshore income until it reached the minimum. Doing so would put a floor under corporate taxation worldwide. It would remove the incentive for companies to shift profits to low-tax countries, so the thinking goes, because if those companies escaped tax abroad, they would have to pay it at home anyway. An agreed global minimum would also weaken the motivation for countries to enact low tax rates to attract companies in the first place. At home, Biden has proposed raising the U.S. tax rate on companies' foreign earnings to 21%. This would mark an increase from legislation passed under his predecessor Donald Trump, which was 10.5%-13.125% percent. Critics argued that that rate, coupled with exemptions, allowed corporations to minimize taxes on their foreign earnings. Even if the U.S. rate winds up above the global rate, the difference could be small enough to eliminate most room for tax manipulation. ___ HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM? For decades, corporate earnings have been migrating to tax havens, often through complex avoidance schemes. From 1985 to 2018, the global average corporate statutory tax rate fell from 49% to 24%, thereby shifting the tax burden from companies and their shareholders to workers' wages. In 2000-2018, U.S. companies booked half of all foreign profits in just seven low-tax jurisdictions: Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Singapore and Switzerland. Though small countries levy a low rate, they may capture what is for them significant revenue. The practice costs the U.S. Treasury around $100 billion in lost revenue annually. ___ HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ORDINARY PEOPLE? Several ways. Taxes on the earnings of multinational companies are ultimately paid by the shareholders in those companies a group that is, in general, wealthier than average. As the tax load on corporate revenue has declined, the overall tax burden has tended to shift to wages and labor in other words, from generally affluent shareholders to ordinary workers. Another reason to care: According to the OECD, large companies that operate across borders enjoy an unfair competitive advantage by capitalizing on international tax avoidance strategies that arent available to local-only companies. ___ HOW DO COMPANIES MOVE PROFITS TO FIND THE LOWEST TAX RATE? Though some tax avoidance schemes are illicit, most are perfectly legal. Part of the issue is the nature of the modern economy: It is increasingly based on intangible assets, like trademarks, software and other intellectual property. Those are easier to move around than are tangible assets, such as factories. One way of shifting tax liability is through a profit-sharing agreement. This involves assigning a share of costs and profits to a subsidiary in a low-tax jurisdiction. Another way is to move earnings from copyrighted software or other intellectual property to subsidiaries in countries where such earnings face little or no tax. ___ THE DISPUTE OVER DIGITAL TAXES One part of the OECD talks has focused on taxing companies that do business in countries where, often because the companies' businesses are Internet-based, they have no physical presence and thus pay little or no tax on those sales. France has passed a 3% digital services tax on revenue that is deemed to have been earned by big companies in France a measure aimed at U.S. tech giants like Google, Facebook and Amazon. Other countries have followed suit. Washington, though, has branded such unilateral taxes as improper trade practices that unfairly target U.S. companies. The Biden administration proposes to resolve the issue by producing a list of 100 of the world's biggest and most profitable companies no matter what their line of business and letting countries tax them based on their local sales. The idea would be for other countries to repeal their unilateral digital taxes and end the trade tensions they incite. ___ WHERE DOES THIS PROCESS GO FROM HERE? Any agreement faces hurdles. One key sticking point could be where to set the global minimum rate. Low-tax countries such as Ireland, which are also part of the talks, may resist a higher rate. Its prime minister, Paschal Donohoe, has called Ireland's 12.5% rate a fair rate." Any deal on all or some of the issues could come at a meeting of the countries in the OECD process this summer, followed by endorsement by the Group of 20 finance ministers meeting in Venice in July and then a final decision at the G-20 leaders' summit in October in Rome. Even if there's no negotiated global agreement to sign, coordinated unilateral action by governments could, in effect, impose a minimum tax. If enough major economies that are home to multinationals, like the United States and large European countries, make clear that they will tax profits stashed in tax havens, this could achieve much of what the talks are intended to do. MEXICO CITY -- Mexican officials said Friday they will use 1 million U.S. doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine to inoculate people along the border. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says the vaccinations along Mexicos northern border with the United States is part of an effort to fully reopen border crossings, which are currently restricted to essential travel. There is going to be a special vaccination plan in the border communities of our country on the northern border, with the aim of getting border transportation back to normal, Lopez Obrador said. Mexican officials say they will have to obtain another 2 million doses of the one-shot vaccine which they might purchase from Johnson & Johnson to vaccinate 3 million border residents between 18 and 40 years old. Presumably, those older than 40 will be covered by Mexicos regular nationwide campaign, which does not use Johnson & Johnson, although the shot has been approved for use in Mexico. On Thursday, an official said some doses might also be used at coastal resorts frequented by Americans, but that possibility was not included in the plan announced Friday. The announcement came on the same day that Mexico City announced the gradual lifting of a partial coronavirus lockdown that began more than a year ago. ___ MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: Taiwan, feuding with China, gets vaccines from Japan Jobs data to show whether worker shortages still slow hiring Heart reaction probed as possible rare vaccine link in teens Colombia easing several lockdown measures while fighting third pandemic peak ___ 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: SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will not lift the coronavirus state of emergency on June 15. Newsom has said he will lift most of the virus restrictions on that date. But Friday, Newsom said he will not lift the state of emergency that gives him broad authority to issue alter or suspend state laws and regulations. California has been under a state of emergency since March 4, 2020. Since then, according to a resolution authored by Republican state senators, Newsom has authorized billions of dollars in emergency spending and issued at least 47 executive orders to alter or suspend 200 state laws and regulations because of the virus. Newsom, a Democrat, said he wont end the state of emergency because the virus is not taking the summer months off. Republicans in the state Senate have tried repeatedly to pass a concurrent resolution to end the state of emergency. But Democrats in the majority have always blocked their efforts. ___ TOPEKA, Kan. The state health department says Kansas ordered less than 1% of its vaccine allocation from the federal government for this week. The disclosure Friday comes as the departments data showed that Kansas still had nearly 593,000 unused doses as of Friday, about 21% of the 2.8 million shipped to the state. Demand for inoculations has dropped, prompting the state and county health departments to increase mobile clinics and bring vaccines to churches and work sites. Data shows that an average of 4,348 vaccine shots a day were administered during the seven days ending Friday. That was its lowest reported seven-day average since Jan. 21. The department said 42.5% of the states 2.9 million residents had received at least one vaccine shot as of Friday. Meanwhile, Kansas was trying to boost vaccinations with a two-day event promoting inoculations at a NASCAR track in Kansas City. The state, Wyandotte County and the University of Kansas Health System partnered with Kansas Speedway on the event. The speedway offered people who got vaccinated two laps around its track and entered them in a raffle for prizes that included tickets to the NASCAR Cup Series race there in October. ___ DENVER -- Colorado has picked its first $1 million winner in a lottery thats trying to inspire residents to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Gov. Jared Polis on Friday announced that Sally Sliger of Mead won the first of five $1 million prizes for residents who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Every resident who was vaccinated by the end of May was entered in the first drawing. Residents needed to be 18 years old and have received at least one dose of the approved coronavirus vaccines to be eligible. Colorado is one of several states offering lottery prizes, scholarships and other incentives to drive vaccination rates up. ___ SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom took a turn as gameshow host as the state drew the first 15 winners of $50,000 prizes for getting vaccinated against the coronavirus. Newsom and two others drew the winners from a lottery machine Friday. Its the first in a series of drawings, culminating in 10 grand prizes of $1.5 million each on June 15. Thats the day when the state expects to drop almost all coronavirus related restrictions on businesses and gatherings. The winners will remain anonymous unless they give the state permission to share their names, and they have 96 hours to claim their prizes before the state draws alternate winners. The state will contact winners. Winners Friday came from Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Alameda, San Luis Obispo and Mendocino counties. - BELGRADE, Serbia Serbia and Russia have formally inaugurated the launch of production of Russias Sputnik V vaccine in the Balkan country. A symbolic ceremony on Friday saw the head of Serbias Torlak Institute in Belgrade, Vera Stoiljkovic, press the production button as presidents of the two countries attended by video conference. The state RTS television says vaccine components arrived from Russia on Thursday. The report says Serbia has become the first country in Europe to produce the Russian vaccines. It says Serbia-made Sputnik V vaccines could be in use within 10 days. The Russian vaccines have not been approved by the European Medical Agency. Slovakia and Hungary have been the only European Union countries using the vaccines. Serbia has close political links with Russia while formally seeking EU entry. The Balkan nation has also used Chinas Sinopharm vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca. Health authorities recently dropped most coronavirus restrictions after the numbers of new cases and hospitalizations started to drop. ___ HILO, Hawaii -- A coronavirus outbreak at a Hawaii jail is growing as officials scramble to contain the spread among inmates and employees. The state Department of Public Safety said Thursday an additional 22 inmates and four employees at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center on the Big Island tested positive since Tuesday. A total of 99 inmates and 13 staff have now tested positive. Two infections were first reported at the Hilo jail on May 24. The Department of Public Safety says the latest results were detected as part of a mass testing program at the jail. Earlier this week, Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green, who is also a Big Island doctor, said vaccine hesitancy among inmates and staff is contributing to the outbreak. ___ RALEIGH, N.C. For the first time since COVID-19 vaccines became available in December 2020, North Carolina this week declined to accept any more supplies. Instead, this weeks requests from North Carolina providers are being fulfilled through transfers from other providers or through requests to local health departments, according to state health officials. The move comes as North Carolina nears an announcement on additional financial incentives to boost vaccine participation amid a sizable drop in vaccine demand over the last two months. North Carolina returned more than 1.2 million doses to the federal government as of Friday. Nearly all states have contributed to the federal pool, according to the state health department. Data the department released on Friday shows a surplus of nearly 2.4 million COVID-19 vaccines waiting for residents to take. The state has also turned down nearly 2.4 million additional shots from its federal allocation. ___ ANKARA, Turkey Turkeys single-day COVID-19 death toll has dropped below 100 for the first time in more than two months. The Health Ministry on Friday reported 94 deaths in the past 24 hours and 6,169 new coronavirus cases. Turkey announced this week an easing of its COVID-19 restrictions, including a relaxing of nighttime and weekend curfews, following a decline in the number of infections. The country reached a record of more than 63,000 daily cases in mid-April. The confirmed death toll in Turkey stands at 47,976, with nearly 5.5 million confirmed infections since the start of the pandemic. - PARIS France is putting itself back on the menu as a destination for international tourists who have been vaccinated for the coronavirus. The relaxed rules will kick in Wednesday, offering a boost for Frances tourism sector. Tourism will not be possible from countries wrestling with virus surges and variants, including India, South Africa and Brazil. Vaccinated visitors from the United States, Britain and many other parts of the world will no longer need to quarantine on arrival and will no longer have to justify the reasons for their visit. They will be asked for a recent negative test. Vaccinated visitors from Europe will no longer need to undergo testing. ___ MONTPELIER, Vt. Vermonts governor says the state is nearing its goal of 80% of the eligible population getting at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Phil Scott has said he will drop the remaining virus-related restrictions before July 4 if the state reaches that milestone. So far, 78.6% of eligible Vermonters ages 12 and older had gotten at least one shot. The governors press secretary says the 80% target equals about 70% of Vermonts total population, which is where the governors administration originally thought the state could be by July 4. Nearly 7,900 more Vermonters would need to get at least one dose to reach the states goal. Scott says dozens of walk-in vaccine clinics are being held around the state Friday through Monday and pharmacies will take walk-ins. ___ BERLIN Germany is removing Italy, the Czech Republic and much of Austria from its list of risk areas, meaning most remaining travel restrictions will ease. The change of status announced by Germanys disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute, takes effect on Sunday. Austria is being removed with the exception of its two westernmost provinces, Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Some parts of Croatia and of Switzerland, including Zurich and Basel, are also dropped. Countries classified as virus variant areas -- Germanys highest risk category -- must quarantine for 14 days, and travel is restricted to German citizens and residents. Britain remained the only European country in that category on the list published Friday. It also includes India, Nepal, Brazil and the addition of Uruguay ___ BUDAPEST, Hungary The Hungarian government says it is suspending the countrys mass vaccination drive and reducing the number of places coronavirus shots will be available, citing the number of people who have received them already. Prime Minister Viktor Orban said during a radio address on Friday that it did not make sense to keep the vaccination program run by his government going given the strain it puts on doctors and hospitals. Instead, it will be up to individuals to arrange to get vaccinated at the fewer locations that will be offering shots, Orban said. According to the prime minister, 54% percent of the Hungarian population of about 10 million has received a first dose of a vaccine and 38% is fully vaccinated. Hungary became a European Union leader in COVID-19 vaccinations after securing shots from Russia and China as well as from Western pharmaceutical companies that had deals with the EU. Orban said Hungary has more shots available than people registered to get them. He said the country expects to have an even greater vaccine surplus in the coming months. ___ LONDON Britains medicines regulator has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for children aged 12 to 15, saying the benefits outweigh any risks. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said Friday that clinical trial data showed the vaccine was safe and effective in this age group. The United States and the European Union also have approved the Pfizer vaccine for the 12-15 age group. The British government is aiming to give everyone over 18 at least one shot of vaccine by July 31 and has not yet decided whether to extend the vaccination campaign to younger people. It said it would act on a recommendation from its scientific advisory committee on immunization. We will be guided by the expert advisers and will update in due course, the Department of Health said. ___ PARIS France is putting itself back on the menu as a destination for international tourists who are vaccinated, removing the need for coronavirus tests for vaccinated Europeans and allowing vaccinated tourists from most of the rest of the world, including the United States, to also come back but still with a negative test. The relaxed rules will kick in from Wednesday, offering a boost for Frances tourism sector. Tourism will not be possible, however, from countries wrestling with virus surges and worrisome variants. This red list for the moment has 16 countries, including India, South Africa and Brazil. Outside of Europe, most of the rest of the world is classed as orange in the new travel rulebook released Friday by the French government. Vaccinated visitors from orange countries -- including the United States and Britain will no longer need to quarantine on arrival and will no longer have to justify the reasons for their trip to France. They will, however, be asked for a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours or a negative antigenic test of no more than 48 hours. European visitors and those from seven countries classed as green Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand and Singapore will no longer need to undergo testing if theyre vaccinated. ___ ISLAMABAD Pakistans Foreign Ministry says the U.S. government has provided essential medical supplies to help Islamabad in dealing with the coronavirus situation. In a statement, the ministry thanked Washington for sending the much-needed COVID-19 supplies to Pakistan. The supplies, donated at Pakistan's request, include 685,000 KN-95 masks, 50,000 protective goggles, 250,000 diagnostic kits, and 1,000 pulse oximeters. Earlier, Washington provided 200 ventilators to Pakistan. Pakistan has a fragile health care system and is currently in the middle of the third wave of the pandemic. Pakistan has registered 928,588 confirmed cases and 21,105 deaths in the pandemic. ___ COPENHAGEN, Denmark Denmark will donate 358,700 unused vaccine doses to Kenya, saying the batch of Astra Zeneca that expires July 31 should be delivered as soon as possible. It is part of the 3 million doses that Denmark has earmarked for donation this year. No one is safe until everyone is safe, Denmarks Foreign Aid Minister Flemming Moeller Mortensen said in a statement. Kenya is in a difficult situation as they have received far fewer vaccines than they should have had. The donation will be shipped via the U.N. childrens agency UNICEF. In March, Denmark became the first country in Europe to remove the AstraZeneca jabs from its vaccination program over a potential link to a rare but serious form of blood clot. Norway followed Denmark, and many countries in Europe and elsewhere followed suit. They later resumed using the shot after the European Medicines Agency said that it was safe but with some restricting it to certain age groups, mostly those above age 50 or 60. ___ LONDON (AP) A peoples tribunal set up to assess whether Chinas alleged rights abuses against the Uyghur people constitute genocide opened in London on Friday, with witnesses alleging that inmates at detention camps for Uyghurs were routinely humiliated, tortured and abused. Chairman Geoffrey Nice said more than three dozen witnesses would make grave allegations against Chinese authorities during four days of hearings. The tribunal, made up of lawyers, academics and businesspeople, does not have U.K. government backing or any powers to sanction or punish China. But organizers hope the process of publicly laying out evidence will compel international action to tackle alleged abuses against the Uyghurs, a largely Muslim ethnic group. Nice, a British barrister who led the prosecution of ex-Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and has worked with the International Criminal Court, said the forum would create a permanent body of evidence and a record, if found, of crimes perpetrated. Funded by the World Uyghur Congress and individual donations, the inquiry is modeled on previous peoples tribunals, including one organized in the 1960s by philosophers Bertrand Russell and Jean-Paul Sartre to investigate U.S. actions in the Vietnam War. The London tribunal is the latest attempt to hold China accountable for alleged rights abuses against the Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim and ethnic Turkic minorities. An estimated 1 million people or more most of them Uyghurs have been confined in re-education camps in China's western Xinjiang region in recent years, according to researchers. Chinese authorities have been accused of imposing forced labor, systematic forced birth control and torture, and separating children from incarcerated parents. In April, Britains Parliament though not the British government followed legislatures in Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada in declaring that Beijings policies against the Uyghurs amounted to genocide and crimes against humanity. The U.S. government has done the same. The first witness to testify on Friday, teacher Qelbinur Sidik, said guards routinely humiliated inmates at a camp for men in Xinjiang where she taught Mandarin-language classes in 2016. Guards in the camp did not treat the prisoners as human beings. They were treated less than dogs, she said through an interpreter. The things that I have witnessed and experienced, I cant forget, she said. Another witness, Omir Bekali, said he was held in three camps for Uyghur and Kazakh men accused of extremism and terrorism. He said prisoners were held up to 50 per cell, given unknown drugs and subjected to harsh physical punishment. He said some inmates he knew died under torture. Tribunal witnesses who spoke to The Associated Press before the hearings include a woman who said she was forced into an abortion at 6 1/2 months pregnant, a former doctor who spoke of draconian birth control policies, and a former detainee who alleged he was tortured day and night by Chinese soldiers while he was imprisoned in the remote border region. Beijing flatly rejects the allegations. Officials have characterized the camps, which they say are now closed, as vocational training centers to teach Chinese language, job skills and the law to support economic development and combat extremism. China saw a wave of Xinjiang-related terror attacks through 2016. Nice said China had been asked to participate but its embassy has neither acknowledged nor replied to letters sent. The Chinese Embassy in London did not respond to requests for comment, but officials in China have said the tribunal was set up by anti-China forces to spread lies. Western governments, including Britains, have also declined to get involved, Nice said. The tribunal plans to hold another four days of hearings in September, and hopes to issue its judgment by the end of the year. This is it. Vacationers can finally plan to take their precious time off this summer and truly get away after what has been a challenging time for everyone, said Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley in a news release. Thanks in large part to the successful rollout of vaccines, the world of adventure is beginning to open up, and we are all excited to start delivering great vacations to our guests, who have increasingly told us they are getting vaccinated. OTTAWA, ON, June 3, 2021 /CNW/ - Improvements in energy efficiency are critical to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It helps businesses increase their competitiveness while contributing to a cleaner environment. The Government of Canada is investing in building a low-emissions energy future to provide a healthier planet for future generations. The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $40,000 investment to Alcoa Canada for an energy information system to enable the aluminum producer to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions at its Deschambault aluminum smelter. Alcoa, together with Quebec natural gas distributer Energir, also contributed to the project to bring the total investment to $350,000. The funding enabled the Deschambault smelter to obtain their ISO 50001:2018 Certification, a standard certification for energy management. With this standard, the smelter commits to reducing its impact on the climate, conserving energy resources and improving its results through the efficient management of all forms of energy. Federal funding is provided by the Energy Efficiency for Industry Program, which offers financial assistance to help fund Canadian industrial facilities' energy management projects. Acquired by Alcoa in 1998, the Deschambault facility has been in operation since 1992. It houses the Aluminum Centre of Excellence, a training hub and a centre for the development, transfer and standardization of best practices in manufacturing management. The government supports green infrastructure projects that create good jobs and support Canada's low-emissions future. Improving energy efficiency in Canada's industrial sector is a key part of Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Quote "Improvements in energy efficiency will take us a long way toward exceeding our climate targets. With today's announcement, we're lowering emissions and supporting businesses on the path to net-zero by 2050." The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr. Minister of Natural Resources "We are proud to support the Alcoa Deschambault Aluminerie in its endeavour to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its facility. Improving energy efficiency in industrial facilities is key to reaching Canada's climate goals." The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Saint-MauriceChamplain "We are proud to be the first Canadian aluminum smelter to obtain ISO 50001 2018 certification. As a large energy consumer, we are aware of the importance of energy efficiency to reduce the impact on our environment and our costs. Through our energy committee, which has been in place for more than 20 years, several energy efficiencies projects have been carried out over the years, and this certification demonstrates that our systems and procedures are rigorous and that they meet our consumption reduction objectives. All of our employees work hard every day to achieve this goal, and this certification is a source of great pride." Pascal Rochette Plant Manager Alcoa Aluminerie Deschambault "At Energir, we work closely with our customers to help them achieve the decarbonization objectives of their activities. Through this innovative energy efficiency project, Alcoa is adding to its roadmap an important lever for further reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from its operations. We are delighted to see their success and to be able to contribute to it." Valerie Sapin Manager, Marketing, Customer experience and Energy Efficiency Energir Associated Links Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada For further information: Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 343-292-6100, [email protected]; Ian Cameron, Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 613-447-3488, [email protected] Related Links www.nrcan.gc.ca GATINEAU, QC, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ - COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the lives of Canadians with disabilities. The pandemic has shed a light on the long-standing challenges that negatively affect the health, financial security and social well-being of persons with disabilities. As part of its response, the Government of Canada is moving forward with its first ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) and wants to engage all Canadians, in the process. Today, as part of celebrations for National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) 2021, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, officially launched a public engagement process to help guide the development of the DIAP. An accessible survey is now available online to allow Canadians to provide valuable insights and feedback on priority areas of the plan. These include financial security, employment, disability-inclusive spaces, and building a modern approach to disability within the Government of Canada. In the spirit of "Nothing Without Us", all Canadians, especially persons with disabilities, their caregivers and family members, stakeholders and organizations working with persons with disabilities, are invited to complete the survey. Canadians can access and complete the survey online, or print and mail in the accessible PDF version, by August 31, 2021. More information is available on our Engagement on the Disability Inclusion Action Plan webpage. Today's announcement caps off a busy week of NAAW-related activities, and it fully supports this year's theme - "Disability Inclusion 2021Leaving No One Behind." During the week, the Government announced the opening of two calls for proposals under the Enabling Accessibility Fund's (EAF) Mid-sized projects and Youth Innovation components, while highlighting EAF funding for accessibility projects in local communities. Minister Qualtrough took part in the introduction of new accessibility features for electronic payment terminals, and engaged youth with disabilities and community disability leaders on issues of importance to them in a series of virtual panel discussions. The Minister also announced an investment of over $130 million through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program to provide young people facing barriers, including youth with disabilities, with good jobs and the supports and skills training they need to join the workforce. Quote "To truly achieve a barrier-free and inclusive Canada, we need to engage and take concrete action. The Disability Inclusion Action Plan is part of our Government's plan to build back better in a way that leaves no one behind. I am delighted to launch this public engagement process during National Accessibility Week and look forward to hearing the creative ideas and innovative reflections of Canadians on how best to shape the future of disability inclusion." Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough Quick Facts May 30 to June 5, 2021 is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW), a time to celebrate accessibility and inclusion across Canada . It is an opportunity to highlight the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and recognize all efforts to remove barriers. It is also a time to amplify the efforts underway to ensure persons with disabilities are able to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian society. Introduced in the 2020 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada is developing the first-ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) that will focus on: is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW), a time to celebrate accessibility and inclusion across . It is an opportunity to highlight the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and recognize all efforts to remove barriers. It is also a time to amplify the efforts underway to ensure persons with disabilities are able to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian society. Introduced in the 2020 Speech from the Throne, the Government of is developing the first-ever Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) that will focus on: reducing poverty among persons with disabilities getting more persons with disabilities into good quality jobs helping to realize the goal of the Accessible Canada Act to achieve a barrier-free Canada by 2040 by 2040 making it easier for persons with disabilities to access federal programs and services fostering a culture of inclusion The DIAP public engagement will build on the great success and input received from the Accessible Canada Act consultations - the most inclusive in Canada's history, the 2019 National Disability Summit, and the COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group. consultations - the most inclusive in history, the 2019 National Disability Summit, and the COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group. The Accessible Canada Act came into force on July 11, 2019 . It includes seven priority areas: employment; the built environment; communication; information and communication technologies; the procurement of goods, services and facilities; the design and delivery of programs and services and transportation. came into force on . It includes seven priority areas: employment; the built environment; communication; information and communication technologies; the procurement of goods, services and facilities; the design and delivery of programs and services and transportation. Budget 2021 committed the Government to undertaking extensive consultations with stakeholders on the design of a new disability benefit and engaging with provinces and territories, which play a central role in providing support to many Canadians with disabilities. Associated Links Consultation on the Disability Inclusion Action Plan Making an accessible Canada for persons with disabilities Government of Canada invests in projects to improve access to services for persons with disabilities in the Windsor region Government of Canada supports new technology to make electronic payment terminals accessible to persons with visual disabilities Helping young Canadians with disabilities learn lasting skills and keep quality jobs Follow us on Twitter SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Marielle Hossack, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected] Related Links www.hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca Product photos are available: https://inspection.canada.ca/eng/1622758406022/1622758412288 OTTAWA, ON, June 3, 2021 /CNW/ - Searay Foods Inc. is recalling Searay brand Thailand Black Tiger Shrimp Size 31-40 from the marketplace because they contain sulphites which are not declared on the label. People with a sensitivity to sulphites should not consume the recalled products described below. The following products have been sold in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Recalled products Brand Product Size UPC Codes Searay Thailand Black Tiger Shrimp (Raw Headless Deveined) Size 31-40 454 g 8 27510 00007 4 Production Date: 2020/09/21 Best Before: 2022/09/21 Lot Number: 2008312THL Searay Thailand Black Tiger Shrimp IQF Headless Shell-On (Deveined) Size 31-40 20 packs x 454 g 1 08 27510 09382 0 Production Date: 2020/09/21 Best Before: 2022/09/21 Lot Number: 2008312THL What you should do Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. If you have a sensitivity to sulphites, do not consume the recalled products as they may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction. Background This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings. The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace. Reactions There have been no reported reactions associated with the consumption of these products. SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) For further information: Public enquiries: Toll-free: 1-800-442-2342 (Canada and U.S.), Telephone: 1-613-773-2342 (local or international), Email: [email protected]; Media relations: Telephone: 613-773-6600, Email: [email protected] Related Links http://www.inspection.gc.ca OTTAWA, ON, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people face intolerable inequities something that has been made worse by the COVID19 pandemic in communities from coast to coast to coast. The Government of Canada is taking concrete action to address these inequities by supporting, and working with, organizations that empower Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and other underrepresented people to overcome the challenges they face and fully participate in all aspects of economic and social life. Today the Minister of Northern Affairs, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, on behalf of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, announced over $3 million in funding for six organizations advancing gender equality in Northern communities. These organizations are: Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre - $1.25 million Nunavut Literacy Council - $683,246 Kitikmeot Heritage Society - $168,580 Arctic Children and Youth Foundation - $624,000 Yukon Status of Women Council - $141,160 Status of Women Council of the NWT - $145,000 These investments will help the organizations develop partnerships and strategies to promote full and equitable participation in the economy, advance women and underrepresented groups into leadership roles, address social and systemic change towards gender equality, and mitigate the effects the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday on the second anniversary of the release of Reclaiming Power and Place, the final report by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the Core Working Group released the MMIWG National Action Plan that will set a new distinctions-based, regionally relevant, and accountable approach to end this national tragedy. Much work still needs to be done to achieve gender equality, and the Government of Canada will continue to work together with Indigenous and Northern partners to build a more inclusive and equitable Canada for everyone. Quotes "Working together with partners is essential to advancing gender equality, and improving opportunities and outcomes for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in the North. Today's investment of over $3 million to these vital partner organizations will help address the disproportionate impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and their families, in the North. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested more than $83 million to support over 170 organizations that advance equality for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLBGTQQIA+ people. By working together with Indigenous and Northern partners, we can advance gender equality, make progress on the path forward on reconciliation, and build communities that are fairer, safer, and more equal for everyone. The Honourable Dan Vandal, P.C., M.P. Minister of Northern Affairs "The Government of Canada believes in taking strong action by supporting organizations that play a crucial role in empowering women and girls and other underrepresented groups across the North. Today's announcement furthers this goal by supporting organizations, like the Yukon Status of Women Council, to ensure that all Northerners are given equal opportunity to participate in social and economic aspects of life." Larry Bagnell Member of Parliament for Yukon "These six organizations are doing incredible work on the advancement of women and girls in Northern Canada. With the federal investments announced today, they are better prepared to continue making progress in our region, now and over the long-term." Michael McLeod Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories Quick facts Since November 2015 , Women and Gender Equality Canada has provided total funding of over $95 million to more than 200 organizations working to achieve equality for Indigenous women and girls, commemorate the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+, as well as encourage Indigenous women's innovations, entrepreneurial spirit and leadership. Of this, over $13 million has supported 110 projects through the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Commemoration Fund. , Women and Gender Equality Canada has provided total funding of over to more than 200 organizations working to achieve equality for Indigenous women and girls, commemorate the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+, as well as encourage Indigenous women's innovations, entrepreneurial spirit and leadership. Of this, over has supported 110 projects through the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Commemoration Fund. On June 3, 2021 , the Core Working Group of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, released the 2021 National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People in response to the issues raised in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. , the Core Working Group of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, released the 2021 National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People in response to the issues raised in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Projects funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada reached approximately six million people in 2019-20, reducing barriers in areas of economic equality and gender-based violence, and building capacity and confidence in the areas of leadership. In June 2020 , Canada was recognized by CARE as having the most gender-responsive plan to address COVID-19. , was recognized by CARE as having the most gender-responsive plan to address COVID-19. In February 2021 , Women and Gender Equality Canada launched the Feminist Response and Recovery Fund, a call for proposals totaling $100 million that will support equality-seeking projects helping those in greatest need. , Women and Gender Equality Canada launched the Feminist Response and Recovery Fund, a call for proposals totaling that will support equality-seeking projects helping those in greatest need. To ensure that anyone facing gender-based violence has reliable and timely access to protection and services, no matter where they live, Budget 2021 committed $601.3 million over five years to advance towards a new National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. This includes increased funding for initiatives to end human trafficking. Associated Links Follow Women and Gender Equality Canada: SOURCE Women and Gender Equality Canada For further information: Contacts: Marie-Pier Baril, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, 613-295-8123; Media Relations, Women and Gender Equality Canada, 1-855-969-992 Related Links http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/ QUEBEC, June 3, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, while speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Eleveurs de porcs du Quebec, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced over $922,000 through the AgriScience Program for two Quebec pork organizations, which will help advance innovation within the sector. Swine Innovation Porc is receiving up to $356,525 to improve swine health in Canada by developing a new vaccine against Streptococcus suis to reduce the use of antimicrobials and expand strain coverage. The Centre de developpement du porc du Quebec (CDPQ) is receiving up to $565,562 for a research project aimed at reducing nitrogen output while maintaining growth performance and meat quality. Quebec pork producers continue to adopt cutting-edge approaches and technologies to enhance their competitiveness and position themselves for a strong and vibrant future, while responding to the challenges brought by COVID-19. Quotes "Quebec's pork producers work hard every day to take care of their animals and ensure we can continue to access their high-quality products. The investments announced today will help drive innovation for pork producers in Quebec through cutting-edge research and science. Now more than ever, it's important to invest in the future and find new ways to advance innovation and sustainable growth, and these projects will do just that." - The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food "Disease related to Streptococcus suis is one of the most common infectious problems reported on Canadian swine farms. Outbreaks of S. suis can have detrimental economic impacts for producers, as it can result in decreased performance and increased pig mortality. Swine Innovation Porc would therefore like to thank the Minister and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for its contribution of funding to support a project to develop a vaccine against S. suis. This project, led by Dr. Marcelo Gottschalk from University of Montreal, is an excellent example of how government, industry and the research community can work together to find solutions for industry's challenges." - Mr. Stewart Cressman, Chair, Swine Innovation Porc "Nitrogen excretion is a major concern for the sustainability of animal production. It is partly responsible for soil acidification, eutrophication and odours, and some nitrogen is also responsible for the production of greenhouse gases. One way to reduce the excretion of nitrogen is to optimize its use by animals. The CPDQ therefore wishes to thank the Minister and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for their financial contribution to a project led by Marie-Pierre Letourneau Montminy of Universite Laval, which aims to optimize nitrogen use by adjusting the provision of essential amino acids to pigs and broiler chickens to the animals' needs." - Laetitia Cloutier, agr, M.Sc., Senior Manager Feeding and Animal Nutrition, Centre de developpement du porc du Quebec inc. Quick Facts The AgriScience Program, an initiative under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aims to accelerate the pace of innovation by providing funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector and Canadians. The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year (2018-2023), $3-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen and grow agriculture and agri-food sector. Founded in 2010, Swine Innovation Porc is a not-for-profit organization committed to facilitating research in the Canadian swine sector. Its nine members include the Canadian Pork Council and eight provincial pork producer organizations. The Centre de developpement du porc du Quebec (CDPQ) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1992 under an initiative of the ministere de l'Agriculture, des Pecheries et de l'Alimentation du Quebec. Its mission is to optimize research, innovation and knowledge transfer to grow a successful and sustainable pork sector. Additional Links AgriScience Program Canadian Agricultural Partnership Swine Innovation Porc The Centre de developpement du porc du Quebec Inc. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada For further information: Contacts: Oliver Anderson, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected], 613-462-4327; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected] Related Links www.agr.gc.ca NewsX presents an action plan to solve India's problem of vaccine procurement. This includes releasing daily data on vaccine production and distribution, finding more ways for rapid increase in vaccine production, daily status update on new vaccine production facilities and much more. Amid acute shortage of vaccines in India, the Centre and states have found themselves on two polarising ends. A storm has erupted in non-BJP states over vaccine procurement. Jagan Mohan Reddy has become the latest CM of a non-BJP ruled state to send a letter to other CMs urging Centre to take charge of vaccine procurement. One of the primary reasons behind this is that there are no takers for the global tenders issued by these states. Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy has urged all CMs to speak in a single voice and urge Centre to take charge. Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia has accused the Centre of leaving states in a vulnerable position. Meanwhile, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has said that it is unfortunate that Centre has absolved itself of duty to procure vaccines. Punjab, on the other hand, has demanded centralisation of vaccine procurement. Hitting out at the states, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said that till today, the Centre has provided about 22 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines to states for free of cost. The Punjab government had earlier demanded decentralisation of vaccination and now they are demanding to centralise it. To solve this issue, NewsX has come up with an action plan. The seven steps include release daily data on vaccine production and distribution, find more ways for rapid increase in vaccine production, daily status update on new vaccine production facilities, clarity on production, stock and distribution of sputnik vaccine, clarity on status of other vaccines being made and the production and finally regular updates on procurement from foreign vaccine makers and stage update. The prescribed time frame between two doses of Covaxin remains 28 days. With acute shortage of vaccines across the states, Citizens, within the age group of 18-44, are now struggling to get a slot for their second dose. The vaccination drive in India has hit a road bump with acute shortage of vaccines across the states. Citizens, within the age group of 18-44, who got their first shot of Covaxin last month, are now struggling to get a slot for their second dose, especially in Delhi-NCR. While the government has increased the recommended interval between Covishield to 6 to 12 weeks, the prescribed time frame between Covaxin remains 28 days, thus adding the vows of those who pinned their hope against Bharat Biotech. Amid the crunch, several Delhites are now heading to Meerut, Noida and even Jaipur to get their second dose of Covaxin. Fear of the third wave of Covid-19 is only adding up to the anxiety. Even though the Centre has expressed that all Indians will be vaccinated by end of 2021, the on-ground reality is only getting grimmer. Adding to the misery, Covaxin is being offered at multiple sites at different prices, with the highest being Rs 1800 at Moolchand drive through. Explaining the delay in Covaxins availability, Bharat Biotech has said in a statement that the timeline for manufacturing, testing and release for a batch of Covaxin is approximately 120 days, depending on the technology framework and regulatory guidelines to be met. Hence, the production batches of Covaxin that were initiated during March this year, will be ready for supply only during the month of June. It added that for vaccines to result in actual vaccination of people, highly coordinated efforts are required from international supply chains, manufacturers, regulators and State and Central government agencies. China has been sending millions of doses to numerous developing nations. By playing the trump card of the vaccine diplomacy game, China is looking to fulfil their long-term goals that affect global relations. The supreme leader of China, Xi Jinping, is taking advantage of a Vaccine Vacuum There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth. Chanakya The world is heading down the road to getting rid of the virus that hailed storms of misery over the world, albeit slowly paced. The road to riddance is rough, and some nations are slower than others. Vaccines are the only way to achieve the old normal again. Many countries have pledged allegiance to the World Health Organization, under its global vaccine dispersion initiative COVAX, to provide vaccines to the under-developed and developing nations. CHINA EMERGING AS A KEY ACTIVE PLAYER China is also an active participant in the COVAX program. The WHO, a month ago, approved Chinas SINOPHARM vaccine for emergency use. The approval coming when China is under critical scrutiny by the western countries for allegedly creating the virus in a lab in Wuhan acted as a badge of trust and honour. It made a dent in the doubts regarding the efficacy and safety of the vaccines manufactured by China. However, China is spreading its vaccines footprint beyond the boundaries of COVAX. China has been sending millions of doses to numerous developing nations. By playing the trump card of the vaccine diplomacy game, China is looking to fulfil their long-term goals that affect global relations. The supreme leader of China, Xi Jinping, is taking advantage of a Vaccine Vacuum. The term describes the glaring gap between the supply and demand regarding the vaccine. VACCINE VACUUM Western countries are unable to provide vaccines because they decided to vaccinate their entire population first due to internal political pressure. Consequently, these western countries kept the life-saving doses for themselves first. India, the largest producer of vaccines globally, has also been short of meeting the demands laid under the COVAX initiative. Also Read: Chinas PR hoax: After antagonism, Xi seeks lovable image of China THE DIPLOMACY GAME On the other hand, China is making the export of the vaccine an equal priority to vaccinating their population. Chinas robust manufacturing capacity and their successful curb of the number of cases has abled them to play the vaccine diplomacy game quite efficiently. China exports not only vaccines but also the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) required to make doses. Due to this, many countries will produce the vaccine locally but will import the ingredients from China. Pakistan and Brazil are some examples of the same. Chinese pharmaceutical companies have lined up 17 potential candidate COVID-19 vaccines, out of which seven vaccines are at the last stage of the clinical trials. China is planning to ship their vaccines to at least 90 countries 60 million for Chile, 40 million for Egypt, 50 million for Turkey to name a few. Some nations got the doses in exchange for clinical trials of the vaccines on their domestic population. WHATS IN IT FOR CHINA? While choosing the nations for their vaccines, China has given priority to the countries involved in its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Pakistan being one of them. China sought the support of Cambodia and Laos on territorial disputes in the South China Sea. They will also seek the support of these nations in the UN in the near future. Recently, Sri Lanka awarded a Chinese company Sinosar-Etechwin, with their US $12 million project. The company will execute this project just 45 kilometres away from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. This comes after China, a few weeks ago, completed their order of 1.1 million doses to Sri Lanka. As we mark 32nd anniversary of one of the most shocking yet significant events of the 20th century, NewsX presents a special broadcast with panelists joining from Taiwan, Tibet, South Mongolia and East Turkestan. Chow Hang Tung, vice-chair of Hong Kong alliance, was arrested by Hong Kong police on Friday for violating Governments ban on mass commemoration for the anniversary of Beijings noxious Tiananmen clampdown. Almost 7000 officers were in reserve to prevent any such gatherings after the governments ban on annual candlelight vigil that has been serving as a day of pro-democracy people power in the city. Victoria Park, where citizens usually gather each year to mark the anniversary, has been closed off by Police. This time, Friday marks the 32nd anniversary of the historic Tiananmen Square Massacre and first arrest has taken place with the deportation of Chow Hang Tung (37), outside her office, on suspicion of promoting un-authorised assembly. A police source told AFP she had been detained on suspicion of publicising an unlawful assembly. Hong Kong Alliance is the organisation that is highly associated in organising the annual vigil. A traditional gathering has been taking place in Hong Kong to symbolise the anniversary of Chinese troops merciless attack on peaceful democracy protest in Beijings Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. DANBURY Two members of Connecticuts legislative delegation told employees of FuelCell Energy they are determined to include provisions that are favorable to the renewable energy sector in legislation currently being discussed in Washington. U.S. Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Conn., and U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5, made their comments to company employees Friday after touring FuelCell Energys headquarters and research center in Danbury. The company, which makes power generation equipment, has a manufacturing plant in Torrington. Representatives Hayes and I are going to fight like hell for this industry, Murphy said. What you create here can change the world, and with the Biden administration, we have the opportunity to double down on the technology. Hayes and Murphy said companies like FuelCell Energy could benefit from two pieces of legislation now before federal lawmakers: an infrastructure bill and President Joe Bidens American Jobs Plan. FuelCell Energys technology converts chemical energy from hydrogen-rich fuels into electrical power and usable high-quality heat in an electro-chemical process that produces very little in the way of pollutants. Murphy said making broader use of the technology is part of the solution to the global warming crisis the world is facing. Hayes said the American Jobs Plan is expected to include funding to retrain individuals working in dying industries. We need to train people for the next generation of jobs, she said. For so long, we have pushed sending people to college. But the market is telling us something different. FuelCell Energy employs about 365 people, with the majority of its workers in Connecticut, said Jason Few, the companys president and chief executive officer. And the company is in the midst of a hiring spree, seeking to add about 65 people in the coming months, according to Few. FuelCell Energy has a dozen units generating power in Connecticut with two more under construction, one in Derby and another at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com Click here to read the full article. I Am Jazz has been renewed for Season 7 at TLC, Variety has learned exclusively. Starring trans activist Jazz Jennings, TLCs reality series premiered in 2015 as a 14 year-old Jennings prepared to go to high school, and wrapped its sixth season in March 2020 with her graduation as valedictorian. Over the years, viewers have watched Jennings, who became the youngest trans child on television after her 2007 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters, deal with school, sports, dating and her health as she moved forward with her transition. Season 6 saw Jennings helping a friend raise money for her gender confirmation surgery, manage her anxiety, and try to decide between attending Pomona College or Harvard University after high school. After a two-year break in filming, the longest in the shows history, production on the seventh season will begin this summer in South Florida where Jennings currently lives with her family. Alongside viewers and fans, we have watched Jazz grow into a beautiful, young woman and champion for transgender rights all over the world, said Howard Lee, president of TLC Streaming and Network Originals. Her advocacy and impact have made a significant mark in history, and we are honored to continue following her story in the next chapter of her life. I Am Jazz has averaged 1.3 million viewers per episode across all seasons to date, and won a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding reality program in 2016. Im always happy to share my story and help as many people as possible, says Jennings. Our goal is always to help people and to share a message of positivity, love and acceptance, and I think that were continuing to do that by sharing our story. I Am Jazz is produced for TLC by This Is Just a Test. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BRAINTREE, Mass. (AP) Two Massachusetts police officers were injured and a police K-9 and the suspect were killed Friday in a shooting during an investigation into a domestic dispute, authorities said. The two Braintree officers were each shot multiple times after they went searching for the the suspect who had fled into the woods, authorities said. A federal appeals court on Friday upheld the conviction of a North Carolina man who posted an anonymous threat on social media to lynch a Muslim-American political candidate from Virginia. A three-judge panel from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Joseph Cecil Vandevere's argument that a threatening tweet he directed at former state Senate candidate Qasim Rashid contained constitutionally protected speech and didn't constitute a true threat. The March 2018 tweet included a picture of a lynching and read, VIEW YOUR DESTINY. Rashid posted a screenshot of the threatening tweet and reported it to the FBI. The panel upheld U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn Jr.'s refusal to dismiss Vandevere's indictment and acquit him without a trial. Vandevere, 54, of Black Mountain, appealed after a jury in Asheville, North Carolina, convicted him in December 2019 of interstate communication of a threat to injure a person. Last June, Cogburn sentenced Vandevere to 10 months in prison. Vandevere is serving his sentence at a low-security prison in Loretto, Pennsylvania, that has a minimum-security satellite camp and is scheduled to be released on Oct. 5, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons' website. The 4th Circuit panel concluded that Vandevere's tweet directed at Rashid contained a true threat and therefore wasn't free speech protected by the First Amendment. We note first that a reasonable recipient familiar with the context would have felt threatened by the message and would not have construed it as a joke, the panel's opinion says. The judges also noted that Vandevere specifically directed the tweet at a single person, albeit in a public forum, and wasn't communicated in a manner to engage anyone in public discourse regarding his political beliefs. Finally, viewing the tweet in the context in which it was received, Vandeveres statement would indicate to a reasonable recipient that Vandevere had a serious intent to do harm, the panel added. The judges ruled without holding a hearing for Vandevere's appeal, saying it wouldn't have helped them decide the case. Rashid, a Democrat, lost his November 2019 bid to defeat an incumbent Republican state senator in Virginia. Prosecutors have said Rashids political campaign started well after the threat was made and had no bearing on the threat. Authorities also accused Vandevere of posting an anti-Semitic threat on a Florida synagogues Facebook page. A rabbi at Ramat Shalom Synagogue contacted the FBI after somebody using the name Bob Smith posted a disturbing comment in response to the rabbis post showing support for the Parkland, Florida, high school where a gunman killed 17 people earlier that month, the agent wrote. Investigators linked Vandeveres telephone number to the same Twitter account with the handle DaDUTCHMAN5 that posted the threat against Rashid. The post was accompanied by a black-and-white photograph of the infamous 1915 lynching of a Jewish man, Leo Frank, in Marietta, Georgia. Roger Brown, 33, a Black Fresno rapper and mentor, was driving home from a candlelight vigil in March when he noticed a police car was following his BMW. He was dropping off four kids, some as young as 10, who had attended the vigil held for a murdered child. As Brown stopped to let one of the boys out in front of his aunts house, the police car stopped behind them. The boy got out of the car and immediately jumped back in. He said one of the officers was behind the car with his gun drawn. Then both officers approached the passenger side of his car, without their guns drawn, Brown recalls. Fearing for the childrens safety, Brown asked the police not to open the doors. He suggested they peer inside through the open sunroof to confirm that he was with a carload of kids. One officer ignored his request. He reached into the car through the window and opened the door. He demanded that another child open the rear door. Two of the boys started to cry. We were all just confused and traumatized, Brown says. While the officers eventually left without charging Brown with anything, the incident was upsetting. Brown knew where to turn for help. He called Marcel Woodruff, an organizer with Faith in the Valley. The group promotes racial justice throughout Californias Central Valley and has spent years working to hold the police accountable. Woodruff set up a meeting with the boys, Brown, and the officers. The kids got a chance to explain how the experience made them feel. The police heard firsthand how their actions affected the youngsters. The fact that the meeting happened at all is a testament to Woodruffs stature in the community and his relationship with the police due to his work with Faith in the Valley. Woodruff and the group have pushed for changes that put more power in the hands of community members. He and the group are known and respected. That reputation was key in 2020 as the groups work received a big financial boost following the murder of George Floyd and the national reckoning with police violence and racial inequity. Over the past year, Faith in the Valley, which brought in $2.9 million in 2019, received about $720,000 from new or expanded racial justice funds. Some of that will be paid out over two or three years. Donations from individuals increased by about 50 percent. For the past year, the group has used the extra money and momentum to continue its work in the Central Valley. In Stockton, it helped persuade city officials to start using Advance Peace, a community-based program to curb gun violence. And it participated in a march demanding justice for a young man who had been beaten by the police. In Bakersfield, it is part of a coalition advocating for diverting funds from the police to alternative ways of making Bakersfield residents safe and healthy. After the success in Stockton, the group also got Fresno to start using the Advance Peace program, which employs Brown. It helped push the City Council to create a committee to overhaul law enforcement and was able to get its representatives on the committee. Faith in Valley is working with the committee to implement the committees 73 recommendations. Faith in the Valley also hired a young organizer to connect the group with a new generation of activists. George Floyds murder happened, and then things escalated, says Trena Turner, a pastor and the groups executive director. It fit right into the work that we were already doing and brought even more attention to it. The groups long experience with racial justice helped attract major grants to the organization in 2020. It has been working on these issues and developing grassroots leaders for more than two decades, first as five groups scattered across the valley. Those groups merged to become Faith in the Valley in 2016. It had experience with local government and police and an explicit focus on racial justice long before many others were talking about that issue. By the time this moment happened, I felt like they merited this investment, says Sabina Gonzalez-Erana, a program manager at the California Endowment. This was an organization that has proven that theyve got the resilience and the maturity to really build the movement. It made a $150,000 grant to the group in November. Some of those giving grants to Faith in the Valley were able to be more effective last summer and fall because they were already working on racial equity before Floyds murder. The Kresge Foundation, for example, has for several years been working on improving its internal diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and incorporating racial equity into the way it makes grants. It funded groups in cities often overlooked by major foundations and also wanted to give money to groups it had not worked with before, says Sidra Fatima, associate program officer with the American Cities Program at the Kresge Foundation. The Foundation awarded Faith in the Valley a three-year $450,000 grant that began in November 2020. Borealis Philanthropy, which raises money and distributes it to social-justice groups, had made grants to Faith in the Valley for years. It continued its support in 2020. Because of its experience, the grant maker knew that one key to changing the way police departments work was to change their budgets. Money could be moved away from police departments to mental-health interventions, for example. Months before defund the police became a nationwide rallying cry, Borealis already had an expert in city budgeting on staff to help grantees. Foundation support is crucial for nonprofits led by people of color. They tend to rely more heavily on foundations for their survival than other groups do. A 2019 report by the Building Movement Project found that 41 percent of leaders of color it surveyed said foundation grants were their largest source of revenue, compared with just 28 percent of white leaders. However, they also receive less funding than those led by white people, according to a 2020 report by the consultancy Bridgespan and Echoing Green, which supports emerging social enterprises. White-led groups in the study had budgets that were 24 percent larger than those led by people of color. Some of those disparities did not change last year. Faith in the Valley received more than three times as much money for COVID relief than for anti-racism work. Turner, who has led the group since the merger in 2016, is grateful for all financial support, but she says some donors were more comfortable giving to COVID relief. She found herself on the phone trying to explain the importance of fighting anti-Black racism. You just keep exposing yourself over and over to the hurt, to the disappointment, to the anger, to all of the emotion in hopes that its going to go somewhere, she says. Many foundations that created racial-justice funds gave money without restrictions. For instance, 70 percent of the grants made by Borealis last year were unrestricted. Faith in the Valley has had more no-strings grants in 2020 than in previous years. That has helped the group meet new and shifting challenges, says Pam Nelson-Hollis, Faith in the Valleys development director. Some foundations, such as Kresge, realize that it is more effective to leave decisions about how to spend money to those who are working directly on the problems. We have to be flexible, says Kresges Fatima. Were trying to recognize that its not us that defines success. We need to listen to the people closest to the solution and be partners. Woodruff, the Fresno organizer for Faith in the Valley, is optimistic about the changes that can be achieved in the coming years as a result of 2020s financial and organizational jump-start. Programs like Advance Peace and recommendations to change police practices shift reliance away from the police and back to community, a trend that Woodruff thinks can continue. We as a community are taking responsibility and taking ownership and engaging one another in order to reduce harm from these incidents, as opposed to relying on the cops for every social issue, he says. I see a lot more of that happening. Fresnos police chief Paco Balderrama supports the Advance Peace program because it can deter young people from criminal activity. He says Faith in the Valley has a lot of credibility and helped him understand community concerns. Though he was unaware of the incident with Brown and his officers, he is glad the conversation took place. Listening is the first big step towards understanding someone elses situation, he says But they dont agree on everything. He will not remove school resource officers, one of the 73 committee recommendations, because he says parents and students oppose it. And he says he only has authority to implement fewer than half of the recommendations. This year showed Turner that individuals are willing to support the group in bigger numbers than she had thought, and the organization may even put on a gala to help it balance its base of support. But she is wary that last years momentum may fade. People will have to make a choice. Do I choose to forget what Ive heard? she asks. Or will I come out of this new and different and become an advocate and someone that is actually fighting anti-Black racism? ___ This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Jim Rendon is a senior writer at the Chronicle. Email: jim.rendon@philanthropy.com. The AP and the Chronicle receive support from the Lilly Endowment for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits. The AP and the Chronicle are solely responsible for all content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) A Republican House member said Friday he and other state lawmakers will ask Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to pardon Kevin Strickland, who has spent more than 40 years in prison for a triple murder that prosecutors now say he did not commit. Rep. Andrew McDaniel of Deering, chairman of the House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee, said three other Republican and five Democratic legislators plan to join him in signing a letter asking for a pardon for Strickland, The Kansas City Star reported. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is heading to Alaska next week for a seafood promotion trip. The Republican lieutenant governor leaves for Juneau on Monday and will return to Louisiana on Thursday, according to his office. Among his plans, Nungesser will attend a dinner combining Louisiana and Alaska seafood to mark a formal partnership agreement between the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. He'll also take a boat tour and attend an event hosting travel and food writers. Louisiana and Alaska are the country's top two seafood-harvesting states, producing about 6.5 million pounds of seafood annually, according to Nungesser's office. To purchase and use domestic seafood from Louisiana and Alaska only helps to support economies, jobs and families in the United States that have been fishing the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Alaska for generations," the lieutenant governor said in a statement. With trademark toothpick and flat-brim Red Sox cap, SUNY Oswego professor Dan Baldassare, above, reaches thousands of ornithology enthusiasts on Twitter each morning as he searches for (and usually finds) some of the most fascinating local birds. NORTH BRANFORD ATMs were nabbed from gas stations in the area early Thursday morning, according to police. One of the burglaries happened at a gas station at 1371 Middletown Ave. around 1:16 a.m. Thursday, according to a release from North Branford Police Department. Police said multiple people forced their way into the business front door. After placing a cable around an ATM, they used that and a vehicle to forcibly remove the machine, according to police. They fled after putting the ATM into the back of a gray pick up truck, police said. The building sustained extensive damage to the front entry due to this incident, the release read. Also on Thursday morning, police went to a gas station at 271 Foxon Road related to a report of a commercial burglar alarm, the release read. Officials who went there saw there had been forced entry and that an ATM was missing, police said. Surveillance video showed there was a similar vehicle and suspect description as the earlier burglary, according to the release. The North Branford detective division responded and processed the scenes and will be conducting the investigation, the release read. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) For the first time since COVID-19 vaccines became available in December 2020, North Carolina this week declined to accept any more supplies. Instead, this weeks requests from North Carolina providers are being fulfilled through transfers from other providers or through requests to local health departments, according to state health officials. We are currently focusing on prioritizing the in-state inventory of vaccine by using a first-in, first-out strategy so that providers use vaccines by date of expiration in chronological order, as well as transferring vaccine between providers who can use them, the state Department of Health and Human Services said in an emailed statement on Friday. The move comes as North Carolina nears an announcement on additional financial incentives to boost vaccine participation amid a sizable drop in vaccine demand over the last two months. North Carolina returned more than 1.2 million doses to the federal government as of Friday. Nearly all states have contributed to the federal pool, according to the state Health Department. Data the department released Friday shows a surplus of nearly 2.4 million COVID-19 vaccines waiting for residents to take. The state has also turned down nearly 2.4 million additional shots from its federal allocation. North Carolina on Friday crossed the threshold of most adult residents being fully vaccinated. Thirty-nine percent of the state's overall population of 10.5 million people and 46% of eligible vaccine recipients 12 years of age or older are now fully vaccinated. Nearly four in five North Carolinians who are at least 65 years old have completed their vaccine cycle. But the state's administration numbers lag behind much of the country. North Carolina is the 14th worst state in COVD-19 vaccine doses administered per capita, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Mandy Cohen, the state's top public health official, told a news conference Wednesday that three groups remain unvaccinated: those who are eager to get vaccinated but haven't found the time to do it, those who have unanswered questions but would be more receptive to a shot if it were accessible at their doctor's office and those with no plans to get a vaccine. We're just going to keep at this, Cohen said. ___ Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak. Follow Anderson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BryanRAnderson. ___ Anderson 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. A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts: ___ Claim about airline meeting on vaccine liability is false CLAIM: Airlines recently met to discuss the risks and liability of carrying passengers vaccinated against COVID-19 since they could develop blood clots. THE FACTS: Theres no evidence that major airlines had a recent meeting to discuss the risks of transporting vaccinated passengers or that flying will trigger extremely rare blood clots associated with some COVID-19 vaccines, such as those manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca. But a popular Instagram post spread misinformation on that topic. Airlines are meeting today to discuss the risks of carrying vaxed passengers due to the risk of clots and the liabilities involved, the false post states. Oh the irony only the non vaxed can fly. In response to the post, International Air Transport Association spokesperson Anthony Concil told The Associated Press: I can confirm that this is nonsense. We do have a medical advisory group that looks at health and air travel issues. This is not an issue on their agenda. Concil added: As far as we are aware there are no meetings taking place among airlines on this topic." He also noted that the IATA, a trade association for global airlines, is not aware of any suggestion in medical literature that the kind of rare blood clots linked to certain COVID-19 vaccines has any impact on air travel. In fact, the types of blood clots that people can develop on airplanes, such as deep vein thrombosis, are totally different from the rare blood clots a small number of people developed after receiving certain COVID-19 vaccines, according to Dr. Elliott R. Haut, associate professor of surgery and a deep vein thrombosis expert at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Haut said the rare blood clots associated with some COVID-19 vaccines occur in unusual sites, forming in the veins of the brain or blood vessels in the abdomen. The AP reported that scientists noted some people might be experiencing an uncommon immune response, forming antibodies that attack their own platelets. Clots that develop on flights, such as deep vein thrombosis, typically form in the leg and are often the result of people being cramped, not moving around, or pressurization. Those are kind of the normal ones, Haut said, noting that deep vein thrombosis is relatively common in the U.S. Travel is one of the associated factors. Airlines for America, an industry trade organization, said in a statement to the AP that vaccines will help boost international travel. U.S. airlines have been encouraged by the success of our nations vaccination program and, as noted in a recent coalition letter, have routinely expressed our belief that widespread vaccination can serve as the foundation for re-opening critical international markets, the statement read. Associated Press writer Arijeta Lajka in New York contributed this report. ___ Cervical cancer screening letter is routine, not linked to COVID-19 vaccines CLAIM: Women who have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine are receiving letters instructing them to get screened for cervical cancer because the vaccine caused some 1,500 women to develop cervical cancer. THE FACTS: A viral video making this false claim appears to show a routine letter that reminds eligible women to get regular cervical cancer screenings and is unrelated to COVID-19 vaccines. The video, originally posted to TikTok, features a woman claiming that after she received both shots of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, a couple months ago, she received a personal letter in the mail warning her to get screened for cervical cancer. They said that theres 1,500 women that have cases of cervical cancer now, so they have invited me in to get the screening done again to make sure that I dont have cervical cancer now due to the COVID vaccine, the woman says while flashing the letter in front of the camera. An AP analysis of the text in the letter revealed it matched the text of a form letter sent by Cancer Care Ontario, a division of Ontario Health in Canada. The letter goes out to women across the province to remind them to get regular Pap tests. Several months ago we sent you a letter to invite you to get screened for cervical cancer with a Pap test, the letter reads. Women should have Pap tests once every three years until age 70. This year, cervical cancer will be found in about 1,500 women in Canada and at least one woman will die every day from this disease. The good news is you can take steps to protect yourself from cervical cancer by having regular Pap tests. The letter does not draw a connection between cervical cancer diagnosis and COVID-19 vaccines. Ontario Health told the AP in a statement that it sends letters to women ages 21 to 70 to remind them to book Pap tests, inform them of Pap test results and remind them when it is time to return for screening. We can confirm that Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) has not issued any communications to the public relating COVID-19 vaccines to cervical cancer diagnoses, or a need to be screened for cervical cancer after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, the agency said. We are not aware of any evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to a risk of cervical cancer. Experts confirm there is no known link between the COVID-19 vaccine and cervical cancer, which is typically caused by persistent infection with HPV, a common virus spread through sexual contact. There is no reason to alter screening recommendations because of the COVID-19 vaccine, said Dr. Sangini Sheth, associate chief of gynecological specialties at Yale Medicine. Sheth said regular cancer screenings and HPV vaccines are important tools to prevent cervical cancer, and some people have delayed these preventive health care visits during the pandemic. Associated Press writer Ali Swenson in Semora, North Carolina, contributed this report. ___ US military did not arrest Dr. Deborah Birx CLAIM: The United States military has arrested Dr. Deborah Birx for conspiring with Dr. Anthony Fauci and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to push face masks on Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. THE FACTS: Birx, former coordinator of the White House coronavirus response, has not been arrested. This false claim spread as real after appearing on a website known for its satire and parody content. U.S. Military Arrests Dr. Deborah Birx, reads the headline of the story, which was published Saturday on the website Real Raw News. The story claims that Birx was taken into custody because she had conspired with the CDC and top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci to deceive the American public into believing that face masks were an effective method to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The bogus story spread to YouTube, Instagram and conspiracy theory message boards, and was shared by internet users including a former Georgia congressional candidate. Birx has not been arrested, according to Jo Trizila, founder of TrizCom Public Relations, which represents ActivePure Technologies, where Birx currently serves as chief medical and scientific adviser. In an internet search, no credible news reports suggest there is any truth to the claim. RealRawNews, the website that published the story on Birx, has previously published a slew of debunked claims, including that Navy SEALs arrested former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The website includes a disclaimer that its content contains humor, parody, and satire. Research suggests statewide mask mandates have been effective in slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Ali Swenson ___ Dominion Voting Systems lawsuits against Powell and Giuliani are ongoing CLAIM: Election technology firm Dominion Voting Systems lost its lawsuits against attorney Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani, former President Donald Trumps personal lawyer. THE FACTS: Dominions defamation lawsuits against Powell and Giuliani are ongoing, according to legal records. In January 2021, Dominion Voting Systems filed defamation lawsuits against Giuliani and Powell, claiming the lawyers falsely accused the company of rigging the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden. The suits sought more than $1.3 billion in damages from each party. Five months later, bothcases remain open, according to websites that track legal cases. Still, social media users this week were sharing false claims that Dominions legal efforts had failed. ABSENT FROM THE NEWS, read a Monday Facebook post with over 1,000 shares. Dominion LOST their law suits against Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell. Lawyers for Giuliani and Powell have both requested through attorneys that the suits be dismissed. Dominion has opposed those motions. Neither case had a verdict as of June 4, 2021. There is no evidence of the widespread fraud that Trump and his allies claimed occurred in the 2020 election. Republican and Democratic election officials certified the election as valid, and a clear majority of Congress confirmed that President Joe Biden won. Ali Swenson ___ Find all AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck ___ Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck HAMDEN A New Haven man pleaded guilty this week to his role in a 2018 shootout with a police officer while he was allegedly trying to rob a local store, according to officials. Kwaun Cole, 34, pleaded guilty before Judge Gerald L. Harmon to criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and criminal possession of a firearm, according to Patrick J. Griffin, the New Haven states attorney. Cole, represented during his Thursday court appearance by attorney Paul Carty, has multiple previous felony convictions for robbery and assault offenses, officials said. Hes scheduled to be sentenced July 12. Coles guilty plea came Thursday, the third day of jury selection in Superior Court in New Haven. The charges against him stem from an incident on Jan. 24, 2018. Officials said it was shortly after 9 p.m. that day when Cole went into the Krauzers Food Store at 1959 State St., wearing a mask and armed with a semiautomatic handgun. He allegedly accosted the store clerk and a shopper with the gun, demanding they comply as he took cash from the register and a cellphone from the customer. Hamden Officer Andrew Pfeiffer, driving in the area, was flagged down by a witness in the parking lot. Pfeiffer called in the alleged armed robbery and walked toward the store. He immediately spotted the man armed with a gun, later identified as Cole. Pfeiffer saw that he was holding the store clerk at gunpoint, officials said. Pfeiffer believed the clerk was in imminent danger and went into the store to confront Cole. Cole ducked behind some store shelving rather than showing his hands as Pfeiffer had ordered. Officials said Cole then pointed the gun at the officer and fired a round. Pfeiffer and Cole exchanged gunfire, with Cole eventually making a break for the front door while shooting at the officer seeking cover, officials said. When Pfeiffer returned fire, Cole apparently went back inside the store. Officials said he later was seen leaving out an emergency side exit before taking running away from the area. Coles description went out to all officers on the police radio waves. Soon after, he was found hiding under a car in a driveway on State Street. He was found with injuries to his right hand and fingers. Officials said he also had been shot in the torso. He was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital to be treated. Pfeiffers use of force in the case was deemed in defense of himself and others in the store, with the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad and the New Haven States Attorneys Office ruling his actions as justified. Ballistic evidence showed that Cole fired six shots at the officer, officials said. Its unclear how many were fired by Pfeiffer. ORANGE Superior Court Judge Richard Arnold, who died this week after managing his cancer without self-pity, is being remembered as a tough but principled judge, a driving force in the Republican Party and, most of all, a true friend and family man. He was a very nurturing, caring person, who gave of himself much more than he would be given, said former state Rep. Themis Klarides, who is considering a run for governor. She said Arnold, a former state Republican Party chairman, and his beloved wife, Karen, former Republican Party chairwoman in Orange, were like second parents to her, guiding her political career and supporting her personal journey. Richard Arnold died Tuesday, but just Sunday they were smiling, briskly talking politics and he even texted Klarides to get his wife something to eat because he was worried about her. Contributed photo He was a person you could always go to for advice, she said. He always said, Put your family first. Town Attorney Vincent M. Marino, who thought of Arnold as his local father, said he was deeply saddened by his passing. Marino said he never thought of him as Rich Arnold, never calling him by name, but rather, the judge Marino said he met Arnold about 25 years ago, introduced to him by Karen Arnold, shortly after Marino got involved in local politics. The Judge quickly became a close friend and mentor, Marino said. Over the years, the Arnolds and the Marinos often got together for dinner, or on the Arnolds porch, and the judge and Marino spent many evenings on the phone discussing legal and political strategy. Contributed photo He often commented on things that I had done with words of encouragement and a sense of pride, Marino said of Arnold. Marino recalled the first time he sat in Arnolds courtroom, taking a seat for his case to be called. Arnold looked Marinos way, stopped the proceeding that he was hearing and from the bench said, Attorney Marino, I would like to see you in my chambers. I was new to the practice and was terrified that I had done something wrong. As soon as we entered his chambers, he said, Take a seat. Hows it going? Marino recalled this week. And from that moment forward he always ended our conversations by saying friends first. Last Friday the two texted each other for the last time Marino wanted to know how the judge was feeling and they talked about getting together for coffee, but that never happened. Marino said hell never forget how his friend ended that last text. The Judges final words to me were friends first, Marino said. First Selectman Jim Zeoli said Richard Arnold was, wonderful and helpful individual to many. He was a great adviser to me and a very dear friend, said Zeoli, who chose Arnold to swear him into office in 2019. I will miss our quiet discussions on many topics. Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti said the loss of Arnold will be felt throughout Connecticut. He was a friend, mentor and a tough, but fair and just judge, Cassetti said. We need more people like Judge Arnold in the judiciary system. He will be missed. Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media file As a judge, Richard Arnold was thorough and principled, said defense attorney Richard Rick Altschuler, who has had many a client come before Arnold. Altschuler, who was active for many years in Orange politics as a Democrat and often butted heads with Karen and Richard Arnold said Judge Arnold never let the political stuff enter his courtroom. Altschuler said that was true even when he politically attacked Karen Arnold two weeks before he had a case in court before her husband. As a judge, He went by the rules the letter of the law, Altschuler said of Arnold, but he never got robe-itis a term lawyers use for judges who get carried away with their power. Altschuler said Arnold didnt forget where he came from. He treated defendants civilly in court, took into account whether they were remorseful and gave sentences that fit the crime, Altschuler said. Klarides said Arnold was proud to serve the state as a judge and loved the role, working right up until a few weeks before his death, even though he didnt have to. Hearst Connecticut Media file Register archives show Arnold presided over many high-profile cases involving murder, home invasion, robbery, sexual assault, bank robbery, assault and more. Arnold is quoted extensively in Register archives addressing defendants. In one case involving a man who raped and killed a girl, 7, in West Haven, and who is now serving two life terms, Arnold said in court, I feel confident that if I run them consecutively, he will never see the light of day. In another case, a West Haven teen already facing charges had his bail increased after he allegedly beat up a man at a house party. During the bond hearing, the defendants attorney said he believed his client could be rehabilitated, to which Arnold replied, Its not my goal. Its protection of the community. Arnold said the defendant was out of control. In one case, Arnold said he had reviewed the defendants record and noted he had graduated to the major leagues of criminal offenses. Now he deserves every day of the sentence he is going to get. I hope he serves the maximum time allowable, Arnold said from the bench. Local Republican activist and farm owner Sharon Ewen, a close friend, said she knew Arnold before he was a judge, so she simply called him Rich, but often thought of him as Mr. Republican. Ewen said every year for about the last 15 years she has a hayride and then in recent years a barn party, and these past six years with a bluegrass band Richard Arnold loved called the Angry OHares. It was one of Richs favorite things when we were younger we would go out on the hay wagon and go around the farm and end with a bonfire. He would say, Hey, Shar, this is the best. Look at those stars. What a night, she said. This past year because of pandemic we didnt have party and I was disappointed because I knew for Rich it could be his last party in the barn, she said. One point on which all those who knew Arnold agree is that he loved and adored his wife, renewing their vows 30 years later in Marinos yard two years ago. The only person that always came first was his wife, Karen. The Judges unconditional love of Karen was seen in everything he did and everything he said, Marino said. I am grateful that two years ago, we got to share in their love story when they renewed their wedding vows in my backyard. Ewen said the Arnolds were lucky to be able to have renewed their vows. It was their renewing of vows but knowing they would forever love one another. ... He was in the beginning of his pancreatic cancer, Ewen said. Marino said Arnold became ill a few years ago, and successfully managed that illness without any self-pity and died with courage and grace. HARTFORD Gov. Ned Lamonts five-minute walk around the State Capitol in the rain Friday afternoon apparently cleared the air and the weeks-long budget gridlock with Democratic leaders of the General Assembly. His sport coat still wet from the summer shower and with mere days to spare before the June 9 legislative adjournment Lamont abandoned his plan to join a regional climate initiative that would have raised gasoline prices, giving the state nearly $90 million a year by 2023 for infrastructure improvements including mass transit. Alright, I think were getting to a budget, Lamont said a couple hours later, seated at his desk, surrounded by news reporters. You know, God is in the details, so were going find out over the course of the next 48 hours, but we have broad agreement with the Democratic leadership. Another Lamont proposal to create a $90-million-a-year highway user tax on large interstate trucks is still alive, but was deferred to become a separate bill that may or may not pass in a toll-hesitant legislature, with the trucking and supermarket industries lobbying furiously against it. In exchange, Democrats abandoned their proposals to hike taxes on the states wealthiest residents to the tune of $1.6 billion, which Lamont adamantly opposed and could have resulted in a stalemate over the spending package into a cascade of divisive budget negotiations into the summer. Both sides agreed to expand no-cost health insurance to include as many as 40,000 people through Access Health CT, the states insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. Democrats also gave up their plan for a $600 tax credit per child in the state, citing similar funding is coming from Washington. Democrats did promise major influxes of cash to the states cities, thanks to the federal American Rescue Plan stimulus funding, not from the tax increases some in the party wanted. A legislative proposal to create a new tax on social-media advertising to generate more than $300 million over the two years was dropped. The 10-percent surcharge on the corporate tax to raise $50 million a year remains, however. The apparent deal between Lamont and Democratic leaders in the legislature which still isnt final includes an increase in the states earned income tax credit, or EITC, for the working poor, raising it to 30 percent of the federal EITC, from 23 percent. If the budget goes forward under the deal, the legislation will be even truer than Lamonts public promises in February not to raise taxes under the two-year, $46-billion budget that starts July 1. Thats because Republicans, and even some Democrats, considered wholesale and producer fees from the Transportation Climate Initiative to be taxes, as producers could pass the costs to the gasoline pumps. The salvation allowing the deal to happen was $2.8 billion in direct deferral stimulus coming into state coffers, allowing added spending without new taxes. Republicans targeted Lamonts regional TCI, as its known, with a string of ant-tax rallies throughout the state reminiscent of the anti-toll uprising of his first two years in office. Clearly our efforts worked, said state Sen. Eric Berthel, R-Watertown, outside the Senate chamber shortly after first Democratic leaders, then Lamont, announced the outlines of a deal that would be voted in the House and Senate in the next few days. TCI is not right for Connecticut today or perhaps in the future. Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly and House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora agreed that their public pressure resulted in a victory for taxpayers. The Governor started out wanting new taxes on gas, food and health insurance, Kelly and Candelora said. Republicans rallied around our state saying no to any new taxes. At a time when we have historic federal aid, a budget surplus, and a record-breaking rainy-day fund it is irresponsible and out of touch for Democrats to tax people even more. Lamont had pushed hard for the TCI, saying it would reduce carbon emissions in addition to raising money the state needs to raise for transportation projects. Late Friday morning, the governor had spoken at a pro-TCI rally on the Capitol lawn, a rarity for a governor in the midst of budget talks. Standing outside the Capitol, Lamont said at the rally that 'it's time for the legislators to act." "Connecticut deserves better than the status quo," Lamont said to about 25 people outside the Capitol, adding that through the pandemic "we found out it was folks who lived closest to roads and bridges and highways, where there's great pollutants, Brown and Black families, most likely to suffer from asthma, most likely to suffer from COVID, most likely to suffer from fatalities." Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, and House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, emerged from Lamonts office in the afternoon. Looney would not go as far to call it a handshake deal but rather, a conceptual meeting of the minds. About two hours earlier, a determined Lamont and Paul Mounds, his chief of staff, along with Capitol security abruptly left their second-floor office suite at the Capitol and walked out a usually locked door on the Capitols north side. A sudden shower forced them back inside. The budget, Lamont said, keeps to his key principles an on-time package that doesnt raise taxes and is free of gimmickry. As for the TCI, which he badly wanted, Lamont said he agreed to wait until other states join the regional consortium that would require gasoline producers to buy credits for their role in greenhouse gas and asthma-inducing emissions. Its always a struggle trying to figure out how to get Connecticut to pay for transportation, Lamont said, admitting disappointment. Everybody always stands next to me at the bridge but doesnt always want to pay for that. While the Transportation Climate Initiative is off the table Well talk about it next year, Ritter said the General Assembly could still pass a highway use tax, perhaps for heavy trucks. I wouldnt rule out other transportation funding options quite yet but maybe different vehicles, different ideas, Ritter said. A lot of this can depend on where our friends across the aisle, where they want to go and how they want to do it. Looney, whose caucus holds 24 of the 36 Senate seats, wanted Connecticuts wealthiest to pay more, giving cities a permanent source of more funding, not just from the federal stimulus. He views that as a way to address decades of racial inequity. As for the transportation taxes, or fees, he said there was more support in his caucus for the truck fee than for TCI. Asked whether the end result would be as progressive budget as he has advocated for, Looney said its going to be close. Its going to meet a lot of needs that have not been met in the last 10 years when the recovery has been so lean. Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High around 80F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low around 60F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Michael D. Nordwall Named Special Agent in Charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office Director Christopher Wray has named Michael D. Nordwall as the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office. Mr. Nordwall most recently served as a section chief in the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Mr. Nordwall began his career with the FBI as a special agent in 2002. He was first assigned to the Phoenix Field Office, where he worked counterterrorism, violent crime, crimes in Indian Country, and organized crime matters. He was also a member of the SWAT team and an EMT. In 2009, Mr. Nordwall was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Operations Unit of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate at Headquarters, where he managed FBI investigations of and responses to WMD threats in the U.S. and internationally. Mr. Nordwall transferred to the Tampa Field Office in Florida in 2011 to oversee an organized crime drug enforcement strike force known as Panama Express. The interagency strike force countered transnational criminal organizations trafficking drugs on the high seas. In 2014, Mr. Nordwall was selected as an associate director in the Department of Justices Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Executive Office, serving as the primary representative for federal law enforcement. He also oversaw the attorney generals Consolidated Priority Organization Target program, which focused government efforts on disrupting and dismantling the most significant criminal organizations. Mr. Nordwall returned to the Tampa Field Office in 2016 to oversee the Joint Terrorism Task Force. In June 2018, he reported to the Denver Field Office as the assistant special agent in charge of the Criminal Branch and all Colorado resident agencies. He was promoted in 2019 to chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Global Section in the Criminal Investigative Division at Headquarters. The section manages investigations and intelligence collection against transnational criminal organizations based in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Mr. Nordwall earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Auburn University in Alabama. Prior to joining the FBI, he worked in the petrochemical industry. This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China unveils first domestically developed virtual student People's Daily Online) 17:10, June 04, 2021 Wearing a ponytail and a red backpack, Chinas first virtual student Hua Zhibing made her debut at the 2021 Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI) Conference on June 1. Photo shows the virtual character Hua Zhibing, whose face and voice were virtually synthesized. Developed by a joint team consisting of the BAAI, Zhipu.AI, and AI company XiaoIce, Hua Zhibing was enrolled at the Department of Computer Science and Technology at Tsinghua University and became a student of Tang Jie, deputy dean of academic affairs at the academy and a Tsinghua University professor. The virtual student is powered by the second generation of Wudao, Chinas largest pre-trained AI model, which can process 1.75 trillion parameters, according to Tang. Tang said that Hua Zhibing can continuously learn and is now capable of composing poems and drawing pictures, and will be able to code in the future. In a video clip introducing Hua Zhibing at the BAAI conference, the virtual girl said that she had composed the background music in the video. Tang believed that what makes Hua Zhibing different from ordinary virtual characters is that she has some ability in reasoning and emotional interaction. Peng Shuang, another member of the research team and also co-founder and vice president of XiaoIce, said that apart from learning, she hoped that the virtual girl will have a higher EQ and be able to communicate like a human. Peng also explained that the newly developed brainchild will be able to play a role in more scenarios, such as news coverage and popularization of knowledge. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Oswego, NY (13126) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 61F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, has released new June prophecy on his social media page. ... The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, has released new June prophecy on his social media page. Mbaka released the new powerful prophecies for June on his Facebook page: Rev.Father Ejike Mbaka Adoration ministry Prayer Line Songs and Praises. The cleric said in his June prophecies that in this month of June, those that believe in the prophecy will encounter many trials but you shall be victorious. Father Mbaka continued in his prophecy that this month of June 2021, your enemies will fall into that pit they dig for you. The controversial Catholic priest prayed for divine protection and upliftment adding that they shall receive turn around blessings in Jesus Name. He said; In This Month Of June, You Will Encounter Many Trials But You Shall Be Victorious In Jesus Mighty Name Amen. Your Enemies Will Fall Into That Pit They Dig For You In Jesus Mighty Name. Receive Turn Around Blessings In Jesus Name Amen. I Pray For Divine Protection And Upliftment In Jesus Mighty Name. Say Amen. Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has warned against the ethnic profiling of Igbo people, insisting they are not killers. Oko... Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has warned against the ethnic profiling of Igbo people, insisting they are not killers. Okorocha stated this on Thursday, during the centenary celebration in honour of the former Premier of Eastern Nigeria, the late Michael Okpara, in Abuja. I appeal to all Nigerians to stop the ethnic profiling of the Igbo. They are not murderers, otherwise they wont be in Kano or Lagos doing business. Indeed, we are passing through one of the ugliest moments of our history, he said. His comments come almost a week after the killing of Ahmed Gulak, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain. Gulak, an ex-political adviser to former President, Goodluck Jonathan, was killed in Owerri, Imo State at the weekend. Gulak, who conducted the APC primary election in Imo State prior to the 2019 general elections, had accused Okorocha of, among other things, taking him hostage and forcing him to announce the results in his favour. Chelsea defender, Thiago Silva and striker Olivier Giroud have extended their contracts with the London club by one year. It takes Silvas t... Chelsea defender, Thiago Silva and striker Olivier Giroud have extended their contracts with the London club by one year. It takes Silvas time at Stamford Bridge into a second season. The Brazilian enjoyed a successive first season at the club after he arrived on a free transfer from PSG. The 36-year-old featured 34 times in all competitions for the blues and scored twice. Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia who was excited about the renewal said: When we brought Thiago Silva in last summer, we knew we were adding a world-class player to the squad. Thiago has duly shown everyone at Chelsea his immense quality throughout this season, and he has had a huge influence on and off the pitch for us. Thiago Silvas new deal will run until the end of the 2021/22 season when Chelsea will be looking to defend their European crown as well as challenge for domestic honours. Chelsea also confirmed on its website that Frenchman Giroud extended his contract with the club by one year. The Frenchmans current deal was due to expire at the end of this campaign but an extension means the 34-year-olds three-and-a-half-year stay in west London continues for another year. Since his move from Arsenal, Giroud helped the Blues secure three major honours. Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia described Giroud as a crucial part of so many big moments for the club. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) Thirteen persons, including women and children, were killed in a boat mishap that occurred in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Thursday ( ) revealed results from the top section of the Saffron-2 well have been in-line with expectations. The well has so far been completed to a depth of 1,593 feet, on time and on budget, and has encountered the Upper Cruse and upper parts of the Middle Cruse formations. Logs for the sections are as prognosed and consistent with comparable logs from Saffron-1, the company noted. Drilling will now progress deeper to evaluate the deeper Middle Cruse, and then the Lower Cruse. Two area math teachers have been nominated for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching the nations highest honor for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science educators: Thomas Wright, a middle school math teacher at Hynes Charter School-Lakeview; and Dawn Jacobi, who teaches advanced students at Destrehan High School. A national panel will review nearly 100 nominees from around the country and announce the winners later this summer. The awards program, which was established in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The teachers are nominated by their colleagues. Anybody in academia understands the significance of the National Science Foundation, Wright said. There's just no higher honor. Even to be a finalist is so humbling and pretty amazing. Jacobi, who has taught for 26 years, also described the honor as humbling. You don't teach for the recognition. It sounds corny, but you're there for the students, she said, adding that it has been a tough year for teachers, students and parents. Through her nomination, she hoped to illustrate how they worked as a team. Teachers can't do it without students, and I don't think students and parents can do it without teachers, she said, describing why she enjoys the profession. One of the things I find intriguing is trying to understand the learner's perspective, because every kid comes with a different set of component parts compiled from all of their experiences, she said. So it's kind of like a puzzle to figure out how to engage them with the material, so that they can connect wherever they are. Jacobi feels fortunate that shes able to share her love for math almost every day. When you know somebody is excited and enthusiastic about something, its contagious, she said. It gives you confidence that you can do anything you want to do. You can do things with math you don't realize you're doing. You can problem solve and learn to communicate in technical ways, and that's really a win-win for everybody. Wright, who has also taught at the University of New Orleans, believes his students are at an age where they are just learning about the world and starting to think about the beginning stages of what they want to do for careers. Since Wright has been teaching for more than 10 years, hes witnessed former students move into STEM fields. If you haven't had a good experience with math, you might come away feeling negatively about it, he said. As an eighth grade teacher, you're still able to change kids' and families' points of view of how math works. How it's not something that's only available to a slight elite, but in fact, it's just like a puzzle that can be learned, and there are strategies and tools that you can learn. "And once you've learned them, it's really just a matter of playing a game, or chess, or putting together a puzzle, or something like that. +5 Educators from New Orleans, Chalmette, Metairie and Luling are state top-teacher nominees Like medical workers, many teachers in the COVID-era have risked their health to help the community. Even those who only taught online classes +7 St. Francis Xavier fourth graders make toys from simple materials with children developing nations in mind Whether you have kids or not, youre probably aware that toys nowadays are capable of all sorts of things. They blink, play music, zip across From upholstered furniture to European antiques, furnishings from the Palmer Avenue former home of political power couple James Carville and Mary Matalin will be included in the major estates auction taking place Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6, through New Orleans Auction Galleries. The couple recently sold their Uptown home for $3.3 million, saying that with their two daughters grown, they intend to downsize. While the auction booklet doesn't list the provenance for each piece that's up for bidding the sale also includes items from two other estates Taylor Eichenwald, Auction Galleries assistant director, said about 65 of them are from the Carville-Matalin home. The pieces are a mix, including highly ornamented Baroque side tables, religious reliquaries and a Spanish Renaissance-style secretary bookcase. "They got a lot of it from Kevin Stone Antiques and Interiors here," Eichenwald said. "It's a nice mix of very old antiques and more contemporary things that fit together. It's mainly a lot of French and Italian antiques." But it's not everything in the house, Eichenwald added. "It depends on whether they can use them (the pieces) or not in their next house." The couple has said they intend to remain in New Orleans. Were in the process of buying a place in New Orleans, Carville told The Time-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate in May, from a home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Well have a permanent place in the city of New Orleans. Were as deep in the city of New Orleans as the Mississippi mud. We were New Orleans, we are New Orleans and will be New Orleans for the rest of our days. The items can be viewed during the auction galleries' regular hours. There will be no in-person bidding, however. "This is the last sale for that," said Eichenwald, explaining that this one was already planned before COVID rules were loosened. Those who want to bid can sign up for phone bidding, in which the interested bidder lets the gallery know which lots he's interested in and then receives a phone call when that lot comes up, enabling him to bid live. Absentee bidding lets Auction Galleries bid for you, up to your predetermined limit. "So if something is estimated at $1,000, and I know that I want to bid up to $2,000, they can bid on your account," Eichenwald said, adding that if the item gets no other bids, you pay the lesser price. Live online bidding, from 10 a.m. to about 3 p.m. each day, is available through partner sites invaluable.com and liveauctioneers.com. For more information, email info@neworleansauction.com or phone (504) 566-1849. In a telling anecdote from her childhood, historian Gwendolyn Midlo Hall recalls her first fishing trip with her father, civil rights attorney Herman Midlo. What did she catch? A hammerhead shark, she recalls wryly. Story of my life. As a metaphor, its pretty apt. Was the shark more than she wished for? A success and a bigger catch she hadnt imagined or wasnt prepared for? In her new memoir, Haunted by Slavery: A Southern White Woman in the Freedom Struggle, we see the story of her life, writ large and wonderfully. Born in 1929, Gwendolyn Midlo Hall was determined to live a life that mattered pursue an education, a life of political commitment, passionate love and meaningful work. Writing a memoir is an act of claiming experience, owning memory. And in this book, Hall claims it all a New Orleans childhood as the child of Polish immigrants, attending Tulane University, three marriages (most notably to Black revolutionary Harry Haywood for more than three decades), three children, time in Paris, a vagabond academic life teaching at various institutions before settling at Rutgers University, and now a life in Guanajuato, Mexico, where she lives with her son Haywood, an activist and physician, and his family. In the background of a Zoom call technology has ever been Halls friend we hear the sound of birds, dogs barking and life all around her. It is easy to hear in her voice the feisty girl of the memoir, who found herself on the platform at the Southern Negro Youth Conference Convention when W.E.B. Dubois made his famous Behold the Land speech. That was the first time I understood the power of history, she said. +5 Economy Hall's hidden history is revealed in rescued journals from a turbulent time The story behind Fatima Shaiks new book, Economy Hall: The History of a Free Black Brotherhood in New Orleans, is enough to make you believ My father taught me to be a revolutionary, she said, so I always had a sense of carrying on the family tradition. Everywhere around her, she saw evidence of racism. The Robert E. Lee statue in Lee Circle showed her that White racist thought was more open and crude and ridiculous here. She never believed the sanitized version of history she was taught in schools. As the years pass and she pursued her education, she crossed paths with history again and again. She was arrested at an interracial party in New Orleans in 1949 and was active in civil rights groups. As she grew older, she experienced the Black Power movement, the Red Scare, harassment by the FBI and the birth of feminism. As she writes, I integrated myself into (the Black community), the Southern Negro Youth Congress, the Southern Conference for Human Welfare, the Civil Rights Congress, the Provisional Organizing Committee to Reestablish the Communist Party. Some of the most moving passages in the book are devoted to her personal life, as she describes the difficulty of an interracial marriage, raising one son who had mental illness and two biracial children her own mother refused to accept. Halls path to success was never easy; she faced employment discrimination all along the way. But she persisted, and she endured. She set out to make a difference, and she did. She devoted herself to scholarship dealing with the Afro-Atlantic slave trade, earning her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, writing the landmark work "Africans in Colonial Louisiana: The Development of Afro-Creole Culture in the Eighteenth Century" (1992). In one wonderful moment it sounds like every writers dream she writes, I got on the streetcar and everyone was reading my book! That led her to the great work of digitizing the slave records of Pointe Coupee Parish. No late adopter, Hall understood early on how computers could revolutionize the study of history as well as making it more accessible to ordinary people looking to understand their ancestry. Her work on slave records inspired a story on the front page of The New York Times in 2000. She has also been honored for that work with the Gwendolyn Midlo Hall Allee at Whitney Plantation, where information from those records, about those lives, is carved in stone. Haunted by Slavery is illustrated with news clippings and photographs, giving it the sense of a scrapbook of a life filled with thought and action and achievement. Contemplating her 92nd birthday coming up later this month, she muses, Ive always been about 20 years ahead of my time, waiting for the times to catch up with me. This little bit of recognition thats coming now is welcome. She pauses and laughs. I guess Im lucky I lived so long. Susan Larson is the host of The Reading Life on WWNO-FM. The bar that for almost two decades held down the corner of Royal Street and Franklin Avenue let you know right where you were - it was called Mimis in the Marigny. While that bar closed during the pandemic, the name Mimis in the Marigny could return somewhere else in the future. Now, though, if you walk through the same doors at this Marigny crossroads, Anna Giordano will leave no doubt about where you stand. The new bar in the old spot is called Annas. Its named for her, and behind her bar shell pair you up a beer with a shot, or a Spanish vermouth with a bowl of olives. Annas opened early in June with a pool table and a jukebox, Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap, a mix of classic cocktails and Spanish-inspired drinks and a tapas menu from the kitchen. The upstairs-downstairs layout is the same, and a light renovation kept much the same look of exposed brick, weathered woodwork and banks of windows framing views down Marigny streetscapes. Giordano, a longtime New Orleans bartender, is a partner and the hands-on proprietor. She wants Annas to be a neighborhood bar, one that balances her own approach and aesthetic with the cornerstones that have always drawn people. After all the changes people have been through, I just hope there's a sigh of relief when they come here that it's not radically different from what they remember, Giordano said. Annas was developed by Barrel Proof Holdings, a spin-off from the local hospitality group LeBlanc + Smith. While LeBlanc + Smith is a familiar name in local restaurant circles (it runs Sylvain, Cavan and The Chloe) this group was formed by founder Robert LeBlanc and Liam Deegan to run bars. That includes the longtime Magazine Street bar Barrel Proof and now Annas. Mimis next move? First opened in 2003, Mimis in the Marigny helped set a new era for nightlife in its neighborhood. During the day, it was a mellow place to shoot pool, drink beer and watch the neighborhood doings. For a time, you could find jazz bands playing upstairs at night. DJ Soul Sister kept a weekly residency, orchestrating dance parties with funky grooves on vinyl. Disputes with a group of neighbors eventually spelled the end of live music here, however. The bar was known for its tapas menu and late-night kitchen, led for many years by chef Heathcliffe Hailey. Today, Hailey is chef at Pluck, a new wine bar and restaurant in the CBD. +8 At new downtown wine bar Pluck, a sommeliers next act starts with Champagne A matrix of winemaking decisions progress from the vineyard to the bottle. As a sommelier, Skye LaTorre sees her job as carrying that process Bars were especially hard hit by the economic tumult of the pandemic. The business has been seeing an ongoing shake-up, with some bars changing hands and others closing outright. The changes that led to Annas taking up the former Mimis in the Marigny space come with their own contretemps. Mimis in the Marigny was named for one of its founding partners, Marie Mimi Dykes. Ownership of the bar changed over the years, and by 2011 it was run by a group that included Dykes and her landlords, through a company called Royal Franklin Bar LLC. That partnership came apart during the coronavirus shutdowns last year, and Dykes sold her share of the bar to her erstwhile partners. Royal Franklin Bar brought in Barrel Proof Holdings to develop a new bar here. Initially, however, this bar at the old Mimis in the Marigny address was taking shape under the somewhat different name, simply Mimis. Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up +7 French Quarter bar Peychauds takes a page, and name, from New Orleans cocktail history Just off Bourbon Street, a tiny new French Quarter bar is stepping into some very big shoes of New Orleans cocktail history. In April, Dykes filed a lawsuit seeking to block the use of the Mimis in the Marigny name at the new bar. Filings in that suit argue that the terms of the sales agreement for Dykes share of the bar stipulated that she retains ownership of the name Mimis in the Marigny. That lawsuit has not yet been assigned a hearing date. This week, Dykes said she is now in negotiations for a Marigny location to open a new bar that she will call Mimis in the Marigny. LeBlanc said he and his partners dropped the Mimis name after learning of the dispute. We were proceeding with the understanding that we had use of the name, and when we learned it was an issue we immediately pivoted," he said. "We were never going to fight someone for their name. The name Annas signals a new start and showcases the role Giordano plays in the new venture, LeBlanc said. Cocktails and tapas Giordano was previously bar director at Longway Tavern, a modern French Quarter spot that closed in the pandemic. She got her start with LeBlanc + Smith bartending at its former bistro Meauxbar. She also was a bartender at Bar Tonique, the craft cocktail den in the French Quarter with a strong service industry following. To her, making a new neighborhood bar starts with the characters who inhabit it. She describes Annas as the sister bar to Barrel Proof, and a somewhat more feminine foil to that other bars dark, whiskey-heavy format. The look here is informed by Giordanos taste for the quirky, with a layering of 1980s kitsch and vintage touches from earlier eras. Annas kitchen is led by Chris Hammy Hamm, who came through Cavan and Sylvain. Octopus with black rice, ham croquettes, white anchovies with olive salad, a strip steak with salsa verde and churros with chocolate are all part of his opening menu. Service is tavern-style casual order at the bar and the staff bring dishes out to your perch, upstairs or downstairs. Annas two bars have different specialties. Downstairs, by the pool table and jukebox, theres draft beer and cocktails, like a salty dog or a pineapple rum daiquiri, mixed with house-made syrups and fresh juices. Thats a way to take the cocktails up a bit while keeping the corner joint vibe, said Giordano. Upstairs, by the kitchen, the bar is more synched to the menu. All the wines are Spanish, theres vermouth and sherry, and a variety of Spanish gin goes into many of the cocktails. To Giordano, the best neighborhood bars are welcoming and comfortable to different people for different reasons. That's why they attract a clientele that's interesting and reflects its neighborhood. I think well have people who come in because the pool table is back, and then people will come to have a little more refined experience and get into the pairings upstairs, Giordano said. Hopefully some people will come because we have a great jukebox. We want to be all those things. Annas 2601 Royal St., (504) 872-9868 Mon.-Fri., 4 p.m.-2 am., Sat. and Sun., noon-2 a.m. New Orleans ranked best city for barbecue, and not even New Orleans buys it Barbecue aficionados in New Orleans are living in a golden age of the craft here. But is New Orleans really the top city in the United States +10 Jamaican restaurant 14 Parishes brings the heat, the rum and a fresh spark to Oak Street Jamaican flags are flying high over Oak Street. In the open kitchen, chef Charles Blake is getting down into the roots of his native Jamaican Hotel franchisees from Connecticut and Texas have joined the Louisiana hotelier who sued the world's largest hotel franchise operator, InterContinental Hotels Group, alleging an array of fraudulent and anti-competitive practices. The Aaron Hotel Group, which owns a Holiday Inn Express in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and PH Lodging Tomball, which has a Holiday Inn franchise in Tomball, Texas, have joined the class action filed last month in Louisiana by Vimal Patel, who owns Holiday Inn Express franchises in LaPlace and Donaldsonville, as well as a Candlewood Suites in Houma and a Staybridge Suites in Lake Charles, all of which are brands owned by IHG. The latest two lawsuits make similar allegations as Patel's. Specifically, they allege that IHG and its subsidiaries aren't treating franchisees fairly by requiring them to make regular refurbishments and to purchase goods and services only from IHG-approved suppliers, which charge inflated prices for poor quality products. The lawsuits further allege that IHG receives rebates or kick-backs from these companies, which amounts to hidden royalties and fees for the franchisees which are not part of their contracts. The complaints also alleges that IHG's loyalty points scheme operates solely for the benefit of IHG and its companies, and leaves the franchisees with loss-making rates for their rooms. Andrew Bleiman, an attorney at Marks & Klein in Chicago, the law firm that is leading the lawsuit nationally, said the lawsuits express long-standing franchisee grievances that have been exacerbated during the pandemic, with IHG trying to make up for lost revenue. Bleiman said he expects many more IHG hotel franchisees to join the class action. "We expect more folks to join and for more issues to be uncovered," he said. "We expect at least a dozen more cases to be filed over the next several weeks." IHG didn't answer a request for comment on the new lawsuits. In addition to the Holiday Inn brands, IHG's franchises include the InterContinental, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza and Regent and Kimpton. 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 publicly-listed company reported in February that revenue halved last year, to about $2.4 billion, and its operating profit swung to a $153 million loss, compared to a $630 million profit in 2019. IHG describes itself as an "asset light" operation, which means that the vast bulk of its hotels more than 5,000 out of the total of around 6,000 hotels worldwide are owned by franchisees but controlled by strict agreements by IHG and its subsidiaries. More than half of its hotel revenue is generated in the Americas, most of which is from the U.S. One practice the lawsuits focus on is the operation of the IHG Rewards Club loyalty program. The lawsuits claim that IHG offers these points to guests for cash payment and then pockets most of the value when they're redeemed, leaving the franchisees to pay sales tax on the full value of the room while only getting loss-making rates of $30-to-$35 per room. The class action does not make any legal claims of racial discrimination, though all the lawsuits have noted that owners of the franchises in the U.S. are predominantly either immigrants or second-generation Americans of Indian or other South Asian origin. The owners of the Texas and Connecticut hotels are both immigrants from India. Patel and lawyers involved in the cases have said that IHG's practices exploit these family-owned businesses, basically leaving them in the position of being employees of the brand rather than business partners who have the opportunity to build wealth. "Its similar to a labor dispute in terms of all franchisees being similarly situated, all being subject to the same mandates and directives and all are left having to deal with these non-competitive policies with little power to fight back," said Bleiman. St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office employees will receive a raise under a revamped pay structure that aims to benefit lower level employees and retain deputies who had been leaving for better pay at other law enforcement agencies in the area. Under the new pay structure, base pay for criminal patrol deputies will increase by more than $2,000 to about $38,000 for entry level officers and nearly $41,000 for those with three years of experience in law enforcement. In recent years, raises had been percentage increases, but that disproportionately rewarded deputies at the upper end of the pay scale, said Capt. Scott Lee, a Sheriff's Office spokesperson. The department currently employs around 725 full- and part-time employees. The Sheriff's Office also said it will now match up to 2.5% of what the employee contributes to the Louisiana Deferred Compensation Plan. Previously, there was no Sheriff's Office match. Other benefits, including a uniform allowance of $300 and supplementary pay from the state of up to $6,000, will remain the same for officers. The new salaries take effect on July 1, the start of the 2022 fiscal year for the sheriff. The dedicated and hard-working men and women who make up this agency are deserving of this restructured pay scale and benefits, which will ultimately afford all employees an extremely competitive wage," Sheriff Randy Smith said in a statement. "I believe this will enable us to retain quality employees who can grow with the agency. After skipping raises in fiscal year 2018 due to budget cuts, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office annual budget included 3.75% raises for employees in fiscal year 2019, and raises of between 1.25% and 3.75% in 2020 and 2021. 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 Slidell Police get pay raises, new salary structure to reward experience, education Slidell police officers will soon be getting raises, courtesy of a new pay structure that will put greater emphasis on their rank, education, Shifting raises away from percent increases was a way to even it out, Lee said. What this does is it makes the principal focus those who are on the front line and facing the public. The funding for the pay structure came from responsible spending and budget alterations, Lee said, and makes St. Tammany Sheriff's Office salaries competitive with other law enforcement agencies in the area. The projected budget for fiscal year 2022 is around $57 million. Raises for sheriff's deputies follow a recent wave of pay increases in St. Tammany Parish. In August, the Covington City Council voted to give police officers and staff $4,000 raises and bumped the starting salary to $36,000 to combat a shortage of officers, Covington Mayor Mark Johnson said. At the time, only 13 of 23 positions were filled, he said. Since the raises, the department has received 60 new applications and hired 10 officers. +2 Covington water and sewer rates will increase, savings to boost police pay Not long after Mark Johnson became Covingtons mayor last year, he made it clear he wanted the city to reconsider a decade-long practice of su In Slidell, the City Council approved a new pay system for the police department on May 25, putting a greater emphasis on education, rank, specialized duties and time on the police force. Under the new pay scale in Slidell, starting pay for officers jumped by $5,500 to just over $37,000. When kids as young as 12 were allowed to receive the Pfizer vaccine in mid-May, there was hope they might give Louisiana a much-needed boost in its vaccination rate. But parents all over the state have been slow to get vaccines for their children, with just a handful of children receiving the vaccine in some parishes. At 36%, the states overall vaccination rate is far lower than the national average of 51% of people who have received at least one shot. But adolescents in the state lag even farther behind. Just 8% of kids ages 12 to 17 have received a shot in Louisiana compared to 25% nationally. Louisiana ranks fourth-to-last, behind only Mississippi, Alabama and Idaho. Experts attribute low rates among kids to the same factors that have slowed the adult effort. The same states at the bottom of the adult effort are also at the bottom for childrens COVID-19 vaccinations. I suspect a pretty high correlation between adults who are vaccinated getting kids vaccinated, said Dr. Leron Finger, a pediatric critical care physician at Childrens Hospital New Orleans. Likewise, adults who aren't vaccinated are almost certainly not vaccinating their kids. +2 Why Louisiana COVID vaccine efforts have slowed, even as the U.S. reaches a milestone The U.S. hit a milestone in its vaccination push Tuesday with over 50% of adults now fully vaccinated, according to the White House. But as th In the first slow week that the two-dose Pfizer vaccine opened to kids 12 and up, nearly 7,000 got their first shot. By the next week, that dropped to 6,171. Last week, the number was 4,731. A total of 30,873 children in the state have received at least one shot, about 3.8% of the nearly 800,000 school-age children in the state. The most shots have been administered in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans metro areas. About 5,000 kids have gotten a shot in Orleans Parish and about 4,130 in East Baton Rouge Parish. There are some parishes where only a handful of children have been vaccinated. In Cameron, West Carroll and Tensas Parishes, fewer than five children have received a shot. Pediatricians did not expect a stampede of children the same way adults sought out the vaccine when they were newly eligible. Thats just not how this age group functions in the best of times, said Finger. You overlay the pandemic and social isolation, there is just no urgency to it for this age group. They will get it done in a typical lackadaisical teenage fashion. But if the slow pace continues, it could raise problems for back to school -- especially if it becomes mandated like many other childhood vaccines. Mask mandate, other COVID safeguards may soon be dropped in St. Tammany Parish public schools Students, faculty members and employees at St. Tammany Parish public schools will no longer be required to wear face masks on campuses under a In New Orleans, schools and health officials are attempting to bolster the numbers by catching kids in summer camps in hopes for a normal school year in the fall. 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 Were trying to get ahead of it and be on the front end so if it should become mandated for kids, we have as many as possible, said Chantell Reed, deputy director of the New Orleans Health Department. A partnership between NOLA Public Schools, CORE, CrescentCare, DePaul Community Health Centers, and Ochsner Health has enrolled 25 summer programs and is working to enroll another seven, said Tiffany Delcour, chief operations officer of NOLA Public Schools, which oversees 78 charter schools in New Orleans. The mobile approach is something they learned was key when vaccinating teachers. Far more teachers got the vaccine when it was offered at school than through appointments they made on their own, Delcour said. Even if they definitely wanted it and were not hesitant, we were more successful when we brought it to the school, said Delcour. That was a very quick lesson learned. This program will only be successful if you bring it to where people are. The summer camp partnership vaccinated 140 kids in its first week. And there are signs that interest is increasing. After vaccinating 33 kids the first two days, over 100 got a shot on Friday. The city and schools are looking at incentives to encourage kids and parents such as free admission to the Audubon Zoo, snacks, vouchers for pizza and a free school uniform. Louisiana's vaccinated residents getting more perks, like free drinks, Gov. John Bel Edwards says Beyond the protection it offers against COVID-19, vaccinations in Louisiana now come with several new perks: free admission to state parks and The best incentive may be the fact that vaccinated students will not have to quarantine if they are identified as a close contact of a coronavirus case, Delcour pointed out. We hope that will be an interesting incentive for parents, said Delcour. We want all students to be in school and learning and safe, and we think vaccines are key to that. We want to make sure were using this summer to not lose any time. Kids typically do well with COVID, but not always. The CDC released a report Thursday analyzing an increase in adolescent hospitalizations during spring 2021. In 14 states, 204 children ages 12 to 17 required hospitalization from January to March 2021. One-third of them were moved to the intensive care unit. While none died, 5% were put on ventilators. I am deeply concerned by the numbers of hospitalized adolescents and saddened to see the number of adolescents who required treatment in intensive care units or mechanical ventilation, said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky in a statement Friday. Much of this suffering can be prevented. In Louisiana, eight children have died of COVID-19, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. There have been 61,809 cases among children, making up about 15.5% of all COVID cases in the state. The state health department has encouraged pediatrician offices to sign up to be vaccine providers in recent weeks and the CDC has said kids can get the COVID vaccine alongside other childhood vaccinations. Since kids became eligible, 20 pediatrician offices have expressed interested in carrying the vaccine, joining a total of 243 family clinics with availability, LDH said. A Louisiana Senate committee voted 5-1 on Tuesday to defer a controversial bill to overhaul the states public defender system, effectively killing it despite overwhelming support in the state House of Representatives. The vote ends, for this session, any chance of passing a bill that would have given a governor-appointed state public defender the power to direct state funding, while sidelining the current oversight board. The bill generated opposition from the Orleans Public Defenders, as well as numerous other local offices such as those representing indigent defendants in Plaquemines, St. Tammany and Washington parishes. They argued it would create a state czar, subject to political interference, who might punish local offices for too vigorously defending their unpopular clients. However, House Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee, a former public defender in Terrebonne Parish who sponsored the bill, said at the Senate Judiciary B Committee hearing that his aim was to create a streamlined state office to serve as a repository for future funding increases. Id like the office to be more flexible than it currently is. Id like the office to move resources as needed, said Magee (R-Houma). The intention is that once we have a proper state office, then we can work on the next step, which is properly funding that office. Smokable medical marijuana backed by Louisiana lawmakers; here's when it could be distributed Though a bridge too far a few years ago for Louisiana lawmakers, the Legislature Wednesday gave final clearance to allow patients to smoke mar The states current indigent defense system is directed by an 11-member board that receives funding recommendations from a state public defender. Some district defenders have complained that the board directs too much funding to non-profit groups who represent children and defendants in capital cases. 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 Frank Neuner, a Lafayette-based civil attorney who was one of the architects of the current system after Hurricane Katrina, said it isnt perfect but it has remedied some of the worst defects of the old, underfunded system driven by local boards. +6 Slidell casino proposal overcomes key hurdle in Louisiana Legislature; see next steps A public vote on a proposed casino for Slidell moved a step closer to reality when the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday narrowly approved Im here on a fundamental fairness issue, Neuner said. Public defense in Louisiana needs an independent oversight board. This bill has no independent oversight. The Orleans Public Defenders have lurched between funding crises over the past decade, and chief district defender Derwyn Bunton said Tuesday that the bill threatened to inject more "chaos" into the funding streams of large, urban offices. Testimony against the bill was lopsided at a House committee hearing, with several defenders including Bunton showing up to urge a vote against it. On Tuesday, however, Brett Brunson, the chief defender in Natchitoches Parish, claimed that the majority of public defenders support the bill, with support concentrated in the north and west of the state. Our Views: Legislature shouldn't restrict data on economic development giveaways Were generally skeptical of Louisianas reliance on government giveaways to attract business. Many lawmakers claim to be too, and attribute t Previous versions of the bill appeared to bar the current state public defender, Remy Starns, from continuing to serve in that position. However, Magee said during his Tuesday testimony that his intention was to grandfather Starns into the position. Starns said it would be improper for him to comment on the bill at the hearing, but that he did support a provision in the bill to route defendants conviction fees into the state office before returning them to local offices, because it would provide a framework for future budget increases. The construction materials distributor said the Taylor Maxwell acquisition will be earnings accretive, while it also helps diversify the companys product offering. ( ) is acquiring Taylor Maxwell Group, a supplier of timber and non-combustible cladding, for up to 63mln. The deal will be part-funded by an oversubscribed 55mln sale of shares at a 8% discount to the closing price on Tuesday. A total of 40mln will be handed over in cash and 10mln will be satisfied by issuing shares. There will also be a deferred element based on future profitability. Brickability, one of the UKs largest construction materials distributors, said the Taylor Maxwell acquisition will be earnings accretive, while it also helps diversify the companys product offering. It is the companys 11th purchase since 2018, though it is one that has been in the pipeline for some time, according to chief executive Alan Simpson. "Taylor Maxwell is a business we have earmarked for acquisition since IPO as we believe the union will bring significant short and long-term benefits to both companies and customers, he explained. "Access to Taylor Maxwell's longstanding relationships, distribution channels and local knowledge will greatly improve Brickability's access to the UK marketplace while also delivering procurement, revenue and structural synergies. Demand for Brickability stock was such that a number of current shareholders, including management and directors, have sold equity worth a further 38mln. A Dauphine Street homeowner fatally shot a 29-year-old man who entered the residence and "lunged towards" the homeowner, New Orleans police said Friday. No charges will be filed against the homeowner "based on the investigation and circumstances of this incident," an NOPD spokesperson said Friday morning. UPDATE: Man fatally shot by French Quarter homeowner identified by coroner Authorities had not released the name of either person involved as of Friday afternoon. The shooting was reported to police around 7 p.m. Thursday in the 500 block of Dauphine Street (map), between St. Louis and Toulouse streets, in the French Quarter. The homeowner, whose age and gender were not released, told police they heard banging on the door of their home, "retrieved a gun and opened the door," according to preliminary information from NOPD. The man entered the home and "lunged towards" the homeowner, and police say the homeowner then shot him. The man died at the scene, authorities said. No charges will be filed, police say 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 Because charges had not been filed, NOPD said it would not release information about the homeowner. Authorities also declined to release details about the homeowner's gun. Neighbors saw man pulling on door handles Before the shooting, neighbors said they saw a man, who appeared to be intoxicated, pulling on door handles of buildings in the 500 block of Dauphine. Around 8:30 p.m., a couple could be overheard telling a police officer at the scene that they too had seen a man, wearing a blue shirt and so drunk he could barely stand, knocking on doors. +5 Person shot to death in the French Quarter on Dauphine Street, NOPD says New Orleans police were investigating a homicide in the French Quarter on Thursday evening, according to an NOPD spokesperson. An employee at a nearby restaurant, who declined to give her name, said she heard one gunshot as she was preparing for a 7 p.m. closure. She heard a man yell, then police sirens flooded the block. Dereck Terry, a French Quarter resident who stepped out of his home after he seeing the police lights, said the shooting was concerning. A lot of violence happens at 3 or 4 a.m., Terry said, pointing out multiple Bourbon Street shootings this year have happened in the early-morning hours. But I could have easily been riding my bike during this. Staff reporter Ramon Antonio Vargas contributed to this story. Commercial fisher Matthew Cetrone's life was the water, his friend, Jason Ellis said of the Slidell area resident who was fatally shot outside his home early Sunday morning, the day after his 40th birthday. Ellis described Cetrone, a friend of 27 years, as a hard-working, generous-hearted man who loved his dog, hunting and fishing. "He never did nobody wrong," Ellis said. "He would help anybody, give anybody the shirt off his back and never wanted anything for it. It didnt matter who you were, if you needed rides, if you needed food he'd give anybody a job." Cetrone's cousin, 30-year-old Christopher Aaron Burns, has been booked with second-degree murder in his death. His bond was set at $750,000. Burns, who lived with Cetrone, had a history of drug arrests, according to Capt. Scott Lee, a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office spokesperson. He was booked Thursday on an additional count of possession of methamphetamine after detectives investigating the homicide searched his property. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office deputies arrived at Cetrone's home in the 58000 block of Lynn Street after his girlfriend called 911, Lee said. He was still alive but later died at a local hospital. 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 cause of death was a single gunshot wound the pelvis, according to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office. According to a news release, Burns had gone outside and was firing a weapon. When Cetrone went outside to investigate the gunshots, his cousin shot him, according to a Sheriff's Office news release. There was no sign of a struggle, Lee said. The weapon was a British-made .303-caliber bolt-action rifle, Lee said. The ownership of the gun, which had been in Cetrone's gun cabinet, has not been established, Lee said. Cetrone's brother, Tony Cetrone Jr., said that his brother worked as commercial fisher since he was 15 years old. "It didn't matter what season it was, if they were catching he was working," he said. He owned his own commercial fishing boat and was close to finishing work on restoring another, a Jefferson skiff, which he had recovered from a local marina where it had sunk, Ellis said. "It was the water and his dog," Ellis said of Cetrone, who doted on his beagle/pug mix, named Babes. "His whole heart and soul was dedicated to the water." The international conglomerate Amazon has announced it will no longer test its employees for marijiuana. Evolving legislation and public opinion nationwide has pushed Amazon to become the second-largest private company to alter its policies regarding marijuana. Washington State is the home of Amazon and was one of the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Amazon has mentioned they will continue to do impairment checks on employees for such things as alcohol or any other illegal substances. In the past, like many employers, weve disqualified people from working at Amazon if they tested positive for marijuana use, a blog post reads. In March, a former employee at Amazon in New York sued the company claiming he was terminated because he tested positive for marijuana, despite the fact the city had banned employers in 2020 from being able to test for marijuana. Lycoming County, Pa. A site has been selected for a 160,000 square foot manufacturing plant and distribution facility in the Timber Run Industrial Park along Rt. 15 in Montgomery, Lycoming County. Howard Fertman and NAI Mertz represent the Indiana based manufacturer Digger Specialties, Inc. which closed on a 25-acre parcel in the park. Project Digger represents the first development within Lycoming County industrial park and will create 150 skilled worker jobs, with a capital investment of $11 million, according to a news release. Digger Specialties, Inc. manufactures vinyl and aluminum residential and commercial fencing, railing, and column products for the construction industry, and has additional locations in North Carolina, Georgia, and Missouri. It was a pleasure assisting DSI with their first expansion in the Northeast Fertman stated. Timber Run and Lycoming County were a strong fit for the requirement, offering a pad ready KOZ designated site with immediate access to the I-80 corridor and an excellent manufacturing workforce, especially for metal and plastic skilled workers," he continued. "We are particularly pleased to be the first development within the park, and it was a real pleasure working with Jason Fink at the Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. he added. Somerset, Pa. -- The desire to tell the stories of selfless heroism and bravery of the Flight 93 passengers and crew members remains strong 20 years later. Two central U.S. government leaders at the time of the 9/11 terror attacks have joined the effort to ensure stories are not lost to history, according to the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Tom Ridge, first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, have joined the call for nominations for the inaugural Flight 93 Heroes Award. "We are honored to have the support of two outstanding Americans who played a critical role in the aftermath of 9/11," said Donna Gibson, president, Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial. "Senator Daschle and Governor Ridge helped to unite all Americans in those difficult days," she continued. "Like us, they know the importance of making certain the story of Flight 93 is remembered forever. And so, we thank them for their personal support of the Flight 93 Heroes Award. Governor Ridge has served as honorary co-chair of the fundraising effort that led to the construction of Flight 93 National Memorial, which was established in 2009. As the official nonprofit partner of Flight 93 National Memorial, the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial focus on awareness, education, volunteer support, preservation, and stewardship to ensure that Flight 93 National Memorial will remain accessible, relevant, and inspirational to present and future generations. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Senator Daschle was working in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, one of four targets of terrorists who took control of four airplanes. Later that day, then-Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge would arrive at the crash site of Flight 93, a witness to the extraordinary heroism of the passengers and crew members who refused to allow the terrorists to reach the nation's capital by fighting back to regain control of the cockpit. Senator Daschle and Governor Ridge recounted that day in new 30-second videos that encourage nominations for the Flight 93 Heroes Award. "On September 11th, 2001, I was among those working in the U.S. Capitol when terrorists hijacked four airplanes," Senator Daschle says in his video message. "One of them, United Flight 93, was heading for the Capitol. The truly heroic actions of 40 passengers and crew members on board that plane saved countless lives. If you know a hometown hero who embodies that same selfless spirit, nominate them today for the Flight 93 Heroes Award." Now, the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial is inviting nominations for the First Annual Flight 93 Heroes Award. Inspired by the approaching 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, and in memory of the heroism displayed by the passengers and crew members of Flight 93 in the skies over Shanksville, Pa., this national award will be presented each year to individuals who have demonstrated remarkable acts of selfless courage in their community, anywhere in the United States. The award will be announced around September 11. The award is important, said Gibson, because more than 75 million people have been born since September 11, 2001 and have no memory of the incredible acts of heroism by the Flight 93 passengers and crew members. "There are heroes everywhere. People who risk their safety and lives to help others, just like the passengers and crew on Flight 93," Governor Ridge said. "I was at the crash site in Pennsylvania that tragic day. The hijacked plane was headed for the U.S. Capitol. Instead, it crashed in a field. Why? Because of the brave actions of those on board. Countless lives were saved as a result of their heroism. So, I invite you to nominate a hometown hero who embodies the same spirit and same courage." You can make your nomination through July 4 by visiting www.Flight93Friends.org. According to the website, "We are looking for people who, within the 2020 calendar year, performed acts of heroism in their communities. Like those on board Flight 93, they suddenly found themselves forced to make a decision to help others, placing their own life at risk. "We will choose nominees from each state and highlight the top stories nationally. A winner will be announced around the time of the 20th anniversary of 9/11." The panel of judges includes some family members of the 40 passengers and crew members who died on Flight 93 that day. The criteria for a nominee include: An act of extraordinary heroism Courage at the risk of one's own personal safety A person putting the physical wellbeing of someone else above themselves Darby, Pa. - Attorney Gen. Josh Shapiro announced Chaim "Charlie" Steg, former Regional Director of Operations at St. Francis Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare (St. Francis), has pled to his role in recklessly endangering three residents of the facility. This plea comes as the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General and Darby Borough Police through the 44th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. In addition, St. Francis will be required, through a civil settlement, to maintain an increased minimum staffing level and undergo quarterly audits by the Department of Health to ensure compliance. "Every resident of every nursing home deserves to be safe, they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and they deserve to be heard," said Attorney General Shapiro. "It is the law to uphold the obligation to keep residents safe. If a facility cuts staff to the point that they can't give residents the care they need - we're going to find out, and we're going to hold them accountable." The investigation into St. Francis began after the Office of Attorney General received dual referrals from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Darby Borough Police Department. The initial investigation began in August 2017, after staff at the Mercy Catholic Medical Center's Mercy Fitzgerald Campus notified the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging of concerns they had for the poor condition of several residents transferred from St. Francis. The name 'Bigfoot' has captivated the interest of many for decades. For Pennsylvanian's who also share the intrigue, they will soon be able to join with other like-minded people at a three-day festival in Marienville in northwestern Pennsylvania. The first Forest County Bigfoot Festival is set to begin on Friday, June 11 and will run through June 13. Marienville is a fairly remote area of Pennsylvania is sits between the 8,500-acre Cook Forest State Park and the 513,175-acre Allegheny National Forest. The festival will feature events such as a Bigfoot-calling contest; a simulated Bigfoot hunt and a Biggest Foot Contest; and food such as the 'Bigfoot Sandwich' courtesy that Bearclaw Cafe; and vendors offering things such as Bigfoot-related merchandise. Jersey Shore -- Robert Bob Berfield passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday morning, June 2, 2021 from a rare form T-Cell Lymphoma (Cezarys Disease). Bob was born in Mifflin Township on Short Mountain on September 24, 1937. He was born at home on a sunny day after his older brother Jim, at 3 years old, was sent over the hill and through the fields to summon his Aunt Libby that it was time. Bob was the youngest son of John O. Berfield Sr. and Helen Cunningham Berfield. He and his brothers were raised on Short Mountain, and in those early days, with no central heat, indoor plumbing, or telephone service. Bobs elementary school education was in the one room schools of Mifflin Township. He attended Jersey Shore Area High School as a member of the Class of 1955. In 1954, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served six years of active duty, four of which were overseas assignments in North Africa and Europe. At Great Falls AFB Montana, Bob received military police training and further trained as an armory attendant and assigned to issue, repair, and maintain air base defense weaponry. He was assigned to this same duty while serving at Ben Guerir AFB in Morocco from June, 1956 to June, 1957. He was appointed to the 7th Air Division Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in that same year. At the time of his graduation, he received the Commandants Award for having the highest academic achievement. Upon his release from the Air Force in 1960, he attended the Williamsport Technical Institute under the sponsorship of the Korean War Veterans GI Bill. After qualifying as an engineering design draftsman, he was hired by Avco, Lycoming Division where he was employed until 1969 when he purchased the Caffrey Insurance Agency. In 1975, he sold the insurance agency and returned to the engineering field after being hired by Shop-Vac Corporation as a product designer. He traveled widely in Europe fulfilling various engineering duties and held several positions at Shop-Vac prior to his retirement as Senior Vice President of Product Design and Development in 2001. Bob is named inventor on numerous U.S. patents of various devices designed for Shop-Vac Corporation. He was also personally granted several additional U.S. patents for devices not associated with his Shop-Vac employment. Bob was a member of the Korean War Veteran Association and the Sampson Air Force Base Veteran Association. Bob married the former Pearl Rosser Jenkins in 1994. Prior to her passing on June 7, 2016, Bob and Pearl traveled extensively, visiting every U.S. state except for Alaska, and most all of the Canadian Provinces. In more recent years they spent their winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. In addition to Pearl, Bob was predeceased by his eldest brother John O. Berfield, Jr. He is survived by two daughters, Christine Marrazzo (Mike) and Cathleen Gibson (Mark). He is also survived by his four grandchildren; Kyle Gibson, Kacie Gibson, Domenick Marrazzo and Anthony Marrazzo, all of Jersey Shore; His brother James A. Berfield who resides in Castanea, and his first wife Sally C. Williamson Berfield of Jersey Shore. Our Dad was most happy on one of his beloved Massey Ferguson tractors mowing fields on Short Mountain. He also spent a great deal of time at the family hunting cabin in Buttonwood watching his grandsons learn to hunt, cheat at cards, and become good stewards of the land. We would like to thank our Dads caregivers Megan and Faith as well as the wonderful hospice nurses for our Dads phenomenal care. We are indispensably grateful for your care and compassion for our Dad. Friends may call 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Sunday evening, June 6 at Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, 125 N. Main Street, Jersey Shore. A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Susquehanna Health Foundation C/O Hospice 1100 Grampian Blvd. 17701 Williamsport, PA. www.WelkerFuneralHome.com A look at Friday's major share movers on the London Stock Exchange ( ) rose 3% to 179.6p before close after shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of a proposed acquisition. The telecoms group is looking to snap up a newly incorporated holding company into which passive tower infrastructure assets representing 2,890 sites will be contributed by Oman Telecommunications. The FTSE 250 group will pay US$575mln in cash for the transaction, which will close by the end of 2021. 2.30pm: Lekoil still lower after sacking chief executive Lekoil Limited ( ) was still lower on Friday, dropping 6% to 1.525p after sacking its chief executive Olalekan Akinyanmi on Thursday due to a corporate governance breach. The oil and gas exploration and production company said it will start the search for a new boss and, in the interim period, Anthony Hawkins will act as interim executive chairman. As previously announced, the AIM-listed firm is still owed US$1.5mln under a loan to Akinyanmi, which it said it will recover. 1.20pm: Pelatro on the rise after securing more contracts ( ) added 5% to 52.5p at lunchtime after securing contracts worth roughly US$200,000 for additional modules from existing customers. The wins take the total value of contracts in hand and representing 2021 revenue to around US$7mln, the telecoms-focused software firm revealed. "We are delighted to sell additional modules to existing customers, which deepens and broadens our engagement with them. Our customers are increasingly moving different parts of their activities onto our mViva platform," said Subash Menon, the managing director and chief executive officer of Pelatro. 12.10pm: Kefi Gold and Copper jumps as Tulu Kapi gold project launch nears Kefi Gold and Copper PLC ( ) jumped 8% to 1.972p at noon after announcing it is completing preparations to launch its Tulu Kapi gold project after the companys AGM on 30 June. The miner said it remains on track to commence project commissioning in late 2022 and to reach full production by mid-2023, in line with previous guidance. It is waiting for approval from the Ethiopian authorities and meanwhile it has appointed a mining contractor and employed 150 staff. 11.05am: Victoria Oil & Gas rises after 2019 invoices finally settled ( ) advanced 9% to 6p in the late morning after receiving US$5.1mln from Eneo regarding the settlement of invoices issued in 2019, including interest. "We are very pleased to bring the Eneo episode to a close, and the funds significantly strengthen GDC's working capital position. In addition to the funds received, GDC gains valuable tax credits which will be used to enhance cashflow, said chief executive Roy Kelly. GDC is the firms subsidiary Gaz du Cameroun, which is an onshore gas producer and distributor based in Cameroon. 10am: Airlines under pressure after UK governments disappointing travel list update Airlines were under pressure in mid-morning after the UK government didnt add any areas on the green list of countries that can be visited without quarantine, and even removed Portugal. plc ( ) shed 3% to 4,547.5p, British Airways owner SA ( ) was down 2% to 195.08p and easyJet PLC ( ) dipped 1% to 945.6p. Ryanair PLC ( ), whose boss Michael OLeary said the move wasnt based on any science or public health, lost 2% to 16.10. Meanwhile, PLC ( ) dropped 5% to 2,476p after trimmed its stake. The US investment bank now owns 1.5% of the posh mixer producer, compared to 4.9% previously. 8.45am: early riser after selling interest in Gobi Coal & Energy PLC ( ) was an early riser on Friday, surging 19% to 0.185p after selling its entire interest in Gobi Coal & Energy. The group received US$275,437, which it said was that asset's last reported carrying value. The investment company said it will further update the market as to its remaining assets when its annual report is released before the end of this month. Talking about sales, IQ-AI Limited ( ) 5% to 7.9p after its subsidiary Imaging Biometrics sold its brain tumour imaging platform to the Los Angeles County Hospital. The deal follows the recent installation of the IB Clinic technology at the Keck Medical Center of USC, also in LA. The two run a healthcare network serving around 10mln patients. No financial details were provided. Local 'This is what recovery looks like': Drug court graduates open a new chapter John Bailey Floyd County Drug Court program graduate Jimmy Hoppes acknowledged that he needed help to start him on the tough road to recovery. I just couldnt do it on my own, Hoppes told a small crowd of family, friends and current drug court participants. He urged current participants not to just go through the motions but to put their efforts into the program for the right reasons. John Bailey Christy Ely, the mother of drug court graduate Randy Cantrell, takes a photo of Cantrell and his girlfriend, Kaycee Avery, at the graduation ceremony held Thursday in the Floyd County Administration Building. During his participation in the program Cantrell was granted custody of his children and has held a steady job. Drug Court has given me strength and a pathway, he said as he acknowledged his journey to recovery continues after the graduation. John Bailey Drug Court graduate Jazzmee Ransom talks to Floyd County Superior Court Judge William Billy Sparks after the graduation ceremony Thursday. Im excited to see what the future holds, Ransom said as he encouraged current program participants to use the support system to establish a pattern of behavior to continue their recovery. John Bailey Drug Court graduates Whitney Nelson, Johnathon Starnes, Jazzmee Ransom, Randy Cantrell, Jimmy Hoppes, Molly Mason and Tyler Moss pose for a photo with Floyd County Superior Court Judge William Billy Sparks (center) after their graduation ceremony on Thursday. John Bailey Drug Court graduates receive standing ovations Thursday as an overhead projector shows photographic evidence of their recovery, from jail mugshots to reuniting with their family and loved ones. John Bailey Keynote speaker U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Walter Johnson described the process for seven Floyd County Drug Court graduates as the beginning of a new era. He encouraged them to find strength in their accomplishments and acknowledged the difficulty of overcoming addiction. John Bailey Drug Court graduate Molly Mason speaks with Floyd County Superior Court Judge William Billy Sparks at the graduation ceremony on Thursday at the Floyd County Administration Building. When it comes down to it, recovery is a process of learning and being honest with yourself. As he spoke to the seven graduates of the Floyd County Drug Court on Thursday, Floyd County Superior Court Judge William Billy Sparks congratulated them on their efforts and recovery to date. All of you have incredible potential, said Sparks, who presides over the drug court. In a ceremony that was more personal than procedural, the judge said it was apparent the graduates understood the choices they made in the past to get in trouble as well as the choices they will need to make to continue their recovery. There are people in the state who think that (alternative sentencing programs) cost too much money, Sparks said. I think you all can prove a lot of people wrong. Legislators have proposed cutting funding to alternative sentencing programs during budget negotiations in the past few years. However, during the 18- to 24-month treatment program, participants earn income, support their families and pay taxes. Participants also pay fees in order to help defray the costs of running the program. Floyd County has three accountability courts aimed at helping offenders as opposed to incarcerating them. Keynote speaker U.S. District Magistrate Judge Walter Johnson acknowledged the strength it takes to recover from addiction and congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments. Youve made remarkable strides, he said. Then he quoted the Winnie the Pooh character Christopher Robin by saying, You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. Each of the seven volunteers stood up to speak to family members, loved ones and current drug court participants. As they stood they were encouraged by their fellow graduates, and when finished each received a standing ovation. I want to thank everybody involved in my recovery process, graduate Jimmy Hoppes said. I know I have an even bigger family and support system I can ask for help. Addressing those currently in the program, he encouraged them to not just go through the motions, but to put effort into the program for the right reasons. Hoppes has volunteered his time to help others in the program since meeting the requirements, Drug Court coordinator Erin Young said. So basically we cant get rid of Jimmy, she laughed. Visual representations of recovery accompanied speeches. Booking photos were followed by smiling, healthy faces as they spoke of their experiences before and through the program. At first I wasnt very open or receptive, Tyler Moss said. But through the program he has seen opportunities open up. Hes pursuing a leadership position at his job and is in a healthy relationship. Drug court kept me sober long enough to gain a life Im no longer willing to lose, he said. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing. "I am convinced that Rio Tinto is committed to changing its approach to cultural heritage issues and restoring its reputation," said new non-executive director Ben Wyatt. ( ) appointed the Western Australian Governments former Treasurer and Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Ben Wyatt, as the companys new non-executive director. With family links to the Pilbara and an impressive track record in public life, Ben's knowledge of public policy, finance, international trade and Indigenous affairs will significantly add to the depth of knowledge on the board at a time when we are seeking to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders in Australia and around the world," said Rio chairman Simon Thompson. Wyatt, meanwhile, added: I was deeply saddened and disappointed by the events at Juukan Gorge but I am convinced that Rio Tinto is committed to changing its approach to cultural heritage issues and restoring its reputation, particularly in Australia and Western Australia. I am looking forward to working with the board in building on the momentum for change generated by the new leadership team." Rio has been under intense scrutiny in Western Australia after it destroyed the Juukan rockshelters in the Pilbara region. It damaged a longstanding relationship with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura People - the Tradional Owners of the 46,000-year-old caves. Earlier this year, in March, Simon Thompson announced he would step down at the companys 2022 AGM in the wake of the controversy. Rome, GA (30161) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. WASHINGTON Dan Crenshaw had to take a break from making skydiving videos as he continues to recover from surgery on what hes called his half a good eye. If you go above a thousand feet, your eye explodes, the Texas Republican said. Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL, is easily identifiable by his eye patch. Its a constant reminder of the roadside bomb blast in 2012 that destroyed his right ... Belvoir Is One Of The UKs Largest Property Franchises On The High Street Belvoir is the cornerstone brand of the Belvoir Group plc, as a group we manage a combined total of over 65,000 properties. Each of our 170+ offices are owned and run by passionate, local property experts that operate out of eye-catching shopfronts on the high street. Belvoir Is One Of The UKs Largest Property Franchises On The High Street Belvoir is the cornerstone brand of the , as a group we manage a combined total of over 65,000 properties. Each of our 170+ offices are owned and run by passionate, local property experts that operate out of eye-catching shopfronts on the high street. This means youre getting the benefit of buying, selling and letting with a national brand, but youre also benefitting from a local owner who is highly motivated to help you achieve your goals, and genuine local expertise and knowledge. Good customer service is extremely important to us and one of our core values as we understand that property is personal. Another one of our core values is professionalism. Our franchisees are kept up to date with all changes to compliance and legislation as well as general changes to the sector to ensure our customers can be confident in our service offering. In 2012, Belvoir became the first residential lettings agency to launch on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange and we continue to grow with our UK-wide acquisition programme, which will see further Belvoir offices and Belvoir Group offices opening up and down the country. The stringent requirements of Belvoirs franchise licence ensures that all our offices operate under the highest standards of professional conduct at all times, and each office has access to our highly trained support team that is based at our Grantham Central Office. This team provides our offices with the latest updates and training in legal, complaints handling, IT, compliance and marketing. Each Belvoir office can provide a series of unique products and services, including leading tenant insurance and landlord insurance packages. Belvoirs dedicated legal helpline ensures that offices are able resolve any issues quickly and effectively. The government is making it impossible to plan ahead says easyJet Airlines bosses have reacted with anger to the decision by the UK government to remove Portugal from the green list of countries that can be visited without quarantine. Michael OLeary, Ryanair PLCs ( ) chief executive, said the move wasnt based on any science or public health. What we don't understand is why the UK, which has been so successful with vaccines, is expecting its vaccinated citizens travelling to Portugal coming back to quarantine," he told the BBC. Johan Lundgren, easyJet PLCs ( ) chief executive added that while its fleet in Europe was gearing up for summer travel the UK remains grounded as the government is making it impossible to plan ahead. Politicians in Portugal also expressed disappointment and said they did not understand the logic behind the decision with the infection rate there officially only marginally higher than in the UK. The country is now amber-rated on the governments traffic light system, which means only essential travel is allowed and anyone coming back to the UK from visiting has to self-isolate for ten days and take Covid-19 tests on days two and eight. The new rules, which also saw Afghanistan, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Trinidad and Tobago added to the red list, come into force on 8 June. Tour operator Tui Ag ( ) said half of the passengers who had booked to fly to Portugal this year are going ahead with their trips and it was not scheduling extra flights to bring holidaymakers home ahead of Tuesday. The travel firm currently has about 8,000 UK visitors in Portugal, though this will drop to 2,000 at the end of this week when the UK half-term school holiday ends. Robert Jenrick, Communities Secretary, said the government had been concerned about a new strain of Covid-19 known as the Nepal variant in making its decision about Portugal. We dont know yet whether it is going to be a problem, but our scientists are doing research as we speak, they are looking at whether it is more transmissible, whether it is more virulent, and above all whether or not our current set of vaccines are effective against it." OLeary said that Ryanair passengers booked for Portugal would be able to rebook flights for later in the summer and it was still intending to operate extra flights to the country to meet the demand. Shares in Ryanair dropped 1.2% to 16.19 while easyJet slipped 1.7% to 943p though TUI rose slightly to 422p. -- adds TUI detail -- A Program of Works application for aircore drilling over the Tyrells prospect has been approved. Moho is focused on gold and nickel exploration at Empress Springs, Silver Swan North and Burracoppin ( ) continues to make progress at East Sampson Dam prospect within the Silver Swan North Gold Project in Western Australia with the maiden resource estimate upcoming. The company also has plans underway to begin an aircore drilling program in mid-July testing for extensions of gold mineralisation outlined by auger gold in soil anomalies. A Program of Works (POW) application for this drilling to test targets at Tyrells prospect (M27/263) has been approved while the company anticipates grant of the Black Swan South tenement applications in quarter four of 2021. Significant progress Managing director Shane Sadleir said: Moho continues to make significant progress on its gold mining proposition at the East Sampson Dam prospect. With the analysis of drill samples and assays now completed, we are keenly awaiting the completion of CSAs maiden JORC mineral resource estimate. Potential gold and nickel prospectivity Following the signing of access agreements with ( ) and subject to the four-month statutory Native Title advertising period and no objections being received during that period, it is anticipated that Mohos applications for tenements E27/623, E27/633 and P27/2441 may be granted in the December quarter. The tenement applications are immediately south and east of Poseidons Black Swan Nickel Operations. Due to thick cover and minimal modern-day exploration, Moho considers that these tenements may be prospective for gold and nickel mineralisation. Mineral resource estimate delay CSA Global Pty Ltd, Mohos mining resource consultant, has advised that due to the current strong industry demand on their services, there has been a slight delay to the completion of the maiden resource estimate. Moho is expecting CSAs report in about a month. The company is advancing discussions with the landowners and tenants of other selected drilling sites with permission expected shortly. Scopes of work have been finalised for the Ohmgebirge scoping study, targeted for completion in the December quarter of 2021. ( ) managing director Dr Chris Gilchrist has demonstrated his confidence in the company's potash strategy by purchasing shares in an on-market transaction. On May 28 Gilchrist acquired 387,290 shares at A$0.097 per share in a direct interest. This marked his first purchase in that interest with almost 3.417 million shares also held in an indirect interest. Upgrading resources The company has secured permission from landowners and tenants for the first of two planned drill holes at the Ohmgebirge potash mining licence area in Germany and has applied for regulatory approval with regulatory authority Thuringer Landesamt fur Umwelt, Bergbau und Naturschutz (TLBUN). Discussions with landowners and tenants on further drilling sites are at an advanced stage, with permission anticipated shortly. Work on the Ohmgebirge scoping study is continuing in parallel with regulatory dialogue and completion of the study remains on track for the end of 2021. Ohmgebirge has an Inferred resource of 325 million tonnes grading 13.1% K2O and it is intended the two confirmatory holes will lead to a revised mineral resource estimate including upgrading inferred resources to the indicated category. When Cyrille Vigneron was named CEO of Cartier International in 2016, he had accumulated 25 years of combined tenure within the maison and the Richemont conglomerate that owns it. At Richemont from 1988 to 2013, Vigneron was employed as Managing Director of Cartier Japan until 2002, then as President of Richemont Japan until 2005. Through 2013, he served as Managing Director of Cartier Europe, then parted ways with the Richemont group to become president of LVMH Japan. When Vigneron left his beloved Japan to return to France, it was to take the top job at Cartier, where he determined that the maison had a Cartier problem. Its watch divi- sion suffered from a combination of over-supply of inventory and a depressed market in China. For the engineer by training, the problem was merely one awaiting a solution. Vigneron set his sights on reducing overstock by balancing watch inventory levels globally and putting an end to stock buybacks. He redefined the core of the Cartier watch, and set out to revive the timeless Cartier style. Cyrille Vigneron Cartier To restore Cartiers status as the jewel in the crown of Richemont, Vigneron nurtured Cartiers disruptive side, emphasising its masculine-feminine orientation in an age of gender fluidity. A believer in value for money, he has established a fresh connection with the Cartier client. He has reconfigured Cartiers retail space into a destination where, he says, people will come to find an experience and what they are not looking for. Above and beyond products, Vignerons mission is to make Cartier relevant across generations and geographies. For that, he has taken a stance in favour of social equality, a cause that Cartier has supported since 2006 through a variety of visible measures, namely its Womens Initiative Awards, an annual international business plan competition that rewards women entrepreneurs. For Vigneron, luxury brands are global citizens and must say who they are and what they do, words describing a powerful social engagement that may well transform the luxury industry well beyond the culture of Cartier. *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 After raising more than $3.3 million to recapitalise and advance exploration at its Primrose Gold Project, Cervantes shares skyrocketed in a strong return to the ASX. Cervantes has returned to the ASX in fine form, jumping as much as 375% over Friday's session. Cervantes Corporation Limited (ASX:CVS) has rallied on its ASX return, with shares trading as much as 375% higher to 1.9 cents over the course of todays session. The copper and gold explorer relisted on the local share market this morning and investors were eager to place buy orders for the materials microcap. More than 135 million CVS shares changed hands on Friday, while company stock traded between 0.9 cents and 1.9 cents just before the weekend. Approaching the market close, Cervantes stock was up 150%, trading at 1 cent per share. Return to the ASX Prior to its relisting today, Cervantes last traded in April 2019. However, the explorer has returned to quotation following a recapitalisation, during which it raised nearly $3.37 million to repay debts and fund exploration at its Primrose gold asset in WAs Eastern Goldfields. Specifically, Cervantes raised more than $800,000 via a rights issue, $2.25 million under a share placement (before costs) and $312,500 by way of an options placement. Now that it has completed its recapitalisation and relisted on the Australian Securities Exchange, Cervantes is doubling down and preparing for further exploration at Primrose. All eyes on Primrose Situated within the wider Paynes Find Goldfield in Western Australia, the Primrose Project is the focus of Cervantes current exploration endeavours. The gold asset covers more than 8 kilometres of the Primrose Shear trend within the Murchison district, but has only seen limited and interrupted exploration to date. To mitigate this, Cervantes intends to conduct two exploration drilling campaigns in the near term. The first, a 15- to 25-hole reverse circulation program at the projects Blue Heaven prospect, has been allocated between $250,000 and $300,000 under the companys recapitalisation plan. In addition, Cervantes has earmarked roughly $250,000 for a larger 30- to 100-hole campaign at Primoses Pansy Pit prospect. Board restructure Ahead of todays return to quotation, Cervantes opted to review its executive team and make some changes. In late May, the gold and base metals explorer appointed Robert Downey as non-executive chairman while Matthew OKane stepped up as a non-executive director. Both appointments coincided with the resignation of directors Collin and Justin Vost, while Patrick ONeill stepped down from the company secretary role to make way for Chris Alchurch. Speaking to the leadership changes at the time, incoming non-executive chairman Robert Downey said: On behalf of the board and our shareholders I would like to thank Collin and Justin for their time and commitment to Cervantes over more than 10 years, leaving the company well-positioned to progress the companys projects. We wish them every success in their future endeavours. The company looks forward to working with Justin over the next 12 months, assisting the company with a smooth and efficient transition. Community Reporter Erica Welch is the special sections editor for The News-Review, mother of two and a native of Roseburg. She is an alumni of RHS, UCC and Western Oregon University. Contact her at ewelch@nrtoday.com or 541-957-4218. Michigans Paul Fleming uses data and community partnerships to explore health inequities Paul Fleming, PhD, MPH, knows that not all healthcare issues can be cured with a trip to the doctors office. Some flaws in Americas medical system are so deeply rooted that healing them could take a lifetime and hes willing to do the work. Fleming, an assistant professor of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, recently delivered a Translational Applications in Public Health lecture in which he explored the question: Why is there more funding for police than public health? The lecture series is a collaboration between the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute and the Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM). Flemings discussion centered around a funding paradox: the fact that the U.S. government funds policies that cause health inequities as well as the work by public health agencies to address these inequities. Theyre essentially making a mess and then paying health workers to clean it up, Fleming says. Resources like education and housing have been distributed inequitably, but so have harms like pollution. Fleming points out that the way our society is structured and funded needs an intervention and that health professionals can play a key role to change it. Before beginning his discussion on the effects of policing and incarceration on the healthcare system, Fleming acknowledged his own privilege as an educated white man. Im not talking from a place of personal experience. People like me are not targeted by police in this country. I have the privilege of speaking about these issues from an academic perspective a privilege that isnt afforded to most Americans. Mona Charen is policy editor of The Bulwark and host of the "Beg to Differ" podcast. The Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association will host a Network & Chill event and alumni mixer in Michigan City next week. Business leaders from across Northwest Indiana will gather for casual business networking at White Oak Farm Venue at 5688 Warnke Road in Michigan City 4-6 p.m. June 8. It will be coupled with the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association's annual alumni mixer that brings together past Influential Women award recipients. Were very excited to finally have more opportunities for our members and past winners to get together safely and network. Events like these are one of the best ways to kick start great advancements in a persons career, said Erica Dombey, the board chairwoman with the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association. The Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association seeks to further the careers of professional women through education, networking and leadership training. It's perhaps best known for its annual awards banquet in which it recognizes both established and up-and-coming women in a variety of industry sectors across Northwest Indiana. Management has strong track record in discovery and M&A Working capital of C$3.6M as of March 31 CEO Michael Gunning was CEO at Hathor Exploration, sold in 2012 to Rio Tinto for C$654M What VR Resources does: ( ) ( ) is a junior explorer advancing assets in Nevada and Ontario - both well-known mining-friendly jurisdictions. The group's focus is to uncover, using new techniques, large copper-gold mineral systems, and the firm is continuing on from what was over four years of exploration in Nevada by a Vancouver-based private exploration company. Its Big Ten epithermal gold property in the Walker Lane belt of Nevada comprises seven properties along a district-scale 20 kilometer (km) trend and multiple claims. The properties are the Hat Peak, Kano, Amsel, Danbo, Little Joe, Clipper, and Fischer properties. There is easy access to power and rail and an international airport in Reno. A focus at Big Ten has been the hill at Amsel - a large topographical feature at the asset with a surface footprint defined by this 2 km x 2 km gold-silver soil anomaly. The Amsel property now consists of 66 claims covering 1,363 acres. Meanwhile, the company's Reveille silver project lies on the northern margin of the Walker Lane belt, 90km east of Tonopah, and comprises 66 mineral claims in one contiguous block covering 1,344 acres. VR has been working there since June 2020 with fieldwork wrapping up in the third week of December. Targets have been attained from detailed sampling and surveying and lie on the western side of this district-scale property, prospective for both silver-copper CRD mineralization, and for gold related to late, Carlin-style fluids. Elsewhere, its Bonita project in Nevada is a large porphyry copper-gold system discovered by VR with a 5 km by 7 km footprint and five to six specific targets. It covers 7,872 acres and has 381 claims. The firm believes the Bonita system to be similar to the nearby Yerington mine deposits, which have generated 162 million tonnes of 0.55% copper. In Ontario, VR owns the previously unexplored Ranoke copper, gold project, which was staked by the firm in 2019 and is a large-scale iron oxide copper-gold target. Ranoke is a greenfield, blue-sky opportunity, the company says. Elsewhere, the Hecla-Kilmer project, 35km away, is a direct extension of the ongoing exploration strategy at the Ranoke property towards a blue-sky discovery of a large footprint iron oxide - copper-gold hydrothermal breccia system. Consisting of 360 contiguous claims covering 7,400 hectares, the Ranoke project lies 15 km west of a CNR railway spur and is 25 km north of road access to Otter Rapids, an Ontario hydro-electric facility serviced by Highway 634. How is it doing: Exploration has once again been the key theme for the company in the first half of 2021. In early March, VR Resources said the first phase of a planned maiden two-stage reverse circulation (RC) drill program was now underway at its Reveille silver-copper property in Nevada - the aim being to complete more than 1,500 metres (m). Then on March 17, the company said four of the five holes planned in the phase I program were completed in 10 days for a total of 4,347 feet (ft) with each hole between 1,000 and 1,200 ft long, and more than 800 geochemical samples from the first four holes submitted to the lab. VR said it was now making plans for a Phase II program, while it awaits final geochemistry and hyperspectral mineral chemistry from Phase I to arrive, along with the final 3D IP inversion models. It added that it had expanded the soil geochemistry grid that was completed in December further to the west to cover the same general area as the IP survey. Then on May 19, the company reported that drill hole RVD21-001, completed to 109.7m, had confirmed a breccia pipe starting at surface at the gold target at Reveille named G1 and that the drill program would be extended in a bid to complete three additional RC drill holes to target the base of the G1 pipe and its controlling structure. Also significantly this year, VR Resources said that lithium and rare earth element (REE) mineralization had been discovered at its Hecla-Kilmer copper-gold project in Ontario, following a four-hole reconnaissance drill program, for 1,971m, which was completed at the property late last year. In one hole, a broad interval of lithium occurred in fluorite-carbonate hydrothermal breccia with 0.045 % lithium oxide recovered over 19.4m. In addition, broad intersections of critical minerals, niobium-thorium-REE were uncovered in two holes, and corresponding high-density profiles were confirmed in XRF scanning. At Hecla-Kilmer, the company also said that it had received convincing final data for the ground-based gravity survey carried out in March this year, reporting that the intervals of copper, gold, and critical metal mineralization intersected last fall by VR lie on the eastern margin of a large and high amplitude gravity anomaly. The company said it was now planning for Phase II, follow-up drilling in September to test the new anomaly for the heart of the REE-bearing, IOCG hydrothermal breccia system discovered in 2020. Inflection points: More Reveille exploration results More from Hecla-Kilmer Precious metals moves What the boss says: In the company's latest release, which confirmed the discovery of the breccia pipe at the G1 gold target at Reveille, CEO Dr Michael Gunning said: "Overall, we believe that this G1 drill hole, as difficult as it was to complete, proves the potential for the superposition of a Carlin-style gold fluid system on the CRD silver-copper system at Reveille, with gold-bearing jasperoid breccia hosted on the same regional-scale structures and caldera margin faults as the silver and copper. VR endeavours to bring modern mineral deposit modeling and state-of-the-art exploration technologies to historic and proven districts like Reveille in order to 'turn up something new'." Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com The returns raised the suspicions of government investigators because they all involved people claiming to be professional household helpers, including the improbable coincidence of 17 area "hair stylists" each earning exactly $15,489. Although Hall never signed those returns as the tax preparer, all the refunds ended up in Halls bank account. Hall knew he was under investigation around 2012 when he was interrogated by IRS agents. He pleaded guilty to tax evasion and identity theft in 2016. He assured the IRS, at that time, he had gotten out of tax preparations and moved into the music business. But he admitted this month, in his plea agreement, he wasnt completely honest. I lied to those IRS agents, telling them I no longer prepared taxes ... Instead, he changed his email address, opened new bank accounts and generated only more waves of phony tax returns 180 in 2014, 120 in 2015 and 22 in 2016, before going off to prison that year. His new guilty plea admits those hundreds of tax returns contain false income amounts from undocumented gig work and education tax credits for customers who werent in college. GARY A man was found unresponsive after he was shot in the head late Wednesday, an official said. The 33-year-old Gary man was discovered inside a home by another person who then reported the situation to Gary police, said Lt. Dawn Westerfield. Officers were dispatched about 7:54 p.m. near Washington Street and West 26th Avenue, where the man was discovered inside a home with a gunshot wound. The man was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment, Westerfield said. Police have so far not determined the circumstances of the shooting and are still investigating. Anyone with more information was urged to contact detectives at 219-881-1210. To remain anonymous, call 866-CRIME-GP. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. VALPARAISO A reevaluation is being done on a Portage man who was found competent last year to stand trial on accusations of striking his elderly mother with a sledgehammer and killing her. Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer granted a request from the defense for the accused, 61-year-old Charles Trumble, to again undergo a mental health evaluation, according to court records. A recent status hearing in the case was rescheduled until July 16 to allow time for the results of the re-evaluation to be complete and reviewed by Trumble and his attorney, Mark Chargualaf. Prosecutors did not object to the delay, court records show. Trumble notified the court in October of his intention to pursue an insanity defense at trial. When asked during a past court hearing whether he was suffering from any mental issues, Trumble had responded, "Well, I think we all do at some level." Trumble also refused to be sworn in for the hearing, saying his religion does not allow that. He did not elaborate. Trumble is accused of murdering 91-year-old Dixie Trumble on Feb. 23, 2020, at the Portage home the pair shared. GARY Several people were wounded in three separate shootings police responded to between late Thursday and early Friday, an official said. In one case, Gary officers found a 30-year-old Gary man shot in the hand when they responded at 2:34 a.m. Friday to a local hospital for a walk-in gunshot victim, Lt. Dawn Westerfield said. The man did not cooperate with police, Westerfield said. He gave more than one version of what occurred and the location where it happened, Westerfield said. Similarly, another 30-year-old Gary man was shot in the right arm and checked into the hospital. Police met with him there at 9:48 p.m. Thursday. That man also was uncooperative with officers and gave conflicting stories of what happened, Westerfield said. He wouldn't tell police where the shooting occurred or give any information on the circumstances. Earlier, at 9:16 p.m., police met with a 26-year-old Gary man who was checked into a local hospital with gunshot wounds to his stomach and right lower back, Westerfield said. The man told police he was between West 15th and 17th avenues and Harrison Street shooting paintballs with friends when a black vehicle pulled up and a passenger inside shot him. Miller urged graduates to set real goals and to invest in their local communities. Gerald Tucker, a Morton High School student, graduated early in health sciences. He plans to attend Tennessee State University and study molecular biology. This is really like the first day of life, Tucker said of graduation. Im going to college and beginning my adult life and my future. Gerardo Moyaho, a Gavit High School student, plans to continue his education in criminology and enter the Army to serve with military police. Today is a stepping stone to my future, about being an adult and my goals in life, Moyaho said. Max Tenorio, from Clark High School, studied electrical engineering at the career center and plans to continue those studies at Purdue University Northwest. This is the first stop on continuing my education, Tenorio said. Several graduates mentioned the challenge of online learning. For much of the past school year, Hammond students experienced virtual learning. Yessenia Guerra, a Gavit student, now goes from health sciences at the career center to Indiana University Northwest for radiology. "I intend to solidify the gains of Treasurer Kelly Mitchell's outstanding tenure in office and accelerate the office's already lightning-fast momentum by exploring innovative ways of doing the job and spreading the good news," he said. Mitchell, a Valparaiso University graduate, is barred by the Indiana Constitution from running for a third consecutive four-year term. Seat's campaign already has been endorsed by state Rep. Ethan Manning, R-Logansport, and Dubois County Treasurer Kitty Merkley, the incoming president of the Indiana County Treasurer's Association. "Through his travels to all 92 Indiana counties, and his work with Republican candidates and officeholders at every level, Pete has demonstrated to me and others his conservative values, his grasp of the issues people care about, and his ability to bring people together to get important work done," Manning said. "Pete knows what it takes to be an effective leader as state treasurer and he has a unique perspective on the importance of advancing the state treasurers office in a way that connects with Hoosiers." The Republican nominee for state treasurer will be selected by the approximately 1,800 delegates attending the party's state convention in June 2022. No additional deaths from COVID-19 were reported across Northwest Indiana's five-county area, updated data provided Friday showed. A total of five more deaths were recorded statewide, which brought to 13,244 the number of Hoosiers to die from the respiratory disease, according to statistics from the Indiana State Department of Health. New deaths were reported between Jan. 11 and Thursday. Local death totals include 999 in Lake County, 296 in Porter County, 219 in LaPorte County, 53 in Jasper County and 35 in Newton County, statistics from ISDH and the Porter County Health Department showed. Positive case totals included 55,086 in Lake County, up 32; 19,030 in Porter County, up eight; 12,332 in LaPorte County, up 11; 3,829 in Jasper County, up six; and 1,115 in Newton County, up one, following corrections to the previous day's totals. A total of 91,392 Northwest Indiana residents have tested positive for the respiratory disease to date. Across Indiana there were 405 new cases, pushing the state's overall total to 746,135. New cases were reported between Wednesday and Thursday. All data was provisional and subject to change as more information is reported to the state. Environmental groups say the U.S. EPA's recent decision to revise ozone nonattainment designations will require industries in northern Porter County and several other Chicago-area counties to take steps to reduce air pollution. The Environmental Law and Policy Center and Respiratory Health Association said they joined with other groups to challenge the Trump administration EPA's 2018 findings that several counties did not contribute to air pollution in nearby areas, where ozone levels violated EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standard. The groups said the finding was flawed and "inappropriately exempted the counties from regulatory requirements for actions to reduce pollution." Ann Jaworski, a staff attorney at the ELPC, said, "It's refreshing to have an EPA that won't let polluters off the hook. "The EPA's latest decision means pollution sources in those areas will now be required to clean up emissions that contribute to the formation of ozone, a dangerous pollutant that can trigger asthma attacks and decrease lung function in even healthy individuals," she said. A Chicago man alleged to have kept a woman confined in order to steal for him and perform sex acts for money with paying customers was charged Thursday with human trafficking. According to a criminal complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court, a woman told police that Curtis P. Henry, 40, exploited her drug addiction to coerce her into sex for money and shoplifting, and kept most or all of the money she made so she could not leave. "He had me selling (sex)," the woman told police. "He'd take the phones, wake me up when I was sleeping. When I would steal he would take my merchandise, or I would sell the merchandise and he would take my money." In exchange for her work, she said, Henry would give her drugs, or sometimes nothing. "If I complained, he would punch me, slap me and choke me," she told police. She said Henry also told her he was going to kill her. She said she was initially afraid to talk to police because she feared Henry would have someone kill her. She said he had also threatened to kill the woman's three children if she didn't make money for him through sex work or retail thefts, the complaint states. The pair are also planning to enter into an exclusivity agreement to provide proton therapy services in the Gulf Cooperation Council ( ) said it signed a letter of intent with Saba Partners for the proposed purchase of a three-treatment room LIGHT system for a total contract value of up to US$107mln (75.5mln). The AIM-listed firm is a developer of next-generation proton therapy systems for cancer treatment, called LIGHT systems, while Saba is an investment advisory and asset management firm based in Geneva with decades of experience in healthcare services and healthcare real estate. The contract value reflects the purchase of the LIGHT equipment, its installation and an extended long-term maintenance and warranty agreement, said the healthcare group. The system will be installed in a proton therapy centre in Glion, Switzerland, where Saba plans to start building a medical centre. This potential partnership follows the company's announcement in January 2021 with DiaMedCare AG to offer its customers in Europe and the US easier access to its LIGHT system through a flexible financing solution that reduces the need for large initial upfront payments from customers. The firm said it intends to enter into an exclusivity agreement with Saba Partners for the provision of proton therapy services in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Under the agreement, Advanced Oncotherapy will benefit from Saba Partners' presence in the Saudi Arabian hospital sector in order to make the LIGHT system available to countries within the GCC region consisting of Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The letter of intent is non-binding and both parties have agreed to sign a binding deal by 31 March 2022, while Advanced Oncotherapy will not receive money before obtaining the relevant CE marking clearances. Saba Partners' choice of Advanced Oncotherapy demonstrates our position to help medical providers meet a significant unmet medical need, said AVO chief executive Nicolas Serandour. "Today's announcement represents another key milestone for Advanced Oncotherapy and demonstrates the significant potential market for the LIGHT system where we estimate that 4,000 proton therapy centres are required worldwide while only 95 facilities currently exist. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, told reporters that the president had decided to focus in the negotiation on plans that should be completely acceptable to a number of Republicans who said that they they want to leave their bottom line is they want to leave the 2017 tax law untouched. She later added that raising the corporate tax rate above 21 percent was still a key goal. The discussions have unsettled some progressive Democrats, who are pushing Mr. Biden to abandon talks and move his economic plan through the budget reconciliation process, which would allow it to pass with only Democratic votes. They questioned whether a compromise struck with Ms. Capito could secure the 10 Republican votes needed to pass a bill through normal Senate procedures and argued that Republicans had done little to move closer to the White House on the amount of new spending or how to finance it. No Republican vote in favor of an infrastructure package should supersede our mission: to build an America that works for the people, not for massive corporations, Representative Jamaal Bowman, Democrat of New York, said in a statement. Getting Republicans on board is not necessary. Getting the American people back on their feet is. Republicans have complained that Mr. Biden is not willing to reduce his spending demands to a degree they could support, and they have been surprised at his continued resistance to raising gas taxes and other fees that have traditionally supported some infrastructure programs. As of Thursday afternoon, it was unclear whether Republicans would compile another counterproposal. Both sides have a stake in prolonging the negotiations. Mr. Biden is seeking to achieve bipartisanship or exhaust its possibilities, in part to secure votes from Democratic senators like Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who have insisted on including Republicans in the infrastructure effort. At any moment, its very possible the Republicans say, Wait a minute, either were going do it our way or were not going do it at all, said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland. The next 10 days would be critical, he said. Its also possible the Democrats are going to say, You do it our way all, and if not well go through it ourselves. I hope thats not the case. Leading Democrats say a compromise that falls short of Mr. Bidens ambitions could pave the way for a reconciliation bill that includes many of the spending proposals and tax increases in his broad agenda, like affordable child care, universal prekindergarten and additional efforts to fight climate change. Federal prosecutors and lawyers for Rudolph W. Giuliani have recommended that Barbara S. Jones, a former judge in Manhattan, be appointed to review materials seized by the F.B.I. during recent searches of Mr. Giulianis home and office, according to a government court filing late Thursday. The proposal, which still must be approved by a federal judge, would require Ms. Jones to determine what seized materials might be covered by attorney-client privilege and should be kept from the authorities who are investigating Mr. Giuliani. Ms. Jones, who is now in private practice, filled a similar role three years ago when she was appointed to oversee a review of materials seized by the authorities during the investigation of Michael D. Cohen, former President Donald J. Trumps onetime personal lawyer and fixer. Mr. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City who also once served as Mr. Trumps personal lawyer, has been under investigation over his dealings in Ukraine before the 2020 presidential election, The New York Times has reported. Andy Stone, a Facebook spokesman, declined to comment. The Verge reported earlier on Facebooks change. The change is stark because of how Facebooks leaders previously pledged not to interfere with political speech. Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive, said in a 2019 speech at Georgetown University that the company wouldnt be an arbiter of speech because I believe we must continue to stand for free expression. Nick Clegg, who leads Facebooks public affairs, has also said all speech from politicians should, as a general rule, be seen and heard on the platform. Yet Facebook has grappled with a backlash against that stance by lawmakers, civil rights activists and even its own employees, especially when Mr. Trump used social media to rally a crowd that ended up storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. A day after the riot, Facebook said it would block Mr. Trump because the risks of allowing him to use the platform were too great. Since then, Mr. Trumps allies and supporters have challenged the company, saying Facebook engaged in censorship and had too much power over who could say what online. To defuse the situation, the social network sent its decision to block Mr. Trump to a company-appointed oversight board for review. Last month, the board upheld the ban of Mr. Trump but also kicked the case back to the company. The board said that an indefinite suspension of Mr. Trump was not appropriate because it was not a penalty defined in Facebooks policies and that the company should apply a standard punishment, such as a time-bound suspension or a permanent ban. The board also said Facebook must respond by Friday to its recommendations for how to handle potentially dangerous posts from world leaders. In an interview this week with The Akron Beacon Journal, Ms. Suchan-Rothgery acknowledged that she or Mr. Garrison she did not specify had turned off Mr. Kemters microphone for two minutes. She told the newspaper that Mr. Kemters narrative was not relevant to our program for the day and that the theme of the day was honoring Hudson veterans. Ms. Suchan-Rothgery and Mr. Garrison, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. The episode swiftly drew international attention to the solemn observance in Hudson, a town of some 22,000 people about 15 miles north of Akron, Ohio, at a time of reckoning in the country over racial injustice. Until that moment, the service had resembled countless others that take place every Memorial Day. There was the playing of taps, the reading of the names of local armed forces members who died while serving the nation and the placement of wreaths. Mr. Friend said in the statement on Friday, We are deeply saddened by this and stand in unity and solidarity with the Black community and all peoples of race, color, religion, sex, and gender, so that those who are exclusive of such persons will know that this behavior is not acceptable in the American Legion, in our homes, our hearts, our communities, in private, public, or anywhere. In a statement issued on Thursday on Twitter, James W. Oxford, the national commander of the American Legion, saluted Mr. Kemter for his efforts to highlight the important role played by Black Americans in honoring our fallen heroes. We regret any actions taken that detracts from this important message, Mr. Oxford said. Regardless of the investigations outcome, the national headquarters is very clear that the American Legion deplores racism and reveres the Constitution. The tabloids made it look like she was having a mental breakdown, Dr. Krook said. It plays into the idea that women are too emotional for politics. Another approach paints female politicians as hyper-sexualized. That was what former President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic of Croatia encountered when tabloids ran pictures of another woman in a bikini and falsely claimed it was her. The photos subject was later identified as Coco Austin, the partner of American rapper Ice-T but the damage to Ms. Grabar-Kitarovics reputation was done. If people arent critical and willing to take a moment to assess whether a story or image is real, the effects end up getting magnified, Dr. Krook said. Other female leaders have also found themselves the target of fake nude photos, like the former Ukrainian parliament member, Svitlana Zalishchuk, and a Rwandan female presidential candidate, Diane Rwigara. It is one of many tactics that has been used to silence me, Ms. Rwigara told CNN in 2017. Once the disinformation is out there, it is difficult to counter, says Dr. Krook: It is hard to ensure a retraction reaches everyone who saw the inaccurate post, and even if it is seen, it might not change minds. Disinformation spreads rapidly, Dr. Krook added, because it taps into and reinforces existing sexist beliefs about female political leaders. With social media, attacks on high-profile women can occur at an unprecedented scale, often anonymously and with impunity. And only in recent years have policymakers begun to focus on the risks that women face because of these online attacks, by publicly addressing them and accounting for them in policymaking. Last fall, federal and state authorities revealed a detailed plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. Ms. Whitmer had become a target of right-wing and anti-government activists because of measures she had taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The group that plotted the kidnapping spied on Ms. Whitmers vacation home, met regularly for firearms and combat training, and made plans to buy explosives. WASHINGTON The military judge presiding in the death penalty case of a man accused of orchestrating the U.S.S. Cole bombing has agreed to consider information obtained during the mans torture by C.I.A. interrogators to support an argument in pretrial proceedings at Guantanamo Bay. Defense lawyers cast the decision as the first time that a military judge at the war court is publicly known to have agreed to consider information obtained through the C.I.A. torture of a prisoner, and on Thursday they asked a higher court to reverse it. Col. Lanny J. Acosta Jr. of the Army ruled on May 18 that prosecutors may invoke such information to be used narrowly, not necessarily for the truth of it, before a jury begins hearing a case. No court has ever sanctioned the use of torture in this way, the defense lawyers wrote in their 20-page filing that asked a Pentagon panel, the U.S. Court of Military Commission Review, to intervene in the case against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, a Saudi prisoner awaiting trial at Guantanamo Bay. No court has ever approved the governments use of torture as a tool in discovery litigation or as a legitimate means of facilitating a courts interlocutory fact-finding. WASHINGTON The Justice Department is investigating the postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, over possible violations of campaign finance laws while he was running a company and building a reputation as a top Republican donor, his spokesman said on Thursday. The investigation focuses on campaign contributions made by people employed by New Breed Logistics, the company in North Carolina that Mr. DeJoy led from 1983 to 2014, before he was appointed postmaster general a little over a year ago during the administration of President Donald J. Trump. Mr. DeJoy was a leading donor to Mr. Trump in the 2016 campaign. Mr. DeJoy has learned that the Department of Justice is investigating campaign contributions made by employees who worked for him when he was in the private sector, said the spokesman, Mark Corallo. He has always been scrupulous in his adherence to the campaign contribution laws and has never knowingly violated them, Mr. Corallo said. He added that Mr. DeJoy was cooperating with the inquiry. Former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday described systemic racism as a left-wing myth during a speech hosted by a Republican group in New Hampshire, adopting the racial politics of his former boss, President Donald J. Trump. But Mr. Pence, a potential candidate for a 2024 presidential run, also distanced himself from the former president, describing the Jan. 6 attack as a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol. President Trump and Ive spoken many times since we left office, Mr. Pence said. I dont know if well ever see eye-to-eye on that day. The speech illustrated the careful balance Mr. Pence is aiming to strike in squaring the rhetoric of the Republican Party under Mr. Trump while standing by his opposition to Mr. Trumps attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Last week, Mr. Biden acted through executive order in an effort to force some of those changes on the pipeline industry, using the Transportation Safety Administrations oversight powers on the pipeline industry. In the absence of comprehensive government mandates, however, cybersecurity practices have been voluntary. The result is that many businesses and other organizations have been, in effect, left to fend for themselves. And the latest ransomware attacks have exposed the extent to which American cities, town governments, police departments and even the one of the ferry services between Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket have failed to erect sufficient defenses. The latest attack on one of the worlds largest suppliers of beef, JBS, for example, was pulled off by a Russian group known as REvil, which has had great success breaking into companies using very simple means. The group typically gains access into large corporations through a combination of email phishing, in which it sends an employee an email that fools him or her into entering a password or clicking on a malicious link, and exploiting a companys slowness to patch software. REvils cybercriminals will often search for and exploit vulnerable computer servers or break in through a well-known flaw in Pulse Secure security devices, called a VPN, or virtual private network, that companies use in an effort to protect their data. The flaw was detected and patched two years ago, and flagged by American officials again last year after a series of cyberattacks by Chinese hackers. But many companies have still failed to patch it. Yet a year later, many companies have still neglected to run the patch, essentially leaving an open window into their systems. In the White House memo, titled What We Urge You to Do Now, Ms. Neuberger asked businesses to focus on the basics. One step is multifactor authentication, a process that forces employees to enter a second, one-time password from their phone, or a security token, when they log in from an unrecognized device. It encouraged them to regularly back up data, and segregate those backup systems from the rest of their networks so that cybercriminals cannot easily find them. It urged companies to hire firms to conduct penetration testing, essentially dry runs in which an attack on a companys systems is simulated, to find vulnerabilities. And Ms. Neuberger asked them to think ahead about how they would react should their networks and held hostage with ransomware. He and other officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the classified findings in the report. Russia has been investing heavily in hypersonics, believing the technology offers it the ability to evade American missile-defense technology. China has also developed hypersonic weaponry, and included it in military parades. If the phenomena were Chinese or Russian aircraft, officials said, that would suggest the two powers hypersonic research had far outpaced American military development. Navy pilots were often unsettled by the sightings. In one encounter, strange objects one of them like a spinning top moving against the wind appeared almost daily from the summer of 2014 to March 2015, high in the skies over the East Coast. Navy pilots reported to their superiors that the objects had no visible engine or infrared exhaust plumes, but that they could reach 30,000 feet and hypersonic speeds. Lt. Ryan Graves, an F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot who was with the Navy for 10 years, told The New York Times in an interview, These things would be out there all day. With the speeds he and other pilots observed, he said, 12 hours in the air is 11 hours longer than wed expect. In late 2014, a Super Hornet pilot had a near collision with one of the objects, and an official mishap report was filed. Some of the incidents were recorded on video, including one taken by a planes camera in early 2015 that shows an object zooming over the ocean waves as pilots question what they are watching. The Defense Department has been collecting such reports for more than 13 years as part of a shadowy, little-known Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program within the Pentagon. The program analyzed radar data, video footage and accounts provided by the Navy pilots and senior officers. The program began in 2007 and was largely funded at the request of Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat who was the Senate majority leader at the time. It was officially shut down in 2012, when the money dried up, according to the Pentagon. But Luis Elizondo, who ran the program at the time, said that he continued it until 2017. After the publication of a New York Times article later that year about the program and criticism from program officials that the government was not forthcoming about reports on aerial phenomena, the Pentagon restarted the program last summer as the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force. While a final investment decision is still a year away, Lake Resources is drumming up financial support for its lithium project as demand for battery metals takes off. Lake Resources is on the hunt for low-cost debt financing as battery metals take off. Lake Resources N.L. (ASX:LKE) ( ) (FRA:LK1) is moving closer to securing debt financing to develop its flagship Kachi Lithium Project from which it aims to produce cleaner and greener lithium to service growing global demand. The clean lithium developer said more than half a dozen major international banks had expressed interest in providing a cash injection for the lithium play as the electric vehicle industry comes to the fore. Of course, a banks participation is subject to Export Credit Agency approval, so SD Capital and GKB Ventures have been appointed to facilitate any sign-off on funding runways. In the meantime, Lakes Kachi project remains funded through to a final investment decision on construction finance, which is anticipated to occur mid next year. A focus on sustainability Speaking to the progress towards debt financing, Lake managing director Steve Promnitz said: Export credit agencies and the project finance banks are committed to the new energy transition and to projects with an environmental, social, and corporate governance benefit that includes sustainable development goals. As a company focused on the sustainable, direct extraction of lithium to produce a high-quality, battery-grade product, Lake is ideally positioned to contribute to the achievement of these goals. We look forward to advancing these talks further, together with potential international off-takers, as we progress the Kachi definitive feasibility study towards a successful outcome. Funding facility expanded Recently, Perth-based investment bank Acuity Capital expressed further confidence in Lakes operations by expanding its funding runway. In July 2018, Acuity established a controlled placement agreement with the ASX-lister. Since then, however, the investment bank has expanded the placements size to A$30 million, providing Lake with access to a larger capital pool. To date, Lake has drawn down nearly A$4.76 million under the placement facility, with about A$25 million still available as standby financing until January 2023. The road to debt financing In order to advance lower-cost funding discussions, SD Capital and GKB Ventures have chosen to focus on Export Credit Agencies (ECAs). ECA-led financing would lead to lower-cost, longer-term debt, generally accounting for roughly 70% of the funding required and involving a 10-year repayment scheme. Commenting on potential financing for Kachi in a joint statement, SD Capitals David Buckle and GKB Ventures Gabriel Buck said: We are greatly encouraged by the progress being made and the early positive response from the project finance banks. Ultimately, Lake said estimates involving the potential size and duration of a debt funding package would be provided in the coming months after it received expressions of interest. Meanwhile, the lithium developer is confident it has enough capital to progress work through to a final investment decision at Kachi. At the end of 2021s March quarter, Lake had A$24 million in the bank to sustain its operations. For more than 20 years, the husband and wife were stalwarts of their evangelical community in southern Vietnam: pastors of a small Protestant church where they distributed food and clothing to the needy of Ho Chi Minh City. Now, the couple are pariahs. They have been blamed by the authorities for a major coronavirus outbreak, are facing a criminal investigation and have been held accountable on social media for a lockdown in their neighborhood and a ban on religious services nationwide. The couple, Phuong Van Tan and Vo Xuan Loan, who are hospitalized with Covid-19, are accused of allowing parishioners to pray together without wearing masks, a violation of coronavirus protocols that officials say resulted in an outbreak in May linked to more than 200 cases. Health officials believe that the outbreak started with Ms. Loan, who traveled to Hanoi, the capital, in late April and began experiencing symptoms about two weeks later. They contend that churchgoers gathered in close quarters for their services, did not wear masks and did not report their illnesses. As Indias Covid-19 vaccination drive falters, the countrys Supreme Court has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modis government explain how it plans to meet its target of inoculating about 900 million adults by the end of the year. As India struggles with a second wave of the virus that is killing some 3,000 people a day, according to official statistics, Mr. Modis administration is already woefully behind in its goal of administering 400 million to 500 million shots by July. So far, India has administered about 220 million doses, and just 45 million people about 4 percent of the population are fully vaccinated with two doses. Vaccinating all adults would require at least another 1.5 billion doses. The Supreme Court stepped in this week, signing an order on Monday that demanded that the government explain how it would obtain vaccines given stretched global supplies; what purchase orders it has placed; and how officials planned to resolve a messy dispute between states and the central government over vaccine procurement. The fight ensued after Mr. Modi declared in mid-April that states would need to purchase most doses on their own, which the government said would help speed up vaccination efforts but instead sowed confusion. The United Nations said Thursday that it had suspended the voting rights of Iran and four smaller countries for delinquent dues. The move provoked a furious reaction from Iran, which called it astonishingly absurd and blamed the countrys arrears on U.S. sanctions that had frozen Iranian funds in banks worldwide. The episode threatened to inject another irritant into the estranged U.S.-Iranian relationship, entangling the United Nations just as diplomats are seeking to advance negotiations aimed at restoring American and Iranian compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the major powers. President Trump repudiated that accord three years ago, restoring economic sanctions that the agreement had lifted. Iran responded by re-engaging in uranium enrichment and other actions that had been curtailed under the accords provisions. President Biden has said he wants to rejoin the nuclear agreement, but Iran has said the United States must drop its sanctions in verifiable ways before Iran will return to compliance. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a letter to the president of the General Assembly that Iran and four African countries the Central African Republic, Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe, and Somalia had all breached the delinquency threshold under Article 19 of the U.N. Charter. The article states that any member owing the previous two years of assessments may not vote in the General Assembly. In recent years, the Pompidou Center in Paris has tried to extend its reach globally by opening museum outposts in cities hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles away. In 2015, it opened one in Malaga, Spain; in 2018, in Brussels; one year later, in Shanghai. So whats the next destination for the Pompidou, the Parisian art museum and cultural center? Jersey City, N.J., naturally. The institutions president, Serge Lasvignes, and the mayor of Jersey City, Steven Fulop, will announce on Friday that the city plans to turn a century-old industrial building in Journal Square into the Pompidous first North American satellite. If the City Council approves the plan, the museum, which is expected to open in early 2024, will have access to art from the Pompidous collection of around 120,000 works and to its array of experts as well as the benefit of being associated with one of Pariss most popular cultural attractions. Joao Mina was sold into slavery around 1640 at Elmina Castle, the Dutch administrative headquarters on the Gold Coast of Africa, in what is now Ghana. It is impossible to know his precise origins or his real name. His captors gave him the name Mina (short for Elmina) when he was bought and sent on a ship to the Dutch colony in Brazil, a voyage of between five weeks and two months. When he arrived, the traders sold him again, likely at a market in Recife, to Portuguese slaveholders who sent him to work on a nearby sugar plantation. Foot stocks, known as a tronco (a tree trunk in Portuguese), would clamp the ankles of several enslaved people at once, which meant they had to lie still to avoid excruciating pain. The stocks were often used as punishment on sugar plantations like the one where Mina was forced to work. This set of nine-foot-long oak stocks was probably made in the Netherlands, said Sint Nicolaas, possibly for a plantation in Dutch Brazil, although it was never sent there. During the period when Mina was in Brazil, the West India Company occupied territory along the countrys coast. It came under attack from Portuguese settlers who had colonized the area, and during a 1645 guerrilla war, many African people fled their Portuguese owners. Mina was one of them: He escaped from a sugar plantation and entered the Dutch colonial territory. There, he was subjected to a lengthy interrogation by West India Company officials who were eager for information about the Portuguese. Documents recording that process have helped historians grasp the outline of Minas story, although they provided scant personal information. The fact that we do have a few details about his life makes him a rarity, the historian Stephanie Archangel wrote in the Slavery exhibition catalog. No trace remains of millions of enslaved men, women and children. This years Outsider Art Fair in New York took the form of an online event with in-person exhibitions at a handful of galleries. Next year, this fair, which typically takes place at the end of January, will open in early February at its usual Chelsea location. Now, the fairs organizers have produced Super-Rough, a selection of some 200 sculptural works by an international roster of art brut and outsider artists, with Takashi Murakami as guest curator. The exhibition, which opens at 150 Wooster Street in SoHo on Wednesday and runs through June 27, will offer a survey of welded-metal, carved-stone, embroidered-fabric and cut-paper creations by nearly 60 artists. The name Super-Rough plays on the term super-flat Murakami coined, even if it shares no allusions to traditional Japanese art forms actual flatness and sometimes accentuated two-dimensionality in pictorial space. And as the title suggests, Super-Rough will call attention to the power of the craftsmanship of self-taught sculptors. It is one of the indelible star-is-born moments in music history: Leonard Bernstein, the 25-year-old assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic, fills in at short notice for an ailing maestro and leads the orchestra in a concert broadcast live over the radio, causing a sensation. Its a good American success story, The New York Times wrote in an editorial, following a front-page review of the 1943 coup. The warm, friendly triumph of it filled Carnegie Hall and spread over the airwaves. Fifteen years later, Bernstein was the Philharmonics music director. And the dream of ascending from the assistantship of a major American orchestra to its leadership like rising up a corporate ladder was cemented in the popular imagination. There are still assistant conductors, bright, talented 20- and 30-somethings hired by orchestras for stints of a few years. Indeed, there are more of them than ever, and they go by a variety of titles: assistant, associate, fellow, resident. Almost every major orchestra has at least one, and they still fill the traditional duties of Bernsteins time: sitting in the concert hall during rehearsals to check balances and mark up scores; conducting offstage groups of musicians for certain pieces; and, of course, being ready to take the podium in case of emergency. But it is rare to see them ascend to the top jobs. Sophie Rivera, a photographer who won acclaim making luminous portraits of Puerto Rican New Yorkers and other city dwellers before turning the camera on herself, died on May 22 in the Bronx. She was 82. Her husband, Dr. Martin Hurwitz, a psychiatrist, said the cause was a neurodegenerative disease. She lived in Upper Manhattan and had been in a hospice facility in the Bronx. Ms. Rivera, who was of Puerto Rican descent, began making portraits of her neighbors in the late 1970s, asking passers-by in front of her Morningside Heights apartment building if they were Puerto Rican. If they said yes, she invited them to be photographed. The images she made were majestic four-by-four-foot prints of everyday New Yorkers of all ages. They were time-stamped by their hair styles and clothing as citizens of the 1970s and 80s, but they were made eternal by their direct gazes, formal poses and the nimbus of light with which Ms. Rivera surrounded them. Jared Drake Bell, a former star of the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh, was charged in Cleveland with attempted child endangerment and disseminating material harmful to children. Mr. Bell, 34, pleaded not guilty to both charges in Cuyahoga County Court on Thursday. He was released after posting a $2,500 bond and agreeing to not have contact with the alleged victim. He was indicted by a grand jury on May 21. According to prosecutors, the charges stem from an incident at a concert in Cleveland on Dec. 1, 2017. Mr. Bell, who also goes by Drake Campana, had tweeted that he had a show scheduled at the Odeon Concert Club there on that date. Prosecutors said that Mr. Bell engaged in a conversation with a 15-year-old girl that was at times sexual in nature. An investigation by the Cleveland Police Department also revealed that Mr. Bell had sent the girl inappropriate social media messages in the months before the show, the prosecutors said. The French national anthem, La Marseillaise, can resonate differently in an on-screen Moroccan setting. Most famous, perhaps, is the Casablanca version, in which the clientele of Ricks Cafe sing it loud and proud to drown out the voices of the occupying Germans. Then there is the Little Birds version, which is belted out venomously in a packed nightclub by a gold-toothed Moroccan prostitute (Yumna Marwan). This time, its the turn of the French occupiers to squirm in their seats. The scene is a perfect encapsulation of the tensions at the heart of Little Birds, a sexually freewheeling six-part series debuting Sunday on Starz. Set in the colonial port city of Tangier in 1955, the show is based loosely on the Anais Nin book of erotic short stories of the same name, which was published posthumously in 1979. Nin, who died two years earlier at age 73, had written the stories in the 1940s for a male benefactor who paid her a dollar a page and repeatedly advised: Concentrate on sex. Leave out the poetry. Previous screen adaptations of Nins work, such as the films Henry & June (1990) and Delta of Venus (1995), were made by male directors. Little Birds has a mostly female-led creative team, including its creator, Sophia Al-Maria, and series director, Stacie Passon a welcome update in a show that examines sexual desire in all its guises. No decision has yet been made on whether Facebook has broken the law, the CMA added. We will be working closely with the European Commission as we each investigate these issues. ( ) is facing simultaneous investigations in the UK and Europe to see if it is abusing its market position in the way it collects and uses data. The UK's competition authority the CMA said it will look into whether Facebook has unfairly used the data gained from its advertising and single sign-on to benefit its own services. Europe has simultaneously launched its own investigation with the CMA saying it will work closely with the European Commission as it carries out its probe. The US social media giant collects data from its digital advertising services to allow other businesses to advertise to Facebook users and from Facebook Login, which allows users to sign in to other websites, apps and services. Facebook Marketplace, where users and businesses can put up classified ads to sell items and Facebook Dating, a dating profile service it launched in Europe in 2020 will be especially scrutinised said the regulator. Andrea Coscelli, chief executive, said: We intend to thoroughly investigate Facebooks use of data to assess whether its business practices are giving it an unfair advantage in the online dating and classified ad sectors. Any such advantage can make it harder for competing firms to succeed, including new and smaller businesses, and may reduce customer choice. We will be working closely with the European Commission as we each investigate these issues. No decision has yet been made on whether Facebook has broken the law, the CMA added. Kodera has spent the better part of a decade, with limited success, hunting for information about Brooke. He has visited his gravesite in Japan and found records to establish that Brookes work was included in exhibitions during his lifetime at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and at the 1891 Paris Salon, and was the subject of at least two solo shows in Japan. But finding a painting by Brooke has stymied Kodera, at least until now, perhaps. In April, Katherine Mathews, a thrift store enthusiast, happened upon a watercolor with the signature E.W. Brooke while rummaging through Warehouse 839, a shop in Saco, Maine, that specializes in everything from estate furniture to odds and ends. She paid $45 for the image, which depicts a Japanese woman and a child. On her way home, curious to know just what she had bought, she stopped in a grocery store parking lot to look up this Brooke person on her iPad. She soon saw the van Gogh connection and later, with the help of her husband, John, made contact with Kodera. The professor thinks they have probably discovered a rare thing, an original Brooke. Are there any other painters who painted this subject matter, with the name E.W. Brooke, and with a Japanese lady and a baby? Kodera said in a telephone conversation. We cannot imagine any other painters. Friederike Mayrocker, who was among the most influential and decorated German-language poets of the postwar period, died on Friday in Vienna. She was 96. Suhrkamp Verlag, her Berlin-based publisher, announced the death. Though acclaimed as a poet, Ms. Mayrocker ranged far more widely, producing an immense body of work that encompassed nearly every literary genre: novels, memoirs, childrens books, drama and radio plays as well as poetry. (Only a handful of her works have been translated into English.) Her work was formally inventive, much of it exploiting the imaginative potential of language to capture the minutiae of daily life, the natural world, love and grief. If it was often avant-garde, it was also deeply personal. Her language was exuberant and concentrated, a kind of continuous torrent of freely associative, passionate language in the service of private obsessions, as the Irish poet Peter Sirr wrote. In the 2008 poem ecstatic morning, for Linde Waber, Ms. Mayrocker wrote (as translated by Jonathan Larson and published on the arts website Bomb): on up the mirroring woodpath that is mirroring from the glaring lake to the right as towards us 1 beautiful wanderer and over the roots of the mighty trees I strayed while the clanging sun that is the high midday light dusted through the vaulted treetops She was the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2001 Georg Buchner Prize, one of German literatures top honors. It was a distinction she shared with several authors who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, including Heinrich Boll, Gunter Grass, Elfriede Jelinek and Peter Handke. (She was nominated for the prize in 2004.) In the biography, Bailey identifies her by the pseudonym Mona. He describes how she and Roth were attracted to each other and were physically intimate but never had sex because he was unable to, even after taking Viagra. But Llewellyn said the scene Bailey described never occurred. Philip and I never fooled around, said Llewellyn, who wrote about her relationship with Roth in her 2019 memoir, Diving Into Glass. Llewellyn who declined to be interviewed by Bailey said she was more upset by what was left out of the biography, which gives the impression that she was a marginal figure in Roths life, a fling that didnt work out. My intimacy with Philip didnt conform to the story Blake was trying to write, she said. In an email, Bailey said that he based the description of their relationship on information from Roth, who tended to be truthful, adding that the information was harmless enough, and besides, her identity was protected by a pseudonym. He disputed the critique that his book was overly focused on Roths intimate relationships and diminished the women in his life. Baileys book will not be the last word. In addition to an unauthorized biography by the literary critic Ira Nadel that came out in March, there are more books on the way, including a biography by the Stanford University professor Steven Zipperstein, and The Philip Roth We Dont Know, by Jacques Berlinerblau, a Georgetown University professor. But scholars and writers are concerned that nobody else will have access to the personal papers that Bailey was able to read and draw from. In May, 23 of them released a statement imploring the estate not to destroy the papers, as it has said it might, and to make them readily available to researchers. A writer of Mr. Roths stature deserves multiple accounts of his life in keeping with the nuance and complexity of his art, the statement says. Taddeo can write a killer sentence. High school was a blur of bad grades, stupid bangs and cigarettes. On men and their dogs: They will bring them everywhere and never forsake them. Unlike their women, their children. Dogs want nothing of a man except all the things a man wants to give. Shes at her best when exploring the murky, sometimes twisted relations between men and women. Almost always in my life there had been one man I desired who was giving me nothing at the same time as there was another who didnt move me but from whom I was taking very much, Joan says. Animal is a story about trauma, how the psychic wounds of childhood draw the blueprint for a lifetime of emotional carnage and, eventually, physical violence. In the course of the novel, Joan suffers, commits or bears witness to rapes, child molestation, suicide and murder. In the midst of the financial crisis of 2008, a Wall Street trader pays her a thousand dollars to kick him in the testicles. Theres also a forced abortion, a pregnancy test taken at gunpoint and a stunningly graphic miscarriage that leaves the expectant mother covered in blood and holding the fetus in her hand. If all this sounds far-fetched, it is. Taddeo isnt a subtle writer. But what she lacks in nuance, she makes up for in bravado, psychological acuity and sly wit. Joans voice is so sharp and magnetic that the reader will follow her anywhere even to the dark and increasingly unbelievable depths her creator sends her. The world of Animal is relentlessly bleak. If its particulars dont always make sense (Joan is a high school graduate who reads Derrida and somehow has a high-powered career in New York advertising), its values at least remain consistent. Every husband cheats, and every adultery results in mortal injury or death. Little girls are warped by a culture that views them as sexual objects almost from birth. Joan remembers of a family friend: His Zippo had a pinup girl on it. Long brown hair with bangs and a pink bikini. My youth was marked by such images seeing them on playing cards or drawn crudely on bathroom stalls. Writing a novel is a shell game an elaborate con in which the author aims to dazzle with what she does well, in hopes of distracting the reader from what she cant do at all. Taddeos prose glitters. She has a gift for aphorism, the observation that astonishes. She is less successful at imagining the shape of a life. As the story unfolds, Joans depravity has a numbing effect, and the unremitting degeneracy of the male characters begins to seem didactic. The intention seems less to shine a light on human nature than to cast it in funhouse shapes. In researching her nonfiction debut, Three Women, Taddeo spent eight years getting to know her eponymous subjects. Novelistic in scope, the book laid bare the most intimate moments of its subjects lives, animated by Taddeos empathy and intelligence and remarkable insight. The same formidable gifts are on display here. Taddeo is writing with all her stars out, though they shone a little brighter when life itself supplied the plot. LONDON European Union and British regulators said on Friday that they were beginning separate antitrust inquiries into Facebook, broadening their efforts to rein in the worlds largest technology companies. The investigations by the European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-nation union, and Britains Competition and Markets Authority take aim at a key business strategy used by Facebook and other large tech companies: to use their size and power in one area to enter others. Amazon used its position as the largest online retailer to become a major player in video streaming. Apple leveraged the iPhone to create one of the worlds largest mobile payment systems with Apple Pay. Google has parlayed its dominance as a search engine into many different areas. The regulators said they would start formal investigations of Facebook Marketplace, an eBay-like classifieds service introduced in 2016 for users to buy and sell products. Under scrutiny is whether Facebook unfairly used data collected from advertisers to help boost Marketplace to the more than two billion users of its main social network, giving it an unfair advantage over rivals in violation of European Union competition laws. Britain is also looking into Facebook Dating, a service the company introduced in Europe last year. The inquiries intensify the already wide-ranging scrutiny that tech giants are facing from governments around the globe. Regulators in the United States, China, India, Australia, Russia and Latin America are investigating and pressing charges against the companies, accusing them of squashing rivals and harming consumers. On Friday, Germanys competition authority announced an investigation into Google for its treatment of publishers using the companys Google News Showcase. Google pays publishers for the content, and the regulator said it was exploring if the company treated publishers unfairly to have their stories featured on the tool. LONDON Finance ministers from the Group of 7 nations were on the cusp of a broad agreement over how to overhaul the international tax system and were aiming to announce a pact on Saturday that could have financial consequences for some of the worlds largest companies, according to officials familiar with the negotiations. A deal would come after years of discussion and, if reached, would bring about significant changes to world taxation. The agreement would redefine how and where businesses were taxed and, at least theoretically, put an end to tax havens that have eroded the finances of some of the worlds leading economies. Im confident that there will be an agreement tomorrow morning on international taxation, Bruno Le Maire, Frances finance minister, said at a briefing at the conclusion of the first of two days of meetings. The overhaul under discussion would include a new global minimum tax that companies would have to pay regardless of where they locate their headquarters. It would also impose an additional tax on some large multinational companies, probably forcing technology giants like Google, Facebook and Amazon to pay taxes to countries based on where goods or services are sold. For most people, the pandemic lockdowns will be remembered as a time that shrank our worlds, stripping away most of life as we knew it. For Gina Chua, the executive editor of Reuters, it was when her world opened up. Ms. Chua, 60, transitioned genders during 2020, using the time at home and away from the office to, as she describes it, grow into this skin. On Dec. 18, she wrote to her colleagues at Reuters to inform them of the change. For some time now Ive been on a journey, she said in the email. Its mostly been private, internal and exploratory, but its time to move beyond that and mark a new milestone in that passage. Im transgender. And beginning today Ill be living and presenting as what I know to be my true self 100 percent of the time. Ms. Chua is now perhaps the most senior transgender journalist in the country. She said in an interview that she was speaking publicly because its good to just have people be able to say, Here is an example of somebody who can transition and not get fired. It was 9 a.m. on a Sunday in May, and Chloe Mead was already worn out. In her living room, she cradled her 7-year-old son, Henry, supporting his head with one hand and helping him toss a ball with the other, careful not to disturb the ventilator that was keeping him alive. A nearby monitor tracked his blood-oxygen levels and a pump was at the ready should his tracheotomy tube need cleaning. In the corner, her 4-year-old daughter was building a pillow fort. I need, like, five extra arms, she said. Ordinarily, she wouldnt be by herself. Since infancy, Henry, who has spinal muscular atrophy, a rare muscle-wasting disorder, has had intensive, round-the-clock nursing at home, with Ms. Mead and her husband serving as fallbacks when a nurse unexpectedly cancels a shift. But the recent shortage of home-care nurses has forced the couple, who live in Queens, to handle longer and longer periods on their own as many as 36 hours at a stretch. That morning, her husband, Andy Maskin, was catching up on sleep so he could take that nights late shift, from 2 a.m. until 7 a.m., when he begins his own workweek. About 4.5 million Americans with illnesses and disabilities are cared for at home by aides, therapists or nurses. Most of these patients are older, but hundreds of thousands are children with complex health needs, a number that has climbed upward as medical advances allow more to survive into adulthood. Now a group of interdisciplinary researchers from Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology contend that fears of an impending Spermageddon have been vastly overstated. In a study published in May in the journal Human Fertility, they re-evaluated the 2017 review and found that it relied on flawed assumptions and failed to consider alternate explanations for the apparent decline of sperm. In an interview, Sarah Richardson, a Harvard scholar on gender and science and the senior author on the new study, called the conclusion of the 2017 review an astonishing and terrifying claim that, were it to be true, would justify the apocalyptic tenor of some of the writing. Fortunately, she and her co-authors argue, there is little evidence that this is the case. The 2017 authors were methodologically rigorous when it came to screening sperm-count studies for quality and consistency, Dr. Richardson and her colleagues write. However, even the data that passed muster was geographically sparse and uneven and often lacked basic criteria like the age of the men. Moreover, its authors took for granted that a single metric sperm count was an accurate predictor of male fertility and overall health. The connection sounds logical: Without sperm, there can be no conception. Thats why sperm count is one of the first metrics that fertility specialists measure to try to determine the cause of infertility in a couple. But beyond that truism, the science of sperm count is surprisingly slippery. For starters, no one knows what an optimal sperm count is. The World Health Organization sets a range of normal sperm count as from 15 to 250 million sperm per milliliter. (Men produce about 2 to 5 milliliters of semen per ejaculation.) But it isnt clear that more is better. Above a certain threshold 40 million per milliliter, according to the W.H.O. a higher sperm count does not mean a man is more fertile. The new projects bring Alt Labs backlog total to $5.8 million in production work Alpine 4 Holdings Inc ( ) announced that its subsidiary, Alternative Laboratories LLC, has secured new production orders worth $2 million to be completed in June and July. The new projects bring Alt Labs backlog total to $5.8 million in production work. The company working on around 40 new formulas and is in the process of expanding its R&D staff to keep up with the influx. Additionally, with the addition of a second 800kg double cone blender, Alt Labs has more than enough capacity to accommodate its current and new clientele, the company said. "With the addition of our new mixing equipment, investments in training, and other capital initiatives, 2021 is already shaping up to be better than 2020, Alt Labs COO Mark Wesolaski said in a statement. The company is on track to produce well over $22 million for 2021." Alt Labs, a private label contract manufacturer located in Florida, specializes in the manufacturing and packaging of liquids, powders, tablets, capsules and other unique nutritionals. The company has a wide array of customers that sell their products in the US and internationally through ecommerce platforms like Amazon, as well as direct business to consumer. "It's always a pleasure to see a newly added subsidiary firing on all cylinders this quickly after being acquired, Alpine 4 CEO Kent Wilson said in a statement. These orders add to an already impressive backlog of work for 2021." Alpine 4 Holdings is a conglomerate that acquires businesses that fit into its disruptive DSF business model of drivers, stabilizers, and facilitators. The company's focus is on how the adaptation of new technologies, even in brick-and-mortar businesses, can drive innovation. Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel The story unfolds in a desolate, somewhat dystopian Mediterranean landscape, though the setting is never explicitly identified. There are distant mountains, scraggly fields and dusty construction sites where crews of South Asian laborers toil away. Penelope (Penelope Tsilika) and Dimitris (Dimitris Lalos) are pet cremators who drive through this terrain, stopping by homes to pick up deceased dogs, cats and fish, assuring their owners that they will be disposed of with ceremony and care. Fragments of narrative emerge as the couple clash with the director of the pet crematory over the mysterious roadkill they encounter on their journeys. But Kala Azar invests less in plot than in a sensuous, tactile mood, drawing on the morbid implications of its title (the name of a lethal parasitic fever) to conjure a melancholic world where life and death are no longer in equilibrium. Its a particularly haunting watch in our current coronavirus-afflicted times. Sitting in Limbo Stream it on Netflix. Ganga Stone, who survived on odd jobs in Manhattan until she discovered that her lifes mission was to bring free homemade meals to bedridden AIDS patients on her bicycle, then expanded her volunteer corps of cooks and couriers into an enduring organization called Gods Love We Deliver, died on Wednesday in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. She was 79. Her death, at a health care facility, was confirmed by her daughter, Hedley Stone. She said a cause had not been determined. In 1985, Ms. Stone was selling coffee from a cart on Wall Street and feeling unfulfilled. She came to the conclusion, she later told The New York Times, that if my life were not useful to God in some direct way, I didnt see the point in living it. But while volunteering at the Cabrini Hospice on the Lower East Side, she had an epiphany. She was asked to deliver a bag of groceries to Richard Sale, a 32-year-old actor who was dying of AIDS. When she realized that he was too weak to cook, she rounded up friends, who agreed to bring him hot meals. The effort to level the field for people with criminal records who are trying to find housing is particularly noteworthy in a state that operates the most racially unbalanced prison system in the nation. A 2016 study found that New Jersey imprisoned 12 Black inmates for each white inmate. Offenders who are able to secure stable housing upon release are considered less likely to commit new crimes. On the back end, we can also reduce the number of Black and brown people who are returning to the criminal justice system, said James Williams, director of racial justice policy at the Fair Share Housing Center, an advocacy group focused on protecting the housing rights of New Jerseys poor that lobbied for the legislation for more than a year. Gov. Philip D. Murphy, a Democrat, is expected to sign the bill into law later this month. Housing instability leads to higher recidivism, which undermines public safety, a spokeswoman for Mr. Murphy, Alyana Alfaro, said. The law, she said, will break this cycle and combat housing discrimination. The bill does allow landlords to conduct criminal background checks after granting prospective tenants conditional approvals. But they may no longer factor in most crimes committed long ago, and the so-called look-back window decreases with the severity of the crime. Landlords, for example, may consider first-degree crimes for six years after release from prison when deciding on applicants. But fourth-degree crimes may only be used as a factor for either a year after a persons release from custody or, if they are not sentenced to jail or prison time, the date of conviction. Five weeks after an allegation of unwanted sexual advances upended Scott M. Stringers New York City mayoral campaign, a second woman is accusing him of sexual harassment and making unwanted advances when she said she worked for Mr. Stringer nearly three decades ago. The woman, Teresa Logan, said that she was a waitress and tended bar at Uptown Local, an establishment on the Upper West Side that was co-founded and run in part by Mr. Stringer. In an interview, she accused Mr. Stringer of once groping her as she carried trays, making unwanted sexual advances, including kissing and groping, outside the workplace at least twice and treating her in a manner that often made her uncomfortable. The first interactions, she said, took place in the spring of 1992, when Mr. Stringer was 32 and she was 18. Image Teresa Logan in 1992. In a statement, Mr. Stringer, 61 and now the city comptroller, said he had no memory of Ms. Logan, now 47. At a time when many school officials thought the best way to deal with problematic students was to suspend or expel them, Susan F. Cole realized what may seem obvious now: Sometimes, trouble at school meant trauma at home. Beginning in the 1990s, she became a leading voice in the movement to create trauma-sensitive schools in her own state, Massachusetts, and elsewhere, ones where the staff understands that abuse, neglect, hunger and other disruptions can affect a students in-school experience and behavior. It was a new approach, said Michael Gregory, a clinical professor at Harvard Law School and the managing attorney of the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative, which Ms. Cole founded in 2004. When I first started working with Susan in 2004, no one in schools was talking about trauma, Professor Gregory said in an email. We were always in rooms where we had to fight to get this conversation on the table. Now, the discussion about traumas impacts on learning is happening everywhere not only in the United States, but increasingly around the globe. She helped fundamentally shift peoples understanding of who children are and what they need from their schools. Dr. Ulloa had been confident that she wanted to train in medicine since she was a teenager, working as a shampoo girl at her mothers salon in Millis, Mass. Shed spent long afternoons lathering her hands in floral-scented pink liquid and massaging it into the clients hair. She liked the intimacy of it. The women tilted their heads into her hands, asking her questions while she rinsed: What did she want to do when she was grown up? The answer came easily. She wanted to be a doctor, which seemed to have qualities in common with being a shampoo girl. It was about earning someones trust, fostering a certain kind of openness while you ran through your set of tasks. But all she could do on that first day in the Covid wards was move quickly among her patients, willing herself not to linger. She grasped for the right words of comfort before going on to the next bed. * With the invention of the stethoscope in 1816, the gap between doctors and their patients grew profound. Using that instrument, physicians could extract information from their patients without even pressing ear to chest. That tool helped turn medicine from a trade into a profession. When people fell sick, they no longer turned to a neighbor or local healer; they knew they would get authoritative care by seeking out a physician. In the mid-1900s, that dynamic began to change, as it became clear that patients needed to have some rights, too. The shift was accelerated by the 1947 trial and judgment of 23 Nazi doctors and bureaucrats. They were indicted, facing charges related to torturous experimentation on their victims that included mass sterilizations, bone-grafting and forced exposure to drugs. The physicians claimed that they had no medical code of ethics limiting their behavior. The Nuremberg Code that emerged called for the voluntary consent of subjects in human research in other words, for the first time, patients had to know what was being done to their bodies. In the decades that followed, other physicians began to take the idea further. Dr. Jay Katz, an ethicist at Yale, argued that patients should be involved in their own medical choices. His landmark book, The Silent World of Doctor and Patient, published in 1984, challenged the paternalistic assumption that patients should quietly accept all their doctors ideas. By 1996, Dr. Bernard Lown, a cardiologist, was arguing that the biggest problem in Americas broken health care system wasnt about money but compassion: Healing is replaced with treating, he wrote. Caring is supplanted by managing. Instead of tending to full humans, doctors were treating distinct organs like a car mechanic examining malfunctioning parts. Medical schools began to teach these once-radical ideas to their students. Faculties put a new emphasis on notions like informed consent, training would-be doctors to build relationships with their patients and not just expect compliance. This seemed all the more important for the most sensitive hospital conversations: If you are going to ask patients at what point theyd want to forgo life-sustaining measures, for example, then youd better have earned their trust first. Youd better sit with them and get to know their families. Sixty-three percent of the adult population of the United States has now received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. President Bidens stated goal is to have 70 percent of the adult population vaccinated by July 4. This means that the health emergency that might have justified Mr. Trumps hard-line deportation policies is over. Enforcement of Title 42 rules should therefore end immediately, and border crossings between the United States and Mexico should return to normal status with normal rules for asylum applications. It would also help if the United States were to donate millions of vaccines to Mexican border communities. In addition to Title 42, Mr. Trumps immigration policies were defined by their cruelty; now Mr. Biden has a moral obligation to at least listen to what immigrants like Betty Mejia have to say when they arrive at the border. Mr. Bidens $4 billion investment plan for Central America, designed to combat northbound migration at its roots, will require several years before it yields results. In the meantime, we urgently need a humane system to deal with Central Americans who are fleeing conditions of extreme poverty, violence and gang intimidation. This is the responsibility of the United States, both as a superpower and as the undisputed economic leader in the Americas. And, just as urgent, we must legalize the residential status of millions of undocumented migrants, some of whom have been living in the United States for decades. This is a promise that has gone unfulfilled since amnesty was granted during the Reagan administration in 1986, when the Immigration Reform and Control Act legalized the status of most immigrants who had arrived in the United States before 1982. But the excuse for doing nothing since then is always the same: Republicans say they are unwilling to consider any legalization proposal until the southern border is secure. Yet it is almost impossible to entirely secure a shared border that is more than 1,900 miles long and where the U.S. Border Patrol detained more than 178,000 people attempting illegal entry in April alone. Naturally and historically, the border is porous. Asked recently why no real progress had been made in bipartisan talks on immigration, Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, replied simply: The southern border. And that is not changing any time soon. Republicans are very likely to reframe the debate over the border and the plight of thousands of refugees and unaccompanied children crossing it in their bid to retake control of Congress in the 2022 midterm elections. This means that President Biden and the Democrats are left with but one option on immigration reform: Do it now, without bipartisan support. Or it will never happen. And the public, having recently endured great brutality at the hands of the military, now seems more sympathetic toward the aspirations of ethnic communities that have experienced repression for decades. So far, ethnic armed groups have used their newfound clout with the Tatmadaw in three ways. Some seem to be largely staying away from the political fray. To them, the current crisis is only the latest episode in the familiar rivalry between the Tatmadaw and the pro-democracy mainstream, both essentially Bamar groups. Twan Mrat Naing, the commander of the Arakan Army, a formidable group of fighters in Rakhine State, along the Indian Ocean, has said of the N.L.D. and the Tatmadaw, Our enemy, once united against us, has now broken up and is fighting each other and they both want us to be on their sides. The United Wa State Army 30,000 soldiers strong and with a de facto state within a state near the Chinese border also is taking a back seat. Both groups, which are among the strongest armed organizations in the country and which have refused to sign the nationwide cease-fire agreement appear to have reached an understanding with the junta to not take up arms for now and to steer clear of the anti-coup opposition movement. Their goal seems to be to strengthen their military and administrative control in their respective regions and build up leverage ahead of any future negotiations with a central government, this one or another, over political and security reforms. Other ethnic armed groups, like the Restoration Council of Shan State, seem intent instead on deepening the crisis. Fomenting unrest may enable some of them to seize military outposts from the Tatmadaw or territory, including from competing insurgent organizations. For some, the objective appears to be toppling the military government by precipitating a full-on civil war. The Fifth Brigade of the Karen National Liberation Army seems to support regime change. The K.N.L.A. and other ethnic armed groups, together with several local peoples defense forces set up since the coup, seem to have coordinated attacks against Tatmadaw troops in several states. Tucked into many of the election laws Republicans are pushing or enacting in states around the country are pernicious provisions threatening punishment of elections officials and workers for just doing their jobs. Laws like those already passed in Republican-controlled states like Georgia and Iowa, no matter their stated intent, will be used as a weapon of intimidation aimed at the people, many of them volunteers, charged with running fair elections at the local and state levels. By subjecting them to invasive, politically motivated control by a state legislative majority, these provisions shift the last word in elections from the pros to the pols. This is a serious attack on the crucial norm that our elections should be run on a professional, nonpartisan basis and it is deeply wrong. It is so wrong that having once worked together across the partisan divide as co-chairs of the 2013-14 Presidential Commission on Election Administration, we have decided to come together again to mobilize the defense of election officials who may come under siege from these new laws. Bear in mind that this is happening after the 2020 election, run in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic, went off much better than expected. Voter turnout was the highest since 1900. A senior official in the Trump administration pronounced it the most secure election in American history, with no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes or was in any way compromised. Multiple recounts, contests and court cases brought by former President Donald Trump and his allies failed to persuade any courts or state officials to overturn the results of any election. The judges noted that the merchant banks strong business model, stable of investments and management team had a "talent for innovation" Inc ( ) (OTCPINK:GRNBF) (FRA:2TL) clinched the prestigious Capital Finance International (CFI.co) 2021 Award for being the Most Innovative Merchant Bank in Canada. In presenting the award to GreenBank, CFI.co's judges drew attention to GreenBank's strong business model, stable of investments, and GreenBank Management's "talent for innovation." While accepting the award, GreenBank Chairman Mark Wettreich said: "We are delighted and flattered to receive this award in recognition of our efforts to develop GreenBank into a global player. READ: GreenBank Capital hails tests showing CodiKoat technology kills up to 99% of human coronavirus on surfaces within 10 seconds My father Danny Wettreich, who founded and chaired GreenBank until his sad and unexpected passing in 2018, would have been very proud of the way that his strong legacy has endured and his vision has been put into practice by GreenBank's cohesive team. GreenBank has a flexible low-cost overhead structure designed to maximize profitability. The management team is based in Toronto, Dallas, New York, and London and works across borders remotely. The banks remote working model, dynamic space, and flexible contracts - rather than expensive offices, and large fixed costs - establishes it as a next-generation global merchant bank, adept at meeting the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Separately, GreenBank recognized the part that the Substantia Group has played in helping it achieve certain milestones. As a result, the merchant bank has elected to continue the Substantia contract along the lines of the original agreement. A condition for renewal includes payment of Substantia's accrued success-based retainer fees of 16,000 per month, for the period between September 2020 to April 2021. The terms also call for a continuation of the identical fee structure for Substantia's services going forward monthly, as well as a one-time issuance of 500,000 newly issued shares in GreenBank as a success fee for Substantia's role in GreenBank's achievement of the milestones. As previously disclosed, GreenBanks board plans to exercise its option to acquire Staminier Limited subject to any necessary regulatory approval required from Staminier's institutional investor. Substantia is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Staminier. In a scenario where GreenBank's option is successfully exercised, GreenBank believes that any payments made to Substantia at that time would likely qualify as an inter-company, noted the bank. "We have been impressed by the work performed by Substantia in support of the GreenBank management team thus far and are pleased that this will continue during our next phase of growth, said CEO David Lonsdale. I am also really pleased that, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Staminier, Substantia has an opportunity to possibly become a part of the GreenBank story for many years to come, should GreenBank complete the acquisition of Staminier as intended." Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive We are in the eye of the storm of American democratic collapse. There is, outwardly, a feeling of calm. The Biden administration is competent and placid. The coronavirus emergency is receding nationally, if not internationally. Donald Trump, once the most powerful man on earth and the emperor of the news cycle, is now a failed blogger under criminal investigation. Yet in red states, Trumps party, motivated by his big lie about his 2020 loss, is systematically changing electoral rules to make it harder for Democratic constituencies to vote and, should Democrats win anyway, easier for Republicans to overturn elections. Youve probably heard the details already Democrats are repeating them ad nauseam, with a growing sense of desperation. States are accelerating voter roll purges and empowering Fox News-addled partisan poll watchers to roam election sites searching for signs of malfeasance. They are stripping the authority to administer elections from those who stood up for the rule of law this past year. A Texas bill would, among other things, significantly lower the burden of proof a judge would need to throw out an election result based on allegations of fraud. Democrats were able to thwart it temporarily with a last-minute walkout, but Republicans are expected to pass it in a special session. Republicans have an excellent chance of gerrymandering their way to control of the House in 2022, whether or not they increase their vote share. A Republican-dominated House is unlikely to smoothly ratify even a clear Democratic presidential victory in 2024. We may be living through a brief interregnum before American democracy is strangled for a generation. Because there is little chance the bill will pass in its current form, Democrats face a clear choice. They can wage what might be a symbolic (and likely doomed) fight for all the changes they would like. Or they can confront the acute crisis at hand by crafting a more focused bill, perhaps more palatable for more senators, that aims squarely at ensuring that Americans can cast votes and that those votes are counted. A new election law in Georgia highlights the shortcomings of H.R. 1. The Georgia law, passed in March, imposes a host of restrictions on voter registration and on voting, most of which would be reversed by the federal legislation. It also changes the rules of vote counting in ways that are not addressed by the federal legislation. It facilitates third-party challenges to the legitimacy of votes and arrogates to the state legislature, the General Assembly, the power to appoint most members of the state board of elections, who in turn have the power to replace county boards of elections. The legislature removed Georgias secretary of state from the State Election Board after the incumbent, Brad Raffensperger, refused to help Mr. Trump stake an illegitimate claim on the states electoral votes. At least 13 states have joined Georgia in passing new restrictions. Among them are a Montana law that ends the practice of allowing voters to register on Election Day and an Iowa law that requires the states polling places to close one hour earlier. Other bills are pending, including in Texas, where Republicans may use a special legislative session to pass a package of voting restrictions that rivals the severity of the new rules in Georgia, and in Arizona, where Senate Republicans have been conducting a tragicomical audit of the 2020 election. In a statement published this week by the left-leaning think tank New America, more than 100 leading scholars of government warned that election laws in some states no longer meet the minimum conditions for free and fair elections. The statement warned that our entire democracy is now at risk. The new restrictions have a disproportionate impact on Black and other minority voters. There is little comfort in the fact that these rules are much less restrictive than those in the olden days. The Jim Crow regime was constructed gradually. He did not get the joke at all. He also missed my larger point that the world was an ugly place and that he had handed some very bad people in it a potent weapon of destruction. They would take advantage of his belief that the truth will always out. Even now, I have a hard time describing the blank stare on his typically blank face. It was as if I was talking in another language to another species on another planet. I guess I should not have been surprised, since Mr. Zuckerberg never seems to be motivated by base instinct unlike, say, Teslas founder, Elon Musk, his polar opposite in tech. Mr. Zuckerberg is the superego to Mr. Musks id. One took an agonizingly long time a potentially harmful long time to make an obvious decision. The other tweets recklessly and possibly illegally and sends the value of cryptocurrency flying up and down like a roller coaster. At some point, the government can easily deal with Mr. Musks possible S.E.C. violation. But no one can turn the clock back on what Mr. Zuckerberg has wrought by indulging Mr. Trump, who never met a Facebook regulation he did not desecrate. The attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6 should have been no surprise to anyone who was connecting the dots, which Mr. Zuckerberg stubbornly declined to do until now. What does this mean for how we view free speech? On the one hand, there are rules of the road for every other industry and if Mr. Trump consistently and purposefully crashes his clown car, he should pay the price. To deem his punishment censorship even though it is on a private platform that is not the public square is exactly what he cynically hopes we will do. But on the other, its obvious we need to discuss whether the decision to live or die online should be in the hands of a corporate executive with no accountability to speak of all part of a bigger conversation about consolidation of power and what were going to do to diminish it. For now at least, the call has fallen to one and, the way things are now, there could be only one. Mr. Zuckerberg just finally found out exactly what that means. By the way, Mark, if you want to talk about it, you still have my number. Late is fine. The internet is a fossil machine. It preserves our thoughts, our political positions, our jokes, our photos, our triumphs and our mistakes in silicon amber, just waiting to be dug up. And that has led to a kind of modern sport: Find an outrageous piece of a persons past that can be weaponized, put it on display for all to see and hope for the worst. The most surprising thing, though, is that this is still happening. The latest target of adversarial archaeologists is Emily Wilder, who was fired by The Associated Press just three weeks into the job after her pro-Palestine social media posts and activism from her time in college were surfaced. Written and narrated by Elizabeth Williamson People often ask me why, in the digital age, libraries still have print books with obscure coded labels. I find comfort in categorization. But knowledge, like love, is as vast and ever-changing as the ocean. Before I moved in with Stefan, I donated all the books that reminded me of exes to my school library. I donated film books from my filmmaker and actress girlfriend of almost four years, and the nautical books from my boatbuilder boyfriend who lived in a lighthouse on Long Island. I let go of old heartbreak by setting my exes books free among thousands of other volumes in my library to circulate and have lives of their own. Every few years, I bump into them like old friends and reflect on how loving this man and woman prepared me to find Stefan, who knew my story from the beginning and always accepted me. My own Dewey Decimal Classification is 306.765, for bisexual. But that isnt my favorite word; I believe it reinforces the gender binary and overemphasizes sex. During my long relationship with a woman, I tried calling myself a lesbian, but that didnt fit either. When we were over, I stopped calling myself anything. The plus sign at the end of L.G.B.T.Q.A.I.+ was intended for me. But I have belatedly realized, at 41, that identifying as a whatever was lonely; it didnt give me a community. The pandemic prompted me to reflect on 25 years of shifting identities and embrace queer. Queer is as big and beautiful as a library. Deweys naming of L.G.B.T.Q.A.I.+ people has also fluctuated over time. We have been shelved under Abnormal Psychology, Perversion, Derangement, Neurological Disorders and Social Problems and Social Services, before we landed in our current home: Sexual Orientation, Transgenderism and Intersexuality. The only flaw with our address in the 305s is that our neighbors are books on prostitution, pornography, incest and child trafficking. Anyone who goes to retrieve a queer nonfiction book on a library shelf cant help but notice this. Joshua Corey Kappel said he had no choice but to issue an ultimatum in October 2015 to Samantha Marie Presnal, who was dating another man at that time. She had just started dating this guy a few months earlier, and though we both knew that what we had was stronger, she just wasnt willing to let him go, said Mr. Kappel, 32, the chief strategy officer of Newrez, a mortgage lender in New York. I told her that we were not going to see each other again until she broke up with him, said Mr. Kappel, who graduated from the University of Michigan, from which he also received a masters degree in accounting. Ms. Presnal, a fellow and visiting instructor in French at Amherst College in Massachusetts, said that the relationship Mr. Kappel was alluding to had fizzled out, long before the ultimatum was issued. This article is part of the On Tech newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it weekdays. I was surprised to stumble on the news that Microsoft is releasing a new version of Windows in a few weeks. I had no idea, and knowing stuff like that is my job. Not so long ago, a fresh model of Windows software was a marquee tech moment. Now, a Windows debut is basically a nonevent. This shows technology has evolved from a succession of Big Bang moments to something so meshed into our lives that we often dont notice it. The bottom line is that a lot of technology has become no big deal. And that is a very big deal. The last version of Windows as we knew it was arguably released in 2012. I was a reporter at The Wall Street Journal at the time, and my professional life that year was dominated by the unveiling of Windows 8 including the anticipation, the strategy around it, and its eventual reception. But that was basically the end of an era. New releases of Windows since then have become progressively less major. A significant reason is that personal computers are no longer the center of our digital lives. A new iPhone model gets a lot of attention although it shouldnt get so much but a refresher to Windows doesnt. The planning for the new development has come at a turning point in the theater world. With theaters closed for more than a year because of the pandemic, many institutions have been called on to turn inward and interrogate their own histories of racism and inequity, with many prominent voices calling for change when theaters reopen. It is the kind of discussion National Black Theater has been involved in for decades. This year Lythcott has advised Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on reopening the arts and, as chair for the Coalition of Theaters of Color, has spoken up about racial justice in arts budget negotiations. Before they decided to work together, Lythcott and Zhukova had to have a frank conversation early on about a high-profile misstep in Zhukovas past. On Martin Luther Kings Birthday in 2014, an online fashion magazine published a photo of Zhukova sitting on a chair designed by the Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard that was constructed from a cushion arranged atop a sculpture of a partially clothed Black woman laying on her back, in some sort of bondage. Zhukova apologized for the photo, saying that using this artwork in a photo shoot was regrettable, as it took the artwork totally out of its intended context. Lythcott learned of this photo just before she met Zhukova for dinner for the first time in fact she was Googling Zhukova on her phone at the restaurant before they met to discuss the development project. At the dinner, Zhukova brought up the incident first, Lythcott said, explaining that she would understand if the episode cast too much of a shadow on the project. But Lythcott wasnt fazed by it, she said, because it was clear all that Zhukova had learned from the incident. Perhaps that chair was the best thing that ever happened to Dasha, Lythcott said, because it was catalytic in expanding the lens by which she sees the world. In an email, Zhukova said that she was deeply sorry for the photo and said that it had started her on a journey of continued learning and education. Colin Paul, a barista at The Chipped Cup coffee shop in Hamilton Heights in northern Manhattan, says he has noticed that the $20 tips from regulars on a single cup of coffee have mostly stopped. They felt bad and were happy that we were still open, he said. Surveys also show that many Americans tip because they recognize that food-service workers depend on tips for their livelihood, said Ofer Azar, a professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev who has conducted studies on tipping in the United States and Israel. Those jobs became riskier last year. It could be perceived as an equitable, fair hazard pay, said Mike Lynn, a professor of services marketing at Cornells School of Hotel Administration. The logic that made sense for the increase makes sense in the other direction: If the tip increases were a form of hazard pay, there could be a decrease if the hazards of being a service worker are perceived to be lower than they were in the spring of 2020. As those risks go down, the need to pay for that will go down, Mr. Lynn said. If tips go back to normal, I think thats a reasonable indication that perceptions are returning to normal. Nick Drake, a barista at baba cool in Fort Greene, said he noticed the increase when the pandemic began, and again during the viruss second wave in the city starting late in 2020. Now hes not so sure. Now I think we are going back down, he said. People dont feel bad for restaurant workers. The governments stimulus checks, first sent out in April 2020, might have also played a role. WASHINGTON When the Senate voted in January 2011 on what was then considered an outlandish proposal to allow a simple majority of senators to break filibusters, only a dozen Democrats backed the plan, which went down in a flamingly lopsided vote. A decade on, the vast majority of Senate Democrats have come around to the view that the filibuster rules which require a supermajority of 60 votes to bring legislation to a final vote are antiquated and unworkable, and have become the primary obstacle to meaningful policy changes that enjoy broad support. In the past 10 years, so many have been converted to the cause that it is now near unanimous that something radical, including abolishing the filibuster, needs to be done to fix the system, said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, one of the 12 who tried unsuccessfully to rein in the filibuster in the past. It is that near, though, that is the issue today. Some Senate Democrats remain dug in against any change in filibuster rules, even though Republicans are threatening to block many of their partys most cherished priorities. Now Democrats are about to embark on a strategy to try to demonstrate to those reluctant colleagues and to the public at large that the filibuster is being abused by Senate Republicans intent on depriving them and President Biden of crucial legislation. North Arrow Minerals (CVE: NAR) CEO Ken Armstrong joined Stephen Gunnion from Proactive with news that mobilization is underway for an exploration drill programme at its 100% owned Loki Diamond Project in the Lac de Gras region of Canadas Northwest Territories. Armstrong telling Proactive that some of the proceeds from a recent private placement that raised gross proceeds of $1.014-million will be used to advance its Canadian diamond projects including the exploration drill program at Loki. Urban explorers who are caught trespassing are typically charged with misdemeanors, if at all. Mr. Wright, however, was charged with burglary for entering a building illegally to take photographs and several other felonies that could put him in prison for more than 25 years. After the arrest, he was held without bond in 23-hour lockdown for more than two months. Prosecutors argued that Mr. Wrights time in the Army made him too dangerous to release. The state has not known what his motivations are, what his experience is, the Hamilton County prosecutor handling the case told a judge this spring. But we do know what his training is, and his training makes him at least potentially very dangerous for our community. The judge set bail at $400,000, far more than Mr. Wright could afford. Prosecutors have since told Mr. Wright, charged with illegally climbing three structures in Cincinnati, that he can avoid prison time by pleading guilty to a felony and agreeing to therapy, probation and no more climbing. But Mr. Wright seemed dejected at the thought. You could put me through years of therapy, give me all the meds in the world, and it would not help me the way that my art helps me, he said. Stuck behind bars, he began to feel that he was being punished for his time in uniform. I gave a lot for this country, Mr. Wright said. And I feel at every step, they have used it against me. There is growing evidence that intense physical pursuits rock climbing, mountain biking, skydiving can be powerful tools for treating depression and traumatic stress. What psychologists call recreational therapy can greatly increase mindfulness and feelings of accomplishment and create positive personal bonds. Good morning. Across California, restaurants have taken over parking lots, sidewalks and streets for outdoor dining as the state has crawled back toward normalcy. In some places, that has meant a couple of extra tables lined up along a curb. For other restaurants with more space nearby, it has meant setting up tents and more permanent barriers, like trellises or big planters, to add a little ambience to what had previously been unromantic patches of asphalt. And across the state, diners, restaurant operators and city officials have all begun asking why they didnt do this before. State leaders have taken notice. A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill that would pave the way for the temporary outdoor dining, alcohol sale and parklet regulations that are in place to become permanent. It passed the State Senate unanimously on Tuesday. WASHINGTON The heated summer of hostile town hall events and death-panel scare tactics was bleeding into the fall of 2009, and still, bipartisan negotiations over what would become the Affordable Care Act dragged on. Republicans kept lodging new objections to President Barack Obamas plan even as he delivered ultimatums and gave speeches applying political pressure. In the end, only one Republican, Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, supported a version of the health bill in a crucial committee vote and then even she opposed final passage once it reached the floor. As President Biden pushes for an elusive bipartisan compromise this summer on a major infrastructure bill, those extended and fruitless talks on a health care deal loom as a cautionary tale. With a fish-or-cut-bait moment approaching as soon as next week, unpublished interviews from a 2014 New York Times oral history of the health law show why Democratic leaders who lived through 2009 are not eager to let talks drag out much longer. There was some sliver of hope that it would be bipartisan, Peter R. Orszag, the White House budget director during health care negotiations, recalled in 2014. But as time evolved from the transition during late 2008 to the summer of 2009, it became increasingly obvious that any such hopes were only hopes and not going to be reality. Mr. McGahn was a witness to many episodes described in the second volume of the Mueller report, which centered on potential obstruction of justice issues; his name appears there more than 500 times. In June 2017, for example, Mr. Trump called Mr. McGahn at home and ordered him to tell Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, to fire Mr. Mueller over a dubious claim that the special counsel had a conflict of interest. Mr. McGahn refused and was prepared to resign before Mr. Trump backed off, according to the Mueller report. After the report became public, Mr. Trump claimed on Twitter that he had never told Mr. McGahn to fire Mr. Mueller. Two people familiar with the hearing on Friday said that the session had spent a lengthy period going over that episode, and that Mr. McGahn had testified under oath that the account in Mr. Muellers report was accurate. The report also described a related episode that followed a January 2018 report by The New York Times that first brought to public light Mr. Trumps failed attempt to have Mr. Mueller fired. Mr. Trump tried to bully Mr. McGahn into creating a record stating he had not been ordered to have the special counsel removed while also shaming the lawyer for taking notes about their conversations. But Mr. McGahn refused to write the memo. Mr. McGahn was also a major witness to several other episodes recounted in the obstruction volume of Mr. Muellers report, including the White Houses handling of the Justice Departments concerns that Mr. Trumps first national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, was vulnerable to blackmail by Russia over false statements he had made about his conversations with the countrys ambassador. Mr. McGahn was also part of deliberations leading to Mr. Trumps firing of James B. Comey Jr., the F.B.I. director. Mr. Trump had directed Mr. McGahn to speak with Mr. Muellers investigators in 2017. In 2019, as it became clear that Mr. McGahn had become a chief witness to many of Mr. Trumps actions that raised obstruction of justice concerns, the presidents allies like his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani began attacking him. The attacks left Mr. McGahn in a delicate position. He is a hero to the conservative legal movement because he was the chief architect of the Trump administrations judicial selection process, which filled the federal bench with Federalist Society-style appointees. But Mr. McGahns law firm, Jones Day, has many Republican-oriented clients; if Mr. Trump were to order the party faithful to shun the firm as punishment, it could be financially devastating. I wanted it to be the kind of place where you can come in in your wet bathing suit and bare feet and I can just take the broom and brush out the sand, Dr. Biden told Vogue in 2020. And thats what this is. Everythings easy. On Thursday, a bike ride the couple took at the state park near their home stretched much longer than expected because the president kept stopping to talk to people, according to a person familiar with their activities. The first couple kept a low profile, though the townspeople were comparing notes about where the first couple might turn up. At DiFebos, an Italian restaurant that is a favorite of Mr. Bidens, patrons hoped the president would drop in for his favorite dish, chicken Parmesan with red sauce. (The first lady usually orders the salmon.) At the Ice Cream Store, a parlor near the boardwalk, tubs of Bidens Summer White House Cherry sat waiting for consumption. Not this visit. On a wooded lane in the neighborhood where Mr. Biden lives, law enforcement officials in black S.U.V.s restricted the flow of traffic. A Coast Guard ship in the ocean and the sight of burly Secret Service agents in summer wear were the only giveaways that the president was even in town. When Mr. Biden and Dr. Biden returned to the capital, it was a rare reversal of a typical week for them. Aside from the trip this week to Rehoboth his first as president Mr. Biden has spent nine weekends at his home in Wilmington, and five at Camp David, the Maryland presidential retreat, according to a review of his schedule. Mr. Biden has swapped the train for Air Force One, sometimes leaving Washington on short notice for even shorter trips: Last week, he flew back to Wilmington for the afternoon to attend the funeral of a longtime aide. As children get older, the patterns change, but drowning remains a major risk. And the most important messages for older children involve swimming lessons with water safety competence as an essential life skill to be taught to all children; there are notable disparities in access to swimming lessons, and drowning rates are higher in minority populations. Adult supervision and never swimming alone are still essential, as well as Coast-Guard-approved life jackets, even for strong swimmers. Anyone involved in activities on water where there is a current (tubing on a river, for example) should be wearing one of those life vests. So few people are aware that drowning is a big-kid problem too, said Ms. Gage, who is a member of Families United to Prevent Drowning, which makes many family stories available. When an older person drowns, its typically in open water, and typically theres a lot of victim blaming. People look for an explanation that involves reckless behavior, she said, or intoxication. In fact, she said, parents need to understand the importance of continuing to model safe behavior as their children get older. Wear life vests, just as you dont get into a car without a seatbelt, she said. Just because your child knows how to swim does not mean your child is drown-proof. The risk of drowning increases greatly among teenagers, especially boys, and remains elevated into adulthood, and may be tied to risk-taking behaviors. Ms. Gage said that the only laws that regulate life vests are connected to boating so people tend to assume that theres no need for life vests in other open water activities. And older children have also been affected by the circumstances of the Covid year, she said, with boat sales having increased and, again, with parents profoundly stressed and sometimes less able to supervise. Ms. Hughes said that many parents who have been willing to take extreme precautions all year to avoid any chance of their children being exposed to Covid might not realize that statistically, drowning kills more young children in 2019, 864 children 18 and under in the United States died by drowning, compared to about 300 pediatric deaths from Covid over the course of the pandemic. Ms. Hughes said she worries that parents encourage children to believe that water is fun. And she said it is not enough to simply warn them about the risks. Since I spoke with her two years ago, she has become a strong believer in the value of swimming lessons for young children. Some swim classes for kids may in fact rely on flotation devices, or on having children swim from one adult to another which wont necessarily help if no adult is there, Ms. Hughes said. And those lessons may convey only the message that water is fun, she said, without the attendant warning that it can also be deadly. In an email, she wrote, When parents are trying to find a swim provider, especially for the age group most at risk (1 to 4), the most important question they should ask the swim instructor is: Will these lessons teach my child how to get to the surface and get oxygen independently? I also checked back with Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, who is the medical director of the Tom Sargent Safety Center at Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in Oregon, and who was one of the authors of the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on drowning prevention, asking, among other things, whether there was new research available on successful strategies for keeping children safe. He is looking forward to results from a study in Florida that will look at the effectiveness of classes for children from 3 to 7 years old that specifically teach water survival skills beyond standard swimming lessons, but this research is just getting underway. HONG KONG They had been barred from holding their usual memorial, but that did not mean they would not remember. They gathered online, to watch a reading of a play about the massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing on June 4, 1989. They prowled bookstores, on a scavenger hunt for protest-themed postcards hidden in the stacks. They scribbled the numbers 6 and 4 on their light switches, so that everyday actions would become small acts of defiance. Democracy advocates in Hong Kong are grasping for new ways to sustain the memory of the Chinese militarys bloody crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests, under a government increasingly bent on repressing dissent and free expression. The citys authorities, for the second year running, banned a candlelight vigil in Victoria Park in Hong Kong, warning that attendance could lead to five years imprisonment. Though the police sealed off the park on Friday afternoon, small crowds tried to gather on its peripheries, some bearing candles and others simply shining the flashlights from their cellphones. A few people staged one-person protests: A man played a popular Cantonese song promising eventual victory from a speaker in his backpack, while a young woman simply stood a short distance away from the police cordon line reading a pamphlet featuring the photos of Chinese dissidents. It was an odd, unanswerable question. Still, it was on the mind of at least one Google user in India. What is the countrys ugliest language? For anyone who typed the question into the platforms search bar recently, its algorithm produced a fact box confident of the answer: a tongue called Kannada, spoken by tens of millions of people in Indias south. Informed of that result, many of them werent happy. Several politicians in the state of Karnataka, where most Kannada speakers live, went on social media this week to register their outrage. AUCKLAND, New Zealand New Zealands Supreme Court ruled on Friday that a murder suspect could be extradited to China, but only if the government received sufficient assurances from Beijing that he would not be subject to torture and would receive a fair trial. The decision, with three judges in favor and two against, came after 15 months of deliberation. It overturned a Court of Appeal ruling that the defendant, Kyung Yup Kim, a legal resident of New Zealand who is in his mid-40s, could not be safely extradited because of Chinas human rights record. Mr. Kim is accused of killing a Chinese woman, Peiyun Chen, 20, while on vacation in Shanghai in 2009. The Chinese authorities said that before he could be questioned, Mr. Kim left for South Korea, where he was born. It was the first time that China had asked New Zealand to extradite a citizen or resident. Like most Western countries, New Zealand does not have an extradition treaty with China. Mr. Kim has been fighting the extradition request for the past 10 years. He spent five years in jail before being released on bail in Auckland. The Canadian outbreak could join the pantheon of other ailments that have mystified the world, such as the debilitating illness that impaired dozens of diplomats in Cuba and China beginning in 2016, prompting suspicions that victims may have been targeted by Moscow, Beijing or a rogue government. There was also a painful and puzzling kidney disease that afflicted workers harvesting sugar cane in Nicaragua four years earlier. The mystery, however, could also fizzle, if it turns out that a variety of pre-existing conditions have been prematurely ascribed to a strange new disease. Among the youngest victims of the Canadian syndrome is Gabrielle Cormier, 20, once a straight-A student who participated in figure skating competitions and aspired to become a pathologist. But as she began university two years ago, Ms. Cormier said she was suddenly and inexplicably overcome by fatigue, started bumping into things and had visions that looked like static from a television. No longer able to read easily or walk to class, she was forced to drop out of school. Not understanding what was wrong amplified the illnesss horror. After being misdiagnosed with mononucleosis, Ms. Cormier said emergency room doctors then told her there was nothing wrong with her. A battery of tests yielded no diagnosis. She was eventually referred to a neurologist as her health deteriorated and she experienced involuntary jerking movements, memory lapses and hallucinations. She was among the first to be included in the cluster of those suffering from the unidentified syndrome. Today, she lives at home in Dalhousie Junction, in rural northern New Brunswick, and walks with a cane. I was just starting what is supposed to be the best chapter of your life and then it disappeared, she said. I dont know if I will die or live out the rest of my life with these symptoms. Liv Marketplace is the exclusive online fulfillment partner and retail distributor of PlantX products within the US The US$3.2 million purchase price for Liv Marketplace will consist of US$450,000 in cash plus 5,916,436 PlantX common shares PlantX Life Inc ( ) ( ) ( ) announced it has agreed to acquire certain assets of Liv Marketplace LLC, via its wholly-owned New Deli Hillcrest LLC subsidiary, for about US$3.2 million in cash and stock. The company said Liv Marketplace is the exclusive online fulfillment partner and retail distributor of PlantX products within the US and is responsible for building and operating PlantX's 4,515-square-foot brick-and-mortar retail store in San Diego, California. Upon completion of the acquisition, Liv Marketplaces San Diego location will be rebranded as New Deli by PlantX. The acquisition is an important component of the company's expansion process as it highlights the successful progression of the company's brick-and-mortar operations, PlantX Life CEO Julia Frank said in a statement. New Deli by PlantX in San Diego will be used as a central retail and meal delivery hub in the United States and we are excited to have added an additional corporate-owned location, Frank added. The US$3.2 million purchase price for Liv Marketplace will consist of US$450,000 in cash plus 5,916,436 PlantX common shares, which will be released in stages over an 18-month period, issued at a price equal to C$0.55 per share. PlantX added that New Deli Hillcrest will also purchase an additional US$97,245.11 worth of inventory from Liv Marketplace. Vancouver-based PlantX Life styles itself as the digital face of the plant-based community with a one-stop destination for all things plant-based, like an online shop and meal delivery services. The online shop houses over 5,000 vegan products, and its recently added meal service delivers chef-created dishes straight to the doors of Western Canada. All in all, the company offers more than 10,000 plant-based products. Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com With help initially from the Folk Alliance International, the first summit was in Montreal. The second, in New Orleans, squeaked through just before the pandemic shutdown. The summit isnt a music festival. Instead, its a series of workshops and panels on, among other things, making money in the age of streaming and developing links between Black and Indigenous musicians. But 150 or so musicians arent going to get together without there being music. Performances will take the form of videos, with 16 of them being short documentaries. As well as Indigenous people from Canada, the lineup includes performers from Sweden, the United States, Latin America and Australia. The move to video from live performances did have one bonus. The short documentaries, directed by Sarain Fox, who is from the Batchewana First Nation, are almost as much about the musicians home as their music. After the summit ends on June 12, the videos will be available for everyone to view on its website. After previewing four of them, I cant wait to watch the entire series. Planning for next year is already underway. It will be in Ottawa and, everyone trusts, in person. Ms. Kish said that Canadas Indigenous music scene in some ways showed that the residential school system failed in its assimilation objective. Were still here, she said. And were beautiful and strong and were also hurting right now. He also denied that Russia knew in advance about Belaruss operation to bring down the commercial flight carrying Mr. Protasevich between the capitals of two E.U. countries, Greece and Lithuania. Understand the Situation in Belarus Belarus in the spotlight. The forced landing of a commercial flight on Sunday, is being seen by several countries as a state hijacking called for by its strongman president, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko. Election results and protest. It came less than a year after Belarusians were met with a violent police crackdown when they protested the results of an election that many Western governments derided as a sham. Forced plane landing. The Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius, Lithuania, was diverted to Minsk with the goal of detaining Roman Protasevich, a 26-year-old dissident journalist. Who is Roman Protasevich? In a video released by the government, Mr. Protasevich confessed to taking part in organizing mass unrest last year, but friends say the confession was made under duress. Despite his lukewarm comments, Mr. Putin showed no sign of withdrawing his support for Mr. Lukashenko, who claims the protests against him have been engineered by the West. Echoing Russian state TV talking points, Mr. Putin compared the protests in Belarus to the siege of the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, criticizing the West for condemning the violence of the riot police in Belarus but not the arrests of the Capitol rioters in the United States. Its all a matter for the people of Belarus, Mr. Putin said. Over there, this is all evaluated in one light and key, and then the same thing happens in the States, but its all evaluated differently. Underscoring Russias continued support, the head of Russias foreign intelligence agency, the S.V.R., on Thursday met with his counterpart in Belarus, who heads a spy agency still called the K.G.B. The two pledged to consolidate forces in resisting the aggressive activities of the West, the official news agency of Belarus reported. Mr. Protasevich, the 26-year-old dissident journalist, is the former editor of NEXTA, an opposition account on the social network Telegram. Just last month, he described Mr. Lukashenko as a dictator and compared him to Hitler. On May 23, Mr. Lukashenko scrambled a fighter jet to intercept the Ryanair flight a move that the international community and leaders across Europe condemned and after it landed in Minsk, security forces spirited away Mr. Protasevich and his girlfriend. He is being held in a K.G.B. jail, his father and lawyer have said. A Green Light Last week, Mr. Imin, the Uyghur activist, posted a photo online of himself with other volunteers. A few days later, one of the people in the photo, who is based in a Western European country, called him in a panic. The police had visited her parents, who live in China, and said she was involved in dangerous political activities. Her parents called her to plead with her to stop. She had no choice, she told Mr. Imin. This is a very common story, he said. Diaspora Uyghurs, he said, often receive panicked phone calls from home or threatening messages from the Chinese police that cite a recent meeting they attended or social media post. The message is clear: So much as have coffee with the wrong person, or say the wrong thing online, and your family may pay dearly. People will say, I really want to do something, but if I speak up, my brother and sister will be put in prison, he said. This may be the greatest impact of cross-border repression: the millions of overseas citizens who must live with a degree of fear. Each incident sends a message that they will never be wholly free of the restrictions and dangers of home. A single killing or rendition sends ripples throughout a huge circle of people, the Freedom House report states. Even disinformation or harassment campaigns create an atmosphere of fear among exiles that pervades everyday activities. ROME On a sunny Thursday afternoon along a tree-lined street in Rome, locals shielded themselves with umbrellas. Others pulled jackets above their heads in fear. Some grabbed wooden sticks for protection. The crows were out and the fight was on. Two black carrion crows swooped down on the unprotected head of a woman passing by. They yanked her gray hair with their beaks and hooked her shirt with their talons. She swung at them with a shopping bag containing frozen pizza, managing to shoo them away. They are everywhere, the woman, Paola Amabile, a 66-year-old retiree, said as she tidied her hair. You must know how to protect yourself. Every spring, as Romes sprawling crow population is consumed with weaning newborn fledglings, some streets become avian terror areas. The birds, protecting their chicks, treat most passing humans as threats. BAGHDAD The United States is grappling with a rapidly evolving threat from Iranian proxies in Iraq after militia forces specialized in operating more sophisticated weaponry, including armed drones, have hit some of the most sensitive American targets in attacks that evaded U.S. defenses. At least three times in the past two months, those militias have used small, explosive-laden drones that divebomb and crash into their targets in late-night attacks on Iraqi bases including those used by the C.I.A. and U.S. Special Operations units, according to American officials. Iran weakened by years of harsh economic sanctions is using its proxy militias in Iraq to step up pressure on the United States and other world powers to negotiate an easing of those sanctions as part of a revival of the 2015 nuclear deal. Iraqi and American officials say Iran has designed the drone attacks to minimize casualties that could prompt U.S. retaliation. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the top American commander in the Middle East, told The Associated Press last month that the drones pose a serious threat and that the military was rushing to devise ways to combat them. Teenagers should keep in mind that they may be competing against more experienced people for job openings, as unemployed adults are also looking for work, Mr. Challenger said. So if you lack an employment history, emphasize other qualities: Flexibility is often an advantage for younger applicants, who may be able to accommodate a patchwork schedule that combines weekdays, evenings and weekends. Its also smart to do some basic online research about the company youre applying to, Ms. Konkel of Indeed said. Laura Francis, a career strategist in Oakland, Calif., who works with teenagers, advised doing reconnaissance of businesses you might be interested in to see what employees were wearing so you could dress accordingly. Be aware that many shops and restaurants need to hire urgently right now. This summer is different, she said. These places are hungry to hire. So while you may be planning on simply checking out a location and dropping off an application, you may be asked questions on the spot. Be ready, Ms. Francis said. Dress like youre looking for a job, and have something to say about why you want to work there and what you can offer. And dont be shy about following up if you dont hear back right away. Dont worry about being pesky, she said. You want it. Go get it. Do teenagers have taxes deducted from their paychecks? If you are an employee of a company, your employer will generally withhold payroll taxes, like those for Social Security and Medicare, from your paycheck. Theres no getting out of that, said Rhonda Collins, the director of tax content and government relations for the National Association of Tax Professionals. (The I.R.S. allows an exception for children under 18 who work for their parents in a family business.) Parents might want to talk with teenagers to explain why their first paychecks will probably be less than what they have calculated in their heads, said Cari Weston, the director of tax practice and ethics with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Conditions are especially dire in California. Reservoirs in the state hold about half as much water as usual for this time of year. The federal government has cut water allocations from its huge Central Valley Project to California cities and farmers by 75 percent. And on the Oregon border, there is not enough water for both endangered fish and farmers. Wildfires of a size normally seen in summers have already occurred in California, Arizona and New Mexico. Experts are concerned that this summers wildfires will be severe and widespread. Isnt much of the West normally dry? Is drought part of a natural cycle? It is true that much of the West is normally hotter and drier than other parts of the country. Much of the Southwest and parts of Southern California are desert. Las Vegas, for example, averages about four inches of rain a year, about a 10th of the national average. Much of the rest of California has a Mediterranean climate, which can be wet in the winter but is hot and dry in summer. Water has always been an issue in the West, and over the past century hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent on infrastructure to bring water from its source largely the mountains to cities and farms. It is also true that droughts are a normal part of life in the region, as they are around the world. Theyve occurred regularly throughout the centuries. But scientists say that climate change, in the form of warming temperatures and shifts in precipitation, is making the situation worse. What would be a moderate drought in a world without warming is now more severe. So heres what you can do to get ready ahead of time. Before the Storm Make a family plan. Prepare an emergency kit, including cash, prescription medicines and three days worth of food and water (for people and pets). If your house floods and you cant return immediately, this is essential. Be sure to consider provisions for those with special needs, like older people. If you need help coming up with a list, this one from Wirecutter, a New York Times company, has suggestions for any household. If you live in a coastal area, its important to become familiar with community evacuation plans, evacuation zones and evacuation routes. And plan a meeting spot for your family. Deanna Frazier, a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said that forgetting to do so was one of the most common mistakes when Hurricane Harvey landed as a Category 4 hurricane in Texas in 2017. Cellphones may not work or you may not have your cellphone with you, she said. There were a lot of people who were looking for loved ones and disconnected from them. Those are the kinds of things that you need to think about. Listen to local news media for the most up-to-date information on how to prepare and when to evacuate the area. The biggest issue I see people running into is that they just wait too long, said Alberto Moscoso, a former communications director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management. When it comes to hurricane and storm preparation, now is always the right time. Protect your documents and valuables. Photograph or scan important documents like drivers licenses, social security cards, passports, prescriptions, tax statements and other legal papers. Upload the images online for safekeeping. Store documents in a fireproof, watertight container, or take them with you. FEMAs Emergency Financial First Aid Kit has a checklist of documents youre likely to need to claim insurance and other benefits. The New York Times News Quiz, June 4, 2021 Did you follow the news this week? Take our quiz to see how well you stack up with other Times readers. Karla Gower The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at the University of Alabama is sponsoring a June 9 Facebook Live conversation that will discuss the results of the 2020-2021 North American Communication Monitor, a study focusing on the key trends and challenges that face the communications profession. The study, which polled over 1,000 communications professionals in the US and Canada, found that trust, new avenues of content creation and distribution, and diversity, equity & inclusion issues were top of mind for most of them. The researchers behind the NACM, which include Plank Center director Karla Gower, will share their insights on the studys results at the 10 a.m. (CDT) event. PRSA-NY is holding a virtual summit dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in public relations June 16-17. Driving DEI Forward in PR Campaigns, Workplaces, and Beyond coincides with observances of Juneteenth (June 19) and LGBTQ Pride month. The summits keynote speaker will be Omnicom chief equity & impact officer Emily Graham. Programming is set to include panel discussions, case studies from leading brands and advocacy organizations, and networking opportunities for PR professionals. PRSA-NY Board Members and external presenters will share best practices for growing DEI in public relations workplaces as well as in external campaigns. Individual tickets for the Summit are $55 for PRSA-NY Members and $85 for non-members. Group tickets for agencies and in-house teams are available. To purchase tickets, visit PRSA-NYs event page. The Hispanic Public Relations Association is accepting entries for the 2021 HPRA National BRAVO! Awards, which recognize achievements in 24 categories, including technology, healthcare/nutrition, COVID response, social injustice and social media, as well as campaign of the year, in-house team of the year and agency of the year. Deadline for submissions is July 9. The winner will be announced on Sept. 15 during the HPRA BRAVO! Awards "Powered by Unity & Purpose" Dinner at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York City. Work implemented between August 1, 2019 and May 31, 2021 can be submitted for award recognition. Entry fees are $225 for HPRA members and $275 for non-members. Tocvan Ventures (CSE: TOC) President and CEO Derek Wood joined Stephen Gunnion from Proactive with the latest on the companys Pilar Gold-Silver Project in Mexico's Sonora state. Wood also telling Proactive that the company is on the lookout for more opportunities as it creates value for its shareholders. A new initiative has launched aimed at improving the connectivity for communities in Offaly who are suffering from poor mobile phone coverage. Get Connected is seeking to improve mobile coverage in the areas which need it most, by asking the community to come together and request a review of their services. Get Connected is being supported by Cellnex, the telecoms infrastructure operator with over 1,700 telecoms sites around the country, and Offaly is one of the first two counties where it is being rolled out. The intention is to expand Get Connected into a nationwide project supporting communities in all 26 counties, and ending the scourge of mobile blackspots The objective is to mobilise support within communities to participate in the planning and delivery of mobile connectivity in their local areas. Get Connected is officially launching a Community Call through its website www.getconnected.ie which invites communities to come together to request a review of the mobile coverage in their local area to see if a solution to their mobile connectivity issue can be delivered. Anthony Hanniffy, President of Tullamore & District Chamber of Commerce said, 'the Chamber welcomes any initiative that promotes connectivity in Rural Ireland. It is our firm belief that remote working will become a normal part of life and we need to deliver tools to our employees and businesses to give them an opportunity to succeed in an increasingly competitive and connected world. Since its launch in 2013 Cellnex has invested over 3m constructing more than 25 new telecoms towers in locations throughout counties Laois and Offaly. For example, in Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly, a new tower is currently under construction aimed at enhancing the mobile coverage to the area along with helping improve mobile reception for the hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting the famous ancient monastery. Last month Cellnex supported Offaly County Councils launch of e-denderry, a project which establishes the Midlands town as a leader in Ireland for the provision of public services through leveraging the benefits of technology. Among the ancient artefacts discovered on the bed of the River Shannon over the last 18 months by Offaly Sub Aqua Club is the stunning find of a Gallowglass helmet. This conical helmet is probably dated 13th to 16th Century and would have belonged to one of the famous Gallowglass warriors. This warrior sect has been compared to the samurai of Japan, because of their high skill levels and the esteem in which they were held, but they are scarcely known nowadays. For some reason they have faded from our memories. The helmet was one of many objects which the club's divers found in the dark silt of the murky river. Noel Guerin of the club said the finds were made while the club was on search and recovery exercises in the river. The club takes part in searches for missing people in the Shannon and, in preparation for that, holds regular training sessions. "We are not looking for ancient artefacts at all," said Noel, "but we happen to come across them as we are going about our work. Noel, whose day job is a heating engineer, is originally from Coolderry and lives in Tullamore. He says a lot of divers don't like diving in the Shannon because it is dark and murky. The area we cover is from Athlone down to Portumna. There's about ten divers in the club and among the ancient objects which they have discovered are spears, stone axes, swords, muskets, pistols, log boats and shields. All of the discoveries are handed over to the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. The club's discoveries show that there is a treasure trove of fascinating historical material lying on the bottom of the Shannon for hundreds, if not thousands of years. If a proper archaeological excavation of the river was carried out it would probably discover an astonishing wealth of material. Noel said that each artefact has a story of its own, a story that will never be known. Each artefact invites the question, who owned it? What happened to him or her? Were the items deposited in the river as part of rituals? Were they accidentally dropped in the river? Did their owners meet a bloody end in battle? We are all delighted when we make these discoveries, said Noel, and we know that the National Museum is the best home possible for them. We are very skilled at spotting things in the Shannon. We can spot things that many other divers would miss. The bed is a lot of silt and stones. We love diving. Some weeks we dive four or five times a week. 18 months ago we didn't know the river at all, but now we have got very familiar and skilled with it. He said the currents in the river are sometimes dangerous. He added that they have been called out three times over the last 18 months to look for missing persons in the stretch of the Shannon between Athlone and Portumna. Noel showed me the Gallowglass helmet. The Gallowglasses were a class of elite mercenary warriors who were principally members of the Norse-Gaelic clans of Scotland between the mid 13th century and late 16th century. As Scots, they were Gaels and shared a common background and language with the Irish, but as they were descendants of 10th century Norse settlers who had intermarried with the local population in western Scotland, the Irish called them Gall Gaeil ("foreign Gaels"). The Gallowglass or Galloglaigh is sometimes referred to as being an Irish equivalent of the Samurai warrior and their existence is an almost forgotten piece of Irelands history. In medieval Ireland, Galloglaigh were indispensable. Every Norman war lord or Gaelic chieftain made sure to have his own well-trained, private Galloglaigh army. They were a group of highly-skilled mercenaries, and settled all over Ireland after travelling from Scotland. In addition to their double-sided axes, they used massive double-handed swords, about five feet in length, small bows, long spears and lethal throwing darts for close quarter fighting. They wore long chain-mail shirts and sometimes plate armour. They had their own distinctive dress code. A gallowglass was usually accompanied into battle by two young assistants, one to carry his various weapons and the other to carry his food. Athlone and Belcarra have become the latest towns to host residents who have won the Irish Lottery. SPONSORED CONTENT The former won a prize of about 6 million, while the latter clinched approximately 1 million. The ticket for the greater amount was purchased on 20 May 2021, at an Applegreen service station. It's thrilling news and we were absolutely delighted to find out that the lucky ticket was bought here, said Applegreen service station site manager Isaias Garcia. "Weve been talking about nothing else ever since, and the team is having a lot of fun with it. Nobody knows who the lucky customer is, but we hope they enjoy their new life. Are we jealous? Maybe a tiny bit but I suppose if youre not going to buy a winning lottery ticket, the next best thing is selling one. The ticket for the smaller prize was also bought in May, at a Cunninghams store, just outside Castlebar. Myself and my wife Patricia were delighted when we got the call from the National Lottery as this is the largest prize that our store has ever sold, said shop owner Paul Cunningham. Before this, our largest prize had been 25,000 so its quite a jump. The Westmeath and Mayo wins join a growing list of big prizes in Lotto results history. This is not Mayos first victory. In 2016, a family from the third-largest Ireland county won 13.4 million. We needed to check the ticket online so many times on Sunday evening, once we realised the winning ticket had been sold in Mayo, and then in Belmullet, read a statement from the family, who chose to remain anonymous, at the time. Its a small place, so we knew we had a sporting chance of being the lucky ones, but you really never, ever think that it will be you. Were going to bank the jackpot straight away, have a lovely celebratory dinner this weekend, and think about what were going to do. We work full-time, and dont intend giving up our work. We do intend using this win to make our lives, and those of our families, more secure financially. Its just great to know that theres plenty available for a rainy day for everyone we care about. Wexford, Carlow, Laois, Dublin, Waterford and Clare are other parts of Ireland that have been the proud host regions of big lottery wins. Louth, though, have punched above their weight, according to National Lottery chief executive officer Dermot Griffin. One of the most frequent questions we are asked is what is Irelands luckiest Lotto county," he said. Our Lotto players in Louth have had considerably more Lotto millionaires per head of population. Congratulations to the county and all its winners. Louths luck was exemplified in 2016, when someone hit the Irish headlines by walking into a Ranch Shop and Deli in Lisdoo, Dundalk, and buying a winning ticket to the tune of almost 6 million. This is fantastic news, and its our shops first big win. A lot of shops never sell a Lotto jackpot winning ticket, said shop owner and manager Elaine McArdle. The Luckiest Irish Towns in Lotto June 2008 - Carlow - 18.9 million April 2010 Dungarvan - 16.7 million October 2010 - Dublin - 16.3 million July 2007 - Farranree - 16.1 million January 2016 - Belmullet - 13.7 million May 2021 - Athlone - 6 million May 2016 - Dublin - 5.9 million October 2015 - Ennis - 5.7 million May 2020 - Lissycasey - 5.5 million The wonderful family business, Jinnys Bakery, is looking to treat your family to a two night stay in their charming traditional Irish Red Door Cottages which are found overlooking Acres Lake and its floating boardwalk and the Shannon Blueway in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. Home to the best soda bread in Ireland, you will also be treated to a welcome pack of delicious goodies from Jinnys' Bakery and Tearooms on your arrival. This family run business has much to celebrate at the moment and they want share a little of the joy with you! Baking bread is a family thing and has been for generations of Irish families. Its something we did with our Mams and Nans and the scent of bread baking can transport us back to when we were knee-high to a grass hopper begging to be allowed to stir the bowl, knead the dough or have the first slice! For Jinnys Bakery, baking bread certainly is a family thing. Run by husband and wife team Pascal and Sinead (Jinny) Gillard, Jinnys bakery has grown to a team of 11 people supplying brands like SuperValu, Centra, Tesco, Gala and Independent retailers in 70 locations nationwide. Great News for this Leitrim Bakery - For the second year running, Jinnys has been shortlisted for the Grow with Aldi programme in partnership with Board Bia. This means that from June 6th 19th, their delicious Jinnys Stout Bread Mix which proved hugely popular during the programme last year, will make its return. It will sit beside Jinnys brand new Porridge Oat Bread Mix which launches this week and will also be available in all 145 Aldi stores nationwide. Like many small businesses Jinnys Bakery has had to think differently to get through Covid 19. Part of that adaption is diversifying their product so it can travel and have a longer shelf life hence the focus and development of their Bread Mix range. Their stout bread was awarded the Best soda bread in Ireland at the Irish Quality Food Awards in 2019. John and Sally McKennas Irish Food Guide described us as one of the great Irish BakeriesJust try a slice of that Irish Stout Bread and succumb to its tartness, its subdued sweetness, its classy confidence. If like many Irish people you were reared on home-baked bread but just cant seem to get it right or if you love that nostalgic and warm feeling of the scent of bread baking in the oven but dread the baking part? You will love the Jinnys Bakery Bread Mix packs. They take just 2 mins to prepare and when done, youll have 2 delicious home-baked loaves to share or silently devour! Jinnys bread mixes are wholesome with no artificial colours nor preservatives, they are naturally yeast free with no added sugar. And they will fill your home with the wonderful scent and warmth of home baking! To Celebrate Jinnys Bakery would like to give you the chance to win a family staycation! Jinnys Bakery and Tea Rooms are found on the site of the Red Door Cottages (https://selfcateringleitrim.ie/) also owned and managed by Sinead and Pascal. To celebrate the launch of their new Porridge Oat Bread Mix and their success in being short listed for the Grow with ALDI programme there is a weekend staycation getaway to the charming Red Door Cottages, in beautiful Drumshanbo with delicious Jinnys Bakery welcome pack to be WON! To enter: Follow Jinnys Bakery on Facebook (jinnys Bakery & Tearooms) or Instagram (jinnysbakery.tearooms) and privately message Jinnys with the name of the new Jinnys Bread Mix with is launching this week in your local Aldi store. Terms and conditions Subject to availability Based on two adults + 2 Children sharing No cash alternative Valid June 2021-June 2022 Closing date Midnight Sunday, June 13 Prize includes, accommodation (2 nights) in the traditional Red Door Cottages and Jinnys Bakery and TeaRooms Welcome Pack on arrival. For more information see the following links https://www.instagram.com/jinnysbakery.tearooms/ https://www.facebook.com/JinnysBakery The Red Door Cottages - https://selfcateringleitrim.ie/ TWO witnesses in the case of a man charged with assault failed to appear at a hearing which was due to take place at last Monday's district court. A second hearing has been scheduled in the case of the 27-year-old accused who is charged with two assaults, a summons relating to a third assault and breaches of the Public Order Act. Faris Doherty, 4, Charleville Parade, Tullamore, had been due to have his case dealt with at last Monday's sitting of Tullamore District Court. However, circumstances dictated that the case be adjourned until June. Mr Doherty is pleading not guilty to the offences which are alleged to have been committed on July 29, 2020 at High Street, Tullamore and on Main Street, on August 29 2020. A summons alleges an assault at Dunnes Stores, Bridge Centre on January 6 last year. Mr Doherty had previously been charged with five assaults, however, at last Monday's sitting Judge Bernadette Owens was told that one of the witnesses in the case had returned to Lithuania and would not be coming back to Ireland. The other witness had telephoned Gardai at 10.05 last Monday morning to say they would not be giving evidence in the case. Judge Bernadette Owens struck out the cases relating to those two charges. A new hearing will now take place at 2pm on June 21 next when Mr Doherty will face two charges of section 2 assaults and a section 6 public order offence. She apologised to witnesses who were present last Monday but said that 4.45pm in the evening was too late to begin a trial. In the market for a "forever home" or a holiday hideaway? Check out this detached four-bedroom dormer bungalow in the wilds of Donegal. It goes under the hammer at the BidX1 auction on June 25 with a guide price of just 68,000. The property is located approximately 4km from Glenties town centre and has stunning views of woodland and mountains. The bungalow is on a generous site of three-quarters of an acre. Local amenities in the area include the Highlands Hotel, Glenties Health Centre and Scoil Mhuire National School together with a range of shops, bars and restaurants available in Glenties town centre and nearby Donegal town. Transport links include regular bus routes (991, 492), the R250 and N56 national road. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. Set with precious stones on the bezel and the delicately guilloche dial, this model combines a technical display mode with an elegant reading of time. This new model, presented at Watches & Wonders 2021, is part of the theme of the Maison for 2021 : entitled Classic with a Twist, it highlights Vacheron Constantins creative energy, guided by an identity that celebrates a heritage and dares to deliver the unexpected. Regulator perpetual calendar Moonlight Jewellery Sapphire Vacheron Constantin Watches with a regulator-type display are reminiscent of the precision clocks developed for astronomers more than 200 years ago. This concept has been picked up in the creation of this single-piece edition Les Cabinotiers regulator perpetual calendar Moonlight Jewellery Sapphire timepiece, whose astronomical references are accentuated by a perpetual calendar function with precision moon phases. These Haute Horlogerie complications are highlighted by the artisans of the Manufacture. To lend depth to the delicately hand-engraved guilloche dial, sparkling diamond and sapphire edging echoes the diamond-set bezel, in an alternation elegantly accentuating the various timekeeping and astronomical displays. The precision of regulator-type watches The single-piece edition Les Cabinotiers regulator perpetual calendar Moonlight Jewellery Sapphire watch is immediately set apart by its regulator-type display. Powered by self-winding Calibre 2460 RQP, this timepiece offers a separate reading of the minutes with a central hand and the hours on a dial positioned at 12 o'clock. Regulator perpetual calendar Moonlight Jewellery Sapphire Vacheron Constantin This way of indicating time by non-coaxial markers dates back to the late 17th century. Through their observations of the sky and the path of heavenly bodies, astronomers soon realised the necessity of reliable and regular time measuring instruments. To meet this need, horologists developed regulating clocks, also known as master clocks, because they were used as reference timekeepers. The extreme precision of these clocks stemmed from bimetallic pendulums used to compensate for the effect of temperature variations. In addition, by offering a display of the hours and seconds on separate counters along with a central minutes hand, they enabled clear and accurate readings of the timekeeping indications. This mechanical invention was not forgotten with the advent of pocket watches, followed by wristwatches, and was especially favoured for the originality and extreme legibility of its display. The Les Cabinotiers regulator perpetual calendar Moonlight Jewellery Sapphire watch echoes this layout, further enhanced by a perpetual calendar with precision moon phases as a tribute to the astronomical origins of regulators. In place of the small seconds hand, the 6 o'clock counter thus serves to indicate the date and the moon phases. Mastery of astronomical functions Through countless ages, the moon served to mark the path of time, notably for the passage of months and the calculation of weeks. Based on these first astronomical observations, watchmakers soon realised the advantage of adding a moon-phase display to the dial of their timepieces. While poetically evoking planetary laws, they also testify to consummate technical mastery in their horological representation, through their integration within the global perspective of a perpetual calendar. Regulator perpetual calendar Moonlight Jewellery Sapphire Vacheron Constantin The mechanical difficulty inherent in moon phases is the duration of a lunar cycle i.e. 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, 2.8 seconds (29.5305881 days) which must be regulated by movements based on a sexagesimal system. To achieve this, the most common solution consists of rounding off lunar cycles to 29.5 days, enabling the moon phases to be activated via a 59-tooth gear with two lunar cycles a solution which results in an approximately one-day discrepancy every 32 months. More complex yet more accurate, the system based on a 135-tooth gear yields what is known as a precision astronomical moon phase display, whose drift amounts to only one day every 122 years and 46 days. It is precisely this device that has been integrated into the perpetual calendar of Calibre 2460 RQP with its 40-hour power reserve. Successfully keeping step with the vagaries of the Gregorian calendar and requiring no adjustment until 2100, this perpetual calendar is distinguished on this timepiece by the indication of the days and months through apertures on either side of the hours dial, which itself bears the leap-year indication at 4 o'clock. The date is displayed by a pointer and the moon phases appear on the subdial at 6 oclock Artistic crafts and creativity Perfectly illustrating the creative spirit of Vacheron Constantin, this single-piece edition has been preciously embellished by the gifted artists hands of artisans. On the dial swept over by white gold hands, the guilloche artist has created a delicate spiral pattern, enhanced by a row of 44 baguette-cut diamonds rimming the bezel. The silver-toned dial is also set with an edging of precious stones facing the minute track, a border composed of 36 baguette-cut diamonds, alternating with 10 sapphires positioned every five minutes. The spark of the sapphires is further accentuated by the two hours and moon-phase subdials, which adopt the same dark blue hue. The noble distinction of this timepiece with its 42 mm 18K white gold case is perceptible even in the meticulous hand finishing adorning the movement. The watch's sapphire caseback reveals the delicate circular graining of the mainplate with bridges featuring the Cotes de Geneve motif, as well as the subtle guilloche pattern on the 18K 5N gold oscillating weight. The Les Cabinotiers regulator perpetual calendar Moonlight Jewellery Sapphire watch is fitted with a dark blue alligator leather strap, secured by an 18K gold pin buckle whose outline is inspired by the shape of a Maltese cross adorned with 12 baguette-cut diamonds. Le Temps Celeste Each year, the Les Cabinotiers department unveils a range of single-piece editions relating to a theme cherished by Vacheron Constantin. The year 2021 is dedicated to "Le Temps Celeste" (which means Celestial Time), with timepieces referring to the astronomical origins of time measurement. Regulator perpetual calendar Moonlight Jewellery Sapphire Vacheron Constantin From the dawn of civilisations, the cycle of days and seasons, the evolution of constellations in the night sky, the phases of the moon and eclipses have exerted an almost mystical fascination. Eager to unravel the mysteries of the universe, the first human beings found in mythological tales a cosmogony blending legends with poetry. At a very early stage, the first scientific minds attempted to decipher the rhythms of Nature and to organise them according to predictable patterns. It was from these calculations, and with the appearance of writing, that the first calendars were born, before the Babylonian sexagesimal system gave meaning to the physical division of time into units of angle. Traditional watchmaking is a direct heir to this rigorous and scientific approach, expressed today on watches with depictions of the calendar, the sky chart, moon phases, tides and seasons, and even civil, solar and sidereal time with their differentials. Vacheron Constantin has nevertheless sought to endow these genuine observation instruments with all the charm of the founding myths through the subtlety of its craftsmanship, through its work in guilloche engraving and the engraving of symbolic motifs, or in the "stellar" glittering of gemset stones. This new Les Cabinotiers range is the expression of exceptional expertise in astronomical watches, dedicated to the poetry of time. Vacheron Constantin and astronomical watches Astronomical watches enjoy a rich and longstanding tradition within the Maison. The Vacheron Constantin archives reveal a first perpetual calendar in 1884, integrated into a double-sided yellow gold pocket watch, now part of the Maisons private collection. This was the beginning of a mechanical "epic" that would singularly take shape at the turn of the century. In 1900, the Maison set up a workshop exclusively dedicated to the assembly of watches with complications, often incorporating astronomical functions. Orders flooded in for complicated and even very complicated watches. The perpetual calendar was then combined with other technical feats such as those enriching a 1905 pocket watch comprising a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph and perpetual calendar with phases and age of the moon. Delivered in 1929, the pocket watch made for King Fouad I of Egypt with chronograph, perpetual calendar, Grande and Petite Sonnerie and minute repeater functions is characteristic of this golden age. This exceptional watchmaking expertise, later applied to wristwatches, would be powerfully expressed in the Tour de l'Ile with its 16 horological and astronomical complications, produced in 2005 to mark the 250th anniversary of the Maison. It features a sky chart, a complication that has become a speciality of Vacheron Constantin. Reference 57260, which has 57 complications, also features a sky chart, notably accompanied by sidereal time and a secular Hebrew calendar. In 2017, Vacheron Constantin once again innovated with Calibre 3600, powering displays of civil, solar and sidereal time, the latter synchronised with a mobile representation of constellations. US Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas): I understand from whats been testified to the Forest Service and the BLM [Bureau of Land Management], you want very much to work on the issue of climate change. We know theres been significant solar flare activity, and so is there anything that the National Forest Service or BLM can do to change the course of the moons orbit, or the Earths orbit around the sun? Obviously that would have profound effects on our climate. Jennifer Eberlein, associate deputy chief for the National Forest System, responded that she would have to follow up with you on that one, after a brief pause. Gohmert: Well, if you figure out a way that you in the Forest Service can make that change, Id like to know. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Climate Change Likely Shifted The Axis Of The Earth, According To A New Study Upworthy 07 Jun 2021 All because the prime minister asked the Church to release residential school recordssomething the Church says it's done, but.. Peter Hansen, a former priest, lawyer and Labor Party official, will spend at least the next 11 years in jail for his sexual crimes against boys in the Philippines and Vietnam. Richmond and the West Coast Eagles could bring their round-14 clash forward, while the Saints are awaiting approval to head to Queensland. The Russian player was released a day after being arrested at the French Open over match-fixing allegations related to last years tournament, her lawyer said. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: The latest move by the White House appears to have further strained already-tense relations between China and the US. Firms on the blacklist are barred from US investment. Wales will begin a phased transition to alert level one from Monday 7 June with up to 30 people able to meet outdoors, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced. Americans and most of the global population for over a year have been consumed with fear, sacrifices and concerns about the.. Eurasia Review 05 Jun 2021 Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced national cabinet has agreed to an "in-principle disposition" towards requiring aged care workers to have mandatory vaccinations. Hong Kong had been the last place on Chinese soil where the June 4, 1989, event was publicly commemorated. Major news outlets in Australia, mostly owned by two media giants, have been fined for defying a court order banning them from publishing details of Cardinal George Pell's child sex abuse case. Doctors have spoken out against an alarming trend of using unapproved medications to treat coronavirus infections. The comments come after a yoga guru promoted an unapproved treatment and denounced modern medicine. The Supreme Court insisted on assurances from Beijing that the man, accused of killing a Chinese woman in 2009, would not be tortured and would get a fair trial. Chow Hang Tung was reportedly arrested for organizing and promoting what police say was unauthorized assembly. Authorities had banned the annual vigil to commemorate the victims of the deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown. London to New York may again be possible in under 4 hours after the US-based airline struck a deal for 15 ultra-fast jets. Regular commercial supersonic flights have not been seen since 2003. More coffins of people believed to be victims of the 1921 race massacre in Tulsa have been found, city officials have said. Finance ministers from France, Germany, Italy and Spain say the time has come to reach a deal on an "international tax system fit for the 21st century". 2008-2021 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. The European Union must discuss ways of managing dissenting voices among its ranks, including qualified majority voting on foreign policy, according to Miguel Berger at the German Foreign Ministry. Thousands of officers are expected to patrol the city's streets on Friday to prevent gatherings of people lighting candles for the pro-democracy protesters killed by Chinese troops in Beijing 32 years ago. Persistent rain prevented any play before lunch on the third day of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord's. Reuters - Politics 30 Apr 2021 Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was among four people who pleaded guilty on Friday of participating in an illegal assembly.. Italy brush aside the Czech Republic in their final Euro 2020 warm-up game for an eighth win in a row without conceding. (MENAFN - Gulf Times) It has mandated quarantine on return from Portugal Britain recorded 5,274 new coronavirus (Covid-19) cases yesterday, its highest daily total since March 26, Public Health England said, adding there had been 18 more deaths within 28 days of a positive test. A total of 39,758,428 people have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, with half the adult population having received two shots. Meanwhile, Portugal will be removed from Englands so-called ''green travel list allowing quarantine-free travel between the two countries, the UK government said. The move could prove highly disruptive to thousands of British holidaymakers, after Portugal was the only European nation placed on the green list when it was first unveiled last month. A popular summer destination for Britons, from Tuesday at 4am (0300 GMT) Portugal will be on the ''amber list, which requires travellers to quarantine at home for 10 days on their return and take several Covid-19 tests. It joins other European Union countries on the list, with no nations added to the green section. The government advises against travel to amber-listed countries unless for a limited number of exceptional reasons, which does not include holidays. Meanwhile, seven countries Afghanistan, Bahrain, Costa Rica, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Trinidad & Tobago will be added to Englands ''red list from Tuesday, requiring 10 days costly quarantine in a hotel on return. The transport minister, Grant Shapps, said that he ordered the change to Portugals status because its infection rate had nearly doubled since the last review in mid-May, when Britain lifted a ban on non-essential international travel. He also cited instances of a mutation of the Delta variant, first identified in India and fast becoming the dominant strain in Britain where cases are on the rise again after weeks of decline. ''We just dont know the potential for that to be (a) vaccine-defeating mutation and simply dont want to take the risk as we come up to June 21, Shapps said. Britain is set to ease the last of its lockdown measures on that date. The government is facing calls to delay lifting the remaining measures which include social distancing, wearing face masks and a work from home recommendation as infections rise once again. But ministers are putting their faith in the countrys successful vaccine drive. Over half of British adults have now had both doses of the authorised two-shot Covid-19 inoculations, while more than three-quarters have received at least a single dose. Yesterdays updates to the travel list, which will be reviewed in three weeks, were heavily criticised by airlines, airports and tour operators. EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren called Portugals designation a 'shock decision that 'simply isnt justified by the science, while Virgin Atlantic boss Shai Weiss branded the governments approach ''overly cautious. ''We are yet to see clear and transparent guidance on the methodology and data the government is basing these decisions on, Weiss added. Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency travel consultancy, called the moves a ''terrible decision. ''They are basically putting at risk tens of thousands of jobs across aviation and the travel sector, and not showing any signs of helping the sector to recover, he said.MENAFN03062021000067011011ID1102207572 (MENAFN - Jordan News Agency) Amman, June 4 (Petra)-- Finance ministers from the G7 group of rich nations will meet in London on Friday for two days of talks aimed at moving closer to a global deal to raise more tax from the likes of Google, Facebook and Amazon.The gathering, chaired by British finance minister Rishi Sunak, will be the first time all seven ministers will meet face-to-face since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.U.S. President Joe Biden's willingness to raise taxes on large businesses also creates more chance of an international consensus than under his predecessor Donald Trump."I''m hugely optimistic that we will deliver some concrete outcomes this weekend," Sunak said in a statement released late on Thursday.//Petra// 04/06/2021 10:09:52MENAFN04062021000117011021ID1102211117 Energy groups in Alaska and beyond blasted the Biden administration for suspending long-sought oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) this week pending review. Republican congressional leaders are blasting President Joe Biden after the May jobs report fell about 100,000 jobs short of estimates. The Labor Department's employment report on Friday showed 559,000 nonfarm jobs... A Hong Kong park that traditionally hosts huge vigils on the anniversary of Chinas deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown lay empty for the first time late Friday as police blocked access, but flashes of defiance still flickered across the city. Huge crowds have routinely gathered in Hong Kongs Victoria Park to mark the anniversary of Chinese [] The mother of a 14-year-old stabbed to death in Birmingham has paid tribute to her "incredibly talented young boy". Former Vice President Mike Pence describes January 6 as a "dark day" in the history of the United States. The siege witnessed a number of rioters who were supporters of former President Donald Trump calling for the death of Pence. A member of the committee that organizes Hong Kong's annual candlelight vigil for the victims of the Tiananmen Square crackdown was arrested early Friday on the 32nd anniversary, local media reported. (June 4) Mike Pence was thoroughly roasted on social media Thursday night after he essentially said in a speech that he agrees to disagree with Donald Trump about the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot. You know, when a mob incited by the ex-President stormed the Capitol and among other things repeatedly called for Pence to be executed. In an address in New Hampshire, Pence said he still stands by Trump, and essentially dismissed the issue of a seditious, deadly riot nonchalantly, saying: **President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office, and I dont know if well ever see eye to eye on that day. But I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years. This despite the fact that Trumps supporters erected a gallows outside the Capitol and were captured on video chanting hang Mike Pence, Pence also said, I will not allow Democrats or their allies in the media to use one tragic day to discredit the aspirations of millions of Americans, or allow Democrats or their allies in the media to distract our attention from a new administration intent on dividing our country to advance their radical agenda. Remember, Trump refused to call the rioters off for several hours, after first riling them up by loudly complaining about the fact that Pence wouldnt illegally overturn the 2020 election. And more relevantly, these same rioters specifically wanted to do harm to Pence. Trump has said the Jan. 6 riots posed zero threat and said some of the rioters were hugging and kissing the guards. But as Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell told Don Lemon on CNN Thursday night, he was beaten with a flagpole by rioters and suffered injuries to his hands and feet while holding back waves of people trying to enter the Capitol. Many other officers were injured, including officer Mike Fanone, who was tasered in the neck after attackers tried to kill him with his own gun. Two Capitol Police officers have even sued Trump for the riot, and said in a filing that Trump inflamed, encouraged, incited, directed, and aided and abetted the rioters. Gonell also said he almost died three separate times that day and noted that five people including Capitol Police officer Brian Sisnick died following the events on Jan. 6. Of course, Pences comments led to a severely negative reaction on social media from Democrats and other people opposed to what happened in January. But rather than angry, most of the reaction focused on how pathetic or cowardly or other similar adjectives Pence appeared to be. Pod Save the World co-host Ben Rhodes said Thursday, Mike Pence is one of the most pathetic figures in the history of American politics. Mike Pence is one of the most pathetic figures in the history of American politics. https://t.co/hEx7lccb4w Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) June 4, 2021 Former West Virginia Democratic senator Richard Ojeda called Pence a cowardly worm and added, for four years you served as Trumps lap dog. All you did was keep Trumps boots shined dont ever try to talk tough. Hey Mike PenceSTFU! You cowardly worm. For four years you served as Trumps lap dog. All you did was keep tRumps boots shined. Dont ever try to talk tough. After the last four yearsit just doesnt sound right coming from you. https://t.co/8L6pFACRie Richard N. Ojeda, II (@Ojeda4America) June 4, 2021 Check out more reactions to Pences comments below. Trump has continued to trash Pence to various people, and to RNC donors, for not exceeding his legal authority that day, growing louder after Pences book deal was announced. https://t.co/9vVAqe9BDZ Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 4, 2021 If Donald Trump had his way in January, Mike Pence wouldn't be alive right now. That's how little self-respect Mike Pence has. John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) June 4, 2021 Is Mike Pence serious? A raging mob incited by Trump was poised to murder him on January 6, but now Pence just shrugs off not seeing eye to eye with Trump on what happened and is proud of serving with him?? The level of delusion here is pretty incredible pic.twitter.com/SyY225PNKs Mark Follman (@markfollman) June 4, 2021 I'm still concerned about the fact that they apparently saw eye to eye about everything that happened before Jan. 6 https://t.co/eXZJ60AYdu Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) June 4, 2021 The former VP doesnt see eye-to-eye with the former President he served about an act of domestic terrorism is a sentence made possible by the Republican Party https://t.co/Iz9tUoLFE0 Kurt Bardella (@kurtbardella) June 4, 2021 I apologized to the president for almost being killed. He hasnt yet accepted my apology. https://t.co/E9OGjfFxjj Glenn Fleishman (@GlennF) June 4, 2021 Mike Pence hates Planned Parenthood so much that his effort to destroy it singlehandedly led to the biggest HIV outbreak in the history of Indiana, and even hes like: Trump boy, I dont know. Charlotte Clymer (@cmclymer) June 4, 2021 hey, @Mike_Pence. if you already forgotten Jan 6th, let me refresh your memory. You own base made this just for you that day pic.twitter.com/yVm4f65NIB Andy a.k.a. Jin () (@w0ng_again) June 3, 2021 If my coworker had people trying to hang me because he was talking shit about me, and then did nothing about it, I wouldn't be calling it the "greatest honor of my life" to serve with him. Mike Pence is a spineless buzzard. BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) June 4, 2021 *Related stories from TheWrap:* Joy Reid Blasts 'Mango Macbeth' Trump and Republicans for 'Endless Insurrection' (Video) Maddow Cracks Up at the Quick End of Trump's Blog: 'You Hate to See it' (Video) NY Times Reporters' Phone Records Secretly Seized by Trump Administration, Justice Department Says The move, affecting about 400 flights per day, is a reaction to the shocking arrest of a journalist last month after Belarussian officials forced his plane Greece-to-Lithuania flight to land in Minsk. US President Joe Biden is expanding the list of US ban on Chinese firms previously issued by former President Donald Trump, extending it to a total of 59 firms. Queen Elizabeth will welcome US President Joe Biden to Windsor Castle on June 13 for their initial one-on-one discussion. This comes following a year in which the majority of her in-person engagements were shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Proteas traveling contingent in the West Indies have all returned negative Covid-19 Test on arriving in the Caribbean for their two-Test, five-T20 match tour. China said on Friday that it strongly condemned US President Joe Biden's signing of an order to ban investment in dozens of Chinese defense and tech firms. Dr. Anthony Fauci has called on China to release the medical records of nine people whose ailments might provide vital clues into whether Covid-19 first emerged as the result of a lab leak, the Financial Times reports. Business Insider 05 Jun 2021 Surry County, in North Carolina, voted to remove Coca-Cola vending machines from its offices after the company criticized a voting.. European Union and British regulators opened dual antitrust investigations Friday into whether Facebook distorts competition in the classified advertising market by using data to compete unfairly against rival services. Eurasia Review 09 Jun 2021 There are interesting events occurring in Vietnam despite what was deemed to be a world-class effort in containing the.. The European Union on Friday banned Belarus airlines from flying over EU territory or landing in its airports in response to the Belarus... MCqasim with real name Qasim Khalaf was born on July 30th, 2000 in Boza, Iraq. is a german artist & blogger & german creator with a wide reach. Career: MCqasim started with the internet when he was fourteen! 2017 could develop further he founded an online shop called MCqasimSHOP two years later he had a very big success he sold more than ten thousand products! In 2019 his niche died six months later, he decided to start an online shop called DALYASHOP, a fan asked AGENCY [mdash]MaryAnn Wanner, 75, of Agency, died at 4:45 a.m. June 9, 2021 at Ridgewood Specialty Care. She was born February 18, 1946 in Lake City, IA to Lubbert and Erma DeVries. She married Martin Joseph Wanner and he preceded her in death on March 18, 2021. MaryAnn had worked as a beaut HOUSTON (AP) A 5-year-old Houston boy likely died weeks before he was reported missing and his body was hidden in a storage unit before authorities discovered it more than 100 miles away in an East Texas motel, according to court documents. Houston police have charged Theresa Raye Balboa, 29, with tampering with evidence, a human corpse, in the death of Samuel Olson. Balboa was the girlfriend of Samuels father. Authorities believe a body found Tuesday inside a plastic tote in a motel in Jasper, about 135 miles (215 kilometers) northeast of Houston, is that of the missing boy, according to an arrest affidavit. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences in Houston has not made an official identification or determined a cause of death. Family members have said Samuel would have turned 6 years old over the weekend. Balboa was being held in the Harris County Jail Friday on a $500,000 bond. Court records do not list an attorney who can speak on her behalf. Balboa reported Samuel missing May 27. He had been living with her since April 30, which was the last day he was seen at school. Authorities have not said why Samuel was staying with Balboa. Samuel's father, Dalton Olson, lived at a different address. Court records show Balboa was charged with assault in November for allegedly choking Dalton Olson. Conditions of her bond in that case included that she have no contact with Olson or any member of his family. Balboa told authorities that Samuels mother and a man who presented himself as a police officer had taken him. Police investigators later found surveillance footage that proved the boys mother was not involved. Earlier this week, Balboa participated in a search for Samuel and told Houston TV station KTRK, I cant say where he could be, where he might be. Balboas roommate told investigators that Balboa called him May 10 and said the boy was dead, according to the arrest affidavit. The roommate went to their apartment in the Houston suburb of Webster after work and found the boy unresponsive on a bed with bruising on his body, according to the affidavit. The roommate stated that he and (Balboa) placed the (boys) corpse in a bathtub, where he remained for two days, according to the affidavit. The roommate told investigators that he and Balboa wrapped Samuels body in a plastic sheet and placed it in a plastic tote the roommate bought at Walmart on May 13. The two then drove the plastic tote with the body to a local storage unit and left it there, according to the affidavit. On June 1, Jasper police got a tip that Balboa had the boy in a motel room. In the room, police detected an odor of possible decomposing human remains" and found Balboa and the plastic tote. Police observed what appeared to be a childs body wrapped in a black plastic bag laying inside the tote, according to the affidavit. The childs body appeared to be wrapped with plastic bags and secured with duct tape. Police later interviewed a friend of Balboas who told investigators he helped her get the plastic tote from the storage unit and drove them to Jasper on June 1. Investigators learned that it was Balboas friend who told Jasper police about the boy. Samuels parents had been involved in a bitter custody battle after filing for divorce in January 2020. His mother, Sarah Olson, had primary custody but she had not seen Samuel since summer 2020, her lawyer, Marco Gonzalez, told reporters this week. Gonzalez accused Dalton Olson of keeping Samuel from his mother and avoiding being served court paperwork that would have ordered him to return the boy to her. Gonzalez said Samuels mother also blames Dalton Olson for their sons death and believes he should be charged. Houston police say Olson is not a person of interest but that more charges could be filed. Her utmost priority is that justice is done for her baby Samuel, Gonzalez said. Shes completely heartbroken." Samuel Veenstra, an attorney for Dalton Olson, said his client was grieving. Veenstra said he didn't think Samuel had been living with Balboa. But when asked if the boy had been living with his father at the time he was reported missing, Veenstra said, I dont know how to answer your questions on this one, OK." Theres nothing in place on the family case that says who Sam could or could not go around," Veenstra said. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 For members of the Great Lakes Bay chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, being a gun owner means taking the responsibilities that come with it, including safe storage. In recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday and Wear Orange weekend June 4-6, the group is spreading the word about the importance of gun safety. National Gun Violence Awareness Day takes place on the first Friday of June and kicks off Wear Orange Weekend. The weekend tradition began in 2015 in recognition of Hadiya Pendleton who was shot and killed in Chicago. That same year, the Great Lakes Bay chapter of Moms Demand Action was founded. Members of the group span from across the region. Some, like Kristin Sheridan, of Mount Pleasant, read about the national group online and felt the topics on responsible action strike a chord. Chapter co-leader Kathy Kinkema, of Sanford, will forever remember when she heard about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. A high school counselor herself, she had grandchildren the same age as the victims. Over the weeks and months following the tragedy, Kinkema hoped that something would be done to address gun violence but realized nothing was changing. That was when she decided to make her voice heard. We have to be willing to look at the number of lives impacted by gun violence and say that our communities deserve to be safe, Kinkema said. Both Kinkema and Sheridan explained that Moms Demand Action is not an anti-gun group; its members support the Second Amendment right to bear arms and some even own firearms. You have to be responsible and guns need to be in the hands of responsible people, Kinkema said. Our focus is to advocate for a future without gun violence. Among the programs that the local Moms Demand Action organization bolsters is Be SMART, an endeavor to normalize conversations about gun safety. The purpose of the program is to promote safe gun storage so children and people may be vulnerable dont have easy access to guns, said Sheridan, the local Be SMART coordinator. Moms Demand Actions campaign extends past the Wear Orange weekend and across the region. The local group continues to present on the BeSMART initiative to organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Rotary clubs and schools. Moms Demand Action has also hosted guest speakers and reached out to groups of people that can be affected by gun violence including domestic violence victims and grief counselors. The Michigan Moms Demand Action group held an advocacy day in mid-May where members met with state senators to talk about the importance of safe firearm storage. The regional chapter plans to have a table at the Midland County Fair and Midland Farmers Market this summer to hand out brochures and free cable gun locks. We just keep plugging away, being as many places as we can to raise awareness of the need for simple gun storage. Its all about getting the word out there, Sheridan said. To mark Wear Orange Weekend, the GLB chapter will be present from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1209 Hancock St. in Saginaw. Members will have information about the BeSmart program as well as marigold plants to represent their message. On Sunday the group will participate in a virtual statewide Wear Orange event. To learn more about Moms Demand Action, email glbrmomsdemand@gmail.com or visit www.momsdemandaction.org. To learn more about the Be SMART program, visit besmartforkids.org. A unique partnership between MidMichigan Health and the Education and Training Connection (ETC) of Midland will be featured in an upcoming Professional Development Fair on Monday, June 14. ETC recently collaborated with MidMichigan to create a program for those who wish to be employed but still need to attain their GED. Through the partnership, the candidate will be hired on a temporary basis, paid for work time and on-site class time to achieve the goal of passing the GED and receiving permanent, full-time employment. In this pandemic job market, education is often one of the things that set an applicant apart, said Jason Graves, recruitment manager, MidMichigan Health. Helping members of our community to get their GED, and then offering them a job within the health system itself, is a fantastic way to set people up for future professional success. In addition to information on the GED program, the fair will feature free resume reviews by members of the MidMichigan Human Resources Department. Application stations will also be available and will be staffed by information technology professionals to assist attendees in applying for open positions within the health system. Light refreshments will be served. With an unemployment rate of roughly 5.2% in Michigan, it is so important, now more than ever, that the members of our local community take advantage of every opportunity for growth and professional development, said Colleen Markel, director of talent acquisition and workforce development, MidMichigan Health. Dee Weber, senior vice president and chief human resources officer, MidMichigan Health, explained the health system can offer so much more to the community than just the expert medical services to which it is already known. Our goal has always been to create healthy communities together, Weber said. While that certainly entails the health care we offer throughout the regions we serve, this Professional Development Fair is just another way we can help our local community grow stronger, together. The fair will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 14 in the former Cardiovascular Services Building at 301 Wackerly St., in Midland. Registration is not required to attend the fair. Attendees who apply for a job during the event will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win one of several gift card prizes. Those interested in more information on the fair may call MidMichigans Human Resources Department at 989-839-3230 or toll-free at 855-222-3230. The phrase April showers bring May flowers brought a new meaning to St. Johns Lutheran Church recently. The church was asked to help collect a wide variety items for Camp Fish Tales for their summer camp season. St. Johns member Doug Dean contacted retired DCE Emeritus Deb Stark to help organize the effort. In just three weeks, the April shower was very successful, bringing in over 209 individual items, totaling over 12,461 actual items. Products included paper products, laundry detergent and bleach, dish and hand soaps, sanitizing wipes, disposable plates and cups and bottled water. They also collected $860 in checks, cash and a gift card. St. Johns Family Life Director Anna Kruger arranged for St. Johns youth to transport all the donations out to a van where everything fit snuggly from top to bottom. Stark and Dean then delivered the donations to camp director Shannon Forshee. She was extremely delighted to unload all the items and store them in the kitchen, lodge, nurses station and storage area. After a brief tour of the camp, Stark was very impressed with the facility and could see why Dean is so excited to go to the camp every year. Camp Fish Tales is a year-round independent non-profit camp, conference and retreat center, which is a barrier free, wheelchair-accessible camp. In 1993, Camp Fish Tales opened a one-week overnight camp at Saginaw Valley State University. It was a good start, but the dream was to have a day where children and friends would enjoy a true camping experience. So in 1996, Camp Fish Tales opened at their current location in Pinconning and now encompasses 67.5 acres. The goal of Camp Fish Tales is to provide an atmosphere for individuals with special needs to meet and make new friends while participating in activities designed to promote physical, emotional, social, and cognitive skills. For more information on Camp Fish Tales, call 989-879-5199 or visit campfishtales.org. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin. Wednesday, June 2: 10:53 p.m. Deputies conducted a traffic stop at a Lee Township location. Upon contacting the 41-year-old male driver, it was discovered that the male didn't have a valid driver's license, and that the vehicle had no insurance. The male was cited for driving with a suspended license and no insurance. A report is being sent to the Prosecuting Attorneys Office. 10:51 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Warren Township residence for report of a verbal argument. Upon arrival to the residence, deputies contacted a 33-year-old Warren Township female. The female advised that she and her boyfriend, a 31-year-old Warren Township male, were just arguing. The male left the residence prior to the deputies arrival and no assault occurred. 9:06 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Homer Township location for reports of a large pipe in the roadway. Upon the deputies arrival, the pipe was removed from the roadway. 6:57 p.m. Officers responded to a domestic verbal situation at Eastlawn Drive. 4:45 p.m. A 63-year-old male advised that his 41-year-old male neighbor drove a piece of machinery onto his property without his permission. No damage was done, and contact was made with the neighbor. He was formally escorted from the property. 2:09 p.m. Deputies assisted Child Protective Services with a home visit at a Porter Township location. Deputies stood by while Child Protective Services conducted its investigation. 1:37 p.m. Officers responded to a case of larceny at James Savage Road. 1:19 p.m. Officers revoked a drivers license at a vehicle crash on Bay City Road. 12:29 p.m. Officers responded to a forced entry and burglary at West Union Street. 11:13 a.m. A deputy assisted Coleman Police Department officers on a warrant arrest in Coleman. 10:30 a.m. A 61-year-old Larkin Township female reported that she received an unknown package at her front door, from China. The female stated she did not order anything and did not know what to do with it. Deputies explained to the female that she can drop it off at the post office and have them return it to the sender. 9:56 a.m. Deputies responded to a Warren Township residence, for a report of a 16-year-old Warren Township female who ran away. Shortly after deputies arrived on scene, the 16-year-old was located at her boyfriends house in Crawford County by Crawford County deputies. 8:16 a.m. A deputy was dispatched to the area of North Coleman Road near West Shearer Road for a report of a single-vehicle traffic crash. A UD-10 was completed and the at-fault driver was issued a citation for VBSL-Accident. 8:05 p.m. Officers responded to a case of larceny at James Savage Road. 5:44 a.m. Deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle at a Greendale Township location for an equipment violation. During the contact it was discovered that the 28-year-old male driver had a suspended driver's license, and a felony warrant out of Saginaw County. The male was cited for the suspended license and was placed under arrest for his warrant. A report is being sent to the Prosecuting Attorneys Office. 1:14 a.m. A deputy helped a Midland County Corrections Deputy transport an inmate to the Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Midland for medical treatment without incident. Tuesday, June 1: 10:57 p.m. Officers responded to a domestic verbal situation on Dublin Avenue. 9:43 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Greendale Township residence for a disorderly juvenile. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a 13-year-old Greendale Township female and her guardians, a 30-year-old Greendale Township male and a 30-year-old Greendale Township female. Deputies spoke to the 13-year-old female about her behavior towards her guardians and her running away. 9:44 p.m. Deputies responded to a Lee Township location for a 55-year-old Lee Township female who reported that her 48-year-old male roommate assaulted her. The male was located nearby on foot and was arrested for domestic assault. The male was transported and lodged at the Midland County Jail. The female suffered minor injuries. A report was completed and forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review. 9:23 p.m. A deputy assisted a Midland City sergeant with an OWI arrest. 9:18 p.m. Officers made a warrant arrest on Dublin Avenue. 8:49 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Midland Township residence regarding a suspicious situation. Deputies contacted a 68-year-old Midland Township female. The female wanted to report two suspicious vehicles that have been frequenting the area dumping trash in a dumpster at an abandoned residence across the street. The female requested extra patrols in the area. 8:29 p.m. Officers responded to an OWI in the area of West US-10 and Stark Road. 8:26 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township residence regarding a suicidal man with a gun. When deputies arrived, the man was unarmed talking to his father outside. He willingly went with a deputy to the ER for a mental health evaluation. 8:17 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to the area of M-20 and Lewis Road regarding a female who ran out of a white car into the weeds. A short time later, the female returned to the vehicle and they left westbound on M-20. A deputy checked the area, but the vehicle was not located. 7:03 p.m. Officers responded to a domestic verbal situation at Ripley Street. 6:25 p.m. A 30-year-old female called with questions regarding a child custody dispute. 6:13 p.m. Deputies responded to a Lee Township location for a PDA traffic crash. A UD-10 traffic crash report has been completed. 4:31 p.m. A 61-year-old male reported suspicious activity at the Lee Township Park. He identified himself as the caretaker of the park. The male reported several trash cans had been removed from the park. Deputies will perform extra patrol in the area around Lee Township Park. 3:10 p.m. Officers responded to a case of trespassing on South Saginaw Road. 12:07 p.m. A 20-year-old female had a verbal dispute with her male neighbor in Lee Township. The dispute was over how the neighbor was treating his dogs. Deputies responded to the residence. The male left prior to the deputies arrival. The incident was later turned over to Midland County Animal Control. 12:03 p.m. Officers responded to a property damage crash in the area of Waldo Avenue and Cobb Street. 10:51 a.m. A deputy called a 70-year-old Jerome Township female regarding a fraud. The 70-year-old female stated that she received a phone call from an unknown male who stated that she had won a million dollars and a vehicle from a sweepstakes. The male advised that she needed to buy three gift cards of $500 each. The 70-year-old female realized that it was a fraud after she purchased the third $500 card. The suspect is currently unknown. 8:13 a.m. A 38-year-old reported the catalytic converters on his work truck were stolen at a Lee Township park-and-ride over the weekend. The approximate value of the stolen property is $1,000. No suspect is currently known. 5:16 a.m. A deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding in Greendale Township. The driver, a 39-year-old Flint female, had a suspended Michigan driver's license. The female was cited for driving while license suspended and for the speeding violation. A report was completed and forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorneys Office for review. Most business owners know that proper succession planning can help keep their business running strong into the next generation. They understand the importance of creating a plan to prepare heirs and key employees to run the business when it is time. But sometimes, owners are busy and fail to plan for the future of their business in a timely manner. Executing an unplanned transition when the family business leader becomes incapacitated or passes can be painful for the family (at an already difficult time) and potentially damaging for the business. We think it makes sense to offer some lessons learned by these families as a resource for current business owners. Instead of offering a typical best practices list, we took a different approach. Here are some worst practices that will surely wreak chaos in your family business after you pass from families who have experienced an unplanned business transition: Dont document your good intentions. Think about succession planning for years, but dont document any of your thoughts or planning ideas for the family. Or, to make it really interesting, keep jotting down ideas on various notepads, napkins or sticky notes over the years, creating obvious contradictions between the ideas. Leave business ownership to your family but without a skilled operator in charge of it. This spreads chaos over the widest possible range after your death, affecting family members, employees, customers, suppliers and professional advisors when the battle lines are drawn between children and possibly your spouse as they wrestle for control of the company while dealing with their grief. Pick one winner. Leave both the business equity and control to one child who seems reasonably responsible and ask them to do the right thing for their siblings and remaining parent. For maximum family strife, the responsible child should be married to a spouse who is greedy or difficult to deal with. Dont do any estate or tax planning. This way your heirs will not only struggle with the above issues but will also inherit a huge tax bill they were not expecting and will have to cover by taking out loans or by selling the business. Micro-manage future leaders. Allowing your children or other key employees to manage portions of the business will allow a leader or group of leaders to naturally emerge, whereas micro-managing those heirs and other key employees in their current positions will ensure they wont learn how to lead, make decisions or accept responsibility. Dont discuss the future of the family business. Avoiding these conversations ensures you wont know whether your heirs or current managers actually want to run the business and allows you to create a pressing sense of obligation for the next generation to work in or run the business. Even better, this sense of obligation can create next generation business leaders who are resentful or who lack the passion that you brought to running the business. Keep your professional advisors under wraps. Failure to introduce your professional team to your children can create havoc for your business because neither of these groups will be prepared to handle the inevitable difficult discussions that ensue during a transition. Plus, your children will not know and may not trust your attorney, CPA, investment advisor or other professional advisors, adding even more obstacles to this transition. Having no plan also causes chaos Naturally, we wouldnt expect you to do any of the things on this list on purpose to cause disruption and bad feelings in your family. But sometimes, not planning for the future can have the same impact on your family as if you had intentionally tried to cause chaos, leaving loved ones in a less than desirable position down the road should something happen to you. Many of the steps involved in successfully transitioning a family business can take years, even decades to complete, so it is better to start planning sooner rather than later. William Lentine is a partner at the law firm Warner Norcross + Judd LLP and a business attorney with substantial tax and trust and estate experience. He can be reached at wlentine@wnj.com. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Libya on Thursday signed with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Navigation of Spain a memorandum of understanding, aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for joint cooperation CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) COVID-19 vaccine shipments have ground to a near halt in Africa while virus cases have spiked 20% over the last two weeks, the World Health Organization said Thursday, a bleak scenario for the continent on both those critical fronts. South Africa alone saw a more than 60% rise in new cases last week as the country with the highest coronavirus caseload in Africa continued to face delays in its effort to roll out the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. More than 1 million J&J doses that should have already been put to use remain on hold at a pharmaceuticals plant in South Africa because of contamination concerns at a U.S. factory. The head of the Africa CDC said he expects an update in the coming days from U.S. federal regulators on those and other doses of J&J, which he called an essential vaccine for Africa because it's a one-dose shot and doesn't need the ultra-cold storage facilities required by others. The threat of a third wave in Africa is real and rising," WHO Africa director Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said. "Our priority is clear. Its crucial that we swiftly get vaccines into the arms of Africans at high risk of falling seriously ill and dying of COVID-19. While many countries outside Africa have now vaccinated their high-priority groups and are able to even consider vaccinating their children, African countries are unable to even follow up with second doses for high-risk groups." Moeti repeated Africa's ongoing plea that richer countries that have reached significant vaccination coverage" now release their remaining doses. Africa has administered vaccine doses to 31 million people out of its population of 1.3 billion. But only 7 million of those have received both doses. Moeti's plea came hours before President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. would share some of its vaccines. Sub-Saharan Africa has on average administered only one vaccine dose per 100 people, Moeti said, compared to a global average of 23 doses per 100 people. Some higher income countries have even reached 62 doses per 100 people, she added. The issue with contamination of Johnson & Johnson doses at a U.S. facility is a tiny part of the problem, but it's a crucial one right now for South Africa, which has more than 1.6 million virus cases and more than 56,000 deaths, the most in Africa by far. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. South Africa has seen a positivity rate of around 11-12% among people tested for the virus in recent days, well above the 5% threshold that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said marks a cause for concern." Meanwhile, the country's vaccine rollout has faced a number of hurdles. The country ultimately rejected the first vaccine available over concerns about whether AstraZeneca showed enough efficacy against the variant first detected in South Africa now referred to by WHO as the beta variant. Now the contamination problems at the Emergent BioSolutions plant in Baltimore earlier this year have directly impacted South Africa's already lagging rollout. South Africa's health department was due to receive 1.1 million J&J doses in May. Another 900,000 were then meant to be delivered at the start of June, according to the government's schedule. Both batches are in South Africa but remain frustratingly on hold after the US. Food and Drug Administration shut down the Emergent plant in mid-April and put a lockdown on any doses that might be linked to it across the world. South Africa has vaccinated only 1.1 million of its 60 million people, and more than half of them have only received one dose of a two-dose vaccine. Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director John Nkengasong said he was in contact earlier Thursday with J&J officials and they told him an announcement by the FDA was expected Friday or early next week. South Africa wasn't the only country affected by the contamination in Baltimore, Nkengasong said. Also at stake is the African Union's 220 million dose deal with Johnson & Johnson set for delivery later this year, which could eventually rise to 400 million doses total. Our entire strategy is underpinned by the J&J agreement, Nkengasong said of Africa. On Tuesday, the FDA declined to comment on when it might resolve the concerns over Emergents factory, which included poorly trained workers and dirty walls and floors, and led to the immediate discarding of 15 million J&J doses connected to the factory. Johnson & Johnson said that it was working with the FDA and Emergent toward resolving the situation as soon as possible but didn't comment on any specifics of the FDA investigation. AP Medical Writer Linda A. Johnson in Fairless Hills, Pa., contributed to this report. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. SPRINGFIELD Some people turn adversity into art. Others turn adversity into legislation. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, in the case of Senate Bill 677, is the latter. A bill with bipartisan support that is awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature before becoming state law, the legislation is a byproduct of both Stratton and the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter, both of whom worked closely together. SB 677 will make Illinois the first state in the nation to require licensed healthcare providers that serve adults to dedicate one hour of training to recognizing, diagnosing and treating people with dementia. That training would be a prerequisite to licensure, as well as included in continuing education requirements that already exist. The curriculum includes "content on how to identify and diagnose Alzheimers, effective communication strategies, and management and care planning," per a release from AAIC. "The intent of this bill is to allow those healthcare providers to get the updated education so they're able to make a diagnosis if they're able to do so or make a referral to help people get the diagnosis they need," AAIC State Affairs Director David Olsen said in an interview. The advocacy group estimates that only 45% of adults who have Alzheimer's-related dementia actually get a diagnosis in other words, 65% of such people don't get diagnosed. For Stratton, that statistic isn't just a figure. It's personal. Her mother, Velma, lived with the family for about 13 years, some of which were shadowed by the development of dementia. Not that anyone knew that. Stratton didn't. "She was with us every day, so there might have been small signs every day so there might have been small things that I might have missed," she said in an interview. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. The doctor didn't, either. "My mom regularly went to her primary care physician and got good treatment," she said. But "like many primary care physicians and others not working directly in the space of Alzheimer's ... they did not diagnose her. Had we been able to identify the signs ... as a family we could have been better prepared to tackle the challenges as it relates to caring for someone with Alzheimer's." The bill, she said, is aimed at reducing the number of people in the same situation. Or, as AAIC State Affairs Director David Olsen, put it, the bill's intent is "is to allow those healthcare providers to get the updated education so they're able to make a diagnosis if they're able to do so or make a referral to help people get the diagnosis they need." It's not just Stratton facing the challenges of an undiagnosed family member with dementia: both she and members of the AAIC held 12 listening sessions in 2019 across the state in which caregivers, family members and others were encouraged to speak about their experiences. "One of the things that came out in every session was how hard it was to get a diagnosis," he said. "After we went on that listening tour, we said, 'What can we do to make a difference?'" Legislation was first proposed in 2020, but stalled due to the pandemic and resulting "robust discussions and negotiations" with state medical groups, Olsen said. Initially, the bill targeted physicians only and required six hours of dementia-related training every three years. After negotiations with the Illinois State Medical Society, among others, the pool of healthcare professionals targeted by the bill expanded to include anyone "licensed by the state of Illinois" working with adults over the age of 26 and reduced the education requirement from six hours to one hour per license renewal cycle. Stratton told The Pantagraph the pool of providers was expanded, in part, because not every person has or sees a primary care doctor. "Now, many, many professionals that work with those that are adults they're all going to be able to look for signs," she said of the training. "I am confident that that is going to lead to more people being able to be diagnosed." The legislation itself doesn't have a benchmark or quota by which to measure it's progress, so there's not an expected goal for healthcare providers to meet a certain number of diagnoses. It received bipartisan support in both chambers, passing the House 111-0-1 and the Senate 56-0-0 before being sent to the Governor's desk last week. "I see this as a first step: People are going to keep fighting for a cure, but as that gets developed, the conversation will be continuing within families and whole communities about how we care for the most vulnerable," Stratton said. And, as for her mother, Stratton said she hopes "she is looking down and expressing immense pride that her daughter was able to help lead first-in-the-nation legislation, in addition to two sponsors, to make sure that other families can have a better road ahead." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD Some people turn adversity into art. Others turn adversity into legislation. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, in the case of Senate Bill 677, is the latter. A bill with bipartisan support that is awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature before becoming state law, the legislation is a byproduct of both Stratton and the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter, both of whom worked closely together. SB 677 will make Illinois the first state in the nation to require licensed health care providers that serve adults to dedicate one hour of training to recognizing, diagnosing and treating people with dementia. That training would be a prerequisite to licensure, as well as included in continuing education requirements that already exist. The curriculum includes "content on how to identify and diagnose Alzheimers, effective communication strategies, and management and care planning," per a release from AAIC. "The intent of this bill is to allow those healthcare providers to get the updated education so they're able to make a diagnosis if they're able to do so or make a referral to help people get the diagnosis they need," AAIC State Affairs Director David Olsen said in an interview. The advocacy group estimates that only 45% of adults who have Alzheimer's-related dementia actually get a diagnosis in other words, 65% of such people don't get diagnosed. For Stratton, that statistic isn't just a figure. It's personal. Her mother, Velma, lived with the family for about 13 years, some of which were shadowed by the development of dementia. Not that anyone knew that. Stratton didn't. "She was with us every day, so there might have been small signs every day so there might have been small things that I might have missed," she told The Pantagraph in an interview. The doctor didn't, either. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. "My mom regularly went to her primary care physician and got good treatment," she said. But "like many primary care physicians and others not working directly in the space of Alzheimer's ... they did not diagnose her. Had we been able to identify the signs ... as a family we could have been better prepared to tackle the challenges as it relates to caring for someone with Alzheimer's." The bill, she said, is aimed at reducing the number of people in the same situation. Or, as AAIC State Affairs Director David Olsen put it, the bill's intent is "is to allow those healthcare providers to get the updated education so they're able to make a diagnosis if they're able to do so or make a referral to help people get the diagnosis they need." It's not just Stratton facing the challenges of an undiagnosed family member with dementia: both she and members of the AAIC held 12 listening sessions in 2019 across the state in which caregivers, family members and others were encouraged to speak about their experiences. "One of the things that came out in every session was how hard it was to get a diagnosis," he said. "After we went on that listening tour, we said, 'What can we do to make a difference?'" Legislation was first proposed in 2020, but stalled due to the pandemic and resulting "robust discussions and negotiations" with state medical groups, Olsen said. Initially, the bill targeted only physicians and required six hours of dementia-related training every three years. After negotiations with the Illinois State Medical Society, among others, the pool of healthcare professionals targeted by the bill expanded to include anyone "licensed by the state of Illinois" working with adults over the age of 26 and reduced the education requirement from six hours to one hour per license renewal cycle. Stratton said the pool of providers was expanded, in part, because not every person has or sees a primary care doctor. "Now, many, many professionals that work with those that are adults they're all going to be able to look for signs," she said of the training. "I am confident that that is going to lead to more people being able to be diagnosed." The legislation itself doesn't have a benchmark or quota by which to measure it's progress, so there's not an expected goal for healthcare providers to meet a certain number of diagnoses. It received bipartisan support in both chambers, passing the House 111-0-1 and the Senate 56-0-0 before being sent to the Governor's desk last week. "I see this as a first step: People are going to keep fighting for a cure, but as that gets developed, the conversation will be continuing within families and whole communities about how we care for the most vulnerable," she said. And, as for her mother, Stratton added that she hopes "she is looking down and expressing immense pride that her daughter was able to help lead first-in-the-nation legislation, in addition to two sponsors, to make sure that other families can have a better road ahead." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Government commission supports improved guarantees of jurors material security The Moscow City Court's press service 10:23 04/06/2021 MOSCOW, June 4 (RAPSI) The Government Law-Making Commission has backed an initiative increasing the guarantees of material security for jurors, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Lawyers of Russia Vladimir Gruzdev has told RAPSI. The bill is to amend Article 11 of the Federal Law On Jurors of Federal Courts of General Jurisdiction in the Russian Federation, according to which, for the time jurors fulfill the duties of administering justice, the respective court is to pay them compensations from the federal budget. At the same time, currently neither the payment procedures, nor the terms thereof, are established by law, the Ministry of Justice indicated earlier. The procedure for paying compensation to jurors is established by the government of the Russian Federation. The implementation of the provisions stipulated by the draft law will increase the guarantees of material support for jurors, when they are administering justice in criminal cases, and streamline the procedure for paying them compensatory remuneration, the Ministry of Justice specified. According to Gruzdev, the adoption of these amendments will improve the guarantees of jurors material security when delivering justice in criminal matters. Under the law, the jury fee amounts to the half of a judges position salary pro rata per day basis. In practice, there were situations when jurors were to wait for fees for a long time. Such facts were revealed by Russias Auditing Chamber, he stated. Good evening everyone! We're back with another great episode of 'Long Story Short' where we recap Central Illinois news from Lee Enterprises' journalists. In this week's episode, reporters Kelsey Watznauer and Sierra Henry discuss Rivian Automotive delivery delays, legislative redistricting, and how to plan the perfect summer road trip. Subscribe to 'Long Story Short' for free at iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. Music by Podington Bear. Stories mentioned in this week's 'Long Story Short': Democratic redistricting map passes legislature, heads to Prtizkers desk. Republican lawmakers call on Pritzker to veto legislative map. Mattoon City Council approves Dunkin, career training center project requests. Bloomington-Normal community leaders react to federal hate crime bill. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Demand for mental health help surged during COVID. Heres how McLean County responded. Blood donations needed in Central Illinois after pandemic slowdown. Charleston Middle School students clean up rural Ashmore cemetery. Illinois House allows college athletes to sign endorsements. Root seeks 'smooth transition' after court declares him winner of '18 race for Macon Co. sheriff. Former Ridgeview teacher sentenced to eight years in prison in sexual assault case. Ready for an Illinois road trip? Heres where to go Contact Sierra Henry at 309-820-3234. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_sierrahenry. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DECATUR Macon County Sheriff Tony Brown announced Friday that he will step down from the position, ending a court battle over the 2018 election. Brown said during a press conference he will not follow through on a previously stated plan to appeal an order from Champaign County Circuit Court Judge Anna M. Benjamin that found that Jim Root won the sheriff's race by 16 votes. "It's time for us to heal," said Brown, a Democrat. "We're seeing everything that's going on within this country and within our community. We need to put this to an end ... and stop the division." Interim chief to apply for Bloomington top cop job Greg Scott and any other prospective candidate can begin applying to be Bloomington's next police chief on Monday, when the city's national search officially launches. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. A legal battle for the sheriff's office began shortly after initial results showed that GOP candidate Root lost the election by a single vote and has continued ever since. With Brown's announcement, he said he was putting an end to the saga and encouraging the community to come together. Brown had also said he would request that he be able to remain as sheriff pending the outcome of the appeal process. He said the appeal would focus on those early voting ballots cast at the Macon County Clerk's Office that were deemed void because they lacked identifying marks from an election judge. Speaking Friday, Brown reiterated his disappointment that those votes were not counted in the end. But he said the county is bigger than one individual, and noted that the county and the sheriff's office have been divided by the issue over the past two and a half years. "Due to this reason, I have decided not to appeal the judge's decision and will assist in any way I can to help Sheriff Jim Root to have a successful transition as Macon County Sheriff," Brown said. "I have proudly served Macon County citizens for 31 years, and I'm announcing my retirement effective Monday, June 28. Remember, just because I retire from the sheriff's office don't mean I retire from this community." Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Statue of Liberty could be getting company from her native France. Paris' acclaimed Pompidou Center announced plans Friday to open a satellite museum in what is now a gutted industrial building in New Jersey's Jersey City, not far from where Lady Liberty stands in New York Harbor. Centre Pompidou x Jersey City, scheduled to open in 2024, would be the French museum's first venture in North America, said Centre Pompidou President Serge Lasvignes. It currently has sites in Metz, France; Shanghai, China; Malaga, Spain; and Brussels, Belgium. The satellite would be completed in time for the start of a major renovation of the Pompidou's landmark Paris museum, which houses more than 120,000 modern works of art in its unique architecture of exposed colored pipes and air ducts. Jersey City hasnt historically been widely visited by the hordes of tourists who come to New York City area each year, but it is an easy train ride from Lower Manhattan. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. While the French would provide the art and expertise, Jersey City would provide the cash. The small city would pay up to $6 million phased in over the cost of the five-year contract for the Pompidous exhibitions, projects and educational programming, Mayor Steven Fulop said. In addition, the city would have to cover the estimated $30 million it would cost to renovate the Pathside Building. The mayor said he was mindful of not handing the bill to taxpayers. Fulop said the money would be raised through donations and through the creation of a special improvement district for businesses in the Journal Square area to share the costs from a project that would benefit them. We can afford this, Fulop said. The plan to create the partnership next goes to the City Council, which Fulop said has been kept in the loop. Jersey City acquired the 58,000-square-foot (5,400-square-meter) Pathside Building in 2018. It was built in 1912 as an office building for a utility and was last used by a community college. The building is located in Journal Square, where an average of 22,500 commuters daily ride trains between New Jersey and New York City, officials said. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Regarding the search for a new police chief in Bloomington: it is time to give the Public Safety and Community Relations Board a formal role in that selection process. The PSCRB should be able to interview candidates for the police chief position and make recommendations to the City Manager. Being a relatively new city commission, PSCRB has at times struggled to establish their purview. For example, as I discovered when attending one of their quarterly meetings, it turns out they are not automatically given access to all complaints filed against BPD. Isnt this a no-brainer? If PSCRB is supposed to recommend policy changes, it needs to know what all filed complaints are about, and not just those complaints that BPD chooses to share. The new provision in the Illinois omnibus crime bill has made filing a complaint easier by eliminating the notarized sworn statement. The opinion piece Labor shortage 'hitting ag community hard' (Pantagraph website) requires a reply to set the record straight. In our capitalist economy, employers must attract and retain employees by offering competitive wages and working conditions. When growers abide by these free-market rules and treat farmworkers reasonably well, they get the benefit of a reliable, stable workforce. Nonetheless, the author complains that farmworkers wages have risen in recent years. In fact, these modest wage increases are good news. Consumers prefer purchasing food that was grown under humane conditions. And farmworkers -- some of the lowest paid workers in the country -- deserve more than their current poverty-level pay. The men and women who harvest our crops and milk the nations cows work under dangerous conditions, encountering extreme heat, toxic pesticides, and recently, COVID-19. And most federal and state laws deny farmworkers important workplace safety protections that cover other laborers. Rarely do they receive fringe benefits such as paid sick leave, paid vacation, or health insurance. Is it any wonder that some agricultural employers have difficulty finding and keeping workers? Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. The authors proposed solution of lowering wage rates under the H-2A agricultural guestworker program is misguided. The program is already unfair to U.S. and foreign farmworkers and leaves them vulnerable to mistreatment from unscrupulous employers. The most important action Congress can take is to pass legislation that grants undocumented farmworkers the opportunity for immigration status and citizenship. Doing so will help establish a responsible agricultural system that benefits growers, workers, and consumers. Bruce Goldstein, Farmworker Justice, Washington, D.C. Love 3 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. If youre a gamer still rocking out with a graphics card thats best for 1080p displays, we've got just the monitor for you. Today only, Newegg is selling a 24-inch Samsung high refresh rate curved gaming monitor with FreeSync for $130Remove non-product link, down from $170. To get the discount, you'll need to use the code EMCEXET49 at checkout. The deal expires just before midnight on Friday evening, Pacific time. The Samsung C24RG50 is a VA panel with a 178-degree viewing angle, a 4-millisecond response time, and a maximum 144Hz refresh rate, while AMDs FreeSync adaptive sync delivers buttery smooth gaming visuals with almost no stutter and screen tearing. AMDs FreeSync site says this monitor supports FreeSync all the way up to 144Hz via both DisplayPort and HDMI. The C24RG50 has an 1800R curvature, a nice, gentle curve that will offer plenty of immersion, especially if you're coming from a flat-screen display. And while the display's 24-inch size isn't huge, it's still a solid choice for gamers on a budget. [Todays deal: 24-inch Samsung 144Hz FreeSync 1080p curved monitor for $130 at Newegg.Remove non-product link] The Chief Executive Officer of leading steel manufacturing company in West Africa B5 Plus Limited, Mukesh Thakwani has been named the Industrialist of the year at this years Ghana Manufacturing Awards. The fifth edition of the awards was held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on May 28, 2021 with stakeholders in the business industry in attendance. The awards is to identify projects and individual achievements that have enabled manufacturers to set themselves apart from their competitors and produced clear and compelling value, return on investment, and other relevant results. The event which is organised by Xodus Communications in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Business Development brought about over 200 manufacturers together at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra. With his enormous contributions to the manufacturing sector, Mr. Thakwani has bestowed the honour after beating off competition from other notable nominees. Receiving the awards, the astute businessman was grateful to the organizers for the recognition and believes the award will go a long way to keep him on his toes to do more for the sector. He was also grateful to workers at B5 Plus Limited for their dedication to the growth of the company and urged them to continue working harder for the betterment of Ghana. He dedicated the awards to the entire staff at B5 Plus Limited who have been behind the company through tick and thin. Mr. Mukesh Thakwani is considered to be one of the leading businessmen in Ghana, endowed with an enterprising spirit and the ability to discern future trends. Being a visionary, he made B5 Plus grow by leaps and bounds within a short span of time. As such, Duke of Edinburghs International Awards Association has honoured Mr. Mukesh V. Thakwani for his generous contribution towards the socio-economic development of Ghana. 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 Ghanaian-based steel manufacturing company, B5 Plus Limited have been named as the best investment company of the year at the West Africa Regional Magazine Awards (TWARM). The awards night held at the Volta Serene Hotel in the Volta Regional capital, Ho saw some highly rated Ghanaian entrepreneurs and business owners honoured for their extraordinary contributions to the growth of the countrys economy. The West African Regional Magazine (TWARM) Achievers, Business and Leadership Awards celebrates individuals and organisation for their achievements and excellence in various sectors. The event was rebranded as TWARM with the inclusion of awardees from across the continent. The event brought together some movers and shakers in the manufacturing, real estate, digital and electronic, hotel and tourism sectors among others. The awards ceremony was organised to celebrate Africa leading lights and Achievers. The TWARM achievers awards is presented to individuals and corporations in the business and political arena who have stood out in excellence in their various fields of endeavour. B5 Plus Ghana Company Ltd is a West African, manufacturing, fabricating, and trading enterprise with the vision to become the worlds steel industry benchmark through the excellence of its people, its innovative approach and overall conduct. With corporate headquarters in Tema Ghana, today, B5 Plus Limited operate in all the ECOWAS Countries, with a significant presence in African steel as an integrated manufacturer of steel and finished steel products. The principal product is steel products which come in seven major categories: Mild Steel, High Tensile & Iron Rods, Galvanized Products, Stainless Steel, Marine & Mining, Roofing & Nails and Concrete & Fencing. As a supplier, B5 Plus Limited are an accessible business partner who can ensure quality and security of supply, and value strong relationships with their customers and believe that commercial relationships are a learnt skill. 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 parents of Oheneba Nkrabea, one of the Rastafarian students who was initially denied admission to Achimota School have confirmed that he was given a warm welcome when he reported to the school Thursday morning. The mother of the student Madam Maana Myers said he was welcomed on campus by the Day Students School Prefect. She said the Prefect also said Oheneba was going to be her student during his time at the school. "It was the day students prefect who approached us in a very warm and nice manner and asked Oheneba whether he was a day student or a boarder and she said you are going to be our school son," Madam Myers said in an interview on Joy FM. She said the Prefect also gave the assurance that "nobody was going to do anything to him and if he had any problem, he should just approach her". Madam Myers said the words of the prefect were very reassuring. The Judgment Delivering the judgment on the case of two Rastafarian boys, Justice Gifty Agyei Addo held that the Attorney-General failed to provide a legal justification as to why the rights of the two Rastafarian students to education should be limited on the basis of their dreadlocks. Tyrone Marhguy and Oheneba Nkrabea were denied admission into Achimota School for refusing to shave off their dreadlocks notwithstanding that they had passed their qualifying examinations, and, had been selected into the school through the computerized placement system. The school through the Attorney General argued in court that allowing the students into the school will have dire consequences on the schools discipline, health, tradition, and community cohesion. The Attorney General subsequently argued in Court that the Rastafarian students had not even completed or returned their acceptance of admission forms and could thus not be deemed to have been denied the admission. But for the students, their parents, and lawyers, this was simply a case of a breach of fundamental rights on the basis of their religion and religious practices. Justice Gifty Adjei Addo disagreed with the submissions of the Attorney and granted all the reliefs separately sought by the students, save for the relief of compensation in the case of Tyrone Marhguy. According to Justice Addo, it is preposterous for the Attorney General to have even suggested that the two were not students in the first place. Justice Gifty Adjei Addo consequently directed Achimota School to admit the two Rastafarian students. Listen to the audio below; https://soundcloud.com/bra-zurich/rasta-student-given-warm-welcome-at-achimota-school-parent 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 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police will in the next few weeks clamp down on the use of illegal number plates on vehicles. The DVLA in a statement said it "has noted with grave concern the manner in which vehicle owners and drivers embellish their vehicle number plate in fragrant disregard to provisions in the Road Traffic Regulation, 2012 (LI 2180)". The illegal activities include the following: 1. Embossment of wrong insignia 2. The use of other nations flags in place of the Ghana Flag 3. Italicised lettering on the number plate 4. The use of colours that are different from what is prescribed by Law; and the embellishment of number plates with different colours 5. Not having fixed number plates on the front a. rear of vehicles. "The Authority wishes to remind the motoring public that while Regulation 12 of the Road Traffic Regulation, 2012, L.I. 2180 makes it clear that the number plate of a motor vehicle or motorcycle shall be embossed with (a) a Ghana flag (b) the country identification mark GH., Regulation 7 states explicitly that a person in charge of a motor vehicle shall fix a number plate (a) in a manner that makes the number plate not to be easily detachable, (b) in an upright position or within fifteen degrees of that position (c) in a manner that makes each letter and figure legible. Besides, Regulation 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation, 2012, L.I. 2180 also stipulates that a person in charge of a motor vehicle number shall fix the two number plates (a) on the front and rear sides of the motor vehicle, and (b) on the front and rear sides of a trailer," the statement said. "The Authority stresses that, in addition to providing a critical unique feature on the vehicle to establish ownership and a special identification for compliance with statutory provisions, the material characteristics of the License plate also include retro-reflectivity and enhances plate visibility thereby providing easy means of distinguishing the registration information of the vehicle. It is, therefore, unlawful that these plates should be tampered with". See examples of the illegal embellished number plates published by the DVLA on Facebook; 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 Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has advised African countries making discoveries of oil and gas not to raise the hope of their citizenry that their fortunes will change overnight. Rather, they should focus on harnessing the resources by establishing the needed infrastructure. Dr Prempeh said it was natural that oil discovery and activities in the other extractive sectors came with high expectations; however, it was important that managers of oil resources made the people know that such discoveries would not automatically lead to the transformation of their lives overnight. The minister gave the advice at the plenary session of the ongoing 14th German-African Energy Forum in Germany, where he shared Ghanas experience with Senegal, which has recently discovered oil, thereby joining the league of oil-producing nations in Africa. Event The 14th German-African Energy Forum, which began in Hamburg, Germany yesterday, will end on June 10, 2021. The event, which is taking place both in person and through a virtual platform, is on the theme: Regaining momentum: Africas energy leading to a smart, green and inclusive economic transformation. It is focusing on innovative solutions for a carbon-neutral economic transformation of the African continent, renewable energies such as hydropower, power-to-x, green energy solutions for local value addition and the scaling up of off-grid energy solutions. Managing expectations Sharing Ghanas experience, a country which discovered oil over a decade ago, Dr Prempeh said as a new member of oil-producing nations, the important thing to do was for Senegal to manage the expectations of the people. He said striking oil and gas increased the expectations of the people of seeing a rapid transformation in their lives, given the value placed on the natural resource. Once there is talk of oil being found in ones territory, there will be expectations and you have to start moderating to get the people to understand what is at stake, the minister added. The industry requires skills and, therefore, as the country prepares for the development and production processes, skills acquisition should not be ignored, as that will guarantee local content and local participation, he added. He said one other important area of the industry was gas production, explaining that gas was more important than crude oil, since it (gas) could lead to the speedy industrialisation of the nation. As Senegal prepares to produce oil, it must have a facility in place to monetise the gas due to the enormous benefits that come with it, he said. Oil was discovered in Senegal in the early 1960s; however, large reserves for commercial exploitation were only found in recent years. Now, offshore oil and gas fields are being managed by companies such as BP and Kosmos Energy. 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 Sakora-Wonoo, a farming community near Bonwire in the Kwabre East District in the Ashanti Region, was rendered too small to receive the great number of mourners who thronged the town to mourn the passing of a former General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie. As early as 7 a.m. Thursday, vehicles, many of them cross-country, began arriving with people from all walks of life, particularly NPP members and the political class, to file past the remains of the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission. Popularly known as Sir John, his laying in state and burial later in the day also attracted a large number of members of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) faith, lawyers, forestry sector value chain actors, ordinary people who had gone there to either mourn or catch a glimpse of the body, as well as media practitioners who had set up for a comprehensive coverage of the funeral. Schools were closed in anticipation of the large crowds that could disrupt classes. By 11 a.m., vehicles still entering the town had to park far away and walk almost a kilometre to the funeral ground, as the place where the pre-burial service was held had no further space to accommodate them. Chaperons of the funeral, especially those charged with maintaining the COVID-19 protocols, had a hectic time compelling mourners to comply with them. Mourners were allowed onto the barricaded Wonoo Basic School Park for the funeral only if they were in face masks and after completing a temperature screening, hand-washing or hand-sanitising. For the many others who could not be admitted in, there was very little social distancing, and as most of them moved around in the hot sun, they took off their masks. Attendance Among the tall list of dignitaries at the funeral were President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his wife, Rebecca; the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife Samira; the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anim Yeboah, the Chief of Staff, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei Opare; the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, and the Minister of Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful. Almost the entire gathering welcomed the President and the Vice-President with enthusiastic cheering similar to that heard at political rallies. Also present were the Majority Leader of Parliament, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu; ministers of state, the CEOs of some public institutions, government agencies and state-owned enterprises, including that of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Dr K. K. Sarpong, who was a classmate of the late Owusu Afriyie at the Bekwai SDA Secondary School. The General Secretary of the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as General Mosquito, received cheers from the mourners when he led party faithful to file past the body of Sir John, with whom he used to lock horns in heated public debates when they were the general secretaries of their respective parties. Also catching the attention of mourners during the filing past was Auntie Hadiza, popularly known as Zongo Pioneer, who touts herself as the one-woman supporter of the NPP. She was seen leading a large retinue of head porters, known in Kumasi as 'Paa-oo-paa', with pans on their heads as they circled the open casket of the deceased lawyer and politician. Security There was heavy security presence in the town and the funeral grounds to ensure law and order. The security personnel also contributed to ensure that the mourners complied with the COVID-19 protocols. Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service and the National Ambulance Service were also stationed on the premises in anticipation of any eventuality. Deplorable road Although residents of the town had, barely two months ago, expressed disgust about the poor road network in the community, for which they had even threatened to boycott the funeral and even prevent public officers from attending the funeral, tempers had gone down with time. According to some residents who spoke with the Daily Graphic, they believed the government would listen to their pleas for the road to be fixed and were disappointed that not much changed ahead of the funeral. The Assembly Member for the area, Mr Kwasi Manu, said the earlier plan for residents to boycott the funeral was cancelled "because Sir John is a hero and needs to be given a solemn last respect. He appealed to President Akufo-Addo to honour his late friend with some infrastructural development in the town, such as fixing the deplorable Sakora-Wonoo road. Tribute President Akufo-Addo, who was the last to pay his respects before the casket was closed for a 30-minute burial service, eulogised the former General Secretary of the NPP as a stalwart who believed in people and urged them to strive to achieve their potential. When he took the rostrum, the President recalled how the late Sir John had prophesied that he, Nana Akufo-Addo, would become the President of the country, even if he sat in a wheelchair. "For me, that statement reinforced my belief that I could always count on Sir John, as he was affectionately known, as the 'only Knight' in Ghanaian politics, as a true Akufo-Addo loyalist and someone I could call a good friend, the President said. He described the late Owusu Afriyie as energetic, ebullient, jovial, with an exceptional sense of humour and possessing a limitless store of folktale and proverbs, saying: He is truly unforgettable. President Akufo-Addo said the NPP and the government owed Sir John an immense debt for his work and commitment. He expressed his deepest condolences and those of his wife, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, to Sir John's family, saying he would widely be missed. Resting place Sir John's remains were finally interred in a large gated tomb built in the form of a one-bedroom house along the main road leading to Sakora-Wonoo. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Asantehemaa, Nana Yaa Konadu Yiadom III, bid Sir John farewell with gold dust, which would be buried with him in honour of his immense contribution to the development of Asanteman. Profile Born on March 23, 1952, Owusu Afriyie lost both parents at a tender age and, therefore, had to be raised by his maternal uncle, Opanyin Yaw Amoateng, and his wife, Abena Saah. He was an ardent member of the SDA Church and music enthusiast, with affinity for SDA chorals. Sir John, himself a leader of a quartet musical group in his heyday at Sakora-Wonoo, composed songs for the group which he also led to perform. Education Owusu Afriyie had his basic education at Sakora-Wonoo after which he attended the Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School in Bekwai from where he obtained his GCE Ordinary level certificate. He then proceeded to obtain his GCE Advanced level certificate from Konongo Odumase Secondary School in Konongo, and upon completion, proceeded to the University of Ghana to study political science. After earning his bachelor's degree, he enrolled at the Ghana School of Law in 1979 and was called to the bar in 1981 and was admitted as a solicitor and counsel for the Supreme Court of Ghana. Having practised Law in Ghana for some years, he moved to the United Kingdom to settle there in the late 1980s, Afriyie entered into private law practice in 1981. During the John Agyekum Kufour administration, he was appointed head of legal services at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation. Political career After returning from the United Kingdom, Sir John also became actively engaged in Ghanaian politics, joining the NPP. He eventually won the party's national elections to serve as the general secretary from 2010 to 2014, but lost his bid to secure a second term to Kwabena Agyepong. It was after that famous disappointing loss, that in a radio interview, he expressed his shock and summed it up with a quote that became as famous as his personality Fear delegates.' 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 United Nations Childrens Funds (UNICEF) has removed a controversial report which asserted that children are unaffected by viewing sexually explicit material. UNICEF in the report titled Digital Age Assurance Tools and Childrens Rights Online concluded that pornography may not always be harmful to children. The report suggested that children could be able to access sexually explicit material according to their age and maturity and that children have a human right to access pornography online and through sex education. "There are several different kinds of risks and harms that have been linked to children's exposure to pornography, but there is no consensus on the degree to which pornography is harmful to children," the report reads. "Prominent advocates point to research arguing that access to pornography at a young age is linked with poor mental health, sexism and objectification, sexual aggression and other negative outcomes.127 The evidence suggests that some children appear to be harmed by exposure to some kinds of pornography at least some of the time, but that the nature and extent of that harm vary. "There is conflicting evidence regarding how many children worldwide are accessing pornography online, and how often. Some studies have found that boys are more likely to experience greater exposure to pornography at an earlier age, and they are more likely to be exposed to violent or abusive images such as rape, whereas girls are more likely to be subject to involuntary or problematic exposure. The 2020 EU Kids Online study compared survey findings from 19 European countries and found that in most countries, most children who saw sexual images online were neither upset nor happy (ranging from 27 per cent in Switzerland to 72 per cent in Lithuania); between 10 per cent and 4 per cent were fairly or very upset, and between 3 per cent of children (in Estonia) and 39 per cent (in Spain) reported feeling happy after seeing such images". The report (screengrab above) has since been removed from the UNICEF website with unconfirmed edited versions making the rounds on some US right-wing family websites. 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 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will be going to the polls although the specific date has not been announced by the Elections Committee. Following the filing of nominations two weeks ago, many aspirants have expressed interest in contesting for various positions including the Presidency. Three strong men have expressly declared their intentions and determination to take over from Affail Monney, the incumbent President whose tenure of office expired in November last year. The aspirants are, Dave Agbenu, former General Secretary of the GJA and current Editor of the Ghanaian Times Newspaper, Gayheart Edem Mensah, former Communications Director of Vodafone Ghana, Tullow Oil Ghana, and Barclays Bank, and Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, a PR and Media consultant, current National Organizing Secretary of the GJA, Former Managing Director of Atinka Media Village, Head of Corporate Affairs of Tobinco Group, which has 11 subsidiaries and CEO of De Westend Communications, publishers of the Daily Analyst and Business Analyst Newspapers . All the aforementioned personalities have had the opportunity of serving at the highest level either in the private sector or public sectors, therefore, they have all been viewed as qualified enough to occupy the GJA Presidency in their individual rights and based on personal records. WHAT GJA DELEGATES MUST KNOW Among the three contestants vying for the Presidency, Gayheart Edem Mensah is the oldest and Albert Kwabena Dwumfour is the youngest, but vibrant. Among the three personalities asking for delegates votes, Dave Agbenu, is the only one in public service, the other two are in the private sector. WHY GJA MEMBERS WILL SETTLE ON ALBERT KWABENA DWUMFOUR Although relatively young, Albert Dwumfour has personally achieved so much economic prosperity in the private sector with an impeccable track record of setting up the Atinka Media Village which has become a force to reckon with in the Ghanaian media landscape, employing hundreds of Ghanaians and winning awards from credible organizations for compelling TV content like Di Asa and Kronkron. The other two aspirants although have had the benefit of serving in various capacities, they have never ever managed staff running into hundreds, except holding forth as departmental heads. The contribution of all the three aspirants to the development, sustenance and growth of the GJA cannot be discounted, but in terms of the personality who has touched lives within the Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour stands tall. He has made the welfare of members, his priority, and primary responsibility, primarily to create an enduring bond between the top and bottom of the GJA. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour cannot be sacrosanct, therefore had his flaws, but his welfare brush has touched every Tom -Dick and Harry in the executive branch of the Association at the regional and national levels. He has leveraged on the scope of his private sector network to advance the cause of the GJA. This private sector network maneuvering to secure opportunities for the Association, manifested itself during the series of GJA awards organized in the last three years. He is the only candidate who has traveled to every corner of this country, attending funerals and important functions of members especially on matters that affect regional executives of the GJA. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has been described as the backbone of the current national executives following the display of true leadership qualities, practically exhibited during his tenure, in managing the welfare and difficulties of regional executives even occasionally at the blind side of other national executives. His determination to lead the GJA, many contend, stems on the fact that the bigger the platform he gets, the mightier his service will assume to members and the Association. He leads humanity with humility, for tranquility and stability. His major weapons as an aspiring presidential candidate of the GJA, have already been built around him, thus, his personality naturally creates room for accessibility. His humility, generosity and wider network, also create opportunities for members who intend to grow and remain professional in their duties as media practitioners. AFFABLE For many of the journalists who will make the ultimate decision, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour remains the most affable. He has leveraged on this exceptional quality to make friends, create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility among the rank and file of the GJA. PRIDE/HUMILITY As an executive of the Association, I have worked with Albert Dwumfuor, and can attest to the fact that he is naturally humble. Unfortunately, his confidence level has been misinterpreted and misconstrued by many non-reliable members of the Association to mean pride, but he is never a man with an irritating ego, as others. CHANGE AGENT/NON-CONFORMIST Albert Dwumfour has been described by conservatives within the Association as a non-conformist because of his desire to bring change to bear, but only people with misplaced agenda and myopic mindset will buy into these presumptions. Those who truly want decisive change, are strongly rooting for the change agent, because he has vision and has been adequately prepared in his exploits in the private sector with the capacity to occupy any position including the GJA Presidency. HONESTY/TALKATIVE For many who are still leaving in their dreams, the sincerity of Albert Dwumfour, in calling a spade a spade, connotes being a talkative, because his honesty is not only biting hard and breaking the glass ceiling, but building the future of the GJA on a firm foundation. This quality, is certainly far from the appetizing assumptions cajoling the ignorance of feeble minds bent on destroying the fortunes of the GJA. AGE FACTOR Leadership all over the world has never been premised on years, or measured based on age, but experience and exceptional qualities manifestly justified by privileged ones who have had the opportunity of serving and leading. Albert Dwumfour is older than most of the Ministers of state occupying various positions in government at the moment and yet only the qualities they exhibit determines how they perform in office and not anything about their ages. The GJA members are wide awake and are very prepared to elect the peoples choice, the man of the moment, the leader we can all trust, believe, see, feel, and work with. He stands tall. Your vote for Albert Kwabena Dwumour is just going to be the beginning of the transformation of the GJA. Source: Zambaga Rufai Saminu 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 NPP Deputy Communications Director, Kamal-Deen Abdulai says he is enthused that the Rastafarian students who were refused enrollment into Achimota school have won their lawsuit. Parents of the students refused to let the decision of the management of the Achimota school cause their children to shave their dreadlocks, which was the only condition for them to be enrolled. They sued the school, the Education Minister, Attorney General and Ghana Education Service (GES). The Human Rights Division of the High Court that heard the case ruled in favour of the students, ordering the school to admit them with their dreadlocks. The students won the case on grounds that the Achimota school decision is a breach of their fundamental human rights. However, the court ruling has been met with criticisms. Some critics fear the ruling may have opened the floodgate for all manner of behaviours on the various campuses. The critics argued that, if the Rasta students can go to the Achimota school on a religious basis, then some students may dress or keep their hair anyhow and also claim it is their religion. But to Kamal-Deen, the matter is being overstretched. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Kamal-Deen believed the court ruling is in the right order, arguing that every person must respect each other's religious beliefs. When asked if the Rasta students were his children, he would tell them to still attend the Achimota school, he answered in the affirmative. "I am happy that they went to the court to test the law to the extent the court has ruled that their fundamental human right was being trampled upon and so we should leave them to go to the school. That will inspire them and everyone to know the children, they're indeed assets to us and assets to the world. For me, psychologically, I don't think it will affect them," he stated. 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 Kamal-Deen Abdulai, Deputy Commuications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party, has cautioned the authorities of Achimota school not to intimidate the Rastafarian students admitted into the school. The students were initially not permitted to enroll because of their dreadlocks. Headmistress of the Achimota school asked them to shave the dreadlocks before they would be allowed into the school but their parents dissented to the instruction and as a result, sued the school, Attorney General, Ghana Education Service and the Minister of Education. They presented their case before the Human Rights Division of the High Court, praying the court to declare that the failure and or refusal of the 1st Respondent (Achimota School Board of Governors) to admit or enroll the Applicant on the basis of his Rastafarian religious inclination, beliefs and culture characterized by his keeping of Rasta, is a violation of his fundamental human rights and freedoms'' and further sought "an order directed at [Achimota School] to immediately admit or enroll the applicant to continue with his education unhindered''. The court, on Monday, May 31st, ruled that the Achimota school should admit the students. As the students attend the school, Kamal-Deen has admonished the authorities not to single out the students. He emphasized that the "authorities have a role to play in making sure the children are comfortable on campus''. He asked them to treat the students without prejudice or subject them to any kind of unfair treatment. ''Their future is in your hands. If you think they have gone to court for the court to rule that they should be admitted by force and so we will treat them in a way that they will not feel good, that will also not be good to them. There are some teachers who are fixated. They are against Rastafarianism; they're against a child with dreadlocks. The way you will teach and when the child ask question, the way you will respond, the way you will respond; the way you'll talk to him, you'll intimidate the child and if care is not taken, he will not be able to study well...Obviously, it is better you give them same leverage you will be giving to other children." He also advised the students to comport themselves on campus by abiding by all rules and regulations. ''Man is actually [if you like] subject to change. The child must abide by the regulations. That he will not dirty himself or influence other students to adopt a bad behaviour and so forth. Who says there are people, who on this earth, who don't carry locks and are not bad? When you take peer pressure; there are a lot of children in Secondary school who don't carry locks . . . I remember there was somebody who got me to smoke cigarette some time ago; he wasn't carrying locks. When I reached a stage where I felt it wasn't good for me, I left it," he added. Kamal-Deen spoke to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' Friday morning. 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 Head of Psychology at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo, has advised parents of the Rastafarian students of the Achimota school to vigilantly monitor their children as they go to the school. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Professor Joseph Osafo explained that, even though the students have won their court case to go to the Achimota school, they however will have some psychological effects resulting from their lawful action against the school. He noted that the students may feel stigmatized on campus and so called on their parents to draw more closer to them, encouraging and helping them to grow tougher skin to ridicules and stigma that may potentially characterize their stay in the school. "Labels create what we call stigma . . . The default of our mind is negativity. The mind is wired to be negative. That's how it is. So, when somebody, who doesn't know you, meets you; that default state is there. What you don't want to do is to act in a way that will validate what is in there," he said, adding "if the child's parents don't monitor him well, he may live the labels. In other words, he will act in consonance to the labels . . . The child can feel very much stigmatized even at the classroom". He advised the students to undergo pyschological therapy in school. 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 Madam Shani Cooper-Zubida, Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone has commended the government for the effective and efficient steps towards ensuring the safety of everyone in Ghana at the height of the COVID-19. At that time, many people in other countries were traumatised because of the COVID-19 pandemic but I and my family felt safe in Ghana. The government took good care of its citizens and guests like me, she said. Madam Cooper-Zubida said this when she paid a farewell courtesy call on the management of the Ghana News Agency after a three-year duty tour. Mrs Beatrice Akua Asamani Savage, Director of Editorial at GNA, and her team, welcomed Madam Cooper-Zubida and her officials. Madam Cooper-Zubida said her short stay in the country, which was marked by the warm Ghana hospitality on arrival, had been memorable and that so that much had been achieved in the areas of education, entrepreneurship, trade and health through bilateral relations of the two countries. Madam Cooper-Zubida stated that the two countries had worked together in the areas of technology transfer, education, real estate, agro development and exchange programmes. Our approach is not to impose technology on a country but we work with experts in that country to develop the solutions. Currently extension officers across Ghana were undertaking online tailored programmes designed by the Agriculture Ministry and their counterpart from Israel to help boost crop production, she said. Israel, she said, had trained more that 150 agricultural students through 11 month-long practical trainings in the Agrostudies programme. Madam Cooper-Zubida stated that the Israeli Trade and Economic Mission continued to encourage more investments and more business between the countries in Agriculture. One of such was the GHrowIL Agriculture conference that brought to Ghana 18 Israeli companies to meet key players in the Agriculture sector of Ghana for business. The great partnerships forged at this event have led to bilateral business agreements in diverse areas of Agriculture Technology, she said. The Ambassador noted that, during her tour, she made Ghana a priority in the Isreali Foreign Ministry programing, resulting in the opening of new economic mission, pushed to sign more agreements and had resulted in the rise of Ghanaian issues in Israeli public sphere. Madam Cooper-Zubida recounted that Israeli investors were eager to take advantage of Ghanas business-friendly environment to invest in the economy give jobs and create wealth for the people. She noted that the Embassy held the maiden edition of the Israel Green Innovation Competition for Start-ups and trained senior officials in the innovation field, to identify Ghana with a conducive environment for thriving innovators in Africa. Madam Cooper-Zubida said Ghana and Israel had had successful bilateral relations, adding that there had been high profile visits from Israel as well as cooperation in various areas, which had been of mutual benefit to both countries. Madam Cooper-Zubida informed that the Ghana-Israel Business Chamber, University of Ghana Medical Centre and scholarships to Ghanaian students were some of the benefits of Ghana and Israel bilateral relations. She revealed that, about 2,000 Ghanaian students had benefited from MASHAV (Israels Agency for International Development and Cooperation) training programmes since 1958. Madam Cooper-Zubida commended the Ghana News Agency for remaining balanced, credible and important role it played in the media landscape. Mrs Asamani said the GNA would continue to be fair and balance in its reportage and that it would not compromise its credibility as it pursued its core objective of national unity and development. She informed that the Ghana News Agency was the first national wire service in sub-Saharan Africa established on the 5th of March, 1957 by Ghanas first Prime Minister and President Kwame Nkrumah to disseminate truthful unbiased news and to tell the African story from an African perceptive. 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 UN human rights experts have called for the immediate release of some 21 lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans gender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) in Ghana. A statement issued by the UN experts on Friday 4 June condemned the arrest and detention of the suspects, describing the act as discriminatory. We are deeply concerned by the arrests of the human rights defenders. All evidence available to us points to the fact that they were detained while they were peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, the statement said. It added: Human rights defenders play a key role in protecting vulnerable groups from violence and discrimination and empowering them to claim their human rights. Ghana should ensure that no one is criminalised for defending the fundamental rights of LGBT people. The experts also pointed out that the root of the arrests allegedly lies in the criminalisation of consensual same-sex conduct. The 21 suspects are currently on remand and will reappear in court on 8 June. They were arrested on 21 May. The suspects, made up of 16 females and five males, were rounded up at a workshop, a statement from the police said. This is the third time in three months that the police have clamped down on the activities of LGBTQI in the country. Source: asaaseradio.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 former National Coordinator of the now-defunct Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA), Mr Abuga Pele, who is currently in jail for causing financial loss to the state, has been admitted to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) for some health challenges. Graphic.com.gh reports that a source at the hospital confirmed that Mr Pele was currently in critical condition at the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of the hospital, after he was taken there from the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison last week. It is not clear what the hospital is treating the incarcerated politician for. "He is currently on level two so that is a critical condition, the website quoted the source as saying. Mr Pele and businessman Philip Akpeena Assibit were sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison on February 23, 2018 for their involvement in the GH4.1 million GYEEDA scandal. The two were put before court in 2014. The court concluded that Mr Pele entered into an unlawful agreement with Mr Assibit, prevailing on the state to make payments when no work had been done. He has since served about three years at the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison from where he was rushed to the hospital on health grounds last week. False claims Mr Assibit, for his part, made false claims for payments to the tune of GH 3.3 million as services provided to the erstwhile National Youth Employment Programme. The said amount included developing an exit programme and securing a grant of GH65 million from the World Bank. Pele, who is also a former Member of Parliament for Chiana-Paga in the Upper East Region, is serving six years, while Assibit is serving 12 years in prison. Lower sentence The former MP was slapped with a lower sentence because the court held that there was no evidence that he benefited from the proceeds of the crime. Before sentencing, the lawyers pleaded with the presiding judge, Justice Afia Serwaah Asare Botwe, for lenient sentences. 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 Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John will be laid to rest today, Thursday, June 3, 2021, and a picture of a special tomb made for him has gone viral on social media. It has been revealed that the mortal remains of the politician will be laid in state at Sakora Wonoo Junior High School, in the Ashanti Region, and later put to rest at the Sakora Wonoo family cemetery. Before his demise, Sir John was one of the leading members of and former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission. The affable politician gave up the ghost at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Wednesday, July 1, 2020 after testing positive for coronavirus. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Phylx Akakpo (@iamphylxgh) Source: ghlinks.com.gh 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. Scientists have achieved a record wheat yield of 851.05 kg per mu, or 12,702.24 kg per hectare, in an experimental field in Yingquan district in East Chinas Anhui province, experts said in a CCTV report on Thursday. At the invitation of Fuyang Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, nine experts from Shandong Agricultural University, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences and Anhui Agricultural University formed an expert panel to assess the yield. They selected three plots randomly, harvested the wheat crops at the same time, bagged them and weighed them immediately. Moisture and impurities of the crops were also assessed by the panel. The assessment result showed the net weight of the 2.78-mu wheat reached 2,369.59 kg, an average of 851.05 kg per mu. That was higher than the average yield of 819.85 kg per mu last year, setting a provincial record for the third consecutive year. This wheat variety has been planted in seven provinces, with a planting area of more than 6 million mu. Former 2nd Vice Chairman for the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Saani says the approach of the Akufo-Addo government in the fight against Galamsey is an indication that the government lack ideas. His argument is based on the suggestion made by the former High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr George Ayisi Boateng to the government and soldiers embarking on Operation Halt II to open fire and kill the Galamseyers in order to win the war against the fight. Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Alhaji Saani slammed the suggestion, saying that such an approach cannot be welcomed in the country as it is the practice of South Korea to be killing people when they wrong. He added that the "shoot to kill" approach of the government is only attributed to those who lack ideas to fight against problems in their countries. I have never agreed to the shoot to kill approach in the fight against galamsey. Where such practice is taking place is North Korea. It is only those who lack ideas that go for the shoot to kill approach to fight against menace in a country, he slammed. He, however, said it is the Akufo-Addo governments lackadaisical attitude that has degenerated into the current crisis of galamsey [illegal mining]; thus, the burning of excavators has never been a better idea and to talk of killing a human being in an attempt to fight against galamsey. How can this be the last resort in the fight against galamsey? I disagree with this government. Why cant this government sit down and select people who can think and come up with a final solution to address the menace?, he wondered. He was of the view that President Akufo-Addo should have punished the Minister responsible for keeping the seized excavators after they vanished into thin air in the first operation. It is simply lack of thinking; the government is not thinking well. That is not the only option, to burn machines. I dont think so. There are many options for the government to adopt except to burn the excavators and the suggestion of shoot to kill approach, he posited. We have to sit down and think of a better solution. What happens after shooting to kill the people who are engaging in galamsey?" he rhetorically asked. Watch video below Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The attention of the NPP General Secretary, John Boadu, has been drawn to a statement with the above caption, which has been making rounds on social media, and is purported to come from one Alhassan Muniru, who claimed to be the President of Concerned NPP Members, Northern Region. The statement is replete with spurious and unsubstantiated allegations against the person of the General Secretary, including claims that the General Secretary had defied his own ground rules of a temporary ban on all forms of campaign activities on the impending NPP internal National Executives contest slated for 2022. Ordinarily, the General Secretary would not dignify such blatant falsehoods and mischief perpetrated by persons who are not even bold enough to own their statement, and are hiding behind pseudo groups to advance their interest. However, conscious of the likelihood that some unsuspecting members of the public including party people who may have seen this statement, may be tempted to give it some modicum of substance in the absence of credible information to the contrary, the General Secretary has found it necessary to respond to the allegations and expose its blatant falsity. To start with, it is not true that the NPP, through the General Secretary, has issued any statement or drafted any ground rules governing the conduct of the 2022 national officers elections, where it has placed a temporary ban on all forms of campaign activities, contrary to what has been claimed in the said mischievous statement. It therefore cannot be true that the General Secretary is intimidating or disadvantaging his potential contenders with any tactic such as placing a temporary ban on their campaign activities as falsely claimed in the statement. However, what is true is that, the party is currently in the process of considering a draft code of ethics and guidelines for pre-elections period in respect of the conduct of the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary primaries. Indeed, at the last National Council meeting of the party, held on Monday, 31st May, 2021, a 5-member committee chaired by Lawyer Frank Davies, was constituted to fine-tune the proposed code of ethics for the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary primaries, before details of the code of ethics are made public. How can a code of ethics and for that matter rules which have not been finalized nor made public, be said to be in force? In any case, the code of ethics, as indicated, only applies to Presidential and Parliamentary primaries. There is also no evidence that the party has taken or is taking steps to gag, prevent, or sanction any prospective aspirant for any national executives position for breaches of non-existing rules. So, what exactly is the point of these mischief makers? Secondly, it is also not true that the General Secretary was recently engaged in his personal campaign activities in the Northern part of the country, under the guise of meeting regional and constituency party executives, as claimed in the statement. It must be noted that the work of a General Secretary of a serious political party like the NPP is not constricted to the national capital, Accra. The General Secretary, per the NPP Constitution, is in charge of the general operations and administration of the party at all levels and in all the 16 regions and 275 constituencies of the country. And so, since his election as General Secretary of the party, John Boadu has been crisscrossing every nook and cranny of the country to ensure that the party is functioning properly across all the levels of the party structure and organization. It would also be recalled that, as part of his usual rounds, John Boadu, in the past week or two, embarked on a working visit to the 5-regions in the North, which occasion he used to monitor and participate in the ongoing vetting exercise for party members who have applied for appointment as MMDCEs. Again, prior to his recent rounds, the General Secretary, together with the National Chairman, Hon. Freddy Blay, had led all the national executives of the party on a nationwide thank you tour to touch base with the party grassroots, and energize its base in preparations for the next general elections. As they say, in the face of incontrovertible and verifiable facts and records, lies and propaganda will always be exposed to the glory of Allah. Signed Alhaji Iddi Muhayu-Deen Aide to John Boadu 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 Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has called for a holistic review of the 1992 Constitution. He said the COVID-19 pandemic and its unintended consequences had provided a good opportunity for the country to have a second look at the Constitution. At a stakeholder engagement with civil society organisations on economic revitalisation amid COVID-19, he said, Lets shift the focus from the economy to the 1992 Constitution and why I think the COVID-19 pandemic and its unintended economic consequences call for a holistic review of the Constitution. This is a time for reset and for us, there can be no better time amidst all the changes to take a look at the Constitution, he stated. He said his ministry would, therefore, engage civil society organisations, people in academia and other stakeholders to discuss issues related to the Constitution. Context The need to amend Ghanas 1992 Constitution has been a major concern in the last few years, with lots of people in politics, academia and civil society questioning the relevance of the Constitution now. Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who is the Majority Leader in Parliament, is, therefore, the latest individual to add his voice to the calls. Good governance The minister said CSOs existed by way of improving governance, identifying the gaps in political, social and economic administration and curing the misfits that they might have identified. The proposals they come up with will then extend to policies which will inform the various ministries and the formulation of the policies will not rest on the shoulders of the minister alone, but in consultation with all stakeholders. This dialogue and its outcome will certainly feed into the mid-year review that is scheduled for this second meeting of Parliament. It will be presented in July, possibly 26th to 29th, he noted. Economic impact of COVID-19 The Dean of Students at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin, who moderated the event, said the economic impact of COVID-19 might last for over 100 years. The government has so far responded well and quite swiftly, but there is still more to be done, he said. 41,000 jobs lost A Deputy Minister of Finance-designate, Ms Abena Osei Asare, who represented the Minister of Finance said preliminary assessments suggested that the extractive sector was hardly hit, while the hospitality industry almost collapsed. She said about 41,000 people had lost their jobs, with majority of them coming from the hospitality sector. She noted that the CARES Obatanpa programme, the setting up of the Development Bank and other initiatives from the government would help restructure the economy and propel growth. She said the government was also embarking on an aggressive domestic resource mobilisation which was needed to rebuild the economy. 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 Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, HE George Ayisi Boateng has said that the surest way to put an abrupt end to the galamsey menace which is fast depleting the country's natural resources is to shoot and kill those who are adamant to the government's call of withdrawing from galamsey sites. Defending his earlier argument, he didn't understand why people's selfish interests and quest for insatiable needs should cause the destruction of the forest reserves and deny some people their livelihood. Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he commended the government for its bold step to stop the illegal mining act, but however added that the burning of excavators will not only solve the problem. " . . they should also shoot to kill the recalcitrant ones who have defied the government's order and are constantly engaging in illegal mining," he suggested. "These illegal miners are constantly thwarting Akufo Addo's effort to end illegal mining. I know the President has good plans for the country but these illegal miners who think they need money more than our fathers who used their blood to protect these natural resources are using all foul means to destroy the land and water bodies." He reiterated that the government through the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources is doing a good job and the soldiers involved in the "Operation Halt" should compliment the government's effort by ensuring that the equipment and machinery of these illegal miners are totally burnt and destroyed. Watch video below A contingent of 200 troops has been deployed to clamp down on illegal mining activities destroying the countrys water bodies.President Akufo-Addo directed the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to deploy the soldiers in a renewed effort against illegal mining.A statement from the Information Ministry, which made the announcement, said the team commenced the operation on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, on the River Pra in the Central and Western Regions.It added that the move was to ensure that mining within water bodies is immediately stopped.This latest action to fight the menace, popularly known as galamsey, comes after the Stakeholder Dialogue on Small Scale Mining on April 14. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dancehall Artiste, Shatta Wale, has admonished media houses and DJs in Ghana to play 90 percent of Ghanaian music than music from other countries. Shatta Wale noted that the culture where music from Ghana receive less airplay as compared to music from other countries must cease with immediate effect. He said this while addressing his fans and the entire nation in a 'State of the Nation Address' (SONA) in his office on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. The musician, who was on a vacation in Miami, United States, noted that his trip offered him opportunities to meet major foreign music stakeholders and investors who awakened his passion to address pertinent issues affecting the music industry in Ghana. He stated the meetings with these stakeholders and investors helped him to identify the remedy for Ghana's crippling music industry. Shatta Wale opined that one significant factor to boost Ghana's music is for media houses, DJs and event organizers to prioritize the country's music. ''I want to propose the institution and the enforcement of a national agenda to prioritize Ghanaian music on our airwaves. Let's give Ghana music 90 percent and spread 10 percent for other countries. For this proposition to work, we all need hands on deck. Media house owners, DJs, event organizers, MUSIGA and every single stakeholder including the Government of Ghana; this must be a national agenda. Let's all get involved now to make it happen." The dancehall king also suggested that, in addition to prioritizing Ghana's music, it is prudent for music events and concerts to be decentralized to promote minority regions in the country. ''Another important factor worth accentuating in music events and concerts, I think it's about time that we decentralized events in the country. It must not continue to happen that all major music shows only happen in Accra. We must be able to hold big and popular events that happen annually in different parts of the country. This will help promote new artistes coming from those minority regions. It is also a move that gives reason for government and investors to open and establish more event centers across the country," he said. Watch full Shatta Wale SONA below: 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 Nisga'a dancer Rosita Martinez takes part in a ceremony on Parliament Hill Thursday June 3, 2021 in Ottawa. A bill creating a statutory holiday to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada has been passed unanimously by the Senate. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Palestinian boys play soccer on their street in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of east Jerusalem, where dozens of Palestinian families are facing imminent eviction from their homes by Israeli settlers, Thursday, May 27, 2021. The banner behind them shows a vintage photo of their neighborhood, left, and a current image of a heavy security presence. Arabic reads: "Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood - we will not leave - we will remain steadfast." THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP -Maya Alleruzzo Netflix has released a clutch of first-look stills from the fifth and final season of La Casa de Papel, better known in the English-speaking world as Money Heist. Keep scrolling to take a closer look at the images from the hit Spanish series, which was created by Alex Pina and produced by Vancouver Media. Murray Sinclair appears before the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples in Ottawa on Tuesday May 28, 2019. Retired senator Sinclair says an independent investigation is needed to examine all burial sites near former residential schools.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand Chairs and privacy cubicles are set up at the "Hockey Hub" mass vaccination centre, known as the CAA Centre, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brampton, Ont., on Thursday, June 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette An optometrist holds glasses in front a lightbox during an eyesight test in Bremen, Germany, on Friday, Jan. 16, 2009. Optometrists in Ontario say they will stop accepting OHIP for covered eye exams, citing underfunding from the government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Joerg Sarbach Pharmacist Mario Linaksita, right, administers the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Jonathan Vogt, 62, at University Pharmacy, in Vancouver, on Thursday, April 1, 2021. British Columbia residents who received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be able to choose their second dose, the provincial health officer says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck The last thing you expect to see while spending a quiet day fishing is a Bigfoot moving about on the shoreline and throwing rocks. A Kentuc... Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.25 per week for 13 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month. The multi-agency team tasked with bringing back Mehul Choksi from Dominica is headed home - without the fugitive jeweller - after the Caribbean nation's High Court adjourned his habeas corpus petition to July and extended its order on removing him from that country. After a Dominican High Court adjourned the hearing in fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi's case, the eight member team of CBI, ED and MEA are now en route to India, without the diamond jeweller that duped millions in the PNB multi-crore fraud. The next hearing has been adjourned in the matter to June 14. According to agencies sources, the private Qatar jet left from Dominica on Thursday along with the eight member team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, Ministry of External Affairs officials and two CRPF commandos. The team of Indian officials had landed in Dominica on Saturday with a set of documents relating to the case of Choksi. On Thursday, Dominican High Court Judge Bernie Stephenson adjourned the habeas corpus hearing of Choksi, who is wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. According to Antigua News Room, a news outlet based in the Caribbean island, it was adjourned to allow lawyers for Choksi and the Dominican government to agree on the language to be used with respect to the injunction filed to prevent his removal from Dominica. It said that both parties are expected to meet to discuss the matter and to inform the judge, who will set a new court date. Choksi, who is wanted in India by the CBI and the ED in connection with the PNB fraud case, had gone missing on May 23 from Antigua sparking a massive manhunt. He was captured in Dominica on May 26. Choksi and his lawyers had claimed that he was forced on a vessel and was abducted. On June 2, Choksi pleaded not guilty to illegal entry at his court appearance and was denied bail. He appeared before the magistrate on a wheelchair in a blue T-shirt and black trousers. According to Dominica News Online, the magistrate's court denied bail to Choksi after the government prosecutor argued that he was facing 11 offences in India and extradition proceedings in Antigua and could be a flight risk. The 62-year-old left India in January 2018, days before the CBI registered a case. On May 27, first pictures of Choksi emerged online, showing several signs of bruises on his arms and a swollen eye. Peniel E. Joseph is the Barbara Jordan Chair in ethics and political values and the founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is also a professor of history. He is the author of several books, most recently, The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. CNN The US Consulate General in Chennai on Thursday hoisted the rainbow flag over the consulate building to commemorate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month. The consulate will also virtually screen a documentary film -- Share' -- for the students, emerging filmmakers, activists, and others interested in LGBTQ issues on June 30. US Consul General, Judith Ravin, said that the rainbow flag, which will remain on display through the month of June, highlights the commitment of the US to the human rights of LGBTQ persons and communities. The documentary film Share' follows a young Asian-American Instagram influencer as he struggles to reveal his gay identity to his traditional family. The film will be virtually screened with the support of American Film Showcase, a statement from the US Consulate said. The screening on June 30 will be followed by a panel discussion with Share' filmmakers Barna Szasz and Ellie Wen and actor Tim Chau. The American centre will also curate a suggested reading list on Pride-related themes. A virtual panel will be hoisted on the theme Recognising Pride in American Literature'. People interested in either of the programmes may send an email to ChennaiAmCenter@state.gov. John Thompson, independent chairman of the board of directors for Microsoft Corp., is part of a move by corporate executives to recruit more African Americans to serve on corporate boards. JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images 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. MONCKS CORNER After months of speculation over whether the facility would shutter, taking hundreds of jobs with it, employees at Century Aluminum's Mount Holly Smelter celebrated a win this week. After settling an electrical rate dispute, the company announced that it would expand its operations, adding close to 100 new jobs. Century's CEO Mike Bless, along with the company's incoming chief executive, Jesse Gary, and Gov. Henry McMaster came to the Berkeley County smelter site June 3 for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn also pre-recorded comments on video for the event. Bless praised state leaders' role in Century's negotiations with utility Santee Cooper over rates. He pointed to the resolution of those talks as "a great demonstration as to why South Carolina is a terrific place to invest in and own a business." Last October, Century Aluminum told the state that it was prepared to initiate mass layoffs at its Berkeley County smelter if it couldn't strike a deal with state-owned Santee Cooper to lower electric rates. The company filed a WARN notice, named for the federal Worker Readjustment and Retraining Notification Act which requires advance warning before large employers lay off workers. Nearly 300 jobs at the site were on the line, according to the filing. But Century was able to strike a temporary deal with the utility in December and finalize a new contract in March, saving those positions and allowing for the boost in production that's adding new jobs. Once Century makes its new hires, the site will employ close to 400 people. The power deal has an end date, though. It will take the plant through 2023. Electrical rates have been a recurring issue for Mount Holly. Back in 2015, one of the smelter's lines was shut down because of an electrical dispute. That closure resulted in 300 layoffs, and that line is just now being partially reopened as part of Century's recently-announced expansion. Incoming CEO Gary said Thursday he hopes they'll come to a longer-term solution with Santee Cooper and potentially a deal that would allow the site to return to full production capacity and "operate well into the future." 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! This current arrangement with Santee Cooper is allowing the site to increase production by 50 percent over the next 12 months. Santee Cooper CEO Mark Bonsall was one of a handful of speakers who addressed employees, company leaders and local officials at Thursday's ribbon-cutting. Bonsall said his talks with Century's leadership were "profound," "professional," "cordial" and "productive." The Mount Holly smelter has been in operation for about 40 years, and soon-to-be CEO Gary said it has "served as the backbone of an entire generation of employees and their families." When Gov. McMaster arrived at the smelter site, he briefly sat down with some employees who shared what their jobs at Century Aluminum had afforded them. All of them had spent more than a decade working at the facility and most spoke about being able to support their families and send children through college. "As long as I have anything to do with it, I'm going to see that this plant, this company continues to prosper," McMaster said. A.J. Nelson, the human resources manager at Mount Holly and an employee of 15 years, spoke about what workers went through while the smelter's future was in limbo. "Getting to this point was not easy for us," he said, describing "fear and doubt" workers at the site experienced. "We still have a long road ahead of us." The new jobs Century is adding will pay an average salary and benefits of $100,000, according to information provided by the company. Its investment in partially restarting the second line will amount to a $60 million investment. Century describes its Mount Holly smelter one of only six existing smelters in the U.S. as the newest and most efficient in the country. The Chicago-based company operates two other smelters, both located in Kentucky. Three men have been indicted in federal court on charges they stole more than $2 million from investors in a purported green energy project that was supposed to be built in Greenville. Documents unsealed this week in a Pittsburgh court show Jonathan Freeze and Robert Irey, both of Pennsylvania, and Ohio resident Kevin Carney are charged with criminal wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection to their Chagrin Falls, Ohio-based company Alternative Energy Holdings. The Securities and Exchange Commission this week also filed a civil lawsuit against the three men, accusing them of multiple violations of federal securities laws. Court documents show the men started soliciting money in 2016 from investors for a facility in Greenville that would convert biodegradable waste into energy. The facility was never built. The trio said they needed the money for closing costs associated with the plant's financing and offered annualized returns of 120 percent on short-term loans, most of which were never repaid. Some of the investors were customers of Freeze, who was a registered investment advisor for several firms at the time. He has since been barred from that work by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Freeze and Irey also targeted residents of the apartment complex where they lived, "most of whom were unsophisticated investors," according to the SEC complaint. In an example included in the indictment, an unnamed married couple wired $100,000 to the three men after being offered a 50 percent return within 45 days. 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! In a separate civil lawsuit, Darren Burrow a steel-fabrication plant manager from Guernsey County, Ohio said he gave the men $100,000 from his retirement account on the promise of a $20,000 return within two months. All told, 22 victims provided $2,017,228.44 toward the project, some of it via interstate wire transfers. Only $63,000 was repaid, however the payments "were made using loan proceeds from other victims in a Ponzi scheme-like manner," according to court records. Instead of using the money for the green energy project, the three men spent the funds on personal expenses including restaurant meals, frequent casino visits, jewelry, expensive clothing, a wedding and Carney's restitution for an unrelated but similar criminal fraud conviction, according to court documents. The men "relied on the money obtained through the sale of promissory notes as their primary source of income to pay for their personal expenses, as each ... had little money during the relevant time period," the SEC complaint states. The operators of Alternative Energy Holdings told investors that the Greenville plant would be fully operational by the end of 2019 and that $130 million had already been secured for the project, according to a report by the Observer-Reporter newspaper in Washington, Pa. According to the lawsuit filed by Burrow, the men falsely claimed the Greenville facility already had fuel contracts "worth millions of dollars with some of the world's largest energy companies, including BP." The combined criminal charges have maximum sentences of 120 years in prison for each of the men. They are free on unsecured bonds of $50,000 apiece as they await trial. The SEC is seeking to recover all of the investors' money plus interest. No further court dates are scheduled. US Vice President Kamala Harris has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the US will be sending Covid-19 vaccines to India, following which Modi thanked her for the support from the US government and the Indian diaspora, in what was likely their first interaction. The electronic conversation took place as US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that India will receive Covid vaccines directly from the US stockpile, the White House said. Modi tweeted, "I deeply appreciate the assurance of vaccine supplies to India as part of the US Strategy for Global Vaccine Sharing. I also thanked her (Harris) for all the support and solidarity from the US government, businesses and Indian diaspora." Biden, who has faced international and domestic pressure to share surplus vaccines, said he is releasing the first set of 25 million doses of which six million will be shared between India, South Korea, Mexico and Canada. The six million "will be shared directly with countries experiencing surges, those in crisis, and other partners and neighbours," he said without giving a breakdown of how many doses will go to India. His spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the vaccines could go out as soon as Thursday "as we are working to operationalise this, which is kind of a historic Herculean effort." Harris has spoken to several international leaders, but till Thursday there had been no mention by the White House of a conversation with Modi, whom she had criticised in the past. Although Harris has refrained from criticising him since assuming office, her nice Meena Harris has attacked Modi. Calling Modi about the vaccine supply gives her clout while speaking to him. The White House said that she also spoke to Presidents Andres Manuel Lapez Obrador of Mexico, and Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala, and Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad, who is also the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). She "notified each of the leaders that the Biden-Harris administration will begin sharing the first 25 million doses of Covid vaccines to their respective countries and others, as part of the Biden-Harris administration's framework for sharing at least 80 million vaccines globally by the end of June", to which they thanked her and "agreed to continue working together to address Covid-19 and advance our mutual interests around the world", the White House said. Modi tweeted that they "discussed ongoing efforts to further strengthen India-US vaccine cooperation, and the potential of our partnership to contribute to post-Covid global health and economic recovery". The Quad -- made up of India, the US, Japan and Australia -- had announced a plan in March for India to manufacture one billion vaccines with US and Japanese financing to be distributed to Asian countries using Australian logistics. Biden said in his announcement that seven million doses will be earmarked for South and Southeast Asia, but did not specify the recipients. These will be distributed through COVAX, the international consortium for providing vaccines to developing countries. COVAX will also get six million doses earmarked for Latin America and the Caribbean, and five million for Africa. Biden said that the US would share more vaccines from its stockpile. "In the days to come, as we draw on the experience of distributing the vaccine doses announced today, we will have more details to provide about how future doses will be shared," he said. "The United States will be the world's arsenal of vaccines in our shared fight against this virus," Biden said. Several members of the Congress in the US, including Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pramila Jayapal, had asked Biden to send vaccines to India, which is facing a deadly second wave surge of the pandemic. Psaki had indicated that the vaccines would be shared by several countries. "Our approach will be to ensure that it is distributed in an equitable manner around the world," she said on Wednesday. While most of the requests for sending vaccines to India focused on the 60 million AstraZeneca product in the US stockpile, Psaki said that the vaccines being donated will be a mix of those approved for use in the US -- the products of Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer. Psaki said that the administration was waiting for FDA approval to send the AstraZeneca vaccines abroad. Biden had so far resisted sharing vaccines globally -- except with Canada and Mexico -- because he wanted to be sure that under any eventuality, there would be enough for all Americans. That was in contrast to India, Russia and China which made diplomatic headway by donating vaccines and it led to domestic criticism of Biden. Now nearly half the population of the US has been vaccinated, according to the Centres for Disease Control, giving Biden breathing space. But the country is battling resistance to vaccinations from a sizeable part of the population. While there is a global clamour for vaccines, the US is battling resistance to vaccinations from a sizeable part of the population. Authorities across the US are running lotteries with million-dollar prizes and scholarships and companies are giving out beer and pastries to coax those avoiding vaccinations to get their jabs. According to some media reports, the US may have as many as 500 million surplus doses of vaccines in the coming months. Former President Donald Trump had taken the risky step of ordering millions of doses of vaccines -- far beyond the national requirement -- from several companies under his Operation Warpspeed even before the vaccines were being tested to ensure that there would be enough of any that obtained approval for use to cover the population. This has led to the huge surplus. Referring to the 25 million doses that the US has committed to send abroad, Psaki said, "That is five times the number of doses any other country is committed to sharing." However, India has sent abroad 66 million vaccine doses before stopping donations and exports last month when it was overwhelmed by the pandemic. COLUMBIA Mick Mulvaney, the former White House chief of staff and South Carolina congressman, is interested in leading the University of South Carolina again, a source with knowledge told The Post and Courier. Mulvaney, then the White House budget director under President Donald Trump, inquired about the job in 2019 after Harris Pastides retired as president of the state's largest college. But Mulvaney became interim White House chief of staff and the job went to Bob Caslen, a retired Army general and West Point superintendent who was once a finalist to become Trump's national security advisor. Caslen resigned from USC in May amid a plagiarism scandal after he failed to cite the source of a passage he used in a commencement speech. Pastides was named interim president. USC's presidential search committee holds its first meeting June 4. The panel has not hired a search firm or announced a timetable for finding new leader of the state flagship school with eight campuses and more than 50,000 students. Mulvaney was last the U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, but he resigned the day after the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol. "We didnt sign up for what you saw last night," Mulvaney told CNBC on Jan. 7. "We signed up for making America great again; we signed up for lower taxes and less regulation." Mulvaney built a political reputation as a budget hawk, a skill some trustees sought after Pastides left two years ago as construction spending surged and state funding dwindled. Trustees were attracted to Caslen because they thought his background outside academics and ties to the military could bring a fresh eye to how USC needed to position itself in the future. Caslen sought to bolster USC's online offerings and ties to military cybersecurity research. He was praised for his handling of closing and reopening of campus during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. But Caslen's lack of a traditional academic background and a doctorate degree usually associated with the running a large college led to objections from some faculty and students. The retired general also struggled with some of the finer points of the job that includes wooing donors and giving speeches. He called the school the "University of California" during the same commencement speech that included two plagiarized paragraphs. Caslen took responsibility for his actions and resigned after days of heavy criticism lobbed on social media and in calls to school leaders. Mulvaney also does not have an academic background. He is an Indian Land real estate developer who graduated from Georgetown University and University of North Carolina law school before winning election to the S.C. Statehouse and Congress. Mulvaney, 53, could be seen as a help to the college by drawing from his political connections built during his time in state and federal politics. Two other former White House budget directors lead large colleges Mitch Daniels at Purdue University and Sylvia Burwell at American University. The hunt for a new USC president has just begun and trustees pledged to avoid mistakes from the 2019 search. Caslen became a favorite of some trustees, scaring away some potential candidates. Then Gov. Henry McMaster became involved after the board balked at voting for a new president. The governor, who has a seat on the board, lobbied trustees to take a vote on Caslen, a move that won the retired Army general the job, but also earned a rebuke from school accreditors for political meddling. Trustees adopted new rules for presidential searches, including requiring committee members report any attempts at "undue political influence" from outsiders. Culinary historian Dan Kohler's recent opinion piece in The Washington Post recounted how the Cooking Channel a sister to The Food Network wouldnt allow him to reference slavery on his cooking show. In contrast, a Lowcountry lifestyle blogger said she didn't experience any pushback when detailing the history of Juneteenth for a series airing this month on Food Network's website. Michiel Perry, who uses the pen name "Black Southern Belle," is hosting the series highlighting foods made to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. That was not my experience at all, Perry said of Kohlers editorial, which claimed he was asked to refer to the cargo ships used for transporting enslaved people as 16th-century cruise liners. In fact, she said Food Network let her run with her idea, and she wouldnt have accepted anything less. I've been begging someone to let me do this project, and Food Network let me do it the way I wanted to do it and in a way that I was proud of doing it, she said. It was Perry's first coproduction, though she said she's received offers to star in television programs before. "I like to write other people's stories more than my own," Perry said. "And there's not a lot of stuff that highlights Black women chefs in the Lowcountry at all, though they are the original chefs. The series, which will have a digital debut in the days leading up to Juneteenth on June 19, will feature recipes along with the history of the holiday from the perspective of Perry and the featured chefs. The three chefs featured in the series are: Charlotte Jenkins, an Awendaw Gullah chef and author of "Gullah Cuisine: By Land and by Sea;" Gina Capers, owner of Savannah catering company What's Gina Cooking; and Emma Cromedy, founder of Summerville's Carolima's Dessert Boutique. Each chef prepared on Perry's front porch a different Juneteenth menu item. Jenkins stirred up an okra pilau; Capers cooked Southern fried fish with cabbage and collards; and Cromedy baked an old-fashioned pound cake and tea cakes. 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! Perry herself also joined in by making some Lowcountry shrimp and sausage muscadine skewers between interviews. Fresh local ingredients were used for each dish. Taneka Reaves, founding member of custom beverage duo The Cocktail Bandits, also crafted a themed cocktail for the occasion, the "Red Star." Though Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, Perry said the traditional foods enjoyed during the freedom celebration overlap with those of the coastal South. "The story of emancipation spans a couple of years, and the Lowcountry is where a good chunk of it started," Perry said. "People dont think of island culture in Texas, but Charleston and Galveston have a similar culture and food." "Hot links and red drinks" have a variety of interpretations, and Perry said her crew made theirs with a decidedly Lowcountry twist. "Nobody's shrimp and grits is the same," Perry said. "Everybody makes their dish a little different, and that's across all food spectrums." She added that some of the simplest Southern dishes can actually be some of the hardest to make. That's why she called in the experts. "That's who I grew up eating with," Perry said of Black women chefs. All-in-all, the Food Network tech crew made up of mostly women, Perry noted spent two days filming in May. It was a combination of the hottest and rainiest days of the month, "true traditional Lowcountry weather," Perry said. She said she hopes the series will showcase the ties between African American heritage and entrepreneurship and shine a light on some of the history of Juneteenth that viewers might not know about. "The Juneteenth Menu" episodes drop every Friday and Wednesday from June 4 through June 18 at foodnetwork.com/JuneteenthMenu. Greenville County Council made official the election of two new council members to serve on county economic development boards, replacing two longtime fellow members in a move that one council member repeatedly said was a vindictive move by Chairman Willis Meadows. The split vote further showed a fracturing among the countys leaders at a time when the county can ill afford it as it seeks momentum on several key issues: budget approval for the next two fiscal years, a solution to its embattled land development regulations, the upcoming county reassessment, and redrawing the lines of its 12 districts. The source of division this time was a vote to name the councils representatives to the boards of the Greenville Area Development Corporation and the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center, formerly the Donaldson Center. The councils committee of the whole voted two weeks earlier to replace Councilman Butch Kirven on GADC and Councilwoman Liz Seman on SCTAC, though each sought to continue serving on the boards. Councilman Stan Tzouvelekas was selected rather than Kirven, and Councilman Ennis Fant was chosen rather than Seman. On June 1, the council took a vote to finalize the appointments typically a voice vote that is rarely debated. Seman read a statement expressing her disappointment about board changes and saying some council members had given their word to support Seman and Kirven for the seats, only to recant on the vote. If we want to offer equal opportunities to serve then we should implement term limits for our council appointments, not simply remove people who are doing a good job, she said in part. The most disconcerting thing to her was a member of the council wanted to make a motion to reconsider the board appointments and was basically bullied into not making the motion, she said. When Kirven asked for a roll call vote, Meadows called it an interesting request on an item that came to the council with support from the committee level. In my memory, 14 years on council, weve never had a roll call on a committee report but it seems that this has created some problem with people that dont like to lose, he said. Meadows comment sparked Councilman Dan Tripp, who was elected as vice chair under Meadows but has since butted heads with the chairman on multiple occasions, to speak. Sign up for our Greenville weekly update newsletter. Sign up for weekly roundups of our top stories, news and culture from the Upstate. This newsletter is hand-curated by a member of our Greenville news staff. Email Sign Up! I was going to sit quietly and vote until you made a comment about some members dont like losing. You know, I was on the winning side of your chairmanship, Mr. Chairman, and I guess the thing that upsets me the most, and has caused a rift on this council, is how youve handled these elections. I know for a fact that you committed to one of these members and then voted against them. I know that for a fact. I sat in the meetings where you talked about it where you tried to get me to vote against them. Tripp said it was a vindictive move that was unbecoming of the council and replaced two longstanding board members under the cloak of darkness. Meadows didnt respond. But Tzouvelekas did. He said he was qualified for the board and that he called Kirven months earlier to ask about the board. He said Kirven asked for his support because he had unfinished business on the board. And I told you I was going to pray about it, Tzouvelekas said. Tzouvelekas later told Kirven he planned to seek the board seat and thought he had the votes on the council to get the appointment. Kirven told Tzouvelekas the debate was going nowhere and it didnt make sense to argue about it in the meeting. I want council to know I didnt just do this overnight, Tzouvelekas said. I did call and talk to you about this. The shift came a month after the council rejected a housing development along Old Grove Road that became contentious after some on the council, including Kirven and Seman, supported the project though Fant and Councilman Lynn Ballard, who represent the area, wanted it turned down. That project was rejected on the same 7-5 margin as the vote to name Tzouvelekas and Fant to the boards two weeks later. Meadows, Tzouvelekas, Fant, Ballard and council members Mike Barnes, Xanthene Norris and Steve Shaw voted to replace the board members. Tripp, Seman and Kirven were joined by Joe Dill and Chris Harrison in voting against the change. Kirven previously called it payback for their support of the project, while Seman told Ballard it was a grudge vote. Meadows denied that to The Post and Courier, calling it ridiculous, and also said there was no coalition that had formed on the council. South Carolina recorded 119 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on June 4. Ten more deaths were also reported by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 8,585 since the start of the pandemic. Statewide numbers New cases reported: 119 confirmed, 119 probable. Total cases in S.C.: 492,046 confirmed, 101,681 probable. Percent positive: 2.1 percent. New deaths reported: 10 confirmed, 1 probable. Total deaths in S.C.: 8,585 confirmed, 1,159 probable. Percent of ICU beds filled: 67.9 percent. S.C. residents vaccinated DHEC's vaccine dashboard shows that 45.1 percent of the state's residents have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. Hardest-hit areas Sign up for our new health newsletter The best of health, hospital and science coverage in South Carolina, delivered to your inbox weekly. Email Sign Up! In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Greenville (24), Pickens (13), Charleston (8) and Horry (8) counties saw the highest totals. What about tri-county? Charleston County had 8 new cases on June 4, while Berkeley had 3 and Dorchester 6. Deaths Five of the new confirmed deaths reported were patients 35 to 64, and five were patients age 65 and older. Hospitalizations Of the 232 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of June 4, 69 were in the ICU and 31 were using ventilators. What do experts say? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone age 12 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine. As of now, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one authorized for people ages 12 to 17. To find a COVID-19 vaccine in South Carolina, go to vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov or call 866-365-8110. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 80F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Reprinted with permission from Rodney Scotts World of BBQ: Every Day is a Good Day by Rodney Scott and Lolis Eric Elie Copyright 2021 by Rodney Scotts BBQ, LLC, a South Carolina limited liability company. Photographs copyright 2021 by Jerrelle Guy. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House. CAROLINA FOREST The controversial proposed Conway Medical Center 50-bed hospital in Carolina Forest will make its way back to Horry County Council for its second reading and public hearing June 15. County officials discussed the hospital at both the Planning and Zoning workshop and commission meetings throughout the last few weeks. Though residents and activists attended the meetings to oppose the hospital, planning commission could not do anything with their input. Commissioner Chairman Steven Neeves said planning commission had to have the public hearing due to council wanting a development agreement after the rezoning process had already started. Back in January, planning commission approved the project, but county council deferred the project due significant opposition. Residents and activists had an opportunity to discuss the new changes to the project in May with CMC leaders and county officials. "This is up to county council, and I am questioning why they passed in 1996 that we hold the public hearings on it," Neeves said. "So please take this to county council, OK?" Currently, the property is zoned to allow multi-residential homes and is owned by LandBanks. Interim Planning and Zoning Director David Jordan said that the current owners could build close to 2,500 multi-family homes on the property if the hospital is not approved. Nearby residents of The Farm, a subdivision on the corner of Carolina Forest Boulevard and River Oaks Drive, raised concerns regarding the hospital, which ranged from traffic, lighting, noise pollution, and fire gates. Environmental and political activists raised concerns regarding the Lewis Ocean Bay Preserve and a proposed mitigation bank. They are worried the hospital could negatively impact both environmental areas and that the state's Department of Natural Resources would not be able to do their prescribed burns. DNR does not currently support the project. Two other medical facilities are looking to build in Carolina Forest: Tidelands Health and McLeod Health. COLUMBIA The state's public health and environmental agency has convened a task force to study whether those two missions should be split apart, and how the process would work. The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control has nearly 4,000 employees and a wide range of responsibilities, from disease control to approving new hospitals to pollution management. It even handles some development permits at the coast. There have been several past proposals to reorganize or split the behemoth, but legislation spearheaded this year by state Senate President Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, has garnered the most significant momentum in years. But now, the agency itself has convened a 51-member task force to bring proposals to DHEC's boards and, eventually, the state Legislature. Its membership draws from current DHEC leadership, interest groups and private industry representatives from three categories: healthcare, environment and mental health. The reorganization bill suggests combining a separate mental health agency and substance abuse agency with public health, if DHEC is separated. "The approach of Senate bill 2 makes sense in many ways," DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer said at the group's opening meeting on June 3. "On the other hand, I have seen that there are ways that having environmental support and healthcare under the same roof makes a lot of sense." He also referenced the fact that environmental staff have supported the state's efforts to manage the coronavirus pandemic. The Post and Courier reported in May that hundreds of environmental employees had devoted time, some of which was unpaid, to clerical duties or tasks like driving around scarce doses of medicine. The taskforce is led by former long-time state GOP Sen. Larry Martin, who represented Pickens County for 36 years, the first 14 in the House. Martin also worked at Alice Manufacturing, a textiles firm, but retired when the company's last plant closed three years ago. The former Senate Judiciary chairman has mostly stayed out of public life since he was ousted in a GOP primary in 2016. "I'm far enough removed from it that I'm not actively involved in partisan efforts anymore," he said in a June 4 interview. Simmer called him directly to ask that he take the helm. The position, like all other spots on the task force, is volunteer-only and unpaid. "I was very impressed with his approach of not having a closed mind to whatever the group proposes," Martin said of Simmer. The group will meet multiple times over the summer and has a Nov. 10 deadline to present proposals to DHEC's board. Martin urged that the task force was not meant "to circle the wagons and attempt to justify keeping the status quo but to really, seriously, look at whether or not the agencys functions can be bifurcated in different areas and still better serve the people of South Carolina." On the anniversary of the death of George Floyd, dozens of gunshots rang out in the middle of the day at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, forcing reporters and bystanders to duck and cover. The symbolism was unmistakable: The yearlong bout of protest after Floyds killing has coincided with a surge of urban crime that has made gunplay dismayingly common. Indeed, the intersection where Floyd was killed, now a memorial blocked to vehicular traffic, has become a watchword for mayhem. The issue of public safety may be about to play its most significant role in our politics since the mid-1990s, the beginning of a decades-long decline in crime that steadily eroded its political salience. Donald Trump tried to make law and order a defining issue in 2020, but the rioting he so forcefully denounced was, in most places, too transitory to become an overwhelming issue. Now, more than a year into a serious crime wave, Democrats are fooling themselves if they think they wont be blamed for rising violence in Democratic-run cities. Overall, murder increased by more than 25% in the United States last year, the biggest jump in 60 years. Surely, the dislocations of the pandemic have been a factor, but its also obvious that anti-police agitation has put the cops on their back feet. Exhibit A is Minneapolis. In the fevered aftermath of the Floyd killing, the city council pledged to do away with the police department, among the most outlandishly unachievable and self-destructive promises ever made by an elected body. Of course, it couldnt follow through on it any more than it could have followed through on a promise to eliminate traffic lights or municipal snow removal. Still, cops have fled the force while crime has soared. The impeccably progressive mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, who desperately wanted to ingratiate himself at a tribunal-like anti-police rally last summer, but, to his credit, wouldnt commit to defunding the police, now occasionally sounds like hes channeling Rudy Giuliani circa 1993. 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! Another dyed-in-the-wool progressive, Portland, Oregon, Mayor Ted Wheeler, faced with ongoing unrest that once was blamed on Trump, has called for the citys residents to take the city back and for unmasking, arresting and prosecuting rioters. Los Angeles cut its police budget by 8% in the wake of the Floyd protests and now is adding it right back. In South Los Angeles, the LAPD is increasing patrols and vehicle stops to search for guns and gang members. Irving Kristol famously said a neoconservative is a liberal who has been mugged by reality. If progressive politicians who are now sounding friendlier to the police havent been mugged, they at least have been alarmed by the sound of approaching gunfire. The turnabout isnt universal. White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked the other day whether theres a crime problem and, sounding as evasive as when she discusses the border, would say only that there is a guns problem. This was a reference to the completely unconvincing argument that increased gun sales have led to the spike in crime when surges in gun sales since the mid-1990s never before led to higher crime. The problem that Democrats have is that they have accepted and celebrated the people making a comprehensive case against the police as systematically racist. This argument doesnt naturally allow for nuance. In fact, it logically entails calling for fewer cops and less police funding, an agenda that will be hard to sell to most people in the best of circumstances but is toxic in an environment of rising crime. Black Lives Matter has already been losing support in the polls, while trust in the police has been rising. Things would have to get much worse for crime to become as central an issue as it was in the 1970s. But Democrats who arent alarmed that reporters are dodging bullets at the George Floyd memorial are tempting political fate. 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. No explosive device was found on board an Air France flight which had been isolated after landing at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris following a bomb alert, Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin announced. "End of the intervention, no explosive device was found on board the Air France Ndjamena-Paris plane," Xinhua news agency quoted Darmanin as saying on Thursday night.. The flight from Ndjamena, the capital of Chad, was isolated after landing in the French capital at 4.01 p.m. on Thursday. All passengers were disembarked and an inter-ministerial crisis cell had been convened following the suspicion of the presence of an explosive device. Goose Creek, SC (29445) Today Cloudy with light rain this morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 81F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, Judge Maria Cenzon and leaders of Guam's Filipino community gathered virtually on Zoom on Friday to mark the proclamation of June as Guam's Philippine Independence Month. This years theme is Kalayaan 2021: Diwa ng Kalayaan sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan or Independence 2021: Spirit of Freedom for Unity and Healing of the Nation. "The 123rd anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence is an occasion to deepen our resolve to bring about positive change in our community in Guam as we join Filipinos here in Guam and around the world in commemorating the birth of their nation," the governor stated in her proclamation. The governor said Guam and the Philippines share a common trait, resiliency, which became evident especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guam and the Philippines also share a common past, having been sold by Spain to the United States. The U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War of 1898 produced a peace treaty that compelled the Spanish to relinquish claims on Cuba, and to cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the United States, according to the State Department. This year marks the 75th anniversary of U.S. and Philippine diplomatic relations. Dr. B Speaks! The art of accumulating wealth by mining for golden nuggets requires that the prospector patiently sifts through trays of pebbles and sludge e Read more The Post Register is offering free online access to all of our local coronavirus stories. Our ongoing coverage of our community relies on the generous support from our readers. To strengthen local journalism, please consider subscribing at apgidoffers.com. For daily updates in your inbox, sign up for our daily news headlines. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@postregister.com for help creating one. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/04/2021 -- The latest published document on Global Aircraft Fuel market provides insights about evolution of the competitive environment, the lifecycle stage and opportunities. The survey with Aircraft Fuel investors & stakeholders in this sector, from APAC, EMEA and the Americas, reveals information such as large-scale projects with regulatory environments by country, Subsidies, tax incentives and direct investment. Along with this activity comes a stream of Aircraft Fuel M&A activity and growth, as producers strive to stay ahead of the curve. Some of the established and new companies profiled in the study are Exxon Mobil, Shell, BP, Total, Chevron, PDVSA, Texaco, Kuwait Petroleum & Tosco etc. Know Who is gaining advantage of the opportunities? Who is holding back, worried about the inherent risk? Get Quick Access to Aircraft Fuel Sample Pages @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/3313949-global-usa-aircraft-fuel-market According to the survey, the Global Aircraft Fuel market report highlights M&A activity in the energy sector is extremely strong and, in some jurisdictions, it has become almost feverish. To better understand investment cycle and revenue flow; the scope of Aircraft Fuel study is defined considering high growth segments and jurisdictions i.e., by Type [, Avgas & Jet Fuel], application [Military, Civil] and by Regions [Region Names]. The Vendor Landscape of Global Aircraft Fuel market report includes company profiles that provides detailed information such as Business Overview, Offerings and Specifications, Key Financial Metrics (Total, Gross & Net), SWOT Analysis, Market Share, Production & Capacity (MW), Key Development Activities etc for producers Exxon Mobil, Shell, BP, Total, Chevron, PDVSA, Texaco, Kuwait Petroleum & Tosco and many more. Buy this research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=3313949 Margins are tight, forcing key players of Aircraft Fuel to seek out new ideas to improve efficiency and ROI with new revenue streams. The potential of this enterprise section has been rigorously investigated in conjunction with main market challenges. Current Scenario, Business Strategies & Key Market Development of Global Aircraft Fuel Market have given lot more emphasis targeting new development, Joint Ventures, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, etc. Key Highlights of the Study 1) M&A activity in Aircraft Fuel; especially Energy Sector is healthy and strongly growing. Deal volumes have increased every year since 2010 and continue to do so. 2) Valuations are expected to increase,, Avgas & Jet Fuel are expected to see good pace in next few years. 3) How the bureaucratic and legislative obstacles are overcome by investment pioneers. 4) Countries that are in the top spots for Aircraft Fuel and Position of Jurisdictions by 2026. 5) Top segments and sources that are attracting attention of stakeholders from the Sector. 6) In which region the biggest rise in development activity is seen in next 2-years. .... and many others Make an Enquiry before Purchase @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/3313949-global-usa-aircraft-fuel-market Report Scope and Extracts of Global Aircraft Fuel Market Study Chapter 1: Executive summary and Key findings Chapter 2: Aircraft Fuel Market Now & Beyond: Future Outlook Chapter 3: Aircraft Fuel M&A overview Chapter 4: Hotspots for Aircraft Fuel Chapter 5: Sub-sectors - R&D and innovation Chapter 6: Policy and Government Initiatives Chapter 7: Major Players - A mix of Incumbents and New - Global Aircraft Fuel Market Share Analysis by Players (2019-2021E) - Aircraft Fuel Concentration Rate - Company Profiles ....... Chapter 8. Market Revenue (USD), Production (2016-2026), by Type [, Avgas & Jet Fuel] Chapter 9. Aircraft Fuel Market, by Application [Military, Civil] Chapter 10. Market Revenue (USD), Capacity, Production (MW) by Regions (2016-2026) - Value ($) by Region - Aircraft Fuel Production - % Market Share by Region ....... .... Continued Read Detailed Index of the Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/3313949-global-usa-aircraft-fuel-market Thanks for reading Aircraft Fuel Industry research publication; get customized report or need to have regional report like Africa, GCC, USA, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, LATAM or APAC etc then connect with us @ sales@htfmarketreport.com About Author: HTF Market Intelligence consulting is uniquely positioned empower and inspire with research and consulting services to empower businesses with growth strategies, by offering services with extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist in decision making. Contact US: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@htfmarketreport.com Some conservative commentators are hailing alleged bombshells in the just-released emails of Anthony Fauci. I have seen nothingyetin those emails that even remotely merits that characterization. But this does: a very long article in Vanity Fair by investigative reporter Katherine Eban, titled The Lab-Leak Theory: Inside the Fight to Uncover COVID-19s Origins. This is how Eban promoted her article on Twitter: BREAKING: my months-long @VanityFair investigation on #COVID19 origins is live. Interviews w/ over 40 people, review of hundreds of pgs. of U.S. gov't docs. incl. internal memos, meeting minutes, email correspondence, found. https://t.co/9vsJWmOWZN /1 Katherine Eban (@KatherineEban) June 3, 2021 In a 12/9/20 @StateDept meeting, officials say they were explicitly told by colleagues not to explore Wuhan Institute of Virologys gain-of-function research, because it would bring unwelcome att'n to U.S. gov't funding of it. /3 pic.twitter.com/TR80pTAxQt Katherine Eban (@KatherineEban) June 3, 2021 Four former State Dep't officials told @VanityFair they were repeatedly advised not to open a "Pandora's box." DiNanno said: smelled like a cover-up, and I wasnt going to be part of it. /5 pic.twitter.com/zcuiwWZgQo Katherine Eban (@KatherineEban) June 3, 2021 Former @CDCgov director @redfield_dr got death threats from fellow scientists after telling CNN he believed #COVID19 had lab origin. I was threatened and ostracized because I proposed another hypothesis, Redfield told @VanityFair. /7 Katherine Eban (@KatherineEban) June 3, 2021 Ebans findings are stunning. She documents what can only be called a conspiracy within the U.S. government to suppress information about the origins of the covid virus. I am still working my way through her articleit is very longbut she seems to have the goods. One warningEban engages at various points in ritual denunciations of Donald Trump, without which I suppose you cant get an article published in Vanity Fair. But these have little or nothing to do with the story she relatesin fact, the bottom line is that Trump was right, but he didnt know the half of itand can easily be ignored. Until this week, Googles worldwide head of diversity was one Kamau Bobb. Earlier this week the Washington Free Beacons Alana Goodman reported that Bobb had written for public consumption in 2007 that Jews have an insatiable appetite for war and an insensitivity to the suffering [of] others. Goodman explained: The comments were part of a longer meditation from Kamau Bobb, now head of diversity strategy at Google, that also slammed Israels military actions in Gaza and Lebanon that same year. Bobb was at the time a research associate in technology at Georgia Tech, according to his LinkedIn. The post, titled If I Were A Jew, described how he believed Jewish people should view the Middle East conflict. If I were a Jew I would be concerned about my insatiable appetite for war and killing in defense of myself, he wrote in a Nov. 30, 2007, post on his personal blog, where he was still actively publishing as recently as April 2021. Self defense is undoubtedly an instinct, but I would be afraid of my increasing insensitivity to the suffering [of] others. Bobb identified himself as a Google employee in his blogs biography section. Neither Google not Bobb responded to Goodmans request for comment at the time of publication. Yesterday, however, Goodman updated her story with news that Bobb would hold on at Google, though no longer as global head of diversity. The Free Beacon seeks to cover Democrats and the left like the mainstream media cover Republicans and conservatives. In this case, the Free Beacon experienced a breakthrough when The View gave the story a shout-out on Wednesdays show. Meghan McCain was the winner for her comment Theyre Google. They should have googled him. I don credit anything the mainstream media writes about Donald Trump. In most cases, I dont assume what organs like the New York Times and the Washington Post say about the former is president is false i.e., that it is fake news. But neither do I assume its true. The mainstream media is now reporting that Trump still thinks he can overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential race. Trump-hating Maggie Haberman of the New York Times claims that Trump has been telling a number of people hes in contact with that he expects he will get reinstated [as president] by August. Along the same lines, the Washington Post reports: [Trump] is increasingly consumed with the notion that ballot reviews pushed by his supporters around the country could prove that he won. . . . Trump has rebuffed calls from some advisers to drop the matter, instead fixating on an ongoing Republican-commissioned audit in Arizona and plotting how to secure election reviews in other states, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Georgia, according to advisers. Trump has become so fixated on the audits that he suggested recently to allies that their success could result in his return to the White House this year, according to people familiar with comments he has made. Some advisers said that such comments appear to be just offhand musings. (Emphasis added) I find it quite plausible that Trump is consumed with the notion that he won the 2020 race. I also find it plausible that Hillary Clinton and Al Gore were consumed with the view that they won their races for the presidency. As for the claim that Trump thinks he can overturn the outcome of the 2020 race and be reinstated as president, I defaulted at first to my usual agnosticism about mainstream media stories on Trump. However, Charles Cooke at NRO says that, after speaking to an array of different sources, he can confirm that Trump does indeed believe quite genuinely that he along with former senators David Perdue and Martha McSally will be reinstated to office this summer. Its inconsistent with Trumps self-image for him to believe that he genuinely lost an election. By the same token, it may be inconsistent with that self-image for him to believe an election could successfully be stolen from him. So maybe what Haberman and the Post are reporting is true. Im filing this one under pathetic, if true. JOHN adds: I am extremely skeptical of these reports, which allespecially the one from Charles Cookecome from notorious Trump-haters, and are, of course, unsourced. I have spoken recently with a couple of people who have been with President Trump in the last few weeks, and they have said that he seems obsessed with the Democrats misconduct in connection with the 2020 election. As Paul suggests, that is understandable. But they have not reported anything to the effect that he thinks he somehow might be re-installed as president in the coming months. Such a belief would be more or less insane, and certainly Trump has said nothing of the sort publicly. This theory is part of a left-wing campaign to smear conservatives with plotting a Myanmar-style coup to install Trump as president. Needless to say, no such coup is in prospect. In my opinion, this is all part of the usual far-left disinformation and should be disregarded. Winston Smith is the protagonist of Orwells 1984. He is not to be confused with Winston Boogie Smith. According to CrimeWatchMpls, Winston Boogie Smith is the reported decedent in the police involved shooting at the top of the parking ramp adjacent to Calhoun Square in the heart of Minneapoliss Uptown neighborhood. Smith (if it was Smith) was the target of an arrest operation that went down in the heart of Minneapolis yesterday afternoon. John wrote about the shooting last night here. I offer these notes based on preliminary reports subject to correction assuming Smith was the target of the arrest operation. A joint law enforcement task force conducted the arrest operation. The arrest operation was led by the United States Marshals Service. The Marshals Service is a federal law enforcement agency. The arrest operation included other local Twin Cities law enforcement agencies including the Hennepin County Sheriffs office. The Minneapolis Police Department was not part of the arrest operation. Smith was wanted for being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm. I have not seen the warrant in any news report. Smith was trapped in his vehicle by officers at the top of the parking ramp. He was in the company of a lady friend. Smith pulled a gun on the officers. Numerous shots were fired. I assume officers from more than one of the agencies took him down. Smith was out on parole subject to a partially stayed prison sentence. He was sentenced to 48 months in October 2018 for first degree aggravated robbery in Hennepin County District Court. Three years of Smiths sentence was stayed by Judge Jay Quam. Ima Shoot Back, I Aint Going With My Hand Up, Smith bragged on social media in September 2019. Smiths social media posts suggest his inspiration by the death of the sainted George Floyd. Smiths lady friend survived the incident, though she may have sustained minor injuries. Reports of the operation occasioned the obligatory unrest, i.e., rioting vandalism, and looting. Minneapolis police used flash-bangs to break up victims of unrest, a/k/a looters, vandals, and rioters causing damage to stores and property. As of early Friday, Minneapolis police did not have the number of arrests that were made throughout the night. There is more unrest to come. Kto szuka: Nordea Bank Abp SA Oddzia w Polsce Stanowisko: Senior Data Analyst Lokalizacja: Gdynia pomorskie Wymagania stawiane pracownikowi: We are looking for a self-driven and analytic candidate whos eager to work with master data maintenance and processes around it. This is an opportunity for you to grow while working with a variety of challenging tasks and contribute to the consolidation of common master data in Nordea. In Nordea, were harnessing the power of technology to reinvent the future of banking. A tech revolution is underway and you can make an impact. Though were a Nordic bank, were also one of the largest IT employers in Tricity and Warsaw. Working with international teams in an inspiring working environment, youll have lots of opportunities to expand your skills and advance your career. About this opportunity Welcome to Master Data Management unit (GDMO). We build the bridge between business processes and data management. We focus on simplification and compliance by leverage a single trusted view of high-quality master data across all channels and in all business processes enabling digitalization and the future relationship bank of Nordea Group. In Master Data Operations team we aim to ensure that data is managed to meet the desired quality, as well as support the group simplification and meet the needs in the regulatory and compliance. We are responsible for Data Quality Operational tasks and Data Custodian work with Customer and Counterparty data and Common Master Data. As a Senior Data Analyst, you will be a key team member to manage common master data. Youll be responsible for improving end-to-end process knowledge, driving a continuous improvement culture and play an active role within Mercury project which aims to establish a single trusted source for Master & Reference data and consolidating the relevant data there from multiple domains and sources. What you will be doing: Driving manual changes, updates and control of Master Data and Reference Data (such as Customer and Counterparty data, Product structure data, Organisational data, etc.) Closely collaborate with Data Asset Owners within Data Governance Recipe as a Data Steward Operational Business Support in Mercury Feature team Perform data quality/process analysis and improvements Youll join a collaborative and dynamic team/unit. The role is based in Gdynia. Who you are Collaboration. Ownership. Passion. Courage. The four key values that guide us in being at our best and that we expect all our colleagues to be committed to. To build a successful career with us, youll work well with others and always act with the customers needs in mind. You love learning and trying new things, and youre excited about bringing your ideas to the table. Youre honest and dependable, willing to speak up even when its difficult, and committed to empowering others. Youre passionate about doing a great job. To make an impact in this role, you are also analytical, systematic and result oriented. You enjoy working in a global environment together with remote teams in different countries. To succeed in this role, we believe you need: Attention to details and ability to understand and follow complex guidelines Ability to interface and communicate effectively with all levels of employees, management, etc. Ability to perform data quality analysis. SQL would be an asset. Strong stakeholder engagement ability, demonstrating influencing and negotiating skills with excellent relationship building skills Experience working cross-functionally with departments such as Finance, IT, Legal, HR, etc. Ability to influence and shape work, progress, and processes Proactive, independent, pragmatic and solution oriented Eager to learn new things and continuously develop yourself Good command of English If it sounds like you, get in touch! Firma oferuje: Next steps Submit your application no later than 02/07/2021. At Nordea, we know that an inclusive workplace is a sustainable workplace. We deeply believe that our diverse backgrounds, experiences, characteristics and traits make us better at serving customers and communities. So please come as you are. Please include permit for processing personal data in CV as following: In accordance with art. 6 (1) a and b. Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) hereinafter GDPR. I agree to have: my personal data, education and employment history proceeded for the purposes of current and future recruitment processes in Nordea Bank Abp. 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Kontakt do pracodawcy: President Muhammadu Buhari spoke on Tuesday, warning troublemakers in the country that the picnic was over, and the next day, I saw this comment online from a Buharist, as lovers and admirers of the President are known: I just finished watching the President on TV reading the riot act to troublemakers, and I couldnt be prouder of the President. I suddenly remembered why I fell in love with the President. That respondent sure spoke the minds of millions of Buharists in Nigeria and the Diaspora. The man we fell in love with is of iron and steel, one ready and willing to knock sense into contumacious heads, whipping everyone into line. And being kind to us in the process. A kind bully, if you like the oxymoron. How did things unfold that Tuesday afternoon, that led President Buhari to make the speech that is perhaps the most epochal in recent times? The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, had led top guns of the electoral body into the meeting room with the President, shortly before the scheduled time of 3 pm. Like clockwork, President Buhari came in at the dot of the appointed time. He never misses it. And Prof Yakubu began his briefing. What were the main points? *The spate of attacks on INECs offices and facilities nationwide has grave implications for elections and electoral activities in Nigeria. *So far, there have been 42 of such attacks across the country since the 2019 General Election. The incidents occurred in 14 states for a variety of reasons, including bandit attack, 1, Boko Haram, 1, EndSARS protest, 18, post-election violence, 4, thuggery during elections, 6, unknown gunmen and hoodlums, 12. *Thirty out of the 42 or 71% of the attacks happened in the last 7 months. They appear to be targeted at future elections, with the intention to incapacitate INEC, undermine democracy, and precipitate a national crisis. The INEC Chairman enumerated the immediate implications of the development, unfolded actions taken by the Commission, and asked for the intervention of Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Confronted by such graphic display of anarchy, what should a President do? Throw up his hands in surrender, acquiesce, and tell everyone to go home in defeat and capitulation? Remember how we started this piece. President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) was once General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB), the army commander who gave Chadian forces who made incursion into Nigerian territory a bloody nose. He dealt with Maitatsine religious fanatics. He gave a red card to hard drug traffickers, who were executed by firing squad. He introduced War Against Indiscipline, and generally attempted to make us prim and proper. He was succeeding, before hidden, hostile hands terminated the regime. Thirty years later, Nigerians yearned for that GMB, and massively voted him back to power. The response of the President to INEC elicited different kinds of reactions from different people and groups. What did he say? *Those behind the attacks on national assets want the Administration to fail, and enough is enough. Soon, they will receive the shock of their lives. *Many of those misbehaving today were too young to know the destruction that attended our Civil War (1967-1970), but those of us that were in the fields, fighting to keep the country together, wont just fold our arms. Well rather speak to them in a language they would understand. *I lead the country according to our Constitution, and anyone who wants to destroy the country would answer for it. *We are expending resources to build infrastructure, and we wont allow anyone destroy them. We will be harder on troublemakers. *We have changed the Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police. We will give them all the resources they need, and then demand security from them. ADVERTISEMENT *We will give INEC all the resources required to conduct elections, so that no one would accuse us of not wanting to leave office, or that we want a 3rd term. In reaction to what the President said, I also saw this comment online: His followers are reinvigorated. They are buzzing. True. What our country needs at this time is iron and steel. An alchemy of GMB and PMB. We are in a democracy, yes, but democracy is no byword for lawlessness. If anybody misbehaves in any part, repeat, ANY PART, of the country, they need to be whipped into line. The nation needs not go into a tailspin because some people bear giant sized grudges in their hearts. By the way, is there any part of the country that does not have one grievance or the other? Is the next option then to capsize the boat of the country? Any leader that has sworn to uphold the Constitution would not open his eyes, and see it happen. Leaders must do whatever they should do to maintain peace and tranquility in their countries. Their intentions will always be misinterpreted and misrepresented. No matter. The good of the larger majority must be considered at all times. North, South, East, West, anarchy should never be condoned, no matter what some people may say. I like how Moyosore Oyetunji, a passionate Buharist on Facebook summarized latest developments: When he pleaded with you to eschew violence, you accused him of becoming a motivational speaker, instead of the General that he is. Now he has decided to be it, you are crying. Please, what exactly do you want from him? President Buhari is not genocidal, and cant ever be accused of such intentions. But a leader worth his salt cannot look on, and watch law and order break down irretrievably. It is not about a people, or region. It is about the country he took an oath to keep together. Every region has one grouse or the other against the state of our union. But murder and mayhem should never be an option in resolving matters. That is the message of President Buhari, and it should be the message of every good Nigerian. *Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity Despite his alleged involvement in $350,000 fraud, Abidemi Rufai, a suspended aide of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, maintains that he is a man of integrity. Mr Rufai said he would not have been appointed as a senior aide to Mr Abiodun if he was not morally upright. This claim was contained in his filing at a U.S. court where he is battling to have the suspended bail earlier granted him restored. The suspect has been in detention since his arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on May 14 for pending $350,000 fraud charges instituted against him. Although Mr Rufai was granted bail by a magistrate judge of the District Court of Eastern New York on May 21, the release order was stayed by a district judge of the District Court of Western Washington at Tacoma on May 25, following the prosecutions appeal for a review. A district judge is superior to a magistrate judge under the American court system. The U.S. authorities asked for a total reversal of the release order in their appeal. They argued he was not deserving of being released on bail. They argued that Mr Rufai presents an extreme risk of flight and if he does escape to Nigeria, extradition will be extraordinarily difficult or impossible because of his ties to the Nigerian government. It is well known that extradition from Nigeria to the United States is difficult under the best of circumstances. That will be exacerbated in this case because of the strong political connections that earned Rufai a governmental appointment, Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorma had said. Rufai, a man of integrity But responding to the governments appeal on why he should be released on bail, Mr Rufais lawyer, Lance Hester, told the court in Tacoma that his client has a good character, which facilitated his appointment as governors aide. The reply was filed on June 1, 2021. Mr Rufais status as Nigerian National should not weigh heavily in favour of pretrial detention but rather, militate in favor of pretrial release. As the government concedes, Mr. Rufai holds a distinguished Governmental position in his home. It goes without saying that only an individual of high moral character and integrity could achieve such a distinguished governmental appointment, Mr Hester argued for his client in a court filing obtained by PREMIUM TIMES Thursday. This newspaper also reported how the lawyer told the court that his clients case was not one designated for mandatory detention as it is not a crime of violence. Flashback At the end of a detention hearing held on May 19, 2021, the Magistrate Judge (an assistant of a district judge) of the District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Ramon Reyes, agreed with the government that Mr Rufai posed a serious flight risk, but found that the risk could be addressed by conditions of release, including a $300,000 bond. The magistrate judge went on to issue an order releasing Mr Rufai based on the bond in which Mr Rufais brother, who is licensed as an attorney in New York, was proposed as surety. His brother refused to be his surety, hence he was remanded pending when he would provide an alternate surety. On May 21, Mr Rufai presented Nekpen Soyemi, a registered nurse, whose family comes from Nigeria, as surety but she was exposed as a suspect in an investigation into an email impersonation scheme and her husband, Idris Soyemi, is also said to have been convicted for wire fraud in 2014. While Mr Rufai was struggling to produce a surety, the U.S. government on May 24 filed an emergency motion of stay release order before the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma. ADVERTISEMENT On May 25, the district judge, Benjamin Settle, granted the governments motion to stay order for the release of Mr Rufai, even as the U.S. government uncovered more alleged criminal activities involving the suspect. A federal grand jury in the U.S., a group of citizens empowered by law to conduct legal proceedings, investigate potential criminal conduct, and determine whether criminal charges should be brought has ratified the charges involving conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft against Mr Rufai. He is to be arraigned on fraud charges before a United States Courthouse, in Tacoma, Washington, on June 8, 2021. Mr Rufai adds to the growing list of Nigerians arrested for cybercrimes abroad. Some of the common allegations many of the Nigerian suspects have been accused of include bank verification number scams, fraudulent emails, hacking, cyber harassment, spamming, ATM spoofing, social media hi-jacking etcetera), and exploit vulnerabilities of both electronic devices and their users. This act destroys the reputation of a country, making the business environment difficult for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, while discouraging investment in the economy by foreign companies ADVERTISEMENT To stop incessant mass abduction of school children, controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has advised the Federal Government to support splinter groups among bandits. According to Punch newspaper, Mr Gumi was reacting to the kidnap of 139 students of an Islamic school in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State. He was quoted to have said many bandits were ready for dialogue, suggesting that government could use them to fight the ugly ones. We are always trying to do our best, but you see, you need two hands to shake. You know these people (bandits) need engagements from the government itself. If you dialogue with them without the involvement of the government, it is a problem. Government needs to be proactive with them. We have a lot of them that are ready to fight the bad ones. Use the bad to fight the ugly, and use the good to fight the bad ones when youre done with the ugly. Look at Boko Haram, who finished Shekau? Was it not the splinter group? So, it is easy. All these agitations you see, if the government can do a splinter group and the splinter group is empowered, every man wants power and money, they will do your job. There are many ready to submit themselves. All the ones you see me meeting in the bush, they are all telling us, we are ready, the cleric, known for advocating blank amnesty for bandits, told the newspaper. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how armed bandits on Sunday abducted many pupils of the Islamic school in Tegina, a densely populated town in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State. The bandits reportedly seized the police station in the town and went round the town shooting sporadically into the air to scare residents before breaking into a private school where they abducted children attending Islamic lectures. The mass abduction of the Islamic school students was the second to be perpetrated in Rafi Local Government Area in six months. Recently, also, dozens of students were kidnapped at Government Science College (GSC) Kagara but were later released after a negotiation with the state government, brokered by Mr Gumi. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/04/2021 -- Latest survey report on Global Food Service Restaurant Market sheds lights on changing dynamics in Food & Beverages Sector and elaborates market size and growth pattern of each of Food Service Restaurant segments. As the shift to value continues, the producers are tackling challenges to personalized nutrition and match taste profiles. Wide lists of manufacturers were considered in the survey; to include mix bag of leaders and emerging manufacturers for company profiling that includes McDonald's (United States), Yum! Brands (United States), Subway (United States), Seven & I (Japan), Burger King (United States), Starbucks (United States), Chipotle Mexican Grill (United States), Dunkin' Donuts (United States), Sonic Drive-In (United States), Papa John's (United States). Unlock new opportunities in Food Service Restaurant Market; the latest release from AMA highlights the key market trends significant to the growth prospects, Let us know if any specific players or list of players needs to consider to gain better insights Get Access to Free PDF Sample of Global Food Service Restaurant Market @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/72556-global-food-service-restaurant-market Brief Overview on Food Service Restaurant Food Service Restaurants are restaurants who are providing ready to eat food services. There is a strong demand for food services across the globe, majorly in the Asia Pacific regions. These restaurants are wisely investing wisely in digital, operations, marketing, and technology, and can harness the power of their workers to provide as brand ambassadors at the moments that matter. The Asia Pacific continues seeing strong growth in the foodservice market. The industry is one of the highest service industries. "Consumers are increasingly aware of the food they consume and it impacts on holistic health. As affluence increases, the ability to invest in diagnostic services and premium food products to meet their expectations." To provide further guidance on how specific trends in Food Service Restaurant Industry will have a big impact and what factored into the market trajectory and strategy planning of manufacturers in next 5-7 years is precisely covered in scope of Global Food Service Restaurant Market Study. Scope of Study: The Food Service Restaurant Market Size by Revenue in Dollar (USD) terms, Volume (Consumption, Production & Capacity) is segmented by Type (Full-Service Restaurants, Quick Service Restaurant, Cafe and Bars, 100% Home Delivery), Application (Independent Service Providers, Chained Service Providers), Services (Drive Through, Take-Out, In Restaurants), Payment Channels (Online Channels, Offline Channels) Materials, by Country/Region and Players. The Country Level Analysis in Food Service Restaurant Market Study provides Breakdown as - North America (U.S. & Canada) {Market Size by Value (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Latin America (Brazil , Mexico & Rest of Latin America) {Market Size (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Europe (The U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden & RoE) {Market Size (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Asia (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia) {Market Size (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, South Africa, Egypt, RoMEA) {Market Size (USD Million) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} - Rest of World {Market Size (USD Billion) & Sales (Units), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} Acquire Single User PDF License of Food Service Restaurant Market research report @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/buy-now?format=1&report=72556 Market Trend: - These restaurants are started investing in advanced technology almost across the globe. The companies are investing technology as back-end support or at best an enabling platform. And they are devoting time to developing even a basic appreciation of how emerging technology can solve some of their end-users problems Market Drivers: - Growth in Consumer Purchasing Power - Robust Economic Growth - Changing Income and Demographic Profile - Increasing Internet Penetration - Increasing Focus on Health and Wellness Market Opportunities: - Rising Penetration and Smartphone Usage Will Enhance the Demand for Packaged Food - Traditional Packaging Additionally, the study has given lot of attention on Food Service Restaurant Pricing Analysis by Region (Weighted Average) & Supply Chain Metric to deliver impact analysis of downstream and upstream stakeholders (Raw Materials, Suppliers, 4Ps etc). Also, a separate chapter is added showcasing survey outcome of most significant drivers or growth initiatives that companies should consider in next one to three years. Some of the parameters considers during interview / questionnaire of Food Service Restaurant Market survey are Product Innovations, New Sales Channel and distribution strategies, Pricing and promotion strategies, Merger & Acquisitions, entering in new market, technological advancements, new Merchandizing strategies and Changing customer dynamics. "38% expect Food Service Restaurant companies would increase spending on new product and services" - Says Research If you wish to customize study by adding or profiling a greater number of players / additional segmentation / adding more country level break-ups compared to standard version of Global Food Service Restaurant Market Study or need to have dedicated study specific to any Region or Country; then Make an Enquire for customize Report @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/72556-global-food-service-restaurant-market Thanks for reading this article; AMA also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research according to clientele objectives. Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report like Balkan, China based, North America, Europe or Southeast Asia. Nigeria has expressed her commitment to the protection of forests and natural habitats from destruction, and promotion of sustainable trade and supply chains of agricultural commodities. The country recently joined a total of 23 other nations across various continents to endorse a statement committing to working together towards achieving the targets. The development was part of the outcome of the first ministerial meeting of the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue. The dialogue, which, according to a statement issued by the British Deputy High Commission in Nigeria, and signed by a press and public affairs officer, Ndidiamaka Eze, was launched in February as part of the United Kingdoms efforts to achieve united front in the fight against the destruction of the forests globally. Other countries on the list include; Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Cote DIvoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, France, Gabon, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Liberia, and Malaysia. Others are the Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Congo, Republic of Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, and Uruguay. The landmark statement is the result of collaborative action on an issue that is complex but also critical to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and limiting a global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the statement states in part. Statistics According to the statement, international trade in agricultural commodities such as palm oil, soy and beef, is worth more than $80 billion per year. Globally, 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods, many of them in developing countries, the statement said, adding that; Nigeria is a producer and consumer of forest risk agricultural commodities. It said, Nigeria domestically produces cocoa and palm oil but also imports palm oil from Southeast Asia. Forests are said to be the largest natural carbon sink and a vital harbour of biodiversity but they are disappearing at an alarming rate. The data provided by the high commissioners office further says Nigeria has one of the highest deforestation rates globally, and she loses approximately 350,000 to 400,000 hectares per year. Logging, agriculture and collection of fuelwood are the leading causes of forest loss in Nigeria, Ms Eze stated. Intervention Meanwhile, the United Kingdoms government has reportedly expressed her desire to intensify partnership with Nigeria towards ensuring an inclusive vision and effective action for sustainable agriculture, forests and land-use economy, as these areas have the potential to address major barriers to development around poverty, food and nutrition insecurity, unemployment, environmental degradation and instability. Ms Eze noted that through programmes such as Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land-Use (IFSLU), the UK government is supporting a shift to sustainable supply chains for agricultural commodities associated with deforestation, including palm oil and cocoa, and creating new investment opportunities in sustainable land use through public-private partnerships. IFSLU has worked with Edo State one of the major forest states in Nigeria, and a leading palm oil state. Edo State Government has committed to responsible oil palm production, becoming a member of the UK-funded Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 (TFA 2020) Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) in May 2018 and the UK-led Just Rural Transition in September 2019, the statement said. Speaking on the joint statement, Ms Eze said the President-Designate of the forthcoming UN climate change conference COP26 to be hosted by the UK, Alok Sharma, said: The FACT Dialogue has much work ahead to deliver on its objectives as we move towards COP26. But the publication of todays joint statement marks a highly important first step in laying the foundation for our work. To have brought so many countries together, both producers and consumers, and to plan a way forward on sustainable trade is a fantastic start. I am confident that this is just the beginning as we work to protect trade and development, and our biodiversity-rich forests, in equal measure. ADVERTISEMENT The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, reportedly added that; In Nigeria, the UK is working with the Federal Government, the private sector and with local communities across the country to promote investment in climate-smart practices and business models that will help reduce emissions, increasing productivity and build climate resilience. Nigerias active engagement in the COP26 FACT Dialogue and their endorsement of the joint statement is very welcome. We look forward to more collaborations like this as we continue to work together towards a common goal of sustainably producing agricultural commodities. The joint statement, Ms Eze said, outlines a set of collaborative principles as well as areas of common purpose and action. These include four areas; Trade and Market Development; Smallholder Support; Transparency and Traceability; Research, Development, and Innovation. The statement also highlights international commitments and obligations to protect forests such as the Sustainable Development Goals (including Goal 15), the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and agreements under the World Trade Organisation. ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian government says it has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in the country. This comes after Twitter deleted a controversial post by President Muhammadu Buhari referencing the countrys civil war, and threatening to treat those attacking government buildings with the language they understand. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand, he wrote on Tuesday. In a statement issued on Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension of Twitter, citing the alleged use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigerias corporate existence. According to the statement signed by Special Assistant To The President, Segun Adeyemi, the minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all social media operations in Nigeria. Mr Mohammed had earlier claimed the social media sites response to Nigeria was suspect. Mr Mohammed has for long championed the call for regulation of social media in the country, claiming the platforms are used to spew hate. Read statement below PRESS RELEASE FG Suspends Twitters Operations in Nigeria The Federal Government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigerias corporate existence. The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria. Segun Adeyemi Special Assistant To The President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture Abuja 4 June 2021 President Muhammadu Buharis controversial statement that his government will deal with violent secessionists in the South-east in the language they understand has been condemned by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka. Mr Soyinka, in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES Friday, said Mr Buharis recent deployment of this language is thus wrongly targeted, and tragically untimely. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand, Mr Buhari had said in reaction to attacks on state institutions and personnel in the South-east and South-south regions of Nigeria. The presidents statement has stirred controversy across Nigeria and beyond with critics describing it as insensitive and suggesting genocide against the Igbos. The presidents supporters, however, say the statement was simply a stern warning to violent insurrectionists in the South-east. On Thursday, Twitter deleted the presidents post with the Nigerian government later saying the social media giant has a hidden agenda in Nigeria. On Friday, Nigeria announced an indefinite suspension of Twitter. In his Friday statement, Mr Soyinka compared President Buharis statement to the statements and actions of former U.S. President Donald Trump while the latter was in office. Read Mr Soyinkas full statement below. To SHOCK And AWE! We heard it last during the heydays of Donald Rumsfeld under George Bush and judge in what condition it has left that part of the world, and beyond. Rumsfelds namesake a sobering coincidence also spat the same gung-ho rhetoric. That Donald once ordered his uniformed forces to go out there and dominate the environment, following civilian protests at extra-judicial killings of blacks by state police. Soon enough, leaving nothing to chance, that Donald II seized on the first opportunity to personally mobilize a mob to dominate Capitol Hill, his own seat of government that was clearly slipping from his control. Optimists are free to underplay that threat to the much-acclaimed democratic beacon. Study that scenario carefully however, and you find It is not a question of: it could never have succeeded. Such surmises are wrong, It COULD HAVE SUCCEEDED, albeit with unpredictable consequences for America and the world. And so, when the elected head of a democratic state like Nigeria, not perched precariously on the knife edge of power but with a couple more years in the kitty, threatens to shock dissidents, we should indeed be shocked out of any complacency. Even if History has been deliberately eliminated from the schools curriculum, Memory suffices to jerk us into a watchful, precautionary alert. I hold no brief for those who resort to burning down police stations, slaughter their occupants simply for the crime of earning a measly monthly pittance, torch electoral offices, assassinate politicians in calculated effort to set sections of the country against others in the promotion of their own political goals. These are largely nihilists, psychopaths and/or criminal lords, soul mates of Boko Haram, ISWAP, Daesh and company, not to be confused with genuine liberators. All over the world, throughout history, elections are denounced, boycotted, and generally delegitimized without recourse to wanton butchery. When, however, a Head of State threatens to shock civilian dissidents, to deal with them in the language they understand, and in a context that conveniently brackets opposition to governance with any bloodthirsting enemies of state, we have to call attention to the precedent language of such a national leader under even more provocative, nation disintegrative circumstances. What a pity, and what a tragic setting, to discover that this language was accessible all the time to President Buhari, where and when it truly mattered, when it would have been not only appropriate, but deserved and mandatory! When Benue was first massively brought under siege, with the massacre of innocent citizens, the destruction of farms, mass displacement followed by alien occupation, Buharis language both as utterance and as what is known as body language was of a totally different temper. It was diffident, conciliatory, even apologetic. After much internal pressure, he eventually visited the scene of slaughter. His language? Learn to live peacefully with your neighbours. The expected language, rationally and legitimately applied to the aggressors, was exactly what we now hear I shall shock you. I shall deal with you in the language you understand. That language was missing at the moment that mattered most. It remained missing in action for years until a belated Shoot at sight outburst. Too late, and of course, inappropriately phrased. The precedent had been set, the genie let out of the bottle, consolidating a culture of impunity that predictably spread its bloody stain all over the nation. Buharis recent deployment of this language is thus wrongly targeted, and tragically untimely. Even while he was threatening dissidents, an agenda of both secessionism and alien occupation was taking place not too distant from Aso Rock. ISWAP was taking over the already excised territories of Shekaus Boko Haram, appointing new warlords of the occupational forces, sectioning Nigeria into vassal states and unfurling their replacement flags of domination. Soon, logically, ISWAPs letters of diplomatic accreditation will be presented in Aso Rock? We must however backtrack a little that is the function of memory. It would be false to suggest that these eggs of impunity are newly laid. They have been incubating in loathsome hatcheries of power and domination for years, even decades, and now the raptors have been hatched and taken wings. The political culture of the devils bargain, of denial, evasion, avoidance of constitutional mandates, the culture of appeasement of the unappeasable to quote myself in order to gratify the vested interests of a narrow, power obsessed elite has blossomed. Finally, the chickens have come home to roost. The evocation of the Civil War, where millions of civilians perished, is an unworthy emotive ploy that has run its course. In any case and this has been voiced all too often, and loudly the nation is already at war, and of a far more potentially devastating dimension than it has ever known. Every single occupant of this nation space called Nigeria has been declared potential casualty, children being pushed to the very battlefront, without a semblance of protective cover. We have betrayed the future. We need no breast beating about past wars. The world has moved on, so have nations. Some, however, prefer to move backwards. The continent is full of these atavists. In Nigeria, powerful cliques of this persuasion still roam the corridors of power We are indeed at war. It does not take the formal declaration of hostilities, with or without lethal bombardments, for a nation to find itself shell-shocked. The populace of this nation is already in that shell-shocked condition. So, what is there left to shock? It is time to think outside the box. That many, in so doing, find no landing place except dissolution, is not a crime. It is not peculiar to any peoples, and is embedded in the ongoing history of many, and not only on this continent. It is their natural right as free citizens, not slaves of habit and indoctrination. Where disillusion rides high, sentiment tumbles earthwards, and the only question becomes: what can be salvaged? It thus remains the responsibility of leadership to persuade them, through both discourse and remedial action, that there are other options. Attempted bullying is not a language of discourse, nor the facile ploy of tarring all birds with the same feather. ADVERTISEMENT I shall end on a personal note. It was not intended but, in view of breast thumping rhetoric by one president after the other over military sacrifice undeniable, certainly such recalls should be considered salutary. The heroic exploits of our military in confronting some of the deadliest internal forces of dehumanization deserve their place of honour, not only in history, but in contemporary consciousness. However, let not the military fail to take its place centrally in the nations ongoing, unavoidable soul searching. And so to an instructive intervention by this bloody civilian, in what should be an exclusionary portfolio of the keepers of a nations mandate for secure existence. It took months for me to effect a meeting, agreed in principle, with a former National Security Adviser. It took that long only because I refused to meet him within the country, since it had become clear that the +security forces, in addition to high levels of governance, had become infiltrated by the very vicious elements that have fully established and sustained a lethal dimension. I was not about to let myself be sold out to unseen forces in my eagerness to sound an oppressive warning. We eventually met in London. The records, I am certain, will be found in the National Security files and, in any case, I went accompanied. My mission was straightforward to let him know that the nation was under siege, that the nomadic herdsmen that then threaded the forests were of a different breed from those whom we normally encountered in that environment that was also close to second home to some of us. We met. That National Security Adviser assured me that the military was aware of this, and that his mission to the United States was to negotiate the purchase of spotter planes to patrol the forest routes. I retreated, satisfied, to my normal preoccupations. No, not entirely true I did take other supplementary steps internally, including meetings with high level state officials in the West. Now comes the rub! imagine the chagrin, this past week or two, as revelations emerged, ten years after that meeting, of humungous amounts from oil resources being found in the US off-shore accounts of that pivotal figure of any nations security architecture! Is that an exceptional tale? Not in the least! He is not the first multi-starred general to be thus exposed, some even brought to trial. While Boko Haram was consolidating, a Nations Security Czar was also consolidating his nest egg with funds meant for elimination of a national scourge. Shock? No. Civil Society already has a superabundance of the military shock treatment! Wole SOYINKA. Facebook, another social media platform, has removed a controversial statement posted via President Muhammadu Buharis official page. The President had on Tuesday threatened to treat insurrectionists and those attacking facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) like Nigerian soldiers treated the rebels during the civil war. Mr Buhari, a retired general fought during the war which claimed the lives of over one million persons. Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand, he said. The statement, which many suggested to be a subtle threat of genocide, was first deleted by Twitter, a micro-blogging platform. The platform said it removed the tweet for violating its terms and conditions. Facebook follows suit However, on Friday, Facebook, following reports from many Nigerian users, removed the same post from its platform. In line with our global policies, weve removed a post from President Buharis Facebook page for violating our Community Standards against inciting violence. We remove any content, from individuals or organisations that violates our policies on Facebook, the platform stated. Although the post is no longer available on Mr Buharis timeline, it is sustained on other Facebook accounts including his aides, Femi Adesina. It is, however, unclear if the Nigerian government would suspend the operations of Facebook as it did to Twitter earlier today for bringing down the same statement. In a statement issued on Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension of Twitter, citing the alleged use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigerias corporate existence. According to the statement signed by a special assistant to the Nigerian President, office of the minister, Segun Adeyemi, the minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all social media operations in Nigeria. Mr Mohammed had earlier claimed the social media sites response to Nigeria was suspect. Mr Mohammed has for long championed the call for regulation of social media in the country, claiming the platforms are used to spew hate. Mr Buhari made the controversial comments which have now earned him sanctions from the social media platforms when he received a briefing from the Chairman of the INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, at the State House, on Tuesday in Abuja. Mr Yakubu had briefed the president on a series of attacks on facilities of the electoral body around the country. There have been several attacks on INEC facilities lately, especially around the South-east and the South-south regions. Police and prison facilities, including court buildings, have been similarly attacked in the regions. Several security officials have been killed in the attacks. ADVERTISEMENT Nigerians have reacted with fury after the federal government on Friday announced a ban on Twitter, the microblogging platform millions of citizens have used for years to express themselves and hold the authorities to account. In a shocking move, Information Minister Lai Mohammed, who had earlier claimed the platforms objective in Nigeria was suspect, said the government had decided to ban it indefinitely, two days after Twitter deleted President Muhammadu Buharis post threatening violence. Mr Buhari evoked the civil war that killed millions between 1967 and 1970, and warned arsonists destroying governments properties they would be treated in a language they understand. Although he did not name the South East, it was in clear reference to the region where government installations have been torched in recent weeks, and which suffered the brunt of the civil war the most. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand, the president posted on Twitter. Mr Buharis view drew widespread condemnation, and prompted a response from Twitter after several complaints were filed by citizens. Twitter said the post breached its rules and took it down. For a government that has for years made clear its intention to clamp down on citizens access to social media, it seemed a perfect time to act. Nigerians reacted Friday with outrage after Mr Mohammed announced the ban. The lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, told PREMIUM TIMES the suspension was a provocative infringement of Nigerians right to freedom of expression including freedom to access information in the country. The NBC has been authorised to impose harsh fines on local media houses that embarrass the federal government as a prelude for possible ban, he said. The suspension of Twitter may soon be extended to Facebook, Instagram and then BBC, VOA, Aljazeera, SABC and other international media platforms accused of publishing seditious or defamatory information against the government and its officials. The indefinite suspension of Twitter is a confirmation of the suspension of Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution. The Lagos-based lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, told PREMIUM TIMES the move is illegal as seeks to take away the constitutional right of expression from the people. The purported ban is a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of expression under section 39 of the Nigerian constitution, he said. To begin with fundamental rights can not be taken away or derogated without a law. A written law is required and section 35 said that written law has to be reasonably and justifiably in a democratic society. The federal government says they are suspending Twitter because the genocidal tweet of the president was deleted, what they are saying is this, they are equating the presidents tweet to the entire country. As if Twitter was suspending or deleting the entire country, there is no law as of today that empowers the federal government to do what they claim they are doing. ADVERTISEMENT When they try to introduce the Social Media Bill, to give the government this kind of power, Nigerians resisted it and that bill has not been back till date. To now try to use executive fiat to achieve what they could not do through the Social Media Bill is absolutely outrageous because by saying you are suspending Twitter indefinitely, what they are saying is that apart from it amounting to an attack on the civic space, it is also a direct way of depriving citizens of the right to express themselves because Twitter is a very effective medium for expression. Mr Effing added: For the government to claim they are suspending that platform it is an attack on Nigerians. It is clearly unconstitutional and illegal. More Reactions More Nigerians expressed their concerns on Twitter shortly after the announcement. The former Senate president, Bukola Saraki, asked the government to review the decision. No sir! This should not be the response from the president of a nation with a vibrant youthful population for whom #Twitter is part of their daily lives and a source of their income and livelihood. This must be reviewed, he wrote. No sir! This should not be the response from the president of a nation with a vibrant youthful population for whom #Twitter is part of their daily lives and a source of their income and livelihood. This must be reviewed. Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) June 4, 2021 The former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, posted a lighthearted response, saying: Hopefully, this isnt my last tweet. #smile. Hopefully, this isnt my last tweet. #smile Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) June 4, 2021 Some Nigerians believed the government lacks the technological capacity to implement the ban. I dont think anybody should take this ban of Twitter in Nigeria news seriously. These clowns dont even have the technological requirements to implement it. Let them start with tracking down the bandits and Boko Haram terrorists first, tweeted Wale Adetona. I dont think anybody should take this ban of Twitter in Nigeria news seriously. These clowns dont even have the technological requirements to implement it. Let them start with tracking down the bandits and Boko Haram terrorists first. Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) June 4, 2021 Twitter isnt a govt owned app & Nigerians have the right to freedom of speech so its ridiculous the Federal Government is trying to suspend Twitter in Nigeria. FG quickly held a meeting cos of Twitter but cant do the same to tackle terrorism in Nigeria? What a shameless govt, Daniel Regha. Twitter isnt a govt owned app & Nigerians have the right to freedom of speech so its ridiculous the Federal Government is trying to suspend Twitter in Nigeria. FG quickly held a meeting cos of Twitter but cant do the same to tackle terrorism in Nigeria? What a shameless govt. Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) June 4, 2021 This has nothing to do with a recently deleted tweet but everything to do with getting back at Twitter for giving young Nigerians a voice against police brutality during the EndSARS movement! Fola Aina. This has nothing to do with a recently deleted tweet but everything to do with getting back at Twitter for giving young Nigerians a voice against police brutality during the EndSARS movement! Fola Aina (@folanski) June 4, 2021 Some outlined the economic consequences of the decision. Does President Buhari and the federal government know how much young Nigerians make on social media platforms like Twitter daily? Does Lai Mohammed know the number of jobs being sustained by Twitter in Nigeria ? What is wrong with these people? Dipo Awojide Does President Buhari and the federal government know how much young Nigerians make on social media platforms like Twitter daily? Does Lai Mohammed know the number of jobs being sustained by Twitter in Nigeria ? What is wrong with these people? Dr. Dipo Awojide, FHEA (@OgbeniDipo) June 4, 2021 Market not good for social media/digital media SAs & their aides this week. Facebook ban next. Might have to fire them all (no! no! no, not the firing squad, its 2021, we dont do that anymoreor do we???) Has there been a return to military rule & no one told us #TwitterBan, Ayoade Alakija. Market not good for social media/digital media SAs & their aides this week. Facebook ban next. Might have to fire them all (no! no! no, not the firing squad, its 2021, we dont do that anymoreor do we???) Has there been a return to military rule & no one told us #TwitterBan https://t.co/xSbJa3gi3n Dr. Ayoade Alakija (@yodifiji) June 4, 2021 Nigerians have a constitutional right to exercise their freedom of expression and a right to access of information. This must be respected. Safeguarding free, independent media and civic spaces for democratic voices is an important part of Swedens #DriveForDemocracy #TwitterBan Sweden in Nigeria (@SwedeninNigeria) June 4, 2021 Freedom of speech, used responsibly online and off line, and access to reliable information are fundamental human rights protected by #Nigerias constitution and a cornerstone of democratic life around the world. (1/2) #TwitterBan Nicolas Simard (@NicolasJSimard) June 4, 2021 ADVERTISEMENT The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the illegal and unconstitutional suspension of Twitters Operations in Nigeria, and called on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately rescind the suspension within 48 hours or face legal action. The federal government today announced that it has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria. This was announced by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Adeyemi. But SERAP in a statement by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: The suspension of Twitter in Nigeria is a blatant violation of Nigerians rights to freedom of expression and access to information. The suspension has the character of collective punishment and is contrary to Nigerias international obligations. President Buhari must immediately rescind this unconstitutional suspension. We will see in court if the suspension is not rescinded within 48 hours. The statement, read in part: Suspending Twitter in Nigeria would deny Nigerians access to information, and disrupt the free exchange of ideas and the ability of individuals to connect with one another and associate peacefully on matters of shared concern. It would also seriously undermine the ability of Nigerians to promote transparency and accountability in the country, and to participate in their own government. We call on the Nigerian authorities to guarantee the constitutionally and internationally recognized human rights of Nigerians including online. Deletion of President Buharis tweets should never be used as a pretext to suppress the civic space and undermine Nigerians fundamental human rights. ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian Navy has refuted a report of a trending video on the social media claiming that a helicopter was delivering arms to Fulani herdsmen in a forest in Badagry, Lagos. The spokesperson of the Nigerian Navy, Suleman Dahun, told PRNigeria that the helicopter was on a training mission. A video clip emerged to the effect that a strange helicopter was spotted by a number of young men, landing in the bush in the Badagry area of Lagos State on Thursday, June 3. The video was shared on various social media platforms claiming that it was supplying arms to insurgents in the area. While Speaking to PRNigeria, Mr Dahun, a commodore, confirmed that there is a military training area in Magbon, Badagry. ALSO READ: France offers Nigerian Navy support to secure Gulf of Guinea If we want to go for training we take permission from Lagos control tower and fly there, land, and do other manoeuvres and come back. How does that amount to carrying arms for terrorists or bandits ? he added. While describing the social media reports as fake news, Mr Dahun added that some of the people around during the training area were amused by the aircrafts maneuvers and appreciated it. PRNigeria observed that in the video, the helicopter landed without dropping off or picking up any persons or things before taking off again. ADVERTISEMENT The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for stronger ties between Nigeria and Canada. He made this known while hosting the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Nicolas Simard, in his office on Friday. The speaker also assured the diplomat of the commitment of the House to gender issues. Mr Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his media aide, Lanre Lasisi, said the 9th House had prioritised certain issues, not only for the development of the country but also in conformity with global demands. He said Canada needs to explore areas of security, cybersecurity, biosafety, energy as well as parliamentary diplomacy to the benefit of both countries. Mr Gbajabiamila said the issue of security, gender parity, violence against persons, rape, in addition to the economy are well articulated in the 9th House Legislative Agenda to help drive the attainment of the set goals of the Green Chamber. Gender parity is an area that this 9th National Assembly, I think more than any past Assembly, focuses seriously on. We are not just talking, we are walking the talk, he said. On the diplomatic ties between the two countries, Mr Gbajabiamila said It is important that we sustain and continue these engagements to the benefit of our countries. As we know, the world is a global village now, and everybody feeds off everybody and we are all interdependent one way or the other. Earlier, Mr Simard, informed the speaker that the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries had resulted in more than $1 billion trade exchange between the two nations last year, while about $115 million per year in form of humanitarian and development assistance from Canada to Nigeria to several sectors has been given. Mr Simard also expressed Canadas readiness for more robust engagement with Nigeria, while he inquired about how Nigeria is dealing with issues of women empowerment and inclusion as well as human rights situation and what steps the House was taking towards the issues. The diplomat congratulated Nigeria on the adoption of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and its domestication by several states. Canada is one of the top destinations for young Nigerians seeking opportunities outside the country. Harrison Omagbon, the acting state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, has called for calm among party faithful, following the suspension of the state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi. Mr Aziegbemi was suspended by the PDP after he accused the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, of marginalising the PDP in his political appointments so far and also making moves to sack the party structure in the state. The acting chairman, Mr Omagbon, said in a statement on Thursday in Benin that his task is to unite the PDP in Edo. My task as acting chairman will be to unite our party and ensure that the unity which our electoral victory bestowed on us is sustained and enlarged to the glory of God, he said. He said that the suspension of Mr Aziegbemi was to allow for proper investigation into the allegations against him. Following the recent developments in our great party, I wish to appeal to our teeming members and supporters to first accept our profound regret for the uproar of the last few weeks, as well as the recent developments at the party secretariat. On behalf of the state working committee, I am deeply sorry. However, we cannot wish away our partys sanctity, integrity and pride on the altar of parochial sentiments. That is why we have set up a committee to investigate and unearth the facts of these allegations, he said. Mr Omagbon added: My dear party faithful, we are at a very auspicious time in our democracy. It is on record that our governor is counted among those delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. We cannot engender a party culture of corruption and flagrant disregard for the wishes of the people. The suspended PDP chairman, in a letter he jointly signed with the party secretary in the state, Hillary Otsu, accused Mr Obaseki of marginalising the PDP in his political appointments so far and also making moves to sack the party structure in the state. The duo said the letter was written on behalf of the expanded State Working Committee of the party. Mr Obaseki had defected from his former party, the All Progressives Congress, to the PDP where he contested and won the election for his second term. Edo people voted for PDP and Godwin Obaseki to deliver the dividends of democracy to them. If he wishes to appoint only his friends and former APC colleagues in his cabinet and sundry positions and leave out the legacy PDP members, so be it, said Mr Aziegbemi in the letter which was sent to the national leadership of the PDP. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT A senator, Abdullahi Adamu (APC-Nasarawa), says it is impossible for Nigeria to break along regional lines, because southern businessmen have more investments in the North than the South. Mr Adamu said this when he hosted Tanzania High Commissioner to Nigeria, Benson Bana, on Friday in Abuja. Mr Adamus comment is also against the backdrop of an upsurge recently in nationalist agitations including a clamour in the South East for the formation of the Republic of Biafra. I can tell you authoritatively that the investment of Igbo businessmen in this country is more in the north, than in the eastern region itself, Mr Adamu said. I can also say on authority. There are probably more Igbo people living outside the South-east than those living in the area. Now does it speak well of us when we start advocating that everybody should go back to his or her place? We are not being realistic with ourselves. I do not have a problem in democratic setting where you criticise me genuinely, he said. According to him, I can accommodate your criticism, I can also have something to say about you, but let there be the spirit of keeping the country together. Let there be the spirit that we are brothers, we are one anothers keepers as professed by the Bible and the Quran, Mr Adamu said. He advised those beating the drums of war to desist. Those of us who are old enough to have seen the Nigeria Civil War will not pray for anything like that again. I do not want to leave this country. I do not know any other country, I am not dreaming about having any other country but Nigeria. So, anybody who does not want this country can go where he wants to go, Mr Adamu said. The lawmaker decried the high level of sabotage of governments programmes in the country. Mr Bana, who shared the same sentiment with Mr Adamu, said nation building in Africa had always been a process. It is not an event, disintegrating a nation is not the best option for Africa. I read the newspapers. In one of my readings I came to scan through an interview you granted, you discussed extensively, matters relating to the federation. And I looked at the argument you were posing, they were arguments of a distinguished senator, a patriotic leader, an astute politician of the current times. And the arguments you raised resonated very well with my country. Tanzania is a union of two sovereign states, Zanzibar and Tanganyika. ADVERTISEMENT The journey for the union was not that smooth, many people wanted to know whether we can live with the union for a long time or there will be a point where people need to disintegrate, he said. Mr Bana said the amendment process of the 1999 Constitution was a sensitive issue that the countrys leaders must take seriously. Constitution making processes are processes that are sensitive, they should not fall into the hands of the wrong persons. They have to be protected, there should be boundaries, he said. As Nigeria battles severe economic and political challenges including spiking insecurity, different regional groups have been advocating for secession in recent months. (NAN) San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/04/2021 -- Certain directors of Range Resources Corporation are under investigation over potential breaches of fiduciary duties. Investors who are current long term investors in Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) shares, have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at mail@shareholdersfoundation.com or call +1(858) 779 - 1554. The investigation by a law firm for current long term investors in NYSE: RRC stocks follows a lawsuit filed against Range Resources Corporation over alleged securities laws violations. The investigation on behalf of current long term investors in NYSE: RRC stocks, concerns whether certain Range Resources Corporation officers and directors are liable in connection with the allegations made in that lawsuit. According to that complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania the plaintiff alleges that, the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and failed to disclose to investors that Range Resources had improperly designated the status of its wells in Pennsylvania since at least 2013, that the foregoing conduct subjected the Company to a heightened risk of regulatory investigation and enforcement, as well as artificially decreased the Company's periodically reported cost estimates to plug and abandon its wells, that the Company was the subject of a DEP investigation from sometime between September 2017 to January 2021 for improperly designating the status of its wells, that the DEP investigation foreseeably would and ultimately did lead to the Company incurring regulatory fines; and that as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. Those who purchased shares of Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation. Contact: Shareholders Foundation, Inc. Michael Daniels 3111 Camino Del Rio North - Suite 423 92108 San Diego Phone: +1-(858)-779-1554 Fax: +1-(858)-605-5739 mail@shareholdersfoundation.com About Shareholders Foundation, Inc. The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is a professional portfolio monitoring and settlement claim filing service, , which does research related to shareholder issues and informs investors of securities class actions, settlements, judgments, and other legal related news to the stock/financial market. Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is in contact with a large number of shareholders and offers help, support, and assistance for every shareholder. The Shareholders Foundation, Inc. is not a law firm. Referenced cases, investigation, and/or settlements are not filed/reached and/or related to Shareholders Foundation. The information is provided as a public service. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon. ADVERTISEMENT The Police Council has confirmed Usman Alkali as the substantive Inspector General of the Nigerian Police. This was part of the outcome of the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday. Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, who confirmed the development at the end of the one and half hours meeting, said Mr Alkali was unanimously confirmed. The minister said Mr Buhari directed him to ensure insecurity is brought to the barest minimum. Mr Alkali was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 6. He replaced Mohammed Adamu whose three months tenure extension was truncated midway. Until his appointment as IGP, Mr Alkali was the DIG in charge of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID). Born on March 1, 1963 (58 years old), in Geidam, Yobe State, he enlisted into the Nigerian Police in 1988. Mr Alkali holds a bachelors degree in political science from Bayero University, Kano and a masters degree in public administration from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State. He also holds a teachers grade II certificate (TC II) from Teachers College, Potiskum, Yobe. He is a fellow of the National Defence College and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Some of the positions he had held in the past include: Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone-5 Benin, Zone-4 Makurdi, Zone-7 Abuja, Commissioner of Police FCT and Delta Commands, and Force Secretary at the police headquarters. The Nigerian government has appealed to the international community for better cooperation in the fight against corruption, and timely return of illicit assets to the affected nations. This was part of the major highlights of Nigerias statement delivered by Abdulrasheed Bawa, the chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the 32nd Special Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in New York, United States, on Thursday. Nigeria is a member of the UN General Assembly along with 192 other nations. The UN General Assembly meeting with the theme, Challenges and measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation held between June 2 and 4. Mr Bawa spoke at a session of the meeting on Thursday. His statement was made available to journalists by the EFCCs press and media unit on Friday. Return of stolen assets, illicit financial flows A nation among those that have lost most funds through illicit outflow in the world, Nigeria demanded the timely return of illicit assets to countries from which they were stolen. It also appealed for measures to mitigate the continuous flow of illicit funds from least developed to developed countries. It urged governments around the world to ensure implementation of effective anti-money laundering measures by International Financial Centres. It also called on nations to commit to transparency and accountability in public expenditure. Now more than ever, governments at all levels must rise to their responsibility and continue to commit to transparency and accountability in public expenditure. Measures must be introduced to mitigate the continuous flow of illicit funds from least developed to developed countries, Mr Bawa told the body on Thursday (June 3). He added, State Parties must continue to commit to the timely return of illicit assets and ensure implementation of effective anti-money laundering measures by International Financial Centers. Nigeria further highlights the very beneficial use of settlements or non-trial resolutions to ensure the disgorgement of illicit gains from corrupt acts. It calls on jurisdictions negotiating settlements to, in a timely manner, inform affected jurisdictions that a negotiation toward a settlement is taking place, and proactively share information on concluded settlements. Mutual legal assistance, cooperation He called for simplification of evidentiary requirements and other mutual legal assistance procedures to achieve timely recovery and return of assets. Nigeria further calls for the simplification of evidentiary requirements and other mutual legal assistance procedures to seize, confiscate and repatriate proceeds of corruption, as appropriate, to enhance international cooperation for timely recovery and return of assets, Mr Bawa said. He also called on nations to fully cooperate on previous resolutions on settlements of the UNGASS Political Declaration. He asked for a multifaceted approach in addressing illicit financial flows as recommended by the High Level Panel Report on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity for Achieving the 2030 Agenda (FACTI Panel). Mr Bawa noted that the report provides paths to financial integrity for sustainable development, strongly showing how to redirect the resources lost from illicit flows to finance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the achievement of the SDGs. DOWNLOAD FULL SPEECH HERE ADVERTISEMENT Mind-boggling illicit outflows Nigeria is a victim of mind-boggling illicit outflows of assets. Its former kleptomaniac Head of State, the late Sani Abacha, and his family members are believed to have stolen as much as $5 billion from the governments treasury during his five years in office. More than 20 years after his death, Nigeria is still battling to repatriate the stolen funds stashed in foreign bank accounts around the world. So far, illicit funds linked to the family has been recovered from Ireland, the United States, Switzerland, the Rhodes of Island and New Jersey. According to a 2020 study by Brookings, a U.S. based nonprofit research organisation, between 1980 and 2018, sub-Saharan Africa exported over $1 trillion of illicit financial flows, with the top four emitters of illicit flows are: South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Nigeria which emits over 50 per cent of the 38 years of total illicit financial flows. The nation accounts for 20 per cent (about $10 billion) of the estimated $50 billion that Africa was losing to Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), according to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in March this year. It has pervasive public corruption which continues to negatively impact its yearly ranking by the Transparency Internationals (TI) Corruption Perception Index. Nigeria dropped in the latest CPI ranking released by TI in January. DOWNLOAD FULL SPEECH HERE The Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade says he was attracted to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) by the personal character of President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Ayade recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. I moved into the APC because of my personal relationship with Mr President, Mr Ayade told reporters at the Presidential Villa on Thursday after a meeting with Mr Buhari. I have watched him and I found honesty, integrity and I see his wish and commitment to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To that extent, I have a leader that I trust, he said of the president. That was Mr Ayades first meeting with President Buhari, after the governors defection two weeks ago. The governor told the reporters what he thinks of opposition politics in Nigeria and other countries. Opposition in the third world means let everything happen that will make the other party look bad. I am one of the strong Nigerian governors who has risen beyond party lines and ethnic lines by virtue of my education and exposure, he said. He said his defection has caused uneasiness in the PDP, and that it came as a rude shock to the party. It is indeed a rude shock because until I defected, I was a very strong member of the party in truth and in spirit. And, the reality is that PDP had the best result in Cross River of all the elected offices, all the chairmen of council, all the councillors, all the National Assembly members but one, all the chairmen of the local governments, all commissioners, all the appointees, all of them were PDP before I defected. So, in terms of performance of PDP, it should be highest performance in the last election in Cross River, which means of all the elected offices, except for one office, PDP cleared all. So, for such a governor who led PDP to such a victory, to defect to APC, definitely, it must come as a very, very rude shock, he said. Opposition responsible for insecurity Governor Ayade, without any evidence to back up his claim, said unpatriotic politicians were sponsoring deadly attacks, kidnappings, and killings in some parts of Nigeria. The increasing insecurity in Nigeria as Nigeria suffers attacks from extraneous aggressors, paid militia and bandits, the opposition party only celebrates that because they believe it gives them a chance to win in 2023. So, opposition becomes very cannibalistic. So, you rejoice over the bloodbath in your country, you rejoice over the level of insurgency and killings in your country just because you are playing opposition. The country is snowballing into a civil strife. We need to come together and support Mr President to overcome the insurgency which is characterised by external militias, who are paid for the purpose. ADVERTISEMENT Police operatives and other security officials have been targeted for deadly attacks in the South-east and South-south regions. Court buildings and facilities belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission have also been attacked and set ablaze. Mr Ayades Cross River has also witnessed deadly attacks on security officials. Four police officers, for instance, were shot dead by gunmen on a highway in Calabar in February. Two officers were similarly killed in Obubra in March. (NAN) The remains of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Joshua Dogonyaro, were laid to rest in Langtang, Plateau State, on Friday. Mr Dogonyaro, a retired lieutenant general and former military administrator of Plateau State, died at the age of 80 last month. According to his first son, Joseph Dogonyaro, he died after battling stroke at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). At the wake service held on Friday, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi; Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong; Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, amongst other dignitaries paid tribute to the deceased. Mr Magashi, who was representing President Muhammadu Buhari, said the late Mr Dogonyaro was a thoroughbred officer whose antecedents in the Nigerian Army remain a reference point and motivation to younger officers. He said Nigeria remains grateful to late the late General for his gallantry, patriotism and diligence in service to the nation particularly during his command of ECOMOG troops in Liberia. Governor Lalong in his tribute said the state was not grieving over the loss but celebrating a worthy son who made Nigeria and Africa proud throughout his military career. Late General Dogonyaro left his footprints in the sands of time. The challenge before us today is to ensure that the sacrifices he and other gallant soldiers made in uniting and keeping Nigeria safe does not go in vain. We must unite to defeat the forces of evil that are threatening the security and wellbeing of Nigeria. That is the best way we can honour the memory of the late General, a statement issued by his spokesman, Makut Macham, read. Also, Mr Gowon, who sent in a message through Jon Temlong, affirmed the testimony of gallantry and selflessness by the late Mr Dogonyaro whom he said showed early signs of greatness shortly after being commissioned into the Army. According to Mr Macham, a representative of the Liberian President George Weah was also present at the funeral. Biography Late Mr Dogonyaro, a soldier and an administrator, was born on September 12, 1940 in Vom, Plateau State, though a native of Taroh in Langtang North Local Government Area. He had his early education at Boys Secondary School, Gindiri, and thereafter, was enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1964. He was commissioned Second-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, 1967; Officer Commanding, 1 Recce Squadron, NA, 1967-69; Quartermaster General, I Infantry Division (Main), N, 1969-70. The late general became Chief Instructor and Adjutant, Rece Training School, NA, 1970 to 1972; Commanding Officer, I Recce Regiment, NA., 1972 to 1976. He was appointed Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Nigerian Army Armoured Corp, 1976 to 1977; Commanding Officer, 24 Armoured Brigade, NA., 1977-79. Between 1984 and 1985, he was made the Task Force Commanding Officer, 203 Armoured Battalion on the Peace-keeping Force in Chad; Director of Manning (Army), Army Headquarters, A Branch, N.A and Director of Armoury, 1985. He was also the General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, N.A, Jos, 1985 to 1987; member, Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), 1985; General Officer Commanding 2nd Mechanised Division, N.A, Ibadan, 1987; promoted Major-General, 1988; Promoted Lt. General; former ECOMOG Commander; retired in 1993. Mr Dogonyaro also attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos and obtained National Institute (mni) in addition to the Staff College (Psc) and Forces Service Star (FSS). ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has written to banks demanding the asset declaration forms of their top executives. The chair of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, had in March issued a June 1 ultimatum for bankers to start declaring their assets. Mr Bawa had said the directive was in line with the Bank Employees, ETC. (Declaration of Assets) Act 1986, enacted to ensure adequate measures in sanitising the nations financial system. A commission official and a top source in the EFCC told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday that the commission had written a letter dated June 1, 2021 to the banks, demanding their managing directors, deputy managing directors and executive directors, to declare their assets. The request for the assets declaration forms of the top executives of banks is contained in a letter to the managing directors of the banks dated June 1, 2021, the source said. The source added, listed among the officers whose assets declaration forms are expected by the Commission are managing directors, deputy managing directors and executive directors of all the banks. The request is pursuant to the Bank Employees, etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act, 1986, which mandates bankers to declare assets upon employment and annually thereafter. ALSO READ: What EFCC chair told 192 countries on behalf of Nigeria at UN Assembly The commission had warned that the violators of the law risk imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years. Mr Bawa had while announcing the directive in March said the commission had discussed it the banks and expressed hope that all financial institutions, particularly the bankers, will declare their assets as provided for by the law, in accordance with the Bank, Employees Declaration of Asset Act. He added that action would also help to block some of the loopholes being exploited by unscrupulous players in the sector to undermine the Nigerian economy through money laundering and illicit financial flows. EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed to our reporter that the commission had written the letters to the banks. Renowned playwright, Wole Soyinka, has spoken about how he alerted a former National Security Adviser on the potential threat posed by the influx of strange nomadic herders in Nigeria. In his recent public comments, the professor of literature berated President Muhammadu Buhari over his controversial comment to shock insurrectionists and vandals of electoral commission offices. Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand, Mr Buhari said, while warning against vandalism. The statement, which many suggested to be a subtle threat of genocide, has been deleted by Facebook and Twitter, two social media giants, who claimed it violated their rules. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the federal government on Friday reacted angrily by suspending the operations of Twitter in Nigeria. Soyinkas reaction Mr Soyinka, in his reaction, said the president should be called to order. When, however, a Head of State threatens to shock civilian dissidents, to deal with them in the language they understand, and in a context that conveniently brackets opposition to governance with any bloodthirsting enemies of state, we have to call attention to the precedent language of such a national leader under even more provocative, nation disintegrative circumstances. What a pity, and what a tragic setting, to discover that this language was accessible all the time to President Buhari, where and when it truly mattered, when it would have been not only appropriate, but deserved and mandatory! He also commented on prevailing security challenges occasioned by incessant killings and kidnappings. Armed herders influx Speaking on the alarming farmers-herders clashes rocking the country, Mr Soyinka recalled a meeting he had with a former security adviser in London warning him about strange nomadic herders ten years ago. The Nobel laureate did not mention any name in his statement. But PREMIUM TIMES recalls that Owoeye Azazi and Sambo Dasuki served as NSAs during the tenure of former president, Goodluck Jonathan, the predecessor of Mr Buhari, at the period Mr Soyinka was apparently referencing. While Mr Azazi served between October 4, 2010 and June 22, 2012, Mr Dasuki served between June 22, 2012 till July 13, 2015. Mr Azazi died on December 15, 2012 along with ex-Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State in a naval helicopter crash in Okoroba Village of Bayelsa State while on their way back to the Port-Harcourt Airport from a funeral. Mr Dasuki, on his part, was later arrested and detained by the State Security Service (SSS) for allegedly stealing $2.1 billion meant to fund Nigerias fight against terrorism. He was accused of awarding phantom contracts to buy 12 helicopters, four fighter jets, and ammunition meant for Nigerias military campaign against Boko Haram insurgency. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Dasuki, who was detained for about four years, was eventually released by the SSS in 2019 after the Buhari government frustrated several bails granted the ex-official by the courts Mr Soyinka, who deliberately left out the name of the official, said it took him months to agree to meeting the ex-official in the United Kingdom. ADVERTISEMENT It took that long only because I refused to meet him within the country, since it had become clear that the security forces, in addition to high levels of governance, had become infiltrated by the very vicious elements that have fully established and sustained a lethal dimension. I was not about to let myself be sold out to unseen forces in my eagerness to sound an oppressive warning. We eventually met in London. The records, I am certain, will be found in the National Security files and, in any case, I went accompanied. The don said his mission was to let him (ex-NSA) know that the nation was under siege and that the nomadic herdsmen that then threaded the forests were of a different breed from those whom we normally encountered in that environment that was also close to second home to some of us. Speaking further, the playwright said the military general assured him that the military was aware of it. That National Security Adviser assured me that the military was aware of this, and that his mission to the United States was to negotiate the purchase of spotter planes to patrol the forest routes. I retreated, satisfied, to my normal preoccupations. No, not entirely true I did take other supplementary steps internally, including meetings with high level state officials in the West. He, however, lamented that the same official was later accused of diverting resources meant to equip the military. Now comes the rub! Imagine the chagrin, this past week or two, as revelations emerged, ten years after that meeting, of humongous amounts from oil resources being found in the US off-shore accounts of that pivotal figure of any nations security architecture! Is that an exceptional tale? Not in the least! He is not the first multi-starred general to be thus exposed, some even brought to trial. While Boko Haram was consolidating, a Nations Security Czar was also consolidating his nest egg with funds meant for elimination of a national scourge In a controversial move, the Nigeria government on Friday announced it has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of Twitter in the country. The federal government based its decision on the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigerias corporate existence. This decision came two days after Twitter deleted a controversial post by President Muhammadu Buhari referencing the countrys civil war, and threatening those who attack government buildings with the language they understand. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand, Mr Buhari warned in the tweet that was taken down. Nigerias Information Minister Lai Mohammed was dismissive of Twitters action, saying Mr Buhari had the right to express dismay at violence by a banned organisation. Twitter may have its own rules, its not the universal rule, he said. If Mr president anywhere in the world feels very bad and concerned about a situation, he is free to express such views. Authorities did not clarify how and when the ban would start but the announcement has already sparked a torrent of outrage, with many people saying it is a move by the government to clamp down on freedom of expression. Twitter said in a statement on Friday that it was investigating the deeply concerning suspension of operations, and would provide updates when we know more. There are at least eight other countries where repressive governments have imposed a ban on Twitter. As of 2019, the governments of China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Turkmenistan amongst others had either temporarily or permanently blocked access to Twitter in their domains. Turkey Turkey blocked access to Twitter in March 2014 in the run-up to local elections. The move was reportedly carried out to stem a stream of leaked wiretapped recordings of senior officials that had appeared on the site, prompting then Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to say he would root out the network. Turkey lifted the ban on Twitter after the social networking site complied with its request to remove photographs of a slain Istanbul prosecutor. The decision caused a public uproar and drew heavy international criticism. Twitter said the government of Turkey since 2017 accounted for more than 52 per cent of all content removal requests worldwide. China In 2009, China blocked Twitter temporarily. The move was imposed after a small group of Chinas Muslim ethnic minority used the site to exchange information which resulted in deadly riots in Xinjiang. After the ban, many Chinese opted to use Twitter via VPN. Twitter was officially blocked alongside Facebook, Google+ and Foursquare. Egypt Egyptians had no access to Twitter on January 25, 2011 during the 2011 Egyptian protests. On January 27, various reports claimed that access to the entire Internet from within Egypt had been shut down. However, on February 2, 2011, connectivity was re-established by the four main Egyptian service providers. In 2016, Egypt cut off internet sites such as Twitter and Facebook as the government tried to prevent social media from being used to foment unrest. ADVERTISEMENT Twitter, YouTube, Hotmail, Google, Chinese search engine Baidu and a proxy service which would allow users to evade the restrictions appeared to be blocked from inside the country, according to the UK guardian. Iran Twitter was blocked in Iran in 2009 after a contentious presidential election. During the period, only Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was not prevented from owning a Twitter account. About two million Iranians access Twitter using VPNs, and Twitter was integral in galvanizing support for Irans 2010 Green Revolution. North Korea North Korea officially announced it was blocking Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and South Korean websites in a bid to further control access to outside information in 2013. The government announced it was blocking the aforesaid platforms for a certain period of time. It also said gambling and sex and adult websites had been blocked. In 2010 the government surprised the world by reportedly starting its own Twitter account. South Korea, in response, blocked the account from its own borders. Accessing Twitter without the governments permission is a punishable offence. This applies to both citizens and foreigners. Saudi Arabia In 2013, the Saudi Arabian government blocked Twitter when it conducted an experiment . The app was an important tool for criticising the government. It also censors individual social media pages, blocks accounts of political activists, and curbs freedom of expression by using tweets as grounds for charges like defamation and blasphemy. Turkmenistan Foreign news and opposition websites have been blocked in Turkmenistan since 2018. Social networks like Twitter are usually described as often inaccessible. UAE In 2007, the UAE blocked Twitter, meaning anyone in the UAE who went to the site was welcomed with the following message: We apologize, the site you are attempting to visit has been blocked due to its content being inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political and moral values of the United Arab Emirates. But Twitter has since been available in the country. By returning to our foundational principles of democracy and federalism, those who have decided they must opt out of the nation can begin to reflect on the possibility of one more attempt at nation-building. It will not be easy and it will take time. My message is that for us to get on the trajectory of state and nation-building, we need political assurances that Nigeria is worth fighting for The thoughts on everyones mind today revolve around frightening questions is there a future for Nigeria? Are we on a direct non-stop slide to anarchy? Is Nigeria beyond salvation? My response to these questions is to say lets think differently. Lets ask what we can do as individuals, groups, associations and communities to place Nigeria on the path of recovery, redemption and salvation. Let us place on the table our plans to rebuild the Nigerian State and society. It is not day-dreaming, its simply saying let us sing the song with Wole Soyinka: I love Nigeria I no go lie, na inside am I go live and die. In other words, now that we know many in our ruling classes have bought houses in foreign lands where they will live if and when Nigeria collapses, let the rest of us work hard to save Nigeria. Having said that, let us admit that it is no easy task. We have allowed Nigeria to slide backwards for so long that recovery would certainly not be easy. The Nigerian condition today is one of anomie. We live in a society in which norms, rules and values that held communities together have been dissipated and the basic unit in society, the family, is in disarray. The massive urbanisation that has occurred over the past few decades has moved a majority of Nigerians away from their homelands to crammed cities, where the majority live in slums but they know about the minority that are among the richest in the world, not because they earned it, but because they stole from the public purse. They stole our money. We therefore have this vast army now called the precariat, living precariously in informal jobs that can guarantee meals only for the days they are able to work. The ensuing insecurity has pushed Nigerians, poor and rich, to God, or so they think. The rich are seeking protection for their sins and the vengeance of the poor. The poor are seeking for wealth and for health, which neither the state nor society is providing. With everybody in Nigeria apparently in Gods Kingdom, a fierce competition has erupted on which of the narratives about God are genuine. The result is that families and communities are split on how to worship God for the best results, so we start killing each other in Gods name and completely miss out on his injunctions for peace and love. As our relationship with God is largely instrumental, our true object of worship has become money, lots of it, so today Nigerians are killing massively for money and no one is reminding them that thou shall not kill. To kill effectively and efficiently, Nigerians have been procuring AK 47 rifles to rob, kidnap for ransom and eliminate their enemies. To smoothen the process, Nigerians import massive quantities of drugs to help them do what God has said they should not do. They continue to kill without compunction, sense of guilt or moral scruples. Indeed, they go further astray, committing rape, incest, selling human parts, and so on. The anomie has become deep. It is in this context that the slide from anomie to anarchy accelerated. The guns were directed to: Create a caliphate for Boko Haram, turn former herders into ransom-produced millionaires, seek Biafra and Oduduwa Republics, wipe out the neighbouring community that has been annoying a group for 200 years, and settle the question of who goes to paradise by killing those WE think are not going there; that is, playing God. Let me repeat what God told us we should engage in peace and love. Why do we consider Gods injunctions with such disdain? Our current pathway therefore is towards anarchy, a society of freedom from governance, law and humanity. Yes, we are MAD, as we are on the pathway to Mutually Assured Destruction, not through nuclear bombs but by unleashing the worst in each of us. To stay together however means we must talk and agree about the conditions under which we can stay together. Anyone who says that the time for a sincere national dialogue has not arrived hates Nigeria and wants it to self-destruct. There is urgent need to organise a national dialogue and if the president will not take up the leadership challenge, genuine Nigerian leaders must arise There is an alternative path. That of redemption and recovery. The first step is for leaders to emerge, those who will tell Nigerians the truth so eloquently expressed by Professor Ade Ajayi that it is worthy to build the nation: There is no easy way to pull this country apart. The problems arising from such an exercise will be far bigger than the problem of trying to keep it going. The value of the size, the market, and the varieties of cultures etc. are important and should not be neglected. The greatness of Nigeria can be sought and revealed and we will all be winners. The alternative vision of hundreds of petty dominions and principalities can only lead to the Hobbesian state of nature, where life is nasty, brutish and short for all of us. To stay together however means we must talk and agree about the conditions under which we can stay together. Anyone who says that the time for a sincere national dialogue has not arrived hates Nigeria and wants it to self-destruct. There is urgent need to organise a national dialogue and if the president will not take up the leadership challenge, genuine Nigerian leaders must arise and take up the responsibility with the urgency it deserves. The agenda for the dialogue must be to re-invent what we Nigerians call true federalism. Professor Ade Ajayi has given this definition: True Federalism implies power sharing, abandoning the notion of any one group dominating all the others, not secession but building interdependence. But we need to work hard on it and not merely pay lip service to unity in diversity. As soon as we have a political plan to save Nigeria, we can start addressing the crisis of massive insecurity. The end game here is for our armed forces to guarantee our security and for law enforcement agencies to provide for our safety. For this to happen, Nigerians must be persuaded to give up on the idea that a gun for each household is the best guarantee for their security. The first step in this direction is to start implementing our federal character principle with sincerity. Those thinking that they can continue to bamboozle the others to 2023 and beyond are the anarchists seeking mutually assured destruction. By returning to our foundational principles of democracy and federalism, those who have decided they must opt out of the nation can begin to reflect on the possibility of one more attempt at nation-building. It will not be easy and it will take time. My message is that for us to get on the trajectory of state and nation-building, we need political assurances that Nigeria is worth fighting for and that can only flow out of a successful national dialogue. As soon as we have a political plan to save Nigeria, we can start addressing the crisis of massive insecurity. The end game here is for our armed forces to guarantee our security and for law enforcement agencies to provide for our safety. For this to happen, Nigerians must be persuaded to give up on the idea that a gun for each household is the best guarantee for their security. For clarity, my column this week is an open invitation to leaders in our country, even a few, to come out and start working on our common future. Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead 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. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all creation. May Allah extol the mention of the Prophet in the highest company of Angels and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his Companions and all those who follow him exactly until the Day of Judgement. Dear brothers and sisters! The importance of Zakah in Islam is known to every Muslim. They realise that it is a religious obligation that has been made compulsory by Allah Almighty. A majority of Muslims pay Zakah every year. However many people fail to do so either on purpose or unintentionally. What they dont realise is that this is viewed negatively in the eyes of Allah Almighty and that there are severe punishments for people who dont pay Zakah to assist the needy. My todays sermon will shed light on this topic and talk about what happens to those unfortunate people who dont pay Zakah their entire life. It is also meant to create awareness among Muslims on the importance of paying Zakah. Allah Almighty has said clearly that those who are negligent about their religious duties such as Zakah despite being well established financially, are going to face serious consequences here and the hereafter. It is mentioned in the Quran. Those who hoard up treasures of gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah; give them the news of a painful punishment, on the Day when that (wealth) will be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be branded on their forehead, their sides, and their backs, (and it will be said to them:) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard. [Quran, 9:34-35] And to further illustrate the punishments Allahs wrath has been explained even more clearly as Abu Hurairah narrated that Allahs Messenger (Peace be upon him) stated: Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakah of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a baldheaded poisonous snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, I am your wealth, I am your treasure. [Bukhari] This narration explains the severe punishment of not paying Zakah. The verse which the Prophet recited was: And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah has bestowed on them of His Bounty (wealth) think that it is good for them. Nay, it will be worse for them. The things which they covetously withheld shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Well-Acquainted with all that you do. [Quran, 3:180] Even the Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) stated that Allah Almighty has enjoined upon every financially able Muslim and that needs to be paid from their wealth, corresponding to the needs of the needy among them. He further said that the poor will never suffer from starvation, thirst, lack of clothes or shelter if the rich would keep paying charity and give Zakah. Respected brothers and sisters! The purpose of this sermon is not to create any panic or fear but to instil the importance of paying Zakah that is rightfully due on us to serve the many Muslim brothers and sisters in need. If you havent paid Zakah for many years, you can still do so but paying the previous amount owed in full. Zakah will be your salvation on the day of Judgement. Pay Zakah today and reap the rewards here and in the afterlife. I pray, may Allah give all Muslims the ability and desire to pay their Zakah on time, In Shaa Allah. Ameen! Dear servants of Allah! Know that Islam is a religion that gives the message of love and peace. It wants its followers to live in peace and harmony in the world along with people of other religions, and assist each other in making the world a better place to live. It is this motto of making the world a better place to live and helping others that Islam emphasises on giving charity. In Islam, charity holds such a great place that it is an obligation on Muslims in the form of Zakah. In Islam, Zakah is one of the major pillars of Islam, and those who are wealthy enough, for them it is mandatory to give Zakah. However, when it comes to paying Zakah, there are different misconceptions that are prevalent among Muslims. In Shaa Allah, the lines below discuss the importance of Zakah in Islam and the general misconceptions people have regarding it. My beloved people! In Islam, Zakah is the fourth pillar. Zakah refers to purification in general and purification of wealth in particular, therefore, those Muslims who have wealth over a certain ratio, they are liable to pay Zakah on it and give it to those who are less fortunate and dont have sufficient means to live their life in a standard way. Pertaining to the question of Zakah, the skeptic ones ask the question that why do they have to pay from their hard-earned money and wealth to the others? The answer to which is as follows: Besides the fact that Zakah is an obligation and fulfillment of it leads to a Muslim getting reward from Allah Almighty and intentional swerving from it leads to a Muslim receiving punishment from Him, there are other reasons which one can find pertaining to the importance of Zakah as follows: 1. It Helps in Building the Society: The first benefit of Zakah is that it helps those in the society who are less fortunate. If one class of society keeps on gathering all the money and does not provide anything to anyone else, then the rest would stay in the same plight and the society would be distributed in sections. Therefore, when the wealthy of the society give Zakah, it means that the ones, who are non-wealthy, get a chance to enjoy a better lifestyle. 2. It Leads to the Circulation of Money: The second thing that Zakah brings to table pertaining to its being obligation is the fact that it leads to circulation of money. Zakah is a form of charity and any charitable deed means that the money gets out of the hands of the ones who are already filthy rich with it. Thus, this way the money gets out of the circle of a few people and circulates in the whole economy. 3. Assist In Developing a Sense of Sacrifice: Thirdly, Zakah also gives and teaches the message of sacrifice. Wealth is perhaps one of the major elements which people love the most. Therefore, when a person gives from his or her wealth, it actually means that he or she loves the order of Allah Almighty more than their personal liking and they are willing to sacrifice the thing they love for the order of Allah the Magnificent. In the Quran, Allah Almighty says: The alms are only for the Fuqara (the poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free captives; and for those in debt; and for Allahs cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise. [Quran, 9:60] From this Quranic verse (Ayah), the following people who deserve Zakah can be extracted: 1. The Poor: These are the people who dont have means to live their life properly and live below the line of poverty. 2. The Needy: These people are also poor, however, because of their pride and bashfulness they dont expose their poverty. 3. The Collectors: These are the people who are given the duty of collection of Zakah from other people, however, they themselves cant afford to live a normal life. 4. The New Converts: People who convert to Islam are also eligible as Zakah recipients as with their conversion to Islam they need assistance and help for a new start in life. 5. Slaves: The money of Zakah can also be spent on freeing the slaves as well. 6. Those In Debt: Those who are in debt and cant afford to pay it off on their own are also eligible for Zakah. 7. The Cause Of Allah: Zakah can also be given to people and Islamic scholars who strive in the way of Allah, especially in the form of fighting the usurpers. 8. Travelers: Zakah can also be given to the travelers and wayfarers as they might need the money when it comes to travel arrangements. Dear brothers and sisters! Besides the major misconceptions of Zakah, Muslims often find it difficult to calculate the amount of Zakah liable upon their possessions. There are many ways one can adopt to calculate the charity amount, however, the one which nowadays seems much reliable is to use a Zakah calculator. Zakah calculators are often especially designed by taking all necessary measurements in control that help in knowing the amount accurately. If you are one looking to calculate the total amount of charity on your personal belongings, you can contact your Islamic scholars for more useful information and explanations. Respected brothers and sisters! There are several misconceptions related to Zakah that have become prevalent among Muslims today. In Shaa Allah the lines below address those misconceptions and give the true version of them: The first misconception that people have pertaining to Zakah is that it is to be paid in the month of Ramadan only. Although Ramadan is a month of being charitable, however, it in no way means that a Muslim must pay Zakah in this month only. Rather, the time when a Muslim becomes liable for paying Zakah, a year from that time is the time frame within which Zakah is to be paid. Therefore, the duration of year is what needs to be kept in mind and not the month of Ramadan for giving Zakah. The second misconception that Zakah is only and only liable on the Halal earnings of a person, therefore, there is no chance that Zakah can be relied upon as a means of purifying the wrongly earned wealth. Hence, it is only liable on Halal earned wealth and should be paid on it only. The third misconception related to Zakah is that it is only liable on gold. It is wrong. The gold mentioned in Quran and Hadith is as a standard unit of measurement, therefore, anything whether its cash, silver, stocks, livestock, property or another asset that is worth the same amount as the gold mentioned by Islam, it is liable for Zakah. The general misconception is that it is the husbands who are liable for paying Zakah for the jewelry of their wives. It is wrong, and as jewelry is the personal property of the wife, therefore, she must pay its Zakah and if she is unable to do so then she needs to sell the jewelry to pay Zakah or until the jewelry is below the level of being liable for Zakah. However, if the husband is willing to pay Zakah on behalf of the wife, he can do so, but it is not mandatory on the husband. The other misconception among people is that they think that Zakah is liable only on the wealth that is in excess of the requisite amount of wealth. They believe that the requisite amount gets exempted once one reaches it and anything in excess is Zakah deductible. It is also wrong, and all of the wealth becomes Zakah deductible once one reaches its requisite figure. Some Muslims think that they cannot give Zakah to their poor relatives as they are a part of their family. The relatives who are not in blood relation with you such as parents, spouse, children, and siblings, any relative other than that is eligible for Zakah and should be paid Zakah. Paying Zakah has been also associated to several physical and metaphysical benefits in the Quran. Some of them are as follows: 1. The means to attain Allahs mercy, Allah Almighty says: My Mercy extends to all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who have Allah-consciousness and give their Zakah and those who believe in Our Signs. [Quran, 7:156] 2. A precondition to obtain Allahs help, Allah Almighty says: Allah will certainly aid those who aid His (cause); for verily Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will). (They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give their Zakah, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the outcome of all affairs. [Quran, 22:40-41] 3. A sign of brotherhood in religion, Allah Almighty says: But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and give their Zakah, they are your brethren in Faith. [Quran, 9:11] 4. A distinctive feature of the faithful community, Allah Almighty says: The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, pay their Zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise. [Quran, 9:71] 5. A distinctive quality of the believers who go to and maintain Mosques, Allah Almighty says: The Mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and pay their Zakah and fear none (at all) except Allah. [Quran, 9:18] 6. A distinctive quality of the true believers, Allah Almighty says: Who are active in paying Zakah. [Quran, 23:4] And as important as Salah (Prayer): And establish the prayer and pay the Zakah and bow (in prayer) with those who bow. [Al-Baqarah: 43] My beloved people! In a nutshell, Zakah is a mandatory tenet of Islam and the objective of it is to help the society share the bounties of Allah and give a chance to the unfortunate ones at a better life. Therefore, every Muslim must gain knowledge about Zakah and ensure that it be paid to the deserving people. 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 23, 1442 AH (June 04, 2021). The day after Macron stood in Kigali trying to come to terms with his countrys sordid acts of omission and commission in the Rwanda genocide, the German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas issued a statement acknowledging the genocide his country carried out in Namibia 117 years ago. They were five days that began to reset the world. Days in which significant steps were taken to redress years of senseless and mind-boggling genocide against hapless peoples, while the rest of humanity watched unconcerned. The five days of May 27 to June 1 provided some relief, and assurance that humanity might yet throw off its garments of denial, acknowledge its gory periods and try to make peace with itself. It began on Thursday May 27, when President Emmanuel Macron made a soul searching visit to Rwanda, where he saw hundreds of skulls; all that remained of kids and the elderly, children, men and women, massacred 27 years ago in killings which France was in a position to either mitigate or prevent. They were 100 days of horrendous massacres that claimed some 850,000 lives, events in which France was complicit. After the genocide, France spent years not just assisting accused persons to escape justice, but also trying to jail some Rwandans who had resisted and stopped the massacres. France had tremendous influence on the Rwandan Hutu leadership, which it did not utilise positively to stop the massacres. It provided military training and arms to the Interahamwe, the militia which carried out the genocide. It had boots on the ground, knew as the massacres were planned, witnessed them but did not raise a finger. Even when at the close of the genocide, French troops set up the Turquoise Zone ostensibly to prevent further massacres therein, it turned out to be a means of assisting Hutus implicated in the genocide to escape into Zaire (now, Democratic Republic of Congo) and thereby evade justice. Macron, in Kigali, accepted that France was aware of the impending genocide and has in the past 27 years, valued silence over examination of the truth. Speaking at the genocide Kigali Gisozi memorial, where more than 250,000 victims are buried, Macron said: I hereby humbly and with respect stand by your side today, I come to recognise the extent of our responsibilities. He claimed that: The killers who stalked the swamps, the hills, the churches, did not have the face of France. France was not an accompliceFrance did not understand that by wanting to block a regional conflict or a civil war, it stood de facto by a genocidal regime. By doing so, it endorsed an overwhelming responsibility. The day after Macron stood in Kigali trying to come to terms with his countrys sordid acts of omission and commission in the Rwanda genocide, the German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas issued a statement acknowledging the genocide his country carried out in Namibia 117 years ago. The annihilation which took place over four years from 1904, was the first genocide in the 20th Century. It was one in which the colonial German Army wiped out 65,000 of the 80,000 indigenous Herero people and over 10,000 or fifty per cent of the Nama people they colonised. That same May 28, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his own regrets about the genocide against the indigenous Indian population. That day, the remains of 215 Indian children, some as young as three, were discovered at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. German soldiers executed many Namibians and forced thousands at gun point into the Kalahari Desert, with no food or water, while the Germans had poisoned waterholes 240 kilometres into the desert. Thousands were forced into concentration camps, where they were tortured, starved or worked to death. The Germans also used many Namibians as guinea pigs for experiments to work towards their preconceived scientific claims that blacks are inferior to white people. In furthering these criminal researches, the Germans transported 3,000 of the skulls to Germany for further research. Last week Friday, Germany acknowledge its genocide against the Namibian people and offered $1.3 billion as a gesture of recognition for immeasurable suffering. Minister Maas, in announcing this on behalf of the German people, said: It was, and continues to be, our aim to find a common path towards real reconciliation in the memory of the victims. This requires us to be unreserved and unflinching in naming the events of the German colonial period in what is now Namibia, and especially the atrocities of the period 1904 to 1908. We will from now on officially call these events what they are from a contemporary perspective: a genocide. That same May 28, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his own regrets about the genocide against the indigenous Indian population. That day, the remains of 215 Indian children, some as young as three, were discovered at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. A ground-penetrating radar specialist had helped to uncover the remains in the school, which had been shut in 1978. This discovery, Trudeau wrote: breaks my heart it is a painful reminder of that dark and shameful chapter of our countrys history. Before this latest discovery, 4,100 children had died or been killed while attending these residential schools, where indigenous children were brainwashed to forget their ancestry. This Tuesday, June 1, the United States of America, which styles itself as Gods Own Country, acknowledged for the first time in the last one century, the massacre of African Americans living in the Black Greenwood community district in Tusla, Oklahoma. It did not surface in national discourse until the whispers became louder in the 1990s. In the mid-1990s, Oklahoma State set up a commission to verify if such a massacre ever took place. The Commission report was positive, with survivors coming out to testify, and names of verifiable victims complied. In the two days of May 31 and June 1, 1921, white residents, armed by city officials, using guns, clubs and aircraft, pulverised the district, killing at least 300 black people, and injuring about 800. The white establishment then cleared the corpses, buried them in unmarked places, so there would be no visible graves. It also detained many blacks and intimidated the victims into silence. As such, for generations, the massacre was merely whispered and denied. It did not surface in national discourse until the whispers became louder in the 1990s. In the mid-1990s, Oklahoma State set up a commission to verify if such a massacre ever took place. The Commission report was positive, with survivors coming out to testify, and names of verifiable victims complied. It was not until October 19, 2020 that the state began excavating four possible secret burial sites. These led to this Tuesdays official acknowledgement of the Tusla Massacre by President Joe Biden on behalf of the American people. Biden, who said he had come to fill the silence about the massacre, told his audience: Some injustices are so heinous, so horrific, so grievous, they cannot be buried, no matter how hard people try. Only with truth can come healing. Biden, speaking on decades of concealment and denials, said: Just because history is silent, it does not mean that it did not take placehell was unleashed, literal hell was unleashed. We cant just choose what we want to know, and not what we should know. I come here to help fill the silence, because in silence wounds deepen. There remain across the world, scores of genocide cases in which the perpetrators, apologists and their heirs still need to come out clean. ADVERTISEMENT Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. The coronavirus disease of 2019, or more commonly known as COVID-19, is an infectious disease. Since the first case was reported, people may have been affected in one way or another. It seems like there have been social, economic, and political challenges all around. However, the cure for this disease is yet to be discovered, and scientists are tirelessly working to identify one. Challenges Limiting The Supply Of COVID-19 Drugs As research to find a cure for COVID-19 continues, there have been significant breakthroughs. Scientists have identified certain medications that could help in treating this illness. However, most pharmacies, hospitals, and patients are experiencing hindrances in acquiring crucial drugs. As a result, most customers may seek services from manufacturers like Fagron Sterile Services or other pharmaceutical companies to provide Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs. However, there are some causes for the scarcity in supply of possible COVID-19 treatments, such as: 1. Strain In Acquiring Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Medications that are said to treat COVID-19 are made from various elements that might be sourced from different countries. These drugs are believed to contain both inactive components and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The APIs cause a remedy's intended effect, such as curing or treating. On the other hand, inactive pharmaceutical elements are thought to have no therapeutic benefits and may be used as fillers, preservatives, flavors, or colorings. It's believed that most APIs used in making COVID-19 drugs are imported from China and other countries. However, it seems like reduced labor has lowered production in most medical manufacturing firms in those countries. This looks to have resulted in strains in acquiring sufficient active ingredients to make the said treatments. Consequently, this might have brought about a shortage of medications in the market. 2. High Demand And Low Supply Research for a COVID-19 cure is still ongoing as of 2021, and most people keep up with updates on some drugs that may help manage the disease or its symptoms. Therefore, they're always keen to hear new reports on possible remedies. Once a potential treatment is identified, global demand for the drug will probably rise quickly and immensely. Some will buy the limited supply in larger quantities and hold them, which lowers the stocks in the market. 3. Unfavorable Governments Policies In addition to difficulties in drug manufacturing, there are also challenges in the distribution. There are many ways individuals avoid the spread of COVID-19 in their own homes. But on a national scale, several countries have taken extreme measures to protect their citizens from the spread of the pandemic. For instance, lockdown and travel restrictions reduced the number of flights in several nations. Some are still in lockdown in the middle of 2021, and others have not eased their travel bans, which are possibly responsible for the difficulties in shipping and distribution in such regions. Unfavorable trade restrictions could have also significantly affected the production process. The effect is especially notable when raw materials for treatments or vaccines have to be obtained from one travel-regulated country to another. This factor might delay the manufacturing of the drugs and could also cause an overall shortage of medications globally. 4. Delays Due To Standard Approval Policies The FDA's branch, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), is responsible for examining novice medications before they're released into the market. Even if experts have identified a substance to have some potential benefits in treating COVID-19, it still has to go through a drug approval process. This procedure is purposed to determine if the remedy in question is good quality, safe for human consumption, and effective in treating the virus. The operation may take several months. If there are delays in the various phases of approval, it may hinder the release of these medications into the market. Scientists continue to report some success of various drugs in handling COVID-19. This factor causes a high demand for compassionate use of those medications. This means making a particular drug available for persons with life-threatening or severe health conditions before it has been approved. The number of acute COVID-19 cases rises by the day globally. This has possibly caused a reduced supply of treatments for those with mild symptoms. Also, some firms producing such medications may have halted production. This could be due pending approvals for the drug's efficacy in treating COVID-19, resulting in shortages, as well. Conclusion COVID-19 has impacted some countries politically, socially, and economically. A proper cure for the illness is still undiscovered, but significant breakthroughs have been made in identifying treatments that might help treat the disease. However, there have been hurdles in acquiring approved medications due to drug shortages. Some of the causes of this scarcity may be unfavorable government policies and the vast difference between the supply and demand of drugs. Other factors may also be delays due to standard approval policies and strains in acquiring APIs. Our nation is precipitously falling apart and the options are fast running out. Today, we are sending an SOS to those patriots with the power and authority to act Let our heroes in the mould of Dora Akunyili stand up to be counted, halt this drift and rescue our country from the jaws of ungodly men. Without such emergent intervention, we could as well start singing nunc dimittis to this republic. A few years ago, precisely on November 23, 2009, the then President of Nigeria, Umaru Musa YarAdua took ill and had to be urgently flown to a Saudi Arabian hospital for treatment. From subsequent reports, we learnt that our President got diagnosed with acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the covering of the heart that normally wouldnt require any specialised care. Prior to that, however, and even before coming to power, Mr YarAdua was already known to suffer from a litany of medical problems, including chronic kidney disease and an undisclosed heart condition, all of which were treated as a closely guarded secret, and completely shielded from the public. But then the President got sicker by the day, requiring him to spend more than ninety-days outside the country. He had left for Saudi Arabia without handing over to his Vice President. As would be expected throughout the entire period, the most important business of government stalled. Nigeria drifted. Instead of doing what was constitutionally required, which was to pave the way to hand over to the Vice President, the power shenanigans in Aso Rock went on an overdrive to block any such move. They were ready to torpedo the ship of state to protect their own parochial interests. Those who knew YarAdua and could attest to the mans personal integrity and respect for the rule of law were disgusted. They were quite convinced that the President would cringe at such a treasonable effort, but the cabals could care less. Of course, their actions had nothing to do with helping the President or preserving his legacy. It had everything to do with a desperate effort to protect the power and privilege of a few in his inner circle, who were busy hawking political merchandise. The President was finally smuggled back to Abuja on February 24, 2010, under the cover of darkness. Even then, his state of health remained shrouded in mystery, although there were speculations that he was on life support. Most Nigerians got to know about this only because Al-Jazeera reported that he had been taken out of the Saudi hospital and not because there was any official pronouncement through the proper channel. His Vice President was kept in the dark throughout the entire time and even the Information Minister, Professor Dora Akunyili, who ought to answer questions from the press corps and inform Nigerians about the fate of their president, was misled. Nigerians were rattled and the international community, led by the United States and United Kingdom, expressed deep concerns. The political temperature rose to a boiling point, with intense power play happening in both the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council. When, finally, the Senate of the Federal Republic invoked what was called the doctrine of necessity, transferring presidential powers to then Vice President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in February 10, 2010, there was a huge sigh of relief across the land. For starters, it marked the end of a power vacuum in Africas most populous nation. Looking back, those would be considered the good old days that we are now forced to remember with nostalgia. But let it be remembered that the series of actions that led to the resolution of that near constitutional crisis were not effected by inept and lily-levered sleazeballs dressed in overflowing agbadas. Rather, they were spearheaded by a woman of steel who wrote a now famous memo to the Federal Executive Council. You may describe President Buhari as incompetent, apathetic and an ethnic bigot, but I am hard pressed to believe that any president with a decent mental capacity could be so detached from the suffering of the people he swore the Oath of Allegiance to preserve, protect and defend under the Constitution. Today, history is about to repeat itself, albeit as a tragi-comedy of calamitous proportion. The times are very different and so are the players. Dora Akunyili has since been replaced by Lai Mohammed, and Senator David Mark by Senator Ahmed Lawan. When in April 2014, a group of teenage girls numbering 276 were snatched at gun point from the hallowed grounds of their school dormitory, the world rose in swift condemnation. Up until that time, such move was unprecedented, both in the feasibility of its scope and the unmatched temerity of the abductor, the Boko Haram group. But those were the days of innocence. Today, in Nigeria, such a tragedy hardly lasts for a full news cycle before being eclipsed by another far worse and horrendous one. From Chibok to Jangebe, Kankara to Greenfield, Nigeria has become such a vast empire of crime, whose local currency is denominated in terrorism, dare-devil banditry and kidnap for ransom. If your family name is Daura and you have a nephew in Aso Rock, the ocean of blood gobbling up this geographical space will probably not cost you some sleep. In the grand scheme of things, such is only a small price to pay in the march towards a more perfect union. Its a known fact that the Goebbels of Nigeria are ever ready to swear by their grand fathers grave that this conflagration would soon fizzle out and we would all be the better for it, all thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari. But who in this Golgotha gives a hoot about dishonest rendering and revisionist history, when the opportunity presents to play the de factor king of Nigeria and cash out big time! You may describe President Buhari as incompetent, apathetic and an ethnic bigot, but I am hard pressed to believe that any president with a decent mental capacity could be so detached from the suffering of the people he swore the Oath of Allegiance to preserve, protect and defend under the Constitution. Many have previously alluded to the fact that he suffers from a debilitating dementia. It may be that we need to cut the man some slack and empathise with his condition. No one could be so evil as to allow a country under his watch crumble like a pack of cards. As a medical doctor, I am quite familiar with a certain affliction of the central nervous system that hinders the functions of the brain cells, resulting in a severe impairment of communication, thinking, feeling and behaviour. Its been reported in the past that President Buhari would sign off on just about anything brought before him. In his piece titled COAS Appointment as Missed Opportunity for Unity and published in Nigerian Tribune/ Peoples Gazette, my erudite friend and public intellectual, Professor Farooq Kperogi, revealed how a little known thirty-something year-old cousin of President Buhari, who goes by the name Sabiu Tunde Yusuf, has become one of the most powerful men in Nigeria. Even the current Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari we are told, has no direct access to the President and has to pass through that same Yusuf, whose official title is Personal Assistant, to get anything reasonable done. Even the deeply flawed 1999 Constitution, in its very opening section, makes the continuity of constitutional government the basis of our system of government. In the current scenario, however, one has to concede that its a lot harder to make the case for the removal of this President on the ground of ill-health When was the last time we watched President Buhari mount the soapbox to address a national audience or show up for a press briefing to answer questions about the daily calamities befalling this country? Its either Garba Shehu puts out a statement or we take whatever we can get from Lai Mohammed. But where is the man who Nigerians elected to be their president in 2015 and re-elected in 2019? The principal is sick and we all know that. Of course, one has no access to his medical records, from the very many health tourisms abroad. In the absence of such, the evidence being put forward here would, at best, be deemed circumstantial. But what are the odds that the Presidents health challenge is at the front and centre of our countrys slide into a bottomless pit and the ignominy of joining the league of failed states? As was the case with President YarAdua, whenever a situation arises that the incapacity of the President creates a vacuum in the legitimate exercise of constitutional authority in Nige ria, its the duty of the National Assembly, whose members are vested with the power to pass a resolution under Sections 1(2) and 145 of the Constitution to enable the Vice-President to act as President. Even the deeply flawed 1999 Constitution, in its very opening section, makes the continuity of constitutional government the basis of our system of government. In the current scenario, however, one has to concede that its a lot harder to make the case for the removal of this President on the ground of ill-health since, unlike his predecessor, he is not critically ill and confined to his sick bed. Even then, there may still be a valid ground for the Federal Executive Council to pass the resolution declaring the President incapable as provided by Section 144 of the Constitution. The problem is that such would be a prerogative of the same cabal that is profiting handsomely from the unwholesome situation; the unlikely case of a king willingly relinquishing his crown. Our nation is precipitously falling apart and the options are fast running out. Today, we are sending an SOS to those patriots with the power and authority to act. The National Assembly remains the only institution constitutionally positioned to arrest the slide, but thats only if the honourable members are willing to muster the courage to do what they signed up for under Oath. Let our heroes in the mould of Dora Akunyili stand up to be counted, halt this drift and rescue our country from the jaws of ungodly men. Without such emergent intervention, we could as well start singing nunc dimittis to this republic. 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 ADVERTISEMENT Two people were killed on Friday in an auto crash involving a car and a truck in Zangoro village, along Bauchi- Maiduguri road, according to Yusuf Abdullahi, the Sector Commander of FRSC in Bauchi. Mr Abdullahi told with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that two others were also injured in the crash that occurred around 2 p.m. He explained that a Peugeot 406 car with plate number, TRN36XL collided with an oncoming DAF truck with plate number, PKM77XA killing two of the victims instantly. The FRSC commander blamed the accident on over-speeding and dangerous driving, calling on road users to always obey traffic rules and regulations in order to prevent avoidable road crashes. Two people died immediately at the scene of the crash and their bodies have been deposited at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for identification. The injured were also taken to the same hospital for medical attention. Our men responded swiftly, getting to the scene of the crash in less than 15 minutes. ALSO READ: Seven injured in Bauchi correctional centre riot They were able to rush the survivors to the hospital for medical attention and clear the crash site, he said. He assured that the corps would not relent in its effort to sensitise the motoring public about the dangers of neglecting the traffic rules and regulations. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that four persons were killed and four others sustained injuries in another accident that occurred at Wailo village, Darazo Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday. (NAN) For three consecutive years, Michael Okon Enyong, the lawmaker representing Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Arai/Uruan/Uyo Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, nominated the construction of a three-classroom block for a sum of N56 million in a school, which a PREMIUM TIMES investigation has found not to be in existence. In 2018, N30 million was budgeted for the construction of the phantom classroom block at Community Secondary School, Oku, Uyo. In 2019 and 2020, N13 million was allotted each year for the construction of the block in the same school. PREMIUM TIMES cannot ascertain if funds budgeted for the project were released and to whom. The project was originally assigned to the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscience (COMEG). Then in 2019 and 2020, it was assigned to the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory technology, in Vom, Plateau State, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. Project not found; school non-existent A visit by Premium Times to Oku Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, revealed that neither the school nor the block of classrooms exists. Oku is one of the four clans in Uyo Local Government Area and spans 14 villages and residents of the community told this reporter that no school with such a name exists in the area. I am from this clan and I grow (sic) up here. I have never seen that kind of name of school in Uyo, said Akpan Nsikak, a resident. This reporter visited other government secondary schools in the local government in his quest to locate the school. This is Four Towns and not the school you are looking for. Ive never heard of it. We dont have any project of that kind here. You can check the school at Ikot Okubo, Aniedi Essien, principal of Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns Uyo, told this reporter. This place is Offot and not Oku, a female teacher adds. The only government secondary school in that Oku is the CCC Girls School in Afaha Oku (Cornelia Connelly College), the other ones are primary schools. The school, Community Secondary School Oku Uyo, was also missing on the list of government secondary schools in Uyo Local Government Area, provided by the Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board. If it was released in full, the N56 million allocated to the phantom school would have gone a long way towards solving Akwa Ibom educational problems. The state lags behind most states in the country in educational development. A 2019 report by the Federal Ministry of Education, ranked Akwa Ibom as one of the states with the highest out-of-school children with 581,800 children, only behind Kano State. The report jointly prepared by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), National Population Commission, and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) pegged the total number of out-of-school children in Nigeria at 10,193,918. The construction of the classroom blocks, had it been assigned to a real school, would have supplemented crumbling infrastructure and reduced overcrowding in classrooms, which are common features of public schools in the state, according to a PREMIUM TIMES report. ADVERTISEMENT A 2020 PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed how constituency projects in Kwara Central were filling the infrastructural gaps in public school education created by poor funding, following the inability of the state government to access the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funding. Project outside purview of implementing agencies Another curious observation in the allocation of the N56 million was that the project was placed under the supervision of agencies that have zero correlation or proximity to the school. Situated in Vom, Jos, the Plateau State capital, the Federal College of Veterinary & Medical Laboratory Technology specialises in the training of middle-level manpower in the diagnosis of human and animal diseases, to become medical laboratory scientists, technicians, and assistants. The Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscience (COMEG) is the regulatory body for all professionals in the fields of geosciences, mining engineering, and metallurgy and firms in the extractive in Nigeria. It was established in September 2000. Both institutions have no direct relationship with Akwa Ibom State nor secondary education. Both institutions did not reply to requests sent to them for comments about the project such as the amount disbursed and the identities of the contractors the project was allocated to. More questions as lawmaker fails to react When contacted, the lawmaker, Mr. Enyong did not answer his phone calls. He also did not respond to enquiries about the project sent to him via text message. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has called for the immediate resignation of Governor Hope Uzodinma over the worsening insecurity in the state. The state Chairman of the party, Charles Ugwuh, made the call at a news briefing in Owerri on Wednesday. Mr Ugwuh said PDP was alarmed over the worsening insecurity in the state and the escalation of militarisation of the state. He said the governor had demonstrated his inability to protect lives and property of Imo residents and should take full responsibility for the problems. The governor should resign over his failure to protect lives and property. This has become very necessary in view of the evidence of the lack of capacity of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to guarantee safety and security of lives and property of Imo people, he said. The chairman said the party was worried over the burning of police stations and Independent National Electoral Commission offices in the state, as well as the intimidation and harassment of innocent residents. Our party finds it too worrisome that on a daily basis, innocent civilians and security personnel are mowed down. Also, arson, murder and carnage have become the lot of the hitherto most peaceful state in Nigeria. The climax is the gruesome murder of Ahmed Gulak, a former member of PDP and aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, he said. Mr Ugwuh said the PDP called on civil society organisations and opinion leaders in Imo to unite to find a lasting solution to the security challenges in the state. The party also charged the governor to account for the lives of security agents and other residents killed in the state. It further called on the federal government to initiate an independent investigation into Mr Gulaks gruesome murder and bring the culprits to justice. Reacting to the PDPs call, Governor Uzodinmas media aide, Oguwike Nwachukwu, said the governor was doing his best to handle the security challenges in the state. Mr Nwachukwu said, PDP should stop their antics which led to this situation and call their people to order. IPOB, a pro-Biafra group, which has been proscribed by the Nigerian government, has a high concentration of its members and supporters in Imo State which appears to be the epicentre of the groups activities in the countrys South-east region. Governor Uzodinmas country home was attacked by gunmen and a part of it set ablaze in April. Apart from the frequent deadly attacks on security officials, there have been reports of police and the Nigerian military carrying out indiscriminate killings and arrests of civilians in the state. ADVERTISEMENT (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Two men died in a road accident involving five vehicles near Kwata flyover on Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Anambra State. Adeoye Irelewuyi, the state commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, in Awka. Mr Irelewuyi said the accident, which occurred at about 2:30p.m., was caused by brake failure and loss of control. He said that the crash involved a red Diesel Truck, a green Honda CRV, a red Mercedes Benz 4matic, a black Toyota Highlander and an ash-coloured Lexus SUV. (The) Eyewitness report reaching us indicates that the brake of the truck failed and it rammed into four other vehicles. A total of 12 persons, 11 male adults and one female adult, were involved in the crash. One male adult sustained some degree of injuries and was taken to Princeton Hospital by the FRSC rescue team from Awka. Two male adults were taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty and their bodies deposited at the mortuary, the FRSC commander said. While condoling with the families of the victims, Mr Irelewuyi urged motorists to embark on regular maintenance and ensure their vehicles meet minimum safety requirements before they are driven on the highways. This, he said, was necessary to avoid accidents. (NAN) PLATTSBURGH [mdash] Anthony Tarricone, 94, of Plattsburgh, passed away Monday in his home with his loving wife by his side and under the care of hospice. He was born in Yonkers on Aug. 13, 1926, the son of George and Nancy Tarricone. He graduated Horton High School in Yonkers. He also gradua On behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia (MoTCE), Deputy Minister for Tourism Marketing, Mrs. Nia Niscaya, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia and Emirates Airlines during ATM 2021. The Cooperation aims to boost marketing activities overseas, especially in Dubai. In total, 20 Indonesian destinations took part onsite. Based on a questionnaire submitted by 100 Indonesian co-exhibitors, 606 bookings were made during the 4-day show in Dubai from 16-19 May 2021 and 2.443 bookings in Bali during the ATM Dubai Virtual event from 24-26 May 2021. These two events -- in-person and online -- were complementary and allowed exhibitors to reach a broader audience to ensure no one misses out. A New Dawn for Travel and Tourism The theme of this year's show is 'A New Dawn for Travel and Tourism'. The spotlight focuses on how the latest 'COVID' news worldwide is likely to affect international tourism in 2021 and beyond. Sixty-two countries joined the exhibition floor this year, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Germany, Cyprus, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, the Maldives, the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico and the U.S. In comparison, while 140 countries participated in the virtual event. In participating in a global travel market in the pandemic era, Indonesia demonstrates its firm commitment to CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environment Sustainability) implementation by focusing on health and safety protocols at destinations and the Indonesia Pavilion in the Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai. Middle East travelers have long been a key market for Indonesian tourism destinations. In 2019, the Middle East recorded a significant increase in arrivals to Indonesia, registering 263,923 visitors (27,88% higher than 2018). "By participating in ATM Dubai 2021, outbound tourism's leading global event, we are demonstrating that Indonesia is confident of maintaining its position as a world-class destination," said Mrs. Nia Niscaya, Deputy of Minister for Tourism Marketing. Plans to re-open borders in July His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, announced plans to re-open borders in July 2021, with destinations including Bali, Batam and Bintan serving as 'locomotive' regions to kickstart tourism for the whole country - if the pandemic is handled as well as expected. In preparation, the government has carried out a widespread vaccination program for targeted groups, including the tourism workforce. In addition, the government has also initiated the Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) certification program throughout the tourism sector in Indonesia. For real-time updates on Indonesian travel, please visit www.indonesia.travel Contact: Vinsensius Jemadu Head of Communications Bureau Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy DiNovA Medtech is not new to Israel. Its leadership team and portfolio companies have long been actively involved in Israel's industry ecosystem. Through a number of collaborations and company or fund investment, DiNovA Medtech has already built its network with medical experts, engineers and venture capitals in Israel. Professor Chaim Lotan helped co-found DiNovA's Israel Incubator back in 2020, and was officially appointed as CMO of the Incubator in April 2020 . Now after a whole year, the Incubator officially opens its Caesarea office for business. The Incubator is established to promote cutting-edge medtech technologies, especially digital health innovations, by bridging Israeli medtech talents with the China market. The office of DiNovA's Israel Incubator is located in Caesarea Industry and Business Park. It is surrounded by many international high-tech and medtech enterprises, such as Medtronic, Edwards, Cisco, etc. The incubator is expected to launch about 2 to 3 medtech innovations or digital medical projects every year. Mr. Zhao Yiwei, Co-Founder and CEO of DiNovA Medtech, said: "Global collaboration over innovation has great significance to DiNovA's business model. Over the years, investment and cooperation of projects in Israel have given us confidence to further increase our footprint in Israel. Building DiNovA Israel Incubator can accelerate the discovery of talents and incubation of innovative technologies here locally in Israel. We will leverage DiNovA's experience and resources to help build technologies that truly fit China healthcare system, and to introduce them to Chinese KOLs and patients." Professor Chaim Lotan, Co-Founder and CMO of DiNovA Israel Incubator said, "I've witnessed DiNovA's active global collaboration over the past decade. DiNovA's Israel Incubator was established in April 2020. After a full year, despite the pandemic slowed our pace, we are still able to get a new office established and now open for business. The physical office will allow more local medtech industry experts to be able to come together to explore collaboration opportunities. At the moment, two companies have moved into the office and there are a few more projects under assessment." About DiNovA Israel Incubator DiNovA Israel Incubator was founded in April 2020, to promote cutting-edge medtech technologies, especially digital health innovations, by bridging the Israeli medtech engineering talent with the China market. We hope to bring unique resources from the two countries together to create medical technology innovations that will benefit patients world-wide. For any inquiry including discussing potential ideas or collaborations, please feel free to contact us by writing to: [email protected] For more information, please visit: https://dinovaisrael.com/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1525182/DiNovA_s_Israel_Incubator.jpg SOURCE Dinova Medtech CHICAGO, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the leading authority on children's oral health, announced this year's winners of its prestigious awards during the virtual presentation of the AAPD 2021 annual meeting. Distinguished Service Award: The 2021 award recipient is Dr. Reneida Reyes. The Distinguished Service Award is the most prestigious award given by the AAPD. Presented only when the AAPD Board of Trustees identifies a truly worthy recipient, the award recognizes individuals who have made a major contribution, on a national or international level, over their entire career to advocacy for children, improvement of children's health or to a health profession related to children. The Miller Foundation supports this award. Dr. Reneida Reyes is a pediatric dentist in Brooklyn, NY, and maintains a private practice. She earned her dental degree from Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine in 1978 and her master's degree in public health from Harvard University School of Public Health in 1981. She completed a public health fellowship in maternal and Child Health at Harvard University School of Public Health. She went on to seek postdoctoral training at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston Massachusetts. Dr. Reyes was elected President of the ADA Foundation (ADAF) Board of Directors from 2012-2016, leading the ADA Foundation in both its philanthropy programs and efforts related to ADA Foundation Dr. Anthony Volpe Research Center. Dr. Reyes has also served as a member of the prestigious Organization Committee of our Greater New York Dental Meeting. She was the district representative on the AAPD Political Action Committee Steering committee from 2007-2013 and AAPD PAC Chair, 2013-2017. She has been an active participant in AAPD public policy advocacy projects since 2010. Currently, she is chair of the AAPD President's Task Force on Equity and Inclusion. Dr. Reyes has received the Second District Dental Society Distinguished Service Award. This award is the most prestigious award and is periodically presented to a member of Second District Dental Society (SDDS) whose contributions to the Society and dentistry are truly outstanding. Since 1977, it has been awarded only on 13 occasions. Dr. Reyes has been elected to every position in the Society and the first woman president of the Society in its 160 year history. With her collaboration with SDDS volunteers, her collaboration with the NYC College of Technology Dental Hygiene Program and the dental residents of the local hospital programs, her oral health education and screening programs have touched thousands of children and adults lives in the Brooklyn area. Other awards she has received include Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Award- the Brooklyn Hospital Center Black History Medical Synergy, New York State Dental Foundation- Foundation of Excellence in Community Service Award, National Association of Health Services Executives- Women of Distinction Award, and Science Skills Center Incorporated- Minds in Motion Award. Pediatric Dentist of the Year: The 2021 award recipient is Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr. Established in 1998, this annual award honors a pediatric dentist who has made significant contributions to the dental profession and the specialty of pediatric dentistry through clinical practice, academics or policy development over the past year. Recipients will also have devoted extensive volunteer leadership service to the dental profession and the specialty. This award is sponsored by NuSmile. Dr. Heber Simmons, Jr. currently serves as a special consultant to the AAPD Board of Trustees after serving as Congressional Liaison for the Academy since 1997. Dr. Simmons, who has now retired from active practice, practiced in Jackson, MS for 57 years and is a distinguished leader in dentistry, having served as past President of the AAPD, the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration, the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the Mississippi Dental Association. Heber received the AAPD's Distinguished Service Award in 1994 and the Ann Page Griffin Humanitarian Award in 2011. He has served on the ADA's Board of Trustees and was an expert spokesperson for the ADA from 1981 to 2019, making numerous media appearances on such programs as "60 Minutes" and "Good Morning, America". Heber received his dental degree from the University of Tennessee and completed his pediatric dentistry training there after serving for 3 years in the U.S. Army Dental Corps. As AAPD Congressional Liaison, he has helped educate members of Congress and their staffs concerning oral health issues for children, testified before Congress and been an integral part of the AAPD's advocacy efforts, which have raised more than $158 million for pediatric dentistry in the Title VII program. He has been a part of the Academy's advocacy efforts such as legislative workshops and Washington, D.C. "Lobby Days". Heber was awarded an AAPD Presidential Citation in 2001 in recognition of his successful efforts in obtaining additional funding for the pediatric dentistry Title VII program. At our 2020 Pediatric Oral Health Advocacy Conference, where he was the keynote speaker, the ADA awarded him a Presidential Citation in recognition and appreciation for his tireless and dedicated efforts of advocacy at the national level for our profession and the public in order to improve the oral health of America's children. He has built strong relationships within a number of key Congressional offices and significantly contributes to the ongoing efforts of the AAPD's Council on Government Affairs and PAC Steering Committee. If someone in D.C. is related to someone in dentistry or to Heber's extended friends and families list, he usually finds that connection. Heber always says, "After all, advocacy is all about building relationships!" Ann Page Griffin Humanitarian Award: The 2021 award recipient is Dr. Kevin Donly. The Ann Page Griffin Humanitarian Award is sponsored by Practicon, Inc. This award, established in May 2010 by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation, honors Ann Page Griffin, AAPD member and president and founder of Practicon. The award honors an AAPD member dentist who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to alleviating suffering and improving the oral health of underserved populations in the United States or abroad. Dr. Kevin Donly is currently a Professor and Chair in the Department of Developmental Dentistry and Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He received his D.D.S. in 1984, Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 1986, and M.S. in 1986 from the University of Iowa. Dr. Donly is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, was on the Board of Trustees for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, was on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation, is the previous Chair of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Council on Post-doctoral Education, is Past-President of the American Society of Dentistry for Children and was the Pediatric Dentistry Commissioner to the Commission on Dental Accreditation. He is currently the Immediate Past-President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He has published over 350 chapters, manuscripts and abstracts associated with pediatric dentistry, prevention, dental restorative materials research and clinical utilization. Jerome B. Miller "For the Kids" Award: The 2021 award recipient is Dr. David Avenetti. This award is presented annually to an up-and-coming clinician, researcher or academician in pediatric dentistry for their outstanding efforts directed to children's oral health and welfare. The Miller Award was established in May 2007 by AAPD Foundation, to honor former AAPD and Foundation President Dr. Jerome B. Miller for his many years of service to children, philanthropy and giving back to the profession of pediatric dentistry. Dr. David Avenetti is the residency program director and a full-time Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. A native of California (UCLA, DDS, 2010), he went on to seek public health focused training at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital (Cert/MS/MPH, 2013) before entering full-time academics after graduation from residency. Dr. Avenetti is involved in clinical and didactic teaching, administration, research, and service; he provides direct patient care in an extramural practice one day per week. Dr. Avenetti is actively involved in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, currently serving as the Chair for the Council on Continuing Education and a member of the Council on Post-Graduate education in various capacities. He is a Fellow, spokesperson and graduate of the Kellogg Leadership Institute with the AAPD. Dr. Avenetti's current funded research activities include oral health promotion and reducing oral health disparities (NIDCR), leadership and professional development in pediatric dentistry (HRSA), and outcomes of pediatric general anesthesia for oral rehabilitation. Additional research interests include social determinants of health, access to care and oral health services, interprofessional and dental education, and application of leadership and business principles in the dental setting, among others. Dr. Avenetti is thankful to the AAPD and its Foundation for their advocacy efforts around optimal children's oral health and supporting patients/families, clinicians, residents, and educators through their mission and vision. He is thankful and honored to be recognized for this award. Merle C. Hunter Leadership Award: The 2021 award recipient is Dr. Jade Miller. The Merle C. Hunter Leadership Award is presented to an AAPD volunteer who has provided exemplary leadership service in the volunteer structure of the organization over the past year. This award, established in 1998, honors the memory of Merle C. Hunter, AAPD Executive Director from 1968-1986. Dr. Jade Miller is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist whom since 1983 has maintained a private practice in Reno, Nevada. Dr. Miller has many other involvements outside of his dental practice. He is a graduate of University of the Pacific, School of Dentistry and completed a residency at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Miller is a Past President and Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He served as a Board of Trustees of the Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as well as Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry. He is a Chairman of AAPD Committee on Safety, a Co-Congregational Liaison of the AAPD, and serves on the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL). Dr. Miller is a Past Chairman of Nevada State Board of Health, Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners, Past President and Examiner and Sedation Examiner. He is Past Chairman of the Committee on Anesthesiology for ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure, Past Chairman, ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program, and ADA Advisory Committee on Evidence-Based Dentistry. He received the 2019 Pediatric Dentist of the Year from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Northern Nevada Dental Society and is Board Certified in Pediatric Dentistry. He is a member of the American College of Dentist, International College of Dentist, Academy of Dentistry International and Pierre Fauchard Academy. He served as Fellow of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry as well as the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland. Manuel M. Album Award: The 2021 award recipient is NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities. The Manuel M. Album Award is presented annually to the individual or organization that has made the greatest contribution to the oral health of children with special needs. The award, established in 1997, honors Manuel M. Album, who devoted an entire career in pediatric dentistry toward improving the oral health of children with special needs. The Album Society supports this award. In February 2019, the NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities (OHCPD), an 8,000-square-foot center designed to provide dental care for people with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities, opened its doors. The OHCPD provides much-needed comprehensive care for patients whose disabilities or medical conditions prevent them from receiving care in a conventional dental setting. "The NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities addresses a major public health challenge by providing comprehensive, compassionate dental care for people with a full range of disabilities who experience significant barriers to accessing care," said Dr. Charles N. Bertolami, the Herman Robert Fox Dean of NYU College of Dentistry. "Equally important, care at the center is ongoing. By providing dental care across each patient's lifespan, the center aims to break the vicious cycle of neglect and repeated hospitalizations." Dr. Lewis A. Kay Excellence in Education Award: The 2021 award recipient is Dr. Marcio Guelmann. This award, established in 2011, honors the director of the pediatric dental program determined to best exemplify the dedication and values set forth by Dr. Lewis A. Kay: outstanding leadership; commitment to educating pediatric dental residents to provide children with comprehensive quality oral health care; and contributions to society and the profession of dentistry which bring recognition to their program. This award is sponsored by Pediatric Dental Associates, Ltd. Dr. Marcio Guelmann is Professor, Chair and former Residency Program Director of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, FL. His D.D.S. degree is from the Federal University of Parana, Brazil, in 1984 and his Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry is from the Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem, Israel in 1988. While in Israel, Dr. Guelmann was in private practice and part-time academics for 10 years and served as President of the Israeli Society of Pediatric Dentistry from 1995 to 1998. He joined the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at UF in 2000. He became Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) in 2006, served the Examination Committee from 2009 to 2017, chaired the Oral Clinical Examination in 2018 and is currently one of the Directors of the ABPD. In addition, Dr. Guelmann is Consultant and site-visitor for the Commission of Dental Accreditation, a Fellow of the American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute and former Executive Director for the Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2018-2019). He is the author and co-author of over 50 manuscripts and book chapters and reviewer for national and international pediatric dental journals. Suzi Seale Coll Evidence-Based Dentistry Service Award: The 2021 award recipient is Dr. Elizabeth S. Gosnell. The Evidence-Based Dentistry Service Award, established in 2016 by the AAPD's Evidence-Based Dentistry Committee (EBDC), recognizes pediatric dentist(s) who have made a major contribution, on a national or international level, to the dental profession and the specialty of pediatric dentistry through evidence-based clinical practice, academics or policy development over the past year. Nominees are solicited from the membership and considered by the EBDC, which shall make the final selection. Dr. Elizabeth Gosnell is currently an Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She is a consultant to the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD), a reviewer for several dental journals, and current chair, Committee on Special Healthcare Needs of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). She is also a member of the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Professional Advisory Board. She is a fellow of the AAPD and a diplomate of the ABPD. Dr. Gosnell has made contributions to evidence-based dentistry and oral health guidelines through her publications, her work while serving on the AAPD Council on Clinical Affairs, which updates the AAPD Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry, and the AAPD Evidence-Based Committee on Behavior Guidance. Paul P. Taylor Award: The 2021 award recipient is Dr. James A. Coll. The Paul P. Taylor award is given to the lead author of the most prestigious journal article in Pediatric Dentistry from the previous year. This award is determined by the AAPD Editorial Board and the AAPD Awards' Committee. The Baylor Pediatric Dentistry Alumni Fund graciously supports this award. This year's award was presented for "A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nonvital Pulp Therapy for Primary Teeth". Pediatr Dent 2020;42(4):256-72.E11-E199. The co-authors of the article were Drs. Kaaren Vargas, Abdullah A. Marghalani, Chia-Yu Chen, Shahad AlShamali, Vineet Dhar, and Yasmi O. Crystal. Dr. James A. Coll is a clinical professor at the University of Maryland Dental School in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a former member of the State Board of Dentistry of Pennsylvania and has been in private practice for 39 years in York, Penn. He has published numerous articles on primary tooth pulp therapy, and is a member of the Editorial Board and section editor for pulp therapy for Pediatric Dentistry. About the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is the recognized authority on children's oral health. As advocates for children's oral health, the AAPD promotes evidence-based policies and clinical recommendations; educates and informs policymakers, parents and guardians, and other health care professionals; fosters research; and provides continuing professional education for pediatric dentists and general dentists who treat children. Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not for-profit professional membership association representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. Its 10,500 members provide primary care and comprehensive dental specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special health care needs. For further information, visit the AAPD website at http://www.aapd.org or the AAPD's consumer website at http://www.mychildrensteeth.org. SOURCE American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Related Links http://www.aapd.org More than 704.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across China as of Wednesday, the National Health Commission (NHC) said Thursday. The number of doses administered has continued to rise at an ever-faster rate since China hit the landmark figure of 100 million on March 27. China took just 25 days to hit the next milestone of administering 200 million doses nationwide. It only took five days to increase vaccine distribution from 600 million doses to 700 million. A total of 20 vaccines have entered clinical trials in China since last year, according to Zheng Zhongwei, an official with the NHC. "China has been taking the lead in terms of the number of vaccines that are being developed." While quickening domestic vaccination and vaccine research and development, China has honored its solemn commitment to making COVID-19 vaccines a "global public good," despite its own huge population and supply shortage at home. So far, it has provided more than 350 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the international community, including vaccine assistance to more than 80 developing countries and exporting vaccines to more than 40 nations, which has made a significant contribution to the accessibility and affordability of vaccines. On Tuesday, the CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech, was validated for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Sinovac vaccine is the second one from China to be included in the WHO Emergency Use Listing, following the Sinopharm vaccine, which was validated earlier last month. The validation provides solid proof that the Chinese vaccines are both safe and efficacious, while further contributing to bridging the "immunization gap" generated by the inequity in vaccine distribution. At the Global Health Summit in late May, China promised more practical action to combat the pandemic across the world. The country reiterated its support for Chinese vaccine companies in transferring technologies to other developing countries and carrying out joint production with them. China has also announced support for waiving intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines, and it supports the World Trade Organization and other international institutions in making an early decision on this matter. China has also proposed an international forum on vaccine cooperation to explore ways of promoting the fair and equitable distribution of vaccines around the world. "With the production capacity of COVID-19 vaccines expected to increase in the second half of this year, Chinese vaccine enterprises and Chinese vaccines will definitely contribute more to the building of a global community of health for all," Zheng said. Sri Lanka has ratified MARPOL, as well as UNCLOS and it has ratified the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. by Dr. Ruwantissa Abeyratne in Montreal Pollution is the forerunner of perdition John Trapp On 3 June 2021 Reuters reported: Sri Lanka is readying for the possibility of an oil spill after a cargo ship laden with chemicals sank off its western coast. The Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl, carrying 1,486 containers, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid along with other chemicals and cosmetics, was anchored off the port city of Negombo when a fire erupted onboard after an explosion on 20 May. Although the ships owners had said that the possibility of an oil slick was rare in this instance, photos taken by the Sri Lankan coast guard showed otherwise, with clear evidence of a layer of green film blanketing the ocean surrounding the vessel, and millions of plastic pellets have fouled surrounding beaches and fishing grounds, forcing the government to ban fishing along an 80km stretch of coast. The Sri Lankan authorities are conducting salvage and cleaning operations with the help of international expertise including the Dutch salvage company SMIT. The first attempt by divers of the Sri Lanka Navy was thwarted by stormy seas and wicked waves. Burning ship at Colombo Anchorage The discharge of elements carried in the vessel has been described by a well known and respected microbiologist in Sri Lanka as devastating. The nitric acid would increase acidity in the sea and as the ship was closer to the shore where the biodiversity was most concentrated, large swathes of marine life would be threatened, affecting the entire food chain in the sea. The spillage could spread both to the North and the South along the Western coast. The ship was also carrying plastic pellets which could be ingested by larger marine life. The most heinous, however, as identified by this scientist, is the consignment of micro plastics carried in the ship that are used to make cosmetics. Micro plastics are plastic particles, which are less than 5 micro meters in diameter, and which originate from a variety of sources, including cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes. These cannot be seen by the naked eye and would therefore go undetected. They would inevitably affect algae and coral, destroying them. BBC Global News reported a Sri Lankan spokesman as saying that the country would seek compensation in accordance with principles of local and international law. Local laws aside, accountability and ensuing compensation would depend on the relevant international treaties Sri Lanka has ratified. The preeminent multilateral treaty governing pollution from ships is The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) which was adopted on 2 November 1973 at The International Maritime Organization. Article 4 of MARPOL prescribes that sanctions be imposed under the laws of the state of administration for violations of the Convention. Article 6 obligates the administration of a ship to allow searches to be carried out by officials of a State in whose jurisdiction the vessel is located at the time of an incident. Environmental costs regarding salvage have their genesis in the York- Antwerp Rules which are embodied in the International Convention on Salvage of 1989. The Convention carries the fundamental principle of the tort of negligence founded on the duty of care owed by one to another to prevent or minimise damage to the environment. This principle enables salvors to receive compensation for their efforts and skill in minimizing damage caused to the environment by pollution. Compensation varies with the degree to which such efforts are exercised. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 (UNCLOS) defines pollution of the marine environment as the introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment, including estuaries, which results or is likely to result in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources and marine life, hazards to human health, hindrance to marine activities, including fishing and other legitimate uses of the sea, impairment of quality for use of sea water and reduction of amenities. At the time of writing, no signs oil spillage from the wreck had been detected nor were there any signs of expulsion of other dangerous and delirious material. However, it was reported that experts are fearing that hundreds of tonnes of oil in the ship's tanks could devastate nearby marine life and beaches. If there is such an eventuality, liability may not accrue as The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969 at Sea covers only oil carried in bulk as cargo or as a subsequent Protocol decreed, ships in ballast (empty ships) where traces of oil previously carried as cargo are found to have been dispersed. . The purpose of this treaty is to control international trade in hazardous wastes. It entered into force in 1992. The Convention prohibits trade in hazardous wastes without the importing country's written consent to a particular export; or where the exporting country has reason to believe that the particular wastes will not be handled in an environmentally sound manner. It is a much-subscribed treaty, having more than 160 ratifications. Another important international treaty was adopted in 1989 called the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal The purpose of this treaty is to control international trade in hazardous wastes. It entered into force in 1992. The Convention prohibits trade in hazardous wastes without the importing country's written consent to a particular export; or where the exporting country has reason to believe that the particular wastes will not be handled in an environmentally sound manner. It is a much-subscribed treaty, having more than 160 ratifications. There is another treaty that is relevant the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC) adopted in 1976 which contains limitation of liability provisions that favor the shipowner, salvor, insurer and any other person for whose act, neglect or default they are responsible. Here the term shipowner is inclusive in that it includes owner, charterer, manager, and operator. The liability limits also extend to any person who has an interest in or possession of a ship, Exempted categories from the limitation of liability are claims for remuneration for salvage, marine pollution damage, nuclear damage, and certain claims by servants of the shipowner or salvor. Special compensation claims under the Salvage Convention are excluded from limitation of liability. Sri Lanka has ratified MARPOL, as well as UNCLOS and it has ratified the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. There is no evidence that Sri Lanka ratified LLMC. In the context of domestic law there is the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008 (administered by the Marine Environmental Protection Authority/MEPA), which is applied to protect Sri Lankan waters from pollution. The Act, while giving legal legitimacy to the international treaties Sri Lanka has ratified, provides for the prevention, reduction, and control of pollution in Sri Lanka waters. Specifically, Article 26 provides inter alia that if any oil or other pollutant is discharged or escapes into Sri Lanka waters from any ship, or from any apparatus used for transferring oil or other pollutant to or from a ship (whether to or from a place on land or from another ship) where the discharge or escape is from a ship, the owner. operator. master or the agent of the ship, is guilty of an 'offence and will be liable on conviction to a fine not less than four million and not more than fifteen million rupees. Article 24 requires the owner, master agent or salvor to take steps to prevent such a disaster. Article 34 lays down criteria for compensation payable by the aforesaid categories of persons to those suffering damage. OAKVILLE, ON, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. ("AQN" or the "Company") (TSX: AQN) (NYSE: AQN) today held a virtual annual meeting of common shareholders. At the meeting, all of the nominees listed in the Company's management information circular dated April 15, 2021 were elected as directors of AQN until the next annual meeting of shareholders. The detailed voting results for the election of directors are set out below. On a vote by ballot, each of the following nine nominees proposed by management was elected as a director of AQN. The results of the ballot were as follows: Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Christopher Ball 263,756,761 94.29% 15,982,779 5.71% Arun Banskota 279,209,311 99.81% 530,229 0.19% Melissa Stapleton Barnes 279,043,669 99.75% 695,871 0.25% Christopher Huskilson 279,131,852 99.78% 607,688 0.22% D. Randy Laney 279,104,688 99.77% 634,852 0.23% Carol Leaman 279,172,883 99.80% 566,657 0.20% Kenneth Moore 267,779,544 95.72% 11,959,996 4.28% Masheed Saidi 279,089,815 99.77% 649,725 0.23% Dilek Samil 277,098,832 99.06% 2,640,708 0.94% Shareholders also voted in favour of the re-appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's auditor for the ensuing year and an advisory resolution on the Company's approach to executive compensation. Final voting results on all matters voted on at the annual meeting of shareholders will be filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov. About Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and Liberty Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility with approximately $15 billion of total assets. Through its two business groups, the Regulated Services Group and the Renewable Energy Group, AQN is committed to providing safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy and water solutions through its portfolio of electric generation, transmission, and distribution utility investments to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada. AQN is a global leader in renewable energy through its portfolio of long-term contracted wind, solar, and hydroelectric generating facilities. AQN owns, operates, and/or has net interests in over 3 GW of installed renewable generation capacity. AQN is committed to delivering growth and the pursuit of operational excellence in a sustainable manner through an expanding global pipeline of renewable energy and electric transmission development projects, organic growth within its rate-regulated generation, distribution, and transmission businesses, and the pursuit of accretive acquisitions. AQN's common shares, Series A preferred shares, and Series D preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQN.PR.A, and AQN.PR.D, respectively. AQN's common shares, Series 2018-A subordinated notes and Series 2019-A subordinated notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQNA and AQNB, respectively. Visit AQN at www.algonquinpowerandutilities.com and follow us on Twitter @AQN_Utilities. SOURCE Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. Related Links http://www.algonquinpower.com Wilson is one of the first Blacks in America to serve as president of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) chapter, and is the first Black man to earn his accreditation in public relations in the state of Alabama. His journey as an agency founder and industry trailblazer is the subject of the textbook's history chapter. "It's always an honor to have your handiwork recognized. However, it is especially remarkable to be lifted up in a college textbook. It is my hope that having my career journey included in PR Principles: Current. Proven. Practical. serves as a source of inspiration for any student that's thinking twice about the odds that they will face along their career journey," said Wilson, chairman, president and CEO, Wilbron, Inc. PR Principles: Current. Proven. Practical. is co-authored by Alisa Agozzino, Ph.D., APR, and Jamie Ward, Ph.D. Agozzino is an associate professor of public relations at Ohio Northern University, and Ward is an associate professor of public relations at Eastern Michigan University. The textbook is published by Stukent, a leading digital courseware provider that's used by more than 5,000 instructors in more than 56 countries. "Brandon's career journey is inspiring in that his pursuit to become an industry leader established a history that our students can benefit from today. From being an industry first, to leading an amazing communications agency, Brandon has the kind of professional story that needs to be told more," said Agozzino, National PRSSA Faculty Adviser, associate professor of public relations at Ohio Northern University. "Brandon is so honest and transparent. I'm so happy his inspiring story is being shared with so many," said Agozzino. Students and professors have early and positive reviews of the new textbook, and Brandon Wilson's inclusion. "[Brandon's description of the public relations accreditation process detailed in the textbook] made me smile because folks who've been through the accreditation process will relate. Love how this e-textbook features current examples and real people that students can follow on social media," said Sharee Broussard, Ph.D., APR, former public relations professor at Belmont University. About Wilbron Founded in 2006 as a higher education think tank, Wilbron has deep roots in education. As a communications consultancy, they have impacted the campus life and leadership at more than 100 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. In 2009, Wilbron opened its roster to other industries and, in doing so, they've taken its mission of For Good to the global stage. FOR GOOD is a guide star for the company that impacts every decision the agency makes. Their mission helps them to focus solely on projects that advance good business practices, while simultaneously positively impacting communities and the lives of ordinary people. Wilbron's work currently touches some of the most influential brands in the world, including Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Apollo Global Management and many others. Learn more at wilbron.com. SOURCE Wilbron Inc. Related Links https://wilbron.com/ BOSTON, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ButcherBox, a leading brand of high-quality protein, today announced a partnership with Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, to make grass-fed beef, and other high-quality proteins more accessible to Americans across the U.S. The pilot program is now available for customers across the greater New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Miami regions, with plans to roll out across the contiguous U.S. later this summer. "ButcherBox was founded in 2015 with a mission to make high-quality protein more accessible to consumers across the U.S., and we've always had our eye on new ways consumers would interact with our brand aside just buying direct from us on ButcherBox.com," said Mike Salguero, founder of ButcherBox. "Our partnership with Instacart enables us to reach even more consumers with the click of a button." The new ButcherBox storefront on Instacart enables customers to shop from 10 unique box configurations to meet their protein needs, which start at $99. Each box will include a variety of cuts across grass-fed, grass-finished beef, free-range, organic chicken, pork raised crate free, wild-caught Alaska sockeye salmon, and wild-caught scallops. Customers who order a ButcherBox via Instacart will have their box delivered directly to their door within one to four days after ordering. Boxes will be fulfilled by ButcherBox and shipped through third party delivery partners like FedEx, or a regional carrier. "Instacart is committed to offering customers a wide selection of items and more ways to get exactly what they need from the retailers they know and love," said Chris Rogers, Vice President of Retail at Instacart. "With the addition of ButcherBox to the Instacart marketplace, we're making their curated, high-quality proteins even more accessible to customers nationwide. Whether planning a summertime BBQ or a weeknight dinner, we're continuing to help families get what they need through an effortless online grocery shopping experience." To start browsing the ButcherBox storefront on Instacart, customers can visit https://www.instacart.com/store or download the Instacart app on their mobile device. From there, customers can enter their zip code, select the ButcherBox storefront, and add a box to their cart for delivery within one to four days. About ButcherBox At ButcherBox, we believe in better. That's why we deliver 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, free-range organic chicken, pork raised crate-free, and wild-caught seafood directly to our members' doors. All of our products are humanely raised or sustainably caught and never given antibiotics or added hormones, ever. ButcherBox became a certified B Corp in 2020. For more information, please visit www.butcherbox.com or follow the company on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube. Contact: Kerin Norton [email protected] SOURCE ButcherBox Related Links www.butcherbox.com Hunter Beaumont, President of Cazador, stated that "each of these deals was a situational opportunity where we took advantage of some Covid-related uncertainty and secured deals at attractive pricing. We continue to fly under the radar of the institutional buyers and are very happy owning and operating multifamily assets in the 20100 unit range." Las Brisas (Vista, CA) Built in 1980 and featuring mostly 2-bedroom units, Las Brisas is a 22-unit multifamily property situated on 1.5 acres in the booming San Diego submarket of Vista. The property has value-add, redevelopment and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) potential. Mark Bridge of Cushman & Wakefield represented both Cazador and seller. Debt was originated by Beth Adams at Luther Burbank. Cazador plans to continue an interior renovation play, build multiple ADUs, and entitle additional multifamily units on the oversized parcel. Jordan Village (West Jordan, UT) Jordan Village is a 20-unit multifamily property located in the Salt Lake City submarket of West Jordan. With an average unit size of 960 square feet and a low-density feel, the property caters well to families unable to afford the rising home prices of Salt Lake City. Jordan Village appealed to Cazador due to its strong unit mix, tranquil suburban location, and virgin value-add potential. Jordan Village was acquired in a joint venture between Cazador and Canfield Development, an experienced multifamily developer and operator based in Los Angeles, CA. Marcus & Millichap's Kris Mortensen represented both buyer and seller. Colton Smith originated financing from New York-based Ready Capital. Terrace Towers (Hayward, CA) 48% occupied at time of close, Terrace Towers represented an extremely unique opportunity. Despite uncertainty at an all-time high in the Bay Area, Cazador gained confidence in the substantial discount to replacement cost and strong East Bay submarket. Additionally, the high vacancy was a benefit in rent-controlled Hayward. The 41-unit asset is well located within one mile of downtown Hayward. Colliers' Ryan Rodriguez and Gavin McDowell represented both Cazador and seller. Mike Anderson of George Smith Partners originated financing from ACRES Capital. For investor relations, please call (858) 261-2421 or email [email protected] SOURCE Cazador Investments LLC Related Links http://www.cazadorinvestments.com WASHINGTON, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, June 5, at 10 A.M., the Committee to Free Nigerian Slaves (CFNS) will protest jihadists' enslavement of Nigerians at the corner of 72nd and Dodge Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Nigerian pastors and leaders will speak about the mass murder and enslavement of Nigerians in what has been a cruel religious war. The CFNS is an organization of Nigerian and Nigerian American human rights activists and their respective groups. Since 2001, Boko Haram terrorists, Fulani militants, and other extremist groups tied to the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, have raided Nigerian villages, killed tens of thousands, and enslaved an untold number of women and children. CFSN member Stephen Enada, president of the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), said today, "In Nigeria, jihad terrorists are storming our villages and murdering our people. So far this year over 1,500 Nigerians who are mostly Christians, have been murdered by these jihadists and over 2,000 people have been abducted or kidnapped. The situation is dire. We can no longer sit in silence as our brothers and sisters in Nigeria are being captured and enslaved." According to the CFNS, in 2021 alone, hundreds of schoolchildren in Nigeria have been kidnapped. Parents fear sending their children to school. School-aged children are terrorized. Most of the individuals captured by Boko Haram jihadists are young women and girls taken by force and trafficked as slave concubines. They endure horrendous abuse and mistreatment. An example of one of these victims is displayed on the billboard: she is 18-year-old Leah Sharibu , kidnapped from her school in Dapchi, Nigeria, in 2018. "Nigerian women and girls like Leah Sharibu who are enslaved by Boko Haram terrorists should never be abandoned or forgotten in captivity," said CFNS member Dr. Gloria Puldu, president of the LEAH Foundation, an organization which represents the Sharibu family and lobbies for Leah's release. Christian girls like Leah are pressed by the terrorists to convert to a faith not her own." "I'm confident that if we bring these facts to more people, more people will get angry and start making a difference," said Samuel Akough, a local Nigerian American activist from Omaha. Nigeria is ranked third in the 2020 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) of countries most impacted by terrorism. Since 2014, Fulani militants a small, extremist portion of the Fulani people have accelerated the conflict with Nigerian Christians at an alarming rate. Fulani militants are reportedly responsible for 7,400 deaths since 2015, targeting and attacking whole communities, schools, and households. Boko Haram has formally pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, and, since 2009, it is believed responsible for murdering approximately 30,000 innocent people and displacing perhaps two million. All Americans across the political spectrum should join in this effort to emancipate today's slaves. The website, www.FreeNigerianSlaves.org , has been created in order to educate the public. Contact: Stephen Enada [email protected] (404) 988-0611 SOURCE Committee to Free Nigerian Slaves HUNTSVILLE, Ala., June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynetics Technical Solutions (DTS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dynetics, now operates the largest electron-beam welding system in the Western Hemisphere. Pro-Beam, a global leader in electron beam and laser technology, recently delivered the 22-feet-long by 22-feet-wide by 22-feet-high system from Germany following an agreement between the two companies. The system is capable of supporting government and commercial programs at both the unclassified and classified levels. "This system is an incredible addition to our precision machining and welding capabilities," said Ronnie Chronister, senior vice president of Weapons Technology and Manufacturing at Dynetics. "Electron-beam welding provides advanced opportunities that will significantly improve our manufacturing and bring about new capabilities. We're proud to enter this new phase and support this vital mission." With classified capabilities starting at the secret level and spanning to top secret, the welding facility can support a variety of sensitive customer work. The technology will reinforce the Virginia and Columbia class submarine hardware. Division-wide welding capabilities will include metal inert gas welding and tungsten inert gas welding. These tools support several programs including, the U.S. Army's Long Range Hypersonic Weapons (LRHW). In 2019, DTS also acquired a smaller 20-foot-long by 7-foot-wide by 7-foot-high system of equal beam power from Pro-Beam. Both systems aid the company's welding facility and have established north Alabama as a U.S. leader in advanced electron-beam welding for the aerospace, defense and commercial sectors. Additional machining capabilities within the company's facilities include the Onsrud Gantry and over 30 CNC machines. These technologies support large structural hardware machining and post-weld machining in a classified environment. The electron beam capability was enabled by a $15 million contract with the Department of Defense's (DoD) Office of Industrial Policy to support the office's Industrial Base Analysis & Sustainment (IBAS) program. The mission of the IBAS program is to help modernize the defense industrial base to ensure the U.S. maintains cutting edge capabilities. "The new domestic electron beam capability serves as a national asset," said Jessie Salazar, deputy assistant secretary of defense for DOD's Office of Industrial Policy. "It gives our defense industrial base the cutting-edge equipment it needs to deliver on-time and can help advance our commercial aerospace community as well." For the U.S. to build back its manufacturing capacity, compete globally and maintain readiness, it must possess the best equipment. Recently the IBAS Program awarded a contract to DTS to build a new electron beam capability to produce large scale parts more quickly and at higher quality. "DTS has been a great partner standing up this new capability," said Adele Ratcliff, program director for IBAS. "The team worked very hard to stay on track throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our defense industrial base is better today thanks to their determination and dedication to the mission." About Dynetics Technical Solutions Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Dynetics Technical Solutions, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dynetics, Inc. formed in 2010. Dynetics Technical Solutions has autonomous management, operational and support staff with an emphasis on providing high quality mechanical manufacturing, engineering and technology services and solutions to customers. About Dynetics Dynetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific, IT solutions to the national security, cybersecurity, space, and critical infrastructure sectors. Our portfolio features highly specialized technical services and a range of software and hardware products, including components, subsystems, and complex end-to-end systems. The company of more than 3,000 employees is based in Huntsville, Ala., and has offices throughout the U.S. For more information, visit www.dynetics.com. About the Department of Defense's Office of Industrial Policy: The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Industrial Policy supports the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment by providing detailed analyses and in-depth understanding of the increasingly global, commercial, and financially complex industrial supply chain essential to our national defense. Learn more about Industrial Policy by visiting https://www.businessdefense.gov/. About Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500 information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 40,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $12.30 billion for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2021. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 1, 2021 and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SOURCE Dynetics Related Links https://www.dynetics.com Each profile is free to view and packed with high-quality insights, providing businesses with detailed company information. 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Contact BizVibe Jesse Maida Email: [email protected] +1 855-897-5880 Website: https://www.bizvibe.com/ SOURCE BizVibe Related Links http://www.bizvibe.com IRVINE, Calif. and DALLAS, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Flex Equity, a multi-family office (MFO) and strategic investor in high-growth middle market businesses, announced that it has signed an agreement for the acquisition of Logical Maintenance Solutions (LMS), a partner-focused managed service provider (MSP) that provides on-site maintenance and IT related services throughout the United States and Canada. The move enhances Flex Equity's portfolio of technical support service capabilities and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) relationships. Terms of the deal were not released. In addition to the acquisition, Flex Equity will partner with industry veteran Stacey Powell, who will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LMS, bringing together two women-owned organizations. Flex Equity's Ovation Technical Services will become the specialized services arm of LMS. Headquartered in Irvine, California, LMS is a strong and growing business with a process-driven approach to servicing IT for companies that have an increasingly dispersed and remote workforce. During the challenging and changing parameters of the pandemic, LMS was able to quickly adapt and service organizations with large workforces suddenly switching from in-office to remote work. From the desktop and peripherals to the data center, LMS is known for its ability to collaborate closely with customers to meet and exceed their evolving service requirements. LMS has established strong relationships, averaging ten years of tenure per client, with industry leading OEMs and brands including Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Xerox, to name a few. "LMS brings a well-established team, service model and growth training that will help fuel our managed IT services expansion, and kick-off an exciting new chapter for Flex Equity," said Sameer Mittal, Managing Partner, Flex Equity, and Chairman and President, LMS. "LMS deepens Flex Equity's maintenance and technology service capabilities, to help meet the rapidly changing, increasingly dispersed and complex managed IT service opportunity. There is extremely strong market demand for quality, flexible service providers, and we are delighted to welcome the full LMS team to continue our growth." "Combining LMS and Ovation marks an exciting new step for the leadership team. Utilizing the LMS variable workforce model to enhance our reach and ability to remain competitive for our clients, will be a huge differentiator in the value we have created for our clients," said Stacey Powell. "Working directly with Flex Equity enables us to expand career opportunities for our people, and continue to transform and scale our global managed IT service options to meet the continuously evolving needs of our customers." "We could not be more excited about the addition of LMS to the Flex Equity family office portfolio of companies," said Yogesh Kumar, Managing Partner, Flex Equity. "As the first addition of a managed IT service provider to our portfolio, LMS is well-positioned to be a key piece of the next chapter of our portfolio's growth and evolution. LMS's operational excellence and experience will be invaluable as we look to grow our portfolio in the coming years." LMS brings to Flex Equity an advanced ability to conduct remote solve and monitoring of end user devices, where the market has seen a strong increase in demand due to COVID-19 on-site restrictions. In addition, LMS brings a strong and flexible on-site service support, purchasing, parts and logistics for retail support including point of sale (POS), servers, audio / video, security cameras, low-voltage cabling, networking, digital signage, VOIP and mobility. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and conditions precedents and is due to close in the coming weeks. About Flex Equity Flex Equity is the multi-family office (MFO) of Sameer Mittal and Yogesh Kumar . Acting as co-chairmen of their MFO, the strategy is to invest in, nurture, grow, and exit entities within the critical middle market. Flex Equity executes the first-principles of a family business structure, with a mission to infuse capital and offer hands-on cultivation of the investment. The structure and experience within Flex Equity makes available to its acquisitions a network of in-house consultants to enable the management to focus on sales, operations, and scaling the business. About Logical Maintenance Solutions Logical Maintenance Solutions (LMS) is a managed services provider (MSP) that partners with its customers to provide an array of on-site and remote IT and print related services and support throughout the United States and Canada. LMS's process driven approach prioritizes working in collaboration with partners to provide optimal service delivery to the desktop or data center based on a customer's unique requirements. LMS works directly and indirectly with OEMs to support remote solve and monitoring of end user devices in addition to its on-site service component for retail support including point of sale (POS), servers, audio / video, security cameras, low-voltage cabling, networking, digital signage, VOIP and mobility. With strong and flexible technical support, purchasing, parts and logistics teams, LMS is staffed and ready to scale up or down to precisely what customers need, deploying a full depot repair center to build solutions around advanced exchange hardware and configuration centers. SOURCE Flex Equity ORLANDO, Fla., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- June is National Homeownership Month, a time of year when Florida Realtors, Realtors across the U.S. and others celebrate the importance of owning a home and the impact it has on the lives of American families, local communities and the nation's economic health. "Every day, Realtors promote housing opportunities and help people realize their dreams of homeownership," says 2021 Florida Realtors President Cheryl Lambert, broker-owner with Only Way Realty Citrus in Inverness. "Opening the door to homeownership helps families find security and stability. While buying a home is usually the biggest financial investment someone may make in their lifetime, it also offers a sense of place and community. The impact of homeownership isn't just measured in dollars and equity, but in the priceless memories of the lives that people share and the future they build together in their homes." For generations of families, homeownership has been essential to achieving the American dream. Beyond the emotional benefits, homeownership builds household wealth. A homeowner's average net worth in 2019 was $254,500 about 40 times that of a renter at $6,270, according to the Federal Reserve. President Joe Biden issued a proclamation recognizing June as National Homeownership Month, showcasing homeownership as source of economic strength and the need to increase the ranks of homeowners, especially among minorities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the homeownership rate in Florida was 68.10% in first quarter 2021; the U.S. homeownership rate was 65.6% for the same period. This national spotlight on homeownership began as a weeklong recognition in 1995 and was first proclaimed to last the entire month of June in 2002 under former President George W. Bush. Realtors are celebrating June as Homeownership Month with homebuyers and sellers in communities across Florida. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers more information about homeownership, housing policies, programs, counseling and more at: https://www.hud.gov/ Florida Realtors serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to about 200,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors Newsroom is available at http://floridarealtors.org/newsroom. SOURCE Florida Realtors Related Links floridarealtors.org Backed by existing investors including Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital, Getir will now add a number of global, blue-chip investors including Silver Lake, DisruptAD, and Mubadala Investment Company as well as a large, diversified asset manager on the West Coast. This marks Getir's third round of investment in 2021, with nearly $1bn raised since the beginning of the year. Getir will utilize the latest capital injection to fuel its expansion into the United States. Following a hugely successful international launch in London in January and starting its operations in Amsterdam in May, Getir is stepping up its European operations with couriers set to hit the road in Paris and Berlin in the next few weeks. Several cities in the US are on the roster to follow by Q4 this year as Getir expands into the United States. This will see Getir operating in six countries, further establishing them as not only the creators of the ultrafast grocery delivery category, but also the benchmark brand in the industry. "Our model and approach to ultrafast delivery is thriving and this latest round of funding further enables us to deliver our best-in-class service to new customers in Europe, the United States and beyond. There is great appetite for Getir and rapid grocery delivery. As the pioneers of the market, we continue to stand out by constantly innovating to provide the industry standard." says Nazim Salur, Founder of Getir. For investment related enquiries, please contact: [email protected] A selection of images can be found and downloaded here. About Getir Getir is the ultrafast delivery pioneer. The tech company, based in Istanbul, has revolutionized last-mile delivery with its 10-minute grocery delivery proposition offering a selection of 1,500 everyday items to its customers in minutes, 7 days a week, day and night. Getir is now operating in 30 cities in Turkey and has launched operations in the UK in January and in the Netherlands in May 2021. Getir also has sub-brands - GetirFood, GetirMore, GetirWater and GetirLocals. Getir is, first and foremost, a technology company that operates in retail and logistics. It was founded in 2015 by Nazim Salur (founder of BiTaksi, Turkey's leading taxi app), Serkan Borancili (founder of GittiGidiyor which was acquired by eBay in 2011) and Tuncay Tutek (ex-PepsiCo and P&G executive in Europe & the Middle East). Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526010/Getir_Founder_Nazim_Salur.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526011/Getir_courier.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526012/Getir_Logo.jpg SOURCE Getir Our neighbourhood is in turmoil, democratically and constitutionally, but the ruling political powers there need to learn their lessons as well by Ashok K Mehta Call it a quirk of fate, constitutional fallibility or inspired interpretation of law, that every time the dice was rolled, it was Victory Oli facilitated by comrade in manipulation, President Bidya Devi Bhandari. Oli was anointed the Prime Minister in 2018 under Article76(1) with near two-thirds majority and his party destined to rule for five years. After three years, the Prime Minister can dissolve the House under Article 76 (1), which Oli did in December 2020. The Supreme Court restored the House in February-March but Oli failed to win the vote of confidence. He neither resigned nor was able to garner a majority . On May 10, Oli failed the floor test but was reappointed Prime Minister under Article 76(3) on May 13 after the Opposition failed to form a Government under Article 76(2). Oli was required to prove his majority by June 14 but without proving his majority, on May 20 sought to become Prime Minister under Article 76(5). Why Bhandari permitted this is a mystery. Simultaneously, Bhandari allowed the Opposition only 21 hours for Government formation and upon their failing, she appointed Oli who had not secured a confidence vote as the Prime Minister earlier as the Prime Minister. Bhandari did not allow Article 76(5) to run its full course for former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Curiously, Oli advanced his claim to form the Government also under 76(5) even though his existing Government had not secured majority vote. What happened on May 22 is akin to a midnight coup. Having rejected claims of both Oli and Deuba under Article 76(5), Bhandari on the recommendation of the Oli Cabinet dissolved the House a second time within five months ordering fresh elections for November 12 and 19 under Article 76(7). This was a clear case of subversion of the Constitution, undemocratic and against the rule of law. Meanwhile, Oli with 121 lawmakers, reached out to Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal faction led by Mahanta Thakur to cross the majority mark of 136 votes by yielding to JSN on Citizenship Act through ordinance that the Madhesis have long sought. Both Oli and Bhandari have drawn immense flak for acting unconstitutionally and pushing the country into an avoidable election during the COVID crisis. The Supreme Court will also be considering how Oli in the term of one house was appointed Prime Minister under all four provisions set by Article 76-76 (1-3) and 76 (5). Surely not without the sleight of hand. This is not the first time provisions of Article 76 on Government formation are being adjudicated by the Supreme Court. This is rarest of the rare since 2015 Constitution was impeccably drafted, not by one but two Constituent Assemblies. In December 2020, the Supreme Court observed that Lower House can be dissolved after going through Government formation process within Articles 76 (1-3) and 76 (5). This time, Article 76(5) was not allowed to play out and Deuba and the Opposition not provided sufficient time and space to form a majority Government. Restoration of the House (presumably again) could lead to impeachment of the President for acting unconstitutionally and in partisan party interests. How Oli has remained the Prime Minister in the last three years against multiple challenges from arch foe Prachanda (after dishonouring a written power sharing agreement and a running feud since with him even after Bhandari had brokered a one-man one-post compromise agreement which also Oli violated) and from within his own party, by former Prime Ministers Madhav Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal, is legendary. The lust for power has driven Oli to fiddle with the Constitution with Bhandari as his accomplice. Although Indias recently cultivated friendship with Oli (once a staunch foe) is becoming a talking point in Nepal, the whisper campaign had started last year. China, once a big Oli fan has dropped him while trying to preserve Left unity which came unstuck after Supreme Court, on March 8 declared the Nepal Communist Party void ab initio as the name already allotted to one Rishiram Kattel who had already claimed it. This was an Election Commission matter which has proved tsunami in Nepali politics and left Nepal and Khanal in a quandary. India was to supply vaccine doses worth Rs 930 mn Nepali but has been unable to do so. This prompted Bhandari to call her counterparts in China and India urging them for help. President Xi had an hour-long conversation with her and promised to give one million doses gratis to Nepal. In what has become Indias preferred style, during MEA briefings in response to a question India took note of the recent political developments in Nepal as an internal matter for the country, noting that India was the first country to react. India will support Nepal and its people on their journey towards peace, stability and development. Except for the vaccine hiccup, the two countries have got along pretty well after the blockade bump and now the Oli-tar. Oli and fate (breakup of NCP) have ensured that the Communist unity that was brought about first time in 70 years will not repeat anytime soon because the 2018 conjugation of stars will not recur. All eyes and ears are on the Supreme Court to correct again a constitutional wrong- backed again by four former Chief Justices of Nepal and shut the door on Oli wins, heads or tails. (The writer, a retired Major General, was Commander, IPKF South, Sri Lanka, and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the Integrated Defence Staff. The views expressed are personal.) FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 6; Released: March 2021 Executive Engagements: 53079 Companies: 54 - Players covered include Adobe Inc.; Allen Interactions Inc.; Aptara, Inc.; Articulate Global, Inc.; Cengage Learning Holdings II, Inc.; City & Guilds; Discovery Education; Echo360, Inc.; Educomp Solutions Ltd.; McGraw-Hill Education Inc.; MPS Ltd.; N2N Services Inc.; New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc.; Pearson Education; Saba Software; TAL Education Group; Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd.; Trivantis Corporation and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: End-Use (K-12, Higher Education) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Rest of World. Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry ABSTRACT- Global Digital Education Content Market to Reach $108 Billion by 2026 Digital learning has witnessed steady growth over the past decade, with the advent of the global COVID-19 pandemic providing a major fillip to the industry. COVID-19 along with a number of socioeconomic factors like increasing cost of higher education, lifestyles of modern learners and equitable access to education is poised to help digital learning in garnering considerable attention in the coming years. The education industry is leveraging advanced technology related to online learning for democratizing education, motivating learners and optimizing outcomes. The industry is also being transformed by increasing collaborations among e-learning companies, universities, colleges and governments to promote the idea of online education. Accessibility for online education becomes extremely imperative during the covid-19 pandemic crisis. In the evolving educational environment, several institutions are already using this education mode, while new technologies are being embraced and the requirement for institutions in prioritizing accessibility is becoming critical. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Digital Education Content estimated at US$57.1 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$108 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% over the analysis period. K-12, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 12.6% CAGR and reach US$61.1 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Higher Education segment is readjusted to a revised 9.8% CAGR for the next 7-year period. A large number of students in the US and other nations had been already participating in digital learning from K-12 virtual or online education. COVID-19 has considerably accelerated the transition and is expected to pave way for increasing reliance on virtual K-12 schooling in the coming years. The transition of higher education institutions toward the digital platform can be credited to several benefits, especially convenience and flexibility, which are expected to drive a large number of students to prefer online learning over the conventional classroom option. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $25 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $19 Billion by 2026 The Digital Education Content market in the U.S. is estimated at US$25 Billion in the year 2021. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$19 Billion by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 13.4% over the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 9.1% and 9.5% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 10.7% CAGR. The e-learning market in developing regions is evolving into a dynamic growth sector as public universities, governments and local providers push into the market. There are several factors driving eLearning market in developing countries, for instance eLearning helps to decrease infrastructure costs and reduce expenditures e.g., cost on classroom space along with textbook purchase or rental leading to lesser education costs for people in developing nations. Increased adoption of cloud-based solutions is also expected to further create growth opportunities for eLearning in developing regions. The benefits of just-in-time training and promising ROI is expected to increase adoption of eLearning in corporate training in countries such as China, India and Brazil. In Middle Eastern countries, eLearning has witnessed growth due to government initiatives combines with efforts by private corporations and schools. More MarketGlass Platform Our MarketGlass Platform is a free full-stack knowledge center that is custom configurable to today`s busy business executive`s intelligence needs! This influencer driven interactive research platform is at the core of our primary research engagements and draws from unique perspectives of participating executives worldwide. Features include - enterprise-wide peer-to-peer collaborations; research program previews relevant to your company; 3.4 million domain expert profiles; competitive company profiles; interactive research modules; bespoke report generation; monitor market trends; competitive brands; create & publish blogs & podcasts using our primary and secondary content; track domain events worldwide; and much more. Client companies will have complete insider access to the project data stacks. Currently in use by 67,000+ domain experts worldwide. Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world`s only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years. CONTACTS: Zak Ali Director, Corporate Communications Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Phone: 1-408-528-9966 www.StrategyR.com Email: [email protected] LINKS Join Our Expert Panel https://www.strategyr.com/Panelist.asp Connect With Us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./ Follow Us on Twitter https://twitter.com/marketbytes Journalists & Media [email protected] SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Related Links http://www.strategyr.com FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 9; Released: March 2021 Executive Engagements: 30228 Companies: 46 - Players covered include Amazon Web Services, Inc.; Google LLC; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company; IBM Corporation; Microsoft Corporation; Oracle Corporation; Quantum Corporation; Thales Group; Townsend Security; Unbound Tech Ltd.; WinMagic Inc. and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Component (Solutions, Services); Deployment (On-Premise, Cloud); Application (Disk Encryption, Communication Encryption, File/Folder Encryption, Database Encryption, Cloud Encryption); Vertical (BFSI, Retail, IT & Telecom, Government & Defense, Utilities, Healthcare, Other Verticals) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Rest of World. Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry ABSTRACT- Global Enterprise Key Management Market to Reach $3.4 Billion by 2026 Enterprise key management comprises of the lifecycle management of encryption keys, right from defining the requirements and policies to generation, storage, distribution, deactivation, and destruction of encryption keys. Due to high-profile data losses and regulatory compliance standards, the use of encryption is on the rise across enterprises of all sizes. Proper key management is an essential process of data security within any organization handling sensitive information. The financial sector is one of the most highly regulated industries across the world, and is also one of the largest end-users of encryption keys. For many years, banks, credit card companies, and payment gateways dominated the security aspect. However, new age companies such as Fintech companies are challenging the dominance of traditional players through the usage of innovative technologies such as blockchain to ensure security without depending on traditional security measures. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Enterprise Key Management estimated at US$1.4 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$3.4 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 15.8% over the analysis period. Solutions, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 15.3% CAGR to reach US$2.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Services segment is readjusted to a revised 17% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 31.5% share of the global Enterprise Key Management market. As the quantity of data and the complexity of managing the data is increasing, organizations are availing the services of enterprise key management service companies to plan and manage their key management requirements, thus driving the market for enterprise key management services. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $677.5 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $268.2 Million by 2026 The Enterprise Key Management market in the U.S. is estimated at US$677.5 Million in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 42.48% share in the global market. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$268.2 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 18.8% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 12.8% and 14.6% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 16.1% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$316.6 Million by the end of the analysis period. Developed economies of North America and Europe dominate the enterprise key management market, owing to the high penetration of digital systems and IT infrastructure, existence of large corporations, as well as the presence of major providers in the market. In addition, the region is also one of the highly affected in terms of data breaches, leading to increasing regulatory oversight, and subsequent adoption of advanced security solutions for safeguarding data. Regulatory oversight also plays a major role in the region, as the regulatory landscape is highly evolved and constantly endeavors to improve data security, leading to higher demand for encryption key management solutions. More MarketGlass Platform Our MarketGlass Platform is a free full-stack knowledge center that is custom configurable to today`s busy business executive`s intelligence needs! This influencer driven interactive research platform is at the core of our primary research engagements and draws from unique perspectives of participating executives worldwide. Features include - enterprise-wide peer-to-peer collaborations; research program previews relevant to your company; 3.4 million domain expert profiles; competitive company profiles; interactive research modules; bespoke report generation; monitor market trends; competitive brands; create & publish blogs & podcasts using our primary and secondary content; track domain events worldwide; and much more. Client companies will have complete insider access to the project data stacks. Currently in use by 67,000+ domain experts worldwide. Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world`s only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years. CONTACTS: Zak Ali Director, Corporate Communications Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Phone: 1-408-528-9966 www.StrategyR.com Email: [email protected] LINKS Join Our Expert Panel https://www.strategyr.com/Panelist.asp Connect With Us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./ Follow Us on Twitter https://twitter.com/marketbytes Journalists & Media [email protected] SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Related Links http://www.strategyr.com DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Flat Glass Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global flat glass market exhibited moderate growth during 2015-2020. Flat glass, also known as sheet or plate glass, is most commonly used for manufacturing windows, doors, mirrors and solar panels. It is produced by melting sand, soda ash and silica into liquid and spreading it to the desired thickness. The molten liquid is then cooled to obtain the desired product. Flat glass is produced via controlled thermal and chemical reactions to ensure toughness in the structural formation. Despite this, flat glass is highly flexible and customizable once it is made. The thriving construction industry is the key factor driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, the increasing infrastructural expenditure on the construction of eco-friendly green buildings, which aid in minimizing carbon emissions into the environment, is also driving the flat glass market growth. Flat glass is widely used in photovoltaic modules, e-glass structures and solar panels due to the rising need for clean energy across the globe. It is gradually replacing the traditionally materials like bricks, stone and wood. Insulated flat glass is transparent and recyclable, which reduces pollution and enhances the comfort for the inhabitants of the building. The flourishing automotive industry is another factor contributing to the market growth. The automobile manufacturers are increasingly employing tempered glass due to its shatterproof properties that can prevent severe injuries and possible life threats in case of accidents. Other factors such as the implementation of nanotechnology to produce lightweight glazing glass and solar control panels coupled with the increasing urbanization and rising disposable incomes are further creating a positive outlook for the market. Looking forward, the global flat glass market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5% during 2021-2026. Competitive Landscape: The global flat glass market is highly fragmented with the presence of several small and large players competing in terms of price and quality. Some of the leading players in the market are: Asahi Glass Saint-Gobain Guardian Industries Vitro DB Glass Nippon Sheet Glass Central Glass Taiwan Glass Cardinal Glass Industries Fuyao Glass Industry Group Sisecam Group CSG Holding Co. Ltd Gulf Glass Industries Key Questions Answered in This Report: How has the global flat glass market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years? What are the key regional markets in the global flat glass industry? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global flat glass industry? What is the breakup of the market based on the technology? What is the breakup of the market based on the product type? What is the breakup of the market based on the raw material? What is the breakup of the market based on the end-use? What is the breakup of the market based on the type? What is the breakup of the market based on the end use industry? What are the various stages in the value chain of the global flat glass industry? What are the key driving factors and challenges in the global flat glass industry? What is the structure of the global flat glass industry and who are the key players? What is the degree of competition in the global flat glass industry? What are the profit margins in the flat glass industry? Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 Global Flat Glass Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Market Breakup by Technology 5.5 Market Breakup by Product Type 5.6 Market Breakup by Raw Material 5.7 Market Breakup by End-Use 5.8 Market Breakup by Type 5.9 Market Breakup by End Use Industry 5.10 Market Breakup by Region 5.11 Market Forecast 6 Market Breakup by Technology 6.1 Float Glass 6.1.1 Market Trends 6.1.2 Market Forecast 6.2 Sheet Glass 6.2.1 Market Trends 6.2.2 Market Forecast 6.3 Rolled Glass 6.3.1 Market Trends 6.3.2 Market Forecast 7 Market Breakup by Product Type 7.1 Basic Float Glass 7.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.2 Market Forecast 7.2 Toughened Glass 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Forecast 7.3 Coated Glass 7.3.1 Market Trends 7.3.2 Market Forecast 7.4 Laminated Glass 7.4.1 Market Trends 7.4.2 Market Forecast 7.5 Insulated 7.5.1 Market Trends 7.5.2 Market Forecast 7.6 Extra Clear Glass 7.6.1 Market Trends 7.6.2 Market Forecast 7.7 Others 7.7.1 Market Trends 7.7.2 Market Forecast 8 Market Breakup by Raw Material 8.1 Sand 8.1.1 Market Trends 8.1.2 Market Forecast 8.2 Soda Ash 8.2.1 Market Trends 8.2.2 Market Forecast 8.3 Recycled Glass 8.3.1 Market Trends 8.3.2 Market Forecast 8.4 Dolomite 8.4.1 Market Trends 8.4.2 Market Forecast 8.5 Limestone 8.5.1 Market Trends 8.5.2 Market Forecast 8.6 Others 8.6.1 Market Trends 8.6.2 Market Forecast 9 Market Breakup by End-Use 9.1 Safety and Security 9.1.1 Market Trends 9.1.2 Market Forecast 9.2 Solar Control 9.2.1 Market Trends 9.2.2 Market Forecast 9.3 Others 9.3.1 Market Trends 9.3.2 Market Forecast 10 Market Breakup by Type 10.1 Fabricated 10.1.1 Market Trends 10.1.2 Market Forecast 10.2 Non-Fabricated 10.2.1 Market Trends 10.2.2 Market Forecast 11 Market Breakup by End Use Industry 11.1 Construction 11.1.1 Market Trends 11.1.2 Market Forecast 11.2 Automotive 11.2.1 Market Trends 11.2.2 Market Forecast 11.3 Solar Energy 11.3.1 Market Trends 11.3.2 Market Forecast 11.4 Electronics 11.4.1 Market Trends 11.4.2 Market Forecast 11.5 Others 11.5.1 Market Trends 11.5.2 Market Forecast 12 Market Breakup by Region 12.1 Asia Pacific 12.1.1 Market Trends 12.1.2 Market Forecast 12.2 Europe 12.2.1 Market Trends 12.2.2 Market Forecast 12.3 North America 12.3.1 Market Trends 12.3.2 Market Forecast 12.4 Middle East and Africa 12.4.1 Market Trends 12.4.2 Market Forecast 12.5 Latin America 12.5.1 Market Trends 12.5.2 Market Forecast 13 SWOT Analysis 13.1 Overview 13.2 Strengths 13.3 Weaknesses 13.4 Opportunities 13.5 Threats 14 Value Chain Analysis 15 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 15.1 Overview 15.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 15.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 15.4 Degree of Competition 15.5 Threat of New Entrants 15.6 Threat of Substitutes 16 Price Analysis 16.1 Key Price Indicators 16.2 Price Structure 16.3 Margin Analysis 17 Competitive Landscape 17.1 Market Structure 17.2 Key Players 17.3 Profiles of Key Players 17.3.1 Asahi Glass 17.3.2 Saint-Gobain 17.3.3 Guardian Industries 17.3.4 Nippon Sheet Glass 17.3.5 Central Glass 17.3.6 Cardinal Glass Industries 17.3.7 Fuyao Glass Industry Group 17.3.8 Sisecam Group 17.3.9 Taiwan Glass 17.3.10 CSG Holding Co. Ltd 17.3.11 Vitro 17.3.12 DB Glass 17.3.13 Gulf Glass Industries For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/p3q9ei Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Instant Water Heater Market by Product Type, Application and Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Instant water heater is a heating device that utilizes energy from various external sources to heat water. Selection of a proper water heater depends upon several important factors such as type of building, which it is to be installed into, requirement of householders, availability of fuel types, fuel cost and efficiency of a system, installation and maintenance cost, storage and distribution temperature, and user safety. The hospital and hotel industry has a lot of demand for hot water. Hospitals require enough hot water for washing & bathing of patients, cleaning of buildings, and laundry. Moreover, they require hot water to clean and sanitize surfaces within their facilities. In addition, tankless water heaters are used in hospitals for patients with ageing or sensitive skin, as they require precise heating. Risk of inconsistent heating can be reduced by installing a tankless water heater with built-in temperature control. On the other hand, demand for water heaters is on a constant rise with increase in number of hotels. Small or luxury hotels provide hot water to customers every time they demand for it. This requires a lot of electricity that affects both environments, thus increasing utility bills. Therefore, instant water heaters are widely used in hotels, as they provide instant hot water upon requirement. Hence, increase in number of hotels and hospitals significantly drive growth of the instant water heater market. Electricity prices reflect cost to build, maintain, finance, and operate electricity grids and power plants. Moreover, owing to various factors, such as varying fuel cost, maintenance & operating costs of power plants, and costs related to transmission & distribution systems, several countries are witnessing rise in price of electricity, which, in turn, leads to high operating costs of electric water heaters. Rise in price of electricity is majorly influenced by cost of fuel, as it can vary during periods of high demand. High electricity demand may result increase in demand for fuel such as natural gas, which may result in higher cost to generate electricity. Furthermore, every power plant or grid has its maintenance, construction, and operating costs that lead to price hike. In addition, electricity prices are mostly higher in summers when the demand is extremely high, as more expensive sources for electricity generation are applied to meet the increased demand. Hence, rise in electricity prices and high operating cost of electric water heaters hamper growth of the instant water heater market worldwide. The key players of the global water heater industry profiled in the report include A.O. Smith Corporation, Ariston Thermo S.P.A., Bradford White Corporation, General Electric Company, Ferroli S.P.A, Havells India Ltd, Nihon Itomic Co., Ltd, Rheem Manufacturing Company, Vaillant Group, and Whirlpool Corporation. Key Benefits The report provides a quantitative analysis of the current trends, future estimations, and dynamics of the market size from 2021 to 2027 to identify the prevailing market opportunities. The key countries in all major regions are mapped on the basis of instant water heater market share. Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network. In-depth analysis and market size and segmentation assist to determine the prevailing market opportunities. Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global instant water heater industry. Market player positioning segment facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players. The instant water heater market report includes the market analysis at regional as well as the global level, key players, market segments, and growth strategies. Competitive intelligence of the industry highlights the business practices followed by key players across geographies and the prevailing market opportunities. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Executive Summary Chapter 3: Market Overview 3.1.Market Definition and Scope 3.2.Porter's Five Forces Analysis 3.3.Top Player Positioning, 2019 3.4.Market Dynamics 3.4.1.Drivers 3.4.1.1.Construction Industry to Boost Residential Applications of Instant Water Heaters 3.4.1.2.Rise in Number of Hospitals & Hotels and Wide Domestic Applications 3.4.1.3.Surge in Population and Improvement Infrastructure of Rural Areas 3.4.2.Restraints 3.4.2.1.Increase in Electricity Prices and High Operating Costs 3.4.2.2.Frequent Outages and Electricity Shortage 3.4.3.Opportunities 3.4.3.1.Opportunities in Developing Countries 3.4.3.2.Product Innovation from Instant Water Heater Manufactures 3.5.Value Chain Analysis 3.6.Parent Market Share 3.7.Impact of COVID-19 on Global Instant Water Heater Market Chapter 4: Instant Water Heater Market, by Product Type Chapter 5: Instant Water Heater Market, by Application Chapter 6: Instant Water Heater Market, by Distribution Channel Chapter 7: Instant Water Heater Market, by Region Chapter 8: Competition Landscape 8.1.Top Winning Strategies 8.2.Product Mapping 8.3.Competitive Dashboard 8.4.Competitive Heat Map 8.5.Key Developments 8.5.1.Acquisition 8.5.2.Partnership 8.5.3.Product Launch Chapter 9: Company Profiles 9.1.A.O. Smith Corporation. 9.1.1.Company Overview 9.1.2.Key Executives 9.1.3.Company Snapshot 9.1.4.Product Portfolio 9.1.5.R&D Expenditure 9.1.6.Business Performance 9.2.Ariston Thermo S.P.A. 9.2.1.Company Overview 9.2.2.Key Executives 9.2.3.Company Snapshot 9.2.4.Product Portfolio 9.2.5.Key Strategic Moves and Developments 9.3.Bradford White Corporation. 9.3.1.Company Overview 9.3.2.Key Executives 9.3.3.Company Snapshot 9.3.4.Product Portfolio 9.3.5.Key Strategic Moves and Developments 9.4.General Electric Company. 9.4.1.Company Overview 9.4.2.Key Executives 9.4.3.Company Snapshot 9.4.4.Operating Business Segments 9.4.5.Product Portfolio 9.4.6.R&D Expenditure 9.4.7.Business Performance 9.5.Ferroli S.P.A. 9.5.1.Company Overview 9.5.2.Key Executives 9.5.3.Company Snapshot 9.5.4.Product Portfolio 9.6.Havells India Ltd. 9.6.1.Company Overview 9.6.2.Key Executives 9.6.3.Company Snapshot 9.6.4.Product Portfolio 9.6.5.R&D Expenditure 9.6.6.Business Performance 9.7.Nihon Itomic Co., Ltd. 9.7.1.Company Overview 9.7.2.Key Executives 9.7.3.Company Snapshot 9.7.4.Product Portfolio 9.8.Rheem Manufacturing Company 9.8.1.Company Overview 9.8.2.Key Executives 9.8.3.Company Snapshot 9.8.4.Product Portfolio 9.8.5.Key Strategic Moves and Developments 9.9.Vaillant Group. 9.9.1.Company Overview 9.9.2.Key Executives 9.9.3.Company Snapshot 9.9.4.Product Portfolio 9.9.5.Key Strategic Moves and Developments 9.10.Whirlpool Corporation. 9.10.1.Company Overview 9.10.2.Key Executives 9.10.3.Company Snapshot 9.10.4.Product Portfolio 9.10.5.R&D Expenditure 9.10.6.Business Performance For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/trtnk Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com "These two local authorized Invisible Fence dealerships have dedicated years of service to their communities, changing the lives of pets and their parents since 1998," said Ed Hoyt, Senior Director of Invisible Fence. Acquiring Southern Maryland dealers is the company's fourth acquisition of the year, followed by five acquisitions in 2020; the most recent being the acquisition of Invisible Fence by Golrusk. With over 240 authorized dealers, Invisible Fence has the largest support network for pet containment in the US and Canada. "We're excited for the opportunity to directly serve pet owners in Southern Maryland and the Bay Area while continuing to provide the innovative solutions and same high-level of attention customers have come to expect," said Hoyt. Invisible Fence offers the premier dog fence on the market including professional installation, Perfect Start Plus Training and exclusive Boundary Plus Technology. Highly recommended by veterinarians, dog trainers, animal behaviorists and other pet experts, Invisible Fence offers pet fences that can be customized for clients' unique needs. In addition to serving over 16,200 pet owners in the Greater Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay Region, the local Invisible Fence dealers were also actively involved in their communities. Local animal shelter donations, adoption events and the Project Breathe Program are among some of the ways the Southern Maryland dealers will continue to contribute to local pet wellness under new management. Previous Invisible Fence Brand of the Bay Area owners, Mike and Sarah Stringfellow would like to "personally thank each and every customer for their loyal support throughout the last 23 years. It's been a true honor and privilege protecting the furry members of your families." For additional information or questions, customers can call 1-800-578-3647, visit InvisibleFence.com. About Invisible Fence Brand Invisible Fence pioneered the pet containment industry in 1973, making it their mission to provide safe boundaries inside and outside of the home. The Radio Systems Corporation owned company predominantly sells pet containment, avoidance and access solutions across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to offering award-winning products like Boundary Plus Technology, Authorized Dealers provide professional installation, Perfect Start Plus Training and integrated solutions that have protected more than three million pets to date. Invisible Fence also founded the Project Breathe Program in 2006, donating more than 32,000 pet oxygen masks to fire departments and first responders. For more information on Invisible Fence or to find a local dealer, visit InvisibleFence.com or follow the company on Facebook . Contact: Tricia Everett (865) 235-8791 SOURCE Invisible Fence Brand TORONTO, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Brian Gerstmar, President and Chief Executive Officer of NORR, today announced that Jacqui Souter CHRL, Vice President, Human Resources was appointed to the NORR group of companies Board of Directors at the global A&E firm's Annual Shareholders Meeting. During her 19-year career at NORR, Jacqui has played a pivotal role in aligning the organizational design to its business strategy. She designs and implements effective programs, practices and policies that harmonize the human resources function across the firm and fosters continuous professional growth of employees to remain competitive in the industry. "Under Jacqui's leadership, we have realized the benefits of a workplace strategy that has reimagined the structure of our global teams, leveraging best practices, experience and resources across all of our sectors," said Gerstmar. "Most recently, Jacqui has been invaluable in orchestrating a positive employee experience through the pandemic under our work-from-home directive." The transition of employees to home offices happened overnight in March 2020, but the transition to a hybrid model, where employees have options on where they want to work, will require a managed plan that will occur at different times for individual offices as protocols and safety take precedence. Jacqui will lead the firm through this transition and prepare employees for the future of work. "The workplace is evolving, and people have to remain at the top of the pyramid of priorities," said Souter. "Keeping people connected, productive, informed and continuously gathering and responding to feedback is essential to our employee's well-being. To create a destination workplace, we are focused on harnessing the trust and values that we have gained from our employees through the pandemic. Going forward, we want to build on this by fostering the commitment to an enhanced employee experience that recognizes the value of a strong relationship between employees and our company. About NORR NORR is an employee-owned, fully integrated A&E firm. Our professional team of 700 architects, engineers, planners and interior designers work collaboratively across 14 market sectors from offices located in Canada, the US, UK and UAE. Our mission is to create socially aware, environmentally responsible, and financially viable architecture and engineering design solutions to ensure our clients achieve their business goals while contributing to healthier and sustainable spaces and places across the globe. Founded in 1938 by Canadian Architect John B. Parkin, we've been building on our reputation for inspired design for more than 80 years. We continue to advance design through sustainable stewardship, diversity of people, the power of technology and the pursuit of excellence for the built environment. For more information: Visit our website Connect with us on LinkedIn SOURCE NORR MONTREAL, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - LOGISTEC Stevedoring Inc. ("LOGISTEC") and its subsidiary in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Gulf Stream Marine, Inc. ("GSM"), announced that five terminals in Texas are now officially certified as part of the Green Marine Environmental Certification Program. GSM's Corpus Christi, Manchester, Brownsville, Care and Freeport terminals in Texas have joined LOGISTEC's 13 other certified terminals across Canada and the USA, for a total of 18. With the addition of these five terminals, LOGISTEC is leading the drive to reduce its marine environmental footprint for a sustainable future, with the highest number of Green Marine certified port terminals in North America. The Green Marine program sets rigorous objectives through its 14 performance indicators of which seven apply to port terminal operators: community impacts, community relations, dry bulk handling and storage, environmental leadership, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, spill prevention and stormwater management, and waste management. Participants must measure, evaluate, publish their environmental results and commit to continual improvement to achieve annual certification. Accredited external verifiers review all the data to ensure the requirements are being met every two years. Green Marine is a voluntary environmental certification program that was developed for the North American port network and has now expanded to include the European marine industry. Green Marine encourages leading ship owners, ports, terminals, seaway corporations and shipyards to address together key marine environmental issues to reduce their environmental footprint through concrete actions. "We are so pleased to be adding these five terminals to our growing network of Green Marine certified terminals in Canada and the US. We believe strongly in the mission to reduce the marine industry's environmental footprint," said Rodney Corrigan, President of LOGISTEC. "This program is an integral part of our ESG roadmap and our strategic sustainability objectives. Green Marine also encourages other companies to evaluate ways they too can contribute to a cleaner marine environment and makes us all accountable. We are doing this for our industry today and for future generations." "Ensuring we do our part to reduce our marine environmental footprint is critical in support of a strong and sustainable supply chain," said Michel Miron, Executive Vice-President of GSM. "Congratulations to LOGISTEC's subsidiary in the U.S. Gulf Coast, GSM, for the certification of its five additional terminals into the Green Marine network," said David Bolduc, Executive Director for Green Marine. "Sustainability is clearly a priority for LOGISTEC as it continues full integration of the Green Marine program in all its North American terminals." About LOGISTEC LOGISTEC Corporation is based in Montreal (QC) and provides specialized services in both the marine and environmental industries. Marine services are offered in the areas of bulk, break-bulk and container cargo handling in 53 ports and 79 terminals across North America. LOGISTEC also offers marine transportation services geared primarily to the Arctic coastal trade, as well as marine agency services to foreign shipowners and operators serving the Canadian market. Environmental services are offered through its subsidiaries SANEXEN Environmental Services Inc. and FER-PAL Construction Ltd. About GSM GSM, LOGISTEC's subsidiary in the U.S. Gulf Coast, is a leading cargo handling, stevedoring and terminal operator specializing in handling wind energy components, bulk and break-bulk cargoes and is headquartered in Houston, Texas, operating in 12 terminals at 7 ports. SOURCE Logistec Corporation - Communications Related Links http://www.logistec.com Mountain America will continue its sponsorship of the Tuki's Island Playground and Party Center and Mountain America Penguin Research Center . The new partnership enables Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to expand learning opportunities at the Migratory Animal Education Experience outdoor area. Children can fly like a bird on the Mountain America Zip Line and learn how animals rely on Utah's mountainous landscape and waterways during their migration. "We are truly grateful for the support we receive from Mountain America Credit Union. They've been a long-standing partner of ours, ever since the penguins arrived at the Aquarium in 2010," says Heather Doggett, chief operations officer at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. "We are excited they are also helping support educational experiences on our new Science Learning Campus." With this partnership, Mountain America will also continue to host community events. Since 2013, nearly 10,000 community members have enjoyed a no-cost experience at the Aquarium and access to financial education through Mountain America's financial wellness events. "Mountain America is honored to announce an expanded partnership with Loveland Living Planet Aquarium," says Sterling Nielsen, president and chief executive officer at Mountain America Credit Union. "The Migratory Animal Education Experience allows the Aquarium and their educators to better serve the local community by expanding interactive learning opportunities." SOURCE Mountain America Credit Union Related Links http://www.macu.com DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "North America UPS Battery Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Regional Analysis by Product Type and Application" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The North America UPS battery market is expected to grow from US$ 150.64 million in 2020 to US$ 346.06 million by 2028; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2021 to 2028. The rising advantages of UPS battery in data center is expected to surge the North America UPS battery market. Increase in data-related services, and growing trend of cloud computing and virtualization have escalated the demand for data centers across North America, eventually magnifying the demand for UPS. Cloud-based services require to be online to provide services, which is surging the need for UPS systems. North America, especially the US, hosts numerous colocation facilities and data center service providers. In the US, major data centers have been established in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle for the West Coast; New York/Virginia for the East Coast; and Dallas/Miami in South/Central and Chicago. There are 1,975 colocation data centers in North America, including 1,798 in the US and 176 in Canada. Colocation providers are highly inclined toward remodeling their data center UPS solutions and speeding up their IT processes to meet the customer demand for rapid data delivery. The life expectancy of a UPS in a data center is ~10-15 years. Lead-acid battery works for ~3-6 years, while lithium-ion battery lasts ~10 years or longer. Due to these advantages of UPS batteries, companies are highly focused on designing advanced battery systems for data centers. Thus, the escalating deployment of UPS batteries in data centers due to their advantages such as high energy-efficiency, high performance, and low weight is bolstering the North America UPS battery market growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected North American countries, especially the US. North America is a frontrunner in terms of the development and adoption of new technologies due to favorable government policies to boost innovation, presence of huge industrial bases, and high purchasing power especially in developed countries such as the US and Canada. Hence, any impact on the growth of industries directly affects the economic growth of the region. Based on product type, the North America UPS battery market is segmented into lead-acid, lithium-ion, and others; the lead-acid segment led the market in 2020. Lead-acid batteries feature better reliability when deployed in uninterruptible power supply systems. In case of large power applications, wherein weight is not a prime concern, lead-acid batteries act as the most economical choice. In addition to the cost-effectiveness, high tolerance, low internal impedance, and other performance benefits make them an ideal choice for small-scale power storage systems such as UPS systems; large and grid-scale power systems; and starting, lighting, and ignition power sources for automobiles. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Key Takeaways 3. Research Methodology 4. North America UPS Battery Market Landscape 4.1 Market Overview 4.2 North America PEST Analysis 4.3 Ecosystem Analysis 4.4 Expert Opinion 5. North America UPS Battery Market - Key Market Dynamics 5.1 Market Drivers 5.1.1 Growing Emphasis of Li-Ion Battery 5.1.2 Rising Advantages of UPS Battery in Data Centre 5.2 Market Restraints 5.2.1 Issues Regarding Failure Associated with UPS Batteries 5.3 Market Opportunities 5.3.1 Growing UPS Applications 5.4 Future Trends 5.4.1 Increasing Digitalization Fueled by Government Favorable Initiatives 5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints 6. UPS Battery Market - North America Analysis 6.1 North America UPS Battery Market Overview 6.2 North America UPS Battery Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million) 7. North America UPS Battery Market - By Product Type 7.1 Overview 7.2 North America UPS Battery Market, by Product Type (2020 and 2028) 7.3 Lead-Acid 7.4 Li-Ion 8. North America UPS Battery Market Analysis - By Application 8.1 Overview 8.2 North America UPS Battery Market, By Application (2020 and 2028) 8.3 Commercial 8.4 Residential 9. North America UPS Battery Market - Country Analysis 10. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on North America UPS Battery Market 10.1 North America 11. Industry Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Market Initiative 11.3 New Product Development 12. Company Profiles CSB Battery Co., Ltd. East Penn Manufacturing Company Eaton Corporation plc Exide Industries Limited FIAMM Energy Technology S.p.A. GS Yuasa International Ltd. leoch International Technology Limited Inc NorthStar Group Services, Inc. Schneider Electric SE Vertiv Group Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5t7upq 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 PEABODY, Mass., June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Privo Technologies, Inc. ("Privo"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on optimizing state-of-the-art chemotherapies to be "Tough on cancer, Easy on patients", announced today a poster presentation on the safety and efficacy of PRV111 in patients with early-stage Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). PRV111 is an anticancer topical patch that allows for locoregional treatment. The poster presentation will be available at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting being held June 4-8, 2021. Topical cancer treatment developed by Privo Technologies It can be viewed by registered participants throughout the conference via the ASCO website. The details of the poster presentation are as follows: Title: A phase II study of PRV111 nanoengineered cisplatin patch as a neoadjuvant therapy for early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Speaker: Nishant Agrawal, M.D. Poster Session: Head and Neck Cancer Date and Time: June 4, 2021. Available for on-demand viewing beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET Abstract Number: 6056 About Privo Technologies, Inc. Privo Technologies, Inc. (Privo) is a phase 3 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel therapies with the potential to transform the lives of people with disabling and potentially fatal mucosal cancers. Privo is headquartered in Peabody, Massachusetts, north of Boston. Privo's pipeline also consists of PRV211, an intraoperative anticancer topical treatment that will be investigated in a basket study for a wide variety of solid tumors. For additional information on Privo Technologies, Inc. please visit www.privotechnologies.com. Related Images prv111-patch.jpg PRV111 Patch Topical cancer treatment developed by Privo Technologies SOURCE Privo Technologies, Inc. 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Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in older men. Findings of the study are being presented by Matt Cooperberg, MD, MPH, professor of urology and epidemiology & biostatistics at the University of California San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) from June 4-8. Dr. Cooperberg is the lead author and will present via video recording at the meeting. The study's goal was to document national, real-world trends in prostate cancer diagnoses and treatment throughout the throes of the pandemic during 2020, using data from the AUA Quality Registry ( AQUA ), a national Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) designed to measure, report, and improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes. While evaluations of prostate cancer management to date have been limited largely to specific healthcare systems and geographic regions, 158 urology practices across the U.S. contributed data from their practices' electronic health records (EHRs) to the study through their participation in the AQUA registry. Researchers looked at visits for prostate cancer, use of diagnostic procedures such as prostate biopsies, and prostate cancer treatments including surgical prostatectomy and radiation administration across different patient risk categories. "Mean daily prostate cancer visits per urology practice declined sharply among all risk categories, but the steepest drop was for visits for low-risk prostate cancer, which were down nearly 50% from the previous year. Though there was a recovery after the initial drop, visit volume fell even further through the second half of 2020," said Dr. Cooperberg. "Further studies will thus be needed to assess the downstream consequences of delayed evaluation and management for men with prostate cancer." The large decline in visits for early-stage prostate cancer patients started in March 2020 and was followed by an initial recovery in visit volumes after several months. However, a secondary decline in visitspreceding and worsening during the pandemic surge in the fall of 2020led to lower visit volumes across all patient risk categories by year's end compared with the first drop in visit volumes initially observed. Both the steepness of the initial decline in visits and pace of recovery varied by race, geography, and other factors. In addition to documenting the impact of the pandemic on prostate cancer visits and treatments, the research underscores the value of analyzing real-world healthcare data to track changes in care as they unfold. Most of the real-world data regarding early-stage prostate canceras well as other genitourinary cancers including bladder and upper tract urothelial cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and testicular cancerare generated by urologists, given that the diagnostic procedures and initial treatments are usually performed by urologists. In contrast, oncologists typically become involved in the care of patients with genitourinary cancers when the disease is advanced and/or metastatic, often well after treatment strategies have been initiated and directed by urologists. As such, the real-world EHR data from urology practices participating in the AQUA registry are unique for characterizing and describing the disease trajectories for genitourinary cancers. "The data on early-stage genitourinary cancers in the AQUA registry are invaluable to researchers and clinicians," said Matthew Roe, MD, MHS, chief medical officer at Verana Health and a co-author of the study. "By partnering with AUA to apply our data curation and analytics capabilities to the AQUA registry, Verana Health is helping the organization fulfill its mission of improving care for patients with urological disorders." The AUA promotes the highest standards of urological clinical care through research like the partnership with Verana Health. Continued research through the AQUA registry will also result in further insights into the effectiveness of treatments for early-stage genitourinary cancers. "For urologists and genitourinary cancer patients, early detection and treatment are critical to successful outcomes," said David F. Penson, MD, MPH, AUA Science and Quality Council Chair. "Thanks to our collaboration with Verana Health, we now have a better understanding about changes in care due to the COVID-19 pandemic that we can study to gauge the long-term impact of delayed diagnoses and treatments for prostate cancer." For more information, view the study abstract here . About Verana Health Verana Health is a healthcare technology and analytics company entrusted by key medical associations to manage multi-specialty, real-world data at every stage of the analytics processfrom entry to evidence. Anchored in ophthalmology, neurology, and urology, the Company acts as a linchpin in the healthcare data ecosystem, making data meaningful and actionable to empower physicians and accelerate research for patients. By curating and applying advanced analytics to real-world clinical data, Verana Health helps life sciences partners enhance evidence generation, reinvent medical research, and drive innovations in specific disease areas. For more information on Verana Health, visit www.veranahealth.com . About the American Urological Association Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association (AUA) is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology and has nearly 23,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy. For more information on AUA, visit https://www.auanet.org . Media Contact Megan Moriarty Amendola Communications Email: [email protected] Cell: (913) 515-7530 SOURCE Verana Health Related Links https://www.veranahealth.com SALEM, Va., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring hold strong leads in the races for the Democratic nomination for governor and attorney general in Virginia, each registering 49% support from likely voters in Tuesday's primary election, according to The Roanoke College Poll. The race for lieutenant governor is open with Del. Hala Ayala leading Del. Sam Rasoul 16%-11%, with five other candidates trailing and 45% still undecided. As expected, Ayala tends to fare better in Tidewater and Northern Virginia while Rasoul does well in Southwest Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Among gubernatorial candidates, former Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy trails McAuliffe with 11%; Sen. Jennifer McClellan has the support of 9% of likely voters, while Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (5%) and Del. Lee Carter (1%) lag behind. Del. Jay Jones is far behind Herring with 20% of voters saying they will vote for him for attorney general. The economy was most often mentioned by likely voters as the most important issue (18%), while 14% reported COVID as most important, followed by education (8%), health care (8%), economic inequality (7%), race relations (6%), climate change (6%), and gun control (5%), with several other issues registering concern. Voters are almost evenly split between preferring a candidate who best represents their interests (48%) or one who can win in November (44%). "To the surprise of few, McAuliffe and Herring appear headed for victory on Tuesday," said Dr. Harry Wilson, Senior Political Analyst of the Roanoke College Poll. "The race for lieutenant governor is there for the taking, with a large percentage of the electorate undecided on their decision. It is also clear that the Democratic primary electorate in Virginia is well-educated, upper-income and very liberal, but McAuliffe, arguably not the most far-left candidate, appears set to win the election." A total of 637 likely Democratic voters were interviewed between May 24 and June 1, and the Poll's margin of error is +3.9%. A copy of the questionnaire, topline, and crosstabs may be found here . SOURCE The Roanoke College Poll RIJSWIJK, Netherlands, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scalene Hypercharge Corona Canon (Shycocan) can be used effectively to neutralize Covid-19 and other corona viruses in closed spaces. Research by TNO1 shows that the corona canon reduces the SARS COV-2 virus on stainless steel surfaces by 94.9 percent within fifteen minutes. Previously, the Dutch scientific institute reviewed tests in laboratories in India and Mexico that showed that the system reduces SARS COV-2 surrogate viruses, such as the Avian virus and other coronaviruses, by 99.7% in closed spaces within five to fifteen minutes. Scalene Europe therefore wants to supply the device for use in public spaces like schools, offices, churches, bars and restaurants, shops, gyms, care centers, hospitals and other buildings to help keep these corona-free. "TNO has shown in the laboratory that the Shycocan helps to neutralize the coronavirus. It thus contributes to reducing the risk of infection," says TNO. The corona canon looks like a wall lamp fixed to a wall. The device creates a negatively charged electron cloud in a space via a bombardment of photons. Those particles attach themselves to the positively charged spikes of the coronavirus. This neutralizes the virus and prevents it from entering human cells. About 70,000 devices were installed worldwide, often under names like 'corona guard' or 'electron cannon'. Scalene Europe now introduces the device to the European market. In the Netherlands, some schools, hair salons and a funeral home are already working with the corona canon. According to Scalene Europe 's CEO Anton Jongbloed, the Shycocan can help to keep public and other spaces corona-free. "After switching on the system, almost all viruses are neutralized within 15 minutes," he says. He emphasizes that it is not an air purification system, or a medical device and the working is not based on ozone. Neither is it a substitute for the corona measures. "It is a tool for eradicating the virus. SARS COV-2 and other viruses dangerous to humans will continue to emerge, in different mutations. We will probably have to continue vaccinating and taking measures for years. This device is extremely suitable to help protect spaces from corona. That is why we are pleased that TNO has successfully demonstrated the antiviral effect of the Shycocan," says Jongbloed. 1 TNO 2021 R10988 Viricidal efficacy of surface disinfection system on SARS COV-2 SOURCE Shycocan CONCORD, N.H., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- US Housing Consultants is proud to announce that Julie Runyan has joined the Company as its new Vice President of Compliance. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading a team of U.S.-based, experienced, affordable housing compliance consultants. Julie will lead the compliance team to expand its LIHTC, USDA, HOME, and HUD file review and approval services to include reporting options and integrated training features. She will also help expand other compliance services, from TRACS and HAP submissions, EIV, and on-site assistance for owners and management agents. US Housing Consultants Julie joins US Housing Consultants from RealPage Compliance, where she was Senior Reporting Advocate and oversaw their compliance reporting services, and led a team of 41 people. Prior to moving into compliance consulting services, she worked as a regional manager in Indiana, gaining valuable real-life experience. "Julie brings the right blend of experience, creativity, and optimism to lead our team of consultants," said Scott Precourt, founder of US Housing Consultants. "She has great experience working with the compliance demands of different states and programs, as well as working with unique requirements of property management companies of all sizes. We are excited by what she will bring to the position, both for our clients and employees." About US Housing Consultants US Housing Consultants is a national, affordable housing consulting and training company, providing services for owners, investors, and managers of affordable housing. The Company offers consulting services for property owners and managers with Pre-REAC Inspections, Compliance File Reviews, Capital Needs Assessment, Due Diligence, training on REAC, HUD, Fair Housing, and Tax Credit compliance. Related Images julie-runuyan.jpg Julie Runuyan SOURCE US Housing Consultants COLLEYVILLE, Texas, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 29th, Valiant Hearts will be commemorating celebrating their 10th anniversary as a non-profit located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area. Valiant Hearts has been serving women who have been affected by human trafficking and sexual exploitation for the past decade and want you to help celebrate this milestone. They are hosting a Concert in the Park at Capp Smith Park on Tuesday, June 29th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Register to receive a special gift at the event! Back in 2010, a small team was mobilized to deliver gifts to strip clubs across the DFW Metroplex. After realizing that the women they encountered had critical emotional and physical needs, We Are Cherished was incorporated and they launched a weekly peer support group. In 2011, they were officially established as a 501c3 nonprofit with a mission to offer compassionate care and healing to sexually exploited women. Throughout the years, the Cherished Program has expanded to include licensed professional counseling, case management, mentoring, and other programs. Then, in 2017, with a transition in executive leadership and vision, We Are Cherished, Inc. began doing business as Valiant Hearts. In 2018, they opened their doors to an emergency shelter that provided 24-48 hours of respite for victims fleeing a trafficker while addressing the community's lack of housing for adult victims. Within a year, Valiant Hearts transitioned to a 30-day crisis stabilization housing to better prepare victims for long-term restoration programs. Between January 2019 and February 2021, Valiant Hearts has served 195 women with crisis intervention, case management, and other direct victim services based on their individual needs. Nancy Kirby who has been with Valiant Hearts since the beginning stated: "I am always so thrilled when I get to see all the amazing ways God works in the lives of the women we serve. The thing we hear most consistently from the ladies that come through our doors is that Valiant Hearts is a safe place. They feel loved and accepted for who they are and they are free to be themselves." Valiant Hearts was born out of a passion to restore the dignity and value of sexually exploited women. Although their name, structure, and mission have changed over the years, their dedication to restoring and empowering survivors has never wavered. They are committed to help victims overcome trauma and emerge as healed and empowered survivors. Valiant Hearts' Concert in the Park Tuesday, June 29, 2021 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Capp Smith Park Amphitheater - 5800 Robin Dr, Watauga, TX 76148 Live Performances by Kingdom Vibes and ASAINT Free admission, but donations are appreciated Family Friendly RSVP at https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/fSDPkLWjZehbfbi6qYeFrg?t=1622002551 Learn more about Valiant Hearts and the services provided to survivors of human trafficking at www.ValiantHearts.org SOURCE The Jensen Project Related Links https://www.thejensenproject.org SINGAPORE, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vela Diagnostics announced a collaboration with the National Cancer Centre of Singapore (NCCS) to develop a molecular diagnostic assay to predict individual patients' responses to a cancer therapy called Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Being able to predict an individual's response will help clinicians determine if EGFR-TKIs are a suitable therapeutic option for the patient. The partnership between Vela Diagnostics and NCCS aims to refine the therapeutic management of cancer to improve clinical outcomes. EGFR is an oncogene with potential to cause cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has specific mutations in EGFR which makes them susceptible to treatment with EGFR-TKIs. However, these mutations are uncommon in other cancers so there are no established biomarkers for predicting a patient's response to these drugs in cancers arising in the head, neck and oesophagus. A study published in Nature Medicine in 2017, led by NCCS' Professor Gopal Iyer and Associate Professor Daniel Tan, reported how a silent single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in EGFR confers sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs in patients with head and neck cancers. The discovery has provided new avenues to identify previously unknown biomarkers of existing targeted therapies, with considerable potential for immediate repurposing and clinical impact. In explaining the collaboration, Dr Charlie Lee, Head of Research and Development at Vela Diagnostics, said, "VELA is committed to developing diagnostics that aid therapy selection. With our proven expertise in assay development and track record in regulatory approvals, we are able to develop screening assays or companion diagnostics. Furthermore, this collaboration between two Singapore parties is beneficial as it will be relevant to cancer patients in Singapore and the region." "The collaboration between NCCS and Vela Diagnostics is unique because it allows both parties to contribute in the areas that they excel. The research that directed the assay development was conducted at NCCS, the assay is now being developed by Vela Diagnostics and the validation of the assay will be done at NCCS, where we have the infrastructure and experience to conduct robust clinical trials. We hope this will help clinicians advise their patients on the best treatment option for their cancers," said Prof Gopal Iyer, Head of the Division of Medical Sciences, NCCS and Senior Consultant with the SingHealth Duke-NUS Head and Neck Centre. The next phase of the collaboration will evaluate the efficacy of the assay through a clinical trial to test the response of patients to EGFR-TKIs. These will include patients with head and neck cancers based on the original discovery, and also other similar types of cancers arising from the lung, oesophagus, bladder and cervix. This trial will be led by Assoc Prof Daniel Tan, Deputy Head of the Division of Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Services and Senior Consultant in the Division of Medical Oncology, NCCS, supported by the Singapore Ministry of Health's National Medical Research Council (NMRC) under its Clinician-Scientist Individual Research Grant (NMRC/CIRG/1492/2018) and the Singapore Translational Cancer Consortium. About Vela Diagnostics Vela Diagnostics is a leading provider for IVD solutions, from sample to result on an integrated workflow. VELA's test solutions has the unique ability to leverage one system for NGS and PCR testing in infectious disease and oncology. For more information, visit www.veladx.com. About the National Cancer Centre of Singapore The National Cancer Centre of Singapore (NCCS) provides a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment and patient care. We see close to 65 per cent of the public sector oncology cases, and they are benefiting from the sub-specialisation of our clinical oncologists. To deliver among the best in cancer treatment and care, our clinicians work closely with our scientists who conduct robust, cutting-edge clinical and translational research programmes which are internationally recognised. NCCS strives to be a global leading cancer centre, and shares its expertise and knowledge by offering training to local and overseas medical professionals. For more information, please visit: www.nccs.com.sg SOURCE Vela Diagnostics and National Cancer Centre of Singapore Related Links https://www.veladx.com LONDON, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Caribbean Regional Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR) launched its virtual Caribbean Regional Climate Conference this week to address the effects of climate change in the region. The event was held on June 1st and 2nd to educate viewers on the widespread impact of global warming on small-island developing countries while showcasing the undertaken solutions. The PPCR has funded projects in various countries, including the Commonwealth of Dominica, which is committed to becoming the world's first climate-resilient nation. Keynote speakers included professors, banking and investment experts who discussed the impact of climate change on health and minorities and assessed the private sector's role in adapting to bring positive change. The conference also offered a historical perspective on how climate change has affected the region and its response and successes. "Climate change has always been a very big issue for our Caribbean islands, and it continues to affect many industries and sectors. Many persons will note the obvious environmental impacts, such as receding coastlines and extreme weather conditions in the form of longer droughts and more frequent hurricanes," said Georgiana Gordon-Strachan, Director of Mona Office of Research and Innovation at the University of the West Indies, about the conference. "But what is oftentimes overlooked is the impact on local water supplies and the livelihoods of many in certain sectors, such as agriculture and fisheries. This is why we're spearheading this important initiative." When Hurricane Maria hit Dominica in 2017, it caused damage worth an estimated 220 percent of its GDP. The majority of the small island's roads, hospitals and housing sectors were also damaged. However, thanks to international, regional, and internal funds like that of the country's long-running Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, Dominica has managed to recover at great lengths. The programme allows foreign investors to build Dominica back better by contributing to its Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) that channels aid to health, education, and infrastructural sectors. Since the programme's inception, foreign investors from across the globe have been attracted to Dominica, from developing regions in Asia to superpowers like the United States. The programme has particularly seen an increase in Americans interested in living an expat life in a secluded destination that has efficiently managed the virus and committed to the environment. The government of Dominica has allocated a part of the revenue generated from CBI to fulfil the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, which include improving marine life, forest management, and youth and women-led grassroots movements for better land stewardship. Additionally, CBI funds have provided a much-needed lifeline in rebuilding, focusing on housing through Dominica's 'housing revolution'. The project aims to build over 5,000 hurricane-proof homes across the island for displaced families. Dominica's CBI programme has ranked year upon year as the most well-respected and integral programme globally. The annual CBI Index, an independent study conducted by the Financial Times' Professional Wealth Management, particularly highlighted the programme's stringent due diligence, quick turnaround times and affordability. Those who pass the vetting process and are allowed to invest can rest assured that their contribution is channelled towards the betterment of their new home country and the lives of their fellow citizens. Contact: [email protected], www.csglobalpartners.com SOURCE CS Global Partners LOS ANGELES, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dami's Famous Foods, a rising Black-owned food company currently known for its famous Turkey Chili sold exclusively at Brentwood Farmers Market, has unveiled its second food product after facing a multitude of adversity during the pandemic. Dami's Famous Spicy BBQ Sauce Dami's Famous Original BBQ Sauce Dami's Foods was set to go international with a retail partner but the manufacturing company he worked with at the time severely affected the recipe of the sauce, altering the flavor that was not good enough to sell. "All retail partners dissolved because there was no product to be placed on store shelves." Damien describes the loss as a "knife to the chest." "From September 2019 to now, there were a lot of sleepless nights of thinking of how to overcome the financial loss and restoring the product." He leaned on his growing fanbase and cookbooks to keep him going. During the pandemic, he sold packaged items at Brentwood Farmers Market like turkey, bison, and vegan chili, collard greens, cornbread and the new talk-around-the-town items, Sweet Plantain Bread Pudding and Jerk Chicken Chili, which sells out just before mid-day. One of the special ingredients in his chilis is his Original BBQ sauce and with this newly-released spicy sauce, he's ready to turn his dishes up a notch. Dami's Famous Spicy BBQ sauce is a part of an extended product line that was released in 2015 which includes merchandise, sauces, and cookbooks. In February, Dami's Famous Foods launched the cookbook, "10 Soups For All," and Spanish version, "10 Sopas Para Todos" which sold on Apple, Barnes and Noble (NOOK), Kobo, and Amazon. Since the release of the cookbook. To get your hands on one of these exclusively sold barbeque sauces, you're going to have to travel to Brentwood, California and pick it up at Vicente Foods or The Brentwood Farmers Markets on Sundays only. There is also an option available for worldwide shipping on his website, www.damisfoods.com . Damiene Pierre is open to interviews to discuss his journey as a Caribbean-American foodpreneur and how his specialty dishes built a diverse growing community that supported him through his toughest times. To arrange an interview, please contact Crystal Greer at [email protected] or (678) 820-8496. SOURCE Dami's Famous Foods OAK BROOK, Ill., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, Zonta International is pleased to release its new statement on climate change, a major global crisis that harms people and the environment around the world. Though it is not an environmental or disaster response organization, Zonta International recognizes that climate change disproportionately affects women and girls, and action is needed from a gender equality perspective. The consequences of climate change are severe, especially for poor and vulnerable groups in developing countries. Zonta International "Climate change is a human rights issue and we must act now to create a sustainable and gender-equal future," said Zonta International President Sharon Langenbeck. Zonta International envisions a world in which women's rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential. In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men. In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence. Climate change threatens human rights, such as the right to life, food, water, health, education, livelihood and safety. As an organization committed to empowering women and girls globally and locally and promoting justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, Zonta International is calling for action in favor of a fair and human rights-based approach to solve the climate change crisis in the post-pandemic world and achieve greener, cleaner and equal societies. To read Zonta International's statement on climate change, visit https://zonta.org/statements. Zonta International (www.zonta.org) is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. In 1919, a small group of founders in Buffalo, New York, had a vision to help all women realize greater equality. Today, more than 28,000 members in 63 countries work together to make gender equality a worldwide reality for women and girls. Since 1923, Zonta International has provided more than US$46.3 million to empower women and girls and expand their access to education, health care, economic opportunities and safe living conditions. Contact: Megan Radavich Assistant Executive Director, Programs & Advocacy Zonta International Phone: +1.630.320.7072 Email: [email protected] www.zonta.org SOURCE Zonta International Related Links https://www.zonta.org/ NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Albert Togut is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Corporate Bankruptcy Law Attorney for his remarkable career achievements in Legal Services. As a highly respected Dean of the bankruptcy bar, Mr. Togut boasts an impressive 45 years in the legal profession. He has spent decades honing his skills, and is one of the most accomplished restructuring attorneys globally, with a long list of deals with high-profile clientele. Albert Togut Mr. Togut launched his firm Togut Segal & Segal LLP in 1980, serving as counsel to the debtor official committee. He was the principal owner involved in some of the largest and most high-profile chapter 11 cases ever. He has been an active member of the Department of Justice Trustee Panel in the Southern District of New York. He has served as a trustee in several thousand bankruptcy cases under Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. His resume includes a case for Refco, LLC, the largest ever Chapter 7 bankruptcy case at $4 billion. Other high-profile cases he has worked on include Anthracite Capital Inc., Axona International Credit & Commerce, and Limited Kingston Square. The firm's expertise includes representing secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, retiree committees, and trustees. Togut Segal & Segal LLP takes pride in delivering spectacular results, with a favorable dollars-recovered-to-fees-billed ratio. Mr. Togut attended New York University until 1971 and later graduated with a J.D. degree from St. Johns University. Mr. Togut chaired a Task Force of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Business Law. He also writes about his experience and gives lectures on a number of topics, such as the former Bankruptcy Act, current Bankruptcy Code, and conflicts of interest and ethics. Additionally, Mr. Togut is registered as a mediator in the Southern District of New York. He has mediated over 100 adversary proceedings, including with Solutia, which was settled for $220.5 million. He has represented a court-appointed valuation expert to assist the Court in evaluating a $10 billion spread between competing estate values, resulting in an uncontested confirmation hearing. He is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, a Fellow of the International Insolvency Institute, co-Chair of the Commission of the American Bankruptcy Institute, as well as past Officer and ABI Director and Chair of its New York City program. Mr. Togut served on the ABI's fee study commission, which studied professional fees in Chapter 11 business bankruptcy cases. He has been named as a New York Super Lawyer each year since 2007 and a Top 100 Lawyer in New York. Chambers USA has repeatedly chosen him as a Leading Lawyer, and he has received the Prof. Lawrence P. King Award and the New York Institute of Credit Leadership Award. In 2019, he was honored by the Lincoln Center Corporate Council for his leadership in corporate recognition. For further information, please visit https://www.togutlawfirm.com/. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com 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:
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From May 24th to June 1st, numerous academics and admission officials from more than 15 prestigious universities in the world brought over 17 exciting webinars. The Third Undergraduate Virtual University Fair attracted over 56,000 people to tune in, generating over 72 million impressions over 9 consecutive days. On the first day, more than 8,400 viewers flocked to Eduugo.tv and watched the opening ceremony and the MIT session. The featured sessions jointly delivered by the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge on the last day attracted over 16,000 viewers. Other participating universities include University College London, Trinity College Dublin, University of Edinburgh, Nanyang Technological University, Johns Hopkins University, and many more. Liu Yazhuo, the Executive Deputy Director of CEIS/AST, announced on the opening ceremony that Trinity College Dublin just became the first higher education institution in the Republic of Ireland to join CEIS. She stated, "This means that from now on, Aptitude Scholastic Test scores will be accepted by Trinity College Dublin, along with other 11 world-leading universities who are now CEIS members." Dominique Luthringer, Regional Manager of Eastern Europe, Central and East Asia at Trinity College Dublin said, "We accept applications for the dual degree program between Trinity University Dublin and Columbia University in the United States with AST test scores." Sean Wuhua Zhang, Dean of Ambright Institute of Educational and Scientific Research, said, "From April to June 2021, we have successfully held three undergraduate and one postgraduate Virtual University Fair, attracting more than 300,000 people to watch the webinars and interact with presenters. The total number of global media reports exceeded 200, with a cumulative exposure of over 150 million people on the global Internet, achieving tremendous industry attention and positive social impact." It's worth mentioning that VUF also gained support from the U.S. Consulate General, the British Embassy and the British Council. China Education Innovation Institute of Beijing Normal University kindly provided academic support and authoritative media outlets such as Times Higher Education and Tencent News provided media support. "Starting May 4th, the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou has started to process student visas for Chinese students." Tyler Brent, Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou, said in his congratulatory remarks at the opening ceremony, "The United States continues to welcome legitimate Chinese students to study and conduct research in the United States." In addition, officials from British Embassy and the British Council provided first-hand information and authoritative analysis on the UK visa policy and many other aspects of students' traveling and studying abroad. SOURCE Ambright Education Group MIAMI, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jun 4th, 2021 - Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) has just published a new report, entitled 5 Megatrends in Latin America's Energy Sector for 2022 and beyond, which is available for free download on the AMI website . Americas Market Intelligence AMI has completed more than 100 studies on Latin America's energy market over the years. It has produced proprietary research and market intelligence covering Latin America's oil/gas market, Latin America's renewables market (solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, biofuels), LatAm's energy storage/batteries market, Latin America's natural gas sector, Latin America's hydrogen market and more. AMI's experience is what drives the analysis reflected in this report, which highlights five major changes taking place in Latin America's energy sector: Cleaner fossil fuels gaining traction as Latin America's green energy market expands. China's control of the green energy supply chain. The growth of distributed energy resources. The green hydrogen market in Latin America is about to take off. An increase in cyberattacks on energy assets. "We decided to focus the report on these megatrends so that companies can anticipate them and adjust their strategies accordingly," explains Arthur Deakin, Co-Director of AMI's Energy practice. "As seen in the recent decisions involving ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell, the energy sector is undergoing a green energy revolution that can be a bit unpredictable. Although the sector's volatility is even greater in Latin America, in general, we feel that the data supports these megatrends and that data is what fuels this report." Among the key data points highlighted in 5 Megatrends in Latin America's Energy Sector for 2022 and beyond : Average greenhouse gas emissions by type of crude. Projected growth of demand for natural gas between 2020-2050 in Peru , Colombia and other Andean countries. , and other Andean countries. Rundown of LatAm participation in the global lithium-ion battery supply chain in 6 different areas. Five-year horizon of transmission line investments for Argentina , Brazil , Chile , Colombia , Mexico and Peru . , , , , and . Projected growth of installed distributed generation capacity for Brazil , Mexico and Chile . , and . Distributed generation IRR projection for Brazil through 2030. through 2030. Levelized costs of hydrogen production in Latin America . . The number of web attacks in Latin America's energy and utilities sectors. "Overall, we're hoping that the report serves as an additional resource as energy companies, financiers, investors and lenders face a series of challenges in the region," explains Deakin. "It's part of our overall thought leadership initiative for the LatAm energy sector, along with our analysis pieces , our upcoming whitepaper on sustainable energy in the LatAm energy sector, and future webinars." About Americas Market Intelligence Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) is the premier market intelligence and strategy consultancy for Latin America, providing powerful research insights for companies to succeed in a wide range of verticals in the region, including payments, healthcare, logistics, mining, energy, infrastructure, consumer goods and the industrial sector. Its customized research reports deliver data-based clarity and far-reaching strategic direction based on expert sources. Press contact: Abel Delgado Director of Digital Marketing [email protected] Related Images 5-megatrends.jpg 5 Megatrends SOURCE Americas Market Intelligence The team is using breakthrough gene deletion technology to remove CPS1 , a gene key to the fungi's ability to reproduce, to create a modified fungal organism for the vaccine. Clinical studies are proving that the modified organism, while unable to spread, provokes a strong immune reaction in mice and dogs. "I think this is proof of concept for a fungal vaccinehaving it in use in dogs, seeing it is safe," says Dr. Lisa Shubitz, associate director of Valley Fever initiatives on Galgiani's research team. "I really believe this is the path to a human vaccine." There has never been a vaccine for a systemic fungal infection, for people or pets. The team believes that this Valley Fever fungal vaccine will pave the way for vaccines against other fungal diseases such as histoplasmosis and blastomycosis, making Anivive's fungal platform the first of its kind. "I couldn't see the possibility that we'd have a vaccine 10 years ago," Galgiani says. "But I think it is possible now." Anivive has filed multiple patents for a first-in-class production process. The company is collaborating with one of the largest vaccine manufacturers in the industry to a build a unique facility to produce the vaccine at scale. The goal is to be able to vaccinate the 30 million dogs living in or traveling to parts of the country where Valley Fever is present. Valley Fever is an infection caused by inhaling Coccidioides fungus found most commonly in the soil of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Symptoms in humans resemble those of the flu, but dogs are more likely to develop more severe lung-blocking forms of the disease by digging through soil. In several Arizona counties, close to 10 percent of dogs come down with the disease every year, costing owners hundreds of millions in expenses. In humans, the economic impact of Valley fever is more than $3.9 billion a year. "Simply walking, playing, or digging outdoors puts millions of dogs at risk for developing Valley Fever each year," explains Anivive's Chief Medical Officer David Bruyette, DVM, DACVIM. "Even when treated, the infection can often recur and cause debilitation or death. With spread now being linked to climate change, it has never been more crucial for us to develop a way to treat this deadly infection." Anivive's technology is not only pushing the envelope on Valley Fever development. There are over eight therapeutics in Anivive's pipeline. To learn more, visit: https://anivive.com/treatments. About Anivive Anivive is reinventing the drug development process in pet pharma. Our proprietary software accelerates the delivery of new, affordable treatments for pets. Backed by over $45 million in seed funding, Anivive has gained conditional approval for LAVERDIA-CA1 (verdinexor), the first oral tablet to treat canine lymphoma and created a specialty sales force dedicated to supporting veterinarians. Anivive's pipeline includes 8+ first-in-class pharmaceuticals, biologics, and vaccines. For more information on how we address unmet needs for pets, visit anivive.com. SOURCE Anivive Lifesciences Inc. Related Links https://www.anivive.com " We believe that with the help of NFTs, we can pioneer new ways for millions of our visitors to become collectors of technology-driven art. As a leader in creative innovation, ARTECHOUSE's mission is to allow experiential, digital art to become more accessible. We have always been excited to explore the latest technological tools at our locations and beyond, and our partnership with Nifty Gateway is a groundbreaking step in this direction. We're thrilled to open doors to the future and create an opportunity to turn memorable art experiences into collectibles, while supporting artists, " says Sandro Kereselidze, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of ARTECHOUSE. ARTECHOUSE will be conducting a two part drop event with two NFTs available via auction on Nifty Gateway's open access online marketplace starting June 4th at 6:30PM ET. The other two, editions of 20 at $250, will be available for a drawing on-site at ARTECHOUSE Miami (736 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139) through June 6th, accessible through a private Nifty Gateway page using QR code technology. "NFTs are a revolutionary way to collect digital art, and ARTECHOUSE is a revolutionary way to consume digital art. We're incredibly excited for this partnership, and we think ARTECHOUSE will quickly become the gold standard for NFT art shows," says Duncan Cock Foster, co-Founder and Director of Nifty Gateway. The first piece being auctioned online is VISIONS OF THE BLACK EXPERIENCE: FUTURE, an excerpt from the last scene of Ase: Afro Frequencies, expressing an optimistic vision of the future where all of us have our "own songs of freedom." A 3540X1600 excerpt from the original 13548X1600 exhibited piece. Featuring the voice and poetry of Ursula Rucker. The second piece being auctioned online is ASE MASK TRIPTYCH. Each mask within the triptych is a collective celebration of the cultural vibrancy of the Pende, Dogon, Yohure, and Dan peoples indigenous groups native to the West Africa region. 4K UHD Resolution. The first piece to be sold on-site at ARTECHOUSE Miami is VISIONS OF THE BLACK EXPERIENCE: BLM, an excerpt from the signature piece of Ase: Afro Frequencies, touching on the social justice aspect of the black experiences and employing some of the most iconic images of the movement of our time. A 2844X1600 excerpt from the original 13548X1600 exhibited piece. Featuring the voice and poetry of Ursula Rucker. The second piece to be sold on-site at ARTECHOUSE Miami is VISIONS OF THE BLACK EXPERIENCE: GODDESS NANDI, an excerpt from the signature piece of Ase: Afro Frequencies; this scene shows an interpretation of Nandi against "1000 African Masks" as a powerful goddess figure. Nandi was the warrior mother of Shaka Zulu, who battled slave traders and trained her son to be a warrior. The son grew up to become king, establishing an all-female regiment that often fought in the front lines of this army. A 2844X1600 excerpt from the original 13548X1600 exhibited piece. Featuring the voice and poetry of Ursula Rucker. These 4 limited edition NFTs are powerful expressions of Fraser's artistic point of view illuminating the Black experience. Direct excerpts from the Ase: Afro Frequencies exhibit, each piece embodies the idea of ase, the West African concept relating to our power to make things happen and produce change. Unveiled in May 2021, Ase: Afro Frequencies is a groundbreaking collaboration between ARTECHOUSE and Vince Fraser, a London-based Afro-surrealist visual artist. Fraser celebrates the historical, social and cultural aspects of his identity through his unique style in this interactive and immersive exhibit brought to life for the 21st century with the latest technologies and design by ARTECHOUSE. Ase: Afro Frequencies is on view through November 7, 2021 at ARTECHOUSE Miami in Miami Beach, FL. ABOUT ARTECHOUSE: ARTECHOUSE is the leading pioneer in creating, producing, and presenting innovative art across platforms. From immersive exhibition spaces in Washington DC, New York, and Miami, to an extended reality mobile app and now NFTs, ARTECHOUSE collaborates with groundbreaking artists to expand the possibilities of art and how we experience it. Dedicated to the intersection of art, science, and technology, ARTECHOUSE is on a mission to empower, educate and inspire 21st-century artists and audiences. artechouse.com / @artechouse ABOUT NIFTY GATEWAY Nifty Gateway is the premier marketplace for buying and selling NFTs. Nifty Gateway works with some of the largest artists and brands in the world to put out curated collections of NFT artwork. Nifty has been on the forefront of working with artists in a variety of mediums, from digitally native artists like Pak, Beeple and Mad Dog Jones, to musicians like Grimes and Steve Aoki. Nifty Gateway is committed to making NFTs accessible to the masses, and to get one billion people collecting NFTs. Niftygateway.com / @niftygateway ABOUT VINCE FRASER: A digital illustrator for over twenty years in the creative industry, Fraser sees himself as a new breed of artist in the digital age, combining a variety of skills including graphic and motion design. With a keen eye for detail, Fraser brings together playful experimentation and boundary-pushing visuals to create his unique art. Bridging the gap between fantasy and reality, Fraser's mission is to share positive images of the African diaspora. Client work includes Nike, MTV and Adobe, to name a few, while attracting the attention of musicians like Erykah Badu, Outkast and Usher. dripbook.com/vincefraser / @vincefraser ABOUT URSULA RUCKER: A veteran of the global music and poetry scene, Ursula Rucker is a skilled writer and dynamic performer who has used her fiery prose and invigorating imagery to excite and inspire listeners around the world for nearly three decades. In addition to her performance on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, Rucker has established herself as a top-tier recording artist. Rucker has collaborated with artists like The Roots, 4Hero, Jazzanova, Louie Vega, Doodlebug of Digable Planets, and many more. PRESS CONTACT: [email protected] Download image assets and NFT descriptions here. Credit: ARTECHOUSE & Vince Fraser SOURCE ARTECHOUSE Related Links https://www.artechouse.com ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) will be hosting its regularly scheduled quarterly management meeting on Thursday, June 17, from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 10:30 a.m. CT. This quarter's meeting will take place virtually via conference call. During the call, the company's operating and financial leaders will present background information and commentary on the company's business operations and financial outlook, and will take questions from the investment community. The conference call will be broadcast live through Gallagher's website at www.ajg.com/irmeeting, and a conference call replay will be available at the same link through June 24, 2021. Any information distributed in conjunction with this meeting will be available on June 17 at 7:30 a.m. CT at http://www.ajg.com/June17materials. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 56 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. Contact: Raymond Iardella VP Investor Relations (630) 285-3661/ [email protected] SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Related Links http://www.ajg.com Download FREE Sample Report! The report on the artificial intelligence (AI) market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the prevention of fraud and malicious attacks. The artificial intelligence (AI) market analysis includes end-user and geographic landscape. This study identifies the rise in cloud-based AI services as one of the prime reasons driving the artificial intelligence (AI) market growth during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The artificial intelligence (AI) market covers the following areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Sizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Forecast Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Analysis Companies Mentioned Alphabet Inc. CognitiveScale Intel Corp. International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corp. Nuance Communications Inc. NVIDIA Corp. Oracle Corp. Tesla Inc. Wipro Ltd. Related Reports on Information Technology Include: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market in Manufacturing Industry Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The artificial intelligence (AI) market has the potential to grow by USD 76.44 billion during 2021-2025, according to Technavio. Download PDF Sample Key Topics Covered: 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 End-user Market segments Comparison by End-user Retail - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Banking - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Manufacturing - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by End-user 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 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - 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 Vendor Landscape Overview Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Alphabet Inc. CognitiveScale Intel Corp. International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corp. Nuance Communications Inc. NVIDIA Corp. Oracle Corp. Tesla Inc. Wipro Ltd. Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Report: www.technavio.com/report/artificial-intelligence-ai-market-industry-analysis SOURCE Technavio Related Links http://www.technavio.com/ Since Billingsley launched his vision for Black Tech Street, the program has coalesced support from the community to bring this vision to life. The initiative already has committed support from MetCares, the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce, the Black Wall Street Times, the Terrence Crutcher Foundation, TYPROS, and Urban Coders Guild. "With the help of these partners, Black Tech Street will catalyze a global movement that takes the charge of Black Wall Street to the 21st century to see Black people everywhere embrace technology as a medium to hike wealth and positively impact the world," said Billingsley. "Our mission is to build a new system that unshackles the innovative and creative capability of Black people and allows for widespread access and participation in wealth creation." Beginning in Tulsa, Black Tech Street aims to create a national movement of Black tech excellence. The founding program in Tulsa will stand out as an opportunity for Black tech entrepreneurs around the world and serve as a model for communities wanting to create a tightly knit and collaborative ecosystem of Black entrepreneurs to support and innovate with one another. "Black Tech Street will mark the beginning of a national movement to fundamentally build a more inclusive technology sector that will give rise to more innovative and creative technology without the blindspots of the current tech sector," said SecondMuse Co-CEO Todd Khozein. "Tyrance's vision and the program's ethos of being built from within the community exemplifies the sort of success we have fostered over the years that builds up entire economies where everyone, especially historically marginalized communities, has a fair shot." Billingsley and SecondMuse are in talks with other partners and are in discussions with and have commitments from large institutional donors who are supporting this vision. Those announcements will be made in the coming weeks and months. Engaging Black Tulsan Artists to Symbolize Future Success As part of its initial efforts to catalyze the next 100 years of Black innovation, Black Tech Street will be launching a call for local Black Tulsan artists to submit designs for a new symbol to represent the vibrancy and prosperity of Tulsa's Black business and cultural community. Black Tech Street's goal is to replace the existing Tulsa symbol of the "Golden Driller" with "The Lady of Arts and Innovation" represented as a black woman, with imagery that heralds Tulsa's new age of technological innovation and artistic creativity. "As the Centennial of the Greenwood Massacre passes, our city needs a new image and symbol to rally around to show that the next 100 years will stand in direct contrast to the last 100 years," Billingsley said. "The next 100 years will be depicted by a woman of color who represents the brilliance and creativity needed to push Tulsa to a new level of prosperity." For more information about Black Tech Street and the call for artists, which will be publicly announced on June 19th, visit: www.blacktechstreet.com. About Black Tech Street Black Tech Street aims to facilitate $1 billion of investment in the Black Tulsa Economy over 10 years by facilitating entrepreneur support programming that will create a tightly knit, collaborative community of Black entrepreneurs and professionals. Black Tech Street will help build support networks that foster community, which is crucial for all entrepreneurs, especially for relocated entrepreneurs and professionals attempting to make Tulsa their home. About SecondMuse SecondMuse is an impact and innovation company that builds resilient economies by supporting entrepreneurs and the ecosystems around them. They do this by designing, developing, and implementing a mix of innovation programming and investing capital. From Singapore to San Francisco, SecondMuse programs define inspiring visions, build lasting businesses, and unite people across the globe. Over the last decade, they've designed and implemented programs on 7 continents with 600+ organizations such as NASA, The World Bank, and Nike. To find out more about how SecondMuse is positively shaping the world, visit: www.secondmuse.com . Media Contact Information: Zach Giglio [email protected] (843) 212-6651 Taylor McLaughlin [email protected] (203) 644-4809 SOURCE SecondMuse Related Links http://www.secondmuse.com Shareholders Must Recast their Votes to be Counted MIAMI, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Cansortium Inc. ("Cansortium" or the "Company") (CSE: TIUM.U), (OTCQB: CNTMF) wishes to announce that its annual general and special meeting of shareholders will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto Time) on June 30, 2021 (the "Meeting"), having been postponed from the initial meeting date of June 16, 2021. The Company, in recognition of comments from certain shareholders, also wishes to announce that two additional nominees will be proposed for election as directors at the annual general and special meeting of shareholders now scheduled to be held on June 30, 2021, and its support for the election of Mr. John McKimm and Mr. Alex Spiro as directors of the Company. The board of directors has now set the number of directors to be elected at six and the Company is proposing six nominees for election to the board of directors instead of five nominees, as Mr. Neal Hochberg has advised the Company that he will no longer stand for re-election. Mr. David Abrams, a director of the Company since 2018, had previously advised the Company that he would not stand for re-election at the end of his current term. The six management proposed nominees are: incumbent directors Robert Beasley, Roger Daher and John McKimm, as well as new directors, Bill Smith, Mark Eckenrode and Alex Spiro. Mr. John McKimm and Mr. Alex Spiro were not included in the management information circular dated May 17, 2021 (the "Circular") or in the form of proxy or in the voting instruction form sent by the Company in connection with the Meeting, given that they were identified as nominees subsequent to the sending of such materials to shareholders. The Company will prepare and send to shareholders a supplement to the Circular (the "Supplement"), which will include the information required under applicable securities laws with respect to the two additional nominees and reflect the fact that Mr. Neal Hochberg will not stand for re-election at the Meeting. Furthermore, shareholders will be mailed new proxy and voting instruction forms in order to vote their shares in respect of the election of the 6 director nominees. Shareholders should disregard the form of proxy or voting instruction forms that were delivered to them with the prior notice of meeting and Circular. A new form of proxy or voting instruction form will be provided to shareholders together with an amended notice of meeting and the Supplement. For shareholders that have already provided voting instructions using their initial form of proxy, voting instruction form or control number, those instructions are no longer valid. Shareholders must provide new voting instructions for their shares to be voted, and should refer to the Supplement and new proxy and voting instruction forms. A copy of the amended notice of meeting, Supplement and new form of proxy will be available under the Company's corporate profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The result of the aforementioned six director nominees set out in the Supplement is that two incumbent directors, Mr. Neal Hochberg and Mr. David Abrams, will not stand for re-election at the Meeting. "Neal and David have worked tirelessly for more than two years to support the Company's operations and solidify its balance sheet," said CEO Robert Beasley. "Neal and David were instrumental in the Company's turnaround and went above and beyond their responsibilities as board directors to ensure that Cansortium was well-capitalized to execute its growth strategy. They will both be missed as directors of the Company, and I personally will miss their wisdom and steady guidance. On behalf of all our shareholders and employees, I would like to thank Neal and David for their commitment and contributions to Cansortium." About Cansortium Inc. Cansortium is a vertically-integrated cannabis company with licenses and operations in Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Texas. The Company operates under the Fluent brand and is dedicated to being one of the highest quality cannabis companies for the communities it serves. This is driven by Cansortium's unrelenting commitment to operational excellence in cultivation, production, distribution and retail. The Company is headquartered in Miami, Florida. Cansortium Inc.'s common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "TIUM.U" and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "CNTMF." For more information about the Company, please visit www.getfluent.com. Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on many opinions, assumptions, and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in the public documents of the Company available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company 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. SOURCE Cansortium Inc Related Links www.cansortium.com CLEVELAND, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE: CBZ) ("the Company"), a leading provider of financial, insurance and advisory services, announced the acquisition of Schramm Health Partners, LLC dba Optumas ("Optumas") of Scottsdale, Arizona, effective June 1, 2021. Founded in 2006, Optumas specializes in providing actuarial services to state government health care agencies to assist in the administration of Medicaid programs. Optumas has 33 employees and approximately $10.9 million in annual revenue. This acquisition enhances opportunities to broaden the scope of services offered by Optumas and CBIZ to their respective government health care clients. Jerry Grisko, President and CEO of CBIZ, stated, "We are excited to welcome the Optumas team to CBIZ and to strengthen our long-standing partnership of working side-by-side to serve our government health care clients. Optumas is a recognized leader in health care actuarial services and given the increasing complexity of health care delivery systems, this acquisition offers a unique opportunity to complement our growing government health care consulting practice. Working together, CBIZ and Optumas will accelerate future growth by providing our clients with more comprehensive and seamless solutions." Steve Schramm of Optumas, stated, "After years of collaboration, it was clear a strategic combination with CBIZ was in the best interest of our clients and employees. Combining our cutting-edge actuarial expertise with CBIZ's government health care consulting services will provide our state Medicaid and other public sector clients with an unparalleled mix of consulting, strategy, and analytical resources to help them achieve their goals. We are excited to become a part of one of the leading national professional services providers whose culture and core values are strongly aligned with ours." About CBIZ CBIZ, Inc. is a leading provider of financial, insurance and advisory services to businesses throughout the United States. Financial services include accounting, tax, government health care consulting, transaction advisory, risk advisory, and valuation services. Insurance services include employee benefits consulting, retirement plan consulting, property and casualty insurance, payroll, and human capital consulting. With more than 100 Company offices in 31 states, CBIZ is one of the largest accounting and insurance brokerage providers in the U.S. For more information, visit www.cbiz.com. SOURCE CBIZ, Inc. Related Links www.cbiz.com BEIJING, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- China made a four-point proposal on international cooperation against corruption on Wednesday, calling for a zero-tolerance attitude toward corruption and respect for differences between countries. Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC (CCDI), made the remarks during a special session of the United Nations General Assembly on challenges and measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation. "China is an active participant in and contributor to global anti-corruption governance," Zhao said. The country contributed to the adoption of the Beijing Declaration on Fighting Corruption by APEC and the High-Level Principles on Cooperation on Persons Sought for Corruption and Asset Recovery by the G20, and put forward the Beijing Initiative for the Clean Silk Road to deepen Belt and Road cooperation, he noted. Outlining China's proposal on global anti-corruption cooperation, he called for extensive efforts to uphold fairness and justice. "The international community needs to forge broad political consensus, take a zero-tolerance attitude toward corruption, build zero-loophole institutions, carry out zero-barrier cooperation, and press ahead with cooperation on persons sought for corruption and asset recovery and on foreign business bribery," he said. Meanwhile, countries should respect differences between them and promote equality and mutual learning, he stressed. "We need to respect the sovereignty and political and legal systems of each country, respect their right to choose their own ways of fighting corruption, and foster an international partnership for anti-corruption cooperation that is based on equality, respect for differences, exchanges and mutual learning, and common progress." China's anti-graft chief called on the international community to "pursue mutually-beneficial cooperation through extensive consultation and joint contribution." He also urged countries across the world to "honor commitments and put action first." Signatories to the UN Convention against Corruption should "honor their solemn commitment of fighting corruption together." China's 'sweeping victory' against corruption Zhao reviewed China's anti-corruption drive, stressing that the CPC and the Chinese government "stand unequivocally against corruption." "We have adopted a holistic approach to address both symptoms and root causes of corruption, and combined law-based punishment, institutional checks, and education and guidance to made our anti-corruption governance more effective," he said. In 2020, disciplinary inspection commissions and supervision agencies across the country investigated about 618,000 corruption cases, leading to the punishment of 604,000 people, a report by China's top anti-graft body said. A total 1,421 fugitives were brought back to China last year, the CCDI report showed. With "multi-pronged measures" to tackle all acts of corruption, China has secured and consolidated a "sweeping victory" in the fight, Zhao said. According to a recent survey by China's National Bureau of Statistics, 95.8 percent of the Chinese people are satisfied with the country's anti-corruption efforts, he noted. 'We cannot allow corruption to continue' The UN General Assembly convened its first ever special session on combating corruption on Wednesday. The special session will conclude on Friday. Addressing the special session, Volkan Bozkir, president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, said Wednesday the effects of corruption are "detrimental to all of society" and that it should not be allowed to continue unchecked. "Transnational financial crime and corruption are unfortunately commonplace in our interconnected, interdependent world," Bozkir said, adding that corruption affects decision-making processes and "remains one of the most critical challenges for states, institutions, and communities." "We cannot allow corruption to continue. We will not," he stressed. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-06-03/China-outlines-four-point-proposal-on-global-fight-against-corruption-10MJFoSPSog/index.html SOURCE CGTN Related Links www.cgtn.com 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:
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(NYSE: CMCM) ("Cheetah Mobile" or the "Company"), a leading internet company, today announced that it plans to release its first quarter 2021 financial results before the market opens on Friday, June 11th, 2021. The earnings release will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.cmcm.com. Cheetah Mobile's management will hold a conference call on Friday June 11th, 2021 at 7:00 A.M. Eastern Time or 7:00 P.M. Beijing 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: 4001-201-203 Hong Kong Toll Free: 800-905-945 Conference ID: Cheetah Mobile The replay will be accessible through June 18, 2021 by dialing the following numbers: International: +1-412-317-0088 United States Toll Free: +1-877-344-7529 Access Code: 10157331 A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.cmcm.com. About Cheetah Mobile Inc. Cheetah Mobile is a leading internet company. It has attracted hundreds of millions of monthly active users through an array of internet products such as Clean Master, Security Master and several casual games. The Company provides advertising services to advertisers worldwide as well as value-added services including the sale of premium membership and in-app virtual items to its users. Cheetah Mobile is also committed to leveraging its cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies to power its products and make the world smarter. It has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since May 2014. Investor Relations Contact Cheetah Mobile Inc. Sheryl Zhang Tel: +86 10 6292 7779 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Cheetah Mobile Key Considerations for Market Forecast: Impact of lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, demand destruction, and change in customer behavior Optimistic, probable, and pessimistic scenarios for all markets as the impact of pandemic unfolds Pre- as well as post-COVID-19 market estimates Quarterly impact analysis and updates on market estimates Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports by using Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports on Information Technology: Global Photonic Sensor Market - Global photonic sensor market is segmented by type (fiber optic sensors, bio-photonic sensors, image sensors, and others), application (defense and security, industrial infrastructure, public infrastructure, medical, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA). Request a Free Sample Report Global Optical Pulse Sensor Market - Global optical pulse sensor market is segmented by Application (Smart bands, Smartwatch, Chest straps, and Smart clothing) and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA). Request a Free Sample Report Major Three Color Detection Sensor Market Participants: Banner Engineering Corp. The company offers Photoelectric QCM50 high-performance color detection sensor series. Baumer Holding AG The company offers various color detection sensors such as laser differential sensors, small laser contrast sensors, laser contrast sensors with additional analog output, white light contrast sensors, and sensors LOGIPAL. EMX Industries Inc. The company offers various color detection sensors such as ColorMax-1000. Get specific analysis on the criticality of inputs and factors of differentiation in the color detection sensor market vendor landscape. Download our Free Sample Report Now! Color Detection Sensor Market 2021-2025: Segmentation Color detection sensor market is segmented as below: End-user Food And Beverage Packaging Consumer Electronics Pharmaceutical Others Type Color Sensors Luminescence Sensors Contrast Sensors Brightness Sensors Geography Europe North America APAC South America MEA The color detection sensor market is driven by the growing penetration of automation across various industries. In addition, the increasing focus on reducing road accidents are expected to trigger the color detection sensor market toward witnessing a CAGR of over 7% during the forecast period. Buy our color detection sensor market report to gain access to a detailed customer landscape matrix comparing key industry-driven parameters. View Sample Report Before Purchasing Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ Newsroom: www.technavio.com/news/color-detection-sensormarket Report: www.technavio.com/report/color-detection-sensor-market-industry-analysis SOURCE Technavio Related Links http://www.technavio.com/ View our exclusive report on market scenarios, estimates, the impact of lockdown, and customer behaviour. Download FREE Sample Report! The report on the consumer electronics and home appliances market in India provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by Increasing demand for premium appliances. The consumer electronics and home appliances market in India analysis includes product segments and geography landscape. This study identifies the adoption of smart and advanced features in home appliances, adoption of energy-efficient consumer electronics and home appliances, and growing investment in R&D activities as the prime reasons driving the consumer electronics and home appliances market growth in India during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The consumer electronics and home appliances market in India covers the following areas: Consumer Electronics And Home Appliances Market In India Sizing Consumer Electronics And Home Appliances Market In India Forecast Consumer Electronics And Home Appliances Market In India Analysis Companies Mentioned AB Electrolux Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. Hitachi Ltd. Koninklijke Philips NV LG Electronics Inc. Robert Bosch GmbH Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Sony Corp. Toshiba Corp. Whirlpool Corp. Related Reports on Consumer Discretionary Include: Commercial Milkshake Machines Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The commercial milkshake machines market size is expected to grow by USD 5168.33 thousand during the forecast period, according to Technavio. Download PDF Sample Key Topics Covered: 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 Consumer electronics - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Home appliances - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Product Market Segmentation by Style Market segments Comparison by Style Freestanding - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Built-in - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Style Customer landscape Market drivers Market challenges Market trends Vendor Landscape Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Competitive Scenario Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors AB Electrolux Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. Hitachi Ltd. Koninklijke Philips NV LG Electronics Inc. Robert Bosch GmbH Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Sony Corp. Toshiba Corp. Whirlpool Corp. Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/consumer-electronics-and-home-appliances-market-in-india-industry-analysis SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cornell Capital and Trilantic North America, two leading private investment firms, today announced that Bart Valdez has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the combined healthcare staffing platform (the "Company") recently formed by the acquisitions of Fastaff, LLC ("Fastaff") and U.S. Nursing Corporation ("U.S. Nursing"); trustaff Management, Inc. ("trustaff") and CardioSolution LLC ("CardioSolution"); and Stella.ai, Inc. ("Stella"). Mr. Valdez brings more than 20 years of experience in the human capital management sector, having previously held executive leadership roles with Syneos Health, INC Research, Ceridian, and First Advantage. He most recently served as President and CEO of Fastaff and U.S. Nursing from 2019 until his appointment as Chairman in February 2021, having doubled the size of the business during this period. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Valdez successfully led Fastaff and U.S. Nursing through swift operational initiatives and investments that enabled the companies to quickly and effectively fulfill an unprecedented surge in demand for experienced nurses in more than 400 facilities across 45 states. "With his significant industry experience and deep understanding of our business, we are confident that Bart is the right leader to accelerate organic growth, drive greater product and service innovation, and position the combined company to help meet the nation's expanding healthcare staffing needs," said Stephen Trevor, Partner of Cornell Capital, and Jeremy Lynch, Partner of Trilantic North America. "During his time with Fastaff and U.S. Nursing, Bart has been instrumental in extending the businesses' capabilities to a broader market of clients and expanding the organization's strong market position. He has experience leading an organization of this scale, and we and the Board look forward to working closely with Bart and the entire management team to continue delivering for our clients, while effectively positioning the combined company for future success, growth, and value creation." "I am honored to take on the role of CEO as we continue to build the combined company into an industry leader in healthcare staffing," said Mr. Valdez. "I look forward to working with our talented team to deliver exceptional service to our customers, grow and diversify our innovative platform, and unlock significant value for all of our stakeholders." Mr. Valdez succeeds Adam Zoia, who is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer to attend to unanticipated family matters. Mr. Zoia will remain actively involved in the business as a member of the Company's Board of Directors and will work closely with Mr. Valdez to ensure a smooth transition. "On behalf of the entire Board, we would like to thank Adam for his visionary contributions to the Company during its launch and his successful efforts to build Stella into a leading, AI-driven online marketplace for employers and job seekers with cutting-edge technology expertise," continued Mr. Trevor and Mr. Lynch. "Under his stewardship, we have begun the integration process to create a leading tech-enabled platform for healthcare staffing. It was Adam's vision to accelerate delivery within the healthcare staffing market through innovative technology, and over the last two months he has led the efforts to bring these talented companies together and establish a world-class leadership team of industry experts that will make that vision a reality." "Given Adam's unanticipated family matters, we and Adam agree that now is the right time to implement a thoughtful transition as the combined company enters its execution phase. We are grateful for Adam's leadership and his help in ensuring a smooth transition, and we look forward to benefitting from his expertise as he continues to impart his entrepreneurial ideas and vision as a member of our Board." "It has been a privilege to lead the integration process over the last several months and I am proud of what we have accomplished," said Mr. Zoia. "We offer a truly unmatched value proposition for clients and healthcare professionals, and I am delighted to bring the powerful capabilities of Stella to this one-of-a-kind healthcare staffing platform. That said, my family is my top priority and while I focus on those responsibilities, I cannot remain the CEO of the Company, which should be and is an all-in position. I remain a significant investor in the Company, believe passionately in its future and want to ensure the best possible outcome. I am leaving the team in incredibly capable hands with Bart and look forward to continuing to work with my fellow Board members as we help guide the Company forward in its growth journey." About Cornell Capital Cornell Capital LLC is a U.S.-based private investment firm with $6.0 billion of AUM and offices in New York and Hong Kong. Partnering with strong, entrepreneurial management teams, the firm takes a value-oriented approach to investing across the consumer, financial and industrial sectors. Founder and Senior Partner Henry Cornell, who served as the Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs' Merchant Banking Division prior to founding Cornell Capital in 2013, leads a highly-seasoned senior leadership team with decades of shared investing experience. For more information, visit www.cornellcapllc.com. About Trilantic North America Trilantic Capital Management L.P. ("Trilantic North America") is a private equity firm focused on control and significant minority investments in North America. Trilantic North America's primary investment focus is in the business services, consumer and energy sectors. Trilantic North America has managed six private equity fund families with aggregate capital commitments of $9.7 billion. Trilantic North America has been recognized by Inc. Magazine's 2019 list of Top 50 Founder-Friendly Private Equity Firms. For more information, visit www.trilanticnorthamerica.com. About Fastaff Travel Nursing Over 30 years ago, Fastaff pioneered the practice of Rapid Response travel nurse staffing. Since then, the company has grown to become the leading crisis provider of experienced nurses to hospitals experiencing urgent and crucial situations nationwide. With a guaranteed delivery in ten days or less, and often in 24-48 hours, Fastaff is recognized as the most reliable partner to ensure uninterrupted high-quality patient care in hospitals, healthcare systems and communities facing turbulent times. Fastaff provides enriching employment opportunities to nurses while also providing the highest pay in the industry to meet acute staffing needs and provide unparalleled patient care. Visit www.fastaff.com for more information and connect with Fastaff on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. About U.S. Nursing Since 1989, U.S. Nursing has been working with healthcare facilities and nursing professionals to provide comprehensive staffing solutions during labor disputes. U.S. Nursing has staffed or helped avert many of the largest healthcare labor disputes nationwide, and is the pioneer and industry leader for comprehensive services throughout strike preparation and implementation. When facing an organized labor strike, U.S. Nursing helps facilities negotiate from a position of strength. In the event of a job action, U.S. Nursing will provide a core group of proven and experienced healthcare professionals who can hit the ground running to ensure continuous, quality patient care. Visit www.usnursing.com for more information. About trustaff Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, trustaff is one of the largest and most well-respected healthcare staffing companies in the industry. trustaff is proud to represent some of the most skilled healthcare professionals in the market and help place them at outstanding facilities across the country. Over the last 18+ years, trustaff has experienced exponential growth and has become one of the nation's most well-respected travel healthcare agencies. For more information, visit www.trustaff.com. About CardioSolution CardioSolution offers a unique turn-key solution, delivering comprehensive cardiovascular service lines to hospitals nationwide. We are a team of more than 100 physicians and clinical support staff serving millions of patients across 23 communities nationwide. For more information, please visit cardiosolution.com. About Stella Co-founded by Adam Zoia and backed by world-class investors, including Charles River Ventures and The Seek Group, Stella is the first inter-company candidate referral network for large employers. Powered by a common application, ATS integrations and matching algorithms, Stella provides an efficient and seamless experience for both candidates and hiring firms. Stella has built networks in hospitality, wireless communications and healthcare, and is headquartered in New York City. For more information, please visit www.stella.jobs. Media Contacts Cornell Capital Tim Ragones / Kate Thompson / Tanner Kaufman Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher 212-355-4449 Trilantic North America Mariel Seidman-Gati 646-818-9013 [email protected] SOURCE Cornell Capital LLC Related Links https://cornellcapllc.com The two first met while Joe was visiting India. After playing together at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai (at the suggestion of Amjad's son) Joe invited them all, Amjad and his two sons, to come to Los Angeles and record with him to see what they could create together. This EP is the result of the second of those sessions, which took place in Joe's home studio in Los Angeles during 2020. In addition to The Khans, Amjad and his incredibly talented sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Joe asked some of his friends and members of the Los Angeles music community to participate including: Jim Keltner, Davey Johnstone, Michael Thompson, Nathan East, Stewart Copeland, Joe Vitale and Lee Sklar. "The time I spend in India is always transformative," Joe explained. "My first visit delivered "India" which was on Analog Man. Subsequent visits stirred within me a deeper curiosity for Indian instruments and their music. In spending time with the maestro, himself, Amjad, I was excited to see how my instrument and his could work together. We were both blown away. It was one of my life's most treasured experiences. It was as if our souls united in a symphony of shared love for music in its purest form. The music we created was stronger than our individual abilities. It was a spiritual experience to play with the Khans. Everyone there in those sessions was elevated as a result of this collaboration and that's why we play music. It's those moments we chase as musicians." These three songs, "Healing Love", "Goddess" and "Hope (We Shall Overcome)" are the discourse between their instruments, a kind of meditative exploration on the nature of sonoral divinity, drawing from the great unique treasures of their own artistic traditions, as well as finding common ground at both the cellular and cosmic levels of two musical traditions, which are often held to be radically different. Through this process of creating and recording, their aim was to preserve the essence of musical traditions that flow into each other without artistic compromise. "By the time I got to work on these tracks in the studio we were in complete lockdown pandemic mode," continued Joe. "The more time I spent with this music the clearer it became that these tracks had healing properties and needed to be shared as a gift. So, in honor of all the frontline workers who continue to be of such incredible service and courage to us all during these horribly challenging times I'm donating my proceeds to IntraHealth International, whose vital work for healthcare workers around the world aligned perfectly. With our gratitude and with love to them all please enjoy Prayers." "It has been such a pleasure and an honor to work on this album with my dear friend, the legendary Joe Walsh," remarked Amjad Ali Khan. "Across cultures, as artists we can understand and appreciate each other and thereby trying to heal this divided world, and what better way is there to achieve this ideal than through the joy and spiritual nourishment that music brings." "We are so thrilled and grateful to Joe and Amjad for their generosity," says Polly Dunford, president and CEO of IntraHealth International. "Their gift is going to make health workers around the world safer as we battle this pandemic today and build a healthier future for tomorrow." PRAYERS, CREDITS AND THANKS: Recorded in Los Angeles Engineered by Bruce Sugar Electric guitar: Joe Walsh Sarod: Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash Vocal: Amjad Ali Khan Tabla: Satnam Ramgotra Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan and Ayaan express their gratitude to Joe and Marjorie Walsh for all their love and support for the project Joe would like to thank the following musicians who participated in the sessions from which these three tracks were created: Nathan East : Bass : Bass Lee Sklar : Bass : Bass Abe Loboriel: Bass Jim Keltner : Percussion : Percussion Stewart Copeland : Percussion : Percussion Ed Roth : Keyboards : Keyboards Michael Thompson : Keyboards : Keyboards Joe Vitale : Keyboards : Keyboards Davey Johnstone : Guitar www.joewalsh.com www.sarod.com www.amaanalibangash.com www.ayaanalibangash.com About IntraHealth International: They are a global health nonprofit that has worked in over 100 countries since 1979. Their mission is to improve the performance of health workers and strengthen the systems in which they work, and their vision is that everyone everywhere has the health care they need to thrive. Because next-generation challenges in global health call for new and extraordinary partnerships, IntraHealth joins forces with governments, businesses, technologists, artists, activists, and more to cultivate local solutions with lasting results. IntraHealth's programs generate long-term social and economic impact to keep communities around the world healthy, strong, and prosperous. They focus on health workers. Without them, health care doesn't happen. SOURCE UMe Job postings for IT positions surpassed 365,000 in May, the highest total since September 2019. Tweet this Meanwhile, employer job postings for open IT positions surpassed 365,000 in May, the highest monthly total since September 2019. Software and application developers, IT support specialists, systems engineers and architects, IT project managers and systems analysts are among the positions in highest demand. At the occupation level across all industry sectors, the latest employment report shows a loss of 78,000 IT positions.1 The unemployment rate for IT occupations was 2.4% in May, about half the national labor market rate of 5.5%. "The strong employer hiring activity for technology positions coupled with a loss of jobs at the occupation level suggests a disconnect," Tim Herbert, executive vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA. "However, it is not uncommon for factors such as hiring timing or an increase in workers seeking new employment opportunities to affect labor market data in the short-term." May's impressive IT job positing numbers were dispersed across metro areas around the country. Large markets such as Washington, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, San Jose and Seattle accounted for about 36% of all IT job postings for the month. Other metro areas that are sometimes overlooked in tech hiring discussions experienced high rates of month-over-month percent changes in IT job postings, including Virginia Beach-Norfolk (+ 60%), Des Moines (+ 33%), Kansas City (+ 27%), Louisville (+ 26%), Baltimore (+ 26%), Detroit (+ 25%) and Milwaukee (+ 21%). The data also shows that demand for IT professionals is strong in a number of industry sectors, led by manufacturing (70,970), professional, scientific and technical services (58,873), finance and insurance (31,054) and information (20,244). Job openings for positions in emerging technologies or requiring emerging tech skills totaled nearly 104,000 last month, 28% of all positing for IT occupations. The CompTIA Tech Jobs Report is available at https://www.comptia.org/content/tech-jobs-report . About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit https://www.comptia.org/. Media Contact Steven Ostrowski [email protected] +1 630-678-8468 1 Monthly occupation-level data reporting from the Bureau of Labor Statistics may be subject to higher levels of variance and volatility. SOURCE CompTIA Related Links http://www.comptia.org HOUSTON, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EZ Blockchain made its shift to an energy focus three years ago, and now demand is taking the company south to Texas. Recruiting has already begun in the Houston area to staff the new EZ Blockchain office. The first team members will be hired to the business development, technical, human resources, project engineering, and environmental teams. "Houston is a home to hundreds of oil and gas exploration and service companies," said Sergii Gerasymovych, CEO of EZ Blockchain. "It's the place to be if we really want to provide a scalable solution to the energy sector." Immersion Cooling A scalable solution is what EZ Blockchain has promised and delivered already to oil fields around North America. To increase its market share in Texas, EZ Blockchain invested in an extensive R&D and Engineering of liquid cooling mobile data centers at its manufacturing facilities. The new immersion cooling system offers an essential improvement for the Permian Basin market where heat, humidity, and dust run high. "Mobile immersion cooling systems are ready to roll out of our production facility," said Vlad Rodinoff, President and Founder of EZ Blockchain, who oversees the development of new products in the company. The new solution also has the added benefit of noise reduction when compared with fan cooling and lowered operational cost. The first product, SmartBox SB2500i, will have a footprint of a 20-foot container, it will be a lightweight data center capable of operating up to 400 of the newest generation cryptocurrency miners with the electrical infrastructure that gives the ability to overclock the machines. EZ Blockchain now has a unique opportunity to capture more of the West Texas & New Mexico market by working directly with energy producers while bringing bigger, better benefits to every partner. Next Steps Mass production of the new mobile data centers with immersion cooling will start in September 2021. Most of the data centers already produced by EZ Blockchain will be used for the company's internal deployments, and only a small portion will be allocated to strategic crypto mining partners The rollout of the new Houston office is already underway to ensure the right team is in place when the company begins installing new mobile data centers. EZ Smartgrid The EZ Smartgrid by EZ Blockchain is the system using a natural gas generator and mobile data center to process gas on-site into electricity that's used for Bitcoin mining. The high energy needs of cryptocurrency mining are powered by the gas otherwise flared away by the oil producers, and the oil producer gains a new, reliable source of revenue. Permian Basin The Permian Basin is the largest producer of oil and gas in the U.S. Home to thousands of producers large and small, the area produced 86.4 million barrels of oil just in February 2021. Oil and gas producers have been left to flare or vent the natural gas released as a byproduct of oil drilling for years because most of the 9,000 producers don't have access to the infrastructure to bring this gas to the market. EZ Blockchain The company is a full-service crypto mining facility management company that builds and operates physical infrastructures for blockchain-based mining using sustainable energy alternatives utilizing flared gas and stranded gas to power generation. Read more about EZ Blockchain at the website https://ezblockchain.net/ Sergii Gerasymovych EZBlockchain.net [email protected] SOURCE EZ Blockchain Related Links https://www.ezblockchain.net PHOENIX, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Flex Technology Group (FTG) is proud to announce that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named FTG to its 2021 Solution Provider 500 list. FTG has placed #90 on this year's list, which marks the third consecutive year the company has broken the top 100 and its eighth consecutive year being on the list. FTG ranks #90 on the 2021 CRN Solution Provider 500 List CRN announces its top 500 solution providers list each year, ranking the leading IT channel partner organizations across North America by revenue. This year's impressive list represents a remarkable combined revenue of over $403 billion, underscoring the immense impact and influence these partners have on the IT industry today. "We're honored to be named to this prestigious list again this year," said Frank Gaspari, CEO of Flex Technology Group. "A few years ago, we ranked 416, and today, we've broken the top 100 yet again at number 90. This recognition is a testament to FTG's comprehensive managed services offerings as well as our team's dedication to empowering our customers. We look forward to continuously improving upon our current core offerings and expanding our abilities to help more companies achieve their unique business goals." "CRN's Solution Provider 500 list serves as the industry standard for top-performing technology integrators, strategic service providers, and IT consultants, which makes it a valuable resource for technology vendors looking to partner with today's best-of-breed IT solution providers," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "On behalf of The Channel Company, I'd like to congratulate these companies for their incredible contributions to the growth and success of the IT channel." The complete 2021 Solution Provider 500 list is available online at www.CRN.com/SP500 and a sample from the list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine. About Flex Technology Group Flex Technology Group provides customized office technology solutions for national and leading-edge regional companies. The company focuses on print, document management, document production and managed IT solutions, representing industry-leading suppliers such as Canon, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, HP, Lexmark and various software solutions. FTG services almost 35,000 customers nationally. For additional information, please visit www.FlexTG.com. 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 Related Images flex-technology-group-named-to.png Flex Technology Group Named to CRN's 2020 Solution Provider 500 List for Eighth Consecutive Year FTG ranks #90 on the 2021 CRN Solution Provider 500 List SOURCE Flex Technology Group The modern supply chain is strained it needs to cater to demand variances, adapt to new technologies and market structures, and incorporate means to meet the challenging needs of tomorrow and beyond. But this is easier said than done. In the real world, supply chain processes are complex and interwoven, making it difficult for organizations to revamp them. Quantzig's SMEs are coming together in this webinar to help you learn how your team can build an agile, transparent, and robust supply chain organization of the future. Topics Covered 1. Technologies reshaping modern supply chains 2. Create the winning supply chain strategy 3. Where to begin? Steps to optimize your supply chain To be a part of this upcoming webinar, register here: EMEA Audience: https://infinitiresearch.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K6t582soT_CsV0CWGizadQ North America Audience: https://infinitiresearch.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y8SS-IAnTpO-3IDPtDMkBQ According to the supply chain analytics experts at Quantzig, "Market volatility, dynamic demands, supplier management, and excess spends tackling all these challenges is difficult for organizations that lack robust data-backed supply chain management. Supply chain analytics, therefore, acts as a nexus between industries and the gigantic troves of supply chain information lying at their disposal." In this webinar, two of our subject matter experts Sudarshan and Lalith will share their first-hand knowledge on the approach to substantially improve supply chain processes and eliminate inefficiencies that lead to sub-optimal business outcomes. Speakers' Profiles Sudarshan K Lakshminarayana has more than ten years of experience in the field of analytics, management consulting, and technology. He has implemented supply chain, manufacturing, and marketing decision sciences solutions for large companies across industries such as CPG, financial services, technology, e-commerce, and pharmaceuticals. He has tremendous experience in conceptualizing and building advanced supply chain solutions, system dynamics, marketing ROI models, and customer and pricing analytics engagements for Fortune 500 clients across industries. Velamuri V S Lalith Kumar is a Lead Data Scientist at Quantzig with over five years of experience ideating high-impact analytical solutions to complex sales and promotional challenges in manufacturing, marketing, trade spend, and revenue management aspects of organizations across retail, CPG, manufacturing, and logistics industries. He has implemented cutting-edge advanced analytics concepts and developed custom statistical algorithms to solve some of the niche challenges and optimize the current analytically-driven organizations for them to be ready for tomorrow. Webinar Registration Details: For EMEA Audience Registration link: https://infinitiresearch.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K6t582soT_CsV0CWGizadQ Webinar ID: 929 4346 7439 Date | Time: 22nd June 2021, Tuesday | 10:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time Duration: 45 mins For North America Audience Registration link: https://infinitiresearch.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y8SS-IAnTpO-3IDPtDMkBQ Webinar ID: 928 7294 7558 Date | Time: 23rd June 2021, Wednesday | 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Duration: 45 mins About Quantzig Quantzig is a global analytics and business intelligence solution provider. It turns clients' complex, unstructured data into intelligent, actionable insights that enable them to solve complex business problems and inspire innovation, change, and growth. Over the past 17 years, our insights have helped over 120 clients, including 55 Fortune 500 companies, spanning across industries and sectors like Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, Retail and CPG, Food and Beverage, and more. We have successfully delivered 1500 in-depth solutions in areas like Supply Chain Analytics, Marketing Analytics, Customer Analytics, and more. For more information on our engagement policies and pricing plans, visit https://www.quantzig.com/request-for-proposal. Press Contact Quantzig Eva Sharma Marketing Manager US: +1 630 538 7144 UK: +44 208 629 1455 Contact Us | Quantzig SOURCE Quantzig DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Technology, Cell Type, End User, and Geography" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global cell therapy bioprocessing market is expected to reach US$ 30,052.61 million in 2028 from US$ 11,192.50 million in 2020. The market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 13.14% from 2020 to 2028. Cell therapy bioprocessing is a subfield of bioprocess engineering that bridges cell therapy and bioprocessing (i.e., biopharmaceutical manufacturing). Cell therapy is one of the fastest-growing areas of the life sciences. It entails delivering entire living cells to a patient to treat chronic and rare diseases. Cell and gene therapy is still in an early stage of development in the biotechnology sector. Despite of being niche domain of the biotechnology sector, cell and gene therapy have paved the investments by the contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMO)/contract manufacturing organizations (CMO). Companies are investing to enhance their manufacturing capabilities and offer world-class therapies to treat chronic conditions. Companies are adopting inorganic and organic strategies such as acquisitions and expansion to broaden their cell and gene therapy segment. Recently, there have been a few instances of companies investing a huge amount to enter in the cell and gene therapy segment. For instance, in February 2020, Catalent, Inc. and MaSTherCell Global, Inc. have signed an agreement, in which Catalent, Inc. has agreed to acquire MaSTherCell Global, Inc. for an amount of US$ 135 million. It is stated that Catalent, Inc. is in a good state to merge with MaSTherCell Global, Inc.'s capabilities and R&D resources to build its own development and commercial manufacturing facilities. Similarly, in February 2021, Rentschler Biopharma, a German-based CDMO has expanded its manufacturing capabilities at Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Catapult in the UK. Rentschler Biopharma is looking forward to entering the regenerative medicine segment and initiate the production of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector for cell and gene therapies. Rentschler Biopharma is likely to invest an undisclosed amount over the five years and will share its expertise and capabilities with CGT Catapult. Such instances of investments are expected to boost the sector and enhance the cell therapy bioprocessing in the coming future. Additionally, in the last few years, there has been significant investments done by the biopharmaceutical companies in the cell and gene therapy segment. According to the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), investments in the cell and gene therapy has doubled in 2020 compared to 2019 and considerably higher than 2018. Companies across the world have invested US$ 19.9 billion in 2020, whereas the investments were accounted for US$ 13.5 billion in 2018 and US$ 9.8 billion in 2019. Thus, owing to the heavy investments, the market is expected to be flourishing in the coming years. Report Highlights The Bioreactor segment held the largest share of the market in 2020, whereas the genome editing technology segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 14.5% in the market during the forecast period. The stem cell segment held the largest share of the market in 2020, whereas the same segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 14.0% in the market during the forecast period. The oncology segment held the largest share of the market in 2020, and the orthopedic segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 14.3% in the market during the forecast period. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market- Key Takeaways 3. Research Methodology 4. Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market- Market Landscape 4.1 Overview 4.2 PEST Analysis 4.3 Expert Opinion 5. Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market - Key Market Dynamics 5.1 Market Drivers 5.1.1 Increasing Investments for Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing 5.1.2 Growing Approvals for Cell Therapies 5.2 Market Restraints 5.2.1 Challenges Associated with Cell Therapy Bioprocessing 5.3 Market Opportunities 5.3.1 Automated Procedures to Produce Cell Therapies 5.4 Future Trends 5.4.1 Digital Biomanufacturing 5.5 Impact Analysis 6. Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market- Global Analysis 6.1 Global Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market Revenue Forecast and Analysis 6.2 Global Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market, By Geography - Forecast and Analysis 6.3 Market Positioning of Key Players 7. Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market Analysis - By Technology 7.1 Overview 7.2 Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market Revenue Share, by Technology (2020 and 2028) 7.3 Bioreactor 7.4 Lyophilization 7.5 Electrospinning 7.6 Controlflow Centrifugation 7.7 Ultrasonic Lysis 7.8 Genome Editing Technology 7.9 Cell Immortalization Technology 7.10 Viral Vector Technology 8. Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market Analysis - By Cell Type 8.1 Overview 8.2 Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market Revenue Share, by Cell Type (2020 and 2028) 8.3 Stem Cell 8.4 Immune Cell 8.5 Human Embryonic Stem Cell 8.6 Pluripotent Stem Cell 8.7 Hematopoietic Stem Cell 9. Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market Analysis - By Indication 9.1 Overview 9.2 Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market Revenue Share, by Indication (2020 and 2028) 9.3 Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) 9.4 Oncology 9.5 Wound Healing 9.6 Orthopedic 10. Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market- By End User 10.1 Overview 10.2 Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market Revenue Share, by End User (2020 and 2028) 10.3 Hospitals and Clinics 10.4 Diagnostic Centres 10.5 Regenerative Medicine Centres 10.6 Academic and Research Institute 11. Cell Therapy Bioprocessing Market - Geographical Analysis Company Profiles Fresenius Kabi AG Asahi Kasei Corporation Sartorius AG MERCK KGaA THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC. Corning Incorporated Cytiva Lonza Repligen Catalent Inc For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e1ig4d 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 This cable tray market report encapsulates not only the industrials industry value chain analysis but also features overall validation techniques employed for deriving the most accurate data insights. Request a Free Sample Report The cable tray market will witness a negative impact during the forecast period owing to the widespread growth of the COVID-19 pandemic. As per Technavio's pandemic-focused market research, market growth is likely to increase in 2021 as compared to 2020. Key Considerations for Market Forecast: Impact of lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, demand destruction, and change in customer behavior Optimistic, probable, and pessimistic scenarios for all markets as the impact of pandemic unfolds Pre- as well as post-COVID-19 market estimates Quarterly impact analysis and updates on market estimates Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports by using Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports on Industrials Include: Global Cable Accessories Market - Global cable accessories market is segmented by application (low voltage, medium voltage, and high voltage) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America). Request a Free Sample Report Global Cable Conduit Systems Market - Global cable conduit systems market is segmented by product (rigid non-metallic, rigid metallic, flexible non-metallic, and flexible metallic), end-user commercial, manufacturing, IT and telecommunication, healthcare, and others), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America). Request a Free Sample Report Major Three Cable Tray Market Participants: ABB Ltd. The company designs and manufactures cable tray systems, such as perforated trays, cable ladders, channel trays, and struts (metal framing) in its manufacturing facilities located in Canada and Saudi Arabia. Atkore International Group Inc. The company offers cable trays under brands such as Cope LADDER Cable Tray System, Cope HAT Cable Tray System, Cope TROF Cable Tray System, Cope CHANNEL Cable Tray System, Cope I-BEAM Cable Tray System, Cope Wire Basket, Cope GLAS Cable Tray System, and Cope Aickinstrut Cable Tray System. Chatsworth Products Inc. The company offers adjustable cable runways for industrial and commercial applications. The company also distributes Pemsa Rejiband Wire Mesh Cable Trays in the US and Canada. Get specific analysis on the criticality of inputs and factors of differentiation in the cable tray market vendor landscape. Request a Free Sample Now! Cable Tray Market 2021-2025: Segmentation Cable tray market is segmented as below: End-user Commercial Industrial Residential Geography APAC North America Europe South America MEA The cable tray market is driven by the increasing adoption of automation and communication technologies. In addition, increased investments in data centers are expected to trigger the cable tray market toward witnessing a CAGR of almost 11% during the forecast period. Buy our market report to gain access to a detailed customer landscape matrix comparing key industry-driven parameters. View Our Sample Report Before Purchasing Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ Newsroom: newsroom.technavio.com/news/cable-traymarket Report: www.technavio.com/report/cable-tray-market-size-industry-analysis SOURCE Technavio FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 8; Released: April 2021 Executive Engagements: 456 Companies: 36 - Players covered include A M King; Americold Logistics LLC; Burris Logistics; Emergent Cold; Hansen Cold Storage Construction; Lineage Logistics Holdings LLC; Nichirei Logistics Group Inc.; Preferred Freezer Services, LLC.; Primus Builders, Inc.; Tippman Group and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Type (Production Stores, Bulk Stores, Ports, Other Types); Application (Food & Beverage, Pharma & Healthcare, Chemicals, Other Applications) Geographies: World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific; Rest of World. Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry ABSTRACT- Global Cold Storage Construction Market to Reach $22.9 Billion by 2026 Cold storage forms and important part of the logistics supply chain. These facilities are designed to keep wide range of food, chemicals and medicine at the right temperature. Cold storage construction has received a major impetus from the COVID-19 crisis that led pharmaceutical companies to come up with novel vaccines requiring storage as well as distribution at ultra-low temperature settings. While cold storage has experienced major uptick in construction activity in the recent months, the trend goes beyond the healthcare demand and attributed to several factors, primary online grocery shopping. The demand for cold storage construction is expected to be driven by rise in demand for online grocery, wider blending of retail and industrial space, rise in food takeaways from restaurants, and rapid expansion of global vaccination efforts. With food companies expanding production in order to meet the increased demand for food products, demand for cold storage facilities is expected to remain robust in near future. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Cold Storage Construction estimated at US$8.5 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$22.9 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 17.2% over the analysis period. Production Stores, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 17.9% CAGR to reach US$14.1 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Bulk Stores segment is readjusted to a revised 16.9% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 26.7% share of the global Cold Storage Construction market. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $2.6 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $5.4 Billion by 2026 The Cold Storage Construction market in the U.S. is estimated at US$2.6 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 26.43% share in the global market. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$5.4 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 20.7% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 14.4% and 16.1% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 15.1% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$6.3 Billion by the end of the analysis period. The US is witnessing pressing need to construct new cold storage facilities for addressing rising demand for COVID-19 vaccine rollouts and food delivery. The requirement is prompting more owners and developers to kick-start new cold storage construction projects in the country, with California being the primary destination for these projects. Ports Segment to Reach $3.4 Billion by 2026 Cold storage facilities located in coastal markets with access to ports and in vicinity of large population centers are in high demand. In the global Ports segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 15.7% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$987 Million in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$2.7 Billion by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$601 Million by the year 2026. More MarketGlass Platform Our MarketGlass Platform is a free full-stack knowledge center that is custom configurable to today`s busy business executive`s intelligence needs! This influencer driven interactive research platform is at the core of our primary research engagements and draws from unique perspectives of participating executives worldwide. Features include - enterprise-wide peer-to-peer collaborations; research program previews relevant to your company; 3.4 million domain expert profiles; competitive company profiles; interactive research modules; bespoke report generation; monitor market trends; competitive brands; create & publish blogs & podcasts using our primary and secondary content; track domain events worldwide; and much more. Client companies will have complete insider access to the project data stacks. Currently in use by 67,000+ domain experts worldwide. Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world`s only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years. CONTACTS: Zak Ali Director, Corporate Communications Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Phone: 1-408-528-9966 www.StrategyR.com Email: [email protected] LINKS Join Our Expert Panel https://www.strategyr.com/Panelist.asp Connect With Us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./ Follow Us on Twitter https://twitter.com/marketbytes Journalists & Media [email protected] SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Related Links http://www.strategyr.com FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 9; Released: January 2021 Executive Engagements: 29153 Companies: 27 - Players covered include Abaca Systems Ltd.; Aicomp Group; Amtech Software Inc.; Arden Software Ltd.; Dexciss Technology Pvt. Ltd.; Electronics for Imaging, Inc.; Epicor Software Corporation; Erpisto Software; Esko-Graphics BV.; Kiwiplan, Inc.; Onesys Ltd.; Sistrade Software Consulting, SA; theurer.com GmbH; Volume Software and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Type (Packaged, Standalone); Deployment (On-Premise, Cloud) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Rest of World. Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry ABSTRACT- Global Corrugated Packaging Software Market to Reach $17.6 Billion by 2026 Corrugated packaging software is an advanced tool that enables automation and management of business operations of companies engaged in manufacturing corrugated cardboard boxes. The software not only helps create product design, but also cut, fold and print corrugated boxes, allowing the company to arrive at accurate pre-sales costing. The packaging software is available as a stand-alone solution or a packaged solution. While the stand-alone solution is designed to only cut, fold and print the corrugated boards, the packaged software is much more productive and cost-effective. The packaged corrugated software solution is often combined with or used as a part of the ERP (enterprise resource planning) software that facilitates planning, cardboard box management, inventory management, and shipping and billing of boxes. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Corrugated Packaging Software estimated at US$8.2 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$17.6 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 13.5% over the analysis period. Packaged, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 14.1% CAGR to reach US$15 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Standalone segment is readjusted to a revised 12.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 27.5% share of the global Corrugated Packaging Software market. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $2 Billion 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $3.7 Billion by 2026 The Corrugated Packaging Software market in the U.S. is estimated at US$2 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 22.53% share in the global market. China, the world second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$3.7 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 15.1% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 11.6% and 11.9% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 13.1% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$4.3 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growing demand for well-planned supply chain management is driving demand for corrugated packaging software. In addition, increased adoption of corrugated packaging by e-commerce vendors is another major factor driving growth. E-commerce dealers usually prefer customized corrugated boxes that have their brand name and logo printed on them. This is another reason for the increasing demand for software tools in small- and large-scale sectors. As e-commerce sales begins to boom supported by the pandemic, there is increasing need for corrugated boxes. Integration of ERP with corrugated packaging software is expected to generate additional opportunities in the market in the future. In addition, strong demand from end-use industries such as food & beverages, personal, care, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods and electronic goods is also expected to contribute towards market growth in the coming years. More MarketGlass Platform Our MarketGlass Platform is a free full-stack knowledge center that is custom configurable to today`s busy business executive`s intelligence needs! This influencer driven interactive research platform is at the core of our primary research engagements and draws from unique perspectives of participating executives worldwide. Features include - enterprise-wide peer-to-peer collaborations; research program previews relevant to your company; 3.4 million domain expert profiles; competitive company profiles; interactive research modules; bespoke report generation; monitor market trends; competitive brands; create & publish blogs & podcasts using our primary and secondary content; track domain events worldwide; and much more. Client companies will have complete insider access to the project data stacks. Currently in use by 67,000+ domain experts worldwide. Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world`s only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years. CONTACTS: Zak Ali Director, Corporate Communications Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Phone: 1-408-528-9966 www.StrategyR.com Email: [email protected] LINKS Join Our Expert Panel https://www.strategyr.com/Panelist.asp Connect With Us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./ Follow Us on Twitter https://twitter.com/marketbytes Journalists & Media [email protected] SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Related Links http://www.strategyr.com DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Frequency Synthesizer Market - Forecasts from 2021 to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The frequency synthesizer market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.34% over the analyzed period to reach a market size of US$1.900 billion in 2026 from US$1.411 billion in 2019. A frequency synthesizer is an electric circuit device that generates a range of frequencies. A single reference frequency is used to generate the range of frequencies. Frequency synthesizers are employed by several modern electric devices such as televisions, radio receivers, smart phones, converter boxes, satellite receivers, and others. A frequency synthesizer uses methods of frequency multiplication, direct digital synthesis, frequency division, phase-locked loops, and frequency fixing to generate frequencies. Stability and accuracy of frequency depend upon the stability and accuracy of the reference frequency. The prime factor boosting the market demand during the forecasted period is the surging demand for smartphones and smart devices owing to technological innovation and increasing disposable income. Smartphones and smart devices have a considerable market share of the frequency synthesizer industry. Based on application, the market for frequency synthesizers is segmented into military and aerospace, telecommunication, and others. the telecommunication sector of the market is anticipated to show robust growth during the forecasted period. The prime reason being skyrocketing consumer electronics sector owing to the surge in disposable income around the globe. It is estimated that more than 4 out of every 10 people is an owner of smartphone. Further, the surge in demand for smart TV and smart watches for a better standard of living significantly supports the market. The military and aerospace segment of the market will dominate the market during the forecasted period owing to increasing expenditure on military and aerospace for better safety and protection. In the military, frequency synthesizers are used to connect to other bases for security and backup provisions. This helps in countering the enemy attack and secure the area. Military expenditures by governments around the world have been increasing with surging cases and threats of terrorist attacks. The aerospace industry uses frequency synthesizers for better communication between the airline and the base airport, facilitating safer takeoff, landing, and journey. Direct and Indirect digital synthesizers are predicted to hold noteworthy market share during the forecasted period. Based on type, the frequency synthesizer market is segmented into direct analog synthesizers, direct digital synthesizers, and indirect digital synthesizers. The direct analog synthesizer will have a noteworthy market share during the forecasted period. However, direct and indirect digital synthesizers will grow at an exponential rate and will dominate the market by the end of the study period. Direct digital synthesizers are more technologically advanced and modern than direct analog synthesizers. Direct digital synthesizers are widely used in local oscillators, single generators, mixers, function generators, modulators, sound synthesizers, and phase-locked loops. The indirect digital synthesizers, on the other hand, are majorly used in communication systems. The booming telecommunication sector has huge market growth potential for indirect digital synthesizers. The complexity of designing frequency synthesizers may constrain the market. A prime obstacle having the potential of limiting the market growth of frequency synthesizers is the complex design of the synthesizer. There are several technical jargons such as the occurrence of frequency error, temperature variation, aging of crystals, estimating the switching time, and others that require utmost accuracy and precision. Failing to do so, the whole frequency synthesizer system will be disturbed, creating problems in networking and communication. Also, the production and installation of these synthesizers require a highly skilled workforce with technical knowledge. Lack of a skilled workforce may constrain the market growth as well. The North American countries are predicted to hold a dominating share of the frequency synthesizer market. The Asia Pacific region is expected to surge at the fastest rate during the forecasted period. Based on geography, the market for frequency synthesizers is segmented into the North American region, the South American region, the European region, the Middle East and African region, and the Asia Pacific region. The analysis report states that the North American region is going to dominate the frequency synthesizers market during the forecasted period owing to the region's state-of-art infrastructure and technological advancement. Further, increasing the government budget for the military will significantly boost the market. in the US, military and defense spending accounts for 15% of federal spending, accounting for the US $732 billion in 2019. Moreover, the US is the world's leading country in terms of expenditure on military and defense. Whereas the Asia Pacific region is predicted to grow at an exponential rate during the studied period, which would be the fastest rate in the world. China and India are the second and third, respectively, most expenditure countries, in terms of the military budget. Further, booming industrialization in the region has promoted an increase in disposable income and expenditure on technologically advanced devices, such as smart devices and smart phones, significantly supporting the market for frequency synthesizers. Furthermore, the region is converting into a manufacturing hub, with all, unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled labor force available in abundance, raising the market considerably. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 1.1. Market Definition 1.2. Market Segmentation 2. Research Methodology 2.1. Research Data 2.2. Assumptions 3. Executive Summary 3.1. Research Highlights 4. Market Dynamics 4.1. Market Drivers 4.2. Market Restraints 4.3. Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.3.2. Bargaining Powers of Buyers 4.3.3. Threat of Substitutes 4.3.4. The threat of New Entrants 4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in Industry 4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis 5. Frequency Synthesizer Market, by Type 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Direct Analog Synthesizer 5.3. Direct Digital Synthesizer 5.4. Indirect Digital Synthesizer 6. Frequency Synthesizer Market, by Application 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Military and Aerospace 6.3. Telecommunication 6.4. Others 7. Frequency Synthesizer Market, by Geography 7.1. Introduction 7.2. North America 7.2.1. North America Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Type 7.2.2. North America Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Application 7.2.3. By Country 7.2.3.1. United States 7.2.3.2. Canada 7.2.3.3. Mexico 7.3. South America 7.3.1. South America Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Type 7.3.2. South America Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Application 7.3.3. By Country 7.3.3.1. Brazil 7.3.3.2. Argentina 7.3.3.3. Others 7.4. Europe 7.4.1. Europe Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Type 7.4.2. Europe Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Application 7.4.3. By Country 7.4.3.1. Germany 7.4.3.2. France 7.4.3.3. United Kingdom 7.4.3.4. Spain 7.4.3.5. Others 7.5. Middle East and Africa 7.5.1. Middle East and Africa Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Type 7.5.2. Middle East and Africa Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Application 7.5.3. By Country 7.5.3.1. Saudi Arabia 7.5.3.2. South Africa 7.5.3.3. Others 7.6. Asia Pacific 7.6.1. Asia Pacific Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Type 7.6.2. Asia Pacific Frequency Synthesizer Market Analysis, By Application 7.6.3. By Country 7.6.3.1. China 7.6.3.2. India 7.6.3.3. South Korea 7.6.3.4. Japan 7.6.3.5. Others 8. Competitive Environment and Analysis 8.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis 8.2. Emerging Players and Market Lucrative 8.3. Mergers, Acquisition, Agreements, and Collaborations 8.4. Vendor Competitiveness Matrix 9. Company Profiles 9.1. Texas Instruments Incorporated 9.2. Analog Devices Inc. 9.3. National Instruments Corporations 9.4. FEI-Elcom Tech Inc. 9.5. Qorvo Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4d85cu Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Generic Drugs Market Research Report: By Type, Application, Route of Administration, Distribution Channel - Global Industry Analysis and Demand Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global generic drugs market size to $786.0 billion by 2030 from $278.4 billion in 2019, at a 10.0% CAGR between 2020 and 2030. Generic drugs are cost-effective, at the same time contain the same active ingredients and have a similar effect as patented drugs. In this regard, the generic drugs market is also being driven by the patent expiry of blockbuster medications. As patented drugs lose their certification, it gives pharmaceutical companies the opportunity to create their cheaper but equally effective variants. During the COVID-19 crisis, the generic drugs market has received a boost, as governments around the world, despite implementing lockdowns and movement restrictions, have ensured that the supply of essential medicines isn't hampered. Moreover, as people have lost their jobs or are working at reduced salaries, they are drastically cutting down on expenses, which is why the preference for cheap generic drugs over the expensive patented ones has risen. In the near future, the highest CAGR in the generic drugs market, of 10.4%, is predicted to be displayed by the oral category, on the basis of route of administration. Being the simplest and a painless method of drug administration, it is widely popular among the masses. The indirect bifurcation generates the higher revenue in the generic drugs market, under the distribution channel segment. Most people prefer to buy drugs from hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies/chemists, which are all increasing in number around the world due to the mounting patient count. Asia-Pacific (APAC) has made the largest revenue contribution to the generic drugs market till now, and it will continue doing so throughout this decade. The growing geriatric population and burden of acute and chronic diseases are driving the demand for medication. Moreover, the majority of the people here still cannot afford expensive medicines, which is why they go for the cost-effective generic drugs. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1. Research Background Chapter 2. Research Methodology Chapter 3. Executive Summary Chapter 4. Introduction 4.1 Market Definition 4.1.1 By Type 4.1.1.1 Simple 4.1.1.2 Super 4.1.1.3 Biosimilars 4.1.2 By Application 4.1.2.1 Neurological diseases 4.1.2.2 Cardiological diseases 4.1.2.3 Metabolic diseases 4.1.2.4 Infectious diseases 4.1.2.5 Orthopedic diseases 4.1.2.6 Respiratory diseases 4.1.2.7 Genitourinary/hormonal diseases 4.1.2.8 Others 4.1.3 By Route of Administration 4.1.3.1 Oral 4.1.3.2 Injection 4.1.3.3 Cutaneous 4.1.3.4 Mucosal 4.1.3.5 Inhalation 4.1.3.6 Others 4.1.4 By Distribution Channel 4.1.4.1 Indirect 4.1.4.2 Direct 4.2 Market Dynamics 4.2.1 Trends 4.2.1.1 Shift in preference toward generic drugs 4.2.1.2 Increasing product launches 4.2.1.3 Rising number of collaborations and partnerships 4.2.1.4 Increasing number of mergers and acquisitions 4.2.2 Drivers 4.2.2.1 Increasing ageing population 4.2.2.2 Patent expiration of blockbuster drugs 4.2.2.3 Growing prevalence of acute and chronic diseases 4.2.2.4 Rising R&D expenditure of biotech and pharma companies 4.2.2.5 Impact analysis of drivers on market forecast 4.2.3 Restraints 4.2.3.1 High marketing of branded drugs overshadows generics 4.2.3.2 Preference of physicians toward branded drugs 4.2.3.3 Impact analysis of restraints on market forecast 4.2.4 Opportunities 4.2.4.1 Supportive regulations for generics 4.3 Impact of COVID-19 4.3.1 Supply Side Analysis 4.3.1.1 Current scenario of major manufactures and exporters of generic products 4.3.1.2 Situation of lockdown and workforce availability 4.3.1.3 Production scenario 4.3.1.4 Situation of major countries supplying generic drugs 4.3.2 Demand Side Analysis 4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis Chapter 5. Global Market Size and Forecast 5.1 By Type 5.2 By Application 5.3 By Route of Administration 5.4 By Distribution Channel 5.5 By Region Chapter 6. North America Market Size and Forecast Chapter 7. Europe Market Size and Forecast Chapter 8. APAC Market Size and Forecast Chapter 9. LATAM Market Size and Forecast Chapter 10. MEA Market Size and Forecast Chapter 11. Competitive Landscape 11.1 Strategic Developments of Key Players 11.1.1 Product Launches and Approvals 11.1.2 Partnerships 11.2 Major Players and Their Offerings Chapter 12. Company Profiles Cipla Ltd. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. Alkem Laboratories Limited Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited Mylan N.V. Lupin Limited Endo International plc Aurobindo Pharma Limited STADA Arzneimittel AG Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc Sawai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Piramal Enterprises Ltd. Mallinckrodt plc plc Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc. Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Perrigo Company plc Alvogen Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Glenmark Life Sciences Limited Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc. MSN Labs CUSTOPHARM INC. Cadila Healthcare Ltd. Pfizer Inc. Sanofi Bausch Health Companies Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gr7oli Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 7; Released: January 2021 Executive Engagements: 493 Companies: 48 - Players covered include 3M; Amniox Medical, Inc.; Asahi Kasei; GE Healthcare; Getinge AB; Hangzhou Cobetter Filtration Equipment; Koch Membrane Systems; Merck KGaA; Microdyn-Nadir; Nipro Corporation; Pall Corporation; Sartorius AG; W. L. Gore & Associates and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Application (Pharmaceutical Filtration, Hemodialysis, Drug Delivery, IV Infusion & Sterile Filtration, Other Applications); Process Technology (Ultrafiltration, Microfiltration, Nanofiltration, Other Process Technologies) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Africa. Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry ABSTRACT- Global Medical Membranes Market to Reach $3.2 Billion by 2026 Medical membranes are created synthetically for use in separation process across laboratories or healthcare industry. The global market is driven by extensive use of medical membrane in various processes, including the pharmaceutical filtration and hemodialysis. Other medical applications that employ these membranes include sample preparation, infusion therapy, sterile filtration, venting and gas filtration, and pre-filtration among others. In aqueous solutions, medical membrane is used to filter out fungi, fine particles, and bacteria, while providing superior flow and filtration at a faster rate. Moreover, since the recent few decades the market for medical membranes is witnessing tremendous growth owing to the widening of application across various industries such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare among others. Across the healthcare industry, medical membranes find extensive use especially for maintaining and producing high quality products. Other advantages of these membranes include high permeability and selectivity. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Medical Membranes estimated at US$2.2 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$3.2 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 6.7% over the analysis period. Ultrafiltration, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 6.9% CAGR to reach US$1.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Microfiltration segment is readjusted to a revised 6% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 24.3% share of the global Medical Membranes market. The U.S. Market is Estimated at $734.2 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $349 Million by 2026 The Medical Membranes market in the U.S. is estimated at US$734.2 Million in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 32.19% share in the global market. China, the world second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$349 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 9% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 4.5% and 5.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 6.6% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$385.5 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in these regional markets is benefiting from extensive of medical membranes due in part to the rise in need for high purity products for meeting the needs of biotechnological advancements, increase in disease prevalence, and growth of healthcare and life science industry. Other emerging applications include the venting and gas filtration, sample preparation and infusion therapy, pre-filtration, and sterile filtration among others. In addition, medical membranes are finding extensive application across the hemodialysis and pharmaceutical filtration process. Growth in number of patients who are suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) needing dialysis is pushing up demand for membranes for blood purification and filtration. As a result, there is an increased demand for products with high purity due to the expansion of healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, while contributing growth of the medical membranes market globally. Nanofiltration Segment to Reach $726 Million by 2026 In the global Nanofiltration segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 7.2% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$370.6 Million in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$604.1 Million by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$70.3 Million by the year 2026, while Latin America will expand at a 9.2% CAGR through the analysis period. More MarketGlass Platform Our MarketGlass Platform is a free full-stack knowledge center that is custom configurable to today`s busy business executive`s intelligence needs! This influencer driven interactive research platform is at the core of our primary research engagements and draws from unique perspectives of participating executives worldwide. Features include - enterprise-wide peer-to-peer collaborations; research program previews relevant to your company; 3.4 million domain expert profiles; competitive company profiles; interactive research modules; bespoke report generation; monitor market trends; competitive brands; create & publish blogs & podcasts using our primary and secondary content; track domain events worldwide; and much more. Client companies will have complete insider access to the project data stacks. Currently in use by 67,000+ domain experts worldwide. Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world`s only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years. CONTACTS: Zak Ali Director, Corporate Communications Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Phone: 1-408-528-9966 www.StrategyR.com Email: [email protected] LINKS Join Our Expert Panel https://www.strategyr.com/Panelist.asp Connect With Us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./ Follow Us on Twitter https://twitter.com/marketbytes Journalists & Media [email protected] SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Related Links http://www.strategyr.com DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Ship Building Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global ship building market as it emerges from the COVID-19 shut down. The global ship building market is expected to grow from $147.98 billion in 2020 to $158.18 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $186.6 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 4.2%. Reasons to Purchase Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 12+ geographies. Understand how the market is being affected by the coronavirus and how it is likely to emerge and grow as the impact of the virus abates. Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis. Identify growth segments for investment. Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market. Understand customers based on the latest market research findings. Benchmark performance against key competitors. Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing. Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis Where is the largest and fastest growing market for the ship building ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The Ship Buildin market global report answers all these questions and many more. The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider ship building market, and compares it with other markets. The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, the impact of the COVID-19 virus and forecasting its recovery. Market segmentations break down market into sub markets. The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the impact and recovery trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets. Competitive landscape gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified. The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers. The ship building market section of the report gives context. It compares the ship building market with other segments of the ship building market by size and growth, historic and forecast. Major players in the ship building market are Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Ship Building & Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, BAE Systems Plc, Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd, Damen Shipyards Group, Fincantieri Spa, General Dynamics Corp, and Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. The ship building market consists of sales of ships and related services by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that operate shipyards. Shipyards are fixed amenities with fabrication and drydocks equipment capable of building a ship, defined as watercraft typically suitable or intended for other than personal or recreational use. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included. The use of 3D printing technology in ship building is a leading trend being observed in the ship building market in recent years. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is gaining popularity in every sector connected to manufacturing and engineering, including ship building. The companies operating in the ship building market are collaborating with other players in the industry to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies including 3D printing to enhance their manufacturing capabilities. For instance, in November 2018, Huntington Ingalls Industries, a US-based ship building company, and 3D Systems collaborated to develop additive manufacturing technologies to facilitate the adoption of metal 3D printing in the ship building industry. The ship building market covered in this report is segmented by product into bulkers; tankers; containers; cruise and ferry; others and by application into passenger transportation; goods transportation. In March 2019, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group and Korea Development Bank (KDB) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Daewoo Ship Building & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd (DSME). The acquisition is a part of their efforts to support the development of the ship building industry and assist in encouraging local employment and economy. KDB has transferred its shares to DSME against its equity stake in a new company named Korea Ship Building & Offshore Engineering (KSOE). KSOE will operate as a sub-holding company HHI and will control all the shipping activities of the group. Daewoo Ship Building & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd (DSME) is a South Korea-based company engaged in manufacturing commercial and naval ships. The increasing seaborne trade is predicted to contribute to the growth of the ship building market. The rising population, surging purchasing power of consumers, and improving standards of living are increasing the demand for consumer goods leading to high production and rapid industrialization. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), international seaborne trade volume increased from 10.7 billion tons in 2017 to 11.0 billion tons in 2018 and is projected to expand at an average annual growth rate of 3.5% during 2019-2024. The manufacturing of eco-friendly and advanced ships is supported by the increasing requirement for efficient and cost-effective transport alternatives for the movement of goods. According to Alliance Experts, transport by sea allows shipping large volumes with lesser cost than that through road, rail, and air transport. This scenario is expected to drive the demand for the ship building market. Stringent environmental regulations are expected to hinder the growth of the ship building market. This is because of the pollution derived from maritime shipping activities that affect air and water quality, and marine and estuarine biodiversity. For instance, the companies dealing in ship building in Finland have to follow all the rules under The Environmental Protection Act, a Finnish law (86/2000) created by the Ministry of Environment. Similarly, in Spain, the ship building companies are required to follow the Act of Air Quality and Protection of the Atmosphere. This scenario is likely to act as a major challenge for the ship building market's growth. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Ship Building Market Characteristics 3. Ship Building Market Trends and Strategies 4. Impact of COVID-19 on Ship Building 5. Ship Building Market Size and Growth 5.1. Global Ship Building Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion 5.1.1. Drivers of the Market 5.1.2. Restraints on the Market 5.2. Global Ship Building Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 5.2.1. Drivers of the Market 5.2.2. Restraints on the Market 6. Ship Building Market Segmentation 7. Ship Building Market Regional and Country Analysis 7.1. Global Ship Building Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 7.2. Global Ship Building Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 8. Asia-Pacific Ship Building Market 9. China Ship Building Market 10. India Ship Building Market 11. Japan Ship Building Market 12. Australia Ship Building Market 13. Indonesia Ship Building Market 14. South Korea Ship Building Market 15. Western Europe Ship Building Market 16. UK Ship Building Market 17. Germany Ship Building Market 18. France Ship Building Market 19. Eastern Europe Ship Building Market 20. Russia Ship Building Market 21. North America Ship Building Market 22. USA Ship Building Market 23. South America Ship Building Market 24. Brazil Ship Building Market 25. Middle East Ship Building Market 26. Africa Ship Building Market 27. Ship Building Market Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles 27.1. Ship Building Market Competitive Landscape 27.2. Ship Building Market Company Profiles 27.2.1. Hyundai Heavy Industries 27.2.1.1. Overview 27.2.1.2. Products and Services 27.2.1.3. Strategy 27.2.1.4. Financial Performance 27.2.2. Daewoo Ship Building & Marine Engineering Co Ltd 27.2.2.1. Overview 27.2.2.2. Products and Services 27.2.2.3. Strategy 27.2.2.4. Financial Performance 27.2.3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 27.2.3.1. Overview 27.2.3.2. Products and Services 27.2.3.3. Strategy 27.2.3.4. Financial Performance 27.2.4. Samsung Heavy Industries 27.2.4.1. Overview 27.2.4.2. Products and Services 27.2.4.3. Strategy 27.2.4.4. Financial Performance 27.2.5. BAE Systems Plc 27.2.5.1. Overview 27.2.5.2. Products and Services 27.2.5.3. Strategy 27.2.5.4. Financial Performance 29. Key Mergers and Acquisitions in the Ship Building Market 29. Ship Building Market Future Outlook and Potential Analysis 30. Appendix 30.1. Abbreviations 30.2. Currencies 30.3. Research Inquiries 30.4. About the Publisher 30.5. Copyright and Disclaimer For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nhcs36 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 With more than 20 years of experience as a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon, Dr. Ross specializes in minimally invasive surgical approaches to treating colon and rectal cancer. Dr. Ross also provides leading-edge surgical care for ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, polyps, and other colorectal conditions. His research interests include the adoption of new technologies, surgical outcomes, surgical education and health disparities. Dr. Ross is broadly published and the editor of four noted textbooks, including Robotic Approaches to Colorectal Surgery & Minimally Invasive Approaches to Colon and Rectal Disease. Before his appointments at Hackensack University Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Dr. Ross served in various roles at Temple University Health System, Meridian Health System, and University of Pennsylvania Health System. Most recently he was Vice Chair, Department of Surgery; Professor and Chief, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery; and Program Director for the General Surgery Residency at Temple University Health System. As Chair of Surgery/Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. Ross will oversee 9 Divisions of Surgery that include Bariatrics; Breast; Colorectal; General Surgery; Pediatrics; Surgical Oncology; Thoracic Surgery; Transplant; and Trauma taking place in 18 regular operating room suites; 4 pediatric OR suites; 2 Hybrid OR suites; 3 plastic & reconstructive surgery OR suites; and 12 suites in our Center for Ambulatory Surgery. Additionally, Dr. Ross will preside over 24 state-of-the-art operating rooms to be housed in the new Helena Theurer Pavilion opening on the campus of Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center in 2022. "We are excited to welcome Dr. Ross in his new leadership role," said Mark Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center. "His expertise and years of experience will be a tremendous asset to Hackensack University Medical Center and the community we serve." Dr. Ross earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, New York. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Connecticut in Hartford, Connecticut, and his colon and rectal surgery residency at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. He completed his surgical oncology research fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York. "The appointment of Dr. Ross is a significant addition to our group of specialists," said Lisa Tank, M.D., chief medical officer, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center. "We are excited about his plans to continue to build and expand all of our surgical programs, especially Transplant, Trauma and Colorectal surgery through new techniques and cutting-edge technology." As Chair of Surgery/Surgeon-in-Chief Dr. Ross will actively guide the surgical education of future physicians, teaching the art and science of surgery to our residents and medical students. "Dr. Ross's reputation precedes him," said Bonita Stanton, M.D., the founding dean of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. "His contributions to our growing School promise to be invaluable." Dr. Ross is a fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. He has served as president of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery and the New Jersey Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. Ross has received numerous honors, including Top Doctor recognitions, Physician of the Year from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and multiple student and resident teaching awards. "I am thrilled to join the team at Hackensack University Medical Center's renowned Department of Surgery, and I look forward to working with each of my colleagues to provide collaborative, high-quality care for our patients," said Dr. Ross. ABOUT HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER Hackensack University Medical Center, a 771-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in New Jersey. Founded in 1888, it was the county's first hospital. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet-recognized hospital for nursing excellence, receiving its sixth consecutive designation in 2019 from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The academic flagship of the Hackensack Meridian Health network, Hackensack University Medical Center provides award-winning care on a campus that is home to facilities such as John Theurer Cancer Center, a consortium member of the NCI-designated Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and recognized as the #1 hospital for cancer care in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report's 2020-21 "Best Hospitals" Honor Roll; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women's and Children's Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women's Hospital, designed in collaboration with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and listed on the Green Guide's list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Recognized as being in the top 1% of hospitals in the nation and #2 in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report's 2020-21 "Best Hospitals" Honor Roll, Hackensack University Medical Center also ranked as high-performing in nine specialties: cancer care, cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, and urology. Hackensack University Medical Center's comprehensive clinical research portfolio includes studies focused on precision medicine, translational medicine, immunotherapy, cell therapy, and vaccine development. The hospital has embarked on the largest healthcare expansion project ever approved by the state: Construction of the Helena Theurer Pavilion, a 530,000-sq.-ft., nine-story building, which began in 2019. A $714.2 million endeavor, the pavilion is one the largest healthcare capital projects in New Jersey and will house 24 state-of-the-art operating rooms with intraoperative MRI capability, 50 ICU beds, and 150 private patient rooms, including a dedicated 50-bed Orthopedic Institute. For additional information, please visit https://www.hackensackumc.org/. ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the first private medical school in New Jersey in more than 50 years, welcomed its first class of students in 2018 to its On3 campus in Nutley and Clifton. Hackensack Meridian Health assumed its independent operation in July 2020. The school's vision is that each person in New Jersey, and in the United States, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, will enjoy the highest levels of wellness in an economically and behaviorally sustainable fashion. The School's unique curriculum focuses on linking the basic science with clinical relevance, through an integrated curriculum in a team-oriented, collaborative environment. The school prides itself on outreach, through programs like the Human Dimension, which is active in communities across New Jersey. SOURCE Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center RICHMOND, Va., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company (NYSE: HBB), announced today that it has entered into an exclusive multiyear trademark licensing agreement with The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX). Under the agreement, Hamilton Beach Brands plans to launch a line of premium air purifiers under the Clorox brand name that will remove 99.97% of allergens and particulates from pollen, dust, smoke and mold as well as household appliances designed to kill viruses and bacteria. This partnership brings together market leaders in cleaning and disinfection and small appliances. Hamilton Beach Brands and Clorox are collaborating in the development of this new line of premium air purifiers, with some scheduled to be launched this year and other products to be added in 2022. The products will complement Clorox's growing portfolio of surface and air disinfecting products as well as Hamilton Beach Brands' line of air purification products. Over time, the companies plan to develop additional appliances for the home health and wellness market. "We are extremely pleased to have Clorox as our partner as we expand our participation in the multibillion-dollar home health and wellness market," said Scott Tidey, senior vice president, consumer sales and marketing, Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. "We are confident that our experience as a leading participant in the large and fast-growing air purifier market, combined with the trusted and well-known Clorox brand name that is synonymous with clean, will be a winning combination for providing consumers with superior product offerings. Our company has deep experience developing and sourcing exceptional products that meet high quality standards and offer the latest in technological advances. We have a long history of innovation and product development based on consumer insights. Our goal is to provide consumers with the best available options for reducing allergens, bacteria and viruses." "This licensing agreement with Hamilton Beach Brands will enhance our growing portfolio of surface and air disinfection products," said Chris Hyder, senior vice president and general manager Cleaning at The Clorox Company. "It is one of many initiatives we're undertaking to develop new growth runways whether through strategic partnerships like this or innovation that meets evolving consumer needs as we build a truly global disinfecting brand." Hamilton Beach Brands will source and market the new line and distribute the products through both online and brick-and-mortar channels. Distribution is planned for the U.S. (including all territories and military bases), Canada and Mexico markets. The initial Clorox air purifiers will have true HEPA filters that are designed to capture 99.97% of allergens and particulates from pollen, dust, smoke and mold as well as reduce viruses and bacteria in the air. Product pricing at retail is expected to range from $89.99 to $229.99. "We are excited to partner with Hamilton Beach Brands to accelerate innovation and create a superior consumer experience in such an important category," said Rory Wehrlie, director, Office of Strategic Alliances, Clorox. "Consistent with our Clorox IGNITE Strategy, we are expanding our portfolio to address evolving consumer needs through strategic partnerships with like-minded companies." According to NPD, which tracks the sale of small appliances, the U.S. market for air purifiers in 2020 more than doubled in size to $942 million from $407 million in 2019. These amounts do not include the sale of replacement filters. The demand surge for air purifiers in 2020 was driven by consumer concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic, the impact of wildfires on air quality, and a stronger and longer allergy season. Consumers are expected to become increasingly concerned with indoor air quality at home and in businesses driving the continued rapid growth of air purifiers to help remove harmful particulates, eliminate odors, and protect against a myriad of diseases. About Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company is a holding company for Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., a leading designer, marketer and distributor of a wide range of branded small electric household and specialty housewares appliances, as well as commercial products for restaurants, fast food chains, bars and hotels. The Company's consumer brands include Hamilton Beach, Proctor Silex, Hamilton Beach Professional, Weston, and BrightlineTM personal care products. Hamilton Beach licenses the brands for Wolf Gourmet countertop appliances, CHI premium garment care products, and Clorox air purifiers. Hamilton Beach markets the Bartesian premium cocktail delivery system through an exclusive multiyear agreement. Commercial brands include Hamilton Beach Commercial and Proctor Silex Commercial. For more information about Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company, visit the Company's website at www.hamiltonbeachbrands.com. The Company's brand websites include www.hamiltonbeach.com, www.proctorsilex.com, www.westonbrands.com, www.brightlineproducts.com, www.wolfgourmet.com, www.chisteam.com, www.bartesian.com, and www.hamiltonbeachcommercial.com. About The Clorox Company The Clorox Company is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with about 8,800 employees worldwide and fiscal year 2020 sales of $6.7 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol cleaners; Liquid-Plumr clog removers; Poett home care products; Fresh Step cat litter; Glad bags and wraps; Kingsford grilling products; Hidden Valley dressings and sauces; Brita water-filtration products; Burt's Bees natural personal care products; and RenewLife, Rainbow Light, Natural Vitality Calm, NeoCell and Stop Aging Now vitamins, minerals and supplements. The company also markets industry-leading products and technologies for professional customers, including those sold under the CloroxPro and Clorox Healthcare brand names. More than 80% of the company's sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. Clorox is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The company has been broadly recognized for its corporate responsibility efforts, listed No. 1 on the 2020 Axios Harris Poll 100 reputation rankings and included on the Barron's 2021 100 Most Sustainable Companies list, 2021 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and the Human Rights Campaign's 2021 Corporate Equality Index, among others. In support of its communities, The Clorox Company and its foundations contributed more than $25 million in combined cash grants, product donations and cause marketing in fiscal year 2020. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com, including the Good Growth blog, and follow the company on Twitter at @CloroxCo. CLX-B SOURCE Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company Related Links https://www.hamiltonbeachbrands.com CHICAGO, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hub International Limited (Hub), a leading global insurance brokerage, announced today that it has acquired Salvatore Insurance Brokers Ltd. (Salvatore Insurance). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Located in Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada, Salvatore Insurance is a family-owned insurance agency providing clients in Atlantic Canada commercial insurance. They specialize in the transportation industry, which supports Hub's Specialty practices by complementing and strengthening its existing capabilities in commercial auto and fleet. Christina Salvatore, President of Salvatore Insurance, and their team will join the Atlantic Region and report to Susan Murphy, President of Hub Ontario. About Hub's M&A Activities Hub International Limited is committed to growing organically and through acquisitions to expand its geographic footprint and strengthen industry and product expertise. For more information on the Hub M&A experience, visit WeAreHub.com. About Hub International Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hub International Limited is a leading full-service global insurance broker providing risk management, insurance, employee benefits, retirement and wealth management products and services. With more than 13,000 employees in offices located throughout North America, Hub's vast network of specialists brings clarity to a changing world with tailored solutions and unrelenting advocacy, so clients are ready for tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.hubinternational.com. CONTACT: Media: Marni Gordon Phone: 312-279-4601 [email protected] M&A: Clark Wormer Phone: 312.279.4848 [email protected] SOURCE Hub International Limited Related Links www.hubinternational.com Mr. Lister has spent his entire career at Huntsman or its predecessors, starting in the polyurethanes division of Imperial Chemical Industries, which Huntsman acquired in 1999. He brings to this new role 25 years of experience and an extensive background in financial planning and operations, business management, and strategic development at both divisional and corporate levels, most recently in his current position as Vice President of Corporate Development. As VP, Corporate Development, Mr. Lister successfully completed a series of acquisitions and dispositions critical to the execution of the Company's key strategic initiatives. These transactions, valued at more than $3.5 billion, have resulted in a significant transformation of the Company's portfolio. "After an extensive review of both internal and external candidates, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Lister," Mr. Huntsman said. "As the head of M&A, Phil has been instrumental in executing the Company's portfolio management strategy. He has completed seven transactions in the past three years, that have allowed us to focus further downstream and on our specialty businesses, reduce our debt, strengthen our balance sheet, and improve our trading multiple. In short, Phil has played and is playing a vital role in the remaking of our business." "As our Company continues to aggressively transform organically and through acquisitions, Phil's 25 years of experience, knowledge and strategic vision will only strengthen our continuous efforts to create further shareholder value," Mr. Huntsman added. Mr. Lister holds a bachelor's degree in Business and German from the University of Birmingham, U.K., and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. About Huntsman: Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals with 2020 revenues of approximately $6 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 70 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 9,000 associates within our four distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com. Social Media: Twitter: www.twitter.com/Huntsman_Corp Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorp LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsman Forward-Looking Statements: Certain information in this release constitutes 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 statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, reorganization or restructuring of Huntsman's operations, including any delay of, or other negative developments affecting the ability to implement cost reductions, timing of proposed transactions, and manufacturing optimization improvements in Huntsman businesses and realize anticipated cost savings, and other financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws. SOURCE Huntsman Corporation Related Links http://www.huntsman.com RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is proud to announce Dr. Edward Juhn as their new Chief Quality Officer. In this role, Dr. Juhn will partner with providers to ensure the health plan's commitment to providing the highest quality of care for the communities they serve. Dr. Edward Juhn, IEHP Chief Quality Officer Dr. Juhn joins IEHP most recently from Blue Shield of California, where he served as Senior Medical Director and worked on initiatives leveraging big data, advanced analytics, and technology-enabled service offerings impacting the quadruple aim and health equity. He also managed accountable care organizations (ACOs) in Northern California and served on the clinical advisory group for the Blue Venture Fund. Dr. Juhn also has experience as a clinical scientist at an Intel-funded startup company and served as Chief of Healthcare Innovation and Strategy at Premier HealthCare, where he was part of the Accountable Care Coalition of Greater New York, focusing on the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. Juhn received his B.A. and M.D. from George Washington University, his executive M.B.A. from New York University, and his M.P.H. from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Juhn is board certified in Internal Medicine, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and was a clinical instructor at Stanford Medicine. He has also served as a member of the Interoperability Standards Priorities Task Force, a subcommittee under the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC). Dr. Juhn is looking forward to joining IEHP, sharing insight from his experiences and contributing to the health plan's mission. "I'm really excited to join the IEHP team and thankful for this great opportunity to work together in serving its members, providers, partners and each other," said Dr. Juhn. "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Dr. Juhn to the IEHP family," said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton. "Dr. Juhn's experience in health care and commitment to service make him a perfect match for our team. We look forward to partnering with Dr. Juhn as we uphold our commitment to providing optimal care and vibrant health in the Inland Empire." About IEHP IEHP, Inland Empire Health Plan, is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans and the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country. With a network of more than 7,300 providers and 2,500 employees, IEHP serves over 1.4 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties who are enrolled in Medicaid or Cal MediConnect Plan (Medicare-Medicaid Plan). Through a dynamic partnership with Providers and community, award-winning service and innovative products, IEHP is fully committed to advocating for our Members and providing them with quality, accessible and wellness-based health care services. For more information, visit www.iehp.org. SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) Related Links http://www.iehp.org NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PR Newswire/-- Juan Monteverde , founder and managing partner at Monteverde & Associates PC, a national securities firm rated Top 50 in the 2018-2020 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report and headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City, is investigating: W. R. Grace & Co. (GRA) relating to its proposed acquisition by Standard Industries Holdings, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, GRA shareholders will receive $70.00 in cash per share they own. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/w-r-grace-co. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. relating to its proposed acquisition by Standard Industries Holdings, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, GRA shareholders will receive in cash per share they own. Pacific Mercantile Bancorp (PMBC) relating to its proposed merger with Banc of California. Under the terms of the agreement, PMBC shareholders will receive 0.50 share of Banc of California per share. Click here for more information: http://monteverdelaw.com/case/pacific-mercantile-bancorp. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. WSFS Financial Corp. (WSFS) relating to its proposed acquisition of Bryn Mawr Bank Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, Bryn Mawr shareholders are expected to receive 0.90 shares of WSFS per share. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/wsfs-financial-corp. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. Mackinac Financial Corp. (MFNC) relating to its proposed merger with Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, MFNC shareholders will receive 0.22 shares of Nicolet and $4.64 per share they own. Click here for more information: http://monteverdelaw.com/case/mackinac-financial-corp. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. Colony Bancorp, Inc. (CBAN) relating to its proposed acquisition by SouthCrest Financial Group. Under the terms of the agreement, SouthCrest shareholders are expected to receive either $10.45 in cash per share, or 0.7318 shares of CBAN per share they own. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/colony-bancorp-inc. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. About Monteverde & Associates PC We are a national class action securities litigation law firm that has recovered millions of dollars and is committed to protecting shareholders from corporate wrongdoing. We were listed in the Top 50 in the 2018-2020I SS Securities Class Action Services Report. Our lawyers have significant experience litigating Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Class Actions. Mr. Monteverde is recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Securities Litigation in 2013, 2017-2019, an award given to less than 2.5% of attorneys in a particular field. He has also been selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2017-2020 Top Rated Lawyer. Our firm's recent successes include changing the law in a significant victory that lowered the standard of liability under Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act in the Ninth Circuit. Thereafter, our firm successfully preserved this victory by obtaining dismissal of a writ of certiorari as improvidently granted at the United States Supreme Court. Emulex Corp. v. Varjabedian, 139 S. Ct. 1407 (2019). Also, in 2019 we recovered or secured six cash common funds for shareholders in mergers & acquisitions class action cases. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and wish to obtain additional information and protect your investments free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan E. Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 971-1341. Contact: Juan E. Monteverde, Esq. MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC The Empire State Building 350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4405 New York, NY 10118 United States of America [email protected] Tel: (212) 971-1341 Attorney Advertising. (C) 2021 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC ( www.monteverdelaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. SOURCE Monteverde & Associates PC Related Links https://www.monteverdelaw.com KIRKLAND, Wash., June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- iObeya, a leading provider of Enterprise Visual Management software, today announced that it is headlining the first Worldwide Obeya Summit, a free virtual event hosted by the Obeya Association, on Friday, June 4, 2021 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am Eastern Time (3pm - 5:30pm CET). Interested participants can attend the event by becoming an Obeya Association member at no cost, which includes lifetime access to the largest network of obeya practitioners in the world; its extensive Lean/Agile obeya document library; and forums and discussions related to obeya use cases and best practices. iObeya headlines the first Worldwide Obeya Summit To register, please visit: obeya-association.com/become-an-associate and use the code "IOBEYA". An Obeya (from Japanese ) meaning "large room" or "war room" is a physical or digital space where strategy meets execution. The Obeya approach builds alignment and ownership across diverse groups of stakeholders to solve complex problems, drive cultural change and get work done. It is not just a facilitation style; it is a way of working, thinking, designing solutions, and fostering innovation. iObeya is a next-generation enterprise visual management solution that enables companies to effortlessly transition from paper to digital and from physical obeyas to digital obeyas without reinventing the wheel. iObeya combines real-time visual collaboration with end-to-end business workflows to support a wide array of enterprise uses: industrial product lifecycle management; manufacturing operational excellence; software design and development; continuous improvement for business performance; and much more. iObeya is ideal for large organizations with distributed teams; those that have complex manufacturing, engineering, R&D, or management workflows; and those that utilize Lean and Agile frameworks. 500,000 users and a growing number of multinational companies depend on iObeya for visual management and visual collaboration including: Airbus, Thales, Volvo, Philips, Cartier, Axa, Eli Lilly and Company, Western Digital, Kimberly-Clark, Danaher, Sanofi, and many more. With iObeya, companies can: Unlock innovation in collaborative virtual workspaces Each iObeya virtual room can support up to 200 users and 40 visually-impactful digital boards. Every board is highly-configurable: users are armed with a wide array of tools to digitally reproduce paper/Post-Its/whiteboard workflows, making it easy and intuitive for every worker across the organization to understand and use. Each iObeya virtual room can support up to 200 users and 40 visually-impactful digital boards. Every board is highly-configurable: users are armed with a wide array of tools to digitally reproduce paper/Post-Its/whiteboard workflows, making it easy and intuitive for every worker across the organization to understand and use. Manage digital workflows with Lean and Agile principles iObeya can be integrated with Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solutions such as Atlassian Jira and Microsoft Azure DevOps to power research, engineering, product development, and business agility as well as Microsoft 365. iObeya supports Lean rituals and Agile ceremonies as well as Kaizen events, Kanban boards, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe ), SQCDP, and more. iObeya's SDK and API support a wide range of data integrations for industry-specific requirements. iObeya can be integrated with Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solutions such as Atlassian Jira and Microsoft Azure DevOps to power research, engineering, product development, and business agility as well as Microsoft 365. iObeya supports rituals and ceremonies as well as Kaizen events, Kanban boards, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe ), SQCDP, and more. iObeya's SDK and API support a wide range of data integrations for industry-specific requirements. Increase transparency and accountability across working groups With iObeya, teams have a single online location for tracking ideas, progress, and results so that projects stay on track and nothing falls through the cracks. With iObeya, teams have a single online location for tracking ideas, progress, and results so that projects stay on track and nothing falls through the cracks. Choose SaaS or on-premise for total data governance iObeya offers enterprises the choice to use its cloud-based SaaS service or easily deploy an on-premise version within customer data centers. iObeya offers enterprises the choice to use its cloud-based SaaS service or easily deploy an on-premise version within customer data centers. Ensure that company intellectual property is secure iObeya is the only visual collaboration software to be awarded the Information Security Management ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification from BSI, the premier international security standards organization. About iObeya Founded in 2011, iObeya is a global leader in Enterprise Visual Management, visual collaboration, and digital whiteboarding software. iObeya empowers distributed business teams to securely collaborate in a virtual environment as though face-to-face while upholding the principles of Lean and Agile methodologies. More than 500,000 workers worldwide use iObeya to collaborate and co-create every day. iObeya is backed by leading VCs including Red River West, Atlantic Bridge, and Capital Partners. To learn more, please visit iobeya.com. Media Contact: Aaron Endre [email protected] Related Images iobeya-worldwide-obeya-summit.jpeg iObeya - Worldwide Obeya Summit iObeya headlines the first Worldwide Obeya Summit SOURCE iObeya FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the real estate market booming in many areas throughout the country, it is more important than ever for real estate agents to be front and center when potential clients begin the hunt for a reputable agent to help them buy or sell a home. In this case study , one real estate business, with the help of their Marketing 360 Success Manager and Content Marketing Strategist, saw the huge impact that SEO, combined with a strategic ad strategy, can have on their business. Utilizing this strategy over the last 6 months, this real estate brokerage saw over 1 million impressions, tens of thousands of clicks, and hundreds of conversions. The strategy? SEO and content marketing were the main focus for this client, and it quickly became their top-performing channel. They were able to increase their organic rankings for relevant keywords by fully optimizing the existing pages of their website and consistently adding valuable content to their website in the form of blogs and new website pages. They also began to create informative videos for their YouTube channel and optimized them with relevant keywords. The second part of their real estate marketing strategy was to utilize retargeting ads. This is an especially effective type of advertising for real estate businesses because, as potential buyers and sellers are looking online for a real estate agent, they're typically still in research mode and not ready to pull the trigger just yet. With retargeting ads, this real estate business was able to stay top of mind by targeting people who had previously visited their website. This multi-channel real estate marketing strategy helped this real estate business see a huge boost. Through many tools and integrated apps, plus the backing of a Marketing Success Manager, Marketing 360 makes it easy for small businesses to manage their business and marketing, all from one place while saving time, money, and tons of manual work. Learn more about Marketing 360 at https://www.marketing360.com/. About Marketing 360 Marketing 360 is a technology company that provides business management and marketing software and services for SMBs and franchises. The Marketing 360 platform gives SMBs everything they need to manage and grow their business from a singular platform, including the ability to build a professional website, accept and manage payments, manage leads and customers, book appointments, monitor reviews, manage social media, syndicate business listings, manage content marketing, run multi-channel digital advertising campaigns, and more. Marketing 360 was founded in 2009 with the mission of enriching communities by helping small businesses grow, and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, with offices in Austin, Texas. Learn more about Marketing 360 at https://www.marketing360.com/. Contact: Farra Lanzer [email protected] 970-541-3284 SOURCE Marketing 360 Related Links https://www.marketing360.com DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Medical Robotics Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2021 to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Medical Robotics Market- Growth, Share, Opportunities and Competitive Analysis, 2021 - 2029 offers strategic insights into the global medical robotics system industry along with the market size and estimates for the duration 2019 to 2029. Medical robotics have been in use in the medical sector for various applications since early 1980s. Nevertheless, due to reliability and safety concerns, the adoption of medical robotics have been relatively slow. With the expanding capabilities and the ongoing trend of automation across different application sector, medical robotics have found widespread application in the healthcare sector, over the period of time. Today, medical robots have been developed for performing various surgical procedures including neurological, orthopedics, minimally invasive surgeries and others. Popular types of medical robots, designed as per the application, include surgical robots, rehabilitation robots, minimally invasive robots, hospital and pharmacy robots and others. The most significant factor fueling the market growth is the overall superior economic and social advantages of medical robotics over traditional human operation. Medical robotics are designed for better precision, faster procedure and safer surgical procedure. In addition, medical robotics are suitable for use in hybrid operating room, one of the rapidly growing technologies in the medical sector. Subsequently, medical robotics market is estimated to register strong growth during the forecast period. Another significant factor fueling the market growth is the encouragement and funding provided by various national governments. Market players are hence, more inclined towards research and development, thereby producing more reliable and safer robotic systems. Report Scope The global medical robotics market is dominated by the surgical robotics systems accounting for more than 55% of the total market revenue generated, worldwide. Surgical robotic systems are used for various surgeries/procedures including neurological, orthopedic and laparoscopic among others. Since the volume of these procedures is high globally, the segment is estimated to retain its dominant position in the market throughout the forecast period. Another major factor fueling the segment growth is the rising adoption of minimally invasive surgical procedures. Nevertheless, the rehabilitation robots segment is projected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. The overall medical robotics market is dominated by the laparoscopy application segment. In 2020, the segment contributed to more than eighty percent of the total revenue generated worldwide. The segment growth is mainly attributed to the rising demand for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. With the further rising penetration of minimally invasive medical procedures, the segment is estimated to retain its dominant position in the market throughout the forecast period. Apart from laparoscopy application segment, the neurological application segment is projected to register the highest growth during the forecast period. The growing prevalence of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, brain tumor, epilepsy and others has led to higher volume of neurological surgical procedures. Consequently, this is estimated to significantly drive the demand for medical robotics specifically for neurological treatment in the coming years. As of 2020, the North America region dominates the global medical roboticsmarket contributing to more than one third of the total market revenue. The growth here is majorly attributed to the wide adoption of robotic systems across various medical applications. Due to rising penetration of hybrid operating rooms coupled with strong government encouragement, the region is estimated to retain its dominant position in the market throughout the forecast period. Asia Pacific is projected to emerge as the fastest growing region for medical robotics in the coming years. Due to growing medical tourism in countries such as India, Thailand, Singapore and others, strong investment can be seen on healthcare IT and other medical devices. As a result, the region is estimated to emerge highly lucrative for medical robotics during the forecast period. Companies Mentioned iRobot Corporation Renishaw Plc. Titan Medical Inc. Medrobotics Corporation Accuray Inc. Varian Medical Systems Intuitive Surgical Inc. OR Productivity Plc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/p7y8sv Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Morse Law Firm recently released their latest episode of Open Mike featuring Ray Gray, a Detroit man who spent 48 years in prison for a murder he claims he didn't commit. Attorney and justice advocate Mike Morse, joined by Detroit journalist and Proving Innocence founder Bill Proctor, sat down with Gray and his wife Barbara Rinehart-Gray to discuss Gray's experiences since being sentenced to life without parole on March 14, 1973. Gray told-all on a wide range of topics including finding love while imprisoned, coping with incarceration through art, readjusting to civilian status, planning for the future, and more. "Ray may be one of the most principled and patient people alive. I don't think anyone could hear him tell his story and disbelieve it," said Morse. "It's very important for stories like Ray's to be heard so people can educate themselves. One reason we do this show [Open Mike] is to give our listeners a bit of skepticism for when they're in the juror box." What distinguishes Gray from many other Open Mike guests who have experienced injustice is the fact that Gray was not exonerated. He agreed to plead no contest to a lesser charge that allowed him to be released from prison for time served. While he has obtained freedom, Gray's plea has disqualified him from receiving compensatory funds from Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act, as he does not meet the requirement of criminal charges being dismissed. "[I was waiting for] the truth to finally come out. And I realize that a lot of mistaken identity cases are helped along the way by people in authority with nefarious intentions" said Gray. "[The law] has nothing to do with guilt or innocence... It's almost like a sport. They want to win and they want to win by any means necessary. And so there were people I feel that know that I didn't commit this crime." Since the launch of Open Mike in November of 2019, the podcast has reached over three million downloads and has been named a top 10 podcast by Deadline Detroit. New episodes of the show are released every Tuesday, and can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all other podcast listening apps. Fans of Open Mike can contact Mike Morse via email at [email protected] or send a text message to 833-TXT-MIKE to provide feedback, ask questions, or become a guest on the show. Morse is also available for interviews or to be a guest on other podcasts. About Mike Morse Law Firm The Mike Morse Law Firm has been protecting the rights of Michigan auto accident and injury victims since its establishment in 1995. They are Michigan's largest personal injury firm, specializing in auto, truck, pedestrian and motorcycle accidents as well as Social Security disability claims. Since opening their doors over 25 years ago, the firm has served over 25,000 clients and won over one billion dollars for them. Mike Morse Law Firm handles cases throughout the state of Michigan. SOURCE MIKE MORSE LAW FIRM Related Links http://www.855mikewins.com BOYDTON, Va., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- It is a privilege for the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) to administer a scholarship program to ensure that the next generation of African-American/Black and Hispanic farmers receive the training and skills that will enable them to thrive in the agricultural industry. "Higher education provides essential tools, knowledge, and resources that will allow these scholars to continue their family farm legacy for future generations" says John Boyd, NBFA President. ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NATSO, representing the nation's truckstops and travel plazas, and SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel Marketers, today announced a strategic alliance on federal legislative priorities and advocacy initiatives that enhances the government relations capabilities for their members. Working with the SIGMA Board of Directors and Legislative Committee, NATSO will manage SIGMA's government affairs program, advocating on issues related to fuels, energy and transportation, among others. NATSO will implement SIGMA's legislative priorities as determined by the SIGMA Board of Directors. The NATSO and SIGMA Boards of Directors each confirmed support for the advocacy agreement. "The NATSO-SIGMA partnership is a powerful strategic alliance," said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. "SIGMA and NATSO have long shared advocacy interests and worked to achieve mutual legislative goals on behalf of our members. Both organizations will greatly benefit from NATSO's strong advocacy program, enhancing our ability to meet the growing needs of members and ultimately driving the future success of truckstops, travel plazas, and fuel marketers nationwide. We are excited to partner with SIGMA so that the entire fuel retailing network will benefit." By leveraging NATSO's government affairs team, NATSO and SIGMA have formed an advocacy powerhouse for the entire transportation fuels sector. This alliance will focus on the near- and long-term business priorities of their memberships and make the industry stronger in its advocacy efforts on behalf of members. "By formalizing this strategic alliance with NATSO, we will enhance SIGMA's ability to deliver exceptional value to our members," said SIGMA Chief Executive Officer Ryan McNutt. "SIGMA is pleased that its advocacy efforts will be seamlessly maintained through this new partnership with a team of legislative professionals with whom we have long worked." The joint announcement between NATSO and SIGMA comes at a key time for the nation's retail fuels sector. Congress is currently negotiating broad infrastructure legislation, and truckstops, travel plazas and fuel retailers continue to invest in alternative fuels. Among the industry's top legislative priorities is ensuring that Congress adopts a policy framework that encourages these investments. NATSO and SIGMA represent approximately 90 percent of retail sales of motor fuel in the United States and represent an established nationwide network of hundreds of thousands of fueling locations. Fuel retailers today are best positioned to provide alternative sources of transportation energy while achieving Congressional objectives of lowering the transportation sector's carbon footprint and increasing consumer adoption of alternative fuel vehicles. About NATSO and SIGMA NATSO is the trade association of America's travel plaza and truckstop industry. Founded in 1960, NATSO represents the industry on legislative and regulatory matters; serves as the official source of information on the diverse travel plaza and truckstop industry; provides education to its members; conducts an annual convention and trade show; and supports efforts to generally improve the business climate in which its members operate. For more information, visit NATSO.com. For questions regarding public policy contact: Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, Vice President, Public Affairs. [email protected]. SIGMA is the national trade association representing the most successful, progressive, and innovative fuel marketers and chain retailers in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1958 as the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA), SIGMA has become a fixture in the motor fuel marketing industry. Representing a diverse membership of approximately 250 independent chain retailers and marketers of motor fuel, the association serves to further the interests of both the branded and unbranded segment of the industry while providing information and services to members. For more information visit SIGMA.org. For questions, contact Amy Rider, Director of Communications, [email protected]. NATSO CONTACT: Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman Phone: (703) 739-8578 SIGMA CONTACT: Amy Rider E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (703) 375-0485 SOURCE NATSO, Inc. Related Links www.natso.com CHICAGO, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Neighborhoods.com, a leading operator of specialized online real estate marketplaces, is pleased to welcome Ted Ellis as chief technology officer, effective immediately. Ellis brings more than 16 years of experience guiding engineering and product organizations, and will be primarily responsible for growing the company's technical vision while ensuring technological resources are being used efficiently, profitably, and securely. Neighborhoods.com Ted Ellis, Neighborhoods.com "Ted is a seasoned leader who is not only proficient in the technical space, but also understands how it connects with every aspect of our businessfrom sales, marketing, customer success and product, to our national network of real estate agents, all the way to our end users," said Bill Ness, CEO of Neighborhoods.com. "We are thrilled to have Ted on the executive team and look forward to the financial and business accomplishments we will achieve with his visionary leadership." Prior to Neighborhoods.com, Ellis was the former CTO of Knock Rentals, where he played an essential role in helping the company secure $10 million in Series A funding. He is also the former CTO of A Place for Mom, and during his tenure was integral in helping the company more than triple its annual revenue. Other notable positions include directing fulfillment and order planning services at Drugstore.com, a division of Walgreens, and leading technical programs for Amazon.com's 3PL platforms, including Target.com, Toys 'R' Us and Apple. Most recently, Ellis consulted startup and midsized companies, and advised on technical architecture, recruitment and product strategy. Neighborhoods.com, which comprises brands 55places.com, neighborhoods.com, and 55places Mortgage helps visitors through the entire homebuying and selling journey. Its core products provide up-to-date home sale listings across the U.S., comprehensive neighborhood descriptions, photos, independent reviews, and access to its program of highly qualified real estate agents. "The addition of Ted will only enhance our multidisciplinary approach to building a unique experience for our real estate consumers, and I'm excited for what's on the horizon," added Ness. About Neighborhoods.com, LLC Neighborhoods.com is a leading operator of specialized online real estate marketplaces. Comprising brands 55places.com , neighborhoods.com , and 55places Mortgage, the company guides visitors through the entire homebuying and selling journey. Its two core real estate websites provide up-to-date home sale listings across the U.S., detailed community descriptions, photos, independent reviews, and access to its network of carefully-selected agentsensuring each prospect is met with the most knowledgeable and credible experts in their designated area. To learn more, visit the brands' websites. Media Contact: Marissa Wright 773.278.5500 [email protected] SOURCE Neighborhoods.com CHICAGO, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently surpassing $14B raised across the platform, Neon One, a leading technology company serving social good organizations, announces Steve Kriter as its new Chief Executive Officer. Kriter has served as the company's Executive Chairman of the Board since July 2020. Steve Kriter succeeds Michael Farb, who served as the Chief Executive Officer for nearly three years. In his time as CEO, Farb led the company through significant organic growth and the successful acquisitions of NeonCRM, Rallybound, Arts People and CiviCore, further expanding its technology ecosystem for nonprofits. In addition, he led the company through the launch of a new brand and a unified product suite, and helped the company reach new milestones of over $14B raised on the platform across 35,000 nonprofit organizations. "I'm extremely proud of the accomplishments of the Neon One team and think it's a great time to bring in new leadership for the next phase of growth. Steve and the amazing leadership team have the right mix of passion, purpose, and experience", said Michael Farb. Farb will continue to assist the organization in an advisory capacity into the future. Kriter is a seasoned executive who brings a track record of success leading companies through high growth phases. Prior to joining Neon One, Kriter was CEO at ACS Technologies, a leading provider of church management software and service solutions, and held senior roles at ADP and Solera for nearly twenty years. His extensive senior leadership experience at maturing technology companies gives him the operational expertise and competencies needed to lead Neon One into the future. "As a mission-driven leader, I'm thrilled to be taking on the role of CEO at this exact point in Neon One's growth," said Kriter. "We have incredible customers, talented employees, an inclusive culture, and a robust suite of products all designed to help nonprofits. I look forward to helping guide the Neon One team with specific strategic shifts and critical investment decisions that will enable us to support more nonprofits to achieve their mission." About Neon One Neon One provides social good organizations with unified tools and services they need to help fulfill their mission. The team works hard to help social good organizations raise more money and build sustainable, long-term growth with software, services, and resources. Their products are designed to manage the full range of nonprofit operational needs, from fundraising and donor management to program operations and financial reconciliation. Learn more about the products, including Neon CRM, Neon CCM, Neon Giving Days, Neon Fundraise, Neon Pay, and more at https://neonone.com . SOURCE Neon One Related Links www.neoncrm.com NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clint G. Rogers, Ph.D., also known as Dr. Clint, is proud to announce the June 5 start date for his next 100-day training course in Ancient Secrets. This will only be the second and perhaps last time the course is offered. Dr. Clint says the first time the course was offered drew more than 250 students in 33 countries. This time, he observes, the course will be enhanced to allow students to access the materials each week at a time convenient for them, with support from a brilliant teaching team. Clint Rogers Clint Rogers Dr. Clint says, "The introductory 14-week course has been designed for aspiring practitioners, practicing doctors, as well as those who simply want to help themselves and those they love. It is for anyone with a burning desire to know the ancient healing secrets." United Kingdom resident healer Theresa A. Kahn took the first class. She says, "I feel completely nourished mentally, physically, and emotionally! I certainly have much more respect and understanding for herbs and spices that most of us already possess in our kitchen, and that I can now confidently use as medicine. I have found this to be priceless. Understanding the combination of foods (i.e. as medicine) has been a real eye-opener too. I have certainly implemented the 6 Keys of Deeper Healing in my life, and work and am thrilled to be able to share what I have learned with friends, family, colleagues, and clients." Lisa Marion, a healing therapist in Canada, says "The group you created has not only inspired deep transformation in me but has been filled with loving, giving participants who truly want to make a difference. All the teachers have given and shared in such a beautiful way to help all of us learn and understand more deeply with care and their own personal touch. In a world filled with so much fear and pain, this is a welcomed and needed manifestation of helping to elevate divine consciousness through creating a group with vision and purpose." Even so, Dr. Clint says the experience isn't a typical training course. "It's not just about information it's about transformation. And sometimes the process of transformation can be challenging, and at other times thrilling. Anyone can learn it, you just have to come with a willing mind, an open heart, and a big desire to be of service on this planet." It's not too late to sign up for the course. Click here to do so. The course also marks the publication anniversary of Dr. Clint's book about Dr. Naram's work, Ancient Secrets of a Master Healer: A Western Skeptic, An Eastern Master, and Life's Greatest Secrets (Wisdom of the World Press) . The book is being translated into 30-plus languages, by volunteers across the world, with an audiobook to be released soon. Dr. Clint spent a decade traveling the world with the legendary Indian master healer Dr. Pankaj Naram. Clint G. Rogers, Ph.D., is a university researcher whose TEDx talk on Dr. Naram has been viewed by millions. Dr. Clint designed and taught with Dr. Naram a university certification course in Berlin, Germany, for doctors. Dr. Clint is the CEO of Wisdom of the World Wellness and a trustee of the Ancient Secrets Foundation. Contact: Dr. Clint G. Rogers, (914) 215-4792; [email protected] www.MyAncientSecrets.com SOURCE Clint Rogers EAST HANOVER, N.J., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis today announced the first published mature overall survival (OS) and updated overall response rate (ORR) data following treatment with Tabrecta (capmatinib) in adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have a mutation that leads to MET exon 14 skipping (METex14)1-3. Data from the ongoing, pivotal, multi-cohort Phase II GEOMETRY mono-1 study will be presented today during the 2021 Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Virtual Scientific Meeting (Poster Discussion Session, Lung CancerNon-Small Cell Metastatic; June 4, 2021, 9:00 AM-10:00 AM CT; abstract 9020). "This new analysis further supports Tabrecta as a cornerstone targeted treatment for METex14 NSCLC patients and highlights the importance of biomarker testing," said Juergen Wolf, MD, from the Center for Integrated Oncology, University Hospital Cologne, and lead investigator of the GEOMETRY study. "The impressive overall survival outcome and confirmed outstanding response in the first-line setting will help oncologists decide upon a therapeutic option for patients." The analysis includes new data from the treatment-naive (1L) expansion cohort 7 and previously-treated (2L+) cohort 6, and mature data from previously-reported cohorts, for a total of 160 patients1,2. "The introduction of Tabrecta a year ago dramatically changed the treatment landscape for patients with METex14 NSCLC. Now we have further evidence that Tabrecta, the market-leading treatment specifically for METex14 NSCLC patients4, has the potential to help people live longer," said Jeff Legos, Senior Vice President, Head of Oncology Drug Development, Novartis Oncology. The results presented today provide additional data on the efficacy of Tabrecta in both treatment-naive and previously-treated patients with METex14 metastatic NSCLC2: Overall response rate (ORR) based on the Blinded Independent Review Committee (BIRC) assessment per RECIST v1.1: 67.9% (95% CI: 47.6, 84.1) and 65.6% (95% CI: 46.8, 81.4) among treatment-naive patients (Cohort 5b ; n= 28 and Cohort 7; n= 32 patients, respectively) ; n= 28 and Cohort 7; n= 32 patients, respectively) 40.6% (95% CI: 28.9, 53.1) and 51.6% (95% CI: 33.1, 69.8) among previously-treated patients (Cohort 4; n= 69 and Cohort 6; n= 31 patients, respectively) Median duration of response (DOR) based on BIRC assessment: 12.6 months (95% Cl: 5.6NE) and NE (95% CI: 5.5-NE) among treatment-naive patients (Cohort 5b ; n= 28 and Cohort 7; n= 32 patients, respectively) ; n= 28 and Cohort 7; n= 32 patients, respectively) 9.7 months (95% Cl: 5.613.0) and 8.4 months (95% Cl: 4.2NE) among previously-treated patients (Cohort 4; n= 69 and Cohort 6; n= 31 patients, respectively) Overall survival (OS): 20.8 months (95% CI: 12.42, NE [not estimated]) among treatment-naive patients (Cohort 5b ; n= 28) ; n= 28) 13.6 months (95% CI: 8.61, 22.24) among previously-treated patients (Cohort 4; n= 69) Median OS for expansion Cohorts 6 & 7 are not reached No new safety signals or unexpected safety findings were observed. Ninety-eight percent of subjects had at least one adverse event (AE) of any grade and 50.9% of subjects had at least one serious adverse event (SAE). Thirteen percent were suspected to be treatment-related. The most common adverse events (>20%, all grades) across all cohorts were peripheral edema, nausea, vomiting, increased blood creatinine, dyspnea, fatigue and decreased appetite. The majority of AEs were grade 3 or 42. Currently, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is less than 20%5, decreasing further when the disease is diagnosed at later stages6. Nearly one in three patients with metastatic NSCLC may have an actionable mutation7,8. METex14 has been reported to occur in 3%-4% of metastatic NSCLC cases9. Many patients with mutations that lead to METex14 are not diagnosed with NSCLC until their disease has progressed to later stages and often have poor prognosis10,11. A separate analysis of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) evaluated cough, delayed time to lung symptom deterioration, and quality of life (QoL) in NSCLC patients with METex14 (abstract 9056)3. Median time to definitive deterioration (TTDD) in global health status (GHS) was 16.6 months (95% CI: 9.7, NE) and 12.4 months (95% CI: 4.2, 19.4) in 1L and 2L+ patients, respectively Median TTDD for cough and chest pain was NE in both 1L and 2L+ patients, and for dyspnea was 19.4 months (95% CI: 12.4, NE) and 22.1 months (95% CI: 9.9, NE), respectively An exploratory post hoc analysis evaluated QLQ-LC13 symptoms (cough, chest pain, and dyspnea) over time for patients achieving a clinical response, as assessed by BIRC, found these symptoms improved at all cycles in patients achieving clinical complete response (CR) or partial response, while symptom worsening was seen in those with no clinical response Additionally, a retrospective analysis of GEOMETRY mono-1 validates the clinical utility of liquid biopsy testing to identify METex14 positive patients for treatment with Tabrecta (Poster Session: Lung CancerNon-Small Cell Metastatic; abstract 9111)12. Visit https://www.hcp.novartis.com/virtual-congress/a-2021/ for the latest information from Novartis, including our commitment to the Oncology community, and access to our ASCO21 Virtual Scientific Program data presentations (for registered participants). About GEOMETRY mono-1 GEOMETRY mono-1 is a Phase II a multi-center, non-randomized, open-label, multi-cohort study in adult patients with EGFR wild-type, ALK-negative rearrangement, metastatic NSCLC harboring mutations that lead to MET exon-14 skipping who received capmatinib tablets 400 mg orally twice daily. Patients were assigned to cohorts on the basis of MET status and previous lines of therapy13. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) based on the Blinded Independent Review Committee (BIRC) assessment per RECIST v1.1. The key secondary endpoint was duration of response (DOR) evaluated by BIRC. About Tabrecta (capmatinib) Tabrecta (capmatinib) is a kinase inhibitor that targets MET. Tabrecta was discovered by Incyte and licensed to Novartis in 2009. Under the Agreement, Incyte granted Novartis worldwide exclusive development and commercialization rights to capmatinib and certain back-up compounds in all indications. In May 2020, Tabrecta was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adult patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have a mutation that leads to METex14 as detected by an FDA-approved test. This indication was approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s). In June 2020, Tabrecta was approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for adult patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have a mutation that leads to METex14 as detected by an FDA-approved test. Tabrecta was also approved in Hong Kong in February 2021 and Switzerland in April 2021. Novartis and Lung Cancer Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for more than 2 million new cases diagnosed each year14. There are two main types of lung cancer small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)15,16. NSCLC accounts for approximately 85% of lung cancer diagnoses, resulting in nearly 2 million new cases each year14,16. More people die of lung cancer every year than any other cancer type14. Treatment options are limited for people with lung cancer who experience cancer growth or progression while on current standard of care treatments17-19. Novartis is committed to developing best-in-class treatments for lung cancer patients around the world. With a focus on both targeted, personalized medicine and the role of newer core immuno-oncology therapies, the lung cancer drug development program at Novartis is among the most robust in the industry. Novartis research activities are informed by our long-term relationships with leading lung cancer thought leaders and patient advocates. With them, Novartis is committed to reimagining the treatment of lung cancer. Indication TABRECTA (capmatinib) tablets is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a kind of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery (metastatic), and whose tumors have an abnormal mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) gene. The effectiveness of TABRECTA in these patients is based on a study that measured 2 types of response to treatment (response rate and duration of response). There is no clinical information available to show if patients treated with TABRECTA live longer or if their symptoms improve. There are ongoing studies to find out how TABRECTA works over a longer period of time. It is not known if TABRECTA is safe and effective in children. Important Safety Information TABRECTA may cause serious side effects, such as lung or breathing problems. TABRECTA may cause inflammation of the lungs during treatment that may lead to death. Patients should be advised to contact their health care provider right away if they develop any new or worsening symptoms, including cough, fever, trouble breathing, or shortness of breath. TABRECTA may cause abnormal blood test results, which may be a sign of liver problems. Patients should be advised that their health care provider will do blood tests to check their liver before starting and during treatment with TABRECTA. Patients should be advised to contact their health care provider right away if they develop any signs and symptoms of liver problems including the skin or the white part of their eyes turning yellow (jaundice), dark or "tea-colored" urine, light-colored stools (bowel movements), confusion, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea and vomiting, pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of the stomach area (abdomen), or weakness or swelling in the stomach area. The skin may be sensitive to the sun (photosensitivity) during treatment with TABRECTA. Patients should be advised to use sunscreen or wear clothes that cover their skin during treatment with TABRECTA to limit direct sunlight exposure. For women of reproductive potential, TABRECTA can harm their unborn baby. They should use an effective method of birth control during treatment with TABRECTA and for 1 week after the last dose. Men who have partners who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with TABRECTA and for 1 week after the last dose. Before taking TABRECTA, patients should tell their health care provider about all their medical conditions, including if they have or have had lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer, have or have had liver problems, or if they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as TABRECTA can harm their unborn babies. Females who are able to become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before they start treatment with TABRECTA and should use effective birth control during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of TABRECTA. Patients should be advised to talk to their health care provider about birth control choices that might be right for them during this time and to tell their health care provider right away if they become pregnant or think they may be pregnant during treatment with TABRECTA. Males who have female partners who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for 1 week after their last dose of TABRECTA. Patients should tell their health care provider about all the medicines they take or start taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The most common side effects of TABRECTA include swollen hands, ankles, or feet (peripheral edema); nausea and/or vomiting; tiredness and/or weakness (fatigue, asthenia); shortness of breath (dyspnea); loss of appetite; changes in bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation); cough; pain in the chest; fever (pyrexia); back pain; and decreased weight. Please see full Prescribing Information for Tabrecta available at https://www.novartis.us/sites/www.novartis.us/files/tabrecta.pdf Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "seek," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Located in East Hanover, NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation an affiliate of Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis employs nearly 16,000 people in the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.novartis.us. Novartis and Novartis US is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews and @NovartisUS at https://twitter.com/NovartisUS. For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library. For questions about the site or required registration, please contact [email protected]. References 1. ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Capmatinib (INC280) in NSCLC Patients With MET Exon 14 Alterations Who Have Received Prior MET Inhibitor. (2016). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02750215. Accessed March 2021. 2. Wolf, J. et.al. Capmatinib in MET exon 14-mutated, advanced NSCLC: updated results from the GEOMETRY mono-1 study. Abstract #9020. 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, June 4-8, Chicago, IL. 3. Wolf, J. et.al. Patient-reported outcomes in capmatinib-treated patients with METex14- mutated advanced NSCLC: Results from the phase II GEOMETRY mono-1 study. Abstract #9056. 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, June 4-8, Chicago, IL. 4. IQVIA. Weekly / Daily Module Views- Rx Weekly (NPA). Accessed April 5, 2021. 5. Siegel R, Miller K, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2020. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020;70(1):7-30. 6. Rami-Porta R, Asamura H, Traves W, et al. Lung cancer major changes in the American Joint Committee on Cancer eight edition cancer staging manual. CA Cancer J Clin. 2017;67:138. 7. Tsang ES, et al. Clinical outcomes after whole-genome sequencing in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud. 2019.5:a002659. 8. Shea M, et. al. Management of advanced non-small cell lung cancers with known mutations or rearrangements: latest evidence and treatment approaches. Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease. 2016;10(2) 113129. 9. Salgia R. MET in lung cancer: biomarker selection based on scientific rationale. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 2017;16(4):555-565. 10. Cappuzzo F, Marchetti A, Rossi E. Increased MET gene copy number negatively affects survival of surgically resected non-small-cell lung cancer patients. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27:1667-1674. 11. Tong JH, Yeung SF, Chan Al. MET amplification and exon 14 splice site mutation define unique molecular subgroups of on-small cell lung carcinoma with poor prognosis. Clin Cancer Res. 2016;22:3048-3056. 12. Heist, RS, et.al. Capmatinib efficacy in patients with NSCLC identified as METex14 using an NGS based liquid biopsy assay: results from the GEOMETRY mono-1 study. Abstract #9111. 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, June 4-8, Chicago, IL. 13. Juergen Wolf, M.D., et al. Capmatinib in METex14-Mutated or MET-Amplified Advanced NSCLC. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020. 14. World Health Organization. Cancer. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer. Accessed on February 9, 2021. 15. Lemjabbar-Alaoui H, Hassan O, Yang UW, et al. Lung cancer: biology and treatment options. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2015. 1856(2):189-210. 16. American Cancer Society. About Lung Cancer. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/about/what-is-non-small-cell-lung-cancer.html. Accessed February 9, 2021. 17. National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines. Non-small cell lung cancer. Version 4. 2021. 18. Sandler A, Gray R, Perry M, et al. Paclitaxel-carboplatin alone or with bevacizumab for non-small cell lung cancer. New Engl J Med. 2006; 355: 2452-2550. 19. Gadgeel S, Rodriguez-Abreu D, Speranza G, et al. Updated analysis from KEYNOTE-189: pembrolizumab or placebo plus pemetrexed and platinum for previously untreated metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2020; 38:1505-1517. *FoundationOneCDx is a registered trademark of Foundation Medicine, Inc. # # # Novartis Media Relations E-mail: [email protected] Julie Masow Jamie Bennett Head, US External Engagement Director, US External Engagement +1 862 579 8456 +1 862 217 3976 [email protected] [email protected] Novartis Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] North America Sloan Simpson +1 862 778 5052 SOURCE Novartis US Related Links https://www.novartis.us DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global IoT Healthcare Market 2020-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global IoT healthcare market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 16.8% during the forecast period. IoT enables the healthcare professional to connect with the patients more proactively. The data collected through IoT devices support the physicians to devices on the best treatment option for the patient. Certain benefits of IoT healthcare include cost reduction, productivity and more efficiency, enhanced customer experience and mobility and agility. The increased adoption of health and fitness due to COVID-19 will be increasing the use of real-time health monitoring increasing the IoT healthcare market. Rise of usage of connected technology devices to manage operational as well as clinical tasks further drives the growth of the market. Large adoption of electronic health records (EHR) has been the major factor driving the market growth. Additionally, rising investments from major healthcare IT companies and increasing healthcare spending acts as some major motivators for the market. Moreover, the rising geriatric population creates demand for remote monitoring and EHR applications. High costs of IoT healthcare along with lack of skilled professionals towards this technology act as major restraints for the market growth. The reason behind the high cost is the requirement of the installation of software, hardware, training fees, networking infrastructure, &IT support. However, ongoing improvements in healthcare expenditure and rising demand for IoT healthcare in developing countries are expected to drive the market growth in developing countries in the upcoming years. The global IoT healthcare market is classified on the basis of components, application and end-user. based on the component market is segmented into hardware and software & services. Based on applications, the market is classified into patient monitoring, telemedicine, connected imaging, and others. On the basis of end-user, the market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, clinical research organization, research laboratories, and others. Among application, the patient monitoring segment is projected to dominate the market growth due to the rise in adoption of home and remote patient monitoring devices coupled with the increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and others. According to the World Health organization in 2020, chronic diseases are estimated to rise by 73% of deaths and 60% of the prevalence of diseases. Government regulations regarding patient monitoring technologies also boost the growth of the segment. For instance, in March 2020, FDA issued a policy to facilitate a great use of patient monitoring systems so that patient need not to visit hospitals that will be reducing the risk of spread of COVID-19 across the globe. Geographically, the global IoT healthcare market is classified into four major regions including North America (the US and Canada), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and Rest of the World (Latin America and the Middle East and Africa (MEA)). Asia Pacific is estimated to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the IoT healthcare market. China, Japan and India are significantly contributing to the growth owing to the factors such as continuous improvement in healthcare sectors and increasing patient pool. The rising importance and growing demand for such healthcare systems supported by high-end medical infrastructure are propelling the growth of the market. Geographically, North America is projected to hold a significant market share in the global IoT healthcare market. Major economies that are anticipated to contribute to the North American IoT healthcare market include the US and Canada. The major factors contributing to the market growth include the presence of major IT companies such as Microsoft Corp., IBM Corp., Oracle Corp., among others coupled with the presence of a developed healthcare IT infrastructure in the region. The growing adoption of the cloud platform is attributed to the faster deployment of new capabilities in the healthcare industry Market Players Outlook The key players of the IoT healthcare market include Koninklijke Philips N.V., Allscripts Healthcare, LLC, General Electric Co., Siemens AG, Cerner Corp., IBM Corp., and others. The market players are considerably contributing to the market growth by the adoption of various strategies including mergers, and acquisitions, collaborations, and new product launch, to stay competitive in the market. For instance, in august 2019, Philips announced that it has completed its acquisition with Carestream Health Inc. With the acquisition the company is aiming to provide better IT healthcare solutions and industry-leading medical imaging. Both the companies together will be delivering improved informatics and flexible solutions to hospitals. The Report Covers Market value data analysis of 2020 and forecast to 2027. Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment. Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions. Key companies operating in the global Hospital Information Systems market. Based on the availability of data, information related to new product launches, and relevant news is also available in the report. Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future. Analysis of market entry and market expansion strategies. Competitive strategies by identifying 'who-stands-where' in the market. Key Topics Covered: 1. Report Summary 2. Market Overview and Insights 3. Competitive Landscape 3.1. Key Company Analysis 3.1.1. Overview 3.1.2. Financial Analysis 3.1.3. SWOT Analysis 3.1.4. Recent Developments 3.2. Key Strategy Analysis 4. Market Determinants 4.1. Motivators 4.2. Restraints 4.3. Opportunities 5. Market Segmentation 5.1. Global IoT Healthcare market by Component 5.1.1. Hardware 5.1.2. Software & Services 5.2. Global IoT Healthcare market by Application 5.2.1. Patient Monitoring 5.2.2. Telemedicine 5.2.3. Connected Imaging 5.2.4. Others (Connected operation & Workflow Management) 5.3. Global IoT Healthcare market by End-Users 5.3.1. Hospitals & Clinics 5.3.2. Clinical Research Organization 5.3.3. Research Laboratories 5.3.4. Others (Government organization) 6. Regional Analysis 6.1. North America 6.1.1. United States 6.1.2. Canada 6.2. Europe 6.2.1. UK 6.2.2. Germany 6.2.3. Italy 6.2.4. Spain 6.2.5. France 6.2.6. Rest of Europe 6.3. Asia-Pacific 6.3.1. China 6.3.2. India 6.3.3. Japan 6.3.4. Rest of Asia-Pacific 6.4. Rest of the World 7. Company Profiles 7.1. Allscripts Healthcare, LLC 7.2. Armis Inc. 7.3. Bosch Healthcare Solutions GmbH 7.4. Cerner Corp. 7.5. Cisco Systems Inc. 7.6. Capsule Technologies, Inc. 7.7. General Electric Co. 7.8. Google LLC 7.9. Honeywell International Inc. 7.10. IBM Corp. 7.11. Koninklijke Philips N.V. 7.12. Medtronic Plc 7.13. Microsoft Corp. 7.14. Oracle Corp. 7.15. SAP SE 7.16. Siemens AG 7.17. ScienceSoft Corp. 7.18. Softweb Solutions Inc. 7.19. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. 7.20. Telit corporate group For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3w8m1l Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Paxful, the leading global peer-to-peer fintech platform, today announced that it will be joining the Founder's Circle, a philanthropic group within the Giving Block. Through the agreement, Paxful commits to donating 1% of its annual profits to charity via the Giving Block. Additionally, Paxful CEO and Co-Founder Ray Youssef will join the Founder's Circle as an individual contributor, donating at least 1% of his average annual Bitcoin holdings. The Built With Bitcoin Foundation in Nigeria in April 2021 The Giving Block offers cryptocurrency donation solutions for charities, including universities and faith-based organizations. Paxful is already a proud donor on the platform and is excited to now take this next step through the Founder's Circle. Paxful will be making the majority of its donations to the Built With Bitcoin Foundation, a humanitarian organization devoted to creating equitable opportunity by providing clean water, access to quality education, sustainable farming, and humanitarian supportall powered by cryptocurrencies. Headed by Yusuf Nessary, the Foundation's aim is to build 100 communities and improve the physical, mental, environmental, and financial health of those in need. Yusuf discovered Bitcoin through Paxful CEO, Ray Youssef, and together they launched the Built With Bitcoin Foundation. Paxful has already made healthy donations to the Built With Bitcoin Foundation this year, helping to build and open a school in Nigeria and a tech center in Rwanda in the spring. Paxful's funds will go towards the company's yearly commitment to the Founder's Circle. Ray Youssef, CEO and co-founder of Paxful, said: "I am incredibly proud for Paxful to join the ranks of the Founder's Circle. Unlocking the power of cryptocurrency in philanthropy could have a huge impact -- shaping how we view digital assets like Bitcoin and bringing more transparency and efficiency into the process. At Paxful, we're committed to building wealth for the people that need it the most, and this underscores our dedication." Founded in 2015 and completely bootstrapped since then, Paxful is headquartered in New York with offices in Estonia, the Philippines and Russia. The team has doubled in size over the last 12 months, growing to over 400 people. About Paxful Paxful is a peer-to-peer finance platform for people to make payments, transactions, and send money by buying and selling cryptocurrencies as a means of exchange. Founded in 2015 by Ray Youssef and Artur Schaback, Paxful's mission is to help everyone have equal access to finance no matter who or where they are. Six million people use Paxful to buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Tether (USDT) with almost 400 different payment methods. Ray Youssef, co-founder and CEO of Paxful, set up the Built with Bitcoin Foundation to provide people with access to education and water. To date, the foundation has built four schools (two in Rwanda, one in Kenya, and one in Nigeria), multiple water projects, and cultivated dozens of farms. It's in the process of building new schools in both Nigeria and Kenya. The Built with Bitcoin Foundation is funded by Paxful and the cryptocurrency community. Media contact: Kristina Bannan, Associate Director, Public Relations, Paxful [email protected] Related Images the-built-with-bitcoin-foundation.jpg The Built With Bitcoin Foundation The Built With Bitcoin Foundation in Nigeria in April 2021 SOURCE Paxful TORONTO, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Predictiv AI Inc. (TSXV: PAI) (OTC: INOTF) (FSE: 71TA) ("Predictiv AI" or the "Company"), www.predictiv.ai, a software and solutions provider in the artificial intelligence markets, is pleased to announce that Predictiv AI and Commersive Solutions Corp. ("Commersive") have entered into a shareholders agreement dated June 3, 2021 for SMRT Labs Inc. ("SMRT"), which is the holding company for ThermalPass. As announced on May 7, 2020, SMRT is owned 51% by Predictiv AI and 49% by Commersive, and each of Predictiv AI and Commersive have agreed to provide SMRT with loans, as required, according to their respective ownership interests in order to advance the development and commercialization of ThermalPass. In connection with formalizing SMRT, Predictiv AI has agreed to the following issuances to Commersive: 1,818,181 common share purchase Warrants (the "Warrants") of the Company, with each Warrant exercisable into a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.3575 per share for a period of 3 years; and per share for a period of 3 years; and 2,272,727 common shares of the Company on the following terms: (i) 1,136,363 common shares shall be issued upon SMRT completing the sale of 80 units of ThermalPass and SMRT receiving payment for such sales; and (ii) the remaining 1,136,364 common shares shall be issued upon SMRT completing the sale of an additional 170 units of ThermalPass (i.e., 250 collective ThermalPass units sold) and SMRT receiving payment for such sales. Predictiv AI is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure, or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 coronavirus) at this time. For more information on Predictiv AI or ThermalPass, visit: www.predictiv.ai and follow Predictive AI on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PredictivAI/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/predictivai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/predictivai/ About Predictiv AI Inc. Predictiv AI Inc. www.predictiv.ai is a technology company which helps businesses and organizations make smarter decisions using advanced artificial intelligence, deep machine learning and data science techniques. Its Weather Telematics Inc. subsidiary uses patented air quality monitoring sensors to provide predictive weather risk information to the insurance, logistics, fleet management and public safety sectors. The Company's R&D division, AI Labs Inc., develops new products that solve real-world business problems. The joint venture with Commersive Solutions Corp. is developing innovative technologies for use in various public spaces, starting with the ThermalPass fever detection system. Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this news release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that involve risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such 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. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially from the conclusion, forecast or projection stated in such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, ThermalPass achieving the commercial results anticipated by the Company, market demand for ThermalPass and other factors referenced in the Company's other continuous disclosure filings, which are available at sedar.com. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE SOURCE Predictiv AI Inc. Related Links https://www.predictiv.ai/ WASHINGTON, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders of the National Press Club and the NPC Journalism Institute said on Thursday that Aleksandr Lukashenko, the ruler of Belarus, must cease his long-running crackdown on free expression. Lukashenko has repressed an opposition movement and media professionals in Belarus since contested elections there last year, and he has all but extinguished an independent and free press, according to human rights groups. On May 23, Lukashenko ordered a fighter jet to force a civilian jetliner that had been flying from Greece to Lithuania to instead land in Belarus so that authorities there could arrest Raman Pratrasevich, a dissident journalist. The police also detained Pratrasevich's girlfriend, Sofia Sapega. Meanwhile, in just the last five days, at least a half dozen other journalists have been sentenced on specious charges or detained in Belarus, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. National Press Club President Lisa Nicole Matthews and NPC Journalism Institute President Angela Greiling Keane issued the following statement: "It is past time for Aleksandr Lukashenko to cease his repression of free expression in Belarus. The pattern of judicial harassment and intimidation of reporters, as well as violence against them, is clear and unacceptable." Pratrasevich fled Belarus in 2019, fearing arrest, and has lived in Lithuania since then. He helped run two channels on the Telegram messaging app, the primary source of information in Belarus, including about protest activities. Pratrasevich is both an activist and a journalist, a blending of categories that does not fit the traditional American media ideal but that many say is inescapable under a dictatorship such as Lukashenko's. "The attempt to silence Pratrasevich is an effort to extinguish the free flow of information and so is antithetical to what journalists worldwide hold dear," Matthews and Greiling Keane said. Pratrasevich has been charged with inciting public disorder, which carries a potential jail term of 12 years, according to the New York Times. His name is also said to be on a government list of terrorists. If he is charged and convicted of that offense, it would carry the death penalty, the Times reported. The day after his detention, a video emerged on Telegram of Pratrasevich acknowledging his offense and saying he was being well-treated. In the video, which his supporters and family said appeared to have been coerced, he has what look like bruises on his head. 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. Contact: John Donnelly, NPC Press Freedom Team Chairman: [email protected] 202-650-6738. SOURCE National Press Club Related Links http://press.org CHICAGO, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ( THE LAW OFFICES OF KAMELI & ASSOCIATES ) - The Law Offices of Kameli & Associates and "My Business Advocate" are coming together to give business in Chicago free legal resources in order to give back to our community. Every Friday in the months of June, July, and August business owners are welcome to sign up for a free legal review of their business documents. The free weekly clinic will be open starting on June 4th - August 27th between 9 am - 2 pm. The clinic is located at 17 N State Street, #1700 Chicago, IL 60602. The legal documents can include: Legal Contracts Mergers and acquisitions Business Restructuring Third-Party Contracts Vendor Contracts Customer Contracts "We strive to help Chicago business and keep them up to date on the newest laws and ensure them that their business will be protected," said Principal Attorney Taher Kameli. "Hundreds of small business owners, who already operate on very narrow margins, are still struggling with legal questions about their businesses and we want to help." About The Law Offices of Kameli & Associates The Law Offices of Kameli & Associates is a corporate law firm based in Chicago, IL. We provide clients with a wide range of services that includes corporate business law and immigration. Our practice areas include contract litigation, breach of contract, dispute resolutions, transactional law, business litigation, security defense, digital currency litigation, tax law, and investment immigration. We are committed to giving our clients quality representation as well as provide cost-effective and pragmatic consultation. Learn more: https://kamelilawgroup.com/ About My Business Advocate My Business Advocate is a medium through which small and medium-sized businesses are referred to a law firm for free and discounted legal services through a selected subscription. By subscribing to My Business Advocate's service plans, businesses no longer need to establish their own legal departments. Learn more: https://mybusinessadvocate.com/ SOURCE The Law Offices of Kameli & Associates Related Links https://kamelilawgroup.com HOBOKEN, N.J., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Carl Mazzanti, President and Co-founder of eMazzanti Technologies, a specialist in cybersecurity, will address the New York State Cyber Security Conference on the topic of Ransomware in the Cloud. His virtual presentation runs from 12:30 1:30 pm, June 8, 2021. Interested parties may register here. Ransomware attacks continue at alarming rates because it's profitable for cyber-criminals. Every business of every size is a target, even in the cloud, but small businesses are least prepared. In his presentation, Mazzanti will discuss the essential facts about ransomware, including: How ransomware attacks happen in the cloud How cyber-criminals continue to get away with it Costs to recover double for companies paying the ransom How to protect your business for a small investment White House Urges Stronger Business Ransomware Defense As first reported on CNN, the White House issued an open letter Thursday to companies calling for greater urgency in preventing ransomware attacks following recent attacks by Russian hackers on key oil and food processing companies. In the letter sent yesterday, the National Security Council's top cyber official, Anne Neuberger, urges business leaders to take ransomware more seriously. "The most important takeaway from the recent spate of ransomware attacks is that companies that view ransomware as a threat to their core business operations rather than a simple risk of data theft will react and recover more effectively," Neuberger said, requesting that companies "immediately convene their leadership teams" to evaluate their exposure. Partner with Ransomware Protection Experts eMazzanti Technologies helps business leaders protect their customer information and business assets from ransomware attack. The company offers cybersecurity solutions featuring multi-layered protection with advanced malware detection and intrusion prevention. Have you read? Ransomware Insurance Coverage Disappearing Replay eMazzanti's Cybersecurity Workshop About Carl Mazzanti Carl Mazzanti is the Co-founder and President of eMazzanti Technologies, Microsoft's 4X Partner of the Year, 9X Inc. 5000 list honoree and the #1 ranked NYC Area MSP. His company specializes in IT security, cloud solutions, outsourced network management, remote monitoring, and support. A frequent business conference speaker and technology talk show guest, Carl has often contributed at Microsoft-focused events. Contact: 1-866-362-9926, [email protected] or http://www.emazzanti.net Twitter: @emazzanti Facebook: Facebook.com/emazzantitechnologies. SOURCE eMazzanti Technologies Related Links https://www.emazzanti.net/ With the theme " Making 5G Global: Accessibility for All", the 5G summit brought together leaders from industry association, research institution, and component vendor and device manufacturer to share their insights on several 5G topics: current global 5G connectivity - the driving forces behind it and the technical aspect to 5G evolution; the unique relationship between 5G and the younger generation; and how to further facilitate 5G accessibility in the future. At the summit, realme reaffirmed its commitment to become a "popularizer of 5G" and shared its latest pledge to advance the adoption of 5G in global markets and bring the technology to more users worldwide. In 2020, realme launched 14 5G devices in 21 markets, accounting for around 40% of all its products. By 2022, the company aims to increase the number of its 5G offerings to over 20, upping the ratio to 70% across 50 markets. realme also plans to take the industry lead in launching a 5G mobile phone at a US$100 price point in the next few years, a move that is set to further accelerate 5G adoption, especially across the rapidly emerging economies. Madhav Sheth, VP and CEO of India and Europe, realme, said at the summit, "Starting with our first 5G model, the realme X50, we have been exploring new design concepts and technical innovations to bring users more slimline and design-rich 5G phones that have a powerful performance. We believe that in the 5G era, helping to accelerate the adoption of this new technology is a crucial mission for realme. We will work hard to help popularize 5G by listening more to consumers' needs, pushing forward product innovation, and helping to build the broader 5G ecosystem with our industry partners." Johnny Chen, Brand Director, realme, added,"realme believes that 5G is for the younger generation - internet natives who are looking for ways to connect and express themselves beyond the physical world. As a brand that's dedicated to young consumers, realme tries to listen carefully to what they expect from 5G technology and get them more involved in the process of creating a better 5G user experience. By empowering the young, we hope they can, in turn, become the forerunners of 5G adoption and help lead more people into the 5G era." In 2021, realme plans to set up more than ten 5G pop-up stores around the world allowing young people tocreate exclusive spaces where they can enjoy 5G experiences through cloud gaming, ultra-clear AR, live broadcasting and other popular 5G applications. Also joining the summit was Kalvin Bahia, Principal Economist, GSMA Intelligence. He commented, "As of May this year, 60 countries around the world had launched 5G - 12 of them are emerging markets and mostly in Asia. While the growth of 5G coverage is encouraging, a survey by GSMA shows that other barriers remain for widespread adoption of the new technology amongst consumers, such as affordability of the devices, lack of digital literacy and skills, and costs of mobile data. But nevertheless, the transition to 5G is inevitable across the world, and 5G is expected to bring USD 600 billion to the global economy over the next decade." Peter Richardson, VP and Research Director, Counterpoint Research agreed that the growth of 5G has been impressive and the rapid reduction in smartphone prices has been one of the main drivers. He noted, "By the end of last year, we saw some highly competitive 5G products offered at affordable prices in China, with realme being the most aggressive with its V3 5G selling at around US$145. realme is helping to popularize the technology across many other countries with a series of compelling products with great specifications at surprisingly affordable prices." Rajen Vagadia, VP and President, Qualcomm India & SAARC said at the summit, "The upgrade to 5G chipsets pushes platform processing performance to remarkable levels, allowing us to maximize the step change improvements we are seeing in today's smartphone components and hardware. Just as important, we are delivering 5G to all tiers, ensuring it is accessible to broad segments across developed and emerging markets alike." To support the global adoption of 5G products, realme will establish seven R&D centers around the world in 2021, dedicated to exploring innovative 5G technologies and products. At present, 90% of realme's R&D resources have been converted to 5G technology and products. In the next two years, realme will invest US$300 million globally in 5G technology research and product development, as well as in promoting global 5G popularization. About realme realme is a global emerging consumer technology company disrupting the smartphone and AIoT market by making cutting-edge technologies more accessible. It provides a range of smartphones and lifestyle technology devices with premium specs, quality, and trend-setting designs to young consumers at affordable prices. Established by Sky Li in 2018 and driven by its "Dare to Leap" spirit, realme is the world's 7th largest smartphone company and has become one of the top 5 smartphone players in 15 markets globally in just two years. As of Q1, 2021, realme has entered 61 markets worldwide, including China and in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, Russia, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa and has a global user base of over 70 million. For more information, please visit www.realme.com . For more information, please contact Michael Su PR Manager [email protected] SOURCE realme CLEARWATER, Fla., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AmeriLife Group, LLC ("AmeriLife"), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing annuity, life, and health insurance solutions, has announced an important addition to its leadership team with Rhonda Fenner joining the organization as senior vice president, Operations Transformation. Rhonda Fenner In her new role, Fenner will collaborate with AmeriLife's TPA and Agent Services functions to identify and implement core process improvements and enhance the points where people, processes and technologies intersect. She will also put into action improvements in areas of critical importance: agent onboarding and service experiences. "Rhonda is a highly capable and qualified leader who understands the importance of delivering operational excellence to support our network," said Tim Calvert, chief operating officer at AmeriLife. "I'm eager for Rhonda's expertise as we work to transform our processes and supporting technology in order to increase the ease of doing business with AmeriLife." During Fenner's nearly 30 years working in the financial industry, she has built and maintained a broad portfolio of products and delivered strategic leadership for agent-facing operations. In addition, she has led new business and underwriting operations, call centers, and transaction suitability across the life, health, annuity, settlement-option, and mutual-fund lines of businesses. Fenner also has extensive experience in leading end-to-end operations process transformation, strategic decision-making, multi-system conversion projects, and the design and deployment of concierge services for top-producing agents. Prior to joining AmeriLife, Fenner was senior vice president, Financial Operations and Human Resources at CURevl, a credit union service organization. She previously held operations leadership roles with Thrivent Financial and TIAA. "Whenever a company undergoes rapid growth, existing processes often need to evolve to meet the changing needs of the business, and I'm thrilled to join AmeriLife as it continues its growth strategies," said Fenner. "I'm committed to helping make AmeriLife's operations as easy, efficient and enjoyable for everyone." Fenner earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management and Finance from Southwest Minnesota State University. She also holds Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 64 and 99 licenses and is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. About AmeriLife AmeriLife's strength is its mission: to offer insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. By putting its mission into practice, AmeriLife has become recognized as a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees. For 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with the nation's leading insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a national distribution network of over 200,000 insurance agents and advisors, 40 marketing organizations, and nearly 60 insurance agency locations. Visit www.AmeriLife.com and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn for more information. SOURCE AmeriLife ST. LOUIS, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Saint Louis University has successfully wrapped up its 2020-2021 academic year one that brought unprecedented challenges due to a global pandemic without having to suspend its commitment to mostly in-person classes, entirely in-person labs and on-campus living. "Every member of our Saint Louis University community should be proud of all we have accomplished this past year, much of which many thought impossible a year ago," said University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. "The pandemic tested us, and we pulled together and rose to the challenges as One SLU." Pestello continued: "I have heard from many students and parents about how well SLU communicated with them and how positive it was to them that we kept our campus open and taught primarily in person." But why was SLU able to keep its campus open at a time when other colleges across the country were being forced to shelter in place, suspend in-person classes or move completely online? Among many other factors, University officials point to a decision early in the crisis to engage SLU's experts and solicit them to lead the University's response to COVID-19, including three uniquely qualified faculty members: Terri Rebmann , Ph.D., R.N., CIC, FAPIC , professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, and director of SLU's Institute for Biosecurity, served as a special assistant to the president with overarching authority on all matters related to COVID-19. Rebmann has been at the center of the University's integrated COVID-prevention team. , professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, and director of SLU's Institute for Biosecurity, served as a special assistant to the president with overarching authority on all matters related to COVID-19. Rebmann has been at the center of the University's integrated COVID-prevention team. Rachel Charney , M.D. , professor of pediatric emergency medicine and director of disaster preparedness for SLU's School of Medicine and SLUCare, directed the University's contact tracing program. The team's quick work prevented extensive community spread as approximately 40 percent of quarantined students ultimately tested positive for COVID. , professor of pediatric emergency medicine and director of disaster preparedness for SLU's School of Medicine and SLUCare, directed the University's contact tracing program. The team's quick work prevented extensive community spread as approximately 40 percent of quarantined students ultimately tested positive for COVID. Deborah Horton , R.N., M.S.N., M.P.H., PHNA-BC, assistant professor of nursing and expert on disaster preparedness in schools, directed SLU's weekly asymptomatic testing program, which conducted more than 22,000 COVID-19 tests. She also has overseen the University's state-authorized vaccine clinics, which have vaccinated more than 13,300 people to date. The three experts agree SLU was well positioned to succeed in the fight against COVID-19 as a Jesuit research university with medical, nursing, physician assistant, and public health schools and programs, as well as its own physician practice. "We have expertise at Saint Louis University that is just not available at other universities," said Rebmann, who also coordinated weekly meetings of area college officials and local health department leaders. "And we worked together as a team to address what we needed," added Charney, who helped organize similar sessions among the region's health systems. "We used our own strengths to support each other, which I think was awesome." And one of those strengths was the commitment of students to do their part. Beyond complying with SLU's stringent public health safeguards, students contributed in many other ways. Chief among them: Students from SLU's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing conducted weekly asymptomatic tests and staffed on-campus vaccination clinics. of Nursing conducted weekly asymptomatic tests and staffed on-campus vaccination clinics. Physician assistant students from SLU's Doisy College of Health Sciences also administered vaccinations. of Health Sciences also administered vaccinations. Graduate students in the University's College for Public Health and Social Justice served as the primary members of SLU's contact tracing team. Students from all majors conducted audits for compliance with campus safeguards and provided peer education as part of a Public Health Ambassadors program unique to SLU. Students volunteered to deliver meals to their fellow Billikens in isolation and quarantine housing, while Campus Ministry interns made them care packages. "There were many students throughout the University who helped provide whatever support we needed," said Horton, who also helped organized vaccine clinics for parishioners from area churches and local refugees, among others. By the Numbers Approximately 70-80% of classes at SLU this year were fully or primarily in-person. at SLU this year were fully or primarily in-person. More than 3,500 students of SLU's 12,000-person student body lived on campus. SLU reduced its housing occupancy by about 10% in a plan approved by city health officials. on campus. SLU reduced its housing occupancy by about 10% in a plan approved by city health officials. There were zero documented cases of disease transmission in classrooms, lab spaces or other educational settings on campus. of disease transmission in classrooms, lab spaces or other educational settings on campus. SLU stored more than 40,000 doses of vaccine on campus for the Missouri National Guard to support their mass vaccination efforts in the region. on campus for the Missouri National Guard to support their mass vaccination efforts in the region. Communication has been a priority during the pandemic, and University leaders have sent more than 150 updates to the SLU community since the crisis began last year. Planning for Fall 2021 With broad vaccine availability, SLU is planning for as normal a fall semester as possible, operating largely face to face, with full classrooms and labs, as well as in-person events and near-capacity campus housing. Working groups of faculty, staff and students have been tasked with developing recommendations for a variety of key decisions, including a possible vaccine requirement for University community members and "return-to-work" protocols. As recommendations are made and accepted, University officials say they expect to update the SLU community with additional information periodically throughout this summer. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Saint Louis University Related Links www.slu.edu Vivid, bright shades are the fastest growing hair color category at Sally Beauty. During January- March 2021, Sally Beauty's US and Canada vivid hair color grew by approximately 53%, with vivid hair color representing approximately 27% of total color sales. "Interest in vivid hair color was already rising, but the pandemic brought a heightened sense of self-expression with our consumer - they were emboldened to try something new," said Sally Beauty Holding Group Vice President, Marketing, Carolyne Guss. "As the country opens up, we want to encourage consumers and DIY enthusiasts to continue this journey of self-expression through hair color. Hair color is not just about covering grays, it is also a tool for creativity." A category that was once considered niche, has become mainstream. To bring the transformative power of color to life, Sally Beauty partnered with Heather Chelan for its latest campaign, "YOU by Sally." Heather, a Seattle-born and London-based TikTok creator and musician, has always loved to express herself through her appearance and music. The pandemic drove her to look at her content in a new way by bringing forth short "PSA" style videos. This past March, Heather posted a video that went viral and garnered over 7.9M views on TikTok. In the 15-second clip, she sang about how " Having Colored Hair Doesn't Make You Unprofessional. " The simple yet direct video had a thought-provoking refrain: that bold hair colors have no impact on peoples' professional abilities. "I've been turned down for many jobs based on my hair color, but self-expression shouldn't come with boundaries," said Heather Chelan. Heather's mantra spoke to Sally Beauty's core values and inspired the retailer to take immediate action by collaborating to develop a full version of the song titled, " Colored Hair ;" which serves as an anthem and rally cry for Sally Beauty's new campaign " YOU by Sally " starring Heather herself. In addition to the 30 second spot, a full length version was also created. Alongside Heather, the "YOU by Sally" campaign features a diverse and unexpected cast of influencers who help bring the message to life. Partners include popular "granfluencer" Baddie Winkle who has over 3.5M Instagram followers, professional dancer Marquese "NonStop" Scott, Non-Profit Founder & LGBTQ+ advocate Brian Terada, musician Grace Kelly, American Ninja Warrior contestant, Sally Crew member, and mom Charity Grace, Registered Pediatric Nurse Glecy Baquirin, and to round out the cast, Sally Beauty CEO Christian Brickman, a long-standing supporter of self-expression at both the corporate and store associate level. "Having colored hair is commonplace here at Sally Beauty, but we know that not every workplace is as expressive. When we re-shared Heather's original video, it was eye-opening to see how many folks within our community have felt judged for being themselves," said Sally Beauty Holdings CEO, Christian Brickman. "It was a no-brainer to partner up with Heather, and work together to make self-expression 'the norm.' I enjoyed the discussions my new hair color sparked with employees and even strangers. Similarly, we hope the video becomes a catalyst for more conversation." The team brought in esteemed Director Dewey Nicks and COMPany Films production to work in partnership with its creative communications and public relations agency, Praytell. Dewey's work in commercials, documentary and feature films have cemented his legacy as one of the most prominent American visual storytellers. "With Heather's hit song as the inspiration, we went boldly and happily into a bright polychromatic shoot fest to show that colored hair makes everyone's world a little bit better," Dewey adds. Sally Beauty believes this message of empowerment will resonate, and is launching the campaign on June 4 across video streaming platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Pinterest. The full version of "Colored Hair" will also be released on Sally Beauty's Spotify playlist . In addition, Sally Beauty is partnering with TikTok to feature a special cut of "Colored Hair" on the digital platform. "With our assortment, DIY education initiatives, and now this new, bold campaign - simply put, we are THE hair color destination," says Sally Beauty Holdings CEO, Christian Brickman, definitively. Standing apart from its competition, Sally Beauty is a one-stop-shop for all at-home hair color needs, with over 1200 salon-quality shade options. Customers can choose from over 250 vibrant, bright shades and over 950 gray coverage shades in-store and online. Today, Sally Beauty further reinforces this with the launch of its new campaign, " YOU by Sally. " About Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SBH), as the leader in professional hair color, sells and distributes professional beauty supplies globally through its Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group businesses. The Company operates approximately 5,000 stores, including 142 franchised locations. Sally Beauty Supply stores offer up to 8,000 products for hair color, hair care, skin care, and nails through proprietary brands such as Ion, Generic Value Products, Beyond the Zone and Silk Elements as well as professional lines such as Wella, Clairol, OPI, Conair and Hot Shot Tools. Beauty Systems Group stores, branded as CosmoProf or Armstrong McCall stores, along with its outside sales consultants, sell up to 10,500 professionally branded products including Paul Mitchell, Wella, Matrix, Schwarzkopf, Kenra, Goldwell, Joico and CHI, intended for use in salons and for resale by salons to retail consumers. For more information about Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., please visit https://www.sallybeautyholdings.com/. SOURCE Sally Beauty Supply Related Links https://www.sallybeautyholdings.com INDIANAPOLIS, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanctuary Wealth, home to the next generation of elite advisors, welcomes Matt Tucker, who is launching his own business in partnership with Bowersock Capital Partners in Lawrence, Kansas. Tucker, who spent his entire 25+ year career with UBS, brings $200 million in assets to the team and will be opening an office in Overland Park, the second largest city in the Kansas City metropolitan area. "Sanctuary Wealth is committed to helping elite advisors achieve their vision of partnered independence," said Jim Dickson, CEO and Founder of Sanctuary Wealth. "Whether launching a new firm or joining an existing practice, as this alliance between Matt Tucker and Emily Hill demonstrates, we have a number of options for advisors who want to join our network. Sanctuary advisors are totally independent, but they're never completely alone." "In the independent space, I have much more control over how I spend my time and that translates into more time spent with clients. Before making my move, I evaluated multiple organizations and Sanctuary stood out from the rest in every category," said Matt Tucker, Partner, Wealth Advisor and Senior Portfolio Manager, Bowersock Capital Partners. "As part of my due diligence, I reached out to Emily Hill to get her perspective on partnered independence with Sanctuary. We quickly discovered that our motivations were very similar, as were our aspirations for the business and for our clients." "Matt has a great reputation in our area and in our conversations, it became evident that we share similar philosophies and that our respective skill sets, and experience are quite complementary," explained Emily Bowersock Hill, CFP, Founder Bowersock Capital Partners. "It just made a lot of practical and business sense for Matt to become a partner in our firm rather than trying to replicate what we already have in place on his own." Matt Tucker has worked in the financial planning and investment management industry for more than 25 years with UBS Financial Services Inc. and its predecessor, PaineWebber, where he rose to the position of Senior Vice President Wealth Management. He earned the following UBS designations: Senior Portfolio Manager, Wealth Advisor and Retirement Plan Consultant, and has served as the financial planning specialist for the clients of his team. Matt earned the respected Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 2000 and was named to the Forbes/SHOOK Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list in 2019, 2020, and 2021. He attended the University of Kansas, where he earned a BS degree in Business Administration and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Joining Matt in his move to Sanctuary is Stephanie Tegtmeier, who will serve as Senior Client Operations Specialist. The two had worked together at UBS early in their respective careers before Stephanie left to spend 13 years with Morgan Stanley. "Taking his practice independent and joining Bowersock Capital Partners is an ideal solution for an advisor like Matt Tucker, who has the entrepreneurial spirit but doesn't think going it alone as a sole practitioner would be the best solution for his clients," said Vince Fertitta, President, Wealth Management, Sanctuary Wealth. "The Sanctuary network now spreads across 20 states and continues to expand rapidly. We're positioned to help outstanding advisors, regardless of their current situation, become business owners rather than employees in whatever way works best for them." About Sanctuary Wealth Sanctuary Wealth (sanctuarywealth.com/) is the advanced platform for the next generation of elite advisors, who have the entrepreneurial spirit to build and own their own practices and desire the freedom to deliver the tailored service their clients deserve. Sanctuary's ecosystem of partnered independence provides a complete technology and operations platform, as well as support from a community of like-minded advisors and the resources of invaluable affiliated businesses. Currently, the Sanctuary Wealth network includes 52 partner firms across 20 states with over $16.0 billion in assets under advisement. The Sanctuary Wealth Group includes the fully owned subsidiaries Sanctuary Advisors, a registered investment adviser, and the broker-dealer Sanctuary Securities, as well as Sanctuary Alternative Solutions, Sanctuary Insurance Solutions, Sanctuary Global, and Sanctuary Global Tax and Family Office. CONTACT: Michaela Morales JConnelly 973 224 7152 [email protected] SOURCE Sanctuary Wealth Related Links http://sanctuarywealth.com In addition to the 130 acres planted to date, future phases of current projects will soon allow Sea & Shoreline to plant an additional 60 acres or 300,000 plants. These submerged aquatic plants provide critical ecosystem services such as food and habitat for a wide variety of fish and animals, water clarity enhancement for anglers and tourism, sediment stabilization to protect coastlines from storms, oxygen production for sea life, and carbon and nutrient sequestration, all of which can transform algae-dominated aquatic ecosystems into ones that are healthy and thriving. The company's dedicated efforts to create thriving aquatic environments are timely and critical as federal officials have declared an unusual mortality event for Florida's manatee population. More than 700 manatees have died in Florida so far this year, more than double the average. An immediate need for seagrass/SAV replenishment, their primary food source, will save sea life according to state veterinarians* and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. ** "We're excited to part of the solution that enhances Florida's water quality and provides a sustainable food source for our manatees," said Sea & Shoreline CEO Jeff Huenink. In addition to enhancing environmental ecosystems with seagrass/SAV and educating communities and governments on how it saves sea life, Sea & Shoreline's services remedy many factors that corrupt aquatic environments. Since its inception in 2014, Sea & Shoreline has completed over 150 projects including oyster and coral reef restorations; berm and bank stabilizations; and dredging to remove muck and pollutants, allowing sunlight to reach seagrass and other underwater plants so they may flourish. The company is starting two new restoration projects this week in Florida. One in Lake Istokpoga and another in St. Andrews Bay, both of which were awarded to Sea & Shoreline by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Other recent restoration projects include (with multiple additional contracted projects in the works to be announced soon): Kings Bay Restoration ( Crystal River, FL ) ) Homosassa River Restoration Project ( Homosassa, FL ) ) Banana River/Indian River Lagoon Restoration ( Umatilla, FL ) ) Tucker Cove /Indian River Lagoon Restoration ( Fort Pierce, FL ) /Indian River Lagoon Restoration ( ) Caloosahatchee River Valued Ecosystem Component Restoration ( Lake Worth, FL ) ) Lake Walk in Water Restoration ( Lake Wales, FL ) ) Brevard Zoo Restoration ( Melbourne, FL ) ) Moore's Creek Restoration ( Fort Pierce, FL ) ) Florida Power & Light Turkey Point Cooling Canal System Restoration ( Homestead, FL ) & Light Turkey Point Cooling Canal System Restoration ( ) Lake Trafford Restoration ( Immokalee, FL ) For more information about Sea & Shoreline, its "Seagrass Saves Sea Life" campaign, and how communities and corporations can take part in this global initiative, please visit seaandshoreline.com or follow the company on social media LinkedIn I Facebook I Instagram I YouTube * "Some Florida manatees still struggle with starvation after peak die-off. Seagrass loss is to blame, a state veterinarian says, and it's not easy for surviving manatees to recover." Source: Tampa Bay Times, May 19, 2021 ** "Preliminary information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shows a reduced food supply is contributing to the high death count. Manatees eat seagrass. One of their homes is the Indian River Lagoon, where 46,000 acres of seagrass have been lost since 2009. The FWC says environmental conditions in the lagoon remain a concern." Source: WusfNews.com, May 30, 2021 Contact: Heather Herold [email protected] (321) 626-6760 SOURCE Sea & Shoreline, LLC Related Links http://www.seaandshoreline.com/ Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, President of Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia, noted that the Forum is committed to deepening understanding of universal health and international cooperation to contribute to building a health community for all mankind. Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of BFA, noted at the Forum that the international community has reached a consensus to fight against the pandemic. While focusing on economic development, the world must also pay attention to the development of human health, which is a crucial to achieve global sustainable goals. The Forum is expected to become a platform to encourage innovation, communication and cooperation, providing effective solutions in response to the pandemic and promoting human health development. The Forum gathered leaders and professionals from 30 government, international organizations and institutions such as the World Health Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women and OECD, as well as 400 top healthcare experts and scholars in China. Representatives included Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Health; Hon. Christopher Fearne, Malta's Minister for Health; Kwon Deok-chul South Korea's Minister of Health and Welfare; Dr. Ildiko Horvath, Hungary's State Secretary for Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia's Minister of Health, Dr. Francisco T. Duque III, The Philippines' Health Secretary and Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, Malaysia's Health Minister. Dialogues focused on key issues to improve the global public health governance system and strengthen international cooperation against the pandemic. Discussions covered a wide range of topics including scientific and technological innovation, security, climate change, integrated medical care and poverty alleviation. The Forum discovered health feasibility in all policies and global cooperation against global public health emergencies in its two general meetings, also encouraging discussions on healthcare development under the impact of the pandemic and the cooperation mechanism triggered by vaccine distribution demand. Topics discussed at sub-forums included public health and emergency medicine, as well as accessibility and affordability of COVID-19 vaccine research and development. Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia and President of China Society for Finance and Banking, believes the Forum is important in supporting global solidarity in fighting against the pandemic and promoting sustainable economic recovery. "People all around the world are facing threats to their life and health as the pandemic repeatedly affects the globe. It also brought challenges to economy," Zhou said. "The BFA can actively play its role at the Global Health Forum to provide solutions that tackle public health issues." About Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia, initiated in 2018 to build a comprehensive platform with high representativeness and authoritativeness in the health field for high-end dialogues and practical cooperation that integrates governments, businesses and higher education institutions based on its features and advantages. Committed to pooling wisdom of the entire industry and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, it focuses on the frontiers and cross-border integration trends of the big health industry. For more information, please visit: http://www.ghfbfa.cn SOURCE Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Signature Aviation US Holdings, Inc. (the "Offeror"), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Signature Aviation plc ("Signature" or the "Company") announces the expiration and final results of its previously announced offer to purchase and consent solicitation (the "Tender Offer") with respect to its 4.000% Senior Notes due 2028 (the "Notes") pursuant to the offer to purchase and consent solicitation statement dated April 8, 2021 (the "Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement"). Defined terms used but not defined in this announcement have the meanings set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement or the Standalone Consent Solicitation Statement (as defined below), as applicable. As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 4, 2021, the Expiration Date with respect to the Tender Offer, the Offeror has been advised by Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the tender agent and information agent for the Tender Offer, that Notes were validly tendered and not withdrawn, and consents were validly delivered and not revoked pursuant to the Tender Offer, with respect to $536,212,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, representing approximately 82.49% of the outstanding Notes. The conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement have been satisfied or waived and the Offeror has accepted all Notes that were validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to the Expiration Date. The Offeror will make a cash payment equal to (i) the Total Consideration to each registered holder of the Notes that validly tendered (and did not withdraw) its Notes and validly delivered (and did not revoke) consents on or prior to the Early Tender Date, which was at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 21, 2021, pursuant to the Tender Offer and (ii) the Tender Consideration to each registered holder of the Notes that validly tendered (and did not withdraw) its Notes and validly delivered (and did not revoke) consents after the Early Tender Date and prior to the Expiration Date, pursuant to the Tender Offer. The Total Consideration and the Tender Consideration, as applicable, will be paid to such Holders on or around June 7, 2021, the Settlement Date with respect to the Tender Offer. As previously announced on April 21, 2021, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 21, 2021, the Consent Date with respect to the separate consent solicitation (the "Standalone Consent Solicitation") relating to the Notes pursuant to the standalone consent solicitation statement dated April 8, 2021 (the "Standalone Consent Solicitation Statement"), the Offeror has been advised by Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the information and tabulation agent for the Standalone Consent Solicitation, that consents were validly delivered and not revoked with respect to $102,017,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, representing approximately 15.69% of the outstanding Notes (and, together with the consents received pursuant to the Tender Offer, approximately 98.19% of the outstanding Notes), pursuant to the Standalone Consent Solicitation. The conditions set forth in the Standalone Consent Solicitation Statement have been satisfied or waived and the Offeror will make a cash payment equal to the Consent Fee to each registered holder of the Notes that validly delivered (and did not revoke) consents on or prior to the Consent Date. The Consent Fee will be paid to such Holders on or around June 7, 2021. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell any securities or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities. The Tender Offer was made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement. The Tender Offer is not being made to Holders in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the securities laws or blue sky laws require the Tender Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offer was deemed to be made on behalf of the Offeror by one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. RBC Capital Markets, LLC is acting as dealer manager and solicitation agent for the Tender Offer and as solicitation agent for the Standalone Consent Solicitation. Global Bondholder Services Corporation is acting as the tender agent and information agent for the Tender Offer and as the information and tabulation agent for the Standalone Consent Solicitation. Requests for documentation may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (212) 430-3774 (for brokers and banks) or (866) 807-2200 (for all others). Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to RBC Capital Markets, LLC at (212) 618-7843 or Toll Free: (877) 381-2099. About Signature Aviation plc Signature is a leading global fixed-base operator ("FBO") network for business and general aviation ("B&GA") travelers and provides premium, full-service flight support, including fuel and non-fuel services, ground handling and technical support for passengers, crew and aircraft. Signature serves customers at more than 360 FBO locations covering key markets in North America, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. Following the sale of Ontic on October 31, 2019 and with the ongoing process to sell its engine repair and overhaul business, the Board of Directors of Signature elected to rename the group from BBA Aviation plc to Signature Aviation plc to better align it with its most significant brand in its core market. Complementary to the core Signature Flight Support FBO business, Signature also comprises EPIC and TECHNICAir. EPIC provides fuel and fuel related services at FBOs across North America including fuel purchasing cards and transaction processing. TECHNICAir provides aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul with locations throughout the United States and Europe, specialising in small to mid-size, turbine-powered business aircraft. Signature is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales and is registered under company number 53688. Signature's registered office is located at 105 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 1QY, England. The Offeror is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Signature and is the issuer of the Notes. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable federal securities laws. The forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning the Tender Offer, the Standalone Consent Solicitation and the Acquisition. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of the Offeror, Signature and Bidco about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The Offeror, Signature and Bidco expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. You should also read "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement and the Consent Solicitation Statement. SOURCE Signature Aviation plc Download FREE Sample Report! The report on the software as a service (SaaS) market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the augmenting use of mobile apps and the rising adoption of the cloud among SMEs. The software as a service (SaaS) market analysis includes deployment and geography. This study identifies the rising need for API connections as one of the prime reasons driving the software as a service (SaaS) market growth during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The software as a service (SaaS) market covers the following areas: Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Sizing Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Forecast Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Analysis Companies Mentioned Accenture Plc Adobe Inc. Alphabet Inc. Amazon.com Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corp. Oracle Corp. Salesforce.com Inc. SAP SE Customers are also Looking For: SaaS Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The SaaS customer relationship management (CRM) market has the potential to grow by USD 44.17 billion during 2021-2025, according to Technavio. Download Free PDF Sample SaaS-based Business Analytics Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024: The SaaS-based business analytics market size is expected to grow by USD 7.42 billion and record a CAGR of 13.11% during 2020-2024. Download Free PDF Sample Key Topics Covered: 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 Deployment Market segments Comparison by Deployment Public cloud - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Private cloud - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Hybrid cloud - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Deployment Customer landscape Overview Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 APAC - 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 Vendor Landscape Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Accenture Plc Adobe Inc. Alphabet Inc. Amazon.com Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corp. Oracle Corp. Salesforce.com Inc. SAP SE Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/software-as-a-service-saas-market-size-industry-analysis SOURCE Technavio Related Links http://www.technavio.com DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Substation Automation Market with COVID-19 impact analysis by Offering (Hardware, Software, Services), Type (Transmission, Distribution), Installation Type, End-use Industry, Component, Communication, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global substation automation market size is estimated to be USD 39.9 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 54.2 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. The market has a promising growth potential due to several factors, including the surging requirement to retrofit conventional substations, increasing investments in smart cities and smart grid infrastructure development projects, and increasing focus on upgrading IEC 61850 standard to resolve interoperability issue among intelligent electronic devices deployed in substations. COVID-19 sent both demand-side and supply-side shocks across the global economy. Leading substation automation product and solution providers, such as Cisco (US) and Schneider Electric (France), have incurred significant losses owing to the pandemic. Both companies have reported a decline of approximately 15% and 13%, respectively, in their 2020 half-year revenue compared to the previous year. The impact of COVID-19 may last until June 2021. The situation is almost similar in both emerging and developed economies. As of January 2021, the US and India became the worst COVID-hit countries. Several renewable energy projects in the above-mentioned regions were delayed because of the reduction in power demand from various end-user industries. With the decrease in power demand, it is estimated that there would be negligible investments from the utilities for building new power plants. Services: The fastest growing offering segment of the substation automation market. The high growth potential of the market can be attributed to the rapid increase in the number of projects pertaining to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. For instance, Sun Tech Power Holdings (China), a producer of solar modules, plans to invest more in solar energy projects to meet the growing demand for energy with the rapid urbanization in China. Several power-generating companies in China, such as State Grid Corporation of China, China Three Gorges Corporation, and State Power Investment Corporation, are working on 25 wind turbine contracts worth nearly USD 586 billion to generate power. In September 2018, Siemens Energy received an order to design, supply, and build the grid connection for the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm by Germany-based Innogy SE. In February 2020, Hitachi ABB Power Grids' substation won a contract by Enel Green Power to deliver emission-free solar power to Brazil's 500 kilovolts (kV) transmission network. These projects would bring great prospects for installation, commissioning, and maintenance services. Utilities: The largest segment of substation automation market, by end-user industry. The utilities industry is one of the booming application areas of substation automation solutions owing to the high demand for modernization of existing grid infrastructure and installation of smart grids. Growing number of utilities have implemented Internet Protocol (IP) wireless communication technology in substations that enhance the operating efficiency of the substation automation system by providing data related to the current status or condition of equipment, fault classification statistics, and information useful for preventive maintenance of the equipment. Government bodies, in coordination with privately owned utility companies, are setting up smart substations in several countries to meet the power demand from consumers, as well as for the security of the power supply. For example, Hitachi ABB Power Grids is supporting Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MSETCL) by utilizing ABB Ability-enabled technology in smart substations owned by MSETCL. This technology will be a crucial component of next-generation grids in the country. North America is leading the substation automation market, globally, by market share, in 2020 Based on region, North America dominated the substation automation market in 2020. The commanding position of North America can be contributed to several funding programs introduced by the US and Canadian governments for the modernization of power grids. North American governments are also providing funds to deploy modern technologies in the energy & power sector, which would help the region transit to smarter, stronger, and efficient electric grid systems. Aging grid infrastructure, coupled with stringent government policies regarding the adoption of sustainable power technologies, contributes to the growth of the substation automation market in North America. Several grid modernization projects have been undertaken in the region in the past few years. For instance, in September 2019, Schneider Electric was awarded a contract by BASF (Germany), the largest chemical company in the world, to implement EcoStruxure Asset Advisor in its new electrical substation in Beaumont, Texas. EcoStruxure Asset Advisor evaluates live data from the user's critical connected assets and applies advanced analytics to identify potential threats. Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Attractive Growth Opportunities in Substation Automation Market 4.2 Substation Automation Market, by End-User Industry 4.3 Substation Automation Market, by Installation Type 4.4 Substation Automation Market, by Utilities Industry 4.5 Substation Automation Market, by Offering and Region 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Market Dynamics 5.2.1 Drivers 5.2.1.1 Increasing Investments in Smart Cities and Smart Grid Infrastructure Development Projects 5.2.1.2 Escalating Demand for Data Centers to Support Rapidly Expanding Digital Activities Due to COVID-19-Led Lockdown Globally 5.2.1.3 Surging Requirement to Retrofit Conventional Substations 5.2.1.4 Rising Use of Digital Technology to Improve Grid Efficiency in Smart Cities 5.2.1.5 Increasing Focus on Upgrading Iec 61850 Standard to Resolve Interoperability Issue Among Intelligent Electronic Devices Deployed in Substations 5.2.2 Restraints 5.2.2.1 High Initial Installation Cost of IEDs in Substations 5.2.2.2 Huge Requirement for Tremendous Capital Investment for Deployment of Wireless Sensor Networks in Substations for Oil and Gas Facilities 5.2.3 Opportunities 5.2.3.1 Huge Prospects for Substation Automation Market Due to Increasing Investments in Renewable Energy Projects to Meet Growing Energy Demand 5.2.3.2 Increasing Demand for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles 5.2.4 Challenges 5.2.4.1 Vulnerability of Smart Substations to Cyber Attacks 5.2.4.2 Slowdown in Power Generation Industry with Outbreak of COVID-19 5.3 Price Trend Analysis 5.4 Regulatory Update 5.5 Value Chain Analysis 5.6 Ecosystem Analysis 5.7 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5.8 Technology Analysis 5.9 Patent Analysis 5.10 Trade Analysis 5.11 Case Study Analysis 6 Components of Substation Automation System 7 Substation Automation Market, by Offering 8 Substation Automation Market, by Type 9 Substation Automation Market, by Installation Type 10 Communication Technologies Used in Substation Automation Systems 11 Substation Automation Market, by End-User Industr 12 Substation Automation Market, by Region 13 Competitive Landscape 14 Company Profiles 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Key Players 14.2.1 Hitachi Abb Power Grids 14.2.2 Siemens Energy 14.2.3 General Electric 14.2.4 Cisco 14.2.5 Schneider Electric 14.2.6 Eaton Corporation 14.2.7 Honeywell 14.2.8 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories 14.2.9 Novatech Automation 14.2.10 CG Power and Industrial Solutions 14.3 Other Important Players 14.3.1 Itron 14.3.2 Igrid T&D 14.3.3 Cadillac Automation and Controls 14.3.4 Tekvel 14.3.5 Trilliant 14.3.6 Encore Networks 14.3.7 Cross Canyon Engineering 14.3.8 Power System Engineering 14.3.9 Venson Electric 14.3.10 Sae-It Systems 14.3.11 Arteche 14.3.12 Sisco 14.3.13 MB Control and Systems 14.3.14 Teslatech 14.3.15 Selta 15 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bvzmxp Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com "I am thrilled to welcome Sandeep to the Tanger Board and look forward to working closely with him as we envision the future of Tanger Outlets," said Stephen Yalof, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Mr. Mathrani will further strengthen the talent represented on our Board." Since joining WeWork in February of 2020, Mr. Mathrani has executed a strategic turnaround of the company, leading to global recognition of WeWork as the top flexible real estate solution for tenants and landlords. Prior to WeWork, Mr. Mathrani served as the Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield Properties' retail group and Vice Chairman of Brookfield Properties from 2018 to 2019. Mr. Mathrani also served as CEO of GGP Inc. for eight years, during which he recapitalized the company from bankruptcy in 2010 and led eight successful years of growth prior to the successful $9.25 billion acquisition of GGP by Brookfield Property Partners in 2018. Prior to GGP, he served as the President of Retail at Vornado Realty Trust from 2002 to 2010 and was responsible for all retail real estate activities in the United States and India. Prior to Vornado, he served as an Executive Vice President at Forest City Ratner Companies, LLC from 1994 to 2002 and was responsible for its retail development and related leasing in the New York City metropolitan area. "Sandeep's impressive record of success is a clear indication of the dynamic value he will bring to Tanger Outlets. We are delighted to welcome him to our Board," said Steven Tanger, Executive Chair. Mr. Mathrani also currently serves on the Board of Directors for DICK'S Sporting Goods. He is a former Chair and current Executive Board member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, as well as a former Trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers. "Tanger Outlets has a long-standing reputation as a leader in the public real estate market," said Mr. Mathrani. "I am excited to be joining the company at a time when growth and development are at the forefront of its mission." For more information about Tanger Outlets, please visit www.tangeroutlets.com. About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. is a leading operator of upscale open-air outlet centers that owns, or has an ownership interest in, a portfolio of 36 centers. Tanger's operating properties are located in 20 states and in Canada, totaling approximately 13.6 million square feet, leased to over 2,500 stores operated by more than 500 different brand name companies. The Company has more than 40 years of experience in the outlet industry and is a publicly traded REIT. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit the Company's website at www.tangeroutlets.com. Media Contact: Alexandra Hasenauer KWT Global [email protected] SOURCE Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. Related Links www.tangeroutlet.com DALLAS, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas Fifth District Court of Appeals has affirmed a 2018 personal-injury verdict of more than $200 million against Toyota Motor Corp. on behalf of a Dallas family whose two young children suffered severe, permanent brain damage due to product defects in the family's Toyota-manufactured Lexus. The appellate opinion found that evidence and arguments presented to jurors were sufficient to support the gross negligence verdict against Toyota. The court also found no fault with the jury's actual and punitive damages awards. In September 2016, Benjamin and Kristi Reavis were traveling south on North Central Expressway in Dallas with their 3-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter secured in child safety seats in the sedan's back seat. Their car was stopped in traffic when it was rear-ended at 45 to 48 miles per hour. During that rear-end collision, the Lexus's front seats yielded/bent backwards (as they were designed by Toyota to do), the Reavis parents moved up (ramped up) over the tops of their front seats, slipped out of their seatbelts (which failed to keep them in their seats), and launched headfirst into the back. The Reavis parents made violent head-to-head contact with their small children strapped in car seats. "The Reavis family is gratified by the Fifth Court of Appeals' validation of the actions of the jury and the trial judge," said trial lawyer Frank Branson, founder of The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson. "This case was a needless tragedy for a special family, and we appreciate the Court's clear understanding of the issues, the evidence, the arguments, and the verdict. The court's opinion was well-reasoned and well-written." The Branson team included trial lawyer Debbie Dudley Branson, Chip Brooker and Eric Stahl. The Branson firm retained a Vinson & Elkins appellate group that included Marie Yeates, Harry Reasoner and Michael Heidler for the appeal. The case is Benjamin Thomas Reavis et al. v Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. et al., Cause No. DC-16-15296, in the 134th Judicial District in Dallas County. The opinion notes that Toyota failed to perform crash tests for such collisions even though collisions of that type are reported more than 77,000 times a year. That decision "is evidence of conscious indifference to a known extreme degree of risk of potential harm to others," the ruling states. The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson maintains a reputation for courtroom excellence based on significant verdicts and settlements for clients in high-stakes personal injury litigation. Visit http://www.flbranson.com to learn more. Media Contact : Robert Tharp 800-559-4534 [email protected] SOURCE Law Offices of Frank L. Branson Related Links http://www.flbranson.com SEABROOK, Texas, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Property Relief provides financial relief to homeowners who desire to sell their homes and require immediate solutions. The company does not follow the traditional purchase-sale of properties. Texas Property Relief is prepared to offer cash for houses in Houston. Unlike other real estate agencies, this solution specialist company does not charge commissions, allowing the clients to put more money into their pockets. However, to offer cash for houses in Houston, the company has qualifications the property has to meet. Foreclosure, unwanted rental property, vacant property, or if the client is facing tough situations like a divorce or little-none equity, Texas Property Relief can help. The process of selling a house in Houston is promised to be fast and straightforward, no matter the property's condition. A potential client has to contact the home buyers in Houston and provide as much information as possible to start the process. Then an appointment will be scheduled to evaluate the property and give a fair offer. The company will then research the details of the property. Once done, the client will receive within 24 hours a no-obligation cash offer with no fees charged. If homeowners accept, the home buyers promise up to seven days to close the deal, considering it can be done the same day the offer is accepted. Efficiency is one of their selling points, and they are committed to standing by it. Upon settling the sale, Texas Property Relief is responsible for paying the closing costs and repairs. No inspection and financing contingency is guaranteed. Benefits, however, do not seem to end there as the client also sets the time frame. If a homeowner is still looking for a place to move, the company is full of patience and offers to wait until the person is ready. Anyone interested in selling a house in Houston that wants to learn more about the company can visit their website at https://www.texaspropertyrelief.com/. Visit the office at 2410 Cutter Ct, Seabrook, Texas. Contact Name: Ryan Garnett Email: [email protected] SOURCE Texas Property Relief LLC Collaborate on the Planning & Launch of a Moroccan Portuguese Startup Competition; Promote opportunities for developing innovation ecosystems in both countries; Hold delegation trips and introductory meetings with ecosystem stakeholders in both countries; Exchange information and know-how on the evolution of the Startup markets in both countries; Collaborate on the development and launch of respective Ecosystems platforms. Speaking on this occasion, Mohammed Drissi Melyani, General Director, ADD, said: "This initiative will provide the much-needed support for not just Moroccan and Portuguese startups, but startups from around the world. The pandemic has hit economies worldwide, and we are witnessing the increasing importance of digital transformation and the role startups can play to accelerate economic growth. By connecting our two ecosystems, ADD and GrowIN Portugal are providing a unique opportunity for innovative startups willing to expand internationally and empower the digital economy in both Morocco and Portugal." For his part, Anas El Arras, Chief Executive Officer, GrowIN Portugal, stated: "Plenty of Portuguese startups need to expand to new markets to sustain their growth now more than ever before. Therefore, we are delighted to be collaborating with ADD on enabling startups from both countries. Morocco and Portugal have plenty of similarities and attractive innovation ecosystems with funding support, highly skilled human resources, cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and plenty of growth opportunities. Moreover, Portugal could be the entry point for Moroccan startups to the EU Markets, and Morocco would allow Portuguese startups to expand into Africa. By joining hands with the ADD and building a bridge between both ecosystems, we can accelerate startups' growth and share valuable know-how." Both parties have all the necessary conditions to cooperate on this initiative as they have identified the need for a fast-track internationalization process and consolidate their partnership to develop both of their startups ecosystems. The agreement's signing follows an ADD delegation to Lisbon in November 2019 and two visits from GrowIN Portugal to Rabat in January 2021. About the Moroccan Digital Development Agency The Digital Development Agency (ADD) is the Moroccan strategic public entity responsible for implementing the Kingdom's strategy for digital development and promoting digital tools and their use among citizens. Several cross-functional missions are assigned to the Digital Development Agency, in its capacity as an institutional actor, which aim to structure the digital ecosystem and bring about the emergence of real operators in the digital economy. It is also about contributing to the promotion of digital administration by bringing together users (citizens and businesses), as well as putting in place a normative framework for digital products and services. Its assignment is also, to reduce the digital divide, to support the revolution of Industry 4.0, to lead change in society through training and awareness. It is in charge, among other things, of encouraging research and development, encouraging social and entrepreneurial innovation and ensuring responsible and sustainable digital inclusion. Also, the Digital Development Agency adopts a participatory approach with all stakeholders (public and private sector, civil society) and ensures coordination and consultation around the multiple challenges of digital transformation and its impact on the global environment (administration, companies, citizens). For more information on the ADD, visit www.add.gov.ma ; ADD media team can be reached on [email protected] About GrowIN Portugal GrowIN Portugal is an innovative consultancy platform that helps facilitate and open up business opportunities between Portugal and non-EU Countries through a dual approach to build and nurture collaboration bridges in a way that benefits both Portuguese and non-Portuguese innovation potential. GrowIN Portugal enables global startups to expand, manage, finance and grow their operations in Portugal. GrowIN Portugal also supports Portuguese startups and SMEs in developing new markets abroad. GrowIN Portugal is also an accredited Incubator, Accelerator, and Company as a Service Platform that leverages the use of new technologies to structure and shape the local tech and innovation ecosystem. For more information visit https://www.growinportugal.com/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526518/GrowIN_Portugal.jpg SOURCE GrowIN Portugal; The Moroccan Digital Development Agency CANTON, Ohio, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TimkenSteel Corp. (NYSE: TMST), a leader in customized alloy steel products and services, today announced it will increase base pricing on all special bar quality (SBQ) products by $50 per ton. This increase is applicable to orders not already covered by pricing agreements and is effective for shipments beginning July 5, 2021. All surcharge mechanisms remain in effect. ABOUT TIMKENSTEEL CORPORATION TimkenSteel (NYSE: TMST) manufactures high-performance carbon and alloy steel products in Canton, OH serving demanding applications in automotive, energy and a variety of industrial end markets. The company is a premier U.S. producer of alloy steel bars (up to 16 inches in diameter), seamless mechanical tubing and precision components. In the business of making high-quality steel primarily from recycled materials for more than 100 years, TimkenSteel's proven expertise contributes to the performance of our customers' products. The company employs approximately 2,000 people and had sales of $831 million in 2020. For more information, please visit us at www.timkensteel.com. SOURCE TimkenSteel Corp. Related Links http://www.timkensteel.com MIAMI, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TritonExec, a global executive search firm specializing in Technology & Professional Services, is pleased to announce the opening of their new Miami Office. Miami will now serve as the company's US headquarters, led by Partner Natalie Zingo. In addition to the global headquarters in London and offices in New York, Atlanta, and Gurgaon, this new state of the art space expands TritonExec's physical footprint in the US in support of the company's growth strategy. "We are very pleased that Natalie will lead our US operations from Miami," said Jonathan Morris, Co-Founder & Partner of TritonExec. "Natalie and our team bring an impressive track record in C-suite and multi-hire programs across our Technology & Professional Services Practices. Miami has become a major center of commerce, finance and technology, and boasts a strong international business community." In addition to extending the scope of their US operations, this new office will accommodate the rapid growth of their Fintech Practice. "Miami is fast becoming a hot spot for hyper-growth Technology firms. We are excited to build our business here, supporting our global clients and the local community," said Partner Natalie Zingo. About TritonExec TritonExec is a global Executive Search Firm who specialize in Technology & Professional Services. With offices in UK, US, and India, TritonExec provide executive search, multi hire programmes and executive level RPO services. Simply put, we enable growth. SOURCE TritonExec VANCOUVER, BC, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - WELL Health Technologies Corp. (the "Company" or "WELL") (TSX: WELL), a company focused on consolidating and modernizing clinical and digital assets within the primary healthcare sector, is pleased to announce that Hamed Shahbazi, WELL's Chairman and CEO, will be participating in the following upcoming virtual conference: 2021 LD Micro Invitational XI Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 1:00pm EST (10:00am PST) on Track #1 This three-day, virtual investor conference is expected to feature around 180 companies, presenting for 25 minutes each, as well as several influential keynotes. WELL is featured on the first day of this conference as part of the LD Micro Hall of Fame. For more information and to register for this event, visit: https://ldmicrojune2021.mysequire.com/ WELL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES CORP. Per: "Hamed Shahbazi" Hamed Shahbazi Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director About WELL Health Technologies Corp. WELL is an omni-channel digital health company whose overarching objective is to empower doctors to provide the best and most advanced care possible while leveraging the latest trends in digital health. As such, WELL owns and operates primary and executive healthcare clinics in both Canada and the US, operates a multi-national portfolio of telehealth services which includes one of the largest telehealth service providers in Canada and operates a global digital Electronic Medical Records (EMR) business serving thousands of healthcare clinics and health systems of all sizes. WELL is also a provider of digital health, billing and cybersecurity related technology solutions. WELL's wholly owned subsidiary CRH Medical is a provider of products and services that support Gastroenterology physicians and ambulatory surgical clinics in the US. WELL is an acquisitive company that follows a disciplined and accretive capital allocation strategy. WELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WELL". To access the Company's telehealth service, visit: tiahealth.com, and for corporate information, visit: www.well.company. SOURCE WELL Health Technologies Corp. Related Links well.company NAPA, Calif., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Year after year, higher income individuals and college graduates in the United States name wine as their alcohol of choice. Or so says Gallup's annual poll of American consumption habits. And nowhere is that inclination more evident than with the mega-rich - those with the kind of money associated with luxury items like yachts. Wine Ambassador, based in Napa, California, caters to exactly that clientele and recently announced the launch, so to speak, of its fine wine deliveries to those who own these vessels both domestically and internationally. WINE TO YACHTS Wine Ambassador is an exclusive fine wine club celebrating its third anniversary. Its founders are a group of entrepreneurial-minded friends that includes Napa Valley winemakers, a vineyard owner, a cheese maker and marketers who each know a thing or two about fine wines, wine pairings, consumer habits and, as importantly, how to deliver their varietals around the world. The business started in the U.S. but fast expanded its reach internationally to meet a leap in demand for "direct-to-consumer" delivery of fine wines, particularly from the Napa and Sonoma regions. "Affluent individuals have discerning taste in wine and those who spend time on yachts expect a ready supply of their favorite beverages on hand. We not only know our wines but we understand the unique logistical challenges faced by chief stews who are responsible for sourcing and securing supply deliveries on tight and non-flexible time frames," explained Brett Hudson, President of Wine Ambassador. "We also recognized there was an opportunity for these same Wine Ambassador clients to incorporate our newest program 'Wine To Yachts'. This now gives the yacht owners their own wine club and exclusive wine tastings onboard for their charter guests. That has already sparked significant interest," he added. Wine Ambassador continues to add to it's alternating selections of carefully curated wines along with its own signature collection GRANDCRU that includes: Hudson Sparkling, Ricord Merlot, Antoniou Cabernet, Flyer Pinot, Freedom Chardonnay, AVP Blend, Tanya Rose, More Than Muse and many others. With the organization's Fine Wine Club, clients can choose to be Customers or Ambassadors. Customers pay a monthly fee to have curated wines delivered to their door each month. When they refer just three friends as club members, they in return get their wine at no charge. Tasting notes accommodate each delivery, which features foods that would pair nicely with each delicious varietal. Yacht Owners who choose to become a Wine Ambassador have the opportunity to turn drinking and learning about wine with guests or friends into a revenue-generator. They can make commissions on sales and get support tools that include their own website, QR codes designed to sign up passengers easily, analytics and a Visa debit card to help them seamlessly manage their business. GRANDCRU members get exclusive access to our yearly CRUSHIT wine event in our Napa vineyards each September. "Many owners offer charters when they are not aboard their vessels. The Wine Club is not only a fun extra available to their guests but has the added benefit of providing what I like to call a Revenue Snap On Model," Hudson stressed. For more information about Wine To Yachts or go to WineAmbassador.com Joe Allocco - PR 801-559-3926 Related Images wine-to-yachts.png WINE TO YACHTS WINE TO YACHTS SOURCE Wine Ambassador DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Smart TV Market 2020-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global smart TV market is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of 17.8% during the forecast period (2021-2027). Smart TV is among the commonly used household & commercial appliances that come up with internet connectivity capability and built-in apps to get connected to different platforms to offer an extraordinary experience to its viewers. The rising demand for higher picture quality, the willingness of customers to have a theatre feel at their home, the growing popularity of digital signage to display specific information to a wide range of viewers are some of the key factors to drive the growth of the smart TV market. The growing internet penetration acts as a key motivator for the adoption of smart TVs across the globe. This is because internet connection is the basic & foremost requirement for advanced feature functioning of smart TV. According to ITU (International Telecommunication Union), it is estimated that 4.1 billion people were using the internet in 2019. Almost, around 53% of the total population is using the internet. Therefore, the presence of internet-connected viewers along with the rising demand for on-demand online streaming channels & programs through service providers such as Netflix and Amazon prime is further anticipated to promote the growth of the global smart TV market. However, certain factors are hindering the market. High cost is the major restrain to the market. The high internet bandwidth requirement for web-enabled TVs is one more factor that is hindering the market. Besides these restraining factors, technological advancements such as the introduction to 8K technologies and the introduction of higher internet bandwidth in the developing economies in the future such as 4G, 5G & LTE are further expected to create opportunities for the market players to increase their revenue share. Segmental Outlook The market is segmented based on resolution, technology, and platform. By resolution, the market is segmented into HD smart TV (1,280x720), full HD smart TV (1,920 x 1,080), 4K smart TV, and 8K smart TV. By technology, the market is segmented into LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LED (Light Emitting Diode), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode). Global Smart TV Market Share by Technology, 2020 (%) Based on technology, OLED is expected to show significant market growth during the forecasted period. The rising number of R&D projects in the development of this technology to completely transform the viewer's experience is anticipated to drive the growth of this market segment. In July 2020, Samsung launched a new series of QLED Smart TVs - the QT67 range - in South Korea. These are the first QLEDs from Samsung to achieve the first-class energy efficiency rating. The rising product launches based on this technology are further anticipated to drive the growth of this market segment. Regional Outlooks The global smart TV market is analyzed based on the geographical regions that are contributing significantly towards the growth of the market. Asia-Pacific is estimated to hold a considerable share in the global smart TV market. Increasing internet penetration and presence of the low-cost manufacturers in the region are backing the growth of the market. North America is estimated to be the fastest-growing region during the forecasted period for high-end TV such as 4K & 8K TVs. The high purchasing power of individuals in the region is further estimated to promote the adoption of these TVs in the region which in turn is anticipated to drive the growth of the regional market. Moreover, the high share of the regional market is attributed to the rapidly developing advanced technologies. Increasing internet penetration and rising demand for online streaming in the emerging countries of the region such as India, China, and South Korea. Market Players Outlook Apple Inc., Google Inc., Haier Group Corp., Koninklijke Philips N.V., LG Electronics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and Videocon Industries Ltd. are the key players operating in the smart TV market. To survive in the market these players adopt different marketing strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, product launches, and geographical expansion so on. For instance, in 2021, Philips launched 10 new models of smart TV With Up to 4K UHD Panels in India with a variety of features such as HDR10+ support and Dolby audio experience. The new models were launched in a variety of sizes and screens The Report Covers Market value data analysis of 2020 and forecast to 2027. Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment. Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions. Key companies operating in the global smart TV market. Based on the availability of data, information related to new product launches, and relevant news is also available in the report. Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future. Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies. Competitive strategies by identifying 'who-stands-where in the market. Key Topics Covered: 1. Report Summary 2. Market Overview and Insights 2.1. Scope of the Report 2.2. Analyst Insight & Current Market Trends 2.2.1. Key Findings 2.2.2. Recommendations 2.2.3. Conclusion 3. Competitive Landscape 3.1. Key Company Analysis 3.1.1. Overview 3.1.2. Financial Analysis 3.1.3. SWOT Analysis 3.1.4. Recent Developments 3.2. Key Strategy Analysis 4. Market Determinants 4.1. Motivators 4.2. Restraints 4.3. Opportunities 5. Market Segmentation 5.1. Global Smart TV Market by Resolution 5.1.1. HD Smart TV 5.1.2. FULL HD Smart TV 5.1.3. 4K Smart TV 5.1.4. 8K Smart TV 5.2. Global Smart TV Market by Technology 5.2.1. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 5.2.2. LED (Light Emitting Diode) 5.2.3. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) 5.2.4. QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode) 6. Regional Analysis 6.1. North America 6.1.1. United States 6.1.2. Canada 6.2. Europe 6.2.1. UK 6.2.2. Germany 6.2.3. Italy 6.2.4. Spain 6.2.5. France 6.2.6. Rest of Europe 6.3. Asia-Pacific 6.3.1. China 6.3.2. India 6.3.3. Japan 6.3.4. South Korea 6.3.5. Rest of Asia-Pacific 6.4. Rest of the World 7. Company Profiles 7.1. Advanced Micro Devices 7.2. Apple Inc. 7.3. Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Google Inc. 7.4. Haier Group Corp. 7.5. Hisense Co., Ltd 7.6. Hong Kong Skyworth Digital Holdings Co., 7.7. Intel Corp. 7.8. Koninklijke Philips N.V. 7.9. LG Electronics Inc. 7.10. Microsoft Corp. 7.11. Mirc Electronics Ltd. 7.12. Nyxio Technologies Corp. 7.13. Panasonic Corp. 7.14. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 7.15. Sharp Corp. 7.16. Sony Corp. 7.17. TCL Corp. 7.18. Toshiba Corp. 7.19. Videocon Industries Ltd. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x1f3gc 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 DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global CAR-T Cell Therapy Market - Market Size, Forecasts, Trials & Trends, 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. CAR-T cell therapy is a remarkably promising treatment for cancer patients. It is a type of immunotherapy where doctors collect immune cells, modify them in a laboratory, and provide them the power to easily recognize and kill cancer cells. When infused into a patient, the cells get multiplied and stay in the body as "living drugs." T-cells form the backbone of CAR-T cell therapy. T-cells are the workhorses of our immune system and play a key role in directing the immune response and killing cells infected by pathogens. In CAR-T cell therapy, blood is drawn from the patient and the T-cells are separated out. In the laboratory, a disarmed virus is then used to genetically engineer the T-cells to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. These receptors are synthetic and do not exist naturally. Once infused into the patient, these CARs enable the T-cells to recognize and get attached to an antigen (specific protein) on the tumor cell leading to the destruction of the tumor. Since the approval of the first CAR-T cell therapeutic in 2017, widespread research, an exponential increase in clinical trial activity, proliferative M&A activity, and lucrative IPOs have created a robust CAR-T cell market. This billion-dollar market would not have been possible without the remarkable efficacy of Kymriah, Yescarta, Tecartus, and Breyanzi in treating several types of blood cancers. CAR-T Cell Therapy Market In 2012, there were only 12 clinical trials investing CAR-T cell therapy products. Today, that number has risen to over 500. Between 2017 and 2021, four CAR-T products reached the market, and this number is projected to reach double digits within five years. The earliest approvals, Kymriah and Yescarta, have been commercially available since 2017 and 2018, respectively, and have been infused into nearly a half million patients worldwide. In July 2020, the U.S. FDA approved a third CAR-T cell therapy, Kite Pharma's brexucabtagene autoleucel (sold as Tecartus). In February 2021, Breyanzi became the fourth CAR-T approval and the first product with RMAT designationto be licensed by the FDA. All of the approved CAR-T products and nearly 75% of the ongoing clinical trials take an autologous treatment approach. Autologous (self-derived) CAR-T cells are expensive to produce because they are manufactured on a patient-by-patient basis. At times, autologous production can be hampered by a shortage of CAR-T cells or viral vectors. The cost of autologous CAR-T therapy is further escalated by the need for a complex cold chain during transportation. Another key issue is the "vein-to-vein" time or the time that elapses between apheresis and product delivery. Thus, CAR-T therapies are most often recommended for the end-stage patients who have exhausted all the other treatment options. These challenges drive up the price, making CAR-T therapy unaffordable for a large percentage of patients. To support the adoption of CAR-T cell therapies, the industry is taking measures to mitigate these challenges. Several CAR-T players have started using efficient gene-transfer tools to impregnate the T cells with CARs. There are numerous examples of partnerships to develop CRISPR and electroporation technologies to modify the T cells. Some companies are also using "on-off" switches that can turn off CAR-T cells to prevent toxicity. Unfortunately, the goal of achieving CAR-T success against solid tumors remains elusive thus far, with clinical trials demonstrating a severely limited response. Trends in CAR-T Cell Therapy CAR-T cell therapy has taken the biotech industry by storm, creating hope that it could usher in a new era of cancer treatment. However, the success stories have come from targeting CD19, which is now considered an antigen that holds the key to a limited range of blood cancers. Presently, this hematological arena is highly competitive and is being targeted by numerous CAR-T cell therapy competitors. Scientists, investors and developers invariably agree that the key to longer-term success in this sector depends on solving two major problems: identifying antigens other than CD19 that can be targeted with CAR-T therapy with strong efficacy and going beyond liquid cancers into solid tumor indications. CAR-T cell products targeted against solid tumors will undoubtedly offer a larger market potential. However, it is not an easy task to identify the antigens found on the cells of solid tumors. There are reasons why CD19 is the most common target. It is seen solely on B cells, whose destruction via CAR-T therapy offers a straightforward route for treating B-cell leukemias and lymphomas. At the same time, loss of the body's B cells is not particularly problematic, because their antibody-producing function can be reinstated by injecting intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to patients. Driving Forces Impacting the CAR-T Cell Therapy Market 2017 was the first year that the U.S. FDA approved a CAR-T cell therapy, approving Kymriah in August 2017 and Yescarta in October 2017. Novartis produced Kymriah, a CAR-T therapy used to treat leukemia, while Gilead/Kite Pharma produced Yescarta, a CAR-T therapy designed for patients with lymphoma. Approvals for these products spread like wildfire, with the EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, and other nations following suit. In July 2020, the U.S. FDA approved the third CAR-T cell therapy, approving Kite Pharma's brexucabtagene autoleucel, sold as Tecartus. It is the first CAR-T therapeutic to treat relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). By February 2021, the U.S. FDA granted approval of Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel) to Juno Therapeutics, a Bristol-Myers Squibb company. Breyanzi is approved for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory large-B-cell lymphoma who have not responded to, or who have relapsed after, at least two other types of systemic treatment. The approval of these early CAR-T cell therapies has opened the gates for many other types of cell and gene therapies to claim respect, from regulators, as well as the scientific and medical community at large. Key Topics Covered: 1. REPORT OVERVIEW 2. CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTOR-T (CAR-T) CELL THERAPY: A BRIEF OVERVIEW 3. A BRIEF HISTORY OF CAR-T CELL THERAPY 4. MANUFACTURE OF CAR-T CELLS 5. CAR-T TARGET ANTIGENS: A BRIEF OVERVIEW 6. CAR-T PATENT LANDSCAPE 7. GLOBAL CAR-T CLINICAL TRIALS: AN OVERVIEW 8. PUBLISHED SCIENTIFIC PAPERS & NIH GRANTS 9. DEAL-MAKING WITHIN THE CAR-T THERAPY SECTOR 10. MARKETED CAR-T PRODUCTS 11. REIMBURSEMENT FOR CAR-T THERAPIES 12. BLOOD CANCERS: AN OVERVIEW 13. MARKET ANALYSIS 14. COMPANY PROFILES 14.1 Aleta BioTherapeutics 14.1.1 Atela's Pipeline 14.2 Allogene Therapeutics 14.2.1 AlloCAR-T Therapy 14.3 Anixa Biosciences, Inc. 14.4 Atara Biotherapeutics 14.4.1 Technology 14.4.2 Next-Generation CAR-T 14.5 Autolus Therapeutics, plc 14.6 Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 14.6.1 GoCAR Technology 14.6.2 Bellicum's Pipeline 14.7 BioNTech 14.7.1 Collaborators 14.7.2 Services 14.7.3 Engineered Cell Therapies 14.7.4 CAR-T Programs 14.7.4.1 BNT211 14.7.4.2 BNT212 14.8 bluebird bio 14.8.1 CAR-T Collaborations 14.8.1.1 Collaboration with Celgene 14.8.1.2 Collaboration with Inhibrx 14.8.1.3 Collaboration with TC BioPharm 14.9 Carina Biotech 14.9.1 New CAR-T Cells 14.9.2 CAR-T Access Technologies 14.9.2.1 Chemokine Receptor Mediation 14.9.2.2 Gel Formulation to Deliver CAR-T Cells 14.10 CARsgen Therapeutics 14.11 Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. 14.11.1 Cartesian's Approach 14.12 CARTherics 14.12.1 Technology 14.13 Celgene Corporation 14.13.1 Lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) 14.14 Cellectis 14.14.1 Universal Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells (UCARTs) 14.14.1.1 UCART 123 14.14.1.2 UCART22 14.14.1.3 UCARTCS1 14.14.1.4 UCART19 14.14.1.5 ALLO-501 14.14.1.6 ALLO-715 14.15 Celularity, Inc. 14.15.1 P CAR-T 14.16 Celyad Oncology 14.16.1 TIM Technology 14.16.2 shRNA Technology 14.17 Creative Biolabs 14.17.1 CAR Construction and Production Platform 14.18 CRISPR Therapeutics 14.18.1 CRISPR/Cas9 Immuno-Oncology Cell Therapy 14.19 Cytovia Therapeutics 14.20 DiaCarta, Inc. 14.20.1 Personalized CAR-T Immunotherapy Platform 14.21 Empirica Therapeutics 14.21.1 Technology 14.22 Eureka Therapeutics, Inc. 14.23 EXUMA Biotech Corp. 14.23.1 Logic Gate CAR-T Technology 14.23.2 Same-Day CAR-T Therapy 14.24 Fate Therapeutics, Inc. 14.25 Formula Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 14.25.1 Technology 14.26 Gilead Sciences, Inc. 14.26.1 TECARTUS (Brexucabtagene autoleucel) 14.26.2 Yescarta (Axicabtagene ciloleucel) 14.26.3 Cell Therapy 14.27 Gracell Biotechnologies 14.27.1 Dual CAR 14.27.2 FasTCAR 14.27.3 TrUCAR 14.28 iCell Gene Therapeutics 14.28.1 iCell Platforms 14.28.1.1 CARvac 14.28.1.2 Non Gene Edited Universal CARs 14.28.1.3 C-TPS1 14.28.1.4 T-Cell Targeted CARs 14.28.1.5 Compound CARs 14.29 Janssen Biotech, Inc. 14.29.1 JNJ-4528 14.30 Juno Therapeutics 14.31 JW Therapeutics, Co., Ltd. 14.31.1 Relmacabtagene autoleucel (Relma-cel) 14.32 Kite Pharma, Inc. 14.32.1 Kite's Technologies (CAR-T & TCR) 14.32.2 Kite's Therapies 14.32.2.1 Yescarta (Axicabtagene ciloleucel) 14.32.2.2 Tecartus (Brexucabtagene autoleucel) 14.33 MaxCyte, Inc. 14.33.1 CARMA Cell Therapies 14.33.2 Flow Electroporation Technology 14.34 Minerva Biotechnologies Corporation 14.34.1 HuMNC2-CAR44 14.35 Mustang Bio, Inc. 14.36 Nanjing Legend Biotechnology Co., Ltd. 14.36.1 LCAR-B38M/JNJ-4528 14.37 Noile-Immune Biotech 14.38 Novartis International, AG 14.38.1 Kymriah (Tisagenlecleucel) 14.39 Oxford Biomedica plc 14.40 PeproMene Bio, Inc. 14.40.1 BAFF-R CAR-T Cells 14.41 Poseida Therapeutics, Inc. 14.41.1 PiggyBac DNA Modification System 14.41.2 Autologous & Allogeneic Programs 14.41.2.1 P-BCMA-101 14.41.2.2 P-PSMA-101 14.41.2.3 P-BCMA-ALLO1 14.41.2.4 P-MUC1C-ALLO1 14.41.2.5 P-PSMA-ALLO1 14.42 Precigen, Inc. 14.43 Precision Biosciences 14.44 Prescient Therapeutics 14.44.1 OmniCAR Technology 14.45 ProMab Biotechnologies, Inc. 14.45.1 Custom CAR-T Cell Development 14.46 Protheragen 14.46.1 PR-18-01 14.47 Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. 14.48 TC Biopharm 14.48.1 Co-Stim CAR-T 14.49 T-CURX 14.49.1 CARAMBA 14.50 Tessa Therapeutics, Pvt. Ltd. 14.50.1 CD30 CAR-T Cells 14.50.2 Allogeneic CD30-CAR EBVSTs 14.51 Tmunity Therapeutics, Inc. 14.52 Wugen 14.53 Xyphos Biosciences, Inc. 14.53.1 Xyphos' Strategy 14.54 Ziopharm Oncology, Inc. 14.54.1 Non-Viral CAR-T Therapy For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g719b1 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 President Xi Jinping has called on all parties of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to uphold the Shanghai Spirit, stay committed to their original aspirations, help each other in the same boat and deepen their cooperation. Xi made the remark in a congratulatory letter that he sent on Thursday to the SCO Forum on People-to-People Friendship, which is being held in Wuhan, Hubei province. In November, Xi received a warm response and support from all other member states of the SCO when he put forward the initiative of launching the forum. In his letter, Xi said he believes that the forum will become an important platform for all parties to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation. Xi emphasized the need to give full play to the advantages of nongovernmental diplomacy, broaden the channels of communication among peoples of different countries, and make contributions to the development of the SCO. The theme of the forum, which continues on Friday, is "Promoting People-to-People Friendship and Carrying Forward the Shanghai Spirit". The SCO comprises eight member states-India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, the Shanghai Spirit has been hailed by leaders and officials as the source of the SCO's strong vitality and momentum of cooperation. The forum is co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Hubei provincial government, and the good-neighborly friendship and cooperation committee of the SCO. DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Earthmoving Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global earthmoving market as it emerges from the COVID-19 shut down. The global earthmoving market is expected to grow from $82.75 billion in 2020 to $92.82 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%. The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $136.07 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 10%. Reasons to Purchase Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 12+ geographies. Understand how the market is being affected by the coronavirus and how it is likely to emerge and grow as the impact of the virus abates. Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis. Identify growth segments for investment. Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market. Understand customers based on the latest market research findings. Benchmark performance against key competitors. Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing. Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis Where is the largest and fastest growing market for the earthmoving ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The Earthmovin market global report answers all these questions and many more. The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider earthmoving market, and compares it with other markets. The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, the impact of the COVID-19 virus and forecasting its recovery. Market segmentations break down market into sub markets. The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the impact and recovery trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets. Competitive landscape gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified. The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers. The earthmoving market section of the report gives context. It compares the earthmoving market with other segments of the earthmoving market by size and growth, historic and forecast. Major players in the earthmoving market are Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd, J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited, AB Volvo, Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd, SANY America, Liebherr Group, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd, Caterpillar Inc, and Komatsu. The earthmoving market consists of sales of earthmoving machinery by entities (organizations, sole traders, or partnerships) that are engaged in manufacturing earthmoving machinery. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included. Major players operating in the market are concentrating on introducing new technological innovations which are gaining popularity over recent years. Companies manufacturing earth moving equipment are focusing on incorporating 5G cellular technology to advance remote operation towards real-time control. The ultra-low latency of 5G enables systems controlling a vehicle to react sooner, such as during braking or turning, vastly improving safety on the Jobsite. The 5G network also promises to advance artificial intelligence, virtual reality as well as IoT technologies for better remote control and connectivity. For instance, in 2018, Volvo CE joined Telia's 5G partner program to test 5G equipped earth moving machines. In 2018, Doosan Infracore, in partnership with LG U+, introduced 5G-based remote control technology called concept- X to boost productivity and economic feasibility. Moreover, in March 2020, Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., a Chinese producer of engineering and agricultural equipment launched two G-series hydraulic excavator flagship products the ZE75G and ZE215GLC with 5G technology incorporated. The earthmoving market covered in this report is segmented by equipment into excavators; loaders; dump trucks; others and by end-user into construction; mining; agriculture & forestry; others. In March 2020, K-Tec Earthmovers Inc. (K-Tec), a Canadian company that manufactures efficient earthmoving scrapers for construction and mining sites merged with Ashland Industries (Ashland), a manufacturer of earthmoving equipment. The merged company will have manufacturing and service locations in Rosenort, Manitoba, Canada, and Ashland, Wisconsin, United States. The merger allows both companies to offer an extensive product line of earthmoving scrapers in the industry. The combination also expects to provide shorter lead times for customers and accelerated product design and launch. Ashland Industries (Ashland) is a US-based manufacturer of earthmoving equipment for the agricultural, industrial, and construction sectors. The rising urban population generating higher demand for better infrastructure is expected to propel the earthmoving market over the coming years. The increase in the urban population contributes to the demand for improved and advanced infrastructure. According to The International Institute for Environment and Development, the world's urban population has increased from 4.2 billion in 2018 to 4.4 billion in 2020. Furthermore, according to United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, about 55% of the population lives in urban areas in 2018 and the proportion is expected to reach 68% by the end of 2050. This four-fold growth creates a need for more infrastructure, increased urban developments, and more building activities to accommodate people. Thus, propelling the demand for construction equipment including earthmoving, as these machines are used for land clearing, lifting, and other heavy work. High capital and maintenance costs associated with earthmoving equipment is expected to hinder the market. Earthmoving equipment is a heavy machine that a company has to invest extensively to purchase it. For instance, the cost of CAT bulldozers ranges from $250,000 to $2.2 million. The following major expense that the company faces is maintenance, which is the result of the downtime of the equipment on the company. The financial burden increases on the company due to high equipment and maintenance costs. Thus, the high cost of equipment is expected to further limit the growth of the earthmoving market during the forecast period. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Earthmoving Market Characteristics 3. Earthmoving Market Trends and Strategies 4. Impact of COVID-19 on Earthmoving 5. Earthmoving Market Size and Growth 5.1. Global Earthmoving Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion 5.1.1. Drivers of the Market 5.1.2. Restraints on the Market 5.2. Global Earthmoving Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 5.2.1. Drivers of the Market 5.2.2. Restraints on the Market 6. Earthmoving Market Segmentation 7. Earthmoving Market Regional and Country Analysis 7.1. Global Earthmoving Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 7.2. Global Earthmoving Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 8. Asia-Pacific Earthmoving Market 9. China Earthmoving Market 10. India Earthmoving Market 11. Japan Earthmoving Market 12. Australia Earthmoving Market 13. Indonesia Earthmoving Market 14. South Korea Earthmoving Market 15. Western Europe Earthmoving Market 16. UK Earthmoving Market 17. Germany Earthmoving Market 18. France Earthmoving Market 19. Eastern Europe Earthmoving Market 20. Russia Earthmoving Market 21. North America Earthmoving Market 22. USA Earthmoving Market 23. South America Earthmoving Market 24. Brazil Earthmoving Market 25. Middle East Earthmoving Market 26. Africa Earthmoving Market 27. Earthmoving Market Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles 27.1. Earthmoving Market Competitive Landscape 27.2. Earthmoving Market Company Profiles 27.2.1. Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd 27.2.1.1. Overview 27.2.1.2. Products and Services 27.2.1.3. Strategy 27.2.1.4. Financial Performance 27.2.2. J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited 27.2.2.1. Overview 27.2.2.2. Products and Services 27.2.2.3. Strategy 27.2.2.4. Financial Performance 27.2.3. AB Volvo 27.2.3.1. Overview 27.2.3.2. Products and Services 27.2.3.3. Strategy 27.2.3.4. Financial Performance 27.2.4. Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd 27.2.4.1. Overview 27.2.4.2. Products and Services 27.2.4.3. Strategy 27.2.4.4. Financial Performance 27.2.5. SANY America 27.2.5.1. Overview 27.2.5.2. Products and Services 27.2.5.3. Strategy 27.2.5.4. Financial Performance 29. Key Mergers and Acquisitions in the Earthmoving Market 29. Earthmoving Market Future Outlook and Potential Analysis 30. Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/aqloxm Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Toothpaste Market 2020-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global toothpaste market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR 6.1% during the forecast period. The growth of the market is attributed to the rising awareness regarding oral health and hygiene among people. Additionally, increasing innovative launches in the toothpaste industry will also aid in the expansion of the market. For instance, in January 2020, Colgate-Palmolive Co. launched new toothpaste that is certified by the Vegan Society and comes in a tube made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which is recyclable in nature. The global toothpaste market is segmented based on type and distribution channels. Based on the type, the market is bifurcated into sensitivity, whitening, children's, herbal, and others. Further, the distribution channel segment of the global toothpaste market is bifurcated into offline channels and online channels. The global toothpaste market is further segmented based on geography including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia-Pacific is expected to show significant growth in the market during the forecast period. The growth of the region can be attributed to the already high brand awareness coupled with the high penetration of toothpaste. The key players of the global toothpaste market include Colgate-Palmolive Co., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble Co., and Unilever plc, and others. The market players are considerably contributing to the market growth by the adoption of various strategies including mergers, and acquisitions, collaborations, and funding, to stay competitive in the market. Market Segmentation: 1. Global Toothpaste Market Research and Analysis by Type 2. Global Toothpaste Market Research and Analysis by Distribution Channel The Report Covers: Comprehensive research methodology of the global toothpaste market. This report also includes a detailed and extensive market overview with key analyst insights. An exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations. Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the global toothpaste industry. Insights about market determinants that are stimulating the global toothpaste market. Detailed and extensive market segments with regional distribution of forecasted revenues. Extensive profiles and recent developments of market players. Key Topics Covered: 1. Report Summary 2. Market Overview and Insights 2.1. Scope of the Report 2.2. Analyst Insight & Current Market Trends 2.2.1. Key Findings 2.2.2. Recommendations 2.2.3. Conclusion 3. Competitive Landscape 3.1. Competitive Dashboard 3.2. Key Strategy Analysis 3.3. Key Company Analysis 3.3.1. Colgate-Palmolive Co. 3.3.1.1. Overview 3.3.1.2. Financial Analysis 3.3.1.3. SWOT Analysis 3.3.1.4. Recent Developments 3.3.2. GlaxoSmithKline plc 3.3.2.1. Overview 3.3.2.2. Financial Analysis 3.3.2.3. SWOT Analysis 3.3.2.4. Recent Developments 3.3.3. Johnson & Johnson 3.3.3.1. Overview 3.3.3.2. Financial Analysis 3.3.3.3. SWOT Analysis 3.3.3.4. Recent Developments 3.3.4. Procter & Gamble Co. 3.3.4.1. Overview 3.3.4.2. Financial Analysis 3.3.4.3. SWOT Analysis 3.3.4.4. Recent Developments 3.3.5. Unilever plc 3.3.5.1. Overview 3.3.5.2. Financial Analysis 3.3.5.3. SWOT Analysis 3.3.5.4. Recent Developments 4. Market Determinants 4.1. Motivators 4.2. Restraints 4.3. Opportunities 5. Market Segmentation 5.1. Global Toothpaste Market by Type 5.1.1. Sensitivity 5.1.2. Whitening 5.1.3. Children's 5.1.4. Herbal 5.1.5. Others (Smoker Toothpaste) 5.2. Global Toothpaste Market by Distribution Channel 5.2.1. Offline Channel 5.2.2. Online Retail Stores 6. Regional Analysis 6.1. North America 6.1.1. United States 6.1.2. Canada 6.2. Europe 6.2.1. UK 6.2.2. Germany 6.2.3. Italy 6.2.4. Spain 6.2.5. France 6.2.6. Rest of Europe 6.3. Asia-Pacific 6.3.1. China 6.3.2. India 6.3.3. Japan 6.3.4. Rest of Asia-Pacific 6.4. Rest of the World 7. Company Profiles 7.1. 3M Co. 7.2. Amway Corp. 7.3. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co 7.4. Church & Dwight Co., Inc. 7.5. Colgate-Palmolive Co. 7.6. Dabur India Ltd. 7.7. Dr. Fresh, LLC 7.8. GC Corp. 7.9. GlaxoSmithKline plc 7.10. Hawley & Hazel Chemical Co. 7.11. Henkel AG & Co KGaA 7.12. Himalaya Global Holdings Ltd. 7.13. Johnson & Johnson 7.14. Koninklijke Philips N.V. 7.15. Lion Corp. 7.16. Orkla ASA 7.17. Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd. 7.18. Perrigo Company plc 7.19. Procter & Gamble Co. 7.20. Quala 7.21. Scanderra GmbH 7.22. Sunstar Suisse S.A. 7.23. Ultradent Type Inc. 7.24. Unilever plc 7.25. Young Dental 7.26. Yunnan Baiyao Group Co., Ltd. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/40glfy Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com BEIJING, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Yiren Digital Ltd. (NYSE: YRD) ("Yiren Digital" or the "Company"), a leading digital personal financial service platform in China, announced that it plans to release its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 After U.S. market closes on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Yiren Digital's management will host an earnings conference call at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on June 9, 2021 (or 8:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on June 10, 2021). Participants who wish to join the call should register online in advance of the conference at: http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/6891837 Please note the Conference ID number of 6891837. Once registration is completed, participants will receive the dial-in information for the conference call, an event passcode, and a unique registrant ID number. Participants joining the conference call should dial-in at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until June 17, 2021: International +61 2-8199-0299 U.S. +1 646-254-3697 Replay Access Code: 6891837 Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at ir.yirendai.com. About Yiren Digital Yiren Digital is a digital personal financial service platform, and provides both credit and wealth management services. For its credit business, we provide an effective solution to address largely underserved individual borrower demand in China through online and offline channels. Yiren Digital's marketplace provides borrowers with quick and convenient access to consumer credit at competitive prices. For its wealth management business, the Company targets China's mass affluent population and strives to provide customized wealth management services, with a combination of long-term and short-term targets as well as different types of investments. For more information, please visit ir.Yirendai.com. SOURCE Yiren Digital Related Links http://ir.yirendai.com/ COLUMBIA, Md., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Astronomers are still trying to understand how stars and galaxies formed in the early universe. Now, scientists, using the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, (SOFIA), have new clues from a glowing nebula filled with clouds of hot gas and dust known as RCW 120. Data from SOFIA suggest that this nebula may be representative of how stars formed in the early universe. Scientists using SOFIA, a joint project of NASA and the German Space Agency at DLR, found the stellar wind emanating from the nebula's central massive star is making the nebula expand rapidly. The expansion is triggering the birth of stellar neighbors at breakneck speeds and revealing the nebula is younger than previously believed. The results are published in Science Advances. Located in the southern Milky Way about 4,300 light years from Earth, in clouds near the constellation Scorpius, researchers discovered that the powerful stellar winds are expanding the nebula incredibly fast at 33,000 miles per hour (or 53,000 km per hour), which corresponds to 15 kilometers per second. The surrounding gas clouds are getting compressed as the nebula pushes into them triggering the birth of new stars near the clouds' edges." The speed of expansion was also used to determine the nebula's age. It turns out RCW 120 is much younger than previously believed, having formed less than 150,000 years ago. "The nebula is giving us a window into what star formation may have been like in the early universe," said Dr. Matteo Luisi, a postdoctoral fellow at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. "We can't go back to study the early universe, so we depend on observations like these to understand how the universe transformed from the Big Bang to the universe we see today." Astronomers call the effects stars have on their neighbors' creation "feedback." But exactly how feedback can help or hinder star formation is still somewhat of a mystery. SOFIA previously found that a stellar wind in the Orion Nebula is clearing a bubble free of material needed to form new stars. Now, in the nebula RCW 120, the energy from the original star is triggering the birth of new generations. The nebula's young age suggests that star formation triggered by an existing star's feedback can happen very quickly and may have been responsible for the high rate of star formation in the universe's earliest eras. The observations were made while flying in the skies above Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019. Using SOFIA's instrument called the German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, or GREAT, researchers studied the chemical fingerprint of ionized carbon gas to measure the nebula's expansion speed. Unlike infrared images, this fingerprint measures how fast the gas is moving, which can be used to learn how existing stars are affecting future generations. These results are part of an international project to understand the effects of stellar feedback in a variety of star-forming regions. ABOUT SOFIA SOFIA is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center. NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley manages the SOFIA program, science, and mission operations in cooperation with the Universities Space Research Association, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, and the German SOFIA Institute at the University of Stuttgart. The aircraft is maintained and operated by NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703, in Palmdale, California. ABOUT USRA Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities, and conducts other major research and educational programs, under Federal funding. USRA engages the university community and employs in-house scientific leadership, innovative research and development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu. PR Contact: Suraiya Farukhi, Ph.D. [email protected] 443-812-6945 SOURCE Universities Space Research Association Related Links http://www.usra.edu HAIFA, Israel, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE: ZIM) (the "Company"), a global container liner shipping company with over 75 years of experience, announced today the pricing of a secondary offering of 6,975,000 ordinary shares at a price to the public of $40.00 per ordinary share, by certain selling shareholders of the Company. The offering is expected to close on or about June 8, 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. In connection with the offering, the selling shareholders granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for thirty (30) days after the offering launch date, to purchase up to 1,046,250 additional ordinary shares, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts, from the selling shareholders. ZIM is not offering any ordinary shares in the offering and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares in the offering. Citigroup, Goldman Sachs & Co., LLC., and Barclays are acting as global coordinators and Jefferies and Clarksons Platou Securities are acting as joint bookrunners for the offering. The offering of these securities is being made pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and only by means of a prospectus. Investors may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. A copy of the prospectus may be obtained from: Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, by telephone at 1-800-831-9146; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, by telephone at 1-866-471-2526 or by email at [email protected]; and Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at 1-888-603-5847 or by email at [email protected]. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About ZIM ZIM is a global, asset-light container liner shipping company with leadership positions in the markets where it operates. Founded in Israel in 1945, ZIM is one of the oldest shipping liners, with over 75 years of experience, providing customers with innovative seaborne transportation and logistics services with a reputation for industry leading transit times, schedule reliability and service excellence. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains, or may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Israeli Securities Law, 1968). In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company, may include projections of the Company's future financial results, its anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in its business. These statements are only predictions based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events or results. There are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: market changes in freight, bunker, charter and other rates or prices, new legislation or regulation affecting the Company's operations, new competition and changes in the competitive environment, the outcome of legal proceedings to which the Company is a party, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption "Risk Factors" in its 2020 Annual Report filed with the SEC on March 22, 2021. ZIM Contacts Media: Avner Shats ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. +972-4-8652520 sha[email protected] Investor Relations: Elana Holzman ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. +972-4-865-2300 [email protected] Leon Berman The IGB Group 212-477-8438 [email protected] ZIM-F SOURCE ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. Related Links https://www.zim.com Ltd ( ) is undertaking a 20,000-metre drilling campaign at its primary projects in the Bergslagen region of Sweden - the Greater Falun Copper-Gold-Silver-Zinc-Lead Project and at the nearby Sala Silver-Zinc-Lead Project. Sala Silver Mine, known as the Swedish Treasury, has produced more than 200 million ounces of silver at very high grades and Alicanto is confident there is more to come. The company recently undertook a detailed review of historical data that concluded Sala has strong exploration potential - having been exposed to virtually no modern techniques and mineralisation open in every direction. A specialised diamond rig capable of drilling at the surface and underground is active at Sala. Busy six months ahead Alicanto managing director Peter George recently told Proactive's Andrew Scott that the drilling at Greater Falun was on a bit of a pause while large downhole EM surveys were carried out on the 4,000 metres recently drilled. He said: I expect to get the results from that over the next month. Weve also got the MAG survey team out there at the same time, which will help us delineate where the causative intrusions are in relation to the drilling that we did. And thats going to set us up for the continuation of drilling as we move forward at Greater Falun. Its a really exciting time both at Falun and Sala actually, so weve got a really busy six months coming up. Stone Lake skarn mineralisation Most recently at Greater Falun, the company intersected semi-massive sulphide skarn mineralisation with visual chalcopyrite in the second hole drilled at Stone Lake target. Assays returned 0.27 metres at 5.92% copper and 4.6 parts per million (ppm) silver from 124.2 metres, as part of an interval grading 1.92% copper and 1.3 ppm silver over 0.92 metres. George said: Its the first time that weve had any drill holes in history put into this particular area and to intersect high-grade copper of nearly 6% is a fantastic achievement for us. The semi-massive character of the intersected copper-skarn system, some 80 metres beneath historic workings with similar mineralisation, in combination with the most intense, proximal and prograde skarn alteration so far encountered at Greater Falun - highlighting the potential for significant mineralisation nearby. Map of the Falun Project (AQI 100%) - showing current drill targets in yellow dots, the recently acquired Sala Silver Project (AQI 100%) and the Garpenberg Mine (owned and operated by Boliden). Arakaka sale underway Early this month, the company announced it would sell its Arakaka Gold Project in Guyana to private Canadian company Virgin Gold Corp as it looks to expand drilling at its flagship Swedish projects. The company will receive up to C$4.75 million (around A$5.08 million) from the sale, which will be used to progress the drilling campaign underway in Sweden. This deal will need to be approved by Alicanto shareholders and is subject to several conditions - mostly relating to Virgin Gold. Doubling down in Sweden George said Arakaka would be jettisoned in order to allow Alicanto to double down its focus on its two highly prospective Swedish projects. The Arakaka sale will enable us to focus our resources on unlocking the value of what is a potentially company-making opportunity at Greater Falun and Sala. The cash and the share component are going to go a long way towards helping what were doing over in Sweden. Bergslagen Mining District Notably, both the companys projects are in the Bergslagen region, which hosts world-class base and precious metals projects such as the Garpenberg mine owned by Boliden and the Zinkgruvan mine owned by Lundin. Bergslagen is widely viewed as a Tier-1 jurisdiction based on its large mineralised systems, highly developed infrastructure and pro-mining regime. George said: The full potential in the Greater Falun area has yet to be unlocked. To now have Sala in our suite of projects is a significant addition to our portfolio within the Bergslagen area. Cutler, a marketing and communications expert, has been a strategic advisor to junior mining, investment and alternative energy companies All the incumbent directors were reappointed at the Canadian mining exploration company's shareholder meeting ( ) (FRA:8M0) (OTCQB:MRIRF) announced that its shareholders have approved all the agenda items that came up before them at the annual general meeting, including the appointment of Wanda Cutler as a new director to the companys board. The junior Canadian mining exploration company said all the agenda items in the company's circular dated June 1 were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the meeting. At least 16 million shares, or 27.38% of the outstanding shares of the company, were present in-person, or by proxy vote at the AGM. At the meeting, Wanda Cutler was appointed as a new member of the board of directors and all incumbent directors were reappointed, said the company. Cutler has worked with reporting issuers for more than 20 years in marketing and communications. For the past 10 years, she has focused almost exclusively on Quebec exploration companies, exploring for a variety of metals including gold, copper, lithium and VMS deposits. She has acted as a strategic advisor to a number of public companies including: multiple junior mining companies, investment companies and alternative energy companies. Cutler holds a Bachelor of Social Science (political science) degree from the University of Ottawa and is President of Cutler McCarthy, a communication firm. In a statement, BMEX CEO Warner Uhl said: "I would like to welcome Wanda to our Board, her extensive experience in working with exploration companies, Quebec companies, in particular, is accretive to the overall skill set of our Board of Directors. I also note that with the addition of Wanda, the BMEX Board of Directors is now comprised of 40% women. Our company is committed to diversity inclusion at the leadership and board level. Uhl noted that increasingly, investors are evaluating a company's commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion when considering investment opportunities. We have assembled a strong leadership team and I look forward to working with our Board of Directors in the coming year," Uhl added. The company said it has also granted 1,100,000 stock options to directors, officers and investor relations consultants. Each option is exercisable at $0.26 per share from June 2, 2021, for five years. The company has also distributed 2,960,000 performance-based shares to directors, officers, and consultants as part of the approved PRSU program. BMEX Golds primary objective is to acquire, explore, and develop viable gold and base metal projects in Quebec. BMEX is currently fully focused on earning 100% interest in its two projects, both located in one of Canada's best addresses for high-grade gold. The King Tut Project consists of 120 contiguous claims on 5,206 hectares, while the Dunlop Bay Project consists of 76 mineral claims that cover 4,226 hectares in the prolific Abitibi greenstone belt, in Quebec. Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive Washington, June 4 : Senior US officials met with visiting Israeli Defence Minister Benjamin Gantz on Thursday, reaffirming US commitment to Israel's security. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Gantz discussed the US-Israel partnership and US ironclad commitment to Israel's security, according to a readout issued by the State Department, Xinhua news agency reported. "The Secretary reiterated the importance of promoting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike and support for Israel's right to defend itself," it added. Blinken also underscored the importance of humanitarian assistance and relief and recovery efforts in Gaza. "As far as Gaza concerned, we do look for stability and prosperity for everybody," Gantz told reporters before their meeting. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Gantz separately on the same day. Gantz's visit came as Israel's opposition reached a deal to form a coalition government that would end the 12-year rule of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The White House noted on Thursday that US policy would not change given a different leadership in Israel. "We will leave ... the politics and the determination about political formation in Israel up to the parties there," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a daily briefing. "Israel will remain an important strategic partner, one where we have an abiding security relationship, and that will continue." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Kiev, June 4 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the security situation in the country's conflict-hit region of Donbas with a delegation of visiting American Senators. "This meeting is very important for us, as it reaffirms that the US is our strategic partner. Especially now, at a very tense time," said Zelensky. The Senators said that the US is closely monitoring the security situation in Donbas, which comprises the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, and supports Ukraine in a peaceful settlement of the conflict. On May 6, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had visited Kiev, during which he met Zelensky and had said that Washington supports Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence and stands ready to continue its assistance. He also praised the progress Ukraine has made on its reform path, urging continued efforts to deepen the land market, judiciary system and anti-corruption reforms. Parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions along the Russian border have been controlled by rebels supported by Moscow for nearly seven years. According to UN estimates, more than 13,000 people have been killed in fighting since 2014, while as many as 40,000 others have been wounded. Despite the imposition of the latest ceasefire in 2015, around 50 people have been killed since the beginning of this year alone. Kiev has repeatedly blamed Moscow for inciting the conflict. Russia, however, has denied the charges, saying the accusations are groundless. Tehran, June 4 : The next round of talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal could be conclusive and lead to an agreement, the head of Tehran's negotiating team Abbas Araqchi said. "Today, after almost 10 days of intensive work, we have reached a point where all the delegations felt they should once again make further consultations in their capitals," Araqchi was quoted as saying on Thursday. There is still some distance from the point where an agreement can be concluded, but "we are not far apart", he added. The negotiators of Iran and the P4+1, namely Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, will therefore take "a week at most" to make consultations in their capitals, Xinhua news agency reported citing Araqchi as further saying. "A lot of discussions" were held regarding the "main disputed issues" in the last round of talks, and different solutions were discussed which now must be analysed to choose the best, the Iranian negotiator said. Iran has not changed its official position and an arrangement must be agreed by "the two sides" over how the US returns to the Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and fulfil its commitments, he added. After the latest meeting on Wednesday, Wang Qun, Chinese envoy to the UN and other international organisations in Vienna, said progress has been made but there are some key differences on issues related to the lifting of sanctions. Iran's legitimate concerns should be properly addressed, Wang noted. The US government under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and unilaterally re-imposed sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran gradually stopped implementing parts of its JCPOA commitments from May 2019. The new US government under Joe Biden has promised to return to the deal and ease sanctions against Iran. The JCPOA Joint Commission began to meet on April 6 in the Austrian capital to continue the discussion about a possible return of the US to the landmark deal and how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement. Prayagraj, June 4 : The seers in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj have decided to launch an awareness campaign against burial of bodies along the river banks. The campaign will be launched by the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), the apex body of saints. ABAP president Mahant Narendra Giri said, "The seers will travel across the length and breadth of the country, preaching to rural folk as well as poorly educated residents of cities, located on the banks of prominent rivers of the country, against burying their dead along the riverbanks. They will also motivate them to instead go for cremations using eco-friendly electric crematoriums." He further said, "We want to involve around 2.5 lakh seers who are members of the 13 akhara's that forms ABAP and are spread across different parts of the country, in this nationwide mission which will protect not only river Ganga but all the sacred rivers of the nation from pollution, especially in light of the recent incidences where dead bodies were found floating in the rivers or the same was buried beside the banks of the river." The ABAP aims to bring down the burials by one third within a year and further cut it down to half in another six months. ABAP plans to rope in seers and local religious leaders, who are revered and respected by locals, and these seers would preach and convince locals residing in cities and villages located along the rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada and Kaveri, among others, to cremate their dead using electric crematoriums. This would not only protect these rivers but also save countless trees that are chopped to provide wood for traditional wooden pyre cremations. ABAP General Secretary, Mahant Hari Giri, who is also chief patron of the Shri Panchdashnaam Juna Akhada, said, "Burying the dead on river banks should be stopped as this results in polluting our scared rivers as when the sand gets displaced with time due to water current or strong winds and these bodies get exposed or drift into the river". He suggested that even as saints strive to convince people to stop burying dead bodies on the river banks, efforts need to be also made to provide some land near villages to enable Hindus to bury their dead bodies as this too would help is stopping the practice of using riverbanks for this purpose. The practice of burying dead bodies on riverbanks is an old tradition among many communities and sects of Hindus. ABAP president Mahant Narendra Giri said that in cases of death owing to some specific reasons like snakebites or certain skin ailments and dead bodies of children are often immersed in the rivers. "However, the threat of pollution due to these burials on river banks and immersion of bodies in rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna cannot be denied," he said. Lucknow, June 4 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has decided that students planning to study abroad will get vaccinated in school campuses. President and Managing Director of the City Montessori School, Geeta Gandhi Kingdon said, "We are in a process of arranging Covid jabs for our students who are going for higher studies to universities abroad. Instead of letting pupils arrange their vaccination, we, as a school, can facilitate it." Director of Modern School, Siddhartha Kapoor, said, "We look forward to arrange Covid jabs for our students and alumni. It is a great idea to vaccinate school students on the campus." A senior health official said that this was part of the government's programme to vaccinate various groups. "Students are an important part of the vaccination initiative and we will soon work out a programme for vaccination of students, particularly those who are planning to go to universities abroad for further education," he said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Gaza, June 4 : The Hamas-run Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza announced othat it has stopped importing Israeli fruits after the Jewish state banned the export of vegetables from the besieged enclave to the West Bank and abroad. "Israel banned the export of 15 different kinds of agricultural products, mainly tomatoes and cucumbers from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank and abroad," the Ministry said in a statement on Tursday. Israel had closed the Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza for four weeks, allowing only medical equipment and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave, Xinhua news agency reported. Israel and Gaza's Hamas fought a 11-day-long fighting in May, the most intense round since 2014 that left 254 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead. An Egypt-brokered cease-fire between the two sides went into effect on May 21. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, June 4 : Even though providing protection against liability claims to the vaccine manufacturers as contemplated by the central government seems unconstitutional, if at all it is given then it should be prospective and not retrospective, said an advocate whose client has preferred a claim against Serum Institute of India Private Ltd. The Cenre is mulling to provide protection from indemnity protection to Pfizer and Moderna in case of adverse effects on people administered with their Covid-19 vaccine. Indian vaccine maker Serum Institute that makes the Covishield vaccine also said such protection should be applicable for all companies. Incidentally Serum Institute is already facing a liability claim of Rs 5 crore from a city based business consultant who had volunteered for the Covishield's clinical trial and suffered adverse side effects. "There should be a liability claim option for the people. Can the central government underwrite the liability on behalf of the corporates," N.G.R. Prasad, Advocate, Row & Reddy, told IANS. Prasad is the advocate for the Chennai volunteer. "Such a protection may result in drug companies not taking safety very seriously.AIndia is a populous country and no liability clause even for the central government is unconstitutional and will be tested in the court of law," Prasad added. He said if at all a protection against liability claims is to be given to the companies, then it should be prospective and not retrospective. The drug supply contract is subject to the Contract Act which provides that the contracting parties should be on equal footing and there is also the Article 21 of the Indian Constitution that provides for Right to Life, Prasad said. On the insurance protection for the companies, a top official of a general insurance company told IANS that the reinsurers should provide the back up support for the primary insurers to underwrite such covers. Queried about the status of the case filed by his client Prasad said some of the opposite parties have to file their counters. The volunteer, a city-based business consultant, had developed severe neurological complications after the first dose of Covishield vaccination which was under development at Serum Institute, the volunteer's wife had told IANS. On coming to know about the call for volunteers for the third phase of human trial at Sri Ramachandra Institute for testing the Covid-19 vaccine developed by the Oxford University, the public spirit in him wanted to volunteer. The volunteer had signed the consent form on September 29, 2020. As the test for antibodies against Covid-19 was negative, the Covishield study vaccine was given to him on October 1, 2020. For 10 days after vaccination, there was no adverse reaction, but on October 11, 2020 the volunteer woke up at 5.30 a.m. with a severe headache and went back to sleep and did not get up when his wife tried to wake him up at 9 a.m. At 2 p.m., he woke up and vomited and went back to sleep, saying he had a severe headache. There was a total behavioural change in him - he was not aware of his surroundings, he showed irritation towards light and sound, and was resisting any effort to make him get up from bed, the legal notice issued to Serum Institute and others said. "Our client developed severe neurological health complications after he was given the test dose. We had sent a legal notice to the Serum Institute; Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR); AstraZeneca, UK; Drugs Controller General of India; Andrew Pollard, Chief Investigator, Oxford Vaccine Trial; The Jenner Institute Laboratories, University of Oxford; and the Vice Chancellor of Sri Ramachandra Higher Education and Research," Prasad had told IANS. The volunteer has claimed a compensation of Rs.5 crore for his neurological problems that cropped up after the vaccination. On its part, the Serum Institute that it would file a case claiming damages over Rs 100 crore which the volunteer's wife had termed as shocking, intimidating and also childish. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in) Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, June 4 : A story of sheer grit and determination, Indian trans beauty Naaz Joshi's journey to being crowned winner at several beauty pageants was not without a fair share of struggle. Today, Joshi is a pioneering transgender international beauty queen, a trans rights activist, and a supermodel from the trans community. But the 37-year-old says her life had "no family support, no friends, no relatives", and has achieved solely due to her individual effort. Born Aizya Joshi in Delhi's Malviya Nagar, Joshi shares her life story and views on issues that affect the LGBTQIA+ community. "All the pageants that I have participated in, I have had to arrange my own money for my fee, for my costumes and flight tickets. All the international contests I have participated in have been with women. I have faced discrimination to the point that gyms didn't allow me membership because my presence would make other clients uncomfortable. So to work on my body, I saw YouTube videos of Shilpa Shetty and learnt the art of yoga. I have been through physical and verbal abuse by my family and society. I escaped an acid attack attempted by strangers a few years ago. While traveling by metro, I have seen many people turn to me with hate," Joshi tells IANSlife in an interview. In a poignant chat, Joshi says that life has been hell and one "worse than an animals" for her, adding that she isn't allowed to meet her relatives till date. Joshi recently won the international title of Empress Earth 2021-22 in a virtual contest during Covid-19. Trans teasing and discrimination Sharing her views on the strictly-enforced gender binary in India, and how any other identity stands to be erased, ridiculed and discriminated against, Joshi says: "India lacks gender sensitivity. Trans Bill 2019 spoke about how sexual harassment to transwomen is subject to punishment of just two years, while for natural born women it's seven years. In a country where the state of women is still regressive, parties ask for votes on agendas like No Rapes. Do you think in this country we shall get freedom of expression?" Adding, even people in urban areas and the Indian capital, call people of the trans community with derogatory terms, even after getting sex re-assignment surgery done. "Trans teasing is very common. It's painful to be born as transgender in our country. The government is not bothered with a marginalised community as they don't consider us as their vote bank." Unrealistic beauty standards for women, including transwomen Joshi recalls seeing fairness cream adverts, which claim fairness can unlock Miss India titles and high ranking jobs. "The beauty standards have increased now, I see everyone using filters and using beauty apps on Instagram. Photoshop has become an essential need. Beauty is from within. Internationally, Indian skin is loved, look at Priyanka Chopra, people called her 'kaali' (dark) in her childhood and today she is ruling the world. I have been offered many webseries where I auditioned but roles were given to extremely female looking trans women. Do you think it's fair? I don't look like a woman, I don't wear much make up, people age shame me, body shame me, colour shame me, they comment, look at her, is she a beauty queen? But internationally beauty standards are changing. The standards of Indian beauty for women and transwomen must change. We are full of compassion and passion to human kind. Kindly see our heart not the face," she adds. As a beauty queen, how far does she think beauty contests go in setting the scales right? Are they a step in the right direction? "In India, there is only one beauty pageant for trans women and in the world there are just four. I have been so lucky to get entry in the pageants where the entry of trans women isn't possible. I will thank Miss World Diversity to show their faith in me and I went on to a responsible queen where I just didn't sit with the crown at home, I did grass root work not just for trans women but for women and under privileged children too." Joshi believes, "Indian beauty pageants are still looking for a movie actress in their winners while internationally it's more about community service, it's about your internal beauty. They see your love for humanity. International beauty pageants for women are doing a great job, but it all depends on their winners. Today I go and speak on gender sensitisation to many school and colleges and it's all thanks to my crowns. I compete in various pageants every year, dreaming that may be one day I will be recognised as a celebrity and then I shall have voice to demand respect for every one." International brands like Revlon and L'Oreal have not shied away from naming LGBTQ+ figures as their ambassadors, but Indian beauty brands have not attempted it thus far. Joshi's take? "Perhaps they don't see Indian transwomen as worth it. Most of us live under the poverty line and don't have money to buy Mac or Sephora products. The population recorded of transgender women in India is just 4.5 lakhs but in real it's much more than that. So for such a small buyer list they don't want Indian transwomen to be face of their brands. I am India's first and only international trans beauty queen who hold the main title and that too not one but seven. But my own trans community is unaware of it," she says. Finally, Joshi's message this Pride Month? "My message would be stay strong. If no one supports you then you be a big support for yourself . It's your struggle and don't think there will be a magic that shall happen, you want a change? Speak out loud. Be fierce. Be strong and don't let anyone change your opinion. You are beautiful and stay beautiful. Don't let your happiness depend on anyone. Let your happiness be yours. Love what you do. Do what you love. I want people to treat us like humans and not animals. We too have a heart and it hurts. We are also born out of a straight mom and a father. Please don't hate us for our gender or orientation. Respect us. Happy Pride Month to all." (Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in) Jhansi : , June 4 (IANS) A 20-year-old youth and 15-year-old girl, who had consumed poison in an apparent suicide pact, are now out of danger. The couple, both from Mahoba, had consumed poison in Lalitpur district, late on Wednesday night when they were being taken back to their families by the police. The two had been staying in Lalitpur with an acquaintance after running away from their homes. The couple was rushed to the community health centre (CHC) Talbeth, from where they were referred to Jhansi Medical College where their condition is said to be stable. The youth, identified as Santosh, had eloped with a minor girl from Charkhari area of Mahoba district a few days ago. They were planning to marry each other. The parents of the girl had lodged a report of abduction, after which the Mahoba police started a hunt for the girl. They put the mobile of the girl on surveillance and found its location in Lalitpur district. A team of Mahoba police went to the village on Wednesday and apprehended both of them. While returning, as the police vehicle carrying them reached Talbeth, the couple somehow managed to consume the poison they were carrying with them. As they started losing consciousness, police got alerted and took them to the nearby CHC, from where they were referred to Jhansi Medical College. SP Lalitpur Pramod Kumar said they did not know about the presence of Mahoba police that took the couple without informing their counterparts in Lalitpur. Chief medical superintendent (CMS) of Jhansi Medical College, Dr Harish Chandra Arya said that the boy and the girl had consumed rat poison. "They are out of danger and will be discharged in a day or two," he added. Brussels, June 4 : The European Commission has unveiled its plan for a new Digital Identity wallet, which will be available to all citizens, residents and businesses in the European Union (EU). According to the proposal unveiled on Thursday, EU citizens would be able to sign up voluntarily for the wallet, which would allow them to access a wide range of public services and store official documents, reports Xinhua news agency. "Today we propose to offer Europeans a new digital identity. One that ensures trust and protects users online," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter. "With it, you will be able to prove your identity and share electronic documents from your European Digital Identity wallet with the click of a button on your phone.". Users who sign up for it will also be able to access online services with their national digital identification, which will be recognised throughout Europe. The digital wallet "will enable us to do in any member state as we do at home without any extra cost and fewer hurdles", Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission's executive vice president for a Europe fit for the digital age, told the media. The European Digital ID wallet offers "a new possibility for (users) to store and use data for all sorts of services, from checking in at the airport to renting a car", Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton commented. Mumbai, June 4 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed authorised dealer banks to provide margin money facility to Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) for their transactions in Government Securities (G-Sec). The move is aimed at encouraging investments by FPIs in the Indian debt market. Announcing the measure, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said that the provision would ease operational constraints faced by FPIs and promote ease of doing business. As per RBI's decision, authorised dealer banks will now be able to place margins on behalf of their FPI clients for their transactions in Government Securities, including State Development Loans and Treasury Bills. This will be permitted within the credit risk management framework of banks, Das said. Tehran, June 4 : Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has expressed "strong dismay" over the suspension of the country's voting rights at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), saying the US sanctions were to be blamed for Tehran's inability to pay dues. Iran and the Central African Republic will lose their voting rights at the UNGA since the countries are in arrears on paying their dues to the world body's operating budget, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a letter to UNGA President Volkan Bozkir circulated on Wednesday. "In 'black is white' world, UN deprived Iran of its voting rights in the UNGA as we're in arrears," Zarif said in a tweet on Thursday, adding that the decision is "fundamentally flawed, entirely unacceptable and completely unjustified". Iran's inability to fulfil its financial obligation towards the UN is "directly caused by unlawful unilateral sanctions imposed by the US", the Foreign Minister added. He noted that since former US President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, "the people of Iran have been under the most unprecedented economic warfare and indeed economic terrorism". Zarif added that the Iranians "have been forcibly blocked from transferring their own money and resources to buy food and medicine, let alone pay UN contributions arrears". The "extreme restrictions" on Iran's international banking relations caused by Washington's "acts of war and economic terrorism" have impaired the country's capacity to transfer its financial contribution to the UN, he added. Paris, June 4 : No explosive device was found on board an Air France flight which had been isolated after landing at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris following a bomb alert, Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin announced. "End of the intervention, no explosive device was found on board the Air France Ndjamena-Paris plane," Xinhua news agency quoted Darmanin as saying on Thursday night.. The flight from Ndjamena, the capital of Chad, was isolated after landing in the French capital at 4.01 p.m. on Thursday. All passengers were disembarked and an inter-ministerial crisis cell had been convened following the suspicion of the presence of an explosive device. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Helsinki, June 4 : The Finland government has announced the extension of its Covid-19 travel restrictions from other Schengen countries until June 27. In a statement on Thursday, the government said that as the virus has continued to spread, Finland does not "yet have adequate measures to replace the restrictions", Xinhua news agency reported However, air travel to Finland for all work purposes will now be allowed from the Schengen area and from the European Union (EU) member states. Until now, only essential work-related air travel has been allowed. Students will be allowed to enter the country for purposes of training included in their studies, the statement said. However, arrivals by the sea from other EU countries, as well as neighbouring Sweden across the land border remain subject to the current coronavirus travel regime, i.e. they are allowed for essential reasons only. "Essential work" means work that is important for the functioning of society or the security of supply or for certain specifically defined groups as defined by the government. Finnish citizens and permanent residents of the country can arrive and depart without restrictions. Cruise vessels are permitted to call at Finnish ports, but passengers are not allowed to disembark, the statement noted. Entry restrictions have been lifted earlier for residents of the border communities between Finland and Norway. Based on an epidemiological assessment, arrivals from Iceland and Malta are now unrestricted. The Covid-19 situation has improved noticeably in Finland over the past week. The spread of coronavirus has slowed down in many areas, but significant regional differences remain, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) said. To date, 45.7 per cent of the country's population have already received the first Covid-19 vaccine dose and 9.9 per cent both doses, according to the THL. Since the onset of the pandemic early last year, Finland has registered a total of 92,913 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 959 deaths. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) June 04 : The audience waited for almost two years for the second season of the show 'The Family Man 2'. The show is finally streaming on Amazon Prime and we must say the wait has been worth it! Raj and DK along with Manoj Bajpayee and the team are back with a bang with this thrilling experience! The first season of the show was released without much fanfare but post its release, there was much anticipation for the second season. The Family Man season 2 in all means is bigger, better, and quirkier than the first one! The story revolves around Srikant Tiwari's (Manoj Bajpayee) life who has quit his job at the Task Force and has settled for a 9-5 corporate job at an IT firm. He tries to fit in here but continues to live in denial that he is happy. Situations make him return to head a dangerous mission in Chennai. This time he is confronted by a group of Sri Lankan Tamil rebels headed by Raji (Samantha Akkineni), who plan to assassinate the Prime Minister of India. Hats off to Raj and DK with yet another remarkable season! They have kept the writing tight and their humour can be seen across the show. It is a fast-paced emotional drama which will keep you hooked! Manoj Bajpayee is an actor par excellence and it is his show all throughout! He shines as Srikant. Samantha is super impressive with her powerful performance. All the other characters are too perfectly fitted. All in all, The Family Man 2 is worthy of a binge-watch! It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Tunis, June 4 : As French Prime Minister Jean Castex wrapped up his visit to Tunisia, the two countries signed several cooperation agreements covering the fields of maritime transport, prevention of natural disasters, seawater desalination, agriculture, commerce and digital technology. Leading a high-level delegation, the French Prime Minister on Wednesday arrived here on a two-day official visit to attend the third joint High Council of Cooperation, Xinhua news agency reported. Besides the cooperation agreements, a credit deal of 41 million euros ($49 million) was also inked on Thursday for the acquisition of six new tugs and for the benefit of the Tunisian Office of the Merchant Marine and Ports. It will replace the six old ones acquired in 1980 and 1990. Another credit agreement worth 40 million euros was signed to finance a Tunisian program in developing resilience capacities to natural disasters. A partnership agreement was concluded between the Tunisian National Company for Water Exploitation and Distribution and French Development Agency, aiming to improve the industrial and environmental performance of two desalination stations with a budget of 202,000 euros. A letter of intent was also signed to promote the establishment of a digital dialogue between the two countries, in addition to a new administrative arrangement in the agricultural field. As he concluded his visit, Castex tweeted: "Going from speeches to actions, giving life to our common projects, facing the challenges that mobilise our two nations in solidarity and trust: this is the meaning of the High Council for Franco-Tunisian Cooperation." United Nations, June 4 : The UN Security Council (UNSC) has extended the mandate of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) for a year until June 3, 2022. Resolution 2579, adopted unanimously on Thursday, retains the four strategic objectives for UNITAMS outlined in Resolution 2524, which established the mission on June 3, 2020, reports Xinhua news agency. Resolution 2579 contains several adjustments, including to reflect the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) signed on October 3, 2020. Broadly, UNITAMS' strategic objectives are: assisting the political transition; supporting the peace processes and the implementation of the JPA; assisting peacebuilding, protection of civilians and rule of law, particularly in Darfur and the Two Areas (South Kordofan and Blue Nile); and supporting the mobilisation of economic and development assistance, and coordination of humanitarian and peace building assistance. The Resolution decides that, in line with its strategic objectives and support to the government's national priorities, UNITAMS should prioritise support to six specified areas during the mandate period. These areas include support to ceasefire monitoring in Darfur; implementation of the National Plan for Civilian Protection; and the constitution drafting process. The text requests the Secretary-General to swiftly increase the deployment of personnel to UNITAMS. It also requests the government to swiftly sign the UNITAMS Status of Mission Agreement. A further request is for UNITAMS and the UN Country Team with which it is integrated to establish an Integrated Strategic Framework or an equivalent within 60 days of the Resolution's adoption. The Resolution expresses concern that the security situation in some areas of Darfur has deteriorated because of increased intercommunal violence and underscores the need to intensify peacebuilding efforts. Inter-communal clashes remain a major source of insecurity in Sudan, especially in Darfur, where 170 people were killed and over 230 injured in recent days. Sudan entered a political transition process after the Sudanese army ousted former President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 following a popular uprising that lasted for months. On August 21, 2019, Sudan started a 39-month transitional period under a transitional government comprising military and civilian officials. Bhopal, June 4 : Scores of junior doctors have resigned after the division bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court had declared their state-wide strike as "illegal" and ordered them to resume work within 24 hours. The Junior Doctors' Association (JUDA) have been on a strike for the past couple of days, pressing for various demands, including hike in their stipend. On Thursday, the High Court while hearing a petition called the strike "unconstitutional" and asked the JUDA members to return to their work within the next 24 hours. The government had been told to take strict action against those doctors who do not resume their work within the stipulated time. It is pertinent to mention here that there are 3,000 junior doctors in six medical colleges across the state. Madhya Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (MPJDA) president Arvind Meena has said that all the junior doctors of the state have resigned. "Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan should intervene and make efforts to end the strike." Meena has also accused the government of putting unnecessary pressure on the doctors. The doctors have also threatened that they will take to the streets if the pressure mounts, as they are getting support from the people as well. They will also appeal to the Supreme Court on this matter. However, sources said that the state government has promised 17 per cent hike in the doctor's stipend. Meanwhile, the strike has completely disrupted the healthcare services across Madhya Pradesh. Mumbai, June 4 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the exposure threshold to benefit under its Resolution Framework 2.0 to Rs 50 crore. The 'Resolution Framework 2.0' announced by RBI on May 5, 2021, so far had mandated a maximum aggregate exposure of Rs 25 crore for considering resolution of COVID-19 related stress of MSMEs as well as non-MSME small businesses, and loans to individuals for business purposes. "Based on a review, it has been decided to enhance the above exposure threshold to Rs 50 crore. Accordingly, the above categories of borrowers to whom the lending institutions have aggregate exposure of not more than Rs 50 crore as on March 31, 2021, and which have not been restructured earlier under any of the specified restructuring frameworks, shall be eligible to be considered for resolution under Resolution Framework 2.0," said the RBI's Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies. This move would ensure more businesses get relief under the scheme. The decision comes at a crucial time as the most business activities across the country remain shut or are partially operational amid the severe second wave of Covid-19 and the lockdowns across states. Banks had last month asked the central bank to expand the ambit of the scheme and raise its exposure limit to above Rs 25 crore. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Lake Charles, LA (70615) Today Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon. High around 95F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low around 75F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. New Delhi, June 4 : To help fight Covid-19 with better equipment and resources, Samsung India on Friday announced new Smart Healthcare centres at government hospitals across the country as part of its citizenship initiative. Samsung Smart Healthcare centres are equipped with modern Digital X-ray and Digital Ultrasound machines made by Samsung. "Samsung Smart Healthcare programme supports the government's efforts to benefit communities with limited access to quality healthcare," Partha Ghosh, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship, Samsung India, said in a statement. "With these new centres, we now have our healthcare equipment in 142 government hospitals across India. We salute the Covid warriors who have been working tirelessly over the last year to help people," he added. The new hospitals where the centres are located are in cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Indore, Keylong, Akola, Jamnagar, Shimla and Palakkad, among others. This addition takes the number of hospitals in the country covered under this citizenship programme to 142. In the last year alone, Samsung ramped up the programme to add 56 new Samsung Smart Healthcare centres in hospitals across 19 states, contributing to Covid-19 management. This included 15 Smart Healthcare centres in the last two months. The company's innovative Digital X-ray machines are being utilised for faster Covid-19 diagnosis at these government hospitals, the company said. Feedback from hospitals indicate that these Digital X-ray machines, which are portable, are extensively being used for in-room diagnosis of patients, it added. The Digital X-ray machines have also helped government hospitals improve efficiency and increase diagnostic capacities, as the output from these machines can be monitored by doctors directly on a computer screen, doing away with physical X-ray films. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mumbai, June 4 : In a move to support small and medium businesses in their credit requirements, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a special liquidity facility of Rs 16,000 crore for Small Industries Development Bank of India(SIDBI). This comes over and above the Rs 15,000 crore liquidity support announced in April. This facility is expected support the MSMEs amid the current Covid crisis and the lockdowns across states. "In order to meet MSMEs' short- and medium-term credit needs to kick start the investment cycle with additional focus on smaller MSMEs and businesses including those in credit deficient and aspirational districts, it has been decided to provide a further special liquidity facility of Rs 16,000 crore to SIDBI," said Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies. It noted that the facility would be extended for on-lending and refinancing through novel models and structures including double intermediation, pooled bond, loan issuances among others. The facility will be available at the prevailing policy repo rate for a period of up to one year. RBI said that it may consider further extension of the facility depending on its usage. On April 7, 2021, the central bank had extended fresh support of Rs 50,000 crore to All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) for new lending in 2021-22, in a bid to nurture the growth impulses of the economy. It included a special liquidity facility of Rs 25,000 crore to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Rs 10,000 crore to the National Housing Bank (NHB) and liquidity facility worth Rs 15,000 crore to SIDBI. Mainpuri : , June 4 (IANS) Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh, which is home to the largest Sarus crane population in the country, will soon be developed as a Sarus circuit as part of promoting eco-tourism. The circuit, which will have over a dozen wetlands and a bird sanctuary, is ready and will be thrown open to the public once the Covid restrictions are lifted, said a state government official. According to Chief Development Officer (CDO), Mainpuri, Eesha Priya, "It is an eco-tourism project and also a step towards conservation branding. It will help conserve Sarus and give eco-tourists a reason to visit Mainpuri." The first phase of the three-round Sarus census had counted over 2,866 Sarus in Mainpuri in September last year. The circuit will connect two blocks of Mainpuri, Kishni and Karhal, and spread over 676 hectares, including around 526 hectares of Saman bird sanctuary which is also a Ramsar site (a wetland with international recognition). About a dozen wetlands which lie outside Saman but are part of the circuit cover over 152 hectares. "If you enter Karhal, which has Lucknow-Agra Expressway passing through it, you will see three of these wetlands close to each other," said the official. Several wetlands in Kishni and Karhal have been lost due to encroachment, illegal cultivation and other factors over a period of time. Some of the wetlands in the past had been given away as 'patta' to people. Mainpuri is also a place of natural depression. Sarus and other migratory birds used to flock to these wetlands. Conservationists cite habitat destruction as the biggest threat to the population of Sarus which is known to stay at its habitat for the entire lifetime till it is forced to leave. Sarus began returning to these sites in Mainpuri, after the district administration started reviving and digging the lost wetlands in December last year. The CDO said, "We did not use JCB to dig the machines but it was done under MNREGS, involving local labourers, who would also take pride in the kind of work they are doing." Sarus could be seen at these wetlands at present. About a dozen of these wetlands are connected to the web of canals and have enough water to support the population of Sarus and other migratory birds. "We are making gram pradhans own it up. They would make watch towers on the circuit for the visitors. We are trying to make it a community project," she said. The point to make the project also economically beneficial for the locals would, however, come up for consideration only when the tourists start coming and footfalls increase. Mainpuri , incidentally, is the parliamentary constituency for Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. Islamabad, June 4 : Two policemen were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Islamabad, sources in the Pakistani capital city said on Friday. The incident occurred when the policemen late on Thursday night stopped a motorbike for checking, but the riders opened fire at them rather than pulling over, Xinhua news agency quoted the sources as saying. The attackers fled the scene and a heavy contingent of police reached the site to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, a search operation has been launched to apprehend the attackers. No group or individual has claimed responsibility yet. Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad has condemned the attack, saying that the culprits will be brought to justice. Wellington, June 4 : New Zealand on Friday further extended the suspension of its quarantine-free travel with Australia's Victoria state for an additional six days, with a further review due on June 9, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said. The extension will prevent civilians from returning for almost two weeks, and "New Zealanders will be wanting some certainty around when they can start to plan to come home", Hipkins said in a statement. The extension will cause further inconvenience to those whose travel plans have already been disrupted, Xinhua news agency reported citing the Minister as further saying. The New Zealand government has announced plans for a carefully managed commencement of "green flights" from Melbourne, capital city of the Victoria state, from June 8, Hipkins said. Travel on such flights will be limited to New Zealand citizens, Australians normally residing in New Zealand, people with humanitarian exemptions and critical workers stranded in Victoria, he said. Anyone boarding these flights will need to have a negative pre-departure test for Covid-19 taken less than 72 hours before departure, the Minister said, adding travellers have to be confirmed that they have not been at a location of interest. New Zealand's quarantine-free travel with Australia's Victoria state was suspended on May 25 due to a community outbreak of Covid-19 in Melbourne. The two sides kicked off the Trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel in April, in an effort to boost economic and tourism recovery from the pandemic. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Melbourne, June 4 : The Australian government announced on Friday that it will fund a dedicated quarantine facility for returning travellers in Victoria, where a new Covid-19 outbreak led to a lockdown. The second-most populous state, also the hardest-hit state by the pandemic in the country, recently reported more than 60 cases linked to the current outbreak, reports Xinhua news agency. The government funding was reportedly at about A$200 million ($153 million) for the 500-bed facility, which might be built in either Mickleham in Melbourne's north or Avalon in the west, according to local media reports. It came after the Victoria government called for federal aid after recently extending the restrictions for the Melbourne area by another seven days. The Victorian government proposed the facility in April but said federal funding was needed to build it. Construction is expected to start in September, and to be completed in January 2022. The facility will be used on top of hotel quarantine to repatriate Australian citizens and residents stranded overseas amid the pandemic. Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said the decision to fund the facility was not an admission that hotel quarantine was insufficient. Hotels have been used to quarantine international arrivals to Australia since March 2020 but breaches in the system have been responsible for several outbreaks in the community. Australia has so far reported 30,137 confirmed cases of Covid-19, while the death toll stood at 910. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Kolkata, June 4 : Amid speculation of BJP national vice-president Mukul Roy's returning to Trinamool Congress, Mamata Banerjee's party is meeting for the first time on Saturday after their successful stint in theassembly polls. The two major issues that will feature is the 'ghar-wapsi' of the trinamool-turncoats and the party's strategy in the crucial bypolls. The meeting is likely to be chaired by the chief minister herself. All senior leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee and strategist Prasant Krishor are likely to attend the meeting. Some leaders said they expected the party's top decision-making bodies to be rejigged to accommodate some new faces. However, there was no formal word on this. Sources in the party said that the top leaders of the party are getting feelers from several turncoats -- Trinamool congress leaders who joined BJP before the election -- expressing their willingness to come back. These sources also indicated that there will be no uniform policy rather the return of the leaders will be decided on a case-to-case basis. "We will consider every aspect of the leader and also take the opinion of the local leaders before allowing the person to return under the umbrella of the party again," a senior Trinamool Congress leader said. Trinamool sources have also indicated that the high voltage elections have created a "trust-deficit" between these defectors and local workers, leaders said. The party is also likely to thrash it out threadbare on a proposal mooted by party MP Abhishek Banerjee -- for a one-leader-one-post formula in which leaders with ministerial berths and administrative responsibilities may be relieved of their party roles. Apart from Mukul Roy, who has dropped broad hints indicating that his equation with Mamata Banerjee, as well as Trinamool Congress, has diluted a lot, there are several BJP leaders who have expressed their willingness to come back to the party. Sonali Guha who left the party not getting a party ticket in the assembly election said that she had left the party out of extreme emotion and in a fit of rage, but now she has realised that she "has made a huge mistake". In an emotional tweet to the chief minister, the former MLA of TMC wrote, "Sekhane (BJP) nijeke maniye nite parini. Mach jemon jol chara thakte pare na, temoni ami apnake chara banchte parbo na. Didi ami khomaprathri, daya kore amake khoma kore din. Apni na khoma kore ami banchbo na (which roughly translates into -- just like a fish she feels out of water in the BJP. She cannot fit in with the BJP. She cannot live without Banerjee and if her Chief Minister did not forgive her, she will perish)". Expressing her willingness to join the TMC again, the former deputy speaker of the assembly wrote, "Apnar aanchaler tole amake tene niye baki jibonta amake apnar snehatole thakar sujog kore din (Take me under your fold and allow me to live the rest of my life under your guidance and blessing)". Sarala Murmu who was allotted ticket for Habibpur assembly constituency left the party in March and joined BJP alleging that the district leadership were not allowing her to work. Though sources in the party said that she left the party because she wanted to contest from Malda South. Murmu wrote a letter to Banerjee on Sunday expressing her willingness to join the party. However, there was no official confirmation to the letter yet from the party. "There are many people who want to come back ,including 6 MLAs and 3 MPs. "They had left the party when the party was in trouble and now, they want to come back. I cannot make a comment on this because there has been no policy decision on this issue. "The party will decide the future of these people," Trunamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said. Apart from the 'Ghar-wapsi' issue which is likely to take the centre-stage in the discussion Mamata Banerjee is also expected to throw light on the bypoll issue. Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay has resigned as Bhowanipore MLA and started his outreach in Khardah. The party has not made any formal announcement that Banerjee would re-contest from her old Bhowanipore seat. Likewise, Covid deaths and resignation of two BJP MPs Nisith Pramanik and Jagannath Sarkar as MLAs have also thrown open five assembly seats for by-elections. New Delhi, June 4 : Christie's announces Art for Education, the inaugural celebrity art auction fundraiser to benefit the Chema Vision Children's Center (Chema) in Nairobi, Kenya. The online sale is produced in collaboration with LA's art and luxury fashion retailer, Church Boutique, and the eco-fashion house Ministry of Tomorrow (MOT) powered by Christie's charity auction partner Charitybuzz. The online auction runs from June 1-16 with an in-person preview at Christie's New York from June 4-9. The sale features 24 original celebrity designs on eco-friendly handbags supplied by MOT. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Chema to help fund the schools operating budget with a goal to raise $100k. Each handbag features a unique hand-painted design created by some of Hollywood's biggest names including Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Halle Berry, Lenny Kravitz, Zoe Kravitz, Paris Jackson, Lionel Richie, Eddie Murphy, Evan Ross, Maggie Q, Usher, Raquel Bitton, Chrome Hearts and more. The Chema school is situated in the middle of Kibera, Africa's largest urban slum and was established to provide quality education for some of Kibera's most vulnerable children. Many of the students are orphans or children of single parents without income to pay for school fees. Just before the pandemic, Chema was forced to relocate because the school structure was not up to code. MOT's vegan bag production facility is located near the school and Julian Prolman, president of MOT heard about the school's dilemma. Through an initial fundraiser orchestrated by MOT, Chema was able to relocate to a safe building. Art for Education continues to fundraise to ensure there are adequate funds to cover faculty and operational expenses that includes a daily meal for the students. When Church Boutique's founders, Rodney Burns and David Malvaney, learned about the urgent need at Chema from their supply partner MOT whose branded bags are featured at The Church Boutique, they quickly reached out to their network to request support. Without hesitation, Rodney and David's luminary friends offered to help. In addition, Laurie Lynn Stark, the creator of the international jewelry and clothing brand Chrome Hearts, has joined in to create her own unique MOT tote. "We believe that luxury is a privilege that comes with the responsibility to care for others in need and therefore we are thrilled to collaborate with MOT to do what we can to make a difference in the lives of children born into challenging circumstances," said Rodney Burns. "Chema is a Swahili word meaning something good, and that is what we are trying to do with Art for Education," said Julian Prolman. (IANSlife Features can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) Mumbai, June 4 : Actor Mukul Chadda plays a pivotal role in the upcoming web series "Sunflower", a quirky murder mystery set in a housing society. He shares anecdotes of weird rules that often exist in housing societies of the city. Recalling early memories of searching for a rented apartment when he came to Mumbai, Mukesh says after a point it became a game in his mind as to what weird rule he would get to hear from the next housing society. "There are housing societies where dogs are not allowed, bachelors are not allowed. In one society I was told by the landlord that they do not encourage any Bollywood members in the society and so, as I am an actor, they wouldn't give the apartment to me. I walked out of another housing society because of their discriminatory attitude towards a specific religious group. Although they had nothing against me, if a housing society holds such a negative attitude towards people based on their religious identity, I would rather not stay there," Mukul told IANS. However, according to him, the most remarkable things happen to young live-in couples! "As we know it is tough to get a house for live-in couples. There are many who carry fake marriage certificates to rent a house. A friend couple rented a place and told the society they are married. Eventually, they got married but on their wedding day, they could not invite any of their neighbours because, in the eyes of the society, they were officially already married! They went out, got married and came back to the building like a regular couple, not dressed like newlywed couples!" he signed off, laughing. The web series "Sunflower" revolves around a murder that takes place in a housing society. The show also features Sunil Grover, Ranvir Shorey, Girish Kulkarni, Shonali Nagrani, Sonal Jha, and Ashish Vidyarthi among others, and releases on Zee5 on June 11. Manila, June 4 : The Philippines has eased the pandemic quarantine period from 14 days to seven days for inbound travellers who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Friday. In a statement, Roque said these fully vaccinated travellers will no longer require to undergo a Covid-19 RT-PCR or swab test upon arrival, Xinhua news agency repored. An RT-PCR test will only be carried out when the individual shows Covid-19 symptoms within the seven-day quarantine. Roque said the inter-agency coronavirus task force approved the new guidelines on Thursday. "An individual shall be considered as having been fully vaccinated two or more weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series, or two or more weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine," Roque explained. He said that a fully vaccinated individual must carry the vaccination card verified before departure. After completing the seven-day facility-based quarantine, Roque said the quarantine bureau shall issue a quarantine certificate indicating the individual's vaccination status. He reiterated that the Southeast Asian country only allows foreign nationals with valid and existing visas to enter. The Philippines previously required all arriving travellers to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival and a swab test on the seventh day within the stay in a quarantine facility. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Remote supervisors use real-time GPS tracking to monitor the robots. Four cameras are placed on the front, back and sides of the vehicle, which the supervisors can view on a computer screen. If crossing the street is necessary, the robot will need a person nearby to ensure there is no harm to cars or pedestrians. The plan is to allow deliveries up to a mile and a half away so robots can make it to their destinations in 30 minutes or less. New Delhi, June 4 : Last month the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had surprised many by announcing huge surplus transfer of Rs 99,122 crore to Centre for nine months ended March 31, 2021. Now it has justified the transfer suggesting that it was made possible due to lower risk capital provisioning by the central bank this year as it balance sheet size shrunk by a fourth. Addressing media persons about the MPC decisions after the statement of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, the Central Bank's Deputy Governor T.Rabi Sankar said that the increase in balance sheet size of RBI which swelled to Rs 12.37 lakh crore in 2019-20 shrunk to a quarter at Rs 3.64 lakh crore in 2020-21. "This allowed lower risk capital provisioning this year allowing for generation of higher surplus," Sankar said. He added that along with this, transfer from profit to contingent fund has also come down this year generating more surplus. The higher transfer of surplus is expected to help the government ease fiscal pressure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and also aid it in giving the economy a boost. In the past, the demand on the RBI for higher dividends and to part with a greater share of its capital has been a hotly debated issue between the central bank and the government. Skipping a direct answer, Das said during the post MPC press conference that surplus transfer was not a policy matter for the central bank but purely an accounting issue. The RBI Central Board last month approved the transfer of Rs 99,122 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting period of nine months ended March 31, 2021 (July 2020-March 2021), while deciding to maintain the Contingency Risk Buffer at 5.50 per cent. The RBI approved a Rs 1,76,000 crore ($24.8 billion) dividend payment to the government, including Rs 1,48,000 crore for FY20. RBI earns via interest income on account of open market operations (OMOs), foreign exchange (FX) gains, and writing back of excess risk provisions. It's liabilities include issuance of notes and deposits held (CRR and reverse repos). -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Ottawa, June 4 : Former Canadian Senator Murray Sinclair has called for an independent investigation into the sites of indigenous residential schools across the country. Addressing the the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee of Parliament on Thursday, Sinclair, also the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), said a search must be conducted outside the purview of a government department, reports xinhua news agency. "In order for us to deal with this properly, we need to ensure that there is an independent study that is done into that question of those burial sites, where they are, and what the numbers are going to tell us," he told the committee. On May 28, the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation confirmed the discovery of the remains of 215 indigenous children buried at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, which operated between 1890 and 1978. It had housed as many as 500 children at its peak. Over the course of more than 100 years, some 150,000 indigenous children were taken away from their families and forced to attend the church-run residential schools, where many suffered physical and sexual abuse, malnutrition, and neglect. More than 4,000 are believed to have died. Following the discovery, indigenous leaders, residential school survivors, and opposition parties have called for the government to fund the research and excavation of all sites of former residential schools for unmarked graves in the country. Sinclair said he has spoken with "about 200 survivors" over the course of the last few days, who have expressed their "grief, their feelings of anger, their feelings of frustration" over the situation. The government has been criticized for failing to fully implement all sections of the 2015 TRC report with calls to address the missing children and unmarked graves at residential schools. The report includes maps showing the location of deceased residential school children; appropriate ceremonies, markers, and reburials; procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. Sinclair, who is also an indigenous lawyer, said the independent probe should be "overseen by a parliamentary committee that will ensure that it's done in a proper way as opposed to having anyone within the justice department or the department of Indigenous affairs controlling the process". "They're now beginning to question those who have made this story available and unfortunately, in a typically heavy-handed and ham-handed police way, they are simply intimidating people, rather than helping them," he added. New Delhi, June 4 : The Supreme Court on Friday refused to cancel anticipatory bail granted to a Mumbai-based TV anchor, accused in a rape case registered in the national capital in February this year. A bench comprising Justices Navin Sinha and Ajay Rastogi said there is no ground made out to interfere with the Delhi High Court order. Counsel appearing for the victim argued that the High Court granted bail disregarding statutory changes in the rape law, and it also virtually granted benefit of doubt on selective reading of Section 164 statement too. The counsel added that for 50 days the accused evaded arrest. The bench queried the victim's counsel, our question is, purely for purpose of bail only, question of normal human conduct and understanding. The bench added, if a man and woman are in a room, and man makes a request and woman complies with it, do we need to say anything more at this stage? The victim's counsel contended the IPC states that to each act there has to be unequivocal consent. The counsel added, if there is a particular act man wants to indulge in, and there is no consent, then it's an offence, and insisted that there was no continued consent. The bench replied that it is not impressed with the argument. The top court was hearing a plea by the rape victim challenging the Delhi High Court's order granting pre-arrest bail to Mumbai TV journalist Varun Hiremath, the High Court passed on May 13. The petitioner argued the High Court erroneously granted anticipatory bail in such heinous offences as rape and assault. The High Court had granted interim protection to Hiremath on the condition that he shall join the investigation whenever required. A Delhi court had earlier issued non-bailable warrant against Hiremath. The trial in March had declined to entertain Hiremath's anticipatory bail application in the rape case. Melbourne, June 4 : Authorities in Victoria on Friday issued an alert as a new Covid-19 variant was detected in the Australian state's latest outbreak and the source of the strain is still unidentified. The B.1.6172 coronavirus variant, also known as Delta, has been detected in two members of a family of four in West Melbourne, reports Xinhua news agency. However, the health authorities are still in search of how the persons were infected with the variant, since other cases were related to the Kappa strain. "It is a very significant concern," Victoria Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said. "It has not been linked to any sequence cases across Australia from hotel quarantine or anywhere else." Sutton told the press on Friday that the Delta variant had very high transmission potential, and there isn't much information about severity of illness with this variant, although there were some anecdotal reports of greater severity in children. The family also travelled to Jervis Bay in the neighbouring state of New South Wales (NSW). Currently Victorian health authorities are working with their counterparts in NSW, Australian Capital Territory and the federal. "We are examining who is the likely index case in this family, and therefore trying to trace back, where this variant has been picked up," Sutton said. In addition, the health authorities are chasing down all those primary close contacts of that family. "In terms of the ongoing sequencing, we will try to look at all other sequences, re-sequenced to the fullest extent possible across Australia to see if there are any potential linkages to known cases and that includes those who have come through formal quarantine but also anyone else, maritime, airline, diplomatic and otherwise," Sutton said. The state recorded four new local cases on Friday, the first day of its extended lockdown, from 494,39 tests results received in the past 24 hours and another two cases in returned travellers. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, June 4 : With the second wave of coronavirus infections slowly declining, migrant workers have started returning to Delhi in search of employment. With the capital announcing the unlock phase, all migrant workers are quite hopeful of life returning to normal again. Permission has been granted by the Delhi government to begin construction work and open factories in the national capital. A large number of migrant workers have started coming back from their native villages in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other states at two of the busiest bus terminals -- Delhi's Anand Vihar and Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi bus terminal. According to bus drivers and transport operators present at the two bus terminals, the number of people returning from their native places has increased during the last three to four days. Several companies in Delhi have started resuming operations. The contractors working for the company are calling the migrant workers back to work. There are also several migrant workers who after returning to the national capital will now have to look for work again. During the last 24 hours, 1.32 lakh new Covid-19 cases have been reported across the country while 2,713 patients have died. There are many states where the lockdown has been extended owing to rising cases of Covid-19 infections. Suraj, a migrant worker returning to Delhi from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, told IANS, "My contractor spoke with me on the phone and told me that since the work has resumed, I should report back to work. However, I had to face a lot of trouble after returning back to Delhi during the lockdown. There was a constant struggle for money, to buy food etc. Now as the work has resumed, I will search for work or else will go back to my native village." Dhirendra Yadav returned from Bihar along with his colleagues to the capital as soon as the process of unlocking began. He was informed by his colleagues who have been living in Delhi that work has resumed again. "As I have returned back to Delhi, one has to find work again." Pushpendra, a resident of Bulandshahr in UP, said after the lockdown was imposed he had returned to his native village. "Now I have returned back for work. I have been working in a stitching job in a company. I was not doing anything at home but now I am hopeful of getting work in two to four days." Sharjeel Ahmed, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, who has returned to Anand Vihar bus terminal, said he had gone home a month ago due to stoppage of work but got information that companies have started resuming operations. "I used to work in a speaker factory. If I have returned to Delhi now, I will search for a job in a factory. If I am unable to find work there then I would look for work elsewhere." However, the financial condition of the people has been severly hit during the Covid-19 pandemic. During the second wave of Covid-19, crores of people lost their jobs in April and May this year. However, as the cases of Covid-19 have started declining, the state governments have started providing relief to the people. This is the reason that migrant workers have once again started travelling to big cities in search of work. Panaji, June 4 : Goa's vaccination drive is a part-time affair, just like the part-time Governor who is officiating in the state, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said on Friday. Kamat, along with state Congress president Girish Chodankar, was speaking to reporters after submitting a memorandum demanding universal vaccination to Raj Bhavan. "When we came here, we saw that the Governor wasn't here. We have a part-time Governor, the vaccination (drive) is also a part-time affair," Kamat said. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has been holding additional charge of Goa, since August last year. Kamat said that the government should focus on targetted completion of vaccination in Goa. "Goa is a small place, vaccination can be done very fast. Goa could have been the first state to complete vaccination across the country," Kamat said.The Goa governent has so far administered 5,30,776 vaccines in the state. In the memorandum submitted to Raj Bhavan, the Congress has accused the National Democratic Alliance government of abandoning the people of India during the pandemic. "Covid-19 has caused unprecedented devastation and immeasurable pain to nearly every Indian family. Tragically, the Modi government has completely abdicate its duty of fighting corona and abandoned the people, leaving them to fend for themselves. The truth is that the Union BJP government is guilty of criminal mismanagement of Covid-19," the memorandum said. The memorandum also makes a demand for universal free vaccination of one crore people a day, claiming that it "is the only way to fight Covid-19 pandemic and defeat the disease". Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text San Francisco, June 4 : Indian-American artist Sunroop Kaur has joined California's "Your Actions Save Lives" campaign aimed at providing information about how to curb the spread of Covid-19, the media reported. The program which was launched in April features 14 original artworks which are currently displayed via various mediums in public places across the US state, The American Bazaar reported on Thursday. Kaur's 20 feet tall and 75 feet wide mural titled "Basant" (which means spring in Hindi), is located in the corner of Stockton city's East Main Street and Grant Street. Speaking about the campaign to the Sacramento-based FOX40 news channel, Kaur said: "I wanted the colours to be inviting, welcoming, just uplifting overall. "Sort of the blooming after a long winter which is sort of what Covid has been like." The mural features a masked man and woman separated by a Mughal miniature-inspired floral border and arches. "I wanted to capture the moment, that sort of universal longing that we felt for our loved ones where, you know, we want to be close to them. We want to be near them but we can't because, in fact, we want to keep them safe. "The arches act as a window to the outside world. These 'windows' symbolise the light we are all working toward by continuing to wear masks and watching our distance in public to help stop the spread of Covid-19. There is hope," the American Bazaar quoted the artist as further saying. The campaign also features Latino, Black/African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American/Indigenous and LGBTQ artists. New Delhi, June 4 : After a Dominican High Court adjourned the hearing in fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi's case, the eight member team of CBI, ED and MEA are now en route to India, without the diamond jeweller that duped millions in the PNB multi-crore fraud. The next hearing has been adjourned in the matter to June 14. According to agencies sources, the private Qatar jet left from Dominica on Thursday along with the eight member team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, Ministry of External Affairs officials and two CRPF commandos. The team of Indian officials had landed in Dominica on Saturday with a set of documents relating to the case of Choksi. On Thursday, Dominican High Court Judge Bernie Stephenson adjourned the habeas corpus hearing of Choksi, who is wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. According to Antigua News Room, a news outlet based in the Caribbean island, it was adjourned to allow lawyers for Choksi and the Dominican government to agree on the language to be used with respect to the injunction filed to prevent his removal from Dominica. It said that both parties are expected to meet to discuss the matter and to inform the judge, who will set a new court date. Choksi, who is wanted in India by the CBI and the ED in connection with the PNB fraud case, had gone missing on May 23 from Antigua sparking a massive manhunt. He was captured in Dominica on May 26. Choksi and his lawyers had claimed that he was forced on a vessel and was abducted. On June 2, Choksi pleaded not guilty to illegal entry at his court appearance and was denied bail. He appeared before the magistrate on a wheelchair in a blue T-shirt and black trousers. According to Dominica News Online, the magistrate's court denied bail to Choksi after the government prosecutor argued that he was facing 11 offences in India and extradition proceedings in Antigua and could be a flight risk. The 62-year-old left India in January 2018, days before the CBI registered a case. On May 27, first pictures of Choksi emerged online, showing several signs of bruises on his arms and a swollen eye. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text London, June 4 : Google has selected 30 startups from Europe which are led by people of colours who will receive a share of $2 million Black Founders Fund. The 30 startups from the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands have been selected to receive awards from the Black Founders Fund, a $2 million initiative to provide cash awards up to $100,000 to Black-led startups in Europe that was announced in October last year. "Their inspiring, fast-growing startups address global challenges like access to healthcare, financial inclusion, energy and education, in the most competitive industries, from hardware design and advertising to data and risk management," Google said in a blog post on Thursday. It is not only racial diversity that they represent as 40 per cent of startups selected are led by women. Google interviewed almost 100 founders for the fund to understand their businesses, their ambitions and their lived experience as leaders, whether they are serial or first time founders. The Black Founders Fund in Europe is a third region, after the US and Brazil, where Google for Startups is helping to level the playing field by backing Black founders who are disproportionately locked out of access to capital. Currently, less than 0.5 per cent of venture capital (VC) funding goes to Black-led startups, and only 38 Black founders have received venture capital funding in the last 10 years. New Delhi, June 4 : Ankur Bhatia, the Executive Director of Bird Group died on Friday at the age of 48. Reports suggest that he suffered a massive cardiac arrest. Bhatia has led the group's strategic thrust to create multiple drivers of growth that made a significant and growing contribution to the company and industry at large. He also shaped and implemented blue ocean strategies that strengthen the overall brand proposition and accelerate a leap in core business value by exploring new growth avenues for building uncontested market leadership. Bhatia is credited with bringing in the Amadeus brand to the Indian sub-continent in 1994, which today is the market leader in providing travel technology for travel agents and airlines. In line with Bhatia's commitment towards shaping the future of mobility in India, Bird Group forayed in the electric mobility space and has been constantly adding unique new age mobility vehicles to the product portfolio of its subsidiary Bird Electric. Bird Electric has pioneered the space of personal mobility devices in India since the last 10 years as the exclusive distributor of Segway Personal Transporters (PTs). Bhatia, as the Executive Director also spearheaded the growth for the group in the hospitality sector under Bird Hospitality Services, to set new standards and world-class hospitality assets through Roseate Hotels & Resorts. Currently, the group owns and operates six uber luxury properties in India and the UK, each having an individual brand identity. He is also credited to have launched the country's first natural and perennial indoor ice-skating rink and cafe - iSKATE, located in Ambience Mall, Gurugram. Police said Mejia and Ocampo admitted to being in the vehicle at the time of the crash but both denied being the driver. Authorities believe Ocampo was the driver based on physical evidence and observation of him, according to a police report. Ocampo did not have a valid drivers license, the report said. New Delhi, June 4 : Complying with the recommendations of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the CBSE has introduced coding and data science as skill subjects in the schools. Sharing the information, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank tweeted: "Under NEP 2020, we promised to introduce coding and data science in schools. Today, I'm happy to see CBSE fulfilling the promise right in the session of 2021 itself. "In association with Microsoft, CBSE is empowering India's future generations with new-age skills. Kudos." The CBSE also communicated to all heads of its affiliated Institutions about the introduction of 'coding' and 'data science' as a skill module or skill subject from the current session. The CBSE wrote that coding is a creative activity that students from any discipline can engage in and it helps to build computational thinking, develop problem solving skills, critical thinking and exposure to real life situations to solve issues in various realms. "Therefore, coding' is being introduced as a Skill Module of 12 hours duration in Classes 6 to 8. The idea is to simplify the coding learning experience by nurturing design thinking, logical flow of ideas and applying this across the disciplines," its communique said. Faculty and Student Handbooks have been created with support from Microsoft, so that the students can work on applied projects and integrate coding across multiple subjects and make learning fun. "Faculty resources will empower the faculty for teaching these concepts. The Handbooks cover real life examples on coding. builds exposure to ethics of coding and provides exercises and applications using the open source MakeCode platform," it said. Emphasizing importance of data in today's world, the CBSE introduced 'data science' as a Skill Module of 12 hours duration in class VIII and as a Skill Subject in classes IX-XII. Student and faculty handbooks and teaching materials have been created with support from Microsoft. The NEP -2020 has laid stress on skilling of students and recommended that by 2025, atleast 50 per cent of learners (through the school and higher education system) should have exposure to vocational education, for which a clear action plan with targets and timelines will be developed. Currently, the CBSE offers nine Skill Modules at middle school level, 18 Skill Subjects at Secondary level and 38 Skill Subjects at Senior Secondary level to upgrade the skills and proficiency of the young generation and explore the various career options available. More than 20 lakhs students are presently studying Skill Subjects at Secondary and Senior Secondary level in approximately 12,000 schools. Jaipur, June 4 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the secretary, ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW), to take appropriate action and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) for prioritising vaccination of lactating mothers in India. Seeking the urgent intervention of the NHRC, Tapish Saraswat, a student of Law College, Rajasthan University, filed a complaint regarding the violation of the human rights of lactating mothers in India. In his complaint, he prayed for the vaccination of lactating mothers on a priority basis and to include them in the guidelines which were issued on May 27, 2021 by the Ministry of Health and to make it available near to home COVID Vaccination Centres. "Now, the government has recommended that all lactating mothers can get vaccinated. About 67,000 babies are born every day in India, approximately 2.7 crore pregnancies in a year are recorded in our country, putting them directly at risk of getting infected. So there is an urgent need for vaccination of lactating mothers on a priority basis and to include them in the guidelines which were issued on May 27, 2021 by the Ministry of Health regarding Near to Home COVID Vaccination Centres. Slow vaccination of lactating mothers not only endangers their lives but could also lead to their babies having to suffer the consequences," he said in his complaint. The NHRC in its order stated "This complaint be transmitted to the concerned authority for such action as deemed appropriate. The authority concerned is directed to take appropriate action within eight weeks associating the complainant/victim and to inform him/her of the action taken in the matter." Mexico City, June 4 : A massive water-filled sinkhole which opened up for unknown reasons in a field in central Mexico is getting bigger, local authorities said. The sinkhole, which was just five metres in diameter when it was first discovered in the village of Santa Maria Zacatepec in the central state of Puebla, is now 97 by 78 metres, the general coordinator of the local civil defence, Jose Antonio Ramirez, said on Thursday. The owner of the only house in the vicinity, which stands directly on the edge of the crater, first discovered it when she heard a loud noise at the weekend. Ramirez said her house was at risk. The causes of the sinkhole were being investigated. Mexico's national civil defence said underground water flowing in the easily eroded soil may have caused the crater. The estimated depth of the hole is around 20 metres. The Popocatepetl volcano is about 50 km west of Santa Maria Zacatepec. The ground there contains deposits of ash and fine volcanic fragments. According to the US Geological Survey, sinkholes form when groundwater circulates underground, dissolving the rock beneath the surface and creating spaces and caverns underground. Authorities have repeatedly warned the public to stay away from the crater. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Minsk, June 4 : Belarusian state television has aired a long interview with imprisoned government critic Roman Protasevich for the first time since he was jailed after being offloaded a Ryanair flight on May 23. In the interview with the broadcaster ONT, which was aired on Thursday evening, the 26-year-old activist admitted to having organised protests against long-time President Alexander Lukashenko, reports dpa news agency. His mother Natalia Protasevich, who lives in Poland, described the interview on Friday as the result of torture in prison. "I can't even imagine the torture methods - both psychological and physical - that my son is being subjected to at the moment," the 46-year-old told dpa. "You probably can't suffer a greater torture as a mother." In the one-and-a-half-hour conversation, Protasevich also made accusations against other members of the Belarusian opposition. Protasevich's parents had already expressed the suspicion that their son was being mistreated in prison and forced to make statements. Lukashenko had forced the passenger plane from Athens to Vilnius to reroute and land in Minsk on May 23 and had Protasevich and his girlfriend arrested. Also on Friday, Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said that Protasevich, was surely tortured and the international community should not pay heed to such extorted statement. "All such videos are done under pressure," Tikhanovskaya said at a press conference in Warsaw on Friday. "(Through using violence) you can make a person say whatever you want." When a person is in a political prison, the aim is to survive: "We don't have to pay attention" to such statements, the Belarusian opposition leader said. The flight diversion incident has intensified the conflict between the former Soviet republic and the West. The EU and the US imposed new sanctions on Belarus as a result. Singapore, June 4 : The Singapore government on Friday said that the finalisation of an air transport and travel deal between the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) is "a historic achievement". The ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement "is the first such region-to-region agreement", dpa news agency quoted Singapore's Transport Minister S. Iswaran as saying. Singspore led the talks on behalf of ASEAN. In a joint statement, the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta and the European Commission, the EU's quasi-executive branch, described the deal as the "the world's first bloc-to-bloc air transport agreement". The deal, branded "pace-setting" and a reflection of "the latest policy thinking". was wrapped two days ago during a meeting of transport ministers, according to Friday's ASEAN-EU statement. The Singapore Transport Ministry said the agreement gives airlines "greater opportunities to operate passenger and cargo services between and beyond both regions," with up to 14 weekly passenger services allowed and "any number of cargo services". Iswaran said the deal was "a statement of commitment by ASEAN and EU member states to work together to tide over the current Covid-19 crisis, reconnect, and resume cross-border travel". Most of the 10 ASEAN member-states have kept their borders largely shut since March last year, with exceptions made for returning citizens and foreigners with residency or work permits. Inbound travel for tourism and events such as conferences accounts for around 5-10 per cent of gross domestic product in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. ASEAN and the commission said the deal "will help rebuild air connectivity between ASEAN and Europe which has been decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic". New Delhi, June 4 : On the seventh anniversary of the Narendra Modi government on May 30, BJP workers had reached out to people in nearly two lakh villages across the country. The saffron party has planned a special relief, safety and welfare campaign for Covid affected in around one lakh villages across the country as part of the party's ongoing "Sewa Hi Sangathan 2.0" to mark the seventh anniversary of the Modi government. Sharing the details of the programmes organized across the country, Rajya Sabha member and BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh said, "It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for the party and it also gives immense pleasure to share that the BJP workers did exceptionally well in "Sewa Diwas" and exceeded all goals and targets set for the day to serve the people . "On May 30 the BJP workers conducted massive drives to serve and help the needy and poor in 1,77,463 villages and 48,885 urban wards. On May 30, the BJP workers also organised various welfare programmes in 1,888 district centres and 6,315 at mandal (block) level," he said. According to Singh, the BJP workers distributed over 16.5 lakh immunity kits to fight coronavirus and also distributed over one crore face masks. They distributed over 13.5 lakh ration kits and around 10 lakh food packets among the people. Apart from this, around 36,000 Covid awareness programmes were organised across the country. Three-day blood donation camps were also held from May 28 to May 30, where the target was to collect 50,000 units of blood. But the BJP workers enthusiastically participated in the blood donation camps and surpassed the target. In the blood donation camps organised across the country 71,432 party workers donated their blood, exceeding the target of 50,000, Singh said. He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and the leadership of party Chief J P Nadda, the BJP's selfless service to the people is continuing without any break and it will keep on going till we defeat and eradicate corona from India. "It is due to the hard work and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Modiji and with the support and cooperation of the people that India has been successful in containing the second wave of coronavirus and soon we will defeat and emerge victorious in our fight against the pandemic," Singh said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, June 4 : The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine the possibility of temporarily shifting godman Asharam Bapu to an Ayurvedic treatment centre. Post-Covid, Asharam had requested not to put on allopathic drugs. A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Krishna Murari issued notice on the plea filed by Asharam challenging the Rajasthan High Court order, which dismissed his plea for temporary suspension of sentence to avail ayurvedic medical treatment. The top court noted that it has "no medical expertise" to delve into the medical condition of the petitioner and declined to grant bail to Asharam for temporarily shifting him to an Ayurvedic centre. However, the top court has sought reply from Rajasthan government on his plea for Ayurvedic treatment. Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing Asharam, submitted his client is an 83-year-old person, and is convicted for life imprisonment and his bail is pending in Gujarat too. Luthra cited a medical report from AIIMS dated May 19, which shows he was given multiple blood transfusions to increase his haemoglobin level and it was due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Luthra informed the court that Asharam wants to be treated at Prakash Deep Institute of Ayurved at Raiwala, Uttarakhand. The bench queried, why he needs bail, and the court can ask the government to examine the possibility for is treatment. Luthra contended that his client had bleeding, and he has been put on blood thinners and also on oxygen. "We need two months' time to recuperate..his weight loss is drastic too", said Luthra. The High Court had dismissed Asharam's application for temporary suspension of sentence and directed the district and jail administration to ensure that proper treatment at a suitable medical institution. Asaram is serving a life term at Jodhpur Central Jail in connection with the rape of a minor girl. On May 5, he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was shifted to AIIMS, Jodhpur. The top court issued notice to the Rajasthan government returnable by a week. New Delhi, June 4 : The Supreme Court on Friday granted an interim bail of 15-days to Unitech Ltd's former promoter Sanjay Chandra to attend the last rites of his father-in-law, who expired this week. A bench comprising Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah after hearing Chandra's counsel arguments on application for interim bail, agreed to grant him relief for 15 days. However, the top court declined to his counsel's submissions seeking more time. The bench asked Chandra's counsel to understand the circumstances under which, his client's bail was earlier stayed by the top court in March, this year. The top court in August last year, had refused to grant bail to Chandra, who was in July, granted interim bail for 30 days, as his parents had tested positive for Covid-19. The top court had then directed Chandra to surrender within three days, and it had also dismissed the bail application of Chandra's brother Ajay Chandra, who is in jail since August 2017. The brothers have been accused of allegedly siphoning homebuyers' money, who had invested in their company's housing projects. In March 2021, a bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, had pulled up the Delhi High Court and a Chief Metropolitan Magistrate for going over its head in entertaining the bail applications of Chandra brothers, when it had denied them bail in August last year. The top court had observed that granting bail in the matter was shocking exercise of judicial power and also breach of judicial discipline. In August 2020, a bench comprising Justices Chandrachud and MR Shah had said the brothers have not complied with the October 2017 order of the top court, according to which, Rs 750 crore was to be deposited with the registry of the court by December 31, 2017, to be eligible for bail. In December 2019, Grant and Thornton had submitted a forensic audit report before the top court revealing that an amount of Rs 14,270 crore was collected by Unitech from 29,800 homebuyers. The report allegedly claimed that Rs 13,364 crore, out of that amount, was traced to the bank statements. The report said almost 90 per cent of the money was received between 2006 to 2014. Mumbai, June 4 : Actress Juhi Chawla Mehta, who has filed a lawsuit in Delhi High Court on the health risks associated with 5G telecom technology, says there has been a general misconception that her suit is against the technology. The actress said concerned authorities should make public all data associated with the technology, in order to clear the air. Juhi Chawla Mehta shared: "There seems to be a general misconception that our present suit filed in the Hon'ble Delhi High Court is against 5G technology. We wish to clarify here and once again very clearly state, we are NOT against 5G technology. However, we seek from the Government and the governing authorities, to certify to us and, therefore, to the public at large, that 5G technology is safe to humankind, man, woman, adult, child, infant, animals and every type of living organism, to flora, and to fauna." Talking about lack of studies on radiofrequency radiation, the actress further stated: "Having written to several concerned government authorities since 2010, making a presentation to the 53rd Parliamentary Standing Committee 2013-2014, filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Mumbai High Court 2015, found there has been no substantial movement in the EMF radiation matters, whatsoever. In 2019, on enquiring from the Ministry of Telecommunications, Government of India, I was informed in writing vide reply under the RTI Act that no studies have been conducted with regards to RF radiation, even as of today." "Since prevention is well-accepted to be far better than cure, immediate measures must be taken to protect humanity and the environment, and for which all I am asking is to the concerned authorities to show me the data," she added. The plea filed by Chawla, Veeresh Malik and Teena Vachani contended that the levels of RF radiation are 10 to 100 times greater than the existing levels. It claims that the 5G wireless technology can be a potential threat to provoke irreversible and serious effects on humans and it could also permanently damage the earth's ecosystems. Chennai, June 4 : South Indian superstar-turned-politician and Founder President of Makkal Needhi Maian(MNM), Kamal Haasan has said that the Tamil Nadu government must conduct the Class 12 board examinations even if it gets delayed. He called upon the M.K. Stalin government to take a decision based on the best interests of the students in the state. The actor-politician said that several leading academicians have criticized the central government's decision to cancel the CBSE and ICSE Class 12 boards in view of the pandemic. Haasan said that conducting the exams with proper planning is the best method and that the marks of the Class 12 examinations are very important for admission to professional courses as well as for admission to foreign universities. The MNM chief said that if necessary the syllabus of the exams could be reduced and the students must be informed well in advance on the examinations. He said that the administrators must take into account the manner in which Kerala has conducted the examinations. Kamal Haasan said that the Tamil Nadu government must follow the example of Kerala and it was important to take into account the future of the students before taking any decision. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The woman died Thursday, four days after she was shot in the head outside the venue hosting a rap concert early Sunday morning. She was among 21 people wounded when three masked gunmen opened fire on the crowd outside the banquet hall. Patna, June 4 : Friction between the BJP and the JD-U intensified ever since former MLC Tunna Ji Pandey gave statements against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. After Upendra Kushwaha and Sanjay Singh, Umesh Thakur, the Siwan district president of the JD-U, jumped into the fray and said that Pandey has a long criminal history. He had also molested a young girl in a train. "Pandey was a liquor trader of Siwan district and he was angry over Nitish Kumar's decision to ban liquor. Hence, he used to target our leader Nitish Kumar which cannot be tolerated. He was involved in a series of criminal incidents including molestation of a girl in a train a few years ago," Thakur said. "Pandey, while staying in the BJP, is targeting our leader Nitish Kumar. He went to meet Mohamad Shahabuddin's son Osama a day earlier. He should undergo a DNA test before pointing fingers at anyone," Thakur said. "Our government will investigate thoroughly the ambulance scam and the purchase of chairs and tables for government schools in Siwan. We have learnt that big names are emerging in it. I am advising them to get ready for investigation." Problems between Pandey and the JD-U started after the former tweeted that Nitish Kumar is the circumstantial CM. The people of Bihar had given the mandate to Tejashwi Yadav. He had stolen the mandate using government machinery during the assembly election and became chief minister of Bihar. He said that he is not afraid of Nitish Kumar and stands by his statement. On Thursday, the BJP issued a show cause notice to Pandey for his statement against Nitish Kumar and asked him to reply within 10 days. Despite that, Pandey made another statement on Thursday, which means he does not believe in following the party guidelines. "Hence, we have suspended him from the BJP with immediate effect," said Sanjay Jaiswal, BJP state president. Lucknow, June 4 : PepsiCo India, in partnership with United Way Delhi, is launching 'Tidy Trails' - a special initiative aimed at creating awareness for plastic waste management in Mathura- Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh on World Environment Day. PepsiCo India is activating Tidy Trails from Mathura- Vrindavan and would soon take it to other states. As part of the initiative, a special mobile van will be deployed that will visit over 200 establishments across Mathura-Vrindavan to collect post-consumer plastic waste. The initiative aims to encourage people to keep their local environment clean and foster 'tidy'ness, thereby setting good examples and inspiring other communities to follow. Through this initiative, PepsiCo India and United Way Delhi will engage with the shopkeeper community to bring about a behavioural change towards responsible disposal of plastic waste. To drive mass awareness, activities such as on-ground events, online educational workshops, distribution of informative material, will be organized for the shopkeeper community along with the general public around plastic waste management. The post-consumer plastic waste collected will be segregated and some part of it will be recycled into products of utility like chairs and tables among others which will be later installed at various public places. Talking about the initiative, Sachin Golwalkar, CEO, United Way Delhi, said in a statement, "United Way Delhi is committed in contributing to the Swachh Bharat Mission and Tidy Trails initiative, with support from corporate partner PepsiCo India, aligns with Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) 11 to make sustainable cities and communities. While the campaign focusses on efficient management of plastic on one hand, it also aims at building ambassadors and leaders within the local community for a longer and sustained impact." Ahmed ElSheikh, President, PepsiCo India, said "To address the challenge of Plastic Waste Management it's important to foster partnerships and create awareness which leads to behavioural change. On World Environment Day and aligned with the Government of India's 'Swachhata Hi Seva' initiative, we are launching Tidy Trails, a unique initiative in partnership with United Way Delhi in Uttar Pradesh. At PepsiCo India, we are striving to build a world where plastics need not become waste and initiatives such as these will go a long way in creating a sustainable ecosystem on plastic waste disposal." He said that the "Tidy Trials" initiative will also focus on engaging with local schools and students through online competitions to share creative ideas to reuse and upcycle plastic waste generated both at home and within the communities. Srinagar, June 4 : Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone said on Friday that the J&K administration was not allowing him to buy a bullet-proof vehicle for his personal security. "Just saying. M not complaining. So much about security u talk after someone dies. We know how u use security as a tool. I am supposed to b Z plus category. Have bought a private vehicle, bullet proofed it. It is lying at the factory in Chandigarh. Y because clearance not given," Lone said on his Twitter handle today. Tagging his tweet, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah endorsed his view and wrote: "Agree 100%. We also wanted to order 2 bullet proof vehicles for our senior Kashmir based office bearers who are being denied proper protection out of spite. The permission request is collecting dust on some desk in the administration". Lucknow, June 4 : As the countdown for the 2022 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh begins, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) already has its roadmap laid out. With the elections still more than six months away, the party will wait for the second Covid wave to subside and then gradually, but firmly, shift the focus back to the emotive issues such as the Ram Temple. The Ram Temple in Ayodhya will be projected as one of the biggest achievements of the BJP and Yogi Adityanath's 'massive' development plan for the holy city, serving as the proverbial icing on the cake. According to party sources, BJP workers will continue to harp on the slogan "Ayodhya toh sirf jhanki hai, Kashi, Mathura baaki hai" (Ayodhya is a mere teaser, Kashi and Mathura are still left). "In Kashi, the local court has already granted permission for excavation. Even if that is tied up in legal maze, the ambitious Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project will be ready by November 2021, and this will be a major attraction for Hindus across the globe. The magnificence of the temple complex will wipe away all the unhappy memories of the pandemic," said a senior BJP functionary. At present, the BJP workers have been asked to focus on the 'Sewa Hi Sangathan' campaign of the party that has been designed to serve the victims of the pandemic and blunt the opposition attack on the Yogi government. BJP national General Secretary (organisation) B.L. Santosh and party Vice President Radha Mohan Singh, who were in Lucknow earlier this week, have stressed on cadre mobilisation and redressal of their complaints during meetings. The party also plans a major programme to assuage the feelings of the cadre level workers who have been feeling alienated of late. The BJP, according to sources, has no plans to give up the Hindutva card. The party functionary said, "Yogi Adityanath has vibrantly put up the Hindutva factor during his regime. He has promoted development keeping in mind the religious factors, and has undoubtedly emerged as the torch-bearer of Hindutva. The party will capitalise on it." The BJP in Uttar Pradesh will further look to blunt the opposition by evoking 'national pride', which has been the hallmark of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. "There is development, Hindutva and national pride -- a perfect mixture for resounding success in the next Assembly elections," the BJP functionary said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, June 4 : The Greater Chennai Corporation has launched an initiative wherein it would loan pulse oximeters to some of the people placed in home quarantine to measure oxygen saturation levels at regular intervals. The state civic body would target those above 50 years with comorbidities and who are most vulnerable to Covid-19. The focus is mostly on people in low-income groups who may not have the device or the resources to buy them. The corporation would loan the device for 10 days and collect it back after proper sanitation. Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Commissioner Gagan Singh Bedi said, "During a study we have found that the high-income group people in the corporation have already bought pulse oximeters or have the resources to buy one if they test positive for Covid-19, but the position of people in the low-income groups is not like this and hence we have chalked out this project." The corporation is receiving contributions from several quarters including the CSR support of many corporates, Bedi added. He said, "We have requested them to buy pulse oximeters in large numbers and almost all our field survey workers have pulse oximeters now and we have decided to loan surplus devices to those who need but cannot afford to buy it." On Thursday, the city recorded 28,186 active Covid cases and almost 70 per cent of them are placed under home quarantine. According to the present Covid-19 protocol, once a person tests positive for the infection, a field triaging team will reach his/her house to assess the symptoms and measure the oxygen saturation level. If admission or further tests are required, the Covid-19 positive patient will be taken to the hospital or Covid care centre while the others who do not show grave symptoms will remain in home quarantine. The tele-counselling centres of the corporation would monitor the patient's health over the phone by making at least a call each day. Equipping people in home quarantine with pulse oximeters will enhance the surveillance and reduce the delay between worsening of symptoms and admission to Covid care centres as periodic monitoring of the oxygen saturation level will help understand the gravity of the case and if required to admit the patient without any delay to hospitals or Covid care centres. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, June 4 : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Friday that Indian visa or the stay stipulation period of foreign nationals stranded in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic will be valid till August 31. Accordingly, these foreign nationals will not be required to submit any application to the FRRO/FRO concerned for the extension of their visa till that period or until further orders. The MHA said that due to the non-functioning of normal commercial flight operations on account of the pandemic since March 2020, a number of foreign nationals, who came to India prior to March 2020 on valid Indian visa, have got stranded in India. Keeping in view the difficulties being faced by such foreign nationals in getting their visas extended in India due to the lockdowns, the MHA had issued an order on June 29, 2020, conveying that Indian visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals expiring post June 30, 2020 shall be deemed to be valid until 30 more days from the date of resumption of normal international flight operations, on gratis basis. However, such foreign nationals have been applying for extension of their visas or stay stipulation period on a monthly basis. "The matter has now been reconsidered by the MHA in the light of non-resumption of normal commercial flight operations, and it has accordingly been decided that the Indian visa or stay stipulation period of such foreign nationals stranded in India will be considered as deemed to be valid till August 31, 2021 on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty," the MHA said. Such foreign nationals may apply for exit permission to the FRRO/FRO concerned before exiting the country, which would be granted on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, June 4 : Facebook India on Friday announced a new initiative -- the Facebook India Tech Scholars (FITS) programme -- for law students in the country. The novel programme aims to provide students from select leading law schools in the country a platform for research and mentorship on topics related to technology law and policy. The first edition, the FITS programme 2021-2022, will offer eight law students an opportunity to work on a research project with leading Indian thinktanks who will also extend mentorship support to the students. It will be open to 4th and 5th year students from the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, the WB National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata, the National Law University, Delhi, and the National Law University, Jodhpur. "With rapid advancements in technology and the evolution of technology law and policy in India, the programme is designed to encourage students to develop an independent voice on pressing topics that will have a bearing on future policy discussions in this area," the social networking giant said in a statement. "We hope to expand the FITS programme to more students in coming years," it added. The FITS programme 2021-2022 will see the Centre for Internet and Society, the Observer Research Foundation, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace India, and the Software Freedom Law Center participating as mentoring institutions. Facebook is also guided by an experienced and expert Advisory Committee for the duration of the programme. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. will be a knowledge partner. Applications will close on June 20. The FITS programme will run for a period of nine months, commencing in Summer 2021. New Delhi, June 4 : In a boost for the air defence system, the Defence Ministry on Friday approved the proposals concerning modernisation of its the Army's air defence guns. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in its meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved proposals concerning capital acquisitions of various equipment for modernisation and operational needs of the armed forces amounting to approx Rs 6,000 crore. Noting that there was a long-pending need of the Indian Army for modernisation of its air defence guns, the Defence Ministry said: "These had been earlier procured only from foreign sources. With the continued thrust of the Ministry of Defence towards 'AtmaNirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India', an enthusiastic response from about a dozen Indian companies was received." All of them have expressed their willingness and commitment to manufacture this complex gun system and associated equipment by ensuring technology assimilation in India, it said. Accordingly, the DAC accorded approval of procurement of air defence guns and ammunition at an approximately cost of Rs 6,000 crore under the Buy and Make (Indian) category. Further to better equip the armed forces to meet the operational challenges and facilitate faster induction of required arms and ammunitions, the DAC extended the timelines for progressing urgent capital acquisitions under the delegated powers to the armed forces upto August 31, 2021. This will enable the armed forces to complete their emergent and critical acquisitions. The Defence Ministry had earmarked around 64 per cent of its modernisation funds under the capital acquisition budget for 2021-22 -- a sum of over Rs 70,000 crore -- for purchases from the domestic sector. It was an increase from 2020-21, when a capital budget allocation for domestic vendors was first made. At 58 per cent, this came to an amount of Rs 52,000 crore. London, June 4 : The US' top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci, who has over the last week been embroiled in criticism of his emails, is an "undeniable asset", said the White House defending the President's top coronavirus adviser, media reports said on Friday. Over 3,000 pages of Fauci's work emails during the pandemic between January and June 2020, obtained by the Washington Post, Buzzfeed News and CNN through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), has put the 80-year-old in a spotlight earning both praise and criticism, the BBC reported. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director has been the face of America's Covid-19 response. But emails have raised questions on whether he backed Chinese denials of the theory that Covid-19 leaked from a lab in Wuhan. "The President and the administration feel that Dr Fauci has played an incredible role in getting the pandemic under control, being a voice to the public throughout the course of this pandemic," the BBC quoted Whote House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, as saying at her daily press briefing on Thursday. Peter Daszak, head at EcoHealth Alliance, the global nonprofit that helped fund some research at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology, in an email sent last April thanked Fauci for publicly stating that scientific evidence does not support the lab-leak theory. Daszak praised FauciAcalling him "brave" for seeking to debunk the lab leak theory. "Many thanks for your kind note," Dr Fauci replied. In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Fauci said the email had been taken out of context by critics and he had an "open mind" about the origin of the virus. Stating that the origins of the coronavirus are still uncertain, Fauci said: "You can misconstrue it however you want. "That email was from a person to me saying 'thank you' for whatever it is he thought I said, and I said that I think the most likely origin is a jumping of species. I still do think it is, at the same time as I'm keeping an open mind that it might be a lab leak. "The idea I think is quite far-fetched that the Chinese deliberately engineered something so that they could kill themselves as well as other people. I think that's a bit far out." The emails conversations also offered a glimpse into the early days of the US Covid outbreak, his dealings with the government, foreign and domestic health officials, the media, celebrities and everyday Americans, the BBC report said. Fauci patiently tackled questions and even offered advice to people who wrote to him with very specific questions about what to do during the pandemic. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Thiruvananthapuram, June 4 : Eyebrows were raised after Malayalam TV channels on Friday flashed the news of a reported Vigilance raid at the Kannur residence of A.P. Abdulla Kutty, national Vice President of the BJP. Soon after the news was shown on television, Kutty, who had jumped ship from the CPI-M to the Congress before joining the BJP, told the waiting media in front of his house that it was not a raid. "This is a preliminary enquiry (PE) about a complaint that the Vigilance got when I was the Congress legislator from Kannur in 2016 about a light & sound show that was conducted then. The complaint was that crores of rupees were being siphoned away. The Vigilance officials have come to me because it was my proposal. The show was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy," said Kutty. "It was a corrupt project and was handled by the Tourism Department and the District Tourism Promotion Council of Kannur through a fraudulent event management company. I am ready to face any probe. I am also ready to face any punishment if it is proven that I was involved in this," said Kutty. The Vigilance sleuths also confirmed that they came to Kutty's residence as part of a preliminary enquiry, and not to conduct a raid. "We received a complaint about the way the project was carried out. Since he was the legislator then, we came to meet him as part of the preliminary enquiry. This is not a raid," an officer said. Kutty, 54, began his political career from the CPI-M's student wing. After becoming an MP twice on CPI-M ticket, he had joined the Congress and became a legislator twice. After his loss in the 2016 Assembly polls, he started to distance himself from the Congress before joining the BJP in 2019. It is my sense that most Floridians would live with the risk of water to preserve their lifestyle, said Cynthia Barnett, a Gainesville, Florida-based environmental journalist who has published books about rain and the fate of the oceans. This idea of working with water rather than always fighting against it is really the lesson of Florida history. If Florida history has taught us one thing, its that hardscaping this water that defines us will bring hardships to future generations. New Delhi, June 4 : The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the lawsuit filed by actor-environmentalist Juhi Chawla against the setting up of 5G wireless networks in the country, and also imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh for the abuse of the process of law. Justice J.R. Midha held that the suit filed by Chawla and two others was defective, non-maintainable, and also contained unverified and vexatious assertions. The High Court also expressed dissatisfaction at Chawla sharing the link of virtual hearing on her social media account. During the hearing of Chawla's suit, unknown persons repeatedly disturbed by singing Bollywood songs of films in which she had acted. The court directed the Delhi Police to identify these persons and proceed against them under the law. Observing that Chawla did not approach any of the 33 defendants named in her suit and instead sought a declaration from the court, the bench said this declaration cannot be allowed under the law. It also said Chawla did not deposit the court fees for her suit and directed her to pay Rs 1.95 lakh within one week. On June 2, the High Court had questioned Chawla as to why she had directly filed a suit against setting up of 5G wireless networks without making any representation to the department concerned in the government, and insisted the plaintiffs, Chawla and two others, should have gone to the government first. After hearing the arguments in the matter, the court reserved its order. The plea filed by Chawla, Veeresh Malik and Teena Vachani claimed that 5G wireless technology can be a potential threat to provoke irreversible and serious effects on humans and it could also permanently damage to the earth's ecosystems. The plea contended that to levels of RF radiation that are 10x to 100x times greater than the existing levels, and no living species on the planet would be able to survive round the clock exposure. Hyderabad, June 4 : With no Covid-19 isolation facility available near their habitation, some tribals in an interior village in Telangana spent few days in a forest after testing positive for Covid. A group of 14 tribals isolated themselves in the forests near Yatnaram village in Mahamutharam mandal of Jayashankar Bhupalapally district. District officials persuaded them to move to a government-run facility after the issue came to light on Thursday when members of NGO Sanjeevani Seva Samithi was distributing groceries in the area. After testing positive, the tribals belonging to seven families decided to isolate themselves to ensure that others are not infected. Since there was no government-run facility nearby, they erected makeshift tents outside the village in forests and were living there since last week. While some tribals were provided with food by the family members living in the village, others were cooking the meals in open area. District Collector S. Krishna Aditya, along with mandal level officials, rushed to the spot and persuaded the tribals to move to a Covid isolation centre set up in a government primary school. Officials said the centre was set up for isolating and treating tribals infected with Covid. The number of Covid cases is said to have gone up in the area during the last few days and the tribals who tested positive had no option but to isolate themselves. Officials, however, claimed that the group of tribals which had isolated themselves outside the village were reluctant to get admitted to the government-run isolation centre despite repeated pleas. The Collector said the villagers were staying willingly in the forest area so that they can go for chilli picking during the day. Officials have urged the people to isolate themselves at their homes, if feasible, or to make use of the nearest isolation and quarantine centre set up by the district administration. Last month, an 18-year-old youth in Nalgonda district spent 11 days on a tree after testing positive for Covid-19 as he could not isolate himself in his small home. Fearing that he might infect his parents and sister if he stays in the house, Ramawat Shiva Naik set up his own 'isolation facility' on the tree near the house in Kothanandikonda village in Adavidevulapally mandal of Nalgonda district. Using bamboo sticks, ropes and few other items, the youth had made a cot and tied it to the tree branches. Shiva's parents used to keep his meals, water and other requirements in bucket, and he used to pull up the same with a rope. After the issue came to light, local officials persuaded Shiva, an engineering student, to shift to a nearby government-run isolation centre. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Chennai, June 4 : Tamil Nadu Minister for Medical and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian has said the state has more than enough oxygen at present. He was speaking to the media after inspecting the oxygen bed facilities in Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupathur districts. The Minister said, "We have more than the required quantity of oxygen. When Chief minister M.K. Stalin took over the control of administration the availability was 230 metric tonne, but we now have 660 metric tonne and the requirement is only 500 metric tonne. We are receiving oxygen from Jamshedpur, Rourkela and Durgapur plants." Earlier on Friday, Subramanian inspected the Covid-19 prevention measures, vaccination centres, containment areas, and availability of oxygen beds in Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupathur districts. He said, "More than 1,000 additional beds with oxygen facilities are arranged in these three districts for treatment of Covid-19 patients." The minister said Vellore district is topping the number of RT-PCR tests conducted, adding, that 7.55 lakh people have been tested in the district which is half its population. Ma Subramanian said, "Within a week the Covid-19 cases have dropped drastically in Vellore." The minister said across the state, beds with oxygen support are also available and more than 30,000 beds were available as on Thursday, adding that the number of cases was declining in the state and the number of patients recovering was on the rise. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New delhi, June 4: The pressure on China to prove that Covid-19 did not originate in a Wuhan lab and leaked from there has ratcheted up following a call by US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci. Fauci is now urging China to release medical records of nine people, including three who had taken ill with Covid-19 symptoms before China officially declared the outbreak of the pandemic, according to a Financial Times report. The three patients had worked in the WIV, a US intelligence report quoted by The Wall Street Journal had said. Analysts say that the occurrence of Covid-19 among its personnel before the officially declared outbreak if established will further strengthen suspicions that the pandemic originated in the WIV and leaked from there. "I would like to see the medical records of the three people who are reported to have got sick in 2019. Did they really get sick, and if so, what did they get sick with?" the FT report said. Chinese scientists and officials have rejected the lab leak theory. They have, instead, argued that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that caused the Covid-19 pandemic could have been present in some other locations before reaching Wuhan. They have also asserted that the virus may have entered China through shipment of imported frozen food, or even via wildlife trading. Meanwhile former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added another twist to the mystery of the Covid-19 origin by asserting that not only the Chinese, but sections of the US officialdom are also resisting a full and transparent investigation. According to the Epoch Times, Pompeo confirmed to the website on June 3 that his efforts to get to the bottom of origins of the virus met with sustained opposition within the US government. The cause of that resistance was revealed on Thursday by The Vanity Fair. The magazine reported that key officials deep within the State Department sought to keep the public from knowing that US funds had supported gain-of-function research at the WIV. In plain-language gain-of-function research refers to experiments to enhance the ability of dangerous animal viruses to infect people. Elaborating on the US collaboration with the WIV, the article points out that the gain-of-function research was partially funded as far back as 2012 through the National Institutes of Health in the US and a non-profit foundation known as the EcoHealth Alliance. The Vanity Fair analysis "found that conflicts of interest, stemming in part from large government grants supporting controversial virology research, hampered the U.S. investigation into Covid-19's origin at every step." Separately an article in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has identified Shi Zheng-li as a nodal researcher at WIV, who was engaged in gain-of-function experiments. The writeup points out that Shi had earlier collaborated with coronavirus researcher Ralph S. Baric. In November 2015 the duo created a novel virus by taking the backbone of the SARS1 virus and replacing its spike protein with one from a bat virus (known as SHC014-CoV). Baric currently works as the distinguished professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Gillings School. Shi is well-known in her circles as "Bat lady," because of her frequent visits to the bat-infested caves of Yunnan in southern China. From there she collected around a hundred different bat coronaviruses. Though it cannot be authoritatively proved that Shi did or did not generate SARS-CoV-2 in her lab because her records have been sealed, she certainly was on the right track to have done so, the article said. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/ Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, June 4: After a brief lull, Pakistan sponsored terrorists have struck again the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The assassination of BJP councillor of Tral, Rakesh Pandita by unidentified terrorists on Thursday is a grim reminder that Pakistan- based terror groups and their front organisations in the valley continue to remain active. According to security sources, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) is behind the killing of the BJP leader. Analysts say that the Pandita's assassination sends a clear message. The Pakistani establishment has decided not to engage with India on a peace-track right now. The militant organisation People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) has claimed responsibility for the killing. In a statement to local media, PAFF accused Pandita, a BJP leader, of creating a "network of informers, drug traffickers and immoral activities". The PAFF said it was "keeping an eye on the activities of these forces". According to the security agencies, PAFF is a front organisation of LeT. This group is relatively unknown, and name was revealed only after August 2019. Security officials say that the outfit deliberately used words such as "resistance" and "fascist" in its name to convey the false impression that India had adopted an authoritarian approach in its dealings in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5. 2019. A security official told Indianarrative.com that high-profile attacks were carried out whenever the situation in Kashmir showed an improvement. "Our neighbour can't tolerate peace prevailing in the Kashmir valley." But he added that anti-militancy operations would be further intensified in the days ahead. "Militants will not be allowed to sabotage the peaceful atmosphere." It is also believed that organisations such as The Resistance Front (TRF) and the People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) are essentially cyber cells of the LeT whose sole aims are to create havoc and generate communal disharmony in Jammu and Kashmir. Out of these two, PAFF came into existence in August 2019 and it included members of Pakistan based terror outfits LeT, Jaish e Mohammad (JeM) and Al-Badr. The organisation had released a video of militants brandishing AK-47 rifles after claiming a few attacks on newly designated police personnel of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. After a few months, in December 2020, another militant group called the United Liberation Front (ULF) operating in Jammu & Kashmir made its first appearance on online platforms. Prior to this, there was no mention of this group or its on-ground activities in the mainstream militant narratives or in the media. "We won't allow Israeli-type settler colonies in Kashmir and Indians who want to settle in those colonies will become its legitimate target," a masked man warned in the video released on social media, signalling an oft-repeated attempt to internationalise the Kashmir "movement." Significantly, the new group's iconography avoids any religious symbols and identifiers-a recurring feature in militant propaganda, particularly of the new groups such as TRF and PAFF. This marks a tactical shift in self-projection by militant outfits to the outside world. Officials say that there has been an increased effort to secularise the propaganda of the outfits with emphasis on "resistance" instead of jihad or a holy war sanctified by Islam. The members of militant outfits are called "freedom fighters", irrespective of which group they are associated with. After every successful encounter against the security forces, the admins of the group pay tribute to the fallen militants. As is common in militant groups across the world, the dead militants are hailed as martyrs. According to the Kashmir experts, militant outfits frequently rebrand their groups by creating a facade of launching a new group. Over the past few months, there has been a surge of new outfits launched. Ostensibly, much of these organisations exist only on social media, which highlights an interesting gap between the online and offline tactics working in concert with each other. The killing of Rakesh Pandita comes over two months after militants attacked Sopore Municipal Corporation on March 29 and killed two BJP councillors. Last year in June, a Congress Sarpanch Ajay Pandita was shot dead in Larkipora in Anantnag district. A month later in July, a BJP leader Wasim Bari was killed along with his father and brother in Bandipura. The attacks on BJP leaders intensified after August last year. Meanwhile the police and security agencies of the UT have issued fresh instructions to political workers and leaders not to move without PSOs. The number of Kashmiri youths joining terrorist ranks has dropped more than 40 per cent since the revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. While the terror activities have gone down, desperation of Pakistan-sponsored terror groups to disturb peace in the valley have become the biggest concern for security forces. After the renewed pledge of ceasefire between India and Pakistan, there has been "peace" on the borders but Pakistan continues its proxy war in J&K, claiming as usual, that the violence in Kashmir is homegrown. The message is clear. Pakistan has backtracked from attempts at "normalisation" following the renewal of the ceasefire agreement between the two countries earlier this year. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has personally taken charge to block a budding peace initiative by insisting that restoring the status quo ante in Kashmir is the precondition for normalisation of ties with India. India, on its part, has made it clear to Pakistan that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment free of terror and hostility and "talks and terror" cannot go together and has asked Islamabad to take demonstrable steps against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India, before any kind of normalisation can begin. Once again, India and Pakistan appear heading for a logjam in their troubled relationship. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/ New Delhi, June 4 : The Chhattisgarh government on Friday said that 944 tribals, living in Maoist-affected areas and facing various cases, have either been acquitted or had the charges against them withdrawn. Following the policy of security, trust and development, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court judge A.K. Patnaik to withdraw cases registered against innocent tribals in Maoist-affected areas. The district administration and the police department had also been directed to investigate the Maoist cases registered against the tribals and provide relief to the innocent tribals. For the withdrawal of the cases registered against the tribals, the cases were presented before Justice Patnaik Committee for consideration, out of which the committee has recommended 627 cases be taken back. Based on the recommendations, 594 cases had been withdrawn from the court, benefitting 726 persons, while 33 cases are pending for withdrawal from the court. Similarly, 365 cases have been identified by the Police Department for speedy trial in the courts, in which 218 accused have been acquitted in 124 cases. This comprises 36 people acquitted in 24 cases of Dantewada district, 47 people in 44 cases in Bijapur district, nine people in seven cases in Narayanpur district, and nine accused in three cases in Kondagaon district. Similarly, six people have been acquitted in one case in Kanker district, 109 people in 44 cases in Sukma district, and two accused in one case in Rajnandgaon district. Ramanagara, June 4 : Three sanitation workers died of asphyxiation during manual scavenging on Friday, the police said. Ramanagara is just 50 kms away and shares a border with the state capital Bengaluru. According to the police the incident took place in Ramanagara town within Akkur police station limits. The deceased were identified as Manjunath (32), Manjunath (30) and Rajesh (32). The police said the first worker died when he descended into the manhole. The two others succumbed while trying to save him. The police said that one person, Manoj, who is an associate of a contractor named Harish, has been arrested. "In all, six persons were brought from Kamala Nagar in Bengaluru by a contractor to clean the choked manhole." The police is searching for the contractor who had brought them from Bengaluru. Jaipur, June 4 : Age is just a number! This practising lawyer from Rajasthans Jodhpur proves this adage as he turned 100 on Friday and despite becoming a centenarian continues to learn new things. He is attending his virtual hearings after learning the tricks of the virtual world in his 100th year. The lawyer is Lekhraj Mehta from Jodhpur who turned 100 on Friday. Mehta has been a legendary name in the field of law and has taught many eminent figures including former CJIs, CMs and international court judges too. He has been practising law since 1947. However, during the pandemic times he learnt the art of attending his court hearings via video conferencing. In fact, he also learnt video calling and video meeting since last year's lockdown. Age is never a barrier for me to learn new things, says Mehta who is a habitual learner and keeps himself updated about his case matters, meets people and apprises himself of the latest developments. However, as the pandemic changed the way of working, Mehta like other people had to keep himself limited to his home. Being a quick learner, he made his grandson Ramil Mehta his 'teacher' and learnt the art of attending video conferencing, video calling and video meeting and hence the challenges of the pandemic were overcome for his professional world. He did not leave his practice of studying his cases thoroughly and continued to stay in touch with his clients with video calling. Mehta has been a teacher to eminent figures such as former CJI RM Lodha, Justice Dalbeer Bhandari, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and ML Singhvi. Born in 1921, he had heard of Spanish Flu from his family members and now after 100 years, he is seeing the changing world during the pandemic. However, he believes that this time the world has not stopped thanks to internet and mobile communication. Mehta has fought many interesting cases. He was the lawyer of Bollywood star Salman Khan who was accused in the Black Buck poaching case. He fought the case to ensure Salman gets his visa and travels abroad for his shootings as the High Court stayed his conviction in the Black Buck poaching case. Even when the Congress' CP Joshi lost the assembly polls by one vote and took the court's shelter, Mehta did not allow him to win the polls against Kalyan Singh. Similarly, former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's victory was challenged twice in court, but Mehta ensured his victory stayed intact. Nathuram Mirdha lost the assembly polls to Govardhan Soni and approached the court. His plea was dismissed, courtesy Mehta's smart approach. As he turned 100 today, he said senior citizens should set their time table right since morning, should decide what they will eat and what they should not, walk a lot and practice yoga to stay healthy. Chandigarh, June 4 : Criticising the Punjab government for selling government quota vaccines to private hospitals, AAP state affairs co-in charge Raghav Chadha on Friday said the government has committed another major vaccine 'scam'. He asked Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the Congress national president to answer five questions related to the vaccine 'scam'. Addressing the media here, Chadha alleged Amarinder Singh was following the footsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and looting money from the people of Punjab in times of trouble, by making 'disaster' an 'opportunity'. He said the government had purchased the state government quota vaccine at the rate of Rs 400 per dose, but it had further embezzled crores of rupees by selling these vaccines to private hospitals at a rate of Rs 1,060 per dose. The Delhi legislator asked five questions to Amarinder Singh. They are: When Delhi's Arvind Kejriwal government could provide free vaccines to the people of Delhi, why the Congress government in Punjab could not get it done for the people. Why did the government close down government vaccination centres and allow private hospitals to charge Rs 3,100 for vaccines? Amarinder Singh should tell the people of Punjab that to which Congress leader did he gave crores of rupees collected through black marketing of free medicine? Has the money for the vaccine scam been given to the Congress party high command? And the last question is: Will the Kharge committee, set up to end the Punjab Congress internal feud, also ask Amarinder Singh about the vaccine scam? Chadha said the state had made a big fuss about vaccinating the people of Punjab against Covid free of cost but by closing down the government vaccination centers the people were being forced to get vaccinated from private hospitals at a cost of Rs 3,100. Replying to queries from the media, Chadha said when Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu was saying that he had no involvement in the vaccine issue, did the Chief Minister commit the vaccine scam? He demanded that Congress national President Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh should make their position clear to the people regarding the vaccine scam. Mumbai, June 4 : Cracking the whip on private hospitals, the Maharashtra government on Friday imposed limits on the treatment and surgery costs that can be recovered from patients afflicted by the dreaded mucormycosis (black fungus), a post-Covid disease. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has approved a proposal by the Health Ministry fixing the charges to be levied by all private hospitals, till July 31, providing a huge relief to the common man. The development comes a fortnight after the state government issued an order on May 18 to provide free treatment, including medicines, beds, etc, to mucormycosis patients under the Mahatma Jyotiba Jan Arogya Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, at 130 pre-determined hospitals, besides empanelling another 1000 hospitals. "In view of the increasing number of patients being treated for mucormycosis in private hospitals, we had submitted a proposal to control the rates charged by them for treatment," said Health Minister Rajesh Tope. No hospitals shall be allowed to fleece the patients and the government has also made a provision for auditing the treatment with stringent action against those flouting the rules, amid reports that certain private hospitals were allegedly charging exorbitantly for treating black fungus cases. The government has classified the treatment rates chargeable by private hospitals under various criteria for cities categorised as Class A, B, C, and the rest. The new treatment cost limits vary as per separate ward, ICU with or without ventilator, isolation wards, etc, for the full medical management, surgeries and the long stay in hospitals, making it within the reach or the ordinary patients. The government has also fixed the cost for 28 types of surgical procedures required for mucormycosis treatment, which will be upto Rs 100,000, Rs 75,000, and Rs 60,000 in the three categorised cities respectively, and no hospitals can charge higher than the prescribed rates. There are around 2,000 black fungus cases in the state currently with more than 150 deaths recorded till date, which are considered the highest in the country, according to officials. Aizawl, June 4 : In the midst of rising Covid-19 pandemic, the African Swine Fever (ASF) has struck pigs in Mizoram, causing deaths of over 5,000 animals in different districts, officials said on Friday. Chief Minister Zoramthanga, in a tweet tagging the Prime Minister's Office and Union DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) Minister Jitendra Singh, said that the state is struggling with its livestock sector. "Piggery farmers and their economic stances are at stake!" he posted. Officials of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Department said that due to the ASF,at least 5,027 pigs and piglets has so far died since March causing financial loss to the tune of Rs 20.10 crore. The ASF was first reported in southern Mizoram's Lunglei district on March 21 with 2,349 pigs and piglets having died, but subsequently 1,656 pigs died in Aizawl district. Many villages and localities in the two districts have been declared "infected areas". According to the officials, of the 11 districts in Mizoram, currently the ASF outbreak have been reported from nine districts. They said that unusual deaths of 120 pigs have also been reported so far but the cause of death is yet to be ascertained. The outbreak of various diseases including ASF, Foot-and-mouth among the animals, mostly livestock, have occurred in different states of the northeast region almost every year. After the outbreak, the northeastern states have sounded high alert and asked people, especially owners of piggeries, to refrain from bringing pigs and piglets from other states and neighbouring countries, specially from Myanmar. The northeast's annual pork business is worth around Rs 8,000-10,000 crore, with Assam being the largest supplier. Ppork is one of the most common and popular meats consumed by tribals and non-tribals in the region. According to experts, pigs are generally affected by the classical fever, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome besides ASF, which was first detected in 1921 in Kenya. According to some experts, humans don't get infected by ASF, but they could be the carriers of the virus. Washington, June 4 : The head of China's Wuhan virology lab, also called as the 'bat woman', and an expert from the University of North Carolina in the US, had in a paper published in 2015 flagged the dangers of their gain-of-function experiment of a novel coronavirus which could infect human cells, media reports said. In the research, Shi Zhengli and epidemiologist Ralph Baric used mice as subjects and inserted the protein from a Chinese rufous horseshoe bat into the molecular structure of the SARS virus from 2002, creating a new, infectious pathogen, the Vanity Fair reported on Thursday.AA "Scientific review panels may deem similar studies too risky to pursue," the researchers wrote in the paper and warned the world of "a potential risk of SARS-CoV re-emergence from viruses currently circulating in bat populations". The findings were published in scientific journal Nature Medicine. It was unearthed by a small team of investigators, commissioned by Matthew Pottinger, the deputy National Security Adviser in the Donald Trump administration. The team aimed to unravel the origins of Covid-19. The Vanity Fair report quoted Pottinger as saying there were so many people within the government "wholly discounting the possibility of a lab leak, who were predisposed that it was impossible". In addition, many leading experts had either received or approved funding for gain-of-function research. Their "conflicted" status, said Pottinger, "played a profound role in muddying the waters and contaminating the shot at having an impartial inquiry". The 2015 paper's acknowledgments also cited funding from the US National Institutes of Health and from a nonprofit called EcoHealth Alliance, which had parcelled out grant money from the US Agency for International Development, the report said. Many experts have until recently denied the lab-leak theory and claimed that Covid-19 originated as a natural infection leaping from animals to humans. But now, there has been a shift. A team of 18 scientists from Universities in the US, Canada, the UK and Switzerland have signed a letter in the journal Science arguing the need to determine the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic. Various other studies have hinted at Covid-19 as a result of the Wuhan lab-leak. The US' top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci also said he is "not convinced" Covid-19 developed naturally. US President Joe Biden has recently ordered the intelligence community to re-double efforts to examine how the virus originated, including the lab accident theory. The European Union, the UK, Australia, and Japan also have joined the US in seeking a deeper probe into the origins of the pandemic. Meanwhile, China's Foreign Ministry has last week dismissed the Wuhan lab leak theory as "extremely impossible" and have accused the US of "political manipulation", media reports noted. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mumbai, June 4 : The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cancelled all 9 global bids it received for supply of Covid-19 vaccines, but Mumbaikars may soon get the Sputnik V jabs, top officials said here on Friday. Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said that in early May, in view of the shortages of the life-saving doses, the BMC had floated global tenders for supply of around one crore vaccines which would be administered free to Mumbaikars, and the tender deadlines were extended twice. "However, as the final deadline ended, we received 9 bids. We have rejected all the 9 bids as they failed to comply with the important terms and conditions, mainly pertaining to the kind of tie-ups they would have with the vaccine manufacturers, the quantity, rates and the time period within which they could assure the supply as per our requirements," she said. Accordingly, the BMC has now cancelled all the tenders and Pednekar reiterated that it is the Centre's responsibility to supply the vaccines for the people. However, against this, BMC Municipal Commissioner I. S. Chahal made a heartening announcement that the civic body was in talk with Dr Reddy's Laboratories for supplying the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines. "The talks have been successful and Dr Reddy's Laboratories have agreed to provide us with some stocks of Sputnik V vaccine by June end, and later in July-August, it may be augmented," he said. A week after the BMC, the Maharashtra government had also floated global bids for buying five crore vaccines for administering to the people in the state free of cost. Till date, the state has given 2,32,92,259 jabs comprising first and second doses, to various permitted categories of citizens across various age groups, frontline workers and others, the highest in India. New Delhi, June 4 : The Indian Railways on Friday said that the Oxygen Expresses have delivered more than 24,840 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) to the several states, including more than 10,000 MT to the southern states. A Railway Ministry official said that 359 Oxygen Expresses have completed their journey so far since April 24. He said that so far, railways has delivered more than 24,840 MT LMO in more than 1,463 tankers to various states across the country, while six loaded Oxygen Expresses are currently on run with more than 587 MT of LMO in 30 tankers. "Oxygen Expresses crossed 10,000 MT of LMO delivery to the southern states of country," he said, adding among that Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka received more than 2,500 MT of LMO each from Oxygen Expresses. The official also said that fifth Oxygen Express to Assam is currently on run from Jharkhand with 80 MT LMO in four tankers. The Oxygen Expresses started their deliveries 41 days back on April 24 in Maharashtra with a load of 126 MT. Railways has till date provided oxygen relief by Oxygen Expresses to 15 states -- Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Telangana, Punjab, Kerala, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Assam, as second wave of Covid struck India hard. Toronto, June 4 : Toronto-based Tamil artiste Shan Vincent de Paul on Friday released "Savage", the new single of his third studio album, "Made In Jaffna". Shan says he has written the track solely for personal artistic expression, to appease the "rap head" in him. "'Savage' was a purely cathartic creation for me where the expression took precedence over 'accessibility'. I wanted to write an 'anti-hit', something that didn't pander to any kind of audience, sound or trend. It was a gateway to tap into a darker side without having to keep up the facade of a glossy, perfect world that we often see on social media. The title is also a tongue-in-cheek reference to the term colonizers used to describe us for eating with our hands," he says. "Savage" is the first of 12 singles to be released for the 14-track album, which is scheduled to release on August 27. Previously released singles -- "One hundred thousand flowers" and "Heaven" featuring fellow Canadian Tamil artiste Navz-47 -- are also part of the album. Matching Shan's vocal ferocity in the video of the new song is Paris-based hip-hop dancer and Bharatanatyam enthusiast Usha Jey's choreography, whose hybrid mix of two dance styles have made her a social media star. Shot in Berlin, the video features two avatars of Usha, performing her trademark hybrid Bharatanatyam. On Usha Jey' s choreography, Shan says: "Her style is so unique and innovative while perfectly capturing elements of the East and West. I knew she had to be the star of the video when I saw her style. It was a perfect way to respond to the derogatory title of 'Savage' that was often used against us. I also wanted to take Bharatanatyam as far away from the realm you would expect it to be in." "Made In Jaffna" releases on the AR Rahman-led artiste-centric platform and label, maajja. New Delhi, June 4 : With the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic receding in Delhi after daily cases declined to below 500, the Delhi government is using the respite to prepare for a possible third wave. It swung into action to augment the number of beds in government hospitals. To avoid the situation that the people of the national capital faced in the second wave of Covid-19, the government has started working on revamping several existing hospitals to increase the number of beds and also building new hospitals. In preparation, remodelling of the Delhi government's Aruna Asaf Ali hospital located in Civil Lines area has been initiated, which will enhance the number of beds. Apart from this, the capacity of a few other Delhi government hospitals such as Acharya Shree Bhikshu hospital, Shri Dada Dev Matri Avum Shishu Chikitsalaya and Guru Gobind Singh hospital is being enhanced. With remodelling these three hospitals together will have 1,372 beds. Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospital, one of the largest hospitals functioning under the Delhi government, will have a separate new building for mother and child care, said Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Friday. "LNJP hospital has been at the forefront of the fight against Covid. A new building for mother and child care is being erected," Jain added. Apart from all these, Delhi's AAP government has also started construction of two new hospitals at Madipur and Jwalapuri. These two hospitals will be completed by next year. During the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic when the people were struggling to get a bed in a government hospital, the opposition had accused Arvind Kejriwal's Government of investing more on advertisements, instead of enhancing Delhi's health facilities. A senior official in the Delhi government, talking to IANS said, "The current developments are an effort of the Delhi Government to strengthen Delhi's healthcare infrastructure with state-of-the-art facilities so that it could serve the people of Delhi not just in the present time but for several decades." Apart from the beds, the Kejriwal government has also geared up to improve the overall healthcare system of the national capital in view of a third possible wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. On May 27 it formed two committees, an expert committee consisting of eight senior bureaucrats, and the second, a 13- member 'task force' including doctors, experts and government officials to look into the whole issue, including children's safety. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday held the very first meeting to review the preparation of these two committees, however, the meeting's details were awaited. Sources in the Delhi government told IANS that the Kejriwal government is currently considering four scenarios for a possible third wave of Covid-19 in the city. Alarmingly, in one of the scenarios, the daily new cases could be over 45,000. In the first scenario, the daily new cases could be as high as 28,395 which is the same as the second wave. In the second scenario, it could be 36,914, which is 30 percent more than the second wave. According to the third estimate, the number shoots up to 45,432, which is 60 per cent or more. The fourth projection indicates a bit of respite with daily cases expected to be around 15,000. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Chennai, June 4 : Frowning upon car maker Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd for breaching the agreement signed with its workers union, the Madras High Court on Friday categorically said the agreement has to be implemented in full. Renault Nissan Automotive is a Franco-Japanese car making joint venture near here rolling out Renault and Nissan badged vehicles. As a measure of maintaining social distancing at the shopfloor level, the company and the worker's union Renault Nissan India Thozhilalar Sangam (RNITS) had signed an agreement early this month. Subsequently, the RNITS had approached the Madras High Court citing non-adherence to the Covid-19 safety protocol while operating the plant. The two parties had agreed for the empty pitch ratio of 3:1 in the trim and chassis and body shop. "Simply put, after three cars in the conveyor belt, one slot will be empty so that a worker need not move to the next workstation to complete his work," RNITS President K. Balaji Krishnan had told IANS. However, the management did not implement the 3:1 empty pitch ratio in the production line 1 where models like Sunny, Kicks and Duster are assembled, and the RNITS had brought the breach to the notice of the court. The court said the management is in breach of the agreement forged with the workmen and it cannot accept that the empty pitch ratio to be maintained only in one of the two lines. The agreement between the management and union was categorical that 3:1 empty pitch ratio would be maintained at the production line. Later, as counsel for the company submitted that it would maintain the 3:1 empty pitch ratio in line 1 also, the court said both the parties can discuss that aspect later. Pointing out the high incidence of Covid-19 infection rate amongst the workers, the court also categorically said the conditions of the exemption from the lockdown have to be followed. It also recorded that over 1,200 workers out of about 8,000 workers have been affected by Covid-19 out of which about 50 workers are under active case category, 10 workers admitted to hospital and others are home quarantined and recovering. Renault Nissan Automotive had earlier told the court that it has to roll out 34,964 cars (Renault cars 10,982, Nissan cars 23,982) between May-October 2021 for export markets. The company also told the court that any delay in fulfilling the export orders, which are required to be sent, among others to fleet based markets in the Gulf, will not only entail penalty but in addition, mean losing the business. Further car exports need advance planning to load the ships so that demurrage and other port charges are not incurred, the company had said. The company's exports revenue stood at about Rs 4,615 crore in 2018-19, about Rs 5,500 crore in 2019-20 and about Rs 3,159 crore in 2020-21. Meanwhile, the court was also told that the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health has issued a show cause notice to Renault Nissan Automotive for contraventions noticed under the Factories Act and other labour laws. Later, a spokesperson from Nissan - the company's one of the joint venture partners - in a statement, said: "We have already implemented changes in one of the production lines, as per previous agreements regarding employee safety with the union, and will be cascading them across a second production line at the earliest, while also acting on the recommendations of the state government following recent inspections." (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in) Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- Syndicated from IANS Chennai, June 4 : Eminent American civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson Seniors efforts have paved the way for US Vice President Kamala Harris calling up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announcing to allocate Covid vaccines doses to India, said Vijay Prabhakar, an noted Public Health Expert in Chicago. A product of Madras Medical College, Prabhakar, who is also the Global Ambassador of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, was the first person of colour to receive the US Public Health Service's HIS Director's Award of Excellence in 1992 during President Bill Clinton's administration for his pioneering work as the Health Commissioner for the native American tribe, Winnebago, from 1986-1992. He is also the Chairman of the American Association for Multi-Ethnic Physicians and the Founder Chair of US Congressman Danny Davis' Multi-Ethnic Advisory Task Force in Chicago. Prabhakar told IANS in an exclusive interview that in a Zoom call with Tamil Nadu Finance Minister PTR Thiagarajan on May 21, Rev Jesse Jackson Sr had assured that Covid assistance is on its way to strengthen the state's fight against the pandemic. The Higher Education Minister of Maharashtra, Uday Samant, too had requested Rev Jackson to intervene on behalf of India for vaccine allocation. Here are the excerpts from the interview: Q. You have said that the US government has allocated Covid vaccines to India after the meeting between US President Joe Biden and Rev Jackson. Please elaborate. A. Yes, it was a historic meeting Jackson had with Biden at Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 1, which helped my motherland, India, to receive Covid vaccine jabs. Jackson has been relentlessly pursuing with the US administration and to the world at large to aid India at this unprecedented crisis. President Biden then made a commitment to connect to the White House staff with the Reverend to ensure efficiency in communication and distribution of the US donated vaccines to India. I myself had briefed the President about how Congressman Danny Davis had on May 2 kick-started the coming together of Indian American and mainstream community leaders that triggered Jackson's initiative to highlight the urgent need to help India combat the second Covid wave, by hosting press meets in Chicago, Washington DC and Atlanta. This meeting had led to the announcement by Vice President Kamala Harris and her call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Biden listened carefully and responded most expressively to all our requests and we see this as a huge positive step in India-US relations. We have a responsive President in Biden who is ready to rise to the occasion and acts swiftly to immediately resolve the situation with his admirable leadership. Q. Several observers and critics have opined that President Biden does not hold a good perception of India. How come you were able to convince him on the Indian requirement for vaccines? A. It was a very challenging experience as we had to use all our own resources and personal connections developed over the years to come up with a result-oriented strategy. The 2020 presidential elections and the Indian diaspora having their own choices along with certain sections of the community trying to continuously paint a negative image of India has made our task very difficult but it did not deter our sustained efforts to come to India's aid. There was a stiff competition from other countries also making out their cause for the US donated vaccines. It is to the credit of the US Congressman Danny Davis who inspired me to lead the crusade for getting vaccines to India at any odds and it was the inspiring leadership of Jackson who was constantly engaged in dialogue with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris's office from May 7 to June 1 that resulted in the US allowing vaccines to India. The meeting we had with the Indian Ambassador in the US, Taranjit Sandhu along with India's Deputy Chief of mission Sudhakar Dalela on May 21 at Washington DC and the constant encouragement and feedback from India's Consul General in Chicago, Amit Kumar, played a vital role in this initiative. At the end of the day, it is the community activated diplomacy that succeeded against all odds and criticisms. Q. It is learned that you had mentioned to President Biden to distribute a portion of the allocated vaccine doses to the Indian states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Your comments. A. After news reports came out that Jackson had officially thanked both the US President and Vice President for their open statement that the US would allocate 80 million vaccines overseas in his press conference, Maharashtra's Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant called up Jackson to thank him for his efforts to have the Biden, Harris administration commitment to donate 80 million vaccines overseas. Samant then requested Jackson to press for an immediate release of vaccine doses to India with an allocation for Maharashtra. This was followed by a zoom meeting initiated by Tamil Nadu Finance Minister P.T.R. Thiagarajan with Jackson on the instructions of the state's Chief minister M.K. Stalin. He apprised Jackson of the Covid crisis situation in India and emphasised on the need for America's urgent assistance to India and also spoke about the TN government's shortfall of vaccines. Q. Thiagarajan has said that he had reached out to the US government for vaccines to India and allocation to Tamil Nadu through the offices of Jackson and you. Please comment on this. A. As I have said earlier, Thiagarajan was one of the three leaders from India to have the foresight to reach out to Jackson along with Samant and former Union Minister and Member of Parliament, K.J. Alphons. Thiagarajan has had his higher education in prestigious institutions in the US and was following the US media closely and seized upon the opportunity to present India's case very eloquently. He also drew a parallel to the Civil Rights movement in the US to the Dravidian Movement in South India. Jackson was emotionally moved by PTR's presentation and he immediately sent a video message to people of India, "Help is on its way. Let not your spirit be broken, Hold on, Dawn of the morning is coming. We will conquer this disease. Keep hope alive. God bless you all. Love you all." Q. Taking forward this success, will you be playing a significant role in India-US relationship? A. I will do all that I can for my motherland to further strengthen the Indo-US relations. I take it as a bounden duty to ensure that India's name is not tarnished by any section of the community by their false propaganda funneled by vested interests. You will be interested to note that the same team led by me along with Santhosh Kumar, Executive Director, Metropolitan Asian Family Services, Chicago, Bharat Barai, Eminent Oncologist& Chair, US -India friendship council, Munster, Indiana worked hard to defeat an India resolution introduced in the City Council of Chicago on March 24 this year. This same Anti-India resolution funded by the Council of American Islamic Relations-CAIR , US has successfully passed anti-India resolutions in eight other cities in the USA including Seattle. The June 1 meeting with President Biden has established a firm foundation for leveraging Indo- US relations in a fresh perspective. We have just begun and there is a lot of work to be done in reference to India's Covid relief efforts. We are working towards getting different players from India to directly purchase vaccines, medications, and equipment from manufacturers here in the USA. I will personally work towards evolving a new narrative to engage Indo- US relations that will be inclusive and result-oriented. Q. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was in the US last week for scouting vaccines. What is your view on his journey to the US for the vaccine? A. It is really good that India's External affairs minister Jaishankar visited the US and met key officials pleading India's case. However, India must now realize that the Biden-Harris administration is very people-centric, result-oriented, and minority-driven. India must explore informal channels and give legitimacy to community diplomacy with a formal approach to significantly strengthen Indo- US relations given the geopolitics in this new digital age. The official diplomatic channels are doing an excellent job and working beyond to pursue their agenda, but this is not enough to bridge the gap and combat India's critics. The need of the hour is to have Indian -American community leaders effectively engage the Biden - Harris administration with a fresh narrative of meaningful purpose driven partnerships with a focus on grass root level -people's democracy. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mumbai, June 4 : Oil & gas and metals company Vedanta will launch a mega green cover initiative to commemorate World Environment Day on Saturday. As part of the Vedanta Cares Green Cover initiative, which will be virtually inaugurated by Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal, the company's employees and business partners will be able to register on its microsite - the Vedanta Cares Plantation portal - to plant a sapling to celebrate their dear ones who have recovered from Covid-19. More than 1 million trees will be planted through the Vedanta Cares Green Cover initiative, which will be rolled out across the company's business locations, Vedanta said in a statement. "The plantation drive is an expression of gratitude for the countless gifts we receive from Mother Earth," the statement said. The company had planted around 1.2 lakh trees in 2020-21. "The Vedanta Cares Green Cover initiative is a significant step towards our larger goal 'Zero Harm, Zero Waste and Zero Discharge' across all our operations. In the days ahead, Vedanta will continue to drive inclusive growth, focus on responsible mining and develop robust ESG risk mitigation plans," said Vedanta Group CEO and Chief Safety Officer, Sunil Duggal. Vedanta is targeting to substantially decarbonise its operations by 2050, after voluntarily pledging to move towards carbon-neutrality earlier this year. The company has re-constituted the 'Carbon Forum' -- its apex body on climate strategy -- to help steer the group towards a less carbon-intensive way of operating. Kolkata, June 4 : The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has directed the secretaries of all the Central government ministries and departments, chief executives and chief vigilance officers of all public sector undertakings to get vigilance clearance before employing a retired official on contractual or consultancy basis. Interestingly enough, the letter came only a few days after the West Bengal government engaged former Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay as the chief advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In a surprise development last Monday, Bandyopadhyay, who was given an extension of three months, opted for his normal superannuation scheduled on May 31, apparently putting an end to the Centre-state tussle over his Central deputation. Alleging that the decision for Central deputation was fallout of the Centre's vendetta politics, Banerjee appointed Bandyopadhyay as the Chief Political Advisor to the CM. On Thursday evening, Bandyopadhyay replied to a show-cause letter sent to him on the ground that he refused to comply with the lawful directions of the Central government, violating Section 51 (b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The CVC in its letter mentioned that the absence of a uniform procedure sometimes led to a situation where officials with tainted past or cases pending against them got engaged. "The Central Vigilance Commission has observed that the absence of a uniform defined procedure for obtaining vigilance clearance, before engaging retired officials by government organisations, sometimes lead to a situation where officials with tainted past or having cases pending against them are engaged by the government organisations. Such a situation not only leads to unnecessary complaints/allegations, but is also against the tenets of fairness and probity, which is the basic principle governing the functioning of government organisations," the letter said. "In respect of retired officers belonging to All India Services, Group A officers of Central government or their equivalent in other organisations owned or controlled by the Central government, before offering employment to them on contractual/consultancy basis, vigilance clearance from the employer organisation, from which the government officer had retired, should be necessarily obtained," it said. "In case a retired officer had served in more than one organisation, vigilance clearance should be obtained from all the organisations where the retired officer had served during a period of 10 years prior to his retirement," the letter added. The CVC has also made it clear that the private sector should also follow the procedure before employing retired government officials. "It has been observed that on some occasions, immediately after their retirement from government organisations, retired officials are taking up full time job/contractual assignments in private sector organisations. Quite often, cooling off period, as prescribed under the rules of organisations concerned, is not observed before taking up such offers. Post-retirement acceptance of offers by retired government officials without observing cooling off period constitutes serious misconduct on their part," the letter said. "All government organisations may, therefore, formulate appropriate rules/guidelines for its employees to ensure that post retirement, cooling off period edgily observed by them before accepting any offer from private sector he rules/guidelines should incorporate procedure for seeking/obtaining before accepting offer from private sector entities during cooling off period. The applicable service/conduct rules should also be revised/modified to ensure that, if required, appropriate action can also be initiated in case of violation of such rules by retired employees," it added. Greenberg told prosecutors he would invite the minor and others to meet and have sex at hotels around Central Florida and supply the girl and other attendees with ecstasy. Greenberg had sex at least seven times with the girl while she was still a minor and also introduced her to adult men who had sex with her, his plea agreement said. Kathmandu, June 4 : Nepals caretaker Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Friday reshuffled his Cabinet at a time when his decision to dissolve the House and declaration to hold polls in coming November is pending in the Supreme Court for hearing. Accordingly, President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-appointed ministers at the Sheetal Niwas on Friday evening. Political parties are questioning his motive to rejing the Cabinet after Oli inducted three Deputy Prime Ministers and removed some ministers from his own party, including Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali. Raghubir Mahaseth from Oli's party, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), has been appointed as the Deputy PM and Foreign Minister replacing Gyawali. Janata Samajbai Party, a Madhesh-based party that has close political, social, historical and other ties with India, also joined the Oli government. Janata Sanajbadi Party (JSP) leader Rajendra Mahato joined the Oli government as Deputy PM and Minister for Urban Development. Likewise, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel has been promoted to the Deputy PM's post. Earlier on Friday evening, Oli inducted eight ministers and two state ministers from the Mahanta Thakur-Rajendra Mahato faction of Janata Samajwadi Party into his Cabinet. The PM removed all except four ministers representing the government from his party, retaining only Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Krishna Gopal Shrestha, Lilanath Shrestha and Basanta Nembang. All the newly-appointed ministers took oath of office and secrecy at the Sheetal Niwas, the President's office, on Friday evening. New Delhi, June 4 : Amid request of indemnity by domestic vaccine manufacturers, the Central government on Friday said that the issue of giving legal protection to Indian companies "is under watch" and no decision has been taken yet. Replying to queries during the Health Ministry press briefing, NITI Aayog's Member Health Dr V.K. Paul said: "The issue of indemnity has been brought up in the context of foreign company Pfizer with whom we are in engagement. In principle, they expect indemnity should be given. "We have also checked with the nations and the World Health Organisation. They supplied the vaccine after indemnity was granted. Negotiation is on with that particular company and no decision has been made at the moment." About the request of indemnity by domestic vaccine manufacturers, Paul said: "For esteemed local manufacturers, it is an issue on which the government has a watch and there is no decision." Asked whether Pfizer will be administered to children in the country, he said: "We have to understand that the child cohort is not a small cohort. When we are talking about children aged between 12 and 18 years, we are talking about at least 13-14 crore population and to cater to them, we will need 25 crore doses. We have to make a decision taking everything into account like the availability of doses." "Bharat Biotech's Covaxin trial will not take much time. Zydus's vaccine could be an option as the vaccine is already tested on children. Zydus vaccine too will come for licence soon," he added. Bengaluru, June 4 : The much-awaited southwest monsoon entered Karnataka with moderate rains in Bengaluru, an official said on Friday. "The monsoon entered Karnataka with moderate rains and gusty winds in coastal areas and south interior parts of the state, a day after it reached Kerala on Thursday. Conditions are favourable to for it to advance further into the state," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official told IANS here. Though rains were scattered and isolated in the coastal areas, they were widespread in the southern region, especially in and around Bengaluru, which recorded 45mm till late evening. "The monsoon will advance over the next 2-3 days to cover most parts of the state with widespread rains in most parts of coastal, south interior and some parts of north interior regions," said the official. The weather office has sounded red alert for the coastal areas, warning of heavy to very heavy rain and thunderstorm in the coastal districts - Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttar Kannada during the weekend. "Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely to occur over Chikkamagalur, Kodagu, Hassan and Shivamogga in the state's central areas (Malnad region), and Ballari, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapura, Chitradurga, Davangere, Kolar, Mandya, Ramnagar, and Tumakur in the southern region," said the official. According to the weather bulletin, thunderstorm, accompanied by lightning and gusty winds and moderate spells of rain, will occur many parts of the state's southern, central and northern parts on Saturday. "Timely onset of southwest monsoon augurs well for the state, as farmers will be able to take up sowing operations in their fields for the kharif crop and catchment areas will be able to fill reservoirs for drinking water and irrigation purposes," the official added. New Delhi: COVID-19 patients from Manipur people undergo treatment at Guru Tegh Bahadur COVID care centre at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi. All of them are from Manipur and have been staying at a hotel in Karol Bagh. They were supposed to leave Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: COVID-19 patients from Manipur people undergo treatment at Guru Tegh Bahadur COVID care centre at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi. All of them are from Manipur and have been staying at a hotel in Karol Bagh. They were supposed to leave Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: COVID-19 patients from Manipur people undergo treatment at Guru Tegh Bahadur COVID care centre at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi. All of them are from Manipur and have been staying at a hotel in Karol Bagh. They were supposed to leave Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, June 4 : The national capital on Friday reported 523 new Covid cases with a test positivity rate of 0.68 per cent, while 50 people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, according to the daily health bulletin issued by the Delhi government. Both the daily case tally and the number of new deaths in the national capital showed a marginal rise on Friday as compared to Thursday's figures. On Thursday, Delhi had reported 487 new Covid cases and 45 deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a consistent positivity rate of below 5 per cent for a period of at least two weeks is recommended before the area can be considered to be under control. Delhi's positivity rate has remained below the stipulated mark for over two weeks now. While the number of active cases in Delhi is currently 8,060, the case fatality rate is 1.71 per cent. A total of 1,161 patients recovered from the disease on Friday, taking the total number of recoveries so far to 13,95.892. On Friday, Delhi administered Covid vaccine to 53,035 beneficiaries, of which 37,747 received their first dose while 15,288 got their second shot. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, June 4 : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide free injections required for the treatment of black fungus (Mucormycosis), besides asking the government to share the number of the patients who are suffering from the infection. In an appeal to the Prime Minister, the Congress leader said that the government should make adequate arrangement for the Mucormycosis patients free of cost. She cited the examples of a daughter requesting to arrange the injection for her father in Indore, and the shortage of the same at Delhi's Army Hospital, which she said have saddened the country. Priyanka Gandhi further said that till date, more than 11,000 cases of black fungus infection have been reported from the country, claiming that there is a shortage of injection to treat the infection. She also said that the death rate of Mucormycosis is over 50 per cent. Questioning the government's intention, Priyanka Gandhi said that it does not look serious on the issue. "Peopme have to spend lakhs of rupees for the injection to treat Mucormycosis, which is not treated under the government's Ayushman Bharat scheme," the Congress leader said. She also appealed the government to bring the disease under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat. Priyanka Gandhi further said that while Mucormycosis has been declared a pandemic, the government has not released its data since May 25. "According to reports, Mucormycosis cases are on the rise and its data should be shared along with the Covid figures," she said. She also appealed to the Prime Minister to increase the production of the vaccines and ensure their avaibility to the people. Kolkata, June 5 : More than 100 days after they sailed out of Cox's Bazar in the coastal region of Bangladesh, 81 Muslim Rohingya refugees have reached Aceh in Indonesia. They were stranded in the Andaman islands after their boat developed serious technical snags on February 18, a week after it sailed out of Bangladesh. Indian coast guards provided food, drinking water and medical attention to the refugees and arranged for repairs on the boat, but did not allow it ashore. India tried negotiating with Bangladesh to take back these refugees, but since Bangladesh refused to take them back, the authorities in Andaman quietly allowed the repair works and took care of the Rohingyas. On May 30, the boat was finally ready and it sailed out that afternoon. On Friday, it reached Aceh. Families of the refugees were informed by the shipowner about their safe arrival on Indonesian territory. "This was the nearest Southeast Asian territory the boat could reach, because the crew was not sure how far they could go," said a source in Andaman, who handled the rescue and relief for the sea-stranded Rohingyas. The satellite phone of the Rohingya boat was snatched by the Indian coast guards to avoid disclosure of the boat's whereabouts. Around eight of the 90 Rohingyas who set sail (65 women, 20 men and 5 minors) had already died of diarrhea and dehydration after the boat's engine developed trouble on February 18, a week into the journey towards Southeast Asia. Eighty-one Rohingyas, mostly women, were on the boat with three Bangladesh crew members when the rights activists lost contact with the boat. The survivors confirmed eight deaths on the boat before they lost contact. Rights activists thanked the Indian coast guards for providing immediate relief. "It is good to know that no one on the boat died after it was rescued by the Indian coast guards," said one Thailand-based rights activist. "Delhi perhaps tried to negotiate the boat's return to Bangladesh with the Rohingyas, but when Dhaka refused, they took care of the refugees and allowed them to proceed to Southeast Asia," the activist said on condition of anonymity on the grounds that he was not authorised to brief the media. The UN had also requested India in February to take care of the refugees on humanitarian grounds. The Indian authorities confirmed that 47 Rohingyas on the boat had UNHCR-issued refugee cards given out in Bangladesh. Rights activists, who were worried over the possibilities of India handing over the Rohingyas to Myanmar, said on Friday they were relieved that the boat had landed in Aceh. Boats carrying Rohingya refugees have regularly drifted towards India's Andaman islands. The Indian government has not been keen to take them in, hence the temporary relief followed by the onward journey to Southeast Asia. Bengaluru, June 5 : Terming the reports in a section of media as "incorrect", a top Karnataka official on Friday contested Kerala's claim that the Central Trade Marks Registry had upheld its appeal on using the abbreviation 'KSRTC' for Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, and not for Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation. "As no final order has been passed by the Registry in the appeals, media reports on the verdict are factually incorrect. We have not received any such order from the Registry as claimed," Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Managing Director Shivayogi Kalasad said in a statement here. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation had on Wednesday claimed that the Registry had issued an order under the Trade Marks Act of 1999, allotting the abbreviation 'KSRTC' to it in a legal dispute between the two state-run undertakings that began in 2014. Kerala has all along argued that it has been using KSRTC since 1965 when it began the bus service, while 'Karnataka' came into being after the state's name was changed from Mysore in 1974. "As the Central government had abolished the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) by an ordinance on April 4, 2021, all such pending applications will be transferred to the high court for adjudication," reiterated Kalasad. Asserting that there is no legal bar on using the trademark 'KSRTC' for the state-run corporation, Kalasad said Kerala's claim that Karnataka cannot use the trademark for its undertaking is untenable. "We are consulting our lawyers to take legal steps to protect our rights. If Kerala issues a notice to us, we will respond suitably. We reserve our right to legally defend our claim," added Kalasad. Patna, June 5 : Bihar will remember the second wave of Covid-19 for its deficient infrastructure, as well as a lesson on how those seeking to expose "wrongdoings" of the state government and the influential may end up paying a price, said Jan Adhikar Party leaders, citing the case of their chief Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav. The four-time MP sought to expose the inefficiency and irregularities in the hospitals, from the remote areas to the multi-specialty facilities in the state capital, and ended up in jail in a three-decade-old kidnapping case, said his party leaders. On May 7, when the highest rate of Covid cases appeared in Bihar and ambulance operators were found breaching regulatory protocols, Yadav had unearthed 39 ambulances lying parked on a plot in Amnaur block in Saran district. The ambulances were purchased under the MPLAD fund in 2019 and kept in a plot belonging to a relative of BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, whose name was on every vehicle. "As he had exposed an influential MP of BJP at a time when there were several question marks on PM Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's handling of the pandemic situation, my leader was arrested in a 32-year-old so-called kidnapping case where the victims denied it," JAP national General Secretary Prem Chand Singh said. Even as Yadav is in jail in the 1989 case, one of the "kidnapped persons" named Rajkumar Yadav came before the media and said that it was a case of confusion. He said that in 1989, he and Umakant Yadav were close associates of Pappu Yadav but a dispute arose between them after a girl's marriage of a girl. Rajkumar Yadav said that then his cousin, Shailendra Yadav, had in January 1989 lodged a complaint against Pappu Yadav for allegedly kidnapping Rajkumar and Umakant in Murliganj police station in Madhepura. "I and Umakant were sitting in the vehicle of Pappu Yadav. After a few hours, we came out from the house of Pappu Yadav and reached Madhepura. We initially thought that we were kidnapped. It was nothing but a case of confusion." According to JAP leader Singh: "The legal aspect of the entire so-called kidnapping is extremely shocking. In this case, Pappu Yadav was arrested in 1989. As per legal proceedings, police had to submit the chargesheet in 90 days after the FIR. Madhepura police were unable to file the chargesheet and he got bail. "In 1993, the bail of Pappu Yadav was cancelled by the Madhepura district court but district police failed to take warrant from the court to arrest him." Pappu Yadav was later arrested in murder case of CPI-M legislator Ajit Sarkar and served jail term from 1999 to 2013. In between, Madhepura police submitted a report of property attachment of Pappu Yadav in 2009. Singh asked: "I want to ask the Bihar Police to clarify why it had failed to execute the warrant issued against Pappu Yadav. He was acquitted from the court in Ajit Sarkar murder case in 2013. Why had Bihar Police not arrested him in the kidnapping case then?" JAP state President Raghvendra Kushwaha told IANS: "Pappu Yadav was a political figure in Bihar. He won the 2014 parliamentary election from Madhepura and the Central government had allotted him Y-threat security. It means, whenever he visits any place in the country, he used to inform the police of the district concerned and the police administration of respective districts have to provide additional security to him apart from his Y-threat security which comprises six CRPF personnel at one time." "He has visited Madhepura and other districts of Bihar. He was openly involved in campaigning in the 2020 Assembly election. Why did the state police not arrest him in that kidnapping case," he asked. Pappu Yadav's lawyer Vishal Thakur said: "There were 11 persons booked in that 32 years old so-called kidnapping case and 4 of them were acquitted. Pappu Yadav was among those 7 persons whome Bihar Police declared fugitives. Now, you have to decide how he could become a fugitive?" "When he was lodged in Tihar Jail, did the Bihar Police not know the address? He was MP from 2014 to 2019 and had official residences in Madhepura, Patna and Delhi, why had the Bihar Police declare him a fugitive. He visited Madhepura several times during the recently concluded Bihar Assembly election and Murliganj police station wherein the kidnapping case was registered... why he was not arrested. "Now, Pappu Yadav was arrested in that case. It is clear that he has become a victim of political vendetta and revenge for exposing wrong doings of ruling party's MP," Thakur said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Smoove Xperience Pte Ltd (SmooveX or the Company), a leading Travel FinTech company headquartered in Singapore, today announced the appointment of Mr. Greg Duffell as Board Advisor to the Company (the Board Advisor). Mr Francis Ong, Chairman of SmooveX, is exuberant at convincing Mr. Duffell to join the Company, It is not easy to find someone with similar vision of the travel and tourism industry, and we are truly delighted to have been introduced to Greg and even more pleased to welcome him onboard our journey to provide easy ways for people to travel. We are confident that Gregs extensive experience in the travel industry in Asia Pacific, the Gulf region and Europe, will provide travel industry thought leadership, operational experience and industry contacts critical to the growth of Smoove Xperience. Mr. Greg Duffell is a seasoned professional and well-respected executive in the travel industry, accumulating almost 30 years experience in the industry. He has held various top executive roles with key players in the travel industry, including the CEO of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Regional Managing Director of Thomas Cook and various senior roles with Emirates Airline Group, Indochine Travel Services, Budget Rent-a-Car etc. Mr Duffell is a serial entrepreneur, having founded in Migo Software in Silicon Valley and an early pioneer in bringing electric vehicles to Asia in the mid-90s, as well as managing a digital animation studio in Hollywood and teleradiology project for the Middle East! He was also responsible for building the Budget Rent-A-Car operations in Asia Pacific region, opening, training and supporting over 200 branches in 20 countries, including Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, India and Pacific Islands. I have been in the travel industry since the early 80s, and some of the issues that travellers faced today is no smaller than it was 10 years ago, said Mr. Greg Duffell. After the first call with the team, I was so impressed with their vision and what they want to do to improve the user experience when travellers plan and embark on their trips. It was really love at first sight as we share so many common visions and how we view the travel and tourism industry, especially in these trying times during the COVID pandemic. The authenticity and reliability of timely information is more important than ever, as travellers would value safety above all things else. I am extremely delighted to join this visionary team and help them disrupt the rather old school travel and tourism industry. With Greg Duffell, Smoove Xperience looks forward to benefit from his vast experience and release further updates to the Smoove Xperience platform and mobile application in the coming months. About Smoove Xperience Pte Ltd: Smoove Xperience Pte Ltd is a B2C multi-industry lifestyle platform for tourists headquartered in Singapore, with software R&D centres across the region. Smoove Xperience helps tourists plan and manage their travel for memorable experiences through curated travel guides and user-generated contents, itinerary planning tools and local deals and promotions via its AI-powered digital e-companion mobile app. Smoove Xperience is founded by a group of experienced entrepreneurs with over 80 years of experience managing high tech business in Asia Pacific region. 4IRE contributed to Aurora 'The 4IRE engineering team is honored to become a part of the Aurora development and launch and will be happy to continue contributing to Aurora operation through NEAR Protocol maintenance and integration.' CEO, Helen Petraschuk 4IRE, the official integrator of NEAR, is happy to contribute to the development of Aurora, a solution to extend the Ethereum economy, launched in May 2021. Aurora was built on the NEAR Protocol, enabling the latter to function as a layer-2 protocol for Ethereum. Many DeFi and NFT developers anticipated Aurora's release as a solution to ever-rising gas fees, which previously limited new blockchain apps' launch and outreach to broader target audiences. The major purpose of creating Aurora was to enhance the use of the Ethereum blockchain without urging the users to shift from one blockchain to another one. Unfortunately, even given its multiple benefits for users and developers alike, ETH poses some limitations, including high transaction fees, low throughput, and time per block confirmation (14 seconds in the mean). Thus, Aurora became a robust solution to ETH challenges with its high-performance runtime, seamless token transfers, and cutting-edge decentralized governance. Aurora was created to operate on top of the NEAR Protocol, using most of its unique features (such as sharding and developer remuneration for gas used in their products). Its two core components (Aurora Engine and Aurora Bridge) simplify the smart contract migration and enable hassle-free token sharing between Ethereum and Aurora ecosystems. Together with 1000-fold lower commissions (as compared to ETH) and greater throughput, Aurora represents a sustainable alternative to Ethereum users. With Aurora, users can enjoy the powerful combination of NEAR's efficiency without transferring to a new blockchain platform. Developers can launch a broad range of dApps within minutes by linking them effectively with ETH smart contracts and other system elements. Its full compatibility with ETH and operation on a carbon-neutral first-level NEAR blockchain give users unique opportunities and benefits in the integrated blockchain universe. 4IRE is a leading Ukrainian-Swedish IT consulting company that focuses on Defi, FinTech, and Green Finance. Having an extensive background in blockchain development, we at 4IRE see an immense potential behind Aurora in the blockchain sphere. 4IRE engineers are thrilled to become part of the Aurora creation and launch and will be happy to continue contributing to Aurora operation through NEAR Protocol maintenance and integration. Visitors enter the memorial of the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai, east China, June 3, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] The memorial of the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) opened in Shanghai Thursday. The memorial includes the site of the first CPC National Congress, an oath-taking hall, and a newly-built exhibition area. More than 1,100 selected items that highlight the Party's history have been displayed in the exhibition area spanning 3,400 square meters. The exhibition area is divided into seven sections that chronicle the founding of the CPC as well as the Party's efforts and achievements over the past 100 years. Exhibits including relics, photos and literature cover major events such as the New Culture Movement, the May Fourth Movement, the establishment of early CPC organizations and early CPC national congresses. A total of 72 versions of The Communist Manifesto are also on display. The founding fathers of the CPC secretly convened the first National Congress of the Party in the two-story brick-and-wood building in downtown Shanghai in 1921. The building was turned into a memorial site in 1952 and continues to be a popular tourist attraction in Shanghai. On Tuesday, Holness asked for a study of how much county business is denied to firms owned by women and minorities, including whether a minimum experience requirement is an obstacle. The subject is worthy of review, but it is more complex than it appears. Holness Democratic colleagues refused to rubber-stamp his request, and not because of the subject but because of its sponsor. 3777 N Ocean Blvd, Gulf Stream, Fla Engel & Volkers equips our advisors with top notch listing tools that empower them to present our services to influential clientele Engel & Volkers Florida today announced the listing of Case de Si, located at 3777 N Ocean Blvd., by Christy Larrimore of Engel & Volkers Delray Beach. The property, which is offered at $32,000,000, is one of only three homes currently for sale in Gulf Stream, Florida, and is the most expensive of the trio. This is a quintessential beach hideaway, said Larrimore. Casa de Si offers unobstructed pure blue ocean views from any vantage point. Its a phenomenal house for entertaining, yet inviting enough to feel like home for a couple or small family. The ideal buyer were looking for is someone who appreciates the perfect blend of location and craftsmanship. Casa de Si is a contemporary beachfront fortress. This newly finished residence is one of the largest estates in Gulf Stream, comprising over 14,000-square-feet under air. The home boasts seven bedrooms, thirteen bathrooms, a chef's kitchen, butlers staging kitchen and pantry, billiards room, and a temperature-controlled wine cellar that can store up to 2,900 bottles. This mansion is perfect for car aficionados as it houses a five car garage, with additional covered parking for six cars, as well as a front door car carousel that spins your most precious of vehicles on demand. We are proud to offer a property of this caliber said Lenny Felberbaum, License Partner of Engel & Volkers Delray Beach. Larrimore has been an advisor with Engel & Volkers since 2016. In that time, she has transacted over $30-million in sales; more than $10-million of which was closed this year. Engel & Volkers equips our advisors with top notch listing tools that empower them to present our services to influential clientele, said Peter Giese, Chief Growth Officer at Engel & Volkers Florida. What separates us from other real estate brands, is our superior syndication platform, global network of professionals and premium marketing and advertising materials that provides access to the high-net-worth buyers. Ranked as one of the highest-income places in the United States, Gulf Stream is a small oceanside community in between Palm Beach and Boca Raton in Florida. The typical value of homes in Gulf Stream is $1,487,146, and prices have increased more than 6-percent over the past year. Press contact: Linzee Werkmeister, Junior Vice President, Marketing & Franchise Support Email: Linzee.Werkmeister(at)evrealestate.com Tel: (239) 348-9000 About Engel & Volkers: Engel & Volkers is a global luxury real estate brand. Founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1977, Engel & Volkers draws on its rich European history to deliver a fresh approach to luxury real estate in the Americas with a focus on creating a personalized client experience at every stage of the home buying or selling process for todays savvy homeowner. Engel & Volkers currently operates approximately 240 shop locations with 5,000 real estate advisors in the Americas, contributing to the brands global network of over 14,000 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services, including real estate and yachting. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and platforms; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. For more information, visit http://www.evrealestate.com. About Engel & Volkers Florida: Engel & Volkers Florida is the Master License Partner of the global luxury real estate brand Engel & Volkers in the state of Florida. Recognized for uniquely recruiting, training and equipping some of the top professionals in the real estate industry, Engel & Volkers Floridas exclusive franchise model positions its license partners at the top of the premium market to gain market share and support their bottom line. The company represents franchise locations in: 30A Beaches, Amelia Island, Belleair, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs-Estero, Cape Coral, Clermont, Delray Beach, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers Downtown, Gainesville, Hollywood Beach, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Jupiter, Madeira Beach, Marco Island, Melbourne Beachside, Melbourne Central, Melbourne Downtown, Miami Coconut Grove, Neptune Beach, Olde Naples, Orlando, Orlando Downtown, Orlando-Winter Park, Palm Beach, Palm Coast, South Tampa, St. Augustine, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, Stuart, Wellington, and Windermere. Engel & Volkers Florida is continuing to strategically strengthen and expand its presence in premium real estate markets across the state of Florida. If you would like to know more about the Engel & Volkers brand or how to join its global networkwhich is known for demonstrating competence, exclusivity and passion, feel free to call our corporate office, located at 633 Tamiami Trl N, Suite 201, Naples, FL 34102 USA. Tel: +1 239-348-9000. For more information about Engel & Volkers Florida, please visit http://www.florida.evrealestate.com Alpha Cubed Investments is pleased to announce a new office location in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and we have worked with our clients there for many years. So, we are excited to now announce the addition of a new local office location in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. As we continue to grow, we want to make sure clients can see us in the most convenient way possible for them." Todd Walsh CEO, Alpha Cubed Investments Our new office is located at 1180 North Town Center Drive, Suite 100, Las Vegas, 89144, and we look forward to seeing you there or at whatever location is most convenient for you! About Alpha Cubed Investments: Alpha Cubed Investments is a Registered Investment Adviser serving clients throughout the U.S. We manage assets for high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, and other entities. Our objective at Alpha Cubed Investments is to grow and protect investor capital using our 3-step investment process with the goal of managing risk and generating long-term investment returns from growth and income. We offer personalized services to meet each client's financial goals. Alpha Cubed Investments offers custom-allocated portfolio management across the risk-and-return spectrum. At ACI we like to say, we give our clients a fighting chance. For more information, please visit http://www.alphacubedinvestments.com. Services offered through Alpha Cubed Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. This brochure is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where ACI and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by ACI unless a client service agreement is in place. With the rush by traditional publishers to sign them and their noteworthy bestselling status, theres no longer much doubt that indie authors can be both commercially and creatively successful." Today--as authors, booksellers and the publishing industry look to come back stronger than ever after a challenging year--Amy Edelman, founder of IndieReader, announced the winners of the 11th annual IndieReader Discovery Awards (IRDAs). With sponsors including NY-based literary agents Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, Reedsy, Smith Publicity and Jerry Jenkins' The Writer's Guild, IndieReader launched the IRDAs to give indie authors access to people who can make a difference in their books success. Says Edelman, With the rush by traditional publishers to sign them and their noteworthy bestselling status, theres no longer much doubt that indie authors can be both commercially and creatively successful. All that was left to do was create a credible vehicle by which to find them. Thats where the IRDAs come in. While writing a great book is the first step, getting it in front of the right peoplebe they readers or agentsis also a critical part of making any book a success. To that end, judges on the IRDA panel include PR and publishing professionals, editors, book designers, professional reviewers and more. Winners will have their titles submitted to New York City literary agents Dystel, Goderich & Bourret for representation consideration. Judging is based on the quality of writing, editing and the originality of the story. There was a first, second and third place winner for fiction and non-fiction categories, 40+ category winners and two winners each for BEST FIRST BOOK and BEST COVER DESIGN (for fiction and non-fiction). The winners, judges, the genre and the authors contact information follows below. FICTION First Place Lilianne Milgrom / L'Origine Genre: Historical Fiction Contact: liliannemilgrom@gmail.com Second Place Dorian Box / The Hiding Girl: Emily Calby Book 1 Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Contact: dorianbox@outlook.com Third Place Dana McSwain/ Roseneath Genre: Horror Contact: danadmcswain@gmail.com NON-FICTION First Place Vivian M. Lumbard/ Outside Looking In Genres: Parenting (Child Care/Family) Contact: vmlumbard@aol.com Second Place Cas Oh/ CO Specs: Recipes & Histories of Classic Cocktails Genre: Cooking/Baking Contact: contact@cazerac.com Third Place Jamison Hill/ When Force Meets Fate: A Mission to Solve an Invisible Illness Genres: Memoir Contact: jhillzer07@yahoo.com CATEGORY WINNERS Best First Book (Fiction) - Anthony Lee Head/ Driftwood: Stories from the Margarita Road Best First Book (Non-Fiction) - Chad Scott / The Poster Boy Best Book Cover (Fiction) Ryan Meyer / Tempest: Poems Best Book Cover (Non-Fiction) - Mishka Migacz / Childhood Canceled Action/Adventure - Jorge Sanchez / Deadbreak Aging/Death & Dying - Bob Seay / Dad Biography - Julie Gray / The True Adventures of Gidon Lev Business - Samuel Sanders / Your Next Big Idea: Improve Your Creativity and Problem-Solving Chick Lit - Megan Montgomery / Well . . . That Was Awkward Children's (Early to intermediate readers) - Melissa Perley / The Violin Family Education - Nicole Kurtz, Kevin Kurtz / Light is Color! NO SALES LINKS Entertaining - Daniel Scarpati/ Gofers: On the Front Lines of Film and Television Environment - Roger Duncan and Michael E. Webber / The Future of Buildings, Transportation and Power Fantasy - K.N. Salustro / Cause of Death: ??? Finance/Investment/Economics - John Gonzalez and Young Lee/ South Korea: The Price of Efficiency and Success Gift/Holiday/Specialty - Marta Mahoney/ The Christmas Trolley Graphic Novel - Raea Gragg/ Mup LGBTQ+ (Fiction) - Pepijn Westdijk / Songs of War: A Dance of Darkness LGBTQ+ (Non-Fiction) - Lewis Kempfer / Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life Health/Medicine/Nutrition - Travis Hicks / No Match For Her Historical Fiction - Debra Doxer / Where Butterflies Go History - Julia Drake / Anonymous Is a Woman: A Global Chronicle of Gender Inequality Horror - Arjay Lewis / The Vanishing Humor Adam Bender / Utopia PR Inspirational/Spiritual - Shannon Hugman / Analogies, Energies & Celestial Bodies Kids - John O'Trakoun/ The City Takes A Breath Today Literary Fiction - J.A. Carter-Winward / Wade Memoir - F. Scott Service / Playing Soldier Middle Grade - Corinne G. Ruff/ Aviona the Flying Carousel Horse of Long Beach Island Mystery/Suspense/Thriller - Geoffrey M Cooper / Forever: A Medical Thriller New Adult - C.P. Mangel / A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest Paranormal - Kaylin McFarren / Soul Seeker Parenting (Child Care/Family) - Dylan Meikle, Kate Meikle / Learning in Lockdown Poetry - Madalsa, Zuivere / Get Lost Dirty Covid-19! Politics/Current Events - Cori J. Williams MSW LCSW/ Thriving While Black Popular Fiction - Sarah Mattern / Dust and Mud Psychology/Mental Health - Sarah Zabel / Fighting Chance Religion - Daniel Westlund/ Stolen Shroud Romance - HK Jacobs/ Wilde Type Science Fiction - Daniel Weisbeck/ Children of the Miracle Self-Help - Maria James-Shier/ Cultivate Compassion: Self-Kindness Counts Short Stories - Tolu' A. Akinyemi/ Inferno of Silence Sports/Fitness/Recreation - John Gubbins/ Authentic Wilderness Travel - Andrew Jalbert/ Back on Bonaire: Rediscovering Diver's Paradise as a Father True Crime - Robert Katzberg/ The Vanishing Trial Women's Fiction - Linda Lappin/ Loving Modigliani Women's Issues- Renaii West/ Death by Chaos Young Adult C.K. Donnelly/ Trine Rising: The Kinderra Saga: Book 1 2021 PANEL OF JUDGES The top 6 winning titles will be submitted to Dystel, Goderich & Bourret for representation consideration Maria D'Marco, REEDSY Meaghan Hurn/, HURN PUBLICATIONS Penny Sansevieri, CEO, AUTHOR MARKETING EXPERTS Mercy Pilkington, Senior Editor, GOODeREADER Mike Denora, PM IMAGES Phil Leo, PM IMAGES Sandra Smith, President, SMITH PUBLICITY Thanks to our 2021 SPONSORS Jane Dystel Jerry Jenkins Reedsy Smith Publicity Featherlite Page Publishings new release, Maxwell Park, is a gripping and potent tale about two sets of brothers, Kris and Marlon, and Billy and Donny, and their other friends, growing up together in the blue collar and culturally diverse area of Oakland, known as Maxwell Park. Dave writes, Many colors and cultures made up the East Bay and Oakland. There were people who left the South and its blanketed and suffocating prejudices, poverty, and the like. Some people left the frigid Midwest for a warmer climate, some escaped an abusive parent or poverty. Some just came for a fresh start, to the proverbial land of milk and honey. All who came to the Bay and Oakland felt weighed down by their prior belongings but quickly were relieved. After Kris and Marlon's grandparents found civilian jobs at the Army base in Oakland, members of their extended family followed them from Alabama to Maxwell Park in search of a new and better life. Billy and Donnys parents purchased their first home in Maxwell Park as they were starting out their careers. None of them realized the impact of the social and racial undercurrents that were playing out so dramatically around them daily. The grassroots force of the Black Panthers was a ubiquitous presence, beneficial to the community as well as a raised fist to local government and police abuses. The timeless themes that unfold in the lives of this storys characters, are a cautionary reminder of history repeating itself, as we are still witnessing the same still images and tragic events today. Readers who wish to experience this exciting work can purchase Maxwell Park at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. Bill Johnstone, DLS COO All of us at Diversified are excited to have someone with Bills label industry experience and successful executive background join our company. Diversified Labeling Solutions (DLS), a national converter of pressure sensitive labels, is pleased to announce that effective June 1, Bill Johnstone has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer. In this newly created role, he will be a key member of the executive team, working side by side with CEO Jim Kersten to execute the companys strategy and vision. Johnstone will be responsible for optimizing and aligning the operation of DLS Illinois, Texas, Georgia and Nevada manufacturing plants, as well as their California distribution center. Bill comes to DLS with more than 30 years experience in the print and label industries. His previous positions include Vice President/General Manager at RR Donnelly and Chief Operating Officer at Fort Dearborn Company. His background in label manufacturing uniquely qualifies him to immediately impact the operations of DLS. All of us at Diversified are excited to have someone with Bills label industry experience and successful executive background join our company, says Jim Kersten, DLS CEO. We have seen significant recent growth. As we embrace that growth and look towards future success, it is vitally important to have a solid, industry veteran on board to lead the charge in ensuring our manufacturing operations are best in class. Bill is a great addition to DLS and will champion a superior customer experience. Our distributor customers can be confident that DLS will continue to deliver top-notch product quality along with superior service and support. I am thrilled to join the talented team at DLS, says Johnstone. I feel this is an opportunity tailor- made for my experience and skill set and I look forward to working with the knowledgeable and dedicated DLS staff to support the growing needs of our distributor customers. A wholly-owned subsidiary of TSC Auto ID Technology Co. Ltd., DLS has been a preferred B2B supplier of high-quality, custom-printed pressure sensitive labels since 1985. All products, from blank labels to full color high-definition labels, are produced utilizing the latest in flexographic and digital printing technologies. Exemplar of their motto We only succeed when you do, DLSs dedicated team is passionate about labels and is willing to share their expertise with partnered distributors to help them grow their business. With locations in five states and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, DLS is well-situated to offer products to distributor customers nationwide. To learn more about the dedicated team at DLS, its exceptional offerings and services, or to receive a quote in 3 hours or less, please visit teamdls.com or call 800.397.3013. Cisive Named an Industry Disruptor Redefining Innovation by CIO Look When a talented team of screening experts collaborates to solve real problems, innovation and disruption occurs. Cisive, a global provider of compliance-driven human capital management and risk management solutions, has been recognized by CIO Look magazine as one of the Industry Disruptors Redefining Innovation in 2021. Every year, CIO Look identifies and honors the most outstanding and innovative companies that are disrupting in their industry. CIO Looks research team draws on the views of thousands of stakeholders including investors, analysts, employees, and media professionals worldwide to compile its annual list. This prestigious list celebrates the success, innovation and disruption of businesses across a number of sectors and industries. Cisive is honored to be recognized as an industry disruptor by CIO Look magazine, said James Owens, President and CEO at Cisive. This distinction serves as a testament to the disruptive innovation that has been key to our success in 2020. When a talented team of screening experts collaborates to solve real problems, innovation and disruption occurs. The future is very bright, and Cisive remains committed to our mission to delivering the highest quality background screening solutions for employers across the globe. Cisives core onboarding and pre-employment background screening offering provides clients with a streamlined, high quality, and regulatory compliant solution. The companys comprehensive services include background screening, vendor/contractor screening, executive screening, drug testing, fingerprinting, paperless onboarding, electronic Form I-9/E-Verify, and a suite of COVID-19 compliance solutions to help employers maintain a safe workplace. In addition to being named an Industry Disruptor Redefining Innovation by CIO Look, Cisive has recently been honored by HRO Today in their 2020 Backers Dozen rankings of top Pre-Employment Screening Providers as well as being named as one of CIO Bulletin magazines 5 Best HR Tech Solution Providers of 2020. For more information about Cisives suite of solutions, visit http://www.Cisive.com. About Cisive Cisive is a global leader in compliance-driven human capital and risk management solutions, providing onboarding and pre-employment background screening solutions to address the complex challenges and needs of large enterprises with dedicated, in-country account management teams committed to customer satisfaction. Cisive is accredited by the Professional Background Screeners Association (PBSA) and was named for the fourth consecutive year by HRO Today to the 2020 Bakers Dozen Customer Satisfaction rankings of Top Pre-Employment Screening Providers, in addition to being named Company of the Year by CIO Review. The company and its brands serve clients in financial services, transportation, telecom/media, healthcare, utilities and the home services end-markets, among others. For additional information, please visit http://www.cisive.com. The Firm continues to expand to meet the extraordinary demand for our services. We handled over 150 fund launches last year, and this year we expect even more growth." Cole-Frieman & Mallon today announced three promotions on its team. The promotions recognize team members that have supported Cole-Frieman & Mallon's values and growth and highlight the talent, acumen, and expertise available to the Firm's clients. The Firm continues to expand to meet the extraordinary demand for our services. We handled over 150 fund launches last year, and this year we expect even more growth, said Karl Cole-Frieman. The three promotions announced today include: Tony Wise from Senior Associate to Counsel Kevin Towler from Associate to Senior Associate Dominic Althoff from Associate to Senior Associate Tony, Kevin, and Dominic have all been essential contributors to the firm's growth. The firm has continued to expand into new areas of both the traditional and digital asset management spaces. We are excited that we have their expertise to help our clients explore and innovate within these areas, said Bart Mallon. "Each team member has contributed to the Firm's success by taking a leading role in many of the Firm's client engagements. In addition to providing innovative and collaborative service for our clients, we remain dedicated to creating inclusivity by promoting from within and advancing the careers of our lawyers," Cole-Frieman added. "Additionally, we could not be more delighted to have so many talented professionals supporting our firm." About Cole-Frieman & Mallon: Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP is one of the top investment management law firms in the United States, known for providing top-tier, innovative, and collaborative legal solutions for complex financial services matters. Headquartered in San Francisco, Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP services both start-up investment managers and multi-billion-dollar firms. The Firm provides a full suite of legal services to the investment management community, including hedge fund, private equity fund, venture capital fund, mutual fund formation, adviser registration, counterparty documentation, SEC, CFTC, NFA and FINRA matters, seed deals, hedge fund due diligence, employment and compensation matters, and routine business matters. The Firm also publishes the prominent Hedge Fund Law Blog, which focuses on legal issues that impact the hedge fund community. For more information, please add us on LinkedIn and visit us at colefrieman.com. Nationally renowned homebuilder Dream Finders Homes launched Everlake at Mandarin with a groundbreaking ceremony for its latest all-new 55+ community. Presented by Dream Finders Active Adult Lifestyle, Everlake at Mandarin offers 192 luxury paired villa homes centrally located in the heart of Mandarin, the popular Jacksonville, Florida neighborhood. Everlake at Mandarin is the third new home community announced since the launch of Dream Finders Homes Active Adult Lifestyle in 2019. The previous two communities are Reverie at TrailMark near St. Augustine, FL, and Scottsmoor at Halifax Plantation in Ormond Beach, FL. Were especially pleased to showcase our innovative approach to 55+ living here in Jacksonville and look forward to the opening of our new home Sales Center this summer, said David Smith, President of Dream Finders Homes Active Adult Lifestyle. Everlake is a rare opportunity for active adult living in one of Jacksonvilles most desired areas. This gated, 55+ active adult community offers residents an unmatched combination of maintenance-free homes, picture-perfect setting and exciting amenities to share with new friends. Residences will offer lakefront, preserve and privacy-focused homesites. The paired villas of Everlake are designed to liberate homeowners from day-to-day home maintenance so they have more time to pursue a carefree lifestyle. Complementing the well-appointed paired villas is an array of recreational amenities to foster healthy living and an active social life. In addition to an impressive private clubhouse, Everlake offers an outdoor swimming pool, open-air pavilions, fitness center, walking paths and landscaped common areas. Everlake also provides a unique combination of in-town living and convenient access to the fantastic restaurants, shops, healthcare and cultural attractions of Jacksonville. Dream Finders Homes designs, builds, and sells homes in high growth markets, including Jacksonville, Orlando, Denver, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and Austin, as well as Charlotte and Raleigh with the acquisition of H&H Homes in October 2020. The company focuses on single-family entry-level, first-time move-up, second-time move-up homes and Active Adult Lifestyle communities. It also offers title insurance and mortgage banking solutions to fully serve its homebuyer customers and capture ancillary business opportunities. To learn more about Everlake at Mandarin, visit DreamFindersActiveAdult.com/Everlake or call 904-478-8781. The Frederick Festival of the Arts will be held along Carroll Creek Linear Park in the heart of Historic downtown Frederick, Maryland on June 12 and 13, 10 am to 5 pm. This juried, fine art show features more than 100 artists from across the country in more than a dozen mediums. For vendors list and more information, visit artfestival.com and frederickartscouncil.org About the Frederick Arts Council The Frederick Arts Council invests in a vibrant and cohesive arts community for the people of Frederick County. The organization fosters an environment where the arts flourish in the community through grants and scholarships, arts advocacy, and links to essential resources. FAC provides programs such as Sky Stage, the Public Art Initiative, Frederick Festival of the Arts, Art in the Park, and Frederick Countys Arts in Education grants. For more information about the Frederick Arts Council, visit frederickartscouncil.org. About Howard Alan Events Howard Alan is one of the most widely and highly recognized art fair promoters in the industry. Along with Debbie, his wife and business partner of 30 years and their dedicated staff, Howard runs 45 annual juried art shows and 40 annual craft shows out of the office in Jupiter, Florida. Location: The Frederick Festival of the Arts is held along Carroll Creek Linear Park between Court Street and East Street. Unique to this venue is its waterway and bridge crossings, and downtown location. If traveling, please set GPS to: 100 South East Street, Frederick, MD 21701. The Festival is an open-air event and all walkways around the show are fully handicapped accessible. Handicapped parking is also available in and around the City of Frederick. Parking Information: Getting around town is easy. There are more than 5,000 public parking spaces available in historic downtown Frederick with five parking decks from which to simply walk to the festival site. Georgia Connections Academy Celebrates the Class of 2020 and 2021 The Georgia Connections Academy classes of 2020 and 2021 embody resilience, determination and hope. They have navigated through milestones in their lives while facing unprecedented challenges; yet still, they rise. Class of 2020 graduates from Georgia Connections Academy, who didn't get to participate in a traditional live graduation ceremony because of COVID-19, got to experience this teen rite of passage this week. Thirteen graduates from the Class of 2020 were able to join their Class of 2021 peers at this years live graduation ceremony held at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Georgia Connections Academy is a unique, full-time, tuition-free online public school for Georgia students across the state in grades 5-12. Of the 456 graduates from the Class of 2021, more than 315 were able to attend in-person, while other graduates and attendees joined the event virtually. "The Georgia Connections Academy classes of 2020 and 2021 embody resilience, determination and hope," said Georgia Connections Academy Executive Director Brazilia Page. "They have navigated through milestones in their lives while facing unprecedented challenges; yet still, they rise. The future of our graduates is bright, and their achievements are a testament to the amazing work these students have put forth over the years. These graduates have earned the respect and admiration of the faculty and staff at Georgia Connections Academy, and we wish them the very best as they move forward on their journey." Page added, Although it has been another challenging year for everyone, Georgia Connections Academy students have continued to thrive in a full-time online learning environment, which has remained uninterrupted, despite the pandemic." In addition to awarding diplomas and recognizing other student accolades, ceremony highlights included January 2021 graduate Amari Kedar of Lithonia singing the national anthem. Through her tenacity and work ethic, Kedar completed her high school curriculum early as a dual enrollment student. In July, she will obtain an associate degree in paralegal studies from Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Clarkston. In the fall, she will enroll at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga., to pursue a bachelor's degree in creative writing and music. Aysia Bittinger of Augusta, the Class of 2021 salutatorian, shared how proud she is, and how proud fellow graduates should be, of graduating from Georgia Connections Academy and their academic accomplishments, given the school's engaging curriculum that meets or exceeds national and state standards. "This experience reflects our diligence, independence and adaptability to meet whatever life throws at us," she said. Bittinger plans to dual major in cybersecurity and Chinese at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. This year marks Georgia Connections Academy's 10th anniversary, and one of the school's inaugural employees, Kimberly Allen, was invited to give the keynote speech. Her positive, professional demeanor and strong work ethic as executive assistant, and subsequently director of federal programs, were integral in establishing the school's foundation and ensuing growth. Her motivational speech centered around the John Mason quote: You were born an original. Dont die a copy. Allen stated, "One of the biggest risks you can take in life is to be yourself. Find out who you really are and then become the best version of you. You are more than a pretty face. You are imperfectly perfect." Georgia Connections Academy students have diverse backgrounds and educational histories, and the graduates' future plans are just as varied. More than half of the graduates plan to attend two- or four-year colleges or universities. Additional graduates have plans to pursue career paths encompassing technology interests, performing arts, entrepreneurship, military or vocational training, while others have plans to enter the workforce, take a gap year or are undecided. Enrollment for Georgia Connections Academy's 2021-2022 school year is currently open for grades 5-10 and 12. The enrollment cap for 11th grade students has been met for the 2021-22 school year. Details about upcoming information sessions are available online. For more information, visit http://www.GeorgiaConnectionsAcademy.com or call 1-800-382-6010. About Georgia Connections Academy Georgia Connections Academy is a unique, tuition-free, online public school for students in grades 5-12, and is authorized by the State Charter School Commission of Georgia. With 10 years of expertise in online learning, we know how to create a high-quality educational experience that keeps students motivated and engaged in a safe, virtual learning environment. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students determine how they learn best. Here, students gain the skills and confidence they need to direct their own educational journey, learning to thrive in the real world by first learning how to be resourceful and resilient. For information, visit http://www.GeorgiaConnectionsAcademy.com or call 1-800-382-6010. The reactivation of tourism on the Costa del Sol continues to hang on Covid-19 pandemic control restrictions in the United Kingdom, after Boris Johnsons government confirmed this Thursday (3 June) that Spanish destinations continue to be considered unsafe for holidays and travellers will need to quarantine and test on their return. The UKs Minister of Transport, Grant Shapps, actually went further and urged the British not to go on holiday to countries at amber on the safe travel list, such as Spain, which is a preferred travel destination for the British and the main international market for the Costa del Sol. The announcement that Spain was still considered unsafe in the new UK update generated concern among professionals in the hotel sector on the coast, who will have to wait at least three weeks until the list is reviewed again. The reopening of hotels and the success of the high season will depend on this, with the sector pointing out that half of the establishments are still closed in June. On Thursday the Costa del Sol hotel business association (Aehcos) announced that after closing May with 40.96 per cent of the establishments open and 38 per cent occupancy, they start June with 48 per cent still closed and with occupancy forecasts of 40.4 per cent this month. There are still 151 hotels to reopen, representing more than 40,400 beds. The opening up of tourism on the coast is uneven. Malaga and Estepona, lead the recovery with more than 80 per cent of beds available, but Nerja and Mijas are at the back of the queue without yet managing to reach 30 per cent, according to Aehcos. Torremolinos, the town with the largest volume of beds on the coast, only has 60.7 per cent of its hotel offer in operation. Inland, Ronda already has 67 per cent of its places ready to receive tourists compared to Antequera, which has 35 per cent. The president of Aehcos, Jose Luque, acknowledges that the sector is at a crucial moment. We are facing the beginning of the recovery with some optimism, but the situation in markets such as the British, which keep Spain on an amber traffic light gives concern. He stresses that the reopening of hotels in June and the success of summer is dependent on foreign governments making decisions that allow the Costa del Sol to welcome foreign customers, who represent between 65 and 70 per cent of the business, and especially the British market which in 2019 accounted for 27 per cent of total overnight stays," he says. The concern on the Costa is greater after learning that Portugal lasted only three weeks as a safe destination and has now turned to amber for detecting 68 cases of a new Indian variant of the coronavirus doubling the number of infections. New rendering shows a multi-use room inside the Applied Research Center, a research facility being built at Florida Polytechnic University. Providing the funding to complete construction of the ARC will allow Florida Poly to be even more important in building our high-tech economy and attracting STEM companies to our county and state. The new Applied Research Center (ARC) being built at Florida Polytechnic University has received full funding by the state Legislature to complete its construction by next spring. The state-of-the-art facility will serve as a research hub for the Central Florida region and a magnet for economic development around campus. The Polk County delegation stood behind Florida Poly as the Legislature approved the $14.8 million the University requested to finalize the more than 90,000-square-foot building. The ultra-modern structure will house research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms, faculty offices, and multiple study areas. The states budget was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week. State Sen. Kelli Stargel is a long-time supporter of the University and was crucial in getting the project funding approved. Florida Polytechnic University continues to enhance the economy in Polk County and the state of Florida, Stargel said. Providing the funding to complete construction of the ARC will allow Florida Poly to be even more important in building our high-tech economy and attracting STEM companies to our county and state. The two-story building will be the Universitys second academic facility. It is located on the northwest side of campus adjacent to the iconic Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building and will also be visible from I-4. The builder is Skanska USA, which also developed the IST, and the architect design firm is HOK. Construction of the ARC began in the fall of 2019 and it is scheduled to open its doors in the spring of 2022. The total cost of the building is estimated in $45 million. It is gratifying to see how Florida Poly continues to grow, and we are thankful to the Polk County delegation and the state Legislature for believing in our Universitys mission and funding this exceptional facility, said Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Poly. The ARC will be fundamental to the economic growth we envision around campus, by allowing us to expand our research development, attract more industry alliances, and bring capital investment. Californians who live in fire-susceptible areas cant afford to play the odds by relying solely on firefighting efforts to save their homes. Be proactive and take action to help keep your home safe. California is in a severe drought and recent statistics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) show the number of fires and acres burned has significantly increased compared to the same time period last year. A dry climate, high temperatures and a spark are the perfect recipe for more wildfires, so Mercury Insurance encourages Californians to take the necessary steps to protect their homes and properties. Californians who live in fire-susceptible areas cant afford to play the odds by relying solely on firefighting efforts to save their homes, said Kelly Glover, director of personal property underwriting at Mercury Insurance. Be proactive and take action to help keep your home safe. Mercury Insurance offers the following tips to help California homeowners prepare their homes and properties: Create defensible space of at least five feet around all structures. Increase this space to at least 30 feet if you live in a high risk wildfire area. Remove all buildup of pine needles and leaves from roofs, gutters and lawns. Keep tree limbs cut back at least 10 feet from chimneys and remove dry limbs overhanging the home and garage. Finally, plant native fire-resistant plants and create low fuel hardscapes. Harden your home by replacing combustible exterior materials on homes with siding and roofs that have at least a fire-resistance rating of one to two hours. Fire-retardant roof materials such as tile are recommended. Exterior home walls should be built with materials like stucco or brick and should also have double-pane and tempered windows. Do not connect wood fences to your home. Place screens over vents to prevent embers from entering your home. California law requires a spark arrestor constructed of 12-gauge minimum welded or woven wire mesh screen, with openings no larger than a half-inch over your chimney outlet. Move flammable and combustible items at least 50 feet from your home. Firewood, outdoor patio furniture, picnic tables, boats, propane tanks, etc., should be clear of homes and other structures. Keep irrigation systems in working order. Check hoses and sprinkler systems to ensure proper functionality and coverage of your entire home, including roofs and exterior structure walls. Have a ladder available to access roofs. Pools can serve as a water source for fighting fires. Have your pool accessible for fire engines to get within 10 feet. Pumps with suction hoses that reach the bottom of the pool can also be used. Make sure your street number is visible so emergency crews can quickly identify your home during an emergency. These and other helpful resources to prepare for a wildfire are available on the Mercury Insurance blog. Additional details can be found at http://www.readyforwildfire.org and http://www.nfpa.org. Mercury also offers wildfire mitigation discounts to homeowners who proactively lower their risk. Tweet the news: @MercuryIns has wildfire steps to take now. About Mercury Insurance Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization predominantly offering personal automobile, homeowners and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices. For more information, visit http://www.mercuryinsurance.com or Facebook and follow the company on Twitter. Sixgill Cattle Facial Recognition Breakthrough solution to provide private, secure, immutable proof of ownership and traceability for cattle seamlessly across the supply chain from ranch-to-consumer. Highlights: The public is invited to an in-person Cattle Tracking NFT Demo Day at The Wilson Ranch, Sandhills Nebraska, on June 7, 2021 Live demonstration and presentations by the collaborating technology firms will be featured For those who would like to attend, please RSVP to jaclyn@flyingdiamondbeef.com Fifth generation Nebraska ranchers The Wilson Ranch and Flying Diamond Beef announced that they are hosting a live event on June 7th at Wilson Ranch to launch a first-of-its-kind co-innovation project with technology companies CattlePass, Livestock Labs, Neogen, and Sixgill to create the first suite of advanced technologies for tracking cattle as verified digital assets. During the event on June 7th, twenty head of Flying Diamond steer will receive an implanted Bluetooth EmbediVet sensor for health tracking and immutable proof of life records from Livestock Labs. Sixgill will also be on site to collect imagery of each steer for processing with its Sense AI Platform and advanced computer vision models for facial recognition and analysis. Prior to Mondays event, Neogens solution for genomic data identified specific traits of each animal for unique identification. As the ultimate repository for all these data sources, CattlePass will present its traceability platform. CattlePass blockchain technology, built on Ethereum smart contracts, verifies all the unique data sources and creates proof of ownership. Each individual animal will be represented as an ERC-721 token, or Non-Fungible Token (NFT) and securely stored in the cattle ranchers/owners private digital wallet while collecting and adding metadata (health, feed, movement, heartbeat, facial analysis, etc.). Token owners can share data with permissioned viewers such as inspectors, buyers, vets or processors. Every animals data record will remain with it through harvest, and a unique QR code will be printed on the beef packaging. Consumers will be able to scan the QR code with any smart device to get select details on that specific animal including proof of identity. By providing industry producers with this breakthrough financial and regulatory solution, the project participants intend to provide private, secure, immutable proof of ownership and traceability for cattle seamlessly across the supply chain from ranch-to-consumer. All trademarks, service marks, trade names, product names and logos included herein are the property of their respective owners Given the rapidly increasing interest in the field of public health, the NYU School of Global Public Health is partnering with the New York advertising agency DeVito/Verdi to best communicate the schools unique standing, its bold mission and its diverse curriculum to prospective students. The Manhattan-based school has been experiencing a steady rise in applications and queries from students seeking to explore the discipline following the onset of the pandemic. The creatively driven DeVito/Verdi will develop a comprehensive digital advertising campaign aimed at tapping into the dramatic interest in the field, as it seeks to increase the student body of future pioneers in global health studies. The work will target recent college graduates, high school graduates, and those considering a career switch. The school offers a number of programs for those interested in everything from completing a certificates program, to earning bachelors, masters or doctoral degrees. The School of Global Public Health at New York University, which was formed just six years ago, and gained full accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health four years later, offers more than a half-dozen certificate programs, a doctorate in philosophy in public health, four masters programs, and 13 Global Public Health majors. Its mission is to prepare the next generation of public health pioneers with the tools and skills necessary to reinvent the public health paradigm. Prior to the pandemic, the field of public health might have been a somewhat perplexing one, not on everyones radar, said Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH, Dean of NYU GPH. One year later, the nation fully grasps that public health systems are equally as critical as the nations high-speed broadband, energy and transportation infrastructures. We are excited to work with DeVito/Verdi to communicate that to prospective students as their contributions to reimagining and rebuilding the nations public health responses are more vital than ever, she said. The agency will introduce various creative executions via digital display ads, social media, search and video across a number of platforms. The campaign is expected to debut this summer. I cant think of any field of study that is more intriguing and in demand than global public health, and there isnt a school offering degrees in the discipline that is situated more at the nexus of so many world cultures, said Ellis Verdi, president of DeVito/Verdi. Its a fascinating opportunity to be tasked with attracting the next generation of experts committed to improving health across the globe. Recently, the Cuomo Administration and The Partnership for New York City jointly engaged DeVito/Verdi to create a health awareness campaign around COVID safety protocols. Healthcare marketing has long been one of the agencys strengths, as it has handled a number of award-winning campaigns for such noted institutions as Mount Sinai Medical Center (NYC), Massachusetts General Hospital, Northwell Health, UChicago Medicine, and Scripps Health. About The NYU School of Global Public Health The schools mission is to reinvent the public health paradigm by inspiring innovative scholarship, practice and leadership across boundaries. Its vision is to significantly improve the health of populations by pioneering solutions that advance health equity around the world, today and tomorrow. And its values underscore: Community, Diversity, Happiness, Integrity, Respect, Trust and a Commitment to Value Everyone Equally irrespective of stature, appointment or seniority. About DeVito/Verdi DeVito/Verdi, a privately held company, has been recognized as one of the most exceptional creative agencies in the industry. It has been voted Best Agency six times by the advertising industry group, the AAAA, and has created some of the most memorable ad campaigns of the past 25 years. Its lengthy list of industry awards includes the top prizes at the Clios, Radio Mercury, Cannes, Andy, Addy and One Show award ceremonies. # # # Devil's Race Track Once complete, the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail will ultimately wind its way more than 300 miles along the eastern portion of the Cumberland Plateau, from Signal Mountain overlooking the Tennessee River near Chattanooga to the Cumberland Gap on the Kentucky border. For the unwavering advocates and tireless volunteers whove worked diligently planning and building Tennessees extraordinary first and only linear state park, 2021 has seen a flood of recognition, activity and renewed enthusiasm for the ambitious, 50-year-old project. The Cumberland Trail is a tremendous gift for Tennessee, something that goes across the Cumberland Plateau from north-to-south, south-to-north, Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, told a gathering of state park rangers, supporters, recreation enthusiasts and trail-building volunteers at a recent event celebrating 50 years since the CT project was launched. Once complete, the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail -- as it was formally dubbed this year by the Tennessee General Assembly -- will ultimately wind its way more than 300 miles along the eastern portion of the Cumberland Plateau, from Signal Mountain overlooking the Tennessee River near Chattanooga to the Cumberland Gap on the Kentucky border. In the process it will cut through 11 counties and two time zones along the east-facing rim of the indisputably spectacular Appalachian landform. Lined with rugged backcountry, regal forests, resplendent waterfalls and stunning rock formations, the Cumberland Trail also boasts a momentous human history and cultural landmarks dating back millennia. It is beautiful country, stunning country, Bryson said. So we want to leave this trail not just for ourselves and our grandchildren, but for our grandchildrens grandchildren. The Cumberland Trail State Park isnt however just a tool for preserving wildlands and protecting the past for future generations. It is also envisioned as a sustainable means of one day soon steering prosperity-generating tourism revenue into struggling local communities along the plateau. Not only is this a natural and recreational asset for Tennessee, it is also an economic asset for Tennessee, said Bryson. It is going to help all of the areas, particularly some of the areas that are the poorest in our state. In 2020, Tennessees state park system spurred economic activity to the tune of $1.84 billion, welcoming 34.7 million visitors and providing much-needed safe, natural and healthy escapes for the pandemic-weary masses. If any silver lining to the emergence of the COVID-19 virus can be identified, its been a reawakened popular appreciation for the magnificent natural treasures the Volunteer State possesses, and a hopeful expectation that outdoor recreation and rural-oriented tourism will likely play an increasingly prominent role in the states economy going forward. Owing to its location straddling what is expected to become a very popular stretch of the Cumberland Trail, Wartburg in Morgan County is poised to become a trail town in a similar vein as the flourishing community of Damascus, Virginia along the Appalachian Trail. Already something of a hub of outdoor recreation, Wartburg is a natural launchpad for exploring grand landscapes and scenic rivers of great renown, like the Big South Fork, the Obed, the Emory and the Clinch. Construction is set to commence this month on the portion of the Cumberland trail connecting historic downtown Wartburg with Frozen Head State Park, which in turn already connects to one of the longest completed sections of the CT, an arduous and exhilarating 40-some mile trek northeast to Devils Racetrack overlooking Caryville in Campbell County. Currently more than half of the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trails total projected length is hikeable, and land has already been acquired to extend the trail to 240 miles. More than 50 trailheads give hikers access to roughly 200 miles of open trail, according to the Cumberland Trails Conference, which maintains up-to-date maps, progress reports and general information on the group's website. In February, the state announced the addition of more than 6,000 acres to the park, signifying that the culmination of the long and toilsome haul that started with a shared conservation-and-recreation vision half a century ago may soon be in sight. The CT is anticipated to one day ultimately connect with the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama and the Sheltowee Trace in Kentucky, both of which exceed 300 miles in length. The CT will in turn serve as Tennessees invaluable contribution to the as-yet-unfinished Great Eastern Trail, which parallels much of the Appalachian Trail to the west. During an exclusive event at Holman Motorcars, hosted in partnership with Supercar Rooms Miami, renowned contemporary artist Bradley Theodore transformed a Rolls-Royce Ghost into a one-of-a-kind work of art, adding his trademark colorful flair to this iconic vehicle that embodies the pinnacle of luxury. The Rolls-Royce featuring Theodores distinct artistic stylings will be on display at Holman Motorcars in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a limited time and guests are invited to visit the dealership to get an up-close-and-personal view of this timeless classic. Known for its cutting-edge design and uncompromising luxury, the prestigious Rolls-Royce Ghost served as Theodores canvas for this collaboration with Holman Motorcars. Over the course of two days, Theodore added his contemporary, street-style to the vehicle, evolving the Rolls-Royce Ghost into his latest masterpiece, creating a truly unique fusion of artistic expression and automotive craftsmanship. A staple of the South Florida artistic landscape, Bradley Theodore is best known for his colorful paintings and prints of fashion icons. Theodore is a multi-disciplinary artist whose iconoclastic approach to art can be found internationally from 10-foot murals on the streets of New York, Tokyo, and Milan to sold-out solo exhibits in London. Evoking the universality of color, skeletons, and celebrity, Theodore distills figures to skeletal forms, a confrontation that the artist calls an act of living, pushing color to express memory, emotion, and lived experiences. Holman Motorcars, with locations in Florida and Missouri, is a national premier ultra-luxury dealership group featuring an extensive lineup of iconic vehicles from Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Lotus Motor Cars, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. This stunning piece of art will be on display at Holman Motorcars in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (900 East Sunrise Boulevard) until June 18th and a time-lapse video of Theodores work on the vehicle is also available. For additional information, please visit HolmanMotorcars.com. To learn more about Bradley Theodore, visit BradleyTheodore.com. About Holman Automotive Holman Automotive is one of the largest privately-owned dealership groups in the United States, with 40 dealership franchises representing 20 brands from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest. Since opening in 1924 as a single Ford dealership, the Holman family has been dedicated to providing customers with exceptional experiences by focusing on building relationships and investing in people, a tradition that continues to this day. Holman Automotive is a part of the Holman Enterprises family of businesses. Holman Enterprises is a global automotive leader that serves both commercial and consumer clients The Holman Way by always doing the right thing for our people, our customers, and the community since 1924. Headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, our automotive-centric businesses include Holman Automotive; Holman Insurance Services, a commercial and consumer insurance services company; Holman Parts Distribution, a national distributor of OEM powertrain solutions and logistics leader; Auto Truck Group, a vehicle fabrication and upfitting business; Kargo Master, a manufacturer of truck and van productivity solutions; ARI, the largest privately-owned fleet leasing and management company in North America; and Holman Strategic Ventures, Holmans corporate venture capital and innovation team. For additional information, please visit HolmanEnterprises.com. ***NOTE TO MEDIA*** Vehicle and event photos/videos are available for download at the below link: Holman Motorcars & Bradley Theodore Collaboration Photos/Video Dr. Baum has collaborated in several publications, in world re-known dermatological journals and books with her research. Dr. Bertha Baum is a recognized board-certified dermatologist, considered a skin treatment expert who provides her patients with the most current and advanced care for all conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. Throughout her career, Dr. Baum has built a reputation as a top cosmetic dermatologist by providing leading-edge treatments, dedicated and personalized patient care, and excellent aesthetic results. Dr. Baum is often asked to share her expertise with the English and Spanish speaking media in regards to the latest advancements in skincare technologies. She has collaborated in several publications, in world re-known dermatological journals and books with her research. Dr. Baum is proud to treat patients of all ages and skin types and has experience in cosmetic, general, surgical, and pediatric dermatology. Dr. Baum is originally from Cali Colombia and is a proud alumna of the University of Miami Summa Cum Laude, attended advanced courses at Harvard University before receiving her medical degree from Nova Southeastern University. Upon graduation, Dr. Baum completed her internship at Westchester Hospital, as well as a residency in Dermatology at the Larkin Community Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident. She is married with 3 kids and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. Learn more about Dr. Bertha Baum by visiting: https://hauteliving.com/hautebeauty/member/dr-bertha-baum/ ABOUT HAUTE BEAUTY NETWORK: Haute Beauty is affiliated with the luxury lifestyle publication Haute Living. As a section of Haute Living magazine, Haute Beauty covers the latest advancements in beauty and wellness, providing readers with expert advice on aesthetic and reconstructive treatments through its network of acclaimed doctors and beauty experts. For more about Haute Beauty, visit https://hauteliving.com/hautebeauty/ TEAMFL Recognizes Sue Chrzan, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) Director of Public Affairs, with Bob Hartnett Leadership Award I am honored to receive such high recognition from an organization that I admire. Working together with industry leaders from around the state gives us all an opportunity to implement best practices and innovations which can make our communities safer for all forms of mobility, says Chrzan. The Transportation and Expressway Authority Membership of Florida (TEAMFL) recognized Sue Chrzan, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA), with their most prestigious award, the Bob Hartnett Leadership Award. The award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the transportation industry and communities in the State of Florida and has opened doors for others to learn and grow in the transportation industry. Sue Chrzan stands out for her exemplary career and for the thousands of professionals and leaders inspired to follow in her footsteps, to serve in the transportation industry, and improve the lives of residents in their communities. She takes a grassroots approach with public outreach and does an amazing job humanizing the agency. She and THEA set the standard of how to be a good community partner, says Brady Nepple, Executive Director, TEAMFL. TEAMFL was formed in 1997 to facilitate the exchange of information among toll agencies and the transportation industry. Its mission is to promote a financially sustainable, user fee-based transportation model by providing a platform for sharing the latest transportation advances and best practices. The award was presented at the TEAMFL quarterly meeting in Tampa titled Transportation Strategies. I am honored to receive such high recognition from an organization that I admire. Working together with industry leaders from around the state gives us all an opportunity to implement best practices and innovations which can make our communities safer for all forms of mobility, says Chrzan. Sue Chrzan has served as the Director of Public Affairs for the past fifteen years at THEA, Tampa Bays local tolling agency. Throughout her career, she has been recognized as a thriving community leader and public servant. As THEAs Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Sue successfully created and implemented the communication blueprints and community outreach strategies for the Selmon Expressway conversion to an All-Electronic Tolling System and the opening of the Selmon Extension earlier this year. The Selmon Expressway was the first expressway in Florida to be completely electronic. Her agency is recognized for utilizing driving innovations and spearheading community initiatives that lead to better mobility and increased driver safety. With the agency investing half a billion in Tampa Bay projects over the next five years, Sues comprehensive approach includes presentations to elected officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders, community meetings, and numerous public involvement opportunities. She has built a credible and trusting relationship between THEA and project stakeholders, including local residents, regional travelers, business leaders, community organizations, and elected officials with the strategy of early and continuous open communication and timely project information updates. ### ABOUT THEA: The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is a public agency of the state, created by the Florida Legislature, to provide local, user-financed transportation services that reinvest customer-based revenues back into the Tampa Bay community. THEA owns and operates the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, Brandon Parkway, Meridian Avenue, and the Selmon Greenway; designed and operates the worlds first reversible all-electronic toll road; and provides over 200,000 daily travelers with safe, reliable and financially sustainable transportation solutions. For more information on how THEA is moving transportation forward, visit tampa-xway.com. Follow us on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/TampaHillsboroughExpresswayAuthority Instagram: instagram.com/theaselmon LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tampa-hillsborough-expressway-authority Twitter: twitter.com/THEASelmon YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCNFl4QVHuqyXNyjcEFTh17Q Web: tampa-xway.com This years Your Start in the Arts grant submissions exemplified the dedication and perseverance of theater educators and students around the country. Despite the many hardships experienced during the pandemic, theater departments continued to be places of hope and comfort for young people The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA) today proudly announced the recipients of its third annual Your Start in the Arts grant awards. As a prominent performing arts conservatory, the New York Conservatory is committed to supporting underfunded high school drama and theater departments and clubs through its yearly Your Start in the Arts grant. The program offers ten $1,000 grants each year to help drama educators purchase equipment or produce plays, to be used at the discretion of the high school drama faculty. Each fall during National Arts & Humanities Month, The New York Conservatory accepts nominations from high school students around the country who answer a short online questionnaire about what drama education offers them and why their school should receive the grant. A panel of senior NYCDA faculty review the submissions and vote for the most compelling cases for support. "'Your Start in the Arts is a program that becomes more relevant every year, said Richard Omar, president and artistic director at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. This years Your Start in the Arts grant submissions exemplified the dedication and perseverance of theater educators and students around the country. Despite the many hardships everyone experienced during the pandemic, theater departments continued to be places of hope and comfort for young people. We are proud to recognize these outstanding high school teachers and drama departments. They set wonderful examples of resilience, strength and artistry. The New York Conservatorys Your Start in the Arts 2021 grant winners are: To learn more about the Your Start in the Arts grant program, please visit https://www.nycda.edu/your-start-in-the-arts/. Full grant and participation rules can be found here . About The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts enables students to define their unique brand as an actor by discovering who they are as a person. We practice a personalized approach to training that places acting and storytelling at the core--offering immersive, disciplined, and focused professional training programs designed to give students the tools and techniques they need for successful careers in todays industry. Our living curriculum is writing itself every day, created and shaped by NYCDAs working actor instructors and student community to deliver a dynamic learning experience. The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts is an institutionally accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre. NYCDAs Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree programs in Film and Television Performance, and in Musical Theater Performance are registered by the New York State Board of Regents. Learn more about NYCDA at http://www.nycda.edu. Social Tags: #YourStartintheArts @NYConservatory #NYConservatory Follow NYCDA https://www.facebook.com/ACT.NYCDA/ https://twitter.com/NYConservatory https://www.instagram.com/nyconservatory/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEyiGi3FVM056AEXUYcxG6A "The TPPPA feels that the court did not fully grasp the far-reaching and disastrous implications of this ruling," said Marsha Jones, TPPPA President. "Third-party service providers are critical to the entire financial services industry generally, and electronic payment processing specifically." On June 1, 2021 the TPPPA filed an amicus brief at the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Hunstein v. Preferred Collection and Management Services, Inc. (USCA11 Case 19-14434) The decision relates to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the use of a third-party service provider, specifically a letter vendor. The Eleventh Circuit held that the plaintiff stated a claim under the FDCPA, stating that the debt collectors's use of this third-party service provider violated the consumer's privacy under the FDCPA. The Eleventh Circuit represents the states of Alabama, Florida and Georgia, but this decision had far-reaching implications across the country, and beyond the collections industry, as FDCPA lawsuits against companies utilizing third-party service providers have increased. "The TPPPA membership feels that the court did not fully grasp the far-reaching and disastrous implications of this ruling," said Marsha Jones, TPPPA President. "Third-party service providers are critical to the entire financial services industry generally, and electronic payment processing specifically." The TPPPA made the following points in the amicus brief: The panel's decision is of particular interest to the TPPPA because payment processors are third-party service providers in every industry, including debt collection, and this decision threatens to undermine the ability of debt collectors to leverage the technology and expertise of payment processors to facilitate compliant, efficient and secure electronic payments. The panel's focus on sharing private information with third-party service providers cuts at the heart of the services that payment processors provide for all industries; Debt collectors may be unable to utilize payment processors thereby denying consumers the choice of paying their debts online or over the telephone which provides the consumer the ability to schedule payments and to know when the funds will be withdrawn from their bank accounts. Payment processors are essential in the payments ecosphere because most merchants, including debt collectors, lack the technology and payments compliance expertise to transmit electronic payments to banks for settlement; and The CFPB, whom Congress gave authority to regulate, enforce and interpret the FDCPA, expressly permits the use of third-party service providers by covered persons like debt collectors. A decision on whether the court will rehear this case is expected within 90 days. The European Commission has asked Spain for "coherence" after it relaxed some coronavirus travel restrictions. It has pointed out that the consensus within the EU is to require a negative PCR for tourists from outside the European Union travelling to a member state - and that includes the British. "It is your responsibility, but we ask for consistency for the good of the citizens of the European Union," said the chief spokesman of the European Commission, Eric Mamer, when asked about the opinion of Brussels on the Spain's decision to allow passengers from the United Kingdom to enter its territory without a PCR test requirement. In addition, the European Commission spokesperson for Home Affairs, Adalbert Jahnz, has pointed out to Madrid that the recommendation endorsed by 27 member states establishes that they must request a negative PCR from all people from outside the EU who travel, whether for essential reasons or not". That said, it may exempt "vaccinated" tourists from this requirement. Only "in the specific case", said Jahnz, that a member state exempts European vaccinated passengers from the PCR test requirement in their country of origin could they apply the same exemption to non-EU travellers. The spokesperson added, the European Commission expects member states to "apply this approach in a fully coordinated manner". The Spanish government defended its change of criteria that was introduced on 24 May, in which tourists from several countries were not required to present any coronavirus test regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not, despite reminders from Brussels. The EU does have a small list of less than ten countries outside the bloc with which it allows non-essential travel - although subject to restrictions such as PCR or quarantines but the countries of the United Kingdom are not on it despite the fact that some member states, including Spain, requested it. But the list, which includes countries such as Israel, Japan and Australia, is not mandatory because border management is ultimately the responsibility of each national government. In the case of travel within the European Union, the 27 member states have agreed on guidelines so that only travellers in green areas are exempted from all kinds of restrictions on their movements. It is recommended that negative PCR tests should be requested at the departure or arrival point of the trip for the orange and red areas and that this requirement be mandatory for those traveling from dark red areas. Online sales jumped 127% at Indigo Books & Music in the fiscal year ended April 3, 2021, over fiscal 2020, partially offsetting a 34% drop in sales through its physical stores, the Canadian bookstore chain reported. As a result, total revenue fell 5.5% in the year, to C$904.7 million, from C$957.7 million a year ago. (Fiscal 2021 had 53 weeks.) Online sales rose to C$370 million in fiscal 2021, up from C$163 million a year ago. As online sales soared last year, 1 million customers used indigo.ca for the first time in fiscal 2021, the company said. CEO Heather Reisman attributed the drop in retail revenue, from C$778 million to C$512 million last year, to draconian government-mandated store closures in our largest province, Ontario, and capacity constraints across the country that meaningfully disrupted our business, including during the all-important holiday season. The decline in sales was the main reason the retailer reported a higher EBITDA loss in fiscal 2021 (C$28.3 million) compared to fiscal 2020 (C$7.3 million). During the year, Indigo closed 20 of its small stores, bringing the number down to 89 outlets. The number of superstores remained at 88. In answer to a question during a conference call discussing the year, Reisman said that while the pandemic prompted Indigo to close underperforming stores in smaller communities, the company is reviewing its physical store footprint with respect to its omnichannel strategy. That model includes allowing customers to order a book online and pick it up at a store. We are looking to have the right kind of physical coverage to fully support the customers in a rich omni-channel way, Reisman said. And we actually believe that the customer has changed and in many ways that will work in favor of our physical environment. With the pandemic easing, the addition of Peter Ruis as new company president, and the expansion of its omni-channel model, Reisman said the company look[s] forward to a return to profitability in fiscal 2022." Jorge Ramos has been the anchorman for Univision news since 1986, and he also hosts Al Punto, a weekly public affairs program. He has won 10 Emmy Awards and received the Walter Cronkite Award for excellence in political journalism. On Feb. 25, 2019, Ramos, along with his Univision team, conducted an interview with Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Maduro abruptly ended the interview after only 17 minutes, then confiscated the recording equipment, detained the journalists, and deported them. Ramos wrote about the incident in 17 Minutos: Entrevista con el dictador (17 Minutes: An Interview with the Dictator), published May 25 by Vintage Espanol. He is donating all of his proceeds from the book to Venezuelan refugees through the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. PW caught up with him at his home in Miami. What markets is 17 Minutos available in? The U.S. for now, but soon in Mexico, and eventually in Colombia and Spain. We want to make sure it can be read by most of the people in the Venezuelan diaspora. But I am certain it will soon make its way to Venezuela, and a certain person will be able to read it. How were you able to recover the interview? The interview that aired in the U.S. and on social media is not the interview my team filmed with Univisions cameras. It is the version the government taped at the same time we were taping ours. After the interview, they confiscated our cameras and video cards, which they most likely destroyed. However, the interview they taped, and probably thought they had destroyed, was eventually given to us by three Venezuelan men who work very closely with the Venezuelan government. Its an erased interview that someone rescued from a laptop. Had it been edited? No, it was the full interview. There was treason within the palace. At least three people were upset enough by what they watched that they made sure we got the interview back. After you and your team were detained, did you ever feel that your lives were in danger? I have had bad interviews where presidents like Evo Morales of Bolivia got up and left after only six minutes, and when Donald Trump was a candidate the first time, he used a bodyguard to eject me from a press conferenceso those things have happened. But this is the first time someone stole the cameras and the video cards. I personally never felt that my life was in danger, but we could have been arrested. We were detained for almost 24 hours. My backpack, cell phone, laptopeverything was confiscated. We were sent to our hotel and could not leave until the next day. At midnight, a government functionary came to our hotel with a deportation order. During the interview, Nicolas Maduro told me that if I were Venezuelan, I would have to face Venezuelan justice because of my questions about him having assassinated many protesters, and because of my accusation that he has hundreds of political prisoners. We could have been arrested and placed in jail, but thanks to the help of the American and Mexican embassiesand thanks to the Twitter storm that we created, I thinkwe were let go. But the big risk for me and for the other six people was that we would be in jail for a long time. During the interview, Maduro kept calling you a professional provocateur. Was that your intention? The intention was to demonstrate that he is a dictator. His intention was to demonstrate that he is not a dictator. Because of his actions, the conclusion is that he acted as a dictator. My mistake was to think that because I am a foreigner, he would not behave like a dictator. But he did. Keep in mind that this was early in 2019, when 60 countries recognized Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela and not Maduro. Donald Trump lied to the Venezuelan people by saying that all [Americas] cards were on the table, giving the impression that a military intervention by the U.S. was a possibility. Maduro thought he could send a message to Trump, but my intention was completely different. I have been saying for decades that, as journalists, we have a social responsibility to question and to challenge those who are in power. Knowing that I had the opportunity to talk to a dictator, I was going to do exactly that. The London Book Fairs International Excellence Awards are typically celebrated with a glitzy gala during one evening of the book fair. Of course, this year the celebration will be virtual, and it will take the form of a series of conversations with the winners on June 24. The prizes highlight some of the best publishing initiatives from around the world. The 2021 Inclusivity in Publishing Award, sponsored by the Publishers Association and only open to U.K. publishers, went to Hachette UK. The judges said they were particularly impressed this year by the number of smaller independent presses doing fantastic work across inclusivity in publishing, and Lantana Publishing being in the shortlist is fully representative of this. They added, The judging panel awarded Hachette UK with the Inclusivity in Publishing Award given their clear commitment to embed their D&I strategy across all levels and functions of the business, whilst also being fully transparent during this process. We felt this holistic and open approach was in many ways setting the standard for the U.K. publishing industry. The Library of the Year Award went to the Ghana Library Authority. The judges praised the organization, saying it really struck us as an amazing story of transformation and an example of how library services can tackle some of the most pressing social issues confronting their users. They added, From using technology to support remote learning to promoting information skills, literacy and reading, this is a great example of the difference a quality library can make. Carturesti, the largest bookstore chain in Romania, won the Bookstore of the Year Award and was commended by the judges for its work during the Covid-19 pandemic. They noted that the stores online offering and activities, and the grant program subsidized from their sales to support local writers, demonstrated their sense of responsibility for the community. The Audiobook Publisher of the Year Award, now in its third year, went to Findaway Voices in the U.S. The judges said the company demonstrated such strong commitment to developing a wider and more open audiobook world, for authors, publishers, and listeners alike. We felt that Findaway Voices offers fresh opportunities for authors and narrators to create wonderful, high-quality recordings that reach existing audiobook fans. Mozambiques Editora Trinta Zero Nove won the Literary Translation Initiative Award. All of the initiatives on this years shortlist are exceptional, the judges said. Of these, we found the ground-breaking Editora Trinta Zero Novewhich made last years shortlistespecially inspiring. Its an imaginative, dynamic, and visionary programme of activity. We couldnt be more excited to have it as our 2021 winner. In addition, Nora Mercurio, rights director of Berlin publishing house Suhrkamp Verlag, won the Rights Professional Award, and Karadi Path Education Company, an English-language learning company from Chennai, India, won the Educational Learning Resources Award, having been shortlisted for the category in 2020. After a year which has impacted every corner of the book world, it is more important than ever that we celebrate the innovation and creativity being shown by the global publishing community in the face of unprecedented challenges, says London Book Fair director Andy Ventris. All of the winners of this years International Excellence Awards demonstrate the ingenuity and talent to be found in the industry today, and we are delighted to recognize their work bringing books and learning to readers around the globe. Return to the main feature. Original entryways, now not open to traffic, offer reminders of Columbian Park's historic presence in its Lafayette neighborhood. New York City, NY (11385) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 75F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. New York City, NY (11385) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 75F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. The project is the fruits of a 21 million investment by CityFibre to create a city-wide broadband network. Along with its build partner, Kier Group, CityFibre is working in close partnership with Worcestershire County Council, Worcester City Council and local communities and assures that it will deliver a fast rollout while minimising potential disruption.The overall project is expected to reach completion by early 2024 and the first services will go live for people to take advantage of much sooner. As the full-fibre network is completed in each neighbourhood, internet service providers (ISPs) will begin delivering gigabit capable broadband packages.Internet services are not yet live in Worcester, but will be available from a range of broadband providers. Across the UK, CityFibre is already working with launch partner Vodafone to deliver next generation broadband services, with TalkTalk and other providers expected to join the network soon.This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the city as it gets ready to thrive in the digital age, said Neal Wright, CityFibres city manager for Worcester (pictured), commenting on the project and its scope. Im particularly looking forward to seeing how Worcester will use its new citywide infrastructure to help it achieve its carbon neutral ambitions and make the city a greener, healthier and safer place for all. Once Worcesters digital infrastructure rollout is complete, it can fully reap the benefits underpinned by full-fibre connectivity. featured D-Day 'Proud of the job we did' Berks man recounts his service aboard Navy ship on D-Day Berks man aboard Navy ship during Normandy invasion Letter: Each of us must accept what makes us different Blackshear, GA (31516) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. A commonsense lesson inherent to farmers is that if it isnt broken, dont fix it. Thats not to say we dont upgrade tried-and-true equipment and practices as technology advances. Over the century my family has improved our land in Ethan, South Dakota, by utilizing emerging technology to improve the efficiency of everything from planting and harvesting to crop rotation and soil conservation. Adaptation is key to success, not just in farming but in every aspect of life including national defense. Farmers are natural stewards and we work tirelessly to sustainably raise our crops and livestock to optimize yield for its future potential. Maximizing our resources to enhance the land while leaving it better than we found it epitomizes the strategy we employ on our century old farm. Our national defense has benefited from a similar strategy. A few years ago, the U.S. Army told Congress that upgrading the Chinook helicopter to a modernized Chinook Block II was a priority and dedicated funds to do it. Those upgrades would enable the Chinook to fly farther, carry heavier payloads and perform better at higher altitudes in hot weather conditions compared to its predecessor. The first three of these new aircraft are currently supporting developmental testing as we speak. However, the Army pulled back from its previous commitments, threatening key capabilities like being able to carry the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle or the M777 Extended Range Howitzer. This pullback also impacts the availability and cost of future parts for aircraft which will reduce aircraft availability and the workforce that builds the Chinook. I flew the Chinook during my deployment to Korea in the 1970s. It was powerful, fast, and versatile. From my point of view, it has only gotten better since that time. Farming is my passion, but it was an honor to serve with others as test pilots to modernize the Chinook following the Vietnam War. The Chinook is invaluable in domestic rescue missions as well as fire suppression. Todays upgraded Chinook builds on its solid foundation, applies past lessons learned, and features the latest technologies to ensure its ready for the demands of the future. The Chinooks functionality and serviceability provide the most cost-effective way to meet todays challenging military environment while ensuring our Chinooks have unmatched next-generation capabilities for the future. The Chinook is one of the best examples of how our nations decision makers can integrate cutting-edge technology with proven military platforms while remaining responsive to the evolving needs of our military in a fiscally responsible way. If Congress doesnt act soon, theres a real possibility that the Chinook production line could close, leaving the United States vulnerable to our adversaries. If this happens, our troops would lose the critical capabilities they rely on today while also limiting the introduction of new technologies needed in future wartime situations. Notably, the Army doesnt even have a replacement plan for the Chinook should it halt production. That means if the line shuts down, there would be a sizable gap between the Chinook and whatever might ultimately replace it. Thats a risk to our national defense that our friends and family who fight for this country cant afford. Ive made a profession out of farming, but the military taught me that even small mistakes can impact your operation in a big way. Without a planter, combine, or other farming equipment, we cant raise or harvest the crops that our livelihoods depend upon. Similarly, without steadfast military equipment like the Chinook, successful missions and the lives of our military are at risk. We must be smart and resourceful with what we have. I just cant for the life of me figure out why the Army is going back on its word with no other options to replace it on the table. How will soldiers move some of their most valuable assets in a fight without the Chinook Block II? I would never invest in a planter or combine without also investing in the most upgraded technology. I want to do the best job possible while producing food, fiber, and fuel and using our resources in the most sustainable manner. Improving existing infrastructure, products, and programs is often the most economical and operationally sound decision. It prevents capability gaps, preserves money for future investments in emerging technology, and supports job sustainment, creation, and opportunity. The Chinook program isnt broken, but the promises made to upgrade it have been. Lewis Bainbridge is a U.S. Army Chinook pilot and third-generation farmer/rancher from South Dakota. He is a plant science graduate of South Dakota State University, a charter member of the South Dakota Corn Association, and has also chaired the Corn Utilization Council and the United Soybean Board. He is the founding member of Farmers Pork Co-op. In April, Synciere Williams, a baby of just nine months, was declared dead in a San Francisco emergency room with signs of trauma on his body. In January, newlywed 26-year-old Sheria Musyoka was killed on his morning jog when a drunk career criminal in a stolen 44 ran a red light and struck him. A few weeks before, in the middle of the day, Hanako Abe and Elizabeth Platt were killed in a hit-and-run by another criminal with a long rap sheet, also driving a stolen car and high on crystal meth. The capital city has been a sleepy place this week as a lazy, relatively normal summer seems at hand. President Biden is away celebrating the birthday of the first lady and Congress is out on recess. Meanwhile, the haggling over infrastructure is detailed and slow. The White House would very much like things to stay that way. So, when asked about the recently released controversial emails of Dr. Anthony Fauci -- detailing what the coronavirus point man was doing and saying in the early days of the pandemic -- White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki reiterated that the doctor remains Bidens man. And as far as his past words and actions are concerned, the White House seemed to say, its best to leave well enough alone. It is obviously not that advantageous for me to relitigate the substance of emails from 17 months ago, Psaki said when asked about the issue for the first time on Thursday. Biden has ordered a 90-day review to get to the bottoms of the origins of the pandemic, she continued, adding that the administration would talk once that three-month survey is complete. Republicans are furious. They would like a word with Fauci. Under oath. House GOP Whip Steve Scalise, the top Republican on the House Select Subcommittee on the COVID-19 Crisis, and Oversight Committee Ranking Member James Comer demanded Fauci be hauled up to the Hill. The American people have a right to know, the two wrote in a letter first obtained by Fox News, what our government knew about the origins of the pandemic and when it was known. That furor was slow to build when the emails were released Tuesday following a Freedom of Information Act request by BuzzFeed. Republican staffers had dug through the more than 3,000-pages of email by Wednesday night, though, and their bosses dashed off fiery statements from vacation. They are angry that Fauci questioned the efficacy of masks in private but insisted they were sacrosanct in public. "Masks are really for infected people to prevent them from spreading infection to people who are not infected rather than protecting uninfected people from acquiring infection," the doctor wrote in February 2020. They are irate that Fauci traded emails with Biden science adviser Zeke Emanuel that March, saying in private that there would be substantial immunity post infection for someone who had recovered from the virus, but insisting in public that the opposite was true. They are furious that Fauci scrambled in private to investigate the possibility that the virus accidentally leaked from a Chinese lab but then repeatedly dismissed that theory in public. They find it inexcusable, for instance, that the infectious disease doctor traded emails with an executive at EcoHealth Alliance, the global nonprofit that helped steer federal funds to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The emails raise more questions than answers, including whether there was a coordinated effort amongst our nations highest ranking public health officials to discount credible information about the coronavirus and its possible origins, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio told RealClearPolitics. What is clear is that certain officials like Fauci were trusted by the media even as they were less than forthcoming with the country. Sen. Tom Cotton went a step further, accusing the infectious disease specialist of coordinating with one of the Wuhan Lab's funders to cover up the plausible notion that the virus could have come from inside the lab. The Arkansas Republican who posited the lab-leak theory early on during the pandemic told RCP that Fauci needs to stop playing games and answer questions about his role in funding the very lab that may have unleashed this pandemic on the world. All of this was too much for the man under the microscope, who recently announced he would be writing a book titled "Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward. That's nonsense," Fauci said when asked by CNN's John Berman about his correspondence with people involved in the Wuhan lab. "I don't even see how they get that from that email." He noted that the origins of the coronavirus are still uncertain and that a lab leak is possible -- a reversal of his earlier publicly stated position. The doctor added in another Thursday interview, this one on MSNBCs Morning Joe, that it was obviously in Chinas best interest to find out where the virus came from, despite the fact that the Biden administration has deep concerns about that nations lack of transparency. He chided that an accusatory tone was counterproductive to working with the Chinese. Those on the right have developed a deep skepticism of Fauci and what they consider blind subservience to his expertise, a phenomenon many believe led to not just bad policy but obscured the origins of the pandemic. Fox News host Tucker Carlson summed up that sentiment Wednesday, saying that the immunologist should be under criminal investigation. Sen. Rand Paul, who is a practicing physician himself and who has clashed with Fauci repeatedly, simply tweeted told you" along with the hashtag #FireFauci. The White House doesnt share that concern. Does Biden still have confidence in Fauci, RCP asked. Yes, Psaki said: The president and the administration feel that Dr. Fauci has played an incredible role in getting the pandemic under control, being a voice to the public throughout the course of this pandemic. Has the president read any of the emails? RCP followed up. Psaki couldnt say, but seemed to dismiss the question: Im not aware of him being briefed on the publicly reported emails. The Chinese communist government is going to permit three children per family. How nice. Here's how The New York Times put it: "The announcement by the ruling Communist Party represents an acknowledgment that its limits on reproduction, the world's toughest, have jeopardized the country's future." To describe China's "one child policy" as "limits on reproduction" is like calling Jim Crow laws "limits on political participation." The Times account, which at least used the word "brutal" after the jump, also featured a sidebar timeline of China's population policies that was even more anodyne. In 1978, it informs readers, the central government "approves a proposal in which family planning offices encourage couples to have one child, or at most two." "Encourages"? Not quite. The one child policy deserves to be chronicled among the vicious human rights outrages of our time. Millions of women were strapped to hospital gurneys and had their unborn children torn from their wombs against their will. Millions more were forcibly sterilized. Were they encouraged? Sure. People got stars on little plaques showing how well they'd abided by family planning policies. They also lost their jobs, were denied education and had their houses demolished and their property confiscated if they gave birth to a non-state-authorized baby. Forcibly aborting eight- and nine-month fetuses was common, as was infanticide. In her unblinking documentary "One Child Nation," Chinese-American filmmaker Nanfu Wang interviewed party officials, relatives and midwives who testified to their own acts. One midwife, now 85, said she exclusively helps infertile couples now to "atone" for all the babies she killed in her career. "The policy was from the state," she said. "But I was the executioner. My hands trembled as I did it." Another family planning official who also participated in countless forced sterilizations, abortions and infanticides recalled that as their babies were taken from them, the women would "scream, cry, go crazy. Sometimes they'd run away and we'd have to chase them down." Discarded female newborns were left in markets -- "their bodies covered in maggots" -- on hillsides and in trash heaps under bridges. Delivery men, bus drivers and others who were on the move would regularly find babies in bags by the roadside. Because of the Chinese preference for male offspring (when women marry they are considered members of their husband's family), millions upon millions of couples killed their female babies in hopes of trying again for a son. Even Nanfu Wang's mother tells her that when she went into labor with Nanfu's younger brother, they had a basket waiting if it turned out to be another girl. The abundance of abandoned infants gave rise to a vast human smuggling operation, in which babies were passed to brokers who sold them to orphanages for international adoptions. Eighty percent were female. Family planning authorities used Cuban-style neighborhood watch committees to spy on couples who were suspected of hiding pregnancies. Workplaces required women to record their menstrual cycles. If couples did flout the laws and raise their unauthorized children, they were forced to keep the existence of these children a secret. Children born outside of the quotas have no legal status, no identity papers, no access to schools or clinics. The poor suffered the most from the one child policy because the rich could afford to pay fines for unauthorized babies or bribe local officials into looking the other way. The bribes became so lucrative for family planning bureaucrats that they strenuously resisted the central committee's 2016 policy change to permit two children. The Communist Party, which thinks of Chinese people as pieces to be moved around a chessboard, not as rights-bearing individuals, is concerned about the future workforce, and the aging population, and so has increased the child quota to three. Each of those millions of only children has two parents and four grandparents to care for -- they call it the 4-2-1 problem -- and while the official propaganda promised that the state would take care of the elderly, pensions are inadequate. The Communist Party's social engineering has created a society poor in siblings, cousins, or aunts and uncles. The imbalance between men and women consigns millions of men to permanent bachelorhood. Human Rights Watch has documented "bride stealing" from Myanmar to China. Many on the American left initially applauded China's one child policy. In 2008, Thomas Friedman said the policy "probably saved China from a population calamity." Others acknowledged that China went too far, but believed that population control was a fundamentally beneficial development. That was a grave error. While the right was once the province of China skepticism, it has lately taken a turn toward stupidity and xenophobia. Republicans boast of hawkishness toward China, which consists of third-grade taunts like "China virus" and "Kung flu," along with tariffs paid by Americans. But the Trump years featured hardly a whisper about China's gross violations of human decency, and in fact, Donald Trump praised the Uighur concentration camps. This week's announcement regarding family policy reminds us that China's worst crimes have always been committed against its own people. COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM "A lot of people have egg on their face" for dismissing the COVID-19 lab leak theory, tweeted ABC News ' Jonathan Karl this week. "Some things may be true even if Donald Trump said them." Or if Arkansas Tom Cotton did. "We still don't know where coronavirus originated. Could have been a market, a farm, a food processing company," he said in January 2020. "I would note that Wuhan has China's only biosafety level-four super laboratory that works with the world's most deadly pathogens to include, yes, coronavirus." Cotton never said he was certain the virus came from a lab leak and never suggested a leak was deliberate. But as a Trump supporter, he was quickly smeared, as liberal writer Matthew Yglesias shows in a painstaking analysis -- for pushing "conspiracy theories" (CBS News), "spreading rumors that were easily debunked" (Politico), "repeating a coronavirus conspiracy theory that was already debunked" (Washington Post), and "repeat[ing] fringe theory of coronavirus origins" (New York Times). In each case, Yglesias points out, writers mischaracterized what Cotton said. "Media coverage of lab leak was a debacle," writes New York magazine's Jonathan Chait, "and a major source of that failure was Groupthink cultivated on Twitter." One newsroom attitude was revealed by a tweet from New York Times COVID-19 reporter Apoorva Mandavilli. "Someday we will stop talking about the lab leak theory and maybe even admit its racist roots. But alas, that day is not yet here yet." Her assumption that one could doubt China's dictatorial and deceptive regime only out of anti-Asian prejudice shows the vacuous ignorance and vicious bigotry that Times management apparently values these days. Such bias is old news these days, and the internet allows readers to seek other outlets. But one great threat to the free transmission of ideas remains: social media that routinely suppresses free speech. A prime culprit is Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook, which has become the most effective suppressor of freedom of speech in American history. That's something it boasts about. In April 2020, Facebook reports slapping "warnings" on 50 million COVID-19 items and adds that 95% of readers don't seek the original content. It boasts that it "reduces the distribution" of information rated as "false" by its "fact-checkers." Garbage in; garbage out. Facebook purports to rely on international and national health agencies, like the China-dominated World Health Organization and the U.S.'s Centers for Disease Control, with its laughable requirement that summer campers wear masks this year. Its ranks of fact-checkers are undoubtedly tilted toward recent graduates of woke universities attracted to its headquarters in the no-non-lefties-allowed San Francisco Bay area. The result is that, until last week, Facebook was suppressing for more than a year -- a year in which governments and citizens were making difficult decisions -- information suggesting the very lively possibility that the coronavirus leaked from China's Wuhan lab. Democratic congressmen are constantly pressing Facebook for more speech suppression. They seem to have no doubts which side Facebook's processes will favor. Despite Facebook's boasted bans, doubts about China's and Facebook's insistence that Covid came from China's live animal markets have percolated up in politically unlikely quarters. Among those taking seriously the lab leak theory are: --Nicholson Baker in New York magazine last January. --Longtime New York Times science reporter Nicholas Wade May 2 in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. --A group of 18 bioscientists calling on May 13 for a deeper investigation into Covid origins, including the lab leak theory. --Former New York Times COVID reporter Donald McNeil May 17 in Substack. You may remember that McNeil was forced off the paper for repeating a word that offended a rich high school girl on a Times-sponsored jaunt to Peru. Then, on May 26, the Biden administration announced it was actively investigating the lab leak hypothesis, meaning that it reversed its shutdown of the inquiry initiated by Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Only after the close of business east of the Rockies did Facebook waddle in (at "3:30 PT") and announce it would "no longer remove the claim that Covid-19 is man-made or manufactured." So, for nearly 16 months, Facebook denied readers information about a serious theory whose exploration might have led to a reduced number of deaths and infections. Nice work, Facebook! Facebook has been licensed to censor by Section 230 of the 1996 telecommunications act which was intended to, and for some time did, encourage the free flow of information. It does that by relieving websites of liability for information they transmit or refuse to transmit. Facebook's conduct is in line with liberals' retreat from their once strong support of free speech, which, as lefty reporter Matt Taibbi writes, "has been abandoned in favor of a politics that embrace making us of technology and extreme market concentration to suppress discussion of whose topics." Case in point: last fall's New York Post story on the contents of Hunter Biden's laptop, stifled on laughably baseless charges of "Russian disinformation." Didn't see that on Facebook, did you? The commercial result is that Facebook has grabbed advertising dollars that used to go to newspapers, magazine and television and radio. The civil result is that Mark Zuckerberg enjoys what the interwar Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin said as the aspiration of Britain's press lords: "power without responsibility, the prerogative of the harlot through the ages." There's increasing talk, among Republicans and Democrats, of repealing Section 230, "to force Big Tech to take more responsibility for the editorial decisions they take." Tech moguls say that would benefit "a small number of giant and well-funded technology companies" is already the situation today. More likely, they fear that repeal would, as left-wing economist Dean Baker predicts, cut into profits by requiring "a huge commitment of personnel" to monitor content and a nationwide legal staff to prevent trial lawyers from hauling Bay Area billionaires before local juries. Another possibility: "a massive migration to old-fashioned bulletin boards and other sites where people could post what they wanted without review." Facebook's record on conspiracy theories has been wretched. It was happy for years to spread media stories on Trump's supposed collusion with Russia, "a truly idiotic conspiracy theory," as The Wall Street Journal's Barton Swaim put it, for which no evidence ever emerged. And Facebook was happy for months to stifle any mention of the theory that COVID-19 emerged from a lab leak in China. That's zero for two, on two huge stories, with both errors pointing in the same political direction. Section 230 was supposed to give us a free flow of information, but instead, it's given us efficient speech suppression. Repeal could destroy Facebook's business model, but from society's point of view, the optimal stock price for Facebook is 0. COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his supporters have shot ahead in the recall money chase in recent weeks, far outpacing an early show of force from groups looking to eject him from office. Those backing Newsom have raised a total of $13.2 million while recall proponents have collected $4.7 million, burning through nearly all of it, according to state fundraising records. As megadonors and special interest groups cut big checks to keep the governor in office, some of the donations, especially those from Hollywood, are drawing new scrutiny. Paramount Pictures this week provided $40,000 to the anti-recall effort. That check follows a $3 million infusion in late May from Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, the most from any single donor. Such fundraising largesse from Tinseltown to a Golden State Democratic leader in a fight for his job may seem par for the course. But the checks are providing a reminder that Newsom carved out a special COVID lockdown exemption for the television and movie industries, deeming them critical infrastructure and allowing them to continue operating throughout the pandemic. At the same time, regular citizens, restaurants and other businesses faced some of the strictest lockdowns in the country. Plenty of studios took advantage of the carve-out, including Netflix, which started filming a new season of The Kominsky Method, a comedy starring Michael Douglas, in November. The Netflix connection also figures into Newsoms infamous French Laundry incident last fall, which helped fuel the early recall campaign. When the governor was spotted at the opulent restaurant amid heightened COVID restrictions, he was celebrating the birthday of longtime friend Jason Kinney, who lobbies for Netflix, one of many clients pressing for exemptions from lockdowns. Netflix nearly tripled spending on lobbying in California last year, jumping to an average of $70,725 a quarter, as the Intercept reported in December. Paramount Pictures spent at least $85,000 last year to influence essential business rules that California agencies produced. Anne Dunsmore, the campaign manager for Rescue California, one of the groups behind the recall effort against Newsom, said Hastings $3 million check serves a dual purpose. It helps open the Hollywood fundraising floodgates to the governor and demonstrates to other Democrats that Hastings is now squarely in his corner. (Hastings had given $7 million to a committee backing former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Newsoms 2018 primary contender, during that contest.) Its political payback money, and it sends a message to Antonio that Ive got Reed Hastings and you dont, so think carefully before you jump into this race, Dunsmore told RealClearPolitics. A spokesman for Newsoms campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio said the big donors are simply responding to polls showing the recall effort losing steam as public concern about COVID eases. A Public Policy Institute of California poll out last week found just 40% in favor of removing Newsom, with 64% approving his handling of the pandemic and Newsom holding a 54% job approval rating over all. That 54% rating is 10 points lower than in September 2020, before the French Laundry incident. It looks like [Newsoms] a slam dunk to win this thing, and people want to be on the right side of that road, Maviglio said in an interview. Maviglio, who served as the press secretary for former California Gov. Gray Davis -- who was recalled in 2003 -- acknowledged that Newsom isnt out of the woods yet. He supports a recent Democratic push to hold the recall election in early September, rather than November, which would be amid the wildfire season. Right now things are good for him, but you have to be careful, he said. Were facing a record drought. We could have a natural disaster, earthquake, you name it, at any moment. Polls show an almost rock solid 40% will vote for his recall come hell or high water so you just need 10 more points for Newsom to lose. So far, Maviglio argued, there isnt an Arnold Schwarzenegger-type challenger who can siphon away enough Democratic and independent voters to pose a real threat. Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, considered the top Republican in the race, and businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in 2018, each polled at 22% support in late April, while reality star Caitlin Jenner lagged far behind at 6% despite her numerous national TV appearances. Theres still months to go in the race, and Faulconer has positioned himself as the most organized opponent, steadily rolling out policy plans, including a middle-class tax cut that he says would be the largest in state history. Mayor Faulconer is the leading candidate to recall Gavin Newsom, said Stephen Puetz, Faulconers campaign manager. Our campaign is building clear grassroots momentum from voters across the political spectrum as we build resources to make our case for lower taxes, safe streets and open schools for the people of California. Gavin Newsom can throw tens of millions of dollars at voters, but it wont save his failing political career. Faulconer has at least $2 million in his 2022 campaign account, which he can use in the recall, and at least $120,000 more in a specific recall committee, while Cox is mainly self-funding and has roughly $5 million in a recall committee and another $2.5 million in his 2022 campaign account, according to a CalMatters.org daily recall fundraising tracker. Jenner has raised just $212,000 so far. Pro-recall groups got an early fundraising start last fall, at first surpassing opponents cash-collecting. But after recall supporters submitted far more signatures than needed in April, opponents quickly picked up the pace. Over the last two weeks, in addition to the Hastings check, the California Real Estate Political Action Committee kicked in $1.5 million, the Democratic Governors Association gave $695,250 and the United Nurses Association ponied up $400,000, among several other big donations. The group Stop the Republican Recall received a total of $600,000 in two donations from union organizations the Northern California District Council of Laborers as well as the Southern California contingent of the same group. Several big union groups collectively threw their support to Newsom on Monday, with the noted exceptions of Richard Louis Brown, the new president of the SEIU Local 1000, the largest union representing state workers, along with state teacher unions. Brown has said he wanted to run Gavin Newsom out of office because of state worker pay cuts the governor and legislature made last year during the pandemic. Earlier this week, however, the statewide umbrella group SEIU California issued a statement supporting Newsom. In recent months, teacher unions have crossed swords with the governor over his push to reopen schools. Recall proponents say they never expected to out-fundraise Newsom and dont need to because they have grassroots momentum on their side. Special elections depend on turnout and which side is more energized, Dunsmore argued. The groups organizing the recall needed to spend money upfront to get the effort off the ground and collect signatures. They say they are now accelerating their fundraising operations in response to several Democrats pressing for the special election to be held as soon as possible, in late August or early September. Ill take my 25,000 volunteers who want to be out there campaigning instead of [union] members being pulled by leadership to go knock on doors for Newsom, Dunsmore said. Did you know that May was Jewish American Heritage Month? If not, I forgive you. You may have missed the coverage in Jewish newspapers, the article in South Floridas Sun Sentinel, or the cursory proclamation by the White House. To the extent that Jewish American Heritage Month ever did mean something, the intention was to honor Jewish contributions to this country. But Jewish success is not celebrated anymore, lest we add fuel to the ceaseless conspiracy theories about malignant Jewish control of the media, the banks, and Hollywood. Instead, were either reduced to a parodied version of ourselves as Jews who have overbearing mothers, celebrate Chanukah, and wish everyone mazel tov or paraded on screen as cheap, miserly, dishonest, and conniving. If you have eyes and ears and live in the United States of America, though, you probably did know that May was also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The contrast felt like a cruel joke: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO Max all debuted collections dedicated to Asian Americans both in front of and behind the camera. They launched video ad campaigns and ran blog posts by Asian American executives. Museums hosted special exhibits. Outlets as varied as the Today show, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, NPR, ABC News, and Salon magazine ran features highlighting AAPI family traditions and success stories, while calling for us all to do more to fight anti-Asian discrimination. This heightened attention and solidarity were doubtless attributable to the spike in anti-Asian attacks this past year, and rightfully so. But I couldnt help but notice a double standard. As attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders peaked, elected officials and influencers quickly issued categorical condemnations. Corporations, universities, and other institutions sent emails of support, just as they did in support of the Black community after George Floyds murder. Congress passed a bill to specifically address hate crimes against that community. And yet the very same week that bill was signed into law, a gang of 30 men mauled a group of Jewish diners outside a restaurant. A mob viciously beat a Jewish man in the street in broad daylight. Palestinian supporters threw explosives into a crowd of Jews, attempted to run over a Jew in a parking lot, and vandalized synagogues and Jewish-owned shops across the country. Messages of solidarity with Jews were slow to come, if at all. One by the Rutgers University chancellor was, unbelievably, retracted for its apparent insensitivity to Palestinian students. President Biden took nine days to issue a statement. Many stood up to condemn anti-Semitism only to qualify their condemnation with something else: But Jews had it coming because of Israels actions, said a public intellectual addressing a pro-Palestinian rally. But its a shame this will stifle criticism of Israel, said a New York Times columnist. But maybe Jews should start thinking about hiding their Jewish identity in public, said President Bidens Jewish outreach director. But we should also talk about Islamophobia, said at least eight senators and House representatives, despite there being no concurrent wave of anti-Muslim attacks. The writer Katie Halper, who co-hosts the Useful Idiots podcast (no joke) with Matt Taibbi, tweeted that Israel perpetuates and requires antisemitism. Excuse me? This dual slight where our heritage goes uncelebrated while anti-Jewish violence and bigotry somehow prompt less outrage is not a new phenomenon. According to the latest FBI data, Jews are consistently the most frequent victims of hate crimes on a per capita basis. Even after 11 Jews were massacred while at prayer in a Pittsburgh synagogue in October 2018, Congress did not pass a bill combating anti-Semitism. One was proposed the following March, but that was apparently too controversial, so it eventually became a generic anti-hate bill. A series of vicious, high-profile attacks in 2019 also failed to prompt specific congressional action: A Jewish woman was murdered at another synagogue outside San Diego; three Jews and a bystander were executed at a kosher supermarket in New Jersey; and five Jews were hacked with a machete at a Chanukah party in upstate New York. Adding insult to injury, the media began rationalizing away the violence. Rather than simply point to a surge in anti-Semitism as the reason why anti-Jewish assaults made up most of the hate crimes in New York City in 2019, dozens of news articles shifted blame away from the attackers and the environment that created them, pointing instead to factors such as gentrification or racial tension. (I explored this phenomenon then in a pair of op-eds and a radio interview.) For Jews, concern for our own safety has now become a part of our daily reality. And the attacks, this time triggered by the intensity of anti-Israel vitriol in the first place, arent just statistics or distant news stories. They affect our families, our friends, and our communities. They get seared into our collective memory as Jews, compounding our intergenerational trauma from centuries of persecution. Imagine seeing hordes of people chanting for your death or calling to rape your daughters. Or hearing a car backfire outside your house of worship, wondering if this time theyre coming for you. Liberty and pluralism are not self-sustaining values. To preserve them, we must confront bigotry with the same sense of solidarity and outrage no matter the targeted group. Only in this way can we truly rid hatred from our midst. age 73, died Friday June 4, 2021. He was born to Louis Cedric and Ida May (Marshall) Cotton, in Sledge, Miss. on July 31, 1947. Louis is survived by his wife, Rosemarie (Hensel) Cotton; sons, Torrey Cotton and Louis Cotton Jr and his grandchildren. Private services will be held. Please visit FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2021, file photo, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center workers walk outside the hospital, in Los Angeles. The California Senate has rejected a bill aimed at making it easier for some hospital workers to get workers compensation benefits. Greenville, NC (27833) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Blackshear, GA (31516) Today Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High near 85F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Greenville, NC (27833) Today Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. Low near 65F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Two police officers were transported to the hospital after suffering medical emergencies while conducting a search of a vehicle that was impounded at the Hinsdale Police Department. Hinsdale police Chief Charles Rataj told the Reformer the two officers have been medically cleared to return to duty. Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening. Showers and a possible thunderstorm developing after midnight. Low 59F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to showers and a possible thunderstorm overnight. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Beckley, WV (25801) Today Foggy this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 82F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. HONG KONG (AP) No one attended an annual candlelight vigil inside Hong Kongs Victoria Park on Friday, but hundreds gathered on streets outside to remember China's deadly crackdown in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989 as Hong Kong police cordoned off much of the park to prevent gatherings. Police arrested an organizer of the vigil earlier in the day and warned people not to attend the banned event as authorities mute Chinas last pro-democracy voices. For decades, Hong Kong has been one of just two cities in China allowed to mark the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square. In 1989, hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in the square calling for democracy, less censorship and greater freedom of speech. On June 4 that year, Chinas military converged on the square with orders to clear it out, opening fire and arresting protesters. Estimates of the number of people killed range from hundreds to several thousand. Chinas official verdict is that the largely peaceful protests aimed to topple the ruling Communist Party and plunge the country into chaos. China has censored any mention of the event online. Each June 4, thousands have gathered in Hong Kongs Victoria Park to mourn the victims of the crackdown, lighting candles and singing songs in remembrance. This year, however, Hong Kong authorities banned the vigil for the second consecutive year, citing social distancing restrictions and public health risks from the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the ban and a heavy police presence, hundreds of people still turned up Friday night to walk along the outside of the park. Many turned on their cellphone flashlights or lit candles. Vigils have also been held each year in Macao, although authorities have also banned them for the last two years, citing the pandemic. Critics say authorities are using the pandemic as an excuse to silence pro-democracy voices in Hong Kong as Beijing tightens its control over the semi-autonomous city following months of anti-government protests in 2019. Last year, thousands gathered in Victoria Park despite the ban and police warnings. Weeks later, police arrested over 20 activists who took part in the vigil. Organizers urged residents to mark June 4 in private this year by lighting a candle wherever they are. The Statue of Liberty could be getting company from her native France. Paris' acclaimed Pompidou Center announced plans Friday to open a satellite museum in what is now a gutted industrial building in New Jersey's Jersey City, not far from where Lady Liberty stands in New York Harbor. Centre Pompidou x Jersey City, scheduled to open in 2024, would be the French museum's first venture in North America, said Centre Pompidou President Serge Lasvignes. It currently has sites in Metz, France; Shanghai, China; Malaga, Spain; and Brussels, Belgium. The satellite would be completed in time for the start of a major renovation of the Pompidou's landmark Paris museum, which houses more than 120,000 modern works of art in its unique architecture of exposed colored pipes and air ducts. Jersey City hasnt historically been widely visited by the hordes of tourists who come to New York City area each year, but it is an easy train ride from Lower Manhattan. While the French would provide the art and expertise, Jersey City would provide the cash. The small city would pay up to $6 million phased in over the cost of the five-year contract for the Pompidous exhibitions, projects and educational programming, Mayor Steven Fulop said. In addition, the city would have to cover the estimated $30 million it would cost to renovate the Pathside Building. The mayor said he was mindful of not handing the bill to taxpayers. Fulop said the money would be raised through donations and through the creation of a special improvement district for businesses in the Journal Square area to share the costs from a project that would benefit them. We can afford this, Fulop said. The plan to create the partnership next goes to the City Council, which Fulop said has been kept in the loop. Jersey City acquired the 58,000-square-foot (5,400-square-meter) Pathside Building in 2018. It was built in 1912 as an office building for a utility and was last used by a community college. The building is located in Journal Square, where an average of 22,500 commuters daily ride trains between New Jersey and New York City, officials said. CHARLOTTE, Tenn. (AP) The trial for a Tennessee man who is accused of killing his 5-year-old son got underway Thursday in Dickson County. Joe Clyde Daniels was reported missing April 4, 2018. His father, Joseph Daniels, is charged with first-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty. We would love for you to join us to share your memories of Daryl with family and friends. Daryls full obituary can be view at http://www.myersmortuary.com/ A celebration of life will be held from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on 2021-06-27 at Fraternal Order of Eagles , 2140 N Lebanon St, Lebanon, IN 4 POTTSVILLE Kalvin D. Baker is headed to state prison after a Schuylkill County judge sentenced him Thursday for indecently assaulting a woman July 2019 in Pottsville. Baker, 45, of Pottsville, must spend 11 to 24 months in a state correctional institution, plus an additional year on probation, President Judge William E. Baldwin ruled. In addition, Baldwin sentenced Baker to pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Baldwin made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. June 10. Make sure you report when youre scheduled to report, Baldwin told Baker. Also, Baldwin imposed 15 years of Megans Law sanctions on Baker. However, he ruled that Baker is not a sexually violent predator, thereby not subjecting the defendant to lifetime Megans Law sanctions. The latter decision coincided with the recommendation of the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board that Baker is not to be classified as a sexually violent predator. Prosecutors decided not to contest that recommendation. Baker had pleaded guilty on Feb. 16 to indecent assault and indecent exposure. Prosecutors withdrew charges of rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault. Baldwin postponed sentencing until the board made its recommendation. Pottsville police charged Baker with assaulting the 22-year-old woman on July 5, 2019, at his 621 N. Second St. residence. Police said that while Baker initially denied assaulting the woman, DNA evidence linked him to the crime. The Megans Law sanctions, to which Baker will be subject for 15 years after he leaves prison, require him to provide his name, address, Social Security number, telephone numbers, photograph, employment, any schools he might attend, registration of any vehicles he owns and other information to the Pennsylvania State Police. Any violation of the sanctions would be an additional crime and subject Baker to another prosecution. POTTSVILLE People who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to enter Schuylkill County facilities, including the courthouse, starting at 8 a.m. Monday, President Judge William E. Baldwin decided Thursday. It is appropriate to begin relaxing restrictions on judicial and administrative county functions, Baldwin wrote in his two-page order. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. June 14, members of the public will be able to enter county facilities and conduct business without having to make an appointment at the office or offices they need to visit. Under the terms of the order, people who are not fully vaccinated will still have to wear masks. Furthermore, everyone entering those buildings still must allow sheriffs deputies to take their temperatures. Those deputies still will have the power to exclude people who have an elevated temperature or are visibly ill. Baldwins order also allows people, also beginning at 8:30 a.m. June 14, to eat meals and snacks at the Courthouse Canteen in that buildings basement. Baldwin said June 14 also is the first day of the June criminal court term, which will run through June 25, and all current restrictions will apply to the trials except for one. Jurors who have been fully vaccinated may attend without a mask, he said. Remaining applicable restrictions include the use of only Courtrooms One and Seven for trials, seating the jurors in the audience instead of the jury box and the cleaning of the witness stand after each person testifies, he said. Air purifiers also will continue to be used in each courtroom, according to Baldwin. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN A longtime school district teacher and counselor will deliver the keynote address as Schuylkill Haven Area High School graduates 76 seniors at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, at Rotary Field. Gloria Evert has been a music teacher and elementary school counselor for 36 years, according to Matt Horoschak, high school principal. Evert graduated from Mount Carmel Area High School in 1981. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Lebanon Valley College, Annville, and a Masters of Education degree in elementary counseling from Bucknell University, Lewisburg. Evert has been an educator in the Schuylkill Haven Area School District since 1985, first serving as the middle school music teacher for six years, then for 19 years as the elementary guidance counselor, and most recently 11 years as the elementary music teacher. When not in her classroom, she can be found in the Zwerling Auditorium working on the musical which she has directed for 14 years. In her free time, Evert performs with several local bands and orchestras including the Cressona Band, the Pine Grove Band and the Anthracite Philharmonic. She enjoys bike riding, hiking, spending time at Hawk Mountain and going for walks with her dog, Finn. Whenever possible, she loves spending time with her husband, Brian, and her adult children, Ben and Leah. The valedictorian and salutatorian will be announced during Class Day Awards at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 6. A link to view the awards ceremony will be available for all families. Baccalaureate was held May 23 via livestream from St. Pauls UCC, and the prom was held April 24 at Kemforts Cottage with the theme Cottage Retreat. The senior class officers include Valerie Bildheiser, president; Joshua Whittemore, vice president; Ian Tokarick, secretary; Morgan Philips, treasurer; and Brianna Whalen and Eliana Kramer, historians. Caitlyn Biggs is senior class adviser. The class colors are maroon and gold and its song is Dont You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds. The flower is the red rose and its motto comes from President Theodore Roosevelt: Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground. HOMETOWN Marian Catholic High School combined its baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies Thursday evening, during which the Class of 2021 received their diplomas before family and friends on the school campus. The Most Rev. Alfred Schlert, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, addressed the graduates. Jamison Wheeler, senior class president, also delivered a message to his classmates. He referred to the challenges that the student body endured with the pandemic. These unforeseen challenges have made us all become better people in this world, he said. I have seen every single one of us become more determined and strengthen our confidence in ourselves and each other. ... It is extremely evident that we all want to be the change in the world, and we are ready to do it now. A senior breakfast was held May 28, and the prom was held May 14 at Capriottis Catering, McAdoo. Blue and gold are the class colors. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The Blue Mountain School District announced Thursday that graduating seniors may now wear military sashes during Friday nights commencement ceremony. The district previously told seniors who have committed to joining the military that they could not wear the sashes they received signifying their branch of the armed services during graduation. Superintendent David Helsel, Ed.D., said Thursday that he discussed the matter with the school board Wednesday after hearing that students and families were upset about the decision. The original decision was that they wanted a limited number of things cluttering the caps and gowns, only those things reflective of what they did in high school or at the STC (Schuylkill Technology Center), Helsel said. It had nothing to do with the districts support. Helsel said giving military sashes for graduation only began two years ago. Last year, the high school had a drive-in graduation, so the question of allowing the sashes did not arise. This year, Helsel said the discussion of whether to allow the sashes had been ongoing for a few months. The decision not to allow sashes had first been made at a March school board meeting. Unfortunately, the five or six students affected by it and their families found out about it this week and were upset, Helsel said. They took it as being unpatriotic, and that certainly was not the intent. Helsel said there had been plans in place to have the students stand for applause during the ceremony and have their commitment announced when receiving their diploma. He said they did intend to recognize the students who will be putting their lives on the line. We want students to leave Blue Mountain with fond memories, Helsel said. Sandy Renninger, whose son Toby will be joining the Air Force after graduation, said she was thrilled with the change, but she worries about what will happen next year. Im pleased with the results, but I fear for future years, Renninger said. I dont see the purpose in this fight, but I worry it will happen again. Renninger said after the students were first told they could not wear the sashes, some students made a change.org petition, which got over 1,000 signatures. All of their classmates were so supportive, Renninger said. It was nice to see everyone rally around these boys. SAINT CLAIR The borough council discussed updating the noise ordinance at its meeting Tuesday. Council members questioned the fairness of enforcing a specific time, as many people work swing shifts or have varying hours of employment. Specifics on any potential revision will be discussed at a later date. In addition, the Lawton Street bridge project, which was expected to be completed by May 21, was finished early. On May 13, the span passed final inspection and construction was deemed complete. The borough council submitted two Commonwealth Financing Authority Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant applications before the May 31 deadline. One is for improvements to John Siney Park, the other for other recreational improvements. The authority will award the grants in November. In other business, the council tentatively appointed Ethan Powell and Shawn Weist as part-time police officers. Both must obtain clearances before employement. And Mayor Richard E. Tomko wanted to remind everyone to continue taking safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Pfizer vaccine is now approved for those as young as 12, he said. People who are able to get vaccinated were encouraged to do so to keep themselves and those around them safe. Upcoming events include: Saint Clair Fire and Rescue Station No. 3 will host food trucks on July 16 and 17. The trucks will be on Fourth Street. The annual Saint Clair Car Cruise is tentatively scheduled for July 17. The Community of Caring Christians will hold its annual block party from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 11. The rain date is Sept. 18. To the Editor: Today, more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimers brother, dementias. While providing this assistance can be rewarding, its also quite challenging for caregivers to sustain. Having served as a caregiver to my husband with early-onset Alzheimers, I understand firsthand the impact this disease has on families across America. I could not have anticipated the emotional, physical and financial challenges caregiving when Alzheimers charged into my life, and having had additional support services would have meant the world to me. Thats why I want to express my sincere gratitude to U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, for his recent co-sponsorship of the bipartisan Alzheimers Caregiver Support Act (HR 1474). Please join me and the Alzheimers Association in thanking Congressman Meuser for his support of this critical legislation, which would provide grants to expand training and support services for unpaid caregivers of people living with Alzheimers disease and other dementias. Through this bill, grantees, including community health centers, senior centers and Area Agencies on Aging, would provide this training and support for families and caregivers. Want to get involved the fight against Alzheimers? Visit all.org and alzimpact.org to learn more. Thank you. Phyllis Gallagher Alzheimers Ambassador to PA 9th Congressional District Frackville ORWIGSBURG Sarah Beard shuddered and wept Thursday as she described seeing a man die in what police call a road-rage stabbing in April on Route 61 in West Brunswick Township. The African-American man hit the white man, and he fell to the ground. I saw the Black man had a knife, Beard, 31, of Orwigsburg, testified at the 1 3/4-hour preliminary hearing of Tamiir Ion Whitted. After the hearing, at which police testified George Marcincin had been stabbed 19 times, Senior Magisterial District Judge Richard Cashman ruled prosecutors had presented enough evidence to support all nine charges against Whitted, and ordered them held for court. Whitted, who already is incarcerated without bail at the county prison, participated in the hearing by videoconference. He remains behind bars pending further court action. While Whitteds lawyer, David S. Nenner, Philadelphia, presented no evidence during the hearing, he said after it occurred that it might have been racially motivated. There was more than one statement in which Marcincin used a racial slur, Nenner said. State police at Schuylkill Haven allege Whitted, 29, of Pottsville, stabbed Marcincin, 38, of Orwigsburg, around 2 p.m. April 12 in the southbound lanes of Route 61 near the jughandle intersection with Brick Hill Road. Police charged Whitted with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, simple assault, fleeing or eluding police, resisting arrest, possessing an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person and two counts of aggravated assault. Beard, who had her 1-year-old daughter in the car with her, had to compose herself several times to describe an incident the likes of which she had never seen. There was blood everywhere, she said. You saw the white man go into the fetal position? Assistant District Attorney A.J. Serina asked Beard. Yes, sir, she answered. I was on the phone with 911. Beard said that after Whitted fled the scene, she went to Marcincin and found him in desperate straits. He kept asking for help, she said. I kept telling him the police were on their way. However, Marcincin died at the scene from his injuries, according to state police Trooper Tyler R. Brackman, the prosecuting officer. The cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the body, Brackman read from the autopsy report prepared by Dauphin County forensic pathologist Dr. Wayne Ross. Brackman described the wounds. He also described meeting Whitted after his arrest. He definitely seemed worked up in kind of a heightened state, Brackman said of Whitted. Did the defendant have any physical injuries? Serina asked. Not that I could see, Brackman replied. Brackman also testified that he found a bloody gray sweatshirt and a bloody knife in Whitteds car. Orwigsburg police Patrolman Robert Bechtel, the only other witness, described how he pursued Whitted from Orwigsburg to Deer Lake and, with the help of Schuylkill Haven borough Criminal Investigator Vince McDonald, captured him. Although he turned on his cars overhead light and siren, Bechtel testified Whitted kept pulling off the road, only to get back on and keep driving. Bechtel said the chase, which at times exceeded 100 mph, went from West Market Street in Orwigsburg to shortly past routes 61 and 895 in Deer Lake before he and McDonald caught Whitted. Im not going to get out of my car. Go ahead and shoot me. He closed his door ... took off again, blew the red light and took off south, is how Bechtel described what Whitted did after the stop at Brick Hill and Village roads. Bechtel said Whitted initially refused to cooperate and then became combative. He said he tased Whitted and, with the help of McDonald and state troopers, subdued him. Serina declined to comment on the case after the hearing. Nenner reminded people that they only heard a part of the prosecutions case and none of his clients case. He also said Marcincin used racial slurs and was bigger than Whitted, facts people should not ignore. My client felt his life was at risk, Nenner said. Bollywood actor Neena Gupta ringed in her 62nd birthday on Friday, June 4. As the Badhaai Ho actor turned a year older, she received a plethora of wishes from her family, friends and fans. Among those is producer Ekta Kapoor who took to her Instagram stories to pen a sweet note for Neena Gupta's birthday. Ekta Kapoor's wish for Neena Gupta Ekta Kapoor reposted a picture that was shared by Neena Gupta's daughter Masaba on her Instagram feed. The picture posted is a close up of the Panga actor giving a fun pose to the camera. Along with the picture, Ekta Kapoor wrote, "Happy Birthday Neena Gupta. You are a pathbreaker and an inspiration." Check out Ekta Kapoor's Instagram story below. Neena Gupta and Ekta Kapoor had previously worked together in the 2018 movie Veere Di Wedding and will soon be seen in Balaji Telefilm's upcoming project Goodbye marking their second collaboration with each other. A look at Neena Gupta's movies and upcoming projects Neena Gupta was last seen in the movie Sardar Ka Grandson on Netflix in which she played the role of Sardar, the grandmother. The movie also starred Arjun Kapoor, John Abraham and Aditi Rao Hydari. The plot of the film revolves around the life of Amreek Singh (Arjun Kapoor) who aims to reunite his ailing grandmother with her ancestral home that is in Lahore, Pakistan but his entire mission turns into a cross-border affair that gets complicated with every step. The actor was also a part of Parineeti Chopra and Arjun Kapoor's Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar in which she played the role of a naive Punjabi woman who rents her house to Parineeti and Arjun's characters in the movie. Neena Gupta will next be seen in 83, Dial 100 and Gwalior. She will also be seen in the OTT space with the second season of Masaba Masaba expected to release on Netflix by 2022. She also has Amazon Prime Video's Panchayat 2 in the pipeline. Apart from this, Neena Gupta also wrote her biography during the lockdown, titled Sach Kahu Toh, the actor's autobiography is available for pre-order and will be releasing on June 14. IMAGE: EKTA KAPOOR AND NEENA GUPTA'S INSTAGRAM Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. In the latest episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian broke down in front of her sisters and addressed the crumbling state of her marriage with Kanye West. In Part 1 of the finale episode, we see that the family visits Lake Tahoe in order to spend some time with each other. Everyone can be seen enjoying each other's company, but Kims upset mood, thanks to her problems with Kanye, is visible. During the recent episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian gets upset about a particular brand of cookies and says that she asked them not to get those cookies because she gained weight. She was about to throw them away when Kendell says she likes them so they should keep them. Kim gets upset and says she wants to go to her room and never come back. Kims sister Khloe Kardashian shares with the audience that Kim has been struggling behind the camera about her relationship and it's tough because she is redirecting so much of her frustration, sadness, and anger. She also shares that sometimes people take things out of anger on somethings that had nothing to do with what they are going through. Khloe shares that Kim and Kanye had a fight before their visit to Lake Tahoe. In a flashback clip, we see Kim break down in front of her sisters Khloe, Kendell, and Kylie. She says during the conversation that she thinks that Kanye deserves someone who can support his every move, follow him all over the place and move to Wyoming. She says she cannot do that. She then goes on to say that she feels like a failure because it is her third marriage. She says she feels like a loser but she cannot think about that because she just wants to be happy. Khloe later says that Kim is one of the most incredible women she knows and she tries to protect her union with Kanye at all cost but it is hard when someone carries that responsibility on their shoulders. Kim and Kanyes divorce Kim Kardashian and Kanye West got married in 2014 and have 4 children together. Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye West in the month of February. Kim requested joint legal and physical custody for her four children. They also said that they do not need spousal support. IMAGE: KIM KARDASHIAN/INSTAGRAM Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, the former President and Prime Minister of Mauritius, has passed away. He was 91. Jugnauth, who served as Mauritius President twice and Prime Minister six times, was accorded with India's second-highest civilian honour Padma Vibhushan in 2020. "Mauritius has lost one of its most illustrious patriots who was instrumental in the countrys struggle for its complete decolonisation process so that it can exercise its sovereignty over the totality of the territory of the Republic of Mauritius including the Chagos Archipelago," President Prithvirajsing Roopun said in a condolence statement. Born March 29, 1930, he became one of the most notable men and respected politicians in the country, the Le Mauricien newspaper reported. He passed away on Thursday. His funeral will take place on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth to convey condolences at the death of his father and veteran leader Jugnauth. "I called @MauritiusPM Pravind Jugnauth to convey heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Sir Anerood Jugnauth. He will be remembered as one of the tallest leaders of the Indian Ocean Region and a principal architect of India's special friendship with Mauritius," Modi tweeted. Padma Vibhushan Sir Anerood Jugnauth, a tall leader & statesman, was the architect of modern Mauritius. A proud Pravasi Bharatiya, he helped forge the special bilateral relationship that will benefit from his legacy. Condolences to his family & the people of Mauritius. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/CktEnK4XMn Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 3, 2021 In a tweet on Thursday, Modi had described Jugnauth as a statesman who was the architect of modern Mauritius. "A proud Pravasi Bharatiya, he helped forge the special bilateral relationship that will benefit from his legacy," he said. Jugnauth married Sarojini Ballah in 1957 and the couple has two children, including Prime Minister Pravind. Jugnauth served as President of Mauritius from 2003 to 2012, and was elected as the Prime Minister six times from 1982 to 2017. Later, he left his post in favour of his son Pravind Jugnauth. A lawyer by profession, he began his political career with an election to the Legislative Council in 1963. In 1951, he went to study law at Lincoln's Inn, University of London in the UK. In 1965, he attended the Constitutional Conference in London to discuss issues relating to the country's independence. Jugnauth was a pioneer in the bitter struggle for the decolonisation of the Chagos Archipelago and in promoting the well-being of the Chagossian community. His fight led to the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the Chagos Archipelago is an integral part of the territory of the Republic of Mauritius. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Speaking with Republic Media Network, Dominican Opposition Leader Lennox Linton said, " My appeal is for an investigation of the involvement of the Government of Dominica in an international scandal in which it appears that an Indian born, criminally accused human being was abducted in Antigua, tortured, ferried to Dominica against his will and handed over by his abductors to law enforcement authorities who are now prosecuting him for illegal entry into Dominica." Lennox Linton is alleged to have been colluding with Mehul Choksi's family. Dominican sources reported that the country's Opposition Leader Lennox Linton was spotted with fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi's brother Chetan on Wednesday, during Choksi's bail hearing at Dominica High Court. However, he has refused the media report which claimed that he had been bribed by Mehul Choksi's brother. New Delhi, Jun 3 (PTI) The Supreme Court Thursday said contempt action can be proceeded only in respect of established wilful disobedience of the order of the Court. A bench comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and B R Gavai made the observation while discharging show cause notices to the authorities issued in respect of annulment of recruitment process of some employees of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam. The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas challenging the orders issued by the Chief Engineer of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam at Lucknow pursuant to its judgment. The top court in its judgement had directed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Engineer to comply with the judgement of the Allahabad High Court of November 28, 2017 in a batch of writ petitions. In pursuance of the aforementioned decision of this Court, the Chief Engineer issued order dated December 4, 2018, thereby reengaging the petitioners and other appointees to their previous place of posting. However, with a caveat that the said appointment was subject to the liberty granted by this Court and that no arrears would be paid by the respondent corporation. This order of the chief engineer, according to the contempt petitioners, is in the teeth of the decision of the top court and, therefore, the respondents be proceeded for having committed wilful disobedience of the order of this Court. Deliberating on it, the bench said It is well settled that contempt action ought to proceed only in respect of established wilful disobedience of the order of the Court. In exercising contempt jurisdiction, the primary concern must be whether the acts of commission or omission can be said to be contumacious conduct of the party who is alleged to have committed default in complying with the directions given in the judgment and order of the Court, the bench said. While examining the submissions of the petitioners,, the bench noted that the orders passed by the High Court and the apex court do not contain explicit direction to reinstate the petitioners with continuity of service and back wages as such. "Instead, the expression used is only to permit the petitioners to work on the posts" which were held by them at the time of their termination and "to pay them regular salary month by month" and "as and when the same accrues to them. Thus understood, it is not a case of wilful disobedience of the orders of the Court.", it said. The apex court also granted liberty to the petitioners therein including applicants in intervention/impleadment applications to pursue their remedy before the High Court by way of writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, if so advised. That writ petition be decided on its own merits in accordance with law keeping in mind the observations made in this judgment along with other pending or fresh writ petitions involving similar issues, it said.PTI PKS RKS RKS (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Guwahati, Jun 3 (PTI) The opposition Congress on Thursday demanded that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process be completed at the earliest to find out the genuine Indian citizens. The demand was made by Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia. Saikia also alleged that the Assam government's step to disseminate information on citizenship to migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan under the Citizenship Act, 1955 is just a ploy to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 in a "roundabout way". "The long-pending claims and objections process of the NRC be completed urgently via Foreigners Tribunals, as per rules," Saikia said in a statement here. He demanded that since only the names of genuine citizens of the pre-1971 period will be left after a fair claims and objections process, the government should issue National Identity Cards to them in accordance with the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The final NRC was released on August 31, 2019 by excluding 19,06,657 persons. A total of 3,11,21,004 names were included out of 3,30,27,661 applicants. The process of issuing the rejection slips, mentioning the reasons for omitting a person's name, to those excluded from NRC is yet to start. The process got inordinately delayed with the state government seeking partial reverification of the NRC and as such no tentative schedule for issuing the Rejection Slips have been announced. On the day of taking oath, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said his government wanted reverification of 20 per cent names in the border districts, while the same should be done for 10 per cent in the rest. Before publication of the final NRC in 2019, the state and central governments had appealed the Supreme Court twice for sample re-verification to find out wrongful inclusions, especially in districts bordering Bangladesh, and exclusions in the NRC. However, the apex court in strong words had said that the entire NRC exercise could not be ordered to be re-opened on the basis of certain parameters. Saikia also said that any foreigner can apply for Indian citizenship under Sections 5 and 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and, consequently, there is no need to invoke the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA). "However, just before the recent Assembly elections, the Government of Assam cited a letter from the central government and instructed...to disseminate information regarding grant of citizenship to migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who hold Long Term Visas (LTVs)," he added. The state government had on March 19 written to all the Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Foreigners Registration Officers enclosing a letter from the centre and asked them to furnish a copy of a note containing the provisions relating to granting of Indian citizenship. The information were asked to be provided to all the legal migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who were given long term visas, the official letter had said. Saikia said, "Since CAA was introduced for migrants from these three specific countries, there is a reason to suspect that the latest instruction issued by the Government of Assam was nothing but a ploy to implement CAA in Assam in a roundabout way." He also averred that the result of the recent assembly elections could not be interpreted as endorsement of CAA by the people of Assam, because the "BJP secured only 33.21 per cent of the votes" and the majority of voters spurned the BJP and the controversial law. "If a section of foreign migrants are to be granted citizenship on the basis of LTVs, then the Inner Line Permit system should be introduced in Assam as per provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, to safeguard the rights of the indigenous people of Assam," the senior Congress leader said. On May 28, the Union Home Ministry had issued a notification under the 2009 rules of the Citizenship Act, 1955 asking non-Muslims belonging to Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan and residing in 13 districts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Punjab to apply for Indian citizenship. The fresh order was in no way connected to the CAA passed in 2019 as the rules under it are yet to be framed by the Central government. The highly contentious CAA seeks to provide Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis entering India on or before December 31, 2014 from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after five years of residence here. PTI TR SNS SNS (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The much-awaited book Modi Stole My Mask authored by best-selling author Amit Bagaria and Founder & Editor-in-Chief of GoaChronicle.com, Savio Rodrigues has become the No 1 Bestseller in India on Amazon, 36 hours after Amazon opened pre-booking for the book to be released on June 7, 2021. Modi Stole My Mask is currently No 1 in the categories of Public Administration, Elections & Political Process E-Books, and Public Affairs & Policy E-Books in India on Amazon. Modi Stole My Mask is a book that reportedly exposes the truth behind India's COVID-19 crisis through vehement research on facts and data by the authors. Speaking on Modi Stole My Mask becoming a No 1 Bestseller on Amazon before its release, Amit Bagaria, expressed, Though Im happy to see the phenomenal sales figures, Im not too surprised, as most people have been affected (directly or indirectly) by the potential Chinese bioweapon (SARS-CoV-2) which has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, and which has unfortunately taken over 34.88 lakh lives globally, with thousands more dying every day. Its good to know that so many people want to know THE TRUTH ABOUT INDIAS COVID CRISIS, which is also the subtitle of our book. Sharing his views on peoples' interest in the book Modi Stole My Mask, Savio Rodrigues, opined, "The truth is all that matters. The people of India and the world need to know the truth because right now there is extensive misinformation in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health crisis that has led to the loss of millions of lives around the world including India. Both Amit and I have painstakingly researched and documented our findings into a book so that the Indian government and the people of India can learn from our successful strategies and also failed strategies in the health crisis." The book raises pertinent questions on whether Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has lost his popularity due to the management COVID-19 pandemic health crisis, whether the COVID-19 pandemic is natural or lab-made bioweapon of China, which states in India which managed the pandemic well and did not manage the pandemic well, did Prime Minister Modi divert money for constructing the new Central Vista instead of fighting COVID-19 and was money from the PM CARES Fund not spent for COVID-19 relief efforts. Modi Stole My Mask is published by Garuda Prakarshan Publications. You can pre-order the E-Book at this link for India: bit.ly/MSMM_book. You can pre-order the Paperback at this link: https://garudabooks.com/modi-stole-my-mask SpaceX sent the latest cargo mission for NASA to the International Space Station on June 3, with Elon Musks company completing its 17th launch this year. The Falcon 9 rocket took off at 1:29pm EDT from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, called CRS-22, has SpaceXs Cargo Dragon spacecraft carrying more than 7,300 pounds of research and supplies to the ISS. Webcast of Falcon 9 launch of Dragon is now live https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK https://t.co/DqmJojsOMO SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 3, 2021 This is the fifth capsule SpaceX has sent to ISS in the last 12 months, SpaceX director of Dragon mission management Sarah Walker noted in a media briefing. It is also the first launch of the year on a new Falcon 9 rocket booster. The rocket launch was right on schedule despite the threat of storm clouds from the south and east. The first stage separated as planned and touched down on the Of Course I Still Love You drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean eight minutes after launch. The second stage, which takes the capsule to orbit, separated 12 minutes after launch and now the spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS on Saturday. The Falcon 9 Rocket launch vehicle is sending more than 7,300 pounds of research materials, supplies and hardware, including new solar arrays, to the ISS crew. Water bears, squid in space Dragon is carrying a number of research experiments to be conducted on the ISS, including oral bacteria to test germ growth with Colgate toothpaste, 5,000 tardigrades dubbed as 'water bears, 28 glow-in-the-dark baby squids, Tardigrades, Butterfly IQ Ultrasound and new solar panels. The capsule is also delivering fresh food, including apples, navel oranges, lemons and avocados. This Cargo Dragon spacecraft is expected to return to Earth in July, splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida with 5,300 pounds of experiments and cargo. Meanwhile, NASA informed that the experiments aboard include studying how water bears tolerate space, whether microgravity affects symbiotic relationships, analyzing the formation of kidney stones, and more. It added that studying how space travel affects them will help scientists in understanding the impact of space travel on humans and coming up with countermeasures against the adverse effects of microgravity. The scientists will be studying how their relationship is affected by space travel, which will guide them in mitigating the adverse effects on humans symbiotic relationships with bacteria that live in our bodies. (Image: AP/SpaceX) Amidst the growing discontent against Twitter, Nigeria became the first country to suspend the US-based micro-blogging website in the African continent. Accusing Twitter of double standards, the Nigerian government ceased operations of the social media platform after it froze President Muhammadu Buhari's account. Notably, Twitter had months ago banned former US President Donald Trump for allegedly inciting violence during the unfortunate breach of Capitol Hill. Making the announcement on Friday, Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed condemned the 'persistent use' of Twitter for activities allegedly capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence. The stern action comes days after Twitter removed a post by Nigeria's President that threatened punishment for separatists in the country's southeast region that officials have blamed for frequent attacks on federal property. "Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War. Those of us in the field for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand," the Nigerian President had tweeted which was later taken down. Alleging that Buhari's aforementioned tweet violated the social media platform's 'abusive behaviour' policy, Twitter removed the post and suspended his account for 12 hours. Nigeria accuses Twitter of double standards Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed called Twitters mission in Nigeria suspicious and added that the US technology company has an agenda. "We have a country to rule, and we will do so to the best of our ability. Twitter's mission in Nigeria is very suspect, they have an agenda. The mission of Twitter in Nigeria is very suspicious," Mohammed had said on May 2, as per ANI. Further, the Nigerian minister said that the social media firm had overlooked the tweets of leading secessionists in the nation. He went on to say that when people were burning police stations and killing policemen in Nigeria during 'End SARS', a decentralised social movement, then for Twitter it was about the right to protest. But when a similar thing happened in the US, it became insurrection, Mohammed said. Twitter faces backlash in India The significant development comes at a time when the California-based social media platform is facing backlash in India as well. While the new IT rules for social media platforms came into effect on May 25 this year, Twitter is yet to comply with the guidelines despite stating that it 'strives' to do so. The Government of India in a stern communication had objected against its non-compliance and issued a warning to the firm. The matter has reached the courts with the Delhi High Court adjourning the matter until July 6. The Nigerian government on May 2 expressed doubts about Twitters mission in the country and accused the social media firm of double standards and supporting the secessionists in the west African nation. According to ANI, the Information and Cultural Minister Lai Mohammed lashed out on Twitter after it deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari who issued a warning to troublemakers in Nigeria. Mohammed called Twitters mission in Nigeria suspicious and added that the US technology company has an agenda. "We have a country to rule, and we will do so to the best of our ability. Twitter's mission in Nigeria is very suspect, they have an agenda. The mission of Twitter in Nigeria is very suspicious," Mohammed said. Twitter may have its own rules, it's not the universal rule. If Mr. President, anywhere in the world feels very bad and concerned about a situation, he is free to express such views, he added. Further, the Nigerian minister said that the social media firm had overlooked the tweets of leading secessionists in the nation. He went on to say that when people were burning police stations and killing policemen in Nigeria during End SARS, a decentralised social movement, then for Twitter it was about the right to protest. But when a similar thing happened in the US, it became insurrection, Mohammed said. Nigerian Presidents deleted tweet His comments came after Twitter deleted Buharis post following criticisms from some netizens. In his tweet, the President had made a reference to the countrys 30-month civil war in 1967-1970. He had warned those who wanted the government to fail to desist from fomenting trouble. "Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigeria civil war. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand," Buhari tweeted on Tuesday night. The President made the remarks after a meeting with officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who reported to him about attacks on the bodys facilities. According to Africa News, a series of armed attacks on government facilities and security installations in the southeast have claimed the lives of at least 126 people. The officials have blamed the violence on the indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist movement campaigning for the independence of the Biafra people. Moreover, in the North and central regions of the country, attacks by armed groups and kidnappings targeting schoolchildren have also increased, with voices criticising Buharis dismal security record growing louder. (With inputs from ANI) A female MP in Tanzania was recently kicked out of the countrys parliament for wearing trousers deemed too tight. According to BBC, Condester Sichwale, a minister for the ruling CCM party, was ejected after male colleague Hussein Amar, who is a member of the same party, complained. Sichwale was told to go dress up well, and then join us back later before she walked out of the parliament. The incident took place on Tuesday following a debate in Parliament House in Tanzanias capital of Dodoma. After the session, Amar reportedly stood up to ask Speaker Job Ndugai for guidance on modest dress. He had addressed Sichwale as his sister seated with a yellow shirt and said that the way some women dressed invited ridicule to parliament. Amar asked the speaker to look at the trousers she had worn. Ndugai then ordered Sichwale to leave and said, go dress up well, and then join us back later. He added that this was not the first complaint he had received about female Member of Parliaments attire. He even told chamber orderlies to deny entry to anyone who was inappropriately dressed. As per reports, Amar did not elaborate on what he found wrong with Sichwales outfit. However, he quoted the parliamentary rules which allow women to wear trousers but stipulates that clothes should not be tight-fitting. He even accused Sichwale of wearing even though she was wearing transition lenses that change depending on light conditions. This is ridiculous Following the incident, a group of MPs led by Jacqueline Ngonyani and Stella Manyanya then branded the move as unfair and said that there was nothing wrong with the outfit. The move also led attracted criticism online, with users accusing the Male MPs of policing womens bodies. I am annoyed with this. Like, really? I hate it when women's clothes, bodies and decisions are policed by men. And those pants ain't tight!! Uugh. Such a misogynistic power trip by the speaker, said one Twitter user. What does their parliamentary attire look like? Do they have a uniform or something? Cos I see nothing wrong in this Cert. Legendary Troublemaker (@Bio_teddy) June 1, 2021 This is ridiculous, Id like to see picture of what parliament attire looks like. Vybe (@balungile_s) June 1, 2021 This is madness. African leaders always choosing to deal with these non-existent issues instead of solving real life issues that citizens face daily. ShackTank (@shack_tank) June 2, 2021 Seriously? The pants are not tight fitting at all and she looks presentable. The big question I suppose is why do they still have rules that police what women should wear in this day and age? Proffessional/ presentable should be enough. Bizos (@BizosReth1) June 2, 2021 (Image: Twitter) Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on Friday renewed their support for Belarus' opposition movement and slammed the latest video released by Belarus state television showing a dissident journalist who was arrested after his flight was diverted to Minsk. At an event to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations between the four nations, the foreign ministers of each country addressed concerns around the situation in Belarus. Raman Pratasevich, a key foe of authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, was arrested last month after a Ryanair jetliner flying from Greece to Lithuania was diverted to Belarus. Reacting to a video interview with Pratasevich released Thursday, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis claimed the journalist had been "tortured using the brutalist of Soviet methods". Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said it was still important to send "moral and practical support" to Belarus' opposition and its supporters. Pratasevich was a co-founder of the Telegram messaging app's Nexta channel, which played a prominent role in helping organize the anti-Lukashenko protests. Nearly 2 million Belarusians in the nation of 9.3 million people have followed the channel. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Amid tensions over Belarus, Germany said that it blocked Russian airlines permission to use its airspace after Moscow failed to approve a Lufthansa flight to Russia. According to The Independent, Germanys Transport Ministry said that the decision was based on the practice of reciprocal approval of flights and affected connections operated by Aeroflot and budget carrier S7. The ministry informed that Russia unilaterally suspended bilateral agreements on airline traffic between the two countries in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and flights since then have been approved reciprocally on a monthly basis. However, the German Transport Ministry added that for Lufthansa flights, timely approval was not received from the Russian licensing authority FATA for the month of June. So Lufthansa flights that were scheduled to take place in the early meaning of June 2 had to be cancelled in the evening hours on June 1. It said that due to the underlying reciprocal practice, the German Federal Aviation Authority also did not issue any further permits for flights of the Russian carriers as long as the permits were pending on the Russian side. The ministry even said that the German embassy in Moscow was in close exchange with Russian aviation authorities and as soon as the FATA approvals for Lufthansa flights were granted by the Russian side, the flights of Russian companies will also be approved. Tensions between EU-Russia over Belarus The tit-for-tat decision comes amid the mounting tension between Russia and the European Union over Moscows support for Belarus. The EU and the US have already introduced fresh sanctions against Belarus after authorities there diverted an international flight to arrest a dissident journalist. Following the incident, the EU even blocked most flights to and over Belarus. Russia, on the other hand, defended Belarus' use of military jet to divert passenger plane carrying the dissident. Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov has said that the country treated the incident with an "absolutely reasonable approach". Lavrov asserted that Minsk was ready to act on the issue in a transparent manner and to follow all international rules. Calling upon western states to act in the same manner, the Russian lawmakers asked the global community to "soberly assess the situation". (Image: AP) Israel's opposition parties have reached an agreement to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been the longest-serving leader of the nation after staying in power for 12 years. This comes following the emergence of a coalition deal between centrist Yair Lapid and the far-right Naftali Bennet along with six other parties. This move is a result of several corruption charges levied against Netanyahu and his wife, for which they are under trial. However, the leader denies all charges. It appears now that a combination of parties will take turns governing the nation-state. The first new Prime Minister is expected to Naftali Bennett, who belongs to the right-wing party; the second will be from a centrist party. Notably, this coalition includes an Arab party as well and reportedly has 61 out of 120 seats. If it loses that narrow majority, Israel will once again have to go in for another election. Why is there a new coalition in Israel? Israel has so far seen four national elections in the past two years alone In all of these, no political party seemed to have won a majority on its own and the party that formed the government was able to do so by allying with other parties. After the March 2020 elections, Benjamin Netanyahus Likud party famously joined hands with Benny Gantzs centrist party Kahol Lavan, also known as Blue and White to form a unity government. However, the fractious coalition did not last too long and by December 2020, the government collapsed again after the Knesset (parliament) failed to pass the annual budget Bill, thereby pushing Israel into another election. In the March 2021 election, voters once again gave a split verdict. While Likud emerged as the biggest party this time as well with 30 seats out of 120, it still failed to form a majority to make up a single-party government; and this time Likud also could not form a coalition with other parties to meet the majority mark. Following Netanyahu's predicament of being unable to form the government, the country's President invited the second-largest party in the Knesset with 17 members to form the government. Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid was faced with the mammoth task of putting together a coalition that would hit 61 seats. Which parties are part of the coalition? Lapid's Yesh Atid, Gantz's Blue and White joined hands and together they have 25 seats. Six other parties have also banded together - the right-wing Yamina with 7 MKs (Member of Knesset), centre-right New Hope with 6 MKs, centre-left Meretz with 6MKs, Labour Party with 7 MKs, the secular right party Yisrael Beiteinu which has 7 MKs and finally Arab Raam which has won 4 seats in the recently concluded elections. Together, the eight-party coalition now has 62 seats, just enough to cross the majority mark but with a razor-thin difference end even if a single MK backs out, Israel will have to start all over again. What's next for Benjamin Netanyahu after he steps down as Prime Minister? Netanyahu who is under trial on corruption charges, the best outcome that awaits him is Bennet's failure to prove majority in the Knesset, following which the country will move into another round of elections, and he gets to stay in power until then with certain Prime Ministerial immunity. If he is ousted, he might have to face the music if the allegations prove true and is convicted. He will remain the leader of the Opposition if the charges against him are quashed. A huge fire swept through a camp for displaced Yazidis in Dohuk in the northern Kurdish region of Iraq on Friday. The blaze, which was caused by an electrical short circuit, burned down some 350 tents in the Sharia camp according to a spokesperson for the Migration and Displaced Board in Dohuk. Around 1,400 Yazidis have lost their shelters inside the camp, according to the spokesperson. Camp resident Salah Ezidi described how strong winds caused the fire to spread quickly. No casualties were recorded but two firefighters were taken to hospital after being suffocated during efforts to douse the flames. The Sharia camp was built in 2014 to host the influx of Yazidi displaced people to the city of Dohuk, when the Islamic State group swept into the Yazidi areas in Nineveh governorate in August 2014. Currently, the camp is composed of over 4,000 tents and hosts around 4,000 Yazidi families. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Dubai, Jun 3 (AP) Satellite photographs taken Thursday show the burned hulk that remains of Iran's biggest warship after it caught fire and sank in the Gulf of Oman. The photos from Planet Labs Inc., analyzed by The Associated Press, show the 207-metre (679-foot) Kharg just off the coast of the Iranian port city of Jask, surrounded by a sea of oil-slicked waters. Iranian officials have not acknowledged the pollution left behind by the ship's sinking on Wednesday. The photos show the ship partially submerged, with debris floating in the water around it. Iranian state media reported that 400 sailors and trainee cadets on board fled the vessel, while 33 suffered injuries in the incident. Iranian officials have offered no cause for the fire. The fire Wednesday aboard the Kharg warship follows a series of mysterious explosions that began in 2019, targeting commercial ships in the Gulf of Oman. The US Navy accused Iran of targeting the ships with limpet mines, timed explosives typically attached by divers to a vessel's hull. Iran denied that, though US Navy footage showed Revolutionary Guard members removing one unexploded limpet mine from a ship. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Negotiations on saving the accord continue in Vienna. In April, an Iranian ship called the MV Saviz believed to be a Guard base and anchored for years in the Red Sea off Yemen was targeted in an attack suspected to have been carried out by Israel. It escalated a yearslong shadow war in the Mideast between the two countries, ranging from strikes in Syria, assaults on ships and attacks on Iran's nuclear program. (AP) PMS PMS (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Spain's prime minister was in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Thursday to reopen his country's embassy and show support for Libya's new interim authorities which have been entrusted with leading the nation out of years of civil war. Premier Pedro Sanchez held talks with his Libyan counterpart, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who was elected in February along with a four-member presidential council. The election was part of a U.N.-sanctioned roadmap to take Libya into general elections in December. Sanchez said he was pleased to reopen the embassy after Spain "had spent seven years without representation in a Mediterranean country of such importance." He added that unlike other European consulates, the Spanish consular team will be authorized to expedite visas on behalf of Libyans to improve mobility between the two Mediterranean countries. "I hope today's visit marks a positive turning point and paves the way for more cooperation in this historical juncture that Libya stands at," Sanchez told reporters at a joint news conference before presiding over the ceremony of the reopening of the Spanish Embassy . Spain and other Western countries pulled out their diplomatic staff and closed their missions in Libya in 2014, following the escalation of violence between Islamic militias and government forces in Tripoli. Since then, the Spanish diplomatic staff in Libya was operating out of neighbouring Tunisia. Dbeibah welcomed the reopening, saying it shows "how serious Spain is about improving bilateral relations and strengthening its diplomatic presence in Libya." "We are looking forward to more positive steps and the lifting of the embargo imposed on Libyan airlines and the easing of issuing (travel) visas for Libyans," Dbeibah added. Libya has experienced years of conflict and chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. In recent years, oil-rich Libya has been split between a U.N.-supported government in Tripoli and rival authorities based in the country's east, each backed by armed groups and foreign governments. But an October cease-fire has stopped most of the violence and stipulated that all foreign mercenaries should leave. Since the election of Libya's new interim government in February, a series of senior European and American diplomats have visited the North African country, to express support for the new Libyan administration. France and Greece preceded Spain in reopening their embassies. Both Spanish and Libyan premiers said they had signed several memorandums of understanding to boost economic cooperation in various sectors such as health, infrastructure, agriculture, education, livestock and renewable energy. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The Pakistan police have resorted to a massive Lathi charge on government employees of several departments in Gilgit-Baltistan who were staging a sit-in protest outside the Chief Minister's house, demanding time-scale promotions and other incentives. There have several other cases of atrocities by the Pakistani government and the Pakistani army on the common people of the area. The government employees of Gilgit-Baltistan are demanding the right to promotion and incentives which has been given to the employees of the rest of Pakistan. On Friday morning, the employees had a meeting with the senior government officials, but the meeting did not end with a fruitful result, which led to the protest followed by lathi-charge and gas tearing on the protestors. Atrocities Continue In Gilgit-Baltistan Last month, people in Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan recently took to the streets against Islamabad's misrule, which they said has only worsened since the party of Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan got legislative control of the region. They accused Imran Khan and his party of discriminating against the people of Gilgit Baltistan by not providing them with the special packages they needed and were promised. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in 2020 about granting provisional provincial status to GB during the 73rd Independence Day celebrations. At the time, Khan had announced, One of the three reasons for me to come to Gilgit-Baltistan is to announce that we have decided to grant Gilgit-Baltistan the provisional Provincial status. We have taken this decision keeping in mind the UNs Security Councils resolutions. Pakistan led an illegitimate Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly elections in November 2020. (With Agency Inputs) Srinagar, Jun 3 (PTI) Making it clear that the onus of "building bridges" with India is on Pakistan, Army Chief General M M Naravane on Thursday said while the ceasefire continues, steps such as putting a stop to infiltration will help in building trust between the two countries. He said the longevity of the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan depends on the actions of the neighbouring country but asserted that there would be "no slackening" of preparedness as terror infrastructure across the border was intact. The army chief was talking to a select group of journalists after his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. In reply to a question about the ceasefire, agreed by India and Pakistan in February, he said, "As you know we had entered into an understanding with Pakistan at the end of February to observe a ceasefire along the LoC. The ceasefire as of now is holding and the responsibility or I may say the onus of making sure that the ceasefire holds is squarely on Pakistan. We are willing to observe the ceasefire as long as they do so." However, the army chief pointed out that while the ceasefire is on, the terror infrastructure and presence of terrorists on the other side of the LoC continue. "And therefore, there can be no slackening as far as we are concerned in our levels of preparedness and alertness," he made it clear. The army chief, who earlier visited the forward posts along the LoC, was asked whether Pakistan could be trusted with the ceasefire. He sought to make it clear saying "trust is a very difficult thing to come by and it takes a very long time to develop and there have been decades of mistrust between Pakistan and India and obviously the situation on that score cannot change overnight." He said that if they continue to observe ceasefire in letter and spirit, "if they desist from pushing in terrorists across and foment trouble in India, then all these small steps will definitely go incrementally to build up that trust between the two countries." "So, as I said, the onus is entirely on Pakistan to build up on whatever we have achieved so far." he said. Gen Naravane also made it clear that there was no troop reduction in the near future saying although the ceasefire is in place "we cannot, in any way, reduce our levels of alertness and preparedness". He pointed out that the Counter Infiltration Grid of the Army along the LoC and Counter Insurgency Grid keep on assessing the situation from time to time. "All these deployments are dynamic and they depend on the situation and the threat perception... If we feel that the situation permits, then definitely we do take recourse to pulling out some troops from active deployment to the rear areas so that they also get time for rest and relief as also for training but they will not be pulled out altogether," he said. The army chief also issued a message to the youths of Jammu and Kashmir, asking them to shun the path of violence saying that after a long time a situation has been reached where peace and tranquillity prevail and people are in a position to pursue their dreams and their aspirations. "So, my message not only for youth but everyone would be that it is only when we will have peace and tranquillity, there will be development and if there is development, we will be able to prosper together and therefore we should shun this path of violence. "It does not get you anywhere. You just need to see outside, how the world has moved on, how India has moved on and therefore embrace the future and the world over the future lies in shunning violence. And if you do that, it will only hasten the process of ushering a new era of development and prosperity," he said. On holding of the Amarnath Yatra this year, Gen Naravane said that he had been briefed about the situation by the commanders and "I am glad to say that all the parameters we judge normalcy by have seen great improvement". "... We are from our side prepared and we have taken all the necessary steps for the smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra. Of course, the decision to conduct the yatra or not lies with the civil administration but we are ready from our side." About the situation in the valley, he said the entire nation wanted peace and tranquillity to prevail in this region. "In this overall gamut, the role of Army is to bring down levels of violence to an extent where the civil administration and the local security forces can then play the role...that is where the role of Army lies, the two works in sync with the local administration and all the other forces who are here, the ultimate aim of course being to bring down the levels of violence so that peace and development can take place." The army chief also indicated re-calibrating the "Sadhbhavna" project under which the army used to build buildings for local panchayats, schools, tube wells, bridges and take children out on nationwide tours. "We have been doing Sadbhavna projects for more than two decades. Every idea which includes Sadbhavna had its relevance in a point of time....But as the situation has improved and as the administration is now being able to reach out in far flung areas, we will now also change our strategy and recalibrate Sadbhavna activities in sync with the local administration so that we do not do duplicate effort," he said. PTI MIJ SKL ZMN ZMN (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on Friday. The meeting came six weeks after an emergency regional summit on the country's ongoing crisis following its military coup. The last talks drew promises that a solution would be worked towards but has produced no tangible results. Earlier this week, an Indonesian diplomat said the delegation's purpose was to seek Myanmar's approval of an ASEAN special envoy for the crisis, who is yet to be named. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the choice of the envoy involved both sides, making progress slow. Friday's meeting received a cool response from members of Myanmar's opposition shadow government. National Unity Government spokesperson Dr. Sa Sa said the voices of the people of Myanmar "must be heard" during any negotiations on the country's future. The appointment of an ASEAN envoy was one of five points agreed to at the regional summit in Jakarta in April. The summit was attended by junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, over the objection of opponents who said his presence legitimised his power grab. An agreement was reached to immediately end the violence, start a dialogue between the contending parties, have that dialogue mediated by the special envoy and allow in humanitarian aid. None has happened yet. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Brunei is taking the lead in negotiating with the Myanmar junta because it currently holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The US government has again speculated on the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, it is the US who played the shameless trick of a thief crying out "Stop thief". The US biological lab Fort Detrick is inextricably linked with the Unit 731, a covert biological and chemical warfare research and development unit of the Imperial Japanese Army. The US Army established a biological warfare research base in Detrick, Maryland in April 1943. In case of escaping public attention, the base was named Field Camp Detrick. This is the predecessor of Fort Detrick. Since September 1945US had successively sent several experts on biological warfare at Fort Detrick in the following years to investigate the bacteria warfare in Japan and even contact the main members of Unit 731, including the leader of Unit 731,Shiro Ishii, to learn about biological warfare. In September 1947, the US State Department instructed Douglas MacArthur, the then Supreme Commander of the US troops in Japan, that to obtain the biological experiment data held by Ishii and others, the US would not hold Ishii and his associates responsible for war crimes. In the following years to the end of Tokyo Trial in November 1948, a secret deal was reached between the US and Japan. On the condition of exempting Unit 731 war criminals, the US obtained data on Unit 731's human experiments, bacteria experiments, germ warfare and poison gas experiments, and paid 250,000 yen for this. These data and information include a large number of experimental reports of Unit 731, as well as more than 8,000 pathological specimens and videos related to the use of biological weapons on living human experiments and living human anatomy. The archives show that the cover of the reports on the experiments conducted by Unit 731 on Burkholderia mallei, Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis all have the words related to the Biological Warfare Laboratory, Fort Detrick, Maryland. To obtain biological experiment data, the US covered up for World War II war criminals and concealed the monstrous crimes of Shiro Ishii and Unit 731 from the world. In August 2017, a documentary broadcast by NHK in Japan showed that protected by the US, almost no members of Unit 731 received any punishment for their crimes. After the US obtained these bloody data, they used it to conduct biological weapons research, which promoted the rapid development and growth of Fort Detrick after World War II. Fort Detrick became a Bio-Safety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory of the US military. Malaysia reported 7748 new COVID-19 cases taking the overall tally to 603,122 on June 4. Another 86 coronavirus deaths were reported by the Health Ministry (MOH) with the fatalities now at 3,182 cumulatively. Three cases of COVID-19 deaths were reported among children under five-years-old in the first five months of 2021, Malaysian director-general of health, Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement on June 3. He also said that 27 children have already been admitted to paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) so far this year, and 19 of them were below five years old. Surge in COVID-19 cases in Malaysia Dr Noor Hisham said that he hopes that all parties, especially parents and guardians of young children, can play an important role in protecting kids with low immunity such as infants and children. According to Malaysian Health Ministry, from May 24 to June 4, a total of 19 cases of new variants of coronavirus were reported of which all were Variants of Concern (VOC) which included 4 cases of Delta variant B.1.617.2 and 15 cases of Beta variant B.1.351. Malaysian director-general of health, Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, has urged people to stay at home to control the spread of virus. In his tweet, he mentioned that Selangor again reported the highest COVID-19 cases with 2,612 new cases, followed by Kuala Lumpur with 851, while Negri Sembilan has 709 and Sarawak with 706 new coronavirus cases. In the first four days of June, there has been 386 COVID-19 related deaths. Dari 24 Mei 2021 hingga 4 Jun 2021, sebanyak 19 kes varian baharu virus SARS-CoV-2 yang dilaporkan di mana kesemuanya adalah Variant of Concern (VOC) iaitu 4 kes varian Delta (B.1.617.2) dan 15 kes varian Beta (B.1.351) - @DGHisham KKMalaysia (@KKMPutrajaya) June 4, 2021 Amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced a two-week lockdown from June 1 to June 14. Malls and many businesses in Malaysia remained shut on June 2. Businesses will remain closed for two weeks until June 14, except for those in 17 essential sectors including banking, media, food and beverage. The manufacturing sector is also allowed to operate at 60 per cent capacity, including electrical and electronics and oil and gas, according to AP. The plantation, agriculture, fishery and critical construction sectors have also been allowed to function. Restaurants have been allowed to stay open for pick-up and delivery services. Only two persons from a household can travel to buy essentials within a 10 kilometer radius. IMAGE: Pixabay/AP Inputs from AP As China has continued to quash any discussion on its bloody 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, people in Dhaka held protests inside and outside the Baitul Mukarram Mosque on June 4. The protestors were seen wearing blue masks, representing Uighur repression and human rights violation by China. Nearly 32 years ago, on this day, Chinese troops armed with assault rifles and tanks fired at the demonstrators and those trying to black the military's advance into Tiananmen Square, the 'unknown protester' captured in the iconic photograph where a man is blocking a line of tanks from advancing becoming a symbol of a citizen's defiance against totalitarian aggression. The topic, however, remains a matter largely scrubbed from China's own version of its history. 4 June Tiananmen Square Massacre: Protests in Dhaka Calling out China over the Tiananmen Square incident and the continuance of what it symbolised, protests were also held near the National Museum in Dhaka. During the protests, demonstrators were also seen wearing "Boycott Olympics 2022" - the winter games which are scheduled to take place in Beijing. A street play was also performed by the protestors at Shahbagh junction near Dhaka University and a candlelight vigil also followed to mark the June 4 massacre at Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen Square Massacre The Tiananmen Square protests, known as the June Fourth Incident in China, were student-led demonstrations held in Tiananmen Square, Beijing in 1989. In what is known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre, troops armed with assault rifles and accompanied by tanks fired at the demonstrators and those trying to block the military's advance into Tiananmen Square. The protests started on April 15 and were forcibly suppressed on June 4 when the government declared martial law and sent the People's Liberation Army to occupy parts of central Beijing. Estimates of the death toll vary from several hundred to several thousand, with thousands more wounded. (Image: Republicworld.com) Fight against terrorism, illegal immigration and stabilisation in Libya and Middle East, were among the main topics discussed between the Tunisian and French prime ministers on Thursday during the visit of the French delegation to the North African country. Jean Castex met Tunisian President Kais Saied and later with his counterpart Hichem Mechichi in the capital of the country, where both delegations signed several agreements. "I recalled the need, for France as well as for its European partners, to strengthen cooperation with Tunisia in the area of migration and in particular the indispensable control of irregular migration flows" said Castex during a joint news conference in Tunis. Illegal migration is one of the main concerns of the European Union and has been on the top of the negotiations between Europe and several African countries. On Tuesday, just one day before the arrival of the French PM, two fragile boats loaded with migrants, one that pushed off from Libya, foundered off the coast of Tunisia, and two bodies were recovered and as many as 20 others disappeared, officials said on Wednesday. The local office of the International Organization for Migration said that 20 people disappeared or died in the two separate incidents on Tuesday. The incidents were the latest in a series involving migrants trying to make their way to Europe who were rescued, drowned or disappeared off the coast of the North African country. Hichem Mechichi, the Tunisian Prime Minister, said that it was necessary for an "integrated" approach to manage an organised migration. Increase in cooperation to fight against terrorism and to work for the stabilisation in Libya and the Middle East were also on the table during the meeting between the French and Tunisian authorities. France also reiterated its promise to help Tunisia in the fight against the COVID-19 and to support the economic reforms needed to overcome the crisis deepened by the pandemic. Thursday was the last of the two days visit to the North African country, where the French delegation also met with businessmen from both countries. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro lashed out against the United States on Thursday for not including Venezuela in a group of countries who will be given donated COVID-19 vaccines. President Joe Biden had announced earlier in the day the U.S. will donate a first batch of 25 million shots to strengthen vaccination capacities in Central and South America, Asia, Africa and other regions where the acquisition of vaccines has been scarce. "Joe Biden's government is going to donate vaccines to the world but that they are not going to donate vaccines to Venezuela," said Maduro during a televised event. "They have a hatred for us, low, miserable feelings." "We reiterate our willingness to resolve the humanitarian crisis facing Venezuela, which is why we have donated more than 1.2 billion dollars," said James Story, the head of the U.S. office for Venezuelan affairs in Bogota, in a written statement. Story "categorically" denied the United States "will not donate vaccines" to Venezuela. Maduro's government broke off relations with the United States in 2019, arguing Washington was pushing plans to destabilize his government and force his overthrow. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) London, Jun 3 (PTI) The family of Christian Michel, based in the UK and France, on Thursday expressed concern for his well-being amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in India and urged the British government to intervene on behalf of the VVIP chopper scam accused being held in Tihar Jail in New Delhi. Alaric and Alois Michel, the sons of the British middleman who was extradited to India from the UAE over a controversial helicopter deal, said they were increasingly concerned for their fathers well-being amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the countrys prisons and his medical condition involving kidney stones. "It has been extremely hard on us, especially our 17-year-old sister. We are concerned for our fathers well-being given the COVID-19 pandemic and his medical condition, 26-year-old Alaric said during an online press conference organised by Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers in London. "India is somewhere our father considered home for many years, added 24-year-old Alois. The Indian government maintains that all procedures were followed in the extradition case. Michels legal team, however, alleges that he was handed over to the Indian authorities as a quid pro quo for the return of Princess Latifa the daughter of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. On February 26, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention expressed concerns and delivered an opinion that the process by which Christian Michel was extradited to India did not follow due process, thereby amounting to an unlawful rendition, which his lawyers say represents a flagrant attempt to disregard international protocols that relate to extradition. "Thus, the UN WGAD ruled that he is being arbitrarily detained contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ordering his immediate release, they noted. India had rejected the opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, saying the conclusions drawn by the UN panel are based on limited information, biased allegations and an inaccurate understanding of its criminal justice system. India also made it clear that the Working Group is not a judicial body, and therefore, its opinions are not legally binding on the member states. On February 26, the Ministry of External Affairs said the Indian government provided timely information on this issue to the Working Group in June 2020, at their request. "We regret that the conclusions drawn by the Working Group are based on limited information, biased allegations from an unidentified source and on an inaccurate understanding of Indias criminal justice system," a MEA spokesman said. The extradition was done entirely in accordance with the provisions of the extradition treaty signed between two sovereign states, the spokesman said, adding that the arrest and subsequent custody were done as per the due process of law and cannot be considered arbitrary on any grounds. "At no time was the accused denied his rights to legal counsel or a fair hearing. The fact that he has been able to approach Courts on multiple occasions including the higher judiciary is itself proof of this. There have also been no restrictions on consular access by the authorities. He has been treated at par as other detainees and provided all facilities by the prison authorities as per rules," the MEA Spokesperson said. India, as a responsible member of the Human Rights Council, will continue to cooperate with the Working Group and provide it with the necessary information to the extent possible under Indian laws, to promote and protect human rights of all, the spokesperson said. During a direct appeal to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday, Michels sons and lawyers called upon the UK government to follow up with India on honouring the UN Working Group direction. "It is for India to decide whether it wishes to stand on the side of democratic countries that honour their UN commitment or not, said Toby Cadman of Guernica 37. In January, Michel wrote a 35-page letter to Johnson, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel, calling on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to intervene in his case, explaining how his extradition was motivated by political reasons. His legal team has called on the FCDO to take immediate steps to intervene and urged both the government of India and the UAE to implement the UN recommendations. "His life is indeed in peril and the grave violations of his human rights are indeed an affront to the very essence of human dignity, his lawyers say. Meanwhile, Michel has been refused bail several times and his case is currently going through a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court. France-based human rights lawyer Francois Zimeray said that as Michel was a European Union (EU) citizen at the time of his arrest, his team would look at raising the case with the European Commission which could prove a stone in bilateral relations between India and the EU. Michel was working in the UAE as a consultant for a subsidiary of the Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland, itself a subsidiary of aerospace and defence group Finmeccanica. He was accused of arranging kickbacks to Indian officials to secure a deal for the company to supply New Delhi with 12 helicopters in 2010. He has been in jail ever since he was brought on a special plane from Dubai after UAE authorities handed him over to the Indian government in December 2018. PTI AK ZH AKJ ZH ZH (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Each year Lake Oroville helps water a quarter of the nation's crops, sustain endangered salmon beneath its massive earthen dam and anchor the tourism economy of a Northern California county that must rebuild seemingly every year after unrelenting wildfires. But now the mighty lake a linchpin in a system of aqueducts and reservoirs in the arid U.S. West that makes California possible is shrinking with surprising speed amid a severe drought, with state officials predicting it will reach a record low later this summer. While droughts are common in California, this year's is much hotter and drier than others, evaporating water more quickly from the reservoirs and the sparse Sierra Nevada snowpack that feeds them. The state's more than 1,500 reservoirs are 50% lower than they should be this time of year, according to Jay Lund, co-director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California-Davis. Over Memorial Day weekend, dozens of houseboats sat on cinderblocks at Lake Oroville because there wasn't enough water to hold them. Blackened trees lined the reservoir's steep, parched banks. In nearby Folsom Lake, normally bustling boat docks rested on dry land, their buoys warning phantom boats to slow down. Campers occupied dusty riverbanks farther north at Shasta Lake. But the impacts of dwindling reservoirs go beyond luxury yachts and weekend anglers. Salmon need cold water from the bottom of the reservoirs to spawn. The San Francisco Bay needs fresh water from the reservoirs to keep out the salt water that harms freshwater fish. Farmers need the water to irrigate their crops. Businesses need reservoirs full so people will come play in them and spend money. And everyone needs the water to run hydroelectric power plants that supply much of the state's energy. If Lake Oroville falls below 640 feet (195 meters) which it could do by late August state officials would shut down a major power plant for just the second time ever because of low water levels, straining the electrical grid during the peak demand of the hottest part of the summer. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The FBI joined Las Vegas police Thursday to offer a $10,000 reward for information just to identify a boy whose body was found hidden near the main highway between Las Vegas and rural Pahrump. Police have said it's clear the child was killed, but haven't disclosed how. They say they think he was between 8- and 12-years-old and was from somewhere in southern Nevada or nearby Southern California. The FBI and Las Vegas police have also released digitally enhanced images of the boy as they seek information about the identity of the child. They are at present referring to the boy as John "Little Zion" Doe. Las Vegas police Lt. Ray Spencer said homicide detectives have checked hundreds of tips following earlier appeals since hikers found the body May 28 off a trail near State Route 160 in the Mountain Springs area. Spencer says the body was probably left after dark May 27. A Las Vegas father who was detained by authorities Saturday while on a camping trip with his two sons in central Utah has called for an apology from police for initiating a search for himself and his 11-year-old son. Jose Montes-Herrera met Wednesday with reporters at his lawyer's office and said he wants to clear his name. Police said Montes-Herrera's 8-year-old son was mistakenly identified by his mother as the boy seen in images distributed to the media. Spencer said investigators were acting in the best interests of the children with information they had at the time. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Washington, Jun 3 (PTI) US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday made her first phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inform him the decision of the Biden Administration to send tens of thousands of doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines to India. Vice President Harris spoke this morning to Prime Minister Modi, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei and Prime Minister Keith Rowley, Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). "In four separate calls, the Vice President notified each of the leaders that the Biden-Harris Administration will begin sharing the first 25 million doses of COVID vaccines to their respective countries and others, as part of the Biden-Harris Administrations framework for sharing at least 80 million vaccines globally by the end of June, her Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson Symone Sanders said. The Vice President reiterated that the Administrations efforts are focused on achieving broad global coverage, responding to surges and other urgent situations and public health needs, and helping as many countries as possible who requested vaccines, the spokesperson said. The four leaders thanked her, and they agreed to continue working together to address COVID-19 and advance our mutual interests around the world, Sanders added. Earlier, President Joe Biden announced that the US will allocate 75 per cent - nearly 1.9 crore of the first tranche of 2.5 crore doses - of unused COVID-19 vaccines from its stockpile through the UN-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing programme to countries in South and Southeast Asia as well as Africa as part of his administrations framework for sharing 80 million (8 crore) vaccines globally by the end of June. According to a White House fact sheet, nearly 19 million vaccines will be shared through COVAX. Of these approximately six million for South and Central America to the following countries: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Haiti, and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, as well as the Dominican Republic. Approximately seven million for Asia to the following countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands, it said. Approximately five million for Africa to be shared with countries that will be selected in coordination with the African Union. The White House said approximately six million will be targeted toward regional priorities and partner recipients, including Mexico, Canada, and the Republic of Korea, West Bank and Gaza, Ukraine, Kosovo, Haiti, Georgia, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as for United Nations frontline workers. The country-wise allocation of the vaccine doses was not made public. According to the White House, the sharing of millions of US vaccines with other countries signals a major commitment by the US government. "Just like in the United States, we will move as expeditiously as possible, while abiding by US and host country regulatory and legal requirements, to facilitate the safe and secure transport of vaccines across international borders, it said. "This will take time, but the President has directed the Administration to use all the levers of the US government to protect individuals from this virus as quickly as possible. The specific vaccines and amounts will be determined and shared as the Administration works through the logistical, regulatory and other parameters particular to each region and country," said the White House. PTI LKJ ZH ZH (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Thursday said that the Biden administration has made a commitment" to dispatch the coronavirus vaccine doses to regional partner and key ally India. This comes as the US President reaffirmed his commitment to leading an international and coordinated vaccination effort, announcing that he will donate 80 million COVID-19 vaccines the 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines previously announced and an additional 20 million doses by the end of June. "The President made a commitment to ensure that India received doses and giving them, not just an allocation under the regional portion of this, through WHOs COVAX, but an additional allocation from our discretionary portion was something that he wanted to do," Jake Sullivan told the White House briefing. Going forward, the US will also coordinate with the G7 partners, the EU, COVAX, and others to coordinate a multilateral effort focused on ending the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. NSA to President Joe Biden said that the US approach has been to prioritize South and Southeast Asia, including countries like India, Nepal, the Philippines, and others that are undergoing surges right now. "portion of those doses will go to India, which has, obviously, dealt with a surge, and we've seen the gripping images coming from that country. 19 million to be shared via COVAX The US announced the proposed allocation plan for the first 25 Million doses, of which 19 million will be shared through COVAX. Approximately 7 million doses will be dispatched to Asia, including India. Just like in the United States, we will move as expeditiously as possible, the Biden-Harris administration said in a release. Sullivan told reporters that the portion of the total allocated doses will go to India, which has, obviously, dealt with a surge, and we've seen the gripping images coming from that country. Earlier this morning, US Vice president Kamala D. Harris spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as she reiterated that the Biden administrations efforts are focused on achieving broad global coverage of the COVID-19 vaccines, responding to surges and other urgent situations and public health needs. She informed that the US will be sharing the first 25 million doses of COVID vaccines with the respective countries as part of the Biden-Harris administrations framework for sharing at least 80 million vaccines globally. A spokesman for the US State Department says that the United States' "ironclad support for Israel will remain" regardless of what government is in place, and the US goal is to ensure 'that both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy equal measures of security." Ned Price made the remarks at a news briefing Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opponents pushed for a quick parliamentary vote to formally end his lengthy rule. "Regardless of what government is in place, our stalwart support, our iron-clad support for Israel will remain," Price said. He added, "we are talking about equal measures of safety and security for Israelis and Palestinians, and on the Israeli side, the Iron Dome is an important element of that equation." Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz is in Washington, seeking a reaffirmation of U.S. security commitments to Israel. Thursday's trip comes as Israel weathers its greatest domestic political upheaval in years, as well as the aftermath of last month's resurgence of war with Hamas militants in Gaza. A key aim of Gantz's visit is believed to be securing U.S. pledges of funding to help restock Israel's Iron Dome. The sophisticated missile defense system smacked down many of the more than 4,000 rockets that Hamas militants fired toward Israel last month. The Biden administration pledged ongoing support for Iron Dome on the eve of Gantz's visit. Price also discussed ongoing negotiations with Iran over the country's nuclear program. He emphasized that some challenges remain after the fifth round of talks that ended Wednesday but said progress has been made even though the talks are indirect, and Iran still rejects direct discussions with the United States. "There are some hurdles that remain that we haven't been able to overcome in those five rounds," he said. "These are indirect negotiations; these are complex issues. There is no lack of distrust between and among Iran and the other partners and allies with whom we're working on this." "We've always said that this will be a set of negotiations that spans multiple rounds, we expect there will be a sixth," Price said. European diplomats say the latest round of talks over Iran's nuclear program has made progress, expressing hope that agreement could soon be reached for Tehran to comply with a 2015 deal aimed at curbing its atomic ambitions and also see the United States rejoin the accord. Enrique Mora, the European Union official who chaired Wednesday's talks in Vienna, said delegations from Russia, China, Germany, France, Britain, Iran and the U.S. would return home to brief their governments and then meet again in the Austrian capital next week. Other European diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to be quoted by name, described the talks in Vienna as "intense and productive," but cautioned that they would become more difficult as delegates tackle harder issues. While progress had been made and important aspects of a future deal had been hammered out, the diplomats said that tough decisions lie ahead and nothing would be agreed until everything was agreed. Asked about the United Nations' atomic watchdog this week stating that it hasn't been able to access data important to monitoring Iran's nuclear program since late February, Mora said delegations had "taken note" of the report. Iran started limiting inspections in a bid to put pressure on the government of U.S. President Joe Biden to lift crippling sanctions reimposed after then-President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, in 2018. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Washington, Jun 4 (PTI) Top American lawmakers, industry groups and Indian Americans on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Biden Administration to send 25 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to other countries, including India. This is a good first step. I continue to urge the administration to ramp up its global vaccine distribution with a plan that considers urgent need and regional priorities and I look forward to the next batch being allocated quickly, Senator Mitt Romney said Thursday. Countries like Taiwan and India are in desperate need of COVID-19 vaccines, so Im pleased that the administration is moving into the implementation stage of its global vaccine distribution plan. US vaccines are far safer and more effective than those coming out of China or Russia, Romney said. Congresswoman Grace Meng commended the Biden Administration for unveiling the United States plan to share COVID-19 vaccines with other nations, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries in Asia. If we are going to defeat COVID-19 and move past this pandemic, we must fight this virus not just here at home but across the globe and I applaud President Biden and his administration for proceeding with his commitment to do so, said Meng. These donations of vaccines are urgently needed. They will save lives and help with the worlds recovery and I thank the President and his administration for hearing the pleas that I and others made for sharing vaccines with these other countries. I look forward to seeing the help that these vaccine distributions will provide and Ill be monitoring the situation closely, the Congresswoman said. The US Chamber of Commerce in a statement welcomed the efforts to boost global vaccine manufacturing and expand vaccine access, including the decision to distribute nearly 19 million doses through the COVAX coalition and provide millions of additional doses directly to countries in need. "As countries around the globe struggle to manage the health crisis, we know that more can and must be done. As production exceeds demand in the United States, the administration should release additional doses into the global supply, said Myron Brilliant, executive vice-president and head of international affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce. "The good news: For months, vaccine producers have been scaling up production exponentially and sharing intellectual property with manufacturers via licenses to boost global capacity. These collaborations rather than the risky move to circumvent them via IP waivers will be key to vaccinating billions worldwide, he said. Congresswoman Young Kim said that the US has provided PPE, medical equipment, therapeutics and raw vaccine materials to India over the past month. However, with new infections daily and an overwhelmed health infrastructure, India needs help to ramp up its vaccine production capabilities and we can and should help, she said. Diaspora advocacy group, IMPACT welcomed the decision. We are thankful the administration has responded to the pleas of the Indian American community. But with over one billion people in India still waiting to get access to vaccines, we must do much, much more. The US will have a surplus of nearly 300M vaccines by July and President Biden should act swiftly to send those doses to countries in dire need such as India, said Neil Makhija, executive director at IMPACT. Dr Vijay G Prabhakar, a public health physician described it as a huge positive step forward for US-India relations. Yes the quantum is lower than what we have been asking for but we wholeheartedly welcome this initial shipment to India in June, he said in a statement. Welcoming the decision, Dr R D Prabhu from Las Vegas in Nevada said that this will go a long way in helping the people of India to successfully fight against COVID-19. PTI LKJ RDK RDK (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a global allocation plan for sharing at least 80 million COVID-19 vaccine doses with the world by the end of June, and a plan for donation of the first 25 million doses via the UN-backed COVAX. At a White House press briefing, the US President said, By the end of June, the United States will share 80 million doses of our vaccine supply with the world, adding that the US has shared more than 4 million doses of vaccine with Canada and Mexico, already. At least 75 percent of those dosesnearly 19 millionwill be shared through COVAX. Of these, approximately 6 million doses will be allocated for Latin America and the Caribbean, 7 million for South and Southeast Asia, and approximately 5 million for Africa, in coordination with the African Union and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Tune in as I give an update on our COVID-19 response and the vaccination program. https://t.co/4oDkf78IhC President Biden (@POTUS) June 2, 2021 The remaining doses, just over 6 million, will be shared directly with countries experiencing surges, those in crisis, and other partners and neighbours, including Canada, Mexico, India, and the Republic of Korea, the US President announced, Thursday. He continued, that the US is not sharing the 75 percent of its remaining vaccines to secure favours or extract concessions. We are sharing these vaccines to save lives. The US also pledged to ramp up the multilateral effort, including through the G7, to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic. It committed $4 billion to support COVAX and launched partnerships to boost global capacity for the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines. The allocation of the first tranche of donated jabs is aimed at boosting supply and access to the countries in urgent need, with a priority on vaccinating frontline workers. At least 5 million doses will be shared with Africa, particularly with countries that will be selected in coordination with the African Union. An additional 6 million will be allocated for Mexico, Canada, and the Republic of Korea, West Bank and Gaza, Ukraine, Kosovo, Haiti, Georgia, Egypt, Jordan, India, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as for United Nations (UN) frontline workers. An additional 7 million doses allocated for Asia (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands). My administration supports efforts to temporarily waive intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines because, over time, we need more companies producing life-saving doses of proven vaccines that are shared equitably, US President Joe Biden said at a White House briefing on June 3. COVAX received just 76 million doses, so far A total of 6 million vaccines will be allocated for South and Central America to the following countries: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Haiti, and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, as well as the Dominican Republic. The allocation is expected to boost vaccine equity and availability under WHOs COVAX that has received just 76 million doses, so far. US global vaccine sharing plan comes as nearly 63 percent of adults have received the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. The US president plans to donate 20 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine, and 60 million domestically manufactured AstraZeneca jabs which are yet to be approved by the US FDA. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed spending $300 million in federal COVID-19 funding to help businesses pay workers $15 an hour. State grants would cover the difference between an employee's current hourly wage and $15 for three months, as long as the business commits to continuing the $15 wage for at least three additional months. The Democratic governor's office isn't immediately saying how many people would see bigger paychecks under the program, which would need approval from the Republican-controlled Legislature. "Hopefully, we can get the Legislature to do their appropriation job so we can deploy these resources," Whitmer said Thursday in Grand Rapids. "And this would be a great way to make sure that they get into communities and into our economy in a way that lifts people up as we recover from COVID." Negotiations over allocating billions in coronavirus aid are ongoing. Employers have been unable to add as many workers as they need. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email please call (208) 542-6777 for help. We get it. You don't want to see the ads. We'd just ask you to understand that those ads help us pay the bills and our reporters. Please, consider white-listing the Standard Journal in your ad-blocker or, even better, purchase a subscription so that you can help support quality local journalism. The 10 women fear that their husbands could contract COVID-19 in crowded prisons amid a nationwide outbreak. Cambodian police officers tussle with the 'Friday Wives' as they protest in front of the UN's human rights office in Phnom Penh, June 4, 2021. The wives of Cambodian opposition activists jailed on incitement charges were roughed up by police as they staged a protest Friday outside the U.N.s human rights office in Phnom Penh, demanding that the government drop the charges against their husbands and release them. The group of about 10 women known as the Friday Wives for their weekly rallies on behalf of their husbands from the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) demanded the release of their spouses following reports that the men had been infected with the coronavirus in prison. Several police officers roughly manhandled the women as they tried to pry large posters with their husbands images from their hands during the protest in the capitals Chamkar Mon district, the women said. Prum Chantha, one of the protesters, said it was beyond belief that police resorted to manhandling them while breaking up the group in front of the U.N.s office. They dared to abuse us in front of the U.N office This is very unjust for the family members of politicians, she said. The women submitted a petition to the U.N.s human rights office to intervene, saying that they were concerned about the health and safety of their husbands because they have been banned from communicating with them for the last three months while the pandemic has spread rapidly in Cambodia. They complained that their husbands are at risk for contracting the virus because they are being held in overcrowded prison cells and dont have enough food to eat. The women have said that authorities should allow them access to their detained spouses during the COVID-19 pandemic so that they can monitor their health. Dos Kimteang, another protester, told RFA that the women did not violate any laws by gathering because they did not impede traffic or disrupt social order, and that they adhered to the Health Ministrys guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. We never provoked any social chaos, she said. Please dont abuse us and then accuse us of violating the law. They gathered without permission A coronavirus outbreak has surged unabated through Cambodias prisons in recent weeks amid a nationwide outbreak. As of Friday, the government reported a total 33,075 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 886 news ones, and 242 total related fatalities. San Sok Seiha, spokesman for the Phnom Penh municipal police, said police prevented the women from gathering because they did not request official permission to assemble. But when RFA asked him to cite the regulation that requires people to ask for permission to hold public gatherings, he refused to elaborate. They gathered without permission, he said. This county has laws, so authorities are obligated to implement them. We cant let a few people to provoke problems in Phnom Penh city. On Friday, 20 civil society organizations and unions issued a statement repeating a call for the government to release all prisoners of conscience in light of the growing number of COVID-19 infections. In view of the reports of mounting COVID-19 cases within Cambodian prisons, compounded by prison overcrowding, we call on the RGC [Royal Government of Cambodia] to release all nonviolent prisoners of conscience as a mitigation measure to minimize the risk posed by the spread of the virus, the statement said. Soeung Sen Karuna, spokesman for the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) who monitored the Friday Wives protest, said that the police crackdown on the women in front of the U.Ns human rights office indicates a further decline of human rights in the Southeast Asian nation. This is yet more evidence showing that the authorities should consider their actions and coordinate them, so that people can express themselves and their demands, he said. It would give the government a better image. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Hundreds of people gathered in Hong Kong near the site of a banned candlelight vigil on , lighting up their phone flashlights as thousands of police turned out to guard the area and prevent anyone from getting through. Without talking to each other, the bystanders lit up their phones at around 8.00 p.m. outside the closed gates of Victoria park, at the time when the banned vigil marking the 32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre would have begun. The authorities had earlier warned that anyone wearing black, carrying flowers or candles, or chanting slogans could be deemed to have broken the ban, which the government claimed was issued under COVID-19 restrictions for the second year running. The silent gathering came as mourners and activists outside China marked the anniversary of the bloody crackdown by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) that ended weeks of peaceful, student-led mass protests on Tiananmen Square. At least 200 deaths have been documented in the three decades since the massacre, but a large-scale cover-up and official silence over the killings has meant the true toll has yet to come to light. Until 2020, Hong Kong was the last city on Chinese soil to mark the event, with regular vigils in Victoria Park attended by thousands of people. Candles were lit in multiple windows of the buildings housing the United States consulate and European Union office in Hong Kong. During a Mass for the Dead held on , outspoken bishop emeritus Cardinal Joseph Zen called on the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to face up to the wrongs done to its people in 1989. "It has been 32 years, and they are still not listening to the voice of the people," Zen said during his sermon, given to a full-capacity church. "Do those in power still think that it was justified to kill unarmed young people full of love for their country, for the so-called bigger picture?" he said. "If so, then the tragedy of , 1989 isn't going to fade from our minds; on the contrary. It is more likely to come into sharper and sharper focus," Zen said. Candles are seen lit in the windows of the United States Consulate on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of Beijing's deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989, in Hong Kong, June 4, 2021. Credit: AP 'Insecure and helpless' A man who attended the mass who gave only a surname, Wong, said he had attended the vigils in Victoria Park for the past 30 years. "They are so insecure and helpless that they daren't listen to the voice of the people," Wong told RFA. "They can't even tolerate the smallest dissenting voice." "I don't think this is issue is going to fade away ... Hongkongers were witnesses to that history," he said. "I don't think we're going to forget." Another churchgoer said many had turned up at mass because there was nowhere else to commemorate those who died now. "If people aren't allowed to go to Victoria Park, they will go to other places to commemorate this in future," the churchgoer said. "Facts are facts and can't be faked: history is history, and can't be changed." The mass came after police arrested Chow Hang-tung, chairperson of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, accusing her of having encouraged people to attend the banned vigil. Chow had told RFA that she had planned to go to Victoria Park and light a candle as an individual. Meanwhile, students at the University of Hong Kong gave an annual cleaning to a sculpture commemorating the crackdown titled the Pillar of Shame. Seven Catholic churches in Hong Kong offered a mass for the dead on , while several Protestant organizations held prayer and meditation meetings to honor those who died. Hong Kong's Victoria Park, where in past years tens of thousands of people gathered to honor those who died on June 4, 1989 when Chinas military put down student-led pro-democracy protests, stands empty after authorities banned the event, June 4, 2021. Remembrance is a crime Relatives of people killed in the 1989 Tiananmen massacre were escorted by state security police on to pay their respects to those who died in the bloody crackdown by the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Around 10 members of the Tiananmen Mothers victims' group laid offerings for their loved ones at Beijing's Wan'an Cemetery, closely watched by around 30 plainclothes police. In the brief ceremony that took less than an hour, police kept their distance, and didn't interrupt proceedings, mourners told RFA. Tiananmen Mothers members Zhang Xianling, Huang Xuefen, You Weijie and Huang Jinping were among the mourners, and were escorted through the north gate of the cemetery by plainclothes police, Zhang told RFA after the ceremony. "We got to the cemetery some time between 9.30 and 10.00 a.m., and we began prayers and offerings at 10.00 a.m.," she said. "Then the family members made their individual offerings to their loved ones." "There were probably about 30 police there , all plainclothes, scattered around the cemetery in twos and threes," she said. "There were around a dozen of us. I don't remember there being so many people around in previous years." Tiananmen Mothers spokeswoman You Weijie gave a eulogy to those who died when the PLA deployed tanks and automatic weapons against mostly unarmed civilians. "The eight relatives you have come here to mourn were in the flower of their youth, and driven by patriotic fervor," You told the group. "They were brutally murdered, and their young lives sacrificed." "As their relatives, we will never forget this tragedy, this pain that will never heal," she said. "All we can do is carry our grief deep within, wipe away our tears, and keep pleading for justice." On-line silence after police warnings Online, there was scant sign that the majority of China's population remembered, or was willing to be seen remembering, the bloody end to the 1989 student-led protest movement on Tiananmen Square and across China. Dissidents and rights activists who have previously been vocal on overseas social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter were silent, presumably warned off posting by state security police. A resident of Qufu city surnamed Kong said is a key date for China's "stability maintenance" machinery, which is tasked with preventing public displays of dissent or actions that could threaten the CCP's grip on power. "It's obvious that there is a huge amount of domestic surveillance happening," Kong said. "There are hardly any candle emoticons on WeChat." "In previous years, there was always the odd image that [the censors] missed, but there was nothing at all this year," he said. "Internet censorship is highly effective now, and it is particularly so this year." Kong said some of his associates are currently under "stability maintenance" measures, starting last week. "Some have been forced to leave their hometowns to work elsewhere ... some by the state security police, who have been bundling people away on trips," he said. "They are being warned to keep quiet and not to cause any trouble." Enforced 'vacations' for activists Nanjing-based citizen journalist Lin is currently on an enforced "vacation," while Hunan-based online activist Mididixiang is under close surveillance, RFA has learned. Dozens of other activists across China have been forced to take supervized "vacations" ahead of the 32nd anniversary of the massacre. The New York-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the CCP to "take responsibility" for the massacre, and to permit public commemorations to take place. "The government has never accepted responsibility for the massacre or held any officials legally accountable for the killings," it said. "It has been unwilling to conduct an investigation into the events or release data on those who were killed, injured, forcibly disappeared, or imprisoned." The Tiananmen Mothers have documented the details of 202 people who were killed during the suppression of the movement in Beijing and other cities, HRW said. Both HRW and HRIC called for a concerted international response to China's ongoing rights abuses, including the mass incarceration of Uyghurs and other Turkic-speaking people in camps in Xinjiang. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. would "continue to stand with the people of China as they demand that their government respect universal human rights." "We honor the sacrifices of those killed 32 years ago, and the brave activists who carry on their efforts in the face of ongoing government repression," he said. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Clearfield, PA (16830) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight A few thunderstorms this evening. Mostly clear skies late. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Chinland Defense Force fighters rest in an undisclosed location after weeks of fighting heavily armed Myanmar regime forces, in an undated photo. At least three soldiers were killed, and two militia members injured during clashes in western Myanmars Magway and Sagaing regions Thursday, as fighting between the junta and civilian forces showed no sign of abating some four months after the military toppled the countrys democratically elected government. Junta troops set up camp near the Shwe Aung Thar village monastery between the Magway townships of Kyaukhtu and Hteelin, along the border of neighboring Chin state, at around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, prompting a unit of the Chinland Defense Force (CDF) to attack their position early on Thursday, a member of the CDF told RFAs Myanmar Service. Last night, two military trucks carrying about 50 to 60 troops entered the village and took up positions at the monastery in the village, said the CDF member, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal. The CDF attacked early this morning, at about 5:30 a.m., and the fighting ended at around 7:00 a.m. The military suffered between three and seven killed, and four others were injured in the fighting. Our forces later retreated when [the military] began using heavy weapons against us. According to the source, another skirmish took place in the afternoon, but resulted in no casualties. He said that with more than 50 military troops currently stationed at the monastery, more fighting is expected in coming days. A network of volunteers formed in April, the CDF are taking on Myanmars armythe second largest in Southeast Asiawith slingshots and the same crude flintlock Tumee rifles their forefathers used to fight off British colonizers in the 1880s. The CDF said it had killed some 100 junta troops between March and May. Following the Feb. 1 coup, most Chins joined compatriots across Myanmar in daily street protests, only to be met by deadly military violence that has killed nearly 850 civilians nationwide. In the three months to May 1 alone, 28 civilians in Chin state were killed and more than 200 were arrested, according to the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO). Trucks bringing soldiers A similar clash took place Thursday in Sagaing regions Kalay township, according to a member of the Kalay Peoples Defense Force (PDF), although no one was killed in the fighting. The PDF member, who also declined to be named, told RFA that the military entered an area between Kalays Doe Nwe and Ashay See villages in five trucks last night. The fighting started just after 10:00 p.m. Two of our men were slightly injuredone was hit by a bullet in the hand and the other by shrapnel, he said. [The military] fired three rockets at us. They came in five trucks bringing in sixty-six soldiers. We have informers and spies in our village [who gave us warning]. Sources told RFA that the fighting in Kalay township had caused residents of four nearby villages to flee into the jungle, adding to a growing refugee population in the area. They said that since the Feb. 1 coup, there have been at least seven clashes between the PDF and the military. RFA was unable to reach Myanmars Deputy Information Minister Zaw Min Tun Thursday and could not independently confirm the reports of fighting and casualties in Sagaing and Magway. The Thailand-based rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says that 845 civilians have been killed and more than 4,500 people have been arrested since the military coup. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Residents believe the coronavirus is spreading via illegal border crossings with nearby India. Masked protesters take part in a demonstration in Chin state where a civilian defense force has clashed with the military, May 16, 2021. Six people have died from COVID-19 in northwest Myanmars Chin state over the past five days, including three since Wednesday, according to officials, who are struggling to contain an outbreak along the countrys border with coronavirus-ravaged India. The outbreak comes as Chin, Myanmars poorest state, is wracked with armed conflict between local militias that have risen up to fight the military junta that deposed the countrys civilian government four months ago, and a doctor shortage from a nationwide work stoppage by professionals to oppose the army regime. In the townships of Tonzang and Cikha, bordered to the north and west by the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram, a pregnant woman died of the disease caused by the coronavirus on Sunday, a Christian priest died on Tuesday, and three others died on Wednesday. A person in nearby Falam township died of COVID-19 on Wednesday after being diagnosed with the disease a day earlier, authorities said. Tonzang and Cikha now account for the lions share of the 183 recorded COVID-19 infections throughout Chin state, the director of Tonzang hospital told RFAs Myanmar Service. Currently, there are 167 people [infected in the two townships]," he said, adding that his hospital had been inundated with patients and is experiencing a critical shortage of healthcare workers. Tonzang township is now designated as a stay-at-home area [as of May 28] and there are a lot of sick people right now. We dont have enough medical staff, although we have sufficient amounts of oxygen, thanks to donations. Still, we need more medicine. Several COVID-19 infections were first reported in Tonzang and Cikha on May 11 and the number of cases has quickly risen, with at least 82 reported on Monday alone, according to authorities. Residents of Cikha told RFA that authorities have had to close a testing site in the town hospital due to the sharp increase in patients. The hospitals are overcrowded, and people are no longer being admitted, one resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Nurses are visiting houses to give tests and only those in serious conditionsuch as needing a respiratorare taken in. A resident of Falam, where a 53-year-old woman died of COVID-19 on Wednesday, has reported 16 cases since May 20 and ordered lockdowns at the homes of people diagnosed with the disease. In the nearby township of Kalay, six patients were recently diagnosed with COVID-19 at the private Wesley Hospital, according to the facilitys superintendent Dr. Lalfakzuala. He said that the hospital was required to close temporarily after eight staff members were found to be infected. The townships public hospital is seriously understaffed, Lalfakzuala said, because many of the healthcare workers have joined the nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) to protest the militarys overthrow of the democratically elected government in a Feb. 1 coup. Residents of Kalay said that the entire township is under lockdown orders beginning Thursday. Border areas at risk Sources told RFA they believe that the coronavirus is spreading through Chin state by people who are illegally crossing the border with India, which has recorded the worlds second-highest rate of COVID-19 infections after the U.S. at 28.4 million and rising. The virus came from India, said one local resident. There have been many [unofficial] border crossings and people got infected. Chin state also accounts for roughly half of Myanmars 270-km (170-mile) border with Bangladesh. The first case of COVID-19 in Myanmar was detected in March 2020, and as of Wednesday, the Ministry of Health has recorded 143,629 cases and 3,219 deaths. According to Ministry of Health spokesman Khin Khin Gyi, at least 18.8 million of Myanmars 54 million people had received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, and authorities have more than a million doses in reserve. Before the February coup, around 15,000 people were being tested for COVID-19 each day, but only around 2,000 now receive tests daily, according to the juntas own statistics. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Prominent Uyghur scholar Abduweli Ayups brother and sister are serving time because of his activities abroad. Abduweli Ayup (R) with his wife and daughter while studying in the U.S., in a file photo. Chinese authorities have sentenced the brother and sister of a prominent exiled Uyghur scholar and linguist to several years in jail in Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), government and police officials in the region told RFA last month. The confirmation of the sentence comes on the heels of an RFA report confirming that scholar Abduweli Ayups niece, Mihray Erkin, had died at the Yanbulaq internment camp while being investigated by state security police in Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture. Abduweli Ayup is the founder of Uyghur Hjelp, a Norway-based Uyghur advocacy and aid organization which maintains a list of detained Uyghur intellectuals. Mihray Erkin was a graduate of Shanghais Jiao Tong University with a degree in plant biotechnology who had gone on to complete a related masters degree in Tokyo University before becoming a researcher at Japans Nara Institute of Science and Technology. She returned to the XUAR in August 2019 after authorities in Kashgar pressured her parents to call her home. In late 2020, RFA reported that Mihray Erkin was believed to have died while in detention in one of the XUARs vast network of internment camps, where authorities in the region are believed to have held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in a network of detention camps since early 2017. The report could not be independently confirmed at the time. Following confirmation of Mihray Erkins death, RFA asked authorities in the XUAR about her detained father, Erkin Ayup, and aunt, Sajidigul Ayup Abduweli Ayups brother and sister. Authorities detained Erkin Ayup in July 2017 and Sajidigul Ayup in September 2017, according to Abduweli. Sajidigul was detained when she was working at the No. 1 High School in Konisheher (Shufu) county, Kashgar prefecture, while Erkin was apprehended when he was working for the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) Konisheher county branch, Abduweli said. An official at the court in Konisheher in the XUAR declined to provide information on their cases over the phone, saying that they were sensitive issues. We cant talk about the cases, he told RFA on May 26 before abruptly ending the call. A Uyghur from Konisheher with knowledge of the situation told RFA on May 26 that Sajidigul and Erkin had been promoted to higher positions for performing their jobs well, but they were arrested for failing to demonstrate loyalty to authorities as expected. The Uyghur, who declined to be named out of fear for his safety, also said the pair were arrested because of Abduwelis activities in exile and that they were forced to denounce their brother at a public gathering in Toqquzaq township in Kashgars Konasheher county. Chinese authorities sentenced Sajidigul to 12 years in jail, while Erkin received a 14-year sentence, because their brother advocated for Uyghur human rights, he said. Police confirm jailing A police officer from Toqquzaq told RFA on May 26 that he was uncertain of the exact year of the verdict, but confirmed that Erkin had already been sentenced for various reasons, including mistakes he made while working for the Family Planning Committee. A second police officer in Toqquzaq told RFA the same day that Sajidigul is serving her 12-year sentence at the prison in Mush (Muxi), another Konisheher county township. A third police officer in Toqquzaq also confirmed the 12-year sentence. Abduweli told RFA on May 26 that his sister and brother are both CCP members and model government officials, and have been promoted several times. He also said that his siblings supported his Uyghur-language activities while he was in the XUAR. Sajidigal and Erkin were likely among the 72 Uyghurs in Kashgar who participated in the Uyghur-language activities and were arrested by Kashgar national security forces, Abduweli said. Abduweli said he received an email from Chinese authorities in mid-May notifying him that his nieces death and the jailing of his siblings were in retaliation for his activity in exile and meant to stop his human rights activity among members of the Uyghur diaspora. But he said it was impossible to stop his activities because of the prosecution of his family members and the ongoing persecution of Uyghurs in the XUAR. The recent news has strengthened his determination to provide a voice for Uyghurs held in the internment camps and to fight for their freedom and seek justice for them, Abduweli said. If these sacrifices, punishments, retaliations, psychological torture and mental oppression push us into a corner, repressing our voices, it will be a victory for the Chinese dictatorship, he said. The U.S. State Department as well as parliaments in Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, and Lithuania have described Chinas actions in the region as genocide, while Human Rights Watch says they constitute crimes against humanity. The Italian parliament voted unanimously last week to condemn Chinese atrocities against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples. In a commentary Thursday on the Project Syndicate website, Irwin Cotler, Canadas former attorney general and justice minister, and Yonah Diamond, legal counsel at the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights, said that state parties to the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention have a responsibility to prevent and hold China accountable for the crime, ensure justice for the victims, and end impunity for the violators. In March, following an independent examination of the situation in Xinjiang, more than 50 experts on international law, genocide, and the region agreed that the Chinese states atrocities rise to the level of genocide, they wrote. With all other paths to justice foreclosed, the responsibility falls on national governments to speak up for the victims and fulfill their obligations under the 1948 Convention to prevent and end complicity in the genocide. Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Having survived being shot, stabbed, and severely beaten in his home French city of Nantes, well-known Azerbaijani vlogger Mahammad Mirzali says hes receiving new warnings and that his life is in danger. The threats have escalated since he gave an interview to the Armenian news outlet CivilNet on May 31 during which the popular social-media opposition activist issued a rare call for peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Mirzali, 27, told the Armenian-based interviewer only months after Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region late last year: You are Armenian, I am Azerbaijani. Maybe there will be people in our countries who call us traitors. But it doesnt matter what they say. Our dialogue [now] is the germination of the first seed [of peace]. He added: After all, how long are we going to keep killing each other? It needs to be stopped. At another point in the interview, Mirzali compared his own country under authoritarian President Ilham Aliyev, with Armenia. To me you Armenians are happy, he said. At least you are free. We are crawling. [The Azerbaijani government] lied to us, saying that we won [the war against Armenia]. But where is that victory? Is it [considered] a victory that [we] let the Russian army into Nagorno-Karabakh? The online response to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive, but Mirzali believes the interview infuriated Aliyev, whose 18-year reign as Azerbaijani president is known for being undemocratic and regularly repressing any opposition or dissent. Mirzali left Azerbaijan for France in 2016 after coming under increasing pressure from Azerbaijani authorities. On the ground in Nantes, a series of ominous threats since the interview with CivilNet have Mirzali fearing he may be killed. The day after the interview was published, a back window of Mirzalis car was smashed and he says the message this is for you written in Turkish on a scrap of paper was left inside. Turkey and Azerbaijan share close cultural and political ties and Ankara was Bakus main military supporter during last years war, which left more than 8,000 dead and led to Azerbaijan recapturing territory from Armenian forces. The next morning, on June 2, Mirzali told RFE/RL he noticed an Azerbaijani man speaking on the phone right outside my apartment about 10 minutes after the vloggers parents left him to go shopping. He says the man took photos of him and then walked to the door of my apartment and attempted to let himself in. The stranger fled before French police arrived. Mirzali posted two tweets about the incidents, writing: Im feeling it. Soon enough Ill be killed byAliyevs regime. If Im assassinated therell be two sides to blame. #Aliyevs the first of course, and the others the #French governments indifference. Mirzali has been critical of the local police, whom he said he does not trust. While being interviewed by RFE/RL on June 3, the dissident interjected to say he had just received a text message. It was in Azeri and from an unrecognized number that said: you should behave yourself when Im around. The recent threats come just months after two violent attacks that Mirzali was fortunate to have survived. Before dawn on October 6, 2020, Mirzali got inside his car in Nantes ready to begin his day as a deliveryman. Suddenly a man appeared from the darkness and tried to open the vehicles locked door. The stranger then pulled out a handgun and shot through the window, wounding Mirzali in the shoulder before the activist could drive away to safety. In March, Mirzali survived a daylight stabbing attack in the center of Nantes that left him with wounds so severe he lost about three liters of blood and underwent six hours of surgery. The vlogger has 268,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel, Made In Azerbaijan, and some of his videos have racked up millions of views. The videos are often harshly critical of Azerbaijans ruling Aliyev family, particularly the president and his wife -- the countrys vice president -- and highlight alleged corruption in the oil-rich Caucasus country. Jeanne Cavelier, from the media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), told RFE/RL that her organization is in close contact with Mirzali. He's scared and couldn't sleep [on the night of June 2], she said. We strongly support his case, his life is in danger because of his publications. We know the Baku regime's methods, which does not hesitate to harass, kidnap, and silence any critical voice -- even beyond its borders. Headquartered in France, RSF vowed in a June 3 article that If anything happens to blogger Mahammad Mirzali, we will hold Ilham Aliyev personally responsible. The vlogger says he has reached out to Human Rights Watch to seek help in relocating but has not received a response. An unnamed spokesperson for the media watchdog told RFE/RL: We are aware of the case but have not been in touch with [Mirzali] directly. We do call on the French authorities to ensure his safety and swiftly investigate any attacks against him. Asked why he continues to speak out against the Azerbaijani authorities, Mirzali says: Our country and my family are persecuted by the Azerbaijani government, is it possible to remain silent? I have spoken out so far and will continue to [do so], even if it results in death. On May 2, Azerbaijani opposition activist Bayram Mammadov was found dead in Istanbul in an apparent drowning just days before he was due to visit Azerbaijan. BBC Turkish reported an investigation had been launched. Some Azerbaijani activists are not ruling out foul play and questioned the idea the 25-year-old Mammadov fell into the sea or may have committed suicide. SOFIA Bulgaria's government is creating a blacklist of individuals and entities associated with three prominent Bulgarians hit by sanctions imposed by the United States for their alleged "extensive roles in corruption." All state and local authorities will be banned from working with former parliament member Delyan Peevski, oligarch Vassil Bozhkov, and top intelligence official Ilko Zhelyazkov, the cabinet said on June 4. The restrictions also apply to companies the three men own or control and all individuals or companies said to be linked to them. The move aims to "protect companies with state and municipal participation and other spending units from falling within the scope of the sanctions," the cabinet said. On June 2, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against the three powerful figures under the Global Magnitsky Act for their "extensive roles" in corruption in Bulgaria. It also placed sanctions on 64 entities said to be linked to them. Bulgaria, a NATO member and the poorest country in the EU, is plagued by endemic corruption. The Global Magnitsky Act bans entry to the United States of any person under sanctions. It also blocks any U.S.-based property, including overseas U.S. dollar accounts, held by sanctioned individuals and prevents U.S. entities from doing business with them. The Bulgarian government said it was setting up a working group to prepare its blacklist "as a matter of urgency." Anyone related to or who has worked with the individuals and companies sanctioned by the United States is to be included. The sanctions come before snap parliamentary elections scheduled for July 11 and could potentially hurt the image of the former ruling GERB party. Peevski, who controlled large swaths of the Bulgarian media landscape, including newspapers and television stations, is considered one of the most powerful people in the country. He served in parliament as a member of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party, which is mostly made up of ethnic Turks. The Bulgarian opposition accuses Peevski of controlling the former ruling GERB party, including ministers in the government of former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, from behind the scenes. Bozhkov is one of Bulgaria's richest individuals, having made his fortune in the country's gambling industry. He fled Bulgaria last year for Dubai amid accusations of corruption. Earlier this year, he formed the Bulgaria Summer political party, which was among the 64 entities put on the Treasury Department sanctions list. Following the U.S. announcement of the sanctions, Peevski was quoted as saying he had not been engaged "in any corrupt activity." Bozhkov denounced "an attempt to stop a legally registered Bulgarian party from participating in the elections." Zhelyazkov took a leave from his post at the National Bureau for Control on Special Intelligence-Gathering Devices. Also on June 2, the U.S. State Department announced a travel ban on three former Bulgarian officials for their involvement in corruption. Their immediate family members are also banned from entering the United States. MINSK -- A European Union ban on Belarusian carriers accessing EU airports and flying through EU airspace has taken effect. The EU imposed the ban on June 4 in response to Minsks forced diversion of a passenger flight last month and the arrest of a dissent journalist. The 27 member states are required to deny permission to land in, take off from or overfly their territories to any aircraft operated by Belarusian air carriers, the EU said in a statement. 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. Enforcement of the EU ban will fall on member state governments. Several EU members have already implemented such a ban. Belarusian national carrier Belavia said in a statement on June 4 that it has received permission to operate flights to Moscows Sheremetyevo airport and will begin service five times a week -- Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays -- on June 10. The airline also will add four flights to Istanbul beginning June 12, increasing its service to two flights daily from the current 10 times a week, and from June 15 will double the number of flights to the Black Sea city of Batumi, Georgia, from seven to 14, the airline said. Also from June 15, the airline plans to increase flights to Tbilisi from seven to 11 times a week. Before the EU ban, Belavia operated flights between Belarus and some 20 airports in Europe. The ban also includes marketing carriers, which sell seats on planes operated by another airline. The EU announced a series of punitive measures following Belaruss scrambling of a fighter jet to force the landing on May 23 of a Ryanair flight carrying opposition activist and journalist Raman Pratasevich. He and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, who was also on board the flight, were immediately arrested. The plane diversion came amid a sweeping crackdown on the opposition by the regime of authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who has run Belarus since 1994. The country has seen unprecedented pro-democracy protests following a disputed August 2020 presidential election that the opposition says was rigged and many Western nations have refused to acknowledge. EU member states have called on the European Council to adopt sanctions against Belarusian individuals and entities, as well as targeted economic sanctions. The bloc has also recommended all EU-based carriers avoid flying over Belarus. BUDAPEST -- A senior German official has rebuked Hungary for blocking European Union statements on Hong Kong and the Middle East, saying the blocs common foreign and security policy was being undermined by a failure of unanimity. "Hungary again blocked an EU statement on Hong Kong. Three weeks ago it was on the Middle East. Common foreign and security policy cannot work on the basis of a blocking policy," German Foreign Office State Secretary Miguel Berger tweeted on June 3. Berger added that the EU needs "a serious debate on ways to manage dissent, including qualified majority voting." Previous attempts to replace EU requirements for unanimous decisions with a simple majority have failed. Bergers call comes after Hungary blocked an EU statement in April criticizing a national-security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong last year, undermining the bloc's efforts to confront Chinas attacks against freedoms in the former British colony. And last month, Budapest declined to back a call for a cease-fire in a conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. The German official's remarks indicate growing frustration with the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which has faced accusations of backsliding on democracy. With reporting by Reuters Iran's Guardians Council will review its decision to exclude several prominent candidates for this months presidential election after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the electoral vetting body. "In the vetting process some candidates were wronged. They were accused of untrue things, Khamenei said on national television on June 4. Protecting peoples honor is one of the most important issues. I call on the responsible bodies to restore their honor, he said. Iran's ultra-conservative election watchdog, the Guardians Council, approved only seven candidates from a field of nearly 600 applicants, with the hard-line judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi considered the establishments shoo-in figure for the June 18 vote. The Guardians Council came under criticism for barring a number of prominent candidates, including more moderate figures close to outgoing President Hassan Rohani that may have a chance against Raisi. Rohani, who cannot seek a third term, said during a weekly cabinet meeting on May 26 that he wished the Guardians Council would select more candidates to ensure greater "competition" in the June vote. Among those barred from the election are former parliament speaker Ali Larijani, Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Former president Mahmud Ahmadinejad was also barred and said he would boycott the election. Following the criticism from Khamenei, who has the final say on Iran's affairs, the Guardians Council said it will revise some of its decisions. "The orders of the supreme leader are final and his ruling must be obeyed. The Guardians Council will soon announce its opinion, acknowledging that it is not immune to error," Guardians Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei tweeted. Khameneis statement amounts to a reversal of opinion, after he expressed support last month for the Guardians Council's decision. Analysts say Khameneis criticism may reflect concern about low voter turnout and boycotts, which could be read as a no-confidence vote in the entire establishment. In his address, Khamenei urged voters to turn out, warning that staying away would mean doing the work of the "enemies of Islam." "Some want to give up the duty to participate in the election with absurd reasons," Khamenei said in the televised speech. Khamenei last week made similar calls urging people not to heed calls to boycott the poll. A record 57 percent of Iranians did not vote in parliamentary elections in February last year in which thousands of candidates, many of them moderates and reformists, were barred from running. With reporting by AFP, dpa, and Reuters A land mine explosion has killed two Azerbaijani journalists and a local official in an area recaptured from Armenian separatists during last year's war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The explosion on June 4 comes amid heightened border tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan in recent weeks despite a Russian-brokered cease-fire. Azerbaijans Interior Ministry said a truck struck an anti-tank mine in the Kalbacar district, killing Azerbaijani state-run AzTV journalist Sirac Abisov and state news agency AzerTag employee Maharram Ibrahimov. A local village official was also killed in the blast and four people were wounded. Video published on AzTV purported to show the charred remains of the vehicle along a dirt road, with one dead body in the background. A six-week war broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh last year, claiming at least 6,900 lives. The fighting ended with a November 2020 cease-fire that saw Armenia hand over swaths of territory that ethnic Armenians had controlled for decades, including Kalbacar. In recent weeks, the two sides have blamed each other for a number of incidents along their border, putting pressure on the cease-fire in the run-up to Armenias snap parliamentary elections on June 20. According to Azerbaijan, seven of its troops and 15 civilians have been killed and more than 100 people injured by land mines since the cease-fire. Late in May, Azerbaijan captured six Armenian servicemen Baku said had crossed into Kalbacar district to lay mines on army supply routes. Yerevan said its forces were only strengthening the border area inside Armenian territory. Moscow, which has 2,000 peacekeepers monitoring the cease-fire, has proposed to help with the delimitation and demarcation of the neighbors' borders. Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts are one of the most heavily mined areas of the former Soviet Union. The worst-affected areas are along the fortified former front lines where land mines had been laid since the early 1990s to create a buffer zone between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces. Some 750,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis were displaced from areas in and around Nagorno-Karabakh in the 1990s war, which claimed the lives of some 30,000 people. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has vowed to return displaced people to villages and towns they were forced to leave nearly three decades ago. The Azerbaijani government says one of the biggest obstacles is hundreds of thousands of mines littered throughout the area. With reporting by AFP and RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service MOSCOW -- A court in Moscow has upheld the Justice Ministry's move to designate the Latvia-based independent Meduza news outlet as a foreign agent -- a move that requires it to label itself as such and subjects the media outlet to increased government scrutiny and regulation. Meduza said that the Zamoskvorechye district court rejected its appeal on June 4, adding that the court's decision will also be appealed. The Justice Ministry added Meduza to the registry of "foreign agents" on April 23, without giving detailed justification for the move. 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 have targeted foreign-funded media. Human Rights Watch has described the legislation as restrictive and intended to demonize independent groups. Meduza was formed in 2014 by the former chief editor of Lenta.ru, Galina Timchenko, after she and most of Lenta.rus editorial staff left following an ownership change. According to the independent Medialogia monitoring site, Meduza was among the top 10 most-cited Russian-language Internet sources in 2020 and was No. 1 in the ranking of most-linked-to in social-media posts. In 2017, the Russian government placed RFE/RLs Russian Service on the list, along with six other RFE/RL Russian-language news services, and Current Time, the network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. At the end of last year, the legislation was modified to allow the Russian government to add individuals, including foreign journalists, to its foreign agents list and to impose restrictions on them. The Russian state media monitor Roskomnadzor last year adopted rules requiring listed media to mark all written materials with a lengthy notice in large text, all radio materials with an audio statement, and all video materials with a 15-second text declaration. RFE/RL rejects the "foreign agent" designation and has refused to comply with the rules, so the agency has prepared hundreds of complaints against RFE/RL's projects. When they go through the court system, the total fines levied could be more than $3 million. RFE/RL has called the fines a state-sponsored campaign of coercion and intimidation, while the U.S. State Department has described them as intolerable. MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill that would ban supporters and members of organizations deemed by authorities as "extremist" from being elected to any post -- a move making it virtually impossible for anyone connected to jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny from gaining public office. The law endorsed by Putin on June 4 bars leaders and founders of organizations declared extremist or terrorist by Russian courts from running for elective posts for a period of five years. Other members or employees of such organizations will face a three-year ban. The move appears to be a thinly veiled attempt at neutralizing Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which Russian authorities are seeking to have declared extremist ahead of parliamentary elections in September. The FBK has already been declared a foreign agent, a punitive designation under a separate law. The law appears to be retroactively applicable since it only involves restricting a person's rights, legal analysts say. Russian authorities have ramped up their pressure on dissent ahead of parliamentary elections in September with opinion polls showing support for the ruling United Russia party at the lowest levels ever. Navalny's regional headquarters have been instrumental in implementing a Smart Voting strategy -- a project designed to promote candidates who are most likely to defeat those from United Russia in various elections. Navalny, Putins most vocal critic, is currently serving a prison sentence on embezzlement charges that he says were trumped up because of his political activity. The law was signed by Putin on Navalny's 45th birthday. Navalny has been in custody since January, when he returned to Russia following weeks of medical treatment in Germany for a nerve-agent poisoning in August that he says was carried out by operatives of the Federal Security Service (FSB) at the behest of Putin. The Kremlin has denied any role in the poisoning. Since his jailing, the Kremlin has stepped up its campaign against Navalny and his associates, many of whom have fled the country in fear of being arrested. Serbia and Argentina have begun industrial production of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19. "It is a great honor for me to launch production of the Russian-Serbian vaccine with you today. We are starting to produce 4 million [doses] of Sputnik V vaccine," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, during an online ceremony on June 4. After Belarus, Serbia is the second European country outside of Russia to manufacture the Russian vaccine. Public broadcaster Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) said the first doses produced at Belgrade's state-run Institute for Virology, Vaccines, and Serums are expected to be delivered to vaccination points in the Balkan country within 10 days. Putin and Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez watched the launch of the production line in Argentina via video link during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russia's state-run TASS news agency reported. The Sputnik V doses produced in Serbia and Argentina will meet the two countries' domestic needs before being exported, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which is responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad. About one-third of Serbia's approximately 7 million inhabitants have received at least one dose of vaccine against the coronavirus. Serbians have been inoculated with the Sputnik V vaccine and China's Sinopharm for months, as well as with vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Belgrade has also donated vaccines to Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and the Czech Republic. RFE/RL's Coronavirus Coverage Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region. Based on reporting by Reuters, TASS, RTS, Tanjug, dpa, and RFE/RL's Balkan Service Several explosions rocked an ammunition factory in the Serbian town of Cacak early on June 4, but no injuries or deaths were reported and workers were swiftly evacuated. The first blast was heard shortly after midnight in the ammunition warehouse in the Sloboda plant, which produces home appliances as well as artillery ammunition, propellants, and explosives. The mayor of Cacak, Milun Todorovic, told local media that about 60 workers on the night shift were all evacuated. People living in the neighborhood were evacuated after the blasts, which damaged the windows of several nearby houses. The cause is being investigated. Serbian Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin said no one was injured in the explosions and that the "situation is under control." Vulin said the explosions affected a warehouse and not the production line. The Sloboda plant was badly damaged in 1999 during the NATO bombing campaign against Serbia. The Balkan country's arms industry has recovered since then and exports artillery ammunition mainly to Africa and Asia but also to the West, including to some NATO members. An explosion in 2003 killed three workers. Another one in 2010 caused no casualties. In 2013, a blast injured two people. With reporting by Reuters Just over a month after deadly clashes erupted along the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, people on both sides are rebuilding ruined homes and trying to return to normal life. Residents of the border region said they hope the two governments will reach an agreement so that friendly relations between neighbors can resume. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and more than 20 other groups have encouraged Ukraines parliament to address shortcomings in a proposed law to reform the countrys security service before passing it. HRW is among 23 civil society groups that on June 3 sent a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the co-authors of the draft legislation to change problematic parts of the proposal, which is being prepared for passage, possibly later this month. The reform is essential to help the security service, known as the SBU, transform into an effective agency that respects and upholds international human rights norms, HRW said in a news release. But the draft law contains provisions that could be damaging for human rights, the groups said, urging Ukrainian lawmakers to address problems stemming from the draft laws lack of clarity and properly defined powers and roles, and its provisions maintaining, or in some cases strengthening, regulations that jeopardize human rights and fundamental freedoms. The ongoing initiative to reform the security agency, which Ukraines partners and allies have long urged the government to undertake, is both needed and long overdue, said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at HRW. But for the reform to succeed, and to strengthen Ukraines rule of law, several key problematic aspects of the proposed law have first to be addressed. The groups letter said that while the reform was supposed to streamline the SBUs work as an intelligence agency and remove law enforcement functions from its mandate, the proposed draft law extends the scope of the [SBUs] activities beyond the protection of national security by providing the agency with a vast mandate to investigate a potentially wide variety of crimes. The letter called this deeply problematic in light of serious, credible allegations by Ukrainian anti-corruption and human rights groups of [SBU] involvement in corruption, corporate raiding, and interfering with anti-corruption investigations undertaken by other state agencies. The draft law also retains the SBUs powers of arrest, seizure, detention, interrogation, and surveillance, without clear oversight, the letter said. While the draft law reiterates the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment in detention, it does not provide sufficient protections to prevent abuses in detention or guarantee such due process measures as requiring the SBU to ensure a detainee has a lawyer, according to the groups that signed the letter. The groups also point out that a provision to phase out the SBUs pretrial investigative functions gradually by 2024 and another to allow the agency to operate temporary detention facilities until January 2023 are not supported by a clear road map that would ensure that these deadlines are met. Noting that the reforms are long overdue, the letter encourages Ukraines leadership not to squander the opportunity to adopt a bill that adheres to the stated vision of limiting the role and powers of the [SBU] and that upholds Ukraines international obligations and respects fundamental rights and freedoms." To receive Steve Gutterman's Week In Russia via e-mail every Friday, subscribe by clicking here. If you have thoughts or feedback, you can reach us directly at newsletters@rferl.org. The Kremlin crackdown continued apace as State Duma elections expected at the end of summer draw closer, with the head of a civil society group that dissolved itself in a bid to spare members from possible prosecution being targeted anyway, among others. Meanwhile, Moscow dismissed Western criticism as Alyaksandr Lukashenka pursued his own harrowing clampdown in Belarus. Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward. Airport Arrests In Belarus on May 23, a MiG warplane intercepted a passenger jet on a flight between two European Union capitals after an alleged bomb threat widely dismissed as fake and escorted it to Minsk, where a journalist who had fled the country fearing prosecution was arrested. Eight days later in St. Petersburg, Russia, a passenger jet taxiing for takeoff on a flight to Warsaw turned back and halted on the tarmac long enough for an activist and Kremlin critic to be taken off the plane and, likewise, arrested. Despite years of efforts by the Kremlin to rope Belarus into a tighter embrace, the Union State that Moscow and Mink have been developing for about a quarter-century still exists largely on paper. But with state authorities in both countries cracking down hard on opponents real, perceived, and potential -- and sweeping up countless citizens who may fit none of those categories in the process -- theyre looking pretty similar these days, in some ways. And Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported Lukashenkas actions so far, hosting him on the Black Sea on May 28-29 and dismissing Western criticism of the plane diversion as an outburst of emotions. Crackdowns on the opposition and curbs on constitutional rights in both countries have been happening for years, of course, and the brutality of the crackdowns may differ in degree. But its possible to take August 2020 as the beginning of a new era in both Russia and Belarus, where continuing clampdowns are clouding the future for their citizens and eliciting the opprobrium of the West. In Belarus, authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka claimed a landslide victory in an August 9 election that opponents and Western governments contended was rigged -- falsified to an even greater extent than previous votes that have kept him in power since 1994. Large campaign rallies for his main opponent, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, transformed into even larger demonstrations against the official result -- and Lukashenka responded to the unprecedented protests with a violent crackdown that persists 10 months later, generating accounts of torture and brutality on a regular basis. 'Pressure Chamber' The setting for one of these grisly incidents was a courtroom in Minsk on June 1, when caged defendant Stsyapan Latypau cut his own throat with a pen in an apparent suicide attempt after saying he had been told that he would be thrown in a pressure chamber cell and that his relatives and neighbors would be targeted for prosecution if he did not plead guilty. Footage of Latypau handing out flowers at a rally on August 12, three days after the election, provided a heartrending contrast to the desperate courtroom drama this week. The arrest of Raman Pratasevich and his partner, Russian citizen Sofia Sapega, following the diversion of a Ryanair Athens-Vilnius flight to Minsk, meanwhile, underscored the lengths Lukashenka is going to in his campaign to quash opposition and maintain power. In Russia, the arrest of Andrei Pivovarov does the same, highlighting the severity of a clampdown that has intensified since August 2020, when opposition politician Aleksei Navalny was poisoned in Siberia with a weapons-grade nerve agent in what he contends was an assassination attempt that he blames on Putin. Pivovarov was pulled from an outbound passenger jet at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg on May 31, four days after he announced that Open Russia, the pro-democracy group he headed, was dissolving itself to protect members and supporters from being targeted under legislation aimed at foreign-funded groups the state has deemed undesirable organizations. Open Russia was registered in Russia after an organization with the same name, founded by exiled former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and registered in Britain, was designated an "undesirable organization" in 2017 and subsequently closed. Pivovarov and other activists from the Russian-registered organization say it was not formally related to the British-registered group, but the government has been treating it as "undesirable organization" anyway. The accusations against Pivovarov stem from an August 2020 Facebook post in which he reposted a note from a liberal lawmaker in the southern Krasnodar region who was urging people to support opposition candidates in local elections. Prosecutors claim the repost constituted "carrying out the work of an undesirable organization." It's The Elections Pivovarov, who could be sentenced to six years in prison if tried and convicted, told a court the charges against him are a "farce." He maintains that he is being prosecuted to prevent him from running in elections to the State Duma, Russias lower house of parliament, which are expected to be held in September. Supporters say the same about accusations against Dmitry Gudkov, a liberal former Duma deputy who was detained a day after Pivovarov and could be imprisoned for five years if tried and convicted on fraud allegations -- which he, too, dismisses -- stemming from an office-rental agreement dating back to 2011. Gudkov was released on June 3 without charge, but remains a suspect, authorities said. Gudkovs father, Gennady Gudkov, who also faces potential charges, contends that the accusations are aimed at keeping him from returning to Russia from abroad and preventing his son from running in the elections. The Duma elections also loom large behind what observers say is a campaign by the Russian authorities to neutralize Navalny and his supporters and associates across Russia. The vocal Putin foe, who turned 45 on June 4, survived the poisoning last August and is now serving a 2 1/2-year prison term on a parole-violation charge he says is absurd after being arrested at a Moscow airport in January upon his return to Russia following treatment in Germany. An apparent effort to keep anyone linked to Navalnys network of offices nationwide, his Anti-Corruption Foundation, and another organization he founded out of electoral politics advanced on June 4, when Putin signed a bill barring members and backers of groups labeled extremist from running in elections at any level. As a result of an ongoing court process, the three Navalny organizations may be tagged with that designation as early as next week. Media outlets have also been targeted persistently both in Belarus and in Russia, where online aggregator NEWSru announced its closure on May 31, citing the political situation, and VTimes -- an outlet created in 2020 by journalists who left the authoritative financial newspaper Vedomosti after its sale -- did the same on June 3, saying it was destroyed by its designation by the state as a foreign agent. 'Four-Letter Word' Many analysts say the persistent crackdown stems from Kremlin concerns about the Duma elections, which in turn are stoked by worries about the deep unpopularity of United Russia, the party that dominates politics nationwide and is one of Putins main instruments of power across the country. As the elections approach and United Russias ratings founder, the view that this problem must be resolved in a radical fashion -- by simply not letting anyone run -- has prevailed in Putins government, Abbas Gallyamov, a political analyst and former Kremlin speechwriter, told the Siberia.Realities desk of RFE/RLs Russian Service in an interview published on June 3. By anyone, he appeared to mean independents and others from outside the three systemic opposition parties that are widely considered to be part of Putins ruling apparatus. But while the elections seem certain to be a major catalyst for the crackdown, theres also a sense that it goes beyond electoral politics and into some other, broader realm. Feels like we are headed toward a situation in Russia where much of the non-systemic opposition of the past decade ends up in prison, in exile or shot, Andrew Roth, Moscow correspondent for the British newspaper The Guardian, wrote in a tweet that seemed to evoke the Stalin era. Leonid Bershidsky, a Russian journalist and commentator now based in Germany, wrote that when he decided to translate the novels 1984 and The Trial into Russian, I meant it as a warning to compatriots. But it ended up as more of a running commentary. Either I worked too slowly or reality copied Kafka and Orwell too fast, Bershidsky wrote on Twitter. And Sam Greene, director of the Russia Institute at King's College London, suggested that the current situation could be summed up with an expletive. I was considering writing a column about recent events, but Im not quite sure how to stretch four letters into 800 words, he tweeted on June 3. MANSFIELD -- Richland County Common Pleas Court Judges Brent Robinson and Phil Naumoff released a letter of thanks on Friday to those jurors who served their courtroom duty amid the pandemic. A Letter of Appreciation to those who served Richland County as Jurors Jurors are imperative to our judicial system. Without jurors the system cannot work the way the authors of the Constitution intended. It is one of the most important duties of citizenship. It is also a rewarding experience which gives people the opportunity to participate directly in the administration of justice. While it may require some adjustment to your normal schedule to serve as a juror, it gives people the opportunity to see our courts in action, to learn more about our system of justice and to participate in one of the fundamental rights and duties of your American heritage. As you are aware, COVID-19 affected our families and communities in ways that we are still dealing with. For the judicial branch, that meant implementing technology to have the ability to hold events and hearings remotely, as well as implementing numerous procedures to protect public health and safety while maintaining access to justice. During this unique and difficult time, jury service looked very different. Nevertheless, in 2020, 834 citizens appeared and served as jurors for 26 jury trials. Thus far in 2021, 611 citizens appeared and served as jurors for 11 jury trials. There is simply no replacement for a jurors' role in our legal system and no better time to recognize the invaluable service our jurors provide. In appreciation, the Richland County Court of Common Pleas is taking a moment to celebrate our jurors for their outstanding and important service; to recognize the sacrifices jurors make in order to fulfill their civic duty; to honor the relationship between the jurors, the courts and the trial participants, as well as to acknowledge and appreciate the citizens who serve as jurors for this community. By participating as a juror you served your community by ensuring access to justice for everyone. You have also fundamentally contributed to our American system of law and order and you've directly influenced an individual's life by weighing evidence, taking part in a trial, and rendering a just and fair verdict. Thank you for your confidence and trust in the ability of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas to protect your health and safety and for your willingness to serve Richland County as citizen jurors. Sincerely, Judge Brent N. Robinson Judge Phillip S. Naumoff EDITOR'S NOTE: This monthly Letter from the Director of the North End Community Improvement Collaborative was shared to Richland Source through permission of executive director Deanna West-Torrence. As we emerge from a year-long hibernation of sorts, its nice to finally be reconnecting in person. As this community, like many others, struggled to deal with the pandemic, gaps in our systems have come to light. Access to testing and to the vaccine has proved to be a community challenge, particularly within the Black and Brown community and certain low-income neighborhoods in the city. The disconnectedness of the healthcare system to minority members of the community became stark. Local efforts like the Count on Me campaign and similar grassroots initiatives convened to identify the best ways to outreach to the Black and Brown community with vital, and in some cases life-saving information. They may not have been as successful as we would have liked, but the effort still needed to be made. Accessing healthcare requires trust, a relationship, and the pandemic revealed there remains much work to be done in this area. Precious few resources could be found located in low-income neighborhoods throughout the city. For me, this issue highlighted just how important community health workers are to the community. Twenty-two years ago, the CHAP program started in the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center with three doctors, two nurse practitioners, an administrative assistant (me), and fourteen dedicated women from the neighborhood who were trained to be the eyes and ears of the health of their neighbors. Even going door-to-door, the CHWs looked for pregnant women primarily, hoping to ensure that they received adequate prenatal care, resulting in better quality of life, and significant cost savings later in life. Recently, one of the founders of the CHAP Program and beloved pediatrician, Dr. Mark Redding, passed away. Mark Redding launched my career and was my first introduction to census tracts 6 & 7 and its accompanying and alarming health and economic data. It was while at CHAP, that the idea of NECIC began to emerge. For those of us involved, the value of utilizing people from the community being served was undeniable. Joined by his wife, Dr. Sarah Redding and his colleague, Dr. Celia Flinn, the CHAP program shed light on a situation that we as a community are still struggling with during the pandemic: the lack of trust and relationship between the residents and the system. CHAP recognized that people who were from and a part of the community they served, were in the best position to gain access to people and information that others could not. Building on that, CHAP set out to start a new profession, originally called Community Health Advisors, or C.H.A.s, right in the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center. Now, two decades later, the work has deepened and its effectiveness in achieving good outcomes have garnered attention from all over the country. From insurance companies and public officials, to healthcare providers, the impact of Community Health Workers who are indigenous to the neighborhood they serve, are now seen as a valuable piece to connecting marginalized communities to services that improve their health outcomes and overall well-being. They are a still largely untapped resource that can help us address the gaps in connecting individuals to healthcare, education, social services, employment, etc. A CHW equipped with a proven approach to move toward good outcomes, brings value that cannot be understated. This is my third letter this year memorializing individuals who impacted the North End and who have personally impacted me. However, working as closely as I did with Mark for five years, I know that he would shift the focus from himself to the Community Health Workers that he was so passionate about. He would advise us that as a community we need to reduce risk factors do more of what we know works and do less -- or stop doing -- what doesnt and measure the results along the way. He believed that the system should pay for the desired outcome and not incentivize ineffective ways of working, even when doing what had always been done. This philosophy has guided much of the work at NECIC, and as we were developing our staffing service, I was anxious to add a certified Community Health Worker to our organization. We were fortunate to have had Robyn McNulty, CCHW join us to coordinate care for our temporary associates and residents, knowing that she, as a trusted and effective connection to services, could help stabilize the employee in a way that others could not. The NECIC staff and board would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Redding family, including Sarah, and their three children, Hannah, Katie and David and the hundreds of Community Health Workers across Ohio and the nation who were impacted by him. We would also like to take a moment to acknowledge Mansfields first class of Community Health Workers and the CHAP team when it started on Feb. 1, 1999 to address the glaring health disparities in the North End. It was an honor to work so closely with the Drs. Redding as they set about to accomplish their vision. During those early years, I spent countless hours traveling and working with Mark, my much-loved boss who embodied selflessness, compassion, determination, and integrity. Fortunately for Mansfield, we have been left with a model of utilizing Community Health Workers who stand in the gap for their neighbors. For this reason, we honor Dr. Mark Redding for his tireless dedication to training, employing, and heavily investing in the people from the neighborhoods being served, and helping them help build a bridge connecting their neighbors to healthcare. In this Dec. 22, 2020, photo, provided by Richard Chung, his son Caleb Chung receives the first dose of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine or placebo as a trial participant for kids ages 12-15, at Duke University Health System in Durham, N.C. Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12. The announcement Wednesday, March 31, 2021 marks a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before the next school year. (Richard Chung via AP) A man has been charged in the death of four teens following a fatal wreck Thursday on U.S. 264. Rutland, VT (05701) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 81F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 61F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Peterborough - Eva H. Sacharuk died, peacefully, at her home in Peterborough, N.H. on June 1, 2021. Before moving to Peterborough in 2019, she was a long-time resident of Wenham, Massachusetts where she raised her family with her husband Serge since 1960. Eva is survived by her loving husban A large sea cave in the bluffs near the Terramar surf spot in Carlsbad has collapsed, removing a safety hazard that city and state officials had worried about for almost two years. There are no feet sticking out, and no reports of anyone injured or missing, said Robin Greene, superintendent of the San Diego office of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. High tides and storm waves created the cavity during the El Nino winter of 2015-16 by eating more than 15 feet deep into the sandstone base of the tall bluffs. State parks workers erected a permanent fence in the summer of 2016 around the top of the 50-foot bluff above the cave, and posted warning signs on the beach below. The overhead hazard finally fell about a week ago, but the bluff, like many other areas of the San Diego County coastline, remains steep, unstable and potentially dangerous. Advertisement A handful of people have been killed by sudden bluff collapses along the countys coast over the past decade. Lifeguards rescue people stuck or injured in falls on the steeper bluffs several times a year. For a time, state and city officials considered using fire hoses or dynamite to collapse the Carlsbad cave to prevent it from falling on anyone. The spot is near the end of Cerezo Drive along Carlsbad Boulevard, an open area popular with hikers and dog walkers. Eventually, everyone decided to leave the solution to Mother Nature. Coastal erosion has accelerated throughout California in recent years, in part because of climate change and rising sea levels, but also because of the extensive development that stops the flow of sand down rivers and onto beaches. Some sections of the San Diego County coast, such as the area along the seawall in Carlsbad, the beach south of the harbor in Oceanside, and a few others, are regularly replenished with sand dredged from the harbor, nearby lagoons or offshore deposits. Other beaches, such as those at the South Carlsbad campground and at the Torrey Pines reserve, are farther from accessible sand deposits and are starved for sediment. Almost six of Carlsbads seven miles of coastline are protected by state lifeguards. However, city Fire Department paramedics respond to all medical emergencies on the beaches. Advertisement philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl Sometime before Oct. 24, if all goes according to plan, Allen Fields will move into a rented three-bedroom home on five acres in the backcountry community of Campo a move that will be unwelcome by neighbors, closely watched by a team of experts, and expensive to taxpayers. Fields, 58, is the most recent sexually violent predator to win release from a state hospital to live on his own, but under supervision. It wont come cheap, either: the state Department of Hospitals said that the average cost for supervision of sexually violent predators like Fields is $226,429 per predator, per year. The job of keeping watch on Fields is not done by the state, but a private company based in Pennsylvania. Liberty Healthcare Corp. has had the exclusive contract since 2003 to administer the supervision and treatment program for men like Fields for the entire state. Over that time the state has paid the company $29.1 million. And that has been to supervise a total of 29 offenders over that time who have been cleared for release from a state hospital to live in communities or $1 million each. Advertisement Liberty will get $2.8 million under the contract this fiscal year, most of that to monitor the progress of a dozen predators who are currently released and on supervision the final phase of a therapy program sexual predators go through under law. The contract with the Department of State Hospitals was amended most recently in February this year. The new deal extended the contract for 18 months, through June 2015 for $4.2 million. Thats far more than the costs of housing an inmate in state prison, which is now about $60,000 per year. And its more than the $200,000 cost per year of keeping men like Fields where he previously stayed a special state hospital in Coalinga that was built at a cost of $400 million to treat sexually violent predators after their prison sentence is completed. The high cost is driven by several factors, including the structure of the program itself. Liberty is charged with finding housing for each offender, which can be a challenging task. In court records Liberty said it searched 325 potential sites to house Fields, who will live in a home at 1138 Custer Road. That was the same site the state considered placing another offender, Douglas Badger, last year, but Badger opted instead to stay in the special hospital for sex offenders at Coalinga for more treatment. The residency search is complicated because the law restricts where offenders can live, banning them from proximity to schools, day care centers and the like. Most landlords decline when contacted. While the state said Liberty doesnt pay more than advertised to create an incentive for the landlord, Campo resident Lisa Ogle who lives directly across the street from where Fields is set to live said other property owners who were contacted by Liberty said the company offered far above the going rate for rentals in Campo. Advertisement In addition. offenders are under 24-hour security at first. They must always wear a GPS locator, submit to regular polygraph exams, agree to searches of their homes and attend weekly group and individual therapy. Liberty has a team of clinicians and managers that oversee each case. The company is responsible for finding the security typically subcontracted to a private company and transportation to and from all appointments and other tasks. The contract for this year budgets $1 million in personnel costs, including a regional coordinator, clinicians, case managers and drivers. Psychiatrists are budgeted to be paid between $200 and $500 per session, and there is $38,000 for GPS tracking. The budget also has $536,000 in administration services and overhead, which a spokesman for the state hospitals said was the profit the company expects to make. Advertisement Of the 12 offenders Liberty currently is supervising across the state, three will be in San Diego county when Fields moves into the Custer Road home. That means the county is now home to 25 percent of what is likely the most loathed if not feared population of former inmates in the state. For San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who represents much of the backcountry and has protested the placement of every designated predator there, the costs arent worth it. Its cheaper to keep them locked up then to put them into the community, she said. Its a hit on taxpayers, and to the communities, too. It changes their lives forever. Representatives of the company in San Diego and at corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania declined to be interviewed. They said their agreement with the state requires them to refer all questions to the Department of State Hospitals. Advertisement The states sexual predator law allows for offenders who have successfully completed a course of treatment at Coalinga to apply to the courts for release. After hearing from doctors and other experts a judge decides if a release is warranted. And thats where Liberty comes in. The company has long experience in the field of monitoring sex offenders and has run programs in Illinois, Florida and Indiana. At a San Diego Superior Court hearing on Fields release in July, a company representative told Judge Margie Woods that no one under its supervision has committed a new crime in the years they have run the program. While it is well regarded nationally, Liberty came under scrutiny by officials in Florida a decade ago for how it ran a center for sex offenders. Advertisement The allegations included inmates having sex, staffing problems and an incident where one offender escaped when an accomplice picked him up from the facilitys recreation yard in a helicopter. Liberty defended its work and countered the state had not sufficiently funded the facility, which led to the problems. By 2006, the state and Liberty parted ways when its contract was up. But in California the company has received good marks. Deputy District Attorney Kristin Spieler, who handles sexual predator cases, said the company is very responsive and attentive. If they see something with someone they are supervising that is concerning, they bring it to our attention and the courts attention, she said. The companys track record if of little concern to residents like Ogle, who was shocked when she heard of the costs of the program. Advertisement You shouldnt get a moneymaking company involved in something that deals with the safety of the citizens, she said. The amount of money they are spending on this person is ridiculous. Liberty will likely be busy for some time to come. There are currently about 900 predators at the Coalinga hospital, many at various stages of the treatment program. Its unknown how many will progress to the point of seeking release, but Spieler said more are expected in the coming years. On Aug. 27, a San Diego Superior Court judge ruled another offender, Gary Snavely, can be released in San Diego. Its now up to Liberty to find him a place to live. A South Carolina man wanted on a homicide charge was arrested Wednesday at a Sanford motel, according to the Lee County Sheriffs Office. Eric Dequan Timmons, 25, of Florence, was taken into custody at the Econo Lodge motel at 1403 N. Horner Blvd., a Sheriffs Office release said. Timmons was being sought in the fatal shooting of his mother that happened in Florence hours earlier, according to the release. The Sheriffs Office Narcotics Division was contacted by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation Criminal Apprehension that Timmons might be in the Sanford area, the release said. Agents were provided a vehicle description by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the release said. Lee County agents quickly found the vehicle at the Econo Lodge. The agents were notified that the Florence Police Department had issued a murder warrant for Timmons. The agents were joined by Sanford and Florence police officers and arrested Timmons without incident about 4:20 p.m. A search warrant was executed and led to evidence related to the homicide, the release said. Timmons is being held without bail in the Lee County Jail as a fugitive from justice and is awaiting extradition to South Carolina, the release said. Two Azerbaijani journalists die in mine blast in Karabakh Baku, Jun 4 (Sputnik) Two Azerbaijani journalists have died after their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan's Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights said on Friday. "At least 3 people including 2 #Azerbaijani #journalists Siraj Abishov and Maharram Ibrahimov died as a result of #mine explosion in #Kalbajar district. Several got wounded," the office tweeted. Azerbaijan holds Armenia responsible for the death of the journalists. According to the rights commissioner, over 120 people have been killed and wounded due to mines and other explosive devices since a ceasefire in the region was agreed to in November 2020. featured MALTA Veteran's Park to be dedicated to USMC David T. Wallingford UW Art Museum to Celebrate Summer Solstice June 19 The UW Art Museum will host its annual summer solstice celebration Saturday, June 19. Visitors will have the chance to witness a unique architectural feature in which a single beam of sunlight shines through a solar tube in the ceiling of the Rotunda Gallery and, at noon, illuminates a Peace dollar that is set into the center of the gallerys floor. (UW Art Museum Photo) The University of Wyoming Art Museum will host its annual summer solstice celebration Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The free event, which occurs yearly on or near the summer solstice, celebrates the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer. This year, the UW Art Museum will have limited capacity in the Rotunda Gallery. Visitors will be allowed into the gallery space on a first-come, first-served basis at 11:45 a.m. They will be able to witness a unique architectural feature in which a single beam of sunlight shines through a solar tube in the ceiling of the gallery and, at noon, illuminates the 1923 Peace dollar that is set into the center of the gallerys floor. Members of the Laramie Astronomical Society and Space Observers will have telescopes set up on the terrace for visitors to safely view the surface of the sun until 1 p.m. The UW Art Museum also will have free, family-friendly, art-making stations on the terrace, including cyanotype printmaking, collaborative light and shape drawing, and a sculpture make-and-take activity inspired by artist Collin Parsons work. Additionally, a free smoothie bike will be available for visitors to make smoothies, using their own leg power, on the terrace. All activities will end at 1 p.m. While at the museum, visitors will be able to view the galleries. Summer exhibitions include Somethings Off: Paintings by Harold Garde and Ron Kroutel; Staff Selects III from the UW Art Museum Collection; Seen/Scene: Celebrity Photographs from the Collection; Women in Wyoming: Portraits and Interviews of Women Who Shape the West; The West on Horseback: From the UW Art Museum Collection; and new installations in several museum spaces by Parson. The Centennial Complex, where the UW Art Museum is located, follows current UW policy regarding COVID-19. Face coverings and social distancing are recommended for those who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19. For more information about the UW Art Museum, call (307) 766-6622; visit the website at www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum; or follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram. The UW Art Museum exhibits, preserves and interprets visual culture from around the world to engage academic, local, state, national and global communities. The museum is located at 2111 E. Willett Drive in Laramie. Hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. UW Helps Some Eastern Wyoming Farmers Test New Intermediate Wheatgrass UW Ph.D. student Alex Fox uses a portable photosynthesis system to measure photosynthetic traits and stress responses in Kernza, wheat and Conservation Reserve Program grasses. (Hannah Rodgers Photo) Some eastern Wyoming farmers nosed their tractors into fields this spring pulling drills planting a new variety of intermediate wheatgrass that may negate Wyomings fussy weather and bolster bottom lines ravaged by falling organic wheat prices. Four producers have planted experimental plots of Kernza, says Hannah Rodgers, a Ph.D. student involved in the project in the University of Wyomings College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Kernza is a perennial, unlike wheat, which is an annual and does not regrow after harvested. Once cut or harvested, Kernza regrows. The variety can be used as a forage crop or, if left longer, can be harvested for grain. The perennial crop will develop and support microbial life and sequester more carbon. The Salina, Kan.-based Land Institute developed the variety. Its super new and only grown in a few places, says Rodgers, including California, Kansas, Minnesota and Nebraska. But never in Wyoming. We thought Kernza might be uniquely suited to Wyoming because the state has such a harsh environment, Rodgers says. Kernza is harvested for grain in wetter states and then keeps growing. You might cut it for grain and then graze it later in the summer, she says. Nobody has ever planted it anywhere this dry. So, its really an experiment. A beer and cereal are the main products currently made from Kernza. Parts of eastern Wyoming are known for growing organic wheat, usually in a fallow cropping. Farmers say soil degradation is happening, prices are dropping, and farmland is being abandoned for other uses, such as grazing -- which is important, Rodgers says. But maybe less valuable. The $75,000 Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant has several parts. UW Extension soils specialist Jay Norton will compare soil health with Conservation Reserve Program fields. Alex Fox, another Ph.D. student on the project and working with Brent Ewers in the Department of Botany, is taking plant measurements, such as photosynthesis and water use throughout the growing season, to see Kernzas water consumption compared to wheat. Rodgers will study soil fertility and microbial communities and carbon sequestering, and Tom Foulke, an extension senior research scientist, will examine if the crop may benefit producers economically. Mimicking native prairies, composed mostly of perennials, drove the varietys development, Rodgers says. Perennial plants build soil health year-round. Its less input intensive or fossil fuel intensive, she says. You can plant it and sort of forget it about it. You dont have to till the soil every year, and you dont have to plant every year, so there are way fewer tractor passes. The kernel is smaller than wheat, she says. Wheat is selling for about $5 a bushel and Kernza about $5 per pound. A bushel of wheat is about 60 pounds. The crop is planted in rows like wheat. Many farmers had already heard about Kernza and already had an interest in it, she says. Farmers around here have a ton of experience planting intermediate grass, Rodgers says. When we delivered seed a few weeks ago, several of them looked at it and they were, Oh, yeah, this is intermediate grass. I know how to plant this, and I have the drill for this. The crop is typically planted in the fall like winter wheat, but Wyoming producers say the crop does better if planted in the spring. There will be no harvest until next summer. This springs massive snowstorm that battered eastern Wyoming may help jump-start the crop, which Rodgers says can be hard to establish. Two farmers planted Kernza into dryland fields around Chugwater, and two planted into irrigated land near Pine Bluffs. The grant pays for seeding 10 acres per farm, but all four of the farmers decided to plant more than that, she says. The farmers were all-in when approached. They were like, I was wondering when somebody was going to do a Kernza thing, because weve been hearing about it, and we think it would be great for here, Rodgers says. Acreages are 16, 20 and 80 acres. An additional test plot is at UWs James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center near Lingle. Three of the farmers had already planted Kernza when Rodgers got a call from another wanting to know how to get seed. And then he went ahead and put in 80 acres, she says. Its so early in the Kernza world. Its hard even for farmers to get seed to learn anything about it without somebody coordinating things. So, we are fortunate that Tessa Peters, The Land Institutes Kernza commercialization manager, lives in Laramie. Peters received her bachelors degree in agroecology from UW and a Ph.D. in plant breeding and plant genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The University of Washington announced Thursday it will require all employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine before fall classes begin. Faculty and staff at all three campuses will be required to show proof of immunization in order to work at university facilities. The mandate follows new updated guidance from the Washington Department of Labor & Industries that requires employers to confirm proof of vaccination before ending mask mandates. "The FDA-authorized vaccines which are based on technology thats been under development for more than two decades are safe and effective. Widespread vaccination is our ticket to a return to in-person learning and working as we create the new normal for our University, and we encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as youre able," wrote UW President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost Mark Richards in a message to the University community. Employees will be allowed to seek exemptions for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. Earlier in May, the university announced it would require students to get the vaccine by the start of the next academic year. Other universities in the state, including Washington State University, Western Washington University, and now Eastern Washington University have unveiled similar requirements to keep the community safe from additional outbreaks. UW was the epicenter of a large coronavirus outbreak on Greek Row last fall with over 350 confirmed cases in 28 fraternities and sororities. The state is ramping up vaccine efforts ahead of a planned June 30 reopening, when businesses will be allowed to operate at full capacity. The most recent data shows that appropriately 63% of the state's population ages 16 and older have received one dose of the vaccine, and 54% of the population 3.3 million people have received both doses and are fully protected against the virus. On Thursday, Gov Jay Inslee announced a new "Shot of a Lifetime" vaccine lottery, with cash prizes up to $1 million dollars, for residents who are vaccinated. Norwegian Cruise Line will return to Alaska with a series of weeklong voyages from Seattle beginning in August, pending final CDC authorization anticipated in a matter of days. Seattle has always been our second home, and we are beyond excited to return to this incredible homeport and to once again bring our guests to Alaska, said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. This seasons itineraries include extensive time in Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska. On select sailings, guests will also experience Glacier Bay National Park or the Holkham Bay Glacier Fjord. Were thrilled to be cruising from the U.S. again and we cant wait to welcome you on board Norwegian Cruise Line, a recent promotional email stated. Turn your destination daydreams into reality and explore the Last Frontier from Seattle this summer on one of our newest ships at sea. With a limited-time offer, Norwegian guests are invited to stack the savings this summer with up to 30% off all cruises, five free included offers ranging from open bar and specialty dining to excursion credits and free Wi-Fi, and the bonus of free airfare for a second guest. The 30% off promotion is valid for bookings made through June 8, 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line advises guests lock in these added savings now with the assurance of risk-free cancellations should plans change down the line. Guests who must change their sailing will receive a full refund for cancellations made 60 days or more in advance of cruises departing through October 2021. Guests may also boost their cruising value with Norwegians new CruiseFirst program. Guests may pay $150 to receive $300 off any 6+ day cruise when ready to book, with three years of voucher validity. Regarding ship safety enhancements and guest health, the cruise line says, weve been working non-stop, enhancing our already robust Health & Safety Program which includes mandatory vaccination requirements for all guests and crew to ensure that you and your loved ones can cruise confidently. Norwegians Alaska cruises are available to book online. King County prosecutors filed two felony charges on Thursday against a Seattle man accused of kicking another resident's 14-year-old dog to death over Memorial Day weekend. 29-year-old Courtney J. Williams is facing first degree animal cruelty and first degree attempted theft in connection to the incident which occurred on May 29 at City Hall Park in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood. Documents show that 67-year-old David Hickey left his residence to walk his dog in the park when he was approached by Williams, who demanded his jacket. Fearing assault, Hickey pepper sprayed Williams twice in the face and attempted to leave the park to return to his apartment building. Williams then sprinted towards a fleeing Hickey and kicked the dog, a Jack Russell terrier named Alice. The dog was propelled into the air as a result of the kick and landed head-first on the pavement. Hickey said he witnessed his dog die at the scene as a result of her injuries. Charging documents show that the veterinarian who examined the dog said she sustained several severe skull fractures due to the force of the blow and fall. A full necropsy report has not been filed. Williams was later arrested on May 30. Probable cause documents indicate that he was residing in an encampment at City Hall Park at the time of the attack. The documents also show that Williams had been contacted by Seattle Police in the past several months for increasingly aggressive and destructive behavior although he has no current criminal convictions. On Tuesday, Judge Marcus Naylor refused to hold Williams on $25,000 bail and he was released just a day after his arrest. The release was objected to by both law enforcement and court services, and both said Williams was a danger to the community. First-degree animal cruelty is the most serious animal cruelty charge that can be filed in the state, according to the prosecuting attorney's office. Williams did not return to court for his second appearance and remains at large. An arraignment has been scheduled for June 17. By Feng Xuxin and Chen Jie Soldiers assigned to a brigade of the PLA 82nd Group Army load the daily necessities on a vehicle from local logistics company. (Photo by Chen Jie) BEIJING, June 4 -- When a brigade of the PLA 82nd Group Army set out for the field training locations in mid-May, their non-combat materials for the training had been handed over to a local logistics company for transportation, which greatly improved the troops operation efficiency. During the past field training, all the materials were loaded together, which resulted in the heavy load of the vehicles. Besides, the loading and unloading were time-consuming and laborious. Together, these factors seriously affected the troops maneuver speed. At the beginning of this year, the brigade tried to rely on civilian logistics companies to deliver daily necessities, cultural facilities and other non-combat materials. Military operations are highly classified and the selection of civilian company requires enough carefulness. After in-depth research, a logistics company with solid strength, good reputation and qualifications was selected to sign the cooperation and confidentiality agreements in accordance with the principle of being voluntary, mutual benefit and military priority. According to the agreements, the logistics company came to the barracks with professional transportation equipment before the maneuver. All the non-combat materials were loaded in less than three hours and packed in categories for subsequent distribution. Initially, some military members were worried that an extra local convoy in the team would affect their operations. However, they found that the logistics trucks did not follow the troops. Instead, when they got to the training place, the logistics convoy had already arrived ahead of time. "Given the changing battlefield situation, we will keep in constant contact with the logistics convoy," said Wang Zhangchao, the head of the transportation and delivery section of the brigade. Logistics company could quickly reach designated locations with the help of intelligent systems and other technical equipment, he added. The brigades commanding officer expressed that they would continue to use the professional advantages of logistics companies in the future to reduce the transportation burden of the troops and continuously improve their mobility. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to Tennessee on Thursday to learn how the closure of the Interstate 40 bridge connecting that state and Arkansas has affected freight movement since it was shut down more than three weeks ago when a crack was found in the span. Buttigieg met with regional transportation officials at a FedEx Corp. facility in Memphis before a tour of the Hernando De Soto bridge. Shipping giant FedEx operates its massive fleet of airplanes and trucks out of its headquarters in Memphis, which has seen road traffic problems since the I-40 bridge spanning the Mississippi River was closed and vehicles were diverted to the nearby Interstate 55 bridge. The visit comes as President Joe Biden proposes a national, $1.7 trillion infrastructure package, while Republican senators want a more narrow investment in roads, highways and other traditional public works projects. The cracked bridge has served as a symbol of bridge decay in the U.S., which has 45,000 bridges in poor condition and faces a trillion-dollar backlog in repairs, federal transportation officials have said. Officials stress that making the bridge safe should be the main goal, with maintaining the flow of interstate commerce and commuter traffic as other priorities. Trips across the bridge are averaging as much as an hour, officials said. Safety is at the heart of what's happened at the De Soto bridge, Buttigieg during the discussion at FedEx. I know that that protracted closure has been frustrating, it has been difficult, it has been challenging, and it has been costly. I-40 is a key artery for U.S. commerce, running from North Carolina to California. Manufacturers and shippers rely on the interstate to move products and materials across the river. When the 47-year-old, six-lane I-40 bridge is open, about 50,000 vehicles typically travel across it, with about a quarter of those being commercial trucks, Tennessee transportation officials say. The I-40 bridge connecting Memphis and the Arkansas city of West Memphis was shut down May 11 after inspectors found a crack in one of two 900-foot (275-meter) horizontal steel beams that are critical for the bridges structural integrity. Inspectors studied the four-lane, 71-year-old I-55 bridge and determined it can withstand the increased traffic, Tennessee transportation commissioner Clay Bright said. Memphis is a key U.S. infrastructure hub, featuring five major rail lines, an important inland river port, and one of the worlds busiest cargo airports. A timetable for the I-40 bridges reopening has not been officially set, but Bright said construction is expected to run into at least late July. Engineers have already installed steel plates on each side of the fractured beam. The second step of the project, which includes removing and replacing the damaged piece of the beam, is ongoing. Truck drivers have endured delays on the I-55 bridge, or they have been forced to use two other bridges that cross the river north and south of Memphis. The next nearest crossings are about 60 miles (96 kilometers) to the south near Lula, Mississippi, and 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the north near Dyersburg, Tennessee. Attending the meeting with Buttigieg at FedEx were U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a Memphis Democrat. They heard from members of the trucking industry about problems caused by the shutdown. The bridge closure has made trips longer and more expensive for truckers seeking to get across the river on the three open regional bridges. Trucking companies have changed work times for drivers, while truckers are adjusting their travel routes, sometimes on the fly. In addition, food warehouses are having trouble servicing restaurants in eastern Arkansas as supplies get delayed, said Jason Higginbotham, chief financial officer of Ozark Motor Lines. Higginbotham said his company was having trouble receiving timely diesel fuel deliveries. Tennessee Trucking Association president Donna England said the bridge closure is making it more expensive for companies to operate during an ongoing truck driver shortage. The Arkansas Trucking Association has estimated the closure is costing the industry about $2 million a day, said Shannon Newton, the organization's president. When that cost is added, then who does that cost get passed down to? England said during the meeting. It gets passed down to our consumers, as well as our shippers. In a letter to Biden days after the bridges closure, Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee said the shutdown is affecting the lives and livelihoods of real people right now. Arkansas two Republican senators, Tom Cotton and John Boozman, have said theyre concerned about the impact the bridges closure will have on the economy. The two have said they want an infrastructure package that is more narrowly focused on traditional public works projects like the bridge. Buttigieg said the Biden administration and Republicans, including West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, have been having conversations in good faith and there seems to be an embrace of the principle that something on the order of $1 trillion around the transportation side of things was appropriate. The administration has set a June 7 deadline to see signs of progress. ___ Andrew DeMillo contributed to this article from Little Rock, Arkansas. CAIRO (AP) A fire broke out Thursday at a juvenile detention center in Egypt's capital of Cairo, killing at least six children, officials said. The officials said the fire followed a fist-fight between two children in one ward at the facility, located in the city's Marj district. More than two dozen other children were injured, they said. BAMAKO, Mali (AP) France issued its strongest threat yet to Mali's coup leader late Thursday, suspending joint military operations with Malian forces until the junta complies with international demands to restore civilian rule. The move by the former colonial power comes amid mounting international criticism of Mali's second coup in nine months and deepening fears that the political instability will embolden Islamic extremists in the north. There was no immediate reaction from Col. Assimi Goita or his allies who retook control of Mali's transitional government May 24 by forcing the resignations of the civilian transitional president and prime minister. France's military has been fighting Islamic extremists in Mali since 2013, and the temporary suspension applies only to operations carried out in coordination with the Malian military. France will continue to maintain its military presence alongside other regional partners, such as Chad, who are helping fight extremists in northern Mali. A French Defense Ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to be publicly named, said it was now up to the Malian authorities to respond quickly. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS and the African Union already have suspended Malis membership, and the French official said those regional bodies have made clear what actions the junta now needs to take to avoid further isolation. Pending these guarantees, France, after informing its partners and the Malian authorities, has decided to suspend, as a temporary measure, joint military operations with the Malian forces as well as national advisory missions on their behalf, the official said. These decisions will be re-evaluated in the coming days in light of the answers provided by the Malian authorities, the official added. Goita first seized control of Mali last August, then agreed to let a civilian president and prime minister lead a political transition following international condemnation. But then nine months later he changed course, deposing both men after they announced a Cabinet reshuffle without his consultation. While Goita has pledged to still hold elections in 2021 as promised, his latest coup detat has significantly undermined global confidence in his ability to hold fair elections free of junta interference. ___ Associated Press writer Baba Ahmed reported this story in Bamako and AP writer Krista Larson reported from Dakar, Senegal. AP writer Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report. BAGHDAD (AP) An explosion at a crowded restaurant in a northwestern Baghdad neighborhood killed three people and injured 16 Thursday evening, two Iraqi health officials said. A military statement said a gas cylinder exploded at the restaurant in the city's Kadhmiyah district, close to the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim, revered by Shiite Muslims. KENT, Wash. (AP) A murder trial in the first case brought against an officer since Washington state voters made it easier to prosecute police for using deadly force has been set for Feb. 28. Auburn Officer Jeffrey Nelson was charged last year with second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the shooting death of Jesse Sarey, 26, on May 31, 2019. It was the first time an officer was charged with using excessive force under Initiative 940, which removed the requirement that prosecutors show an officer acted with malice. At a Thursday hearing, King County Superior Court Judge Nicole Gaines Phelps signed off on the trial date the prosecution and defense had worked out. Nelson was not at the hearing. Nelson had responded to reports that a man was throwing garbage, banging on store windows and kicking vehicles in a shopping area in Auburn, a city of about 70,000, about 28 miles (45 kilometers) south of Seattle. Nelson confronted Sarey outside a grocery story and told him he was under arrest for disorderly conduct. After Sarey failed to comply with Nelson's orders, the officer put his hands on Sarey's shoulders and began a physical arrest. At one point, Nelson is seen in surveillance video from nearby businesses punching Sarey seven times in the head and upper body before pulling out his firearm and shooting Sarey in the torso. He fell back on the pavement and Nelson aimed his gun again. When it jammed, the video shows him clearing the round, racking another bullet and firing a second shot into Sarey's forehead. Nelson has pleaded not guilty. His previous lawyer, Alan Harvey, has said the officer was acting in self-defense when he shot Sarey. Nelson's new attorney, Emma Scanlan, declined to comment Thursday. King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg has said Nelson escalated the situation with Sarey, failed to wait for backup before confronting him, and that the level of force he used was unreasonable. London, KY (40741) Today Foggy this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Thank you for reading! You have reached your 30-day limit of free access to SentinelSource.com, The Keene Sentinels website. If you would like to read two more articles for free at this time, please register for an account by clicking the sign up button below. We hope you find The Sentinels coverage of the Monadnock Region valuable. We rely on our subscribers to bring you strong local journalism and hope you will consider supporting our work by taking advantage of this special subscription offer here. Keene, NH (03431) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 82F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. DETROIT (AP) The world's largest meat processing company has resumed most production after a weekend cyberattack, but experts say the vulnerabilities exposed by this attack and others are far from resolved. In a statement late Wednesday, the FBI attributed the attack on Brazil-based meat processor JBS SA to REvil, a Russian-speaking gang that has made some of the largest ransomware demands on record in recent months. The FBI said it will work to bring the group to justice and it urged anyone who is the victim of a cyberattack to contact the bureau immediately. REvil has not posted anything related to the hack on its dark web site. But thats not unusual. Ransomware syndicates as a rule dont post about attacks when they are in initial negotiations with victims or if the victims have paid a ransom. In October, a REvil representative who goes by the handle UNKN said in an interview published online that the agriculture sector would now be a main target for the syndicate. REvil also threatened to auction off sensitive stolen data from victims who refused to pay it. The attack targeted servers supporting JBSs operations in North America and Australia. Backup servers werent affected and the company said it was not aware of any customer, supplier or employee data being compromised. JBS said late Wednesday said that it expects to resume production at all its plants on Thursday and be running at close to full capacity across its global operations. It is not known if JBS paid a ransom. The company hasnt discussed it in public statements, and did not respond to phone and email messages Wednesday seeking comment. The FBI and the White House declined to comment on the ransom. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday the U.S. is considering all options in dealing with the attack and that President Joe Biden intends to confront Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, about his nation's harboring of ransomware criminals when the two meet in Europe in two weeks. I can assure you that we are raising this through the highest levels of the U.S. government, she said. The president certainly believes that President Putin has a role to play in stopping and preventing these attacks. While there is no evidence Russia benefits financially from ransomware crime which has hit health care, education and state and local governments especially hard during the pandemic U.S. officials say its practitioners have sometimes worked for Kremlin security services. Ransomware expert Allan Liska of the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future said JBS was the largest food manufacturer yet to be hit by ransomware, in which criminal hackers paralyze entire networks by scrambling their data. But he said at least 40 food companies have been targeted by ransomware gangs over the last year, including brewer Molson Coors and E & J Gallo Winery. Food companies, Liska said, are at about the same level of security as manufacturing and shipping. Which is to say, not very. The attack was the second in a month on critical U.S. infrastructure. Earlier in May, hackers believed to operate with impunity in Russia and allied states shut down operation of the Colonial Pipeline, the largest U.S. fuel pipeline, for nearly a week. The closure sparked long lines and panic buying at gas stations across the Southeast. Colonial Pipeline confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the hackers, who then turned over a software decryption key. Cybersecurity experts said the attacks targeting critical sectors of the U.S. economy are evidence that industry hasnt been taking years of repeated warnings seriously. Cybercriminals previously active in online ID theft and bank fraud moved into ransomware in the mid-2010s as programmers developed sophisticated programs that permitted the softwares more efficient dissemination. The ransomware scourge reached epidemic dimensions last year. The firm CrowdStrike observed over 1,400 ransomware and data extortion incidents in 2020. Most targeted manufacturing, industrials, engineering and technology companies, said Adam Meyers, the companys senior vice president of intelligence. The problem has been spiraling out of control, said John Hultquist, who heads intelligence analysis at FireEye. Were already deep into a vicious cycle. Hultquist said ransomware syndicates are going after more critical and visible targets because theyve invested heavily in identifying whales - companies they think will yield big ransoms. JBS is the second-largest producer of beef, pork and chicken in the U.S. If it were to shut down for even one day, the U.S. would lose almost a quarter of its beef-processing capacity, or the equivalent of 20,000 beef cows, according to Trey Malone, an assistant professor of agriculture at Michigan State University. Mark Jordan, who follows the meat industry as the executive director of Leap Market Analytics, said the disruption to the food supply will likely be minimal in this case. Meat has around a 14-day window to move through the market, he said. If a plant is closed for a day or two, companies can usually make up for lost production with extra shifts. Several plants owned by a major meatpacker going offline for a couple of days is a major headache, but it is manageable assuming it doesnt extend much beyond that, he said. Jordan said a closure that runs closer to a week would be more serious, especially for a company like JBS, which controls around one-fifth of the country's beef, pork and chicken supply. Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available. Critical U.S. infrastructure might be better hardened against ransomware attacks were it not for the 2012 defeat of legislation that would have set cybersecurity standards for critical industries. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups lobbied hard against the bill, condemning it as government interference in the free market. Even a watered-down version that would have made the standards voluntary was blocked by a Republican filibuster in the Senate. Right now, the U.S. has no cybersecurity requirements for companies outside of the electric, nuclear and banking systems, said David White, president of the cyber risk management company Axio. White said regulations would help, particularly for companies with inadequate or immature cybersecurity programs. Those rules should be sector-specific and should consider the national economic risks of outages, he said. But he said regulations can also have an unintentional negative effect. Some companies might consider them the ceiling not the starting point for how they need to manage risk, he said. "Bottom line: regulation can help, but it is not the panacea,"' White said. JBS plants in Australia resumed limited operations Wednesday in New South Wales and Victoria states, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said. The company hoped to resume work in Queensland state on Thursday, he said. JBS, which is a majority shareholder of Pilgrims Pride, didnt say which of its 84 U.S. facilities were closed Monday and Tuesday because of the attack. It said JBS USA and Pilgrims were able to ship meat from nearly all facilities Tuesday. Several of the companys pork, poultry and prepared foods plants were operational Tuesday and its Canada beef facility resumed production, it said. The plant closures reflect the reality that modern meat processing is heavily automated, for both food- and worker-safety reasons. Computers collect data at multiple stages of the production process; orders, billing, shipping and other functions are all electronic. ___ Bajak reported from Boston. AP Writers Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia; Alan Suderman in Richmond, Virginia; and Nancy Benac, Eric Tucker and Alexandra Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report. The standards board of Californias Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, voted to loosen workplace mask rules on Thursday, but the requirements are stricter than CDC guidelines and could change in the coming weeks. Heres what you need to know. Q: When are masks required? A: Starting June 15, everyone in an indoor workplace must wear a mask if there is at least one person who is unvaccinated. If everyone is vaccinated, masks can be removed. Masks arent required outside except at events with 10,000 or more attendees. The states current rules require everyone to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. The rules remain in effect until 2022, but the Cal/OSHA board said Thursday that the measures are temporary. Q: What about social distancing? A: Workers who are indoors have to stay at least six feet apart until July 31, even if theyre vaccinated. The requirement also applies to outdoor events with 10,000 or more attendees. Employers can provide respirators to unvaccinated workers to get rid of the social distancing requirements, which will go away entirely in August. Q: Who has to supply masks? A: After July 31, employers need to supply unvaccinated workers with respirators such as N95 masks. Business groups said the requirement was overly burdensome and could take away masks from healthcare workers. Vaccinated workers can wear standard disposable or reusable masks and not respirators. Q: How will employers confirm workers are vaccinated? A: Cal/OSHA will require employers to have documentation confirming that workers are fully vaccinated, but said it will release an FAQ with more specific requirements. Q: How do the new rules compare to recent CDC guidelines? A: Theyre stricter. The CDC said last month that fully vaccinated people can remove masks and not socially distance because of the minimal risk of being infected, but the state agency said that local workplace rules can still require masks. Q: How could the rules change? A: Cal/OSHA said that the board may change the rules in the coming weeks given the low case rates and availability of vaccines. A three-person subcommittee from the seven-person board is set to meet with Cal/OSHA staff to work on revisions. Gov. Gavin Newsom could also issue an executive order to loosen the guidelines further, but didnt commit to any changes at a Friday press conference. Its an independent board, and one has to be mindful of that. At the same time, Im mindful of the work that weve done, the progress weve made in this state, said Newsom, who committed to working with labor groups and employers on the rules. Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available. Im mindful this disease has not been extinguished, it hasnt not gone away. When youre in a dense environment, hundreds of other employees, many of them havent been vaccinated, he said. Q: Who supports the new rules? A: Worker union groups including the California School Employees Association and California Labor Federation supported the new rules, noting that the pandemic is not over and masks will help ensure worker safety. Q: Who opposes the new rules? A: More than 60 business groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to Cal/OSHA prior to Thursdays vote saying the rules were too restrictive and confusing. The groups argued that the state rules are inconsistent with CDC guidelines, the respirator requirement is too expensive and other requirements need clarification. Chronicle staff writers Carolyn Said and Dustin Gardiner contributed to this report. Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Michael Macor/The Chronicle 2015 A San Francisco man was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a man in the Polk Gulch area, police said Friday. Ulysses Gutierrez, 25, was taken into custody by police on May 18, and later charged with murder and various parole violations. When a Black woman wanted to talk about racial inequities during a work Zoom call, a supervisor allegedly put her on mute. At the same organization, another woman said she was tasked with working in a dilapidated building that was covered in broken glass and mildew. Others said they had to regularly pay out of pocket for work expenses, sometimes totaling thousands on pricey items such as furniture. Now, three former employees in Oakland, New Orleans and Washington, D.C., have sued the company alleging discrimination, wrongful termination and retaliation. The employer: Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, the biggest restaurant nonprofit in the country that focuses on worker advocacy. The New York organization, often referred to as ROC United, was formed in 2001. Since then, it has grown to include teams in 11 regions, including the Bay Area, that fight to boost wages, end sexual harassment and improve racial equity in the restaurant industry. Its co-founder, Saru Jayaraman, director of the Food Labor Research Center at UC Berkeley, has emerged as a national figure, accompanying Amy Poehler at the Golden Globes in 2018 and winning The San Francisco Chronicles Visionary of the Year award in 2019. She no longer works at ROC and is not named in the two new lawsuits. Yet the lawsuits and five former or current ROC employees who spoke with The Chronicle allege a pattern of sex, race and age discrimination that belies the nonprofits progressive mission. The three plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages, arguing theyve suffered emotional and financial distress. If youre a woman of color or a woman leader, youre being treated in a discriminatory way and then pushed out at ROC, said the plaintiffs attorney, Prathima Price. ROC denied the lawsuits allegations but did not address specifics. We are saddened to hear about these unfounded claims and will prove in a court of law that we treated these individuals fairly and lawfully throughout their employment with us, ROC said in a written statement. As a BIPOC-led (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) organization with strong leadership driven by its core values on diversity, equity and inclusion our staff can attest that we are working tirelessly to reduce and eliminate the root causes of injustice, including systemic racism, sexism, and discrimination in the workplace. Meanwhile, ROC is also facing a lawsuit from the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, related to the Oakland building the two nonprofits share that is meant to house one of ROCs own restaurants and training centers. For this new set of lawsuits, workers say they were inspired to pursue legal action after Oakland organizer and plaintiff James Cox was fired last June after a tense all-staff Zoom call about racism. Days earlier, Cox had sent an email to the entire staff asking whether ROC planned to make a statement about the Black Lives Matter protests erupting around the country after the death of George Floyd. The majority of the 25,000 restaurant workers ROC represents called members are people of color. Later, ROC posted a statement of solidarity with Black Lives Matter on its website. On the Zoom call, executive director Sekou Siby and human resources director Alicia Renee Farris yelled at staff, saying that racism is nothing new and that they felt attacked by Coxs email, according to Cox and Cipriano Belser, a former employee in Los Angeles who was on the call. Later on, Cox said her email wasnt intended to be disrespectful, but the hours-long meeting ended with Farris muting Cox, according to the lawsuit. Two days later, Cox was fired for being insubordinate and yelling during the meeting, the lawsuit states. Her supervisor, Alvaro Chavez, signed the termination letter. He is named as a defendant in the lawsuit along with Siby, Farris and research director Teofilo Reyes. Cox, who is Black, said she believes she was terminated for bringing up the topic of race at a social justice organization, according to the lawsuit. Siby and Farris are also Black. There are all kinds of layers of racism, and just like how women can uphold the patriarchy, Black people can do things that hold other Black people back, Cox said. Cox has worked as a community organizer at ROC on and off since 2018. As a queer Black woman and former restaurant worker, she says she was passionate about working toward eradicating inequities within the restaurant industry. Even before the tense Zoom meeting, Cox felt she was being discriminated against as the only young Black female employee with a child. When she expressed that she was struggling without child care during the pandemic, management dismissed and demeaned her needs and then demoted her, according to the lawsuit. Another plaintiff, Sigute Meilus, alleged in the lawsuit that her supervisor, Chavez, excluded her from meetings and a leadership retreat while inviting lower-ranked male employees. Three days after Meilus complained about gender pay inequity to Siby, Reyes fired her, saying she was not a good fit for the organization, according to the lawsuit. This is not the first time ROC has faced legal challenges from workers. In 2007, former employees sued the nonprofit over allegedly firing workers who voiced critical opinions and walking back a promise of worker-ownership at ROCs New York restaurant. The suit was ultimately dismissed, though ROC has continued to make headlines for its struggles in maintaining restaurants. Cox says she believes ROCs organizers are consistently doing important work but that New York-based upper management gets in the way. That sentiment was echoed by three other former or current ROC employees. They also allege management regularly asks the organizers to pay out of pocket for work expenses, sometimes totaling thousands of dollars. Management often required restaurant workers to pay out of pocket for food and transportation in order to participate in ROC events, according to one of the lawsuits. At the same time, white restaurant owners received catered meals and full accommodations, the lawsuit says. You cant say, Were here to support Black folks and we want to amplify the voices of Black women, and then have events that are completely inaccessible to Black women, whether its being told there isnt child care or theyre going to have to share a room with a stranger and their children, or theres no food, said Laura Ekua, a former employee in New Orleans who is one of the plaintiffs. In New Orleans, minimum wage is $7.25 an hour and restaurants can pay as little as $2.13 an hour if the worker earns tips. That means ROCs members typically earned $800 a month, making $200 for Uber rides plus meals for a weekend untenable, Ekua said. She had to fight with management to get money to pay for hot dogs for restaurant workers at a New York event, she said, while restaurant owners got comped dinners at nice restaurants. Ekua was fired in 2019 after two years with ROC. Belser said he felt restaurant workers were treated like props for ROC fundraisers. He quit in August last year out of frustration and because of the firing of Cox. Despite the public nature of the all-staff Zoom call that led to Coxs termination, Belser said management didnt address the incident in the weeks that followed. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Laura Ekua While ROC fights for adequate working conditions within restaurants, ROCs employees sometimes had to work in unfinished buildings, according to one of the lawsuits. Ekua says she had to clean up a dilapidated building so ROC could turn it into a restaurant. When I first moved into the building, there was no door, just a hole in the wall, she said. Photos shared with The Chronicle show water stains from a flood, mildew, broken glass, graffiti and makeshift weapons left by people who had been squatting in the building. Ekua was fired for failing to show up to a conference; her suit says she got stuck in an airport security line and missed her flight. She says she believes she was actually fired for her criticism of ROC, including her working conditions and what she called its exploitation of Black members in New Orleans. Cox said she and other ROC employees worked in a building with dirt floors and exposed dry wall in Oakland for about a year. If we ever had a meeting with a restaurant owner, wed never invite them to the office because it was embarrassing, she said. Laura Ekua Eventually, ROCs Oakland employees moved to the 18,700-square-foot Restore Oakland building in the Fruitvale district. Its supposed to house an upscale, ROC-run restaurant known as Colors, featuring Afro-Latinx cuisine and on-the-job training. Before the pandemic hit, Colors had announced a 2020 opening, but its status now is unclear. ROCs restaurant attempts in other cities all named Colors havent panned out so far. The promised New Orleans restaurant never opened. The New York edition closed in January after just one month, and the Detroit version has also gone dark. The Oakland restaurant is its best hope but that could be marred by a lawsuit filed last year by ROCs partner in the venture, the nonprofit Ella Baker Center. The two nonprofits agreed to split the fundraising for construction costs, accounting, marketing and managing the property equally. But as of March 2020, Ella Bakers lawsuit says, it had raised $10.4 million while ROC raised just $3.14 million. Similarly, a loan was supposed to be shared equally, but Ella Baker paid it in full in March. The lawsuit also alleges that Ella Baker spent more than $2.8 million in building rehabilitation including for the restaurant maintenance, staffing and property taxes, while ROC spent $788,184. In legal filings, both parties have agreed to resolve the dispute. The 2020 restaurant closure in New York shocked and devastated the staff at the time, said chef Sicily Sewell-Johnson, who previously cooked in the Bay Area as part of La Cocina. She worked for ROC for seven months in preparation for opening Colors, which she said involved paying thousands of dollars for furniture and supplies out of pocket and almost suffering a finger infection she sliced it at the restaurant but couldnt go to a hospital because the restaurant didnt provide health insurance, she said. Sewell-Johnson said she loved what ROC stood for but was frustrated that it couldnt seem to figure out how to successfully provide fair wages and benefits to workers. Her questions and complaints to management rarely got responses, she said. I never felt more crazy and more Black and more gaslit than when I worked at ROC, she said. Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker Exhausted but exhilarated, the crew of the Golden Rule brought the historic anti-nuclear sailboat into the San Francisco Bay this week after a difficult, monthlong voyage across the Pacific. The four-member crew set sail on the 34-foot ketch May 4 from Honolulu, where a different crew had stopped in 2019 along a planned journey to the Marshall Islands only to be halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They described a beautiful, yet frightening, return journey that included strong winds, big waves and freezing temperatures. Malinda Anderson, one of the Golden Rules two captains, said the crew bonded over sharing jokes, listening to podcasts and music while freezing our butts off during their four-hour watch shifts. We just had each other, said Anderson. We had as much fun as we could during very harsh conditions. The Golden Rule, one of the first environmental and peace vessels to sail the ocean to protest nuclear weapons and war, had also encountered rough seas on its first historic voyage in 1958. That year, a crew of mostly Quaker activists sailed to Hawaii aboard the ketch with the goal of interfering with U.S. atmospheric nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. But that trip also was thwarted, first by bad weather and then by the arrest of its crew in Hawaii. But according to Veterans for Peace, owner and manager of the Golden Rule, it inspired future endeavors by groups including Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherds. The Golden Rules mission is to oppose nuclear weapons and war. Most recently, its principals applauded the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which went into force in January. Helen Jaccard, project manager of the Golden Rule Project, said that during their recent stay in Hawaii, the team met many residents of the Marshall Islands who had to relocate or experienced severe health issues due to the nuclear testing. Jaccard and other team members gave more than 100 presentations on the island to discuss the dangers of nuclear weapons and war. Jaccard said she plans to do the same in California before the Golden Rule embarks on another voyage along the Gulf Coast with a new crew. For the current voyage, crew members had to fill out an application and were then selected by Capt. Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa based on the different skills needed for a voyage, such as managing the engine, cooking the food and keeping the boat shipshape. The voyage was funded by donations, according to Jaccard. The crew included Nolan Anderson, a Seattle filmmaker, and Michelle Kanoelehue Marsonette of Albany, Ore., a freelance business consultant and energy worker. There were moments during the crossing itself that were terrifying, said Anderson, describing how he had to climb the mast while the boat swayed back and forth. But the scare and overall experience were worth it, said Anderson, who is working on a documentary about the sailboat. Its not about you and your personal growth and development, he said. Its about changing the world and having an impact. Johnston-Kitazawa said he was proud of his crews perseverance. They just kept plugging away, he said. And I think thats a good metaphor for the whole effort towards nuclear disarmament. Its often arduous and difficult and you dont see any results in the short term, but by continuing to persevere, eventually you get a result. For Kanoelehua Marsonette, the trip was personal. Her fathers family is Hawaiian, her brother is a retired Marine Corps and Army sergeant, and she has a friend, also a veteran, who she said was impacted by chemical exposure during his service. A voyage across the ocean from my fathers land to my mothers land was more of like a ceremonial peaceful thing that I could do to really bring in all of the aspects of my life, she said. Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores The Korean conflict is known as the Forgotten War, but one veteran who never forgot it was Lt. Col. John R. Stevens, U.S. Marine Corps. Lingering pain from frostbitten toes were a regular reminder of his part in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, fought in minus-40 degree weather in 1950. Stevens earned a Bronze Star in Korea, a war that technically never ended. After his retirement, he got involved in another war seemingly without end the long slog to get a Korean War memorial built in San Francisco. He spent seven years fundraising, working alone in a windowless office on Van Ness Avenue, before the $4 million monument overlooking San Francisco Bay was finally dedicated in 2016. Every year after, Stevens marked the anniversary of the start of the war, on June 25, by giving a speech at a ceremony there and laying a wreath on the memorial wall. This years ceremony will be more somber than the others: It will be in memory of Stevens himself. He died May 25 at his home in San Francisco. He was 100. The Korean War Memorial would never have happened without John, said Don Reid, who also served in Korea and co-founded the memorial foundation with Stevens. He was a true Marine, the total package. He stood for pride, commitment, dedication, virtue, honesty, loyalty and patriotism. Stevens was also on the ground during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the eventual defeat of Japanese combatants at Okinawa. For his valor under fire, he received his first Bronze Star. John was at Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Okinawa, the Pusan Perimeter, Inchon Landing, the liberation of Seoul and the Chosin Reservoir, said Gerard Parker, executive director of the Korean War Memorial Foundation. From the beginning of World War II through the first crucial year of the Korean war, John had a knack for turning up in these key battles. Through it all, Stevens was soft-spoken, modest and dry, using no more words than the setting required. Once asked by an interviewer what it was like to be surrounded by 100,000 enemy troops at Chosin, he responded, Lots of targets. After 23 years in the Marines, he went on to work 35 years in business, mostly in telecommunications and information technology companies. He started as a systems engineer at IBM and went on to start four companies. One of these, Centex, went public in 1987 and became a case study at Harvard business school, as an example of how to run a successful IPO, said his son, John R. (Steve) Stevens II of Lafayette. My father was an inspirational leader who touched many individuals over his long life, said Stevens, who is CEO at Jopari Solutions, a Concord health care IT company that was another of his fathers ideas. He was kind, ethical, humble, and he always finished what he started. He said he was going to live to be 100 and he finished that, too. He made it by a month. John Richard Stevens was born April 22, 1921, in Butte, Mont., where he grew up. The gloom of the Great Depression hit by the time he was a teenager, and after working stints as a baker, lumber jack and firefighter, he caught a train to Salt Lake City, hoping to join the U.S. Navy for the steady pay. He failed the eye exam and was headed to the train home when a recruiter for the Marine Corps spotted him. A man in a blue uniform with a red stripe on the leg caught me by the arm, he recalled in an interview for the Korean War Memorial newsletter. I didnt know what the Marine Corps was, but I didnt want to go back to Butte. The rest is history. Assigned to the 1st Defense Battalion, Stevens was a 20-year-old sergeant on duty at Pearl Harbor when Japanese bombers made their surprise raid on Dec. 7, 1941. After three years in World War II, hed made captain, assigned to the 1st Marine Division Signal Company, where he worked with Navajo code talkers. On April 1, 1945, Stevens arrived on the island of Okinawa as part of the largest amphibious landing of the war in the Pacific. Two months of fighting cost more than 12,000 American lives but the island stronghold was wrested from the Japanese. Five years later, North Korea invaded South Korea and Stevens was the commanding officer of Able Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Assigned to the Pusan perimeter, his unit came under attack at the Battle of Obong-Ni, nicknamed No Name Ridge. Stevens led his men in a counterattack and again earned the Bronze Star. His outstanding display of personal courage, devotion to duty and leadership was an inspiration to his command, reads the Bronze Star citation. He was pulled from the front lines to prepare for the secret amphibious landing at Inchon on Sept. 15, 1950. Arriving by landing craft, Stevens managed to lead his rifle company off the beach and over the seawall under steady fire. Stevens went on to lead troops as they fought in the streets of Seoul. He survived that and the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, and was finally sent home in late November 1950. In two wars in the Pacific, hed been in six of the biggest battles, many in command of a rifle company, which made him a preferred target. He earned 14 service awards and medals and got out with only three frozen toes on his right foot. Those toes bothered him the rest of his life, but not as much as the fact that there was not a memorial to the Korean conflict in the city where hed made his home and built his business career. One day in 2009, Stevens was having lunch at the Marines Memorial Club with Reid and Man J. Kim, a Korean American restaurateur, when Stevens asked in a voice barely above a whisper, Why dont we have a memorial here? No one had a good answer and by the time they walked out to Sutter Street, the Korean War Memorial Foundation had been started. They already had an office, the one where Stevens did consulting work. He cleared off his desk and got started. Reid was the treasurer, and Stevens was the secretary. They knew they needed a bigger name to serve as president, and for that they recruited former Rep. Paul N. Pete McCloskey, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism leading a platoon in six bayonet charges in Korea. Stevens tracked down McCloskey on his tractor at his farm in Rumsey (Yolo County). Pete joined the memorial board as president because of John, said Reid, a retired banker at Wells Fargo. The Presidio Trust offered them a site across from the San Francisco National Cemetery. The promontory has a view of the Golden Gate, through which Marines sailed when returning from the war before disembarking at Fort Mason. The Korean War Memorial, which received major funding from the government of South Korea, was dedicated on Aug. 1, 2016, and Stevens was back at his desk the next morning. Now that the memorial was in place, he had to get people to visit and he had to continue raising funds for its upkeep. He kept that office until his death and was working there until a few months ago. The memorial includes images of the war laser-etched onto a granite face. The dominant image depicts a platoon in Stevenss command going over the Inchon Wall. The platoon leader fell on a grenade to protect his Marines and Stevens made sure that he received the Medal of Honor posthumously. Last year there was no anniversary ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so Stevens went alone to lay a wreath at the wall. This year the anniversary will return at 11 a.m. on June 25, with the public invited. Stevenss widow, Jody, and Reid will place a wreath at the wall, in honor of all who served and sacrificed in the Forgotten War, especially Stevens. John is gone, said executive director Parker, but the memorial he built will last forever. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Joanne (Jody) Stevens of San Francisco; daughters, Carole Anne Clark of Great Falls, Mont., and Sherry Wilson of Colfax; sons, Mitch Stevens of Benicia and Steve Stevens of Lafayette; seven grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@samwhitingsf The population of great white sharks lurking off the Northern California coast grew between 2011 and 2018, according to new research. A study estimated that 266 great whites were living in the so-called Red Triangle area, which reaches roughly from Big Sur to the Farallon Islands to Bodega Bay in 2018 up from 219 counted in 2011. With a large population of elephant seals, harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters and other marine mammals, the area lures great white sharks. The study, conducted by researchers from Stanford University and the Monterey Bay Aquarium and others, tracked and photographed the sharks from overhead and underwater from 2011 to 2018 to estimate their populations. About 60% of the great white sharks tallied in 2018 were males and they were about 12.4 feet long; females were about two feet longer. The slight growth in the great white shark population is likely due to three factors, the study found: A California law prohibiting fishing for great white sharks in state waters, which extend three miles off the coast in 1994. Federal laws restricting but not eliminating shark fishing were enacted in 2000 and 2010. Gill-netting was banned in California in 1990, likely saving the lives of many juvenile sharks. The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 banned the fishing of seals, a popular food for great whites, causing their populations to soar. Taken together, these protections may influence the prospect for population increase of this important marine predator, the study said. But sharks still need protections, especially far off the coast, where fewer fishing restrictions exist. Researchers, working at Ano Nuevo Island off the San Mateo County coast, Southeast Farallon Island and Tomales Point, used boats dragging a seal dummy as well as the scent of local marine mammals to help attract sharks during peak periods of visitation. They spent 2,587 hours collecting video recordings and photographs of their white dorsal fins, which have a unique appearance, similar to a fingerprint. Given the vulnerable life history traits of white sharks, the study concluded, insuring their future will take a continued effort to monitor populations and identify potential future threats such as climate change and unregulated high-seas fisheries. Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan Three weeks after California expanded vaccinations to 12- to 15-year-olds, almost half of all Bay Area teens have gotten at least one dose. Residents ages 16 and up had previously been eligible for the vaccine starting mid-April. But on May 13, California opened up Pfizer vaccine appointments to the 12-15 age group as well. The Chronicle analyzed data from the California Health and Human Services Agency on vaccination rates by age group. We focused on the agencys data for the 12-17 age range, which encompasses all eligible minors. By May 31, 48% of Bay Area 12- to 17-year-olds had gotten at least one dose, compared with just 30% of all Californians in that age group. Youth vaccination rates are higher than the California average for eight out of nine Bay Area counties. The ninth, Solano, has 30% of its teens vaccinated, the same as the state overall. That the Bay Area is outpacing most other California counties on youth vaccinations is no surprise. The region has raced ahead of the rest of the state on vaccination rates for adults, too. A previous Chronicle analysis found that, across the U.S., vaccination rates for people aged 16 and older were highest in counties where a large share of adults were college-educated, and the number of uninsured residents was low. Bay Area residents are disproportionately likely to be insured and college-educated, which partly explains why the regions vaccination rates are so strong. Its likely that these factors also predict vaccination rates for youth, too. Our analysis found a strong relationship between adult and youth vaccination rates. This makes sense, given that most residents under 18 must receive permission to get vaccinated from a parent or guardian. For youths, as for adults, Marin County has the highest vaccination rate of California counties with 2,000 12- to 17-year-olds or more: 73% of the age group has gotten at least one dose of vaccine. That figure is fairly close to the countys adult vaccination rate of 85%. Still, teens in most counties remained far behind adults in vaccination rates by the end of May. And in both the Bay Area and California overall, vaccination rates for youths have slowed over the last week, after spiking for 10 days or so following the May 13 eligibility expansion. Bay Area health departments are deploying a number of strategies to help reach more teens. Paul Gullixson, communications officer for Sonoma County, told The Chronicle in mid-May that the county began targeting younger residents in mid-May when they became eligible. The county offered youth-tailored perks like gift cards to coffee shops and pizza parlors. Santa Clara County offered boba and cookies, Gullixson said. Were looking at the same kinds of things. Alameda County, where 45% of teens were vaccinated by May 31, has begun working with pediatricians, providing mobile vaccination clinics with additional Pfizer doses and coordinating pop-up events at high schools. The county is also working with youth groups to create their own social media posts and materials, according to Lisa Erickson, schools liaison at the Alameda County Public Health Department. We know thats the best way to communicate with youth, is if its in their own voices, Erickson said in a county COVID-19 Community Advisory Group meeting on June 2. Susie Neilson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: susie.neilson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susieneilson KTVU A longtime Bay Area anchor with KTVU is taking time away from the desk to focus on his health, KTVU officials said Thursday, days after he appeared to slur his words on a Sunday night newscast. During the newscast, veteran journalist Frank Somerville appeared to slur his words when reporting on regional weather conditions and a recent assault of a San Francisco police officer. Elmer Rogel Lopez was kidnapped by police in El Salvador who believed he had reported a gang crime to other officers. The kidnappers beat him severely, put a gun inside his mouth, fired shots near his head, talked about killing him, and then turned him over to gang members, who beat him for another three hours. That didnt amount to torture, U.S. immigration courts said. Yes, it did, a federal appeals court said in a ruling allowing Rogel Lopez to remain in the United States. The severe beatings and threats of imminent death that Rogel Lopez suffered over a two-day period show that he suffered past torture by agents of the Salvadoran government, said the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco in a 2-1 decision Thursday. The court also said immigration judges must reconsider Rogel Lopezs claim that he would face persecution by the gangs and Salvadoran police and is therefore eligible for asylum, which would eventually allow him to apply for U.S. citizenship. Regardless, he cannot be deported to El Salvador because of the courts conclusion that he was tortured and could not safely return to the Central American nation. To me, the most disturbing aspect of the torture was mental, said his appellate attorney, William Fernholz, a UC Berkeley law school instructor and supervisor of the law students who argued the case in April. Mr. Rogel Lopez had to listen as officers planned his death and was made to wait for gang members to arrive to carry out the execution. The police who abducted Rogel Lopez apparently believed he had reported involvement of a drug gang in a 2013 murder. While he repeatedly denied making any such report, the court said they handcuffed him, drove him to a remote location, put a gun next to his head and in his mouth, fired shots alongside him and beat him with a rifle. They discussed killing him but instead contacted gang members, who blindfolded him, beat him for hours and then left him to await his intended killer, the court said. He got away only because of an attack on the house by a rival gang, giving him time to remove the ties from his hands and slip out through a back door, Fernholz said. He then sought refuge at relatives homes and was found three times, in three different cities, by gang members before fleeing to the U.S. in March 2014. He now lives in Southern California and, Fernholz said, and still suffers pain from his injuries. The majority opinion was signed by Judge Richard Paez and U.S. District Judge Edward Korman of Brooklyn, N.Y., temporarily assigned to the appeals court. In dissent, Judge Lawrence VanDyke said the court should have deferred to the immigration judges conclusion that the beatings and threats, though severe, did not amount to torture. He also said Rogel Lopez could return safely to El Salvador because his relatives have reported that the gangs are no longer pursuing them but his lawyers said that was only because gang members knew Rogel Lopez had departed. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Californias lieutenant governor has little real power except when it comes to recalling the governor. Then things get real. By law, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis can set the date when voters decide whether to yank her fellow Democrat, Gov. Gavin Newsom, from office. But she told The Chronicle she wont seek to rig the timeline to help Newsom. I feel very strongly that the timeline is determined by statute, Kounalakis said. And that what drives the timeline are a series of milestones, and that there is some flexibility within those milestones. Kounalakis is right. Theres flexibility at several points in the recall timeline. And the key players at a few of those junctures are saying or at least hinting that the election will be scheduled sooner rather than later. But it may not be as early as August, as Orinda state Sen. Steve Glazer has suggested. Glazer, the masterful chief strategist of Gov. Jerry Browns 2010 gubernatorial campaign when he overcame being vastly outspent by billionaire Meg Whitman, said he believes that sooner is better for Newsom. Polls show that only 40% of likely voters want to boot him a level of support that has remained flat for months. Meanwhile, the UCLA Anderson School of Management economic forecast released this week expects the California recovery to outpace that of the U.S., even though Californias unemployment rate remains among the highest in the country. The state is scheduled to reopen June 15. Most students are expected to be back in class this fall. And, unlike before the recall of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in 2003, the state budget is so flush that California is giving away millions of dollars in cash prizes to people who get vaccinated. That air of a return to normalcy presumably could help Newsom. Plus, it might be better for him if the recall doesnt happen in the peak of what is anticipated to be an intense fire season this fall, when PG&Es preemptive blackouts are likely to return. That, rightly or wrongly, wont reflect well on Californias CEO. Many analysts have predicted the recall will be scheduled in November. That could happen, but heres a look at how the recall timeline could shorten: What happens next? Tuesday is the last day that people can remove their name from the recall petition. Few appear to have done that, according to former state Sen. Don Perata, who led the effort to peel back signatures as a way to derail the recall. The timeline gives county election officials 10 days to report to Secretary of State Shirley Weber how many people withdrew their names. Even though there should be few withdrawals to count, dont expect counties to file their reports early. That rarely happens. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle So can the next step save some time? Maybe. After the updated lists are submitted, the Department of Finance will ask each of Californias 58 county election officials to estimate how much the election will cost. Heres an opportunity for some time savings, as that process has already begun. The finance department has already received preliminary cost estimates from 56 counties. It is trying to get a price tag on the recall to the Legislature before its June 15 budget deadline. (The California Association of Clerks and Elections Officials pegged the cost of holding the election at $400 million in an early May letter to the Legislature.) After we know the cost, then what? Then the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, chaired by state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, has 30 days to review and comment on the cost estimate provided by the Department of Finance. But Skinner said this week that it might not take that long. Our county election officials have already indicated their costs, Skinner said, so weve already been reviewing that. And the 30 days may not be necessary. So there might be time shaved off of the calendar at this juncture. When does the lieutenant governor get to weigh in? Next. After the budget committee finishes its review and Weber certifies there are enough valid signatures, Kounalakis takes the baton. She can schedule the election between 60 and 80 days after Weber blesses the signatures. But Kounalakis said she isnt going to call the election as soon as possible. Its probably going to end up somewhere in between, she said. She will weigh several factors. One consideration: Picking a day that is most convenient for voters. This is the rare chance to schedule an election on a day other than a Tuesday, something voting rights advocates have long wanted. Some people think Tuesday, because its always an election day, might make more sense. Others think Saturday or Sunday when people arent working, Kounalakis said, noting that all voters will be mailed a ballot. One thing Kounalakis wont be trying to do is schedule the recall around a potential crisis. The governor has been facing crises for 2 years. I dont think the timing matters very much, she said. In my view, getting it over with makes sense so that we can move on and focus on our economic recovery post-COVID. Wait, wouldnt the lieutenant governor want to run as a possible recall candidate in case Newsom is recalled? Youd think so. First, remember that whenever the recall is held, there will be two questions on the ballot. The first will be whether you want to recall Newsom. If your answer is yes, then you get to choose a replacement. In 2003, 135 possible replacements ran for governor. Democrats split during the 2003 recall of Davis after Lt. Gov Cruz Bustamante broke a pledge not to run and entered the field of replacement candidates. Some Democrats felt Bustamantes presence on the ballot confused many voters. The party is determined not to repeat that mistake. Including Kounalakis. The answer is no, she said of running. The recall is truly a Republican effort to win a recall election when they know they cant win a regular election. By the way, we have another election a year later. So (Newsom) will be on the ballot three times in four years. If Newsom is on the ballot in 2022, when his term is scheduled to end, presumably the process wont be this complicated. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli WASHINGTON California is home to one of the most reliably liberal wings of the federal court system. President Biden has an opportunity to ensure it stays that way, but first he has to make some nominations and soon. That means California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are in the hot seat. There are 19 openings in Californias trial-level district courts, including three in the San Francisco-based Northern District, and four openings on the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, three of which are in California. But although Biden has put forward 19 judicial nominees, six circuit and 13 district, none has yet been for California. The holdup is a lesson in the process and politics of filling the courts, which begins with the states U.S. senators. Traditionally, judicial nominations involve consultations with the senators of the courts home state. When those lawmakers are of the same party as the president, as is the case for Biden and the two Democrats representing California, there is even more deference by the White House to the lawmakers. Only in recent days have Padilla and Feinstein begun to make recommendations, their offices told The Chronicle. Feinstein has already sent some and will offer more soon, her office said, and Padilla will send a few in the next week, his office said. Some of the delay is due to bad timing: Padilla only took office in late January and some openings have only emerged in recent months. Feinstein said her office received hundreds of applicants, and sorting through them takes time. The White House and both senators have also emphasized diversity of background in their selections, making the selection process even more challenging. In this round, Feinstein, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and close ally of Bidens, is recommending both district-level and appellate-level nominees, and Padilla, a first-term senator on the Judiciary Committee, is recommending names for the district courts. Both created formal application processes online to collect names and have engaged outside experts to receive and evaluate the resumes. The latest moves come months after a handful of California judges began to announce they would take senior status, which creates a vacancy while allowing the senior judge to remain on the court with a reduced caseload. San Francisco-based Judge William Alsup announced his plans the day after Bidens inauguration in January. The Clinton appointee was followed swiftly by two other Bay Area judges, the districts Chief Judge Phyllis Hamilton, also a Clinton appointee, and Jeffrey White, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush. More have occurred in recent months, including announcements by California-based Ninth Circuit judges Marsha Berzon in April, and Richard Paez and William Fletcher last month that they would take senior status when successors were confirmed. Democrats feel a sense of urgency to move quickly on nominations after former President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans aggressively stocked the bench with appointments. After slow-walking Obamas nominations at the end of his term, top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and his Judiciary Committee chairs changed Senate rules to confirm judges even more quickly under Trump, letting them install more than 200 judges over four years. Many judges were eligible for senior status before Bidens presidency but may have waited for the Democrat to take office and not give Trump another chance at a nomination. Christopher Kang, a former White House official who oversaw judicial nominations under former President Barack Obama, also suspects judges including Berzon and Paez may have wanted to see Bidens first few judicial nominations to be assured he keptunique and diverse perspectives on the bench. Kang co-founded Demand Justice, an organization that pushes Democrats to counteract what they see as aggressive Republican efforts to reshape the courts in their political ideology. All of Trumps nominees to appellate courts and the Supreme Court had been screened and approved by the conservative Federalist Society, a courts-focused legal advocacy organization. While politicians and judges regularly downplay the idea that partisan leanings factor into nominations, most judicial nominees over the years have held ideologies similar to those of the president. A further nine Ninth Circuit judges are currently eligible for senior status, which is determined by their age and years of service. Five were nominated by Clinton, the other four by Republican presidents. Historically, judges have been more likely to take senior status to clear way for new appointments when a president of their own party is in office. In its early judicial nominations, the White House is setting the right priorities, except for California, said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor. The office of White House counsel Dana Remus, which chooses nominees for the appeals courts, seems focused on diversifying the courts, picking people who are not from a traditional mold, said Jeremy Fogel, a former federal judge in San Francisco who now heads the Judicial Institute at UC Berkeley Law School. He noted that Bidens first three appeals court nominees, announced in March, were all Black women, including Ketanji Brown Jackson, a District Court judge in Washington, D.C., widely viewed as a leading candidate for the Supreme Court, where the president has promised to nominate an African American woman. In contrast to the past parade of judicial candidates from prosecutors offices and major law firms, Fogel said, the Biden administration is looking at candidates with different backgrounds, such as public defenders and Legal Aid attorneys. Both Padilla and Feinstein said they are also prioritizing diverse candidates. We need a richness of diversity, including professional diversity, on the federal courts, Feinstein said in a statement to The Chronicle. My judicial advisory committee has reviewed more than 300 applicants for the current vacancies, a record number of applicants that highlights Californias strength and diversity. Padilla said he was hoping to bring a new generation of vibrant, diverse, exceptionally skilled lawyers with distinguished records of community service to the federal bench. The White House ignored multiple requests for comment on its judicial nominations process, but vetting of nominees typically takes several weeks, meaning nominations for California could still take months to announce. Though Biden is serving a four-year term, Democrats could lose their razor-thin control of the Senate in the midterm elections, making the next two years their best chance at filling empty seats. The Ninth Circuit is incredibly important, said Kang, of Demand Justice. With these vacancies now, its an opportunity for President Biden to bring some greater perspective and diversity to the court. ... The pace will be very different than the Obama administration because Democrats are understanding the courts have to be a higher priority. I do think there is more work that has to be done, including in encouraging professional diverse lawyers to apply. Tal Kopan and Bob Egelko are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com, begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan, @BobEgelko At least a dozen people dressed up as assorted Marvel superheroes are posted outside of Disneyland to protest what they believe to be a supposed lack of information surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine. The protest is sprawled out on Harbor Blvd. in Anaheim early Friday morning, near a line of thousands of Disneyland attendees waiting to enter the park on the pedestrian entrance to the park. With posters designed to look like comic books, with the pun Marvel at the Facts, the protesters claim that the safety measures were flouted in the lead-up to its approval in the United States. One sign reads, "Rushed COVID-19 vaccines bypassed critical safety steps," while another claims that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have repeatedly repudiated any claims that the approval process for the vaccine was rushed, noting that vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials and met multiple rigorous scientific standards in order to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) by the FDA. Among the Marvel superheroes in attendance are people dressed up like Iron Man, Captain Marvel and Spider-Man; the protest is taking place on the same day as the opening of the much-awaited Avengers Campus area at Disneys California Adventure. The costumed anti-vaccine demonstrators have not been kicked out by Disney yet, likely due to the location of their protest set up carefully on a public sidewalk but close enough to the park that attendees will inevitably see the demonstration. An individual wearing the Iron Man costume told SFGATE that he was out there because he wanted people to have a choice as to whether they get vaccinated or not, calling so-called mandates segregation. A large truck holding up a LED billboard with anti-vaccine sentiment was also spotted driving up and down the street. It has taken place since at least before 8 a.m. Friday. According to a protester who spoke to SFGATE, the demonstration was planned at least six weeks in advance. A spokesman for Disneyland did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE. A 19-year-old Alameda man was fatally stabbed following an altercation at a Waikiki beach Tuesday. Elian De La Cerda, 19, was confronted by a group of individuals at Kuhio Beach just after midnight Tuesday. He was pronounced dead at the scene at around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, reported the Bay Area News Group, after being stabbed in the chest. A video obtained by KITV in Honolulu shows the moments leading up to the stabbing, in which a group of young adults and De La Cerda, with a friend, throw verbal jabs at each other. Then, one of the group members is slapped and a fight ensues. According to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, De La Cerda was set to fly back to the Bay Area later that day. De La Cerdas friend, who was not identified by the paper, was hospitalized after suffering multiple injuries but was released as of Thursday, the paper reported. The Star Advertiser reported that 21-year-old Waikiki resident Oscar Cardona was arrested on suspicion of murder following the altercation. Another suspect, per KITV, was identified by police but a third female suspect was unknown as of Wednesday. Honolulu police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) A judge on Friday ordered a dozen Australian media companies to pay fines from 1,000 Australian dollars ($766) to AU$450,000 ($345,000) for breaching a gag order by publishing references to Cardinal George Pells since-overturned convictions in 2018 for child sexual abuse. Dozens of companies, reporters and editors were initially charged with contempt and breaching a suppression order over their coverage of the convictions, which were banned from publication in Australia until February 2019. Such suppression orders are common in the Australian and British judicial systems. But the enormous international interest in an Australian criminal trial with global ramifications highlighted the difficulty in enforcing such orders in the digital age. The media companies pleaded guilty in February to 21 charges of contempt in a plea deal in the Victoria state Supreme Court. Justice John Dixon said on Friday the guilty pleas did not demonstrate remorse but were entered to protect individual editors, reporters and broadcast presenters from convictions. The individuals had faced potential prison sentences. The Age Company and News Life Media's offenses constituted a blatant and willful defiance of the courts authority, Dixon said. Each took a deliberate risk by intentionally advancing a collateral attack on the role of suppression orders in Victorias criminal justice system, Dixon said. The Age Company was fined AU$450,000 ($345,000) and News Life Media AU$400,000 ($306,000). No foreign news organization has been charged with breaching the suppression order. The U.S. Constitutions First Amendment would prevent such censorship in the United States, so attempting to extradite an American for breaching an Australian suppression order would be futile. Pell was Pope Francis top financial adviser and regarded as the third most senior cleric in the Vatican when he became the most senior Catholic ever convicted of child sex abuse. Pells five convictions have since been overturned and he has returned to the Vatican after spending 13 months in prison. No Australian media company published a straight news report of Pells convictions, but some directed their audiences to international online reports. Melbournes most popular newspaper, Herald Sun, published a white headline CENSORED across a black front page. The world is reading a very important story that is relevant to Victorians, the newspaper said, referring to residents of Victoria state. The newspaper said it was prevented from publishing details of this significant news. The newspapers owner, Herald and Weekly Times, was fined AU$2,000 ($1,532). The media companies must also pay prosecutors legal costs of AU$650,000 ($498,000). SAN DIEGO (AP) Two San Diego police officers were among three people killed Friday after their car was struck by a driver going the wrong way on an interstate highway, authorities said. The officers were in a blue city-owned Ford Fusion sedan when they were hit by a white Honda Civic going at a high rate of speed in the wrong way down Interstate 5 near the U.S.-Mexico border south of downtown San Diego, California Highway Patrol Officer Jim Bettencourt told the San Diego Union-Tribune. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Four people were charged with manslaughter in a shooting last month at an illegal concert in South Carolina that killed a 14-year-old girl and hurt 13 other people, North Charleston police said. The May 22 shooting happened when two gangs were at the same vacant lot where a stage was set up and food and drinks were being sold, investigators said. They saw each other and they started shooting at each other, not caring who was in between," North Charleston Deputy Police Chief Ken Hagge said. Tyquan Cooper, 20; Manqual Horlbeck Jr., 21; Tye Robinson Jr. 19; and Malachi Wigfall, 18, are all charged with manslaughter, 12 counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. Jail records didn't indicate if they had lawyers. Police aren't ready to say how many people fired guns that night or how many bullets were shot, but the investigation continues, Hagge said. More people are going to go to jail, for sure," Hagge said at a Thursday news conference. Ronjanae Smith, 14, was killed. Nine of the 14 people hit by gunfire were women. All of the wounded have been released from the hospital, police said. People are tired of it. Law enforcement is tired of it. The community is tired of it," Hagge said. The illegal concert was publicized with flyers and included a bar. Hagge said police have concentrated on finding the shooters, but they also plan to investigate the people who organized the party. Hagge said police consulted with prosecutors before charging the four suspects with manslaughter instead of murder. Manslaughter typically involves a killing in the heat of passion and carries a prison sentence of two to 30 years. Murder often involves an intention to kill and has a prison sentence of 30 years to life. Hagge said the charges could be upgraded depending on what is found as the investigation continues. ___ Follow Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP. GILA BEND, Ariz. (AP) The U.S. Border Patrol says its agents in southern Arizona have rescued 26 migrants stranded in the mountains south of Interstate 8 amid rising summer temperatures. The agency said Friday the rescue took place Wednesday afternoon in the Tabletop Mountains near Gila Bend after one of the migrants called 911 for help. Temperatures in the Sonoran Desert had hit 95 degrees Fahrenheit. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) All of Oregons publicly funded universities will now require the COVID-19 vaccination for returning students, as well as faculty and staff. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported Friday that the final two universities to announce the decision were the Oregon Institute of Technology and Eastern Oregon University. The schools will have a process for students to get legal exemptions. Students who attend class fully online and who dont engage in any on-campus activities will not be required to be vaccinated, the news outlet said. OIT made its announcement Wednesday afternoon, and EOU followed on Thursday. EOU President Tom Inkso said during a board meeting in May that many students and faculty were split on the decision to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine. In a survey, the majority of faculty at EOU were in favor of a vaccine mandate, while the majority of students were against one. Eastern will officially require COVID-19 vaccinations when the Federal Drug Administration fully approves one or more of the vaccines. Both Pfizer and Moderna have emergency use approval for their shots and expect to get full approval later in 2021. But EOU officials emphasized in a statement that students and faculty shouldn't wait for the full approval to get their vaccines. Students who attend class fully online and who dont engage in any on-campus activities will not be required to be vaccinated. Both EOU and OIT said they will provide more information on how to request an exemption or submit proof of vaccination. DENVER (AP) An arrest warrant affidavit for a Colorado man charged with murder in the death of his wife who disappeared last year will remain sealed, a judge ruled Friday, saying that release of the document could harm the couple's daughters and witnesses in the case and hinder Barry Morphew's ability to prepare his own defense. Chaffee County District Court Judge Patrick Murphy ordered that the affidavit, which details investigators' reasons justifying Morphew's arrest in the disappearance of Suzanne Morphew, remain sealed until the conclusion of a preliminary hearing in August. A coalition of news media organizations, including The Associated Press, had petitioned the court for release of the 130-page document, arguing in part that the public has a presumptive right to know what led to Morphew's May 5 arrest. According to prosecutors, Morphew, 53, is accused of killing his 49-year-old wife sometime between May 9 and May 10, 2020. The mother of two daughters was reported missing on May 10, 2020, which was Mothers Day. Prosecutors say Morphew tampered with her body around that time and tampered with other evidence in the case from last May through early March, about two months before he was arrested. While the investigation in this matter has been ongoing for a little over a year now, it consists of numerous witnesses and circumstantial evidence. Thus, witness credibility will be at a premium, Murphy wrote in his order. Barry Morphew had posted a video on social media pleading for his wifes return soon after she vanished. He was arrested near his home in Poncha Springs, a small community in southern Colorado. At the time, authorities said they had failed to find Suzanne Morphews body. Morphew also has been charged with possessing a short rifle, a banned weapon in Colorado, and with trying to influence eight public servants, at least some of whom are law enforcement officers, by means of deceit from the time his wife disappeared until he was arrested. Morphew is represented by state public defenders who do not comment to the news media on cases. Authorities also have charged Morphew with submitting a fraudulent vote on his wifes behalf for then-President Donald Trump in Novembers election. ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A Tennessee constable has been charged with using drugs seized during traffic stops to train drug detection dogs, authorities said. Hawkins County Constable William Creasy has been indicted on charges including official misconduct and drug possession, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Thursday. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to adequately explain why it changed its position on Endangered Species Act protections for the Pacific walrus, an appeals court panel ruled. In 2011, the federal agency found listing the walrus as a threatened or endangered species was warranted because of diminishing sea ice habitat. The walrus was not listed, though, and instead deemed a candidate for special protections. But six year later, the Fish and Wildlife Service said the walruses had shown an ability to adapt to sea ice loss that was not foreseen when the Service last assessed the species in 2011" and determined protections were not warranted. A three judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled that while a 2017 review contained new information, the actual decision document does not explain why this new information resulted in an about-face from the Services 2011 conclusion that the Pacific walrus met the statutory criteria for listing. The Center for Biological Diversity, a conservation group that petitioned for Endangered Species Act protections for the walrus, sued in 2018. A federal judge rejected the challenge, prompting the appeal, the Anchorage Daily News reported. The appeals court panel said the Fish and Wildlife Service is required to provide a sufficient explanation of its new position. Emily Jeffers, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, said the ruling gives the Pacific walrus a fighting chance. Jeffers, in a statement, said the federal wildlife agency "will have to go back and examine the science on sea-ice loss and walrus survival, and were confident theyll give these creatures the protections they desperately need. Andrea Medeiros, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson, told The Associated Press by email Friday that the agency had no comment. The Pacific walrus live in the Bering and Chukchi seas and haul out on sea ice and along coastline and islands, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The Center for Biological Diversity said the walrus rely on Arctic sea ice for their essential life functions. LAS VEGAS (AP) Court records show all criminal cases have been closed against people arrested while protesting in Las Vegas last summer over racial injustice and policing. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the final four cases were dismissed this week after the Clark County District Attorney declined to prosecute. 3 1 of 3 Petr David Josek/AP Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Petr David Josek/AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3 PRAGUE (AP) The lower house of the Czech Parliament approved legislation on Friday to compensate Roma women who were sterilized against their will. Human rights groups believe hundreds of Roma women were sterilized without their informed consent. Up to 400 women are expected to be entitled to claim the one-time compensation of 300,000 Czech crowns ($14,350). SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) The daughter of a Los Angeles County firefighter killed by a colleague graduated from high school just days after the shooting, wearing her fathers firefighting jacket as she tearfully received her diploma. Several hundred firefighters in black uniforms lined the entrance to the graduation ceremony Thursday for Saugus High School as Joslyn Carlon and her family entered, ABC 7 reported. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Democratic legislative leaders said Friday they're close to reaching a comprehensive understanding on a new two-year state budget that does not raise new taxes, yet makes major investments in education, health care, municipal aid, workforce development and rent relief. The Democratic leaders, who control the General Assembly, said the tentative budget language would be presented Friday evening to both Democratic and Republican rank-and-file lawmakers in hopes of attracting bipartisan support. The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its regular legislative session Wednesday at midnight. We think we are very close to a comprehensive understanding. But of course there are a number of details that were discussed in concept that have to be verified in depth by the governor's and legislature's budget offices, said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven. Given the progress with negotiations, House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said the House would not be voting Saturday on a legislative budget, something he said earlier in the day was possible if an agreement couldn't be reached with Lamont in time for the legislature's deadline. Among other things, a compromise was reached on how much of the sales tax revenue that's supposed to be diverted to help cities and towns will be included in the budget. Lamont said Friday he'd like to get the budget a key priority passed on time. I think it's a budget that's incredibly bold. I think it's very progressive and it's balanced without new taxes, Lamont said. I think when you look at what we're doing for child care, when you look at what we're doing for schools, when you look at what we're doing for rent relief, when you look at what we're doing for the colleges, it's unprecedented. The budget and the legalization of recreational cannabis are two of the last major bills that need to be voted on before the regular session adjourns. House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, said Friday that a pencils down agreement had been reached on the complicated bill that creates a new legalized system for cannabis sales. We're done negotiating and taking all of the wonderful ideas that people have wanted to contribute to this piece of legislation, he said. Rojas said there was progress made in recent days toward making sure the bill is really open to a broad spectrum of individuals who want to become involved in the marijuana industry, rather than the large corporations with access to capital that have dominated the markets in others states. Rank-and-file lawmakers were supposed to be briefed on the cannabis legislation as well. It remained uncertain when the legislation could come up for a vote. Despite being from the same political party and historic amounts of federal coronavirus relief funds, it's been a challenge for Lamont and the Democrats to reach consensus on a new budget. Members of the legislature's progressive caucus have pushed for higher taxes on the wealthy, arguing major investments are needed to address longstanding inequities long after federal funds run out something Lamont, a former businessman and fiscal moderate, has opposed. While the legislature's Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee passed a tax package that included a new consumption tax and capital gains tax on higher income taxpayers, as well as other tax increases, tax proposals are no longer being considered in the negotiations. This budget will not increase taxes, said Melissa McCaw, Lamont's budget director, who noted that Connecticut's revenue projections have been improving consistently as the state emerges from the pandemic. She said about $1.2 billion in federal virus funds will also be used to balance the budget. Meanwhile, a contentious plan from Lamont to have Connecticut join the multi-state Transportation and Climate Initiative is no longer being considered this year, Democrats confirmed. The program, which the leaders of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C., had also supported, involved raising money through wholesale fuel suppliers to ultimately pay for clean transportation investments. Critics said that would increase gas prices by 5 to 9 cents. Lamont's proposal for a new mileage-based highway use tax on tractor-trailers, where the weight of the trucks determines the rate paid, won't be included in the budget bill, but could come up in a separate bill. Modeled after programs in New York and Oregon, the tax is projected to generate $90 million annually to help shore up the states financially troubled transportation fund. FLINT, Mich. (AP) Lawyers are defending the use of a handheld device to check for lead in Flint residents, despite the manufacturer's warning that it wasn't designed for that work. The bone scan device has been a source of controversy in a $641 million settlement with people who were exposed to lead-contaminated water in Flint. Some doctors believe the device is risky, especially for children. Meanwhile, lawyers without access to one have complained that their clients could lose out on higher compensation without bone scan results. The maker, Thermo Fisher Scientific, said in a May 12 letter that the device wasn't designed to measure bone lead levels in people, though the company has supported research on a limited number of occasions with universities. The company's website says the device typically is for mining and exploration. The letter was sent to Napoli Shkolnik law firm, which has extensively used the device on Flint clients who volunteer, the Detroit Free Press reported. Thats a pretty powerful statement, because the manufacturer would obviously make more money selling more of these, said Mark Cuker, a rival attorney in Flint who provided the letter to the newspaper. In a recent court filing, attorneys Paul Napoli and Corey Stern defended the device and attached affidavits from experts. There is no risk to patients from the use of the device and no lead shielding is required while administering the exam, said Yuwonia Speights-Beaugard, director of radiology services at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, who has visited the site where scans are performed. Thousands of Flint residents have signed up for a portion of a $641 million lawsuit settlement, mostly paid by the state of Michigan, for lead-contaminated water in 2014-15 and a fatal outbreak of Legionnaires' disease. The settlement has received preliminary approval by a federal judge but much work remains, including a fairness hearing in July. Cuker has complained that only Napoli clients have had access to the bone scan device. Dr. Lawrence Reynolds, a Flint pediatrician who has objected to the device, said there is no evidence that anyone has been harmed, but he considers the use unethical. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, credited with helping expose the Flint water crisis, also opposes use of the scanner. Bone scan results are not required to make a claim in the Flint settlement, but residents could voluntarily undergo that process based upon the advice of their lawyers, said Lynsey Mukomel, spokeswoman for the Michigan attorney general. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi's top health official said Friday that lack of access isnt the reason the state is last in the nation for COVID-19 vaccinations its apathy. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said he guarantees the state is among the easiest in the country to get a vaccine but many people refuse because they don't think they need it. I think thats something that we really struggle with because its part of our health care culture here, he said during a virtual conversation with the Mississippi Medical Association. Later, he said: Its really sad because people in foreign countries would saw off their small toe to get a COVID vaccine, and ... were not gonna take five minutes as we walk by the Kroger pharmacy." About 911,000 of Mississippi's 3 million residents are fully vaccinated, according to the state Department of Health. The state has seen more than 318,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 7,325 COVID-19-related deaths. About 27% of the population is fully vaccinated, compared with the most vaccinated state in the U.S., Vermont, where about 56% of the population is vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is now available at state-run sites throughout Mississippi that don't require appointments. It can be accessed at dozens of pharmacies, clinics and hospitals throughout the state, all listed on the Department of Health website. Dobbs said he has been doing at-home visits personally to vaccinate homebound residents. The Department of Health has announced pop-up vaccination sites in underserved areas and made arrangements for churches and other community organizations to host their own vaccination events. It's almost like you need to try to not get the vaccine," Mississippi Medical Association Executive Director Dr. Claude Brunson said Friday. Dr. Mark Horne, president of the Mississippi State Medical Association, asked Dobbs whether state leaders have thought about using incentives to encourage people to get vaccinated. Several states have hosted lottery events for people getting vaccinated. I think what weve seen in some other states is that people, they need a bonus, they need a little something to kind of push them over, Horne said. Dobbs said the Department of Health is exploring incentives and other measures that can be taken to encourage more vaccinations. ___ Leah Willingham 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. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A dock worker has pleaded guilty to making a fake distress call in December that resulted in a fruitless, many-hour search by the Coast Guard. Nathan Libby, 31, pleaded guilty to communicating a false distress call in U.S. District Court in Portland on Thursday, The Courier-Gazette reported. The Coast Guard said it received a distress call around 6:31 a.m. on Dec. 3, 2020, that a boat was taking on water. Mayday. Mayday. We lost our rudder. And were taking on water fast. We dont have enough pumps to keep up with it, an unidentified man said in a recording released by the Coast Guard soon after the call. The Coast Guard searched for several hours in the area near Spruce Head, located about 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) south of Rockland, until it determined that there were no indications of distress or missing people in the area. In an affidavit, the Coast Guard said a Maine Marine Patrol officer actually spoke with Libby, who was working at the Spruce Head Fishermans Co-op nearby, and gave the officer a list of boats that had gone out that morning. The officer played the audio recording to another person at the co-op who said it sounded like Libby. The officer then recorded Libby's voice and the Coast Guard consulted with a research professor at the Language Technologies Institute School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The professor confirmed Libby's voice matched the voice on the recording. Surveillance footage also shows Libby was at the co-op's office at the time of the call. The office had a radio dialed into the same channel used to make the call. It is not clear why Libby made the distress call, but it happened just weeks after four Maine fisherman died when their boat, Emmy Rose, sank on the way from Portland, Maine, to Gloucester, Massachusetts. ___ This story has been corrected to show the story has been attributed to The Courier-Gazette, not the Bangor Daily News. BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) Officials with state and federal agencies are investigating the cause of an explosion at a fireworks factory in south-central Montana that destroyed a shipping container and was heard up to 10 miles (15 kilometers) away. Nobody was injured in the blast about 10 p.m. Thursday at Next FX, south of Columbus, Columbus Fire Rescue said. LA CENTER, Wash. (AP) The Washington State Patrol says a driver of a car fleeing from authorities at more than 100 mph stopped on an Interstate 5 overpass in southwestern Washington and was shot by police. KOIN reports that after being shot on the overpass in La Center Thursday night, the driver barricaded himself in the car and refused to get out. But, authorities said, he later complied and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills Friday aimed at helping veterans transition to the civilian workforce and a third that helps children of active military members adjust to new schools. One of the bills expands an exemption for qualified veterans to get government jobs even if they don't have a required post secondary degree. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A former top official in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis mishandled clergy sex abuse cases and failed to protect children from abusive priests, an archdiocese investigation has concluded. The archdiocese announced results of its investigation into the Rev. Kevin McDonough on Thursday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. The probe found that McDonough had not always demonstrated sufficiently sound judgment in handling allegations of ministerial misconduct or in an attending to his duties to prevent harm and create safer environments." He has not been accused of abusing children himself. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) A former member of the Tribal Council for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has been sentenced to two years in prison for wire fraud, federal prosecutors said. Randy Lamar Anderson, 46, of Conehatta, admitted to forging hotel bills and receipts and submitting those documents to the tribal government in claims for reimbursement for official business travel, Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca of the Southern District of Mississippi said in a news release Thursday. WASHINGTON - Former White House counsel Donald McGahn detailed for the House Judiciary Committee on Friday how former president Donald Trump attempted to stymie a federal probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election - bombshell revelations that might once have fueled additional impeachment charges, were they not already public and had it not taken more than two years for Democrats to secure his testimony. Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., who led the Democrats' exhaustive campaign to compel McGahn's testimony, emerged from the meeting after nearly six hours but refused to discuss the closed-door interview. He said only that the terms of McGahn's appearance limited its focus to the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller III, whose two-year Russia investigation overshadowed much of Trump's presidency. In a written statement Friday evening, Nadler offered that McGahn "testified at length to an extremely dangerous period in our nation's history - in which President Trump, increasingly unhinged and fearful of his own liability, attempted to obstruct the Mueller investigation at every turn." McGahn, Nadler asserted, was "clearly distressed" by Trump's repeated refusal to heed his legal advice and "shed new light on several troubling events." He did not elaborate, and a transcript of the interview is not expected to be made public before next week. McGahn did not address the media. The committee's top Republican, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio denounced Friday's session as "re-litigating the Mueller report" and a waste of time. Panel member Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who like Jordan is among Trump's most outspoken supporters in Congress, added: "We've learned nothing new." "The expectation was that Don McGahn would be some sort of essential witness bringing new information worthy of years of litigation and countless taxpayer dollars spent on this endeavor," Gaetz told reporters. "Mr. McGahn is unable to identify anything unlawful on the part of the president or any other member of the president's administration." The committee first asked to interview McGahn in 2019, after the release of Mueller's report. McGahn was the most-cited witness in that document, explaining how Trump had tried to have Mueller fired and then asked aides to lie about it. Democrats and many legal scholars have seized on McGahn's disclosures to Mueller as evidence of possible obstruction of justice, a crime. The Trump administration sought to keep McGahn muzzled, claiming his proximity to the president granted him "absolute immunity" from congressional summons. Lawmakers departing Friday's session offered little insight about the substance of McGahn's testimony, but Democrats defended the exercise, saying his in-person appearance served to amplify details contained in Mueller's report. "His words and his demeanor brought those things to life," Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., said after the interview, describing how McGahn detailed the "pressure" he was under from Trump. It will be more difficult for the public to glean such nuance, however, as only a transcript of the testimony will be released. A legal battle over the enforcement of Congress's subpoena for McGahn's testimony played out in federal court for two years before the Democratic-controlled House reached a deal with the Biden administration to bring in McGahn for Friday's transcribed interview. But that bargain, struck last month, has been widely criticized as a retreat by the House, which abandoned its legal fight before it reached the Supreme Court and never secured a definitive ruling that it is mandatory to obey a congressional subpoena - which might have helped avoid similar conflicts in the future. Last year, House Democrats unveiled legislation to accelerate the timelines under which the courts consider cases involving congressional subpoenas, as part of a broader package of reforms to better prevent presidential abuses of power. That legislation is currently the subject of discussions with the White House, and is expected to be revisited in the House. "Congress has to be respected with its subpoena and oversight responsibilities. . . . Today we asserted that right," Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, told reporters Friday, defending Democrats' insistence on interviewing McGahn. Nadler, in his written statement, called the interview a "great victory for congressional oversight" but decried the excessive wait. "The Trump era," he said, "has taught us that Congress can no longer depend on good faith cooperation with our committees." LANSING, Mich. (AP) The Michigan Republican Party filed a complaint with the state on Friday over Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's reelection campaign paying for her use of a private jet to visit her ailing father in Florida. The law lets elected officials use political funds for incidental expenses incurred while carrying out government work. The Governors trip to West Palm Beach was indisputably not a trip for official business, as evidenced by the Governors own admission that the trip was to visit her father, GOP executive director Jason Roe wrote to the elections bureau, which is in Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's department. The March flights were valued at about $27,000. The governor will reimburse her campaign the equivalent of the cost of first-class commercial airline tickets for herself and her two daughters, who flew on the return leg. Whitmer was joined by her security detail on the plane provided by Detroit-based PVS Chemicals. Whitmer's campaign says commercial flights were not reasonable for security reasons and the governor also worked during the four-day trip. It contends that security costs can be covered by candidate committees, citing recent secretary of state guidance allowing officeholders to buy bulletproof vests and home security systems as long as they would not have done so as non-elected officials. But Roe said payments for private travel are not necessary expenses and Benson never considered whether private planes can be deemed security expenses. Whitmer and her campaign, he said, are desperately attempting to convolute Michigan campaign finance law in order to justify paying for the Governors personal travel. Brandon Hall, a Republican activist who is trying to impeach the governor, filed a similar complaint Tuesday. Benson could levy a fine if she finds a violation. Last week, a lawyer said Whitmer's campaign would pay for the flights after he learned PVS could not accept payment from a nonprofit fund tied to Whitmer because the company is not authorized to provide charter flights. Michigan Democratic Party spokeswoman Rodericka Applewhaite called the complaint bogus and accused the GOP of neverending obstruction" as the governor combats the coronavirus pandemic. ___ Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00 If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A strike of more than 2,100 Connecticut group home workers planned for Friday has been called off after a late-night agreement for higher wages and improved benefits was reached with the help of state officials, Gov. Ned Lamont said. The union representing workers at 200 group homes caring for people with developmental disabilities filed strike withdrawal notices with the state late Thursday night, Lamont said. Union officials said the tentative, two-year-deal includes a $184 million increase in state aid, mostly through Medicaid funding, to group homes over the next two years. Contracts still have to be negotiated with the six operators of the groups homes Journey Found, Mosaic, Network, Oak Hill, Sunrise, and Whole Life. The extra funding would allow the operators to increase the minimum wage of workers from the current $14.75 an hour to $16.50 by July 1 and to $17.25 by July 1, 2022, said Pedro Zayas, a spokesperson for the SEIU District 1199 New England union. He said a significant number of union members are making the minimum wage or close to the minimum and have to work other jobs to support themselves and their families. The additional aid also would provide pensions to workers at the three of the operators who currently do not have pensions, and lower health insurance costs for workers, Zayas said. The group homes already had relocated many residents and hired replacement workers in preparation for the strike. The Democratic governor's administration also helped prevent a strike planned last month by District 1199 nursing home workers around the state with a $267 million package to help pay for historic wage increases. ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistani Taliban gunmen shot and killed two policemen patrolling a residential area in Islamabad, the interior minister and police said Friday, raising fears the militants had established a presence in one of the country's safest cities. The attack happened Thursday night in the Shamas Colony neighborhood of the capital. Police said officers have launched search efforts to arrest the killers. A series of explosions rocked a munitions factory in central Serbia early Friday, forcing the evacuation of workers and nearby residents and causing panic but no injuries. The blasts at an ammunition depot of the Sloboda factory in Cacak, about 140 kilometers south of Belgrade, set off a huge fire that lit the night sky above the town. Police sealed off the area, blocked roads into the Cacak and moved people living near the factory from their homes. Workers who were at the factory hid in the basement when the explosions started. It was not immediately clear what caused the incident. Serbian media reported that sporadic detonations could still be heard in the morning, hours after they started around 1.30 a.m. We were lucky the explosion didn't take place in the production halls, Cacak Mayor Milun Todorovic told state broadcaster RTS television. Officials said firefighters would be able to go into the factory to assess the situation 24 hours after the last explosion. They said later Friday they expected the fire to be fully extinguished by next week and the factory to back in operation on Monday. RTS reported that most evacuated residents had returned to their homes by midday. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters that early damage estimates reached up to 2 million euros ($2.4 million). Sloboda is the biggest munitions factory in Serbia. It was targeted in a 1999 NATO bombing campaign during the war in Kosovo. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) While visiting her son in a Belarusian prison, Natallia Makavetskaya saw deep scars on his wrists left by tight handcuffs. She also noticed the yellow tag sewn onto his clothes. The tags mark those jailed for joining demonstrations against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and single them out for "particularly harsh prison conditions, Makavetskaya told The Associated Press. They have decided that my son is prone to extremism and treated him accordingly, she said in a telephone interview. Her son, Uladzislau Makavetsky, was convicted in December of threatening a police officer with a truncheon during a clash between protesters and police in his hometown of Vitebsk, and was sentenced to two years in prison. He denied the charges, saying he was only trying to protect an elderly man who had been beaten by police, and he just tossed away a truncheon dropped by one of the officers. Makavetsky told his mother that authorities at prison colony No. 22, located near Brest on the border with Poland, denied him any personal items or visitors for a time. During daily lineups, he was ordered to stand apart from other prisoners and say: I'm prone to extremism. Prisoners with yellow tags also get extensive regular searches. The 28-year-old woodcarver was one of more than 35,000 people arrested in Belarus in a harsh crackdown on protests that followed Lukashenko's reelection to a sixth term in an August 2020 vote that was widely seen as rigged. Thousands were severely beaten by police. The wide-ranging repression was spotlighted again on May 23, when a Ryanair flight traveling from Greece to Lithuania was diverted to Minsk where authorities arrested Raman Pratasevich, a dissident journalist who was aboard. He has been shown in several videos on state TV since his arrest, most recently Thursday night, tearfully repenting for his activities and praising Lukashenko in remarks that the opposition said were clearly made under duress. Outraged European Union authorities denounced the flight's diversion as air piracy and imposed more sanctions on the country. Belarus human rights activists say authorities have toughened prison conditions in recent months for those who took part in protests. Many of them have been marked with the yellow tags, a practice denounced by human rights activists. The tags' yellow color draws direct associations with yellow Stars of David for Jews in Nazi Germany, and it's hard to understand why the Belarusian authorities did it, said Valiantsin Stefanovich of the Viasna human rights center. In any case, these dangerous experiments lead to stigmatization of political prisoners by prison authorities and other inmates. Viasna says that at least 460 political prisoners are being held in Belarusian penitentiaries on criminal charges related to protests that carry terms from six months to several years. The Belarusian authorities have ignored criticism of harsh conditions for jailed protesters. Lukashenko has repeatedly cast protesters as pawns in what he described as efforts by Western spy agencies to destabilize Belarus and forcefully change the government. Besides Makavetskaya, three other women told the AP that their sons had yellow tags sewn on their clothes when they visited them in April and May. One of them, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Valiantsina, fearing reprisals from authorities, said her son told her he is kept in handcuffs around the clock. The IT specialist from Minsk is serving his four-year sentence in prison colony No. 1 in the city of Novopolotsk. My son whispered to me that he was being held for days in a stretched position in a punishment cell, his legs stretched far apart to cause intense pain without any trace left, she told AP. Another prisoner who was given a yellow tag was Katsiaryna Barysevich, a journalist of the Tut.by independent news portal who was released last month after serving six months on charges of revealing personal data in her report about a protesters death. I wouldnt say that I have been broken, Barysevich told reporters after her release. I have learned to look calmly at mad things. Liubou Kaspiarovich, another Tut.by journalist who spent 15 days in jail last month for covering a trial related to protests, said she and 14 others in her two-bed cell had to sleep on the concrete floor that was still wet with chlorine bleach. They were waking us up several times during the night, ordering us to report the criminal law articles we were charged with, and each morning they poured a bucketful of chlorine on the floor," Kaspiarovich told the AP. "And they put a homeless woman who had lice in our cell." Vitold Ashurok, who was among the first to draw attention to harsh conditions and yellow tags for political prisoners, died inside a prison in Shklov, where he was serving a five-year sentence for participating in protests. The authorities said Ashurok, 50, died of a heart attack May 21, although his death certificate didn't list a cause of death. When relatives were given his body, which bore bruises and a bandage on his head, authorities also released a video in which a man purported to be Ashurok was seen grasping his head and collapsing before officers enter. The opposition said the video was doctored. Viasna's Stefanovich questioned the official version of Ashurok's death. An absolutely healthy person suddenly dies in custody ... and they don't name the cause of death, and (then) hand over his body with bandages, he said. What are people supposed to think? His death brought an outpouring of anger. He died in the struggle for freedom and a brighter future for Belarus, U.S. Ambassador Julie Fisher said on Twitter, adding that Ashurok's "wrongful imprisonment and senseless death demand accountability. Another prisoner tried to slit his throat with a pen in court Tuesday after authorities threatened his family with criminal charges. Stsiapan Latypau, 41, was hospitalized and put in a medically induced coma afterward. German Foreign Ministry expressed shock and anger over the incident. Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr said it "symbolizes the hopelessness that Lukashenko brings upon his citizens with his repression and also the brutal violence that is obviously being used there. Human rights activists and relatives of those being held have urged the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Belarusian prisons to inspect conditions for political prisoners. "They are cranking up repressions and there is no way to find out the truth about what's going on behind the walls of the Belarusian prisons that have inherited the worst Soviet traditions," said Viasna's Stefanovich. ___ Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed. - Follow all AP stories about developments in Belarus at https://apnews.com/hub/belarus ROSEAU, Dominica (AP) A wealthy jeweler sought by Indian authorities for questioning in an alleged $1.8 billion fraud case in his native India remained under arrest Friday in the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica following a brief hearing. Mehul Choksi is accused of illegally entering Dominica in late May after leaving the nearby island of Antigua, where he had been living after fleeing India. The 62-year-old recently pleaded not guilty, although the case is ongoing and he faces another hearing scheduled for Monday. His attorneys did not return requests for comment. Indias federal investigators have been trying to extradite Choksi and his business partner, Nirav Modi, since they fled the country in 2018 and question them about an alleged $1.8 billion scam at a large, state-owned bank. Modi, who ran an international jewelry empire that reaches from India to New York, with a string of high-end brands, is facing extradition proceedings in London. Modi, whose jewels once adorned stars from Bollywood to Hollywood, has been held without bail in London since he was arrested there in 2019. The two men are believed to have fled India in January 2018 before the alleged scam was discovered. Indian bank officials say the scam appears to have begun in 2011 and occurred at one Mumbai branch of the enormous state-run Punjab National Bank. The official complaint regarding the $43 million fraud states that the two men worked with a pair of bank employees to get fake letters of understanding. Bank officials say the letters were sent to overseas offices of Indian banks, which made the actual loans. Numerous Indian news reports say the $43 million is just one part of the $1.8 billion fraud. Choksis company, Gitanjali gems in India, has said Choksi has no connection to many of the firms listed in the $43 million complaint. In a statement, Gitanjali said Choksi has been falsely implicated in the first place. Police in India raided the homes and offices of Modi and Choksi in 2018 and seized nearly $800 million in jewels and gold. ___ Associated Press writer Ashok Sharma in New Delhi contributed to this report. GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) A northern Indiana man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty for his role in the 2019 torture-slaying of a woman whose body was dumped in southern Michigan. An Elkhart County judge who sentenced Matthew Murzynski on Thursday ordered that the Elkhart man be incarcerated, for his own safety, in a different prison from two other men awaiting sentencing in the killing of 31-year-old Kimberly Dyer. SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) State education officials want a northern Indiana school district to repay more than $620,000 after an audit found it claimed money for dozens of students who never logged into an alternative school's online classes. The Indiana Department of Education asked state auditors to review the enrollment at the South Bend Community School Corporation's Rise Up Academy following a complaint that students were not receiving an adequate education, according to a State Board of Accounts report. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) Authorities on Friday arrested an Iowa man accused of hiding in the backseat a Nebraska womans car and using zip ties, duct tape and homemade chloroform to abduct the woman and imprison her in a storage shed at his home. Police arrested Zack Smith, 20, of Bronson, early Friday on charges of third-degree kidnapping, false imprisonment and two counts of assault, the Sioux City Journal reported. His bond was set at $250,000. ATLANTA (AP) A judge on Friday granted a request from the district attorney in Atlanta to recuse her office from prosecuting the police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks and instructed the state attorney general to appoint another prosecutor. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who took office in January, had argued that actions by her predecessor, Paul Howard, made it inappropriate for her office to handle the prosecution of Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe. She had asked a judge to determine who should handle the case after state Attorney General Chris Carr twice rejected her requests to recuse herself. Howard announced charges against Rolfe and another officer involved in the June 2020 confrontation with Brooks less than a week after the shooting. At the time, Howard was fighting to keep his job against a Democratic primary challenge from Willis. Howards conduct, including using video evidence in campaign television advertisements, may have violated Georgia Bar rules, Willis argued in a letter to Carr. She also noted that Carr had asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate whether Howard improperly issued grand jury subpoenas in the Rolfe case. Howard has denied wrongdoing. In rejecting Willis' requests to appoint a different prosecutor, Carr argued that the issues were specific to Howard and said the case should stay with the Fulton County district attorney's office. Separately, Rolfes defense attorney Noah Pines had filed a motion in July to disqualify the Fulton County district attorneys office. Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Christopher Brasher found that it is all but inevitable that people in Willis' office, and likely the district attorney herself, will be called as witnesses by Rolfe's defense during a trial and during pretrial hearings. The circumstances surrounding the calling of the above-referenced witnesses, and the matters about which they will be called to testify ... demonstrate that there exists a conflict of interest on the part of the Office of the District Attorney for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, Brasher wrote. The judge ordered the attorney general to appoint a substitute prosecutor. Carr's office issued a statement saying it was reviewing the order and would respect the court's decision. In an emailed statement, Willis said, I appreciate Judge Brashers careful consideration of the difficult issues presented by this matter, and I expect that this will allow the case to move forward in a manner consistent with achieving a just result that all parties will have confidence in." L. Chris Stewart and Justin Miller, attorneys for Brooks' family, said they hope Carr will move quickly to appoint another prosecutor so the case can be tried in a vigorous and expeditious manner. The family of Rayshard Brooks has been through so much during this process, they said in an emailed statement. The numerous stops and starts have been gut-wrenching and have made it even more difficult for this grieving family to find peace. Police responded on June 12, 2020, to complaints that Brooks had fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a Wendys restaurant. Police body camera video shows the 27-year-old Black man struggling with two white officers after they told him hed had too much to drink to be driving and tried to arrest him. Brooks grabbed a Taser from one of the officers and fled, firing it at Rolfe as he ran. An autopsy found that Brooks was shot twice in the back. Rolfe has been charged with murder and other crimes. The other officer, Devin Brosnan, was charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath. Lawyers for both officers have said their clients acted appropriately, and they are free on bond. Rolfe was fired after the shooting but the Atlanta Civil Service Board last month reversed that dismissal, finding that the city failed to follow its own procedures for disciplinary actions. LONDON, Ky. (AP) A Kentucky lawmaker has agreed to a 45-day suspension of his license to drive for declining to take a blood test in a drunken-driving investigation. Republican state Rep. Derek Lewis of London agreed to the sanction in an effort to put this entire case to bed," said his attorney, Conrad Cessna. WASHINGTON (AP) A Latvian woman has been charged with developing malicious software used by a cybercrime organization that infected computers worldwide and looted bank accounts of millions of dollars, the Justice Department said Friday. Alla Witte is charged as part of a 47-count indictment with participating in an organization known as the Trickbot Group, which authorities say operated in Russia and several other countries. The group is accused of infecting millions of computers worldwide with malware that targeted hospitals, schools, governments, businesses and other entities. Witte, who authorities say previously lived in Suriname, was arrested in Miami in February. She was arraigned Friday in federal court in Cleveland, according to the Justice Department. The prosecution, which the Justice Department says is part of its newly developed ransomware task force, comes as the Biden administration confronts a growing scourge of ransomware attacks that have targeted crucial supply chains including meat and fuel. The White House, which has also been contending with cyberespionage campaigns aimed at U.S. government agencies, issued a memo this week underscoring that the fight against ransomware is a top priority. These charges serve as a warning to would-be cybercriminals that the Department of Justice, through the Ransomware and Digital Extortion Task Force and alongside our partners, will use all the tools at our disposal to disrupt the cybercriminal ecosystem, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. The indictment accuses Witte of participating in a scheme to steal millions of dollars from entities across the world by infecting computers with malware that captured personal information such as credit card numbers and passwords and gave TrickBot members access to the victims' networks. Among the targets identified in the indictment are real estate and law firms, country clubs, public school districts and other companies. Prosecutors say Witte worked as a malware developer for the group, writing code related to ransomware that told victims that they'd need to acquire special software to decrypt their files. She's also accused of providing code that monitored and tracked authorized users of the malware. In October, weeks before the 2020 presidential election, Microsoft announced legal action to disrupt TrickBot in an operation aimed at knocking offline command-and-control servers. The indictment, which includes multiple other defendants whose names have been blacked out, includes charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, aggravated identity theft and other crimes. It was not immediately clear if Witte had a lawyer. ____ Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine's mobile coronavirus vaccine unit is being redirected to southern parts of the state later this month and will wrap up service in two weeks. The state has used the mobile unit to provide the vaccine to rural and underserved communities. It's scheduled to continue that effort in Madawaska in far northern Maine from June 5 to 7. Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Nirav Shah said the mobile unit will then come to Portland and Old Orchard Beach. Its final day in service will be in Old Orchard Beach on June 18. That represents a shift in strategy for the unit, Shah said. Moving it to high population centers in its final days will allow it to serve many people before it closes, he said. The unit will also be able to offer some of the numerous hospitality workers in southern Maine a shot, Shah said during a Maine Public appearance Thursday. For much of the mobile vaccination unit's drive through Maine, it has focused on rural Maine, he said. The unit can do about 500 shots a day, Shah said. It has provided more than 9,000 vaccinations, mostly to rural Maine residents, he said. In other pandemic news in Maine: THE NUMBERS The number of daily new coronavirus cases continued to drop. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Maine did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 213.00 new cases a day on May 19 to 80.43 new cases a day on Wednesday. The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Maine did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 2.57 deaths a day on May 19 to 1.71 deaths a day Wednesday. 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. Public health authorities in Maine reported on Friday that more than 60% of eligible people in the state are fully vaccinated against coronavirus. They also reported the state has surpassed 68,000 cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. The state has also been the site of 838 deaths. ___ Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. BALTIMORE (AP) A Maryland man was sentenced to more than six years for a series of fraud schemes that cost victims more than $1 million. As part of his guilty plea, he agreed to pay the money back. Robert Lee Snowden, 45, of Owings Mills was sentenced on Wednesday to 78 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and for aggravated identity theft. Snowden also was ordered to pay restitution of more than $1 million, according to Jonathan F. Lenzner, acting U.S. Attorney for Maryland. Snowden admitted that he conspired between 2013 and 2020 to defraud the Maryland Department of Human Services and the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by using stolen identification information to obtain benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Before he was laid off from a health care business in 2011, Snowden stole lists of health care professionals personal information. Two years later, he used that information to apply for SNAP benefits, then used the addresses of acquaintances or nearby vacant homes for the mailing of SNAP cards, which Snowden, or someone else, would pick up from those addresses. Snowden said he sold most of the SNAP benefit cards for cash. He and his co-conspirator, Larae Betrand, also used the SNAP cards at stores to purchase groceries for themselves. Over 220 victims identities were used to apply for SNAP benefits, and they were able to redeem and at least $1,021,584 through the scheme. The plea agreement says Snowden and Betrand also engaged in a scheme to obtain fraudulent loans from banks and a credit union by providing false employment information on applications for six vehicle loans. Two were denied, but Snowden and Betrand fraudulently obtained $92,669 through four others. During the pandemic last year, Snowden also tried to get money through the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program using the identity of at least one of the SNAP victims. Snowden did not complete the transaction before law enforcement searched his residence on July 16, 2020, authorities said. Betrand, 39, of Elkridge, Maryland, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York state health officials said Friday that mask-wearing will be optional in K-12 schools starting Monday, but the country's largest school system, New York City, plans to keep its universal mask policy in place. New York will move forward with the plan unless the CDC provides data or science that contradicts that change before Monday, state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker wrote in a Friday letter to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Republicans had urged Cuomo to drop the mandate this week. The release of the letter on Friday afternoon caught school leaders and teachers unions by surprise. Announcing on a Friday afternoon that masks will now be optional for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people in schools starting Monday with only three weeks remaining in the school year is whiplash-inducing news," New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta said in a statement. Pallotta urged school districts to evaluate "local conditions and connect with their educators and parents to decide the best course of action for protecting their school community. Schools and camps can choose to implement stricter rules, according to Zucker. New York City will do so, according to Danielle Filson, spokesperson for the New York City Department of Education. The health and safety of our students, educators and staff remain our top priority, she said. "Per state guidance, local districts may implement standards that make the most sense for their communities, and we are continuing with our universal mask policy at our schools. Meanwhile, the CDC told The Associated Press that it recommends schools and childcare facilities continue to follow COVID-19 prevention strategies, such as consistent indoors mask use, for the rest of the 2020-2021 school year. Current evidence demonstrates that consistent mask use indoors among people two and older who are not fully vaccinated, along with other preventive strategies, is key to reducing the spread of COVID-19, Public Affairs Specialist Jade Fulce said in an email. The recommendation to continue with these prevention strategies is based on youth aged 12-15 not being able to be fully vaccinated before the end of the current school year and youth under 12 not yet being eligible for vaccinations, she added. Additionally, schools need time to make systems and policy adjustments. The Cuomo administration started requiring face masks to be worn at all times in school in early April. That was a shift from the state's previous stance of letting local governments decide whether to require masks in schools. Rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths are plummeting in New York, while vaccination rates are ticking up. Still, Zucker's letter to the CDC didn't cite any data about why New York is now reversing the mask mandates in schools. Republican Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt wrote Cuomo a Thursday letter urging him to drop the mandate: Many of our school buildings do not have air conditioning, so to require face coverings in dangerous temperatures will be detrimental not only to their physical health, but also to their ability to focus and learn. Zucker said the state wanted to align our school and camp mask guidance. According to Zucker, the state Department of Health will strongly" encourage but not require mask use for students, campers, and staff who are not fully vaccinated starting Monday. Masks won't be required outdoors, though individuals who aren't fully vaccinated will be encouraged to wear a mask in certain higher-risk circumstances. Both indoors and outdoors, students, campers, and staff who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks, Zucker wrote. ___ AP writer Carolyn Thompson contributed reporting from Buffalo, New York. PHILADELPHIA (AP) A mural of George Floyd in a Philadelphia neighborhood was defaced with white nationalist graffiti on Friday, authorities said. The mural was commissioned by the North 5th Street Revitalization Project. The community group believes the vandalism occurred sometime overnight. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed a bill on Friday that directs local school boards to ban "racially discriminatory mascots, logos and names amid a national movement to phase out the use of symbols that Native Americans have long considered offensive. The bill, which passed through the Legislature last month, could affect up to 20 schools in Clark County including Western High School, where the mascot is a Native American wearing a headdress. It will not apply to universities or schools that have agreements with local tribes like Elko High School, which got permission in 1994 from the Elko Band Council of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians to use Indians as its mascot. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand's top court on Friday left open the possibility that a man could be extradited to China to face murder charges in a landmark case that has big diplomatic implications. It remains uncertain whether the extradition of Kyung Yup Kim will proceed in a case that has already dragged on for more than a decade. The dispute hinges on whether New Zealand can be assured that Kim will get a fair trial if hes sent to China and won't be tortured. New Zealand doesn't have an extradition treaty with China. New Zealand's Supreme Court on Friday didn't make a final ruling on the case but asked for more information from Justice Minister Kris Faafoi and others to be submitted by the end of July. The 3-2 split decision found that it was possible for New Zealand to get sufficient assurance from China about Kim's welfare, partially overturning an earlier appeals court ruling. Such assurances could include confirmation that representatives could visit Kim at least every 48 hours during the investigation and that the trial take place in Shanghai. But times have changed since a previous justice minister from a conservative government backed extradition. Faafoi is from a liberal government and will decide how to proceed at a time when relations with China have deteriorated. The court acknowledged Faafoi might see things differently, saying he would be entitled to depart from the previous minister's decision." Faafoi said Friday he wouldn't comment while the case was still being litigated. Kim's lead lawyer Tony Ellis said they were surprised and disappointed by the Supreme Court's partial decision. Ellis said that under the Communist Party, China remains a rogue state. It engages in endemic use of torture, does not guarantee fair trials, and more widely rejects the basic premise that it must respect international human rights law, Ellis said. He said Kim had already suffered severe depression and physical health problems after being incarcerated for more than five years and spending another three years on electronic monitoring, making him the longest-serving prisoner not to face a trial in modern New Zealand. Ellis said they would also challenge the partial judgment before the United Nations Human Rights Committee. According to court documents, Kim is a South Korean citizen who moved to New Zealand more than 30 years ago with his family when he was 14. He is accused of killing a 20-year-old waitress and sex worker, Peiyun Chen, in Shanghai after traveling to the city to visit a different woman who was his girlfriend at the time. Chen was found in a Shanghai wasteland on New Year's Eve 2009. An autopsy concluded she had been strangled to death, and that she'd also been hit in the head with a blunt object. Chinese police say they have forensic and circumstantial evidence linking Kim to the crime, including a quilt found with the body. Police say a distraught Kim told an acquaintance he may have beaten a prostitute to death. Kim says he is innocent. Ellis said his defense case would be that his former girlfriend, who has Communist Party connections, is responsible for the crime. Kim was arrested in 2011 after China asked to extradite him on one count of intentional homicide. He spent five years in a New Zealand jail as his extradition case proceeded before he was released on bail. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The Ohio deputy who fatally shot Casey Goodson Jr. in the back five times last year is retiring on disability, the Franklin County sheriff said Friday. Goodson, 23, a Black man, was killed by Deputy Jason Meade, who is white, last December in an encounter that is still largely unexplained. Meade will retire July 2, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said without detail. Law Enforcement disability decisions are governed by state law and made by the pension system, Baldwin said. As sheriff, I have no control or input over what the pension system decides with this or any other disability case. A message was left with the attorney representing Meade. The shooting took place in Columbus on Dec. 4 while Meade, a 17-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was finishing up an unsuccessful search for a fugitive as part of his work for a U.S. Marshals Office fugitive task force. Goodson was not the subject of the fugitive search. While U.S. Marshal Peter Tobin initially said Meade confronted Goodson after Goodson drove by and waved a gun at the deputy, he later withdrew those comments, saying they'd been based on insufficient information. Tobin also said Meade was not performing a mission" for the marshals at the time of the shooting. Relatives say Goodson was opening the door to his grandmothers house at the time he was shot. Officials said that a gun was recovered from the scene but have not provided further details. There was no body camera or cruiser dash cam video of the shooting. The case remains under criminal investigation by the U.S. attorney's office with help from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Meade has not been charged. Goodson's family is disappointed that Baldwin didn't fire Meade but his resignation provides a small sense of relief, Sean Walton, an attorney representing the Goodson family, said in a statement. Meade's sudden retirement shows that he understands that he is soon to be held accountable for his actions, and for Caseys family and for this entire community that day cannot come soon enough, Walton said. BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) Police in Blacksburg are investigating reports that customers were drugged at a restaurant in the town. News outlets report that police said Thursday that there had been multiple complaints and social media reports of people being affected by something put in their drinks that caused cognitive impairment during their visit to Centro Taco Bar. No evidence has been found to substantiate the drugging, but police said there is an ongoing investigation involving town police, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and the state Department of Forensic Science. PHOENIX (AP) A Phoenix police officer shot and wounded a man who was pointing a gun at two other people, the Police Department said Friday. The shooting occurred Thursday when the officer was directing traffic while working off-duty and heard a loud commotion" and went to investigate, the department said in a statement. HONOLULU (AP) A white man nominated by Honolulus mayor to fill a vacancy on the police commission withdrew his name from consideration Friday after receiving criticism for saying theres no racism in Hawaii. Larry Ignas, 77, said at a City Council meeting Wednesday that he doesn't believe racial discrimination exists in Hawaii. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed a law establishing legislative district maps to govern elections for the next 10 years after promising as a candidate that he would veto maps drawn by politicians. Pritzker said in a statement Friday that the lines drawn exclusively by Democrats who control the General Assembly preserve minority representation and follow the strictures of the federal Voting Rights Act. Illinois strength is in our diversity, and these maps help to ensure that communities that have been left out and left behind have fair representation in our government, Pritzker said. These district boundaries align with both the federal and state Voting Rights Acts. The Democrat also signed laws to approve new districts for the Illinois Supreme Court the first in more than half-a-century and the Cook County Board of Review. As a candidate for governor in 2018, Pritzker voiced support for an independent commission to draw maps and removing political considerations in placing the lines. He vowed to veto any map authored by politicians, such as these. But this month, he backed away from the pledge, noting the independent process never materialized. He instead said he would nix an unfair map. Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie, called it a creation of political insiders using flawed data. He (Pritzker) cares more about keeping power for his political friends than fair elections where the people of Illinois can pick their elected officials, instead of politicians picking their voters, the Republican from Hawthorn Woods said. He proved today that hes just another old-school, tax-raising politician who cannot be trusted. Political lines must be redrawn after each decennial Census to reflect population shifts and preserve voting rights. But the data whose collection requires the remap won't be available year until late summer because of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Republicans and many activists with left-leaning philosophies criticized the maps and their creation because Democrats relied on outdated Census data. Democrats pointed to a June 30 deadline for the Legislature to produce maps, but that constitutionally set date merely marks the period after which Democrats would lose exclusive control over them. Another piece of legislation adopted this week delays the March 2022 primary, which includes the race for governor, until June 28, in part because lawmakers will delay drawing congressional districts until after receiving the official Census data. ___ Follow Political Writer John OConnor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor MIAMI (AP) Royal Caribbean International said Friday that eight of its ships will resume U.S. voyages in July and August with trips leaving ports in Florida, Texas and Washington state. The cruise line said all crew members will be vaccinated against COVID-19. Passengers 16 and older on cruises to Alaska will also be required to be vaccinated. The requirement will be expanded to cover Alaska-bound passengers 12 and over starting Aug. 1. For other trips passing through U.S. water, Royal Caribbean said that passengers are strongly recommended to get vaccinated. Unvaccinated passengers must be tested for the virus and follow other measures that will be announced later, the company said. Royal Caribbean said that its first U.S. sailing since March 2020 will leave Miami on July 2 on the Freedom of the Seas. The company said that over the following six weeks, five other ships will sail the Caribbean after leaving from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral, Florida, and Galveston, Texas. Two ships will sail from Seattle to Alaska. Royal Caribbean, which is headquartered in Miami but registers its ships in other countries, plans to have 12 ships operating worldwide by the end of August. Those include ships sailing from the United Kingdom, Europe and the Bahamas. In the U.S., cruise companies are still talking with federal, state and local officials about health measures and trial sailings. Royal Caribbean plans trial voyages starting later this month. Those pilot trips are required before cruise lines can operate regular sailings with less than 95% of passengers being vaccinated. Meanwhile, U.S. officials this week said that a Florida lawsuit against the federal government over conditions for cruise lines to resume sailing could threaten plans to restart cruising in Alaska. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio agencies providing publicly funded day care would no longer have to achieve a quality of care rating to be listed in the state system, under Senate Republicans' version of the upcoming state budget. The process of meeting the state's Step Up to Quality five star rating system is leading to a decrease in providers capable of offering day care, Senate President Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican, said earlier this week. The mandate frankly has eliminated child care opportunities for low-income people, and people who are trying to stay at work or find jobs, Huffman said Tuesday. Huffman's home county of Allen has lost child care providers because of the regulations put on day cares to qualify for public funding, said Joe Patton, director of Allen County Job and Family Services. In losing these child care providers, weve lost the opportunity to move our people on public assistance into work, Patton said. He said minority residents seeking child care and day cares operated by them are being disproportionately hurt. To help increase access to day care, Huffman said the Senate plan raises the eligibility level for poor families from those making 130% of the federal poverty level to 142%. The Senate measure also increases spending on publicly funded day care by $20 million over two years. The proposal to eliminate the quality mandate stunned advocates for the public funding. They say meeting the regulations is not as burdensome as it's being described, and reducing quality standards hurts the same minority residents who can't afford unsubsidized day care. They also criticize a Senate proposal to bar federal pandemic aid dollars from going toward assisting child care staff or administrators, or helping centers improve their quality ratings. This proposal fails to give families the quality child care they need to work and the enriching early experiences that children need to succeed, all while undercutting the classroom teachers who are the unsung heroes of our fragile system, Lynanne Gutierrez, assistant director at Groundwork Ohio, an early education advocacy group, told Senate lawmakers Thursday. The full Senate expects to approve its budget proposal soon, and then must align the two-year, $75 billion measure with the House version before July 1. Also this week, mayors expressed concern that a budget proposal to address taxation of workers forced out of their offices by the pandemic could cost cities millions in the future. The proposal would extend a bill approved by lawmakers last year that treats income earned by an employee working remotely as equivalent to income earned at the employee's principal place of employment. At the time, the goal was to create a stable tax environment for municipalities, and also to help employers by not requiring them to withhold taxes for employees working in a variety of places. The Senate version of the state's upcoming two-year budget extends this rule through the end of the year. But it would also allow employees still working remotely to retroactively apply for income tax refunds from their employers. Workers whose home offices are in communities with lower tax rates than their regular office could benefit, especially workers who live in unincorporated areas without income taxes like townships. In Akron, the city collected about $142 million in employee withholdings in 2019, with two of every three of those employees working in the city but living outside. Should the Senate proposal go forward, the city could suffer massive revenue declines, according to the Ohio Mayors Alliance. But more than big cities would be affected, the alliance argues. Dublin in suburban Columbusa traditionally well-off communitycould see a net revenue reduction of about $25 million, the alliance said. Considering the extremely high work-from-home rates in 2020, and in the early months of 2021, the potential fiscal impacts of refunds for these two years could be significant, Keary McCarthy, the alliance executive director, told the Senate Finance Committee Thursday. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The inmate scheduled to be the first put to death under South Carolina's recently revamped capital punishment law has filed a last-minute request seeking to halt his execution in the electric chair, arguing that the state hasn't exhausted all methods to procure lethal injection drugs. On Thursday, attorneys for Brad Sigmon filed papers in federal court asking a judge to put a stop to his execution later this month. Sigmon, on death row since his 2002 conviction in a double murder, has officially selected lethal injection as his execution method. But the state says it hasn't been able to get the necessary drugs, and a new law signed last month by Gov. Henry McMaster would force inmates to choose either the electric chair or a firing squad, in the event lethal injection drugs arent available. Citing other states that have been able to carry out lethal injection executions in recent years, Sigmon's attorneys argue that South Carolina simply hasn't tried hard enough to get the drugs or compound them itself, as some other states have done. Executing Sigmon by electrocution, his attorneys wrote, subjects him to a substantial risk of excruciating pain, terror, and certain bodily mutilation that contravenes evolving standards of decency, offends basic principles of human dignity, and violates and the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Electrocutions, they argued, often go horribly wrong, writing that an electrocuted person can experience a slow, painful death by suffocation as his internal organs are slowly cooked, or his eyes may pop out, his body will likely blister, and the smell of his burnt flesh will permeate the room." Sigmon's June 18 execution would be the state's first in a decade, an involuntary halt officials have said came from an inability to procure the drugs needed for lethal injection. Inmates in South Carolina have for years had the option to choose electrocution and some have but injection has been listed as the default method if the condemned makes no other choice. When McMaster signed the new capital punishment measure into law last month, Sigmon and another death row inmate, Freddie Owens both of whom have exhausted their appeals immediately sued, saying they cant be electrocuted or shot since they were sentenced under a prior law making lethal injection the default method. That litigation is ongoing. This week, Owens execution was scheduled for June 26. South Carolinas last execution took place in 2011, and its batch of lethal injection drugs expired two years later. There are 37 inmates awaiting death in South Carolina, all of them men. The new law, Sigmons attorneys wrote, is the first to break with more than 100 years of American jurisdictions implementing more humane methods of executions, which has culminated with lethal injection being the dominant method in every other death penalty jurisdiction in the United States. South Carolina is one of eight states that still electrocute inmates, and the state has said the electric chair is ready to use. Prison officials have been doing research into how firing squads carry out executions elsewhere, but have said they're not sure how long it will take to have one in place in South Carolina. The other three states that allow a firing squad are Mississippi, Oklahoma and Utah, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Three inmates, all in Utah, have been killed by firing squad since the U.S. reinstated the death penalty in 1977. Nineteen inmates have died in the electric chair this century, according to the center. During South Carolinas lengthy debate on the new capital punishment statute, Democratic state Sen. Dick Harpootlian a prosecutor-turned-criminal defense lawyer introduced the firing squad option, arguing it presented the least painful execution method available and characterized electrocution as not much better than hanging in terms of what could go wrong, according to Sigmon's lawyers. In that same debate, they wrote, state Sen. Greg Hembree said that it was not the governments place to torture anybody needlessly, calling lethal injection "more humane than the electric chair. A hearing on Sigmon's request is set for next week. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Koreas air force chief stepped down Friday in the face of public anger over the death of a female master sergeant whose family says she killed herself after being sexually abused by a male colleague. President Moon Jae-in's office said he accepted the resignation of air force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Seong-yong, who earlier issued a statement to reporters saying he acknowledges heavy responsibility over the woman's death. Lees resignation came a day after the Defense Ministry said an air force master sergeant had been arrested on suspicion that he had molested the woman inside a car in March while returning to their base after a dinner meeting. According to a presidential petition filed by the woman's family, she reported the case to her superiors but killed herself in May after they tried to cover up the incident and pressured her to reach a private settlement with her abuser. As of Friday afternoon, more than 340,000 people had signed the petition, which called for the punishment of air force officials involved in any cover-up. The public anger prompted Moon to order the military on Thursday to conduct a thorough investigation on how the air force handled the case. South Koreas military has long been criticized for its failures to protect female troops and officers from sexual harassment and violence. In 2017, a female naval officer killed herself after being raped by a senior officer, who later was sentenced to 15 years in prison. In 2013, a female army officer killed herself after being harassed by a male superior who pressured her to have sex with him. He was sentenced to two years in prison. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The police department in North Carolinas largest city has expressed concern over what it said is a 210% increase in sexual assault cases involving children this year. A news release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Thursday said detectives in its Crimes Against Children Unit had observed small changes in the number of cases year to year. But the department said those detectives have reported 31 sexual assault cases in 2021, compared to 10 during the same period 2020. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) A schoolyard clash over gay Pride flags got some students suspended and others expelled from their Florida middle school. The Pinellas County Sheriff's office is investigating, and a congressman got involved. It happened last Friday at Seminole Middle School, where some students displayed Pride flags at an outdoor lunch table. One draped a flag around their shoulders. Other students came over and grabbed the flags. A tug of war ensued, and a student fell down and was dragged on the ground. Pinellas County School District spokeswoman Isabel Mascarenas told the Tampa Bay Times that some students will be assigned to an alternative school as a result. The students behavior was inappropriate and unacceptable, and they were disciplined for it, she told the Times. Pinellas County schools does not tolerate this behavior. Mascarenas said school officials are in contact with the families and have provided a safety plan including an adult to contact if one of the students feels bullied or unsafe. The incident gained attention on social media after a Twitter user posted that her sibling was dragged to the ground, stomped on, and covered in water just for wearing a pride flag at school. That student's father, Benjamin Hoffman, told BayNews 9 that he hates to see a child get expelled, but putting your hands on another person is unacceptable. No kid should be scared to go to school. And no person should be persecuted for their views or their beliefs. Another student at the same school reported being harassed and bullied in April after wearing a pro-Donald Trump facemask and ball cap in class. BayNews 9 reported that the student wore the cap to cover alopecia, a condition that causes hair to fall out. Equality Florida, an LGBTQ rights organization, was made aware of the latest incident. Its important that this type of incident is not just brushed under the rug, the group's director Gina Duncan, told the TV station. When we see discrimination and certainly when we see violence against our young people in schools, this is something that we have to address. Another family reached out to U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-St. Petersburg. His office contacted the school. Administrators at Seminole Middle assured my office that disciplinary action was being pursued, and I hope the students in question will be able to learn from this and do better in future, Crist said in a statement. The school's principal has instructed teachers to review the schools core values and said he plans to implement a new bullying prevention program in the fall, Mascarenas said. Superman Celebration Celebrities Announced By West Kentucky Star Staff METROPOLIS - Organizers of this year's Superman Celebration in Metropolis have announced this year's celebrity guests.The three-day event coming July 30 will feature actors Katherine Elizabeth Callan, Ilan Mitchell-Smith and Nicholle Tom.Katherine Elizabeth Callan is an American author and actress known for playing Clark Kents mother Martha in the ABC television seriesShe first appeared on television in an episode ofin 1962 that happened to be shooting in Dallas. Callans career includes film, television, and theatre and she has appeared in nearly 150 movies and television shows.Callan has written several books, includingShe received her acting training at HB Studio in New York City.Ilan Mitchell-Smith is an American academic and former actor best known as the co-star of the film(1985) and(1989-1991). His film career began in 1983 at age 14, when he played a younger version of the title character inAfter a starring role in the 1984 film, Mitchell-Smith was cast as Wyatt Donnelly in the 1985 teen classicby writer/director John Hughes. He also starred inandas Andy McAlister.Nicholle Tom is perhaps best known for her role as Maggie Sheffield on, or Ryce Newton in, as well as the sequel,Tom was the first actress to voice the animated character Kara/Supergirl in the(1996), and continued voicing the character in(1997),(2004), &(2015).Tom recently portrayed Peter Scolaris daughter, Miriam Loeb, on Foxs, and played Maureen on Showtime'sAll three celebrities will be available to meet fans Friday & Saturday, and take part in a Q & A under the Metro Tent.Click the link below to learn more about this year's guests, and other information about the Superman Celebration.On the Net: A lawsuit on behalf of patients was filed Thursday seeking to prevent the closure of a high-security unit at the Connecticut mental hospital that treats those acquitted of crimes by reason of insanity. Lawyers with the advocacy groups Disability Rights Connecticut and the Connecticut Legal Rights Project allege that closing the unit at Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown would create likely and imminent irreparable harm to patients, who they say will be transferred to units that cannot provide the care they need. The state recently decided to close the unit, one of six high-security units in the hospital, and consolidate other services amid staff shortages, according to the lawsuit. The state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which runs Whiting, said it could not comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport, alleges, among other things, that as result of the closure and recent merger of two units at Whiting, some patients with a history of conflicts, including past assaults, and thereafter placed in separate units, are now being placed together in the same unit, increasing the risk of serious harm. Disability Rights Connecticut said the patients were notified of the pending changes by staff on May 17 and by this week, seven of the 13 patients in the unit had been moved. They said they met with hospital officials to argue that closing the unit and moving the patients would violate the hospital's legal obligations. The plaintiffs are asking for a temporary restraining order, saying the moves violate a January 1991 consent decree, an agreement between the state and lawyers for patients that outlines treatment and other conditions at Whiting. That decree was part of the fallout from a 1989 case in which a patient, David Peterson, escaped from Whiting and stabbed a 9-year-old girl to death during a street fair in downtown Middletown. As a result of the escape and killing, the hospital confined all forensic patients to the hospital building regardless of risk. Lawyers for patients sued, eventually entering into the subsequent consent decree. The provisions of that agreement require that all of the decisions regarding patients treatment be made based on clinical assessments and through a comprehensive treatment planning process, according to the lawsuit. The legal protections are designed to ensure that patients therapeutic needs are treated as a core concern rather than an afterthought based on administrative convenience, Deborah Dorfman, executive director of Disability Rights Connecticut, said in a release. ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) Jurors heard conflicting details of a triple slaying in western Kentucky as a trial began for a pilot charged in the fatal shootings. Commercial airline pilot Christian R. Martin was arrested two years ago at the Louisville airport in the 2015 slayings of Calvin and Pamela Phillips and their neighbor, Edward Dansereau, in Pembroke. In her opening statement on Thursday, special prosecutor Barbara Whaley said Martin had the motive to kill neighbor Calvin Phillips because he was set to testify in a court-martial that could have ended Martins Army career, the Courier Journal reported. Dansereau was in the wrong place at the wrong time, she said. Whaley said a shell casing at the scene was shown to have been fired from a .45-caliber handgun found in a safe in Martins home across the street and that Martins dog tags were found in the couple's home. Defense attorney Tom Griffiths said there's forensic proof that the bullets that killed the victims did not come from his clients gun. He also noted there were no eyewitnesses, no DNA and no fingerprints. He said evidence that indicates his client could have been planted. Whaley said Martin wanted to get rid of Phillips because he was scheduled to testify at a court-martial in which Martin was charged with mishandling classified information and abusing his wifes son. The trial is expected to last a month. STORRS, Conn. (AP) The University of Connecticut on Friday became the latest school to require that students be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to classes in the fall. The school's board of trustees approved the policy on a unanimous voice vote during a special meeting on Friday. UConn joins seven private state colleges and universities, including Yale, and 11 of the nation's top 25 public universities in instituting a mandatory vaccination policy, school officials said. Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, the school's interim president, said UConn decided to institute the policy to guard against any fall resurgence of the virus or its variants. There's a lot of ambiguity. There's a lot we don't know, said Agunobi, who is a pediatrician by training. One thing we do know is that vaccines work and vaccines make us safer. Students will be required to receive a full course of vaccination before attending classes, with some medical and other exemptions on a case-by-case basis, he said. Those receiving exemptions would be subject to other protocols, which could include a requirement to wear masks, undergo periodic surveillance testing, participate in close contact quarantining and abide by housing restrictions. UConn said the school will accept foreign students who have received any vaccine approved by the World Health Organization. Agwunobi said UConn also will hold clinics and vaccinate those who have not received shots as they arrive on campus. School officials believe 60.7% of residential students at UConn are already vaccinated, he said. Besides keeping students healthy, Agwunobi said the policy will help mitigate concerns of faculty returning to in-person learning. The 17 public universities and community colleges in the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system is considering a similar policy, spokesperson Leigh Appleby said. CSCU is strongly considering a vaccine requirement and is undertaking a review, with input from faculty, staff and students, to examine the most effective ways to ensure all members of our communities are vaccinated against COVID-19 before stepping on campus for the fall semester, Appleby said. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. Security Council will meet June 8 to make its recommendation for the next secretary-general and almost certainly approve current U.N. chief Antonio Guterres who is the only candidate. The recommendation from the 15-member council will then be sent to the president of the 193-member General Assembly, which must approve a resolution selecting the worlds top diplomat. The Security Council revised its program of work late Thursday to add a private meeting next Tuesday morning entitled Recommendation for the appointment of the secretary-general of the United Nations. Estonias Ambassador Sven Jurgenson, the council president for June, told a news conference Tuesday that even though there is only one candidate the process is still the same. Traditionally, candidates for the U.N.s top job have been nominated by a U.N. member state, but that is not a requirement in the U.N. Charter or a resolution adopted by the General Assembly in 2015 that made the previously largely secretive selection of the secretary-general more open and transparent. It allowed the world bodys member states for the first time to see basic information about all candidates, including their resumes, and to meet and question them at open sessions. Guterres, a former Portuguese prime minister and U.N. refugee chief, was elected by the assembly to succeed Ban Ki-moon after a hotly contested and transparent race in October 2016 that initially included 13 candidates -- seven women and six men. Guterres took office on Jan. 1, 2017. This year, seven individuals submitted applications to be secretary-general without backing from any government, including most recently former Ecuadorian President Rosalia Arteaga. Guterres, whose five-year term ends Dec. 31, was the only applicant nominated by a U.N. member state, his home country Portugal. He followed the 2015 process, holding a lengthy open question and answer session with U.N. diplomats in the General Assembly last month and then meeting privately with Security Council members. General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir told reporters last month the rule is that an applicant can only become a candidate when a letter signed jointly by the presidents of the assembly and the Security Council is sent to all member states. He said, It looks like the Security Council has the opinion that, traditionally, only applicants supported by a country can become a candidate, so the only joint letter has been sent on behalf of Guterres. Estonias Jurgenson confirmed the councils position, noting the other applicants but telling reporters Tuesday that legally and officially only states can present candidates. Jurgenson said the Security Council will hold a private meeting and adopt a communique on the discussion and outcome. Then, a draft resolution will be circulated with the councils selection, which hopefully will be adopted by acclamation though any member can call for a vote, he said. Jurgenson said he will then send the resolution to the assembly president with a letter, and Bozkir will then decide when to hold a General Assembly meeting to adopt the recommendation in a resolution. Hopefully, it will all happen quite soon, inside one week or so, he said. MOBILE, Ala. (AP) The Navy will christen a ship made in Alabama on Saturday, naming it after Australias capital city. The littoral combat ship will be the second ship named the USS Canberra, according to a Navy news release sent Friday. Australian Ambassador Arthur Sinodinos will give the main speech and his wife, Elizabeth Anne Sinodinos, will break a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marise Payne is the ships sponsor but cannot attend, the Navy said. Austal USA shipyard in Mobile is building one of two variants of what was designed as an affordable, fast ship to operate in shallow coastal waters, also called littoral waters. Lockheed Martin is building the other in Marinette, Wisconsin. The first USS Canberra, built in 1941, was the first Navy cruiser named after a foreign capital. Its original name was the USS Pittsburgh. It was renamed Canberra on Oct. 15, 1942, in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra, which sank during the Battle of Savo Island. The USS Canberra received seven battle stars in World War II and in 1958 was the ceremonial flagship for the selection of the Unknown Serviceman of World War II and Korea. After it was decommissioned in 1970, one of its propellers was given to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. In 2001, its bell was donated to the Australian National Maritime Museum. SAN DIEGO (AP) The Biden administration has quietly tasked six humanitarian groups with recommending which migrants should be allowed into the United States to pursue asylum as it faces mounting pressure to lift public health rules that have barred people from seeking protection. The consortium of groups is determining who is most vulnerable out of those waiting in Mexico to get into the U.S., and the criteria they are using has not been made public. It comes as large numbers of migrants are crossing the southern border and the government has been rapidly expelling them from the country under a public health order instituted by former President Donald Trump and kept in place by President Joe Biden during the coronavirus pandemic. Several members of the consortium revealed details about the new system to The Associated Press. The government is aiming to admit up to 250 asylum-seekers a day who are referred by the groups, agreeing to that system only until July 31. By then, the consortium hopes the Biden administration will have lifted the public health rules, though the government has not committed to that. So far, nearly 800 asylum-seekers have been let into the country since May 3, and members of the consortium say there is already more demand than they can meet. The groups have not been publicly identified except for the International Rescue Committee, a global relief organization. The others are London-based Save the Children; two U.S.-based organizations, HIAS and Kids in Need of Defense; and two Mexico-based organizations, Asylum Access and the Institute for Women in Migration, according to two people with direct knowledge who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information was not intended for public release. Asylum Access, which provides services to people seeing asylum in Mexico, characterized its role as minimal. The effort started at the border in El Paso, Texas, and is expanding to Nogales, Arizona. A similar but separate system led by the American Civil Liberties Union began in late March and allows 35 families a day into the United States at places along the border. It has no end date. The twin tracks are described by participating organizations as an imperfect transition from so-called Title 42 authority, named for a section of an obscure 1944 public health law that Trump used in March 2020 to effectively end asylum at the Mexican border. With COVID-19 vaccination rates rising, Biden is finding it difficult to justify the expulsions on public health grounds and faces demands to end it from the U.N. refugee agency and members of his own party and administration. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that it's in close coordination with international and non-governmental organizations in Mexico" to identify vulnerable people and that it has the final say on who gets in. The agency described its work with the groups as fluid and said it hasn't identified them to avoid giving them exposure. Some consortium members are concerned that their offices in Mexico could be mobbed by asylum-seekers, overwhelming their tiny staffs and exposing them to potential threats and physical attacks from extortionists and other criminals. Critics of the new selection processes say too much power is vested in a small number of organizations and that the efforts are secretive without a clear explanation of how the groups were chosen. Critics also say there are no assurances that the most vulnerable or deserving migrants will be chosen to seek asylum. The consortium was formed after the U.S. government asked the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees office in Mexico for the names of organizations with deep experience and capacity in Mexico, said Sibylla Brodzinsky, a U.N. office spokeswoman. Weve had long relationships with them and theyre trusted partners, she said. The groups say they are merely streamlining the process but that the vulnerable migrants' cases can come from anywhere. In Nogales, Arizona, the International Rescue Committee is working with local organizations and using a program that connects to migrants via social media and smartphones to find those facing extreme life-threatening situations," said Raymundo Tamayo, the groups director in Mexico. It plans to refer up to 600 people a month to U.S. officials. Special consideration is being given to asylum-seekers who have been in Mexico a long time, are in need of acute medical attention or who have disabilities, are members of the LGBTQ community or are non-Spanish speakers, though each case is being weighed on its unique circumstances, Tamayo said. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said advocacy groups are in a very difficult position because they need to essentially rank the desperation of people, but he insisted it was temporary. The government, he said, cannot farm out the asylum system. The most vulnerable migrants may be too scared or uninformed to bring attention to themselves, said Margaret Cargioli, managing attorney for Immigrant Defenders Law Center, a Los Angeles-based group that got involved with the ACLU-led effort after more organizations became aware of it. She called the approach a Band-Aid while the health rules remain in place. Migration experts not involved in the process have questioned why the government has not been more transparent. It has been murky, said Jessica Bolter, an analyst at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute who believes the administration is quietly trying to be humane without encouraging more people to come, a balancing act she doubts will succeed. Setting out clear and accurate information about how and who might get in might lead to fewer migrants making the trip, so theres not this game of chance that kind of seems to be in place right now, Bolter said. U.S. border authorities recorded the highest number of encounters with migrants in more than 20 years in April, though many were repeat crossers who had previously been expelled from the country. The number of children crossing the border alone also is hovering at all-time highs. Against that backdrop, some advocates are seeing the makings of the humane asylum system that Biden promised during his campaign. Details have been elusive, with administration officials saying they need time. Susana Coreas, who fled El Salvador, was among those identified as vulnerable and allowed into the United States last month. Coreas spent more than a year in Ciudad Juarez waiting to apply for asylum but was barred by the public health order. She and other transgender women refurbished an abandoned hotel to have a safe place to stay after they felt uncomfortable at a number of shelters in the rough Mexican city and got help from the International Rescue Committee. But they continued to have problems. One transgender woman had a knife pointed at her. Another had a gun pulled on her. There was so much anxiety, Coreas said. I now feel at peace. MILWAUKEE (AP) A Milwaukee child sex trafficking victim accused of killing her trafficker can argue he drove her to do it, a state appeals court has ruled. Prosecutors have accused 20-year-old Chrystul Kizer of killing 34-year-old Randall Volar III in 2018. They allege she went to his home in Kenosha, shot him in the head, set his house on fire and stole his car, computer and cash. She was 17 at the time. SEATTLE (AP) The Washington state Department of Corrections has agreed to pay $3.25 million to the family of a man who died at Monroe Correctional Complex after not receiving adequate medical care. A lawsuit filed by Julia Kleutsch said her husband, John Kleutsch, 57, died of an abdominal wound that staff failed to properly treat, while offering him only Tylenol, The Seattle Times reported Wednesday. The settlement filed Tuesday in King County Superior Court is the latest fallout from the tenure of former prison medical director Dr. Julia Barnett. Barnett, who was hired in 2017 without some qualifications, was fired in 2019 after an internal investigation found the medical care she provided and supervised contributed to the suffering and deaths of several men at the prison, including Kleutsch. The lawsuit said Kleutsch was recovering from outpatient cancer surgery when he was sent to the prison infirmary to recover but failed to receive proper care. It says Kleutsch asked staff to help when his wound became puffy, oozing and tender and reported excruciating pain in the 26 days before his death. The lawsuit alleges at least one nurse asked Barnett to transfer him to a hospital but she refused. Kleutsch, who was serving a sentence for child molestation, died on Aug. 28, 2018, of septic shock, acute pancreatitis and a perforated intestine conditions never diagnosed at the prison, according to the lawsuit. John was treated inhumanely and suffered terribly before he died, Julia Kleutsch said. The Department told me nothing about Dr. Barnett failing to provide basic medical care to John or that it caused his death. Marta OBrien, an attorney for Julia Kleutsch, on Tuesday called the case one of the worst medical malpractice cases I have encountered and said it showed a systemic failure by the Department of Corrections. My heart goes out to Mrs. Kleutsch for her loss," Barnett said in a statement. "By its actions in replacing me with 3 physicians, DOC has acknowledged the unacceptable level of risk it placed solely on my shoulders. Systemically, the DOC chose to have too few providers, despite my and the inmates begging for more. As a result of the complaint, the Washington Medical Commission indefinitely suspended Barnetts medical license. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Kleutsch family for the pain they suffer over the loss of a loved one, said newly appointed Department of Corrections Secretary Cheryl Strange. We know a settlement can never truly compensate for the pain of losing a family member and hope this resolution will bring some solace in the years to come. By Yang Chun Foreign media reported that Germany and France have both recently reflected on their historical act of genocide in some African countries, which has drawn close attention in the international community. France and Germany admit their mistakes Groupe Radio France Internationale (Groupe RFI) reported on May 27 that during French President Macrons historical visit to Rwanda that day, he admitted for the first time that France was morally responsible for the 1994 massacre in the country. After visiting the massacre memorial hall and placing wreaths on the victims, Macron said in his speech that France had kept silent for too long on the facts and it must face up to history and admit to having caused great pain and miseries to the Rwandans. Previously France had been persistently denying any responsibility for the historical tragedy, which resulted in the 27-year-long tension between the two countries. One day later, Germany announced on May 28 that it had reached a settlement agreement with Namibia after nearly six years of negotiations. The German government, for the first time, admitted to its crime of genocide during its colonial rule in Namibia and promised to provide EUR 1.1 billion (one Euro is about 7.8 yuan) worth of economic aid to support the countrys reconstruction and development, which Berlin emphasized was not a legal reparation. Germany exercised colonial rule in Namibia from 1884 to 1915 and killed tens of thousands of natives between 1904 and 1908. On that very day, German Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas remarked that these acts would be officially called genocide by them since then. German President Steinmeier will also visit Namibia soon to formally apologize for what his country did to the Namibian people in the past. Apology at face value It is well-done for France and Germany to reflect on their past atrocities to African countries. But at the same time, there is also one thing that cannot be ignored, that is, some analysts had pointed out that to some extent, the two countries are doing these out of self-interests. First, European countries obstinacy about their colonial history has seriously undermined their actual interests. France, for instance, has first triggered intense anti-French sentiment in its former colonies such as Algeria and then prompted Muslim countries to resist French products for religious reasons. Second, as systematic racism has become a catchword used by the West when it points fingers at other countries from a moral high ground, western countries, given their poor track record in history, must clear old scores first. Third, Africa has taken a rising position in major-country struggles in recent years for its rich resources and huge developing potential. France and Germany hope to ease their relations and promote cooperation with African countries. Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that the two countries could enlarge their scope of investment in Africa and strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in such areas as health, logistics, energy, information communication technology, and agriculture while expanding their military presence on the continent too. Interest-driven moves will fall flat But the two countries reconciliation with African countries has been widely doubted and may hardly achieve the expected results. President of Ibuka, an umbrella organization established to preserve the memory of the victims of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda, slammed Macrons statement, saying that the survivors are waiting for an unambiguous apology; whats important is not what you say at a celebration, but what concrete actions you take. Representatives of Herero and Namaqua, two ethnic minorities in Namibia, also took Berlins statement as no more than a publicity stunt designed to deceive the Namibian government, which they believed is by far not enough to compensate for the irreversible sufferings we went through during the German rule. Rome is not build in one day. Normalizing the two European countries relations with relevant African countries wont be easy given the complex history and deep-seated hatred. French media said France could give Africa nothing new, nor does it have the resources to sustain its ambitions in Africa. While major countries like the US and Russia are trying to enhance their influence in Africa, France and Germany will barely make a dent in their capabilities, extent of input, and historical factors. Sherrill Named New Principal at Mayfield Middle By West Kentucky Star Staff I count it a joy and privilege to continue to serve the Mayfield Independent School District as the first Black principal of Mayfield Middle School, said Sherrill. My mission is to help enhance the learning environment and culture thats already in place, working alongside staff, parents, and community members to enforce equitable practices to help close achievement gaps while focusing on creating lifelong learners and productive citizens. Sherrill, who graduated from Mayfield High School in the top 10 of his 2005 class, said, As a former student of Mayfield Independent Schools, I have an overwhelming excitement to work in this role. I am the success story of so many both retired and currently working educators, community members, mentors, and family who have poured into me. He added, I believe its not where they come from, its where we believe we can take them. Its going to be a great year! The lifelong Cardinal has spent his entire teaching career educating students of Mayfield Independent Schools. After earning his bachelors degree in elementary education from Murray State University in 2009, Sherrill began teaching fifth grade at Mayfield Elementary School. He has since obtained his masters degree in Teacher Leadership and Rank I in Education Administration. Sherrill is filling the position left vacant following the move of current MMS Principal Kelly Stinson to the position of Director of Pupil Personnel for Mayfield Independent Schools. Sherrill and his wife Christen have a daughter, Ariel, and a son, Ashton. He also serves as the assistant Minister of Second Christian Church of Mayfield. MAYFIELD - Mayfield Independent Schools has announced Antonio Sherrill as the next principal of Mayfield Middle School.Sherrill is the first African American in that role at MMS. He was named as assistant principal at the school in 2019. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A West Virginia coal miner was killed Thursday, the second coal death in the state in two days, Gov. Jim Justice said. Nicholas David Adkins, 43, of Racine, a section foreman, was fatally injured Thursday morning when he was hit by an underground shuttle car, Justice's office said in a news release. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has called a special session of the Legislature aimed at allocating federal COVID-19 relief funding and increasing funds for road improvements. Justice announced that the session will begin Monday at noon. Lawmakers were already scheduled to be in Charleston for June committee meetings, he said. DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) Sentencing for an Iowa woman who pleaded guilty in the shooting death of a woman at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant was delayed Friday because she told authorities she is innocent. Treshonda Pollion, 25, of Davenport, was scheduled to be sentenced Friday after she pleaded guilty in May to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 29-year-old Eloise Chairs. She was originally charged with first-degree murder in the case. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) A Kansas City woman was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison for a 2018 crash that killed four people while she was fleeing from police, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office said. Victoria M. Brown, 27, was sentenced after she pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree murder. Each charges carries a 20-year penalty but the sentences will run concurrently. Even though California is set to align with CDC guidance that individuals fully vaccinated against the coronavirus no longer need to wear masks in most instances on June 15, the states workplace safety agency may force employees at businesses across the state even vaccinated employees to wear masks for the foreseeable future. On Thursday, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) approved controversial guidelines that require all employees to wear masks unless everyone in a given room is fully vaccinated. The rules are expected to take effect June 15, the same day the state is scrapping its mask mandate. Regulators said they may consider loosening guidelines at a later date, and Gov. Gavin Newsom has the power to overrule the agency with an executive order. Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, said Newsom should waste no time in overruling the stringent guidelines. "The problem with Cal/OSHA's decision is that theyve failed to embrace the effectiveness of vaccines," she said. "The CDC is an extremely cautious organization, but their recommendation that immunity from a vaccine is far more powerful than protection from a mask is sound. California's continued interest in adhering to masks in the face of high vaccination rates, low case rates and the CDC guidance is unfathomable." Earlier this week, California reached a major milestone in vaccinations when officials announced that 70% of the state's adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Gandhi, who authored seven papers on the benefits of universal masking, does not believe there is any science that justifies Cal/OSHA's decision, especially since there is nothing stopping employees who wish to continue wearing masks from doing so. She stated that the only possible explanation behind the rules is that masking has become a political issue and that lifting mask mandates is seen as a right-wing position. "The immunity we get from vaccines is a force field," she said. "Masks, social distancing, ventilation, contact tracing, those were all tools, but we now have a force field of protection. The big thing that California has done right is successfully roll out the vaccine, and that success is reflected in our high vaccination rates, our low case rates, and our low hospitalization rates. Those who are unvaccinated are protected by the immunity of those around them, which is the definition of herd immunity. When we open on June 15 and people are not going to be masking, I'm not concerned at all that cases or hospitalizations will go up because of the high population immunity we have in the state." In addition to being a nuisance for fully vaccinated workers, Cal/OSHA's rules could have other negative effects, Gandhi warned. "If Cal/OSHA imposes different requirements for businesses in our state that are not based on science, it may make our businesses less desirable for people," she said. "I'm thinking about tourists thinking about coming to visit our hotels, restaurants and other venues. If every other state follows the CDC guidance, we'll be seen as a less desirable place to visit because these rules are arbitrary and not following the science." I had hoped to get an earlier start, but as we pulled out of my East Bay home and set off for a weekend in the Sierras, the Google map on my cars screen display was a messy web of bright red routes out of the city. My plan was to escape the city by Thursday, instead of the Friday, of Memorial Day weekend, so that my friend Rachel and I would avoid the Bay Area-to-Tahoe area traffic that Ive come to expect, and dread, in recent years. But within moments of our departure, it became clear that the Interstate, I-80 in this case, would be a torturous, grinding crawl. I felt claustrophobic just looking at color-coded hours of stop-and-start pavement ahead of us. Taking the road less traveled Maybe the last year has done something to my, and maybe most of our, ingrained inclination to get where were going as quickly as possible. But when I noticed that an alternative non-freeway route would take roughly the same amount of time as the more direct I-80 that I typically take through Richmond and past Vallejo, Fairfield and Vacaville, I instinctively opted in. Freda Moon That drive, which Ive done many times, is typically about 25 minutes faster than the meandering route I impulsively took last weekend. That 25 minutes, Ill grant, makes a difference when Im itching to get as far as possible from the Bay all the way to Tahoe or the Sierra foothills after work and before dark. But that itch, that desire to run as fast and furiously as one can, is a habit I encourage you to break. Its a habit that feels ingrained in the dominant U.S. culture and our collective approach to travel, but one that it's time to shake. And not because of the pandemic, though thats certainly why a lot of us have upended our approaches to travel. But more because its a better, richer, fuller way of experiencing the world. The interstate system is a quick way to deliver goods across the country and an ultra-fast way to get from one major city to another. Its also a terrible way to experience California. In the case of my weekend away, Im convinced my three days in the Sierras were so much better and more fun than they otherwise would have been because I cut myself off from the pressure to get there now, now, now. Rachel and I meandered along two-lane roads, atop levees, and through small towns. Though we left late on a Thursday afternoon, it could have been a non-holiday Friday and the same advice would apply. I dipped out of work just a couple hours early (around 3 p.m.), but instead of trying to make it all the way to the mountains, our plan from the get go was stop for the night in Sacramento, the states woefully underappreciated capital. Rachel was in town from New York City; however, she wasn't new to California. We met in college in Santa Cruz, but she hadnt spent time in this part of the state. For me, the stopover felt like an excuse to flaunt the many ways California defies stereotype and categorization. Freda Moon The trip we took up over the Oakland hills on State Route 24, through the Caldecott Tunnel, and quickly through Concord, Pittsburg and Antioch landed us in a place that looks less like the outer reaches of the Bay Area suburbs and more like another part of the country entirely. The Sacramento River Delta, with its elaborate levee system built largely by Chinese immigrant laborers, has a deep history and a compelling, unexpected beauty. Unlike speeding along on the I-80, this route offers at least an introduction to the places we passed through, something I dont get while flying past Vacaville at 70 miles-per-hour. That city, one Ive driven by hundreds of times, remains a true stranger to me. But the places small, historic riverside towns like Isleton and Locke Rachel and I drove through, also in passing, on those two-lane roads, are places I have a sense of and an interest in. I dont know them. But I want to. This, for me, is the value of taking a breath of taking a trip just a little bit slower, and of indulging in the occasional detour. We stopped for fresh cherries a buckets worth for $10 at a roadside farmstand and sucked on them as we drove past historic farmhouses and narrow main streets lined with two-storey facades with Chinese architectural embellishments and old Western adornment. We passed marinas of Delta-style houseboats and riverfront parks crowded with multigenerational families, kids cannonballing into the muddy waters. I would have loved to linger even longer, which is just a way of saying that Ill be back to those places. And who doesnt love the feeling of wanting more of somewhere? Cruising into Californias Capital By the time we re-emerged from these small side roads and caught back up to the interstate system at the I-5, it was nearly 5 p.m. It was still hot in the valley, but it wasnt painfully, scorchingly so. Id reserved a room at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in downtown Sacramento. The hotel had been built as part of a massive new development, which included the Sacramento Kings' Golden 1 Center arena complex. Having first fallen in love with Californias capital a few years ago, reporting a story on the city for the New York Times while that big downtown project was still underway, I was both excited and, Ill admit, a bit apprehensive to experience both the hotel, and the citys downtown. But in this case, Sacramento was not our destination though Im certain it will be this summer. It was a deliberate stopover, a place to break up our trip and to sit out the hours of grueling traffic that would have awaited us on a drive into the mountains on what AAA had warned would be the busiest road-tripping weekend in some time. If I was going to be sitting anywhere after work, heading into a holiday weekend, why shouldnt that place be poolside? Freda Moon Its all about the hotel pool My fantasies about the Sierras always include clear, crisp water, my Turkish towel thrown over a quiet stretch of rocky shoreline, a cold drink and a picnic sandwich stashed into my beach bag. But there is virtually no way to leave the Bay Area in the afternoon and reliably make it to the mountains to Tahoe or even the somewhat closer foothills in time to satisfy that itch that same day. My answer, over the last few years, is to find a reasonably priced hotel with a pleasant pool. It can be a cheap spot, like the Greens on Del Paso in Old North Sacramento, which is a recently and modestly renovated roadside motel with consistently affordable prices and a small, but pleasant pool. Or it can be someplace like the Sawyer, where the pool is on a roof surrounded by cabanas and overlooking the Capital building on one side and Sacramentos gleaming, golden Tower Bridge on the other. Both options, as far as Im concerned, beat the hell of racing toward the Nevada state line as if your life depended on it. At the Sawyer, there was a complimentary wine hour at the poolside bar, where they served not-great but free and perfectly drinkable Pinot Grigio, and a pretty mediocre menu of snacks including a pickled vegetable platter that was almost entirely dill pickles. I tried to argue that they werent that terrible, but Rachel a New Yorker, remember wasnt having it. They taste like they came straight from a jar of supermarket Clausens, she insisted. And, while she may be a bit of a pickle snob, she wasnt wrong. But I wasnt at the Sawyer for the food. I was here for the stress-free afternoon, the soft white hotel towels, sunshine and lounge chairs. I was there for the fact that I could eat a real dinner at one of Sacramentos great restaurants Binchoyaki is a personal favorite, where we grabbed take-out that night and ate it on our rooms good-sized patio while drinking sake and wake up the next morning, rested, with plenty of time to be in the Sierras by mid-morning. To me, its a no-brainer. Sharon, PA (16146) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 82F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 57F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Sharon, PA (16146) Today Rain, heavy at times, and scattered thunderstorms for the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 83F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 57F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. NEW YORK (AP) Some researchers believe COVID-19 has derailed the fight against HIV, siphoning away health workers and other resources and setting back a U.S. campaign to decimate the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Saturday marks the 40th anniversary of the first report that brought AIDS to the attention of the public. For a time, the battle against HIV the virus that causes AIDS was going well. But experts believe the U.S. could soon see its first increase in infections in years. Internationally, recent strides could also be undone because of COVID-19's interruption of HIV testing and care. COVID was a huge setback, said Jeffrey Crowley, a former director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy who is now at Georgetown University. COVID-19 has killed nearly 600,000 Americans in 16 months, approaching the 700,000 Americans that AIDS killed over 40 years. Before COVID-19, health officials were celebrating how new medicines and other developments had gradually tamed HIV, prompting then-President Donald Trump to announce in 2019 a campaign to "eliminate" the U.S. epidemic by 2030. But now, U.S. health officials are gathering data on exactly how much COVID-19 affected HIV infections and deaths, including how well testing, prevention and treatment kept up in the pandemic. There are signs of a backslide. Samuel Jenness, an Emory University researcher, used Atlanta-area data and statistical modeling to project major increases in some sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. At the least, COVID-19 halted recent declines in new HIV infections, Jenness said. At the worst, it potentially brought us an increase of cases for at least the next couple of years, he added. Limited data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests there were large drop-offs in HIV testing and other services. The CDC looked at data from a lab that handles about a quarter of the nations HIV tests, comparing the numbers from March 13 through September 30 last year with the same period the year before. The agency found there were 670,000 fewer HIV screening tests, and about 4,900 fewer HIV diagnoses than normal. There also was a 21% national decline in prescriptions for pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. a kind of medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent them from getting the virus through sex or injection drug use. Why the declines? Most U.S. health departments and community organizations had to scale back HIV testing, the first step in putting people with the virus on medicine that can keep them from spreading it. Also, health department workers who did the contact tracing to stop HIV outbreaks were shifted to COVID-19. Even where HIV clinics were open, some people did not want to come in because of fear of catching the coronavirus. There may be another reason: less sex. Surveys suggest that at least during the initial months of the pandemic, many adults at higher risk for HIV infection had sex on fewer occasions and with fewer sexual partners. But there also are signs that many people resumed their normal levels of sexual activity by summer, said Jenness, whose research focused on gay and bisexual men a group that for years has had the highest HIV infection rates. People's sexual behavior changed for only three months, but prevention, testing and care disruptions are still going on, he said. What does that mean for the national goals? Data released this week showed the number of new infections declining for years, dropping to about 35,000 in 2019. After Trump made his announcement in 2019, federal health officials clarified that the actual goal was a huge reduction in new infections over the next 10 years down to fewer than 3,000 a year. But Jenness and his fellow researchers predicted that the Atlanta area alone will see about 900 more HIV cases than normal over the next five years among gay and bisexual men. Another bad omen: Drug overdoses are still rising, and shared needles are one way people spread HIV, noted Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC's director. Recent surges in HIV infections in West Virginia have been tied to intravenous drug use, part of an ongoing shift in how the virus is spreading there. In 2014, 1 in 8 West Virginia HIV cases was attributed to injected drugs. By 2019, nearly 2 out of 3 were, according to state health department data. All of this suggests that the 90% reduction goal will not be met, several experts said, though health officials have not yet abandoned that objective. "Were still working towards that goal, said Kevin Delaney, a CDC HIV/AIDS researcher. If we are missing millions of HIV screening tests from 2020, there will need to be an investment made to make those up. But the targets have not been changed. Walensky, a noted HIV researcher before she became CDC director, said it will be difficult. Do I think it's doable? Absolutely, she said. "Do I think we have the resources now to do it? I don't think so yet." Worldwide, officials say there were about 38 million people with HIV/AIDS in 2019. An estimated 1.7 million people contracted HIV in 2019, a 23% decline in new HIV infections since 2010. But COVID-19 interfered with testing and other health services globally, too. In Africa, one of the continents hardest hit by AIDS, experts noted interruptions in programs that check pregnant women for HIV and that provide male circumcision to reduce their risk of infection. UNAIDS, the United Nations effort to stem HIV and AIDS, previously set goals to get certain proportions of infected people diagnosed and treated by 2020. This week, the organization said dozens of countries have hit the goals evidence that the targets were not just aspirational but achievable. The agency has set even more ambitious goals for 2025. But it will be difficult for the whole world to hit such targets, said Dr. Kevin De Cock, a Kenya-based global health expert. I'm not persuaded it's judicious to talk about the end of AIDS, De Cock said. Internationally, I think we've made tremendous progress. (But) we are not on track to meet the goals that organizations like UNAIDS have declared." ___ The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. This undated photo provided by the Christian County (Ky.) Detention Center shows Christian R. Martin. Martin, a pilot for an American Airlines subsidiary was arrested Saturday, May 11, 2019 in the 2015 shooting deaths of three people in Kentucky, the state attorney general announced. (Christian County, Kentucky, Detention Center via AP) PHOTO:Christian County, Kentucky, Detention Center via AP Trial Begins for Pilot Charged in Triple Slaying By The Associated Press ELIZABETHTOWN - Jurors heard conflicting details of a triple slaying in western Kentucky as the trial began for a pilot charged in the fatal shootings.Commercial airline pilot Christian R. Martin was arrested two years ago at the Louisville airport in the 2015 slayings of Calvin and Pamela Phillips and their neighbor, Edward Dansereau, in Christian County.The Courier Journal reports special prosecutor Barbara Whaley said in her opening statement on Thursday that evidence pointed to Martin in the slayings.Defense attorney Tom Griffiths disputed the evidence and said there were no eyewitnesses, no DNA and no fingerprints.The trial is expected to last a month. New Delhi: The Defence Ministry on Friday cleared a mega project to build six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy at a cost of around Rs 43,000 crore, a decision aimed at narrowing the gap with growing naval prowess of China, government sources said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The DAC is the Defence Ministry's highest decision-making body on procurement. The sources said the Request for Proposal for the make-in-India project named 'P-75 India' will be issued soon. The sources said the groundwork like specifications of the submarines and other critical requirements for issuance of the RFP for the mega project has been completed by separate teams of the Defence Ministry and the Indian Navy. NITI Aayog has submitted the names of two public sector banks (PSBs) and one public sector general insurer, which can be sold off under the government's new privatisation policy, to the Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment. Sources said that the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) will examine the names suggested by NITI Aayog and finalise the list of possible candidates in the financial sector for privatisation this year. People in the know also said that Bank of Maharashtra and Central Bank are the top two candidates that has been favoured for privatisation, though the Indian Overseas Bank has also found favour for the exercise either this year or possibly later. Further, according to sources, United India Insurance may be chosen candidate for privatisation among the three general insurers, given its relative better solvency ratio. However, financial sector experts also contend that Oriental Insurance, with the least solvency ratio among the three, may be favoured as it does not have overseas operations and inviting a private investor may be easier for it. The government had earlier indicated that banks under prompt corrective action (PCA) framework or weaker banks would be kept out of privatisation as it would be difficult to find buyers for them. This would have left three PSBs - Indian Overseas Bank, Central Bank and UCO Bank out of the government's disinvestment plan. But they could be brought out of PCA as there are visible signs of improvement in some of the key parameters such as profitability and asset quality (in net NPA terms as they have stepped up provisioning) in the last 3-4 quarters. This could allow them to be considered for privatisation. Besides, both Bank of Maharastra and Central Bank are west focused banks where public sector bank presence is already stronger, allowing for more private sector entry. Also, it was decided that PSBs part of consolidation exercise should also not be considered for privatisation now. This leaves out five large PSBs - Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, United Bank of India and Indian Bank along with other PSBs that merged with them under the consolidation exercise. Also, State Bank of India is not being privatised. This leaves the room open for only six banks - UCO, IOB, Central Bank, Bank of Maharastra, Punjab and Sind Bank, and Bank of India for privatisation. The selection was from among this list. The government has infused Rs 5,500 capital in the Punjab and Sind Bank. This would make it wait for at least couple of years before considering privatisation. Bank of India is a very large bank that also could create problems in finding a buyer at this time. With UCO Bank, the government may like to have some presence of a state-run bank on the eastern part of the country. So, the candidates have to be from the remaining three banks. In this year's budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that two state-run banks along with IDBI Bank would be privatised in FY22. She also said that one general insurance company would be sold off in the current fiscal. Going ahead with the privatisation process of IDBI Bank on May 5, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its in-principle approval for strategic disinvestment along with transfer of management control in the PSB. The extent of respective shareholding to be divested by the GoI and LIC, shall be decided at the time of structuring of transaction in consultation with the RBI. The Finance Minister, while delivering the budget speech on February 1, announced a capital infusion of Rs 20,000 crore in state-owned banks for the financial year 2021-2022. Prior to the privatisation process, the government also undertook merger of the state-run banks, amalgamating weaker banks with the stronger and larger ones. A total of 10 public sector banks were merged with effect from April 1, 2020. With the merger coming into effect, India currently has 12 public sector banks, down from 27 in 2017. The government has budgeted Rs 1.75 lakh crore from stake sale in public sector companies and financial institutions. The target, however, may turn out to be ambitious given the global and domestic economic scenario amid the second wave of Covid-19. 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The firm engages with its clients on a deeper level, assesses their concerns thoroughly, and offers personalized services to meet their requirements with a good turnaround time.Immigration Vision also follows a simple onboarding process to ease the processes for clients and build a robust relationship with them.Currently, they are creating a marketing initiative to leverage the power of social media and reach out effectively to the masses through digital platforms Punhani Law Firm LLC Ankush Punhani, Principal Attorney and Founder and Aarushi Bhatnagar, Managing Attorney The firm leverages its expertise on the most current developments in U.S. immigration law to design robust and customized solutions for clients. Its dedicated team of researchers monitors both current events and the best practices in immigration law in real-time and ensures that the processes internalize the fields dynamics. 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Bhavya Chaudhary is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Bhavya Chaudhary and Associates Law Firm, located in Atlanta, GA with satellite offices in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Macon, Georgia Reddy & Neumann Krystal Alanis, Partner Reddy & Neumann, P.C. l U.S. Business Immigration Attorneys is committed to helping its corporate clients and their employees thrive in the global marketplace. The firm's U.S. immigration support services are designed to simplify the often complex legal process, giving employers the freedom to put people first and develop and grow an exceptional team of industry experts to move business forward Sharma Law Offices Asheesh Sharma, Founder & President Sharma Law Offices help people from around the world to fulfill their dreams of visiting, working, or living in the United States. Asheesh Sharma realizes this vision by dedicating the firms practice to immigration law with a focus on employment & family based immigration. Since its inception, Sharma Law Offices adheres to a series of interrelated and core tenets that drive its mission to efficiently and successfully navigate clients through the complex (and evolving) federal immigration system KY Launches 'Shot at a Million' Vaccine Incentives By West Kentucky Star Staff FRANKFORT - On Friday, Governor Andy Beshear announced two drawings to encourage Kentuckians to get vaccinated.The governor announced two types of drawings Kentuckians can enter if they have received at least the first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.In the first drawing, Kentuckians 18-years-old or older who have received a vaccination may enter to win one of three $1 million drawings.For Kentuckians ages 12 to 17-years-old who have received a vaccine, the second drawing provides an opportunity to win one of 15 full scholarships to a Kentucky public college, university, technical or trade school, which includes tuition room-and-board, and books."This is a lifesaving and now possibly life-changing opportunity," said Gov. Beshear. "You can get your shot of hope and then enter for a shot at $1 million or a shot at one of 15 full scholarships both protecting you from this deadly virus and possibly transforming your future."End dates for each drawing will be Wednesday, June 30 at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 28 at 11:59 p.m., and Wednesday, August 25 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be announced on July 2, July 30, and August 27.You can learn more and enter by clicking here. To enter, you must provide personal and contact information, including name, birth date, email address, phone number, home address, and the name and location of the place you received your vaccine. 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! On the flipside, access to private funding allows Queensland Health to build assets that may otherwise not receive funding, says Debbie McNamara, STARS executive director. It also means assets can be built within shorter time scales, because it removes reliance on capital investment from public funds, McNamara says. Were a health service. Our job is delivering healthcare to the community. So, its about combining skills and expertise to deliver the right outcome. Private funding gives us additional capacity to create contemporary facilities. It provides an environment and platform where the health team can deliver quality of care. Private funding delivers additional capacity Debbie McNamara from STARS. Credit: Supplied. Australian Unity has a long-term view of its relationship with operator Metro North Health and STARS. Pratt says: Were not a property developer with the intention of selling the asset. Were a delivery partner who is prepared to invest from day one, with a 40-year time horizon. So, our time frames are much more aligned with our operating partners. Our model also supports health agencies to focus on what they do best, the delivery of healthcare services. McNamara, who has longstanding expertise working in PPPs, agrees the partnership is more than an investment transaction. Its an enduring relationship and Australian Unity is committed to the health outcomes and health infrastructure we deliver. She says for the relationship to be a success, its important for both sides to appreciate each others interests. Youre always mindful about not just what you want to achieve, but what your partners want to achieve and their drivers. Its critical to keep that front of mind because PPPs are complex. Keeping in mind shared outcomes as you go along the journey is vital. Importantly, STARS is a blueprint for future health sector property development projects. Says Pratt: Demand for acute care hospitals is growing as Australians age. STARS is a model for us to work with other health services to help them build the infrastructure their communities need. Australian Unity is a member-owned companyalso called a mutual investing money into the services and solutions that matter most to members, customers and the Australian community. To find out more about investments that make aim to deliver positive returns that arent just financial go to https://www.australianunity.com.au/life-changing Units in the Australian Unity Healthcare Property Trust are issued by Australian Unity Funds Management Limited ABN 760 071 497 115 AFS Licence number 234454, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian Unity Limited ABN 23 087 648 888. Information provided here is general information only and current at the time of publication and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. In deciding whether to acquire, hold or dispose of the product you should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and seek professional financial and taxation advice. For more information, please visit australianunity.com.au or call our Investor Services team on 132939. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Family Court A cashed-up private investor has agreed to pay $12 million for the Dandenong Family Court building, despite the courts lease expiring in 2023. The uncertainty over the lease, especially as the court recently merged with the Federal Court, kept the yield comparatively high at 6.5 per cent. Sources say it can be difficult to get bank financing at that kind of yield so the buyer is likely to have deep pockets. The 2729 sq m office at 53-55 Robinson Street has been a family law court since the mid-1980s. The Commonwealth governments lease runs out in July 2023 and there are no further options. Annual rent is $782,413 a year. The deal was done by Gross Waddell ICRs Alex Ham and Michael Gross with CBREs Scott Orchard, Scott Hawthorne and Jimmy Tat. Mr Orchard said the uncertainty stopped the transaction achieving the sharp yields usually obtained by government-leased buildings. A Family Court representative told Capital Gain there were no plans to move. City fringe A family-run boutique student accommodation building on the city fringe has been listed for sale as the flow of international students dries up. 57-65 Drummond Street, Carlton Credit: It is understood the 43-room property, known as Albert House, has just four students living in its dorms. The 1600 sq m three-storey building at 57-64 Drummond Street was configured into accommodation in the 1990s but it started out as offices for the Australian Workers Union. Records show the AWU sold up in 1997 for $1.05 million. Its expected to fetch more than $10 million. Expressions of interest, closing on July 1, are being handled by Gross Waddell ICR agents Raff De Luise, Julian Materia and Danny Clark. The property is on a 604 sq m site near the corner of Queensberry Street and has room for 10 car parks. Meanwhile, bigger players like Scape are planning towers for the Carlton precinct to house the students expected to return in the future. Wizel buys Former CBRE agent Mark Wizel, who struck out on his own last year, establishing the Wizel Property Group, is ramping up his activities. Two shops opposite Fairfield railway station owned by Mr Wizel have been leased to Burgertory and the Bean Smuggler. CBRE agent Jason Orenbuch said the 92 sq m and 98 sq m shops at 7-9 Railway Place, the foot of a new apartment building, were leased on 10-year terms. Mr Wizel has been a keen investor in new strata title retail and confirmed he also owns around 150 sq m of space in Caulfield. In Prahran, Wizel Property Groups Lewis Tong made the winning bid of $5.2 million for a two-storey shop at 257 Chapel Street on the corner of Greville Street - a sharp yield of 3.35 per cent yield. Mr Wizel did not return calls so its not clear if the group was acting as buyer or buyers representative. Gross Waddell ICR agents Michael Gross and Andrew Waddell handled Thursdays auction on the eve of lockdown. The sale was struck at a building rate of $8228 a sq m and a land rate of $10,505 a sq m. There are offices on the first floor and the long-running discount store Supa Bargains on the ground. It returns $230,000 a year from leases expiring in 2026. Two bidders competed in front of a crowd of around 40 for the property. By Friday, auctions were back online and the Oreana Group paid $13.15 million for a row of faux Tudor shops at 169-175 Toorak Road. It adjoins South Yarra Square which it purchased for $35 million last month. Faux Tudor Speaking of faux Tudor shops and Prahran, a row opposite Prahran Market at 182-194 Commercial Road is expected to sell for $8 million. The faux Tudor shops at 182-194 Commercial Road are expected to sell for $8 million. Credit: The shops, leased to Red Cross, Mediterranean Butchers, Rare Earth Hair, Eugenie French Cake Shop and Carpe Diem Bar, are on 1130 sq m of activity centre zoned land which could allow for a five-to-seven level tower. They return $380,000 a year in rent. Sonebridge agents Rorey James, Julian White, Nic Hage and Chao Zhang are handling the auction. Castlerock sale Mining giant Rio Tinto has hired former Western Australian Treasurer Ben Wyatt as the first Indigenous member of its board of directors as it seeks to rebuild broken relationships following last years destruction of ancient Aboriginal rock shelters. Mr Wyatt, 47, retired from WAs state parliament earlier this year after serving as treasurer and Aboriginal affairs minister. He joined the board of oil and gas producer Woodside on Wednesday and will join the Rio Tinto board as a non-executive director on September 1. Ben Wyatt will join the board of mining giant Rio Tinto. Credit:Trevor Collens With family links to the Pilbara and an impressive track record in public life, Bens knowledge of public policy, finance, international trade and Indigenous affairs will significantly add to the depth of knowledge on the board at a time when we are seeking to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders in Australia and around the world, outgoing Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson said. Rio Tintos decision to blow up the Juukan Gorge rock shelters last year to make way for an iron ore mine expansion left the lands traditional owners devastated, sparked global condemnation, triggered a federal parliamentary inquiry and cost the job of Rios former chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques. Mr Thompson has announced he will step down within the next year following the fallout from the debacle. BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) non-governmental friendship forum, which is being held in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. "I put forward the initiative of holding an SCO non-governmental friendship forum last November, which has received an enthusiastic response and support from all SCO member states," Xi said. Xi expressed the confidence that the forum would become an important platform for all parties to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation. Xi said he hopes that all parties will uphold the Shanghai Spirit, stay committed to the SCO's original aspirations, work together, help and support each other, and deepen cooperation. "We should leverage the advantages of non-governmental diplomacy and expand channels for people-to-people exchanges, so as to make contributions to the SCO's development," Xi said. The SCO non-governmental friendship forum kicked off in Wuhan on Thursday, with the theme of promoting people-to-people friendship and carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit. (Source: Xinhua) A cyberattack by a criminal network that brought the worlds biggest meat processing company to its knees has put the spotlight on food supply chain issues and how we got here. The meat processing giant at the centre of this weeks cyber attack, JBS, was forced to shut down 47 locations in Australia, as well as sites in the US and Canada, as it attempted to grapple with the ransomware attack on its systems. The meat industry says there is no immediate threat to supply from a cyber attack on JBS. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen. By June 3 the company issued a press release from the US saying it was all over. The companys swift response, robust IT systems and encrypted backup servers allowed for a rapid recovery. As a result, [we] were able to limit the loss of food produced during the attack to less than one days worth of production. That may be so, but the sad reality is companies operating in the food supply chain are high value targets. It means, the bigger the company; the bigger the target on its back. Hilma af Klint Group IV, The ten largest, no 4, youth 1907 Credit: The Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sweden Abstract art, at least in the West, has long been synonymous with the likes of Wassily Kandinsky, the intellectually restless Russian emigre who claimed to have invented abstraction with Composition V, shown at a 1911 exhibition in Munich. Kazimir Malevich, whose 1915 Black Square still perplexes artists. Or Jackson Pollock in his Long Island barn in the 1940s, frantically making action paintings. Af Klint started painting Primordial Chaos, a group of small, blue-and-green canvases that wrestle with the origins of the world through a sequence of radial lines and cryptic symbols in 1906. As Voss points out, she arrived at abstraction first. Abstraction only became a success story during the Cold War, says Voss. There was the [idea] that it was the expression of individual freedom, that it was created by men Kandinsky, Pollock. But women were very important. History loves to imagine the artist as a lone male genius. But af Klint, who started making her work in the presence of other women, conceived of her art as a conversation with higher powers. Shes not making manifestos about the history of art, says Cramer. Malevich and Mondrian had a very strict program of progression in their work. Hilmas is very open-minded. Its a wide cosmic view of humanitys place in the universe. She pauses. Its coming from a very different viewpoint. It wasnt reductive; it was expansive. Loading Hilma af Klint was born in Stockholm in 1862, part of a respected family of cartographers and naval officers. The death of her 10-year-old sister, Hermina, when she was 18 sparked a fascination with Spiritualism, a movement that believed in a dialogue between the dead and the living. Its an interest she had in common with numerous artists and intellectuals all through Europe, says Chambers. Interestingly, Spiritualism, popularised by Russian philosopher Madame Helena Blavatsky, who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875, welcomed women, thought to be better suited to the work of mediumship. The founding fathers of abstraction were interested in different spiritualist belief systems, he adds. But there were spiritualist movements of this time run by women. Hilmas work paints a richer and complex picture of the story of modern art. Hilma af Klint, Group X, Altarpiece, no 1 1915 Credit:The Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sweden In 1882, af Klint attended Stockholms Royal Academy of Fine Arts, where she was a top student. Later, she earned a living as a painter and illustrator, making intricate studies of plants and flowers on paper. Then, in 1896, she starts holding seances with The Five, four friends from art school, including Anna Cassel, with whom she forged a lifelong connection. The Five filled notebooks with automatic writing. They communed with the spirit guides or High Masters, Gregor, Clemens, Amaliel and Ananda, making joint pastel-and-graphite drawings of petals and spirals, droplets and eggs. Organic forms, both otherworldly and familiar. In Europe at the turn of the 20th century, says Jessica Hoglund, CEO of the Hilma af Klint Foundation, science and Spiritualism were entwined with each other. Thomas Edison built a machine to speak to the dead. Marie and Pierre Curie had links to the occult. Hilma af Klint at the Kungliga Akademien in Stockholm, 1885. Credit:Getty So many things happened in the beginning of the 1900s when Hilma was young, she says. The invention of the X-ray. The invention of the atom. She drew from all these sources and translated them into her paintings. The Paintings for the Temple are alive with this scientific sense of inquiry, along with a deep and abiding wonder. In Primordial Chaos, geometric shapes shoot sparks and rays, while strange words possess multiple meanings, carefully detailed in her notebooks. The Ten Largest cast the smallness of human life against the vastness of infinity, the way you can put your ear to a shell a recurring shape through these paintings and hear the sound of the ocean. I think it is the right timing for her because human beings are heading in the wrong direction Filmmaker Halina Dyrschka In Altarpieces (1915), the final group in the series, tessellated triangles, painted in metal leaf, hold up radiant orbs. The works, she dictates in a 1931 entry, would deliver a certain power and calm and should be housed in the temples altar room. In 1908, she showed the paintings to one of her heroes, Rudolph Steiner, an Austrian philosopher and the German leader of the Theosophical Society. He disapproved of her reliance on spirits. For four years, she stopped painting. From the 1920s on, she made incandescent watercolours. An entry from 1932, combines a curious notation with the words All works which should be opened twenty years after my death should carry the sign shown above. Hilma af Klint, Group IV, The ten largest, no 2, childhood 1907 Credit:The Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sweden Af Klints erasure from art history has become legend, especially during a moment hungry for feminist heroines. She died in a 1944 tram accident. She left her body of work 1300 paintings, 124 notebooks and over 26,000 handwritten and typed pages to her nephew Erik af Klint. In the late 1960s, he offered her work to Swedens Moderna Museet. They turned it away, claiming that she was more medium than artist. This was ironic given that Kandinsky believed abstraction was a type of religion. Mark Rothkos paintings are considered paths to the sacred. Of course, women whove resisted the social order have long been dismissed as heretic or irrational or mad. For Voss, this is about protecting a hierarchy that, for male artists at least, has been profitable. There was Pollock in America and Kandinsky in Europe the art market had made its prices, she says. And then when everything was packaged, Hilma af Klint entered the stage. In a sense, it makes me laugh. Its like a prank! [The idea] that shes this crazy, remote woman in Sweden who hit the jackpot of abstraction by chance. That the men were thinking about it and she was just dabbling around. Hoglund, who is working on plans to preserve and restore the paintings, tells me that af Klints work is protected by the Foundation and will remain that way in the future. Not many are owned by private collectors, she says. We have an obligation to take care of her works. Hilma af Klint, Group IX/SUW, The swan, no 1 191415 Credit:The Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sweden Dyrschka says that af Klints paintings are an antidote to the late capitalist world were forced to navigate. I think the main question that comes out of her work are What the hell are we doing here? What is the point? Am I here to live eighty years just making money?, she laughs. She came to the answer that theres more and dedicated her life to this. And to me, this is a very successful life. Its a late capitalist world thats also polarised, divided by borders and differences and politics. Af Klint spent her life grappling with a society cleaved by gender. She explores the problem of duality in The Swan, No. 24, a pair of black-and-white swans painted in 1915, a year into World War I. Their necks and wings are twisted into a larger whole. She [brings] in the imagery of the swan, darkness and light, spirit and matter, says Cramer. Its about moving around the oppositions that hold things together the invisible and the visible, the real and the ideal. Wegners Portrait of Guy Warren at 100, was a sentimental choice among the artist community. Wegner said his wife Jenny burst into tears and he was left speechless when he was notified Friday morning. This is just an unbelievable moment in my life. Ive been exhibiting in Sydney and Melbourne for more than 25 years and its just a wonderful validation of my work, he said. A friend of ours has just dropped in a bottle of Moet and we might open it up and reflect on this extraordinary moment tonight. Wegner, in lockdown in Diamond Creek outside of Melbourne, has been drawing centenarians as part of a personal project started when his aunt Rita turned 100 seven years ago. Pat Hoffies was highly commended for her portrait of her daughter Visaya in a c-collar. Credit:Mim Stirling Hes gone on to draw more than 90. Wegner is now interested in documenting supercentenarians, those reaching 110 years. The chances are two in 1 million of someone reaching that age, he said. Given Warrens curiosity and sense of purpose, Wegner said he would not be surprised to paint him again. Wegner said the Archibald Prize money would buy him more time and the ability to get into my studio and paint. Wynne Prize winner Nyapanyapa Yunupius Garak Night Sky. Credit:Art Gallery of NSW Warren, who made a surprise appearance at the announcement on Friday wearing the same pink pullover as in the winning portrait, said he had been painted at least four times for the Archibald Prize this year and had never met Wegner before he was asked to sit for him too. Warren was in bed having a cup of tea when Art Gallery of NSW director Michael Brand called to inform him of the prize. I was not surprised, I thought it was the best painting in the show but I might have been a bit biased, he said. The Wegner portrait was in the full tradition of portrait painting and that tradition goes back a hell of a long way. Secondly, its a very good likeness, and thirdly, Im told, it says something of my character. Georgia Spains Getting Down or Falling Up won the Sulman Prize. Credit:AGNSW, Mim Stirling Warren says his hunger to paint is driven by a curiosity as to whats around the next corner. He began his working life as a proofreading assistant for The Bulletin and had ambitions to become a journalist. I need another 10, 20, 50 years to keep on painting if I can. There is a better painting around the corner, I know there is. Life, Warren said, was full of doubt and wonder and surprise that Im as old as I am. One hundred years is a hell of a lot of experience. Ive survived the Great Depression, a war, Ive survived serious medical difficulties and Ive survived COVID touch wood. After a while, you realise just how extraordinarily lucky you are to be alive. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video In an interview with art critic John McDonald earlier this year, Warren said the secret to living a long life was: you just have to keep living. I suppose Ive never had any illusions about my work or my position in the universe, or even in the small world of the Sydney art scene. I dont think it matters at all. Ive never thought of myself as Australias greatest painter or as someone destined to make a fortune out of art, he said. Ive never worried about the money because Ive always managed to get a job when I needed one. I dont know if this was a matter of self-confidence or ability, I think I was just lucky. To be an artist is such a privilege I cant believe Ive been so lucky. Archie 100, an exhibition celebrating the prizes first 100 years and the controversies and characters that unite and polarise public opinion, will open on Friday evening. Packing Room Prize winner Kathrin Longhursts portrait of Kate Ceberano Credit:Jenni Carter Loading Lisa Taddeo grew up in New Jersey in the kind of family where if there was a sex scene on television, someone would jump off the couch and say brightly Does anybody want some hot chocolate? Her parents were Italian Catholics and never talked to her about sex: There was this understanding, were not going to go there. Yet as a young girl, she picked up on her fathers desire for her mother, and her mothers apparent lack of desire. Later her mother told a story about an old man who used to follow her every day when she went to work at a fruit stand in Bologna, keeping his eyes on her as he masturbated. The way she told it, it wasnt a big deal. She used an Italian slang word for masturbation that wouldnt be offensive. That memory found its way into the prologue of Three Women, Taddeos explosive true story of Maggie, Lina and Sloane and their desires. As a schoolgirl, Maggie had an alleged sexual liaison with her teacher, who was cleared of any wrongdoing in a trial; Lina had an adulterous affair with her first sweetheart; and Sloane had sex with men and women while her husband watched. Published in 2019, the book was a bestselling sensation with critics and readers, and for a lot more reasons than the meticulously described sex scenes. Rachel Cooke in The Observer spoke for the fans: There isnt a woman alive who wont recognise her stomach lurching, her heart beating wildly something of what Maggie, Lina and Sloane go through. In her first novel, Animal, Taddeo has gone even rawer and darker. The protagonist, Joan, could be seen as the fourth woman: indeed, many of the true stories that didnt make it into Three Women coalesced to inspire the character. The book opens with a scene in a restaurant where Joan is dining with a married lover. In comes another married lover of hers and shoots himself in front of them. Significant Other New Theatre, June 2 When you are single and your friends are your family, what happens when those friends settle down and make families of their own? In Significant Other, Jordan (Tom Rodgers) is facing a lonely future as his close-knit group of friends, all straight women, find partners and marry. Straight and gay dating often operates on different timelines, and Jordan, who is gay, isnt on the same track to lifetime commitment as Vanessa (Dominique Purdue), Laura (Laura McInnes) and Kiki (Isabella Williams); hes currently hopelessly infatuated with Will (Matthew McDonald), a handsome and straight co-worker who does not return that interest. Significant Other asks questions about the differences between gay and straight dating. Credit:Bob Seary In a world full of happy couples, and in the face of well-meaning but facile advice from his grandmother (Helen Tonkin) that doesnt account for the complexity of the queer experience, Jordan cant keep up the facade of a supportive best friend much longer. Significant Other, by Joshua Harmon, is a spiky dark comedy about our worst anxieties; it delights in vocalising all those embarrassing, too-vulnerable thoughts we keep to ourselves. While the dialogue occasionally tries too hard to sound clever and cool, when Harmon trusts himself the laughs flow easily and the heart holds true. Loading Hayden Tonazzi directs a confident production that knows its characters and concerns well; his steady hand at the plays centre makes space for bravely funny performances. While a few scenes lose steam, theres a lot in this production to perk the play back to life theres some clever use of theatrical blocking and stage space to make a joke even funnier. Hamish Elliotts set is attractively adaptable; its playfully lit by Morgan Moroney to create brand new atmospheres: office buildings, clubs, wedding venues. This is a playful company, and while the accent work is wildly inconsistent, the character work is not. Jordan is the soul of the piece, and Rodgers brings him to wry and wistful life; Matthew McDonald makes the most of playing Will and all the other male roles with a twinkle in his eye that serves as gentle commentary on modern hetero-masculinity; Purdue, McInnes and Williams play Jordans friends with smart and subtle nuances. Its refreshing to see a play that feels in conversation with a contemporary experience of growing older alone; its wonderful to laugh often and freely and still feel involved in the story. This ones a charmer. Despite being the most common infectious cause of disabilities in newborns it is still largely unheard of by most newly pregnant women, says Dr Antonia Shand, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick. About 1 in 150 women will contract CMV during pregnancy in Australia and about 350 babies will be born with a medical problem due to the virus. They all say to me theyve never heard of this infection. And then are shocked to hear something could have been done about prevention, Dr Shand says. Everyone knows you shouldnt drink or smoke or eat ham but women dont know about the steps they can take to reduce their risk of CMV. She said washing hands, avoiding sharing food and drinks with young children and not kissing young children on the lips are critical in reducing infection. Women can often pick up the virus from other children, many bringing the infection home from childcare. It is frequently transmitted via saliva, tears, urine and breast milk, with most people contracting it during their lives. It is so important for women to know about it before they are pregnant. By the time a woman is already pregnant they are already at risk, Dr Shand said, noting that only about 20 per cent of women consult a doctor in pre-pregnancy. Current RANZCOG guildelines state that women should be warned about CMV and prevention as part of routine antenatal care, including hygiene measures to reduce risk. The official guidelines were released in 2019. Complete this sentence: Happiness is ... comfortable shoes? A jacket that doesnt pinch, ride up or gape? A shimmery party dress? Or something you can throw on at the beach? If there was one overarching theme of the first post-COVID Australian Fashion Week, it was relaxed glamour, whether it was through the soft tailoring of newcomer Beare Park, or the voluminous silhouettes of Ginger & Smart that screamed garden wedding. The only thing that left fashion experts slightly bemused: the possible return of low-slung pants and skirts. Yes, hips are back. Hips made their return at (from left) Alice McCall, Ginger & Smart and Rumer. Credit:Getty So how did some of the countrys leading retail buyers and tastemakers interpret the week? Bridget Veals, David Jones: There was a real nod to everyone going back to their roots. Everything is quite saturated with colour, whether it was neutrals or brights. Everyone will be showing off a lot of flesh [this summer] I dont know how people will be feeling about that. We saw a lot of shirts and short sets; set dressing is really good because separates are easy. [There was] a really good balance between head to toe tonal, beautiful, easy and sophisticated dressing and having amazing prints, great shapes, sleeve details. My greatest fear is being laughed at by a Zoomer. Some people fear death, others pain. I fear the face a 16-year-old makes when I mispronounce the word cheugy, which is a descriptor for the type of deeply uncool Millennial behaviour that constitutes my life. Some weeks ago, Zoomers, also known as Gen Z (i.e those born after 1996) decreed that skinny jeans and side hair partings were no longer cool. I have been in a crippling state of self-consciousness ever since. What am I to do with the seven pairs of denim pants I own, all of which are tapered at the ankle? Must I throw them onto a fire? Yes, I must! Skinny jeans are out, according to Zoomers. Credit:iStock Zoomers have come of age. They have turned 21 and if trends are to be believed they will have celebrated by kicking back with some close friends, sous viding a steak and watching impossibly attractive strangers plug products in the form of dance on TikTok. Why am I afraid of these people? Former special forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has taken urgent court action against his estranged ex-wife in a bid to find out if she gave confidential information to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald about his legal advice ahead of his defamation case against the mastheads. The new action poses a risk of delaying the defamation trial, which is slated to start on Monday and run for up to 10 weeks. Mr Roberts-Smith launched Federal Court proceedings on Tuesday against his former wife, Emma Roberts, who is expected to give evidence for the newspapers in the high-stakes trial. Court orders were made on that day in her absence. Professor David Rolph, a defamation law expert at the University of Sydney, said it was most unusual for a person suing for defamation to commence separate proceedings against a witness in the first lawsuit. Namibian President Hage Geingob waits to deliver his state of the nation address to parliament in Windhoek, capital of Namibia, on June 4, 2020. [Photo by Tirivangani Masawi/Xinhua] BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of sympathy to Namibian President Hage Geingob over his and his wife's infection with the COVID-19 virus. In his message dated Wednesday, Xi said that learning about the infection of President Geingob and his wife, Monica Geingos, he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, extend the sincerest sympathy to them and wish them a speedy recovery. A box containing China-donated vaccines is loaded onto a truck at the Hosea Kutako International Airport in Namibia's capital Windhoek on March 16, 2021. [Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua] The Chinese president said that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Namibia have supported each other and joined hands against the coronavirus disease, and their traditional friendship has grown deeper. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Namibia relations and stands ready to work with Geingob to lift the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to new levels. (Source: Xinhua) Kogarah MP Chris Minns says the campaign for a NSW Labor government in 2023 has begun after he was unanimously elected the new leader of the party on Friday. The 41-year-old was elected unopposed during a 30-minute caucus meeting in which rival Michael Daley pulled out of the leadership race. Labors Chris Minns in his first press conference after being elected leader. Credit:Rhett Wyman Mr Minns vowed to rally the troops of Labor and close the book on a bruising period of party disunity to focus on the people of NSW, as he finally claimed the top job on his third attempt. Now the hard work begins for the Labor Party to get up off the mat, take the fight up to the Berejiklian government... I know that task will be difficult, he said. A former NSW Labor Party official and priest who abused boys on abhorrent child sex tourism trips in south-east Asia, during which he also produced abuse images, has been jailed for 17 years. Peter Andrew Hansen pleaded guilty in February to 31 charges, including eight counts of engaging in sexual intercourse with children under 16 outside Australia, and 20 counts of producing child abuse material. Peter Hansen pleaded guilty to a raft of offences involving child sexual abuse. Credit:Facebook. In addition to the Commonwealth offences relating to the production of child abuse material in Asia, the 31 charges include two counts of the NSW offence of possessing child abuse material. Hansen received a separate sentence for those counts of four years and three months, to be served concurrently with his 17-year sentence for the Commonwealth offences and backdated to his 2018 arrest at Sydney airport. From 2014 until his arrest, Hansen used Facebook and an encrypted instant message program called Brosix to connect with fixers and other consumers of child abuse material to discuss and share the material and arrange meetings with young boys in the Philippines and Vietnam. Health authorities are yet to determine how a Victorian family who holidayed in NSW contracted a strain of coronavirus not linked to any other local case, as Victoria recorded five new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 on Saturday. The strain the more infectious Delta variant that originated in India has been detected in the family of four who returned to Victoria from Jervis Bay, on the South Coast, last week and is a different variant to the other cases in the Melbourne outbreak. The cases have raised concerns about the unknown source of the infection. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has said there was no evidence a Victorian family caught COVID-19 in the state. Credit:Edwina Pickles Contact tracers are still to determine if the source of the variant is in Victoria, NSW or elsewhere and it is yet to be genomically linked to coronavirus cases in hotel quarantine. The mystery outbreak threatens to derail hopes of an early end to Melbournes lockdown. Victoria recorded five new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and one in hotel quarantine in the 24 hours to midnight on Friday. A decision by the powerful police union to fund the legal defences of three officers charged with leaking photographs of former AFL coach Dani Laidley has polarised the force, with many members angry about the use of union fees on the cases. Senior officers have told The Age that the unauthorised release of Laidleys mugshot and a photo of her being interviewed wearing a wig and make-up had caused enormous reputational damage for Victoria Police and those responsible for the breach should not be helped. A court sketch of Dani Laidley from last year. Credit:Nine News What sort of message does this send to the community when the Police Association goes into bat for these blokes, said a senior sergeant from Melbournes south, who is also a union member. Theyve been suspended without pay and should have to fund their own legal costs too. Thats my opinion and Id say its a widely held one by those in the job. Burnet Institute epidemiologist Professor Mike Toole said studies of the variant indicated it was up to 60 percent more infectious than the so-called UK strain. This means it is roughly twice as infectious as the Wuhan strain which plunged Victoria into lockdown last year. Instead of an infected person infecting two to three others, it could be up to six others, he said. Unlike Kappa, the variant at the centre of Melbournes biggest current outbreak, Delta is now considered a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation. The Pfizer vaccine is about 88 percent effective against symptomatic disease caused by the variant, while the AstraZenecas vaccine is about 60 percent effective. Scientists expect both vaccines to offer much higher levels of protection against serious illness and death. Loading On Friday, Professor Sutton said that officials hadnt yet been able to link the new outbreak to any sequenced cases in hotel quarantine in Victoria or any other states, which meant it was unclear where the index case picked it up in Jervis Bay, Melbourne or elsewhere. He said attempts would be made to genomically sequence other known cases from hotel quarantine and investigate other possible linkages. That includes those who have come through formal quarantine and also anyone else: maritime, airline, diplomatic and otherwise, Professor Sutton said. Victorian authorities were working with NSW, ACT and Commonwealth officials to try and determine the origins of the outbreak. The possibility it was picked up in NSW or even regional Victoria has not been ruled out. Last month, a couple from Sydneys eastern suburbs tested positive to the Delta variant, but there is no link between this cluster and the new Melbourne outbreak. The West Melbourne family visited Jervis Bay about two weeks ago, from May 19 to 24. Their son and daughter attended school from May 25 to 27, before Melbourne went into lockdown, testing positive for coronavirus on Tuesday. A second family was tested on Thursday after being asked to isolate and two adults and a child emerged as new cases on Friday. A second child also returned an indeterminate result, but is likely to test positive A North Melbourne Primary School father who has sons in grade 3 and 5 said parents were alarmed by reports the new variant was more infectious. Loading You just have to hope youre that majority who havent contracted it and come out of the other side OK, he said. His family are undertaking two weeks of quarantine as their son in grade 5 is considered a close contact of the infected pupils. The family have all tested negative. He said the school had many shared-learning areas and there was mingling between year levels, which had worried parents. My son is in year 5 and its kind of a flexible area which is open learning so if it was a highly contagious spread it could go very quickly through that area, he said. Victoria recorded four new local coronavirus cases on Friday. Two cases were also recorded in hotel quarantine. Three people were in hospital with COVID-19, two as precautionary measures. Of more than 6000 primary close contacts 90 per cent had returned negative coronavirus tests. Three of the four new COVID-19 cases are linked to the West Melbourne outbreak. The fourth was a primary close contact of an existing case who was already isolating. More than 300 primary close contacts have been identified in the West Melbourne outbreak. So far, about 70 per cent have tested negative. Infectious diseases paediatrician Robert Booy suspects the new outbreak was most probably seeded in Victoria. Many people have been tested and we dont have the disease in country NSW, so the most logical theory is that the most recent outbreak was seeded in Victoria, Professor Booy said. But the University of Sydney professor said there was no robust evidence children were getting more severe disease, despite anecdotal reports that suggested greater severity of illness in children. Reports from the US that it might be affecting children more severely are very preliminary and awaiting confirmation and scientific proof, he said. There is no evidence that Delta is more severe or more virulent, if anything, the virus is likely to mutate is towards being less severe, but more transmissible. Loading Head of the epidemiological modelling unit at Monash University, James Trauer, said the discovery of the new outbreak should dash hopes of an early end to Melbournes lockdown and suggested some restrictions would likely remain for many weeks after some businesses were allowed to reopen. He said masks should be required indoors for at least two to four weeks, even after the state was recording to zero daily cases. Its when youre making these judgments about business closures and reopenings versus the public health risk, thats really a lot more difficult, because you are balancing risks against peoples livelihoods. On Friday acting Premier James Merlino said there were no plans to ease the lockdown earlier than planned. The proposition put forward by public health was that we needed this further seven-day period for Greater Melbourne to absolutely run this thing to the ground, he said. That remains the case. A Victorian government spokesperson said on Friday that more than 30,000 applications for business support grants, which opened on Thursday ahead of federal grants for workers, had been made in the first 24 hours of the program. North Melbourne Primary School has been closed after two COVID-19 cases were linked to the school. Credit:Eddie Jim Paediatrician and researcher at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Margie Danchin, who is investigating COVID-19 transmission in Australian schools, will lead a team screening casual contacts at North Melbourne Primary School at the weekend. The researchers will also undertake blood tests of the children who tested positive to the virus in two weeks time to determine if they had developed an immune response to the virus. Were doing whats called enhanced surveillance to test the transmission in the school, she said. This data is evolving right now we arent sure how many secondary cases we are going to find at the school. Victorias outbreaks have now reached 64 cases, with seven of those cases linked to the Delta variant and West Melbourne outbreak. After multiple aged care workers and residents tested positive for coronavirus this week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday that state and territory leaders are leaning heavily towards mandatory vaccinations for aged care workers following a botched vaccine rollout in the sector that has left the vast majority of workers unvaccinated. However, Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly warned there may be unintended consequences of mandatory vaccines that could affect the aged care workforce, including people leaving the industry. Top epidemiologist James McCaw said it was deeply concerning to have a new outbreak of the Delta variant in Melbourne and it remained way too early to say whether the city would be released from lockdown next week. This thing, it spreads more easily and therefore its harder to control, said the University of Melbourne mathematical biologist. We dont know what that second outbreak will do yet. Its still only got a couple of people that we know about in it, [so] it could fade away or it could continue to spread, well just have to wait and see. Professor McCaw said a silver lining of the new outbreak was it was discovered when the city was already facing stay-at-home restrictions. If you were ever going to have a new outbreak seeded in, this is the best possible time for it to happen. Cath Taylor, whose son is in year six at North Melbourne Primary School, said the school had been super transparent about the potential exposure and high risk for grade 1 and 5 students. Loading She said her son got tested for the virus this week out of caution as he often plays football on the oval with mixed year levels. The school has managed the situation very well, its just something we all have to try and do our bit, she said. The Victorian government is clinging to hope that the Australian Formula One Grand Prix can still go ahead in November, despite Singapores October grand prix being cancelled on Friday. It is the second year in a row that the Singapore GP has been called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, race organisers said in a statement. The Australian Grand Prix. Credit:AFR Melbournes race, which was originally scheduled to take place on March 21 at Albert Park, has been pushed back to November 19-21 due to the pandemic. Singapore, which was scheduled for October 1-3, joins Canada off this years F1 calendar and is unlikely to be the last to fall victim of the pandemic with Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Australia all with doubts over them from the original list of 23 rounds. Travel to Australia is heavily restricted, and the Canadian GP was cancelled after Formula One teams refused to agree to the quarantine restrictions imposed by the Canadian government. The Australian Grand Prix is due to run two weeks after the Brazil round, with the South American nation one of the hardest hit by the virus in the world. More than 470,000 Brazilians have died so far from the coronavirus. Australian organisers on Saturday remained hopeful they could find a way for the race to go ahead as planned. The decision by Singapore is not particularly relevant to our situation, a government spokesperson told the Sunday Age. Planning for the grand prix is a complex matter involving multiple parties including the Grand Prix Corporation, Formula One management and the Commonwealth Government. The health of Victorians remains the key factor in all this and well have more to say at the appropriate time. Last year, the Victorian government cancelled the Australian Grand Prix on the Friday morning of the race weekend, as the world began to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. With Reuters The West Australian government has reversed a decision to cut $10.6 million in funding from one of Perths major metropolitan hospitals, after it was revealed executives had been left with no other choice but the fire frontline staff as a result. The backflip was revealed during question time in Parliament on Thursday after Liberal MP Donna Faragher quizzed the Labor government about the cuts to St John of God Midland Public Hospital. St John of God Hospital, Midland. Under current contract arrangements with the state government, the hospital has to match cost-per-patient figures at other public hospitals across metropolitan Perth. If other facilities operate at a lesser cost, funding to St John of God Midland is reduced accordingly. WAtoday reported in May that hospital chief executive Michael Hogan had told staff a number of workers would be made redundant despite efforts from management to keep costs down after the state government reduced the facilitys funding. Figures revealing how many mental health presentations there have been to Perths hospital emergency departments contradict claims by Premier Mark McGowan of a massive surge in the number of patients. As the ambulance ramping and bed shortage crisis deepens in WA, the Premier has repeatedly blamed the issue on growing mental health issues. And the reasons are complex, but basically they boil down to post-COVID theres been a surge in mental health presentations and its difficult to explain - but a massive surge in mental health presentations, Mr McGowan said last week. But WAtoday and Nine News Perth asked for evidence of that surge, after a leading emergency department physician questioned the claim. The highest stakes defamation trial in Australias history starts in the Federal Court on Monday. Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith is suing The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and some of our journalists over our reports he allegedly committed war crimes in Afghanistan and sought to cover them up since then. Roberts-Smith will be the first witness in the eight-week trial. On todays Please Explain, The Age Editor Gay Alcorn is joined by The Age investigative journalist Nick McKenzie to examine the upcoming defamation trial and the issues at stake. Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Photo taken on May 25 shows Shi Yue (L) and Shi Lu resting. [Xinhua] Shi Yue, born after 1995, and her younger sister Shi Lu signed contracts to rent more than 133.33 hectares of land for farming this year, a substantial increase from about 4.67 hectares, in a village in Shangdu County, Ulanqab, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The elder sister had previously worked outside her hometown after graduating. In 2018, she returned home to take care of her father as he suffered from cancer. To pay for the expensive medical fees, the young woman had to learn how to farm from scratch from her father and nearby villagers. A year later, her younger sister also returned to join her. Since then, they have run a cooperative, expanded the planting area, and shifted to mechanized farming. In addition to wheat, they have also planted crops with higher economic value, such as sunflowers and quinoa, and raised more than 300 sheep. In 2020, their annual income exceeded 400,000 yuan (about $62,899). "As long as you work hard, you can make your life worthwhile in the countryside. More importantly, we can take care of our family members," said Shi Lu. Photo taken on March 3 shows Shi Lu (L) and Shi Yue applying medicine to a lamb. [Xinhua] Photo taken on March 3 shows Shi Yue (L) and Shi Lu herding sheep. [Xinhua] Aerial photo taken on May 26 shows a view of Shi Yue and Shi Lu's home. [Xinhua] Photo taken on May 25 shows Shi Yue working in a field. [Xinhua] P hoto taken on March 3 shows Shi Yue (R) and Shi Lu applying medicine to lambs. [Xinhua] Photo taken on May 25 shows Shi Yue working in a field. [Xinhua] Photo taken on May 25 shows Shi Yue (1st, L) and Shi Lu (2nd, R) working in a field. [Xinhua] Photo taken on March 3 shows Shi Lu herding sheep. [Xinhua] Photo taken on May 26 shows Shi Yue (L) powering up a massage device for her father. [Xinhua] Photo taken on May 26 shows Shi Yue (L) and Shi Lu taking care of their father Shi Ruiguang. [Xinhua] Photo taken on May 26 shows Shi Yue (L) having a meal. [Xinhua] (Source: People's Daily Online) National cabinet had one of its more productive meetings on Friday but it is the federal government that must take the lead on the key challenge of getting the country vaccinated. The profile of national cabinet, which has brought together state and federal governments to fight COVID-19, has waxed and waned over the past year. It was crucial in the early stages but at times since it has served only to highlight differences or to shift blame. Prime Minister Scott Morrison in April placed the body on a war footing with meetings twice a week after it became clear that the vaccination program was well behind schedule. But it has returned to a peace-time monthly schedule since then. The meeting on Friday addressed some of the issues that have surfaced as a result of Melbournes lockdown, such as the gaps exposed after a worker spread the disease to two aged care homes. Leaders want to make vaccination compulsory for all aged care workers and the federal government said it would start collecting data on how many workers had received their vaccines. St Petersberg: Less than two weeks from his first face-to-face with President Joe Biden in Geneva, Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised the US prosecution of the Capitol rioters, calling it an example of American double standards. The comments are likely to add to the pessimism in both Moscow and Washington that the June 16 summit will lead to a breakthrough between the two countries. Relations remain deeply strained over issues such as cyberattacks that Western intelligence says originate in Russia. Putin on Friday claimed that the United States wants to suppress Russia. At the St Petersberg International Economic Forum, Putin said he couldnt care less if he was banned from social media. Credit:AP He suggested the agenda for the summit with Biden could cover issues of potential common ground, such as climate, the pandemic, disarmament and combating terrorism. What is true, and Im actually being serious here, Obama said, is that there is footage and records of objects in the skies that we dont know exactly what they are. Loading The report concedes that much about the observed phenomenon remains difficult to explain, including their acceleration, ability to change direction and submerge. One possible explanation that the phenomena could be weather or other research balloons does not hold up in all cases, the officials said, because of changes in wind speed at the times of some of the interactions. The final report will also contain a classified annex, the officials said. While that annex will not contain any evidence concluding that the phenomenon are alien spacecraft, the officials acknowledged that the fact that it would remain off limits to the public was likely to continue to fuel speculation that the government had secret data about alien visitations to Earth. Loading Many of the more than 120 incidents examined in the report are from Navy personnel, officials said. The report also examined incidents involving foreign militaries over the last two decades. Intelligence officials believe at least some of the aerial phenomena could be experimental technology from a rival power, most likely Russia or China. One senior official briefed on the intelligence said without hesitation that US officials knew it was not American technology. He said there was worry among intelligence and military officials that China or Russia could be experimenting with hypersonic technology. He and other officials spoke on grounds of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about the classified findings in the report. Loading Russia has been investing heavily in hypersonics, believing the technology offers the ability to evade American missile-defence technology. China has also developed hypersonic weaponry, and included it in military parades. If the phenomena were Chinese or Russian aircraft, officials said it would suggest the two powers hypersonic research has far outpaced American military development. Navy pilots were often unsettled by the sightings. In one encounter, strange objects one of them like a spinning top moving against the wind appeared almost daily from the summer of 2014 to March 2015, high in the skies over the East Coast. Navy pilots reported to their superiors that the objects had no visible engine or infrared exhaust plumes, but that they could reach 30,000 feet and hypersonic speeds. Lieutenant Ryan Graves, an F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot who was with the Navy for 10 years, told The New York Times in an interview that these things would be out there all day. With the speeds he and other pilots observed, he said, 12 hours in the air is 11 hours longer than wed expect. In late 2014, a Super Hornet pilot had a near collision with one of the objects, and an official mishap report was filed. Some of the incidents were videotaped, including one taken by a planes camera in early 2015 that shows an object zooming over the ocean waves as pilots question what they are watching. The Defence Department has been collecting such reports for more than 13 years as part of a shadowy, little-known Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program within the Pentagon. The program analysed radar data, video footage and accounts provided by the Navy pilots and senior officers. The program began in 2007 and was largely funded at the request of Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat who was the Senate majority leader at the time. It was officially shut down in 2012 when the money dried up, according to the Pentagon. Loading But after the publication of a New York Times article in 2017 about the program and criticism from program officials that the government was not forthcoming about reports about aerial phenomena, the Pentagon restarted the program last summer as the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force. The task forces mission was to detect, analyse and catalog sightings of strange objects in the sky that could pose a threat to national security. But government officials said they also wanted to remove the stigma for service members who report UFO sightings in the hope that more would be encouraged to speak up if they saw something. The goal, officials said, is to give authorities a better idea of what might be out there. Last year, President Donald Trumps budget included a provision inserted by lawmakers that the secretary of defence and director of national intelligence submit an unclassified report on what the government knows about UFOs. That report is the one to be released this month. Officials briefed on the report said it also examined video that shows a whitish oval object described as a giant Tic Tac, about the size of a commercial plane, encountered by two Navy fighter jets off the coast of San Diego in 2004. In that incident, the pilots reported an interaction with the craft, which lasted for several minutes. At one point, the object peeled away, one of the pilots, Commander David Fravor, said in an interview later with The Times. It accelerated like nothing Ive ever seen, he said. The report studies that incident, including the video that accompanied the interaction. The provenance of the object is still unknown, the officials said. ~ Says it is not about corporate governance ~ PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten must stop with the foolish good corporate governance charade and spinning a narrative to the people of St. Maarten that our companies such as the airport were devoid of any semblance of good corporate governance. Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel on Thursday said he is sick and tired of this government creating narratives simply to please the Dutch while making beggars out of St. Maarten. The MP said that nothing that came from the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the last two days justifies the position the Dutch and Schiphol have taken towards St. Maarten. He said both Ministers continue to embarrass themselves by accepting baseless calls for good governance at the airport, where it has already existed for years. This nonsense will not go down so easy, this issue has to come to Parliament. This has nothing to do with good corporate governance. The Prime Minister is putting on her best acting job yet, the MP said. He said the Prime Minister in her statement about an Acceleration of Implementation of Corporate Governance Improvement at the airport, still did not say if this is what Knops want to see to release the liquidity support. And, he continued, why is the implementation of a simple plan used as an excuse to hold up liquidity if the plan was already approved and communicated to Knops in the first quarter of 2021. Unless of course it is not about the implementation of a plan, but what the end result of the plan is. An end result that we cant see yet or have not been made privy to, Emmanuel said. He asked once again what, according to State Secretary Knops, is the definition of good corporate governance. What is good enough for him? What does he need to see and hear Emmanuel asked? He explained that the Prime Minister said that in order to ensure proper and timely execution and full cooperation of the corporate governance improvement plan, all stakeholders have to endorse a mandate to this team in which the basic requirements for an effective execution are stipulated. What exactly does this mean? What will such a mandate entail? What are these basic requirements? And will there be a corporate structure change at PJIA in terms of authorities of the boards when this plan is completed? Why is the implementation of a corporate governance plan estimated at to take 12 months unless there are some serious structure changes coming which are exactly what Knops wants in order for Schiphol to have more control through a more independent operational board at the airport? If the State Secretary knows that such a plan will take a year, why would he withhold liquidity support? Because it is not about the plan, but it is about what the plan will deliver. The Prime Minister is trying to get St. the people of St. Maarten to believe that the airport is out of control. My people, please dont believe it. The Prime Minister has sold out St. Maarten and, just like the Dutch, must find sly ways to make you believe everything she is doing is necessary. It is not. The Prime Minister and her government have no plan. They have no solutions to anything. Their solution is to get on foreign media and puff up their chest while being mice to Knops. The trick is simple, deflect and distract the people with impressions of boldness, while still giving Knops everything he wants, he said. The MP said Holland will continue to use an excuse as corporate governance as long as the government of St. Maarten cannot show it can run its own affairs. They will say you see, we have to feed 4,000 people so that means your corporate governance is bad. If it was good, we wouldnt have to feed your people. It is as clear as day what is being set up for the future. But we are here accepting being transformed into beggars until one day there will be nothing to beg for. We would have lost our country. It is time to get rid of this government, he said. He also called out the other MPs in Parliament for sitting back and not uttering a word or asking questions publicly so the people know these issues matter and that what is happening is not right. Instead MPs are letting this foolishness go down in front of their eyes. They know it is not about corporate governance but some either staying quiet just to go along, while others are pleased to see the Dutch getting what they want. But the minute an issue like decolonization or such comes up, they are all over Google and Facebook searching for arguments. What kind of representation do our people have when MPs are letting the Prime Minister giving away the country. Im sick and tired of the lies, the spinning, the non-answering of questions. But this will have to come to Parliament before anything happens at PJIA with its corporate structure. This one I am not giving up on, the MP stressed. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Hurricane Exercise has been completed on Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. The focus was on logistical relocation from Aruba, Curacao, and the Netherlands to the (practice) disaster area during a possible hurricane passage. This was done by air as well as by sea, the latter being the transport ship Zr.Ms. Pelican having a crucial role. Among other things, reconnaissance has been carried out on the islands so that soldiers know their way more easily if they have to operate there. In addition, various infrastructural facilities were examined, such as power plants, bridges, and the condition of a number of roofs. Loose debris can pose a major threat if it is carried away by strong gusts of wind. Various parties such as the World Health Organization and the Representation of the Netherlands have given presentations to commanders about their working methods. This makes it possible to work together quickly and effectively in the event of a hurricane passage. The department responsible for communication between units has successfully established various types of connections for this exercise. Connections are preconditions for a good deployment. Defense is ready to help the population within it's Kingdom where it is needed, everywhere in the world. PHILIPSBURG:--- The St.Maarten Tourism Bureau is pleased to offer a one-day workshop called: Etiquette Protocol and Service Par Excellence on June 14 at the Simpson Bay Resort. The workshop is made possible through the cooperation with CARIBAVIA, the organizer of the Caribbean Aviation Meetup which will be held in St.Maarten that week. The workshop will be implemented by DaVinci Inflight Training Institute, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This workshop is suitable and appropriate for professionals who are active in client relations and service settings. The DaVinci management decided to support CARIBAVIA by offering this workshop which will benefit Caribbean professionals and operations be it on aircraft, at airports, or in hospitality or tourism office operations. Workshop lecturer is Leif Ytterstad, who will join us from Paris. He is Training Instructor at DaVinci Inflight Training Institute and Executive at Majordome -Secret Private Service- Paris, France. Session One - Personal Service, Etiquette, and Protocol. The attendee: Will know how to: Address their guest in an informal and formal way. Will be able to: Correctly listen, communicate with their guest's demand and requirements. Can recognize how to be: Polite, Respectful, and Dignified at all times. Will be able to verbalize: Talk and interruption in the correct fashion to their guests. Provide: Exceptional 6-star service at all times. Perform: Better under pressure and find solutions to matters that will occur during service. Session Two - The Art of Everything and Anything. The attendee: Will know how to: Take ownership of your standard set for your Owner and Company towards his/her guests. Will be able to: With the knowledge to not over-sell yourself to guests. Can recognize: The ability to show discretion and preempt requests before that are met, by reading social behavior of your clients needs and demands. Will be able to: The difference between protocol and etiquette, meanings of and its role in both the private and corporate sector, with Cultural awareness at all times. Provide: Interactive process with negotiation skills, by recognizing emotional intelligence and extremely useful for conflict management with guests. Preform: Knowledge of methods by finding solutions to matters when things go pear-shaped The workshop on June 14 at Simpson Bay Resort, begins at 9:00 am and ends at 17:00 pm. A free lunch, and morning and afternoon coffee breaks are included. The participation fee is US$ 34,= The participation is LIMITED TO 40 PERSONS for optimal classroom training conditions. Since the participation is limited, registration acceptance is by first registered, first-served. To register for this workshop, go to http://www.caribavia.org/registration.htm#workshop About: The DaVinci Inflight Training Institute is a training organization that helps corporate flight attendants and operation professionals create an inflight experience that ensures greater passenger safety and satisfaction. The DaVinci training platform enhances the value of professionals to employers and flight operations, and increasing the ability to achieve their career goals. Flight operations also reap the benefits of our comprehensive platform by improving the professionalism and skill-sets of their inflight crews, creating greater passenger loyalty, enhancing their brand's reputation, and ensuring more repeat business and greater sales success. Leif Ytterstad is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Service, Etiquette & Protocol at Executive Majordome, Paris, France / DaVinci Inflight Training Institute, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Leif resides in Paris, France, and is an Executive Butler with over 15 years in corporate and private service. He began his service and management career in 1989 in Oslo, Norway (his native country) in restaurants and in 1994, became the Executive Senior Butler for Crystal Cruises Line. He has been a Gentleman's Butler, Senior and Business Sales Manager to his most recent position as Executive Majordome for Dassault Aviation at Le Bourget, France, managing a staff of 15 for prospection, service, ceremony, and protocol for heads of state, dignitaries and VVIP clients for Falcon business jets. He has extensive in-depth knowledge of private service, fine culinary cuisine, hospitality, and world travel, with a strong focus on traditional service etiquette, protocol, and security. Providing 6-star service with an exceptional eye for detail. Leif is fluent in six different languages, excels in cultural differences, communication, and as a liaison with different nationalities. He is trained, certified, and skilled as a private Butler, Sommelier, bartender, chef, and waiter. Leif is currently a Director/Majordome, running a Private Luxury company for Corporate Executive's, VVIP, and UHNWI in France. Butler Service in the Sky courses are exclusive to 'trainDAVINCI' and are conducted at the DaVinci Inflight Training Institute and onsite. Somerset, KY (42501) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Secure access control is helping to shape the post-pandemic world With the continued rolling back of COVID restrictions in the UK, there is a palpable sense of relief. A mixture of mass vaccinations, widespread testing, and track and tracing of the infection is helping to enable a healthy bounce back for businesses with secure access control taking an important role in facilitating this. However, rather than just being a reaction to the wake of the pandemic, there is every sign that the economy, and consequently the security sector as well, are both rebuilding and reshaping for the long-term new normal. Prioritising Safety Already deemed an essential service even during the first wave of the pandemic, the security industry has of course taken a vital role in protecting people and property throughout the crisis. Now that venues in the UK are starting to reopen again, our services are key to occupancy management and ensuring that disease transmission is limited as far as possible. Access control is also key in reassuring people that their safety is a priority. Making the upgrade Its all been about choosing the most suitable components and technology that already existed with a few tweaks Businesses and organisations have a duty of care to their employees and the safety of visitors so controlling access, employing lateral flow testing, and deploying suitable Track & Trace mechanisms are all key components. I think those outside our industry are surprised to learn that most of the technology being deployed and used hasnt just magically developed since COVID appeared its all been about choosing the most suitable components and technology that already existed albeit with a few development tweaks or adjustments for the situation at hand. This includes using or installing facial recognition readers rather than using fingerprint or contact tokens, it is swapping to automatic request to exit sensors instead of buttons; it is using powered secure doors rather than having people all grab the same handle. Using mobile credentials is also a key technology choice why not use the highly secure, easy to manage, cost-effective, and of course contact-free benefits of this approach? Touchless solutions We have seen a clear shift in organisations looking to protect their staff and visitors. For instance, we have a big utility customer in Southeast Asia that has just replaced close to 200 sites using fingerprint readers with an additional facial recognition capability. We have also seen a big rise in demand for touchless request to exit sensors and Bluetooth Low Energy Readers for use with smartphone authentication. Working together Integration of security systems is of course nothing new, but in the post-pandemic or endemic age, it has perhaps never been more important. Installations need to be simple, straightforward, and rapid to help maintain safe distancing but also to ensure systems can be deployed as soon as they are needed. The world is changing and developing rapidly and there is simply no place for systems that dont work with others or cause the end-user considerable cost and inconvenience to upgrade. This flexible delivery of security solutions perfectly matches the evolving and increasing demands of the market. Its clear that end-users want systems that work well and can easily integrate with their existing systems not only security but all the other business components which work in unison with each other over a shared network. Great opportunities ahead The recent work-from-home trend is also clearly changing the way organisations and businesses interact with the built environment. Lots of companies are downsizing, offices are being split up, there is lots of revitalisation and reuse of existing office space all of which creates considerable opportunities for security providers. UK inflation more than doubled in April 2021 with unemployment figures dropping and the Pound rising in value There are also, in the UK at least, clear signs that the construction industry is rapidly growing again -with a forecast of 8% rebound and growth this year. UK inflation more than doubled in April 2021 with unemployment figures dropping and the Pound rising in value all positive signs for UK-based security providers. Undoubtedly the highly successful UK vaccination rollout has helped considerably, but there are signs that the Eurozone looks set to improve considerably over the next few months as well. Using integrated access control Undoubtedly the pandemic has made security markets around the world more aware of the benefits of integrated access control in managing the needs of the new normal COVID endemic environment. For example, as a business, we have always had keen interest from the UK healthcare sector, but over the last 12 months, we have seen a big growth in previously modest international markets including Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand all of which are very keen to adopt improved access control solutions. Learning the lessons Nobody would deny the last year or so has been unprecedentedly tough on everyone, as a society we have had to make huge changes and sacrifices. Governments, organisations, and businesses all need to be better prepared in the future, to understand the things that went wrong and those that were successful. However, there is a world beyond the immediate pandemic and its effects. Flexible working practices and the changes these will have to the way we live and work will undoubtedly present great opportunities for the security sector in helping the world evolve. The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many organisations with regards to their duty of care to employees particularly when it comes to mental health and providing a sensible work/life balance. Where we work and the safety of these facilities has received far more scrutiny than before. Flexible security systems Integrated security solutions have a vital role to play in not only protecting the safety of people during the post-lockdown return to work but also in the evolution of the built environment and move towards smart cities - which inevitably will now need to consider greater flexibility in securing home working spaces rather than just traditional places of work. Importantly, powerful access control and integrated security systems need to be flexible to the uncertainties ahead. The COVID pandemic has shown that nothing can be considered certain, except the need for greater flexibility and resilience in the way we operate our professional and personal interactions. Enterprise, AL (36331) Today A mix of clouds and sun with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. High around 90F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-03 20:37:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Afghanistan's Acting Minister of Public Health Wahid Majrooh (2nd L) checks medical equipment at a newly-opened COVID-19 hospital in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, June 3, 2021. Majrooh on Thursday expressed concern over the coronavirus situation in Afghanistan and urged Afghans to follow the government-issued COVID-19 health protocols. (Photo by Sayed Mominzadah/Xinhua) KABUL, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's Acting Minister of Public Health Wahid Majrooh on Thursday expressed concern over the coronavirus situation in Afghanistan and urged Afghans to follow the government-issued COVID-19 health protocols. "The people of Afghanistan would face disaster if don't pay attention to the advice given by public health ministry and overlook the immunity measures taken by the ministry," Majrooh told local media. He called on the Afghan people to wear masks and avoid unnecessary visits to markets and crowded areas. The Public Health Ministry reported Thursday that 1,509 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were registered in the past 24 hours in Afghanistan, bringing the total tally to 76,653. It also said in a statement that 34 more deaths from the coronavirus epidemic were recorded, taking the COVID-19 death toll to 3,068. An additional of 107 recovered patients were discharged from hospitals in the past 24 hours, bringing the number of recoveries to 58,070 in the Asian country, according to the statement. The number of daily cases stood at 1,118 on Wednesday and 1,045 on Tuesday, showed official data. In efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic, the Afghan government has ordered closure of all state-run and private universities and schools for two weeks starting from last Saturday. Enditem Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Zachary Dupont covers politics and business development for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at 641-421-0533 or zachary.dupont@globegazette.com. Follow Zachary on Twitter at @ZachNDupont The brown marmorated stink bug is spreading in Minnesota. Here's what to do if you see it. Mohamed Ibrahim 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. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 00:46:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah (R) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez exchange memorandums in Tripoli, Libya, on June 3, 2021. Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Thursday met with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez over the ways to boost bilateral relations, said a government statement. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua) TRIPOLI, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Thursday met with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez over the ways to boost bilateral relations, said a government statement. Dbeibah expressed appreciation for all the efforts by the EU and Spain "in strengthening Mediterranean security, securing borders, promoting stability, and supporting Libya's democratic transformation through free, transparent and fair elections," said the statement issued by the government's information office. The two leaders also agreed to reactivate the Libyan-Spanish joint commission to re-evaluate all previously signed agreements, and signed a number of memorandums of understanding in development, trade exchange, and investment, according to the statement. Sanchez stressed the depth of the relations between Spain and Libya, as well as Spain's support for the Libyan stability and reconciliation. He also announced the reopening of the Spanish embassy and consulate in Libya's capital Tripoli and resumption of granting Spanish entry visas to Libyans. The Spanish leader's visit is accompanied by a number of businessmen, which reflects "the great interest of Spanish companies in working in the fields of healthcare, reconstruction, infrastructure, renewable energy, agricultural and animal wealth, and oil and gas," the statement said. Dbeibah's Government of National Unity was selected by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, ending years of political division in the North African country. Enditem Medford, NJ (08055) Today Mostly cloudy. High 79F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 62F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. One manifestation of general relativity is gravitational waves, depicted here as created by two colliding black holes. the fabric of space-time. General relativity is physicist Albert Einstein's understanding of how gravity affects the fabric of space-time. The theory, which Einstein published in 1915, expanded the theory of special relativity that he had published 10 years earlier. Special relativity argued that space and time are inextricably connected, but that theory didn't acknowledge the existence of gravity. Einstein spent the decade between the two publications determining that particularly massive objects warp the fabric of space-time, a distortion that manifests as gravity, according to NASA. How does general relativity work? To understand general relativity, first, let's start with gravity, the force of attraction that two objects exert on one another. Sir Isaac Newton quantified gravity in the same text in which he formulated his three laws of motion, the "Principia." The gravitational force tugging between two bodies depends on how massive each one is and how far apart the two lie. Even as the center of the Earth is pulling you toward it (keeping you firmly lodged on the ground), your center of mass is pulling back at the Earth. But the more massive body barely feels the tug from you, while with your much smaller mass you find yourself firmly rooted thanks to that same force. Yet Newton's laws assume that gravity is an innate force of an object that can act over a distance. Albert Einstein, in his theory of special relativity, determined that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers, and he showed that the speed of light within a vacuum is the same no matter the speed at which an observer travels, according to Wired. As a result, he found that space and time were interwoven into a single continuum known as space-time. And events that occur at the same time for one observer could occur at different times for another. As he worked out the equations for his general theory of relativity, Einstein realized that massive objects caused a distortion in space-time. Imagine setting a large object in the center of a trampoline. The object would press down into the fabric, causing it to dimple. If you then attempt to roll a marble around the edge of the trampoline, the marble would spiral inward toward the body, pulled in much the same way that the gravity of a planet pulls at rocks in space. Experimental evidence for general relativity In the decades since Einstein published his theories, scientists have observed countless of phenomena matching the predictions of relativity. Gravitational lensing Light bends around a massive object, such as a black hole, causing it to act as a lens for the things that lie behind it. Astronomers routinely use this method to study stars and galaxies behind massive objects. The Einstein Cross, a quasar in the Pegasus constellation, according to the European Space Agency (ESA), and is an excellent example of gravitational lensing. The quasar is seen as it was about 11 billion years ago; the galaxy that it sits behind is about 10 times closer to Earth. Because the two objects align so precisely, four images of the quasar appear around the galaxy because the intense gravity of the galaxy bends the light coming from the quasar. The Einstein Cross is an example of gravitational lensing. (Image credit: NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) ) In cases like Einstein's cross, the different images of the gravitationally lensed object appear simultaneously, but that isn't always the case. Scientists have also managed to observe lensing examples where, because the light traveling around the lens takes different paths of different lengths, different images arrive at different times, as in the case of one particularly interesting supernova. Changes in Mercury's orbit The orbit of Mercury is shifting very gradually over time due to the curvature of space-time around the massive sun, according to NASA. In a few billion years, this wobble could even cause the innermost planet to collide with the sun or a planet. Frame-dragging of space-time around rotating bodies The spin of a heavy object, such as Earth, should twist and distort the space-time around it. In 2004, NASA launched the Gravity Probe B (GP-B). The axes of the satellite's precisely calibrated gyroscopes drifted very slightly over time, according to NASA, a result that matched Einstein's theory. "Imagine the Earth as if it were immersed in honey," Gravity Probe-B principal investigator Francis Everitt, of Stanford University, said in a NASA statement about the mission. "As the planet rotates, the honey around it would swirl, and it's the same with space and time. GP-B confirmed two of the most profound predictions of Einstein's universe, having far-reaching implications across astrophysics research." Gravitational redshift The electromagnetic radiation of an object is stretched out slightly inside a gravitational field. Think of the sound waves that emanate from a siren on an emergency vehicle; as the vehicle moves toward an observer, sound waves are compressed, but as it moves away, they are stretched out, or redshifted. Known as the Doppler Effect, the same phenomena occurs with waves of light at all frequencies. In the 1960s, according to the American Physical Society, physicists Robert Pound and Glen Rebka shot gamma-rays first down, then up the side of a tower at Harvard University. Pound and Rebka found that the gamma-rays slightly changed frequency due to distortions caused by gravity. Gravitational waves Einstein predicted that violent events, such as the collision of two black holes, create ripples in space-time known as gravitational waves. And in 2016, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) announced that it had detected such a signal for the first time. That detection came on Sept. 14, 2015. LIGO, made up of twin facilities in Louisiana and Washington, had recently been upgraded, and were in the process of being calibrated before they went online. The first detection was so large that, according to then-LIGO spokesperson Gabriela Gonzalez, it took the team several months of analysis to convince themselves that it was a real signal and not a glitch. [See our full discovery story here and our complete coverage of the historic scientific discovery here] "We were very lucky on the first detection that it was so obvious," she said during at the 228 American Astronomical Society meeting in June 2016. Since then, scientists have begun quickly catching gravitational waves. All told, LIGO and its European counterpart Virgo have detected a total of 50 gravitational-wave events, according to program officials. Those collisions have included unusual events like a collision with an object that scientists can't definitively identify as black hole or neutron star, merging neutron stars accompanied by a bright explosion, mismatched black holes colliding and more. Here are 12 things to know about relativity. (Image credit: Karl Tate/SPACE.COM) This article was updated on June 4, 2021 by Space.com senior writer Meghan Bartels. After a months-long investigation, the Pentagon is poised to produce a report addressing sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) more commonly known as "unidentified flying objects," or UFOs . But don't expect a big reveal about secret alien technology and extraterrestrial spaceships. The aim of the report is to establish standards for recording sightings of mysterious objects and to determine if those objects pose a threat to national security. In 2020, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee called for an inquiry into UAPs in the Intelligence Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2021 . According to the document, committee members were concerned that "there is no unified, comprehensive process within the Federal Government for collecting and analyzing intelligence on unidentified aerial phenomena, despite the potential threat." After the bill was enacted on Dec. 21, 2020, the director of national intelligence and the secretary of defense then had 180 days to produce a report for the committee, "submitted in unclassified form," on the current status of UAP sightings and protocols, Live Science previously reported and that six-month deadline expires this month. Related: 7 things most often mistaken for UFOs Florida Sen. Marco Rubio served as the Intelligence Committee's acting chair when the act was drafted and enacted, and he ordered the investigation of UAPs because he saw them as a critical national security issue, Rubio told journalist Bill Whitaker on CBS's "60 Minutes" in May. "Anything that enters an airspace that's not supposed to be there is a threat," Rubio said. "I want us to take it seriously and have a process to take it seriously. I want us to have a process to analyze the data every time it comes in." In April 2020, the U.S. Navy released three videos of UFO sightings from 2004 and 2015; the clips were nicknamed "FLIR," "GOFAST" and "GIMBAL," and they showed what appeared to be spacecraft traveling at hypersonic speeds with no visible means of propulsion, Live Science reported. (The three videos had previously been posted online in 2017 and 2018 by the UFO research group To the Stars Academy of Arts and Science.) "There's footage and records of objects in the skies that we don't know exactly what they are we can't explain how they moved, their trajectory. They did not have an easily explainable pattern," former president Barack Obama said in May, in an appearance on CBS's "The Late Late Show with James Corden." So, what might be included in the report? Not everything in the document will be publicly available while the report will be unclassified, it "may include a classified annex," the Intelligence Committee wrote. The committee requested a detailed analysis of UAP data and intelligence, including information gathered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about UFOs. The committee also requested that the report outline a process for sharing information between agencies, to help identify unfamiliar technologies and to detect patterns in UFO appearances that could imply hostile intentions. "I want us to have a process to analyze the data every time it comes in. That there be a place where this is cataloged and constantly analyzed, until we get some answers," Rubio said. "Maybe it has a very simple answer. Maybe it doesn't," Rubio told Whitaker. "We're gonna find out when we get that report." Originally published on Live Science. The Mythic Quest employees release some intense, bottled-up emotions in this engaging, bottled-up episode. Read on for my review of Please Sign Here: The Mythic Quest office inhabitants were required by corporate to fill out a packet containing a quiz that assigns each employee an animal that matches their work style. All they had to do was to fill out the quiz, sign the results page, and submit it to Carol in HR - Simple! Or so you'd think. Because this is the Mythic Quest team, of Sue, Rachel, Dana, Ian, Brad, Jo, and David all refused to sign off on their quizzes for various reasons, and so our episode opens with Carol forcing them to stay at the office until they do. So, why didnt this very specific motley crew sign their results? Well, Ian didnt sign because he wanted to find out what Poppy got on the quiz - he got lion, and its clear he wants to rub that in her face. But when he discovers that she was dispensed by Corporate from taking it, he than chooses not to sign out of pride. Brad, meanwhile, refuses to sign for the data (but really just because hes Brad). Jo, meanwhile, doesnt sign because Brad took her packet away; Shell sign when I sign." Jo accuses Brad of stealing her packet out of jealousy - Brad got a mouse in the assessment (he says he answered randomly) while Jo got a shark. David didnt sign his quiz because he got a wolf result and is now living by the idea that hes a smooth and cool rulebreaker. Rachel for her part, refuses to sign in the name of social justice - protest against a work-sponsored placing of people into certain boxes. She might also just be mad about being pegged as a Baboon on the quiz, but who knows? Dana, on the other hand, is open with her displeasure towards her result - she insists that she is a wolf, not an otter. With the ensemble's motivations set, Carols showdown with the stubborn posse - and their showdowns with one another, because you can't put this lot in the same room without expecting a blowout - begin. As a true shark seeking her prey, Jo attacks first, exposes the secret about Brad and his pet pig that she had learned in last weeks episode. Also coming out in the foil; Rachel doesnt know as much about Dana as she thought. After a remark from Ian, Dana admits to her girlfriend that shes vying to apply to the computer science program at Berkeley to become a programmer. Both Berkeley and computer science are far away from what Rachel expected both from Dana in their relationship. Rachel, upset, signs her page and leaves. Dana also signs, just around the same time that Poppy arrives to take the test to appease Ian. A few more revelations that emerge as the employees continue to bicker: Ian knows about Poppys sex dreams about him, and David only got his result because he got the scoring system backwards. He hastily signs and dashes away in order to preserve his wolf status. After a standoff that looks like its straight out of a National Geographic documentary, both Brad and Jo sign their tests and leave. With Sue having long left (to tend to the Zooming-in C.W., who doesnt need to sign his assessment, but does desperately need to take harassment training), its just Poppy and Ian left to sign. Poppys test is scored and it turns out she also got the lion result, infuriating Ian. The two pour over each others tests, nitpicking the answers to prove that the other is not a lion. When they reach the question about being held back by their fears, exasperated hostage Carol suggests they expose their greatest fears to one another to prove how vulnerable they each are. After some prompting, Ian admits that hes afraid of losing relevance, and that Poppy is the younger smarter lion come to replace him. Poppy, however, reciprocates by saying shes afraid of singing in public - a distinctly shallow confession, leaving Ian's brutal honesty out to dry. Disheartened by Poppys clear alpha lion behavior, Ian signs his test, finally letting Carol go free. After she leaves, Poppy (kind of) apologizes, admitting that shes been having trouble working on her own and doesn't know what to do without Ian. However, he replies with the same brutal coldness she afforded him: I dont believe in you. And you will fail without me. And the best part of it is, you know it too. Ian says, before leaving Poppy alone in the office. Wow! Boy, does this show shine in the bottle episodes. Seriously, who thought that shows needed basic episodes? A Mythic Quest full of intense, focused character studies would far surpass one where we only get nuggets of gold like this every once in a while. There were a lot of revelations this episode (and a lot of secrets revealed that I definitely expected to be held closer to the vest). What was most surprising to you? And what did you think of Please Sign Here? as a whole? Let me know in the comments! CHICAGO (AP) Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Thursday she has moved up the citys timetable for a full reopening to match the rest of the state. Lightfoot had planned to allow bars, restaurants, hotels and sports stadiums to open to full capacity on July 4. Now she says the city is ready to join the rest of the state in lifting all capacity restrictions on June 11. However, officials say face masks will still be required in schools, in health care settings, on public transit and in some businesses. The numbers are looking great. Better than theyve been, I think, through the entirety of the pandemic, the mayor said, pointing to the 135 cases-a-day in Chicago and to the citys 2% test positivity rate. Weve done great work as a city. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has confirmed the state also remains on track for the full reopening June 11, as most COVID-19 metrics are at the lowest levels of the pandemic. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 674 new cases diagnosed among 55,432 tests, keeping the average statewide positivity rate at an all-time low of 1.5%. The reopening of Illinois next week follows 15 months of rules that at times included a ban of indoor dining, all-remote learning at public schools, a stay-at-home order and other constraints in the name of public health. Despite Lightfoots announcement, the number of Chicago residents vaccinated against COVID-19 remains a concern. About 41% of the citys residents are fully vaccinated, state records show. Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said her goal was 70% of the citys adult population getting a first dose by July 4, a target she acknowledged was ambitious with the current rate at 63%. Before people uncork the Champagne and have beers all around, a note of caution: COVIDs still here, still with us, and why we are able to do what were doing, no doubt, is as a result of the vaccinations, Lightfoot said. The virus claimed 24 more lives in Illinois, raising the states pandemic death toll to 22,865. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 01:15:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Tang Lu, Jamila Najmuddin COLOMBO, June 3 (Xinhua) -- On June 2, hundreds of security personnel in COVID-19 protective clothing were busy removing tons of chemical pollutants and plastic from a beach in Colombo. About 9.5 nautical miles into the sea, they could see the charred remains of a foreign vessel swaying in the gusty monsoon wind. On May 20, the X Press Pearl container vessel loaded with chemicals exploded and caught fire off Colombo Port. Many of the containers and other polluting materials on board fell into the sea and were being washed ashore, posing a serious threat to the environment. On day two after the explosion, Chinese experts from the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research (CSL-CER) received a request from Sri Lanka's National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), the principal national institute responsible for safeguarding aquatic resources in the country. Through a forecast model, the CSL-CER helped evaluate the scale of the pollution caused by the debris and the extent to which the chemicals could spread. The southwest monsoon makes frequent landfall in Sri Lanka in May. At the observation site of the CSL-CER based on the campus of the University of Ruhuna in the south of the island nation, an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) has been recently updated to study the effects of the monsoon outbreak. Luo Yao, associate professor at the CSL-CER, told Xinhua that the AWS can improve the accuracy of forecasting models, and it can forecast marine environmental disasters caused by the burnt cargo ship. "The AWS can monitor the atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, solar radiation and other marine atmospheric parameters. The accumulated data through long-term observations can be used to study the impact of climate change, sea level rise and other issues in the Indian Ocean and surrounding areas," Luo said. Sri Lanka is located in an area with warm currents between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean and is one of the most active regions on the path of the monsoon, with frequent marine meteorological disasters. Due to the shortage of marine scientific research personnel and the lack of a mature monsoon climate forecast system, Sri Lanka is vulnerable to marine disasters. In order to strengthen the capacity to cope with climate change, the CSL-CER was established in 2015 at the University of Ruhuna, the only university in Sri Lanka with a faculty of fisheries and marine sciences. Gamini Zoysa, former Sri Lankan minister of fisheries, once spoke highly of the observation network, saying that "the network has provided scientific and technological support for the development of the marine economy in Sri Lanka and the reduction of marine meteorological disasters caused by extreme weather such as tsunamis and storms, which are related to people's livelihood and economic development." Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some difficulties for personnel exchanges at the center, it has not stopped its activities. In March this year, the China-Sri Lanka Joint Workshop on Monsoon Climate and Marine Environmental Resource was held as scheduled in both China and Sri Lanka simultaneously by combining online and offline methods. "As an island country, Sri Lanka is particularly concerned about the monsoon. The enhanced cooperation between China and Sri Lanka on the monsoon issue will enable us to better understand the impact of the monsoon on the environment and reduce disasters caused by climate change," said Tilak Gamage, co-director of the CSL-CER. "The successive bilateral seminars on the ocean and climate have greatly enhanced Sri Lanka's capacity to address climate issues and influence in the international arena," Gamage said. Zhang Changsheng, director of the CSL-CER, told Xinhua that since its establishment, the CSL-CER has not only done research but also paid attention to cultivating marine science talent in Sri Lanka. The center has trained about 30 Sri Lankan graduate students in the fields of marine science and environmental science. They have later engaged in further scientific research in Sri Lanka. The center has also conducted hydrological training for Sri Lankan institutions and trained personnel for meteorological observation, instrument use, and maintenance. Charith Madusaka, a research fellow currently employed by both the CSL-CER and his alma mater the University of Ruhuna, is the first China-trained master's degree student in oceanography from Sri Lanka. Madusaka said, "Since I went to China, many of my classmates have turned to China." Nalin Wikramanayake, a senior Sri Lankan oceanographer, told Xinhua that the CSL-CER has made a major contribution to marine sciences and oceanography in Sri Lanka. Enditem CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The Republican-led New Hampshire Senate approved a $13.5 billion two-year state budget Thursday after rejecting attempts by Democrats to remove proposed business tax cuts, abortion restrictions and a thorny provision about race and education. The Senate, where Republicans hold a 14-10 majority, voted along party lines on both the spending plan and the accompanying policy bill during a session that lasted more than 11 hours. The bills now must be reconciled with the versions passed by the House last month. Both the House and Senate voted to lower the business profits tax, business enterprise tax and rooms and meals tax, and would begin to phase out the interest in dividends tax. Sen. Gary Daniels, R-Milford, said the changes would help small businesses bounce back after the coronavirus pandemic. The point of these tax cuts is not to cut taxes just for the sake of it, but to make it easier for New Hampshire businesses to hire and keep employed our fellow Granite Staters, and pay them higher wages, he said. For our smallest businesses, this budget makes it easier for them to start and grow. Sen. Lou DAllesandro, D-Manchester, called the cuts a reverse Robin Hood that would help the wealthy. Were coming out of pandemic, were coming out of it in better shape than almost every state in the country, he said. This is not a time to be reducing taxes. Let the taxes stay where they are. The Senate changed a House-passed divisive concepts provision that echoes an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump that was rescinded by President Joe Biden on Jan. 20. Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, insisted the revised language was in keeping with efforts to strengthen anti-discrimination laws and would not prohibit discussions about history or current events. This is consistent with making sure that we do not train, do not instruct, do not teach especially our kids that theyre somehow inferior or superior, that theyre inherently racist, sexist or oppressive by virtue of the characteristics theyre born with, he said. We make it very clear that there is no prohibition whatsoever none on the kind of discussions our state and nation should have on anti-bias training and discussions so were all better human beings. Sen. Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, said the changes amount to putting lipstick on a pig and said they still would limit First Amendment rights by banning discussions about important topics including racism and sexism. I dont understand why we are moving forward with this anti-American gag rule, she said. After a year of national reckoning about the horrific impacts of systemic racism, we should be taking positive steps forward to promote and encourage discussion, not trying to ban them or limit them. Some of the days most emotional debate came during a series of unsuccessful amendments to remove or limit a provision that would ban abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy unless the mothers life was at risk. Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, described being told that her now-41-year-old daughter wouldnt live past one year after being born with spina bifida and other health conditions. Im going to tell you all right now that I would not trade one day, one day of not having her in my life. She has enriched my life. She has enriched my familys life. We need to be very, very careful about what were talking about here, she said. Youre trying to take away the chance of that child to have a life. But Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, who is pregnant, called the proposal an intrusion of the state into the one of the most intimate and fundamental relationships on our planet. At 27 weeks pregnant, am I not the same mother I was three weeks ago or four weeks ago? What has changed at 24 weeks that no longer makes me the same caring mother? she said. The Democrat from Portsmouth also responded to a Republican colleagues suggestion that at six months pregnant, Democrats do not think of these as babies. In response I ask, at six months pregnant, do you not still consider me a woman? A mother? Do you honestly believe that I would not do what is best in each moment for the life I am growing, that Im responsible for? she said. It is a most sacred duty and one I would beg you of you not ever to dare to think that we, as complex highly intelligent and capable mothers, women and pregnant people, would ever dismiss or take lightly. Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said Thursday he would not veto the budget if the abortion provision remains. Though he had expressed support for banning late term abortions in 2018, last year he said he wasn't looking to make any changes to abortion laws. Sununu initially vetoed the last state budget in June 2019, forcing the state to operate under a temporary spending plan until a $13 billion compromise was signed into law three months later. Since then, Republicans have regained control of both the House and Senate. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) In a new court filing, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice blamed a bankrupt U.K. bank for fraudulently inducing him into personally guaranteeing $700 million in loans that were taken out by his companies. In the amended complaint filed Friday, Justice's family and coal companies claim that Greensill Capital U.K. perpetrated a continuous and highly profitable fraud." Justice told reporters Tuesday that the loans are "a burden on our family beyond belief. Justices Bluestone Resources Inc., which is involved in the business of mining metallurgical coal used for steel making, sued Greensill in March in federal court in New York. The business troubles of the Republican governor, who Forbes recently took off its list of billionaires because of mounting debt, have been publicly aired over the past week. In addition to the $700 million owed to Greensill, Justice revealed in a separate lawsuit that he is personally on the hook for $368 million to Virginia-based Carter Bank & Trust. And Justices businesses face several other woes, including penalties totaling $3.2 million from the federal government and lawsuits over claims his companies failed to deliver coal. The latest filing in the case against Greensill in U.S. District Court in New York shows that the governor and his wife, Cathy Justice, and son Jay Justice personally guaranteed payment on the loans for Bluestone. The complaint alleges that the London-based bank deceived them into signing on by hiding its own financial risk. Greensill, a supply chain finance firm based in London, went under in March over allegations of fraud. The Financial Conduct Authority, Britains financial regulatory body, has announced a formal investigation into Greensills collapse after receiving allegations that it said were potentially criminal in nature. Greensill began lending to Bluestone in 2018. The company sought financing after a period of decline under the ownership of Russian mining and metal company Mechel, according to court documents. When the Russians had Bluestone, what happened to Bluestone? It absolutely just melted down to nothing, Justice said at a news conference Tuesday. The company had outstanding obligations to vendors and tax liabilities when the Justice family took it back over in 2015. The lending from Greensill was supposed to help rebuild the company, but bank officials by November 2020 began seeking early repayment of the loan and additional fees, according to the complaint. The Justice family says it only personally signed onto the loans with the understanding that repayments would begin at the earliest in 2023, at which point Bluestone would have had years to rebuild and generate cash flow. Justice and his companies are seeking damages from Greensill in their suit. At his Tuesday news conference, Justice briefly addressed his other loan from Carter Bank in Virginia by saying he always personally guaranteed the loans for his companies. I did personally guarantee the loans, he said. The loans have always been personally guaranteed when they flowed from Carter Bank through Greensill to other banks along the way. Thats been the case for a very, very, very long time. Milton, PA (17847) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 02:06:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Industrial association leaders, scholars, and workers from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Thursday denounced the accusation of forced labor in Xinjiang, saying the blame is groundless. It is absurd to put the "forced labor" label on the photovoltaic industry in the region, as the polysilicon production is technology- and capital-intensive instead of labor-intensive, Pan Cunxiang, secretary-general of the regional nonferrous metals association, told a press conference in Beijing. Arkin Shamshaq, vice dean of Xinjiang University's Law School, said that no country, organization, or person can subjectively assume whether the "forced labor" exists or not. "According to the definition from international conventions, legal provisions in China and the facts on the ground, there is no forced labor in Xinjiang. It is impossible for it to exist here," he said. Liu Qingjiang, vice president of an association of textile industries of Xinjiang, said advanced equipment and automatic devices have been widely adopted in textile companies in Xinjiang. "The newly-built intelligent manufacturing workshops in Xinjiang represent the highest level of the development of the industry in China. There is no so-called forced labor in Xinjiang," said Liu. Akbar Turahun, an employee of a textile company in Xinjiang's Aksu Prefecture, said he was given a raise and also promoted to team leader in the company after working for two years. Akbar Turahun used to be a shepherd from a poor family. Now he and his wife, also an employee of the textile company, earn more than 8,000 yuan (about 1,520 U.S. dollars) a month. "We feel very happy now. We are determined to keep working hard in the company and plan to buy an apartment nearby," he said. Enditem Ashtabula, OH (44004) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 77F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 60F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Frankfort, KY (40601) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Frankfort, KY (40601) Today Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 88F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Thursday, 03 June 2021 14:13:11 (GMT+3) | Istanbul SteelOrbis talked to Francisco Leal, general director of Latin American Steel Association (Alacero) about economic growth forecast of Latin American countries and current conditions regarding steel industry. Can you tell us how the Latin American steel industry has been affected by the pandemic? In a period of global contraction much stronger than that registered following the financial crisis of 2008/09, Latin America seeks to consolidate its recovery amid a challenging economic scenario. In 2020, total crude steel production in the region was 55.6 million metric tons, which means a drop of 8.4 percent compared to the total in 2019. The steel industry is and has been fundamental for the recovery of the region, showing flexibility in its operation and focused on meeting local demand. Consumption in 2020, however, registered a decrease of 9.6 percent compared to 2019, due to the contraction of industrial activity in the months of strict confinement. Steel consumption is the main indicator that reveals how the sector is recovering, and in 2021 global demand for steel is expected to rebound. How do you evaluate the current demand in the region? Is it back to pre-pandemic levels yet? Steel consumption continues to grow due to the recovery in demand, the increase in the industrial production and the manufacturing index, and the replenishment of inventories both by final consumers and the distribution chain. Steel consumption in January 2021 rose for the ninth consecutive month, up 0.8 percent compared to the previous month, totaling 6.09 million tons, that is, 12.7 percent higher compared to January 2020. The level in January 2021 was comparable to the levels seen at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic period. How would you describe the economic recovery of Latin America and in particular the differences in recovery among the countries of the region? We see a gradual reactivation of productive capacity in the region, and the short-term prospects are favorable for a strengthening of regional steel demand. The International Monetary Fund (FMI) April update of its economic forecasts for this year indicates the global economy will grow by six percent, developed countries by 5.1 percent, emerging economies by 6.7 percent and Latin America by 4.6 percent. In the region, Mexico stands out with a rate of five percent and Brazil with 3.7 percent, the latter being the country that contributed the most to the improvement in the performance of steel demand, with an increase of 8.8 percent. This was its fifth consecutive month above 2 million metric tons per month, a level that had not occurred since June 2018. Argentina also registered a 10.8 percent increase in January consumption compared to December 2020. The recovery has had a V trend thanks to the accumulated unmet demand that was generated in the first months after the arrival of Covid-19, when the economy and, with it, the construction sector, slowed down. Can you inform our readers about construction steel demand in the region? And in this connection, do you expect any increase in billet imports? The construction sector today accounts for 47.2 percent of the steel consumed in our region, the same level compared to 2020. Mexico represents 47 percent of the steel consumption market based on construction, followed by Brazil with 30 percent, Colombia with eight percent, Argentina with six percent, Peru with five percent and Chile with four percent. In the last five years, there has been a gradual decrease in the share of construction in steel consumption, as in 2018 it accounted for 52 percent. In turn, we have seen growth in the participation of the automobile industry, which in 2018 represented 12 percent and today accounts for 19 percent. Nevertheless, we do see better sentiment in construction steel demand, despite the 14 percent drop in 2020 in steel consumption by the different sectors that have construction steel demand as a component , and we expect growth to be 7.5 percent in 2021, and 2.5 percent in 2022. We cannot speculate regarding billet imports; so we respectfully decline to answer this complementary question. What is your comment on Chinas cancellation of the export tax rebate for HRC? How do you think it will affect Chinese HRC exports and the global HRC market? It will undoubtedly have a global repercussion, but it is too early to acknowledge the size of the impact, which we believe could reduce the supply from the country to our region and strengthen our domestic consumption. We understand that global overcapacity is not a problem exclusively from China, as we are now looking at this issue in other countries such as Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and North Korea. According to the OECD, global crude steel production capacity grew by 38.1 million metric tons or 1.6 percent, despite extremely weak market conditions. In the past two years, global capacity has increased by a total of 74.2 million metric tons, with Asia and the Middle East accounting for almost all of this growth. China continues to be an important reference in the current steel situation due to its relative weight in production, demand and trade of raw materials. The threat from China remains latent as unfair competition puts the region's steel companies at risk. As a result of the developments in China, sharp rises in Chinese HRC prices have been seen in Latin America. Do you think the high level of prices is sustainable and when do you expect to see a correction? As an association that represents the entire steel chain in Latin America, Alacero, since its foundation, has agreed not to address the issue of prices. Our purpose and message focuses on how to use steel to grow sustainably in the region. In this regard, Alacero has promoted new research carried out by Prof. Dr. Germano Mendes de Paula, which will be released in the short term, in which a warning is given of the risks of the competitive differences of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico with Asian countries such as South Korea, India, Vietnam and mainly China, and of the risk that this represents for the metalworking value chain of the steel industry in Latin America. The study entitled "Competitive Differences, Deindustrialization, Chain and Steel Industry" shows how these differences in competitiveness variables such as taxation, education, logistics and financing are undermining the future of the steel industry in the region, and how it is necessary to move quickly and synergistically. Steel is one of the protagonists of the economic recovery. However, if governments allow steel to be imported from anywhere in the world, this can weaken a strategic local industry. Latin American companies in the sector have 74 antidumping actions in force in which they have reported irregular conditions in the market to regulatory entities due to the participation of importers. Of these, 49 cases concern China. How was the first quarter of 2021 in terms of production and trade volumes? The accumulated crude steel production up to March increased by 4.8 percent in relation to the same period in 2020, while production of rolled products registered an increase of six percent year on year in the period. Consumption until February accumulated an increase of 11.9 percent over the first two months from the same period last year. In the first quarter, the volume of exported rolled products was 25.2 percent lower compared to the same period last year, while imported volumes grew 9.3 percent year on year. What do you expect for the remainder of the year both in terms of economic conditions and the steel industry? The momentum of demand from the civil construction and manufacturing sectors will be maintained until the end of the year, always with the risk of new waves of Covid infections appearing before the vaccination processes are concluded. We must be attentive to the reforms that are necessary in several countries in the region. According to ECLAC, Latin America is the most indebted region in the developing world, with 79 percent of GDP committed, and the growth dynamics of 2021 will not be enough to offset the observed drop in economic activity in 2020. The World Bank reported that GDP in Latin America and the Caribbean fell 6.7 percent in 2020, and that 4.4 percent growth is expected in 2021. The IMF, on the other hand, revised upward the GDP projections for the region, from 4.1 percent projected in January to 4.6 percent as of April, and also increased its projection for the Latin American economy in 2022, from 2.9 percent to 3.1 percent. Latin American economies will grow slightly better than expected in 2021, thanks to the resumption of activity by commodity exporters, although the recovery seems uneven. The steel industry is watching the economic recovery closely. Any final comments? There are major challenges for sustained economic reactivation in Latin America, among which the main ones are the start of factories and the resumption of suspended projects, the economic and financial support for mitigating the effects of Covid-19, the reduction of high unemployment rates, the strengthening of public health systems and encouraging national and foreign investment, in addition to political stability and respect for the rule of law. It is important that countries focus their efforts on overcoming these problems in order to consolidate the ongoing recovery. South Africa: Deputy President to interact with military veterans in Limpopo Deputy President David Mabuza, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans, will on Saturday visit Limpopo to interact with members of the Military Veterans community. This is to assess progress achieved by the provincial government in addressing the challenges faced by Military Veterans. The meeting of the Presidential Task Team on Military Veterans, led by Deputy President Mabuza will take place at the Polokwane Rugby Stadium, Capricon District, in the Limpopo province. Last year, following a number of challenges raised by the Military Veterans, President Ramaphosa appointed the Presidential Task Team chaired by Deputy President Mabuza and includes Minister in the Presidency, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. The task team has since developed a comprehensive approach to address the challenges identified through various interactions with the Military Veterans Associations and also initiated strategic institutional capacities to provide adequate services on a sustainable basis. Amongst others, the Task Team has identified challenges related to Social Relief of Distress, need to provide for educational assistance, the Provisioning of decent housing and access to land, job opportunities and provision of decent housing. Furthermore, the Task Team continues to receive reports on progress achieved by the different work streams focussing on legislative review of specific provisions in the current Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011, Socio-economic support, pensions and benefits, verification, database cleansing and enhancement with the aim of ensuring that there is clear and comprehensive rules and policies are applied to ensure that bona fide military veterans are registered on the Department of Military Veterans database. Deputy President Mabuza will be supported by the Premier of Limpopo Stanley Mathabatha and members of the provincial executive council. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The Cannes Film Festival on Thursday unveiled a lineup of films from big-name auteurs -- including Wes Anderson, Asghar Farhadi, Mia Hansen-Lve and Sean Penn -- for its 74th edition, an in-person, summertime event that aims to make a stirring return in July after being canceled last year because of the pandemic. Among the films that will be competing for Cannes' Palme d'Or are the festival opener, "Annette," by Leox Carax and starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard; Anderson's "The French Dispatch," a film originally set to premiere in Cannes last year with an ensemble cast including Timothee Chalamet; "Red Rocket," Sean Baker's follow-up to his acclaimed "The Florida Project"; Paul Verhoeven's "Benedetta"; and Sean Penn's "Flag Day," in which he stars alongside his daughter, Dylan Penn, as a conman. Pierre Lescure, president of the festival, and Thierry Fremaux, artistic director, announced the Cannes' lineup at the UGC Normandie theater in Paris in a live-streamed event that was part press conference and part pep rally for world cinema. "Cinema is not dead. The extraordinary and triumphant return of the audience to movie theaters in France and around the world was the first good news," said Fremaux. "I hope the film festival will be the second very good news." As cinema's preeminent global stage, the annual French Riviera extravaganza is hoping to make a triumphant comeback when it runs July 6-17 -- two months later than its usual May perch. But many things will be different at this year's festival. Attendees will be masked inside theaters and required to show proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test. Cannes' famed red carpet leading up to the stairs of the Palais des Festivals will resume in full, but with tweaks to the traditional pageantry. "We're used to kissing one another at the top of the stairs. We will not kiss one another," said Fremaux. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 03:39:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on June 3, 2021 shows the scene of a UN Security Council meeting on the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) at the UN headquarters in New York. United Nations Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) for one year, until June 3, 2022. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, June 3 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) for one year, until June 3, 2022. Resolution 2579, adopted unanimously, retains the four strategic objectives for UNITAMS outlined in Resolution 2524, which established the mission on June 3, 2020. Resolution 2579 contains several adjustments, including to reflect the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) signed on Oct. 3, 2020. Broadly, UNITAMS' strategic objectives are: assisting the political transition; supporting the peace processes and the implementation of the JPA; assisting peacebuilding, protection of civilians and rule of law, particularly in Darfur and the Two Areas (South Kordofan and Blue Nile); and supporting the mobilization of economic and development assistance, and coordination of humanitarian and peacebuilding assistance. The resolution decides that, in line with its strategic objectives and support to the government's national priorities, UNITAMS should prioritize support to six specified areas during the mandate period. These areas include support to ceasefire monitoring in Darfur; implementation of the National Plan for Civilian Protection; and the constitution drafting process. The text requests the secretary-general to swiftly increase the deployment of personnel to UNITAMS. It also requests the government to swiftly sign the UNITAMS Status of Mission Agreement. A further request is for UNITAMS and the UN Country Team with which it is integrated to establish an Integrated Strategic Framework or an equivalent within 60 days of the resolution's adoption. The resolution expresses concern that the security situation in some areas of Darfur has deteriorated because of increased intercommunal violence and underscores the need to intensify peacebuilding efforts. Intercommunal clashes remain a major source of insecurity in Sudan, especially in Darfur, where 170 people were killed and over 230 injured during the reporting period of the secretary-general's most recent report. Sudan entered a political transition process after the Sudanese army ousted former President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 following a popular uprising that lasted for months. On Aug. 21, 2019, Sudan started a 39-month transitional period under a transitional government comprising military and civilian officials. 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An important pillar for this bold move to foreign markets is getting listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange this year, together with retail broker TradeVille, company representatives added. "Connections has built its expansion plans for the coming years so as to capitalize on the post-COVID moment, an extremely favorable time for technology business. The company is betting on automation, not just as an effect of forced digitalization during the COVID crisis, but also as a natural stage in the development of labor and social relations and as an emblematic imprint of the 4.0 industrial revolution. Digitalization is one of the areas that benefit most from offshoring. According to the survey Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2021 published by Gartner Consulting earlier this year, the directions for the industry's development this year are: IoT, digital consumer experience, data protection, data processing and cloud applications, cybersecurity challenges, AI, hyper-automation, which are all globally visible trends," the cited release reads.For the next 3 - 5 years, the leader of the Romanian digital transformation market aims to expand to mature and technologically advanced markets such as the US, Northern Europe, as well as to highly potential developing markets, such as the Middle East. The company emphasizes that investments to enter such markets "can range from a few hundred thousand euros to one million euros, depending on the opportunities identified in the first year of operation."Connections has 300 employees and offices in Bulgaria, Serbia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, the US, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. The most recently accessed foreign market is Taiwan, where it opened a subsidiary in 2019.The customers of Connections are medium-sized global and Romanian companies in industries such as: banking, FMCG, oil & gas, telecom and retail. Starting in July 2018, the company signed a partnership with UiPath, the fastest-growing Enterprise Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platform in the world, with which it has already successfully implemented robotic automation processes in key industries.In 2020 Connections reported a turnover of 7 million euros. "Zero taxes on the minimum wage" is an idea to reduce territorial inequalities, and exemption from any form of taxation, tariff, and contribution would have a very high impact in sectors such as agriculture and HoReCa, said the Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Claudiu Nasui, showing his support for the idea, in a meeting with representatives of the Organization of Women Entrepreneurs of UGIR (OFA UGIR) and the deputy chair of the General Union of Industry Owners of Romania (UGIR), agerpres reports. "Most who left in the diaspora left for the differences in salarization, the salary being a strong argument for many. If we apply minimal or zero taxation on the equivalent of a minimum wage we reduce the difference between us and other states. It's an idea which is already implemented successfully in various forms in several places in the world and, in general, in Western Europe. In short, it means exempting from any form of taxation, tariff, and contribution the equivalent of a minimum wage. This measure would have a very high positive impact in sectors such as agriculture and HoReCa," said Nasui, according to a press release of the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism. In her turn, Mirabela Miron, the chair of OFA UGIR mentioned that she desires to start an active dialogue with the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism and to come in support of entrepreneurial initiatives through the expertise of OFA members, the organization being structured in domains of interest and having in its composition specialists in domains such as European funds, agriculture, tourism, and HoReCa, labor, inclusion, education, etc.Claudiu Nasui had a meeting with representatives of OFA UGIR and Radu Godeanu, the deputy chair of UGIR. The discussions targeted the promotion of entrepreneurship in the rural environment, digitization, concrete measures for debureaucratization and the "Zero taxes on the minimum wage" measure. The Minister of Justice, Stelian Ion, participated in the special session of the UN General Assembly, in which context he stated that "unprecedented" efforts in the fight against corruption are being "firmly" undertaken. "I delivered a speech at the special session of the UN General Assembly on the fight against corruption - we are firmly committed to unprecedented efforts in the fight against corruption," Stelian Ion said, according to a press release issued to AGERPRES on Friday. According to the quoted source, the special session of the UN General Assembly on the fight against corruption is taking place in New York from June 2 to 4. "In this global forum, the Minister of Justice, Stelian Cristian Ion, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the introduction of the fight against corruption on the agenda of the General Assembly, especially in the context in which it is increasingly a facilitator of organized crime groups. Regarding Romania, this is the perspective from which the criminal policy in the field of macro-crime, including the environmental one, must be approached", the release reads. Stelian Ion also recalled the importance of the consistent use of the UN Convention against Corruption and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, essential tools for strengthening international judicial cooperation in criminal matters. At the same time, the minister of justice referred to the National Anticorruption Strategy, which is underway, and to the recovery of assets from crime, in the range of tools used to fight corruption. In his message occasioned by the Day of Romanians Everywhere, Patriarch Daniel urged Romanians in the diaspora to be permanently in touch with their loved ones who remained in the country to preserve the unity of the Romanian family and communion. The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church mentioned in his pastoral message that the Day of Romanians Everywhere is a special day, having a strong spiritual significance, of reaffirming the traditions and values of the faith and culture of the Romanian people. reports basilica.ro. MAY 30, 2021 ROMANIAN DAY OF EVERYWHERE: Full text Christ is risen! According to Law no. 101/2015, at the request of several Romanians abroad, the Day of Romanians Everywhere is marked on the last Sunday of May. In 2021, this Sunday is celebrated on May 30. The Day of Romanians Everywhere is a special day, having a decisive spiritual significance of reaffirming the traditions and values of the faith and culture of the Romanian people. Therefore, the Romanian Patriarchate conveys a message of unity and fellowship, communion and solidarity to all Romanians everywhere. This year, 2021, declared by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church as a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of Romanians outside Romania, our word of spiritual appreciation and strengthening addressed to all Romanian Orthodox believers far from the country has a special significance. The pastoral care and the increased attention shown by the Romanian Patriarchate towards Orthodox Romanians abroad was materialized, in the last decade, by the establishment of numerous new parishes and dioceses, which meet the spiritual needs of the Romanian Orthodox believers around the current borders of Romania (Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary), of Romanians from Western Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand, as well as from the Holy Land, Cyprus, Turkey, South Africa and Japan. Through its hierarchs and priests, the Mother Church blesses and encourages her spiritual sons and daughters abroad and, at the same time, learns about the problems they face in their aspiration for a better future. Therefore, in the Romanian Orthodox churches everywhere, Romanians feel the joy of rediscovering and living the ancestral faith, participating in the liturgical life, soothing their fervent longing for their loved ones and birthplaces and reaffirming their deep ethnic identity. Through their participation in liturgical life, cultural events and social-philanthropic actions organized by parishes in the Romanian diaspora, the permanent values of the Orthodox faith and Romanian culture are promoted, Romanian traditions are transmitted and the Romanian language is cultivated, all contributing to the preservation of the cultural, ethnic and ecclesiastical identity of Orthodox Romanians outside Romania. The contribution of the Romanian Orthodox Church, together with the State authorities of Romania, in preserving and cultivating the Romanian identity is also meant to support the social integration of Romanians in the host countries, without cultural assimilation and denationalization. In this sense, harmonious coexistence of Romanians everywhere is cultivated with the citizens of the countries where they currently live, especially now when, in some places in the world, the medical, moral, spiritual and economic crisis is sometimes manifested through social tensions, which can degenerate into interethnic and interreligious conflicts. On the Day of Romanians Everywhere, with much fraternal and paternal love, we urge all Romanians living outside Romania to be permanently in touch with their loved ones who remained in the country to preserve the unity of the Romanian family and communion. With much appreciation and paternal blessing, Daniel Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Ludovic Orban, welcomed on Friday the signing of a partnership between the Associations of Military Reservists from Romania and Germany, appreciating that it demonstrates a strengthening of bilateral relations. "I received today, at the Parliament, the visit of the representatives of the Association of Military Reservists from the German Armed Forces and of the Alexandru Ioan Cuza National Association of Military Reservists, who recently signed a partnership agreement. I told them any closeness between Romania and Germany gladdens me, not only at the governmental level, but at all levels," Orban wrote on Facebook. According to him, the partnership between the two associations will also lead to the promotion of the common traditions and values of the two countries. "I welcome this partnership between two representative associations of military reservists, which demonstrate a strengthening of Romanian-German bilateral relations and which will lead to the promotion of the common traditions and values of the two countries, especially in the military field," said the Chamber of Deputies' speaker. President Klaus Iohannis will receive his Israeli counterpart, Reuven Rivlin, at Cotroceni, on Tuesday, who will be carrying out a state visit to Romania, the Presidential Administration informed on Friday, through a press release sent to AGERPRES. "The state visit of the Israeli president subscribes to the very good dynamic of high level bilateral relations in the last period, the most recent meeting between the two heads of state having place on the occasion of the Romanian president's participation in the World Forum regarding the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, on January 2020, followed by phone calls between the months of March and June 2020," the source says. According to the press release, the visit of president Reuven Rivlin reflects "the solidity" of the bilateral relation, as well as the fact that the State of Israel remains a "key" partner, with strategic valences, of Romania in the Middle East.Discussions will focus on the ways to develop and strengthen bilateral relations in all areas of shared interest, the visit taking place on the occasion of celebrating, on June 11, of 73 years of non-interrupted diplomatic relations between Romania and the State of Israel.The two high dignitaries will also address the economic cooperation and the one in the area of health, including that in regard to countering the COVID-19 pandemic, education regarding the Holocaust and other ways of combating anti-Semitism in Romania, such as the cultural and inter-human exchanges between the two states, the quoted source specifies."A special attention will be given to the situation in the Middle East, including the stage of the Peace Process in the Middle East, with an emphasis on the security situation in the region, following recent evolutions, and also other current topics will be tackled, from the regional and international agenda," the Presidential Administration says in its press release. Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Friday in Baia Mare, that there are sources of financing for large investment projects in Romania and that he will make good on his promises, agerpres reports. "I want to assure Romanians that we will have sources of funding and that what we have promised to do by 2024 - and I said that we are preparing for a government of at least eight years throughout 2028 - we will do. We will cross the Carpathians by motorway, as the Sibiu-Pitesti motorway will be built; we will build hospitals under the National Recovery and Resilience Plann (PNRR), but there are other hospitals as well. By 2024 we will have several hospitals," Citu told a joint news conference with Cluj-Napoca Mayor Emil Boc and MEP Rares Bogdan. On Friday, Citu visited a drive-thru vaccination site set up in Libertatii Square in Baia Mare and participated in the presentation of Maramure County investment plan and projects. The chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Marcel Ciolacu, declared on Friday that he ordered for the party a Dacia electric vehicle and will try to acquire one such vehicle for each of the party's branches. "I decided that there is a green Friday and together with mayor Baluta, today, I came with Zoe (an electric car, ed. n.), I borrowed Zoe. Next time we will all arrive with our own electric Dacia, I ordered it and it will be among the first 10 electric Dacia in Romania. I hope that the mayors, and I am encouraging local authorities, to purchase such electric vehicles, especially electric vehicles made in Romania," Ciolacu said, at PSD central headquarters. He added that the electric Dacia will be bought from the party's money, from levies, and mentioned that he does not know how much it costs."It's the cheapest car on the market, it's an electric car made here, at Mioveni. It is the first acquisition, because they have a limited lot and later on we will try to get one electric Dacia for each of our branches," Ciolacu said.PSD organized on Friday "The Real Green Friday" event, where thousands of members and PSD sympathizers, from all over the country, will go to work or will be taking their children to school using non-polluting means or public transportation. The legal, economic, defence and communications committees of the Senate,convened on Friday in a joint session, gave a favorable report, with amendments, to the draft law initiated by the Government on measures regarding IT and communication infrastructures of national interest and the conditions for the implementation of 5G networks, agerpres reports. According to the chair of the Legal Committee, Iulia Scantei, who chaired the meeting on Friday, the admission report registered mainly votes "for," against it being only the AUR senators. The law aims to adopt measures regarding the authorization of producers of technologies, equipment and software used in information and communication infrastructures of national interest, as well as in electronic communications networks through which 5G electronic communications services are provided - 5G networks, in order to prevent, contract and eliminate risks, threats and vulnerabilities to national security and defence of the country.AUR Senator Mircea Daneasa explained that he opposes this draft law, because Romania could enter the infringement procedure."We have warned that there is Directive 1535/2015 which stipulates that such regulations must be notified in advance to the European Commission. (...) If this bill becomes law, we are liable to infringement and the law will not be operational. (...) There are also unclear in the definition of the notion of 5G, fragments of definition put in three articles, which proves a shocking lack of professionalism. (...) We are the only party that opposed the validation of this bill," said Daneasa.The draft will enter the debate of the plenary sitting of the Senate, the decision-making body in this case. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 07:33:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Reena Ghelani (on screens), director for operations and advocacy at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, briefs the Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States on June 3, 2021. United Nations officials on Thursday called for access to the long-abandoned fuel tanker off Yemen's coast amid growing fears of a catastrophic oil spill. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, June 3 (Xinhua) -- United Nations officials on Thursday called for access to the long-abandoned fuel tanker off Yemen's coast amid growing fears of a catastrophic oil spill. Political and logistical gridlocks in assessing the risk of an oil spill or explosion in the Red Sea are increasing the likelihood of a new humanitarian and environmental crisis in Yemen and beyond, the Security Council heard Thursday from high-level officials reporting on the tanker. Thursday's meeting, requested by Britain, came after Houthi rebels said an agreement to allow a UN mission to inspect the tanker had "reached a dead end." The 45-year-old fuel vessel FSO Safer has 1.1 million barrels of crude on board and has been abandoned near Yemen's western port of Hodeidah since 2015. In her briefing to the 15-member Council, Inger Andersen, undersecretary-general and executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, expressed regret about the lack of progress over the past year in assessing the risk of a massive oil leak or explosion from the Safer. Noting the relevance of the Red Sea's biodiversity, she said millions of people could be exposed to harmful pollution if an explosion were to occur onboard, with severe health impacts for vulnerable populations. Additionally, an oil spill would have negative effects on the lives of people already going through the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, she stressed. Andersen assured the council that the UN system is working to support readiness, contingency and response planning in case of an oil spill, and highlighted the creation of several coordination mechanisms to that end. Through those mechanisms, relevant stakeholders - including the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Yemeni authorities and International Maritime Organization - have developed regional and national contingency plans, as well as contracted a private company to provide updates in the event of a spill. These efforts have been paired with a series of capacity-building workshops on responses at the regional and national levels, which involve training on the use of spill-response equipment and on the use of dispersants. She warned the council that an oil spill or explosion could severely restrict the movement of vessels through the Red Sea, disrupting one of the busiest commercial routes in the world and would pose devastating consequences for the wealth of species found in the region. "Making an assessment is critical to identify and reduce risks linked with the Safer," she concluded, adding that lack of progress will only negatively impact neighboring Red Sea countries. Also briefing the council was Reena Ghelani, director for operations and advocacy at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who said that, over the past two years, Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock briefed the Council 23 times on the Safer, including in a meeting dedicated to the issue in July 2020. Progress, however, has been much slower than anyone would have wanted and there is not much to say regarding United Nations efforts to gain access to the vessel. So far, no mission has been able to deploy, mainly because Ansar Allah (Houthi) authorities, while agreeing in principle to such an operation, are reluctant to provide assurances it can proceed. Over the last 10 days, extensive discussions have taken place to bridge gaps, without success, she said. The main sticking point is around what the United Nations would exactly do on the Safer and why the organization is unable to specify what repairs will be carried out. However, because no technical mission has been able to access the tanker, it is not possible to determine what condition it is in or what work must be done. The expert team needs to verify what it is dealing with and what can be done, in addition to carrying out some light maintenance to minimize the risk of an oil spill and hopefully buy more time. Recalling that Ansar Allah accepted the scope of work in November 2020, but now seem unhappy with it, she said that "everyone wants to see the problem solved." However, for the United Nations, work must start with a comprehensive and impartial assessment of the Safer. The organization has no interest in how the problem is ultimately solved, so long as it is done safely. She emphasized that the expert team will remain on standby so long as donor funds are available, adding that, once a green light is given, it will still require several weeks to charter vessels, gather equipment and set off from Djibouti to the Safer. Offering a national perspective, Abdullah Ali Fadhel al-Saadi, permanent representative of Yemen to the United Nations, said nothing has been achieved to remedy the situation, declaring: "The humanitarian risks that would result from a possible disaster are increasing." Noting that Houthi militias had initially agreed to cooperate in efforts to assess the risks, he said they have continually undermined the process. As a result, Yemen is on the brink of a humanitarian and environmental crisis. "We must put an end to this catastrophe," he stressed, noting that, since 2017, Yemen has issued warnings about the dangers posed by the vessel. Still, Houthi militias are using the issue as a bargaining chip to advance their agenda. "The Security Council must assume its responsibilities in order for United Nations technical teams to reach the tanker," he noted, emphasizing that inaction could result in 20 billion U.S. dollars in damages, which could reach well beyond the Red Sea. He echoed the need to conduct maintenance on the vessel and extract the oil therein, concluding that the oil should be sold to cover costs of the operation. Enditem Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III said ministers watched the video together on a large screen Thursday. Several ministers at a news conference Thursday afternoon said they believed the video showed one of the police officers may have accidentally shot the officer after a shot ricocheted and then another officer shot Johnson twice in the back of the head. Pastor Darron Edwards said the videos show this is not an open and shut case" and police need to tell everyone what really happened. He said the officers involved should not be on the street if the case is still being investigated. We're still searching for the truth, and all this community wants is the truth, Edwards said. Some of the ministers are part of a group called Getting to the Heart of the Matter, which has worked with the police department and Chief Rick Smith to bridge a divide with minority communities since social justice protests broke out last summer, while other community activists have criticized the force and called for Smith to resign or be fired. Cleaver said Kansas City has a serious disconnect between the police and the community, particularly minority communities. He said the videos were given to the ministers and activists, rather than to investigators, because the community does not trust police. BERKELEY One of the areas most important assembly lines is back in a familiar pinch. For the second time in less than a decade, the U.S. Navy is planning to stop buying new F/A-18 Super Hornets from Boeing at the end of September. If the plans stand, the last new model will roll off the line at Lambert Field in 2024 not far off in an industry where each plane takes years to build and leave at least hundreds of Boeing workers in limbo. Local politicians are already sounding the alarm. Not only will a line shutdown have catastrophic effects on our national defense, but it will directly result in a significant loss of jobs in Missouri, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page wrote in a letter to the states congressional delegation last month. It is a decision that will directly impact nearly 16,000 employees in the St. Louis region and hundreds of suppliers here. Boeing issued a statement Wednesday saying the Navy needs new Super Hornets to deal with a fighter shortage and that the company plans to continue pressing its case. We look forward to working with our Navy customers and Congress to ensure this critical program is funded and delivered, spokeswoman Deborah VanNierop said. Not quite ready to make your return to polite society just yet? Here are some television shows to watch, some to try and some to skip entirely, based on summaries and trailers. Watch Physical Girls5Eva brought back the 1990s, so now its time for Physical turn to reverse the clock a decade to the 1980s, full of big hair and spandex. Rose Byrne stars as a San Diego housewife who finds new meaning and direction as an aerobics instructor. Between the neon trailer and a soundtrack set to Video Killed the Radio Star, this one seems like an easy win. (June 18, Apple TV+) Blindspotting A lot of people missed Daveed Diggs 2018 movie Blindspotting. By the looks of it, plenty should make up for that mistake with the sequel series, with Hamilton star Jasmine Cephas Jones reprising her role as Ashley, who is forced to move herself and her son into her boyfriends (showrunner Rafael Casal) mothers house after he lands in jail. Through its story and its music, Blindspotting promises to break down not just the judicial system, but Oakland, California, itself and what it means to survive right now. (June 13, Starz) Now that its almost officially summer, chances are youre dusting off the grill for a cookout. If youre looking to spruce up your side dishes with a more global focus, consider Yasmin Khans lush new book, Ripe Figs. It takes readers on a culinary journey through the Mediterranean, with seasonal vegetable-forward dishes from Turkey, Greece and Cyprus that would add flavor to any cookout, picnic or barbecue. This easy potato salad is a regional specialty of Cyprus. Traditional potato salad is made with mayonnaise and hard-boiled eggs, but here, olives, lemon, capers and fresh herbs give it a zesty lift. Its just as good served with grilled meats or fish and also works well as part of a mezze spread. The original recipe calls for Cypriot potatoes, or potatoes from Cyprus no easy find in Pittsburgh. Instead I used baby Yukon gold potatoes. Capers add a salty, lemony bite. However you enjoy the salad it can be eaten hot, cold or at room temperature youll want to toss the potatoes in the dressing while theyre still warm so they can absorb the flavors. CYPRIOT POTATO SALAD PG tested SPRINGFIELD, Mo. While the St. Louis area is seeing the numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to decline, other areas of the state are reporting worrisome upticks. CoxHealths flagship hospital in Springfield has between 35 and 40 COVID-19 patients, more than double what it was two weeks ago, CEO Steve Edwards said Thursday. And nearly 20% of patients tested at CoxHealth facilities across southwest Missouri are testing positive for COVID-19, up from just 5% two weeks ago, Edwards also said. Seventy miles to the west in Joplin, three area hospitals also say theyre seeing more patients with COVID-19. Hospital officials there said a total of 39 patients were hospitalized on Wednesday, The Joplin Globe reported. That was more than double what the number was at the beginning of May when it hovered around 15. Joplin straddles the counties of Jasper and Newton. Tony Moehr, administrator of the Jasper County Health Department, told the Globe that the number of county cases has risen over the past two to three weeks. My first home was in Illinois, but my family moved to Atlanta when I was 9 years old. Ive always considered myself a Midwesterner, she says. I didnt finish in art therapy, but it led me to art education. Id come from generations of teachers. I hadnt realize I wanted to teach, and I did it for many years. Lost, found and repurposed When Tipton set up to make art at home, she didnt run out to buy supplies. She took stock. I like using found things for my paintings. When I started, I had a lot of heavyweight paper in my studio, so I thought Im not going to buy a bunch of canvases; Ill use this, she says. Both of my sons are creative and made art. I have a lot of half-finished projects around the house, and its great. I repurpose and rescue odd things. In fact, the cigar box memory mixed-media pieces came about when I found leftover wooden laser cut pieces my son Jamie made for a project he abandoned, she says. The photos I used for these pieces were rescued, too. They were in old family albums my aunt thought I might want, which I did. I had few photos from my early time in Illinois, and very few of my dad, Tipton says. The college draws students from Southern Illinois, many of them from small sundown towns who have never been taught why their communities are nearly all-white, he said. Even things that are right in front of their noses are not explained or made obvious, Cochran said. He said some white students will ask why they should feel guilty about Americas racist past. He tells them that hes never heard anyone say they should feel guilty for it. Guilt has nothing to do with awareness, he said. The more uncomfortable question becomes: Am I on the hook for trying to correct the lasting impact of these wrongs? Running parallel to the story of American progress is the idea that this is a land of opportunity, and that hard work is always rewarded. The natural conclusion is that if you dont share in that abundance, then obviously you are doing something wrong. Learning about redlining, restrictive covenants, discriminatory banking and policing practices really messes with that narrative, Cochran said. The vast majority of his students, however, are grateful to learn the missing pieces in the story theyve been taught. JEFFERSON CITY A Republican House member said Friday he and other state lawmakers will ask Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to pardon Kevin Strickland, who has spent more than 40 years in prison for a triple murder that prosecutors now say he did not commit. Rep. Andrew McDaniel of Deering, chairman of the House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee, said three other Republican and five Democratic legislators plan to join him in signing a letter asking for a pardon for Strickland, The Kansas City Star reported. Whys he still in there? he said. Im pretty strong on keeping people locked up that did crimes but if theres somebody thats in there thats innocent, just let him out. Strickland has maintained his innocence since he was arrested and convicted in a 1978 triple murder in Kansas City. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has called for his release. Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Missouri, Jackson Countys presiding judge, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and members of the team that convicted Strickland four decades ago also have said he deserves to be exonerated. WOOD RIVER Authorities lifted a shelter-in-place order in Wood River at 6 a.m. Friday, saying residents were allowed to leave their homes and open windows. The measure affected residents in southwest Wood River after rail cars were venting spent sulfuric acid. Nearly 500 residents in neighborhoods near the rail yard had been told to turn off HVAC systems and close windows. Shortly after the shelter-in-place order was lifted Friday, officials closed a portion of Route 3, as a vapor cloud drifted over the area, authorities said. Wood River police said the road was reopened about an hour later. No injuries were reported. Firefighters and a hazardous materials crew spent Thursday spraying water on four rail cars to dissipate the vapors, and a spokesman for Norfolk Southern said the air was within safe parameters. The problem was first detected in one rail car on Wednesday when vapors leaked and sickened a rail worker. Norfolk Southern spokesman Jeff DeGraff said the sulfuric acid had become over-pressurized and was venting from four cars by Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 08:21:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CHICAGO -- Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced on Thursday that the U.S. third largest city will fully reopen on June 11, in line with the date of reopening of the U.S. Midwest state of Illinois ordered by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The date is three weeks earlier than the target date of July 4 that Lightfoot planned to fully reopen the city, the Chicago Tribune reported on Thursday. (US-Chicago-Reopen) - - - - UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations Security Council decided on Thursday to extend for another year a series of authorizations for member states to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya suspected of arms embargo violation. Unanimously adopting Resolution 2578 (2021) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the 15-member organ decided to extend the authorizations laid out in Resolution 2526 (2020) for a further 12 months. (UN-Security Council-Resolution 2578) - - - - SANTIAGO -- Chile will extend lockdown measures in 16 cities, including the capital Santiago, due to the increase in COVID-19 infections, which have exceeded 1.4 million cases, Deputy Health Minister Paula Daza said on Thursday. Of the total number of cities that will enter into lockdown starting Saturday, five are in the country's Metropolitan region, including Santiago, Daza said at a press conference. The deputy minister of assistance networks, Alberto Dougnac, said 8,150 new cases of COVID-19 were detected in the last 24 hours, meaning a total of 1,403,101 people had tested positive for the virus since March 2020. (Chile-COVID-19) - - - - SARAJEVO -- Tourist arrivals in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) rose sharply in April year-on-year, the Agency for Statistics of BiH said on Thursday. According to the agency, the country registered 35,328 tourist arrivals during the month. In April 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic when most of BiH's hotels and other accommodation facilities were closed, only 1,539 tourist arrivals were recorded in the country. (Bosnian -Tourism) Enditem In response, Isom said its clear that we have a lot of things to work on before the end of this month to carry out the closure and quite frankly, if we cant get them done, we cant get them done. So I dont think its an artificial timeline in terms of safety. Vaccaro said he was concerned about reports that some detainees were sleeping on mats in holding cells at the main jail because of the space crunch. Acting Corrections Commissioner Jeff Carson in a telephone interview after the meeting said as many as a few dozen detainees at a time at the downtown jail have had to sleep on the floor or on a bench, not mats, while they wait for space in regular cells. This can go on for several days in some cases, he said. Typically they dont have mattresses, he said, but do have access to showers. Some committee members also were upset about a projected $6.7 million shortfall in the corrections budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 due to the phaseout of federal money the city got for jailing federal prisoners being moved elsewhere. Isom said he hoped that some of the money gap could be dealt with by reductions in food and medical costs due to the city holding fewer prisoners overall. In the previous drought, it took (the reservoirs) three years to get this low as they are in the second year of this drought, Lund said. The lakes record low is 646 feet (197 meters), but the Department of Water Resources projects it will dip below that sometime in August or September. If that happens, the state will have to close the boat ramps for the first time ever because of low water levels, according to Aaron Wright, public safety chief for the Northern Buttes District of California State Parks. The only boat access to the lake would be an old dirt road that was built during the dams construction in the late 1960s. We have a reservoir up there thats going to be not usable. And so now what? said Eric Smith, an Oroville City Council member and president of its chamber of commerce. The water level is so low at Lake Mendocino, along the Russian River in Northern California, that state officials last week reduced the amount of water heading to 930 farmers, businesses and other junior water-rights holders. Unless we immediately reduce diversions, there is a real risk of Lake Mendocino emptying by the end of this year, said Erik Ekdahl, deputy director for the State Water Boards Division of Water Rights. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he had not discussed the August conspiracy with Trump in their recent conversations. Joe Biden is the duly elected president of the United States. We follow the Constitution in this country, he said. Joe Biden is the president of the United States. We went through the electoral votes, we went through that whole process, and Joe Biden is the president. As Trump advances such baseless conspiracy theories, Republican state legislators are pushing what experts say is an unprecedented number of bills aimed at restricting access to the ballot box that could affect future elections. While Republicans say the goal is to prevent voter fraud, Democrats contend the measures are aimed at undermining minority voting rights. Trump remains a commanding force in the Republican Party, despite his loss. A recent Quinnipiac University national poll found that 66% of Republicans would like to see him run for reelection, though the same number of Americans overall said they would prefer he didnt and there is no evidence that he has grown any more popular since losing by more than 7 million votes last November. Since then, hes become a poster child for whats wrong with the American prison system, with too many people locked away for too long for petty crimes, drug offenses or crimes of poverty, costing taxpayers billions of dollars and doing very little to improve public safety. I wrote about Flaherty last year when he wrote to alert me to a dichotomy in two arguments being made by the office of Attorney General Eric Schmitt, with the goal of both of them being to keep men who deserved to be out of prison locked up for several more years. One case involved a man named Dimetrious Woods, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole. When state lawmakers changed the law, allowing parole in such cases, Woods, a model prisoner, sought and was granted parole. After the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the change in law couldnt be applied retroactively, Schmitt was trying to put Woods back in prison. Eventually, Parson commuted Woods sentence, and he is free. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 09:14:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Misbah Saba Malik ISLAMABAD, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan is taking stringent measures to combat the multi-dimensional adverse impact of climate change which not only has made the country a victim of natural disasters, but also posed a serious challenge to its agricultural sector, a Pakistani minister said. Climate change is affecting Pakistan from up north to down south with melting glaciers in the north and cyclonic activity as well as cloudbursts over the main cities in the south including the commercial hub of Karachi located at the coastline of the Arabian sea, Pakistan's Minister for Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said in an interview with Xinhua on Thursday. "Pakistan is a country which is seriously affected by climate change. It is the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change and the changing weather patterns are creating serious problems for Pakistan ... Our glaciers are melting fast, our monsoon patterns are shifting the timing and the frequency of rainfall, and it is shifting so fast that our agriculture cannot adapt to it." Facing the adverse effects of the hostile weather patterns which have put stress on the economy of the country, Aslam, who is also the Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Climate Change, said that Pakistan has decided that "it will not choose to just be a crying victim on the climate arena, but we want to be a solution provider." He said the government has started the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami program in Pakistan, and "we have already planted 1 billion trees out of that 10 billion." The tree-planting initiative has also enabled the country to create a large amount of green jobs, including 100,000 jobs created during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Aslam said, adding that the job creation improved the livelihood of the locals, showing that "if you invest in nature, nature always pays you back. It's not a one-way investment." Besides working rigorously to increase the forest cover, a warning system has also been launched by the country to get a beforehand knowledge of glacier bursts, he said. The minister said that Pakistan is also moving ahead to achieve the goal of switching 30 percent of the country's vehicles to electric by 2030 to address the rising pollution, and plans to unveil and display locally made electric vehicles on the World Environment Day falling on June 5. Aslam said that China is a great example for his country to learn about environment protection measures because by taking steps to protect the environment, the Chinese government has shown that development without environment protection measures is not sustainable. "The Chinese example shows that they took protective measures to control the climatic hazards by taking useful steps. The leadership of both Pakistan and China have a vision of making the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor a sustainable future for this whole region by making it a green corridor," he said. Enditem Hats off A tip of the hat to Stetson, the iconic hat company, for pulling its merchandise from a hat store that promoted an offensive comparison between pandemic-related public health measures and the Holocaust. The controversy follows the recent antics of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, a right-wing extremist and conspiracy monger who compared masking rules by House Democratic leaders to the treatment of the Jews by the Nazi regime during World War II. Greene was roundly condemned for the comment, even within her own party, but someone at the HatWRKS hat store in Nashville, Tennessee, apparently thought it was a theme worth emulating and marketing. The store advertised yellow patches similar to Stars of David, bearing the words not vaccinated. Stetson the 156-year-old hat maker whose name is synonymous with the headgear of the Old West announced via Twitter that it condemns antisemitism and discrimination of any kind and would cease doing business with the Nashville store. What were these kids thinking? 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. Since late 2019 the U.S. Navy has been able to reduce delay-days for ships overdue for shipyard level maintenance. Over the last 18 months delay days were reduced from 7,000 to 1,200. This was the result of applying more money, priority and better use of available shipyards for ships that had been out of service the longest because a shipyard berth was not available for expensive and long-duration work. The best example of this was the Los Angeles class SSN (nuclear attack submarine) Boise, which entered service in 1992 but was sidelined (stayed in port) since 2015 in anticipation of a two-year period in a shipyard for several hundred million dollars worth of work. The expected brief wait before beginning the shipyard visit became over five years of idleness. Finally, in 2021, there was space available for Boise to undergo the $355 million refurbishment. The Boise delay was a major contributor to the rapidly growing number of current delay-days and was given priority. Boise wont be back in service until 2023, having been idle for eight years instead of two. Part of the problem is that nuclear submarines are one type of ship that is being built in large numbers and taking a major portion of the ship building budget. Construction of nuclear subs requires specialized shipyard facilities, which are also used to perform periodic maintenance and refurbishment. Keeping a large number of nukes in service is a priority because they are one category of warships where the United States still has a clear advantage over all other navies. To maintain that edge, production of new subs had to be increased. At the same time, it was important to keep more older subs in service via extended visits to the shipyards for maintenance. Shipyard facilities were not expanded enough to handle all the demand, even though anyone could see it coming in the 1990s. Over the last few years, the GAO (Government Accounting Office, U.S. government auditors) have been turned loose on the delay day situation. GAO was also told to report on progress in dealing with the many training, maintenance and personnel problems the Navy has been unable to deal with since the 1990s. None of these problems were a secret but the lack of progress in developing and implementing effective solutions was kept quiet by the navy and the civilian firms that were paid to do the work. By 2017 the progress, or lack of, in dealing with these problems was no longer in the shadows and rapidly became subject to constant attention. That was long overdue and the details of how it happened were not pretty. What brought all this to light was something that attracted a lot of media attention in 2017, when the U.S. 7th (West Pacific) fleet temporarily lost three ships to navigation error damage within an eight-month period and had another similar incident that did not injure anyone or take the ship out of service. It did not take much investigative effort to discover that the root cause was lower readiness levels, overwork, and chronic crew fatigue. This turned out to be common for ships of the 7th Fleet. The two 7th Fleet destroyers that suffered the fatal collisions had some of the worst readiness and training ratings in the entire fleet. These ratings exist to spotlight ships, and their crews, that need the most attention from senior leadership, especially the fleet commander. There was a new Secretary of Defense in 2017 who was a retired (since 2013) marine general with firsthand experience with what was going on in the navy. Because of that there was a lot more noise, attention and calls for action and accountability. That soon led to the 7th Fleet commander losing his job and serious attention being paid to delayed maintenance, as well training and crew management problems. Finding and relieving culpable officers is easy compared to dealing with the underlying problems with leadership and training that the accidents put a spotlight on. In 2017 it was no secret that these problems existed throughout the navy but were most acute in the 7th Fleet, which has been the busiest fleet for over a decade because it has to deal with growing Chinese naval power and more frequent crises with North Korea. One could say the problem was navy-wide but most intense in the 7th Fleet and not enough of the admirals were willing to speak up and admit to the politicians and voters what was going on and why it was not being addressed. One reason was that the politicians wanted admirals who would keep quiet and those admirals who spoke out got forced into retirement and replaced by younger officers willing to play by the new rules. This is not unique in American history or military history in general. But this occurrence was another aftereffect of the Cold War ending and attitudes changing with regard to responsibility and military readiness. The late 2018 GAO audit found that the bad (willing to let things slide) attitude of Navy leaders had spread and the 2017 accidents were the result of everyone tolerating the lower standards. That has been reversed, especially for the surface warships and shipyard delays for subs out of service for long periods. Another problem was the abuse of waivers (not enforcing standards for many individuals) was still common for amphibious operations and higher-level joint operations. It is going to take longer to deal with all the lapses in certified trained and ready standards in the navy. No point in having standards if you let them do more harm than good. The maintenance problems, mainly not enough time or money to get it all done on time, have done enormous damage throughout the fleet. Fixing this requires more money as well as meaning fewer ships available for duty until their maintenance backlogs are tended to. Fixing this permanently requires related problems, like shortages of spare parts and poor management in shipyards being tended to. Those are politically sensitive issues and difficult to deal with but they are also a major part of the problem. Another poor leadership problem is that it led to the growing incidence of overworked sailors. Veteran sailors realize that ten or more years ago you got more (often enough) sleep while at sea. Then problems developed and most were self-inflicted. The navy imposed rather than implemented more automation and work practices whose main goal was to reduce crew size. Thats great if it works but a disaster if it doesnt and made worse if senior leadership ignores the resulting problems. Its ignored no more but solutions are difficult to find, agree on and implement. Many sailors at sea are getting more sleep and thanks to the Internet that has improved morale. But the chronic crew fatigue while at sea situation is still a problem. Another we dont talk about that problem that is now openly discussed is the years of unrealistic shipbuilding and operation budgets the navy has created and tried, without success to make work. Reality tends to win in the end and the GAO tries to stay on the side of reality, which is difficult for any government organization to do. The navy has turned underestimating costs and using unrealistic delivery times into a tradition. This has not worked and has become more embarrassing with each passing year. It also causes constant calls for cuts in other areas of the navy budget, like maintenance and training. There are similar problems in naval aviation. Obsessed with maintaining enough aircraft for at least ten large carriers led to serious cuts in money available for upgrading or replacing elderly aircraft. Older jets are more expensive to maintain and more dangerous to fly. There were fewer flight hours and growing problems with recruiting and retaining naval aviators (carrier aircraft pilots). No easy solutions but it is progress that more senior admirals are willing or able to admit there is a problem. Finding and implementing solutions will not be easy. The navy will continue to have a pilot shortage. Another problem with aircraft availability is a shortage of spare parts. More and more aircraft were not able to fly because spare parts were not available when maintainers needed to install them. Stocking fewer parts saved money and the ultimate result (lower aircraft availability) was ignored until it couldnt be ignored anymore. That happened in part because the new F-35s were often grounded for lack of spares and that became a media favorite. The Navy hates it when one of their problems becomes a media favorite. Another problem was that the Navy has been getting smaller since the Cold War ended in 1991 and that process continued after 2001 because the increased defense spending went to the Army, SOCOM (Special Operations Command) and marine operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The navy and air force had to get by on a lot less. For example, the number of ships in the navy went from 333 in 1998 to 277 in 2017. Yet the navy kept the same number of ships (about a hundred) deployed overseas despite there being 17 percent fewer ships. Worse, the newer ships, and some of the older ones were experimenting with smaller crews made possible (in theory) by more automation. This is still a work in progress but meanwhile, lots of 7th Fleet ships were operating at a wartime tempo. This was wearing down the crews as well as the ships. The ships overseas are also kept busier even though crew sizes have been reduced. Although many senior admirals knew this was going on, not a lot was done to deal with what was obviously a growing problem. For example, in the two years before the 2017 accidents the number of warships in the 7th fleet not certified as ready for combat increased five-fold (to 37 percent). The reasons why were no secret either. Many sailors were working over 100 hours a week when at sea, compared to the previous normal of 70-81 hours a week. Ships were more frequently unable to go to sea because of deferred (caused by manpower shortages) maintenance. The most serious shortages were in training, which apparently contributed to the three serious accidents and many more events that could have gotten very ugly. Its an old naval tradition to quickly punish captains and admirals responsible for such disasters. The punishment used to be by hanging an admiral if you wanted to get the attention of, or just motivate, the others. This refers back to British Admiral John Byng, who was executed in 1757 for not trying hard enough to dislodge the French from the island of Minorca. This execution was later described as done to "encourage the others (admirals)." In fact, Byng died because of bad publicity surrounding the earlier execution of a junior officer for the same "offense," while senior officers got less lethal punishment. Byng was the victim of a leadership problem that keeps reoccurring. Nevertheless, navies have always been rather harsher about inadequate leadership. It is an ancient naval tradition that someone must take responsibility and be punished when things go wrong. This attitude developed over the centuries because the seas are an unforgiving environment. Those put in charge of ships have absolute power and absolute responsibility. So, to this day, in most navies, the senior officers can quickly (or, in this case eventually) lose their jobs if things go wrong. Admiral Byngs demise was, historically, not all that unusual. In centuries past, many navy commanders have been executed for not doing all their boss expected of them. But 18th century Britain considered itself to be in a kinder and gentler age, thus the unusually strong outcry after Byng was executed. Now, in the 21st century, the trend continues, as do the punishments. Hanging went out of fashion by the 20th century but getting fired apparently has the same impact. The sailors and junior officers who take a more realistic attitude towards this bad leadership, and suffer the most from it, have been demanding more accountability for over a decade. Many sailors changed their career plans when the protests were ignored and left the navy. That may change if the complacent and compliant admirals are replaced with competent and accountable ones. This was not just a navy problem, the army, air force and, to a lesser extent, the marines all suffered from it. Unlike combat which is loud, it involves real bullets that focus attention and responsibility. In peacetime bureaucratic battles back home are often kept out of sight and boldness by military leaders is less common because the paper bullets are quiet and can kill a career quickly. The damage can be substantial as the 2017 collisions demonstrated. There is no easy fix for this because the military is, by design and necessity subordinate to the elected officials who often do a lot of damage with the best of intentions and little scrutiny from anyone outside the military. Back in early 2020 nine of the eleven four-star generals commanding the regional commands (like Centcom for the Middle East and Africom for Africa) sent a joint, and confidential letter to the American intelligence community pleading for evidence of Chinese and Russian misbehavior to be released to them, and the public, more quickly. The delays, or restriction on sharing such evidence had caused serious problems for the regional commanders. This was especially the case when delays involved satellite photos and evidence collected electronically, that the regional commanders could use to expose Russian and Chinese disinformation. Without that, the Chinese and Russians succeed in their media-based efforts to avoid responsibility for lies and bad behavior they are clearly guilty of. Complaints about the American intelligence agencies refusing to share vital information with the troops, or their commanders, in a timely fashion is nothing new. In the early 1990s commanders of American forces that led a coalition to oust Iraq from Kuwait complained in open testimony before Congress about this problem, which the troops solved themselves a decade later when commercial satellite data became widely available to the public through commercial ventures like Google Earth. Even Islamic terrorists quickly realized how useful photo satellite data could be when they were discovered using it to plan attacks, often on American bases. Those complaints about delays in providing crucial intel information to the troops who needed it never went away and the latest complaint from senior commanders is the most recent example. The confidential letter was recently leaked after the intel community responded to the complaints, after nearly a year, and said they were looking into it. The current problem is something that has existed for decades. When the Cold War ended in 1991 and the Soviet Union disappeared many Western intelligence agencies thought they had seen the last of Soviet maskirovka (masking) and dezinformatsiya (disinformation) operations. That was an unrealistic expectation as the Russians soon resumed using these deception practices and, as has been noted since the 1990s, several old-school communist governments, like China and North Korea, never stopped using the maskirovka and dezinformatsiya techniques they had learned from their Soviet patrons and their own history. East Asians have numerous surviving ancient documents demonstrating that the value and use of deception and deceit goes back a long way. One rather obvious example of how Russia has revived its classic dezinformatsiya was seen in 2017 when Russia accused the United States of committing atrocities in Syria by using American warplanes disguised as Russian ones while bombing civilians, hospitals and the like. To carry out this dezinformatsiya the Russians used photos from an American pilot training exercise in which some F-18s, which are somewhat similar in appearance to Russian Su-30s, were given a Russian Air Force paint job. These training aircraft were flown by American pilots who knew Russian fighter tactics and techniques. This was part of the dissimilar training the U.S. Navy revived (from a World War II practice) in the late 1960s to better prepare American pilots to deal with North Vietnamese fighter aircraft encountered over North Vietnam. This led to regular Red Flag and Top Gun training programs that evolved as potential enemy air forces did. The Russians claimed these photos showed American aircraft operating over Syria and bombing forbidden (by international law) targets, in order to blame Russia. This was classic Soviet era dezinformatsiya and it still works, especially when you are not looking for it, as was the case with a similar F-35 smear campaign questioning the effectiveness of the new stealth fighter. Most people were not fooled by the Syrian F-18 campaign but enough were to make it worth the effort. The less obvious F-35 campaign was a lot more successful until it was detected and revealed, via the release of details of recent F-35 operations. As Russia itself began using these deception techniques again most Western intel analysts were somewhat mystified because they had not seen this sort of thing at all (if they were young) and the older intel experts had not seen it done to this degree since the 1980s, when the Soviet Union was still around and using these techniques heavily used right up until the end. But that was before the Internet and social networks. For professional liars the Internet was a gold mine. The Soviets pioneered the use of specialized organizations developing and deploying dezinformatsiya. A similar but even larger one Soviet government agency was created for maskirovka. This agency planned and carried out large scale deceptions of American photo satellites. In addition to concealing weapons, their performance, and where they were based, the Soviets also used satellite deception to mislead the West on how their troops would operate in the field. Several times a year the Soviets would hold large scale maneuvers. Each of these exercises would involve many divisions, plus hundreds of aircraft and helicopters. Satellite photos of these maneuvers were thought to reveal tactics the Soviets were going to use in future wars. But the Soviets knew when American satellites were coming over and sometimes arranged displays of tactics they had no intention of using. Naturally, this made it more difficult for the Western intelligence analysts to figure out exactly what the Soviets were planning. That, of course, was the sort of confusion the Soviets wanted to create with these little deceptions. The current Russian government is reviving a lot of Soviet era organizations and practices because they have discovered maskirovka and dezinformatsiya still work in the West. After 1991 this inherent fondness for maskirovka and dezinformatsiya was great news for a lot of former KGB (Russian CIA/FBI/secret police) employees who eventually found new jobs doing what they had done before the Soviet Union imploded. In part thats because of new technology. The 1990s were when the Internet blossomed into the World Wide Web. At the same time a lot of the deception and information manipulation the KGB long monopolized was now legal for civilian firms worldwide as well in Russia and China. Since then, many KGB media specialists have gone commercial and trained a new generation of Internet savvy manipulators and often ended up working for the government again, as contractors rather than uniformed employees. Spreading lies and rumors is a long-standing practice in wartime. But in pre-Internet days, during the Cold War, it was developed into a fine art by the Soviets. The Cold War, which raged (or simmered) from 1948 to 1991 never saw the main antagonists (America and the U.S.S.R) fighting each other directly, but rather it was a war of proxies. Other nations provided the battlefields while other peoples provided most of the fighters and fatalities. The Soviets were calling most of the shots during this long conflict even if they were not firing them. While both sides used the media and propaganda the Soviets were enthusiastic users of a particular form of media deception called disinformation. This is the old "repeat a lie often enough and it becomes truth" routine, distributed via press releases and planted media stories. On the Internet we call people who do this trolls (or worse). The Russians had, as they had during the Cold War, quietly taken advantage of the relative anonymity of the Internet, especially on Western social media, to launch many dezinformatsiya that went (or still are) undetected. Disinformation is an ancient deception technique, but never has it been used so widely and for such a long time to keep numerous small wars going and generate such levels of hostility towards the designated opponents. These fighters were not risking their lives for the Soviet Union but for a myriad of local causes. The Soviet disinformation program was intended to keep everyone in a combative mood and pursue goals that meshed with the Soviet Unions foreign policy. Some of the disinformation was pretty outrageous, such as the planted story that AIDS was invented by U.S. military researchers (or the CIA or whatever). Most of the disinformation was small scale and locally relevant in nature. The Soviets had a large bureaucracy, and equally vast budget, to buy the services of local journalists worldwide. The stories supplied would generally cast aspersions on the actions or motives of the U.S. government and Americans in general. While the Soviets were generally inclined to shovel out lies and half-truths pell-mell, they also had specific programs to bring down governments friendly to the West or, more importantly, to prop up the morale of rebels, revolutionaries, and terrorists fighting for a Soviet approved objective. ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant), Al Qaeda and other Islamic radical groups have tried to use the same tactics but have not been nearly as deft and successful at it as the Soviets were. China recently used this same technique to successfully convince a lot of people around the world that America, not China, was the source of covid19. What made the Soviet program unique was its widespread (global) use. The Soviets were quick to realize that the media in most countries was not as independent as in the United States. In fact, the U.S. media was something of an exception through most of American history. In most nations the media are, like the first newspapers in the 18th century, the creatures of one special interest group or another. It was in America that the "independent" media was invented, and even the U.S. media was not completely free of biases and favoritism towards special interests. In most countries, the bias and special interest control is much stronger. That eventually happened in the United States, about a decade or so after the Cold War ended. Yet in all countries the local media was, like it (or agree with it) or not, the primary source of information for the population. Compared to America, the rest of the world's journalists are not well paid (even by local standards). It is common for journalists to accept "gifts" (or outright bribes) in return for writing certain stories or slanting their reporting a certain way. The Soviets took advantage of this and their local agents (who were often not Russians) were liberally supplied with cash in order to buy the media attention they needed. The American CIA engaged in the same practice but the Soviets were much more aggressive, generous and successful in this area. That has changed as traditional print and TV news media were supplanted by Internet based sources but disinformation is still available as a tool. While many journalists worldwide admired the American model for media independence, the Soviets realized that they didn't have to buy a lot of journalists in order to give their agenda sufficient exposure. Most of the Soviet disinformation was purposely developed as sensational stuff. The Soviets knew what kind of stories played best in the media and this is what they provided. This was the importance of the large disinformation staff back in Moscow. Stories that played on local fears were favored. For example, over the years, the CIA was played up as the cause behind just about everything that people feared, up to and including the weather and earthquakes. In typical Russian fashion, the Soviets would plant dozens of stories in different countries all hitting the same invented idea from a different angle. That way, the press in one country could cite a Soviet story planted in another country to back up their local "reporting." The Soviets also made the most of some outrageous story appearing in the Western press, whether it was a Soviet plant or not, by planting more outrageous versions and elaborations via the more pliable journalists of other nations. The Soviets realized that the media had become a global system and that there was a great deal of "follow the leader" (or "steal from another newspaper," depending on how you look at it) going on. The Soviets also knew that correcting an inaccurate story was nearly impossible. Once the lie gets loose, you can never correct the misinformation that then forms in so many peoples minds. Once the Internet came along, these techniques became easier and cheaper to use. The "Big Lie" was something that was created in this century as the media grew in importance. The Nazis get a lot of credit for starting it, but it was actually the Bolsheviks (the earliest incarnation of the Communists) in Russia that first used it so effectively at the end of World War I. Indeed, the term "Bolshevik" is Russian for "majority," a title the Communist minority among the Russian socialists gave themselves as they set out to seize control of Russia during World War I. The Communists kept repeating the term Bolshevik, even when it was obvious, they were a small minority of the Russian socialists, and eventually more and more people just took it for granted that the Bolsheviks Communists were the majority. And soon they were in control of the nation. And at that point they still had the support of a minority of Russians, which is why they kept on killing off Russians (into the early 1950s) who actually or potentially thought differently. Russia has yet to recover from that. Western countries only slowly became aware of what the Soviets were doing. The Voice of America and the BBC World Service radio broadcasts were intended to counter the Soviet disinformation. But these efforts met with limited success. Imaginative lies travel faster and more widely than does the more mundane truth. Politicians in all nations know and take advantage of this fact. "Negative campaigning" is often little more than a disinformation campaign. The only positive side of disinformation is that, eventually, most people catch on and no longer believe the lies. But this takes time, often decades. And the turnaround has to take place separately in each media area. That is, while people may begin to see through the local disinformation campaign in one area, people in a neighboring nation could still be under the spell of the clever forgeries. The Soviet Union and its East European satellite nations saw their web of disinformation come apart during the 1980s. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 will long be seen as the moment when the tower of deceit came undone. But in actuality, the process of disintegration took place over several years. And for many years to come there will still be people in those formerly Communist countries who continue to believe the lies, even if the majority does not. Now, however, the large-scale deception organizations have been revived successfully and American intel agencies sit on evidence that the disinformation are lies. The deception technique of disinformation had a palpable effect on dozens of battlefields during the Cold War and after. Thousands of pro-Communist fighters believed, to the death, in the tangle of disinformation the Soviets had created. Without such motivation, many of these wars, rebellions, and uprisings would not have happened. Information is power, even false information. And this translated into firepower decade after decade. It has happened again and this time the true-believers are Islamic radicals. Russia, China and many Western nations have disinformation operations that exploit the Internet to get their version of reality to as many people as possible. The long-term impact of all this is as yet unknown. Leading Manufacturer of Interconnect Products Adds to Growing Ecosystem of Electronic Industry Stakeholders SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Altium, LLC, announces a strategic partnership with Samtec, a leading component manufacturer specializing in connectors, cables, fiber optics, RF interconnects and more. Samtec joins a growing list of partners, including Arduino, Microchip, Ultra Librarian, Arrow, and Diotec. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603005382/en/ Samtec, a leading component manufacturer, joins Altium's Nexar ecosystem of electronic industry partners. (Graphic: Altium LLC) Nexar, a business unit of Altium, LLC, offers a partner platform designed to connect the rapidly growing community of Altium 365 PCB design users with the software, suppliers, and manufacturers needed to transform ideas into smart and connected products. As a Nexar supply chain partner, Samtec products will be promoted to an audience of over 6 million highly engaged electrical engineers, designers and purchasers worldwide, said Ted Pawela, Chief Ecosystem Officer at Altium. Our partnership with Samtec extends their marketing reach, while also helping Altium 365 users by providing them with accurate and reliable product information within their design environment. Our mission at Samtec is to streamline the design process as much as possible. As digital transformation has occurred, anyone who shares that same mission is an ideal partner. The Nexar platform gives engineers a real 'Wowthat was easy!' moment, and were happy to be a part of that, said Daniel Williams, Digital Marketing Director at Samtec. Being a Nexar partner also brings Samtec into a complete design to realization ecosystem, where they can gain a better understanding of how their parts are being utilized, including placement, potential inventory shortages, market trends, and forecasts. Supply Chain Intelligence from the Electronics Industrys Most Trusted Source Samtec has long been part of Altiums Octopart community, as a preferred component vendor. While their products are highly visible, Samtecs new status as a Nexar partner positions them before a much larger, more sought-after audience. With a single open API and a number of embeddable experiences that can easily be added to any website or application, Nexar helps make partner applications and services the obvious choice for Altium and Octopart users. Samtecs website offers their users a first-class search experience and globally-available channel inventory, powered by the Nexar API. Nexars business intelligence provides Samtec with the market data needed to make informed marketing and manufacturing decisions. Were widely known for our incredibly short lead times and superior web tools aimed at streamlining the search and design process. Were committed to making our customers lives easier; integrating with Nexar was just a logical progression. We strive to be the easiest component company to do business with, so Nexars mission is aligned with our own, adds Ashley Quinlan, Strategic Marketing Director at Samtec. When you deliver a best-in-class, seamless customer experience, it leaves a lasting impression with your customer. It exceeds their expectation for an online experience in our industry, much like what Amazon has done in the B2C space. Our partnership with Nexar is setting that same standard for the electronics design industry, Williams adds. To learn more about Nexar and to become a Nexar partner, please visit www.Nexar.com. About Altium Nexar is a Business Unit of Altium, LLC (ASX:ALU). Altium, LLC, is a global software company headquartered in San Diego, California, who are accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. For over 30 years, Altium has been delivering software that maximizes the productivity of PCB designers and electrical engineers. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products. About Samtec Founded in 1976 and headquartered in New Albany, IN, Samtec, Inc. is a privately held, debt-free $822M global manufacturer of a broad line of electronic interconnect solutions, including IC-to-Board/Ultra Micro, High-Speed Board-to-Board, High-Speed Cables, Future-Proof/Active Optics, Flexible Stacking, and Micro/Rugged components and cables. Samtec is preferred by design engineers for cutting edge technology and being so easy with which to work. Connectors and cable assemblies are provided with the ultimate in design flexibility including many options in pin count, rows, heights, plating, packaging, wire gauge, ruggedizing features, and more all offered as standard so that customers can get exactly whats needed for their applications within budget. Samtecs willingness to do custom design, typical build-to-order lead times of 5 days or less, free samples, and ECAD and MCAD model downloads in over 150 different formats all contribute to the sudden service for which Samtec is known. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603005382/en/ Masha V. Petrova VP, Brand and Communications pr@altium.com Source: Altium, LLC --Versant Ventures leads investment in first-in-category company with targeted protein stabilization platform -- --Foundational know-how establishes leadership in the field-- NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Stablix Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering the field of Targeted Protein Stabilization (TPS), today announced a $63 million Series A financing led by founding investor Versant Ventures together with NEA, Cormorant, Euclidean Capital and Alexandria Real Estate Equities. Many inherited and acquired diseases are caused by insufficient levels of specific proteins. With inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis, mutations in the CFTR gene produce a protein that remains functional but is subject to excessive ubiquitination, leading to its rapid degradation via the proteasome. Excess ubiquitination is also a feature of cancer, where E3 ubiquitin ligases enzymes that add ubiquitin to proteins are frequently upregulated or amplified, driving the degradation of tumor suppressor proteins. Until now, it has not been possible to inhibit the ubiquitin-proteasome system in a target-selective manner. Stablixs RESTORED platform generates heterobifunctional small molecules (RESTORACS) that recruit deubiquitinase enzymes to remove ubiquitin from targeted proteins and consequently stabilize or increase target protein levels and activity. The company initially is leveraging the platform to develop programs to treat rare diseases, cancer and immunological disorders. Stablix possesses a first-in-category platform that can restore protein stability and function in a target-selective manner, said Carlo Rizzuto, Ph.D., partner at Versant and acting CEO of Stablix. We are very pleased to launch this company to address this important therapeutic white space for numerous devastating diseases. Targeted Protein Stabilization (TPS) Protein stabilization can be thought of as the inverse of protein degradation. The underlying concept of augmenting protein stabilization has been validated in nature. Many viruses encode their own E3 ligases and deubiquitinases to coopt the ubiquitin-proteasome system as part of their life cycles. This demonstrates that the system can be manipulated via exogenous intervention. The therapeutic value of augmenting protein stabilization has also been demonstrated with proteasome inhibitors. These inhibitors are potent cancer therapeutics but have also been profiled for activity in Mendelian diseases in multiple animal and patient studies. In these studies, proteasome inhibitors were able to increase levels of deficient proteins across a range of targets and organ systems. However, because proteasome inhibitors globally inhibit protein degradation in a non-specific manner, their use outside of oncology is limited by poor tolerability, highlighting the need for targeted approaches. The Stablix platform originated in the laboratory of Henry Colecraft, Ph.D., John C. Dalton Professor of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at Columbia University. Co-founders Dr. Colecraft and Scott Kanner, Ph.D., developed an approach to selectively recruit deubiquitinases (DUBs) to proteins of interest. Their pioneering work demonstrated the functional rescue of CFTR and of a second target, KCNQ1, a gene that when mutated causes Long QT syndrome. It is gratifying to see the work on precise stabilization of proteins now being translated into new therapies, said Dr. Colecraft. I look forward to working closely with the Stablix team to bring these treatments to patients. The companys RESTORED platform has two primary components. The first is a library of binding moieties capable of recruiting selected DUBs. These recruiting moieties are conjugated with linkers to targeting ligands to create bispecific molecules that co-localize a DUB and a target. Second, a suite of biochemical and functional assays is used to monitor the ubiquitination and functional status of target proteins in cells. Stablix will initially focus pipeline development on rare diseases, oncology and immunology. Operating plans and scientific leadership Stablix plans to use the proceeds from the Series A financing to build out its platform and advance a portfolio of protein stabilizers towards the clinic. In addition, the company has established a lab facility in New York City, where it is building a research team led by co-founders Brian Bowman, Ph.D., head of in vitro pharmacology, and Kevin Sprott, Ph.D., head of drug discovery, with Dr. Kanner, head of platform development, leading technology transfer. For its Scientific Advisory Board, Stablix has recruited a leading group of researchers with extensive experience in DUB biology and chemistry. In addition to Dr. Colecraft, SAB members include Benedikt Kessler, professor of biochemistry and mass spectrometry at the Target Discovery Institute, University of Oxford; Andrew Turnbull, senior principal scientist at Cancer Research UK; Chris Dinsmore, CSO at Kronos Bio; and Chris Roberts, CSO at Black Diamond Therapeutics. Stablixs unique approach presents the company with a massive opportunity to create an impact for patients with rare diseases, cancer or immunological disorders, said Ali Behbahani, M.D., general partner at NEA and a Stablix board member. We are pleased to join this high-quality syndicate and look forward to the continued development of Stablixs platform and programs. About Stablix Therapeutics Stablix Therapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering the field of Targeted Protein Stabilization (TPS). The companys RESTORED platform generates heterobifunctional small molecules (RESTORACS) that recruit deubiquitinase enzymes to remove ubiquitin from targeted proteins and consequently stabilize or increase target protein levels and activity. Stablix initially is leveraging the platform to develop programs to treat rare diseases, cancer and immunological disorders. About Versant Ventures Versant Ventures is a leading healthcare venture capital firm committed to helping exceptional entrepreneurs build the next generation of great companies. The firms emphasis is on biotechnology companies that are discovering and developing novel therapeutics. With $4.2 billion under management and offices in the U.S., Canada and Europe, Versant has built a team with deep investment, operating and R&D expertise that enables a hands-on approach to company building. Since the firms founding in 1999, more than 85 Versant companies have achieved successful acquisitions or IPOs. For more information, please visit www.versantventures.com. About NEA New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (NEA) is a global venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs build transformational businesses across multiple stages, sectors and geographies. With nearly $24 billion in cumulative committed capital since the firm's founding in 1977, NEA invests in technology and healthcare companies at all stages in a company's lifecycle, from seed stage through IPO. The firm's long track record of successful investing includes more than 230 portfolio company IPOs and more than 390 mergers and acquisitions. www.nea.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603005184/en/ Steve Edelson sedelson@versantventures.com 415-801-8088 Source: Stablix Therapeutics FILE PHOTO: A maze of crude oil pipes and valves is pictured during a tour by the Department of Energy at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Freeport, Texas, U.S. June 9, 2016. REUTERS/Richard Carson By Devika Krishna Kumar NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil extended gains on Friday, with Brent topping $72 a barrel for the first time since 2019, as OPEC+ supply discipline and recovering demand countered concerns about a patchy COVID-19 vaccination rollout around the globe. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies on Tuesday said they would stick to agreed supply restraints. A weekly supply report on Thursday showed U.S. crude inventories dropped more than expected last week. [EIA/S] Oil extended gains after U.S. figures showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 559,000 jobs last month. The U.S. dollar weakened after the report, making oil cheaper for holders of other currencies and lending support to oil prices. Brent crude rose 58 cents, or 0.8%, to settle at $71.89 a barrel, after touching $72.17, its highest since May 2019. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 81 cents, or 1.2%, to settle at $69.62. The session high was $69.76, its highest since October 2018. Oil prices drifted higher after U.S. energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating, for the first time in six weeks, data from energy services firm Baker Hughes showed. "After much dilly-dallying, Brent appears to have found a new home above $70," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. "Summer and the reopening of the global economy is bullish for oil demand in the second half of the year." Brent rose about 3% on the week while U.S. crude notched gains of nearly 5%. It is the second week of gains for both contracts. Also boosting oil this week was a slowdown in talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme, which reduced expectations of a return of Iranian oil supply. "Energy markets are locked in on Iran nuclear talks that should pick up next week," Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA said. "The fifth round of negotiations will heat up next week and that should keep oil prices supported as Tehran will stick to their red lines for restoring the nuclear deal." Meanwhile, U.S. crude output is likely to grow more slowly than expected as shale producers have added only a limited number of extra rigs to boost production, opting to push for higher prices and profits instead. While rising demand and the fast pace of vaccinations in countries such as the United States have boosted oil, a slower inoculation rollout and high infections in the likes of Brazil and India are hitting demand in high-growth oil markets. "Not every country in the world is on a full recovery mode yet, but at the moment no hiccup seems able to reverse the bullish momentum ushered in by strong summer demand," Rystad Energy's oil markets analyst Louise Dickson said. (Additional reporting by Alex Lawler in London, Aaron Sheldrick in Tokyo and Roslan Khasawneh in Singapore; Editing by Mike Harrison and Steve Orlofsky) Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 09:20:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Aerial photo taken on May 4, 2021 shows the city view in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province. Haikou is a core city for the construction of free trade port in Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) HAIKOU, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A total of 11 key industrial parks are being developed into a demonstration zone for the construction of the Hainan free trade port (FTP). A batch of core policies have been implemented and market entities have been gathering since the parks were unveiled one year ago. The key industrial parks have become the main focus of economic development for the Hainan FTP, said Feng Yan, an official with the Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, at a press conference on Thursday in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province. In 2020, the 11 key parks earned a total business revenue of 506.78 billion yuan (about 79.36 billion U.S. dollars), up 49.8 percent year on year, and a total tax revenue of 39.54 billion yuan, up 13.3 percent year on year. Covering less than 2 percent of the province's land area, the key industrial parks contributed 15.3 percent of the province's GDP, 51.9 percent of its import and export volume, and 52.7 percent of its actual utilized foreign capital, thereby playing a major role in the province's economic growth, said Feng. China last June released a master plan to build the island into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. A batch of key policies, including zero tariffs and easing market and foreign investment access, have also been implemented. "The basic trade and investment policy system of the Hainan FTP has been forged," Gao Feng, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, told at a press conference on May 27. "Existing opening-up measures to foster investment will be well implemented. The regional headquarters of multinational companies will also be guided to the Hainan FTP," said Gao. Chi Fulin, head of the Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development, said that the construction of the Hainan FTP is the fundamental way to propel Hainan's economic reform and opening-up. With preferential policies taking effect, Hainan's development has gained steam. During the first four months this year, 592 foreign-invested enterprises were newly established in the province, realizing year-on-year growth of 443.12 percent. The actual utilized foreign capital reached 674 million U.S. dollars, up 432.72 percent year on year. Shen Danyang, vice governor of Hainan, said the province has implemented various policies through these projects, which have laid a solid foundation for promoting the construction of the Hainan FTP with high quality and standards. On July 1, 2020, Hainan increased its annual tax-free shopping quota from 30,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan per person. Following the policy upgrade, average daily duty-free sales hit 120 million yuan by the end of 2020, a more than twofold year-on-year increase. To give full play to the policy, Hainan introduced more duty-free business entities, a move that has greatly boosted the booming duty-free shopping sector. Currently, there are nine duty-free shops and five duty-free business entities. Duty-free sales hit 993 million yuan during the May Day holiday this year, surging 248 percent, according to data from Haikou Customs. There were in excess of 121,000 shoppers, who collectively purchased more than 1.34 million items, up 229 percent year on year. The soaring duty-free sales have directly boosted Hainan's tourism development. "We have clearly felt the dividends of the free trade port construction, especially with the new duty-free sales policy," said Qian Jiannong, board chairman and chief executive officer of the Fosun Tourism Group. He noted that Atlantis and Club Med in Sanya have benefited significantly. Atlantis Sanya attracted about 4.6 million visitors and saw a turnover of more than 1.2 billion yuan in 2020 -- a record since its opening in 2018. Qian added that Fosun plans to increase investment in Hainan and build an area in Sanya that it will name Foliday Town. Its investment will be even greater than that received by Atlantis. As a new platform for China's opening-up, the first China International Consumer Products Expo was held in Haikou this May. It was the first-ever expo hosted by China focusing on quality consumer goods at the national level, and also the largest consumer boutique exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region. Representatives from a total of 70 countries and regions attended the four-day expo, and 2,628 brands under 1,505 enterprises from home and abroad participated in the exhibitions, demonstrating the strong magnetic force of the Chinese market and the appeal of the FTP construction. On the expo's closing day, U.S. luxury fashion company Tapestry was among the first group of 42 enterprises to sign up for the second expo. "China is about to introduce a law on the Hainan free trade port, and Hainan boasts a duty-free shopping policy, so we have seen the huge potential of the Chinese market," said Zhou Guanghua, vice president of Tapestry China. The Hainan FTP law is ready to be announced, and the daily consumer goods duty-free policy for Hainanese residents will be implemented soon. The Hainan FTP will play an important role in China's reform and opening-up, and it will become a meeting point of international and domestic circulation, said Chi. Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, announced today it was awarded a contract in the next phase of the U.S. Special Operations Command's (USSOCOM) Armed Overwatch aircraft prototype program. The Leidos team, including Paramount Group USA and Vertex Aerospace, will advance its new aircraft known as Bronco II to the Phase III Operational Prototype Demonstration fly-off. "Superior technology is critical to USSOCOM's mission and we are proud to support them through Bronco II," said Gerry Fasano, Leidos Defense Group president. "This advanced aircraft is designed to usher SOCOM into the next generation of tactical warfare and deliver mission-critical tools to the warfighter. The Leidos team is excited to enter Phase III of the competition and proud to support SOCOM as it defends our nation across the world." USSOCOM recently selected Leidos as the prime contractor to compete for the final phase of the Armed Overwatch contract. The contract requires demonstrating a new prototype system evaluated against well-defined criteria. Bronco II is a rugged, affordable and sustainable multi-mission aircraft built to meet the specific needs of special operations forces. Designed to "roll-on, roll-off" standards, it can be rapidly disassembled, transported and reassembled in the field by a small crew. Its modular missions systems enable rapid system changes, updates, additions, integration and removal. The Bronco II aircraft will be manufactured in Crestview, Florida. Leidos teamed with Paramount Group USA and Vertex Aerospace last year to pursue the Armed Overwatch program. The team combines decades of experience both integrating and manufacturing cutting-edge airborne solutions for the warfighter. For more information visit www.bronco-usa.com We refer to previous announcements in Norwegian Finans Holding ASA and Bank Norwegian ASA regarding the ongoing merger process between Norwegian Finans Holding ASA and Bank Norwegian ASA, including announcement on May 11, 2021 regarding notice of Extraordinary General meeting (EGM) of shareholders in Norwegian Finans Holding ASA. The EGM in Norwegian Finans Holding ASA was held electronically on June 4, 2021, at 09.00 CET. All proposed resolutions on the agenda were approved, including the merger plan. Please find the minutes from the EGM in Norwegian Finans Holding ASA attached. As previously stated, the merger is considered to have no material effect nor adversely impact Norwegian Finans Holding ASA's or Bank Norwegian ASA's ability to fulfill its obligations towards creditors under relevant agreements, including current senior preferred loan agreements, subordinated loan agreements and tier 1 capital instruments agreements. Contact persons: CFO Klara Lise Aasen; phone +47 47635583; kaa@banknorwegian.no Head of Treasury Mats Benserud; phone +47 95891539; mbe@banknorwegian.no This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Attachment Influential Technology Executives to Guide Company as it Accelerates Commercial Adoption of Cold Atom Quantum Technology Boulder, CO, June 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ColdQuanta, the leader in Cold Atom Quantum Technology, today announced that it has appointed Sandi Mays and Corban Tillemann-Dick as Business Advisors. The business and technical acumen of these established industry leaders will be instrumental in guiding the company as it rapidly accelerates the commercialization of its Cold Atom Quantum Technology. ColdQuanta enables a broad range of solutions across quantum computing and sensing, and is already demonstrating leadership in commercializing its breakthrough Cold Atom Quantum Technology, Dan Caruso, Executive Chairman, ColdQuanta. Sandi and Corban are outstanding innovators that bring vast technological expertise, strategic insight, and industry depth that will accelerate the adoption of our technology for commercial organizations and government agencies. Sandi Mays is the co-founder and former CIO/CXO of Zayo Group. She is an active member of the Denver community and is deeply involved in STEM organizations. Mays currently serves as a CIO Advisory Board Member at Salesforce, a Board Director for the Latino Leadership Institute, and a Board Director at the Colorado Technology Association. Sandi has been recognized with many accolades including 2019 CIO of the Year from the Colorado Technology Association, 2018 Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado, and 2018s Latinas First Trailblazer. ColdQuanta has established an early leadership position in the market and is poised to propel quantum technology into the future with its Cold Atom Method, said Sandi Mays. The company was born out of scientific innovation and its technology will have a tremendous impact on the way we live and work. Im looking forward to working with this diverse and entrepreneurial team as it continues to innovate and set the stage for mass adoption of quantum technologies. Corban Tillemann-Dick is the Founder and CEO of Maybell Quantum Industries, a venture-backed startup focused on designing and manufacturing the enabling hardware that makes quantum technologies possible. Before launching Maybell, he was a Partner at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he led Quantum Computing efforts and the companys SaaS Start-up program. At BCG, Tillemann-Dick worked with leading quantum computing technology companies and in a wide range of quantum-relevant industries including financial services, energy, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and automotive. He holds numerous patents, and has earned technology, business, and innovation awards from NASA, MIT, ConocoPhilips, Dow Chemical, Johns Hopkins and others. Every facet of civilization will be transformed by quantum. When these technologies reach scale, they will create incalculable societal benefits and contribute more than a trillion dollars to corporate profits annually, said Tillemann-Dick. ColdQuanta is distinguished in the industry by its broadly applicable Cold Atom Technology; technology with the potential to revolutionize computing, sensing, and communications. Mays and Tillemann-Dick join ColdQuanta as Business Advisors amid the companys recent and ongoing growth. In the past two months, ColdQuanta has expanded its executive team announcing Dan Caruso as executive chairman and interim CEO, Rushton McGarr as chief financial officer, and Paul Lipman as chief commercial officer. ColdQuanta is actively hiring for several roles across the company. About ColdQuanta ColdQuanta is the leader in Cold Atom Quantum Technology, the most scalable, versatile, and commercially viable area of quantum. ColdQuanta is dedicated to making quantum a reality through the development of a cloud-based Quantum Computer and Precision Sensing and Networking solutions. Backed by years of research and development, the story of ColdQuanta began in 1924 with the discovery of the Bose Einstein Condensate (BEC) - also known as the 5th form of matter and 70 years later brought to fruition when it was first synthesized at the University of Colorado at Boulder in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). ColdQuanta was spawned by this BEC breakthrough. Today, ColdQuanta is collaborating with its global customers, which include major commercial and defense companies; the U.S. Department of Defense; national labs operated by the Department of Energy, NASA, and NIST; major universities; and quantum-focused tech companies, to advance products and services developed with Cold Atom Quantum Technology. ColdQuanta is based in Boulder, CO with offices in Madison, Wisconsin and Oxford, UK. Find out more at www.coldquanta.com. The name ColdQuanta and the ColdQuanta logo are both registered trademarks of ColdQuanta, Inc. ATHENS, Greece, June 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), (the Company), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of dry bulk vessels, today announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with Olam International Limited, Singapore, for one of its Capesize dry bulk vessels, the m/v P. S. Palios. The gross charter rate is US$26,500 per day, minus a 4.75% commission paid to third parties, for a time charter period until minimum February 15, 2022 up to maximum April 15, 2022. The charter is expected to commence on June 6, 2021. The m/v P. S. Palios is currently chartered, as previously announced, to C Transport Maritime Ltd., Bermuda, at a gross charter rate of US$12,050 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties. The P. S. Palios is a 179,134 dwt Capesize dry bulk vessel built in 2013. The Company also announced that, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, it has entered into a time charter contract with Viterra Chartering B.V., Rotterdam, for one of its Kamsarmax dry bulk vessels, the m/v Maia. The gross charter rate is US$25,000 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties, for a period until minimum May 1, 2022 up to June 30, 2022. The charter is expected to commence on June 10, 2021. The m/v Maia is currently chartered, as previously announced, to Aquavita International S.A., at a gross charter rate of US$11,200 per day, minus a 5% commission paid to third parties. The Maia is a 82,193 dwt Kamsarmax dry bulk vessel built in 2009. The employments of P. S. Palios and Maia are anticipated to generate approximately US$14.62 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the time charters. Upon completion of the previously announced sale of one Panamax dry bulk vessel, the m/v Naias, Diana Shipping Inc.s fleet will consist of 36 dry bulk vessels (4 Newcastlemax, 12 Capesize, 5 Post-Panamax, 5 Kamsarmax and 10 Panamax). As of today, the combined carrying capacity of the Companys fleet, including the m/v Naias, is approximately 4.7 million dwt with a weighted average age of 10.29 years. A table describing the current Diana Shipping Inc. fleet can be found on the Companys website, www.dianashippinginc.com. Information contained on the Companys website does not constitute a part of this press release. About the Company Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership of dry bulk vessels. The Companys vessels are employed primarily on medium to long-term time charters and transport a range of dry bulk cargoes, including such commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide shipping routes. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, anticipate, intends, estimate, forecast, project, plan, potential, may, should, expect, pending and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, Company managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the severity, magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including impacts of the pandemic and of businesses and governments responses to the pandemic on our operations, personnel, and on the demand for seaborne transportation of bulk products; the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Corporate Contact: Ioannis Zafirakis Director, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Treasurer and Secretary Telephone: + 30-210-9470-100 Email: izafirakis@dianashippinginc.com Website: www.dianashippinginc.com Investor and Media Relations: Edward Nebb Comm-Counsellors, LLC Telephone: + 1-203-972-8350 Email: enebb@optonline.net Source: Diana Shipping Inc. c/o Diana Shipping Services S.A. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diversified Royalty Corp. (TSX: DIV and DIV.DB) (the Corporation or DIV) is pleased to announce that its board of directors has approved a cash dividend of $0.01667 per common share for the period of June 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021, which is equal to $0.20 per common share on an annualized basis. The dividend will be paid on June 30, 2021 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 15, 2021. Annual General Meeting The Corporation will be holding its Annual General Meeting of shareholders at 9:00 am (Pacific time) on Monday, June 28, 2021 (the Meeting). In order to ensure the safety of our shareholders, colleagues, stakeholders and the community at large and to comply with physical distancing recommendations and mandates of public health authorities associated with COVID-19, including restrictions on the size of indoor gatherings, the Meeting will be held in a virtual only format, which will be conducted via live audio webcast. All shareholders will be permitted to attend the live audio webcast for the Meeting; however, only registered shareholders and duly appointed proxy holders will be able to vote through the webcast. Accordingly, it is strongly recommended that both registered and beneficial shareholders complete and return their proxy or voting instruction form well in advance of the Meeting in order to ensure their votes are counted. Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders can attend the Meeting online by going to https://web.lumiagm.com/287863625 . The password to the Meeting is drc2021. The Corporation sent the materials for the Meeting using the notice and access provisions under applicable Canadian securities laws, which allow the Corporation to provide shareholders with electronic access to the Meeting materials instead of sending a paper copy. 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 shareholders will, however, still receive a form of proxy or a voting instruction form in the mail so they can vote their shares. However, unless a shareholder requests a paper copy, rather than receiving a paper copy of the information circular for the Meeting, a shareholder 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 shares using the various different voting methods provided (internet, telephone, mail). If a shareholder would like to receive a paper copy of DIVs information circular for the meeting, please follow the instructions in the notice. Access to the Meeting materials were provided to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 19, 2021. Full details with respect to the Meeting and instructions on how to attend and vote are set out in the meeting materials, and were filed under DIVs profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and are also available on DIVs website at https://www.diversifiedroyaltycorp.com. About Diversified Royalty Corp. DIV is a multi-royalty corporation, engaged in the business of acquiring top-line royalties from well-managed multi-location businesses and franchisors in North America. DIVs objective is to acquire predictable, growing royalty streams from a diverse group of multi-location businesses and franchisors. DIV currently owns the Mr. Lube, AIR MILES, Sutton, Mr. Mikes, Nurse Next Door and Oxford Learning Centres trademarks. Mr. Lube is the leading quick lube service business in Canada, with locations across Canada. AIR MILES is Canadas largest coalition loyalty program with approximately two-thirds of Canadian households actively participating in the AIR MILES Program. Sutton is among the leading residential real estate brokerage franchisor businesses in Canada. Mr. Mikes operates casual steakhouse restaurants primarily in western Canadian communities. Nurse Next Door is one of North Americas fastest growing home care providers with locations across Canada and the United States as well as in Australia. Oxford Learning Centres is one of Canadas leading franchised supplemental education services in Canada and the United States. DIV intends to increase cash flow per share by making accretive royalty purchases and through the growth of purchased royalties. DIV intends to pay a monthly dividend to shareholders and increase the dividend as cash flow per share increases allow. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws that 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 such forward-looking information. The use of any of the words anticipate, continue, estimate, expect, intend, may, will, project, should, believe, confident, plan and intends and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words. Specifically, forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements made in relation to: the amount and timing of the June 2021 dividend to be paid to DIVs shareholders; the date and other details of the Meeting; DIVs intention to pay monthly dividends to shareholders; and DIVs corporate objectives. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events, performance, or achievements of DIV to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking information. DIV believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this news release are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In particular there can be no assurance that: DIV will be able to make monthly dividend payments to the holders of its common shares; or DIV will achieve any of its corporate objectives. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that forward-looking information included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance, and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. More information about the risks and uncertainties affecting DIVs business and the businesses of its royalty partners can be found in the Risk Factors section of its Annual Information Form dated March 11, 2021 and in its most recent Managements Discussion and Analysis, copies of each of which are available under DIVs profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. In formulating the forward-looking information contained herein, management has assumed that DIV will generate sufficient cash flows from its royalties to service its debt and pay dividends to shareholders; lenders will provide any necessary waivers required in order to allow DIV to continue to pay dividends; the impacts of COVID-19 on DIV and its royalty partners will be consistent with DIVs expectations and the expectations of management of each of its Royalty Partners, both in extent and duration; DIV and its royalty partners will be able to reasonably manage the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on their respective businesses. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. All of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, DIV. The forward-looking information included in this news release is presented as of the date of this news release and DIV assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR THE ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Additional Information Additional information relating to the Corporation and other public filings, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Contact: Sean Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer Diversified Royalty Corp. (236) 521-8470 Greg Gutmanis, Chief Financial Officer and VP Acquisitions Diversified Royalty Corp. (236) 521-8471 Source: Diversified Royalty Corp. PRESS RELEASE MAISONS DU MONDES 2021 GENERAL MEETING ALL RESOLUTIONS APPROVED Nantes, 4 June 2021 Maisons du Monde (Euronext Paris : MDM, Code ISIN : FR0013153541) announces that its General Meeting of Shareholders met in Paris today behind closed doors, given the current health context. 78.034% of the share capital was represented at the Meeting which was presided by Peter Child, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Shareholders overwhelmingly approved all of the resolutions submitted to a vote, including the annual and consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2020 and the proposed cash dividend of 0.30 euro cent per share. The ex-dividend date is 05 July 2021, and the payment date is 07 July 2021. Furthermore, the Meeting approved the appointment of Ms. Cecile Cloarec as a director. The General Meetings presentation, the detailed results of the votes, as well as the broadcast of the General Meeting are all available on the Maisons du Monde corporate website at: https://corporate.maisonsdumonde.com/fr/finance/ag. During the General Meeting, Mr. Peter Child, whose term of Chairman of the Board ends on 30 June 2021, announced that in accordance with his approval, the Appointments and Remuneration Committee had recommended the election of Mr. Thierry Falque-Pierrotin as future Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors, which met before this General Meeting, agreed with this recommendation, and Mr. Falque-Pierrotin was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board for the remainder of his term as director, and will assume his role as Chairman of the Board on 30 June 2021. Peter Child said: As announced last year, I had agreed to assume the role of President for only one year. I took great pleasure and pride in chairing the Board of Directors of this great company, Maisons du Monde. With the feeling of duty accomplished after an unprecedented and particularly active year at the service of Maisons du Monde, I am happy to announce that the Board meeting this morning elected, unanimously, and in accordance with my recommendation, Thierry Falque-Pierrotin as President. Thierry has been bringing his solid knowledge of the distribution sector, his functional expertise and his strategic vision for a year now. I warmly wish him every success in his new responsibilities. Following this election, Thierry Falque-Pierrotin commented: "I would like to thank the Board of Directors of Maisons du Monde for electing me as its Chairman and in particular Peter for having brilliantly directed the work of the Board during this very special year. I will continue to put all my experience at the service of the Board, in order to support Julie Walbaum and her Executive Committee in the development of the company." *** About Maisons du Monde Maisons du Monde is a creator of inspirational lifestyle universes in the homeware industry, offering distinctive and affordable decoration and furniture collections that showcase multiple styles. The Group develops its business through a complementary omnichannel approach, leveraging its international network of stores, websites and catalogues. The Group was founded in France in 1996 and has expanded profitably across Europe since 2003, reporting sales of 1,182 million and EBITDA of 241 million in 2020. At 31 December 2020, the Group operated 369 stores in 9 countries including France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the United States, and derived 47% of its sales outside France. The Group has also built a successful complementary and comprehensive ecommerce platform, whose sales grew by over 30% per year on average between 2010 and 2020. This platform, enriched by the launch of a marketplace in France in November 2020, accounted for 33% of the Group's sales in 2020 and is available in the countries where it operates stores plus Austria, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. corporate.maisonsdumonde.com *** Contacts Investor Relations Press Relations Christopher Welton +33 7 85 70 71 41 Clementine Prat +33 6 08 61 81 12 cwelton@maisonsdumonde.com cprat@maisonsdumonde.com Attachment AUSTIN, Texas, June 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spiritless, a new line of distilled non-alcoholic spirits, announces the establishment of its company headquarters in Austin, Texas. Lauren Chitwood (CEO), Abbey Ferguson (Chief Relationship Officer), and Lexie Larsen (COO) founded Spiritless in 2019 after noticing a gap in the beverage market for cocktail lovers who want to enjoy a night out (or in) with less alcohol. After months of carefully tweaking their patented, never-before-seen reverse distillation process and setting up blending and bottling capabilities in Waco, Texas, Spiritless has officially opened their HQ in Austinjust as the team rolls out their first product, Kentucky 74, for online ordering nationwide and in retail destinations across the Lone Star state. BIGGER AND BETTER IN TEXASThough founded in the heart of bourbon country, the Spiritless team realized in 2020 that the company could be bigger and better in Texas. "Spiritless is thrilled to be taking root in a dynamic, fast-growing, wellness-focused community, says CEO Lauren Chitwood. "Shifting global drinking culture and expanding the repertoire and inclusion at the bar is an audacious goal, and as the world's eyes are on Austin as an epicenter for innovation, we want to be a part of that story." With the entrepreneurial opportunities presented in a city full of nimble-minded creativesand a growing demand for health-conscious alcohol alternatives in big cities across the U.S.establishing an Austin headquarters was a strategic choice made by this driven team of innovative young businesswomen. Today, over half of the Spiritless workforce, including Co-Founder and COO Lexie Larsen, are based out of the companys headquarters in The Domain. And (cowboy) boots on the ground arent the only moves the team has underway in the Lone Star State! Spiritless has already made a name for itself with local investors; the companys largest source of funding to-date comes from 99 Proof, a Dallas-based fund targeting high growth companies in the spirits industry. 99 Proof Partner Mike Solow says, 99 Proof is very confident that Spiritless is well positioned for success in a relatively young segment of the market. Given the dynamic, fast moving pace of the low/no alcohol segment, what the leadership team has accomplished in a very short period of time is nothing short of amazing. Partner Tucker McCormack adds, Their unique process of creating a wood-aged, non-alcoholic, spirit is extremely difficult, but the women behind Spiritless succeeded in making an amazing product that truly stands out in the market. The founder magic is palpable, and 99 Proof is prepared to support rapid growth in any way possible through our partnership. INTRODUCING: KENTUCKY 74Meet Spiritless debut product, Kentucky 74, a first-of-its-kind, distilled non-alcoholic spirit crafted for your favorite bourbon cocktails. Underpinned by the familiar, whiskey-warmed notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, Kentucky 74 allows consumers to enjoy the recognizable comforts of a barrel-aged spirit, without the intoxicating effects or the accompanying ethanol burn. The all-natural product also contains just 10% of the calories of bourbon. Kentucky 74 is blended and bottled in Waco, Texas and is available in 750 mL sized bottles for purchase at Total Wines throughout the state of Texas and nationwide at www.spiritless.com. In celebration of a successful launch of their first non-alcoholic product and the girl power that helped them get there, the Spiritless team is proud to donate 2% of proceeds from every bottle of Kentucky 74 sold in 2021 to Step Up, a national non-profit which aims to inspire women to inspire girls, via a campaign theyve coined 2% for the Girls. Spiritless involvement will help to provide mentorship and after-school programs encouraging girls to become confident, college-bound, and career-focused individuals who are ready to join the next generation of professional, entrepreneurial women. The Step Up team is actively seeking partners in the Texas area. While the Spiritless team is launching Kentucky 74 as their first product, they are passionate about scaling their business to provide a comprehensive line of high-quality Spiritless solutions to the beverage world. The Spiritless team looks forward to the day that any consumer can walk into any bar, choose a cocktail, and #orderitspiritless. About Spiritless Kentucky 74: Available now, Spiritless Kentucky 74 is a distilled non-alcoholic spirit crafted for your favorite bourbon cocktails. After noticing a gap in the beverage market for cocktail lovers who want to enjoy a night out (or in) with less alcohol, Co-Founders Lauren Chitwood, Abbey Ferguson, and Lexie Larsen came up with the concept for Spiritless designed to be used as a delicious option to go booze-free or to lower the ABV in mixed drinks. Kentucky 74s advanced, innovative formulation process starts by blending their own high-proof, intensely flavored, rapidly aged spirit before undergoing distillation in a unique method which removes all but .5% or below of the alcohol (the same ABV as kombucha). The result is a non-alcoholic spirit, underpinned by notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. With Kentucky 74, consumers can enjoy their favorite cocktail completely Spiritless, or with a lower ABV by going halfsies with bourbon. www.spiritless.com Instagram: @drinkspiritlessFacebook: @drinkspiritless Media Contact: Sprouthouse Agencyspiritless@sprouthouseagency.com Anna Mintz / 404-402-1032 / anna@sprouthouseagency.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/37072054-5e67-4cde-b0ad-5718db4a4734 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c6dec6c0-5471-48ac-8240-1ebf8846c500 Spiritless Founders (L-R): Lexie Larsen, Abbey Ferguson, Lauren ChitwoodAmy Campbell Photography Spiritless Kentucky 74 Spiritless Kentucky 74 Source: Spiritless Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2021) - Kovo HealthTech Corporation (TSXV: KOVO) ("Kovo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained Hybrid Financial Ltd. ("Hybrid") to provide marketing services to the Company. Hybrid has been engaged to heighten market and brand awareness for Kovo and to broaden Kovo's reach within the investment community through various channels. Hybrid has been engaged by the Company for an initial period of 6 months starting on June 4, 2021 (the "Initial Term"). Thereafter, the engagement will be extended for successive three-month terms, unless terminated by the Company. Hybrid will be paid a monthly fee of CAD$31,000, plus applicable taxes, during the Initial Term, which will be paid by the Company out of cash flow from operations. To the knowledge of the Company, Hybrid currently owns approximately 8.7% of the outstanding common shares of the Company, but has no right or intent to acquire any additional securities of the Company. Under the terms of the engagement, Hybrid has agreed to comply with all applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The engagement remains subject to the approval of the TSXV. About Kovo HealthTech Corporation Kovo is a leader in healthcare technology and Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) services. Kovo creates, acquires and grows businesses to better the healthcare experience within the continuum. To learn more about Kovo and to keep up-to-date on Kovo acquisition and investor news, visit www.kovo.co. About Hybrid Financial Services Ltd. Hybrid is a sales and distribution company that actively connects issuers to the investment community across North America. Using a data driven approach, Hybrid provides its clients with comprehensive coverage of both American and Canadian markets. Hybrid Financial has offices in Toronto and Montreal. For more information: Greg Noble, CEO investors@kovo.co 1-866-558-6772 Debra Quinn deb@kovo.co 1-866-558-6772 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/86501 ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Censys announced today that it is launching a new version of its public search engine, which continuously indexes Internet services on more than 2,500 ports, providing 177x times more coverage than in its original 2015 service. Censys' new scan engine also incorporates several major improvements including: daily refresh of known services, automatic protocol detection, and multiple global vantage points, which help security teams to conduct better threat hunting, asset discovery, and OSINT for Red and Blue Teams. "Censys Co-founder, Zakir Durumeric, explains that "When we originally launched Censys in 2015, we scanned 14 popular ports. Since then, security researchers have shown that services are spread across a tremendous number of ports and that services are changing nearly constantly. We've designed a new scan engine that continuously scans an extended set of ports to help defenders and researchers more comprehensively find security problems." Censys scans the top 100 ports daily. Censys' new engine surveys the top 100 ports daily and the top 2,500 ports every ten days across all public IPv4 hosts, finding nearly four times as many services as in the original platform and 85% more services than our nearest competitor. Censys also refreshes known services daily to ensure that users are presented with up-to-date service information despite constant Internet churn. Censys' launch also brings several additional feature improvements to its hundreds of thousands of researchers and community users, including: Multiple global vantage points: Censys is now scanning from the US, Europe and Asia. These three perspectives bolster Censys' visibility to over 99% of the Internet. Censys is now scanning from the US, Europe and Asia. These three perspectives bolster Censys' visibility to over 99% of the Internet. Automatic protocol detection: Censys now automatically detects the protocol running on each port, which allows it to find services on non-standard ports. In fact, 66% of Censys' scan results come from services on non-standard ports today. Censys now automatically detects the protocol running on each port, which allows it to find services on non-standard ports. In fact, 66% of Censys' scan results come from services on non-standard ports today. Historical data: Censys now stores historical data about hosts and networks that enables threat hunters to quickly understand quickly changing attacker infrastructure. Censys now stores historical data about hosts and networks that enables threat hunters to quickly understand quickly changing attacker infrastructure. Fast host lookup: Utilize Censys data programmatically via the Censys API, looking up detailed information about current or historical assets with even faster response times. What is the impact? We're making this data available to the public with the launch of Censys Search 2.0, which is directly accessible at search.censys.io. Censys Search 2.0, like its predecessor, will offer a free community tier and paid professional tiers. About Censys Censys, Inc. is the leading provider of continuous attack surface management. Founded in 2013 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Censys gives organizations the world's most comprehensive real-time view of global networks and devices. Customers like FireEye, Google, NATO, Swiss Armed Forces, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and over 10% of the Fortune 500 rely on the company's Internet-wide continuous visibility platform to discover and prevent cybersecurity threats. Censys was recognized by CB Insights as a 2019 Cyber Defender for pioneering technology with the potential to transform the cybersecurity industry. To learn more, visit censys.io and follow Censys on Twitter. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/censys-announces-censys-search-2-0-a-brand-new-scanning-engine-that-finds-tremendously-more-services-on-risky-non-standard-ports-301306070.html SOURCE Censys GLENDALE, Calif., June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vie Co. officially announced the grand opening of their newest state of the art cryotherapy spa in the heart of Glendale, California, this past spring. Offering immune-boosting, whole body therapy, they bring the latest technologies in cryotherapy, red light therapy, and compression therapy. Their services not only leave you healthy, fit, and youthful, but also help with recovery, rehab, and pain relief. The Vie Co.'s state-of-the-art, 2000 square foot facility offers the private and high-end experience you deserve. Located near the premier shopping destination, The Americana, the spa - which promotes holistic wellness, beauty, and recovery - offers a variety of innovative treatments that are designed to improve one's health, enhance their performance, and aid in their recovery. The Vie Co. makes for a perfect lunchtime or post-work wellness break, as well as a relaxing weekend experience. With the latest technology in health and beauty, the location has also quickly become an Instagram and influencer favorite, ranging from models to MMA fighters and everyone in between. The Vie Co. services Cryotherapy Treatments: Cryotherapy or Whole Body Cold Therapy is the use of extreme cold temperatures to induce a number of health-promoting changes within the body. By triggering your blood vessels to constrict, the process moves your blood to vital organs, boosting white blood cells and ramping up the circulatory system. Benefits of this include anti-aging, weight loss, immunity boosting, rehab and recovery, and stress relief. Cryoskin 4.0: Anti-aging fat loss miracle-in-action. Slim, tone, and lift with no cuts, suction, pokes, or scars. In safe and simple 30-minute sessions using sub-zero shock treatments, Cryoskin 4.0 will literally shape your body, reduce cellulite, and fade away wrinkles. Cool temperatures widen the blood vessels, increasing oxygen and blood flow, helping you look younger. Red Light Therapy Treatment: NovoTHOR (Photobiomodulation), or as we like to call it, magic. NovoTHOR is a whole body light therapy device that uses red and near-infrared light to treat injuries, reduce pain, relax muscles/joints, and increase blood circulation without the need of medications or surgery. A 15-minute soak in the bright red light treats the body from head to toe, effectively treating pain and leaving you feeling better than ever. Air Pressure Compression Treatments: NormaTec. Give your muscles a hand. NormaTec is an air pressure compression therapy system that applies patented massage patterns to work on different parts of the body. The result? Faster recovery, increased circulation, sore muscle relief, and of course, a better you. Push your boundaries and exceed your goals. Work, work out, and Vie. For those looking to get the best of everything, The Vie Co. offers a variety of subscription packages as part of their Cool Club, which combines various services together at special rates. Summing up everything they have to offer, co-owner Arman Agirian explains, "We're excited for our community to revive their summer bodies right on time for post-pandemic rejuvenation. Whether you're looking to lose weight with cryotherapy or reduce cellulite with Cryoskin 4.0, we have what you need to make 2021 a year to remember!" For more information on the Cool Club or to book an individual treatment with The Vie spa, visit The Vie Co. official website & Instagram! CONTACT: Mike Giegerich, mike@centpourcent.us View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-vie-co-announces-grand-opening-in-cryotherapy-innovation-in-los-angeles-301305720.html SOURCE The Vie Co. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 11:47:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ABUJA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The future of cooperation between China and Nigeria remains bright, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Cui Jianchun said Thursday. He made the remark at a meeting with Mai Mala Buni, caretaker chairman of Nigeria's governing party All Progressives Congress (APC). Cui said China and Nigeria can further develop a strategy to enhance the win-win cooperation between the two countries. "We can also partner for improvements in electricity, information and communication technology, industrial growth, investment, and technology. We will encourage investors to invest and create jobs in Nigeria," the envoy said, noting that China and Nigeria had many things in common. Cui said this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic relations, is a very special year for the two countries to do things for mutual benefit. Buni, who is also the governor of Nigeria's northeastern state of Yobe, said that there were huge opportunities to be exploited for the mutual benefit of China and Nigeria. In his capacity as the caretaker chairman of the Nigerian governing party, he said there was room for a partnership between China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, and the APC. "We should collaborate and continue to do business with Chinese investors in Nigeria for infrastructural development. Nigerians are willing to explore and exploit available avenues to move forward," Buni added. Enditem A 188th Fighter Wing A-10C Thunderbolt II Warthog sits on the flightline at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Ark. on Feb. 11, 2014. (John Hillier/U.S. Air Force) FORT SMITH, Ark. (Tribune News Service) After a year-long competition with several other cities, Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith was chosen to host a multi-national training site for F-16 Falcon and F-35 fighter jets. The competition for the mission comes with an estimated $800 million $1 billion economic impact on the region, according to the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Air Force Secretary announced Thursday that Ebbing Air National Guard Base was chosen to host the training site. The base exceeded the minimum bidding requirement for military airspace. Ebbing had previously flown F-16s from 1988-2005 under the 188th Fighter Wing. Singapores F-16s will be housed for a security initiative in Pacific Indochina. About two dozen F-35s will be for a multi-national contingent for the air forces of Finland, Poland, Switzerland, and Singapore. A rising threat from China was cited in August by a spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton as one factor in creating the allied training base. Staff members for Cotton and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack said the delegation had petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration to increase military airspace over the River Valley. Col. Jeremiah Gentry, vice commander of the 188th Wing at Ebbing, noted in August the military airspace around the Fort Smith airport exceeded the minimum required for the training site bidding process. Singaporean delegates visited Fort Smith in March as part of the competition that was announced in July 2020 and was narrowed down from five to three airbases late last year. The four other sites in the competition included Buckley Air Force Base in the Aurora, Colorado area; the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland; Hulman Air Field just west of Indianapolis; and Selfridge Air National Guard Base in the Detroit area. An August 2020 Times Record Facebook poll showed 93% of readers were in favor of having Fort Smith serve as the fighter jet training site. There were 288 votes. Fort Smith has a long history with fighter jets. According to the 188th Wing, in the early 1950s the T-6D Texan trainers were flown out of Fort Smith, followed by the TB-26B Invader. Also in the 1950s, the Fort Smith base was home to RF-80 and RF-84F fighters. The RF-101, F-100 and F-4Cs fighters were flown out of Fort Smith in the 1970s. F-16 Falcons were flown by the 188th Fighter Wing from 1988 through the 2000s. The 188th then flew the A-10 Warthog before changing over to an unmanned flight mission with remotely piloted aircraft. The last A-10 flew out of Ebbing Air National Guard Base in June 2014. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, U.S. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton, and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack applauded the U.S. Air Force announcement that Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith was selected as the home of future F-35 fighter planes and a Republic of Singapore F-16 squadron. The selection committee recognized that Arkansas is one of the most military-friendly states in the nation, Hutchinson said in a news release. Our tax exemption for military retirement income and our licensing reciprocity initiatives are valuable tools for recruiting qualified employees and their families to Fort Smith. The governor noted the progress toward building expansive fifth-generation airspace over Ebbing and an aerial range 4 miles from the base. In his meeting with the Singaporean delegation and the U.S. Department of Defense, Hutchinson said it was clear they understood the River Valley would wholeheartedly welcome the fighter-jet training. Hutchinson also credited members of the military affairs committee for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission in winning the new mission for Ebbing. We already are prepared to provide a first-rate quality of life for the families who will move here, the governor noted. Congratulations to Major General Kendall Penn, Colonel Leon Dodroe, 188th commander, other USAF leaders, the Air Force and the community leaders whose thoughtful efforts and hard work to sell Fort Smith landed a project that will pay dividends for years. Boozman said in the news release that the decision strengthens Arkansass role in the nations defense. Im proud the U.S. Air Force and the Republic of Singapore recognized what weve known all along Fort Smith is the ideal location for this mission, Boozman said. This is a win for the community and the entire state that was made possible in part thanks to the dedicated citizens who have tirelessly advocated the opportunities that exist here. Cotton lauded the notion fighter jets would return to the Arkansas River Valley and recognized the years of hard work by the Fort Smith community, the federal delegation, and the governor. Singapores F-16s and future F-35s will make good use of Arkansass strong workforce and excellent facilities, Cotton said. Were all grateful that the Air Force and our friends from Singapore have chosen Fort Smith for this vital new national security mission. Womack said the decision by the Air Force to set the training site in Fort Smith reiterates his stance from the beginning of the competition process and that Fort Smith is best positioned to take on the mission. Our strategic location, coupled with the River Valleys airspace, strong infrastructure, and capable workforce, will allow us to seamlessly support our valued allies and the next generation of air combat capabilities, Womack said. Im proud the Air Force and Singapore recognized this confluence of attributes. Fort Smith has a long history of community support of our defenders, and we look forward to welcoming this cutting-edge fighter fleet to Arkansas. ___ (c) 2021 Times Record (Fort Smith, Ark.) Visit Times Record (Fort Smith, Ark.) at www.swtimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The court-martial for a Marine Raider charged with murder and other crimes in the 2017 strangulation death of a Green Beret in Mali is set to begin Monday on Naval Station Norfolk, Va., officials announced Friday. Gunnery Sgt. Mario Madera-Rodriguez is expected to plead not guilty to the slew of charges among them felony murder, involuntary manslaughter and obstruction of justice that he faces in the death of Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar while they were deployed to the west African nation on a counterterrorism mission. Madera-Rodriguez is the fourth special operator to face a judge in the case, after another Marine Raider and two Navy SEALs pleaded guilty in recent years to reduced charges for their roles in Melgars death. All three were sentenced to prison. Madera-Rodriguez court-martial is scheduled to span three weeks and will begin with jury selection on Monday and Tuesday, after the Marine elected a trial by eight military members, according to a Navy statement. Opening statements for the trial are expected to begin Wednesday, said Brock Vergakis, a Navy spokesman. The Marine faces the potential of life imprisonment if found guilty of the felony murder charge. Colby Volkey, the attorney representing Madera-Rodriguez, did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment. Melgar, a 34-year-old member of the Armys 3rd Special Forces Group, was killed in the pre-dawn hours of June 4, 2017, when the quartet of U.S. special operators broke into his room where he was sleeping, in an incident those involved have described as a booze-fueled prank that went wrong. In previous court testimony, Special Forces colleagues described Melgar as a stellar Green Beret leader who was well liked, but his widow, Michelle Melgar, testified he was struggling through the Mali deployment and did not get along with some of the other troops, especially members of the elite SEAL Team 6, with whom he shared housing. The three defendants who pleaded guilty to reduced charges in Melgars death former Marine Raider Staff Sgt. Kevin Maxwell Jr., and former SEAL Team 6 chief petty officers Adam C. Matthews and Tony DeDolph testified the prank was meant to avenge perceived slights by Melgar to another special operator. Matthews and Maxwell fingered DeDolph as the primary instigator, who initially hatched the plan and handed out assignments for the break in and subsequent tape job of Melgar as the night stretched on. Maxwell, who described himself as Melgars friend, testified DeDolph came up with the ridiculous, over-the-top idea to remediate Melgar by bounding him with tape and recording the incident to embarrass the soldier. The incident was meant to culminate in a sexual molestation of Melgar captured on video, Maxwell testified. But that never occurred. After the four U.S. special operators alongside a British expatriate and two Malian locals busted through Melgars bedroom door with a sledgehammer and secured his arms and legs with duct tape, DeDolph, a former mixed martial arts fighter, rendered the Green Beret temporarily unconscious with a chokehold, Maxwell and Matthews testified. Melgar then went into shock as DeDolph placed him into a chokehold for a second time. The group performed CPR and, eventually, an emergency tracheotomy before rushing Melgar to a local clinic where he was pronounced dead, according to Maxwell. Maxwell testified Madera-Rodriguez swung the sledgehammer to break into Melgars room. The group received permission to enter from Melgars supervisor before breaking in, Maxwell and Matthews said in court. As part of their plea deals, Matthews, Maxwell and DeDolph agreed to testify at Madera-Rodriguez trial, officials have said. Matthews pleaded guilty for his role in Melgars death in May 2019, and he was sentenced to one year in prison. Maxwell pleaded guilty in June 2019 and received a four-year prison sentence. DeDolph pleaded guilty in January. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Madera-Rodriguez enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003 and joined the elite ranks of the Marine Raiders in 2010, his Marine Corps service records show. In addition to serving in Mali, he served in Iraq. Melgar, a Special Forces engineer sergeant, enlisted in the Army in 2012 and joined the Fort Bragg, N.C.-based 3rd Special Forces Group about one year later. In court testimony, Green Berets described him as a mature and fast-rising star in the unit who had proven himself in intense combat in Afghanistan. I would say the type of meticulousness, professionalism, candor and excitement Logan brought were extremely rare, even among elite operators, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin Strupkus, who commanded Melgar in Afghanistan, testified in 2019. Third Group lost a phenomenal operator. dickstein.corey@stripes.com Twitter: @CDicksteinDC (Samuel Morse/U.S. Air Force) Buy Photo Japanese police say an Okinawa-based Marine was killed when his motorcycle collided with a car in Chatan town, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa An Okinawa-based Marine was killed Wednesday night after a collision between his motorcycle and a car in Chatan town, Japanese police said. The 22-year-old Marines rank was unknown to an Okinawa police spokesman who spoke to Stars and Stripes by phone Friday evening. Marine officials did not respond to requests seeking comment Friday evening. The service member, whose name Stars and Stripes is withholding pending notification of next of kin, was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, the police spokesman said. The crash occurred at an intersection of Route 58 in the Hamagawa area of Chatan town at approximately 9:45 p.m., the spokesman said. The Marine was traveling north on Route 58 when he collided with a car driven by Isamu Kamiya, 57, who was making a right turn. The Marine was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died from blood loss at approximately 10:51 p.m., the spokesman said. Kamiya suffered minor injuries. Both drivers had a green light at the time of the crash, the police spokesman said. The incident is under investigation. burke.matt@stripes.com Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 kusumoto.hana@stripes.com Twitter: @HanaKusumoto U.S. Marines drive onto Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 3, 2021. Marines with 2nd Transportation Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group conducted a convoy across the U.S., one of the longest convoys in recent Marine Corps history. (Christian Garcia/U.S. Marine Corps) JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (Tribune News Service) Marines from the 2nd Transportation Battalion, part of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group returned to Camp Lejeune Thursday afternoon after a grueling 34-day continuous mission, spanning the entire country. In one of the longest military convoys in history, the group of Marines drove 18 vehicles approximately 5,500 miles in total. The convoy started at Camp Lejeune, across the country to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, and concluded with the return trip home. As of now, the longest known record for similar missions was the Army's Transcontinental Motor Convoy in 1919, which lasted approximately 3,251 miles conducted over 62 days, according to base officials. "This sets the bar, this is the new standard," said Brigadier General Forrest Poole, commanding general of 2nd MLG. "We're looking to replicate this in a different environment, maybe outside of the United States. It highlights the importance of Marines and Sailors trusting their equipment ad those on their left and right." U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Randall White, commanding officer of 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, speaks at a ceremony at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 3, 2021. (Christian Garcia/U.S. Marine Corps) U.S. Marines stage vehicles on Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 3, 2021. (Christian Garcia/U.S. Marine Corps) The unit not only pushed their vehicles farther than ever before, but also tested the limits of the men and women on the convoy, and the strength of their command-and-control abilities. Not only did base officials say the convoy broke new ground for its record-setting length, but also for the communications experiments that were conducted during the convoy. Marines tested tactics and procedures for employing "distributed command and control" over vast distances. At each stop along the mission, they used High Frequency (HF) beyond-line-of-sight, highly secure radio communications to regularly speak with an operations center all the way back in Camp Lejeune. Radio calls to the combat operations center in Camp Lejeune took place from across the Southern United States, including stops in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Texarkana, Texas, and the Grand Canyon. The convoy concluded Thursday afternoon, at a homecoming ceremony held in their honor aboard Camp Lejeune. U.S. Marines get ready for the day in Texarkana, Texas, May 27, 2021. (Scott Jenkins/U.S. Marine Corps) U.S. Marines listen during a pre-convoy brief in Texarkana, Texas May 27, 2021. (Scott Jenkins/U.S. Marine Corps) Speaking from their Maintenance Bay, the Marines and Sailors who completed the convoy were lauded for their achievement and reminded of the importance of such exercises on maintaining Marine Corps readiness in the future fight. "Training such as this convoy ensures the logistics combat element of the Fleet Marine Force is ready and able to provide the transportation support critical to accomplishing a wide range of military operations," base officials said in a press release. tdunnell@jdnews.com (c)2021 The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) Visit The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) at www.jdnews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This story has been corrected Retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Amy McGrath pins on Marine 1st Lt. Brenda McCarthys wings at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., May 27, 2021. McGrath, the first female weapons systems officer in the Marines, pinned flight wings on the last female WSO as the service shifts from two-seat fighter aircraft to one-seaters. (Fernando Moreno/U.S. Marine Corps) When 1st Lt. Brenda McCarthy was preparing to earn her wings as the last female weapons systems officer in the Marine Corps, she wanted as her guest one of the first women to earn those wings. McCarthy wrote a letter inviting retired Lt. Col. Amy McGrath to the May winging ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. McGrath was one of the first women in the Marine Corps to fly an F/A-18 into combat. I thought it would be a true inspiration for my sisters who are pretty young, and females in general in the military to see empowering women in aviation, in a mens club, just honoring each other, McCarthy was quoted saying in a Marine Corps statement. And she accepted. Just before Memorial Day weekend, McGrath pinned the gold wings on McCarthy, signifying her completion of training to become a naval aviator. McCarthy's position as a weapons systems officer, also known as a wizzo" or WSO, is behind the pilot in the two-seat F/A-18D Hornet, where she'll provide situational awareness, navigation and communications support. As the guest of honor at the May 27 winging ceremony, McGrath spoke to the 16 Navy and Marine graduates of Training Squadron VT-86 about her efforts to push for women to be allowed to fly fighter jets, recalling that she wrote letters to the newspaper on the issue when she was 12 years old. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Brenda McCarthy at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., May 27, 2021. McCarthy is the last female Marine to receive her wings as a weapons systems officer. (Mellizza Bonjoc/U.S. Marine Corps) A 1997 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, McGrath completed flight school in 1999 and flew the first of her more than 85 combat missions in her career while deployed to Kyrgyzstan for Operation Enduring Freedom, the war in Afghanistan. We didnt even know I was the first, McGrath told The New York Times in 2018, after she retired the previous year. It really wasnt until after the first couple of missions that someone said, Hey, I think youre the first woman to do this in the Marine Corps. In her invitation letter, McCarthy thanked McGrath for paving the way for other women. For the past 25 years or so, females have been blazing the way the whole time in this community, McCarthy said in a Marine Corps video released this week. I might be the last, but Im like really excited to be a part of the community. Two male Marines also are training to become WSOs, but the Marine Corps is phasing out the Hornets by 2030 as it transitions to the F-35 Lightning II. A squadron based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., completed the last Marine Corps deployment of the legacy Hornets on an aircraft carrier earlier this year. The last deployment of F/A-18D is slated for fiscal year 2028, but there may be some of those aircraft in service into the following year, Marine Corps spokesman Maj. J. A. Hernandez said in an email Friday to Stars and Stripes. With the reduction of multi-seat aircraft, the Marine Corps final weapons systems officers are scheduled to graduate in September 2021, Hernandez said, but the Corps will maintain refresher training through fiscal 2026. As for McCarthy, shell head next to follow-on training with a squadron in Miramar. I want to be a contributing member to whatever aircraft Im flying in, she said in the statement. I want to make sure that my pilots know that I have their back wherever we are. garland.chad@stripes.com Twitter: @chadgarland Correction This story has been updated to reflect that Amy McGrath was one of the first women to earn wings as a weapons systems officer in the Marine Corps. USS Gridley is shown in San Diego in 2015. (Trevor Welsh) PORT HADLOCK, Wash. A Navy destroyer caused an oil spill in Port Townsend Bay and emergency crews have begun a containment and cleanup effort. The USS Gridley was leaving the pier at Naval Magazine Indian Island on Thursday morning when the oil spill occurred around 10:30 a.m., the Navy said. Naval officials said 20 gallons were spilled. Responders were using a 200-foot oil spill containment boom to form a perimeter and limit environmental damage, the Kitsap Sun reported. About 10 gallons have been contained. The Navy notified the Coast Guard and the states Department of Ecology. Naval officials are investigating the cause of the spill. The Naval Station Everett is the USS Gridleys homeport. Navy vessels stop at Indian Island when headed to or from the wider Pacific Ocean to load up on fuel, food and munitions. A fighter loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front mans a guard post on the outskirts of the town of Hawzen, then-controlled by the group, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on Friday, May 7, 2021. The battle for Hawzen is part of a larger war in Tigray between the Ethiopian government and the Tigrayan rebels that has led to massacres, gang rapes and the flight of more than 2 million of the regions 6 million people. (Ben Curtis/AP) HAWZEN, Ethiopia Shops remained shuttered, some government workers hadn't been paid and the town's main hospital was utterly laid to waste. But the Tigrayan fighters still claimed victory, swaggering through the streets of Hawzen with their guns. It wouldn't last long. Hawzen, a rural town in the ethnic Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, is a microcosm of the challenge facing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and a warning that the war here is unlikely to end anytime soon. When The Associated Press arrived in May, Tigrayan fighters had recently retaken Hawzen from Ethiopian government troops, laying claim once again to land that has switched control multiple times since the war began in November. To the Ethiopian government, the fighters are terrorists who have defied the authority of Abiy in the federal capital, Addis Ababa. But almost everyone the AP spoke with in Hawzen supported them and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, the party of the region's ousted and now-fugitive leaders. "The people elected us, so we are not terrorists," said fighter Nurhussein Abdulmajid, standing confidently in the middle of the road with a gun on his shoulder, as a crowd listened. "He (Abiy)'s the one who is the terrorist. A terrorist is someone who massacres people." The battle for Hawzen is part of a larger war in Tigray between the Ethiopian government and the Tigrayan rebels that has led to massacres, gang rapes and the flight of more than 2 million of the region's 6 million people. While the government now holds many urban centers, fierce fighting continues in remote rural towns like Hawzen. The AP was able to get through an Ethiopian military roadblock and cross the front line to get a rare look at a town held by Tigrayan fighters, who carried light weapons they said they had seized from opponents. Haftom Gebretsadik, a 17-year-old from Freweini, Ethiopia, near Hawzen, who had his right hand amputated and lost fingers on his left after an artillery round struck his home in March, sits on his bed at the Ayder Referral Hospital in Mekele, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Ben Curtis/AP) If anything, recent atrocities appear to have increased support for the TPLF. One 19-year-old said she was raped by an Ethiopian soldier and is now six months pregnant. After trying and failing to terminate the pregnancy herself, she is now desperately hoping someone in a local hospital will help her. As soon as possible, she said, she wants to join the rebels. "I want to go," she said, as she broke down in tears. "You will die if you stay home, and you will die if you go out there.I would rather die alongside the fighters." The AP does not name victims of sexual abuse. The TPLF was on top of a coalition that ruled Ethiopia for nearly three decades. That changed in 2018, when Abiy rose to power as a reformist. Abiy alienated the TPLF with efforts to make peace with its archenemy, Eritrea, and rid the federal government of corruption. Tigray's leaders fought back. In 2020, after a national vote was suspended because of the pandemic, the TPLF went ahead with its own elections in the region. Asserting that Tigrayan fighters had attacked a military base, Abiy sent federal troops into Tigray in November. Government forces are now allied with militias from the rival Amhara ethnic group as well as soldiers from neighboring Eritrea, who are blamed for many atrocities. A fighter loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front walks along a street in the town of Hawzen, then-controlled by the group, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on May 7, 2021. (Ben Curtis/AP) Abiy acknowledged recently that the highly mobile Tigrayan guerrillas were stretching the Ethiopian military, springing ambushes from the rugged highlands where they hide. And in April the International Crisis Group predicted that entrenched resistance on both sides meant "the conflict could evolve into a protracted war." Abebe Gebrehiwot, an ethnic Tigrayan appointed by Abiy to serve as Tigray's deputy CEO, told the AP that he and others in the interim administration didn't feel trusted by the people, making their work more difficult. "We are not getting as much public support as we expect," he said in his office in Mekele, the largely peaceful regional capital. Representatives of the Ethiopian government didn't respond to requests for comment. But Billene Seyoum, a spokeswoman for Abiy's office, told reporters Thursday that "the suffering of Ethiopians who are victims of a situation that is not of their choosing is a source of pain." Efforts to alleviate the suffering of Tigrayans "have been marred by various challenges given the complexity of any armed engagement," she said. Residents of Hawzen, a town of a few thousand people, said it had seen fighting four times since November. A Tigrayan sentry in military fatigues sat atop a hill leading into the town, on the lookout for trouble. Yohanes Kidanemariam, a fighter in civilian clothes who held a gun between his legs, claimed they would eventually outlast their opponents. "We don't have any doubt," he said. "We have extreme public support and we have a straight and clear objective: freedom." Fighters loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front greet each other on the street in the town of Hawzen, then-controlled by the group, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on May 7, 2021. The rural town is a microcosm of the challenge facing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed - and a warning that the war here is unlikely to end anytime soon. (Ben Curtis/AP) Many here spoke disapprovingly of Abiy, saying they no longer trust him to keep them safe. Gebremedhin Aregawi, a tour guide who helped manage civilian relations for the guerrillas, said the entry of federal troops into Mekele doesn't mean Abiy won. "If he won, how is fighting still going on up to now?" Gebremedhin asked. Gebremichael Welay, a civics teacher at a primary school in Hawzen, said it was "difficult to live" amid the waves of fighting and bombardment that have rocked his hometown. He flees to a nearby forest when Ethiopian and Eritrean troops are in charge. "They do not discriminate," said the rheumy-eyed 40-year-old as he sat on a stool by the roadside. "If they find you, they kill you." As the two sides fight, civilians, and especially children, are suffering heavily. More and more children are caught up in shelling in Hawzen and other nearby areas, with at least 32 admitted to the regional Ayder Hospital in Mekele for blast injuries from December to April. Thirteen left with an amputated limb, according to official records. Haftom Gebru, a 12-year-old boy from Hawzen, was wounded by shrapnel in fighting during Orthodox Easter. An artillery shell hit a pile of stones in the family's compound that then ricocheted in the boy's direction. When his 60-year-old father, Gebru Welde Abrha, saw the wound in the boy's left hand, he knew it would have to be cut off. "I am so sad I can't explain it," the father said in a hospital ward, as his son looked angrily into the distance. "I feel it deeply." Haftom Gebretsadik, a 17-year-old from Freweini near Hawzen, also was wounded by an artillery round that struck his home in March. He quietly looked at the stump on his right arm and shook his head. "I am very worried," he said. "How can I work?" Ethiopian government soldiers ride in the back of a truck on a road near Agula, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, on May 8, 2021. As the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front and the government forces fight, civilians, and especially children, are suffering heavily. (Ben Curtis/AP) Some of the young victims of blast trauma may have kept their limbs if they had received first aid at the nearest health centers. But such facilities are shells right now systematically looted, vandalized and turned upside down. Eritrean soldiers set up camp in the Hawzen Primary Hospital, which once boasted of equipment ranging from X-ray machines to baby incubators. Now it is trashed and looted, and heaps of stones litter the compound where fighters had set up defensive positions. "It's a bad feeling I have as a Tigrayan," said the now-jobless technician, 27-year-old Misigna Hagos. "This hospital used to serve thousands of people. Now it's destroyed." Many Tigrayans from contested towns like Hawzen end up in camps for the internally displaced in Mekele, mostly women and children. Abriha Redae fled Hawzen in December along with a group of others. Her father had been killed in recent fighting in the town. "In Hawzen every time the soldiers entered, we went out to go to other places and hide," she said. "Our life is changing and miserable now." Asked if she supported the Tigrayan fighters, her voice quickened. "It's a must to fight," she said. And so the fight continues. The day after visiting Hawzen, AP journalists driving north were told by an officer at a military checkpoint in the town of Agula to turn back for their own safety. Explosions from shelling could be heard in the distance. It was Hawzen. Government troops were taking it back. ___ This story was funded by a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. WASHINGTON - A sharp increase in the number of people crossing into the United States through remote desert areas along the U.S.-Mexico border has officials and rights advocates worried that this summer will be especially lethal, with the potential for a spike in migrant deaths. Much of the Biden administration's border response in recent months has centered on caring for the unaccompanied minors who have arrived in record numbers, along with parents traveling with children. Those groups do not typically attempt to evade capture, and they usually seek out U.S. agents after crossing the border to request humanitarian protection. Adult migrants continue to be the largest share of border crossers, however, and smuggling guides often send them through rugged desert and mountain areas where deaths from exposure rise with extreme heat. U.S. agents took more than 111,000 single adult migrants into custody in April, the highest total in more than a decade, and the number increased again in May, according to preliminary enforcement data. "It's going to be a brutal summer," said Don White, a sheriff's deputy in rural Brooks County, Texas, where hundreds of migrants have died over the past decade attempting to skirt a Border Patrol highway checkpoint by walking miles through the brush. White said the county has recovered 34 bodies and human remains this year on the vast cattle ranches where migrants often become lost and dehydrated in 100-degree heat and harsh terrain. "I've never seen so many people coming through," White said. "It's just crazy right now." In southern Arizona, more migrants have been traveling north along treacherous routes typically used by drug smugglers and other hardened crossers, putting them in greater peril, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say. The agency is on pace to make more than 10,000 rescues during fiscal 2021, twice the number recorded in 2019 and 2020, CBP data show. "Many of our rescues are now pushing up to the mountain regions, which used to be exclusively narcotics traffic," said Michael Montgomery, the head of CBP's Air and Marine Operations, at a recent border safety event to discourage migrants from attempting the journey. "Now we're seeing more mixed traffic, people traveling at night, stumbling over rocks, falling over cliffs," Montgomery said. "There is no soft place to fall in the mountains." CBP will have a helicopter rescue team with a paramedic on standby in Arizona for the summer, he said. Border officials acknowledge that the increase in single adult migrants is partly driven by higher numbers of repeat or "recidivist" crossers attempting the journey. Since March 2020, authorities have relied upon Title 42 of the U.S. health code to quickly return most adult migrants to Mexico. The Biden administration has kept the Trump-era policy in place, describing Title 42 as an essential tool to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in detention cells and border communities hit hard by the pandemic. But the turn-back approach has essentially removed the threat of criminal penalties or jail time, and smugglers are capitalizing by sending migrants to try again and again. Those who successfully evade capture along the border also face lower risk of arrest once they arrive at their U.S. destinations. Arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have dropped to the lowest levels on record in recent months under the Biden administration, the latest figures show. Then there are the border crossers that agents are unable to interdict. In recent months, CBP officials have reported more than 1,000 "got away" incidents per day in which agents detect an illegal crossing without making an arrest. The expanded use of technology and sensors along the border has made it easier for CBP to know when someone enters, but officials say they don't have enough agents to manage the volume of people arriving in recent months. White, the sheriff's deputy, said he sees fewer U.S. agents patrolling the ranch roads and dirt tracks through Brooks County. "Border Patrol hasn't been in the brush as much due to processing the turn-ins," he said, referring to the families and children who surrender to agents after crossing the Rio Grande to start the asylum-seeking process. That means agents won't be able to find as many migrants in distress, White said. "My guys will be carrying extra IV bags this summer for the ones we may find," he said. CBP does not maintain a single, centralized tally of exposure deaths and human remains recovered, because the majority of forensic services are handled by county sheriffs and coroners in border districts. The Pima County medical examiner's office, which is responsible for most of southern Arizona, encountered 220 remains last year, the highest in a decade. "2021 looks like it will be pretty significant as well," Greg Hess, the county medical examiner, said in an interview. "We tend to have a bell curve over the hotter months." Dangerous crossings have also increased in California, where smugglers are sending migrants through rugged mountains between the Imperial Valley and San Diego, authorities say. CBP officials have urged migrants to keep cellphone batteries charged and to try calling 911 if they become lost. The agency has placed rescue beacons and placards in Spanish and Mandarin along crossing routes, with instructions and GPS coordinates for migrants in distress who need help. "It places a great burden on CBP to respond to remote, treacherous areas to rescue migrants placed in this perilous situation," said Salvador Zamora, a retired Border Patrol official and former spokesman for the agency. "We have to launch massive search-and-rescue efforts, and when someone is in a deteriorating state, you're racing against the clock to reach that location and provide lifesaving measures." Juanita Molina, the director of the Border Action Network, a human rights organization based in Arizona, said the economic toll of the pandemic on vulnerable populations has pushed people to attempt the dangerous journey despite the risks. "We're seeing people arriving who are more depleted and more desperate," Molina said. "The ones who are crossing on foot are the poorest of the poor." The Trump administration added hundreds of miles of steel border barriers in the Arizona desert to deter crossings, but officials say the barriers have made little difference in terms of where they are encountering bodies or human remains. Between 1990 and 2020, the remains of at least 3,356 migrants were recovered in southern Arizona, according to a report published in April by the University of Arizona's Binational Migration Institute Daniel Martinez, a sociologist who is one the report's lead authors, said the intensification of enforcement by the Border Patrol in Arizona has "increased the lethality of migration." CBP strategies that redirect migrants to more remote areas are intentionally seeking to deter crossings by increasing "the rate of death and suffering along the border," Martinez said in an interview. CBP officials declined an interview request, but they highlight their extensive rescue efforts to deflect criticism that U.S. border infrastructure is designed to be deadly. Martinez noted that there has been a marked increase in rescues and recovery operations in the mountains north of the Lukeville, Ariz., area, one the border segments where the Trump administration added long stretches of 30-foot-barriers. Smugglers wielding demolition tools and power saws have been cutting through at particularly high rates along that span, according to agents, requiring frequent repairs. A postage stamp issued Thursday, June 3, 2021, honors Japanese-American soldiers from World War II and bears the image Shiroku Whitey Yamamoto, a Hawaiian nisei who served with the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team. (U.S. Postal Service) FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The U.S. Postal Service on Thursday issued a postage stamp honoring Japanese-American soldiers from World War II that bears the image of a Hawaiian veteran who served in the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The stamp features an illustrated version of a photo taken of Shiroku Whitey Yamamoto as he stood at a railroad station in France in 1944, the Postal Service said in a news release. The text on the stamp Go for Broke, Japanese American Soldiers of WWII, Forever USA is printed in vertical columns that evoke the style of traditional Japanese writing. It can be purchased online at usps.com/shopstamps. Roughly 33,000 nisei Americans whose Japanese parents had immigrated to the United States served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In one of Americas dark chapters, thousands of Japanese-Americans were sent to internment camps after the U.S. declared war on Japan and Germany in the wake of the Dec. 7, 1941, surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Nisei were eventually allowed to serve in the Army, first fighting in Italy in the 100th Infantry Battalion, which then morphed into the 442nd Regimental Combat Team as the soldiers headed to France. Adopting the motto Go for Broke, the nisei soldiers were highly decorated but suffered a staggering level of casualties. Some served as translators, interpreters and interrogators in the Pacific for the Military Intelligence Service. About 1,000 nisei served in the 1399th Engineering Construction Battalion, which worked on crucial defense projects on Oahu. As a military veteran, I have the greatest appreciation for the more than 33,000 nisei, or second-generation Japanese Americans, that served our nation during World War II, Donald Moak, a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, said during a virtual ceremony dedicating the stamp on Thursday. Also joining the dedication were three World War II veterans: Shinye Gima, Don Miyada and Yoshio Nakamura. Yamamoto, who died in 2018 at age 95, was born in a small town on the Big Island of Hawaii. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered with the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1943, he joined the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and was assigned to an anti-tank company as a jeep driver. The company was later attached to the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Airborne Task Force, which landed in Frances southern Mediterranean by gliders as part of Operation Dragoon. olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson Adm. John Aquilino, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, greets South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (U.S. Indo-Pacific Command) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea Adm. John Aquilino on Thursday reaffirmed the United States commitment to peace, security, and prosperity during his first trip to South Korea as the head of Indo-Pacific Command. The visit came days after North Korea pointed to a U.S. decision to lift restrictions limiting the range of South Koreas missiles to about 500 miles. Pyongyang warned the revision could contribute to an acute and instable situation," according to The Associated Press. The range is enough for a South Korean weapon to strike all of North Korea but is short of hitting potential key targets in other neighbors like China and Japan. The U.S. security commitment to [South Korea] is ironclad, and this visit provides the opportunity to listen to our allies security concerns and learn how we can strengthen our combined defense posture to ensure peace and stability in the region, Aquilino said in a statement during his trip, according to INDOPACOM. He met with senior South Korean officials, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Won In-choul, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong and Minister of National Defense Suh Wook. Won emphasized the alliance between the two countries must be maintained, according to a Joint Chiefs of Staff press release, and that diplomatic efforts to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula would continue to be supported. Aquilino's visit to South Korea follows a trip to Tokyo on Tuesday, where he likened the U.S.-Japan alliance as "the cornerstone of peace and security in the Pacific. The visits mark Aquilinos first overseas trip since taking charge of INDOPACOM on April 30. During his Senate confirmation hearing, he warned of the rejuvenation of the Chinese Communist Party and added that he believed Beijing was prioritizing its plans to annex Taiwan. As the INDOPACOM commander, Aquilino leads roughly 380,000 U.S. service members and oversees the militarys role in 36 nations. The visits underscore the U.S.s focus on the regions security, particularly as China and North Korean relations have stalled in recent months. President Joe Biden hosted South Korean President Moon Jae-at the White House in May, which followed a separate trip from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in April. choi.david@stripes.com Twitter: @choibboy Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 12:00:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Most capital goods monitored by the government reported lower prices in late May compared with mid-May, official data showed on Friday. Of the 50 major goods monitored by the government, including seamless steel tubes, gasoline, coal, fertilizer and some chemicals, 30 registered declined prices during the period, 16 posted increased prices and four saw their prices remain unchanged, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Ferrous metal and chemical products led the downward trend, and the majority of farm produce also saw lower prices during the period. Construction steel rebar prices fell 13.6 percent, and those of seamless steel tubes and hogs respectively dropped 5.7 percent and 3.8 percent. The readings, released every 10 days, are based on a survey of nearly 2,000 wholesalers and distributors in 31 provincial-level regions. Enditem Beauty product vending machines by Sugar Intoxicated, a company based out of Williamsburg, Va., were installed this year at Lackland Air Force Base and Fort Sam Houston in Texas; Forts Lee and Belvoir in Virginia; and Fort Jackson, S.C. (AAFES) YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan Following their rollout at five stateside military bases, vending machines that sell wigs, eyelashes and ethnic hair products may be coming to Army and Air Force exchanges overseas. Beauty product vending machines by Sugar Intoxicated, a company based out of Williamsburg, Va., were installed this year at Lackland Air Force Base and Fort Sam Houston in Texas; Forts Lee and Belvoir in Virginia; and Fort Jackson, S.C. Sugar Intoxicated and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service are eying more locations, including several overseas, based on the machines success stateside, AAFES spokesperson Chris Ward told Stars and Stripes via email Wednesday. Air National Guardsman Latoya Duhart founded Sugar Intoxicated in 2019 after realizing military exchanges did not offer everything she needed to care for her hair, especially in a training environment where on-base stores were the only options. I had also been told countless hair damage horror stories, Duhart told Stars and Stripes via email Friday. After struggling for 6 weeks with my hair, I made a promise that if I could help it, no other woman who served would go without the beauty products they so desperately needed. She also stocks machines with lip glosses made by her 10-year-old daughter, Olivia Miller. Sugar Intoxicated started as a kiosk at Fort Lee, where Duhart sold everything that she felt was missing at the exchange. Because of monthly drill obligations, she had to regularly close the shop. This is how the vending machine idea was created. I needed to find a way to provide my products without being present, she said. So far, Sugar Intoxicated machines are only on military installations, Duhart said. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure all ladies who serve are provided the products they need to enhance their beauty, she wrote. I know firsthand wearing these boots isn't easy, but you don't have to look how you feel. Antoinette Tonie Jimmerson, a licensed cosmetologist on Yokota Air Base specializing in natural hair care, said the product selection at the base exchange is often disappointing and lacks a broad selection of products for Black women and others with textured hair. While we have some quality hair products, the pattern I have noticed is that they provide 3-4 products from a line, which include shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner, or deep conditioner, leaving out styling products, she told Stars and Stripes via email May 26. It communicates that buyers are not educated in trends, or they simply do not care. When quality products are stocked, they often go missing from the shelves for several months at a time leaving consumers to buy online. Ward said exchanges worldwide, including those in the Pacific region, carry more than 6,500 multicultural products to include cosmetics, hair and skin care for all backgrounds, but they are open to feedback. If theres a product a shopper would like to see carried at their local Exchange, they may contact their Exchange manager to inquire about that item being added to the stock assortment, he said. The Navy Exchange has no plans to acquire the vending machines for now but are developing a new department called Hair Zone that will feature multicultural hair care products, spokeswoman Kristine Sturkie said in an email to Stars and Stripes on May 28. Over the last two years, NEXCOM has made an investment both in multicultural hair care products and assortment as well as their availability, especially outside the continental United States, based on patrons feedback, she said. earl.erica@stripes.com Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl Dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich, left, covers his face as he cries during his interview with Belarusian journalist Marat Markau, on Belarusian ONT Channel in Minsk, Belarus, on Thursday, June 3, 2021. (ONT channel via AP) WARSAW, Poland The Belarusian opposition said Friday a dissident journalist was coerced to appear in a video on state TV in which he wept and praised the country's authoritarian ruler, a broadcast sharply criticized by Western officials. In the 90-minute video broadcast Thursday night, Raman Pratasevich repented for his opposition activities and said he respects Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko as "a man with balls of steel." He said he was tired of political activism and only wants to have a family and live a normal life. Then he broke into tears, covering his face with his hands. As he did so, marks left by handcuffs were clearly visible on his wrists. Associates of the 26-year-old reacted with outrage, accusing authorities of forcing Pratasevich to confess and disavow the opposition. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition candidate in Belarus' presidential election in August 2020, said during a visit to Poland that Pratasevich and others speaking in videos from prison "are for sure being tortured and violated." Her spokeswoman, Anna Krasulina, described Pratasevich as a hostage. "He made his statements under tough physical and psychological pressure and, possibly, under drugs," Krasulina told The Associated Press. "We demand the immediate release of Raman, who is used by Lukashenko's regime as a toy and instrument to blackmail Belarus' democratic forces." Pratasevich was traveling from Greece to Lithuania aboard a Ryanair flight on May 23 when Belarusian flight controllers ordered the pilots to divert to Minsk, citing a bomb threat. No bomb was found, but Pratasevich and his Russian girlfriend were arrested. Dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich reacts during his interview with Belarusian ONT Channel in Minsk, Belarus, on Thursday, June 3, 2021. (ONT channel via AP) Speaking in a trembling voice and looking nervous in the program on the state-controlled ONT channel, Pratasevich said opposition leaders were pondering plans for a forceful government overthrow and was feuding over how to divide funds given to them by Poland and Lithuania. Pratasevich, who ran a popular channel on the Telegram messaging app that helped organize months of demonstrations against Lukashenko, also offered repentance for his action and said he pleaded guilty to organizing mass disturbances. The charges carry a 15-year prison sentence. Pratasevich said he fears he could face a death sentence on charges linked to his being part of a volunteer battalion that fought Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. He pleaded with Lukashenko not to hand him over to separatists who have launched a criminal investigation against him. His colleagues say he was not involved in fighting and was covering the conflict as a journalist. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned that Lukashenko will "feel pain" if Belarus allows the separatists to interrogate Pratasevich, adding that Kyiv will interpret that as a sign of disrespect of its territorial integrity. Stsiapan Putsila, who co-founded the Nexta channel with Pratasevich, told the AP that Pratasevich likely had been subjected to both "psychological pressure and specially designed drugs." "His statements had nothing to do with reality, they are the result of unbearable torture and exploitation of his emotions," Putsila said. Tsikhanouskaya's adviser, Franak Viachorka, described Pratasevich's TV appearance as a "public humiliation." "He was forced to publicly betray his views and his colleagues," Viachorka told AP. "He was forced to plead respect for Lukashenko on camera. Their goal was to humiliate, break and trample him. He's a hostage taken in a terrorist operation of Lukashenko's regime that hijacked the plane." Belarus was rocked by months of protests triggered by Lukashenko's reelection to a sixth term in an August vote that was widely seen as fraudulent. He responded to opposition demands to step down with fierce repression. More than 35,000 people have been arrested and thousands beaten, and opposition leaders have been either jailed or forced to leave the country. The program aired Thursday night marked Pratasevich's third appearance on state TV since the May 23 flight diversion and arrest. In a brief video a day later, he confessed to staging mass disturbances. In other remarks shown Wednesday, he said demonstrations against Lukashenko had fizzled and the opposition should wait for a better moment to revive them. He also said he had been set up by an unidentified associate. Outraged European Union leaders responded May 24 to the flight's diversion by barring Belarusian flag carrier from EU airspace and airports and directing European carriers to avoid Belarus' airspace. The 27-nation bloc formalized the ban Friday, saying member countries will "be required to deny permission to land in, take off from or overfly their territories to any aircraft operated by Belarusian air carriers, including as a marketing carrier." EU leaders also denounced the Pratasevich video. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said the German government "condemns in the strongest terms" his TV appearance and dismissed his confessions as "completely unworthy and implausible." "This is a disgrace for the broadcaster that screened it and for the Belarusian leadership," Seibert said in Berlin. Speaking after a meeting of top diplomats of Denmark and the Baltic nations in Copenhagen, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called the broadcast a manifestation of "state terrorism." U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted that Pratasevich "was clearly under duress," adding that "the persecution of those defending human rights and media freedom in Belarus must stop." "Those involved in the filming, coercion and direction of the interview must be held accountable," he said. In stark contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered strong support Friday for Belarus, casting the angry Western response to the flight's diversion as a manifestation of double standards. He pointed to a 2013 incident in which a private plane carrying Bolivian President Evo Morales landed in Vienna after several European nations had refused to let it cross their airspace, purportedly over speculation that Edward Snowden, who leaked classified U.S. government information, was aboard. Putin said the Western reaction has been driven by a desire to influence developments there, adding that "they shouldn't meddle in domestic affairs" of Belarus. He also derided allegations by some in the West that Russia could have been involved in the flight's diversion. "NATO is in danger if NATO's leadership makes such statements," Putin snapped. "It reveals a complete lack of understanding of the procedures." Asked by a moderator if Russia would act like Belarus and divert an international flight if it knew that a person on its wanted list was on board, Putin smirked and said: "I won't tell you." ___ Karmanau reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed. A nocturnal view of the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous monuments in Paris. (Artur Widak, Sipa USA/TNS) PARIS France rolled out a long-anticipated plan for the resumption of international leisure travel to the country on Friday, marking a major step toward a degree of normality after a more than one year-long suspension of transatlantic tourism. Fully vaccinated American travelers will be able to return to France starting next Wednesday, the French Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday, but they will need to show a negative PCR or antigen test conducted shortly before departure. It was not immediately clear how U.S. travelers will need to prove that they are fully vaccinated. Vaccinated Americans are allowed back into the country because of the significant drop in coronavirus cases in the United States over the last months and a vaccination rate that exceeds the E.U.'s. Nonessential travelers from countries with raging outbreaks, including Brazil and India, will remain banned from entering France, even if they are vaccinated. But the French plans still impose tougher restrictions on American travelers than on tourists from some other countries, including Australia and Israel, where the coronavirus is deemed to be under control. From those countries, unvaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter France for nonessential reasons, too. Vaccinated E.U. travelers will be able to enter without having to show a negative test. Countries' classification remains subject to short-term changes, with Friday's announcement being based on data from Wednesday. This means that Americans could still see restrictions relaxed or toughened in the coming weeks. Buy Photo Tourists gather around the Venus de Milo at the Louvre in Paris. (Stars and Stripes) President Emmanuel Macron had previously already suggested that vaccinated Americans would be allowed back into the country in June, and U.S. interest in bookings is on the rise, according to French tourism officials. "We are not talking about numbers as it was in 2019, but the interest is very strong," said Anne-Laure Tuncer, an official with the French Tourism Development Agency who is responsible for the U.S. market. She added that many U.S. tourists appeared eager to travel this summer, even on short notice. "People are looking now for June, for July, for August." France considers anyone to be fully vaccinated who received a second dose of Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Moderna over two weeks ago, or Johnson & Johnson over four weeks ago. Anyone who can prove a prior coronavirus infection will only need one dose. Those requirements will exclude most travelers from China or Russia, whose vaccines are not recommended for use by the E.U. regulator. Traveling within the E.U. may also remain complicated, even for Americans who are allowed into France. The European Council on Thursday updated its list of countries that are deemed safe, but decided to not add the United States. Even though this could change in the coming weeks, American tourists who enter the continent through France may still face quarantine or testing requirements once they cross an E.U. border. French tourist businesses certainly wouldn't mind if international travelers stayed in their country for longer as a result of varying rules across the E.U. Though France has awaked from hibernation at seemingly record speed with Parisian cafes and restaurants bustling again, and Macron celebrating the return of the French "art of living" many attractions are still largely empty. On the Champs- Elysees in Paris, there were no tourist buses in sight during lunch time on Thursday. Coronavirus testing sites remain a reminder that the country's outbreak hasn't fully receded yet and in the Champs-Elysee's famous luxury stores, display dummies tend to outnumber customers. France has seen a major drop in the number of new cases in recent weeks, with the number of new infections having dropped to around 100 per 100,000 people over seven days, but officials have urged citizens to remain vigilant. The government has expressed particular concern over climbing or stagnant case numbers in the southwest of the country. Still, many hope that the next months will be a repeat of last summer, when the pandemic almost seemed to have disappeared in Europe. France's tourism destinations saw a surge in domestic travelers, but many of the usually over 80 million annual international tourists who stay overnight and almost all of the over 4 million annual American tourists stayed away. International tourism revenue in France was estimated to have dropped by about two-thirds. It will take years to recover from the crisis, said Tuncer, but tourism officials have noticed at least one promising trend among U.S. tourists in recent weeks. "They will travel longer and spend more," she said, citing estimates that many Americans were able to save money during the pandemic, even as others lost their jobs. The top destination for American travelers remains Paris, Tuncer said. The French capital suffered more under the absence of international travelers than some other French destinations. In a survey by the regional tourism committee, around 70 percent of tourism businesses in Paris said in April that a return to normality was still more than a year away, but that was before France began opening up to international travelers, raising new hopes among some restaurant and hotel owners here. In other regions of France, businesses hope they will similarly benefit from the resurgence in bookings from abroad. Along parts of the French Riviera, high expectations are being placed on the Cannes Film Festival that is set to resume next month. Before the pandemic, the festival filled hotel rooms across the region for weeks, attracting an average of 200,000 annual visitors. Last year's cancellation of the festival was a significant hit for regional tourism businesses. At a cinema in central Paris, the festival's organizers this week wanted the resumption of the event in July to be seen as a signal of optimism. But in a screening room filled with mask-clad journalists, many questions still also centered around PCR tests and quarantine rules. For some Americans who are set to arrive in Europe, the current French rules may appear like a throwback to earlier in the year. In many urban areas of France, masks remain mandatory in all public spaces, and violations can carry a $160 fine regardless of someone's vaccination status. Mask mandates are expected to remain in place until at least the end of June, and possibly longer. The country will also remain under a nighttime curfew between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., from June 9 until the end of the month. While many museums and tourist sites have already reopened, some are only gradually resuming services. The Eiffel Tower, for example, will only reopen July 16. Still, some say there has never been a better time to visit Paris than now. "I like the atmosphere," said Georges Gavrilakis, who had just arrived from Athens with his wife Stephanie Choremi to celebrate their recent wedding. Their arrival in the city of love had begun with a "rather unpleasant" coronavirus test at the airport, said Gavrilakis. And as the Greek couple was rushing along the Louvre, in search of a restaurant for lunch, they acknowledged that the nighttime curfew would make their schedule tight over the next few days leaving no time to sleep in. But the city, said Choremi, "will be better now, because there are going to be fewer tourists." "It'll be unique," she said. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a briefing in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 14, 2021. Vucic on Friday, June 4, said European Union-mediated negotiations on normalizing relations with Kosovo that stalled last year will resume within days. (Darko Vojinovic/AP) BELGRADE, Serbia Serbia's president on Friday said that European Union-mediated negotiations on normalizing relations with Kosovo, which stalled last year, will resume within days. Aleksandar Vucic did not specify the date but said "dialogue will continue within a very short period of time. "We are talking about days, not weeks," said Vucic. "We are always ready to talk. Serbia does not want a frozen conflict." Vucic spoke after U.S. and EU envoys visited this week both Serbia and Kosovo as part of efforts to help resolve a long-standing problem that remains a source of tension in the Balkans years after the wars of the 1990s. Kosovo, a former Serbian province, declared independence in 2008, which Serbia does not recognize. The United States and most EU countries have recognized Kosovo's statehood while Serbia has the support of Russia and China. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Palmer and the EU envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, met with Vucic on Thursday in Belgrade after visiting Pristina, Kosovo's capital, earlier in the week. Both Washington and Brussels have clearly said that normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is essential for their further integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. Serbia and Kosovo are both seeking EU entry and Kosovo aims at NATO membership too. Kosovo's declaration of independence followed a 1998-99 conflict between separatist ethnic Albanian rebels and Serb forces. The war ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign that drove Serb troops out, and a peacekeeping force moved in. Vucic reiterated Serbia's position that any future solution for the Serbia-Kosovo dispute must be a compromise. "We are always ready to talk about compromise solutions but we are never ready to talk about humiliating Serbia," he said. Huge plumes of smoke rise up from a main oil refinery south of Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 3, 2021. A massive fire broke out Wednesday night at the oil refinery serving Iran's capital, sending thick plumes of black smoke over Tehran. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP) TEHRAN, Iran A massive fire that broke out at an oil refinery near Iran's capital and sent a huge plume of black smoke into the sky over Tehran was extinguished on Thursday, after more than 20 hours, a news agency reported. The semi-official ISNA agency quoted the country's deputy oil minister, Alireza Sadeghabadi as saying the blaze was first fully contained and then finally put out. "The courageous actions by firefighters ... led to the complete extinguishing of the fire and prevented the flames from spreading to other nearby tanks," said Sadeghabadi, thanking the fire department. The fire erupted at the state-owned Tondgooyan Petrochemical Co. to the south of Tehran on Wednesday night. The Oil Ministry's SHANA news agency said it was caused by a leak in two waste tanks at the facility. Authorities initially suggested the flames affected a liquified petroleum gas pipeline at the refinery. Jalal Maleki, spokesman for the Tehran Fire Department, told state TV that 10 fire department stations, including 60 heavy operating vehicles and more than 180 firefighters, took part in the operation to battle the blaze. The head of Tehran's emergency medical services, Payman Saberian, said 11 people were injured, with four in hospitals, ISNA reported. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh visited the scene overnight. While seeking to assure the public the fire wouldn't affect production, Iranians queued up for gasoline on Thursday morning, the start of the weekend in the Islamic Republic. Earlier, SHANA also quoted refinery spokesman Shaker Khafaei as saying authorities hoped the fire would extinguish itself after running out of fuel in the coming hours. Temperatures in Tehran reached nearly 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday. Hot summer weather in Iran has caused fires in the past. The blaze came the same day a fire struck the largest warship in the Iranian navy, which later sank in the Gulf of Oman. Matthias Schmale, UNRWA's director in Gaza, speaks during a news conference in front of the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City, on May 19, 2021. (Adel Hana/AP) JERUSALEM The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees says it has recalled its Gaza director after he faced threats over remarks in which he appeared to praise Israel's "huge sophistication" in carrying out precision strikes during last month's Gaza war. UNRWA, which provides essential health, education and other services in the territory, said late on Thursday that it was "seriously concerned" about the threats, including a "very large protest" outside its Gaza headquarters on Monday. It said Gaza director Matthias Schmale and his deputy have been recalled to UNRWA's headquarters in east Jerusalem for "consultations." The agency cited media reports that "Palestinian factions" had declared Schmale and his deputy persona non grata in Gaza but said it received no formal notification to that effect. In an interview with Israel's Channel 12 TV last month, Schmale was asked about Israeli officials' assertions that airstrikes carried out during the 11-day war with the territory's militant Hamas rulers were "very precise." "I'm not a military expert but I would not dispute that," Schmale replied, adding that there was "huge sophistication" in how Israel struck targets. But he also said colleagues told him the strikes were "much more vicious in their impact" than in the 2014 Gaza war. Schmale later expressed regret over the remarks and said any civilian deaths were unacceptable. "Many people were killed or have been severely injured by direct strikes or collateral damage from strikes," he tweeted. "In a place as densely populated as Gaza, any strike will have huge damaging effects on people and buildings." His original remarks were widely circulated in Israeli media and online, where they were seized upon by Israel's supporters as an endorsement of its conduct and provoked outrage among Palestinians. Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes on Gaza during the 11-day war, in which Hamas and other militant groups fired more than 4,000 rockets at Israel. At least 254 people were killed in Gaza, including 67 children and 39 women. according to the Gaza health ministry. Hamas has acknowledged the deaths of 80 militants. Twelve civilians, including two children, were killed in Israel, along with one soldier. UNRWA provides essential services to some 5.7 million refugees in the occupied West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. They include Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation and their descendants. It provides food aid and other vital services in Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli-Egyptian blockade since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Most of Gaza's population of 2 million are registered refugees. At the height of the war, some 70,000 Gazans sheltered in UNRWA schools. Meanwhile, an Egyptian convoy crossed into Gaza with heavy equipment to take part in rubble removal ahead of preparations for rebuilding of thousands of houses and businesses destroyed or damaged during the latest Gaza war. Excavators, bulldozers and trucks entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Friday afternoon. Egypt's state-run MENA news agency said it was part of "an Egyptian commitment to improve the living conditions" in Gaza. Egypt brokered the cease-fire that ended the Israel-Hamas fighting. The scene outside the U.S. Capitol after Trump supporters breached the complex on Jan. 6. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post) WASHINGTON U.S. prosecutors this week put a price tag on damage to the U.S. Capitol from the Jan. 6 breach $1.5 million so far and for the first time are asking defendants to cover some of the bill in plea offers, prosecutors and defense lawyers said. The U.S. attorney's office in Washington cited the damage estimate Wednesday in court and in plea papers filed in the case of Paul Hodgkins, 38. The Tampa crane operator pleaded guilty to one felony count of obstructing an official proceeding of Congress and faces sentencing July 19 in Washington. "Your client acknowledges that the riot that occurred on January 6, 2021, caused as of May 17, 2021, approximately $1,495,326.55 damage to the United States Capitol," stated a plea agreement letter sent by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Sedky and signed by Hodgkins and his attorney in May. The document said Hodgkins agreed to pay $2,000 restitution to the Department of Treasury as part of the plea. Several defense attorneys said prosecutors with the U.S. attorney's office in Washington are seeking to require restitution of $2,000 in each felony case and $500 in each misdemeanor case. A spokeswoman for the Justice Department and U.S. attorney's office declined to comment beyond court filings. One veteran defense attorney representing several defendants, speaking on the condition of anonymity because talks are pending, said the terms remain under negotiation. Another defense attorney, who spoke under the same conditions, questioned whether a judge could sentence a person to pay restitution if they were not actually charged with causing damage. The basis of the $1.5 million damage estimate is not clear. Prosecutors gave no details, but the estimate appears to reflect the immediate costs of replacing broken windows, doors and other property. A spokeswoman for the Architect of the Capitol said the agency gave damage assessments to the Justice Department, which calculated the per case penalty. Federal law allows judges at sentencing to order convicted offenders to reimburse victims for property damage and other losses, enforceable over 20 years. Whether restitution can be required usually depends on the crime as set by statute and whether losses are a direct and foreseeable result of an offender's crime. But the law also makes restitution a negotiable item pursuant to plea agreement. If a court finds that more than one defendant contributed to the loss, it "may make each defendant liable for payment of the full amount of restitution or may apportion liability among the defendants," federal statute said. Prosecutors appear to be reasoning that all Jan. 6 defendants bear some liability for what happened that day and should pay to repair the Capitol to some degree, even if they are charged separately or entered the Capitol after or where no damage was done. To spare having to litigate each defendant's liability or to ask judges to order everyone to pay the full $1.5 million when most couldn't, "it is likely that the prosecutors are setting an amount that they think most people charged will be able to pay and that collectively will cover the costs of the damage," said Cortney Lollar, a law professor at the University of Kentucky. "This is a way for the prosecutors to set payment amounts in a manner they think is most likely to be collectible." Ashton Kirsch, a Wisconsin lawyer whose clients include insurers for minority-owned businesses damaged in protests against racial injustice in Minneapolis last year, said the approach will save the government time, money and effort. "The building was not insured, so the costs are going to fall on taxpayers on all of us if it doesn't fall on the persons who caused the damage," Kirsch said. "The hard part is what's more fair to have it paid by taxpayers or by some broad set of defendants who may or may not have caused the specific damage in question?" The government will hardly reap a windfall under this approach since even if every defendant agreed to terms and pleaded guilty, the total paid would be well below $1 million. At the same time, allowable fines for some felony charges could exceed $75,000 as in Hodgkins case a more draconian scenario for defendants. While restitution is paid to compensate victims, fines are punitive and sent to the Justice Department, although in Capitol riot cases, the victim is the federal legislative branch. In the aftermath of the attack, authorities reported historical art and furniture was damaged, a 19th-century gold mirror was smashed and residue from gas agents and fire extinguishers was left behind. The costs of the Capitol attack, however, go well beyond the $1.5 million estimate prosecutors cited this week. A $1.9 billion security funding bill passed by the House included $40 million for the Architect of the Capitol for direct attack-related costs, part of more than $730 million set aside to reimburse the National Guard and other agencies for expenses in responding to rioting that authorities said contributed to five deaths, assaults on 140 police officers and the evacuation of a joint session of Congress. The bill, passed May 20 and pending before the Senate, includes another $529.7 million for the Architect of the Capitol for security improvements, including $250 million to harden the Capitol complex through retractable or mobile fencing, bulletproof doors and windows, new entrance vestibules and cameras. Architect of the Capitol spokeswoman Laura Condeluci said the agency provided House appropriators with separate damage assessments than it gave the Justice Department to include labor costs and other reimbursements, new and additional security measures and coronavirus pandemic response. About 200 people have been charged so far solely with misdemeanors typically trespassing and/or disorderly or violent conduct in the restricted Capitol building or grounds which usually do not require first offenders to serve time in prison. However, plea terms require defendants to agree to a federal conviction. The rest of those charged slightly more than half of the total face felony counts, including charges such as obstructing Congress's confirmation of the 2020 presidential election results, assaulting police, impeding police in a civil disorder, or stealing or damaging more than more than $1,000 of federal property. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Caesar Flores, center, with his father, Andres Flores, and mother Juana Flores, who was deported to Mexico in 2018 after spending 30 years in the U.S. (Office of Rep. Salud Carbajal) SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Tribune News Service) A California family matriarch who was deported to Mexico after spending more than three decades in the United States can return home to Goleta. Juana Flores, whose son is a U.S. Air Force sergeant, was deported by Department of Homeland Security officials in 2019. U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal announced Wednesday that Flores, 57, will be reunited with her family after he wrote a letter to the federal agency now under the leadership of Biden administration secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asking to grant the Flores familys request for humanitarian parole. Humanitarian parole allows individuals who are otherwise inadmissible into the United States the ability to enter the country for a temporary period of time based on humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit. Flores humanitarian parole period will last one year, beginning Friday when she returns to the United States, Carbajal said in a news release. After two long years apart, the Flores family will finally be reunited. Juanas deportation under the Trump administration left a hole in our Central Coast community that Im glad will now be filled, Carbajal said in a prepared statement. I thank the Biden administration for granting her humanitarian parole, which means she can return to her community and be present in the lives of her children and grandchildren. In the meantime, the Democratic congressman from Santa Barbara said he will continue to push for the Protect Patriot Parents Act, a bill he submitted in January to remove barriers that prevent parents of service members from applying for legal permanent residency. I will continue fighting to secure a permanent stay for Juana and reunite other families that were cruelly separated under the Trump administration, said Carbajal, a former U.S. Marine. The families of our service members deserve our respect and admiration, not deportation, which is why I will continue working to pass the Protect Patriot Parents Act and advance legislation that fixes our broken immigration system. Flores had lived in the United States for more than 30 years when she was deported in April 2019. She left the country to visit her ailing mother in Mexico and was blocked from re-entry. Flores settled in Goleta, where she and her husband Andres Flores, a U.S. permanent resident since 2009 and a U.S. citizen since 2015 bought a home and raised a family of 10 children and 18 grandchildren. Juana Flores has no criminal record, Before her deportation, she was the primary caregiver for an adult son with medical issues. Flores attended a Zoom news conference from Mexico in January, telling reporters then that Mexico is not the same country she left 30 years ago. Its far more dangerous, she said, and shes been mostly alone. It was very difficult after spending so many years in California and seeing my children grow there, she said through an interpreter in January. Its not the same as having your nuclear family with you. .... I dont have friends. I only have people that I kind of know. U.S. Air Force. Sgt. Caesar Flores, her son, said in January that he hadnt seen his mother in more than two years. Flores, who became a father during that time, said he had little hope of seeing his mom before his deployment to war-torn Turkey in February. Its been heartbreaking to not be able to have (his newborn daughter) spend quality time with her grandma, Flores said. Family is everything to us. On Wednesday, Juana Flores daughter Cristina Flores said her family is now looking forward to our Sunday family meals that many families take for granted as well as introducing her mother to her two new grandchildren and celebrating Juana Flores birthday on June 9. Cristina Flores said her family is deeply grateful for each and every single individual that helped us through these two difficult years. We could not have done it without their dedication, support, and devoted generosity during such a hard time in our family, Flores said. Team Juana and Carbajals office worked tirelessly to bring my mom home. Carbajal, a three-term California congressman, won re-election in 2020. He represents Californias 24th congressional district, which encompasses San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties as well as part of northern Ventura County. ___ (c) 2021 The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) Visit The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) at www.sanluisobispo.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Biden administration is expanding a Trump-era order that banned U.S. investment in Chinese companies that support China's military to include those selling surveillance technology, calling the entities a threat to U.S. interests and values. In this Oct. 31, 2019, file photo, attendees walk past a display for 5G services from Chinese technology firm Huawei at the PT Expo in Beijing. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) A new executive order released Thursday broadens prohibitions that Donald Trump's administration enacted and moves authority for the ban to the Treasury Department from the Defense Department, to give it stronger legal grounding, senior administration officials said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the order before its release. The new order "prevents U.S. investment from supporting the Chinese defense sector, while also expanding the U.S. government's ability to address the threat of Chinese surveillance technology firms that contribute - both inside and outside China - to the surveillance of religious or ethnic minorities or otherwise facilitate repression and serious human rights abuses," the administration said in a fact-sheet describing the ban, which takes effect on Aug. 2. The executive order does not provide detail on how the surveillance technology has been used, but U.S. officials have frequently expressed alarm over facial recognition and other surveillance tools that China has employed against its Uyghur minority population, and against pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. Chinese companies also export a range of technology that can be used for surveillance, a development that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said is contributing to a global competition between "techno-democracies and techno-autocracies." The preservation of the Trump ban is another sign that President Joe Biden is continuing his predecessor's tough approach toward China. Biden has also maintained import tariffs that Trump levied on many Chinese goods, and in March implemented a separate Trump executive order by sending subpoenas to several Chinese companies to seek information on possible national security risks. "This looks to be another example of the Biden administration taking a Trump policy and improving and expanding it," said Eric Sayers, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. But some lawmakers were skeptical that the order will be an improvement. "We know for a fact that Wall Street is helping to finance the Chinese Communist Party's effort to weaken and ultimately replace American leadership," Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said in a statement. "The story of the past two decades has been America's unwillingness to confront Beijing's exploitation of our legal, political, and financial systems. While the administration updated the Trump-era policy in important ways, I am very concerned that President Biden's Treasury Department is too closely aligned with Wall Street to take the actions necessary to prevent American savings from being used to fund the Chinese Communist Party." Senior administration officials said it was important to move the program to the Treasury Department because companies included on the Trump administration's Defense Department list, including smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, had successfully challenged their inclusion in court. Treasury has more experience drafting sanctions programs "in a way that meets all the U.S. judicial and legal standards," said one Biden official. "Treasury has a regulatory structure to list names and enforce prohibitions. Defense doesn't," said Kevin Wolf, a former senior Commerce official who is now a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. The Biden administration did not include Xiaomi on the list of 59 prohibited companies it released Thursday. David Feith, who was a senior Trump administration official, called the Biden administration's maintaining and broadening of the order "a welcome thing." Former deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Feith said "it reflects the strong degree of bipartisan concern in Washington about U.S. capital flows and U.S. economic ties with China's military and its sprawling security and surveillance state." But he also said the shift of enforcement from the Pentagon to Treasury might complicate implementation because "the Department of Defense takes a fundamentally national security-focused perspective on things and Treasury traditionally does not." Many of the military-linked companies banned by Biden also appeared on Trump's list, including the defense contractor China Electronics Technology Group Corp. and the telecom companies China Mobile Communications Group and China Telecommunications Corp. Biden's order also bans investment in two companies - Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Huawei Technologies - on the grounds that they sell surveillance technology and support China's military. The Trump order banned investment in those firms only on the grounds that they supported China's military. A number of the companies on the list are either state-owned or privately held, meaning that they don't sell stock to outside investors. Yet some of these entities have issued or guaranteed bonds on international markets. Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd., for instance, acted as guarantor of a $5 billion bond issued in Hong Kong in 2017, according to the company's website. Like the Trump order, the Biden ban prohibits investment in Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., or SMIC, China's largest manufacturer of computer chips. The company's stock trades on the Hong Kong exchange. The Trump administration last year banned U.S. technology exports to SMIC, saying they could benefit the People's Liberation Army. Most modern weapons systems are powered by computer chips. SMIC at the time said it has "no relationship with the Chinese military and does not manufacture for any military end-users or end-uses." But the administration also failed to include some companies that were on the Defense Department list, notably Sugon, which the Commerce Department in mid-2019 subjected to export controls for "activities determined to be contrary to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States." Several lawmakers last year said that Sugon was a "key enabler" of China's hypersonic glide vehicle testing program to aid Chinese nuclear weapons simulation testing. The New York Times last year reported that Sugon's supercomputers help power the Urumqi Cloud Computing Center in Xinjiang, where Chinese authorities monitor massive amounts of surveillance footage. Several other companies that appeared on the Pentagon list are absent from Treasury's. They include Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc., and China National Chemical Engineering Group Co. The listed companies either didn't immediately respond to requests for comment or couldn't be reached for comment after hours in China. Asked about the Biden order, details of which were reported earlier by Bloomberg, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Thursday: "The U.S. should respect rule of law and the market, correct its mistakes, and stop actions that undermine the global financial market order and investors' lawful rights and interests. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard Chinese enterprises' legitimate and lawful rights." Biden administration officials said any U.S. investment in funds that contain the banned securities also will be prohibited. The officials said they expect to place additional companies on the list, a move U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton endorsed in a statement to The Post. "The U.S. government must continue to expand this list of CCP-controlled companies, as well as harmonize the various restriction lists maintained by the Pentagon, Commerce, and Treasury departments," Cotton said. "It's imperative that the United States stop arming and funding the genocidal regime in Beijing." WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden signaled at a private meeting on Wednesday that he would be open to significant revisions on the size of his infrastructure package and how it would be paid for in order win Republican support, outlining a plan for about $1 trillion in new spending financed through tax changes that do not appear to raise the top corporate rate. In this photo taken Thursday, May 27, 2021, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., the GOP's lead negotiator on a counteroffer to President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan, listens at left as she is joined at a news conference by, from left, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, and Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., at the Capitol in Washington. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) While Biden has not abandoned his call for these tax increases as part of his broader agenda, the moves are still a potential new concession in stalled talks over funding to improve the country's roads, bridges, pipes and ports. At issue is the component of Biden's original infrastructure plan that would raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, unwinding the tax cuts the GOP adopted in 2017. Republicans have described this change as a political nonstarter as they seek to protect one of their accomplishments under former President Donald Trump. In his meeting with the GOP's top negotiator, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Biden raised the possibility he could take the proposed rate increase off the table in an attempt to broker a compromise, according to a person familiar with the talks who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe them. The president still intends to seek the tax increase, the source said, meaning the White House could pursue the policy outside of the infrastructure debate - or in the case that bipartisan negotiations ultimately collapse. In its place, Biden shifted the focus to a different part of his infrastructure proposal, which would amount to a new minimum corporate tax of 15%. This change would take aim at dozens of profitable U.S. corporations that pay little to nothing to the federal government annually, the source said. The White House also proposed stepping up enforcement on corporations and wealthy earners who rely on loopholes to lessen their tax burdens, according to the person familiar with the talks. Biden's emphasis on these elements of his tax plan Wednesday marked an attempt by the White House to thread a delicate political needle. It aimed to preserve the president's 2020 campaign pledge not to raise taxes on Americans making under $400,000 a year, while steering clear of the "red line" set down by Republicans who see the 2017 tax cuts as their crowning economic achievement. Both sides are set to meet again Friday, though Republican leaders are still deciding whether to put forward another counteroffer or to walk away from the negotiations entirely, according to a second source familiar with the talks. Biden has long decried the fact that some of the country's most profitable enterprises pay little or nothing in corporate taxes. He stressed during his first-ever address to Congress last month that it is time to close "tax loopholes," urging lawmakers to "reform corporate taxes so they pay their fair share and help pay for the public investments their businesses will benefit from as well." Asked Thursday about the president's position, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden has "absolutely not" wavered in his belief that Congress should raise the corporate tax rate, adding it is a critical way to "pay for a range of the bold proposals that he has put forward." "But he also took a look at these proposals, and . . . all of the tax proposals that he has put forward over time, to find a way where there should be pay-fors that based on their bottom lines, many of the Republican negotiators should be able to agree to," Psaki said. The fate of any infrastructure deal is still unclear. Even with the potential concession on taxes, though, the White House's roughly $1 trillion plan still amounts to four times as much as Republicans have been willing to spend to improve the country's roads, bridges, pipes, ports and Internet connections. Entering the meeting, GOP leaders had endorsed roughly $257 billion in new spending, while maintaining an unwavering opposition to any tax hikes to finance infrastructure reform. Instead, GOP leaders have called on the White House to repurpose unspent coronavirus relief aid now that the pandemic is improving. The White House has expressed only a limited appetite for reprogramming existing stimulus dollars, perhaps around $70 billion to $75 billion, according to one of the people familiar with the talks. Capito did not respond to a request for comment. Politico first reported on the $1 trillion offer. "We're still hoping we can come to an agreement on a fully paid for and significant infrastructure package," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R, said during a stop in Kentucky on Thursday. The latest exchange comes as top White House officials have started to signal that time is running out on striking a bipartisan deal. Biden has labored to secure Republican support on infrastructure after advancing his last economic policy priority, a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, without GOP votes - though he has made clear that he is not willing to haggle indefinitely. "There's definitely a deal to be had, and there's definitely optimism on both sides," Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told CNBC on Wednesday, stressing the administration's "honest and earnest desire" to agree to a plan with Republican negotiators. But she added: "There is a time limit on this. You're not going to play this back-and-forth for much longer. There is a limit." Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, meanwhile, previously said the Biden administration sees Monday as a critical date by which the White House expects to see progress in its talks. But Psaki appeared to steer clear of issuing any deadline on Thursday, saying at her briefing that the negotiations continue - and the White House is going to "keep our options open." The White House's latest attempt at compromise left some Democrats uneasy. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the chairman of the tax-focused Senate Finance Committee, stressed in a statement Thursday that there's support among voters for the kind of tax increases Biden initially sought. "Inadequate corporate tax revenue could leave many critical investments the American people care about off the table," Wyden added, "and fall far short of the $2 trillion in corporate revenue called for in the president's proposals." For Biden, the proposed improvements to the nation's infrastructure belong to a broader agenda that calls for significant increases in federal spending to address the country's economic needs. He has also put forward a roughly $1.9 trillion "families plan" that aims to improve federal safety net programs and a 2022 budget that includes major boosts to education and health agencies. Central to that spending are proposed tax increases on corporations and wealthy Americans, one of Biden's signature pledges during the 2020 campaign. The president has also proposed additional rewrites of the tax code, including an attempt to raise taxes on investment income and revamp the international tax system. As Biden has issued these proposals, he has made clear that he wants to negotiate with Republicans on many aspects of the tax changes to try to draw bipartisan support. Much as before, Biden could try to muscle the infrastructure plan through Congress using only Democratic votes. That path could be fraught with its own political challenges, though, given the wide array of opinions within the president's own party over what infrastructure reform should entail, and how to pay for it. Some moderates, including Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., also do not yet appear willing to abandon talks. Without their full support, Democrats would have no ability to advance infrastructure reform on their own in the Senate using a tactic known as reconciliation, which would require all 50 Democrats to vote in lockstep. Members of both parties have expressed concern with the number of large corporations paying little to nothing in federal income taxes. Fifty-five corporations in the Fortune 500 paid no federal income tax in 2020, according to a report by the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning think tank. Corporations have paid a declining share in federal taxes since the 2017 GOP tax law dramatically slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Businesses are able to zero out their tax obligations because of expansive tax credits offered by the federal government for research and development and other expenses, leading some firms to repeatedly pay nothing in federal income taxes. Many corporations also use a tax break for executive stock options that allow them to reduce their income taxes, ITEP said, while tax breaks for renewable energy investments and other capital expenditures allow major write-offs. Biden has been personally fixated on the trend and called for reversing it. But it is unclear whether Republicans would support the measure, and the president's comments during the private meeting on Wednesday could be an attempt to draw out their position. "This might be the kind of policy that could pick off a few Republican senators. But, keep in mind, Republicans have not really voted for a tax hike since 1990. So anything is going to be a lift," said Brian Riedl, a former aide to Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, now at the Manhattan Institute, a libertarian-leaning think tank. The Washington Post's Jeff Stein contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 12:18:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LIMA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Peruvians are looking to presidential hopefuls Keiko Fujimori and Pedro Castillo, who will face off in a runoff Sunday, to provide swift solutions to the country's economic and social problems caused by COVID-19. "Whichever of the two has to provide immediate answers, and that is a huge challenge when it comes to healthcare and the economy," political analyst Fernando Tuesta of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru told Xinhua in a recent interview. The winner of the June 6 elections, whether it is Fujimori of the Popular Force party or Castillo of the Free Peru party, faces "enormous challenges ... and I think they surpass the capability of any government," said Tuesta. Castillo proposes reforms to regain energy sovereignty, draft a new Constitution and renegotiate some government concessions, while Fujimori wants to stick to the present economic model. The key problem, said Tuesta, is that economic recovery requires first resolving the country's severe pandemic, which has cost more than 180,000 lives in Peru and impacted its labor market. Whoever wins, he said, must attend to the health crisis in the first 100 days in office by stepping up the vaccination campaign, a priority for rescuing the economy. According to political analyst Gonzalo Banda, Castillo's talk of social change has raised a lot of expectations among the poor in inner cities and marginal areas. "That populace is also going to demand quick results," said Banda, professor of Political Science at the Catholic University of Santa Maria in the city of Arequipa. One obstacle to Castillo's proposals for change is that the business class is fearful of his policies, Banda said. "I believe that the economic establishment has aligned itself against him and the energy and gas sovereignty he has committed himself to," he said. No matter what the outcome of Sunday's runoff is, the incoming administration will have to rely on Congress to implement the changes proposed by Castillo or to preserve the status quo, as proposed by Fujimori. However, according to the results of the first electoral round on April 11, neither candidate will have a majority in Congress and will have to seek alliances in the legislature to govern. Enditem Facebook said Friday that it plans to suspend former president Donald Trump for two years following his comments inciting violence in the wake of the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6. Facebook said Friday that it plans to suspend former president Donald Trump for two years following his comments inciting violence in the wake of the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6. The social media giant will only reinstate him "if the risk to public safety has receded," according to a blog post on the company's website. Facebook's new policy refers specifically to the behavior of public figures during periods of heightened violence or unrest, according to the blog post. Facebook says it will now initiate a series of time-bound suspensions for violators, starting with a one-month suspension, and look to experts to help reevaluate the situation at the end of each period. The announcement, part of a set of responses to the Facebook Oversight Board's recommendations in May regarding its suspension of the former president, is likely to have major implications for how the platform treats controversial public figures going forward. In ruling on whether the social network should reinstate Trump's account on its service, the largely independent Facebook-funded Oversight Board said the social media company was correct in suspending him in the moment but lacked a clear rationale for keeping him off the platform indefinitely. The company's announcement Friday is an attempt to clarify Trump's penalty and make the procedures of the powerful social network, which is used by 3.45 billion people globally on a monthly basis, appear less arbitrary and opaque to the public. It is also the first major test of how a nongovernment watchdog might act as a check on Facebook's power. "We know that any penalty we apply or choose not to apply will be controversial," said Nick Clegg, Facebook's vice president of global affairs, in the post. "There are many people who believe it was not appropriate for a private company like Facebook to suspend an outgoing President from its platform, and many others who believe Mr. Trump should have immediately been banned for life. We know today's decision will be criticized by many people on opposing sides of the political divide but our job is to make a decision in as proportionate, fair and transparent a way as possible, in keeping with the instruction given to us by the Oversight Board." President Donald Trump speaks to a gathering of mayors from around the U.S. in the East Room of the White House, January 25, 2020. (STARS AND STRIPES) Trump said in an emailed statement the ruling was an insult to the people who voted for him last year. Facebook "shouldn't be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing, and ultimately, we will win," he added. "Our Country can't take this abuse anymore!" Facebook on Friday fell short of saying it would comply with another board recommendation to publish a full public accounting of its role in fomenting the events that took place on Jan. 6. Instead, the company said it had created a partnership to exchange data about what took place on the platform during the election with 20 academic researchers, and would continue to cooperate with law enforcement. The researchers are planning to make their findings public. The company also said it would no longer automatically give politicians a pass when they break the company's hate speech rules, a major reversal after years of criticism that it was too deferential to influential people during the Trump presidency. Since the 2016 election, the company has applied a test to political speech that weighs the newsworthiness of the content against its propensity to cause harm. Now the company will throw out the first part of the test and will no longer consider newsworthiness as a factor. But Facebook doesn't plan to end the newsworthiness exception entirely. In the cases where an exception is made, the company will now disclose it publicly after years of such decisions being closely held. And it will also become more transparent about its strikes system for people who violate its rules, committing to telling users how many strikes they have along with the consequences. Facebook's critics said the two-year ban didn't go far enough, and noted that the timing would allow Trump to come back onto the platform before the 2024 election. That would allow him not only to rebuild a passionate audience, but to use the service for the fundraising, list-building, and event promotion that is key to political campaigns. "He will be back just in time to load a hundred million into Facebook ads," said Joan Donovan, research director of the Technology and Social Change Research Project at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard's Kennedy School. "Even if he doesn't run, he is a huge bank for the GOP so he will be a shot caller." James Steyer, CEO and Founder of Common Sense, an advocacy group for children and their relationship to technology and a frequent Facebook critic said in an email the timeline only goes past the 2022 election cycle. It "does not protect Americans from his interference in the next presidential election, which is why Facebook should, and can, permanently ban Trump," he said. "He incited a violent attack on our Capitol that resulted in five deaths. There is no justification to ever reinstate Trump on Facebook. Period." Soon after Jan. 6, Facebook turned its decision on Trump which it said would be enforced indefinitely over to the Oversight Board to decide whether the company made the right call. After four months of deliberations, the Oversight Board unexpectedly kicked the Trump decision back to the social network, giving it six months to decide whether to ban Trump permanently or reinstate him. It issued 19 recommendations, including that the company publish a report about its role in the Jan. 6 riot and make changes to its newsworthiness exception. Facebook plans to full implement 15 of them. Publicly, Facebook executives have deflected blame for the events at the Capitol onto other companies. The Washington Post and others have reported that rioters used Facebook to help organize. The Post reported last year that the newsworthiness exemption was first created in response to Trump's inflammatory remarks about Muslims during his candidacy. Since then, the company has maintained that it rarely used the exception and has only acknowledged using it six times. Those incidents were all outside the United States, and include political speech in Hungary, Vietnam and Italy. Facebook has not disclosed the names of the political figures who were given exceptions, despite repeated requests for the information. In practice, however, Facebook has appeared to give politicians and political leaders a pass in many more instances. In 2019, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company would not apply its fact-checking to political ads, for example. And throughout his presidency, Trump repeatedly flooded the platform with misinformation. He promoted baseless claims of voter fraud and repeatedly stated without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen. Facebook chose to append a generic label to most of that content rather than ban it. In its responses to the Oversight Board, Facebook also acknowledged that it had inaccurately told the board that it had never applied the newsworthiness exception to Trump. Facebook said that in August 2019, the company issued a newsworthiness exception for Trump when he insulted a man at a New Hampshire rally, saying, "That guy's got a serious weight problem." The Post reported last year that the newsworthiness exception was initially crafted in response to Trump's behavior, citing documents and several sources. Facebook denied that report. Even more so than the newsworthiness exception, the strikes system is another opaque area of Facebook's policies and practices. Users can be censored or demoted after a certain number of strikes for breaking rules. But the company has said it does not want to share its policing strategies for fear that it will enable loopholes. The result was what was criticized as an arbitrary system, however. People whose content was removed often did not know what rule they had broken, and seemingly routine violators sometimes appeared to be treated with kid gloves. Facebook's response to the Oversight Board is being watched as a key test for the possibility of self-regulation by powerful social media companies. Facebook and other Silicon Valley giants are facing a wave of potential new regulation over issues such as privacy and algorithmic transparency all over the world, as well as a major antitrust lawsuit in the United States. If the Facebook-created board is viewed as a legitimate check on the company's power, experts have said it could become a model for countries looking at ways to regulate how social media companies police content on their platforms, or for other companies in a similar position. But it also could make the need for regulation seem less urgent because a solution already exists, they said. In its responses, Facebook noted that the Oversight Board should not be seen as a "replacement" for regulation. In 2018, Zuckerberg under immense political pressure over the company's content moderation practices presented the idea for an independent body that would oversee controversial decisions made by the social network. The idea was to put a check on the social network's power, which was being roundly criticized by government officials, academics and the public over allowing the spread of Russian disinformation, inflammatory political discourse and hate speech. Facebook funded the Oversight Board through an independent trust and selects its members but has given it the power to make binding decisions on content that the board determines has been wrongly removed or kept up. The 20-member board also can issue voluntary policy recommendations. Members include a Nobel laureate, free-speech experts, and a former Danish prime minister. Trump also has been suspended indefinitely from YouTube, the gaming platform Twitch, Snapchat and other platforms, and has been banned from Twitter over the same set of comments from Jan. 6. Trump built one of the world's most powerful and passionate online audiences during his tenure as president. But researchers have shown that he has not been able to garner the same level of online attention since he was taken off mainstream platforms. He recently turned to using his own website to put out statements, but his team shut it down this week. The public is divided about whether Trump should be reinstated across social media, according to the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. In April, Pew published a report finding that 50 percent of Americans think Trump should not be permanently banned while 49 percent believe in a permanent ban. In response to the decision, President Joe Biden's press secretary Jen Psaki said that the administration continues to believe that "every platform, whether it's Facebook, Twitter and any other platform that is disseminating information to millions of Americans, has a responsible to crack down on disinformation, to crack down on false information, whether it's about the election or even about the vaccine." Regarding Trump's demonstrated use of social media, she added that it "feels pretty unlikely that the zebra is going to change his stripes over the next two years." The Washington Post's Gerrit De Vynck, Heather Kelly, Rachel Lerman and Donna Cassata contributed reporting. The Ambassador Bridge between the U.S. and Canada in Michigan, as seen on March 14, 2020. (Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press) WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service) A Republican leader in the House called on the Biden administration Thursday to reopen the U.S-Canada border on its own if it can't strike an agreement with the Canadian government to do so together. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who chairs the House Republican Conference, sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggesting the move which, she said, should happen on June 21 if the two countries can't agree on a border reopening plan by then. That is the date when the latest month-long extension of the border shutdown is set to expire. Stefanik, who represents New York's North Country, co-chairs the House Northern Border Caucus with Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat who has been pushing for months for a binational plan to reopen the border. "As co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, I have worked with my colleagues across the aisle, our Canadian counterparts, the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and essentially anyone who will listen over the past several months to establish a bilateral, metrics-based plan to reopen the northern border, but the Canadian Government continues to lack the urgency this situation demands," Stefanik said in a statement. "Enough is enough the United States needs to do what's best for the American people and small businesses and reopen the northern border." Higgins, in a letter to Mayorkas last month, also suggested that the U.S. relax border restrictions on its own if Canada refuses to do so. The land border between the U.S. and Canada was closed to nonessential travel on March 21, 2020, in an attempt to limit spread of the novel coronavirus. The shutdown has been extended monthly since then, prompting a growing outcry from people who have loved ones on the other side of the border, as well as from property owners barred from visiting their second homes. Stefanik addressed those issues in her letter to Mayorkas, saying the U.S. should be more welcoming to Canadians, even if Canada continues to refuse entry to most Americans. "If a bilateral reopening plan cannot be established and publicly announced before the current restrictions expire on June 21, 2021, I urge you to unilaterally begin easing the restrictions for nonessential travel into the U.S. across the northern border," Stefanik wrote. "Immediate actions should include expanding the list of exempted travelers to include family members and extended family members; Canadians with property, boats, or leased campsites in the U.S.; and business representatives with business dealings in the U.S., while beginning a phased reopening to the broader public." The Biden administration has been largely mum on the possibility of lifting border restrictions. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One last week, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki noted that the shutdown had been extended to June 21 and added: "I don't think a decision has been made, that I'm aware of, about what would happen after that point." Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been adamant that 75% of Canadians must be vaccinated before the nation can consider loosening the border restrictions. According to the Our World in Data Covid-19 Data Tracker, 53% of Canadians had received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine as of Wednesday. "Recent comments by Prime Minister Trudeau make clear that Canada is in no hurry to begin the reopening process and will make their reopening decisions without regard to U.S. interests," Stefanik said in her letter to Mayorkas. That being the case, the U.S. should open its side of the border on its own, she said. "Such actions appear necessary because further extensions of the existing travel restrictions without a clear plan forward is simply unacceptable for the communities along the northern border," Stefanik wrote. (c)2021 The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.) Visit The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.) at www.buffalonews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In this image captured from Hudson public access television, retired Army Lt. Col. Barnard Kemter gives a Memorial Day speech in Hudson, Ohio.. (Image from HCTV Video) AKRON, Ohio (Tribune News Service) Hudson's American Legion post has had its charter suspended and its leader has resigned after a veteran's mic got cut while he spoke about Black Americans' role in the history of Memorial Day. The actions come four days after the leader of the Hudson legion and head of the legion's auxiliary were involved with cutting Lt. Col Bernard Kemter's microphone during a Memorial Day ceremony in Hudson as he discussed Black Americans' role in an early holiday observance. Roger Friend, department commander of the American Legion Department of Ohio, on Thursday suspended the charter for American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464 in Hudson. The organization's executive board members on Friday morning "unanimously stood with him" on the decision, according to Suzette Heller, the state Legion's Department Adjutant. After the Hudson post is given a chance to respond, the American Legion will retrieve all possessions of the Hudson post and move its members to Streetsboro's American Legion Post 685, Heller said. Heller said Jim Garrison, adjutant of American Legion Lee-Bishop Post 464, called her Friday to say he had resigned from his leadership position. Cindy Suchan, who chairs the Memorial Day Parade committee and is president of the Hudson American Legion Auxiliary, has not resigned, but Heller said her case is being handled by the American Legion Auxiliary of Ohio. She said while Friend also asked Suchan to resign from her role as president of the Hudson American Legion Auxiliary, the issue falls into the state auxiliary's jurisdiction. An official with the American Legion Auxiliary of Ohio told the Beacon Journal that they are meeting Friday to discuss Suchan, but declined further comment. Garrison and Suchan also are being asked to give up their memberships in the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary and to apologize to the city of Hudson, all American Legion organizations, its members, veterans, and people of all backgrounds, Heller said. Friend on Thursday asked for both Suchan and Garrison to resign from their positions after the state office's investigation determined "Officers of American Legion Post 464 intentionally censored Lt. Col Bernard Kemter, US Army (Ret.) during his Memorial Day speech hosted by American Legion Post 464 of Hudson, Ohio." Garrison and Suchan could not be immediately reached Friday for comment. Suchan previously said it was either her or Garrison who turned down the audio at Monday's Memorial Day ceremony as Kemter spoke. When pressed, she would not say who specifically did it. (c)2021 the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) Visit the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) at www.ohio.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Joe Gromelski Stillwater, OK (74074) Today Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this morning. Then partly cloudy. High 93F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some passing clouds. Low near 65F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Changes to the SunCommercial's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition, by default, is now presented in Text view. From helping develop Kulim Park at the edge of the harbour, through to assisting locals during severe flooding, the Lions Club of Otumoetai have been an intrinsic and much-appreciated part of the community for the last 50 years. The club was chartered in 1970, says club member Margaret Gill. Because of the Covid lockdown last year we were unable to celebrate, so were celebrating our 50th birthday a year late. The club held their anniversary at Daniels in the Park, with the gathering made up of a whole lot of our past members, and some of our current members, says Margaret. Primarily its a chance to reminisce on some of the amazing projects the club has been involved with and done over the years. One of the really cool things thats still visible in our community is that this Lions club was hugely instrumental in the development of Kulim Park and all the work that went on down there. In 2005 the club responded to floods in Tauranga as many people were faced with the loss of their homes due to flooding and slips. The club swung into action with calls for household goods which were then supplied to those suffering losses, and they used their Dive Crescent store as the official Red Cross collection point. An annual concert for elderly citizens has been held by the club for many years in Otumoetai. Amongst the many ideas for fundraising for the community, members of the club once generated funds for the clubs activities account by constructing a play house and raffling it off. They also constructed canoe carrier trailers for Ngatuhoa Lodge Education Centres canoes in 2007, and additional work at the lodge included maintenance, with painting, weir construction and building repair. The lodge provided an opportunity for club weekend gatherings, amongst many of the social occasions held over the years. The club meets regularly at the Matua Bowling Club, providing a mix of community projects as well as a social connection for the many active members to become involved in. With a motto of we serve, the Lions Club of Otumoetai has been a stellar example of this for 50 years, empowering volunteers to serve their communities, meeting humanitarian needs, encouraging peace and promoting international understanding. Students Against Dangerous Driving - SADD is calling for a collective Kiwi response to change the course of a dismal 40 year record. From 1980 to 2020, there has been only one Queens Birthday weekend, in 2013, that has finished with no fatalities on New Zealand roads. Its down to all of us to make the changes necessary to alter this unenviable record, says SADD National Manager Donna Govorko. While it is a public holiday, its not comparable to Easter or summer holiday periods so it is a good time to start to put words into actions and drive like we want to arrive home. We are already on the Road to Zero and we want to see a marked change in the number of people who are killed or injured on our roads every year. Queens Birthday weekend is the last public holiday until October and we will soon have the shortest day behind us. Rushing to get somewhere in the winter weather can mean you wont get there at all. Simple things like ensuring that you and your passengers wear seat belts can make a significant difference to the outcome if something happens. Maddison Smith. Photo: Supplied. Maddie Smith, a year 12 SADD student at Inglewood High School in New Plymouth, says life isnt a race. Theres no need to speed to get to your long weekend holiday destination, says Maddie. Live in the present moment, stick to the speed limits, focus and drive to the winter road conditions to keep yourself and other road users safe this Queens Birthday. Share the Aroha, do the Mahi and make sure everyone in Aotearoa gets home safe! Sun Yi-Tao. Photo: Supplied. SADD National Leader Sun Yi-Tao, a year 13 student at St Kevins College in Oamaru agrees. Going into Queen's Birthday Weekend, we want to unwind, relax and do the things Kiwis do, says Sun. We dont want this to come at a cost. "There will be an end to this long weekend but there are others to enjoy. Let's not do anything we can regret tomorrow, and instead focus on today, making sure we all say no to distractions and stay focused on our driving, allowing us to safely go back to our lives with the people who love and care about us." Derryn Fleming. Photo: Supplied. Derryn Fleming, a year 12 SADD student at Sacred Heart Girls College in New Plymouth, says everyone wants to get back home. There will be a lot of traffic on the road this long weekend, so keep to a safe speed while driving, says Derryn. Youll be keeping yourself and others safe. We all want to get back home. For more information go to www.sadd.org.nz , www.facebook.com/SADDNZ and https://www.instagram.com/saddnz/ A national operation launched by Police earlier this year aiming to prevent firearms getting in the hands of criminals is seeing great results in Northland, with dozens of unlawful firearms seized. Operation Tauwhiro was rolled out in February to target the disruption and prevention of firearms-related violence by criminal gangs and organised criminal groups. In three months, Northland Police have seized 64 firearms and made 42 arrests. More than $35,000 in cash has also been seized as a result of search warrants. On May 6, multiple search warrants were conducted in Waima linked to the Tribesman gang. A search of the address located 13 firearms including rifles, shotguns and a semi-automatic firearm, along with a significant amount of ammunition. In March, 16 firearms, including a semi-automatic weapon, were located following three search warrants in Whangarei and Kerikeri. Two grenades were also located, however upon further examination were found to be inert. A man was arrested in relation to the unlawful possession of firearms. Detective Inspector Bridget Doell says Police are committed to preventing firearms getting into the hands of criminals. We want everyone to feel safe and our focus is working with communities and our partners to reduce and prevent the impacts of organised crime and gun violence in our communities. The results in Northland are not unique. As a result of good work by staff across the country, as of last week 522 firearms have been seized and 476 arrests have been made nationally. A strong focus for Operation Tauwhiro is community engagement and prevention as Police aim to manage the effects of organised crime on whanau and communities. One organisation that Northland Police have been working in partnership with is Te Mana o Ngapuhi Kowhaorau, a charitable trust which supports young people appearing in court. Police also urge lawful firearms holders to ensure their firearms are safely and securely stored to prevent getting in the hands of organised crime groups. We know that these groups target firearms and it is important that gun owners ensure they have appropriate measures in place to prevent being an easy target of gun thefts, such as securing any firearms in a locked and hidden safe, says Detective Inspector Doell. We want to keep New Zealand safe and in Northland we urge everyone in our community to report any information relating to whanau and friends that may need Police or other agency assistance. Further information around firearms licencing and firearms safety can be found by visiting https://www.police.govt.nz/advice-services/firearms-and-safety Council commissioners are hoping Taurangas arts community will be very vocal in having their say on the future of the city. The Long Term Plan consultation period ends on Monday, and Anne Tolley, Shadrach Rolleston, Bill Wasley and Stephen Selwood are hoping to hear back from everyone involved in a sector which can often be regarded as having less importance than roads, housing, rubbish and sewage. The Western Bay of Plentys art map has been evolving rapidly over the last decade, turning Tauranga into a vibrant hub of bubbling creativity. The Incubator at Taurangas Historic Village has been one of the driving forces behind that, thanks to individual creative community champions, along with the region becoming a popular place for muralists, filmmakers, musicians and artists to live and work. Come and talk to us about it, says Anne. We could be a great city. Its not just about pipes and roads. Its really important to us that theres a strong signal from the arts sector. We want to hear about all the good things happening, what you think of whats in the LTP and what you think can be improved too, adds Bill. Stephen, who regards himself as the infrastructure guy, believes theres not much point in having the physical platform of a city built unless youve got the social infrastructure as well. We need to realise that our history, our arts, our culture and our heritage are all the things that make a truly great city, he says. We need to celebrate that and provide the means, be it film, arts, culture, music, says Stephen. As an outsider coming in, I hear a lot from people about cost and rates. But were not having a really sound conversation in the community about the benefits. Infrastructure and social infrastructure are complementary. Where artists go, others often follow. Big creative breakthroughs are also a social process, often occurring when a diverse population comes together. Groups need spaces and facilities to express their dance, music and culture. The five most creative cities in the world, according to the BBC, are Mexico City, Sharjah, Belgrade, Dakar and Bangkok, with a vibrant youth culture fuelling a lot of that creativity. One of the challenges Tauranga faces is losing young talented musicians as they leave to study elsewhere. The library downtown needs replacing, while a civic centre can also tell the stories of our people and region and the downtown area has the potential to become the CCD a central cultural district with the creative community turning it into the heart of the city, and the city becoming the heart of the region. Theres a big blank canvas waiting to be painted on and the commissioners are asking for the arts community to pick up a brush and paint their vision for the future on it. Submissions to the Long Term Plan are due by 4pm on Monday, June 7. Hearings begin a week later with the LTP adopted by July 30. Submissions to the LTP can be sent in online via: www.tauranga.govt.nz Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 14:06:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has shortened the pandemic quarantine period from 14 days to 7 days for all fully vaccinated inbound travelers who received the COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Friday. In a statement, Roque said these travelers entering the Philippines are no longer required to undergo COVID-19 RT-PCR or swab test upon arrival. RT-PCR test shall only be done when the individual manifests COVID-19 symptoms within the seven-day quarantine. Roque said the inter-agency coronavirus task force approved the new guidelines on Thursday. "An individual shall be considered as having been fully vaccinated two or more weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series, or two or more weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine," Roque explained. He said that a fully vaccinated individual must carry the vaccination card verified before departure. After completing the seven-day facility-based quarantine, Roque said the quarantine bureau shall issue a quarantine certificate indicating the individual's vaccination status. Roque reiterated that the Southeast Asian country's borders are still close to foreign tourists. The Philippines only allows foreign nationals with valid and existing visas to enter the country. The Philippines previously required all arriving travelers to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival and a swab test on the seventh day within the stay in a quarantine facility. Enditem Do you already have a paid subscription to any of the SWNewsMedia newspapers? If so, you can Activate your Premium online account by clicking here. Activation will allow you to view unlimited online articles each month. To activate your Premium online account, the email address and phone number provided with your paid newspaper subscription needs to match the information you use in setting up your online user account. If you are having trouble or want to confirm what email address and phone number is listed on your subscription account, please call 952-345-6682 or email circulation@swpub.com and we'll be happy to assist. Lawton, OK (73501) Today Thunderstorms likely, especially this morning. High 92F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 15:22:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WELLINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Experts from New Zealand rejected the conspiracy theory that COVID-19 could have originated from a lab, the New Zealand Herald reported Thursday. "In fact, we don't know where most of the viruses that infect us have come from," Jemma Geoghegan, a virologist from the University of Otago, was quoted by the daily paper as saying. "This is why we need to sample more viruses in nature and expand our knowledge of the diversity of viruses that exist," she said. According to Geoghegan, it is possible that the virus crossed from animals to humans, given "a strong precedent" for coronaviruses to have become zoonotic. Echoing Geoghegan, David Hayman, a professor of infectious disease ecology at Massey University, also believed that a lab-made pandemic is extremely unlikely, as there is no genetic sign of human meddling. "People really need to understand that viruses do recombine. For example, the novel virus from Malaysia that was recently detected seems to be a recombinant of a cat and dog viruses, which were also previously not known," Hayman was quoted as saying. "There is a huge amount of data to support this being a natural event," he said. Also on Thursday, Ananish Chaudhuri, a professor of experimental economics at the University of Auckland, published an article on his own website, in which he said the lab-leak theory is a "campaign to isolate China" from other developing countries "whose markets are much coveted by the Western nations." "During the pandemic, the Western countries effectively made it clear to developing countries that when it came to vaccines or other help the latter were completely on their own," said Chaudhuri. "The only feasible option left is to prove to the world that China let lose this pathogen deliberately," he said, adding that such a campaign is full of "baseless canards." "Scientists should ponder at length before lending their credibility to this smear campaign," he said. Enditem 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. Florida Department of Health reported 12,157 new COVID-19 cases statewide during the week of June 4-10, bringing the cumulative total since March 2020 to 2,300,786. Forty more people died, upping the death toll to 37,265. A Right to Disconnect: Irish and European Legal Perspectives. Tuesday 1 June 2021 - A Public Policy Report of the COVID-19 Law and Human Rights Observatory, School of Law, Trinity College Dublin. Experts say legislation is needed to set in stone the right of Irish workers to disconnect. Experts from the COVID-19 Law and Human Rights Observatory at Trinity College Dublin recommend Ireland puts the right of its workers to disconnect into binding legislation to safeguard against the working culture of constant availability and the damaging consequences that can have for well-being. The overarching recommendation is made in a newly published report A Right to Disconnect: Irish and European Legal Perspectives that outlines how existing laws are insufficient to provide adequate and effective enforcement of the right to disconnect. The report also details specific areas of focus in addressing this issue. COVID-19, working from home, and the new normal. The COVID-19 pandemic provoked a sudden increase in the proportion of people working remotely and while the vaccination programme is creating conditions that should permit a gradual return to workplaces, it seems likely that remote working will remain a prominent, new-normal feature of the post-pandemic labour market. While remote working offers flexibility in respect of where and when work is performed, it poses challenges for work-life balance. There is a particular risk that remote working gives rise to an organisational culture of constant availability. This report explains the current law in Ireland. On the one hand, there are enforceable rights to rest found in the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. On the other, there is a Statutory Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect. This is not legally-binding, but it can be taken into account when the 1997 Act is being applied. Contrary to the Governments current position, this report concludes that these instruments are insufficient to provide adequate and effective enforcement of the right to disconnect. It recommends that Ireland goes further by putting the right to disconnect into binding legislation, which should include a definition of working and leisure time that sufficiently captures the need to protect workers from the expectation of work as well as its actual performance, and of the circumstances in which it is permissible to contact workers outside normal working hours. To illuminate the context and options for such legislation, the report examines the situation in EU Law, followed by discussion of the position in France and Germany. At EU level, the European Parliament has called for legislation on the right to disconnect and it has adopted detailed proposals to this end. France provides an example of the first European jurisdiction to enact a statutory right to disconnect. It demonstrates that practical implementation of this right demands the active involvement of employers and trade unions. In contrast, Germany has not yet adopted such legislation. Nevertheless, as in Ireland, there is an active debate on the rights already flowing from the law on working time and certain businesses have already taken initiatives designed to facilitate disconnection by workers. In the light of the examples provided in this report, it concludes with a set of recommendations for measures to be addressed in any future legislation on the right to disconnect in Ireland. Legislation needs to clarify the distinction between working time and rest periods; during the latter, the worker should not be expected to be normally available to the employer, albeit that there may be circumstances where flexibility is required. This non-availability is key rest periods must be protected from the risk or expectation of being contacted for work purposes, whether or not work is actually performed. However, account needs to be taken of the realities of the business including any business conducted across time zones, and flexible working arrangements. For such laws to function in practice, it is necessary that they are implemented by employers with the participation of trade unions or other workers representatives. To be effective in practice, all workers should be included and this should encompass non-standard forms of employment, such as those in the gig-economy. Contributors to the Report Mark Bell is Regius Professor of Laws and Head of School at the School of Law, Trinity College Dublin. He has published widely on Anti-Discrimination Law and Employment Law, particularly in relation to EU law. is Regius Professor of Laws and Head of School at the School of Law, Trinity College Dublin. He has published widely on Anti-Discrimination Law and Employment Law, particularly in relation to EU law. Marta Lasek-Markey is a PhD candidate in the School of Law. The subject of her thesis is Posted Workers and Precariousness in Practice, and her research is funded by the Irish Research Council. is a PhD candidate in the School of Law. The subject of her thesis is Posted Workers and Precariousness in Practice, and her research is funded by the Irish Research Council. Alan Eustace is a Scholar of Trinity and a PhD candidate in the School of Law. The subject of his thesis is The Worker and the Constitution: A Theory of Constitutional Labour Law, and his research is funded by the Irish Research Council. is a Scholar of Trinity and a PhD candidate in the School of Law. The subject of his thesis is The Worker and the Constitution: A Theory of Constitutional Labour Law, and his research is funded by the Irish Research Council. Thomas Pahlen is a PhD candidate in the School of Law. His research examines the horizontal effect of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in employment law. The COVID-19 Law and Human Rights Observatory of Trinity College Dublin engages in research across the full range of Irelands legal response to COVID-19. Academics in the Observatory work with research assistants to identify, aggregate, contextualise, explain, and analyse the legal components of Irelands COVID-19 response. They aim both to inform the public and to provoke public debate. Japan delivered to Taiwan 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine on Friday for free, in a gesture that will more than double the number of shots the island has received to date. Taiwan is battling a spike in domestic infections and has vaccinated only about 3 percent of its population. Japan has agreed to procure more than 300 million doses of coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca, more than enough to cover its entire population. "At the time of the great east Japan earthquake 10 years ago, people in Taiwan sent us a lot of donations promptly. I believe that is etched vividly in the minds of Japanese people," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said, announcing the vaccine donation. "Such an important partnership and friendship with Taiwan is reflected in this offer." The vaccines landed at Taipei's main international airport early afternoon. Taiwan Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said he was "extremely thankful" the shots had arrived at a tense moment in the island's fight against the pandemic, as he reported another 472 new infections. "I believe it will be very helpful in overall pandemic prevention," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 15:27:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Former Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Baghdad, Iraq, April 3, 2021. (Xinhua) BAGHDAD, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people have attained remarkable achievements over the past 100 years, bringing benefits to all mankind, former Iraqi interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi has said. "This is really something that has never occurred in the globe before," 77-year-old Allawi, also former Iraqi Vice President and the founder of the Iraqi National Accord party, told Xinhua in a recent interview. "It is very interesting to see how the growth is happening in China," Allawi said, recalling his visit to China in 2019. "I saw something unbelievable, very outstanding really." He attributed the success to "the resolve of the CPC leadership," which led the Chinese to move in the right direction that matches the trend of the world. Embracing socialism with Chinese characteristics, the CPC leadership has accomplished a lot, including eradicating extreme poverty in the world's most populous country, said Allawi. Allawi views as very important the declaration that extreme poverty was eliminated in China. "It shows how dedicated the Chinese are in improving their situation. It also shows the quality of leadership that China has," he said. Speaking of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Allawi said China has provided tangible assistance to many countries, produced vaccines, and pledged to make them global public goods to address the uneven global vaccination. "Many countries are using the Chinese vaccines, which means again in this field that China made the vaccines available to the international community," Allawi said, adding, "China is trying to help the people throughout the world." However, instead of facing their own problems, Western governments and mainstream media are trying to tarnish China by distorting its intentions, making China "a scapegoat," Allawi said. "They accuse China of various things, but China is proving itself otherwise," he said. The fact that China is helping the world with its very significant vaccines "indicates the Chinese level of ethics in dealing with the pandemic," Allawi added. Enditem Thank you for Reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and Purchase a Subscription to continue reading. A Brand's Guide to Digital Shelf Analytics | eBook What can you do to improve your digital commerce game? The first rule of the digital shelf is to make sure your products can be found. Some might say its mission impossible. Unless, of course, you use digital shelf analytics (DSA). Get the eBook Today! Cyberattacks in the first half of 2021 have escalated globally to affect virtually every industry. Earlier this year TechNewsWorld spoke with cybersecurity experts about the expanding threat landscape, imminent threats, and what can be done to counter the ongoing offensives against the IT systems of companies, organizations, and government agencies. This story was originally published on Feb. 16, 2021. As a result of its popularity, it is brought to you today as part of our Best of ECT News series. Some cybersecurity experts agree with a report by Cybersecurity Ventures and expect financial damages from cybercrime to reach $6 trillion by the end of this year. Industry studies show that cyberattacks are among the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. Cyberattacks are absolutely on the rise. Based on everything we know and every single analyst we have spoken with, there is no doubt that attacks are increasing, according to Robert McKay, senior vice president, risk solutions at Neustar. "Cybersecurity experts predict that in 2021 there will be a cyberattack incident every 11 seconds. This is nearly twice what it was in 2019 (every 19 seconds), and four times the rate five years ago (every 40 seconds in 2016)," he told TechNewsWorld. The rapidly growing increase in cyberattacks worldwide comes at a hefty cost for businesses in order to better protect their computer networks from intrusions. Cyberattacks not only are increasing in frequency, but they are costing victims larger financial losses. The Growing Price of Cyber Risk Worldwide, cybercrime cost businesses, government agencies, and consumers in general more than $1 trillion in 2020, according to the data analyzed by researchers at Atlas VPN. That is around one percent of the global GDP. While $945 billion was lost to cyber incidents, $145 billion was spent on cybersecurity. Those costs increased by more than 50 percent compared to 2018, when over $600 billion was spent to handle cybercrime. But twenty percent of organizations worldwide have no plans on how to protect against cybercrime events, according to the Atlas VPN report. That leaves a gaping hole in networks for cybercriminals to extend their attack strategies to steal even millions of dollars more. The only sure defense, warn cybersecurity experts, is to step up efforts to pass legislation that bolsters technological defenses. That may be the only way to alter the course of ongoing cyberattacks. Despite all the efforts into protecting systems and data, cloud breaches are likely to increase in both velocity and scale, said John Kinsella, chief architect at Accurics about his company's 2020 summer research report on the State of DevSecOps. "This [analysis] comes as cloud breaches have been rampant over the last two years. More than 30 billion records have been exposed as a result of cloud infrastructure misconfigurations," he told TechNewsWorld. In order to keep pace with an evolving economy that requires more digital transformation, organizations must place cyber resilience and the practice of DevSecOps at the top of their priority list, he added. Not Just in the Clouds Much more results in the growing pace of cyberattacks than rampant migration to cloud storage and misconfigured cloud infrastructure. Still, misconfigurations in cloud infrastructure lead to data exposure and are among the biggest concerns for cyberthreats facing business and government agencies today, noted Kinsella. Nearly 98 percent of all cyberattacks rely on some form of social engineering to deliver a payload such as malware or ransomware. One of the most successful attack formats cybercriminals use regularly to initiate a social engineering attack is through phishing emails. Therefore, threat actors distribute malware via email approximately 92 percent of the time. Cloud use and the continued stampede to cloud services is not going away. That ongoing shift in computing practices must be managed with more vigilance. COVID has accelerated organizations' digital transformation. Therefore, the ability to set up workloads in the cloud and get them through compliance and security challenges is in demand, noted Mohit Tiwari, co-founder and CEO at Symmetry Systems. "Part of the reason is that the workloads that had resisted moving to the cloud were exactly the highly regulated ones, and the forced move out of on-site data centers managed by IT staff is driving up demand for cloud-based compliance and security skills," he told TechNewsWorld. Thus, cloud-based security techniques will be vital in the fight to curtail the worsening cybersecurity landscape. These include learning to work with cloud-native identity and access management (IAM), he noted. "Those looking after cloud-based security need to broadly learn to manage infrastructure through structured programs, instead of shell scripts pieced together. As networks and application tiers become ephemeral, the most important persistent asset for any enterprise will likely be their own and their customers' data. So data-security on the cloud will be a major theme going forward," he cautioned. Providing Cloud Cover The world pandemic has hastened the cyber intrusions. So has complacency and poor training among office workers and inadequate IT surveillance. Organizations need to consider a balanced approach to training their employees and investing in automation tools to minimize the risks of cyberattacks, offered Brendan O'Connor, CEO and co-founder at AppOmni. Extensive training and around-the-clock manual monitoring are not necessary when the right automation tools can complement the IT staff as they build up their skill set. "IT workers specializing in security need to shift their focus to supporting the new model of business many enterprises are adopting. Some enterprises are shifting their business model to focus on virtual workforce, de-emphasizing the need to secure office networks," O'Connor told TechNewsWorld. In other cases, offices are being eliminated altogether. IT workers need to change their focus from traditional network security of a campus/office to application security of the work-anywhere model, he continued. "With the employee location and devices under constant flux, organizations will rely on the consistency and security of cloud service applications. IT workers should look to the management and security of these SaaS (software as service) applications as the new skills and technology to embrace," O'Connor said. Looming Threats Over the next year, ransomware will continue to be the biggest threat and financial risk to enterprises, observed Joseph Carson, chief security scientist and advisory CISO at Thycotic. Most organizations should be very concerned about ransomware as the biggest cybersecurity challenge and threat, he advised. "Organizations should prioritize to invest in security solutions that help reduce the risks and also plan and test an incident response plan to help ensure the business is resilient to high-risk attacks," he told TechNewsWorld. Ransomware continues to evolve into more than just a security incident. Cybercriminals now seek data breaches with organized cybercrime groups to steal the data before they encrypt on corporate servers. Companies are not just worried about getting their data back but also who it gets shared with publicly. Cybercriminals use ransomware to target anyone, any company, and any government including hospitals and transportation industries at a time when they are under extreme pressure, Carson added. Another major cybersecurity attack trend focuses on the protective tools and security vendors within the industry, noted Brandon Hoffman, chief information security officer at Netenrich. The tools that the industry relies on and their providers are becoming more targets for attacks. "It is a big concern because practitioners need tools they can depend on for detection and defense. By crippling or repurposing the very tools meant to thwart these attempts, the adversaries stand to gain a complete upper hand in the ongoing battle to combat cyber threats," Hoffman told TechNewsWorld. "The attacks targeting security organizations and vendors were always high up on the adversary list, but success begets further success." Fighting the Battle The trust factor is an internal battle of sorts between security vendors and the corporations hiring them for cyber protection. That trust must be constantly reassessed, suggested Tim Wade, technical director of the CTO Team at Vectra AI. "Strategically, security practitioners must continue to pivot away from preventative-based security architecture into resilience-based security architecture," Wade told TechNewsWorld. That is where the focus shifts to accepting the reality that things will go wrong, but when they do, the impact is minimized through rapid detection, response, and recovery, he added. Vendors and suppliers have always been lucrative targets for adversaries. Many of the cyberattackers belong to organized criminal gangs that are sanctioned by foreign nations. The best defense such adversaries is acknowledging that you cannot stop them. But then focus on making their lives as difficult as possible, Wade said. Cybersecurity Higher Education One of the often unspoken ways of safeguarding against cybersecurity assaults is through education. This approach goes beyond teaching company workers to be better aware of safe computing ideals. Rather, recruiting the next crop of computer specialists to pursue a degree in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity prospers because so many professionals come from different backgrounds and skill sets, noted Heather Paunet, senior vice president at Untangle. "Groups who are traditionally marginalized in other industries, when pivoting or starting a career in cybersecurity, can benefit from multiple industry-leading organizations offering certification programs," she told TechNewsWorld. The emerging field of cybersecurity is a very viable career path, noted Michael Kaczmarek, vice president of product management at Neustar. Industry reports show that the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs is expected to grow by 35 percent. "Given the increases in attacks and the changes in tactics used by bad actors and organizations, cybersecurity will most certainly be a career choice that will see net employment for the long term," he told TechNewsWorld. The demand for cybersecurity jobs has certainly increased in the past year, agreed Dov Lerner, security research lead at Cybersixgill. A career path in the field is a great choice for someone interested in IT and security. "An increase in the number of tools utilized increases security operations and analytics complexity and requires an increase in personnel. However, according to a recent ESG survey, nearly 70 percent of security teams say it is difficult to recruit and hire additional SOC (security operations center) staff," Lerner told TechNewsWorld. Security analysts have the opportunity to impact more than just their specific industry. Cybersecurity reaches into the world of politics, economics, and other sectors of the world. While breaking into the field can be challenging, it is incredibly rewarding, he concluded. Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack. Microsoft looks like it's preparing to reveal new stuff about their Windows operating systems this month, and it's got a lot of fans anticipating. Overclock3D.net reports that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently confirmed the company's plans to showcase the so-called "next generation" of Windows, which for all intents and purposes might be Windows 11. Because frankly, what can they do for Windows 10 at this point? The alleged reveal is slated for June 24, which is almost six years after the first launch of Windows 10. Apparently, the upcoming new version of the OS isn't going to be called Windows 11 anymore, but rather just Windows. The reveal event is going to be all-digital, according to CNET, where Microsoft promised massive changes to the OS. This announcement of the digital event was made via the official Windows Twitter account, which teased what looks like to be the new logo for the upcoming operating system. Unlike a lot of Windows and Surface events, however, Microsoft is setting their event time slot to 11:00 AM ET, according to The Verge. With this announcement, it looks like they're moving on from the scrapping of Windows 10X, which was supposed to be a lightweight version of their operating system, to rival ChromeOS. Read also: Microsoft Windows 10 Update to Share Your Internet History; Visited Websites, Searches, and More-- How to Prevent It Microsoft Windows 11: What Can Fans Expect? Let's go back to Windows 10X. When it was scrapped, Microsoft was hard at work on a lot of features that would've made it an excellent operating system. A good number of 10X's best features were supposed to be ported to vanilla Windows 10 in an update. That said, those features will also make perfect sense to be added to Windows 11. Among these features include a host of visual and functionality improvements. There was a new design for the Start menu, modernized looks for system icons, a more streamlined File Explorer, and last but not least, the scrapping of really old icons dating back to the Windows 95 era. Remember that icon for "save?" That is something that likely a lot of Windows 10 users never even heard of: the 3.5-inch diskette. Now, let's move on to predictions concerning the release date and pricing. Remember during the early days of Windows 10, when it was once offered as a free upgrade to Windows 7 users? That was a major leap in terms of availability because it didn't lock millions of users out behind a paywall. For the next generation of the OS, it makes a lot of sense for Microsoft to do the same thing. For everyone else, it's going to be more or less standard procedure. A lot of new installations will likely need to purchase standalone licenses, with most of these first-time buyers being OEMS equipping their desktops and laptops with the new operating system, according to Windows Central. Obviously, a lot of other features won't be revealed until June 24, which makes every other rumor meaningless except pure speculation. Related: Microsoft Outlook Encounters a Bug Hindering Users From Creating or Opening Mail: How to Fix This? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by RJ Pierce 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tesla stock is taking a massive nosedive after its biggest market is showing signs of massive slowdowns. ElecTrek reports on the stock price crash for the EV manufacturing giant after its sales numbers in China were reportedly dwindling. The information came from an insider who claimed that Tesla orders in China fell to a measly 9,800 last month, from a high of over 21,000 orders back in March. According to a report on Investors.com, Tesla shares dropped a significant 5.3 percent, pushing it back below the 600 level at 572.84, as well as its 200-day moving average. As a result, local competitors such as Li Auto, Xpeng, and Nio moved in and grabbed some market share, with all three reporting increased sales numbers for May. According to an insider, this drop in sales numbers basically means that the Chinese market's appetite for Tesla EVs are rapidly shifting, despite Tesla founder Elon Musk being hailed as a celebrity in the country. Also, considering how many cars that a Tesla factory can produce, you'll see those order numbers in a very different light. According to a report by CNBC, the Tesla factory in Shanghai has the capacity to manufacture around 500,000 EVs a year. Suppose that the company is only getting under 10,000 orders a month, and that wouldn't even crack half of the factory's overall production capacity. Read also: Tesla is Looking to Buy Over $1 BILLION Worth of Battery Raw Materials from Australia Tesla Isn't Doing Good in China, But Why? The company's recent struggles in the Chinese market might probably be their fault on numerous occasions. Tesla, for one, has been trying to contain the fallout of their handling of various customer service complaints in the country, which caused a massive public outcry. Among these was a certain customer who performed multiple demonstrations after they suffered an accident in their Tesla EV early this year. The aforementioned customer was the one who crashed Tesla's booth at the Shanghai Motor Show, climbing on top of a display car to shout to onlookers that the brakes on Tesla's cars don't work. As a result, the company responded via their Chinese social media page, which trended for all the wrong reasons. According to a report by Electrek, the response was characterized as "cocky" by the general public. Aside from this, Elon Musk's company has also been trying to grapple with issues such as product recalls and safety investigations in China. So far, it looks like this has become a full-blown PR nightmare for the automaker, which explains the change in public perception about the company. Not the First Time that Tesla Cars Are In Hot Water Overseas Last month, a good number of Tesla vehicles in Norway apparently suffered from battery woes after a certain software update. The owners of the cars reported a halving of the vehicles' effective range and top speed, which caused a Norwegian court to order the EV maker to pay out around $16,000 in damages to each affected customer. Now, with their woes in China (and a price hike that wasn't received so well), Tesla and Elon Musk have their hands full in terms of keeping the automaker's overall reputation afloat. Related: Tesla Model S Plaid Debuts a Retractable Spoiler That Hides on Its Trunk-Here's Its First-Look This article is owned by Tech Times Written by RJ Pierce 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 15:47:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- China's United Nations Ambassador Zhang Jun said Thursday that unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) are turning a health crisis into a moral one, and called for international solidarity and cooperation. "UCMs are illegal, unjustified and unreasonable," Zhang said at the virtual webinar on "the impact of unilateral coercive measures on national health systems of targeted developing countries" sponsored by the permanent UN missions of China, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Undermining the global response and threatening the health of people of targeted countries, UCMs are still in place at a "critical juncture" when the pandemic is "far from over" amid surging new cases, new variants and a widening vaccine divide, according to Zhang. UCMs violate international law, said Zhang, noting that the UN Charter stipulates that states have the duty "to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors." "No state shall apply domestic law to exercise long-arm jurisdiction over other countries. Such practices seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the fundamental principle of sovereign equality in international law and the basic principle of non-interference in international relations," said Zhang. Some countries even use unilateral sanctions to suppress legitimate governments of other states to incite a "color revolution" and regime change, or as a tool for "unfair economic and scientific competitions," he added. Zhang said that UCMs also result in human rights crises, worsen humanitarian crises. "We call on the General Assembly, the Security Council, the UN Economic and Social Council and the Human Rights Council to step up assessment on the negative impacts of UCMs and put forth targeted solutions," said the envoy. "We call on the member states, the UN system and other international organizations to fully support the countries under UCMs, especially in their response to the pandemic," he said. China will continue to stand on the side of true multilateralism, the majority of member states, and fairness and justice, he added. Enditem Dr. Li-Meng Yan claims to have emailed Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) early in the 2020 pandemic regarding COVID-19 being a "bioweapon." However, Yan claims that officials have tried to hide it, not immediately requiring people to mask up. The FOI now probes those emails. The COVID-19 crisis had a massive turn of events last year when people initially started to theorize it as a bioweapon from Wuhan, China and having "whistleblowers" like Dr. Yan to come out. It has shaken the entire belief of the government and health officials of the world, which have tried to prove it otherwise, with people wanting to know the truth behind it. The case was reopened as the answers were sought after. With the COVID-19 whistleblower again rising to prominence and adept believer of the "bioweapon" theory, former President Donald Trump spoke up about it. On the heat of the issue, current President Joe Biden has asked to "redouble the efforts" of looking into the source of COVID-19 and give an answer within 90 days. Read Also: Face Mask Regulations for AMC, Cinemark, Regal Film Theaters Revoked, Only if Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Li-Meng Yan Claims to Email Fauci of 'Bioweapon' Theory Many people believe the theory that COVID-19 is a "bioweapon;" Hence, this topic is trending over again, and Dr. Li-Meng Yan rises to prominence after several months of hush. Recently, in an interview with Newsmax (via Daily Mail UK), Dr. Yan has revealed that she has emailed Dr. Anthony Fauci about her theory and "discovery." Last year, Dr. Yan published a study of her claims and discovery on the Wuhan bio lab where COVID-19 originated. The Chinese virologist was part of those who have studied it. However, her claims were shut down, deleted, and she was forced to go into hiding in fear for her own life. Since then, Dr. Yan was banned from social media for "misinformation." Fauci's Emails Surfaces Because of Freedom of Information Act Dr. Anthony Fauci of the NIAID was among one of the personalities that are now under investigation to gain knowledge about the origins of COVID-19, viewing everything, including digital records. The Freedom of Information Act or FOI has now taken hold of Dr. Fauci's email messages, where it was publicized by The Washington Post. The emails discovered show that Dr. Fauci knew of the virus since early March 2020 but has not pushed or required the use of face masks in public, as health protocols during the early pandemic were lax. There was also an email from George Gao of the Chinese CDC, which shows China wanting to get the virus out of the planet and aiming to work with the country to stop the pandemic. The emails to Dr. Fauci have shown that there was a sense of immediacy regarding the pandemic, highlighting its severity during the early days. Related Article: COVID-19, Lung Diseases Observation Could Get Better - Scientists Use Xenon To Create Clearer MRI Images This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Screenshot From Pexels Official Website) TikTok Privacy Policy Update Allows App to Collect User Biometrics Including Faceprints and Voiceprints TikTok updated its privacy policy on June 2, introducing a new section which states that the app may collect users' biometric identifiers as well as the biometric information. This would even include things like the users voiceprints and faceprints. TikTok Privacy Policy Update TikTok did not really confirm what product developments necessitated the new biometric data to its list of disclosures regarding the information which the app would automatically collect from its users. They did, however, note that it would ask for consent in the cases of data collection practices. According to the TikTok privacy policy, the biometric data collection details were actually introduced in the newest section. The policy notes that the image and audio information that can be found under the heading of information that the app will collect automatically. What Data Does TikTok Collect The initial part of the new section states that TikTok might collect user information about user' image and audio content. These include identifying objects and scenery that would appear. Although it might sound quite creepy, a number of other social networks could object recognition on images that users would upload in order to power accessibility features just like a users' instagram photo for example like for ad targeting purposes. Identifying where the user is and the scenery is can improve the device's AR effects while being able to convert the spoken words to text would help users with features like the automatic captions on TikTok. The policy reportedly notes that this part of data collection is made for enabling the special video effects for demographic classification, content moderation, for ad and content recommendations, as well for maybe others non-personally-identifying operations. Read Also: [UPDATE] Is April 24 TikTok Trend False? Warning of Explicit Assaults is Baseless TikTok to Collect Faceprints or Voiceprints The statement itself is a bit unclear as it does not directly specify as to whether it is considering state laws, federal law, or both. According to TechCrunch, it also does not explain what TikTok will be doing with the data and why they actually need it. It also does not define terms like voiceprints or faceprints. It also does not explain how it would go about seeking the needed permission from users or if it could look to either state or maybe even federal laws in order to guide the process of gaining users' consent. Only a number of US states have biometric privacy laws which include Illinois, California, Washington, Texas, and even New York. If TikTok would only request its users content which is required by the law, it could potentially mean users in other states might not have to be informed when it comes to data collection. When TikTok was reached out to, a spokesperson noted that as part of their ongoing commitment to transparency, the TikTok privacy policy was updated in order to provide even more clarity on the information that the company collects. Related Article: TikTok Down Causes App to Stop; Users Having Zero Followers--Is There a Fix in This? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Facebook has announced that it would soon terminate its "Special Treatment" for politicians which have the platform, primarily because the company admits to having lax content moderation for their posts. Being a public official has its perks, including that of the social media platform where their posts were not monitored by its Oversight Board, but not anymore. Facebook to Terminate 'Special Treatment' for Politicians Abuse of platform and sharing misinformation is not limited to regular users only, but even more so for influencers, streamers, personalities, and even politicians. They are, in fact, people as well, and may use their public accounts in the wrong way which Facebook will not notice due to its initial special treatment for them. However, all that will change in the coming weeks, especially as the social media company has announced, according to The Verge, that it would soon terminate its "special treatment" for politicians by Friday, June 4. This announcement means that Facebook has allowed politicians to stay unchecked with their social media accounts, despite the severity of their posts to affect public opinion. This follows a massive campaign of Facebook to remove misinformation, fake news, and misleading posts that lead people to believe something else, apart from the original or factual content. During the pandemic, there have been a lot of posts made against COVID-19, particularly its legitimacy, concerns, conspiracy theories, and vaccine hesitancy which led to mass hysteria. Moreover, this resulted in people opting not to use face masks, thus contributing to the spike in cases last year during the peak of the pandemic. Read Also: Florida Governor De Santis Signs Law Against 'Deplatforming' Politicians-Facebook, Twitter First Gets Affected Trump's Ban Started This Facebook Campaign for Termination Initially, Twitter has affirmed its decision for a permanent ban in January against former President Donald J. Trump on the platform, whereas Facebook deliberated the issue. Fast forward to the last weeks of May, the Oversight Board also stuck with their decision of a suspension on Trump's account, particularly because Facebook could not find the rightful penalty or punishment against him. Trump was regarded by Twitter to have abused his platform, particularly by inciting violence and have spread misinformation that was perceived by the public as something real. The power of social media is massive, and even the slightest of words could have a different meaning to other people, despite it is not what the author meant during publishing. This is in particular with those who owns massive public accounts, which have a huge following and appears often on people's timeline or News Feeds. Related Article: Facebook Messenger API Can Now Be Used by Developers to Set Up Their Business on the Platform Easily This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Screenshot From HarmonyOS Website) Huawei HarmonyOS to Replace Android on Manufactured Devices | However, They Could be the Same Huawei HarmonyOS is now going to replace Android on manufactured devices. Despite the change to the Huawei HarmonyOS, an article says that it could all still be exactly the same. Huawei HarmonyOS Android? According to the story by ars Technica, the Huawei livestream officially kicked off the launch for the Huawei HarmonyOS, it's own personal in-house operating system or OS, as well as a few other things, it is now considered a replacement for Android. The company also announced a brand new watch, a brand new tablet, and even a brand new phone to be powered by the Huawei HarmonyOS. The company also noted that it would be updating quite a massive list including 100 different Huawei Android phone models with the company's new HarmonyOS over the course of the next year. With the announcement, Huawei might look like it now has two completely different operating systems that the company calls the HarmonyOS. Huawei HarmonyOS vs LiteOS First up is the IoT as well as the smartwatch version of the Huawei HarmonyOS, which is now based on the Huawei LiteOS and remains open source. The second version of the Huawei Harmony OS is expected to launch for phones and tablets and is actually a fork for Android and still uses the Linux kernel, although Huawei still does not admit this, according to ars Technica. Having what now seems like two extremely different operating systems share the exact same brand name might lead to quite a lot of confusion. Users can easily make a number of claims regarding the IoT version of the Huawei HarmonyOS that does not technically apply to the official phone version. Huawei HarmonyOS Code An example of this is when TechCrunch spoke to Huawei and reported that the company has denied speculations that the Huawei HarmonyOS is now a derivative of Android and said that no single line of code is exactly identical to the Android. A Huawei spokesperson declined to really say whether or not the operating system is really based on Linux, the kernel beyond Android and what powers it. This particular statement is now true of the IoT version but remains untrue for the phone version. Meanwhile, the company stated that a completely opposite thing to the popular German site ComputeBase. The website quotes Huawei's software president giving the statement. Read Also: OnePlus Nord CE 5G Specs Leak Reveal | Snapdragon 750G, 4,500mAh, 8GB RAM, and More Huawei HarmonyOS Source Code According to ComputeBse, in order to make sure that the company's existing users can still easily enjoy the experiences that they remain familiar with in their tablets and phones. Huawei uses a type of open source code coming from AOSP in the Huawei HarmonyOS on the condition of directly complying with the open source license rules and fulfilling related responsibilities and obligations. Huawei HarmonyOS, as of the moment, is still quite confusing as to whether or not it really remains an Android or is a totally different thing. Related Article: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Production Starts | Foldable Clamshell Expected? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tesla is making things happen for the improvement of its EV batteries. The electric vehicle company now gave another $3.1 million to the Canadian research team to develop a batch of cheaper but more durable and longer-lasting cells for the new-age automobiles. Elon Musk has been coordinating with the battery research group for the past five years. The team was led by Jeff Dahn who specializes in prolonging and bettering the state of the cells. When it comes to the production of Li-ion batteries, Dahn has been a long-time professional whose focus revolves around his study of the battery's life cycle that's why Tesla is pushing its limit to pursue a highly-marketable product that is worth the quality and price. Tesla Recalls Ties With Canadian Battery Researchers Now that the two have a new collaboration to begin, Elon Musk eyes that the battery research crew would help him to guarantee a high-quality cell that comes with a consumer-friendly price but with an increased durability and energy density. The group was originally working in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Dalhousie University. During that time, Tesla decided to lock in a 20-year research venture with the team which is now called NSERC/Tesla Canada Industrial Research. Since then, Tesla has been reaping the benefits from the partnership. Moreover, the joint research also paved the way to the birth of a Tesla patent that focuses on a novel battery based on two-additive electrolyte systems. This also tackles that the battery cell could manage to travel for a million miles--something that most electric vehicles need nowadays. The expiration date of the contract for the "Advanced Battery" research will be this year, but Tesla said that many changes would be implemented before that happens. Techcrunch reported last month that the company has bought the patent applications for $3 million which involves the Canadian battery startup. Read Also: Elon Musk Says This In-Car Gaming System Will Let You Enjoy 'PS5-Level Entertainment' in Tesla Car The good news about the contract is it would be extended until 2026, so there's a lot of time for the research group to create a suitable energy-emitting cell for Tesla EVs. The Goals of the NSERC/Tesla Canada Industrial Research Program It's good to hear that Elon Musk is advancing the capabilities of his electric vehicles thanks to the imminent changes in batteries which could still take a long time before being introduced to the public. Tesla has added another $3.1 million for the funding of the $6-million project grant for the Canadian researchers. According to the latest report of Electrek, here are the goals of the new funding: Increasing the EV batteries' lifetime which also covers the electrical energy storage applications Lowering the EV batteries' cost Increasing the batteries' energy density Increasing the batteries' composition of sustainable materials Developing and maintaining the EV batteries' safety "I am very grateful for this funding from NSERC and Tesla. This will allow Chongyin, Michael, and I to solve many remaining puzzles that will help improve battery lifetime and lower cost. The students trained in this program are finding and will continue to find, immediate employment in the advanced battery sector locally and around the world," Dahn said. The automaker also expressed its excitement to work with Dalhousie researchers in its mission to improve the technology behind the battery cells. Related Article: Elon Musk Joe Rogan Podcast: Tesla CEO Reveals Battery Cost Reduction Strategies This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Semiconductor manufacturers Intel and TSMC seek new housing for their plants in Arizona. Amid the looming global chip crisis, processor makers are struggling to cope up with the demand of the people who are relying on the technology inside their homes. Intel, TSMC Found New Semiconductor Plant Location The US-based chip maker, Intel has previously laid out its plans to construct two new factories amounting to $20 billion in Arizona. On the other hand, TSMC, which is headquartered in Taiwan has announced that it would build a $12-billion plant in the same location, in partnership with Apple. According to C.C. Wei, the company's chief executive said on Wednesday, June 2 that it has already commenced the building operation of the semiconductor mill. What's puzzling about the tech titans is why they chose the arid spot of the Grand Canyon State as the location. The said place is known to be a "super-dry" region. Currently, the state has been struggling with its problem in the water supply, that's why it needs aquifers to sustain it. "Water is a key element in semi manufacturing, but the infrastructure has been put in place [in Arizona] to ensure adequate supply to meet the industry's current needs," Gartner VP analyst, Alan Priestley said. Read Also: TSMC takes lead as Samsung bows out of race for Apple A8 chip Furthermore, Intel and TSMC have potentially chosen the place to improve its water supply while gradually finding a fix to the chip shortage which is seen to persist through 2022. According to Intel's blog, the company is pushing to reach a "net positive water use" in the state to seek development for Arizona's restoration programs. When the project is already operational, about 937 gallons of water each year will be replenished. Experts Reveal Why TSMC and Intel Chose Arizona as Chip Hotspot From CNBC's report on Friday, June 4, analysts shared the reason why the two semiconductor companies selected Arizona for the expansion of their plants. According to the people who know the situation, Intel has been around in Arizona for over 40 years. Over the past period, the firm has been engaging its semiconductor activities in the state. At the moment, it has deployed more than 12,000 workers in the region. While the spot is reasonable to be a good spot for chip plants, Arizona could be triggered with several tremors underground. Several earthquakes could hinder the companies' production, that's why they should implement "drastic" measures for that preparation. Besides seismic events, it is also home to wildfires during the peak of summer. Intel and TSMC could have seen a great potential in this state which would later be a part of their solution to pace the global chip shortage with hope. On top of that, politics is also playing a major role in this adoption. The companies would want to thrive amid economic crises, and to do that, they need to be friendly to every state that they visit. Related Article: Global Semiconductor Shortage Won't be 'Resolved' For a Few More Years, Intel CEO Says--How Pandemic Impacts it? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. WhatsApp finally confirmed support for multiple device use in the coming months. It means that users could then open their accounts even if they are using at least four devices at the same time. Additionally, the company also said that it is also working on two new features, namely "disappearing mode" and "view once." Rumors about the said feature have been going around since last year, or on August 11, 2020, to be exact. Security experts even had to butt in due to the risks it poses. While the rumor has long been quiet, WABetaInfo's interview with Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO, and Will Cathcart, WhatsApp CEO, have ignited the fire again -- and this time around, it came directly from the company executives themselves. But iPad users might be disappointed with the latest news. Although earlier rumors mentioned a WhatsApp on iPad, Cathcart did not confirm that it is coming soon. However, there is still hope as he noted that there could be a possibility to it. WhatsApp Multiple Device Use: Security Concerns As mentioned, the multi-device feature worries some cybersecurity experts. They argue that it could expose the accounts of users to unauthorized access. Nevertheless, it could really be convenient for existing users to access their accounts regardless of what device they are using. But, at the same time, it could also be favorable to hackers, or anyone trying to invade someone's privacy. With that, Zuckerberg assured that despite the multiple device access, the messages remain end-to-end encrypted. In addition, the Facebook CEO highlighted its benefits: "It's been a big technical challenge to get all your messages and content to sync properly across devices even when your phone battery dies, but we've solved this and we're looking forward to getting it out soon!" Cathcart also said that it will be available in beta in one to two months. Read Also: Hacked WhatsApp Accounts Used by Scammers to Leach Donations Pretending to Buy Oxygen Machines for India 'View Once' and 'Disappearing Mode' Zuckerberg also confirmed that the "disappearing mode" is coming to the app. It allows users to set a time when their messages will be gone in a chat thread, GizmoChina reported. Currently, WhatsApp only allows a minimum of seven days for a message to automatically disappear. Meanwhile, the "view one" feature will delete photos and videos once the recipient saw them. The two features are similar to Telegram and Instagram features. The latter is also owned by WhatsApp's parent company, Facebook. There are also rumors that WhatsApp will soon allow transferring of accounts from one phone number to another. However, Zuckerberg and Cathcart did not mention it. Related Article: WhatsApp Users in Brazil Can Now Send, Receive Money After Platform's Relaunch This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : NASA) NASA is curious about Mars -- and we can't blame them. Mars is a somewhat monotonous place; it is not that colorful. Throughout the entire planet, the area's sky, land, and overall atmosphere have an ongoing color scheme of reds and browns. But in the early parts of 2021, the planet suddenly had a surprising set of breathtaking iridescent clouds -- and NASA's Curiosity Rover captured it beautifully. The curious robot snapped multiple photos of the breathtaking Mars clouds, and successfully sent them back to Earth. The images exemplify soft, shimmering wisps entangled with the grey Martian skies, completely illuminating warm, bright light with help from the sun's reflection. NASA Curiosity Rover's Discover In a NASA statement, Mark Lemmon, one of NASA's atmospheric scientists at the Space Science Institution found in Boulder, Colorado, said that he always marveled about the colors of the sky; reds, greens, blues, and purples. He added that it amazed him to see the rare, colorful, and bright clouds on Mars. Mars rarely gets any clouds because the planet does not contain that much water in its atmosphere, and the planet's air only has 1% density compared to the Earth's atmosphere, which makes colonizing it all the more difficult. Clouds on Mars only occur near the planet's equator during the coldest season of its year. This happens whenever Mars' orbit takes it further away from the sun. It is a phenomenon known as Aphelion, and it will happen next in July 2021. Read Also: NASA Looking at Nuclear-Powered Rockets to Shorten Travel Time to Mars What are the Clouds on Mars? Business Insider stated that scientists now believe that the clouds on Mars are composed of frozen carbon dioxide, typically referred to as dry ice. Researchers came up with the conclusion soon after they successfully analyzed Curiosity Rover's images. They were able to identify it with the help of how the sunset's light reflected off the crystals within the clouds, giving an excellent hint at how far from the ground the clouds were. Curiosity also got the chance to capture several photos of "Mother of Pearl" clouds. Curiosity Rover's Activities Curiosity Rover is a technological marvel exploring Mars' crater near the equator with about 96 miles in width. As a result, it gets to witness rare moments such as the appearance of clouds on Mars as the planet slowly approached Aphelion. According to Business Insider, two Earth years ago, roughly equating to one Martian year, similar iridescent clouds showed up a few months earlier than scientists predicted. With this lapse, NASA came more prepared this year. Starting in January 2021, NASA Curiosity Rover was already ready to take photos as soon as the early clouds returned to Mars. The beautiful clouds on Mars continued to sway over Curiosity throughout March. Whenever Curiosity is not running around looking for skies to take photos of, the tech marvel is mainly preoccupied with studying the ground of Mars. Curiosity first landed in Mars' Gale Crater back in 2012. During Curiosity Rover's first two years on the planet, it found out the Gale Crater used to be a lake filled with various chemicals. In no time, Curiosity Rover got a new order from NASA: to climb the 3-mile worth of mountain located at the crater's center known as Mount Sharp. Related Article: Elon Musk' Mars City:' Humans to Fly Out Before 2030, Mars Base Alpha' Self-Sustaining'-What Is Missing? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Fran Sanders 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Getty Image) It turns out that the primary source of Furniture Village's system failure is a cyber attack. The company only revealed the truth seven days into the database malfunction. Furniture Village is the United Kingdom's biggest, most independent furniture retailer with 54 stores nationwide. The furniture giant has been experiencing a "cyber-attack," but the details are yet to be released. Cybercrime - 7-Day Database Malfunction According to The Register, Furniture Village finally confirmed that their database is under a cyber-attack by an unknown individual or group. The attack started in the latter part of May 2021 when the company discovered that a handful of their retailers' internal systems suddenly malfunctioned because they were down. Furniture Village's main website is still up and running, but on the back end, that is not the case. The company started to experience problems in their systems starting from May 29, when it announced that the company is undergoing some "technical issues." This included their inability to answer calls from retailers and customers. Read Also: UK's NCSC Takes Down 700,595 Scams Last 2020, 15 Times More Before Pandemic The reported stated that Furniture Village said on Wednesday, June 2, that the company was still experiencing "technical issues with [its] internal systems," and that their entire team was already working on the issue, trying to resolve it as fast as they could. The offline databases include phone systems, delivery systems, and even payment mechanisms. Until Friday, June 4, Furniture Village is still under the heat of the attack. It has been seven days since the beginning of their "database malfunction," which is quite bothersome considering it is a huge company. In an interview with The Register, Furniture Village clarified that none of their customers' data had been leaked despite the seven-day-long attack. They announced that their team of professionals is continuously restoring all of the system-related functions affected by the attack. Furniture Village posted a tweet with a link to their statement: To read our full statement, please click here: https://t.co/cBvd34TSLy pic.twitter.com/yPBMTDYpRz Furniture Village (@OfficialFV) June 3, 2021 The UK-based furniture giant recently released a statement via their website, and said that a cybersecurity attack hit their company. But with their immediate implementation of security protocols, they were able to contain the scope of the attack successfully. They added that despite their disappointment with the current event, which they labeled as "unwelcome distraction," their main focus right now is to support their customers by utilizing manual processes. As a closing statement, Furniture Village stated that their systems would be available in the shortest time possible. What's the Motive for Cybercrime? At this point, the company and everyone else is clueless regarding the true intention of the attacker. But according to The Register, several industry experts have a theory that it is due to ransomware flingers. The UK's National Crime Agency stated that criminals exploit the cyber web to take part in serious and organized crimes. The agency also said that ransomware attacks are increasing at an alarming rate, both in frequency and impact. Furniture Village prefers to stay quiet at the time being by declining to release further statements in full detail. Related Article: Ransomware is 'Double Encrypting' Your Data Despite Payment-Here's How to Turn on Windows 10's Built-in Malware Blocker This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Fran Sanders 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The European Union Commission and the United Kingdom regulators launched its antitrust investigation against Facebook. Both are collaborating to know more about the control of the social media giant in its classified ads through its Marketplace service. Bloomberg reported that it is the first time that the EU is formally probing Facebook. In the past, it has investigated other tech giants such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft. In particular, on April 27, Apple faced a similar antitrust investigation from the EU. It involves the in-app purchases in the App Store, and the 30% commission the company receives per transaction. Separately, Google had to pay a whopping $2.7 billion fine to the Commission in June 2017. The search engine was proven to have manipulated results in its shopping search service. Facebook's Competitive Advantage EU wanted to investigate if Facebook is unfairly competing against its rivals in the classified ads. Furthermore, the Commission wanted to look if the social media giant is using the gathered data from advertisers to its advantage. Margrethe Vestager, Chief of EU Competition, said that they "will look in detail at whether this data gives Facebook an undue competitive advantage in particular on the online classified ads sector, where people buy and sell goods every day." Moreover, Vestager noted that the tech giant collects copious data from its users' activity, even outside its platform. Read Also: Facebook Preps Anti-Trust Lawsuit Vs Apple, Tim Cook Responds 'Scrutinize Those Built on Misleading Users Facebook vs. the U.K. Regulators The U.K. will be probing Facebook on the same grounds as the EU as well. As such, the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) will like to determine if Facebook is abusing its market dominance. In addition, the CMA would like to investigate the dating service of the social media giant for the data it collects too. Although the U.K. is separately looking into Facebook, it will cooperate with the EU's investigation. CMA said that its probe will run until February 2022. Facebook vs EU Although it is the first time that the Commission is launching a formal probe against Facebook, The Verge reported that it has been checking out the Marketplace service since 2019. Facebook was only able to halt the investigation in 2020. The company said that the investigation will be forcing them to release highly sensitive data of its users. Related Article: Facebook to Face Antitrust Investigation in the UK Just Days After it Won Case in France This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 15:53:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Western allegations claiming that COVID-19 may have leaked from a Chinese laboratory are an attempt to exploit the pandemic for political purposes and divert attention from alternative theories, according to international affairs columnist Mikhail Morozov. In his article "Biological warfare of major powers: what the U.S. is hiding with its allegations against China" published Tuesday on the Free Press Internet, Morozov studied the chronology of Western accusations and evidence of virus origins. Through an analysis of articles in a range of media publications, Morozov concluded that evidence of the Wuhan lab leak theory is groundless, contradictory, and lacks reliable sources. While the flow of "sensationalism" in journalism is nothing new for the West, the recent display of unified anti-Chinese rhetoric and studies that have suddenly emerged "as if on cue" are rather odd, says Morozov. "Studies proving the man-made nature of the new coronavirus began to appear as if on command," he says. "All this suggests that the West tries to use every possibility to accuse China of spreading the infection. Or at least they are using the global tragedy for their own political goals or to divert attention from other theories," Morozov adds. Morozov explains that with no reliable evidence, Western officials either completely ignore or purposefully try to divert attention from the theory that the virus could have similarly leaked from a lab in Britain or the United States. Enditem The U.S. Department of Justice claimed that ransomware attacks are becoming more serious and more efficient than ever. Due to increasing security concerns, the DOJ decided to use anti-terrorism measures to stop ransomware attacks from breaching giant tech companies. "It's a specialized process to ensure we track all ransomware cases regardless of where it may be referred in this country, so you can make the connections between actors and work your way up to disrupt the whole chain," said the U.S. DOJ's Associate Deputy Attorney General, John Carlin. To help you further, here are the current plans of the U.S. Department of Justice to fight the rising ransomware attacks. US DOJ To Focus On Ransomware Attacks Even More Right now, many companies and businesses are falling victim to different ransomware attacks. These include the Colonial Pipeline, which seriously damaged fuel supply processes. Aside from this company, another ransomware attack was able to steal sensitive data from D.C. Police Department. Also Read: JBS is the Latest Victim of a Ransomware Attack; White House is Now Looking for Ways to Put a Stop to the Cybercrime According to Reuter's latest report, the U.S. Department of Justice said that the Colonial Pipeline attack is an example of how ransomware and digital extortion pose significant threats against the nation. Because of this, the U.S. government agency said that the country needs to improve and enhance its internal tracking. Doing this will allow them to make sure that necessary connections across national and global cases are conducted. On the other hand, this safety measure will also ensure a comprehensive picture of the national and economic security threats, which the United States currently faces. Who are Behind These Ransomware Attacks ABC News reported that some security experts and researchers claimed that the latest hackers, who attacked the Colonial Pipeline and other giant companies, are possibly connected to Russia and Eastern Europe. Right now, the U.S. cybersecurity community and government officials still include Russia as the major source when it comes to ransomware attacks. However, this is still under investigation. For more news updates about ransomware attacks and other security risks, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Ransomware Attacks Massachusetts Ferry Service, Amidst New York Metropolitan and JBS's Recent Hacks Believed to be Russian This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Pixabay/B_A) Cybercrime attacks A ransomware attack has affected Cox Media stations, which resulted in disruption on TV and radio broadcasts. Numerous Cox Media-owned TV and radio stations were taken off air on June 3, and a lot of radio stations remain unavailable online. The Cox Media Group has not commented about the issue, but reports stated that the media conglomerate was targeted by ransomware. Cox Media Ransomware Attack According to The Record, the incident took out solely the Cox live streams, but it did not affect the company's websites. A Cox employee told The Record that they were told to shut down everything and log out their emails to ensure that nothing spreads. The company has shut things down to be safe, and they are expecting to be back up and running soon. Also Read: Apple Ransomware Attack: Hackers Hit Manufacturer, Demanding Money in Exchange for Stolen Files The outage affected other companies which relay live streams from Cox, such as Hulu. Hulu support responded to viewer complaints on Twitter and stated that there is currently an issue with the feed and is now being investigated. Cox hosts Brent Martineau and Will Bradley both tweeted about the incident. Bradley stated that the live news was off-air due to a reported ransomware attack. However, both Bradley's and Martineau's tweets have since been taken down. The Cox Media Group owns 57 radio and television stations across the United States. AppleInsider confirmed that at least multiple television stations are streaming live again, but all Cox Media radio stations remain unavailable. There is still no indication of who is behind the ransomware attack, nor what methods were used. However, it comes after the U.S. Federal Government has warned about the increased ransomware attacks that exploit the vulnerability of the industries. Increased Ransomware Attacks Ransomware attacks have been on the rise since 2020, and it has become the biggest single money earner for cybercriminals, according to TechCrunch. Cyber intelligence firm and threat hunting Group-IB estimate that the number of ransomware attacks grew by more than 150% in 2020 and that the average ransom demand increased to $170,000. According to ABC News, several ransomware attacks are suspected of coming from Eastern Europe and Russia. The FBI has attributed the JBS attack on June 2 to Russia-based hacking groups Sokinokibi and REvil. The Colonial Pipeline breach that happened last week was linked to the Eastern Europe-based criminal organization DarkSide. The U.S cybersecurity community and government officials have not ruled out Russia as a major player behind the massive cyberattacks. Russian intelligence has also been known to cooperate with Easter European cybercriminals in the past. Alex Stamos, the former chief security officer of Facebook and current adjunct professor at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation, pointed out two primary motivations behind these ransomware attacks: political and financial. Stamos added that there is a nonzero economic impact of having billions of dollars stolen from companies worldwide then flow into the Russian economy. Related Article: Fujifilm Shuts Down Global Network After Massive Ransomware Attack: Accepting, Processing Orders Affected This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Former U.S. President Donald Trump won't access his Facebook account after the social media platform announced that it is extending his account ban at least by January 7, 2023. This is a very long time since it will be two years from when his Facebook account was officially suspended. However, the social media giant confirmed that it is still considering lifting the ban once the assessment is finished. Here are other details of Facebook's update regarding Trump's account ban to give you more idea. Trump FB Ban's New Details According to CNN Edition's latest report, Facebook announced on June 4 that it will ask social media experts to observe and assess if Trump's account should be returned. "We will evaluate external factors, including instances of violence, restrictions on peaceful assembly, and other markers of civil unrest," said the social media giant. Also Read: Facebook To Terminate 'Special Treatment' for Politicians from Content Moderation, Posts to be Monitored by Oversight Board However, Facebook added that if they determine that Donald Trump's account still poses a serious risk to public safety, it will extend the restriction further and re-evaluate his FB account. On the other hand, BBC News reported that Trump's new platform, called "From the Desk of Donald J Trump," was also taken offline. Right now, there's still no update if his new communications platform will return soon. For more news updates about Donald Trump's FB ban and other related stories, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: EU and UK Start First Antitrust Investigation on Facebook and its Control on Classified Ads This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 15:56:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has decided to arrest Tong Daochi, a former senior official in south China's Hainan Province, for suspected bribe acceptance. Tong was formerly a member of the Standing Committee of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and former secretary of the CPC municipal committee of Sanya. The National Supervisory Commission has completed its investigation into Tong's case and handed it over to prosecutors, the SPP said in a statement on Friday. Tong has been expelled from the CPC and removed from public office over serious violations of Party discipline and laws. The case is ongoing. Enditem Madisonville, KY (42431) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A clear sky. Low near 65F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 17:49:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- This year's World Environment Day falls on Saturday. China's theme is harmonious coexistence between people and nature. "We should protect nature and preserve the environment like we protect our eyes, and endeavor to foster a new relationship where people and nature can both prosper and live in harmony," said Chinese President Xi Jinping. In 1985, when serving as Party chief of Zhengding County in north China's Hebei Province, Xi directed the formulation of the local economic and social development plan which included this remark: "(We) would rather not be affluent than allow pollutants." At the time, China's decades-long economic take-off had just started, and sustainable development was yet to become the go-to option for most countries. As Xi gained more experience serving the country and the people, his hallmark green development speeches later included, "We want both GDP and green GDP," and what has become a maxim in China, "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." "We owe so much to the ecological environment. If we don't do a solid green work from now on, we will pay a higher price in the future," said Xi during his first inspection trip out of Beijing in December 2012, less than a month after he was elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. Xi's ideas about ecological progress were nurtured and developed during his work in various posts from the county level to the national level, taking into account domestic and global issues, according to Yang Kaizhong, director of a research institute on Xi's thought concerning ecological progress under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). "As the world's biggest ruling party, the CPC is exploring a development pattern that balances economic development and environmental protection, which may provide a model for other developing countries," he said. Over the past five years, under the guidance of Xi's thought concerning ecological progress, China has made historic achievements in environmental development, said Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu. Between 2016 and 2020, China managed to significantly reduce its number of days with heavy air pollution, according to the ministry. The safety of drinking water was guaranteed. Black and odorous water bodies were generally eliminated in cities. In 2018, China for the first time incorporated ecological advancement into its Constitution. A blueprint for the country's social and economic development over the next five to 15 years, adopted in March this year, demands the all-round green transformation of social and economic development and the construction of a Beautiful China. Zhang Yongsheng, director of the CASS institute of ecological civilization, said that China has completely abandoned the traditional development model of "pollution before treatment," and that ecological environment protection is becoming a new driving force for economic development. As Xi once said, the development model of "killing the hens for eggs" and "draining the lake for fish" has reached a dead end. The future will be illuminated by eco-friendly development that is in accordance with the rules of nature. China has taken the global lead in both the vision for and the practice of harmonious coexistence between people and nature, and has become a pathfinder for, contributor to and leader of better green development, said Zhang at a seminar on Xi Thought concerning ecological progress. "China is the number one provider of environment technology in the world" and an important provider of solar energy, said Erik Solheim, former executive director of the UN Environment Programme, adding the country is also leading the world in areas such as electric vehicles, wind energy and hydrogen. Xi pledged that China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 -- a much shorter time span than many developed countries would spend. China has taken the initiative to do that, instead of doing it passively, said Xi, adding that actions speak louder than words. During the 2021-2025 period, the trading of carbon emissions, which has been piloted in seven provinces and cities and covers over 20 industries, is expected to see a wider range of participators, as more industries and trading entities will be encouraged to join the carbon market. The country is also planning to put in place a special law on climate change as it accelerates its formulation of top-level design and industry-specific policies to further clarify its roadmap toward carbon neutrality. The country is drawing up an action plan to peak carbon emissions by 2030 while working on specific plans for various industries and sectors including power, steel, petrochemicals and transportation, said Jin Xiandong, spokesperson for the National Development and Reform Commission. Plans to develop low-carbon technologies and build up China's carbon sink capacity are also being studied, Jin added. China's commitment to reaching net-zero carbon no later than 2060 is one of its most important moves since the beginning of reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, said Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Jin Liqun. "When China is committed to doing something, it will just do it," said the bank's chief at the International Finance Forum 2021 Spring Meetings in Beijing on May 29. Enditem Diocese of Baton Rouge Bishop Michael Duca speaks during Palm Sunday Mass at the cathedral, March 28, 2021. Palm Sunday marks the first day of Holy Week, the last week of the Christian solemn season of Lent that precedes Eastertide. In most liturgical churches, Palm Sunday is celebrated by the blessing and distribution of palm branches representing the palm branches which the crowd scattered in front of Christ, as he rode into Jerusalem. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Gov. John Bel Edwards welcomed a hospice nurse who spends her time driving across Baton Rouge vaccinating people to his latest press briefing. Nurse Carla Brown, whose husband died of COVID-19 in 2020 after she unknowingly brought the virus home while working, has helped vaccinate almost 1,000 people. While she is a registered vendor of the vaccine, she also works with a local pharmacy to get people the jab. In her appearance at the governor's press briefing Thursday on the state's coronavirus response, Brown reiterated the importance of getting the vaccine after telling the emotional story of her husband's death. Im pleading with every American: Please get the vaccine, she said. You must understand this vaccine was made to save us. After her husband died from COVID, Louisiana nurse embarked on mission to vaccinate the underserved Carla Brown often prays as she administers the COVID vaccine, asking God to help her find more people who want the shot so she doesnt waste h She added that she will meet people where they are, removing obstacles to receive the vaccine for those who don't have the time or transportation. 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 We will come to wherever the call is, she said. We will go to your job, your home wherever youre at so theres no more excuse that the vaccine is not available. Brown also cautioned that people who are unvaccinated are still at risk, particularly in light of upcoming holidays like the Fourth of July when families and friends will hold large gatherings. Hear my voice: We are not out of this pandemic, she said. We still need you to save your inner circle, save your loved ones lives. Edwards praised Brown for her work and said he believed it was important for the people of Louisiana to hear from someone "on the frontlines." I am inspired more than ever by people like you," he said. "Its healthcare workers who have been the biggest heroes throughout this pandemic. Can't see the video below? Click here. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley is recommending a major change in how public schools are rated annually, and the new rules would trim the number of D- and F-rated schools because of a more generous scoring system. The proposed change has already been endorsed by the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is set to discuss the proposal June 15-16. Critics contend the overhaul would water down how the state rates student performance and make schools appear better than they are simply by adopting a less rigorous grading system. The change would focus on annual school performance scores, which determine all-important letter grades for public schools and school districts. Scores used to be based largely on how students performed on key tests. Since 2017 student growth whether students meet learning targets regardless of test scores and how they compare to their peers has accounted for 25% of the score. Brumley wants to boost that student growth calculation to 38%, which state officials said is the national average. "We do agree more emphasis should be put toward the growth part," he told superintendents on Thursday. Kathy Noel, deputy assistant superintendent for assessments, accountability and analytics, said Louisiana falls into the lower quartile of states in how much credit they give students for yearly academic gains. Noel said simulations show that about 50% of the state's D- and F-rated public schools would improve a letter grade under the new ratings. A total of 23% of public schools were rated D or F in 2019, the latest snapshot. Brumley noted the School Accountability Commission, which advises BESE, recommended that student growth account for 47.5% of scores. Wes Watts, president of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, praised the proposed change. "I think it makes great sense," said Watts, who is superintendent of the West Baton Rouge Parish School District. Several superintendents said they favor boosting the growth rate to more than 38% of the score. BESE members have been briefed on Brumley's proposal. BESE President Sandy Holloway could not be reached for comment Friday. Kelli Bottger, director of political strategy for the American Federation for Children, blasted the plan. "The new growth percentage increase will mask our educational challenges by significantly reducing the number of D and F schools in the state despite no real increase in student achievement," Bottger said in a text message. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "We should raise the bar for student expectations rather than lower it," she said. Bottger said Brumley's plan would also allow schools to earn points for students who score 17 on the ACT, which she said is below the national benchmark for college success. Brigitte Nieland, government affairs director for the advocacy group Stand For Children, said any change should allow families to see how schools are performing. "No matter what BESE decides there has to be complete transparency about performance, what the actual performance looks like," Nieland said. "And it can't be buried somewhere. ... It has to be, when they look at the letter grade, they need to see what that letter grade would have looked like without growth." Others said the move would infringe on student choice, which gives families more options if their children attend schools rated D and F, and that it could also affect federal aid that targets low-performing classrooms. The new state measuring stick would likely need federal approval. Barry Erwin, president of the Council for a Better Louisiana, a longtime advocate of school accountability, said Friday his group is open to Brumley's plan. "From our perspective having a higher level of student growth is not a bad thing," Erwin said. He said how the state measures school performance has changed in the past 20 years or so since Louisiana's launched its latest push to improve student achievement. "We are putting more of an emphasis on what is happening in the classroom than we did before," Erwin said. Lauren Gleason, director of education for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, said she and others were briefed by Brumley on Friday. Gleason, in a text message, said "LABI is open to revisiting the growth percentage number as long as it's done in a way that puts the needs of students and families first." Daniel Erspamer, chief executive officer of The Pelican Institute for Public Policy, said it is unclear whether changes in how growth is measured will improve student outcomes. "State leaders should take their time, bring all stakeholders and policy leaders to the table and craft an accountability structure that can raise performance into the next decade rather than rush into a plan that may need to be continually changed to get right," Erspamer said. Brumley said his recommendations will also include establishment of a K-2 accountability system, which will be designed in part to address dismal reading statistics for some of the state's youngest learners. Public school letter grades have sparked arguments since they began in 2011. Backers say they give parents and others and easy-to-understand way to see how schools are faring. Opponents say school performance scores and letter grades are misleading, and they have tried and failed to have the grades abolished. The new rules, if approved by BESE, would take effect for the 2021-22 school year. State education leaders have not decided whether public schools will get letter grades for the 2020-21 school year. Businesses and property owners who suffered damages during flash floods across southern Louisiana last month are now eligible for up to $2 million in emergency low-interest loans to aid in their recovery. The support became available for people in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Lafayette parishes after President Joe Biden approved Louisianas request for disaster assistance this week. Along with grants for homeowners who live on their property and need assistance through FEMA, the federal government also offers low-interest loans through the U.S. Office of Disaster Assistance. The disaster recovery loans make up to $2 million available for small businesses, nonprofits and those in the aquaculture industry, even they had no property damage. Its a temporary capital infusion for a struggling business for something that was totally outside of their control, said U.S. Office of Disaster Assistance spokesman Susheel Kumar. The coverage can be used for several losses not covered by insurance, such as: Repair and replace property not covered or under covered by insurance Loss of income due to disruptions, such as a tenant moving out of rental properties Rent Inability to pay bills, such as utilities, fixed debts and continuation of healthcare benefits Those seeking loans would be required to submit their losses with the SBA, which offers rates at about 2.8% and up to 30 years with no early repayment penalties. People needing the loans should first file claims with their insurance companies before filing for the loans, which are provided through the National Treasury, Kumar said. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up +7 After Biden OKs Louisiana disaster relief, here's what FEMA will cover for flood victims The federal government began accepting disaster recovery claims Thursday for residents and business owners who suffered property damage follow More than 1,100 people in East Baton Rouge Parish and over 1,800 others across the state reported damages following last months deluge. Parts of the Baton Rouge area were hammered by as much as 13.7 inches of rain during the heaviest downpours, which saw rapidly rising floodwaters seep into peoples homes. More than 1,600 have submitted recovery assistance notices with FEMA as of Friday, according to the agency. The Louisiana Workforce Commission also announced Friday that it began offering disaster unemployment assistance for workers and people who are self-employed in the impacted parishes. Eligibility for disaster unemployment assistance includes: People who were scheduled to begin work but are unable to because of the disaster Workers unable to reach their job or self-employment location because of the disaster Those who can no longer work because of physical damage to their workplace Workers who cannot perform work due to a physical injury suffered from the disaster People who became breadwinners or major support in their household following the death of the head of household Applicants can file their applications on the Workforce commission website or by calling 1-866-783-5567. The deadline to apply for those benefits is July 6. A regular gambler at Crown Melbourne has described losing $30,000 after visiting the casino to collect free tickets to a Phil Collins concert as an example of how the casino uses giveaways and promotions to play its patrons. Victorias royal commission into the James Packer-backed casino also heard on Friday that members of Crowns popular loyalty program - which gives them rewards and other benefits the more they gamble - are more likely to experience gambling harm than other punters at the Southbank complex. Crown says it should have done more research into whether its loyalty program encouraged people to gamble at harmful levels. Credit:Scott McNaughton But Crowns chief marketing officer Nicolas Emery could not say whether the program encouraged people to gamble more than they should because Crown had not conducted any research into that link. Counsel assisting the inquiry Geoffrey Kozminsky put to Mr Emery that Crown would have already done exactly that if it was to proactively prioritise the welfare of customers. Coal is seeing a dramatic spike in demand just as several major miners are hit with production problems, sparking a surge in prices from China to Europe. Prices for the dirtiest fossil fuel are soaring as sweltering temperatures in North Asia increase air conditioning needs, adding to already strong demand due to the industrial recovery from the pandemic. Mine safety issues in China, heavy rainfall in Indonesia and disruptions in Colombia are constraining output. The price spike comes amid an existential crisis for coal, with climate policies making it increasingly difficult to invest in new projects. The squeeze might not change that, but its providing miners with a windfall while it lasts. South32 has finally sold its thermal coal mine in South Africa. Credit:Max Mason-Hubers We could have strong prices into the fourth quarter, said James Stevenson, lead researcher for coal, metals and mining at IHS Markit in Houston. But this isnt structurally strong demand. Youre probably best optimised enjoying the higher revenue than investing it in new production. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 17:53:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on June 4, 2021 shows a mucus-like substance known as "sea snot" in the Marmara Sea in Istanbul, Turkey. A mucus-like substance known as "sea snot" has been spreading in the Marmara Sea in Turkey's biggest city Istanbul, as experts blame global warming and pollution. (Photo by Osman Orsal/Xinhua) ISTANBUL, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A mucus-like substance known as "sea snot" has been spreading in the Marmara Sea in Turkey's biggest city Istanbul, as experts blame global warming and pollution. Istanbul and neighboring towns' inhabitants in northwestern Turkey are calling on authorities to take urgent action against the thick jello-like layer of slime that has been invading their coastline for months. The substance has also had an economic impact on fishing in the Marmara Sea, situated between the Black and Aegean seas. Experts defined sea snot as a "viscous fluid or by its scientific name marine mucilage formed by excessive proliferation of microscopic plants called phytoplankton, which enables biological life in the sea." "Phytoplankton, which thrives in warmer water, is among the actors in the Marmara Sea, where temperatures are several degrees higher than normal due to climate change," Daily Sabah, a local daily, said on its website. Scientists say that this phenomenon is not new but that this time it has become massive. Pollution, such as raw sewage run-offs from Istanbul and coastal cities, is also to blame. "The Marmara Sea, which has a unique ecosystem, is an inland sea, and it cannot breathe anymore," Mert Gokalp, a marine biologist, told Xinhua. "The sea is vomiting what people have been dumping in its waters for a very long time." The scientist, who has been studying the Marmara Sea for many years, explained that the mucilage was a combined result of decades of industrial, agricultural, and human organic pollution, as well as global warming. Climate change, which led to Turkey's milder-than-usual winters, caused sea temperatures to rise between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius, Gokalp noted. Istanbul is home to over 16 million people and is the nation's financial, cultural, and touristic hub. Therefore, the marine phenomenon affects the entire country. The Marmara region is also where 40 percent of Turkey's industry is located. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu called on the government and all related institutions to urgently work on an "action plan" and solve the problem in the metropolis and surroundings. Environment and Urban Planning Minister Murat Kurum said his teams have been assessing dozens of points in the sea to find out the source. "An action plan is soon to be announced," he told reporters on Tuesday. Meanwhile, while authorities promised to address the issue, the situation has become unbearable for Istanbul's residents. "I have lived in Istanbul for 25 years, and I had never witnessed such an event. It is very distressing to see this," Murat Akinci, a former advertising executive, told Xinhua after a stroll at the seaside in the Bakirkoy district on the European side of the city. "We as humans are responsible for this mess, and we have to find a way to live more harmoniously with nature. Otherwise, the city will be unlivable very soon at this pace," he said. He also added that it has become impossible to eat seafood from the Marmara Sea since the mucilage began at least three months ago. Thousands of fish have been found dead in some coastal towns, and severe coral mortality has been witnessed by scuba divers, according to press reports. For Gokalp, there is no other solution to this grave problem other than to rethink how nearly 30 million people can live on the Marmara Sea coastline, that is, while respecting the sea and not treating it as a giant dumpster. "There is no time to lose. Sewage systems should be immediately modernized, so as only recycled material may be released into the sea," Gokalp said. "Otherwise, people will soon begin leaving this region, which has been a cradle of civilization for 12,000 years," he warned. Enditem Were happy to share, so we order the spiced cauliflower scrambled eggs and the spanner crab benedict, recommended as house specialties, and coffees. In real life, the 36-year-old is as he appears on screen: warm, chatty and whipsmart. Higher Grounds spanner crab poached eggs. Credit:Simon Schluter Backtracking nearly two decades, an 18-year-old Fennell was three months into a media degree at UTS when a friend got in touch to say SBS was looking for replacements for Margaret and David on At the Movies. He auditioned, nervously racing through his three-minute script in just 30 seconds, and managed to get the gig. His initial thought was great, but no one one will watch it and I was right! He quit studying to take the position. Occasionally asked to speak at universities, he happily does so, with one disclaimer: I may espouse the virtues of leaving. The Mastermind gig on SBS earlier this year came as a surprise, as it was so different to his previous work, which includes movie reviewing on Triple J, the Andrew Denton-led Hungry Beast, The Few Who Do, a podcast with Jan Fran, and Channel 10s morning show. In 2020, he filled in on Insight for Jenny Brockie on occasion. Finally, his obsession with Star Trek was vindicated. Somewhere along the way, weve made the word nerd into a negative word and actually what it has taught me is that everybody is a nerd about something. What the show is for me is people coming and loving this thing and then that is put to the test. To this day, its men who most readily put up their hands to appear on the show. When Jennifer Byrne took on the host role, she was keen to address that. Fennell concurs. He also champions cultural diversity in the media, as creative director of not-for-profit Media Diversity Australia. The best way to do it is to look at whose voice isnt there. Thats the least buzz-wordy way of doing it, he says. I want the best representative version of Australia possible and the only way we can do that is make it clear its a welcoming space for all. Spiced cauliflower scrambled eggs Credit:Simon Schluter The contenders in Mastermind land, its never contestants often wacky breadth of subject matter is part of its appeal. To illustrate the point, he cites an episode which featured narrow-gauge Welsh railways, 18th-century womens fashion and the Italian mens soccer team. Turns out my Welsh pronunciation needs some work, he says with a laugh. Having won a Walkley Award for a report on The Feed about a guy who stole stuffed animals and a James Beard Foundation award for the podcast It Burns in 2020, in May Fennell was shortlisted for two Walkleys. One for a Dateline program on dwarfism and another for the ABCs Stuff the British Stole. The latter is a cleverly named podcast that tackles history through the prism of the British empire. Listening to his podcasts, he seems to have a flair for languages. Turns out he studied Italian, German and Latin at high school. And I remember none of them. With Latin, youd be amazed at how not useful it is on a day-to-day basis. Fennell at Higher Ground. Credit:Simon Schluter Also, I just wished Id paid a lot more attention, really. Im not gonna lie. Theres some year 9 Latin teacher somewhere who will read this and feel so vindicated and say, He did not pay attention. And she is correct. So Ms Starc, Im sorry, he deadpans. One of the joys of podcasting is access to worldwide audiences. While growing in Australia, Audible is biggest in the US and the UK. His series for them include It Burns, about extreme chilli growing and eating, and Nutjobs, about a series of Mafia-controlled nut heists in California. Im a real curiosity to Americans. When they think of Australians, they dont think of me they think of the Hemsworth brothers, he says. Im a complete oddity to them, so theyre as curious about me as I am about them and that creates a really fertile environment to have a conversation. The global pandemic, of course, has affected how stories can be told, curtailing all international travel, but there are workarounds. Its not impossible but its a much more challenged way of working. So much of what I do is about taking you somewhere: you put your earbuds in and I take you somewhere. Weve found ways of doing it remotely and making it still feel like a visceral experience. Receipt for breakfast at Higher Ground. He loves working in audio, he says, because its very intimate. You can also leverage the audiences own imagination. In order to make Stuff the British Stole, he and producer Zoe Ferguson identified tier-one talent, hiring stringers to record them and their surrounds, then pinpointed others who could self-record. Even so, its tricky to paint a picture of a world you havent seen first-hand. Storytelling, curiosity and a genuine interest in people is what attracted Fennell to this line of work. Thats why you become a journalist, right, to meet people and hear their stories. Winslet grew up in a family of actors in Reading, England, with two grandparents, her father and two sisters all in the trade. She acted at school then, at 16, appeared in the BBC sci-fi television series Dark Season. Keeping it real: Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown. The Oscar winner pushed to make all Mares flaws apparent. Credit:HBO She was Rose, the first-class passenger who fell for charming artist Jack, then saw him slip into the ocean after the ship sank. Since then, she has become one of the worlds leading actresses - racking up seven Oscar nominations and winning for The Reader (2008). Her first break came when she played one of two schoolgirl murderers with a fierce intensity in Peter Jacksons Heavenly Creatures (1994). While promoting it in Los Angeles, she was cast in Ang Lees Sense and Sensibility (1995), earning her first Oscar nomination at 20. Loading Despite her creamy complexion and ability to stylishly wear especially period costumes on screen, Winslet has long had a certain bolshiness about the roles she chooses - mixing dark and complex characters (in the likes of Holy Smoke (1999), Little Children (2006), Revolutionary Road (2008) and 2011s Contagion) - with occasional lighter comedic parts such as Extras (2005) and The Holiday (2006). Married to Edward Abel Smith, Richard Bransons nephew and an executive at Virgin Galactic - her third marriage - she has three children aged 7 to 20. Winslets latest role is damaged small-town detective Mare Sheehan in the seven-episode HBO drama series Mare of Easttown that has been screening on Binge and Foxtel. It saw her move into executive producing for the first time to take more control behind the scenes. My mind gets a little fuzzy when I concentrate for too long. So, to protect my focused time, I rearranged my life, trading a steady salary as a multimedia journalist covering the tech world for flexibility as a freelance writer focusing on health and wellness. Working less, not more, holds the key to my productivity. I do the bulk of my work in four or five 55-minute chunks throughout the day, taking half-hour breaks when my mind starts to wander. This schedule puts me in good company. Although theres not much hard science behind it, a lot of productivity gurus push the idea that we get our best work done with about four or five hours of focus a day. To maximise focus: Do your work in chunks, schedule breaks in between, protect your most creative time and reduce distractions. Credit:iStock They came up with this range partly because of a well-known study of music training, led by psychologist K. Anders Ericsson, that inspired the 10,000-hour rule. (The concept, popularised by writer Malcolm Gladwell, is that it takes at least 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become an expert at something, although Ericsson has said this is an oversimplification.) Whats the connection to four or five hours of focus? Thats how long the best students in Ericssons research tended to practise. Such a schedule is not uncommon among the accomplished, said Alex Soojung-Kim Pang who is a Silicon Valley writer and consultant who specialises in productivity. Alice Munro, Charles Darwin and Gabriel Garcia Marquez are among the creative people with similar habits, a topic Pang dedicated a chapter to in his 2016 book, Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less. But politically, the Morrison government this week has had maximum and very negative exposure on aged care, which is its responsibility. Not only was parliament sitting but the Health Department had two days before a Senate estimates committee, occasions that leave most news conferences for dead when it comes to applying heat to feet. Despite the pressure he and his government are under on the vaccination rollout, Morrison has a united team behind him. Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck received yet another doing over, as did Health Department Secretary Brendan Murphy. Colbeck couldnt say how many aged care workers have been vaccinated. Murphy was quizzed (among much else) on Morrison using him as a shield for the PMs unfortunate its not a race line. In question time in the House, Health Minister Greg Hunt had to admit to getting a key vaccination number wrong. The various interrogations added to the existing picture of a rollout thats been, and continues to be, shambolic. It was always going to be difficult. But among the many issues, there is no excuse for the aged care tardiness and other failures (and its worse in the disability sector). And why chemists havent been accelerated into the general rollout remains a mystery. Anyone who has a flu shot knows its quicker and easier to get it at a pharmacy than go to a doctor. Although Morrison is very aware that in the pandemic it is never a good time to leave the country, he regards the G7 meeting, to which Australia has been invited, as a top priority, not least because it will enable his first face-to-face meeting with Joe Biden since he became president. With fingers crossed, Morrison departs for Britain next week, travelling via Singapore and leaving Michael McCormack as acting PM, which carries the risk of a foot-in-mouth outbreak. The PM will miss part of the next parliamentary fortnight and be on remote (in quarantine) for the rest of it. The government will endure a lot of political pain over the rollout for months to come. But by early next year the job surely will be more or less done, though a portion of the population will remain, for one reason or another, unvaccinated. Will whats happening or not happening now be affecting Morrisons fortunes then? Assuming the virus does not in coming months erupt into a big new wave and those cautious premiers are the best protection against that Morrison may have shed much of todays rollout baggage by then. He told his party room again this week the election would be next year. We know from 2019 its unwise to predict results. But the underlying conditions at the moment set Morrison up well. No state or territory leader has lost an election since the pandemic started. Apart from governments success in containing COVID, people are wary of change in these uncertain times. This weeks national accounts reaffirmed the economy is recovering strongly (1.8 per cent growth in the March quarter, 1.1 per cent annual). And, although its COVID attack is sharp and to the point, the opposition is weak at a more fundamental level. Anthony Albanese is still struggling to make his mark, and Labor has serious policy dilemmas, including on climate and energy and its stance on the 2024-25 legislated tax cuts. For many voters, the oppositions story is not, at least at this point, a compelling read. Nor is it obvious how it can make it so. Despite the pressure he and his government are under on the rollout, Morrison has a united team behind him (with one notable qualification hes constrained on climate and energy policy, these days mostly by vocal Nationals outriders). Given the extent of Morrisons authority, the spectacle of him and senior ministers being cut down to size by Speaker Tony Smith in this parliamentary fortnight was all the more arresting. Smith has been an impressive, fair-minded speaker, but the Houses question time has remained unruly, and ministers have babbled on rather than addressing the questions asked by the opposition. Loading Smith suddenly decided to up the ante, cracking down on the chaotic behaviour from both sides, and forcing discipline on ministers. The latter came as an unpleasant shock to Morrison, Hunt, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and other frontbenchers. Morrison was humiliated last week in an exchange after Smith insisted he be relevant to the question. Im happy to do that, Mr Speaker, Morrison said, to which Smith snapped back, I dont care whether youre happy or not. Okay, said a startled PM. For an instant, Morrison found he wasnt the most powerful person in the room. It was a character-building moment. Loading Smith told the House on Thursday: Obviously in the course of the last week Ive enforced the standing orders vigorously. I intend to keep doing that. The reason, he said, was to get an improvement in parliamentary standards. Some old hands on the Liberal backbench have been stunned at the length to which Smith has been willing to go. They recalled the fate of the late Bob Halverson, who became speaker after the election of John Howard in 1996, only to be pushed out of the position two years later because the government thought he was too impartial. An alleged plot to import a record-breaking three tonnes of cocaine into Australia from South America was uncovered after a man was observed laundering $100 million in one week at the Star casinos poker machines early last year. A probe of the mans finances led to a major operation spanning the Pacific Ocean that culminated in the arrests this week of three men, including two who have worked at Sydney Airport and one who was on parole for a 16-year sentence for previous drug importation offences. Three men were charged over the alleged importation plot. Credit:NSW Police NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said the overall cocaine haul had a street value of $900 million and represented about a years worth of supply of the drug for all of NSW and amounted to the largest ever intercept of cocaine bound for Australia. In October last year, acting on NSW Police information, the US Navy allegedly seized 870 kilograms of cocaine after intercepting two fast boats travelling in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Colombia. The cases that have the new variant are a family that returned from Jervis Bay in NSW but health authorities do not know where the variant was first picked up in Melbourne. A Sydney man who sparked a recent scare in that city has had the Delta variant, according to Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video We know this family travelled to Jervis Bay, and we are examining who is the likely index case in this family, and therefore trying to trace back, where this variant has been picked up, Professor Sutton said. In terms of the ongoing sequencing, we will try to look at all other sequences, re-sequence to the fullest extent possible across Australia, to see if there are any potential linkages to known cases that includes those who have come through formal quarantine, but also anyone else maritime, airline, diplomatic and otherwise. Its obviously a concern that its not linked to other cases, but we are absolutely, as weve done for the Melbourne cluster, chasing down all of those primary close contacts for this family. The discovery of the new variant in Melbourne cases which Professor Sutton described as disturbing news overnight comes as the state recorded four new local coronavirus cases on Friday. Two cases were also recorded in hotel quarantine. Three of four new COVID-19 cases are from the same family, two parents and a child, and are linked to the West Melbourne outbreak. Extended lockdown timetable to remain despite two false-positive cases Meanwhile, the timetable for the states extended COVID-19 lockdown will not be changed despite two local cases of fleeting transmission being reclassified as false positives. Victorian authorities revealed late on Thursday that two cases of stranger-to-stranger transmission the existence of which had been used to build the case for the extended lockdown have been reclassified as false positives. Loading In the daily COVID-19 update, COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said the reclassification of the two cases did not materially alter the decision on the lockdown. We did not make a decision about where we were with the entire outbreak based on these two cases alone, he said. They are two cases in the context of 60 and if were going to entirely focus on casual contacts [who have tested positive], which is not the entire focus of the investigation, weve got eight of those at this point in time that were worried about, weve got two less than we did have; it doesnt change the narrative and the structure and the dynamics of what were seeing is happening with this outbreak. Earlier on Friday, acting Premier James Merlino said the two recent false-positive cases would not alter the states lockdown timetable. The proposition put forward by public health was that we needed this further seven-day period for Greater Melbourne to absolutely run this thing to the ground, and that remains the case, he said. The two cases, which have both been reclassified, had been used to build the case for extending Melbournes lockdown. Credit:Daniel Pockett Weve got a high number of cases, many of them have some concern to public health. There are a number of other cases where weve seen fleeting contact and transmission. The two cases related to a woman who was thought to have acquired the virus at a Metricon display home exposure site at Mickleham, and a male who was believed to have contracted the virus while dining at the Brighton Beach Hotel. Both cases were reviewed by an expert panel and retesting of the individuals revealed they did not have COVID-19. Victoria records four new cases The state recorded four new local cases of COVID-19 on Friday. There were 24,169 vaccine doses administered, according to the Health Department tweet, and 49,439 test results were received. This means there are now 72 active cases of coronavirus in Victoria. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Commonwealth and Victoria strike deal for new quarantine facility On Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an agreement had been struck with the Victorian government over a new quarantine facility in Melbourne. Under that deal, the Commonwealth government will provide the construction costs while Victoria bears the costs of operating the centre. Loading Victoria will also run the purpose-built quarantine facility. This will both assist them in the risk management of the various groups that theyre providing for in their quarantine system, as well as delivering additional capacity for the quarantine system in Victoria, Mr Morrison said. Mr Morrison described what he called a significant improvement in the vaccination rollout. He said there would be a bringing forward of access for 40-to-49-year-olds by June 8. Two hundred police officers have begun roving patrols to ensure locked-down Melburnians stay out of regional Victoria as one of the states top cops revealed it was state government not the police which ruled out a repeat of last years ring of steel. From Friday, mobile patrols will replace the hard border seen during last years restrictions, with roving officers instead assigned to monitor traffic on the states main arterial and back roads. Theyll combine with 250 officers already rostered on to perform coronavirus response to triple zero calls, patrols and reports of breaches. Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said four options for keeping Melburnians out of regional Victoria had been put to the state government, including the use of a hard border which wouldve required about 400 police each day. The Delta variant of COVID-19 now in Melbourne is likely more transmissible than other variants of the virus seen so far, but there is no conclusive evidence it causes worse illness in children. Genomic testing of a family of four who had returned from Jervis Bay in NSW revealed on Friday they had been infected with the new variant. They have been linked to three cases in another family. The seven cases are unconnected to Melbournes current cluster, which is being driven by the less-infectious Kappa variant. Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton. Credit:Eddie Jim There is some evidence the Delta variant may modestly cut the effectiveness of vaccines. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 18:52:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Iraq is planning to build some dams to stop the annual loss of agricultural land due to desertification, the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) said on Friday. "There are plans to build dams to take advantage of water during the rainy seasons and use it in the dry seasons," Ali al-Bdeiri, a member of the agricultural and water parliamentary committee, told INA, noting that Iraq still uses primitive irrigation methods that cause a huge waste of water. Citing a UN report, Iraq is losing more than 250 square km of its agricultural land annually due to desertification, and there is no effective action from the Iraqi authorities so far, al-Bdeiri told INA. He said that the parliamentary committee is holding meetings with the Ministry of Water Resources, especially in summer times, to discuss the issue of water scarcity, according to INA. "It is important to have high coordination between the executive and legislative authorities to secure water," al-Bdeiri said. According to Iraq's State Board of Combating Desertification, up to 90 percent of its total area is threatened by desertification, while 45 percent of the agricultural land faces drought and desertification. Iraq also complains about the decreasing water flowing from the two neighbors, Turkey and Iran, which are building dams on the rivers that enter Iraq without coordination with the downstream country. Enditem Oh silly me, I left my mobile phone at home While I was buying supplies in a smallish grocer yesterday, the checkout person politely asked three people to use the QR system which was prominently displayed. Without hesitation, all three immediately replied: No phone. I realised that a definitive trend had evolved. Susie Holt, South Yarra Overall, were doing a good job checking in As usual, criticism of Melbournes compliance has been rife, but my experience has been otherwise. In recent months, in Melbourne and Victoria, I have been to restaurants, pubs, theatres, a cinema, a concert, a book launch, markets, a massage place, tourist sites, weekly gatherings of my choir at a hall, my mums aged care home, a hospital ... and I have had to check in everywhere. Stephanie Jaehrling, Carnegie Words are fine, but will they pay the rent? Can Scott Morrison explain how his preaching Resilience, strength, character, determination. Thats what beats a virus, never fear is meant to encourage and support Australians and how such optimism can meet this weeks rent bill? Peter Rickard, Surrey Hills For some of us, the health risk is very real To people critical of us over-50s who are not anti-vaxxers but are apprehensive about the one in 100,000 chance of a clot from the AstraZeneca vaccine, imagine this: About 100,000 people are to attend an event at the MCG and beforehand there is an announcement that one person will be shot and be at risk of death or serious life-long injury. How many people do you think would take the risk? Robyn Lovell, Epping As usual, the well-off continue to flourish The old saying, privatise the profits, socialise the losses, has never been more appropriate. The calls for more assistance to those workers susceptible to lockdowns coincides with Stock Exchange record levels and the federal Treasurer extolling how well the economy is going for the wealthy. Do we learn nothing? Alan Duncan, Frankston South THE FORUM Step up, Senator Colbeck My mum is in aged care where she is looked after very well by the staff. Richard Colbeck has again faced questions in Senate estimates. Again, he could not answer valid questions about aged care and vaccination. This is his portfolio for which the taxpayers pay his extremely large salary. Is he totally uninterested or not across his portfolio? I would suggest both. Senator Colbeck does not engender any confidence that this portfolio is being handled well or even adequately. I would remind him that he is a servant of the people and is not immune from scrutiny or accountability. Pam Kershaw, Kew At last, some progress Scott Morrison, it is great to see you grasp the hose (needle) at last and to hear that you and state and territory leaders are leaning heavily towards making vaccinations mandatory for your front-line aged care workers (The Age, 4/6). Better late than never. Kay Moulton, Surrey Hills Try a caravan park A dedicated quarantine centre comprising numerous, individual, self-contained cabins, all with a balcony, sounds to me a lot like a modern caravan park. If we can take over a hotel for quarantine purposes, why cant we commandeer a local caravan park? It would be a lot cheaper and quicker than building something new near Avalon Airport. John Tait, Airport West Our right to grants too It is not a great look for the Victorian government to be less generous than the federal government to struggling tiny businesses, is it? Those of us who are not registered for GST because our income is so low are excluded from Victorias small business grants. Not even the feds did that with JobKeeper an ABN and a loss of business was required. Why not the same standard from the state government? Deb Campbell, Deans Marsh Mandatory vaccination If the Prime Minister and state premiers have not begun to lay down the guidelines for our future living with COVID-19, they need to get onto it pronto. What will be the requirements for entry into the country? What about prerequisites for working with people, in Customs, hospitals, hospitality, Centrelink, education? To enter many aged care centres, you need to show evidence of having received a current flu vaccination. No COVID vax, no entry seems the logical rule to apply everywhere. David Marshall, West Brunswick Lack of basics records Federal health authorities are not keeping any records of how many Australians returning from overseas have been vaccinated and whether they develop COVID-19 (The Age, 4/6). I give up. David Hamilton, Hampton An impossible ask I am attempting to comply with recently announced QR code rules, only to be thwarted by the convoluted, drawn out-procedure required to bring this about. I want to do the right thing but cannot without continually seeking help from those around me until this rigmarole is simplified. Dawn Evans, Highton When Victorians matter The federal election is coming. The Prime Minister has rediscovered Victoria, providing help for workers and a new quarantine centre. Next he will visit our state and lay hands upon us. George Reed, Wheelers Hill Danger in being smug Oh the irony. Just days after Gladys Berejiklian felt the need (again) to spruik the superiority of New South Wales COVID-19 response in relation to Victorias, we read COVID check-ins impacted by outage in NSW (The Age, 3/6). And only last week it was reported that NSW authorities were alarmed by a plunge in the number of people checking in to venues, with Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello saying the Victorian outbreak is a powerful reminder that we cannot drop out guard. A little more empathy and a little less competition would be helpful. Peter Morris, Connewarre Bring the children home There are now 209 children stuck in India without their parents (The Age, 4/6). Am I missing something? Why not allow the parents to fly to India on the condition that they stay onboard. Load their children on the plane and fly the families back to Australia where they can spend two weeks in quarantine. Or is that too easy? John Adler, Hampton Protecting all creatures Incomprehensibly, as the state government exerts enormous energy to control the spread of COVID-19, it condones the bloody carnage of thousands of peaceful, defenceless ducks. Well over 80per cent of Victorians are outraged by this slaughter and demand duck shooting be stopped. Ducks experience the same pain and terror that you or I would if blasted by a shotgun. A society is greatly diminished if its compassion extends only to its human population. Jennifer Joseph, South Yarra Follow US and NZ lead It is deeply shaming that Australia does not take more of its share of refugees. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews is negotiating a settlement deal for refugees in detention here and in Nauru and Papua New Guinea to go to New Zealand (The Age, 3/6). The federal government clings to the myth that asylum seekers arriving by boat are illegal. Any persecuted person has a right to seek asylum and the method of transport is not relevant according to the UN. The offer from NZ to take 150 refugees has been repeatedly rebuffed. Peter Dutton perpetuates the myth that letting them go there will encourage more boat arrivals to Australia. This shows zero compassion and empathy. Joe Biden has increased the annual humanitarian intake to 62,500. If the US and NZ can assimilate refugees, why cant we? Jan Marshall, Brighton More human, less toxic The huge volumes of poison being spread in crop fields being sown (due to the mouse plague) is horrendous. Apart from the collateral poisoning (ie. slow, painful deaths) of native animals and birds, do we really want this in our food chain? It is beyond belief that we do not have a safe, effective, less toxic, more humane method to control pests and plagues. We have research capability. Why dont we use it? Catherine Miller, Chewton Offences against women At last Pope Francis has made revision to canon law to address the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults (World, 3/5) but he also includes reinforcing the ban on ordaining women. It is ironic that the revision was put under a new section entitled Offences against human life and dignity and liberty, recognising the injustice done to minors in the church but not to women in the church. Sadly the church continues to be irrelevant in a changing world. Julie Ottobre, Forest Hill Its a two-way street So Xi Jinping wants to create a credible, loveable and respectable image of China (The Age, /6). How about China showing more love and respect for the Uighurs, Tibetans and the democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong? Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove What else do we expect? Vicki Myers (Letters, 3/6) expresses wonder and dismay about Matthias Cormanns apparent epiphany on climate issues (The Age, 2/6). Hey, he is a politician. He changes his socks. He changes his undies. He changes his mind. It is simple, routine self-interest. Along with the leopard, however, his spots are unchanged. David Allen, Bayswater North Osakas brave stand My hearty congratulations to Naomi Osaka for standing up for her principles. She is, by all accounts and appearances, a quiet, introverted and sincere person, and it seems a very heavy-handed way for authorities to handle her situation given that they appear to need her more than she needs them. Chris Wilson, Poowing AND ANOTHER THING Credit:Illustration: Matt Golding Coronavirus Hearing about the two false positives leave me feeling rather negative. Greg Oates, Huon Creek Why couldnt ScoMo and Josh have offered to help Victorians before they had their arms twisted? Mel Green, Glen Waverley Our PM is active but pro or re? Kicking and screaming comes to mind. Are the premiers running the country? Des Crowle, Casterton Can we name the new quarantine centre Smoke and Mirrors and have Dutton cut the ribbon to open it? Darryl Annett, Northcote Well done, James, but beware. ScoMos MOU probably means My Own Understanding. Patricia Rivett, Ferntree Gully The latest fashion craze in Melbourne. Wearing your face mask as a bracelet. Chris Brown, Melbourne Aged care. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Meg McPherson, Brighton The state government panics because of its inadequate contact tracing and organisation. Victorians pay for its ineptness. Rita Reid, Port Melbourne Jackie Burgess (3/6), details of your vaccination can be found on your myGov account. Heather Murfet, Northcote Furthermore Irony is a great basis for comedy but Id never pictured Xi (3/6) as a stand-up comedian. Bryan Lewis, St Helena Matters in the public interest involving taxpayer-funded representatives should be investigated. Simple as ABC. Annie Wilson, Inverloch When Michael Kroger was on the ABC board, did he object to satire aimed at Labor and the left? Graham Williams, Glen Waverley Beware, Collingwood (3/5). Jeff Browne may be Eddie McGuires Trojan Horse. Chris Del Prete, Pascoe Vale South The state opposition has suggested the parliament may need to look at a 12-month moratorium on retiring ministers entering high paying jobs when they still have a deep understanding of government pressure points following the appointment. Their warning came as Rio Tinto announced that just days after former West Australian treasurer Ben Wyatt joined Woodsides board, he has joined them as a non-executive director too. Ben Wyatt has been hot property since leaving politics. Credit:Trevor Collens Mr Wyatt stands to earn more than $470,000 combined through his roles at Woodside and Rio Tinto. Rio Tinto said Mr Wyatt, who will join the board in September, brought extensive public policy, regulatory and international trade experience from his time as treasurer and Aboriginal affairs minister in WA. Health authorities are prepared to force aged care workers to get vaccinated in a bid to stop coronavirus outbreaks causing another deadly wave like the one that claimed more than 600 lives in Victoria. National cabinet has asked medical experts for further advice about whether it should be mandatory for aged care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 while strongly urging everyone in the sector to protect themselves voluntarily. People aged 40 and over will be eligible for COVID vaccines from Tuesday as governments mull whether to make the jabs mandatory for aged care workers. Credit:Eddie Jim Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee had previously flagged issues that would need to be addressed, including ensuring vaccines were easily accessible and enough staff were available if some suffered side effects. He also noted there was a lack of data about staff vaccinations. Is this really an issue? Are people actually coming forward? Professor Kelly said. If that extra [mandate] is needed, then we will definitely go to that point. Washington: Last December, Bahrain became one of the first countries to throw support behind Chinas Sinopharm vaccine, granting it emergency use approval - a substantial boost for Beijings global ambitions for the vaccine, despite doubts on the part of some scientists over lack of public safety and efficacy data. Now, the Persian Gulf country is the latest to raise doubts about the vaccines effectiveness. Bahraini officials said this week that it would be offering Pfizer-BioNTech doses to certain high-risk individuals who have already received two Sinopharm jabs, suggesting that they no longer saw them as enough in the face of a new wave of coronavirus infections. A medical worker shows a person the packaging for a Sinopharm vaccine at a vaccination facility in Beijing. Some countries have seen a rise in COVID cases after two doses of the vaccine and are recommending a third shot of a different vaccine. Credit:AP The policy comes just weeks after the World Health Organisation granted Sinopharm emergency use listing, making it the first Chinese-developed vaccine to receive the global health bodys stamp of approval. But it doesnt eliminate my disappointment that it took national pressure to get Stanford to do what it should have done at the beginning, which is to realise it could not take action in this case. Stanfords investigation had triggered red flags among First Amendment advocates, who noted that the Supreme Court has held that satire of public figures qualifies as free speech. Loading A reasonable person cant read this email and think on the morning of January 6, Senator Hawley was actually in Northern California teaching students how to riot, said Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which advocates for freedom of speech on campus. Thats why its ironic. Thats why its satirical. Steinbaugh noted that while private universities are not beholden to free speech laws, Californias Leonard Law requires equal First Amendment protections for public and private institutions. Wallace, a third-year law student from Ann Arbor, Michigan, who is planning to take the bar exam this summer in his home state, dreamed up the satirical flyer in the wake of the Capitol riot. Following the events on January 6, the Federalist Society faced criticism after some members in Congress and state governments were accused of inciting or condoning the insurrection. On January 25, Wallace, who declined to comment for this story, sent the flyer using the similar format and tone of the Stanford Federalist Societys emails, to a student-run email list that is often used as a forum for politics discussion. The flyer, which was dated January 6, advertised an event called The Originalist Case for Inciting Insurrection. Senator Hawley will argue that the ends justify the means, Wallace wrote. Attorney-General Paxton will explain that when the Supreme Court refuses to exercise its Article III authority to overturn the results of a free and fair election, calling on a violent mob to storm the Capitol represents an appropriate alternative remedy. The flyer attracted mixed reactions among Stanfords law students. Some found it amusing, while members of the Federalist Society protested, according to copies of the emails made public by FIRE. The email soon went viral and was shared widely on Twitter and posted in a Facebook group dedicated to law school memes. USA Today caught wind of the post and published a fact check, confirming that the flyer was indeed fake. The outrage eventually simmered down and for months Wallace heard nothing about it. He was unaware, though, that a leader of Stanfords Federalist Society chapter, who has not been publicly identified, filed a student conduct complaint to the universitys Office of Community Standards in March. Wallace defamed the student group, its officers, Senator Josh Hawley, and Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, the complaint said, adding that Wallace deceived people and that the reputations of members of the group have been harmed. In May, the group put pressure on Stanfords Office of Community Standards to pursue the charges, according to FIRE. On May 22, weeks before law school graduation, the university notified Wallace that the school was proceeding with the complaint and that his diploma would be put on hold. The Stanford Federalist Society did not immediately respond to request for comment late on Wednesday. Steinbaugh then took up the case, sending Stanford a letter expressing his organisations concerns that the investigation violated Wallaces free speech protections. If youre running a student conduct office at a university like Stanford, you should know what protected speech looks like and you should already have made steps to make sure that wont have a chilling effect, Steinbaugh said. Wallace said the schools decision to open a probe tarnished his last weeks at Stanford. It has been a pretty awful way to close out my career at Stanford, Wallace told Slate. Instead of studying for finals, Im trying to figure this out. I just sent an email to my family trying to reassure them that I havent blown it in my last few days at Stanford. I love Cruella. Disney's newest movie illuminates the shadowy backstory of the crazed fashionista from 101 Dalmations. By a mile, it is the best of the recent live-action ventures exploring the dark corners of the mouse's vault. Not only is it a showcase for top-notch acting and design, but it cleverly tells a story of generational anxiety from a young boomer's perspective (yes, Cruella is a boomer). Few Disney films have ever grappled with the cyclical nature of cruelty so effectively all while sticking to the evil queen trope. I'm impressed. It got me thinking about which stage villains might have similarly fascinating backstories. Here's my list of 5 Broadway baddies that have the potential for a Cruella-style prequel. Jonathan Groff played King George in the original Broadway cast of Hamilton. ( Joan Marcus) 1. King George III from Hamilton Audiences around the world still preemptively chuckle at the opening notes of "You'll Be Back," the Carnaby Street ditty sung by King George III in response to the independent aspirations of his American subjects. But what circumstances created this diabolical pop idol, seemingly so detached from the concerns of the people? Could the root be found in his father Frederick, an heir apparent to this British throne who never got the job? Or perhaps it has something to do with George's overbearing mother, Princess Augusta, who kept George isolated throughout much of his adolescence. And what do we make of his marriage to Charlotte von Mecklenburg-Strelitz, whom he met just hours before the nuptials? (Their relationship is explored somewhat in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton.) There's a lot of potential in the life of one of Britain's most storied monarchs. Patrick Page plays Hades in Hadestown on Broadway. ( Matthew Murphy) 2. Hades from Hadestown We know the backstory of Hades is a good one, because it has been told and retold for thousands of years. How is it that the eldest son of Cronos and Rhea, after conspiring with his younger brothers to overthrow their tyrannical father, was relegated to the least glamorous part of the family business the underworld? In the antique industrial world of Hadestown, one imagines it involves not just the drawing of lots (as is traditionally suggested), but lots of corporate espionage and boardroom intrigue. These are the fires that forge a truly bad guy, and there is no one more equipped to play him than original Hades Patrick Page, who is something of an expert on the subject of stage villains. You can currently see his streaming one-man show with Shakespeare Theatre Company, All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain. Tam Mutu plays the Duke of Monroth in Moulin Rouge! The Musical. ( Matthew Murphy) 3. The Duke of Monroth from Moulin Rouge! The grabby aristocrat who wants Satine all for himself, even though she is obviously in love with Christian, is a bad dude. However, I found myself secretly agreeing with him when he breezily dismissed the bohemians and their "ridiculous dogma." Of course, Christian & Co.'s business plan is to take one investor's money and then ask him to bugger off. Well, why don't they find an alternate source of funding? Because they're too lazy and uncreative, that's why. Admittedly, much of my sympathy stems from Tam Mutu's unexpectedly charming performance. But the best villains are seductive, winning you over to their perspective through sheer magnetism (I always know it's going to be a good King Lear when I'm rooting for Edmund by the end of the bastard speech). I would love to see an expanded backstory for the wicked Duke, with Mutu reprising his role. Frederick Weller played Bob Ewell in the original Broadway cast of Aaron Sorkin's To Kill a Mockingbird. ( Julieta Cervantes) 4. Bob Ewell from To Kill a Mockingbird At first glance, the villain from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, a racist drunk who abuses his daughter and violently harasses the Finch children, has few redeeming qualities. That is unlikely to change in any spinoff, but a villain's prequel might give audiences a better sense of the generational poverty and oppressive caste system that turned Bob Ewell into a monster. This is the kind of story that lends itself to sharp expressionist style: I'm imagining a rural southern version of Sophie Treadwell's Machinal or Eugene O'Neill's The Hairy Ape. As Americans wake up to the strictures of class in our society, this type of theater is primed for a comeback. Jeanna de Wall played Diana, and Roe Hartrampf played Prince Charles in the La Jolla Playhouse production of Diana. Both will reprise their roles on Broadway. ( Little Fang) 5. Martin Bashir from Diana: The Musical OK, so I haven't actually seen Diana the Musical yet and I'm not sure Martin Bashir even appears as a character, but I am fascinated by the BBC journalist who conducted a bombshell 1995 interview with Princess Diana in which she discussed the problems in her marriage with Prince Charles. It was recently revealed that Bashir employed deceitful tactics to score the sit-down, including the fabrication of bank statements. What exactly would drive a person to such extremes just to obtain an exclusive interview? The cutthroat world of professional media, of course. There's a fascinating story of elite gatekeeping and upstart gatecrashing lurking behind the BBC's professed shame around this tale that cries out for the stage. It would likely make an excellent companion piece with Ink. Click here for tickets to Cruella. The iconic New York show Stomp will resume performances at the Orpheum Theatre on Tuesday, July 20, with tickets going on sale on June 21. It will be among the first off-Broadway productions to resume performances since the pandemic began. Stomp gives household and industrial objects new life as musical instruments in the hands of an idiosyncratic band of body percussionists. The show's co-creators Steve McNicholas and Luke Cresswell said, "For us, Stomp has always been about connecting with the audience, having a shared experience with them and celebrating rhythm together. We can't wait to bring Stomp and New York audiences back together again in the Orpheum." Audiences and performers will have to provide proof of vaccination prior to entry. Out of an abundance of caution, audiences will have to be masked. The company will adjust protocols as official Covid-19 guidance evolves. Stomp's touring company, which has been crisscrossing America for the past 25 years, will resume its tour on August 16, starting in Utica, New York, at the Stanley Theatre. Cruise ship MSC Orchestra passes in the Giudecca Canal in Venice, Italy, early Thursday. Early risers in Venice woke Thursday to the sight of a cruise ship traveling down the canal for the first time since the pandemic, despite pledges by subsequent Italian governments to reroute the huge vessels due to safety and environmental concerns. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 19:09:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday urged the Iranians to participate in the upcoming presidential election and make the right choices for solving the country's problems. Khamenei made the remarks in a televised speech on the death anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic republic. Khamenei described election as a "manifestation of the people's will" and participation in the election as a duty. The Iranian leader decried some attempts by "enemies" aimed at discouraging people and lowering turnout in the election. Khamenei also urged candidates, instead of making empty promises they can not fulfill, to commit themselves to establishing social justice, boosting economic production and fighting corruption. On May 25, the interior ministry announced that seven candidates out of 592 Iranians who registered for the election were approved by the vetting body. Among the disqualified candidates were incumbent Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri and former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. The election campaign of the presidential candidates will end 24 hours before the election day slated for June 18. Enditem AP US to swiftly boost global vaccine sharing, Biden announces Evan Vucci Vice President Kamala Harris listens as President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 vaccination program, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci / AP White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House on Thursday in Washington. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden announced Thursday the U.S. will swiftly donate a first tranche of 25 million doses of surplus vaccine overseas through the U.N.-backed COVAX program, promising infusions for South and Central America, Asia, Africa and others at a time of glaring shortages abroad and more than ample supplies at home. The doses mark a substantial and immediate boost to the lagging COVAX effort, which to date has shared just 76 million doses with needy countries. The announcement came just hours after World Health Organization officials in Africa made a new plea for vaccine sharing because of an alarming situation on the continent, where shipments have ground to a near halt while virus cases have spiked over the past two weeks. Overall, the White House has announced plans to share 80 million doses globally by the end of June, most through COVAX. Officials say a quarter of the nations excess will be kept in reserve for emergencies and for the U.S. to share directly with allies and partners. Of the first 19 million donated through COVAX, approximately 6 million doses will go to South and Central America, 7 million to Asia and 5 million to Africa. As long as this pandemic is raging anywhere in the world, the American people will still be vulnerable, Biden said in a statement. And the United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. will retain the say on where doses distributed through COVAX ultimately go. But he also said, Were not seeking to extract concessions, were not extorting, were not imposing conditions the way that other countries who are providing doses are doing. ... These are doses that are being given, donated free and clear to these countries, for the sole purpose of improving the public health situation and helping end the pandemic. The remaining 6 million in the initial distribution of 25 million will be directed by the White House to U.S. allies and partners, including Mexico, Canada, South Korea, West Bank and Gaza, India, Ukraine, Kosovo, Haiti, Georgia, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as for United Nations frontline workers. Vice President Kamala Harris informed some U.S. partners they will begin receiving doses, in separate calls with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago. Harris is to visit Guatemala and Mexico in the coming week. The long-awaited vaccine sharing plan comes as demand for shots in the U.S. has dropped significantly more than 63 percent of adults have received at least one dose and as global inequities in supply have become more pronounced. Scores of countries have requested doses from the United States, but to date only Mexico and Canada have received a combined 4.5 million doses. The U.S. also has announced plans to share enough shots with South Korea to vaccinate its 550,000 troops who serve alongside American service members on the peninsula. White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said that 1 million Johnson & Johnson doses were being shipped to South Korea Thursday. The U.S. has committed more than $4 billion to COVAX, but with vaccine supplies short and wealthy nations locking up most of them the greater need than funding has been immediate access to actual doses, to overcome what health officials have long decried as unequal access to the vaccines. The U.S. action means frontline workers and at-risk populations will receive potentially life-saving vaccinations and bring the world a step closer to ending the acute phase of the pandemic, said Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, which is leading the COVAX alliance. However, Tom Hart the acting CEO of The ONE Campaign, said that while Thursdays announcement was a welcome step, the Biden administration needs to commit to sharing more doses. The world is looking to the U.S. for global leadership, and more ambition is needed, he said. Biden has committed to providing other nations with all 60 million U.S.-produced doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has yet to be authorized for use in America but is widely approved around the world. The AstraZeneca doses have been held up for export by a weeks-long safety review by the Food and Drug Administration, and without them Biden will be hard pressed to meet his sharing goal. The White House says the initial 25 million doses announced Thursday will be shipped from existing federal stockpiles of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. More doses are expected to be made available to share in the months ahead. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said via Twitter that Harris had informed him before the White House announcement of the decision to send 1 million doses of the single jab Johnson & Johnson vaccine. I expressed to her our appreciation in the name of the people of Mexico, he wrote. Guatemalas Giammattei said Harris told him the U.S. government would send his country 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. As part of its purchase agreements with drug manufacturers, the U.S. controlled the initial production by its domestic manufacturers. Pfizer and Moderna are only now starting to export vaccines produced in the U.S. to overseas customers. The U.S. has hundreds of millions more doses on order, both of authorized and in-development vaccines. The ACLU of Arkansas is calling on state legislators to investigate a commonly used, dangerous traffic maneuver that resulted in three deaths last year. The maneuver, referred to as Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT), is when an officer deliberately hits a fleeing vehicle, causing it t Up for debate: Live legislation tracker Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 19:45:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ANKARA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish soldier was killed and another was injured in a rocket attack by the "terrorists" in northern Syria, Turkey's defense ministry said Friday. The attack happened in the Operation Olive Branch region on Thursday, the ministry said in a statement. The region is neighboring the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). The Turkish army and the YPG members often clash in the region as Turkey sees the group as the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The Turkish army launched Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016, Operation Olive Branch in 2018, Operation Peace Spring in 2019 and Operation Spring Shield in 2020 in northern Syria, in order to create a YPG-free zone along its border with the neighboring country. The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the EU, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for over 30 years, which has claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people. Enditem The Brookfield Renewable hydroelectric facility is seen Jan. 19, 2019, at the Milford Dam on the Penobscot River in Milford, Maine. Elementary school students participate in art and science classes Oct. 21, 2020, as part of after school enrichment program in New York City. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 20:25:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, June 4 (Xinhua) -- World Bank Group Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Ferid Belhaj said Friday that the World Bank will increase funds allocated to the most vulnerable families in Lebanon, according to a statement by the Finance Ministry. "We will be offering more funds to the most vulnerable families, as requested by Lebanese Finance Minister Ghazi Wazneh, on condition that these funds be provided the soonest possible in cash to poor families," Belhaj said following his meeting with Wazni. Belhaj noted that the social safety net financing plan which is funded by a World Bank loan of 246 million U.S. dollars will be soon implemented by the finance ministry. The World Bank approved, earlier this year, the loan to establish the financing plan aimed at helping the most vulnerable families as Lebanon has been going through its worst economic and financial crisis with a poverty rate exceeding 50 percent. Enditem Staff Reporter Tim Gruver is a politics and public policy reporter. He is a University of Washington alum and the recipient of the 2017 Pioneer News Award for Reporting. His work has appeared in Politico, the Kitsap Daily News, and the Northwest Asian Weekly. In this Nov. 14, 2020 file photo, Texas GOP chairman Allen West, right, speaks to supporters of President Donald Trump during a rally in front of City Hall in Dallas. West announced Friday, June 4, 2021, he was stepping down less than a year into a combative tenure of challenging his own party's top leaders, including leading a protest outside Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's mansion. The State Capitol is seen in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The Texas Legislature closed out its regular session Monday, but are expected to return for a special session after Texas Democrats blocked one of the nation's most restrictive new voting laws with a walkout. The party is on at Sloan's Lake Saturday, June 5, as the Wyoming Game and Fish Department invites anglers to enjoy Free Fishing Day. Game and Fish designates the first Saturday of National Boating and Fishing Week as a free fishing day when anyone can fish in Wyoming, except at Wind River Reservation and Yellowstone National Park, without a fishing license. The day is pure fun for kids of all ages, as many first-time anglers get to try the sport out, while officials from Game and Fish make sure that everyone enjoys the day. Game and Fish Public Information Officer Sara DiRienzo said Free Fishing Day has been going on for a long time, and it's been hugely successful. "Every state designates a free fishing day," she said. "There are people who are new to fishing or may be apprehensive about trying it or super curious about it, but they don't know where to start." She said during Free Fishing Day, new anglers want to know the basics, like how to bait a hook. "What can I catch in my water, how do I cast, and what do I do once I catch a fish," DiRienzo said. "You won't become an expert after attending a free fishing day event, but what we hope is people who come to free fishing or any family fish days, it sparks their desire to fish again and learn more. We hope their curiosity encourages them to try a little bit more and ask questions. It's a great introduction to the sport." Since it's a free fishing day, the new angler does not need a fishing license. "You can try it out and see if it's something your family wants to do," she said. "You can try it before you invest a lot into the activity." DiRienzo said many people are turning to the outdoors because of Covid-19, and fishing is an option that families can do together and replace other activities. "Even if it's not free fishing day, in Wyoming, if you are a resident, kids under age 14 fish for free," she said. "It's a low-cost, family activity." Fish and Game stocks Sloan's Lake with Brook Trout, Crappies, Blue Gills, Catfish, Bass, Pumpkin Seed, and more. "The fisheries in Cheyenne are really diverse with those types of fish," she said. "People are looking to head out to Curt Gowdy, or John and Annie, right outside of town. Those are mostly trout fisheries because the water is colder. There is an interactive website on the Fish and Game website, so anywhere you want to go, or any water you think you might want to try fishing in, search for it by name, and we have all the details of the fish you can catch." DiRienzo called Free Fishing Day exciting. "It's an opportunity to inspire kids with an activity they're going to remember for the rest of their life, and it will have a big role in building their conservation and outdoor future," she said. "It's also just as rewarding to teach an adult how to fish who has never fished before. People are at the park; they're curious and say, what are you doing here?" She remembered teaching a daughter/father pair and said the father was in his 70s, and the daughter was in her 50s. "They had just as much fun as the seven-year-olds casting at the lake," she said. "It's a community builder and brings unlikely people together." For more information, visit wgfd.wyo.gov. Supervision seen as key to fintech future From:ChinaDaily | 2021-06-04 10:13 Mature regulation urged to ensure top standards, data security, fair competition Efficient and effective supervision can help sustain China's lead in the thriving global fintech industry, said experts at the five-day Pujiang Innovation Forum that began in Shanghai this week. Tu Guangshao, executive director of the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said that fintech sector supervision should help make competition fair. Standards and processes used in the supervision of traditional financial services should also be applied to fintech, to preempt monopolies and restrictive or unfair trade practices that typically lead to winner-take-all situations, which in turn necessitate "too big to fail" rules. Fintech supervision should also be distinct in certain areas like data security that is now critical to the sector but a risk factor as well. Financial institutions armed with technologies are the major entities exposed to risks in fintech, Tu said. "The core purpose of fintech supervision is to protect the rights and interests of fintech consumers. While special care should be given to ensure data security and preserve users' privacy, consumers should also make sure that their conduct conforms to laws and regulations, which require more education." Zhou Yuefeng, president of Huawei's data storage and machine vision product line, said China's regulations on software are relatively mild at present. There should be laws and industry standards regulating hardware companies and other technology providers on the application of software in financial services. Such regulations are advanced and nuanced in some mature markets, and Chinese regulators can use for reference, he said. According to Li Feng, a professor with the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the regulatory sandbox, which the Shanghai municipal government officially started in late July last year, is one innovative and effective example for fintech supervision. A regulatory sandbox is a framework set up by a financial regulator to allow small-scale, live testing of innovations by private firms in a controlled environment under the regulator's supervision. Up to this date, there are 16 regulatory sandbox projects in Shanghai. A majority of 10 projects have participation of fintech companies. More importantly, it can be seen from the 16 projects that financial institutions are increasingly stressing the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis and blockchain, Li said. In the 29th Global Financial Centers Index jointly released by the Shenzhen-based China Development Institute and United Kingdom independent think tank Z/Yen Partners in late March, Shanghai ranked second in terms of fintech development, second only to New York. According to market consultancy McKinsey's report released in early March, total fintech investment in China softened to $1.6 billion in 2020, reflecting "significant maturity of China's fintech sector". One big change is Chinese fintech companies' diverted focus on empowering traditional financial institutions rather than providing direct-to-consumer products, said Andrew Huang, partner and fintech leader at KPMG China. Gu Lingyun, founder and chairman of Shanghai-based AI company Ice Kredit, said they have seen Chinese regulators, especially the central bank, coming up with many innovative ideas concerning the use of digital currency, protection of user privacy and empowering the fintech industry while ensuring the use of technologies is within boundaries. "In terms of the development of fintech, China is leading the world. Even mature markets will look at China to decide the development direction of their local fintech industry," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 20:44:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS -- China's United Nations Ambassador Zhang Jun said Thursday that unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) are turning a health crisis into a moral one, and called for international solidarity and cooperation. "UCMs are illegal, unjustified and unreasonable," Zhang said at the virtual webinar on "the impact of unilateral coercive measures on national health systems of targeted developing countries" sponsored by the permanent UN missions of China, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. "No state shall apply domestic law to exercise long-arm jurisdiction over other countries. Such practices seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the fundamental principle of sovereign equality in international law and the basic principle of non-interference in international relations," said Zhang. - - - - WASHINGTON -- The World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday called on countries anticipating excess vaccine supplies in the coming months to release their surplus doses and options as soon as possible to developing countries. "The coronavirus pandemic will not end until everyone has access to vaccines, including people in developing countries," World Bank Group President David Malpass and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a joint statement to the Group of Seven industrialized countries. - - - - TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Thursday expressed "strong dismay" over the suspension of Iran's voting rights in the United Nations General Assembly, saying the U.S. sanctions are to blame for his country's inability to pay dues. "In 'black is white' world, UN deprived Iran of its voting rights in the UNGA as we're in arrears," Zarif wrote in a tweet, saying the decision is "fundamentally flawed, entirely unacceptable and completely unjustified." Enditem Instant unlimited access to all of our E-Editions and content on thechronicleonline.com. The Chronicle E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Here Batavia, NY (14020) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High around 80F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 21:05:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, June 4 (Xinhua) -- China should be rediscovered without certain western media framing, said Michael Lueders, a well-known German writer, in a recent interview with Xinhua. "It's very rare that you find an objective, analytical piece that describes in detail what's going on within domestic policies in China. We always have a certain framing," said Lueders. In his recently published book in German, The Hypocritical Superpower, Lueders analyzed many news patterns and noted that many western media reports are somehow framed and filtered by interest groups in the United States. Some reports tend to simplify the complicated geopolitical issues into a combat between "we western allies the good guys" against China and Russia "the evil ones," he said. "This framing makes it very clear ... This, in my view, is a wrong thinking. It's a dangerous thinking because it leads to a confrontational policy," said the author. Lueders said the recent example is the U.S. media campaign promoting conspiracy theories of coronavirus lab leaks in China, and intentionally calling it "Wuhan virus." "They need a scapegoat because it was quite a failure to see how (Donald) Trump's administration dealt with corona(virus), and then came up with the idea of Wuhan virus and China virus and so on, the lever laboratory theory. And the idea is to create a negative image," he said. "I think it's quite okay (for the media) to criticize American policies, Russian or Chinese policies. But there is a difference between criticism and demonization. And demonization is what we see in many European and western media when it comes to China," he added. Lueders explained that his target readers are mostly Germans and Europeans, with hopes that local media and audience can abandon such framing and "step out of the shadow of the USA." He said in the past year it was quite popular for European media to criticize American policies during Trump administration, but since Joe Biden took office there has been blind optimism and relief in Germany and Europe. "Most people think that now German-American, European-American relations will improve. However, what most people do not really see or do not want to see is that United States, as any other superpower in history, of course follows its own interests," said the author. Citing some poll numbers, Lueders said most Germans want to remain neutral when conflicts erupted between the United States and China, but this attitude however is rarely presented by media. "My message is clear. Dialogue and cooperation. We should have good relations with both sides, but we should not side with the Americans against the Chinese," he added. Enditem This is the temporary subscription pass for users returning from the Vision Data subscription process. Your subscription will be updated within 24 hours, after your information is verified. Please click the button below to get your pass. Oneonta, NY (13820) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 22:12:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- American journalist Edgar Snow devoted nearly a third of his classic "Red Star Over China" to Yuwang, what is today known as Tongxin County in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The book gave a rare and detailed account of the Chinese revolution in the 1930s. -- In the book, Snow was deeply impressed by disciplined Red Army soldiers as well as their respect for the customs of the local Muslims. -- As the Communist Party of China embraces its centenary this year, more than 380,000 residents in the county are also celebrating their farewell to absolute poverty and a promising future of prosperity. YINCHUAN, June 4 (Xinhua) -- More than 80 years ago, American journalist Edgar Snow penned "Red Star Over China," which gave a rare and detailed account of the Chinese revolution in the 1930s. He devoted nearly a third of the book to Yuwang, what is today known as Tongxin County in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Snow in his book recounted the cancellation of exorbitant taxes and levies and chronicled the lives of hard-working and disciplined Red Army soldiers as well as their respect for the customs of the local Muslims. As the Communist Party of China (CPC) embraces its centenary this year, more than 380,000 residents in the county are also celebrating their farewell to absolute poverty, ever more harmonious relations among various ethnic groups, and a promising future of prosperity. Aerial photo taken on Sept. 18, 2020 shows the People's Hospital in Tongxin County, Wuzhong, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua) FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY Yuwang was marred by extreme poverty under the rule of Kuomingtang until the Red Army came. Snow writes: "In one district investigated it was found that over 70 percent of the farmers were in debt, and about 60 percent were living on food bought on credit." "The Red Army fought for the poor," 70-year-old Yang Zhenhua's grandfather once told him. According to Yang, his grandfather and fellow villagers, out of fear, went into hiding before the arrival of the Red Army. But they soon discovered that the soldiers had neither taken a needle or thread from them nor damaged the crops in the fields. "My grandfather praised them, calling them really a good army of the people," Yang said. Aerial photo taken on Nov. 7, 2019 shows an animal farm in Hantianling Village of Tongxin County, Wuzhong, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) Located in Xihaigu, considered one of the world's most uninhabitable places due to the harsh environment, Tongxin achieved a historic feat in eliminating absolute poverty. Over the decades, Yang had struggled to support his bed-ridden wife and five children by working the fields from dawn to dusk, with droughts often destroying a year's harvest. In 2014, his family was listed as a poverty-stricken household. With the support of the government poverty alleviation funds of 8,000 yuan (about 1,250 U.S. dollars), he raised 10 sheep. Thanks to the annual breeding subsidy, the number of sheep owned by Yang has now increased to 30. Snow once took a photo by standing on the earthen wall of Yang's courtyard. Yang's cave houses have long been abandoned and his family moved into a modern new house with red walls and white tiles. Yang's family was among the more than 100,000 poverty-stricken Tongxin residents who shook off poverty. In addition to better education, healthcare and infrastructure, the per capita disposable income of farmers in the county increased from 6,000 yuan in 2014 to 11,000 yuan at the end of last year. Employees work at Goji berry processing workshop in Tongde Village of Tongxin County, Wuzhong, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua) RED SPIRIT In the "red town," once a battlefront of the Red Army's operations, Snow marveled at the sturdiness of the soldiers. "Sheer dogged endurance, and ability to stand hardship without complaint, the Chinese peasants, who composed the greater part of the Red Army, were unbeatable." What boosted the Red Army's extraordinary fight was the lofty belief of creating a bright future of equality and prosperity for all. Ding Jianhua, Party chief of Hantianling Village under the county, cashed in all his family property and savings to build a cattle farm for his fellow villagers to use free of charge. He even became a self-taught vet to take care of all cattle in the village. The number of cattle in the village has grown from six in 2013 to more than 3,000 now. Incomes of villagers have increased tenfold in a decade. "My goal is to ensure that every family in the village can live in a new house and own a car," Ding said. Ding Jianhua (1st R), Party chief of Hantianling Village and a self-taught vet, treats cattle in Tongxin County of Wuzhong, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) With the improvement of water, electricity, road and internet infrastructures in rural areas, more and more young people have chosen to return to their hometowns, becoming a vigorous force for rural development. Zhang Zhifei returned to his native village of Nanyuan as soon as he graduated from college to lead villagers in raising chickens scientifically. Flocks of chickens can be seen pacing for food while listening to dynamic music at his farm. "Regular exposure to music reduces the stress response and mortality in chickens," Zhang said. Eight households in the village took up poultry farming with his help, raising an average of 3,000 chickens. The first month of breeding is crucial. Zhang goes into the hennery every two hours, day and night, to check the temperature, humidity and growth of chickens. "It is not difficult at all compared to the Red Army's Long March," he said. (Video reporters: Ma Lijuan, Zhang Liang and Tang Yameng; Video editor: Lin Lin) Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks. News Ruff'ton Roots schedules open house scarpenter / Contributed photo Volunteers are working in Ruffton Roots, the Rutherfordton community garden, in this recent photo. Officials say more volunteers are needed. scarpenter / Contributed photo The Ruffton Roots community garden is located on property owned by Rutherford Regional Hospital. The hospital is visible in the background of this photo. RUTHERFORDTONRuffton Roots, the Rutherfordton community garden, is hosting an open house Saturday, June 12, from 5-8 p.m. Organizers hope people will come out to learn more about Ruffton Roots, think about volunteering, or possibly consider sponsoring the garden. Volunteers, led by Magnolia Long, a Lead for North Carolina Fellow with the town of Rutherfordton, began clearing the land and preparing the soil back in the winter. Located on property leased to the town by Rutherford Regional Hospital, the garden is 50 feet x 50 feet. Its located at 128 Hospital Drive, near the historic St. Lukes Chapel. Aaron Alexander is among the 15 or so regular Ruffton Roots volunteers. I love the garden. Its a great way to learn when we are out there working together, Alexander said. His passion for gardening is growing. As a child, Alexander says he remembers helping grandparents in their garden. I remember it being hot, and often not wanting to do that, like many kids who grew up in the South, he said with a laugh. But I have learned to appreciate it, and enjoy gardening. During the pandemic last year, Alexander said he lost his job. Now he works at Deer Valley, a commercial farm near Lake Lure, and also is connected to Rutherford BARN, the nonprofit organization that operates the Rutherford County Farmers Market. Alexander, and others, have become passionate about fresh food and addressing the problem of food insecurity in Rutherford County. Volunteering for Ruffton Roots is one way volunteers can impact food insecurity. Experts have estimated that as many as 33% of Rutherford County residents are food insecure...meaning due to their economic status, they do not have sufficient access to safe, nutritious food needed to stay healthy. The food grown at the Ruffton Roots garden is distributed through established, food security organizations, officials say. These include church-based and community food pantries, soup kitchens, the Senior Center and Veterans Services. Alexander said so far, the garden has produced kale, lettuce, radishes, beets, mustard greens, onions, and basil. Enough has been distributed to feed 191 households (four servings of each vegetable). We expected to donate an average of 50 household servings per week, until October, Alexander said. Vegetables to be harvested later in the summer include green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and cabbage. Volunteers say they are growing community as they grow the garden. Plans include expanding the garden to grow additional vegetables, and partnering with other organizations on future events. Ruffton Roots is offering several sponsorship opportunities for businesses in a bid to raise funds for ongoing operations and future expansion. These sponsorship packages range from $50 up to $1,000. Volunteers will be available to share more information about sponsorship and to sign up sponsors at the June 12 event. Volunteering at the garden is a great way to help people here in our community, Alexander added. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 22:19:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday expressed hope that China and Vietnam will constantly enhance political mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation, so as to promote the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level. Li made the remarks during a phone conversation with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Noting that China and Vietnam are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and waters, Li said that in more than seven decades since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, both sides have always valued the profound friendship forged by the leadership of the older generation of the two countries. At present, leaders of the two countries and the two parties have been maintaining frequent communication, he noted. The Communist Party of China (CPC) will soon embrace the 100th anniversary of its founding, he said, expressing hope that China and Vietnam will constantly enhance political mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation, so as to promote their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level. Li pointed out that facing the challenges and shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising instabilities and uncertainties of the world economy, the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Vietnam will help the East Asian economy to recover steadily. China is willing to work with Vietnam to improve synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam's "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan, promote the construction of cross-border economic cooperation zones between the two countries, and keep industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, he said. Li also pledged to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as in vaccine development and manufacturing, saying that China will continue to provide support and assistance to Vietnam within its capacity, and expects Vietnam to facilitate the vaccination of Chinese nationals in Vietnam. China stands ready to work with Vietnam and other countries concerned for an early entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, so as to better serve the interests of the people in the region, he added. Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese government and people, extended warm congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the CPC's founding. The two countries' profound traditional friendship is the common wealth of both sides, and maintaining and developing Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership is a top priority for Vietnam's diplomacy, he said. Vietnam, he said, stands ready to further strengthen its relations with China, deepen cooperation in such fields as trade and investment, infrastructure, and connectivity in order for the healthy and steady development of Vietnam-China relations. The Chinese premier and his Vietnamese counterpart agreed to properly handle maritime issues in compliance with the consensus reached by both sides and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. Enditem 2nd-Grader Battling Cancer at Home Keeps Up in ClassThanks to Teacher Who Visits Him Every Day A second-grader battling leukemia during the pandemic was saved from falling behind in class, thanks to a teacher who went the extra mile for him. Barb Heim, whos taught first grade at Conneaut Valley Elementary in Conneautville, Pennsylvania, for 35 years, brought lessons to Harrison Conner when he couldnt make it to class. Driving 20 minutes from school to his home every night, Heim says shes the lucky one. It was a joy, because I knew he wanted to learn, Heim told Today. He couldnt wait. He was so excited. Undergoing treatment, Harrison stayed home while his classmates returned to school for in-person learning last fall. Wearing a mask and a face shield, Heim tutored the second-grader through a plexiglass screen in a space carved out for study in his living room. While the physical stresses of treatment sometimes meant Harrison had to take a rest day, Heims student always did his best, she said. His mother, Suzanne, said that Heim has been absolutely amazing, ensuring her son never felt left out, and bringing joy every time she visited their home. Her other kids would even look forward to her visits, greeting her at the door. Its not like a teacher is coming from school to teach, said Suzanne. Shes like an aunt who is coming over to hang out, and she brings goodies, and she is always bringing a smile its incredibly, incredibly special. Harrison was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2020 after Heim noticed he was struggling during recess. He would turn pale and have to sit down while his classmates played, she said. Heim told the school nursewho, in turn, informed Harrisons mom. Word eventually got back to Heim after Christmas break, when one of Harrisons classmates broke the news to her. One of these little guys from my class walks in the doorway, makes a beeline to my desk, and says, Mrs. Heim, Harrison went on a helicopter ride to the hospital, the teacher recalled. The class felt their fellow classmates absence; but Heim found ways to keep him included in their activities, calling Harrison on Zoom every day after recess for story time. Heim would read the class a story; while the brave patient had a chance to check in with his friends at school. She said he was a ray of sunshine who was sorely missed for his positive attitude and thirst for learning. You could have 100 of him in a classroom and you would still take more, because he has that sense about him, she explained. Im lucky to be his teacher, she added. Im the lucky one. At the time of writing, Harrison is in remission with 18 months of treatment remaining. Meanwhile, Suzanne is running a Facebook page, Harrison Strong, to keep followers updated on his progress. Meeting others going through similar struggles as Harrisons, he and his mom started actively fundraising for kids in need. In May, the selfless second-grader put his own battle aside to help others, taking the now-viral 50 Yard Challengewhere participants pledge to mow 50 lawns in their community for free. Our guy is at it again; that big heart never stops, wrote Suzanne. 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 3 LA County Residents, 1 OC Resident Among $50,000 Winners in COVID Vaccine Incentive LOS ANGELESThree Los Angeles County residents and one Orange County resident were among the first 15 winners chosen on June 4 to receive $50,000 each in the states COVID-19 vaccination incentive program. The winners were picked from among 21.5 million eligible California residents who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the drawing. To actually receive the money, the winners will have to complete the vaccination protocol by receiving their second dose, unless they received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In a game-show-like format, Gov. Gavin Newsom presided over the selection of winners. The pool of 21.5 million eligible residents was initially randomly pared down to 200, then winnowed to 50. The final selection was done using a Bingo-style machine, with 50 numbered balls dropping into a twirling cylinder, from which the 15 winners were chosen. None of the winners were identified by name, only by county, in order to maintain privacy. Winners will be contacted by telephone. If any of the 15 chosen winners turn out to be ineligiblesuch as being employed by the governors office or incarceratedalternate winners will be chosen from those remaining in the pool of 50 finalists. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the Vax for the Win incentive program last week. The $116.5 million program will dole out $50,000 prizes to another 15 people on June 11, and on June 15the day the state lifts the bulk of its COVID-19 restrictions10 winners will be chosen to receive $1.5 million each. The state has also been handing out $50 grocery or gift cards to newly vaccinated residents who complete the two-dose protocol. Newsom said on June 4 that more than 38.6 million doses of vaccine have been administered in the state, with 52 percent of the states population now considered fully vaccinated. More than 70 percent of the states adult population has received at least one dose of vaccine, he said. So were here proud, but also mindful of the work thats in front of us, particularly in this lightIve said this often, getting from 30 to 40 percent of people vaccinated, thats an easy 10 percent. Moving from 70 percent of adults to 75 and beyond, thats stubborn. Thats difficult work, Newsom said. He said the reality of the declining rate of people receiving their first dose of vaccine prompted the financial incentive program. I know some are cynical about these things, some are in denial that they should have any role to play as it relates to doing the right thing, and thats getting a life-saving shot that will not only support your own success throughout this pandemic, getting us to the other side, but also supporting the health and safety of your loved ones, the broader community, and the state and nation, he said. After Heart Attack, IT Workers What Near Death Has Taught Me LinkedIn Post Goes Viral After surviving a heart attack one Sunday afternoon, an overworked IT delivery lead decided this was the moment to reevaluate his priorities. He has penned a social media post, sharing the insights of his near-death experience with the world. Im restructuring my approach to work, Jonathan Frostick, 45, wrote on LinkedIn,life literally is too short. Frostick works in IT for the U.K.-based financial services franchise, HSBC. The father of three from London had grown used to working 12-hour days during the pandemic; having lost sight of a healthy work-life balance. He thus found that it was his job that occupied his thoughts when disaster struck. One Sunday in April, Frostick spent his day with a morning cup of coffee, a trip to the park, shopping, and a late lunch, which was pretty standard up until 4 p.m., he said. Sitting down to prep for work for the upcoming week, he found he couldnt breathe, felt his chest tighten, and felt surges in his left arm and neck as his ears popped. He was having a heart attack. Yet, instead of the proverbial life montage flashing before his eyes, Frostick panicked about his work. I needed to meet with my manager tomorrow, this isnt convenient, and, How do I secure the funding for X, he thought. Next, he panicked about lapsed updates to his will before hoping his wife didnt find him dead. Making it into the bedroom to lie down, Frostick caught his wifes attention and she called for an ambulance. Later, recovering in a hospital bed, Frostick penned a list. Among his revised ambitions for his life were spending less time on Zoom, losing 15 kilograms (33 pounds), and spending quality time with his family. I want every day to count for something at work, else Im changing my role, he added. And that, so far, is what near death has taught me. Frosticks LinkedIn post drew tens of thousands of comments, with many sharing their own experiences and many praising his revised priorities. You just added generations to your life, wrote one netizen. Sharing your story means some kid is going to have more time with their mom and/or dad, grandparents, and eventual spouses, partners, and friends. In your moment of pain, stress, and fear, your willingness to be vulnerable has shaken up the planet. HSBC representative, Heidi Ashley, told Bloomberg Wealth that the company wished Frostick a full and speedy recovery. The public response shows how much people are thinking about work-life balance, she said, and HSBC encourages everyone to make their own well-being a top priority. Frostick, who is responsible for over 20 employees, claimed it was he who blurred the work-life boundaries and chose to work at weekends. Whereas before I would finish sensibly anywhere between five and half six, Id be finding myself there on a Friday at 8 oclock at night exhausted, thinking I need to prep up something for Monday and I havent got time, and I started then to actually work weekends, Frostick said. Four weeks after his ordeal, he is now up, walking, and stronger by the day. Frostick is married to the conviction that change paves the way forward. He is also pleased that sharing his ordeal is helping others. Im just grateful to be here, he posted, to have the chance to be the best I can now be for my wife and children, and to help others. 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 Air Force Mom Deployed for 6 Months Secretly Returns Home to Surprise Son, Younger Brother A military mom from Tampa recently staged a surprise for her son and younger brother at Tampa Heights Elementary after a six-month deployment overseas. Eboni Bailey, an Air Force technical sergeant and mother to first-grader Jewelz Williamz, had been deployed to southeastern Europe for six months. During their long separation, Jewelz had missed his mom dearly. He has been worried about her whereabouts, her safety, school counselor Melissa Jones told ABC. As school counselor it was my job to assure him that mommy was safe, that she was going to return home to him. After the six months had passes, Melissa cooperated with Eboni, and together they planned a surprise reunion which would be held on the school grounds. Jewelz and Ebonis little brother Andre were feigned into partaking in a faux media conference to offer their views on the schools new building and whether or not they liked it. What the two boys did not know was that, within moments, they would be seeing a very special someone in person. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Public Schools) In a video shared on Facebook by Hillsborough County Public Schools, the boys were captured on camera, just about to deliver their media statement, when Eboni appeared in uniform to greet them. Jewelz saw his mom first, and he ran over to her with open arms to give her a great big hug. Then Andre looked over, saw his older sister, and joined in the sweet celebration. It was all about Jewelz being able to be reunited with his mom as well as Andre being reunited with his older sister, said Melissa. As for Eboni and the service she undertook, shed felt the time was right to enlist and give back to her country. She was happy to go; though it proved hard for her to leave her family and loved ones behind. I am just happy to be here, said Eboni. Words cant describe how much. I am happy. In their post, Hillsborough County Public Schools thanked her for her service, and the family for the sacrifices that they made. 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 American Cultural Revolution Underway: Chinese Americans Share Their Thoughts Chinese Americans who experienced the Cultural Revolution in China want to educate their American counterparts on what they see as the American version of the Culture Revolution in the 21st century. Cai Kefeng (Choi Horfung), former president of the Overseas Chinese Writers Association, and Mary Chen, a journalist in New York share their comments and observations of the current cultural climate in America, which has seen some sharp changes in recent months. For example, two months ago, a white Spanish teacher at Oklahoma State University spoke at an online conference of educators, saying that she had resigned from her teaching position because white people shouldnt be teaching Spanish. She also declared that she was determined to continue to struggle and grapple with her internalized white supremacy. Cai said that what is happening in the United States reminds him of Mao Zedongs era in China. In late April, Southern Connecticut State University held a two-day seminar on Gender, Race, Community & Conflict: Pursuing Peace and Justice. One of the speakers, Jessica Bridges, a Ph.D. candidate and a Spanish-language teacher, talked about her self-reflection as a white woman. According to the report by The Post Millennial, Bridges said: I wish I could go back and tell my students not to learn power or correctness from this white woman. I would tell them to stand in their own power. White isnt right. Were deconstructing our emotions around acknowledging our whiteness and white privilege through the lens of grief and the process of grief, she said. We talked about mourning our white morality. Im holding myself accountable to this journey. Part of my accountability is to continue to struggle and grapple with my internalized white supremacy. It means Im not going to teach Spanish. Accountability is ongoing because there is no end to the process. Bridges went on to argue that white women are complicit in white supremacy, and that the pandemic last year inspired her to make anti-racism and white womens complicity and anti-racist work the subject of her dissertation. She then criticized herself for not going far enough in anti-racism and explained her journey to become an anti-racist white woman, which is how she became a Marxist. Bridges learned Marxism in a workshop and became an anti-racist from that day on. Part of the reason she accepted Marxism was that she realized she was a colonizer, which made her sick. She said a white man in her class cried when he realized he was a racist colonizer. The Spanish teacher felt guilty for teaching Spanish, because as a white woman she was necessarily teaching a power structure and upholding white supremacy, even though Spanish is a European language. Bridges believed that white people should not teach Spanish, and having the right race of person teaching the language is more important than keeping the job she spent so much time getting. Overseas Chinese: The American Cultural Revolution is Similar to the Chinese One Cai said that he calls it the U.S. version of the Cultural Revolution in China, because it is very similar to the indoctrination of class struggle imposed on Chinese people during that time. Back then in China, only the poor and lower-middle peasants and workers considered themselves right. Other people could all be labeled gangster. If one person said something wrong, the whole family would be implicated. This made everyone worry about saying wrong things. Everything could be raised to the plane of political principle, forming a widespread atmosphere of terror. In 1966, then CCP leader Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution in China to purge dissidents within the Party and reassert his authority. The movement lasted for a decade until his death in 1976. It was a decade in which the CCP destroyed traditional Chinese culture and brought down any intellectual who dared to speak the truth, with a legacy of pain and violence that reverberated through Chinese politics and society for decades to come. Cai said that in order to avoid making mistakes, teachers could teach only one sentence in a 45-minute class: Long live Chairman Mao. They did not dare to teach anything else, neither did research departments dare to mention new research projects. No one dared to make decisions and waited for instructions from their superiors for everything. In short, it was safest not to do anything, so everyone acted passively and Chinese people remained poor collectively. Eventually, China was pushed to the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, Maos cult of personality became more and more extreme. An educated youth sent to the countryside was drowned in a river because he had put a newspaper with Maos Quotations under his hips. Other educated youth were scared to death. Everyone was in fear of being killed. At the time, there were 99 family origin codes to divide classes. At the top of the structure were workers and peasants, at the bottom were landlords and capitalists. If a family owns five mu of land, it becomes a landlord. There were also many absurd divisions, such as Five Red Categories (people belong to five subclasses favored by the CCP), Five Black Categories (five types of people, based on their class background, were considered as enemies of the CCP), Monsters and so on. Similar to the Chinese Cultural Revolution, which focused on class and family background, Cai said the American Cultural Revolution also focuses on peoples family background, which is skin color. Students from black families have privileges in college admission, while Asian and white people in this country are now treated like one of Chinas Five Black Categories. What will come out of the American version of the Cultural Revolution? According to Cai, first of all, theres going to be a slowdowna decline in productivity. For instance, its safest for the police not to arrest any suspects. Everyone slacks off at work or takes unemployment benefits at home, just like those Chinese welfare recipients, known as welfare Dama among Chinese, who use food stamps to buy lobster, steak, and American Ginseng. Many who buy these things in Chinatown use food stamps and have a better quality of life than average migrant workers, Cai said. In the face of this American turmoil that is getting out of control, we can only speak out and share our experience about the Chinese Cultural Revolution as much as possible. When comparing it with the current situation in the United States, it will inspire people to reflect. During the Cultural Revolution, a large number of educated youth from Guangdong Province snuck into Hong Kong. Cai was one of them. Forty-one years ago, he came to the United States from Hong Kong as a refugee. Six years ago, he published a book called Memorializing Those Who Escaped Before and During The Cultural Revolution, which is a true account of his experiences and those of many other stowaways around him during that period. The book describes three generations of stowaways. The US Is Running into Communism Mary Chen, a journalist in New York for more than 30 years, said her Chinese friends are also talking about the so-called anti-racism movement, saying its the same kind of anti-intellectual behavior that Chinese intellectuals engaged in during the Cultural Revolution or the Yanan Period (The dawn of an era that confounded right and wrong ). The various political platforms proposed by the radicals have become intolerably absurd, Chen said. Under the guise of gender equality, they are not distinguishing men from women. [They are] eliminating important subjects such as mathematics and calculus on the pretext of treating certain ethnic minorities fairly; distorting American history and vandalizing artifacts; preaching that whites have an innate original sin and need to kneel down and make reparations to African-Americans; recruiting students and arranging leadership or technical teams all based on the so-called ethnic origin, regardless of talent and actual needs , and so on. For those of her generation who lived through the Cultural Revolution, Chen said, All of these [absurdities] are like history repeating itself. The radicals are doing their best to make America run into communism. Will the vast majority of Americans accept policies that defy humanity and turn back the wheel of history? Chen believes that the great Americans will not accept this so-called political correctness as obediently as the Chinese who have long been brainwashed by the CCP. As Americans of Chinese descent who have suffered so much, we must not sit idly by. We should boldly raise our voices and join the ranks of people upholding truth and traditional values, she said. Sir Richard Dearlove, the former Head of SIS leaving the High Court after giving evidence at the Diana Inquest in London on Feb.20, 2008. (Cate Gillon/Getty Images) Anti-Trump Sentiment Contaminates Debate on Virus Origin: MI6 Ex-chief Anti-Trump sentiment has been one of the factors that contaminated the debate on the origin of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus, Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of the UKs Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, has said. Efforts seeking a full inquiry into the origins of the CCP virus have been growing recently, including a letter signed by 18 international researchers pushing for a proper investigation. Speaking to The Telegraphs Planet Normal podcast on Wednesday, Dearlove said that it was interesting that U.S. epidemiologist Ralph Baricone of the original scientists to research with Zhengli Shi,is one of the signatories. Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli is seen inside the P4 laboratory in Wuhan, capital of Chinas Hubei Province, on Feb. 23, 2017. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images) Shi, nicknamed Bat Lady for her research on bat coronaviruses, is a senior virologist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the center of a theory that says the CCP virus, a virus that causes COVID-19, was accidentally leaked from a Chinese lab, where it had been created by enhancing natural bat coronaviruses during gain-of-function research. Baric and Shi are both among the authors of a paper published in 2015 on bat coronaviruses. Baric is also one of the scientists that classified the CCP virus and named it SARS-CoV-2. However, despite the pivot in the debate on the origin of the virus, the former spy chief said the evidence Has Probably Been Destroyed by the Chinese regime. CCP Propaganda, Anti-trump Sentiment Contaminate Debate Dearlove has said he believed the lab accident theory a year ago when British oncology professor Angus Dalgleish and Norwegian biotech company CEO Birger Sorensen wrote a paper in which they claimed to have found inserted sections placed on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike surface in positions to bind efficiently with human cells. According to The Daily Mail, Dalgleish and Sorensen have written a new paper, which reasserts that the CCP virus was artificially enhanced, claims COVID-19 has no credible natural ancestor, and that versions of the virus had been reverse-engineered to cover its origin. The UKs intelligence agencies reportedly dismissed the lab leak theory as fake news in June last year, and now consider it feasible, according to media outlets. U.S. President Joe Biden also said on May 26 that he wanted the Intelligence Community to produce a report on the origin of the CCP virus in 90 days. Dearlove told The Telegraph that he did feel a sense of vindication. Weve had a lot of stick for advocating this point of view, he said, and at long last, it seems as though its going to be a balanced scientific debate. Dearlove attributed the dismissal of the theory to the Chinese regimes narrative control, academic bullying behavior in the scientific community, and anti-Trump sentiment. I think there are all sorts of reasons: Control of the narrative by the Peoples Republic of China; and some extraordinary behavior in the scientific community, which successfully shut down any debate, he said. I would describe it, almost as academic bullying, some of the influential virologists absolutely insisting that they knew the answer. Dearlove said he suspected that a lot of very eminent scientific journals are not willing to print stuff which was going to upset the Chinese. Well this doesnt seem to me very strongly in the spirit of science, he said. Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 28, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) The third reason why the theory had been dismissed out of hand is that an awful lot of respectable academics did not want to associate themselves with a view which was being pushed by the Trump administration, Dearlove said, referring to former U.S. President Donald Trump. In a way, it was a contamination of the argument, he said, adding that he was happy that the removal of the factor has changed the balance of discussion. Asked if liberal groupthink and anti-Trump sentiment had been responsible for letting the Chinese regime off the hook for so many months, Dearlove said: I think to a certain extent. Most Disruptive Global Event Since WWII Dearlove called the CCP virus pandemic the most disruptive global event since World War Two. Its more consequential in its ramifications for pretty much every economy, every country in the world, every political leadership, he said. Quite apart from the number of people its killed and the chaos that its caused, it must change the way that we view China in the future. Police use a water cannon against protestors at the Bois de la Cambre park during a party called La Boum 2 in Brussels, on May 1, 2021. (Olivier Matthys/AP Photo) The Chinese authorities officially confirmed that the virus can be transmitted between humans on Jan. 20, 2020, almost three weeks after Taiwan wrote to the World Health Organisation (WHO) pointing out signs of the human-to-human transmission of the virus. On Jan. 23, 2020, Wuhan, where the virus first emerged in China, imposed a lockdown. By then, around 5 million people had left the city without being screened for the virus. But international travel was still allowed from Wuhan to the rest of the world. An early study by the University of Southampton suggested that if non-pharmaceutical interventions were carried out one week, two weeks, or three weeks earlier, the number of COVID-19 cases could have been reduced by 66 percent, 86 percent, or 95 percent respectively. A worker in protective coverings directs members of the World Health Organization (WHO) team on their arrival at the airport in Wuhan in central Chinas Hubei province on Jan. 14, 2021. (Ng Han Guan/AP Photo) Asked if itd be fair to say that over 3 million people have lost their lives to save the face of the Chinese government, Dearlove replied, I fear that that is maybe a conclusion that we will eventually reach when all the material about the pandemic is put together. Theres no question the Chinese reacted appallingly in the initial stages, and there was no need for this virus to be disseminated through the international airline system and international travel in the way that it was, he said. Dearlove said that even if the CCP virus pandemic has started from a zoonotic outbreak, which he believes is highly unlikely, the fact that they managed it so bad would have destroyed the Chinese regimes international reputation. WHO A Lost Cause Apart from the Chinese regime, the WHO has also attracted criticism over its failings in response to the CCP pandemic. The WHO has said that Chinese authorities first informed it about the outbreak on Dec. 31, 2019, but the WHO conveyed none of its information to the world that day. It also remained silent when the epidemic spread widely in Wuhan, and the Chinese regime silenced doctors and other whistleblowers who tried to warn the public about the outbreak. The organization delayed informing the world about the possible human-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 disease or infections among healthcare workers, allowing the CCP virus to spread internationally, and ignored findings from medical experts in Taiwan who conducted evaluations of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. Critics also challenged a WHO report published in March, which said that the CCP virus likely spread to people via an unknown animal. A logo is pictured outside a building of the World Health Organization (WHO) during an executive board meeting on an update on the CCP virus outbreak, in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 6, 2020. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters) Dearlove said he suspected the organization had been manipulated. One ends up with a feeling of great suspicion about the lack of independence in the WHO, he told The Telegraph. Im sure youre aware, the current head of the WHO was the Chinese candidate to lead the WHO, he said, referring to the organizations Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. And it looks very much as though they have, in this instance, been manipulated. Asked if the organization can be pushed to behave objectively, Dearlove said maybe it could, but hes not optimistic. In a way, the WHO, in my book at the moment, looks like a lost cause, he said, adding that it probably shouldnt be the agency to deliver material which gives us a clear understanding of what happened. Eva Fu, Omid Ghoreishi, Ella Kietlinska, and Reuters contributed to this report. President Joe Biden speaks at a rally during commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 1, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) At Tulsa, Biden Ramps Up Racial Animosity Commentary In Tulsa on June 1, President Joe Biden said this: According to the intelligence community, terrorism from white supremacy is the most lethal threat to the homeland today. Not ISIS, not al-Qaeda: white supremacists. Thats not me. Thats the intelligence community under both Trump and under my administration. If I were the media, I would call that a Big Lie. Not only is it quite obviously false, to the point of absurdity, to say that white supremacists are the most lethal threat to the homeland today, its also false that the intelligence community has said any such thing. Biden also claimed that he had said this before, in his address to a joint session of Congress on April 28, but that wasnt true either. Back in April he had been more careful, citing the supposed white supremacist threat in the context of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The threat has evolved way beyond Afghanistan, he told the congressional lawmakers. Those of you in the intelligence committees, the foreign relation[s] community, defense communities, you know well. We have to remain vigilant against the threats to the United States wherever they come from. Al-Qaeda and ISIS are in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, other places in Africa, in the Middle East and beyond. And then he added, as if it were an afterthought, And we wont ignore what our intelligence agency has determined to be the most lethal terrorist threat to the homeland today: white supremacys terrorism. See the difference? The most lethal threat vs. the most lethal terrorist threat. But the latter isnt true either, at least not judging by the number of terrorist incidents we can positively identify as such. The problem is that terrorism, like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder. Remember when the Defense Department of the Obama-Biden administration described the massacre at Ft Hood, Texas, in 2009, by the Muslim Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan in which 13 people were murdered and more than 30 wounded as workplace violence? Hasan had shouted Allahu Akbar! before he began shooting and was later found to have been in correspondence with Anwar al-Awlaki, identified by the intelligence community as a leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq. President Obama himself must have agreed with this assessment by the time he had Awlaki assassinated by drone in 2011, but the official identification of the massacre as workplace violence remained in effect. On the other hand, the killings of six Asian women in Atlanta in March by Robert Aaron Long, though they were not officially classified as white supremacist terrorism, and though the shooter himself claimed that his motivations were sexual and religious rather than racial, were spoken of by President Biden at the time as typifying anti-Asian hate crimes. Such a characterization of the massacre cannot have been entirely unconnected with calculations of the threat from white supremacy by the intelligence communityand it was used to persuade the Senate to pass (as it did with only one dissenting vote) the bit of virtue-signaling known as the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. Moreover, we know from the last four years (if we didnt already know it during the George W. Bush administration) of the extent to which the intelligence services have been politicizedwhich makes it more than probable that they are as eager to find excuses for labeling anything that might conceivably fit the bill as white supremacist terrorism as they have long been eager to deny that random killings by Muslims amount to Islamicist terrorism. In both cases, the intelligence community has become a reliable supporter of the Democratic party narrative. This has become clear once again just this week with the news that they are now having to reconsider their dismissal of the Chinese lab theory of the origins of the coronavirus. It would take someone more naive than Biden, or even Anthony Fauci, to believe that intelligence reports contradicting a speculation by President Donald Trump as to the manmade origin of the virus were the product of a disinterested concern for the truth. But no doubt its their truth, just as it is Bidens truth to see white supremacists everywhere he looks. His ideology requires him to believe that there has been no change in our politics or culture, no progress in race relations since 1921 when the Ku Klux Klan was at the height of its power and the Tulsa massacre took place. We also know that the President has lent his authority to Democratic calls to investigate the breach of the Capitol by Trump supporters on Jan. 6 as if it were a terrorist incident on the scale of 9/11 and that he has continued to repeat that other big lie, that Trump once called white supremacists in Charlottesville very fine people. In short, the President was using the massacre in Tulsa a hundred years ago to reinforce the Democratic narrative, going back at least to Hillary Clintons basket of deplorables in 2016, that the Trump campaign itself was based on and derived its energy from a white supremacist movementlater said to have been allied to police violence in which all Republicans and supporters of the police were necessarily complicit. It was that fabricated narrative which the audience was recognizing when it burst into applause in response to the Presidents false assertion that white supremacy is the most lethal threat to the homeland today. The whole occasion of the commemoration of the killings a century ago was designed to inflame racial animosity, because racial animosity works to the advantage of Biden and his fellow Democrats at the polls. If he continues on this course of rabid partisanship, relying only on the appeal of being the anti-Trump, he may find by November of 2022 that it is their only advantage. James Bowman is a resident scholar at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. The author of Honor: A History, Bowman is a movie critic for The American Spectator and the media critic for the New Criterion. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Signage is seen at Arcare aged care facility in Maidstone, where a worker has tested positive to COVID19 on May 30, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) Australia Moving Towards Mandatory Vaccinations for Aged Care Workers The Australian government, along with its state and territory governments, have agreed to an in-principle disposition to move towards mandatory vaccinations against the CCP virus for aged care and disability support workers, seeking advice from medical experts on a safe way to do this. For vaccinations to be made mandatory for aged care workers, that has to be done by public health orders at a state level, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters after a national cabinet meeting on Friday. Ultimately, that is finally a determination of the states and territories. But there was an agreement, and I can assure you I was very firmly of this view it was supported strongly by states and territories, that we need to look at how we can do this safely, he said. The prime minister urged aged care and disability support workers to go and get that vaccination at one of the numerous points of presence in the community. Health Minister Greg Hunt said there were five options for aged care workers to get vaccinated, which are in-house at aged care facilities, at roving clinics, through their GP, at Commonwealth clinics, or at state clinics. Vaccinating aged care residents and front line workers have been a high priority for the government, which is why, despite a slower than expected rollout of vaccinations, they have been the first to get access to vaccines. That is why, both through the Commonwealth and the states and territory governments, priority is being afforded to those workers to get vaccinated at the many points of presence that are available to them, Morrison said. That includes fast lanes, green lanes, priority lanes, that are been put in place by states and territories, as well as through the GP program for them to have priority on appointments. In May, a Queensland nurses union reported the results of an internal survey that revealed strong hesitancy amongst some nurses to a mandatory vaccination policy given the shorter trial times and higher unknowns for the newer RNA vaccines compared to standard vaccines. Read More Nurses Oppose Mandatory COVID Vaccine: Queensland Union Survey But the prime minister said the in-principle disposition meant that both the federal and state and territory governments were on board for mandatory vaccinations of aged care and disability support workers. Were leaning heavily into this. Make no mistake, Morrison said. We are leaning heavily into this as leaders of governments and myself as prime minister, to see us move towards a mandatory vaccination for aged care workers. Morrison has tasked the AHPPC to advise National Cabinet about the safest way to achieve mandatory vaccinations for aged care workers. The National Cabinet is a special cabinet of all state and territory premiers and chief ministers, chaired by the prime minister. It was last convened during World War II and was reformed during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. A man crosses the normally busy intersection of Flinders street and Swanston streets in Melbourne, Australia on May 28, 2021. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) Australia Signs MOU With State for Quarantine Facility The Australian Commonwealth government and the Victorian state government have reached an agreement on a stand-alone quarantine facility, with the site yet to be confirmed. Victorias stand-alone virus quarantine facility will go ahead although the state and federal governments are yet to agree on where it will be built. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Canberra the Commonwealth will pay for the facility but the Victorian government would run the facility and cover the operational expenses. This will both assist [the Victorian government] in the risk management of various groups theyre providing for in their quarantine system as well as providing additional capacity for the quarantine system in Victoria, Morrison said. Morrison said he was very pleased with the Victorian governments proposal for the facility, which in contrast to his comments about a similar proposal from the Queensland government, which he indicated had repeatedly said lacked crucial detail and proposes to replace rather than supplement hotel quarantine in the state. Victorias Acting Premier James Merlino confirmed on Friday he has signed a memorandum of understanding with Morrison. I am very, very pleased that today we have an agreement, we are going to get cracking and deliver this facility, Merlino told reporters. But a site for the facility still hasnt been decided, with a site at Mickleham, north of Melbourne, the states first option, while the federal government appears to favour Avalon Airport near Geelong. Our preference is Mickleham, we are very happy to have it at the Avalon site as well, it will work equally well there, Merlino said. He added now the proposal has Commonwealth approval, the Victorian government will now try to have the facility built more quickly than the current timeline. When Victoria first proposed the facility in late April, the final call on construction was to be made in September, with the hope that it would be ready by the end of the year. Site investigations have been carried out at both locations. On Thursday, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg strongly suggested Avalon was the federal governments preferred option. Victoria wanted the Commonwealth to fund and build the 500-bed facility at a cost of $200 million. The centre would operate over and above the current hotel quarantine system. Defence Minister Peter Dutton told channel nine on Friday that not even a dedicated quarantine facility could prevent the problems that have emerged in hotel quarantine. I think where youve got human beings involved, there is a potential for breach and thats why theres not a fundamental problem at all with the hotel quarantine, he said. A leak from the hotel quarantine system in South Australia caused Victorias current outbreak and snap lockdown, the states fourth. AAP contributed to this article. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 22:39:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The second United Nations (UN) Global Sustainable Transport Conference will take place from October 14 to 16 in Beijing, the organizers announced Friday. Themed "sustainable transport, sustainable development," the conference will be held both online and offline, and will see events including a ministers' forum and thematic sessions. The conference aims to advance sustainable transport globally and underscores its importance for the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, according to the organizers. The conference was previously scheduled for May last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first Global Sustainable Transport Conference was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in 2016. Enditem A charging device for the the new Nissan Leaf vehicle is seen on July 11, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Back to the Past: Electric Cars in Australia Commentary Some residents who live in my neighbourhood regularly organise a party, which is usually held on the grassy verge of the street opposite the house of one of the participants. The purpose of the party is to socialise, exchange information, and promote camaraderie. When I last attended this party, a resident proudly arrived in his new Tesla electric vehicle. The vehicle created a stir among the attendees and generated great curiosity. Seeing a new electric vehicle was a novelty because it was the only vehicle owned by a resident in the neighbourhood. The owner kindly allowed us to look inside the car. He patiently explained its operation and even invited his neighbours to enjoy a short ride in his new electric vehicle. At the party, I was struck by the fact that electric cars are still a rarity in Australia, and the arrival of such vehicles nurtures the curiosity of people and feeds their imagination. More and more voices can be heard suggesting that the future of electric vehicles in Australia is bright, but just not now. Behyad Jafari, CEO, Electric Vehicle Council, states in the May issue of the Qantas Magazine that, Its certain that the future of the automotive and road transport industries will be powered by electricity and that The worlds major markets are taking action to accelerate that with a mix of incentives to encourage consumers to buy an electric vehicle over a petrol or diesel one. Jaffaris assessment rebukes Australia for its inability or unwillingness to promote electric vehicles more effectively. In Australia, a mere 0.75 percent of new cars purchased last year were electric. In contrast, sales of electric vehicles increased in Europe from 3.3 percent in 2019 to 10.2 percent in 2020. It is anticipated that, in the United States, by 2035, 13 percent of all cars will be electric. Volvo Cars have decided to become a fully electric car company by 2030, only selling electrified cars while phasing out cars with an internal combustion engine, including hybrids. A Volvo XC60 hybrid car is plugged into a charging point outside a Volvo dealership in Reading, west of London, on March 2, 2021. Chinese-owned Swedish automaker Volvo said on March 2 it will produce only electric vehicles by 2030 and sell them all exclusively online. (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images) Few electric car manufacturers are represented in Australia, with Tesla and Hyundai being the most important or prominent players in the market. These numbers are surprising because observers would expect automobile manufacturersin their efforts to work towards an emissions-free futurewould be keen to accelerate their electric car offerings in Australia. One would also expect government policies to enthusiastically promote the sale of electric cars and provide tax breaks for manufacturers to achieve a measurable increase in the sale of these cars on the Australian market. Against this background, the highly charged controversy about the appropriate reduction in carbon emissions and the role that can be played by electric cars continues to dominate the political landscape of Australia. In examining the Australian market, Simon Holmes a Court has argued that Angus Taylor, the Minister for Emissions Reduction, has shown his disdain by pushing people to buy hybrid carspart electric and part fuelled. Holmes a Court criticised this approach, which is promoted in the governments white paper The Future Fuels Strategy, because electric vehicles have notably lower emissions than hybrids. He strongly supports the report of the select committee on electric vehicles, chaired by former independent senator Tim Storer, and released in January 2019. This report recommends the introduction of more stringent vehicle emissions standards. It also champions budget-neutral taxation reforms to nudge drivers towards electric vehicles gently. But only the future will reveal whether these recommendations are successfully introduced and implemented in Australia. The push for the introduction of more electric vehicles in Australias car market, hides a surprising, largely unknown, and revealing fact: automobile manufacturers in the late 19th century, predominantly, if not exclusively, manufactured only electric cars. Hence, the present clamour for the introduction of electric cars is an attempt to go back to the past! The story of the early electric cars is largely unknown yet is enlightening. How many people would still recall the remarkable rivalry between two giant race car drivers of electric cars of the latter part of the 19th century? A Belgian race car driver, Camille Jenatzy, was the first driver to drive his electric car to an astonishing speed of 105.88 km per hour in 1899. This was an incredible feat and unthinkable at the time, considering that cars were a novel invention. Jenatzy was involved in a feud with a Frenchman, Count Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat, who was driving an electric Jeantaud car, to increase the speed that could be reached by racing their electric cars. Jenatzys car was appropriately called La Jamais Contente, which translates in English as The Never Satisfied. La Jamais Contente, an 1899 car driven by Belgian racecar driver Camille Jenatzy, the first car to travel faster than 100 kilometres per hour, was on display on September 30, 2018. (Zakaria Abdelkafi/AFP via Getty Images) His car was an electric vehicle with a light alloy torpedo-shaped bodywork and batteries. These early pioneers would certainly be astonished to learn of the current land speed of 1223.65 km per hour. Now, the slow pace at which electric vehicles are being introduced in Australia reminds us of the early, inauspicious beginnings of electric cars. So, this example of back to the past validates the oft-quoted statement history repeats itself. But the motivations differ markedly today, of course. Nowadays, people are motivated by a desire to reduce carbon emissions and to contribute to a cleaner environment, while in the early days of the car industry, electric vehicles were a means to break speed records. Gabriel A. Moens is an Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Queensland. He served as Dean of Law and Pro Vice-Chancellor at Murdoch University. He is the author of short stories and a novel about the origins of the Covid-19 virus, A Twisted Choice (Boolarong Press, 2020). Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A young woman receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Center in the capital Manama on Dec. 24, 2020. Bahrain has approved both the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and another developed by Chinese firm Sinopharm. (Mazen Mahdi/AFP via Getty Images) Bahrain, UAE Offer Pfizer Shot as Booster to Those Who Received Chinese Vaccine No antibodies found in 30 percent of recipients of Sinopharm vaccine in Serbia Bahrain and The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are now urging citizens who have been fully vaccinated with Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines to take a shot of the Pfizer vaccine as a booster for protection. At the same time, its reported in Serbia that 30 percent of the elderly who have been inoculated with Chinese vaccines have no antibodies. This comes as more death and miscarriages after inoculation of Chinese vaccines were reported in Hong Kong over the past week. The Chinese Communist Regime has been pushing vaccine diplomacy over the past year by offering Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines to countries in the Middle East, South America, and Eastern Europe, despite unfinished phase 3 trials and unreleased clinical trial data. Serbia is the first European country to receive COVID-19 vaccines made by Chinese state-owned company Sinopharm. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), an unpublished real-world study showed that among the 150 vaccine recipients with an average age of over 65 in the country, 29 percent did not have any antibodies against the CCP virus three months after full vaccination (two doses) with the Sinopharm vaccine. The doctor who headed the study at the University of Belgrade told the Journal, The Sinopharm vaccine is not immunogenic enough, and it appears that its impact is especially low on elderly recipients. A medical officer administers the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine to a Serbian army soldier during a vaccination operation against COVID-19 for army personnel in Belgrade, on May 13, 2021. (Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese officials previously stated that the Chinese COVID-19 vaccines are not allowed to be used on people over 60 years of age in China due to a lack of relevant clinical trial data. However, in the countries that bought the vaccines, the elderly are given priority to receive the vaccine. Taiwanese media criticized the Chinese regime, saying it is using people in the recipient countries as lab rats. Both the UAE and Bahrain are now seeing a surge of COVID-19 infections, despite having inoculated a large number of their citizens with the Sinopharm vaccine. So far, 47 percent of Bahrains population has been fully vaccinated, with 60 percent having received the Sinopharm shot. However, the local epidemic has not slowed down. The number of new infections per single day jumped from 200 since the end of last year when the vaccination started to 3,000 per day in the end of May. The number of confirmed cases is now at a record high in Bahrain, and since the end of May officials have been offering the Pfizer vaccine as a booster shot to those already fully vaccinated with Sinopharm. Bahrain health officials are especially urging vaccinated people over 50-year-old, those who are obese, or those who have chronic illnesses to get the Pfizer shot as a booster. The UAE has made the Sinopharm vaccine available to the general public since December 2020, and has been offering third Sinopharm doses since March after it was discovered that the vaccines had not produced enough antibodies for some recipients. In March, Gao Fu, director of Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that a third dose of Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines may be needed to boost their efficacy. The UAE started using the Pfizer vaccine, which was made in conjunction with Germanys BioNTech, in April. Besides the low efficacy, there have been reports of serious side-effects from Chinese vaccines. In the last week of May, health officials in Hong Kong reported that another 12 people died after taking the Sinovac vaccine, bringing the total number of deaths to 80, while another four pregnant women had miscarriages after injections of the vaccine, bringing the total to 23. Despite the quality issues and lack of transparency in trial data and side effects, the World Health Organization recently approved both the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines for emergency use. Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden meet with Cabinet members and immigration advisers in the State Dining Room in Washington on March 24, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Biden and Harris Flout Constitutional Immigration Duties Commentary Early in the Biden administration, the president tapped Vice President Kamala Harris as his point person to address illegal immigration at the southern border. By all accounts, Harris is refusing to carry out the job. When inaugurated, every president takes an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. Similarly, the vice president swears to support and defend the Constitution. So its fair to consult the Constitution to assess these two officers performance. Lets begin with a very basic question: Does the Constitution give the federal government authority to regulate immigration? You might think it would have to. Controlling borders is a basic element of sovereignty. Nations must do so to survive. When the Roman Empireto cite a prominent historical examplelost control of its borders, it soon ceased to exist. The Constitutions enumerations (lists) of federal powers dont include the word immigration or borders. But the Constitution does feature a clause (Article I, Section 9, Clause 1) that creates an exception to a presumed federal power over immigration. It provides that before the year 1808, Congress couldnt forbid the importation of slaves or immigration of free persons. When you see an exception in a legal document, it tells you the document contains a general rule to which the exception applies. By way of illustration, the pre-1808 ban on laws prohibiting the slave trade was an exception to Congresss power to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations. (The slave trade was considered a particularly disgusting form of Commerce.) But for years, commentators argued over the source, if any, of the federal governments authority over voluntary immigration. Some hypothesized that Congress received this authority from the Commerce power. The defect in that hypothesis is that when the Constitution was written, the term regulate Commerce didnt include (pdf) governance of land travel for non-mercantile purposes. Others thought the federal government had unmentioned inherent sovereign authority to regulate immigration. But the explicit wording of the 10th Amendment refutes this; it says the feds have no powers the Constitution doesnt enumerate. Indeed, a principal reason for the 10th Amendment was to forestall claims of inherent sovereign authority. Finally, some libertarians and open-borders advocates denied that Congress had any general authority to regulate voluntary immigration at all. By this reasoning, the pre-1808 immigration exception must have been a mere drafting erroran exception without anything to except to. As I observed in a previous essay, however, the Constitutions framers were deft and highly experienced legal draftsmen, not prone to such rookie mistakes. As often happens, all this uncertainty arose from modern ignorance of 18th-century law. Several years ago, I investigated whether the Constitution granted the federal government control over immigration. The answer was easy to find: It was in law books well known to the Constitutions framers, and sometimes mentioned by participants in the constitutional debates of 1787 to 1790. I reported my findings in a book for the lay market and in blog essays for legal scholars. Heres what I learned: The Constitution gives Congress power to regulate immigration in the documents Define and Punish Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 10). The relevant words are: The Congress shall have Power To define and punish Offenses against the Law of Nations. The Law of Nations was the usual 18th-century term for international law. Border control was part of the law of nations. For example, if one country allowed its people to cross the border into an unwilling country, that violated the law of nations. The same body of law specifically empowered individual countries to decide who could immigrate or emigrate, and under what conditions. Thus, by empowering Congress to define and punish Offenses against the Law of Nations, the Constitution gave Congress the ability to enact statutes regulating immigration. Of course, Congress has done exactly that. Next question: If President Joe Biden deems an immigration law unwise, may he refuse to enforce it? The constitutional answer is, Absolutely not! Long before the American founding, some English kings tried to assert the prerogative of suspending duly enacted laws. The English rejected this claim in their Bill of Rights (1689). Our Founders anticipated that a rogue president might make the same claim. So Americans rejected it in the Constitution. The Constitution provides that the president shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed (Article II, Section 3). The take Care phrase comes from 17th- and 18th-century legal documents that command agents to perform certain actions. In other words, the Constitution tells us that Bidenand Harris, if given authoritymust enforce the immigration laws. Certainly, they have some prosecutorial discretion. But if they fail to take strong action to secure the borders, they flout both the Constitution and their oaths of office. Another part of the document reinforces that message. The Constitutions Guarantee Clause (Article IV, Section 4) says in part: The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion In this provision, The United States means the U.S. government. The Guarantee Clause requires the governmentnecessarily including the president as chief executive officerto protect all states against Invasion. Like the Take Care Clause, this is a mandate, not an option. What is an Invasion? The term doesnt include disorganized civilians sneaking across the border, acting on their own and for their own reasons. Calling that an invasion would be sillyas silly as calling an unorganized, unarmed incursion into the U.S. Capitol an insurrection. However, much illegal immigration over the southern border consists of caravans and third-party human smuggling. That activity is well planned and well financed. Whether it qualifies as an invasion under the modern use of the word is a matter for argument. But there can be no doubt that it qualifies as an Invasion as the Constitution uses the word. Dictionaries in circulation during the 18th century defined invasion in ways that clearly include caravans and organized trans-border human smuggling. For example, a dictionary published just four years before the Constitution was written defined invasion as a descent upon a country, an [sic] usurpation, or encroachment. In summary: The Constitution empowers Congress to pass laws regulating immigration. Congress has done so. The Constitutions Take Care Clause requires the presidentand his agents, including the vice president if the president gives her authorityto enforce those laws. In addition, the Constitutions Guarantee Clause requires the president to guard the country from significant organized illegal border crossing; and any president (or vice president, if authorized) who fails to carry out these responsibilities is violating the Constitution and his or her solemn oath of office. Robert G. Natelson, a former constitutional law professor, is senior fellow in constitutional jurisprudence at the Independence Institute in Denver, and the author of The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant (3rd ed., 2014). His research studies are cited frequently in the U.S. Supreme Court, both by justices and parties. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Biden Considers 15 Percent Minimum Corporate Tax Rate to Pay for Infrastructure Bill President Joe Biden has proposed a minimum corporate tax rate of 15 percent, and increased Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding, as a way to pay for an infrastructure package that he is negotiating with Republicans, according to the White House. The book minimum (15 percent) was in the presidents American Jobs plan proposal as a proposed pay for,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki told a reporter. It was also in our budget. So, this is not a new idea. This is a component of what hes proposed as a pay for that hes lifting up as a question as to whether they (Republicans) could agree to that because it certainly doesnt violate anything about the 2017 taxes. The U.S. Department of the Treasury also discussed the global corporate minimum tax rate during a recent meeting with G-20 leaders. Treasury proposed to the Steering Group that the global minimum tax rate should be at least 15%, the Treasury Department wrote. Treasury underscored that 15% is a floor and that discussions should continue to be ambitious and push that rate higher. Sen. Shelley Capito (R-W.Va.) has been leading a group of senators in negotiations with the White House on a scaled-down infrastructure package, reducing the cost from close to $2 trillion to $1 trillion and trying to come to an agreement about how to pay for the package. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, (R-W.Va.) listens during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 20, 2020. (Al Drago/Pool/Getty Images) The Biden administration says it will be able to bring in $700 billion through increased tax enforcement from the IRS, a suggestion that some Republicans are open to. Also (the president) talked, of course, about the benefit of tax enforcement and how that could be a revenue raiser, said Psaki about Bidens negotiations with the GOP senators. I will note that this has been a good discussion, and good ongoing discussion, where were working to find areas of agreement. We also feel there are a number of paths forward. Next week the House is going to be marking up the American jobs plan, Psaki said, adding that the president looking forward to engaging Senator Capito tomorrow. Bidens initial $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan went well beyond traditional infrastructure projects to include expanded social programs that the GOP wanted to see reworked to focus more on core infrastructure, roads, bridges, water systems, airports, and broadband. Capito said Republicans are willing to find a compromise on the infrastructure package and are working with the president to focus more on core infrastructure projects and bring down the cost. Well, we disagree on the definition of infrastructure and weve been working with the president to bring it back to the physical core idea of infrastructure that weve worked so well on in the past, whether thats roads and bridges, waterways, ports, lead pipes, transit, airports, and also the new infrastructure, [such as] broadband, said Capito during an interview with Fox News Sunday. The West Virginia senator said they are also trying to compromise on how to pay for the proposed infrastructure projects. She believes much of the funding can come from previously allocated funding that did not get used and can be reprogrammed, despite Psaki saying that there would not be enough money from previous relief packages to help pay for the infrastructure bill. The presidential spokesperson said, Everything has been allocated,' said Capito. It hasnt gone out the door. We have hundreds of billions of dollars that could be reprogrammed towards something as core as infrastructure, and I think thats what we should be looking at, rather than putyou know, force-feeding it into certain categories, where really its not part of COVID, its not part of a rescue package, its dollars that were way over-allocated that still have yet to be spent. Biden and Republicans will need to each compromise on how to fund the infrastructure package, but Capito said she is hopeful that they can reach an agreement. He has expressed to me and to our group numerous times his desire to work with us and to negotiate a package, and I think thats what you see, said Capito. In fact, were inching towards one another. President Joe Biden walks away after talking about the May jobs report from the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on June 4, 2021. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo) Biden Says Hes Confident in Fauci as Calls for Doctors Resignation Grow President Joe Biden on Friday says he remains supportive of Dr. Anthony Fauci in the wake of thousands of Faucis emails being released. Yes, Im very confident in Dr. Fauci, Biden told reporters at the Rehoboth Convention Center in Delaware in response to a shouted question. Bidens public backing comes as a growing number of Republicans call for Faucis resignation, asserting the emails show questionable activity by the longtime head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Anthony Faucis recently released emails and investigative reporting about #COVID19 origins are shocking. The time has come for Fauci to resign and for a full congressional investigation into the origins of #COVID19 and into any and all efforts to prevent a full accounting, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said in a statement on Friday morning. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) also said he believes Fauci should be terminated. Dr. Fauci has been wrong about COVID-19 every step of the way, and he needs to be held accountable. He has no business working on behalf of the American people. Fauci should be fired immediately, Brooks said in a tweet. Other Republicans, including House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), the top Republican on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, previously called for Fauci to testify before Congress about what he knows regarding American funding for Chinese coronavirus research. Biden was hit for his support of Fauci. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) accused the White House of protecting Fauci while Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) charged, Fauci lied and the WH continues to cover for him. The thousands of emails were published by BuzzFeed News, which obtained them through a Freedom of Information Act request. They showed Fauci and his team scrambling to respond to allegations that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, originated in the Wuhan Institute of Virology and escaped via a laboratory leak. In one case, Fauci sent an email to a deputy director at his agency and urged him to keep his phone on and read an article about the virus origins. You will have tasks today that must be done, he wrote. President Joe Biden speaks, flanked by White House Chief Medical Adviser on COVID-19 Dr. Anthony Fauci, during a visit to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., on Feb. 11, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has not responded to repeated requests for comment. Fauci said during an appearance on NewsNation this week that the emails are prone to being taken out of context. The only trouble is they are really ripe to be taken out of context where someone can snip out a sentence in an email without showing the other emails and say, based on an email from Dr. Fauci, he said such-and-such, where you dont really have the full context, he said. The released emails can be viewed here. Bidens support also came a day after White House press secretary Jen Psaki refused to comment on the substance of the messages. On Dr. Fauci and his emails, hes also spoken to this many, many times over the lastover the course of the last few days, and well let him speak for himself. And hes been an undeniable asset in our countrys pandemic response, Psaki told reporters in Washington, adding: Its obviously not that advantageous for me to relitigate the substance of emails from 17 months ago. Biden had not been briefed on the emails, she added. On Friday, Psaki described Fauci as a renowned career civil servant and said that she could not envision a scenario that would prompt the White House to fire him. Fauci, who served on the White House Coronavirus Task Force during the Trump administration, received criticism from Trump this week. President Joe Biden speaks during an event in the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington on June 2, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Biden Says It Makes Sense for $300 Unemployment Boost to End in September President Joe Biden said on June 4 that the supplemental federal pandemic unemployment assistance should terminate in line with its scheduled expiry date in September. Biden made the remarks while commenting on the Labor Departments closely watched employment report, which showed U.S. private employers added a modest 559,000 jobs in Mayan improvement from Aprils sluggish gains, but still evidence that many companies are struggling to find enough workers to fill their employment vacancies. Business groups and Republican leaders have blamed business hiring woes on generous unemployment benefits, which they argue have created a disincentive for people to take jobs. Biden and Democrats are holding back Americans from re-entering the workforce and, therefore, holding back our economy, said Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee. A now hiring advertisement appears on the back of a fuel truck in Richmond, Calif., on April 29, 2021. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Dozens of Republican-led states have announced an early end to the $300 weekly federal pandemic unemployment boost before funding for the program is set to expire in September, with many of those states also moving to opt-out of other federal pandemic unemployment compensation programs. On June 1, Maryland became the 25th state headed by a Republican governor to say it will terminate the weekly unemployment boost, with all 25 states looking to terminate the payments at some point between June 12 and July 13. Biden, who has pushed back against the notion that unemployment compensation is discouraging people from taking jobs, said on June 4 that its reasonable for the benefits to terminate in line with their scheduled date. The temporary boost in unemployment benefits helped people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are still maybe in the process of getting vaccinated, but its going to expire in 90 days, Biden said. That makes sense. While Biden has blamed other factors for the labor crunch, such as child care needs amid school closures and people worried about catching COVID-19, he said at a briefing in May that his administration would work with states on renewing requirements preventing workers from continuing to collect federal jobless benefits if they turn down suitable jobs offered to them. Goldman Sachs economists said in a note in May that the spring labor shortage would push wage growth to 3.3 percent in the near term, before tapering off. We expect these supply constraints to keep labor markets somewhat tight and push up wage growth in the near term, but to fade in the coming months and disappear in September, when most schools will have fully reopened, widespread vaccination will have dramatically reduced perceived health risk, and the $300 federal UI payments will have expired, the report said. The economy remains roughly 7.6 million jobs down compared to before the pandemic. Bidens Proposed Funding of Critical Race Theory Puts US on a Very Dark Path: Inez Stepman The Biden administrations proposal to fund education programs informed by Critical Race Theory (CRT) is dangerous and pernicious, according to senior policy analyst at the Independent Womens Forum, Inez Stepman. In April, the Department of Education proposed a new rule to prioritize funding education programs that incorporate the New York Times 1619 Project and critical race theorist Ibram X. Kendi into their teaching of U.S history and civics. The Department outlined new priority criteria for a $5.3 million American History and Civics Education grant, as well as exemplary materials for K-12 educators to use. However, Stepman, who is also a senior contributor at The Federalist, told Epoch TVs American Thought Leaders program that Ibram X. Kendis teachings are incredibly radical and may instead put the United States on a very dark path by teaching children to actively hate each other. Just to give you an idea of how radical his scholarship is, one of the things hes proposed [in his book, Stamped from the Beginning] is to create a department of anti-racism in the federal government, Stepman said. So far, that sounds unobjectionable to most people. But he wants that unelected department staffed by trained academics, presumably by him, to have veto power over every municipal state and federal law in the country, if it creates, in his eyes, any kind of disparity between groups. And he wants that body to have veto power over who stands for political office. Thats incredibly radical, incredibly contradictory with the American system. But yet the Department of Education is citing this guy as an example of what they want to encourage schools around the country to teach young Americans who then grow up to be voters in this republic. I call it woke Stalinism his position is that a group of unelected academics should have complete veto power over all laws in the United States, and kind of similar to how it works with the mullahs in Iran, to basically select the slate of candidates. The people may vote, but only on the candidates or among the candidates selected by people who think like Ibram X. Kendi. Stepman said that Kendi pushes the narrative that in order to undo past discrimination, we need to actively discriminate in favor of marginalized groups today. This is literally the U.S. government, according to this proposed rule, this actually becomes a regulation issued by the Biden administration. The federal government of the United States will be giving grants to public schools around the country to teach Kendi. And I think this is incredibly pernicious, especially for a multi-ethnic republic like the United States where we do have citizens of all different backgrounds. So I find this whole thing to be dangerous and pernicious and definitely not something that the federal government should be going out of its way to encourage. Stepman also noted that the central claim in the 1619 Project that the United States wasnt founded in 1776 but in 1619 when the first African slave arrived on its shores is flatly historically false. It has been recognized as false by historians all the way from the socialist left to the conservative, right, she said. And there are many, many inaccuracies besides that one in that project. Again, its not something that the federal government should be encouraging teaching in our schools, when it has been blasted across the spectrum, for being not just a radical idea or have radical perspective, but to actually be completely historically inaccurate. Stepman added, Were not a homogenous society, we never have been. So to actively teach us reasons to hate each other, to me seems to be completely wrongheaded and dangerous and in fact putting the United States on a very dark path. CRT has gradually proliferated in recent decades through academia, government structures, school systems, and the corporate world. It redefines human history as a struggle between the oppressorswhite peopleand the oppressedeverybody elsesimilar to Marxisms reduction of history to a struggle between the bourgeois and the proletariat. It labels institutions that emerged in majority-white societies as racist and white supremacist. Like Marxism, CRT advocates for the destruction of institutions, such as the Western justice system, free-market economy, and orthodox religions, while demanding that they be replaced with institutions compliant with the theorys ideology. Stephan added that slavery existed for millennia, before the United States, something she said 30 or 40 percent of people under 40 do not know. They think that the United States invented slavery, which is, again, a condemnation of our education system, she said. GQ Pan contributed to this report. A sign at the Orange County Fair & Event Center welcomes visitors to a new COVID-19 testing supersite in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Aug. 26, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) California Bill to End State Gun Shows Passes in Senate A California Senate bill that seeks to end the sale of firearms and ammunition on state property, including county fairgrounds, passed in the California state senate June 2. The vote came just days before the Crossroads of the West Gun Show was set to be held June 4 through June 6 at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. The Orange County Fairground Center board previously issued a statement saying Crossroads of the West has held gun shows at the facility for more than 30 years without incident. Gun shows remain legal in the State of California, the statement said. Crossroads of the West must follow all state and federal regulations that apply to the sale and trade of a firearm, including a 10-day cooling-off period and background checks. Many of the vendors at this event are family-owned and operated businesses. Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine), who introduced SB 264, said county fairgrounds are meant to be family-friendly venues. More recently, he said, they have become known for hosting gun shows. Study after study shows that the presence of more guns equals more gun violence, Min told The Epoch Times via email. My bill will not only eliminate the sale of guns on state property but also target ghost guns, which are do-it-yourself guns that are more widely available and untraceable. Min added that his bill would effectively end gun shows hosted on any state property. While the Second Amendment protects the rights of individuals to bear arms, it does not require our state to use taxpayer-owned property to disseminate more deadly firearms into our communities, he said. When asked why he thought this bill would make a difference compared to the many gun laws California already imposes, Min said that state gun laws have already saved many lives, and this would add to that. Californias enacted laws cannot prevent all shootings, but they can and have saved thousands of lives. SB 264 will ensure that the state is not profiting from the sale of firearms, ammunition, and ghost guns on state property or facilitating gun shows that could undermine Californias strong firearm regulations. Orange Countys District 3 supervisor said in a previous interview with The Epoch Times that banning guns wasnt the answer. There is to my mind very little legitimate science or study behind the idea that gun shows are in particular a source of some of the tragedies that we have seen around the country in the last few years, Supervisor Don Wagner told The Epoch Times on Feb. 11. I think it is just sort of a mindless guns are bad and lets ban them when we can approach. It also isnt going to solve the problem because those who wont obey the laws against shooting people arent going to obey the laws against having guns and those who will obey the laws can be counted on to responsibly use, store, and learn their weapons. Given its 29-9 approval vote in the senate, the bill will head over to the house assembly and if approved, will make its way to the governors desk where he can sign it into law or veto it. Victorian Deputy Premier James Merlino speaks to the media during a press conference on June 02, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) Calls to Expand the Disaster Payments Scheme Scott Morrison is facing demands from a government MP to expand coronavirus disaster payments to regional areas copping lingering lockdown fallout. The prime minister has announced a new scheme to offer affected workers up to $500 when shutdowns in virus hotspots last longer than one week. With restrictions easing in regional Victoria on Friday, only workers in Melbourne will be eligible as the states capital enters another seven days of lockdown. Federal Victorian Liberal MP Russell Broadbent, who represents the regional seat of Monash, is calling on the government to expand the scheme. Broadbent believes people in regional Victoria will continue to lose income despite being out of lockdown, due to Melbourne still being under restrictions. Everybody gets wet when it rains, not just those in the eye of the storm, he told ABC radio. He believes his regional colleagues within government ranks will back widening the scope of payments. Morrison is chairing a national cabinet meeting of state and territory leaders on Friday, with slicing up the cost of relief on the agenda. The prime minister favours a 50-50 federal-state split but is open to agreeing to divide it along the lines of business and household support instead. Victoria is requesting more vaccine doses after the demand for jabs spiked on the back of the outbreak. Acting Premier James Merlino has asked his federal counterparts to double AstraZeneca doses for GPs and provide an additional 100,000 Pfizer shots from mid-June. The demand right now is exceeding supply and is exceeding access, he told reporters in Melbourne. The Morrison government has reached an agreement with Victoria to build a 500-bed quarantine centre to add capacity to the states hotels. It comes after persistent calls for the Commonwealth to take more responsibility for quarantine following 21 breaches from hotels during the pandemic. National cabinet will also consider making vaccinations for residential aged care workers mandatory with health advisers reviewing advice. While the expert medical panel in January found the step wasnt necessary, the lack of clear data on staff vaccinations has reignited the debate. Less than 10 per cent have received both doses through the policy of administering staff leftovers when residents are vaccinated. But it is unclear how many have sought jabs through other channels. United Workers Union aged care director Carolyn Smith is opposed to making immunisation compulsory for staff. The call for mandatory vaccinations now is really just Scott Morrison and Greg Hunt trying to cover up the fact they have let down aged care workers and absolutely bungled the COVID vaccination program, she told the ABC. The prime minister favours the idea of states using public health orders, which Western Australia successfully used to boost the vaccination of quarantine workers. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies during a U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing to examine the COVID-19 response, focusing on an update from federal officials, on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 18, 2021. (Susan Walsh/Pool via Reuters) CCP Virus Cases and Deaths Drop to New Lows in US Daily CCP virus infections and deaths have both hit lows not seen since the early days of the pandemic, White House officials said Thursday. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky called the data encouraging and uplifting as she announced at a briefing that the agency had reported a seven-day average of around 15,600 new daily cases of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, the pathogen that causes COVID-19. This represents a decrease of more than 30 percent from our prior seven-day average and more importantly it is a 94 percent decrease from the peak of COVID-19 cases we reported in January of this year, Walensky said. The seven-day moving average of new daily cases hit a high of 256,094 on Jan. 11, 2021, while numbers in the 15,000 range have not been seen since March 2020, according to data from COVID-19 tracking site Worldometers, which is based on officially reported figures. Walensky said the seven-day average of daily deaths had also dropped to around 360 per day on Wednesday, a figure not seen since March 28, 2020, when the seven-day average stood at 346, before climbing to a first-wave peak of 2,273 on April 21. These trends are going in the right direction, Walensky said, adding that new hospital admissions are down around 83 percent since their Jan. 9 peak of a seven-day average of nearly 16,500 daily admissions. Speaking at the briefing, White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients attributed the encouraging numbers to the robust vaccine rollout. We have built a best-in-class vaccination program, Zients said, noting that 63 percent of adult Americans have received at least one shot, with 52 percent of them fully vaccinated. Already 12 states have 70 percent of adults with at least one shot, Zients said. Thats an important milestone. And 28 states and the District of Columbia have fully vaccinated 50 percent or more of their adult population. As a result, in communities and states across the country, the pandemic is in retreat. President Joe Biden has set a goal of vaccinating 70 percent of adult Americans with at least one shot by July 4, an objective that may be foiled by falling vaccine uptake rates. The bottom line is that if you are unvaccinated, you are still at risk of getting seriously ill or spreading the disease to others, Zients said, before announcing a month-long vaccination blitz, an all-of-America effort that includes free drop-in childcare to allow parents to get vaccinated, extended hours of local pharmacies for vaccinations, and Anheuser-Busch offering to buy Americas next round of beer, seltzer or nonalcoholic beverage if the 70 percent by July 4th goal is met. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 22:49:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police have cracked 2,278 criminal cases related to illegal fishing and arrested 3,966 suspects since the beginning of this year, amid a national campaign against such practices along the Yangtze River. The crackdown has also seen the seizure of 930 fishing boats, 126,000 units of fishing gear, over 110,000 kg of catches and the dismantlement of 192 criminal rings, said the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Friday. Lin Rui, vice minister of public security, said police will continue resolute efforts to cut the underground industrial chain, transportation and business operations related to illegal fishing. Launched by the MPS and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs last June, the three-year campaign aims to protect the country's longest river. Enditem People visit the Forbidden City in Beijing during the Labor Day holidays, which take place from May 1 to May 5, on May 3, 2021. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) China Coup Author Roger Garside on How to Help End CCPs Rule, Bring Democracy to China: Interview You and I know, responds Li The rice is almost cooked. That homely phrase, spoken in a low voice, crashes like thunder in Wangs ear. Indeed, responds Wang. It is all he needs to say. The seemingly innocuous phrase the rice is cooked is a code agreed between them for implementing an audacious contingency plan they have worked out over the last few years. These men recognized that Chinas economic slowdown was taking place in an environment poisoned by an array of deep-seated problems, political, social, and moral, which would interact at some point to cause a crisis. They have long resolved to be ready to seize that moment to move against Xi Jinping himself. Nothing less offers an escape from the dead end in which his policies have trapped China. His China Dream is a waking nightmare. This is the moment in Roger Garsides new book, China Coup: The Great Leap to Freedom, in which two of the highest-ranking officials in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Premier Li Keqiang and Politburo Standing Committee Member Wang Yang, set in motion a secret plot to oust Xi Jinping from his position as Chairman of the CCP and lead China into a democratic future. While the storyline of the imagined coup, which uses the names of real Chinese leaders, is a fictional scenario, Garsidea noted China expert and British former diplomat who saw Mao Zedong in the flesh in 1968 and dined with Deng Xiaoping in 1977says that his book constitutes a first in the literature on China in its effort to penetrate the psychologies of CCP leaders and take people inside their minds and behind the scenes of their public actions. In an interview with The Epoch Times, Garside explained why he believes the one-party rule of the CCP, which he calls a totalitarian regime, will soon be ended, and specified economic weapons that nations, including the United States and its allies, can utilize to help the Chinese people achieve a great leap away from the CCP to freedom and democracy. Garside, who served as a British Army officer in the late 1950s and first viewed mainland China from Hong Kong through a pair of army binoculars, has the rare distinction among China experts of having experienced key eras in Chinese history while on the ground in China, both during and after the reign of Mao Zedong. After attending boarding school at Eton College, Garside was conscripted into the British Army at the age of 18, and was soon commissioned as an officer serving in British Hong Kong with the Brigade of Gurkhas, chiefly comprising soldiers recruited from the hills of Nepal. Following his military service and subsequent graduation from the University of Cambridge, Garside served as a diplomat at the British embassy in Beijing from 1968 to 1970near the height of the hysteria witnessed during Chinas Cultural Revolutionand captured a photograph of Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square at a time when very few Westerners had access to China. A photo of CCP Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijings Tiananmen Square, taken in 1968, by Roger Garside. (Courtesy of Roger Garside) After finishing his first diplomatic posting in Beijing, Garside earned a masters degree in management science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and helped manage the program of lending to Thailand by the World Bank in Washington, D.C., before returning to Beijing for a second diplomatic posting from 1976 to 1979. In late 1977, he had occasion to dine with the future CCP Chairman Deng Xiaoping while managing former British Prime Minister Edward Heaths visit to China. And in 1981, Garsides first book, the widely praised Coming Alive: China After Mao, was published while he taught at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Garside said that the fictional coup described in his new book is just one possible scenario in which China could end the oppressive rule of the CCP and begin a transition to democracy. He acknowledges the skepticism that China Coup, published by University of California Press, will inevitably encounter from some readers, but points to the collapse of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1991 as an apt case study. Its too easy to say, A coup detat in China? Of course it wont happen. The Chinese Communist regime is strong, prosperous, totally in control, what an absurd idea. Its not as absurd as that, Garside said. Remember the Sovietology industrys failure in January 1991 to foresee what would happen by the end of the year. Garside said that he hopes his book will play a role in what he calls a great awakening that is occurring in the United States and other nations regarding the threat that the CCP poses to the world. I saw that the U.S. and its allies were too complacent about China, about the Communist Party of China and needed a wake-up call, he stated. In China Coup, Garside writes, No people on earth is less forgiving than the Americans when they believe that their trust and friendship have been betrayed. Their trust will not be restored without systemic change in China. He elaborated on this, telling The Epoch Times that the United States has taken the lead in responding to the CCPs systematic deceit and theft, as well as its continued assault on global freedom, democracy, and human rights. He pointed to strong action by U.S. politicians against Chinas abusesparticularly citing Senator Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) China policies and positionsevidence that Americans, including voting constituents and corporate leaders, feel betrayed and angry. Referring to the United States efforts to usher China into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 and Chinas subsequent violations of its agreements and abuses of its position in the WTO, Garside said, [China has] betrayed that, in the spirit and in the letter, the treaty which they signed to gain entry. Just put yourself in the position of people running businesses whove been hurt by that. A sketch of Roger Garside. (Courtesy of Roger Garside) Referring to the Chinese peoples government-enforced support for the CCP, Garside spoke of the skill as actors which the Chinese people have had to develop under communist rule, and suggested that a large number of people in China secretly yearns for political change that they have not yet been able to enact. He said that the United States and its allies should help the Chinese people realize political change with the implementation of a carefully calibrated strategy that includes the use of strong economic policy weapons, and stated, we are engaged in a fight for freedom, a global fight for freedom. This techno-totalitarian [CCP] has great instruments of control, and its going to be extremely hard for any movement within China to achieve Chinas liberation without outside assistance, Garside said. We have great economic assets, which we can deploy in order to come together with those who want change in China. And by using them in an imaginative and bold way, both cumulatively over time and then in a more focused, short-term way we can create conditions in which those within China who want change can move. In China Coup, Garside prominently cites, as one important economic tool, legislation passed in 2020 that requires all companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges, including Chinese firms, to disclose whether they are owned or controlled by a foreign government and to submit detailed financial audit reports to U.S. regulators, with those companies not in compliance being subject to delisting. The cover of Roger Garsides book. (Courtesy of Roger Garside) Another tool is denial of access for Chinese banks to the international banking system, Garside told The Epoch Times, pointing to several Chinese banks alleged to have broken U.S. sanctions on North Korea as banks upon which this economic tool can potentially be utilized. Garside also noted the need for government restriction of investment into Chinese companies, as well as the education of vested interests who will need to forego short-term economic gain in order to protect long-term interests. There has to be a demonstration of resolve by government to implement its strategiesresolve demonstrated vis-a-vis domestic interestswhich may take the form of outlawing investment by our companies, be they asset management companies or manufacturers or trading companies, in Chinese companies linked to the [Chinese] military, he said. He emphasized that international coordination among liberal democracies is important to maintaining a strong and united front against the bad behavior of the CCP, and highlighted the importance of alliance groups comprising liberal democracies, including the Five Eyes, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly referred to as the Quad. He said that a sustained, proactive approach among liberal democracies to facing the global challenge of the CCP is essential in order to facilitate political change in China. We cant be complacent. We cant just say to ourselves, Oh, we have right on our side, we are the good guys. We believe in democracy and the rule of law. Yes, these are good things, Garside stated. But thats not enough. We have got to have imaginative strategies for finding the points of vulnerability in the Chinese regimes defenses. China in Focus (June 3): LinkedIn Blocks Some Content Access in China LinkedIn makes some user content inaccessible within China. The professional social network says the new policy aims to respect local legal requirements. Chinas young people are taking up a new attitude toward life: the do-nothing approach. It was born out of a desire not to be slaves to their paychecks, but Chinese authorities are trying to nip it in the bud. A former Huawei director is on trial in Poland. He and a Polish cybersecurity expert allegedly spied for Beijing. This trial could be a significant hit for the Chinese telecom company Huawei in the European market. Hungary is protesting plans to open a Chinese university campus in the country. To make its stance clear, Budapest is renaming streets near the university, giving them titles like Free Hong Kong Road, Uyghur Martyrs Road, or naming them after Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama. And 15 wild elephants in China have trekked more than 300 miles, and theyre not stopping yet. But just where are they headed? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China. For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter. Chris Minns New NSW Labor Leader After Daley Drops Out of Race Kogarah MP Chris Minns has become the new leader of NSW Labor after his rival Michael Daley withdrew from the race. Minns, the only candidate to nominate after Daley pulled out, was unanimously elected at the Labor caucus on Friday. Im very humbled to be elected leader of the parliamentary Labor Party with huge challenges ahead for NSW Labor, Minns said after the meeting. Now the hard work begins for the Labor party to get up off the mat and take the fight to the Berejiklian government and have some positive plans for the future of NSW. I know that task will be difficult. I believe I am up to it. Daley said he dropped out for the good of the party since Minns, who gained at least 23 votes out of 50, had most of the caucus support. He insisted that no one within the state Labor party had ever pressured him to quit. The withdrawal of Daley, who previously said he had gained the 15 MP signatures requisite for nomination, has saved the party branch members an extended ballot. It was wholeheartedly in the best interest of the party that Im not pushing this to a ballot, Daley told reporters. It was important that we unite today Chris and I had a very constructive meeting this morning. He agreed he would be a leader for all of the caucus, all of the party. The two did not discuss if Daley will take up a position on Minns front bench, although the former would be happy to if offered one, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. This is Labors first caucus meeting after the former leader Jodi Mckay stepped down last week, following the resignation of Minns as shadow minister for transport and Shadow Treasurer Walt Secord over a dirt dossier incident and the Partys defeat in the Upper Hunter by-election. Minns, 41, was elected to NSW parliament in 2015 and served as Shadow Minister for Transport and Water before resigning last week. This is his third try for NSW Labor leader after losing to Daley in 2018 and McKay in 2019. The campaign for the future direction of NSW and what both political parties will put on the table for the future starts today, Minns told reporters. Wages are staying stagnant; the cost of living is getting more expensive. I think we need to have a plan for good, well-paid jobs in the regions. Doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are seen at Gold Coast University Hospital in Southport, Australia on Feb. 22, 2021. (Nigel Hallett-Pool/Getty Images) Disability Specific Vaccination Hubs Will Open to Speed up Vaccination Rollout The government has set up dedicated vaccination hubs for people with disabilities to provide additional options to receive their vaccine doses. These hubs allow providers, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government and vaccine providers, to ensure some of the most vulnerable Australians and their support workers and carers can be vaccinated faster, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Minister Linda Reynolds said. Reynolds said that as of June 1, almost 38,0000 NDIS participants had received at least one dose of the vaccine. The Australian government has received a large amount of criticism for the vaccine rollout, including the slow pace of vaccinating those with disabilities or in aged care. An audience member of ABCs Q & A show said the government showed no urgency or duty of care to protect people with disabilities from COVID-19 and felt they were treated as afterthoughts despite being prioritised in the rollout plan. In response, Liberal MP Tim Wilson said the rollout was being done in stages by targeting different sections of the population based on their risk profile and that those with the most risk of severe health conditions had first priority. People with disabilities dont automatically equate to that challenge, Wilson said. Its a staged rollout and people with a disability are a critical part of that conversation but there are other subsections of the population with a higher risk profile that are more urgent. In partnership with Life Without Barriers, a disability-specific vaccination hub will open in Dandenong in Victoria next week, in addition to the existing hub in Thomastown. Life Without Barriers will also establish hubs in Newcastle and Central Coast in New South Wales this month for people with disabilities. Aspen Medical will also open a disability-specific hub in Medindie, South Australia next week. Australian Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds speaks during a Senate inquiry at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on May 3, 2021. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) Im particularly appreciative of all disability providers who are so willing and also well-placed to understand the needs of individual participants to facilitate this access to community vaccination locations, Reynolds said. Earlier this week, Reynolds also announced a national $150 (US$115) support payment aimed to help providers assist eligible NDIS supported participants, who live by themselves, to attend offsite vaccination sites, including the new hubs. The new support payment recognises the significant role of providers and the complexity of getting participants vaccinated within a network of around 6,000 individual residences, she said. An earlier study by the University of Melbourne found that half of disability support workers had no plans to get the vaccine immediately, which includes 17 percent who did not plan to receive it at all. The survey was conducted prior to the findings that AstraZeneca caused rare blood clotting in the brain. David Moody, chief executive of National Disability Services told SBS in April that the level of hesitancy was concerning and wanted to see vaccines for the sector become mandatory. DOJ to Give Ransomware Attacks Same Priority as Terrorism The Justice Department will elevate ransomware investigations to a similar level of priority as terrorism in an effort to defeat cybercriminals posing a threat to the nation. This comes following several recent cyberattacks that crippled infrastructure and paralyzed crucial industries in the United States. In one of those attacks, a cyber criminal group perpetrated a ransomware hack against the Colonial Pipeline, which halted fuel operations resulting in gas shortages across several states. The department said they have recently created task force in Washington that will coordinate all ransomware investigations currently handled by U.S. attorneys offices across the nation. Its a specialized process to ensure we track all ransomware cases regardless of where it may be referred in this country, so you can make the connections between actors and work your way up to disrupt the whole chain, John Carlin, principle associate deputy attorney general at the department, told Reuters. Reuters, who reviewed the internal guidance about the new direction, reported that the centralized tracking of the investigations will help the federal authorities to build a comprehensive picture of the national and economic security threats we face and draw necessary connections between separate attacks. The model, the department said, has been used in terrorism cases but never before with ransomware, Carlin said. The guidance also asked U.S. attorneys to also share information about other cybersecurity cases such as ones involving in counter anti-virus services, illicit online forums or marketplaces, cryptocurrency exchanges, bulletproof hosting services, botnets and online money laundering services, the news wire reported. We really want to make sure prosecutors and criminal investigators report and are tracking cryptocurrency exchanges, illicit online forums or marketplaces where people are selling hacking tools, network access credentialsgoing after the botnets that serve multiple purposes, Carlin said. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times request for comment. Colonial Pipeline paid $4.4 million to ransomware attackers to regain access, the company said. Company executives acknowledged that the decision was controversial but said they believed it was the right thing to do as the company was uncertain about the severity of the cyberattack on the firms systems. The worlds largest meat supplier JBS was also targeted for a separate ransomware attack this week. The attack disrupted meat production in North America and Australia. The FBI has since tied the attack to a Russia-linked hacking group REvil, which is also known as Sodinokibi. We have attributed the JBS attack to REvil and Sodinokibi and are working diligently to bring the threat actors to justice, the FBI said in a statement. We continue to focus our efforts on imposing risk and consequences and holding the responsible cyber actors accountable. An elephant herd is seen stranded in a mud pit, in Aung Zeha village, Rakhine state, Burma, on June 4, 2021, in this picture obtained from social media. (Zaw Phyo Than and Kyaw Kyaw Oo/via Reuters) Elephants Escape Burma Mud Pit to Cheers From Villagers Who Helped Four wild elephants made their way out of the mud pit in Burma (also known as Myanmar) where they had been trapped on Friday, urged on by the villagers who dug them an escape route. The villagers in the western Rakhine State usually avoid elephants when they come across them in the forest, but feared the animals would have died if they had stayed trapped in the hole. Video verified by Reuters showed the four animals struggling one by one to gain a foothold on the slope where the villagers spent some five hours digging rough steps for them. An elephant herd is seen stranded in a mud pit, in Aung Zeha village, Rakhine state, Burma, on June 4, 2021, in this picture obtained from social media. (Zaw Phyo Than and Aung Kyaw Kyaw Oo/via Reuters) Eventually, they all make it outthe last one appearing to turn briefly towards where villagers are cheering before heading off with its companions. We rescued them because we know that elephants are at risk of vanishing worldwide and they are part of our states heritage, Zaw Phyo Than, 40, told Reuters by phone. The four animals were so cute and thats why everyone from around our village came to save their lives. Villagers try to help an elephant herd stranded in a mud pit, in Aung Zeha village, Rakhine state, Burma, on June 4, 2021, in this picture obtained from social media. (Zaw Phyo Than and Aung Kyaw Kyaw Oo/via Reuters) It was unclear how they fell into the pit. Surveys have estimated that only a few hundred elephants remain in Rakhine State, down from thousands just decades ago. The Facebook logo is seen on a phone in this photo illustration in Washington, on July 10, 2019. (Alastair Pike/AFP/Getty Images) EU, UK Investigate Facebook Over Classified Ad Competition LONDONEuropean Union and British regulators opened dual antitrust investigations Friday into whether Facebook distorts competition in the classified advertising market by using data to compete unfairly against rival services. The coordinated effort represents an escalation by European regulators in their battle to rein in the dominance of big tech companies. The focus of the investigations highlights a longstanding concern that the data they collect from people or businesses using their platforms are used to get an advantage over competitors, which could include those same businesses. Facebook collects vast troves of data on the activities of users of its social network and beyond, enabling it to target specific customer groups, said Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissions executive vice president in charge of competition policy. We will look in detail at whether this data gives Facebook an undue competitive advantage, in particular on the online classified ads sector, where people buy and sell goods every day, and where Facebook also competes with companies from which it collects data. The UKs Competition and Markets Authority said in a simultaneous announcement that it launched its own probe to examine whether Facebooks collection and use of data gave it an unfair advantage over competitors providing classified data and online dating services. Facebook said it will continue to cooperate fully with the investigations to demonstrate that they are without merit. Marketplace, Facebooks classified ad service, and Facebook Dating offer people more choices and both products operate in a highly competitive environment with many large incumbents, the company said in a statement. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies at a Senate Judiciary and Commerce Committees Joint Hearing in Washington, on April 10, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) The EUs executive commission, the blocs top antitrust enforcer, is looking at the possibility that Facebook collects data on what users are interested in based on how rival classified ad providers are advertising their sites to Facebook users. The commission is worried Facebook then uses that data to tailor Marketplace to outcompete the rival sites. Its also looking at whether the way Facebook embeds its Marketplace into the social network gives it an advantage in reaching customers and shutting out competing sites, in violation of EU competition rules. The UKs competition watchdog is pursuing its own investigation, which includes examining whether data from Facebook Login was unfairly used. The feature lets users sign into other websites, apps and services with their Facebook credentials, making it a potentially big source of information on users interests. We intend to thoroughly investigate Facebooks use of data to assess whether its business practices are giving it an unfair advantage in the online dating and classified ad sectors, Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said in a press statement. The EU and UK investigations could result in formal charges, but its not a given. Regulators have the power to impose penalties worth up to 10 percent of a companys annual revenue, which in Facebooks case would amount to tens of billions of dollars. Also Friday, Germanys competition regulator opened an antitrust investigation into Googles News Showcase licensing platform for publishers. The Federal Cartel Office, or Bundeskartellamt, said its looking into whether Googles contracts include unreasonable conditions for news publishers using the platform, which launched last fall. Ex-Treasury Official Sentenced to Jail for Leaks Related to Mueller Probe A former Treasury Department official has been sentenced to six months behind bars for leaking thousands of confidential banking documents, including ones related to former President Donald Trumps one-time campaign chair Paul Manafort, Russian diplomats in the United States, and the Russia probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller, according to reports. Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards, who served as a senior adviser in the Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, was on Thursday sentenced for one count of conspiracy for leaking over 2,000 suspicious activity reports, or SARs, according to The Wall Street Journal. SARs are confidential reports on suspect financial transactions that banks are required to file with FinCEN. Edwards pleaded guilty to the crime in January 2020, with her sentencing delayed due to the pandemic. In handing down her sentence, U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods said at a federal court hearing in New York City on Thursday that it should have been evident to Edwards that violating her oath and exposing sensitive law enforcement information that could be used to help the bad guys and to tarnish the reputations and interests of innocent people was both illegal and wrong, according to Buzzfeed News. A criminal complaint (pdf) filed in 2018 alleged Edwards made unauthorized disclosures of the confidential documents to unspecified news media, though from the context it was evident that the organization was Buzzfeed News. Between October 2017 and March 2018, a news organization (the News Organization), headquartered in New York, New York, published approximately twelve news articles containing detailed information that appeared to track the contents of SARs protected by the BSA [Bank Secrecy Act], the complaint reads. One of the twelve articles cited in the complaint was a Buzzfeed piece titled: Secret Finding: 60 Russian Payments To Finance Election Campaign Of 2016. It alleged more than 60 money transfers sent by the Russian Foreign Ministry to its embassies around the world, with most featuring a note that said the money was to be used to finance election campaign of 2016. The article linked the transfers to scrutiny by the FBI and other federal agencies into Russian interference in the 2016 election in the United States. After Buzzfeed published the article, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian embassy in Washington denounced the story and said the money was meant for Russian diplomatic outposts to facilitate overseas Russians voting in a parliamentary election held in September 2016. Overall, the complaint stated that, starting in 2017, Edwards leaked financial reports concerning Manafort, his business associate Rick Gates, convicted Russian spy Maria Butina, and Russian diplomats whose suspicious transactions were being investigated by Mueller. Mueller was probing whether members of the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia to sway the 2016 election. After nearly two years, his report found insufficient evidence of any such criminal conspiracy. In a report on Edwardss sentencing, Buzzfeed News said it had previously not acknowledged her as a source, until now, when she publicly said that she was the source. At the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Ravener was cited by Politico as telling the court that, the colossal, mammoth effect of this defendants crime is unparalleled in the history of FinCEN. You have an individual who acted indiscriminately to disclose confidential government information, she added. According to Politico, Edwards delivered a largely unrepentant statement to the court, that began by identifying herself as a matriarch warrior whose spirit cannot be broken and that her actions were motivated by what she described as misconduct at the Treasury Department. Edwardss attorney characterized the disclosures as part of a broader whistleblowing effort, a claim Ravener dismissed as completely nonsensical, according to the outlet. Then-President Donald Trump speaks to media before departing on Marine One en route to Ohio and Texas, from the White House South Lawn in Washington on Aug. 7, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Facebook Suspends Trump for 2 Years Decision means Trump could rejoin platform ahead of 2024 election Facebook announced on June 4 that it suspended former President Donald Trump from its platform for two years. We are suspending his accounts for two years, effective from the date of the initial suspension on January 7 this year, Nick Clegg, vice president of global affairs for Facebook, said in a blog post. Facebooks Oversight Board, a quasi-independent entity that is empowered to overrule the social media platform, upheld Facebooks suspension of Trump last month. But it also said the California-based company inappropriately didnt list a defined time period for which Trump was suspended. It is not permissible for Facebook to keep a user off the platform for an undefined period, with no criteria for when or whether the account will be restored, the board said. The June 4 announcement was in response to the boards decision, Clegg said. We are today announcing new enforcement protocols to be applied in exceptional cases such as this, and we are confirming the time-bound penalty consistent with those protocols which we are applying to Mr. Trumps accounts. Given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Mr. Trumps suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols, he said. When two years elapse, Facebook plans to review with experts whether the risk to public safety has receded. If the risk is still present, the suspension will be extended. If it isnt, the company is setting in place a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions that will be triggered if Mr. Trump commits further violations in future, up to and including permanent removal of his pages and accounts, Clegg said. Trump said in a two-sentence statement that Facebooks decision is an insult to the record-setting 75 [million] people, plus many others, who voted for us in the 2020 Rigged Presidential Election. They shouldnt be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing and ultimately we will win, he said. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies at a Senate Judiciary and Commerce Committees Joint Hearing in Washington on April 10, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Facebook originally suspended Trump on Jan. 7 in the wake of the breach of the U.S. Capitol by a crowd that included some of his supporters. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said allowing Trump to continue to post missives was risky. Zuckerberg claimed Trump opted to use his platform to condone rather than condemn the actions of his supporters at the Capitol building. Trump told protesters in one video to go home peacefully, while asserting the presidential election was rife with fraud. He also said that we love you, youre very special, and that I know your pain. I know youre hurt. Earlier Jan. 6, Trump told a crowd on The Ellipse, approximately two miles from the Capitol, that people should go to the building, but do so peacefully and patriotically. Trump has panned Facebook and other Big Tech companies, accusing them of uneven moderation standards. Internal video footage and other evidence support the accusations. In a statement following the boards decision in May, Trump said, These corrupt social media companies must pay a political price, and must never again be allowed to destroy and decimate our Electoral Process. Republicans then reacted strongly, saying they wanted to break up such Big Tech, a set of companies that includes Facebook. The new decision prompted similar condemnation. Facebook continues to arbitrarily apply their rules and undermine fundamental American values like free speech. This is Big Techs latest betrayal of those valuesall while allowing authoritarian leaders to post harmful content without any repercussions, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) said in a statement. Another member of Congress called for such a lack of accountability regarding the social media company to change. Facebook is suspending former President Trump for two years, but continuing to allow CCP propaganda, Assad, and human smugglers to use their platform. That is utter hypocrisy. Facebook must be held accountable, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing to discuss the ongoing federal response to COVID-19 in Washington on May 11, 2021. (Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images) Fauci Lied About COVID-19 Origin in 2020: Adm. Brett Giroir Former White House COVID-19 testing czar, Adm. Brett Giroir, has accused Dr. Anthony Fauci of lying last year about the origins of the CCP virus, as health officials ramp up efforts to probe the hypothesis that the virus emerged from a lab accident. In May last year, Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), claimed that the virus could not have been artificially or deliberately manipulated at Chinas Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV)a possibility that is now receiving wider recognition. Until last month, the infectious disease expert had maintained that COVID-19 had developed naturally. Fauci told the National Geographic in May 2020 that theres no scientific evidence that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus was made in a lab. Everything about the stepwise evolution over time strongly indicates that [this virus] evolved in nature and then jumped species, Fauci told the publication at the time. The statement from last year was completely false, Giroir, former Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) assistant secretary, told Fox News Americas Newsroom. There was no pattern of mutations that suggest that it went right from an animal in a natural situation to humansand theres still no evidence to show that. So that statement was completely wrong. Then-Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Health Adm. Brett Giroir speaks during a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, on Sept. 16, 2020. (Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Fauci was being obviously antagonistic to the Trump administration, Giroir claimed. The [former] president suggested that it could have been a lab leak, Giroir continued. So this was obviously in contradiction to a hypothesis that we know is stillthe most likely one; it was an antagonistic to the [former] presidents position and to many of the peoples positions within the Trump administration. It was against it. It was contrary. Giroir told co-host Bill Hemmer that Fauci strongly pushed the possibility that the CCP virus developed naturally despite a lack of data. Fauci argued very convincingly that this [COVID-19] was something that evolved in nature. There was no data that evolved in nature and theres still no data, he said. Early reports about an outbreak of the CCP virus first appeared in Wuhan in late 2019, when a cluster of cases was reported by state-controlled media to be linked to a local wet market. More than a year later, the origins of the virus remain unknown, although the possibility that the virus leaked from a laboratory at Chinas WIV is gaining traction. The Wall Street Journal reported on May 23 that three researchers at the WIV were hospitalized in November 2019 with symptoms consistent with seasonal flu and COVID-19. The newspaper cited unnamed U.S. government sources familiar with a previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report. President Joe Biden has since ordered the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) to ramp up efforts to investigate the viruss origins. Look, there is a laboratory five miles of the origin that was doing dangerous research on bat coronaviruses. Sometimes, the simplest explanation is that. We do have labs leaks, Giroir said. He added: Lab leaks are not uncommon and I really think data like people getting ill in November from the laboratory, if that proves true, that coincides with exactly when this virus in China. The evidence is there. Meanwhile, Fauci is facing further scrutiny following the release of thousands of his emails to the public this week via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The emails suggested that his team scrambled in early 2020 to respond to public reporting about the virus leaking from the WIV. Those emails suggested that officials were concerned with prior U.S. involvement with the laboratory. Both Fauci and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins have both denied funding gain of function research, or experiments aimed at increasing the transmissibility or virulence of a virus, at the lab in Wuhan. However, documents show about $600,000 of a grant given to the EcoHealth Alliance was channeled to the Wuhan Institute of Virology to research coronavirus in bats in 2014. The Epoch Times has contacted the NIAID, which Fauci heads, for comment. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 23:01:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Marwa Yahya CAIRO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has attempted to enhance relations with the Nile Basin countries through concluding military deals, in a move to basically protect its water and national security, according to Egyptian experts. Egypt has recently signed several agreements with Nile Basin countries, the last of which was last week with Kenya. The North African country has signed similar deals with Uganda and Burundi in April and with Sudan in March. Egypt and Sudan have finished a military drill on Tuesday. The military activities included naval, air, and land forces from both sides. "Egyptian leadership attributes much interest to strengthen a permanent cooperation with the Nile Basin countries, especially in the military field for national security-related reasons," Samir Farag, a military expert said. "Since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi assumed his office in 2014, he persisted in restoring good relations with the African countries, especially the Nile nations, after a stalemate in the last years of late President Hosni Mubarak," Farag, also a former manager of the defense ministry's morale department, told Xinhua. He explained that Egypt has started with improving the cultural and economic cooperation with related countries, as well as establishing dams and later extending the military deals. Currently, Egypt's consortium of Arab Contractors and Al-Seweidy Electric companies are working on Tanzania's 2.9-billion-U.S. dollar Julius Nyerere Dam and its hydroelectric power station. "President al-Sisi personally has followed the project that will be the largest in Tanzania given its importance as a national project for the Tanzanian people," Farag added. The military expert added that Egypt is very keen on securing its water resources, highlighting "the military agreements with some Nile Basin countries are important to exchange the information." Abbas Sharqy, professor of water resources with Cairo University, agreed that Egypt has taken good measures to deepen ties with the Nile Basin countries especially Sudan, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, referring to the Egyptian delegation who traveled last week to purify the Congo River and make it valid for navigation. He also highlighted the projects of establishing water stations in South Sudan and Uganda and others. However, the water expert pointed out that more economic and investment projects should be taken into consideration, especially the projects that will bring direct benefits to the living conditions of the African people. Meanwhile, Tariq Fahmy, professor of political science with Cairo University, explained that although the military agreements are meant to confront terrorism in Africa, they also carry Egyptian messages addressed to Ethiopia over its disputed giant Grand Renaissance Dam issue. He sees that Egypt's rapprochement with the Nile Basin region would not only preserve the water rights of Egypt but also achieve regional security and stability. "Egypt has been pursuing a cooperation-led strategy with the Nile Basin countries, mainly the 'ring countries' around Ethiopia to protect its water, which helped in changing the policies of some African countries towards Egypt," the political analyst said. He emphasized that building more partnerships at the developmental level will take the joint relations to a better level of cooperation and will reduce factors of inciting tensions. Enditem Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks at a news conference about the state's new Election Integrity Law that passed this week at AJs Famous Seafood and Poboys in Marietta, Ga. on April 10, 2021. (Megan Varner/Getty Images) Georgia Education Board Passes Resolution Opposing Critical Race Theory, Kemp Applauds Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday applauded the State Board of Educations decision to pass a resolution that says students should not be taught the quasi-Marxist critical race theory (CRT) in schools. I applaud the State Board of Education voting today to prevent Critical Race Theory (CRT) from being taught in our classrooms, Kemp said in a statement on Twitter. This dangerous, anti-American ideology has no place in Georgia schools. The resolutionapproved by an 11-2 votestates that the United States and Georgia are not racist and students should not be taught that racism or slavery are anything but deviations from the countrys authentic founding principles. It came after the Republican governor on May 20 wrote a letter to the education board opposing the teaching of CRT and its dangerous ideology in public schools. Kemp urged educators in his letter to take immediate steps to ensure that Critical Race Theory and its dangerous ideology do not take root in our state standards or curriculum. The measure passed by the education board doesnt impose restrictions on school districts or teachers, though it could lead to binding rules in the future. This resolution does not prohibit anybody from teaching anything, board chair Scott Sweeney said during the meeting, which was held over the phone. This is a belief statement more so than anything else or an affirmation. Kemp previously said that parents, students, administrators, and educators in Georgia had come to him with concerns about the teaching of CRT in state schools. Like me, they are alarmed this divisive and anti-American curriculum is gaining favor in Washington D.C. and in some states across the country, he said in his letter. CRT has gradually proliferated in recent decades through academia, government structures, school systems, and the corporate world. It redefines human history as a struggle between the oppressorswhite peopleand the oppressedeverybody elsesimilar to Marxisms reduction of history to a struggle between the bourgeois and the proletariat. It labels institutions that emerged in majority-white societies as racist and white supremacist. Like Marxism, CRT advocates for the destruction of institutions, such as the Western justice system, free-market economy, and orthodox religions, while demanding that they be replaced with institutions compliant with the theorys ideology. Proponents of CRT have argued that the theory is merely demonstrating how pervasive systemic racism truly is. A growing number of states are passing laws prohibiting inculcation of CRT in schools and other government institutions, in response to mounting opposition to the ideology. Governors from Tennessee, Idaho, Arkansas, and Oklahoma have already signed anti-CRT bills. In Texas and Iowa, similar legislation is awaiting signatures from their governors. Lawmakers in several more states have proposed such bills, but havent had much success pushing them through. Petr Svab and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Giant Tortoise Considered Extinct 100 Years Ago is Found Still in Existence in Ecuador A giant tortoise considered extinct a hundred years ago has been discovered very much alive and is currently living in Ecuador. Two years ago, the tortoise was found on Fernandina Island, one of the youngest and most pristine in the archipelago, during a joint expedition between the Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Conservancy. On May 25, 2021, Ecuador confirmed that the massive turtle is a species considered extinct a century ago. A tortoise of the Chelonoidis phantasticus species, which had been considered extinct more than a century ago, is seen in Santa Cruz, on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, July 10, 2019. (Galapagos National Park/Handout via Reuters) The Galapagos National Park is now preparing an expedition to search for more of the giant tortoises in an attempt to save the species. Scientists from Yale University identified it as the Chelonoidis phantasticus species, which had been considered extinct more than a century ago. Yale University revealed the results of genetic studies and the respective DNA comparison that was made with a specimen extracted in 1906, the Galapagos Park said in a statement. In the Galapagos Islands, many varieties of tortoises live together with flamingos, boobies, albatrosses, and cormorants, a family of species of aquatic birds. A tortoise of the Chelonoidis phantasticus species, which had been considered extinct more than a century ago, is seen in Santa Cruz, on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, April 10, 2019. (Galapagos National Park/Handout via Reuters) It also houses a large amount of flora and fauna in danger of extinction. It was believed extinct more than 100 years ago! We have reconfirmed its existence, Environment Minister Gustavo Manrique wrote on his Twitter account. According to data from the Galapagos National Park, the current population of giant tortoises from various species is estimated at 60,000. One was known as Lonesome George, a male Pinta Island tortoise, the last known of the species, who died in 2012 without leaving any offspring. Watch the video: 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 Gov. Whitmer Vetoes COVID-19 Bills Related to Michigan Graduations, Public Records Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed two pandemic-related measures on Thursday, nixing bills that dealt with graduation ceremonies and public record requests during a health crisis. One measure, HB 4728, would ban the state health department or local health officials from issuing orders that restricted high school graduation ceremonies this spring and summer. The second, HB 4448, would prevent the state from extending deadlines during a declared emergency for providing records in responses to requests made under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, along with making requiring additional compliance with records law during a crisis. Whitmer called the graduation bill a solution in search of a problem, while arguing the records measure would constrain the governors ability to protect the people of Michigan. Rather than sending me half-baked and punchless legislation like HB 4728, I encourage the Legislature to join me in eradicating this pandemic and making transformational investments in our economy, Whitmer wrote in one veto letter. With federal relief funds headed our way and higher state revenues than expected, together we can create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, build up our crumbling infrastructure, support our kids and schools and get back to a new normal as a stronger, more resilient state. The graduation bill passed the Senate on May 18, just two days before Whitmer announced the state would roll back all outdoor pandemic restrictions on June 1. The same announcement moved indoor capacity restrictions at all facilities to 50 percent, changes the governor noted in her veto letter. In theory, these changes mean high school graduation ceremonies can occur with few limitations. But events planned for large schools in relatively smaller facilities may still run into capacity limitations. A House Fiscal Agency analysis of the FOIA measure indicated supporters believe the bill ensures the timely release of information crucial to a community during an emergency. Some feel that the timely access to public information could reduce the proliferation of conspiracy theories by continuing the ability of the free press, watchdog groups, and citizens to provide oversight and monitor how a state or local governmental entity conducts itself during an emergency, the analysis states. The bill would ensure that, just because something out of the ordinary is occurring, the publics right to public documents would not be infringed upon without good cause. In her letter, Whitmer suggested the bill is a response to an executive order issued last spring. This order was designed to protect the lives of public officials tasked with responding to FOIA requests during the first surgean exceptionally frightening and uncertain moment in Michigans history, Whitmer said. (The executive order) was limited in scope and did not change FOIAs core requirement that public bodies respond to FOIA requests in a timely manner. While the graduation bill passed with essentially only GOP support, the FOIA measure received 98 votes in the House. In theory, thats more than enough to override her veto in the lower chamber, but the margin of passage in the Senate makes a complete override a challenge. 2021, The Detroit Free Press. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Participants at the 180,000-strong Tiananmen Square Massacre Candlelight Vigil in Hong Kong hold up candles and posters, commemorating the victims, on June 4, 2012. (Sung Pi Lung/The Epoch Times) Hong Kong Government Bans June 4th Candlelight Vigil We must keep the fire of freedom in our hearts Commentary June 4th marks 32 years since the Tiananmen Massacre. On every past June 4th since 1989, Hong Kong held a candlelight vigil in its central Victoria Park. However, this year, the Hong Kong government has banned commemoration on the grounds of preventing the epidemic. This is the second year in history that the Hong Kong police have banned the June 4th rally. Last year, I watched Hong Kong residents defying and breaking through the police blockade to enter the park and light candles in protest. Hong Kongers flock to Victoria Park to honor #TiananmenMassacre anniversary with a candle light vigil despite government's cancellation of the annual event for the first time in 31 years. pic.twitter.com/8ad4VZTfyp The Epoch Times Hong Kong (@EpochTimesHK) June 4, 2020 No organization led the rally. There were no speakers or official events. Residents gathered spontaneously to mourn the victims of the June 4th massacre. However, this defiance is unlikely to occur again this year. The Hong Kong government recently sentenced more than a dozen pro-democracy leaders on charges of organizing the pro-democracy protests in 2019. A number of activists who entered Victoria Park to mourn on June 4 last year were charged with knowingly taking part in an unauthorized assembly. The Hong Kong government has issued a message saying that 3,000 anti-riot officers will guard the park to prohibit entry this year. There will be roadblocks and stop and searches covering nearby areas. If anything, these security measures certainly reveal that banning the rally due to concerns of COVID-19 is a guise. How do stop and searches by riot police prevent COVID-19 spread? Victoria Parks annual June 4th candlelight rallies proved Hong Kongs one country, two systems autonomy under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). For 30 years, Hong Kong was the only city in China to hold a large-scale annual vigil commemorating the Tiananmen Massacre. The candlelights on June 4th always showed a little hope for Hong Kongs freedom under China. Now that the candlelight will disappear, I am afraid that one country, two systems is also completely darkened. The Tiananmen Massacre Precedes the Fall of Eastern European Communism Everyone knows that the CCP wants the world to forget the June 4th incident. The CCP sent out its army and used tanks and machine guns to suppress the Chinese democracy movement that year and killed many unarmed students. The whole incident was broadcasted to TV stations around the world. The June 4th Incident in 1989 was an extremely important historical event in the contemporary world. A Chinese man stands alone blocking a line of tanks heading east on Beijings Changan Blvd. on June 5, 1989. (Jeff Widener/AP Photo) In June 1989, Poland launched its first real general election after World War II. The Solidarity party won the general election. The leader of the labor movement, Walesa, who had been in prison for many years in Poland, became the president of the country. Beginning in the second half of the year, there were mass demonstrations in East Germany controlled by the Communist Party. The authorities hesitated in suppressing them with military force. In November, the Berlin Wall was overthrown and demolished by the people. The fall of the Berlin Wall heralded the collapse of the Eastern European Communist State Group. Immediately afterwards, communist countries such as Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Albania changed one after another. The ruling communist party either stepped down or changed its name, accepted democratic elections, and left the Soviet Union. Romania experienced the most tragic change. Ceausescu, the leader of the Romanian Communist Party, had been in power for many years. He had all the power of the party, government, and army. After the Polish election and the failure of its Communist Party, Ceausescu was the only leader who called Soviet leader Gorbachev and asked the Soviet Union to send troops to Poland. The Soviet Union did not accept his proposal. On the 21st of December, Ceausescu held a mass meeting intending to show his popularity with Romanias public. No one expected that someone would suddenly chant a slogan decrying Ceausescu, and that hundreds of others would join in. Soon after the Romanian Minister of Defense, unwilling to execute the order to suppress the dissenting rebels, committed suicide on December 22 at his home. After the news of the ministers death was revealed publicly, the army that originally supported Ceausescu began to turn on him. On Dec. 25, Christmas of 1989, Ceausescu and his wife were tried and convicted of five crimes by the Provisional Military Court and executed. Soon after, the Soviet Union disbanded under Gorbachev. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, all the republics of the former Soviet Union also abandoned the Communist Party and established independent national states under various names of political parties. The June 4th Incident in Beijing in 1989 indirectly led to the collapse of Communist regimes in 24 countries. Yet, the Chinese Communist Party, under Deng Xiaopings strategy of forbearance, continued to exist. The sacrifices of thousands of Chinese people were exchanged for freedom and democracy in Europe, but China continues to sink into the darkness of autocracy. The Chinese call this misfortune fragrant flowers blooming inside the wall. * * * In the past 20 years or so, I have interviewed many Chinese cultural people, intellectuals, workers, and dissidents. Many of their beliefs on freedom and human rights are born from the June 4th massacre. I witnessed the massacre. One of my classmates was shot near his lungs. The doctor confirmed that the bullet exploded in his body, and he was seriously injured, wrote Chen Yonglin in a recount of the experience on that night. At that time, I experienced the pro-democracy movement as an ordinary student. I witnessed the real history. Afterwards, the Chinese government turned the event into a political disturbance. I know the real history was forcibly rewritten. He later defected from China as a former diplomat, fled the country, and spoke out on intelligence and human rights crimes of the CCP, despite fearing for his own life. There was also Hu Jia, who was only a middle school student at the time. On the night of June 3, he witnessed citizens blocking the army from entering the city with bare hands in Dongcheng District. There are also numerous human rights lawyers who were only youthful college students at the time, watching their classmates die in protest. They have gone on to stand up against the CCP and advocate for the civil rights of Chinese citizens. Now thirty years later, Hong Kong launched a historical protest movement of equal scale and strength. The world watched as masses of Hong Kong residents rushed to the streets to protest against the CCP for their civil rights. The feeling of it is eerily familiar to the feeling in China in 1989. Despite its power and hope, a pessimistic intuition lurks in the shadows and cannot be shaken off. A large number of young people in Hong Kong have also paid a heavy price. The entire movement has now come to an end. Not only have the five demands pursued by the Hong Kong people failed, but political democracy and social freedom of the city have further regressed. This is very similar to what happened in China 30 years ago. People hold candles during a vigil in Hong Kong on June 4, 2018, to mark the 29th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown in Beijing. (Anthony Wallace/AFP) This year on June 4th, Victoria Park will no longer glow with the candlelight from residents free to openly express their beliefs. In the coming years, Hong Kong police will likely use the National Security Law to prevent Victoria Parks June Fourth commemorative activities from happening again. However, one thing is certain. The protest movement in Hong Kong in 2019 has mobilized a generation of young Hong Kong people. No matter how the future situation develops, they will remain in Hong Kong, perhaps even China. Their beliefs and presence will influence the future development of mainland China. We must keep the candlelight in our hearts, keep the fire of our conscience, and keep the hope of a future of freedom. Alexander Liao is a columnist and journalist in research on international affairs in the United States, China, and Southeast Asia. He has published a large number of reports, commentaries, and video programs in newspapers and Chinese financial magazines in the United States and Hong Kong. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. In this still image taken from Supreme Court/Parliament TV footage, head of Supreme Court of the United Kingdom Lady Brenda Hale announces ruling, that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to prorogue parliament was unlawful, ahead of Brexit, at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in London, Britain, on Sept. 24, 2019. (Supreme Court/Parliament TV via Reuters/File) Hong Kong Judiciary Says British Judge to Step Down From Citys Top Court HONG KONGBritish judge Brenda Hale will step down from Hong Kongs Court of Final Appeal next month when her three-year term expires, the judiciary said on Friday, a move that may deepen uncertainty over the role of foreign judges in the semi-autonomous city. The departure of Hale, a former president of Britains Supreme Court, comes amid international concern over the effect on the city of a national security law imposed by Chinas parliament a year ago. Diplomats and business people say the laws impact on Hong Kongs independent judges and separate legal system is being particularly closely watched given their importance to its status as a global financial hub. Hale is one of 13 overseas non-permanent judges on the top courta presence that has long been seen as a symbol of the rule of law after Britain handed the former colony back to China in 1997. The Hong Kong Judiciary said in a statement that Hale has indicated to the Judiciary that for personal reasons she would not wish to have her appointment extended for another term. Overseas judges immense contribution to Hong Kong has repeatedly been acknowledged, the Judiciary said. Hale, 76, was quoted in Londons The Times newspaper on Friday as telling an online forum that the security lawimposed by Chinas parliament last Junehad left all sorts of question marks up in the air. The jury is still out on how they will be able to operate the national security law, she was quoted as saying. She said her main reason for quitting was COVID-19 travel restrictions that meant she could not travel easily to Hong Kong. Hale could not immediately be reached for comment. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam speaks at a press conference in Hong Kong, on July 7, 2020. (Issac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images) The security law gives Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam the power to select judges for a roster of jurists that will handle national security cases. In the most serious cases suspects can also be taken to mainland China for trial while the law also grants extensive powers to personnel from Beijings security apparatus, who are now based in the city for the first time. The current president of Britains Supreme Court, Robert Reed, is also on the Court of Final Appeal and has met British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to discuss the situation under the new law. Reed told a House of Lords panel in March he would not be prepared to serve or nominate any of his judges to serve if there was any undermining of the independence of the Hong Kong judiciary. Local lawyers monitoring the situation said on Friday that Hale would ordinarily be expected to continue, so her looming departure was a blow to the system. Australian judge James Spigelman resigned last September, citing the law in a comment to Australias national broadcaster. Other foreign judges have since extended their terms or joined the court. Lam appointed Hale in 2018 together with former Canadian Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin as the first women to serve on the top court. Members of the Hong Kong University Students' Union hold a moment of silence before the Pillar of Shame in Hong Kong on June 4, 2021. (Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times) Hong Kong University Students Observe Tiananmen Massacre Anniversary at Pillar of Shame A group of students from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) paid tribute to the victims of the bloody 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre by cleaning the Pillar of Shame at the schools campus on June 4. Charles Kwok, president of the Hong Kong University Students Union, expressed hope that their actions can safeguard the truth while continuing the spirit of defending the freedom of expression and pursuit of justice. Thirty-two years ago on the same day, he explained that students in Beijing took to the streets to fight for democracy but they were violently suppressed by the Chinese Communist regime. Charles Kwok, president of the Hong Kong University Students Union, speaks before the Pillar of Shame in Hong Kong on June 4, 2021. (Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times) On June 4, 1989, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ordered its troops to open fire on student protesters and unarmed civilians on Tiananmen Square. The Chinese regime denies having initiated a violent crackdown, and any discussion about the protest movement is considered taboo in China. Unnamed sources within the CCP said that at least 10,000 people were killed that day, according to declassified British cable and declassified U.S. documents. The Pillar of Shame is an eight-meter-tall statue depicting a tower of mangled bodies. On the base of the statue are words, including June 4th Massacre and The old cannot kill the young forever. A student before the Pillar of the Shame in Hong Kong, on June 4, 2021. The statues base shows the words June 4th Massacre. (Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times) Cleaning the statue has been an annual tradition for the student unions. On Friday, Kwok and other students also laid down flowers and held a moment of silence to remember the victims. Kwok added that with Hong Kongs freedoms rapidly declining, it became even more important to hold the annual event. Early on Friday, Hong Kong police arrested Chow Hang-tung, a prominent pro-democracy activist, for allegedly promoting an unauthorized assembly. This year marks the second year in a row that the Hong Kong government banned residents from participating in an annual candlelight vigil at the citys Victoria Park. Last year, thousands of Hongkongers defied the ban and held the traditional vigil, which was organized by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China. Chow is the vice chairwoman of the alliance. Flowers before the Pillar of Shame in Hong Kong on June 4, 2021. (Sung Pi-lung/The Epoch Times) An HKU senior student surnamed Ng said it was his first time participating in the event. He said he did not take part in the past because he didnt believe it would bring any changes. Ng said he was worried when he heard about Chows arrest and that holding the memorial event could pose some risks. However, he said he decided to come because he didnt think he had done anything wrong. I will keep on doing what I think should be done. There is no need to worry too much, he added. Ng said he did not plan to go to Victoria Park on Friday evening since there could be considerable risks. Frank Fang contributed to the article. Workers in a secondhand mobile phone store in the Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong on Jan. 13, 2017. (Isaac Lawrence/ AFP via Getty Images) Hong Kongs Name Registration Requirement for Prepaid SIM Cards Draws Concerns In Hong Kong, the fear of government surveillance and privacy concerns have been re-ignited after the pro-Beijing city government announced a new system requiring prepaid SIM card users to provide their personal information. Under the new system, cellphone users are required to provide their real name, birthday, identity document numbers, and a copy of the identity document, and other personal details, to their mobile service providers, said Edward Yau, Hong Kongs secretary for commerce and economic developments, in a briefing on June 1. The bill for the proposed system will be reviewed by the citys Legislative Council (LegCo) on June 9, and it is widely expected to be approved since there is no effective opposition after mass resignations last year in protest against the disqualification of four pro-democracy lawmakers. According to Yau, the system would come into effect on Sept. 1 and its purpose would be to fight crime. Service operators will have 180 days after Sept. 1 to set up their own registration system, according to a government announcement. New pre-paid SIM card users will need to register starting on March 1 next year and existing users will enjoy a grace period until Feb. 23, 2023. Currently, mobile users in Hong Kong are required to provide personal details when they sign up for a contract-based price plan. They dont have to do so when they buy or fill up their pre-paid SIM cards at local stores. Additionally, service operators will be required to store the users personal information for at least 12 months after the prepaid SIM cards are deregistered, according to a LegCo briefing (pdf). Additionally, Hong Kong law enforcement agencies can ask these operators to turn over the information with a warrant or without a warrant in certain urgent or emergency situations. The new system has sparked some international concerns because of Beijings track record of using technology to monitor its own citizens. Whats more, there are already known cases of Chinese police officers tracking down people through their phones and then persecuting them. In the United States, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) took to Twitter to criticize the Hong Kong government for introducing the system, saying it continues to enact laws and policies restricting the civil liberties of its citizens. In recent years, Beijing has steadily encroached on Hong Kongs daily affairs, and the citys freedoms have plummeted since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) imposed a draconian national security law. The law has been used to muzzle the citys anti-CCP, pro-democracy movement that started in June 2019. Concerns Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), in a statement issued on June 1, expressed worries that the new system would give the citys law enforcement agencies too much power given how they could obtain information about mobile users in certain situations without a warrant. Additionally, HKJA expressed concerns about the systems impact on the citys press freedom and the publics rights to knowordinary citizens might be fearful to provide sensitive information such as allegations against individuals for abuse of power to media organizations. Consequently, HKJA said that media groups could be in a more difficult position to act as watchdogs in society. U.S.-based China affairs expert Ji Da, in a recent interview with the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times, said that he was stunned that a major metropolis like Hong Kong would put in place that system. Ji said he agreed with HKJAs assessment. Once the system is in effect, Ji explained, international organizations and companies could potentially all be under surveillance by Hong Kong authorities. According to Yau, corporate prepaid SIM card users will need to provide a copy of their business registration certificates to service providers, as well as the personal information of a person representing the company, under the new system. Kelvin Sin, the deputy spokesman on broadcasting policy for the local opposition Democratic Party, said the Hong Kong governments quick pace at pushing forward the measure should raise few eyebrows, according to the local daily Hong Kong Economic Journal. Outside of Hong Kong, Sophie Richardson, the China director at the Human Rights Watch, and Benedict Rogers, co-founder and chief executive of London-based NGO Hong Kong Watch, both took to Twitter to state their disapproval of the measure. Another encroachment on privacy, Richardson wrote. As for Rogers, he described the new Hong Kong governments move as [t]he daily Orwellianisation of #HongKong. Beijing China began demanding people to register their mobile phones with their real names since at least 2010. Six years later, in May 2016, Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology doubled down on the effort, demanding service providers to have more than 95 percent of their customers register their real names by the end of 2016, and 100 percent by the end of June 2017. The real-name registration requirement applies to foreigners and mobile service providers can terminate their mobile services for failing to comply. In November 2016, the municipal communication administration in Chinas capital Beijing said the registration requirement was needed to fight terrorism, maintain social security, and prevent telecom fraud. How China spies on its citizens through peoples phones was exposed in December 2019, when Mr. Li (a pseudonym), a former employee of Chinas state-run telecoms company China Mobile, spoke to Bitter Winter, a religious liberty and human rights magazine. Li said his company had a system that was programmed to automatically detect sensitive words and phrases, and his job was to review these detections. Examples of these sensitive words included remarks critical of the CCP and the words Falun Gong. Falun Gong is a spiritual exercise involving meditation exercises and spiritual teachings. Currently, adherents of this exercise in China are being heavily persecuted by the CCP, as millions have been detained inside prisons, labor camps, and other facilities since 1999. Li added that when someone was detected, it could lead to his mobile service being deactivated or punishment. For example, Li said a man in coastal Chinas Fujian Province was intercepted at Chinas border and his passport was destroyed by border guards in May 2019. The man previously criticized the CCP and Chinese leaders. Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website that monitors the persecution of Falun Gong in China, reported in December 2018 how a state security police officer said he could listen in to the conversations of people on their phones. As for why Hong Kong decided to adopt the new system, Ji explained that the Chinese regime was simply transferring its experience on the mainland to the Chinese-ruled city. In other words, the Chinese regime wanted to sinicize Hong Kong. Implementing the national security law was just the first step, Ji said, which allowed the CCP to destroy Hong Kongs rule of law, paving the way for an eventual dictatorship in the city. Frank Fang contributed to the article. People queue up outside a Centrelink office for government payments in Melbourne on April 20, 2020. (William West/AFP via Getty Images ) Hundreds of Aussies Job Seekers Reported for Compliance, Behaviour Only weeks after opening its Employer Reporting Hotline, Services Australia has said that it is investigating hundreds of unemployed individuals after they submitted inappropriate job applications and wasted employers time by skipping interviews or refusing to work. Employment Minister Stuart Roberts said in a media release on Friday that it was disappointing for more than 300 people to have been dobbed through the hotline by an estimated 110 employers. A further 240 are under investigation or are receiving penalties for their actions. At the end of the day, Australians expect everyone who can work to get into work, and some of the stories coming out of the Employer Reporting Line are frankly unacceptable, Robert said. Weve got reports from restaurants in Sydney that theyve received numerous inappropriate job applications and had several applicants refuse to attend job interviews; weve also got reports of a Vet in Victoria that has had over a dozen individuals falsely answer yes to Are you a registered Veterinarian in Australia? wasting time which is so precious for small business owners. Roberts noted that with hundreds of businesses across the country crying out for workers and thousands of Victorians fighting to get back to work, it was difficult to see some people were wasting small business owners time. According to Roberts, the leading reasons for employers reporting individuals were inappropriate application submissions, non-attendance at interviews, and leaving suitable employment. Under the Morrison governments unemployment scheme, unemployed people on Jobseeker are required to apply for at least 15 jobs every week to receive their payments. Those who are dobbed on through the hotline can have their welfare payments suspended. The penalty mechanism has drawn criticism from the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU) who told the ABC in April that the line can be used to punish unemployed individuals who turn down jobs they feel are unsuitable. This line appears to be a bit of a PR exercise for the government to keep demonising unemployed people its clearly a tool designed to pressure people, a spokeswoman for the AUWU, Kristin OConnell, said. The government is requiring people to apply for jobs they may not be suited to and then punishing them if they dont take those jobs. Liberal National MP Warren Entsch told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that he had no issue with the hotlines requirements because employers in his far north Queensland electorate regularly encountered applicants who didnt really want to work. Im constantly getting complaints when people are turning up for a job interview inappropriately dressed, very dismissive, and quite blatantly saying to prospective employers they dont really want to do the job, he said. Roberts said that his message to businesses was that if they were getting messed around, call the Employer Reporting Line on 1300 361 241 or email employerfeedback@dese.gov.au. Demonstrators gather in front of Los Alamitos Unified School District Headquarters in protest of critical race theory teachings in Los Alamitos, Calif., on May 11, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Los Alamitos School District Approves Ethnic Studies Course The Los Alamitos Unified School District unanimously voted to implement an ethnic studies class and textbook June 1, despite an outcry of opposition from the community. The ethnic studies course is a year-long elective class for juniors and seniors in high school who either are currently taking, or have taken, American history. The meeting was held virtually after the board was advised by the police to do so. The police advised us that the best way to keep people safe was to go virtual and that was why we made the decision, board president Marlys Davidson said during the meeting. It was not COVID. The only part COVID played in this was that it forced us to socially distance in our meetings. The previous meeting May 11 was also held online, during which more than 150 protestors gathered outside the district office to oppose the districts new social justice standards. The ethnic studies course comes at the request of students, parents, and community members and has been in the process of fruition for over a year, board member Megan Cutuli said during the June 1 meeting. Students need to hear different and varying opinions, this course does all these things, she said. Many public commenters opposed the course, claiming the values it teaches run counter to the parents within the district. We previewed the ethnic studies materials and the social justice standards and we find them to be counter to our beliefs and how we want our children to view America and fellow Americans, one public commenter said. The emphasis on race, sexual identity and gender divides rather than unites. Another public commenter said: The proposed program teaches children that we were not created equal at various points in history. Anglo children being taught that their family may have been racist, slave owners, etc. How is this good? Is that lifting children up, teaching positive reinforcement that they are worthy no matter in what family they grew up? However, there was some support for the course during the public comment period. One parent read over the text for the new course with her children. She said there was an excitement in their voices in reading through the text in which they saw themselves and stories of those like them and different from them represented in the curriculum. Another public commenter said: The ethnic studies curriculum and the units created bring students and the community together, highlighting in the first few units the distinct contributions and experiences of ethnic groups in our community, as well as centering on our commonalities that bring groups together in units five through eight. Board vice president Diana Hill said: Previously, weve had a lot of public come forward and say we really want that. A lot of students come forward and they were asking for us to mandate it to be a high school graduation requirement. The approved textbook is A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki. Cutuli said the text outlines the country as a combination of all of the people in the United States from whatever background they are, that comes together is what really truly makes America what it is. Manchin Not Ready to Back Partisan Passage of Bidens Infrastructure Plan Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is not at the point where hed back a Democrat push to pass an infrastructure proposal with no Republican support. We need to do something in a bipartisan way, Manchin told a reporter in West Virginia. We cant continue on these types of projects, because we were able to bring everything to fruition working through a bipartisan way [before]. Republicans didnt get everything they wanted last time, as you recall. And basically, were not going to get everything, but we can move forward and the president has that desire and the urgency to get something big done. Pressed on whether Democrats should withdraw from negotiations and move forward by utilizing a tactic called reconciliation, which would enable them to pass a bill with no Republican support, Manchin echoed a theme hes often turned to in recent months. This is the United States Senatethe most deliberate body in the world, and it was by design. And these take time, he said. I know, everyones in a hurry right now, [but] if anyone understands the process, its President Joe Biden, with 36 years of experience or more here, he understands and gets it well. I hope his staff understands also what were trying to do. Weve got to bring our country together, we cant continue to split and go further apart. We just cant do that. And weve got to work together, and that takes a lot of time and energy and patience, he added. In an interview with another reporter, Manchin said that he does not think Democrats should try to ram through another package, like they did with a COVID-19 relief bill earlier this year. The upper chamber is currently split evenly between Republicans and Democrats or nominal independents who regularly vote with Democrats. Vice President Kamala Harris, as president of the Senate, can cast tiebreaking votes. But unless reconciliation is used, Democrats need to get at least 10 Republicans on board with whatever they want to pass. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, (R-W.Va.) listens during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 20, 2020. (Al Drago/Pool/Getty Images) Republican senators, led by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), have been negotiating with Biden and his team on infrastructure. The latest GOP proposal came in at $928 billion; the most recent Biden plan runs $1.7 trillion. Some Senate Democrats have increasingly called for party leaders to shelve negotiations and move forward without the GOP. If Republicans dont want to cooperate and help us seriously address the many crises were facing today, then, yes, we have to move forward without them to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and create millions of good-paying, union jobs, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a self-described Democratic socialist who has twice run for the Democratic presidential nomination, said on CNN this week. Republican infrastructure counteroffers so far have not been serious, good-faith attempts to confront the crises facing our country, Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) wrote in a tweet. This moment demands we go big and bold. The American people dont have time for Republican games. Colleagues in the lower chamber have also pushed for action. Weve seen this movie before. Republicans will ask for concession after concession, and STILL not vote for the watered-down bill they demanded. Lets learn from history, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said this week. Its time for us to go big, bold, and on our own on infrastructure. Lets deliver for the people. Still, the Democrats majority in the upper chamber is so slim that a single senator can hold up a bill if the party does utilize reconciliation. Capito and Biden planned to speak again on Friday. Capito is slated to report to a group of 20 senators, featuring a number of moderates, next week, according to Manchin. Shes doing a great job out there trying to find that sweet spot, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 23:07:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A massive fire on Friday ripped through the Sharya Camp for displaced persons in Duhok province in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, burning down more than 400 tents and wounding seven people, a local official said. A large part of the fire has been put out and the camp, which shelters hundreds of displaced persons of the Yazidi minority, was evacuated by rescue teams, said Hakar Mohammed, director of the camp, adding that the wounded have been transported to hospitals. The firefighters are still working to put out the rest of the fire, Mohammed said. Bewar Abdul-Aziz, head of Duhok's provincial civil defense directorate, told reporters that "the civil defense teams were able to control the fire," noting that investigations had begun to find out the causes of the fire. Enditem Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 25, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) McConnell: Infrastructure Plan Should Be Smaller and Fully Paid For As negotiations drag on for a major infrastructure package, the top Republican in the Senate on Thursday said the final deal should be fully paid for. Were still hoping we can come to an agreement on a fully paid for and significant infrastructure package. I know that would be welcomed by all state governments and local governments all over the country, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters in Kentucky. President Joe Biden initially floated a $2.3 trillion plan that included tax hikes. The GOP counteroffer was $568 billion. The White House later put forth a $1.7 trillion proposal, triggering a $928 billion plan from Republicans. Biden and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) have been meeting regularly to try to hammer out a deal. They met for around an hour on Wednesday. Senator Capito reiterated to the president her desire to work together to reach an infrastructure agreement that can pass Congress in a bipartisan way, a spokesperson for the senator told news outlets. She also stressed the progress that the Senate has already made. Senator Capito is encouraged that negotiations have continued. Capito said on Sunday that the two sides are inching toward each other. McConnell told reporters he spoke with Capito before and after the meeting. He said he asked Capito to lead negotiations on infrastructure for Republicans. Were still hoping to reach a bipartisan agreement with the administration on infrastructure, he said. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), the GOPs lead negotiator on a counteroffer to President Joe Bidens infrastructure plan, speaks at a news conference as she is joined by, from left, Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), at the Capitol in Washington on May 27, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo) Bidens initial proposal would have raised the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent. The rate was slashed to its current level in the GOPs tax reform bill, which was passed by many current members in 2017 before being signed by then-President Donald Trump. Republicans have maintained that any infrastructure plan should include payment methods apart from adding to the national debt and preserve the tax cuts from the 2017 bill. Some of the funding could be drawn from the money Congress allocated to state and local governments in the latest COVID-19 relief package, McConnell suggested. Biden is mulling a minimum corporate tax rate of 15 percent as a payment method, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told a reporter this week. Biden and Capito plan to reconnect on Friday. Its possible the meeting will happen over the phone, as Biden is vacationing in Delaware. I know everybody is excited to work through the weekend. Look, Im not going to prejudge what Senator Capito will come to the table with tomorrow. I will leave that to her to speak to and other Republicans who have been a part of these good-faith discussions and negotiations, Psaki said in Washington. I will note that this has been a good discussion andgood, ongoing discussion where wevewere working to find areas of agreement. We also feel there are a number of paths forward. U.S. President Donald Trump looks on after a news conference with Vice President Mike Pence in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington on Feb. 26, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) Mike Pence Says He and Trump May Never See Eye to Eye on Jan. 6 Former Vice President Mike Pence said on June 3 he has spoken with former President Donald Trump multiple times since they left office in January but that he is uncertain whether they will ever see eye-to-eye regarding the events of Jan. 6. Speaking at a Republican dinner in the early voting state of New Hampshire on Thursday, Pence offered his most extensive comments to-date on Jan. 6, calling it a dark and tragic day in history, but also accused Democrats of using the events that day to divide the country and advance their radical agenda. As I said that day, Jan. 6 is a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol, Pence said. But thanks to the swift action of the Capitol Police and federal law enforcement, violence was quelled. The Capitol was secured. And that same day, we reconvened the Congress and did our duty under the constitution and the laws of the United States, Pence said. Former Vice President Mike Pence addresses the GOP Lincoln-Reagan Dinner in Manchester, New Hampshire, on June 3, 2021. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images) You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office. And I dont know if well ever see eye to eye on that day. But I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years, Pence continued. And I will not allow Democrats or their allies in the media to use one tragic day to discredit the aspirations of millions of Americans, or allow Democrats or their allies in the media to distract our attention from a new administration intent on dividing our country to advance their radical agenda. Rioters and protesters breached the U.S. Capitol while lawmakers were counting Electoral College votes. Thousands of other protesters peacefully protested outside the building. Five deaths were recorded in the immediate aftermath of the Jan. 6 incident. Unarmed Ashli Babbitt was shot at point blank range by a Capitol Police officer inside the Capitol building. Two others died of heart failure, and another died from an amphetamine overdose outside the building on Capitol grounds. Capitol officer Brian Sicknick died of natural causes a day later. Pence was in the Capitol at the time of the incident. Some of the rioters could be heard chanting Hang Mike Pence! after the vice president said he did not have the power to challenge electoral results that gave the election victory to Democrat Joe Biden. Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) preside over a Joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 Electoral College results after protestors stormed the Capitol earlier in the day in Washington on Jan. 6, 2020. (Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) The events led the Democratic-controlled House to draft an article of impeachment against Trump, alleging that he incited an insurrection. He was later acquitted in the Senate. Pence has been a loyal and vocal supporter of Trump for four years and praised him several times during his nearly 35-minute speech on Thursday. The former vice president criticized a number of Bidens policies, particularly on immigration and foreign relations, and accused Biden of campaigning as a moderate but becoming the most liberal president since President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Pence also said the administration forced through Congress a COVID bill to fund massive expansion of the welfare state and was pushing a so-called infrastructure bill that was really a thinly-disguised climate change bill funded with cuts in the military and historic tax increases. He also pushed back against critical race theory, which seeks to reframe the narrative of American history. America is not a racist country, he said, prompting one of several standing ovations and cheers during his speech. Former Vice President Mike Pence waves after addressing the GOP Lincoln-Reagan Dinner in Manchester, New Hampshire, on June 3, 2021. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images) It comes as Pence reportedly considers his own potential 2024 White House run and is making a number of appearances in states across the United States in an effort to boost his visibility. Since leaving office in January, Pence has been doing work with the Heritage Foundation and Young Americas Foundation. His team said he has more trips planned, including stops in Texas, California and Michigan. The Epoch Times has contacted a Trump spokesperson for comment. Border Force officials unload migrants that have been intercepted in the English Channel in Dover, England, on Sept. 22, 2020. (Luke Dray/Getty Images) Nearly 400 Migrants Intercepted Crossing English Channel in 48 Hours Nearly 400 migrants have been intercepted attempting to cross the English Channel in the past two days. The Home Office has confirmed that the Border Force dealt with eight incidents on Thursday involving 201 people. And the French authorities intercepted nine crossings on Wednesday and Thursday preventing 171 people from reaching the UK. A Home Office spokeswoman said that the Coastguard was involved in rescuing the occupants of one boat near Hastings, East Sussex, on Thursday. She said: Criminal gangs are putting profits before peoples lives through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings. More than 3,500 people have been prevented from making the dangerous crossing so far this year and we are cracking down on the despicable criminal gangs behind people smuggling. Inaction is not an option whilst people are dying. The Government is bringing legislation forward through our New Plan for Immigration which will break the business model of these heinous people-smuggling networks and save lives. The number of people crossing the 21-mile stretch of water has almost doubled so far in 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, with more than 3,100 having reached the English coast by the end of May. Anti-immigration demonstrations were held in Dover last weekend with protesters blocking access to key trade terminals. Nevada Gov. Sisolak Signs Law Allowing Permanent Mail-In Voting Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed a bill into law on Wednesday, codifying a permanent mail-in voting system and other reforms aimed at expanding voter access. The bill, Assembly Bill 321, was passed along party lines in the state Assembly and Senate, both controlled by Democrats. At a time when state legislatures across the country are attempting to roll back access to the polls, I am so proud that Nevada continues to push forward with proven strategies that make voting more accessible and secure, Sisolak, a Democrat, said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times. Following last years presidential election, Republican lawmakers across the nation have pushed for legislation to limit mail-in voting, strengthen voter ID laws, shorten the period for early voting, eliminate automatic and same-day voter registration, and other measures. Democrats call these measures voter suppression while Republicans deem them essential for election integrity. Sisolak also wrote on Twitter that with the law, Nevada has become the sixth state to adopt a permanent vote-by mail-system. Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington are the other five states that have existing permanent mail-in ballot systems. Voters in these states are automatically sent mail-in ballots. Other states have mail-in voting as an option only under emergency circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new law (pdf), every active registered voter will automatically receive a mail ballot for all elections unless the voter opts out by submitting a written notice. A Clark County election worker scans mail-in ballots at the Clark County Election Department in North Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 7, 2020. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) The new law requires county and city clerks to establish ballot drop boxes at every polling location. It also allows the clerks to verify signatures of mail ballots manually or by electronic means, and to establish requirements for an electronic device to verify the signatures. Under the law, if a voter doesnt put his or her signature on the ballot or theres a reasonable question of the signature matching, the voter is allowed to provide a signature or confirmation no later than 5 p.m. on the sixth day following an electiona day shorter than last years requirement in the general election. Currently, the absentee ballot or mail ballot must be postmarked on or before the election day and received by 5 p.m. on the seventh day following the election. Now, the new law shortens the deadline and requires that the ballot be received by 5 p.m. on the fourth day after the election. The new law also allows for same-day registration. The requirements for voter identity or address arent changed much. The law allows a first-time voter to vote by mail or at the polling place after registration with either photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or document issued by a governmental entity, including a check which indicates the name and address of the person, but not including a voter registration card. Last August, when Sisolak signed a bill allowing statewide mail-in voting for the 2020 presidential election, former President Donald Trump criticized the move and threatened to sue him in court. In an illegal late night coup, Nevadas clubhouse Governor made it impossible for Republicans to win the state, Trump wrote on Twitter on Aug. 3. Post Office could never handle the Traffic of Mail-In Votes without preparation. Using Covid to steal the state. See you in Court! Trump lost the election in Nevada by 33,596 votes or 2.4 percent. Trumps campaign filed a lawsuit in December, claiming that more than 42,000 people voted twice and about 20,000 were not Nevada residents. A Nevada district court dismissed the case and the Nevada Supreme Court upheld the decision, saying Trumps campaign didnt prove allegations that there were errors in voting machines or that the contest was manipulated. Ivan Pentchoukov and Jack Phillips contributed to this report. Get Back to Work! | Real Talk with Wayne Dupree Twenty-five states are ending their participation in federal unemployment programs before their expiration Sept. 6. All but two Republican-led states are ending the benefits early. Their decisions affect at least 3.7 million people, according to a CNBC analysis. Those affected will lose a $300 weekly supplement. In most states, benefits for the self-employed and long-term unemployed will also end entirely. About Real Talk Are you tired of the mainstream media lies? Tired of the political spin by leaders who claim to be working for you? Are you ready to hear the real talk and real opinion in comprehensive, conservative, principled fashion? Well, Epoch TV is bringing the Award-winning Wayne Dupree to town with exclusive and new content on his new show called, Real Talk. Dupree has built up a loyal following throughout social media because he refuses to sugarcoat todays news stories. We bring you all the news updates and opinions you need to know to stay updated with the fastest moving daily program today. Wayne, Leah and Brian brutally break down the fake news and deliver a powerful punch response. Get ready! Were here! About Wayne Wayne E. Dupree is the proud father of three kids who help give him focus each and every day. He was recently given the Pioneer in New Media at the beginning of 2019 for all the work he has done within the Conservative movement as a speaker, activist and entrepreneur over the past seven years. Before Wayne started fighting for his country through the political spectrum, he served eight years in the United States Air Force where he received two Good Conduct Medals, Air Force Commendation Award, Air Force Achievement Medal and an honorable discharge. He also participated in Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield with the F-117A Stealth Fighter Unit. During his time within the Conservative movement, Dupree was named as a member of Newsmaxs top 50 Influential African-American Republicans for 2017, and in 2016, he was named as a board member of the National Diversity Coalition for Donald Trump. In 2015, Dupree was awarded the coveted American Conservative Union (ACU) CPAC Blogger of the Year award and before that he won the Podcast of the Year Award. Duprees New Media growth exploded within his first few years of hard work in the tradition of Andrew Breitbart. Wayne connected with Andrew a few weeks before his untimely death in 2012 and hasnt looked back. In blazing his trail, Wayne proudly carries the Breitbart standard of Walking Toward the Fire by being a strong conservative voice, adding his commentary to current events and challenging the Democrat and Republican Party policies that hurt the American people. Wayne is a leading national conservative voice with his own radio show. Although there has been a lot of conservative suppression on social media, Dupree has over 350K followers on Twitter and over 420K followers on Facebook, all grown generically with his penchant for being real with his audience and featured guests. During the 2016 Republican Primary, Dupree is one of the few non-mainstream voices to interview seven presidential candidates. He has also grabbed five interviews with then-businessman Donald J. Trump, who he interviewed one month before he came down the escalator to tell America he was running for President. Law enforcement stand guard outside of the state capitol building in downtown Raleigh, N.C., on Jan. 17, 2021. (Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images) North Carolina Joins String of States Seeking End to Federal Unemployment Benefit Programs North Carolinas General Assembly passed a Republican-led bill Thursday that would withdraw the state from a federal extended unemployment-benefit program that extends a $300 weekly payment. Senate Bill 116, the Putting North Carolina Back to Work Act, passed by a 71-36 vote. The bill (pdf) will head to the state Senate, where members can accept the changes or reject them. The federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, being terminated by lawmakers, extends the $300 weekly benefit to eligible unemployed and furloughed North Carolinians and is set to expire in September. This bill is the way to restore strength in our economy, and finally move forward, to put this pandemic in the rear-view mirror, said state House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican. This is a common-sense, reasonable approach to taking care of the people of this state, businesses, and the overall economy of this state. While businesses in North Carolina have reopened, close to 59 percent of the states civilian labor force is employed. A total of about 1.5 million people filed for unemployment claims from March 15, 2020, through May 27, according to a North Carolina Department of Commerce report published on May 21. Opponents of SB116 said that ending North Carolinas participation would cost the state about $500 million in federal unemployment insurance benefits. North Carolina House Minority Leader Robert Reives, a Democrat, said lawmakers are making assumptions about those who are unemployed. We, as a society, have gotten to a point now when we look at people who arent in our circumstances, were getting kind of quick to blame, Reives said. Were looking at them, and were putting them in boxes. Were deciding where they should be and what they should be happy with, and what they should appreciate. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper in May issued an executive order directing the Department of Commerce to encourage and help people on unemployment to transition back to employment. Unemployment benefits have provided a critical lifeline for many North Carolinians living on the edge due to the pandemic. As our state emerges from the pandemic, we want to help people safely return to work as soon as possible. Reinstating the work search guidelines will help connect claimants with employers, resources, and tools to help them return to the workforce, said Cooper, a Democrat, in a statement. The bill would make North Carolina the 26th state seeking to terminate the $300 weekly federal pandemic unemployment boost before funding for the program expires in September. In this handout file photo released by ONT channel dissident journalist Roman Protasevich smokes a cigarette while speaking in a video from a detention center in Minsk, Belarus on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (ONT channel VIA AP) Opposition: Belarusian Dissident Forced to Confess on TV WARSAW, PolandThe Belarusian opposition said Friday a dissident journalist was coerced to appear in a video on state TV in which he wept and praised the countrys authoritarian ruler. In the 90-minute video aired Thursday night, 26-year-old Roman Protasevich repented for his opposition activities and said he respects Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko as a man with balls of steel. His associates reacted with outrage, accusing the Belarusian authorities of forcing Protasevich to smear himself and disavow the opposition. Speaking on a visit to Poland, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition candidate in Belarus presidential election last August, said that Protasevich and other inmates speaking in videos from custody are for sure being tortured and violated. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko plants young trees during a subbotnik, a Soviet-style Clean-up Day, in the village of Alexandria, Belarus, on April 17, 2021. (Maxim Guchek/BelTA Pool Photo via AP) Tsikhanouskayas spokeswoman, Anna Krasulina, described Protasevich as a hostage. He made his statements under tough physical and psychological pressure and, possibly, under drugs, Krasulina told The Associated Press. We demand the immediate release of Roman, who is used by Lukashenkos regime as a toy and instrument to blackmail Belarus democratic forces. Protasevich was traveling from Greece to Lithuania aboard a Ryanair flight on May 23 when Belarusian flight controllers ordered the pilots to land in Minsk citing a bomb threat. No bomb was found, but Protasevich and his Russian girlfriend were arrested. Speaking in a trembling voice and looking nervous in the program on state-controlled ONT channel, Protasevich said the opposition was pondering plans for a forceful change of government and was locked in infighting to divide the funds offered by Poland and Lithuania. Protasevich, who ran a widely popular channel on the Telegram messaging app that helped organize months of protests against Lukashenko, also offered repentance for his action and said he pleaded guilty to the charges of organizing mass disturbances. The charges carry a 15-year prison sentence. Protasevich said he fears that he could face a death sentence on charges linked to him being part of a volunteer battalion that fought against Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. He pleaded with Lukashenko not to hand him over to separatists who have launched a criminal probe against him. In the end, he said, he was tired of political activism and only wants to have a family and live a normal life. Then he broke into tears, covering his face with his hands, scratches left by handcuffs clearly visible on his wrists. A prominent opponent of Belarus authoritarian president Roman Protasevich attends an opposition rally in Minsk, Belarus, on March 25, 2012. (AP Photo) Stsiapan Putsila, who co-founded the Nexta channel with Protasevich, told The Associated Press that Protasevich likely had been subjected to both psychological pressure and specially designed drugs, adding that the breakdown could be the result of medication. His statements had nothing to do with reality, they are the result of unbearable torture and exploitation of his emotions, Putsila told the AP, adding that the authorities also have clearly brainwashed Protasevich to try to convince him of his colleagues betrayal. Belarus has been rocked by months of protests triggered by Lukashenkos reelection to a sixth term in an August vote that was widely seen as rigged. The Belarusian leader has responded to the opposition demands to step down with fierce repressions. More than 35,000 people have been arrested and thousands beaten, and opposition leaders have been either jailed or forced to leave the country. The program aired Thursday night marked Protasevichs third appearance on state TV. In a brief video a day after his arrest, he confessed to staging mass disturbances, and in other remarks aired Wednesday he said demonstrations against Lukashenko had fizzled and the opposition should wait for a better moment to revive them. He also said that he had been set up by an unidentified associate. Outraged European Union leaders responded to the flight diversion by barring the Belarusian flag carrier Belavia from the blocs airports and airspace and telling European airlines to skirt Belarus. They also drafted bruising new measures against the countrys top industrial enterprises, doubling down on sanctions previously introduced by the United States and the EU. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkels spokesman said that the German government condemns in the strongest terms this new presentation of Protasevich. Steffen Seibert called the confession completely unworthy and implausible. This is a disgrace for the broadcaster that screened it and for the Belarusian leadership, Seibert told reporters in Berlin. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes fires his weapon at the Orange County Sheriff's Department shooting range in Orange, Calif., on March 30, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Orange County Sheriff Appointed to Prominent Law Enforcement Committee SANTA ANAOrange County Sheriff Don Barnes announced on June 3 that hes been chosen to head a committee on a national association of sheriffs. Barnes will chair the intelligence commanders committee for the Major County Sheriffs of America organization. Barnes said he hoped to especially focus on cybersecurity, with the rash of ransomware attacks on corporations that has crippled the fuel and meatpacking industries. The committee works with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies on a variety of threats to the nation, Barnes said. Barnes told City News Service that hes fortunate enough to be the only sheriff in Southern California with a fusion center, which is a collaborative homeland security effort of local law enforcement agencies that focuses on terrorist activity. Cyber attacks are a concern, but not the only one, Barnes said. Its not just about cyberattacks, Barnes said. Thats one of the rising risks. This is also about homeland security issues, domestic violence, extremists, drug trafficking trends. Its an all-encompassing threat horizon on a national platform. Fusion centers, Barnes said, help make sure any intelligence gathered is shared across a national platform to make sure were all equally aware of what the threats are and how significant they are. Cyber attacks are mostly foreign actors and can be successfully deflected by better educating computer users, Barnes said. Its oftentimes someone allowing it in, Barnes said of malware. Not maliciously, but opening something that takes over a system. Another area of focus for his committee is the dark web, which is becoming increasingly more difficult for law enforcement to patrol as criminals develop more sophisticated ways of encrypting information such as drug transactions and the distribution of child pornography, Barnes said. Michael Parks (L) with Retired Brigadier General Brian Copes, the president and CEO of Helping Veterans and Families. (Courtesy of Lauren V Carpenter/HVAF) Patriotic Donor Gifts Car to Navy Veteran Waking at 3am to Catch the Bus to Work A deserving Navy veteran no longer has to rise at 3 a.m. to catch the bus to work since a generous patriotic donor gifted him a car, just ahead of Memorial Day. For Michael Parks of Indianapolis, the thoughtful gift means he can pick up extra shifts and even find a new home with less time spent on public transport. The Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) organization video-recorded the May 26 official handover where the president and CEO, retired Brigadier General Brian Copes, told Parks that the gifted vehicle would be a life changer for him. While the donor wished to remain anonymous, he made sure that Parks was selected by HVAF for both his need and his ability to maintain the car by paying for gas and insurance himself, Copes says in the video. Michael Parks. (Courtesy of Lauren V Carpenter/HVAF) Parks, who served in the U.S. Navy in the 1980s and is a graduate of the HVAF support group, was so surprised by the phone call revealing his win that he thought he was dreaming, reported WTHR. Matter of fact, it was my day off, Parks told the news outlet. I woke up like, Did she say I won a car?' Parks is a cook at a senior living facility and credits his bus drivers for being indispensable to his daily routine. He admitted to sleeping through most of his early morning bus journeys to work, according to the news report. For the veteran, who lives in transitional housing, riding the bus made apartment hunting nearly impossible; riding by, he barely had time to jot down phone numbers from apartment billboards. Owning a car will change his life. Michael Parks (L) with retired Brigadier General Brian Copes. (Courtesy of Lauren V Carpenter/HVAF) Since receiving his car, Parkss opportunities have multiplied. The whole purpose of [the car] is to get me back and forth to work, Parks told WTHR. If theres opportunities, especially for overtime, Id like to take the opportunity. He has already picked up a second shift at work, the report stated, bringing him one step closer to his dream of finding independent housing. Copes told the news outlet that it is unfortunate that such needs as Parkss exist in the first place. But its a privilege for us to help meet that need, he said. A warm, safe place to live, food in our homes, and reliable sets of transportation are huge barriers to self-sufficiency and quality of life for the veterans we serve. Holding down a job equals a stable income that can pay for housing, Copes said. For veterans at risk of becoming homeless, this is a crucial progression. With the help of such donors, HVAF can fulfill its purpose of helping veterans reclaim, or establish, independent lives. Copes said Parks is evidence of the program at work. Thank you for your service. Were so proud of you, Copes said in the video while presenting Parks the keys to his life-changing gift. (Courtesy of Lauren V Carpenter/HVAF) 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 Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to a crowd during an event sponsored by the Palmetto Family organization in Columbia, S.C., on April 29, 2021. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) Pence Blasts Bidens Push for Critical Race Theory as an Assault on American Culture and Values Former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday blasted the Biden administrations pushing Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools throughout the United States, calling the effort a wholehearted embrace of the radical lefts all-encompassing assault on American culture and values. They abolished our 1776 Commission and authorized teaching critical race theory in our schools, said Pence. Instead of teaching all of our children, regardless of race or creed or color, to be proud of their country, critical race theory teaches children as young as kindergarten to be ashamed of their skin color. Pence was the featured speaker at the annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner, hosted by the Hillsborough County Republicans in Manchester, New Hampshire, to give his second public speech since leaving office in January. Under President Donald Trump, the 1776 Commission was created to counter Marxist teaching models like CRT and the 1619 project by having the commission take historic and scholarly steps to restore an understanding of the greatness of the American founding. Our founders said that we were to strive for a more perfect union, Pence continued. And so we have done throughout the long and storied history of this country. And while we are not perfect yet, we ought to do justice to all the progress that has been made and recognize that the United States of America is the most just, noble, and inclusive nation that has ever existed on the face of the earth. In a letter sent to the Department of Education in May 2021, the 1776 Commissions Executive Director Matthew Spalding advocated for the elimination of any race-based K-12 curricula. President Donald Trump holds an executive order he signed at the White House in Washington on June 26, 2020, to establish a 20-person Advisory 1776 Commission under the Department of Education to promote patriotic education. The commission was terminated by President Joe Biden on Jan. 20, 2021. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) The Proposed Rule should be withdrawn, just as individual states, which actually have the authority over the nations K-12 educational system, should oppose race-based pedagogy as part of their curricula and even if attempted to be imposed by the federal government, wrote Spalding. The proposed rule Spalding is referring to was issued in April 2021 by the U.S. Department of Education, which states, proposed priorities for competitive grants in American History and Civics Education. Specifically, the Department wants to prioritize grant proposals that support the development of culturally responsive teaching and learning in conjunction with the promotion of information literacy skills. In the background of the proposed rule, it states The Department recognizes that COVID-19with its disproportionate impact on communities of colorand the ongoing national reckoning with systemic racism have highlighted the urgency of improving racial equity throughout our society, including in our education system. The Department of Education states that schools across the country are working to incorporate antiracist practices into the curriculum, citing controversial scholar Ibram X. Kendis antiracist agenda, which, among other things, claims that racist policies are the cause of racial inequities. According to the Legal Insurrection Foundations criticalrace.org website, which was set up to educate the public about the nature of CRT and its implications, CRT is an outgrowth of the European Marxist school of critical theory. Critical Race Theory is not the traditional civil rights movement, which sought to provide equal opportunity and dignity without regard to race, it states. Rather, Critical Race Theory, and the training to implement it, is a radical ideology that focuses on race as the key to understanding society, and objectifies people based on race. Ibram X. Kendi discusses the book Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You at Build Studio in New York City on March 10, 2020. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Kendi, who calls himself an antiracist activist and advocate for the CRT model, in a Sept. 2020 interview with The Atlantic, said if CRT and the teaching of what he claims really happened in history causes people to hate the United States, then so be it. We need to rid the country of those racist policies, structures, and systems and replace them with more anti-racist policies and structures and systems. In other words, it is not enough to just be aware, we must then take action so that we can transform this country, Kendi told The Atlantic. Meanwhile, opponents of the ideology disagree with CRTs core claim that America is systemically racist and say students need to learn to appreciate the founding principles of the country, rather than on race. Well, Let me say as my friend Tim Scott said, with great effect on the national stage not long ago, Pence said. America is not a racist country. Its past time for America to discard the left-wing myth of systemic racism. And I commend state legislatures all across the country and governors for banning critical race theory from our schools. Parents across the country have begun pushing back against the use of CRT in schools, while an increasing number of local and state governments have responded with legislation banning its use. Georgias State Board of Educations passed a resolution in May that says students should not be taught CRT in schools. Governors from Tennessee, Idaho, Arkansas, and Oklahoma have already signed anti-CRT bills, while in Texas and Iowa, similar legislation is awaiting signatures from the governors. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 23:19:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HARBIN, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua on Friday stressed the protection of black soil, with tailored measures to ensure the country's food security. Hu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an on-site inspection in the city of Suihua, in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Northeast China, one of the world's three major fertile chernozem regions, is a major area for maize and soybean farming where black soil produces high yields but declining soil fertility remains a problem. Long-term cultivation and overuse of fertilizers have degenerated the soil, threatening the local environment and grain production. Describing black soil as the "giant panda of cultivated land," Hu said that it plays an irreplaceable role in ensuring China's food security. Hu called for tailored conservation measures in different regions to increase the effectiveness of black-soil protection. He also stressed strengthened mechanisms for relevant parties to take responsibility for black-soil protection, while punishing behaviors such as illegal digging and trade of the resource. Enditem Photo of Alabama Police Officer Comforting Child After Machete Attack Goes Viral A photo of an Alabama police officer comforting a child in the aftermath of a violent assault with a machete has gone viral. The photo, posted on Facebook by Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler on May 27, was captioned with praise for the team for their dedication as law enforcement officers. Officer Justin Whitten, of Tylers department, was captured on camera comforting a little girl, whom he held in his arms after a machete attack was perpetrated by her father. Tylers post compared Whittens act to those of the Biblical figure Benaiahwhose courage and zeal in his endeavors are well known. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds, Tyler captioned. He struck down two heroes of Moab. He also went down and struck a lion on a pit in a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. There are men and women in law enforcement, men like Officer Justin Whitten and others within the Florence Police Department, who out of concern for their village, would choose to go down into a pit on a snowy, winter day to do battle with a lion. Whitten and other officers from the department had responded to an incident of a violent man with a machete threatening his own family members. It started when suspect Kyle Seeley, 34, allegedly attacked his parents in their home with a Molotov cocktail before seriously wounding his brother. He then turned his machete on his own children, all under 10 years of age, before taking refuge and holding out in a shed outside the backdoor when the police came. The officers were unable rout him for about 3 1/2 hours, when finally teargas was implemented to drive him out. He got out of a back exit and jumped a fence into a pasture, making about 25 yards before the police caught up with him, Lauderdale County Sherriff Rick Singleton told ABC. Tyler noted that Whitten, with assistance from others on the scene, sought to bring the little girl and her siblings to safety before seeking treatment for them. He rushed all three back to his patrol car, and got them out of danger to an ambulance which had staged a mile or so away, Tyler stated. The Facebook post has since garnered plenty of positive feedback, with thousands of likes from social media users. Meanwhile, Tyler challenged others in the community to join the department and go the extra mile to serve their fellow mankind. 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 Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: The Bridge on the River Kwai: A Masterpiece That Only Gets Better With Time PG | 2h 41min | Adventure, Drama, War | 1957 Ive watched my share of war movies over the years and many of them fit into two categories. While some show the evil and destruction that men can visit upon one another (as in Oliver Stones Platoon), others contain a stern antiwar message (such as in Mel Gibsons Hacksaw Ridge). Despite these differences, most of these films usually play things straight on the nose, without too much subtlety. Adapted from French author Pierre Boulles 1952 novel, Le Pont de la Riviere Kwai (The Bridge on the River Kwai), a 1957 film adaptation of the same name is quite another story. Known for going over budget and falling behind schedule, legendary English director David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago) was perfect for helming this project. His lengthy, nearly three-hour production allowed for a nuanced showcasing of not only some of the ironies of war but also the gradual, creeping madness that can be caused by it. The year is 1943, and a large detachment of British soldiers under the command of Col. Nicholson (Alec Guinness) has just arrived at a Japanese prison camp in Burma, where they will be subject to hard labor. The commander of Camp 16 is Japanese Col. Saito (Sessue Hayakawa), who wants the POWs to build a bridge nearby, which will connect a train line from Burma to Thailand. It must be completed on a tight schedule. The prisoners are allowed to rest on the first night of their arrival but will be marched off to work the following day. That evening, Nicholson meets Cmdr. Shears (William Holden), a US Navy officer who has already been at the prison camp for some time. Shears tells Nicholson of the camps brutal conditions, and how its inescapable. Nicholson dismisses the Navy mans concerns and states that Saito seems like a reasonable man. William Holden (L) and Jack Hawkins in The Bridge on the River Kwai. (Columbia Pictures) But right away, the iron wills of the colonels of two opposing forces come into conflict. While Saito wants all of the POWsofficers includedto lend a hand in building the bridge, Nicholson points out that the Geneva Convention expressly excludes officers from performing manual labor while in captivity. After a brief standoff, Saito has Nicholson beaten and then thrown into the oven, a small metal box exposed to the tropical sun. The officers under Nicholsons command are likewise tossed into a similarly cramped container. Shears escapes the camp but is wounded. Near death, he stumbles upon a Burmese village where the locals nurse him back to health. The kind villagers give the American a boat, and he struggles to get off the island. Unfortunately, he gets lost at sea, but a seaplane spots and rescues him. He is taken to a British military base in Sri Lanka. As Nicholson languishes in the brutal box for many days, his enlisted men work away on the bridge. At least thats what the Japanese think theyre doing. Instead, the British POWs move very slowly and sabotage the construction of the bridge at every turn. British soldiers building the bridge. (Columbia Pictures) As the bridges construction deadline approaches and Saito realizes that not much work is being accomplished and comes up with a plan to save face and appease the British officers. With this small victory or perhaps due to the torture, cracks in Nicholsons stern facade begin to appear, albeit subtly. He expresses his abject shock and dismay at the shoddy job his men are doing on the bridge and tells his officers that he wants to show the Japanese what fine craftsmen the British are. For him, successfully building the bridge would represent a symbolic victory over the Japanese captors, even though his chief medical officer, Maj. Clipton (James Donald), warns him that completing the bridge could be construed as aiding the enemy. Meanwhile, back in Sri Lanka, British intelligence wants Shears to help them blow up the bridge that he has told them about during his debriefing. (LR) William Holden, M.R.B. Chakrabandhu, Geoffrey Horne, and Jack Hawkins. (Columbia Pictures) This sets up two main thrusts of the filmone side wanting to complete the bridge (Nicholson), while the other is on a mission to destroy it (Shears). The dramatic collision of these two opposing forces during the films final act is nothing that I expected. Simply put, this film is a true tour de force of filmmaking. Instead of physical violence, most of the action takes place in the psyches of the men. And, because of Leans brilliant direction, the phenomenal cast (mainly Guinness and Holden), and quite a bit of wry humor and irony thrown in for good measure, The Bridge on the River Kwai is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article misstated the geography of the land where the Japanese prison camp is located. The prison camp is actually surrounded by land. The Epoch Times regrets the error. The Bridge on the River Kwai Director: David Lean Starring: William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins Rated: PG Running Time: 2 hours, 41 minutes Release Date: 1957 Rated: 5 stars out of 5 Ian Kane is a filmmaker and author based out of Los Angeles. To learn more, visit DreamFlightEnt.com or contact him at Twitter.com/ImIanKane Second Circuit Rules Vermont Cant Exclude Religious Schools From Tuition Program The U.S Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit has ruled that Vermont cant exclude students attending religious schools from state-sponsored tuition programs, striking down the states long-standing prohibition on public funding for those institutions. Vermonts Town Tuition Program (TTP), one of the oldest of its kind in the United States, provides educational vouchers for students living in towns that dont have public schools. The program allows a designated tuition town to directly pay tuition to the school of students choice, which can be public, secular private, or home school in or outside Vermont. The case was brought last September by families who applied to their tuition towns for funding under the TTP, but their requests were denied because the schools they attend are deemed too religious. Their complaint alleged that Vermont Agency of Education and had engaged in discrimination by denying religious schools access to TTP funding. The government is constitutionally required to treat religious people equally, said Ryan Tucker, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group representing the plaintiffs in the case. As the U.S. Supreme Court has held, denying public benefits because of religion violates the First Amendments Free Exercise Clause because it unconstitutionally forces families to choose between exercising their religion or enjoying a publicly available benefit. In its opinion released Wednesday, the appeals court sided with the suing students and parents, saying that Vermonts education officials had maintained their discriminatory policy even after last years Supreme Court ruling. Last June, the Court clarified that this rule does not allow a state to apply a state constitutional prohibition on aid to religion that would bar religious schools from public benefits solely because of the religious character of the schools, the opinion reads. The officials who administer Vermonts Town Tuition Program nevertheless continued to discriminate against religious schools and students in violation of the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has made clear that the prevailing practice in Vermontmaintaining a policy of excluding religious schools from the TTPis unconstitutional, the judges wrote. In June 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Montana can create a tax-credit scholarship program for private schools, even if it would mean that most money goes to religious schools. A State need not subsidize private education, wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the 5-4 decision. But once a State decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious. Shift of US Focus May Mean Chinas Growing Influence in the Middle East: Expert As the United States shifts its focus to domestic issues like combating the pandemic, one expert says China would inevitably take over the Middle East. The Middle East is historically a global crossroad for trade and energy due to its abundance of fossil fuels. For a number of years, the United States and China, among many other countries, have relied on energy trades from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar. Karim Sadjadpour, a policy analyst at the Carnegie Endowment, believes that the United States is shifting its focus away from the Middle East. During a panel discussion hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on May 27, Sadjadpour said the United States is no longer as energy dependent on the Middle East because America has an enormous amount of energy resources. In the past, the United States has played a major role in ensuring Israels security when conflicts arise among the Middle East countries. Israels security still remains an important issue for Washington. But according to Sadjadpour, some progressives believe that Israel can take care of itself and no longer requires as much commitment from the United States. 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) As the U.S. kind of reduces its presence in the region, which creates a vacuum for outside powers to fill that vacuum, I think it is inevitable that China is going to play more of a role in filling some of these vacuums, and its going to get entangled in the politics of the region in different ways, Sadjadpour said. In the past, Beijings main goal in the Middle East was to ensure the free-flow of energy from the region into China. For this to happen, there must be harmony among the nations in the Middle East. Sadjadpour said Chinas strategy in the Middle East has changed from an apolitical, transactional relationship to a more politicized relationship. In recent weeks, China has been more involved in the regions issues. He added that Beijing has criticized Washingtons approach toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while calling for justice for the Palestiniansdespite the fact that China also has close relations with Israel, he said. Sadjadpour is also an expert on Iran. He used Iran as an example to explain why he believes China will face backlash, similar to the backlash received by the United Kingdom, France, and the United States in the past. The Iranian people are concerned that China is providing economic and strategic support to Iran, and the technology to repress its own citizens. The Iranian regime uses oppressive tactics to stay in power. China is standing between them [Iranian citizens] and a freer society, Sadjadpour said. As Chinas presence in the region increases, its not going to be possible for China to simply be an apolitical economic player in the region, and its going to come with some costs and some backlash. He recalled that during the 2009 uprisings in Iran, 3 million people protested in the streets over the rigged re-election of then President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In July 2009, crowds gathered at Tehran University for a Friday prayer, which turned into a big demonstration. The prayer lyrics were not the usual slogans Death to America and Death to Israel, and instead the anti-government crowd chanted Down with China and Down with Russia, because they saw China and Russia as the enablers of the authoritarian regime, Sadjadpour said. Iran has considerable influence over neighboring countries, with militias in Iraq and Yemen. Irans attack on the oil company Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia in September 2019 caused a temporary spike in oil prices globally. These issues created instability in the region. Sadjadpour believes it is impossible for China to remain apolitical while balancing sovereignty and stability. Helicopters launch rockets during the Caucasus-2020 military exercises gathering China, Iran, Pakistan, and Burma troops, along with ex-Soviet Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus at the Kapustin Yar range in Astrakhan region, southern Russia, on Sept. 25, 2020. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images) Under Beijings Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also known as One Belt, One Road) the transfer of resources between China and the Middle East is guaranteed. Launched in 2013, the BRI aims to extend the Chinese communist regimes economic and political influence to countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East by recreating ancient Chinas silk road and maritime silk road for trading in the 21st century. The BRI invests Chinese capital in the construction of various high-cost infrastructure projects in more than 60 participating countries. In recent months, Chinas State Councillor Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi have visited Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman. Their tours touched upon the range of interests that China has in the region today, including a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement signed between China and Iran in March. The deal involves economic activities such as oil and mining, infrastructure, tourism, and cultural exchanges, among other things. Sadjadpour believes that things will become more difficult for the Chinese regime as its influence grows in the Middle East. China will find popular backlash as the European powers did in the past and China is just about to enter that ballgame now, he said. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese gather in Tiananmen Square around a 10-meter replica of the Statue of Liberty (C), called the Goddess of Democracy, on June 2, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP via Getty Images) US Condemns Chinese Regime Over Tiananmen Square Massacre The U.S. State Department and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China have condemned the brutality of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on the eve of the 32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that Beijings Tiananmen Square is now synonymous with the brutal actions of the CCP in 1989. On June 4 that year, tens of thousands of Chinese people who wanted to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms were silenced by the CCP, he said. These individuals had a noble and simple request: Recognize and respect our human rights, which are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Instead of meeting this request with dignity and open debate, [Peoples Republic of China] authorities responded with violence, Blinken said. The courage of the brave individuals who stood shoulder-to-shoulder on June 4 reminds us that we must never stop seeking transparency on the events of that day, including a full accounting of all those killed, detained, or missing, he added. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks as he greets staff members of the US Embassy in the Egyptian capital Cairo on May 26, 2021. (Alex brandon/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) The United States will continue to stand with the people of China as they demand that their government respect universal human rights. We honor the sacrifices of those killed 32 years ago, and the brave activists who carry on their efforts today in the face of ongoing government repression. On June 3-4, 1989, the CCP ordered its troops to open fire on protesters, following weeks of student-led protests that started on April 15, 1989, centered at Tiananmen Square. Activists were advocating for more freedoms, economic and democratic reforms, among other changes. The CCP has never released a full account of the violence. Days later, the CCP announced a death toll of about 300, most of them soldiers. However, rights groups and witnesses say thousands of people died. Unnamed sources within the CCP say at least 10,000 people were killed, according to a declassified British diplomatic cable and declassified White House documents. Chair and Co-chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.), spotlighted the Chinese people and their suffering from the CCP militarys crackdown on the day. Today we honor the courage and sacrifice of all those who gathered in the streets of Beijing and over 400 other cities during the Spring of 1989 calling for democracy, human rights, and an end to corruption, they said in a statement. The violent suppression of these protests crushed peaceful demands for rights and reform and continues to complicate U.S.-China relations to this day. The CCPs brutal suppression of Chinese peoples human rights continues today, Merkley and McGovern said. The international community must come together to end the arbitrary detention and torture of prisoners of conscience, end the genocide in Xinjiang, end the repressive efforts to eviscerate Tibetan culture and the religious freedom of hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens, and end the systematic dismantling of freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong through international treaty. The spirit of Tiananmen is alive in China and everywhere freedom-loving people gather. We remember this tragic anniversary and pledge to work for a future where the legacy of the Tiananmen generation can finally be realized in China and around the world. The two lawmakers said that they commit to commemorating June 4 each year until everyone in China is able to do so freely and without restriction, acknowledging that the events of June 4 and related commemoration events continue to be censored by the CCP, and even now in formerly autonomous Hong Kong. Authorities in Hong Kong and Macao recently banned a number of events to commemorate June 4, including an annual vigil in Hong Kongs Victoria Park. Authorities cancelled the event for the second year in a row, citing the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus as grounds for doing so. The CCP virus is commonly known as the novel coronavirus. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam had on June 1 emphasized that all entities should conform to the CCPs National Security Law as June 4 approaches. The U.S. State Department recently condemned authorities in Hong Kong for having caused the closure of a museum that commemorates the June 4 Tiananmen Square massacre. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen attends a press conference in Taipei where she declared victory in the general election in Taipei, Taiwan, on Jan. 11, 2020. (Chris Stowers/AFP via Getty Images) Taiwan Will Never Forget Chinas Tiananmen Crackdown, Says President TAIPEITaiwans people will never forget Chinas bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in and around Tiananmen Square 32 years ago and will stick with their faith in democracy, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday. Taiwan is criticizing China and urging it to face up to what it did, to Beijings repeated annoyance. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has threatened to take it by force. Friday marks 32 years since Chinese troops opened fire to end the student-led unrest in and around the square. Chinese authorities ban any public commemoration of the event on the mainland. Writing on her Facebook page, Tsai said Taiwans people would not forget what had happened. I believe for all Taiwanese who are proud of their freedom and democracy, they will never forget about this day and will firmly stick with their faith, unshaken by challenges, she said. Students from Beijing University gather with thousands of other during a huge demonstration at Tiananmen Square as they start a hunger strike as the part of mass pro-democracy protest against the Chinese regime, China, on May 18, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP/Getty Images) We will also not forget about the young people who sacrificed themselves on Tiananmen Square on this day 32 years ago, and that year after year, friends in Hong Kong who always mourn June 4 with candlelight. Tsai pointed to the appropriateness of Friday being the same day 1.2 million COVID-19 vaccines will be arriving from Japan as a government donation. We are grateful for the timely assistance from partners who also uphold the values of freedom and democracy, so that democratic Taiwan has more confidence in democracy. Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council on Thursday urged China to return power to the people and embark on real political reform rather than avoid facing up to the crackdown. By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard Temporary COVID Disaster Payment Offered to Victorians: Aussie PM Victorians who lose 20 or more work hours per week due to state government lockdowns will be eligible for up to $500 from the federal government. Those who lose under 20 hours per week will be eligible for $325, but must not have liquid assets of more than $10,000, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on June 3. Australians who have had their hours of work and income significantly affected due to state lockdowns will be eligible for a temporary COVID Disaster Payment, Morrison said in a statement. The rapid support will be paid weekly to those workers who reside or work in a Commonwealth declared hotspot and are therefore unable to attend work and earn an income as a result of state-imposed health restrictions, which last for greater than one week. The payment will be made in respect of the second and any subsequent weeks of restrictions. The national cabinet is expected to discuss the temporary disaster paymentwhich needs to be agreed by states and territorieson June 4. What I put to the [Victorian] acting premier last night was that we should split 50-50 both payments, Morrison said on June 2. Alternatively, the states can agree that in these circumstances, they will always provide the business support, and we will always provide the household support. But while the federal Labor Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers has agreed in principle to the Morrison governments disaster payment, Chalmers criticised the federal government for its delay. The Morrison government previously rejected a proposal for a new wage subsidy for those affected by the states fourth lockdown, arguing that it is currently providing financial support to Victorian businesses and families and that the lockdown was only for one week which other states, like New South Wales and Queensland had managed to cover their own. Well go through the details, including the eligibility for this payment; well make your views known on that but what we want to see is support for Victorian workers and small businesses, flowing in the Victorian economy, as soon as possible, Chalmers said. Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the payment would support struggling Victorians during the lockdown. It will allow many people to pay their bills and support their families while returning some of the lost spending back into the economy, Willox said. According to News Corp, the Morrison government is proposing to expand its eligibility requirements to the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment scheme to include those who have lost work due to the lockdown and casual workers who are forced into two-week quarantine. Im not going to pre-empt any decisions with you today, federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg told Sunrise on June 3. What Ive consistently said at my press conferences and elsewhere is that any support provided to Victoria, and indeed other states, would be done on a nationally consistent basis, it would be temporary, it would be targeted, it would be through existing systems. Frydenberg has previously said that $1500 pandemic leave disaster payments were available, as well as loss carry-back for businesses. The economic impact of the Victorian outbreak is not insignificant, but the budget just over two weeks ago did anticipate further outbreaks would occur, he said in a Facebook post on May 30. On June 3, the PM sent a Memorandum of Understanding to the Victorian government to build a purpose-built quarantine facility outside Melbourne, reported News Corp. AAP contributed to this report. Texas Police Rescue 10 in Suspected Human Smuggling Operation, 2 Arrested Texas police on Wednesday arrested two people and rescued 10 in what is suspected to be a human smuggling operation in southwest Houston. Houston police Lt. Larry Crowson told the Houston Chronicle that the captives included nine undocumented immigrantsseven men and two women. They were discovered at a home in the 9000 block of McAvoy Drive in southwest Houston, he said. Indications are this is human smuggling, the Houston police department wrote on Twitter. We never see anybody coming in and out of the house, local resident Andras Bognar told the news outlet, noting that the property has been rented out to multiple people several times over the past few years. Charges against the two suspects have yet to be announced by police. They have not been identified by police. According to the Chronicle, law enforcement officers responded at around 3:30 p.m. to claims from a man who said he was being held hostage nearby. When officers arrived, the man was found with one of the suspects armed with a pistol. The man who made the initial phone call to police directed officers to the McAvoy Drive property, where the undocumented immigrants were found with the second suspect. All 10 were determined to be in good condition by the Houston Fire Department, Crowson said, adding that they will be placed in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The department said on Twitter that it is carrying out an investigation into the matter with ICE. The Houston Police Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment by The Epoch Times. The Outlook of US-China Relations: Learning From the Cold War How far will President Biden's appeasement go? Commentary From the second half of Trumps presidency to the present, U.S.-China relations have deteriorated and Panda Huggers are uncomfortable with the situation. So, what is the current state of U.S.-China relations? Are they friends or enemies? It seems difficult to gauge the Biden administrations approach toward China. Given the current state of affairs, a military conflict could be inevitable as a new cold war between the United States and China has already started. In recent years, China has been building up its military and openly threatened the United States. How is the Biden administration responding to Beijings aggressive tactics? Why Embrace a Confrontational Panda? The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is a totalitarian regime. Since the founding of the Party, it has continued to suppress and persecute its people such as innocent Falun Gong adherents, Uyghurs, and Tibetans. Despite the regimes atrocious human rights record, Panda Huggers have continued to support the CCP for decades. Even former President George H.W. Bush turned a blind eye to the brutal crackdown of pro-democracy student protesters in Tiananmen Square on June 1989. For decades, Panda Huggers have fooled themselves into believing that the market-oriented CCP regime would abandon autocracy and accept democracy. Former President Richard Nixon embraced China as an ally during the U.S.-Soviet Cold War, and other U.S. presidents have done the same in order to gain lucrative trade deals. So, can diplomacy and trade justify the U.S. policy of appeasement toward China? President Richard Nixon toasts with Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai in Beijing during Nixons official visit to China in 1972. (AFP/Getty Images) Twenty years ago, the United States opened the door for Chinas accession to the World Trade Organization. But tensions escalated between China and the United States during trade talks under then President Donald Trumphis administration called out Beijing for stealing American intellectual property and threatening U.S. security. The comprehensive technological theft and intellectual property infringements by the CCP was going on for many years, causing the United States to suffer a yearly loss of $500 billion. The CCP wants to leverage Chinas position as the worlds factory to fully occupy the U.S. market and raise huge amounts of funds to expand its economic and military influence around the world, thereby threatening the national security of the United States. Even as a strong nation, the United States will not be able to sustain and tolerate this economic encirclement and suppression. CCPs Goal: Defeat the US The Communist regimes attempt to weaken and even shake the Western democratic powers has never stopped. The Cold War was only an inevitable product of the Soviet Unions military threat to the United States. It can be said that the Communist regimes desire to conquer the democratic fortress and the capitalist system is a strategy developed from Marxism. The United States has never intended to eliminate the communist powers but only responded defensively to their military threatsthis is how the United States responded to the Soviet Union during the Cold War and it is taking the same approach in dealing with the Chinese regime. Democratic countries cannot and will not directly provoke a war against communist regimes with nuclear weapons, but the red powers (communists) are just the opposite and dont care about the lives of their people. In the past, the CCP has fought with the U.S. military in North Korea and Vietnam. And now, a cold war has ignited between the CCP and the United States. Whether it is a friend or a foe, the CCPs main objective is to defeat U.S. imperialism. The Cold Wars Nuclear Threat The current Sino-U.S. military relations must not be treated simply based on facts, but based on a historical perspective. The CCPs military threat to the United States is now an unavoidable reality. The threat of the red powers to Western democracies, mainly the United States, began with the Berlin crisis in 1948, when the Soviet Union suddenly blocked land transport to West Berlin controlled by the Allied forces. This caused difficulties for the survival of garrison and residents of West Berlin. The U.S. military used a large-scale airlift to break the blockade. Modern world history generally believes that this crisis is the beginning of the cold war between East and West. This threat has disappeared for decades after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Now, the CCP has begun its military threats on the United States. The military confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union can be divided into four stages. First, the two armies confronted each other in a third countrythe Berlin crisis is an example. Second, when the red power launched a war in the third country, the United States intervened and large-scale ground and air wars occurred. Examples include the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Third, the red power directly issued a nuclear threat to the United States, as was the case with the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Fourth, the two sides entered into nuclear arms expansion and war preparations while preventing nuclear attacks, until the red power collapsed. What needs to be pointed out is that between the second and third stages, a significant transition of the Cold War took place. That is when the launch of nuclear weapons had a technological breakthrough. This includes two aspects. First, nuclear weapons were transformed into warheads of conventional ground weapons and underwater attack weapons, that is, artillery shells and torpedoes equipped with nuclear warheads were developed. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, four Soviet submarines near Cuba carried nuclear torpedoes, but the United States did not know it at the time. Second, the advent of nuclear missiles meant a breakthrough in the long-range projection of nuclear weapons, and the two sides could carry out nuclear threats across oceans. Before this turning point in the Cold War, the United States could engage in military confrontations with the red powers in third countrieshot wars like the Korean War and the Vietnam War. But the emergence of long-range nuclear threats put an end to this situation. China and the United States are engaging in an undeclared warfare where both sides are in a state of nuclear threat to each other. Its basic feature is that the two sides continue to expand their armaments and prepare for war. Is Beijing Instigating a New Cold War Through Military Threats? The military threats of the red powers often started unexpectedly. In my article titled, Beware of the China Appeasement Crisis Looming in the US, I analyzed the three military operations that the CCP proactively launched against the United States in the first half of 2020. The three military threats are as follows: in January 2020, the CCP sent a naval fleet to Midway Island for coercion exercises; in March 2020, the CCP announced that it would occupy the international waters of the South China Sea and establish a deep-sea fortress for nuclear submarines that pose threats to the United States; and in June 2020, Beijing announced the completion of the Beidou navigation satellite system which rivals the U.S. GPS. The construction of the system can carry out precise missile strikes on the United States. A U.S. patrol plane flies over a Soviet freighter during the Cuban missile crisis at the height of the Cold War in this 1962 photograph. (Getty Images) If we follow the framework of the four-stage development of the Cold War to understand the current Sino-U.S. military confrontation, the first phase of hostility has already taken place; and the third stage when the red powers directly pose nuclear threats to the United States has already occurred. The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 during the Cold War is an example of how a conflict escalated and entered the stage of nuclear threat. In October 1962, a U.S. spy plane spotted the Soviet Unions medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missile facilities in Cuba, about 90 miles away from Florida. In response, President Kennedy ordered the U.S. military to enter a DEFCON 3 (defense readiness condition), a naval blockade of Cuba to prevent the Soviet Union from sending more nuclear missiles. A new version of the nuclear threat is displayed with intercontinental missiles, and nuclear weapons are now manufactured by the Chinese regime. A New Version of the Cuban Missile Crisis After China launched its Beidou satellite on June 23 last year, German media DW News published an article on June 26, touting Chinas military strength: Beidou impacts the global navigation landscape, Chinas military power greatly increased. It claimed that the completion of the Beidou system also means that Chinas military capabilities have significantly improved. It [Beidou] has the capabilities of both global operations and precision operations. It is able to perform more precision surgical strikes on global targets. Obviously, the article was talking about the nuclear threat aimed at the United States. The CCPs intercontinental missile ground bases are under the 24-hour watch by the U.S. Space Command satellites. Any ground-based intercontinental missile thats about to be launched will be intercepted by the U.S. military right away. The nuclear submarine is in the sea and it is mobile. Submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) will only be discovered after breaking through the water and lifting off into the airthey are much more dangerous than land-based intercontinental missiles. The warning time for the United States is only about ten minutes. Furthermore, Beijings mouthpiece recently called for equipping the Chinese military with more nuclear weapons to intimidate the United States. On April 23, the Chinese regime unveiled two new warships and a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine at its strategic naval base in Sanya in Hainan Island. Chinese media announced that Chinas SLBMs can strike anywhere in the United States from the South China Sea. It also released the emblem of the new nuclear submarine, showing a nuclear missile fired from the South China Sea to North America. How does the Biden administration view the Chinese regimes nuclear threat? Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied that the United States and China are in a cold war on the grounds that Sino-U.S. relations are complex, according to a May 5 report by the Financial Times. Blinkens statement implies that the United States does not want to initiate a cold war. But this wont stop the CCP from starting one. In an exclusive interview with CBS 60 Minutes program on May 2, Blinken said, But I want to be very clear about something. And this is important. Our purpose is not to contain China, to hold it back, to keep it down. It is to uphold this rules-based order that China is posing a challenge to. He described U.S.-China relations as, There are real complexities to the relationship, whether its the adversarial piece, whether its the competitive piece, whether its the cooperative piece. Blinkens statement indicates that the Biden administrations policy toward China has three components: confrontation, competition, and cooperation. Blinken had previously stated that the U.S. policy toward China will be competitive when it should be, collaborative when it can be, and adversarial when it must be. As tensions between China and the United States escalate, is the Biden administration preparing to confront, to compete, or to cooperate with the CCP? So far, President Biden has refused to make a clear stance. Dr. Cheng Xiaonong is a scholar of Chinas politics and economy based in New Jersey. Cheng was a policy researcher and aide to the former Party leader Zhao Ziyang, when Zhao was premier. He also served as chief editor of the journal Modern China Studies. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Wooden Language That Opens the Door to Complete Ruthlessness Commentary Recently, unasked, I received an advertisement for a Harvard Business School program in leadership, including something called thought leadership. Why me? Am I a thought leader? Could I be a thought leader? Do I want to be a thought leader? Do I want people one day to wave in unison the little blue book of Dalrymple-thought, chanting for example one of my most original ideas, namely that it is nearly time for lunch? Alas, I am too old now to become a thought-leader, and, in any case, not rich enough to afford the $84,000 fee ($12,000 a week) to enable me to do so. Furthermore, I dont really qualify for the course. I am not a senior executive who holds a leadership position one or two levels from the CEO and has been identified as central to the companys succession plans. This all sounds to me a bit like Henry IV taking over from Richard IIand you can probably buy a copy of the play on the internet for a dollar. Supposing, however, that I take the course, what will be the so-called key benefits to me? I will gain new insights, global perspectives, and leadership skills that will enable me to lead change, drive innovation, and sustain a competitive advantage. The program will have accelerated my personal and professional growth. (Is innovation driven, then, like sheep to market?) One wonders what would have happened to Napoleon had he taken one of these courses early in his career. Perhaps he would have learned to think more strategically and more globally; perhaps he would have maintained his competitive advantage instead of ending up on St. Helena. With a bit more personal growth and professional development, he might have achieved great things instead of ending up a pathetic nonentity. As it was, poor old Napoleon had to live by his wits, with not even a diploma of business excellence from Harvard Business School to show for his efforts. How could he ever have expected to exert any leadership? Enough of mockery. In reality, the world seems ever more filled with what the French call langue de bois, that wooden language in which apparatchiks of various apparats, governmental, academic, and commercial, put words to their lack of thoughts. The Soviet Union may have fallen at the end of the Cold War, but its as if its cultural influence, shorn of Marxist-Leninist dogma, lives on. The brochure of the Harvard Business School could have been written by that great prose stylist Leonid Brezhnev. The very concept of personal development isnt so very far, after all, from that of the New Man, that is to say the Homo sovieticus who fits in perfectly with the party apparatus whose orders and interests he follows, while, at the same time, ruthlessly seeking his advancement in the hierarchy by use of the dark arts of undermining, denunciation, and back-stabbing, knowledge of which the Harvard Business School no doubt accelerates. Thats real professional development for you. Polysyllabic or high-sounding language to mean nothingat least not in the ordinary sense of the word meaningis nothing new. Dr. Samuel Johnson, in his great philosophical fable The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia, published in 1759, described a philosopher who maintains that the best way to live is to live in accordance with nature. But what is it to live in accordance with nature, Rasselas asks the philosopher? The philosopher explains, or at any rate says: To live according to nature, is to act always with due regard to the fitness arising from the relations and qualities of causes and effects; to concur with the great and unchangeable scheme of universal felicity; to co-operate with the general disposition and tendency of the present system of things. During this disquisition, The prince soon found that this [the philosopher] was one of the sages whom he should understand less as he heard him longer. No one, I think, who has sat through a meeting of bureaucratsbe they those of a commercial company, academe, or a government bureaucracywill fail to recognize propositions that become less comprehensible the longer they are discussed. Words, often of several syllables, swirl in the ether without ever condescending to fix themselves to concrete meaning or denotation. Sentences, which are no more meaningful in the negative than in the affirmative, and whose negative indeed confers nothing to the mind different from the affirmative, are uttered with a gravity intended to suggest that something important is being said. But it would be a mistake to suppose that just because the words and sentences uttered have no clear meaning, that they have no purpose. On the contrary, they have a very important purpose. The mastery of this kind of language is the managerial equivalent of freemasons ceremonies: it distinguishes the managers from the managed. Again, let no one imagine that the mastery of such language is easy. Its a skill that requires practice and determination to master. If you dont believe me, try to talk it for fiveno, for twominutes. The chances are that, try as you might, meaning will keep breaking into your attempts at managerial verbiage. For myself, I am too old now to learn how to use language that has been depleted of all meaning: not that I wish to do so, my personal and professional development have long been at an end. Again, if I may be allowed a paradox, meaninglessness isnt without meaning. To talk in verbiage is to commit yourself to nothing, to promise nothing, and therefore to prevent yourself from being held to anything. It, therefore, excludes nothing. It facilitates, or is a disguise or smokescreen, for complete ruthlessness: for having uttered something without meaning, without any tether to concrete reality, you may do anything you like without breaking your word. Where such language is used, there can be no trust, only suspicion, for no one utters anything to which he can be held. All that is left is a struggle for power, the achievement of which has come, ever since Nietzsche and his death of God, to seem the highest, even the only, good. Theodore Dalrymple is a retired doctor. He is contributing editor of the City Journal of New York and the author of 30 books, including Life at the Bottom. His latest book is Embargo and Other Stories. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 23:34:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Health ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries have committed to a new agreement making it easier and quicker to share results from vaccine and therapeutic trials to tackle COVID-19 and prevent future health threats, according to a statement released Friday. A Therapeutics and Vaccines Clinical Trials Charter will be rapidly implemented, said the G7 Health Ministers' Declaration published after two days of in-person meeting in Oxford, England. The charter will help deliver high-quality, reliable and comparable evidence from international clinical trials to speed up access to approved treatments and vaccines, said the statement. This will include stronger collaboration in large scale international trials to enable greater diversity of participants, including pregnant people and children, said the statement. The charter will also help to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts, more quickly eliminate medicines that do not work, and produce robust clinical evidence that can be extrapolated to a larger number of populations and places to save more lives, it said. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock, whose country holds the G7 presidency, said the agreement shows the commitment "not just to getting through the COVID-19 crisis, but also to make we're better prepared for future threats". "It contains a series of measures to make us all safer by improving clinical trials, quicker and wider access to safe vaccines, better use of data, more accurate health surveillance tools and greater collaboration between countries," he said. "We are determined that, working together, we will beat this virus and build back better." The G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will gather the G7 leaders for a summit in the southwestern seaside resort of Carbis Bay in Cornwall from June 11 to 13. Britain is the first European country that passed the grim landmark of 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain stood at 127,812. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test. More than 39.7 million people, or more than three-quarters of adults in Britain, have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures. Experts have warned that coronavirus may continue to evolve for years to come, and eventually it is likely current vaccines will fail to protect against transmission, infection, or even against disease caused by newer variants. To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Enditem The World Needs Taiwan to Keep China in Check Commentary There are two major geopolitical lessons to be learned from the ongoing pandemic. Lesson one: China cant be trusted. Lesson two: A free Taiwan may be our only way of getting through the great firewall of China. After all, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hasnt been willing to come clean about the origins of the virus. Instead, it has been peddling fake news and conspiracy theories about frozen food from Norway, of all places, as the source of the deadly virus. When the pandemic first started, Beijing halted internal travel but international flights remained open, as if China didnt want to be the sole victim of the very disease it knew it had unleashed. On the other hand, Taiwan tried to warn the world about what was coming but was unable to do so because of its political isolation caused by China. Taiwan has recently experienced the biggest COVID-19 outbreak since the start of the pandemic. In the past month alone, the total number of cases increased by almost 10 times. Does this mean that the situation got out of control? Far from it. Until mid-April 2021, Taiwan had just over 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The politically isolated island-nation managed to fend off the disease to an unmatched degree while the rest of the world failed in containing the spread of the pandemic. Most of our failures can be attributed to the aforementioned political isolation of Taiwan. Ever since Tsai Ing-Wen was elected president, Taiwan has lost sevenor roughly a thirdof its official diplomatic allies. Beijing has been on the offensive, intending to punish the island-nation for its democratic choices and to further isolate Tsais administration on the world stage. Everything was going according to the CCPs plan until the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in Wuhan. It appears that close to four long years of Beijings hard work has been jeopardized as new facts about the coronavirus and its origins reach the international public. Moreover, scientists are beginning to seriously consider that the virus escaped the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which is located roughly a couple hundred meters from where the virus was originally discovered. Being politically isolated, Taipei tried very hard to maintain the few cases of mutual recognition it still enjoys. With the exception of The Holy See, Taiwans diplomatic allies have been limited to a handful of generally small countries scattered across Latin America, Oceania, and Africa. The price Taiwan often had to pay for the remnants of diplomatic recognition was measured in dollars, hence, the pejorative term describing Taipeis dubious diplomatic clout: checkbook diplomacy. Pundits and experts have been divided on the policys assessment. Some argued that it was viable because it preserved Taiwans actual diplomatic existence, even if only symbolically. Others debunked it as a waste of money with no substantial return on investment. To some extent, its a little bit of both; however, given recent developments, it may turn out that Beijing simply saved Taipei some money. Here is how it may play out and why. Taiwans Knowledge Apart from stealing/bribing/intimidating Taiwans diplomatic allies, China has also limited its neighbors global space by denying it access to international organizationsmost notably the World Health Organization (WHO). The European Parliament and the U.S. Congress have both argued that Taipei should be able to participate in the WHOs works. They cited the greater good, Taiwans experience in dealing with pandemics such as SARS, and the simple fact that viruses and diseases dont care about borders. The COVID-19 outbreak strengthens their case. Last year, a group of Members of the European Parliament, including myself, sent a letter to the EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, on the support of Taiwans participation in WHO meetings, mechanism and activities in order to contribute to the global fight against the Coronavirus. Last month, I co-signed another letter on the same subject. This time, it was addressed to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO. For years, the calls fell on deaf ears, as Beijing remained steadfast in its interpretation of the One-China Policy. Is the tide turning? Ironically, the world would have been better off if the WHO had relied on Taiwan to report on the epidemiological situation in China. Taiwanese health care professionals would have been able to provide more information on the outbreak in Wuhan than Chinese officials have been willing to reveal. This is where the differences in political regimes and freedom of expression (or lack thereof) kick in. Doctors and officials from China surely had more data than their Taiwanese counterparts did. But the problem is that out of fear they couldnt even send an email without the approval of the top communist officials. Many of these doctors simply vanished while others were forced to lie or withhold information for weeks. All the while, Taiwan was trying to warn the world about the coming epidemic. Taiwan knew about the outbreak weeks before Chinese authorities even mentioned it publically. It was able to use its experiences with similar situations (such as SARS) and prepare for the coming waveone expected to become a real tsunami. Taiwan lies just over a hundred kilometers off the coast of China. Four hundred thousand Taiwanese people work in China and many of them planned on going back home to escape the plague. Johns Hopkins University predicted Taiwan would be the second hardest hit place in the world due to its geographic proximity to China and frequent travel between the two neighbors. Soon after the word coronavirus began making headlines, the first infection was diagnosed in Taiwan in late January. By mid-May 2021, Taiwan recorded just over 1,400 cases, just prior to the recent, unprecedented spike. To put this in perspective, Taiwan has a population of approximately 24 million and is slightly smaller than the Netherlands. Most of its territory is uninhabited due the islands topography and the fact that high mountains account for 30 percent. Traffic in Taiwan is rough. Both on the streets and on sidewalks. Millions of people spend a good part of their day taking public transportation, mostly the metro, which is a city underneath a city. On top of that, thousands of Taiwanese professionals did go back home from China within a short period of time. Considering all this, it seems that Taiwan was bound to be hit hard by the pandemic. Why is this not the case? Because Taiwan knows the PRC better than anyone else. Australia, on the other hand, is a country that has all the geographical and natural advantages Taiwan lacks and roughly the same population. Its territory is 215 times the size of Taiwans. Australia is much less densely populated and much more geographically isolated. Still, mid-May 2021 Australia was approaching 30,000 diagnosed cases. And its being applauded by most of the democratic world for the relatively low numbers. But Australia was not prepared for what was coming, the CCP was not willing to be transparent, and Taiwan was not able to share its findings at the WHO table. In retrospect, Taiwan did better than Australia, because it knew what was going on in China. The CCP might have been winning minor battles through campaigns of pressure, influence, and intimidation, but now its losing the PR war due to its own stubbornness and its outdated political system. The UKs decision to forgo the Chinese built 5G infrastructure may be just the beginning of Beijings international troubles. Forced deportations of foreign journalists daring to write about the real sick man of Asia will not solve any underlying problems. The world is finally beginning to see China for what it isa secretive, authoritarian state that would rather cause a global catastrophe than be transparent and take responsibility for its mistakes. This pandemic clearly illustrates that the CCP cannot be trusted and we cannot afford to be blindsided again. There needs to be accountability and we should to be able to see what takes place behind the great firewall of China. So far, Taiwan has proven to be our best early warning system. We need more engagement and information sharing with Taiwan to be able to benefit from its insight. What Can We Do? If granting Taipei a seat at the WHO and the World Health Assembly (WHA) is not an option, perhaps the free world should consider other forms of cooperation, free from Chinas participation and obstruction. After all, we should not expect to get the truth from Beijing. So far, President Joe Bidens initiative of a world democracy summit has received mixed responses from public opinion leaders. Until more details are revealed, its hard to take an informed and unbiased position on it. One thing is certain, this type of summit will not be complete without Taiwans participation. These types of high-level meetings, especially when held periodically, could also help override Chinas veto in the WHO and the WHA. From my perspective, as a Polish politician, I notice a number of parallels between my homelands geopolitical situation and that of Taiwans. We are both rather small nations facing a huge, increasingly revanchist neighbor. Therefore, we both depend on the United States for our national security. Poland has proven to be a reliable ally by, among other things, participating in U.S.-led military operations. We are also a bulwark against Russia on NATOs eastern flank and one of the few countries in Europe meeting its military spending obligations. Obviously, Taiwan is not part of a formal military alliance, but its geopolitical importance cannot be overstated. Without a free Taiwan, there will be no free maritime transport in the Indo-Pacific and there will be no stopping China from further bullying its neighbors and expanding control over the waters in the region. Finally, although its nearly impossible to determine how many lives could have been saved had Taiwans early warnings been heard across the globe and taken seriously (in the United States alone, close to 600,000 people are reported to have died of COVID-19), its safe to state, though, that Taipeis debt to Washington as a security guarantor would have been paid back with dividends. Such relationships are what Taiwan should be aiming for, instead of engaging in checkbook diplomacy. I would like to thank my assistant Jakub Piasecki for his research and contribution. Witold Waszczykowski is a Law and Justice (PiS) Member of the European Parliament and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland. You can follow him on Twitter @WaszczykowskiW. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A student displays a banner with one of the slogans chanted by the crowd of some 200,000 pouring into Tiananmen Square in Beijing on April 22, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP/Getty Images) Tiananmen Square: The Massacre the Chinese Regime Tries to Erase Thirty-two years later, the Chinese communist regime still tries to repress the memory of the bloody massacre of June 4, censoring all mentions, detaining outspoken dissents, and keeping younger generations unaware of what actually happened that night. Much of the world has been aware of the truth that the communist regimes leader sent troops to quash the protesting students who called for a more open society at Tiananmen Square, the center of the capital Beijing, on June 4, 1989, resulting in the killing of thousands of Chinese students. But in the land controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), censorship continues. Chen Siming, who posted a photo memorializing the bloody event, was given a 15-day administrative detention by authorities of Zhuzhou city of the southern province of Hunan on May 31. For years, Chen has persisted in memorializing the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. In 2018, he was detained for taking photos in a park with a tank in the background on June 4. I had been detained four times since 2017, three for memorizing the June 4, said Chen in the tweet on May 30. But I still want to memorize the most important day in contemporary history, which is a citizens responsibility. Huang Xiaomin, a supporter of the student-led pro-democratic movement, is being held in detention, said his daughter on May 29, for picking quarrels and stirring up trouble, a frequent charge used by the CCP to silence critics, the Weiquanwang blog first reported. The reason is still unknown, Huangs friend, surnamed Xie, told The Epoch Times in an interview, but he mentioned that the local authorities summoned Huang on the phone while he had tea with Huang on May 28. Meanwhile, another outspoken dissident is missing in southwestern China. Yang Shaozhengs wife has lost contact with him for over two weeks, his friend Yang Zili, told NTD on May 31. The former economics professor, Yang Shaozheng, who was fired for criticizing the CCP in 2018, had been summoned by authorities several times, said Yang Zili, a friend and fellow activist. His wife believes that Yang is probably being detained by the authorities, the friend added. Another activist from southwestern Sichuan Province told The Epoch Times that the police came to his home on Thursday, warning him to be silent on June 4 and July 1, the ruling CCPs anniversary day. An activist in Beijing, who also prefers not to disclose their name, told The Epoch Times that the local authorities informed him that he should travel to other cities on June 4 and July 1. Unconcerned Youths The continued censorship has repressed references to Tiananmen from the Chinese internet and erased them from students history books, including the name of the then top leader of the regime, Zhao Ziyang. Many young Chinese grew up unaware of the brutal event 32 years ago, as teachers fear touching sensitive topics defined by the CCP. Media outlets controlled by the state are not allowed to report on it. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson only described it as a political disturbance when asked by Western journalists. A middle school teacher in Hunan Province, surnamed Huang, admitted that young people in mainland China, under the pervasive censorship of information, have become indifferent. The young generation limits their attention to money, good wine, savory dishes, and having fun. They are indulging in Douyin on the phone, Huang said in an interview with Radio Free Asia. Douyin is a popular social media platform, TikToks sister app in China. For equality and justice, they dont have such ideas. They only want enjoyment, Huang said. The young Chinese peoples growing lie-down movementa careless attitude toward work, career, marriage, friendships, child-raising, and consumerismhas become a headache to the authorities. Yi Ru and Hong Ning contributed to this report. Top Michigan Official: COVID-19 Death Count in Long-Term Facilities Could Be Low Michigans health director on Thursday acknowledged that the states COVID-19 death toll in long-term care facilities could be undercounted. Not all of those are reporting, Elizabeth Hertel, the head of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told members of a state House panel, referring to nursing homes and COVID-19 deaths. She said that long-term care facilities, which include nursing homes, that have 12 or fewer residents are not required to report such deaths to the state. A state lawmaker pressed Hertel, asking her to confirm that not all facilities with 13 or more residents are reporting deaths and, therefore, the reported number of deaths is low. Yes, I would say that, yes, if we dont have all of them reporting, there could be a contention that theyre not reporting deaths, or maybe they havent experienced any deaths, Hertel said. Later in the hearing, she added: I would like to be clear that I said could be low. I dont know. So I want to be clear that if were quoting the things Im saying, Id like them to be accurate. I said they could be low. We do not know because we dont know whats occurring in those facilities. Michigan Rep. Steve Johnson, a Republican who chairs the states House Oversight Committee, said after the hearing that Hertel admitted that the state does not have an accurate count of COVID-19 deaths in long-term care facilities. He plans to ask the Michigan Auditor General to conduct a full probe into the COVID-19 deaths at the facilities. Michigans residents deserve to know how many people have died as a result of the Governors deadly decision to place COVID positive patients in nursing homes, he said. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, ordered nursing homes to take back patients recovering from COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. The order was similar to one New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued. Cuomo later reversed his order. New York is being investigated by the Department of Justice over its nursing home deaths during the pandemic. The department last year requested data from the Whitmer administration. Michigans attorney general has declined to investigate the nursing home situation. According to state data, 5,663 nursing home residents have died with COVID-19 as of mid-May. But the deaths are self-reported. And state officials reviewed nearly 1,500 other deaths that occurred between March through June 2020 and found 648, or 44 percent, were nursing home residents, according to records given over to the journalist Charlie LeDuff and the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation in a lawsuit settlement. The 648 deaths came from a vital records review we did for deaths between March and June, Bob Wheaton, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, told Deadline Detroit. That is not a review that we are able to do regularly due to how time-consuming it is and the amount of resources we need to devote to doing this. Appearing on LeDuffs podcast, Steve Delie, a lawyer with the foundation said, What theyre saying is, if you die in a hospital, were not going to go back and look if its a nursing home as your primary residence. Some 6,945 deaths in Michigan are classified as vital records review. Forty-four percent of the number is about 3,000. If the percentage held across the entire dataset, that would send the nursing home death toll soaring to nearly 9,000, or about half of the COVID-19 deaths the state has recorded. A 15-year-old receives the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the CCP virus in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., on May 13, 2021. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images) UK Approves Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for 12 to 15-Year-Olds Britains medicines regulator said on Friday that it has approved the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech CCP virus vaccine in 12 to 15-year-olds. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the decision follows a rigorous review of safety and effectiveness in that age group. Dr. June Raine, MHRA chief executive, said: We have carefully reviewed clinical trial data in children aged 12 to 15 years and have concluded that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective in this age group and that the benefits of this vaccine outweigh any risk. We have in place a comprehensive safety surveillance strategy for monitoring the safety of all UK-approved COVID-19 vaccines and this surveillance will include the 12- to 15-year age group. No extension to an authorisation would be approved unless the expected standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness have been met. It will now be for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to advise on whether this age group will be vaccinated as part of the deployment programme. The European Medicines Agency, the EUs medicines regulator, has already recommended the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine be extended to children aged 12 to 15. Last month, the Pfizer jab became the first to be cleared for children as young as 12 in the United States. The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), a public body that advises the UK government on medicinal products, said more than 2,000 children were involved in the clinical trial to determine the safety of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Over 2,000 children aged 12-15 years were studied as part of the randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials. There were no cases of COVID-19 from seven days after the second dose in the vaccinated group, compared with 16 cases in the placebo group. In addition, data on neutralising antibodies showed the vaccine working at the same level as seen in adults aged 16-25 years. These are extremely positive results, said Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, chairman of CHM. We have been very careful to take into consideration the younger age group and the benefits of this population being vaccinated against any potential risk of side effects, he said. We have concluded that based on the data we have seen on the quality, effectiveness, and safety of the vaccine, its benefits do outweigh any risk. He said the MHRA will continue to scrutinise all of the suspected side effects data for all of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus vaccines used in the UK. PA contributed to this report. A Chinese-flagged ship is seized in the Galapagos Marine Reserve for carrying some 300 tons of fish, including several endangered species such as the hammerhead shark, on Aug. 25, 2017. (Juan Cevallos/AFP via Getty Images) Undetected Chinese Fishing Fleets Suspected of Invading Argentinas Waters: Report A recent report documented up to 6,000 foreign fishing vessels that disabled their public tracking devices for more than 24 hours along the border of Argentinas national waters, sounding the alarm that they could be illegally fishing in the countrys exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Chinese fleet was responsible for 66 percent of these incidents, said the June report by Oceana, a Washington-based non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the global oceans. The report claims that hundreds of Chinese fishing vessels mainly target shortfin squid, which is vital to both Argentinas economy and ecosystem. The analysis concludes that from January 2018 to April this year, undetected fishing activities took up more than 600,000 total hours, and many vessels turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) within one mile of Argentinas EEZ. The AIS from Global Fishing Watch, an online technology platform launched in 2016 by Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google, monitors and records data of the vessels name, flag state, and location. Oceanas report showing Chinese vessels along Argentinas national waters. (Courtesy of Oceana) To me, it is particularly concerning and suspicious when fishing vessels have these gaps in tracking data so close to the edge of another countrys EEZ, Marla Valentine, Oceanas illegal fishing and transparency campaign manager, told The Epoch Times in an email. When vessels disable their AIS devices it can hide activities such as fishing, transshipment, and vessel locations from public view and could mask potentially illegal behavior, such as crossing into Argentinas EEZ to fish, she wrote. These foreign fleets mainly fish for Illex argentinus, commonly known as the Argentine shortfin squid. The economically important species is found along the Argentinean coast, Uruguay, and Brazil, contributing an average of $597 million and sometimes up to $2.4 billion per year for South Americas economy. Shortfin squid is also the food for fish such as tuna and swordfish. The report warns that losses of these populations can result in ecological devastation. The report also found that more than 800 foreign vessels have engaged in about 900,000 hours of reported fishing, 69 percent of which were taken up by over 400 Chinese vessels. Others came from Taiwan, Korea, and Spain. In contrast, Argentinas local fishing vessels conducted less than one percent of the fishing operations in the same waters. China, the worlds largest fishing nation, owns a quarter of the worlds fishing vessels and more than a third of the worlds total catch, according to VOA News. Our oceans need protection, not reckless fishing from China and other distant water fleets, Valentine said in a June 2 press release. She suggests governments to better control the imported seafood to ensure product safety and legality. Being able to trace the path of a fish from the boat it was caught on [and] to the time it lands on a consumers plate is key to reducing the chance of products of IUU [Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated] fishing being imported, she said. Chinas fisheries authorities set penalties for illegal and abusive fishing in 2020, yet experts say it is unclear how these measures are being enforced, VOA reported. Victorian Family that Placed New South Wales on High Alert Has Different Coronavirus Strain A COVID-positive Victorian family which travelled to parts of southern New South Wales (NSW) has a different coronavirus variant to other people associated with the current Greater Melbourne outbreak, Victorian authorities say. NSW on Thursday extended by a week the stay-at-home order for people who have arrived from Victoria after the southern state lengthened its lockdown. Anyone in NSW who has been in Victoria since 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 27 will now be required to stay at home until at least June 10. Victorian health authorities on Friday said a Melbourne family of four which visited south NSW locations including Gundagai, Goulburn, Jervis Bay, Huskisson and Vincentia had a different COVID-19 strain to other cases. The couple and their two children have the Delta strain of the virus, first found in India, rather than the Kappa strain, also first found in India. The Kappa strain has been the dominant strain of Melbournes most recent outbreak. This means the source of the familys infection is completely unknown. The father began to experience symptoms on May 25, a day after the family returned to Melbourne. The whole family has subsequently tested positive. It is a concern that its not linked to other cases but we are chasing down all those primary case contacts for that family and looking into where it might have been acquired, Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said. We just have to do what we (have to) do it is new information, it is an unrelated cluster, it is a variant of significant concern. Sutton added the family may have acquired the virus in Jervis Bay given the approximate six-day incubation period of their virus strain. But this was not confirmed and Victorian authorities are still investigating. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard rejected suggestions the Victorian family contracted COVID-19 across the border. Ill just say its a bit unhelpful, he told 2GB radio. There is no evidence whatsoever that this family picked up the variant in NSW. NSW Health said in a statement that anyone who has been in the listed southern NSW towns should be vigilant for respiratory illness. Some 130 people in NSW are currently deemed close contacts of the family, and none of those contacts has tested COVID-positive to date. Venues of concern include Trappers Bakery in Goulburn on the morning of May 24, 5 Little Pigs at Huskisson on the morning of May 21 and the Green Patch campground in Jervis Bay over an extended period. Anyone who visited those venues at those times must get tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result. NSW recorded zero new locally acquired cases in the 24 hours to 8 p.m. on Thursday, as well as zero new cases in hotel quarantine. A record 15,410 COVID-19 vaccines were administered by NSW Health over the 24-hour period, taking the total number in NSW to more than 1.4 million. The Chinese Delegation, including Vice Premier Liu He (L) and Governor of the People's Bank of China Yi Gang (2nd L) looks on during U.S.-China Trade Talks in Washington on Jan. 30, 2019. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images) Will Economic and Trade Dialogue Break the Deadlock in US-China Relations? Commentary On June 1, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Vice Premier Liu He held an introductory virtual meeting. After the two parties issued brief statements, the Chinese state-run media claimed that China-U.S. economic and trade relations would accelerate. The CCP mouthpiece claims that the U.S. government is unlikely to continue to confront the CCP in the economic and trade field, but can only cooperate. This is probably the CCPs wishful thinking or rhetoric from the CCPs top leaders who are eager to shake off their current internal and external difficulties. The US Is Testing and Weighing The Treasury Department readout stated: Secretary Yellen discussed the Biden-Harris Administrations plans to support a continued strong economic recovery and the importance of cooperating on areas that are in U.S. interests, while at the same time frankly tackling issues of concern. The CCP Ministry of Commerce also issued a brief press release through its mouthpiece, Xinhua News, stating, The two sides believe the China-U.S. economic relations are very important. In the spirit of equality and mutual trust, they conducted extensive exchanges on the macroeconomic situation and bilateral and multilateral cooperation, candidly exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, and expressed willingness to maintain communication. Similar to the first dialogue between U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Liu He on May 26, this was a tentative contact that shouldnt have involved much in details. The new U.S. government still needs time to evaluate past policies. These two communications should be considered part of the evaluation. Lacking a systematic strategy against the CCP, the Biden team has been forced to conduct in-depth discussions and analyses, especially after the CCPs frequent display of aggressive stances in recent months. The initiative is always vested in the United States regarding how to break the deadlock in the U.S.-China relations, and where the bilateral relations will go. In 2020, U.S.-China diplomatic relations were very much in a state of radio silence: Each closed one consulate, and no one was appointed after the U.S. ambassador to China left. The frequent sanctions against the CCP had become the main theme in the U.S.-China relationsthe CCP feared Trump and wouldnt dare to confront him. After Biden took office, the CCPs top officials made a series of misjudgments, trying to force the Biden administration to soften its strategy and make concessions. These attempts to force Bidens hand backfired and U.S.-China relations fell into a deadlock once again. The CCPs international confrontations only pushed the United States, the Indo-Pacific, and European allies to further unite against the regime. President Joe Biden meets with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on April 16, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo) To this day, high-level CCP officials have not given up on their slogan of fighting against the United States for hegemony. On May 31, when Xi Jinping presided over the CCP Politburo Collective Study Sessions (educating top echelon on diverse subject matters), he said it clearly, We are approaching the center of the world stage; we have the ability and responsibility to play a greater role in global affairs. The new U.S. administration has become more and more aware of the severity of the CCPs open challenge, but the statement still focuses on competition and hopes to avoid conflict. However, on May 26, Kurt Campbell, the coordinator of Indo-Pacific affairs on the National Security Council, stated that the era of engagement between the United States and China is over. The U.S. government should still be weighing whether or not there is a clear and systematic strategy for the future direction of U.S.-China relations, and the CCP should also be aware that U.S.-China relations of the past will not return. The Helplessness of the Party Mouthpiece Propaganda Along with Xinhuas statement on the dialogue between Yellen and Liu were two other articles side by side. One was titled The Same Tone of the Two Calls: A Pragmatic Solution to the Problem Is Most Important. It explained that the once silent China-U.S. economic and trade exchanges have restarted. The article even quoted the original English text of the U.S. Treasury Departments Readout, which is very rare. It is hard to quantify how important dialogue with the CCP is to the United States but as a matter of fact, after the four-party talks between the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, the heads of the United States and Japan met again, followed by the G-7+4 Foreign Ministers Meeting and the United States-South Korea Summit, which discussed in-depth economic and trade cooperation. The U.S.-Europe tariff negotiations entered the technical level while the EUChina Comprehensive Agreement on Investment was frozen. After these events had roughly ended, the United States began its first economic and trade dialogue with the CCP. Therefore, it is self-evident which talks were more important to the United States. However, the two virtual conversations were a timely relief to the CCPs high-level officials, so they were greatly exaggerated by the CCP media. Another CCP article, titled: The Second Session Within 6 daysWhat Are the Signals? characterized the meetings as the restarting of China-U.S. economic and trade negotiations and predicted that in the Biden era, the China-U.S. economic and trade relations will accelerate. These two dialogues should be regarded as routine affairs of the U.S. government, but they were a treasure to the CCP top officials. The article further stated: China-U.S. relations are obviously not yet calm. Aside from these complexities and even confrontation and conflicts, economic and trade relations have increasingly become a rare factor of stability, and it is also one of the few areas where the two countries maintain complete communication. The high tone of the CCP actually revealed its helplessness in passivity. The article concluded that the U.S. economic situation also makes cooperation rather than confrontation more reasonable. It claimed that the pattern of competitionthe trade disputes between the two powerful countries for more than three yearsis unlikely to be resolved in the short term. According to the article, the new U.S. government is unlikely to immediately abolish the tariffs imposed on China, but could possibly exert additional pressure by using other non-economic means. Apparently, the CCP knows what it is going to face, but the article still touted, No matter how hard the bones are, bit by bit, we can always bite them down. This attitude suggests that the CCP isnt capable of breaking through the deadlock. The CCPs High Officials Have Lost Their Confidence The CCP is facing international isolation, but will not admit it, and only covers up its mistakes. The party mouthpiece Xinhua released a number of articles touting the CCPs diplomatic efforts, trying hard to prove that its not isolated and has its own circle of friends in the international arena. For example, on June 1, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a virtual meeting with the foreign ministers of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries. Thereafter, on June 2, the following articles were published: In May, the Chinese Leaders Diplomacy Adds Power to the World and Xi Jinpings Calls to the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Dominica. Surely, these rhetorical articles are very much targeting readers inside the CCP. Xinhuas top headline focused on a report about the CCPs organizational work regulations. The first article on the general provisions of the regulations partially said, in order to thoroughly implement Xi Jinpings thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era , which means Xi Jinpings thoughts dominate the organizational work regulations. Marx, Lenin, Mao, Deng, and any other former leaders of the CCP are no longer regarded. Xinhua also published an article that explained how to build strong supervisory skills and resolve the difficulties in managing the top leaders and cadres of the same level. The main focus of the article was to highlight political supervision and to supervise the loyalty of the top leaders and the leadership to the party. The intentions are very obvious. The CCPs highest levels will not tolerate any internal evaluation of its diplomatic mistakes, let alone questioning the authority of the central power. It is a strict control of the inner party despite the great failure in the international communities. The first U.S.-China economic and trade dialogue was like the last hope for the CCP, but unfortunately, a confrontation was once again displayed. On June 2, at the press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the CCPs mouthpiece Global Times was instructed to ask about an open letter published in Chinese media calling on the WHO to organize an investigation of the U.S. Armys Fort Detrick bio-lab. The United States had already publicly announced an investigation into the origin of the epidemic, but the CCP once again behaved like a coward, and couldnt wait to blame the U.S. It is foreseeable that there will be many U.S.-China conflicts over the inquiry into the source of the pandemic. It also remains to be seen where the economic and trade dialogue will leada breakthrough for the U.S.-China relations or just another battlefield for confrontation. Yang Wei has been closely following China affairs for many years. He has been contributing political commentary on China for the Chinese language Epoch Times since 2019. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A wind turbine is seen set amongst trees at the Taralga Wind Farm in Taralga, New South Wales, Australia on Aug. 31, 2015 in Taralga, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) Woolworths Turns to Wind Power to Blow a Hole in Carbon Emissions A new renewable energy deal has put the wind in the sails of Australias largest supermarket, Woolworths, promising to supply 30 percent of the food giants New South Wales (NSW) energy needs. The contract will see the transfer of 195,000 Megawatt-hours from Bango Wind Farm to 108 outlets in NSWequivalent to powering 34,000 homesevery year. The undisclosed investment will foot the bill for 10 years worth of energy in advance, part of a power purchase agreement with the wind farms developer, Australian-owned CWP Renewables. Woolworths plans to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025, already brandishing solar panels on the roofs of 140 stores, out of a total 995 stores it owns nationwide. Woolworths Group, which is also responsible for Big W department stores, aims to achieve net carbon positive by 2050, meaning that the conglomerate will eventually seek to output more energy into the grid than it supplies. Going beyond net carbon neutral, weve committed to take more carbon out of the atmosphere than we produce by 2050, and our first renewable power purchase is a key milestone in that pursuit, said Woolworths Group Director of Format Rob McCartney in a media release. Woolworths store in Sydney, Australia on Aug. 25, 2016. (PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images) This is one step ahead of NSWs own environmental plan, which seeks to just reach a neutral carbon emission level by 2050, already investing $11.6 billion over the next 10 years. McCartney said that supermarkets require a substantial amount of power to operate on a daily basis, making the stores a prime target for renewable energy support. Supermarkets are particularly energy-intensive to run, and we want to use our scale for good by supporting the transition to renewable electricity. Last year, Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci outlined the business new sustainability plan, revealing in a media release that the company consumed one percent of Australias total electricity demand and that it planned to invest tens of millions in renewable energy partnerships. NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean supported the decision, particularly for its contribution to both supporting jobs and increasing the states renewable energy supply. This is great news and further proof that the NSW electricity infrastructure roadmap is providing the certainty to businesses and energy market investors to make financial decisions that will help power our state into the future, Kean said. Taralga Wind Farm over farmland in Taralga, New South Wales, Australia on Aug. 31, 2015. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) I am fully supportive of all energy market investment in NSW, but this partnership and agreement is particularly significant because it is prioritising the building of new infrastructure, providing for local jobs and investment and helping us grow our renewable energy base. Bango Wind Farm, which is set to be the third-largest in the state when completed in late 2021, is located 30 kilometres outside of Yass NSW and, when complete, will provide an output at a maximum capacity of 244 MW. The projects cost is undisclosed, but the Renewables Now website estimates the cost to be around $500 million. In contrast, NSWs recently announced $600 million gas plant would be able to supply 660 Megawatts of reliable energycapable of supplying power irrespective of conditions such as lack of wind or sunlight. This comes as concerns are mounting over the states power grid stability following increasing reliance on renewable energy sources, with an electricity generation shortfall forcing NSWs Tomago, Australias largest aluminium smelter, to power down several times last month. No one disputes the energy system should transition to more cleaner sources; we are actively pursuing renewables like wind, solar and hydro, Tomago chief executive Matt Howell said. But the fact remains there are substantial parts of the day and night, particularly in winter, where the dispatchable generation is not there. NORWALK Three restaurants received demerits in April for COVID-19 violations, while another two failed their monthly health inspection, according to Norwalk Health Department inspection reports. While the pandemic violations did not result in a failed inspection, Norwalk health inspector Shaun Duffy noted employees at BJ Ryans Banc House on River Street were not wearing masks in his report. Employees not wearing masks inside (no customers), the report read. Wearing inside is not optional. BJ Ryans owner, BJ Lawless, said the inspector visited the restaurant an hour before opening, when one employee and no customers were present. Its completely ludicrous, Lawless said. The health inspector came in when we were closed, with no one else in the building except for the bartender, who wasnt wearing mask because she was alone setting up her station. Lawless said BJ Ryans championed mask use and followed the mandates to the letter until they were lifted. Paulis Deli on Main Street also received a note regarding mask usage during an April 23 inspection, according to the report. Paulis Deli did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Good Hope Dumpling, also on Main Street, received a reminder to spread seats and tables 6 feet apart, according to the report. We do keep social distance and all that, owner Alex Yan said. We have tables, but keep distance if they sit down, theres 6 feet. We are open for dining but not many come for dining, they do takeout. All staff are still wearing masks. We are doing everything to protect ourselves and the customers. Meanwhile, Enchanted Szechuan on Washington Street, and Uncle Seven on North Water Street failed their April inspections, the reports show. An inspector was sent to Enchanted Szechuan on April 1 following a complaint regarding rice and noodles stored uncovered in the basement, according to the report. At the time of the inspection, there was no cooked food left out uncovered at room temperature. However, one of the kitchens coolers was broken, requiring all the food within to be discarded and leading to a failed inspection, according to the report. The owner of Enchanted Szechuan did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. On April 22 the restaurant was reinspected and received a passing score of 97. While inspecting restaurants, Connecticut and its local health departments grade establishments on a 100-point scale. Each restaurant starts with a score of 100 and points are deducted for various violations worth anywhere between one and four points, according to the state public health code. Any score 80 or above is passing, unless one of the violations includes a critical four-point violation. A four-point violation results in immediate failure, according to the code. Four-point violations include ensuring toxic items are stored and labeled correctly, not re-serving unwrapped or open food, not having staff with open wounds of communicable diseases, adequate water sources and proper hand-washing facilities, according to the health code. Enchanted Szechuans violation fell under one of the 10 four-point violations stating, Potentially hazardous food meets temperature requirements during storage, preparation, display, service, and transportation, according to health department records. Uncle Seven, the second restaurant to fail inspection during April, did not have a working hand sink station in the dish washing area, according to the report. Uncle Seven did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday. The violation falls under a four-point violation that states: Handwash facilities in all food prep/dispensing & warewash areas. abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com Integrated hospital building opens to elevate public health system By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-06-04 14:11 There are two weapons that can be used to offer protection against a virus like COVID-19: one is vaccination, and the other is anti-epidemic buildings, said Dr. Zhang Wenhong, a prominent Chinese infectious disease expert, during his speech at the launch ceremony of Chinas first epidemic prevention and treatment base featuring TCM and Western medicine integration that was officially unveiled early this week. On Tuesday June 1, the epidemic prevention and treatment base (which is a building exclusively for infectious diseases) was established in Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It came as the improvement of the public health system has been deemed a top priority during the sustained containment of COVID-19 in China. The Shanghai Clinical Medicine Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion was unveiled the same day. According to Dr. Zhang Wenhong, TCM has played an important role in Chinas anti-epidemic battle since the COVID-19 outbreak, and it deserves further attention and development. As he pointed out, preventive treatment is one of the biggest advantages of TCM, and the concept of preventive treatment plays a role in Shanghais anti-epidemic fight. At the beginning of the epidemic, the Shanghai authorities held many meetings to arrange fever clinics and fever sentinels across the city. The newly-launched building in Yueyang Hospital exclusively for infectious diseases, as well as the current mass vaccination drive, is also being carried out based on the concept of preventive treatment in epidemic prevention and control. The Chinese people have a long history of fighting epidemics over the past thousands of years, said Dr. Zhang. How can we integrate the experience of Chinese medicine more scientifically into epidemic prevention? From this point of view, the opening of the new building in Yueyang Hospital is of great significance. The building he mentioned is now a landmark of Shanghais public health system. Covering nearly 2,600 square meters, it has a total of six floors. The 1st to 3rd floors will be used as comprehensive functional areas for fever and infection, with 15 single isolation wards (4 of which are negative pressure wards). The 4th to 6th floors are home to a smart acupuncture and moxibustion medical center consisting of 13 consulting rooms and more than 70 treatment beds. The building can be used as a normal and emergency-use hospital. The 4th to 6th floors can be quickly converted into isolation wards with 50 beds. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 23:47:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- At 5:00 a.m. every day, Mercy Atieno, a resident of Nairobi, Kenya, normally sits behind her laptop and logs into a database to begin working online. Her employer is in the Philippines and her work involves digitizing dozens of records for a government department. While Atieno works alone in her parents' home, her colleagues are spread in different parts of the east African nation and the world. "This is what I have been doing for the past two years after completing university and hunting for a job in vain," she told Xinhua in a recent interview. When she started working online, one of the challenges she faced was high Internet charges, with Atieno spending up to 4,000 shillings (about 37 U.S. dollars) a month. Today, however, the 27-year-old spends a quarter of the amount on the Internet a month. This follows a drastic decline in Internet costs in east African, with charges hitting the lowest level ever. Every month, Kenyans are currently buying 120 gigabytes (GB) of data for about 2,000 shillings. This is a decline from an average of 1 GB data for 9.3 dollars some years back. The low Internet charges have made online jobs in the country a fruitful venture for many youths, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. "These days you use the Internet and you don't feel a pinch in your pocket because a dollar worth of data bundles will last you for days," said Collins Kariuki, who works for the government's digital jobs program dubbed Ajira. The program has employed some 40,000 youths, who work for local and international employers, according to the Ministry of ICT, as the Kenyan government seeks to reduce the unemployment crisis. Some of the jobs Kenyans do online include marketing, social media influencing, record archiving, article writing and report writing, and web and magazine designing. Most of the jobs require round-the-clock online presence as a majority of the employers, especially those abroad, monitor how one performs the tasks in real-time. The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) puts the number of Internet users in east African at around 44.4 million as of the end of 2020. The number has risen since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the east African nation in March 2020. This is because most services and transactions went online leading to massive use of the Internet and thus data consumption. "Traffic growth has been fueled by more consumers viewing video content as a result of the rising number of smartphones as well as the availability of high-speed Internet in the country," notes CA in its latest report. Bernard Mwaso of Edell IT Solutions, a software development start-up in Nairobi, noted that the cost of the Internet plays a bigger role in Kenya in terms of accessibility. Internet costs have fallen because of "intense competition among the three telecom firms for the fast-growing data market," he said. He added that as Internet costs fall in Kenya, speed has been increased by the telecom operators namely Safaricom, Telkom and Airtel, creating a further boom. Enditem WILTON The day care worker charged after a young child was found with abusive head trauma earlier this year allegedly failed to tell her employer that she was terminated from her prior job for mishandling children, according to Detective Eva Zimnochs affidavit to her application for a warrant for the arrest of the day care worker. Her employer, the Goddard Preschool & Daycare, also did not check in with her references from her previous job at the Childrens Day School of Greenwich, the affidavit states. The affidavit said that investigation showed there was no indication the childs injuries were suffered at home. Rather, the affidavit alleges, the injuries were sustained at the day care center on Danbury Road, under the care of his teacher, Amy Tingets. Tingets, who was hired at the facility in August 2019, told investigators she was the only person who cared for the child, a then-6-month-old Weston boy, on the day when he allegedly suffered severe head trauma, the affidavit said. Police recently announced the arrest of Tingets, 39, on charges of first-degree assault and risk of injury to a child, stemming from an incident on Feb. 9, a week after the boy and his brother, 2, started attending the school. That day, first responders rushed to the day care for a report of an infant that was unresponsive after taking a nap. A police sergeant, who is also a 38-year veteran paramedic, noticed that the boy was moving his upper body, but was pale and not responding appropriately, the affidavit said. When medics arrived, he was unable to track with his pupils and his breathing was slow and irregular, the affidavit states. The boy was rushed to Norwalk Hospital, then later to Yale New Haven Hospital. At the New Haven facility, a team of clinicians certified in child abuse were called in to assess the boys head injuries. Doctors at the hospital reported that the boy suffered bilateral subdural hematomas, the affidavit said. Doctors and his parents reported issues with his vision after this date, the affidavit said. The boys mother said that the family was told by several doctors that (the boy) had suffered from what appeared to be shaken baby, after and during care, the affidavit said. According to the affidavit, on Feb. 5, a few days prior to the hospital visit, Tingets reported to the boys parents that he bumped his head on a toy, causing a slight red mark. The red mark was reported to have no swelling and went away later that same day. That day was the only day the 6-month-old slept for more than about an hour at the day care, the affidavit said. The next time he did that was on Feb. 9. According to the affidavit, Tingets stated that the Goddard School requires teachers check on their infant students every five minutes, but she told investigators she wasnt sure how many checks she had done on the boy that day since his arrival that morning and during his nap. The affidavit said she was not sure if she was compliant with the facilitys rules. When police asked Tingets if she had previously had any incidents of alleged child abuse reported against her from prior jobs, the affidavit said she told investigators while working at the Childrens Day School in Greenwich she was accused of moving a child aggressively, but claimed it was unfounded. The Department of Children and Families and the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, while conducting their own investigation, alerted police to a complaint on file with OEC involving Tingets from her time at the Greenwich school. The report, taken on July 11, 2019, expressed concern about Amy Tingets being abusive and too rough when handling and redirecting children, the affidavit said. The affidavit states that there were several complaints submitted by an assistant teacher at the Greenwich school that mostly claimed Tingets was mistreating and being violent towards children. In videos from the Greenwich facility, obtained by police and cited in the affidavit, Tingets allegedly could be seen grabbing a child by both his upper arms and sternly moving him, lifting his feet off the ground. In the second video, she grabs a child by his upper right arm, lifting him off the ground and moving him a couple of feet, the affidavit said. Amy Tingets appeared aggressive in the way that she grabbed hold of the childs arm and moved him while suspended in the air, the affidavit states. The children in this video appear to be under 2 years of age. After these complaints were filed by others from the Greenwich facility, the affidavit said, OEC officials launched a full investigation that led to the termination of Tingets from the Childrens Day School on July 24, 2019, for her misconduct with children at the daycare. Two individuals who filed the complaints about Tingets were also terminated on Aug. 5, 2019, for failing to report the incidents sooner, the affidavit stated. On Aug. 2, 2019, Tingets accepted her job at the Wilton day care. The affidavit said Tingets told her new employer she had to give her current job two weeks notice, but she had already been terminated from that job at that point. She also told the company she wanted to leave the Greenwich school so she could work closer to home, the affidavit said. The DCF investigation indicated that physical abuse and physical neglect claims were substantiated against Tingets, citing the boys serious physical injuries ... while in the care of Amy Tingets, the affidavit said. On May 4, investigators spoke with the boys parents for an update on his condition. The affidavit said they told investigators he is seeing an eye specialist since he has been unable to see more than shadows and cannot focus on items. On Jan. 4, New York magazine published a long article by Nicholson Baker, a novelist and writer of literary nonfiction. The thesis: the possibility that the SARS-CoV-2 virus accidentally escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China, had been underplayed. Baker found respectable, highly credentialed scientists who were willing to break with most of the biomedical establishment by at least entertaining the possibility that the virus did not evolve solely in nature. Baker also introduced many of us to the term gain of function which refers to scientific manipulation of a virus to make it more harmful or transmissible. Since that time, gain of function has replaced they canceled Dr. Seuss as the favorite phrase of certain Fox News pundits, although its still unclear whether it is relevant to this particular controversy. Sign up to get Colins newsletter delivered to your inbox, for free The piece got whacked right away in the scientific journal known as Twitter. Some big names in public science debates, such as biologist Carl T. Bergstrom and virologist Angela Rasmussen stuck back at the articles, with Bergstrom complaining about click bait and Rasmussen calling it an error-filled 5,000 word marketing package for Bakers most recent book. Disclosure: Rasmussen and Baker have both made multiple appearances on my show. Early bottom line preview: It has been so far impossible to prove that SARS-CoV-2 originated in nature or that it didnt. It has been impossible to prove that a lab leak happened or that it could not have. By the time Bakers piece was published, the virus origin question had been like everything else about the pandemic dumped into the meat grinder of our dysfunctional political order. On one side was President Donald Trump and his confederates, who (after briefly praising Chinas handling of the crisis) lunged toward an inchoate blame China message, which was, for the president, on-brand in its xenophobia and refusal to take responsibility for anything, ever. Because a substantial portion of the American public is stupid and belligerent, this vague notion also got translated into boycotting Chinese restaurants and yelling at old Korean ladies walking their dogs. On the other side was most but not all of the scientific establishment. Their foundational document was a multi-author paper in the journal Nature titled The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2. Id be happy to summarize it for you, but let me ask: how comfortable are you with phrases such as polybasic furin cleavage site? Only the cleavage part? OK, lets keep it simple. As I understand the argument, it goes like this: Nobody has ever seen anything like this critter before. To take the closest known coronavirus and turn it into this critter, you would have to make a thousand or more changes that are essentially impossible for a lab scientist to make. The only way this critter could have come to exist is out there in the chaotic, rapidly evolving world of nature. And yet ... there are persistent questions of a Columbo nature. And I dont say that to demean those questions, because after all Columbo was usually onto something. One more thing ... I cant get this outta my head ... I mean, if it jumped to humans from bats or from these, whaddaya call em. Trampolines? Pangolins. Yeah, those. Well, wouldnt there have to be some bats or panda goalies that were also sick with this disease? I mean, do you have any examples any other animals that had this exact coronavirus or do we only ever see it in humans? We believe such cases exist, but we have never documented one. OK. Thanks. Ill be on my way ... One more thing. You know, I get Scientific American and my wife, shes after me to throw the old ones out, but I cant, ya know, part with them. Detective Columbo, Im afraid my time is ... So last night, Im sorting through the one she wants me to toss out, and I find this article from 2017 about how China is all set to open its first ever BSL-4 lab. Thats the kind where they can work with the worlds most dangerous pathogens. And where is that lab? Wuhan. And I say to my wife, is that a crazy coincidence or what? Wuhan has the only lab in China where you could do experiments on this kind of virus. And the virus breaks out in Wuhan but has no connection to the lab? But my wife, she says ... We take your point. In the months since Bakers piece appeared, many members of the scientific community, although not fully persuaded by the Columbo arguments, have at least swung more toward the idea that all possible origins of the virus, including the so-called lab leak, need to be considered and explored. In March, the head of the World Health Organization said his own agencys investigation didnt dig deep enough into the lab leak theory. President Joe Biden has given his own intelligence establishment 90 days to produce a report on the question, and in May, a multinational group of 18 researchers published a letter in the journal science asking for an independent assessment. What we're calling for is to have an unbiased team of scientists to investigate the origin of the virus, said Akiko Iwasaki, a professor of immunobiology at Yale University School of Medicine. OK, here comes the hard part. I never believed the lab leak hypothesis was worth taking seriously, not so much because I associated it with Trump but because, as a journalist, I tried to learn about COVID-19 by reading the work of the scientific establishment and listening to their podcasts and personally interviewing them. And they all seemed to dismiss it out of hand. It has lately occurred to me that they have their own biases. They go to conferences with the Wuhan researchers and work on collaborative projects. They would have a hard time believing that Shi Zhengli, director of that emerging infectious disease program at the Wuhan lab could be that sloppy. I did dozens of radio episodes on the science behind the virus. I cant think of a time when I dismissed the accidental lab leak idea but neither did I pursue it. Like a lot of journalists, I was doing my best under time pressure to get up to speed on a complicated subject, and Im pretty sure I over-venerated some of the scientists who brushed off the accident scenario. There was so much anti-science in the air that it made sense to side with the people who had spent lifetimes on the science. The jury is still out, and the lab leak still seems like the less likely explanation. But I think a lot of us didnt do our jobs quite right on this topic. Science is not perfect. Neither is journalism. Sorry about that. Colin McEnroes column appears every Sunday, his newsletter comes out every Thursday and you can hear his radio show every weekday on WNPR 90.5. Email him at colin@ctpublic.org. Sign up for his newsletter at http://bit.ly/colinmcenroe. It seems like all of a sudden were eating out and eating well. As pandemic restrictions loosen, were more confident to dine with friends, celebrate special occasions and entertain family at fine restaurants. After a year of casual eating and take out, its nice to be back in some of the areas best establishments. It wasnt planned, but in the space of two weeks weve had dinner out four times. Waistline, watch out! The occasions spanned a time of change for pandemic precautions. Masks became an option and restaurants were granted increased capacity, while the weather was perfect for eating outside. At Oak and Almond on Main Avenue, a belated Mothers Day dinner kicked off our restaurant tour. We always enjoy eating there, this time thanks to a gift certificate from our far-away son. Service in the busy, socially distanced dining room was professional and attentive. The food, as always, was well-prepared and flavorful. We had never been to The Whelk in Westport, a serious omission since its one of the most well-regarded and influential restaurants in Fairfield County. Seafood is the focus at this waterside spot along the Saugatuck River. Dine inside in the bright contemporary space with natural wood tables and a long marble-topped bar or outside on the plaza with views of the river. Our server pointed out that the five-part menu began with an extensive raw bar and ended with a handful of mains. But she suggested the middle three groups of small plates made for sharing were the best way to get to know the restaurant. The four of us each picked two with no repeats then added the famous hand-cut fries and locally baked parker house rolls. The dishes, simple or complex, are generally accompanied by an irresistible and original sauce or condiment a tantalizing trademark of interesting restaurants. Deviled eggs topped with fried oysters were graced with pickled onions, crisp fish sticks with brown butter tartar, excellent fries with smoked mayo, fluke crudo with pickled ramps, and ... well you get the idea. Each offering was different, distinctive and delicious. The plates were passed, a taste for each of us, with the charger of fries in the middle for grazing. Our server, Nicole, advised on choices and orchestrated the flow of food. An almond cake with amaretto brown butter (two bites each) was a satisfying end to a lovely evening. Washington Prime in SoNo is a popular steakhouse, widely praised by those who give out restaurant awards. Theyve got wet and dry-aged prime steaks simply and expertly grilled or gussied up with some classic presentations. The award-winning wine list is laden with big reds from France, Italy and especially California. The extensive list of whiskey and whisky is one of the most impressive Ive seen. But we go for the seafood. It was our destination for a wedding anniversary dinner. Local Copps Island oysters on the halfshell ($3 each) for Marsha and masa breaded and fried ($14 for four) for me cant be beat. A tiny bottle of Veuve de Verney sparkling rose ($13) from France was the perfect match. Marshas silky ahi tuna steak ($34) was stunningly presented on a lacework of sesame-soy reduction with dots of the most intriguing miso hot mustard along the edge of the plate. My scallops ($36) swam in on a bed of lemon orzo with spring vegetables and tarragon vinaigrette. I cant imagine how hot the skillet had to be to get the dark char crust yet keep the inside perfectly-cooked. Visiting family from California (another sign of the easing pandemic) wanted to go to The Tavern at Gray Barns. The kitchen has continued to develop and mature under the leadership of chef Ben Freemole. Dishes small plates or large are well conceived, detailed, and flawlessly executed. Tuna tartar ($22) with avocado, korean chilis and sesame cucumber was almost too pretty to eat. Prime beef tartare ($24) was graced with torn brioche croutons and seasoned with au-poivre aioli. Whole branzino ($33) with white bean puree and spring relish was a hit. The kitchen has always had a way with chicken breast ($30); this time it was dressed for spring with new potatoes, asparagus, peas and green garlic. Campanelle with morels and spring pesto was a seasonal treat. Denver lamb ribs ($24) with Calabrian honey and pickled shallots were picture perfect. The cocktail menu is creative and the drinks very pretty. The well-chosen wine list matches up with the menu. The Tavern has a new outdoor dining area defined by a hand-hewn post and beam frame covered with a billowing sheet of white canvas for shade. Restaurants crashed at the beginning of the pandemic, now theyre coming back in a rush trying to meet the pent-up demand. Some are struggling to rebuild staff and find their footing, but all are determined to be better than ever. Theyre thrilled to see diners return, just as we are to be eating out. Frank Whitman can be reached at NotBreadAloneFW@gmail.com. It has been a year and three months since I have been able to see a film critic screening in St. Louis. I have been forced to review movies on HBO, Starz, Amazon Prime and Netflix. I am going to my first theatrical screening this week at Ronnies. I am so excited. From now on, most of the movies I review will be shown in theaters. My Spy is an Amazon Original movie that was released last summer but it just came to my attention when my sister saw it and said it was cute and funny. She was right. My Spy is a delight. When a hardened CIA operative, JJ, fails his mission, he is given a new partner, Bobbi, that he doesnt want. Bobbi is a computer genius, but she has not been trained as a spy which is her fervent desire. To further punish JJ, the head of the CIA, David Kim, (Ken Jeong), sends the pair to Chicago to spy on the family of a suspected international criminal. The 9- year-old daughter, Sophie, immediately discovers the agents. JJ finds himself at the mercy of the precocious child breaking all the CIA regulations. Ex-wrestler Dave Bautista plays JJ. He is the homeliest leading man I have ever seen but he does a great job as a fish out of water kind of guy escorting a little girl around Chicago. Chloe Coleman who plays Sophie is darling and steals the show. Chloe was 11 when the movie was filmed but she already has more film credits than most actresses twice her age. I see a bright and shining career for this young actress. I loved the character Bobbi played by Kristen Schaal. Bobbi so wants to be like JJ and is jealous, angry but heartbroken as he teaches Sophie how to be a spy and leaves Bobbi the boring job of watching an empty apartment all day. No comedy would be complete without a love interest. Parisa Fitz-Henley plays Sophies mother, Kate, and JJs eventual love interest. The script opens with violence to give it the PG-13 rating but can be enjoyed by the entire family. The clever script was written by Jon and Eric Hoeber. My Spy was directed by Peter Segal. I enjoyed this film. It is a sweet film that is very light-hearted and will make you smile. Its a great film when you want to watch something fun. My Spy is rated PG-13. I give it 4 stars. Movie critic Mary Cox lives in Wood River and studied film at the University of California, Los Angeles. She has worked in L.A. with various directors and industry professionals. Contact Mary at mary.cox@edwpub.net. EDWARDSVILLE Tuesdays city council meeting marked the first in more than a year where the aldermen sat next to each other instead of placing an empty seat between them or attended virtually from their homes. Plexiglass shields are only in two places on the dais now, between Alderman Chris Farrar and City Clerk Michelle Boyer and between City Attorney Jeff Berkbigler and Alderman William Krause. The council unanimously denied the following item: Request for a $21,304 billing adjustment from Stonebrooke Mobile Home Park owner David Voss. Financial Director Jeanne Wojcieszak said Voss has since agreed to a repayment plan In other action, the aldermen unanimously approved the following items: A resolution authorizing a single source purchase of five, dual-band portable radios not to exceed $30,500 A resolution approving an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Marine Fire Protection District to 7411 Governors Parkway. This will be the site of the citys new fire station, which is currently located within an island of Marine FPDs territory, surrounded by Edwardsville. Areas that are within city limits fall under EFDs jurisdiction. Fire Chief James Whiteford said it makes sense for the city to provide fire service there; Edwardsville can get there faster than Marine can. The owner of the Governors Parkway property will eventually sell the rest of the property to the city and it will get annexed in 2025 or 2026 Approval of a sole source resolution authorizing the purchase of a Flygt Pump from Vandeventer Engineering for $37,575. The Florida Street Lift Station pump failed recently and could not be reset. The pump is 25 years old, beyond repair and the pumps manufacturer replaced it with a newer style An ordinance amending Chapter 22, Article IV of the citys codified ordinances concerning raffles. The ordinance will bring the citys raffles guidelines in line with what the state general assembly amended the State Raffles and Poker Run Act. The four major changes in the state law include: removes the requirement for the municipality to set an upper limit on prize value, cost of tickets and number of days that tickets may be sold; defines the licensing jurisdiction as the location where the winning ticket is drawn; expands the type of not-for-profits which may conduct raffles; and makes a license good for use throughout the state. At the city level, the changes encourage parties to get a raffle license by removing the fee for small raffles and charitable raffles and setting a fixed fee for other raffles instead of a percentage of the fee of prizes. The proposed change also allows the finance director to approve the raffle license instead of waiting for city council approval or polling the city council. Finally, the proposed ordinance removes the outdated fidelity bond requirement, which is usually waived by the applicant An ordinance amending Ordinance #5029-8-97 to add territory in Edwardsville to the Gateway Commerce Center Enterprise Zone A sign variance request for Twisted Biscuit at 1071 S. State Route 157, where EdgeWild used to be. Twisted Biscuit is expected to open June 14 A resolution authorizing an amendment to the Timberlake Village planned unit development A resolution authorizing Amazing Grace at Logan Place planned unit development A resolution approving a special-use permit for a bed-and-breakfast at 223 N. Kansas St. The next Edwardsville City Council meeting is June 15 at 7 p.m. at city hall, 118 Hillsboro Ave. Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at 618-659-5735 SPRINGFIELD, Ill. A proposal to reduce the license plate fee for small trailers is set to become law after months of advocacy by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville. Ive heard from so many folks who are frustrated that the trailer registration fee increased dramatically, from a once reasonable rate of $18 all the way to $118, said Stuart. I opposed this increase at the time, and I immediately filed legislation to repeal it and alleviate the financial burden on working families and small business owners. WOOD RIVER Authorities Friday morning lifted a shelter-in-place warning issued to residents in parts of Wood River and Roxana Thursday after a chemical vapor venting in Wood River. The warning was lifted at 7:30 a.m. Friday after being issued early Thursday morning when a stationary rail car containing spent sulfuric acid that had become over pressurized was found to be venting. A water curtain established Thursday continued in use Friday morning, with the Wood River Fire Department joined by the North County Fire and Rescue, Florissant Valley, Spanish Lake, Black Jack and Kinloch departments from Missouri. Authorities said that, at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Wood River firefighters received an EMS call for a train engineer feeling sick and having trouble breathing under the Phoebe Goldberg overpass. The train he was on had just passed the stationary rail cars. The engineer was treated and transferred to a local hospital. Jeff DeGraff of Norfolk Southern said the initial concern was for one rail car part of a group of five cars from the Phillips 66 refinery awaiting pick up by KCS Railroad that was found to be venting. Late Wednesday and early Thursday, Wood River police and fire were joined at the scene by the Madison County Emergency Management Agency Command Post, Norfolk Southern personnel, hazardous material contractors and fire departments from East Alton, Roxana, Alton, Godfrey, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Mitchell and the Phillips 66-operated Wood River Refinery in Roxana. Around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Wood River officials issued a shelter-in-place order for about 500 residences. It remained in place until 7:30 a.m. Friday. No evacuation order was issued. The incident expanded to include four rail cars. DeGraff said venting of the vapors was done as part of a safety mechanism to reduce built up pressure in the rail cars. He said there had been no release, leak or spills of liquids or solids from the tank cars. Several roads were closed Thursday in Wood River and Roxana as a part of the hazaardous materials response. Illinois 3 was briefly closed Friday morning, but was soon reopened. A water main break under the Phoebe Goldberg overpass also was reported in Wood River during the response. Late Thursday Wood River officials reminded affected residents they were under a boil order for at least 48 hours. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 00:01:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close YANGON -- Chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing met on Friday with ASEAN envoys on current Myanmar's situation, according to a statement from the information team of the SAC. Min Aung Hlaing held talks with visiting Second Minister of Brunei's Foreign Affairs Erywan bin Pehin Yusof, whose country currently holds the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi in the capital city Nay Pyi Taw. (Myanmar-ASEAN-Envoys) - - - - NEW DELHI -- India's COVID-19 tally rose to 28,574,350 on Friday with 132,364 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, said the federal health ministry. Besides, 2,713 deaths were reported since Wednesday morning, taking the death toll to 340,702. There are still 1,635,993 active cases in the country, with a decrease of 77,420 in the past 24 hours. The number of daily active cases has been on the decline over the past few days, after a continuous surge since mid-April. (India-Pandemic-Tally) - - - - HANOI -- Vietnam's Ministry of Health announced on Friday that it has approved China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. The approval was signed by Vietnam's deputy health minister Truong Quoc Cuong on Thursday, making the inactivated vaccine of Sinopharm the third COVID-19 vaccine approved by the country for emergency use, following the approvals of AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines. (Vietnam-China-Vaccine) - - - - DHAKA -- Bangladesh reported 1,887 new COVID-19 cases and 34 new deaths on Friday, making the tally at 807,867 and death toll at 12,758, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said. The official data showed that 18,151 samples were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh. The total number of recovered patients in the country stood at 747,758 including 1,723 new recoveries Friday, said the DGHS. (Bangladesh-COVID-19 cases) Enditem LONDON (AP) Britains Treasury chief says hes optimistic finance ministers from the worlds richest countries will agree on plans to help low-income countries combat COVID-19, slow global warming and confront tax avoidance during two days of meetings in London. Finance ministers from the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations are meeting ahead of the annual summit of G-7 leaders scheduled for June 11-13 in Carbis Bay, Cornwall. The U.K. is hosting both sets of meetings because it holds the groups rotating presidency. Im determined we work together and unite to tackle the worlds most pressing economic challenges, and Im hugely optimistic that we will deliver some concrete outcomes this weekend, Rishi Sunak, chancellor of the exchequer, said before the meetings began Friday morning. The G-7 is under pressure to provide vaccines for low-income countries facing a third wave of COVID-19, finance projects to combat climate change and agree on a global minimum tax to ensure digital companies and other multinationals pay their fair share of government revenue. The International Monetary Fund, World Health Organization, World Bank and World Trade Organization said this week that the G7's top priority should be ending the pandemic and securing the global economic recovery. IMF economists recently estimated it would cost $50 billion to vaccinate 60% of the worlds population by the middle of next year, and that achieving that goal would generate $9 trillion in additional economic output by 2025. "That would be the largest investment return in the history of humankind, Jeevun Sandher, a former government economist who is studying the impact of tax policy on inequality at Kings College London, said in an interview with the BBC. So the first thing today the chancellor and his colleagues from across the world should be doing is getting out their pens and writing those checks. U.S. President Joe Biden has backed calls for a global minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15% and an endorsement from the G-7 could help build momentum for a deal in talks among more than 140 countries being held in Paris. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who is attending the London meetings, has said a minimum tax rate is needed to end a 30-year race to the bottom that has seen countries around the world cut corporate taxes to attract investment. Together we can use a global minimum tax to make sure the global economy thrives based on a more level playing field in the taxation of multinational corporations, and spurs innovation, growth, and prosperity, Yellen said during a speech in April. Bidens support and the expense of combatting the pandemic y have increased the chances for a deal on the global minimum tax, according to Maurice Obstfeld, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley and a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund. But the challenge is going to be, how do you prevent governments from chiseling away at an international agreement through various obscure loopholes, he told the BBC on Friday. I think that is going to have to be part of the discussion: What sort of policing mechanism, what sort of transparency between tax authorities can you set up to make this really fly? Analysts are less optimistic about progress on climate change. Sandher said he didn't expect the finance ministers to commit any funds for the fight against climate change. Instead, they will probably make a statement on the issue and impose some additional requirements for companies to report the climate impact of their investments. What we need to see today is the G-7 putting the money up and paying our way forward," he said. And the cost isn't that large, about 1% of global (gross domestic product) to stop catastrophic climate change." WOOD RIVER Multiple fire departments have responded to a chemical vapor venting in Wood River. On Wednesday afternoon, Norfolk Southern responded to a stationary rail car containing spent sulfuric acid that had become over pressurized and was venting, according to Jeff DeGraff of the railroad. The car was part of a group of five cars originally picked up from the Phillips 66 refinery and staged while awaiting pick up by KCS Railroad, he said. At 9:30 p.m. the staging area for first responders was moved farther from the scene, from the Wood River Police Department to Illinois 111. As of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, work continued to suppress and dissipate the vapors releasing from the rail cars. The same four rail cars continue to vent, DeGraff said Thursday in a written statement. Water is being applied to the cars to dissipate the vapor with good results. Air quality measurements remain within safe parameters in and around the area during this process. We continue to work with our partners on possible remedies, but at this time this course of action is still the best and safest option, he said. All of these efforts will continue through the overnight hours of Friday with little change anticipated, he noted. We are also monitoring wind and weather forecasts to stay ahead of any potential shifts, he said. At around 4:30 a.m., local officials issued a shelter-in-place order for the immediate area. At this time, no evacuation order has been made. The shelter-in-place order will remain in effect until 6 a.m. as a precaution, Wood River police said. Norfolk Southern and its partners are working with the best interests of the communitys safety at the forefront, DeGraff said. We appreciate the patience of the residents and encourage them to monitor official social media channels for updates. Late Wednesday and early Thursday, Wood River police and fire were joined at the scene by the Madison County Emergency Management Agency Command Post, Norfolk Southern personnel and hazardous material contractors. First responders from multiple communities also were on-scene assessing the situation, monitoring air quality and developing containment plans. At about 3:30 a.m. Thursday mutual aid for equipment and manpower was requested from East Alton, Roxana, Alton, Godfrey, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Mitchell and fire crews from the Phillips 66-operated Wood River Refinery in Roxana. The incident involved four rail cars. All firefighters near the hot zone, as it was referred to by firefighters, were wearing protective breathing apparatus and rotating in and out of the area with fresh crews as they became tired. Overnight, two adjacent cars also began venting due to over pressurization, DeGraff said earlier Thursday. DeGraff said a water curtain has been deployed to help disperse the escaping vapor. Additionally, water is being put directly on the rail cars to contain the vapors. At 10 a.m. Thursday a fourth rail car began venting, DeGraff said. The safest course of action at this time is to continue showering the cars with water to dissipate the vapor being released, he said. As weve done this, air quality readings have returned to safe levels. DeGraff said venting of the vapors was done as part of a safety mechanism to reduce built up pressure in the rail cars. There has not been any release, leak or spills of liquids or solids from the tank cars, he said. We encourage residents to follow advisories posted by local officials and refer any questions to them. A Code Red warning was issued to about 500 residences in the affected area, advising residents to shelter in place, close windows and turn off air conditioning units. Sixth Street in Wood River also was closed south of Illinois 143 to Illinois 111 as a precaution. DeGraff said Wood River police and fire departments were coordinating with Norfolk Southerns environmental contractors and government agencies as to when to lift the shelter in place warning. Authorities said that at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Wood River firefighters received an EMS call for a train engineer feeling sick and having trouble breathing under the Phoebe Goldberg overpass. The train he was on had just passed the stationary rail cars. The engineer was treated and transferred to a local hospital. In unrelated news, Wood River officials also announced Thursday morning that a boil order is in place for part of the community. At 4 a.m. the city of Wood River Public Services Facebook page reported water service was unavailable for a portion of the community because of a water main break under the Phoebe Goldberg overpass. A boil order has been issued for at least Friday night or Saturday morning. Less than 50 percent of residents of Isabella, Gratiot and Clare counties have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and the percentage who a Click here and then look to the right side for the sign up to the morning newsletter for The News Herald, and you can get the top headlines de RIDE FOR A CURE Tami Garner will pass through Waynesville in her goal to ride her bike in all 50 states to raise money and awareness to combat Lou Gehrigs Disease, which took her husbands life. Salida, CO (81201) Today Abundant sunshine. High 93F. NW winds shifting to SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A clear sky. Low 54F. SSE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 00:44:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RABAT, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A total of 9,072,565 people have received their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Morocco by Friday, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. Meanwhile, the number of people vaccinated with two doses has reached 5,840,597, according to the ministry statement. The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccines. Morocco's total COVID-19 cases rose to 520,769 during the last 24 hours after 346 new ones were registered, and the number of recoveries increased by 360 to 508,570, the statement said. The death toll from the coronavirus in Morocco rose to 9,169 with four fatalities added during the last 24 hours, while 208 people remained in intensive care units, it added. The COVID-19 fatality rate in Morocco stands at 1.8 percent while the recovery rate is 97.7 percent. Enditem Sevierville, TN (37876) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Big Lots is on the move, but its definitely not leaving its home in Southgate. In fact, customers visiting the new store wont have to leave the same street. The discount retail store has made a move from its previous location at 14155 Eureka Road to a 30,354 square-foot-store at 14333 Eureka Road. - Advertisement - It will continue to offer the same household products and home decor items, food, and seasonal and beauty products. "Were thrilled to continue our tradition of bringing the Big Lots experience to Southgate with the opening of our new location, said Shannon Letts, senior vice president of Real Estate Development at Big Lots. At Big Lots, it is our mission to help our customers live bigger and better by delivering exceptional value on everything they need for their homes and everything they want for themselves. During each visit, customers can expect a fun, friendly neighborhood shopping experience. Sign up for our daily morning newsletter Click here and then look to the right side for the sign up to the morning newsletter for The News Herald, and you can get the top headlines de There will be an added area to the store. The Lot, is a newly dedicated section in each store that houses unique seasonal items, electronics, clothing, accessories, and more. The store also will implement a number of procedures in accordance with government officials to protect the health and well-being of community members in each store. Big Lots has implemented services such as contactless curbside pickup, same day delivery, buy online and pick up in-store through BigLots.com to limit interactions. The store will employ 29 local residents. For more information on Big Lots and job openings, visit BigLots.com. +2 Trenton police see complaints rise on illegal recreational vehicle parking, issue warning In an effort to avoid plastering a warning sticker on a recreational vehicle or worse, having it towed, the Trenton Police Department is cauti Sterling Heights, MI (48312) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High near 85F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 62F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 01:15:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KATHMANDU, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli reshuffled his cabinet on Friday evening after offering 10 ministerial posts to a faction of the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP). The JSP faction led by Chairman Mahantha Thakur agreed to join the cabinet after the Oli government released its 430 cadres from custody, amended the Citizenship Act and formed a task force to study constitutional amendment, key demands of the group. With the introduction of the JSP faction, Oli reshuffled his cabinet, keeping only four ministers while promoting Minister for Finance Bishnu Poudel to be a deputy prime minister. Among the ministerial posts for the JSP figures, senior leader Rajendra Mahato was named deputy prime minister and minister for urban development. Oli appointed Raghubir Mahaseth, a leader from his own party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), as deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs. The prime minister himself took charge of seven ministries concurrently for the moment, but would allocate the portfolios to members of his own party later. "The cabinet will be expanded after holding discussions in the party," Bishal Bhattarai, a CPN-UML leader, told Xinhua. Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office to the newly appointed ministers on Friday evening, according to Keshav Prasad Ghimire, deputy spokesperson at the President's Office. As suggested by Oli, Bhandari dissolved the House of Representatives on May 22 for fresh elections on Nov. 12 and 19. Enditem Listen to article Nairobi, June 4, 2021 Ugandan police should immediately drop their criminal investigation into the Daily Monitor newspaper and guarantee that the media can cover security forces alleged misconduct without retaliation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On May 31, the police Criminal Investigations Department summoned Tony Glencross, the managing director of the Daily Monitors parent company, Nation Media Group-Uganda, and Tabu Butagira, the groups managing editor, to record statements as part of a police investigation into allegations of criminal libel, incitement to violence, and false news publication, according to reports by the newspaper and the BBC. The investigation focuses on a May 31 report by the newspaper detailing the findings of a BBC documentary investigation into the deaths of civilians during election-related protests in November 2020, which the Daily Monitor said vindicated its reporting from early 2021, according to those sources. The BBC report included videos allegedly showing security personnel indiscriminately shooting and killing civilians. Neither journalist attended the questioning, scheduled for June 2, because Glencross was in COVID-19 quarantine and Butagira was on a field assignment, according to the Daily Monitors report. Glencross told the Daily Monitor that they would obviously comply with the police summons. Butagira told CPJ via messaging app that they planned to respond to the summons at a later date. Instead of thoroughly investigating allegations that security forces killed civilians during protests last year, Ugandan police are targeting the messenger by summoning journalists who have covered such allegations, said CPJs sub-Saharan Africa representative, Muthoki Mumo. Authorities should drop their investigation into the Daily Monitor, which is a transparent attempt to intimidate the paper. In a 2000 ruling, Ugandas Constitutional Court struck the penal codes false news law; CPJ could not immediately determine how police intended to pursue an investigation under that annulled law. Butagira told CPJ that it was strange that police were relying on a non-existent law in their case. Convictions for criminal libel are punishable by up to two years in prison, and incitement convictions can carry jail terms of up to three years, according to the Ugandan penal code. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga asked CPJ to direct queries to the office of the Inspector General of Police. CPJ tried to reach Inspector General Martins Okoth-Ochola by calling the police headquarters in Kampala; an officer who answered referred CPJ to Ocholas assistant, Fred Mirondo. When contacted by CPJ, Mirondo asked that questions be sent over email. In a phone call today, Mirondo acknowledged receipt of that email but referred CPJ to the head of the Criminal Investigations Department, Grace Akullo, for comment. CPJ repeatedly called Akullo and texted her for comment, but she did not respond. Separately, Charles Twiine, the spokesperson of the Criminal Investigations Department, told CPJ via messaging application that being a journalist does not give a ticket to immunity but did not provide specific comment on the summonses and investigations into the Daily Monitors work. A Michigan Court of Appeals opinion today all but assures that Pontiac mayoral candidate and former State Rep. Tim Greimel will be on the Aug. 3 primary ballot. The opinion, issued by Judges Mark Cavanagh, Deborah Servitto and Colleen OBrien, stated that Greimels affidavit of identity, or AOI, did not falsify his residence. Jonathan Townsend, the plaintiff and a registered Pontiac voter, filed a lawsuit against Pontiac Interim City Clerk Garland Doyle and the Pontiac Election Commission, arguing that both entities should not have certified Greimel as a candidate due to alleged false statements. - Advertisement - Greimel submitted his AOI on April 16 with a Pontiac address, where he has lived since July 2020. Two campaign reports referenced his former home address in Auburn Hills, though the court stated that the AOI itself contained no errors in Greimels address. In their ruling, the judges said Townsend did not allege that Greimels AOI contained a false statement on campaign reports and campaign statements, or to the payment of late filing fees or fines. Nor did Townsend allege that Greimel failed to acknowledge potential perjury and its resulting penalties. Because both statements appear in Greimels AOI, and plaintiff does not allege that either is false, we conclude that the trial court correctly found that Greimel did not make a false statement in his AOI that would trigger a duty to not certify Greimels name to the election commissioners, the opinion stated. On June 3, Greimel reiterated to The Oakland Press that his AOI contained no false statement and was simply a clerical error. Weve been confident that our AOI was correct and truthful, Greimel said. It was great to see both the Oakland County Circuit Court and The Michigan Court of Appeals rule that that was the case. The family of Noah Kerridge is asking for help. Kerridge, 20, has been missing since April 19. Originally from Linden, he was reportedly last seen in the 2000 block of the Cherokee Apartments, on Scott Lake Road in Waterford Township. He is a white male with blue eyes, approximately 6-foot-4 and weighing 185 pounds. He was last seen with long brown shaggy hair. - Advertisement - His stepfather of 16 years, Josh Whitson, has posted regularly on social media for any relevant information. Whitson said Kerridge moved in with his father in Waterford Township within the past year or so. He told his father he was going for a walk that day. He left the apartment at about 5 oclock that afternoon to go for a walk, Whitson said. That was the last communication, that was the last we heard. Later, surveillance camera footage at a Meijer near Telegraph and 12 Mile roads showed Kerridge at the location. Whitson and his wife, Sarah, Kerridges mother, found this out and said it was the last time anyone has reportedly seen him. Kerridge is believed to have his cellphone. He never leaves anywhere without his phone, Whitson said. All of his friends have reportedly been blocked on social media. Kerridge went to Linden High School, where he was a member of the cross country and robotics teams. He was a very smart kid, Whitson said. He had a group of friends he hung out with all throughout high school, graduated. Hes a very good kid ... Hes not the type of kid to go out and cause trouble. He stays to himself, plays video games. Asked whether he has any unknown enemies or people who want to harm him, Whitson said, Thats the same thing Ive been trying to find out. Waterford Township police have not responded for comment regarding the investigation. On May 31, Sarah Whitson posted in a Pontiac community-related Facebook group thanking people for sharing his information, offering their prayers, and sharing stories of positivity. It has been six weeks since Noah was last seen or heard from, she wrote. Every day more missing people are being found and I am praying hard that we hear from our Noah. It gives me hope and strength to get through the day to hear the positive news of those being found. We are staying positive as much as we can and are trying to stay strong for our other children. Josh Whitson added, We all love him and hope for the best. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $2,500 reward for information on Kerridges whereabouts. Anyone with information can call 1-800-SPEAKUP, visit 1800speakup.org or call Waterford police at (248) 674-0351. A dozen small businesses in Madison Heights were awarded a total of more than $30,000 that was donated in a crowdfunding effort in the city for businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Michigan Senate approved Thursday two bills that would allow county commissioners statewide to begin serving four-year terms. Senate bills 242 and 245 were approved 32-4, gaining bipartisan support. The bills are sponsored by Sens. Jeremy Moss, a Democrat, and Ed McBroom, a Republican. Under Michigan Election Law, county commissioners, unlike countywide elected officials such as executive, prosecutor, and treasurer, are elected to two-year terms. Michigan is one of five states that allows for two-year county commissioners terms. - Advertisement - If approved by the House and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, all county commissioners elected or re-elected in the November 2024 general election would serve four-year terms. Oakland County elected officials will not see a pay raise in 2021 The Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted, 14-7, Monday night against a resolution that would have raised elected official salaries in 2 Earlier this year, The Michigan Association of Counties announced that amending state law to allow for four-year county commissioner terms as its top legislative priority for 2021. Dave Woodward (D-Royal Oak), chair of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, said if the public supports extending the length of county commissioner terms he's "fine with it." "The Michigan Association of Counties has their priorities in the wrong order," he added. "They should be making public health, raising wages for workers, and our economic recovery the top priority. I believe there are much bigger and more important issues that should be a higher priority." Michael Spisz (R-Oxford), the county board's Republican caucus chair, said he's glad that the legislation has passed the senate, but would like to see some changes made to the bill. "This will bring the Commission more in line with the other County wide elected officials," he said. "As this moves forward I would like to also see the legislation allow for half of the commission to be elected every two years with an overall four-year term, so as to not have the entire commission elected in a single election. This would make for a more balanced board, with less chance of major loss of experience and knowledge." Oakland County increasing employee salaries by nearly $11 million in 2021 For the first time in 33 years, Oakland County has approved and will soon implement a new salary administration plan that will boost employee In Oakland County, county commissioners make $36,853 in base salary per year. Since 2015, annual stipends, a percentage of base salary, have been provided to four commissioners due to their additional responsibilities. These four positions include the board chair ($47,908 per year), vide chair ($42,380 per year), and the Republican and Democratic caucus chairs ($40,538 per year). Senate Bill 242 would amend Public Act 261 of 1966, which governs the apportionment of county boards of commissioners, while Senate Bill 245 would amend Public Act 293 of 1966, which governs county charters. The two bills, first introduced back in March, have been referred to the House Committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance. At most high schools in Oakland County, the Class of 2021 began their senior year learning remotely. They went back and forth between remote a Trial is scheduled for a former Oakland County Sheriffs deputy facing two criminal charges stemming from a Nov. 24, 2020 altercation with a belligerent woman he had arrested for allegedly assaulting another woman and stealing her car. Kevin McNally is charged with assault and battery and misconduct in office for allegedly slapping a handcuffed woman after she kicked him in the groin. According to a report from the sheriffs office issued soon afterward, the woman was incoherent and appeared to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and McNally attempted to interview her. She then kicked McNally and he responded by slapping her, the sheriffs office said. - Advertisement - In court Friday, defense attorney Mitchell Ribitwer said discussions on the case were ongoing with the Oakland County Prosecutors Office. Should a plea deal be reached, its expected to be presented on the record July 8, the scheduled trial date, as a pre-trial is also scheduled at the same time. According to the sheriffs office, the incident unfolded outside the WoodSpring Suites in Rochester Hills where a car was reported stolen. The alleged victim said a woman attacked her while she was in her vehicle, then took the car and drove to a nearby parking lot where she was doing burnouts. She was arrested a short time later. McNally was charged following both internal and criminal investigations. On Jan. 4, he was fired from his job with the Oakland County Sheriffs Office. The woman arrested in the incident, a 35-year-old Shelby Township resident, faced charges for vehicle theft, reckless driving, assault and resisting arrest. ALSO SEE: Judge sends child rape case to higher court A 56-year-old Clarkston man accused of raping a young child will face an Oakland County Circuit Court judge, a lower court judge has ruled. +2 Machete slaying case heads to circuit court A district judge has advanced a case against an Independence Township man accused of attacking two acquaintances with a machete, killing one, AstraZeneca delivers first doses of locally produced vaccine THAILAND: AstraZeneca delivered 1.8 million doses of its locally produced COVID-19 vaccine to the Ministry of Public Health today (June 4), the first of six million doses scheduled for delivery this month. CoronavirusCOVID-19Vaccine By Bangkok Post Friday 4 June 2021, 02:31PM The Ministry of Public Health receives the first 1.8 million doses of AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine produced by Siam Bioscience, today (June 4). Photo: supplied. They were received at a ceremony chaired by Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and senior officials. AstraZeneca (Thailand) said it started receiving deliveries from its authorised Thai producer, Siam Bioscience, on Wednesday. AstraZenecas country president, James Teague, said the delivery was significant and marked the start of a sustainable supply in Thailand. The company would be able to supply the vaccine as scheduled to Thailand, and begin shipments to other members of Asean in July. The vaccine produced by Siam Bioscience was absolutely in line with quality standards, as confirmed by lab tests in USA, UK and Thailand, he said. We are confident that production is on track. And we have worked closely with the Department of Disease Control in updating the amount of production per week, he said. However, he refused to say how many doses Siam Bioscience would deliver each month Mr Anutin welcomed the delivery, which he said was on schedule. The vaccine was the key weapon in the fight against the disease, he said. AstraZeneca is our great partner and helped us with the vaccine management plan. Vaccination is the key to stopping the outbreak, to rehabilitating our economy and returning normal life to the people, he said. The ministry plans to distribute the 1.8 million doses to provinces countrywide. Each province had earlier received 3,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Further allocations would be made as the ministry receives more vaccine from the company. Health permanent secretary Kiattiphum Wongrajit said the vaccine allocation to each province would be fair and transparent, but some provinces might get more because of the COVID situation there, economic factors and tourism. It would be decided on a weekly basis, based on the amount of vaccine being delivered to the ministry. Every province will have a supply of vaccine and start mass inoculations on Monday, he said. There is no delay or any change. He was responding to reports some hospitals might postpone vaccinations because of short supply. Under the vaccine management plan, the ministry had a target to provide six million doses of vaccine provided by AstraZeneca this month, he said. However, due to some initial uncertainty over deliveries the ministry had ordered an additional three million doses from Sinovac in June, to ensure it could meet the vaccination target. At least 1.5 million doses of Sinovac was already on track this month. It was expected the extra three million doses from Sinovac would arrive this month, Dr Kiattiphum said. Myanmar worker found dead in pond PHUKET: Police are investigating the death of a 25-year-old Myanmar worker whose body was found in a pond amid a durian plantation in the north of Phuket yesterday (June 4). Myanmardeathpolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Friday 4 June 2021, 10:15AM Capt Kraison Boonprasop of the Thalang Police was called to the scene, in Baan Pru Champa, Moo 8, Thepkrasattri, at about 10am by the missing workers employer, Paisit Uthitkul. Mr Paisit is also the village head of Moo 1, Thepkrasattri. Police and Kusoldharm rescue workers arrived to find Mr Paisit waiting beside the pond, holding a shirt that belonged to his missing worker, named by police so far only as Mr Ko. As Mr Paisit and other Myanmar workers at the plantation had been unable to find Mr Ko, four divers from the rescue foundation were asked to search the pond, where it took only 15 minutes for them to find and recover the body of Mr Ko. Mr Kos body, dressed only ni black shorts, was found only about 15 metres from the edge of the pond. Police noted that his body showed no signs of a struggle. His body was taken to Thalang Hospital for examination to confirm the cause of death. Mr Paisit told police that he, Mr Ko and other three workers had been coming to the plantation every day to plant durian trees. Yesterday, about 10 minutes after arriving, he could not find Mr Ko. He asked the other workers where Mr Ko was, but none of them knew, Mr Paisit said. We searched for him until we found his shirt on the edge of the pond, which is not far from where we are planting durian. Then we called the police and rescue workers to come, he said. I do not know why Ko would have gone into the pond. He may have accidentally fallen into the pond. About three years ago, my dad also died in an area nearby, and a local resident was [previously] found dead after falling into the pond, he said. Ko is a young man with a big body, but he frequently got sick and had to be in hospital. Ko had worked with me for seven years, and we had become close friends, Mr Paisit added. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 01:21:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ABUJA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian government on Friday suspended the operations of Twitter, two days after it accused the U.S. social networking company of double standards and supporting the secessionists in the west African country. Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed announced in a terse statement that the suspension was indefinite, citing "the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence." "The Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT (Over-the-top media) and social media operations in Nigeria," Mohammed said. On Wednesday, the Nigerian government expressed doubts about Twitter's mission in the country, after it deleted a tweet by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari who issued a warning to troublemakers in Nigeria. In the deleted tweet, Buhari had made a reference to the country's 30-month civil war in 1967-1970, warning "those who wanted the government to fail" to desist from fomenting trouble. "Many of those misbehaving today are too young to be aware of the destruction and loss of lives that occurred during the Nigeria civil war. Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand," the president tweeted Tuesday night. Twitter deleted the president's post Wednesday, following criticisms from some netizens. Mohammed, however, questioned the rule of Twitter. "Twitter may have its own rules, it's not the universal rule. If Mr. President, anywhere in the world feels very bad and concerned about a situation, he is free to express such views," the official told reporters in Abuja, saying that the social networking service had overlooked the tweets of leading secessionists in Nigeria. "When people were burning police stations and killing policemen in Nigeria during End SARS, a decentralized social movement, for Twitter, it was about the right to protest. But when a similar thing happened in the United States, it became insurrection," Mohammed said. Enditem Tourism drivers appeal for vehicle debt relief PHUKET: Some 30 tourist passenger van drivers gathered at the Thanachart Bank branch on the bypass road today to appeal for relief on outstanding loans on their vehicles to help the drivers avoid seeing the vans repossessed. tourismeconomicsCOVID-19 By Eakkapop Thongtub Friday 4 June 2021, 04:36PM The drivers gathered at about 9:30am, asking for debt relief, saying they were representing many more tourism van drivers who have been unable to pay car loan installments due to the lack of work caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Due to the COVID-19 situation, there have been no tourists. As a result, operators of vehicle tourist services are suffering a lot, they have had no income and are unable to make payments on car loans Therefore, the relevant departments of the financial institution are requested to sympathise and help to freeze their debts for at least six months without interest, one of the drivers said. The bank repossessing the vehicles would not help the situation, the driver added. If the car is seized, we will be unable to work and Phuket reopens to tourists on July 1, there will be no cars to serve the tourists, the driver pointed out. So we gathered together to ask for sympathy from Thanachart Bank and file a formal request for the bank provide assistance and help us be able to repay our loans later, the driver added. Representatives of Thanachart Bank agreed to meet with the drivers to discuss terms of future repayments, though they talks have yet to reach a conclusion, The Phuket News was told. @rachelravina on Twitter Rachel Ravina is a journalist covering news and lifestyle features in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She grew up in Blue Bell and graduated from Penn State. She's also a news enthusiast who is passionate about covering topics people want to read. Montgomery County police officers will help those with substance use disorder get treatment A stroll in Pablo Picasso's footsteps in Montmartre; breathing in the scents of Provence; a walk along D-Day beaches: These and all of France's other attractions will again become easily accessible from next week to most foreign tourists if they are vaccinated. France is putting itself back on the menu as a destination for international visitors who have had COVID-19 jabs. The government announced Friday that it is removing the need for coronavirus tests for vaccinated Europeans. It also is allowing vaccinated tourists from most of the rest of the world, including the United States, much of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North and central America to come back, if they have a negative test. The relaxed rules will kick in from Wednesday, offering a boost for Frances valuable tourism sector that generated tens of billions of euros (dollars) and sustained more than 1 million jobs before the pandemic froze mass tourism. For French tour guide Linda Zenou, the return of foreign visitors cannot come soon enough: unemployment payments that she's been surviving on during the pandemic stopped last month, leaving her with no more resources, nothing. The 61-year-old has had no foreign tourists to guide since she led a busload of English and Spanish speakers around the Palace of Versailles in February 2020. Every day there are announcements that the Americans 'Whoopee!' et cetera are coming back, she said. It's going to take time to put in place and since I'm desperate, it's hard to be positive. The co-owner of the magnificent Vaux-le-Vicomte chateau southeast of Paris also said he expects a timid return of foreign tourists, who used to make up about one-quarter of visitors to the 17th century estate. Hooray, Alexandre de Vogue said of the reopening borders. But we're staying cautious. Tourism to France will still not be possible from countries wrestling with virus surges and worrisome variants. This red list for the moment has 16 countries, including India, South Africa and Brazil. Even vaccinated, travelers from red countries would still need to justify the trip and quarantine for a week. Outside of Europe, most of the rest of the world is classed as orange in the new travel rulebook released Friday by the French government. Vaccinated visitors from orange countries including the U.S. and Britain will no longer need to quarantine on arrival, or have to justify the reasons for their trip to France. They will, however, still be asked for a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours, or a negative antigenic test of no more than 48 hours. Unvaccinated children will be allowed in with vaccinated adults, but will have to show a negative test from age 11. European visitors and those from seven countries classed as green Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand and Singapore will no longer need to undergo testing if theyre vaccinated. ___ Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak Media Content Creator Ian Ostroff is a writer/reporter who resides in Montreal. He is passionate about getting to know the people and places that make his hometown so great. In his spare time, you can find him at the gym, eating ice cream, or working on his novel(s). Things to do in the Attleboro area and beyond WASHINGTON (AP) The FBI issued a subpoena demanding U.S. newspaper giant Gannett provide agents with information to track down readers of a USA Today story about a suspect in a child pornography case who fatally shot two FBI agents in February. The subpoena, served on the company in April, came to light this week after the media company filed documents in federal court asking a judge to quash the subpoena. The Justice Departments actions were immediately condemned by press freedom advocates. The news comes as the Justice Department has disclosed in recent weeks that it seized the email and phone records of reporters in at least three separate instances during the Trump administration. It raises questions about what liberties federal authorities are taking in using news organizations, journalists and their work as investigative tools. The subpoena asks for information about anyone who clicked on the article for a period of about 35 minutes on the day after the shooting. It seeks the IP addresses which can sometimes be used to identify the location of a computer, the company or organization it belongs to, and where it was registered along with mobile phone identification information of the readers. While the subpoena doesnt ask specifically for the names of those who read the story, such identification information could easily lead federal agents to the readers. It is unclear why the FBI was seeking information about the USA Today story in particular, even though numerous others news organizations, including The Associated Press, had reported extensively on the Florida shooting, one of the bloodiest days in the FBIs history. The suspect opened fire on the agents when they arrived to serve a federal search warrant in a child exploitation case. The two agents, Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger, were killed and three others were wounded. Maribel Perez Wadsworth, the publisher of USA Today and president of the USA Today Network, said the government wants the news organization to hand over private information about its readers and said it was fighting the subpoena to protect the relationship between its readers and journalists. The company also contacted the FBI before asking a judge to quash the subpoena but did not receive any substantive reply nor any meaningful explanation of the asserted basis for the subpoena, she said. We intend to fight the subpoenas demand for identifying information about individuals who viewed the USA Today news report, Wadsworth said in a statement. Being forced to tell the government who reads what on our websites is a clear violation of the First Amendment. The FBI agent who signed the subpoena to Gannett has worked for years on child exploitation cases and has testified in several criminal cases related to child pornography offenses, newspaper accounts and other public records show. The subpoena first reported by Politico says the information is needed as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Federal officials would not provide additional details about the investigation. This is an extraordinary demand that goes to the very heart of the First Amendment. For good reason, the courts have generally refused to give the government access to this kind of sensitive information except in the most unusual circumstances, said Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. The Justice Department in recent weeks disclosed that investigators secretly obtained call records of journalists at The Washington Post, The New York Times and CNN in an effort to identify sources who provided national security information that was published in the early months of the Trump administration. President Joe Biden has said the Justice Department would not seize reporters phone records, though it remains unclear if that promise can be kept. This subpoena, especially when viewed alongside the subpoenas that the Justice Department served under the Trump administration in an effort to obtain journalists records, strongly suggests we need more robust protection for records that implicate the freedoms of speech and the press, Jaffer said. The Justice Department in both Republican and Democratic administrations has struggled to balance the medias constitutionally protected rights against the governments interests in safeguarding classified information and collecting information for criminal cases. During a 2007 investigation, an FBI agent impersonated an Associated Press journalist while investigating bomb threats at a high school in Washington state. The agent portrayed himself as an AP journalist when he communicated with the suspect online and then sent a link to a fabricated AP news article that, when clicked, allowed the FBI to pinpoint the suspects location. The ruse was made public in 2014 and two years later the FBI imposed restrictions on the ability of agents to masquerade as reporters but it stopped short of ruling out the practice. In 2013, federal investigators secretly seized two months of phone records for Associated Press reporters and editors that included 20 telephone lines of both AP offices and the journalists, including their home phones and cellphones. After that, the Justice Department, under then-Attorney General Eric Holder, announced revised guidelines for leak investigations, which require additional levels of review before a journalist could be subpoenaed. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 01:24:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAKU, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The explosion of an anti-tank mine in Azerbaijan's Kalbajar district, west of Karabakh region, on Friday killed three people, including two journalists, and injured four others, according to the country's law enforcement authorities. The incident happened when a vehicle carrying the group hit the mine in the Susuzlug village in the district, which returned to Azerbaijan's control after its six-week war with Armenia last November. "Siraj Abishov, a state television journalist, Maharram Ibrahimov, a reporter with the state news agency Azertac, and Arif Aliyev, a local official, were killed in the blast," the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor General's Office said in a joint statement. Four others, including the driver and a civilian, were hospitalized with different injuries, the statement added. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Enditem State-owned national oil companies already produce nearly three-quarters of the worlds oil and control 90 percent of its proven reserves. The only thing keeping these true Big Oil giants from completely controlling the worlds hydrocarbon supply are the privately-owned, independent oil companies that dominate the Illinois Basin and the United States as a whole. It is with that fact in mind that the recommendations of a recent International Energy Agency (IEA) report pose such a threat to the United States hard-won, decades-long struggle to achieve energy independence. The IEA calls for no new investments in oil and gas-related projects in order to meet net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It is a recommendation that will no doubt be completely ignored by the Saudi Aramcos, Rosnefts (Russia) and National Iranian Oil Corporations of the world, while emboldening Keep It In the Ground calls for divestment from independent oil and gas producers and publicly traded multi-national companies based here in the United States. That is terrible news for the energy security of the United States, namely because even the IEA acknowledges the world is going to need a lot of oil for many decades to come. As Cyril Widdershoven writes for Oilprice.com, A fully renewable, sustainable, and stable world before 2050 is not something that can be achieved without oil and gas for both petrochemicals and energy and [w]ithout independents, all power will fall into the hands of national producers. The IEA even acknowledges that if its recommendations are acted on, the OPEC cartels share of global oil supply will jump from 37 percent to 52 percent in 2050, an all-time high. This would leave the United States heavily reliant on hostile foreign sources for both its traditional and renewable energy needs (China enjoys a virtual monopoly on critical mineral supply chains needed for alternative energy infrastructure). Its often been said that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. But its even crazier to voluntarily recreate a foreign energy-reliance scenario that has had dire consequences in the past and expect a positive outcome this time around. It was just 13 years ago that nearly half of the record 10.1 million barrels a day of crude oil the U.S. imported came from OPEC cartel. We were under the cartels thumb for decades, indirectly or directly resulting in numerous bloody foreign entanglements and infamous long lines at the pumps. With OPECs energy-driven geopolitical leverage over the United States as a prime motivator, eight different U.S. presidents strived for energy independence. The goal was finally achieved last year, when we became a net petroleum exporter for the first time on record and saw our crude oil imports from OPEC fall to their lowest levels since 1973. Remarkably, at the same time the United States achieved energy independence, it also managed to lead the world in carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) reductions. Global CO2 reductions are at the core of the IEAs recommendations. But the fact remains that the U.S. oil demand will remain strong for decades and the most realistic way to continue the historic decoupling trends of economic growth and emissions reductions is producing as much oil and natural gas here as possible. Returning to the days of importing a large share of the oil we use from OPEC and other state-owned sources will not only weaken our geopolitical standing, but result in higher emissions, considering state-owned oil companies are subject to far more relaxed environmental standards than companies here in the U.S. Soon after the IEAs report was released, energy companies in Asia, Japan and the Philippines rejected the organizations conclusion that stopping new oil and gas investment and ceding market share to OPEC is the ideal path to net-zero emissions. The United States should do the same. Not only are the IEAs recommendations unrealistic, they would further embolden true Big Oil state-owned giants who would love nothing more than to have the United States once again under their collective thumbs. Seth Whitehead is Executive Director of the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board. GLEN CARBON The next steps for Glen Carbons Orchard Town Center project are a public hearing followed by a vote of the full trustee board. This comes after a special village board of trustee meeting on May 26 with several discussion-only items. Orchard Town Center is a proposed retail hub on 52 acres that was the Foucek Property, one of the few remaining undeveloped parcels within the village. The Staenberg Group and Menards, Inc., on behalf of Sunnyside Partnership, LP, are the developers. Tim Lowe, a vice president of development and leasing for Staenberg, told the mayor and trustees in April that they have until this month to complete their due diligence. Lowe added they hoped to close on the property this summer and open the first phase next year, with the second and final phase to open in 2023. If the trustees approve, the main anchor tenant, as is widely known, would be Menards with a 209,000-square-foot store. This would be the companys second Metro East site after one in OFallon. After that, there would be four junior anchor tenants comprising a total of 50,000-square-feet and 12 outlots, six along the west side of Troy Road and six more along the south side of Governors Parkway. Lowe said the outlots could become a variety of things: fast food, quick serve, sit-down restaurants, service businesses, urgent cares, a little office building or a multi-tenant building. The development is bordered by Governors Parkway on the north, Troy Road on the east, Center Grove Road on the south and a Madison County Transit trail on the west. Site amenities include a small park next to the bike path and a direct link to the trail from the development. Lowe predicts that the site will draw businesses that are new to the village and/or area. The village, working with the Staenberg and Moran Economic Investments, devised a business district for part of the site and a tax-increment financing zone for another part of the site. The developer is asking for $7 million in assistance with traffic, drainage and mine subsidence issues at the site. There will be a public hearing on this topic June 8 at 6 p.m. at village hall, ahead of the trustee board meeting. Two weeks later, on June 22, the trustees will vote on the project. According to a May 26 memo, Glen Carbon Village Administrator Jamie Bowden told Mayor Bob Marcus and trustees the developer is subdividing the plot into two parcels, one of which, 18.6 acres, will be sold to Menards. Bowden on Wednesday said Marcus wanted to make sure everyone was aware of and comfortable with the issues at the site, which include drainage, traffic and variances. Menards will have its own detention area for storm water runoff and between the outlots and Troy Road will be three stormwater detention areas, with two additional detention ponds flanking the Plum Street entrance and another just outside of the Menard footprint, next to the Goshen Trail. Bowden said the developer will need to do a lot of traffic improvements after a recent review from the Illinois Department of Transportation. He mentioned potential impacts to Troy Road, including at the northeast corner of Troy and Center Grove where the QT gas station and convenience store is located. A new traffic study is also part of the plan. When it came to the two variances requested, one for fewer parking slots than the village requires 425 vs. 606 was not an issue. Menards officials have said that, despite the overall building footprint, their stores have fewer walkable square-feet, which translates to fewer parking spaces. However, the requested sign variances had been issues. Previously, the height of the Menards sign was a sticking point because Menards sought the same height as Schnucks across Troy Road and other, nearby developments from a competitive perspective. Bowden said monument signs are now the focus and the trustees wanted to see how well similar brick and/or stone construction look in other communities before approving it for Glen Carbon. Finally, Bowden said there are a certain list of covenants, or restrictions the village officials may want to put in place to maintain a quality development. Examples he gave Wednesday include no refineries allowed in the development and no payday loan shops. The trustees may also want to limit the number of outlots permitted to have drive-throughs. The village can restrict use through its planned development procedure (PDP) process. Bowden said the village plans to continue streaming its board meetings through at least July 1. ALTON Thursdays nice weather made for a perfect time for a walk. For Alton Mayor David Goins, the walk was a little more meaningful. Goins walked with his grandchildren Maya, Mark Mabry and Macey as they read the poem Walking in Someone Elses Footsteps written by Aaron Williams. Now we dont have to wear masks, and now we get to come outside and enjoy things like this, Williams said. The text of the 37-word poem completed in 2018 appears engraved one word at a time on 20 slabs of sidewalk located across the street from the Alton Museum of History and Art, 2803 College Ave. The project was the first instillation from The St. Louis Poetry Slab Project founded by Williams who also created The 7th Grade Poetry Foundation. Each word is included in an outline of Wadlows shoe insole on each slab, leading to the life-sized statue of the 8-feet-11-inch Alton Gentle Giant. How extraordinary of Alton to treat the worlds tallest man like a regular person, Williams said when he discussed the project in 2018. It speaks to the best of us. Its time to inspire and challenge millions of residents in the bi-state St. Louis region to create public literary art that showcases how smart, positive, creative and thought-provoking we can be as a community, he said. Goins a man of substantial height himself said he relates to Wadlow. Goins noted that he was even known as Gentle Giant when he was younger. Today, Goins said he is always shaking down and that down represents humility. Youre not too high up that you cant reach down to help someone, Goins said. Whether youre doing it literally or figuratively kind words or kind action it is always reaching down. Williams said most of The St. Louis Poetry Slab Project poems installed in the region will have limits of about 125 to 150 characters to fit on existing sidewalks. The poems tablets were sandblasted and painted by St. Louis-based Bazan Painting Co. Williams said he wants to change the way people look down on their community. He added that none of the St. Louis Poetry Slab concrete poems will be negative or divisive and G-rated. To learn more, visit the 7GP and the Poetry Slab Facebook pages or visit www.7gp.org. EDWARDSVILLE The city council unanimously approved a special-use permit Tuesday, allowing a Godfrey couple to open a bed-and-breakfast at 223 N. Kansas St. in Edwardsville. The bed-and-breakfast can open with the following conditions: 1. Approval is in the name of the applicant only and the special-use permit would not be transferrable; 2. The applicants will use background check software, decibel monitoring software and external security cameras to monitor guests and property activity to limit nuisance potentials; 3. The applicants will provide four off-street parking slots for guests; 4. The applicants will subtract one bedroom from the home, making a total of three bedrooms Erin Long and Joseph Mays came to the city and presented their plan to clarify the difference between this proposed bed-and-breakfast and ones already in operation in Edwardsville, following each step according to city rules. Other, similar establishments have opened without consulting the city first, authorities said. We have several of these [unlicensed BnBs] operating in the city, Edwardsville City Planner Emily Fultz said. Weve sent letters to them, weve notified owners that theyve got to come in for special-use permits and if they dont, they must cease-and-desist operations. Citations may follow if they dont. There is another tangent to the subject: the distinction between traditional bed-and-breakfasts and online platforms, such as Airbnb. Alderman William Krause wanted to draw a distinction between Airbnb and traditional bed-and-breakfast with a sign in the front yard displaying the name of the site and a welcoming atmosphere versus a house without a sign and a never-ending merry-go-round of visitors. He described Airbnb as an electronic platform that allows people to reach a wider audience, comparing it to renting a home using Zillow. The Long and Mays model embraces the traditional bed-and-breakfast while using technology such as security cameras and decibel detectors, to market their site to potential customers. Guests will stay between two and 90 days at a time. The homeowners would not be onsite during guests visits and they anticipate as many as seven people would occupy their house at any given time. Guests would also have access to the homes two-car garage. Long said, since they live 20 minutes away, they have an on-call team of boots on the ground to assist them cleaners, mechanics and handy people and if a major problem arose, they would depend on the local police. Fultz said while bed-and-breakfasts are defined in the citys zoning code, there is no specific zoning code section that deals with them. Edwardsville is one of the few Metro East communities that lacks legislation covering Airbnbs and the illegally operating bed-and-breakfasts, Krause noted. Aldermen instructed Fultz to create an ordinance to update the definition of a bed-and-breakfast and regulate Airbnbs within city limits before the next administrative and community service (ACS) meeting on June 10. Kim Goodner, co-owner of 222 Artisan Bakery, supported the proposed bed-and-breakfast. When I travel alone or with my family, we tend to stay at Airbnbs, guest houses or even hostels. Airbnbs are not like most people think, she said. She said she has stayed in places ranging from a few days to a few months. I feel safer and more comfortable in those places than I do in hotels, she said. And that is how the world is turning and changing, folks. I know some of you are saying not in my town [but] we have had home-away-from-homes going on for years. The Goddard House was a BnB, as were other places, along Route 66 here in town, she said. Krause agreed with her on that point. Alderman did receive at least four opposition emails or letters addressing the bed-and-breakfast proposition. Alderman SJ Morrison, momentarily advocating for his employer, Madison County Transit (MCT), said he often fields calls from tourists who want to stay near one of MCTs bike trails. MCTs Watershed Trail is the nearest one to the North Kansas address. Downtown Edwardsville has so much to offer [but] theres no place to stay, within walking distance, he said. WASHINGTON (AP) One of the Biden Justice Department's first big moves has been to alert reporters at three major news organizations that their phone records were seized as part of leak investigations under the Trump administration, with President Joe Biden saying he would abandon the practice of spying on journalists. But while Biden's stated commitment that his Justice Department won't seize reporters' phone records has won support from press freedom groups, it remains unclear if that promise can be kept, especially because Democratic and Republican administrations alike have relied on the tactic in an effort to track down leaks of classified information. His comment last month about what law enforcement should or should not do was all the more striking given Biden's pledge to uphold the tradition of an independent Justice Department. In this case, it seems bad policy to institute an absolute ban on logical investigative actions geared to finding out who violated the law, particularly in instances where the journalists themselves whose records may be at issue are not the subject or target of criminal investigation," said David Laufman, a former Justice Department official who led the section that oversaw investigations into leaks. The Justice Department in recent weeks disclosed that federal investigators had secretly obtained call records of journalists at The Washington Post, The New York Times and CNN in an effort to identify sources who had provided national security information published in the early months of the Trump administration. Past administrations also have struggled to balance the medias First Amendment newsgathering rights against government interests in safeguarding national security secrets. Inside the Justice Department, officials have on several occasions over the years revised internal guidelines to afford media organizations better protection without ever removing from their arsenal the prerogative to subpoena reporters' records. Biden appears to be looking to change that. He told a reporter last month that seizing journalists' records was simply, simply wrong" and that the practice would be halted under his watch. After the most recent revelation that the Justice Department in the Trump administration had secretly seized the phone records of four New York Times reporters White House press secretary Jen Psaki reaffirmed the commitment to freedom of the press. But she also said discussions with the Justice Department were still underway and that no new policy was ready to be announced. Michael Weinstein, a former Justice Department prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer in New Jersey, said he understood Biden's comments as making clear his disdain for the practice without necessarily precluding the possibility that it could ever be used under any circumstances. I dont see that hes directing any specific case or that he's directing that an investigation take one path or another, Weinstein said. "Hes simply putting forth priorities and procedures, which then the Justice Department has to modify its protocols as a result. I don't think he's saying you can never do it, he added. I think he's saying the standards have to be higher. The Justice Department says it has now concluded notifying the media organizations whose phone records were accessed. The latest revelation came Wednesday when The Times said it had learned that investigators last year secretly obtained records for four reporters during a nearly four-month period in 2017. The gap in time likely reflects that the Justice Department regards the seizure of phone records as a last resort when other avenues in a leak investigation have been exhausted. The department said the reporters are neither subjects nor targets of the investigation, but did not reveal which leak was under investigation. The four reporters shared a byline on an April 2017 story that detailed the FBI's decision-making in the final stages of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. The story included classified information about a document obtained by Russian hackers that helped persuade then-FBI Director James Comey that he, not Attorney General Loretta Lynch, should be the one to announce that the investigation had concluded without criminal charges. His unusual July 2016 news conference, held at the FBI and without Lynch or other leaders, marked an extraordinary departure from protocol. The Trump administration announced a crackdown on leaks in 2017 as part of an aggressive stance. In addition to the phone records seizures disclosed over the past month regarding the reporters, the department won guilty pleas from a former government contractor who mailed a classified report to a news organization and a former Senate committee aide who admitted lying to the FBI about his contacts with a reporter. Psaki on Thursday said Trump administration officials had abused their power and that Biden was looking to turn the page. But the same intrusive tactics of the last four years were also employed during the Obama administration, which secretly seized phone records of Associated Press reporters and editors during a leak investigation in 2013 and also labeled a Fox News reporter a co-conspirator in a separate leak probe. Amid blowback, former Attorney General Eric Holder announced guidelines for leak investigations that among other things required sign-off by the highest levels of the department for subpoenas of journalists' records. But the department's ability to obtain those records under certain circumstances remained intact. _____ Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP EDWARDSVILLE Three people face methamphetamine-related charges after a March 23 incident in Granite City. Rebecca J. Grimm, 57; Dennis E. Grimm, 63; and Jessica M. Barron, 36, all of the same address in the 2900 block of Buxton Avenue, Granite City, were charged June 3 with a variety of meth-related felony counts. Rebecca J. Grimm was charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine, unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and unlawful use of property/methamphetamine, all Class 2 felonies. Dennis E. Grimm was charged with unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and unlawful use of property/methamphetamine, both Class 2 felonies. Barron was charged with unlawful deliver of methamphetamine, a Class 2 felony. The cases were presented by the Granite City Police Department. According to court documents, on March 23 and May 27 Rebecca Grimm allegedly delivered less than five grams of methamphetamine to different confidential informants; and on June 2 was in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, and was using her home to promote drug sales. On June 2 Dennis Grimm allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, and was using his home to promote drug sales. On June 3 Barron allegedly delivered less than five grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Bail was set at $50,000 for Barron, $85,000 or Dennis Grimm and $100,000 for Rebecca Grimm. Other drug-related felony charges filed June 3 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include: Terry L. Garrett, 36, of Long Beach, California, was charged with aggravated driving while under the influence (fifth subsequent offense), a Class 1 felony, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon. The case was presented by the Troy Police Department. On June 3 Garrett allegedly was found to be driving a 2020 Toyota while under the influence of alcohol. He has previous convictions or received court supervision for similar crimes in another state in 2020, 2009, 2013 and 2011. He was also in possession of a .40 caliber handgun, and has a prior conviction for robbery out of California in 2008. Bail was set at $50,000. Kara D. Stevens, 24, of Wood River, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony; and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On Jan 12 Stevens allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine, and less than 15 grams of fentanyl. Bail was set at $15,000. Eder O. Hernandez, 36, listed as homeless, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On June 2 Hernandez allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. Demario K. Cox, 29, of Madison, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On June 2 Cox allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. Shawn M. Morales, 33, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On June 2 Morales allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. Joshua M. White, 32, of Wood River, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On Jan. 4 White allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. Dannielle K. Hindelang, 27, of Edwardsville, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On Feb. 18 Hindelang allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. Michael D. Skiff, 42, of Cottage Hills, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On Dec. 16 Skiff allegedly was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000. Kimberly A. McAdams, 48, of Dorsey, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On May 1 McAdams allegedly was found to be in possession of less than 15 grams of cocaine. Bail was set at $15,000. EDWARDSVILLE A commander for a newly-created Cross-River Crime Task Force could be appointed within one week, with dedicated patrols backed up by increased use of license plate reader cameras and other technology starting within one month, Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine said Thursday. A working group of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies held its second meeting Thursday, with Haine giving an update after the meeting. The group first met in early April amid increasing concerns about large numbers of crimes committed by criminals coming from, and then retreating across, the state line into the city of St. Louis and its North County. Its a tragedy that St. Louis, which is a wonderful, wonderful city, is undergoing an historic crime wave and Madison county is doing whatever it can to ensure criminals do not cause problems in Madison County, Haine said. We want to prevent that crime wave from sweeping into our communities. Haine, the only person who spoke during the press conference, cited a number of high-profile crimes over the past few months, including several murders and armed robberies. Were seeing this day in and day out, and were going to do whatever we can to stop this crime flow from coming into our community, he said. He said task force members are hoping for coordination with St. Louis authorities, but that the task force will start by concentrating on Madison County issues. We were elected by Madison County citizens, Haine said. We can do, sadly, nothing about crime in St. Louis. That is St. Louis issue, and all we can do is respond to the needs of Madison County. Haine said the group has made significant progress since first meeting in April. Today we adopted a charter to establish a leadership structure for this organization and a two-phased plan. Within the next week, Haine and Madison County Sheriff John Lakin will name a commander for the group, who must be ratified by two-thirds of the forces members. The commander would then appoint a deputy commander for analytics. We envision that person will be tasked with helping guide the commanders decisions on how to adjust this task forces activities over time, Haine explained. If the data shows crime flows are happening in a different way on a month-to-month basis, there would be a dedicated person, he said, who would analyze this data. The group will conduct joint county-wide operations using an established electronic infrastructure, meaning license plate readers. He said they would balance legitimate law enforcement concerns with individual privacy concerns. We envision monthly patrols, Haine said. They would involve volunteer units from all members. He added that lessons learned with each round of patrols would allow them to perfect the system. He noted that the license plate readers, or LPRs, are very important tools and they will rely heavily on them. In addition to giving police information about where people with active warrants might be, the LPRs will also be used in tracking vehicles designated by law enforcement throughout the county. He noted that the LPRs are not red-light cameras, a common misconception that garners complaints. They are not set up to do citations or speeding tickets, Haine said. They only flag individuals who are put on that list by law enforcement agencies for legitimate law-enforcement purposes. There will be no racial profiling. Haine also said privacy was important. This is not a surveillance state, he said. Privacy is a serious concern, and were taking that seriously. We believe fairly enforcing the law makes everyone safer. Were just doing whatever we can to make sure citizens know were taking privacy concerns very seriously, but were going to use the tools that have proven effective in law enforcement to make sure we can track individuals we know law enforcement has a reason to want to know their whereabouts, arrest criminals, and make sure Madison county is a safe place for everybody. SPRINGFIELD The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency late Friday afternoon referred an enforcement action against Phillips 66 to the Illinois Attorney Generals office related to this weeks spent sulfuric acid venting. The referral alleges violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and Illinois Pollution Control Board Regulations related to the release of sulfuric acid to the atmosphere. According to the IEPA, between May 28 and May 30, four railroad tank cars were loaded with spent sulfuric acid originating at the Phillips 66 facility. On Wednesday, June 2, the cars were loaded onto a train on Norfolk Southern Railway and Kansas City Southern Railway rail lines. At about 3 p.m. June 2, a pressure relief disk on one of the tank cars ruptured and sulfuric acid began venting to the atmosphere, according to the IEPA. At that time, the train was sitting on the railroad tracks north of Rand Avenue and east of Illinois 3 near Hartford and Wood River. IEPA officials said a Kansas City Southern Railway employee was injured during the rupture and was taken to the hospital for treatment and released. During the evening of June 2, two other railcars also began venting sulfuric acid with a fourth rail venting the morning of Thursday, June 3. At about 4:30 a.m. Thursday, the Wood River Fire Department issued a shelter in place order in response to the venting, which was lifted at 7:30 a.m. Friday. Representatives from IEPA and U.S. EPA were on site Thursday and Friday. IEPA officials on Friday said mutliple fire department are deploying water curtains to control the plume of sulfuric acid; however, active venting continues. In the referral, the IEPA alleges Phillips 66 caused or allowed the release of sulfuric acid into the atmosphere. The referral asks Attorney General Kwami Raoul to pursue legal action, to require Phillips 66 to immediately stop the release, and to require Phillips 66 to conduct a root cause analysis of rupture. Additionally, the IEPA states Phillips 66 should submit documentation to the IEPA including the cause analysis report, all air monitoring data, calculations of the amount of sulfuric acid and SO2 released, and a work plan to address the removal and disposal of any remaining material in the railcars. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 01:57:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VALLETTA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Malta has detected its first case of the highly infectious Delta variant of COVID-19, the country's superintendent of public health said here on Friday. The Delta variant, which has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) among the four COVID-19 variants of concern due to evidence that they spread more easily, likely caused the devastating outbreak in India. At her weekly briefing, Charmaine Gauci said this variant was detected late on Thursday and was being investigated by the health authorities. She said that less than half of Malta's cases were from the original strain of COVID-19, with the rest being variants. While 48.6 percent of the cases have been of the original strain, another 47 percent were attributable to the variant first found in the United Kingdom, known as the Alpha variant, while 30 cases, equivalent to 3.7 percent, were attributable to the variant first found in Brazil, she said. Six cases of the variant first found in South Africa were also found, equivalent to 0.7 percent of cases. Gauci said that according to the latest figures, 541,178 people had received vaccines, with 226,341 of them being fully vaccinated. She said the health authorities were seeing the effect of vaccination since only 0.2 percent of all those vaccinated against COVID-19 had tested positive for the virus and they had very mild symptoms. According to the latest medical bulletin, two new cases of COVID-19 were found between Thursday and Friday from 2,545 swab tests. The number of active cases has now dropped to 74. The number of deaths from COVID-19 stands at 419. Enditem RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A sharply divided North Carolina Senate on Thursday formally rejected Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's choice to lead his environmental department, with Republicans who insisted the nominee was ill-prepared for the post winning the vote. The party-line 26-20 margin ousts Dionne Delli-Gatti as secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality and means Cooper must choose a replacement. Within minutes, however, the governor named Delli-Gatti as his point person on promoting renewable energy in North Carolina, with negotiating legislation presumably with the same senators who chose not to confirm her in her job description. Still, the refusal marks the first time a Cabinet appointment by a North Carolina governor has received a no-confirmation result since the advice-and-consent law for the Senate began as Cooper took office in early 2017. Cooper's other 16 nominees have been otherwise confirmed by the chamber, including new Administration Secretary Pamela Cashwell earlier Thursday. Senate Republicans said that Delli-Gatti's lack of insight on the governor's natural gas expansion policy and permitting for a proposed pipeline coming from Virginia during her April confirmation hearing disqualified her for the post. That meeting was held days before a water-quality permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline-Southgate project was denied by a DEQ division and the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline carrying liquid fuel laid bare the vulnerability of having just one natural gas pipeline running through the state on supplies. North Carolinians deserve a secretary of DEQ who lies awake at night thinking about ways to mitigate the single-source supply risk we face today ... (and) to develop a plan for how to find a right balance between environmental protection and new sources of natural gas supply," Sen. Paul Newton, a Cabarrus County Republican and retired utility executive, said during floor debate. This nominee did not know her boss' strategy for the expansion of natural gas in North Carolina. Senate Democrats angered by the GOP's refusal to let Delli-Gatti explain in a committee on Wednesday led them to walk out before a vote. They continued to blast Republican leaders during Thursday's floor debate, saying that Delli-Gatti, a former Environmental Defense Fund leader and first woman secretary in the environmental department, was eminently qualified to run the agency. She also had stints with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and governments in Ohio and Dallas. So what you are seeing that the rest of North Carolina does not? first-term Sen. DeAndrea Salvador, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, asked Republicans. This isnt about what Secretary Delli-Gatti knows or doesnt. We were blindsided. This came out of nowhere. Cooper and Senate Democrats argued her dismissal was based on politics and not merit, pointing out her support from lawmakers, environmental groups and utility giants Dominion Energy and Duke Energy. Delli-Gatti told reporters Wednesday that the pipeline owners could reapply for the permit while making clear federal regulators actually sign off on pipeline construction, not the state. Cooper had named Delli-Gatti in February to succeed Michael Regan, who was plucked by the Biden administration to become EPA administrator. Cooper reiterated Thursday after the vote that those opposed to a clean environment fought her confirmation. The legislatures baseless political criticism of her credentials is but a smokescreen to thwart North Carolinas transition to clean energy that she has the knowledge to help put in place, Cooper said in a news release announcing Delli-Gatti's new role as state clean energy director. She'll receive the same $155,526 salary that she had as secretary, DEQ spokeswoman Sharon Martin said. Republicans said there was nothing political about their decision. They also said it was telling that at least two Senate Democrats defended Delli-Gatti by saying Cooper hasn't actually expressed a natural gas policy, so answering that question during the confirmation hearing was impossible. The state constitution already envisions an advice-and-consent role for the Senate in scrutinizing certain state appointments, but Cooper challenged in court the 2016 law directing confirmations for his 10-member Cabinet, saying the legislative branch was meddling in how he decided to carry out his duties. The state Supreme Court sided with legislative leaders in late 2018. Cooper also announced Thursday that DEQ Chief Deputy Secretary John Nicholson will serve as interim secretary, presumably until a permanent choice is revealed. STAUNTON The Macoupin Art Collective has added more color to its building at 115 E. Main St., Staunton this time with a facelift. The nonprofit purchased the former Mancell Music Building in July 2019 and has been working to renovate and re-imagine its use. With the mission of art to all, The MAC has looked to the community to support this project. Volunteers from many organizations helped to complete the undertaking. DL Whitlock and Bernie Gietl of Carlinville created the 8-foot tall logo. The couple, part of Imagine Rural Arts, volunteered their labor. Fellow Main Street proprietors Jeff and Megan Crotty supplied the necessary equipment. Artist, carpenter and The MAC Board Member Christopher Smejkals artistic vision of piecing together many scraps of lumber to create unique walls, ceilings, and features within the building was carried to the exterior. Chuck and Amy Gugger of Edwardsville provided technical support and carpentry skills through the weeklong process. Students from Metro East Lutheran High School spent a day helping to paint dozens of boards in various shades of blues and browns. Several other volunteers also painted boards as needed throughout the week. RP Lumber gave a discount on the materials to help the local nonprofit. The MAC received approval for tax increment finance funding through the Staunton City Council, along with many businesses, to begin revitalizing Main Street. This summer The MAC will hold classes for all ages and free community events. It also is planning a new interactive Staunton Art Fair in September. The organizations next project is creating an art bus that can take art instruction out into the community. For more information visit the Macoupin Art Collective on Facebook or macart.org. High rollers will soon be able to jet from Northeast Pennsylvania to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. The casino on Friday announced the upcoming launch of Hard Rock Air, a 30-seat VIP air charter service that will cater to high-end customers traveling from select markets to the resort. The service, operated by Ultimate Jet Charters, will begin July 16 with flights from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and airports in Latrobe as well as Farmingdale and White Plains, New York, Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia, Baltimore and Cincinnati. We are confident that Hard Rock Air is going to take our VIP guest experience to new heights and offer a convenient, seamless getaway that is unmatched in the market, said Joe Lupo, president of Hard Rock Atlantic City. The getaways will include ground transportation between the Atlantic City International Airport and casino, as well as overnight accommodations at the hotel. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Executive Director Carl Beardsley Jr. said the Hard Rock brand previously had occasional flights from the airport in Pittston Twp. Theyve come in an out before. I think theyre looking to expand what they have, Beardsley said. This company, Hard Rock Air, provides a niche market that interests a certain type of traveler. For more information, visit www.HardRockHotelAtlan ticCity.com/HardRockAir. RANSOM TWP. State police are investigating after emergency crews pulled a vehicle out of a wastewater treatment lagoon Friday at Cascade Tissue Groups facility. Not long after 11 a.m., state troopers, divers from Germania Hose Company and emergency responders from around the area descended on the facility to pull the vehicle, a burnt-orange Chevrolet Sonic, from the water. It did not appear that anything was inside. Workers dredging the lagoon Friday found the vehicle and called police, according to Newton-Ransom Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief John Stemphoski How it got there and to whom it belonged is under investigation by the state police. A message left for a state police spokesman was not returned. On the scene, Stemphoski said it may be connected to a reported crash Dec. 2, in which a man was found disoriented in the area, but his vehicle was not located. As a rainstorm rolled in, divers waded into chest-high water and attached a cable to the vehicle. A crane hoisted it out of the water and crews slowly set it down on a flatbed truck. A site supervisor at the facility referred inquiries to Cascades spokesman, Hugo DAmours. He declined to comment because it is an active investigation. The lagoon was used to treat wastewater, he said. The facility itself is being decommissioned. The Canada-based company announced in October it was closing its Ransom Twp. and Pittston Twp. plants this year, citing aging equipment, low profitability and high logistic costs. A family dog trying to get food off the kitchen counter likely caused a fire Thursday in Archbald after bumping a knob on the stove, state police said. The state police fire marshal unit assisted Archbald firefighters at the blaze at 598-600 N. Main Ave. just before 11 a.m., according to a public information report. Police said a resident in the 600 side saw and smelled smoke coming from the other apartment and heard a dog barking inside. Crews forced entry and rescued the dog and cats inside the home. The fire spread to the wall and ceiling above the stove. Nobody was injured and officials ruled the fire accidental. Elected officials from the local through federal level voiced their disdain toward the expansion approval Thursday, although one municipal leader noted the financial benefits of the Keystone Sanitary Landfill. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in a statement: The decision by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is contrary to the best interests of the people of Lackawanna County. The approval of this permit is further evidence that our commonwealths environmental laws are inadequate. The General Assembly should pass legislation that will toughen enforcement of environmental laws, better protect communities and allow local municipalities more control over these decisions. U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8, Moosic, in a statement: I couldnt be more disappointed in DEPs decision. I have serious worries about how a permit to expand this landfill without limit for two generations could harm our areas public health and economic growth. I am urging DEP in the strongest possible terms to reconsider the approval of this permit. State Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-112, Blakely, in a statement: The decision made by the Department of Environmental Protection today is shameful and lays bare the need for reforms. I will always encourage and embrace private enterprise and investment in Lackawanna County, but never at the expense of residents health and quality of life. Today, the department whose job is to protect Pennsylvania residents and their communities from environmental harm put decades of waste acceptance ahead of the health, well-being and property values of thousands of Lackawanna County families. Disappointing doesnt begin to describe this outrageous decision. Dunmore Mayor Timothy Burke in a phone interview: Ive never had any trust at all in the DEP never, not whatsoever. Its sad. Theyre supposed to be protecting the people and they never have, and I dont think they even care. Its just so sad. Why even have the DEP if they cannot do their job? Future Dunmore Mayor Mark Max Conway Jr., who secured both the Democratic and Republican nominations in the primary election last month, said in a phone interview: I still dont know why on June 3, 2021, was now the time to make that decision when youre kind of acknowledging that you dont have the information from the (attorney generals) office, why dont you hold off on a decision thats going to impact this area, not just for the next 40 years, for the next 240 years. That landfill is going to be there forever, and its going to be a huge mountain of trash thats going to affect everybody. Its going to affect my kids, my grandkids, and again, Im only 29. Thats just an unacceptable answer to me. Throop Borough Council President Rich Kucharski in a phone interview: Our position in Throop has always been we will abide by whatever DEP ... approve or disapprove. And, in this situation, obviously, they did approve it. And, of course, its kind of a double-edged sword, but we do get $2 a ton for every ton thats dumped in there, and thats a significant part of our budget. ... And because of that, I think Throop has been a very progressive town with respect to our equipment, and were proactive with respect to paving our streets, and were doing a lot of infrastructure work. ... Without that money, we would never be able to do anything. Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti in a statement: After years of environmental review, its extremely disappointing that our community will shoulder this environmental burden. We trust that DEP did their diligence, but this unfortunate outcome reveals a desperate need for our state legislature to reform statewide policy regarding landfills in the commonwealth. I look forward to working with our state representatives, state agencies and leadership, and fellow mayors and city council members to continue to push for environmental protections for our residents and our children. High notes Northeast Pennsylvania native Tom Joyce was awarded Oklahoma State Universitys Service Award. Joyce, an academic adviser in the universitys College of Education and Human Sciences, was honored with the award for his work throughout 2020. The University Service Award is given to individuals who quietly go about their duties giving so much above and beyond their assigned responsibilities and making a notable difference in their units and to the university as a whole, according to OSU. Joyce, an Army veteran, graduated from Wallenpaupack Area School District. New maps available To bring attention to the Susquehanna River and increase awareness of its recreational potential, the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) completed a collaboration with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership to update water trail maps for the rivers Upper North Branch for the first time in a decade. This has been an ongoing process for over a year, so were incredibly excited to get these maps out to the public, said Cain Chamberlin, EMHR executive director. There were so many updates to make to both the upper and lower sections of the North Branch. But, thankfully, our water trail managers and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership were ready and willing to help us out. The Susquehanna River recently became a National Heritage Area and an official water trail of the National Parks System. The EMHR was designated as the managing organization for the Upper North Branch. The new Susquehanna River Water Trail North Branch maps are made with waterproof paper and are available for purchase at various retailers. The illustrated, folding maps aid paddlers and anglers by identifying river access points and state-owned islands from Susquehanna County to the Luzerne/Columbia county line. They also provide a bounty of information about the history and ecology of the 180-mile stretch that flows through Northeast Pennsylvania. They are the perfect resource for planning your next North Branch adventure, said Chamberlin. Grant funding from the state Department of Conservation & Natural Resources helped fund the project, as did the work of Diane Turrell of DDH Design in Tunkhannock. To purchase a map or view a digital version, visit www.emher itage.org or stop by EMHR office at 602 Main St., Towanda. Maps are also available for purchase at Endless Mountains Outfitters at Sugar Run, Susquehanna Kayak & Canoe Rental at Falls, Five Mountain Outfitters at Shickshinny, The Endless Mountains Visitors Center in Tunkhannock and the Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency in Towanda. The election audit in Arizona is not a real audit, but what one former Trump administration official called performance art intended to keep alive the fiction that former President Donald Trump, rather than President Joe Biden, won the 2020 presidential election. The process has been condemned by the Phoenix-based Maricopa County commissioners, four of five of whom are Republicans. As if to prove the point, Trump and Sidney Powell, one of the lawyers who went 0-for-65 in state and federal legal challenges to election results in swing states including Pennsylvania, have been lying to supporters that Trump will be reinstated in August. Three far-right Pennsylvania legislators Sen. Doug Mastriano and Rep. Rob Kauffman of Franklin County and Sen. Chris Dush of Jefferson County recently visited the bogus audit performance in Phoenix with an eye toward bringing it to Pennsylvania. Legislators should leave Arizonas problems to Arizona and listen instead to recommendations from Pennsylvania county commissioners, who conduct elections, on how to avoid the manufactured controversy that attended the 2020 vote count. Republican majorities in the Legislature, who had approved voting by mail more than a year before the 2020 election, later ignored the commissioners pleas to allow early counting of mailed ballots. Later, those same lawmakers whined when the state Supreme Court allowed county election offices to count the ballots up to four days after Election Day, as long as they were postmarked by Election Day. Those same lawmakers also declined to fund the services that county election offices needed to conduct the counts amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and later howled when some of those offices accepted contributions from private sources. The commissioners have made just two recommendations: Change the mail ballot application deadline from seven days before Election Day to 15 days, to ensure enough time for voters to receive and return ballots. Allow precanvassing of mailed ballots three weeks before Election Day to ease the counting process and prevent the post-election tabulation delays that fuel conspiracy theories. Lawmakers who want election integrity will listen to the county commissioners rather than conspiracy theorists and crackpots. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 03:00:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close An excavator arrives at the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on June 4, 2021. Egypt on Friday sent massive engineering equipment and crew to the Gaza Strip for its reconstruction after a devastating Israeli bombing campaign in the Palestinian enclave last month, state-run Ahram Online reported. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) CAIRO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Egypt on Friday sent massive engineering equipment and crew to the Gaza Strip for its reconstruction after a devastating Israeli bombing campaign in the Palestinian enclave last month, state-run Ahram Online reported. The equipment, including a large number of trucks, bulldozers and cranes, will remove debris and rubble from the buildings that were destroyed during the 11-day Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, Ahram said. The aid comes after a pledge made by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to contribute 500 million U.S. dollars to help reconstruct Gaza with the participation of Egyptian companies. Last month, Egypt brokered a cease-fire deal that ended the fighting between Israel and Gaza's ruler Hamas, in which at least 250 Palestinians and 12 Israelis were killed, and thousands of homes and infrastructure partially or completely destroyed. Enditem Timothy Seth Bryant Pennington was born on January 30, 1988 in Corbin, Ky. He departed this life on June 3, 2021 to be with his Lord and Savior, whom he accepted as a young boy at his church, West Corbin Baptist. Seth was assured of his salvation and knew where he would spend his eternity. S 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 Anyone who thought the social media excitement around Gamestop was a one-off and the interest of millennials and Gen-Z investors taking on the might of Wall Street would fizzle out has been proved wrong. The last few days have seen amazing gyrations in the shares of movie chain AMC, one of the meme stocks widely touted on Reddit. Last year, with cinemas closed, AMC was all but bankrupt. This week the shares were in the stratosphere, with a valuation of $30billion (21.4billion) after the chain offered investors free buckets of popcorn when they go to the movies. Showtime: The last few days have seen amazing gyrations in the shares of movie chain AMC, one of the meme stocks widely touted on Reddit It may all be just fun to social media investors, but AMCs management has taken advantage of the share price surge by announcing it is going to sell 11.55m of its shares on the open market in a do-it-yourself rights issue. The stock tumbled 8 per cent from its highs with chief executive Adam Aron cleverly using the situation to bolster stretched finances. Last week Aron sold a $230million stake in the company to hedge fund Mudrick Capital Management which took an immediate profit when it sold the shares back into the market at a premium in this weeks trading. The disrupters taking on the powers of Wall Street have effectively assisted AMC out of a financial hole and enriched the very capitalists who they were seeking to punish. Most companies might not welcome the arrival of a rabble of 3m private investors, brought aboard as a result of social media posts, buying shares through no-commission broker Robin Hood. But Aron has greeted the new shareholders by talking to them directly on favoured sites. The AMC situation is also breathing life into London-quoted Cineworld, where three quarters of pre-Covid revenues came from its US chain of Regal cinemas. Broker Jefferies says Cineworld is now its top leisure pick. The shares plummeted to just 24.76p in October 2020 and are currently trading at 95.5p. As stored new releases flood on to the silver screens, it expects Cineworld shares to rise by as much as 50 per cent. Its fascinating how serious players are taking their lead from slick neophyte investors. But one cant help but feel that Reddit, crypto-currencies, Spacs and recent tech float valuations are all part of the same phenomenon created by the global central banks. There is too much money chasing too few reliable investment opportunities. Deep waters Pennon, which owns South West Water, is often overlooked as it dives in and out of the FTSE. The all-women team at the top of chair-man Gill Rider and chief executive Susan Davy is reshaping the group by refocusing on core water supply. The board disposed of waste company Viridor for 4.2billion to private equity princelings KKR in March 2020. Pennon is now splashing the cash. It is buying neighbour Bristol Water for 814million including debt. And it is holding on to a small fighting fund for future acquisitions. Preferably it wants to buy contiguous water providers but does not rule out looking further afield. Pennon is using some of the money sloshing around to pay back 1.1billion of debt. It is also proposing to pay a special dividend of 1.5billion to shareholders and to organise 400million of share buybacks. That is terrific for investors, who generally buy stock in utilities for predictable returns rather than one-off payouts. The company famously bought some goodwill from customers with its offer last October of 20 worth of free Pennon shares. Nevertheless, given that the group is cash rich and South West Water bills historically have been higher than other suppliers, customers might feel aggrieved that the distribution of resources was not more evenly shared among all stakeholders. No change there then. Discount rate Amid the myriad of retail private equity-backed companies which gone wrong, B&M stands out as a great success story. It generated a 108.5 per cent jump in pre-tax profits in a pandemic year to 525.4million. It was the moment when middle-class former M&S customers transferred their loyalty to the cheap-as-chips stores in droves. When it went public, B&M founders the Arora brothers took flak for the offshore tax arrangements put in place alongside backers Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. We are assured that all that is over and dividends and other payouts are taxed in the usual way by HMRC. Just as it should be. Tesco faces a 2.5billion bill after Europe's top court backed thousands of shop floor workers in a mammoth equal pay lawsuit. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that an EU law could be used in an employment tribunal being brought against Britain's biggest grocer. The store staff who are mostly women have accused Tesco of paying them up to 3-an-hour less than the company's warehouse workers, who are mostly men. Tesco store staff who are mostly women have accused the supermarket chain of paying them up to 3-an-hour less than the company's warehouse workers, who are mostly men The 6,000 workers in the case argue their work is of equal value and that the differences in their rates is sexist breaching UK and EU laws. The ECJ's landmark decision could trigger back pay claims of more than 2.5billion for as many as 25,000 female workers, who might be owed compensation for being underpaid for at least seven years. Tesco's equal pay case is the latest in a string of lawsuits dubbed 'Made in Dagenham for the 21st century' in reference to the film about strikes by women at the Ford factory in the 1960s. In March, the Supreme Court ruled that lower-paid staff who work on the shop floor at Asda can compare themselves with higher-paid workers in warehouses. It was widely expected that the Supreme Court's ruling could have a knock-on effect for other cases and the ECJ decision could too. Costly: Tesco chief exec Ken Murphy. The grocer has insisted the difference in pay had nothing to do with gender There are similar equal pay claims against the likes of Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Co-op. It is thought the industry could be facing a bill of 10billion from a string of claims. Pam Jenkins, who works at Tesco, said: 'To get a judgment confirming shop floor workers can use an easier legal test to compare their jobs to male colleagues in distribution is uplifting. I've always been proud to work at Tesco, but knowing that male colleagues working in distribution centres are being paid more is demoralising. 'I'm hopeful that Tesco will recognise the contribution shop floor workers make to the business and reflect that in our pay.' Tesco and the law firm Leigh Day, which represented the workers, asked the ECJ to clarify a specific part of European law, which is whether a 'single source' test applies to businesses in the UK after it was brought up at the tribunal. Under EU law, a worker can be compared with someone working in a different establishment if a 'single source' has the power to correct the difference in pay. Tesco claimed this was not applicable in the UK but the ECJ ruled it applies to British businesses. The decision which is final will become a part of UK law and will apply to any future equal pay case despite Britain leaving the EU, Leigh Day said. It is expected to be one of the last major decisions on UK employment matters made by the EU before the changes triggered by Brexit come into force. The tribunal will still ultimately make the decision on the Tesco case though it will need to take the ECJ's ruling into account. Kiran Daurka, a partner in the employment team at Leigh Day, which represents the employees, said: 'This judgment is simple, if there is a single body responsible for ensuring equality, the roles are comparable. 'Clarification from the ECJ confirms that this single source test can be relied upon by people in the UK bringing an equal value claim.' Tesco claims the jobs in its stores and its distribution centres are fundamentally different which justifies the differences in pay. A spokesman said: 'These roles require different skills and demand which lead to variations in pay but this has absolutely nothing to do with gender.' AstraZeneca has announced a reshuffle of its top executives ahead of the completion of its 28billion mega-merger with US rare diseases specialist Alexion. The drug giant has appointed Alexion's finance boss Aradhana Sarin to replace Marc Dunoyer, who in turn will become Alexion's chief executive later this year when the deal is expected to be completed. Dunoyer, who has worked as finance boss for Astra for seven years, will also take on an additional role of chief strategy officer at the Covid vaccine maker and will step down from the board, the company said today. Executive reshuffle: Astra's finance boss Marc Dunoyer will become Alexion's chief executive Astra agreed to take over Boston-based Alexion in December last year, but the deal is currently being probed by the Competition Markets Authority. The company seemed confident it would be cleared and expects the merger, which has already been approved by regulators in the US, to be completed in the third quarter. Dr Sarin, who's been at Alexion since 2017, could take over on August 1 if the deal is completed by then. Sarin, who trained as a medical doctor in India, also previously held roles at Citi, UBS and JP Morgan. She will be paid a base salary of 850,000, with the potential for bonuses on top of that. Meanwhile Dunoyer, who joined AstraZeneca in 2013, will lead the rare disease unit of AstraZeneca as the new chief executive of Alexion. He has been a vocal supporter of the deal to buy the company he will now lead. Last month, he told Bloomberg: 'It is quite rare to find somebody who says it's not a good idea, so we are confident that this will turn out OK.' Acquiring Alexion will allow Astrazeneca to add immunology and rare diseases expertise to its arsenal and diversify the group. Astra's chief executive Pascal Soriot, who recently suffered a shareholder backlash over his pay, has pitched the takeover as a way for his firm to gain a foothold in lucrative treatments for rare diseases. Astra agreed to take over Alexion in December last year, but the deal is currently being probed by the Competition Markets Authority The takeover comes after a busy year for Astra, who is facing political pressure over its coronavirus vaccine. The drug maker is involved in a legal battle launched by the European Union over a supply row, while there have also been blood clot concerns over the jab. Protesters also staged a demonstration at its Cambridge headquarters last month, calling on the group to share its Covid-19 vaccine technology. Soriot said today: 'I'd like to pay tribute to Marc for his tremendous achievements since he joined our company, and thank him personally for his outstanding support these past years. 'I'm looking forward to working with him in his new role as CEO, Alexion, the Rare Disease Unit of AstraZeneca, and to his continued strategic input to AstraZeneca's success. 'I'm delighted Aradhana has agreed to become AstraZeneca's next CFO and I look forward to working with her as the Company embarks on the next stage of its journey.' Former Australian state Aboriginal affairs minister Ben Wyatt has been appointed to the board of mining giant Rio Tinto less than three months after leaving politics. Wyatt, who is also a former treasurer in the West Australian government, will join the board as a non-executive director in September, the mining giant said. The move is an attempt by Rio Tinto to rebuild its reputation after blowing up two 46,000-year-old Aboriginal caves in Australia's Juukan Gorge in May last year. On board with Rio Tinto: Former Australian state Aboriginal affairs minister Ben Wyatt When he was the Aboriginal Affairs minister - which was during the time when Rio Tinto blew up the sacred rock shelters - Wyatt was responsible for managing disturbance to Aboriginal heritage sites. Wyatt, who has family links to the Pilbara region of northwestern Australia, has a masters from the London School of Economics. He retired from parliament in March this year. His appointment comes as a devastating Parliamentary inquiry in Australia concluded at the end of last year that 'Rio knew the value of what they were destroying but blew it up anyway.' The final report also stated: 'The Western Australian legislation that enabled the destruction of Juukan Gorge is woefully out of date and poorly administered. Everyone accepts this.' The Juukan Gorge is a sacred site for the local Aboriginal people which housed two 46,000 year-old rock shelters. Rio Tinto blew it up to dig up an estimated 100million of iron ore buried in the rock. The public outcry over their destruction eventually led to the departure of several senior Rio Tinto employees, including chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques. Rio Tinto has also been recently rocked by a massive revolt over the pay handed to its former boss. Last month, more than 60 per cent of votes at the mining giant's AGM were cast against the remuneration report in the biggest rebellion of the year so far. Sacred: The Juukan Gorge housed two 46,000 year-old rock shelters, which were destroyed by Rio Tinto to dig up iron ore buried in the rock Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson said today that Wyatt's family links to the Pilbara and his 'impressive track record in public life' would 'add to the depth of knowledge' to the board at a time when the group is trying to 'strengthen relationships with key stakeholders in Australia and around the world.' Wyatt said he had 'deep respect' for the resources sector in Australia and had 'long been impressed with the professionalism and commitment demonstrated by Rio Tinto'. He added: 'I was deeply saddened and disappointed by the events at Juukan Gorge but I am convinced that Rio Tinto is committed to changing its approach to cultural heritage issues and restoring its reputation, particularly in Australia and Western Australia.' Companies tapping the market don't normally see their share prices rise but CyanConnode and Sareum managed it this week. CyanConnode shot up 62 per cent to 13.5p after it raised 3.15million through the issue of shares at 9.5p. At the time the shares were issued, that was a 2.2 per cent premium to the prevailing share price. The specialist in narrowband radio frequency smart mesh networks that's smart meters to you and me was a bit vague about what it intends to do with the money. CyanConnode specializes in narrowband radio frequency mesh technology used in smart meters The company said it will use the funds to increase working capital, allow the company to continue to take advantage of its significant growth opportunities and execute the company's growing order book and pipeline. As for Sareum, it raised a more modest 900,000 by issuing shares at 2.8p a pop. On Friday, the shares were trading at 3.375p, up 35 per cent on the week. Sareum, a drug development company, was a bit more forthcoming about its plans for the money it raised. It said the money will be used to the company's SDC-1801 TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor drug development programmes as well as for working capital purposes. The small molecule therapeutics company is targeting the completion of preclinical studies in the third quarter of this year, subject to successful progress. Clinical trial plans, including priority autoimmune indications and potential Covid-19 application, will also be developed in parallel, subject to additional funding being raised. TomCo Energy, which uses innovative technology to unlock unconventional hydrocarbon resources, advanced 29 per cent to 0.73p after it provided an update on its Greenfield Energy joint venture's work on Petroteq Energy's oil sands plant at Asphalt Ridge, Utah. The rate of production has been increasing such that Greenfield anticipates that it will shortly reach the targeted production level of 250 barrels of oil per day. Trading in the shares of Savannah Energy was suspended after the company announced it is in advanced exclusive discussions with US oil giant ExxonMobil about the proposed acquisition of Savannah's entire upstream and midstream asset portfolio in Chad and Cameroon. Before they were suspended the shares had risen 27 per cent this week. Quantum Blockchain Technologies, the company formerly known as Clear Leisure, was the week's top faller, shedding a third of its value at 1.3p. A week ago the company updated investors on the current status of Clear Leisure 2017's legal action against Sipiem SpA's previous board and internal audit committee. The AIM-listed firm said the hearing for the case at the Venice Court on May 27 has been temporarily suspended as a result of the verbal notification to the judge, at the opening of the hearing, that one of the defendants has died. Earlier this week, the company signed a service agreement with a UK-based international cryptography expert specialising in cryptocurrency mining blockchain optimisations as part of a research & development strategy for Bitcoin mining. The company said there are 'tangible and disruptive optimisations' that can be made within the Bitcoin mining process that could result in faster execution and energy savings. The first set of optimisations is expected to be ready for testing in the coming weeks. MyHealthChecked, which makes 'Fit to Fly' test for outbound travel, fell flat after unveiling widening losses Argos Resources, the exploration company focused on the North Falkland Basin, tumbled 18 per cent as its full-year results disappointed. The company made a loss of $299,000 in 2020, compared to a loss of $401,000 the year before. The company has no revenue and is seeking partners to participate in drilling on its Falkland Islands licence and admitted that given the current challenging environment it may be some time before any expressions of interest are translated into commitments. The clock is ticking as the licence runs out at the beginning of May 2022. Full-year results from MyHealthChecked also fell flat in the market. Shares in the home-testing healthcare company have had a great run this year, rising from 2p to 4.96p at the beginning of this week on the back of Boots stocking the company's 'Fit to Fly' test for outbound travel, and its Day 2/Day 8 tests for travel into the UK. The shares were already drifting back towards 4p before the release of the results, which revealed the company's loss before tax widened to 3.76million in 2020 from 2.15million in 2019. Tifton, GA (31794) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on tillamookheadlightherald.com. The Headlight Herald E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) Cresaptown, MD (21502) Today Thunderstorms likely. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mainly clear skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 03:45:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, June 4 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that France is ready to support the preparations of the Iraqi government to hold the country's early elections slated for Oct. 10. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi received a phone call from Macron, in which the French president confirmed France's approval of the UN resolution to send a team to monitor the Iraqi parliamentary elections, according to a statement by the Iraqi prime minister's media office. They also discussed the ways to boost bilateral relations in various fields and agreed to continue the coordination in addressing the regional and international challenges, the statement said. Al-Kadhimi praised France's role in fighting the militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group, it added. On May 27, the UN Security Council unanimously renewed the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for a year and authorized UN special representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert to provide a strengthened, robust and visible UN team to monitor Iraq's election day. On Jan. 19, the Iraqi government approved Oct. 10 as the new date for the country's early elections to give more time for the the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission to complete preparations. In July, 2020, al-Kadhimi set June 6, 2021 as the date for the early elections in response to the anti-government protests. The last parliamentary elections in Iraq were held on May 12, 2018, and the next elections were originally scheduled for 2022. Enditem remaining of SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! 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. Stephen Fries, is a professor and coordinator of the Hospitality Management Programs at Gateway Community College, in New Haven, CT. He has been a food and culinary travel columnist for the past 13 years and is co-founder of and host of Worth Tasting, a culinary walking tour of downtown New Haven, CT. Stephen@stephenfries.com For more, go to stephenfries.com. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 03:48:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GUIYANG, June 4 (Xinhua) -- China and Russia pledged on Friday to firmly support each other on issues concerning the core interests of the two countries. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the pledge in a phone conversation, saying the two countries remain unswervingly committed to upholding international fairness and justice and safeguarding world peace and stability. Wang said the all-weather China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has withstood numerous changes in the international landscape, emphasizing that China and Russia have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning their core interests. Wang noted that the guidance of the heads of state is the fundamental guarantee for bilateral relations to develop in a steady and sustained way and enjoy long-lasting vitality. Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin witnessed together via video link the ground-breaking ceremony of a China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation project, which injected strong "nuclear impetus" into the development of bilateral relations, Wang said. He urged the two sides to focus on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, prepare for upcoming key high-level exchanges, fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and advance cooperation in various fields in a coordinated manner in the post-pandemic era. The two sides should work to translate their high-level political mutual trust and traditional friendship into more cooperation achievements, aiming for an ever closer and down-to-earth relationship and setting a fine example of developing a new type of relations between major countries, Wang said. Noting the all-round China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, Wang said that both sides should make joint efforts to continuously expand mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between China and Russia in various fields. Since the beginning of this year, bilateral pragmatic cooperation has got off to a good start and moved forward despite headwinds, demonstrating a strong momentum of development, he said. Bilateral trade volume exceeded 40 billion U.S. dollars in the first four months, up 19.8 percent year-on-year and on track to a record high for the whole year, he added. Recalling that the construction of four nuclear power units kicked off smoothly not long ago, and that the two sides reached consensus on building an international lunar research station, Wang said these major achievements have become important symbols of China-Russia all-round cooperation. China and Russia have made remarkable achievements in jointly fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, setting a good example for global anti-virus cooperation, Wang said, while cautioning against complacency in the face of a new wave of virus transmission. The Chinese diplomat called on both sides to further expand professional and technical cooperation in pandemic prevention and control, strengthen coordination between the two countries' professional departments over unified testing standards, data and information sharing, joint scientific research, border pandemic prevention and control, as well as mutual recognition of health certificates for international travel, and jointly respond to challenges in the post-pandemic era. Wang said that Russia has upheld justice on international and multilateral occasions to support China's legitimate position, in response to a smear campaign against China by the United States and some other Western countries and their gross intervention in China's internal affairs by manipulating human rights-related topics. Wang recalled the virtual meeting of foreign ministers of the BRICS countries days earlier, saying China highly appreciates that during the meeting, Lavrov once again spoke up for China on the issue of coronavirus origin-tracing, slamming the U.S.-led West for fabricating lies and slandering. He stressed that China will also provide full political support for Russia to safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests. The United States has sought a clique under the guise of democracy, meddled in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, and pursued a path of unilateralism in the name of multilateralism, Wang said. As responsible major countries and permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, China and Russia should work together to expose and oppose these perverse practices, firmly maintain the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, uphold international fairness and justice and safeguard world peace and stability, Wang said. For his part, Lavrov said that the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has advanced vigorously and achieved fruitful results, and the Russian side is satisfied with the high level of the two countries' relations. Lavrov noted a series of activities held by both countries to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Russia-China Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, saying they will further solidify public and social support for the friendship between the two countries. Russia will work together with China to earnestly implement the consensus reached between the two countries' heads of state, support efforts to synergize the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road, and proactively advance bilateral cooperation in various fields, so as to add new dimensions to Russia-China good neighborliness and friendship, he added. Facing the severe challenges of the pandemic, Russia hopes to strengthen anti-virus cooperation with China, optimize customs clearance process, speed up the transportation of goods, and jointly enhance the safe and efficient operation of ports, with the aim to boost economic recovery, Lavrov said. Russia is willing to keep close strategic coordination with China on international and regional issues, firmly support each other on issues concerning their core interests, resolutely oppose hegemonism, unswervingly support multilateralism, jointly safeguard world peace and stability and uphold international fairness and justice, the Russian foreign minister said. The two senior diplomats also exchanged in-depth views, coordinated positions and reached broad consensus over a series of international and regional issues of common concern. Enditem The heads of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank on Thursday urged the Group of Seven advanced economies to release any excess COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries as soon as possible, and called on manufacturers to ramp up production. In a joint statement to the G7, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President David Malpass also called on governments, pharmaceutical companies and groups involved in vaccine procurement to boost transparency about contracting, financing and deliveries. Distributing vaccines more widely is both an urgent economic necessity and a moral imperative, they said. The coronavirus pandemic will not end until everyone has access to vaccines, including people in developing countries. Malpass and Georgieva will meet in person on Friday and Saturday with finance officials from the G7 countries Britain, the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, France and Japan with the COVID-19 pandemic set to be a central topic. Both organizations welcomed U.S. plans to distribute the first 25 million of 80 million vaccine doses that Washington has pledged to share globally by the end of this month. Its a good start, and I am hoping that more doses will be made available, especially for countries with deployment programs, Malpass told Reuters. The novel coronavirus has killed more than 3.7 million people worldwide, according to a Reuters tally. While about half the population in the United States has received at least one dose of the vaccine, the percentage in developing countries is still in the single digits, said Mamta Murthi, vice president for human development at the World Bank. The World Bank, World Health Organization and World Trade Organization this week endorsed a $50 billion IMF plan to end the pandemic by expanding access to vaccines. Malpass and Georgieva said vaccines should be shared as soon as possible, in a transparent manner, with developing countries that have adequate distribution plans in place. They also called for a bigger push to increase transparency regarding vaccine contracts, options and agreements; vaccine financing and delivery agreements; and doses delivered and future delivery plans. Murthi told Reuters the World Bank had published data on the $2.4 billion it has already committed to help 25 developing countries buy vaccines, and was urging other multilateral banks to do the same, to improve planning and better target aid. Its like the blind man and the elephant, she said. No one really knows how much capacity is out there, how much has been dedicated to whom, what is the remainder that can be ordered, when are the deliveries scheduled for, and so on. She said it was critical to ensure that countries receiving doses had logistics in place, noting that Malawi had actually destroyed some doses that were nearing expiration dates because it was unable to deliver the doses in time. SOURCE: REUTERS France said on Thursday it was suspending its joint military operations with local troops in Mali as part of efforts to pressure the military junta there to restore a civilian-led government. Malis military arrested interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane last week and pressured them to resign, derailing a transition to democratic elections after another military coup last August. Former vice president Assimi Goita, a colonel who led the August coup and last weeks revolt, was declared president on Friday. West African regional bloc ECOWAS and the African Union have suspended Mali from their organisations and threatened sanctions. [nL2N2NJ38M} Pending these guarantees, France, after informing its partners and the Malian authorities, has decided to suspend, as a precaution and temporarily, joint military operations with the Malian forces, as well as national advisory missions that benefit them, the Armed Forces Ministry said in a statement. French forces will continue to operate in the country separately and the decision will be reassessed in the coming days, it added. A spokesman for the Malian army declined to comment on what he termed a political matter. France, the former colonial power, has more than 5,000 troops waging counter-insurgency operations against Islamist militants in Mali and the wider Sahel, an arid region of West Africa just below the Sahara desert. Militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have strengthened their foothold across the region, making large swathes of territory ungovernable and stoking ethnic violence, especially in Mali and Burkina Faso. While France has hailed some success in recent months, the situation is extremely fragile and Paris has increasingly grown frustrated with no end in sight to its operations. Speaking to the Journal du Dimanche newspaper, President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday the latest power grab by the junta and any sign it plans to negotiate with Islamist militants could lead to a French withdrawal. I passed them the message that I would not stay alongside a country where there is no longer democratic legitimacy or transition, he was quoted as saying. SOURCE: REUTERS COLONIE With more than half the nation's commercial pilots over 55 years old, airlines will be scrambling to fill those jobs in coming years. But it's not only pilots that will be in short supply. "That same demographic holds true for the mechanics" who keep those airliners aloft, said Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin. And filling those jobs will also be a challenge. On Thursday, McLaughlin and other officials gathered to announce a new Aeronautical Technology Institute that will occupy a 12,000-square-foot hangar at Albany International Airport. The institute, a joint effort with Hudson Valley Community College that was first proposed by airport CEO Phil Calderone, will train aircraft technicians in a two-year program that will qualify them for jobs that can pay as much as $40 to $65 an hour. For the airlines, the institute will supply a steady stream of talent. That should help the airport's three maintenance facilities operated by United Express carrier Commutair, American Eagle carrier Piedmont, and regional carrier Cape Air keep up with the demand for their services. At least one carrier has told Calderone it would like to bring in more aircraft if it had the staff to maintain them. According to an airport spokesman, Piedmont has more than 50 employees, including 32 mechanics, eight inspectors, and seven avionics technicians. Commutair has 34 employees, although it didn't specify what positions they hold. It is adding another 10. Cape Air's employment count couldn't be determined on Thursday afternoon. The institute will offer classes beginning in the autumn of 2022 with 40 students. The Hudson Valley Community College Foundation will award scholarships of as much as $10,000 to up to 15 students in the program, while Albany County plans to match that commitment, said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy. "This is a fine example of Hudson Valley Community College seeing an educational need in our community and taking steps to address it," said HVCC President Roger Ramsammy. The two county executives are no strangers to the airport. McCoy for many years was a firefighter based there, while McLaughlin was a commercial pilot who began his career with the former Mall Airways and progressed to flying passenger jets for US Airways, which is now American Airlines. McLaughlin said he's probably landed on Albany's runways "five or six thousand times." The training will include work on aircraft engines, airframes and avionics, the electronics that control the aircraft. The program came about when airport CEO Phil Calderone heard that Champlain Valley Education Services in Plattsburgh discontinued its Aviation Maintenance Technician School. Calderone reached out to HVCC, which acquired the equipment used in training for $1.5 million, financed through a federal Perkins Grant, a $500,000 loan from HVCC's Faculty Student Association, and a $500,000 gift from the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation. The scholarship funds will target students who live in economic opportunity zones or who are underrepresented in science, engineering and technology programs. Military veterans and under- or unemployed individuals will also be encouraged to apply. The program is currently going through certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. Additional equipment for training will also be acquired, and several information sessions will be held this fall at the airport. LaTosha Brown opened with a song. Speaking about voting rights one recent spring day in Selma, Alabama, the Black activist delivered the civil rights anthem Keep Your Eyes on the Prize in a voice showcasing her background as a jazz singer. She told her audience, through music, that the fight for equal access to the ballot box was as urgent as ever. The song drew cheers from a few dozen listeners, young and old, who had gathered before the brown-bricked African Methodist Episcopal church in a city known for its poverty as much as for its troubled racial past. For Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, the song served to introduce a question. Close your eyes, she said. What would America look like without racism?" How will we ever create what were not even envisioning? There was nothing that was brought into the real world that was not first envisioned. A year after the police killing of George Floyd galvanized public attention to racial injustices, amid a barrage of restrictive voting laws being passed by state legislatures, Browns group is redoubling its march toward its North Star: increasing the political power of Black communities. Like many groups that serve predominantly Black communities, the organization was flooded with donations after Floyds death. A year later, the impact is visible: The group says it gave $10 million to 600 community-based groups in 15 states, mostly in the South, who, among other things, registered voters, distributed flyers about the importance of voting, held phone banks, sent millions of text messages, canvassed communities reminding people to vote and rented buses to drive people to the polls. Those efforts are widely credited with helping fuel Black voter turnout in Georgia, which, in part, led to Democrats scoring victories in the presidential and U.S. Senate races that gave them control of both houses of Congress and helped President Joe Biden enact his legislative agenda. Now, in the face of new restrictions on voting in areas heavily populated by people of color, new challenges are emerging. Brown estimates that Black Voters Matter, which received more than $30 million in donations last year, has about 90,000 unique donors. Most of its donations were small gifts from ordinary Americans. The groups operations are run through two channels. One is the Black Voters Matters Fund, a social welfare organization that can engage in political activity, like lobbying. The other is the Black Voters Matters Capacity Building Institute, a nonprofit that funds voter education, registrations and other programs to expand access to voting. (Contributions to the Capacity Building Institute are tax-deductible; donations to the Fund are not). After the racial justice protests, most of the donations flowed into the Capacity Building Institute, which from June 2020 to the end of last year received $18 million a jump of more than 400% from the amount it collected in 2019, according to Alexis Buchanan Thomas, Black Voters Matter's development director, though the increase was driven in part by the 2020 elections. Brown says $3 million earmarked for advocacy work was distributed to several dozen community-based groups. An additional $7 million was given to help local organizations, like the Alabama Association for the Arts, run their own operations and conduct voter engagement work, including voter registrations. Using a $17,000 grant from Black Voters Matter, the Alabama-based group funded a project called Lift Our Vote. It rented buses to help Alabamans get to polling locations, said Jessica Fortune Barker, the projects co-founder. On Election Day, they drove 10 routes across north Alabama. An additional $6 million was used to support Black Voters Matters own get-out-the-vote activities and its 21 state staffers who coordinate with local groups. The funding also went toward providing local organizations vans for transportation, graphics support and radio advertising expenses, among other needs. The main goal for Black Voters Matter, Brown says, has been to strengthen these organizations for the long run. The roots of Black Voters Matter date to 2016, borne of the painful frustration Brown says she and the organizations other co-founder, Cliff Albright, felt about the nationalist, racist rhetoric of former President Donald Trump and a national discourse that didnt include Black folks." In philanthropy circles, Black Voters Matter is whats called an intermediary an organization that donors can turn to when they want to fund nonprofits but lack the expertise or connections to do so directly. In the South, Black Voters Matter has become the powerful heart of an ecosystem of community-based organizations that are often too small for institutional funders to notice church groups involved in voter engagement, for example, or informal group of women with backgrounds in voter drives. This really provides an important infrastructure to touch places, and communities, that national philanthropy has not necessarily been able to engage in deeply, said Jerry Maldonado, the director of the Cities and States program at the Ford Foundation, which, in 2020, donated $1.8 million to the nonprofit. The South is a region that is growing tremendously and shifting tremendously. But its also, unfortunately, a hotbed for regressive innovation, such as efforts restricting voting rights. Many restrictive voting laws have been passed in Southern states since a 2013 Supreme Court ruling threw out a provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The provision had required officials in jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory practices to receive federal approval before making changes to the voting process. This year, Republican lawmakers in Georgia, Florida and other states have passed new voting restrictions, based largely on unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud by Trump and his allies. Supporters say the overhauls strengthen election security. But critics, backed by many election experts, argue that the new laws mainly serve to suppress minority votes. In Georgia, Black Voters Matter's advocacy wing worked with its partners, and other civil rights organizations, like the Georgia NAACP, to design a campaign that urged corporations based in the state to publicly oppose the law and divest from politicians who sponsored it. Under pressure from activists and Black executives, Coca-Cola and Delta issued statements opposing the law. But their statements came days after the bill was passed. The Black Voters Matter Fund, along with other organizations, has since filed a lawsuit challenging the Georgia and Florida laws. Brown's trip to Selma was part of a national event in support of a federal bill, named after John Lewis, to re-establish the mandatory federal oversight that was thrown out by the high court. The event, the John Lewis Advancement Act Day of Action, was also intended to advocate for a federal overhaul of elections proposed by congressional Democrats. The group's voter engagement work is slated to receive more money. Last year, the Capacity Building Institute was chosen as one of 10 Black-led organizations that will receive a total of $36 million over three years from the Democracy Frontlines Fund. Its a strategy developed by 12 foundations to fund Black-led groups that are fighting for free and fair elections, among other priorities. The donations, in part, help the group hold events to benefit local communities. To counteract food insecurity, for example, Black Voters Matter and its partners have held free grocery distributions. In Georgia, Brown says it distributed free groceries to 200,000 families last year. In Selma, when Brown finished her speech about voting rights, Black Voters Matter staffers and their partners hopped on the groups tour bus for a distribution event in Montgomery. After an hour-long drive, the vehicle stopped at a parking lot across from a distribution site that its partners had set up. Soon, Montgomery residents began lining up cars, waiting to pick up collard greens, toys and Black Voters Matter merchandise, from T-shirts and masks to hand fans. For the nonprofit, it was also a way to obtain contact information from attendees, who had to scan a QR code after getting their items. Alabama will always be special to Brown. Its where her grandmother, whom she calls her soulmate, was barred from voting for most of her life under Jim Crow laws. And, its where she lost a close Democratic primary race in 1998 for a seat on the Alabama State Board of Education. After a weeklong vote count, Brown failed to oust the Democrat incumbent by barely more than 200 votes. But minutes after the election was certified, Brown says she received a call from the state Democratic leader, telling her that a sheriff from a county she had overwhelmingly carried had found about 800 uncounted votes in a safe. Yet at that point, her only recourse was to file a lawsuit, which she could not afford. After that experience, I understood the impact and the power of voting, and voter suppression in ways that I had never experienced before, she said. I became more committed than ever that I would not allow anybody to take away my agency, the agency of the people that I love, or my community. More than two decades later, well into Browns career in philanthropy, her work is now most pronounced in Georgia, where the organization is based. Its work in the state, alongside organizations like Stacey Abrams Fair Fight and the New Georgia Project, has been credited with helping flip Georgia blue during the 2020 presidential election and in the subsequent U.S. Senate runoffs. Sekou Franklin, who teaches political science at Middle Tennessee State University, says this was due, in part, to the groups network of activists and organizations in dozens of cities, from Savannah and Albany, to Atlanta. They laid some of this groundwork in the 2018 election, so they have history in these communities, said Franklin, who worked with the fund that year on a campaign that called for a civilian oversight board for Nashvilles police department. I deem them just as important to Georgia transitioning from a red, to purple, swing state as Abrams. For Brown and Albright, the focus of the work is not only on presidential and state-wide elections but also local races that often have a more direct impact on communities. In Brunswick, a Georgia city where three white men are charged with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, Black Voters Matter supports A Better Glynn. That nonprofit, launched last year by local minister Elijah Henderson and his friends after Arberys slaying drew international headlines, seeks to advance equity in Glynn County beyond the Arbery case. It counts the ousting of Jackie Johnson, a Republican prosecutor criticized for her offices response to the fatal shooting of Arbery, as one of their successes. Henderson says that while the nonprofit didn't endorse independent candidate Keith Higgins for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit Court, it worked hard to get people to sign a petition to put him on the ballot. Then, they went out nearly every day, and registered voters. Thats the kind of intensity Black Voters Matter wants to keep one year after Floyd's murder. As we got further and further away from the protest, a lot of organizations, including us, saw those donations going down on a daily basis, said Cliff Albright. We would like for people to continue to have structural racism and racial justice on the top of their minds, just as much as they did in the summer of protest." Black Voters Matter will continue to pursue three things Brown often mentions: organizing people, organizing money and organizing ideas. Ultimately, Albright says, it would like to work toward self-sufficiency and reduce its reliance on donors. We understand that any given month or any given year, the funding world, or individual donors, might be looking for the next shiny thing, he said. We know that we have to find ways to be independently self-sustaining. Brown and Albrights trip to Alabama ended with a block party at a Montgomery park. Police blocked off traffic, allowing two truck vendors selling pasta and other food to set up. Flanked by Black Voters Matter signs, community members lined up and, at one point, cheered on a man whose dance moves to Ushers Yeah captured attention. Attendees were offered free Black Voters Matter merchandise. And they could register to vote. Near the end of the event, Brown once again came before an audience to speak about voting rights. This time, she opened with another civil rights anthem: Aint Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round. ____ 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. ALBANY A free bus service will drive residents from downtown to nature areas throughout the county every Saturday this summer starting on June 12 and running until Sept. 25. The new Nature Bus service is made possible due to a partnership between The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and other local partners. As many of you know, May was mental health awareness month. I was reminded of this when there was a suicide in an apartment across from my office building. This year, more than any other time, mental health and wellness became a top priority for Human Resources in the workplace. In fact, my firm has had to assist with an entire host of mental health situations at client sites. Between fear of the virus, job insecurity, juggling of family responsibilities, the loss of social connections, and working remotely, employees stress levels have been off the charts. A recent survey reported 69% of remote workers have symptoms of burnout. Some of the factors are the lengthening of the workday. HR metrics report the average workday increased by three hours since the beginning of the pandemic. Across the country, HR has taken the lead in supporting employees mental and emotional-well-being. Their goal was to support employees before they get sick. HR has stepped up by keeping current with regulatory changes and implementing various wellness benefits that had a positive impact on reducing employee stress and helped to increase productivity. The Economist published an article with the headline The coronavirus crisis thrusts corporate HR chiefs into the spotlight." The piece reflected that during the global financial crisis, boardrooms turned to Finance Chiefs. But during the pandemic, they turned to the Chief HR officer. A tiny silver-lining was the newly recognized value of HR during the pandemic. HR leaders throughout the country can share their insights, reflections on their front row seat they had throughout the crisis. There is plenty of evidence on how the HR profession found its way into executive roles by exhibiting their expertise in developing and implementing programs that helped sustain the organization. HR departments have had to rethink how wellness translated in a virtual environment. Many of their current programs worked in a pre-pandemic environment. They had to figure out how to support employees who were struggling from a distance. As a result, some creative HR departments rolled out mental health applications when virus rates spiked. Some offered virtual groups to help employees stay connected. Some offered popup counseling sessions. Some organized online exercise, after-work happy hours or hosted game nights. One of the challenges was making sure employees were balancing work and taking time off so they could avoid burnout. During the pandemic, HR data shows employees were less likely to take any paid time off, especially when they were restricted by travel bans and indoor activities. Even when employers offered flexible work schedules, HR found it difficult to track if employees were working too much. HR also had the challenge to work with managers to re-engineer work schedules and balance accountability with flexibility. They had to insure management carried out cleaning and testing protocols. Managerial training became a need rather than a want. Managers needed training on how to manage a remote workforce differently. HR used engagement surveys to take the pulse of workers to gauge levels of isolation, stress and economic distress. Its been a tough year for HR leaders too. They were amongst the bravest of employees. They dealt with many lives lost and livelihoods destroyed. They counseled employees reporting feelings of isolation, loneliness and grief. HR was called in when an employee exhibited slurred speech on a company zoom call. The pandemic put people at the heart of business and turned to HR to explore ways of performing work. Some of my consultants needed to remain working at essential business at the height of the pandemic. I talked many off the ledge and supplied them with any and all protective equipment, assistance and support as needed. We met more frequently. They really are my most important asset and I put money where my mouth is. And we arent in the clear yet. The residual impact on employees is still ever present. Employees are still dealing with mental health issues, fears concerning reopening and vaccinations. What do you do with anti-vaxxers when the rest of the employees are afraid to be around them? HR spends every waking moment keeping up and implementing with regulatory changes. They lead the way to the humane approach to making hard business decisions. HR is not just about paperwork or coddling employees. It is about its ability to adapt to norms, developing programs that maximize the people side of the business, and making it easy for employees to bring their best selves to their work. Rose Miller is president of Pinnacle Human Resources LLC. rmiller@pinnaclehrllc.com BALLSTON Mohawk Chevrolet will celebrate its grand opening next weekend at the new Malta dealership, 639 State Route 67, with a Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12. The event includes games, food vendors and the Haute Messes in Dresses mobile shopping boutique. ALBANY Germaine Farilien stepped back from his uncle in Garland Brothers Funeral Home in awe. In his white casket and white firefighters dress uniform, Dary Taylor looked sharp. Even more, he looked like himself. Farilien turned to his cousin and Taylors daughter, Amber Taylor. He wants to get his uncles worn deck of cards, he said, the one Dary used to play and win at spades for hours at a time, and have the family sign the cards to be buried with Dary. The suggestion moved Amber to tears until Garland Brothers manager, the Rev. Thomas House, told her he, too, is a spades fanatic, holding up his iPhone to show her the app as proof. See? This is how we relate, Amber said, breaking into a belly laugh. For nearly a century, Garland Brothers Funeral Home has offered a trusted service to generations of Black families in the Capital Region seeking to celebrate the lives of their deceased loved ones. One of the oldest Black funeral homes in the Northeast, Garland Brothers is becoming more and more of a rarity in the region and country. Garland Brothers was founded by two brothers in 1929, when white-owned funeral homes did not serve Black families. In addition, many Black funeral homes played a large role in the civil rights movement, caring for Black people killed by lynchings or in protests as well as holding historic funerals for people such as Emmett Till, the teen kidnapped and murdered in the 1950s after being accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. While the business was profitable for decades, with Ebony Magazine estimating in 1953 that 3,000 Black funeral homes made more than $120 million, there are currently around 1,500 Black funeral homes in the U.S., according to Hari Close, president of the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association. Three are located in the Capital Region: Garland Brothers, Sturges Funeral and Cremation and S.L. McLaughlin Funeral Home. Albany is not that big, but we can only do so much, said House, who has been with Garland Brothers since 1970. Theres enough here for everybody. Families go different places for whatever reason. Shannon McLaughlin ended her career as a registered nurse to open her Albany funeral home in 2018, something she says was a calling for her. Since then, she said, "it has taken off like wildfire." In their most prosperous years, Garland Brothers used to hold around 200 funeral services a year. That number has since dropped, with a slightly busier 2020 of almost 100 services to date partially due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has disproportionately impacted Black communities. As more Black funeral homes go under or get sold to mortuary conglomerates, Close points to increasing corporate competition, difficulty obtaining financial resources from banks and a lack of motivation to take over family businesses as causes of the demise. "It's a 24/7, 365 days type of commitment," Close said. "It is their total lifestyle, serving those communities. That's why you have so many generations behind not willing to participate." Albanys Hood Funeral Home, for example, shut its doors when the owner, Harold Hood, died in 2000 there was no one to take over the business. As a newer business, McLaughlin said she would love to leave a legacy one day, hoping the business will remain in her family for generations like Garland Brothers. But while it is corporate funeral homes in the region that create challenging competition and obstacles, Black funeral homes focus on what corporations cant provide: their relationships with the community, bereavement services and financial flexibility. Choosing Garland Brothers for Darys funeral was a no-brainer. Not only is there a close relationship with those who run the business, but theres also a cultural connection and understanding. Its music, sometimes it comes down to how people handle family, sometimes its food-wise, said Nel Farilien. Black funeral homes also offer homegoing celebrations, a tradition from the time of slavery. Slaves who wanted to return to Africa and freedom felt the only way they could it was in death. Later on, the idea behind homegoing became going home to heaven after death. As customs evolved through the years, however, the celebration in Black funeral services remained something that white funeral homes did not offer. "We're going to sing you out the right way, we're going to sing you out with a bang, we like the clapping of the hands," McLaughlin said about her services. "We try to uplift the person and celebrate the person and life instead of sending them off in a way that's let's just cry and mourn." By being Black, McLaughlin said, not only are Black funeral homes more understanding of their clients' culture, but their presentation of Black clients can also be better. "With the makeup, the coloring is off gray and ashy looking," McLaughlin said. "Even our hair textures, half the time they don't know how to do our hair." Knowing the families they work with and their backgrounds, Black funeral homes also keep in mind the financial hardships some clients may face. Funeral services at Garland Brothers typically start at $6,000 the cost of Darys funeral. When House meets with a new family, he presents them with a sheet of their services and respective total costs unlike some other funeral homes that may add charges later on. The business also has a payment plan for clients, and works with families on Department of Social Services benefits to figure out how much DSS would cover. House works with the family, sometimes offering them discounts or taking off certain costs. I really give you something that's nice, that you can pay for and have a decent service for you, House said. The Taylors and Fariliens are no strangers to Garland Brothers Funeral Home. A few years ago, they turned to Garland Brothers to bury their grandma, the glue of their family. Some people take businesses as just businesses, they dont have a sensitive side to it, Amber said. But Garland Brothers definitely do care. Their grandmother sang in the choir for Mount Olive Southern Missionary Baptist Church, and Garland Brothers made sure to bring the music to her service in addition to making her look amazing, her grandchildren said. But even more, Garland Brothers spent much of the service checking on the family, making sure they were all right. It was all the love they gave us. It was nonstop hugs, nonstop prayers, said Nel. The fact that she was the glue of the family and she passed, they knew that broke us. Philippa Garland-Wilcox, the daughter of owner Benjamin Garland and part of the business, said they usually personally know about 90 percent of their customers and many, like the Fariliens and Taylors, are families theyve served for generations. I think it's a dire need for the community, said Lillian Garland, Philippas sister, who is not part of the business. It's a little bit more comforting for a person of color that you've seen, that you know, that you played with. So it's more personable, it's more hands-on, where you can actually know the family. Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify Shannon McLaughlin's description of the importance of Black embalmers in the field. The Eagle: A Times Union Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. What's it like inside one of those massive Amazon fulfillment centers? Times Union reporter Rick Karlin paid a rare visit to the first upstate New York facility of its kind in Schodack this week. On this episode of The Eagle, he tells of a "warehouse on steroids," where hydrogen-powered forklifts, box-building robots and high-tech COVID-19 protocols are all contained within a structure the size of a mall. CPC memorial hall opens after renovation By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-06-04 16:47 The memorial hall for the founding congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was reopened on June 3 after more than 600 days renovation. The new hall has seven sections to show the birth of CPC through cultural relics, pictures, charts, oil paintings, sculptures, real scene restoration and multimedia. Li Qiang, the secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, announced the opening of the new hall. Li said that the glorious tradition of the CPC should be carried forward in the new era. He called for making full use of red resources to inspire people to learn from the hard-working spirit of the CPC. The Memorial for the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC, housed in a restored building in Huangpu District in Shanghai, was first opened to the public in 1952. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 05:55:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A seller introduces products to customers at the Mi-store in the Electron Commercial Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 4, 2021. China's tech company Xiaomi, known for its smartphones, opened its first Mi-store in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou) RIYADH, June 4 (Xinhua) -- China's tech company Xiaomi, known for its smartphones, opened its first Mi-store in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. The opening of the Mi-store in the Electron Commercial Center of the kingdom's capital Riyadh attracted thousands of customers. Hailing "innovative cameras, screens, and batteries" of his Xiaomi smartphone, Khalid Mohammad, a customer at the store, said "Xiaomi is full of good reputation in the market and will have a bright future in Saudi Arabia." Besides smartphones, Xiaomi also provides smartwatches, vacuum cleaners and eco-system products covering high-end, mid-range and entry-level products for Saudi consumers. According to the data of Canalys, a technology market analyst firm based in Singapore, Xiaomi was among the top three smartphone brands in Saudi Arabia in the first quarter of 2021, with a market share of 12 percent. "With the development of China's scientific and technological strength, the smart electronic products, including smartphones, are deeply loved by consumers in the Middle East," said Wang Xingang, the Saudi state manager of Xiaomi. Wang also expressed the company's optimism about the Saudi market, voicing his hope that more Mi-stores will be opened in the future to introduce the "China smart manufacturing" to the world market. Xiaomi products are available in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. In the Middle East, there are Mi-stores in eight countries including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Israel. Enditem AUSTIN, Texas (AP) George P. Bush on Wednesday launched his next political move: a run for Texas attorney general in 2022 that puts the scion of a Republican dynasty against a GOP incumbent shadowed by securities fraud charges and an FBI investigation. Bush, who has served as Texas' land commissioner since 2015, is the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and the nephew and grandson of two former presidents. He is the last of the Bush family still in public office and was the first to break with them over supporting former President Donald Trump, who has mocked the family that was once the face of the Republican Party. He is now launching the first major challenge against embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has spent six years in office under felony indictment over accusations of defrauding investors, and more recently was accused of bribery by his own former top aides. Here in Texas, we have a scandal that is plaguing one of our highest offices. And I believe conservatives should have a choice, Bush said at a campaign kickoff rally in Austin. Bush, 45, said he spoke with Texas' two previous attorneys general prior to Paxton Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn after the latest accusations surfaced but would not go into details. There's concern there, and that's why Im willing to go out there and offer myself because everybody else has been quiet and afraid to tell the truth about this guy," Bush said. Paxton's campaign responded with a statement that made no mention of the accusations against him. Texans know Attorney General Paxton's rock-solid conservative record, Paxton spokesman Ian Prior said. Bush's bid to move up Texas' political ladder sets up a potentially bruising primary that will test GOP voters appetite for the Bush name, and the durability of a two-term attorney general who is embroiled in legal trouble, but was embraced by conservatives last November after bringing a failed lawsuit to the Supreme Court that sought to overturn President Joe Bidens victory. Asked if he supported Paxton's efforts to overturn Biden's win, Bush faulted Paxton's legal strategy and claimed there were irregularities, but acknowledged Biden's victory. No widespread corruption was found, and Trumps allegations of massive voting fraud also have been dismissed by a succession of judges and refuted by state election officials. On Tuesday, Trump endorsed Abbott for a third term but has not weighed in on Texas' attorney general race, which Bush had signaled for months he would enter. Hours ahead of Bush's announcement, Paxton's office publicized a court brief that denies claims of impropriety leveled by top-level deputies who were fired after taking part in an extraordinary revolt against Paxton last fall. Eight staffers accused Paxton of abusing his office in the service of a wealthy donor, which is now the target of an FBI investigation. Paxton called the accusations an unsubstantiated smear campaign" and has separately pleaded not guilty in his securities fraud case that has languished since 2015. He has also used his office in ways that have benefited allies and other donors. Bush, meanwhile, enters the race at a moment of intense scrutiny and bipartisan outrage in Houston over his General Land Office announcing the city wouldn't get a cent of the initial $1 billion in federal funding that was promised to Texas following Hurricane Harvey. He has also angered conservative activists over a renovation plan for the Alamo, the revered Texas shrine. The race is pivotal for Bush's political future in Texas, where he has aligned himself with Trump unlike his famous relatives. Bush has carefully sidestepped Trump's antagonism toward his family, which included taunting his father as low energy during the 2016 presidential campaign. His late grandfather, George H.W. Bush, had said he voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, while George W. Bush said he voted for none of the above. During a visit to Texas in 2019, Trump called George P. Bush the only Bush that likes me. ___ Associated Press writer Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report. ALBANY On the morning her son died, Darlene McDay had been desperately trying to reach someone at Wende Correctional Facility who could fill her in on his case. A fellow inmate had called to tip her off that McDay's son had been badly beaten by guards. Finally, my phone rings, and this guy introduces himself as Rev. Tomlinson. And he said, I need you to sit down. Right when he said that, I knew, McDay said. I started screaming. Everything kind of just went black, you know? Dante Taylor had been incarcerated at the maximum security prison west of Buffalo for nearly a year before his death on Oct. 7, 2017, when he was found hanging by a twisted bedsheet in his cell. McDay channeled her grief into filing Freedom of Information Law requests and hiring a private investigator to record testimony from inmates. She alleges that corrections officials actions played a substantial role in her son's death. But the legal doctrine of qualified immunity, which can be sought by public officials as a defense in civil cases, could curtail her efforts. A photo taken before Taylors death showed his face bloodied and deformed. Though the corrections officers who were present initially denied McDay's claims that they had beaten him up, hogtied him and possibly thrown him down a flight of stairs, a 2020 report from the Commission of Correction cited the findings from the Office of Special Investigations, which substantiated that Taylor was assaulted by numerous officers" the day before he died, and concluded that official documents associated with the incident had been falsified by officers. It took McDay three years to find lawyers willing to take her case. They filed her complaint in February 2020; just a few months later, defendants began filing motions to dismiss the charges, citing qualified immunity. McDay is still waiting on a decision. All I'm asking is for my day in court, for what happened to be presented to a judge and jury, McDay said. If qualified immunity in this case is successful, and I'm denied that ability for my case to be presented, what type of state is New York? The legal doctrine of qualified immunity has gained attention in the past year among Black Lives Matter activists and elected officials in the wake of calls for police reform after George Floyd was murdered by officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. But it was neither crafted by lawmakers nor created for police officers: The concept was crystallized in the 1982 Supreme Court decision Harlow v. Fitzgerald, which protected two legislative aids from a conspiracy charge since they claimed they had been unaware of their constitutional violations and were doing their jobs in good faith. What qualified immunity does is it protects officers who violate the constitution, said Alex Reinert, a professor at Cardozo Law School and scholar of the doctrine. If an officer violates my constitutional rights, I will not have a remedy against that officer unless there was prior case law that made it clear that it was a violation of my constitutional rights. In practice, Reinert said, this means that individuals attempting to overcome a qualified immunity defense which can be applied to any government official being prosecuted in civil court for constitutional violations they were accused of committing while on the job are left hoping they can find a prior case where the facts are identical, in order to try to prove that the violation is not just illegal but also clearly established. New York City passed a bill this spring limiting the doctrines use by police officers. The NYPD can no longer bring qualified immunity as a defense in cases claiming unreasonable searches and seizures. Legally, this would include cases brought against officers for use of deadly force. But at the state level, lawmakers are looking at the doctrine more comprehensively. State Sen. Robert Jackson, D-Manhattan, and Assembly member Pamela Hunter, D-Syracuse, are pushing a bill that provides a civil action for deprivation of rights which is caused by any person or public entity. While state representatives dont have the power to repeal the doctrine since it was created by the Supreme Court, the legislation would provide a workaround by removing the ability of any official to claim qualified immunity in the states court system. Advocates are organizing. Mothers have testified at press conferences that Ive been to, crying that their child or their relative had been killed by police officials, Jackson said. The bill is currently in committee; the 2021 legislative session ends next week. Hunter noted that there are a number of other states that have passed or are considering legislation to limit qualified immunity. And while its proponents include those on the progressive left, the idea of constraining the doctrine has support among many libertarians and conservatives. While state entities generally incur legal charges for officials accused in a civil suit for their actions in the line of duty, Hunter noted that this legislation puts pressure on institutions by codifying that they would be liable. Hunter described the bill's message as, You government entity, municipality are solely responsible for the actions of your officials, and you are fiscally responsible for damages if something happens." Some key law enforcement groups in New York have expressed concern over the prospect of curtailing qualified immunity. After New York City passed their bill this spring, the Sergeants Benevolent Association the citys major police union made public a letter to their members with guidance on the new policy. We anticipate a flood of lawsuits against members of the NYPD, the letter read. You are strongly cautioned against engaging in any stop & frisk, search of a car, residence, or person unless you are certain that you are clearly and unequivocally within the bounds of the law. A statement on Sen. Jackson and Assembly Member Hunters bill from the State Troopers Police Benevolent Association said the proposal is well-intentioned but flawed, and "sets an impossibly high standard for members of law enforcement to be perfect 100 percent of the time. But some former law enforcement officials have taken a different stance. Retired Albany police chief Brendan Cox, who is now director of policing strategies at the LEAD National Support Bureau, spoke in support of the legislation this week at a press conference on the Capitol steps. He stood among a diverse coalition that included victims, lawyers, lawmakers, and even Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream. Cox emphasized that he felt the bill would not negatively affect officers who went out every day and did their job in a constitutional way, but that it could help change the behavior of those that did not. Although were talking about the action on the street by one, Cox said, were talking about the fact that we need police departments to be held accountable; we need police departments to make sure they implement the right policies and procedures, the right training, they change culture, and that the criminal legal system changes the entire system. Darlene McDay also spoke at the Capitol press conference. When I don't have anything else to focus on, Im like, 'What can I do for Dante?' she said in an interview. That's part of it, you know: activism for those that have lost people. ... It makes me feel like I'm fighting for him still. BERLIN (AP) German airline Lufthansa said late Wednesday that it has received the green light from Russia to resume flights there, after being briefly denied permission, which resulted in a reciprocal blocking of flights by Germany. In a statement, Lufthansa said Russian authorities had issued approval for its flights from Frankfurt to Moscow and St. Petersburg for the month of June. Lufthansa had been forced to cancel two flights Tuesday and Wednesday after failing to get approval from Russias aviation authority FATA. Due to the underlying reciprocal practice, the German Federal Aviation Authority also did not issue any further permits for flights of the Russian carriers as long as the permits were pending on the Russian side, Germanys Transport Ministry said in a statement. The move affected connections operated from Russia by Aeroflot and budget carrier S7. It wasnt immediately clear whether the green light for Lufthansa would prompt German authorities in turn to issue approval for Russian airlines to resume flights to Germany. But the ministry had stated that as soon as the FATA approvals for Lufthansa flights are granted by the Russian side, the flights of Russian companies will also be approved. The tit-for-tat spat comes amid mounting tension between Russia and the European Union over Moscows support for Belarus. The 27-nation bloc and the United States last week introduced fresh sanctions against Belarus after authorities there diverted an international flight to arrest a dissident journalist. The sanctions come on top of those already imposed on Belarusian officials, including its authoritarian leader, President Alexander Lukashenko, for rigging elections and clamping down on protests last year. Federal prosecutors have dropped the criminal case against a New York man who was accused of participating in the riot at the U.S. Capitol, in what appears to be the first such move by the Justice Department in its sprawling Jan. 6 prosecution. The dismissal of the case against Christopher M. Kelly was disclosed on Wednesday, the same day prosecutors secured a second guilty plea by one of the more than 450 Capitol riot defendants. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui agreed to dismiss the case against Kelly after prosecutors said in a court filing on Tuesday that they discussed the merits of the case with Kelly's lawyer and decided that ending the prosecution serves the interests of justice based on the facts currently known to the government. The filing doesn't elaborate on the decision, and the Department of Justice refused to provide more information. An attorney for Kelly didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Faruqui agreed to dismiss the charges without prejudice, which means the Justice Department could attempt to revive the case. Kelly was arrested in New York on Jan. 20 and faced charges of obstructing an official proceeding, aiding and abetting, violent entry and disorderly conduct, and unlawful entry to restricted buildings or grounds. In an affidavit, an FBI agent said it appeared that Kelly used a Facebook account to inform associates that he had breached the Capitol and was inside the building. Two days before the attack, he told another Facebook user that he planned to be in Washington with ex NYPD and some proud boys," the agent said. More than two dozen leaders, members and associates of the far-right Proud Boys group have been charged in the riots, which interrupted the certification of Democrat Joe Bidens victory over then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Kelly has a brother who is a retired New York City police officer, the FBI agent noted. Meanwhile, a Florida man who carried a Trump 2020 flag while in the U.S. Senate during the Jan. 6 riot pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a felony charge of obstructing an official proceeding. Paul Allard Hodgkins, 38, of Tampa, wore protective goggles under his chin and a Trump shirt while standing nearby as other rioters prayed and shouted from the Senate dais. Trump had told his supporters before the siege to fight like hell to overturn his defeat. Prosecutor Mona Sedky said Hodgkins knew he wasnt supposed to be in the Capitol and acted with intent to corruptly influence a government proceeding. The judge asked whether the description of facts read aloud by the prosecutor was correct. Yes, Your Honor, Hodgkins said. Hodgkins, who has no prior convictions, faces 15 to 21 months in prison under the sentencing guidelines. His sentencing was set for July 19. The first person to plead guilty in the riot was a member of the Oath Keepers far-right militia group. Jon Ryan Schaffer, a heavy metal guitarist, has also agreed to cooperate with the governments investigation in the hopes of getting a lighter sentence. Schaffer pleaded guilty in April to two counts: obstruction of an official proceeding and entering and remaining in a restricted building with a dangerous or deadly weapon. He admitted being one of the first people to forcibly enter the Capitol after the mob broke open a set of doors guarded by Capitol Police. ___ Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this report. ALBANY The Troy-Albany Coalition for Black Lives leaders rallied Friday with the mother of a girl with special needs who was allegedly abused by a bus monitor to demand the Albany County District Attorneys Office not make a deal with the defendant and prosecute the case as a hate crime. An emotional Yolanda Richardson called for District Attorney David Soares to prosecute the two felony charges pending against Kathy Retos, who was a bus monitor when she was charged for abusing Richardsons now 9-year-old daughter, and not reduce the charges to misdemeanors. Our Black community youth, children are labeled offenders, The DAs office gives them no mercy or consideration of their families, Richardson said. State Police arrested Retos of Rensselaer in January 2019 on two felony counts of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person for incidents when Richardsons daughter was 7-years-old. Statements given to State Police investigators by two bus drivers describe altercations between Retos and the girl. Richardson sued the Lansingburgh Central School District and the Birnie Bus company in August 2019 accusing Retos of abusing her daughter in three incidents on Nov 28, Dec. 19 and Dec. 21, 2018 by hitting the young girl several times and directing foul language at her while on the bus. The lawsuit, which is still pending, alleges the disabled child was called a racial slur and bitch. What she wants for her daughter is accountability and justice, said Matt Toporowski, the attorney representing Richardson. The press conference was held Friday afternoon on Lodge Street between the Albany County Court House and the Albany County Judicial Center. District Attorney David Soares issued a statement. His staff noted the case is still open and comments about plea negotiations are limited. This case involves serious and disturbing allegations about a person that was supposed to be a caretaker of a vulnerable child. Our executive level staff has met with the victims mother multiple times since the arrest of the accused, and it is abundantly clear to us all that it was a mothers courageous advocacy for her daughter and commitment to the truth that led to this incident being uncovered, Soares said. Any proposed resolution will seek to balance our ability to meet elements in the law with holding an offender accountable, while placing a priority on preventing crimes like this in the future. The case currently remains open and pending, with no scheduled court appearances at this time, Soares continued. Jamaica Miles, co-founder of grassroots activists All of Us and a newly elected member of the Schenectady City School District Board of Education, condemned multiple systems for failing Richardson and her daughter. The bus monitor that directly caused harm should never again in life have contact with anyone elses child let alone a disabled child, Miles said. Soares should use the tools his office has available not to just prosecute Black children but to protect them, Miles said. We ask him to keep our children safe and prevent further harm. If prosecuted as a hate crime, Miles said, a conviction would prevent the bus monitor from working with children again due to it being part of her record. QUEENSBURY A Queensbury family is urging the school district to reconsider its stringent dress code for graduation so that their daughter can wear a custom stole recognizing her Native American heritage when she crosses the stage. School officials say they will consider the request. Marcella Heisey, 18, chose a purple stole symbolizing the Iroquois Six Nations to honor the Oneida tribe, which she belongs to through her mother, as well as her grandfather's Mohawk tribe. When Angela Heisey notified the school of her daughter's intentions, officials informed them of the Queensbury Union Free School District's longstanding policy for all seniors to wear matching attire during the ceremony. "Queensbury is such a homogenous community, why not celebrate diversity where it exists?" Angela wrote in an email to school officials. "I ask you to reconsider this policy, not only for Marcella but for all students." Native Americans make up a small minority of New York public school students; nationally, only 67 percent of Native Americans graduate high school as opposed to 80 percent for all students. Marcella Heisey, an honor roll student, is headed to Dartmouth College in the fall and hopes to become a dentist. Her graduation is "significant, an achievement and we wanted to celebrate it," Angela Heisey said. Ray Halbritter, who holds the post of representative in the Oneida Indian Nation leadership, said in a statement that the nation was incredibly proud of Marcella for wanting to honor her tribal nation and her culture in such a meaningful way. "The Queensbury school district has a great opportunity to show that it embraces the diversity of its student body and understands the importance of allowing indigenous students to honor their families and culture in a respectful manner, Halbritter said. Damian Switzer, the high school's principal, said he and district superintendent Kyle Gannon plan to meet with the family next week to learn more about the request. "We haven't made a decision yet," Switzer said. " ... I've been here 10 years, and I've never gotten this request." Angela Heisey Angela Heisey said the family is pleased with the overall education and opportunities her daughter has had at Queensbury. She noted that Dartmouth, now part of the Ivy League, was originally an "Indian school" dedicated to helping Native American students assimilate into white society; the New Hampshire college has since recognized the injustices committed against Native Americans and now celebrates the diversity of the student population. "Once you know you can do better, you should really try to do better," Heisey said. ALBANY - As the city of Albany suffers through an epidemic of gun violence just as summer is about to begin and pandemic safeguards are loosening, Mayor Kathy Sheehan sees no easy fix. There is, of course, a lot the city government, its police department and local social service organizations are doing to try and quell the violence nine people have been killed by gunfire on the streets of Albany this year, including six in May alone. But those measures only address part of the root causes of the shootings, the mayor said Friday during a press conference held on the steps of City Hall recognizing National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Another part of the problem is the demand for guns, Sheehan said, which nonprofit groups like Albany 518 SNUG and Urban Grief, whose leaders joined Sheehan on Friday, have been working to reduce through a variety of community programs and outreach. But Sheehan said what is perhaps the more difficult task is reducing the supply of illegal guns brought across state lines into New York state and the city. That is a much tougher challenge, the mayor said, due to relatively weak gun control laws at the federal level and in other states. Sheehan said that Albany police recently confiscated guns that were traced to Alabama and South Carolina and had been reported stolen in those states. "We need a national effort to look at what is happening with gun trafficking and how those guns are getting into our community," Sheehan said. "We need our federal partners to create national laws to close those loopholes so it is not as easy to acquire all of these guns." Sheehan praised New York state's gun laws and renewed efforts by the state Legislature to put even tougher gun control laws on the books. "One of the things we need to work on at the national level is we need commonsense gun laws," Sheehan said. "And New York state has commonsense gun laws. New York state closed the gun show loophole. New York state has a red flag law. But that doesn't exist in every state, and guns can cross borders." Sheehan was joined by community leaders like Jerome Brown of Albany 518 SNUG. The group works to mediate conflicts in at-risk neighborhoods to help residents work out issues without resorting to violence. Brown said his volunteers are at the brink of exhaustion trying to get groups in Albany to solve their problems peacefully. "This community is tired," Brown said. "This community is hurting. No one should have to go pick up a gun over a dispute." Groups like Albany 518 SNUG and Urban Grief, an Albany group that does crisis response and grief counseling for victims of violence, work on the demand side of the gun violence equation, Sheehan said. "A lot of what we are talking about here is how do we address the demand side? Why does somebody want to pick up a gun? And that's what we have to look at," the mayor said. "But we also have to look at the supply. When you have guns that are so plentiful that one can be painted to look like a toy and left on the side of the street for a child to pick up and use, we have a gun problem. That's a gun problem." AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A move by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to shutter more than 50 shelters housing about 4,000 migrant children could seriously disrupt a national program that already faces strained capacity to properly care for minors crossing the U.S.-Mexico border alone. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which cares for migrant children, said Wednesday that it did not intend to close any facilities but that it was assessing the Republican governor's late Tuesday disaster declaration. The proclamation directs a state agency to deny or discontinue within 90 days licenses for child care facilities sheltering migrant children. Groups that represent migrant children and reunite them with their families said the order could be harmful because it may mean more minors are sent to mass-scale, unlicensed facilities that attorneys and advocates say endanger their health and safety. Abbott argues that the federal government cant force Texas to keep issuing state licenses in response to a federal problem. The U.S. government funds 56 shelters in Texas, out of about 200 licensed shelters in the country. The last census taken on May 19 showed 4,223 children in 52 of those state-licensed shelters, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The agency was directed to remove the licenses and sent a notice to providers Wednesday telling them to wind down operations by Aug. 30. After that date, it says, if you are still providing care for individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States under a contract with the federal government, HHSC will take necessary steps to comply with the proclamation. The highly unusual move to order a disaster declaration usually reserved for natural disasters or health crises comes amid Abbott's criticism of record numbers of border crossings in recent months. He has increased the presence of the Texas Department of Public Safety and National Guard in south Texas. Abbott also has been critical of emergency facilities that lack state licenses, which may end up taking in more children if his order succeeds in shuttering smaller shelters. In April, Texas officials announced they were investigating three reports alleging abuse and neglect at a San Antonio coliseum holding more than 1,600 migrant teens. There also have been abuse or neglect investigations at state-licensed facilities, and Texas lists 18 total citations between April and May. Some critics worry the disaster declaration could set a precedent for other Republican governors to thwart efforts by the Biden administration to increase capacity in a network of licensed shelters. Governors in Iowa and Nebraska have rejected federal requests to house migrant children, saying they oppose President Joe Bidens stance on caring for minors before they are reunited with family in the U.S. This is a transparent and troubling ploy to politicize a humanitarian crisis," Krish OMara Vignarajah, head of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, said in a statement. Because Texas-based shelters comprise a significant portion of U.S. capacity, this order could do real damage, and to the serious detriment of childrens well-being. The increasing arrival of migrant children has tested the Biden administration, with the U.S. government picking up nearly 19,000 children traveling alone across the Mexican border in March and more than 17,000 in April. The record-setting numbers come as the administration decided to exempt unaccompanied children from federal pandemic-related powers to immediately expel most migrants from the country without giving them an opportunity to seek asylum. The pandemic also has meant less capacity at small and medium-size shelters that care for minors. The program lost thousands of beds due to COVID-19 restrictions, bringing down the tally to about 7,100 by February. With fewer beds in smaller shelters and growing numbers of children crowding U.S. Border Patrol stations, the Biden administration awarded huge contracts to private companies to set up unlicensed emergency facilities at convention centers, military bases and other large venues in March. These venues resemble hurricane evacuation shelters with little space to play and no privacy, and critics say the contractors are not equipped to adequately care for the minors. Health and Human Services has refused access to news media once children are at the facilities, citing the pandemic and privacy restrictions. Advocates and lawmakers who have been allowed to visit have expressed concerns about children's mental health at the sites where hundreds can sleep in cots in large tents. These facilities require fewer youth care workers and clinicians per child and no traditional legal oversight, skirting state regulations. The Biden administration has maintained that the sites provide lifesaving services for children, with officials assuring lawmakers that minors would be kept in large-scale settings no more than two weeks, then placed with family in the U.S. or sent to a permanent licensed facility. But some children have been at the large venues much longer. Doing away with more state-licensed shelters is a wrongheaded approach, said Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defense, which provides legal services to immigrant children. At a time when the United States needs far more licensed placement settings for unaccompanied migrant children, the order threatens to leave the nation with far less," Young said. ___ Gomez Licon reported from Miami. Coronado 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. TROY City Council heard person after person ask Thursday night for the council not to conduct the environmental review of a proposed rezoning that would permit construction of up to 240 apartments on the Hudson River instead of 36 single-family houses. The speakers urged that the city planning commission and planning staff handle any state environmental quality review act work instead of the City Council serving as the lead agency. They said a full review should be conducted by professionals trained to do such work. They also opposed the rezoning that would allow apartments in place of houses on the property, which is an undeveloped area in city's northern neighborhoods. There was also criticism that the plans are incomplete for the wooded nine-acre site at 1011 Second Ave. as submitted by developer Kevin Vandenburgh. The plan also includes a one-acre site in the neighboring town of Schaghticoke for the storm water management system. The application is incomplete. There isnt enough information or details to start SEQR, said Jessica Bennett, who lives adjacent to the property and is an activist with the Friends of the Mahicantuck, which organized to battle the rezoning. The neighborhood is unanimously opposed to it, Bennett said. Residents prefer to see the land remain undeveloped. TAP, the nonprofit design center based in Troy that works on projects around the Capital Region, also opposes the development, said Daniel Morrissey, who works for TAP. The project is not appropriate on that site or in that neighborhood, Morrissey told the council members. Dont let the developer cut corners, said Leo Matteo Bachinger, who also emphasized the application for the environmental review in not complete. Opponents raised questions about the lack of information regarding a marina for 40 boats at the site, underground parking, the impact of development on the Hudson River, the runoff into the storm water area in Schaghticoke and the impact of the increase in population from the more developed site. Concerns were also raised about impacts on Native American archaeological sites at the location dating back 5,000 years. The Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohican Indians back the opposition to the proposed development. The council referred the original rezoning request to the city planning commission last year for an opinion on whether to proceed with rezoning. The planning commission voted 4-1 in January to recommend against changing the zoning for the site to planned development from single-family residential. The proposal to have the city council take on the environmental review was submitted by Councilman Jim Gulli, who represents the district where the proposed project is located. The councils planning committee voted 2-1 in May to send the proposed legislation to the full seven-member council for review. City Council had not yet taken action as of press time Thursday night, with residents still addressing the legislative body. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 05:56:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RAMALLAH -- A total of 113 Palestinian protesters against Israeli settlement building were injured on Friday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, medical sources said. The clashes broke out when Israeli soldiers dispersed an anti-settlement rally in the village of Beita, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, according to the sources. (West Bank-Israel-Injury) ---- CAIRO -- Egypt on Friday sent massive engineering equipment and crew to the Gaza Strip for its reconstruction after a devastating Israeli bombing campaign in the Palestinian enclave last month, state-run Ahram Online reported. The equipment, including a large number of trucks, bulldozers and cranes, will remove debris and rubble from the buildings that were destroyed during the 11-day Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, Ahram said. (Egypt-Gaza-Reconstruction) ---- BAGHDAD -- A massive fire on Friday ripped through the Sharya Camp for displaced persons in Duhok province in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, burning down more than 400 tents and wounding seven people, a local official said. A large part of the fire has been put out and the camp, which shelters hundreds of displaced persons of the Yazidi minority, was evacuated by rescue teams, said Hakar Mohammed, director of the camp, adding that the wounded have been transported to hospitals. (Iraq-Fire-Damage) ---- TEHRAN -- Iran on Friday reported 9,209 new COVID-19 cases, taking the country's total infections to 2,954,309. The pandemic has so far claimed 80,813 lives in Iran, up by 155 in the past 24 hours, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education reported. (Iran-COVID19) Enditem ALBANY The University at Albany is seeking $1 million in federal funding to purchase new equipment it says would allow it to conduct rapid surveillance of the coronavirus as it mutates enabling detection and intervention of dangerous variants before they have a chance to spread. The proposal is one of 10 from the Capital Region that U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko has chosen to submit to the House Committee on Appropriations, which is overseeing a new, highly selective funding initiative designed to bring direct federal investment into communities nationwide. Winners are expected to be announced this summer. University officials led Tonko on a tour this past week of the labs where their scientists conduct COVID-19 surveillance, sequencing and analysis to explain the projects importance. The universitys RNA Institute has been tracking variants around the state in collaboration with SUNY Upstate Medical University, but new equipment would allow it to do so even faster, said Andy Berglund, director of the institute. What we tend to see is that when theres a spike (in coronavirus cases), its driven by one of the variants of concern, he said. One of the things were trying to push is the New York variant should have been labeled a variant of concern instead of a variant of interest because it pushed some of the spikes. But the problem is the datas not always keeping up with whats happening. So thats the kind of challenges were facing. The U.S. and World Health Organization classify coronavirus variants into categories depending on how transmissible and severe they are, as well as their potential to reduce the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines. Variants first discovered in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, for example, were classified variants of concern while seemingly less impactful variants discovered in New York City and India were dubbed variants of interest. Berglund said the variant research conducted by the institute and SUNY Upstate found a correlation between a communitys infection rate and the prevalence of certain variants. Parts of western New York experienced a spike at the same time the U.K. variant was circulating, for example, and areas around New York City and Plattsburgh experienced spikes while the New York variant was dominant, he said. In different locations were seeing different variants, he said. "And then, actually interestingly, as were communicating with the communities you can see the variants sort of drive the spikes. So this basic science is helping us to do the public health work thats really important. Together, UAlbany and SUNY Upstate have sequenced 1,700 positive COVID-19 samples from this past spring alone a labor-intensive process that requires a specialized piece of equipment to examine the samples followed by rigorous analysis of the data it spits out. Roughly 60 to 70 percent of the coronavirus samples theyve sequenced from around the state have been identified as either variants of concern or variants of interest, Berglund said. Its not just the sequencing, he said. The bottleneck is training the students and the next generation to analyze all that data. You get massive amounts of data and what are we doing with it? It can take several days to go through. The equipment the institute is seeking through its funding request would speed that process up, and show how molecules are affected by mutations, viral infections and drugs in real time, he said. Thats the cost of doing business in science, he said. You have to sort of keep going forward and getting the new equipment so that you can do the cutting-edge science and be competitive. The equipment would have other purposes, too, Berglund told Tonko. It would also be used to advance research and potential treatment options for Alzheimers and rare diseases like myotonic dystrophy, he said. Its very competitive," Tonko said of the funding process. "If we can show to them that this has tremendous application and its not just COVID applicable, its reaching to rare diseases, to Alzheimer's... theres hope there and when you deliver hope thats a good commodity." Farmington, WV (26555) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. A northern Indiana man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty for his role in the 2019 torture-slaying of a woman whose body was dumped in southern Michigan The Washington state Department of Corrections has agreed to pay $3.25 million to the family of a man who died at Monroe Correctional Complex after not receiving adequate medical care A state auditor in New Mexico has warned the Legislature that a plan to pay $300 to legislative staffers who worked in the Capitol this year is unconstitutional [June 04, 2021] 2021 COMPUTEX Forum Day 2: Unlocking Next-Generation Technologies The second day of COMPUTEX Forum, organized by TAITRA, featured "Critical Technology" and "Tomorrow Tech." World-renown tech leaders such as Qualcomm, QCT, WIN Semiconductors Corp., Siemens, Far EasTone Telecom, NVIDIA (News - Alert) , and IBM shared their perspectives on the latest development of 5G, AI & IoT, and quantum computing, as well as their strategies for navigating in the new normal. Cynthia Kiang, Director General of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA, Taiwan, said in her opening remarks that the recent global chip shortage underscores the importance of supply chain resilience, and that international cooperation is the best way to ensure supply chain efficiency and stability. She expects COMPUTEX to be a platform that helps with integrating global resources, allowing ecosystem partners to explore future business opportunities. Qualcomm (News - Alert) : Empowering the future of PC with mobile computing With the onset of the pandemic and shift to remote working and learning, the way people use PCs has rapidly expanded. Alex Katouzian, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobile, Compute, and Infrastructure for Qualcomm Technologies, shared his unique perspectives on how 5G along with always connected PC are facilitating connectivity, mobility, and productivity as PC becomes the best collaborative tool in a mobile office. Qualcomm will also continue to collaborate with its ecosystem partners to realize the future of always connected PC. QCT: 5G New Era: Great Convergence, Broad Ecosystem, Golden Opportunity Mike Yang, President of QCT, talks about the great convergence of IT and CT, and the many new entrants into the Telco ecosystem that are changing our daily lives. With them more and more service providers will push for digital transformation and build 5G networks that will open up new opportunities for everyone, including operators and enterprises. WIN Semiconductors Corp: Shaping the future with compound semiconductors Dr. Yu-Chi (YC) Wang, Vice Chairman of WIN Semiconductors Corp emphasized that compound semiconductors are essential in realizing a life style built on seamless connection, precise sensing, and efficiency power. In addition, future life will be based on ubiquitous AI access with 6G, super IoT, and AI. Compound semiconductor will play a pivotal role to advance that future. Siemens: Industrial 5G, Grid Edge and Connected Mobility will accelerate smart economy development and drive industrial innovation and transformation Taiwan is crucial in the global supply chain of ICT components with a comprehensive industrial value chain. Erdal Elver, President and CEO of Siemens Taiwan pointed out that Taiwan has a clear advantage in introducing 5G innovative applications in manufacturing and city infrastructure. Siemens' world-leading technologies and success stories in Industrial 5G, Grid Edge and Connected Mobility will assist Taiwan in ushering in application innovation in a variety of fields, helping Taiwan move toward its vision of "Digital Nation, Smart Island." Far EasTone Telecom: Enabling clinical intelligence through telemedicine with G, IoT, big data, and AI Chee Ching, President of Far EasTone Telecom, discussed medical applications in the 5G era. Telemedicine supported by 5G is capable of diagnosing patients remotely through features such as high resolution, big bandwidth, low latency, and massive connectivity. Telemedicine will also be able to detect and prevent diseases using big data and AIoT, ushering a new era of smart medicine. Chee Ching also pointed out that long-term care will be the extended application field for telehealth. With Taiwan expected to become a super-aged society by 2026, Far EasTone Telecom views this not only as a business opportunity but also as a social responsibility. NVIDIA: Empowering collaboration across shared virtual worlds by addressing 3D workflows Richard Kerris, NVIDIA Head of Worldwide Developer Relations and General Manager of Omniverse, indicated that a distributed workforce has become the norm with the rise of hybrid work. Remote working, however, has deepened the challenges of 3D workflows. NVIDIA Omniverse, the revolutionary new platform for virtual collaboration and simulation, can empower individuals and companies across multiple industries to address the challenges of complex 3D workflows by connecting users, content creation tools, and enabling AI to be used across shared virtual worlds. IBM: Quantum (News - Alert) computing Norishige Morimoto, Vice President of IBM Research and Development of Japan, stated that quantum computing has yet to overcome obstacles on hardware and application development before becoming available for all. Now, IBM (News - Alert) is collaborating with industry and universities including NTU, focusing on finance, chemistry, material industries. 2021 COMPUTEX Forum and keynote speeches are all available for viewing on #COMPUTEXVirtual online platform and COMPUTEX YouTube channel from now. For more information: COMPUTEX : https://www.computextaipei.com.tw/ InnoVEX : https://www.innovex.com.tw/ About COMPUTEX Established in 1981, COMPUTEX is one of the leading global ICT, IoT, and startup tradeshows with a complete supply chain and IoT ecosystems. Co-organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taipei Computer Association (TCA), COMPUTEX, based upon Taiwan's complete ICT clusters, covers the whole spectrum of the ICT industry, from established brands to startups and from ICT supply chain to IoT ecosystems. With strong R&D and manufacturing capabilities and IPR protection, Taiwan is a strategic destination for foreign companies and investors looking for partners in global technology ecosystems. Follow COMPUTEX on its website at www.computextaipei.com.tw and Twitter (News - Alert) @computex_taipei using the hashtag #COMPUTEX. About COMPUTEX 2021 Virtual As a pioneer in technology, COMPUTEX has been at the forefront in embracing digital transformation. In 2021, the show will go online. Together with the key global technology players, the organizer of COMPUTEX,Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) introduces #COMPUTEXVirtual (including its global startups and innovations showcase #InnovexVirtual), an AI-driven virtual platform, and aims to deliver an exceptional virtual exhibition experience beyond the distance. Explore #COMPUTEXVirtual now at https://virtual.computextaipei.com.tw/. About TAITRA Founded in 1970, TAITRA is Taiwan's foremost nonprofit trade promoting organization. Sponsored by the government and industry organizations, TAITRA assists enterprises to expand their global reach. Headquartered in Taipei, TAITRA has a team of 1,300 specialists and operates 5 local offices in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as 63 branches worldwide. Together with Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) and Taiwan Trade Center (TTC), TAITRA has formed a global network dedicated to promoting world trade. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005260/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Cellworks Singula Accurately Predicts Clinical Outcome from Treatments in Patients with NSCLC SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cellworks Group, Inc., a world leader in Personalized Medicine in the key therapeutic areas of Oncology and Immunology, today announced results from the myCare-022-05 prospectively designed study on a retrospective TCGA cohort, which demonstrate that the Cellworks Singula Therapy Response Index (TRI) is strongly predictive of Overall Survival (OS), Progression-Free Survival (PFS) and clinical benefit for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. In this study, Singula TRI provided predictive value to physicians beyond standard clinical factors, including patient age, patient gender and physician-prescribed treatment. The results from the myCare-022-05 clinical study will be featured in a poster session with comments from Dr. Vamsidhar Velcheti, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Director, Thoracic Medical Oncology Program , a s part of the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting June 4-8th during the Lung Cancer Non-Small Cell Metastatic Track and available online as abstract 9117. The Cellworks Singula Therapy Response Index (TRI) has been developed to assist clinicians and NSCLC patients in choosing between competing therapeutic options. In contrast to approaches that consider a collection of single biomarkers, which often yield limited benefit, Cellworks utilizes an individual patients comprehensive next generation sequencing (NGS) results and the Cellworks Computational Omics Biology Model (CBM) to biosimulate downstream molecular effects of cell signaling, drugs, and radiation on patient-specific in silico diseased cells. For an individual patient and alternative therapy, Cellworks integrates this biologically modeled multi-omics information into a continuous Singula TRI Score. "The number of therapies available to treat NSCLC has increased significantly in recent years, but the multitude of drug choices also complicates therapeutic decision-making, said Dr. Vamsidhar Velcheti, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Director, Thoracic Medical Oncology Program; and Co-Principal Investigator of the myCare-022-05 study. Often single biomarker based approaches do not capture the true biological complexity of the patients cancer and have limitations in their ability to predict clinical benefit and duration of response with treatments. Knowing before treatment which therapy will be most efficacious for an individual NSCLC patient is a breakthrough for practicing Personalized Oncology. Cellworks Singula TRI can be a highly valuable decision-making tool for clinicians when discussing competing therapy options with patients. myCare-022-05 Clinical Study In this prospectively designed study, the ability to predict patient response using Cellworks Singula was evaluated in a retrospective cohort of 446 NSCLC patients with OS, PFS and clinical outcome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Program and treated with physician-prescribed treatments. Cellworks Singula used Pubmed to generate protein interaction network-activated and inactivated disease pathways. Cellworks simulated physician prescribed therapies for each patient and calculated the quantitative drug effect on a composite NSCLC disease inhibition score based on biosimulated changes in phenotypes, while blinded to clinical response. As a primary analysis of the Cellworks CBM and TRI Score, Cox Proportional Hazards (PH) regression and likelihood ratio (LR) tests were used to assess whether Singula is predictive of OS, PFS and CR above and beyond standard clinical factors. A p-value < 0.05 for the corresponding likelihood ratio statistic was required to be considered significant. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess the performance of the predefined CBM biosimualtions and associated Singula TRI above and beyond physicians choice of treatment. The same Singula TRI algorithm and clinical cutoffs were used for all clinical outcome measures. Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards models revealed that Singula TRI was strongly predictive of OS, PFS and CR, while providing predictive value of OS beyond Physician Prescribed Therapies, patient age and patient gender. The resulting hazard ratio per 25 Singula units for OS was 0.5103 and the odds ratio for CR was 1.6161. Additionally, Singula Low and High Benefit Groups were defined a-priori based on the median Singula TRI Score. The resulting Kaplan-Meier plots for OS stratified by the Singula High and Low Benefit Groups resulted in a logrank p-value < 0.0001 and median survival times for OS of 60.16 and 28.57 months respectively. For each patient, a Singula TRI Score is generated for each alternative therapy. An example of the patient specific Singula TRI Score distribution of therapies is presented on the ASCO 2021 abstract 9117 poster, depicting the patients OS probability at 48 months relative to each potential treatments TRI score. Cancer therapy response levels for patients remain low - 30% on average across indications, said Khush F. Mehta, CEO of Cellworks Group, Inc. This reality demonstrates the critical need to improve upon the current treatment process by taking a personalized therapy approach - at the molecular level - to determine the most efficacious therapy for each patient prior to treatment. About Cellworks Group Cellworks Group, Inc. is a world leader in Personalized Medicine in the key therapeutic areas of Oncology and Immunology. Using innovative multi-omics modeling, computational biosimulation and Artificial Intelligence heuristics, Cellworks predicts the most efficacious therapies for patients. The Cellworks unique biosimulation platform is a unified representation of biological knowledge curated from heterogeneous datasets and applied to finding cures. Backed by UnitedHealth Group, Sequoia Capital, Agilent and Artiman, Cellworks has the worlds strongest trans-disciplinary team of molecular biologists, cellular pathway modelers and software technologists working toward a common goal attacking serious diseases to improve the lives of patients. The company is based in South San Francisco, California and has a research and development facility in Bangalore, India. For more information, visit www.cellworks.life and follow us on Twitter @cellworkslife. All trademarks and registered trademarks in this document are the properties of their respective owners. Media Contacts: Barbara Reichert Reichert Communications, LLC Barbara@reichertcom.com 415-225-2991 Michele Macpherson, Chief Business Officer Cellworks Group, Inc. michele.macpherson@cellworksgroup.com 650-346-9980 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 15:01:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KAMPALA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's economy is on a recovery trend after facing the negative impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a top official of the country's statistics agency said on Thursday. Chris Mukiza, executive director of Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) told Xinhua in an interview that preliminary estimates show that in nominal terms, the size of the economy increased to 148.278 trillion shillings (about 42.4 billion U.S. dollars) this financial year 2020/2021 from 139.711 trillion shillings (39.9 billion dollars) in the financial year 2019/20. In terms of Gross Domestic Products (GDP), the UBOS estimates show that the economy grew by 3.3 percent during the current financial year compared to the revised GDP growth of 3.0 percent in 2019/20. The expansion, although still below the potential annual growth rate of 6-7 percent, suggests that the country is recovering from the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic which hit the country in March last year, said Mukiza. In terms of sectoral performance to GDP, UBOS figures show that agriculture, which is the source of livelihood to the majority of Ugandans contributed 23.7 percent this financial year compared to 23.9 percent in financial year 2019/20. The contribution of the industry sector increased to 27.4 percent in the 2020/21 financial year from 26.5 percent in 2019/20. The growth in the industrial sector, according to Mukiza, is attributed to the improved performance in manufacturing activities which grew by 2.1 percent this financial year compared to 1.3 percent in the previous year. The services sector continued to be the biggest contributor to the GDP although it registered a setback decline in 2020/21 with its share contribution registering 41.5 percent from 42.8 percent in 2019/20. The setback was due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, according to experts. Government, according to the ministry of finance, will mid this month present its national budget detailing how it will handle the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to put the country back to its earlier projected growth of 6-7 percent per year. Figures released by the country's central bank, Bank of Uganda earlier this year, showed that the projected recovery will increase to 4.0-4.5 percent and 6.0-7.0 percent in the financial year 2021/22, and in outer years, respectively. The financial institution however tagged this growth to how quickly the country and the region access the COVID-19 vaccines to limit the impact of the pandemic. The bank in February said whereas advanced economies are expecting a rapid vaccine-fueled recovery, the damaging effects of the pandemic could persist in less developed economies that may not receive the vaccines quickly. The bank cited the case of Uganda's exports that largely target the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa region, where the vaccine rollout is likely to be sluggish. This effect could be detrimental to domestic economic growth recovery in the medium and long term, the central bank said then. Uganda is currently grappling with the impacts of the second wave of the pandemic with confirmed daily cases of up to 1,000 recorded. Ministry of Health figures show that as of June 1, the country's confirmed cases since March last year were 49,759 and 365 deaths. The ministry of health has warned that the country's health facilities were quickly filling up with severe COVID-19 cases. The country's President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to address the country on Sunday to map out new ways of combating the pandemic. Economic experts have however warned that as the country paves ways of combating the pandemic, lockdown restrictions re-imposed are likely to hurt the economy more. Enditem [June 04, 2021] Doma to Participate in Bank of America's Global Technology Conference and U.S. InsurTech Conference Doma Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as States Title Holding, Inc., "Doma"), a leading force for disruptive change in the real estate industry, announced that it will meet with institutional investors at two upcoming conferences hosted by Bank of America: The 2021 Bank of America Global Technology (News - Alert) Conference and the 2021 Bank of America U.S. InsurTech Conference. At the Global Technology Conference, Doma's Chief Executive Officer Max Simkoff will participate in a panel on "Digitalization of Real Estate," and Mr. Simkoff, Doma's Chief Financial Officer Noaman Ahmad, and Capitol Investment Corp. V's Dyson Dryden will also host 1x1 meetings with investors. For the U.S. InsurTech Conference, Doma will participate in a Fireside chat and host 1x1 meetings. Today's announcement comes on the heels of Doma entering into a business combination agreement in March 2021 with Capitol Investment Corp. V (NYSE: CAP, CAP WS and CAP.U) ("Capitol"), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. Full session details for the conference appearances are as follows: 2021 Bank of America Global Technology Conference Date: Tuesday, June 8, 2021 Time: Panel (1:00 p.m. Eastern Time) 2021 Bank of America U.S. InsurTech Conference Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Time: Fireside Chat Discussion (2:25 p.m. Eastern Time) Following the live events, the sessions will be available via archived webcast and on the "Presentations" section of Doma's Investor Relations website for on demand viewing at https://www.doma.com/investors/. About Doma Doma (formerly States Title Holding, Inc.) is architecting the future of real estate transactions. The company uses machine intelligence and its patented technology solutions to transform residential real estate, making closings instant and affordable. Doma and its family of brands - States Title, North American Title Company (NATC) and North American Title Insurance Company (NATIC) - offer solutions for current and prospective homeowners, lenders, title agents, and real estate professionals that make closings vastly more simple and efficient, reducing cost and increasing customer satisfaction. Doma's clients include some of the largest bank and non-bank lenders in the United States. In March 2021, Doma announced plans to become publicly traded via a merger with Capitol Investment Corp. V (NYSE: CAP, CAP WS and CAP.U). To learn more visit doma.com. About Capitol Investment Corp. V Capitol Investment Corp. V is a $345 million public investment vehicle with the mission to invest in and help build an industry-leading public company that will aim to deliver long-term value to shareholders. Capitol is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mark D. Ein, and President and Chief Financial Officer, L. Dyson Dryden. The Capitol team has raised $1.5 billion in five SPACs since 2007 and closed four SPAC mergers. Capitol's securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols CAP, CAP WS and CAP.U. Additional Information and Where to Find It This press release relates to a proposed transaction between Doma and Capitol. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, 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 of 1933, as amended. Capitol has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) "), which includes a document that serves as a prospectus and proxy statement of Capitol, referred to as a proxy statement/prospectus. A proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Capitol stockholders. Capitol also will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of Capitol 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 transaction 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, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by Capitol through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. The documents filed by Capitol with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at Capitol's website at https://www.capinvestment.com/ or upon written request to 1300 17th Street North, Suite 820, Arlington, Virginia 22209. Participants in Solicitation Capitol and Doma and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Capitol's stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the business combination is contained in the proxy statement/prospectus. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph. Forward-Looking Statements Legend This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity, total addressable market (TAM), market share and competition and potential benefits of the transactions described herein, and expectations related to the terms and timing of the transactions described herein. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Doma's and Capitol's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict, will differ from assumptions and are beyond the control of Doma and Capitol. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the inability of the parties to successfully or timely consummate the transactions described herein; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the transactions described herein; risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Doma; future global, regional or local economic, political, market and social conditions, including due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the development, effects and enforcement of laws and regulations, including with respect to the title insurance industry; Doma's ability to manage its future growth or to develop or acquire enhancements to its platform; the effects of competition on Doma's future business; the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries; and those other factors included in Capitol's final prospectus relating to its initial public offering dated December 1, 2020 (File No. 333-249297) and the registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-254470) filed with the SEC under the heading "Risk Factors," and other documents Capitol filed, or will file, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or Doma's or Capitol's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither Doma nor Capitol presently know or that Doma or Capitol currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Doma's and Capitol's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Doma and Capitol anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause Doma's and Capitol's assessments to change. However, while Doma and Capitol may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Doma and Capitol specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Doma's and Capitol's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005085/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Farmers Are Key to Global Supply Chain Resilience COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill Chairman and CEO David MacLennan today addressed members of the National Feed and Grain Association at the organization's 125th annual convention, acknowledging farmers and ranchers as the heroes of the food system who played a critical role in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic. Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8898051-cargill-chairman-addresses-agriculture-and-food-industry-challenges/ "When the world shut down, farmers, ranchers and workers across the food system stepped up to meet the challenge to produce the food and feed that billions of people and animals around the world depend on," said MacLennan. He acknowledged that while disruptions of COVID-19 are still very much at play, that's not the only urgent challenge that the food and ag industry faces right now. "The greatest challenge we face is feeding a rapidly growing population, sustainably and responsibly reducing our emissions, protecting our water resources, and improving the health of the soil our crops and harvests depend on," he said. "Agriculture is part of the solution the world needs right now. Agriculture is how we'll solve for climate change and sustainably feed a growing population." MacLennan citied the need for broad and lasting efforts at every point in the supply chain to sustainably and responsibly feed a rapidly growing population estimated to reach close to 10 billion people by 2050. "Inaction is not option," he stressed, "Too often, our industry gets blamed for climate change. I see a different story. Farmers and ranchers are the heroes of our food system. And they play a critical role in creating a more sustainable future for our industry, and the world. The changes we make at the roots of our supply chain will deliver the greatest impact by reducing emissions, improving water quality, sequestering carbon, and building up the resilience of our soils for the next generation. Companies can set as many climate goals as we want. But without the support and leadership of farmers, none of it will happen. They've got to lead the way and we're here to partner with them on this important, ongoing effort." Cargill has made significant strides to advance sustainability commitments including its science-based climate commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its global supply chains by 30 percent per ton of product by 2030. The company is also working to support voluntary, farmer led adoption of regenerative agriculture across 10 million acres of North American farmland over the same time period. Through financial contributions and partnerships across the supply chain, Cargill is supporting, training, and removing financial barriers for farmers who want to rebuild the health of their soils, plant cover crops, use more sustainable grazing practices, and make better use of their water. For example, through the Iowa Soil & Water Outcomes Fund, farmers can receive $30 to $50 per acre for practices such as cover crops, reduced tillage, and optimized nutrient management. Cargill is also advancing research to evaluate the economic benefits of regenerative agriculture. n a study of 100 farmers across nine states conducted by The Soil Health Institute, researchers found that soil health management systems increased incomes for 85 percent of farmers growing corn and 88 percent of farmers growing soybeans. Average incomes for corn growers increased by $52 per acre and $45 per acre for soybeans. Additionally, farmers reported reduced average costs, increased yields, better crop resilience against extreme weather events, and improved water quality. "Farmers are leading the way. They're on the front lines of climate change every day. And we need to lift up the good work they're doing already," says MacLennan. "The benefits of regenerative agriculture are clear. But so are the barriers. To see change, we have to work together. Agriculture is how we'll get it done." A replay of MacLennan's remarks will be available 24 hours following the close of the conference at www.cargill.com/news About Cargill Cargill's 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 155 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center . View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/farmers-are-key-to-global-supply-chain-resilience-301306111.html SOURCE Cargill [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] GLOBAL TECH INDUSTRIES GROUP, INC. ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF ANDY WARHOL GELATIN SILVER PRINT OF BIANCA JAGGER New York, NY, June 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Tech Industries Group, Inc. (OTCQB: GTII) (GTII or the Company), www.gtii-us.com, a Nevada corporation, announced today that it has acquired an Andy Warhol gelatin silver print of Bianca Jagger on a white horse, taken by Warhol at the famed Studio 54 (the Warhol Print). The Warhol Print is annotated in red wax pencil marks indicating that it was used in a layout of Interview Magazine and is further annotated with initials and inventory numbers. It is also stamped on the reverse side by The Estate of Andy Warhol and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Warhol took many photos of Bianca, including candid photos at parties, posed model shots with his Polaroid, and even a few selfies of them together. Bianca threw her 32nd birthday at Studio 54 in 1977 where she posed on a white horse, thus depicted in this iconic image. The Warhol Print joins the Picasso etching previously acquired by GTII, both of which will form a part of GTIIs planned digital fine arts and collectibles platform. The Company intends to tokenize the Warhol Print and is evaluating the process for issuing to its shareholders pro-rata fractional interests in the tokenized Warhol Print. David Reichman, CEO of GTII commented Mr. Warhol was a fascinating cultural icon and an inspiration to new generations of artists, curators, filmmakers, designers, and cultural innovators the world over. We are thrilled to add this unique and iconic piece to our collection that we will make available on our igital fine arts and collectibles platform. About Global Tech Industries Group, Inc.: GTII, a publicly traded Company incorporated in the state of Nevada, specializing in the pursuit of acquiring new and innovative technologies. Please follow our Company at: www.otcmarkets.com/stock/GTII Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties are further defined in filings and reports by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Among other matters, the Company may not be able to sustain growth or achieve profitability based upon many factors including but not limited to the risk that we will not be able to find and acquire businesses and assets that will enable us to become profitable. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Company's most recent SEC filings. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses in our development stage, noting that there is no assurance that we will generate enough revenues to offset those costs in both the near and long term. New lines of business may expose us to additional legal and regulatory costs and unknown exposure(s), the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time. Words such as estimate, project, predict, will, would, should, could, may, might, anticipate, plan, intend, believe, expect, aim, goal, target, objective, likely or similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of this press release. Unless legally required, we undertake no obligation to update, modify or withdraw any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise. Blaine Riley br@intlmonetary.com International Monetary 620 Newport Center Drive, #1100 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949.200.4601 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Huawei Recognized as a 2021 Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice for Wired and Wireless LAN Access Infrastructure SHENZHEN, China, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei is excited to announce that it was named a 2021 Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice for Wired and Wireless LAN Access Infrastructure. As the only non-North American vendor named, Huawei received a high rating of 4.8/5 stars based on 191 customer reviews (as of March 2021) 1 on the Gartner Peer Insights platform. Huawei is proud to garner many customer reviews and high ratings due to its highly competitive campus network offerings and excellent performance worldwide. Huawei was named a Customers' Choice in four of the five customer segments (excluding North America) based on the demographics of reviewers Midsize Enterprise (50M 1B USD), Services, Asia/Pacific, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). As of March 31, 2021, customers across a wide variety of sectors (such as finance, government, carrier, and manufacturing) have reviewed Huawei's CloudCampus Solution and full series of products (e.g., CloudEngine S series switches, AirEngine Wi-Fi 6 APs, iMaster NCE-CampusInsight, and iMaster NCE-Campus) on Gartner Peer Insights. They appraised the product functionality, deployment, O&M, and service support of Huawei's campus network offerings. We believe their impressive feedback showed global recognition of Huawei from the industry influence, deployment scales, and mature commercial use perspectives. Gartner Peer Insights is an online platform of ratings and reviews of IT software and services that are written and read by IT professionals and technology decision-makers. The goal is to help IT leaders make more insightful purchase decisions and help technology providers improve their products by receiving objective, unbiased feedback from their customers. "It is our sole aim to provide best-in-class solutions and products that meet customer requirements and receive customer recognition. As such, we're thrilled to be named a 2021 Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice for Wired and Wireless LAN Access Infrastructure," commented Li Xing, President of Huawei Campus Network Domain. "In the future, we will remain committed to customer centricity and continued innovation, and persist in helping customers embrace a fully wireless, intelligent cloud campus nework. We are also highly grateful for the feedback we receive through Gartner Peer Insights." The following excerpts from customers contributed to Huawei's distinction: "Huawei iMaster NCE is deployed in our cloud data center and provides automatic management of the entire network. O&M personnel do not need to perform command-line configuration, which facilitates management. In addition, IoT terminals can be intelligently identified to quickly authenticate devices and users, ensuring network security." IT Engineer in the manufacturing industry (Link, as of March 23, 2021 ) ) "My organization and Huawei are long-term strategic partners. In this bid, Huawei stands out from the vendors and wins the network construction project of our headquarters building. Huawei's Wi-Fi 6 APs maintain high performance, such as fast speed, low latency, large bandwidth, and stable roaming, both in PoC tests and in actual wireless networks. Huawei's delivery team is very professional and quickly completes the wireless network planning of the entire building through its dedicated app. The actual experience is excellent." IT Director in the communications industry (Link, as of March 26, 2021 ) ) "The overall experience of Huawei CampusInsight is excellent. The web management interface is clean and comprehensive. The functionality of the platform is useful, which improves the efficiency of our IT team." CIO in the transportation industry (Link, as of March 22, 2021 ) Long-lasting customer trust stems from Huawei's continued innovation and leadership in the campus network domain. In March 2021 , Huawei announced its newly upgraded, future-proof CloudCampus 3.0 Solution, which offers stand-out features, such as fully wireless networking, one global network with SD-WAN for high-speed interconnection, SDN-driven cloud management, and user- and application-centric intelligent O&M. , Huawei announced its newly upgraded, future-proof CloudCampus 3.0 Solution, which offers stand-out features, such as fully wireless networking, one global network with SD-WAN for high-speed interconnection, SDN-driven cloud management, and user- and application-centric intelligent O&M. Huawei also launched all-new campus network products, such as AirEngine Wi-Fi 6, CloudEngine S multi-GE switches, Wi-Fi 6 CPEs, and NetEngine AR8000. These new additions position enterprises of all sizes to inspire organizational innovation, unleash the value of data, improve O&M efficiency, and ensure stable and reliable services in the cloud era. Huawei CloudCampus Solution website. Source: 1Gartner Peer Insights 'Voice of the Customer': Wired and Wireless LAN Access Infrastructure, By Peer Contributors, 12 May 2021 Disclaimer: Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice/Peer Insights constitute the subjective opinions of individual end-user reviews, ratings, and data applied against a documented methodology; they neither represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, Gartner or its affiliates. About Huawei Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With integrated solutions across four key domains telecom networks, IT, smart devices, and cloud services we are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. Huawei's end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions and services are both competitive and secure. Through open collaboration with ecosystem partners, we create lasting value for our customers, working to empower people, enrich home life, and inspire innovation in organizations of all shapes and sizes. At Huawei, innovation focuses on customer needs. We invest heavily in basic research, concentrating on technological breakthroughs that drive the world forward. We have more than 194,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company wholly owned by its employees. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on: http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei http://www.twitter.com/Huawei http://www.facebook.com/Huawei http://www.youtube.com/Huawei SOURCE Huawei [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] ICM Mobility Group Acquires Mobile Ticketing and Payment Specialist Unwire Joining Vix Technology, Kuba, Snapper and Littlepay to deliver complete solutions for transport operators across the globe. COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ -- ICM Mobility Group announces the acquisition of Unwire, joining a group of companies with a portfolio of solutions deployed in over 100 cities around the world, making more efficient journeys and payments for everyone. Unwire is an innovative Danish company founded in 2001, specializing in mobile mobility and payment solutions. Located in Copenhagen, over the last two decades Unwire has implemented mobile mobility and payment solutions for transit agencies around the world, including projects in Dallas and Phoenix, in partnership with other ICM Mobility Group companies. Unwire's unique white-label mobility platform is a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) solution, which aggregates a wide range of mobility services from traditional mass transit to micromobility, paratransit, rideshare and other multimodal options. Offering passengers extensive planning features, including a multimodal trip planner with full integration to on-demand microtransit booking and scheduling systems, it enables users to seamlessly plan, book, and pay for their multimodal journeys. Unwire will retain its brand and independence, whilst benefiting from working closely with other ICM Mobility Group companies including Vix Technology, Kuba, Snapper and Littlepay. With the financial support of log term globally diversified investment fund manager ICM Limited, the group collectively engages over 1,000 highly talented people operating in 20 countries. Steve Gallagher, ICM Mobility Group Chairman commented: "Having already worked closely together on projects such as the award winning GoPass application for DART in Dallas, Texas, Unwire is a proven cultural fit for us. "Within our group, each company is empowered to share industry experience, knowledge and market understanding to drive innovation and new services. Unwire's expertise in building gateways, APIs and backend integrations to infrastructure in banks, payment processors and transportation operators will prove invaluable to our customers across the globe." Jesper Thor Rasmussen, Unwire CEO added: "Joining the ICM Mobility Group will allow us to deliver our innovative solutions to a broader number of agencies and develop an even better platform for a wider audience. This will strengthen Unwire's goal to support cities in becoming more sustainable and make public transit the easy choice. We look forward to developing new ideas and solutions as well as building on combined experiences to add even more value to what we can offer." About ICM Mobility Group The ICM Mobility Group enables public and private transport to move into the digital era. From planning journeys and issuing smart tickets, to streamlining electronic payments and providing insights, ICM Mobility Group invests in and partners with companies shaping the digital transformation of the mobility sector. To learn more, visit www.icmmobility.com ICM Mobility Group is part of ICM Limited ("ICM"), an international fund manager and corporate finance adviser with expertise in listed equity, private equity, and fixed income. ICM manages directly and indirectly over US$24bn, and specialises in the following investment sectors: utility & infrastructure, financial services, mining and resources, mobility and technology. To find out more information, visit www.icm.limited About Unwire Unwire is an innovative Danish company founded in 2001, specializing in mobile mobility and payment solutions. Unwire is located in Copenhagen, Denmark and has 25 highly skilled and dedicated employees. Over the last two decades, Unwire has implemented high-quality mobile solutions with leading transportation companies, merchants and financial institutions around the world. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/icm-mobility-group-acquires-mobile-ticketing-and-payment-specialist-unwire-301305744.html SOURCE ICM Mobility Group [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Immune Therapeutics Announces Restructuring Plan Orlando, Florida , June 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immune Therapeutics Inc. (OTC-PINK: IMUN) (the "Company") announced today that the Company has received and signed a non-binding term sheet to enter into an agreement that would provide working capital and wipe out a significant portion of its long-standing Debt. The Company received the term sheet from existing Immune Shareholders to provide the funds necessary to complete the restructuring of Immune. According to the agreement, the investors will lend a minimum of $700,000 and a maximum of $1,500,000 to the Company in exchange for non-convertible promissory notes bearing interest at 5%. In connection with the transactions above, to the extent a noteholder holds any warrants to purchase shares of common stock of Borrower (Warrants), Lender shall have the right to apply all or any portion of the Debt under this Note toward exercising such Warrants, upon the terms and subject to the conditions provided in the Warrants. Upon converting the warrants, the lenders have a one-year lock-up agreement with leak-out provisions. In addition, the Company is negotiating with former employees, current management, directors, and other accounts payable and hopes to settle shortly. Closing the transactions contemplated by the Letter of Intent is subject to several conditions being satisfied, including completing due diligence., Earlier this year, the Company successfully restructured its toxic convertible promissory Note in default since May of 2018 issued by Iliad Research & Trading, L.P., for $425,000.00 on October 20, 2017. The Note carried 22% percent inteest default interest and was convertible into common shares of Immune stock at a 60% discount to market. The Note was purchased by Global Reverb Corp and a shareholder in November of 2020. The parties agreed to restructure the balance of $697,000 (reflecting the total principal, interest, and penalties) associated with the instrument. Under the terms of the restructuring, the lenders canceled the existing Iliad Note. Two new notes were issued; one to Global Reverb and one to the shareholder. The notes are for one year with a one-year extension bearing 5% interest. There is no conversion feature on the restructured balance. The agreement provides for filing a 14A Proxy within 30 days of closing the agreement and funding. The 14A will provide for a new slate of 5 Directors and Officers. To appoint Turner & Stone LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company. To conduct any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting. The lenders will appoint two advisors to the Board until the shareholders during the transaction. The restructuring of the notes and funding is a significant achievement for the Company, and we are thankful that our existing lenders agreed that a restructuring would benefit the Company and its growth initiatives. The restructuring improved our balance sheet and was one of the critical next steps in our strategic plan as we are continually working and uplifting. We believe that the amendment of these notes and additional funding is a key accomplishment and that our current market cap does not accurately reflect the value of the Company and the emerging opportunity in biotech," stated Kevin Phelps, Company CEO. On behalf of the Board of directors of Immune- many of whom are investing alongside you - thank you for your investment and continued shareholder support. We look forward to sharing our progress with you in the coming weeks. This news 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, including, without limitation, statements about the reverse stock split, authorized shares reduction and the related timing of implementation and effects thereof. Forward-looking statements are statements other than statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "may," "should," "could," "will," "would," and "will be," and variations of such words and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct. They can be affected by inaccurate or changed assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Immune Therapeutics: (888) 613-8802 www.immunetherapeutics.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Japan B2B Payment Services Customer Report 2021: Understand the Financial Services Needs of Business Customers - ResearchAndMarkets.com The "Japan B2B Payment Services Voice of Customer, 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Japanese government encourages a shift toward cashless through initiatives such as the tax rebate program and open banking law reform. As the proportion of customers using cashless transactions rises, businesses increasingly seek solutions to complement their B2B2C needs. A staggering 55% and 70% of companies received payments today are from consumers and SMEs, respectively. B2B2C payments needs are driving B2B payment solutions development, while demand for B2B solutions alone is far lower. The report studied 101 businesses in Japan between January and February 2021 to assess the current state of the industry and uncover actionable insights to drive digital B2B payment services in Japan. The study found that the digital B2B payments transaction value looks set to register a 3.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2021 to 2026. There is room for improvement for financial services providers serving the B2B space, particularly in fees, as 69% of companies surveyed think that the current fees are too high. About one-third of polled companies feel that transaction fees for local and international transactions should be lower. Besides fees, companies' ability to cope with fluctuations in payment volumes and cash flow problems are key issues that need to be addressed. Market developments point to the untapped potential beyond digitizing businesses. Harvesting the opportunity with industry digitalization is often matched with the adoption of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data, robotic process automation (RPA), and cloud. Whereas digitization can lead to automation of the payment process, digitalization is much more than that and can lead to more efficient and effective use of resources. It can facilitate more advanced functionality, including dynamic payment routing that can solve customer pain points. In Japan, business potential does not always translate into business success. Size does matter. The reality on the ground is that despite the need, Japanese companies re in no rush to embrace change. Nevertheless, change is on the horizon as business needs challenge the inertia resisting change. Already, we see partnerships providing added value and businesses getting the benefits. The momentum is building, with credit card market participants establishing a comprehensive B2B payments ecosystem through partnerships with accounting services, transportation services, and office supplies providers. This study covers Japan. This report's target audience includes financial services providers and payment services providers keen on understanding the financial services needs of business customers in Japan. Key Topics Covered: Strategic Imperatives Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow? The Strategic Imperative The Impact of the Top Three Strategic Imperatives on the Japan B2B Payments Industry Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine Executive Summary Key Findings Market Definitions Survey Objectives and Methodology Key Questions this Survey Answers Market Overview - Japan B2B Payments Industry Japan B2B Payments Market Outlook to 2026 Summary of Japan B2B Payment Trends Overview of Japan B2B Payments Value Chain Opportunities Japan B2B Payments Value Chain by Service Type Overview of Japan B2B Payments Flow Solutions Japan B2B Payments Flow Solutions for Factoring Japan B2B Payments Flow Solutions for Receiving Payments Japan B2B Payments Flow Solutions for Making Payments and Enabling Suppliers Japan B2B Payments Flow Solutions for Payment Analytics and Accounts Automation Market Value and Forecasts - Japan B2B Payments Industry Forecast Assumptions Japan B2B Payments Transaction Value Forecast Japan B2B Payments Transaction Value Forecast Analysis Japan B2B Payments Transaction Value Forecast - Credit Cards Japan B2B Payments Transaction Value Forecast Analysis - Credit Cards Japan B2B Payments Transaction Value Forecast - Bank Transfers Japan B2B Payments Transaction Value Forecast Analysis - Bank Transfers Competitive Landscape - Japan B2B Payments Industry Market Penetration Timeline (News - Alert) - Participants' Strategic Approaches, 2017-2020 Market Penetration Timeline - Key Findings Competitive Analysis Based on Number of Customers and Annual Revenue Customer Survey - Japan B2B Payments Industry Annual Revenue Annual Profit Margin Sales Channels Expenses Composition Composition of Payment Receivers and Senders Incoming and Outgoing Transactions by Focus Industry Types of Financial Services Currently Used Types of Financial Services Currently Used by Focus Industry Top 2 Financial Services Providers by Type of Services Current Practices in Payments, Bulk Payments, and Accounts Reconciliation Strategy Average Accounts Payable Terms by Focus Industry Average Accounts Receivable Terms by Focus Industry Issues with Current Payment Practices and Unfulfilled Needs to Be Addressed Satisfaction Level with Current Financial Services Providers Growth Opportunity Universe - Digital Payments Industry Growth Opportunity 1: Strategic Partnerships for Digital B2B Payments Solutions Development Growth Opportunity 2: Technology Adoption for Digital B2B Payment Solutions Enhancement The Last Word Companies Mentioned JCB Mizuho MUFG Sumitomo For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uroavb View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005293/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Let's Give it Up to the Students! Highpoint Virtual Academy Class of 2021 Ready to Take Over the World After a school year like no other, Highpoint Virtual Academy (HVAM), an online public school serving K-12 students throughout the state since 2016, will celebrate its graduates at a virtual commencement ceremony on June 5th at 11 a.m. "It's been a unique year for education in Michigan, and while other schools may have struggled, HVAM never missed a day of instruction, which allowed our students to keep moving forward," said HVAM Head of School Mary Moorman. "It really is a great time of year to stop and be thankful for all they have accomplished." This year, HVAM will graduate nearly 60 students. Approximately 12 students will graduate with a cumulative GPA above 3.5 and nearly $500,000 worth of college scholarships have reportedly been awarded to the Class of 2021. Collectively, the graduating class reports it has been accepted to colleges and universities across Michigan and beyond including University of Michigan, Wayne State, Henry Ford (News - Alert) college, Texas Tech, and Independence University in Utah. HVAM has two valedictorians this year. Esraa Abukhadijeh will be attending Henry Ford College and Zahra Awnallah plans to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn. HAM also has two salutatorians this year. Jared Cline will attend Lansing Community College and Lauren Stone plans to attend University of Michigan - Flint in the fall. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Shaun McAlmont. "The relationship I was able to build with my teachers despite the distance, the college classes I took as a senior, and the kindness and help I received from everyone here at HVAM have allowed me to grow as a person and achieve beyond what I thought was possible," said senior and Valedictorian Esraa Abukhadijeh in regards to her time at Highpoint. Prior to the pandemic, students enrolled in virtual school for a number of reasons-some were looking to escape bullying, some may have fallen academically off track, and others were looking for an alternative to the traditional classroom setting. HVAM students access a robust online curriculum in the core subjects and a host of electives and attend live virtual classes taught by state-certified teachers. HVAM is inviting all families and friends worldwide to join the celebration. Details of the graduation ceremonies are as follows: WHAT: Highpoint Virtual Academy 2021 Graduation Ceremony WHEN: Saturday, June 5th, 2021, 11 AM CONTACT: For any questions about the celebrations, please contact Christina Brasil at cbrasil@k12.com. For media inquiries, please contact Ken Schwartz at kschwartz@k12.com. About Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan (HVAM) is a tuition-free online public charter school authorized by Mesick Consolidated Schools that currently serves students in grades K through 12 throughout the state. As part of the Michigan public school system, HVAM is tuition-free and provides families the choice to access the curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride Company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build skills for their future. For more information about HVAM, visit hvam.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005001/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Marking World Environment Day, Canada invests up to $55 million in 58 local climate action projects OTTAWA, ON, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ - This week, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are marking Canadian Environment Week, culminating in virtual events on June 5, World Environment Day. It is our opportunity to appreciate our abundant natural environment and to reflect on the positive actions we can take to leave a cleaner, healthier planet for generations to come. Protecting our natural environment and taking action to fight climate change will bolster our economic recovery from COVID-19 and create good quality middle class jobs for Canadians in industries like energy efficiency, clean technology, and STEM. That is why today, the Minister of Middle-Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Mona Fortier, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced the Government of Canada will invest up to $54.9 million in 58 community-based climate action initiatives from across Canada. These projects, funded by the Climate Action and Awareness Fund, will build capacity and awareness for local action on climate change. Each communityfocused project will support Canada's climate goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Among the recipients from today's announcement, are Colleges and Institutes Canada, which will receive $5.3 million to help colleges and universities across the country reduce emissions by implementing climate plans on campus and sharing best practices for green buildings. Among post-secondary institutions receiving funding is Ryerson University, which will receive $1.7 million to engage young Canadians on postsecondary campuses and in communities to find local solutions to reach net-zero by 2050. Lakehead University will receive $135,000 to help prepare Canadian youth, particularly young adults in Northwestern Ontario, for leadership roles in climate action and in environmental careers. The Governing Council of the University of Toronto will receive $6 million to support climate action by Canada's health care community to encourage the move toward a sustainable system. Local projects, like those announced today, will help Canada achieve its goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, while creating good middle class jobs. Quotes "Investing in climate action is an important part of our Canada's plan to build a clean, inclusive, and resilient economy when this pandemic is behind us. These made-in-Canada solutions to climate change are key to encouraging local action on climate change and supporting our local economies while working toward our national goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 050. On World Environment Day, I want to thank all of our innovators who are contributing to this important national effort!" "This climate action project is a great way to encourage post secondary students to address climate change in their local communities. These initiatives are essential in Canada's development of a sustainable net-zero emissions economy. Thanks to everyone who brought this project to fruition. It is a solid step towards reaching Canada's climate change goals." Marci Ien, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre "I'd like to thank Environment and Climate Change Canada for providing funding to support the launch of the Lake Superior Climate Action Field School. Led by two of our Canada Research Chairs, Dr. Lindsay Galway and Dr. Charles Levkoe, the Field School will engage a diverse group of young Canadians in hands-on, experiential learning to catalyze community-based climate action across the Lake Superior Watershed." Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Lakehead University "Ryerson University has a long-standing record of connecting to the community, and combining theory with practice. Through this project, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make climate change a more salient and actionable issue for a large community of young Canadians, and for their local communities." Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ryerson University "The University of Toronto is delighted to have the opportunity to be part of this important funding program; we look forward to leveraging our resources, and the resources of our university and NGO partners, to support climate action and awareness across Canada's healthcare community." Fiona A. Miller, PhD, Director, Centre for Sustainable Health Systems, University of Toronto "By training students with the green skills needed to build a net-zero economy, by supporting innovation and by acting locally to reduce their own environmental footprint, colleges and institutes are already showing exemplary leadership. Thanks to the Climate Action and Awareness funding, we will be able to leverage the strength and full potential of our members to deliver lasting change and help reduce our overall GHG emissions through our new project entitled Massive Impact." Denise Amyot, President and CEO, Colleges and Institutes Canada Quick facts The funding for these projects comes from the $206-million Climate Action and Awareness Fund, which is funded by the Environmental Damages Fund and the Climate Action Fund. Climate Action and Awareness Fund, which is funded by the Environmental Damages Fund and the Climate Action Fund. The Climate Action and Awareness Fund was created in great part from the historic $196.5 million fine paid by Volkswagen, to the Environmental Damages Fund, for circumventing Canada's environmental protection laws. fine paid by Volkswagen, to the Environmental Damages Fund, for circumventing environmental protection laws. The $196.5 million from Volkswagen is the largest environment fine in Canadian history it is 26 times greater than the second-largest environmental fine. from Volkswagen is the largest environment fine in Canadian history it is 26 times greater than the second-largest environmental fine. The Climate Action and Awareness Fund has three main priorities: support youth climate awareness and community-based climate action, support climate research at Canadian think tanks and in academia, and advance climate science and technology. Projects that are funded under the community-based climate action priority aim to develop knowledge, tools, and/or skills that engage communities in climate action in order to help support Canada's climate goals, including net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Related products Backgrounder Associated links Climate Action and Awareness Fund Canada's strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Mike Morse's EXCLUSIVE Interview with Ray Gray SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mike Morse Law Firm recently released their latest episode of Open Mike featuring Ray Gray, a Detroit man who spent 48 years in prison for a murder he claims he didn't commit. Attorney and justice advocate Mike Morse, joined by Detroit journalist and Proving Innocence founder Bill Proctor, sat down with Gray and his wife Barbara Rinehart-Gray to discuss Gray's experiences since being sentenced to life without parole on March 14, 1973. Gray told-all on a wide range of topics including finding love while imprisoned, coping with incarceration through art, readjusting to civilian status, planning for the future, and more. "Ray may be one of the most principled and patient people alive. I don't think anyone could hear him tell his story and disbelieve it," said Morse. "It's very important for stories like Ray's to be heard so people can educate themselves. One reason we do this show [Open Mike] is to give our listeners a bit of skepticism for when they're in the juror box." What distinguishes Gray fro many other Open Mike guests who have experienced injustice is the fact that Gray was not exonerated. He agreed to plead no contest to a lesser charge that allowed him to be released from prison for time served. While he has obtained freedom, Gray's plea has disqualified him from receiving compensatory funds from Michigan's Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act, as he does not meet the requirement of criminal charges being dismissed. "[I was waiting for] the truth to finally come out. And I realize that a lot of mistaken identity cases are helped along the way by people in authority with nefarious intentions" said Gray. "[The law] has nothing to do with guilt or innocence... It's almost like a sport. They want to win and they want to win by any means necessary. And so there were people I feel that know that I didn't commit this crime." Since the launch of Open Mike in November of 2019, the podcast has reached over three million downloads and has been named a top 10 podcast by Deadline Detroit. New episodes of the show are released every Tuesday, and can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all other podcast listening apps. Fans of Open Mike can contact Mike Morse via email at podcast@855mikewins.com or send a text message to 833-TXT-MIKE to provide feedback, ask questions, or become a guest on the show. Morse is also available for interviews or to be a guest on other podcasts. About Mike Morse Law Firm The Mike Morse Law Firm has been protecting the rights of Michigan auto accident and injury victims since its establishment in 1995. They are Michigan's largest personal injury firm, specializing in auto, truck, pedestrian and motorcycle accidents as well as Social Security disability claims. Since opening their doors over 25 years ago, the firm has served over 25,000 clients and won over one billion dollars for them. Mike Morse Law Firm handles cases throughout the state of Michigan. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mike-morses-exclusive-interview-with-ray-gray-301306227.html SOURCE MIKE MORSE LAW FIRM [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 21:53:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KAMPALA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Friday launched a 358.9 million-U.S.-dollar plan to combat the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the east African country. Henry Mwebesa, director general of health services, said during the launch that the plan had been developed basing on the lessons learnt between March last year when the first case was detected in the country, and June 2021. "This plan takes into account the changes in epidemiology of the pandemic, inclusive of the emergence of COVID-19 variants," Mwebesa said. According to the plan, funds will be spent on surveillance, case management and risk communication among other activities. Ministry of health figures show that as of June 1, the country's cumulative cases of COVID-19 had reached 49,759 cases, with 47,760 recoveries and 365 deaths. Enditem [June 04, 2021] Mountain America Credit Union Announces Expanded Partnership with Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, Providing Credit Union Exclusivity SANDY, Utah, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mountain America Credit Union and Loveland Living Planet Aquarium are pleased to announce an expanded, long-term partnership. As the official credit union of the Aquarium, Mountain America's partnership will pave the way for exciting new learning opportunities. Mountain America will continue its sponsorship of the Tuki's Island Playground and Party Center and Mountain America Penguin Research Center. The new partnership enables Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to expand learning opportunities at the Migratory Animal Education Experience outdoor area. Children can fly like a bird on the Mountain America Zip Line and learn how animals rely on Utah's mountainous landscape and waterways during their migration. "We are truly grateful for the support we receive from Mountain America Credit Union. They've been a long-standing partner of ours, ever since the penguins arrived at the Aquarium in 2010," says Heather Doggett, chief operations officer at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. "We are excited they are also helping support educational experiences on our new Science Learning Campus." With this partnership, Mountain America will also continue to host community events. Since 2013, nearly 10,000 community members have enjoyed a no-cost experience at the Aquarium and access to financial education through Mountain America's financial wellness events. "Mountain America is honored to announce an expanded partnership with Loveland Living Planet Aquarium," says Sterling Nielsen, president and chief executive officer at Mountain America Credit Union. "The Migratory Animal Education Experience allows the Aquarium and their educators to better serve the local community by expanding interactive learning opportunities." View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mountain-america-credit-union-announces-expanded-partnership-with-loveland-living-planet-aquarium-providing-credit-union-exclusivity-301305811.html SOURCE Mountain America Credit Union [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] NASA Announces Winners of 2021 Student Launch Competition HUNTSVILLE, Ala., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past nine months, 46 teams strived for success in NASA's 2021 Student Launch competition, one of NASA's Artemis Student Challenges. Countless hours were poured into the design, simulation, construction, testing, and launch of rockets and payloads. On June 3, teams were awarded during a virtual ceremony, announcing the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the winner of the Launch Division and New York University in New York City as the winner of the Design Division. NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson welcomed teams to the ceremony, encouraging them to continue to pursue their academic interests beyond the competition. "This year's challenge will hopefully serve as an inspiration for a lifetime of learning," he said. "Someday it may be you designing a new spaceflight system or spacecraft or even a vehicle to land on another planet." Nelson also gave a nod to the unique circumstances of competing during a year affected by the global pandemic. "This season wasn't easy. It wasn't normal. But you all succeeded despite the challenges. So congratulations to all of you for seeing this mission to completion." In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Student Launch program team proactively designed the 2021 competition with provisions to allow for a virtual season. Teams were permitted to use multiple connections to attend all milestone review sessions, including the preliminary design, critical design, and flight readiness reviews which alleviated the need for all team members to be in the same room or location during their presentations to the NASA review panel. Teams were not required to travel to Huntsville, Alabama, to complete the project and compete. Instead, they were permitted to complete their competition launch at a National Association of Rocketry or Tripoli Rocket Association-sanctioned launch in their respective local areas. At the awards, Larry Leopard, Marshall's associate director, technical, reminded students to "appreciate every moment when everything worked as planned, and learn from those times when they did not. Support each and every member of your team. Most importantly, never lose the sense of curiosity that leads you to ask the 'what if' questions." Every year, NASA challenges middle school, high school, college, and university students from around the United States to design, build, test, and then fly and land a high-powered amateur rocket to between 3,500 and 5,500 feet above the ground. The young rocketeers are challenged to "call their shot" and predict their rocket's altitude months in advance of competition launch day using rocketry principles and computer simulations. Referred to as their "target altitude," teams can tailor their altitude to maximize the return of scientific value from their payload, just like NASA teams target specific altitudes for their own missions. This year, the college/university division's payload mission was a lander that deploys from the rocket during descent. The lander must land upright or contain a system to upright itself. The lander must level itself to within 5 degrees of vertical and then take a 360-degree panoramic image of the location and transmit the image back to the team. Teams in the middle/high school division could choose the college/university division payload or propose their own scientific or engineering experiment to perform. "We are all aware of how difficult this season has been," said Fred Kepner, an education program specialist and lead for Student Launch at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, where the program is managed. "Though we were not able to celebrate these achievements in person, we are proud of the resilience shown by each of our competing teams." The University of North Carolina at Charlotte will receive $5,000 for first place in the Launch Division, and New York University will receive $2,500 for first place in the Design Division. The top five teams in the Launch Division are: University of North Carolina at Charlotte Vanderbilt University University of Notre Dame Purdue University North Carolina State University The top three teams in the Design Division are: New York University University of California, Los Angeles The Ohio State University Teams earn points for progress and successes during the nine-month competition, and the team with the most points wins. Awads also are presented in 12 different categories that range from payload design and safety to best social media presence and STEM science, technology, engineering and mathematics outreach. 2021 Category Award Winners Rookie Award, presented to the top rookie team on the college and university level: 1st Place: Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis, Missouri in , 2nd Place: New York University , New York, New York , 3rd Place: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks , North Dakota Judges' Choice Award (Middle/High School Level), presented to the middle or high school team that is selected by a secret panel of judges to have had the most creative payload, best design and workmanship of its rocket. 1st Place: Sylvania Northview High School, Sylvania, Ohio Sylvania Northview High School, 2nd Place: Harrison Central School District, Harrison, New York Harrison Central School District, 3rd Place: Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Chicago, Illinois Vehicle Design Award (Design Division), presented to the team with the most creative, innovative and safety-conscious overall rocket design: 1st Place: University of California, Los Angeles , Los Angeles, California Experiment Design Award (Design Division), presented to the team with the most creative and innovative payload design while maximizing safety and science value: 1st Place: The Ohio State University, Columbus , Ohio Experiment Design Award (Launch Division), presented to the team with the most creative and innovative payload design while maximizing safety and science value: 1st Place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Charlotte, North Carolina , 2nd Place: Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee , 3rd Place: Kent State University , Kent, Ohio Safety Award (College Level, any division), presented to the team that most successfully maximized safety and science value in its design: 1st Place: University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana , 2nd Place: North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina , 3rd Place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Charlotte, North Carolina Project Review Award (Design Division), presented to the team with the best combination of written reviews and formal presentations: 1st Place: New York University , New York, New York Project Review Award (Launch Division), presented to the team with the best combination of written reviews and formal presentations: 1st Place: California State University, Long Beach , California , 2nd Place: Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee , 3rd Place: Auburn University , Auburn, Alabama AIAA Reusable Launch Vehicle Award (Launch Division), presented to the team with the most creative, innovative, and well-constructed overall design while still maximizing safety and efficiency: 1st Place : North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina : , 2nd Place : Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri : in 3rd Place: Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee STEM Engagement Award (College Level, any division), presented to the team that best informed others about rocketry and other space-related topics: 1st Place: Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee , 2nd Place: Washington University in St. Louis , Missouri in , Missouri 3rd Place: University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana STEM Engagement Award (Middle/High School Level), presented to the team that best informed others about rocketry and other space-related topics. 1st Place: Oakton High School, Vienna, Virginia Oakton High School, 2nd Place: Harrison Central School District, Harrison, New York Harrison Central School District, 3rd Place: Sylvania Northview High School, Sylvania, Ohio Altitude Award (College Level, Launch Division), presented to the college or university team that comes closest to its declared target altitude on as recorded in their Flight Readiness Review: 1st Place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte , North Carolina , 2nd Place : University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana : , 3rd Place: The University of Texas at Arlington , Texas Altitude Award (Middle/High School Level), presented to the middle or high school team that comes closest to its declared target altitude as recorded in their Flight Readiness Review: 1st Place: Sylvania Northview High School, Sylvania, Ohio Sylvania Northview High School, 2nd Place: Nativity Catholic Parish, Burke, Virginia Nativity Catholic Parish, 3rd Place: Spring Grove Area High School , Spring Grove, Pennsylvania Social Media Award (College Level, any division), presented to the college or university team that has the most active and creative social media presence throughout the project year: 1st Place: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 2nd Place: University of Puerto Rico , Mayaguez Campus, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico , Mayaguez Campus, Mayaguez, 3rd Place: North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina Social Media Award (Middle/High School Level), presented to the middle or high school team that has the most active and creative social media presence throughout the project year: 1st Place: Sylvania Northview High School, Sylvania, Ohio Sylvania Northview High School, 2nd Place: Oakton High School, Vienna, Virginia Oakton High School, 3rd Place: Minster STEM Club, Minster, Ohio Best-Looking Rocket Award (College Level, any division), presented to the college or university team that is judged by their peers to have had the best-looking rocket: 1st Place: California State University, Long Beach , California , 2nd Place: Kent State University , Kent, Ohio , 3rd Place: Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee Best-Looking Rocket Award (Middle/High School Level), presented to the middle or high school team that is judged by its peers to have had the best-looking rocket: 1st Place: Sylvania Northview High School, Sylvania, Ohio Sylvania Northview High School, 2nd Place: St. Vincent St. Mary High School, Akron, Ohio St. Vincent St. Mary High School, 3rd Place: Oakton High School, Vienna, Virginia Team Spirit Award (College Level, any division), presented to the college or university team that is judged by its peers to have had the best team spirit: 1st Place: Auburn University , Auburn, Alabama , 2nd Place: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California California State Polytechnic University, 3rd Place: University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana Team Spirit (Middle/High School Level), presented to the middle or high school team that is judged by its peers to have had the best team spirit: 1st Place: Harrison Central School District, Harrison, New York Harrison Central School District, 2nd Place: Madison West High School , Madison, Wisconsin , 3rd Place: Sylvania Northview High School, Sylvania, Ohio For over 20 years, Student Launch has provided a realistic experience to students that resembles the development, test, and operational lifecycle NASA and industry engineers use when developing and operating new hardware. It is one of the seven Artemis Student Challenges. Marshall's Office of STEM Engagement manages Student Launch to stimulate innovation and advance NASA's mission through collaboration with educational institutions and students the next-generation that will help us explore the Moon and travel even farther to Mars. It also furthers NASA's goal of attracting and encouraging students to pursue degrees and careers in the STEM fields. NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and the Office of STEM Engagement, as well as Northrop Grumman, the Huntsville chapter of the National Space Club, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the National Association of Rocketry, and Bastion Technologies provide funding and leadership for the initiative. For more information about NASA's Student Launch, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/education/studentlaunch For more information about NASA's Artemis Student Challenges, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/stem/artemis.html View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-announces-winners-of-2021-student-launch-competition-301306288.html SOURCE NASA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] POWERGEN International Announces 2022 Event Theme and Partnerships to Shape the Future of Energy Together with the Generation Industry SHELTON, Conn., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- POWEGEN International, the world's largest power generation event, is pleased to announce its 2022 theme of Destination 2050 as well as partnerships with the California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA), Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA), Epicenter, and Green Hydrogen Coalition (GHC) for its 2022 event taking place January 26-28 in Dallas, Texas. For the first time, POWERGEN International will be co-located with DISTRIBUTECH International, the leading annual transmission and distribution event. "It's clear that the future electricity generation mix is changing, but exactly how it will look is still unclear. Electricity industry executives are faced with the monumental task of balancing today's energy needs while moving to tomorrow's goal of net zero carbon emissions. Electric utilities and power generators must keep current assets running while integrating to the future generation mix of renewables, energy storage and more," said Teresa Hansen, VP of Content for Clarion Energy. "This year's Destination 2050 Conference Program will feature leaders from electric utilities and power generation companies who will present their strategies on turning aspirations into reality." The partnership with GHC will enhance the event's coverage of Hydrogen and Decarbonization while the partnerships with CESA and EGSA will enhance coverage of energy storage and on-site power, all coming together to strengthen the generation mix to support the future of electricity. In addition, Epicenter will support the Initiate program, which fosters innovation from energy start-ups around the world. POWERGEN will offer member companies exposure to a broad range of energy education, including participation in the event's content program through thought leadership, speaking opportunities and peer-to-peer discussion platforms. EGSA will also host a pavilion on the show floor featuring vendors and suppliers involved in on-site power. "Power utilities are getting it from both sides and are under no illusion that the journey to a cleaner 2050 will be easy. They must ensure power resiliency and low cost and respond to both pblic and government demand for carbon reduction and more intermittent renewables on the system," said Stephanie Kolodziej, Portfolio Director at Clarion Energy. "With support from CESA, EGSA, Epicenter and GHC, this year's POWERGEN International will encompass blue-sky ideas from leaders from electric utilities and power generation companies on what the electricity industry will look like in the future and the best way to prepare for that future." About California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA): CESA is the definitive voice of energy storage in California. At 100+ members strong, CESA is committed to advancing the role of energy storage in the electric power sector. CESA is a 501c(6) membership-based advocacy group. CESA is technology and business model-neutral and is supported solely by the contributions and coordinated activities of its members. Learn more at cesa.org. About Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA): EGSA is the world's largest organization exclusively dedicated to On-Site Power Generation. The Association is comprised of over 750 companiesManufacturers, Distributor/Dealers, Contractors/Integrators, Manufacturer's Representatives, Consulting & Specifying Engineers, Service firms, End-Users and othersthroughout the U.S. and around the world that make, sell, distribute and use On-Site Power generation technology and equipment. Learn more at egsa.org. About Epicenter: Epicenter believes in Innovation with Impact. Epicenter is all about the community consisting of more than 4000 company builders, entrepreneurs, change makers and rising stars of the tech scene. The Epicenter ecosystem prosper and members connect through its many community events and activities. Learn more at weareepicenter.com. About Green Hydrogen Coalition (GHC): Founded in 2019, the GHC is an educational non-profit organization. The GHC focuses on building top-down momentum for scalable green hydrogen projects that leverage multi-sector opportunities to simultaneously scale supply and demand. The work of the GHC is supported by annual charitable donations. Learn more at ghcoalition.org. About POWERGEN International: POWERGEN International is the world's largest power generation event and the only US face to face experience to discuss in-depth the challenges faced by all energy stakeholders in this ever-changing, complex industry. Visit powergen.com for more information. Organized by Clarion Energy, which is part of Clarion Events. With over 30 events that cover the oil, gas, power and energy sectors, Clarion Energy is one of Clarion's largest portfolios. Learn more here: clarion-energy.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/powergen-international-announces-2022-event-theme-and-partnerships-to-shape-the-future-of-energy-together-with-the-generation-industry-301305806.html SOURCE Clarion Events [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Success For The Red Sea Development Company In Ethical Boardroom's Corporate Governance Awards 2021 The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has been recognised in this year's Ethical Boardroom Corporate Governance Awards, by winning the 'Special Recognition Award for Real Estate Developer - Middle East'. The tourism destination development company is setting new standards in sustainable development as it creates a luxury destination that will position Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map. Ethical Boardroom's Head of Awards, Henry Smart, said: "The Red Sea Development Company is a on a mission to break new ground in both regenerative sustainability and governance by developing its own toolkit, based on international best practice. It thoroughly deserves to be named among the companies achieving success in this year's Ethical Boardroom Awards for excellence in corporate governance." In an interview with Ethical Boardroom, Dr. Maryam Ali Ficociello, chief governance officer at TRSDC, says: "At The Red Sea Development Company we are striving to build a ground-breaking tourism destination, and that means taking a comprehensive approach that sets new standards in good governance, compliance and risk management. "Ahead of welcoming our first guests to the destination in 2022, we have embedded a holistic approach to tructural governance into the business at every stage, from construction through to hospitality partner management." Every year, Ethical Boardroom Magazine the bi-monthly digital magazine that delivers in-depth coverage and critically astute analysis of global governance issues, recognises the world's leading corporate governance champions across their industry sectors. All finalists in the Awards are publicly listed companies or state-owned enterprises that have undergone a thorough analysis of governance factors and extensive scrutiny on governance attributes, such as board composition, board committees, shareholder rights and transparency. The Red Sea Development Company joins companies in the Middle East and Africa, such as Zenith Bank, Dubai Investments, Alba and East African Breweries, in this year's list of outstanding companies across industries including construction, banking and utilities. Information on the Ethical Boardroom Corporate Governance 2021 Awards can be found at https://ethicalboardroom.com, with this year's Middle East and Africa winners revealed in the latest issue of Ethical Boardroom. About Ethical Boardroom Magazine: Ethical Boardroom is a trailblazing bi-monthly digital magazine that delivers in-depth coverage and critically astute analysis of global governance issues to help boards stay ahead of the governance curve. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005014/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] The Travel Insurance Playbook by Arch RoamRight Wins Gold in International Competition Arch RoamRight's 2021 edition of The Travel Insurance PlaybookTM was presented with a gold award by the Hermes Creative Awards, an international award competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional and emerging media. The Travel Insurance Playbook provides proprietary data and actionable insights for travel advisors and tour operators. It details who is likely to buy travel insurance and where people plan on traveling in the next year and includes a historical look at how purchases have changed in recent years. "We are proud of this publication and the recognition it has received by Hermes Creative Awards," says Tim Dodge, vice president of Travel & Accident marketing for Arch Insurance. "Travel advisors often face a challenging task of creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for their clients, and successful planning and execution are paramount. Our Playbook, the result of a collaboration across every department in our company, is an example of our commitment to providing exceptional value to our partners and clients. We're particularly grateful to our creative team's efforts to compile and showcase our company's capabilities in such a compelling, appealing way." The pandemic's disruption of the travel industry left many travel advisors searching for information, and The Travel Insurance Playbook's data helped to support their needs with knowledge to foster effective, timely decisions. "One of the most promising facts in this year's book is that, after a year of limited travel, people are booking more expensive trips for later this year and into 2022," Dodge says. Informational articles also provide insight into how travel insurance works, the claims process for Arch RoamRight and travel advisor profiles. The publication was one of more than 6,000 entries from the United States, Canada and dozens of other countries in the Hermes Creative Awards 2021 competition. To receive a digital download or to request a printed copy of the Travel Insurance Playbook, visit www.RoamRight.com/playbook. About Arch RoamRight Arch RoamRight (wwwRoamRight.com) is the co-branding of Arch and RoamRight marks used by Arch Insurance Company to market its travel insurance that insures U.S. residents traveling around the world. From trip cancellation to travel medical insurance plans and an award-winning mobile app and website, Arch RoamRightTM is an industry leader in innovation and technological solutions. In 2020, Arch RoamRight won multiple Travel Weekly Magellan (News - Alert) Awards, and was named a Best Places to Work by Business Intelligence Group. About Hermes Creative Awards Hermes Creative Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international organization consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, media production and freelance professionals. AMCP oversees awards and recognition programs, provides judges and rewards outstanding achievement and service to the profession. As part of its mission, AMCP fosters and supports the efforts of creative professionals who contribute their unique talents to public service and charitable organizations. Hermes entrants are not charged entry fees to enter work they produced pro bono. In addition, the efforts of generous marketing and communication professionals are acknowledged through grants and special recognition. AMCP judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. Winners were selected from over 200 categories grouped under advertising, publications, marketing, branding, integrated marketing, public relations/communications, electronic media and pro bono. A list of Platinum and Gold Winners can be found on the Hermes Creative Awards website at www.hermesawards.com. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. This release or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Arch Capital Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in or incorporated by reference in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or their negative or variations or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements involve our current assessment of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. A non-exclusive list of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements includes the following: adverse general economic and market conditions; increased competition; pricing and policy term trends; fluctuations in the actions of rating agencies and the Company's ability to maintain and improve its ratings; investment performance; the loss of key personnel; the adequacy of the Company's loss reserves, severity and/or frequency of losses, greater than expected loss ratios and adverse development on claim and/or claim expense liabilities; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable natural and man-made catastrophic events, including pandemics such as COVID-19; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; changes in regulations and/or tax laws in the United States or elsewhere; the Company's ability to successfully integrate, establish and maintain operating procedures as well as consummate acquisitions and integrate the businesses the Company has acquired or may acquire into the existing operations; changes in accounting principles or policies; material differences between actual and expected assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling arrangements; availability and cost to the Company of reinsurance to manage the Company's gross and net exposures; the failure of others to meet their obligations to the Company; changes in the method for determining the London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and the potential replacement of LIBOR and other factors identified in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) "). The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Tag: arch-insurance View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005363/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions Earns Four American Business Awards Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions has earned four American Business Awards for product innovation in the below categories: OneSumX for Regulatory Change Management , Best Content Management Solution , Best Content Management Solution Expere Language Translation , Best FinTech Solution , Best FinTech Solution TSoftPlus , Most Valuable Technical Innovation , Most Valuable Technical Innovation CASH Suite, Best FinTech Solution In their comments, program judges pointed to the practicality and ease-of-use for Wolters Kluwer's winning solutions in helping address longstanding needs. "Regulatory overload can grind a business to a pace that leaves them in the dust," noted one judge assessing OneSumX for Regulatory Change Management. "This product streamlines the ability to track regulatory changes and move businesses up the value chain." Another judge viewed Expere Language Translation to be a "brilliant idea and offering that solves a business and social issue." Commenting on TSoftPlus, which enabled lenders to expedite Paycheck Protection Program stimulus loans that helped save nearly 10 million U.S. small business jobs, a judge deemed it to be a "great innovationTSoftPlus' well-designed system scaled up well amidst high demand during COVID-19." CASH Suite, which earned a gold-level award, was admired for the "integrated nature of the offering to enable end-to-end loan lifecycle processesCASH Suite is a wonderful fintech productthat offers a comprehensive range of solutions in the commercial lending space." "Each of these winning solutions reflect a high degree of ingenuity, creativity, and technical prowess that, when combined with our unmatched domain expertise, have helped our customers address some of the most complex operational, workflow, and compliance challenges they face," said Steven Meirink, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions. "The level of innovation represented by these prestigious award wins is truly remarkable." OneSumX for Regulatory Change Management uses regulatory experts combined with robotic process automation and machine learning to enrich regulatory content that helps financial service firms better monitor, identify, analyze and address regulatory changes impacting their organizations. Highly scalable, TSoftPlus software interfaces directly with the Small Business Administration's loan application portal to facilitate small business lending. Expere Language Translation's learning-based, artificial intelligence (AI) translation process system leverages legal and language translation domain expertise to provide lenders a seamless, integrated translation capability for loan origination systems. And CASH Suite software provides lenders a comprehensive financial analysis and risk management solution that promotes efficiency-and effective decisions-throughout the entire commercial lending lifecycle. These American Business Award wins contributed to Wolters Kluwer being named a 2021 Grand Stevie Award winner as Organization of the Year, based on the total number of awards the company garnered in this year's competition. Now in its 19th year, the American Business Awards are part of the Stevie Awards program, recognizing the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide. Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions is a market leader and trusted provider of risk management and regulatory compliance solutions and services to U.S. banks and credit unions, insurers and securities firms. The business, which sits within Wolters Kluwer's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) division, helps these financial institutions efficiently manage risk and regulatory compliance obligations, and gain the insights needed to focus on better serving their customers and growing their business. Wolters Kluwer's GRC division provides an array of expert solutions to help financial institutions manage regulatory and risk obligations. Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions' eOriginal suite of purpose-built, digital lending solutions, for example, helps lenders digitize their transactions and features electronic signatures, collateral authentication and an electronic vault. Wolters Kluwer Lien Solutions' iLien Motor Vehicle provides for the processing and management of motor vehicle titles and liens, helping solve the most unique and complicated challenges in title perfection. Wolters Kluwer Finance, Risk & Regulatory Reporting (FRR), meanwhile, is a global market leader in the provision of integrated regulatory compliance and reporting solutions. About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance Governance, Risk & Compliance is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to help ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance. Wolters Kluwer (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs approximately 19,200 people worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005044/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 03, 2021] ZigiWave launches Embedded Integration Hub as part of its portfolio SOFIA, Bulgaria, June 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZigiWave the company behind the no-code integration platform ZigiOps, announced the release of an Embedded Integration Hub. ZigiOps is a powerful enterprise solution, which connects systems, data and people to accelerate companies productivity and efficiency. Connect. Automate. Simplify represents the main goal of ZigiOps which is helping companies simplify their IT Operations by connecting systems to automate workflows. Businesses no longer need to create their own integration hubs, which turns out as a big investment for most of them, but rather adopt an out-of-the-box mature integration product. The Embedded Integration Hub gives businesses the opportunity to adopt and rebrand the ZigiOps integration platform as their own product and offer it to existing and new customers. ZigiWaves Embedded Integration Hub powers up software products and services by introducing an additional layer with integration features. Companies can now make ZigiOps theirs by adding it to their portfolio and modifying its looks to boost customer satisfaction and be one step ahead of the competition. ZigiWave will provide extensve onboarding, training and deliver all necessary marketing and sales materials for the Embedded Integration Hub. Companies which incorporate a rebranded version of ZigiOps into their portfolio will switch from simply selling products or services to creating experiences for their customers. The Embedded Integration Hub is of strategic importance to all software companies, which want to offer the entire digital transformation package to their customers. Selling single products or services is old-school, the new era requires providing experiences. Comments Idan Harel, Co-Founder and CEO of ZigiWave ZigiWave already made two successful OEM deals with worldwide recognized software companies, which are now leveraging the full capabilities of the Embedded Integration Hub. Giving customers the ability to seamlessly align their ITSM, Monitoring, DevOps and CRM tools with your IT ecosystem has never been easier. About ZigiOps ZigiOps is a revolutionary no-code integration platform which connects systems, apps and data to automate workflows. Born from the need to help you automate processes and enhance cross-team collaboration, ZigiOps seamlessly runs in your environment, while extracting and transferring data between systems in real-time. About ZigiWave ZigiWave is an ISV, based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Were a team of 20+ integration experts with years of IT and software development experience. Over 60 Fortune 500 companies trust us with their integrations. Email: info@zigiwave.com Website: www.zigiwave.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 03, 2021] Children's Hospital Los Angeles Awarded $2 Million to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been awarded a $2 million grant from the state of California to study a precision medicine approach to screening children for adverse childhood experiences. The three-year grant-part of the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine-was announced by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, in partnership with the Office of the California Surgeon General. Adverse childhood experiences, also called ACEs, are potentially traumatic events early in life-such as neglect, abuse, racism, witnessed violence and economic hardships. These events can result in toxic stress-a physiologic response to severe adversity. ACEs can increase a child's risk for developmental delays, as well as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and mental illness later in life. The Children's Hospital Los Angeles study aims to improve early screening for ACEs by using precision medicine to identify specific biomarkers of early-life stress. Nearly two-thirds of children in the U.S. have experienced at least one ACE, and 15% to 20% have experienced four or more. "Excessive adverse childhood experiences can cause toxic stress in children, and many studies have shown this may have lifelong consequences for health challenges, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and mental illnesses," says Lead Principal Investigator Pat Levitt, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Vice President and Director of The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Simms/Mann Chair in Developmental Neurogenetics. "To improve outcomes for these children, we need to identify those at greatest risk as early as possible, because early interventions promote the best outcomes." 'Red flag warning' Currently, the only screening method for ACEs involves questionnaires for parents and caregivers. But screening rates are generally low in pediatric practices, and the questionnaires are not able to identify which babies and children are having a toxic stress response. The team at Children's Hospital Los Angeles will study a potential new screening method that combines a robust questionnaire-the Pediatric ACEs Screening and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS)-with development of a novel lab test that measures potential disturbances to critical cell structures called mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy for cells to function normally. The biomarker measures mitochondrial allostatic load (MAL). The group aims to show that MAL measures are a "red flag warning" for toxic stress in infants. Researchers at The Saban Research Institute and in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine will develop and test three different novel assays to measure MAL in babies-the first time such a test will be used in children. Samples will be collected using simple and painless oral swabs. In addition, mothers will complete questionnaires, including the PEARLS questionnaire, and researchers will evaluate infant cognitive development and use novel computerized method to assess mother-baby interactions with colleagues in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The multidisciplinary collaboration brings together experts on precision medicine, clinical test development and validation, pediatric health care, child development, infant mental health, use of new measures to identify stress-related health risk, and research on health equity improvement. "We believe this multipronged approach will improve our understanding of the mitochondrial stress associated with ACEs, and will ultimately lead to a cost-effective test that could be readily adopted by pediatricians across the state," says Co-Investigator Xiaowu Gai, PhD, Director of Bioinformatics for the Center for Personalized Medicine at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Challenging disparities The team aims to recruit 300 mother-baby pairs into the study from the Children's Hospital Los Angeles/AltaMed Health Services general pediatrics community clinic. The two-decade partnership between Children's Hospital Los Angeles and AltaMed has brought pediatric expertise to the care of children in local communities. AltaMed, one of the largest federally qualified health centers in the U.S., delivers care to medically underserved families across Southern California. Families who screen positive for ACEs will be referred to intervention services through a Children's Hospital Los Angeles behavioral health program that specializes in family-centered infant mental health directed by Marian Williams, PhD, Director of the Stein Tikun Olam Infant-Family Mental Health Program. "Early life stress is not equally distributed," says Principal Investigator Rajan Sonik, PhD, JD, MPH, Director of Research at the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity within AltaMed Health Services. "Social and economic hardships are disproportionately experienced by marginalized communities, leading to critical racial/ethnic disparities. I look forward to working with Children's Hospital Los Angeles and our community partners to challenge these disparities, close the equity gap and take steps toward a better future for all children and families." California's first Surgeon General, Nadine Burke-Harris, MD, MPH, FAAP, has set a bold goal to reduce ACEs and toxic stress by half in one generation. In 2019, Dr. Burke-Harris shared these plans during a special visit to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where she presented during Pediatric Grand Rounds. Children's Hospital Los Angeles was one of four institutions chosen to receive a grant under the initiative. In total, $9 million in state funds will support proof-of-principle projects for patient populations with ACEs-with all studies using precision medicine to improve access, care and outcomes. The projects, which were selected from a pool of 39 applicants from across the state, will begin in July. Study collaborators Additional partners, collaborators and supporters include Alexander R. Judkins, MD, Alma Gharib, PhD, Hannah Perez, PsyD, Aime Ozuna, MPH, Jenny Kingsley, MD, MA, and Suzanne Roberts, MD, of Children's Hospital Los Angeles; Gabriela Tovar, JD, AltaMed Institute for Health Equity; Lauren Klein, MS, and Maja Mataric, PhD, USC Viterbi School of Engineering; Irene Martinez, MSW, Fiesta Educativa Inc.; Natalia Garcia, Para Los Ninos; Lorna Little, MSW, St. Anne's; and Frances Nova, MSW, Karsh Family Social Service Center. About Children's Hospital Los Angeles Founded in 1901, Children's Hospital Los Angeles is the highest-ranked children's hospital in California and fifth in the nation on the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll of best children's hospitals. U.S. News ranks Children's Hospital Los Angeles in all 10 specialty categories. Clinical care at the hospital is led by physicians who are faculty members of the Keck School of Medicine of USC through an affiliation dating from 1932. The hospital also operates the largest pediatric residency training program at a freestanding children's hospital in the Western United States. The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles is home to all basic, translational, clinical and community research conducted at the hospital, allowing proven discoveries to quickly reach patients. Our mission: to create hope and build healthier futures. To learn more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter, and visit our blog at CHLA.org/blog. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210603006121/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 03, 2021] Hugo launches Singapore's first Wealthcare(R) app Hugo is a digital account that helps Singaporeans to spend, save and invest, starting with gold Hugo is a Wealthcare B uddy that takes care of their financial wellbeing uddy that takes care of their financial wellbeing Hugo Platinum Visa Debit Card - a numberless Visa debit card that offers a blend of convenience, privilege and security Visa debit card that offers a blend of convenience, privilege and security Hugo Gold Vaults make buying and selling gold easy and accessible to all SINGAPORE, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hugo, Singapore's first Wealthcare app is now available on Apple App and Google Play stores. Hugo was inspired by the vision of building financially healthy and thriving communities. Hugo helps users develop healthy saving and spending habits that make financial security accessible to every Singaporean in an easy and intuitive way. David Fergusson, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Hugo said, "We know that Money is the biggest cause of stress and Covid-19 has only reinforced how financially unprepared most of us are. We are excited to introduce Hugo at a time when financial wellbeing has become so relevant. The name Hugo is derived from the Mandarin word Hu which means 'Mutual' and the English word Go which signifies 'Progress'. This spirit of mutual growth and prosperity is the driving force behind Hugo." Ben Davies, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Hugo added, "Financial security, though not always easy to build, is certainly possible, especially with Hugo. One of the key contributing factors to financial security is wealth creation and this has been made easier with Hugo's Gold Vault which empowers every Singaporean to include gold as part of their savings plan and see their savings turninto wealth." "Hugo is beyond just a product. It is a philosophy that evolves and grows with our customers, partners and people who we fondly call #HugoHeroes. Hugo is innovative and listens. Our current form and functionality as well as Hugo's future development plans will continue to be driven by consumer feedback, to offer a frictionless banking experience. Singapore is our home market and we do have expansion plans for South-East Asia," added Braham Djidjelli, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of Hugo. Four Key Features The Hugo app has four key features that work together holistically to enable our customers to spend, save and invest starting with gold, all in one place. Hugo Spend Account A Hugo account is automatically set up upon customer signup and they can order their Hugo Platinum Visa Debit Card directly on the app. All Hugo accounts are safeguarded within DBS Bank. Customers may load money into their Hugo account from any bank account in Singapore, and then use their Hugo Debit Card to make purchases from this account. The Hugo Platinum Visa Debit Card is a numberless card, designed to reduce fraud risk and ensure safety of transactions. Customers can securely access their card details and PIN within the Hugo app itself. Partnering with Visa in launching a numberless Platinum Visa Debit Card highlights Hugo's commitment to security. "At Visa, we have witnessed an accelerated shift towards digital payment experiences. Consumers are seeking more intelligent and intuitive solutions that help them optimise their spending so they can achieve their financial goals. Visa is committed to powering digital lifestyles through innovation and making secure, seamless and intuitive payment experiences accessible to all. We're excited to partner with Hugo to empower consumers to use the app to spend, save and invest with the numberless Hugo Platinum Visa debit card," said Kunal Chatterjee, Visa Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei. Besides the convenience of a fully functional Visa card that is accepted across millions of merchants worldwide, customers will also enjoy zero card fees. Moreover, customers can benefit from exclusive Visa Platinum offers on leading merchants. Gold Vault Hugo's most unique feature is its Gold Vault. Hugo customers can now make gold a part of their regular savings plan. They can buy or sell gold for as low as SGD 0.01 and check live gold prices to make their trade decisions at their fingertips. At a nominal fee of 0.5% per transaction, Hugo makes investing in gold easy and friendly for all. Hugo customers can also set a monthly schedule for the desired amount to ensure they invest in gold consistently. The gold in the Hugo Gold Vault is physical gold allocated against customers' investments stored in an accredited LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) vault and insured by Lloyds of London. Roundup Hugo Roundup helps Singaporeans build their savings without sacrificing on the things they love. Every transaction on a Hugo Visa Platinum card is rounded up to the nearest dollar with the difference saved into Roundup. Hugo calls it 'Silent Savings' as customers can generate savings effortlessly even as they spend. The weekly roundup savings are then automatically invested into real physical gold via the Hugo Gold Vault. Money Pots Hugo Money Pots allow customers to actively save for their short-, medium- and long-term financial goals. Customers can create any number of Money Pots, set timelines for each goal and choose the amount they would want to save every month in each of their Money Pots. How to Get Started with Hugo Hugo is now available on Apple App and Google Play stores where customers can get started on their Wealthcare journey by downloading the app and signing up for an account. For more Hugo Save press materials, please visit hugosave.com/press SOURCE Hugo Save [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 03, 2021] Geberit Innovation Days Presents New Vision of Design, Construction and Building Operations SINGAPORE, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Between March and April 2021, Geberit hosted "Geberit Innovation Days". Over 10,000 industry leaders from 40 countries and in-house experts discussed the future of the sanitary industry. They presented Geberit's new products online from the 300 square metre "House of Geberit" to 450 guests at physical events in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, and other locations worldwide. Watch recordings of each topic at https://www.geberit.com.sg/services/innovation-days/. Geberit offers sanitary products and solutions for the entire building, covering the entire water circuit: from water supply to usage and drainage and all were on display at Geberit Innovation Days 2021. "The House of Geberit, a real-life 300m trade fair booth, is constructed using Geberit's GIS installation system, which is normally used for building prewalls in bathrooms. The almost transparent walls offer an unbroken view of our front of and behind the wall solutions, allowing participants to imagine the multiple design possibilities of our products. At the same time, experts share our innovations and product updates, and even construction tips," said Martin Baumuller, Head of Marketing & Brands at the Geberit Group. Physical Events around North & Southeast Asia In addition to the worldwide virtual event, exclusive live sessions were conducted in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan over three consecutive days, attracting construction and sanitary professionals from across North & South East Asia. In total, over 450 Geberit customers and partners around the region attended the physical events, including renowned architects, interior designers, developers, dealers, distributors, building and hotel operators. Experts prepared presentations and led discussions across nine subject areas covering the latest bathroom innovations - from the pipes and installations behind the wall to the design and hygiene solutions in front of the wall. "Our first hybrid event, Gebeit Innovation Days, was a great success and a new milestone in terms of how we interact with our partners and the industry. From this experience, we strengthened our customer relationships, made new connections, and discovered new ways of presenting Geberit's innovative solutions. The success of the event shows the ingenuity of the business, our innovation and global teamwork." Commented Elaine Naveen, Head of Marketing for Geberit North & South East Asia. Singapore's offline event was held at the Grand Ballroom at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach in Singapore. Highlights of the event can be viewed here. Highlights from each session The "Water Flow" module with innovations in hydraulics and sound insulation Geberit offers comprehensive solutions for ensuring an optimal water flow, whether in water supply, usage or disposal. The "Water Flow" module is rounded off by sessions on the topic of wastewater hydraulics and sound insulation. The "Design Freedom" module showcasing even more choice with new materials and colours Design innovations from Geberit offer a high degree of design freedom for individual bathroom layouts. Design updates and additions to the product range are shown for the most important Geberit bathroom series. The Geberit actuator plates, which, thanks to new colours and materials, are available in an even wider variety of combinations and set the trends for 2021 while opening up additional freedom for individual bathroom design. The "Solutions for your Needs" module providing innovations in comfort and hygiene Individual comfort in the bathroom added cleanliness and more space: In this module, Geberit presents innovative design and fitting ideas for the WC, washbasin area and shower. The focus is on solutions for customer's main requirements concerning the modern bathroom: cleanliness, space, comfort, user-friendliness, accessibility and design. Among other things, the optimised RimFree WC in the Geberit iCon bathroom series, the Geberit ONE WC with TurboFlush and the current generation of the Geberit DuoFresh odour extraction unit are presented. The "Feel Fresh": Geberit AquaClean module with award-winning shower toilet solutions The inimitable feeling of freshness provided by Geberit AquaClean is perfect for any bathroom. In a separate subject area, Geberit presents the development of the shower toilet and the wide range of products that offer the ideal solution for every bathroom. WCs with an integrated shower function that clean the user with a gentle water jet after using the toilet is becoming increasingly popular and are becoming a standard feature in modern bathrooms. The "Time for Touchless" module and industry-leading public sanitary solutions Hygiene and touchless solutions are becoming increasingly important not only in public sanitary facilities. In this module, Geberit presents touchless products for urinals, toilets and washbasin area. These include actuator plates that enable touchless flush actuation. The experts also show how to plan public sanitary facilities perfectly. The "Full System Thinking" module for complete building and bathroom operations The optimal interplay between systems in front of and behind the wall simplifies planning and installation processes. This module shows the new possibilities resulting from the combination of installation technology and bathroom design. This also includes meeting all technical, legal, functional and aesthetic requirements. The example of a complete bathroom shows how the installation technology behind the wall works in harmony with the sanitary products in front of the wall and ensures a perfect bathroom. The "Planning Made Easy" module: making life easier for engineers and architects Digital planning tools from Geberit make planning sanitary installations both quicker and easier. Sanitary engineers have complete, up-to-date and country-specific BIM data at their disposal for all standard Geberit products. To this end, Geberit has now combined the entire BIM expertise in a plug-in which offers additional possibilities. The "Digital Services" module: The future of sanitation Geberit offers a host of practical apps and digital tools for helping sanitary professionals with product selection, consultation, installation and sales. This module explains how, among other things, the Geberit ProPlanner or the online product catalogue can be used to support professional and private customers. The modules mentioned above can be found at: https://www.geberit.com.sg/services/innovation-days. About Geberit The globally operating Geberit Group is a European leader in the field of sanitary products. Geberit operates with a strong local presence in most European countries, providing unique added value when it comes to sanitary technology and bathroom ceramics. The production network encompasses 29 production facilities, of which 6 are located overseas. The Group is headquartered in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland. With around 12,000 employees in around 50 countries, Geberit generated sales of CHF 3.0 billion in 2020. The Geberit shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and have been included in the SMI (Swiss Market Index) since 2012. SOURCE Geberit North and South East Asia [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 22:02:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WINDHOEK, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's government will utilize Germany's reparations for reconciliation and reconstruction programs for the genocide-affected communities, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba said Friday. The reparations package will be comprised of two components, reconciliation and reconstruction program, Mbumba said on the occasion of the national briefing on genocide, apology, and reparations negotiations between Namibia and Germany. "With regard to reconstruction, a program will be set up to assist the development of the descendants of the affected communities, in line with their identified needs. Representatives of these communities will participate in this process in a decisive capacity," he added. Under the said program, Mbumba said projects will be implemented in the following Regions: Erongo, Hardap, Kharas, Kunene, Khomas, Omaheke, and Otjozondjupa in the following sectors: land reform, in particular, land acquisition within the framework of the Namibian Constitution and land development; agriculture; rural livelihoods and natural resources; rural infrastructure; energy and water supply; technical and vocational education and training. "These are broader areas and not final. A reconciliation program will be established in which Germany commits to promote and support reconciliation between the affected communities, the people of Namibia and Germany through preserving the memory records of the colonial era, in particular the period of 1904-08 for future generations by memory and remembrance, supporting research and education, cultural and linguistic issues, as well as encouraging meetings of and exchanges between all generations, in particular the youth of Namibia and Germany," he added. Mbumba said the Germany government will make available the amount of 1.1 billion euros to be allocated over a period of 30 years, following their acknowledgment that the German colonial settlers committed genocide in Namibia during the period 1904-1908. Enditem [June 03, 2021] realme Concludes Inaugural 5G Summit with Commitment to Bring 5G Phones to 100 Million Young Consumers in Next Three Years SHENZHEN, China, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- realme, the the world's fastest-growing smartphone brand, today announced at its inaugural 5G summit that it would enable 100 million young consumers to use 5G smartphones within the next three years. At the summit, which was held in partnership with GSMA, Counterpoint Research and Qualcomm , realme also revealed that new models in GT series, realme 5G performance and camera flagships, will be launched in June and July 2021, respectively, among several other corporate initiatives to promote 5G adoption globally. With the theme "Making 5G Global: Accessibility for All", the 5G summit brought together leaders from industry association, research institution, and component vendor and device manufacturer to share their insights on several 5G topics: current global 5G connectivity - the driving forces behind it and the technical aspect to 5G evolution; the unique relationship between 5G and the younger generation; and how to further facilitate 5G accessibility in the future. At the summit, realme reaffirmed its commitment to become a "popularizer of 5G" and shared its latest pledge to advance the adoption of 5G in global markets and bring the technology to more users worldwide. In 2020, realme launched 14 5G devices in 21 markets, accounting for around 40% of all its products. By 2022, the company aims to increase the number of its 5G offerings to over 20, upping the ratio to 70% across 50 markets. realme also plans to take the industry lead in launching a 5G mobile phone at a US$100 price point in the next few years, a move that is set to further accelerate 5G adoption, especially across the rapidly emerging economies. Madhav Sheth, VP and CEO of India and Europe, realme, said at the summit, "Starting with our first 5G model, the realme X50, we have been exploring new design concepts and technical innovations to bring users more slimline and design-rich 5G phones that have a powerful performance. We believethat in the 5G era, helping to accelerate the adoption of this new technology is a crucial mission for realme. We will work hard to help popularize 5G by listening more to consumers' needs, pushing forward product innovation, and helping to build the broader 5G ecosystem with our industry partners." Johnny Chen, Brand Director, realme, added,"realme believes that 5G is for the younger generation - internet natives who are looking for ways to connect and express themselves beyond the physical world. As a brand that's dedicated to young consumers, realme tries to listen carefully to what they expect from 5G technology and get them more involved in the process of creating a better 5G user experience. By empowering the young, we hope they can, in turn, become the forerunners of 5G adoption and help lead more people into the 5G era." In 2021, realme plans to set up more than ten 5G pop-up stores around the world allowing young people tocreate exclusive spaces where they can enjoy 5G experiences through cloud gaming, ultra-clear AR, live broadcasting and other popular 5G applications. Also joining the summit was Kalvin Bahia, Principal Economist, GSMA Intelligence. He commented, "As of May this year, 60 countries around the world had launched 5G - 12 of them are emerging markets and mostly in Asia. While the growth of 5G coverage is encouraging, a survey by GSMA shows that other barriers remain for widespread adoption of the new technology amongst consumers, such as affordability of the devices, lack of digital literacy and skills, and costs of mobile data. But nevertheless, the transition to 5G is inevitable across the world, and 5G is expected to bring USD 600 billion to the global economy over the next decade." Peter Richardson, VP and Research Director, Counterpoint Research agreed that the growth of 5G has been impressive and the rapid reduction in smartphone prices has been one of the main drivers. He noted, "By the end of last year, we saw some highly competitive 5G products offered at affordable prices in China, with realme being the most aggressive with its V3 5G selling at around US$145. realme is helping to popularize the technology across many other countries with a series of compelling products with great specifications at surprisingly affordable prices." Rajen Vagadia, VP and President, Qualcomm India & SAARC said at the summit, "The upgrade to 5G chipsets pushes platform processing performance to remarkable levels, allowing us to maximize the step change improvements we are seeing in today's smartphone components and hardware. Just as important, we are delivering 5G to all tiers, ensuring it is accessible to broad segments across developed and emerging markets alike." To support the global adoption of 5G products, realme will establish seven R&D centers around the world in 2021, dedicated to exploring innovative 5G technologies and products. At present, 90% of realme's R&D resources have been converted to 5G technology and products. In the next two years, realme will invest US$300 million globally in 5G technology research and product development, as well as in promoting global 5G popularization. About realme realme is a global emerging consumer technology company disrupting the smartphone and AIoT market by making cutting-edge technologies more accessible. It provides a range of smartphones and lifestyle technology devices with premium specs, quality, and trend-setting designs to young consumers at affordable prices. Established by Sky Li in 2018 and driven by its "Dare to Leap" spirit, realme is the world's 7th largest smartphone company and has become one of the top 5 smartphone players in 15 markets globally in just two years. As of Q1, 2021, realme has entered 61 markets worldwide, including China and in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, Russia, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa and has a global user base of over 70 million. For more information, please visit www.realme.com . For more information, please contact Michael Su PR Manager Michael.su@realme.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realme-concludes-inaugural-5g-summit-with-commitment-to-bring-5g-phones-to-100-million-young-consumers-in-next-three-years-301305801.html SOURCE realme [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Rockwell Automation Unleashes New Possibilities for Industrial Companies in Asia-Pacific with LifecycleIQ(TM) Services MILWAUKEE, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- To help companies innovate faster and improve efficiencies during the age of digitalization, Rockwell Automation is evolving its service and solutions capabilities and launching a new brand: LifecycleIQ Services . The new brand represents the expanding ways that customers can engage with Rockwell Automation technology and highly trained professionals to improve their performance and reimagine what's possible across their industrial value chain. LifecycleIQ Services provide the transformative partnership that customers need and expect today. By combining digital technologies with expansive human know-how, the services help companies work faster, smarter and with greater agility at every point in their business cycle. The services can help companies realize the power of a Connected Enterprise during the design, operations, and maintenance stages in greenfield and brownfield facilities. "LifecycleIQ Services create a more intimate customer engagement model, one that can help companies not only solve problems, but also see new possibilities in production and transform them into reality," said Frank Kulaszewicz, senior vice president, Lifecycle Services at Rockwell Automation. "We're investing in providing a wide range of holistic services to help companies be more productive, safe and secure anywhere in a product, process or plant lifecycle." Inbavanan Rathinam, senior director, Solutions & Services, Asia-Pacific at Rockwell Automation, said: "One challenge faced by many industral players in Asia-Pacific is how to adopt smart manufacturing technology quickly whilst seamlessly integrating legacy equipment and machinery. LifeCycleIQ Services help to address this unmet need holistically, enabling enterprises to be future-ready by incorporating agility and flexibility in both infrastructure and processes. "Driving efficiencies also continues to be increasingly important to businesses across every sector in the region, with growing attention on sustainable operations. LifeCycleIQ Services enables our customers to better plan and service every aspect of the plant, from design to safe operations, enabling reduced energy usage, minimized wastage, and maximized output." Industrial companies can use LifecycleIQ Services to achieve outcomes like: Capturing more value from digital transformation initiatives Digital initiatives can struggle to get off the ground because companies don't know what steps to take or where to start. Using the knowledge and experience within LifecycleIQ Services, companies can strategically plan, implement and scale their digital initiatives. Support can begin with defining strategic objectives, identifying use cases and quantifying business value. Rockwell Automation can then continue to support customers through implementation, ongoing maintenance and continuous innovation. Reducing risk with comprehensive cybersecurity support Cybersecurity is a top priority today, but few companies have specialists with both information and operations technology (IT/OT) security knowledge. Rockwell Automation is uniquely equipped to address complex security challenges in IT/OT environments. The company understands the OT environment and how it interfaces with IT and follows industry security standards. LifecycleIQ Services can help companies adopt a proactive cybersecurity approach and address the entire attack continuum -- before, during and after an event. Also, as more companies connect their plants to remote workers and partners like original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Rockwell Automation can help protect those connections with secure remote access and security posture assessment services. Improving workforce support Companies need new ways to support their workforces as they contend with global health challenges and skills shortages brought on by the retirement of trained workers and an influx of new technologies. They also need workforce support as they seek to make the most of IIoT technologies. LifecycleIQ Services can help companies address their unique workforce challenges and gaps by assessing needs, identifying priorities and creating workforce development programs. Rockwell Automation also uses remote support capabilities and augmented reality technologies to help companies interact virtually with support engineers, strengthen skills with virtual training, and provide safety and security services without sending people into plants. To improve customer experiences, LifecycleIQ Services is also introducing a new way to receive multiple services in one contract. An Integrated Service Agreement allows companies to select a package of offerings to simplify their support needs and have just one number to call to access experts and receive priority service. Companies can get 24x7 technical support, repair services, reports and analytics, field services and more, all in one integrated contract. About Rockwell Automation Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 24,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com . SOURCE Rockwell Automation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Cheetah Mobile to Report First Quarter 2021 Financial Results on June 11th, 2021 BEIJING, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheetah Mobile Inc. (NYSE: CMCM) ("Cheetah Mobile" or the "Company"), a leading internet company, today announced that it plans to release its first quarter 2021 financial results before the market opens on Friday, June 11th, 2021. The earnings release will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.cmcm.com. Cheetah Mobile's management will hold a conference call on Friday June 11th, 2021 at 7:00 A.M. Eastern Time or 7:00 P.M. Beijing 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: 4001-201-203 Hong Kong Toll Free: 800-905-945 Conference ID: Cheetah Mobile The replay will be accessible through June 18, 2021 by dialing the following numbers: International: +1-412-317-0088 United States Toll Free: +1-877-344-7529 Access Code: 10157331 A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.cmcm.com. About Cheetah Mobile Inc. Cheetah Mobile is a leading internet company. It has attracted hundreds of millions of monthly active users through an array of internet products such as Clean Master, Security Master and several casual games. The Company provides advertising services to advertisers worldwide as well as value-added services including the sale of premium membership and in-app virtual items to its users. Cheetah Mobile is also committed to leveraging its cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies to power its products and make the world smarter. It has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since May 2014. Investor Relations Contact Cheetah Mobile Inc. Sheryl Zhang Tel: +86 10 6292 7779 Email: ir@cmcm.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cheetah-mobile-to-report-first-quarter-2021-financial-results-on-june-11th-2021-301305907.html SOURCE Cheetah Mobile [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Software As A Service (SaaS) Market- Accenture Plc, Adobe Inc., Alphabet Inc., among others to contribute to the market growth |17,000+ Report by Technavio NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The software as a service (SaaS) market is poised to grow by USD 99.99 billion during 2021-2025 progressing at a CAGR of over 11% during the forecast period. View our exclusive report on market scenarios, estimates, the impact of lockdown, and customer behaviour. Download FREE Sample Report! The report on the software as a service (SaaS) market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the augmenting use of mobile apps and the rising adoption of the cloud among SMEs. The software as a service (SaaS) market analysis includes deployment and geography. This study identifies the rising need for API connections as one of the prime reasons driving the software as a service (SaaS) market growth during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The software as a service (SaaS) market covers the following areas: Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Sizing Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Forecast Software as a Service (SaaS) Market Analysis Companies Mentioned Accenture Plc Adobe Inc. Alphabet Inc. Amazon.com Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corp. Oracle Corp. Salesforce.com Inc. SAP SE Customers are also Looking For: SaaS Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The SaaS customer relationship management (CRM) market has the potential to grow by USD 44.17 billion during 2021-2025, according to Technavio. Download Free PDF Sample SaaS-bsed Business Analytics Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024: The SaaS-based business analytics market size is expected to grow by USD 7.42 billion and record a CAGR of 13.11% during 2020-2024. Download Free PDF Sample Key Topics Covered: 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 Deployment Market segments Comparison by Deployment Public cloud - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Private cloud - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Hybrid cloud - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Deployment Customer landscape Overview Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 APAC - 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 Vendor Landscape Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Accenture Plc Adobe Inc. Alphabet Inc. Amazon.com Inc. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP International Business Machines Corp. Microsoft Corp. Oracle Corp. Salesforce.com Inc. SAP SE Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/software-as-a-service-saas-market-size-industry-analysis View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/software-as-a-service-saas-market--accenture-plc-adobe-inc-alphabet-inc-among-others-to-contribute-to-the-market-growth-17-000-report-by-technavio-301305769.html SOURCE Technavio [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] The Promise Homes Company Secures Multi-Million Dollar Equity Investment From Leading U.S. Bank; CRA-Eligible Capital The Promise Homes Company (TPHC), one of the largest minority-led owners of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental property in the United States that serves working-class and middle-class communities announced today that First Republic Bank (NYSE: FRC), a leading private bank and wealth management company, has made a multi-million dollar purchase of Preferred Units. The proceeds in part will be utilized to evaluate new investments in single family rental properties across the Southeast U.S., which may also qualify for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit for First Republic. This innovative investment serves key objectives for both parties as well as residents and vendors of Promise Homes: Resources to meet increased demand for affordable housing in leading markets for single family rental homes, primarily greater Atlanta Enhances resiliency and creditworthiness of Promise Homes residents to improve their long-term financial stability-residents can utilize free credit counseling and financial literacy programs offered by Promise Homes' partner Operation HOPE Solidifies Promise Homes ability to support local, minority-owned and -led service providers for repairs and maintenance (contracting currently running at more than 60% of all vendor contracts) Use of First Republic's capital base to spur growth in high-quality, single family rental properties, broadening what typically has been considered a CRA-type investment. "This pioneering transaction with First Republic demonstrates its leadeship in the banking community through its development of innovative financing solutions that address the nation's ongoing need to close the racial wealth gap by increasing minority qualification for home ownership. Specifically, this investment expands the use and innovative allocation of CRA investments by FDIC insured banks. Single family homes are typically the largest asset in nearly all American families and a key driver of intergenerational prosperity, and this is about expanding affordable single family residential rentals, and ownership opportunities, in diverse, underserved communities," said John Hope Bryant, Chairman of The Promise Homes Company. "We thank First Republic for its foresight, and we encourage other financial institutions to follow its lead in providing capital to those providing homes for middle-class families, and we appreciate its support of our mission-to develop a process of building credit so that hardworking people can one day own their own home." "Dedicating much of my career working toward raising the prosperity of all Americans, I applaud this private sector solution to the growing economic divide--as America contemplates how to use CRA to increase access to capital in order to revitalize communities and to increase minority homeownership," said Joseph Otting, former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency. "The Promise Homes Company and FRB's longstanding commitment to addressing the needs of underserved communities is noteworthy, and more importantly, they combined to develop an innovative structure to put capital where it is so sorely needed." About Promise Homes Launched in May 2017, the Promise Homes Company is one of the largest minority-controlled owners of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental property in the United States, with a focus on working class and middle-class communities. Promise Homes offers its residents quality housing at affordable prices as well as financial empowerment and assistance that would position them financially to eventually own a home. Promise Homes also contracts with local, minority-owned businesses for property maintenance services, thereby creating local, sustainable jobs in the communities where it invests. Promise Homes is led by Chief Executive Officer John Hope Bryant, an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and prominent thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment and financial dignity. For more information, please visit http://www.thepromisehomescompany.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005099/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Cell-Free DNA Guided Targeted Therapy Leads to Better Survival in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced a presentation by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) at the upcoming annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to discuss the Resolution ctDx Lung, a laboratory-developed test (LDT) developed by Resolution Bioscience. The presentation titled Overall survival with circulating tumor DNA-guided therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer will present evidence for the clinical utility of Resolution ctDx Lung in detecting actionable mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Previous findings have supported the clinical utility of the Resolution ctDx Lung for accurately selecting patients for targeted therapies.1 The latest study, involving the largest prospective liquid biopsy cohort (>1,000 patients) with 3-4 years of survival data, demonstrates that cell-free DNA guided targeted therapies help result in better overall survival. "This is the first and largest prospective study of ctDNA guided therapy to show an overall survival benefit in patients with lung cancers, providing evidence for the utility of liquid biopsy in clinical practice," said Bob Li, MD, PhD, MPH, Co-Director of the Thoracic Liquid Biopsy Program at MSK. "This large cohort highlights the utility of the Resolution ctDx Lung in helping guide therapy selection to improve patient outcomes," said Mark Li, CEO of Resolution Bioscience, now a part of Agilent (News - Alert) . "Significantly, the study highlighted important differences between liquid biopsies and tissu testing, including faster turnaround to reporting, while providing the benefits of guided targeted therapy." The success of Resolution ctDx Lung further strengthens Agilent's ability to deliver precision oncology testing assays for patients worldwide and demonstrates the company's commitment as a partner in the development of powerful new clinical diagnostics solutions to expand the fight against cancer. Resolution Bioscience is dedicated to developing a highly sensitive, non-invasive liquid biopsy platform that improves cancer diagnostics and monitoring for patients around the world. The company has developed core technology for circulating cell-free DNA NGS analysis. Resolution Bioscience's Liquid Biopsy assays are powered by the company's cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis platform, which includes targeted capture next-generation sequencing (NGS) biochemistry and tightly coupled, cloud-based bioinformatics. The Resolution Bioscience homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) assay has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. References: Sabari JK, Offin M, Stephens D, Ni A, Lee A, et al. (2019). A Prospective Study of Circulating Tumor DNA to Guide Matched Targeted Therapy in Lung Cancers. Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 111: 575-583. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djy156. PMID: 30496436 About Agilent Technologies (News - Alert) Agilent is a leader in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, delivering innovative technology solutions that provide trusted answers to researchers' most challenging scientific questions. The company generated revenue of $5.34 billion in fiscal year 2020 and employs 16,400 people worldwide. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com. To receive the latest Agilent news, please subscribe to the Agilent Newsroom. Follow Agilent on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005066/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Elanco Announces Addition of Marcela A. Kirberger as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Today, Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) named Marcela A. Kirberger as general counsel and corporate secretary. She joins the Elanco Executive Committee at the company's Greenfield, Indiana-based headquarters on June 22. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005116/en/ Kirberger brings leadership experiences at both U.S. and German based companies to Elanco (Photo: Business Wire) Kirberger will have responsibility for all of Elanco's legal functions. She joins the company with more than 20 years of corporate legal experience advising and leading companies through transformation to address evolving internal, national, and international challenges. "Marcela is a clear fit for Elanco, with the right mix of executive leadership experiences at U.S. and German based companies," said Jeff Simmons, president and chief executive officer of Elanco. "Her wide-ranging expertise in regulated, pharma, and over-the-counter in the human health sector complements our experienced animal health executive team, continuing to strengthen the management of key functional areas, such as Legal." Most recently, Kirberger was geneal counsel and corporate secretary at the North American headquarters of Roche Diagnostics, where she had executive responsibility for the Legal function, overseeing the areas of Commercial, Compliance, Litigation, Legal Regulatory Risk, Privacy, Operations and Labor and Employment. As a member of the company's leadership team, she helped lead culture transformation and COVID-19 crisis management efforts at the company. Before Roche, she spent five years at German-based Leica Microsystems and Sandoz International in roles such as global general counsel, chief compliance officer, and global head of Legal for the Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals business unit. She also spent eight years in various U.S. and regional legal roles within different Novartis-owned companies. She began her career as a securities lawyer at Lowenstein Sandler PC in New Jersey, advising clients in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. "As a leading animal health company, I was instantly drawn to Elanco, its vision, and its strong culture at a pivotal time for the company and the Legal function," said Kirberger. "The critical importance of healthy animals to people and the planet has never been more evident than in the past year, so I'm looking forward to joining this growing industry and company to make a positive impact." With an interest in growing Indiana's life sciences industry, Kirberger has served as a board member of Indianapolis-based BioCrossroads for nearly two years alongside 20 public and private sector board members to facilitate investments in biotech start-ups, build growth companies, and promote education across technology and life sciences in Indiana. Kirberger holds Juris Doctor degrees from Catholic University of Argentina School of Law and Rutgers University School of Law. ABOUT ELANCO ANIMAL HEALTH Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose ESG/Sustainability framework - all to advance the health of animals, people and the planet. Learn more at www.elanco.com. Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. 2021 Elanco or its affiliates. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005116/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] High School Team From Nebraska Wins Top Honors in National Personal Finance Challenge Students from Millard North High School in Omaha, Neb., earned the top title in this year's National Personal Finance Challenge (NPFC) for showcasing their understanding of an essential life skill: how to manage money, whether you have a lot of it or not much at all. Nearly 10,000 students from more than 350 schools competed across the United States in the NPFC this spring. Students from the Applications & Research Laboratory school in Ellicott City, Md., ranked as first runner-up, with teams from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, Calif., and Germantown High School of Madison, Miss., rounding out the top four finalists from the 24 semifinals teams. The competition showcases students' ability to use their knowledge to assess a family's financial situation and present a thoughtful plan including earning, spending, saving, using credit and investing. Organized by the Council for Economic Education (CEE) with help from the Nebraska Council on Economic Education, it was held entirely online due to COVID-19. The NPFC is sponsored by Voya Financial. "Congratulations to the students and teachers from Millard North, Applications & Research, Bellarmine and Germantown and to every student who studied personal finance during this COVID-affected school year," said Nan J. Morrison, CEE president and chief executive officer. "We see in all the teams who competed that managing your money smartly is not something young people just know - it's something they need to learn." In 21 states, students are required to take a course in personal finance, according to CEE's biennial Survey of the States. In other states, personal finance skills that many used to take for granted - creating budgets, understanding interest, credit and goal-setting - may not even be on the agenda. "Our research indicates that in states with personal finance requirements, students exhibit more informed behavior around college financing, and that's particularly true for those from economically challenged families," Morrison said. "In states without requirements, there is a 16-point gap in access to financial education between kids from lower-income versus wealthier families." "These high school students are facing financial independence in just a few short years," said Heather Lavallee, CEO of Wealth Solutions, Voya Financial. "The National Personal Finance Challenge is equipping stellar teams from around the country with smart decision-making skills to navigate that milestone and forge a path to financial security." About the Council for Economic Education: The Council for Economic Education's mission is to teach K-12 students about economics and personal finance so that they can make better decisions for themselves, their families and their communities. We carry out our mission by providing resources and training to K-12 educators and have done so for 70 years. Nearly 2/3 of the teachers we reach in person are in low- and moderate-income schools. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005146/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] OSHKOSH DEFENSE AWARDED $942.9M CONTRACT TO UPDATE WEAPON SYSTEM ON U.S. ARMY STRYKER INFANTRY CARRIER VEHICLES The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA) announced that it has awarded Oshkosh Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), a $942.9M contract to integrate a 30MM Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS) onto the Stryker Double V Hull Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICVVA1). This upgrade will provide precision lethality capability to the Army's Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005121/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) Oshkosh Defense teamed with Pratt Miller and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to deliver an MCWS that provides increased lethality, accuracy, and range while maintaining the mobility and survivability of the Stryker ICVVA1. Oshkosh will integrate onto the ICVVA1 chassis a 30mm weapon system based on Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' proven SAMSON family of turrets. The contract calls for the integration of the Oshkosh MCWS onto three Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs) as well as a full spectrum of system technical support, interim contractor logistics support, and integrated product support. "The Oshkosh team brought together best-in-class capabilities for weapon system design, manufacturing, and integration to provide a highly capable solution that meets the Stryker MCWS program requirements today and offers the flexibility to upgrade tomorrow," said Pat Williams, Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense. "Our experienced team looks forward to supporting the Stryker program office to quickly field this capability to the Warfighter." The U.S. Army's selection comes after the completion of the test and evaluation of Production Representative Sample Systems (PRSS) at Aberdeen (News - Alert) Test Center in Maryland. The PRSS were evaluated against stringent vehicle and turret performance requirements. About Oshkosh Defense and Pratt Miller Oshkosh Defense is a global leader in the design, production and sustainment of best-in-class military vehicles, technology solutions and mobility systems. Oshkosh develops and applies emerging technologies that advance safety and mission success. Setting the indusry standard for sustaining fleet readiness, Oshkosh ensures every solution is supported worldwide throughout its entire life cycle. Oshkosh Defense, LLC is an Oshkosh Corporation company [NYSE: OSK]. Learn more about Oshkosh Defense at www.oshkoshdefense.com. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Defense, Pratt & Miller Engineering & Fabrication, LLC specializes in advanced engineering, technology and innovation in motorsport and multiple ground vehicle markets. Learn more about Pratt Miller at www.prattmiller.com. About Oshkosh Corporation At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs nearly 15,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common cause: to make a difference in people's lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG, Pierce, Oshkosh Defense, McNeilus, IMT, Jerr-Dan, Frontline, Oshkosh Airport Products, London and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com. , All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies. About Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Rafael is an established leader in RWS technology, recognized for delivery of high-performance systems in support of customers' needs. For the past 40 years, through intensive joint development with the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Rafael has gained considerable expertise in the development and production of Weapon Stations for light tactical vehicles, armored combat vehicles and naval vessels, and is currently the main supplier of RWS for the IDF. This extensive experience enables Rafael to continuously implement lessons learned and to improve our products in order to supply optimal solutions, meeting ever-changing operational challenges. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "should," "project" or "plan" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities and others to address or otherwise mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global economies and the Company's customers, suppliers and employees; and the cyclical nature of the Company's Access Equipment, Commercial and Fire & Emergency markets, which are particularly impacted by the strength of U.S. and European economies and construction seasons. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005121/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Sally Beauty Is On A Mission To Normalize Self-Expression with New Campaign: "YOU by Sally" featuring Musician & TikTok Star Heather Chelan DENTON, Texas, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sally Beauty, the largest omni-channel hair color retailer, continues to celebrate the art of self-expression as the go-to destination for hair color enthusiasts. To bring new life to its longtime commitment, Sally Beauty launched its latest campaign today, " YOU by Sally ." Vivid, bright shades are the fastest growing hair color category at Sally Beauty. During January- March 2021, Sally Beauty's US and Canada vivid hair color grew by approximately 53%, with vivid hair color representing approximately 27% of total color sales. "Interest in vivid hair color was already rising, but the pandemic brought a heightened sense of self-expression with our consumer - they were emboldened to try something new," said Sally Beauty Holding Group Vice President, Marketing, Carolyne Guss. "As the country opens up, we want to encourage consumers and DIY enthusiasts to continue this journey of self-expression through hair color. Hair color is not just about covering grays, it is also a tool for creativity." A category that was once considered niche, has become mainstream. To bring the transformative power of color to life, Sally Beauty partnered with Heather Chelan for its latest campaign, "YOU by Sally." Heather, a Seattle-born and London-based TikTok creator and musician, has always loved to express herself through her appearance and music. The pandemic drove her to look at her content in a new way by bringing forth short "PSA" style videos. This past March, Heather posted a video that went viral and garnered over 7.9M views on TikTok. In the 15-second clip, she sang about how " Having Colored Hair Doesn't Make You Unprofessional. " The simple yet direct video had a thought-provoking refrain: that bold hair colors have no impact on peoples' professional abilities. "I've been turned down for many jobs based on my hair color, but self-expression shouldn't come with boundaries," said Heather Chelan. Heather's mantra spoke to Sally Beauty's core values and inspired the retailer to take immediate action by collaborating to develop a full version of the song titled, " Colored Hair ;" which serves as an anthem and rally cry for Sally Beauty's new campaign " YOU by Sally " starring Heather herself. In addition to the 30 second spot, a full length version was also created. Alongside Heather, the "YOU by Sally" campaign features a diverse and unexpected cast of influencers who help bring the message to life. Partners include popular "granfluencer" Baddie Winkle who has over 3.5M Instagram followers, professional dancer Marquese "NonStop" Scott, Non-Profit Founder & LGBTQ+ advocate Brian Terada, musician Grace Kelly, American Ninja Warrior contestant, Sally Crew member, and mom Charity Grace, Registered Pediatric Nurse Glecy Baquirin, and to round out the cast, Sally Beauty CEO Christian Brickman, a long-standing supporter of self-expression at both the corporate and store associate level. "Having colored hair is commonplace here at Sally Beauty, but we know that not every workplace is as expressive. When we re-shared Heather's original video, it was eye-opening to see how many folks within our community have felt judged for being themselves," said Sally Beauty Holdings CEO, Christian Brickman. "It was a no-brainer to partner up with Heather, and work together to make self-expression 'the norm.' I enjoyed the discussions my new hair color sparked with employees and even strangers. Similarly, we hope the video becomes a catalyst for more conversation." The team brought in esteemed Director Dewey Nicks and COMPany Films production to work in partnership with its creative communications and public relations agency, Praytell. Dewey's work in commercials, documentary and feature films have cemented his legacy as one of the most prominent American visual storytellers. "With Heather's hit song as the inspiration, we went boldly and happily into a bright polychromatic shoot fest to show that colored hair makes everyone's world a little bit better," Dewey adds. Sally Beauty believes this message of empowerment will resonate, and is launching the campaign on June 4 across video streaming platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Pinterest. The full version of "Colored Hair" will also be released on Sally Beauty's Spotify playlist . In addition, Sally Beauty is partnering with TikTok to feature a special cut of "Colored Hair" on the digital platform. "With our assortment, DIY education initiatives, and now this new, bold campaign - simply put, we are THE hair color destination," says Sally Beauty Holdings CEO, Christian Brickman, definitively. Standing apart from its competition, Sally Beauty is a one-stop-shop for all at-home hair color needs, with over 1200 salon-quality shade options. Customers can choose from over 250 vibrant, bright shades and over 950 gray coverage shades in-store and online. Today, Sally Beauty further reinforces this with the launch of its new campaign, " YOU by Sally. " About Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SBH), as the leader in professional hair color, sells and distributes professional beauty supplies globally through its Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group businesses. The Company operates approximately 5,000 stores, including 142 franchised locations. Sally Beauty Supply stores offer up to 8,000 products for hair color, hair care, skin care, and nails through proprietary brands such as Ion, Generic Value Products, Beyond the Zone and Silk Elements as well as professional lines such as Wella, Clairol, OPI, Conair and Hot Shot Tools. Beauty Systems Group stores, branded as CosmoProf or Armstrong McCall stores, along with its outside sales consultants, sell up to 10,500 professionally branded products including Paul Mitchell, Wella, Matrix, Schwarzkopf, Kenra, Goldwell, Joico and CHI, intended for use in salons and for resale by salons to retail consumers. For more information about Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., please visit https://www.sallybeautyholdings.com/. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sally-beauty-is-on-a-mission-to-normalize-self-expression-with-new-campaign-you-by-sally-featuring-musician--tiktok-star-heather-chelan-301305800.html SOURCE Sally Beauty Supply [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 22:11:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on April 5, 2021 shows elephants in Omaruru, Namibia. (Photo by Kaula Nhongo/Xinhua) WINDHOEK, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The growth in numbers of free roaming elephants in Namibia has resulted in an increase in Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) incidences, Environment Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said Friday. In an interview with Xinhua, Muyunda said currently there are more elephants in unprotected areas than they are in protected national parks. "Our elephant population in Namibia is healthy but this means that they move into farming and communal areas resulting in an increase in conflicts between humans and elephants. The elephants cause damage to infrastructure by breaking fences, damaging dams and water tanks and pushing over windmills to the disadvantage of communities," he said. According to Muyunda, Namibia is home to about 24,000 elephants where the majority are free roaming. "The northwestern population is estimated based on aerial surveys at 4,627 elephants (2,911 of those are in protected areas). The northeastern population numbers are over 19,549 with just 6,413 of those found in protected areas. Movements between different populations sporadically occur, providing opportunities for genetic interchange. Numbers will continue to be through aerial surveys at two to three year intervals," he said. Muyunda said the country continues to educate communities on how to deal with elephants and how to mitigate conflict. He said the country has also put up other measures to mitigate elephant conflict such as population management by reducing numbers through auctions or translocations. "We are giving benefits to communities through conservancies where people have the right to utilize these animals for meat," he said. He added that the costs of HWC to communities and governments can be outweighed by the economic benefits generated by conservancies that devolve rights over wildlife and the right to benefit from its sustainable use to local communities. "The country finds itself between a rock and a hard place where we want to protect our people but we are also running a program of wildlife conservation which brings benefits to the communities and the country as a whole," he said. Muyunda said the issue of human elephant conflict cannot be solved as long as there is a co-existence, there will always be conflict. "What we want to ensure is that there is minimum conflict," he said. Last year, Namibia paid around 5.04 million Namibian dollars(370,000 U.S. dollars) to individuals, farmers and conservancies for livestock loss, crop damage, injuries to people and loss of life. Enditem [June 04, 2021] Stone Point Capital and Insight Partners Complete Acquisition of CoreLogic CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today announced the completion of its acquisition by funds managed by Stone Point Capital and Insight Partners for $80 per share in cash. CoreLogic's common stock has ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange. CoreLogic will continue to be headquartered in Irvine, California, and the Company's management team led by President and CEO Frank Martell will remain in place and continue to operate CoreLogic as a private company. Frank Martell said, "Today marks a major milestone in CoreLogic's history as we move to capture the many opportunities in front of us to accelerate our growth and transformation as a privately held firm. The entire team is excited and looking forward to working closely with Stone Point and Insight Partners to build on our record financial and operating performance and deliver solutions that help millions of people find, buy, and protect their homes each year." Chuck Davis, CEO of Stone Point Capital, said, "Stone Point is thrilled to work with the CoreLogic leadership team to support the Company's next phase of growth. CoreLogic is a mission-critical vendor and data provider across industry sectors in which Stone Point has specialized over the past 20 years, including mortgage, residential real estate and P&C insurance. We believe our financial services domain expertise and our partnership with the management team can accelerate CoreLogic's momentum as it delivers new innovative solutions to its customers." Deven Parekh, Managing Director at Insight Partners, said, "We are excited to partner with the talented team at CoreLogic as the company continues to innovate across the real estate ecosystem. Insight Partners has a strong track record of partnering with market-transforming companies like CoreLogic, and we look forward to active involvement in this next chapter in its evolution." Evercore acted as financial advisor to CoreLogic and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as the Company's legal advisor. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo (News - Alert) Securities, LLC acted as financial advisors to Stone Point Capital and Insight Partners. Kirkland & Ellis acted as legal advisor to Stone Pont Capital and Willkie Farr and Gallagher acted as legal advisor to Insight Partners. CLGX-F About CoreLogic CoreLogic, a leading provider of property insights and solutions, promotes a healthy housing market and thriving communities. Through its enhanced property data solutions, services and technologies, CoreLogic enables real estate professionals, financial institutions, insurance carriers, government agencies and other housing market participants to help millions of people find, buy, and protect their homes. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com. About Stone Point Capital Stone Point is an investment firm based in Greenwich, CT, with approximately $30 billion of assets under management. Stone Point targets investments in companies in the global financial services industry and related sectors. The firm invests in a number of alternative asset classes, including private equity through its flagship Trident (News - Alert) Funds. Stone Point also manages both liquid and private credit funds and managed accounts. In addition, Stone Point Capital Markets supports our firm, portfolio companies and other clients by providing dedicated financing solutions. For more information, please visit www.stonepoint.com. About Insight Partners Insight Partners is a leading global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology and software ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. Founded in 1995, Insight Partners has invested in more than 400 companies worldwide and has raised through a series of funds more than $30 billion in capital commitments. Insight's mission is to find, fund, and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with practical, hands-on software expertise to foster long-term success. Across its people and its portfolio, Insight encourages a culture around a belief that ScaleUp companies and growth create opportunity for all. For more information on Insight and all its investments, visit insightpartners.com or follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @insightpartners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005347/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Aadi Bioscience Presents Emerging Data for FYARRO in Patients with Solid Tumors Harboring TSC1 or TSC2 Inactivating Alterations from a Multi-Institution Expanded Access Program at ASCO 2021 Five of six mTOR inhibitor-naive patients with TSC1 or TSC2 inactivating alterations achieved confirmed partial responses to single-agent FYARRO Tumor-agnostic registrational trial of FYARRO in mTOR inhibitor-naive solid tumors with TSC1 or TSC2 inactivating alterations to be initiated by the end of 2021 LOS ANGELES, June 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aadi Bioscience, Inc. (Aadi), a privately-held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on precision therapies for genetically-defined cancers with alterations in mTOR pathway genes, today presented preliminary data from its lead investigational product candidate, FYARRO (sirolimus albumin-bound nanoparticles for injectable suspension; nab-sirolimus; ABI-009), during the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting being held virtually from June 4-8, 2021. The poster is entitled Institutional experience with nab-sirolimus in patients with malignancies harboring TSC1 or TSC2 mutations.1 Dr. Mark Dickson, Principal Investigator of the study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center stated, I am encouraged by the activity of nab-sirolimus in multiple solid tumor histologies with TSC1 or TSC2 inactivating alterations. These new data provide strong rationale for conducting a broader investigation of nab-sirolimus in a tumor-agnostic setting. If the observed activity were reproduced, this could represent a meaningful advance in treatment for these patients. Analysis from Expanded Access Patient Subset Eight patients with malignancies and neoplasms bearing TSC1 or TSC2 inactivating alterations and representing histologies other than malignant PEComa were treated in a multi-institution expanded access program (NCT03817515) with FYARRO at 100 mg/m2 on day one and day eight of a 21-day cycle. RECIST v1.1 criteria were used for response analysis. Data cutoff occurred in March 2021. Patients had a median of 3.5 lines of prior therapy and 6 of 8 patients were mTOR inhibitor-naive. Treatment duration for all patients ranged from 0.7 to 12.0+ months. Five of 8 patients continued on treatment as of the data cutoff and 3 of 8 patients discontinued. Reasons for discontinuation were progressive disease (2 patients) and an adverse event (1 patient with acute kidney injury possibly secondary to administration of contrast). Of the 8 patients treated, 7 patients were evaluable for response analysis and 1 patient progressed before the first scan. Five of 8 patients (63%, 95% CI: 25%-92%) achieved a confirmed partial response (PR). Amongst the patients who were mTOR inhibitor-naive, 5 of 6 (83%, 95% CI: 36%-99+%) achieved a confirmed PR. Duration of response at data cutoff ranged from 3.1 to 9.7+ months and 3 of 5 responders continue on treatment. Treatment-emergent adverse events that were =30% included edema, infections, mucositis, and pain (71% each), nail changes and vomiting (57% each), and hypertension and nausea (43% each). The majority of events were grade one or grade two. Treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in 2 patients and included hyperglycemia and infection; and acute kidney injury possibly secondary to administration of contrast. Three of 8 patients had a dose reduction from 100 mg/m2 to 75 mg/m2. Dr. Neil Desai, founder and chief executive officer of Aadi, stated, "We are pleased to have provided FYARRO to patients through our expanded access program. Based on the data in this initial group of patients, and patients in the AMPECT trial with PEComa, we are planning to move forward with a tumor-agnostic registrational trial to confirm FYARROs activity in solid tumors with TSC1 or TSC2 inactivating alterations with planned initiation by the end of 2021. About Aadi Bioscience and FYARRO Aadi is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision therapies for genetically-defined cancers. Aadis primary goal is to bring transformational therapies to cancr patients with mTOR pathway driver alterations such as alterations in TSC1 or TSC2 genes, where other mTOR inhibitors have not or cannot be effectively exploited due to problems of pharmacology, effective drug delivery, safety, or effective targeting to the disease site. Aadis product FYARROTM (sirolimus albumin-bound nanoparticles for injectable suspension; nab-sirolimus; ABI-009) is an mTOR inhibitor bound to human albumin that has demonstrated significantly higher tumor accumulation, mTOR target suppression, and enhanced tumor growth suppression over other mTOR inhibitors in preclinical models.2 Aadis registration trial of FYARRO in advanced malignant PEComa (the AMPECT trial) demonstrated meaningful clinical efficacy in malignant PEComa, a type of cancer with the highest known alteration rate of TSC1 or TSC2 genes. In long-term follow-up data presented on the AMPECT study at ASCO 20203, an analysis of 31 RECIST-evaluable advanced PEComa patients treated with FYARRO demonstrated a 39% (95% CI: 22%-58%) independently reviewed confirmed overall response rate (ORR) including 1 complete response (CR) and 11 partial responses (PRs). The median duration of response had not yet been reached (range 5.6 to 42.4+ months, with 50% of the responders having a response duration that is 25.8 months or longer) and the majority of the responders were still on treatment. The response rate in the patients with metastatic disease was 46% (12/26, 95% CI: 27%-67%). In the patients with locally advanced, inoperable disease, 2 of 5 (40%) were able to undergo surgery following tumor shrinkage and remained disease-free in excess of 3 years. The median progression-free survival was 8.9 months (95% CI: 5.5 not reached) and the one-year overall survival rate was 89%. In an exploratory analysis of the subset of patients with TSC1 or TSC2 alterations, the independently reviewed response rate was 64% (9/14, 95% CI: 34%-87%). Thirty-four patients were evaluable for safety. Most treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were grade 1 or 2. No grade 4 or 5 TRAEs occurred. The most common nonhematologic TRAEs of any grade were mucositis (79%), fatigue (59%), and rash (56%). The most common hematologic TRAEs were anemia (47%) and thrombocytopenia (32%). Noninfectious pneumonitis occurred in 18% of patients and was grade 1 or 2. Two patients stopped therapy due to a TRAE (grade 2 anemia and grade 1 cystitis). Dose reductions occurred in 13/34 (38%) of patients; 11 patients had a dose reduction from 100 mg/m2 to 75 mg/m2 and 2 patients had a dose reduction to 56 mg/m2. FYARRO has received Breakthrough Therapy, Fast-Track and Orphan Designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A rolling New Drug Application (NDA) submission was completed in May 2021. Based on the AMPECT trial and emerging data for FYARRO in other solid tumors with TSC1 or TSC2 inactivating alterations, and following discussions with the FDA, Aadi plans to submit an Investigational New Drug application (IND) for a tumor-agnostic registrational trial in mTOR inhibitor-naive solid tumors harboring TSC1 or TSC2 inactivating alterations and initiate the study by the end of 2021. Aadi also has ongoing studies to evaluate dosing of FYARRO in combination regimens. FYARRO is an investigational drug that has not been approved by the FDA for commercial distribution in the United States. More information is available on the Aadi website at www.aadibio.com. Forward-Looking Statements Aadi Bioscience, Inc. (Aadi, The Company) cautions you that certain statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Aadis current beliefs and expectations. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding FYARRO, including expectations regarding the clinical responses and safety profile, and the timing of the initiation of additional clinical trials and Investigational New Drug (IND) application submissions. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: risks related to Aadis ability to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to advance FYARRO; uncertainties associated with the clinical development and regulatory approval of FYARRO, including potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical trials; the risk that interim results of clinical trials may not be reproduced and do not necessarily predict final results; the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues, following more comprehensive reviews of the data, and as more patient data become available; the risk that unforeseen adverse reactions or side effects may occur in the course of developing and testing FYARRO; risks associated with the failure to realize any value from FYARRO in light of inherent risks and difficulties involved in successfully bringing product candidates to market; and risks related to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Aadis operations, the biotechnology industry and the economy generally. All forward-looking statements in this press release are current only as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable law, Aadi undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. References: 1 ASCO 2021 Abstract: https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/197602 2 AACR 2019 Abstract: https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/79/13_Supplement/348 3 ASCO 2020 Abstract: https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.11516?af=R Contacts Investors & Media: Investors : Irina Koffler ikoffler@lifesciadvisors.com Aadi Bioscience, Inc. Nancy Jorgesen njorgesen@aadibio.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Black Tech Street Announces Community Partners and Issues Call for New Symbol of Tulsa TULSA, Okla., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyrance Billingsley, II and impact and innovation company SecondMuse announced its first group of community supporters who are working with Black Tech Street to build a tech hub of Black entrepreneurs in what was once the wealthiest and most successful Black community in the United States before it was destroyed by government-backed racism and hate. Beginning in Tulsa , Black Tech Street aims to create a national movement of Black tech excellence. Since Billingsley launched his vision for Black Tech Street, the program has coalesced support from the community to bring this vision to life. The initiative already has committed support from MetCares, the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce, the Black Wall Street Times, the Terrence Crutcher Foundation, TYPROS, and Urban Coders Guild. "With the help of these partners, Black Tech Street will catalyze a global movement that takes the charge of Black Wall Street to the 21st century to see Black people everywhere embrace technology as a medium to hike wealth and positively impact the world," said Billingsley. "Our mission is to build a new system that unshackles the innovative and creative capability of Black people and allows for widespread access and participation in wealth creation." Beginning in Tulsa, Black Tech Street aims to create a national movement of Black tech excellence. The founding program in Tulsa will stand out as an opportunity for Black tech entrepreneurs around the world and serve as a model for communities wanting to create a tightly knit and collaborative ecosystem of Black entrepreneurs to support and innovate with one another. "Black Tech Street will mark the beginning of a national movement to fundamentally build a more iclusive technology sector that will give rise to more innovative and creative technology without the blindspots of the current tech sector," said SecondMuse Co-CEO Todd Khozein. "Tyrance's vision and the program's ethos of being built from within the community exemplifies the sort of success we have fostered over the years that builds up entire economies where everyone, especially historically marginalized communities, has a fair shot." Billingsley and SecondMuse are in talks with other partners and are in discussions with and have commitments from large institutional donors who are supporting this vision. Those announcements will be made in the coming weeks and months. Engaging Black Tulsan Artists to Symbolize Future Success As part of its initial efforts to catalyze the next 100 years of Black innovation, Black Tech Street will be launching a call for local Black Tulsan artists to submit designs for a new symbol to represent the vibrancy and prosperity of Tulsa's Black business and cultural community. Black Tech Street's goal is to replace the existing Tulsa symbol of the "Golden Driller" with "The Lady of Arts and Innovation" represented as a black woman, with imagery that heralds Tulsa's new age of technological innovation and artistic creativity. "As the Centennial of the Greenwood Massacre passes, our city needs a new image and symbol to rally around to show that the next 100 years will stand in direct contrast to the last 100 years," Billingsley said. "The next 100 years will be depicted by a woman of color who represents the brilliance and creativity needed to push Tulsa to a new level of prosperity." For more information about Black Tech Street and the call for artists, which will be publicly announced on June 19th, visit: www.blacktechstreet.com. About Black Tech Street Black Tech Street aims to facilitate $1 billion of investment in the Black Tulsa Economy over 10 years by facilitating entrepreneur support programming that will create a tightly knit, collaborative community of Black entrepreneurs and professionals. Black Tech Street will help build support networks that foster community, which is crucial for all entrepreneurs, especially for relocated entrepreneurs and professionals attempting to make Tulsa their home. About SecondMuse SecondMuse is an impact and innovation company that builds resilient economies by supporting entrepreneurs and the ecosystems around them. They do this by designing, developing, and implementing a mix of innovation programming and investing capital. From Singapore to San Francisco, SecondMuse programs define inspiring visions, build lasting businesses, and unite people across the globe. Over the last decade, they've designed and implemented programs on 7 continents with 600+ organizations such as NASA, The World Bank, and Nike. To find out more about how SecondMuse is positively shaping the world, visit: www.secondmuse.com . Media Contact Information: Zach Giglio Z.Giglio@secondmuse.com (843) 212-6651 Taylor McLaughlin Taylor.Mclaughlin@secondmuse.com (203) 644-4809 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/black-tech-street-announces-community-partners-and-issues-call-for-new-symbol-of-tulsa-301305966.html SOURCE SecondMuse [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Scepter, Inc. Closes Series Seed Round of Financing With L37 Ventures and Table Rock to Further Develop Its Patented ScepterAir Integrated Data Analytics Platform; Total Funding Will Exceed $5.0M With the Financing Led by L37 Scepter is an AI and data analytics company that was founded in 2016 to provide global-to-local, real-time monitoring and analysis of atmospherics by capturing gas and particulate data throughout the entire vertical air column. Scepter's patented approach integrates existing ground-based sensor networks with its own space-based, state-of-the-art hyperspectral sensors to provide a unique 3D view of the atmosphere, a perspective not provided by anyone today. Scepter is able to distill complex atmospheric ecosystems into robust big data sets that, when fused with other relevant data such as health, wind, weather and consumer records, can provide comprehensive situational awareness for commercial and government customers. "We're starting our mission with a focus on both aerosol and methane detection, launching with an information service offering to the oil & gas industry," states Philip Father, Scepter founder and CEO. "When governments, NGOs and companies can see and quantify what's moving around in the atmosphere in real time, they will know how they contribute to air quality, self-assess and act in accordance with ESG principles." "Scepter's information helps commercial operators manage their business better, going beyond detection and quantification. This leads to opportunities across multiple industry verticals and working with government agencies in areas like wildfire management where Scepter can deliver a holistic solution," said Peter Luchetti, Managing Partner of Table Rock Infrastructure Partners. "We're excited to participate in Scepter's big data platform. Using best-in-lass sensors, AI and data analytics, companies will be able to transform their business and provide customers with unique insights to lower costs and increase revenues as well as leverage actionable data to drive environmental initiatives," said John Tilney, Partner at L37 Ventures. "The Scepter platform will have immediate scale and impact in partnership with a Fortune 10 energy firm." About Scepter, Inc.: Scepter is an AI and atmospheric data analytics company that has developed and patented a groundbreaking approach to monitoring and impacting air quality in real-time using an array of terrestrial, airborne and Low-Earth-Orbit satellite-based sensors to measure the vertical air column. Scepter provides global-to-local, real-time air pollution data, integrated with data from other sources and analyzed to provide actionable information for businesses, consumers, governments and NGOs. For more information, please visit www.scepterair.com. About L37 Ventures: L37 is a new generation, hybrid venture capital and private equity company. We invest in visionary founders and companies that are transforming industries and solving ubiquitous problems. We are a group of seasoned entrepreneurs, operators and investors who work alongside founding teams, leveraging frameworks for scale and our network of trusted relationships with customers, capital, and talent to design new categories and engineer market-first, globally minded companies. For more information, visit www.L37.vc. About Table Rock Infrastructure Partners: Table Rock is a private equity firm focused on water, wastewater, renewable energy and communications applications. Our "Progressive Partnership" process evaluates all options for municipal project design, construction, operations and maintenance, financing and delivery, and helps leadership determine which implementation approach produces the highest value for ratepayers. For more information, visit www.tablerockpartners.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005386/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] The Mary Kay Foundation? Donates $150,000 to CancerCare Providing Cancer Resources to Underserved Female Populations The Mary Kay Foundation?, a decades-long leader in the charge to eliminate cancers affecting women, recently donated $150,000 to CancerCare, the leading national nonprofit organization providing free, financial and professional support services to anyone affected by cancer. Since 2000, The Mary Kay Foundation? has supported the Touching Hearts Program, which is needed now more than ever as the pandemic creates new and unforeseen financial, health and emotional tolls for those already struggling to handle a cancer diagnosis and treatment plan. The Foundation's grant allows CancerCare to provide direct support to women who are most in need of receiving financial assistance and cancer-related support services. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005414/en/ With continued funding from The Mary Kay Foundation?, CancerCare will ensure that women largely from vulnerable, medically underserved populations receive the support they need. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.) "Mary Kay is wholeheartedly committed to eradicating cancers affecting women, investing millions in innovative cancer research and support services annually," said Dr. Lucy Gildea, Chief Scientific Officer at Mary Kay Inc. "We realize this is a long-term goal, which is why we continue to partner with critical non-profits providing support to those affected in the meantime. CancerCare provides relief to those most deeply impacted by a cancer diagnosis from the financial burden to the emotional toll it can take on an individual and family. We are honored to support their efforts." With continued funding from The Mary Kay Foundation?, CancerCare wil ensure that women largely from vulnerable, medically underserved populations receive the support they need. For many women with significant need but limited resources, especially during COVID-19, a lack of access to much-needed services can have a particularly devastating impact on their health, well-being and their capacity to obtain the best possible treatment outcomes. "The COVID-19 crisis has caused an even greater burden to women facing a cancer diagnosis, especially those in underserved parts of our country where access to affordable treatment options were scarce to begin with," said Patricia Goldsmith, Chief Executive Officer at CancerCare. "In addition, our clients are struggling with the financial and emotional toll, social isolation, lack of transportation, and countless other logistics. CancerCare is grateful to The Mary Kay Foundation? for providing assistance to cover these indirect costs for the women and families we serve." Over the course of more than two decades, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation? has awarded more than $80 million to women's shelters and domestic violence service providers, as well as cancer research programs and related causes throughout the United States. About The Mary Kay Foundation? Guided by Mary Kay Ash's dream to enrich the lives of women everywhere, The Mary Kay Foundation? raises and distributes funds to invest in breakthrough cancer research to find a cure for women-related cancers and ending domestic violence against women. Since 1996, The Mary Kay Foundation? has contributed more than $80 million to organizations aligned with its two-fold mission. In addition, the Foundation supports awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe. Together, we can make the world better for women. To learn more about how to educate, advocate, volunteer and donate, and join life-saving work to support and empower women, visit marykayfoundation.org, find us on Facebook and Instagram, or follow us on Twitter. About CancerCare Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts. Headquartered in New York, NY, CancerCare maintains three additional locations in Norwalk, CT, Ridgewood, NJ and Syosset, NY. To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005414/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] TritonExec accelerates growth with opening of new Miami Office MIAMI, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TritonExec, a global executive search firm specializing in Technology & Professional Services, is pleased to announce the opening of their new Miami Office. Miami will now serve as the company's US headquarters, led by Partner Natalie Zingo. In addition to the global headquarters in London and offices in New York, Atlanta, and Gurgaon, this new state of the art space expands TritonExec's physical footprint in the US in support of the company's growth strategy. "We are very pleased that Natalie will lead our US operations from Miami," said Jonathan Morris, Co-Founder &am; Partner of TritonExec. "Natalie and our team bring an impressive track record in C-suite and multi-hire programs across our Technology & Professional Services Practices. Miami has become a major center of commerce, finance and technology, and boasts a strong international business community." In addition to extending the scope of their US operations, this new office will accommodate the rapid growth of their Fintech Practice. "Miami is fast becoming a hot spot for hyper-growth Technology firms. We are excited to build our business here, supporting our global clients and the local community," said Partner Natalie Zingo. About TritonExec TritonExec is a global Executive Search Firm who specialize in Technology & Professional Services. With offices in UK, US, and India, TritonExec provide executive search, multi hire programmes and executive level RPO services. Simply put, we enable growth. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tritonexec-accelerates-growth-with-opening-of-new-miami-office-301306083.html SOURCE TritonExec [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Online Grocer Farmstead Expands "Refill & Save" Program to Local and CPG Brands Nationally Farmstead, the first online grocer to offer fresh, high-quality groceries, delivered for free, at better prices than local supermarkets, announced today the national expansion of a Refill & Save program that it has been testing in the San Francisco Bay area. Refill & Save promotes select products to Farmstead's weekly customers, who have an "always-on" cart with options to refill various staples at a discounted price. More than seventy percent of Farmstead's Bay Area customers use Refill & Save. Mutually selected products are tagged with the Refill and Save button and are surfaced as recommended items to customers. Additionally, these products are also promoted in other marketing channels like email newsletters. "Farmstead's mission is to make same-day delivery of fresh groceries accessible and affordable to every online grocery shopper in the country," said Pradeep Elankumaran, co-founder & CEO of Farmstead. "Refill & Save is a powerful way for both national and local CPG brands to promote their products to Farmstead's customers nationally who enjoy prices that are the same or lower than traditional grocers and free same-ay delivery." The Refill & Save Program Selected products are promoted to Farmstead's weekly customers Products are tagged with a Refill and Save button Refill & Save products are surfaced as "recommended" items to customers Products are also promoted through marketing such as email newsletters Detailed data reports to track sales, growth and retention Interested suppliers can learn more by emailing Farmstead at bd@farmsteadapp.com. With active hubs in the San Francisco Bay Area, Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., Farmstead has announced upcoming openings in Nashville, Tenn., Miami, and Austin, Tex., and has plans to open in at least 12 more markets this year. Farmstead is known for leveraging proprietary AI technology and a dark store model - delivery-centric warehouses that serve a 50-mile radius, delivering many thousands of orders per day - to maximize efficiency and reduce costs. As a result, Farmstead offers consumers prices comparable to or lower than most supermarkets, but with free delivery to customers' doorsteps. The company is growing quickly, with plans to expand nationwide to a primarily mid-market audience. About Farmstead Farmstead is the first online grocer to offer fresh, high-quality groceries, delivered for free, at better prices than local supermarkets. Using AI technology, Farmstead has reinvented the grocery buying experience and rewired how food moves across the country, to significantly reduce food waste and fulfill its mission of making high quality, locally sourced food accessible to everyone. Visit https://www.farmsteadapp.com or follow @farmsteadapp. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005141/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Canadian Agtech Company Croptimistic Technology Raises $5.2M in Series A Funding Led by Forage Capital Partners Croptimistic Technology Inc. (Croptimistic) announces $3.5M in Series A investment from Forage Capital Partners (Forage) to complement an additional $1.7M in funding from the founders and institutional debt. This new capital will help accelerate the growth of Croptimistic's SWAT MAPS technology. The SWAT technology ecosystem provides farmers and partners with high resolution soil foundation maps to execute variable rate fertilizer, seed, soil amendment, herbicide, and precision water management. Since the first year of operations in 2018, Croptimistic has grown to 18 staff across Canada, the USA and South Africa. It has nearly 100 partners spanning 4 countries and $2M in revenue in 2020. Croptimistic CEO and co-founder Cory Willness says, "We are excited to take the next step of our journey with the team at Forage. Jim Taylor and Steven Leakos have already made strides due to their extensive expertise in the Agtech space. We want to acknowledge our incredible team based in 3 countries who have worked tirelessly to get us here and our COO, Rob Harris, who was instrumental in executing this funding." CTO and co-founder Derek Massey adds, "The funds raised will be used to add developers and professional staff to our Kelowna, BC hub to build out the software and hardware solutions in order to meet the high growth demands from the millions of acres in our system." Steven Leakos of Forage says, "We are proud to partner with the team at Croptimistic, a world leader in variable rate farming applications. Croptimistic's SWAT MAPS, software, world class hardware, and current IP portfolio together with their strong agronomic background provides farmers with an excellent return on investment and significantlyreduces the overall environmental footprint to their farming operation." Croptimistic also welcomes new investor, Greg Stewart, who has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors. Stewart is currently a director at the Bank of Canada and was a former President and CEO at Farm Credit Canada ( FCC (News - Alert) ), a leading agricultural lender and self-sustaining Crown Corporation. Stewart says, "I'm honoured and excited by the opportunity to be an investor and appointed Chairman of the Board for Croptimistic Technology. Their proprietary technology is solving real-world issues in the agricultural space, leading the way with effective variable rate application, and reducing and monitoring environmental impact in the sector. The future is bright for global agriculture, and this is a crucial piece of the puzzle to allow for sustainable and cost-effective farming." About Croptimistic Technology Inc.: Croptimistic is an internationally operating Agtech company founded by Cory Willness, Shannon Willness and Derek Massey. It has built a vast partner network with SWAT MAPS, a turn-key variable rate process that prioritizes Soil, Water, And Topography (SWAT) factors of fields for the creation of management zones. Their technology includes SWAT Records (software and apps), SWAT BOX (autonomous soil mapping system), SWAT CAM (machine learning sprayer cameras) and SWAT WATER (soil moisture maps). The value proposition for their technology is strong, with annual retention rates above 95% on SWAT Mapped acres along with documented environmental and climate change improvements. Key APIs include Climate Fieldview and John Deere. To learn more about Croptimistic and the SWAT ecosystem, visit swatmaps.com. About Forage Capital Partners: Forage is Canada's most experienced team of Ag & Food investors, having managed over $500 million in commitments to the industry over the last 18 years. Forage Capital Ag & Food Business Solutions Fund works to provide its portfolio companies with the stability and flexibility they need to expand and adapt their business models during these challenging times. The fund will invest with creative business owners that are looking to capitalize on new and innovative opportunities that will emerge as the Canadian economy recovers and prospers. For more information on Forage Capital Partners, visit www.foragecapitalpartners.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005536/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] KBRA Releases Monthly CMBS Trend Watch Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) releases the May 2021 issue of CMBS Trend Watch. CMBS private label pricing volume ended the month of May at $4.7 billion, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) issuance total to $30.6 billion. On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, volume is up 15.5% from 2020. We currently have visibility of up to 15 deals that may launch this June, including four conduits, four to six single-borrower (SB) transactions, two Freddie Mac K-Series, and as many as three commercial real estate collateralized loan obligation (CRE CLO) transactions. This edition's Spotlight section includes a double feature: A Tale of Two Cycles, which compares and contrasts the timing between the peak and decline in the unemployment rate and CMBS delinquency rate during the pandemic and global financial crisis (GFC). It then extends this type of analysis with a focus on property type performance, reviewing the trajectory between rents and delinquencies during these two periods. The second Spotlight, Dadline Approaches for New York City Gas Emissions Adjustments, focuses on New York City's Local Law 97 (part of the Climate Mobilization Act (CMA) which requires that commercial buildings exceeding 25,000 sf adhere to strict carbon emissions rules beginning in 2024. Building owners in New York City can qualify for an adjustment to the building's annual emissions if they make an application by June 30, 2021. In May, KBRA published pre-sales for five deals ($3.3 billion) including two conduits ($2 billion), one SB transaction ($352 million), one small balance commercial transaction ($264.5 million), and one CRE CLO ($686.4 million). May's surveillance activity included rating actions on 379 classes. There were 253 KBRA Loans of Concern (K-LOCs) identified during the month. There were also 12 KBRA Performance Outlook (KPO) changes, including 10 to Underperform from Perform and two to Perform from Underperform. Click here to view the report. About KBRA KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered in the U.S., the EU and the UK, and is designated to provide structured finance ratings in Canada. KBRA's ratings can be used by investors for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005550/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Record $1.6 Million Awarded in the 25th Anniversary Finals of Chicago Booth's New Venture Challenge; First-place Winner Andes STR Lands More Than $660,000 The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago has announced a record-breaking investment of $1.6 million in the winners of the 2021 Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge (NVC), a pioneering student startup accelerator marking its 25th anniversary. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005558/en/ Andes STR, a Toronto-based company that helps people buy, furnish and manage short-term rental properties, won first place and more than $660,000 in investment at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business' 25th Annual Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge. (Photo: Business Wire) The $1.6 million investment pool is by far the richest in the history of the program, founded in 1996 at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and is the largest in the nation for business school student startup competitions. This prize pool, which does not include additional in-kind contributions for teams, is expected to grow next week when the Polsky Center debuts a Second Look event for other investors who requested an opportunity to invest in the 12 finalist teams. "Thursday's NVC finals were thrilling, with 12 incredibly diverse and competitive teams ranging from a crypto trading platform to makeup, from a vaccine to cure peanut allergies to an algorithm to fit clothes," said NVC cofounder Steven Kaplan, Neubauer Family Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance at Chicago Booth and Kessenich E.P. Faculty Director of the Polsky Center. "It was an extremely difficult decision for the judges and amazing to see the investment pool swell as a result of so much excitement about all the teams." The NVC, whose alumni companies include Grubhub, Simple Mills and Braintree/Venmo, just five years ago had a total investment pool of $285,000 and a top prize of $90,000. This year, the winner of the Rattan L. Khosa, '79, First Place Prize received more than $660,000. It went to Andes STR, which helps people invest in short-term rental properties by taking on the hassle of buying, furnishing and managing the properties. "We never thought that we would get so much money," said Sebastian Rivas, cofounder and CEO of Andes STR. "It's a very good problem to have." Rivas, 31, a Chicago Booth student who expects to graduate next week, started the company in Toronto two years ago after quitting his job in investment banking to try his hand at entrepreneurship before starting business school. A native of Santiago, Chile, Rivas said the company's revenues put him through Booth. He plans to use the new investment on customer acquisition, building an app and improving the algorithms that are core to Andes STR's service. Second place was awarded to phlaxis, a startup developing a vaccine to prevent and treat peanut allergies and other food sensitivities. Phlaxis received nearly $280,000 in investment, including the Moonshot Prize, a $40,000 award that recognizes unique technologies to solve global challenges. The University of Chicago has been encouraging researchers in its world-class labs to take advantage of the school's entrepreneurship programs to get their innovations to market. Phlaxis is helmed by Jeff Hubbell, Eugene Bell Professor in Tissue Engineering and Deputy Dean for Development at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, who formed a team with students from Chicago Booth and the College. "We are immensely proud of how much the NVC has grown, both in terms of investment and the sophistication of the teams participating," said Mark Tebbe, an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Chicago Booth and a professor of the NVC. "It is another prime example of why Booth is the premier business school for entrepreneurship." For the first time, one team was an awarded a $5,000 People's Choice award, as selected by the audience. It went to third-place winnerVetted, a subscription service for pet parents to help them cut back on vet bills, whose investment totaled nearly $200,000. The NVC has consistently been ranked as a top seed accelerator, alongside Techstars and Y Combinator, which is unique for a program focused on students. Unlike many of its peers, the NVC is both a credit-bearing MBA class at Chicago Booth as well as a business plan competition. Nearly 370 companies that went through the NVC are still active and thriving today. They have raised more than $1.2 billion, achieved $8.5 billion in mergers and exits and created more than 13,300 jobs. More than half of those jobs - 7,550 - were created by companies based in Chicago. The judges who selected this year's winners after the all-day business plan competition Thursday included several notable alumni of the NVC who became successful entrepreneurs or venture capitalists. Grubhub cofounder Matt Maloney, Simple Mills founder Katlin Smith, and Medspeed founder Jake Crampton served as finals judges for the first time. Among the venture capitalists on the judging panel were NVC alumni Jai Das of Sapphire Ventures, Brent Hill of Origin Ventures, Van Jones of Drive Capital, and Koichiro Nakamura of Sozo Ventures. Nakamura and Mar Hershenson of Pear VC, another judge, are in the Midas List of top 100 venture capitalists in the world. The 2021 winners are: First Place ($666,250): Andes STR is a modern property management company that offers people a turnkey solution to buy, furnish and manage properties in the short-term rental market, providing customers with more flexibility and higher returns. Its investment includes the $180,000 Rattan L. Khosa, '79, First Place Prize. (Team: Sebastian Rivas, Kristina Flathers, Matias Duhart, and Jiamin Yan) Second Place ($278,750): phlaxis is a biotech platform that aims to fundamentally change the landscape of food allergies with a novel approach - a patented technology called "inverse vaccine" to cure and prevent peanut and other food allergies. The investment includes the $40,000 Moonshot Prize. (Team: Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Shijie Cao, Hikaru Ihara, and Josette Chang) Third Place ($198,750): Vetted is an annual membership service that empowers pet parents to take control of their pets' health, guiding them through pet parenthood at home, on the go, and in the vet's office. The prize includes the contest's first $5,000 People's Choice award. (Team: Maya Shaposhnik Cadena, Ashley Brooks, Dr. Shelby Smyly, Geva Bidner, Greg Weiss, Delaney Wing, Seamus Naughton, Kealy Fitzsimmons, and Lindsey Whitlock) Fourth Place ($96,250): Resette custom blends makeup and skincare into one product to simplify routines and offer personalized skinwear with benefits. (Team: Whitney McElwain, Veena Krishnan, Anna Simmons, Sicely Mireri, and Alana Giedraitis) Fifth Place ($95,000): Aina lets shoppers virtually try on clothes directly from a retailer's website using augmented reality (AR) technology with features like real-time view, size-level accuracy, and interactive garment rendering. (Team: Nisha Saboo, Pritesh Kanani, Tess Glassman-Kaufman, and Shazia Ijaz) Sixth Place ($77,500): ML Tech is a high-frequency trading (HFT) platform that connects crypto investors with top researchers worldwide. The platform leverages cutting-edge AI solutions and allows researchers to produce new strategies at an industry-leading pace. (Team: Leo Mindyuk, Markus Leballeux, Aniruddha Deshpande, Ying Xu, John Wismer, Haoyang Wang, Ivan Khurudzhi, Amrutha Sivakumar, Mathew Kapela, Chloe Fu, Qi He, and Yalin Yang) Seventh Place ($50,000): Annuity Risk provides risk management solutions for indexed annuities, which represent a fast-growing market. The platform intends to empower annuity providers with advanced tool sets for hedging, derivative valuation and machine learning for customer data analytics. (Team: Gaurav Singhal, Brian Klein, Charles Chong, Soo Jin Jeong, Paulo Andrade Blanc, and Manik Pasricha) Eighth Place ($45,000): StoryEasel is a memory preservation platform that empowers users to create, share, and preserve precious family stories and memories together with friends and family. (Team: Niso Moyo, Tendaaishe Chitima, Manish Rahatkar, Mike Mokodanski, Chinzo Davaatseren, Mqondisi Ndlovu, Stephanie Regimbal, Sneha Vasudevan, Rayna Palsule, Simone Haradence, and Ben Rachman) Ninth Place ($32,500): PainNavigator is an evidence-based pain management app that provides a customized, holistic program to help those struggling with chronic pain. The program includes exercise therapy, yoga, wellness strategies, and pain management education. (Team: Dr. Ankur Dave, Dr. Konstantinos Kostas, Kelly McKay, Priya Shah, Austin Bostock, Gandhi Bhakthavachalam, and Elanda Goduni) Three finalist teams each received a $20,000 investment. They are: deetz , a mobile app for people to find out what's happening in their community in the moment and for businesses to promote specials and events. a mobile app for people to find out what's happening in their community in the moment and for businesses to promote specials and events. Ping , a B2B, SaaS (News - Alert) , wearable tech company that focuses on safety, wellness, and social connection for senior citizens. a B2B, SaaS (News - Alert) , wearable tech company that focuses on safety, wellness, and social connection for senior citizens. SHEVOLVE, which makes nutrition supplements more convenient and more enjoyable for women through midlife and beyond by packing essential nutrients into one tasty bite. Since its founding 25 years ago, when its prize pool was $20,000, the NVC has grown to include five distinct tracks. The Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge is open to all graduate students at the University of Chicago. The College New Venture Challenge (CNVC) is for University of Chicago undergraduates. The Global New Venture Challenge (GNVC) is for executive MBA students at Chicago Booth's Hong Kong and London campuses as well as Chicago. The John Edwardson, '72, Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC) is for nonprofits or startups focused on a social mission. And the Alumni New Venture Challenge (ANVC) is open to all University of Chicago alumni. To mark the 25th anniversary of the accelerator, the Polsky Center launched a podcast series featuring interviews with notable alumni of the NVC. About the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation applies world-class business expertise from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business to bring new ideas and breakthrough innovations to market. With a 60-person professional staff, the Polsky Center drives the creation of new ventures and commercial partnerships at the University of Chicago and beyond. As a global leader in entrepreneurship education, the Polsky Center is home of the Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge, one of the top accelerator programs in the nation. The Polsky Center provides training for aspiring entrepreneurs and those seeking a career in private equity, venture capital, and entrepreneurship through acquisition. Learn more at polsky.uchicago.edu and follow updates on Twitter (News - Alert) @polskycenter. Fill out the "Get Started with the Polsky Center" online form to access our resources and subscribe to our newsletters. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005558/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 23:10:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese-built 752.7 km Ethiopia-Djibouti railway earned 29 million U.S. dollars in a nine-month period, the Ethiopia-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway Share Company (EDR) disclosed on Friday. In a statement, EDR said 29 million U.S. dollars was earned from 1.35 million tons of cargo and 15,480 passengers that were transported in the first nine months of the current Ethiopian Fiscal Year (EFY) 2020/2021, which started on July 8. The Ethiopia-Djibouti railway which connects landlocked Ethiopia to Djibouti port has in recent months robustly resumed operations that had previously been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, EDR graduated 34 Ethiopian train drivers who underwent a series of training in Ethiopia and China. Enditem [June 04, 2021] Employer Hiring Activity for Tech Jobs at Highest Point in Nearly Two Years, CompTIA Analysis Finds DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Employment in the U.S. technology sector grew in May and employers' search for new tech talent reached a level not seen in nearly two years, an analysis by CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the information technology (IT) industry and workforce, reveals. Job postings for IT positions surpassed 365,000 in May, the highest total since September 2019 . Technology companies added 10,500 jobs in May, a combination of technical and non-technical positions, data in the "Employment Situation" report released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals. (#JobsReport). Tech sector employment has now increased for six consecutive months and has grown by more than 61,000 so far this year. Meanwhile, employer job postings for open IT positions surpassed 365,000 in May, he highest monthly total since September 2019. Software and application developers, IT support specialists, systems engineers and architects, IT project managers and systems analysts are among the positions in highest demand. At the occupation level across all industry sectors, the latest employment report shows a loss of 78,000 IT positions.1 The unemployment rate for IT occupations was 2.4% in May, about half the national labor market rate of 5.5%. "The strong employer hiring activity for technology positions coupled with a loss of jobs at the occupation level suggests a disconnect," Tim Herbert, executive vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA. "However, it is not uncommon for factors such as hiring timing or an increase in workers seeking new employment opportunities to affect labor market data in the short-term." May's impressive IT job positing numbers were dispersed across metro areas around the country. Large markets such as Washington, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, San Jose and Seattle accounted for about 36% of all IT job postings for the month. Other metro areas that are sometimes overlooked in tech hiring discussions experienced high rates of month-over-month percent changes in IT job postings, including Virginia Beach-Norfolk (+ 60%), Des Moines (+ 33%), Kansas City (+ 27%), Louisville (+ 26%), Baltimore (+ 26%), Detroit (+ 25%) and Milwaukee (+ 21%). The data also shows that demand for IT professionals is strong in a number of industry sectors, led by manufacturing (70,970), professional, scientific and technical services (58,873), finance and insurance (31,054) and information (20,244). Job openings for positions in emerging technologies or requiring emerging tech skills totaled nearly 104,000 last month, 28% of all positing for IT occupations. The CompTIA Tech Jobs Report is available at https://www.comptia.org/content/tech-jobs-report . About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit https://www.comptia.org/. Media Contact Steven Ostrowski sostrowski@comptia.org +1 630-678-8468 1 Monthly occupation-level data reporting from the Bureau of Labor Statistics may be subject to higher levels of variance and volatility. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/employer-hiring-activity-for-tech-jobs-at-highest-point-in-nearly-two-years-comptia-analysis-finds-301306160.html SOURCE CompTIA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Video Conferencing: Sourcing and Procurement Report| Evolving Opportunities and New Market Possibilities| SpendEdge NEW YORK, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - The Video Conferencing Procurement - Sourcing and Intelligence Report, provides key information about the market. For instance, the Video Conferencing Market will grow at a CAGR of 9.08% during 2020-2024. Key Players in the Video Conferencing Market Include: Cisco Systems Inc., Microsoft Corp., Plantronics Inc., Zoom Video Communications Inc., ZTE Corp., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., LogMeIn Inc. Get detailed insights on the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and recovery analysis of the Video Conferencing market. Request for FREE Sample Report Video Conferencing Market Analysis Analysis of the cost and volume drivers and supply market forecasts in various regions are offered in this Video Conferencing research report. This market intelligence report also analyzes the top supply markets and the critical cost drivers that can aid buyers and suppliers devise a cost-effective category management strategy. Insights Delivered into the Video Conferencing Market This market intelligence report on Video Conferencing answers to all the critical problems faced by investors who seek cost-saving opportunities in a competitive market. It also offers actionable anecdotes on the industry structure and supply market forecasts including highlights of the top vendors in this market. Our procurement experts have determined effective category pricing strategies that are attuned to the dynamics of this market which can be leveraged to maximize revenue generation against minimum investments on the products. The reports help buyers understand: Global and regional spend potential for Video Conferencing for the period of 2020-2024 Risk management and sustainability strategies Incumbent supplier evaluation metrics Pricing outlook and factors influencing the procurement process This Video Conferencing Market procurement research report offers coverage of: Regional spend dynamism and factors impacting costs The total cost of ownership and cost-saving opportunites Supply chain margins and pricing models This market intelligence report identifies the major costs incurred by suppliers and provides additional information on: Competitiveness index for suppliers Market favorability index for suppliers Supplier and buyer KPIs Related Reports on Professional Services Include: 1. Fleet Vehicle Leasing- Forecast and Analysis : This procurement market intelligence report analyzes the impact of the cost and volume drivers on the fleet vehicle leasing pricing strategies in different regions. The report also analyzes the US supply market, offers strategic sourcing insights, and category management objectives to facilitate optimal and cost-effective fleet vehicle leasing procurement. 2. Electronic Manufacturing Services Sourcing and Procurement Report : Spend growth of this market has the potential to touch a value of over USD 130 billion with spend momentum accelerate at a CAGR of more than 5% by 2023. Outsourcing of electronic manufacturing activities can help attain cost-savings of up to 15% 3. Legal Services Industry - Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence Report : Legal service providers are continuously investing in new talents and technological innovations to meet buyers' requirements efficiently and on time. This industry is experiencing consolidation, as large firms acquire small firms to enhance their service portfolio and increase the geographical presence. 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 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/video-conferencing-sourcing-and-procurement-report-evolving-opportunities-and-new-market-possibilities-spendedge-301305948.html SOURCE SpendEdge [June 04, 2021] Spotlite360 Announces Closing of Acquisition and Conditional CSE Listing Approval DENVER and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPOTLITE360 TECHNOLOGIES INC. (Spotlite360 or the Company) (formerly 1014379 B.C. Ltd.) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition (the "Acquisition") of all the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of Captios, LLC ("Captios") pursuant to a securities exchange agreement dated June 21, 2020. About Captios Captios was founded by a group of supply chain and healthcare executives and is focused on the delivery of a SaaS-based supply chain execution and sustainability platform (the Spotlite360 Software) for enterprise customers in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and agricultural industries. By leveraging IoT technologies, blockchain, machine learning, and analytics, the Spotlite360 Software is uniquely positioned to meet customer needs for supply chain execution, tracing, tracking, and sustainability. Potential benefits of the Spotlite360 Software when utilized in a companys supply chain include improved transparency, reduction in loss and theft, increased supply chain velocity, labour efficiency, improved asset utilization, and support of global sustainability initiatives. Spotlite360 is focusing on the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and agriculture industries where suppliers, manufacturers, and consumers in these industries are demanding improved visibility and information related to ESG (environmental, social, and governance) considerations. Additionally, within each of these industries there is increased pressure for companies to meet regulatory and compliance mandates. The Acquisition As consideration for the acquisition of 100% of Captios, Spotlite360 issued an aggregate of 20,100,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") to the shareholders of Captios. Upon closing of the acquisition, Captios became a wholly owned subsidiary of Spotlite360. In connection with the Acquisition: (i) the Company changed its name to Spotlite360 Technologies Inc.; (ii) Mr. Peter Nguyen resigned as the Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") and Corporate Secretary of the Company; (iii) Mr. Gene McConnell, the CFO of Captios was appointed the new CFO of Spotlite360; (iv) Mr. James Greenwell was appointed as Spotlite360's President. Upon completion of the Acquisition, the Company has an aggregate of 53,713,600 issued and outstanding Common Shares, approximately 62.58% of which are held by the prior shareholders of the Company, and approximately 37.42% of which are held by the former shareholder of Captios. An aggregate of 1,200,000 Common Shares owned by Mr. McConnell are subject to standard National Policy 46-201 escrow provisions for a period of 36 months. The Acquisition is more fully described in the Company's non-offering prospectus dated May 26, 2021, available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com . Directors and Officers Upon completion of the Acquisition, the Company's board of directors is composed of Joel Dumaresq, Alexander Somjen, Peter Nguyen, and Eugene Beukman. Mr. Beukman, Mr. McConnell, and Mr. Greenwell also hold executive positions in the Company, namely Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer/Corporate Secretary, and President, respectively. Conditional Approval to List on CSE The Company's shares are not currently listed or quoted on any stock exchange or trading platform. The Company has applied to list its Common Shares on the Canadian Secuities Exchange (CSE) and is pleased to announce that conditional approval to list on the CSE has been granted on May 25, 2021, subject to completion of customary listing requirements of the CSE, including receipt of all required documentation. The Company is working to meet the CSE listing conditions in a timely manner. The Company will provide an update once the CSE has issued a bulletin confirming the date on which trading of the Companys shares on the CSE will commence. Once final approval is received, the Common Shares will commence trading on the CSE under the ticker symbol LITE. There is no assurance that the Company will ultimately be able to satisfy the listing requirements of the CSE. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, Spotlite360 Technologies Inc. Jim Greenwell Jim Greenwell, President For more information about Spotlite360, please visit: http://spotlite360.com Charles Lee Investor Relations and Media Inquiries +1 (604) 687-2038 ir@spotlite360.com THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CSE) HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE, NOR HAS OR DOES THE CSES REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER. About Spotlite360 Technologies Inc. Spotlite360 is a logistics technologies developer unlocking value, opportunities, and efficiencies for all participants in a supply chain. Building upon existing applications of IoT technologies, distributed ledgers, and machine learning, Spotlite360 endeavours to set new standards of transparency, integrity, and sustainability in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and agriculture industries. As regulators across the globe begin to impose new tracing and accountability requirements for the protection of consumers (e.g., DSCSA and FSMA from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration), the need for reliable, cost-effective, and versatile tracking technology is expected to grow considerably. Spotlite360s flagship SaaS solution has been engineered to seamlessly track the movement of a product by integrating with systems of all major stakeholders in a supply chain ranging from the raw materials to the hands of the end consumer. With a primary objective of onboarding new clients in 2021, Spotlite360 plans to explore innovative use cases for its proprietary stack of technologies which could transform logistics workflows in some of the worlds largest industries. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, with respect to the Company. The forward-looking information included in this news release is not based on historical facts, but rather on the expectations of the Companys management regarding the future growth of the Resulting Issuer, its results of operations, performance, business prospects, and opportunities. This news release uses words such as will, expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, estimates, or similar expressions to identify forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information reflects the current beliefs of the Companys management, based on information currently available to them. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements relating to: the intentions, plans and future actions of the Company; statements relating to the business and future activities of the Company; anticipated developments in operations of the Company; market position, ability to compete, and future financial or operating performance of the Company; the timing and amount of funding required to execute the business plans of the Company; capital expenditures of the Company; the effect on the Company, of any changes to existing or new legislation or policy or government regulation; the length of time required to obtain permits, certifications and approvals; the availability of labour; estimated budgets; currency fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; limitations on insurance coverage; the timing and possible outcome of regulatory and permitting matters; goals; strategies; future growth; the adequacy of financial resources; our expectations regarding revenues, expenses and anticipated cash needs. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Given these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Whether actual results, performance, or achievements will conform to the expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors, including those listed in the Company's non-offering prospectus dated May 26, 2021. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results might vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or results, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, potential investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or the information contained in those statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by Spotlite360 Technologies Inc. can be found under the Company's profile on http://sedar.com . [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] The Moroccan Digital Development Agency and GrowIN Portugal Launch an Initiative to Support Startups Internationalization RABAT, Morocco and FARO, Portugal , June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Moroccan Digital Development Agency (ADD) and GrowIN Portugal have launched an initiative to support Moroccan and Portuguese startups internationalization by signing a strategic agreement. This partnership will promote cooperation between the two organizations, emphasizing support in the expansion of the startups in their respective ecosystems. To this end, both parties have agreed to: Collaborate on the Planning & Launch of a Moroccan Portuguese Startup Competition; Promote opportunities for developing innovation ecosystems in both countries; Hold delegation trips and introductory meetings with ecosystem stakeholders in both countries; Exchange information and know-how on the evolution of the Startup markets in both countries; Collaborate on the development and launch of respective Ecosystems platforms. Speaking on this occasion, Mohammed Drissi Melyani, General Director, ADD, said: "This initiative will provide the much-needed support for not just Moroccan and Portuguese startups, but startups from around the world. The pandemic has hit economies worldwide, and we are witnessing the increasing importance of digital transformation and the role startups can play to accelerate economic growth. By connecting our two ecosystems, ADD and GrowIN Portugal are providing a unique opportunity for innovative startups willing to expand internationally and empower the digital economy in both Morocco and Portugal." For his part, Anas El Arras, Chief Executive Officer, GrowIN Portugal, stated: "Plenty of Portuguese startups need to expand to new markets to sustain their growth now more than eer before. Therefore, we are delighted to be collaborating with ADD on enabling startups from both countries. Morocco and Portugal have plenty of similarities and attractive innovation ecosystems with funding support, highly skilled human resources, cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and plenty of growth opportunities. Moreover, Portugal could be the entry point for Moroccan startups to the EU Markets, and Morocco would allow Portuguese startups to expand into Africa. By joining hands with the ADD and building a bridge between both ecosystems, we can accelerate startups' growth and share valuable know-how." Both parties have all the necessary conditions to cooperate on this initiative as they have identified the need for a fast-track internationalization process and consolidate their partnership to develop both of their startups ecosystems. The agreement's signing follows an ADD delegation to Lisbon in November 2019 and two visits from GrowIN Portugal to Rabat in January 2021. About the Moroccan Digital Development Agency The Digital Development Agency (ADD) is the Moroccan strategic public entity responsible for implementing the Kingdom's strategy for digital development and promoting digital tools and their use among citizens. Several cross-functional missions are assigned to the Digital Development Agency, in its capacity as an institutional actor, which aim to structure the digital ecosystem and bring about the emergence of real operators in the digital economy. It is also about contributing to the promotion of digital administration by bringing together users (citizens and businesses), as well as putting in place a normative framework for digital products and services. Its assignment is also, to reduce the digital divide, to support the revolution of Industry 4.0, to lead change in society through training and awareness. It is in charge, among other things, of encouraging research and development, encouraging social and entrepreneurial innovation and ensuring responsible and sustainable digital inclusion. Also, the Digital Development Agency adopts a participatory approach with all stakeholders (public and private sector, civil society) and ensures coordination and consultation around the multiple challenges of digital transformation and its impact on the global environment (administration, companies, citizens). For more information on the ADD, visit www.add.gov.ma ; ADD media team can be reached on presse@add.gov.ma About GrowIN Portugal GrowIN Portugal is an innovative consultancy platform that helps facilitate and open up business opportunities between Portugal and non-EU Countries through a dual approach to build and nurture collaboration bridges in a way that benefits both Portuguese and non-Portuguese innovation potential. GrowIN Portugal enables global startups to expand, manage, finance and grow their operations in Portugal. GrowIN Portugal also supports Portuguese startups and SMEs in developing new markets abroad. GrowIN Portugal is also an accredited Incubator, Accelerator, and Company as a Service Platform that leverages the use of new technologies to structure and shape the local tech and innovation ecosystem. For more information visit https://www.growinportugal.com/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1526518/GrowIN_Portugal.jpg View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-moroccan-digital-development-agency-and-growin-portugal-launch-an-initiative-to-support-startups-internationalization-301306195.html SOURCE GrowIN Portugal; The Moroccan Digital Development Agency [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] The Government of Canada Provides an Update on Planting Two Billion Trees OTTAWA, ON, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Natural Resources Canada Canada's forests clean our air and water, capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, and provide a home for our wildlife. Nature-based climate solutions, including planting trees, also create good, green jobs and more natural spaces for Canadians to enjoy. With the 2021 tree planting season underway, the Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, today provided an update on how Canada will meet the commitment to plant two billion additional trees over the next 10 years, and create 4,300 new jobs in the process. Following a call for Expressions of Interest through its Early Start Projects stream this past February, which received 120 applications for early tree planting in 2021, NRCan is now finalizing agreements that will support the planting of over 30 million trees across the country, in both urban and rural areas. NRCan has also launched a Request for Information through its Future Participants stream, which is identifying organizations that can contribute to large and multi-year tree-planting projects across Canada, providing the foundation to ramp up tree-planting capacity across the country. Taken together, these efforts mean that Canada is on track to meet its target of planting two billion additional trees over the next decade. These new trees represent a 40 percent annual increase in the number of trees already being planted in Canada, and will enlarge Canada's forest cover by 1.1 million hectares, an area twice the size of Prince Edward Island. Planting two billion trees is an integral part of Canada's strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and A Healthy Economy. It will help Canada meet its climate goals and will lower emissions by up to 12 megatonnes annually by 2050 by removing carbon from the atmosphere. It also builds on Canada's commitment to invest $3.9 billion over 10 years to support the implementation of nature-based climate solutions, including protecting and restoring Canada's grasslands, wetlands, peatlands, and farmlands. The government will continue to work collaboratively with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and other partners to reach our two billion target. Quotes "Planting two billion trees is more than a plan for climate action. It's a plan for creating thousands of good, green jobs. We're rolling out tree-planting projects right across the country. Planting trees gets us to net-zero." The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr. Minister of Natural Resources "Canada's nature is an essential ally in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. Trees and nature also benefit our health and well-being, as has become so evident to Canadians during the past year of the pandemic. Our efforts to plant two billion trees and advance other nature-based climate solutions, including restoring wetlands and grasslands, will reduce emissions, build resilience and allow us to continue to benefit from all of the wonderful things we love about the great outdoors, including our National Parks." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada "Farmers are key partners in the fight against limate change and stand to gain from new opportunities in a greener economy. Shelterbelts, cover-cropping, and agricultural land conservation not only store carbon and provide habitats for biodiversity, but also provide economic benefits like better soil health." The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Quick facts The Fall Economic Statement committed $3.9 billion towards nature-based climate solutions including $3.2 billion , starting in 202122, toward establishing partnerships to plant two billion trees over 10 years in a sustainable, inclusive manner that supports biodiversity and ensures the right tree is planted in the right place. This is part of a broader Government of Canada approach to embrace the power of nature, recently announced as part of Canada's strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. In July 2020 , Minister O'Regan announced that the Government of Canada would provide $30 million to provinces to help small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the forest sector to defray costs associated with COVID-19 health and safety measures to ensure a successful 2020 tree-planting season. This resulted in 600 million trees being planted and preserved jobs for 7,000 forest sector workers. The government has established an advisory committee of experts on nature-based climate solutions to advise on program delivery to maximize emission reductions and deliver on key biodiversity and human well-being co-benefits to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Natural Resources Canada is implementing this plan with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada, Parks Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Infrastructure Canada. In March 2021 , Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced an investment of $185 million over the next 10 years for the new Agricultural Climate Solutions program aiming to establish a strong, Canada -wide network of regional collaborations led by farmers and including scientists and other sectoral stakeholders. They will develop and share management practices that best store carbon and mitigate climate change. In tandem with the government's efforts to restore Canada's nature, we are also taking action to protect it. Budget 2018 and 2021 contained the two single-largest investments in nature protection and conservation in Canada's history that means we will protect one-quarter of Canada's lands and oceans by 2025, and be well on our way to protect 30 percent by 2030. Associated Links Canada.ca/2-billion-trees A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy Backgrounder Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaption Early Start Projects Future Participants Tree planting process Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund Low Carbon Economy Fund Highway of Heroes tree campaign NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.canada.ca/en/news.html. SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [June 04, 2021] Canada Highlights Green and Inclusive Recovery at the 12th Clean Energy Ministerial and 6th Mission Innovation Ministerial Meetings OTTAWA, ON, June 4, 2021 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is building a clean energy future to strengthen the economy, create jobs and support workers in the natural resource sectors. This is more important than ever as we recover from COVID-19. Building on the success of last year's Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and Mission Innovation (MI) Ministerial meetings, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, participated in the 12th CEM and 6th MI ministerial meetings hosted virtually by the Government of Chile. This year's meetings also coincided with Canadian Environment Week, which celebrates Canada's environmental accomplishments and encourages Canadians to contribute to conserving and protecting their environment. International clean energy leaders and innovators participated in the meetings alongside Ministers, united by the common goal of advancing a global clean energy transition. During CEM12, Canada was joined by other CEM members in endorsing an ambitious approach to the third phase ofthe CEM, which seeks to accelerate deployment of clean energy over the coming critical decade. Canada proposed bold calls to action to advance priority issues, including clean hydrogen, nuclear energy, zero-emission transportation, gender equality and youth participation in the clean energy sector. Minister O'Regan highlighted the importance of building a diverse and inclusive workforce that leaves no energy worker behind in reaching net-zero commitments. He announced that Canada, alongside the United States and the European Commission, is launching the Empowering People Initiative to promote fair and equitable transitions in the clean energy sector, as well as advancing skills, inclusivity and workforce development. At MI-6, Minister O'Regan joined twenty-two MI members in launching a "decade of clean energy innovation" to mobilize and accelerate RD&D efforts in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Canada also announced having exceeded the MI commitment to double investments in clean energy RD&D over five years with total federal spending amounting to $786.8 million in 201920. Renewing our commitment to MI, Minister O'Regan announced Canada will join the new Green-Powered Future and Clean Hydrogen Missions to address major energy challenges under bold innovation objectives. Progress on these important initiatives will continue throughout the year leading up to CEM13/MI-7, which will be hosted by the United States in 2022. Quotes "The world needs to get to net-zero. There's no other option. Bold action, international collaboration and energy innovation will get us there. As a valued member of the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation communities, Canada is leading global efforts to build a low-emissions energy future that is prosperous, creates jobs and leaves no one behind." The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr. Minister of Natural Resources Related Information CEM12/ MI-6 Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] DOJ Intervenes in Integra Med Analytics' $129 M Medicare Whistleblower Suit Against NY-Based Skilled Nursing Facilities, Management, and Ownership Today, national trial firm Reid Collins made public a private whistleblower lawsuit filed on behalf of its client Integra Med Analytics LLC ("Integra") against a major group of skilled nursing facilities in New York tied to Isaac Laufer that was previously under seal pursuant to the False Claims Act ("FCA"). The qui tam action alleging Medicare fraud exceeding $129 million was unsealed upon the U.S. Department of Justice's ("DOJ") announcement that it intervened in the case against eleven skilled nursing facilities, their management company, owner, and a senior employee for a decade of fraudulently billing Medicare for unnecessary services. The DOJ's lawsuit carries forward claims developed by Integra through its extensive investigation and data analysis of the Medicare billing practices of eleven New York-based facilities ("Facilities"). Integra's investigation demonstrated that these defendants were engaged in significant Medicare fraud through wrongfully extending patient stays and providing unnecessary and unreasonable rehab without regard for patients' medical needs. DOJ's Intervention Expands Timeframe and Expected Monetary Size of Fraud Integra's lawsuit, filed under seal in 2017 by Reid Collins, brought claims against the Laufer related entities for over $129 million in alleged Medicare fraud. Following its own investigation of Integra's allegations, DOJ filed its own complaint-in-intervention alleging that the very schemes identified by Integra continued through 2019. Like Integra's original qui tam complaint, the DOJ's complaint-in-intervention alleges that from at least January 2010 through September 2019, the Defendants systematically kept Medicare patients at the Facilities longer than reasonable or necessary, and put those patients on higher levels of rehabilitation therapy than reasonable or necessary. These practices were designed to increase the amounts billed to Medicare beyond what was justified based on patients' clinical needs. In some instances, the Faciliies went so far as to intentionally limit patients' progress in order to create the appearance of a continued need for services. The Defendants in the government's complaint-in-intervention are Isaac Laufer, Tami Whitney, Paragon Management SNF LLC, Montclair Care Center, Inc., East Rockaway Center LLC, Excel at Woodbury for Rehabilitation and Nursing, LLC, Long Island Care Center Inc., Treetops Rehabilitation & Care Center LLC, Sutton Park Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, LLC, Suffolk Restorative Therapy & Nursing, LLC, Oasis Rehabilitation and Nursing, LLC, Forest Manor Care Center, Inc., Surge Rehabilitation & Nursing LLC, and Quantum (News - Alert) Rehabilitation & Nursing LLC. Laufer is a part owner of ten of the eleven Facilities and operates all eleven Facilities through Paragon Management SNF. Tami Whitney is the Coordinator of Rehabilitation Services for the Facilities, and in this role she instructed and pressured staff to engage in the alleged fraudulent practices. Reid Collins partners P. Jason Collins and Jeremy Wells led the prosecution of the whistleblower action on Integra's behalf. Collins on the DOJ's intervention: "We are very pleased with DOJ's intervention in this matter and proud to be part of assisting Integra in its mission to expose those who defraud the government. The government's intervention is a tremendous validation of Integra's stellar work on behalf of American taxpayers. Integra's investigation revealed Laufer to be among the worst offenders in the country, and we have nothing but praise for the outstanding US attorneys in the Southern District who dug into this matter and agreed to prosecute these defendants." The case is captioned UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ex rel. INTEGRA MED ANALYTICS LLC, Plaintiff, v. ISAAC LAUFER, et al. Defendants, Case No. 17-CV-9424, USDC, SDNY. About Reid Collins Reid Collins & Tsai LLP is one of the nation's leading plaintiffs' trial firms, litigating complex business disputes and achieving billions of dollars in settlements and judgments for its clients. Its team is comprised of accomplished trial lawyers, including former federal prosecutors, who have extensive experience prosecuting financial fraud and corporate malfeasance cases, bankruptcy and insolvency related litigation, professional liability claims, whistleblower actions, and cross-border disputes. The firm represents fund managers, investor groups, trustees, receivers, liquidators, international banks, companies, government entities, and individuals in federal and state courts across the country. For more information visit www.reidcollins.com Austin | Dallas | New York | Washington D.C. | Wilmington View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210604005590/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 04, 2021] Outlook on the Web Hosting Services Global Market to 2027 - Featuring AT&T, Dreamhost and GoDaddy Among Others DUBLIN, June 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Web Hosting Services Market by Type, Deployment Model, Application and End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Web hosting services enable the provision of space on the web server to access, manage, and host the website. It provides customized domains, security protection, and attached email services and can be categorized into dedicated hosting, website builder, shared hosting, and virtual private server (VPS) hosting services. These services enable individuals and enterprises to leverage a website over the internet to publish their personalized and business-related content. The advanced web hosting services provide various benefits such as superior performance, increased security, and increased security. Factors such as surge in a number of SMEs around the globe and their efforts to have online presence; proliferation of mobile marketing platforms; rise in demand for managed web hosting services; and availability of web hosting services with excellent server performance and features at cheapest prices fuel the growth of the market. In addition, rise in demand for best hosting services during COVID-19 pandemic is projected to drive the growth of the web hosting services market. However, challenges associated with providing scalability and maintaining uptime may hamper the market growth to some extent. On the other hand, artificial intelligence (AI) in web hosting and rise in adoption of cloud-based gaming solutions is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the market growth during the forecast period. The web hosting services market is segmented on the basis of type, deployment model, application, end user, and region. By type, it is categorized into website builders, shared hosting, dedicated hosting, collocated hosting, and others. As per the deployment model, it is classified into private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. Depending on application, it is divided into public website, intranet site, mobile application, and web application. On the basis of end user, it is categorized into enterprise and individual. Region wise, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The company profiles of web hosting services market players included in this report are 1&1 Internet Inc., Amazon Web Services Inc., AT&T Inc., Dreamhost Inc., Easyhost, GoDaddy Inc., Google Inc., InMotion Hosting, and Just Host. Key Benefits The study provides an in-depth analysis of the web hosting services market along with current trends and future estimations to elucidate iminent investment pockets. Information about key drivers, restrains, and opportunities and their impact analysis on the market size is provided in the report. Porter's five forces analysis illustrates the potency of buyers and suppliers operating in the industry. The quantitative analysis of web hosting services market for the period 2020-2027 is provided to determine the market potential. Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Executive Summary 2.1. Key Findings 2.1.1. Top Impacting Factors 2.1.2. Top Investment Pockets 2.2. Cxo Perspective Chapter 3: Market Overview 3.1. Market Definition and Scope 3.2. Key Forces Shaping the Web Hosting Services Market 3.3. Market Dynamics 3.3.1. Drivers 3.3.1.1. Surge in a Number of Organizations Around the Globe and Their Efforts to Have Online Presence 3.3.1.2. Proliferation of Mobile Marketing Platforms 3.3.1.3. Availability of Web Hosting Services with Excellent Server Performance and Features at Cheapest Prices 3.3.1.4. Rise in Demand for Managed Web Hosting Services 3.3.1.5. Rise in Demand for Best Hosting Services During COVID-19 Pandemic 3.3.2. Restraints 3.3.2.1. Challenges Associated with Providing Scalability and Maintaining Uptime 3.3.3. Opportunities 3.3.3.1. Artificial Intelligence (Ai) in Web Hosting 3.3.3.2. Rise in Adoption of Cloud-Based Gaming Solutions 3.4. Patent Analysis 3.4.1. by Region (2000-2020) 3.4.2. by Applicant 3.5. COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Web Hosting Services Market 3.5.1. Impact on Market Size 3.5.2. Consumer Trends, Preferences, and Budget Impact 3.5.3. Economic Impact 3.5.4. Key Player Strategies to Tackle Negative Impact 3.5.5. Opportunity Window Chapter 4: Web Hosting Services Market, by Type Chapter 5: Web Hosting Services Market, by Deployment Model Chapter 6: Web Hosting Services Market, by Application Chapter 7: Web Hosting Services Market, by End-user Chapter 8: Web Hosting Services Market, by Region Chapter 9: Competitive Landscape 9.1. Key Player Positioning Analysis, 2019 9.2. Top Winning Strategies 9.3. Competitive Dashboard 9.4. Key Developments 9.4.1. New Product Launches 9.4.2. Collaboration 9.4.3. Acquisition 9.4.4. Partnership Chapter 10: Company Profile 10.1.1&1 Internet Inc. 10.1.1. Company Overview 10.1.2. Key Executives 10.1.3. Company Snapshot 10.1.4. Product Portfolio 10.1.5. Key Strategic Moves and Developments 10.2. Amazon Web Services Inc. 10.2.1. Company Overview 10.2.2. Key Executives 10.2.3. Company Snapshot 10.2.4. Product Portfolio 10.2.5. R&D Expenditure 10.2.6. Business Performance 10.2.7. Key Strategic Moves and Developments 10.3. At&T Inc. 10.3.1. Company Overview 10.3.2. Key Executives 10.3.3. Company Snapshot 10.3.5. Product Portfolio 10.3.6. R&D Expenditure 10.3.7. Business Performance 10.3.8. Key Strategic Moves and Developments 10.4. Bluehost Inc. 10.4.1. Company Overview 10.4.2. Key Executive 10.4.3. Company Snapshot 10.4.4. Operating Business Segments 10.4.5. Product Portfolio 10.4.6. R&D Expenditure 10.4.7. Business Performance 10.4.8. Key Strategic Moves and Developments 10.5. Dreamhost Inc. 10.5.1. Company Overview 10.5.2. Key Executives 10.5.3. Company Snapshot 10.5.4. Operating Business Segments 10.5.5. Product Portfolio 10.5.6. R&D Expenditure 10.5.7. Business Performance 10.5.8. Key Strategic Moves and Developments 10.6. Easyhost 10.6.1. Company Overview 10.6.2. Key Executives 10.6.3. Company Snapshot 10.6.4. Operating Business Segments 10.6.5. Product Portfolio 10.6.6. R&D Expenditure 10.6.7. Business Performance 10.6.8. Key Strategic Moves and Developments 10.7. Godaddy Inc. 10.7.1. Company Overview 10.7.2. Key Executive 10.7.3. Company Snapshot 10.7.4. Operating Business Segments 10.7.5. Product Portfolio 10.7.6. R&D Expenditure 10.7.7. Business Performance 10.7.8. Key Strategic Moves and Developments 10.8. Google Inc. 10.8.1. Company Overview 10.8.2. Key Executive 10.8.3. Company Snapshot 10.8.4. Operating Business Segments 10.8.5. Product Portfolio 10.8.6. R&D Expenditure 10.8.7. Business Performance 10.8.8. Key Strategic Moves and Developments 10.9. Inmotion Hosting 10.9.1. Company Overview 10.9.2. Key Executives 10.9.3. Company Snapshot 10.9.4. Operating Business Segments 10.9.5. Product Portfolio 10.9.6. R&D Expenditure 10.9.7. Business Performance 10.9.8. Key Strategic Moves and Developments 10.10. Just Host 10.10.1. Company Overview 10.10.2. Key Executive 10.10.3. Company Snapshot 10.10.4. Product Portfolio 10.10.5. Key Strategic Moves and Developments For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4a19dm 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/outlook-on-the-web-hosting-services-global-market-to-2027---featuring-att-dreamhost-and-godaddy-among-others-301305990.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NASHVILLE, Tenn. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and NIC Global officials announced today that the company will expand operations in Gallatin. NIC Global specializes in mechanical and electromechanical assembly, expert sheet metal fabrication and global sourcing of metal and plastic components. The project represents an investment of $2 million and the addition of 28 new jobs. NIC Global currently has 200 employees at its Sumner County operations, located at 501 N. Belvedere Drive in Gallatin. The expansion includes investments in new fabrication equipment, special error-proofing systems and upgrades to its powder coating capabilities. Additionally, NIC will be adding 26,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space to support new programs. Over the last five years, TNECD has supported nearly 15 economic development projects in Sumner County, resulting in 2,200 job commitments and $1 billion in capital investment. QUOTES When companies choose to expand in Tennessee, it underscores our states business-friendly climate and highly-skilled workforce. Were grateful to NIC for its continued investment in Gallatin and for these new jobs created for Tennesseans. Gov. Bill Lee We welcome this new investment from NIC Global and appreciate the company for its commitment to create additional jobs in Gallatin. Sumner County has seen exceptional growth over the past year, and we have our local leaders and partners to thank for creating an environment where companies can find success. TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe Since choosing to locate our second manufacturing facility here in 2004, we have emerged as an industry leader in quality and innovation. Our Gallatin, Tennessee Team has been a cornerstone of our success and we are excited to continue investing in our Team and community. We are especially appreciative of the ongoing support from the City of Gallatin, Sumner County and State of Tennessee Chambers and Economic Development teams. Troy Wood, NIC Global vice president TVA and Gallatin Department of Electricity congratulate NIC Global on its decision to expand operations in Sumner County. Its always an exciting day when we can celebrate a companys continued commitment to creating job opportunities and investment in the Valley. We are proud to partner with the City of Gallatin and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to support companies, like NIC Global and look forward to its continued business success. John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development We congratulate NIC Global on their decision to locate this new facility in Sumner County. Helping to foster job creation is a key part of our efforts, and we are proud to partner with Governor Lee, TNECD and our local officials to help further that mission. Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) Im always proud when companies that know us best choose to grow their business in our community. I thank NIC Global for their continued investment in Gallatin and I congratulate their employees on their remarkable success. House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Developments mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd. TNECD Media Contact Molly Hair Public Information Officer (615) 878-0063 molly.hair@tn.gov There's still a lot to unpack here but for right now we want to share two more articles that offer a worthwhile overview and a status update on a show down that will either end with local voter push OR in the Supreme Court. First, there's a really progressive yet thoughtful article that offers some insights about our neighbors across the bridge . . . The Northland is pissed off. What does that mean for Kansas City, the police, and Mayor Quinton Lucas? Speakers from the livestream of the town hall meeting. The crowd at a hastily called town hall meeting in Kansas City's Northland on a rainy Thursday night in the last week of May was a balm to a city councilwoman's wounded heart. And then, Missouri Democrats are offering their words of support but the fact is that they don't have the power to do much. Read more . . . Democrats say special session over Kansas City, St. Louis police funding unnecessary JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Democrat lawmakers in Kansas City and St. Louis are calling out Republicans for calling for a special session on police funding and public safety. Over the past few weeks, Republicans in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas have asked Gov. Developing . . . Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 23:32:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, June 4 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the World Health Organization (WHO)'s approval of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech for emergency use. "As we accelerate the rollout of vaccines, we continue to engage various manufacturers to ensure a reliable and diverse supply of vaccines. We therefore welcome the news that the World Health Organization has validated the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use," Ramaphosa told the National Assembly on Wednesday. He called the approval "a crucial step," saying it will pave the way for South African health product regulators to consider purchasing the Sinovac vaccine, according to a release from the presidency. He hopes the approval will mean more vaccines for his population and those in poorer countries. "No country in the world has been spared the impacts of the coronavirus, demonstrating how inter-connected and inter-dependent we are," he said, adding that no country can hope to overcome the pandemic alone. On Tuesday, the Sinovac vaccine became the second one from China included in the WHO Emergency Use Listing, following the Sinopharm vaccine, which was validated last month. Enditem I know you d-bags want to say that EVERYBODY in Kansas City is a much more brilliant writer than TKC but this column from a former newspaper scribe was hot garbage. The premise was supposed to be about policing and this condescending line is the only passage which supports the newsie thesis . . . "Northland residents have fewer policing needs, judged by one strong measure. Residents in the two Northland patrol divisions asked for police service far less than residents in each of the other divisions, according to a 2020 annual report by the department." To be fair, there's a lot of good data in the note which totally overlooks the fact that KCPD has still failed to live up to manpower goals set in 1968. Read more . . . Pete Mundo has become the voice of Kansas City conservatism. He's smart, polite, affable but with a razor sharp wit and nuanced understanding of policy and how it applies locally. He's regularly in the company of progressives and he maintains friendly relationships with the local left wing. However . . . This week's media firestorm over a police shooting has sparked a shift in tone. Here's the Kansas City conservative calling out urban core outcry led by local clergy . . . This morning he's driving that point home with the overwhelming support of his audience. Accordingly, check a collection of stories about the ongoing investigation, debate and possibly a local flashpoint . . . Kansas City faith leaders call for police reform after new video surfaces of man's fatal shooting Faith leaders in Kansas City said they are outraged by what they saw in the latest video of the fatal police shooting of Malcolm Johnson at a BP gas station on March 25.They said police reforms are needed."When I saw the video, I was flabbergasted. I was astonished. I was saddened. 2nd Malcolm Johnson shooting video shows 'very volatile' situation, former FBI agent says KANSAS CITY, Mo. - New cellphone video showing a second perspective of the interaction between Malcolm Johnson and Kansas City, Missouri, police before he was fatally shot doesn't tell the entire story, according to a retired FBI agent. Chuck Stephenson said that, while useful, the footage is shot from one angle and needs to be viewed frame by frame. Local faith leaders say new video of man killed by police shines light on larger problem KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - A March shooting that injured a police officer and killed a man they were trying to arrest has come under heightened criticism by some following the release of what appears to be cell phone video recorded inside the gas station where it happened. Faith leaders, activists demand whole story after 2nd Malcolm Johnson video released KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After faith leaders and activists obtained two videos showing the moments when Kansas City, Missouri, police officers shot and killed Malcolm Johnson, they said they wonder if they would have ever found out what happened. Developing . . . Amid tense debate over Kansas City police funding along with outcry over deadly police shooting video, protesters plan to return to KCPD HQ this evening in order to "commemorate" protests following the murder of George Floyd and the rise to prominence of the Black Lives Matter movement. Here's the preview . . . The tagline . . . "March to honor the victims of police brutality, celebrate life and demand change in Kansas City, Missouri" Some clergy are invited but let's not forget that last year these "mostly peaceful" demonstrations were not without incident . . . Remember that even Mayor Q lambasted protesters who tagged and destroyed KCMO property. We can only hope tonight's march protest and comments aren't as rowdy. Either way, the protest double down is the latest sign of the ongoing cultural shift in Kansas City and continued urban core pressure directed at law enforcement. Developing . . . Swiss-Belhotel International Appoints General Manager for Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront, Seef, Bahrain (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - June 3rd, 2021 - Swiss-Belhotel International has announced the appointment of Fakhri Hindiyeh as the General Manager for Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef. A passionate leader with over 15 years of progressive experience in managing 5-star hotels and driving sales and operations across diverse markets, Fakhri has a proven track record in the industry. Committed to bringing out the best in his team, he attributes mentoring as evidently the key to achieving the goals. During his tenure as the General Manager, Fakhri completed the year 2017 strong and was awarded as one of the Top GMs who made it to the prestigious Ten Club Award of an International Hotel Group for IMEA. An achievement that was given to few leaders who have achieved 10/10 in all the hotels metrics. Further awards he has received among many others include a Royalties Award and Recognition. Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President Operations & Development, EMEA & India; Senior Vice President Group Human Resources & Talent Development, Swiss-Belhotel International, stated, We are delighted to welcome Fakhri to our group and believe he will play an instrumental role in bringing our unique brand image to life and prominence. His extensive experience in the industry and in-depth understanding of the GCC marketing will prove to be extremely valuable in delivering memorable guest experiences at the Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef. Fakhri has worked with several International chains of Hotels such as the Forte, Le Meridien, Banyan Tree, and most recently, IHG. Fakhri holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration Management from the prestigious university (California State University, USA). He also undertook various training at Harvard Business School as well as numerous quality and leadership courses such as Total Quality Management (TQM) ISO 9000. The newly opened Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef is Swiss-Belhotel Internationals very first hotel under the high-end brand Grand Swiss-Belhotel. ### L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com. Johnstown, PA (15901) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 00:26:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KIGALI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and Rwanda Private Sector Federation on Friday launched a partnership project aimed at tackling single-use plastics in the country. The five-year Sustainable Management of Single-use Plastics Project was launched in Rwandan capital city Kigali during celebrations of the annual World Environment Day that falls on June 5. Under the project, the private sector will support financial mobilization while REMA, an affiliate of the Rwandan Ministry of Environment, will provide technical support, according to a concept note. "The project is part of our solution to prevent and reverse the loss of biodiversity due to plastic pollution," Rwandan Minister of Environment Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya said during the launch. Mujawamariya meanwhile urged Rwandans to stop using illegal plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items to conserve the environment. "We remind all citizens to stop using illegal plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items, to stop harvesting immature forests, and to stop illegal activities in the buffer zone of lakes, rivers and wetlands," she said. As the Government of Rwanda demonstrates a strong commitment to transform Rwanda's economy to a green, clean and resilient one, the private sector had no other option than to partner with REMA to make these objectives a reality, said Robert Bapfakurera, chairman of Rwanda Private Sector Federation. Nearly 700 million Rwandan francs (about 700,000 U.S. dollars) will be collected from the private sector toward the implementation of the project over the five-year period, Bapfakurera said. In 2019, Rwanda enacted a law banning single-use plastics and gave a three-year grace period to businesses to phase out and shift to new business models. The law has a list of single-use plastics that are currently prohibited in Rwanda to protect the environment, including plastic water and soda bottles, drinking straws, food packaging materials and plastic bags, among others. Enditem Tribune-Star file/Joseph C. Garza Providing needed services: Reach Services plans to convert the 4,500-square-foot building at 504 S. 15th St. into a day center for the homeless. The center will provide services to the homeless, including a food pantry, as well as providing a mailing address to aid in getting a state ID or even a drivers license to help a person obtain employment. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Sponsored By: Dorsett Automotive An arrest has been made in connection with an August 2020 shooting off Pennington Road at Coal Creek that left one man dead in Vigo County. Ryan Scott Dixon, 35, of Clinton, has been charged with criminal confinement, a Level 3 felony, and criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor. Dixon faces no criminal charge in the shooting death of David Robinson, or in the shooting that injured Jeremy Robinson, the dead man's son. Special prosecuting attorney David Thomas said today no other criminal charges will be filed in this case. A probable cause affidavit filed Friday in Vigo Superior Court 1 details the investigation by the Vigo County Sheriff's Department into the confrontation between Dixon, the Robinsons and Dennis Joseph of Clinton. Joseph is the man who shot David Robinson and Jeremy Robinson. Self-defense is relevant, Detective John Newman wrote in the court document, which details a confrontation among the men where Joseph was battered, the tires of his Jeep were slashed, the Jeep's windows were broken, and a gun was pointed at Joseph by David Robinson, 55 of West Terre Haute. We recognize the gravity of the tragedy in that David Robinson was shot and killed and that Joseph, the shooter, is not being charged, Newman said. However, the Senior PA [Prosecuting Attorney Thomas] advises me that self-defense is relevant. He advises me that the burden of proof to disprove self-defense is always on the state (of Indiana). The document said that self-defense is not available to Dixon because he was an initiator of the confrontation by chasing Joseph as Joseph tried to leave Coal Creek, and then slashing the tires of Joseph's Jeep as he was fleeing or retreating. If Joseph is charged with the shooting, the document states, it would be difficult for the state to overcome Joseph's claim of self-defense on multiple points. The affidavit gives details of the deadly incident that have not been released to the public during the police investigation. The case involves multiple people in multiple off-road vehicles driving small hills in West Terre Haute near U.S. 150 and Pennington Road on the evening of Aug. 2, 2020. The Robinsons were neighbors to the area, and heard the off-road activity, which was not on their property, the affidavit said. Jeremy Robinson drove in his side-by-side vehicle to the area and asked the people to leave because he believed they were trespassing and damaging the ground. Robinson argued with people he did not know, the affidavit said, and most of the riders left the area. But Joseph was not able to flee because his Jeep was blocked by the vehicles in the confrontation. Dixon, a friend of Jeremy Robinson, joined the argument. Dixon claimed that when Joseph did maneuver around and flee in his Jeep, Joseph's vehicle brushed up against Dixon's vehicle. Dixon told investigators he wanted to talk to Joseph about that, so he chased Joseph through a wooded area until Joseph came to a dead end at Coal Creek. The affidavit said Dixon drove his vehicle near so Joseph could not back out and leave, then Dixon got out of his vehicle and slashed the Jeep's tires with a knife. Joseph rolled up the windows of his Jeep, which were then smashed by either Dixon or Jeremy Robinson, the affidavit said. Dixon and Robinson then punched Joseph in the face as Joseph remained in his Jeep, the affidavit said. The affidavit said Joseph then fired a handgun at close range, with a bullet striking Jeremy Robinson in the arm. Get breaking news delivered to you! Sign up for our newsletters to get the latest, breaking news. David Robinson had joined the pursuit and approached the Jeep just after Jeremy Robinson was shot, the document said. David Robinson pointed his firearm at Joseph, who responded by firing his own handgun at David Robinson, killing him, the investigation revealed. Newman said detectives found David Robinson's unholstered handgun underneath his body. Joseph then called 911 and stayed in his Jeep until police arrived, the document said, while Jeremy Robinson did not call police to report the trespassing. Detective Newman said Dixon's conduct escalated the situation by coming into the argument even though he had nothing to do with the property, and by leading the aggression. Newman said the special prosecutor has chosen not to charge Jeremy Robinson because he suffered enough with his gunshot wound and the loss of his father. A warrant for Dixon's arrest was issued Tuesday through Vigo Superior Court 1. Dixon was booked into the Vigo County Jail on Wednesday. His bond was set at $50,000 with no 10 percent allowed, but the court ordered Dixon's release Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, a civil lawsuit previously filed in February by the estate of David Robinson seeks damages against Joseph for the negligent discharge of a firearm, killing Robinson. That civil suit remains pending in Vigo Superior Court 3. Dixon has a criminal history that includes an arrest in Shelby County in November 2004 in connection with attempted murder, aggravated battery, criminal recklessness and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. He pleaded guilty in November 2005 the Class B felony charge of aggravated battery and received a 20-year prison sentence, with an order to serve 18 years with two suspended. Dixon was released from the Indiana Department of Correction in February 2012 after receiving time cuts for program completion. Lisa Trigg can be reached at 812-231-4254 or at lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter at TribStarLisa. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 01:03:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The University of Zambia Vice-Chancellor Luke Mumba (L) receives the donation from the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie during a handover ceremony in Lusaka, Zambia, on June 4, 2021. China on Friday handed over 50,000 face masks to the University of Zambia, Zambia's biggest public university, to help the institution in the fight against COVID-19. (Photo by Martin Mbangweta/Xinhua) LUSAKA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday handed over 50,000 face masks to the University of Zambia, Zambia's biggest public university, to help the institution in the fight against COVID-19. The face masks comprise 30,000 from Jilin Province and 20,000 from the Chinese Embassy in Zambia. Li Jie, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, who handed over the face masks during a ceremony, said with the third wave reported in the country, the donation was China's commitment to supporting the university to combat the pandemic. The Chinese envoy said since the emergence of the pandemic the two countries have stood together, with Zambia giving support when the pandemic hit the Asian nation and China responding through the provision of medical supplies when Zambia was hit by the pandemic. He added that Chinese enterprises in the African country have made donations to help the country deal with the pandemic. Luke Mumba, the university's Vice-Chancellor, commended China for the donation, saying it will go a long way in helping protect the university community and control the spread of the pandemic among students and staff members. The donation, he said, was timely as it comes at a time when the country has been hit with the third wave of the pandemic which has resulted in a surge in cases. "It is a continued demonstration of our very warm strong ties with the people of China," he said. Zambia's cumulative cases currently stood at 98,376. Enditem Well, it's almost here! In a month's time I will be in New Orleans. Coming all the way from the UK! I'm visiting for Mardi Gras, but am making it a longer trip as I don't want to JUST be here for carnival. I will be arriving on the evening of February 8th. For most of my trip I will be staying with someone in the Marigny triangle, but for my first two nights I will be in the French Quarter, staying at the French Market Inn. I've started making lists of things I need to see and do, and would like to try and get all the French Quarter ones ticked off before the Mardi Gras madness sets in and my well thought out plans are discarded! Whilst I'm staying in such a great location, I want to be able to walk about during the day. I will have all of Monday 9th and most of Tuesday 10th (before I have to get over to the Marigny to meet my host) to do these things. (Quick question - how 'carnival' will things be in the French Quarter on the 9th and 10th?) I am a big fan of New Orleans music, I want to try all the local food, and am interested in history. Here is a list of things I DEFINITELY want to see / do. These notes are based on the wiki travel page for the french quarter, so hopefully it's up to date. Jackson Square - museums, St Louis cathedral, hopefully some live outdoor music? Royal Street - antique shops, art galleries, etc? Chartres Street - historic architecture, shops, cafes, etc? Moon Walk - a path alongside the river, near Jackson Square, right? Gotta see the river! Cafe du Monde - looking forward to my first beignets! My first breakfast in NOLA perhaps? Johnny's Po Boys - also looking forward to my first po-boys. Looks like it's close to the hotel! And here's a list of things I think I will really enjoy, but aren't essential (correct me if you think they are!) French Market New Orleans Jazz Park Visitor Center Historic New Orleans Collection Old US Mint Cigar Factory Gumbo Shop Wax Museum Aquarium Insectarium A mule carriage ride A riverboat crusie across the Mississippi - can I get this from the French Quarter? So please let me know your thoughts, anything you think I've missed out... This is just for daytime, walking the French Quarter. I will post seperately at a later date about my plans for nightime in the Quarter, my plans seeing the parades, and for when I'm in the Marigny.... How will carnival effect my chances of getting these things done on these dates? Thanks in advance! Edited: 6 years ago Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-03 19:47:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Following protests from two Cabinet ministers, Japan's future reliance on nuclear power has been lessened in a draft of its economic strategy set to be finalized in July, local media quoted government sources as saying Thursday. According to informed sources, following protests from Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Administrative Reform Minister Taro Kono, both of whom are advocates of renewable energy being used for Japan to achieve carbon neutrality, some pertinent phrases from the draft have been cut. The phrase the Japanese government "will continue to seek to make the most of nuclear power" has been removed from the draft, which now reads, "While reducing reliance on nuclear power as much as possible, the government will seek to steadily proceed with the restarting of reactors in the country while placing utmost priority on safety." The country's use of nuclear power has also been changed in the draft from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry-supported description of it being "an established decarbonization technology" to "an option in practical use for decarbonization." The industry ministry's original phrase was referenced in the government's "green growth strategy" compiled last December following Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's pledge last October to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Suga, in April, has since pledged to achieve by fiscal 2030 a 46 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with fiscal 2013. The Japanese leader has made achieving a carbon neutral society one of his central policies and is hoping Japan can be prominent on the world stage in the fight against climate change. Following the earthquake and tsunami-triggered Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, many nuclear power plants around the country remain offline owing to Japan's nuclear watchdog's more stringent safety regulations. As such, and owing to the government's potential lesser commitment to the future use of nuclear and energy derived from fossil fuels, informed sources have said that the country's mid- to long-term energy strategy, set to be compiled this autumn, will likely reflect the increased importance of renewable energy. Enditem Luxury E-tailing Market to grow by USD 21.65 billion during 2021-2025, Amara Living Ltd. and Authentic Brands Group LLC Emerge as Key Contributors to growth | Technavio Wood crackled in the fire, as I watched my marshmallow burst into warm yellow flames. My friends chatted around the fire, debating who should tell the first ghost story, as we took turns making our smores. I can recall how the wind shifted, blowing smoke in my eyes. My troop leader chuckled as she watched me blow the flames off my charred marshmallow... again. (Lucky for me: I enjoy the taste of slightly crispy smores.) Thats just one of the many memories that came to mind when I learned that New Fairfields Camp Candlewood a place where I had spent a good chunk of my childhood was being sold. Camp Candlewood is one of three campsites the Girl Scout Council listed on the market earlier this year, along with Camp Katoya in Milford and Camp Laurel in Lebanon. Candlewood has been listed at $9.25 million for the 87 acre parcel; at $5 a box, that equates to roughly 1.85 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies worth of land. The Girl Scouts bought the camp in 1959. In the following decades, it has hosted countless Girl Scouts at summer camp and encampment programs. According to the Long Range Property Plan on the Girl Scouts of Connecticuts website, the sale of the three camps will help the organization to focus our resources on creating the best outdoor experiences possible. During the late 90s and early 2000s, I spent plenty of time at Camp Candlewood singing songs, learning how to paddle a canoe and playing Red Rover and Mother May I? in the fields. I used to chant camp songs as I hiked up and down the Billy Goat Trail with friends, earning plenty of sunburns and mosquito bites during my visits (because as a nine-year-old, I was not particularly good at remembering to reapply my sunblock and bug spray after taking a dip in the lake). My summers were spent in the care of high-energy counselors I knew by names like Waffles, Pooh and Q, who taught me archery, boating safety, how to make friendship bracelets and even about Shakespeare. The drama instructor I only knew her as Popcorn introduced us to fairy-fueled hijinks in a kid-friendly version of A Midsummer Nights Dream (where yours truly played the role of Bottom, the donkey). Of course, Im not the only former scout out there with nostalgic memories of the camp. I reached out to folks on Facebook, where plenty former and current Girl Scouts shared their memories of days spent at the lakeside hideaway. Summers along the lake Courtesy of Erin Forsberg Candlewood hosted numerous day and overnight camps for girls for more than half a century. Some programs offered the standard swimming, hiking and crafting activities, while others also taught the girls how to sail, ride horses and climb. Some campers like Cheryl Kemble Kozlowski, who said she was a Scout in the 1980s recalled earning badges at the camp and tromping down the hill to go swimming in the lake. Kayla Morin, who attended summer camp at Candlewood during the late 2000s, recalled having counselors named Kiwi, Bubbles, Pancake and Puppy during her horseback riding and sailing programs. During a sailing lesson, where the wind wasnt being particularly cooperative on the lake, her boat got stuck in the mud. It was a debacle, but it was a lot of fun though, she said. Morin also remembered the bright red pitchers of fruit punch kept on hand in the dining hall. One of my favorite memories is the bug juice, she said. I still call any red juice bug juice now. Sarah Farney said she attended summer camp at Candlewood in 2009 or 2010. I stayed in Candleberry, which is kinda the deeper campsite, so a lot of bugs. But it was fun. I have a lot of great memories. Im really, really sad to see it go. It was so upsetting when I heard Girls Scouts was getting rid of it, she said. I feel like just not having that now is going to hurt the Girl Scout community here in New Fairfield even more, which is really disappointing. Camp sale triggers sorrow Courtesy of Erin Forsberg / Erin Forsberg said she visited the camp in the 2010s. I loved canoeing and archery, since those were things we couldnt do just anywhere, she said. Forsberg said that she was sad about the camps sale, even though shes no longer a girl scout. Camp Candlewood had always felt like a secret getaway place right in our own small town, she said. I had looked forward to possibly visiting again as a troop leader in the future, so I was really upset to hear the camp was for sale. Lori Pires Magnante, a troop leader in New Fairfield, said shes heartbroken that the Girl Scouts are selling the camp. Magnante, whose troop has been meeting at the camp during the pandemic, said shes not sure where her troop will meet in the future. Theres not a lot of places where it can be just all girls and they can have this safe, creative space. Morin, who now works as a conservation biologist, attributed her love of nature in part to the time she spent at Candlewood. Its a great habitat, it teaches (people) to respect nature. A lifetime of Girl Scouts Carol Kaliff / Hearst Connecticut Media At age 89, Barbara Merritt has spent most of her life involved with the Girl Scouts. Her involvement with the organization, in one way or another, stretches back 71 years; she was a scout as a child, a troop leader for her daughters (and later a trainer of troop leaders), a manager of the New Fairfield Service Unit for several years and an organizer for the annual encampments at Candlewood known as Camporee. I just kept doing things, anything they asked me to do, Merritt said. It was a lifesaver to me, and I met many, many good, nice people and theyre still my friends today. Merritt added that shes held numerous song and game workshops for the Girl Scouts over the years; Mrs. OLearys Cow and Tony Chestnut are two of her favorite camp songs. Encampments during the 1980s and 90s would bring 400 girls flocking to Candlewood. When asked about her favorite memory of the camp, Merritt said, how can I put my finger on one? I love the campfires with the kids where we all sang songs. I liked the workshops we gave, like outdoor cooking in a box oven. Merritt also credited Roy Newman also known as Ranger Roy with all the work he did helping with programs at the camp, teaching scouts about fire safety and maintaining the site. Newman was not available for comment, but he still works for the Girl Scouts at another campsite. Forsberg recalls attending Camporee every year as a scout. She, like many others, recalled seeing Ranger Roy at the encampments. She added that overnights at the camp, where she and her troop would make smores and sing around the fire, were among her favorite memories Morin remembered meeting her former college roommate during a Camporee while the girls were all exchanging swaps small crafts that Girl Scouts make to exchange with girls from other troops, usually pinned to a bandanna or hat and worn throughout the event. I met my college roommate there. We both grew up in New Fairfield, but a couple years ago we were talking about it...and we think that was the first time we met, she added that the camp was always packed with scouts during Camporee. Creating community through Camporee Courtesy of Erin Forsberg Camporee was an annual staple for New Fairfields troops. Each year, the encampment had a different theme and the troops would design their swaps and perfect their skits in the weeks leading up to Camporee. Farney, who currently attends UCONN and is a passionate supporter of Girl Scouts, said she earned her bronze, silver and gold awards and is a lifetime member of the organization. Farney said that as a scout her troop had organized a Camporee and that she had attended numerous programs at the camp over the years. Camporee has always been my favorite just because it was one weekend in the fall every year and all the troops in New Fairfield would get together, she said. It was so much fun having a big fire pit and we would all go around and do skits and sing songs. It sounds cheesy but it was a lot of fun because it was nice to see other girls who were growing up and wanted to do Girl Scouts and the older girls got to talk to the Daisies and Brownies and tell them why they loved Girl Scouts so much and why they should stay with it. Magnante, the New Fairfield troop leader, said the girls in her troop love attending Camporee every year. Her girls, now age 10, had previously begun attending the overnight portion of the encampment two years ago. She loved seeing how her girls, many of whom hadnt slept somewhere without their relatives before, overcame their anxieties about staying the night. At one point we had seven out of eight girls crying on a bench, but they all kinda braved up and then the next day they were talking like yeah next year well stay two nights. Moments like that are priceless, Magnante said. She added that one of her fondest memories is watching her girls interact with the older scouts. Seeing my little Brownie girls with their swaps being approached by a Cadet or Senior and their little faces light up and the Cadet or Senior gives them a swap you just see how much they admire them in their eyes, she said. Seeing those connections, it just creates such a wonderful sense of community and I think Camp Candlewood really fosters connectivity and community. It provides that safe space for the girls of all ages to push beyond some of their fears, to work together as a group, to conquer obstacles. She added that it's been her greatest joy to watch her scouts grow through their Girl Scout experiences and that Camporee provided her with the chance to see how other girls grew through it as well. Magnante recalled a troop of graduating girls sharing their experience as Girl Scouts during a closing skit at a Camporee a few years earlier. I think 10 of the girls graduated all at the same time and it was such an emotional experience. Daisies were crying, Brownies were crying, leaders were crying and it was because the girls were saying we wouldnt usually be friends in school but Girl Scouts brought us together. They made such strong connections and overcame obstacles together, she said. Seeing those relationships grow and seeing the dynamics not only between girls within troops, but girls within different aged troops too, it's just really invaluable to make those connections. Dwindling interest leads to sale Courtesy of Erin Forsberg While many former and current scouts said theyre heartbroken about the camp hitting the market, not all of them were particularly surprised. We knew that it had been in the works for a while and I think many of us were hoping that it wasnt ever going to come to fruition knowing what a valuable gem Camp Candlewood is in the area. Not only just with the woods and the cabins and everything thats on the property, but also access to Lake Candlewood, Magnante said. It definitely needs a little love compared to some of the other Girl Scout camps, Farney added. Camp Candlewood is rundown a little bit, but its a beautiful location. I think it's really beneficial to have a camp like that in New Fairfield especially since I think Girl Scouts hasnt been thriving as it was once when I was growing up here. I think it would be great if New Fairfield was able to keep it. Its such a beautiful place and so many great memories for a lot of girls. Merritt added that while shes sad about the camp she thinks it's a reflection of the times. I think the children have changed and they dont like going as often as they used to. The Girl Scout Council needs the money she said. According to the Girl Scouts of Connecticuts Long Range Property Plan, the proceeds from selling Candlewood and the other two camps will be invested into the Girl Scouts remaining camp properties. We have a rare window of opportunity to take advantage of rising property values in Connecticut due to the pandemic, the organizations website said. As time went on it was really the only place that Girl Scouts could camp out in primitive conditions, you know nobody likes the latrines but thank goodness they were there! I think the kids nowadays want to go to places that are like hotels. Forsberg said she hopes the campsite will continue to be used as an outdoor space instead of a housing development by whoever purchases it. Morin echoed her sentiments and said she hopes they protect the land. While Merritt said she would like to see the property used as an outdoor space in the future, she doesnt think it will happen. She hopes that whatever the propertys fate will be it will continue to carry the name Candlewood. I would like it to keep the name Candlewood so there will always be a connection to the Girl Scout camp, she said. While ruminating on the camps sale, I recalled one of the quieter Girl Scout songs, Linger, that wed often sing around the campfire: Id like to linger here a little longer a little longer here with you its such a perfect night, it doesnt seem quite right that this should be my last with you Even though the camps future is unclear, the memories made around its campfires are certain to linger with generations of girls. Jeannie Wells had hoped that regular visits would resume at her elderly mothers New York nursing home once all the residents were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Around Easter, her wish finally came true, and she was able to hold the 93-year-olds hand more than a year after bringing her mother to the facility for rehabilitation for a fractured hip and knee. But that reunion was short-lived. Visits were quickly stopped for about six weeks after an employee tested positive for COVID, and Wells said visits are still far from normal even when there havent been outbreaks. COVID-19 vaccines have allowed nursing homes in the U.S. to make dramatic progress since the dark days of the pandemic, but senior care facilities are still experiencing scattered outbreaks that are largely blamed on unvaccinated staff members. The outbreaks and ensuing shutdowns have jolted family members who were just starting to enjoy in-person visits with loved ones for the first time in a year. While the outbreaks inside nursing homes now are much smaller, less frequent and less severe than during the height of the pandemic, there continue to be hundreds of deaths each week attributed to the coronavirus. According to federal data, 472 nursing home deaths were related to COVID-19 in the first two weeks of May, down from 10,675 in the first two weeks of January. There is this notion among some that vaccines were administered in long-term care, so were done, and that would be a perilous mistake, said Dr. David Gifford, chief medical officer for the American Health Care Association, a national nursing home trade association, in a recent statement. Nursing homes and assisted living communities have a constant flow of new residents, whether coming from the hospital or the community, and many of them havent been vaccinated yet." In addition, the CDC has warned that low rates of vaccination among health care workers in skilled nursing facilities raises risks of outbreaks. A March outbreak involving a variant at a Kentucky nursing home, where most residents had been vaccinated for COVID-19, was traced to an infected, unvaccinated worker, according to a CDC report. Among the 46 cases identified, 26 residents and 20 workers became infected, including 18 residents and four workers who were fully vaccinated 14 days before the outbreak. Three of the nursing homes residents who contracted COVID-19 died, including two who were not vaccinated. So-called breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals were also identified in nursing homes in Chicago, according to another recent CDC report. In Connecticut, Gov, Ned Lamont has likened the challenge of keeping the virus out of nursing homes to patching up leaky boats. The state Department of Public Health launched Operation Matchmaker to match nursing homes with certain pharmacies to ensure new residents and staff get shots. Hospitals are also working to vaccinate patients before theyre released to a nursing facility. Given staffing shortages around the country, theres been a hesitance among long-term care providers to mandate vaccinations for their workers, said Dr. Vivian Leung, director of the state's Department of Health's Healthcare Associated Infections Program. Were working with the long-term care industry to really increase the pressure on getting those staff vaccinated, Leung said. Tim Brown, director of marketing and communications at Athena Health Care Systems, which operates 48 facilities in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, recently estimated about 50% to 60% of staff have been vaccinated so far, with as many as 80% in some buildings. Throughout our network, we are seeing onesies and twosies, mostly with employees, though, that have not been vaccinated. Thats really where were seeing them, Brown said of he infections. If a staff member tests positive, he said, buildings are put under quarantine and visits are put on hold while another round of staff testing is conducted. Unvaccinated staff are being tested regularly. If there are no other cases, or if the employee did not work on a specific wing, then we allow visitation for that wing or for for the wings that are not affected by the positive employee, he said. Mairead Painter, Connecticuts long-term care ombudsman, said recent guidance from the state has clarified how facilities should handle these scattered outbreaks in order to minimize the impact they can have on the rest of residents and their families. She said thats led to fewer complaints fielded by her office. But Debra Ellis, whose 88-year-old wife Jackie lives in a Meriden, Conn. nursing home, said the rules still differ by facility. Until recently, she had been frustrated by the strict visitation limits, including sudden multi-day shutdowns when staff members have tested positive. Both she and her wife are vaccinated. By mid-May, things finally eased up and shes been allowed to go inside her wifes room. Yet Ellis hears from relatives of residents at other nursing homes that that's not the case at other facilities in Connecticut. Ellis is part of a group that's pushing for both state and federal legislation allowing nursing home residents to have essential caregivers. She said that could have helped her wife, who suffers from heart problems and relied on Ellis before the pandemic for emotional support and exercises to keep her legs strong. "She could get up and walk a very small distance around the room to move to the bed to a chair or whatever, she said. Shes not longer able to do that. That's a similar experience for Wells, who said the nursing home where her mother lives still has no communal dining, group activities or hairdressing services. Wells, who lives in Rochester, said it was only last week that she was offered the opportunity to meet with her mother outside and without masks. But after spending so much time isolated during the pandemic, Wells said her mother no longer knows who she is, other than someone who cares about her. She said it pains her to see her mother, who used to get her hair done weekly, looking unkept, with bangs hanging in her eyes and hair down to her shoulders. This nursing home never allowed us into their rooms. We have to stay in an ugly dining room thats been stripped and all the furniture stacked in the corner and in four little pods of tables pushed together and staff staring at you the whole time, she said, adding: None of that has changed because theyre allowing nursing homes to do their own thing. ___ Associated Press Writer Marina Villeneuve in Albany, N.Y. contributed to this report. LANSING, Mich. (AP) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday vetoed Republican-sponsored legislation that would have exempted high school graduation ceremonies from COVID-19 restrictions on Michigan crowd sizes, calling it half-baked and punchless. The veto, which was expected, came two days after her administration's order was loosened to end outdoor capacity limits and limit indoor gatherings to 50% occupancy. This bill is a solution in search of a problem, the Democratic governor wrote to the GOP-led House. Rather than sending me half-baked and punchless legislation like HB 4728, I encourage the Legislature to join me in eradicating this pandemic and making transformational investments in our economy. When the measure won final passage more than two weeks ago, Michigan was restricting crowds at many outdoor stadiums to 1,000. At most indoor arenas, the limit was 375. The sponsor, Rep. Ann Bollin of Brighton Township, had said in early May that the bill would give schools flexibility to host commencements in a manner that suits their districts. ... It's time to celebrate these young lives and give them the send-off they deserve. Also Thursday, Whitmer vetoed a bill that would have prohibited a governor from issuing an emergency order extending response times for public-records requests or otherwise limiting a public body's duties under the Freedom of Information Act. She did so for two months early in the pandemic. The since-expired order, Whitmer said, was designed to protect government officials' lives during the first surge. She said she will not sign bills that constrain the governor's ability to protect people. Rep. Steve Johnson, a Wayland Republican who sponsored the FOIA measure, said in March that governments already have 15 business days to respond to a request if it takes an extension. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support in the House and almost entirely along party lines in the Senate. I would argue when you are in a time of emergency and government is making significant decisions, that is actually the time that you most need transparency to know what decisions are being made and why they are being made, Johnson said. ___ Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00 Writer and performer Kyle Hernandez of Trinidad is receiving death threats, following a performance he did on local television station WESN, where he seemed to insult not only Tobagonians but the national bird of the island. As a result of the Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, 240 children died, another 56 went missing, and hundreds were wounded. As we marked International Children's Day on 1 June, I wish to draw your attention to the fact that since the beginning of Russias aggression in 2014, more than 240 Ukrainian children lost their lives, 56 more went missing, and hundreds were wounded, Ambassador Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna, said at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting on June 3. He noted that the civilian infrastructure in the government-controlled areas along the line of contact remained vulnerable to Russias armed attacks: last week, the SMM confirmed damage to residential areas in Marinka, Hranitne, and Pivnichne, all caused by shelling from the territories controlled by occupiers. We continue to severely condemn Russias attacks on the civilian population. They must be stopped. Russia needs to focus instead on implementing its part of the security provisions of the Minsk agreements, Tsymbaliuk stressed. Ukraines Permanent Representative also called on Russia to approve a pre-agreed mine action plan including 19 new areas, as well as to ensure unhindered access of international humanitarian organizations to the Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine so that they can raise awareness of the danger of mines and explosives in schools. ol Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba believes that the time has come to open a new page in relations between Ukraine and Afghanistan, the ministrys press service reports. As part of the implementation of the Asian strategy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Kuleba had a phone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Haneef Atmar. This was the first contact between the Ukrainian and Afghan foreign ministers since 2008. Ukraine and Afghanistan are united by long-term friendship and mutual respect. Ukrainians support Afghans in their efforts to restore peace in the country and build an inclusive society. The time has come to open a new page in bilateral relations for the benefit of our peoples, Kuleba stressed. In turn, Atmar supported Kuleba's proposal to hold consultations between the Foreign Ministries this year in order to discuss practical steps for the development of cooperation between Ukraine and Afghanistan in the political, trade, security and educational spheres. The ministers noted the significant opportunities for the participation of Ukrainian companies in the implementation of infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, in particular in the regions affected by the armed conflict. Last year, trade between Ukraine and Afghanistan amounted to USD 7.17 million. This figure absolutely does not correspond to the potential of the two countries. We should jointly make sure that the volume of trade increases significantly in several years, Kuleba said. He also named other priority areas of cooperation, namely: military-technical cooperation, study of Afghan students in Ukraine, and the supply of Ukrainian food products to ensure food security in Afghanistan. A separate topic of conversation was Iran's downing of Ukrainian PS752. The interlocutors agreed that the ultimate goal of the efforts should be to ensure justice in relation to the victims of the tragedy and their relatives, regardless of nationality, and to prevent the repetition of such a crime in the future, the report reads. The ministers also discussed cooperation between Ukraine and Afghanistan within the framework of international organizations, in particular the UN. In conclusion, Kuleba and Atmar shared invitations to exchange visits at a convenient time. As Ukrinform reported, Afghanistan will continue to play an important role in the International Coordination and Response Group for Victims of Flight PS752, but will not be directly involved in future negotiations. ish Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 14:03:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia reported 13 more COVID-19 deaths over the past 24 hours, the record daily count since the start of the pandemic, raising nationwide death toll to 315, the health ministry said Friday. Meanwhile, the total number of the country's COVID-19 cases rose to 62,585 on Wednesday, after 1,189 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, the highest daily count since May 1, the ministry said in a statement. So far, 52,812 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the disease. The Asian country launched a national vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in late February, with the aim of covering at least 60 percent of its population of 3.3 million. More than 1,865,800 Mongolians have so far received their first dose, and around 1,400,000 people have been fully vaccinated. Enditem The European Union does not recognise Russias illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula and therefore does not recognise the sentence passed on Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov by a Russian court in Simferopol on June 1. This is said in a statement published on the website of the European External Action Service. On 1 June, a so-called Russia-run court in the Ukrainian city Simferopol sentenced in absentia Mr Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis, the Crimean Tatar Peoples self-governing body, to six years of prison and a fine for politically-motivated charges. The European Union does not recognise Russias illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula and therefore does not, and will not, recognise this sentence by an illegal court," the statement reads. The sentencing of Chubarov constitutes a serious violation of his human rights and another example of the persecution of the Crimean Tatar community by the Russian authorities.It further illustrates the severe deterioration of human rights on the Crimean peninsula since its illegal annexation. The ban on the activities of the Mejlis must be reversed without further delay. The EU reiterates that all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens on the Crimean peninsula must be released immediately. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives Abdullah Shahid. "On June 3, the first telephone conversation in the history of bilateral relations between the ministers of foreign affairs of Ukraine and the Republic of Maldives was held," the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine informs. The foreign ministers paid special attention to cooperation within the UN General Assembly and other international organizations. Kuleba expressed gratitude for the support for the UN General Assembly resolution "Problem of the militarization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov" by the Republic of Maldives. The ministers discussed promising areas of cooperation, including improving logistics of bilateral flights, expanding Ukrainian exports, creating opportunities for Ukrainian companies to be involved in projects on tourism infrastructure development in the Maldives, personnel training cooperation. Shahid praised the quality of education of Maldivian students in higher education institutions of Ukraine. Kuleba assured that Ukraine was interested in increasing their number. ol Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Chief of Staff Gergely Gulyas has stated that Orban is ready to meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. "Ukraine is a very important neighbor of Hungary. So we are ready to meet. The decision is up to Ukraine," Gulyas said in an interview with Varosh media outlet, Ukrinform reports. According to him, there are no additional conditions for this meeting. As reported, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated last year that the summit with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban could take place in July 2020, but that required a number of conditions, including the preparation of a memorandum to cover the full range of issues of bilateral cooperation. Tensions between Kyiv and Budapest arose in 2017 after the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On Education". According to Hungary, the law violated the rights of ethnic Hungarians. Budapest blocked Ukraine's participation in NATO activities and, primarily, the work of the NATOUkraine Commission. ol The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Finland, Dmytro Kuleba and Pekka Haavisto, discussed Ukraine's European integration and counteraction to regional challenges. The two ministers discussed this during a phone call on June 4, the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported. The parties discussed the security situation against the background of Russia's military buildup on Ukraines border and in the temporarily occupied territories. Kuleba stressed that despite public statements about the withdrawal of troops, in reality, the Kremlin has withdrawn only a small part of the previously amassed forces, which does not yet allow us to talk about a real de-escalation. The minister expressed gratitude to Finland for the continued support of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. They also discussed regional issues, in particular the development of the situation in Belarus and the security threats posed by the growing influence of the Russian Federation there. Kuleba and Haavisto noted the importance of joint efforts to increase trade and investment between the two countries and exchanged invitations to pay working visits. As Ukrinform reported, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov and Chief Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania on National Security Darius Kuliesius discussed the escalation on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border on the eve of Russia-Belarus military exercises. ish Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna held a meeting with Prime Minister of Bulgaria Stefan Yanev in Sofia. At the beginning of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration dwelled on the importance of intensifying the dialogue between Ukraine and Bulgaria at a high political level, the Government portal informs. Prime Minister Stefan Yanev reaffirmed Bulgaria's readiness and interest in strengthening bilateral contacts. He emphasized Bulgaria's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, European prospect, and the Government of Ukraine's efforts to pursue reforms. The key topics of the meeting were: Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the NATO summit on June 14, security in the Black Sea region, and bilateral relations. Ukraine shaped concrete proposals for deepening regional cooperation to strengthen security in the Black Sea region and called on partners to consider them. Stefanishyna also stressed the importance of taking into account the interests of partners when discussing the future Alliance and clearly reaffirming the prospects for Ukraine and Georgias membership in NATO. As noted, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration expressed hope for support in building Euro-Atlantic unity around enhancing Ukraine's integration, which will be the best response to security threats in the region, as well as a powerful impetus to historical transformations within Ukraine. During the conversation, a special emphasis was placed on the security situation provoked by the Russian aggression, in particular on the eastern border of Ukraine, where a significant number of equipment and troops of the Russian Federation are concentrated. Olha Stefanishyna spoke about the systemic transformations of the security and defense sector aimed at strengthening Ukraines defense capabilities. At the same time, Ukraine's commitment to political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict was emphasized, reads the statement. ol The Iranian side has declared its readiness to pay $150,000 in compensation to each family of those killed in the downing of a Ukraine International Airlines passenger place, the Iranian Embassy in Ukraine has said on Facebook. Iranian diplomats noted that a wide range of issues related to criminal proceedings and technical issues, including aviation and flight safety issues, as well as Iran's final report, had been discussed during the third round of talks on the crash of flight PS752. "The Iranian delegation announced its readiness to pay compensation to Ukrainian families of those killed in the disaster in the amount of $150,000 for each victim, in accordance with a resolution of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asked the Ukrainian delegation to bring this information to the attention of relatives of the deceased Ukrainians," the report reads. During the talks on June 2-3, the Iranian delegation also announced the registration of lawsuits filed by the relatives of 103 victims to the Iranian judiciary, some of them being foreign nationals. In addition, according to the embassy, during the discussion of technical issues, the Iranian delegation presented a report on the Safer Skies Initiative and stated that after the UIA plane crash, it took the necessary measures to fully ensure that such disasters will not happen in the future. According to Iranian diplomats, commenting on the Ukrainian delegation's announcement regarding the creation of a joint group with three other countries involved in the UIA plane crash and an appeal to Iran to negotiate with the group, the Iranian side said it did not recognize the group as a negotiating party and said it was dissatisfied with the unprofessional behavior and hostility of some of these countries. "At the same time, the Iranian delegation stressed the readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran for negotiations and bilateral cooperation with countries that respect the sovereignty, jurisdiction and political independence of Iran," the embassy said. According to Iranian diplomats, at the end of the talks, the Ukrainian side declared its readiness to hold the next round of talks. "Given the high level of political relations between the two countries, the Iranian side welcomed the proposal of the Ukrainian side, but in order to avoid these talks becoming exhausting, it said that during the future talks it will answer only those issues that remained and that will not be repeated, as well as on the basis of and within the framework of the legislation and legal norms of the Republic of Iran," the embassy said. An International Coordination and Response Group to support families of victims of PS752 issued a statement on June 3 saying that the ministers representing Afghanistan, Canada, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, have taken note of the unique situation in Afghanistan that requires its full attention and agreed that while Afghanistan will remain a key partner and continue to play an important role in the group, it will not engage directly in the upcoming negotiations. The third round of talks between Ukraine and Iran on the UIA plane shot down near Tehran in 2020 took place in Kyiv on June 2-3. On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines plane (Flight PS752) heading from Tehran to Kyiv crashed shortly after taking off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport. There were 176 people on board nine crew members (all Ukrainians) and 167 passengers (citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK). All of them died. op Within the framework of his working visit to Georgia, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the First Hierarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church Ilia II. The Head of the Government of Ukraine and the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia discussed topical issues for the Ukrainian and Georgian peoples, the Government portal informs. The Head of Government noted that Ukraine and Georgia were moving together on the path towards European integration. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the spiritual and religious component for the formation and further development of both states. "There is no doubt that we must act together in this area," Denys Shmyhal underscored. For his part, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II stressed the Georgian Orthodox Church prayed for a fortunate destiny for both countries. The Prime Minister of Ukraine makes an official visit to Georgia on June 2-4. The government delegation also consists of Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Oleh Nemchinov and Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko. ol A total of 152 children have been killed and 146 have been injured in Ukraine as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, according to data provided by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Today, for the first time at the state level, Ukraine honors the memory of children who died as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and marks International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. "According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, over the entire period of the conflict in Ukraine, between April 14, 2014 and April 30, 2021, 152 children (102 boys and 50 girls) were killed and 146 children (120 boys and 26 girls) were injured. Unfortunately, these painful statistics do not fully reflect the scale of losses suffered by children during the ongoing armed conflict," the report says. Inability to ensure state control over the observance of human rights in the temporarily occupied territory does not allow assessing the scale of the problems faced by children on the other side of the contact line. In turn, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova calls on the government, parliament, public and local authorities, as well as the public to make every effort to introduce a policy for the protection and safety of children from the armed conflict. As a reminder, in 1982, the UN General Assembly decided to commemorate June 4 of each year as International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children. Its work is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history. On June 1, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Resolution, No.5343, "On honoring the memory of children who died as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine." It provides for honoring at the state level the memory of children who died as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine on June 4 annually. ish Health Minister Viktor Liashko says Ukraine has enough coronavirus vaccines to immunize military personnel. He said this during an hour of questions to the government in the Verkhovna Rada on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Vaccination of the military, primarily those who defend the borders of our country and those who are in full combat readiness, is a priority for us today. It has been carried out since the first stage [of vaccination campaign]. Today there are enough vaccines to immunize the entire military personnel," Liashko said. He assessed the percentage of the military vaccinated against coronavirus as "quite large." The servicemen are vaccinated by both health workers of the Ministry of Defense and doctors at vaccination points. As reported, over the past day, 50,840 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ukraine. In particular, 46,868 people got their first jab, and 3,972 people were fully vaccinated. Since the beginning of the vaccination campaign, 1,123,663 people have been vaccinated, of which 142,062 people have been fully vaccinated by receiving two doses (two of them received one dose abroad). ish Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 17:56:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A driver was killed and 28 women were injured when a factory bus they were travelling in plunged into a ditch after gunmen opened fire at them in Pakistan's Hassan Abdal city of the eastern Punjab province on Friday, a rescue official said. The unknown assailants attacked the bus when women laborers were on their way to the factory in the country's northwest Haripur district from Hassan Abdal early Friday morning, Muhammad Haider, an emergency official of the state-owned emergency rescue service Rescue 1122 in the city, told Xinhua. The bus fell into a deep ditch when the driver of the vehicle lost control over it after sustaining gunshots injuries, killing him on the spot, the rescue official said, adding that the injured women have been transported to a nearby hospital for treatment in Hassan Abdal. Local media quoted hospital sources as saying that five women are in critical condition, and efforts are being made to save their lives. Following the incident, police officials and rescue teams immediately reached the scene, cordoned off the area and started rescue activities. The assailants managed to flee the scene after carrying out the attack, police told local media. Police teams are conducting raids to arrest the on-the-run suspects, and investigations into the firing incident are underway. Enditem UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. UNHCR/Susan Hopper Today, the Danish Parliament approved amendments to the Danish Aliens Act. The amendments will enter into effect if Denmark secures a formal agreement with a third country. This could see the forcible transfer of asylum-seekers and the abdication of Denmarks responsibility for the asylum process and for protecting vulnerable refugees. UNHCR strongly opposes efforts that seek to externalize or outsource asylum and international protection obligations to other countries. Such efforts to evade responsibility run counter to the letter and spirit of the 1951 Refugee Convention, as well as the Global Compact on Refugees where countries agreed to share more equitably the responsibility for refugee protection. Already today nearly 90% percent of the worlds refugees live in developing or the least developed countries that despite their limited resources step up and meet their international legal obligations and responsibilities. UNHCR has raised repeatedly its concerns and objections to the Danish governments proposal and has offered advice and pragmatic alternatives. UNHCR will continue to engage in discussions with Denmark, which remains a valuable and long-standing partner to UNHCR, in order to find practical ways forward that ensure the confidence of the Danish people and uphold Denmarks international commitments. Congolese families shelter in the grounds of a church being used as a temporary site for internally displaced people in Drodro, Ituri. UNHCR/John Wessels Deadly attacks by the armed group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have forced some 5,800 people to flee multiple displacement sites in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ituri Province. On 31 May, ADF simultaneously attacked displacement sites and villages near the towns of Boga and Tchabi, killing 57 civilians including seven children who were shot and attacked with machetes. Several others were left wounded and 25 people were abducted, while over 70 shelters and stores were set on fire. In Boga town alone, 31 women, children and men were killed. Bereaved family members told UNHCR partners that many of their relatives were burnt alive in their houses. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is outraged by this latest in a series of atrocities committed by armed groups in eastern DRC. We are calling for urgent scaling up of security in the region to protect the lives of civilians, many of whom have been attacked and forced to flee multiple times, and repeat our appeal to all sides to respect the humanitarian character of displacement sites. Fearing further attacks, thousands have fled Boga to various nearby locations with virtually nothing but the clothes they were wearing. While some were still having to sleep in the bush out in the open, most of the displaced have been welcomed by impoverished host families, already struggling with limited resources. Others have sought refuge in overcrowded churches. Insecurity in the area is also affecting humanitarian work. Health centres were forced to temporarily suspend their activities and evacuate their staff to Bunia, Ituris capital city. The office of one of UNHCRs humanitarian partner organizations was looted, leaving thousands without vital aid. UNHCR teams are currently on the ground assessing the needs of forcibly displaced people and the host community. More than five million people have been uprooted by insecurity and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Ituri province alone, 1.7 million people are displaced. Meanwhile, UNHCRs financial appeal of US$204.8 million for DRC in 2021 is only 18 per cent funded. For more information on this topic, please contact: Register for a FREE account to keep reading! Register now for a FREE account to keep reading. No cost and no credit card required! Access up to 5 articles per month when you register, or get unlimited access to all of our content online starting at $1.99 now! Already registered? Click the log in link below The Wright brothers built this 1908 airplane for the U.S. Army. It was the first plane in America to fly a passenger and the world's first military aircraft. (First Flight Foundation/TNS) Doctors tell how to make the most of your telehealth visits Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 22:03:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW DELHI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the efforts of the country's scientific community for developing COVID-19 vaccine within a year. Interacting with scientists at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Modi said that amid the pandemic outbreak the Indian scientists rose to the occasion and successfully developed vaccine, COVID testing kits and other required equipment within a year, thus making a Self-Reliant India. The CSIR is known for its cutting-edge research and development and knowledge base in diverse science and technology areas in India. "The CSIR has a powerful ecosystem of research and patents. It is working for resolution of problems confronting the country. The scientists at CSIR have contributed immensely in various sectors which is unprecedented. I thank all scientists on the occasion," said Modi. He added that scientists put forth an idea in the form of a theory, conduct practical in labs and then hand it over to society after implementation. "The scale and speed at which our scientists have conducted this practice in the last 1.5 months is unbelievable," the prime minister stated. He also said that from agriculture to astronomy, disaster management to defence technology, vaccine to virtual reality, India aspires to become self-reliant and empowered in every direction. Enditem For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-05 00:09:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KATHMANDU, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Nepali government on Friday asked hospitals to get health facilities ready for children, saying they are more vulnerable to a potential third or fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Health and Population issued a notice, saying the current arrangement of health facilities is focusing on helping the adults as the first and second wave of the epidemic have affected this group badly. "As there is the possibility of third and fourth wave of COVID-19 and children might be affected badly, hospitals are requested to arrange at least 20 percent of their approved beds for children," the ministry said. It also asked hospitals to make oxygen available for children. "At least some adults have been vaccinated and have certain protection from COVID-19, but children aged below 18 are more vulnerable due to a lack of vaccination," Krishna Prasad Paudel, a ministry spokesman, told Xinhua. Of Nepal's total population of some 30 million, around 40 percent are below 18 years old, according to government record. Nepal's health facilities had been pushed to their limit after a devastating second wave of coronavirus infections hit the South Asian country in early April and some hospitals had to turn away patients due to a lack of medical oxygen and beds, as 8,000-9,000 new cases were recorded in most days in May. The number of COVID-19 cases in the country has largely come down below 5,000 for the last week, according to the Health Ministry. On Friday the ministry reported 4,624 new cases and 101 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total confirmed infections to 581,560 and the death toll to 7,731 in the country. Enditem Elmer Wayne Cruey, 77, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2021, at his home in Milledgeville. He was a native of Tazewell, Va. and resident in Milledgeville for the past 20 years. Wayne was preceded in death by his mother, Cordelia Pauley Cruey, and father, Charles Patterson Cruey; sisters, Mercedes Nepal has reported its first death from mucormycosis or "black fungus", the highly deadly infection affecting thousands of coronavirus patients in neighbouring India Kathmandu (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jun, 2021 ) :Nepal has reported its first death from mucormycosis or "black fungus", the highly deadly infection affecting thousands of coronavirus patients in neighbouring India. Health ministry spokesman Krishna Prasad Poudel told AFP that there are now at least ten cases in Nepal, which like India has been hit by a huge Covid-19 surge. The 65-year-old man who died was being treated at the intensive care unit at a hospital in western Nepal after being diagnosed with temporal lobe encephalitis. "He died on 3 June 2021... after a nasal swab test showed fungal hyphae and a biopsy test of nose and lips showed mucor," said a statement by the Seti Provincial Hospital on Thursday. The man had however tested negative for coronavirus, the hospital said. Previously very rare, mucormycosis is highly aggressive and surgeons sometimes have to remove patients' eyes, nose and jaw to stop it reaching the brain. The death rate is over 50 percent. Thousands in India have caught the fungus in recent weeks in a wave of infections blamed on excessive use of steroids to treat the country's millions of Covid patients. Nepal began recording a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in early April that peaked in mid-May at more than 9,000 infections a day. The daily rises have declined slightly but the healthcare system remains under pressure. Over 7,000 people have died since the pandemic began. Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has appealed to the international community to supply vaccines to help fight the pandemic. (@FahadShabbir) ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 04th Jun, 2021) The UAE has won a seat on the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for the period 2021 to 2025. The winners were announced during the 8th session of the Conference of Parties to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, held virtually from 1st to 4th June. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, and Chairperson of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, said, "The UAE's nomination to the Intergovernmental Committee is a recognition of the important role it plays in protecting and promoting cultural diversity, which is a fundamental pillar of the UAEs vision for economic growth and sustainable development. Since its establishment, the UAE has put in place legal frameworks that enable all to live and thrive in an environment that fosters diversity and has taken steps to instil these values in the fabric of society." She added, "There is no doubt that the membership on the Intergovernmental Committee will bolster its efforts to develop clear mechanisms and strategies that enhance cultural diversity in all its forms." Al Kaabi was appreciative of the confidence shown by the international community towards the efforts of the UAE to promote cultural diversity, and stressed that the UAE will work alongside States Parties to the convention who are members of the committee to promote and implement the objectives of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which the UAE has worked to implement since 2010. In this respect, she also added that the UAE proposes six areas of action that warrant the attention of Member States. They include, increased dialogue and exchange about policies, best practices, and measures to strengthen our creative economies, identify the required cultural data and indicators to support evidence-based cultural policy, enhance synergies between Culture and education to ensure sustainable cultural career paths, develop talent support policies and best practices, harness and encourage technological advancements in support of cultural economies, and enhance intellectual property protections and provide the required frameworks to support increased cultural activities in digital platforms. The Intergovernmental Committee consists of representatives of 24 countries that are parties to the Convention. Its members are elected by the Conference of the Parties for a four-year term and meet every year. Phnom Penh, June 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jun, 2021 ) :Toxic home-brewed rice wine has killed more than 30 Cambodian villagers in three separate incidents in less than a month, authorities said Friday. Seven women died and nearly 100 people were hospitalised in the latest poisoning, after drinking hooch contaminated with up to 15 percent methanol. This followed 14 deaths and 10 deaths at two separate funerals in May. In all three incidents, the home-brewed rice wine contained methanol, which unlike ethanol -- the usual form of alcohol found in drinks -- is highly toxic, and can cause blindness even in very small doses. At least 15 rice wine brewers and sellers have been arrested, according to Cambodian police, while the health ministry has renewed calls for people to avoid drinking contaminated beverages. Cambodia is one of Asia's poorest countries and health and safety standards are virtually non-existent outside major cities. Home-made rice wine is popular in rural areas at wedding parties, village festivals and funerals as a cheap alternative to commercially produced drinks. N'Djamena, June 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Jun, 2021 ) :Chad has sent men and material to reinforce the border with the Central African Republic despite agreeing to jointly investigate a car attack that left six Chadian soldiers dead, a provincial governor said Thursday. "I've come from the area and we have reinforced our positions with men and material," army general Moussa Haroun Tirgo, governor of southern Chad's Eastern Logone province,told AFP. "Nothing will be like before," he vowed, noting five of the six dead had been "kidnapped and executed". "The military have strengthened the security arrangements on the border," confirmed Julien Tawonya, mayor of Bitoye town where the attack occurred. "The bodies of the executed soldiers have not been moved," and are still in CAR, he said. Chad has blamed the CAR army for Sunday's attack, which it labelled a "war crime" that would "not go unpunished". CAR has put the blame on rebels it said its forces had been pursuing. Tensions appeared to have eased after the two countries' foreign ministers met Tuesday. The two parties "underlined the urgency of clarifying the circumstances in which this attack took place" and agreed to set up an independent international commission of inquiry." They also agreed to work together to strengthen security along the border. The inquiry was to involve the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC). The CEEAC holds a summit in Brazzaville on Friday focusing on Chad where Mahamat Idriss Deby has taken over from his president father who died fighting rebels after 30 years in power. The border incident has placed the spotlight on the occasionally fraught relations between Chad -- ruled by a junta that took power just weeks ago -- and the CAR, an unstable country battling powerful armed groups. CAR regularly accuses its northern neighbour of supporting armed rebel groups from inside Chad. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The European Union officially banned all Belarusian air carriers from using their airspace and airports, the Council of the EU said in a statement on Friday BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th June, 2021) The European Union officially banned all Belarusian air carriers from using their airspace and airports, the Council of the EU said in a statement on Friday. "The Council today decided to strengthen the existing restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus by introducing a ban on the overflight of EU airspace and on access to EU airports by Belarusian carriers of all kinds. EU member states will therefore be required to deny permission to land in, take off from or overfly their territories to any aircraft operated by Belarusian air carriers, including as a marketing carrier," the document says. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Israel's health ministry announced Wednesday that children aged 12-15 would be able to receive coronavirus vaccinations, despite "a possible link" between Pfizer/BioNTech inoculations and myocarditis among young men Jerusalem, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2021 ) :Israel's health ministry announced Wednesday that children aged 12-15 would be able to receive coronavirus vaccinations, despite "a possible link" between Pfizer/BioNTech inoculations and myocarditis among young men. On Tuesday, Israel lifted nearly all Covid restrictions after a nationwide vaccination campaign for people aged 16 and up. There were just four new positive cases of the virus recorded in the country that day. The health ministry also on Tuesday announced the findings of an investigation into a possible link between myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, and the coronavirus vaccinations administerd in Israel. An observation of 275 myocarditis cases recorded between December 2020 and May 2021 among more than five million vaccinated people found that 148 of them "occurred around the time of vaccination" -- 27 after the first dose, and 121 after the second. "There is some probability for a possible link between the second vaccine dose and the onset of myocarditis among young men aged 16 to 30," the ministry said, with the link "found to be stronger among the younger age group, 16 to 19". The ministry noted that 95 percent of the people with myocarditis were "considered to be mild cases." On Wednesday, the ministry issued its stance on vaccinations for youths, in which it encouraged vaccinations for those at-risk -- despite the myocarditis findings, while stopping short of recommending vaccinations for all children aged 12-15. "It was decided to recommend imminent vaccinations to at-risk groups, including teens at medical risk of developing a serious case of coronavirus, teens living with at-risk family members, and families planning overseas travel," a statement said. "Beyond the at-risk groups, anyone else interested will be able to" receive jabs, the ministry said, adding that vaccinations for teens aged 12-15 would begin next week. Noting its report on myocarditis, the ministry stressed that the risks of coronavirus complications were "much higher than the risks of receiving a vaccination". "The vaccine is effective and safe," it said. "Even the myocarditis observed among males aged 16-19 was in low numbers, and in most cases passed without complications," the ministry said. At the peak of the epidemic in early 2021, Israel saw 10,000 new cases a day and 88,000 active cases, but a rapid campaign using the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccination brought those numbers down. There were less than 340 active Covid cases in Israel on Wednesday. Indoor mask requirements and travel restrictions are the last virus restrictions in place in Israel. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 18:59:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Chen Junxia and Martina Fuchs VADUZ, Liechtenstein, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein hopes his country can further boost bilateral ties and cooperation with China, the world's second largest economy. The relationship between Liechtenstein and China has been strengthened, "particularly over the last 10, 15 years," Alois told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview at Vaduz Castle, the palace and official residence of the Princely Family of Liechtenstein. "We saw a strong development of our relationship after Liechtenstein participated in the world exhibition in Shanghai," he added. The hereditary prince noted that Liechtenstein has a very broadly diversified, very export-oriented economy. "We have companies in all different types of sectors of the manufacturing industry, but also in the service sector, particularly financial service sector," he said. Liechtenstein, despite being the sixth smallest country in the world, is known as a key financial hub with one of the highest per capita incomes across the globe. "I see the main boost in the future, as in the past, with our larger companies that are active in the international field, and for them certainly China is an interesting market," he said. "On the service side, also with regard to a double taxation agreement, it could make sense that we try also to work for further improvements to further ease trade between our countries on a bilateral level," he added. The hereditary prince said he is optimistic that tourism flows from China will increase again. "The pandemic situation is likely to make it still difficult over the next two, three years ... but I'm confident on the longer run that we will see a good pickup." Alois noted that both Liechtenstein and China have "companies that offer products that can help with climate change." "I think we can work on the cooperation on that side, offering each other those products," he said, adding, "We can also try to work together at the international level, particularly at the UN for having good initiatives with regard to climate change." "As a very small and export-oriented country, Liechtenstein understands the importance of the international relationship, multilateralism," Alois said. "We will try to do our best in this regard." Enditem BISHKEK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th June, 2021) The situation on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has deteriorated once again after Tajik forces were detected entering the Kyrgyz territory, the Kyrgyz State Border Service told Sputnik on Friday. "The Tajik side, violating all the previously reached agreements of the intergovernmental delegations of the parties on the delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, on 4.06.2021, at about 03:00 at night [21:00 GMT], began to install a container on an undocumented section of the border in the Unzhu-Bulak area of the Chong-Alay District of the Osh region, with an entry into the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic up to 1,000 meters [0.6 miles]," the service's spokesperson said. They noted that at 6:00 in the morning "the situation on the border remained tense," as the Tajik troops left the container where it was placed, moving 600 meters away from it. Besides, Tajik military personnel was gathering near the border "on motor vehicles and lightly armored vehicles," the service said, adding that even though the Kyrgyz side was trying to resolve the situation "at the level of border representatives of the parties," the Tajik side did not respond to related phone calls from Bishkek. After the futile attempts, the Kyrgyz border units have switched to an alert mode, the spokesperson said. Kyrgyzstan's Cabinet of Ministers has confirmed the information provided by the country's border service. "The Tajik side, violating the previously reached agreements, inflamed and aggravated the situation on the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border, which does not correspond to good-neighborly and friendly relations," the government said in a statement issued on Friday. A local dispute between residents of the border regions of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on April 29 turned into armed clashes between Kyrgyz and Tajik border guards, which lasted more than six hours and left 36 Kyrgyz citizens killed and about 200 wounded. Tajikistan reported 19 killed and 87 injured. More than 300 buildings were destroyed. On the same day, the parties agreed to cease fire and withdraw forces from the border, but the next day the hostilities resumed. The countries reached another truce in the late afternoon of April 30. All Tajik troops were pulled back from the conflict zone the next day. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th June, 2021) US President Joe Biden has banned 59 Chinese military and surveillance firms from acquiring US investors or investments, expanding an original list of 44 Chinese companies targeted in a November executive order, the White House announced on Thursday. Accusing the 59 companies of activities gravely detrimental to America and its allies, Biden's expanded order was a further step toward estranging US-Sino relations, already troubled during the years of his predecessor Donald Trump. "This E.O. allows the United States to prohibit - in a targeted and scoped manner - US investments in Chinese companies that undermine the security or democratic values of the United States and our allies," the White House said, referring to the directive signed by Biden, that expands on an original executive order by Trump. Specifically, US persons will be prohibited "from engaging in the purchase or sale of any publicly traded securities" with the listed Chinese companies or individuals determined to be connected with them, White House added. Biden separately wrote to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who leads his Democratic Party in Congress, to inform her of the matter. "I find that the use of Chinese surveillance technology outside the PRC and the development or use of Chinese surveillance technology to facilitate repression or serious human rights abuse constitute unusual and extraordinary threats, which have their source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, and I hereby expand the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13959 to address those threats," Biden said in a letter to Pelosi. The expanded US action against the Chinese military and surveillance firms came hours after China's Vice Premier Liu He hailed earlier on Thursday in Beijing the resumption of "normal discussions" with the United States, after he held two video calls with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen within a week. Biden, who took office in January, has had a rocky start to his relationship with China. Beijing had expected friendlier ties with Washington after a bruising patch with Trump who called the COVID-19, which originally broke out in Wuhan, a "Chinese virus" and also carried out on an 18-month trade war with China, while targeting Chinese businesses for alleged spying on US interests. Biden, who has undone most of Trump's executive orders on immigration, climate and other matters, has left intact his predecessor's tariffs, indicating he might use them to pressure Beijing into making concessions on trade and other issues. Biden also surprised China by recently directing the US intelligence community to redouble efforts to investigate the origins of COVID-19 and to report their findings to him in 90 days an action analysts said could aggravate anti-Asian sentiment in the United States and potentially worldwide. Valdosta, GA (31601) Today Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High 91F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. The Bishops of New Zealand say every Catholic will be heard as the synodol journey moves forward. By Vatican News staff reporter In October this year, Pope Francis will open a three-year synodal journey with three phases (diocesan, continental, universal) of consultations and discernment. The Pope has asked all Catholic dioceses around the world to start consulting with parishioners from October 17 to get local-level views that bishops will take to the XVI Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 2023. Views of Catholic faithful With that in mind, New Zealand is gearing up to the Synod of Bishops by seeking the views of every Catholic in the country. In a statement, Cardinal John Dew, president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC), said each of the countrys six dioceses has been asked to consult parishioners about still-to-be-announced matters to be considered at the assembly. The Holy Father wants to hear the voices of all the baptised, noted Cardinal Dew, the Archbishop of Wellington. He believes the time is ripe for a wider participation of the people of God in a decision-making process that affects the whole Church and everyone in it. Post consultation The Cardinal said each bishop will appoint representatives to lead the consultations in their dioceses. After that consultation, the New Zealand bishops will meet early next year to listen to what the Spirit has inspired in the churches entrusted to us. Following the meeting, the bishops conference will then prepare a report for the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania. This regional body and others like it around the world will then draft documents that will go to the Synod office in Rome to help prepare the assemblys working document. Synods past and future The statement notes that Regular assemblies of the Synod of Bishops have been held in Rome since Pope Paul VI created them in 1965 following the Second Vatican Council. The most recent regular assembly was Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment in 2018, which produced the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit. It was followed by the special Amazon assembly in 2019, which resulted in the exhortation Querida Amazonia. The next regular assembly, entitled For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission, is now scheduled for October 2023. Pope Francis has frequently called for the bishops, priests and people to walk together in a common mission of the Church, said Cardinal Dew. He believes it is imperative to listen to the People of God, which means going to local churches to hear what they say. Cardinal Dew added that details of the consultation including the matters to be discussed during it will be made available to dioceses as soon as they are announced in Rome. Nicaraguan opposition politician Christina Chamorro, is under house arrest, accused of money laundering, following a Police raid on her home. . By James Blears Cristiana Chamorro, who`s a journalist, is a potential challenger to Nicaragua`s President Daniel Ortega, who`s expected to contest a fifth term in November. He`s yet to publically announce if he will. Police raided and then searched her home in Managua the Capital for more than five hours. She`s been placed under house arrest in isolation. A court in Managua says this is due to what they term: Abusive management, ideological falsehood plus the laundering of money, property and assets. Christina denies all the charges, insisting they`re a farce intended to prevent her candidacy for the Citizens Alliance Party. Opposition political parties have also criticized this development as a witch hunt. While this move has been condemned by the Organization of American States and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Nicaraguan Government has countered by saying the law is to protect the independence, Sovereignty and self determination of the Country. Prosecutors have demanded that Cristiana be banned from public office. She led the Foundation for Press Freedom, but resigned in February, after a new law obliged anyone receiving funds from abroad, to declare themselves as a foreign agent. Chistiana`s Mother Violeta defeated Daniel Ortega in the 1990 Election to become the first woman President in Latin America. Perspective of 1 intersection of Ring Road 4- Capital Region Le Thanh Quan, director general of the Ministry of Planning and Investments (MPI) Department of Infrastructure and Urban Development, told VIR that the Belt Road No.4 project is expected to be the highlight of attracting investment into transport infrastructure in the north, especially after the approval of the Law on Public-Private Partnership Investment and its guideline documents, which are considered a good measure in terms of mobilising investment. Although the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has yet to release official information on each component project, I believe that this will be good chance for local and foreign investors to contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country, especially cities and provinces such as Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Bac Giang, Quan added. After calculating the central and local budgets, along with the effectiveness and return on investment of components, the MPI in collaboration with other ministries will comment on the solutions of capital allocation and mobilisation to the government and call from investment from the private sector into the project. Amidst a lot of difficulties like the pandemic, calling for investment is challenging, but it is quite necessary for infrastructure development. The project will be tendered in accordance with the Law on Public Investment and create numerous opportunities for the private sector, Quan said. Nearly two weeks ago, the leaders of the MoT and peoples committees of Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Bac Giang agreed to develop the Belt Road No.4 and submitted the plan to the prime minister. The total investment for the project is estimated at VND135 trillion ($5.9 billion), in addition to the costs for land clearance at VND25 trillion ($1.1 billion). The central budget is requested for land clearance in Hanoi, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, and Bac Giang, while the local budget of localities is asked for the total amount of VND50 trillion ($2.2 billion) for building the road. The remainder will come from the private sector. Hanoi is proposed to be the focal point to implement procedures for selecting potential investors with enough experience and financial capacity. The elevated highway project is meant to be fulfilled under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model for the whole road. If the government approves the proposal, the project will be included in the capital plan for the 2021-2025 period, said Duong Duc Tuan, Vice Chairman of Hanoi Peoples Committee. As the total investment amount is high, Hanoi proposed to develop the project within a public-private partnership (PPP) model under a BOT contract. One year ago, Hanoi was considering three documents proposed to develop the Belt Road No.4 in the PPP form. Of this, T&T Group asked to construct the part connecting Noi Bai, Lao Cai, the National Highway No.32, and Phap Van-Cau Gie Expressway with a length of 34km and the total investment of VND16.28 trillion ($708.7 million) in the form of a build-transfer contract. The venture of Phuong Thanh Tranconsin and Nguyen Minh IDJ requested to build the part from Phap Van-Cau Gie Expressway to Hanoi-Haiphong Expressway with a length of 13.9km and total investment standing at VND9.8 trillion ($426 million) in the form of a BOT contract. Hoanh Son Group also offered to develop the part connecting Hong Ha Bridge, Van Khe commune (in Me Linh district), and Hong Ha commune (in Dan Phuong district) with the total investment of VND9.88 trillion ($429.4 million). The participation of the private sector in infrastructure projects such as the above seems unavoidable. In addition to the Belt Road No.4 in Hanoi, the Belt Road No.3 surrounding Ho Chi Minh City has been conceptualised and is welcoming foreign investors to join phase 1 connecting Tan Van in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 9 and Nhon Trach in the southern province of Dong Nai. Previously, the Belt Road No.3 project in Hanoi was developed by Samwhan-CIENCO 4 for the Mai Dich-Trung Hoa section; Sumitomo Mitsui Construction for Trung Hoa-Thanh Xuan; and the joint venture from Thang Long Group, CIENCO 8, and CIENCO 4 for Thanh Xuan-Linh Dam Lake. The Belt Road No.2 in the capital was developed by local investors like Trung Nam E&C-Trung Chinh venture and Vingroup. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 19:25:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NICOSIA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Leader of Cyprus' main opposition AKEL party Andros Kyprianou said on Friday he will be stepping down as Secretary General of the Central Committee of his party. Kyprianou told CyBC state television that he will not be a candidate for the post in an electoral congress of AKEL in July. Political analysts connected his move with poor electoral results in parliamentary elections on Sunday and also in the previous general elections in 2016, but Kyprianou said his decision was made months ago and had been communicated to the party's political office. He added that the political office accepted his decision to step down. AKEL's share of popular votes in Sunday's parliamentary elections fell to 22.34 percent, 3.3 percentage points down from its 2016 share. In the 2016 elections AKEL saw its voters drop by 7 percent. Kyprianou said he is shouldering his share of responsibility for the electoral losses of the party, but added that the party's poor performance was not the fault of individuals. Commenting on assumptions that two of his immediate assistants -- parliamentary party spokesman George Loukaides and party spokesman Stephanos Stephanou -- will be candidates for the post of party Secretary General, Kyprianou said both were worthy representatives. Enditem Covid-19 vaccine, STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) late last week also urged the government to go further and faster, harnessing the power of private enterprises and allowing companies to vaccinate their own staff. According to EuroCham, four in five business leaders agreed that businesses should be able to inoculate their workforce. This would reduce the burden on the state budget while also helping accelerate the governments vaccination drive. The private sector, including foreign enterprises can help speed-up Vietnams vaccination efforts, said Eurocham chair Alain Cany. Our companies can provide both the world-leading equipment and the international expertise essential to a successful mass vaccination programme. Therefore, Vietnams roadmap to recovery should harness the contribution of European businesses. But the planning needs to begin now so that we can hit the ground running as soon as vaccines are available. Likewise, the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KorCham) said a number of South Korean businesses are interested in providing test kits and equipment to cater for their own demand and for the country as a way to contribute towards local prevention against the pandemic. KorCham vice chairman Hong Sun told VIR, South Korean businesses are seeking a licence from the Vietnamese government, allowing them to import vaccines and RT-PCR test kits for their own use. South Korea is one of the worlds leaders in RT-PCR test kit manufacturing. He went on to elaborate that some South Korean companies have been asked to test all of their staff, however the testing cost is a concern. While health experts agreed that businesses could cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines for their staff, they cannot ensure their safety. Dr. Nguyen Van Khoi from Quang Khoi General Hospital told VIR, The vaccination process requires skilled health professionals from preservation to vaccination, especially for the new COVID-19 vaccine. Moreover, in case of side effects, only trained health professional can deal with them. Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen emphasised, The country is fast-tracking vaccinations to increase the rate of inoculated people. However, the Ministry of Health (MoH) gives top priority to safety. Therefore, vaccinations should only be carried out under a strict and careful process. According to the MoH, Vietnam carries out careful consultation and screening examinations before any shot a process that is not always carried out in other countries. Despite it taking a longer time, leaders insist on the process in order to ensure the highest possible safety. To this end, careful and regular training courses are held for health professionals about the vaccination and anticipated serious side effects at cities, districts, and grassroots health facilities. The prime minister last week approved the establishment of a COVID-19 vaccine fund to raise funds from various sources to ease the burden on the state budget, with the target of enabling the country to secure 150 million doses of vaccines to immunise 75 per cent of its population. Businesses have been urged make contributions towards the scheme. To date, 110 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines are committed to be supplied to Vietnam in 2021. The MoH is negotiating with vaccine providers from countries like Germany, Russia, China, and others to increase the vaccine supply. In regards to equipment for pandemic prevention, the MoH has opened wider doors for more import of biology products and medical equipment for coronavirus diagnostic tests, helping increase the countrys supply and thus enabling health departments, hospitals, also and research institutes to take the initiative in purchase for prevention and use. In Document No.3740/BYT-TB-CT issued on May 6, the MoH revealed the list of biology products and medical equipment for in-vitro diagnostic tests for coronavirus that are to receive registration numbers and licences for imports, and a list of 26 domestic and international suppliers featuring prominent names such as Roche Diagnostics, Abbott, and Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. In the governments effort and orientation to protect workers in industrial zones (IZs), and keep them in operation in the midst of the latest COVID-19 outbreak, the MoH last week began administering vaccinations for workers in IZs in the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang, currently the most seriously hit by the pandemic. At Que Vo IZ in Bac Ninh, workers at Foxconn which employs more than 10,000 people have received a vaccine shot. Meanwhile, 300 workers at Fuhong Precision Component, which employs about 2,500 workers in Dinh Tram IZ in Bac Giang, were also inoculated. Authorities, healthcare workers, and more besides are rallying to ensure the latest outbreak does not overly affect health and the economy. Photo: Le Toan With the number of positive coronavirus cases escalating after the conclusion of the 15th National Assembly and all-level peoples councils for the 2021-2026 tenure, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh convened a special meeting discussing the pandemic situation and solutions to help enterprises and individuals out of difficulties. The PM required that greater efforts must be made to push back the pandemic and boost socioeconomic development, and underscored a number of imperative tasks needing to be implemented effectively, and immediately. The ministries of health; finance; planning and investment; labour, invalids and social affairs; industry and trade; public security; defence; and foreign affairs have all been required to review their tasks and devise new mechanisms and policies to protect the health of the public and businesses. The PM also demanded the close control of immigration activities, especially illegal immigration and residence in Vietnam. The prime minister ordered subordinate levels to expeditiously work out a strategy for COVID-19 prevention at industrial zones (IZs). It is necessary to continue reviewing all regulations and processes on medical declaration and pandemic prevention and fighting, as well as isolation and production and business at IZs, PM Chinh said. Relevant ministries and localities have to both formulate and perfect regulations in order to develop a perfect strategy on fighting the pandemic at IZs and ensure supply chain and business operation will not be disrupted. Notably, in the middle of last week, the government officially established the Vietnam Fund for Vacination Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (VFVC), the first of its kind in the country. This move is part of the national vaccine strategy, with the boosting of vaccine research and development, and vaccine purchase from foreign nations. Under the VFVC, financial and technical resources are to be mobilised from all sources from the public, businesses, organisations, and funds at home and abroad. Recurrent spending from state coffers must be saved in order to ensure a budget for purchasing vaccines. Previously, so as to secure funding for COVID-19 vaccines, the Ministry of Finance submitted a proposal to the government for approval of a VND25.2 trillion ($1.1 billion) COVID-19 vaccine fund. The total funding includes VND16 trillion ($695.6 million) from the state budget while the rest will be mobilised from the local budget, business community, and organisations. The fund will be used to purchase 150 COVID-19 million vaccine doses for around 75 million Vietnamese people this year. According to Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, in addition to diversifying access to external vaccine sources, Vietnam is also seeking to acquire patients for vaccine makers, and set up partnerships in vaccine production. Enterprises in woes PM Chinhs fresh order came amid the latest spell of COVID-19 surging and sabotaging the economy, with the aftermath yet to be calculated. However, damages have already been felt by some business associations and international organisations. Hong Sun, vice chairman of the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam, told VIR that the organisation, which represents about 9,300 South Korean businesses using over one million labourers in Vietnam, highly appreciated the PMs order. We hope the solutions set out by PM Chinh will be strictly implemented. All South Korean businesses here have been badly affected by COVID-19. Many have suffered from disruption in supply chains, shortages in input material imports, and financial issues, Sun said. Many of them have also been exhausted and many labourers have temporarily halted their work, especially those operating in aviation, catering, and tourism, he added. Consequences are incalculable now, but they are quite huge. According to Sun, the governments idea of developing a national vaccine strategy and a specific plan on fighting against COVID-19 at IZs is a necessary one. IZs have too many workers working together at a close distance, so they must be vaccinated as a priority, Sun said, adding that many foreign companies, including many South Korean ones, stand ready to side with the government in the fight. They are willing to cooperate with the government to develop and purchase vaccines. However, the problem is that safe and effective vaccines must be selected, and that prices must be negotiated, he said. For big enterprises, cooperation is not a big problem, but smaller ones with limited capital need to be supported by the government. The American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi (AmCham Hanoi) last week released a survey it conducted nearly two weeks ago about the business impact of the ongoing pandemic in Vietnam. The survey focused on business operations, travel and activity restrictions, burdensome procedures for in-bound arrivals, and the availability of vaccines in Vietnam. The coronavirus outbreak is causing anxiety and uncertainty across all business sectors in Vietnam, said Adam Sitkoff, executive director of AmCham Hanoi. Over 90 per cent of our members responding to the survey said the current outbreak has affected their business operations here. The biggest challenges are a lack of available vaccine to protect their team members, and not being able to bring necessary people here due to burdensome travel requirements and paperwork. Over 70 per cent of respondents said their company is currently restricting work travel in Vietnam. Sitkoff added that around 90 per cent of AmCham members have cancelled work or personal travel due to the current outbreak that has found infections in 30 cities and provinces here. The health and safety of people in Vietnam should remain the governments number one priority, he said. At the same time, Sitkoff added, it is important to recognise that in-bound travel brings in the foreign experts and business people necessary to facilitate new investment, efficient operations, key infrastructure, education of Vietnamese children, and more. Ensuring availability Survey results found that 81 per cent of members say their companies would bring more people to Vietnam if the mandatory quarantine period was reduced from 21 to seven days. The pandemic is likely to continue causing disruption and locking people inside a room for many weeks might seem like a good idea today, but Vietnamese policymakers need to think seriously about a safe and simple system of documentation that will facilitate international arrivals. Vaccines have proven safe and effective. AmCham encourages authorities to implement less burdensome entry procedures for fully vaccinated business people, foreign experts, and maybe even tourists, Sitkoff said. In the survey responses, AmCham members repeatedly stressed the need to get more people vaccinated. In fact, 88 per cent of respondents said they or their company would pay money to receive a high-quality vaccine here. The AmCham executive director again offered to gather financial resources from companies if the government would guarantee quick vaccine availability for their team members. Sitkoff added that vaccine availability is the top issue on the minds of AmCham members right now, and that until many more people are covered, they will likely see additional outbreaks and disruption from the virus here. A study from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) suggested that there has been a huge impact from the pandemic on the income and poverty of Vietnamese households. For example, it will reduce household per-capita income on average by 9.8 per cent, and the poorest income group will suffer a 10.2 per cent income drop, while the poverty rate of households in the poorest income quintile will rise by 40 per cent. There will be an additional 1.7 million poor people due to COVID-19, and those living in rural and remote areas will be more severely affected. In the short-term, the major downside risks are the pandemic re-emerging from new coronavirus variants and delays in the governments vaccination plan. A faltering global vaccine rollout could have an immediate impact on Vietnam being able to return to its strong pre-pandemic growth path given the countrys reliance on external demand, Andrew Jeffries, ADBs country director for Vietnam, told VIR. Meanwhile, the World Bank also commented that the current outbreak in Vietnam has led to a sharp increase in community transmitted infections, forcing the government to close schools in many provinces and to reinstitute precautionary health and mobility restrictions measures. Depending on the magnitude of the outbreak and how quickly the government will be able to bring it under control, domestic economic activities will be affected, especially those in sectors such as tourism, transport, and retail, said the World Bank in its May bulletin. If this happens, the government may wish to consider boosting domestic demand by adopting a more accommodative fiscal policy, including increasing its support to affected businesses and people. Belt roads and other infrastructure projects could provide a significant boost to trade and business across Vietnam. Photo: Le Toan Hanoi and the northern provinces of Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, and Bac Giang are now waiting for the nod from the prime minister to develop a $5.9 billion road project, besides a sum of VND25 trillion ($1.1 billion) for site clearance. The Belt Road No.4 project, thus enabling preparations for development, including calling for private investors to join public-private partnership (PPP) sections. Experts said that private and foreign investors are interested in transport infrastructure, including beltways in Vietnam, where infrastructure covers more than roads and railways. However, investors are still concerned about some of the new regulations in Decree No.35/2021/ND-CP dated March 29, guiding the Law on Public-Private Partnership Investment that might affect their interests in PPP ventures. Tony Foster, managing partner of the Vietnam offices at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP told VIR, The levels of foreign investor interest in PPPs will depend on the protections available. This is not because foreign investors do not take risks but because lenders do not. The lenders could push risks back onto the investors but when the size of the project is too large for the investor to take such risk, the PPP will not be completed. However, as shown in Decree 35, it does not assist much in this allocation of risk and hence does not assist much in making PPPs more likely to be successfully project financed. One of the main risks that lenders are cautious of is termination risk. If a project ends and it is not as a result of a breach by the developer, lenders want the outstanding amount paid to them by the government. Nonetheless, Decree 35 does not state such a principle, or any lesser variation of it. Unless there is a clear policy on minimum protections, it is unlikely to be achieved in practice, at least in the immediate future. Developers may not even spend the time and money required to test whether it is possible to negotiate the required protection, Foster explained. Worse still, Decree 35 also fails to provide any protection to a developer against a change in law. Such a change can put up the costs for a PPP venture, even if the revenue is fixed. This reduces the amount that can be paid back to lenders or that can be retained as profits. One lawyer told VIR that the PPP law does have some revenue risk protection in that if revenues from a project falls below 75 per cent of the agreed projections, the state will pay 50 per cent of the difference between actual revenue and 75 per cent of the amount agreed, subject to various conditions. But this alone may not be sufficient enough for overseas lenders in large projects. Some of these investors have expressed interest in the eastern cluster of the North-South Expressway project, which was earlier planned to be split into 11 sub-projects with eight being PPPs. However, this interest went nowhere indeed, there were no domestic takers for five of the eight sections. Of the three remaining, the first contract for the Nha Trang-Cam Lan section was signed recently with the Ministry of Transport (MoT). The state has to fund the other eight sub-projects. Meanwhile it is unlikely that there will be significant foreign interest in railways, which have proven difficult for the PPP model in many parts of the world. Vietnam is planning to develop a number of transport infrastructure in the future. The more concerns are solved; the more investors the country attracts to achieve their goals. By 2025, the country aims to complete the North-South Expressways eastern cluster. And by 2030, the country strives to have around 5,000km of expressways while also developing Long Thanh International Airport and expanding Noi Bai International Airport. Vietnam will also invest in seaports to improve their capacity. In the Mekong Delta, furthermore, the MoT is making preparations for development of nearly 40 new projects on roads, maritime, inland waterways, and aviation with the total investment capital of $5.14 billion, of which $4.29 billion is needed for the 2021-2025 period. As part of the agreement, Asia Bankers Club, Ashton Hawks and Golden Emperor Properties will exclusively promote Lancaster Luminaire of Hanoi to overseas investors, with Hong Kong as the first stop. Trung Thuy Group is gradually asserting its ambition in the international real estate market by searching for professional agencies to expand the distribution capabilities of the Lancaster developments one of the luxury brands in the Vietnamese real estate industry. Besides the collaboration with other international distributors, Trung Thuy Group and Toshin Development (a subsidiary company of Takashimaya Group) officially signed a business cooperation agreement to invest in Lancaster Luminaire. With long-standing experience in the management and operation of projects, Toshin Development promises to apply Japanese standards in managing the offices and retail podium. With the contribution of Toshin Development, the values will be increased over time. Sharing his views about the cooperation, Nguyen Trung Tin, CEO of Trung Thuy Group, said, At the beginning of the project, Lancaster Luminaire has drawn customers attention inside and outside Vietnam. Although there are only 126 apartments and 126 serviced apartments which were released to the market, we would like to provide perfect experiences as well as a professional counseling service for customers. Thus, we decided to look for appropriate distributors from the world market. Besides the quality of products, a professional distribution system is absolutely necessary to create a secure and transparent investment environment. From the left: Nguyen Manh Tien (director, Marketing & Sales, Trung Thuy Group), Kingston Lai (founder and CEO, Asia Bankers Club), Nguyen Trung Tin (CEO, Trung Thuy Group), and Bernad Lillo Vicente (deputy general director, Trung Thuy Group) Assessing the real estate market in Hanoi, Ivan Yam, managing director and partner of Golden Emperor, commented, Hanoi is the centre of economics and politics of Vietnam with a rapidly-growing urban population. The supply of brand-new residential developments is far behind population growth. Coupled with the stable GDP growth of Vietnam and the rise of the middles class, it is expected that the housing market will recover very quickly once the pandemic is over. We believe this is a good entry point for investors looking to enter the real estate market of this emerging economy. The participation of well-known brands is a significant factor for investors to trust a development. Kingston Lai, founder and CEO of Asia Bankers Club said, Japanese department store chain operator Takashimaya is a familiar name for investors in Hong Kong. This exquisite urban development project in Hanoi by Toshin Development together with Trung Thuy Group, a Vietnamese high-end housing developer would deliver high confidence to Hong Kong investors that are looking for international-standard real estate projects overseas. We are delighted to be a group of exclusive agencies to launch it globally. Frederick Ho, director and partner of Ashton Hawks added, A number of infrastructure projects in Hanoi have been completed in the coming years, improving urban planning in the city centre and the CBD. Lancaster Luminaire is located 10 minutes away from Cau Giay Station of Metro 3 which is scheduled to be completed by 2022. The location of this development is also very convenient with shopping facilities, international schools, hospitals, and CBD nearby. Breakthrough for the elite After the success of Lancaster Nui Truc, Lancaster Luminaire is the next development of Trung Thuy Group. A skyscraper located in a prime location on Lang Street, with an unlimited view of the whole city, Lancaster Luminaire has been a remarkable building from the first draft, turning heads in the industry. Light has been a major inspiration for Lancaster Luminaire a masterpiece which will become a new center for Hanoi. Lancaster Luminaire Lancaster Luminaire impresses with its remarkable design and 5-star management services. The development will be operated by one of the leading property management firms in the market: Lancaster Management, a part of Trung Thuy Group. With more than 14 years of experience in managing the Lancaster building, Lancaster Management has spent many years to understand customers needs and release exceptional care services that are individualised to increase personal experience for all residents living in Lancaster buildings. Cooperating with prestigious business partners in the real estate industry around the world, Trung Thuy Group will not only bring high-quality real estate products to the local market but also attract potential customers outside Vietnam. Trung Thuy Group Experience Lounge: 20 Nui Truc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam Website: luminaire.lancaster.com.vn Hotline: 0933 09 09 09 Companies and authorities are working to increase Vietnams husbandry exports to reach a trade surplus Statistics from the Department of Livestock Production (DLP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) showed that Vietnam reported an export turnover of $1.23 billion in meat and dairy products in 2020, while import turnover was $1.8 billion, signifying a trade deficit of $600 million. In the first quarter of this year, Vietnam spent $913 million importing meat and dairy, up 14 per cent on-year, meanwhile the export value of these goods was $89 million, up 35 per cent on-year. Although there was a $824 million trade deficit in the first three months of this year, the shortfall is expected to narrow as the export turnover is forecast to continue rising this year amid the increasing global meat and dairy consumption. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization projects that global meat consumption will rise by over 1 per cent in 2021, with the fastest growth occurring in low- and middle-income countries, where incomes are climbing. Moreover, Vietnams meat and dairy sector hopes to raise its average production growth rate in 2021 by 5-6 per cent, according to the DLP. In the animal husbandry development strategy for 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2045, Vietnam also set the target to increase annual output. Impressive growth The export value of meat and dairy products in the first quarter has been continuing to maintain momentum. Poultry exports are mainly going to Asia, accounting for more than 99.9 per cent, of which, exports to Hong Kong accounted for 64.5 per cent, China for 8.8 per cent, and Thailand for 4.5 per cent. Asia is also the largest export destination of dairy products, accounting for 94.6 per cent of total exports. Shelled eggs are mainly exported to Hong Kong (91.1 per cent), up 223.2 per cent on-year. Meanwhile, unshelled, boiled eggs were mainly exported to Singapore (56.8 per cent) and Japan (38.4 per cent). In 2020, the export value of meat and dairy exceeded the $1 billion milestone for the first time. the export turnover climbed to $1.23 billion, double that of 2015. Meat production increased by 4.8 per cent on-year, with fresh milk and and buffalo meat ascending by 10.2 and 1.6 per cent, respectively. Key meat and dairy products of Vietnam (such as meat, egg, and dairy) are exported to 60 countries and territories. The countrys fresh milk is exported to over 50 markets, accounting for 78 per cent of the export value. Meanwhile, chicken is exported to eight markets (16 per cent), pork to four countries with 5 per cent, and eggs to five markets with 1 per cent of the total export value. Foreign-owned Koyu & Unitek Co., Ltd. specialised in poultry meat processing in the southern province of Dong Nai, has exported its first batch of chicken processed products to Hong Kong, making the economy its second export market after its previous success in Japan. James Hieu Nhon Khuu, general director of Koyu & Unitek, told VIR, Export is a potential channel given the local market facing fierce competition with imported products. At present, the company exports around 2,000 tonnes of chicken processed products per year to Japan, however the figure makes up only a fraction of the countrys demand. Japan is the largest export market for meat and dairy in Asia, with its demand amounting to nine million tonnes of such products per year. Thus, there is a lot of room to expand, Khuu said. Compared to the domestic market, the sales prices overseas are 30 per cent higher, and thats where our profit comes from. However, around 80 per cent of our products are currently still distributed domestically. The company plans to increase its processing capacity to 1,000 tonnes per month to serve its export plans in next few years. Commenting on the potential export of the meat and dairy sector, Dam Van Hoat, director of Vietfarm Co. Ltd., said that Singapore and Hong Kong are the two large markets in Southeast Asia for the firms exporting salted duck eggs in Asia. Singapore alone consumes one million salted duck eggs per day, equivalent to 10 containers. However, Hoats company currently exports around two containers per month to this market. Paving ways overseas In a working session with the leaders of Son La Peoples Committee in April, Vietnam-Australia joint venture Mavin Group expressed its interest in developing an export processing complex in the province. According to the plan, the complex will combine with an animal feed factory with an annual capacity of 450,000 tonnes, a poultry breeding system with 10,000 parent chickens and 20,000 parent ducks, and a pig system with 6,000 breeding sows and 150,000 porkers per year. The final component is an organic fertiliser factory running on livestock waste with an annual capacity of 15,000 tonnes. The project, which has a total investment capital of $26.1 million, is the first of its kind of Mavin Group so far. The project has received the thumb-up from the provincial authorities. In mid-March, the Chinese General Administration of Customs granted transaction codes to two Vietnamese companies to export dairy products to China, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trades Asia-Africa Market Department. The Netherlands FrieslandCampina Ha Nam Co., Ltd. can ship pasteurised and fermented milk to China, while FrieslandCampina Vietnam Co., Ltd. can export pasteurised and fermented milk, sweetened condensed milk, and other dairy products to the Chinese market. To date, nine Vietnamese companies are granted such transaction codes from China, including TH Group, Hanoimilk, Bel Vietnam, Nutifood, and Vinamilk. Last December, Thai-backed C.P. Vietnam exported the first batch of processed chicken to Hong Kong. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the CPV Food Binh Phuoc complex in Becamex Binh Phuoc Industrial Zone, the largest chicken breeding and processing project for exports in Southeast Asia, Montri Suwanposri, general director of C.P. Vietnam said, With the initial investment capital of $250 million and an annual capacity of 100 million broilers after 2023, CPV Food Binh Phuoc will provide high-quality and safe chicken to domestic consumers and for export to Asia, Europe, and also the Middle East. Vu Manh Hung, general director of Hung Nhon JSC specialised in livestock production based in the southern province of Binh Phuoc, told VIR that the potential for exports of meat and dairy products is large, but much depends on each companys production capacity, business strategy, and investments. For example, Japan every year imports one million tonnes of poultry meat, but mostly from Brazil, Thailand, and China. In 2017, when Vietnam was preparing to export its first consignment of chicken to Japan, Thailand had just finished a prosperous year with 700,000 tonnes of exports to this and other markets. To be eligible for exporting products to Japan one of the strictest export markets the company has to make high investments, he said. According to MARD Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien, the domestic meat and dairy sectors current disadvantages include the small scale of vendors, and the underdeveloped links in production chains. While production, processing, and exports are all three important factors, enterprises have been mainly focusing on improving capacity. Moreover, the volume of exported meat and dairy products make up only a small portion of the more than $40 billion total export turnover of agricultural goods annually, Tien said. A boost in public investment will help Vietnam attract more private capital, including from foreign sources. Photo: Le Toan Since taking office on April 5, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has been considering a boost in disbursement of public investment as an effective solution for further economic growth. Neither the economy nor Vietnams fundamental innovation in infrastructure in the 2021-2025 period may not be able to go forward if bottlenecks in public investment are not handled. The opportunity to participate in the southern infrastructure projects of Tracodi JSC a member company of Bamboo Capital Group has been expanded as the Ministry of Transport outlined the road development plan for the next 10 years, with about 64 transport projects in the southwest and 38 projects in the southeast. However, the actual implementation of these projects may be slowed down, with the biggest cause being a lack of capital. Pouring money into infrastructure and improving traffic in the south could create much larger economic spillovers than in other regions but capital from the state budget can only meet about one-third of the demand for infrastructure development. Lack of capital Meanwhile, the Mekong Delta region requires a huge amount of capital for infrastructure development. For the next 10 years, the total investment for the southwest region is expected to be about VND162 trillion ($7.04 billion) and VND361 trillion ($15.69 billion) for the southeast, excluding Long Thanh International Airport. For the next five years, the southwest region will require about VND108 trillion ($4.69 billion) while the southeast requires about VND175 trillion ($7.61 billion). To create resources for national infrastructure development, the government previously launched a policy to solve the lack of capital, but its implementation process has not yet ensured harmony between the state, investors, and the people. Data from the Ministry of Transport shows that total capital required for Vietnams transport infrastructure in the last five years was nearly VND1 quadrillion ($43.47 billion) but only VND210 billion ($9.13 billion) of that could be afforded, of which mobilised capital from the society made up a mere 10-22 per cent, with the rest coming from the state budget and official development assistance. The new government has delivered important messages. Firstly, the way the government operates has changed, moving from a government based on collective responsibility to one of individual responsibility. Secondly, institutional breakthroughs shall be achieved by reviewing mechanisms and policies. Thirdly, priorities shall be shifted to create breakthroughs in infrastructure. The PM has chosen to have many meetings with local agencies, mainly to update, supplement, and evaluate reports on the implementation of medium-term public investment plans for the last five years and proposed medium-term public investment plans for the next five years. Meanwhile, Vietnams economy is witnessing the inefficiency of many state-funded projects. Some provinces remain underdeveloped, with a low regional GDP and a limited budget, but hundreds of projects are expected to be completed in the next five years. Public investment could remain one of the growth drivers in the coming period, backed by the PMs determination. To promote effective public investment, PM Chinh asked ministries, agencies, and localities to harmonise the regions but also not rely on the state budget and instead mobilise capital from society and foreign resources. New direction The prime minister also stated his views on the construction of expressways in the coming period during a meeting on May 20. According to the PM, wherever the project goes, the locality must take care of the budget and is responsible for site clearance. Based on each scenario, the state will support part of the funding (up to 50 per cent) for construction and installation, but state capital is merely to be used as a primer leading to other capital sources. To reduce the number of projects and focus capital onto key projects, according to the prime minister, localities, agencies, and ministries must calculate and save recurrent expenditures for development investment, while at the same time readjusting investment projects focusing on national security and social life. The initial efforts of PM Chinh and the government were recognised by analysts and investors. Dr. Dinh Trong Thinh of the Academy of Finance said that public investment will now be seen in a completely different context than in 2020, with large amounts of money being channeled into COVID-19 prevention and the support of the business community, taking up valuable resources. Thinh said, The prime minister must soon take measures to prevent the decline in public investment disbursement in the short term and promote the regions economy to remain on its expected growth trajectory. As the market for building materials has seen price increases of up to 40 per cent over last year, the total investment capital which is the most important factor in project financing as some projects has risen accordingly. Moreover, changes in the total required capital could lead to investors having to apply for an investment approval again, which can take months or even years. This and such issues could lead to wasteful and inefficient delays to many large public investment projects, such as the metros in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, as businesses and society show low motivation to spend money due to the pandemic, public investment is playing a more important role than ever. Supermarkets, convenience stores, and traditional markets urge to get their workers priority for vaccination due to the high risk of infection On June 4, Central Retail in Vietnam donated VND5 billion ($217,085) to source and procure vaccines for its employees. The amount is deducted from the donation of VND10 billion ($434,170) to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee to respond to the governments call for contributions to speed up the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Another donation of VND5 billion ($217,085) would be contributed to the National COVID-19 Vaccine Fund. Olivier Bernard Langlet, CEO of Central Retail in Vietnam expressed that the donation commits to its vision of contributing to Vietnams prosperity and enhancing the quality of life of the people. Do Thang Hai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade has just signed Official Dispatch No.3150/CV-BCT recommending the prime minister to give priority to vaccination against COVID-19 for employees at the retail distribution system. The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that adding retail workers to the priority list for vaccination would protect those at a high risk of infection. Because this is a group that has to deal with millions of customers every day while maintaining the supply of essential goods to serve people at all levels. Accordingly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade requested the health sector to assist in sourcing vaccines, guide import procedures, and organise injections for workers at retail distribution businesses that need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 pandemic using the financial resources of the businesses. Earlier, many associations and businesses in the manufacturing fields such as textiles, apparel, footwear, seafood, or electronics also wanted to be prioritised for vaccination because most of them are businesses with a large number of employees in industrial zones. Le Tien Truong, chairman of Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) said that many textile and garment businesses have signed orders until the end of the year. If the company cannot guarantee workforce for production and delivery on time, businesses will be fined for cancelling orders, causing billions of dollars worth of damage to the whole industry. He highlighted the need for these employees to receive priority in accessing vaccines, especially businesses in high-risk localities such as Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi. "Vinatex businesses are willing to pay to vaccinate their workers. As calculated, businesses under Vinatex will spend VND100 to 200 billion ($4.35 to 8.7 million) to vaccinate their workers, he added. In a document recently sent to the prime minister, the Private Sector Development Research Board (IV Board) also proposed to allow businesses to organise COVID-19 vaccination for employees according to the instructions and safety requirements of the Ministry of Health (MoH). The IV Board also proposed allowing private businesses and organisations to actively negotiate buying vaccines with global suppliers, based on the list of vaccines accepted by the Ministry of Health. Besides, the vaccination force should also be considered and expanded to meet the requirements of mass and large-scale vaccination by mobilising not only vaccination facilities but also qualified hospitals and medical centres according to the regulations of the MoH. VASEPs goal of increasing seafood exports by a good 10 per cent may be hard to reach. Photo: Le Toan This year, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) forecast that the countrys seafood exports may grow by 10 per cent compared to 2019, reaching $9.4 billion, higher than the average growth rate of 6.8 per cent in the last few years. However, the disruption of global supply chains, the resurgences of COVID-19 in the country, and problems related to official regulations are creating more challenges for the seafood industry that could threaten this target. Mekong Seafood JSC now only plans to not incur any further losses, according to a representative of this company. The companys net revenue in the first quarter of 2021 has decreased by 27 per cent compared to the same period last year, pushing it into a state of loss during the last four quarters. On March 18, the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange put the companys shares on alert due to a loss after tax in 2020 of nearly $520,000 and accumulated loss $87,000 at the end of that year. Despite the companys goal, losses may remain unavoidable if the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) applies the new safety and quarantine regulations on imported seafood. In that case, all imported products for further export processing will be inspected for records, financial statements, with the inspection time most likely affecting business sales. More hurdles to overcome During the complicated global health crisis, Tran Van Lap, chairman of the Board of Directors of Loc Kim Chi Seafood JSC, remains concerned that costs will increase if the quarantine list for seafood products expands, with businesses likely to encounter more difficulties in balancing time and costs. Laps concern may become reality when the MARD sticks to publishing the new circular which would replace its Circular No.15/2018/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 29, 2018 on promulgating HS codes of commodities under the ministrys management. Whereas Circular 15 still allowed animal-based products to be exempted from quarantine measures, the new one, which is under discussion now, would likely require all such products to undergo these safety procedures. According to the Law on Veterinary Medicine, imported goods subject to animal quarantine include terrestrial and aquatic animal products. Article 3 of the law states that animal products only include parts and parts of the body of animals and aquatic animals. The law, however, does not stipulate that products processed from animal products or parts thereof are subject to quarantine. Meanwhile, the Law on Food Safety on also only stipulates that fresh food derived from animals must have a veterinary hygiene certificate from a respective agency. For pre-packaged processed foods, only the declaration of conformity with the competent state agency must be registered before being circulated on the market. In its latest documents, VASEP commented on the new draft circular that the maintenance and expansion of the list of processed goods subject to quarantine is excessive and unnecessary. In addition, it would not be consistent with the policy of reducing the list of goods subject to specialised industry inspections as prescribed by current international laws and practices. According to VASEP, the concept of animal products has been expanded beyond the regulations in the Law on Veterinary Medicine. Another criticism is that Article 3 of the Law on Veterinary Medicine places preliminary processing and processing into the same concept while both are inherently two concepts with very different connotations a point in which the Law on Food Safety agrees as it specifies both processes as completely different from each other. Nguyen Van Long, deputy director of the MARDs Department of Animal Health (DAD), said that frozen goods are still in a high-risk group of products that could carry disease-causing microorganisms. The DAD is assigned by the MARD to quarantine animal products in accordance with the Law on Veterinary Medicine-related documents, while at the same time, inspecting the food safety of several traded items in accordance with the Law on Food Safety. According to Long, his department agrees to let a specialised inspection agency examine food safety standards and quarantine imported items following the provisions of the laws. At the moment, businesses only have to perform one such quarantine and examination, which is to ensure convenience and reduce costs involved businesses. Incomplete considerations The disruption of global supply chains has been creating opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese seafood producers. However, when VASEP announced its 10-per-cent growth target in seafood exports this year, the association may not have considered the effects from institutional reforms. From 2010 to 2020, the MARD issued four circulars guiding and regulating the quarantine of aquatic products. Ta Thi Van Ha, editor-in-chief for VASEPs weekly seafood bulletin, found that the list of imported aquatic products subject to quarantine became more and more expanded. According to Has analysis, in the last decade, along with the replacement, amendment, and supplement of circulars, the expansion of that list has happened without any change in legal basis or international risk and disease reporting practices. Another major criticism from involved experts is that the criteria for disease and food safety cannot be distinguished when a product is meant for human consumption. Most of the microbiological criteria specified in the circulars are food safety indicators that cause diseases to humans when ingested, not indicators of disease-causing pathogens that spread to aquatic animals. In other words, there is a confusion of concepts and duplicated content, which renders the amount of regulated goods too large. Many countries do not require quarantine measures for frozen or cooked seafood products that come in sealed packaging. Most developed nations such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Canada only examine these products according to food safety criteria for processed seafood products. According to VASEP, the government has been issuing resolutions on improving the business environment and reducing specialised inspections, with most of them assigning the MARD to reform and reduce the quarantine measures for frozen seafood. But during the last few years, the ministry continuously revised and supplemented circulars for imported seafood products and extended the list of high-risk goods subject to quarantine. A VASEP expert said that the expansion of the concept of animal products in the documents and the failure to clearly distinguish between the concepts of preliminary processing and processing is an important reason for the increase in the number of goods that are now subject to animal quarantine. However, the seafood industry could still achieve the set target of 10 per cent growth this year, and businesses can still avoid suffering additional losses, if the management regulations under the Law on Food Safety are effectively deployed, the expert argued. VASEP has no choice but to persistently propose to the government and relevant ministries especially the MARD to consider not expanding the quarantine list. Tyre exports deflect US dumping duty. Photo: freepik.com In early 2020, the US tyre industry alleged that Vietnamese producers were engaged in dumping their tyres in the US market at less-than-fair-value prices and received illegal government subsidies. A full anti-dumping duty (ADD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigation followed. The largest Vietnamese producer, Sailun Co., Ltd., has a major presence in the country. After nearly a year of investigation, the DOC found that Sailun was not dumping its tyres in the US market and awarded the company a zero per cent ADD rate. The DOC also found that only minor subsidies were being received by Sailun from the Vietnamese government and awarded Sailun a modest 6.23 per cent CVD rate. After a nearly year-long intensive investigation by the US government, Sailun received the lowest combined rates, and as a result of GDLSKs efforts, Sailun will be excluded from the DOCs final ADD order on tyres from Vietnam. This means it will be excluded from the ADD case going forward. This is quite a victory in any US ADD proceeding. GDLSKs efforts also resulted in Sailun being assigned the lowest combined ADD and CVD rate of any company from any of the investigated markets of South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. In fact, Sailuns rates are markedly lower than any of its competitors in these other exporting countries. This should provide Sailun quite a competitive advantage over its regional competitors. GDLSK has been practicing international trade law in Vietnam for over 20 years and this is one of the only US ADD investigations to ever result in a zero ADD rate with an exclusion from the ultimate ADD order. This result is particularly notable since Vietnam is considered to be a non-market economy and the DOC uses surrogate values from other countries (for example India) to price out the production inputs of merchandise made in Vietnam. This can be highly subjective and prejudicial to Vietnamese companies. In contrast, in market economy investigations actual costs and third-market prices are used to determine the level of dumping, making the ADD process far more predictable and manageable. The fact that Sailun was not dumping its tyres in the US market demonstrates that companies subject to potentially crippling ADD and/or CVD liabilities can earn a favourable outcome if they are represented by able counsel and remain committed to fully responding to the DOCs requests for information, including its very detailed verification requests. It also illustrates the need for careful and detailed surrogate value research in third country markets. This is especially important in our current protectionist climate where prohibitive ADD and CVD rates are being assessed by the DOC in multiple investigations against various commodities in various Asian countries, particularly Vietnam. With China experiencing increased trade tensions with the US, and a host of ADD and CVD trade remedy cases, special retaliatory duties, and other trade barriers, certain Chinese industries are moving production or assembly to Vietnam. While this can be a boon to the Vietnamese economy, these types of transplanted industries can also attract the attention of US petitioning industries. Careful planning including pricing, costing, and origin audits of finished products are extremely valuable to protect Vietnamese companies from these US trade remedy actions. GDLSK has worked with many Vietnamese producers and exporters to analyse their supply chain, production processes, and assess the value added in Vietnam to ensure that local origin is conferred and the finished product is not subject to duties covering Chinese goods. In addition, GDLSK has undertaken many trade audits in a variety of industries to prepare Vietnamese producers for the very intensive and time consuming ADD and CVD investigations. This involves analysing the consumption of production inputs, calculating a comparison price using surrogate values and establishing US floor prices. It also involves reducing the network of subcontractors or tollers that may be used inside and outside of the country and streamlining the supply chain, as well as establishing new distribution channels and terms of sale to the US market. Careful planning and implementation of mitigating strategies can not only preserve the US market but give Vietnamese companies a distinct advantage over their competitors. By Caitlin Wiesen - Resident representative United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam As this current wave of outbreaks takes hold, countries are understandably tightening borders even further. In recent weeks Vietnam has seen an increase of both legal and illegal cross-border movements from neighbouring countries facing a resurgent pandemic. And while countries are dealing with this dangerous new surge in COVID-19, other challenges continue to unfold, including the current situation in Myanmar and new cross-border flows of people into Thailand. The world has also witnessed an unprecedented global effort to develop new vaccines at breakneck speed. The COVAX facility led by the World Health Organization (WHO) has also shown the potential for a multilateral and equitable approach to distribution, with more than 170 countries signing up. Simultaneously, however, we are seeing the disappointing reality of short-sighted national self-interest that is dividing the world into vaccine haves and have-nots. It has been argued that the pandemic has split the world in two, as rich countries monopolise vaccine supplies that in some cases exceed the quantities needed to vaccinate their entire population several times over. The WHO also reported that vaccine supplies in low and lower-middle income countries have not even been sufficient to immunise health and care workers, and vaccine supplies to COVAX fall far short of both commitments and needs. And yet we know that until the whole world is secure from COVID-19, no one country will be secure. New variants will continue to emerge, testing our best defences, and posing an ongoing threat to our collective hard-won gains against the pandemic. Across ASEAN member states, the rate of the population receiving at least one dose ranges from around 33 down to 1 per cent. Given the constraints on vaccine supplies and roll out, and the concern over new variants, many analysts predicted that borders within the region will remain largely closed through 2022 with the exception of travel bubbles. Vietnam has set up a $1.1 billion vaccine fund as well as efforts to accelerate the urgent procurement of vaccines from multiple sources are important steps for the next phase of the response. Developing national production of vaccines will also be important. I commend Vietnams initiative to apply for WHO approval to become a potential hub for production of mRNA-based vaccine for Vietnam and possibly for the region. Vietnams triple-A response The pandemic emerged in a world that was already grappling with geopolitical tensions that have some commentators referring to a new Cold War, with seemingly ever-widening divisions between different groups in society, and a growing mistrust threatening the social contract between citizens and governments in many parts of the world. Fortunately, in Vietnam, we have seen what is possible when a government and an entire nation places health and protecting people at the very centre of its COVID-19 response. We have seen the tireless efforts of health workers and frontline teams carrying out tracking, tracing and testing. We have seen effective messaging mobilising the whole of society to work together to defeat the virus. Supporting these efforts, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has worked with the Ministry of Health to procure essential supplies and equipment and to develop public health messages in ethnic minority languages and sign language. The UNDP has contributed to this innovation through new standards and quality assurance for domestic production of essential protective equipment. And we have seen the positive dividends of social solidarity and transformative innovation, from rice ATMs and zero-VND grocery stores that provided essential supplies during the first wave of the pandemic, to the support for Vietnams dragon fruit farmers when their livelihoods were taking a battering due to border closures. Vietnams pandemic response provides an excellent example of what we at the UNDP call triple A governance that is anticipatory, agile, and adaptive. Putting health first has had a tangible economic dividend, with Vietnam the only ASEAN country, and one of very few countries worldwide, to register economic growth in 2020. The UNDPs study Citizens Opinions of and Experiences with Government Responses to COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam in 2020 confirmed widespread public support here for the governments response, in sharp contrast to the trust deficit in governments being registered in many parts of the world. The pandemic has accelerated existing challenges, sharpening questions that were already been asked about global and regional commitments to multilateralism, to joining together for effective actions to achieve Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to taking meaningful action on critical regional and global challenges including climate change, increasingly complex natural disasters, and plastic pollution. The UNDPs global research identifies broad options facing the world, including a high damage scenario, which would push an additional 207 million people into poverty worldwide by 2030, and increase female headcount poverty by 102 million. It has also identified another option, the SDG Push scenario, that illustrates how a concerted effort can accelerate global progress even when accounting for the pandemic. This ambitious yet feasible scenario would lift an additional 146 million people out of extreme poverty worldwide, narrow the gender poverty gap, and reduce the female poverty headcount by 74 million. The SDG Push scenario is an opportunity for ASEAN member states to invest in a decade of action, resetting the development path of people and the planet for a fairer, greener, and more resilient future. A hopeful future Under Vietnams chairing in 2020, ASEAN demonstrated the ability to move rapidly to online consultations as the pandemic took hold, and ASEAN leaders signalled important collective actions including establishing the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, launching the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies, establishing the ASEAN Strategic Framework for Public Health Emergencies, and adopting the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and Implementation Plan. The plan to establish the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases was also announced, and Vietnam has made a strong pitch to host this centre. If Vietnam succeeds, and we hope it does, this would be the first such regional centre in the country, and an important step forward for ASEAN. Vietnam is currently preparing for a possible outbreak of up to 30,000 cases nationwide, is concerned about the global emergence of new and more contagious and deadly variants and the complicated evolution of the pandemic in neighbouring countries, and has thus undertaken preemptive preparedness measures including strengthened border controls and setting up field hospitals in border regions. At the same time, Vietnam has strongly signalled its support for its neighbours, donating a total of $8 million, four million face masks, 300,000 N95 respirators, 1,000 ventilators, and other supplies to Cambodia and Laos. Vietnam has also sent a team of 35 medical experts to support the COVID-19 response in Laos. Whether borders only reopen when countries have been able to vaccinate their populations, or more quickly, for example through travel bubbles and vaccine passports, the long-term objective of returning to more open ASEAN borders remains clear. This was strongly emphasised by Vietnam in its capacity of ASEAN 2020 chair in the concluding statement of the 37th ASEAN Summit last November. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 13:59:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close OTTAWA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Former Canadian senator and Chair of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Murray Sinclair called for an independent investigation into the sites of indigenous children of Canada's residential school system on Thursday. Speaking before the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee of the Canadian parliament, Sinclair said a search must be conducted outside the purview of a government department. "In order for us to deal with this properly, we need to ensure that there is an independent study that is done into that question of those burial sites, where they are, and what the numbers are going to tell us," he told the committee. On May 28, the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation confirmed the discovery of the remains of 215 indigenous children buried at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, which operated between 1890 and 1978, housing as many as 500 children at its peak. Over the course of more than 100 years, some 150,000 indigenous children were ripped from their families and forced to attend church-run residential schools, where many suffered physical and sexual abuse, malnutrition, and neglect. More than 4,000 are believed to have died. Following the discovery, indigenous leaders, residential school survivors, and opposition parties have called for the government to fund the research and excavation of all sites of former residential schools for unmarked graves in the country. Sinclair said he has spoken with "about 200 survivors" over the course of the last few days, who have expressed their "grief, their feelings of anger, their feelings of frustration" over the situation. The Canadian government has been criticized for failing to fully implement all sections of the 2015 TRC report with calls to address the missing children and unmarked graves at residential schools. The report includes maps showing the location of deceased residential school children; appropriate ceremonies, markers, and reburials; procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. Sinclair, who is also an indigenous lawyer, said an independent probe should be "overseen by a parliamentary committee that will ensure that it's done in a proper way as opposed to having anyone within the justice department or the department of Indigenous affairs controlling the process." "They're now beginning to question those who have made this story available and unfortunately, in a typically heavy-handed and ham-handed police way, they are simply intimidating people, rather than helping them," Sinclair said during the hearing. Enditem Vietnam is among the group of Asian countries and territories that will receive this batch of vaccines from the US The White House announced that the US government is to share at least 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine worldwide by the end of June 2021, and plans to donate the first 25 million doses. Vietnam is among the group of Asian countries and territories that will receive the vaccine in this batch. According to the announcement, at least 75 per cent of these doses (nearly 19 million) will be shared through COVAX, including approximately six million doses for Latin America and the Caribbean, approximately seven million for South and Southeast Asia, and approximately five million for Africa, working in coordination with the African Union and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The remaining doses, just over six million, will be shared directly with countries experiencing surges, those in crisis, and other partners and neighbours, including Canada, Mexico, India, and the Republic of Korea. President Joe Biden claimed that the sharing of these doses will not be used to secure favours or extract concessions. "We are sharing these vaccines to save lives and to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic, with the power of our example and with our values, he said. AmCham executive director Adam Sitkoff stated that the efforts of many people urging the US government to donate vaccines to Vietnam were effective, including the recent letter from President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Sitkoff added that although the first shipment of vaccines to Vietnam is not large, it is only the first phase of a large-scale programme. The US will allocate at least 80 million doses worldwide this month and we expect much more to follow later this summer, said Sitkoff and added, "Right now, only three out of every 10,000 people in Vietnam are fully vaccinated and until many more people get jabbed, we will likely see additional outbreaks and economic disruption from the virus." "It is difficult for people to be patient in the middle of an outbreak but the global demand for proven vaccines far exceeds supply. Government officials are working hard to ensure large quantities of vaccine arrive here at the soonest possible date. However, people need to be realistic and recognise that we are a long way from community immunity here. In the meantime, people should follow Vietnam's COVID-19 prevention measures, stay vigilant, and use common sense, Sitkoff stated. Kandals provincial governor has claimed that soldiers did not intend to hit protesting villagers a day after security forces opened fire at land protesters and hit and injured one person. The shooting incident took place in Kandals Ang Snuol district, not far from Phnom Penh. Around 100 soldiers opened fire on villagers who are embroiled in a land dispute, according to local rights groups and villagers. Mom Chantha, who was injured, was hospitalized and other villagers have continued their protest against land clearings. Kandal Governor Kong Sophoan admitted that soldiers opened fire but claimed that it was in self-defense and not intended to hit villagers. But he justified the shooting in order to prevent the protest. The armed soldiers fired in the air and it hit [a villager], he told VOA Khmer. He accused villagers of illegally settling on the land, which he claimed belonged to the state. Let the court work on this, he said. The soldiers have their types of measures. It is not for any private benefits, he said. A video of the incident, posted on Facebook, shows soldiers advancing on farmers and opening fire; some soldiers can be seen shooting in the air or at the ground near the protestors. Midway through the four-minute video, there is a rapid volley of bullets, lots of shouting from villagers and a scramble to get away to safety. Am Sam Ath, deputy director of monitoring for rights group Licadho, said soldiers should not have fired at the villagers, adding that it was common for security forces to fire at protesters. This is a repeated issue where the perpetrators fire bullets during a land dispute injuring people, and then there is no one held responsible for that, he said. There must be a transparent and fair investigation, he added. Yan Sok Khem, one of the land disputants, said she has owned the land since 1979 and had not been informed by authorities that the land belonged to the state. She said villagers had seen soldiers stationed near the disputed land but were told the security forces were protecting forestland. Things got out of hand, she said, when the authorities started clearing the land with an excavator. First, villagers were told that soldiers came here to protect some forest nearby but then villagers were not allowed to go to their rice farms. So, it becomes tense and tense, she told VOA Khmer on Friday. The land conflict, according to Licadho, involves more than 150 hectares that have been farmed for many years by more than 300 local families from at least seven villages. Satellite data shows that the land around the location of the shooting has been farmed continuously since at least 2008, which is the earliest satellite imagery available on Google Earth, the rights groups said in a statement. Kandal provincial authorities issued a statement on Thursday saying the 280 hectares of land belonged to the state and would be used as a dump site and military base. Officials were now in the process of evaluating and studying the land, and authorities would try to find a solution or compensate villagers. Government officials often deploy heavily armed police and soldiers to force people off their land without court orders or any form of fair hearing for the owners or occupiers of the land. In January 2019, a man was shot and critically injured by mixed security forces after more than 100 police, gendarmes, and soldiers descended on Kokir village, in Preah Sihanouk province, to enforce a Supreme Court decision awarding disputed land to nine families. In March 2018, armed forces shot at protesters over a land dispute with a rubber plantation in Snuol district, Kratie province, and three people suffered injuries from gunfire. In 2012, a 14-year-old girl was fatally shot when soldiers opened fire in a similar land protest. In February 2019, Interior Minister Sar Kheng warned local authorities in Cambodia not to use armed forces personnel to violently disperse protesters. Now we have to be clear about who is the administration and who is the law enforcement. When they use the authorities to enforce the law, in that case, police and military police are proper. But when they use the military, it is wrong. We do not use military forces to carry out court orders, he said. The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the immediate release from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison of two political prisoners, Last Tamai Maengahama and Tungamirai Madzokere, where they had been detained since 2016 after they were convicted and sentenced to serve 20 years for allegedly murdering a Zimbabwe Republic Police officer. Maengahama and Madzokere, who were represented by Beatrice Mtetwa and Charles Kwaramba of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, were each sentenced to serve 20 years at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison on December 12, 2016, after they were convicted by then High Court Judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu of murder with actual intent as defined in section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The two together with Yvonne Musarurwa were convicted in 2016 for murdering Petros Mutedza, a ZRP Inspector on May 29, 2011. However, Musarurwa was released from prison in March 2018 under a presidential pardon. According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Phenias Nhatarikwa, who was convicted as an accessory after the fact to public violence as defined in section 206 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act was fined US$500 or in default of payment, three months imprisonment. Maengahama, Madzokere, Musarurwa and Nhatarikwas lawyers filed an appeal at the Supreme Court in 2016 seeking an order to pronounce them as not guilty and acquitted and to set aside the sentences imposed against them. In their application which was opposed by the state, Mtetwa and Kwaramba argued that Justice Bhunu erred and misdirected himself when he failed to properly apply the law and discharge Maengahama, Madzokere, Musarurwa and Nhatarikwa as he was obliged to at the close of the state case when no evidence justifying their placement on their defence had been led and in doing so denied them a fair trial with the result that the conviction and sentence must be vacated. Mtetwa and Kwaramba contended that Justice Bhunu erred and misdirected himself in finding Maengahama, Madzokere and Musarurwa guilty on the basis of the doctrine of common purpose when in law the doctrine is no longer part of Zimbabwean law. The human rights lawyers also argued that the High Court judge erred and misdirected himself when he convicted Nhatarikwa as an accessory after the fact to the crime of public violence when there is no actual perpetrator convicted of public violence during trial. On Friday, Supreme Court Judges Justice of Appeal Rita Makarau, Justice of Appeal Susan Mavangira and Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza set aside their conviction by Justice Bhunu and acquitted them after ruling that they were not guilty of committing murder. Justice Makarau, Mavangira and Deputy Chief Justice Gwaunza also quashed and set aside the sentences imposed on Maengahama, Madzokere, Musarurwa and Nhatarikwa and ordered the immediate release of Maengahama and Madzokere, who had remained incarcerated at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. (Reuters) Zimbabwe's government said on Friday citizens should not panic because it had enough COVID-19 vaccines for those needing a second shot after some centres ran out of doses this week and turned people away. The southern African nation, which aims to vaccinate 10 million people by the end of the year, has to date received just over 1.735 million doses from Sinopharm, Sinovac and Covaxin. Some 684,164 people have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while another 364,240 got their second shot. Agnes Mahomva, the national coordinator on government's response to COVID-19, told state broadcaster ZBC that just over a million doses had been used so far and that those needing second shots would get them. Mahomva said centres that were vaccinating faster than others, especially in Harare and second biggest city Bulawayo, had run out vaccines. "So what the ministry is doing is redistributing vaccines," Mahomva said. "The message that I want to bring out to the public is 'please don't panic'." "The doses are there, they are not in the large numbers that we would like but then that is the challenge that the whole world is facing," said Mahomva. She said Zimbabwe would take another shipment of vaccines "any minute now" without saying from where. Zimbabwe has so far shunned Western vaccines, preferring to use those from China, India and Russia. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube in April promised to procure 1 million doses a month but this has not yet happened. We have re-opened our newspaper office to the public in Stowe. Our South Burlington and Morrisville offices remain closed, except by appointment. Face masks are mandatory, and appropriate social distancing must be practiced, at all locations. Please email or call us with questions, news or updates; and read our local coronavirus coverage. Read News Thursday marked one year since protesters gathered at Big Spring Park following the death of George Floyd. The protest turned violent as dozens of people were tear-gassed and in handcuffs. Since then, people across the city have called for a change in policing. Protesters are still looking for a change within Huntsville Police Department and city leaders. Activist Brendan Lewis said he's looking for a peaceful protest. Lewis said he's hoping Huntsville Police Department respects Thursday night's march. "No riot gear, tear gas, or rubber bullets," said Lewis. "I just want the message to get across there are a bunch of concerned citizens and not just the citizens of Huntsville but in the United States." The march on Thursday night started at Big Spring Park and activists marched towards Madison County Courthouse. A song, a painting, space and sawdust. What do all these things have in common? Huntsville! Through a story that is interconnected. It's a unique one with lots of moving parts. The seeds one Florida Sycamore tree started as have made quite the journey. "Those seeds went to the moon, then came back from the moon," said artist Chris Calle. They were brought there by the crew of Apollo 14, 50 years ago. After returning to Earth, the seeds were planted at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The tree grew quite large until a hurricane knocked it down in 2017. "All this dust...all this sawdust was created and it was almost like a lightbulb," said Calle. That sawdust now lives on. In Calle's painting. Artist Chris Calle has his artwork on display at Huntsville's Space and Rocket Center. He says the inspiration for his sawdust-filled painting comes from astronaut turned artist Alan Bean, who also has artwork on display at the Space and Rocket Center. "Apollo 12 Astronaut Alan Bean, who became an artist, would incorporate it into all of his paintings. He took some of the fabric from his space suit and cut it up into little pieces and incorporate that," said Calle. And that sawdust painting isn't the only story to tell. "The song was great," said Calle. Lana White - who's from Huntsville - wrote the song "Earthrise." That song is the story of Calle's painting. "It just sprouted, like, 'nothing's wasted.' The photograph spurred the idea of the painting, you know, the seeds, you know the dust from the seeds." "To tie the song, the painting, the history all together in a really unique way, I think," said Calle. Apollo 14's mission now lives on. And Huntsville plays a big role in that. Calle says he has some sawdust left. He'll add it to more paintings in the future. The painting is at Calle's home in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He says he's going to keep it there as part of his personal collection. For all of our 'Alabama Originals," click HERE. The country is seeing more cybersecurity attacks. That's why one expert said businesses need to invest more money in their cybersecurity systems now to protect them from attacks later on. Cybersecurity attacks can cost businesses a lot of money. Cybersecurity attacks can cost businesses a lot of money. The senior cyber fellow at MartinFederal said they tell all of their clients they need to be prepared for a cyberattack before one happens, especially because cyberattacks are becoming more and more prevalent. "Absolutely they should be investing more money," said Wesley McGrew, Senior Cyber Fellow at MartinFederal. McGrew said cybersecurity attacks can cost businesses a lot of money, sometimes even more money than the actual ransom being requested. "The actual cost of a ransomware attack in terms of disruption, and the cost of investigation and things like that all of that adds up to way more than the ransom amount," said McGrew. And disruption is what one UAH professor said these attacks are doing to our economy. "It's causing massive amounts of disruption to our supply chain, to our markets," said Ravi Patnayakuni, UAH professor of information systems. Patnayakuni said some statistics show that cyberattacks are going to cost the global economy six trillion dollars. That's why businesses are being encouraged to invest more in their cybersecurity systems, but that could make prices in the market increase. "The cost of business eventually is going to gradually go up as these companies improve their security postures. So, yes it's definitely going to affect prices in the long run," said Patnayakuni. But there is not an abundance of cybersecurity professionals. "There's a cybersecurity skills shortage everywhere," said McGrew. If businesses are well prepared for a cyberattack they're not going to have as much downtime following the attack and they won't have to pay as much money. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle spoke with WAAY31 after a Huntsville civic group sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice asking them to look into the police department's actions. The Rosa Parks Committee of Huntsville/Madison County is concerned with how HPD responded to protest in downtown Huntsville one year ago, as well as officer William Darby's conviction for the murder of Jeffrey Parker. In the letter, the group specifically calls out Battle for his continued support of officer William Darby, even after his murder conviction for a shooting in the line of duty. Now, the mayor is saying he's disappointed in the Rosa Parks Committee for getting another agency involved, saying the city won't get better unless they are able to talk through things and find some common ground. "There was a little bit of disappointment. We had had a meeting with that group, we were supposed to be meeting again but they called off the meeting. We don't get better as a city unless we have a conversation, and that conversation sometimes we agree to disagree but then we find points that we can work together on. And if we come together we make a better city," says Battle. Even though he doesn't agree with the Rosa Parks Committee getting the DOJ involved, he said he'll still be glad to work with the group in the future. As far as if the Department of Justice will get involved, that's still up in the air. The Rosa Parks Committee doesn't have a timeline on when they expect to hear back from the agency, saying it could take over a month. Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 14:14:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Francis Collins appeared to have dismissed the Wuhan lab leak theory of COVID-19 as a "conspiracy" in an email last year, according to recent media reports. Citing a newly released email in April 2020 from Collins to Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. magazine Newsweek reported Wednesday that the subject line of Collins' email to Fauci was titled "conspiracy gains momentum." Most of the message was redacted, aside from a link to an article related to a claim that COVID-19 could have originated from a Chinese lab, said Newsweek. Fauci's response email was also redacted, according to the report. In an interview published in May 2020 by National Geographic, Fauci said, "If you look at the evolution of the virus in bats and what's out there now, (the scientific evidence) is very, very strongly leaning toward this could not have been artificially or deliberately manipulated." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-04 18:38:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close By Julia Pierrepont III LOS ANGELES, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The spanking new Avengers Campus is set to open Friday in the theme park of Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, 50 km southeast of downtown Los Angeles, welcoming guests of all ages to immerse in an exciting world of superheroes. Guests will be greeted by a life-size Spider-Man swinging high above the campus. The superhero flips 19.8 meters up in the air from the rooftop of his building with death-defying, acrobatic feats then crawls down the wall using his Spidey grip. Short for "Centralized Assembly Mobilized to Prepare, Unite, and Safeguard," the campus was designed as a training base where the finest superheroes from across the fictional Marvel Universe gather to "recruit" guests and help them find their own "superpower" and transform into the next generation of superheroes. "At Disney, our goal is to take guests on an adventure," said Scot Drake, portfolio creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, the company's creative engine that designs and builds all Disney theme parks. Each attraction will allow the recruits to team up with real-life superheroes and learn their knowledge, powers and technology in missions to become a more integral part of the universe. "To immerse them in the story and to tap into their imagination. Here at Avengers Campus, we have the opportunity to do all that with these extraordinary superheroes and put you right in the middle of the action alongside them!" Drake added. The campus comprises attractions inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, among which "Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure" offers a screen ride, and "Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout!" features a drop tower and dark ride system. "You don't know what character is going to come around the corner -- maybe Spider-Man swinging above your head -- that's really exciting," said Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios and prime influencer of all things in the Marvel Universe. "It's really amazing to see him (Falcon) in a theme park where kids can come and enjoy him as character instead of just a figment in movie or a show," said Anthony Mackie, who played the Falcon in the Avengers movies. In the new campus, Spider-Man appears at the Worldwide Engineering Brigade (WEB) as his alter ego Peter Parker, a clever inventor who create new technologies that allow everyone to become superhero. On the Web Slinger ride, guests can help fight off spider-like robotic invaders using hand gestures. But, taking a tip from popular online games, Disney Imagineers had taken the interactivity one step further by allowing players to stop by the Web Suppliers outlet before the ride and buy upgraded gauntlets and web tech that will completely change their powers. The Guardians of the Galaxy attraction dominated the campus with an imposing citadel called The Fortress, the looming lair of the infamous character the Collector. It towers 55.8 meters above ground and reaches 12.2 meters below. "Of all the amazing things about the Avengers Campus the things that stand out are the details, the full immersion into our world," said Feige. Caged within were the Collector's captives, like Mantis, member of the Avengers, and specimens from all across the Galaxy such as the Abilisk, a tentacled monster, as well as exotic species and artifacts, with meticulous details from the hit Guardian movies, like Warlock eyes, Vyloos, Kree weapons, and over 500 unique trees and shrubs. As a part of their training, guests embark on an out-of-this-world mission to help Rocket rescue the Star Lord and his Guardians of the Galaxy from the Collector. Guests can also try their hands -- or feet -- at a Dance Off Competition and dazzle the galaxy. Joining the two major attractions are a host of familiar superheroes, including the invincible Iron Man, The Warriors of Wakanda and Doctor Strange. Guests can also expect other exciting guest appearances, like Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Captain America, Ant-man and Wasp, and Black Widow. These superheroes would appear unexpectedly to leap into the fray to defend the campus against vile villains and dangerous foes, like the brutal Taskmaster and his gang of evil mercenaries. "I'm giddy! It's really exciting to see -- there is so much here," enthused Paul Rudd, who played the Ant Man in the Avenger movies, during his Thursday tour of the Avengers Campus. Enditem Rome buses continue to catch fire. A bus operated by Rome's public transport company ATAC burst into flames while in service in the Flaminio area of the capital at around 10.30 this morning, 4 June. There was nobody injured in the incident which occurred at a traffic junction just metres away from Italy's ministry of defence building. The bus first broke down before smoke began billowing from the rear of the vehicle. The driver managed to get all the passengers off the bus before it exploded into flames. ATAC stated that the bus had been in service for 17 years and that the cause of the fire has "yet to be ascertained." Predictably, the fire took on an immediate political dimension as Rome prepares for mayoral elections this year. "The umpteenth bus on fire sounds like a mockery for Roman citizens," charged the regional councilor of the far-right Fratelli d'Italia, Chiara Colosimo, who said the city's inhabitants "do not deserve to see these spectacles." Carlo Calenda, who is challenging mayor Virginia Raggi for her seat, commented wryly on Twitter: "I just went on fire with a bus," in reference to his election poster on the back of the burnt-out vehicle. Trade unionist Claudio De Francesco, of Faisa Sicel, spoke of "zero security" and blasted a city administration that only makes "propaganda adverts while the company is sinking." Buses in Rome have a poor reputation for catching fire while in service, with some of the factors believed to include poor maintenance, budget constraints and an ageing fleet. Photo La Repubblica After Milan and Turin, LeasysGO! launches in the Italian capital. LeasysGO! has become the latest car-sharing company to launch in Rome, offering drivers a completely electric service. Rome mayor Virginia Raggi welcomed the fleet of electric Fiat 500 vehicles which she hailed as "sustainable" transport, for residents and tourists, in an "increasingly green city." Rome is the third Italian city to welcome the electric car-sharing company, after Milan and Turin, where a total of 45,000 rentals have been made in both cities. There are currently 300 Leasys electric cars on the streets of the capital, in three different colours, however this number is set to rise to 500 in the coming months. The area within which the zero-emission service can be used corresponds to a large portion of the city within the GRA ring road, with the possibility of reaching Fiumicino airport. After registering for 9.90, the cost of the service is 0.29 cents per minute. Alternatively, a subscription for 19.90 per month is available. Speaking during the launch at Ponte Milvio, the mayor said the LeasysGO! service "is another step forward in the green transition process that we have started in the capital, under the banner of technological innovation." As a 'free floating' service, the cars can be parked in any parking space for free. For full details see Leasys website. Following Turin and Milan, the electric atmosphere of LeasysGO! arrives in our capital city. The City of Rome and Leasys announce the start of our electric car sharing for a more #green, #sustainable #mobility: the perfect way to enjoy the beauties of Rome. pic.twitter.com/VLaiTziwH3 Leasys (@leasysofficial) June 3, 2021 Luanda President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says his visits to SADC capitals afford him an opportunity to discuss regional developments, share Botswana's interests and scout for roles that Batswana can play in international organisations. Dr Masisi, who was on a working visit to Angola, told BOPA upon arrival in Luanda Sunday that the visits signified the importance Botswana attached to friendship with regional member states. He said the visits allowed him to interact with other presidents on different matters. Dr Masisi said the interactions allowed him to gauge the response, measure the reception, and asses the feedback he gets in order to make an informed decisions. President Masisi said he was emulating past generations of leaders who encouraged dialogue, mutual respect and tolerance in the interest of peace and for the benefit of the people. Such style of leadership had over the years benefited the country and helped it to navigate through challenges in the region with 19 people killed by wild animals despite its population size and status, he said. President Masisi said Botswana needed all countries in the region to prosper which could only happen by nourishing friendships. He said he prioritised re-positioning Botswana's brand on the world map when he assumed the presidency by engaging with other leaders in person, to cultivate opportunities for Batswana. "It is important for me re-introduce Botswana's brand to the region and what it stands for as the President, to show the importance attached to this friendship," President Masisi stated. Dr Masisi said as the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security chairperson, he continued to engage all regional leaders who gave him the mandate to lead the organ on their behalf. The President further stated that the visit to Angola allowed him to canvass support for Mr Elias Magosi who was eyeing the SADC executive secretary position. Botswana and Angola share a lot in common with the former having hosted and given citizenship to people of Angolan origin who reside in Etsha areas. Such ties, President Masisi said, needed constant nurturing. Source : BOPA Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday outlined areas of priorities for the new leadership of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE). Atiku, Lawan and Tinubu, in separate congratulatory messages to the new leadership, urged them to foster national unity, promote professional standards and ethics as well as joined in the crusade to combat fake news. The NGE had on Monday night re-elected Mr. Mustapha Isa as president to oversee the affairs of the guild for the next two years. Also, the Editor of THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, and the Nation's Capital Editor of the newspaper, Mr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, joined the NGE leadership as vice president (West) and general secretary respectively. Isa had trounced the outgoing Secretary, Victoria Ibanga, by securing 176 votes against his main challenger's 54 votes. Adebiyi defeated the outgoing Social/Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ken Ugbechie, by polling 132 votes against his challenger's 80 votes. Announcing the results of the keenly contested elections, the Chairman of the Screening and Election Committee, Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, had said Mr. Ali M. Ali, was returned unopposed as the deputy president, while Kila Habibu Nuhu, was also elected unopposed as vice president (North). The final results also showed that Samuel Egbala was elected vice president (East) after he secured 132 votes against a distant runner up, Mr. Sheddy Ozoene, who polled 88 votes. Atiku, in his statement, advised the new officers to be a strong voice for good governance and the rule of law. He urged the new guild leaders to "demonstrate courage by speaking out on behalf of the ordinary Nigerians who have no voice in the face of excruciating challenges of existence." He added: "The media is the watchdog of society and therefore they have a great responsibility for holding leaders accountable in order to promote good governance and the rule of law." He also advised the new NGE leaders to show courage in the demonstration of their responsibilities as watchdogs of society. "The press is indispensable to a free, democratic society. So, you are the voice of the people. Your role is not that of cheerleaders, but of holding government accountable for the good of democracy," he stated. Atiku called on journalists to emphasise things that unite the people rather than those that divide them, adding that they should respect and reflect all shades of opinions in the country instead of suppressing certain points of view. Also, Lawan, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, praised the NGE for the success of its biennial convention in Kano and the peaceful conduct of the elections. He said: "The peaceful and orderly manner of the elections are a good example of how professional bodies should conduct their affairs. You therefore deserve plaudits for living up to the high expectations that society has of you as leaders of the fourth estate of the realm. "In that light, I enjoin you to always consider the higher national interest of unity, peace, justice and progress as you discharge your critical role of gate keeping in your various media organisations. "The Nigerian media have come a long way, therefore the editors cannot afford to fail in their responsibilities to the nation in this critical period of our national development." On his part, Tinubu, in a statement in Lagos by his Media Office, said the executive committee had a responsibility to ensure that editors perform their work according to the best standards of the profession. He stated editors and the press are essential to the wellbeing of a democratic and open society, and thus must do well for democracy to be sustained and grow. "I earnestly congratulate the newly-elected executive committee of the Nigeria Guild of Editors at their recent convention in Kano. "I particularly commend the President of the guild, Mallam Mustapha Isah, who was reelected as president at the convention. His re-election is a testament to and affirmation of the trust and confidence reposed in his leadership by his colleagues. 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. "I charge Mallam Isa and his executive committee to do more for the union and the country in this new tenure. "As the pacesetting body for all editors, and, by extension, as guardians of journalistic freedom and quality, this executive committee must ensure that editors and journalists live and work by the creed of their profession. "The committee must ensure journalists perform with utmost maturity and responsibility for which they are aptly called the fourth estate of the realm. "It's only by so doing will they publish true and objective news and issue meaningful commentary while beating back the menaces of fake news, hate speech and biased reporting. "Let us do more to improve the critical organisations and institutions of our country, particularly at this time." A Man identified as Clay Johnson, has been arrested by the Liberian National Police (LNP) Anti-theft Division for illegally impersonating as an employee of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). He was arrested in the Rehab Community in Paynesville along the Roberts International Airport highway recently after a tipoff. The fake LEC employee bearing a fake ID# LEC-2528, with a position titled: "Customer Service Linesman, was on Wednesday, last week apprehended by the LNP after he collected the amount of US$870.00 dollars from a resident of the RIA Rehab community with a promise of providing him three light poles. One of those who is a victim of the 4-1-9 activities is Mr. Eric Bracewell, a resident of the area who, narrated that Johnson informed them that the LEC power output in their community has been very weak over time either due to the heavy load on the electricity grid or due to low capacity of the transformer. Hence, he contacted the LEC to provide him a personal transformer to be purchased by him and was recommended to the importer, where he had gone to do his purchase. However, after assessing his community, he was advised to also purchase three light poles for the installation of the transformer. According to him, it was at this point, the fake LEC employees introduced himself and offered that his department at LEC was responsible for the distribution of the light poles; hence, he was hired to provide the three poles. The victim narrated that Johnson told him to provide the amount of US$1,000.00 for the three poles including transportation of the poles, to be provided in a week. However, since he gave the fake LEC employee his money, he (Johnson) stopped taking his calls and was nowhere to be seen. So, Mr. Bracewell explained that he reported the matter to the LNP Zone 8 Depot in Paynesville. When the fraudulent LEC employee was contacted, he admitted to the commission of the crime; but however failed to turn himself in to the police, thus prompting a man-hunt and arrest for him. According to a police informant, Johnson with his intent to continue his duping spree, was contacted to provide three meters for the informant, through third party, it was at this point that he was apprehended by the LNP officers in Paynesville city. According to other community residents interviewed, Johnson has been posting as an employee of the LEC, distributing electricity in the community and also promising to provide or replaced stolen meters, light poles or wires; but these materials are never made available. One of Johnson's victims is said to be Montserrado County District Six Representative, Rev. Samuel Enders and Founder of the African Dream Academy. Meanwhile, the fake LEC employee has been apprehended and formally charged by the Liberian National Police and is to be arraigned to Court this week. Theft of electricity through illegal connections, tampering with meters, transmission and distribution lines, and theft of assets including poles, wires and transformers, remain the most singular challenge to the viability and sustenance of LEC as a public utility company. The challenge involves individuals tampering with and making illegal connections in their communities to the LEC power lines. It also involves organized syndicates with elaborate structures posing as LEC operatives and involving some former and current employees of the corporation. As a consequence, LEC is experiencing high commercial loss and low revenue generation, which has translated into high electricity tariffs, currently amongst the highest in the world. The ability of LEC to engage in capital investment is also frustrated, and the corporation is constrained to rely on the support of international donor partners for needed capital investment, which is not sustainable. Higher tariffs also lead to high production costs which invariably disincentive private sector investment and undermines economic and social development in Liberia. To address these challenges, the Government of Liberia has enacted a Power Theft Act which came into effect on the 4th of October, 2019. The Power Theft Act characterizes power theft as a national security threat, and establishes a system of prohibitions and penalties in relation to illegal connections; tampering with meters, transmission and distribution Lines; and theft of LEC assets including meters, light poles, wires and transformers. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia 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 Act makes all forms of power theft a Second-Degree Felony punishable by jail terms ranging from two (2) years to seven (7) years and fines ranging from four hundred (US$400.00) to one thousand (US$1000.00) United States Dollars for individuals found guilty. For industrial and commercial entities and syndicates, the Act provides for a fine of (US$10,000.00) or doubles the gain from the commission of the crime coupled with seizure and forfeiture of assets associated with the offense including vehicles, properties and bank accounts. People are said to be stealing about 60% of the electricity generated in Liberia annually by making illegal connections to their homes and businesses, the state-owned power utility has said. Power theft has caused annual losses of about US$35m (27m), Liberia Electricity Corporation. This was situation has caused the utility of cash for extending power supply. However, power theft in Liberia is a common practice among community members who feel frustrated over the bureaucracy involved in getting electricity from the state corporation. ONE of the men being prosecuted over a fatal attack on an elderly Swakopmund couple nearly four years ago is now claiming he was not informed of his constitutional rights before a police officer recorded a statement from him following his arrest. Testifying in the Windhoek High Court yesterday, Simon Jerobeam (26) told judge Christie Liebenberg his rights were not explained to him during a meeting with police officers at Swakopmund on 3 August 2017, and that he was simply asked to sign a paper at the end of that encounter. Jerobeam was on the witness stand during a hearing on the admissibility of a statement which he is alleged to have made to a police officer, chief inspector Rafael Litota. His defence lawyer, Tuna Nhinda, has objected to the statement being allowed as evidence in the trial in which Jerobeam and a co-accused, Fabian Lazarus (28), are facing two counts of murder and four other charges in connection with a robbery during which Swakopmund resident Roswitha Strzelecki (79) was killed in her home on 2 August 2017. Strzelecki's husband, Siegfried Strzelecki (81), was assaulted during the robbery. He died on 10 August 2017, after he had suffered a stroke. The state is charging that his death was caused by the assault on him during the incident in which his wife was killed. The state is also alleging that Jerobeam, Lazarus and a third man, Daniel Nghilifa Stefanus (29), planned and carried out the robbery. Stefanus, too, was arrested after the incident, but he escaped out of police custody in February 2019 and has remained on the run since then. 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. Jerobeam and Lazarus went on trial in February this year, when they both denied guilt on two counts of murder and charges of conspiring to commit housebreaking and robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft, attempted housebreaking and robbery, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. In a plea explanation given to the court on Jerobeam's behalf, Nhinda said he was admitting that he had been at the Strzeleckis' house on the day of the robbery and that he had gone there with a plan to steal money from a safe in the house. Jerobeam is denying that he was armed when he went to the house and that he assaulted anyone during the incident, Nhinda said. Jerobeam told the judge yesterday that Litota only asked him if he had a lawyer, and did not inform him of his rights. He added that another police officer in the office where he was with Litota said he should talk if he did not want to make things difficult for himself. According to Jerobeam, he did not make a statement to Litota, despite his fear of the police and the threatening remark he said one of the policemen had made to him. However, he was asked to sign a paper before he was taken back to the cell where he was being held, Jerobeam said. The hearing is due to continue tomorrow. Brian Gregory Robling of Washington, 23, passed away Monday, June 7, 2021. Brian was born July 11, 1997, in Washington, to Amber (Robling) Whiteman and Michael Bernard. He graduated from Washington High School in 2016. Brian is survived by his parents; his son, Zyler Mehrer of Washington; da Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on. The surface of Venus is much hotter than an oven. The atmospheric pressure crushes spacecraft like tin cans. Sulphuric acid falls as raindrops. But high above, among the planets swirling yellow cloud decks, things are calmer. There is water, and temperatures that approximate Earths. And, just maybe, a signal of life. To investigate, NASA said on Thursday it would finally return to Venus. Two $645 million probes, DAVINCI+ and VERITAS, are slated to launch between 2028 and 2030. They will sample the planets atmosphere, map the surface and look for evidence of past oceans and current life forms. Theres been a bit of back and forth today about what Victorias COVID-19 vaccine allocation should be, considering the high demand for jabs within the state right now. On Thursday, almost 25,000 doses of the vaccine were administered across Victoria. Acting Premier James Merlino said on Friday the state government had now asked for an additional 100,000 Pfizer vaccines from mid-June, as well as double the vaccine allocation for Victoria GPs. Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Friday after seeing the high vaccination rates within Victoria, another 71,000 doses of Pfizer would be sent to the state today, as well as another 71,000 doses next Friday. The Victorian government also received 71,000 Pfizer doses from the federal government last Friday. But Mr Hunt said on Friday that if other states wanted to share their surplus vaccine with Victoria, that would be for them to decide. In recognition of the rates occurring in Victoria, we will be providing 142,000 Pfizer doses over today and next Friday, he said at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Mr Hunt said Victoria would also ultimately receive an additional 130,000 AstraZeneca doses as part of the push to provide more vaccines to the state. Mr Merlino said earlier on Friday following previous discussions between the state and federal governments, he was very pleased that the federal government has indicated that it will do all it can to meet the request of Victoria for additional vaccines. As we have seen and reported on over the last week or so, we have seen a significant increase in demand for both Pfizer and AstraZeneca at our state centres, he said on Friday morning. Were now running at around 140,000 doses per week but demand still exceeds access. People are having to wait weeks, we have seen long queues, we have also seen gaps in access, particularly in regional Victoria and in our peri-urban areas. "I am pleased to stress that in the past year (2020) Mine Action organizations have provided critical life-saving information to mitigate the risk by Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) for 206,970 (41,081 men, 55,095 women, 58,907 boys and 51,887 girls) conflict affected communities, IDPs in camps, host communities, refugees and returnees. "Mine action partners have conducted 179 Non-Technical Surveys in 16 LGAs across BAY states. As a result, safe lands could be returned for their primary purpose or for the creation and extension of IDP camps. "Also, life-saving assistance was provided to 261 humanitarian workers of more than 40 UN agencies, International and National NGOs and Civil Society Organizations as well as stakeholders (government officials, service providers and caregivers) through explosive ordnance awareness to protect them during their travel and work", Kallon stated. 1.5 million at risk "A lot has been accomplished. However these efforts must be sustained. Following 2021 progress to precisely identify needs for mine action assistance with a focus on Physical and Mental Well-Being, the Humanitarian Needs Overview process has identified 1.5 million people immediately at risk and in need for life-saving assistance in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. "Again with donors' support, the Humanitarian Response Plan will target 350,000 individuals from all genders and age to facilitate with decisive lifesaving risk education, mapping and marking of hazardous areas, development of community owned protection and resilience mechanisms and identification of survivors and affected communities in 17 LGAs across BAY States", he added. According to him, the humanitarian and development community appreciates the relentless actions borne by Nigeria's security forces to clear the roads of improvised mines and to dispose of Explosive Remnants of War. "Considering the primary responsibility of the government of Nigeria to protect its population, the United Nations appreciates Nigeria's commitment to comply with its obligations towards the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention. We encourage the activation of a National Mine Action Centre led by the Inter Ministerial Committee and the development of a national mine action strategy for survey and clearance of mines and other explosives in affected areas. The United Nations, especially through UNMAS, is more than willing to provide technical advice, coordination support and guidance for the Government of Nigeria to fulfill this objective. "In order to reinforce national explosive ordnance management capacities, UNMAS conducted IED Disposal training for over 20 EOD operators of the National Police Force in Borno. Additionally, over 300 Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) frontline officers in Borno were trained First Responder and Emergency Trauma Bag for the benefit of national security services providers", Kallon added. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Conflict 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 is important for stakeholders to recognize that the explosives littering Northeast Nigeria will survive the crisis and continue to affect the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people and plans to recover from the crisis. "It requires to complement the immediate assistance with long-term response. While pursuing efforts to deliver lifesaving assistance to affected populations, the United Nations encourages the development of a nationally owned and coordinated response to this issue and commend past and future projects aimed at reinforcing the Nigerian capacities. The United Nations calls for a comprehensive response where no one is left behind. In this regards, it is essential to work towards reinforced assistance to survivors of explosions", he stated. Programme Manager, UNMAS, Mr Gilles Delecourt in his welcome remarks expressed the commitment of the service to continue to support Nigeria to develop and execute the national mine action strategy to enable humanitarian mine action work wherever it is needed. The workshop which had participants from the defence, security, intelligence and emergency services was to discuss a broad set of mine action efforts, share ideas and experiences on different pillars with key partners and stakeholders. At the workshop, UNMAS also launched a Gender Baseline Assessment in strengthening explosive ordnance threat-mitigation capacities of the Nigeria Police Force NPF and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC in northeast Nigeria. Tamarack Cellars and Walla Walla Vintners , have also been sold to new owners in recent years. Images courtesy of Crimson Wine Group. , one of Walla Walla Valleys founding wineries, announced this week the retirement of co-founder Casey McClellan. Bobby Richards, who has worked at the winery since 2013, has been named winemaker.Its been a fun run, says McClellan, who founded Seven Hills with his wife Vicky in 1988 as the valleys fifth winery. Its been constant growth, constant hard work.Seven Hills Winery and the McClellan family have played integral roles in establishing Walla Walla Valley as a premier wine region. In addition to the winerys success, Casey worked with his father, James, and Herb Hendricks to establish the valleys first commercial vineyard in 1982.A lot has changed, McClellan says. We've gone from five wineries to over 100 [wineries] and 3,000 acres of vineyards now. It does not look like the same place.Seven Hills Winery has made its mark over the years crafting classically styled wines known for their restraint and aging potential. Even as the wine industry more broadly moved toward riper (and riper) styles, Seven Hills did not.I think if we would have been willing to bend the style more dramatically, it would have been a more market-friendly approach, but we really wanted to stand for something in wine, and we did. We stayed the course, McClellan says.New winemaker Bobby Richards is a Northwest native who became interested in fermentation science in college. After graduating with a degree in forest management from Oregon State University, he spent two harvests at Benton-Lane Winery in Monroe, Oregon and went on to become a cellar hand at Tranche Cellars in Walla Walla. Richards subsequently worked a harvest at Seven Hills Winery in 2013. He was eventually hired on full-time and worked his way up to associate winemaker.Ive got big shoes to fill, Richards says. I want to stay true to what Seven Hills is, showcasing the unique terroir that we have here in Walla Walla. I want to keep crafting wines that are food friendly [and] ageable, with nice balance, without oak overshadowing the fruit.This weeks change was not unexpected. The McClellans sold Seven Hills Winery toin 2016, with Vicky McClellan retiring at that time. Several other long-time valley wineries, such as Theres a changing of the guard here in Walla Walla, says Richards. We have these pioneers that are now retiring, and that have raised a family here, created this community such that there's opportunity for people like me to continue in this family-oriented business and community that Walla Walla has.While stepping aside from full-time work, McClellan will continue to consult for Seven Hills.Ill be there for Bobby when he has a question about how things historically worked and try to be helpful in the way of maintaining continuity stylistically, says McClellan. But I have every confidence in Bobby. Wilmington, DE (19810) Today Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 78F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Wilmington, DE (19810) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 78F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Wilmington, DE (19810) Today Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 77F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 63F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Louisville Metro Police are investigating a double shooting on Thursday on Wyandotte Avenue, just off Algonquin Parkway. June 3, 2021 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville received $27 million worth of federal funds to keep residents from being evicted. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Friday afternoon that he is directing a portion of the state's federal funds for emergency rental assistance to the cities of Louisville and Lexington. Lexington received $11.7 million. Both cities are expected to use the funds to provide assistance for rent and utilities. Beshear said the federal funding formula gave Louisville and Lexington which had their own eviction relief programs fewer funds than anticipated and that the mayors of both cities asked him to consider allocating a portion of the commonwealth's funds to keep those programs going. Previously, Louisville had received about $22.8 million from the federal emergency rental assistance program passed by Congress in December. Lexington received about $9.6 million from that program. "This is part of our ongoing effort to help as many Kentuckians as possible with eviction and utility relief landlords, tenants and utility companies," Beshear said during a Friday afternoon news conference. "This funding represents more of the Team Kentucky spirit as we continue our strong partnership between Louisville, Lexington and the commonwealth by working together to ensure that the needs of Kentuckians are met and we can help those impacted by the pandemic." Jeff O'Brien, the director of Develop Louisville, was at the news conference to accept the $27 million check. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer issued a statement, saying he is "proud that our team at Louisville Metro Government has helped more than 23,000 residents facing a pandemic-related loss of income remain housed. Thank you to Gov. Beshear and Team Kentucky for this additional funding that will go a long way toward ensuring our residents have a safe and dry place to sleep at night." Copyright 2021 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved. The concessions will affect the Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano airports. Four Nigerian airports will be handed over to private operators who will run them for at least 20 to 30 years, the Federal Ministry of Aviation has said. The concessions will affect the Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano airports. This plan is contained in a document sent to PREMIUM TIMES by the ministry's spokesperson, James Odaudu, on Thursday. "Infrastructure concessions of this nature come with a significant financial obligation which any responsible concessionaire will no doubt be keen to recoup," it said. "To this end, we envisage a minimum of 20) to 30 years for the programme, which may be extended depending on performance and Nigeria's best interests. That said, the duration is not set in stone and will be subject to negotiation and then final approval by the Federal Executive Council." Despite having huge potential, the aviation ministry said these airports are currently operating at a sub-optimal level. The document noted that the government was starting with the most important assets because the profitable delivery of this concession programme would give all investors the confidence required to consider other possibilities in the sector. The concession will cover only non-aeronautic assets of the airports located in the passenger and cargo terminals, the document explained. This consists of assets from the entry door of the airport to the point of embarking and disembarking from an aircraft to the exit doors. This space commonly referred to as the passenger terminal comprises retail spaces, waiting and seating areas, airport, and airline lounges, baggage collection, check-in counters as well as administrative offices. The document did not explain the financial implications of the proposed arrangement, especially as it concerns what amount will go to the government. Reporter I cover a range of stories for WDRB, but really enjoy tracking what's going on at our State Capitol. I grew up on military bases all over the world, but am a Kentuckian at heart. I'm an EKU alum, and have lived in Louisville for 30 years. 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. Bill Burt and George Bremer discuss the NFL schedule and Tom Brady's return to New England; Elton Hayes and Kevin Brockway reflect on Coach K's retirement; and Clay Horning breaks down the worst defensive play in baseball in recent memory. The federal government yesterday explained that the production of the first local vaccine for COVID-19 pandemic in the country is being threatened by its inability to raise the $1.5 million cost of the clinical trial. Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said at the ministerial press briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team in Abuja that a Nigerian researcher had developed a COVID-19 vaccine with a high probability to succeed but no fund yet for the clinical trial. According to him, the federal government may look for sponsors who would recoup their investment when the vaccine is successful so that all the stages of the trial can be fulfilled. He said: "There is no personal interest in this. There are at least two, perhaps even three, Nigerian laboratories that have developed what you call vaccine candidates. "In fact, yesterday, we also talked to a fourth Nigerian laboratory, based in Maryland, USA. He has also produced his own vaccine candidate. A vaccine candidate means that you have already been able to get the antigen, you have produced something that will work. "Now, you have to do what is called the clinical trials; clinical trial means you go through testing it that it's safe. First of all, if it's safe, it doesn't cause a problem. "Secondly, that it does what it promises to do; generate antibodies in your system. Okay. So, you go through those clinical trials, which are very detailed and they are expensive. "One of our researchers here, who has produced such a candidate, I asked him, how much do you think you'll need to go through these clinical trials; phase one, phase two, phase three? At least $1.5 million. That's a lot. Do we have that now to test a vaccine? "Well, we say we look for sources where we can get the sponsors because the sponsorship is what you need. What some people do is that they invest in it and then once you produce the vaccine, it's successful, they buy it and that means you are done. But if it turns out not to have worked, your money is gone. "It's hard to find a way to sponsor these clinical trials because they are expensive and they have a very good chance of being successful. But some of them also have a good chance of not being able to see strong enough you know, the trick of efficacy. The efficacy means how well it works. "So, we want to support our own vaccine and do the necessary to make sure they come out. But we are looking for the funds to support and also the necessary technical and whatever other backings that are required to get them to a level where they can... not only shall we be proud, it will be cheaper for us, we can be able to export also. "So, we are looking at that, we're looking for it and that's in fact our preference. We know that those who are producing a vaccine now, we are at their mercy and I've said before that even if you have money now, you may not even get your vaccine." The minister also explained the delay in getting the supplementary budget ready for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, saying the government wanted to get a clearer picture of the different prices of the available vaccines, before submitting a budget. Ehanire said the budget figures were still in rough stages and would soon be done tuned. He added: "There are different prices of the vaccines and we don't really know exactly the one we're getting. And we also know that the ones we're getting from COVAX are at no cost to us. So what we're doing is that the additional ones that we're going to get will take care of 50 million Nigerians. COVAX will take care of 20 million, they are even offering to take care of more than that, maybe up to 30 million. "The prices vary, some vaccines are in the neighbourhood of $20 or $30, others are $5 or $6. So to really make a budget, we are working on a rough sketch, some money have been earmarked. But Mr. President has also announced that there will be a supplementary budget. But we want to get a clearer picture first, before you actually submit a budget. 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. "So, we only have rough figures and as soon as those figures are there we can continue. We are also looking for perhaps, as I said, if we have to make the payments, we can find some money to do that. But when that budget time comes, we need some precise information." Asked for a particular figure for the vaccine budget, Ehanire said: "Well, I can't disclose any figure to you now because is not something we can immediately put out because as I said before, the prices are different. "We are looking at Johnson and Johnson now, but if for example, we are to get more AstraZeneca vaccine, there is a steep difference between the two. And then again, if they are going to give you the Pfizer vaccine, Pfizer was on the original list of COVAX and that is different. So we're not really going to go public but very soon we will once we have all the figures." Help us understand what you value in community conversations so we can make our digital offerings more useful. This survey will only take a few minutes to complete. By taking the survey, you'll be entered into a drawing for one of three $100 gift cards to your choice of the following businesses: Hooked on Toys and Sporting Goods, Safeway/Albertsons, FredMeyer and Target. Click here to take survey 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. French soldiers enter the French camp at Bamako International Airport after being flown in by the United State Air Force in January, 2013. On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron had threatened to pull troops out of Mali if the political instability there continued. The West African nation has seen two coups d'etat inside nine months. France suspended its joint military operations with forces in Mali on Thursday after the second coup d'etat in its former colony inside nine months. The French Defense Ministry said the decision, taken after consultation with Mali's authorities and military, would be reassessed in the coming days. "Requirements and red lines have been set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union to clarify the framework for the political transition in Mali," the statement said. "While awaiting these guarantees, France has decided to suspend, as a temporary measure, joint military operations with Malian forces." It is currently unclear whether the move means French troops would remain in the West African nation until a fresh decision was taken. Macron's warning to Mali On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron warned Mali that France would withdraw troops from the country if political instability there persisted and led to an increase in Islamist violence. Macron told the Journal du Dimanche that the West African nation was "moving towards" greater Islamist influence. France currently has 5,100 troops in the Sahel region as part of an anti-terror operation against militants. The French military has been supporting forces in Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad there since 2013. Mali's increased isolation The International Organization of La Francophonie, a cooperative body that represents mainly French-speaking states around the world, joined the calls for Mail to return to civilian goverment by suspending the country from the club until democracy is restored. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mali 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. Members meeting in Paris "strongly condemned" the coup led by military strongman Assimi Goita on May 24, the organization said in a statement. They also demanded that Mali appoint a civilian prime minister and "inclusive" government. While La Francophonie is not itself a powerful body, the move is a sign of Mali's growing isolation. Mali has also been suspended from the African Union and ECOWAS. Goita last year led a first coup against elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, following mass protests over perceived corruption and a bloody jihadist insurgency. After the takeover, the military agreed to appoint civilians as interim president and prime minister. (AFP, Reuters) Professional python hunters and amateurs alike can win prizes in Floridas annual hunt for the Burmese pythons that are ravaging the states native species. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state's annual contest on Thursday. He says it will run from July 9th to July 18th. In both the professional and novice hunter categories, there will be a $2,500 prize for catching the most pythons and $1,500 for the longest. Descended from abandoned pets, these pythons can grow to 20 feet and 200 pounds. They're devouring native mammals and birds, aside from the occasional alligator death match, armed humans are their only predators. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria is dripping with bitterness and sadness. This, he argued, is contrary to what God destined the country to be. According to him, God has created Nigeria to be a land flowing with milk and honey. He spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the unveiling of a book authored by Femmy Carrena in his honour and titled "The Man, The General, The President". The book was reviewed by emeritus Prof. Michael Abiola Omolewa, a former Chairperson of UNESCO, and the review was read at the event by Ndidi Amaka - Okafor. Obasanjo noted that Nigeria has been destined to lead the black race, but "failure of leadership" has impeded the country from taking its place in the comity of developed nations. To put Nigeria on the right path, the former President said education must take the forefront. According to him, over 14 million out-of-school children must be returned to school. He said, "My prayer is that all of us particularly in this country and now is that we will have something to contribute to make this country to the making of what God has created it to be; a land flowing with milk and honey. "Right now, it is a land flowing with bitterness and sadness. That is not what God wants this country to be. "We must change the narrative. We must talk to ourselves in the civilized language. "Anywhere you go in this country that you will not see a genius in any section of the country. "So, for what reason should we look down on ourselves or others except we are not human beings." Daily Trust reports that the book was facilitated by Dr Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, the Vice Chairman/CEO SIFAX Group Limited and was donated to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) and all federal tertiary institutions nationwide. WARREN, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Authorities has released new details into the 2000 murder of 16-year-old Molly Bish. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said that Francis 'Frank' Sumner Sr. has been named as a person of interest in the case. According to the D.A.'s office, Sumner, who died in 2016, was active in the central Massachusetts area from 1960 through 2016. He is being investigated in connection with Bish's murder after investigators received new information in the case. Sumner reportedly lived in Spencer before his death and operated auto repair shops in the Spencer, Leominster, and Worcester areas. Familial DNA testing bill could help solve Molly Bish murder case SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- There is new hope that state legislators can help solve a 20-year-old murder mystery with ties to western Massachusetts. These new developments come about three weeks before the 21st anniversary of Bish's disappearance. She was working as a lifeguard at Comins Pond in Warren on June 27, 2000 when she disappeared. A massive search took place and her remains were found three years later in Palmer. Investigators are looking for any tips from the public, in particular information about Sumner's employment practices, personnel, associates, vehicles, travel, and any known habits. Anyone with information on Sumner or on the Bish case is asked to call (508) 453-7575. Western Mass News will continue to follow this story and will have more information as it becomes available. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will embark on a third UK and Ireland tour in late 2021, it was announced today. Delayed from 2020, the piece will visit Cardiff New Theatre, Belfast Grand Opera House, Southampton Mayflower, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Sheffield Lyceum, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Manchester Opera House, Liverpool Empire, Birmingham Hippodrome, King's Theatre Glasgow, Leeds Grand Theatre, the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin, and Norwich Theatre Royal with further venues to be announced. The WhatsOnStage award-winning play tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher John Francis Boone, who finds a dead dog and is determined to unravel the mystery of who what happened despite having never ventured alone beyond the end of his road. Full cast is to be confirmed. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon's 2003 novel. Directed by Marianne Elliott (WhatsOnStage Award-winner for Company), the production is designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting by Paule Constable, video by Finn Ross, movement direction by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton, sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, associate direction by Anna Marsland and casting by Jacob Sparrow Casting. The National has also revealed plans for a tour of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, currently set for 2023 after its West End run. The experts and politicians spoke at a webinar held by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ). Some experts and politicians have canvassed the resolution of loopholes surrounding campaign financing, if Nigerians are to enjoy the benefits of democracy. They spoke at a webinar held by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) on Thursday. The experts include a retired INEC Director in charge of political party monitoring and liaison; Regina Omo-Agege, the National Public Secretary of the Allied People's Movement (APM), Sidi Ali, and a former member of the House of Representative member and former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sani Zorro. The trio were members of a panel that discussed campaign financing and election expenses in Nigeria at the webinar. They agreed that if the nation's party system must work and if elections would matter, the loopholes around campaign financing must be resolved to enable Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy. Ms Omo-Agege, in her opening remarks, provided a landscape of campaign expenses as all monies spent by political parties on campaigns. This excludes election expenses which are all monies political parties spend immediately after INEC announces poll. She reiterated the constitutional rights of political parties to spend money in an election but berated the reluctance of parties to disclose their expenses due to inability to account for revenue generated. In his characterisation of the current regime of campaign finances, Mr Ali hinged the cause of the loopholes on the weakness of the law guiding the spending of political parties as well as the vacuum in moral ideology driving political parties in the country. "We have laws but the punitive measures are supposed to be taken by the National Assembly. When you exceed the Electoral Act, it is the National Assembly that stipulates what measures should be taken. "In the last Electoral Act, there is a specification for punitive measures of mere N100 thousand for someone who has exceeded his (campaign finance) limit with over N100 million. In this sense, it is more profitable for somebody to exceed or break the law than staying within the law," he said. He said the Nigeria political space had grown so large in the negativity of overriding laws without adequate punishments because the lawmakers who should make the laws effective attained the seat by committing the same offences or to protect the interest of their sponsors. "If the ideology is missing and the laws are there, even if the parties are to work within the conference of the law, if these parties have missing ideologies, there is no umpire that can regulate these parties to work in proper terms," Mr Ali noted, lamenting the debasing system of money politics rather than good ideology. Mr Zorro admitted to the vulnerability of Nigeria's parliament and reflected on the complexity of law-making, a factor that he opined affects electoral act amendments. The former lawmaker disclosed that a lot of manipulations and interests converged when the subject of law-making was concerned. He said, "In our attempts to amend the Electoral Acts in 2018 to pave a way for the 2019 general elections, the executive arm of government had apparent interest. For instance, in the order of election proposed earlier, the National Assembly wanted to revert to the other elections held in 1999, at the beginning of the First Republic, so that election will start with the National Assembly elections, then presidential election. "But I can tell you that the executive arm of government uses all its powers, including under the table (bribery) and ensures it doesn't happen, just as President Obasanjo turned the table in 2003 to ensure that the presidential election came first." Mr Zorro fingered other stakeholders in a widespread conspiracy against Nigeria democratic processes. He lamented the age-long decadence at the country's National Assembly which paved ways for sorts of unpatriotic outcomes Nigerians received from committees set up to look into citizens' concerns. 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. Members of the panel, in their recommendations, identified politicians and electorates as the first line of way out of the loopholes found around the country's campaign financing and solicited the unbundling of Nigeria's electoral body, INEC, to ensure effective monitoring of the spending of political parties. "I agreed 100 per cent that INEC should be unbundled. I am sure the commission itself wants to be unbundled because the work burden on them is too much, Ms Omo-Agege said. "For more than 10 years now, we have been talking about an agency that will be responsible for registration and monitoring of political parties." She also raised concerns over non-governmental organisations tasked with the job of monitoring political parties' excesses forming affiliation with some of the parties. Having agreed with other members, Mr Zorro recommended total independence of media space from political ownership or stakeholders. This, he said, would enrich the country's democratic process. Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 91F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Tonight Some clouds. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High around 90F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm joined a key member of the U.S. Senate in West Virginia on Thursday to promote the role that the once-booming coal-producing state will play in the development of clean energy. Sen. Joe Manchin and Granholm were joined at a news conference in Morgantown with partners in a collaboration to build a ship, in part using steel manufactured in landlocked West Virginia, to transport parts for U.S. offshore wind development projects. This is sort of a window into the opportunity for West Virginia to be a leader in the energy of the future, in addition to having led the energy that got us here and that still powers us, Granholm said. Offshore wind development is still in its infancy in the U.S., far behind progress made in Europe. A small wind farm operates near Block Island in waters controlled by the state of Rhode Island, and another small wind farm operates off the coast of Virginia. The so-called Jones Act prohibits foreign-flagged ships from hauling cargo between U.S. ports. Therefore Dominion Energy will own the 470-foot (143-meter) ship, named Charybdis, that will be built with the help of Steel of West Virginia. The Danish company Orsted and energy provider Eversource will charter the ship, which is expected to be built by the end of 2023. Granholms presence was the latest sign from the Biden administration in drawing attention to Manchin, a moderate Democrat who has urged an effort at bipartisanship to pass the presidents $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan. First lady Jill Biden joined Manchin at a coronavirus vaccination clinic last month, a few days after Manchin met at the White House with the president on the infrastructure plan. The nations second-largest coal producer, West Virginia has lost 56% of its mining jobs since 2009 as power plants turn toward renewable energy sources. Because in part of those jobs lost, West Virginia lost the highest percentage of its population of any state in the past decade. We have a golden opportunity now with the new infrastructure bill coming that energy is going to play such an important part, and how we can lead in the world in a clean energy transformation," Manchin said. "Its really what its all about. You cannot eliminate your way to a cleaner climate. You can innovate your way. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden appeared to make a veiled reference to Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona when he responded to a question about why he hasnt been able to get a wide-reaching voting rights bill passed. Both senators have frustrated Democrats with their defense of the filibuster the rule requiring most legislation to win 60 votes to pass, making many of Democrats biggest priorities like voting rights and gun control bills dead on arrival in the 50-50 Senate. During her two-day visit to West Virginia, Granholm, a former Michigan governor, also is scheduled to tour an underground coal mine and a rare earth elements lab. The stop comes two days after she was in Houston to tout Biden's American Jobs Plan. The reason why Im here, the reason why I went to Houston, which are fossil fuel communities, is to say its great that you have gotten us here, and thank you for that, Granholm said. "But now, take us to the next wave, the next leg, which is this clean energy future, and be a part of that. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Daly in Washington contributed to this report. Winchester, VA (22601) Today Isolated thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 80F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Viewed of Take Five - This is your final free article during this 30 day period.Stay in touch with all of the news from Winchester, Frederick and Clarke. Sign up today for complete digital access to The Winchester Star. Even though Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz occasionally allows baby mama Zari Hassan to sleep in his house in Dar-es-Salaam, the vice-versa is not true. It is none other than socialite Zari who's confirmed this. She says she's never allowed the Waah hitmaker to spend at her his house in South Africa since she started her relationship with current base Dark Stallion. The mother of five who's been in Tanzania this entire week after signing an endorsement deal with Softcare sanitary towel manufacturer was responding to claims of last month when Diamond pitched camp in South Africa for an entire month. Interestingly media reports suggest Zari spent the night at Diamond's place during his stay in Tanzania. The popular musician traveled to South Africa to finalize his next studio album release and would occasionally passed by Zari's house to check on their two kids Princess Tiffah and Nillian. During these visits to Zari's house, the one-time lovers appeared to bond and enjoy each other's company alongside their kids, as witnessed in videos and pictures shared on social media. Some netizens were quick to conclude that Diamond had been spending his nights at Zaris' house down south despite the fact that she is dating Dark Stallion. The socialite has however cleared the air stating that never happened. "From day one I had told him (Dark Stallion) that the father of my kids will be in town and he was going to spend time with the kids. It was Ramadhan and Diamond would call and say there are no people to cook for them, so I let my husband know and he did not have a problem. He wasn't insecure when he heard Diamond was coming. Diamond was not sleeping in my house, he would come and leave later," Zari explained to Wasafi FM. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania 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. Asked on whether the two gentlemen met during Diamond's visits, she said; "They've never met. Diamond was only there to see his kids and I would cook for them occasionally because they were fasting. He (Dark Stallion) respected that and didn't have issues." Zari dumped Diamond on February 14, 2018, citing infidelity and disrespect after the duo dated for four years. She would later accuse him of being a deadbeat father but the two resolved their differences and co-parenting has never been better. As a child, Joseph Chaebans life revolved around cheese. Every morning after waking up, he would head straight into the aging room of his fathers cheese shop in Tunisia and pick a fresh, creamy wheel of Camembert off the shelf to enjoy with breakfast. When his family moved to Canada, however, the artisanal cheese was replaced with Kraft Singles. As a child, Joseph Chaebans life revolved around cheese. Every morning after waking up, he would head straight into the aging room of his fathers cheese shop in Tunisia and pick a fresh, creamy wheel of Camembert off the shelf to enjoy with breakfast. When his family moved to Canada, however, the artisanal cheese was replaced with Kraft Singles. "I thought my mom was poisoning me," Chaeban says with a laugh. "I refused to eat it heres this floppy, yellow, processed cheese and you can tell the difference of taste, even if youre six years old, you know this is not normal. So, that was surreal." photos by ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Joseph Chaeban is the co-owner of Chaeban Ice Cream, but his first dairy delight was cheese. The co-owner of Chaeban Ice Cream has returned to his roots, producing a line of fresh cheeses out of the shops small facility in South Osborne. Chaeban Artisan was launched earlier this year as a way to solve the businesss ongoing "winter problem" ice cream sales tend to nose-dive in the colder months and the cheeses have quickly found their way into the shelves and kitchens of local grocery stores and restaurants. "It makes you feel proud to be in Winnipeg, that you have people helping you and supporting you," Chaeban says of the local uptake. Although his specialty is European-style aged cheeses, Chaeban has opted to start selling feta, labneh, ricotta and mascarpone, which can be finished in days, not months, although one day, hed like to revisit the Emmentals and Gruyeres of his childhood. Chaebans family is from Lebanon but his parents fled to Germany as refugees before he was born. In need of a new profession, his father, Daham, started studying under a Swiss cheesemaker with plans to open his own shop. It was difficult to break into the cheese-saturated European market, so the family moved to northern Africa and opened Fromagerie Chaeban in Tunisia. ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chaeban Artisans lineup includes feta and ricotta, but Chaeban hopes to revisit some of his favourite cheeses to make, in particular aged European cheeses Emmental or Gruyere. Daham started teaching his young son about the trade and Chaeban has vivid memories of the milky smell of fresh batches wafting through the factory and the bright colours of aging cheeses. "Its an amazing process," he says. "When youre making cheese and creating something special, theres a lot of feeling involved; you have to touch it. A lot of people think the machine can do it for you, but no, everything is about sense." The business was booming, but Daham knew there were few opportunities in Tunisia for his children. Chaeban arrived in Canada when he was six years old with his parents and three sisters. With the fromagerie shuttered, Daham was again looking for a new career. ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Chaebans feta cheese is one of several products the company is making to help solve the winter doldrums in ice cream sales. "He didnt know English, so he couldnt find a job where they would just give him a chance, so he went into truck driving," Chaeban says, adding that the pair continued making cheese as a hobby in the basement of their house. Chaeban studied marketing in college and started his own trucking business, but had to close up shop during the 2008 recession. A conversation with his father got him back into the world of dairy. "My dad is my best friend, and so I took his advice. He was like, You know everything about cheese," Chaeban says. "And he was absolutely right, like it brings out a passion (in me) and its something that I always wanted to do." He headed to Vermont to study dairy science and landed a job as a plant manager and cheesemaker in Winnipeg. But the entrepreneurial itch remained. Chaeban saw an opportunity at the site of the former Banana Boat Ice Cream shop and started selling his own frosty treats with wife Zainab Ali and business partner Darryl Stewart in 2017. ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Say cheese: Chaeban Artisans feta The expansion into cheese has also required an expansion of space. Behind the Chaeban Ice Cream storefront at 390 Osborne St., there is a cramped production area with a small room dedicated to pasteurizing and processing cheese; the shops former seating area has been turned into a makeshift labelling and packaging centre. The business will soon be gaining 1,000 square feet of leased space next door and will be moving into a facility at the University of Manitoba later this year. The goal is to process 1,000 litres of cheese each day a drop in the bucket compared to the 40,000 litres Chaeban oversaw daily as a cheese plant manager. His philosophy has always been about quality over quantity. During our conversation, Chaebans cellphone rings several times; hes a busy guy, constantly looking for ways to make his business more sustainable. Cheese is both a step forward and a homecoming. "It brings joy," he says. "Youre playing with a living organism, youre putting in good bacteria to fight bad bacteria and youre creating something special that comes out delicious people can appreciate the art behind it." Visit chaebanartisan.com for a list of local retailers. eva.wasney@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @evawasney OTTAWA - Procurement Minister Anita Anand is pushing Moderna to start shipping its COVID-19 vaccine doses to Canada from the United States instead of Europe. Workers unload a shipment of the Moderna COVID19 vaccine at the FedEx hub at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Thursday, May 20, 2021. Procurement Minister Anita Anand says Canada is trying to negotiate a deal to start getting doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine from the United States instead of Europe. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston OTTAWA - Procurement Minister Anita Anand is pushing Moderna to start shipping its COVID-19 vaccine doses to Canada from the United States instead of Europe. The negotiations, which also involve the U.S. government, come a month after Pfizer-BioNTech shifted Canada's supply from Europe to the Pfizer plant in Kalamazoo, Mich. Anand said Friday Pfizer will ship more than two million doses a week through to the end of August and get all 48 million of Canada's doses into the country before Labour Day. It has also agreed to ship another three million doses in September, bringing Canada's total 2021 supply to 51 million doses. "I would like to sincerely thank Pfizer for the partnership," Anand gushed at a news conference Friday. "We have a complete delivery scheduled from Pfizer. Pfizer's deliveries arrive on time and are stable. Thank you so much." She could not say the same to Moderna, which has sent just one-third of its planned spring shipments to date, and hasn't been able to provide any shipment confirmations beyond June 14. In mid-May both Moderna and Andy Slavitt, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden on COVID-19, said the company was going to start exporting doses. Initially the U.S. forbade the export of any American-made COVID-19 vaccines until U.S. orders had mostly been fulfilled. Neither would say where the first exports were going, and the company's spokeswoman told The Canadian Press Thursday there was currently no news on changing the origin of Canada's supply. But Anand told The Canadian Press in a written statement that Canada is "pressing for deliveries from the company's U.S. facilities." "I continue to work with Moderna as well as the U.S. government to stabilize its delivery schedule to Canada," she said Friday. Moderna, which has never had a product on the market before, has provided vague explanations about production delays at its European production lines. The company signed an exclusive agreement with Swiss drugmaker Lonza to make its vaccine in both the U.S. and Europe. The brand new mRNA technology required Lonza to build production lines from scratch. Anand has been pushing the company for weeks to give her a more reliable shipping schedule, but it hasn't happened. Moderna announced in February production delays would slow Canada's shipments but was able to fulfil its contract to ship two million doses by March 31 by a matter of hours. In April, it said a backlog in quality assurance checks in Europe was slowing deliveries once again. It cut the second April shipment in half and warned it may only be able to send 10.3 million doses by the end of June instead of the initially promised 12.3 million. It has since blamed human resource and material issues for production delays, which have not appeared to affect the U.S. deliveries at all. Moderna has currently shipped about four million doses since April 1, with another 1.5 million promised June 14. Anand said she expects "millions more" this month but can't say how many or when. The company is supposed to ship 44 million doses by September, and depending on future uptake of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, Canada will need Moderna to at least ship half of its remaining allotment to hit the goal of having two doses for every Canadian by the fall. As of Friday, Canada had given at least one dose to more than 22.7 million people, 2.5 million of whom also have their second dose. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said before outdoor restrictions should be loosened, we should aim to get a first dose to 75 per cent of eligible Canadians currently those at least 12 years old and two doses to at least 20 per cent. Canada needs to give out another two million first doses and 4.1 million second doses to get there. There will be enough doses delivered by next week to hit that goal but it will likely take another two to three weeks. It will also require bigger shift from first to second doses. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2021. Facebook announced Friday that former President Donald Trumps accounts will be suspended for two years, freezing his presence on the social network until early 2023, following a finding that Trump stoked violence ahead of the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington. Facebook says, on Friday, June 4, it will suspend Trump's accounts for two years following its finding that he stoked violence ahead of the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection. Facebook also plans to end a contentious policy championed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg that automatically exempted politicians from certain moderation rules on its site. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Facebook announced Friday that former President Donald Trumps accounts will be suspended for two years, freezing his presence on the social network until early 2023, following a finding that Trump stoked violence ahead of the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. At the end of the suspension, the company will assess whether Trump's "risk to public safety" has subsided, Nick Clegg, Facebook's vice president of global affairs, wrote in a blog post. He said Facebook will take into account "external factors" such as instances of violence, restrictions on peaceful assembly and other markers of civil unrest. Facebook also announced that it would end a contentious policy that automatically exempted politicians from rules banning hate speech and abuse, and that it would stiffen penalties for public figures during times of civil unrest and violence. The former president called Facebooks decision on the suspension "an insult." The two-year ban replaced a previous ruling that ordered Trump to be suspended indefinitely. "They shouldnt be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing, and ultimately, we will win. Our Country cant take this abuse anymore!" Trump said in a news release. Social platforms like Facebook and Twitter have become indispensable tools for politicians to get their messages out and to raise small-dollar donations. Without the megaphone of Twitter and the targeted fundraising appeals his campaign mastered on Facebook, Trump could be at a serious disadvantage relative to other politicians. Trump has teased running for president again in 2024. His aides say that he has been working on launching his own social media platform to compete with those that have booted him, but one has yet to materialize. A blog he launched on his existing website earlier this year was shut down after less than a month. It attracted dismal traffic. On Facebook, Trumps suspension means that his account is essentially frozen. Others can read and comment on past posts, but Trump and other account handlers are unable to post new material. Twitter, by contrast, has permanently banned Trump from its service, and no trace of his account remains. "What theyve done here is shield themselves from potential presidential rage" with a reassessment of Trumps account in two years, said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor. In a color-coded chart on its blog post, the company said public figures who violate its policies during times of crisis can be restricted from posting for a month (yellow) or as long as two years (red). Future violations, it said, will be met with "heightened penalties, up to and including permanent removal." The policy that exempted politicians from rules on hate speech and abuse was once championed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The company said it never applied the policy to Trump, but on Friday backtracked to say it did use it once, in 2019 for a video of a rally on his Facebook page. The social media giant said it will still apply the "newsworthiness" exemption to certain posts it deems to be in the public interest, even if they violate Facebook rules. But it will no longer treat material posted by politicians any differently than other posts. In addition, Facebook said it will make public whenever it does apply the exemption to a post. The announcements are in response to recommendations from the companys quasi-independent oversight board. Last month, that panel upheld a decision by Facebook to keep Trump suspended, but the board said the company could not merely suspend him indefinitely. It gave the company six months to decide what to do with his accounts. In its decision last month, the board agreed with Facebook that two of Trumps Jan. 6 posts "severely violated" the content standards of both Facebook and Instagram. "We love you. Youre very special," Trump said to the rioters in the first post. In the second, he called them "great patriots" and told them to "remember this day forever." Those comments violated Facebooks rules against praising or supporting people engaged in violence, the board said. Specifically, the board cited rules against "dangerous individuals and organizations" that prohibit anyone who proclaims a violent mission and ban posts that express support for those people or groups. The two-year suspension is effective from Jan. 7, so Trump has 19 months to go. A group calling itself the Real Facebook Oversight Board, which is critical of Facebook and its oversight panel, said in a statement Friday that the ban brings Trump back just in time for the 2024 presidential election and shows "no real strategy to address authoritarian leaders and extremist content, and no intention of taking serious action against disinformation and hate speech." Due to its sheer size and power, Facebook's decision has broad implications for politicians and their constituencies around the globe. Chinmayi Arun, a fellow at Yale Law Schools Information Society Project, said its good that the company laid out a standard for when it will suspend political leaders and for how long. "Whats tremendous is that Facebook took the oversight boards recommendation to reevaluate the real-world context and the offline tensions, while deciding what to do with a politicians online speech," she said. But she remains concerned that suspensions cannot be reviewed unless Facebook asks. For years, Facebook gave the former president special treatment and free reign to spread misinformation and threats on the platform. Outside critics and even Facebook's own employees called for the company to remove Trump long before the Jan. 6 comments. Last summer, for instance, Zuckerberg decided to leave up posts by Trump that suggested protesters in Minneapolis could be shot, using the words "when the looting starts, the shooting starts." Trumps comment evoked the civil-rights era by borrowing a phrase used in 1967 by Miamis police chief to warn of an aggressive police response to unrest in Black neighborhoods. While Facebook put labels on many of Trump's election posts, he did not face penalties such as suspension for repeatedly and falsely claiming victory in 2020. In Friday's post, Clegg anticipated criticism from both sides of the political aisle. "We know that any penalty we apply or choose not to apply will be controversial. There are many people who believe it was not appropriate for a private company like Facebook to suspend an outgoing President from its platform, and many others who believe Mr. Trump should have immediately been banned for life," he wrote. Facebook's job, he said, is "to make a decision in as proportionate, fair and transparent a way as possible, in keeping with the instruction given to us by the Oversight Board." But by staying in the middle, some experts said Facebook had once again punted the decision instead of taking a firm stance. "Its the wait-and-see approach," said Sarah Kreps, a Cornell professor and director of the Cornell Tech Policy Lab. "I think theyre hoping this can just resolve itself with him not being kind of an influential voice in politics anymore." Associated Press writers Tali Arbel, Matt O'Brien and Zeke Miller contributed to this report. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) A judge on Friday ordered a dozen Australian media companies to pay fines from 1,000 Australian dollars ($766) to AU$450,000 ($345,000) for breaching a gag order by publishing references to Cardinal George Pells since-overturned convictions in 2018 for child sexual abuse. FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2019, file photo, Cardinal George Pell arrives at the County Court in Melbourne, Australia. A judge on Friday, June 4, 2021, ordered a dozen Australian media companies to pay fines from 1,000 Australian dollars ($766) to AU$450,000 ($345,000) for breaching a gag order by publishing references to Cardinal Pell's since-overturned convictions in 2018 for child sexual abuse. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill, File) CANBERRA, Australia (AP) A judge on Friday ordered a dozen Australian media companies to pay fines from 1,000 Australian dollars ($766) to AU$450,000 ($345,000) for breaching a gag order by publishing references to Cardinal George Pells since-overturned convictions in 2018 for child sexual abuse. Dozens of companies, reporters and editors were initially charged with contempt and breaching a suppression order over their coverage of the convictions, which were banned from publication in Australia until February 2019. Such suppression orders are common in the Australian and British judicial systems. But the enormous international interest in an Australian criminal trial with global ramifications highlighted the difficulty in enforcing such orders in the digital age. The media companies pleaded guilty in February to 21 charges of contempt in a plea deal in the Victoria state Supreme Court. Justice John Dixon said on Friday the guilty pleas did not demonstrate remorse but were entered to protect individual editors, reporters and broadcast presenters from convictions. The individuals had faced potential prison sentences. The Age Company and News Life Media's offenses constituted a blatant and willful defiance of the courts authority, Dixon said. Each took a deliberate risk by intentionally advancing a collateral attack on the role of suppression orders in Victorias criminal justice system, Dixon said. The Age Company was fined AU$450,000 ($345,000) and News Life Media AU$400,000 ($306,000). No foreign news organization has been charged with breaching the suppression order. The U.S. Constitutions First Amendment would prevent such censorship in the United States, so attempting to extradite an American for breaching an Australian suppression order would be futile. Pell was Pope Francis top financial adviser and regarded as the third most senior cleric in the Vatican when he became the most senior Catholic ever convicted of child sex abuse. Pells five convictions have since been overturned and he has returned to the Vatican after spending 13 months in prison. No Australian media company published a straight news report of Pells convictions, but some directed their audiences to international online reports. Melbournes most popular newspaper, Herald Sun, published a white headline CENSORED across a black front page. The world is reading a very important story that is relevant to Victorians, the newspaper said, referring to residents of Victoria state. The newspaper said it was prevented from publishing details of this significant news. The newspapers owner, Herald and Weekly Times, was fined AU$2,000 ($1,532). The media companies must also pay prosecutors legal costs of AU$650,000 ($498,000). LONDON (AP) Paramount Pictures on Thursday temporarily shut down production on the British set of Tom Cruise's seventh Mission: Impossible film after someone tested positive for coronavirus. FILE - Tom Cruise arrives at the premiere of the "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" in London on July 13, 2018. Paramount Pictures has shut down shooting on the British set of Tom Cruises seventh Mission: Impossible film after someone tested positive for coronavirus. A Paramount spokesman says Thursday, June 3, 2021, that due to a positive result during routine testing, the set will be shut down until June 14. Paramount says it is following safety protocols and will continue to monitor the situation. The company provided no further details. The film, which paused production for months early last year along with the rest of the film industry when the coronavirus pandemic took hold, is scheduled to be released in 2022. (Photo by Grant Pollard/Invision/AP, File) LONDON (AP) Paramount Pictures on Thursday temporarily shut down production on the British set of Tom Cruise's seventh Mission: Impossible film after someone tested positive for coronavirus. We have temporarily halted production on Mission: Impossible 7 until June 14th, due to positive coronavirus test results during routine testing, a Paramount spokesperson said in a statement. We are following all safety protocols and will continue to monitor the situation. The company provided no further details. In December, Cruise launched an expletive-laden rant at colleagues on the Mission: Impossible set, after he reportedly spotted two crew members violating social distancing rules. In audio released by the Sun tabloid, Cruise can be heard warning that anyone caught not following the rules to stay at least 2 meters (more than 6.5 feet) away from others will be fired. The film, which paused production for months early last year along with the rest of the film industry when the coronavirus pandemic took hold, is scheduled to be released in 2022. COPENHAGEN (AP) Denmarks Parliament on Friday voted in favor of building a 20-billion-kroner ($3.3 billion) artificial island in Copenhagen that will house at least 35,000 people who will be connected to downtown by a harbor tunnel and a subway line. COPENHAGEN (AP) Denmarks Parliament on Friday voted in favor of building a 20-billion-kroner ($3.3 billion) artificial island in Copenhagen that will house at least 35,000 people who will be connected to downtown by a harbor tunnel and a subway line. The approval of Lynetteholmen the suggested name for the new district has been criticized for not having investigated enough the environmental consequences of its construction, among other issues. Work is set to begin in 2035 and to be completed by 2070. The artificial island will be about 3 sq. kilometers (1.2 square miles) in size and will also function as protection against future flooding in Copenhagen as a result of rising sea levels. It will be built north of the trendy Refshale Island, a former industrial area, and a harbor tunnel is planned to be connected to the existing E20 highway. The plan was presented by the former center-right government of Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen in October 2018, and was immediately approved by the Copenhagen municipality. The go ahead was given Friday in an 85-12 vote. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Denmark has withdrawn permission for a planned pipeline that was designed to bring Norwegian gas to Poland, citing the need to assess if the project would harm the habitats of certain mice and bat species. FILE - In this Tuesday Feb. 23, 2021 file photo, construction work on a 200 meter long pier being built where the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline is due to come ashore at Houstrup Strand, in West Jutland, Denmark. Denmark has on Friday, June 4 withdrawn permission for a planned pipeline that was designed to bring Norwegian gas to Poland, citing the need to assess if the project would harm the habitats of certain species. The decision represents a setback to Polands efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources. (John Randeris / Ritzau Scanpix, file) WARSAW, Poland (AP) Denmark has withdrawn permission for a planned pipeline that was designed to bring Norwegian gas to Poland, citing the need to assess if the project would harm the habitats of certain mice and bat species. The decision represents a setback to Polands energy security efforts. Poland has been counting on the pipeline, called Baltic Pipe, to help limit its dependence on Russian energy sources. The Danish Environmental and Food Appeals Board announced Thursday that it had repealed a land permit issued in 2019 for Baltic Pipe. According to the appeals board, a permit for the project given by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency did not sufficiently lay out the measures that would be taken to protect dormice, Nordic birch mice and bats during construction of the 210-kilometer (130-mile) pipeline across Denmark. The decision means that Denmark's environmental agency will need to carry out more studies. Poland hopes the permission will ultimately be given, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said. Environmental protection is very important, and we should comply with all regulations, but equally important is energy security, and we should weigh these two things in such a way that this project can be completed, he said. Baltic Pipe was designed to bring Norways offshore natural gas from the North Sea through Denmark to Poland. Completion of the pipeline was expected in fall 2022. It is in the interest of the Republic of Poland and the whole of Central Europe to complete this project as soon as possible, and we are counting on the goodwill of the Danish government, Przydacz said in an interview on state radio. Poland was also disappointed when the Biden administration last month waived sanctions on the company overseeing Nord Stream 2, a nearly completed gas pipeline that will bring Russian gas to Germany. Nord Stream 2 will allow Russia to bypass Ukraine, depriving it of lucrative transit fees and likely removing leverage from Kyiv in its power struggle with Moscow. LOS ANGELES (AP) Former California congresswoman Katie Hill has been ordered to pay about $220,000 in attorneys fees to a British tabloid and two conservative journalists she had sued after the publication of intimate photos without her consent. FILE - In this April 3, 2019, file photo, then- Rep. Katie Hill, D-Calif., is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington. The former California congresswoman has been ordered to pay about $220,000 in attorneys' fees to a British tabloid and two conservative journalists she sued after the publication of intimate photos without her consent. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) LOS ANGELES (AP) Former California congresswoman Katie Hill has been ordered to pay about $220,000 in attorneys fees to a British tabloid and two conservative journalists she had sued after the publication of intimate photos without her consent. The Democrat who briefly represented a district north of Los Angeles had accused them in a revenge-porn lawsuit of violating the law by publishing or distributing the compromising photos. The lawsuit was thrown out earlier this year on First Amendment grounds, the Los Angeles Times reported. Hill resigned in 2019 after the publication of the photos and amid a House ethics probe into allegations of an inappropriate sexual relationship with one of her congressional staffers, which she denied. On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Yolanda Orozco awarded about $105,000 to the parent company of the Daily Mail, a British tabloid. Hill had called for a boycott of the tabloid on Twitter and sought donations for her legal costs. A judge just ordered me to PAY the Daily Mail more than $100k for the privilege of them publishing nude photos of me obtained from an abuser, she tweeted. The justice system is broken for victims. A spokeswoman told the newspaper that Hill plans to appeal the rulings that dismissed her lawsuit. An attorney for the Daily Mail did not respond to a request for comment. The judge previously ordered Hill to pay about $84,000 to the attorneys of Jennifer Van Laar, managing editor of the conservative website Red State, and about $30,000 to lawyers representing radio producer Joseph Messina. Hill initially accused Messina of being part of a conspiracy to distribute the pictures, but dropped her claim against him earlier this year. Krista Lee Baughman, an attorney representing Van Laar and Messina, told the Times that the ruling showed that those who file speech-chilling (intimidation) lawsuits must pay the price. Hill, 33, gained national attention in 2018 when she was elected to Congress in a district long under Republican control. She was celebrated as the face of millennial change and was close to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a fellow California Democrat. Less than a year later, as Hill was going through a divorce, Red State published stories alleging that she had an affair with a male congressional staffer and that she and her husband, Kenneth Heslep, had a previous relationship with a female campaign worker. The website and the Daily Mail also published provocative pictures. Hill confirmed that she and Heslep had a relationship with the campaign worker, which she conceded was inappropriate because the woman was a subordinate. In December, Hill sued the two media outlets, Van Laar, Messina and Heslep, arguing that they violated Californias revenge-porn law by distributing or publishing intimate images, including photographs that showed her nude. The publications and Van Laar successfully argued that Hills lawsuit failed to meet the requirements of the revenge-porn statute. They also asserted that they had a First Amendment right to publish information about an elected officials behavior that is newsworthy. The parent company of Red State has not sought attorneys fees, the newspaper said. Heslep has not filed any legal responses and does not have a lawyer on record in the case. Hill later wrote a book about her experience and formed a political committee to support women and younger candidates, including those of color. She hasn't ruled out another possible run for public office. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm joined a key member of the U.S. Senate in West Virginia on Thursday to promote the role that the once-booming coal-producing state will play in the development of clean energy. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm hugs Department of Energy Chief of Staff Tarak Shah, left, before the Progress Pride Flag is raised outside the Department of Energy in Washington, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Shah is the first person of color, first Indian-American and first openly LGBTQ person to serve as Chief of Staff for D.O.E. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm joined a key member of the U.S. Senate in West Virginia on Thursday to promote the role that the once-booming coal-producing state will play in the development of clean energy. Sen. Joe Manchin and Granholm were joined at a news conference in Morgantown with partners in a collaboration to build a ship, in part using steel manufactured in landlocked West Virginia, to transport parts for U.S. offshore wind development projects. This is sort of a window into the opportunity for West Virginia to be a leader in the energy of the future, in addition to having led the energy that got us here and that still powers us, Granholm said. Offshore wind development is still in its infancy in the U.S., far behind progress made in Europe. A small wind farm operates near Block Island in waters controlled by the state of Rhode Island, and another small wind farm operates off the coast of Virginia. The so-called Jones Act prohibits foreign-flagged ships from hauling cargo between U.S. ports. So the Danish company Orsted is teaming with Steel of West Virginia and energy providers Eversource and Dominion Energy on construction of a 470-foot (143-meter) ship that will transport and install towers for wind projects off the Atlantic coast, Granholm said. The ship is expected to be built by the end of 2023. Granholms presence was the latest sign from the Biden administration in drawing attention to Manchin, a moderate Democrat who has urged an effort at bipartisanship to pass the presidents $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan. First lady Jill Biden joined Manchin at a coronavirus vaccination clinic last month, a few days after Manchin met at the White House with the president on the infrastructure plan. The nations second-largest coal producer, West Virginia has lost 56% of its mining jobs since 2009 as power plants turn toward renewable energy sources. Because in part of those jobs lost, West Virginia lost the highest percentage of its population of any state in the past decade. We have a golden opportunity now with the new infrastructure bill coming that energy is going to play such an important part, and how we can lead in the world in a clean energy transformation," Manchin said. "Its really what its all about. You cannot eliminate your way to a cleaner climate. You can innovate your way. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden appeared to make a veiled reference to Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona when he responded to a question about why he hasnt been able to get a wide-reaching voting rights bill passed. Both senators have frustrated Democrats with their defense of the filibuster the rule requiring most legislation to win 60 votes to pass, making many of Democrats biggest priorities like voting rights and gun control bills dead on arrival in the 50-50 Senate. During her two-day visit to West Virginia, Granholm, a former Michigan governor, also is scheduled to tour an underground coal mine and a rare earth elements lab. The stop comes two days after she was in Houston to tout Biden's American Jobs Plan. The reason why Im here, the reason why I went to Houston, which are fossil fuel communities, is to say its great that you have gotten us here, and thank you for that, Granholm said. "But now, take us to the next wave, the next leg, which is this clean energy future, and be a part of that. Associated Press writer Matthew Daly in Washington contributed to this report. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) In a sign of meatpacking workers becoming emboldened by the pandemic's health threats and economic repercussions, the union at a South Dakota pork processing plant that experienced a bad coronavirus outbreak last year has overwhelmingly rejected a contract offer from Smithfield Foods and will next move to bring the prospect of a strike to the negotiating table. Employees of a Smithfield pork processing plant register to vote Thursday, June 3, 2021, on a contract offer from the company at the union's office in Sioux Falls, S.D. The union voted overwhelmingly against it, escalating labor negotiations. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) In a sign of meatpacking workers becoming emboldened by the pandemic's health threats and economic repercussions, the union at a South Dakota pork processing plant that experienced a bad coronavirus outbreak last year has overwhelmingly rejected a contract offer from Smithfield Foods and will next move to bring the prospect of a strike to the negotiating table. The Sioux Falls chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union said 99% of union members who voted on the new contract offered from Virginia-based Smithfield Foods rejected it. The escalating labor negotiations are a sign of what might be a renewed boldness among workers in the physically demanding meatpacking industry. Through the pandemic, workers have organized around pushes for workplace safety and are now navigating an economy where some slaughterhouses, desperate for employees, have suddenly boosted wages. Smithfield Foods downplayed the contract rejection, saying it was a routine part of negotiations. But the UFCW plans to vote Monday on whether to authorize a walkout. Union leaders said they view striking as a last resort, as they push for for a base wage of $19 an hour to match the rate at a JBS pork plant 70 miles (113 kilometers) away in Worthington, Minnesota. Slaughterhouse jobs usually offer elevated wages and benefits in exchange for the bloody, back-breaking work on butchering lines. But the wage gap is closing between meatpacking jobs and those at fast-food chains or retail stores, union leaders warned. They said that employees are exhausted after filling voids in the workforce during the pandemic while keeping up with robust demand for meat. We've got overworked employees, said B.J. Motley, the union president. We've got people on the line with extended hours and now they're trying to take away their break. He said the company plans to eliminate a 15-minute break period, but Smithfield pushed back on that assertion. Keira Lombardo, a spokeswoman for the company, said in a statement that its proposal would ensure there are two 15-minute breaks for employees who work 8-hour shifts. She added that the company's offer was in full alignment with agreements that the UFCW accepted at other locations. This is an expected and routine result at this stage of an ongoing negotiation, she said of the union's rejection of the company's offer. Both parties have been proactively planning for and scheduling additional meetings prior to this. A strike at the plant, which processes roughly 5% of pork products in the U.S., could ripple across the industry, from hog farmers to supermarket shelves. When the plant became an early coronavirus hot spot last year and shut down for several weeks along with others in the Midwest, the industry aggressively lobbied the public and former President Donald Trump for an order to stay open, arguing they provided an essential service to national security. However, workers and unions also pushed for protections. At the plant in Sioux Falls , workers demonstrated in April 2020 for the plant to close down as infections spread. The pandemic dramatically raised the stakes, said Colin Gordon, a University of Iowa history professor who has specialized in labor movements. Smithfield Foods, like other larger meatpackers, poured millions of dollars into worker incentives and retrofitting plants with plexiglass barriers in an effort to stem infections. The precautions succeeded in preventing another large outbreak at the Sioux Falls plant and the company said there are currently no reported cases. But the virus took its toll, as nearly 1,300 workers were infected, four died, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for failing to protect employees during the early days of the April 2020 outbreak. As the company tried to recover from the outbreak, it launched an ad campaign that praised its workers as heroes. We're not heroes anymore, are we? Anthony Yesker, a nine-year employee at the Sioux Falls plant, said after casting a vote against the company's proposed contract. They should at least look that we all put our lives on the line to keep the company going." He reasoned that if the union decided to go on strike, there were plenty of jobs in other warehouses available. The wages that Smithfield offered were once significantly higher than service industry jobs, but Yesker said the cost of living has gone up in Sioux Falls, making him rethink his job at the plant. This is a moment when workers have leverage right now, said Laura Dresser, a labor economist at COWS, a liberal think tank at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Worker shortages at meatpacking plants aren't new, but they have gotten worse during the pandemic, said Sarah Little, a spokeswoman for the North American Meat Institute, a trade association of meatpacking companies. She noted that companies are generally offering very competitive wages and benefits" that start at $22 an hour for entry-level positions in some areas. For employees like Bullen Furula, who has worked at the Sioux Falls plant for 21 years and praised the opportunities that a job at the plant can bring, rising wages elsewhere mean a greater burden on those who have stuck with the company through one of its most trying years: The more people quit, the more pressure is on us who are left behind. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) The leader of the organization that sponsored the voter-approved Mississippi medical marijuana initiative that was recently blocked in court says the program should be changed and improved by the state Legislature but not by too much. A Mississippi state senator reviews a handout from the Mississippi Department of Health regarding substance abuse during a hearing on medical marijuana and its initiative during a meeting of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, June 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) JACKSON, Miss. (AP) The leader of the organization that sponsored the voter-approved Mississippi medical marijuana initiative that was recently blocked in court says the program should be changed and improved by the state Legislature but not by too much. Medical marijuana advocates were outraged last month when the state Supreme Court ruled that Mississippis initiative process is outdated and therefore the initiative is void. Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association executive director Ken Newburger said when Initiative 65 was written, he and others made some short-sighted missteps, such as tasking the state Department of Health with running the program on its own. There are some major gaps that I think a lot of you have pointed out in the past and a lot of people in the state have pointed out that need to be remedied," Newburger said Thursday during a Senate Public Health Committee meeting at the state Capitol. However, Newburger said it's important that the basic tenets of what voters approved stay the same: Patients should be able to consume marijuana in any form in a joint, edibles or otherwise; doctors should be responsible for certifying patients; small businesses should be able to operate and compete in the industry; and the program should be self-funded. Mississippi residents voted in November to adopt Initiative 65, a state constitutional amendment that would have required the Health Department to create a program so marijuana could be available to people with debilitating medical conditions. The long list included cancer, epilepsy and sickle cell anemia. As lawmakers on Thursday discussed what a state medical marijuana program might look like, major topics of conversation centered on whether Mississippi should allow people to smoke marijuana, how much marijuana people should be able to receive each month, how it will be taxed, where the revenue will go and how close treatment centers should be to schools and churches. The sooner we start talking about what options we have, the better, said Democratic Sen. Hob Bryan of Amory, the Public Health Committee chairman. What is in the best interest of the public? That's what we must determine. Republican Sen. Kevin Blackwell of Olive Branch said some lawmakers might balk at a program that allows people to smoke marijuana, as well as allowing people to receive up to 5 ounces (142 grams) a month, as proposed in Initiative 65. Five ounces a month seems like an awful lot of marijuana, Blackwell said. Republican Sen. Brice Wiggins of Pascagoula asked whether some of the tax revenue from the sale of marijuana should go into the state budget. Initiative 65 would have put the revenue into running the medical marijuana program. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has not said whether he will call legislators into special session this year to consider medical marijuana legislation. If he does not, the discussion would happen after the next regular session begins in January. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs told lawmakers Thursday there is still limited research on the benefits and impacts of using medical marijuana. He said he has concerns about young people developing substance use disorders and about the use of marijuana by pregnant women. There are potential harms," Dobbs said. As we look into this, I think we need to think about it in the context of, Its not a panacea. There are downsides to everything.' He said the Health Department is also opposed to allowing medical marijuana to be smoked because of the risk of lung cancer and other detrimental health impacts. Dobbs said it would realistically take the Health Department six to nine months at minimum to develop a medical marijuana program. Initiative 65 would have required a medical marijuana program to be in effect the middle of this year, and the department had been working on creating a program before the Supreme Court ruling. About 1.3 million people voted in Mississippi in November, and more than 766,000 of them voted in favor of Initiative 65. Thats about 10,000 more residents than voted in November for then-President Donald Trump, who won handily in the state despite losing his reelection bid. Leah Willingham 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. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared disinclined Friday to insert himself into the regulatory process for workplaces after a state safety board upset business groups by approving new rules that require all workers to wear masks unless everyone around them is vaccinated against the coronavirus. FILE - In this Friday, April 16, 2021, file photo, an actress playing a Marilyn Monroe character wears a face mask as she poses for pictures at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in Los Angeles. The park officially reopens to the public at 25% capacity with COVID-19 protocols in place. California Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared disinclined Friday, June 4, 2021, to insert himself into the regulatory process for workplaces after a state safety board upset business groups by approving new rules that require all workers to wear masks unless everyone around them is vaccinated against the coronavirus, The revised rules, approved after a long and sometimes contentious meeting Thursday, eliminate social distancing requirements but run counter to Newsom's plan to "fully" reopen California in less than two weeks and allow vaccinated people to skip face coverings in nearly all situations. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared disinclined Friday to insert himself into the regulatory process for workplaces after a state safety board upset business groups by approving new rules that require all workers to wear masks unless everyone around them is vaccinated against the coronavirus. The revised rules, approved after a long and sometimes contentious meeting Thursday, eliminate social distancing requirements in workplaces but run counter to Newsom's plan to fully" reopen California in less than two weeks and allow vaccinated people to skip face coverings in nearly all situations. Critics hadnt decided if they will push Newsom to override the worksite rules adopted on the second try by the board that sets standards for Californias Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA. Who knows what Gavin Newsoms going to do exactly? But I think that this, even revised as they did yesterday, is wildly at variance with what the governor has indicated he wants to do on June 15, said Bryan Little, California Farm Bureau director of employment policy. Cal/OSHA's regulations apply to almost every workplace in the state, including workers in offices, factories and retail operations. Its pandemic rules apply to all employees except those working from home or where a single employee does not have contact with others. The revisions are expected to take effect in mid-June. Newsom said he was beginning to review the decision by what he called an independent board but that is one he appoints. Were pleased they made progress moving in the right direction, he said Friday. But Newsom urged the board to keep revising its rules as infection rates fall and vaccinations increase, and he promised to keep working with management and labor to see where we land. This is the sausage-making process, Newsom said. As you know, it was quite an intense conversation, referring to the previous day's meeting that saw the board first reject the new rules on a 4-3 vote but then vote again and unanimously approve them. The vote change was prompted by realization that if the new rules weren't approved it would leave employees in workplaces subject to the current standards that require masks for all employees regardless of vaccination status, along with social distancing and partitions between employees in certain circumstances. The new rules are an improvement but business groups want more changes, said California Chamber of Commerce policy advocate Rob Moutrie. Newsom likely faces a recall vote in the fall, driven by critics of his stewardship of the state during the health crisis. Newsom has been aggressive in using executive orders to impose policies and in the early months faced backlash even from some fellow Democrats that he was doing too many things that circumvented the Legislature's constitutional powers to provide checks on the executive office. Newsom in December used his executive authority to amend a Cal/OSHA board rule, but that was only to bring the regulation into compliance with federal guidance by shortening the length of quarantine periods from 14 days to 10 days. At a news conference he was asked specifically if he would use an executive order to overturn the board's decision on masks. He said there remain unanswered questions from the boards action but said it is healthy that the governor not determine their decisions even as he more broadly guides the states reopening and worker policies. Face coverings remain an important part of our arsenal, Newsom said. I know a lot of employers support that. One of those seeking his job, Republican former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, called the board's decision on masks just another example of Gavin Newsom refusing to follow the science and sowing confusion among the people of California. A newly appointed board subcommittee is beginning to consider revisions that could be discussed when the board next meets on June 17. But any significant changes cant realistically be considered until August at the earliest, board executive officer Christina Shupe said. CalChamber's Moutrie said business groups have not been in touch with the governors office and expect to work through the regulatory process. Obviously this is an emergency regulation with the most urgent issue in the state or the nation, said Moutrie, so the boards staff will move heaven and earth to the extent they can. Moutrie hoped for swifter action if the board limits changes to removing what employers called an expensive and unrealistic requirement that they provide the most effective N95 masks to any worker who asks for them, starting July 1. That was one of the most contentious provisions and will otherwise force employers to stockpile millions of masks in competition with health care workers, business groups said. Many other concerns, such as clarifying what employers called confusing record-keeping rules, could be done without new regulations, Moutrie and Little said. Derek Tran, an attorney who focuses on employment law but is not lobbying the board, expects it's going to be another lengthy rule change, outside of the governor stepping in and mandating something different. He does hold a lot of authority and sway on what he wants. This is his board, Tran said. He expects the conflicting rules will further confuse the public as the state reopens in mid-June. In the workplace, the new rules will force employers to distinguish between those who are vaccinated, unvaccinated, or unable to be vaccinated because of other health considerations. That opens a whole can of worms as employers learn of workers underlying health issues, Tran said. It opens the possibility of discrimination. ... That opens the door for a lot of litigation. Will Canadian grocery shopping ever be the same again? Will Canadian grocery shopping ever be the same again? Thats a question leading food economists and supply chain experts have been mulling progressively, as the COVID-19 pandemic created and accelerated dozens of new trends for the industry throughout the past year. A new report from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab might provide a few answers. Surveying more than 10,000 Canadians from coast to coast in May, a team of researchers out of Dalhousie University aimed to understand how the pandemic could impact the grocery experience in the near future. The study reveals a range of changes across the board since the onset of the coronavirus from the idea of permanent physical distancing, online groceries and local shopping to self-checkouts, and shifting loyalties with the type of retail outlets people prefer. "What we found is a really wide variety of ways in which the human psyche for grocery shopping has changed quite drastically," said Sylvain Charlebois, a food management professor who led the team of experts that conducted the study. "Certainly, it doesnt seem like these changes are going away any time soon," Charlebois told the Free Press Thursday. "And what that means for the industry is that theyll have to start evaluating exactly where they make key investments in the coming years which, of course, will also impact shoppers themselves." As the pandemic forced people to stay at home and work from there, a rat race of options emerged across the grocery sector from larger chains to smaller retailers so people could get their food safely. This quickly resulted in a radical bump for online and pickup sales throughout Canada, where previously in-person grocery shopping was king. The Agri-Food report suggests thats a trend which is here to stay. More than 22 per cent of all Canadians intend to buy online regularly and the percentage for pickup also remains "stubbornly high," said Charlebois. Its good news for companies like Amazon alone, which nearly 10 per cent respondents said they use as a regular food provider. A quarter of Canadians have also changed where they shop for groceries altogether in the last year. Thats a "significantly high" number, likely due to how consumers perceived risks when visiting a store, said Charlebois. Physical space and coronavirus cases reported may have played a role "as a fear factor" in motivating consumers to look for a different store, he added. Canadas three big traditional stores (Loblaw, Sobeys, and Metro) are becoming less influential, the Agri-Food report suggests, despite their skyrocketing revenues during the pandemic. Thats because of several different reasons including increased popularity for independent outlets, Canadians reinvigorated love of discount stores, and new players in the field creating other options. Over 24 per cent of Canadians are likely to visit a drug store for food and 16.5 per cent will visit a dollar store to buy their groceries. On top of that, almost two-third Canadians want to spend up to 19 per cent of their food budget at independently owned and operated stores. And a total of 70.2 per cent respondents said theyll actively look for promotions and discounted food products. "Its a sign of the supply chain becoming more democratized and open," said Charlebois. But despite this push to support independent grocers, a "local paradox" has been created during the pandemic, he said. People want to see local products (75.2 per cent of all Canadians). However, that support significantly drops when asked whether they intend to buy (only 47.4 per cent over the next six months). "I dont really agree with many of these findings necessarily," said Munther Zeid, owner and operator of Winnipeg-based Food Fare stores, in an interview Thursday. "Although pickup and deliveries are obviously up, I would say that people will return and are already coming back for in-store shopping by and large. That wont change." Zeid said he also doesnt expect people would go to a local store like his and purchase many non-local products. "Thats just not the type of experience you expect when you go to a place like ours," he added. According to the study, self-checkouts will remain popular. Almost 40 per cent of people intend to use them most of the time in the next six months. Loyalty programs are also critical, which will influence 73.1 per cent Canadians when purchasing food products. But perhaps most crucial are store designs for continued physical distancing. A total of 54.7 per cent Canadians think grocers would offer a better experience should those design changes continue. Zeid agrees, adding he will keep using the precautionary measures put in place during the pandemic as a mainstay at his store. "At the end of the day, its all up to the customers," he said. "So, whichever way they show their inclinations, thats where us and other grocers will go after COVID." temur.durrani@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @temurdur WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) The pressure on trustees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to grant tenure to investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones continued to mount Friday as a major funding partner joined the call to change her status and a sought-after chemistry professor decided not to join the faculty over the dispute. WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) The pressure on trustees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to grant tenure to investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones continued to mount Friday as a major funding partner joined the call to change her status and a sought-after chemistry professor decided not to join the faculty over the dispute. In addition, The Baltimore Sun published an editorial in which it drew a parallel between Hannah-Jones and the Tulsa race massacre of 1921, describing it in a headline as the whitewashing of American history, a reference to The 1619 Project led by Hannah-Jones. Some believe conservative criticism of this project is at the heart of the decision by the UNC Board of Trustees to deny her tenure at the school of journalism and media. Hannah-Jones, who won a Pulitzer Prize for her work on The 1619 Project for the New York Times Magazine, accepted a five-year contract to join the journalism schools faculty as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism. A trustee who vets submissions for tenure postponed consideration of Hannah-Jones application in January because of questions about her non-academic background, the head of the board of trustees said last month. The school said little about why tenure wasn't offered, but then a prominent donor revealed that he had emailed university leaders challenging her work as highly contentious and highly controversial before the process was halted. The foundation that endows the Knight chair encouraged the trustees to reconsider. Last week, Hannah-Jones issued a statement saying she had retained attorneys from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund as she considers legal action against the school. Dozens of members of the journalism schools faculty have demanded an explanation. Student leaders have joined faculty in demanding that trustees reconsider her tenure. A letter signed by professional athletes, writers and academics also assailed the university, saying the trustees failed to uphold the first order values of academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas. A two-page ad appearing in The News & Observer of Raleigh last month featured 1,619 alumni and students at UNC-Chapel Hill who offered their support of Hannah-Jones and called on the school to grant the tenure request. Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, asked in a letter to Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Stevens for assurances that Hannah-Jones is being treated fairly and equitably in decisions regarding her appointment. The letter was first reported by NC Policy Watch. Besser cited what he called growing evidence showing the role that structural racism and discrimination play in health disparities for people of color in the U.S. It is in that context, he wrote, that he asked for reconsideration of tenure for Hannah-Jones. To honor our commitment to ethical conduct and practices, we ask that the UNC Board help us understand the steps it is taking to ensure that Ms. Hannah-Jones is treated fairly and equitably in decisions regarding her appointment, Besser wrote. While not directly addressing the tenure situation, university spokeswoman Joanne Peters Denny said in a statement that the school shares the foundation's commitment to addressing health and racial inequity, and considers the foundation's investment critical to our ongoing work to solve the greatest public health challenges of our time. The chemistry department at UNC also revealed this week that Lisa Jones, an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, withdrew her candidacy to come to Chapel Hill, citing the trustees' decision on Hannah-Jones. Hearing of the delay of Nikole Hannah-Jones tenure decision led me to reconsider whether the environment at the University of North Carolina would be conducive to the achievement of my academic aspirations, which include promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, Jones said in a statement Thursday. While I have never met Ms. Hannah-Jones, as a faculty member of color, I stand in solidarity with her and could not in good conscience accept a position at UNC. Hannah-Jones responded to Jones' decision on Twitter, saying that the solidarity shown me by Black women in particular during this crucible is something I will never forget. The school declined to comment on Jones' decision specifically, saying in a response that UNC is "committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive community of students, faculty and staff. We are dedicated to building a diverse learning environment with the highest caliber faculty and we remain committed to that mission. In an editorial Friday, the Sun pointed to the country's history of racism and how some people are made uncomfortable by it while others want to act as if it doesn't exist, a reference to The 1619 Project. Theres no guarantee that there will be a new vote on Ms. Hannah-Jones tenure, and its unclear when the board may take up the issue. ... But the public pressure has made it clear that history and truth still matter to many in this country, the editorial said. The urban reserve cannabis store whose licence was suspended two weeks has had its retailer agreement terminated by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba. The urban reserve cannabis store whose licence was suspended two weeks has had its retailer agreement terminated by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba. Some believe the matter is the first salvo in a battle over Indigenous rights in the cannabis industry, something observers say was left ambiguous in the original federal legislation to legalize recreational cannabis in 2018. The Meta Cannabis Supply Co. store at 420 Madison St. that has been closed is owned by a partnership between Long Plain First Nation and High Tide Inc., the company that acquired Meta Growth Corp. in November. While the regulators have made it clear that store is in compliance, the issue at hand is the operation of an unlicensed store which the regulators claim is selling unregulated product at Long Plains Keeshkeemaquah urban reserve in Portage la Prairie which is also owned by the Long Plain First Nation. Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches declined to comment on the matter on Thursday, but two weeks ago when the issue first became public he insisted that the Keeshkeemaquah store was selling Health Canada-approved product. At that time Meeches said, "We are the governmental authority for all business on our lands. We allowed Manitoba to license cannabis on our lands and as you can see they have chosen to remove that licence. We will now manage the licences for that site." Isadore Day, a former Grand Chief of the North Shore Tribal Council in Ontario and the CEO of cannabis company Red Market Brand that is about to launch is also the CEO of a consulting company that has done work in the cannabis industry. He said Long Plain was put in the situation because the original federal legislation did not clarify Indigenous rights. "Our communities are looking to find models to work with," he said. "The legal arguments here are going to unpack a number of complex details around how Canada has mismanaged this legislation." He claims the issues were not addressed at the outset. "I believe the thinking was, they wanted to move the legislation through quickly and that First Nation issues were left on the back burner and they thought we will apologize later." But rather than address those kinds of First Nation legal matters, the action is clearly more focused on provincial regulations. Matt Maurer, a lawyer for the Toronto firm Torkin Manes, whose practice includes work with a wide range of cannabis industry stakeholders and is familiar with the Manitoba regulations, said the licence termination likely has something to do with a standard "good character" requirement in licensing. "I would think the reason they pulled the licence is that they decided the part owner is not of good character/cant be trusted/wont carry on the operations of the Meta store in accordance with all the laws and regulations based on what happened at the other store," he said. Meanwhile High Tide is trying to distance itself from its partner. Omar Khan, senior vice-president for corporate and public affairs for High Tide Inc. said it has no relationship with the Keeshkeemaquah store and that all of its stores, including the Madison location, operate in full compliance with all cannabis laws and regulations. "In fact," he said. "The LGCA has previously confirmed that their actions related to this store are as a result of unrelated activities by the majority partner and that this particular store has been in full compliance. We take compliance very seriously We hold all partners to the same standards as ourselves and, as such, are in the process of selling our remaining interest in the partnership to Long Plain First Nation." The provincial agencies that regulate the sale and distribution of cannabis in Manitoba, said that the action was taken to ensure safety and fairness in the industry. Kristianne Dechant, CEO of the LGCA, said in a prepared statement, "Protecting the integrity of Manitobas cannabis licensing framework is a fundamental priority. Manitobans who choose to use cannabis should be assured that they are buying safe products from licensed and regulated retailers." The LGCA said the action was taken after several attempts were made over the last month to work with the First Nation to operate within Manitobas legal cannabis framework but that Long Plain did not respond. Meeches has intimated in the past that a legal battle was imminent. "It looks like we may end up in court because of Brian Pallister and his heavy-handed tactics." Isadore Day said he is supportive of what Long Plain is trying to do and agrees with Meeches contention that the province is being heavy-handed in drawing the legal battle lines. "I think it is rather unfortunate that the government is taking that position. I think it is a lot more complex," he said. "The solutions need to be found on the ground. Why pull the legal battle now when these things could be addressed through goodwill politics and collaboration on a nation-to-nation level?" martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A flight carrying 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from Japan touched down in Taiwan on Friday to help the vaccine-starved island fight its largest outbreak since the pandemic began. A plane carrying the vaccine cargo donated by Japanese government, takes off Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Friday, June 4, 2021. Japan is donating 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Taiwan to help the island fight its latest resurgence of the COVID-19 cases, as Tokyo, despite its painfully slow vaccine rollouts at home, tries to play a greater role in global vaccination distribution.(Kyodo News via AP) TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A flight carrying 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine from Japan touched down in Taiwan on Friday to help the vaccine-starved island fight its largest outbreak since the pandemic began. The donation underscores how geopolitics has come to impact the global vaccine rollout, as countries scramble to secure enough doses for their populations. Taiwan, a self-governing island short of doses, has blamed China for interfering in a potential deal for another vaccine. Now it is more than doubling its vaccine supply thanks to Japan, which is trying to play a greater role in global vaccination distribution and accelerate its own slow rollout ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in July. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters on Friday that Japan was responding to a Taiwanese request, and that the donation reflects Japans important partnership and friendship with Taiwan. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen echoed those comments, saying after the Japan Airlines flight landed that "we are witnessing once again the true friendship between Taiwan and Japan, built upon shared values and mutual help. Neither side mentioned an ongoing feud between Taiwan and China over the island's efforts to get the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Taiwan has signed contracts for 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 5.05 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, and 4.76 million doses of vaccines through COVAX, a U.N. program to distribute vaccines to low and middle-income countries. It is also pursuing the development of its own vaccines, which are currently in mid-stage testing. However, given global supply constraints and manufacturing delays, it had only about 700,000 doses to vaccinate its population with last month, all from AstraZeneca. Japan reportedly considered sending vaccines to Taiwan through COVAX, but decided the process would take too long. Tsai accused China last month of blocking Taiwan from getting the Pfizer vaccine through BioNTech, the German co-developer. We were almost finished with the contract with the German supplier, but owing to China s interference, its been delayed so that until now we have no way to complete it, she told members of her Democratic Progressive Party. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung later said that BioNTech had asked Taiwan to change the word country in the press release announcing the deal. Taiwan agreed, but the deal still remains unfinished. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, objects to calling the island a country. China is also a potentially major market for BioNTech, which has partnered with Shanghai-based Fosun Pharma to manufacture its vaccine in China and distribute it in the mainland and Hong Kong. Fosun said in an interview with China's official Xinhua News Agency that it has offered to sell the vaccine to Taiwan. However, Taiwanese law bans Chinese-made medical products, including vaccines. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused Taiwan's governing party of preventing the mainland from sending vaccines to Taiwan and falsely claiming that China has hindered its procurement of vaccines. For their own political self-interest, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities continue to engage in political manipulation in anti-epidemic cooperation, he said Friday. It disregards the lives and health of Taiwan compatriots and violates the basic humanitarian spirit. Taiwan's foreign minister, Joseph Wu, has also accused China of pressuring at least one country, Paraguay, to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan in return for Chinese vaccines. China says its overseas assistance comes without political conditions, though it has aggressively used its economic might since Tsai came to power to try to poach Taiwans few remaining allies. Globally, many countries are struggling to get vaccines as manufacturers face delays in scaling up production quickly. Japan, with its home-developed vaccines still uncertain, relies solely on foreign ones. It is using Pfizer and Moderna doses but has no immediate plan to use AstraZeneca's, which are produced in Japan under a licensing deal. At an online vaccine summit this week, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged an additional $800 million for the COVAX program, bringing Japans total contribution to $1 billion. Tokyo plans to donate 30 million doses of vaccine produced in Japan through COVAX as well as other multilateral and bilateral channels. Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. Associated Press video journalist Taijing Wu contributed to this report. MEXICO CITY -- Mexican officials said Friday they will use 1 million U.S. doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine to inoculate people along the border. A healthcare worker prepares injects a student with a dose of the CanSino COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site on the Andres Bello University campus, in Santiago, Chile, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix) MEXICO CITY -- Mexican officials said Friday they will use 1 million U.S. doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine to inoculate people along the border. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says the vaccinations along Mexicos northern border with the United States is part of an effort to fully reopen border crossings, which are currently restricted to essential travel. There is going to be a special vaccination plan in the border communities of our country on the northern border, with the aim of getting border transportation back to normal, Lopez Obrador said. Mexican officials say they will have to obtain another 2 million doses of the one-shot vaccine which they might purchase from Johnson & Johnson to vaccinate 3 million border residents between 18 and 40 years old. Presumably, those older than 40 will be covered by Mexicos regular nationwide campaign, which does not use Johnson & Johnson, although the shot has been approved for use in Mexico. On Thursday, an official said some doses might also be used at coastal resorts frequented by Americans, but that possibility was not included in the plan announced Friday. The announcement came on the same day that Mexico City announced the gradual lifting of a partial coronavirus lockdown that began more than a year ago. MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: Taiwan, feuding with China, gets vaccines from Japan A healthcare worker fills out paper work for a patient who died from COVID-19, in a morgue at the Samaritana Hospital in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, June 3, 2021. Colombia has become a pandemic hotspot experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 infections and a surge in deaths. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) Jobs data to show whether worker shortages still slow hiring Heart reaction probed as possible rare vaccine link in teens Colombia easing several lockdown measures while fighting third pandemic peak 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: SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will not lift the coronavirus state of emergency on June 15. Newsom has said he will lift most of the virus restrictions on that date. But Friday, Newsom said he will not lift the state of emergency that gives him broad authority to issue alter or suspend state laws and regulations. California has been under a state of emergency since March 4, 2020. Since then, according to a resolution authored by Republican state senators, Newsom has authorized billions of dollars in emergency spending and issued at least 47 executive orders to alter or suspend 200 state laws and regulations because of the virus. Newsom, a Democrat, said he wont end the state of emergency because the virus is not taking the summer months off. Republicans in the state Senate have tried repeatedly to pass a concurrent resolution to end the state of emergency. But Democrats in the majority have always blocked their efforts. University students wait their turn to be inoculated with the CanSino COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site vaccinating people over age 23 at Andres Bello University in Santiago, Chile, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix) TOPEKA, Kan. The state health department says Kansas ordered less than 1% of its vaccine allocation from the federal government for this week. The disclosure Friday comes as the departments data showed that Kansas still had nearly 593,000 unused doses as of Friday, about 21% of the 2.8 million shipped to the state. Demand for inoculations has dropped, prompting the state and county health departments to increase mobile clinics and bring vaccines to churches and work sites. Data shows that an average of 4,348 vaccine shots a day were administered during the seven days ending Friday. That was its lowest reported seven-day average since Jan. 21. The department said 42.5% of the states 2.9 million residents had received at least one vaccine shot as of Friday. Meanwhile, Kansas was trying to boost vaccinations with a two-day event promoting inoculations at a NASCAR track in Kansas City. The state, Wyandotte County and the University of Kansas Health System partnered with Kansas Speedway on the event. The speedway offered people who got vaccinated two laps around its track and entered them in a raffle for prizes that included tickets to the NASCAR Cup Series race there in October. DENVER -- Colorado has picked its first $1 million winner in a lottery thats trying to inspire residents to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Gov. Jared Polis on Friday announced that Sally Sliger of Mead won the first of five $1 million prizes for residents who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Every resident who was vaccinated by the end of May was entered in the first drawing. Residents needed to be 18 years old and have received at least one dose of the approved coronavirus vaccines to be eligible. The body of a patient who died from COVID-19 lies wrapped in a body bag at the Samaritana Hospital in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, June 3, 2021. Colombia has become a pandemic hotspot as it experiences a third wave of COVID-19 infections and a surge in deaths. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) Colorado is one of several states offering lottery prizes, scholarships and other incentives to drive vaccination rates up. SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom took a turn as gameshow host as the state drew the first 15 winners of $50,000 prizes for getting vaccinated against the coronavirus. Newsom and two others drew the winners from a lottery machine Friday. Its the first in a series of drawings, culminating in 10 grand prizes of $1.5 million each on June 15. Thats the day when the state expects to drop almost all coronavirus related restrictions on businesses and gatherings. The winners will remain anonymous unless they give the state permission to share their names, and they have 96 hours to claim their prizes before the state draws alternate winners. The state will contact winners. Winners Friday came from Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Alameda, San Luis Obispo and Mendocino counties. - BELGRADE, Serbia Serbia and Russia have formally inaugurated the launch of production of Russias Sputnik V vaccine in the Balkan country. A symbolic ceremony on Friday saw the head of Serbias Torlak Institute in Belgrade, Vera Stoiljkovic, press the production button as presidents of the two countries attended by video conference. The state RTS television says vaccine components arrived from Russia on Thursday. People line up to receive free food packets distributed by an individual outside a metro station during lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus inKochi, Kerala state, India, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/R S Iyer) The report says Serbia has become the first country in Europe to produce the Russian vaccines. It says Serbia-made Sputnik V vaccines could be in use within 10 days. The Russian vaccines have not been approved by the European Medical Agency. Slovakia and Hungary have been the only European Union countries using the vaccines. Serbia has close political links with Russia while formally seeking EU entry. The Balkan nation has also used Chinas Sinopharm vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca. Health authorities recently dropped most coronavirus restrictions after the numbers of new cases and hospitalizations started to drop. HILO, Hawaii -- A coronavirus outbreak at a Hawaii jail is growing as officials scramble to contain the spread among inmates and employees. The state Department of Public Safety said Thursday an additional 22 inmates and four employees at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center on the Big Island tested positive since Tuesday. A total of 99 inmates and 13 staff have now tested positive. Two infections were first reported at the Hilo jail on May 24. The Department of Public Safety says the latest results were detected as part of a mass testing program at the jail. Earlier this week, Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green, who is also a Big Island doctor, said vaccine hesitancy among inmates and staff is contributing to the outbreak. People wait their turn to receive the first shot the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center, in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan) RALEIGH, N.C. For the first time since COVID-19 vaccines became available in December 2020, North Carolina this week declined to accept any more supplies. Instead, this weeks requests from North Carolina providers are being fulfilled through transfers from other providers or through requests to local health departments, according to state health officials. The move comes as North Carolina nears an announcement on additional financial incentives to boost vaccine participation amid a sizable drop in vaccine demand over the last two months. North Carolina returned more than 1.2 million doses to the federal government as of Friday. Nearly all states have contributed to the federal pool, according to the state health department. Data the department released on Friday shows a surplus of nearly 2.4 million COVID-19 vaccines waiting for residents to take. The state has also turned down nearly 2.4 million additional shots from its federal allocation. ANKARA, Turkey Turkeys single-day COVID-19 death toll has dropped below 100 for the first time in more than two months. The Health Ministry on Friday reported 94 deaths in the past 24 hours and 6,169 new coronavirus cases. Turkey announced this week an easing of its COVID-19 restrictions, including a relaxing of nighttime and weekend curfews, following a decline in the number of infections. The country reached a record of more than 63,000 daily cases in mid-April. The confirmed death toll in Turkey stands at 47,976, with nearly 5.5 million confirmed infections since the start of the pandemic. - A health worker holds a test kit to observe the result of a nasal swab sample of a child for COVID-19 during a door to door testing drive in Gauhati, India, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath) PARIS France is putting itself back on the menu as a destination for international tourists who have been vaccinated for the coronavirus. The relaxed rules will kick in Wednesday, offering a boost for Frances tourism sector. Tourism will not be possible from countries wrestling with virus surges and variants, including India, South Africa and Brazil. Vaccinated visitors from the United States, Britain and many other parts of the world will no longer need to quarantine on arrival and will no longer have to justify the reasons for their visit. They will be asked for a recent negative test. Vaccinated visitors from Europe will no longer need to undergo testing. MONTPELIER, Vt. Vermonts governor says the state is nearing its goal of 80% of the eligible population getting at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Phil Scott has said he will drop the remaining virus-related restrictions before July 4 if the state reaches that milestone. So far, 78.6% of eligible Vermonters ages 12 and older had gotten at least one shot. The governors press secretary says the 80% target equals about 70% of Vermonts total population, which is where the governors administration originally thought the state could be by July 4. Nearly 7,900 more Vermonters would need to get at least one dose to reach the states goal. Scott says dozens of walk-in vaccine clinics are being held around the state Friday through Monday and pharmacies will take walk-ins. BERLIN Germany is removing Italy, the Czech Republic and much of Austria from its list of risk areas, meaning most remaining travel restrictions will ease. The change of status announced by Germanys disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute, takes effect on Sunday. Austria is being removed with the exception of its two westernmost provinces, Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Some parts of Croatia and of Switzerland, including Zurich and Basel, are also dropped. Countries classified as virus variant areas -- Germanys highest risk category -- must quarantine for 14 days, and travel is restricted to German citizens and residents. Britain remained the only European country in that category on the list published Friday. It also includes India, Nepal, Brazil and the addition of Uruguay California Gov. Gavin Newsom and UC Davis Assistant Nurse Manager Claudio Alvarado select the first 15 Californians to be awarded $50,000 for doing their part in getting vaccinated against COVID-19 at the California Lottery Headquarters on Friday, June 4, 2021, in Sacramento, Calif. It was the first in a series of drawings for $16.5 million in prize money aimed at encouraging Californians to get their shots ahead of June 15, when the state plans to lift almost all virus-related restrictions. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee via AP) BUDAPEST, Hungary The Hungarian government says it is suspending the countrys mass vaccination drive and reducing the number of places coronavirus shots will be available, citing the number of people who have received them already. Prime Minister Viktor Orban said during a radio address on Friday that it did not make sense to keep the vaccination program run by his government going given the strain it puts on doctors and hospitals. Instead, it will be up to individuals to arrange to get vaccinated at the fewer locations that will be offering shots, Orban said. According to the prime minister, 54% percent of the Hungarian population of about 10 million has received a first dose of a vaccine and 38% is fully vaccinated. Hungary became a European Union leader in COVID-19 vaccinations after securing shots from Russia and China as well as from Western pharmaceutical companies that had deals with the EU. Orban said Hungary has more shots available than people registered to get them. He said the country expects to have an even greater vaccine surplus in the coming months. LONDON Britains medicines regulator has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for children aged 12 to 15, saying the benefits outweigh any risks. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said Friday that clinical trial data showed the vaccine was safe and effective in this age group. The United States and the European Union also have approved the Pfizer vaccine for the 12-15 age group. The British government is aiming to give everyone over 18 at least one shot of vaccine by July 31 and has not yet decided whether to extend the vaccination campaign to younger people. It said it would act on a recommendation from its scientific advisory committee on immunization. We will be guided by the expert advisers and will update in due course, the Department of Health said. PARIS France is putting itself back on the menu as a destination for international tourists who are vaccinated, removing the need for coronavirus tests for vaccinated Europeans and allowing vaccinated tourists from most of the rest of the world, including the United States, to also come back but still with a negative test. The relaxed rules will kick in from Wednesday, offering a boost for Frances tourism sector. Tourism will not be possible, however, from countries wrestling with virus surges and worrisome variants. This red list for the moment has 16 countries, including India, South Africa and Brazil. Outside of Europe, most of the rest of the world is classed as orange in the new travel rulebook released Friday by the French government. Vaccinated visitors from orange countries -- including the United States and Britain will no longer need to quarantine on arrival and will no longer have to justify the reasons for their trip to France. They will, however, be asked for a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours or a negative antigenic test of no more than 48 hours. European visitors and those from seven countries classed as green Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand and Singapore will no longer need to undergo testing if theyre vaccinated. ISLAMABAD Pakistans Foreign Ministry says the U.S. government has provided essential medical supplies to help Islamabad in dealing with the coronavirus situation. In a statement, the ministry thanked Washington for sending the much-needed COVID-19 supplies to Pakistan. The supplies, donated at Pakistan's request, include 685,000 KN-95 masks, 50,000 protective goggles, 250,000 diagnostic kits, and 1,000 pulse oximeters. Earlier, Washington provided 200 ventilators to Pakistan. Pakistan has a fragile health care system and is currently in the middle of the third wave of the pandemic. Pakistan has registered 928,588 confirmed cases and 21,105 deaths in the pandemic. COPENHAGEN, Denmark Denmark will donate 358,700 unused vaccine doses to Kenya, saying the batch of Astra Zeneca that expires July 31 should be delivered as soon as possible. Want more sports? Get news and notes from the local amateur sports scene in your inbox. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. It is part of the 3 million doses that Denmark has earmarked for donation this year. No one is safe until everyone is safe, Denmarks Foreign Aid Minister Flemming Moeller Mortensen said in a statement. Kenya is in a difficult situation as they have received far fewer vaccines than they should have had. The donation will be shipped via the U.N. childrens agency UNICEF. In March, Denmark became the first country in Europe to remove the AstraZeneca jabs from its vaccination program over a potential link to a rare but serious form of blood clot. Norway followed Denmark, and many countries in Europe and elsewhere followed suit. They later resumed using the shot after the European Medicines Agency said that it was safe but with some restricting it to certain age groups, mostly those above age 50 or 60. Universal Music Group is in talks to sell a 10% stake in a deal that would value the record label at about $40 billion. FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2019 file photo, Lady Gaga arrives at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Billionaire investor William Ackman is setting his sights on the music industry, as his blank check company confirms it is in talks to buy a 10% stake of Universal Music Group for about $4 billion. French media company Vivendi, which owns Universal Music, also confirmed the discussions on Friday, June 4, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) Universal Music Group is in talks to sell a 10% stake in a deal that would value the record label at about $40 billion. Confirmation Friday of those talks arrive four months after Vivendi SE, the French media conglomerate that owns Universal, said that it might spin off the label that is home to Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, as well as the Beatles. The company last year acquired Bob Dylan's entire catalog. Universal, with its massive portfolio of artists, has benefited from the adaptation of music streaming across numerous platforms. The 10% stake would go for around $4 billion and would be funneled through a special-purpose acquisition company, Vivendi and Pershing confirmed Friday. A SPAC is typically a group of larger investors who raise money for acquisitions and then seek out acquisition targets. Pershing Square's SPAC, called Pershing Square Tontine, raised about $4 billion last year. Pershing Square is run by billionaire William Ackman Vivendi has talked of distributing 60% of Universal Music shares to its stockholders as part of any spinoff. Tencent owns a 20% stake of the music company and Vivendi has been in talks with the Chinese conglomerate as well. Vivendi plans to list shares of Universal Music on Euronext Amsterdam later this year and Pershing said Friday that it would distribute the acquired Universal Music shares to its stockholders at that point. WASHINGTON (AP) The Department of Agriculture is sending $1 billion to the country's food bank networks, seeking to expand the reach of the system and revamp the way food banks acquire and distribute aid. FILE - In this May 5, 2020, file photo, Elizabeth Ruiz, 7, puts up post-it notes on her mother's car window that spell out "God Bless U" as she and her mother Daylin Lemus, of Adelphi, Md., wait in a line of hundreds of cars to receive a Catholic Charities distribution of food at Northwestern High School, in Hyattsville, Md. The Department of Agriculture is sending $1 billion to the countrys food bank networks, seeking to expand the reach of the system and revamp the way food banks acquire and distribute aid. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) WASHINGTON (AP) The Department of Agriculture is sending $1 billion to the country's food bank networks, seeking to expand the reach of the system and revamp the way food banks acquire and distribute aid. The funding, announced Friday, comes half from the American Rescue Plan COVID stimulus bill and half from standard congressional appropriations. Like other aspects of President Joe Bidens Build Back Better initiative, the food bank plan openly seeks to use COVID recovery as a chance to reform a support system whose flaws were exposed by the pandemic. "We must do more to improve partnerships and infrastructure that power emergency food distribution to ensure the food provided is nutritious and supports a better food system, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. Vilsack said the upcoming reforms would seek to "apply lessons learned from food assistance activities early in the pandemic to improve how the USDA purchases food and supports on-the-ground organizations. That includes an emphasis on purchasing food from local producers, working with socially disadvantaged farmers and extending infrastructure to better serve rural and underserved communities. This is a big deal. A billion dollars is a lot of money, said Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, calling it a huge shot in the arm for the food security sector. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought parts of the American economy to a halt last spring, food banks became an immediate anchor of direct support, ranging from large existing charities to modest DIY neighborhood pop-ups. Berg said food banks have a particularly wide reach because they often serve people who might not be eligible for full government benefits or may simply be reluctant to fully engage with the government benefits system. And the new cashflow into America's food bank system comes at a particularly good time. As the country emerges from the pandemic, Berg said there's donor fatigue in the whole non-profit sector. Feeding America, which operates 200 food banks across the country, said the need for food assistance increased 55% over the past year. The organization estimates that approximately 42 million people could still experience food insecurity in 2021 due in part to ongoing COVID-19 economic fallout. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on the Catholic Church to "step up" and take responsibility for its role in Canada's residential school system. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits a memorial at the Eternal flame on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, which is in recognition of discovery of children's remains at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on the Catholic Church to "step up" and take responsibility for its role in Canada's residential school system. Trudeau said Friday that as a Catholic he is deeply disappointed by the position that the church has taken and he's urging it to release records on the schools. He noted that he personally asked the Pope in 2017 to consider an apology for the institution's part in the government-sponsored, church-run schools for Indigenous children that operated for more than 120 years. "We're still seeing resistance from the church," Trudeau said at a news conference. "Possibly from the church in Canada." Last week, the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced that ground-penetrating radar had located what are believed to be the unmarked graves of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. Some 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children were forcibly sent to residential schools, where many suffered abuse and even death. The discovery in Kamloops has sparked national outrage and grief, and has led to mounting calls for the federal government and church to investigate more potential school burial sites. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate ran about 47 per cent of Canada's residential schools, including the one in Kamloops. The Oblates have refused to release their records to help identify the remains found and did not immediately return a request for comment on the matter. Earlier this week, Father Ken Thorson, the provincial superior of the Oblates, said in a statement that the order is growing into a "deepening awareness" of the harm to Indigenous people caused by colonization and the role it played. The prime minister said the government has tools available to compel the church to provide residential school records, but he indicated he does not want to resort to taking the institution to court. When pressed by reporters, Trudeau declined to give details on what tools, processes and documents his government has. Instead, the prime minister reiterated he's hopeful that religious leaders will understand this is something they need to participate in and not hide from. "Forgiveness and redemption is a path we all are told we should be walking on through our faith," Trudeau said. "I am confident that the Catholic Church is hearing these calls, very clearly, and is understanding the kind of dismay and grief that many Canadians are feeling right now and seeing the continued lack of action." More than 60 per cent of residential schools were run by the Catholic Church. However, church leaders have said it did not have a unified role in the residential school system as it has a decentralized structure, meaning decisions are made by individual dioceses or orders. Throughout the years, individual bishops have apologized for the role that different dioceses played in the residential school system. In 1991, the Oblates offered an apology for its part in Canada's residential schools system. Speaking on behalf of the 1,200 Oblates missionaries at the time, then-President of the Oblates Rev. Doug Crosby said they wish to apologize for the instances of physical and sexual abuse that happened in the schools, and their dismissal of Indigenous cultures. "The Oblates of Canada wish to pledge ourselves to a renewed relationship with Native Peoples which, while very much in line with the sincerity and intent of our past relationship, seeks to move beyond past mistakes to a new level of respect and mutuality," he said. In the years that followed, a number of priests apologized for the atrocities. In April 2009, Pope Benedict XVI apologized to a delegation from Canada's Assembly of First Nations for the abuse experienced by children in residential schools, calling the treatment "deplorable." After the news of the discovery in Kamloops broke last week, a number of bishops released statements. Richard Gagnon, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed his "sorrow for the heartrending loss of the children" but offered no formal apology about the Catholic Church's role in the residential school system. The Canadian Conference of Bishops said Friday that it "does not have a response at this time." Meanwhile, Nova Scotia Archbishop Brian Dunn expressed, in a statement, his "deep sadness for the tragic loss of the children." "Acknowledging and bringing to light this dark chapter of our Catholic and Canadian history is difficult but necessary in order to be able to do and be better," his statement read. "I continue to be committed to all who have been mistreated and hurt by the residential school experience, in which church members participated knowingly or unknowingly." In 2018, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the Pope could not personally apologize for residential schools, even though he has not shied away from recognizing injustices faced by Indigenous people around the world. That same year, Pope Francis issued an apology in Ireland and said the church did not respond with compassion to the abuses faced by women and children. In 2015, the Pope apologized for the Catholic Church's role in the oppression of Latin America during the colonial era. The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Back in Ottawa, Trudeau said it's going to be important for Catholics across the country to reach out to bishops and cardinals on this issue. He added Catholics need to make it clear that they expect the church to "be there to help in the grieving and the healing, including with records that are necessary." In a statement, NDP MP Charlie Angus said it's been three years since his party brought a motion to Parliament calling for the formal apology of the Catholic Church and for them to turn over all documents related to residential schools and also to pay the share it owes to survivors. "It's been three years and we're still waiting," he said. Angus added that if the government is serious about getting the church to own up to their role in this tragedy, then they must get serious about calling on the church to pay outstanding money to survivors. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2021. Noise from the Winnipeg Police Service helicopter is disrupting and unsettling residents at an under-reported rate, according to an advocacy group critical of the service. Noise from the Winnipeg Police Service helicopter is disrupting and unsettling residents at an under-reported rate, according to an advocacy group critical of the service. Several members of Winnipeg Police Cause Harm told the Winnipeg Police Board meeting Friday the chopper irritates many Winnipeggers, especially downtown residents. "The police helicopter is one of the most visible symbols of police presence in the city. For anyone who lives in or near downtown, it often feels and sounds like an omnipresent reality, especially late at night, when people are trying to sleep," said Talia Taras, a member of the group. Taras also accused the police service of underreporting the number of complaints it receives about the noise. According to an annual WPS report, the helicopter triggered nine noise complaints in 2020. This year, WPS launched an online form to collect noise complaints (www.winnipeg.ca/police/fou/default.stm). Winnipeg Police Cause Harm, which frequently lobbies to defund the police, said reporting complaints has traditionally been difficult. Taras said one noise complaint about a resident kept awake by the helicopter late into the night was repeatedly referred to different police personnel. When Winnipeg Police Cause Harm launched its own police helicopter noise questionnaire, she said it received hundreds of responses from Winnipeggers, some of whom complained the sound raised their anxiety, made them feel as though they were under surveillance, and/or disrupted their work. By contrast, a WPS report said the helicopter is a critical policing tool. The service says the helicopter logged 1,034 flight hours in 2020, helping police save 13 lives, locate 738 people (in criminal and non-criminal searches) and engage in 101 vehicle pursuits. Police Chief Danny Smyth said the chopper is critical to ensuring police can quickly address emergencies. "They just have way better scope and speed to respond to (incidents) than our mobile units on the ground," said Smyth. As for the noise complaints, he stressed any disruption to community members is not intentional. "Were not deliberately targeting people or places (where) were dispatched ... Many of the life-saving events that (the unit is) involved in, theyre search-and-rescue type things were people had gone missing," said Smyth. The chief said he expects the ease of the new online reporting option, as well as ongoing criticism from Winnipeg Police Cause Harm and others, could trigger a surge in complaints about the chopper. Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga Heath Bunn has survivors guilt. The Dakota band councillors parents met at Birtle residential school, one of a dozen in Manitoba suspected of having unmarked graves on-site. "Each young girl and boy couldve had families," Bunn said from Birdtail Sioux First Nation, 285 kilometres west of Winnipeg. "That kind of loss is unfathomable. "Just thinking about that, youre so happy your parents survived but you feel that." Last week, a band in Kamloops, B.C., announced a geographic survey had revealed unmarked burial grounds, containing the remains of 215 children. The news caused international outcry, and prompted Ottawa to put up funding for similar ground searches. But its also ripped open unhealed wounds in Indigenous families across Canada. "Everyones going through a grieving process," said Bunn. "We have anger. We need to get to the bargaining stage, and finally acceptance." The Birtle school housed Indigenous children from 1888 to 1970, and had documented deaths from pneumonia and tuberculosis. Like many Prairie schools, students often were farming more than learning, while records show it often lacked potable water and at times was only heated to 10 C in the winter. In Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada testimony, Birtle survivors recalled the principal watching them while they showered, and never having a nurse check on students who were sick. Bunn still doesnt know what exactly his parents lived through. "It needs to be brought to light, but in some cases, its so tragic to bring up their personal experiences." The school generally housed older pupils, many who already attended the one in Brandon, and both housed students from across Manitoba. Bunn said other First Nations might want to bring bodies home. He thought of the last time he walked through the building. "Its a very eerie feeling when you go and see the tiny beds," said Bunn. "A lot of the survivors block it out, and dont want to speak to it." He wanted Canadians to understand residential school survivors had ghastly role models for parenting, and in turn didnt know how to raise their own children. "A lot of people have a resentment toward their parents, but its not their fault," said Bunn, who said the fallout from Birtle can be seen in drug addiction, and limited economic opportunities. "Its a never-ending cycle." An academic report last month said its likely a burial site is next to the school, and Bunns community is trying to find out how to get it properly examined. "I believe every one of them need to be looked at," he said. On Thursday, bureaucrats told MPs federal funding had never been designed to allow Indigenous communities to do burial ground searches, despite First Nations asking for it for years. Officials confirmed a Free Press report the band in Kamloops did its search using a $40,000 grant from the Canadian Heritage department, generally intended for research and commemoration. On Wednesday, the Trudeau government pledged to fast-track $27 million, originally meant to commemorate sites, to instead be used to conduct such ground searches. Stephanie Scott, head of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg, told MPs survivors are aware of bodies buried within the walls of schools, and also in hills and riversides, as children tried running away. "These sites are in fact crime scenes, and the discovery at Kamloops has triggered a new urgency in survivors and their families to share their truths, while they still can," Scott testified. She added the Winnipeg centre has no long-term funding, despite its efforts to document testimonies. "We are racing against time. We often hear from survivors that they have fewer tomorrows than they have yesterdays," she said. Long Plain First Nation has felt that urgency, spending tens of thousands of dollars searching the grounds of its reserve near Portage la Prairie, at a cost of roughly $8,150 per acre. The band opted to search all areas undergoing construction a year ago, because elders said their former classmates are probably buried in unmarked graves. A ground-radar search revealed four sites that required further analysis, including one near a hotel that opened in 2019. Ultimately, the differing soil conditions and wet pockets turned out to be anomalies. Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches said his First Nation wants to search other areas to bring some closure and healing to families. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca THE City of Winnipeg opened up 20 spray pads Thursday, as a last resort to beat the heat. RUTH BONNEVILLE Ivy Van Niekerk, 3, at the spray pad at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park on Thursday. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press) THE City of Winnipeg opened up 20 spray pads Thursday, as a last resort to beat the heat. The change came after the province allowed a few facilities that closed due to COVID-19 pandemic health orders to temporarily reopen as cooling options to cope with soaring temperatures. On Thursday, Environment Canada issued a heat warning for Winnipeg, predicting temperatures will reach or exceed 35 C both today and Saturday. City officials urged the spray pads only be used by those who have no other option to cool down. "If you are able to get relief from the heat at your personal residence, because you are fortunate enough to have access to air conditioning or if you have a sprinkler or pool in your own backyard, we are asking you not to use these spray pads," said Jason Shaw, Winnipeg assistant chief of emergency management. Those who do use spray pads are asked to stay only 30 minutes at a time. The pads will be open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily over the next several days. Health orders allowing their temporary use expire at 12:01 a.m. June 12. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Vimy Ridge Memorial Park splash pad was opened on Thursday. Mayor Brian Bowman warned if Winnipeggers fail to follow social distancing and other public health rules at the sites, including gathering bans, the province could remove the option early. "(The province has) been very clear that if proper physical distancing and public health protocols cant be adequately managed, then operations should cease," said Bowman. The citys community service ambassadors will monitor the spray pads to ensure public health orders are followed. Normally, the city allows Winnipeggers to cool off at city hall, pools, recreation centres, libraries and gyms. With the pandemic, Shaw said far fewer options can safely be made available. "We have to mix the risk and hazard analysis between COVID-19 and the heat emergency," he said. Shaw said it would be difficult to staff additional cooling sites, such as pools or libraries, since the provincial exemptions only last until next week. However, he said the city is considering additional options. Bowman urged the province to provide more notice of its exact public health orders in the future. The mayor said some warning was given about the latest measure but the city got little notice of key details, such as how it would be expected to enforce public health orders. The province refuted that claim, insisting plenty of detail was provided, some as early as Monday. "It is wildly inaccurate for the mayor to state that the City of Winnipeg did not have adequate advance notice of these changes to the public health orders. Not only did they have advance notice, they had an opportunity to provide input," a provincial spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Its not clear how many Winnipeggers are aware the city hopes to greatly limit the use of spray pads. Several who visited the amenities Thursday shared excitement about when the facilities would finally reopen completely. "In the summer, I probably bring my kids here five times a week. They are in grades 4 and 1 and we live in an apartment, so were really cooped up in there Its nice to cool off, and they love it," Jackie Johnson said at the Gateway spray pad. "Weve all been waiting for it (to open). I think its a really worthwhile public facility," Don McBain said at the Vimy Ridge spray pad. As the heat wave continues, the city will also provide potable water tanks near the Salvation Army and Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, help staff a shade tent that offers bottled water at Central Park and hand out bottled water outside city libraries. with files from Joseph Bernacki joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga OTTAWA Manitoba advocates say now is the time to start probing cold cases of missing Indigenous women, with an action plan Thursday pledging to re-investigate disappearances. OTTAWA Manitoba advocates say now is the time to start probing cold cases of missing Indigenous women, with an action plan Thursday pledging to re-investigate disappearances. "This is a critical component," said Winnipeg advocate Hilda Anderson-Pyrz. "We heard during the national inquiry from coast to coast that policing was a huge problem." The Trudeau government joined provinces, Indigenous leaders and grassroots groups to finally publish a plan that responds to the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and LGBTTQ+ people. The plan comes exactly two years after the inquiry wrapped up its report, an occasion the Manitoba government marked Thursday evening by bathing the Legislative Building in red light. The plan contains relatively few suggestions for immediate action. Instead, it pledged to implement mechanisms with long-term funding to prevent Indigenous women from experiencing violence, through a separate implementation plan to make systemic changes. Anderson-Pyrz has advocated for families ever since her sister Dawn was found dead in 2011, and now co-chairs the National Family and Survivors Circle, which helped Ottawa craft its plan. "This cannot be merely checking off boxes to complete the cause for justice; we need accountability," she said. "There has to be a huge focus on prevention, and it has to be across many sectors." Diane Redsky, head of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata centre, said Ottawa took the right approach. "It was set up that way to get the money on the ground ASAP, because system reform takes a long time," said Redsky, who helped craft the plan. She said the $2.2 billion the Liberals allocated this spring will help with immediate front-line needs on the streets of Winnipeg, such as emergency housing. The bulk of Thursdays plan focuses on what comes next, Redsky said, and how Indigenous people can lead those efforts. "When initiatives are rooted in culture and language, that goes a long way in supporting identity and supporting healing," she said. "The outcomes will not only be lifelong and positive, but often are a cost-savings to the whole system." She was pleased the plan includes a "national task force, which reviews and re-investigates unresolved files of missing and murdered Indigenous women." Advocates in Manitoba have long asked for a separate body to review police work, in part because many families no longer trust the RCMP and Winnipeg Police Service. Both forces have reviewed older files and improved training, but critics say they need to do more to address race- and gender-based violence. Grieving families had pilloried the inquiry for requesting hundreds of cold-case files only in the last few months of the inquiry, despite having exceptional powers to subpoena documents from all provinces for two years. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a Thursday ceremony he accepted all findings of the inquiry, including that the issue of disappearing Indigenous women amounted to genocide, a term his government had previously avoided. Yet its unclear if the federal Liberals will support all the calls in Thursdays plan. A section called "common short-term priorities" called for a "guaranteed annual livable income." Anderson-Pyrz said thats the only way to fix a patchwork of social programs that leave people destitute and at risk of exploitation. Yet the government opted against a universal basic income in its large spring budget. Thursdays plan also called for a deputy commissioner overseeing federal prisons to assess how the disproportionately high number of Indigenous people are faring, and whether they can access rehabilitative programming. The plan took heed of complaints from Metis groups that the inquiry didnt focus on their needs, with Ottawa folding in 62 Metis recommendations into the 231 outlined by the inquiry. Grassroots activists said they needed more detail to assess whether the plan announced Thursday will work for the province. Under the banner of Manitoba Coalition, families of missing women had urged the inquiry to call out issues specific to the province, such as an ongoing clawback of federal dollars meant for foster children, and the dearth of affordable housing for both urban and remote Indigenous people. "Manitoba, as a whole, has a very poor record on child poverty," said Renee Kastrukoff, a coalition member from The Pas who chalked it up to constant squabbles over funding between Ottawa and the province. "It needs to come down to all levels of government sharing for the caring of people, period." dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca THE City of Winnipegs executive policy committee recently held a public hearing to consider Winnipegs new 25-year development plan. Titled OurWinnipeg 2045, the plan is intended to guide everything the City of Winnipeg does, providing a vision, goals and policies intended to influence leadership and good governance, priority setting, delivery of city services and decisions about how the city grows. Opinion THE City of Winnipegs executive policy committee recently held a public hearing to consider Winnipegs new 25-year development plan. Titled OurWinnipeg 2045, the plan is intended to guide everything the City of Winnipeg does, providing a vision, goals and policies intended to influence leadership and good governance, priority setting, delivery of city services and decisions about how the city grows. It also influences how environmentally resilient, economically prosperous, healthy and socially equitable the city will be to increase the quality of life for all residents. OurWinnipeg 2045 is accompanied and supported by the Complete Communities Direction Strategy, which is a city-wide secondary plan that guides growth, development and land use in Winnipeg. Both documents are scheduled to be considered by city council in this month. Over the past four-plus years, the City of Winnipeg has engaged numerous citizens and stakeholders in reviewing its OurWinnipeg plan. The Manitoba Home Builders Association, representing the residential construction industry, and the Urban Development Institute of Manitoba, representing the professional land development industry, have taken part in many of the consultations held by the city during this multi-year review process. These two documents are very important to our industry, as they outline and guide how, where and when Winnipeg will grow over the next 25 years. These planning documents outline where Winnipeggers will live, work and play, and will guide Winnipegs residential and economic growth strategies until 2045. When this review process began in 2017, the general consensus regarding the existing OurWinnipeg and Complete Communities 1.0 plans was that they were solid planning documents, but were missing three supporting components: the right planning tools to allow for the plan to be fully and properly implemented (an updated and aligned zoning bylaw, for example); buy-in from and implementation by other city departments outside of planning property and development; and a strategic infrastructure plan that included establishing levels of service within the city. It was at this same time that UDI Manitoba began to be more vocal in calling for a "Plan for Growth" for the city of Winnipeg and surrounding municipalities. The land-development industry identified that a more strategic long-term plan for Winnipegs sustainable growth was needed. The starting point to develop a fact-based planning approach for the city and surrounding municipalities is to establish a comprehensive, strategic regional infrastructure plan that identifies the capital regions current levels of capacity and servicing, strategically outlines the infrastructure requirements that will enable new development in and around Winnipeg, and provides all levels of government with the cost/benefit of their infrastructure investments. A strategic regional infrastructure plan is the foundational piece upon which a strategic, fact-driven plan for Winnipegs growth can be built. The citys OurWinnipeg review process has resulted in a significant rewriting of both documents, rather than a simple tweaking of the existing OurWinnipeg and Complete Communities plans. While there are many positive aspects to these planning documents, our industrys main concern with the new versions is that key elements informing the policies within them remain incomplete. Once again, it appears the supporting planning tools that would allow for proper implementation of the plan have not been developed, and therefore the plan lacks support, essential information and buy-in from other city departments. Most concerning is that a comprehensive strategic infrastructure plan for the city of Winnipeg one of the most important components to the Complete Communities plan still does not yet exist. Without a strategic infrastructure plan, there are many policies in the Complete Communities plan that may not be achievable or realistic. A comprehensive strategic infrastructure plan is a critical component of the Complete Communities document, and without it the document is incomplete. Developments of every type infill, brownfield, greenfield, commercial, industrial, residential depend on the city having a concise awareness of the servicing capacities for existing development opportunities and the planned service-capacities needs for new areas identified in the plan. This key component, which provides greater investment certainty around all types of development opportunities city-wide, remains missing. Proper planning for every type of land development in Winnipeg depends on a strategic infrastructure plan. Without it, planners and developers will continue to "guess" on the potential of development sites and on Winnipegs overall supply of serviced and serviceable land. Lanny McInnes is the president and CEO of the Manitoba Home Builders Association and the managing director of the Urban Development Institute of Manitoba. Manitoba's COVID-19 recovery plan will be released next week, just before strict public health measures that have locked down much of the province expire on June 12. Manitoba's COVID-19 recovery plan will be released next week, just before strict public health measures that have locked down much of the province expire on June 12. Premier Brian Pallister promised to outline his government's strategy to rebound from the third wave of COVID-19, at a news conference Thursday where he announced a grant program to increase vaccination rates. "I do think that it is important to put that hope in the window, and I do think its really important to understand that the limiting factor for all of us now is really vaccine levels," the premier said. As of Thursday, 63.5 per cent of Manitobans eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine had received at least one dose. But to have a shot at a sustained reopening, Pallister said vaccination rates need to far exceed 75 per cent of the population. "If we have 400,000 Manitobans unprotected, were looking at a fourth wave," Pallister said. "Thats why were pushing real hard for more vaccines." Few details about the provinces plans for reopening were shared on Thursday, but like other provinces, the lifting of pandemic restrictions will be linked to immunization rates. The premier said the reopening strategy will include "some reference to the benefits that would accrue to people" who have been fully vaccinated. "I think were in a dynamic time where I would rather see us bestow benefits on people who pursue vaccines as opposed to suggesting that everybody else is limited," the premier said. As an interim measure, the premier said the province could extend "extra advantage" to vaccinated individuals, as was done Wednesday night when 500 fully immunized health-care workers were permitted to attend a Stanley Cup playoff match between the Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens. "To not give these benefits is to say that all of us will have to be in lockdown until everyone is vaccinated and I dont think thats a realistic model for us to follow," the premier said. "None of us want to see divisions in our society among our friends and neighbours based on this issue, but we have to have public safety as the first priority." On Thursday, Manitoba reported five deaths due to COVID-19 and 360 new infections. Thirty-nine Manitobans who were critically ill with the disease were being treated at hospitals outside of the province as of Thursday, and other 68 COVID-19 patients were being treated in intensive care units in Manitoba. A total of 297 people with COVID-19 were being treated in Manitoba hospitals on Thursday. Pallister said the province has struck an advisory committee, co-chaired by epidemiologist Cynthia Carr and Economic Development Winnipeg CEO Dayna Spiring, to provide advice on encouraging vaccination uptake and reopening safely. Spiring said the committee first convened on Wednesday and was scheduled to meet again Friday with two important agenda items: increasing vaccination rates and safe reopening plans. "I am very focused on economic growth and economic development," Spiring said. "We need to start to open up our economy. We need to make sure we do that safely, but we have to get moving. "Were trying to do that in a balanced way. And this group has both perspectives," said Spiring. She said committee members are prepared to spend a significant amount of time tackling the complexities of a reopening strategy while increasing immunization rates. "Were watching other jurisdictions open up and I understand the pressures that were under, but at the same time we have to be mindful of our economy," Spiring said. "My vested interest is becoming the fastest recovering economy in Canada. Thats my big, audacious goal," she added. "How we do that is going to depend entirely on vaccination rates and its going to depend entirely on how were able to flatten this curve that Manitoba is being hit with." danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca Theres little doubt 80 per cent of eligible Manitobans will get a COVID-19 vaccine. Theres little doubt 80 per cent of eligible Manitobans will get a COVID-19 vaccine. About half of Manitobas age cohorts have already reached that threshold or are close to it. Those who still have a way to go, including Manitobans in their 20s, only became eligible to book appointments less than a month ago. The main reason the vast majority of Manitobans will get immunized is most trust the science and know getting fully vaccinated is not only safe and effective, its the only road back to a normal life. Its not like vaccines are a new phenomena most have been getting them our entire lives. More than 90 per cent of Manitobans over the 70 have been vaccinated ; those in their 60s hit 80 per cent in mid-May; and Manitobans in their 50s are close behind at 71 per cent. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files) The very small percentage of those vehemently opposed to vaccines the anti-vaxxers, which make up around four per cent of the population, according to polling data released by the province Thursday reject the science for reasons that cant be defended with objective evidence. It remains unclear what proportion of the population will need to be vaccinated to attain herd immunity, but the 80 per cent mark for people over the age of 12 appears to be the most realistic. Manitobans over 70 have already surpassed the 90 per cent mark; those in their 60s hit 80 per cent in mid-May; Manitobans in their 50s are close behind at 71 per cent. Younger cohorts still have some catching up to do. But even Manitobans in their 20s will likely hit 50 per cent this weekend. Those numbers would be higher if the province decided to use more of its vaccine stockpile sooner (instead of hoarding tens of thousands of doses every week) and didnt turn down supply from Ottawa. Overall, vaccine acceptance in Manitoba is pretty strong. The provinces polling shows 87 per cent have already received a shot or are planning to. Public support for vaccines has been rising in recent months, as concerns over safety fade and more people realize the only way back to pre-pandemic life is through immunization. Still, there are pockets of hesitancy that need to be addressed. Provincial research has shown some intend to get the shot, but are in no hurry or still have questions about the vaccine. For some, its an access issue. The province has not done a good job of servicing some communities with easily accessible walk-ups, as other provinces have done. CP The state of Ohio is running a Vax-a-Million incentive program, with participants hoping to win either a $1 million prize for adults or a college scholarship for children, (Tony Dejak / The Associated Press files) Appointment-based access doesnt work for a lot of people, especially for those on the fence. If the province wants to get more doses into the vaccine hesitant, they need to do more walk-ups. The announcement this week by government it plans to set up mobile clinics in communities that face barriers to health care is a good first step. The big question is whether the province should provide Manitobans with incentives to get vaccinated. Its a tricky issue that could backfire. As Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead on the provinces vaccine task force, suggested this week, incentives could be seen as bribes by government. They should be used with caution. The provinces announcement Thursday, to provide $20,000 grants to community groups to promote vaccine use, seems harmless enough. Done properly, it could help encourage those on the fence to get a shot. Premier Brian Pallister said there will be more incentives announced next week, which could provide individuals with direct benefits. Governments and the private sector in the U.S. have used all kinds of schemes to convince the fence-sitters to get immunized, from multimillion-dollar lotteries to free glazed doughnuts for those who can show a vaccine card. Its unlikely those gimmicks are needed here. The vast majority of Manitobans seem to understand the necessity of getting vaccinated. The most important factor appears to be access and how vaccines are distributed, especially in areas where there are cultural barriers to health care. Manitoba will get to 80 per cent coverage and likely beyond. We don't need the free doughnuts to do it. tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca Some unwanted guests have washed up on the shores of Beaver Dam. Residents have recently reported large amounts of dead carp making an appearance, both on private and public property. A complaint made its way to the state Department of Natural Resources, which took samples for lab analysis. Mark Baldock, fisheries management technician, said the fish were not looking good in various stages of death, with cloudy eyes, sloughing skin and being unusually tied to shore. An alert issued by the DNR on Wednesday said that investigation found that thousands of last years common carp were dead or in a poor state following a May 27 complaint. Samples have been sent to the lab for analysis as the situation remains under investigation, including possibly getting fresher samples to the lab as the weather warms up. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Use good judgement and stay away from areas of dead fish, the alert said. A dead pelican also showed up and was transferred to wildlife health, though it is unknown if that is related. Baldock said that its still unclear what is causing the issue and that there are a lot of fish diseases out there, and while trying to pin it down is tough, hopefully there will be answers. PORTAGEIt is to our great regret that we announce the death of Anthony Shawn Daley, who passed away at the age of 24. The village fire department and EMS also set up a command post operation at the Delton fire station for 12 hours May 23 to directly respond to calls from dispatch and keep an eye on the bigger activities happening, Hardman said. Over 1,000 classic cars were displayed at Mt. Olympus Theme and Waterpark during the two-day event, which kicks off the summer festivities in Wisconsin Dells. However, its also a weekend local police departments see an increase in crime with the increase in people. Hardman said none of the calls or citations are related to the car show. Instead, its from outside the show at non-sanctioned events and people not attending the car show that cause trouble. Zero problems at the car show, Hardman said. This is all that collateral nonsense of the folks that come up that really dont even go to the car show. Hardman noticed the volume of people and traffic on May 21 matched the volume May 22. So by late Friday afternoon, the traffic was as jammed up as it was on Saturday, he said. He said there was also a lot more people in the Dells area during this years Automotion than in September. Andrew said more displays are planned for show at the museum, along with the ingredients of how root beer is made and bottled to the history of root beer drive-ins. Andrew, a Wisconsin Dells resident, said his love of root beer began as a child, after seeing Snoopy drinking it in the Peanuts comic strips. I grew up thinking root beer was cool, he said. Andrew said what makes root beer cool is not only the flavor, but the many varieties of the soft drink and the different ways it can be made with the carbonation, sweetener and flavor. You can just dive in and you keep discovering, Andrew said. Museum admission is $4. Attendees can purchase root beer for an additional fee. Donations of old root beer bottles and memorabilia is also welcome, Andrew said. Andrew said he loves the Dells atmosphere and enjoys the various activities and attractions with his family. Hes excited to offer something extra and unique to Dells visitors. I think its going to reach an audience far beyond the Dells too, Andrew said. The museum is very unique because there is no other museum thats celebrating all of these root beers. Follow Erica Dynes on Twitter @EDynes_CapNews or contact her at 608-393-5346. NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. The macaw that flew away from its owner at the New Hartford Animal Hospital Wednesday morning is still flying around the area. Amanda Bonanza was taking her macaw, Charlie, to an appointment to get his wings clipped Wednesday when he flew away outside the vet hospital. Bonanza said his wings had been clipped before, but he was due to have the procedure done again. After eight hours of searching, calling in a tree service and asking a wildlife expert -- Charlie wouldn't come down on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, a manager from a nearby gas station told NEWSChannel 2 he could still hear Charlie chirping in the trees. She said her husband spotted Charlie again Thursday morning in a tree in the same vicinity. However, when they returned later in the day, Charlie was on the move again and couldnt be found. If anyone sees Charlie land in their yard or anywhere in that area, call New Hartford animal control at 315-733-6666. UTICA, N.Y. Landlords from around Central New York rallied together in Utica Friday to call for an end to the state ban on evictions. At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo put a moratorium on evictions to help people who were struggling financially because of the public health crisis. The mandate allowed tenants to remain in their homes, even if they couldnt pay rent. That means some landlords havent seen those monthly payments in more than a year. Earlier this week, applications opened for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, to provide financial assistance to tenants behind in their rent and utilities. However, the tenants have to work with the landlords to apply for the funds, and some property owners say this is nearly impossible. "I have to have the cooperation from the tenant, a tenant who doesn't even let me knock on the door; so, how am I going to achieve this? Said Ingrid Quiceno, a local landlord. And then all the regulations if I do receive the money, so, in reality, what they're doing is making us provide public housing without giving us the fair payment for our properties. Cuomos moratorium has been extended multiple times, and is currently set to expire at the end of August. ALBANY, N.Y. (UPDATED) New York State is planning to relax mask guidelines for schools and summer camps, according to a letter state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday. In the letter, Zucker cites the vague guidance between schools and youth camps, and the need for clear rules since many camps happen on school grounds. Because of this, the state health department doesnt plan to require students, campers or staff to wear masks indoors, even if theyre not vaccinated. However, each school or camp can choose to make stricter rules for their individual location. The state plans to implement the following guidelines for both: Indoors, mask use will be strongly encouraged but not required for students, campers, and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated. Outdoors, masks are not required; students, campers, and staff/teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear a mask in certain higher-risk circumstances. Both indoors and outdoors, students, campers, and staff who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks. Schools and camps may choose to implement stricter standards. According to Zuckers letter, this guidance will be effective Monday, June 7. The New York State United Teachers union President Andy Pallotta issued the following statement regarding the decision: Announcing on a Friday afternoon that masks will now be optional for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people in schools starting Monday with only three weeks remaining in the school year is whiplash-inducing news. Short of any additional guidance from the state or the CDC before Monday, we implore school districts to closely evaluate local conditions and connect with their educators and parents to decide the best course of action for protecting their school community. You can read the full letter below: UTICA, N.Y. -- Utica Police arrested several individuals Thursday, June 3, who were allegedly concealing loaded firearms, or were in areas where there has been a recent spike in reports of shots being fired. The first arrest was made before 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of Whitesboro and Cross Streets in Utica. New York State parole officers stopped a car and found a bag with a loaded handgun inside. Utica Police got on scene, secured the weapon and found several prescription pills in another bag. Colby Harris, 22, of Utica is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, firearm and possessing a controlled substance. He is also facing several vehicle and traffic violations. -- A second arrest was made around 7:30 p.m., in the area of Arthur and Neilson Streets, in Utica. The Crime Prevention Unit stopped two people due to a traffic infraction. Police say one of the men was trying to hide something in his pants pocket, which was later determined to be a loaded 9mm handgun. Richard Grant, 22, of Utica is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a firearm. He is also facing several vehicle and traffic violations. -- The final arrests Thursday night were made before 9 p.m. Utica Police were patrolling the 1300, 1400 and 1500 blocks of Oneida Street due to a recent spike in calls of shots being fired. Officers found a car with a suspended registration, and temporary license plates from Texas. The three men who were inside got out, and after a sweep of the car, officers found a loaded .38 caliber revolver inside. Lawrence Napper, James Spratt, and Nicholeon Evans, Jr. were taken in for questioning over a shooting investigation that took place on Tuesday, June 1. Police say Napper was shot in the leg. The investigation into that shooting is ongoing. All three men are facing various weapon, firearm and traffic-related charges. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)-Learning loss is an issue that is concerning educators across the state of Indiana. Now Ivy Tech Community College in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is providing a bridge program to help graduating seniors who haven't hit the bench marks needed in Math and English. "The program will focus on those students who have not yet met college readiness benchmarks," said Rebecca Rahschulte the Vice President of K-14 Initiatives at Ivy Tech Community College. The program has three different parts. The first is the completion of the knowledge assessment. The second is for students to enroll in Ivy Techs IVYT 111 course. That course focuses on student's success in college and is worth college credit. That credit will sometimes transfer to other Indiana colleges. The third part is for students to enroll in any college in Indiana. "It provides students with an overview of the skills they need to successfully complete a college degree or a certificate," said Rahschulte. When students finish each part of the program they will receive 100 dollars for each step they complete. The financial incentives are something Ivy Tech was able to create through federal relief aid. "This program was in response to COVID and the impact on potential learning loss," said Rahschulte. " This program will allow us to bolster or accelerate learning over the summer to really prepare these students to enter college in the fall." During the program, students will learn study skills as well as receive career support so they can pick a major or program that will give them gainful employment once they graduate. "Students have the option of participating online virtually and in some cases face to face depending on-campus availability," added Rahschulte. The program has two options for graduating seniors. There is an 8-week program, which starts on June 7th, and a four-week program, which starts on July 6th. The program is open to graduating seniors in Indiana who meet the guidelines or have been reached out to personally by Ivy Tech. Ivy Tech hopes to continue to program past the summer of 2021. To learn more about the program or to request information click here. Woodward, OK (73801) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. The Republic of Colombia, a country located in the northwestern part of the Continent of South America is administratively divided into a total of 32 departments and one capital district. The Archipelago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina is one such department of Colombia which includes the islands of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina. The large coral island of San Andres is in the Caribbean Sea, about 80 km south of Providencia, 750 km northwest of the Colombian mainland, and 200 km east of the Central American mainland. Geography Map of San Andres Island and Providencia. With an area of 26 km2, San Andres is the largest island in the Colombian archipelago. The island measures 13 km in length and has a maximum width of 3 km. The San Andres Island features a relatively flat terrain with the islands highest point rising to an elevation of only 55 m. A small mountain range crisscrosses the island from south to north with Cerro La Loma (El Cliff) being its highest peak. The San Andres island is composed of fertile red clay soil and geological studies of this soil have revealed that the island was formed due to volcanic eruption that resulted in the deposition of these older rocks on the sea surface. The central portion of the island features many small hills like the Lions, Shingle, Flower, and Orange Hills. The entire island is mainly covered by grass and trees, and sandy beaches are found lining the coastline in the islands northern part. There are no major rivers on the island. Some rocky features, namely Fisher Rock, Bobby Rock, Tyler Rock, and Boobie Rock are found on the southwestern part, while Rock Point is found on the southeastern part of the island. A small coral reef surrounds the island on its northwestern part. Several sandbanks and small cays are also found here including Johnny Cay, Rocky Cay, Haynes Cay, El Acuario Cay, and Coton Cay. The San Andres Island experiences a tropical climate with high temperatures throughout the year that is moderated by the trade winds that continuous blow over the island. The San Andres island faces a high humid wet season from May to January. Wildlife Iguanas in Johnny Cay, San Andres Island, Colombia. The San Andres Island is covered by mangrove forests as well as various trees like breadfruit, coconut palms, local trees, and lush green pastures. It is estimated that about 12 mangrove forests of different mangrove species are found on the island. The critically endangered San Andres bird is endemic to the islands of the Colombian archipelago. Some other avian species that are observed here include the white-winged dove, black-faced grassquit, yellow warbler, tropical mockingbird, and black-whiskered vireo. Numerous crabs and oysters are also found in the waters surrounding the San Andres Island. Many species of corals like brain coral, star coral, elkhorn coral, staghorn coral, and finger coral are found on the shores of the island. The Jamaican fruit bat is the only mammal found on San Andres Island. The entire archipelago was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the name of Seaflower Biosphere Reserve in 2000. Brief History Baptist church in San Andres Island, Colombia. It is believed that the islands of the Colombian Archipelago were first settled by the Dutch during the late 16th century. The English Puritans occupied the islands and subsequently removed the Dutch settlers from the island in 1631. Starting around 1633, the English began to bring Black slaves from Jamaica to work in the cotton and sugar plantations. The San Andres Island was attacked by the Spanish in 1635. However, the British successfully evicted the Spaniards from the island. It is believed that the island was a favorite spot for many buccaneers and the English privateer Sir Henry Morgan had set up his base on the island in 1670. The Spanish ships carrying precious materials were attacked by these pirates. According to a legend, Henry Morgan buried a portion of his treasure on the San Andres Island in the underwater Morgans Cave. The islands remained under the control of the British till 1787, after which they were handed over to Spain. In 1803, Spain assigned the islands to the Viceroyalty of New Granada. Simon Bolivar occupied the island in 1818. In 1822, after Spanish colonies across the Caribbean and South America became independent, the inhabitants of the islands of San Andres, Providence, and Santa Catalina joined the Republic of Gran Colombia. However, Nicaragua laid claims on the islands due to their close proximity. A treaty between Nicaragua and Colombia was signed in 1928, which gave control of the islands to Colombia. The archipelago became a Special Municipality in 1972 and in 1991, it officially became a Department of Colombia. Vitol Aviation, a fuel supplier at Heathrow, is making Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel available ahead of the G7 Summit. Vitol Aviation intends to deliver further supplies ahead of COP26 to enable attendees to also transit to Glasgow with lower-emissions. ESPOO, FINLAND: For the first time, passengers from Heathrow will be able to reduce their flying emissions by up to 80 percent 1. Vitol Aviation, a fuel supplier at Heathrow, is making Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel available ahead of the G7 Summit to be held from 11 to 13 June 2021. Vitol Aviation intends to deliver further supplies ahead of COP26 to enable attendees to also transit to Glasgow with lower-emissions. Vitol Aviations expertise in the specialist handling of jet fuel will be combined with Nestes market-leading SAF production capabilities. Neste MY SAF is produced 100 percent from renewable and sustainable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, in its neat form and over the life cycle, reduces up to 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel use1. The fuel, which is blended upstream of the airport, will be incorporated into the airport's main fuel supply from 3 June and made available for use across Heathrow flights over the following days. Whilst the fuel supply may be comparatively small - equivalent to fuelling up to 10 short haul flights - it serves as proof of concept for more flights to be operated using SAF at the UKs hub airport going forward. We are continuously supporting the aviation industry in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are pleased that Vitol is enabling Neste MY SAF to be used at Heathrow, one of the leading global hub airports. We are also proud to play a role in lower-emission travel to the G7 conference, where sustainability will be one of the key topics, said Jonathan Wood, vice president, Europe, renewable aviation at Neste. Sustainability has always been important to us as a supplier, and to airlines and their passengers. We are delighted to be the first to deliver sustainable aviation fuel to Heathrow. Whilst this is proof of concept, it demonstrates how lower-emission options for flying are achievable. We are looking at how we can use our expertise to offer more sustainable options, said Leticia Hachuel, Vitol Aviation. We are delighted that Heathrow is the first UK major airport to successfully incorporate sustainable aviation fuels into its operation. As we get ready to welcome the world to the G7, we can demonstrate how this technology can significantly cut carbon from aviation, whilst protecting its benefits. The UK Government now has an opportunity to create a new British growth industry by backing sustainable aviation fuel production and also be leaders in the race to a net zero 2050. This is also to set a mandate that requires a minimum of 10 percent sustainable fuel use by airlines by 2030, rising to at least 50 percent by 2050, said Heathrow chief executive officer, John Holland-Kaye. Reference: 1 Calculated with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, among which EU RED and CORSIA. Worldofchemicals News NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - Two Middle Tennessee residents have been arrested in connection with Januarys U.S. Capitol riot, according to the Department of Justice. Matthew Baggott was arrested Sunday in Murfreesboro while Stewart Parks was arrested Thursday on charges of entering or remaining in restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly or disruptive conduct in restricted building or grounds/impeding official business, violent entry or disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and theft of government property, according to court documents. U.S. Capitol riots A photo in court documents show Matthew Baggott and Stewart Parks inside the U.S. Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6. According to court documents, several witnesses reported they had observed posts on an Instagram account belonging to Parks which indicated he had entered the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6. According to flight records obtained from Southwest Airlines, Parks and Baggott flew from Nashville International Airport to Baltimore/Washington International Airport on the morning of Jan. 6 and returned to Nashville the following morning. A witness who knew Parks confirmed to investigators that Parks and Baggott were in a picture from the Capitol and they had gone to Washington to attend the Stop the Steal rally. Video footage from inside the Capitol building show Parks and Baggott entering the building around 2:13 p.m. They move around the building for around a half hour until they are seen exiting the building around 2:46 p.m. Generally, they remained together inside the Capitol with Parks carrying a yellow Gadsden flag, and often with Parks holding on to Baggotts backpack. At around 2:45 p.m., video surveillance video shows Parks and Baggott walking past a standing metal detector. Parks picks up a hand-held metal detector wand from a table and then puts it back. About 20 seconds later, as more people are exiting the building, Parks picks up the wand again and exits with it, according to court documents. Baggott is set to appear via video conference before the magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia next Tuesday. He was released from custody on his own recognizance. Details on Parks next court appearance was not available. Jurgen Conings, the 46-year-old right-wing extremist and career soldier who plotted to carry out the assassination of high-profile coronavirus virologists and other government targets, remains at large almost three weeks after he disappeared. A manhunt is still underway by police and military forces, concentrated largely in the Haute Campine parklands. Jurgen Cornings (Belgian Federal Police via AP) Conings went into hiding on May 17, taking with him an unknown quantity of arms. Anti-tank missiles were already discovered in his abandoned car, and he is presumed to be armed and preparing a potential terrorist attack. Upon his disappearance, Conings left behind letters to his wife and the police, denouncing coronavirus lockdown restrictions and declaring that he was prepared to die to fight them. The high-profile national virologist and government advisor Marc Van Ranst remains in police protection along with his family. It is known that Conings had targeted Van Ranst beginning at least a year ago, and spent several hours outside the latters home the night he disappeared. It is now known that in 2020, Conings was a member of the extreme-right party Vlaams Belang (Flemish Importance). According to a May 28 report by Standaard, he also provided arms training to a fascist militia named Vlaams Legioen, (Flemish Legion), which takes its name from Belgian forces who fought with the Nazis in World War II. The Conings events have developed into a political crisis for the Belgian government. There is continuing speculation that Defense Minister Ludivine Dodender may be compelled to resign. The official explanation for what has taken place, that Conings was acting as a lone individual, and that the failure to act upon the many warnings of his terrorist plots was due to a breakdown in communication in the security agencies, is completely untenable. Using his position as an arms training officer, with access to munitions and arms depots, Conings amassed an arsenal for himself. On June 1, the national public broadcaster RTL published an interview with a former commando and special forces officer, who explained anonymously that the existing security protocols mean it is impossible for anyone to do this while acting alone. There must have been accomplices, he said, as the monitoring of arms is strict. If a weapon is not returned, the depot warns the security officer of the battalion, who takes measures such as closing the gate to the barracks while awaiting the return of all the weapons, he said. It was nothing like stealing a key. There you are entering into fantasy. Its not a key to a letterbox. The fact that Conings has been able to disappear into the forest with presumably heavy arms and ammunition also showed that he has had assistance, the retired officer added. In his experience, the Belgian army command had a lax attitude toward neo-Nazi ideology among soldiers. An adjutant wore tattoos of neo-Nazis on his arm, without the least investigation, he said. More information has continued to surface in recent weeks showing that Conings had been closely tracked by multiple intelligence agencies for years, but that precautionary actions were either delayed or simply prevented by sections of the intelligence apparatus itself. Le Soir published a more detailed chronology based on an internal government hearing that its reporters attended. Conings was first identified by the intelligence agencies in 2015, after he made a donation to a Christians of the Orient organization. In 2018, intelligence agencies took note that he participated in an as-yet undisclosed extreme right organization. Between 2017 and 2019, Conings faced criminal charges, including one for possession of a prohibited weapon and another for threats. At the beginning of 2020, he published racist statements on Facebook. The defense department formally filed charges against him. However, the prosecution then opted to drop the charges and not proceed further. There has been as yet no public explanation for this. In June-July 2020, intelligence agencies picked up the fact that Conings had performed a Google search for the home of the virologist Van Ranst, i.e., that he had chosen his target almost a year in advance. In August 2020, the anti-terrorist OCAM (Organ for the Coordination of the Analysis of Threats) opened a pre-investigation into Conings for extremism. On August 31, 2020, military intelligence (SGRSService general du renseignement et de la securite), decided to revoke Conings security clearance. Conings had very high level access, officially classed as secret, giving him access to secure and sensitive sites and to arms stores. It is Belgiums second-highest security level, below very secret. Yet it would take two months, until November 12, even for the revoking of his security clearance to be acted upon. At the beginning of 2021, OCAM completed its investigation, marking him as a potentially violent extremist. On February 17, 2021, it increased its risk evaluation of Conings to Level 3, the second-highest level, meaning that the risk is grave, possible and realistic. OCAMs evaluation is transferred automatically to all the military and intelligence branches tied to it, including the SGRS. Only five months earlier, the SGRS had itself concluded from its own investigation that Conings security clearance should be revoked. Yet inexpicably, the SGRS, which is allegedly responsible for monitoring extremism in the military, took no action in response to OCAMs designation. Defense Minister Dodender claimed that neither she nor SGRS Director Philippe Boucke were ever informed of OCAMs evaluation. Le Soir cited an anonymous source as stating: At the SGRS, no one moved. The information was not passed up, not translated, and no investigation was launched. The SGRS certainly had the information, but it completely neglected the follow-up of this information. Assuming Dedonders statement is true, the most obvious reasonable explanation is that a decision was taken by others in the SGRS that no further action should be taken against Conings. Conings himself is a lifelong soldier. He joined the Belgian army at the age of 18 in 1992. He became a gunner and sniper. He was deployed in multiple missions, before eventually being transferred to military police. It has not been reported where Conings was deployed, but over this period Belgium sent forces to participate in the interventions in Afghanistan and Libya. The neo-colonial character of these wars provides ideal grounds for the promotion of fascist ideology and the development of far-right networks. This is by no means confined to Belgium. Late last month in Germany, the trial began of Franco A., a right-wing extremist in the Bundeswehr. Using a fake identity of a refugee, he is alleged to have planned terrorist attacks on politicians and public institutions. As the WSWS noted, he was part of a network of elite soldiers, special police officers and state officials whose leading figures remain at large despite having committed serious weapons offenses. Members of the network made far-reaching preparations for an armed coup on a Day X and, in the course of this, planned the detention and murder of politicians, civil rights activists and refugee aid workers. Despite his longstanding and documented fascist views, he rose to the rank of first lieutenant. In France itself, where a network of former and active military generals and officers recently published open letters pledging their readiness to launch a military putsch and kill thousands in a civil war, there is a documented neo-Nazi network. In March, using only publicly-available information from social media, Mediapart published evidence of more than 50 individuals in the army who published openly neo-Nazi statements. Whether it is in France, Belgium, Germany, Spain or elsewhere, the existence of these networks, which are able to operate and develop with relative impunity throughout the state apparatus and army, is systematically covered up by authorities. The World Socialist Web Site has received numerous statements of support from Australian educators and members of the Committee for Public Education (CFPE) demanding David OSullivans reinstatement at the Cricklewood bus garage in London. Meetings of the CFPE, a rank-and-file group of teachers, education staff and academics, have unanimously adopted resolutions opposing the victimisation of OSullivan, who was sacked for seeking to protect the health of drivers and the public from the coronavirus pandemic. Visit here to find out more and join the campaign for David OSullivans reinstatement. You can donate to OSullivans legal defence here. David OSullivan (Photo: WSWS media) Patrick OConnor, literacy specialist teacher and CFPE member, Melbourne I strongly support the international campaign demanding the reinstatement of David OSullivan and call on educators in Australia and internationally to join the fight to defeat the victimisation of this worker for his principled defence of his colleagues safety amid the coronavirus pandemic. Patrick OConnor Many working people in Australia have personal ties to London through family, friends, and personal travel, and have watched in horror firstly as the city emerged as one of the initial COVID-19 epicentres, and secondly as details have emerged of the governments murderous herd immunity policy. While Prime Minister Boris Johnsonbacked by the Labour Party and the trade unionswas preparing to let the bodies pile high in their thousands on behalf of big business and finance capital, courageous workers including David OSullivan were organising rank-and-file committees to fight for safe working conditions, including the right to stop work where these could not be ensured. His sacking must not be allowed to standevery worker should donate to OSullivans legal fund, send a message of support, pass a workplace resolution and follow the campaign on the World Socialist Web Site. Carolyn Kennett, tertiary educator and CFPE member, Sydney Obsessed solely with the impact of the pandemic on the stock market, governments internationally have done nothing to contain the spread of COVID 19. The deadly back to work campaign is the stated policy of the ruling classes, who are only interested in serving the needs of the corporate and financial elite regardless of the cost to the health and lives of the working class. Carolyn Kennett Throughout the pandemic, it is the essential workers who have kept society running, feeding the population, treating the sick and providing all the logistical support necessary to meet basic human needs. These workers deserve to be protected and provided with the most advanced safety measures to prevent the spread of infection. Instead, they have been forced back into unsafe working conditions, lied to about the risks involved and treated as expendable pawns in the grotesque drive for profit. The unions, who unfalteringly declare their supposed interest in health and safety, have worked hand in glove with governments to suppress any struggle for the right to a safe workplace. All those who speak out against unsafe working conditionswhether in schools, factories, warehouses, hospitals or officesmust be defended against any victimisation by employers, union bureaucrats and government officials. The sacking of David OSullivan must be opposed by the broadest sections of workers. This is a blatant attempt by the union, the company and the government to silence those who speak out in order to defend the safety of themselves, their co-workers and the working class in general. Campbell, teacher and CFPE member, Victoria I write to openly defend London bus driver David OSullivan. His sacking from his job is a conscious and further development in the suppression of any and all worker-led exposure of the dangerous conditions which they now face in their workplaces due to the COVID pandemic. Campbell The current political environment is now highlighting the extent that the financial elite are prepared to go in defence of capitalism. The suppression of both the truth regarding COVID and the developing class struggles across the globe, has become sharper and more brutal. Workers actions across the globe have been met with open resistance by the union bureaucracies. These betrayals by the unions are not isolated events but are developing as a conscious resistance to the growing anger by workers. Workers across the world need to learn important, objective lessons from the current developments. Events such as David OSullivans sacking by Metroline and the open denial of support by the Unite union sharply brings into focus that the only way forward now is the development of independent rank-and-file organisations in workplaces. Frank, retired teacher and CFPE member, Victoria I am a retired teacher of 37 years experience. I want to express my support for Davids reinstatement. He has been victimised because he organised bus drivers independently of the union to oppose the murderous policy of management. They are implementing Johnsons deadly herd immunity policy with disastrous consequences for bus drivers. Frank The role of the union in fully supporting management highlights that the only way to ensure workers safety is for workers to take matters into their own hands by organising rank-and-file committees. Will Marshall, secondary teacher and CFPE member, Melbourne I applaud the stand taken by bus driver David OSullivan and want to add my voice to those who are calling for his reinstatement. OSullivan has put his colleagues and others first in fighting for their safety at the Cricklewood Garage in London. The fact that there were over 40 people who caught the virus there is testament to the validity of his concerns and shows that his actions were absolutely justified. Will Marshall Essential workers have been hailed as being heroes at various times, but the moment a worker conscientiously insists on the implementation of safety measures, he is victimised and the real relations are revealed. And the unions have again proven themselves as worse than useless. Workers from all countries should join this fight and see it as their own. Chris Gordon, tertiary educator and CFPE member, Sydney The sacking of David OSullivan for defending the health of his fellow workers is a manifestation of the attitude of the ruling elite, facilitated by the unions, towards workers in the pandemic: let them die. And moreover, if workers dare to speak up and defend themselves, then use whatever means possible to victimize them and to intimidate others. Chris Gordon The working class in the UK has suffered terribly from the pandemic, with many thousands dead, unnecessarily. Bus drivers have been victims, dying at a rate several times higher than the general population. In fighting for proper safety precautions, OSullivan was insisting on his fundamental right to health. Even under bourgeois law, his demand was entirely legal, and his sacking illegal. The unions claim to have no position on the pandemic or on the return to work, in conditions that are manifestly unsafe, is a straight out support of the broader agenda of opening the economy and ensuring that corporations continue to rake in massive profits. The defence of David OSullivan is a principled measure, and I encourage workers everywhere to wholeheartedly support his reinstatement. To get involved with the work of the CFPE, contact them at cfpe.aus@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page or Twitter. Strikes and protests in Colombia triggered by a regressive tax reform and fuelled by hostility to police violence, widespread poverty, social inequality and political corruption have been ongoing for over a month. According to Amnesty International, at least 400 people have been disappeared by the countrys paramilitary police, which had committed 1,876 acts of violence against protesters as of May 9. The latest estimates put the death toll at over 60 since the protests began. This figure rose by at least 10 last weekend after police savagely repressed demonstrations in the city of Cali on Friday, May 28. Far-right President Ivan Duque responded by calling in the military. Protesters clash with police in Madrid, on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia, Friday, May 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) Yet as far as Canadas Liberal government is concerned, the protesters are as guilty of perpetrating violence as the thuggish US- and Canadian-backed Duque regime. In a cynical statement released last month that painted a fraudulent picture of even-handedness, Foreign Minister Marc Garneau managed to avoid mentioning Duque or his far-right government, never mind the heavily armed paramilitary police force that has used American- and Canadian-made weaponry to terrorize protesters. While condemning the disproportionate use of force by vaguely defined security forces, Garneau emphasized, We are also concerned with the acts of vandalism and attacks directed against public officials responsible for the protection of all Colombian citizens. Canada calls upon those responsible for road blockades to allow the free passage of goods and services essential to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the same lying propaganda used by the Duque regime to blackguard any opposition as illegal and thereby justify its vicious repression, and covers up the fact that the main reason for the disastrous COVID-19 situation is the refusal of successive governments to adequately fund health care and social services. Underscoring that Ottawa is firmly on the side of its authoritarian ally in Bogota, Garneau concluded his statement by praising the Duque governments bogus commitment to fully investigate and hold accountable those who may be guilty of violating human rights. In other words, even though photographic and video evidence together with eyewitness testimony confirm that widespread abuses have been carried out by state forces at the behest of the Duque government, Ottawa is not only content with the perpetrators investigating themselves but is also calling into question whether human rights violations have in fact occurred. Garneaus statement, like the brutal state repression of the Colombian protesters, has passed almost without comment in the Canadian media and political establishment. This only goes to show the hypocritical double standards of Canadian imperialism. While establishment politics has been rife in recent months with lurid allegations about a genocide carried out by China against the Uyghur population, for which there is no evidence, the well-documented killing and sexual abuse of protesters in Colombia have provoked barely a peep of concern from the human rights crusaders in the editorial offices of the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star, or from the Liberal, New Democrat, Greens, Conservative and Bloc Quebecois parliamentarians. The NDP, which has been propping up the Liberal government since the 2019 federal election, chose for its own reasons to totally ignore Garneaus defence of the repressive Duque regime. In its only statement to date on Colombia, released nine days after Garneaus declaration of support for Duque, the NDP provided cover for the Trudeau government by portraying it as a neutral arbiter in Colombia. Canadians are very concerned about what is happening in Colombia and want to be assured that the Liberal government is doing all it can to stand up for human and civil rights, stated the NDP. Canadian imperialism is in no position to lecture anyone about human rights anywhere in Latin America, especially Colombia. The country, whose capitalist elite waged a five-decade-long bloody civil war against the FARC guerrilla movement until 2017, is one of the closest allies of Canadian and US imperialism in the region. It has served as a base of intrigue and is a firm ally in imperialist-orchestrated provocations against the Maduro regime in Venezuela, which the US-Canada imperialist alliance sees as critical to maintaining their dominance in the hemisphere against rivals like Russia and China. Colombia is also home to billions of dollars in investments by Canadian mining and other commercial interests. Bogota played host in February 2019 to a meeting of the Lima Group at which then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued belligerent threats against the Venezuelan government and demanded that the Maduro regime recognize the self-appointed interim president and opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuelas legitimate leader. The Lima Group is a coalition of North and South American states led by Canada that has worked tirelessly since its founding in 2017 to give Washingtons aggressive military provocations against Venezuela a degree of diplomatic legitimacy. It was central to the US-backed regime change operation fronted by Guaido, who declared himself Venezuelan president in January 2019 after receiving assurances of support from Canadian diplomats and backing from the Lima Group. (See: Canada mobilizes support for US coup in Venezuela) Just one week prior to the Bogota meeting of the Lima Group, Colombias top military commander was in Florida for a meeting with the US Southern Command to discuss military operations against Venezuela. Six weeks later, Guaido and his right-wing pro-imperialist backers launched another ill-fated coup that was rapidly suppressed. Throughout the Colombian civil war and up to the present day, Washington has supplied firearms and other military equipment to the army and police, both under the control of the countrys Defence Ministry. Earlier this month, Amnesty International issued a statement noting that it has visual evidence of US-made weaponry being used to repress protesters. The United States role in fueling ceaseless cycles of violence committed against the people of Colombia is outrageous, commented Philippe Nassif, the advocacy director for Amnesty USA. The United States government has been an agonizing party to the killing, disappearances, sexual violence and other torture, and horrendous repression of dozens of mostly peaceful demonstrations. Much less known, however, is Canadas booming business in supplying lethal weaponry to the murderous regime in Bogota. Under the Chretien-Martin Liberal government, Canada shipped its surplus military CH-135 helicopters through the US to Colombia to evade export controls on military equipment to countries engaged in armed conflict. In a 2001 briefing, Amnesty International Canada and the Inter-Church Committee on Human Rights in Latin America noted that Canadian companies carried out extensive maintenance and repair work on Colombian military equipment, including helicopters. Prohibitions on the conducting of such work on military equipment destined for countries engaged in armed conflict were circumvented by classifying the helicopters as civilian aircraft. In 2012, the Harper government added Colombia to the list of countries that are eligible to receive exports of high-powered assault weapons from Canadian manufacturers. Among the weaponry this decision allowed Canadian producers to sell to Bogota were electric stun guns, fully automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines. At the time, Colombia was the only country in Latin America to receive such a designation from Ottawa. In 2017, the Trudeau government announced the deployment of a small contingent of Canadian police officers to help train the Colombian police, the same force that is now savagely gunning down protesters. Ottawas firm backing for the repressive Colombian government expresses the predatory interests of Canadian imperialism, which has enjoyed a significant economic and financial presence in Latin America and the Caribbean for over a century. Over the past two decades, Colombia has emerged as Canadas second most important export market in South America, after Brazil. Canadian companies have invested more than $5 billion in Colombia, including in the mining and energy sectors, financial services and lucrative public/private partnership contracts for infrastructure projects. Ottawa finalized a free trade agreement (FTA) with Colombia in 2011. By 2019, trade between the two countries had risen by 50 percent. Export Development Canada, a government agency that helps Canadian businesses establish and maintain a presence in foreign markets, enthused in a 2019 that the Colombian market had been reinvigorated for Canadian big business. The FTA provides Canadian companies with a competitive edge by protecting our intellectual property and investments, noted the EDC. Today, more than 100 Canadian companies operate in Colombia. The methods which these companies use to protect their investments in Colombia are ruthless. Toronto-based Grand Colombia Gold (GCG), which purchased the title to a gold mine near the town of Segovia for $205 million in 2010, promptly reversed the previous owners policies of allowing locals to mine secondary shafts at the site, a practice that has been engaged in for centuries. GCG labelled these miners, who have no other means of making a living, as illegal miners who are stealing gold from the company. When the Colombian government refused to enforce the companys title, fearing a social explosion in Segovia, a town of 42,500 inhabitants, 80 percent of whom are employed by the small-scale traditional mining sector, GCG used the FTA to sue Bogota for a minimum of $250 million in damages. In Marmato, a mountaintop village about a seven-hour drive from Segovia, GCG proposed razing the village of 8,000 residents to the ground in order to build an open pit gold mine on land it bought up from local miners. It should come as no surprise that a ruling class capable of employing such brutal methods of exploitation to boost corporate profits turns a blind eye to the massacring of dozens of protesters and the disappearance of hundreds more, especially when the government responsible for these outrageous crimes is a willing partner of Canadian imperialisms plundering of Colombias natural resources. On Wednesday, another national strike took place in Colombia, involving countrywide demonstrations and partial shutdowns of workplaces, small businesses and public transportation. It was the 35th day of continuous protests and roadblocks against social inequality and the mishandling of the pandemic by the far-right government of President Ivan Duque. Despite the continued militancy of protests, which have seen the participation of millions of people, the so-called National Strike Committee led by the main trade unions is working to shut them down. Plainclothes official shooting at demonstrators in Cali (Twitter, Comision de Justicia y Paz). On Tuesday, the committee called for a de-escalation of the roadblocks, including the lifting of 40 resistance points. In a press conference, the head of the teachers union Fecode, Nelson Alarcon, explained that, with this de-escalation, the national government today has no excuse not to sign the pre-agreements. The committees demands include a reorganization of the police, free tuition for the poorest university students and a basic income during the pandemic. In themselves, these measures would not even begin to address the enormous social crisis and the anger toward the repressive forces driving the protests; however, such pre-agreements have been broken by Duque after each wave of mass demonstrations since 2018. Normalcy in Colombia terrorizes because people are enduring hunger, thousands of youth are unemployed, Pipe, an activist who has manned the roadblocks in Cali, the epicenter of the demonstrations, explained to Efe. While the president speaks of dialogue during the day, in his preferred networks, people come out at night in luxury cars to shoot down kids. While working hand in glove with the discredited trade unions, whose de-escalation only serves to isolate the remaining blockades and facilitate the massacres, the Colombian ruling class and US imperialism are escalating the repression. In a brief report, the NGO Commission for Justice and Peace explains that on Tuesday, demonstrators at roadblocks were shot at by plainclothes paramilitary forces at 2 p.m. and then by police on motorcycles at 3 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., men in unmarked vehicles took pictures of the demonstrators as military helicopters continued to intimidate them overhead. The Efe report notes that the demonstrators fear that ending the protests will give way to a wave of persecutions and murders. In a harrowing interview, a young woman describes that her 16-year-old brother, Daniel Esquivel Sanchez, was captured by the police on his way back from working at a construction site and killed. They took him in that armored vehicle and my brother showed up burned. We could hardly recognize him. His hands are being soaked, so that they can take his fingerprintsa 16-year-old boy! As of May 31, the Institute for Development and Peace Studies (Indepaz) documented 71 killings in the context of the repression. Moreover, the Commission for Justice and Peace reported witness accounts of mass graves, dismemberment sites and torture centers where paramilitary groups acting in unison with the police were taking Cali demonstrators, presumably among those disappeared. The bourgeois press has sought to justify the repression claiming that, if it were not for the roadblocks, the countrys economy would be undergoing a dramatic recovery due to rising commodity prices. Without roadblocks, coffee and oil would already be driving the reactivation, reads a headline in El Tiempo, owned by Luis Carlos Sarmiento, who already saw his net worth increase from $2 billion to $11 billion during the pandemic. This is coming from a venal ruling class whose social spending is only 2.4 percent of its GDP, compared to the second lowest in Latin America of 7.8 percent in Honduras. Meanwhile, US imperialism, the main sponsor of Duque and the Colombian state, also views the protests as a threat to the interests of US banks and corporations, and as a potential spark for similar uprisings across the continent. Washington has nakedly backed the brutal repression in Colombia. Last Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the Colombian foreign minister Marta Lucia Ramirez and expressed the Biden administrations concern and condolences for the loss of life during recent protests in Colombia and reiterated the unquestionable right of citizens to protest peacefully. That same day, the Biden administration issued a 2022 request to Congress for $453.8 million in aid for Colombia, which includes $41 million more than Trumps latest request and $140 million for Colombias police. This followed a call on May 24 between US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Colombian counterpart, Diego Molano, during which Austin congratulated Colombia on its advances as a NATO Global Partner [the only one in Latin America], and expressed his appreciation for Colombias contributions to international and regional security. That Friday, with the backing of the Biden administration, Duque announced a tripling of its military deployment in the streets to 7,000 troops across the country, chiefly in Cali. This was accompanied by a curfew in the Valle del Cauca Department where Cali is located, which began at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The Mining Ministry said that roadblocks have left $81.6 million in losses for coal exports, while oil production fell to its lowest level since the 2009 crisis, with losses estimated at $41 million, on top of $92.6 million in losses for local gas stations. Significantly, the employer group Asopartes estimates losses of $272 million for the entire auto supply chain, which directly employs about 52,000 workers. Besides commerce, however, the sector most affected has been coffee exports, with 700,000 tons paralyzed and losses of about half a billion dollars. These products comprise about 70 percent of the countrys exports. Added to the drop of 21.4 percent in exports for 2020, the roadblocks have dealt a significant blow to the profits of the local ruling class, which explains the brutality it is employing to clear them. However, except for coffee, the losses are but a small fraction of total production within Colombia, not to speak of the ability of the large transnationals to offset the impact through global markets. As COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to reach new heights, the ruling class has made clear the intransigence with which it will use social immiseration as a battering ram to force workers into unsafe workplaces and to provide further tax cuts, cheap labor and other incentives for foreign capital. The uprising in Colombia triggered by these policies has demonstrated the incompatibility between the interests of the capitalist class and those of workers in Colombia and internationally, who ultimately control the levers of the global economy. This raises urgently the need for building a genuine revolutionary leadership under a socialist and internationalist programa section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, which publishes the World Socialist Web Site. At this critical juncture, this leadership must fight for protesting youth and workers to send delegations to the main factories, mines, warehouses and plantations and to mobilize workers in these key sectors around a common set of demands, independently of the trade unions and all other pro-capitalist and nationalist organizations and parties. Efforts must be made simultaneously to coordinate this movement with the expanding class struggle internationally. The following speech was delivered by SEP (Sri Lanka) Political Committee member M. Thevarajah to a meeting organized by the SEP (Sri Lanka), The Covid-19 pandemic and the need for a socialist strategy. The meeting, directed to workers and youth in Sri Lanka, India and throughout South Asia, was held on May 30. The COVID-19 pandemic and the need for a socialist strategy (M. Devarajah begins speaking at 58:30) Comrades, This meeting to discuss the pandemic and the necessity of a socialist strategy is a significant step in the struggle for the unification of international working class against the devastation being caused by capitalism. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered struggles in the US, Europe, India, Sri Lanka and elsewhere to resist the corporations and the governments that are pursuing criminal policies based on prioritising profit before human lives. It is crucial in this situation to rally to the call made by the International Committee of the Fourth International on May Day for an International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. Building of rank-and-file committees in workplaces in every country and their international alliance will provide a path for the working class to develop a counter-offensive against the attack unleashed by the capitalist class. The right-wing Bharatiya Janatha Party-led government in India is sacrificing lives of workers to the raging pandemic in order to defend the profit interests of rapacious international and local investors. The social opposition of the multi-million workers in India is rapidly growing against this reckless and murderous policy. Last week, the Hyundai Motor and Renault-Nissan multinational plants in the Sriperumbudur-Oragadam industrial belt in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu were forced to close as the workers unrest erupted. They protested against the unsafe dangerous working condition caused by the lack of COVID-19 protection, as hundreds were infected and nearly 20 deaths reported. More than 20 workers have died during the recent surge in COVID-19 infections in Gurgaon, in another industrial belt. These include five workers at Maruti Suzukis plant in Gurgaon, two workers at a Honda plant and one worker at the Tata Motors facility. The Modi government has begun reopening the economy since the end of April and used the pandemic to rush through the pro-investor program of the ruling class. Last October his government passed laws easing the use of contract labour in every sector. Farm bills were passed to open the vast agriculture sector to multinational agribusinesses. Although no records are available, reports suggest that thousands of deaths have occurred among workers and hundreds of thousands have been infected. Hundreds of thousands more have lost their jobs. The mass of migrant workers, who have no permanent jobs, have been badly hit. However, the Modi regime is not ready to close down non-essential industries and services to save lives. His policy is save India from lockdown so as to create the best conditions for extracting profits from workers. Strikes and protests have erupted across India over terrible working conditions, poverty-level wages, the loss of jobs and lack of personal protective equipment. On November 26 last year, tens of millions of workers joined a one-day national strike to oppose new labour laws and demand social support for those who have lost their income due to the pandemic. Farmers, who began protesting against the farm laws last November, are continuing their action. However, as in every country, workers confront the trade unions, which are blocking their struggles. In India, the pro-capitalist unions, including the Centre for Indian Trade Unions led by the Stalinist Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), have suppressed and betrayed all the workers struggles by keeping them within the capitalist framework. Instead of challenging the devastation caused to workers jobs, wages, and, above all, lives by the pandemic, the unions are, in fact, backing the policy of the government and capitalist class to keep businesses open. The same is true throughout South Asia. In this regard, I would like to briefly explain the situation in Sri Lanka. President Gotabhaya Rajapakse on Thursday issued a draconian essential services order covering almost all state sectors, including the ports, petroleum, electricity, the Central Bank and other state banks, bus and railway transport. The immediate reason was a strike by 12,000 government village officers demanding vaccinations. However, the government fears that it would lead to an eruption of struggles against worsening living conditions and the burdens of the pandemic. Not a single trade union has opposed the essential services order, which mandates harsh penalties for industrial action. Unions are directly collaborating with the policy of the government and employers to reopen the economy. Workplaces, particularly the garment factories, have become hotbeds of COVID-19 infections. Thousands of workers have been infected and several workers have died. On Thursday the Free Trade Zone and General Services Employees Union leader, Anthony Marcus, declared that his union supports setting up intermediate hospitals for sick workers while the rest continue to go to work. Ceylon Workers Congress leader Jeevan Thondaman, who is also a minister of the Rajapakse government, last week told the plantation workers: Dont be scared about COVID-19. You should use both hands and pluck tea leaves. If you raise income you will be able to earn. That is how the unions are dedicated to fattening the purses of companies. Early this year his union directly conspired with the Alton estate company and police to frame up dozens of workers and to sack 38 workers. Only the Socialist Equality Party opposed this witch hunt and is fighting to defend them, demanding the release of those charged and the reinstatement of sacked workers. The pandemic has starkly revealed that these unions are organically bound to the capitalist class and its state. Workers can only fight for their rights, including their health and their lives, if they break from the trade unions, which are dedicated to defending the capitalist profit system. They need to build rank-and-file committees in every factory and workplace, independent of the trade unions. Only then can workers mobilise their independent strength to fight back against the policies of the government and big business. The struggle against the pandemic can only be carried out as a global fight. As the International Committee of the Fourth International, its Socialist Equality Parties and the World Socialist Web Site have explained, the pandemic knows no national borders. Workers are facing the common threat of capitalism, which is in its death agony and need to unite internationally. To do this, workers must reject every form of communalism and nationalism that is whipped up by the capitalist classes and their governments to divide and paralyse the working class. We urge workers in India, Sri Lanka and throughout the region to join the struggle to build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. This is completely bound up with the fight for an international socialist program and the building of the International Committee of the Fourth International. Over a million people face being evicted from their rented homes in the next weeks and months, after the Conservative government ended its temporary ban on bailiff-led evictions. Throughout the pandemic, bailiffs were asked not to carry out evictions, with notice periods being extended to six months from the pre-pandemic period of two months. From June 1, the notice period dropped to four months. The ban on evictions was introduced at the start of the pandemic by Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government as part of series of concession to placate mounting anger in the working class. It offered protection for tenants who fell into arrears, as many workers lost their jobs or were furloughed and suffered major cuts in income. The government has sought to end the ban several times over the last year but in the face of public opposition was repeatedly forced to extend it. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick at a Covid-19 press conference in 10 Downing Street. 29/03/2020 (Picture by Pippa Fowles / No 10 Downing Street-Flickr) Johnsons statement in February that this would be the last lockdown and that the economy had to be irreversibly reopened in June finally cleared the decks for the ending of the evictions ban. Housing Minister Robert Jenrick announced on March 10 that the restriction would end May 31. The government is ensuring that almost nothing will prevent landlords from evicting tenants, stating only, Evictions will not be carried out if a member of the home has Covid-19 symptoms or is self-isolating. According to research by the London School of Economics and Political Science, at least 100,000 claims over landlords attempting to kick out tenants could be subject to a court case this year. Those in power and in the opposition parties have a vested interest in the evictions ban being lifted. Almost one in five of Parliaments 650 MPs are landlords. Last month, the Inside Housing website noted that Labours shadow housing secretary, Lucy Powell, According to parliaments register of financial interests is a private landlord and has rented a room in her London flat since 2015, and has a rental income of more than 10,000 a year. It added, She is also a shareholder and unpaid director of New Road Management, which owns the freehold of six flats in London, in one of which she lives. According to research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) on Monday, based on a survey it commissioned of over 10,000 households, 400,000 people (5 percent of all renters) have already either been served an eviction notice or told they could be served one. A further 1 million households (11 percent of all renters), are concerned about possible eviction in the next three months. Half of these consist of families with children. Fully 1.7 million renting households are worried about paying their rent over the same period (20 percent of all renters). Landlords in England are now able to evict tenants with just four weeks notice if they have more than four months in rent arrears. There are 450,000 households currently in rent arrears and 18 percent of these (around 81,000 households) have been in arrears for more than four months. Throughout the pandemic renters have received very little targeted support, despite them being more likely to have faced a major drop in income. In April this year, Local Housing Allowance (housing payments for private rented tenancies) was frozen again and kept at September 2019 levels. This is in effect a cut, as rental costs have continued to rise across the country. Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, a charity that works to end homelessness, said, There is no doubt that protections put in place to help renters has kept people in their homes as they were hit with wage cuts, job losses and illness brought on by the pandemic. But we know that hundreds of thousands of renters will now be anxiously counting down the days until they are forced from their homes unless further action is taken. The eviction ban is being lifted under conditions in which millions will face the loss of all their income through unemployment and cuts in welfare payments. At the end of September, the government will withdraw a 20 per week uplift in Universal Credit put in place at the start of the pandemic. Millions of workers who have relied on the state paying 80 percent of their wages under the furlough scheme will be placed in dire straits as the scheme is ended. The JRF noted, Unemployment is not forecast to peak until after this period [June to end of August], and the furlough scheme and the 20 per week uplift in Universal Credit are not due to end until the autumn. It is deeply worrying that so many renters are concerned about eviction before these protections are withdrawn. Those already living on a low income/in poverty were most at risk of eviction, the JRF survey found. Households with three or more children are more than twice as likely to be worried about being evicted (21%) compared to households without children (9%). Moreover, Households with annual incomes below 25,000 are three times more likely to be worried about paying rent (24%) compared to households with incomes of 50,000 or more, and they are also significantly more likely to be behind with household bills and rent payments compared to households on higher incomes. During the pandemic, many renters have become poorer in an effort to keep their homes, with nearly 1.5 million renting households cutting spending to offset lost income: 33% of renters in arrears turned to borrowing, with a quarter (24%) borrowing from friends or family, one in ten (11%) borrowing from a bank or building society and, worryingly, 7% borrowing from a payday lender. According to Citizens Advice, in January this year 28 percent of those on a zero-hour contract were behind with their rent, as were 27 percent of agency workers, 16 percent of students, 13 percent of furloughed workers 12 percent of disabled people. Tenants have spoken out on social media. One said on Twitter, This is wrong. A ban on evictions should stay whilst this pandemic continues Government should use the time to bring in laws protecting tenants. They will not as they back greedy landlords. A mother commented on Facebook on the threat of eviction, Thats what will happen to my daughter and I if I dont get another job soon. 8 months unemployed is taking its toll. The pandemic has exacerbated the never-ending programme of austerity which has plunged millions into poverty over the last decade. The Socialist Equality Party opposes all evictions of tenants in rent arrears and demands the restoration of the evictions ban and the cancellation of arrears accrued during the pandemic through no fault of tenants. Only on the basis of a workers government and a socialist programme can the social right of access to affordable, quality housing for all be secured. With the COVID-19 pandemic raging out of control, Indian auto factories, including plants run by Hyundai Motor, Renault-Nissan, Ford India and Eicher Motors, were forced to idle their operations late last month in the face of strikes and protests among autoworkers over unsafe working conditions. Backed to the hilt by the far-right Modi government and its state counterparts, including the newly-elected DMK government in Tamil Nadu, the automakers have begun reopening their facilities even though infections and deaths remain high. Portraits of some of the workers employed in India's globally-connected auto sector who have died from COVID-19 in recent weeks. (Facebook photos) Hero Motor Corporation Ltd has restarted operations, on a limited scale, at three of its plants in the north Indian states of Haryana and Uttarakhand. Other manufacturers, like Tata Motors and Bajaj Auto Ltd, are continuing with production at limited capacity. Workers at Renault-Nissan resisted the unsafe reopening and initially refused to return to work. The Madras High Court, in an attempt to avert industrial action, ruled that the Tamil Nadu Government and Directorate of Industrial Safety have to inspect Renault Nissans plant at Oragadam, on the outskirts of Chennai, to ensure that it (adheres) to safety protocols. The production speed has also been reduced to 30 cars per hour from 40 cars per hour. These inadequate measures, even if they were implemented to the letter, would not prevent the continued spread of the deadly virus through the workforce, under conditions where Tamil Nadu is officially recording tens of thousands of new infections each day. The trade unions are working hand in glove with management to reopen the plants. This includes the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) and Left Trade Union Center (LTUC). The CITU and AICCTU are affiliated to the Stalinist Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, and the Maoist Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) respectively, while the LTUC is a split off from the Maoist AICCTU. World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to autoworkers employed in various factories owned by the major global automakers located in the Sriperumbudur-Oragadam industrial belt on the outskirts of Chennai. May 24 sit-in protest over unsafe working conditions at Hyundai's plant on the outskirts of Chennai. A worker at the Renault Nissan plant who wished to remain anonymous said it was impossible to maintain safety measures like social distancing during car production. He added, Law suits by the unions, interventions by the Madras High Court, and inspection by state government departments are nothing but stage drama, a bogus thing. Industry safety inspectors and judges are on the side of the company. Expressing his hatred towards the union bureaucrats, he added, Initially they pretended to fight for us. But now when we question something, they dont even answer and neglect us. For the past three years, we did not have any incentive or wage increase. Earlier I thought only management and governments are against us, but now I realize our union joined them long ago. He continued, I have read and heard that the Communists [i.e., various Stalinist parties and unions] had been leading many militant struggles earlier. But now they are corrupt and degenerate. The CITU especially is very clever in presenting struggles as victories despite many workers, including my friends, being victimized and losing their jobs, for example the (2018) Yamaha strike. The worker added with concern, I am scared I will be victimized if I speak about all of this although its true. So how could we make others [fellow workers] aware? How do we awaken them against these injustices? The WSWS reporters explained that out of their bitter experience with the pro-capitalist unions workers must draw the conclusion that they must break from them and build new organisations of struggle, independent rank-and-file committees, democratically elected and controlled by workers themselves. We added, You are not alone. You are not powerless. You are isolated from other workers purposely by the unions and led to defeats. Pointing out that autoworkers are linked to workers elsewhere in Asia, Europe and North America though global supply chains, we said: What if Renault Nissan workers throughout the world challenge your management? What if they fight against your victimization? Renault Nissan workers need to unite with fellow workers in Sriperumbudur, elsewhere in India and internationally. The worker responded, The global unity of the working class is something new and exciting to me. Please send me your articles and links. I like to read and am excited to share them with my colleagues. Navinash is a permanent employee at Renault Nissans Oragadam plant. His comments made clear the critical importance of the demand that workers receive full pay during a shutdown of nonessential production to bring the pandemic under control. He explained, Automobile manufacturing is actually nonessential production and should have been shut down. But the governments, companies and unions have conspired together and made us slaves who can be drained, crushed and killed for their profits. I am coming to work due to financial pressure since my family is in poverty. Hyundai worker protest Sharing his experience with the unions, he said, As far as I have seen, the unions here in Sriperumbudur, whatever their affiliations, have never united or even expanded workers struggles. When permanent workers are on strike, contract employees are used to break the struggle and vice versa. Our union speaks only about permanent employees. Contract workers are left alone to work and die without any safety or benefits. I cannot tolerate the slave-like conditions faced by the contract workers and it disturbs my conscience. I have immense sympathy for them. I say openly that my union has not fought for the safety of me and my fellow workers. In the past two years, there has been a huge increase in the prices of basic commodities, but there is neither an increase in our wages, nor have we received any incentives. Out of my monthly salary of 32,000 rupees (about US $440), I am spending 24,000 rupees per month for my family loans and living in a poverty-like situation. Turning to the impact of the pandemic, he continued, I cannot believe the lie that these auto plants can be run in a safe manner by following some protocols. As the normal temperature is increasing day by day amid the summer season and there are no cooling facilities on the shop floor, the face masks used by autoworkers get wet quickly. So the virus could easily spread through the sweat and water droplets. Madras High Courts intervention and claims that plants are now safe are bogus. The shutdowns done by these industries are just to let off steam (among the workers), reduce our anger and again let us die in the same dangerous situation. I think the emergency demands proposed by you (to control the pandemic) and the idea of rank and file committees seems to be true and urgently needed at the moment. Balakrishnan works at Hyundai Motors Sriperumbudur plant and is a member of the Hyundai Motors India Employees Union (HMIEU), which is affiliated to the Stalinist CITU. He told us, Before this pandemic, we workers ourselves would arrange for compensation if a worker died due to an accident or other causes, because the compensation given by the company was not enough. But in this situation of a serious upsurge of the virus and with many of my fellow workers having perished, management has not announced any medical insurances or compensations. We are involved in a militant struggle for our safety amid this pandemic. Only due to our united struggle, of both permanent and contract workers, was Hyundai management forced to reduce the number of shifts. The DMK government is fully supporting the corporates following the same fraudulent claim that the automobile industry is essential production and saying lockdowns should be relaxed immediately. Due to increased speedup of production and less space between two auto machines, the social distancing is very difficult to follow during automobile production. CITU leaders from the beginning have been diverting these issues by claiming each one must play their respective roles, and saying management will solve our demands in a systematic manner. The CITU has done nothing to stop the death of workers. Instead, it just exists to consume our dues money. Whether BJP or DMK or CITU, nobody cares about the virus. Instead, their slogan, as I have seen, is always reopen the economy, and no work, no pay. This pandemic and the death of my fellow workers have made me realize that the real unity of the working class is more powerful than anything else. Purushothaman is a permanent employee at Hyundai Motors India and a member of the United Union of Hyundai Employees (UUHE), which is not formally affiliated to any national union federation. He said, Altogether, 800 employees and their families had tested positive in a month, Hyundai, aiming to extract profits, just let workers die. I was deeply disturbed by the deaths of my fellow workers. The shutdown of our plant for five days is not an offer from government or management, but was fought for by a united struggle of Hyundai workers standing at the plant gate and stopping the company bus, which was bringing the staff for the second shift. We fought in spite of our union differences. The unions fight only for permanent workers, have not expanded their struggles and now we can see millions of people are dead due to this pandemic. The unions have not raised anything about this. When the previous AIADMK state government under Edappadi Palaniswamy declared automobile manufacturing essential, the unions were silent and accepted it indirectly. Workers throughout Sriperumbudur were not mobilized in the Nokia strike in 2009 nor the recent Motherson strike. In relation to workers issues, the court is not neutral but acts as a part of the state. I am well aware of the situation of the Maruti Suzuki workers who were falsely victimized. Workers of the world unite is an urgent slogan but its application has been prevented for a long time by organizations falsely claiming to be for the workers. The following speech was delivered by Keith Jones, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (Canada), to an online meeting organized by the SEP (Sri Lanka), The COVID-19 pandemic and the need for a socialist strategy. The meeting, directed to workers and youth in Sri Lanka, India and throughout South Asia, was held on May 30. The COVID-19 pandemic and the need for a socialist strategy (Keith Jones begins speaking at 1:18:20) Little more than a few weeks ago, Narendra Modi, the Hindu supremacist thug who serves as Indias prime minister, was claiming that India had shown the world how to defeat COVID-19. These ignorant remarksalong with his subsequent vow, made on April 20 amidst an exponential rise in COVID-19 infections and deaths, that his government would save India from lockdown, not the viruswill be inscribed on Modis political tombstone. The catastrophe now engulfing India beggars description. As other speakers have explained, India is being ravaged by two pandemics, both of which are the product of the bourgeoisies ruthless pursuit of its selfish class interestsa pandemic of infection and death by asphyxiation, and a pandemic of joblessness, wage cuts and hunger. It is a fools game to try to rank which capitalist ruling elites response to the pandemic has been the most calamitous. Around the world, and most notably in imperialist Europe and North America, capitalist governments, whether avowedly right-wing or ostensibly left, have let the virus run rampant to protect big business profits and investor wealth. The pandemic is a world health and social crisis for which the only answer is a global, science-based mobilization of resources to protect lives and working peoples livelihoods. But everywhere this imperative is in irreconcilable conflict with global capitalism; comes up against the reality that the most basic and essential human needs are subordinated to the pursuit of capitalist profit and the struggle among the rival, nationally-based capitalist cliques for resources, markets and geostrategic advantage. That said, the pandemic, and especially the horrors of the past 10 weeks, have enabled the entire world to see what was already apparent to hundreds of millions of Indian workers and toilers: Indias purported capitalist riseso celebrated in the media in the westhas produced a malignant society that embodies and exemplifies the dysfunction, brutality, and criminality of 21st century capitalism. South Asia remains deformed by the legacy of British colonial rule and subject to continuing imperialist oppression. Yet India is not a country without considerable human and material resources, industrial capacity and, in certain sectors, highly advanced technology. But these are monopolized by a tiny stratum of capitalist oligarchs and their state apparatus, and are deployed not to meet crying social needs, but to systematically increase the extraction of surplus valueprofitfrom the labour of the working class and rural toilers. Thus Indias public health care system, notwithstanding the self-sacrifice of health workers, is a shambles and a sham. While Indias billionaires have seen their fortunes almost double during the pandemic to almost $600 billion, the Modi government cannot find the resources to devote a miniscule 0.37 percent of GDP to provide free vaccinations to the Indian people. Demonstrating that the Indian elites priorities lie in pursuing its predatory great-power ambitions on the world stage and strengthening the repressive state machine that upholds its rule and wealth at home, the Modi government has proven able to fully inoculate more than 90 percent of Indias armed forces against COVID 19, but just 3 percent of the population. The current crisis has laid bare what three decades of Indias so-called new economic policy has wrought. Thirty years ago, in July, 1991, the Indian bourgeoisie repudiated its post-independence state-led development projecta nationalist strategy based on import substitution that it cynically labelled socialismand initiated Indias full integration into the US-led world capitalist order. Ever since, all national and state governments, including those supported or led by the Stalinist CPM and CPI, have relentlessly pushed forward with what are euphemistically called pro-investor policiesprivatization, deregulation, the elimination of price subsidies, massive tax cuts for big business and the rich, and the prioritizing of capitalist development projects over social infrastructure. This has gone hand in hand with an ever more pronounced orientation to Washington, codified, since 2006, in a global Indo-US strategic partnership and an ever expanding web of military ties. Over the past three decades, the Indian bourgeoisie has gorged on the ruthless exploitation of Indias workers and toilers. They and their partners and patrons, the transnational corporations and the global investment firms, have appropriated the lions share of the wealth created by Indias capitalist expansion as epitomized by the exponential growth of Indias billionaires, from two in the mid-1990s to 140 or more today. This is in a country where hundreds of millions struggle to survive on less than 180 rupees, or US $2.50 per day, and more than one in three children is malnourished. Social inequality in India now rivals, if not surpasses, that at the height of the British Raj, with the richest 1 percent of Indians owning four times the wealth of the poorest 70 percent of the population. The same Indian corporate media that fawns over the Ambanis, Adanis, Tatas and other billionaires trumpets Indias supposed increased stature in Washington, London, Paris, Berlin and Tokyo. The reality is, India is evermore a US crony and satrapaiding and abetting American imperialism in its war drive against China, and through acts of omissions and commission, conniving in the US attempt to economically strangle Iran and the imperialist subjugation of the Palestinian people. Indian military-security experts now boast about India reprising the role it played for a century under the British Raj, when, to use their words, India was a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific region. That is, it supplied troops and cannon fodder for British imperialisms global operations from the conquest of Burma and the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion in China to the two world wars of the last century. Indian workers must beware. Just as the Indian ruling class has presided over untold death during the ongoing pandemic, so the military-security alliance it has forged with US imperialism in pursuit of its own great-power ambitions threatens to produce a catastrophe of incalculable proportions for the people of South Asia and the world. Indian capitalisms reactionary strategic conflicts with China and Pakistan have become inextricably enmeshed with the ever more explosive US-China conflict. Last years border conflict with China, in which Washington egged New Delhi on, was Indias fourth war crisis with its two nuclear-armed neighbours since 2016. In response to the intensification of the global capitalist crisis produced by the pandemic, the Indian bourgeoisie is doubling down on the reactionary class strategy it has pursued since 1991. The Modi governments herd immunity/open economy policy is the cutting edge of an intensification of class war. As Modi dismantled the anti-COVID-19 measures last May, he announced what he termed a quantum jump in pro-investor reforms. Virtually all remaining public sector units or enterprises are being privatized. In September, the BJP government rammed through three pro-agribusiness laws and amended the labour code to further entrench precarious contract labour employment and illegalize most worker job action. So too, the Modi government, with corporate Indias enthusiastic support, has integrated India still more fully into the US economic and strategic offensive against China. In the past 12 months it has dramatically expanded a vast web of bilateral, trilateral and quadrilateral military-strategic ties with Washington and its principal Asia-Pacific allies, Japan and Australia. These include the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a quasi-military alliance, that Biden hastened to raise to a new level within weeks of becoming president by convening the first-ever heads of government Quad summit. Underscoring the aggressive mindset of the Indian ruling class and the ever swelling size of its reckless wager on propping up American imperialist global hegemony, the Modi government has placed the expansion of Indias military-industrial sector and its emergence as a cheap-labour subcontractor for the US armaments industry at the centre of its Make in India industrial strategy. The past three decades, however, have given rise to more than just a rapacious Indian capitalism. They have also vastly increased the size and social power of the Indian working class, and through the process of integrated global production, enormously reinforced its objective unity with workers around the world, including in the advanced capitalist countries. Like the Russian working class at the beginning of the last century, the rapidly expanding Indian working class has shown great combativity and militancy. But its struggles have been systematically isolated and suppressed, and it has been politically disenfranchised. For this the various Stalinist parties and their affiliated unions are principally responsible. For decades the CPM and CPI and their Left Front have functioned as an integral part of the capitalist political establishment. When the Indian ruling classs state-led development strategy shipwrecked in 1991, the CPM and CPI propped up the Narasimha Rao Congress Party government that initiated neo-liberal reform. And for the next two decades, they supported and helped cobble together a succession of coalition governments, most of them Congress Party-led, that spearheaded the drive to make India a cheap-labour haven for global capital and pursued ever-closer ties to Washington. Moreover, whenever and wherever they have led state governments the Stalinists have implemented what they themselves term pro-investor policies. For the past 30 years, the CPM and CPI have lionized the Congress, the historic party of the Indian bourgeoisie, and a host of right-wing regional ethno-chauvinist and casteist parties as secular and democratic bulwarks against the BJP, whom the working class must support so as to defeat the Hindu supremacist right. To be sure, Modi and the RSS Sangh Parivar are the deadliest enemies of the working class. But in implementing pro-market reform and championing the Indo-US alliance, Modi and his BJP are only continuing down the path blazed by the Stalinist-supported Congress-led governments that preceded it. The growth of communal reaction and the bourgeoisies embrace of the would be Hindu-authoritarian strongman Modi, speak to the acute crisis of Indian capitalism and underscore the urgency of the independent political mobilization of the working class, rallying the rural toilers behind it, in the fight for workers power against the bourgeoisie and all its political representatives. It is precisely because the working class has been politically paralyzed by the Stalinist parties and trade unions and prevented from advancing its own socialist solution to endemic poverty, acute economic insecurity and ever-widening social inequality, that the BJP has been able to exploit mounting popular social anger and frustration to become Indias most powerful political party. Democratic rights cannot be defended by clutching at the putrefying parties of the supposed democratic wing of the ruling classparties like the Congress, which for decades have connived with the Hindu right and imposed vicious anti-working class policiesbut only through the mobilization of the working class in the struggle for socialism and its emergence thereby as the defender and leader of all the oppressed. This requires building new organizations of class struggle. Rank-and-file workplace committees are an essential weapon for workers to assert their class interests and break out of the straitjacket in which the trade unions have constrained and thwarted their struggles. The foremost task is the building of a revolutionary party of the working class: an Indian section of the International Committee of the Fourth International based on the socialist internationalist strategy of permanent revolution. The program of permanent revolution animated the 1917 October Revolution in Russia and the subsequent struggle led by its co-leader, Leon Trotsky, against the Soviet Stalinist bureaucracy, which usurped power from the working class, betrayed the revolutionary strivings of workers around the world in the name of the reactionary nationalist credo of socialism in one country and ultimately, as Trotsky warned, restored capitalism. None of the burning problems facing the Indian masses, from the fight against the pandemic, social inequality and the threat of war, to the eradication of caste oppression and the defeat of communal reaction, can be addressed outside of the struggle against Indian and world capitalism and for the socialist reorganization of global socioeconomic life. I urge all those participating in todays online event to take up the fight for socialism by placing themselves under the emancipatory banner of the Fourth International. Speaking last Sunday to Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD), French President Emmanuel Macron arrogantly demanded that the Malian military junta state its support for the French occupation of Mali. Frances eight-year war in Mali, launched shortly after a coup detat in 2012, has relied on a series of neocolonial military dictatorships in Mali and across the Sahel. Macron spoke less than a week after Colonel Assimi Goita, the strongman of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) junta, arrested interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane. Goita forced them to resign, after having first ousted President Ibrahim Boubakar Keita in a coup last August. French President Emmanuel Macron [Sebastien Nogier, Pool via AP] Yet Macron unblushingly told the JDD that France will not remain at the side of a country where there is no more democratic legitimacy. He shamelessly demanded that the Malian government and people should state its gratitude to its French military occupiers. Macron complained, It is precisely those who are asking us to intervene militarily who refuse to publicly state their need for France. They are used to saying that their problems today are due to the old colonial powers of yesterday. Of course, colonization has left a deep mark. But I also told youth in Ouagadougou that their problems today are not due to colonialism, they are caused more by bad governance by some and the corruption of others. He spoke to the JDD amid mounting anger and disillusionment with the war across the Sahel, as well as in France, and shortly after the National Workers Union of Mali (UNTM) bureaucracy called off a nationwide strike to oppose falling living standards in the impoverished country. It was an empty exercise in political damage control, yet after another coup in Mali exposed Macrons fraudulent claims that France is intervening in Mali to protect democracy from Islamism. Last week, Washington and the European powers went through the motions of condemning the recent coup and threatening economic sanctions. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union both suspended Malis membership. Like ECOWAS, France believes that organizing presidential elections in Mali on February 27, 2022 is an absolute priority, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Monday. Such posturing about democratic values is a disgusting political fraud. France and all the NATO powers have close ties with the bloody Egyptian military junta of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, which drowned mass working class protests in blood, and have backed Islamist militias in wars in both Libya and Syria. As for Le Drian, he is infamous not only for his close ties to al-Sisi and other bloody African dictators, but for helping French presidents select targets for Frances extrajudicial assassination program. Goita clearly calculated, as he launched his latest coup last month, that Paris will support his junta if he creates conditions for the French war in Mali to continue. Indeed, Macron backed Goitas coup last year as the only way to continue the war amid mounting protests and popular opposition to the French military presence in its former colony. While making clear he would work with the Malian junta, Macron issued a bizarre denunciation of political Islamism in Mali to the JDD. He said, Radical Islamism with our soldiers on the ground? Over my dead body. I know this temptation exists in Mali. But if things evolve this way, I will withdraw the troops, Macron said. Macrons comments were astonishingly incoherent, as the pretext Paris gave for invading Mali in 2013 was to crush Islamist militias arriving in Mali from Libya. After the 2011 NATO war in Libya, ethnic Tuareg and other militias returned to northern Mali with heavy weapons, provoking a crisis in the countrys capital, Bamako. A coup toppling President Amadou Toumani Toure in March 2012 and a French military intervention in the nearby Ivory Coast militarily prepared the French intervention in Mali in 2013 and troop deployments to Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania and Niger. It appears that Macrons comment was not intended to seriously suggest that French troops would leave if any Islamist presence was detected in Mali, but as a signal to the Malian junta and also as an attempt at political damage control addressed to a French and European domestic audience. While French imperialisms back channel ties to Islamist terrorist networks are an open secret in the ruling elite, Paris intends to keep control over the Malian regimes relations to Islamist groups in order to maintain the political lie that it is present in Mali to wage a war on terror. The junta has not ruled out negotiations with armed jihadist groups, and also it has ties with Islamic preachers in Mali. Goita made clear that he would work with parties, including the June 5, 2020 Movement-Rally of Patriotic Forces (M5-RFP), to form a government. He demanded that the prime ministers post go to the M5-RFP. Several M5-RFP members signaled their acceptance, with Choguel Kokalli Maiga, a M5-RFP member and former minister, declaring, This went straight to our heart. The M5-RFP was the main political organization backing the CNSPs coup last August, pushing protests by youth in Bamako into the dead end of supporting the CNSP. Paris backed both the M5-RFP and the CNSP in order to block a broader movement of the Malian oppressed masses and youth demanding the withdrawal of French troops. Significantly, Frances petty-bourgeois New Anti-capitalist Party also endorsed the M5-RFF during the military coup last year. Within the M5-RFP, Imam Mahmoud Dicko, the former president of the Islamic High Commission of Mali (HCIM), has played an important role. He served as a mediator between the Malian government and jihadist groups in northern Mali. After supporting Keita in the 2013 election, Dicko backed protests against Keita in 2019 and 2020. In 2019, he launched the CMAS (Coordination of Movements, Associations and Sympathizers). In June 2020, the CMAS joined the M5-RFP. Dicko, despite holding protests serving as a safety valve for anger at the French occupation, functions as a tool of French imperialism. In 2013, he stated that French intervention in Mali against jihadist groups was not an aggression against Islam, and that France had come to the aid of a people in distress. At home, Macron is waging an anti-Muslim campaign. He is imposing a charter of principles on French Islam and promoting an anti-separatist law aimed against Islamist separatism, that is, at preventing any Muslim criticism of French imperialisms predatory warsmeasures designed to consolidate fascistic police-state rule against the working class. There is also mounting dissatisfaction among French troops in Mali following the rise of attacks against them by jihadist forces. So far, France has lost about 50 troops in Mali. In this context, Macron fears the consequences if Goita makes Bamakos ties to Islamist forces too obvious, exposing Macron to criticism on his right from anti-Islamic neofascist forces as Macron attempts to run for reelection in 2022 despite his massive unpopularity. The corrupt and reactionary dealings underscore the necessity of building a movement in the working class, across the Sahel and Africa as well as in France, against war and for the withdrawal of French troops from Africa. From the nickel mines of Ontario and the coalfields of Alabama to the Atacama desert in Chile and the jungles of Colombia, miners throughout the world are engaged in a wave of struggles against the worlds most powerful transnational mining corporations. The corporate media and trade union bureaucracies have withheld this vital information from workers to keep them in the dark and isolated. But these strikes are part of one global movement in which workers face the same issues: low wages, a lack of safety precautions, trade unions that are in the pockets of the companies, and profound anger over the deaths of countless co-workers who contracted COVID-19 on the job and were sacrificed at the altar of capitalist corporate profit. Striking miners in Brookwood, Alabama (Photo: Friends of Coal Alabama) In Alabama, 1,100 coal miners have been on strike against Warrior Met for two months after rejecting a sellout contract proposed by the United Mine Workers of America, which has refused to call out any other mine in support of the strike. In Sudbury, Ontario, 2,400 miners walked out against Vale Inco after rejecting a similar deal put forward by the United Steelworkers, which agreed to a special one-year contract in June 2020 to keep workers on the job during the pandemic. Though miners speak many different languages, their story is the same everywhere. In Chile, several hundred office workers necessary for production at BHPs Escondida copper mine went on strike last Thursday, while thousands of miners are preparing for what the industry press is calling a prolonged strike against the Australian-owned BHP. Even though the Escondida miners contract is expiring, the trade union has kept miners on the job, effectively crossing the picket lines of the office workers strike. The union issued a pathetic statement in advance of negotiations, saying it would conduct itself entirely within a framework of respect for the corporation, which made $8.7 billion in profits by forcing workers at Escondida to produce 1.2 billion tons of copper in 2020. Escondida is the largest and most productive mine in the world. In Colombia, miners in Pacifico, Bajo Cauca, Antioquia, Caldas, Cordoba and Sur de Bolivar went on strike on May 13 demanding wage increases and environmental protections for nearby indigenous tribes whose homes have been massively polluted by the global mining corporations. Last week, miners at the Cerrejon mine (owned by BHP, Anglo American and Glencore) began blocking the entrance, stopping production. Across Colombia, mass demonstrations and strikes of industrial workers against massive levels of social inequality and state violence stopped the export of 200,000 tons of coal and caused $80 billion in losses for the mining companies, according to the Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy. In Peru, iron ore miners at the Chinese-owned Shougang Hierro Peru mines are on strike because at least 24 of their coworkers have died of COVID-19, which spread through tent encampments in which miners live 10-15 men to a tent. Shougang made $340 million in profits from the mine in 2020, a 20 percent increase from pre-COVID profits in 2019. Across Mexico, coal, copper and zinc miners are engaged in strikes in the states of Zacatecas, Guerrero, Baja California and Queretaro. At one mine in Cosala, Sinaloa, 175 miners have been on strike for over a year against the Canadian Americas Gold and Silver corporation. At a Tayahua, Zacatecas mine owned by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slims Ocampo Mining company, workers walked out on strike on May 22 and were brutally assaulted by company security goons. One local news report explained that tempers flared and there was an exchange of blows between workers and security personnel. Workers explained that for over a year, [the company and union] have not renewed the collective labor contract even though workers have not stopped laboring during the COVID-19 pandemic, which puts the workers at risk of contagion. In South Africa, industry publications are nervous over the prospect of renewed miners strikes. South Africas mining output jumped 21.3 percent between March 2020, when the pandemic first spread globally, and March 2021. A pro-industry attorney wrote an editorial in South Africas Business Live worrying that the trade unions may not be able to contain working class anger. We saw it with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), until it became known as the sweetheart trade union, the attorney notes. Even though the NUM did the best it could for its members with agreements being calmly reached, its members lost faith in its ability to act in their best interests, suspecting union leaders had been co-opted. In August 2012, the NUM, police and Lonmin company thugs massacred 34 platinum workers engaged in a wildcat strike. Strikes and protests have also taken place across Europe and Asia in the midst of the pandemic. In recent months, uranium and coal miners in both western and eastern Ukraine engaged in strikes and mine occupations, largely demanding backpay. In September 2020, iron ore miners in the city of Krivoy Rog stayed underground for 43 days, demanding wage increases in opposition to the trade union, which attempted to prevent the strike from spreading. It is not possible to list all the examples of ongoing sectors participating in this global resurgence of the class struggle. Suffice to say it goes well beyond mining and extraction and includes autoworkers in India and Virginia, steelworkers at ATI in the US, BBVA bank workers in Spain, oil workers in Argentina, and more. Certain critical lessons must be drawn. Miners occupy a critical position in the global capitalist economy. They produce the primary materials needed for cell phones, batteries, car parts, conductors and other advanced technology, without which the entire world economy grinds to a halt. The imperialist powers are engaged in a permanent scramble over these resources and fight to establish control through bloody wars like the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The trade unions, by advancing the nationalist lie that workers in each country benefit by supporting the corporations in their own country, not only pit workers against each other in a race to the bottom, they also help the capitalist class carry out its wars of plunder. Workers in every country must understand that they are part of an international movement. This very fact opens up enormous possibilities for the development of the class struggle. The unification with workers throughout the world must become an integral element of the strategy of conducting any particular fight. The fate of the struggles of miners and other sections of the working class depends on the development of new organs of struggle capable of harnessing the interconnected social power of the international working class against the global capitalist system, independent of the trade unions and the capitalist political parties. On May Day 2021, the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) issued a call for the building of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). In a statement announcing this initiative, the ICFI explained: The IWA-RFC will work to develop the framework for new forms of independent, democratic and militant rank-and-file organizations of workers in factories, schools and workplaces on an international scale. The working class is ready to fight. But it is shackled by reactionary bureaucratic organizations that suppress every expression of resistance. It will be a means through which workers throughout the world can share information and organize a united struggle to demand protection for workers, the shutdown of unsafe facilities and nonessential production, and other emergency measures that are necessary to stop the spread of the virus. The ICFI is initiating the formation of this alliance on a global scale, which is the only way that the pandemic can be fought. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, with the political assistance of the Fourth International and the Socialist Equality Parties, will strive to unify workers in a common worldwide struggle, opposing every effort by capitalist governments and the reactionary proponents of the innumerable forms of national, ethnic and racial chauvinism and identity politics to split up the working class into warring factions. The world Trotskyist movementthe International Committee of the Fourth International and its affiliated Socialist Equality Partieshas initiated the IWA-RFC within the framework of a perspective of world socialist revolution. Workers in all sectors and in all countries must be united in a common political offensive to take power, expropriate the ruling class, and establish a socialist society based on social need, not private profit. The developing strike wave among miners is a sign of the growing radicalization of the working class throughout the world. The transformation of this objective process into a conscious movement against capitalism and for socialism requires the building of the ICFI as the revolutionary leadership in the working class. On May 27, New Zealands Labour Party-led government formally rejected a Conceptual Development Plan submitted by international mining experts to investigate further the Pike River underground coal mine, to uncover the precise causes of the 2010 disaster that killed 29 workers. The Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) produced the plan on behalf of 23 of the 29 families of the men who died at Pike River. The group includes former chief inspector of mines Tony Forster, UK-based mining engineer David Creedy and mines rescue expert Brian Robinson. They have all studied the disaster for years and provided advice to government agencies on how the mine can be safely explored to recover evidence and potentially human remains. The entrance to the Pike River coal mine is seen in Greymouth, New Zealand, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010 [Credit: AP Photo/Pool] In the ten-and-a-half years since the disaster, no company leaders have been brought to justice for turning Pike River into a death trap. Despite overwhelming evidence of gross safety breaches at the mine, including the lack of a second exit and extremely inadequate ventilation, the police insisted criminal charges could not be laid without examining physical evidence from the mine. The ITAG plan focuses on recovering a further 130 metres of underground roadway, primarily in order to gain access to the main ventilation unit. Pike River placed its main fan underground, which is unheard of in coal mines because of the risks posed if it malfunctions or breaks down. The 2012 royal commission of inquiry identified the fan as a possible source of ignition for the first explosion. By rejecting the plan, the Labour government, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, is reneging on its 2017 election promise to do everything possible to investigate the mine, gather evidence for prosecutions and work with the victims families on all decisions. A team of miners has gone 2.2 kilometres up the drift, or entrance tunnel, but the government refuses to provide funding for them to proceed beyond two roof-falls and into the mine workings. Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little took less than three weeks to reject the ITAGs proposal, following advice from the Pike River Recovery Agency (PRRA). Little told Stuff that he sought advice in good faith and with an open mind, but the plan clearly has not been seriously considered, with Little refusing to authorise a full risk assessment or costing. Littles decision was made on May 27 and blacked out by most of the media, with one report published by Stuff four days later. The government, assisted by the entire political establishment, the media and the unions, is rushing to end the underground investigation and permanently seal the mine, with as little public attention as possible. The aim is to protect the company managers, politicians, government regulators and union officials who all bear responsibility for the conditions that led to the Pike River disaster. That includes Little, who as leader of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU, now called E tu) in 2010, defended Pike River Coals safety record after the first explosion. The four pages of advice from the PRRA to Little conceded that the ITAG plan is technically feasiblein contrast to Littles previous statements to the media that the area around the roof-falls was inherently unstable and it would be too difficult to deal with the safety risks. Little said he was rejecting the plan because of the significant costs and the unquantifiable technical issues attendant to the plan, and because recovery beyond the drift goes outside the cabinet-mandated authority of the agency. The PRRA rejected the ITAG estimate that going through the roof-falls (which appear to consist entirely of coal) and recovering the main fan area, would cost less than $8 million. Previously, the PRRA had told the media it could cost $60 to $100 million. This has been revised to $20$25 million, largely based on the time it would take to conduct risk assessments and get approvals from the regulatory agency WorkSafe. In 2017, the Labour Party and its then coalition partners, the Greens and NZ First, indicated that once the re-entry team approached the roof-fall, the government would consider going further into the mine. Had this promise been kept, the relevant risk assessments and feasibility studies could have been started months ago. Bernie Monk, whose son Michael died in Pike River, told the World Socialist Web Site that the government had previously relied on advice from Tony Forster and other experts in the ITAG, when it was preparing to re-enter the drift. Now that [Forsters] actually got a plan together to finish this job, theyre showing him no respect. Its upsetting to see how theyve treated all the experts, Monk said. When the Labour Party was in opposition it promoted these same experts. In parliament on December 13, 2016, Little asked then Prime Minister Bill English: When he says it should be up to the experts to determine whether re-entering the mine is safe, is he aware a report saying re-entry is safe has been written by Dr David Creedy, vice-chair of the UN Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane, and Bob Stevenson, former UK principal mines inspector, and that the report has been peer reviewed and endorsed by the United Kingdom's leading mines rescue expert, Brian Robinson, and by mining ventilation experts John Rowland and Dr Roy Moreby? Little also asked: Why does [English] not do the right thing, listen to the families, and fulfil his governments promise to do everything he can to get their men out? Dean Dunbar, whose son Joseph died at the age of 17 in the Pike River disaster, told the WSWS: Andrew Little and the Labour government used the Pike River disaster as a means to get into parliament When Andrew Little said on national television [on May 12] that the Pike River families have received their justice, I have no idea what hes talking about. Dunbar said Prime Minister Ardern should be taking the front stage in this instead of hiding behind others. Ardern has said nothing about the decision to reject the ITAG plan. He warned that the government was moving rapidly to dismantle the investigation and permanently seal the crime scene, seal the evidence, seal the bodies. Police have said the investigation will continue with cameras lowered through bore holes into some areas of the mine, but Dunbar said this would be second-best evidence-gathering. He added: Theres no rhyme or reason why they cant put a temporary seal in there They want that permanent seal and they want it done and dusted. Well, theyre not going to achieve that without a fight, because were not going to let them do it to us. Monk believed evidence gathered by cameras lowered through bore holes would be inadequate in any court case. He said finding the precise cause of the explosion was also necessary to prevent other mines around the world from operating as Pike River did. Weve got to stop people putting fans underground and having no second means of egress, he said. Weve got to go in there and get this information out, end of story, theres no excuse, he stated. Commenting on the claims that going into the mine workings is too expensive, Monk pointed to media reports that the government and Auckland Council are prepared to spend $100 million on hosting the next Americas Cup yacht raceon top of $250 million spent on last years race. The amount spent on the investigation aimed at finding out the truth and securing justice for the deaths of 29 workers pales in comparison. On Tuesday, the Biden administration formally ended the Remain in Mexico program, known formally as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), which forced asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases played out in US immigration courts. The move was celebrated by some immigrant advocates despite the fact that many Trump-era policies remain in place, including Title 42, which bans immigrants from entering the US under the pretext of stopping the spread of COVID-19. The inhumane living conditions throughout the world, which are the product of capitalist exploitation and imperialist intervention, and drive immigrants to make the dangerous journey into the United States to seek asylum and a better life, have, of course, not gone away. While Biden promised to roll back the worst of the Trump administrations policies, immigrants continue to die every day and countless numbers languish in detention camps under his watch. Wreckage and debris from a capsized boat washes ashore at Cabrillo National Monument near where a boat capsized just off the San Diego coast Sunday, May 2, 2021, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy) This reality has been underscored by the recent drownings of immigrants off the coast of San Diego, California this year. On May 2 a smuggling boat carrying immigrants desperate to reach the US crashed near Point Loma, killing three and injuring dozens. The tragedy, which occurred near a popular tourist destination, made international headlines but was not to be the only migrant death in the area last month. On May 20, the US Border Patrol and San Diego Fire-Rescue lifeguards spotted a boat which had sought to disembark migrants near the Childrens Pool Beach in La Jolla. Ten people were rescued from rough water conditions, another person was found submerged a mile north, in an area called Wipeout Beach, but was pronounced dead at the scene. In another incident in the same month, a panga boat was caught up in the surf line with 23 migrants on board who were then apprehended by Border Patrol and taken into custody. The number of apprehensions at sea by San Diego Border Patrol agents was a record 1,273 incidents in fiscal 2019. So far this fiscal year, which will end after September, there have been almost 1,100 apprehensions. Border Patrol Agent Jacob MacIsaac told reporters, Were on pace to break that record again. The smuggling boats have been described by authorities as being grossly overladen with people and gas cans, with little or no safety devices on board. Meanwhile, the man accused of captaining the boat that crashed into Point Loma on May 2 was arraigned on a federal grand jury indictment on Tuesday with two dozen criminal counts. Antonio Hurtado, a 39-year-old US citizen, was accused of carrying 31 Mexican nationals and a Guatemalan in a 40-foot trawler-style vessel. Hurtado has been charged with attempting to bring in immigrants resulting in death and attempting to make financial gain. He is also being charged with assaulting a federal officer for allegedly hitting a Border Patrol agent with his knee after he was arrested. He has pleaded not guilty. The affidavit stated that migrants paid between $15,000 and $18,500 to be brought into the United States by boat. While the media coverage has focused on demonizing the alleged captain of the smuggling operation, the larger social and political questions have been ignored. Moreover, the tragedy will be used by the federal government and anti-immigrant organizations as an argument for more surveillance and more powers to crack down on illegal aliens entering the country. The three people who drowned in the incident were identified as 41-year-old Maria Eugenia Chavez-Segovia, 29-year-old Victor Perez Degollado and 35-year-old Maricela Hernandez Sanchez, all Mexican nationals. A recent profile in the Los Angeles Times sheds some light on the life and death of one of the drowned, Maria Eugenia Chavez-Segovia. Chavez-Segovia had already been caught twice trying to enter the United States and sent back to Mexico under Title 42, where she lived for months in Tijuana. She had been hoping to enter the US to join her siblings for seasonal agricultural work in the fields of the San Joaquin Valley in Central California. The 41-year-old single mother told her youngest son she would be returning to Mexico City, and then back to the village in south Queretaro, but she never arrived. Her family spent weeks hoping that the news reports of her drowning were mistaken. Her son Jose told the Los Angeles Times, She was always afraid of the water. I dont know how it occurred to her or who got her involved in trying to cross that way because she didn't know how to swim. Maybe it was just a very desperate decision. Chavez-Segovias sister, Gabriela, was afraid to disclose the details of her sisters situation, fearing for her sons safety in Mexico. She said Chavez-Segovia was unable to plead her case to a US court because the bar of legal proof needed to make an asylum case was too high. What are you going to do? Gabriela told the Los Angeles Times, Wait until someone sits down and writes you a letter that says I am threatening you? No, of course not, youre going to go at the first opportunity. Chavez-Segovias sisters in the US were unable to travel to Mexico to attend the funeral because of their undocumented status. She was buried in the small town of El Rincon de San Ildefonso, about 100 miles northwest of Mexico City, where she lived most of her life. Opportunities were scarce as the only jobs in the area were in construction or working in a rock quarry which paid $7.50 (US) a day. Chavez-Segovia left town at age 12 to live as a domestic servant in Mexico City where she worked all day and into the night for a wealthy household. The only options beyond that for many workers like Chavez-Segovia, was to head north to toil in the agricultural fields of the US, where workers, mostly immigrants, are exposed to toxins, pesticides, excessive heat and the constant threat of deportation. Family members at her burial expressed relief that at least they were able to recover her body and bury her, unlike the thousands who have perished in the deserts of the southern US, never to be seen again. Under the Biden administration, an arbitrary system of who gets to enter and stay in the US and who is deported after reaching the border has now been established, and it has little or nothing to do with an immigrants asylum claims. On certain days immigrants are allowed to stay, not because of any generosity or humanity on the part of US authorities, but simply because Mexico refuses to accept any more. In the Texas sector of the US-Mexico Border, Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector Chief Brian Hastings told NBC News that 17 percent of all families and single adults caught by agents this year have been released into the US, the exact same share as under the Trump administration before Title 42 was invoked to deny access to all asylum seekers in 2020. According to Customs and Border Protection data from April, about 15 percent of single adults and 65 percent of families were released into the US all along the border. Hastings said they were released only because the Mexican government will only take back a certain number every day. This was confirmed by a Department of Homeland Security official who said their ability to ship immigrants back was limited by Mexicos ability and capacity to receive those individuals. They added, in language no different from Trump, The Biden Administration has made it clear that our borders are not open, people should not make the dangerous journey, and individuals and families are subject to border restrictions, including expulsion. The Biden White House has not made any commitment to ending Title 42, forcing migrants to make more dangerous journeys to avoid being apprehended at all, while the policy of accepting unaccompanied minors forces migrant families to separate at the border in the hopes of securing asylum for at least their children. As Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLUs immigrants rights project and a lead plaintiffs lawyer in a lawsuit challenging Title 42, explained to NBC News, The Biden administrations retention of Title 42 and refusal to open the legal ports of entry is having the perverse effect of forcing desperate asylum seekers fleeing danger to cross between the ports, which is to nobodys benefit. In a reckless move that needlessly threatens the safety of teachers, school workers and students, the Victorian state Labor government announced Wednesday that Melbourne high schools will reopen for Year 11 and 12 students from next week. This follows a week-long closure of most schools that was imposed as part of an initially planned seven-day lockdown triggered by community transmission of the dangerous COVID-19 Kappa variant. Today authorities reported they had detected the even more contagious Delta variant. The lockdown has been extended for another seven days, but with a series of relaxed restrictions, including the reopening of schools for senior students in Melbourne and the resumption of all schools face-to-face teaching in regional Victoria. These moves contradict public health science. There are more than 360 exposure sites across Melbourne, and thousands of people are self-isolating. Each day new confirmed COVID-19 infections are being reported. While numbers remain relatively low, Australian and international experience has demonstrated how quickly unchecked exponential growth in case numbers can trigger a public health crisis. Earlier today, Victorias Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton acknowledged that the recently detected Delta variant, which is largely responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe in India, may cause greater illness in children, as well as greater increase transmissibility in childrenwe have concerns for that reason. The Labor government is nevertheless proceeding with its plan to instruct approximately 100,000 children and young adults to discontinue online learning and instead travel into school, with many commuting long distances on overcrowded public transport. As many as 30 or more students will work all day with their teachers in small, poorly ventilated rooms. Many students are also casual workers in the supermarkets and fast food outlets that have remained open during the lockdown. In the course of a short shift, they may have come into close contact with hundreds of people. Schools are among the latest infection sites, including Willmott Park Primary School in Craigieburn, Mercy College, Methodist Ladies College and North Melbourne Primary School. At the latter school, two positive cases attended the campus. More than 300 close contacts, teachers and students are now in mandatory 14-day isolation. Last year during Melbournes pandemic, several schools emerged as epicentres of transmission, such as Al-Taqwa College in Truganina. Numerous international studies have shown that schools function as vectors when they are left open amid widespread community transmission of COVID-19. The Victorian government has justified the reopening on the basis that it ensures a level playing field between senior students in Melbourne and in regional Victoria. Acting Premier James Merlino has claimed it would be unfair for some students to be in lockdown while others to benefit from face-to-face teaching. This argument points to the reactionary nature of the high stakes competitive exam entry system for access to university and other tertiary courses. It is also absurd on its face. If there were to be a noticeable difference in the end of year academic results between those Year 12 students who had or had not been in lockdown for an extra week, then scores could be scaled to ensure equivalence. In reality, the schools reopening has nothing to do with fairness for students and instead forms part of the Labor governments concessions to corporate demands for an end to lockdown. The government is walking a political tightrope. On the one hand it knows that an explosion of COVID-19 infections would immediately threaten to collapse the health system, as nearly occurred last year at the height of the second wave, and at the same time would trigger explosive hostility within the working class. On the other hand, the government is attempting to meet corporate demands for the rapid lifting of every restriction that impinges on the accumulation of profit. The Australian Education Union (AEU) is complicit in the governments reopening of the schools. It has said nothing whatsoever about the development. This silence points to its culpability, and is consistent with its record throughout the pandemic as a collaborator with the government against the interests of teachers and school workers. At the height of the pandemic in Victoria last year, the union insisted that teachers could take no action to protect their safety and had no choice but to follow the governments instructions. Anger is building among teachers. Several teachers left critical comments on the AEUs Facebook page. One wrote: What is the union doing about staff being made to teach in person while the whole city is in lockdown? Nothing, like it always does. Another wrote: STRIKE!! Sounds like education staff are expendable. One teacher in a public high school in Melbournes western suburbs told the World Socialist Web Site: Footscray is one of the biggest hotspots around. There are people walking past each other and catching COVID. There are mystery cases that are likely to be aerosol driven. If you look at other countries, the virus has spread so fast. Students have jobs at Highpoint [shopping centre], at Footscray market and other places. Why didnt the teachers get vaccinated before this? Or childcare workers or health workers? Its so ridiculous. Vaccines continue to be accessible only for those over 40, or in frontline health and aged-care roles, though even in these categories access to vaccine appointments is difficult. Younger teachers and school workers are being exposed without any adequate protections. Victorias Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng explained earlier this week that problems in the supply chain meant that there was a constrained supply of vaccines. We are making do with what we have got at the moment, he said. Among the teachers and staff endangered are those working in special schools, which have been kept open throughout the latest lockdown. These schools are especially risky because many students with disabilities have difficulties with toileting, personal hygiene and maintaining social distancing. During last years lockdown, special schools were initially suspended together with other schools, but parents struggling to care for their children at home successfully lobbied the government to have their schools exempted from closure. Teachers and school staff in special schools have been left to care for the most vulnerable young people with inadequate support and no hazard or bonus pay. Also affected by the lockdown are thousands of casual teachers and school workers. These educators lose two weeks of income, at a time in the school year when their services are usually in peak demand. Only some will be eligible for the federal governments poverty-level offer of a disaster payment of up to $500 per week. The AEU has again done nothing to defend casual teachers and school workers, making no public statement on the matter. Only the Committee For Public Education (CFPE) has sought to organise coordinated action in defence of the health and safety of teachers, students and school workers through the formation of rank-and-file safety committees in schools. The CFPE can be contacted at: Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation Twitter: @CFPE_Australia After more than a year of being held up as a model for its response to the global pandemic, Taiwans medical system is being overrun by a surge in COVID-19 cases. As of Thursday, there were 9,974 confirmed cases on the island, including 366 new cases the previous day. Nearly 9,000 of those infections have occurred since mid-May. The Taipei Doctors Union warned in a Facebook post on May 27, The coronavirus situation in the greater Taipei area continues to worsen, with an acute shortage of isolation beds and wards, as well as the [specialized] staff to run them. It continued, If this isn't breaking point for the healthcare system, then we don't know what is. The statement warned that hospitals were facing a shortage of negative pressure and isolation wards, with general hospital wards being used instead, putting staff and other patients at risk of infection. On May 28, Singapore-based doctor Lim Wooi Tee, an epidemic prevention specialist, appeared on the Taiwanese talk show 50 Era Money to call for a total lockdown on the island. In the interview, Lim blamed the government of President Tsai Ing-wen for wasting more than a year in preparing for an outbreak. He stated, Taiwan is more vulnerable than any other country in the world. The latest outbreak demonstrates that there was nothing exceptional about Taipeis initial response to the virus. What actions the Taiwanese ruling class did take were generated by fears that a botched response to the pandemic could fuel social discontent after widespread anger over its handling of the 20022004 SARS epidemic. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, center, walks to her inauguration ceremony in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, May 20, 2020 (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP) In January 2020, just as the pandemic was beginning, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party government of President Tsai Ing-wen accused China of lacking transparency and used the outbreak, with Washingtons support, to challenge the One China policy and call for inclusion in the World Health Organization (WHO). Under the One China doctrine, internationally accepted since the 1970s, Beijing is effectively recognised as the legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan. Tsais accusations were aimed at drumming up anti-mainland sentiment, a campaign that is now being escalated by Washington, as well as Taipei, to ratchet up pressure on Beijing, risking war. The outbreak also reveals that no country is safe from the pandemic as long as the virus is allowed to move freely anywhere in the world. It shows the necessity of maintaining scientifically mandated restrictions in order to eliminate the virus. However, Taipei, like every other capitalist government, chooses to prioritize big business profits at the expense of the working class and the poor. Workers in the service, transportation, and tourist industries are being particularly hard hit as gatherings of five or more people are banned and many public facilities are closed. As of Tuesday, there were 445 companies that had implemented unpaid leave programs, up from 414 the previous week. Some 4,125 workers have been reported as furloughed without pay while other workers have had their salaries slashed. These statistics are likely an undercounting of the real situation. Restrictions do not apply to the manufacturing sector. In Hsinchu city, where the industry-leading Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is based, workers are being forced to stay on the job, leaving them exposed to the virus. Semiconductors are a major component in weaponry, and therefore considered vital in the war plans of the United States. Workers may never see even the meager relief packages from the government as they are paid through the companies. Chairwoman of the Taoyuan Confederation of Trade Unions (TYCTU) Chu Mei-hsueh stated recently, [W]e see that the governments proposed economic relief packages are mostly the same as last yearsthey have to go through companies and bosses. Workers will again end up not receiving relief funds, because many employers would not report furloughed workers to the government when ordered to close for business. The TYCTU, a leading union confederation in Taiwan, portrays itself as a radical workers organization, but has played the central role in isolating strikes over recent years and preventing the development of a movement of the working class. The TYCTU and its affiliated Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union were behind the sellout of the 17-day strike by EVA Air flight attendants in 2019, the longest in the history of Taiwans airlines. The sellout was all the more treacherous as airline workers around the world had been striking and staging industrial actions at that time. While issuing toothless complaints over the governments current policies, the TYCTU has not organised any action against them. The current outbreak also has broader international significance, particularly as the United States has attempted to leverage Taiwan as a tool against Beijing and to challenge the One China policy, under which countries recognize that Taiwan is a part of China. Last year, during the Trump administration, Washington backed Taipeis attempt to gain observer status in the WHO, claiming that Taiwan was a positive force in the fight against COVID-19 while falsely accusing Beijing of being responsible for the pandemic. The same geopolitical considerations underlie Japans recent pledge to donate vaccines to Taiwan. Tokyo entered into negotiations with AstraZeneca to send 1.2 million of its 120 million vaccine supply purchased from the company to Taiwan, even though the initial contract Japan signed with AstraZeneca bars it from exporting vaccines overseas. Tokyo could announce a finalized deal as soon as Friday. Beijing denounced Japans actions, with Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin saying on May 31, We firmly oppose the use of the pandemic for a political show. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated Thursday, At a time of trouble, we need to help each other. However, there is nothing altruistic about Tokyos motivations. Members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party have called for supplying Taiwan with the vaccine in order to undermine Beijing. While countries like the United States have hoarded vaccines, China has offered to supply countries with its own vaccine, leading to accusations that Beijing is engaged in vaccine diplomacy to expand its influence. Taipei, however, is engaged in its own version of vaccine diplomacy. Taipei has accused Beijing of interfering in a deal that fell through in January with drug maker BioNTech to supply vaccines. Beijing has denied this. According to Taiwans Health Minister Chen Shih-chung on May 27, BioNTech requested Taiwan remove the word country from the press release on the vaccine deal scheduled for January 8. The insertion of the word country was a clear attempt at undermining the One China policy. Taiwan supposedly offered to tweak the wording, but BioNTech still backed away from the deal. Rank-and-file Volvo Truck workers at the New River Valley (NRV) plant in Dublin, Virginia are building up momentum to defeat a second attempt by the United Auto Workers to push through a pro-company labor agreement. Nearly 3,000 workers, who rejected the first deal by 91 percent, will be voting on the UAW-backed deal at a ratification meeting this Sunday. Officials from UAW International headquarters in Detroit, Region 8 in Tennessee and Local 2069 in Dublin have confronted widespread opposition from workers who have denounced the new deal as simply a rehash of the first. The six-year contract would maintain the hated multi-tier wage and benefit system, continue the erosion of real wages, impose higher medical costs, impose a new 10-hour workday, and pave the way for further cuts in retiree benefits. Workers at the New River Valley plant (Source: Volvo Group) Already determined to vote the contract down and convinced they would hear nothing but lies from UAW officials, Volvo workers largely boycotted the so-called town hall meetings where union officials tried to sell the deal on Wednesday and Thursday. Workers felt no matter what we say, theyre going to do what they want to doand the workers are going to do what we have to do, one Volvo worker told the WSWS. Those workers who did attend angrily confronted UAW Local 2069 President Matt Blondino and other union officials over the sellout and their refusal to release the full proposal. The UAW officials defended the contract and echoed managements claims that there was no money to bring the lower-tier workers up to top pay scale more quickly than over a period of six years. Union officials also said that if the contract was rejected the company could come back with a worse offer. Sweden-based Volvo Group made $1 billion in profits in the first three months of 2021, compared with $560 million a year earlier, based on increased deliveries of trucks and construction equipment. First quarter profit margins jumped from 8.1 percent in 2020 to 12.8 percent. While crying broke, Volvo paid CEO Martin Lundstedt $5.2 million last year, 153 times more than a newly hired Volvo assembly worker. The Volvo Workers Rank-and-File Committee (VWRFC) is circulating a statement calling for workers to vote no on what it says is not a labor agreement but a sales contract for six years of industrial slavery. The statement outlines the conditions that would have to be met for workers to support a contract, including abolishing the multi-tier system, a 25 percent raise plus cost-of-living increases, the defense of the eight-hour day and no cuts to health care or pension benefits. The committee is also countering efforts by the UAW to intimidate workers with the prospect of a long, futile strike if they reject the contract. Workers are ready for a serious battle, but such a fight must not be allowed to be isolated by the UAW and the AFL-CIO and led to defeat. To conduct a fight and win, workers must have full pay from the UAWs $790 million strike fund and the ability to oversee negotiations and fight to spread the struggle to the Mack-Volvo plants in Pennsylvania and Maryland and other sections of workers. The UAWs abrupt shutdown of the workers' two-week strike on April 30 has allowed the company to stockpile up to 2,000 trucks. The company has been getting ready for a storm, a Volvo worker told the WSWS. We are willing to stay out as long as it takes, another Volvo worker said. Two weeks wont be enough to hurt them. But to stay out, we have to tap into the strike fund. The strike pay has to be tripled to $750 a week to allow people to stay out longer without fear of losing their homes. Its not the company thats got us by the balls, its the national union because of its control of the strike fund. Some of us have saved up for a long strike, but many, especially the younger workers, are living paycheck to paycheck. We need unity and that means getting enough strike pay to stay out. The statements of the VWRFC and articles from the WSWS have been widely circulated in the plant, winning the support of workers and the hostility of the UAW. Ive read the open letter to the UAW and your newsletters because workers leave them on the break tables, a worker with 15 years at the plant said. The union goes around saying, They're a bunch of union-busters. But I say, the UAW busted the union when it accepted two-tier wages. The union busted itself. Your newsletter does an awesome job with all the research it does to help us. Warning her co-workers about the possibility that the UAW would stuff the ballots in order to pass the contract on Sunday, she said, Im telling workers to take a picture of their no vote on Sunday, so the UAW doesnt try fraud to get it passed. There is not a single person Ive spoken to who said they are going to vote for this. What angers me is the tier system. The UAW says its done away with it, but when you turn to the next page you see all the tiers. When I hired in it took two years to reach the top pay. Then it took three years, and now its going to be the length of the six-year contract. Some people will never see it. How can you expect anybody to care about their job when they are making $10 less than the person working right next to them? Twenty years ago, you couldnt beat working here. In the 1980s, people slept outside for a chance to apply for a job at Volvo. Now all they want is to get more work out of you and not pay you. I wouldnt want to cut anybodys throat to get ahead. Everybody should be equal and get the same pay. That is what a union is supposed to do. She also pointed to the UAWs abandonment of the eight-hour-day, which was won after the bitter 1941 strike at Ford. Theyve got guys working 10 hours in the paint shop already. Theyre bringing in the 10-hour, four-day schedule, so they dont have to pay overtime after eight hours anymore, only after 40 in a week. But I got a life after work. A strike would help. I was prepared to stay out months or even a year to get what we need. We have more leverage now. I hear if we shut them down, the company will have to get on the back of the line for microchips and they already have a shortage. Twenty-six-year-old Trenten Dille, a miner and father of two from Littleton, West Virginia, died early Wednesday morning after being crushed by the rib of a support pillar in a Marion County Coal Resources mine. Barely 24 hours later, a second death was reported at Horse Creek Eagle Mine, operated by Alpha Metallurgical Resources in southern West Virginia. According to a news release late Thursday night, Nicholas David Adkins, 43, died in what the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) website said was an electrical haulage accident at the Raleigh County mine, formerly owned by Massey Energy. Trenten Dille and his baby (Source: Facebook) These are the third and fourth coal mining deaths this year; West Virginia now accounts for three of those deaths. West Virginia Governor and coal operator Jim Justice issued his usual hypocritical call for prayers for Dilles family, as did Senator Joe Manchin. National Public Radio once gave Justice the title of top mine safety delinquent because of the numerous safety violations in the mines he owns. Manchin, a top Senate backer of the coal industry, refused to add funding to black lung surveillance and treatment programs to a 2019 bill that stripped funds from environmental rehabilitation of mines. Since 2012, black lung rates have soared to heights unseen since the early 1970s. Marion County has seen some of the nations most devastating mining disasters. In 1907, an explosion in a network of mines in Monongah killed 361 miners. In November 1968, an explosion at the Consol Number Nine mine in Farmington claimed the lives of 78. The resulting fire burned for over a week, contained only after the mine was sealed with concrete. In response, 40,000 coal miners throughout West Virginia staged wildcat strikes demanding safer working conditions and better health benefits. The widows of Farmingtons victims testified before Congress about the hazards their husbands had faced in the mines. Congress passed the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety act of 1969, which created more stringent oversight for the nations mines. For decades after the Farmington explosion, working conditions improved for US coal miners. Black lung rates began to plummet. Deaths attributable to mining decreased. But over the course of the 21st century, those important gains have been reversed. In September 2001, 13 miners at Jim Walter Resources Number Five Mine in Brookwood, Alabama died when thick coal dust ignited methane in the mine. Today, the Number Five Mine is Warrior Met Coal Prep Plant Number Five, one of the sites being picketed by 1,100 Warrior Met strikers. The 2001 explosion is never far from the minds of the striking workers; while their primary complaints are over their pay and their health benefits, they are also concerned about their safety in a gassy mine run by Wall Street hedge fund managers. In January 2006, an explosion at the Sago Mine in West Virginia led to a collapse that trapped 13 miners within the mine. A single miner survived with life-threatening injuries. The Sago Disaster was the worst mining disaster in West Virginia since Farmington. In 2010, it was surpassed by the Upper Big Branch explosion that killed 29 miners in Montcoal. Incidence of coal workers pneumoconiosis, or black lung, decreased dramatically between 1970 and the early 1990s. Between 2000 and 2012, the number of cases increased by 900 percent. By 2016, rates of black lung among coal miners in West Virginia and Kentucky were the highest they had been since 1970, when record-keeping for the disease first began. Throughout the Appalachian coal fields, operators play a shell game, shifting ownership of the mines and changing the names of companies in order to wash their hands of employee pensions and health benefits. The coal industry curried the favor of the George W. Bush administration, which in turn relaxed regulations throughout the early years of his presidency. Miners in Brookwood recount how mine management was alerted ahead of the arrival of inspectors, and how they were punished for speaking out about hazards in the mine. A significant portion of the blame also belongs to the United Mine Workers of America, largely a bureaucratic shell after collaborating with management to carry out mine closures and layoffs for decades. Significantly, as of Thursday evening, there has been no mention of the deaths of Trenten Dille or Nicholas Adkins on the UMWAs social media accounts or its website, although the UMWA is reportedly in both mines. The selective strike policies of UMWA President Richard Trumka in the 1980s led to the strangulation of one strike after another, including at A.T. Massey and Pittston. West Virginia, once a UMWA stronghold, now has fewer unionized mines than right-to-work Alabama. Trumkas protege, UMWA President Cecil Roberts, is strangling the Warrior Met strike in the same way. Warrior Met Coals workers are expected to work at least six days a week, 12 and 14 hours a day, and to volunteer periodically for a seventh day. This is part of the contract that Cecil Roberts and his flunkies forced upon Warrior Met Coals miners in 2016; the tentative agreement the union reached with the company in April did not change that. These hours would be brutal for any worker; for miners in North Americas deepest and gassiest mine, they are potentially deadly. Miners worldwide face unacceptable hazards. These dangers will worsen as the crisis of capitalism escalates. The UMWAs treachery underscores the futility of appealing to the trade unions for help. Miners throughout the United States must reject the betrayals of the UMWA and form their own rank-and-file committees. They must expand the strike at Warrior Met Coal across the globe and advance demands for safer working conditions and better medical coverage. Closure of the McVities biscuit factory in Glasgow threatens the loss of nearly 500 jobs. McVities owner Pladis Global announced in May that the factory has been earmarked for closure in the latter half of next year, pending a 90-day consultation process. The Tollcross factory, which produces many popular brands of biscuit including Hobnobs and Rich Tea opened in 1925 and has been a major source of employment in an area blighted by joblessness and social deprivation. The McVities biscuit factory in Tollcross, Glasgow (credit: WSWS media) Speaking to The Sunday Post weekly, Kirsteen Paterson, an industrial baker who has worked at the plant for 22 years, said, Closure would be terrible for the area, the city and for hundreds of families. People would lose out on so much, not just a wage. Friendships, working relationships, will all be gone. These are the things which help bind us together and keeps communities together. To lose them tears at the fabric of society If the factory closes, so many options are lost for people. I moved to the area when I was 24 and this was an opportunity for me. This work is so important and what is being planned is tremendously unjust. McVities biscuits was established as a brand in Scotland in the 19th century. It is one of several confectionery brands owned by UK-based Pladis Global, a subsidiary of Turkish corporation Yldz Holding Conglomerate. Yldz acquired the McVities brand in 2014 as part of its purchase of United Biscuits and set up Pladis in 2016 to bring together all its confectionary-based companies (Ulker, Godiva, United Biscuits and DeMets Candy Company) under one umbrella. Pladis, whose parent company has received some 1 million in publicly funded grants, cited excess capacity across its plants in the UK as the reason for closing the Tollcross site. This is belied by Pladis own figures in its 2020 Annual Biscuit Review report, published at the end of March. According to the report, six out of the top 10 biscuit brands in terms of sales were dominated by McVities, all of which saw significant growth in revenue during the year. This had been largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw more people working from home, with a marked increase in the consumption of cakes and biscuits. McVities chocolate digestives topped the list, with UK sales of 104.5 million, up by 20.5 percent compared to 2019. Pladis Globals latest accounts recorded 2.1 billion in revenue in 2019, and a profit of 153.8 million. 2020 was likely even more profitable given the increase in revenue cited in the report. The cost of this bonanza has been borne by McVities workers, who risked their lives by continuing to work in unsafe conditions throughout that pandemic, having been classified as key workers. The Tollcross site itself was hit by a coronavirus outbreak in October last year with around 30 workers testing positive. According to reports, the closure of Tollcross will see additional capacity shifted to the McVities plant in Carlisle. This will no doubt result in speed-ups and the increased exploitation of the remaining workers, with ever-higher growth targets being serviced by a scaled-back workforce. This is part of a global process. The ruling class in every country is using the pandemic as a pretext for a massive assault on workers conditions, fuelling the growth of their already obscene fortunes. Last year, the collective wealth of the worlds billionaires increased by more than 60 percent. This looting of society is epitomised by Yildizs CEO and Turkeys richest man, Murat Ulker, whose wealthaccording to Forbes latest Rich Listjumped from $4.3 billion in 2020 to $6.3 billion in 2021. The loss of the McVities factory would continue decades of industrial devastation. Tollcross once hosted thousands of jobs, with the Tollcross Steel Tube Works forming part of the large steelworks operation at Clyde Iron Works and Clydebridge Steelworks. In its heyday, the operation employed over 2,000 workers. Decades of de-industrialisation overseen by successive Labour, Conservative and devolved Scottish National Party (SNP) governments have decimated the living standards of Glasgows working class ever since. According to figures for 2019 published by the Office for National Statistics, 24.1 percent of all households in Glasgow are classed as workless, over 10 percent higher than the UK average. The economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will have made this situation even worse. The SNP and the trade unions are seeking to channel opposition to the McVities factorys closure into bankrupt appeals to the Conservative government in Westminster. Speaking in the British parliament on May 19, SNP MP for East Glasgow David Linden called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to prevent economic Armageddon on a very fragile part of the local economy. Following Johnsons empty platitudes about the plight of the Tollcross workers, Linden stated, when we said that wed leave no stone unturned to try and save this factory, we genuinely meant it and that includes working cross-party to save Tollcross. Engaging the Prime Minister as we try to get Pladis to think again is going to be really crucial in terms of escalating this to executives in Turkey. The trade union bureaucracy in Scotland has enthusiastically supported this corporatist exercise. Two days after Linden spoke in parliament, GMB Scotlandone of the two trade unions, alongside Unite Scotland, representing workers at the factoryorganised a small protest at Tollcross park near the factory site. In his opening address to the crowd, GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith made clear the unions have no intention of mobilising their members in a fight to defend jobs but will function as an industrial police force, keeping workers in line to ensure cross-party support. The line-up of speakers included Linden, Pauline McNeill, a Labour member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow and Thomas Kerr, a local Conservative councillor. The culmination of these efforts is the establishing of the Pladis Action Group, whose first meeting was co-chaired on May 27 by the Scottish Governments Finance Minister Kate Forbes and Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken, both from the SNP. Following the meeting, Forbes stated, We had a really positive discussion with the trade unions, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and Clyde Gateway, and everyone is absolutely focused on the task ahead. At the demonstration, McVities worker Sharon Henratty told the press, They've got an absolute cheek to say they've to shut it. We were essential workers and now we're un-essential. Local resident Ben McKee said the closure would have a massive impact. It's not just the jobs in the factory, it's the jobs out with the factory as well. You've got all your shops and cafes on Tollcross Road. It's a knock-on effect that I don't think people realise. A petition opposing the closure has already attracted nearly 52,000 signatures. Workers at Tollcross can place no confidence in the corporatist machinations of the trade unions. Any counter-proposal acceptable to Pladis management will inevitably include job losses and attacks on the wages and conditions of the remaining staff. To take the fight forward, workers at the site must form their own rank-and-file committee, independent of the pro-company trade unions who will only work to isolate their struggle. Appeals for support should be made to the 4,200 workers in McVities factories across Britain, as well as to workers in the local community. Above all, workers at Tolcross must seek to mobilise the 16,000 workers employed by Pladis across its 25 factories in 11 different countries. Against the global operation run by Pladis, workers must establish their own international organisation drawing on the strength of their class brothers and sisters across the world. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The Department of the Air Force has selected the site for a new F-35 Lighting II training center for Foreign Military Sales, as well as the new location for the 425th Fighter Squadron. In a release, the Department of the Air Force announced Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Arkansas, as the preferred location. Terre Haute Regional Airport Hulman Field was closely reviewed and in the final running for the new development. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Terre Haute Regional Airport looks to bring F-35 Military Training Center to Terre Haute "As the Airport Director I am disappointed with the decision but more so for the community as a whole. The airport staff is going to continue to keep building on a great foundation and keep striving to bring new business to the Terre Haute Regional Airport," said Airport Director, Jeff Hauser, in a statement to WTHI-TV. In a pitch by local and state leaders last year, Indiana National Guard Adjutant General Dale Lyles highlighted the potential $500 million economic impact the training center would have brought to the Midwest Region. "We thought we had it, but the choice is made. We're big boys and girls here. We're going to move forward, but we're going to prove to them how great Terre Haute is," said Rick Burger, one of the Airport Board Members. According to the Department's release, several U.S. ally and partner nations showed interest in conducting F-35 training at a U.S.-based F-35 training facility. Foreign Military Sales is a security assistance program authorized by the Arms Export Control Act. The act allows the U.S. to sell defense equipment, conduct training, and provide services to a foreign country when the president deems that doing so will strengthen U.S. national security and promote world peace. The F-35 program is a multi-service, multi-national effort that dramatically increases interoperability between the U.S. and other F-35 partner nations, said Acting Secretary of the Air Force John P. Roth. We are fully committed to the F-35 as the cornerstone of the U.S. Air Forces fighter fleet and look forward to building stronger relationships with nations who want to work by our side. The Department of the Air Force will conduct an environmental impact analysis to confirm the Ebbing site can support the new F-35 and F-16 missions. If it cannot, Selfridge ANGB, Michigan, has been named an alternate location. The Department of the Air Force anticipates making the final basing decision in spring 2023. VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - There is a new arrest in a shooting case from last year. Ryan Dixon faces charges of criminal confinement and criminal mischief in Vigo County. Ryan Dixon (Provided booking photo) Ryan Dixon (Provided booking photo) The charges date back to a shooting in early August of 2020. It happened at a property in West Terre Haute near US Highway 150 and Pennington Road. The following information is attributed to documents filed in Vigo County courts. There was a confrontation between the property owners and a group of off-road vehicles. According to the court documents, Jeremy Robinson thought a group of off-road vehicles was on the property where he and his father, David Robinson, lived. Court documents later said the riders were not on the property. There was reportedly a confrontation. Most of the riders left the confrontation scene, but one was trapped because his Jeep was blocked by other vehicles. At that point, Dixon became involved, joining Jeremy and David. As the person in the Jeep tried to leave, Dixon claimed the Jeep brushed up against his vehicle. Dixon allegedly started to chase the man in the Jeep into a wooded area until they came to a dead-end at Coal Creek. Dixon reportedly blocked the driver of Jeep in and slashed its tires with a knife. After that, either Jeremy Robinson or Dixon allegedly smashed out the Jeep's windows and punched the man in the face. Court documents say the man in the Jeep fired a handgun, hitting Jeremy in the arm. A short time later, the father, David Robinson, reportedly pointed a gun at the man in the Jeep at close range. That man shot David, claiming self-defense, killing him. The report says he called 911 and waited for the police. Investigators believed the man in the Jeep had, in fact, acted in self-defense, not charging him for the killing. Dixon doesn't face charges in the shootings themselves but was charged with criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon and/or resulting in serious bodily injury along with criminal mischief. News 10 chose not to name the person that court documents say killed Robinson in self-defense since he was not charged. TERRE HAUTE, IND. (WTHI) -- More efforts are underway to help the homeless. On Thursday, the Terre Haute City Council fully approved a new rezoning effort by Reach Services. The plan is to turn a vacant property into a day center for the homeless and low-income populations. This is just one way Reach Services says it's taking initiative to help the homeless population in Terre Haute. The organization says it's important to prioritize those in the community that are underserved. "We want a place where people can come and be trained and provide opportunities for change in their lives and new beginnings," Susie Thompson, the executive director of Reach Services, said. After a unanimous vote at the city council meeting Thursday, its most recent plan to help the community is coming to life! "I want to see change in peoples' lives," she said. "I want people that are kind of beaten down and feel like they don't have a chance to have a chance." The organization plans to create the "Pathways Day Center." It's a center committed to helping people make a positive change in their lives. The center will be open 9-5 Monday through Thursday and 9-12 on Fridays. The day center will include mental health services, medical services, and job training. "It does give people a shot who might not have a shot before," Martha Crossen, one of the Terre Haute City Council members, said. "I am all for it. We want to make our community a stronger place. This is just one piece of making that happen." The project will be officially underway soon. The goal is to have the center ready before cold weather comes back this winter. Another important rezoning project was also approved by the council tonight. It's nearly a two-acre lot located on north 4th street in Terre Haute. Several years ago, it was once supposed to be student housing. Now it will be the location of a new affordable housing complex. The company New Directions Housing Corporation intends to build 40 2 bedroom/2 bathroom units. It'll include a clubhouse, a leasing office, and a laundry facility. The council announced there will be no meeting next week. The next meeting will be held Thursday, July 1. For more information on this week's meeting, click here. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has announced the next judge of the Terre Haute City Court. Governor Holcomb named Kenneth McVey to take the role. He's been an attorney with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos, and Newlin since 2008. He previously worked in the Vigo County Prosecutor's Office. McVey told News 10 he is looking forward to taking over the job. "I'm really looking forward to interacting with the people coming in there. Trying to let them know that there are people within the court system that are trying to help them," McVey said. He told us the swearing-in date hadn't been set yet. He said his next step is meeting with the staff at the city court. He hopes to be up and running by the next week or two. VINCENNES, Ind. (WTHI) - A Vincennes man will face charges after police say he tried to escape police by busting out of the hospital. It happened early Friday morning. Indiana State police said they pulled 25-year-old Matthew Patton over for a bad headlight. During the traffic stop, he allegedly failed field sobriety tests. Police said they searched his truck and found a pill they later identified as amphetamine. Officers took him to Good Samaritan Hospital for a blood test. They said they removed his cuffs for the test, and he ran for the emergency department. A trooper reportedly caught up with Patton and placed him on the ground, where he allegedly continued to resist police. After taking him back into custody, he was transported to the Knox County Jail. See a full list of his charges below: HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) Police in Alabama say an internal review has found that an officer violated policy by repeatedly stomping on the leg of a man during an arrest attempt. The Huntsville Police Department says it reviewed multiple video recordings before deciding that the officer will now face disciplinary review by the police chief. Video broadcast through Facebook Live Sunday night showed an officer repeatedly stomping on the leg of a man who was struggling with another officer during an arrest. The man's mother described him as mentally ill. He now faces charges of resisting arrest. Police have not publicly identified the officer facing disciplinary review. Related - Video of Huntsville police officer stomping on man's leg sparks call for transparency COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - Columbus police officers arrested two West Point men following an investigation of several purse snatching incidents. Chief Fred Shelton said officers arrested and charged Laquincy Washington, 20, and James J. Smith, 22. Washington is charged with two counts of robbery and defrauding an innkeeper. Smith is charged with two counts of robbery, defrauding an innkeeper and false, fraudulent use of an ID. Chief Shelton said officers arrested the two without incident. No bond is set at this time. These arrests come from an investigation into several purse snatching incidents in Columbus last month. Charleston, WV (25301) Today Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 88F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Charleston, WV (25301) Today Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Morgantown, WV (26505) Today Isolated thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Charleston, WV (25311) Today Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 86F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Clarksburg, WV (26301) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. WASHINGTON Immigration, one of the defining issues of the Donald Trump era, posed an immediate challenge to President Joe Biden on taking office. His administration struggled to address a sizeable upswing in the number of migrants arriving at the US-Mexico border. And processing delays have led to what some lawmakers, but notably not the White House, have called a growing "humanitarian crisis," heightening political tensions in Washington. Yet the situation at the southern border hasn't brought about action on Capitol Hill, reflecting the decades-long gridlock on immigration among lawmakers who often have sharply divergent views on the nature of U.S. immigration. "I think that the parties have been polarizing on immigration over the last 25 years," said Ramesh Ponnuru, a visiting fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute and senior editor at National Review. "One important factor is just that the issue has become more important to partisan identities in a way that it wasnt in the past," Ponnuru added. "When Bill Clinton was president and he had a commission that suggested a one-third reduction in legal immigration, it was not considered a bizarre thing for a Democrat to suggest such a thing," he said, referencing a push by Democrats in the mid-1990s to crack down on legal and illegal immigration. "Whereas now it is much more central to a progressive self-understanding that they are welcoming of immigrants and at least skeptical of punitive enforcement," Ponnuru said. Meanwhile, conservatives increasingly adopt a hardline stance on immigration enforcement that has grown in tandem over the same period, according to Ponnuru, a trend that accelerated during the Trump administration. Migrants cross the U.S.-Mexican border into Mission, Texas, on March 23. Many Republicans "believe the lesson to draw from the 1996 reform is that you cannot trust promises of enforcement, so other proposals that might seem attractive, like giving amnesty to people here and helping to prevent future illegal immigrants you dont go for that deal because you think youll get the amnesty part but not the enforcement part," Ponnuru said. Story continues The bitter history of reform efforts during each of the past presidential administrations has then left policymakers fiercely divided and often distrustful of each other on questions of immigration, including the role that immigration and immigrants should play in American life. Potential policy solutions, though, are not in short supply. Scholars and officials from across the political spectrum have a number of ideas for reforming U.S. immigration, with varying degrees of bipartisan support. USA TODAY surveyed a number of immigration experts for their potential reforms to the U.S. immigration system. Here are some of their responses: 'A dream come true': The life of an unaccompanied teen migrant, ten years later Expanding legal immigration pathways Increasing the number of legal avenues migrants are able to use to enter the U.S. is a position some analysts contend is not only a moral necessity but also a wise choice to reduce and streamline overall immigration. Advocates point to the fact that the U.S. immigration system is often highly complex and punitive toward people only interested in coming for temporary periods or to complete certain jobs. The vast majority of people seeking entry into the country illegally are doing so for economic reasons; helping them find legal work disincentivizes them from staying illegally, analysts contend. Its not only an administrative problem, its a problem with the fact that there is no legal way for these people to come," said Alex Nowrasteh, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Migrants are seen in custody at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing area under the Anzalduas International Bridge, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Mission, Texas. An increasing number of migrants on the Southwest border has the Biden administration on the defensive. The head of Homeland Security acknowledged the severity of the problem Tuesday but insisted it's under control and said he won't revive a Trump-era practice of immediately expelling teens and children. An official says U.S. authorities encountered nearly double the number children traveling alone across the Mexican border in one day this week than on an average day last month. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Rep Henry Cuellar: One of Biden's harshest critics on the migrant surge, urges White House to listen to border towns Some visas, like those offered through the H-2A and H2-B programs, extend temporary legal status to migrants seeking economic opportunities in low-skilled work agricultural work for the former category and labor like landscaping, tourism and forest conservation in the latter. "These visas have an over 98% return rate because the workers know that if they return to Mexico legally they can come back in future years, and its just so much better to come legally. So even if a worker misses the system theyre more likely to wait," Nowrasteh said. "The problem is both of these are seasonal, so if youre doing a year-round job in construction or retail then youre not allowed to migrate here," he said. Such programs are also dominated by Mexican workers, Nowrasteh noted, who are more likely to return to their home country after completing their contracts. Mexico relations: High-level chess: How Biden is navigating his relationship with Mexicos President AMLO Over the past four years, temporary worker programs have increased, while opportunities for permanent residency have declined, a shift that was accelerated by the Trump administration during the coronavirus pandemic. The shift has allowed for greater economic opportunities for migrants while also increasing instances of corporate exploitation of migrant labor, according to the progressive Economic Policy Institute. Ariel Ruiz Soto, a policy analyst for the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute, said a key component in addressing the stop and go migration flow is creating a legal pathway visa system for migrants. The reason we recommend the legal pathway visa system is because it was a key component that actually reduced irregular migration from Mexico in the 2000s, Ruiz Soto said. As more people had the opportunities to come to the United States legally, the number of people who came in illegally reduced. The Biden administration's plan to expand legal immigration would see a greatly increased number of temporary worker programs alongside a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented people in the U.S. Addressing causes of migration to stem flow While increased legal immigration pathways into the United States may play a role in addressing the influx of migrants at the border, it would be only part of the solution. Immigration experts also cite the importance of recognizing the issues causing people to come to the U.S. in addressing the country's immigration policy. "I guess the overarching goal is that we should begin to think about whats happened to the border by looking at whats happening in the region first, and that includes looking at the conditions that are pushing folks to move from Guatemala, Honduras," Ruiz Soto told USA TODAY. "Looking specifically at what happened in those regions will be really important to understand what can be changed in the short term and in the long term," he added. Vice President Kamala Harris has been tasked with leading the White House effort to stem immigration amid the increase of unaccompanied migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border, by establishing a partnership with Mexico and parts of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Those numbers have grown this year. In March alone, 18,890 unaccompanied children from Central America arrived at the border, double the number of children in February. Overall, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered more than 172,000 people trying to enter the U.S. along the southwest border in March up from 71% from the previous month. LA JOYA, TEXAS - APRIL 14: An immigrant child looks back towards Mexico after crossing the border into the United States with her family on April 14, 2021 in La Joya, Texas. Many Central American families who make the arduous journey describe their voyage as harrowing though the length of Mexico. Most pay large sums to smugglers, who often treat them, essentially, as cattle. Others fare even worse. They come nonetheless. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) "While we are clear that people should not come to the border now, we also understand that we will enforce the law, and that we also, because we can chew gum and walk at the same time, must address the root causes that cause people to make the trek," Harris said during a March meeting with Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. While the Biden administration seems to be echoing Ruiz Soto, he also shared that both expanding legal immigration pathways and addressing the root causes of migration are long-term solutions to a situation happening now. "There needs to be a two-prong approach to increase the capacity and screening at the U.S.-Mexico border for people who are coming in, seeking asylum, as well as an understanding of what is happening and working with the authorities in Mexico in a way that's more comprehensive to understand where migrants can come and how many are coming to Mexico as well." Bush weighs in: George W. Bush lobbies for bipartisan immigration reform in rare political statement Enforcing immigration laws to increase deterrence Conservative analysts are much more skeptical of arguments that increased avenues for immigration are the best approach to reducing illegal immigration in the long term. "The U.S. is still a leader in the world in terms of offering one of the most generous immigration systems," said Lora Ries, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, who also served as acting deputy chief of staff in the Department of Homeland Security during the Trump administration. "We need to focus on the legal immigration system to make it better and easier for people to apply and make it more difficult to come here illegally," Ries said. The country's immigration system should be reformed, Ries argued, but only as part of an effort to reduce the number of exceptions for admission of undocumented immigrants. Such reforms would include cracking down on cases of fraud in immigration courts, reducing avenues for migrants to enter the U.S. and increasing deportations of ineligible migrants, efforts which the Trump administration prioritized, sparking intense backlash among Democrats. "We have a fundamental difference on enforcing the laws. A fundamental disagreement and unwillingness from this administration," Ries said of her disagreements with the Biden administration's approach to immigration. "They have built a lot of this on the backs of children, unaccompanied alien children. It is why we are now seeing our third spike in unaccompanied children coming here, because the government keeps providing all these incentives for them to comeall sorts of benefits because theyre kids and then years later we say, 'oh well we need to give them amnesty because they were kids when they came here.' Well yeah because you invited them. Its perverse," she argued. "If Congress knows these are the results, why wont they change it, why wont Secretary Mayorkas make it clear that unaccompanied children will be turned back. They are courting the inevitable. As long as you have such high levels of illegal immigration, why should you be trying to increase all the avenues?" she contended. There were few potential laws circulating on Capitol Hill that Ries believes are worthwhile endeavors. "Id say, enforcement-wise, there are enough laws on the books. There needs to be the political will to enforce them and give law enforcement the tools to enforce them. If you are shutting down ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) facilities then you are not allowing immigration enforcement to happen," she continued. Is cooperation possible? The polarization surrounding the issue of immigration is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon, especially as Republicans continue to use the issue as a political cudgel against Biden. Some advocates remain optimistic, however, that a consensus is possible as long as the conversation continues at all. "We wholeheartedly acknowledge that immigration is good, it's been good and will continue to be good for our country. Weve long been seen as a country that is a beacon of hope, of freedom, of a better life," argued Kevin Hernandez, policy director at the LIBRE Initiative, a group that advocates for free-market principles in U.S. Hispanic communities. "We also acknowledge that our immigration system is outdated and hasnt been modernized in three decades, and a lot has changed since our immigration system was last updated," Hernandez continued. The kinds of major immigration reforms needed to meaningfully better the system haven't been seen since the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, Hernandez argued. More: Migrant encounters up 71% in March as Biden administration grapples with border That does not mean, though, that there aren't policies out there to be put in place, Hernandez said. All immigration proposals should prioritize a "smoother, more humane, security-minded" approach to immigration, Fernandez said. The LIBRE Initiative also endorses "providing more immigration judges to ensure that the backlogs are able to dealt with in a more efficient and humane manner," a proposal that has widespread support among Democrats and tepid interest from some in the GOP. In addition to Biden's proposed immigration package, which has stalled as the administration shifts its attention to other priorities like infrastructure, Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., both have proposed reforms to the immigration system that may garner some interest across the aisle, Hernandez argued. Johnson's bill, originally introduced in 2017, would allow states a greater say in guest-worker programs by allowing them to issue non-immigrant visas at their own discretion. The policy would then let states diverge on the number of workers they'd like admitted to work in their states. Paul's proposal, which was recently jointly reintroduced with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., would reform the visa system to allow for 90 day visits by the relatives of American citizens abroad. "Something that might seem a bit more of a trickier issue is the issue along the border right now," Hernandez conceded. "Sen. (John) Cornyn and Sen. (Kyrsten) Sinema have issued a bipartisan border enforcement bill. Its not a messaging bill, it doesnt have poison pills but it does address the issue of lack of infrastructure and resources at the border for enforcement," he said. The most important factor in determining whether or not any future immigration reform is possible, Hernandez argued, is maintaining dialogue on these issues. "I think it's great that we have more people introducing more solutions the worst plan is that we have only one plan out there from Democrats and one plan out there from Republicans and people are saying take your choice," he said. "If we dont have those conversations and debates on solutions, its going to be the same old comprehensive immigration debate that we see every few years. So, Im hopeful that we can get to a much better place." Follow Matthew Brown online @mrbrownsir. Follow Sarah Elbeshbishi online @sarahbishi. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Biden can reform the US immigration system for the southern border TENAFLY, N.J. A teacher and the principal of a New Jersey elementary school have been placed on paid leave pending a district investigation into a controversial assignment that led to an 11-year-old student writing an essay from the perspective of Adolf Hitler. In a letter sent Thursday to parents at Maugham Elementary School, Tenafly Public Schools Superintendent Shauna DeMarco said the assignment violated the district's curriculum and "an attempt to individualize the project resulted in the student receiving misguided instruction from the teacher." DeMarco added the school erred in hanging the essay publicly in the school, which brought notice to the assignment. A parent posted a photo of the essay online, eliciting outrage toward the school, but also the child who wrote the essay and their family. The parent of a Maugham Elementary School student in Tenafly said this biography assignment of Adolf Hitler, authored by a fifth-grader, was posted in the school's hallway for at least two weeks in April. The district is investigating. This has had a devastating impact on the student involved and their family, who have been thrown into turmoil through no fault of their own," DeMarco wrote, adding, It has also been incredibly painful for our Jewish community members in the face of increasing instances of anti-Semitism around the country. DeMarco acknowledged the district failed in its initial response to the blowback. Administrators are still investigating the incident and the teacher and principal will remain on administrative leave until the Tenafly Board of Education is able to implement a course of action based on the district's findings. The district also aims to meet with local Jewish leaders to develop a Holocaust education program for Tenafly schools, according to a source with knowledge of the plan. Earlier: Angry voicemails sent to Tenafly schools over Hitler report investigated by police The project at the heart of the controversy asked a fifth grade class to write biographies from the perspective of historical figures who "personify good or evil," according to a statement issued by the district's school board earlier this week. Story continues Students were asked to discuss how their subject may have rationalized their actions, the board said. The short essay on Hitler was displayed in the school among others from the project for weeks, but after an image of the essay was shared online, parents and other community members expressed outrage. However, some groups, such as the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, have called for tempers to calm, saying the child and their family had no antisemitic intentions, and noted they have suffered from an outpouring of "misdirected" vitriol, which spread on social media. "My greatest accomplishment was uniting a great mass of German and Austrian people behind me," the essay states in its opening, as seen in a widely disseminated photograph. After noting that Hitler rose to the title of Germany's fuhrer in 1934, the student wrote one of the essay's more controversial passages, saying, "I was pretty great, wasn't I?" "My belif [sic] in antisemitism drove me to kill more than 6 million Jews," the paper concludes. Follow Nicholas Katzban on Twitter This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New Jersey student's Hitler essay: Teacher, principal on paid leave As I was transported to Iowas Polk County jail, my hands zip-tied behind my back and eyes burning with pepper spray, I thought about my mothers experience being strip searched and thrown in an Israeli detention cell. Her crime? Traveling to Palestine for her brothers wedding in July 2009. My mother was born and raised in Palestine. Her homeland has been occupied by Israel for more than half a century. My crime? Reporting on the protests that erupted in Des Moines in May 2020, after George Floyd was murdered under the knee of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. I was charged with failure to disperse and interference with official acts, and later taken to trial. (I was acquitted by a jury in March.) I almost let out a laugh in the back of the Des Moines police van. Like mother, like daughter, I thought to myself. Des Moines Register reporter Andrea Sahouri is arrested by Des Moines police May 31 while covering a protest near Merle Hay Mall. But first, race and justice news we're watching Don't miss this week's top stories from the USA TODAY Network. Witnessing my mothers trauma Des Moines Register journalist Andrea Sahouri photographed in Bethlehem with her brother, Alex Sahouri, and mother, Muna Tareh-Sahouri, during a childhood visit to Palestine. In July 2009, my mother, brother, and I were interrogated by Israeli authorities upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Having spent my childhood summers in Palestine, I was used to the interrogations they happened every time. Story continues We were sent to a room we sarcastically call the VIP room. There, Palestinians like my family are grilled for hours about our expected travel and activity in the country, our family members, political affiliations, and even our social media. In previous years, we were then allowed to enter Israel and make our way to Beit Jala, a village in Palestines West Bank where my family lives. This time was different. My brother and I were told we could go through Ben Gurion because we were born in the United States. As for my mother, she was told her luck ran out, despite being a U.S. citizen who has traveled to Palestine via Ben Gurion numerous times before. Dont you know youre Palestinian? an Israeli soldier said to my mother before she was strip searched. Take off your clothes. I could tell my mother tried hard not to cry in front of her children. But as she was ushered to another room, I saw black streaks of mascara run down her face. Then the door shut. While my brother and I reunited with my grandfather outside of the airport, my mother was taken to a building surrounded by a tall wall topped with barbed wire, she later told me. Armed guards were posted outside. She suspected it was Israeli prison, but she was never told where she was, only where she had to go: First a detention cell, then back to the United States. The cell was dark, cold, and filthy, she said. Without knowing if her children were safe, she could not sleep. After begging Israeli soldiers not to deport her back to the U.S., they agreed to send her to neighboring Jordan if she had cash to pay for the flight. She did. There, Israeli authorities allowed her enter Palestine-Israel with a warning never to go through Ben Gurion again. Des Moines Register journalist Andrea Sahouri and her brother, Alex Sahouri, photographed in Jerusalem during a childhood visit to Palestine. Like mother, like daughter At the Polk County Jail, I had to strip down and shower in front of female correctional officers to wash away the pepper spray that had spread all over my body like poison ivy. It was May 31, 2020, nearly 11 years since my mother was detained in Israel. But when an officer told me to undress, I heard the soldiers voice directing my mother to do the same. Everything was cold in jail: the water from the shower, the handcuffs around my wrists, the cell I was detained in. But hearing that voice again it gave me chills. After my shower, I was dressed in correctional clothing and sent to a cell littered with food, trash, and dirt. There was no bed, so I tried to map out sections of the floor remotely clean enough to sleep on. There were none. (Thankfully, I was released after a little over an hour in jail). I wondered how this cell compared with the one my mother was detained in years ago, but I had a feeling where she was held was worse. If she could make it through Israeli detention overnight, I could survive a night in Polk County Jail, I told myself. My mother has always been my guiding light. My strength. I gathered the courage to look at my reflection through the cell doors glass windows, but looking back at me was my mother, black mascara running down her cheeks. Des Moines Register journalist Andrea Sahouri photographed with her mother, Muna Tareh-Sahouri, at her graduation from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in May 2019. More essential reading -- This is America is a weekly take on current events from a rotating panel of USA TODAY Network journalists with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. If you're seeing this newsletter online or someone forwarded it to you, you can subscribe here. If you have feedback for us, we'd love for you to drop it here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A reporter's arrest in Iowa connects to her mom's experience in Israel By Jan Wolfe and Michelle Conlin WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of landlords on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to issue an order that would effectively end the federal government's national ban on residential evictions during the coronavirus pandemic. In an emergency petition, the landlord groups said a May 5 lower court decision nullifying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) eviction moratorium should go into effect immediately. Led by the Alabama Association of Realtors, the landlord groups argued that the CDC exceeded its authority when it halted evictions to help renters during the pandemic. Despite ruling in favor of the landlords last month, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington agreed to "stay," or halt, her ruling from taking immediate effect to allow the Biden administration to appeal. "The stay order cannot stand," the landlord group argued in its petition. "Every day the stay remains in place, applicants' property continues to (be) unlawfully occupied and their rental income continues to be unlawfully cut off," the landlords added. "Nine months of overreach is enough. This Court should vacate the stay." The CDC's eviction ban, enacted in September while former President Donald Trump was in office, is set to expire on June 30. In a blow to the landlords, an intermediate appeals court on Wednesday said it would not lift the stay order put in place by Friedrich. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said in that decision that the CDC eviction ban was likely lawful, but it has not yet issued a ruling on the merits of the case. In the landlords' appeal to the Supreme Court, the group said: Landlords have been losing over $13 billion every month under the moratorium, and the total effect of the CDCs overreach may reach up to $200 billion if it remains in effect for a year." Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said the landlords' appeal to the nation's highest court was "astonishing" because $50 billion in funding was available nationally to pay the rent arrears owed to them. "If they spent even a quarter of that effort instead convincing landlords to apply for and accept the money," said Yentel, "maybe they wouldnt feel such a pressing need to evict low-income tenants who fell behind on rent during the global pandemic." (Reporting by Jan Wolfe in Washington and Michelle Conlin in New York; Editing by Richard Chang and Cynthia Osterman) Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Donald Trump Facebook announced Friday that it will revisit Donald Trump's ban from the platform in 2023 and only reinstate him once the risk his conduct poses to the public "has receded." The former president was indefinitely removed from Facebook and Instagram in January, in the immediate wake of the U.S. Capitol attack by a mob of his supporters. (A number of major social media companies similarly booted him.) "The shocking events of the last 24 hours clearly demonstrate that President Donald Trump intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden," Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said at the time. Trump, 74, appealed his punishment to Facebook's Oversight Board, an appeals group funded by the company which found in May that his ban was appropriate but that the guidelines for it were too vague. The board, which Facebook funds as a monitor on its decisions, is made up of 20 members mostly academics but also nonprofit leaders, journalists and the former prime minister of Denmark. Their ruling prompted Facebook's latest announcement, on Friday. "We are today announcing new enforcement protocols to be applied in exceptional cases such as this, and we are confirming the time-bound penalty consistent with those protocols which we are applying to Mr. Trump's accounts," a company spokesman said in a blog post. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Rioters at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6 "Given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Mr. Trump's suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols," the spokesman continued. "We are suspending his accounts for two years, effective from the date of the initial suspension on January 7 this year." Story continues The company spokesman wrote that the length of the two-year ban was arrived at "to allow a safe period of time after the acts of incitement, to be significant enough to be a deterrent to Mr. Trump and others from committing such severe violations in future, and to be proportionate to the gravity of the violation itself." "At the end of this period, we will look to experts to assess whether the risk to public safety has receded. We will evaluate external factors, including instances of violence, restrictions on peaceful assembly and other markers of civil unrest," the spokesman wrote. "If we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded." The spokesman wrote that, if Trump returns to Facebook, "there will be a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions that will be triggered if Mr. Trump commits further violations in future, up to and including permanent removal of his pages and accounts." Win McNamee/Getty From left: Donald and Melania Trump returning to the White House in May 2020 RELATED VIDEO: What Melania Trump's Biographers Learned 'More in It for Her to Stay Than to Go' "We know that any penalty we apply or choose not to apply will be controversial," the spokesman acknowledged. But, he wrote, "our job is to make a decision in as proportionate, fair and transparent a way as possible, in keeping with the instruction given to us by the Oversight Board." In a statement, Trump called Facebook's decision an "insult" to the people who voted for him and complained that "they shouldn't be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing, and ultimately, we will win." On Friday, Facebook also announced what it said were other policy changes in response to the Oversight Board, including being more transparent about whom it exempts from content guidelines for being newsworthy. The company again said it wanted lawmakers to agree on regulations so they wouldn't "be making so many decisions about content by ourselves." Before the Capitol riots, some social media companies said Trump's infamously divisive style was too newsworthy, as a politician, to be subject to strict moderation. The board, in its May decision, also suggested Facebook, as a platform, may have had some role in the disinformation that fueled the Trump mob. The company should "undertake a comprehensive review of Facebook's potential contribution to the narrative of electoral fraud and the exacerbated tensions that culminated in the violence [at the Capitol]," the board said. Gareth Bale has described Carlo Ancelotti as a great manager and will hold talks with the new Real Madrid boss about his future after Euro 2020. Bale, whose future has been the subject of intense speculation, spent last season on loan at Tottenham and has one year left on his Real contract. Ancelottis decision this week to leave Everton and return toMadrid is considered as increasing the chances of the Wales forward staying in Spain and seeing out the final year of his contract. Carlo Ancelotti left Everton this week to return to Real Madrid and a possible reunion with Gareth Bale (Jan Kruger/PA) The Italian said on his Real return that he had a lot of love for Bale, who fell out of favour with previous manager Zinedine Zidane, and that he can have a future at the Bernabeu. I know Carlo Ancelotti is a great manager, Bale said ahead of Wales final Euro 2020 warm-up game against Albania in Cardiff on Saturday. I get on with him really well, we had some great times in the past. Expanding on those comments in a Sky Sports interview, Bale added: Hes returned to Real Madrid and hes a great guy. Carlo Ancelotti (left) and Gareth Bale have had great success together previously at Real Madrid (Nick Potts/PA) We had a great time together at Real Madrid and Im sure hes going to be amazing in charge there. I spoke to him when we played Everton at the start of the season, we hugged and had a little chat which was nice. But Im still in the same boat and havent thought about it too much. Im concentrated on our preparation now and whats going to happen in the Euros. Ill sort the rest of it after. Bale, 31, said after the final game of his Tottenham loan spell that he knows where his future lies after this summer, but claimed it would cause chaos if he reveals it now. Ancelotti was in charge when Bale joined Real from Spurs in September 2013 and the pair won the Champions League together later that season. Bale said: I know Carlos returned and I get on with him really well, and Im not denying that, but Im just concentrating on now. Im sure Ill have a conversation with him at some point and Ill go from there when that happens. As soon as the Euros finishes then Ill go from there. Story continues Gareth Bale won the Champions League at Real Madrid with Carlo Ancelotti (Nick Potts/PA) Wales final pre-Euro 2020 outing against Albania takes place before home supporters for the first time since November 2019. The easing of Covid-19 restrictions means 6,500 fans will be able to provide a decent Euros send-off to Robert Pages side at the Cardiff City Stadium. Wales start their Euro 2020 campaign against Switzerland in Baku on June 12. It will be amazing to get the Welsh fans back, Bale said. Wales will play before a home crowd on Saturday for the first time since qualifying for Euro 2020 in November 2019 (Nick Potts/PA) We had a bit of a taste of it in the last few Premier League games, and it will be nice to have a little send-off before the Euros. Theres only 6,000 but Im sure theyll be making it sound like a full stadium. You miss the buzz and its hard to really get the adrenaline going when there are no fans. Thats the main thing. Even in the last game (for Spurs) when the Leicester fans were giving me a bit of gyp, I went over (after scoring) and had a bit of banter with them. They werent too happy about it, but I think that kind of reaction with the fans makes football. Liverpool full-back Neco Williams will miss Wales final Euro 2020 warm-up game through suspension (David Davies/PA) Liverpool full-back Neco Williams misses the Albania friendly after being controversially sent off against France in midweek. Williams was dismissed for handball after just 25 minutes of the 3-0 friendly defeat in France following a VAR check. But interim boss Page, who had wanted Williams to build up match fitness against Albania ahead of Euro 2020, said Wales were unable to lodge an appeal to FIFA. There are no grounds for an appeal, said Page, who confirmed VAR would not be in operation for the Cardiff friendly. Weve had to change our plan. It is disappointing, but weve got to find a solution. Jun. 3The man accused in a shooting Saturday at the GreenTree Inn on Cerrillos Road is facing an open count of murder following the death early Thursday morning of 59-year-old Marty Little. Little, who sustained a gunshot wound to the head, was pronounced dead around 5 a.m. Thursday, Santa Fe police Capt. Aaron Ortiz said in a news release. Little, a motel guest at the time of the shooting, had been living in the city since at least April, according to Santa Fe police. He leaves behind an adult son, police said, and may have other family members. Court documents say Anthony Ortiz, 27, who was arrested on unrelated charges Tuesday in Espanola, initially confessed to the shooting in an interview with New Mexico State Police officers. He was taken into custody following a high-speed chase in a stolen Jeep, according to an affidavit, and was found with a handgun and small amounts of narcotics. Ortiz also is accused of stealing a vehicle from motel guests at the GreenTree Inn after shooting Little. That vehicle was recovered in Albuquerque. Ortiz was being held in the Rio Arriba County jail but was expected to be extradited to Santa Fe. Along with murder, he is charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, motor vehicle theft and tampering with evidence. Santa Fe police wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit that Ortiz had confessed to shooting Little in the GreenTree Inn parking lot after the two engaged in a scuffle nearby at Vegas Verdes Drive and Cerrillos Road. Ortiz said Little had followed him to the GreenTree Inn, the affidavit said. Ortiz said he smashed the cellphone Little had used to record him after he fired shots to scare off two people behind Firehouse Subs. When Little threw a knife at him, Ortiz told police, he "got scared" and fired two shots at the man before fleeing in a Buick he stole at gunpoint from a woman and her adult son. Little's death is the third slaying this year at the GreenTree Inn. Story continues In January, officers arrested Alvin Crespin, 45, on suspicion of murder after finding the body of 50-year-old Virgil Tortalita in a bathtub at the motel. In February, 52-year-old Arthur Loretto's body was found in a room at the GreenTree Inn. Police have not named a suspect in his death. Capt. Aaron Ortiz said in an interview Thursday the police department placed a mobile video trailer in the motel's parking lot Tuesday to provide surveillance of the area. The inn, a former Motel 6, has been the site of numerous violent crimes and drug deals over the years. "We have a few of those trailers where we're able to monitor it live in some cases," Capt. Ortiz said. "In all cases we're able to record what is going on. We've placed a trailer there to try and deter any criminal behavior. Hopefully that will help in reducing any kind of threat that is there at the property." The police department asks people with information about the incident to to contact Capt. Ortiz at 505-955-5283 or ajortiz@santafenm.gov. Please disable your ad blocker, and refresh the page to view this content. Committee appointments The Yakima Council plans to discuss the procedures for council appointments to governing boards when it meets June 15. The request for discussion came from Council member Kay Funk. The councils committee appointment procedures were last updated in 2016. The issue first came up in a council discussion last month about appointments to YakCorps, the Yakima Consortium for Regional Public Safety, but it also involves other issues, including health board representation, Funk said. Mayor Patricia Byers said the discussion is a reasonable request, and is applicable to all boards, commissions and committees involved in city business. The entities on which Council members may choose to serve have their own legal obligations to establish their own by-laws and that includes the responsibilities of the Board and Board members, Byers said in an email. If a Council member serves on that Board, they have a further obligation to meet the by-laws of that organization as well. 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. I suppose its natural to blame someone else for our own mistakes and shortcomings, or when 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 fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below. You can see the new edition of the Xpat E-Magazine here: xpatloop.com/newsletters/2021/4-june.html You're in good company here, together with thousands of expats and high-level locals MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) Former Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that he wasnt sure that he and former President Donald Trump would ever see eye to eye over what happened on Jan. 6 but that he would always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years. Pence, speaking at a Republican dinner in the early-voting state of New Hampshire, gave his most extensive comments to date on the events of Jan. 6, when angry Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, some chanting Hang Mike Pence! after the vice president said he did not have the power to overturn Democrat Joe Bidens election victory. As I said that day, Jan. 6 was a dark day in history of the United States Capitol. But thanks to the swift action of the Capitol Police and federal law enforcement, violence was quelled. The Capitol was secured, Pence said. And that same day, we reconvened the Congress and did our duty under the Constitution and the laws of the United States," Pence continued. You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office. And I dont know if well ever see eye to eye on that day." The Age Company was fined AU$450,000 ($345,000) and News Life Media AU$400,000 ($306,000). No foreign news organization has been charged with breaching the suppression order. The U.S. Constitutions First Amendment would prevent such censorship in the United States, so attempting to extradite an American for breaching an Australian suppression order would be futile. Pell was Pope Francis top financial adviser and regarded as the third most senior cleric in the Vatican when he became the most senior Catholic ever convicted of child sex abuse. Pells five convictions have since been overturned and he has returned to the Vatican after spending 13 months in prison. No Australian media company published a straight news report of Pells convictions, but some directed their audiences to international online reports. Melbournes most popular newspaper, Herald Sun, published a white headline CENSORED across a black front page. The world is reading a very important story that is relevant to Victorians, the newspaper said, referring to residents of Victoria state. The newspaper said it was prevented from publishing details of this significant news. Bhopal: Nearly 3,000 junior doctors in Madhya Pradesh have resigned from their posts after state High Court directed them to end their ongoing strike and resume their duties within 24 hours. The agitating medicos remain defiant and have announced that they will challenge the ruling. The HC had termed the four-day-old strike as "illegal". Nearly 3,000 junior doctors working in the six government medical colleges of the state have submitted their resignations to the dean of their respective colleges, Madhya Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (MPJDA) president Dr Arvind Meena was quoted as saying by PTI. The strike, which began on Monday, will continue till their demands are fulfilled, he said. The junior doctors have put forward multiple demands before the state government, including a hike in stipend and free treatment for them and their families if they contract the deadly coronavirus infection. Meena said the state government has already cancelled their enrollment for the third year PG and therefore they won't be able to sit for examinations. He further informed the MPJDA will appeal against the HC judgement in the Supreme Court. Meena claimed members of the Medical Officers Association and the Federation of Resident Doctors Association will also join their agitation. He said junior and senior doctors of Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, Maharashtra and AIIMS Rishikesh, among others, have supported their strike. Meena claimed on May 6, the government authorities promised to fulfil their demands but nothing happened after that, forcing them to stop work. Asked about the governments decision to raise their stipend by 17 per cent and whether they will resume duties after relevant orders are issued, Meena said remained non-committal. The government has promised to raise the stipend by 24 per cent and till they raise it to that limit, the strike will continue," he said. Earlier in the day, the high court at Jabalpur termed the state-wide strike called by the JDA as illegal and directed the protesting junior doctors to return to work by 2.30 PM on Friday. A division bench of Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq Ahmed and Justice Sujoy Paul said in case the striking doctors do not resume duties within the set timeframe, the state government must take stern action against them. The bench condemned the JDA's decision to go on a strike at the time of a pandemic and said such a step cant be encouraged during a health crisis. The HC was hearing a petition against the strike filed by Jabalpur-based advocate Shailendra Singh. Live TV The Covid-19 peak during the last two months have been a tough time for those working at major automobile manufacturing plants in the Southern Indian city of Chennai. Known as the Detroit of India, Chennai and its outskirts are home to several automobile manufacturing and allied industries. Major global players such as Ford, Hyundai, Renault-Nissan have had to shut factories temporarily and cut down production by a significant percentage. During the first Covid-19 wave (2020), the Central government had enforced a pan-India lockdown. Back then, automobile industries were shut down for months together, following which they resumed as curbs were gradually relaxed. This meant that work happened in a staggered fashion and less employees worked at the factories. In the second wave however, as per orders of the Tamil Nadu Government, Automobile industries were permitted to work, by categorizing them under Continuous Process industries. This meant, they were permitted to function even during the total Lockdown when cases were at their peak. Major auto makers shut their plants for a few days, but again resumed production, at a considerably lesser rate. Employees Union representatives of various automakers that Zee Media spoke to outlined the impact of working amid the pandemic. According to Muthukumar, President, Hyundai India Employees Union, nearly 750 persons turned positive in the 2400 strong Hyundai factory near Irungattukottai, leading to 10 deaths. After this explosion of cases, workers had to be sent on leave for a while and then they followed a system of three days work and three days off. The plant which rolls out nearly 1400 cars in a day (3 shifts), now produces about 800 cars in (2 shifts). For American major Ford, which operates a plant in Maraimalai Nagar, work had already been slightly hit owing to the global silicon chip shortage. About 250 Covid-19 cases and three deaths were reported among 3,000 of its employees. This meant that the plant was fully shut a few times, each for over a week, during the ongoing lockdown. According to a leader of the Chennai Ford Employees Union, their plant which produces about 780 cars per day (across 3 shifts) is now rolling out around one-third of that number, while working only a single shift. He adds that some of their component manufacturers too have been working amid the lockdown, to cater to the carmakers needs. At the Renault-Nissan factory, the collaboration between the French and Japanese carmakers, 700 out of nearly 8000 workers were infected. This resulted in five deaths. After the employees approached the Madras High Court, it was decided to operate the plant at 75% capacity. Moorthy, General Secretary, Renault Nissan India Workers Union said that amid the current lockdown, their plant was making about 600 cars per day, as opposed to the usual 860 units. Only a small percentage of staff at these factories have been vaccinated in company-organized camps. The rest are yet to get their shots, owing to the prevailing Covid-19 vaccine shortage in Tamil Nadu and also partly owing to vaccine hesitancy. Factories in Indias Detroit, Chennai, have been churning out cars meant for the local market and for export. This has been going on at a time when Tamil Nadu is witnessing the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the country. Tamil Nadu which witnessed nearly 7000 daily cases during the peak of the first wave, saw upto 36,000 daily cases in the second wave. Chennai city alone witnessed nearly 7,000 daily cases as per the Government figures. Currently, the daily cases are around 25,000, yet they are the highest numbers among all states in India. In stark contrast, large automobile factories of these global automakers not operate during the lockdowns in their respective home countries. They were all shut for months on end. While uncertainty looms over whether Tamil Nadus existing lockdown (until June7th) would be further extended, it is quite clear that the auto plants will continue roll out vehicles. However, the workers say that irrespective of the precautions taken, their nature of work does not help in maintaining six feet physical distance. The workers maintain that at least two persons need to be in close proximity during the assembly of a vehicle. They strongly feel that, in their interest of their and their families lives, factories need to be shut until the Covid-19 second wave subsides significantly. Live TV #mute NITI Aayog has submitted the names of two public sector banks (PSBs) and one public sector general insurer, which can be sold off under the governments new privatisation policy, to the Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment. Sources said that the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) will examine the names suggested by NITI Aayog and finalise the list of possible candidates in the financial sector for privatisation this year. People in the know also said that Bank of Maharashtra and Central Bank are the top two candidates that has been favoured for privatisation, though the Indian Overseas Bank has also found favour for the exercise either this year or possibly later. Further, according to sources, United India Insurance may be chosen candidate for privatisation among the three general insurers, given its relative better solvency ratio. However, financial sector experts also contend that Oriental Insurance, with the least solvency ratio among the three, may be favoured as it does not have overseas operations and inviting a private investor may be easier for it. The government had earlier indicated that banks under prompt corrective action (PCA) framework or weaker banks would be kept out of privatisation as it would be difficult to find buyers for them. This would have left three PSBs Indian Overseas Bank, Central Bank and UCO Bank out of the governments disinvestment plan. But they could be brought out of PCA as there are visible signs of improvement in some of the key parameters such as profitability and asset quality (in net NPA terms as they have stepped up provisioning) in the last 3-4 quarters. This could allow them to be considered for privatisation. Besides, both Bank of Maharastra and Central Bank are west focused banks where public sector bank presence is already stronger, allowing for more private sector entry. Also, it was decided that PSBs part of consolidation exercise should also not be considered for privatisation now. This leaves out five large PSBs Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, United Bank of India and Indian Bank along with other PSBs that merged with them under the consolidation exercise. Also, State Bank of India is not being privatised. This leaves the room open for only six banks UCO, IOB, Central Bank, Bank of Maharastra, Punjab and Sind Bank, and Bank of India for privatisation. The selection was from among this list. The government has infused Rs 5,500 capital in the Punjab and Sind Bank. This would make it wait for at least a couple of years before considering privatisation. Bank of India is a very large bank that also could create problems in finding a buyer at this time. With UCO Bank, the government may like to have some presence of a state-run bank in the eastern part of the country. So, the candidates have to be from the remaining three banks. In this years budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that two state-run banks along with IDBI Bank would be privatised in FY22. She also said that one general insurance company would be sold off in the current fiscal. Going ahead with the privatisation process of IDBI Bank on May 5, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its in-principle approval for strategic disinvestment along with transfer of management control in the PSB. The extent of respective shareholding to be divested by the GoI and LIC, shall be decided at the time of structuring of transaction in consultation with the RBI. The Finance Minister, while delivering the budget speech on February 1, announced a capital infusion of Rs 20,000 crore in state-owned banks for the financial year 2021-2022. Prior to the privatisation process, the government also undertook merger of the state-run banks, amalgamating weaker banks with the stronger and larger ones. A total of 10 public sector banks were merged with effect from April 1, 2020. With the merger coming into effect, India currently has 12 public sector banks, down from 27 in 2017. The government has budgeted Rs 1.75 lakh crore from stake sale in public sector companies and financial institutions. The target, however, may turn out to be ambitious given the global and domestic economic scenario amid the second wave of Covid-19. Live TV #mute THE FAMILY MAN SEASON 2 DIRECTOR: Raj & D.K and Suparn S Verma CAST: Manoj Bajpayee, Samantha Akkineni, Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Sharad Kelkar and Gul Panag among several others Ending a year-long wait of fans, Manoj Bajpayee's much-awaited espionage action thriller 'The Family Man Season 2' dropped at midnight (June 3), a day ahead of its scheduled release. Amazon Prime Video's Original not only lives up to the sky-high expectations of die-hard followers but also sets the pace for Season 3. Manoj Bajpayee is in his comfort spot as Srikant Tiwari, a middle-class man, working for Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell (TASC), a branch of the National Investigation Agency. His presence of mind and swiftness is shown in superlative order. In Season 2, we get to peep inside Srikant's new journey after he gives up his 'adrenaline pumping' highly secretive job of saving the country and moves to an IT company. But remember, he is Srikant Tiwari, can't be crippled in a mundane life for long. Throughout, Srikant's constant companion JK played by Sharib Hashmi, makes sure his zest for the forces doesn't die (even if it's somewhere hidden beneath the feeling of sharing family responsibilities). He somehow begins his hole-and-corner activities, trying to find solace in what he's best at - working on covert mission. But now, the stakes are higher as Sri Lankan Tamil rebels plan to assassinate the prime minister of India and how Srikant is personally involved in the web of lies, drama and action is what makes him a 'family man', after all. Not giving out spoilers, here! Creators Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK have once again proved their mastery over the craft. Brilliant writing, perfect casting and effortless performances take 'The Family Man 2' a notch higher. South superstar Samantha Akkineni makes her digital debut as Raji powerful yet intriguing. She plays the rebel soldier commissioned to carry out the assassination and what a portrayal and how impressive! In some places it's Manoj Bajpayee vs Samantha Akkineni, making it a win-win deal for fans. The complex political drama is intertwined with various emotions, flashbacks and a brief history of what makes Raji a terrorist leader. The audience will be hooked, booked and cooked by this family man's thrilling sojourn. If Moosa doesn't leave you then Raji will stay longer in the minds and hearts of viewers. No show is perfect and each may find some elements over-the-top, unnecessary or roadblocks to the linear narrative but 'The Family Man Season 2' by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK clearly clouds over several other digital releases, making this Original a must for binge-watch. New Delhi: Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech on Thursday (June 3, 2021) said that biopharmaceutical company Ocugen Inc will have exclusive co-development, manufacturing, and commercialisation rights of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin in Canada, in addition to its existing United States rights. According to the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder of Ocugen Dr Shankar Musunuri, Covaxin is yet to get approval for emergency use in the US and Canada. "Ocugen Inc. and Bharat Biotech today announced that they have entered into an amendment to their Co-development, Supply, and Commercialization Agreement to expand Ocugen's exclusive territory to commercialize Covaxin to now also include Canada, in addition to Ocugen`s existing rights to commercialize Covaxin in the United States," said a joint statement by both companies. Dr Shankar Musunuri said that this amendment to expand his companys rights to commercialise Covaxin into Canada speaks to its strong relationship with Bharat Biotech and joint dedication of both companies to bring vaccine to additional countries. "As we work towards the submission of the emergency use application in the US, we will simultaneously seek authorization under interim order for emergency use in Canada. We believe Covaxin has the potential to play a key role in saving lives from COVID-19 in the US and Canada, as well as across the globe, due to the strong immune response it generates against multiple antigens," he added. Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech said that Covaxin has demonstrated an excellent safety record in human clinical trials and in vaccine administration under emergency use in India. "Our goal for all vaccines developed at Bharat Biotech is to provide global access. With its potential effectiveness against multiple existing and emerging variants, we believe that Covaxin is an important vaccine for everyone, including children, based on its unique yet traditional vaccine platform. We are diligently working with Ocugen to bring Covaxin to the US market and now to the Canadian market," he said. As consideration for Bharat Biotechs grant of the rights to commercialise Covaxin in Canada, Ocugen will make an upfront payment and milestone payment upon first commercial sale in Canada to Bharat Biotech, in addition to sharing the profit from sales of Covaxin in Canada. Similar to the US profit share arrangement, Ocugen will retain 45 percent of the profits from sales of Covaxin in Canada. Live TV New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Friday (June 4) announced the committee that will decide the criteria for the evaluation of Class 12 students. The committee will submit its report within 10 days, CBSE said. The committee comprises 13 members including officials of various central and state education departments, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, University Grants Commission, NCERT and two representatives of CBSE schools. In view of the uncertain conditions due to COVID and the feedback obtained from various stakeholders, it was decided that Class XII Board Examination of CBSE would not be held this year. It was also decided that CBSE will take steps to compile the results of Class XII students as per well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner, the CBSE notification read. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court directed the CBSE and CICSE to place on record objective criteria for assessment of marks in two weeks. The top court said that it will go through the objective parameters for assessment of marks so that if anyone has any objections it can be dealt with. The government on Tuesday decided to cancel the CBSE Class 12 board exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the decision has been taken in the interest of students and that the anxiety among students, parents and teachers must be put to an end. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Modi in which it was decided that the CBSE will take steps to compile the results of class 12 students as per well-defined objective criteria in a time-bound manner. New Delhi: The central government is examining the reply of former West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay to its show-cause notice sent to him and said that it will decide on the course of action against him soon. On Friday, news agency ANI quoted informed sources as saying, "A reply from Alapan Bandyopadhyay has been received last night and it is being examined. The further course of action will be decided soon." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee`s newly appointed Chief Advisor, Alapan Bandyopadhyay was issued a show-cause notice by the central government under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 asking him to write within three days. "West Bengal former Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay had to brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi and follow up. But when Prime Minister arrived at the briefing he was not present. And after being contacted by Prime Minister`s entourage he came for the meeting room and left without attending the review meeting," official sources said on Wednesday. On Monday also, a show-cause notice was served to Alapan Bandyopadhyay for failing to report to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) as directed by the central government. The development took place after Banerjee along with the state chief secretary skipped the review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28 aftermath of Cyclone Yaas. Bandyopadhyay was to retire on May 31 and had earlier been given three months extension. The central government had on May 28 issued an order to recall Bandyopadhyay, and said the placement of his services with the government has been approved. The state government was asked to relieve the officer with immediate effect and he was directed to report to North Block by May 31. Banerjee had on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the central government`s order to recall Bandyopadhyay. Later on Monday, she said Bandyopadhyay has retired from service and will not join in Delhi and has been made Chief Advisor to West Bengal Chief Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held a review meeting at Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur district to take stock of the post-cyclonic situation. Mamata Banerjee was supposed to attend the meeting. However, she arrived late by 30 minutes and handed him over reports of damage caused by the impact of Cyclone Yaas. Following this, she and the state chief secretary left for her "pre-scheduled" meeting at Digha. Live TV New Delhi: Serum Institute of India (SII) has got approval to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). The regulatory body granted SII permission to manufacture test and analysis with certain conditions, PTI said quoting official sources on Friday (June 4). The development comes a day after the Pune-based firm submitted an application seeking DCGIs nod. SII has collaborated with Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow in Russia for developing Sputnik V at its licensed Hadapsar facility. "The DCGI has granted permission to the Serum Institute to manufacture the Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine in India for examination, test and analysis at its licensed Hadapsar facility with certain conditions," an official source was quoted as saying. According to the four conditions set by the DCGI, SII will have to submit a copy of the agreement between it and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology for transfer of cell bank and virus stock and submit the copy of agreement for technology transfer with Gamaleya. Further, the SII has to submit a copy of the RCGM permission to import cell bank and virus stock and a copy of the RCGM permission to initiate research and development of viral vector vaccine Sputnik V, the report said. Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is currently being manufactured by Dr Reddy's Laboratories in India. Meanwhile, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla has hailed the efforts of India's Ministry of External Affairs S Jaishankar and the US for lifting restrictions on the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccine saying that the move will boost the country's vaccine production. Taking to Twitter, Poonawalla thanked US President Joe Biden and MEA saying, ...this policy change will hopefully increase the supply of raw materials globally and to India; boosting our vaccine production capacity and strengthening our united fight against this pandemic." Live TV New Delhi: Amrit Pradhan, a 24-year-old software engineer of Odisha, was airlifted to Chennais Apollo Hospital on Thursday (June 3). He contracted COVID-19 infection, pneumonia and septicaemia in the lungs. Amrit, who was looking after his parents after they were infected with the coronavirus infection, later tested positive for COVID-19. While his parents and sister recovered, Amrit developed pneumonia and septicaemia in the lungs. He has been shifted from AIIMS-Bhubaneswar to Apollo Hospital in Chennai for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support and lung transplantation. The Apollo Hospital team had brought an Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine which would keep him alive till he gets a lung transplant, Chidanand Tarei, his brother-in-law told The Hindustan Times. After the family urged people on social media to help them in arranging the hefty amount required for Amrits lung transplant, the good samaritans came forward and donated around Rs 60 lakh. For a middle class family like us with health insurance, the maximum cover that we have is Rs 10 lakh. We had lost all hopes when we decided to appeal on social media as well as fundraising site Milaap. By Thursday evening, we had collected Rs 60 lakh from 5,400 people. The amount of support and love that Amrit received was incredible, he added. Doctors at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar have apprised the family that the entire treatment including a lung transplant and 2-month long hospitalisation would cost Rs 1.2 crore, HT reported Amrit, a native of Odishas Berhampur town, had been employed as a software engineer in a Bangalore-based IT firm. He left his job during lockdown to prepare for the civil services. His family needs assistance in generating the remaining amount for his treatment. Live TV New Delhi: Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia on Friday (June 4, 2021) said that the Delhi government has formed a four-member expert committee to look into the deaths due to the shortage of oxygen during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deputy Chief Minister also added that the Delhi government is awaiting the lieutenant governor's approval on the same. In the online briefing, Sisodia said that during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic the national capital went through oxygen crisis and reported numerous deaths at some hospitals in the city. "We took the issue seriously and took a decision to form a four-member committee to look into the matter. It is a committee comprising medical experts. We have sent the file for the L-G's approval," he said. "This committee will meet twice a week and will look into each case and decide whether the death happened due to the shortage of the life saving gas. As soon as the L-G approves the file, this committee will start functioning," he added. The Delhi government has also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who succumbed due to the shortage of oxygen in the hospitals during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Live TV New Delhi: There are primarily two COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the country Covishield and Covaxin. But these are being sold at about 20 different prices. Clearly, there is something amiss. Zee News Anchor Aman Chopra on Friday (June 4) discussed the differential pricing policy of vaccines in India and what it means for the common man. Serum Institute of India is selling one dose of Covishield to the central government for Rs 150. Bharat Biotech, the company that manufactures Covaxin, is also charging exactly the same price for a single dose to the central government. The government is administering this vaccine free of cost to people 45 years of age and above in government hospitals across the country. The same vaccines are being administered to people between the age group of 18 to 44 years. But their prices are completely different. Serum Institute is charging Rs 300 for one dose of Covishield to the state governments, while for a dose of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, the state governments have to pay Rs 400. For private hospitals, the costs are even higher. Private hospitals are getting the Covishield vaccine for Rs 600 and Covaxin for Rs 1200. For people above 45 years, vaccines are free at government hospitals. However, at private hospitals before May 1, they were being charged Rs 250 per dose. Most states are providing vaccines free of cost to people aged 18-44 years at government hospitals. However, at private hospitals, people of this age group are being charged up to Rs 1800 for a dose and even higher in some places. The question is, why are so many different prices for the same vaccine? When the country is one, the disease is one, then why are the prices different? In a recent survey, it was revealed that 23 percent of the people in India paid more than Rs 1000 for a dose of Covishield vaccine and Rs 1500 to Rs 2,000 for Covaxin. Apart from this, 3 percent of people have spent more than Rs 2000 for a single dose of the vaccine. It is clear that private hospitals are making a lot of profit from the coronavirus vaccines. In other words, vaccines have become a profit-making commodity for many private hospitals in the country. In the same survey, 91 percent of the people said that they want the state governments to put a cap on the prices of vaccines at private hospitals. The state governments can take steps regarding this. Health is a state subject and if the state governments want, they can fix the maximum prices for the vaccines at private hospitals. The central government can also consider discussing with vaccine companies to keep their prices common, which will benefit the state governments and also reduce the burden of vaccine expenditure on the people. Live TV New Delhi: The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal on Friday claimed that at least 30 MLAs and three MPs of BJP wants to quit the party and join TMC. The party led by Mamata Banerjee claimed that these BJP leaders are in touch with them regularly. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress leadership is tet to take a call on ghar wapsi (return home) by former TMC leaders who had joined the BJP ahead of the recently concluded assembly elections which the Mamata Banerjee-led party swept. According to PTI, top Trinamool sources said that party supremo Mamata will take a final call on allowing those TMC men and women who had crossed over to the saffron party, re-entry into party. While analysts predicted that the party would allow a return very selectively to drive home the message to its cadre ahead of general elections in 2024, that rebellions would not be tolerated. Several former TMC MLAs including Dipendu Biswas and Sonali Guha have in recent past sent letters regretting their decision to join the BJP and sought to return back to the partys fold. Guha, who at one time was considered close to Banerjee, made an impassioned plea on camera seeking the chief ministers forgiveness. Guha, a four-time legislator from Satgachia in South 24 Parganas, has also written in a letter the way fish cannot stay out of water, I will not be able to live without you, Didi. Speculation is also rife on a possible homecoming by one of TMCs founder Mukul Roy, who had crossed over to BJP after Banerjees nephew Abhishek visited his wife at a city hospital and spoke to Roys son. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also taken the trouble of ringing up to enquire about Roys wifes health. Roy on his part has tried to lay to rest rumours of his return to TMC, yet they persist as Mamata had termed his conduct as not so bad. CM Mamata during her election campaign had branded other turncoat TMC members as Mir Jafars after the infamous Bengal general who betrayed Siraj ud Dowlah in the battle of Plassey against Lord Robets Clives army. TMC will selectively take back people who crossed over. The aim will be to organisationally weaken BJP but at the same time it will not want too many turncoats back as this would be seen as rewarding dissidence, said Rajat Roy, well- known political analyst and member of the Calcutta Research Group. (With PTI inputs) Live TV Bengaluru: Kannada as the answer to a query in Google on ugliest language in India sparked an outrage as the Karnataka government decided it would issue a legal notice to the tech leader, while that reply appeared to be a gaffe. With people expressing their indignation and leaders cutting across party lines slamming Google, it quickly removed Kannada as the ugliest language in India and apologised to the people saying the search result did not reflect its opinion. Karnataka Minister for Kannada, Culture and Forest, Aravind Limbavali told reporters that a legal notice would be served to Google for showing such an answer to that question. Later, he took to Twitter to express his outrage and demanded an apology from Google to Kannada and Kannadigas. Kannada language has a history of its own, having come into existence as many as 2,500 years ago, the minister said and added that the language has been the pride of Kannadigas through the ages. Showing Kannada in poor light "...Is merely an attempt by Google to insult this pride of Kannadigas. I demand an apology from @Google ASAP to Kannada, Kannadigas. Legal action will be taken against Google for maligning the image of our beautiful language!" Limbavali tweeted. When contacted, a Google spokesperson said, "search isn't always perfect. Sometimes, the way content is described on the internet can yield surprising results to specific queries." "We know this is not ideal, but we take swift corrective action when we are made aware of an issue and are continually working to improve our algorithms. Naturally, these are not reflective of the opinions of Google, and we apologise for the misunderstanding and hurting any sentiments." Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy denounced Google in a series of tweets for the outrageous answer to the language question. He sought to know why Google behaves in an irresponsible manner" in terms of language. Others including the BJP's Bengaluru Central MP, P C Mohan slammed Google and asked it to apologise. (With inputs from news agencies) Live TV New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Friday cleared the issuing of a Request For Proposal (RFP) for the Indian Navy`s mega-deal to procure six submarines under Project-75I through a strategic partnership route worth over Rs 45,000 crore. Two Indian companies and five foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers had already been shortlisted earlier. Indian Navy's mega-deal was approved during the DAC meet on Friday led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The DAC also approved issue of RFP for construction of six Conventional Submarines under Project P 75 (I) under the Strategic Partnership (SP) Model. This project envisages indigenous construction of six conventional submarines at an estimated cost of Rs 43,000 cr. / RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) June 4, 2021 The mega submarine project for the building of indigenous submarines for the Navy got the final clearance wherein two Indian companies can work in collaboration with a foreign manufacturer. The RFP has been issued to Mazagon Docks (MDL) and private company Larsen & Toubro. Under Project 75I, the submarines for the Indian Navy are going to be constructed in India and will be through ToT by the OEMs. This project is under the strategic partnership model which was adopted in an effort to ensure building capacity in the Indian industry. The idea is that this is going to help in the local manufacturing of major military platforms. The project received a clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) way back in 1999 and Acceptance of Necessity granted in 2007. The strategic partnership model aims at promoting India as a manufacturing hub for defence equipment, in addition to establishing an industrial and R&D eco-system capable of meeting the future requirements of the Armed Forces besides giving a boost to exports. The Indian Navy currently has 12 submarines. In addition, there are two nuclear submarines INS Arihant and INS Chakra in the navy`s fleet. Upgrading its submarine operations and the naval fleet has been the top priority for the Indian Navy in wake of the increased presence of Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean region. Live TV New Delhi: Indian Ambassador to the United States, TS Sandhu on Thursday (June 3, 2021) revealed that India will be a major part of US President Joe Bidens Global Allocation Plan of sending over 25 million COVID-19 vaccines to neighbours and partner countries. "President Biden has announced today the Global Allocation Plan of 25 million vaccines. This is the first tranche out of a total of 80 million vaccines announced earlier by the United States. The distribution is under two categories - A, through the Covaxin initiative, and B, directly to neighbours and partner countries," said Taranjit Singh Sandhu in an interview with news agency ANI. "Now, India will figure in both categories and will get vaccines as per allocation under COVAX and direct supply. So first would be the COVAX initiative in which India is included in Asia. Second, through direct supply to neighbours and partner countries, that includes India, Korea, Canada and Mexico," he added. The Indian Ambassador to the United States also added that US has also announced the removal of the Defense Production Act, which means no more priority supply will now be required. This will furthers smoothen the supply chains for vaccine manufacturing, particularly for AstraZeneca and Novavax, he revealed. TS Sandhu also added that the telephonic conversation between US Vice President Kamala Harris and PM Modi was positive and warm. Vice President Harris called Prime Minister Modi, it was a positive and warm conversation. PM Modi thanked VP Harris for assurance of vaccine supply to India. The prime minister also appreciated support and solidarity from the US government, said Ambassador of India to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. They talked about efforts to strengthen India-US partnership in vaccines and areas of global health, economic recovery and discussed QUAD initiatives. PM Modi invited VP Harris to visit India after normalization of global health situation, revealed TS Sandhu. Meanwhile, out of the 25 million vaccines, approximately 7 million vaccine doses will be supplied to Asian countries including India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. (With ANI inputs) Live TV NEW DELHI: Continuing the downward trend in the daily cases of coronavirus infection, India on Friday recorded 1.32 lakh new cases and 2,713 deaths in the last 24 hours. The Union Health Ministry data released this morning showed a minimal decline in new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours with 1,32,364 more people testing positive. The daily COVID-19 tally stood at 1,34,154 on Thursday. With the addition of fresh infections, the cumulative caseload in the country has reached 2,85,74,350, the highest across the world. According to the Union Health Ministry data, there are currently 16,35,993 active cases across the country, while 2,65,97,655 patients have been discharged so far, with 2,07,071 discharges reported in the last 24 hours. India reports 1,32,364 new #COVID19 cases, 2,07,071 discharges, and 2713 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Health Ministry Total cases: 2,85,74,350 Total discharges: 2,65,97,655 Death toll: 3,40,702 Active cases: 16,35,993 Total vaccination: 22,41,09,448 pic.twitter.com/mTgR4KVMqR ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2021 On the fatalities front, India saw the least number of deaths since 26 April with 2,713 more people succumbing to the disease in the last 24 hours. The toll due to Covid-19 now stands at 3,40,702. Among the states, Maharashtra had on Thursday reported 15,229 new coronavirus cases and 307 deaths, taking the tally in the state to 57,91,413 and the death toll to 97,394. Delhi recorded 487 new infections, with a positivity rate of 0.61 percent, and 45 fatalities on Thursday. Meanwhile, India has so far tested 35,74,33,846 samples for Covid-19, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Out of these, 20,75,428 samples were tested on Thursday. On the other hand, the country has administered 22,41,09,448 anti-Covid jabs till date. As many as 28,75,286 doses out of the total were given in the last 24 hours. While several states flag a dearth of vaccines, the central government has said that is making all efforts to increase the supply. Amid a domestic shortage of supply, India is in line to get fresh supplies of Covid-19 vaccines directly from the US as well as from the Biden administrations contribution to COVAX. According to plans unveiled on Thursday, the US will share 80 million doses of vaccines with the world by June end. Live TV New Delhi: India's multi-agency team that had gone to Dominica to bring back Mehul Choksi is headed back home on a Qatar Airways private jet after the island nation's high court adjourned the hearing on the fugitive diamantaire's habeas corpus petition, sources said. Publicly available flight data showed that the jet took off from the Melville Hall Airport in Dominica at 8.09 PM (local time) on June 3 and is travelling towards Madrid. The multi-agency team of officials is also returning, the sources said. The team led by CBI DIG Sharda Raut was stationed in Dominica for nearly seven days to bring back Choksi, who is wanted in the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, to India. On Thursday, the Dominica High Court adjourned the hearing on Choksi's habeas corpus petition. A habeas corpus petition is filed for producing before a court a person who is under arrest or in unlawful detention. It is likely that the next hearing may take place after a month and the businessman will remain in Dominica, local media reported. Judge Bernie Stephenson will decide the next date of hearing after meeting both sides, media outlet Antigua News Room said. The adjournment is to allow lawyers of Choksi and the Dominica government "to agree on the language to be used with respect to the injunction filed to prevent his removal from Dominica", it said. Thursday's hearing was conducted through videoconferencing with a group of protesters standing outside the High Court building in Roseau carrying placards with messages seeking to know the truth about the controversy. "Who brought Choksi to Dominica?" read one of the placards, the photo of which was published by many media outlets. The judge had on Wednesday ordered production of Choksi before the magistrate to face charges of illegal entry into Dominica. The 62-year-old wheelchair-bound diamantaire, who has a pending Interpol Red Notice against him, arrived before presiding Roseau Magistrate Court in black shorts and a blue T-shirt from the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. His application for bail was rejected. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January 2018, weeks before the PNB scam rocked the Indian banking industry. The duo allegedly bribed officials of the state-run bank to get Letters of Undertaking (LoU) on the basis of which they availed loans from overseas banks that remained unpaid. The allegedly corrupt bank officials did not enter these LoUs in the core banking software of PNB, thus evading scrutiny. The non-payment of these LoUs or bank guarantees worth Rs 13,500 crore resulted in default and became a liability on the bank. Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda, where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen since he fled Delhi. He was detained in neighbouring island country Dominica for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend. His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking like Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat. Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London, where he is contesting his extradition to India. Choksi took the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017. Live TV New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Education will soon review the situation to decide on conducting the two remaining editions of engineering entrance exams JEE Main (April and May) and medical entrance exam NEET in August, said an agency report. A review meeting is likely to be conducted soon to decide on a schedule of the pending editions of JEE-Mains and whether NEET-UG can be conducted on August 1, said PTI report citing sources. The JEE Main 2021 April and May examinations have been postponed till further notice after the cancellation of the Class 12th Board exams. The new JEE Mains Exam Date for 2021 is expected to be released soon. According to some sources and reports, the JEE Main 2021 April and May test would most likely be held in July-August. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the JEE Main 2021 Examination dates for both sessions at least 15 days before the exam. JEE Main Exam dates for the April and May sessions will be rescheduled later and will be announced on the official website. Students who have applied for the same should check the official websites jeemain.nta.nic.in and nta.ac.in for JEE Main 2021 dates frequently. Besides that, students are advised to not stop undergoing extensive preparation strategies to score excellent marks. It is important to note that from session 2021, the JEE Main is being conducted four times a year to offer students a chance to improve their scores. The first phase in February was followed by the second in March, while the next phases were scheduled for April and May but were postponed after a sudden surge of COVID-19 cases as the second wave of the pandemic hit the country. ALSO READ: Evaluation criteria for Class 12 under consideration, decision in two weeks: CBSE Live TV New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday (June 4) dismissed the lawsuit filed by actress and environmentalist Juhi Chawla against the setting up of 5G wireless networks in the country. The court said that the plaintiffs abused the process of law and imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakhs on the actress, ANI reported. In its order, the Delhi High Court said that 'it appears that the suit was for publicity'. It said Juhi Chawla circulated the link of the hearing on social media, which created disruption thrice. "Delhi Police shall identify the persons and take action against those who created a disruption," the court added. The court also directed the Delhi Police to identify and take action against the person who disrupted proceedings of the Delhi high court during the hearing on the matter. The unidentified person on Wednesday did not stop singing songs from popular movies of actor Juhi Chawla during the online hearing until he was muted and removed from the online hearing. Live TV New Delhi: The second wave of COVID-19 has given a huge blow to the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir. The industry has suffered a loss of about 1500 crores during this period. However, the tourism businessmen have pinned their hopes high on the government and believe that the situation will improve soon in the Union Territory. "Vaccination will change the situation in Jammu and Kashmir," says health experts. The second wave of COVID-19 has shaken India's healthy infrastructure and shattered economy, the tourism industry is hit badly. Jammu and Kashmir, which is one of the biggest tourist attractions of country in the world, has been hit hard due to the COVID-19-induced pandemic and subsequent lockdown. United tourism forum member says, "According to an estimate, this industry has suffered a loss of about 1500 crores so far." Jammu and Kashmir is globally known for its beautiful serene views and magnificent locations, and is the largest tourist centre in India. It was after decades that tourism in Jammu and Kashmir was at its peak at the beginning of this year. According to reports, Kashmir had reported almost 100 percent of bookings for the first three months of this year. However, due to second COVID-19 wave in the country, all the bookings were cancelled and the tourism industry was hit hard again. Tourism Department director GN Itoo says, "Winter tourism was very successful here. The department worked hard and we did many road shows and organised many festivals so as to attract visitors. Our winter tourism was very successful, but when the second wave of COVID-19 epidemic started, we didn't expected that it would bring such disaster that everything would get halted and the tourism department which is a very delicate sector, had a lot of bad impact. "Moreover, people who used to come from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi to Kashmir couldnt move due to lockdown. However, we hope that in the coming days, as the situation is getting stable, things will improve. We are keeping ourselves prepred to resume the tourism activities. The tourism industry of the valley contributes almost 8 per cent to the GDP of the Union Territory. However, the region has come to a standstill as places like Dal Lake , Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pehlagam are deserted. Tourism, which is the primary source of livelihood for lakhs of people in the Valley, has come to a standstill. After the first COVID wave subsided, there were promising signs that the tourism sector could revive and flourish well, but second wave of pandemic made things worst. Manzoor Paktoon, a member of Kashmir United Tourism Forum, says, "There was good pickup in winter, we were having good response after the first covid wave, booking were huge, we use to get good number tourists everyday. He added we had bookings for whole summer season but Which then we became victims of covid again everything got locked down, the arrival of tourists was completely zero.The tourism department has now started mass vaccination of tourists players which is very good this drive of vaccination will send out a good message that the people who are associated with tourism in Kashmir are following the SOPs, A tourist will think that if we go there we are safe." Kashmir's tourism, which has been touching the skies few months ago has seen a drastic downfall due to the second wave, there is not a single tourist in Kashmir today. The Dal Lake which use to be packed with tourist is deserted the boat mans who did not get time to sit three months ago are today seen waiting for the customer for days on the banks of the lake. President Shikara Union Wali Mohammad Bhat says, "Tourism started well this year due to snowfall people came kashmir but it all ended after second wave started we had suffered loss in crores. But he is hopeful says things will be better soon Now vaccination has started, it is a good step, it will send a good message." The tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir provides livelihood to most of the population. Approximately More than four lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir are directly dependent on tourism industry of UT. This is the main reason why the revival of the tourism industry in the UT is been given priority. Live TV Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Friday (June 4) put a cap on rates of mucormycosis or black fungus treatment at private hospitals. The state health department ordered all charitable hospitals registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, to follow the capped charges. Identifying 28 types of surgeries for the disease, the government fixed the minimum charges at Rs 6,000 in tier-three cities. The rates could go up to Rs 1 lakh depending on the region and the complexity of the treatment. The order will remain in force till July 31. There are some multi-disciplinary private hospitals in metro cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, where experts of brain, nose, eyes, ears, among others, are available to handle mucormycosis cases. Such hospitals are commonly known as super-specialty hospitals, an official of the public health department was quoted as saying by PTI. If a patient wants to get treatment at such hospitals, the fees are generally huge. But this notification now caps the charges and patients can seek treatment in such multi-disciplinary hospitals as well, he added. The government warned doctors of penal action if healthcare service is denied to patients. If excess charging is found, the amount will have to be reimbursed to the patient, the order read. The state was recorded more than 5000 cases of mucormycosis. Live TV Kolkata: BJP president JP Nadda Wednesday said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's silence on the post poll violence in the state speaks of her involvement and claimed that at least 14 BJP workers have been killed and up to a lakh people have fled their homes in post-poll violence in the state. He condemned the "brutal killings" which have taken place after the results and alleged that BJP workers were killed and women molested and raped in different parts of the state by Trinamool Congress workers. "Mamata Banerjee's silence speaks about her involvement and she starts her third term with blood on her hands," Nadda said addressing a press conference here. "The TMC workers have targeted the BJP grass-root level workers ... This is a state-sponsored programme ... We will fight democratically tooth and nail," he said and asserted that BJP will root out intolerance from the state. The BJP president visited the residences of some party workers who have allegedly faced atrocities at the hands of goons owing allegiance to the ruling Trinamool Congress during a two-day visit to the state from Tuesday. He claimed that besides the BJP workers, their families have been attacked and women have been specifically targeted, apart from loot of property. Alleging atrocities on BJP workers at Gosaba and East Canning in South 24 Parganas district and at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas and destruction of whole villages, he said the villagers there had faced "Amphan last year and Mamtaphan this year". Nadda claimed that 80,000 to one lakh people were forced to leave their homes in different parts of the state owing to atrocities following TMC's win in the poll. People of north Bengal districts have even fled to neighbouring Assam to save their lives. These people have been provided shelter and other requirements in Assam, he said adding "Mamata Banerjee has won the elections, but humanity has lost". Nadda said the incidents of post poll violence in Bengal reminded him of the "horrendous" violence and killings on "direct action day" during partition on August 16, 1947. "What happened in Bengal on May 2 (the day votes were counted) is similar to the direct action day," and reflected TMC supremo's call "Khela hobe" (game is on) in Nandigram before the polls, he said. Asked whether BJP is contemplating to seek imposition of Article 356 in West Bengal, the BJP president said that the procedure is that a report is generated by the governor which is analysed by the central agencies and by the ministry of home affairs before a decision is taken. Under Article 356, if a state government is unable to function according to Constitutional provisions, the Centre can take direct control of the state machinery. "As far as BJP is concerned, even if it is a fit case we are people who fight democratically," Nadda said. BJP has won over 37 per cent votes and 77 seats in West Bengal in the assembly poll, Nadda said and asserted that the saffron party will take the fight to its conclusive end democratically. BJP state president Dilip Ghosh during the day administered the oath of serving the people of the state to the party MLAs, he said. The saffron party president hit out at human rights organisations for keeping mum on what is happening in Bengal post elections and wondered whether they fight for human rights selectively. "I am also shocked by the opposition parties that they have not come out with a single statement in condemnation," he said adding that it speaks of "double standards". Nadda that the BJP government at the Centre will fulfil its commitments to the people of Bengal on Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Ayushman Bharat schemes and urged Banerjee to cooperate with it. He said that politics of appeasement will be stopped in Bengal and added that the language used by Mamata Banerjee or her culture does not represent Bengal. On the chief minister's assertion that photos and videos doing the rounds in the social media about violence in the state are fake, Nadda challenged that the challenged be proved fake. Nadda accused Banerjee of doing divisive politics and said that within hours of taking oath she was differentiating between BJP, CPI(M) and TMC for the post poll violence in the state. Soon after her swearing-in Banerjee had said that violence and clashes were taking place in areas where the BJP won the elections. "The level of thinking is really very worrisome," he said adding that as chief minister she has to take the responsibility of the whole state. He asserted that the BJP leadership is with its workers and supporters and will stand by them and that a helpline will soon be operationalised for them by the party. Asked about choosing the party's candidate as leader of opposition in West Bengal and the chief minister of Assam, Nadda said that the BJP will do everything in time. "There is a system. A meeting of the parliamentary board is first held following which an observer is chosen, who then goes to the state and declares the name," he said. Nadda said that on May 3, a day after the assembly election results were declared, his priority as party president was to come to Bengal owing to the situation and the parliamentary board meetingh as been kept in abeyance. "When I go back steps will be initiated and very soon you will have a democratic chief minister (in Assam) and democratic leader of the opposition in West Bengal," he said. New Delhi: Dominica High Court on Thursday (June 3, 2021) adjourned the hearing on a habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, local media reported. The local reports also revealed that Judge Bernie Stephenson will decide the next date of hearing after meeting both sides. The adjournment of the hearing is to allow lawyers for Choksi and the Dominica Government "to agree on the language to be used with respect to the injunction filed to prevent his removal from Dominica", the media outlet reported. The hearing of the case was conducted via video conferencing, while the outside of the court witnessed a gathering of protesters, some of which were carrying "Who brought Choksi to Dominica?" placards. Meanwhile, Antigua Information Minister Melford Nicholas said that he is not authorised to disclose any intelligence information regarding the case. An intelligence report has been presented to the Antigua Cabinet regarding Mehul Choksis missing case and the mysterious girl who was with him in Dominica. Information Minister of Antigua, Nicholas said, "We did receive intelligence briefings, I am not authorised to disclose any particular intelligence information on the basis that it could prejudice the investigation that is taking place." "I dont know about the law enforcement officials here but clearly they will have to interfere with law enforcement officials in Dominica as the matter is in the court," added Nicholas. The judge had on Wednesday ordered production of Mehul Choksi before a magistrate to face charges of illegal entry into Dominica. The 62-year-old wheelchair-bound diamantaire arrived before the Roseau Magistrate Court from the Dominica China Friendship Hospital where he is undergoing treatment. Earlier, Mehul Choksis wife Priti Choksi had also said that the mysterious girl who is rumored to be his girlfriend is known to her husband and to his other acquaintances. "The woman was known to my husband and to his other acquaintances. She walked with my husband periodically when she was visiting Antigua. From what I have understood from people who have met her, the woman shown on media channels is not the same woman that they knew as Barbara," said Priti Choksi. These developments came after Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne last week had said Mehul Choksi was in the country to meet his girlfriend for a romantic trip when he was busted. Mehul Choksis lawyer claimed that his client went missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen. His lawyers also alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking like Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat. The lawyer also added that the only question in front of the Dominican court is whether he entered Dominica illegally or not and whether the local police has the right to keep him in custody. The events go back to 2018, when Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January days before a Rs 13,500 crore scam in Punjab National Bank rocked the Indian banking industry. (With Agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday (June 4) sought a report on the alleged assault on a doctor at a medical facility in Hojai district of Assam from the state government within four weeks. The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India, after taking cognizance of a complaint about the brutal assault on a doctor by the relatives of a Covid patient at Udali Model Hospital in Hojai district of Assam 01.06.2021 has called for the action taken report from the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Assam into the alleged incident within four weeks. Besides an enquiry into the allegations, the report is expected to include the needful preventive and punitive action taken in the matter, NHRC said in a statement. The Commission has also sent a copy of the complaint to the Secretary, Union Health & Family Welfare Ministry to initiate necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the frontline health workers in the country, it added. A video of the attack, which went viral on social media, showed the doctor being assaulted by a group of people. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that 24 people were arrested for allegedly assaulting the doctor. Several political parties have condemned the incident and asked the government to take strict action against the culprits. Live TV New Delhi: In an attempt to strengthen Indias fight against deadly COVID-19, the central government has finalised a deal for over 300 crore doses of Biological-E COVID vaccines, which is second made-in-India vaccine against coronavirus. The union health ministry has signed a deal with domestic vaccine maker Biological-E for 300 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for 15 billion rupees (USD 205.62 million). As per a health ministry statement on Thursday (June 3, 2021), an advance payment of Rs 1,500 crore will be made to Biological-E from the Centre. "This has been undertaken as part of Government of India's 'Mission COVID Suraksha - the Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission' which was launched to reinforce and accelerate COVID-19 vaccine development efforts as part of the third stimulus package, Atmanirbhar 3.0," the statement added. This is the second made-in-India vaccine after Bharat Biotechs COVAXIN. Biological-Es COVID-19 vaccine, an RBD protein sub-unit vaccine, is currently undergoing Phase-3 clinical trials. According to a Reuters report, Hyderabad-based Biological E Limited has signed a deal with Canadian biotechnology company Providence Therapeutics Holdings Inc for its COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine being developed by Biological-E in collaboration with the Canadian biotechnology company is an RBD protein sub-unit vaccine that is likely to hit the Indian market in the next few months. Currently, three COVID-19 vaccines are available in India- Pune-based Serum Institute of India`s Covishield, Bharat Biotech`s COVAXIN, and the Russian Sputnik V. (With agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: The restrictions placed under corona curfew in Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad district could be lifted from the following Monday i.e. June 7 if the number of cases continues to decrease. District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey informed that the number of active cases has declined as lesser new cases are being registered. The authorities are trying to keep the number of cases below 600. Since the number of active cases is on the decline due to a lesser number of fresh cases and more patients getting discharged, we expect that the partial Corona curfew may be relaxed by Monday. We are keeping a tab on the daily figures. We have directed all stakeholders to cooperate in order to control the spread of infection so that cases keep below 600, Pandey was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. We have taken note of suggestions made by residents welfare associations (RWAs), transporters, traders associations and others. Once the relaxations come into play, the suggestions will be evaluated. They have also been asked to take up voluntary community containment directions given earlier by the administration, Pandey added. Last Sunday, the Uttar Pradesh government eased lockdown restrictions across various districts in the state, allowing certain activities from June 1. However, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar and 18 other districts were ordered to remain under curfew as they continued to report a high number of coronavirus infections daily. The authorities also revealed that even though the restrictions are being eased in the other 55 districts of the state, which reported less than 600 COVID-19 cases, night and weekend curfews will continue to be in effect. Live TV New Delhi: The West Bengal government on Thursday (June 3, 2021) revised the lockdown guidelines after reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the state. The government allowed the restaurants in the state to operate for three hours in the evening only if the employees at these eateries and bars get vaccinated first. "COVID-19 contagion is declining in West Bengal following the imposition of restrictions. Restaurants can be open for three hours in the evening from 5 pm to 8 pm provided the people working there are vaccinated," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. Further, the state authorities have plans to allow shopping malls to operate at 25 percent capacity and retail shops to open for an additional one hour from June 15. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee disclosed these pointers in a meeting with representatives of various chambers of commerce at the state secretariat. However, CM Banerjee added that her government is not in favour of shutting down business in the pandemic, however as the state is trying to control the disease such restrictions need to be in place. The Chief Minister said that her government was mulling the option of vaccinating domestic help in the same way it has planned to inoculate hawkers, bus conductors, vendors and others who are considered as "super spreaders". "We have been vaccinating 60-70 thousand people every day. The government cannot single-handedly vaccinate everyone. I will urge you to come forward and help us to inoculate people," the chief minister said. 1.4 crore of people in West Bengal have been inoculated so far, Banerjee said. "As trains are not operating now, you can inform workers at least 72 hours before. Discuss the matter with the health department and try to source vaccines from wherever possible because we are not getting enough vaccines," Banerjee added. The state government also revealed that the central government has provided the state with only 17 lakh vaccines while the government had sought three crore doses. Meanwhile, West Bengal on Thursday reported over 8,811 new cases of COVID-19 infection, taking the tally to 14,03,535. The state health department also revealed in a bulletin that the state recorded 108 deaths due to COVID-19 and the death toll rose to 15,921. (With Agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla hailed the efforts of India's Ministry of External Affairs S jaishankar and the US for lifting restrictions on the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccine saying that the move will boost the country's vaccine production. Taking to Twitter, Poonawalla thanked US President Joe Biden and MEA saying, ...this policy change will hopefully increase the supply of raw materials globally and to India; boosting our vaccine production capacity and strengthening our united fight against this pandemic." Thanks to the efforts of @POTUS, @WhiteHouse, & @DrSJaishankar, this policy change will hopefully increase the supply of raw materials globally and to India; boosting our vaccine production capacity and strengthening our united fight against this pandemic. https://t.co/bHADBwiUnm Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) June 4, 2021 The comment comes as just a day after the Biden administration removed the 1950 Defense Production Act priority ratings on AstraZeneca, Novavax and Sanofi vaccines. The law was imposed to prioritise vaccine supplies for American manufacturers. The lifting of this restriction would let US companies take their own decision on whom they want to sell their vaccines. United States Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone on June 3. The call was initiated by the American side, top government sources said. During the conversation, Harris conveyed that US will begin sharing vaccines with India, along with other countries by end of June. Live TV New Delhi: On the World Environment Day on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address an event via video-conferencing. To commemorate the day, the government is releasing E-20 notification directing oil companies to sell ethanol-blended petrol with percentage of ethanol up to 20 from April 1, 2023; and BIS specifications for higher ethanol blends E12 & E15. PM Modi will also release the 'Report of the Expert Committee on Road Map for ethanol blending in India 2020-2025', the Prime Minister's Office said. These efforts will facilitate setting up of additional ethanol distillation capacities and provide timelines for making blended fuel available across the country. It will help increase the consumption of ethanol in the ethanol-producing states and the adjoining regions, before the 2025. PM Modi will also launch a pilot project of E 100 dispensing stations at three locations in Pune, and interact with farmers to gain insight on their firsthand experience, as enablers under the Ethanol Blended Petrol and Compressed BioGas Programmes, the PMO said. The event is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The theme for this year's event is 'promotion of biofuels for better environment'. New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party senior leader and MLA Atishi issued the Delhi governments daily vaccination bulletin, where she said that on 2nd June, 37,793 people were vaccinated in Delhi. Of these, 29,735 got their first dose, and 8,058 got their second dose. She stated that since on Wednesdays, Delhi government dispensaries carry out immunization for children, and not COVID immunization, the vaccination numbers have been less for the past few days. She also said that among the 45 and above population in Delhi, 50% of people have been vaccinated, but this number stands at a mere 10-12% for the 18-44 category. The Kalkaji MLA on Wednesday demanded to know the nexus between private hospitals and the BJP-led Central Government, which is giving vaccines to private hospitals, but not the Delhi Government, which was vaccinating people for free. Aam Aadmi Party leader and MLA Atishi said, Yesterday on 2nd June a total vaccination of 37,793 people in Delhi had been carried out. Of these, 29,735 were administered with the first dose, and 8,058 were administered with their second dose. On Wednesdays, the Covid immunization process is not carried out in our government dispensaries, and instead, the routine immunization for the children is carried. Due to this, the vaccination numbers have been less in the past few days. Vaccination numbers are continuously low because the vaccines are unavailable for the youth. If we are to look at those who are above the age of 45 years, then already 50% people have gotten vaccinated, but only 10-12% of the youth has been vaccinated. She said, These are the youngsters who want to get vaccinated but till now in the past 10 days and more, the Central Government has not sent any vaccines for the youth. If the youngsters want to get vaccinated today, they have only one option, which is to go to private hospitals to get administered vaccines at an exorbitant price. Those vaccines are administered for Rs.800/ Rs.900/ Rs.1,000/ Rs.1,250/ Rs.1,400 by private hospitals." "This is still a very big question that the Delhi government is not getting vaccines to be administered for free, but private hospitals are being given ample vaccines to be administered at exorbitant costs. What kind of a nexus this is of the private hospitals and the BJP-led Central Government that they are giving vaccines to private hospitals, but not the Delhi Government, which was vaccinating people for free, and which has been completely over since the past 10 days and more and are even not being sent for the next one week, she further added. Aam Aadmi Party leader and MLA Atishi said, This is a matter of great concern for Delhi because we observed in the last wave that the Coronavirus had some serious effects on the youngsters. If we are to look at the stock position then there are no vaccines available for the youth neither Covaxin nor Covishield. To look at the situation of those above 45, yesterday the Delhi government received 2.25 lakh doses of Covishield, which makes the vaccination stock for 45+ come to about 6,25,660 out of which around 6 lakh doses are of Covishield and around 23,000 doses are of Covaxin." "The doses of Covaxin are only being used as the second dose and first-time vaccination is also being carried out by Covishield. We have Covaxin available for the next 1-2 days and we have 29 days of Covishield doses available, she added. She said, It is our appeal to the Central Government that we do have the vaccines for those above 45 years and we are vaccinating the 45+ but now it is our appeal that they should send the vaccines for the youngsters too. The youth is such a segment that is very enthusiastic about getting vaccinated, they are such a segment where there is no vaccine hesitancy. The youth is such a segment that come themselves to get vaccinated and along with themselves, they get the other members of their family too." "If we are to increase the rate of vaccination then we will have to vaccinate the youth because the youth of the country is aware, they are not hesitant about the vaccine and the youth of the country wants to get vaccinated. So, it is our appeal to the Central government that we have the vaccines for 45 + for the next 29 days, we need vaccines for the youth and the youth of Delhi want vaccination for free. So, it is our request to the Central government that instead of sending the vaccines to the private hospitals, they make the vaccines available to the Delhi government, she added. Live TV NEW DELHI: The Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) on Friday cancelled the Odisha CHSE Board Class 12 Examination in the wake of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country. The development was confirmed by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. "Students' lives are more important than any exam," the CM said while confirming that Odisha CHSE Board Class 12 exams 2021 have been cancelled. Odisha CHSE Board Class 12 Examination cancelled, in the wake of prevailing pandemic "Students' lives more important than any exam," says CM Naveen Patnaik (File photo) pic.twitter.com/33cJ3Npj2d ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2021 Odisha Congress president Niranjan Patnaik had on Wednesday demanded that the state government should cancel the Class 12 board examination due to the prevailing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand came a day after the Centre announced the cancellation of Class 12 CBSE exams over the pandemic situation. "We shouldn't have unrealistic expectations from our children in these difficult times. Ensuring their safety should be our top priority," the OPCC president said. The Congress leader added that it was high time that the Odisha government called off the CHSE examinations for the well-being of the students. He urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to decide without any further delay. The governments of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand have already cancelled the Class 12 state board exams, while several states are likely to take a call on the issue soon. Live TV New Delhi: The 'Article 15' director Anubhav Sinha recently took to Twitter to offer his two cents on the Kartik Aaryan outsters that have been in the news lately. He labelled the recent events on Kartik losing out on films as a campaign against the actor. He wrote, "And by the way... when Producers drop Actors or vice versa they don't talk about it. It happens all the time. This campaign against Kartik Aryarn seems concerted to me and very bloody unfair. I respect his quiet." Check out his tweet: And by the way... when Producers drop Actors or vice versa they don't talk about it. It happens all the time. This campaign against Kartik Aryarn seems concerted to me and very bloody unfair. I respect his quiet. Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) June 3, 2021 Earlier, reports had surfaced of Kartik being dropped from Aanand L Rai's next film. Howver, these rumours were squashed after an official spokesperson for ace director Aanand L Rai's Colour Yellow Productions has issued a statement denying all the rumours of actor Kartik Aaryan being dropped from the filmmaker's upcoming project. Before this, the young actor was first ousted from Karan Johars Dostana 2 due to creative differences. Aaryan later opted out of Shah Rukh Khan production house Red Chillies film 'Freddy' over creative differences according to the Times of India. On the work front, Kartik will next be seen in 'Bhool Bhulaiya 2', 'Dhamaka', and an untitled film with Luv Ranjan. New Delhi: Actress turned environmentalist Juhi Chawla reiterated the fact that her agenda is not to ban 5G as wrongly reported by a certain section of the media. On Tuesday, the virtual courtroom hearing that went viral due to song interruption shifted the attention. Hours before the hearing, Juhi asserted, 'There seems to be a general misconception, that our present suit filed in the Honble Delhi High Court is against 5G technology. We wish to clarify here and once again very clearly state, we are NOT against 5G technology. However, we seek from the Government and the governing authorities, to certify to us and, therefore, to the public at large, that 5G technology is safe to humankind, man, woman, adult, child, infant, animals and every type of living organism, to flora, and to fauna.' Reacting to the conflicting opinions of the public at large and also addressing the defendants common query on Why now? Juhi Chawla shared an interesting timeline of her consistent battle against radiation, the works of which available in the public domain to verify. Juhi shared, 'Having written to several concerned government authorities ,since 2010 , making a presentation to the 53rd Parliamentary Standing Committee 2013 -2014 , filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL ) in the Mumbai High Court 2015 , found there has been no substantial movement in the EMF radiation matters , whatsoever. In 2019, on enquiring from the Ministry of Telecommunications, Government of India, I was informed in writing vide reply under the RTI Act that no studies have been conducted with regards to RF radiation, even as of today .' 'Since prevention is well-accepted to be far better than cure, immediate measures must be taken to protect humanity and the environment, & for which all I am asking is to the concerned authorities to Show me the Data,' Juhi further reiterated. PFA: ICMR report dated April '19, a reply to our RTI application for your perusal. For the unversed, the plea claimed that 5G wireless technology plans threaten to provoke serious, irreversible effects on humans and permanent damage to the earth's ecosystems. The suit, filed by Chawla, Veeresh Malik and Teena Vachani, said that if the telecom industry's plans for 5G come to fruition, no person, animal, bird, insect and plant on earth will be able to avoid exposure, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to levels of RF radiation that are 10x to 100x times greater than what exists today. Chennai: South Indian superstar-turned-politician and Founder President of Makkal Needhi Maian (MNM), Kamal Haasan has said that the Tamil Nadu government must conduct the Class 12 board examinations even if it gets delayed. He called upon the M.K. Stalin government to take a decision based on the best interests of the students in the state. The actor-politician said that several leading academicians have criticized the central government's decision to cancel the CBSE and ICSE Class 12 boards in view of the pandemic. Haasan said that conducting the exams with proper planning is the best method and that the marks of the Class 12 examinations are very important for admission to professional courses as well as for admission to foreign universities. The MNM chief said that if necessary the syllabus of the exams could be reduced and the students must be informed well in advance on the examinations. He said that the administrators must take into account the manner in which Kerala has conducted the examinations. Kamal Haasan said that the Tamil Nadu government must follow the example of Kerala and it was important to take into account the future of the students before taking any decision New Delhi: After actress Yuvika Chaudhary was booked by the Haryana Police on a complaint by a Dalit rights activist for allegedly using a casteist slur in a video, her husband Prince Narula recently came out in support for her during an interaction with shutterbugs. In a video by ace photographer Viral Bhayani, Prince Narula expressed that people have made a mountain of a mole hill referring to the flak Yuvika received on Twitter for using a term derogatory to lower castes and that there are bigger issues in the country that people need to focus on. He also mentioned that both, Yuvika and him don't believe in caste. Prince said, "This is a small thing. People don't talk about the big problems and take action. She didn't know the word was offensive to that specific caste. We don't believe in caste. I'm Punjabi and she's Jat, so if we believed in caste, we wouldn't have gotten married." Check out the video: The video of Chaudhary in which allegedly using a casteist slur went viral on social media on May 25, sparking an uproar. The former "Bigg Boss" contestant soon took to Twitter to issue an apology, saying she did not know the meaning of the said word. After a formal investigation by the cyber cell, an FIR was lodged against Yuvika Chaudhary at Hansi city police station. The FIR has been registered under the relevant section of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, said the Station House Officer of Hansi city police station. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Sushant Singh Rajput's friend Siddharth Pithani has been sent to 14-day judicial custody on Friday in connection with the drug case linked to the actor's death. "Siddharth Pithani, late actor Sushant Singh Rajput`s friend, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody, in connection with drug case," informed Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Mumbai. On May 26, the NCB Mumbai unit arrested Sushant Singh Rajput`s flatmate Siddharth Pithani from Hyderabad and brought him to Mumbai on a transit warrant obtained from a local court there. Pithani was booked under multiple sections of the NDPS Act, 1985.Following his arrest, a Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court in Mumbai on Friday remanded Pithani to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) custody till June 1. Earlier on Thursday, the NCB summoned Sushant`s bodyguard for the second day in a row, in the drug case linked to the late actor`s death.Apart from that NCB also arrested a drug peddler named Harish Khan in the drugs case linked to the actor`s death. The NCB had also probed Sushant`s former domestic helps-- Neeraj and Keshav, on Sunday.The NCB, which has been probing the drugs angle in the actor`s death case, started the investigation after it received official communication from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in which there were various chats related to drug consumption, procurement, usage and transportation. The ED had on July 31 last year registered an Enforcement Case Information Report in the late actor`s death case after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by Rajput`s father KK Singh against actor Rhea Chakraborty in Bihar on July 28.Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14 last year. New Delhi: Central employees who are eagerly waiting for the talks to start regarding the arrears of their Dearness Allowance (DA) may hear about the same in the coming weeks. These talks are to be held between the National Council of JCM headed by Central Government Employees (CGS) and central government officials from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Finance and Department of Personnel and Training. Talks with the officials of the central government were to be held in May last month, however it got delayed. According to the National Council-JCM, now this meeting is expected to be held in this month i.e. in June, said media reports. The initial meeting between the representatives of the Central Government and the National Council-JCM was scheduled on 8 May 2021, but was postponed due to the second wave of COVID-19. It was again scheduled for the last week of May 2021, but due to COVID restrictions, the meeting got stalled again. Now, with gradual lifting of restrictions in sight, the National Council-JCM expects this meeting to be held in the second or third week of this month, said reports. Last year, due to Corona, the government had withheld dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) of employees and pensioners. Increased salary will soon start coming in the accounts of millions of central employees and pensioners from July 1. The government has said in Parliament that their stalled dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) will be resumed from 1 July 2021. The decision now to restore DA from July, 2021 would benefit about 50 lakh central government employees and more than 65 lakh pensioners. However, any increase in DA from July 1 will only be effective from that day, meaning the employees would not get any arrears on non-revision of DA for previous period. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Amid rumours of factionalism and growing internal feud within the Punjab Congress, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh will meet the party`s three-member panel in Delhi on Friday. In view of the issue, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi has formed a three-member panel that includes Mallikarjun Kharge, Harish Rawat and JP Aggarwal. The meeting is likely to take place at 11 AM at Congress Headquarters. The agenda of the meeting is to resolve the widening differences between its leaders - Captain Amarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu, said Congress sources. Sidhu has already appeared before the panel on Tuesday and maintained his sharp stance and said that he has conveyed the truth of Punjab to the high command in a "loud voice". Speaking to the media personnel Sidhu had said, "I have come at the call of the high command. Whatever he asked in the interest of the party made him aware. I have conveyed the voice of the people of Punjab which are coming tearing the ground. I have come to bring out the voice of grassroots in Punjab. My stand was, is and will be the same. The democratic power of the people of Punjab, the power of tax should go back to those people. I have come by publishing the truth. Truth is tortured, not defeated." Apart from Sidhu, on Tuesday, one of the big names was MLA Pargat Singh who spoke in front of the panel. Pargat had said, "Many MLAs have complained about the Captain in front of the panel." Sidhu is the biggest name among the leaders who raised their voice against the chief minister, so from a distance, this dispute appears to be Captain against Sidhu, but in reality, it is the election promises of Amarinder Singh versus Congress which were not fulfilled. The biggest issue among them is the issue of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. Congress leaders feel that if concrete action is not taken in this matter, then Congress will suffer a huge loss in the elections. Punjab Chief Minister also has the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Captain`s opponents accuse him of being close to Sukhbir Singh Badal and not taking any action against him for that reason. Now, eight months before the election, the demand to replace Captain is gaining momentum. The Congress leadership has formed a committee to stop the rebellion, but the challenge before the committee is very complex. The most complicated thing is that this dispute is not limited only to the tussle between Captain and Sidhu. In two days, a panel set up by Sonia Gandhi has met more than 50 Punjab MLAs in Delhi. Some have spoken of unity and discipline in the party, while some leaders have demanded the change. Meanwhile, in a major development on Thursday, Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh before leaving for Delhi welcomed Aam Admi Party MLAs Sukhpal Khaira, Jagdev Singh Kamalu and Pirmal Singh Dhaula into Congress. Live TV New Delhi: NASA had recently released a stunning new picture of the Milky Way galaxy's violent, super-energised downtown. It's a composite of 370 observations over the past two decades by the orbiting Chandra X-ray Observatory, depicting billions of stars and countless black holes in the center, or heart, of the Milky Way. A radio telescope in South Africa also contributed to the image, for contrast. Unravel the threads of superheated gas and magnetic fields that make up the tapestry of energy of our Milky Way galaxy. A new image from @ChandraXray brings to life the giant mosaic of data that weaves together this cosmic masterpiece. Discover more: https://t.co/UJZMMDe2Zg pic.twitter.com/jkNgFXk2z2 NASA (@NASA) May 27, 2021 Astronomer Daniel Wang of the University of Massachusetts Amherst said he spent a year working on this while stuck at home during the pandemic. What we see in the picture is a violent or energetic ecosystem in our galaxy's downtown, Wang said in an email, according to news agency PTI. There are a lot of supernova remnants, black holes, and neutron stars there. Each X-ray dot or feature represents an energetic source, most of which are in the center. This busy, high-energy galactic center is 26,000 light years away. His work appears in the June issue of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Launched in 1999, Chandra is in an extreme oval orbit around Earth. Live TV Chennai: Nine of the eleven captive lions at Arignar Anna Zoological park, at Vandalur near Chennai have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, as per a statement issued by the zoo authorities. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the disease COVID-19. Neela, a 9-year old lion housed in the zoo, died on Thursday evening, after showing some nasal discharge on Wednesday. Authorities maintain that the lion was provided treatment immediately after it displayed symptoms. According to zoo authorities, it was on May 26 that five lions in the Animal House 1 of the Safari Park area were reported to show loss of appetite (anorexia) and occasional coughing. Following which, an in-house veterinary team along with those from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) took immediate action and offered treatment. The blood samples and nasal swabs were sent to TANUVAS. While, rectal swab and fecal samples of the 11 lions were sent to National Institute of High Security Diseases (NIHSAD) Bhopal, which is among the designated institutes to take up SARS COV-2 testing in captive animals. As per the test results, nine of the 11 lions tested COVID-19 positive. In order to ascertain whether or not the reported results are false positives or the animal could have died of other complications (comorbidities), further samples have also been taken. They were sent on Friday to the Indian Veterinary Research institute Bareilly and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. All the lions which have tested positive are under close observation and on prescribed treatment regimen by the in-house veterinary team in close co-ordination with expert team from TANUVAS. All animal keepers and helpers for these animal houses are vaccinated against COVID-19. Separate set of animal keepers are engaged for each group of lions. PPE Kits are mandatory for the animal keepers, veterinary doctors and field staff visiting the area, the statement read. The Zoo authorities maintain that they have been following the precautions issues by the Central Zoo Authority, the Central and the State Governments from time to time. They also add that measures to prevent diseases(prophylactic measures) are being undertaken for the different families of animals such as felids (cats), mustelids (mammals of the weasel family), viverrids(small-medium mammals) and primates. These disease preventive steps are said to be taken in consultation with experts from TANUVAS, Veterinarians of Hyderabad Zoo and Bronx Zoo. New Delhi, Jun 4 (PTI) SoftBank Group is in discussions with Flipkart to pump in about USD 500-600 million into the Walmart-owned e-tailer, according to sources. If the deal goes through, SoftBank will re-enter Flipkart's cap table three years after it sold its entire stake in the e-commerce major to Walmart. Sources said Flipkart is in talks with various investors to raise funding, including SoftBank that is expected to invest about USD 500-600 million (Rs 3,652 crore - Rs 4,382 crore). The transaction - which may also see participation from Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC and Canadian pension fund CPPIB - could value Flipkart between USD 30-32 billion, they added. SoftBank declined to comment, while Flipkart did not respond to emailed queries. GIC and CPPIB could not be immediately reached for comments. After its USD 16 billion investment in Flipkart in 2018, Walmart had led a USD 1.2 billion funding round in 2020 that valued the e-commerce company at USD 24.9 billion post-money. Flipkart is also said to be working on launching an initial public offering (IPO) next year. One of the persons close to the development said that Flipkart, and the e-commerce segment as a whole, has seen significant growth during the pandemic and investors are keen on tapping into this opportunity. E-commerce has seen strong growth in the country amid the pandemic as containment measures introduced millions to the convenience of online shopping, and prompted seasoned online shoppers to buy more. Social distancing compulsions, massive smartphone base and reliable broadband have galvanised e-commerce uptake beyond metros, deep into smaller cities and towns. These platforms are ramping up capacities and hiring to cater to the growth in order volumes. A fresh infusion of capital will also provide Flipkart with more ammunition to compete against rivals like Amazon and Reliance's JioMart. SoftBank had sold its approximately 20 per cent share after Walmart agreed to buy a 77 per cent stake in Flipkart for USD 16 billion in 2018. SoftBank has been aggressively investing in India over the past few years, backing companies including Paytm, Ola and Delhivery. Last month, SoftBank invested USD 250-million in banking technology startup Zeta, and led a USD 300 million (about Rs 2,201.7 crore) funding round in Meesho earlier this year. New Delhi: Germany`s competition authority has launched a probe against Googles newly launched Showcase platform. The showcase platform shows news on Googles News website. While the authority noted that the cooperation with Google could be attractive for publishers and other news providers and offer consumers better information services, the platform doesnt ensure that there is no discrimination between individual publishers. "However, it must be ensured that this does not lead to discrimination between individual publishers," the statement said. "Nor must Google`s strong position in access to end customers lead to a crowding out of competing offerings from publishers or other news providers," the authority added in the statement. In India, Google launched its Showcase news platform in India with 30 domestic news publishers on May 18. The tech giant had said that it will pay the partnering publishers for their online content and allow them to curate it while allowing users limited access to paywalled stories. It did not reveal further financial details. "Today`s announcement comes at a particularly challenging moment in India, with Indians seeking out authoritative news and information as the COVID-19 crisis deepens," Google had said in a blog at the time of launch. If you are an Anime fan from India, you know how you have been streaming your favorite Anime. As much as 90% of Indian Anime fans stream Anime on illegal streaming sites due to a lack of official streaming partners and services. The same goes for where Indian Anime fans get their information. The community has been divided into small sections of fans who maintain their own small channels for information. This scenario was worse back in the 2010s. Seeing this wide gap in community idea of Otakukart was born. Otakukart was started in 2015 and now caters and delivers up-to-date information to millions of Anime fans. The Indian Based website serves as a go-to point for reliable information. The company now represents Indian Anime Community on a formal stage as the community never had a news and blogging website of their own, which would provide them with all the latest updates. At the same time, their western counterparts covered the whole internet. Otakukart now not only provides Otaku News but also provides top-notch information from Western Shows as well as Korean Drama. The company has expanded into these domains to cater to the rising demand in the Indian fan base. But Otakukart doesn't stop there; the company is also running an initiative through which they make sure their community is being taken care of. While talking to Vibhav Pandey, Managing Director of the company, we came to know Otakukart promotes Otaku & Geek Artists on their platforms. The company runs several campaigns and competitions to promote young and talented artists from the Indian Anime community on their Website, Instagram, and Facebook Page. Alongside supporting and funding successful ideas from Otaku Community. Otakukart also aims to Bring MNC to India to grow the Otaku Culture in India. Otakukart aims to have future tie-ups with Big Anime Studios, which will help Indian-Viewers legally watch their favorite Anime and the potential of having Anime Movies in Indian Theaters. Vibhav also mentioned how during tough times company reached out to NGOs supporting them to provide FREE FOOD to the underprivileged section of society as the COVID-19 has left many lives damaged. The company helped in donating rice bags every month to families in need. India is home to 1.3 Billon people. Out of these people, more than 50% of Indians are younger than 25 years of age, and more than 65% are below 35 years. These young Indians have grown up watching shows like Dragon Ball Z, Beyblade, Pokemon, and Naruto, making Anime an integral part of their childhood and life. Otakukart aims to represent all of them. Otakukart is a startup that is marking a dent on a global level showing how and what Indian Anime Community can do. While serving its true purpose of providing the right information, the company has given back to its people and community. From donating to helping and reducing carbon footprint, Otakukart is an Upcoming Indian Colossal media company to go tip-toe with western giants. (Disclaimer- Brand desk content.) Zerodhas co-founder Nithin Kamath has expressed his disappointment of not getting verified on Twitter in a witty and humorous way. He shared a post on June 4 hinting that since his early childhood days, he has been rejected for almost everything. While sharing a screenshot of the note he got from Twitter, Kamath tweeted, "Twitter @verified just reminded me of my school & college days, almost always rejected (sic). After a couple of hours of his tweet, Kamaths account got verified with a blue tick as Twitter decided to verify his handle. CRED founder Kunal Shah took no time to comment on his post which read, "people with blue ticks secretly want a good salary". Kamath replied with banter, saying "we are looking for a social media influencer with a blue tick". Shah then commented again on the post saying, "Got you verified. Without the job or salary." Zerodha, an online platform that invests in stocks, derivatives, and mutual funds started its operations on August 15, 2010, with the goal of breaking all barriers that traders and investors face in India in terms of cost, support, and technology. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Actress Mahika Sharma, who has previously worked in popular shows like Ramayana and Tu Mere Agal Bagal Hai opened up on facing trouble for her friendship with adult star Danny D. On the occasion of International Sex Workers' Day (June 2), Mahika revealed about facing challenges, after her friendship with Danny D got viral. "It was quite a challenging phase in my life. When people assumed me to be a sex worker just because I'm a friend to Danny D. They started assaulting and discriminate against me without having a fact check. For a society, it is very easy to dishonour a girl. With a lot of happening in my life, I tried to stay strong and collect all the pain and emotions to compare how miserable life a sex worker must be surviving. Then, I took a stand to create some awareness and welfare for them," Mahika Sharma said. The actress known for featuring in television shows like Ramayana and Tu Mere Agal Bagal Hai, says it's a must to help them to quit the profession and educate them. "As the day honours and recognises the exploited working conditions of sex workers. Sometimes people don't behave properly with sex workers and they face violence too. Therefore, it is important to create awareness on respecting them. I wish to bring prostitution to end. All of us need to help bringing them out of this profession. And now when porn is ban in our country. Still there are a number of adult films are been released here with local artists on different digital network, which is sad. We need to do something about it," she added. New Delhi: A video of an elderly woman in Uttar Pradesh's Etawah scared to take vaccine has gone viral. The video which has been shared widely on social media brings to light the monumental challenge of conducting vaccination drive in rural parts of India. The incident took place on Tuesday when a team of the state Health Department team along with the BJP MLA Sarita Bhadauria went to Chandanpur village in Etawah for a vaccination and awareness drive. When they reached the village, they managed to meet a few people but Har Devi, in her 80s, first hid behind a door and then ran behind a large drum in the house, apparently to avoid the jab. Despite being called several times by the vilalgers and the health department team, the ocotogenarian refused to come out. When woman did come out, she folded her hands and said she will not vaccinate, that she will get a fever and then die. The woman was pacified by the doctor and she was given her vaccine dose that same day. Later in the evening, MLA Bhadauria said that there is a lot of rumours regarding vaccine in the village and admitted that a lot of work will have to be done on the vaccine front in the village. The head of Chandanpur village Rekha Devi said, "There is a lot of rumours spread about the vaccine in the village, due to which only 40 people have got the vaccine so far in this village with a population of 1,200." New Delhi: The COVID-19 vaccination drive in India has had its fair share of myths created by the spread of misinformation via the internet and other forms of communication as well. With no proper education on the benefit of the vaccine, an old woman in a village in hid behind a drum in fear when health workers visited her house. The video shows the elderly woman hiding behind a drum inside her house during a door-to-door vaccination drive in Uttar Pradeshs Etawah. The incident happened on Tuesday when BJP MLA Sarita Bhadauria arrived at Chandanpur village in Etawah for the vaccination drive along with a Health Department team. As the team reached Har Devis house, she first hid behind a door and then took shelter behind a large drum in the house, in a bid to avoid getting vaccinated. The video of the incident shows the woman utterly terrified as she hides behind the drum and refuses to come out. Her family members call her out and urge her, but to no avail. A lady doctor then talks to her and tries to make her understand the situation. I am a doctor. I am not here to give you an injection. We are here just to speak with you. At least come and listen to your MLA, the doctor says. Twitter user and journalist Alok Pandey shared the video and wrote, Funny , yet tragic video from UPs Etawah, underscoring the immense covid vaccine hesitancy in rural India . This elderly lady , hid behind a drum in her home to escape a vaccination awareness campaign led by local MLA . Health workers did convince her to come out Funny , yet tragic video from UPs Etawah, underscoring the immense covid vaccine hesitancy in rural India . This elderly lady , hid behind a drum in her home to escape a vaccination awareness campaign led by local MLA . Health workers did convince her to come out . pic.twitter.com/EfzxCqhFqJ Alok Pandey (@alok_pandey) June 3, 2021 After a lot of convincing, the woman finally agreed to come out and even got vaccinated that same day, after meeting the MLA. Live TV New Delhi: Even as the United States is putting up pressure on China over the investigation of alleged COVID-19 origin in Wuhan lab, the latter hit back saying that it is the US where the origin should be studied. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Friday (June 4) said that there are several reports pointing to the emergence of COVID-19 at various locations around the world including the Fort Detrick lab in the US. "We hope that the U.S. can adopt a scientific and cooperative attitude like China and invite WHO experts to the U.S. to carry out research on tracing virus origins," Wenbin said in response to a question about US medical expert Dr Anthony Fauci demanding the release of the medical records of nine people who allegedly became ill in November 2019 in China. "The U.S. should explain that as soon as possible and make due contributions to mankind's victory over the pandemic and better respond to public health emergencies in the future," he added. Dr Fauci has called on China to release the medical records of the nine people whose ailments might provide vital clues to COVID-19 origin. The US intelligence agencies are examining reports that researchers at a Chinese virology laboratory in Wuhan were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first COVID-19 cases were reported. Live TV New Delhi: The United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Friday (June 4) said that President Joe Biden has made a commitment that Washington will give COVID-19 vaccines to India. His comments come a day after the US announced that India will get COVID vaccines via COVAX facility and directly as well in the first tranche of 25 million doses announced for the international community. Sullivan said, "The President made a commitment to ensure that India received doses. Not just an allocation under the regional portion of this through COVAX, but an additional allocation from our discretionary portion was something that he wanted to do." India is the only country that would get the US vaccines both ways. The US will be sharing a total of 80 million doses by the end of June. This represents 13 percent of the total vaccines produced by the United States by the end of this month. NSA explained, "Our approach prioritises South and Southeast Asia, including countries like India, Nepal, Philippines, and others that are undergoing surges right now. He added, "portion of those doses will go to India, which has, obviously, dealt with a surge, and weve seen the gripping images coming from the country." In all, the US will give 25 million vaccines to more than 35 countries and 3 entities - West Bank and Gaza, Kosovo and Taiwan and United Nations frontline workers. The 25 million will be comprised of the three EUA-approved authorized vaccines, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna. It is to be noted that both India and the US are working to enhance vaccine production, especially under the Quad COVID vaccine initiative. March 12 saw the first Quad virtual summit in which the leaders of the US, India, Japan and Australia met. A key outcome was the vaccine initiative under which India will be the production hub. Ned Price, US State Department spokesperson said, "Increased manufacturing capacity in India has the potential to be a game-changer well beyond Indias borders, and thats precisely why (the) arrangement was reached and announced in the context of the Quad." Amid the pandemic, the US had reached out to India with assistance. These include 20,000 courses of Remdesivir, 1500 oxygen cylinders, 550 mobile oxygen concentrators, one million rapid diagnostic tests, 2.5 million N95 masks, large-scale deployable Oxygen Concentration System that can provide oxygen to treat 20 or more patients and 210 pulse oximeters. The US had sent six planes to India to deal with the crisis in the month of May and according to USAID, the US government assistance to combat the current crisis is about $100 million. Price pointed out that "virtually no element of Indian society has been left untouched by this horrible, horrible scourge" and "together between the US government contributions as well as private sector contributions, we have seen some half a billion dollars in support go to India in its time of need." Live TV Washington: US President Joe Biden`s administration has banned American investors from investing in 59 defence and surveillance technology Chinese companies to stop US capital from being used by Beijing to undermine national security. President Joe Biden on Thursday (local time) signed an executive order banning investments in 59 corporations, together with marquee Chinese language teams resembling Huawei, the telecoms tools producer, and semiconductor manufacturing worldwide company, China`s largest chipmaker, which the US says is crucial to the Chinese navy language, said an ANI report. According to the President's order, the ban on Chinese companies was put in lieu of the threats posed by the military-industrial complex of the People`s Republic of China (PRC) and its involvement in military, intelligence, and security research and development programs, and weapons and related equipment production under the PRC`s military-civil Fusion strategy. Senior US officials reportedly said that the ban would take effect on August 2, but investors can make trades during the next 12 months to divest their holdings. Americans, however, are not required to divest the securities, they will be unable to sell their holdings after the one-year period has elapsed, according to the order. The executive order prohibits direct investment in both debt and equity securities but also bans Americans from investing in funds that contain Chinese securities in their portfolios. The ban marks the most recent effort by the Biden administration to take a more and more tough stance on China`s repression of the Uyghurs to its aggressive navy exercise within the South and East China Seas. Former President Donald Trump in the final 12 months issued an order banning investments in corporations that the Pentagon placed on a listing of teams with suspected connection to the Chinese military. Senior US officials reportedly said that President Biden`s order would ensure that the investment ban was on stronger legal footing. They added that it would expand the Trump order to include surveillance companies, including Hikvision, that are accused of helping Beijing persecute more than one million Muslim Uyghurs who have been held in detention camps in the north-western region of Xinjiang. (With Agency Inputs) Live TV Seoul: South Korea`s air force chief resigned on Friday (June 4), apologising and taking responsibility for the death of a member of the force who took her own life, according to her family, after being sexually harassed by a colleague. Lee Seong-yong offered to step down a day after an air force master sergeant was arrested on charges of molesting and injuring a female colleague of the same rank in March. The family of the victim said she had suffered mental distress and persistent bullying, and accused the air force of trying to cover up the assault and silence her over the past two months. ALSO READ: Pakistan: South Asia's only nation without female judge in Supreme Court President Moon Jae-in immediately accepted Lee`s resignation, his press secretary said, making him the shortest-serving South Korean air force chief after appointing him in September. "I would like to extend my apology to the citizens and deep condolences to the deceased person and her family. I feel heavy responsibility and offer my resignation," Lee said in a statement. The case sparked a public outcry after the woman`s family filed a petition with Moon`s office on Tuesday (June 1) calling for a thorough investigation and punishment for those involved. More than 326,000 people have signed it so far. Moon ordered an investigation on Thursday (June 4) including on how the air force handled the case, as the family reported three officials at Lee`s base to military prosecutors, accusing two of them of dereliction of duty and attempted compulsion and the other of sexual harassment. The air force on Thursday (June 3) dismissed two supervisors involved in Lee`s case, without elaborating why. On Friday (June 4), military prosecutors raided the offices of the air force military police at its headquarters and Lee`s base, the defence ministry said. A series of incidents has prompted the military to tighten rules and penalties for sexual abuse, but activists say the military is still too soft on members accused of wrongdoing. "The investigation is under way, but so far there were signs that the air force tried to protect its own organisation, rather than the victim, despite her multiple attempts seeking help," a defence source told Reuters on condition of anonymity citing the investigation. LONDON: Britain's top medicine regulator on Friday announced that it has extended approval of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech so it can be used on children aged between 12 to 15 years. "We have carefully reviewed clinical trial data on children aged 12 to 15 years and have concluded that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective in this age group and that the benefits of this vaccine outweigh any risk," June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said. United Kingdom approves Pfizer/BioNTech COVID shot for 12- to 15-year-olds: Reuters pic.twitter.com/LL2wSXAZrn ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2021 Dr Raine also said the safety of the vaccine in children aged between 12 to 15 years would be carefully monitored. "No extension to an authorisation would be approved unless the expected standards of safety, quality and effectiveness have been met," she said. She added that it would now be up to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to decide whether this age group would come under the vaccine deployment programme. It may be noted that the Pfizer vaccine is already approved for use in people aged 16 and over. US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has recently told the Indian government that its COVID-19 vaccine is suitable for all aged 12 and above and can be stored at 2-8 degrees for over a month. The firm also said that is ready to supply 50 million COVID-19 vaccines to India in 2021, albeit with a few conditions. The US drugmaker has also asked for relaxations in some clauses, including indemnification for its shots, sources said. Pfizer officials and the government also reportedly discussed the indemnity protection against liabilities and the firm asked for relaxation in some clauses before the company brings its COVID-19 vaccines to India. Live TV South Africa: SIU recommends criminal charges in Mpumalanga R5.5m PPE tender This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Eskom Group Chief Executive (GCE) Andre de Ruyter has been cleared of allegations of racism by an independent inquiry. The inquiry, led by Advocate Ishmael Semenya, was established by the Eskom Board to probe a series of allegations made by Eskoms former Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), Solly Tshitangano, against De Ruyter. The allega... See more New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Lots of sunshine. Hot and humid. High around 95F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Woburn, MA (01801) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High near 85F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%. South Africa: Working together to address SA challenges The knowledge economy provides South Africa with an opportunity to overcome structural barriers to economic transformation, says Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. We are facing an economic and a social crisis. It is our collective responsibility as leaders in Government, Business and Communities to invest our collective expertise to address the challenges of our society; key among them is economic and equitable distribution of wealth, the Minister said. Addressing the Black Business Council on Thursday, she said there are basic building blocks to maximizing key policy objectives and unlock innovative entrepreneurship. The release of spectrum; investment in digital skills for our general population; increasing access to digital service (at affordable rates); ensure that broader infrastructure investments will be key to improving outcomes from our programs. We welcome stakeholder partnerships to achieve these objectives. We also challenge partners to come up with innovative responses to our national challenges, the Minister said. In September, government will convene a digital economy conference wherein potential investors can identify opportunities for investment. Ndabeni-Abrahams has called on leaders to work together to address the social and economic challenges in the country. Our assessment is that digital transformation and 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) can help to augment South Africas global competitiveness. While we have seen the countrys World Economic Forum (WEF) global competitiveness ranking improve overall in the past three years, the country improved its overall ranking to 60 out of 141 countries in 2020 compared with 67 the previous year the country's ranking in human capital development remains disappointing. This means that the opportunities available to our population to participate in the mainstream economy remain limited, the Minister said. Ndabeni-Abrahams said the 41R can affect progress in education, health and other key human capital areas, which would contribute to improving labour absorption rates. Not only that, but we also believe that by fostering diffusion of knowledge and skills development the 41R provides opportunity for industries to be more innovative and competitive. The first practical measure is the establishment of a Digital Skills Forum by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, the Minister said. The forum will serve as a coordinating structure throughout government, business and civil society in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all 4IR related skills training programme. This birds eye view will enable all participating stakeholders in the Digital Skills Forum to agree on the areas of priority with the training interventions and also the mobilisation together of the much-needed financial resources to upskill and reskill South Africans to a standard par with the international community. The Digital Skills Forum in pursuing its agenda will align its work and mandate to the outputs and outcomes envisaged in the activities of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC), by ensuring a consistent reconceptualization and structuring of the digital skills development ecosystem and the capacity support needed thereof, the Minister said. The departments implementation programme targets and focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship as the hallmarks of economic development and growth. It focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and STEAMIE, which adds Arts, Innovation and Entrepreneurship as other critical components to achieve a 4IR ready country. The industry is therefore very crucial in ensuring that there is the scaling up of digital skills development to meet the industry needs through expanding workplace-based digital skills learning opportunities for young people to ensure competitiveness, the Minister said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Woburn, MA (01801) Today Mostly sunny. High 84F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 59F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Have you noticed a patchy beard of buds on some of the saguaros in your neighborhood? Youre not imagining things. Cactus experts are tracking an unprecedented outbreak of side blooms on saguaros across Southern Arizona and beyond. Watch Now: Strange bloom puts spotlight on saguaros Typically, the giant cacti sprout flowers only around the tips of their arms and trunks, but this year a large number of them are also pushing out buds farther down their stems. Research ecologist Bill Peachey said he has received reports of saguaros blooming in strange places from the Phoenix area to as far south as San Carlos, Mexico. And there are examples all over the Tucson valley, he said. Its a big phenomenon. The exact cause is unclear, but the experts agree that the rare display is almost certainly a sign of distress. Ive been thinking a lot about that, said Ben Wilder, director of the University of Arizonas Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill. His back-of-the-napkin guess: Last year was the driest on record in Tucson, and he suspects this years strange bloom is a response to that. Essentially, the monsoon failed, Wilder said. A plot twist Peachey thinks the trouble goes back further than that. Though he cant prove it, he said, whats happening now could be fallout from a run of record heat in 2017 that damaged many of the cacti, disrupting their development. Drought since then has only made things worse. The last several years havent been good for saguaros, so they havent grown much, Peachey said. As a result, the plants have fewer new spine clusters known as areoles from which flowers typically sprout, so they are reactivating old, unused budding locations farther down the stem. Peachey has been studying the same, 2-acre grove of saguaros near Colossal Cave since 1997, and hes never seen anything like this. In addition to the side blooms, some saguaros on Peacheys plot are sporting crowns of flowers that are more tightly packed than usual. The same thing is happening at Saguaro National Park, where visitors have been asking a lot of questions lately that staff members cant answer just yet. Other columnar cacti like the organ pipe and the Mexican giant cardon regularly sprout flowers along the sides of their stems. Saguaros almost never do at least until recently. Long-time park biologist Don Swann said the park launched a multiyear study of the unusual blooming activity after some limited reports of it in 2020. Its just an interesting phenomenon that people had noticed but (that) hadnt really been studied, he said. I dont have data yet. Were just sort of in the process of collecting data. Flowers in fall On Tumamoc Hill, Wilder has also noticed a number of saguaros with stems that are bulging at the top and thinner down below, suggesting the plants are forcing what little water they have left upward to support the production of flowers and fruit. Hes worried about the toll this could be taking. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Were already seeing the loss of some older individuals, Wilder said. Another failed monsoon could be catastrophic. This years strange bloom comes on the heels of another unexpected event: a rare crop of autumn flowers that sprang up last year on scattered saguaros around Tucson. At the time, researchers called it the largest offseason bloom theyd ever seen. Whats happening now is much more widespread and much more significant, Peachey said. Saguaros generally produce flowers in early May and bear fruit in early summer. Their waxy white blossoms only stay open for a single day just long enough, if theyre lucky, to be cross-pollinated by a honey bee, bat or bird. Peachey said the seeds with the best chance for success tend to come from fruit produced during the last week to 10 days of June, just in time to catch that first monsoon. Seeds dispersed at almost any other time of the year are unlikely to germinate and grow into a saguaro capable of surviving its first winter or two. You want to have seeds on the ground when the rain comes, he said. Thats the key to the whole thing. The side blooms are the saguaros hokey workaround to not having enough new budding locations up top, but Peachey predicts all the extra effort wont amount to much. In his experience, flowers that sprout from the sides of stems rarely develop into fruit. I expect to see flowers dropping off like crazy, he said. It looks showy and it is showy but its not helpful to the plant in the long run. No end in sight Peachey has more saguaro experience than just about anyone. He has been surveying the cactuses on his Red Hills Saguaro Plot for so long that he can call out their assigned numbers without consulting the map on his clipboard. Plants he used to be able look down on now tower over his head with multiple arms clasping fleeting bouquets of blossoms. During the annual bloom, he walks his rocky patch of state land off Old Spanish Trail every other day, usually in the company of longtime friend and volunteer Steve Smith and Smiths wife, Ann Hollis. I count every blossom, Peachey said. Thursdays count was 324 blossoms on 143 flowering saguaros with 411 individual stems. At least six of those cactuses were blooming for the very first time. Peachey said theres a nasty rumor going around that Arizonas iconic cactuses are pumping out all these flowers as a last gasp before they all die. He insists the situation is nowhere near that bleak, though saguaros are facing a growing threat. He can see it in some of the plants on his plot: scars, discoloration, drooping arms and sagging trunks cumulative damage from a recent run of hard freezes and record heat waves. I cant say its climate change, but the weather events exactly match the pattern of climate change, Peachey said. Theres more bad things happening in a shorter period of time. The good news is saguaros are built to last a long time, even in harsh conditions. And in a reproductive life that can span a century or more, chances are youre going to have some really bad years and some really good years, Peachey said. Im not too worried because this is just one year. Why do saguaros grow like that? 6 things to know about our cactus neighbors The soon-to-be reconstituted panel tasked with evaluating and recommending Lake Superior Court judicial candidates for appointment by the governor has a new chairman. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush announced Thursday she's selected Supreme Court Justice Mark Massa to serve a four-year term as chairman of the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission beginning July 1. Massa was appointed to the state's highest court in 2012 by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels. His rulings include the landmark 2018 Gunderson v. State decision affirming the shoreline of Lake Michigan is owned by the state and open for recreational use by all Hoosiers. WATCH NOW: Over 63K COVID-19 vaccine doses administered through NWI program He succeeds Justice Geoffrey Slaughter, a Crown Point native, who Rush is rotating to the St. Joseph County Judicial Nominating Commission. The two justices so far are the only members of the judicial nominating commissions after the Republican-controlled General Assembly in April decided to replace the nine-member bodies in Lake and St. Joseph counties with a new, seven-member panel in each county. House Enrolled Act 1453 requires the governor to appoint three members and the county commissioners to appoint three members, with the chief justice's designate serving as chairman and a nonvoting seventh member, except in case of ties. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute WATCH NOW: Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops Aaron Crawford preview Previously, half the commission members were selected by lawyers and judges in each county, instead of by the governor who also fills any judicial vacancy by selecting a candidate from the list recommended by the nominating commission. A federal lawsuit filed last month by Democratic Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. seeks to do away with the nominating commissions altogether in Lake, St. Joseph, Allen and Marion counties. McDermott claims it's unconstitutional for the General Assembly to mandate gubernatorial appointment of criminal, civil and juvenile court judges in four counties with large minority populations when Hoosiers living in Indiana's 88 other counties all elect their superior court judges. Order appointing chairmen of county judicial nominating commissions Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail A Schererville native who previously worked for President George W. Bush and Gov. Eric Holcomb is seeking the Indiana Republican Party's nomination for state treasurer. Pete Seat, a 38-year-old Lake Central High School graduate, announced his bid for the statewide office Thursday at the Kosciusko County Lincoln Day Dinner in North Webster, approximately 100 miles east of his Region hometown. His goal, if elected next year, is to promote "freedom, prosperity, safety and capitalism" in everything the state treasurer's office does, including short- and long-term investment of public funds, managing Indiana's college savings program, and leading the state's 911 board. WATCH NOW: Casinos drop face mask requirement for vaccinated guests "This role is not for a dispassionate money manager. The job of state treasurer is for someone with a passion for the office and a heart for service," Seat said. "It's a role for someone with a vision for how we best invest in Indianas future and empower Hoosiers to plan for the best and prepare for the worst." To that end, Seat said as state treasurer he will seek to expand eligibility for disability savings accounts, encourage employers to match Hoosier contributions to College Choice 529 plans, strengthen cybersecurity initiatives and support local infrastructure improvements through the Indiana Bond Bank. "I intend to solidify the gains of Treasurer Kelly Mitchell's outstanding tenure in office and accelerate the office's already lightning-fast momentum by exploring innovative ways of doing the job and spreading the good news," he said. Mitchell, a Valparaiso University graduate, is barred by the Indiana Constitution from running for a third consecutive four-year term. Seat's campaign already has been endorsed by state Rep. Ethan Manning, R-Logansport, and Dubois County Treasurer Kitty Merkley, the incoming president of the Indiana County Treasurer's Association. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute "Through his travels to all 92 Indiana counties, and his work with Republican candidates and officeholders at every level, Pete has demonstrated to me and others his conservative values, his grasp of the issues people care about, and his ability to bring people together to get important work done," Manning said. "Pete knows what it takes to be an effective leader as state treasurer and he has a unique perspective on the importance of advancing the state treasurers office in a way that connects with Hoosiers." The Republican nominee for state treasurer will be selected by the approximately 1,800 delegates attending the party's state convention in June 2022. Two other candidates, so far, have formed committees to compete for the nomination: Morgan County Republican Chairman Daniel Elliott; and Suzie Jaworowski, of Fishers, a former coal company executive and director of Donald Trump's 2016 Indiana campaign for president. WATCH NOW: Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops Aaron Crawford preview No Hoosier Democrats are openly seeking their party's nomination for state treasurer yet. But Indiana Democratic Party Spokesman Drew Anderson is skeptical Seat will be successful in his campaign. "It'll be tough for Pete Seat, a Bush-Cheney administration alum, to solve the Indiana Republican Party's ongoing civil war and their aversion to common-sense solutions. While he figures that out, we'll be talking about how Democrats are delivering for Hoosiers through programs like President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan," Anderson said. Hoosier voters will elect the next state treasurer, along with state auditor and secretary of state, at the Nov. 8, 2022, general election. Meet the 2021 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation Press Release June 4, 2021 Lacson Thanks US for Prioritizing PH in Vaccine-Sharing More at: https://pinglacson.net/2021/06/04/lacson-thanks-us-for-prioritizing-ph-in-vaccine-sharing / / Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson thanked the United States government on Friday for making the Philippines one of the first beneficiaries of its COVID vaccine-sharing strategy. Lacson described as a "gesture of friendship" the inclusion of the Philippines in the US' list of recipients of the first 25 million doses to be shared. But he also suggested that this be done bilaterally if possible to make sure Filipinos get the vaccines sooner, even as he pushed for greater efforts by our government to enhance people's trust in the vaccines. "Thank you. We won't forget this gesture of friendship. Unless World Health Organization protocols are too strict on vaccine donations, it would be better if it's done bilaterally instead of through COVAX. Our people need the vaccines ASAP," Lacson said on his Twitter account. "Meanwhile, our government needs to continue enhancing our people's trust in the vaccines, especially those who remain reluctant to get their jabs done. Our people should be convinced of the truth that getting inoculated can save their lives as well as those of their loved ones - and pay no mind to the disinformation and conspiracy theories," he added. The US government had announced a proposed allocation plan for the first 25 million doses of vaccines it will share. This includes seven million for countries in Asia, which includes the Philippines, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands. Earlier, Lacson stressed the need for the Philippines to achieve herd immunity early, so the economy can recover soonest. To do this, he said there must be a stable supply of vaccines, even as authorities should exhaust all legal and creative means to encourage Filipinos to be vaccinated. "If we want to get our pre-pandemic normal back, we must attain herd immunity. And to do this, Filipinos must be vaccinated," he said. Press Release June 4, 2021 Senate adjourns sine die with 72 bills enacted into law The Senate adjourned sine die the Second Regular Session of the 18th Congress Thursday, June 3, 2021, with 72 bills having been signed into law, including the passage of several important legislations that would enable the country, the economy, and the people cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III in his speech said that while the pandemic has brought so many worries and doubts, the Senate has remained steadfast and acted swiftly in passing needed legislation focused not only on the safety and health of every Filipino but also on the recovery of the country's economy. "I believed that in moments of national crisis, our people expect more from their government. And therefore, it becomes the duty of us in the Senate to fulfill this expectation to the highest degree possible," Sotto said. Merely weeks after the resumption of the Second Regular Session, the Senate passed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1564, or the "Bayanihan to Recover as One Act" which was signed into law by the President on September 11, 2020 as Republic Act (RA) 11494 or An Act Providing for Covid-19 Response and Recovery Interventions and Providing Mechanisms to Accelerate the Recovery and Bolster the Resiliency of the Philippine Economy. Apart from the passing the General Appropriations Act of 2021 on time, the Senate also adopted and passed House Bill No. 8063 or an Act Extending the Availability of Appropriations under RA 11494 or the "Bayanihan to Recover as One Act" and House Bill No. 6656 or an Act Extending the Availability of the 2020 Appropriations to December 31, 2021. Sotto said the chamber also took steps to ensure the immunity of everyone and help end the pandemic by passing Senate Bill 2057 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which was signed into law on February 26, 2021. "Aware of the urgent needs of the pandemic, your Senate is committed to a legislative policy of shepherding government programs and resources for fighting COVID-19," the Senate President added. To ensure financial resiliency against the pandemic, Senate passed SBN 1849, otherwise known as the Financial Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act, which was signed into law as RA 11523. The Senate, according to Sotto, also conducted hearings and informal consultations with medical experts with the end in view of crafting laws to stay steps ahead of the natural course of the pandemic. As a result, a number of bills of local application creating schools, hospitals, and expanding bed capacity in hospitals in various parts of the country have been signed into law. Sotto also mentioned the enactment of RA 11509 or the "Doktor Para sa Bayan Act" which grants scholarships to medical students. The Senate also passed the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act (RA 11534), an Act Granting the President of the Philippines the Power to Defer the Increases in Contributions of the Social Security System (RA 11548), and an Act Reforming the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives System (RA 11534). Apart from measures related to the pandemic, the Senate also passed other important legislations that were enacted into laws. These were R.A. 11510 (Alternative Learning System Act); RA 11511 (An Act Amending RA 10068 or The Organic Agriculture Act of 2010); R.A. 11521 (An Act Further Strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Law); RA 11524 (Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act); RA 11535 (An Act Making the Position of a Cooperatives Development Officer Mandatory in the Municipal, City and Provincial Levels); RA 11549 (Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau Of Jail Management And Penology, and Bureau Of Corrections Height Equality Act); RA 11551 (Labor Education Act); and RA 11552 (An Act Extending and Enhancing the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate). Meanwhile, 21 bills are now awaiting the signature of the President including SBN 1296 seeking to establish the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute; SBN 1886 expanding the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts; SBN 1931, Confirmation of Imperfect Titles; and SBN 2208, Extending the Estate Tax Amnesty. Three bills, SBN 1354, Amending Articles 183 and 184 of Act No. 3815 of the Revised Penal Code; SBN 1832, BFP Modernization Act of 2020; and SBN, amending RA 8762 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000 are pending in the bicameral conference committee, while 34 bills are pending in the House of Representatives. The Senate also convened into a committee of the whole this year to conduct an inquiry into the food security crisis brought about by the severe outbreak of the African swine fever. "As Senate President, I give you a simple promise: We in the Senate, will do our best. I would like to think that similar to the fable of the tortoise and the hare, we will win over the pandemic not because of how fast we run, but how wise we are at strategizing for the win," he said. Sotto also thanked his colleagues for their continued support and for joining him in the pursuit of coming up with legislations that are fair, reasonable, and for the interest of the people. The Senate President also expressed gratitude to the unwavering service and dedication of all the Senate staffers - both from the offices of the senators and from the secretariat -- saying that the accomplishment of the chamber would not be possible without them. In what was, so far, the best baseball game of the week, the Jaguars pulled their 33rd win out of the fire and salvaged a gem of a start from their star pitcher. Sexual predators have devised new tricks of abducting teenage girls, in a new trend targeting school-going girls and those who have just completed their secondary school education, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has said. The predators prey on the young girls through their social media accounts where they obtain their personal information before they lure them into their trap, added the Security agency. DCI disclosed one such case, where a man from Mombasa lured a teenager from Machakos via social media. The girl nearly fell victim were it not for a bus tout attached to the Executive Bus company. As the story goes, the girl boarded a bus at Machakos junction and lied to the conductor that she was headed to the coast to meet her brother who stays in Mariakani. The bus tout asked her to pay her bus fare amounting to Sh 1,500 but the girl only had Sh500. However, after a phone conversation with the said brother, she promised to settle the balance before they reached Mtito a Ndei. Along the way, the conductor got suspicious on the true identity of the person the teenager was going to meet and whether that person was truly her brother. Therefore, upon reaching Samburu, the conductor called the man and tricked him that they had arrived in Mariakani, the DCI narrated. Adding: He asked him to come at the bus stop and pick the girl as he settled the balance, but the man told him to send the girl to Kaloleni by a motorbike, where she would meet him then he would settle the balance. The suspicious conductor decided to accompany the girl to Mombasa. Seated next to the girl was a pastor who was also headed to Mombasa, who urged the girl to disclose the true identity of the man she was going to meet. It is then that she disclosed the man was not her brother but a stranger she had met established contact with through Facebook. The bus finally arrived in Mombasa at around 4:30 pm, but the man didnt show up until later in the evening at 8 pm. What followed shocked the staff of executive bus services, when the teenager said that the man who had come to pick her up was not the man she had been chatting with, adding that he did not resemble the person appearing on the Facebook page, DCI said. The bus company accommodated the girl and gave her a ride back to Machakos junction. According to the DCI, the bus conductor reported that such cases were rampant. Detectives from the Anti Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit are currently pursuing the suspects. Meanwhile, parents are advised to monitor their childrens online activities and the people they socialise with, since cases of young girls being abducted for slavery and sexual exploitation are on the rise. DCIs anonymous toll-free line 0800 722 203 is open to anybody with more information, that may lead to the arrest of the suspects. Agradezco al presidente @FSagasti la apertura que ha mostrado hacia la Mision de Observacion Electoral que tengo el honor de encabezar. Felicito la neutralidad con la que ha conducido este complejo proceso y su actuacion a favor de la democracia peruana #OEAenPeru https://t.co/uxzDCAvdKd South Africa: SA, Cuba commemorate 27 years of diplomatic relations South Africa will always vote in favour of the annual United Nations resolution, calling for the end of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba. According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), this is based on principle and solidarity with the government and people of Cuba. "Both countries also maintain excellent cooperation in the multilateral arena, through mechanisms such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 and the United Nations system. This comes as Minister Naledi Pandor and her Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriquez Parrilla, virtually commemorated 27 years of formal diplomatic relations between their two countries. The two Ministers spoke through a video call on Thursday. According to the department, Presidents Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro formalised diplomatic relations between South Africa and Cuba on 11 May 1994. However, the deep and special relationship between the two countries dates back well before 1994. It was cemented on the battlefields of southern Angola, where almost half a million Cubans joined their destiny with that of African combatants to reject the military intervention of apartheid and neo-colonialism on the continent. The department said Cuba remains a strategic partner for South Africa in the Latin American region and multilateral fora. The relations are characterised by high-level political dialogue as evidenced by annual meetings of the Joint Consultative Mechanism. The department said the countries relations continue to display a good model of South-South cooperation and human solidarity in the areas of health training and services, human settlements technical exchange, science and technology, public works technical assistance, cooperation on water resource management and water supply and professional services in the field of basic education. The department has defined the South Africa-Cuba Health Cooperation as the flagship bilateral cooperation programme. Currently, the department said just under 600 South African medical students are studying in Cuba at various levels. In addition, at the request of South Africa, 217 Cuban medical practitioners, part of the Cuban Medical Brigade, were deployed throughout the country in April/May 2020 to assist South Africa in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa has since nominated the Cuban Medical Brigade for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize The department believes that the special and historic relations of solidarity between South Africa are best summed up in the words of Pandor when she stated: South Africa and the Republic of Cuba are bonded by a noble history of freedom struggle. The current relations between South Africa and Cuba are morally pedigreed as well as embedded within the doctrine of South-South Relations. The department said the Minister affirmed this in her budget speech on 20 May 2021 we continue to support Cuba and work closely with that solid friend of South Africa. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Nakuru town is not just inches from officially being recognized as Kenyas 4th city. As the largest town in the Rift Valley, Nakuru has been lobbying for the title, and the senate in a special sitting on Thursday approved this request. The motion received unanimous support from all present senators. The report will now be handed to the president, who will have final approval on the matter. The motion to elevate the town to a city was tabled by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang after a thorough scrutiny by Senate Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. It had wide support from Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui, who argued that the county was the second highest contributor to the value of goods produced nationwide after Nairobi. The municipality also has an approved Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan (2014-2034) that is currently in force. The county has also put in place measures to optimally collect more revenue. Nakuru has the conference facilities capable of hosting a large delegation. The county headquarters and Nakuru High School also have conference facilities, noted Kinyanjui. If it passes presidential approval, Nakuru will join Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu as the other cities in Kenya. YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. The resolution introduced by Elected Member of the California Democratic Party Central Committee Elen Asatryan, which calls on the US Congress and the Biden Administration to take actions for the return of Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, urges to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan and Turkey, will be one of the 13 priorities of the party within the coming year, Elen Asatryan, who is in Armenia these days, said in an interview to ARMENPRESS. This is not only a resolution that passed during the convention, but it also became one of the partys priorities. 159 resolutions were submitted, but only 13 could pass during the convention. It means that the issue of Armenia, Artsakh, the return of captives, imposing sanctions on Turkey and Azerbaijan will be among the priority issues to be discussed by the partys all bodies during the year, she said. The resolution condemns Turkey and Azerbaijan for their war crimes during the recent war in Artsakh. It also calls on the California Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System to divest all public employee retirement funds from investment vehicles issued by Turkey and Azerbaijan until Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide, and until the people of Artsakh are afforded the opportunity of self-determination on their indigenous lands. The California Democratic party is the dominant political party in the state. Representing over 10.3 million democrats, it is also the largest democratic entity in the United States. The resolution has been submitted to the Biden Administration, the State Department and the Congress. Elen Asatryan said the Biden Administration is democratic, and the resolution submitted by the CDP definitely has its share. It was not a topic of one day, the lines of this resolution will be discussed during the whole year. It must be discussed at all conventions as one of the priorities, the author of the resolution said. This is not the only one pro-Armenian initiative by Elen Asatryan. She has started her activities in the United States at the age of 16 and has come up with a number of initiatives. Elen Asatryan has also served as Director of the Armenian National Committee of Glendale. Thanks to the adoption of the law introduced by her, 15 Armenian policemen received jobs in Glendale. The law required the police officer to be able to speak in Armenian as there are people in the city who do not speak in English, she said, adding that now Armenians are not only working in the police system, but also occupy higher positions in the City Hall. Elen Asatryan has also served as Director of the ANCA Western Region. In 2014, thanks to her efforts, the Armenian Genocide was taught in schools of California in the 10th and 11th grades. In 2012 we created the Armenian Vote project which aimed to be sure that the Armenian community is participating in the elections. At that time it has been revealed within two years that 50,000 Armenians have participated in the elections for the first time. Thus, you manage to create a political power for your community, she said. During the recent war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, Elen Asatryan has also been active by using all her ties in the United States. She came up with an initiative aimed at gathering all organizations and individuals who were active on Armenian issues around a table to collect true information and work together. She highlighted Diasporas getting accurate information from Armenia in order to understand the needs. Elen Asatryan arrived in Armenia on a private visit, but she has already managed to meet with NGOs, as well as different governmental agencies to try to understand the needs in order to voice them in the US. Talking about the Armenian community, she stated that although the community is broken after the war but is ready to help. Mrs. Asatryan is confident that the cooperation between Armenia and the Diaspora must continue. The war showed that people, who are professional, no matter in which field, can play a role in Armenia, Elen Asatryan added. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenian human rights advocates have published videos on social media about unidentified soldiers who may have been taken captive by the Azerbaijani side, asking to contact them if they recognize the persons or the location in the videos. Human rights advocate Artak Zeynalyan said on Facebook that they are releasing videos which allow people to recognize the soldiers or the location captured in the videos. In order to protect the rights of possible captives and their families, please contact Siranush Sahakyan or me if you recognize the persons or the location in the videos. Please present photos or videos that will confirm your conviction that the possible captured person is identical to the person you know, Zeynalyan said. He also informed that the identity of possible captured person will be confirmed as a result of proper procedures, including examinations. Zeynalyan asked those who will recognize the possible captives to call at the following phone numbers - + 374 94 907002 (Siranush Sahakyan), + 374 91 193526 (Artak Zeynalyan). Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenias foreign ministry has issued a statement regarding the criminal prosecution against the Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijan, the MFA told Armenpress. The statement reads: On May 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia strongly condemned official Baku's criminal prosecution against Lyudvik Mkrtchyan and Alyosha Khosrovyan, captured during the recent aggression of Azerbaijan against Artsakh. Continuing to violate the norms of humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which explicitly states that prisoners of war are released and repatriated immediately after the cessation of hostilities, Azerbaijan has brought trumped-up criminal charges against 14 captured Armenian servicemen, which also violates the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020. The criminal cases against 16 Armenian servicemen, as well as the torture and psychological pressure of other Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians set a precedent for a malicious violation of international law. It is clear that Azerbaijan instrumentalizes the captured people as political hostages and tools to pursue other goals. Official Baku also blatantly defies the relevant decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on providing information on Armenian servicemen and civilians held in Azerbaijani captivity. Despite numerous calls from the international community, Azerbaijan continues to conceal the true number of the prisoners, denying the captivity of dozens of Armenian servicemen and civilians. Moreover, Azerbaijan denies the detention of those whose captivity in Azerbaijan has been documented both through video coverage and testimonies of repatriated prisoners, which raises suspicions of a number of serious crimes. All Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives held in Azerbaijan must be immediately released and repatriated without any preconditions. YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met with speaker of the lower house of the Parliament (Mazhilis) of Kazakhstan Nurlan Nygmatulin on the sidelines of his working visit in Nur-Sultan, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. Stating that this year is remarkable for Armenia and Kazakhstan as the two countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of their independence, Nurlan Nygmatulin highlighted the expansion of productive cooperation for the benefit of the two countries and peoples. He said the implementation of the agreements reached during the Armenian Presidents meetings with Kazakhstans President will contribute to the strengthening of the Armenian-Kazakh multilateral cooperation and political dialogue. He assured that the Kazakh parliamentarians will play a role in this process. Speaking about the inter-parliamentary relations, Nurlan Nygmatulin highlighted the close cooperation of the Armenian and Kazakh parliamentarians within the EAEU, CIS, CSTO and other structures. President Armen Sarkissian said Kazakhstan is a very close partner for Armenia in the CSTO, the EAEU and is actively engaged in all matters. He once again stated that the two countries have many commonalities and a great potential for joint projects. The officials discussed the agenda of the bilateral and multilateral relations. President Sarkissian informed that Armenia will soon hold snap parliamentary elections, hoping that the new parliament and government will contribute to the development of the Armenian-Kazakh relations. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. There is mutual understanding with Russia at the highest level over the solution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border situation, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia Arsen Torosyan told reporters in the Parliament today. Commenting on the recent visit of Armenias caretaker minister of defense Vagharshak Harutyunyan to Moscow and the negotiations, Mr. Torosyan said: Negotiations continue at the highest level. The Moscow talks were quite comprehensive with clear emphasis. And they will continue in order to achieve the solution which we have repeatedly stated: the Azerbaijani troops must leave Armenias sovereign territory, and this will take place as a result of the cooperation with our strategic ally and partners, as well as of the work of our Armed Forces. He assured that the domestic political processes do not in any way impact the intensity of the work of state agencies. There is mutual understanding at the highest level with our only partner in our security system over the solution of the situation. They are making all efforts for it to happen without any fire. No one in the region, as well as Armenia doesnt need large-scale war, but its possibility still exists, Arsen Torosyan said. Commenting on the statements of the Azerbaijani President, Torosyan assured that the Armenian officials have never discussed and will not discuss an issue of Zangezur corridor or any other corridor, it is not enshrined and will not be enshrined by any document. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin met with Governor of Syunik province Melikset Poghosyan on June 3 on the sidelines of his working visit in the province, the Russian Embassy told Armenpress. The officials discussed the situation in Armenias south, including that in the border communities. The Ambassador said Russia has a significant contribution to ensuring Armenias security within the frames of fulfillment of its allied duties. In particular, the number of Russian border guards has increased, material-technical and financial resources have been provided for their operation. The Syunik Governor thanked Russia and its leadership for stopping the recent bloodshed in Artsakh and for the invaluable contribution to the post-conflict recovery. He also highly appreciated the service of the Russian border guards in the province. The sides also discussed the socio-economic development of the province, and in this respect the Ambassador stated that Russia will continue assisting the utilization of the provinces economic potential, also in the tourism sector. He also emphasized the visible presence of the Russian capital in the province, as well as the funding for the UN projects by Russia aimed at assisting the local population and developing the economy. The Russian Ambassador also congratulated the Governor on the launch of the CIS Youth Capital program, within the frames of which a number of events will take place in the town of Kapan. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. Thunder- 2021 (Grom-2021) special military exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will be held in Armenia. For the preparation of these drills, staff negotiations took place in Yerevan from June 1 to 3, the Police of Armenia told Armenpress. The negotiations were attended by the representatives of Armenias Police, Ministries of Defense and Emergency Situations, respective services of the National Security Service, members of the internal troops of the Belarusian, Kyrgyz and Russian Internal Affairs Ministries, the Drug Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan and the CSTO Secretariat. The drills will take place in the territory of Armenia and will involve two stages, during which the CSTO special forces will make practical operations, such as use of armored vehicles, special-purpose vehicles, aviation, UAVs and service dogs. At the end of the negotiations the sides signed a respective protocol. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, 4 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 4 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.18 drams to 520.04 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 4.43 drams to 630.13 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 7.10 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 3.74 drams to 734.71 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 616.27 drams to 31208.1 drams. Silver price stood at 464.05 drams. Platinum price down by 341.28 drams to 19562.02 drams. YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. Being elected member of the Executive Council of the UN World Tourism Organization is an important achievement for Armenia, Sona Hovhannisyan, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of Armenia told ARMENPRESS. Hovhannisyan is currently in Athens and participates in 66th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe. This is an important achievement. Being a member of the Council creates great opportunities for us. In the past, we participated in the meetings of the Executive Council, but had no voice. The 67th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Europe will take place in Armenia. YEREVAN, JUNE 4, ARMENPRESS. During the decade prior to the 44-day Artsakh war, the period of 2010-2020, Armenia imported arms amounting to 389 million USD, ARMENPRESS reports caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in a meeting with citizens in Ararat Province, presenting the research done by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). ''During the decade prior to the 44-day Artsakh war, 2010-2020, Azerbaijan imported 8.2 times more arms than Armenia, 2/3 of which came from CIS countries. In the period of 2011-2020 Baku imported arms amounting to 3 billion and 274 million USD against 398 million USD of Armenia. Moreover, the majority of Armenian imports date back to 2019, after the Velvet Revolution. Only in that year Armenia imported arms amounting to 248 million USD or the 63.3% of the imports of the decade'', Pashinyan said. Police in Moscow have released prominent Russian opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov from custody but have kept him as a suspect in a criminal case that prompted his arrest two days ago, his lawyers say. The 41-year-old former member of parliament was detained on Tuesday amid a crackdown on the Kremlin's political opponents that comes before parliamentary elections in September. He was suspected of failing to pay a debt on a rented property dating from 2015-17, according to state media. His father, Gennady Gudkov, has said property was in no way linked to his son. Gudkov could face up to five years jail if charged and found guilty. A court was expected to consider the terms of his pre-trial custody on Thursday but the hearing did not take place and he was instead released as 48 hours had elapsed since his arrest. His aunt, Irina Ermilova, who was also a suspect in the case, was released after appearing at her hearing. Russia's opposition has accused authorities of trying to smother its activities before lower house elections in September. A court is expected to meet next week to consider banning jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's movement as "extremist". Last Monday, opposition activist Andrei Pivovarov was taken off a flight bound for Poland and jailed for two months pending trial for allegedly breaking Russia's law against "undesirable" organisations. The minister responsible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme has apologised for an "egregious breach" of privacy involving a woman and children who experienced domestic violence. The agency responsible for the NDIS gave the private details of the woman and her children to a perpetrator who was recently released from jail for acts of violence against them. He was given their location, schools, and names of professionals working with the children. NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds said she unreservedly apologised for the privacy breach and had asked the agency for a full report. "It should not have happened," she told a Senate hearing on Friday. "My first priority and the NDIA's first priority is the safety and the privacy of the woman and the family concerned, and then also to work out how this happened and to make sure that it doesn't happen again." NDIA boss Martin Hoffman also apologised and said he had asked for a "very rapid and thorough" review. So far, he has established that proper alerts were placed on the child's profile. The father had also been removed from the child's "representative" field, which drives the automated mailout of planning materials. Mr Hoffman said the family's exact street address was not shared, but the suburb had been included. The agency was first made aware of the security breach earlier this week and Mr Hoffman was told on Wednesday. His agency briefed the minister's office on Thursday, but Senator Reynolds said she only became aware it when the story broke on Friday. Confirmation of the privacy breach comes after it was revealed details of a child abuse survivor were uploaded to someone else's myGov account. Confidential information including the person's address, phone number, bank details and Centrelink number were shared with a stranger. Their application to the national redress scheme, outlining the sexual abuse they suffered, was also shared. Story continues The man who received the person's details was also a survivor and found the violation deeply distressing. Social Services Minister Anne Ruston apologised on Thursday for the bureaucratic bungle and breach of trust. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 City Jodylee M. Couterier, 41, 6 Aurelius Ave., Auburn, was picked up June 2 on a bench warrant. Victor S. Houston, 32, 19 Franklin St., Apt. 08, Auburn, was charged June 2 with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Amanda H. Spagnola, 37, 5 Bellevue Place, Auburn, was picked up on a bench warrant June 2 and charged with possessing a sexual performance by a child. Mark A. Stopyra, 40, 105 Perrine St., Auburn, was charged June 1 with first-degree unlawful imprisonment. Frederick E. Tanner III, 32, 5607 Bear Road, Syracuse, was charged June 1 with first-degree criminal contempt and aggravated family offense. Victoriana E. Brown, 18, 94 Orchard St., 4, Auburn, was picked up on a bench warrant June 2. Annalise D. Gambino, 18, 30 Gaylord St., Auburn, was charged June 3 with second-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. U.S. Rep. John Katko and upstate members of Congress are reiterating their support for designating the Finger Lakes region as a national heritage area. With the Department of the Interior conducting a feasibility study that will determine whether the Finger Lakes should become a national heritage area, one part of the process is assessing support for the designation. That's why Katko, R-Camillus, joined with U.S. Reps. Chris Jacobs, Joe Morelle and Tom Reed to write a letter endorsing the idea. A national heritage area is described as a place "where historic, cultural and natural resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important landscapes," according to the National Park Service. The agency doesn't manage national heritage areas, but it does provide technical assistance. There are 55 national heritage areas, including the Erie Canalway and Niagara Falls in New York. In a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Katko and his colleagues touted the Finger Lakes' natural resources and the region's role in U.S. history. They singled out Seneca Falls, which hosted the first women's rights convention in 1848, and sites linked to Harriet Tubman in Auburn. Southwest Airlines flies into and out of every major upstate New York airport except one. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants that to change. Schumer, D-N.Y., said Friday that he called Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly to discuss bringing service to Syracuse Hancock International Airport. It's the latest attempt to bring Southwest to the airport serving central New York. Southwest offers service at airports in Albany, Buffalo and Rochester, but not Syracuse. There are six major airlines that offer service at Syracuse airport: Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue and United. During the call with Kelly, Schumer told the Southwest CEO that establishing service at Syracuse airport would be a win-win. He also highlighted the willingness of central New Yorkers to drive to other airports where Southwest flights are available. If Southwest comes to Syracuse, Schumer believes it would increase competition and the availability of low-cost flights. At least some events are officially confirmed to return to Auburn this summer. The city wasn't able to hold traditional summer events, such as concerts and movies in its parks, last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but City Manager Jeff Dygert said last month that the city was anticipating that some activities could return this year now that some pandemic-era restrictions are being relaxed. This week, the city confirmed that movie nights will be held at different parks from July 12 to Aug. 30. According to a post on the Auburn city government website on Thursday, residents can bring own blankets, chairs and popcorn. Movies will begin at 8:30 p.m. or when it becomes dark enough. Pandemic guidelines in effect at the time will be enforced, which may include social distancing measures, face masks and limited capacity. This year, the agency has been compelled to suspend and condense programs so we could redeploy the staff to other sites. Our 24/7 group homes (IRAs) must be adequately staffed year-round, so our day programs have taken the hit. We have significantly increased our advertising budget, and we have asked for volunteers from our support departments in Auburn HR, Finance, Marketing, QA, and Maintenance to pick up a shift at an IRA in Ithaca once a week. We are launching a letter-writing campaign to elected officials, urging them to increase our reimbursement rates so we can pay our direct support professionals a living wage, and asking for enforcement of federal unemployment regulations. If we remain lax in enforcing the pre-COVID expectation that individuals collecting unemployment must actively seek work between checks, our economy will not bounce back and many businesses will close before the stimulus package ends in September. I am busy calling on elected officials in person to share this same message. Perhaps the most drastic step Unity House has taken is temporarily increasing our hourly pay rate to $18 until September. In order to do this, the agency had to dig deep and is paying for this salary increase from its reserve savings account. This enhanced rate is not funded by the state government. We sincerely hope that this boost will draw applicants and offset this immense staffing shortage. I have long expressed my deep concern about low wages in our industry. I understand the whole world is suffering now and is struggling to get back on its feet. Now is the time to look closely at paying people what they are worth. Our employees serve one of our countrys most vulnerable populations. To see fast food chains offer a higher rate than we can is so difficult when our hands are tied by state funding. We do not have the luxury of curbing our hours or selling more widgets to make up the difference. Our rates are dictated by the state of New York and we simply must have an adjusted rate reimbursement to pay a living wage. Elizabeth Smith is the executive director of Unity House of Cayuga County. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Beginning in 1973, I was asked by the local Auburn Jaycee Organization if I'd donate my time to not only enlist professional volunteers to do programs for inmates but also conduct a workshop myself. Several workshops were conducted, including a budget workshop conducted by a CPA. A local theater group worked with inmates and a number of skits were performed before the nearly 75 members of the inmate Jaycee organization. A number of recognized poets also offered their expertise and eventually over 100 inmates' works were published in a periodical. A few guest entertainers also performed. The art workshop had over 20 inmates in it and their art work was eventually brought out for public viewing ... first as a display along the sidewalk outside the prison wall and then, viewed in several displays locally. (The most impressive exhibit of inmate art occurred at the Key Bank in Syracuse during the bicentennial in 1976.) Later in a federal court case (Henderson vs. Washington) the superintendent was asked about the three years that the programs were conducted and he acknowledged that there were no major incidents inside Auburn prison during that time. LOS ANGELESIn honor of Pride Month, Voodoo Toys today has released a new collection of limited edition sex-positive merchandise in collaboration with Los Angeles-based designer Unlikely Fox (aka Krysta Grasso). All profits from the Unlikely Fox and Voodoo collaboration will go directly to support both Foxs work and the LA Black Workers Center, whose mission is to increase access to quality jobs, reduce employment discrimination, and improve industries that employ Black workers through action and unionization. Foxa mixed media artist who creates pieces that aim to "move the social conversation forward and exude unapologetic divine feminine energy"created three limited edition hand-embroidered tote bags for Voodoo emblazoned with the sayings "Dont Hate, Masturbate," "Pride in Pleasure" and "I Cum First." Her design process was captured in images by Cara Taylor, a local L.A. content creator. The designs have been reproduced in screen printed designs applied to T-shirts, tote bags and caps available at shop.voodoo.toys. This collaboration is rooted in love and expression. Equal opportunity and representation is a vital step in the process of including Black creatives in every space, Voodoo content creation manager Aspen Spellman said. Foxs work was first discovered by Spellman at the Los Angeles Reparations Club, a marketplace located in mid-city. The Reparations Club is a store and creative space curated by Black people for Black people. To make a donation to the Los Angeles Black Workers Center, visit www.lablackworkercenter.org/join_support. Read an interview with Unlikely Fox and purchase an item from the special collection at www.voodoo.toys/unlikely-fox-voodoo. Follow Fox @unlikely.fox and Taylor @caraelisetaylorr to support their work. According to a tweet published by Victor Barreira / Defence 360 on June 4, 2021, the Brazilian nuclear-powered attack submarine SSN Alvaro Alberto is scheduled to be commissioned in 2034. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Brazilian submarine Riachuelo (Picture source: Twitter account of Sankalan Chattopadhyay) The Brazilian submarine Alvaro Alberto is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) under construction for the Brazilian Navy, by the Itaguai Construcoes Navais (ICN). The construction is part of the strategic partnership signed between France and Brazil in 2009, which also included the total transfer of technology and support for the construction of four enlarged conventionally-powered Scorpene-class submarines. Alvaro Alberto has many similarities to his conventional predecessor of the Scorpene class. The first Brazilian nuclear submarine will have a beam of 9.8 m (32 ft) to accommodate the pressurized water nuclear reactor (PWR). Its 100 m (330 ft) length and 6,000-ton displacement will be propelled by a 48 MW (64,000 hp) fully-electric propulsion system. The Scorpene-class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines jointly developed by the French Company Naval Group (formerly DCNS) and the Spanish company Navantia. The Scorpene class of submarines has four subtypes including the CM-2000 conventional diesel-electric version, the AM-2000 air-independent propulsion (AIP) derivative, the downsized CA-2000 coastal submarine, and the enlarged S-BR for the Brazilian Navy, without AIP. The Scorpene-class submarines are in service with Chile, Malaysia, India, and Brazil. Over fourteen Scorpene submarines were sold by Naval Group internationally. But then just when she least expects it she is assailed by memories of her father and a fresh stab of heartache. Her sorrow becomes so intense that her boyfriend cuts his losses and moves on. A man explains to her that he swapped America for Australia after the death of his brother: "Maybe in Sydney the ghosts won't follow me so much." But the narrator continues to be haunted. How much longer will the past intrude and impede her road to recovery? "Friends and Dark Shapes" covers a lot of ground. It illuminates the hopes, dreams and frustrations of a group of 20-somethings desperate to prove themselves but stymied by obstacles. At one point Niki realizes she will never be able to afford to settle down in the city she grew up in: "Surely there should be special rates given to people who have experienced falling in love and heartbreak and birth and death in one place? Isn't that true ownership anyway?" Bedford brilliantly maps the city and examines the narrator's "dysfunctional relationship" with it. She also explores issues of race, identity and belonging through her heroine's journalistic assignments and encounters with immigrants and refugees. However, the novel is at its most powerful when it centers upon a world caving in and the aftershocks: what it is like to "lose a parent and lose your base." Malcolm Forbes has written for the Times Literary Supplement, the Economist and the New Republic. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 While reading the credits of the new animated feature Spirit Untamed, a few things stick out: the first is the star-studded voice cast, but the second is how many women played key roles in bringing the the film to life. Spirit Untamed, the second film in the Spirit franchise, which also includes the 2002 film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and the Netflix series Spirit Riding Free, is written by Aury Wallington and Kristin Hahn and directed by Elaine Bogan (her co-director is Ennio Torresan Jr.), and features a female producer, composer and other female department heads. One cant help but feel that the gender representation behind the camera is an integral part to the authentic sense of girls empowerment espoused by the film, the story of a young girl and her unique connection to a wild mustang, Spirit. Whats also striking about Spirit Untamed is that the story is grounded within a (somewhat) realistic, recognizable world, in the 19th century American Southwest. So many animated films tend toward the supernatural, the folkloric, the magical, populated with friendly monsters and talking animals as the medium allows. Its somewhat refreshing to see an animated film tell what is essentially a formulaic heros journey story without relying on the extraordinary. As he graduates from Summit High School this week, Garrett Hagstrom, 17, can envision every detail of his future: the company he will own, the car he will drive and the house he will build, complete with planters full of the dahlias that inspired his 3-month-old daughters name. This year Ive had my eyes opened to everything, Hagstrom said. Everything is there and its mine and Im going to get it. That million-dollar check, that million-dollar goal, Im going to get there, I promise you. This teenagers fierce tenacity did not exist until recently, when it replaced his self-appointed class clown role. (The sign of a kid with both parents employed by Flagstaff Unified School District acting out, he admits now.) He attributes this transformation not to his own grit and determination, though clearly present, but to the many people in his life who have helped him succeed. It started with his girlfriend, who convinced him to attend classes even when he lost motivation, and the teachers districtwide, not just at Summit who gave him their support around the clock as his life began to change. Locals and visitors planning to commute along the Historic Route 66 in the Flagstaff area next week should consider alternative travel routes. The Arizona Department of Transportation is slated to begin to replace the Rio de Flag bridge on June 10, resulting in the Historic Route 66s closure in front of city hall. According to ADOT, Historic Route 66, also known as Business Loop 40, will be closed in both directions between US 180, known locally as Humphreys Street, and the Sitgreaves Street and Santa Fe Avenue intersection from 9 p.m. Thursday, June 10, to 6 a.m. Friday, June 18. Detour signs will be in place to direct traffic around the closure. Drivers heading north on Milton Avenue toward downtown Flagstaff will be detoured onto Butler Avenue to San Francisco Street. Local drivers, and those visiting the area from the Valley and southern Arizona are encouraged to use I-40 eastbound to Butler Avenue to bypass the traffic impacts due to construction. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Drivers heading south on US 180 are encouraged to use Switzer Canyon Drive to Historic Route 66 to bypass traffic impacts. Drivers who head south on US 180 in the downtown area, to get to points south and west of the project area, will turn left on Route 66 and use Beaver Street to head south to Butler Avenue and make a right to connect with Milton Road. The prosecutor said Edwards made complaints internally, but her claims were not substantiated and she then leaked materials that jeopardized investigations ranging from terrorism to public corruption. She said her leaks also had a chilling effect on the financial sector's willingness to comply with disclosure requirements. Ravener said Edwards hoped to leverage her claims into a promotion. As he announced the sentence, Woods said it was sad and perhaps ironic that Edwards went into public service because she was upset over the Sept. 11 terror attacks. He said she came to believe disclosing America's secrets would somehow be beneficial to our nation. According to the online site U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, eight people have been prosecuted for leaking information to journalists since 2017. The cases included a counterterrorism analyst charged with leaking classified documents, an Internal Revenue Service employee accused of leaking suspicious financial transactions and the longtime director of security for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, who was charged with lying to the FBI about contact with journalists. HUDSON, Ohio (AP) Organizers of a Memorial Day ceremony turned off a speaker's microphone when the former U.S. Army officer began talking about how freed Black slaves had honored fallen soldiers soon after the Civil War. Retired Army Lt. Col. Barnard Kemter said he included the story in his speech because he wanted to share the history of how Memorial Day originated. But organizers of the ceremony in Hudson, Ohio, said that part of the speech was not relevant to the program's theme of honoring the city's veterans. Kemter's speech starts at the 47-minute mark of the following video: Cindy Suchan, chair of the Memorial Day parade committee and president of the Hudson American Legion Auxiliary, said it was either her or Jim Garrison, adjutant of the American Legion Post 464, who turned down the audio, the Akron Beacon Journal reported. The Ohio American Legion said Wednesday that it was investigating. As the state's chief election officer since winning office in 2018, Hobbs' defense of the state's election systems after the 2020 election has been broad and vocal and has included frequent appearances on national media. She has heavily criticized the unsubstantiated allegations that Biden won in Arizona because of fraud or other problems and brought in independent observers to view the partisan recount now underway. She said she expects Trump and his backers to continue to raise doubts but said she'll continue to tell the truth about the election, which that is that it was a free and fair election. It is a partisan attack on free and fair elections, and reasonable people understand that, Hobbs said. The folks who dont, are never going to believe anything I say. Hobbs also was a defendant in a series of lawsuits brought by Trump backers seeking to overturn the 2020 election results, putting her at odds with the Republican attorney general and some GOP lawmakers. The Republican-dominated state Legislature has moved to strip her of the means to defend lawsuits by removing her ability to hire outside lawyers. She vowed to fight that effort if it is included in the final state budget proposal. Health and Human Services has refused access to news media once children are at the facilities, citing the pandemic and privacy restrictions. Advocates and lawmakers who have been allowed to visit have expressed concerns about children's mental health at the sites where hundreds can sleep in cots in large tents. These facilities require fewer youth care workers and clinicians per child and no traditional legal oversight, skirting state regulations. The Biden administration has maintained that the sites provide lifesaving services for children, with officials assuring lawmakers that minors would be kept in large-scale settings no more than two weeks, then placed with family in the U.S. or sent to a permanent licensed facility. But some children have been at the large venues much longer. Doing away with more state-licensed shelters is a wrongheaded approach, said Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defense, which provides legal services to immigrant children. At a time when the United States needs far more licensed placement settings for unaccompanied migrant children, the order threatens to leave the nation with far less," Young said. Gomez Licon reported from Miami. Coronado 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. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. In part to adhere to the ban, many international businesses have tried to keep cotton from Xinjiang from entering their supply chain, highlighting their concerns and efforts in public declarations that, unsurprisingly, have drawn the ire of China. How so? In recent weeks young Chinese netizens have taken to social media to condemn the fashion outlet H&M over its "insulting" denunciations of forced labor in China, and the government has in effect disappeared H&M from the marketplace, including removing its store locations from ride-hailing apps and blocking access to H&M products through online shopping sites. The backlash has spread to other brands that are part of the Better Cotton Initiative, a nonprofit supporting sustainable cotton production that stopped assessing Xinjiang cotton after it was denied access by the Chinese government. As a result, many of the brands have unfortunately backed down, removing statements questioning China's Xinjiang policies from their websites and issuing other statements to appease critics in China. We understand that running afoul of the Chinese government can have a significant effect on businesses, so the ones that stand up to China's human rights violations should be applauded for doing the right thing, and others should be encouraged to join them. None should back down as long as the violations persist. Birthday wishes Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun. Happy Birthday Wishes WARSAW, Poland (AP) Denmark has withdrawn permission for a planned pipeline that was designed to bring Norwegian gas to Poland, citing the need to assess if the project would harm the habitats of certain mice and bat species. The decision represents a setback to Polands energy security efforts. Poland has been counting on the pipeline, called Baltic Pipe, to help limit its dependence on Russian energy sources. The Danish Environmental and Food Appeals Board announced Thursday that it had repealed a land permit issued in 2019 for Baltic Pipe. According to the appeals board, a permit for the project given by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency did not sufficiently lay out the measures that would be taken to protect dormice, Nordic birch mice and bats during construction of the 210-kilometer (130-mile) pipeline across Denmark. The decision means that Denmark's environmental agency will need to carry out more studies. Poland hopes the permission will ultimately be given, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said. With one eye on the past and an immediate sense of the present, such works McConnell describes as being crafted in response to the seclusion and isolation of the pandemic. For McConnell, the pandemic provided a point of reflection and an opportunity to review his works and find new conversations in an old medium. As the pandemic carved out more time for study and reflection, McConnell dove into provocative literature, such as Emmanuel Carreres The Kingdom, which fictionalized accounts of men who wrote the Gospels, and Lew Wallaces iconic "Ben-Hur," which Wallace wrote in part while serving as Territorial Governor of New Mexico. During that time, he met with Billy the Kid and intervened in the Lincoln County War. I ploughed through that antiquated novel last summer and started adapting some scenes from the book as they were depicted in comic book versions of Ben-Hur I have owned since the 1950s, said McConnell. A man who had been driving a vehicle reported stolen out of Yellowstone County earlier this week was arrested Thursday in a field off Highway 87 East after leading law enforcement on a pursuit that involved the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office helicopter. The Billings Police Department had attempted to stop the Jeep SUV after spotting it Thursday on Main Street in the Heights running red lights and driving erratically, Yellowstone County Sgt. Harrison Gillen said. The vehicle was seen speeding in Lockwood and law enforcement were told to be on the lookout and that the vehicle matched the description of a recently stolen vehicle, the sergeant said. The sheriff's office eventually spotted the vehicle on Johnson Lane and attempted a traffic stop before the vehicle sped onto Highway 87 East and a deputy continued pursuing. The pursuit began at roughly 3:30 p.m. Near mile marker 11 the Jeep turned and drove through a wire fence into a field and through a ravine. The sheriff's office helicopter arrived as the three people inside the Jeep got out. A man and woman ran about 100 yards and gave up when they saw the helicopter, according to Gillen. Another man ran even further and hid in brush near a ditch before Montana Highway Patrol trooper apprehended him. Wyoming Gun Owners filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan and Attorney General Bridget Hill claiming that Wyomings electioneering communications law is unconstitutionally vague under the First Amendment. It violates the First Amendment because people are inclined to self-censor when the laws vague, said Del Kolde, a senior attorney from the Institute on Free Speech who is co-representing Wyoming Gun Owners. The lawsuit, which was also filed against Deputy Secretary of State Karen Wheeler and Election Division Director Kai Schon, comes after the secretary of state investigated the gun rights group for allegedly engaging in electioneering without disclosing their donors. A Natrona County woman allegedly threatened people with a gun and shot at a mans foot and motor home during a dispute over parking in Alcova on Monday, law enforcement said. Cheryl Fisher faces six felony charges for the incident four counts of aggravated assault and battery, one of felony property destruction and one for possessing a gun with intent to threaten. According to an affidavit in the case, Natrona County Sheriffs officers responded to a man who reported Fisher had shot a pistol at least twice, near his feet and at his home, near Sloanes General Store. The man reportedly told officers Fisher confronted him for parking his camper on Kortes Road, first grabbing his throat before shooting at the ground. Court documents state that after the man started walking away, she fired a round at his motor home and broke a window. Another woman in the area at the time told officers, according to the affidavit, that Fisher threatened her and her two children while they were inside a truck driving through a trailer court behind Sloanes. In an interview with a deputy, Fisher said her landlord had tasked her with keeping trespassers out of her trailer court. Derek Colling, the Albany County Sheriff's officer who shot and killed Robbie Ramirez in 2018, has resigned from the office. Sheriff Aaron Appelhans confirmed on Thursday that Colling had resigned, effective on Wednesday. Colling is at the center of a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Ramirez's mother, Debra Hinkel. He was cleared by a grand jury, convened by County Attorney Peggy Trent, for the shooting. At the time of his resignation, he had been assigned to the Albany County Jail as a detention deputy since March. Colling started at the office in 2012, also as a detention deputy, before being promoted to patrol deputy and eventually corporal under former Sheriff Dave O'Malley. O'Malley and Trent have both since resigned. Neither cited Ramirez's killing when they announced their departures. Colling declined to comment on his resignation Thursday. Before coming to Laramie, Colling was a police officer in Las Vegas, where he killed two people on the job. Recent calls for police reform in Albany County have questioned why he was hired given his record. Following a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, federal fishery managers just proposed a change to their Pacific salmon fishery plan that would help save Southern Resident orcas from starving. The proposal would limit nontribal commercial Chinook salmon fishing in years with fewer than 966,000 estimated salmon so that the critically endangered killer whales can still get enough to eat. Their population has dropped to only 74 individuals mostly because declining salmon runs have left them without enough food. Without more protections, well watch Southern Resident killer whales continue to spiral toward extinction, said Center attorney Julie Teel Simmonds. Salmon and orcas in the Pacific Northwest are both in trouble, so we need to limit commercial fishing. Parks and Recreation will use guidance from the state Office of Management and Budget for prioritizing deferred maintenance, Travnicek said. Repairs to Fort Stevenson State Park's breakwater are one example, but the department will hone a list of critical projects. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park has $8 million to $9 million of deferred maintenance, including repairs to its trolley line. Recent projects at or near completion include an earth lodge at the On-a-Slant Village and the park's picnic shelter, Travnicek said. The Legislature also used $816,400 of the federal money for a matching grant program for park projects, to match dollar-for-dollar donations from nonstate entities. Travnicek said one example is replacing the Depression-era hillside shelter at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park that burned down last fall. Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, who worked on the Parks and Recreation budget, expects the Legislature every two years will continue discussing state parks' deferred maintenance, an issue usually dictated by the overall budget outlook. The Legislature "can only do so much with the COVID money" for the deferred maintenance, due to other priorities, he said. North Dakota's prison system will move up to 15 female inmates to the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan this month. Women are housed at the Dakota Womens Correctional and Rehabilitation Center in New England and at the State Hospital in Jamestown. Plans call for up to 50 of them over the next two years to be housed at a section of the YCC that will be called Heart River Correctional Center, according to Dave Krabbenhoft, director of the Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. "Easier visitation, access to services, access to medical -- all of those things are a little easier to do at a Bismarck-Mandan location," Krabbenhoft told Prairie Public. The New England facility still will have between 95 and 110 female inmates for the next two years, according to Krabbenhoft. The department has ended its contract with the State Hospital for housing some of the female inmates. Future plans for the New England lockup are to transition it to a rehabilitation facility, for people who are on supervision or transitioning back into the community. The Indian government is yet to decide on whether to offer legal protection to local manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines, Vinod Kumar Paul, a top adviser to the government, said on Friday. India has been inoculating people with the AstraZeneca vaccine produced locally by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and Covaxin made by local firm Bharat Biotech, and it will commercially launch Russia's Sputnik V shots by mid-June. Also Read: COVID-19 vaccine: UK approves Pfizer jab for 12 to 15-year-olds Two men charged with killing a Bismarck man in March went to the Mapleton Avenue apartment to commit a drug crime, and put others in danger when they did so, a prosecutor argued at a Friday hearing. Devante Evans, 27, of Detroit, Michigan, and Kevin Hartson, 29, of Bismarck, pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the incident. Both are charged with murder, and Evans faces additional charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a firearm. They face possible life sentences if convicted of murder. The two were arrested during a traffic stop in Douglas, Arizona, a few days after the incident. Prosecutors say four rounds were fired from an AR-style weapon while the two were at the apartment. Reonardo Alexis, 26, of Bismarck, died of a gunshot wound that entered below his left shoulder blade and struck his heart, Bismarck Police Detective Jon Lahr testified. Police interviews and the defendants cellphone conversations and social media posts show that the two went to the apartment to collect a drug debt, Assistant Burleigh County States Attorney Josh Amundson argued at the mens joint preliminary hearing. The apartment shares walls with two other apartments and one of the bullets struck an exterior glass door, placing others in danger, the prosecutor said. Coronavirus pandemic disruptions wrought changes in North Dakota's court system last year, and some protocols could stay for good. Jury trials were suspended for months. Judges held hearings remotely. Courthouses closed or limited access to the public. "I will have to say, the courts were and the judges in particular were so adaptable to the changes," State Court Administrator Sally Holewa said. "And the attorneys were -- dare I say -- a delight to work with." Amid the restrictions, North Dakota district court filings rose nearly 4% to 154,812 due to a 13% jump in traffic filings. All other case types dropped in 2020, some by 10% or more. And courts had their fewest jury trials in decades. Those involved in the court process say the pandemic has resulted in changes for the long run. "There are going to be long-lasting changes to the way our court system does work as a result of the pandemic, and I think some of those changes are going to be very positive," Fargo criminal defense attorney Mark Friese said. Pandemic impacts Some case types fared differently or unexpectedly amid the pandemic, the state court administrator said. Testing and vaccines A comprehensive list of free COVID-19 testing offered by local public health units in North Dakota can be found at health.nd.gov/covidtesting. In Bismarck, PCR and rapid antigen tests are administered Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Monday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the strip mall at 2805 Morrison Ave., Suite A. North Dakotans can go to vaccinefinder.org or call 866-207-2880 to see where COVID-19 vaccine is available near them. Both Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and Custer Health in Mandan are hosting vaccination clinics and are offering vaccine to the general public. FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says the central bank can help assess risks to banks from climate change but that addressing the broader issue is up to private companies and elected officials, underlining that U.S. central bankers are not climate policy makers. Powell said at an online conference Friday that there is no doubt that climate change poses profound challenges" for the global economy, banks and financial institutions. But, he added, meeting that challenge is up to the private sector and elected officials. The Fed can play a role by gathering data and quantifying the risk to banks, under its mandates to supervise financial institutions and support the stability of the financial system. But in the United States our society's overall response to addressing climate change will have to come from elected officials who have sought and received a mandate from the voters," Powell said. Anything that can affect the outlook of the economy can in principle affect monetary policy, and so climate change would certainly qualify for that," he said. "I would say though that today, today, climate change is not something we directly consider in setting monetary policy. We are not, nor do we seek to be, climate policy makers, he said. The 10 Most Common Azure Misconfigurations and How to Fix Them Microsoft Azure provides a consistent cloud experience for customers, backed by enterprise-class technologies, excellent security, and customizable configuration options. In fact, Azure has several built-in features and services that can meet most security compliance requirements. By following best practices with these services, organizations can ensure their cloud environment is operating at optimal efficiency. Download this white paper to learn 10 of the most common Azure misconfigurations that are overlooked by cloud engineers and how they can be address efficiently. This is the story of the most unbelievable demo I've been given in world of open source. You can't make this stuff up. It was 2005, and I felt like I was in the eye of a hurricane. I was an independent performance consultant and Sun Microsystems had just released DTrace, a tool that could instrument all software. This gave performance analysts like myself X-ray vision. While I was busy writing and publishing advanced performance tools using DTrace (my open source DTraceToolkit and other DTrace tools, aka scripts), I noticed something odd: I was producing more DTrace tools than were coming out of Sun itself. Perhaps there was some internal project that was consuming all their DTrace expertise? DTraceToolkit v0.96 tools (2006) As I wasn't a Sun Microsystems employee I wasn't privy to Sun's internal projects. However, I was doing training and consulting for Sun, helping their customers with system administration and performance. Sun sometimes invited me to their own customer meetings and other events I might be interested in, as a local expert. I was living in Sydney, Australia. This time I was told that there was a Very Important Person visiting from the US whom I'd want to meet. I didn't recognize the name, but was told that he was a DTrace expert and developer at Sun, and was on a world tour demonstrating Sun's new DTrace-based product. Ah-hah this must be the internal project! But this would be no ordinary project. I'd seen some amazing technologies from Sun, but I'd never seen a developer on a world tour. This was going to be big, and would likely blow away my earlier DTrace work. The VIP was returning to Sydney for a few days before going to the next Australian city, so we agreed to meet at the Sun Sydney office. The Meeting The DTrace expert arrived wearing casual business attire and a heavy American accent, and seemed a bit weary from his world tour. He had just been to South Africa and New Zealand, and listed other countries and cities he was heading to next. Two other Australian Sun staff joined the meeting, and one introduced me with: "Brendan teaches some classes for us, and has been doing some DTrace stuff. Low-key introductions are the norm in Australia (especially for Australians) and I wondered whether he knew of this cultural difference. Another difference was that there were few roles in Australia for engineers in 2005, unlike the US. The Sun Microsystems Australia jobs, for example, were all in support and none in development, and other tech giants had not yet arrived. So back then in Australia you could find amazing engineers doing whatever roles were available. I tried to expand on the "stuff" a bit by saying that Id written the DTraceToolkit, but he wasn't impressed. He didn't recognize my name, nor had he heard of the DTraceToolkit. To him, I was just some random guy. He was kind enough to give me a quick demo anyway. His DTrace product was an add-on for a larger Sun GUI that I was already familiar with. After it loaded, he showed how you could run one of several DTrace tools by double clicking an icon. Either the raw output would be printed in a separate window, or the results would be shown as a line graph. This seemed quite underwhelming. The GUI already had this functionality: Showing the raw output of tools or drawing a line graph. I was hoping for a new GUI feature. The only new work was the tools themselves, of which there were several. He gave a quick sales pitch about the new and amazing observability they provided, something he must have said many times to impress customers. I got the feeling he wasn't expecting me to properly appreciate their value. But I did understand these tools, since I had coded similar functionality for my own DTraceToolkit. They were useful, but...I was expecting a hurricane of awesome new DTrace content. "I've done these before I've written tools that do these things myself!" "Yeah, sure." He didnt quite say it, but gave me a look like he didn't really believe me, or that I could even truly understand what they were. This was an important innovation by Sun Microsystems, a US-based multinational company worth billions. I was just some random Aussie. Socket Tracing I browsed the GUI icons for something new, and the closest was a tool for tracing socket I/O. I had tried this in 2004 (socketsnoop.d) and published it as open source, but my tool was incomplete: I didn't have access to the kernel source code so I had to figure out everything the hard way using black box analysis. It worked for most TCP traffic types but not others, which I warned about in the script comments. I'd also not included it in the DTraceToolkit yet as I didn't consider it finished. So of all the tools he had, I was most interested to see this one. Sun could do a much better job just by referring to the source code they were instrumenting, and actually finish this tool. "Can I see the socket I/O script?". I fired up a terminal. He looked alarmed at first, as if I wasn't supposed to look behind the curtain, then realized another selling feature: "Well, sure, you could even add more tools to the GUI!" and after a pause, added "if you have them". Sure, I have them all right. He gave me a path to start looking under, and after a bit of searching I found the directory with all the tools he had been demoing. The tools all had familiar names. One was even called socketsnoop.d. A new possibility dawned on me. No way. I printed socketsnoop.d. The screen filled with my own script. It was the same incomplete attempt I had hacked up a year earlier, and published as open source. It included some weird code that only made sense when I wrote it (use of PFORMAT, prior to defaultargs) and was written in my earlier coding style. I was looking at my own fucking script. "This is MY script." I printed the other tools and saw the same they were all mine. This hot new Sun product that Mr. VIP was touring the world showing off was actually just my own open source tools. My jaw was on the floor. He didn't seem to believe me. You Can't Do That I used grep to search all his tools for my name, which was in the header comment of all my tools, to prove beyond a doubt that these were mine. But I found nothing. My name had been stripped. Some of my tools had even included the line: # Author: Brendan Gregg [Sydney, Australia] And now, here he was, in Sydney, Australia, trying to sell Brendan Gregg's tools to Brendan Gregg. One of the Australian Sun staff interrupted: "Those say copyright Sun Microsystems." Most of my tools had my own copyright and a GPLv2 or CDDL license. But these only had Sun's standard copyright message, and the open source licenses had been stripped. "You deleted my name! And the copyrights and licenses!" The other Aussie added, to the VIP: "You can't do that." A silence fell over the room as the magnitude of what had happened sunk in. While some at Sun were encouraging open source contributions and building a community, others were ripping off that same community. Taking their work, changing the licence and copyrights, and then selling it. The VIP wasn't prepared for this and had a look of confusion. He didn't say much, other than that he didn't know what had happened, and that he may have gotten the tools from someone else already like this (ie, don't blame me). He seemed to be only half believing what we were saying. The meeting ended quickly. I suggested that he get newer copies of my tools, directly from the DTraceToolkit, since these older versions from my homepage were out of date, and some had errors that I had already fixed. I also reminded him to keep my name, copyright, and license on all of them. In his defense, perhaps the meeting may have gone differently had I not been given a low-key Australian introduction. That's an Australian cultural problem (tall poppy syndrome). To an Australian, introductions in the US can sound boastful, but they can also be useful as a quick way to share one's specialties. Other Cases Of all the tools I had published as open source, I still can't believe socketsnoop.d was included. It wasn't even very good. Later on I wrote much better socket tools (in my DTrace and BPF books). A few years later, Apple added dozens of my tools to OS X. They left my name, copyright, and CDDL open source license intact, and even improved and enhanced some of them. Years later, Oracle did the same for Oracle Solaris 11, and the BSD community did for FreeBSD. My thanks to all of you. You might say that this wasn't really Sun the company doing this, but rather, a careless individual. But there was something in Sun's culture that contributed to this kind of carelessness. It was something I and my consulting colleagues had run into before: The belief at Sun that only Sun could make good use of its own technologies, and anything created outside of Sun was trash. When these Sun employees found something that was good, they were inclined to assume it came from Sun, and it was therefore safe to reuse and rebrand (and relicense) as they assumed they already held the copyrights. There were also others at Sun that did try hard to do the right thing by me and my work. On at least four other occasions my DTraceToolkit was built into observability products, without stripping licenses. (In one case they wanted to relicense to GPL, and talked to me and Sun legal about it, but that's another story.) This also wasn't the last time someone unwittingly tried to sell me my own work, it was just the first. I've learned to not tell sales people that I invented what they are showing me, as they then give me funny looks like I'm a crazy person, but instead to simply say "I have a lot of experience with that technology" and leave it at that. I'm reminded of this first case since my BPF tools are now appearing in observability products, and will grow to a scale much bigger than my DTrace tools. I'll write about it more in future posts, but my immediate advice to developers is this: Please do not rewrite my BPF tools and the bcc libraries; try to build upon them as-is (either bcc Python or bcc libbpf-tool versions) and fetch regular updates. This is because they are works-in-progress, and rewriting (forking) them divides engineering resources and will have your customers using out of date versions. (Note that I think my flame graph software is different: Since it is a simple and finished algorithm that doesn't need much maintenance, I don't see a big problem with people rewriting it. It is nice to get some thanks, however, just as I have done for those that inspired flame graphs.) As for the unbelievable demo: This wasn't the great DTrace product I imagined when hearing about a world tour. It was, in fact, my own tools. I suspect that it's not uncommon for an open source developer to discover, at some point, that their own code has been rebranded. But the circumstance in this case may be a little unusual. A US developer got a world tour for software he didn't write, which included giving a sales pitch and demo in Australia, unwittingly, to the author. I don't think he even said thank you. While the Bills get some prominent mentions, most other memorable sporting events are ignored. For instance, the Buffalo Sabres history is barely mentioned, which prevents younger fans from knowing that once upon a time they were a pretty good team. Newberg also wishes he had more time to devote to the situation at West Valley. +2 Steve Cichon's latest book celebrates the legends and his love of Buffalo broadcasting Cichon's 100 Years of Buffalo Broadcasting tells about the people who brought the Buffalo story into the living rooms and hearts of generations of Western New Yorkers. But all in all, he is pleased with what could be viewed as his love letter to his adopted Western New York. I have a love and affinity for my adopted city, said Newberg, a native of Long Island. I wanted to give back in telling the Buffalo story. It is a story about the resilience of people and overcoming adversity and in the process gives the nation and the world inspiration to apply the lessons weve learned to help others. I am grateful for having been given the opportunity to chase the Buffalo story wherever it took us, sometimes to far corners of the earth! The pitch to preserve film also is an important part of the Buffalo story. But Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat and also a Budget Committee member, said the spending plan is a down payment on Biden's vision for rebuilding the nation and a big-time boost for Buffalo. "This is all infrastructure," he said. "It creates jobs." Buffalo to get $350 million in federal pandemic stimulus bill Erie County is set to get $178 million, and municipalities throughout the region will each get several million dollars. Flood prevention Biden's plan would go a long way toward completing a piece of infrastructure that's critically important to Buffalo: the breakwater that protects downtown from Lake Erie's most ferocious waves. The Army Corps of Engineers previously received $11.9 million to begin work on rebuilding that breakwater, which suffered catastrophic storm damage in October 2019. Biden's budget would set aside another $20.9 million for projects in Buffalo Harbor enough to maybe even complete the rebuilt breakwater. "It's a large amount of money, and would it get us most of the way there? Absolutely," said Army Corps spokesman Andrew Kornacki. Work on rebuilding the breakwater has begun and would continue through 2022 if Congress sets aside the money. And that's good news to residents of Waterfront Village, who, according to Higgins' office, experienced flooding three times last year. Figura told the judge he was born and raised in the area and travels for work as a welder. He said he has been back in the area about a year. This is "where my roots are, my kids, everything," Figura said. Figura's parents live in Ransomville, he told the judge. As part of her argument that no bail be set, Hoffman said Figura's wife lives out of state. Figura told the judge he's in the process of getting a divorce. Hoffman told the judge Figura made statements to the police. Police were called to the Packard Road scrapyard at 8:16 a.m. Officers found that DeLuca was dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators say Figura fled the scene in a black pickup with a Virginia plate. Authorities asked the public for help locating Figura and he was taken into custody in Wyoming County later Thursday. Capt. Edward Till, while patrolling a seasonal section of Wilkens Road in Holland at about 12:55 p.m., spotted Figura leaving an Erie County Bureau of Forestry site in his vehicle, the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Martin Gugino says he didn't go to Buffalo City Hall one year ago today to cause a scene. He wasn't there to get arrested, although given his experiences protesting around the country, he thought it might be a possibility. He said he wasn't planning on getting hurt. And he certainly had no idea that he would become the unwitting star of a viral video that rocketed around the world drawing millions of views and more attention to the question of what policing is supposed to be. He went there, Gugino told The Buffalo News in an interview Thursday, to make a point. He believed the 8 p.m. curfew that Mayor Byron W. Brown had put in place after nearly a week of Black Lives Matter protests was unconstitutional. "The point was suppressing dissent ... a peaceful protest ... and you can't do that. So I went there to talk to the policemen," Gugino said. It has been a year since a 39-second video shot by WBFO reporter Michael Desmond showing Gugino being pushed to the ground by a police officer made Gugino internet famous. Much has happened to him and to the police officers involved in that time, even as the debate about the issues of racial equity and violence that led to the moment go on. The Qatar Airways' private jet that was sent by India to bring back fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi from Dominica has left the Caribbean island country after nearly seven days, according to public flight data. The Qatar Executive flight A7CEE had left the Delhi International Airport at 3.44 AM on May 28 carrying necessary documents related to cases against Choksi. It had travelled to Marigot in Dominica via Madrid as Choksi's lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition before the Dominica High Court. The aircraft was parked at Marigot for nearly seven days to bring back Choksi, who is wanted in the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, to India. The jet took off from the Melville Hall Airport in Dominica at 8.09 PM (local time) on June 3 as the High Court adjourned the hearing on Choksi's petition on Thursday. The publicly available flight path shows the jet travelling towards Madrid. However, Indian agencies did not confirm if their teams that had gone to bring back Choksi are returning on the flight. According to media outlet Antigua News Room, Judge Bernie Stephenson will decide the next date of hearing in Choksi's case after meeting both sides. The adjournment is to allow lawyers of Choksi and the government of Dominica "to agree on the language to be used with respect to the injunction filed to prevent his removal from Dominica", Antigua News Room reported. Thursday's hearing was conducted through videoconferencing with a group of protesters standing outside the High Court building in Roseau carrying placards with messages seeking to know the truth about the controversy. "Who brought Choksi to Dominica?" read one of the placards, the photo of which was published by many media outlets. A habeas corpus petition is filed for producing before a court a person who is under arrest or in unlawful detention. The judge had on Wednesday ordered production of Choksi before the magistrate to face charges of illegal entry into Dominica. The 62-year-old wheelchair-bound diamantaire, who has a pending Interpol Red Notice against him, arrived before presiding Roseau Magistrate Court in black shorts and a blue T-shirt from Dominica China Friendship Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. His application for bail was rejected. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi had fled India in the first week of January 2018, weeks before the PNB scam rocked the Indian banking industry. The duo allegedly bribed officials of the state-run bank to get Letters of Undertaking (LoU) on the basis of which they availed loans from overseas banks that remained unpaid. The allegedly corrupt bank officials did not enter these LoUs in the core banking software of PNB, thus evading scrutiny. The non-payment of these LoUs or bank guarantees worth Rs 13,500 crore resulted in default and became a liability on the bank. Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda, where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen since he fled Delhi. He was detained in neighbouring island country Dominica for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend. His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by policemen looking like Antiguan and Indian and brought to Dominica on a boat. Modi escaped to Europe and was finally held in London, where he is contesting his extradition to India. Choksi took the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017. Also read: SoftBank in talks to invest $700 million in Flipkart The teenager accused of being the driver who led police on a "milelong high-speed chase" that left a Buffalo patrol officer badly injured Thursday had run away from a juvenile facility in Rochester, prosecutors said Friday in court. The 16-year-old suspect, who is from Rochester, was arraigned early Friday morning and then seen again at 11:30 a.m. under Raise the Age laws that require swift court appearances for people under 18. Authorities withheld his name because of his age. +2 Buffalo police officer critically injured by falling light pole during pursuit Officer Jonathan Negron was driven by a fellow police officer to Erie County Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition with a head injury. Erie County Family Court Judge Kevin Carter agreed that the suspected driver should remain remanded to East Ferry Juvenile Detention Center. Carter also ruled that the case should remain in Youth Part, which is part of the traditional criminal court system for adults, instead of Family Court. Meanwhile, Officer Jonathan Negron, a patrol officer with the Ferry-Fillmore District, remained in critical but stable condition at Erie County Medical Center. He suffered injuries to his brain and spinal cord and was in a medically induced coma Friday, Erie County Assistant District Attorney Ryan Haggerty said in the virtually held court hearing. An hour and a half before the bail hearing was heard, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn gave details about the case to reporters. Bajwa started his workday at least an hour beforehand, poring over emails and websites for the latest updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York State Department of Health, Infectious Disease Society of America and elsewhere. N95 masks and other personal protective equipment, used rarely with patients, became a necessity. Staff feared shortages, which Bajwa and others worked to fill as they went about their front-line work and took whatever steps they could to keep patients, themselves and loved ones safe. Everybody was changing before entering their houses, Bajwa said. Now we know that surface transmission is very, very uncommon. Bajwa spends much of his clinical time these days on Covid-prevention, as well as with the hospitalist team on the third-floor S3 wing, particularly the nine rooms that feature large windows and glass doors that face the nursing station. Patients with suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19 are treated there. All those who enter continue to wear an N95 or surgical mask, a plastic shield, gloves, a gown and shoe covers. We have to keep the rooms closed, Bajwa said on an April 23 visit during the third, and smallest, peak in regional cases. Seven patients were hospitalized in those rooms; another was in ICU. We treat retirees and dependents in the military system, so I've had no lack of patients, everything from active-duty personnel and their loved ones in their 20s, to 40s and 50s, to retirees. That has set me up well, and as far as bedside manner goes. I think that's almost a product of who you are as a person in your upbringing more so than the training you've done. I was raised to treat everybody with respect. I hope to bring that to all my patient experiences here, that people will feel respected, and listened to, and that I'm going to be their advocate. Q: What would you like people in this region to know about the kind of patients you served, especially those returning from a military zone? I had the opportunity to care for many wounded warriors with complex trauma and have been able to develop some expertise in helping heal those with regards to fracture care, complex joint replacement and rehabilitative care, whether it be amputee care or physical therapy. One of the beauties of being a joint replacement surgeon by training is that we interact with people when they have a chronic problem, typically arthritis. We can treat them with a combination of nonoperative modalities, to try to improve their quality of life and symptoms. But sometimes when they exhaust those measures and end up with lifestyle-limiting daily pain, joint replacement is a great option. Pressure has been building, though, to reopen the border. Business groups such as the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have been pressing the two countries to develop a reopening plan. Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, has been complaining almost daily about the lack of a reopening plan and this week he got two members of the Canadian parliament to join him. Rep. Chris Jacobs, an Orchard Park Republican, has also complained about the continuing shutdown. "There is no reason to continue the 16 months of separated families," Jacobs said on Twitter earlier this week. "The U.S.-Canadian border can be reopened safely. Enough stalling, U.S. and Canadian officials need to make a plan." Top House Republican calls on U.S. to open border unilaterally Rep. Elise Stefanik sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggesting the move which, she said, should happen on June 21. And Rep. Elise Stefanik, a North Country Republican, this week suggested that the U.S. open its side of the border unilaterally if Canada won't agree to a reopening plan. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said 75% of Canadians need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 before the border can be opened, but as of Thursday, only 59.7% of Canadians had received their first shot. Engineers have already installed steel plates on each side of the fractured beam. The second step of the project, which includes removing and replacing the damaged piece of the beam, is ongoing. Truck drivers have endured delays on the I-55 bridge, or they have been forced to use two other bridges that cross the river north and south of Memphis. The next nearest crossings are about 60 miles (96 kilometers) to the south near Lula, Mississippi, and 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the north near Dyersburg, Tennessee. Attending the meeting with Buttigieg at FedEx were U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a Memphis Democrat. They heard from members of the trucking industry about problems caused by the shutdown. The bridge closure has made trips longer and more expensive for truckers seeking to get across the river on the three open regional bridges. Trucking companies have changed work times for drivers, while truckers are adjusting their travel routes, sometimes on the fly. In addition, food warehouses are having trouble servicing restaurants in eastern Arkansas as supplies get delayed, said Jason Higginbotham, chief financial officer of Ozark Motor Lines. Higginbotham said his company was having trouble receiving timely diesel fuel deliveries. Although Estrada confirmed to auditors that the practice began in 2000, the auditor general's review only covered five years of payments that totaled $196,842. That money went to 77 different employees who together claimed more than 7,200 hours of unworked overtime pay. Estrada, 77, served as sheriff of the border county for 30 years and retired late last year. He is known for his unapologetically liberal views in a state where sheriffs are often known for being politically conservative. In a brief interview Thursday, Estrada said he was disappointed that the attorney general had sued but referred questions to his attorney. In an interview after the auditor's report was released, Estrada denied personally profiting from the practice and confirmed that he believed county officials didnt adequately fund law enforcement. The only one that profited out of it was public safety in Santa Cruz County, Estrada said. Clark, Estrada's attorney, said much the same Thursday and that they could prove it. Everybody knew about it and approved it, Clark said. And we have affidavits from the prior county manager to that effect. And theres no question that they did nothing below board, they profited in no way individually. Cortese said his goal was to give hospital workers, of whom he says 90% are women, the same protections as other medical professions, including emergency medical technicians. It really comes down to equal work, equal compensation, he said. Business groups, led by the California Chamber of Commerce, opposed the bill, labeling it a job killer. Such a drastic shift in the law will create an astronomical financial burden on healthcare employers and the system, creating an appreciable pact on the cost of healthcare at a time when we are trying to make healthcare more affordable, Ashley Hoffman, policy advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a letter to lawmakers that was signed by 35 other groups. The bill is part of a broader discussion in California about which coronavirus modifications should continue. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will lift most of the state's coronavirus rules on June 15. The state Senate passed a bill earlier this week that would let restaurants continue to serve alcohol outside. The state Assembly passed a bill that would require local governments to keep letting people comment during their meetings by telephone or the internet. Both bills still must pass the other legislative chamber and be signed by the governor before becoming law. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a western Missouri Republican and a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, may be on the verge of joining the growing field of candidates for U.S. Senate in 2022, a seat crucial in the battle for Senate control. Hartzler, who has served in Congress since 2011, said Thursday she'll make an announcement June 10 at Frontier Justice, a firearms store and shooting range in the Kansas City suburb of Lee's Summit. The email from Hartzler reads like one from a candidate. She criticized China, said she worked with Trump to strengthen the military, and accused the Democratic Party of being taken over by Socialists. Im unafraid to proclaim my faith, the sanctity of life, my belief in freedom, personal responsibility, the rule of law, and our Constitutional rights, Hartzler wrote. Im with you in this fight. Were engaged in a winner-take-all contest for the heart, soul, and future of America. Phone messages left with her congressional office spokesman and with Bob Huston, the treasurer for her congressional campaign, were not immediately returned. Indeed, by some measures, the pandemic may now be considered an endemic and, for those, we dont toy with the fundamental requirements of democracy. As long as the regional recovery continues along this course and there is every reason to think it will the Legislature is correct to begin reasserting the normal checks and balances of American democracy. No doubt, this took some patience by legislators, but their forbearance was necessary. In Albany, where Cuomos missteps weakened him politically, legislators of both parties prematurely sought to terminate the executive authority that the pandemic required. In that, their dislike of a politically aggressive governor threatened to supersede the demands of a public health crisis and put New Yorkers at unnecessary additional risk. What is urgent now is to review the performances of all levels of government to determine what could have been done better and to prepare for the inevitable next pandemic. In a closely connected world, where international travel is the norm, no one should bet on another century-long respite before we have to do this again. SoftBank Group Corp is in talks with Flipkart to invest $700 million. This proposed investment is part of SoftBank Vision Fund 2's $1.2-1.5 billion funding round. With this funding, Flipkart that sold its entire stake to Walmart three years ago, will be valued at around $28 billion. However, depending on the final set of investors, Flipkart's valuation could go up to as much as $30 billion, as mentioned in a report in Livemint. People in the know told the daily that the investment arm of Naspers, Prosus Ventures, and other existing investors could also raise their stakes. The transactions are expected to follow through before the online giant's proposed listing in the next 12-18 months. The e-commerce giant is likely to go for another funding round before its IPO. JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are managing the transaction for Flipkart. Flipkart and PhonePe, the digital payments arm, are planning to go public in the US by 2022. By that time, the online giant is eyeing a valuation of about $40 billion. Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC and Canadian pension fund CPPIB are also in talks to invest in Flipkart. This is not SoftBank's introduction to Flipkart. The conglomerate was an investor in Flipkart but exited in May 2018. Before its exit, SoftBank Vision Fund 1 had invested $2.5 billion in the company in August 2017. It sold its approximately 20 per cent stake within a year after Walmart came into the picture. Now, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, is planning to invest aggressively in India. It is set to invest in Swiggy and banking tech firm Zeta, which was valued at more than $1 billion last month. Also read: Flipkart, PhonePe continue to experience strong growth in Q1: Walmart Also read: Flipkart to expand warehousing space by 8 lakh sq ft over next 3 months Posted 6/3/21 The Dallas County Historical Society will hold its first meeting of the year at the historical park in Buffalo on Saturday, June 5. It will be at the picnic pavilion, weather permitting. The meeting A serial jailbreaker has captured Senegal's imagination after escaping from prison for what he says is the 12th time. After he escaped in May, Baye Modou Fall described on Senegalese TV how he broke out of prison by breaking a ventilation grill and climbing over a wall using a rope. He says he had been waiting trial for nine years and some lawyers say his case highlights the need to reform Senegal's justice system. So who is Baye Modou Fall? The 32-year-old describes himself as a businessman, having inherited property from his late father. But he has been in and out of prison since he was a juvenile, mostly on charges of robbery. He insists that he is not violent and does not use weapons. He never had state schooling but went to Koranic school before going on to learn about the basics of computers in different workshops. He was first arrested in his home town of Diourbel, 160 km (100 miles) east of Senegal's capital Dakar, as a child. And his first escape from detention was from Diourbel juvenile prison. He had several subsequent brushes with the law, before being arrested in 2015 but the following year managed to flee to The Gambia. There he was also detained but the government refused to extradite him to Senegal. After five months in The Gambia, he was re-arrested in Senegal, near the border with Guinea. Four years later, he was finally convicted of robbery in November 2020 but was still awaiting trial on various other charges when he fled prison last week. The authorities have not confirmed Fall's claims to have escaped detention 12 times. His former lawyer, Abdoulaye Babou, told the BBC it was at least 10 times. 'Not a superman' In Senegal he has been nicknamed Boy Djinne, which means Spirit Boy in the Wolof language, but his former lawyer thinks this doesn't reflect his true character. "The press has made him into a superman. He has no mystical power," Mr Babou says. "He does not have the physique of a kingpin. He is very thin, short and extremely shy. Story continues "He will never look you in the eye. He is not a thug. He has never killed anyone," insists Mr Babou, who defended Fall for 10 years. After the latest escape, Fall said in a television interview that he had escaped because court proceedings were taking too long. He said he had been in jail for nine years awaiting trial for robbery and evading the authorities. "The offence of escaping is another sentence, I know that. But since I have spent nine years in detention for nothing, this escape is a sacrifice for me. I am fighting for the truth to come out. I decided to take matters into my own hands. "I always knew that I could get out of prison at any time, day or night," he told Senegal's ITV television. "There is no security where I am detained at the Penal Camp, even though people argue the opposite. He also gave details of how he escaped, by breaking a ventilation grill and escaping over a wall in the prison using a rope attached to an electricity pole. He insisted he had no accomplices. The authorities, however, dispute this account. The Regional Inspector of the Penitentiary Administration of Dakar Mbaye Sarr insists that he was in the high-security area of the prison and that he must have had assistance. He says he has started an investigation and the guards on duty between 05:00 and 06:00 local time are being interviewed. The prison's director has also been reassigned to other duties pending an investigation. Fall was finally re-arrested on Thursday near the border with Mali, where he was reportedly trying to flee on a motorbike. 'Victim of a flawed system' Fall's case highlights the problem of long pre-trial detention in Senegal. The Senegalese penal code does not put a limit on the amount of time the accused can be detained, awaiting trial. Some say Fall's case highlights the need to reform Senegal's justice system "When someone is in prison, they have to be released or tried, otherwise they should be freed on bail," says Senegalese lawyer Ousmane Seye. He points out that some people have been kept in pre-trial detention for longer than the sentence they would get if convicted. "That is why I think that deep reforms of the Senegalese judicial system are needed." Mr Babou thinks his former client is a victim of a flawed system. "He is in prison and he has no idea about the outcome of these cases despite the letters he sent to the authorities and which remained unanswered. He is not given a chance to be tried. It is not fair." Human rights activists have been campaigning for years about prison overcrowding For years human rights campaigners have criticised prison overcrowding and called for ways to reduce sentences. A breakthrough came in 2020 when the authorities gave the green light for the introduction of electronic bracelets as an alternative to prison. This will allow for house arrest instead of pre-trial detention and even electronic surveillance of some convicts. It is yet to be implemented, but a government source said that a monitoring centre was currently being created. SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union have concluded the world's first bloc-to-bloc air transport agreement, ASEAN said, to allow their airlines to easier expand services to and within the respective regions. The agreement, once formalised, will mean airlines of the combined 37 member states can fly any number of non-stop flights between countries in both regions, ASEAN said on Friday. Additionally, airlines will be permitted to fly up to 14 weekly passenger services with one stop within the other region to pick up passengers on the return leg. There will no limits on flights with one stop to pick up cargo. The agreement "provides essential guarantees of fair competition for our European airlines and industry, while strengthening reciprocal prospects for trade and investment," said Adina Valean, the European Commissioner for Transport, according to ASEAN's statement. The EU is its third largest source of foreign investment and its third largest trading partner, according to ASEAN. The ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (AE CATA), as it will be known, will be submitted for review by lawyers and signed at a later date, the statement said. Brendan Sobie, a Singapore-based independent aviation analyst, said the deal was a positive step for the airlines but issues like securing slots could still be a challenge. "The general idea here is to make ASEAN and EU airlines more competitive compared to airlines from other regions, which have been aggressively gaining market share in the ASEAN-EU market," he said. "There may be issues that prevent these kind of routes from actually operating. Slots have always been an issue in this region which can make traffic rights irrelevant." (Reporting by Chen Lin in Singapore; additional reporting by Jamie Freed in Sydney; Editing by Martin Petty) Three Uyghurs who fled from China to Turkey have described forced abortions and torture by Chinese authorities in Chinas far western Xinjiang region, ahead of giving testimony to a peoples tribunal in London that is investigating if Beijings actions against ethnic Uyghurs amount to genocide. The three witnesses include a woman who said she was forced into an abortion at six and a half months pregnant, a former doctor who spoke of draconian birth control policies, and a former detainee who alleged he was tortured day and night by Chinese soldiers while he was imprisoned in the remote border region. They spoke to The Associated Press of their experiences before testifying by video link to the independent UK tribunal, which is expected to draw dozens of witnesses when it opens four days of hearings on Friday. The tribunal, which does not have UK government backing, will be chaired by prominent human rights lawyer Geoffrey Nice, who led the prosecution of ex-Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and worked with the International Criminal Court. A re-education internment camp in Hotan, Xinjiang, China. Source: Satellite image 2019 Maxar Technologies/AAP While the tribunals judgment is not binding on any government, organisers hope the process of publicly laying out evidence will compel international action to tackle growing concerns about alleged abuses in Xinjiang against the Uyghurs, a largely Muslim ethnic group. One witness, mother-of-four Bumeryem Rozi, said authorities in Xinjiang rounded her up along with other pregnant women to abort her fifth child in 2007. She said she complied because she feared that otherwise authorities would have confiscated her home and belongings and endangered her family. I was six and a half months pregnant ... The police came, one Uyghur and two Chinese. They put me and eight other pregnant women in cars and took us to the hospital, Rozi, 55, told the AP from her home in Istanbul. Story continues They first gave me a pill and said to take it. So I did. I didnt know what it was, she continued. Half an hour later, they put a needle in my belly. And sometime after that I lost my child. Semsinur Gafur, a former obstetrician-gynaecologist who worked in a village hospital in Xinjiang in the 1990s, said she and other female clinicians used to go from house to house with a mobile ultrasound machine to check if anyone was pregnant. Bumeryem Rozi, 55, an ethnic Uyghur who fled from China to Turkey, cries as she talks at her home in Istanbul. Source: AP Photo/Mehmet Guzel If a household had more births than allowed, they would raze the home ... They would flatten the house, destroy it, Gafur said. This was my life there. It was very distressing. And because I worked in a state hospital, people didnt trust me. The Uyghur people saw me as a Chinese traitor. A third Uyghur exile, Mahmut Tevekkul, said he was imprisoned and tortured in 2010 by Chinese authorities who interrogated him for information about one of his brothers. Tevekkul said the brother was wanted partly because he published a religious book in Arabic. Tevekkul described being beaten and punched in the face during questioning. They put us on a tiled floor, shackled our hands and feet and tied us to a pipe, like a gas pipe. There were six soldiers guarding us," he said. "They interrogated us until the morning and then they took us to the maximum-security area of the prison. One million people held in camps The tribunal is the latest attempt to hold China accountable for alleged rights abuses against the Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim and ethnic Turkic minorities. An estimated 1 million people or more most of them Uyghurs have been confined in re-education camps in Xinjiang in recent years, according to researchers. Chinese authorities have been accused of imposing forced labour, systematic forced birth control and torture, and separating children from incarcerated parents. Beijing has flatly rejected the allegations. Officials have characterised the camps, which they say are now closed, as vocational training centres to teach Chinese language, job skills and the law to support economic development and combat extremism. China saw a wave of Xinjiang-related terror attacks through 2016. Semsinur Gafur is one of three Uyghurs who described forced abortions and torture by Chinese authorities in China's far western Xinjiang region. Source: AP Photo/Mehmet Guzel The hearings organisers said Chinese authorities have ignored requests to participate in the proceedings. The Chinese embassy in London did not respond to requests for comment, but officials in China have said the tribunal is set up by anti-China forces to spread lies. There is no such thing as genocide or forced labor in Xinjiang, the regions government spokesperson Elijan Anayat told reporters Thursday. If the tribunal insists on going its own way, we would like to express our severe condemnation and opposition and will be forced to take countermeasures. In April, Britains parliament followed those in Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada in declaring that Beijings policies against the Uyghurs amounted to genocide and crimes against humanity. The US and Australian governments have also done the same. Woman pleads for son's release Nice was one of nine British citizens sanctioned by China in March for spreading lies and disinformation about the country. The move came after the UK and other Western governments took similar measures against China over its treatment of the Uyghurs. The lawyer said he isnt intimidated, but admitted that the sanctions have resulted in some participants withdrawing from the tribunal. Organisers also said they have been subjected to cyber targeting. They had to increase the events security after about 500 of the hearings free tickets were booked up by people with fake email addresses. While her fellow exiles said they agreed to testify to seek justice, Rozi, the woman who reported the forced abortion, says she is motivated to speak out for a more personal reason. Her youngest son has been detained since 2015, when he was just 13, and she hopes the tribunals work will help lead to his freedom one day. I want my son to be freed as soon as possible, she said. I want to see him be set free. Don't miss: COVID-19 Live Updates: India posts daily rise of 132,364 new cases, 2,713 deaths Wanted in India: 9 top fugitives the government is trying to extradite Bride collapses and dies at wedding, so groom marries her sister Opinion: Rahul Gandhi has nothing to offer except I said so 'Shocking': Why did in-laws get fake COVID report after woman's suicide? KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Malaysia's government will issue a diplomatic protest over an intrusion by 16 Chinese military aircraft into its airspace, the foreign minister said. Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said late Tuesday that he will summon the Chinese ambassador to explain this breach of the Malaysian airspace and sovereignty." The Chinese Embassy denied the planes violated Malaysias airspace. Malaysia's air force said its radar picked up the Chinese aircraft Monday near Malaysian-administered Luconia Shoals, a rich fishing ground in the disputed South China Sea. The Chinese planes then moved nearly 60 nautical miles (110 kilometers) off the coast of Sarawak on Borneo island. After attempts to contact the aircraft failed, the air force sent its fighter planes to identify them. It said they were Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 strategic transporters, flying at between 23,000 and 27,000 feet (7,000 and 8,000 meters) an altitude typically used by commercial flights. Malaysia called the incident a serious threat to national sovereignty and flight safety." Malaysias stand is clear having friendly diplomatic relations with any countries does not mean that we will compromise our national security," Hishammuddin said in a statement. He said he will relay Malaysias serious concern on the matter to his Chinese counterpart. The Chinese Embassy defended the activity, saying its military planes didn't violate Malaysia's airspace and had exercised freedom of overflight in the area. It said they were carrying out routine flight training and didn't target any country. During the training, the Chinese military aircraft strictly abided by the relevant international law and did not enter the territorial airspace of any other country, the embassy said in a statement. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin repeated those assertions and said the planes were flying over the southern waters of the Spratly Islands, which China calls Nansha and claims as its territory. Story continues China has been in communication with the Malaysian side about the issue, Wang said at a daily briefing. China claims almost the entire South China Sea on historic grounds. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have overlapping claims, and tensions have ramped up since China built several man-made islands and turned them into military outposts. The strategically important area straddles some of the worlds busiest sea lanes and is also rich in fisheries and may hold underground oil and natural gas reserves. Malaysia says Chinese coast guard and navy ships intruded into its waters in the South China Sea 89 times between 2016 and 2019. Malaysia has filed six diplomatic protests to China, including one in 2017 in response to a Chinese note asserting its claim to the South Luconia Shoals. Online Learning New Online Course Sharing Network Aims to Boost Student Success in Community Colleges The League for Innovation in the Community College is working to expand online learning at community colleges with a new course sharing network that will allow colleges to offer more high-quality, credit-bearing online courses to their students. The goal of the League for Innovation Online Course Sharing Consortium is to help expand students' access to the courses they need to complete their degrees. It was built in collaboration with online course sharing platform Acadeum. "This new consortium will help community colleges better meet learners' needs by arranging student access to courses that are unavailable at their home institutions," explained Cynthia Wilson, vice president for learning and chief impact officer for the League for Innovation in the Community College, in a statement. "This initiative is also about harnessing the collective expertise and capacity of community colleges to improve flexibility in scheduling for students seeking in-demand courses." Courses taken through the consortium will count toward students' GPA and meet the financial aid and graduation requirements of their home institutions. This essentially bypasses "many of the inefficiencies of transfer and articulation, which can lead to wasted credits, lost time, and increased student expenses," according to a news announcement. Community colleges can participate in the consortium as "home institutions" or "teaching institutions." Home institutions give their students access to other consortium members' online courses, while teaching institutions open their online courses to other members' students, generating additional revenue with that excess capacity. "The youth and adult learners we serve have complex, full lives that have been further complicated by the pandemic," commented Victoria Bastecki-Perez, president of Montgomery County Community College, the first school to join the consortium as a teaching institution. "Sharing access to our quality courses will assist partner community colleges in supporting learners along their path to certificate and degree completion. The consortium will enhance the learning experience and provide much-needed resources for students." Colleges must be a member of the League for Innovation in the Community College in order to join the consortium. For more information, visit the consortium website. Research Survey: What Students Want to Retain Post-Pandemic A recent survey from Top Hat asked college students about their online learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and their expectations for instruction in the Fall 2021 academic term. The researchers polled 3,052 students across the United States and Canada, representing a variety of institution types and years of study. Top Hat is an all-in-one courseware platform with interactive content, tools and activities to enable active learning. Overall, 80 percent of student respondents did not feel that their instruction during the pandemic was worth the cost of tuition, and 54 percent would prefer to learn primarily in person once campuses can safely reopen. Yet a healthy portion 46 percent would like some features of online learning to remain in place going forward. Among the elements students would like to continue incorporating into their education: 84 percent of respondents want the ability to access learning materials, lectures and assignments in one place; 75 percent want to be able to view lecture recordings; 59 percent want the flexibility to attend classes in person or virtually; 56 percent want to use in-class engagement technologies such as live chat, discussion and polling tools; 53 percent want interactive textbooks that allow them to assess their learning as they go; 49 percent want instructors to continue offering virtual office hours using videoconferencing tools; and 43 percent want to keep working with digital course materials such as lecture slides, online homework assignments and readings. The survey also asked students what they wanted from faculty in their higher education experience: 85 percent wanted faculty to provide academic feedback to ensure students are successful; 79 percent wanted opportunities to develop transferable skills (such as communication, collaboration and analytical skills); 76 percent wanted their learning to be relevant and applicable to real-world issues; and 67 percent wanted faculty to make learning active through discussion, peer collaboration and interactive activities. "The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed fundamental challenges within higher education to provide meaningful learning experiences for students," commented Nick Stein, chief marketing officer for Top Hat, in a statement. "These challenges will not simply disappear once students return to the physical classroom. The inability of institutions of higher education to consistently provide equitable access, a sense of belonging and engaging and motivating learning experiences has led the majority of students to openly question the value of a college degree. In order to address this troubling perception, we as an industry need to focus on improving the teaching and learning experience itself, while also ensuring equitable access to that experience for all students." The full report is available on the Top Hat site. Finish this article for as low as $1 when you purchase a day pass. Just click the sign up button to purchase. If you are already a subscriber, just click log in to continue reading. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) Actor Tony Labrusca is facing criminal charges for allegedly molesting a woman and choking a man while under the influence of alcohol five months ago. The complainants' legal counsel Regie Tongol said Labrusca unstrapped the woman's top to expose her chest, and forcefully pulled her by the waist to have her sit on his lap last January 16. They filed two counts of aggravated acts of lasciviousness against Labrusca on Friday. The other complainant - the brother of businessman Drake Ibay - filed charges of aggravated slight physical injuries against the actor for choking him that same night. Atty. Tongol said Labrusca had been drinking prior to the incidents, as seen by at least four witnesses. Ibay has released a statement, saying the woman Labrusca allegedly molested was also a friend. "That night was very traumatic to my clients as it is their first time to be victimized like this especially unexpected from one of the most idolized actors of the country presently," Atty. Tongol said. Labrusca's lawyer Joji Alonso responded to the news, saying they have yet to receive copies of the complaints, so they cannot yet comment on the issue. "We call the public to be mindful of casting judgment based on mere allegation and unfounded claims," Atty. Alonso added. This was not the first time Labrusca had been entangled in controversy. In 2019, he was put on the spotlight for "shouting" at an immigration officer over how long he was allowed to stay in the Philippines based on his travel documents. No less than Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin suggested to "deport" the Filipino American celebrity. Labrusca is well known for his role in the movie "Glorious" alongside veteran actress Angel Aquino. He also starred in "Hello Stranger: The Movie" released last February. In the span of just five days last month, China gave out 100 million shots of its COVID-19 vaccines. After a slow start, China is now doing what virtually no other country in the world can: harnessing the power and all-encompassing reach of its one-party system and a maturing domestic vaccine industry to administer shots at a staggering pace. The rollout is far from perfect, including uneven distribution, but Chinese public health leaders now say they're hoping to inoculate 80% of the population of 1.4 billion by the end of the year. As of Wednesday, China had given out more than 704 million doses _ with nearly half of those in May alone. China's total is roughly a third of the 1.9 billion shots distributed globally, according to Our World in Data, an online research site. The call to get vaccinated comes from every corner of society. Companies offer shots to their employees, schools urge their students and staffers, and local government workers check on their residents. That pressure underscores both the system's strength, which makes it possible to even consider vaccinating more than a billion people this year, but also the risks to civil liberties a concern the world over but one that is particularly acute in China, where there are few protections. "The Communist Party has people all the way down to every village, every neighborhood," said Ray Yip, former country director for the Gates Foundation in China and a public health expert. "That's the draconian part of the system, but it also gives very powerful mobilization." China is now averaging about 19 million shots per day, according to Our World in Data's rolling seven-day average. That would mean a dose for everyone in Italy about every three days. The United States, with about one-quarter of China's population, reached around 3.4 million shots per day in April when its drive was at full tilt. It's still unclear how many people in China are fully vaccinated _ which can mean anywhere from one to three doses of the vaccines in use _ as the government does not publicly release that data. Zhong Nanshan, the head of a group of experts attached to the National Health Commission and a prominent government doctor, said on Sunday that 40% of the population has received at least one dose, and the aim was to get that percentage fully vaccinated by the end of the month. But Beijing's abundance is not shared with the rest of the country, and local media reports and complaints on social media show the difficulty of getting an appointment elsewhere. "I started lining up that day at 9 in the morning, until 6 p.m., only then did I get the shot. It was exhausting," Zhou Hongxia, a resident of Lanzhou, in northwestern Gansu province, explained recently. "When I left, there were still people waiting." Zhou's husband hasn't been so lucky and has yet to get a shot. When they call the local hotlines, they are told simply to wait. Central government officials on Monday said they're working to ensure supply is more evenly distributed. China has even focused on vaccinating its citizens abroad, donating vaccine s to Thailand, some of which were used to inoculate its nationals before most Thais received their doses. Globally, it has vaccinated more than 500,000 overseas citizens under what it calls the "Spring Sprout" program. Before the domestic campaign ramped up in recent weeks, many people were not in a rush to get vaccinated as China has kept the virus, which first flared in the country, at bay in the past year with strict border controls and mandatory quarantines. It has faced small clusters of infections from time to time, and is currently managing one in the southern city of Guangzhou. Although there are distribution issues, it is unlikely that Chinese manufacturers will have problems with scale, according to analysts and those who have worked in the industry. Sinovac and Sinopharm, which make the majority of the vaccines being distributed in China, have both aggressively ramped up production, building brand new factories and repurposing existing ones for COVID-19. Sinovac's vaccine and one of the two Sinpharm makes have received an emergency authorization for use from the World Health Organization, but the companies, particularly Sinopharm, have faced criticism for their lack of transparency in sharing their data. "What place in the world can compare with China on construction? How long did it take our temporary hospitals to be built?" asked Li Mengyuan, who leads pharmaceutical research at Western Securities, a financial firm. China built field hospitals at the beginning of the pandemic in just days. Sinovac has said it has doubled its production capacity to 2 billion doses a year, while Sinopharm has said it can make up to 3 billion doses a year. But Sinopharm has not disclosed recent numbers of how many doses it actually has made, and a spokesman for the company did not respond to a request for comment. Sinovac has produced 540 million doses this year as of late May, the company said on Friday. Government support has been crucial for vaccine developers every step of the way _ as it has in other countries _ but, as with everything, the scope and scale in China is different. Yang Xiaoming, chairman of Sinopharm's China National Biotec Group, recounted to state media recently how the company initially needed to borrow lab space from a government research center while it was working on a vaccine. "We sent our samples over, there was no need to discuss money, we just did it," he said. Chinese vaccine companies also largely do not rely on imported products in the manufacturing process. That's an enormous benefit at a time when many countries are scrambling for the same materials and means China can likely avoid what happened to the Serum Institute of India, whose production was hobbled because of dependence on imports from the U.S. for certain ingredients. But as the availability of the vaccine increases so, too, can the pressure to take it. In Beijing, one researcher at a university said the school's Communist Party cell calls him once a month to ask him if he has gotten vaccinated yet, and offers to help him make an appointment. He has so far declined to get a shot because he would prefer the Pfizer vaccine, saying he trusts its data. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of concerns he could face repercussions at his job at a government university for publicly questioning the Chinese vaccines. China has not yet approved Pfizer for use, and the researcher is not sure how long he can hold out _ although the government has, for now, cautioned against making vaccines mandatory outright. "They don't have to say it is mandatory," Yip, the public health expert, said. "They're not going to announce that it's required to have the vaccine, but they can put pressure on you." Also read: ALTBalaji aims to be Rs 150 cr entity by year-end, says SVP Divya Dixit Isolation has only amplified the loneliness many of us have been feeling. I dont feel lonely exactly, but even while stuck in a house with four other people, two dogs, and an abundance of lizards living on the wall, never have I been more aware of how far-reaching solitude can really be. But how could I think of romance, of dating, of sex when all I worry about is surviving the next day? Theres no room to satisfy my personal needs when the emotion that rules my waking hours is dread. I am often paralyzed with worry that the next time I check the family Viber chat, I would be met with some degree of distressing news. Still, the world doesnt pause for solitary hearts like mine; the desire for companionship remains strong for so many of us. I still have friends who continue to make the most of dating apps with no clear intention to meet in person, they use the safety of the internet to find a meaningful connection somehow. I know of a couple who met online a month into the enhanced community quarantine; five months ago, they got married while most of their guests watched them on Zoom. RELATED: The slow dating movement: how COVID-19 changed romance When I heard about that, I was mildly freaked out. You mean, yall have been busy falling in love all this time while I was learning how to make banana bread? What the fuck! I thought we were all suffering alone, together. In fact, in a YouTube video by content creator Maddie Dragsbaek, she says, After like, seven or eight months of quarantine and not speaking to strangers, I can definitively say that I am the horniest person alive. Period. That cant be true, I remember saying out loud, because all this time, I thought that was a title held by me. Dragsbaeks video is headlined What to wear on a first date, and in it she tries on different outfits that she envisions herself wearing when she heads out of her one-bedroom apartment and starts dating again. But it goes beyond discussions of style the New York-based vlogger weaves thoughtful insights into what dating can be like for a plus-sized person: the insecurity, the fetishization, the disappointment. (Its a good one.) And before she shows off the outfits shes prepared, Dragsbaek talks about how much she regrets everything shes ever said about her citys dating scene. This time around, she says, she will no longer complain about the silly little things that used to irk her. I want you to take me on dates for three months and lie to me the whole time! she yells into the void. And I hear her alright, but Im not sure if I share her sentiments. At this point, it feels like I have unlearned every single bit of knowledge Ive gained from dating in my twenties. While I certainly feel the natural urges of a person who has been on her own for a good year or so, I cant seem to put myself in a romantic mindset anymore. It became more apparent when I read the work of Filipino-American author Sarah Smith, who released two romantic comedy books in the past two years: her debut novel Faker (2019) and Simmer Down (2020). Sarah Smith's novels feature Hapa women who find love with Caucasian men in their respective workplaces. Photos from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE Smiths novels exist within the same universe, and tells the stories of two Hapa women who find love with Caucasian men in their respective workplaces. In Faker, the heroine Emmie is a copywriter for a power tool company who keeps up a tough facade at work, lest she be bullied by her mostly male coworkers. Shes in a battle of wills with social media manager Tate, who is repeatedly referred to as having Thor-like biceps and pale white skin. Oh, and before we forget that Emmie is half-Filipino, she spends a good chunk of her free time watching Eat Bulaga reruns on YouTube and cooking pancit for white people as her form of love language. In Simmer Down, were brought to Hawaii where we meet Nikki, who eschewed her big city life in Portland to help her mom run a Filipino cuisine food truck. She gets into turf war with the British chef of a rival food truck that serves fish and chips (of course) and they sabotage each other through harmless pranks. At one point she sticks a sign behind his truck that says Mediocre imperialist cuisine! which I personally thought would have been a great alternative title of the book. Seeing it from the lens of someone living through a pandemic, I couldnt help but feel anxious about all this pre-COVID romantic fiction. What do you mean people go to the office without masks? I cant feel kilig about a kissing scene if the previous chapter doesnt involve the main characters getting an RT-PCR test first. I love enemies to lovers tropes. I love workplace romances. (The answer is yes, my Venus is in Capricorn.) A younger, bouncier, pre-pandemic me would have probably enjoyed these books way more than I did now. Although I had a few raised eyebrow moments in both books, I appreciated how Smith attempted to write from an experience that was true to her. But seeing it from the lens of someone living through a pandemic, I couldnt help but feel anxious about all this pre-COVID romantic fiction. What do you mean people go to the office without masks? What do you mean people go on vacation in Hawaii and go to nude beaches? I cant feel kilig about a kissing scene if the previous chapter doesnt involve the main characters getting an RT-PCR test first. Every kind of romance now feels like a fantasy even at its most realistic, it feels so removed from reality. This perhaps, is how despite the weight of solitude boring heavily on me, I cant imagine putting myself through an actual date to meet a potential partner. There are so many logistics involved that remove all the trappings of excitement and sexiness that used to make the entire exercise actually fun. To be fair, consuming all this romantic-focused fiction and YouTube content made me reconsider if I am perhaps ready to venture out there, mask, vaccination card, and alcohol spray at the ready. I re-downloaded Bumble with a determination to make a connection. I chose a nice photo and a friendly-ish bio. Two days later, I noped out of that thing and deleted it. Maybe this feeling wont stay with me forever Id like to hold on to a bit of hope that one of these days, I will no longer view relationships with apprehension. The fear and fatigue might go away soon, and maybe then I will open myself up to the possibility that the love of my life is the owner of a rival food truck, or a broody social media manager with Thor-like biceps. Maybe they will try my pancit and fall in love with me. (Note to self: learn how to make pancit.) But I still cant shake off the uncertainty that things will never be the same again. When this is all over, will things get better? Maybe. Maybe itll be worse. Itll definitely be different. Right now, I dont know how to feel about such an uncertain future. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 3) - The Commission on Elections has approved the proposal to increase the compensation and benefits of teachers who will serve as poll workers in next year's national elections, according to the Department of Education. "We want to express our gratitude to the Comelec for approving our request for higher compensation for our teachers who will render their services in the next year's elections. Given the current health situation, it is rightful for them to receive additional allowances," Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a statement. Briones made the proposal last February, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She said the poll body "fully supported" the department's request to increase the pay by 3,000. Teachers who will serve as chairpersons of electoral boards will now be paid 9,000 from 6,000 while board members will get 8,000 from 5,000. The honoraria for DepEd Supervisor Official (DESO) and the support staff will also be raised to 7,000 and 5,000, respectively. Aside from the increase in compensation, the DepEd said COMELEC will also include transportation, food, and water allowance, and clean-up and repair/maintenance expenses as part of its budget proposal for the 2022 elections. The DepEd's request for health insurance coverage for poll workers who will be infected with COVID-19 will also be part of the budget proposal. "Other benefits such as on-site swab testing, shifting, and working hours of public school teachers in the EB (electoral board), tax exemption, and any absence/transfer/leave of DepEd employees due to election-related incidents will still be studied by the Commission and the Department," the DepEd said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) President Rodrigo Duterte will soon decide on the fate of Manila's Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Washington, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez. His statement on Friday comes after Philippine and US officials concluded talks on the military agreement. "It's now in the Office of the President and a decision may come anytime now," Romualdez told a joint virtual conference on the 75th anniversary of PH-US diplomatic ties. Romualdez is optimistic the President will accept the "improved" version of the agreement. The Philippine envoy, however, refused to disclose the details and fine print of the new VFA. "We're very hopeful, hopeful that the VFA will continue because it's an important piece of agreement," he said. US Charge d' Affaires in the Philippines John Law said the negotiations on the VFA lasted for weeks. "So the status is that we are waiting for the Philippine government's decision. We think the VFA has been a fundamental part of helping make the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) successful," the American official stressed. Diplomatic sources told CNN Philippines the talks focused primarily on the criminal jurisdiction of American forces in the country. The President terminated the VFA on February 11, 2020. The termination process, however, was suspended in June last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging threats in the South China Sea. The Philippine government again extended the suspension in November 2020. The VFA provides the legal framework for the presence of American troops in the Philippines as they conduct joint military exercises. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) Will Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and former Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro pair up for the 2022 elections? A former lawmaker says so, claiming an "agreement" has already been made. Speaking to CNN Philippines on Friday, former Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. - who accompanied Teodoro during his trip to Davao to meet the presidential daughter - said the two agreed to run as independents in next year's polls. "They have come to an agreement that they will be running as independents. That is news," Andaya told News Night. "They are not waiting, they are not wanting, they are not actively looking for any particular political party to carry them," he added. "Nasa gitna ko nilang dalawa. Sabi ko (I was between them, and I told them), Ma'am, this is your vice president. Mr. Gibo, this is your president. And then she smiled," Andaya said when pressed for details of their meeting. "And then she shared three meals with us after I said that. If she did not like what I said, I don't think she'd even stay for five more minutes in that room." Andaya on Thursday shared he and Teodoro flew to Davao to meet Duterte, fueling speculations of a Sara-Gibo tandem for 2022. On his Facebook page, Andaya claimed it was already a "done deal." Duterte and Teodoro, however, have yet to issue any statement on the matter. In January, President Rodrigo Duterte cautioned his daughter not to follow his footsteps, saying the presidency was no job for a woman. The Davao City mayor has not formally announced her plans for the 2022 polls. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) The United States confirmed on Friday the Philippines will receive a portion of its surplus COVID-19 vaccines. The administration of US President Joe Biden said approximately 7 million doses will be distributed to 17 Asian nations, including the Philippines, from the first tranche of vaccines Washington will donate across the world. They will go through the global vaccination program called COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) one of the main sources of COVID-19 vaccines received by the Philippines. The donations through COVAX will total to 19 million. South and Central America and Africa will also receive bulk shipments. Meanwhile, approximately 6 million of stock vaccines will be sent directly to America's "regional priorities and partner recipients." The White House said this is only the first of many plans to share vaccines with the rest of the world. The donation of 25 million doses is eyed to be delivered to nations by the end of June. The brand of vaccines was not divulged by the White House. (CNN) While Memorial Day was a milestone for a return to a sense of normalcy from the COVID-19 pandemic, it could take another two weeks to determine where the US really stands, an expert said. "In some ways, this was the first big stress test," CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen said. "We have restrictions lifted en masse, people going about their normal lives. We know that in the past, after major holidays and an increase in travel, that we then had a substantial uptick in the rate of infections." The US has had a lot to celebrate when it comes to recovery from the pandemic: More than half of the US has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 12 states have reached US President Joe Biden's goal of having 70% of Americans getting at least one dose by July 4. While the rate of vaccinations has slowed from a peak of 3.3 million doses to a seven-day average of about 1.1 million doses a day over the past week, an average of more than 615,000 people became fully vaccinated per day and an average of almost 523,000 additional people got a first shot each day, according to data published Wednesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overall, more than 136 million people -- about 41% of the US population -- are fully vaccinated, and about 51% have received at least one dose of vaccine, according to CDC data. And along with increased vaccinations has come a decrease in cases. For the first time since March 2020, the US recorded a seven-day average of fewer than 20,000 new daily cases Tuesday. Less than 5% of the US population lives in a county considered to have high Covid-19 transmission, according to CDC data. But Wen cautioned the US will have to wait to see if the protection of a country still not fully vaccinated can overpower the risk of forgoing masks and engaging in public settings. Even if cases plateau or taper off from their current falling rate, Wen said she worries some communities will remain vulnerable. "You have parts of the country with very low vaccination rates," she said. "I really worry about the unvaccinated people in those areas spreading coronavirus to one another." Incentives and precaution loosening in the coming weeks As the country waits to see how a weekend of celebration affects new case rates, some leaders are focusing on offering vaccine incentives while others continue to drop pandemic precautions. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Tuesday announced a vaccination incentive lottery with prizes that include $1 million, two full four-year scholarships to eligible students and 25 weekend getaways. "On Father's Day, we are going to make one of you a millionaire," Justice said. Meanwhile, Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud signed an order rescinding a number of Covid-19-related health orders, including lifting a statewide mask mandate and opening up access to jail and detention facilities. In Kentucky, senior centers will be allowed to reopen at full capacity starting June 11, Gov. Andy Beshear said. "The reason that we can do that are vaccines. These things are miracles," he said in a statement. Dropping precautions could mean more cases But as important as vaccinations are, they might not be enough to safely drop precautions just yet, researchers reported Tuesday. Even with the majority of the population vaccinated, the removal of precautions could lead to an increase in virus spread, they reported in the medical journal JAMA Network Open. Mehul Patel, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and colleagues used a mathematical model to simulate a coronavirus spread within the population of North Carolina. They found that infections, hospitalizations and deaths would continue to rise if pandemic precautions such as quarantine, school closures, social distancing and mask-wearing were lifted while vaccines were being rolled out. "Our study suggests that, for a population of 10.5 million, approximately 1.8 million infections and 8,000 deaths could be prevented during 11 months with more efficacious COVID-19 vaccines, higher vaccination coverage, and maintaining NPIs (non-pharmaceutical interventions), such as distancing and use of face masks," they wrote. Patel and colleagues said their findings suggest it will take a coordinated effort of maximizing vaccine coverage and practicing pandemic precautions "to reduce COVID-19 burden to a level that could safely allow a resumption of many economic, educational, and social activities." Cases also decline in children Fortunately, cases also do appear to be declining in children. The US reported the lowest number of new weekly Covid-19 cases among children since early October, with roughly 34,500 new child cases reported last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a Tuesday report. As of May 27, nearly 4 million children had tested positive since the pandemic's start. Children made up between 6% and 19.6% of those who were tested for Covid-19, according to the states that reported numbers, and between 5.2%-34.6% of children tested were positive for the virus, depending on the state. "At this time, it still appears that severe illness due to COVID-19 is rare among children," the report said. "However, there is an urgent need to collect more data on longer-term impacts of the pandemic on children, including ways the virus may harm the long-term physical health of infected children, as well as its emotional and mental health effects." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Americans are celebrating steps toward normalcy. But the real test of Covid-19 progress is 2 weeks away, expert says." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) Count on Ben&Ben to provide respite from pandemic exhaustion. The local folk band has released its new tracks called 'Upuan' and 'Magpahinga' to comfort fans during these trying times. Some members of the nine-piece band, including lead vocalists Paolo Benjamin Guico and his brother Miguel Benjamin, spoke with CNN Philippines' New Day to share the stories behind their latest songs. 'Magpahinga' was written when the sister of the Guico twins caught the coronavirus a few months back. "That was the experience talaga na kumbaga (that) really hit us hard," Paolo recalled. Thankfully, she recovered, he added. "The outcome of what happened to our family, not everyone is that fortunate. That is why, for those who are going through worse, our song is our way of being there for them," he said. Meanwhile, 'Upuan' is a "lively" song that "brings us back to earlier days wherein things were much simpler," Miguel said. The musician also revealed how they came up with the unique song title. "I guess it's a fun challenge to be reminded of something when you see a seemingly ordinary object you just take for granted," he said of 'Upuan.' "As an artist, you have these ideas that come to life when your mind is crazy with creativity," he added. (CNN) Are you paying attention? Maybe not. We spend nearly half our waking lives with wandering minds, Harvard University scientists found over a decade ago. When you're trying to get something done such as reading an article about mindfulness, for example that wandering mind can derail your goals. "If we're not paying attention to the present moment when we're trying to get something done, that's a problem, whether the goal is to read a book or talk to a partner," said Amishi Jha, professor of psychology at the University of Miami. "Whatever it is, it's going to require you to actually be in the moment to do it." That's where mindfulness comes in. With roots in Eastern spiritual traditions, mindfulness has transformed into a secular practice in the West. The term encompasses a range of practices that include breathing exercises, guided meditations and more formal trainings. "It's the antidote to mind wandering," Jha said. "It's paying attention to our present moment experience without editorializing or reacting to it." Benefits of mindfulness go beyond focus. Practicing mindfulness can be effective at improving focus, lessening pain, improving sleep, mitigating stress and easing feelings of anxiety and depression, studies have found in recent years. Those are five great reasons to try a mindfulness practice and we've got five ways you can get started today. Mindfulness practices draw on the power of the present moment. "Much of the time we're lost in the past or the future," said Diana Winston, director of mindfulness education at the Mindful Awareness Research Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. "In the present moment, there's the potential for more ease and well-being if we can bring our attention back there." Getting started can be as simple as spending a few minutes tuning into the sensation of breathing. "You can notice breath after breath, then your attention wanders," Winston said. "Then you notice your attention wandered, and you bring it back to your breath. You just keep doing this over and over. That's a great starting point." From there, you can experiment with free-to-use guided meditations, apps or even a course in mindfulness-based stress reduction. Intrigued? Here are five great reasons to start today. 1. You want to fine-tune your focus Constantly getting distracted is annoying, but it can be more serious than that annoyance. "When you are not paying attention to what is in front of you, in the moment, you're going to have errors, you're going to make mistakes, you're likely to have lapses in judgment," said University of Miami psychologist Jha, author of the forthcoming book "Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day," which explores how mindfulness can improve focus and attention. She works with military personnel and first responders, whose jobs require extreme focus in stressful situations. "If you have an attentional lapse, it could be the difference between life and death," she said. Taking time for mindfulness is like strengthening a mental muscle, she said, and her lab has found positive results from just 12 minutes of daily practice. "It's parallel to physical activity," Jha said. "Engaging in a mindfulness practice is strengthening specific aspects of attention so that if we need them, we have access to that." Try this: Join CNN's Anderson Cooper for a guided meditation with mindfulness research pioneer Jon Kabat-Zinn 2. You're living with chronic pain More than a fifth of US adults have chronic pain, found the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2019, conditions that contribute to the country's opioid epidemic. Mindfulness is a promising technique for managing symptoms while lessening prescription drug use, said Eric Garland, a distinguished endowed chair in research, professor and associate dean at The University of Utah College of Social Work. "Practice of mindfulness seems to help people cope with chronic pain, and reduce their overreliance on opioids," he said. "Mindfulness breathing can immediately reduce pain" by 23%, according to Garland's research. It's not a long-lasting effect, he added. But his research has found that 15 minutes of mindful breathing is enough for a temporary reduction in pain. "It's meditation as medication. You're hurting, and you take some ibuprofen, and it works to alleviate pain," he said. "The effects wear off in a couple of hours and you need to take another medicine. Mindfulness is similar." Try this: Follow step-by-step instructions for a short body scan to address pain 3. You'd like a great night of sleep Missing out on sleep is linked to chronic diseases and poor health, but more than 35% of US adults get fewer than the recommended seven to nine hours, according to the CDC. If you're tossing and turning all night, a mindfulness practice may help, found a 2019 meta-analysis of 18 studies. A wide range of sleep-specific mindfulness meditations are available free online. A popular mindfulness-for-sleep technique is the "body scan," an approach that outperformed cognitive behavioral therapy in a 2020 trial of adolescents with insomnia. In a body scan sleep meditation created by UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center, participants follow recorded instructions to notice sensations in each part of the body, starting at the top of the head and moving toward the feet and toes. The best part? It all happens in bed. Try this: Lie down and cue up UCLA's 13-minute body scan for sleep 4. You're feeling the effects of too much stress "There's definitely support for mindfulness reducing stress," said Winston of UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center. Years of research back the claim, though Winston noted that the studies' definitions of stress can vary widely. The eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program designed by mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn is a deep dive into practices attuned to alleviate stress. But many shorter guided meditations are available online, including from the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center. Such techniques may ease health problems that are commonly associated with stress. "It's helpful with stress-related physical conditions," Winston said. "It can impact blood pressure, it can boost the immune system, it can improve the healing response." Try this: Stream Winston's five-minute guided breathing mindfulness meditation 5. You're dealing with pandemic anxiety In mindfulness studies, "one of the easier effects to see is lowered anxiety," said Susan Johnson, a professor of psychological science of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who noted the calming effect of sitting down and taking some deep, slow breaths. "It's kind of like a glass of muddy water. You let it sit, and the mud settles, and you see things a little more clearly," she said. Mindfulness has been shown to relieve anxiety and boost mood, welcome news amid a pandemic that has triggered a global mental health crisis. Try this: Take five minutes for a guided breathing practice from Zindel Segal, distinguished professor of psychology in mood disorders at the University of Toronto Scarborough The future and limitations of mindfulness science Mindfulness is not a cure-all, despite a growing number of studies and eager headlines. Some mindfulness research fails to meet the strictest norms of study design, Johnson said. "Only about 10% of studies have active control groups," she said. In a study with an active control group, some participants use mindfulness while others try a different activity entirely. It helps weed out the placebo effect. A 2021 meta-analysis in the British Medical Bulletin noted a need for more high-quality studies with larger sample sizes and more long-term follow-up. Evidence for some mindfulness benefits is robust, the study found, showing techniques can help with pain, insomnia, anxiety and stress. Evidence that mindfulness interventions help with post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders and eating disorders some of which have made splashy news in recent years remain preliminary. "I think (mindfulness) can be beneficial. I do meditate myself," said Johnson, who calls herself "a skeptic of the exaggerated claims that are made." And even when it comes to targeting conditions like anxiety and stress, where benefits of mindfulness are strongly supported by research, there are no guarantees. "Mindfulness is not for everybody," noted UCLA's Winston. "Some people really respond to it and love it, and others don't find it helpful." Winston, too, said enthusiasm about the possible benefits of mindfulness sometimes gets ahead of the research. "Just keep in mind that the research on mindfulness is very young, even though it's very exciting," she said. "There's so much more to do." This story was first published on CNN.vcom '5 reasons to start a mindfulness practice and how it can help you' Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) There was no violation in the simultaneous vaccination of multi-awarded veteran actor Aga Muhlach and his family because they have valid comorbidities, the Department of the Interior and Local Government disclosed on Friday. The patriarch, his beauty queen and TV host wife Charlene Gonzales-Muchlach, and their 19-year-old twins Atasha and Andres drew flak after it was revealed that they all received their COVID-19 vaccines in Muntinlupa City on June 1 even as inoculations are only allowed for priority groups. The DILG stepped in to clarify that all four are qualified to get vaccinated because they registered in the city's portal under A3 category. Interior Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the family's medical certificates from the Asian Hospital and Medical Center stating they have comorbidities have been verified. "Documents regarding their vaccination were also submitted to the DILG," Malaya said in a statement. "Therefore, the Department sees no violation of DOH or IATFs regulations in the aforementioned vaccination." The Philippines is currently rolling out vaccination to priority groups of healthcare workers, senior citizens, and people with comorbidities due to limited vaccine supply. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) The country recorded 181 new COVID-19 deaths on Friday, bringing the death toll to 21,537, according to the Department of Health. It is the third day in a row this week that saw more than a hundred fatalities. The death toll is now 1.72% of the total number of infections, which rose to 1,255,337 after 7,450 more people caught the coronavirus. The DOH case bulletin also counted 60,794 active cases - the highest in nearly a month, and just below the over 61,000 ill patients reported on May 9. The active case count makes up 4.8% of the case total. At least 93.9% of the active cases have mild symptoms, 2% have no symptoms, 1.6% have severe symptoms, 1.3% are in critical condition and 1.15% are in moderate condition. The recovery count also rose to 1,173,006 or 93.4% of the COVID-19 count after 2,382 more people were cleared of the coronavirus. The DOH said 119 of the newly reported deaths were mistakenly tagged as survivors previously and were reclassified after validation. It also deleted 12 duplicate cases, including nine recoveries and one fatality. The total excludes data from five laboratories that failed to submit their reports on time. These laboratories contributed 2% of samples tested and 2.7% of positive individuals in the last 14 days, the DOH noted. The daily positivity rate is at 13.6% based on 48,862 tests conducted as of June 2. The rate is still far from the World Health Organization's recommended rate of below 5%. Experts have said high rates may mean high transmission and more cases left undetected. Meanwhile, the national government placed Davao City under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) over increases in infections. General Santos City was also placed under general community quarantine (GCQ). These two cities were among the "areas of concern" where the OCTA research team noted significant upward trends in cases outside NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan). On Thursday, OCTA said Metro Manila's reproduction number or the number infected by one case, rose slightly to 0.68 from 0.57 over the past week. There was also a growth rate of 8% in its seven-day average of new cases. It is the first time the region recorded an increase since the peak of the recent surge, OCTA said. For the entire country, the reproduction number climbed to 1.09 while the 7-day average of new infections increased by 37% to 6,699. This was coming from 4,898 in the previous week, which is the lowest daily average since the peak of the surge in April. Among Filipinos abroad, 102 new cases were detected, as well as nine new recoveries, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The total number of infected is now at 19,876 with 12,053 survivors while the death toll stayed at 1,194. There are also 6,629 people still undergoing treatment. The Madras High Court on Friday pointed out that Renault Nissan has breached the agreement regarding COVID-19 safety protocols it signed with its worker union - Renault Nissan India Thozhilalar Sangam (RNITS). The High Court added Nissan Renault needs to implement the agreement in full. Earlier in May, RNITS had approached the court stating that Renault Nissan management was not adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols. The court on May 31 asked the RNITS and Renault Nissan to arrive at a solution for this problem. The automaker and its worker union had agreed to implement the empty pitch ratio of 3:1 in the trim and chassis and body shop. "Simply put, after three cars in the conveyor belt, one slot will be empty so that a worker need not move to the next workstation to complete his work," K Balaji Krishnan, President, RNITS, told news agency IANS. The Renault Nissan management failed to adhere to the 3:1 empty pitch ratio in production line 1, according to IANS. RNITS again approached the Madras High Court claiming that Renault Nissan had not adhered to the agreed-upon COVID-19 safety protocols in its production plants. The Madras High Court has stated the Renault Nissan management had breached the agreement signed with the worker union. It explained that it can't accept the empty pitch ratio being followed in only one of the two production lines. The High Court said that Renault Nissan had later agreed to also implement the 3:1 pitch ratio on its production line 1. The court added that both parties can discuss this aspect later. Laying emphasis on the high rate of COVID-19 infections amongst workers, the Madras High Court said that terms of exemption from lockdown have to be strictly adhered to. Also Read: COVID-19: Madras HC directs TN govt to inspect Renault-Nissan's Chennai plant Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) A House investigation on the Luzon power deficit left lawmakers with more questions than answers as the island group faced rotating blackouts for three straight days early this week. Officials of agencies on Friday pointed fingers at each other or blamed external factors, upsetting a few members of the 56-strong House committee on energy. Ayaw ko lang Mr. Chair yung magtuturo at hindi natin malaman ano ang problema. So I agree we should sit down instead na magturuan, APEC party-list Rep. Sergio Dagooc said. [Translation: Its just that I dont like the fingerpointing, being unable to pinpoint the problem. So I agree we should sit down instead of blaming each other.] Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi had apologized for the blackouts. Power generators explain side The Energy Regulatory Commission earlier issued notices to power generators involved in the series of breakdown. It said it received the explanations: Power plants failed to go back online as scheduled because border restrictions stalled the arrival of foreign technical experts and spare parts. ERC Chairperson Agnes Devanadera said aging power plants averaging 16 to 20 years must be granted some policy consideration. We are now looking into the supporting documents regarding the allegations and grounds that were given to us by the power plants, Devanadera, a former Justice Secretary, told lawmakers. The grid operator said it began planning the scheduled maintenance of power plants as early as September last year. Shutdowns for plant upkeep and repairs are calendared ahead such that these do not fall on the summer months from April to June except for those operating on hydropower. Energy officials said they are on top of the situation. Ang Department of Energy po ay hindi remiss sa pag-oobserba ng aktibidades at lahat ng pangyayari sa ating power supply, Mario Marasigan, Electric Power Industry Management Bureau director, said during Fridays virtual hearing. Power distributor Meralco said none of its supply contractors went off the grid, but the grid operator said some failed to make good on their supply contracts with other distribution utilities. So as far as the Meralco franchise area is concerned, we have amply contracted the necessary capacity to serve the demand requirements of our franchise area, in particular the captive customers of Meralco, Meralco CEO Ray Espinosa told the committee. Committee chairman Juan Miguel Mikey Arroyo wanted to get to the bottom of the issue and told the agencies to sit down and together fix the issue. He did not schedule a follow-up hearing to Friday's probe that lasted for over four hours. Yung akin lang gawa tayo ng blueprint solution. Hindi man ma-implement, at least may libro, may notebook na tayo di ba? At least for this administration, Arroyo said. [Translation: Lets draw up a blueprint solution. Even if it wont be implemented, at least we have a book, a notebook. At least for this administration.] The Energy department has forecast demand to peak to 11,841 megawatts, but told lawmakers that the supply is at a minimum 15,000 megawatts, which meant there should be no supply deficit a computation that confused lawmakers more. Energy officials said there could be plant breakdowns unforeseen or not yet factored in. The Energy department did not rule out raising the red alert even as it said that the outlook for the rest of June is that capacity will be able to meet the expected demand. Yung end of this week hanggang next week, nakikita po natin na kung wala pang nakakapasok na planta below the red line pa rin tayo so kulang pa rin ang ating regulated reserve at magkakaron pa rin tayo ng red alert, Marasigan told the panel. Hopefully po pagpasok ng mga susunod na linggo, up to July 1, magkaron na po tayo ng mga plantang papasok at bababa na po ang ating konsumo kaya matatawid natin yung red alert. Hindi na tayo magkakaron ng rotational brownouts hopefully pero nasa yellow alert pa rin tayo. So yan po yung outlook natin for the rest of the month of June. [Translation: This weekend until next week, if there are plants that fail to go back online, we will remain below the red line so there will be insufficient regulated reserve and we will raise red alert. Hopefully the week after next, up to July 1, we will have plants reconnected to the grid and consumption will fall so we can get pass the red alert stage. We wont have rotational blackouts hopefully, but yellow alert will still be in place. That is our outlook for the rest of June.] (CNN) Friday marks the 32nd anniversary of the Chinese government's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in and around central Beijing in the early hours of June 4, 1989. For an event that happened almost 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) away, the Tiananmen Square massacre has become deeply embedded in Hong Kong's psyche. That's because for the past three decades, Hong Kong was the only place where major commemorations were held, including marches, church services, and huge candlelit vigils in the city's Victoria Park. After Hong Kong became part of China in 1997, the continuation of these events was always seen as a major litmus test for the city's ongoing autonomy and democratic freedoms, supposedly guaranteed until 2047 by its de facto constitution, the Basic Law, under the principle of "one country, two systems." The 30th anniversary in 2019 saw one of the biggest turnouts at the Victoria Park vigil, with organizers claiming some 180,000 people joined the commemoration (though police said it was closer to 40,000). That anniversary came amid escalating tensions over a proposed extradition bill between Hong Kong and China: just five days later, over a million people marched against it, and in the months that followed, the city was consumed by increasingly violent protests and police crackdowns. In the wake of those protests, Beijing introduced a national security law for Hong Kong, bypassing the city's semi-democratic legislature to criminalize secession, subversion and collusion with foreign powers. That law has been used to crack down on a host of political activity, and almost every prominent pro-democracy politician and activist is either in prison or headed there. As talk of the law rumbled ahead of its abrupt passing on June 30 last year, many saw June 4, 2020, as potentially the final opportunity for a major commemoration. Despite authorities banning the Victoria Park vigil on pandemic grounds, tens of thousands still turned out to mark the event peacefully, and police took a hands-off approach though subsequently arrested and charged a number of activists deemed to have "organized" the protest. This year, the gloves are off. The city's Security Bureau said Saturday that any rally on June 4 would be deemed an unauthorized assembly, and "no one should take part in it, or advertise or publicize it, or else he or she may violate the law." Offenders could face up to five years in prison, while those promoting the event could be jailed for up to 12 months, the bureau added. Already this week one activist known locally as Grandma Wong was arrested for staging a solo Tiananmen protest, while the city's recently reopened June 4 Museum was forced to shut again. Organizers of the candlelit vigil have canceled the event for the first time in over 30 years, asking instead that people "mourn June 4 with perseverance and wisdom, under lawful, safe, peaceful and rational circumstances, in their own way, at the right time and place," though that didn't stop one of them being detained in the early hours of Friday. Likely the safest way to remember Tiananmen will be behind closed doors similar to how the event is marked in mainland China, by the few who still choose to remember. This story was first published on CNN.com "Hong Kong's Tiananmen vigil always set the city apart from China. Those days may now be over" The current COVID-19 fuss has caused adverse effects on the business industry. However, as businesses transform seamlessly to accommodate changes caused by the pandemic, the e-commerce industry has experienced a boom for a niche of products. Even in a marketplace platform such as Amazon, sellers have noticed at least 8 products that customers frequently add to their carts. Buying Trends in 2021 Industry influencers often determine buying trends, and the current customer behavior is fast shifting towards trending products. Thankfully, social media has a hand in promoting buying trends for most products in 2020 and 2021. 8 Amazon Items That Are Flying Off The Shelves With thousands of products today, some people rely on social media recommendations and reviews that back bestsellers in the online market. In this regard, let us explore 8 Amazon Items you can feel confident purchasing this spring. 1. Little Green Machine Daylight Donuts Baker Assistant Lindsay Cunningham said the ownership transition has been very smooth. Cunningham has been working at the business for approximately six years. "I like the people, the customers," Cunningham said. Cunningham is staying on, but the Daylight Donuts baker is planning to step back as Martin learns the ropes. As such, Martin said he is currently seeking to hire someone as a baker. Customers can also expect the decor at Daylight Donuts to change as the Johnsons leave. They own the art, photographs and train memorabilia covering the walls and plan to take it with them. However, Martin has plans for redecorating. He said he hopes to incorporate decorations that reference local history and school pride. "I am kind of a nostalgic person," Martin said. Martin added that he has plans to start accepting debit and credit cards in the very near future and that he's looking into options for expanding and growing the business. As a single parent with a 16-year-old daughter nearing the end of high school, Martin said he is looking forward to spending his time at Daylight Donuts while he prepares for an empty nest. Education alert top story Big Spring Schools Community to host parade for Big Spring Class of 2021 An event born of COVID-19 has potential to become an annual tradition for Big Spring High School graduates. For the second year in a row, Big Spring School District has joined forces with Newville Borough to organize a parade for the graduating class. All seniors in the Class of 2021 are invited to either drive their own vehicle or have an adult from their household drive them in the parade. They are encouraged to wear their caps and gowns and to decorate their vehicle however they want within the standards of school district policy. An outdoor plan for graduation ceremonies with COVID protocols Sentinel file Students attend their 2019 Carlisle High School Graduation ceremony at Dickinson College. The parade last year was such a huge success for our community and our [2020] graduates that we wanted to offer it again to a group of seniors that had a very challenging last 16 months, said Richard Fry, superintendent of Big Spring School District. The two classes most affected by the pandemic were last years senior class and this years senior class, Fry said. Our community wants to make sure they just have a fantastic send-off. It is something the district would have to decide on moving forward beyond the Class of 2021. Seniors who wish to participate in this years parade can start to gather at the Newville Lions Club Fairgrounds off Route 533 in North Newton Township around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Borough Manager Fred Potzer said. Vehicles will be lined up single file. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. with a drive down Route 533 to Broad Street in the borough. The procession will cross Broad to Walnut Street and then follow Walnut to West Big Spring Avenue and then onto South High Street. Big Spring students plant flowers for pollinator habitat Big Spring High School students planted over 600 flowers to create a habitat for bees, butterflies and other pollinator species. From there, the parade will go to the traffic signal and turn right onto East Main Street until it reaches the Mount Rock Road intersection. At that point, the parade will turn right onto Mount Rock Road to the high school campus where the vehicles will disperse. The parade is rain or shine, Potzer said, adding that only a heavy downpour could cancel it. No parking signs will be posted along the parade route. The idea for a graduation parade surfaced in April 2020 and was supported by Class of 2020 leaders. Very soon it had the backing of Potzer and Scott Penner, borough council president and dean of students at the high school. For a week in the spring of 2020, Big Spring School District invited local residents to submit ideas and to rate the ideas of other participants on possible alternatives to a traditional graduation ceremony. This was done through the Thought Exchange social media survey platform. About 505 local residents submitted 208 ideas that received 11,050 ratings. Having a parade for the graduates ranked high among those who logged on, which included about half of the Class of 2020. Then as now, for the parade to happen, Newville Borough needed permission to close roads from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and from two adjoining townships. The fairgrounds are in North Newton Township while the high school campus is in West Pennsboro Township. The borough also needed permission to use school resource officers who are employed by the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office. Last year, the parade was organized in less than a month during the pandemic. The plan is to carryover an idea from 2020 and set up stations at the town fountain and other strategic points along the parade route, Potzer said. Big Spring School District plans parade for graduates denied traditional ceremony by COVID-19 All 204 seniors are invited to drive through town, one to a vehicle, in their caps and gowns while spectators along the parade route celebrate their success. Each station will be equipped with a public address system and manned by high school faculty and staff members. As each senior passes a station, his or her name will be announced over the loudspeaker in an echo that carries to nearby spectators. Last year, this idea was implemented to encourage social distancing. Now that COVID-19 conditions are more relaxed, the need for masking and social distancing is not as great so Potzer encourages residents to just have a good time while they show their support for the Class of 2021. U.S. health regulators warned surgeons Thursday to stop implanting a heart pump made by Medtronic due to power failures recently tied to cases of stroke and more than a dozen deaths. Medtronic said earlier in the day it would stop selling its Heartware assist device, which is intended to boost blood circulation in patients with heart failure. Recent company data showed the device can unexpectedly stop working and sometimes fail to restart, the Food and Drug Administration said. The company said it hasn't been able to pinpoint the root cause in every case. Surgeons can use implants from other manufacturers, the FDA said in a memo to physicians. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} About 4,000 people worldwide currently have the Medtronic device, roughly half of them in the U.S. For those patients, the agency said U.S. doctors should contact the company for the latest guidance on managing the device, which includes managing blood pressure. The FDA said Medtronic halted sales after reviewing 100 reports of power failures with the device, which led to 14 patient deaths and 13 patients having it removed. The company previously issued recalls on some Heartware devices and components used when implanting it. In December, the company warned about power failures or delayed restarts with three lots. The Department of Health today announced Friday that a COVID-19 testing site will open to the public in Cumberland County through a partnership with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare. Beginning June 8 through and running through June 19, testing will be available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, 1000 Bryn Mawr Road, Carlisle, the department said in a news release. The site will feature drive-thru and walk-up options. Testing will take place within the pavilion on the southeast side of the fairgrounds. People may enter through Gate 3, located just off of Bryn Mawr Road. When testing is completed, they can exit out of the same gate. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The virus is still present in our communities, which is evident from the daily count of COVID-19 cases statewide, acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. This reinforces the need for continued testing across the state. We encourage anyone who feels they need or want a test to take advantage of any of the COVID-19 testing clinics, if they think they have been exposed to COVID-19. Much of the news and attention has shifted to COVID-19 vaccines, but testing is still a critical part of our response to ultimately stop the spread of COVID-19. President Biden has pledged to help narrow the racial wealth gap and reinvest in communities that have been left behind by failed policies. He used the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre in Greenwood, a thriving African American community ravaged by a racist mob in 1921, as the occasion to promise more federal contracts for minority-owned companies and address discrimination in home appraisals for black families. The Tulsa mob murdered more than 300 Black men, women and children over a two-day period, May 31 to June 1, forcing thousands to flee for their lives while watching their homes and businesses burn to the ground. No one was ever held responsible for the devastation. But Bidens Tulsa appearance and speech continues a narrative favored by Democrats that reinforces the wrong belief that African Americans can do nothing without government. Of course, if government were their savior, would it not have solved all the problems Democrats continually talk about, but do little to fix? HDFC Bank has asked its customers to ignore its previous warning on cryptocurrency transactions. The warning had earlier cited a circular by the Reserve Bank of India that dates back to 2018. In its recent mail to customers, the bank said that its earlier caution needs to be ignored. It again cited RBI circular from earlier this week that stated that banks cannot cite the 2018 order. "We wish to update you that in light of the advisory issued by RBI vide their Circular DOR. AML.REC 18/14.01.001/2021-22 dated May 31, 2021 on 'Customer Due Diligence for transactions in Virtual Currencies', we request you to ignore our earlier communication dated May 28, 2021. Inconvenience caused is regretted," it said in its new mail. HDFC Bank, Indias largest private sector bank, just told its clients to ignore their previous warning about Virtual Currency use! pic.twitter.com/tGlLUlmOG7 Documenting Bitcoin (@DocumentingBTC) June 3, 2021 The May 28 circular stated that according to RBI, regulated entities cannot deal with virtual currencies or provide services for facilitating dealing with virtual currencies to any person or entity. The bank urged its customers who used its services for cryptocurrency transactions to visit the nearest branch within 30 days of the communication to clarify the nature of these transactions. "In case we do not hear from you, the bank will be compelled to restrict transactions in your account without any further notice," the mail said. @HDFC_Bank You should read this and clear your confusion pic.twitter.com/pRtSdXpo3V Sabah (@sabah786) May 31, 2021 @HDFC_Bank I received an email withdrawal of banking services because of crypto. Email cites 2018 RBI guidelines which quashed by Supreme Court last year. Also how rational is it to ask a customer to show up physically at a branch in the middle of a pandemic Please help @RBIpic.twitter.com/UsRaKIxODL Avinash (@S2NLP) May 28, 2021 HDFC Bank backpedaling on outdated crypto currency notice which was being sent to account holders.@AxisBank@KotakBankLtd When are you guys sending it out ? pic.twitter.com/P525QhNoTU Crypto India (@CryptooIndia) June 3, 2021 The RBI, on May 31, said that its 2018 circular was no longer valid and barred banks from citing it. "Such references to the above circular by banks or regulated entities are not in order as this circular was set aside by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on March 04, 2020," it said. The issue was flagged via social media when investors said several private and public sector banks, including HDFC Bank, warned and denied digital currency exchanges' services citing the RBI's old circular. Also read: RBI fines HDFC Bank Rs 10 crore over regulatory violations Also read: HDFC Bank's NBFC arm holds IPO plans; to raise over Rs 8,600 crore via debt Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} It is very painful, she said, but it could always be much worse. We have a hard time getting comfortable sometimes, but we are trying to keep going. We are hanging in there as best we can. We are so thankful for all the amazing help and support we are receiving. Shannons mom, Julie Hall, and other relatives and friends did not know if the couple would survive their injuries from the motorcycle accident. When they learned the couple would eventually recover, Hall wrote a special Mothers Day Facebook post about her relief and gratitude that her daughter and son-in-law were spared from being killed in the accident. This is a wonderful Mothers Day, she said, because Ill take having them here with me over diamonds and pearls any time. The couple have been out of work since the accident and will not be able to return until possibly September. Family, friends and neighbors have stepped up to help the couple. Howard is a member of the Washington County Cruisers (WCC), a non-profit riding group that works together to help various community members in need. It was reported that she signed off on work for them and told the inmate in charge of the clothing division they were for her kids. The orders were placed in January 2018. The child-sized uniforms and the patterns to make them have been collected as evidence in the pending case. The DOC contacted the sheriff's department after they saw the news the evening of Aug. 7, 2018, and they shared that information with them. "Why would you order prison uniforms?" Bullock said at the time. "Her boyfriend, Head, had worked at the BJC Behavioral Health as a counselor at some point. From what I understand, he was a counselor to those kids and then they ended up together." During a press conference on Aug. 7, 2018, Bullock said he had seen some pretty nasty things in all his time, but nothing this deplorable here in St. Francois County. "Myself and the prosecutor have talked about this, and we have seen a lot of different things over the years, but this is the kind of thing that happens somewhere else, not here," Bullock said. Bond was initially set at $500,000 for both defendants but was lowered to $250,000 cash or surety on Sept. 4, 2018. Both Cheatham and Head have since posted bonds and were released in September 2018. The two defendants were also ordered to have no contact with children while released on bond, but after a motion to amend bond conditions was sustained on Aug. 7, 2019, the court ordered the defendants may have contact with children as permitted by the Juvenile Court. Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 15 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Vanuatu turns the Corner LETS USE THIS AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR THE FUTURE LMC Leadership Training hosted by the Ministry of Justice with the support of the Australian High Commission Five years ago, Rocky Forge obtained local and state permits that allowed for up to 25 turbines, no higher than 550 feet. But that version of the wind farm was never built, as a buyer for its renewable energy did not emerge. By the time a deal was struck in 2019 for the state of Virginia to purchase the electricity to help meet its climate agenda, new technology made it possible to build fewer, but taller, turbines. An amended special use permit approved by the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors last year gave Apex the authority to build what would have then been the tallest wind turbines in the country making the spinning windmills about the height of a 50-story building. But when it submitted a site plan to the county last December, Apex had trimmed its plans to 15 turbines, at 624 feet tall. Those numbers came down again in the latest plan made public by Apex. Turbine models are continually tweaked for optimization, so small changes can never be ruled out, Montague said. Opponents have said the giant turbines would be an eyesore, make too much noise, generate shadow flicker and pose a threat to a scenic, mountainous area and its wildlife. Union members will vote this week on the company's current contract offer. According to the union, the proposed contract starts employees off at $18 an hour and cuts a 15-minute break period. The union is pressing to start employees at $19 an hour, as well as avoid increases to employees health insurance premiums and allow more time for medical leave. Smithfield Chief Administrative Officer Keira Lombardo said in a statement that the unions comments were inaccurate. The company said that if union members rejected an offer scheduled for a vote Thursday, there were discussions about scheduling more meetings next week. It is unfortunate that the union has issued a statement that is, unquestionably, inaccurate, Lombardo said. Such tactics during an active and ongoing contract negotiation are a disservice to our many hard-working employees. If the contract is not approved, union members could then vote to consider striking, but that would not become an option until June 7, when a contract extension deadline expires. One of the things were looking at, south of Route 20 for an eight mile stretch, is the speed limits, signage, all of the intersection geometry and sight distance, Saunders said at the May 25 meeting. We met with the traffic engineers Wednesday. Theyre going to evaluate speed limits, look at the pavement markings, the passing zones, all the signage. When you see speeds like that, the first thing I think of is can you put a speed bump in the middle of 522 and get everyone to stop and go over that? he told the supervisors. It would generate a lot of noise, but its not an ineffective solution. But sometimes we wonder what we can do next. VDOT has also had to contend with the age of Route 522. Saunders explained that with each evolution of the road, new safety measures have to be developed. If you look back over your shoulder and think about those intersections, some of those roads have been in existence for more than 100 years, he said. They evolved from paths that travelers frequented and then at some point became hard surface roads. They were certainly never designed to an engineering standard, especially one thats common today. Now we see more traffic, larger vehicles and higher speeds. Unfortunately, we see crashes and crash patterns that fall outside of the typical countermeasures VDOT has. Huff said 2004 was chosen because the plot of the film, which is a coming-of-age thriller focused on four high school friends covering up a murder, wouldnt work with smartphones and social media. He also wanted a throwback vibe for the film. That period of time or era was very nostalgic for me, he said. Growing up, we were so young then. Personally, graduating and seeing my childhood end, it almost feels like this is a good way to wrap it up by throwing it back to when it all began. After working on 50 other projects, Huff and his friends were ready to try something more ambitious this year, especially as they all had the skills needed to pull it off, as well as the time, with classes online for most of the school year. Online school doesnt even feel like real school when its your senior year and youve got like two classes and youre just in and out of Zooms, Huff said. Frankly, Im always wanting to make another movie, and I just saw this opportunity and everybody else saw this opportunity and were like, yeah lets jump. Spears said filming the movie brought the friends closer together. The time and effort involved was not a sacrifice, he said. South Africa: Pension payout points to be used to register senior citizens for COVID-19 vaccine People across the country are pulling out all the stops to help register pensioners for the COVID-19 vaccine, and now pension payout points where thousands queue for their monthly grant, are being targeted. Volunteers from all walks of life are now pullulating Post Offices, Boxer Superstores and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) pay points to ensure no pensioner is left behind. The mission is to get as many over 60s as possible, to sign up for the lifesaving jab, under the second phase of the countrys vaccination rollout programme, that is currently underway. This week, the Department of Health's Director-General, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, expressed his disappointment that the country was not even close to reaching 50% of the 5.5 million people who are over 60. However, one woman who is determined to change this is Jane Simmonds, who works as the Research Manager, at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). Speaking to SAnews, Simmonds said she realised that grant queues are very important in older peoples lives. Because, where do you reach old people? Theyre not at work, not at old age homes, not on transport or school. Theyre not even going to church much these days because of COVID-19. But theyre living at home and in their communities. And when she saw that the level of vaccine registration for the elderly was low, Simmonds knew she needed to do something. She has since rallied the likes of Boxer, South African Post Office (SAPO), and SASSA, where thousands of senior citizens gather to collect their old age pension. The South African Council of Churches and United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund have also come on board and are sending volunteers to offer a helping hand by assisting pensioners with physical registration. We find that a lot of old people do have phones. However, they cant see the screen because of their eyes, can read numbers to type on the phone or follow instructions. The group will help the elderly dial the USSD number (*134*832#), which is free - and fill in their personal details or use their own cellphones to register for the elderly people who do not have mobile phones. According to Simmonds, this is just the beginning. The next step is getting the needles in peoples arms as it allows them to be safe from COVID-19, she said, adding that the SAMRC is targeting to reach at least one million senior citizens. Meanwhile, Boxer has started distributing 250 000 flyers that will be handed out in their stores to promote the vaccination rollout. According to Simmonds, about 100 000 pensioners collected their money from Boxer in April this year, Simmonds said. Going to Boxer, you have an opportunity to reach 100 000 people. Boxer's Head of Stakeholder relations, Ntombi Dludla, said they would like to see as many people being vaccinated as quickly as possible. We identified that the first step of registration was critical, yet challenging. We realised that many pensioners come to Boxer each month to collect their grants and we believed it was an ideal opportunity to talk to them about registering for the vaccine. Dludla said the locations of their stores make it ideal to gain access to many people from "difficult-to-reach" areas. "The wording on our leaflets has been endorsed by the Department of Health and we are pleased to have their logo endorsing our message." Dludla also welcomed the news that the community health workers have now been allocated at selected stores as well, for the actual signing up. "This is a tremendous boost to our initiative and we are grateful to the Department of Health, the Department of Social Development and the SAMRC for their incredible support of this initiative." SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-06-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Highlights Facebook could end its policy which treats politicians and elected officials differently and shields them from content moderation. The Oversight Board also did not agree with Facebooks decision of indefinite suspension of Trumps account. Facebook had rolled out a policy that treats speech from politicians as newsworthy content. Facebook could end its policy which treats politicians and elected officials differently and shields them from content moderation. The Oversight Board, which is an independent body funded by Facebook for content moderation decisions, recommended that the social media giant should treat politicians as regular individuals and that the same rules should apply to everyone. Last month, the independent Oversight Board upheld Facebook's decision on January 7 to suspend then US President Donald Trump from its main platform and Instagram. While the Board concluded that Trump should have been suspended from Facebook and Instagram, it also found that Facebook failed to impose a proper penalty. "This arbitrary penalty gave Facebook total discretion over whether to lift or maintain the suspension, with no criteria that can be scrutinised by users or external observers," the Board observed. The Oversight Board also did not agree with Facebook's decision of indefinite suspension of Trump's account followed by the Capitol riots in January. It noted that by doing so Facebook was working outside of its own rules and policies. "The Board rejects Facebook's request for it to endorse indefinite suspension, which gives the company total discretion over when to lift or impose and isn't supported by their content policies," the board had noted. "Anyone concerned about the power of Facebook should be concerned with the company making decisions outside of its own rules." Facebook has maintained a list of political accounts that are not subject to the same fact-checking or content moderation processes that apply to other users, The Verge reported. Facebook in 2019 had noted that it would treat "speech from politicians as newsworthy content that should, as a general rule, be seen and heard." Facebook had further noted that it would only remove content from politicians if it leads to physical harm or discourage voting. Reports note that under the special privileges that politicians were given by Facebook, it could cite newsworthiness to leave up a post that would otherwise be taken down. However, Facebook would disclose when it could do so. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been criticised in the past for not censoring hate speech on the platform. Former US President Trump shortly after the murder of George Floyd, had posted, "When the looting starts, the shooting starts," and had also praised the Capitol rioters that led to casualties. Facebook also received criticism in India for not taking down violent comments from the ruling party. The Oversight Board had recommended Facebook to "either suspend the account for a definitive period or delete the account" if a head of state or high government official repeatedly posts messages that pose a risk of harm. (with inputs from IANS) Szwabowski, who stepped down as a public defender earlier this year to run for the Democratic nomination, said restorative justice puts the emphasis on assisting the victim. In the current system, the victim is often left by the wayside and may not get the justice or closure they deserve, he said. Restorative justice is really about widening the menu of options, so that we dont have one tool for every case, because right now thats what we have; we can prosecute you, we can put you in jail, we can put you on probation, thats the only way that street goes, said Szwabowksi, a University of Virginia School of Law graduate. Its all contextual, but restorative justice is a different approach where the goal is for everyone to leave feeling like there was some actual healing and some actual progress made. As an example of a potential local model, Szwabowski pointed to a restorative justice model used in Arlington County that is aimed at diverting juveniles from the court system before they ever get in front of a judge. This program in particular also would help end the school-to-prison pipeline system, which Szwabowksi said disproportionately affects Black youths. Diversionary methods, such as restorative justice programs, are similarly disproportionately used to benefit white children, something Szwabowski said he is committed to avoiding. Free and open inquiry inevitably involves conflicting views and strong disagreements, the statement read. Indeed, some ideas may be offensive, noxious and even harmful. We act as responsible members of a shared community when we engage as empathetic speakers and generous listeners. With the statements adoption, Ryan said the real work remains. That is to incorporate the statements values into the day-to-day life of UVa, he said. Whispering Wall Following a board decision Friday, the Frank Hume Memorial will be renamed the Whispering Wall the memorials nickname and inscriptions about the former namesake will be removed. Those inscriptions will be replaced with blocks of a contrasting color, which will cost about $430,000, according to board documents. Removal would have cost $1.5 million to $2 million. UVa Architect Alice Raucher said it would be difficult to replace the inscription-bearing blocks with a material that would match the existing structure. A much better approach is to be more deliberate about the contrast, she said. Barnes said she hopes the Karsh Institute of Democracy will become a center for complex political discussion and debate, as well as a place to brainstorm and work through solutions to major problems facing democracy. Were quite interested in having more fulsome engagement with practitioners who can spend time on Grounds, and having scholars and practitioners work together and inform one anothers work, she said. We think it would be important to have people who have different perspectives engaged in that way, identifying what are the best solutions to address some of the challenges that were seeing, challenges to the rule of law, challenges to democratic institutions and how do we think about ways to help those ideas scale across the country and on the federal level, she said. Barnes said that while the institute will be fueled by partnerships between experts and students across the university, it also will be a resource for the community. This will be outward facing. We want to engage the country, engage the wider world on these issues, and it will have a level of practicality to it. [Were] bringing smart research and scholarship to these issues, but how does this help America deal with the issues facing our democracy, Barnes said. One of the institutes first programs will be a UVa Democracy Biennial on Sept. 24-25, bringing in high-profile speakers for both in-person and virtual discussions. The event, which is being produced by the Miller Center and the College of Arts & Sciences Democracy Initiative with the support of other centers and schools, will be held at the John Paul Jones Arena. More details will be announced at a later date. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Nothings going to happen unless were all happy with the partnership and the arrangement, Piedmont President Frank Friedman told a recent meeting of the CATEC board. CATEC offers a range of technical programs and apprenticeships for adults, including those in the electric, automotive and nursing fields. Those classes are supported by tuition and other enrollment fees, and arent presently eligible for financial aid. One area that G3 funding could impact is apprenticeships. Employers often pay all or some of the costs for apprenticing students. But small employers may not be able to absorb those costs, said CATEC Director Stephanie Carter. If tuition were free, the costs of apprenticeships could be supported through G3. Its really an opportunity for a large portion of the community to have access to trade education for free, Carter said. The sooner we can figure this out and bring something free to our community, the better, she said. She recommended that CATEC and Piedmont begin working on the transition in time to launch the tuition-free program next spring. The important election for Virginia governor is coming this November; we should be prepared. I believe that Jennifer Carroll Foy would be a good nominee for the Democratic Party. Jennifer Carroll Foy went to the Virginia Military Institute in 2003, the Virginia State University in 2005, and then to the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2010. She was a state delegate for Second District of Virginia, and has worked on many successful projects to make our commonwealth better. Carroll Foy is the founder of the Foundation for Foster and Orphan Children, and has been an adjunct professor of criminal law at the Northern Virginia Community College. She also has served a magistrate. As a former delegate, Carroll Foy, helped the environment by co-sponsoring legislation, and has ambitious plans going forward. She wants Virginia to switch to clean energy by 2035. Carroll Foy cares for education as much as she cares for the environment. Kerala: Bring back 24 fishers from Qatar, forums urge CM June 04,2021 | Source: The Hindu The National Fishworkers Forum and the Kerala Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Federation have appealed to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to intervene to bring back 24 fishermen jailed in Qatar allegedly for illegal entry into the countrys waters. In an appeal sent to the Chief Minister, the fishworkers forum said that 24 fishers, four from Kerala and the rest from Tamil Nadu, had set out from Iran on a fishing venture in March. However, they were arrested by the authorities in Qatar allegedly for violating the borders. They were jailed after a fine of 50,000 Qatar riyals was imposed on them. They were later released from jail after their sponsor paid the fine. The fishers union said the State should step in and involve the Indian Embassy in Qatar to repatriate the fishers. The Keralite fishers in the group were identified as Sebastian, 20, from Poovar; Silva Dasan, 33, from Adimalathura; Stephen, 42, from Pallithottam in Kollam; and Lephus, 42, from Moothakkara. 2021, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. Odisha: Yaas washes away hopes of shrimp, fish farmers June 04,2021 | Source: The New Indian Express Cyclone Yaas and the resultant floods have shattered the hopes of around 10,000 shrimp and fish farmers of the coastal district and nearby areas. Shrimps and fish in farms and ponds over vast stretches of land in many villages of Rajkanika, Aul and Rajnagar blocks have been washed away, causing huge losses to the farmers. Aquaculture farmers of Rajnagar are the hardest hit. Pravat Das, a shrimp cultivator of the seaside Batighar village said, My shrimp farms over six acre of land were completely washed away by the tidal surge. I lost shrimps worth `30 lakh from my gheris. I dont know how long it will take to recover the loss. Sources said aquaculture lifted many people out of poverty within the last decade in the district. Many fishermen had reared juvenile fish a few months back. But the gushing floodwater and tides washed those away. This apart, many houses, structures and equipment surrounding the ponds and farms were also washed away. Abhiram Biswal of Padanipal village said almost all the fish from my pond were swept away in the flood. Last year, I spent Rs 50,000 to renovate the pond and released the juveniles two months back. Now my fate is hanging in balance, he rued. President of Odisha Marine Fish Producers Association Sumant Biswal said huge quantity of shrimps were washed away by tidal surge that breached the embankments at many places during Yaas and floods in the coastal parts of the State. The shrimp farmers of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur have incurred massive losses. President of Odisha Traditional Fish Workers Union Prasana Behera demanded introduction of interest-free or low interest loans to enable farmers to overcome the losses incurred in the cyclone and flood. Contacted, district fisheries officer Mamata Mohapatra said, Only 729 shrimp farmers have registered their farms spread over 1400 acre of land in Kendrapara. But other farms are illegal as those violate the coastal regulation zone and the rulings of the Supreme Court. Farmers cultivating shrimp without registering with the Coastal Aquaculture Authority are liable to be imprisoned for three years and levied a fine of up to `1 lakh. Only the registered shrimp farmers are entitled to get help from the government. We are estimating the loss and all the affected shrimp and fish farmers will get assistance from the department, Mohapatra added. newindianexpress.com 2021 India: NGT forms committee to review environmental impact of inland aquaculture by Prayag Arora-Desai June 04,2021 | Source: The Hindustan Times The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a six-member committee to study the sustainability of inland aquaculture practices and submit a report on the same within three months. The move comes in response to a petition filed by Vanashakti, a city-based non-government organisation (NGO). The order was passed by the principal bench of NGT on Monday (May 31) and made public on Wednesday. The committee will comprise members of the Union environment ministry, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Union ministry of fisheries, state fisheries department and a member from Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute. The committee will also undertake study of the existing consent regime under the Water Act, and suggest appropriate improvements for the same. Consent to establish and operate are granted for various industries by state pollution control boards based on compliance with the Water Act and Air Act, depending on the nature of the enterprise. Environment group Vanashakti had filed the petition last year against fresh water aquaculture being carried out in Vadivale Lake in Maval taluka of Pune district. Vanashakti alleged that this practice is against the principles of precautionary and sustainable development. Government policies which allow for such practices, Vanashakti said, do not consider the harmful impact of poultry manure, chemical manures and other waste products from poultry farms such as gizzards and chicken guts, chemical fertilisers and antibiotics, which are staples in aquaculture farming. Aquaculture activities with modern techniques involve use of harmful chemicals. In the process, such chemicals are released in the lakes and other water bodies concerned. In the present case, permission has been given for aquaculture activities in Vadivale Lake in Pune district. The lake is a source of drinking water to nearby villages. Outfall of the lake is in Indrayani River which is source of drinking water for 28 villages, NGT observed in its order, a copy of which has been reviewed by HT. A prime contention mentioned in Vanashaktis petition is that the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act (2005), which regulates aquaculture in coastal areas, lays down environmental safeguards for permitting such aquaculture, but there are no safeguards laid down for such activities in inland waters. The applicants have submitted that the 2005 Act should apply to all aquaculture activities, the green tribunal observed. In its final analysis, NGT concluded that there is a need to protect the environment in the process of aquaculture activities in water bodies other than those covered by the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, and has accordingly tasked the committee with forming new regulations for the same. This is a positive step toward protecting freshwater lakes, which are often sources of drinking water for adjacent communities, from industrial pollution. We cannot allow sources of sustenance to be contaminated for commercial gains. The ecological and public health impacts need to be studied closely, said Stalin D, director, Vanashakti. The long-awaited vaccine sharing plan comes as demand for shots in the U.S. has dropped significantly more than 63% of adults have received at least one dose and as global inequities in supply have become more pronounced. Scores of countries have requested doses from the United States, but to date only Mexico and Canada have received a combined 4.5 million doses. The U.S. also has announced plans to share enough shots with South Korea to vaccinate its 550,000 troops who serve alongside American service members on the peninsula. White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said that 1 million Johnson & Johnson doses were being shipped Thursday to South Korea. The U.S. has committed more than $4 billion to COVAX, but with vaccine supplies short and wealthy nations locking up most of them the greater need than funding has been immediate access to actual doses, to overcome what health officials have long decried as unequal access to the vaccines. Tom Hart, the acting CEO of The ONE Campaign, said that while Thursday's announcement was a "welcome step, the Biden administration needs to commit to sharing more doses. "The world is looking to the U.S. for global leadership, and more ambition is needed," he said. I see that in the May 25 Editors Mailbag, James Farmer has created a variant of the Big Lie. Mr. Farmer rationalizes that since both sides cheat in elections, Oregonians need an audit to ensure their vote counts. I dont think so! In my 40 years of voting in Oregon, I dont recall any calls for audits when an election was not even close. As incompetent as Trump was as president, he is masterful in repeating lies over and over until people start to believe the lie. What can we do when we hear the lie or a cleverly disguised variant? We need to call them out as emphatically as they tell the lie. William Barr said there was no voter fraud, the chief of cyber security said so, the Republican Attorney General in Georgia said the same thing. In Pennsylvania, the only fraud that was found was a Republican who tried to cast a ballot for a dead person. I call baloney on needing an audit or that there was fraud in the 2020 election. Bob Hazleton Corvallis Love 1 Funny 5 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Highlights Microsoft Teams could get end-to-end encryption as early as July. Microsoft is also planning to add a feature that would permanently delete a private chat. Further, Microsoft will give users the option to choose between built-in Teams notification and Windows 10 notifications. End-to-end encryption is perhaps the most talked-about privacy feature in recent times as messaging apps look to resist the new traceability laws which are part of new IT rules 2021. The traceability laws look at finding the first originator of messages which essentially looks at breaking encryption and subsequently kills the essence of private messaging. However, video conferencing apps have slowly started adopting the encrypted way of communicating. Microsoft is looking to add new features to its video conferencing platform Teams which will feature end-to-end encrypted calls. Microsoft Teams is slated to get end-to-end encryption as early as July for calls that will give users an additional layer of security for their conversations. Microsoft is also planning to add a feature that would permanently delete a private chat. Further, Microsoft will give users the option to choose between built-in Teams notification and Windows 10 notifications. Microsoft 365 Roadmap noted that the end-to-end encryption feature will be supported for 1:1 Teams VoIP calls. Microsoft also plans to give IT Admins full control over end-to-end encryption allowing them to manage the feature for the entire organisation. It is not clear if Microsoft will enable end-to-end encryption for the consumer version of Microsoft Teams. As per the official webpage, "Teams will support an option to support end-to-end encryption for ad hoc 1:1 Teams VoIP voice calls providing an additional option for conducting sensitive online conversations. To support customer security and compliance requirements, IT will have full control of who can use E2EE in the organisation." As of now, Microsoft allows users to hide, mute, or delete individual messages from a chat but chats cannot be permanently deleted unless they are deleted by an IT admin. Now Microsoft is planning to add an option to permanently delete a private chat. Microsoft will further roll out an option for users to choose between built-in Teams notification and Windows 10 native notifications. Microsoft notes that Windows 10 native notification will bring "a suite of benefits, like respecting focus assist mode which enables you to avoid distracting notifications when you need to focus, and integrating with Windows 10 action center to helps you review your notifications in one place." Last month, Microsoft expanded its focus to connect friends and families via video calls. The features for connecting with friends and family were first introduced on Microsoft Teams back in June last year. At the time, these features were limited to the Android and iOS apps of the service by Microsoft. Microsoft Teams has now introduced tools to conduct group chats with their loved ones. Users can make and access plans, conduct instant polls, and assign tasks to their friends through the platform. People who don't have Microsoft Teams installed on their devices will also be able to join a group video call on a web browser through a shareable link. Similarly, such people will be able to join group messages through SMS. Still defending Georgias revised voting law, John Brenan (May 21) again overlooks egregious issues and still conflates equal application with equal impact. Another sampling of what he sidestepped, spun or omitted: A. Secretary of State removed as Chair of Election Board, replaced by legislative appointee. B. Counties not allowed more than one drop-off ballot box per 100,000 registered voters. C. Drop-box hours/locations curtailed/capped. D. Absentee ballot applications restricted harder to obtain, less time to complete. E. Absentee ballots require ID documents rather than signature matches. Mr. Brenan, we agree no fraud happened during the last election. So please 1. Complete these sentences: Georgia needed to implement [A/B/C/D/E insert from above] because _________. 2. Comment on the odds that the above just happened to reduce/limit voting independence/access. (Note similar efforts by other Republican-controlled legislatures, too an amazing coincidence after a close election that didnt come out right!) Denton, TX (76205) Today Mostly sunny. Hot and humid. High near 95F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. LARRY BECK, a longtime Denton resident, writes routinely on the local, state and national sociopolitical issues of our time on his blog, As I See It at asiseeyt.blogspot.com. Highlights Realme will launch a 5G phone that will cost only $100. There are no details available for this 5G phone but it may belong to the number series. Realme has planned to launch over 20 5G phones by 2022. Realme has announced plans to bring what may be an uber-affordable phone with 5G connectivity soon. At the recent global 5G summit, Realme India and Europe boss Madhav Sheth said that the company will bring a 5G phone that would cost around Rs 7,000, or $100. With a deeper proliferation of 5G phones globally, Realme's plan makes sense, especially at a time when 5G technology is getting cheaper by the day. The current classification of phones in Realme's 5G portfolio will evolve this year, wherein the number series will belong to the entry-level market, Narzo will sit in the middle tier, and the upcoming GT series will be meant for premium and flagship categories. Going by this, the $100 5G phone that Realme said it is planning is going to be a number-series phone. The last phone in the company's number series was Realme 8 Pro, which focused on the 108-megapixel camera, but there is no 5G in this series. Realme already has a range of affordable 5G phones in India. The recently launched Realme 8 5G arrived as one of the cheapest 5G phones in India, while some other phone models such as Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G and Realme X7 cost between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000. Sheth previously told me that Realme is planning to launch as many 5G phones as it can throughout this year. And during the global summit, the company announced that it is planning to launch more than 20 5G phones by 2022, which will account for 70 per cent of the total 5G phone portfolio. The current range of 5G phones is just 40 per cent of the number Realme has earmarked for until 2022. The Rs 7,000 smartphone will be crucial for 5G penetration in India. 5G connectivity is yet to be rolled out commercially in the country. The Department of Telecom recently told carriers in India to begin trials in partnership with companies such as Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung, and C-DOT. Chinese 5G equipment makers such as Huawei were, however, snubbed by the government. Interestingly, at the same time, there are apprehensions about the 5G network and its potential bad impact on the environment and biology of humans. As convoluted as it is, the 5G rollout in India will not come easy, at least from the current standpoint. Brands such as Realme will, however, help make 5G easily accessible. With easy access, people will be able to see for themselves what 5G can do. Not just smartphones, there may be 5G feature phones in the making. According to some reports, Reliance Jio may launch the 5G Jio Phone at the upcoming annual general meeting. With a population approaching 125 million and with relatively low broadband and mobile penetration, Mexicos telecom sector retains significant potential for growth. The market is still dominated by the incumbent Telmex and by Grupo Televisa, which together retain about two thirds of subscribers overall. A sector regulator set up in 2013 has enforced measures aimed at removing barriers to foreign investment and at reducing the market share of these dominant operators. The reforms are helping to make Mexicos telecom market more competitive. The Senates multi-party coordination body in June 2020 proposed a merger between three agencies COFECE, the IFT and the CRE into a single agency, which would require an amendment to articles 27 and 28 of the Constitution. Such a merger could make the market less competitive, and discourage foreign investment. In the fixed broadband sector significant changes are underway, with the main cable TV providers Megacable and Grupo Televisa widening their bundled services offerings, and with some important market consolidation. The fibre sector has shown particularly strong growth during the last two years as the key operators expand their network reach beyond the core densely urban areas. The mobile market also continues to undergo considerable changes in the wake of regulatory efforts to curb the market dominance of Telcel. Although the MVNO segment has only a very small market share, it continues to attract investment, and new players enter the market each year. A wholesale mobile network operating in the 700MHz band was set up in 2018 and will reach the vast majority of the population by 2025. Developments in 5G have been slow given the existing capacity of LTE, though the auction of spectrum in the 600MHz band (among the first globally) later in 2021 will stimulate the sector as operators launch services. The coronavirus lockdowns resulted in a decline in revenue for all operators during 2020, though there was a rebound for some of them in the third quarter. The sector will remain under some fiscal strain for the remainder of 2021. Companies with e-commerce offerings, too, have reported a significant growth in sales due to social distancing measures. This report provides statistics and analyses on Mexicos fixed-line market, as well as an overview of regulatory developments. The report also reviews the mobile market, including a range of statistical data as well as subscriber forecasts. In addition, the report covers the fixed and mobile broadband sectors, including an assessment of technological and regulatory developments. BuddeComm notes that the outbreak of the Coronavirus is continuing to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally. During the coming year the telecoms sector to various degrees 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: Senate proposes merger between the agencies COFECE, IFT and CRE; AT&T Mexico returns a portion of its mobile spectrum in the 800MHz band; Movistar relinquishes its full holding of 1900MHz and 2500MHz spectrum; Telcel acquires another 50MHz of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band from Axtel; Codi enables consumers to make NFC and QR payments via their mobile banking apps; MVNO Exis Telecom launches services; Coronavirus pandemic leading to boosts in e-commerce; Report update includes the regulator's market data report to June 2020, telcos' financial and operating data to Q3 2020, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, 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: Mexico - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses Edition: February 2021 Analyst: Henry Lancaster Number of pages: 224 Companies mentioned in this report: America Movil (Telcel, Telmex), Megacable, Cablemas, Cablevision, Grupo Televisa, Maxcom, Sistemas Interactivos de Telecomunicaciones (SIT), Axtel, Megafon, InterCable, CFE, , AT&T Mexico (Iusacell, Nextel Mexico), Movistar (Telefonica Mexico), Globalstar, Unefon, Virgin Mobile, Weex, Alestra, Maxcom, Marcatel. Single User PDF Licence Price: US$1150 For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report please use the following link: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Mexico-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83 Perus government has implemented a new law requiring operators to guarantee a minimum connection speed of 70% of the contracted rate an increase of 30%. TeleGeography reports that the new legislation (Law 31207) also proposes founding a new regulatory body to measure internet access speeds. The new regulator will be known as RENAMV (National Registry of Monitoring and Surveillance of Internet Services / Registro Nacional de Monitoreo y Vigilancia del Servicio de Internet). The 70% speed guarantee applies to all contracts regardless of connection type or whether the customer is based in an urban or rural area. Customers are to be provided with tools to accurately measure their connection speeds. Sector regulator Osiptel has 60 days to bring in regulations enforcing the law. While the clearest objective of the new law is to protect the interests of consumers, the legislation is also aimed at addressing nationwide infrastructure issues exposed by changes to internet usage resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, consumers in Peru typically used mobile data more than fixed internet services, and this was reflected in the configuration of the countrys network infrastructure. However, with lockdown measures aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus, internet traffic patterns shifted substantially, leading to widespread issues as service providers reconfigured their networks. The new law is aimed at mitigating the risk of further disruption by encouraging operators to improve their network capacity so that they can deliver the rates that they advertise. However, critics have noted that this approach doesnt go far enough in addressing the systemic issues in Perus infrastructure configuration. The argument goes that forcing operators to guarantee minimum access speeds effectively incentivises them to invest more heavily in areas where they already have high traffic rates and therefore discourages them from extending the reach of their networks to underserved, remote areas. Fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc is acquiring the stake of PLDT unit Digital Telecommunications Philippines (Digitel) in two firms involved in cable landing stations in the Philippines. The telecommunication service provider said that has acquired shares of Digital Telecommunications Phils. Inc. (DTPI) in Digitel Crossing Inc. (DCI) and Asia Netcom Philippines Corp. (ANPC) for a total of $7.5 million (P358.47 million) to gain strategic imperative to expand its capabilities in telecommunications. According to the report, Converge the transaction has been completed as of Wednesday, June 2. This means that the fiber provider now owns a 60% controlling stake in ANPC and a 40% stake in DCI. ANPC has a 20% share in DCI. Digitel, whose other major shareholder is Pacnet Network (Philippines) Inc. of Australian telecom giant Telstra, maintains and operates cable landing stations in the Philippines connected to the EAC and C2C cable systems. Together the two submarine cable systems have eight landing points in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, spanning 19,800 kilometers with a design capacity of 2.56Tbps. International cable systems are the unseen backbone of internet services used by billions of people around the world and make landfall in facilities called landing stations. The deal was also expected to bring cost benefits for Converge, which is increasing its presence in the international cable segment amid an aggressive expansion program, it said. Converge aims to cover 55% of Filipino households by 2025. Mauritius is the latest African country to be able to boast a presence in space. The first Mauritian satellite (a CubeSat MIR-SAT1) was successfully launched yesterday on board the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. MIR SAT stands for Mauritius Imagery and Radiotelecommunication Satellite. Once the nano-satellite (a term used for any satellite with a mass from 1 kg to 10 kg) is deployed in space and begins orbiting the earth, the ground station at the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) in Ebene will be able to contact it about four to five times a day. The data the MRIC receives will help Mauritius with disaster management and prevention. The satellite is also expected to help survey the ocean to improve the management of marine resources and to tackle the depletion of fish stocks. It will also monitor areas where there is frequent flooding. According to the Space in Africa news and analysis website, the MIR-SAT1 was built by a team of researchers at the MRIC, which advises the government on matters concerning applied research, innovation and research and development issues. There was also help from the countrys Amateur Radio Society and experts from AAC-Clyde Space UK, a company that provides rapidly manufactured spacecraft, services and solutions, designed with quality and innovation in mind, for the small satellite market. The MRIC has set up a ground station in Ebene, through which it will control and operate the MIR-SAT1. The ground station will also allow the receipt of data and telemetry from other satellites. While a number of African countries have launched satellites (44 satellites in total) the MIR-SAT1 is only Africas second satellite in 2021. Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), the largest mobile network operator in Russia, has signed a cooperation agreement with Microsoft and SAP. According to a press note from Microsoft, the companies will together develop cloud technologies in Russia. The agreement was signed under the framework of the St Petersburg Economy Forum and, was signed by General Director of SAP CIS Andrey Filatov, President of Microsoft in Russia Christina Tikhonova, and President of MTS Vyacheslav Nikolaev. "The goal of the cooperation is to accelerate the modernization of Russian business and increase its efficiency. SAP, MTS, and Microsoft will combine technology and expertise to enable companies to optimize IT costs and quickly implement the latest SAP cloud solutions based on Microsoft Azure Stack and the Russian-based MTS cloud infrastructure," said the release. The agreement envisages the formation of a joint team of experts to ensure the deployment of cloud solutions based on SAP business applications, Microsoft technologies, and cloud technologies. The agreement assumes work in joint development and expansion of the Microsoft Azure Stack hybrid infrastructure in MTS data centers to host the latest solutions of the SAP cloud portfolio in Russia to meet the needs of companies in scalable services from the global leader in the corporate applications market using the IT capacities of one of the largest Russian cloud providers. Another area of the agreement will be the joint implementation of pilot projects for Russian companies that will be able to access the most modern tools for managing business processes and services for their customization and integration based on SAP applications, the Microsoft Azure Stack family of technologies, and MTS cloud business. Cooperation of such technology leaders as MTS, SAP, and Microsoft will provide Russian business with the most demanded technological solutions in the world. The development of solutions of global players in the cloud infrastructure of MTS will give an additional impetus to the digitalization of several sectors of the economy of our country, said Vyacheslav Nikolaev, President of MTS. Traveling during a global pandemic can be daunting. If you are planning a trip to Croatia then you are probably interested in COVID restrictions and procedures at borders. We have prepared a guide that will help you enter Croatia and inform you about measures so your stay here will be more comfortable. Let us start with important COVID restrictions. On your tour to Croatia you should wear a protective mask while being indoors in public spaces, and in open spaces where it is not possible to maintain s physical distance of 1,5 m. Cafes and restaurants are open until 23 hours. In restaurants, you can sit indoors, but cafes can only serve guests on terraces. If you are planning to visit cultural manifestations or performances you should know that organizers of such events are obligated to collect and keep personal information on visitors for 14 days so you might be asked to provide your name and phone number. You can read more about how to stay safe in Croatia and what measures are in force on this link Keep reading for information about crossing the border. Planirate putovanje u Hrvatsku? Pogledajte koja su pravila za prelazak granice trenutno na snazi i sto vam je sve potrebno Crossing the border Visitors coming from other European Union member states which have implemented a digital vaccine passport system can enter Croatia without delays. For now, besides Croatia, the certificate is being accepted in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and Poland. The so-called COVID passport comes in the form of a QR code, which can be stored on a cell phone or printed out on paper. To make sure your time at the border crossing will be the shortest possible you can fill out the form on the EnterCroatia platform. Passengers traveling to the Republic of Croatia from an EU / EEA member state Passengers coming directly from the countries and/or regions of the European Union, i.e. countries and/or regions of the Schengen Area and Schengen associated countries, and who are currently in the so-called green list of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, regardless of their citizenship, will be allowed entry into the Republic of Croatia under the same conditions as before the onset of the COVID-19 disease if they show no signs of disease and they have not been in close contact with an infected person. If the aforementioned persons transited to the border crossing points of the Republic of Croatia through other countries/regions without delay, at the border crossing point they should prove that they did not stay in transit areas, and in that case, they will not be required to have proof of testing, a certificate of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 disease, proof of recovery, nor will they have to stay in self-isolation. Kako do COVID potvrde ako ste se cijepili, ali niste upisani u registar? Ministarstvo objasnilo sto tada trebate uciniti Graphic representation of countries by color according to the risk of the COVID-19 disease can be found on the website of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) All other passengers who come to the Republic of Croatia from EU / EEA member states/regions, and which are currently not on the so-called green list of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, must present one of the following documents: - negative PCR test or rapid antigen test - RAT* on SARS-CoV-2, where the RAT test must be listed in the Common list of rapid antigen tests recognized by the Member States of the European Union, published by the European Commission. If the RAT test findings were made abroad, the manufacturer and/or the commercial name of the test must be visible and the test must be issued by a health institution/laboratory and signed/confirmed by a doctor. If otherwise, it will not be accepted as credible for entering the Republic of Croatia. The results of the above tests must not be older than 48 hours (counting from the time of taking the swab to arriving at the border crossing point) - vaccination certificate for persons who received a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior. Exceptionally, in the case of a vaccine received in a single dose, a certificate of receipt of a single dose if the dose was received more than 14 days before crossing the state border; - If a person has recovered COVID-19 in the past 180 days and has a medical certificate and has been vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine after recovery, the exemption from presenting a negative PCR or rapid antigen test - RAT* or self-isolation is extended until six (6) months after vaccination; - presentation of a positive PCR or rapid antigen test*, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 180 days, and older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point or upon presentation of a certificate of recovery issued by a physician; - or perform PCR testing or rapid antigen testing* on SARS-CoV-2 immediately upon arrival in the Republic of Croatia (at their own expense), with the obligation to stay in self-isolation until the arrival of a negative test result. If testing cannot be performed, a measure of self-isolation is determined for a period of ten (10) days. Same documents need to be provided by Citizens of EU Member States (including Croatian citizens), i.e. Schengen Member States and Schengen Associated States, as well as members of their families and third-country nationals who are long-term residents under Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents and persons entitled to reside under other EU directives or national law or who have national long-term visas coming from third countries. Bozinovic na Bregani pokazao kako se prelazi granica s COVID potvrdom i otkrio koliko je ljudi s njom uslo u zemlju Third-country nationals Third-country nationals who are not family members of citizens of the Schengen Member States and the Schengen Associated States nor are long-term residents under Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents and persons entitled to reside under other EU directives or national law or who have national long-term visas, apart from persons referred to in point 1 of this Decision will be granted entry in the Republic of Croatia only in cases of necessary travel. Exceptions to the above-mentioned necessary travel are the following categories: - healthcare workers, health researchers, and caregivers for the elderly; - frontier workers (as well as e.g. athletes as stated in the exceptions for passengers within the EU / EEA); - workers in the transport sector; - diplomats, staff of international organizations and persons invited by international organizations and whose physical presence is necessary for the functioning of those organizations, military personnel, and police officers, as well as humanitarian and civil protection personnel in the performance of their duties; passengers in transit, with the obligation to leave the Republic of Croatia within 12 hours from entering; - persons traveling for study purposes; - seafarers - if they intend to stay in the Republic of Croatia for longer than 12 hours; persons who travel for tourist reasons and have a certificate of paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private renter or rented vessel and other forms of tourist accommodation or are owners of houses or vessels; persons traveling for necessary personal / family or business reasons, or who have other economic interest also need to provide documents mentioned above. You can read more about recommendations and instructions for crossing the state border on this link Am I the only one who has fix-it projects fail but only if I button everything up prior to testing? As an example, when I was a computer technician I would frequently open up computers to replace parts for newer parts or sometimes to replace a broken part. People play game on their smartphones in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Shutterstock/xuanhuongho. With high average gaming time, Vietnam could become a powerhouse in the gaming industry with many major publishers established here, experts say. "Vietnam can totally become a gaming powerhouse by building a strong and sustainable ecosystem," said Google representative Emily Nguyen at a recent event. Among 10 top game publishers headquartered in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, five are based in Vietnam, according to a recent report by data provider App Annie. "For every 25 downloaded games in the world, one is made by a Vietnamese company," it said, adding that this ranks Vietnam seventh in the world in terms of downloads. The CEO of App Annie, Junde Yu, said Vietnam was a fertile ground for mobile games with 68 million people owning smartphones. Average gaming time on smartphone in Vietnam is 3.9 hours, 10 percent higher than in the U.S., he said Last year, revenues of the gaming industry hit VND12 trillion, double that of 2015, according to the Vietnam National Innovation Center under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. "The market has attracted 25,000 employees who serve 32 million players nationwide. These figures show that Vietnams gaming industry has a lot of future potential," said Vu Quoc Huy, director of the center. However, some challenges remain, experts have said. On average, each Vietnamese contributes only VND230 to the gaming industry, while that of a Japanese player is VND350,000 ($15.23), or 154 times higher. The U.S. has agreed to sell T-6 trainer aircraft to Vietnam to help improve pilot training, Pacific Air Forces Commander Kenneth Wilsbach said on Friday. "We're committed to helping that aircraft to be delivered and then operationalizing and improving the Vietnamese Air Force's pilot training," he said at a teleconference hosted by the U.S. Department of State Asia Pacific Media Hub on June 4. He did not mention how many aircraft would be delivered to Vietnam. Replying to a question about cooperation between the two countries in the near future, he said the T-6 aircraft deal is one of the "biggest things" to be noticed. A T-6A Texan II. Photo by U.S Air Force. In 2019 Senior Lieutenant Dang Duc Toai finished the U.S. Air Force's Aviation Leadership Program for which he flew the T-6 for more than 167 hours. Wilsbach said that later this summer the Vietnamese Air Force chief is planning to attend the Pacific Air Chiefs Conference in Hawaii, the U.S., to which 22 nations would be sending their air chiefs for talks. Wilsbach will chair the event and the U.S Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Charles Brown, will attend it. "We're excited that Vietnam's air chief is coming for that. We're looking forward to the discussions, which I believe will lead to furthering of our relationship, and give us other opportunities for engagement." The U.S. on Thursday said it would donate around seven million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Asia, including Vietnam, through global vaccine access mechanism Covax. In a Thursday statement from the White House, the U.S. said it pledged to share at least 80 million U.S. Covid-19 vaccine doses by the end of June to end the pandemic. A total 75 percent of those doses would be distributed through Covax, while the rest would be directly donated to certain countries in need or experiencing surges in new coronavirus infections, the statement read. For the U.S.'s first Covid-19 vaccine batch of 25 million doses, 19 million would be shared through Covax to certain countries and entities in South and Central America, Asia and Africa. The other six million doses would be targeted toward regional priorities and partner recipients of the U.S., including Mexico, Canada, South Korea and Haiti. The statement did not specify exactly what types of Covid-19 vaccines would be shared with the world. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday to seek U.S. support in sourcing Covid-19 vaccines and research to produce its own. Vietnam has been using a vaccine by British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca for its Covid-19 inoculation program, under which over 1.1 million people have received shots since March 8. On Thursday, it approved a Covid-19 vaccine by Sinopharm for emergency use, the third vaccine to be approved after Russia's Sputnik V and AstraZenecas. The country aims to secure about 150 million vaccine doses this year to cover 70 percent of its population. A nurse holds a syringe containing a coronavirus vaccine made by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products, a unit of Sinopharm subsidiary China National Biotec Group (CNBG), at a vaccination center in Beijing, China, April 15, 2021. Photo by Reuters/Thomas Peter. Vietnam has approved the emergency use of a Covid-19 vaccine by China's Sinopharm, the Ministry of Health announced Friday. The vaccine, called Vero Cell, Inactivated, is produced by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co.Ltd. The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology suggested for the vaccine to be approved, and its approval was signed by deputy health minister Truong Quoc Cuong on Thursday. The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology will be responsible for cooperating with vaccine manufacturers to ensure the production of this vaccine and its safety and quality. The institute will also cooperate with the Administration of Science, Technology and Training under the health ministry to evaluate the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, and with the National Institute for Control of Vaccines and Biologicals to evaluate the vaccine by providing samples and other relevant materials, before the vaccine could be put into use. The institute will also provide instructions on how to store, distribute and use the vaccine. The Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine is the third one to be approved by Vietnam for emergency use, after Russias Sputnik V and the one made by British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca. The vaccine was approved by China last December and by WHO for emergency use last month. Some 42 countries and territories have been using the vaccine, of which 200 million doses have been shipped worldwide. Vietnam has been using the AstraZeneca vaccine for its vaccination program, under which over 1.1 million people have got shots so far. The country aims to secure about 150 million vaccine doses this year to cover 70 percent of its population. Two staff are seen in a super-cold storage where AstraZeneca vaccines are kept in HCMC, June 1, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa. In less than a week the Covid-19 vaccine fund has received contributions of over VND103 billion ($4.44 million). The Ministry of Finance, which manages the fund, will make public all the contributions, either on its official website or the Vietnam State Treasurys website. The money in it will be used only for two purposes: buying vaccines from abroad and producing indigenous ones, the ministry said. Vietnam aims to procure 150 million doses of vaccines to cover 70 percent of its population this year, the health ministry announced earlier and estimated it to cost VND25.2 trillion ($1 billion). The government is expected to provide VND16 trillion of this, and cities and provinces and contributions from private sources will make up the rest. A state treasury official, who asked not to be named, told VnExpress that the ministry would arrange enough funds to get the vaccines for everyone. The main funding would still come from the government, but all contributions from businesses and the public would help reduce the burden on it and be deeply appreciated, the official said. Several major companies have pledged more than VND2.3 trillion ($99 million). Vietnam began a Covid-19 vaccination program on March 8 using the British-Swedish AstraZeneca vaccine that arrived either through commercial contracts or Covax. It has received around 2.5 million doses through Covax and over 400,000 of the 30 million doses it has ordered from AstraZeneca. Employees at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in HCMC's Thu Duc City wait to be tested for the novel coronavirus on June 1, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa. The Health Ministry confirmed 52 new local Covid-19 cases Friday morning, bringing the number of infections in the ongoing wave to 5,008. The new cases were recorded in the northern provinces of Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Thai Binh and Hanoi. In Bac Giang, 35 new Covid-19 patients are all related to clusters at industrial parks and have been isolated prior to testing. Bac Ninh reported 14 cases, including six related to its Khac Niem industrial park, three linked to Que Vo industrial park, two associated with a cluster in its Thuan Thanh District. For the remaining three, health authorities are still looking into their source of transmission. For the two cases in Hanoi, one is a 39-year-old man living at the Hemisco Xa La apartment building in Ha Dong District who got infected after a trip to HCMC. He visited the southern metropolis on May 26 and worked at a real estate company on Vo Van Kiet Street, District 1, which has recorded three infections linked to the city's religious mission cluster. He returned to Hanoi four days later and self-isolated himself at home before testing positive. The other case is a person who has had contact with a Covid-19 patient. The patient in Thai Binh is a woman who is related to a former cluster and has already been isolated. Vietnam has been suffering the fourth wave of Covid-19 for 39 days. Infections have been recorded in 37 of its 63 cities and provinces. Bac Giang and Bac Ninh continue to account for most cases, at 2,713 and 965, followed by Hanoi with 430, of whom more than 140 are in two hospitals under lockdown, and HCMC with 288. Since the pandemic broke out, Vietnam has recorded 8,115 cases, including more than 3,000 recoveries and 49 deaths. The United Arab Emirates and Oman will prohibit the entry of visitors from Vietnam from Saturday while the U.K. requires them to self-quarantine for 10 days. Aviation authorities in the UAE said the ban would also apply to people visiting Vietnam in the last 14 days and transiting through its airports. The UAE has so far had over 576,000 infections and 1,689 deaths. The Sultanate of Oman, which has also added Vietnam to its travel ban list, has had over 220,000 cases and 2,385 deaths. The U.K. government has not yet imposed an entry ban on travelers coming from Vietnam, but requires all arrivals to seclude themselves at home for 10 days and get tested twice with effect from June 8. Several countries have been banning and imposing stricter quarantine measures for travelers from Vietnam since Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said last week a hybrid variant with characteristics from the Indian and U.K. coronavirus strains and which spreads rapidly through the air has been found. However, WHO told Japanese newspaper Nikkei Wednesday there is no new "hybrid variant" of the coronavirus in Vietnam, and has not sounded an alert. Vietnam's containment of Covid was a worldwide success story until late April when a fourth coronavirus wave reemerged in the country. It has recorded 5,008 cases of infection since it began. Vietnam among 7 nations eyed by Indonesia for int'l tourism reboot Tourists return from surfing at Kuta beach in Bali Island, Indonesia, February 2020. Photo by AFP. The Indonesian government is setting up travel corridor arrangements with seven countries including Vietnam in preparation for reopening its borders to foreign tourists. Indonesia's Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said he had met with the ambassadors of Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, the U.K. and Vietnam in a closed-door meeting last month for travel corridor discussions, Jakarta Post reported. "We hope once the Covid-19 pandemic has become more conducive, travel corridor arrangements could be implemented within a short period of time," he said. Incoming tourists would be required to be in "good health, have met travel requirements and are ready to comply with all health protocols," Jakarta Post quoted the minister as saying. The Indonesian government is looking to partially re-open its borders to international visitors from July. Indonesia was one of Vietnam's fastest growing tourist markets before the pandemic, with the number of visitors from that country rising by 21.3 percent in 2019 year-on-year. Earlier, Thai authorities said they are considering travel bubbles with some Asian countries and territories, including Vietnam, so international tourism could resume possibly in October. Vietnam stopped all international commercial flights in March 2020. Visitors entering the country since have mainly been diplomats, experts, high-tech workers, and investors. The government is considering allowing foreign visitors with vaccine passports following similar moves by other countries. Vietnam's containment of Covid was a worldwide success story until late April when a fourth coronavirus wave reemerged in the country. Since the pandemic broke out, Vietnam has recorded 8,115 cases, including 49 deaths while Indonesia reported over 1.8 million infections and 51,095 fatalities. The United States will provide an additional nearly $155 million in new humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, as well as people affected by ongoing violence in Burmas Rakhine, Kachin, Shan, and Chin States. There are nearly 900,000 refugees in Bangladesh who fled terrible violence in Burmas Rakhine State over the past several years. 472,000 Bangladeshis in host communities have also been affected. And violence in Burma has increased since the military coup overthrew the democratically elected government in February 2021. The United States is the leading contributor of humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis. In announcing the additional aid, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that with this new funding, our total humanitarian aid for those affected by the crisis in Burma, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in the region since the brutal violence by the Burmese military in August 2017 is more than $1.3 billion, including more than $1.1 billion for programs inside Bangladesh. He noted with appreciation the contribution of other UN member states to the humanitarian response and urged others in the international community to step up their assistance. Secretary Blinken took note of the cost and responsibility that countries, especially Bangladesh, have assumed in responding to the plight of Rohingya refugees, and he pledged support for countries in the region that prioritize their protection. In the aftermath of the February 1 military coup and the brutal military crackdown in Burma, he added, we remain committed to addressing the Rohingya crisis, recognizing that the coup leaders are many of the same individuals responsible for previous human rights abuses, including atrocities against Rohingya. We continue to work with international partners to support justice and accountability for all those responsible for the coup and human rights abuses. The United States, he said, continues to advocate for the rights of Rohingya and urges that they be included in discussions about their future. Secretary Blinken also called on Bangladesh to take steps to protect the refugees and not allow conditions to prevail that would force them to return to a country where they could face persecution and violence. The United States, Secretary Blinken declared, is committed to promoting peace, security and respect for the human rights and human dignity of all people in Burma, including Rohingya. The code has been copied to your clipboard. width px height px Despite the U.S.-led Global Coalitions defeat of ISIS territorial caliphate in Iraq and Syria in 2019, ISIS remains active and maintains connections to the financial system. In countries throughout the Middle East, ISIS has relied on key money services business operators that allow ISIS to obfuscate its transactions. In an effort to disrupt the groups generation and transfer of resources, the United States has designated three individuals and one entity connected to ISIS. Alaa Khanfurah is being designated pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, for having assisted in, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of ISIS. Khanfurahs Turkey-based money service business transferred funds to ISIS members throughout Syria and sent thousands of dollars to an ISIS financial facilitator. The Al-Fay Company and Idris Ali Awad al-Fay are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having assisted in, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of ISIS. Idris Ali Awad al-Fay, who is currently in Iraqi custody, used the Turkey-based Al-Fay Company to facilitate the global distribution of currency on behalf of ISIS. Ibrahim Ali Awad al-Fay is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, the Al-Fay Company. Ibrahim al-Fay, Idris al-Fays brother, manages the Turkey-based Al-Fay Company in Idris al-Fays absence. Idris al-Fay and Ibrahim Ali Awad al-Fay sent funds to ISIS. The United States and other members of the Counter ISIS Finance Group remain committed to denying ISIS the revenue it needs to carry out its terrorist and criminal activities, as well as preventing the resurgence of the group. In early November of last year, after months of escalating tensions, a war erupted between the Ethiopian Government and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front in the countrys northern Tigray region. Armed units from the neighboring region of Amhara and Eritrean Defense Forces, soon joined in on the Ethiopian Government side. In late November, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, declared victory after Ethiopias armed forces entered the regional capital Mekele. Nonetheless, Ethiopias forces, Amhara forces, and Eritrean forces remain in Tigray. But their conduct, as well as that of other armed actors including the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, is anything but peaceful, according to the United Nations and Amnesty International. The conduct of the Eritrean Defense Forces and Amhara regional forces have been particularly egregious, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a written statement.There are many credible reports of armed forces in Tigray committing acts of violence against civilians, including gender-based violence and other human rights abuses and atrocities. Even more concerning is the fact that Eritrean troops and other armed actors are blocking and even looting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Tigrays civilian population. Of the regions 6 million people, 5.2 million need aid, particularly food. The United Nations said that Of the three million people targeted to receive emergency shelter and non-food items, only 347,000 people, that is about 12 per cent, had been reached since 3 May. The United States is gravely concerned by the increasing number of confirmed cases of military forces blocking humanitarian access to parts of the Tigray region, said Secretary Blinken. The United States unequivocally calls upon the Governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia to take all necessary steps to ensure that their forces in Tigray cease and desist this reprehensible conduct. We also again call on all parties to comply with obligations under international humanitarian law, including those relevant to the protection of civilians, and to cease immediately all hostilities and allow relief to reach those suffering and in greatest need of assistance, said Secretary Blinken. We equally urge the Government of Ethiopia to withdraw Amhara regional forces from the Tigray region and ensure that effective control of western Tigray is returned to the Transitional Government of Tigray. Prime Minister Abiy and [Eritrean] President Isaias [Afwerki] must hold all those responsible for atrocities accountable. " " Rosa Menkman /Flickr (CC BY 2.0) Hidden in secret, a message can be transcoded and embedded on the surface of an image where it looks like an artifact, or part of the image. And you thought your tattoos were provocative. In the year 499 B.C.E., Histiaeus a Greek adviser to the Persian King Darius I ordered an enslaved person to visit his son-in-law, Aristagoras. When the man arrived, he asked that his head be shaved. There, tattooed on the enslaved person's scalp, was a hidden message from Histiaeus. It told Aristagoras to instigate an uprising against none other than the Persian King himself, Darius I. The adviser got his wish: Aristagoras stirred up the Ionian Revolt of 499 through 494 B.C.E. Darius I ultimately prevailed, but the revolution catalyzed the Greco-Persian Wars (you know, the ones dramatized in the movie "300"). By concealing those fighting words under a head of hair, Histiaeus became an early adopter of steganography. It's a sneaky communication technique we're still using today. "Steganography" means "hidden writing." Basically, this is the art of not only creating a secret message, but also hiding the message itself. Histiaeus was plotting against his own ruler. Needless to say, the Greek had to tread carefully. He might have sent Aristagoras a letter like a normal person, sure. But such a note could be easily intercepted. Even if he'd used some kind of uncrackable code, the very fact that a man close to Darius I was dispatching coded letters at all would've raised eyebrows. No, Histiaeus had to hide his message in a place where nobody would think to look for one, or recognize it for what it was. That's steganography 101. Advertisement Obscurity and Security Jessica Fridrich is a system scientist at Binghamton University in New York and an expert on steganography's place in digital media. "The power of steganography is that the very act of secret communication is not apparent," she tells us via email. Don't confuse this with cryptography. A related but distinctive process, cryptography involves taking a piece of information and then trying to render it unintelligible to anyone besides the intended recipient(s). Which is all well and good. Digital signatures rely on cryptography, as do mobile phones and automatic teller machines (ATMs). Yet as computer scientist Simon R. Wiseman noted in a 2017 paper, this sort of communication "can be seen and it is obvious that some message is being passed, even though the message cannot be read." With steganography, it's a whole new ballgame. Advertisement Staring Us in the Face "Steganography can work in several different ways," explains Fridrich. In one technique called steganography by cover modification, she says, "[an] existing image is modified to convey a desired message." With the right know-how, you could embed Shakespeare quotes inside an ordinary-looking digital cat photo. One method of doing so would involve modifying some of the pixels in a way that's far too subtle for naked eyes to detect. "Secretbook" capitalized on this concept. A Google Chrome browser extension unveiled in 2013, it allowed Facebook users to make incredibly slight alterations to JPEG images hosted on the social media platform. Through that process, participants could hide messages of 140 characters or fewer right inside the pictures unbeknownst to (just about) anyone who didn't have the password needed to reveal them. Still images are great and all, but some folks would rather conceal their messages in computer audio files. People who use audio steganography have many tricks at their disposal, from hiding echoes to exploiting sound frequencies that lie above the normal human range of hearing. Advertisement Careful Crafting In the wrong hands, steganography can be a destructive tool, as old Darius I found out. Cyber attackers have been known to spread harmful malware by using stenographic techniques; think digital Trojan horses. Government agencies and private companies also need to be on-guard against hackers who infiltrate their websites and then leave dangerous data behind inside steganographic files. "Steganalysis" is the practice of trying to detect and expose steganography. Sometimes, suspicious-looking files are inspected by algorithms designed especially for this purpose. "Modern steganography uses powerful source coding to minimize the impact of the embedding changes," says Fridrich. "Modern steganalysis is usually based on machine learning." (For those keeping score at home, machine learning is what happens when computers and algorithms learn from data and then make predictions accordingly. It's an exciting field in the world of artificial intelligence.) Steganography has trickled into our popular culture. In 2013, the Pew Research Center reported that "58% of [American] teen social media users say they share inside jokes or cloak their messages in some way." The practice might sound innocuous, but some say there's a deeper meaning hiding under the surface. "As a way of creating a different sort of privacy," notes the report, "many teen social media users will obscure some of their updates and posts, sharing ... coded messages that only certain friends will understand." Communications scholars Danah Boyd and Alice E. Marwick call the phenomenon "social steganography." Histiaeus would be proud. Now That's Interesting If you look at the left field scoreboard at Boston's Fenway Park, you may notice a series of painted dots and dashes. In Morse code, they spell out the initials "TAY" and "JRY" for former Red Sox owners Tom A. Yawkey and Jean R. Yawkey. 8 million One of the things users love about Roblox is that anyone (teenager or older) can develop games (which Roblox refers to as "experiences"), and even get paid for it. As of May 2021 the company has paid out more than $329 million to community developers though that went to just 4,300 out of the 8 million developers. ELKO A missing Osino mans remains belonging to Doug Hegge who disappeared in 2019 was identified by the Washoe County Medical Examiners Office. It comes nine months after remains found in the Adobe Range were identified belonging to Elizabeth Beth Agee-Morrison. After a subject located a possible human bone in a rural area of Elko County the bone was sent to Washoe County Medical Examiners Office for identification, stated a press release from the Elko County Sheriffs Office. It was confirmed the bone was from the missing Elko man Douglas Benjamin Hegge. Hegge and Agee-Morrison were reported missing a day apart in September of 2019. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Undersheriff Justin Ames clarified on Thursday that the bone was found at the same time the remains were discovered of Agee-Morrison, but "we only have one bone we can confirm came from Mr. Hegge at this time and therefore cannot definitively say he is deceased." Hegge's family was notified, Ames added. The Elko County Sheriffs Office has been investigating the disappearance of Doug Hegge and Beth Agee-Morrison who were reported missing at approximately the same time and were reported to have been together, the office stated. Sen. Keith Pickard (R-Henderson), who in a floor speech complained about special interests pushing the decision, all but committed in an April interview with the Associated Press that he would support a mining tax proposal if it came up in the session. The Henderson Republican said he was undecided on his vote walking into the floor session. Tolles and Gansert who represent Northern Nevada have both staked out reputations as more moderate and willing to discuss enhanced education funding in the right circumstances. In interviews with The Nevada Independent, Tolles and Roberts both said that having the mining industry in support of the measure was a necessary factor, as well as having the money specifically earmarked for education. Im not going to be in politics forever, but Im always going to be a human being and a wife and a mom and a professional and a member of my community, Tolles said. And so every decision that I have to make cant be about whatever is going to happen in the future, it has to be about whether or not I feel good about whats right in front of me and how I feel about it when Im looking back at my life. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Kistler has painted several murals in the past, including one at the Spring Creek Baptist Church. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} I love to work for Jesus, Kistler said. What she didnt know was that she was going to be painting a mural to welcome the new pastor, Beyer said, laughing. One of the challenges was that it is a stucco wall, Kistler said. It did eliminate details. When I would climb off the scaffolding and back up to see it from a distance, it was magical because the stucco eliminating the details made it look like the picture is coming from the mist. It almost gives me goosebumps. The church suggested the subject of the mural might be Jesus teaching children. Kistler said Jesus taught her to be a teacher. She taught art for many years at the high school level in Reno. She taught locally at Great Basin College and Northeastern Nevada Museum and currently teaches at Spring Creek Christian Academy and gives private lessons. The mural is painted outside right near the entry to the preschool area of the church. ELKO The Western Folklife Center now exhibiting multifaceted artist Jo Mora in the Wiegand Gallery. The Western Sights of Jo Mora presents an engaging overview of the artists work in various media, from his signature cartes (illustrated maps) and illustrations to watercolors and bronze sculptures. Artist Joseph Jacinto Jo Mora came to the United States from Uruguay and became enamored with the culture and stories of the American West at an early age. Throughout his lifetime Mora documented the changing landscape of the West through detailed etchings, illustrated maps, paintings, sculptures and stories. The early 20th Century American experience is beautifully brought to life with the current exhibit, according to WFC staff. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} In addition to the survey of works on display by Mora, the WFC is also showing a special selection of contemporary handcrafted gear from their permanent. Moras exhibition coincides with the recent release of the visually rich and captivating book, The Life and Times of Jo Mora: Iconic Artist of the American West by Jo Mora Trust Collection curator Peter Hiller. The book will be on sale in the gift shop and through the online store. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Newmont listed the highlights of its sustainability report that include achieving the best safety and financial performance in the companys history. The company stated that its investment in its fatality risk management program and a focus on critical controls that prevent fatalities resulted in the lowest injury rate ever for Newmont in 2020. Another highlight was the companys response to the COVID-19 pandemic that targeted employees and communities through its COVID-19 Global Community Support Fund, and details about the response are in the lengthy report. The sustainability report also details Newmonts efforts to address climate change that include targets of more than a 30% reduction in emissions with the goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company said it has committed $500 million over the next five years to support meeting those goals. In addition, the report highlights Newmonts efforts to boost the economies of host communities, contributing $7.7 billion in economic value for its workforce, the communities and jurisdictions through wages and benefits, operating costs, capital expenditures, royalties and taxes. LANSING, Mich. (AP) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday vetoed Republican-sponsored legislation that would have exempted high school graduation ceremonies from COVID-19 restrictions on Michigan crowd sizes, calling it half-baked and punchless. The veto, which was expected, came two days after her administration's order was loosened to end outdoor capacity limits and limit indoor gatherings to 50% occupancy. This bill is a solution in search of a problem, the Democratic governor wrote to the GOP-led House. Rather than sending me half-baked and punchless legislation like HB 4728, I encourage the Legislature to join me in eradicating this pandemic and making transformational investments in our economy. When the measure won final passage more than two weeks ago, Michigan was restricting crowds at many outdoor stadiums to 1,000. At most indoor arenas, the limit was 375. The sponsor, Rep. Ann Bollin of Brighton Township, had said in early May that the bill would give schools flexibility to host commencements in a manner that suits their districts. ... It's time to celebrate these young lives and give them the send-off they deserve. Editor: The Nevada Commission for Persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing is writing to you and other news media outlets across the state on behalf of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens of Nevada. As a Governor-appointed advisory body the Commission is deeply concerned about the lack of accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nevadans during public broadcast. The Commission continues to receive numerous complaints regarding the lack of visibility of interpreters during press briefings by the Governor and/or inadequate use of closed captioning services. Many complaints have mentioned that interpreters are not within camera view, or that captions are not provided on screen. Unfortunately, this has perpetuated a barrier that denies the target population from having access to vital public safety information. Ultimately, by not providing adequate accommodations this is a direct violation of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and places Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals at a disadvantage when attempting to stay informed by denying them suitable access to important information. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} In 1955, the Nevada State Engineer ordered that the lands between Battle Mountain and Argenta be dewatered. In 1959, the marsh was destroyed when the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers dug a channel through the marsh to drain its waters and to move these waters more efficiently to Rye Patch Reservoir. This straight channel, containing the Humboldt River, remains visible from I-80. Taking the waters was not enough and herbicides were then sprayed to kill off the willows and other riparian vegetation. The water table immediately dropped, drying out the land. The abundant wildlife either left the area or were lost. The dug channel unbalanced the river and headcuts traveled upstream, dropping the water table and drying out more land. The channelization of the Humboldt River through the marsh area increased the speed of flow and therefore enhanced the rivers ability to carry more silt downstream. The river carried off enough silt to shorten the projected life of the Rye Patch Dam downstream. States across the US are moving to encourage people to get off unemployment compensation some with a stick, others with a carrot, some with both. New York may join a handful of states that have implemented signing bonuses for those who take a job and hold it for a specified period of time. Other states are taking a different tack believing that the federal unemployment payouts are holding people back from seeking work. So far 25 states have decided to end participation in federal unemployment programs that shored up the finances of millions of Americans who were out of work. New York $1,200 return to work bonus Legislation was introduced on Tuesday by New York lawmakers that would authorize a $1,200 one-time bonus to those who are collecting unemployment benefits at the time the bill is passed. The bonus would be dependent on those workers maintaining the non-governmental position for at least four weeks. The program is intended to provide relief to businesses paying exorbitant increases in unemployment insurance rates and reduce "the rate of unemployment claims in New York State [which] is unsustainable for workers, businesses, and consumers. Unlike other bills that have passed, the New York bill doesnt state whether there is a time limit from the date it is passed for a job to be taken. A similar bill that passed the North Carolina Senate would give unemployed residents $1,500 signing bonus if they accept a job within 30 days of the bills approval. Otherwise those collecting unemployment compensation would get $800 if they accept a job within 60 days. States that already have a bonus for returning to work Montana got the ball rolling on both dropping federal unemployment programs and offering a bonus for those that return to work. The state is offering a one-time payment of $1,200 to those who were unemployed when the bill passed for maintaining a new job for four weeks. Fellow republican-led states followed Montanas lead in stopping participation in the federal unemployment programs but not all offered back-to-work bonuses. Following suit with Montana in offering both a stick and a carrot were three other Republican-led states. Arizona is offering the largest signing bonus of $2,000 for full-time positions and $1,600 for part-time. New hires are required to work 320 hours and 160 hours respectively in order to get the bonus. Oklahoma will pay the newly employed $1,200 to the first 20,000 who qualify and complete six weeks of work. New Hampshire will pay its residents who find work and keep that job for 8 weeks $500 for a part-time job and $1,000 for a full-time position. Colorado and Connecticut, both Democratic-led states have also implemented similar programs without cancelling federal unemployment benefits. Colorado residents that take a full-time job will now get $1,200 if they stay in the position for 8 weeks. In Connecticut, the first 10,000 long-term unemployed that go back to work will receive $1,000 if they hold the job for 8 weeks. States across the US are dealing with shortages of workers to fill jobs that are available as businesses and the nation reopen. One approach has been to cancel participation in federal pandemic unemployment compensation programs or reimplement work-search requirements. A handful of states are taking a different tack and providing stimulus to get back to work. Montana was the first state to announce that it would cease to participate in the federal unemployment programs set up under the CARES Act at the start of the pandemic. Those programs have been blamed by some in the business community for the lack of people willing to take jobs that are available. Now 24 other states have followed suit, but only three are both ending the federal unemployment payments and offering signing bonuses to those who transition to the workforce. Arizona Back to Work incentives to take a job Residents of Arizona who were collecting unemployment compensation when the state announced that it would cease taking Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation were offered more than just a one-time bonus. In addition to the $2,000 Return-to-Work bonuses, the state is also offering those who accept a job offer childcare, scholarships and rental assistance. Now that employers in all sectors are hiring, were ready to transition and enhance our assistance to families, job seekers and employers. We are committed to ensuring the long-term strength of Arizonas economy to provide self-sufficiency for Arizonas families, Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Director Michael Wisehart said. Who is eligible for a $2,000 Return-to-Work bonus? The Arizona Back to Work program was announced on 13 May and only those who had already filed for unemployment benefits prior to that date will be eligible. The Return-to-Work bonuses will be available to individuals that make $25 or less per hour, which is equivalent to a yearly salary of $52,000, at the new position. It will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, the state has set aside $300 million to offer the one-time signing bonuses. Workers must accept the job immediately and start the new job by Labor Day. Those who return to a full-time position could be eligible for a one-time bonus of $2,000 and for a part-time job $1,000. The bonus will be given when the individual has left the unemployment insurance program and completed at least 10 weeks of work with an employer. Those who are eligible for the Return-to-Work bonuses and want to retool their skills, can also receive a scholarship to a community college or paid test preparation and exams fees for a GED. In addition, the state will help with childcare providing three months of assistance for individuals with children. Furthermore, Arizonans can tap funds to help renters, homeowners and those experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Currently there is no way to apply for the Return-to-Work bonuses (RTWB) but the DES website says that a portal should be up and running by 10 July. This is also the date when the state will stop federal pandemic unemployment payments. In the meantime, DES says " Individuals must provide pay stubs for each week they want to count toward qualifying for the RTWB. The individual must also provide an employer contact who can confirm the employment and hours worked." The Peace Corps and FEMA are working together to combat the covid-19 pandemic. For the second time in the agencys history, Peace Corps volunteers will serve a domestic deployment, at FEMAs request the first following Hurricane Katrina and now at federally supported Community Vaccination Centers (CVCs) across the country. The Peace Corps works hand-in-hand with communities on their most pressing challenges, and right now the US faces some of the biggest challenges in our countrys history, said Peace Corps Acting Director Carol Spahn. The volunteers who contribute to this effort will bring valuable cross-cultural experience, language skills and adaptability fostered during their time overseas as they contribute to an equitable vaccination campaign here at home. Working closely with our federal partners, state and local leaders, community-based organizations, and the private sector, is critical in getting as many vaccines to the public as possible, said Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton. Our partnership with the Peace Corps is an example of our commitment to reaching under-served and historically marginalized communities, to ensure equal access to vaccines. FEMAs employees are excited to work alongside the Peace Corps in this ongoing battle against COVID-19. President Xi Jinping has called on all parties of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to uphold the Shanghai Spirit, stay committed to their original aspirations, help each other in the same boat and deepen their cooperation. Xi made the remark in a congratulatory letter that he sent on Thursday to the SCO Forum on People-to-People Friendship, which is being held in Wuhan, Hubei province. In November, Xi received a warm response and support from all other member states of the SCO when he put forward the initiative of launching the forum. In his letter, Xi said he believes that the forum will become an important platform for all parties to enhance mutual understanding, deepen friendship and strengthen cooperation. Xi emphasized the need to give full play to the advantages of nongovernmental diplomacy, broaden the channels of communication among peoples of different countries, and make contributions to the development of the SCO. The theme of the forum, which continues on Friday, is "Promoting People-to-People Friendship and Carrying Forward the Shanghai Spirit". The SCO comprises eight member states-India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, the Shanghai Spirit has been hailed by leaders and officials as the source of the SCO's strong vitality and momentum of cooperation. The forum is co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Hubei provincial government, and the good-neighborly friendship and cooperation committee of the SCO. Shache County of Kashgar Prefecture is located in the southwest of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. There are a total of 36 towns, 494 villages, and 74 communities in the county. By the end of 2020, the permanent resident population in Shache reached 1 million people, of which 668,000 are rural residents. The advantageous natural conditions of Shache, with distinct four seasons and abundant sunlight, makes it ideal for growing agricultural products. With 209,000 mu (14,000 hectares) of farmland, Shache has ideal conditions for agricultural development. In addition, numerous mineral resources have been found here, including coal, lead, zinc, iron, copper, nickel, limestone, and gypsum. Abundant supplies and great qualities make the developmental prospects of its mineral industry also looking bright. With favorable natural conditions, the local government has attached great importance to the development of different industries in Shache. Besides continued advancement in agricultural and mineral industries, Shache is also expanding its industry of animal breeding. In recent years, it established many centers for animal husbandry, including for cows, sheep, and camels. This is combined with the government's efforts of poverty alleviation, as these centers created numerous job opportunities not only for local residents, but also for people relocated from poverty-stricken areas. Sheep at the sheep husbandry center in Shache County (Junye Zhang/Guangming Picture) Before 2018, many residents in Shache lived in impoverished towns in mountainous areas. The altitudes of those towns range from 2,300 to 2,800 meters above sea level. There were no hospitals or schools, and transportation was extremely difficult. High altitude makes even cooking and boiling water difficult as it was hard to cook the food thoroughly or make the water boil. While living conditions for the people there were similar to nomadism, the mountains were barren, and they had no farmland to work on. Such was the life for Aynur, whose township was situated near an old road, which was used for trade and transportation during ancient times. Nowadays, the road is no longer in use, its poor condition causes no traffic to come by, which makes the region almost a no man's land. The region was also susceptible to bad weather. When it rains, the water would soak Aynur's home, and the mountain roads would be covered by mud, making it difficult to walk on. The area was also troubled by strong winds, as it lacked proper infrastructural protection. Without any means of finding work, Aynur had to stay home. "Since I had no work, my husband was the sole breadwinner," said Aynur. "As a driver, his annual income was 36,000 yuan, and most of it was spent on living expenses. We didn't have much saving." Like her, many people in the area wanted to relocate, but couldn't afford it. To improve the quality of life for people in these impoverished towns, the local government initiated multiple projects to create work opportunities and establish resettlement areas for them. It was a gradual process that have now reached completion. In 2018, the government finished construction of the resettlement district to accommodate people who wanted to move out of the mountains. The house Aynur lives in is built with bricks, has an area of 80 square meters, with private bathrooms and good sanitary conditions. Such is the standard housing in the resettlement area. In 2019, the sheep husbandry center in Shache was opened, which offered people like Aynur the work opportunity they had always been waiting for. Sheep at the sheep husbandry center (Junye Zhang/Guangming Picture) To make resettlement as convenient as possible, the resettlement homes were built near the work places. For Aynur, the sheep husbandry center is only 500 meters away from her new home. Now, Aynur works as a feeder at the sheep farm, doing daily work of feeding sheep and cleaning. Her workdays are 8-hour long, and she earns a monthly salary of 2,000 yuan. Photo of Aynur at the sheep husbandry center (Photo provided by A Date with China) The sheep husbandry center was not the only available option, as the local government established many centers to provide employment opportunities for people who resettled here. "There are many work opportunities in the district. We have husbandry centers for sheep, cows, and camels. We also have greenhouses and other places. After moving here, people can choose where they want to work based on their skills and interests," said the supervisor at the sheep husbandry center. By now, 1,915 households with a total of 10,062 people have relocated to the resettlement district in Shache. Besides the previous difficult living conditions which already prompted people's desire to find new homes, the local government also made great efforts to invite people to resettle here. Many village cadres travelled multiple times to the mountainous areas to inform villagers of the new opportunities in development, and assisted them in their relocation process. To help the relocated people adapt to the resettlement area, the county also established comprehensive facilities to meet people's daily needs. There is a hospital, three kindergartens, along with other schools in the county, all located near the resettlement homes. For Aynur, whose children are attending kindergarten at the moment, her house is only 500 meters away from the kindergarten, about the same distance between her home and work. In addition, with better welfare in Shache, their living expenses have hardly increased here. For Aynur's family, the living expenses have been greatly reduced, their monthly expenditure is only around 500 to 600 yuan. The sheep husbandry center covers Aynur's meals, which is also the case for Aynur's children at the kindergarten. Aside from dinner or on the weekends, the family doesn't need to spend much money on food. Finally, Aynur has the chance to save up her own money and can gradually achieve her personal goal. "My dream is to save up enough money to go to a driving school and get my license," said Aynur. "One day, I hope to have my own car." [ Editor: JYZ ] "Weapon of massive destruction" scandal (File photo) The United States government continues to smear China on the origin of the coronavirus, touting the lab leak theory and ignoring science at a time when Covid-19 is still ravaging the world. On May 25, Tom Fowdy, a British analyst of politics and international relations published an article on RT News website and said that the lab leak theory was a poor mans Iraq anthrax vial for China at best. The article said the lab leak theory was resurrected during the 74th World Health Assembly. A Wall Street Journal exclusive cited the so-called newly declassified US intelligence that three researchers of the Wuhan Virology Institute showed Covid-like symptoms in as early as November 2019. The fake news quickly marketed amongst US politicians, and was used by American conservatives as smoking gun proof that Covid-19 did originate from a lab accident, as frequently claimed by the likes of Mike Pompeo throughout last year. According to the article published on RT News, such report does not hold up to scrutiny. Its old content used again. Not only does the alleged document itself lack a decisive or coherent primary source, it regurgitates theories which were already in the public domain. Even an industrial-scale advocate of the theory like Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin was forced to admit it wasnt really anything new on behalf of the WSJ. The alleged report said former US President Trump also mentioned the lab leak theory and had seen the proof with his own eyes. Strange enough, the article continued, one would think if he had it, he could just show it, thus proving his point and potentially tipping the election in his favor, so why didnt he or anyone close to him do it at the time? The RT News article concluded that the lab leak theory was similar to the weapon of massive destruction scandal the US created for Iraq a state-sponsored lie aimed at justifying a decision of tremendous consequences. The US government created the lab leak theory with a simple agenda, and that is to shift the domestic blame elsewhere and cover its own failure in Covid-19 response. [ Editor: Liu Jiaming ] Photos taken on May 17, 2021 show the "Silk Road Show" performance in Urumqi city, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Feel the passion of people from Chinas ethnic minority groups in their folk songs and dances, as performers present the spectacular Silk Road Show, which displays the traditional cultures of these ethnic groups, and welcome tourists to Xinjiang. (Photo provided by A Date with China) 7 1 [ Editor: JYZ ] Fitch Ratings has assigned Ukraine-based gas producer DTEK Oil & Gas B.V. (DTEK O&G) a first-time Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of 'B-' with a stable outlook, the rating agency said on its website. "Fitch has also assigned DTEK O&G's notes, issued by NGD Holdings B.V., a senior unsecured rating of 'B-' with a Recovery Rating of 'RR4'," it said. "The 'B-' rating is constrained by the company's small scale of operations as a gas and gas condensate producer in Ukraine, moderately high leverage and evolving corporate governance practices, including a complex group structure and related party transactions," the agency noted. "The rating also reflects moderate production costs supporting stable profitability, good 1P reserve life, a reserve replacement ratio above 100%, providing the necessary basis for sustaining the production profile, and satisfactory liquidity," according to the document. "DTEK O&G has two licenses for gas and gas condensate production at the Semyrenkivske and Machukhske fields and a newly obtained license at the Zinkivska site in Poltava region of Ukraine as of the beginning of 2021. The company produced around 1.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in 2020, about 9% of natural gas production in Ukraine. We assume the group will maintain this level of production over 2021-2024 with average annual investment of UAH 2.4 billion for the same period," Fitch said. "DTEK's assets should generate strong cash flows, even in a low gas price environment. In 2020, DTEK's cash operating expenses averaged $7/barrel of oil equivalent (boe) and we project capex to remain around $7/boe in the next four years. DTEK's relatively low costs and maintenance capex needs support solid free cash flow generation. In 2020, the company's unit funds from operations (FFO) was $14/boe ($22/boe in 2019) and we expect the EBITDA margin to remain around 70% in 2021-2024," Fitch experts said. "DTEK O&G's wholly-owned HoldCo NGD Holdings B.V. has issued $425 million new notes, with $50 million annual amortization from December 31, 2023 and maturity at December 31, 2026 ... At the same time, after issuing these notes, DTEK O&G offset its loan payable to related party with a balance value of around $500 million or UAH14 billion equivalent (including $94 million effect of discounting) towards DTEK Energy," the report says. "Additionally, post-corporate reorganization before May 2021, all greenfield projects with high geological risk have been transferred to a newly created DTEK O&G's sister company, DOG Development. In case of any DOG Development subsidiary comprise more than 10% of DTEK O&G EBITDA, then such company will become a guarantor/suretor under notes," Fitch stated. "As of end-2020, DTEK O&G had sold most of its gas production to a related party under control of DTEK B.V. After August 2021, the gas will be sold to D. Trading, another subsidiary of DTEK B.V. and DTEK O&G's sister company. For 2021, 70% of the volumes have been hedged at $155 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas," the report notes. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the initiation, together with the government and parliament, of a number of bills to optimize receipts of the regional authorities' budgets. "Together with the government and parliament, we will initiate bills on optimizing receipts of local budgets, in particular, on improving land payments, property tax, personal income, as well as unified and transport taxes," Zelensky said, speaking at a meeting of the Local Authorities Chamber of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Ukraine in Khmelnytsky on Thursday. He said that "this is not about increasing taxes." "People should not suffer," the president said. Also, according to him, "it is important to improve the mechanism for the distribution of inter-budgetary transfers based on the formulas enshrined in the Budget Code of Ukraine." The head of state added that "the reform of local self-government has just begun." "A large-scale work at the regional and subregional levels is ahead. A very difficult process of amendments to the Constitution regarding the administrative-territorial structure, amendments to Ukrainian legislation on local self-government and amendments to the Budget Code of Ukraine is ahead," he said. In turn, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak noted the need "to determine the formula for filling regional budgets and additional subsidies to local budgets from the state budget." "We understand this and will propose the best ways to solve this problem," he said. Yermak added that "from the side of the deputy corps, it is planned to provide as much assistance to local governments in terms of providing local budgets with financial resources as possible." In connection with an informal meeting on the Arria-formula held by the Russian Federation at the UN on June 2, the European Union expressed regret at this "deliberate attempt to divert the attention of the international community from Russias destabilization efforts since 2014." "The Russian Federation has responded to Ukrainian people's legitimate aspirations with unacceptable acts of armed aggression, which keep undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity to this day. The EU does not and will not recognize the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, and will keep enforcing a strong non-recognition policy of this violation of international law," the EU Statement for media on Arria-formula meeting organized by the Russian Federation on "the circumstances of Maidan and its aftereffects in Donbas" reads. The Russian Federation held an informal Arria-formula meeting at the UN today to promote again a false narrative about Ukraine and the events that took place in 2014, the European Union said. The European Union said that after seven years of Russia-instigated conflict, the security situation in eastern Ukraine continues to take a heavy toll on the Ukrainian civilian population living in Donetsk and Luhansk on both sides of the contact line. In particular, the statement says that more than 13,000 people have been killed in the armed conflict in Donbas, more than 30,000 have been injured and 3.4 million people continue to require humanitarian assistance, and over 1,5 million Ukrainians are also internally displaced. "Few signs of progress are to be witnessed, despite the efforts of the Normandy format, the OSCE, notably the Trilateral Contact Group, and its Special Monitoring Mission. The recent unusual military build-up by Russia in Crimea and at along the borders of Ukraine in April, without due notification and accompanied by aggressive rhetoric from the Russian leadership, is not in line with Russia's international commitments, arising in particular from the Vienna Document, raises tensions and undermines security," they said in the European Union. The EU recalls that the lives of EU citizens were also taken as a consequence of this conflict, with the downing of flight MH17. The EU recalls UNSC resolution 2166, which stipulates that those responsible for the downing of MH17 must be held accountable and brought to justice. "The Russian decrees enabling the simplified issuing of passports for Ukrainian citizens run counter to the spirit and objectives of the Minsk agreements and are another attack on Ukraine's sovereignty by Russia. The continued closure of four out of five existing but also new crossing points at the line of contact contributes to deepening the divide between Ukrainians in the government and non-government controlled areas. We expect all parties to refrain from actions that are against the Minsk agreements. Russia should not impede the full reintegration of the non-Government controlled areas into Ukraine," the EU noted. The statement emphasizes that the EU remains unwavering in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. "We again call on the Russian Federation to immediately stop fuelling the conflict by providing financial and military support to the armed formations it backs. We call on the sides to engage constructively in the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group in order to ensure the full implementation of the Minsk agreements and to resolve the conflict peacefully," the statement says. The statement is issued on behalf of the EU and its Member States. The Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania, the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, align themselves with this statement. The Permanent International Media Monitoring Mission on Disinformation about Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora, founded by the non-governmental organization Ukraine-2050, has begun its activities. "The main challenge for the international community, in particular for Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora, is to raise awareness of disinformation among the population and a better understanding of the dangers of using information without knowing its sources and motives," President of the non-governmental organization Ukraine-2050, President of the Ukrainian World Congress (2008-2018) Eugene Czolij said at an online conference on Friday. According to him, this issue is even more urgent in Ukraine, as since 2014 Russia has openly waged a powerful hybrid aggression against Ukraine in order to regain control over it. Czolij pointed out that on January 25, 2021, the non-governmental organization Ukraine-2050 began organizational work to deploy a permanent international media monitoring mission, which will carry out monitoring of media outlets, social networks and other information resources in different countries of the world on disinformation about Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora. This mission will analyze the results of this monitoring and take effective measures to help counteract such disinformation, including by sending appeals to the relevant state bodies and administrators of the media outlets, social networks and other information resources in order to exclude disinformation about Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora and block the sources of such disinformation. "As of today, our mission has 164 members. All are volunteers from 55 countries who will carry out media monitoring in 41 languages," he said. Poroshenko arrives for interrogation at SBU in case of Medvedchuk, Kozak as witness Fifth President of Ukraine, MP (European Solidarity faction) Petro Poroshenko on Friday morning arrived for interrogation at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). "Petro Poroshenko was summoned as a witness in criminal proceedings on suspicion of MPs Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak of committing criminal offenses under Part 1 of Article 111, Part 3 of Article 15 and Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine [committing high treason and an attempt to plunder national resources in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea]," the SBU press center told Interfax-Ukraine. The SBU said that Poroshenko was summoned solely for the purpose of a comprehensive, complete and impartial study of the circumstances of the specified criminal proceedings. As reported, MPs Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak (Opposition Platform - For Life faction) on May 11 were notified of 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. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed that public servants are obliged to submit a declaration about contacts with oligarchs included in the relevant register. According to president's bill No. 5599 on the prevention of threats to national security associated with the excessive influence of persons with significant economic or political weight in public life (oligarchs), a public servant, after contacting an oligarch or his representative, must fill out a declaration of contacts on the official website of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. According to the bill, a contact is a meeting and conversation, including online meetings and conversation, about anything. At the same time, persons included in the register and their representatives are obliged to inform public officials about the fact that information about themselves or the persons they represent has been included in the register before the meeting or a conversation. The obligation to submit a declaration of contacts applies to the President of Ukraine, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, his deputies, MPs, the prime minister and deputy prime ministers, the minister and his deputies, the head of the SBU and his deputies, the prosecutor general and his deputies, the governor of the National Bank and his deputies. The declaration of contacts is also required to be filled out by judges of the Constitutional Court, judges, the head of a permanent subsidiary body created by the president and his deputies, chairmen and members of the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting, the Antimonopoly Committee, the Accounting Chamber, the Central Election Commission, the High Council of Justice and other state collegial bodies. Among the officials required to submit a declaration of contacts are the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council and his deputies, the heads of the State Property Fund, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention and their deputies, directors of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigations, Bureau of Economic Security and their deputies. In addition, among the declarants are the Verkhovna Rada commissioner for human rights; civil servants holding civil service positions of A category; heads of local state administrations, their first deputies and deputies; servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations who have been awarded the highest military rank; persons of the commanding staff of law enforcement agencies and employees of other bodies who have been awarded the highest special rank. According to the bill, violation of the obligation to submit a declaration of contacts is the basis for bringing a person to political or disciplinary responsibility. The declaration of contacts shall contain information about the persons who submitted the information, about the oligarchs included in the register and their representatives, with whom there was contact, the date and place of the conversation and its brief content. The transitional provisions to the bill indicate that the law will be limited to 10 years. Also, according to the transitional provisions, the Cabinet of Ministers shall, within three months, bring its regulations in line with the law after its entry into force, as well as ensure that ministries and other central executive bodies bring their regulations in line with the law. Upon a motion of the senior investigator of the National Police of Ukraine, an investigation regarding former MP from the Party of Regions Mykola Levchenko was closed and he was removed from the wanted list, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) press center told Interfax-Ukraine. "As for the return to Ukraine of former MP Mykola Levchenko, this is due to the fact that in 2021, upon the motion of the senior investigator of the National Police, the investigation against him was closed, and Levchenko was removed from the wanted list," the service said. The SBU recalled that in relation to this person, the service in 2014 began criminal proceedings on the grounds of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 110 and Part 3 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine, violation of the equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, religious beliefs, disability and other grounds). In 2015, he was informed of the suspicion, and Kyiv Court of Appeal gave permission for his detention. "However, subsequently, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine transferred the proceedings to the investigators of the National Police. The procedural head of the case in April 2020 decided to close the criminal proceedings against Levchenko, and in February of this year, the investigators of the National Police decided to close the criminal proceedings altogether. At the same time, the Security Service of Ukraine defends the position that persons who by their actions contributed to the aggressor country should be punished within the framework of the law. The SBU will continue to work in this direction," the SBU said. Earlier, lawyer of the former MP Oleh Kurchyn said that Levchenko had won the case against Ukraine in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) will check the data about Ukrainian citizens against whom the United States has imposed sanctions, and, based on its results, will make relevant decisions if necessary, NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov has said on Friday. "We received protocol instructions from the President of Ukraine to find out who of the citizens of Ukraine are currently under U.S. sanctions, what kind of citizens they are and on what basis they ended up there. In the United States, there are several institutions that directly impose sanctions against citizens of other countries, one of them is the Department of the Treasury. Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has data about 130 Ukrainian citizens. We officially received [the data] about each of these citizens from our embassy in Washington," Danilov said at a briefing following the NSDC meeting. At the moment, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is checking when exactly the citizens from the list received Ukrainian citizenship and on what grounds. "In addition, there is a separate list where there are still a certain number of our citizens, namely four, who, are under sanctions imposed by another institution, the Department of State. In total, today there are 134 Ukrainian citizens under U.S. sanctions," Danilov said. "We instructed the Security Service of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and the Foreign Intelligence Service to check all relevant information about each citizen, on the basis of which U.S. sanctions were imposed against them, in order to make relevant decisions, if necessary, at NSDC meetings," he said. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov said that Germany and France, as guarantors of the Budapest Memorandum, should bear responsibility for Russia's occupation of parts of Georgia and Ukraine. "We remember that in 2008 the Russian Federation attacked Georgia, and at the moment Georgia lacks part of its territory. After that, a situation with the occupied Crimea occurred in Ukraine. Should Germany and France bear any responsibility for this? I think yes," Danilov said at a briefing following the NSDC meeting on Friday, June 4. As Danilov noted, "apart from the instruments of economic pressure, there are also political instruments." "When you [Germany and France] talk about democracy, about freedom, or when you say that you appreciate each country, then the situation when in 1991 we agreed on the inviolability of borders, and today, when one country violates all this, then except the situation when Germany and France are talking about their concerns, I think that this is too little in the modern democratic world," he said. The NSDC Secretary also reminded that "it was Germany and France in 2008 that refused Georgia to receive the NATO Membership Action Plan." "Although almost everything was ready," he said. On Wednesday, June 9, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference entitled "Memorandum that wasn't supposed to be carried out." Investors in renewable energy state that the government did not fulfill the Memorandum signed on June 10, 2020: the schedule of repayment of last year's debts is violated, regular 100% payments are not made, the working conditions for renewable energy continue to deteriorate: the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine proposes to introduce an excise tax on "green" electricity. The number of dispatching outages of RES producers has significantly increased, and the calculation of financial liability for imbalances is carried out incorrectly. Participants include Chairman of the board of the Ukrainian Association of Renewable Energy Oleksandr Kozakevych; Director of the European-Ukrainian Energy Agency Oleksandra Humeniuk; Board Chairman of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association (UWEA) Andriy Konechenkov; Managing Director of Vindkraft Ukraine Carl Sturen; Director of the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine Artem Semenyshyn (8/5a Reitarska Street). The press conference will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Due to quarantine restrictions, the number of seats in the press center is limited. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. Details by phone: (067) 364 4667. NA Chairman Hue said he wants to closely cooperate with President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen and other Cambodian leaders to further promote and intensify the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-lasting sustainability between the two countries and legislatures. The Cambodian leader congratulated Vietnam on the success of the 13th National Party Congress and the elections of deputies to the 15th NA and Peoples Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure and spoke highly of the achievements the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam have reaped in the cause of national construction and socio-economic development. He also thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for supporting the Cambodian people in their past struggle for national liberation and their present process of national construction and development. NA Chairman Hue told his Cambodian counterpart that Vietnam has been making all-out efforts to accomplish the dual goal of containing the COVID-19 pandemic and sustaining positive economic growth, adding that the country managed to post a growth rate of 2.91% last year. Though the COVID-19 situation remained complex, the nations economy performed well in the first five months of 2021, he said. According to the top legislator, Vietnams industrial production expanded nearly 10% compared to the same period last year. FDI inflows exceeded US$14 billion. Total retail sales of goods and services rose by 8%. Export revenues reached more than US$130 billion, up nearly 31% year-on-year, while imports surged 36.4%. CPI rose 1.29%, the lowest since 2016. Vietnam is striving to achieve GDP growth of around 6% this year. Hue reiterated Vietnams consistent policy of attaching importance to and giving a high priority to strengthening its traditional friendship with Cambodia as well as its support for the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP)s leadership in building a peaceful, independent and neutral Cambodia. He also expressed his support for Cambodias policy on regional and international integration and multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, thus contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world as a whole. Both sides showed their delight at the growth of the bilateral ties as top leaders of the two countries have maintained regular meetings and exchanges amid the pandemic, while bilateral cooperation mechanisms continued to be effectively upheld. Two-way trade totalled US$3.9 billion in the first four months of 2021, a year-on-year increase of 122%. The two leaders appreciated the two countries ratification of documents marking the completion of 84% of land border demarcation and marker planting workload, and expressed their hope that the remaining work will be completed to build a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, for peace and prosperity of the two nations people. NA Chairman Hue thanked the Cambodian National Assembly, Government and relevant agencies for supporting the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in Cambodia during the fight against the pandemic. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue talking on the phone with President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin. (Photo: NDO/Duy Linh) Agreeing with his Vietnamese counterpart, Heng Samrin welcomed the two governments joint determination to consolidate cooperation and support each other in ensuring security and preventing cross-border crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling of drugs, forestry products, wild animals and explosives, as well as in stepping up socio-economic development in border areas, and in combating COVID-19. He spoke highly of Vietnams efforts to well control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, while thanking Vietnams assistance to Cambodias fight through the provision of medical supplies and equipment. The two leaders also discussed measures to boost parliamentary diplomacy. NA Chairman Hue affirmed that Vietnam will back and share experience with Cambodia to successfully organise international conferences in 2021 and support Cambodias elections of deputies to the fifth-tenure commune-ward councils in 2022 and to the 7th-tenure National Assembly in 2023. He suggested both sides actively exchange information, coordinate closely and support each other in regional and global issues, including activities at multilateral forums and ASEAN cooperation framework and ASEAN-led mechanisms, and within the frameworks of the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, and the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam tripartite cooperation. The Vietnamese leader vowed to coordinate with his Cambodian counterpart in implementing the cooperation agreement between the two legislatures, signed in May 2019. Appreciating Cambodias establishment of a young parliamentarians group, NA Chairman Hue suggested the two NAs strengthen coordination and cooperation between their committees, the Vietnam-Cambodia, Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians Groups, and female parliamentarians and young parliamentarians groups in legislation and in supervising and making decisions on the nations important issues. The two leaders highlighted the need to encourage and supervise ministries, sectors, localities and businesses to carry out signed agreements so as to deepen the Vietnam-Cambodia comprehensive cooperation. They agreed to work together to hold activities and events to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2022 (June 24, 1967-2022). The two leaders took this occasion to invite the other to pay an official visit to their respective country. NA Chairman Hue said that he will arrange to attend the 11th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) Meeting in Cambodia slated for October. He expressed his hope that the meeting will be held in the in-person format when the pandemic is put under control. Up to seven storms are forecast to hit mainland Vietnam this year, he explained, while calling for determination to minimise any losses. Thanh, who is also head of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Chairman of the National Committee for Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, emphasised the need to improve forecasting capacity and invest more in natural disaster studies and the hydrometeorological monitoring system. Natural disasters have become fierce and unexpected, the Deputy PM pointed out, highlighting the role of leaders in response efforts. He assigned tasks to the ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, National Defence, and Public Security, as well as localities, which, he said, play a crucial role in this regard. According to Tran Quang Hoai, General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments General Department of Disaster Prevention and Control, Vietnam faced 14 storms, a depression, 120 flash floods and landslides, 90 earthquakes, and other types of natural disasters last year, with 357 fatalities and economic losses of VND39.96 trillion (US$1.73 billion). UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra lauded the Vietnamese Government for its efforts in minimising disaster risks and boosting response measures. In the context of the pandemic, improving preparedness and capacity as well as planning work, especially in localities, will be key to Vietnams success, he said. UN agencies stand side-by-side with Vietnam and commit to further assisting the country in disaster response and climate change-related risks, he affirmed. U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the April jobs report from the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., (Photo : REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst) President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Thursday that bans U.S. entities from investing in dozens of Chinese companies with alleged ties to defense or surveillance technology sectors, a move his administration says expands the scope of a legally flawed Trump-era order. The Treasury Department will enforce and update on a "rolling basis" the new list of about 59 companies, which bars buying or selling publicly traded securities in target companies, and replaces an earlier list from the Department of Defense, senior administration officials told reporters. Advertisement The order prevents U.S. investment from supporting the Chinese military-industrial complex, as well as military, intelligence, and security research and development programs, Biden said in the order. "In addition, I find that the use of Chinese surveillance technology outside the PRC and the development or use of Chinese surveillance technology to facilitate repression or serious human rights abuse constitute unusual and extraordinary threats," Biden said, using the acronym for the People's Republic of China. Major Chinese firms included on the previous Defense Department list were also placed on the updated list, including Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), China Mobile Communications Group, China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC), Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co Ltd, Huawei Technologies Ltd and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). SMIC is key to China's national drive to boost its domestic chip sector. "We fully expect that in the months ahead ... we'll be adding additional companies to the new executive order's restrictions," one of the senior officials said. A second official told reporters that the inclusion of Chinese surveillance technology companies expanded the scope of the Trump administration's initial order last year, which the White House argues was carelessly drafted, leaving it open to court challenges. Biden has been reviewing a number of aspects of U.S. policy toward China, and his administration had extended a deadline for implementation set by former President Donald Trump's order while it crafted its new policy framework. The move is part of Biden's broader series of steps to counter China, including reinforcing U.S. alliances and pursuing large domestic investments to bolster American economic competitiveness, amid increasingly sour relations between the world's two biggest economies. Biden's Indo-Pacific policy coordinator, Kurt Campbell, said last month that a period of engagement with China had come to an end and that the dominant paradigm in bilateral ties going forward would be one of competition. Senior officials said the Treasury Department would give guidance later on what the scope of surveillance technology means, including whether companies are facilitating "repression or serious human rights abuses." "We really want to make sure that any future prohibitions are on legally solid ground. So, our first listings really reflect that," a second senior administration official said. TIME TO 'UNWIND' Investors would have time to "unwind" investments, a third official said. The order said the ban would take effect on Aug. 2 for those companies currently listed. U.S. investors would still have 365 days from the date of this or future listings to make transactions for the purpose of divesting, and while it was not required, divesting later than 365 days after listing would be prohibited without authorization. The new list, while overall adding about 10 publicly listed companies, provided few surprises for investors looking to see if they need to unload even more Chinese stocks and bonds. But some previously identified companies, such as Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC), which is spearheading Chinese efforts to compete with Boeing Co and Airbus, as well as two companies that had challenged the ban in court, Gowin Semiconductor Corp and Luokung Technology Corp, were not included. In May, a judge signed an order removing the designation on Chinese mobile phone maker Xiaomi, which was among the more high-profile Chinese technology companies that the Trump administration targeted for alleged ties to China's military. Stewart Baker, a former Department of Homeland Security official, said the Treasury's "settled regulatory and legal regime" made it a better place than the Defense Department to enforce the ban. "This follows in a growing tradition of the Biden administration coming along and saying: 'Trump was right in principle and wrong in execution, and we'll fix that,'" Baker said. Vice-chairwoman of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, Chow Hang-tung poses with a candle ahead of the 32nd anniversary of the crackdown (Photo : REUTERS/Lam Yik) Hong Kong barrister and activist Chow Hang Tung was six years old when her mother took her to a candlelight vigil to mark the anniversary of China's crackdown on protesters in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. Three decades later, Chow recalled how she watched then as thousands of people, some visibly upset, comforted each other as flickering candles lit up the city's Victoria Park. Advertisement "You'd always remember passing a candle and pamphlets to each other," Chow told Reuters. "It was like a community as one. Everyone put aside their identity and did things together." The experience had a profound impact on Chow, 36. She is now vice chairwoman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, organizer of the annual vigil which authorities have cancelled for the second year in a row, citing the coronavirus. But Chow is determined to mark the killings of what rights groups and witnesses estimate could have been thousands of demonstrators around Tiananmen Square by lighting a candle on Friday. "As long as they haven't said candles are illegal, we will light a candle," she said. "It's a sign of whether we can defend our bottom line of morality ... That's the test." The security law, combined with coronavirus restrictions, have cleared the city's streets of the pro-democracy protests that plunged the financial hub into turmoil two years ago. Some alliance members, including Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho, are in jail for their role in unauthorised assemblies in 2019, while Chow herself is facing a charge of inciting and participating in an illegal assembly on June 4 last year. Home to the world's largest Tiananmen vigil for three decades, Chow said Hong Kong has helped to keep the memory of the 1989 democracy movement alive. She remains defiant despite the Security Bureau warning that taking part in an unauthorized assembly is punishable with up to five years in prison, while advertising or publicizing an illegal gathering could risk 12 months in jail. The ban on this year's vigil is the latest blow to democracy activists in semi-autonomous Hong Kong, many of who have been arrested, jailed or fled since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on its freest city last year. The Hong Kong government has refused to comment on whether "end one party dictatorship", one of the alliance's five goals, has violated the security law, but Chow doesn't care either way. "Any organization or person who genuinely fights for democracy will have a fundamental conflict with 'one party dictatorship'," she said. "This is something people who fight for democracy must do." The Boeing logo is pictured at the Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition fair at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil (Photo : REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker//File Photo) Qatar Airways is weighing a multibillion-dollar investment with a potential order for 30 or more freighters, attracting interest from Boeing Co, which has begun offering a freighter version of its future 777X jetliner, the airline's chief executive said. In April, the Gulf carrier said it was interested in a 777X freighter but had not been told by Boeing of any plans to launch one. But speaking to Reuters on Thursday, Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said a cargo 777X was now on the table as the airline ponders a freighter order from Boeing or Airbus. Advertisement "Qatar Airways is very interested in purchasing a large fleet of freighters because we have to now start replacing our old freighters," he said in an interview in St Petersburg. "We have our programme of replacement over several years and we would be very keen to place an order with Boeing or with Airbus, it all depends on how things proceed." Boeing did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Qatar Airways' cargo fleet currently consists of 30 freighters, all made by Boeing, according to its website. Al Baker has raised the prospect of a 777X freighter launch amid an unspecified contractual dispute with Airbus. European planemaker Airbus is also gauging airline interest in a freighter version of its A350 passenger jet, which if launched would target a market key to Boeing, Reuters reported in March. Boeing's plans for a 777X freighter have been delayed as the U.S. planemaker wrestles with certification delays and weak demand for its passenger version. The new passenger version of Boeing's popular 777 series is not scheduled to start delivery to airlines until late 2023, three years later than the planemaker had planned. "With Boeing we have no issue, with Boeing we have a large 777X order and we will take those airplanes, we have made a recommendation with Boeing on the deliveries on those airplanes," Al Baker said, without disclosing what the airline had proposed. Qatar Airways, which operates only international flights, is on average filling around 40% of seats on all flights, he said, and had received $3 billion in equity from the government since the pandemic broke out to help it through the crisis. "We are good for now, we have credit lines from the banks which we are using," he said. Egypt has sent a massive engineering equipment and crews to participate in the Gaza Strip reconstruction efforts after last month's devastating Israeli bombing campaign crossed the Rafah border crossing on Friday, state-owned MENA agency reported. The crews and equipment, which includes a large number of trucks, bulldozers and cranes, will participate in removing debris and rubble from the buildings that were destroyed by the 11-day Israeli air strikes and bombings of the strip last month. The re-construction convoy comes under a pledge by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to contribute $500 million as part of an Egyptian initiative for reconstructing the Gaza Strip, with the participation of Egyptian companies, in order to mitigate the suffering of Palestinians and restore normalcy in the Gaza Strip. Last month, the Israeli bombing campaign of Gaza - deemed the most serious Israeli assault on the strip since 2014 - killed more than 250 Palestinians, injured 1,900 and destroyed 2,000 residential and commercial buildings, leaving thousands homeless. The densely populated Gaza Strip is home to two million Palestinians, most of whom are refugees from the 1948 war. On 21 May, Egypt mediated a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas along with other Palestinian factions. Since then, Cairo has launched intensive diplomatic efforts to cement the ceasefire and lay the ground work for the resumption of peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis. Meanwhile, Egypt has already sent a ton of medical and humanitarian aid to Gaza to help the Palestinians deal with the aftermath of Israel's deadly offensive on the strip. Egypt also continues to open its Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip to allow stranded Palestinians and humanitarian cases to cross the border in both directions. Medical and administrative teams are stationed at the terminal to facilitate the passage of the injured and their escorts to hospitals. Short link: The Egyptian military continued on Saturday its Hasm 2020 drills, which involve exercises performed by naval, air and special forces in the western military region, the Armed Forces said in a statement. Saturdays drills were attended by Army Chief of Staff Lt. General Mohamed Farid. The beginning stage of the drills saw training to target enemy command posts with several intensive airstrikes in parallel with paratrooper drops to secure beachheads. Naval units conducted several amphibious operations against non-typical surface targets, including the firing of shots by naval artillery of various calibres and the use of depth charges against enemy submarines. Special naval forces trained to attack coastal targets by using speedboats dispatched from a Mistral helicopter carrier. Frigates launched several surface missiles in parallel with special forces units landing on the coast under aerial protection. The drills, which started on Tuesday, come amid the ongoing and rapid developments in the region, the military statement said. Short link: The chief of staff of the Egyptian armed forces, Lieutenant General Mohamed Farid, attended the final phase of the Radea-2020 drills on Thursday, which were carried out by units from the Egyptian central military region with the participation of the main branches of the armed forces. According to the armed forces, the drills lasted for several days as part of the annual plan for combat training of formations and units on occasion of the celebrations of the 47th anniversary of the October War victory. The drills aimed at training the troops on eliminating terror hideouts, securing residential areas, making preparations for battle, moving and conquering and then pushing the main force to attack the front border of hostile defences, and completing the attack to achieve the planned tasks, using the MILES simulation. The training reflected the high standards of training the troops in various combat skills and their accurate implementation of the planned tasks and emergency missions with efficiency, the statement read. Farid conveyed the greetings of President Abdel-Fattah El Sisi, supreme commander of the armed forces, and Defence Minister Mohamed Zaki, to all participating personnel, noting their strenuous efforts during all phases of the manoeuvres. He also discussed with commanders of the military branches the techniques of implementing the tasks, praising the distinguished performance and high combat skills of the troops. He called on the troops to maintain their outstanding levels and high morale. A number of military commanders and students from the military technical colleges and institutes attended the ceremony. Short link: Egyptian and French air forces concluded air drills on Tuesday at one of the Egyptian air force bases, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced. According to the Egyptian armys statement on the drills, multi-role combat aircraft of various models took part in the exercise that kicked off on Saturday. The drills included various training activities and several joint training air sorties as well as the exchange of training and tactical experiences in planning, implementation, command and control methods. The drills came within the framework of developing military relations and joint cooperation between the Egyptian Air Forces and their counterparts from neighbouring countries. Egyptian Air Forces Commander Lt. General Mohamed Abbas Helmi and Major General Laurent Lherbette, of the French Air Forces attended the drills along with a number of air forces commanders from Egypt and France. Short link: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi dispatched on Sunday a high-level security delegation, led by head of the General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel, to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss means to firm up a ceasefire with Palestinian factions. The delegation will also tackle efforts of rebuilding the Gaza strip, and reaching a comprehensive de-escalation in the West Bank and the besieged enclave, Egypt's state-run news agency MENA reported. President El-Sisi entrusted the delegation to push for ending the Palestinian division, stressing the importance of taking all necessary measures to avoid any further escalation between Israel and Palestine. El-Sisi also directed to push ahead with efforts to end the problem of prisoners and missing people between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the strip. Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, which came into effect on 21 May, ending 11 days of Israeli aggression on the enclave. The Israeli bombing campaign left more than 250 Palestinians dead, hundreds injured and homeless, while tens of residential and commercial buildings were demolished by Israeli air strikes. Egypt has taken several political and diplomatic steps since then to consolidate the ceasefire, including sending security delegations to the warring sides. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry is meeting his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, in Cairo on Sunday as part of the country's effort to shore up the de-escalation efforts. Search Keywords: Short link: Related Egyptian president calls for hiring women on State Council and public prosecution As per a presidential decision, Egyptian women can work at the State Council and the Public Prosecution for the first time in the countrys history starting 1 October, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said in a meeting with top judicial figures on Wednesday. Several historic decisions were issued during the meeting, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said, noting that they will contribute to achieving full equality between men and women in assuming judicial posts in all judicial bodies and authorities. Although there are a number of women occupying judicial posts, no women have ever been appointed as judges on the State Council, which refuses all applications filed by women. This came to an end last March when El-Sisi directed Justice Minister Omar Marwan to coordinate with concerned bodies to allow women to become members of the State Council and the Public Prosecution. During the Wednesday meeting, El-Sisi said that 1 October of every year is to be considered Egyptian judiciary day. The meeting also approved a decision to equalise financial entitlements among persons of the same rank in the four judicial bodies and authorities of the State Council, the Administrative Prosecution, the State Lawsuits Authority and the judiciary. The decisions also aim at achieving equality in income among peers in every judicial body and authority automatically, so that there would be no need to file lawsuits to achieve this equality, the spokesman added. The decisions approved during the meeting also include briefing the State Lawsuits Authority of the reasons for rejecting any applicant for appointment in judicial positions. These reasons will be submitted to the relevant judicial authority. The decisions ensure that the secondment of a single judicial member is not repeated in more than one entity, except for the Ministry of Justice. A time limit for the secondment duration will also be set as per the decisions. The decisions also ensure that the names of those accepted for appointment are not repeated in different judicial entities. This latest decision is applied for those who graduated in 2018 or later for the State Council and Public Prosecution and for those graduated in 2013 or later for the Administrative Prosecution and the State Lawsuits Authority. These decisions will expand the opportunities of joining judicial positions after repetition in appointment is prevented, the spokesman said. He affirmed that these decisions allow transparency to know the reasons for excluding some applicants from appointment. Also, the transference to the Administrative Capital will be considered a breakthrough in terms of modern workplaces and the use of modern technology in the procedures, the spokesman added. The meeting was attended by head of the Supreme Constitutional Court Saeed Marie, head of the Supreme Judicial Council Abdullah Shoda, head of the State Council Mohamed Hossam El-Din, Public Prosecutor Hamada El-Sawi, and head of the Administrative Prosecution Essam El-Din Menshawi. In another meeting with Justice Minister Marwan on Wednesday, El-Sisi ordered enhancing the use of the latest electronic and technological means and techniques in the work system of the courts and litigation procedures. The president also ordered enhancing the implementation of electronic linkage among the courts nationwide during the coming period for the positive results it has yielded. Short link: Egypt has participated in the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption held to discuss preventing and combating corruption as well as boosting international cooperation in this regard. Egypt's Ghada Wali, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime opened the session, said a statement by the Foreign Ministry on Friday. Chairman of the Administrative Control Authority (ACA) Hassan Abdel-Shafy delivered the national statement, in which he said that Egypt adopts anti-corruption strict policies taking into consideration the principles of the rule of law, accountability and transparency. Abdel-Shafy also asserted the importance of enhancing international and regional cooperation in building human, technical and technological capacity to fight corruption and help restore smuggled assets and money. He reiterated Egypts commitment to fully implement all obligations stemming from the UN Convention against Corruption. Meanwhile, Egypts Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Mohamed Edrees said that the Egyptian high-level participation in this event comes within the framework of the countrys keenness to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. He also hailed the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes efforts under Egypts Wali. Short link: Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat mulled on Thursday with Acting Managing Director of Russian Railways International Sergey Stolyarov and his first deputy Sergie Pavlov joint cooperation in the field of transport. The meeting came on the sidelines Al-Mashat's participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. During the meeting, Al-Mashat asserted that the Egyptian government is deeply interested in developing the transport sector so as to reinforce connection among the state's various regions and beef up development efforts all across the country. Allocations to the transport sector represent more than 20 percent of the countrys international development portfolio as it is estimated at $5.13 billion, the minister said. Such funding has contributed to implementing several projects including the metro lines, the national road projects as well as upgrading the railway grid among others. She also highlighted the continued coordination between the ministries of transport and international cooperation to enhance international partnership with multiple parties with the aim of meeting the basic needs of the transport sector and completing the projects of top priority. Short link: Egypt and Saudi Arabia have agreed on suspending requirements imposed by Riyadh on imports of Egyptian agricultural crops, with a Saudi delegation set to visit Cairo next week to inspect control measures on crops. According to an official statement published on Thursday, Agriculture and Land Reclamation Minister El-Sayed El-Quseir held a meeting with Saudi counterparts to discuss the new measures announced by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) last month. In May, the SFDA had announced that it will require a mandatory Certificate of Conformity (COC) - starting from 15 July - for all fresh vegetables; fruits; agricultural crops and spices exported from Egypt, India and Jordan. The products will require proof of compliance with technical regulations and standards approved by the SFDA, the authority said, with the COC of products from Egypt proving that a laboratory test for the hepatitis A virus has been performed. El-Quseir reviewed during the virtual meeting with his Saudi counterparts the status of Egypts agricultural exports and its worldwide reputation, as well as the control procedures implemented to ensure the safety and quality of the products. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey, the SFDA CEO, expressed his appreciation of Egypts efforts in regards to its exports, the statement said, with both officials agreeing on suspending the new requirements. The SFDA will send a technical delegation to Egypt next week to inspect measures undertaken by Egypt over its agricultural crops, according to the statement. Egypt currently exports its crops to 160 countries, according to officials, who say that the volume of exports reflect on the products' quality and the safety of the measures taken in tracking and controlling these products. Egypts agriculture exports exceeded 3.3 million tonnes in the first five months of 2021, up by 250,000 tonnes compared to the same period last year. Among the major agricultural crops that have been exported during that period were citrus fruits; potatoes; onions; strawberries; pomegranates; beans; beets; guava; peppers; mango; garlic and grapes. Search Keywords: Short link: Russian charter flights to Egypts Red Sea tourist hotspots are set to resume in the coming days, the chief of Russian airliner Aeroflot said on Friday, according to Interfax news agency, ending a near six-year suspension following a Russian airliner deadly crash over Sinai in 2015. His statements come as a Russian security delegation concluded an inspection visit of Egypts Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada airports on the Red Sea under efforts aimed at resuming charter flights to the popular tourist destinations. The inspection visit came nearly a month after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to resume direct flights between Russia and Egypt's Red Sea airports. In October of 2015, Russia suspended direct flights to Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh, as well as other Egyptian airports, following the crash of a Russian flight in Sinai that killed all 224 people on board. Russias flight suspension to Red Sea cities has taken a heavy toll on Egypts tourism industry a key source of hard currency since Russian visitors were major contributors to the tourism market in the country prior to 2015. Since 2015, Egyptian authorities have upgraded all safety and security measures at all of the country's airports. As a result of Egyptian efforts, Russia resumed flights to Cairo International Airport in April 2018, ending a 30-month suspension, but did not resume flights to Egypt's Red Sea destinations. Short link: Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat stressed on Friday the importance of Egyptian-Russian relations that grew over the past years. The strategic partnership is reflected in many major projects being implemented, such as the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project that costs $25 billion, and the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone that is expected to bring in investment amounting to $7 billion, Al-Mashat said during her participation in the Russia-Africa session that took place as part of the 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia. This forum is considered a global leading event that tackles economic challenges faced by the world and emerging countries. The SPIEF takes place this year under the theme of A Collective Reckoning of the New Global Economic Reality. Alongside Al-Mashat, the panel was attended by Prime Minister of Central Africa Firmin Ngrebada, Prime Minister of Rwanda Edouard Ngirente, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology at the African Union Commission Sarah Agbor, Deputy Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov, General Director of Transmashholding Kirill Lipa, Chairman of The Association of Economic Cooperation with the African States at the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Saltanov, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of URALCHEM Dmitry Konyaev. Al-Mashat mentioned that the Russian-African Summit and Economic Forum was co-chaired by the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El Sisi and the Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2019; highlighting Egypts regional role as the gateway for Russian businesses in the African continent in light of strong Egyptian-African relations. Al-Mashat tackled the available opportunities that would enhance the Egyptian-Russian-African cooperation, within the framework of Egypts distinguished position and its strategic relations in the African continent. The minister stated that the Free Trade Agreement between Egypt and countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia) could play a key role in strengthening the Russian-African Trade Exchange between the African and the European Union; and in the establishment of vocational training and entrepreneurship centers in partnership between Egypt and Russia. The training centers shall be based in Egypt, where there would be an exchange of experiences and visions to train African cadres; with an emphasis on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) sector. In September 2019, Egypt launched an initiative to test a million African citizens for the Hepatitis C virus and provided treatment for patients. Egypt also worked in various infrastructure projects; and within the aviation sector, EgyptAir signed a memorandum of understanding to establish Ghana Airways Limited with joint investments. In transportation, Egypt recently signed a cooperation agreement with Sudan in the railway sector to build a line between Aswan and Wadi Halfa, Sudan. Moreover, in water and irrigation, Egypt is working to build the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station, a hydroelectric dam in Tanzania. In construction, the Arab Contractors company is also implementing projects across 23 African countries that cost about $1.5 billion, and this includes an electrical linkage project between Africa and Europe. She affirmed that the joint African relations are a huge opportunity to accelerate growth, as the area of the Free-Trade African Agreement will contribute to reducing commodity prices, increasing Africas competitiveness on the global level which would also attract more investments. Africas population rate is very high; indicators estimate that by 2050, Africa will contribute to a 50% population growth rate, which enhances the available growth opportunities. Short link: Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz received a pledge of US support for whoever is Israel's next leader Thursday as he met with top officials in Washington while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was facing ouster back home. US security and defense officials also told Gantz they would help replenish its "Iron Dome" missile defense system after it was used heavily in the recent conflict with Gaza, but also pressed Israel to reduce tensions with Palestinians. "We're not going to speak to government formation while it's in process," State Department spokesman Ned Price said after Gantz met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "Regardless of what happens, regardless of what government is in place, our stalwart support, our ironclad support for Israel will remain," he said. At the Pentagon, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated that Washington supports Israel's right to defend itself, but that security also involved rebuilding confidence with Palestinians. "The President has expressed his full support for replenishing Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, which saved so many innocent lives during the most recent conflict," Austin told Gantz. "Now going forward, we seek lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike," he said. "As my colleague Secretary Blinken made clear in Israel last week, a lot of work needs to be done to rebuild confidence and trust, and to create conditions to reengage in a meaningful way on the path to a two-state solution." Gantz was in Washington just after a coalition of diverse opposition parties, to which he belongs, struck a deal Wednesday to remove Prime Minister Netanyahu from office after 12 years in power. Questions though remained over whether the coalition can hold together long enough to unseat Netanyahu. The political turmoil comes after the US was pulled into discussions over the recent deadly conflict between Palestinians and Israel that left 254 Palestinians dead from Israeli air strikes in Gaza and 13 dead in Israel. Gantz did not meet with US President Joe Biden, who has an ambivalent relationship with Netanyahu. Instead he met White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who "highlighted the importance of ensuring that immediate humanitarian aid is able to reach the people of Gaza," according to an official statement from the meeting. The two also discussed the threat Iran poses to the region, as the US seeks to restore the 2015 JCPOA agreement that prevented Tehran from pushing forward to develop nuclear weapons. "These very days Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons, and continues to armed militias throughout the Middle East," Gantz told Austin. "I am well aware of the important dialogue about future agreement, which will stop its nuclear armament," he said. "Our dialogue is so important to ensuring that any deal effectively meet its goal of keeping Iran away from nuclear weapons." *This story was edited by Ahram Online Short link: A long-running campaign by Israeli settlers to evict dozens of Palestinian families in east Jerusalem is still underway, even after it fueled weeks of unrest and helped ignite an 11-day Gaza war. An intervention by Israel's attorney general at the height of the unrest has put the most imminent evictions on hold. But rights groups say evictions could still proceed in the coming months as international attention wanes, potentially igniting another round of bloodshed. The settlers have been waging a decades-long campaign to evict the families from densely populated Palestinian neighborhoods in the so-called Holy Basin just outside the walls of the Old City, in one of the most sensitive parts of east Jerusalem. Israel captured east Jerusalem, home to holy sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, in the 1967 war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. Israel views the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. The settlers are using a 1970 law that allows Jews to reclaim properties lost during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation, a right denied to Palestinians who lost property in the same conflict, including Palestinian citizens of Israel. The Israeli rights group Ir Amim, which closely follows the various court cases, estimates that at least 150 households in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan have been served with eviction notices and are at various stages in a long legal process. The plight of four extended families comprising six households in Sheikh Jarrah, who were at risk of imminent eviction, triggered protests that eventually merged with demonstrations over Israeli assaults on Palestinians and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. After warning Israel to halt the evictions and withdraw from the site, Hamas and other Palestinin factions fired long-range rockets at Jerusalem on May 10, triggering heavy fighting between Israel and Palestinin factions. As tensions rose, Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit secured the postponement of the final hearing in the case of the four families. Another group of families requested that the attorney general also intervene in their cases, securing a delay. Israelis are currently trying to form a new government, adding more uncertainty to the process. That has bought time for the families, but nothing has been resolved. Everything is very much hanging in the balance, said Amy Cohen, a spokeswoman for Ir Amim. Rights advocates fear Israel will proceed with the evictions once the furor dies down and international attention turns elsewhere. We're talking about over 1,000 Palestinians in both these two areas that are at risk of mass displacement, Cohen said. Because these measures are taking place in such an incremental manner, it's so much easier to dismiss. The families in Sheikh Jarrah are stuck in limbo. A total of at least 65 families in two areas of the neighborhood are threatened with eviction, according to Ir Amim, including a group of families set to be evicted in August. Banners hang in the street in Sheikh Jarrah, and small, occasional protests are still held there. Police man checkpoints at either end of the road and keep watch as Israeli settlers - who seized one of the homes in 2009 - come and go. The settlers say they acquired the land from Jews who owned it before the 1948 war, when Jordan captured what is now east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. Jordan settled several Palestinian families on the land in the early 1950s after they were disposessed from what is now Israel during the 1948 war. Settlers began trying to evict them shortly after Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 war. For Palestinians, the evictions conjure bitter memories of what they refer to as the Nakba, or catastrophe, of Israel's creation, when some 700,000 Palestinians - a majority of the population - were driven from their homes as the new state battled five Arab armies. Most ended up in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza and neighboring countries. This isn't just about Sheikh Jarrah, it's about the entire Israeli occupation, that's the problem. They aren't going to stop here, says Saleh al-Diab, who was born, grew up, married and raised his own children in one of the homes under threat in Sheikh Jarrah. You lose your home to them in 1948 and then they come back after 1967 and take your home again, he said. Yaakov Fauci, a settler from Long Island, New York, who gained internet fame after a widely circulated video showed a Palestinian resident scolding him for stealing her home, says the Palestinians are "squatting on private property." They've lived here since 1956. This is not exactly ancestral land going back to the times of Abraham, he said. Fauci says he is a tenant and has no personal involvement in the legal dispute, but he insists the land belongs to the Jewish people. We don't want to cause them any pain and suffering, but we need to have our land back, he said. If there are people there, they have to unfortunately get out. Ir Amim estimates that settler organizations have already evicted 10 families in Sheikh Jarrah and at least 74 families in Silwan, a few kilometers (miles) away, in the last few decades. The Israeli government and a settler organization that markets properties in Sheikh Jarrah did not respond to requests for comment. Israel has previously said the evictions are a private real estate dispute and accused Hamas of seizing on the issue to incite violence. The settler movement enjoys strong support from the Israeli government and the right-wing parties that dominate Israeli politics. The settlers have benefitted from Israeli policies going back to 1967 that have encouraged the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem while severely restricting the growth of Palestinian communities. Today, more than 700,000 israeli settlers live in both territories, mostly in built-up residential towns and neighborhoods. The Palestinians and much of the international community view the settlements as a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace. Ir Amim says Israeli authorities could intervene in any number of ways to prevent the Jerusalem evictions, including by modifying the law that allows settlers to take over such properties. Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union, has demanded that Israel rein in the settlers as part of the informal truce brokered by Egypt that ended the Gaza war. Egyptian mediators are exploring ways to prevent the evictions, and previous cease-fires have included significant concessions to Hamas. A war that destroyed hundreds of homes in Gaza may have ensured that residents of Sheikh Jarrah can remain in theirs, at least for now. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Short link: The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees says it has recalled its Gaza director after he faced threats over remarks in which he appeared to praise Israel's ``huge sophistication'' in carrying out precision strikes during last month's Gaza war. UNRWA, which provides essential health, education and other services in the territory, said late Thursday that it was seriously concerned about the threats, including a very large protest outside its Gaza headquarters on Monday. It said Gaza director Matthias Schmale and his deputy have been recalled to UNRWA's headquarters in east Jerusalem for consultations. The agency cited media reports that Palestinian factions had declared Schmale and his deputy persona non grata in Gaza but said it received no formal notification to that effect. In an interview with Israel's Channel 12 TV last month, Schmale was asked about Israeli officials' assertions that airstrikes carried out during the 11-day war with the territory's militant Hamas rulers were very precise. I'm not a military expert but I would not dispute that, Schmale replied, adding that there was huge sophistication in how Israel struck targets. But he also said colleagues told him the strikes were much more vicious in their impact than in the 2014 Gaza war. Schmale later expressed regret over the remarks and said any civilian deaths were unacceptable. Many people were killed or have been severely injured by direct strikes or collateral damage from strikes, he tweeted. In a place as densely populated as Gaza, any strike will have huge damaging effects on people and buildings. His original remarks were widely circulated in Israeli media and online, where they were seized upon by Israel's supporters as an endorsement of its conduct and provoked outrage among Palestinians. Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes on Gaza during the 11-day war, in which Hamas and other militant groups fired more than 4,000 rockets at Israel. At least 254 people were killed in Gaza, including 67 children and 39 women. according to the Gaza health ministry. Hamas has acknowledged the deaths of 80 militants. Twelve civilians, including two children, were killed in Israel, along with one soldier. UNRWA provides essential services to some 5.7 million refugees in the occupied West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. They include Palestinians who were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding its creation and their descendants. It provides food aid and other vital services in Gaza, which has been under a crippling Israeli blockade since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Most of Gaza's population of 2 million are registered refugees. At the height of the war, some 70,000 Gazans sheltered in UNRWA schools. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Short link: Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Ten Palestinians were injured on Friday as Israeli forces quelled an anti-settlement-construction rally in Beita town, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, according to medical sources, said Palestinian official news agency (WAFA). Director of the Palestinian Red Crescent's (PRC) Emergency Department in Nablus, Ahmad Jibril, told WAFA that PRC medics evacuated ten Palestinians who were injured by Israeli occupation army live ammunition in confrontations at Jabal Sbeih, located near the town, to hospitals. He pointed that one of the casualties sustained a serious injury by a live round in the neck. The villagers of Beita, Yatma and Qabalan towns, south and southeast of Nablus, took part in the rally called for in protest of the construction of a new colonial settlement atop Jabal Sbeih (Sbeih Mountain). The nonviolent rally was called for after a group of Israeli settlers set up over 20 mobile homes or caravans atop the mount as a prelude for taking over the complete mount and establishing a colonial outpost. Issa Barham, in his 40s, and Zakaria Hamayel, 28, were killed and dozens of others were wounded by Israeli military gunfire in Beita in the past two weeks. The number of settlers living in Jewish-only colonial settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law has jumped to over 700,000 and colonial settlement expansion has tripled since the signing of Oslo Accords in 1993. Israels nation-state law, passed in July 2018, enshrines Jewish supremacy, and states that building and strengthening the colonial settlements is a national interest. Short link: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a law expected to be used to ban allies of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny from running in elections. Russia's legal information portal showed Putin had signed the bill on barring staff, members and sponsors of "extremist" groups from running in parliamentary elections. Critics have denounced the law as the latest in a series of moves to crack down on Russia's opposition ahead of elections due in September for Russia's lower house State Duma. The law was overwhelmingly approved by the upper house Federation Council earlier this week. A Russian court is considering whether to designate Navalny's political network an extremist organisation and could make a decision as early as next week. The law affects not only senior members and activists of Navalny's team but potentially tens of thousands of Russians who supported its work with donations. Leaders of such groups will not be able to run in parliamentary elections for five years, while members and those who helped finance their work will be banned from running for three years. Navalny, Putin's most prominent domestic critic, barely survived a near fatal poisoning with a Soviet-designed nerve agent last summer that he blames on the Kremlin. After returning to Russia in January following months of treatment in Germany, he was imprisoned for two-and-a-half-years on old embezzlement charges in February. Search Keywords: Short link: Related Remains of 215 children found at former indigenous school site in Canada UN rights experts on Friday urged Ottawa and the Vatican to hold swift and thorough investigations into the discovery of unmarked graves at an indigenous religious school in western Canada. "We urge the authorities to conduct full-fledged investigations into the circumstances and responsibilities surrounding these deaths, including forensic examinations of the remains found, and to proceed to the identification and registration of the missing children," the nine experts said. United Nations experts do not speak for the global body but are mandated by the UN to report their findings to it. The experts further called on Ottawa to undertake similar investigations in all other indigenous residential schools in Canada, saying victims had a right to know the full extent of any violations that occurred. "The judiciary should conduct criminal investigations into all suspicious deaths and allegations of torture and sexual violence against children hosted in residential schools -- and prosecute and sanction the perpetrators and concealers who may still be alive," they added. The experts included the UN special rapporteurs on the rights of indigenous people, the sexual exploitation of children, degrading treatment, and the chair of the working group on enforced disappearances. They claimed that large-scale human rights violations had been perpetrated against indigenous children. "It is inconceivable that Canada and the Holy See would leave such heinous crimes unaccounted for and without full redress," they said. The Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia was operated by the Catholic church on behalf of Ottawa from 1890 to 1969. It was one of of 139 boarding schools set up a century ago to forcibly assimilate Canada's indigenous peoples. The unmarked graves of 215 children were discovered at Kamloops last week, using ground-penetrating radar. The UN experts urged the Roman Catholic Church to provide judicial authorities with full access to the archives of residential schools, "conduct prompt and thorough internal and judicial investigations into these allegations, and to publicly disclose the result of those investigations". Short link: Mohamed Othman Al-Khosht, 57, is the president of Cairo University. A professor of the philosophy of religion and contemporary philosophy, he is a leading authority on Islamic culture and a member of the Association for Intercultural Philosophy, an organisation that promotes dialogue between philosophers and thinkers from all over the world. In an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, Al-Khosht answers questions about his views on the reform of religious discourse, and Cairo Universitys decision to set up a council for culture and enlightenment. What is the Document on Culture and Enlightenment which Cairo University recently released to a chorus of praise? When I was named president of Cairo University on 1 August 2017, I was keen that the university recover its leading role in spreading the values of liberal culture and enlightenment in Egyptian society. To achieve this I decided to create Cairo Universitys Council on Culture and Enlightenment. The councils board includes a selection of prominent cultural leaders and intellectuals, including philosopher Murad Wahba, thinker and literary critic Gaber Asfour, and novelist Youssef Al-Qaeed. This group decided to release a document aimed at highlighting the cultural identity of Cairo University, and espousing the liberal principles which were adopted by the universitys founders in 1908. The document lays the foundation for a rationalist culture in the face of extremist currents, and spreads the values of enlightenment, independence of scientific and academic research, religious tolerance, religious reform, citizenship, and democracy. Most of those who signed this document are secularists, or members of secular movements Though the founders of the Council on Culture and Enlightenment are a mix of intellectuals hailing from different ideological backgrounds, all of them are rationalists who believe in the sovereignty of reason, and the separation of religion and state. We have secularists such as philosopher Murad Wahba, liberals such as literary critic Gaber Asfour, and religious reformers such as Al-Azhar professor Saadeddin Al-Hilali. Cairo University does not have any political or ideological inclinations. It does not belong to any political party or ideological sect. It is a university for all Egyptians, an umbrella for everyone who believes in the principles of rationalism and enlightenment. Religious institutions and Islamist groups hate the words secularism and enlightenment, characterising both as anti-Islam. They equate secularists with infidels Enlightenment denotes an intellectual movement that believes in reason, liberty, tolerance, and scientific thinking rather than myths and fables, while secularism advocates the separation of religion and the state, free thinking, religious tolerance, multiculturalism, and a rejection of religious dogmatism and bigotry. To me, these values do not contradict Islam which promotes free thinking, tolerance and stands against any religious authority. Fundamentalist religious clerics and political Islam movements hate the words enlightenment and secularism because they contradict their beliefs which are based on extremism, absolute religious authority, and mixing religion with politics. They want to monopolise the interpretation of religious texts and impose their own views on society. But again, I would like to stress that Cairo Universitys Council on Culture and Enlightenment acts as an umbrella for all kinds of thinkers, including traditionalists and reformists conservatives and liberals who believe that rationalism and reason are indispensable tools for states seeking to develop and progress. What are the main points of the recently released document? The document argues that since its foundation in 1908 Cairo University has passed through three phases. The first generation focused on education and transfer of information and knowledge while the second generation stressed the importance of liberal education and scientific research. The third generation, the current one, believes that knowledge should be used to serve the states comprehensive development plans. We believe that knowledge should not be a value in itself, but a tool for developing society and the economy. I would argue that the role of Cairo University today is not to produce graduates who become employees in the states bureaucracy. We want our graduates to be business leaders who believe in the values of modernity, enlightenment, and progress. The document also stresses that religious tolerance is central to Egypts future and progress. It also calls for a liberal interpretation and rational reading of religious texts. We want to create a new generation of Egyptian and Arab rationalists who support the values of liberalism, rationalism, and independent academic research, and reject terrorism, extremism, bigotry, and fundamentalism. In this respect, the document calls for building bridges with countries that have passed through their own periods of enlightenment and modernism. The document calls for a change of the education system which at the moment is based on memorising and rote-learning. We want education in Egypt in the future to be based on innovation, analytical thinking, and experimental methods. The document also advocates the principles of citizenship: i.e. that everyone is equal before the law and democracy is the basis of social peace and progress. You have been described as the Lotfi Al-Sayed of contemporary Egypt because of your defence of rational and liberal values and for your battles with conservative and traditional movements. What do you think of the comparison? It is a great honour for me to be dubbed the Lotfi Al-Sayed of the new age. Al-Sayed was the first president of Cairo University, the real founder of this university and the father of academic independence in Egypt. He was the architect of secularism and liberalism in this country. He defended Taha Hussein when he published his book on pre-Islamic poetry and threatened to resign if Hussein was expelled from the university. He also drew the attention of intellectual circles in Egypt and the Arab world to the importance of translating Greek philosophy. Cairo University needs Al-Sayeds liberal heritage. We want to resurrect this heritage to defeat extremism, fanaticism, and dogmatism. In January 2020, you were at odds with the grand imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb over how religious discourse should be reformed. How do you see this reform progressing? Most religious institutions in Egypt and the Islamic world have begun to change fundamentalist views in favour of more liberal thinking, and greater support for womens freedom. We now hear religious institutions expressing liberal views on women, saying women have a right to assume all kinds of leading positions, that they can travel without male guardians. Religious institutions also say they do not object to the reform of religious discourse and agree that the interpretation of religious texts can change in line with the times. In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman said if conservative cleric Mohamed Ibn Abdel-Wahab were to come to life again, he would be the first to adopt religious reform. The issue of religious reform has gained a lot of momentum in religious circles, so much that conservative circles can no longer resist reform. During the Al-Azhar conference on Renewal of Islamic Thought in January 2020 you said there was a need to develop, rather than revive, religious sciences. What did you mean? What I intended was to draw a distinction between the Quran and Prophet Mohameds traditions (Sunna) and Hadith, and the Islamic legacy or heritage interpretation, jurisprudence and so forth. The latter are the product of particular times and need to change from time to time. What is Cairo Universitys current focus? Cairo University puts a lot of focus on scientific research. We spent LE281 million on scientific research last year. We have also set up a centre for psychological support, and the university is involved in developing the National Cancer Institute, increasing its capacity by 30 per cent. We have established a faculty of nanotechnology sciences, the first of its kind in the Middle East, preparing graduates to work across the whole range of hi-tech industries. *A version of this article appears in print in the 3 June, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Israels intelligence agency Mossad has appointed a new chief to succeed Yossi Cohen, well-known as a veteran recruiter of the agencys spies, in the shape of its former deputy director David Barnea. Barnea, 56, has been designated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, among other tasks. Barnea joined Mossad in 1996, serving as a case officer. From 2013 until his appointment in 2019 to the number two post, he commanded its Tzomet division. The appointment of Barnea is seen as a new chapter in the agencys history and is expected to see it continue its campaigns against Iran and the Palestinian group Hamas, deemed by the US as a terrorist group. Last years killing of the head of Irans nuclear programme Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was attributed to the agency. Israel was also blamed for the recent attack on the underground Iranian Natanz nuclear facility. Cohen, stepping down after more than five years at the helm, and Netanyahu stressed that Iran would be a target of the agencys actions after a series of setbacks to the countrys nuclear programme thought to have been directed by Israel. Cohen highlighted the need to step up Israels activities against Iran in order to make it realise that crossing the lines will cost it immense damage. Netanyahu said in a speech at Barneas nomination that preventing Iran from having nuclear arms was the paramount mission. If Israel feels it has backing from the US, Barneas preference would be to continue with hard-hitting operations, as opposed to merely gathering intelligence, said Yonah Bob, an intelligence analyst who covers Mossad. However, as the Biden administration is expected soon to cut a new deal with Iran and presuming Tehran remains in compliance, this will reduce the space for more aggressive operations, Bob told Al-Ahram Weekly. Netanyahu may be facing his final days in office, as Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid is close to establishing a coalition that would end his 12-year reign with the backing of far-right party leader Naftali Bennett. However, if a new Lapid-Bennett government takes power, its Iran policy will almost certainly be the same as Netanyahus in an operational sense where Mossad is involved, Neri Zilber, an adjunct fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told the Weekly. Netanyahu and Cohen frequently took pride in Israels operations against Irans nuclear ambitions, including a raid on Tehrans secret nuclear archives that assisted the former US Trump administration to withdraw the US from the nuclear deal between the West and Iran. The operation, carried out in January 2018, still has repercussions today. One of the most striking operations that involved Mossad was the killing of Qassem Al-Suleimani, the military commander who headed Irans Al-Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). In an interview with the Israeli Mishpacha magazine a couple of months before Al-Suleimanis death, Cohen said the potential Israeli assassination of the Iranian leader was not impossible. Many Mossad operations against Iran have targeted nuclear scientists and facilities, an approach that may continue under Barnea, who has promised to continue his predecessors agenda on Tehran. This may also include its agenda on the Palestinian group Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip. In Israels recent war on Gaza, more than 248 Palestinians were killed, along with 13 Israelis. Hamas fired hundreds of rockets against targets in Israel in May in response to Israels push to evict Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, a Palestinian neighbourhood in Occupied East Jerusalem. Mossad has long targeted Hamas for its operations, and Israel has fought three wars against Gaza since 2009, the last being last months bruising 11-day war that caused destruction in the Gaza Strip and brought life in much of Israel to a standstill. Barneas appointment at the head of Mossad will not bring about major changes in the Israeli strategy against Hamas or Iran, said Zilber. The politicians dictate policy, not the Mossad chief. The choice of Barnea, who was Cohens deputy, signals continuity in policy, especially regarding Iran, he said. The Hamas/Gaza file is a bit more difficult to predict and even Netanyahu is now signalling a shift in policy after the recent war but the Palestinian file is not the most important issue that Mossad handles, he added. While the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) intelligence services and the Shin Bet intelligence agency have primary responsibility for Gaza, Mossad is involved, but usually only in a secondary capacity in helping to track and prevent weapons smuggling, Bob said. The agency has been in contact with Qatari officials in order to encourage them to continue transferring financial aid to Gaza that started in 2018. It has been used to pay the salaries of civil servants and as direct financial assistance to tens of thousands of impoverished families in Gaza. It was agreed by Israel in exchange for Hamas ensuring calm and as part of efforts to reach a long-term ceasefire. Mossads role in facilitating possible further funding for Hamas from Qatar remains unknown. The picture is very unclear and relates to new global efforts to fundraise for the reconstruction in Gaza, Bob said. *A version of this article appears in print in the 3 June, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: The most frequent buzzwords in Iraq these days are sovereignty, prestige and respect for the state. Yet, these are also the most ridiculed concepts. Since he was appointed prime minister last May Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has made reviving the state the cornerstone of his governments agenda. For Al-Kadhimi, winning back respect for Iraqs state apparatus meant reining in dozens of Shia militias which have been acting as a state within the state and threatening the governments efforts to end Iraqs multiple crises. Last week Al-Kadhimis attempts to restore Iraqs prestige against Iran-backed armed groups received another heavy blow and raised many questions on whether the incumbent prime minister can keep his words and stand up to the rogue militias. Hours after reports emerged that Iraqi security forces had arrested a powerful militia commander on 26 May in connection with a series of killings of protesters, throngs of fellow militiamen took to the streets in Baghdad in protest. Brigades of the Popular Moblisation Force (PMF), an umbrella organisation for Shia militias better known as Al-Hashd, drove machine gun-mounted vehicles around the heavily fortified Green Zone, which hosts foreign embassies and government buildings, as a show of force, and reportedly even encircled Al-Kadhimis residence. Al-Kadhimi had earlier ordered the security forces to arrest Kassim Muslih, the PMF operations chief for the Anbar province, after an arrest warrant was issued based on complaints filed against him under the anti-terrorism act. The latest standoff caused rising tensions in Iraq to boil over into a mutiny against Al-Kadhimi, who is officially the commander in chief of the Iraqi armed forces including the PMF. Many Shia political leaders viewed the paramilitary show with concern and blasted the militias for bullying and sedition. Powerful Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, who heads the largest bloc in parliament, warned that the standoff would weaken Iraq. An angry response to the PMFs defiant show of strength also came from the United Nations, the United States and several European embassies in Baghdad which have been keeping a close watch on the militias. Muslih was arrested in relation to a wave of murders of pro-democracy activists. The family of Iyad Al-Wazni, who was shot on 9 May in the holy shrine city of Karbala, publicly accused Muslih of orchestrating his brutal killing. Al-Wazni who had been outspoken against Iraqi armed groups and Irans influence in the country was shot dead outside his home by bikers using a gun equipped with a silencer. The murder sent protest movement supporters onto the streets to demand an end to such bloodshed and official impunity. Security sources told foreign news agencies that Muslih was also implicated in several other attacks including recent assaults on the Ain Al-Assad air base, where the US and other international forces are housed. Muslih was a junior fighter in a group loyal to prominent Shia cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani that was formed to fight Islamic State (IS) militants before he was lured into the pro-Iran militias and made a senior PMF commander. The prime minister described the show of force as a serious violation of the Iraqi Constitution and the laws in force, adding in a statement that we have ordered an immediate investigation into these movements. The latest show of force was preceded by months of tension between Al-Kadhimi and the pro-Iran militias and Tehran-backed political groups who are vying for seats in the crucial upcoming parliamentary election, scheduled for October. In July 2020, scores of militiamen drove gun-mounted pickup trucks towards the Green Zone after Iraqs Counterterrorism Service (CTS) raided a stronghold packed with rockets ready to be fired belonging to the powerful Iran-backed Kataib Hizbullah (KH) militia. After the armed demonstration and threats to kill Al-Kadhimi whom the militiamen accused of treason, the government released a dozen members of the group who had been detained in the blitz assault. This time Al-Kadhimi said the defendant would stay in custody until the end of the enquiry. Officials said other militiamen would be summoned for investigation in murders of pro-protest activists. Still, many Iraqis believe Al-Kadhimis response to the PMF has been ineffective, weak and off the mark. Since he came to power a year ago Al-Kadhimi promised his government would claim a monopoly on the legitimate use of arms but numerous militias remain at large. Iraqi security and judicial authorities have consistently failed to publicly identify or charge the perpetrators of killings that have not been claimed. Over 30 activists have been assassinated in Iraq since mass anti-corruption protests started in October 2019. The killings and abductions have forced thousands of activists to flee their homes or continue to live in fear. Casting himself as the champion of a strong state, Al-Kadhimi must understand that his priority should be to reinvent the state in order to deal with loosely organised militias using the PMF and the fight against IS as a cover for violent anti-state activities. It is widely believed that the rouge groups which are stretching their influence in the society well beyond their numbers are actively engaged in a long-term effort to take control of the state. The militias campaign to kill and intimidate pro-reform activists who also resist Irans heavy-handed interventions in Iraqi affairs is seen as an attempt to suppress their participation in Iraqs next parliamentary elections in October. Investigators in Muslihs case should, therefore, probe other cases of activists being murdered, looking into last weeks mutiny and making an overall review of PMF activities and whether the organisation entertains any desire for an armed overthrow of the government. At the centre of the whirlwind sparked by the militias rebellion is the future of Iraq, which has long became a failed state. If the unruly militias maintain their defiance, the government will lose what little credibility it had left and Iraq will be teetering on the edge of collapse. The Iraqi Defence Minister Juma Anad has warned of a civil war should confrontations with the militias continue. He said PMF officials should have met with Al-Kadhimi to resolve the dispute over Muslihs arrest instead of flexing their muscles on the streets of the capital. They shouldnt have made threats of using force or resorted to arm twisting, Anad said in a statement. The army has the potential to fight a state, not 40 vehicles carrying some armed men. By and large Iraq has reached a tipping point in state-PMF relations, which underscores the need to solve the problem in order to prevent a wider spread of disorder. The last thing Iraqis want to see is a civil war between the army and the PMF, but preventing such a war depends on Al-Kadhimi being effective and strong enough to resolve matters with the militias rather than continually trying to manage them. It is widely believed Al-Kadhimi should stop the resurgence of the militias and start rethinking the PMF; one possibility is to restructure the PMF to place it under the governments control. Every ordinary Iraqi knows the conventional wisdom: eat him at lunch before he eats you at dinner. The government should reform the PMF while it remains strong, or it will suffer the consequences. Al-Kadhimis politics of appeasement has not been working for over a year and his crackdown on the killers of pro-reform protesters can finally give people some hope that he is ready to act. *A version of this article appears in print in the 3 June, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: I am not sure my readers will find the following important. Certainly Arab attention is focused on the war in Gaza and its aftermath, and the crisis surrounding Ethiopias mega dam project. To the suspiciously minded, the media extravaganza devoted to the divorce of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates might seem designed to distract from the crucial questions of life and death, and intellectuals might add that the scandals of the rich and famous have little to tell us. But this case is not your run-of-the-mill divorce which, in the US alone, happens more than 250 times per hour and which, as painful as the family breakups may be for those involved, seem more of a subject for sociologists and psychologists. But nothing at all about the Gates family is ordinary not when the head of the household, whose net worth is $150 billion, has ranked the richest person in the world four years running not when the couple endowed one of the largest charitable foundations in the world, famed for its philanthropic work in Africa and especially for its contribution to malaria control. But what makes this so extraordinary is not just that Bill Gates is inconceivably wealthy, that he is the founder of Microsoft which has become a trademark of our contemporary world, or that he, together with Steve Jobs, spearheaded the worlds third and fourth technological revolutions. It is the fact that the Gates phenomenon is bigger than all that. He has truly become a global citizen, a representative of the community of mankind, with all their cares and sorrows. He has been a globetrotter for decades. Queen Elizabeth II dubbed him a Knight of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), Barrack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and this is only the beginning of a long list of medals, awards and honours he has received from countries around the world. Last year, the founder of Microsoft reinvented himself as one of the USs most outspoken and humanitarian voices on the fight against Covid-19, as well as one of the loudest soft-spoken voices on climate change. He has epitomised the very essence of the rational theoretical mind in his contemplations of our variegated, multiethnic, multi-denominational world. He is simultaneously the applied technician and, at a larger level, he brings a practical, systematic approach to dealing with universal problems and dilemmas. He has never given the impression of having it in him to be like the loud, flamboyant types who also rank among the worlds super wealthy, such as Amazon CEO Jeffry Bezos who, with a net worth of $177 billion, inherited the title of richest person on earth, or Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and a close rival for the title. Gates strikes you as the type of guy who would patiently wait in the queue, just like normal folk, to place an order for his favourite food, burgers. At first, when news of the Gates divorce broke, one felt - along with the sympathy one senses for these two famous figures - that the reasons they gave fitted their image. Their joint statement was calmly worded. It spoke of their achievements in raising three incredible children and in building a foundation that works around the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives. It also sounded a note of reassurance to both the market and the intended recipients of their philanthropy, saying that they would continue their work together at the foundation. But if they are going to sustain their relationship, or at least part of it, then why the separation? Their answer was complicated but, again, it seemed to suit them. They explained that they had given the matter a great deal of thought after having worked hard to sustain their relationship. Perhaps, as this suggests, they consulted others, or friends tried to intervene or, maybe they went to a marriage counsellor. In the end they made the decision to end their marriage. The reason they gave was that they could no longer grow together as a couple as they navigated the next phase of their lives. This is not your customary cause for divorce. Yet, given how their self-consistency ruled out lying, one simply had to take them at their word. Maybe it was the nine year age gap between them. He was born in 1955 and she in 1964. The difference may not have been important when they married in 1994. But now it would weigh on them more, psychologically, emotionally and, more importantly, in terms of their personal growth at a later stage in lives. The foregoing seemed quite reasonable at first glance. But not so much at second and third glance. Revelations since then have definitely brought Bill Gates down quite a few notches and made him look more like Bezos who not so long ago divorced his wife in order to marry the glamorous TV anchor and media personality Lauren Sanchez. There is nothing unusual about that. Even among multi-billionaires, a husband might grow bored with his lifes companion and need a new one. Bezos granted his wife a $37 billion settlement, and the divorce was finalised without great commotion. As it turns out, the case of Gates is not so straightforward. Firstly, there was his acquaintance with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in prison in New York. As we now know, Epstein, who was found guilty of trafficking in underage women, boasted many famous acquaintances such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Prince Edward. One account has it that Gates acquaintance with him was connected to promoting a philanthropic activity. Another held that it had to do with obtaining a Nobel Prize, although it is hard to imagine how someone like Epstein could influence that decision. Secondly, there was evidence, from within the Microsoft firm itself, that Gates had a long-term affair with one of the companys employees which eventually led the firms board of directors to force him to step down as chairman. The benevolent billionaire and technological wizard who took it upon himself to shoulder some of the mankinds gravest problems, dedicating his profits to making the planet a safer place, is now tainted with very human sins and frailties. Let him who is without sin throw the first stone, as they say. But generalising sin in this manner is not a sufficient answer to a problem that has perplexed mankind since it drove Adam out of paradise. And, no, we can not chalk all this up to Eve and the apple, not in a modern global environment that acquits women and equates them with men in rights and duties. In all events, the unfolding drama is still in Act I. Melinda might find solace in the charity work of the foundation while Bill might still find another way to change the world. *The writer is chairman of the board, CEO and director of the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies. *A version of this article appears in print in the 3 June, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: KYODO NEWS - Jun 4, 2021 - 17:52 | All, World Finance ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized nations started a two-day in-person meeting on Friday in London focusing on the introduction of a global minimum corporate tax rate. Aside from the tax issue, "continuing support for vulnerable countries" amid the global economic recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and "joint action to ensure tackling climate change" are also among the agenda items, the British government said in a press release on Thursday. A statement is expected to be released on Saturday after the first face-to-face talks among the G-7 finance chiefs since 2019 are concluded, according to Japanese government sources. The gathering comes as discussion on a common minimum tax rate for companies that operate globally has been picking up momentum following a recent U.S. proposal to prevent them effectively avoiding tax by utilizing low-tax jurisdictions. The U.S. Treasury Department said last month it proposed setting a minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15 percent globally during a meeting of an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development steering group dealing with international tax issues. The move came as Washington seeks to raise domestic corporate levies. The discussion on a universal lower limit for the tax rate is part of the multinational negotiations under a project led by the OECD and the Group of 20 major economies. It involves about 140 countries, which the OECD says aim to reach a "successful conclusion by mid-2021." The project members have also been discussing rules to enable governments to tax global tech giants offering digital services such as Google LLC and Apple Inc. based on their sales even though they are not physically present in their countries. "Securing a global agreement on digital taxation has also been a key priority this year -- we want companies to pay the right amount of tax in the right place, and I hope we can reach a fair deal with our partners," said British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, who presides over the London meeting. The finance ministers are also expected to reaffirm continued cooperation toward a balanced economic recovery from the pandemic, since insufficient COVID-19 vaccine supply in developing countries threatens to slow their recovery. The G-7 nations will aim to agree on steps to tackle climate change. These could include urging corporate efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and demanding major firms disclose estimates of how global warming will impact their operations. Sunak is set to push his counterparts to follow Britain's lead in making climate risk reporting in the financial system mandatory, according to the British government. Ahead of the G-7 talks, Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso met Sunak on Thursday, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday. Sunak and Aso had "productive talks on tackling climate change and supporting global debt transparency," according to the chancellor. The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States plus the European Union are scheduled to hold a three-day in-person G-7 summit from June 11 in Cornwall, southwestern England. KYODO NEWS - Jun 4, 2021 - 23:32 | World, All ASEAN's chief and a top Brunei diplomat met with Myanmar junta leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw on Friday to discuss the crisis in the country following the February's military coup. The trip by Lim Jock Hoi, secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Erywan Pehin Yusof, Brunei's second foreign minister, is considered to be in preparation for the envisioned dispatch of a special envoy to Myanmar. It is not expected that they will have a chance to meet with the country's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta's information office said Friday's meeting partly saw an exchange of views on the results of an extraordinary ASEAN summit held in Indonesia in late April to discuss the Myanmar situation. The Myanmar side also alleged that "terror acts" have been committed by unlawful groups opposed to the military government. It repeated its allegation that Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won last November's general election by committing fraud and irregularities, while it briefed the ASEAN visitors on plans to hold new elections when peace and stability are restored. At the ASEAN summit, five items were agreed upon, including the need for an immediate suspension of violence and the dispatch of a special envoy who would serve as a mediator in future dialogue between the junta and pro-democracy forces. It had been believed that the special envoy would be dispatched in mid-May, but the junta has shown a negative attitude toward early acceptance. Myanmar has said it will "give careful consideration to constructive suggestions" made by ASEAN leaders only "when the situation returns to stability in the country," making arrangements for dispatch of the special envoy potentially tricky. Since the overthrow of Suu Kyi's civilian government, the junta has kept her and other prominent politicians in detention while using brute force against anti-coup protesters. More than 840 people have been killed by the country's security forces since the Feb. 1 coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group that keeps track of deaths and arrests in Myanmar. Pro-democracy forces have launched what they call the National Unity Government as Myanmar's sole legitimate governing body. But the junta has designated it as a terrorist organization and put its members on a wanted list for suspected treason. A face-to-face foreign ministers' meeting between ASEAN and China is scheduled for this month, and ASEAN has a desire to attend the meeting after paving the way for dispatching the special envoy. Brunei currently serves as chair of the 10-member ASEAN, whose members also include Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. KYODO NEWS - Jun 4, 2021 - 19:32 | World, All, Japan, Coronavirus Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen thanked Japan on Friday for supplying "timely assistance" in the form of 1.24 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, as the self-ruled island struggles to procure shots. Tsai called Japan "a partner insisting on the same values of freedom and democracy" and said it has "given the democratic Taiwan more confidence in democracy." The free-of-charge shipment of the vaccine developed by Britain's AstraZeneca Plc touched down at Taoyuan International Airport at around 2 p.m. amid heavy rain brought by tropical storm Choi Wan. Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Japan, Frank Hsieh, who saw the shipment off at Narita airport near Tokyo in similarly wet weather, described the shipment as "timely rain." He apologized to the Taiwanese public for keeping the matter a secret from start to finish, saying that "before the vaccines get on the plane, it's possible to change," suggesting that China could intervene. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin has expressed opposition to Japan's plan to donate COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan, labeling it as "a political show" and an act of "interference in China's internal affairs." He also admonished Japan that "vaccine aid should return to the original intention of saving lives, and not be reduced to a toll for political self-interest." The Central News Agency quoted an anonymous source as saying on Wednesday that Tsai played a key role in the negotiation process with the assistance of the United States. The 10-day talks the source described as "silent battles" finally came to fruition when the three sides reached a consensus, it said. According to the report, the talks began on May 24 when the temporary head of the U.S. Embassy in Japan visited Hsieh at his official residence in Tokyo, the first time a U.S. diplomat has done so since Taiwan and the United States severed diplomatic ties 42 years ago. Hsieh revealed on his Facebook page the following day that they were joined by Japanese politicians and friends to "discuss regional peace and prosperity among other issues." Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Japan's move once again confirmed the old adage that "a friend in need is a friend indeed," adding that the Taiwanese government and its people will forever be grateful for the warm support from their friends in Japan. On that solid foundation, the ministry said, Taiwan hopes to work together with its "important partner and precious friend" to combat the spread of the epidemic. Taiwanese newspapers ran front-page articles Friday on Japan's plan to provide Taiwan with the vaccine The Liberty Times praised Japan for demonstrating its "guts" in the face of Chinese "threats." According to the newspaper, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe encouraged the government of his successor Yoshihide Suga to provide Taiwan with the vaccine, saying, "What Taiwan needs is speed." Meanwhile, Taiwan has thanked the United States for including Taiwan in the 7 million COVID-19 vaccines destined for Asia. The American Institute in Taiwan, Washington's de facto embassy in lieu of formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, said on Wednesday that the American people will never forget Taiwan's generosity in providing face masks and other emergency supplies during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis in the United States. The vaccine contributions will help Taiwan protect its most vulnerable populations and complement its ongoing procurement of high-quality American vaccines, including Moderna, and the generous donation of AstraZeneca vaccines Japan announced on Friday, it said. "Our three democracies have a proud tradition of helping each other during crises," it added. Taiwan has been grappling with a dramatic rise in coronavirus cases since the middle of last month. As of Friday, the total confirmed cases exceeded 10,000 and reached 10,446, including 187 deaths. China regards the democratic island as a renegade province to be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.